Who was he? Can you tell clearly? Messenger I think he was said to be one of the household of Laius. Oedipus The king who ruled this country long ago? Messenger The same. The man was a herdsman in his service. Oedipus Is he still alive, that I might see him? Messenger You natives of this country should know best. Oedipus Is 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. Chorus I think he speaks of no other than the peasant you already wanted to see. But our lady Iocasta might best tell you that. Oedipus Lady, do you know the one whom we summoned just now? Is it of him that this man speaks? Iocasta Why ask of whom he spoke? Regard it not; waste not a thought on what he said; it would be vain. Oedipus It must not happen that, with such clues in my grasp, I fail to bring my birth to light. Iocasta For the gods’ sake, if you have any care for your own life, do not continue this search!
 My anguish is enough. Oedipus Be of good courage. Even if I should be found the son of a servile mother—a slave by three descents—you will not be proven baseborn. Iocasta Hear me, I implore you: do not do this. Oedipus I will not hear of not discovering the whole truth. Iocasta Yet I wish you well—I counsel you for the best. Oedipus These best counsels, then, vex my patience. Iocasta Oh ill-fated man, may you never know who you are! Oedipus Go, some one, fetch me the herdsman. Leave this woman to glory in her princely stock. Iocasta Alas, alas, miserable man—that word alone can I say to you—and no other word ever again. She rushes into the palace. 
 Chorus Why has this woman gone, Oedipus, rushing off in wild grief? I fear