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[1051-1072] Oedipus the King 403
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Methinks he speaks of no other than the peasant whom thou wast already
fain to see; but our lady Jocasta might best tell that.
OEDIPUS
Lady, wottest thou of him whom we lately summoned? Is it of him that
this man speaks?
JOCASTA
Why ask of whom he spoke? Regard it not . . . waste not a thought
on what he said . . . 'twere idle.
OEDIPUS
It must not be that, with such clues in my grasp, I should fail to bring
my birth to light.
JOCASTA
For the gods' sake, if thou hast any care for thine own life, forbear
this search! My anguish is enough.
OEDIPUS
Be of good courage; though I be found the son of servile mother,—aye,
a slave by three descents,—thou wilt not be proved base-born.
JOCASTA
Yet hear me, I implore thee: do not thus.
OEDIPUS
I must not hear of not discovering the whole truth.
JOCASTA
Yet I wish thee well—I counsel thee for the best.
OEDIPUS
These best counsels, then, vex my patience.
JOCASTA
Ill-fated one! Mayst thou never come to know who thou art!
OEDIPUS
Go, some one, fetch me the herdsman hither,—and leave yon woman
to glory in her princely stock.
JOCASTA
Alas, alas, miserable!—that word alone can I say unto thee, and no
other word henceforth for ever.
(She rushes into the palace.)