1 Cit. Nor I.
3 Cit. Nor I.
2 Cit. Then we are all justified; the sin lies not at our doors.
Tir. All justified alike, and yet all guilty!
Were every man's false dealing brought to light,
His envy, malice, lying, perjuries,
His weights and measures, the other man's extortions,
With what face could you tell offended heaven,
You had not sinned?
2 Cit. Nay, if these be sins, the case is altered; for my part, I never thought any thing but murder had been a sin.
141 Tir. And yet, as if all these were less than nothing,
You add rebellion to them, impious Thebans!
Have you not sworn before the gods to serve
And to obey this Œdipus, your king
By public voice elected? answer me,
If this be true!
2 Cit. This is true; but its a hard world, neighbours,
If a man's oath must be his master.
Cre. Speak, Diocles; all goes wrong.
Dioc. How are you traitors, countrymen of Thebes?
This holy sire, who presses you with oaths,
Forgets your first; were you not sworn before
To Laius and his blood?
All. We were; we were.