Epeisodion 3
Haemon
See, there, how you have spoken so
much like a child.
735
Creon
Am I to rule this land by the will of another than myself?
Haemon
That is no city, which belongs to one man.
Creon
Does not the city by tradition belong to the man in power?
Haemon
You would make a fine monarch in a desert.
Creon
This boy seems to be fighting on
the side of the woman.
740
Haemon
If you are a woman, for, to be sure, my concern is for you.
Creon
You traitor, attacking your father, accusing him!
Haemon
Because I see you making a mistake and committing injustice.
Creon
Am I making a mistake when I respect my own prerogatives?
Haemon
Yes. You do not respect them, when you trample on the
gods’ honors.
745
Creon
Polluted creature, submitting to a woman!
Haemon
You will never catch me submitting to shamelessness.
Creon
You do. Your every word, after all, pleads her case.
Haemon
And yours, and mine, and that of gods below.
Creon
You can never marry her, not while
she is still alive.
750
Haemon
Then she will die, and in death destroy another.
Creon
What! Does your audacity run to open threats?
Haemon
How is it a threat to speak against empty plans?
Creon
You will regret your unwise instructions in wisdom.
Haemon
If you were not my father, I would
have called you insane.
755
Creon
You woman’s slave, do not try to cajole me.
Haemon
Do you want to have your say and then have done without a reply?
Creon
Is that so? By Olympus above—know this well—you will have no joy for
taunting me over and above your censures.
Bring out that hated thing, so that with him looking on
she may die right now in her bridegroom’s presence and at his side!
760
Haemon
No, not at my side will she die—do not ever imagine it. Nor shall you
ever look at me and set eyes on my face again.
Indulge in your madness now with whomever of your
friends can endure it. Exit Haemon.
765
Chorus
The man is gone, King Creon, in anger and haste. A young mind is fierce
when stung.
Creon
Let him do—no!—let him plan something more immense than befits a man.
Farewell to him! Still he will not save these two girls from death.
Chorus
Then the pair of them, you really
intend to kill them both?
770
