Leader of the Chorus: Why so silent, Creon, why are thy lips hushed
and dumb? I too am no less stricken with dismay.
Creon: Why, what could one say? 'Tis clear what my words must be.
For will never plunge myself so deeply into misfortune as to devote
my son to death for the city; for love of children binds all men to
life, and none would resign his own son to die. Let no man praise
me into slaying my children. I am ready to die myself-for I am ripe
in years-to set my country free. But thou, my son, ere the whole city
learn this, up and fly with all haste away from this land, regardless
of these prophets' unbridled utterances; for he will go to the seven
gates and the captains there and tell all this to our governors and
leaders; now if we can forestall him, thou mayst be saved, but if
thou art too late, we are undone and thou wilt die.
Menoeceus: Whither can I fly? to what city? to which of our guest-friends?
Creon: Fly where thou wilt be furthest removed from this land.
Menoeceus: 'Tis for thee to name a place, for me to carry out thy
bidding.
Studies
