| Sophocles Index |
CREON
Then is not she tainted with that malady?
HAEMON
Our Theban folk, with one voice, denies it.
CREON
Shall Thebes prescribe to me how I must rule?
HAEMON
See, there thou hast spoken like a youth indeed.
CREON
Am I to rule this land by other judgment than mine own?
HAEMON
That is no city which belongs to one man.
CREON
Is not the city held to be the ruler's?
HAEMON
Thou wouldst make a good monarch of a desert.
CREON
This boy, it seems, is the woman's champion.
HAEMON
If thou art a woman; indeed, my care is for thee.
CREON
Shameless, at open feud with thy father!
HAEMON
Nay, I see thee offending against justice.
CREON
Do I offend, when I respect mine own prerogatives?
HAEMON
Thou dost not respect them, when thou tramplest on the gods' honours,
CREON
O dastard nature, yielding place to woman!
HAEMON
Thou wilt never find me yield to baseness.
CREON
All thy words, at least, plead for that girl.
HAEMON
And for thee, and for me, and for the gods below.
CREON
Thou canst never marry her, on this side the grave.
HAEMON
Then she must die, and in death destroy another.
CREON
How! doth thy boldness run to open threats?
HAEMON
What threat is it, to combat vain resolves?
CREON
Thou shalt rue thy witless teaching of wisdom.
HAEMON
Wert thou not my father, I would have called thee unwise.
CREON
Thou woman's slave, use not wheedling speech with me.
HAEMON
Thou wouldest speak, and then hear no reply?
CREON
Sayest thou so? Now, by the heaven above us-be sure of it-thou shalt smart for taunting me in this opprobrious strain. Bring forth that hated thing, that she may die forthwith in his presence-before his eyes-at her bridegroom's side!
HAEMON
No, not at my side-never think it-shall she perish; nor shalt thou ever set eyes more upon my face:-rave, then, with such friends as can endure thee.
Exit HAEMON
LEADER
The man is gone, O king, in angry haste; a youthful mind, when stung, is fierce.
CREON
Let him do, or dream, more than man-good speed to him!-But he shall not save these two girls from their doom.
LEADER
Dost thou indeed purpose to slay both?
CREON
Not her whose hands are pure: thou sayest well.
LEADER
And by what doom mean'st thou to slay the other?
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