Epeisodion 5
Oedipus
Elders, if it is right for me, who have never met the man, to guess, I think I see the herdsman we have been looking for for a lone time. In his venerable old age he tallies with this stranger’s years, and moreover I recognize those who bring him, I think, as servants of mine.
1110
But perhaps you have an advantage in knowledge over me, if you have seen the herdsman before.
1115
Chorus
Yes, I know him, be sure. He was in the service of Laius—trusty as any shepherd.
Oedipus
I ask you first, Corinthian stranger, if this is the man you mean.
Messenger
He is, the one you are looking at.
1120
Oedipus
You, old man—look this way and answer all that I ask—were you once in the service of Laius?
Servant
I was—not a bought slave, but reared in his house.
Oedipus
Employed in what labor, or what way of life?
Servant
For the better part of my life I tended the flocks.
1125
Oedipus
And what regions did you most frequently haunt?
Servant
Sometimes Cithaeron, sometimes the neighboring ground.
Oedipus
Are you aware of ever having seen this man in these parts?
Servant
Doing what? What man do you mean?
Oedipus
This man here. Have you ever met him before?
1130
Servant
Not so that I could speak at once from memory.
Messenger
And no wonder, master. But I will bring clear recollection to his ignorance. I am sure he knows well of the time we dwelled in the region of Cithaeron
for six month periods, from spring to Arcturus, he with two flocks, and I, his comrade, with one. And then for the winter I used to drive my flock to my own fold, and he took his to the fold of Laius.
1135
Did any of this happen as I tell it, or did it not?
1140
Servant
You speak the truth, though it was long ago.
Messenger
Come, tell me now: do you remember having given me a boy in those days, to be reared as my own foster-son?
Servant
What now? Why do you ask the question?
Messenger
This man, my friend, is he who then was young.
1145
Servant
Damn you! Be silent once and for all!
Oedipus
Do not rebuke him, old man. Your words need rebuking more than his.
Servant
And in what way, most noble master, do I offend?
Oedipus
In not telling of the boy about whom he asks.
1150
Servant
He speaks without knowledge, but is busy to no purpose.
Oedipus
You will not speak with good grace, but will in pain.
Servant
No, in the name of the gods, do not mistreat an old man.
Oedipus
Someone, quick—tie his hands him this instant!
