Sophocles Oedipus Tyrannus 578

Der Chor.

Creon

Fellow citizens, having learned that Oedipus the king lays dire charges against me, I have come in indignation.

If he thinks that in the present troubles he has suffered from me, by word or by deed, anything harmful, truly I do not desire my full term of years, when I must bear such blame as this. The wrong of this rumor

515

touches me not in one point alone, but has the largest scope, if I am to be called a traitor in the city, a traitor by you and by my friends.

520

Chorus

But perhaps this taunt came under the stress of anger, rather than from the purpose of his heart.

Creon

Was the opinion given that my counsels had brought the seer to utter his falsehoods?

525

Chorus

Such things were said—I do not know with what meaning.

Creon

And was this charge laid against me with steady eyes and steady mind?

Chorus

I do not know. I see not what my masters do. But here comes our lord from the house.

530

Oedipus

You, how did you get here? Are you so boldfaced that you have come to my house, you who are manifestly the murderer of its master,

the palpable thief of its crown? Come, tell me, in the name of the gods, was it cowardice or folly which you saw in me and which led you to plot this thing? Did you think that I would not notice this deed of yours creeping upon me by stealth, or that if I became aware of it I would not ward it off?

535

Is your attempt not foolish, to seek the throne without followers or friends—a prize which followers and wealth must win?

540

Creon

Mark me now: hear a fair reply in answer to your words, and then judge for yourself on the basis of knowledge.

Oedipus

You are apt in speech, but I have a poor wit for lessons, since I have found you a malignant foe.

545

Creon

Now hear first how I will explain this very thing.

Oedipus

One thing—that you are not false—do not bother to explain to me.

Creon

If you think that stubbornness

without sense is a virtue, you are not wise.

550

Oedipus

If you think you can wrong a kinsman and escape the penalty, you are not sane.

Creon

Justly said, I grant you: but tell me what the wrong is that you say you are suffering at my hands.

Oedipus

Did you, or did you not, advise me to send for that reverend seer?

555

Creon

Even now I am of the same mind.

Oedipus

How long is it, then, since Laius . . .

Creon

Did what? I do not understand.

Oedipus

was swept out of sight by deadly violence?

560

Creon

The count of years would run far into the past.

Oedipus

Did this seer possess this skill in those days?

Creon

He was wise as now, and held in equal honor.

Oedipus

Did he make mention of me at that time?

Creon

Never, certainly, when I was within hearing.

565

Oedipus

Did you never investigate the murder?

Creon

Due search we made, of course, though we learned nothing.

Oedipus

And how was it that this sage did not tell this story then.

Creon

I do not know: where I lack insight it is my custom to be silent.

Oedipus

This much, at least, you know, and could declare with insight enough.

570

Creon

What is that? If I know it, I will not deny it.

Oedipus

That, if he had not conferred with you, he would not have named me as Laius’ slayer.

Creon

If he says this, you know best: but I deem it just

to learn from you as much as you have from me now.

575

Oedipus

Learn your fill. I will never be found guilty of the bloodshed.

Creon

Say, then—have you married my sister?

Oedipus

The question allows no denial.

Creon

And you rule the land as she does, with equal sway.

Oedipus

She obtains from me all that she wishes.

580

Creon

And do I not rank as a third peer of you two?

Oedipus

It is just in this that you are seen to be a false friend.

Creon

Not so, if you would reason with your heart as I do with mine. Weigh this first—whether you think that anyone would

choose to rule amid terrors rather than in unruffled peace, granted that he is to have the same powers. Now I, for one, have by nature no yearning to rule as a king rather than to do kingly deeds, and neither does any man I know who has a sound mind.

585

For now I attain all everything from you without fear, but, if I were ruler myself, I would have to do much that went against my own pleasure.
  How, then, could royalty be sweeter to me to have than painless rule and influence? I am not yet so misguided

590

that I desire other honors than those which bring profit. Now, every man has a greeting for me; now, all that have a request of you crave to speak with me, since in me lies all their hope of success. Why then should I give up these things and take those others?

595

No mind will become false while it is wise. No, I am no lover of such a policy, and if another put it into action, I could never bear to go along with him. And, in proof of this, first go to Pytho , and ask whether I brought a true report of the oracle.

600

Then next, if you have found that I have planned anything in concert with the soothsayer, take and slay me, by the sentence not of one mouth, but of two—by my own no less than yours. But do not assume my guilt on unproven inference. It is not just to judge bad men good at random,

605

or good men bad. I think that casting off a true friend is for a man like casting away the life in his own bosom, which he most loves. You will surely learn about these affairs in time, since time alone reveals a just man.

610

But you can discern a bad man even in one day alone.

615

Chorus

He has spoken well, my king, for one who is taking care not to fall: those who are quick in counsel are not sure.

Oedipus

When the stealthy plotter is moving on me quickly, I, too, must be quick in my counterplot.

If I await him in repose, his ends will have been gained, and mine lost.

620

Creon

What do you want then? To banish me from the land?

Oedipus

Hardly. I desire your death, not your exile, so that I might show what a thing envy is.

Creon

Are you resolved not to yield or believe?

625

Oedipus

No, for you persuade me that you are unworthy of trust.

Creon

No, for I see you are not sane.

Oedipus

Sane, at least, in my own interest.

Creon

But you should be so in mine also.

Oedipus

You are false.

Creon

But if you understand nothing?

Oedipus

Still I must rule.

Creon

Not if you rule badly.

Oedipus

Hear him, city of Thebes !

Creon

The city is mine too, not yours alone.

630

Chorus

Cease, lords. In good time I see Iocasta coming from the house, with whose help you should resolve your present feud.

Iocasta

Misguided men, why have you raised

such a foolish argument? Are you not ashamed, while the land is so sick, to stir up troubles of your own? Come, go into the house—and you, Creon, go to yours—and stop making so much of a petty grief.

635

Creon

Kinswoman, Oedipus, your husband,

wants to do one of two terrible things to me, either to thrust me from the land of my fathers or to arrest and slay me.

640

Oedipus

Yes indeed, for I have caught him, lady, working evil against my person with his wicked craft.

Creon

May I derive no benefit,

but perish accursed, if I have done any of the things of which you charge me.

645

Iocasta

In the name of the gods, believe it, Oedipus, first for the sake of this awful oath to the gods, then for my sake and for the sake of those who stand before you.