Who 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.OedipusIt must not happen that, with such clues in my grasp, I fail to bring my birth to light.IocastaFor the gods’ sake, if you have any care for your own life, do not continue this search! My anguish is enough.OedipusBe 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.IocastaHear me, I implore you: do not do this.OedipusI will not hear of not discovering the whole truth.IocastaYet I wish you well—I counsel you for the best.OedipusThese best counsels, then, vex my patience.IocastaOh ill-fated man, may you never know who you are!OedipusGo, some one, fetch me the herdsman.Leave this woman to glory in her princely stock.IocastaAlas, alas, miserable man—that word alone can I say to you—and no other word ever again. She rushes into the palace. ChorusWhy has this woman gone, Oedipus, rushing off in wild grief? I fear