Epeisodion 5
Servant
What now? Why do you ask the question?
Messenger
This man, my friend, is he who then was young.
1145
Servant
Damn you! Be silent once and for all!
Oedipus
Do not rebuke him, old man. Your words need rebuking more than his.
Servant
And in what way, most noble master, do I offend?
Oedipus
In not telling of the boy about whom he asks.
1150
Servant
He speaks without knowledge, but is busy to no purpose.
Oedipus
You will not speak with good grace, but will in pain.
Servant
No, in the name of the gods, do not mistreat an old man.
Oedipus
Someone, quick—tie his hands him this instant!
Servant
Alas, why? What do you want to learn?
1155
Oedipus
Did you give this man the child about whom he asks?
Servant
I did. Would that I had perished that day!
Oedipus
Well, you will come to that, unless you tell the honest truth.
Servant
But if I speak I will be destroyed all the more.
Oedipus
This man is bent, I think, on more delays.
1160
Servant
No, no! I said before that I gave it to him.
Oedipus
Where did you get it from? From your own house, or from another?
Servant
It was not my own: I received it from another.
Oedipus
From whom of the citizens here? From what home?
