Fourth Episode
The οἰκεύς, who alone escaped from the slaughter of Laïus and his following, had at his own request been sent away from Thebes to do the work of a herdsman (761). Oedipus had summoned him in order to see whether he would speak of λῃσταί, or of one λῃστής (842). But meanwhile a further question has arisen. Is he identical with that herdsman of Laïus (1040) who had given up the infant Oedipus to the Corinthian shepherd? He is now seen approaching. With his coming, the two threads of discovery are brought together.
Oedipus.Elders, if ’tis for me to guess, who have never met with him, I think I see the herdsman of whom we have long been in quest; for in his venerable age he tallies with yon stranger’s years, and withal I know those who bring him, methinks, as servants of mine own. But perchance thou mayest have the advantage of me in knowledge, if thou hast seen the herdsman before.
Chorus.Aye, I know him, be sure; he was in the service of Laïus — trusty as any man, in his shepherd’s place. [ The herdsman is brought in.
Oedipus.I ask thee first, Corinthian stranger, is this he whom thou meanest?
Messenger (from Corinth).This man whom thou beholdest.
Oedipus.Ho thou, old man — I would have thee look this way, and answer all that I ask thee. — Thou wast once in the service of Laïus?
Herdsman.I was — a slave not bought, but reared in his house.
Oedipus.Employed in what labour, or what way of life?
Herdsman.For the best part of my life I tended flocks.
Oedipus.And what the regions that thou didst chiefly haunt?
Herdsman.Sometimes it was Cithaeron, sometimes the neighbouring ground.
Oedipus.Then wottest thou of having noted yon man in these parts —
Herdsman.Doing what?...What man dost thou mean?...
Oedipus.This man here — or of having ever met him before?
Herdsman.Not so that I could speak at once from memory.
Messenger (from Corinth).And no wonder, master. But I will bring clear recollection to his ignorance. I am sure that he well wots of the time when we abode in the region of Cithaeron, — he with two flocks, I, his comrade, with one, — three full half-years, from spring to Arcturus; and then for the winter I used to drive my flock to mine own fold, and he took his to the fold of Laïus. Did aught of this happen as I tell, or did it not?
Herdsman.Thou speakest the truth — though ’tis long ago.
Messenger (from Corinth).Come, tell me now — wottest thou of having / given me a boy in those days, to be reared as mine own foster-son?
Herdsman.What now? Why dost thou ask the question?
Messenger (from Corinth).Yonder man, my friend, is he who then was young.
Herdsman.Plague seize thee — be silent once for all!
Oedipus.Ha! chide him not, old man — thy words need chiding more than his.
Herdsman.And wherein, most noble master, do I offend?
Oedipus.In not telling of the boy concerning whom he asks.
Herdsman.He speaks without knowledge — he is busy to no purpose.
Oedipus.Thou wilt not speak with a good grace, but thou shalt on pain.
Herdsman.Nay, for the gods’ love, misuse not an old man!
Oedipus.Ho, some one — pinion him this instant!
Herdsman.Alas, wherefore? what more wouldst thou learn?
Oedipus.Didst thou give this man the child of whom he asks?
Herdsman.I did, — and would I had perished that day!
Oedipus.Well, thou wilt come to that, unless thou tell the honest truth.
Herdsman.Nay, much more am I lost, if I speak.
Oedipus.The fellow is bent, methinks, on more delays...
Herdsman.No, no! — I said before that I gave it to him.
Oedipus.Whence hadst thou got it? In thine own house, or from another?
Herdsman.Mine own it was not — I had received it from a man.
Oedipus.From whom of the citizens here? from what home?
Herdsman.Forbear, for the gods’ love, master, forbear to ask more!
Oedipus.Thou art lost if I have to question thee again.
Herdsman.It was a child, then, of the house of Laïus.
Oedipus.A slave? or one born of his own race?
Herdsman.Ah me — I am on the dreaded brink of speech.
Oedipus.And I of hearing; yet must I hear.
Herdsman.Thou must know, then, that ’twas said to be his own child — but thy lady within could best say how these things are.
Oedipus.How? She gave it to thee?
Herdsman.Yea, O king.
Oedipus.For what end?
Herdsman.That I should make away with it.
Oedipus.Her own child, the wretch?
Herdsman.Aye, from fear of evil prophecies.
Oedipus.What were they?
Herdsman.The tale ran that he must slay his sire.
Oedipus.Why, then, didst thou give him up to this old man?
Herdsman.Through pity, master, as deeming that he would bear him away to another land, whence he himself came; but he saved him for the direst woe. For if thou art what this man saith, know that thou wast born to misery.
Oedipus.Oh, oh! All brought to pass — all true! Thou light, may I now look my last on thee — I who have been found accursed in birth, accursed in wedlock, accursed in the shedding of blood! [He rushes into the palace.