Servant
You must know then, that it was said to be his own child. But your lady within could say best how these matters lie.
Oedipus
How? Did she give it to you?
Servant
Yes, my lord.
Oedipus
For what purpose?
Servant
That I should do away with it.
Oedipus
[1175]
Her own child, the wretched woman?
Servant
Yes, from fear of the evil prophecies.
Oedipus
What were they?
Servant
The tale ran that he would slay his father.
Oedipus
Why, then, did you give him to this old man?
Servant
Out of pity, master, thinking that he would carry him to another land, from where he himself came. But he saved him for the direst woe.
[1180]
For if you are what this man says, be certain that you were born ill-fated.
Oedipus
Oh, oh! All brought to pass, all true. Light, may I now look on you for the last time—I who have been found to be accursed in birth,
[1185]
accursed in wedlock, accursed in the shedding of blood.He rushes into the palace.
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Sophocles. The Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles. Edited with introduction and notes by Sir Richard Jebb. Sir Richard Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1887.
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