Epeisodion 2
Creon
Fellow citizens, having learned that Oedipus the king lays dire charges against me, I have come in indignation.
If he thinks that in the present troubles he has suffered from me, by word or by deed, anything harmful, truly I do not desire my full term of years, when I must bear such blame as this. The wrong of this rumor
515
touches me not in one point alone, but has the largest scope, if I am to be called a traitor in the city, a traitor by you and by my friends.
520
Chorus
But perhaps this taunt came under the stress of anger, rather than from the purpose of his heart.
Creon
Was the opinion given that my counsels had brought the seer to utter his falsehoods?
525
Chorus
Such things were said—I do not know with what meaning.
Creon
And was this charge laid against me with steady eyes and steady mind?
Chorus
I do not know. I see not what my masters do. But here comes our lord from the house.
530
Oedipus
You, how did you get here? Are you so boldfaced that you have come to my house, you who are manifestly the murderer of its master,
the palpable thief of its crown? Come, tell me, in the name of the gods, was it cowardice or folly which you saw in me and which led you to plot this thing? Did you think that I would not notice this deed of yours creeping upon me by stealth, or that if I became aware of it I would not ward it off?
535
Is your attempt not foolish, to seek the throne without followers or friends—a prize which followers and wealth must win?
540
Creon
Mark me now: hear a fair reply in answer to your words, and then judge for yourself on the basis of knowledge.
Oedipus
You are apt in speech, but I have a poor wit for lessons, since I have found you a malignant foe.
545
Creon
Now hear first how I will explain this very thing.
Oedipus
One thing—that you are not false—do not bother to explain to me.
Creon
If you think that stubbornness
without sense is a virtue, you are not wise.
550
Oedipus
If you think you can wrong a kinsman and escape the penalty, you are not sane.
Creon
Justly said, I grant you: but tell me what the wrong is that you say you are suffering at my hands.
Oedipus
Did you, or did you not, advise me to send for that reverend seer?
555
Creon
Even now I am of the same mind.
Oedipus
How long is it, then, since Laius . . .
Creon
Did what? I do not understand.
Oedipus
was swept out of sight by deadly violence?
560
Creon
The count of years would run far into the past.
Oedipus
Did this seer possess this skill in those days?
Creon
He was wise as now, and held in equal honor.
Oedipus
Did he make mention of me at that time?
Creon
Never, certainly, when I was within hearing.
565
Oedipus
Did you never investigate the murder?
Creon
Due search we made, of course, though we learned nothing.
Oedipus
And how was it that this sage did not tell this story then.
Creon
I do not know: where I lack insight it is my custom to be silent.
Oedipus
This much, at least, you know, and could declare with insight enough.
570
Creon
What is that? If I know it, I will not deny it.
Oedipus
That, if he had not conferred with you, he would not have named me as
Laius’ slayer.
Creon
If he says this, you know best: but I deem it just
to learn from you as much as you have from me now.
575
Oedipus
Learn your fill. I will never be found guilty of the bloodshed.
Creon
Say, then—have you married my sister?
Oedipus
The question allows no denial.
Creon
And you rule the land as she does, with equal sway.
Oedipus
She obtains from me all that she wishes.
580
Creon
And do I not rank as a third peer of you two?
Oedipus
It is just in this that you are seen to be a false friend.
Creon
Not so, if you would reason with your heart as I do with mine. Weigh this first—whether you think that anyone would
choose to rule amid terrors rather than in unruffled peace, granted that he is to have the same powers. Now I, for one, have by nature no yearning to rule as a king rather than to do kingly deeds, and neither does any man I know who has a sound mind.
585
For now I attain all everything from you without fear, but, if I were ruler myself, I would have to do much that went against my own pleasure.
How, then, could royalty be sweeter to me to have than painless rule and influence? I am not yet so misguided
590
that I desire other honors than those which bring profit. Now, every man has a greeting for me; now, all that have a request of you crave to speak with me, since in me lies all their hope of success. Why then should I give up these things and take those others?
595
No mind will become false while it is wise. No, I am no lover of such a policy, and if another put it into action, I could never bear to go along with him. And, in proof of this, first go to Pytho, and ask whether I brought a true report of the oracle.
600
Then next, if you have found that I have planned anything in concert with the soothsayer, take and slay me, by the sentence not of one mouth, but of two—by my own no less than yours. But do not assume my guilt on unproven inference. It is not just to judge bad men good at random,
605
or good men bad. I think that casting off a true friend is for a man like casting away the life in his own bosom, which he most loves. You will surely learn about these affairs in time, since time alone reveals a just man.
610
But you can discern a bad man even in one day alone.
615
Chorus
He has spoken well, my king, for one who is taking care not to fall: those who are quick in counsel are not sure.
Oedipus
When the stealthy plotter is moving on me quickly, I, too, must be quick in my counterplot.
If I await him in repose, his ends will have been gained, and mine lost.
620
Creon
What do you want then? To banish me from the land?
Oedipus
Hardly. I desire your death, not your exile, so that I might show what a thing envy is.
Creon
Are you resolved not to yield or believe?
625
Oedipus
No, for you persuade me that you are unworthy of trust.
625
Creon
No, for I see you are not sane.
Oedipus
Sane, at least, in my own interest.
Creon
But you should be so in mine also.
Creon
But if you understand nothing?
Oedipus
Still I must rule.
Creon
Not if you rule badly.
Oedipus
Hear him, city of Thebes!
Creon
The city is mine too, not yours alone.
630
Chorus
Cease, lords. In good time I see Iocasta coming from the house, with whose help you should resolve your present feud.
Iocasta
Misguided men, why have you raised
such a foolish argument? Are you not ashamed, while the land is so sick, to stir up troubles of your own? Come, go into the house—and you, Creon, go to yours—and stop making so much of a petty grief.
635
Creon
Kinswoman, Oedipus, your husband,
wants to do one of two terrible things to me, either to thrust me from the land of my fathers or to arrest and slay me.
640
Oedipus
Yes indeed, for I have caught him, lady, working evil against my person with his wicked craft.
Creon
May I derive no benefit,
but perish accursed, if I have done any of the things of which you charge me.
645
Iocasta
In the name of the gods, believe it, Oedipus, first for the sake of this awful oath to the gods, then for my sake and for the sake of those who stand before you.