Part 30

ANTIGONE. Haled along by force.

OEDIPUS. Thy hands, my child!

ANTIGONE. They will not let me, father.

CREON. Away with her!

OEDIPUS. Ah, woe is me, ah woe!

CREON. So those two crutches shall no longer serve thee For further roaming. Since it pleaseth thee To triumph o’er thy country and thy friends Who mandate, though a prince, I here discharge, Enjoy thy triumph; soon or late thou’lt find Thou art an enemy to thyself, both now And in time past, when in despite of friends Thou gav’st the rein to passion, still thy bane.

CHORUS. Hold there, sir stranger!

CREON. Hands off, have a care.

CHORUS. Restore the maidens, else thou goest not.

CREON. Then Thebes will take a dearer surety soon; I will lay hands on more than these two maids.

CHORUS. What canst thou further?

CREON. Carry off this man.

CHORUS. Brave words!

CREON. And deeds forthwith shall make them good.

CHORUS. Unless perchance our sovereign intervene.

OEDIPUS. O shameless voice! Would’st lay an hand on me?

CREON. Silence, I bid thee!

OEDIPUS. Goddesses, allow Thy suppliant to utter yet one curse! Wretch, now my eyes are gone thou hast torn away The helpless maiden who was eyes to me; For these to thee and all thy cursed race May the great Sun, whose eye is everywhere, Grant length of days and old age like to mine.

CREON. Listen, O men of Athens, mark ye this?

OEDIPUS. They mark us both and understand that I Wronged by the deeds defend myself with words.

CREON. Nothing shall curb my will; though I be old And single-handed, I will have this man.

OEDIPUS. O woe is me!

CHORUS. Thou art a bold man, stranger, if thou think’st To execute thy purpose.

CREON. So I do.

CHORUS. Then shall I deem this State no more a State.

CREON. With a just quarrel weakness conquers might.

OEDIPUS. Ye hear his words?

CHORUS. Aye words, but not yet deeds, Zeus knoweth!