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26 . Cease, princes; and in good time for you I see Iocasta coming yonder from the house, with whose help ye should compose your present feud.

Misguided men, why have ye raised such foolish strife of tongues? Are ye not ashamed, while the land is thus sick, to stir up troubles of your own? Come, go thou into the house,—and thou, Creon, to thy home,—and forbear to make much of a petty grief.

. Kinswoman, Oedipus thy lord claims to do dread things unto me, even one or other of two ills,—to thrust me from the land of my fathers, or to slay me amain.

. Yea; for I have caught him, lady, working evil, by ill arts, against my person.

. Now may I see no good, but perish accursed, if I have done aught to thee of that wherewith thou chargest me!

. O, for the gods' love, believe it, Oedipus—first, for the awful sake of this oath unto the gods,—then for my sake and for theirs who stand before thee?

. Consent, reflect, hearken, O my king, I pray thee!

. What grace, then, wouldest thou have me grant thee?

. Respect him who aforetime was not foolish, and who now is strong in his oath.