Epeisodion 4
Oedipus
Fearing indeed lest Apollo’s prophecy come true in me.
Messenger
Lest you acquire some pollution from your parents?
Oedipus
This very thing, old man, this constantly frightens me.
Messenger
Do you know, then, that your fears are wholly in vain?
Oedipus
How so, if I was born of those parents?
1015
Messenger
Because you had no blood in common with Polybus.
Oedipus
What are you saying? Was Polybus not my father?
Messenger
Just as much, and no more, than he who speaks to you.
Oedipus
And how can my father be equal to him who is as though nothing to me?
Messenger
But he did not father you, any more than I did.
1020
Oedipus
How, then, did he call me his son?
Messenger
Long ago he received you as a gift from my hands.
Oedipus
And yet he loved me so dearly, who came from another’s hand?
Messenger
His former childlessness won him over.
Oedipus
And had you bought me or found me by chance, when you gave me to him?
1025
Messenger
I found you in Cithaeron’s winding glens.
Oedipus
And why were you roaming those regions?
Messenger
I was in charge of mountain flocks.
Oedipus
What, you were a shepherd—a vagrant hireling?
Messenger
But your savior, my son, in that hour.
1030
Oedipus
And what was my pain when you took me in your arms?
Messenger
The ankles of your feet might bear witness.
Oedipus
Ah me, why do you speak of that old trouble?
Messenger
I freed you when you had your ankles pinned together.
Oedipus
It was a dread brand of shame that I took from my cradle.
1035
Messenger
So much so that from that fortune you were called by that name which you still bear.
Oedipus
Oh, in the name of the gods, was the deed my mother’s or father’s?
Speak!
Messenger
I know not. He who gave you to me knows better of that than I.
Oedipus
What, you got me from another? You did not find me yourself?
Messenger
No. Another shepherd gave you to me.
1040
