1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...
1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...
1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...
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OEDIPUS<br />
I don’t deny it.<br />
CREON<br />
You rule this l<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> she has an equal share in it<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
I give her whatever she wants. 580<br />
CREON<br />
Am I not your equal, the third in this triad<br />
Yes, <strong>and</strong> that is why I call you a traitor.<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
CREON<br />
Listen to me, <strong>and</strong> think about it.<br />
Why would anyone want to be king <strong>and</strong> live in constant fear,<br />
rather than have the same power <strong>and</strong> sleep peacefully<br />
I don’t want to be king, as long as I enjoy the same privileges.<br />
Any sensible man would agree with me.<br />
I get all I want now <strong>and</strong> am free from fear, 590<br />
but if I were the ruler,<br />
I’d have to do a lot of things I would not want to do.<br />
Why do you think I’d prefer to be king,<br />
when I have the same power <strong>and</strong> influence<br />
without any of the worries I’m not stupid.<br />
I only want things that can benefit me.<br />
Now everyone calls me their friend <strong>and</strong> greets me warmly.<br />
If they want anything, they take me aside<br />
because they know I can get it for them.<br />
I’d never do what you accuse me of, 600<br />
nor would I be an ally of anyone who did.<br />
Go to Delphi, <strong>and</strong> find out whether what I reported was true.<br />
If you discover<br />
I have plotted with the seer,<br />
don’t kill me <strong>by</strong> one vote,<br />
but two: yours <strong>and</strong> mine,<br />
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