Creon So those two staffs will never again support your path. But since you wish to overcome your country and your friends, whose will I, though tyrant as well, am here discharging, then I wish you victory. For in time, I am sure, you will come to recognize all this, that now too as in time past, it is you who have done yourself no good, by indulging your anger despite your friends. This has always been your ruin.
Chorus Stop there, stranger!
Creon Hands off, I say!
Chorus I will not let go, unless you give back the maidens.
Creon Then you will soon give the city a more valuable prize, for I will lay hands on more than those two girls.
Chorus What! What do you intend?
Creon This man here will be my captive.
Chorus A valiant threat!
Creon Straightaway it will be done.
Chorus Indeed, unless the ruler of this realm prevents you.
Oedipus Voice of shamelessness! Will you really lay hands on me?
Creon Shut up, I say!
Oedipus No! May the powers of this place grant me to utter this further curse! Most evil of men, when these eyes were dark, you wrenched from me the helpless one who was my eyesight and made off with her by force. Therefore to you and to your race may the Sun, the god who sees all things, grant in time an old age such as mine!
Creon Do you see this, people of the land?
Oedipus They see both you and me. They know that I have suffered in deeds, and my defense is mere words.
Creon I will not check my anger. Though I am alone and slow with age, I will take this man by force.
Oedipus Ah, my wretchedness!
Chorus What arrogance you have come with, stranger, if you think you will achieve this!
Creon I will.
Chorus Then I think this city no longer exists.
Creon For men who are just, you see, the weak vanquishes the strong.
Oedipus Do you hear his words?
Chorus Yes, but he will not achieve them.
Creon Zeus knows perhaps, but you do not.
Chorus This is an outrage!
Creon An outrage which you must bear.
Chorus Hear people, hear rulers of the land! Come quickly, come! These men are on their way to cross our borders!
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