Part 20 (1/2)

OEDIPUS Did I not warn thee?

CHORUS Quick, unhand the maid!

CREON Command your minions; I am not your slave.

CHORUS Desist, I bid thee.

CREON (to the guard) And O bid thee march!

CHORUS To the rescue, one and all!

Rally, neighbors to my call!

See, the foe is at the gate!

Rally to defend the State.

ANTIGONE Ah, woe is me, they drag me hence, O friends.

OEDIPUS Where art thou, daughter?

ANTIGONE Haled along by force.

OEDIPUS Thy hands, my child!

ANTIGONE They will not let me, father.

CREON Away with her!

OEDIPUS Ah, woe is me, ah woe!

CREON So those two crutches shall no longer serve thee For further roaming. Since it pleaseth thee To triumph o'er thy country and thy friends Who mandate, though a prince, I here discharge, Enjoy thy triumph; soon or late thou'lt find Thou art an enemy to thyself, both now And in time past, when in despite of friends Thou gav'st the rein to pa.s.sion, still thy bane.

CHORUS Hold there, sir stranger!

CREON Hands off, have a care.

CHORUS Restore the maidens, else thou goest not.

CREON Then Thebes will take a dearer surety soon; I will lay hands on more than these two maids.

CHORUS What canst thou further?

CREON Carry off this man.

CHORUS Brave words!

CREON And deeds forthwith shall make them good.

CHORUS Unless perchance our sovereign intervene.

OEDIPUS O shameless voice! Would'st lay an hand on me?

CREON Silence, I bid thee!