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384 Sophocles [532-558]
OEDIPUS
Sirrah, how earnest thou here? Hast thou a front so bold that thou hast
come to my house, who art the proved assassin of its master,—the
palpable robber of my crown? Come, tell me, in the name of the gods,
was it cowardice or folly that thou sawest in me, that thou didst plot to
do this thing? Didst thou think that I would not note this deed of thine
creeping on me by stealth, or, aware, would not ward it off? Now is not
thine attempt foolish,—to seek, without followers or friends, a throne,—
a prize which followers and wealth must win?
CREON
Mark me now,—in answer to thy words, hear a fair reply, and then
judge for thyself on knowledge.
OEDIPUS
Thou art apt in speech, but I have a poor wit for thy lessons, since I
have found thee my malignant foe.
CREON
Now first hear how I will explain this very thing—
OEDIPUS
Explain me not one thing—that thou art not false.
CREON
If thou deemest that stubbornness without sense is a good gift, thou
art not wise.
OEDIPUS
If thou deemest that thou canst wrong a kinsman and escape the penalty,
thou art not sane.
CREON
Justly said, I grant thee: but tell me what is the wrong that thou sayest
thou hast suffered from me.
OEDIPUS
Didst thou advise, or didst thou not, that I should send for that reverend
seer?
CREON
And now I am still of the same mind.
OEDIPUS
How long is it, then, since Laius—