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26 Creon. May I ne'er prosper, but accursèd die,

If I have done the things he says I did!

Joc. Oh, by the Gods, believe him, Œdipus!

Respect his oath, which calls the Gods to hear;

And reverence me, and these who stand by thee.

Chorus. Hearken, my king! be calmer, I implore!

Œdip. What wilt thou that I yield?

Chorus. Oh, have respect

To one not weak before, who now is strong

In this his oath.

Œdip. And know'st thou what thou ask'st?

Chorus. I know right well.

Œdip. Say on, then, what thou wilt.

Chorus. Hurl not to shame, on grounds of mere mistrust,

The friend on whom no taint of evil hangs.

Œdip. Know then that, seeking this, thou seek'st, in truth,

To work my death, or else my banishment.

Chorus. Nay, by the Sun-God, Helios, chief of Gods!

May I, too, die, of God and man accursed, [&#160; 660

If I wish aught like this! But on my soul,

Our wasting land dwells heavily; ills on ills

Still coming, new upon the heels of old.

Œdip. Let him depart then, even though I die,

Or from my country be thrust forth m shame:

Thy face, not his, I view with pitying eye;

For him, where'er he be, is nought but hate.

Creon. Thou 'rt loth to yield, 'twould seem, and wilt be vexed

When this thy wrath is over: moods like thine

Are fitly to themselves most hard to bear.