Part 6

CREON. Since Laius...? I follow not thy drift.

OEDIPUS. By violent hands was spirited away.

CREON. In the dim past, a many years agone.

OEDIPUS. Did the same prophet then pursue his craft?

CREON. Yes, skilled as now and in no less repute.

OEDIPUS. Did he at that time ever glance at me?

CREON. Not to my knowledge, not when I was by.

OEDIPUS. But was no search and inquisition made?

CREON. Surely full quest was made, but nothing learnt.

OEDIPUS. Why failed the seer to tell his story then?

CREON. I know not, and not knowing hold my tongue.

OEDIPUS. This much thou knowest and canst surely tell.

CREON. What’s mean’st thou? All I know I will declare.

OEDIPUS. But for thy prompting never had the seer Ascribed to me the death of Laius.

CREON. If so he thou knowest best; but I Would put thee to the question in my turn.

OEDIPUS. Question and prove me murderer if thou canst.

CREON. Then let me ask thee, didst thou wed my sister?

OEDIPUS. A fact so plain I cannot well deny.

CREON. And as thy consort queen she shares the throne?

OEDIPUS. I grant her freely all her heart desires.

CREON. And with you twain I share the triple rule?

OEDIPUS. Yea, and it is that proves thee a false friend.

CREON. Not so, if thou wouldst reason with thyself, As I with myself. First, I bid thee think, Would any mortal choose a troubled reign Of terrors rather than secure repose, If the same power were given him? As for me, I have no natural craving for the name Of king, preferring to do kingly deeds, And so thinks every sober-minded man. Now all my needs are satisfied through thee, And I have naught to fear; but were I king, My acts would oft run counter to my will. How could a title then have charms for me Above the sweets of boundless influence? I am not so infatuate as to grasp The shadow when I hold the substance fast. Now all men cry me Godspeed! wish me well, And every suitor seeks to gain my ear, If he would hope to win a grace from thee. Why should I leave the better, choose the worse? That were sheer madness, and I am not mad. No such ambition ever tempted me, Nor would I have a share in such intrigue. And if thou doubt me, first to Delphi go, There ascertain if my report was true Of the god’s answer; next investigate If with the seer I plotted or conspired, And if it prove so, sentence me to death, Not by thy voice alone, but mine and thine. But O condemn me not, without appeal, On bare suspicion. ’Tis not right to adjudge Bad men at random good, or good men bad. I would as lief a man should cast away The thing he counts most precious, his own life, As spurn a true friend. Thou wilt learn in time The truth, for time alone reveals the just; A villain is detected in a day.

CHORUS. To one who walketh warily his words Commend themselves; swift counsels are not sure.

OEDIPUS. When with swift strides the stealthy plotter stalks I must be quick too with my 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.