Matheson Collection > Togail na Tebe

THE THEBAID
and struggled about that kingdom, that it was not they that
enjoyed its goodness or its benefits, but their enemies ; for those
Theban tribes there crowned heroic Creon of the victorious seed
of Cadmus, son of Agenor, after Eteocles was slain. And because
his son had given himself up in order to secure victory for the
Thebans, they gave the kingdom to that man. And this is the
first royal decree that he ordained there, to wit, that no Greek
person be burnt or buried in the land of Thebes ; but that they
should be exposed to birds of the air or packs of wolves. And
then Creon rose against Oedipus, son of Laius. And this is what
he said to him : " Do not thou come into Thebes, and let not
thy sin or thy corruption touch us ; but let a place and a dwell-
ing be made for thee in the woods and the wilderness of Thebes,
since thy sons have fallen through thine own evil deeds."
Silence lay on Oedipus when he heard that, and he was filled
with anger and exceeding wrath, and this is what he said
wrathfully and very angrily : " Sad indeed are we," said he, " at
the fate of the Thebans, that it should come to a creature like
thee to be set in a kingdom and principality after the very
proper kings that were therein before thee." And he continued
thus censuring and contemning Creon very vehemently.
Antigone however spoke to Creon, and this is what she said
to him : " Let thy heart go out to us, O Creon," said she, " and
give no heed to the words of this difficult and sense-bereft
person. And I shall vouch for him," said she, " to serve and to
submit to thee, and he shall not be allowed to enter fair con-
secrated temples or into pleasant places of assembly in thy
presence."
Now Creon's spirit was then moved at the maiden's words,
and he said to her : " That shall be allowed thee, maiden,"
said he, " only let a house and a dwelling be made for him in
mount Cithaeron, near Thebes ; and let him remain there, but
not a step into this city towards us." And when Creon had
said those words, he sat down in his palace in the city, and the
Theban nobles along with him.
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