Oed. And where didst thou inhabit with thy flock?
Theb. Sh. ’Twas now Cithaeron, now the neighbouring tract.
Oed. And hadst thou there acquaintance of this man?
Theb. Sh. Following what service? What is he you mean?
Oed. The man you see. Hast thou had dealings with him?
Theb. Sh. I cannot bring him all at once to mind.
Cor. Sh. No marvel, good my lord. But I will soon
Wake to clear knowledge his oblivious sense.
For sure I am he can recall the time,
When he with his two flocks, and I with one
Beside him, grazed Cithaeron’s pasture wide
Good six months’ space of three successive years,
From spring to rising of Arcturus; then
For the bleak winter-season, I drove mine
To their own folds, he his to Laius’ stalls.
Bo I talk idly, or is this the truth?
Theb. Sh. The time is far remote. But all is true.
Cor. Sh. Well, dost remember having given me then
A child, that I might nurture him for mine?
Theb. Sh. What means thy question? Let me know thy drift.
Cor. Sh. Friend, yonder stands the infant whom we knew.
Theb. Sh. Confusion seize thee, and thy evil tongue!
Oed. Check not his speech, I pray thee, for thy words
Call more than his for chastisement, old sir.
Theb. Sh. O my dread lord, wherein do I offend?
Oed. Thou wilt not answer him about the child.
Theb. Sh. He knows not what he speaks. His end is vain.
Oed. So! Thou’lt not tell to please us, but the lash
Will make thee tell.
Theb. Sh. By all that ’s merciful,
Scourge not this aged frame!
Oed. Pinion him straight!
Theb. Sh. Unhappy! wherefore? what is ’t you would know?
