Ch. Leader. Sire, heed his counsel, if he speaks in season,
And thou, thy father’s; for in both there ’s reason.
Creon. Am I at my age to be schooled and taught
Discretion by a stripling of his years?
Hæmon. No, not in what is wrong; but you should not
My youth alone consider, service too.
Creon. To champion rebels?—You call that a service?
Hæmon. Respect for wicked men I would not urge.
Creon. And is she not infect with that disease?
Hæmon. No Theban born to that opinion holds.
Creon. Shall Thebes declare how I must reign in Thebes?
Hæmon. How like a very youth thou speakest now!
Creon. As I think, or another, must I rule?
Hæmon. The city one man owns alone is none.
Creon. Is not the city deemed the monarch’s own?
Hæmon. A desert thou couldst reign in well, indeed.
Creon. This boy, it seems, is fighting for the woman.
Hæmon. If thou ’rt a woman—my forethought is for thee.
Creon. Perverted youth! A plaintiff ’gainst thy sire?
Hæmon. Because I see him doing wrong, I plead.
Creon. Wrong? I? Respecting my authority?
Hæmon. Respecting? No! When trampling on the gods?
Creon. Milk-livered boy! Subservient to a wench!
Hæmon. But not subservient to shameful deeds.
Creon. Yet every word you speak is for that girl.
Hæmon. And thee and me, and all the gods below.
Creon. But marry her you shall not on this earth.
Hæmon. She dies, then, and in dying, slays another.
Creon. Are you so bold to plead and threaten too?
Hæmon. Resisting vain decrees implies no threat.
