The Seven Plays in English Verse Part 24

CR. Not so, if thou wouldst reason with thyself As I do. First consider one thing well: Who would choose rule accompanied with fear Before safe slumbers with an equal sway?

'Tis not my nature, no, nor any man's, Who follows wholesome thoughts, to love the place Of domination rather than the power.

Now, without fear, I have my will from thee; But were I king, I should do much unwillingly.

How then can I desire to be a king, When masterdom is mine without annoy?

Delusion hath not gone so far with me As to crave more than honour joined with gain.

Now all men hail me happy, all embrace me; All who have need of thee, call in my aid; For thereupon their fortunes wholly turn.

How should I leave this substance for that show?

No man of sense can harbour thoughts of crime.

Such vain ambition hath no charm for me, Nor could I bear to lend it countenance.

If you would try me, go and ask again If I brought Phoebus' answer truly back.

Nay more, should I be found to have devised Aught in collusion with the seer, destroy me, Not by one vote, but two, mine own with thine.

But do not on a dim suspicion blame me Of thy mere will. To darken a good name Without clear cause is heinous wickedness; And to cast off a worthy friend I call No less a folly than to fling away What most we love, the life within our breast.

The certainty of this will come with time; For time alone can clear the righteous man.

An hour suffices to make known the villain.

CH. Prudence bids hearken to such words, my lord, For fear one fall. Swift is not sure in counsel.

OED. When he who hath designs on me is swift In his advance, I must bethink me swiftly.

Should I wait leisurely, his work hath gained Achievement, while my plans have missed success.

CR. What would you then? To thrust me from the land?

OED. Nay, death, not exile, is my wish for thee, When all have seen what envy brings on men.

[CR. You'll ne'er relent nor listen to my plea.][4]

OED. You'll ne'er be governed or repent your guilt.

CR. Because I see thou art blind.

OED. Not to my need.

CR. Mine must be thought of too.

OED. You are a villain.

CR. How if thy thought be vain?

OED. Authority Must be maintained.

CR. Not when authority Declines to evil.

OED. O my citizens!

CR. I have a part in them no less than you.

LEADER OF CH. Cease, princes. Opportunely I behold Jocasta coming toward you from the palace.

Her presence may attune your jarring minds.

_Enter_ JOCASTA.

JOCASTA. Unhappy that ye are, why have ye reared Your wordy rancour 'mid the city's harms?

Have you no shame, to stir up private broils In such a time as this? Get thee within! (_To_ OED) And thou too, Creon! nor enlarge your griefs To make a mountain out of nothingness.

CR. Sister, thy husband Oedipus declares One of two horrors he will wreak on me, Banishment from my native land, or death.

OED. Yea, for I caught him practising, my queen, Against our person with malignant guile.

CR. May comfort fail me, and a withering curse Destroy me, if I e'er planned aught of this.

JO. I pray thee, husband, listen to his plea; Chiefly respecting his appeal to Heaven, But also me, and these who stand by thee.

CH. 1. Incline to our request I 1 Thy mind and heart, O King!

OED. What would you I should yield unto your prayer?

CH. 2. Respect one ever wise, Whose oath protects him now.

OED. Know ye what thing ye ask?

CH. 3. I know.

OED. Then plainly tell.

CH. 4. Thy friend, who is rendered sacred by his oath, Rob not of honour through obscure surmise.

OED. In asking that, you labour for my death Or banishment. Of this be well a.s.sured.

CH. 5. No, by the Sun I swear, II 1 Vaunt-courier of the host of heaven.

For may I die the last of deaths, Unblest of G.o.d or friend, If e'er such thought were mine.

But oh! this pining land Afflicts my sorrow-burdened soul, To think that to her past and present woe She must add this, which springs to her from you.

OED. Then let him range, though I must die outright, Or be thrust forth with violence from the land!

--Not for his voice, but thine, which wrings my heart: He, wheresoe'er he live, shall have my hate.

CR. You show yourself as sullen when you yield, As unendurable in your fury's height.

Such natures justly give themselves most pain.

OED. Let me alone, then, and begone!

CR. I go, Untainted in their sight, though thou art blind. [_Exit_

CH. 1. Lady, why tarriest thou I 2 To lead thy husband in?

JO. Not till I learn what mischief is befallen.

CH. 2. A dim, unproved debate.

Reproach, though unfounded, stings.

JO. From both?