Do not tell me—that you are not a villain!

CREON

If you suppose your arrogance weighs aught

Apart from reason, you are much astray.

OEDIPUS

If you suppose you can escape the pain

Due for a kinsman’s wrong, you are astray!

CREON

You speak with justice; I agree! But tell me,

How is it that you say I injured you?

OEDIPUS

Did you persuade me that I ought to send

To fetch that canting soothsayer, or no?

CREON

Why yes, and now, I am of the same mind, still.

OEDIPUS How

long is it since Laius—

CREON

What? I know not.

OEDIPUS

Died—disappeared, murdered by violence?

CREON

Long seasons might be numbered, long gone by.

OEDIPUS

Well, did this seer then practise in the craft?

CREON

Yes, just as wise, and just as much revered.

OEDIPUS

And did he at that time say one word of me?

CREON

Well, nowhere in my presence, anyhow.

OEDIPUS

But did not you hold inquest for the dead?

CREON

We did, of course; and got no evidence.

OEDIPUS

Well then, how came it that this wiseacre

Did not say these things then?

CREON

I do not know.

In matters where I have no cognizance

I hold my tongue.

OEDIPUS

This much, at least, you know,

And if you are wise, will say!

CREON

And what is that?

For if I know it, I shall not refuse.

OEDIPUS

Why, that unless he had conspired with you

He never would have said that Laius’ murder

Was of my doing!

CREON

If he says so, you know.

Only I claim to know that first from you,

Which you put now to me.

OEDIPUS

Learn anything!

For I shall not be found a murderer.

CREON

Well then; you have my sister to your wife?

OEDIPUS

There’s no denying that question.

CREON

And with her

Rule equal, and in common hold the land?

OEDIPUS

All she may wish for she obtains of me.

CREON

And make I not a third, equal with you?

OEDIPUS

Ay, there appears your friendship’s falsity.

CREON

Not if you reason with yourself, as I.

And note this first; if you can think that any

Would rather choose a sovereignty, with fears,

Than the same power, with undisturbed repose?

Neither am I, by nature, covetous

To be a king, rather than play the king,

Nor any man who has sagacity.

Now I have all things, without fear, from you;

Reigned I myself, I must do much I hated.

How were a throne, then, pleasanter for me

Than painless empire and authority?

I am not yet so blinded as to wish

For honour, other than is joined with gain.

Now am I hail-fellow-well-met with all;

Now every man gives me good-morrow; now

The waiters on your favour fawn on me;

For all their prospering depends thereby.

Then how should I exchange this lot for yours?

A mind well balanced cannot turn to crime.

I neither am in love with this design,

Nor, in a comrade, would I suffer it.