From Oedipus King of Thebes Translated into English Rhyming Verse with Explanatory Notes by Sophocles

Thou reignest, giving equal reign to her? (OEDIPUS: Always to her desire I minister.) Were we not all as one, she thou and I? (OEDIPUS: Yes, thou false friend! There lies thy treachery.) Not so! Nay, do but follow me and scan Thine own charge close. Think'st thou that any man Would rather rule and be afraid than rule And sleep untroubled? Nay, where lives the fool-- (Sidenote: vv. 590-613) I know them not nor am I one of them-- Who careth more to bear a monarch's name Than do a monarch's deeds? As now I stand All my desire I compass at thy hand. Were I the King, full half my deeds were done To obey the will of others, not mine own. Were that as sweet, when all the tale were told, As this calm griefless princedom that I hold And silent power? Am I so blind of brain That ease with glory tires me, and I fain Must change them? All men now give me God-speed, All smile to greet me. If a man hath need Of thee, 'tis me he calleth to the gate, As knowing that on my word hangs the fate Of half he craves. Is life like mine a thing To cast aside and plot to be a King? Doth a sane man turn villain in an hour? For me, I never lusted thus for power Nor bore with any man who turned such lust To doing.--But enough. I claim but just Question. Go first to Pytho; find if well And true I did report God's oracle. Next, seek in Thebes for any plots entwined Between this seer and me; which if ye find, Then seize and strike me dead. Myself that day Will sit with thee as judge and bid thee Slay! But damn me not on one man's guess.--'Tis all Unjust: to call a traitor true, to call A true man traitor with no cause nor end! And this I tell thee. He who plucks a friend Out from his heart hath lost a treasured thing Dear as his own dear life. But Time shall bring (Sidenote: vv. 614-626) Truth back. 'Tis Time alone can make men know What hearts are true; the false one day can show.

Creon Monologue from Oedipus King of Thebes Translated into English Rhyming Verse with Explanatory Notes

Rehearse Creon's monologue