Racine: Phaedra

GEDIPUS REX ei
And as a proof of this, go thou thyself,
And ask at Pytho whether I brought back.
In very deed, the oracles I heard.
And if thou find me plotting with the seer.
In common concert, not by one decree.
But two, thine own and mine, put me to death.
But charge me not with crime on shadowy proof
For neither is it just, in random thought,
The bad to count as good, nor good as bad
For to thrust out a friend of noble heart.
Is like the parting with the life we love.
And this in time thou'lt know, for time alone
Makes manifest the righteous. Of the vile
Thou may'st detect the vileness in a day.
Chorus.—To one who fears to fall, his words seem good
O king, swift counsels are not always safe.
CEdipus.—But when a man is swift in wily schemes,
Swift must I be to baffle plot with plot
And if I stand and wait, he wins the day.
And all my state to rack and ruin goes.
Creon.—What seek'st thou, then ? to drive me from the land?
CEdipus.—Not so. I seek thy death, not banishment.
Creon.—When thou show'st first what grudge I bear to thee.
CEdipus.—^And say'st thou this defying, yielding not ?
Creon.— I see your mind is gone.
CEdipus.— My right I mind.
Creon.—Mine has an equal claim.
CEdipus.— Nay, thou art vile.
Creon.—And if thy mind is darkened . . .?
CEdipus.— Still obey!
Creon.—Nay, not a tyrant king.
CEdipus.— O country mine!
Creon.—That country, too, is mine, not thine alone.
Chorus.—Cease, O my princes! In good time I see Jocasta
coming hither from the house
And it were well with her to hush this brawl.
Enter Iocasta.
Jocasta.—Why, O ye wretched ones, this strife of tongues
Raise ye in your unwisdom, nor are shamed.