Creon. You know best what he said; but now, question for question.
Oedipus. Question your fill—I cannot be proved guilty of that blood.
Creon. Answer me then. Are you not married to my sister?
Oedipus. That cannot be denied.
Creon. And do you not rule as she does? And with a like power?
Oedipus. I give her all she asks for.
Creon. And am not I the equal of you both?
Oedipus. Yes: and that is why you are so false a friend.
Creon. Not so; reason this out as I reason it, and first weigh this: who would prefer to lie awake amid terrors rather than to sleep in peace, granting that his power is equal in both cases. Neither I nor any sober-minded man. You give me what I ask and let me do what I want, but were I king I would have to do things I did not want to do. Is not influence and no trouble with it better than any throne, am I such a fool as to hunger after unprofitable honours? Now all are glad to see me, everyone wishes me well, all that want a favour from you ask speech of me—finding in that their hope. Why should I give up these things and take those? No wise mind is treacherous. I am no contriver of plots, and if another took to them he would not come to me for help.
