Shepherd.

Nay,

I said at first I gave it.

Oedipus.

In what way

Came it to thee? Was it thine own child, or

Another’s?

Shepherd.

Nay, it never crossed my door:

Another’s.

Oedipus.

Whose? What man, what house, of these

About thee?

Shepherd.

In the name of God who sees,

Ask me no more!

Oedipus.

If once I ask again,

Thou diest.

Shepherd.

From the folk of Laïus, then,

It came.

Oedipus.

A slave, or born of Laïus’ blood?

Shepherd.

There comes the word I dread to speak, O God!

Oedipus.

And I to hear: yet heard it needs must be.

Shepherd.

Know then, they said ’twas Laïus’ child. But she

Within, thy wife, best knows its fathering.

Oedipus.

’Twas she that gave it?

Shepherd.

It was she, O King.

Oedipus.

And bade you … what?

Shepherd.

Destroy it.

Oedipus.

Her own child? …

Cruel!

Shepherd.

Dark words of God had made her wild.

Oedipus.

What words?

Shepherd.

The babe must slay his father; so

’Twas written.

Oedipus.

Why didst thou, then, let him go

With this old man?

Shepherd.

O King, I pitied him.

I thought the man would save him to some dim

And distant land, beyond all fear. … And he,

To worse than death, did save him! … Verily,

If thou art he whom this man telleth of,

To sore affliction thou art born.

Oedipus.

Enough!

All, all, shall be fulfilled. … Oh, on these eyes

Shed light no more, ye everlasting skies

That know my sin! I have sinned in birth and breath.

I have sinned with Woman. I have sinned with Death.

[He rushes into the Palace. The Shepherd is led away by the thralls.

Chorus.

[Strophe.

Nothingness, nothingness,

Ye Children of Man, and less

I count you, waking or dreaming!

And none among mortals, none,

Seeking to live, hath won

More than to seem, and to cease

Again from his seeming.

While ever before mine eyes

One fate, one ensample, lies—

Thine, thine, O Oedipus, sore

Of God oppressèd—

What thing that is human more

Dare I call blessèd?