What are you saying? Was Polybus not my father? Messenger Just as much, and no more, than he who speaks to you. Oedipus And how can my father be equal to him who is as though nothing to me? Messenger But he did not father you, any more than I did. Oedipus How, then, did he call me his son? Messenger Long ago he received you as a gift from my hands. Oedipus And yet he loved me so dearly, who came from another’s hand? Messenger His former childlessness won him over. Oedipus And had you bought me or found me by chance, when you gave me to him? Messenger I found you in Cithaeron’s winding glens. Oedipus And why were you roaming those regions? Messenger I was in charge of mountain flocks. Oedipus What, you were a shepherd—a vagrant hireling? Messenger But your savior, my son, in that hour. Oedipus And what was my pain when you took me in your arms? Messenger The ankles of your feet might bear witness. Oedipus Ah me, why do you speak of that old trouble? Messenger I freed you when you had your ankles pinned together. Oedipus It was a dread brand of shame that I took from my cradle. Messenger So much so that from that fortune you were called by that name which you still bear. Oedipus Oh, in the name of the gods, was the deed my mother’s or father’s?
 Speak! Messenger I know not. He who gave you to me knows better of that than I. Oedipus What, you got me from another? You did not find me yourself? Messenger No. Another shepherd gave you to me.