And yet he loved me so dearly, who came from another’s hand?MessengerHis former childlessness won him over.OedipusAnd had you bought me or found me by chance, when you gave me to him?MessengerI found you in Cithaeron’s winding glens.OedipusAnd why were you roaming those regions?MessengerI was in charge of mountain flocks.OedipusWhat, you were a shepherd—a vagrant hireling?MessengerBut your savior, my son, in that hour.OedipusAnd what was my pain when you took me in your arms?MessengerThe ankles of your feet might bear witness.OedipusAh me, why do you speak of that old trouble?MessengerI freed you when you had your ankles pinned together.OedipusIt was a dread brand of shame that I took from my cradle.MessengerSo much so that from that fortune you were called by that name which you still bear.OedipusOh, in the name of the gods, was the deed my mother’s or father’s? Speak!MessengerI know not. He who gave you to me knows better of that than I.OedipusWhat, you got me from another? You did not find me yourself?MessengerNo. Another shepherd gave you to me.OedipusWho was he? Can you tell clearly?MessengerI think he was said to be one of the household of Laius.OedipusThe king who ruled this country long ago?MessengerThe same. The man was a herdsman in his service.OedipusIs he still alive, that I might see him?MessengerYou natives of this country should know best.OedipusIs there any of you here present that knows the herdsman of whom he speaks, having seen him either in the pastures or here in town? Answer!The hour has come for these things to be revealed finally.ChorusI think he speaks of no other than the peasant you already wanted to see. But our lady Iocasta might best tell you that.OedipusLady, do you know the one whom we summoned just now?Is it of him that this man speaks?IocastaWhy ask of whom he spoke? Regard it not; waste not a thought on what he said; it would be vain.