Oedipus Tyrannus (605-650)

Then next, if you have found that I have planned anything in concert with the soothsayer, take and slay me, by the sentence not of one mouth, but of two—by my own no less than yours. But do not assume my guilt on unproven inference. It is not just to judge bad men good at random,

or good men bad. I think that casting off a true friend is for a man like casting away the life in his own bosom, which he most loves. You will surely learn about these affairs in time, since time alone reveals a just man.

But you can discern a bad man even in one day alone.

He has spoken well, my king, for one who is taking care not to fall: those who are quick in counsel are not sure.

When the stealthy plotter is moving on me quickly, I, too, must be quick in my counterplot.

If I await him in repose, his ends will have been gained, and mine lost.

What do you want then? To banish me from the land?

Hardly. I desire your death, not your exile, so that I might show what a thing envy is.

Are you resolved not to yield or believe?

No, for you persuade me that you are unworthy of trust.

No, for I see you are not sane.

Sane, at least, in my own interest.

But you should be so in mine also.

You are false.

But if you understand nothing?

Still I must rule.

Not if you rule badly.

Hear him, city of Thebes!

The city is mine too, not yours alone.

Cease, lords. In good time I see Iocasta coming from the house, with whose help you should resolve your present feud.

Misguided men, why have you raised

such a foolish argument? Are you not ashamed, while the land is so sick, to stir up troubles of your own? Come, go into the house—and you, Creon, go to yours—and stop making so much of a petty grief.

Kinswoman, Oedipus, your husband,

wants to do one of two terrible things to me, either to thrust me from the land of my fathers or to arrest and slay me.

Yes indeed, for I have caught him, lady, working evil against my person with his wicked craft.

May I derive no benefit,

but perish accursed, if I have done any of the things of which you charge me.

In the name of the gods, believe it, Oedipus, first for the sake of this awful oath to the gods, then for my sake and for the sake of those who stand before you.