TRE.  For Eteocles’ sake indeed I would have stopped my mouth, and repressed the oracles, but to thee, since thou desirest to know them, will I declare them:  for this land labors under the malady of old, O Creon, from the time when Laius became the father of children in spite of the Gods, and begat the wretched Oedipus, a husband for his mother.  But the cruel lacerations of his eyes were in the wisdom of the Gods, and a warning to Greece.  Which things the sons of Oedipus seeking to conceal among themselves by the lapse of time, as about forsooth to escape from the Gods, erred through their ignorance, for they neither giving the honor due to their father, nor allowing him a free liberty, infuriated the unfortunate man:  and he breathed out against them dreadful threats, being both in affliction, and moreover dishonored.  And I, what things omitting to do, and what words omitting to speak on the subject, have nevertheless fallen into the hatred of the sons of Oedipus?  But death from their mutual hands is near them, O Creon.  And many corses fallen around corses, having mingled the weapons of Argos and Thebes, shall cause bitter lamentations to the Theban land.  And thou, O wretched city, art sapped from thy foundations, unless men will obey my words.  For this were the first thing, that not any of the family of Oedipus should be citizens, nor king of the territory, inasmuch as they are possessed by demons, and are they that will overthrow the city.  And since the evil triumphs over the good, there is one other thing requisite to insure preservation.  But, as this is neither safe for me to say, and distressing to those on whom the lot has fallen, to give to the city the balm of preservation, I will depart:  farewell; for being an individual with many shall I suffer what is about to happen if it must be so; for what can I do![33]

CRE.  Stay here, old man.

TIR.  Lay not hold upon me.

CRE.  Remain; why dost thou fly me?

TIR.  Thy fortune flies thee, but not I.

CRE.  Tell me the means of preserving the citizens and their city.

TRE.  Thou wishest now indeed, and soon thou wilt not wish.

CRE.  And how am I not willing to preserve my country?

TIR.  Art thou willing then to hear, and art thou eager?

CRE.  For toward what ought I to have a greater eagerness?

TIR.  Hear now then my prophecies.—­But this first I wish to ascertain clearly, where is Menoeceus who brought me hither.

CRE.  He is not far off, but close to thee.

TIR.  Let him depart then afar from my oracles.

CRE.  He that is my son will keep secret what ought to be kept secret.

TIR.  Art thou willing then that I speak in his presence?

CRE. Yes:  for he would be delighted to hear of the means of preservation.

TIR.  Hear now then the tenor of my oracles; what things doing ye may preserve the city of the Cadmeans.  It is necessary for thee to sacrifice this thy son Menoeceus for the country, since thou thyself callest for this fortune.