Epeisodion 1
Creon
that they sought
to hide him, when he had come to burn their columned shrines, their
sacred treasures and their land, and scatter its laws to the winds? Or
do you see the gods honoring the wicked? It cannot be. No! From the very
first
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certain men of the city
were chafing at this edict and muttering against me, tossing their heads
in secret, and they did not keep their necks duly under the yoke in
submission to me. By those men, I am certain, they were led astray and
bribed to do this deed.
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Nothing so
evil as money ever grew to be current among men. This destroys cities,
this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest minds to
set themselves to works of shame,
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this teaches people to practise villainies, and to know every act of
unholiness. But all the men who did this job for hire have made sure
that, sooner or later, they shall suffer the punishment. Now, as Zeus
still has my reverence, know this well—
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I tell you on my oath. If you do not find the very hand
that made this burial, and reveal him before my eyes, mere death shall
not suffice for you, not before, hung up alive, you have made this
outrage plain,
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so that hereafter
you may thieve with better knowledge of where your money should be
received from, and learn that it is best not to be fond of money-making
from any and every source. For you will find that ill-gotten gains bring
more men to ruin than to safety.
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Guard
Will you allow me to speak? Or
shall I just turn and go?
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Creon
Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?
Guard
Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?
Creon
And why would you define the seat of my pain?
Guard
He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.
Creon
God! How plain it is that you are
a born babbler.
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Guard
Perhaps, but never the author of this action.
Creon
Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.
Guard
Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .
Creon
Expound on judgment as you will. But, if you fail to
show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you
will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows. Exit
Creon.
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Guard
Well, may the man be found! That would be best. But, whether he be caught
or not—for fortune must decide that—I assure you that you will not see
me come here again.
Saved just now
beyond hope and belief, I owe the gods great thanks. Exit the
Guard.
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