counterplot. To wait his onset passively, for himIs sure success, for me assured defeat.
CREON
What then's thy will? To banish me the land?
OEDIPUS
I would not have thee banished, no, but dead, That men may mark the wages envy reaps.
CREON
I see thou wilt not yield, nor credit me.
OEDIPUS
[None but a fool would credit such as thou.] 3
CREON
Thou art not wise.
OEDIPUS
21
Wise for myself at least.
CREON
Why not for me too?
OEDIPUS
Why for such a knave?
CREON
Suppose thou lackest sense.
OEDIPUS
Yet kings must rule.
CREON
Not if they rule ill.
OEDIPUS
Oh my Thebans, hear him!
CREON
Thy Thebans? am not I a Theban too?
CHORUS
Cease, princes; lo there comes, and none too soon,
Jocasta from the palace. Who so fit
As peacemaker to reconcile your feud?
[Enter JOCASTA.]
JOCASTA
Misguided princes, why have ye upraised This wordy wrangle? Are ye not ashamed, While the whole land lies striken, thus to voice Your private injuries? Go in, my lord;
Go home, my brother, and forebear to make
A public scandal of a petty grief.
CREON
My royal sister, Oedipus, thy lord,
Hath bid me choose (O dread alternative!) An outlaw's exile or a felon's death.
OEDIPUS
Yes, lady; I have caught him practicing
Against my royal person his vile arts.
22
CREON
May I ne'er speed but die accursed, if I In any way am guilty of this charge.
JOCASTA
Believe him, I adjure thee, Oedipus,
First for his solemn oath's sake, then for mine, And for thine elders' sake who wait on thee.
CHORUS (Str. 1)
Hearken, King, reflect, we pray thee, but not stubborn but relent.
OEDIPUS
Say to what should I consent?
CHORUS
Respect a man whose probity and troth
Are known to all and now confirmed by oath.
OEDIPUS
Dost know what grace thou cravest?
CHORUS
Yea, I know.
OEDIPUS
Declare it then and make thy meaning plain.
CHORUS
Brand not a friend whom babbling tongues assail; Let not suspicion 'gainst his oath prevail.
OEDIPUS
Bethink you that in seeking this ye seek
In very sooth my death or banishment?
CHORUS
No, by the leader of the host divine! (Str. 2)
Witness, thou Sun, such thought was never mine, Unblest, unfriended may I perish,
If ever I such wish did cherish! But O my heart is desolate Musing on our striken State,
Doubly fall'n should discord grow
Twixt you twain, to crown our woe.
23
OEDIPUS
Well, let him go, no matter what it cost me, Or certain death or shameful banishment, For your sake I relent, not his; and him, Where'er he be, my heart shall still abhor.
CREON
Thou art as sullen in thy yielding mood
As in thine anger thou wast truculent.
Such tempers justly plague themselves the most.
OEDIPUS
Leave me in peace and get thee gone.
CREON
I go,
By thee misjudged, but justified by these.
[Exeunt CREON]
CHORUS (Ant. 1)
Lady, lead indoors thy consort; wherefore longer here delay?
JOCASTA
Tell me first how rose the fray.
CHORUS
Rumors bred unjust suspicious and injustice rankles sore.
JOCASTA
Were both at fault?
CHORUS Both.
JOCASTA
What was the tale?
CHORUS
Ask me no more. The land is sore distressed;
'Twere better sleeping ills to leave at rest.
OEDIPUS
Strange counsel, friend! I know thou mean'st me well, And yet would'st mitigate and blunt my zeal.
