against a friend who has bound himself with an oath.
Oedipus. Do you desire my exile or my death?
Chorus. No, by Helios, by the first of all the gods, may I die abandoned by Heaven and earth if I have that thought. What breaks my heart is that our public griefs should be increased by your quarrels.
Oedipus. Then let him go, though I am doomed thereby to death or to be thrust dishonoured from the land; it is your lips, not his, that move me to compassion; wherever he goes my hatred follows him.
Creon. You are as sullen in yielding as you were vehement in anger, but such natures are their own heaviest burden.
Oedipus. Why will you not leave me in peace and begone?
Creon. I will go away; what is your hatred to me; in the eyes of all here I am a just man. [He goes.
Chorus. Lady, why do you not take your man in to the house?
Jocasta. I will do so when I have learned what has happened.
Chorus. The half of it was blind suspicion bred of talk; the rest the wounds left by injustice.
Jocasta. It was on both sides?
Chorus. Yes.
