1 Cit. Never, never; he was too proud.
Cre. Indeed he could not, for he was a stranger;
But under him our Thebes is half destroyed.
Forbid it, heaven, the residue should perish
Under a Theban born!
'Tis true, the gods might send this plague among you,
Because a stranger ruled; but what of that?
Can I redress it now?
3 Cit. Yes, you or none.
'Tis certain that the gods are angry with us,
Because he reigns.
Cre. Œdipus may return; you may be ruined.
1 Cit. Nay, if that be the matter, we are ruined already.
2 Cit. Half of us, that are here present, were living men but yesterday; and we, that are absent, do but drop and drop, and no man knows whether he be dead or living. And therefore, while we are sound and well, let us satisfy our consciences, and make a new king.
3 Cit. Ha, if we were but worthy to see another coronation! and then, if we must die, we'll go merrily together.
All. To the question, to the question.
Dioc. Are you content, Creon should be your king?
All A Creon, A Creon, A Creon!