Oedipus. Where did you come by it? Your own child, or another?
Herdsman. It was not my own child—I had it from another.
Oedipus. From any of those here? From what house?
Herdsman. Do not ask any more, master; for the love of God do not ask.
Oedipus. You are lost if I have to question you again.
Herdsman. It was a child from the house of Laius.
Oedipus. A slave? Or one of his own race?
Herdsman. Alas! I am on the edge of dreadful words.
Oedipus. And I of hearing: yet hear I must.
Herdsman. It was Said to have been his own child. But your lady within can tell you of these things best.
Oedipus. How? It was she who gave it to you?
Herdsman. Yes, king.
Oedipus. To what end?
Herdsman. That I should make away with it.
Oedipus. Her own child?
Herdsman. Yes: from fear of evil prophecies.
Oedipus. What prophecies?
