But never, till I see the word fulfilled,
Will I confirm their clamour ’gainst the King.
In open day the female monster came:
Then perfect witness made his wisdom clear.
Thebè hath tried him and delights in him.
Wherefore my heart shall still believe him good.
Enter Creon.
Cr. Citizens, hearing of dire calumny
Denounced on me by Oedipus the King,
I am here to make loud protest. If he think,
In this embroilment of events, one word
Or deed of mine hath wrought him injury,
I am not careful to prolong my life
Beneath such imputation. For it means
No trifling danger, but disastrous harm,
Making my life dishonoured in the state,
And meanly thought of by my friends and you.
Ch. Perchance ’twas but the sudden flash of wrath,
Not the deliberate judgement of the soul.
Cr. Who durst declare it, that Tirésias spake
False prophecies, set on to this by me?
Ch. Such things were said, I know not how advised.
Cr. And were the eyes and spirit not distraught,
When the tongue uttered this to ruin me?
Ch. I cannot say. To what my betters do
I am blind. But see, the King comes forth again.
Enter Oedipus.
Oed. Insolent, art thou here? Hadst thou the face
To bring thy boldness near my palace-roof,
Proved as thou art to have contrived my death
And laid thy robber hands upon my state?
Tell me, by heaven, had you seen in me
A coward or a fool, when you planned this?—
Deemed you I should be blind to your attempt
Craftily creeping on, or, when perceived,
Not ward it off? Is ’t not a silly scheme,
To think to compass without troops of friends
Power, that is only won by wealth and men?
