Part 27 (2/2)

Why this summons? Wherefore call Us, his elders, one and all, Bidding us with him debate, On some grave concern of State?

[Enter CREON]

CREON Elders, the G.o.ds have righted one again Our storm-tossed s.h.i.+p of state, now safe in port.

But you by special summons I convened As my most trusted councilors; first, because I knew you loyal to Laius of old; Again, when Oedipus restored our State, Both while he ruled and when his rule was o'er, Ye still were constant to the royal line.

Now that his two sons perished in one day, Brother by brother murderously slain, By right of kins.h.i.+p to the Princes dead, I claim and hold the throne and sovereignty.

Yet 'tis no easy matter to discern The temper of a man, his mind and will, Till he be proved by exercise of power; And in my case, if one who reigns supreme Swerve from the highest policy, tongue-tied By fear of consequence, that man I hold, And ever held, the basest of the base.

And I contemn the man who sets his friend Before his country. For myself, I call To witness Zeus, whose eyes are everywhere, If I perceive some mischievous design To sap the State, I will not hold my tongue; Nor would I reckon as my private friend A public foe, well knowing that the State Is the good s.h.i.+p that holds our fortunes all: Farewell to friends.h.i.+p, if she suffers wreck.

Such is the policy by which I seek To serve the Commons and conformably I have proclaimed an edict as concerns The sons of Oedipus; Eteocles Who in his country's battle fought and fell, The foremost champion--duly bury him With all observances and ceremonies That are the guerdon of the heroic dead.

But for the miscreant exile who returned Minded in flames and ashes to blot out His father's city and his father's G.o.ds, And glut his vengeance with his kinsmen's blood, Or drag them captive at his chariot wheels-- For Polyneices 'tis ordained that none Shall give him burial or make mourn for him, But leave his corpse unburied, to be meat For dogs and carrion crows, a ghastly sight.

So am I purposed; never by my will Shall miscreants take precedence of true men, But all good patriots, alive or dead, Shall be by me preferred and honored.

CHORUS Son of Menoeceus, thus thou will'st to deal With him who loathed and him who loved our State.

Thy word is law; thou canst dispose of us The living, as thou will'st, as of the dead.

CREON See then ye execute what I ordain.

CHORUS On younger shoulders lay this grievous charge.

CREON Fear not, I've posted guards to watch the corpse.

CHORUS What further duty would'st thou lay on us?

CREON Not to connive at disobedience.

CHORUS No man is mad enough to court his death.

CREON The penalty _is_ death: yet hope of gain Hath lured men to their ruin oftentimes.

[Enter GUARD]

GUARD My lord, I will not make pretense to pant And puff as some light-footed messenger.

In sooth my soul beneath its pack of thought Made many a halt and turned and turned again; For conscience plied her spur and curb by turns.

”Why hurry headlong to thy fate, poor fool?”

She whispered. Then again, ”If Creon learn This from another, thou wilt rue it worse.”

Thus leisurely I hastened on my road; Much thought extends a furlong to a league.

But in the end the forward voice prevailed, To face thee. I will speak though I say nothing.

For plucking courage from despair methought, 'Let the worst hap, thou canst but meet thy fate.'

CREON What is thy news? Why this despondency?

GUARD Let me premise a word about myself?

I neither did the deed nor saw it done, Nor were it just that I should come to harm.

CREON Thou art good at parry, and canst fence about Some matter of grave import, as is plain.

GUARD The bearer of dread tidings needs must quake.

CREON Then, sirrah, shoot thy bolt and get thee gone.

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