Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/137

Rh Mess. Thus from this chance there came the name thou bearest.

Œdip. [Starting.] Who gave the name, my father or my mother?

Mess. I know not. He who gave thee better knows.

Œdip. Did'st thou then take me from another's hand,

Not finding me thyself?

Mess. Not I, indeed;

Another shepherd made a gift of thee.

Œdip. Who was he? Know'st thou how to point him out?

Mess. They called him one of those that Laios owned.

Œdip. Mean'st thou the former sovereign of this land?

Mess. E'en so. He fed the flocks of him thou nam'st.

Œdip. And is he living still that I might see him?

Mess. You, his own countrymen, should know that best.

Œdip. Is there of you who stand and listen here

One who has known the shepherd that he tells of,

Or seeing him upon the hills or here?

If so, declare it; 'tis full time to know.

Chorus. I think that this is he whom from the fields

But now thou soughtest. But Jocasta here

Could tell thee this with surer word than I.

Œdip. Think'st thou, my queen, the man whom late we sent for

Is one with him of whom this stranger speaks?

Joc. [With forced calmness.] Whom did he speak of?

Care not thou for it,

Nor even wish to keep his words in mind.

Œdip. I cannot fail, once getting on the scent,

To track at last the secret of my birth.

Joc. Ah, by the Gods, if that thou valuest life

Inquire no more. My misery is enough.