than when taciturn. Nay, begone at once! speak me no speeches, for this is decreed, nor hast thou any art whereby thou shalt abide amongst us, since thou hatest me.
Med. O, say not so! by thy knees and by thy daughter newly-wed, I do implore!
Cre. Thou wastest words; thou wilt never persuade me.
Med. What, wilt thou banish me, and to my prayers no pity yield?
Cre. I will, for I love not thee above my own family.
Med. O my country! what fond memories I have of thee in this hour!
Cre. Yea, for I myself love my city best of all things save my children.
Med. Ah me! ah me! to mortal man how dread a scourge is love!
Cre. That, I deem, is according to the turn our fortunes take.
Med. O Zeus! let not the author of these my troubles escape thee.
Cre. Begone, thou silly woman, and free me from my toil.
Med. The toil is mine, no lack of it.
Cre. Soon wilt thou be thrust out forcibly by the hand of servants.
Med. Not that, not that, I do entreat thee, Creon!
Cre. Thou wilt cause disturbance yet, it seems.
Med. I will begone; I ask thee not this boon to grant.
Cre. Why then this violence? why dost thou not depart?
Med. Suffer me to abide this single day and devise some plan for the manner of my exile, and means of living for my children, since their father cares not to provide his babes therewith. Then pity them; thou too hast children of thine own; thou needs must have a kindly heart. For my own lot I care naught, though I an exile am, but for those babes I weep, that they should learn what sorrow means.
