Oedipus King of Thebes - novelonlinefull.com
You’re read light novel Oedipus King of Thebes Part 20 online at NovelOnlineFull.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit NovelOnlineFull.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
OEDIPUS.
Back with his arms, ye bondmen! Hold him so.
[_The thralls drag back the_ SHEPHERD'S _arms, ready for torture._
SHEPHERD.
Woe's me! What have I done?... What wouldst thou know?
OEDIPUS.
Didst give this man the child, as he doth say?
SHEPHERD.
I did.... Would G.o.d that I had died this day!
[Sidenote: vv. 1158-1167]
OEDIPUS.
'Fore heaven, thou shalt yet, if thou speak not true.
SHEPHERD.
'Tis more than death and darker, if I do.
OEDIPUS.
This dog, it seems, will keep us waiting.
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 G.o.d who sees, Ask me no more!
OEDIPUS.
If once I ask again, Thou diest.
SHEPHERD.
From the folk of Laus, then, It came.
[Sidenote: vv. 1168-1176]
OEDIPUS.
A slave, or born of Laus' blood?
SHEPHERD.
There comes the word I dread to speak, O G.o.d!
OEDIPUS.
And I to hear: yet heard it needs must be.
SHEPHERD.
Know then, they said 'twas Laus' 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.
