Creon: Were not his wits and vision all astray When upon me he fixed this monstrous charge?
Chorus: I know not; to my sovereign’s acts I am blind. But lo, he comes to answer for himself.
Enter Oedipus.
Oedipus: Sirrah, what mak’st thou here? Dost thou presume To approach my doors, thou brazen-facèd rogue, My murderer and the filcher of my crown? Come, answer this, didst thou detect in me Some touch of cowardice or witlessness, That made thee undertake this enterprise? I seemed forsooth too simple to perceive The serpent stealing on me in the dark, Or else too weak to scotch it when I saw. This thou art witless seeking to possess Without a following or friends the crown, A prize that followers and wealth must win.
Creon: Attend me. Thou hast spoken, ’tis my turn To make reply. Then having heard me, judge.
Oedipus: Thou art glib of tongue, but I am slow to learn Of thee; I know too well thy venomous hate.
Creon: First I would argue out this very point.
Oedipus: O argue not that thou art not a rogue.
Creon: If thou dost count a virtue stubbornness, Unschooled by reason, thou art much astray.
Oedipus: If thou dost hold a kinsman may be wronged, And no pains follow, thou art much to seek.
Creon: Therein thou judgest rightly, but this wrong That thou allegest—tell me what it is.
Oedipus: Didst thou or didst thou not advise that I Should call the priest?
Creon: Yes, and I stand to it.
Oedipus: Tell me how long is it since Laius …
Creon: Since Laius … ? I follow not thy drift.
Oedipus: By violent hands was spirited away.
Creon: In the dim past, a many years agone.
Oedipus: Did the same prophet then pursue his craft?
Creon: Yes, skilled as now and in no less repute.
Oedipus: Did he at that time ever glance at me?
Creon: Not to my knowledge, not when I was by.
Oedipus: But was no search and inquisition made?
Creon: Surely full quest was made, but nothing learnt.
Oedipus: Why failed the seer to tell his story then?
Creon: I know not, and not knowing hold my tongue.