Oedipus. If I am not your son, where did you get me?
Messenger. In a wooded valley of Cythaeron.
Oedipus. What brought you wandering there?
Messenger. I was in charge of mountain sheep.
Oedipus. A shepherd—a wandering, hired man.
Messenger. A hired man who came just in time.
Oedipus. Just in time—had it come to that?
Messenger. Have not the cords left their marks upon your ankles?
Oedipus. Yes, that is an old trouble.
Messenger. I took your feet out of the spancel.
Oedipus. I have had those marks from the cradle.
Messenger. They have given you the name you bear.
Oedipus. Tell me, for the gods’ sake, was that deed my mother’s or my father’s?
Messenger. I do not know—he who gave you to me knows more of that than I.
Oedipus. What? You had me from another? You did not chance on me yourself?
Messenger. No. Another shepherd gave you to me.
