COR. SH. Are ye the men to tell me where to find
The mansion of the sovereign Oedipus?
Or better, where he may himself be found?
CH. Here is the roof you seek, and he, our lord,
[page 111][928-960] Is there within: and, stranger, thou behold’st
The queenly mother of his royal race.
COR. SH. May she and hers be alway fortunate!
Still may she crown him with the joys of home!
JO. Be thou, too, blest, kind sir! Thy gracious tongue
Deserves no less. But tell me what request
Or what intelligence thou bring’st with thee?
COR. SH. Good tidings for thy house and husband, queen.
JO. What are they? Who hath sent thee to our hall?
COR. SH. From Corinth come I, and will quickly tell
What sure will please you; though perchance ’twill grieve.
JO. What news can move us thus two ways at once?
COR. SH. ’Twas rumoured that the people of the land
Of Corinth would make Oedipus their king.
JO. Is ancient Polybus not still in power?