Page:Sophocles' King Oedipus.pdf/30

20 And in proof of this go to the Pythian Oracle, and ask if I have truly told what the gods said: and after that, if you have found that I have plotted with the Soothsayer, take me and kill me; not by the sentence of one mouth only—but of two mouths, yours and my own. But do not condemn me in a corner, upon some fancy and without proof. What right have you to declare a good man bad or a bad good? It is as bad a thing to cast off a true friend, as it is for a man to cast away his own life—but you will learn these things with certainty when the time comes; for time alone shows a just man; though a day can show a knave.

. King! He has spoken well, he gives himself time to think; a headlong talker does not know what he is saying.

. The plotter is at his work, and I must counterplot headlong, or he will get his ends and I miss mine.

. What will you do then? Drive me from the land?

. Not so; I do not desire your banishment—but your death.

. You are not sane.

. I am sane at least in my own interest.

. You should be in mine also.

. No, for you are false.

. But if you understand nothing?