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.