The Oedipus Trilogy - The Original Classic Edition. Sophocles Sophocles

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The Oedipus Trilogy - The Original Classic Edition - Sophocles Sophocles

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counterplot. To wait his onset passively, for him

       Is 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

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       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.

      

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