Enter ADRASTUS, and EURYDICE, attended.

Adr. Alas, Eurydice, what fond rash man,
What inconsiderate and ambitious fool,
That shall hereafter read the fate of OEdipus,
Will dare, with his frail hand, to grasp a sceptre?

Eur. ’Tis true, a crown seems dreadful, and I wish
That you and I, more lowly placed, might pass
Our softer hours in humble cells away: 
Not but I love you to that infinite height,
I could (O wondrous proof of fiercest love!)
Be greatly wretched in a court with you.

Adr. Take then this most loved innocence away;
Fly from tumultuous Thebes, from blood and murder,
Fly from the author of all villainies,
Rapes, death, and treason, from that fury Creon: 
Vouchsafe that I, o’er-joyed, may bear you hence,
And at your feet present the crown of Argos.
                               [CREON and attendants come up to him.

Cre. I have o’er-heard thy black design, Adrastus,
And therefore, as a traitor to this state,
Death ought to be thy lot:  Let it suffice
That Thebes surveys thee as a prince; abuse not
Her proffered mercy, but retire betimes,
Lest she repent, and hasten on thy doom.

Adr. Think not, most abject, most abhorred of men,
Adrastus will vouchsafe to answer thee;—­
Thebans to you I justify my love: 
I have addrest my prayer to this fair princess;
But, if I ever meant a violence,
Or thought to ravish, as that traitor did,
What humblest adorations could not win,
Brand me, you gods, blot me with foul dishonour,
And let men curse me by the name of Creon!

Eur. Hear me, O Thebans, if you dread the wrath
Of her whom fate ordained to be your queen;
Hear me, and dare not, as you prize your lives,
To take the part of that rebellious traitor. 
By the decree of royal OEdipus,
By queen Jocasta’s order, by what’s more,
My own dear vows of everlasting love,
I here resign, to prince Adrastus’ arms,
All that the world can make me mistress of.

Cre. O perjured woman! 
Draw all; and when I give the word, fall on.—­
Traitor, resign the princess, or this moment
Expect, with all those most unfortunate wretches,
Upon this spot straight to be hewn in pieces.

Adr. No, villain, no;
With twice those odds of men,
I doubt not in this cause to vanquish thee.—­
Captain remember to your care I give
My love; ten thousand, thousand times more clear,
Than life or liberty.

Cre. Fall on, Alcander.—­
Pyracmon you and I must wheel about
For nobler game, the princess.

Adr. Ah, traitor, dost thou shun me? 
Follow, follow,
My brave companions! see, the cowards fly!
                                    [Exeunt fighting: CREON’S Party
                                     beaten off by ADRASTUS.