The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oedipus Trilogy, by Sophocles ...
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oedipus Trilogy, by Sophocles ...
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oedipus Trilogy, by Sophocles ...
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HERDSMAN<br />
I was, a thrall, not purchased but home-bred.<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
What was thy business? how wast thou employed?<br />
HERDSMAN<br />
<strong>The</strong> best part <strong>of</strong> my life I tended sheep.<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
What were the pastures thou didst most frequent?<br />
HERDSMAN<br />
Cithaeron and the neighboring alps.<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
<strong>The</strong>n there<br />
Thou must have known yon man, at least <strong>by</strong> fame?<br />
HERDSMAN<br />
Yon man? in what way? what man dost thou mean?<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
<strong>The</strong> man here, having met him in past times...<br />
HERDSMAN<br />
Off-hand I cannot call him well to mind.<br />
MESSENGER<br />
No wonder, master. But I will revive<br />
His blunted memories. Sure he can recall<br />
What time together both we drove our flocks,<br />
He two, I one, on the Cithaeron range,<br />
For three long summers; I his mate from spring<br />
Till rose Arcturus; then in winter time<br />
I led mine home, he his to Laius' folds.<br />
Did these things happen as I say, or no?<br />
HERDSMAN<br />
'Tis long ago, but all thou say'st is true.<br />
MESSENGER<br />
Well, thou mast then remember giving me<br />
A child to rear as my own foster-son?<br />
HERDSMAN<br />
Why dost thou ask this question? What <strong>of</strong> that?<br />
MESSENGER<br />
Friend, he that stands before thee was that child.<br />
HERDSMAN<br />
A plague upon thee! Hold thy wanton tongue!<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tly, old man, rebuke him not; thy words
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