Racine: Phaedra

SOPHOCLES
72
CEdipus.— ^Yes, and for this thou shalt have worthy thanks.
Messenger.—For this, indeed, I chiefly came to thee
That I on thy return might prosper well.
CEdipus.—And yet I will not with a parent meet.
Messenger.— 'Tis clear, my son, thou know'st not what thou
dost.
CEdipus,—What is't ? By all the Gods, old man, speak out.
Messenger.—If 'tis for them thou fearest to return . . .
CEdipus.— I fear lest Phoebos prove himself too true.
Messenger.—Is it lest thou should'st stain thy soul through
them?
CEdipus.—This self-same fear, old man, forever haunts me.
Messenger.—And know'st thou not there is no cause for fear ?
CEdipus.—Is there no cause if I was born their son ?
Messenger.—None is there. Polybos was nought to thee.
CEdipus.—What say'st thou ? Did not Polybos beget me ?
Messenger.—No more than he thou speak'st to; just as much.
CEdipus.—How could a father's claim become as nought ?
Messenger.—Well, neither he begat thee nor -did I.
CEdipus.—Why then did he acknowledge me as his ?
Messenger.—He at my hands received thee as a gift.
CEdipus.—And could he love another's child so much?
Messenger.—Yes; for his former childlessness wrought on
him.
CEdipus.—And gav'st thou me as foundling or as bought ?
Messenger.— I found thee in Kitnseron's shrub-grown hollow.
CEdipus.—And for what cause didst travel thitherwards?
Messenger.—I had the charge to tend the mountain flocks.
CEdipus.—Wast thou a shepherd, then, and seeking hire ?
Messenger.—E'en so, my son, and so I saved thee then.
CEdipus.—What evil plight then didst thou find me in?
Messenger.—The sinews of thy feet would tell that tale.
CEdipus.—Ah, me! why speak'st thou of that ancient wrong?
Messenger.—I freed thee when thy insteps both were pierced.
CEdipus.—A foul disgrace I had in swaddling clothes.
Messenger.—Thus from this chance there came the name thou
bearest.
CEdipus [starting].—Who gave the name, my father or my
mother ?
Messenger.—I know not. He who gave thee better knows.