For proof of which, first, go to Pytho; ask

For the oracles, if I declared them truly;

Next, if you can detect me in the act

Of any conjuration with the seer,

Then, by a double vote, not one alone,

Mine and your own, take me, and take my life;

But do not, on a dubious argument,

Charge me beside the facts. For just it is not,

To hold bad men for good, good men for bad,

To no good end; nay, ’twere all one to me

To throw away a friend, a worthy one,

And one’s own life, which most of all one values.

Ah well; in time, you will see these things plainly;

For time alone shews a man’s honesty,

But in one day you may discern his guilt.

1 SENATOR

His words sound fair—to one who fears to fall;

For swift in counsel is unsafe, my liege.

OEDIPUS

When he who plots against me in the dark

Comes swiftly on, I must be swift in turn.

If I stay quiet, his ends will have been gained,

And mine all missed.

CREON

What is it that you want?

To expel me from the country?

OEDIPUS

Not at all.

Your death I purpose, not your banishment.

CREON

Not without shewing, first, what a thing is jealousy!

OEDIPUS

You talk like one who will not yield, nor heed.

CREON

Because I see you mean injuriously.

OEDIPUS

Not to myself!

CREON

No more you ought to me!

OEDIPUS

You are a traitor!

CREON

What if you are no judge?

OEDIPUS

I must be ruler.

CREON

Not if you rule badly.

OEDIPUS

City, my city!

CREON

The city is mine too,

And not yours only.

1 SENATOR

Good my lords, have done,

Here is Jocasta; in good time, I see her

Come to you from the palace; with her aid

’Twere meet to appease your present difference.

Enter JOCASTA.

JOCASTA

Unhappy men, what was it made you raise

This senseless broil of words? Are you not both

Ashamed of stirring private grievances,

The land being thus afflicted? Get you in—

And, Creon, do you go home; push not mere nothing

On to some terrible calamity!

CREON

Sister, your husband Oedipus thinks fit

To treat me villainously; choosing for me

Of two bad things, one; to expatriate me,

Or seize and kill me.

OEDIPUS

I admit it, wife;

For I have found him out in an offence

Against my person, joined with treachery.

CREON

So may I never thrive, but perish, banned

Of Heaven, if I have done a thing to you

Of what you charge against me!

JOCASTA

Oedipus!

O in Heaven’s name believe it! Above all

Revere this oath in heaven; secondly

Myself, and these, who stand before you here.

1 SENATOR

Hear her, my king! With wisdom and goodwill

I pray you hear!

OEDIPUS

What would you have me grant?

1 SENATOR

Respect his word; no bauble, heretofore;

And by this oath made weighty.

OEDIPUS

Do you know

For what you ask?