Iocasta 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.
Creon 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.
Oedipus Yes indeed, for I have caught him, lady, working evil against my person with his wicked craft.
Creon May I derive no benefit, but perish accursed, if I have done any of the things of which you charge me.
Iocasta 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.
Chorus Consent, reflect, listen, my king, I beg you.
Oedipus What would you have me grant you?
Chorus Respect him who was in the past not foolish, and who now is strong in his oath.
Oedipus Do you understand what you crave?
Chorus I do.
Oedipus Tell me, then, what you mean.
Chorus That you should never use an unproved rumor to cast a dishonoring charge on the friend who has bound himself with a curse.
Oedipus Then be quite aware that when you seek this you are seeking death or exile from this land for me.
Chorus No, by the god that stands at the head of all the host of the gods, no, by the sun. Unblest, unbefriended, may I die the worst possible death, if I have this thought! But my unhappy soul is worn by the withering of the land, as well as by the thought that our old sorrows should be crowned by new ones arising from the two of you.
Oedipus Then let him go, though I am surely doomed to be killed or thrust dishonored from the land. Your words, not his, move me to compassion; but he, wherever he be, shall be hated.
Creon You are truly sullen in yielding, as you are vehement in the excesses of your wrath. But such natures are justly most difficult for themselves to bear.
Oedipus Will you not be gone and leave me in peace?
Creon I will go on my way. I have found you undiscerning, but in the view of these men I am just.
Chorus Lady, why do you hesitate to take this man into the house?
Iocasta I will, when I have learned what has happened.
Chorus Blind suspicion, bred of talk, arose, and injustice inflicts wounds.
Iocasta On both sides?
Chorus Yes.
Iocasta And what was the story?
Chorus It is enough, I think, enough, when our land is already vexed, that the matter should rest where it stopped.
Oedipus Do you see to what you have come, for all your noble intent, in seeking to slacken and blunt my zeal?
Chorus King, I have said it more than once— be sure that I would have proved myself a madman, bankrupt in sane counsel, if I forsook you—you, who gave a true course to my beloved country when it was distraught with troubles, and who now are likely to prove our prospering guide.
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