Chorus
To one who walketh warily his words
Commend themselves; swift counsels are not sure.

Oedipus
When with swift strides the stealthy plotter stalks
I must be quick too with my counterplot. 
To wait his onset passively, for him
Is sure success, for me assured defeat.

Creon
What then’s thy will?  To banish me the land?

Oedipus
I would not have thee banished, no, but dead,
That men may mark the wages envy reaps.

Creon
I see thou wilt not yield, nor credit me.

Oedipus
[None but a fool would credit such as thou.] [3]

Creon
Thou art not wise.

Oedipus
                    Wise for myself at least.

Creon
Why not for me too?

Oedipus
                    Why for such a knave?

Creon
Suppose thou lackest sense.

Oedipus
                              Yet kings must rule.

Creon
Not if they rule ill.

Oedipus
                         Oh my Thebans, hear him!

Creon
Thy Thebans? am not I a Theban too?

Chorus
Cease, princes; lo there comes, and none too soon,
Jocasta from the palace.  Who so fit
As peacemaker to reconcile your feud?
[Enter Jocasta.]

Jocasta
Misguided princes, why have ye upraised
This wordy wrangle?  Are ye not ashamed,
While the whole land lies striken, thus to voice
Your private injuries?  Go in, my lord;
Go home, my brother, and forebear to make
A public scandal of a petty grief.

Creon
My royal sister, Oedipus, thy lord,
Hath bid me choose (O dread alternative!)
An outlaw’s exile or a felon’s death.

Oedipus
Yes, lady; I have caught him practicing
Against my royal person his vile arts.

Creon
May I ne’er speed but die accursed, if I
In any way am guilty of this charge.

Jocasta
Believe him, I adjure thee, Oedipus,
First for his solemn oath’s sake, then for mine,
And for thine elders’ sake who wait on thee.

Chorus
(Str. 1)
Hearken, King, reflect, we pray thee, but not stubborn but relent.

Oedipus
Say to what should I consent?

Chorus
Respect a man whose probity and troth
Are known to all and now confirmed by oath.

Oedipus
Dost know what grace thou cravest?

Chorus
                                   Yea, I know.

Oedipus
Declare it then and make thy meaning plain.

Chorus
Brand not a friend whom babbling tongues assail;
Let not suspicion ’gainst his oath prevail.

Oedipus
Bethink you that in seeking this ye seek
In very sooth my death or banishment?