Quiet, before your words truly
fill me with rage, so that you not be found at the same time foolish as
well as old. You say what is intolerable when you claim that the gods
have concern for that corpse. Was it in high esteem for his
benefactions that they sought
to hide him, when he had come to burn their columned shrines, their
sacred treasures and their land, and scatter its laws to the winds? Or
do you see the gods honoring the wicked? It cannot be. No! From the very
first certain men of the city
were chafing at this edict and muttering against me, tossing their heads
in secret, and they did not keep their necks duly under the yoke in
submission to me. By those men, I am certain, they were led astray and
bribed to do this deed. Nothing so
evil as money ever grew to be current among men. This destroys cities,
this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest minds to
set themselves to works of shame, this teaches people to practise villainies, and to know every act of
unholiness. But all the men who did this job for hire have made sure
that, sooner or later, they shall suffer the punishment. Now, as Zeus
still has my reverence, know this well— I tell you on my oath. If you do not find the very hand
that made this burial, and reveal him before my eyes, mere death shall
not suffice for you, not before, hung up alive, you have made this
outrage plain, so that hereafter
you may thieve with better knowledge of where your money should be
received from, and learn that it is best not to be fond of money-making
from any and every source. For you will find that ill-gotten gains bring
more men to ruin than to safety.GuardWill you allow me to speak? Or
shall I just turn and go?CreonDo you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?GuardIs the pain in your ears, or in your soul?CreonAnd why would you define the seat of my pain?GuardHe who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.CreonGod! How plain it is that you are
a born babbler.GuardPerhaps, but never the author of this action.CreonYes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.GuardAh! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .CreonExpound on judgment
as you will. But, if you fail to show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you
will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows.Exit
Creon.GuardWell, may the man be found! That would be best. But, whether he be caught
or not—for fortune must decide that—I assure you that you will not see
me come here again. Saved just now
beyond hope and belief, I owe the gods great thanks.Exit the
Guard.