Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/78

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How?—Is there one of you within my pale

Standing, that knows the shepherd of his tale?

Ye have seen him on the hills? Or in this town?

Speak! For the hour is come that all be known.

I think ’twill be the Peasant Man, the same,

Thou hast sought long time to see.—His place and name

Our mistress, if she will, can tell most clear.

[ remains as if she heard nothing.

Thou hear’st him, wife. The herd whose presence here

We craved for, is it he this man would say?

He saith What of it? Ask not; only pray

Not to remember. Tales are vainly told.

’Tis mine own birth. How can I, when I hold

Such clues as these, refrain from knowing all?

For God’s love, no! Not if thou car’st at all

For thine own life. My anguish is enough.

Fear not! Though I be thrice of slavish stuff

From my third grand-dam down, it shames not thee.