Chorus
He has spoken well, my king, for one who is taking care not to fall: those who are quick in counsel are not sure.
Oedipus
When the stealthy plotter is moving on me quickly, I, too, must be quick in my counterplot.
[620]
If I await him in repose, his ends will have been gained, and mine lost.
Creon
What do you want then? To banish me from the land?
Oedipus
Hardly. I desire your death, not your exile, so that I might show what a thing envy is.
Creon
[625]
Are you resolved not to yield or believe?
Oedipus
<No, for you persuade me that you are unworthy of trust.>
Creon
No, for I see you are not sane.
Oedipus
Sane, at least, in my own interest.
Creon
But you should be so in mine also.
Oedipus
You are false.
Creon
But if you understand nothing?
Oedipus
Still I must rule.
Creon
Not if you rule badly.
Oedipus
Hear him, city of Thebes!
Creon
[630]
The city is mine too, not yours alone.
Chorus
Cease, lords. In good time I see Iocasta coming from the house, with whose help you should resolve your present feud.
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Sophocles. The Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles. Edited with introduction and notes by Sir Richard Jebb. Sir Richard Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1887.
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