1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...

I have nothing to say,
Either to agree or disagree.
I know of no quarrel, neither then or now,
Between Oedipus, son of Polybus, 490
And Laius, son of Labdacus,
To justify a trial.
I cannot go against Oedipus’ fame that all men know
To ally myself with Laius and his kin,
Because of deaths hidden in mystery.
Zeus and Apollo know what they are doing;
They know the past, present, and future of man.
A prophet is different: he can be wrong,
And I can equal him in knowledge.
One man is wise in one way, 500
Another in another.
Before I see the word come to pass,
I shall not agree with his accusers.
It was clear that the winged woman
Once fought with him;
He was seen to be wise in the contest,
A friend to the city. 510
In my heart, I shall never condemn him.
Enter CREON.
CREON
Citizens.
I have come because I heard that Oedipus
has accused me of terrible things.
This is intolerable.
If in any way he thinks
that I have harmed him in word or deed,
I won’t live with this shameful reputation.
This loss is too great – I cannot take this lightly – 520
when I hear that I am accused of betraying the city, you, and my friends.
CHORUS
Yes. That is what he said.
But probably in anger, because he wasn’t thinking.
CREON
He said publicly that I persuaded the prophet to tell lies
27