Father, the favour of the gods bestows Wisdom, most precious of all precious gifts. That thou hast not the right upon thy side I cannot, if I could I would not, show. Yet may another's argument be fair. Nature hath set me to keep watch for thee Over the words, acts, censures of the world. The common man, awed by thy presence, shrinks From uttering what he knows will please thee not. I hear beneath the cloud of secrecy How the whole city for this maiden mourns. She, who the least deserves it, dies, they say, A cruel death for a most noble deed, The rescue of her brother's mangled corpse From being left unburied on the field, A prey to ravening dogs and carrion birds. Has she not merited a crown of gold? Such murmurs darkling spread among the crowd. Father, I hold no treasure half so dear As thy well-being; greater joy or pride Is none than sons have in an honoured sire, Or than a sire has in an honoured son. Keep not one changeless temper in thy breast, Nor fancy that thou art infallible. Whoever dreams that he alone is wise, Or is in speech or spirit singular, Will, when unmasked, betray his emptiness. Wise though a man may be, it is no shame To have an open mind and flexible. Thou seest by the winter torrent's side The trees that bend go with their limbs unscathed, While those that bend not perish root and branch. And so the sailor who keeps taut the sheet, And stiffly battles with the tempest's force, Is apt thenceforth to float keel uppermost. Bend, then, and give thy spirit room to change. If from the lips of a young counsellor Wisdom can come, I say it were far best If we could all be born omniscient, But as omniscience is not given to man, 'Tis well to good advisers to give ear. CHORUS. Prince, it beseems ye both, if either says Aught apt, to listen; both have argued well. CREON. And shall our hoary hairs be put to school, And shall we take instruction from this boy? HAEMON. In naught that is not right. Young as I am, Thou shouldst my reasons weigh, not count my years. CREON. Does reason bid thee second anarchy? HAEMON. I would not ask e'en justice for the bad. CREON. Is not yon maiden sick of that disease? HAEMON. Not so avers the common voice of Thebes. CREON. Shall I my duty from the commons learn? HAEMON. Seest thou how youthful is that sentiment? CREON. Am I to govern by another's will? HAEMON. That is no state which owns one man for lord. CREON. Is not the state the ruler's property? HAEMON. Thou wouldst reign well over a desert land. CREON. The boy, it seems, will fight for yonder maid. HAEMON. If thou'rt the maid; it is for thee I care. CREON. Villain, why art thou wrangling with thy sire? HAEMON. Because thou errest from the path of right. CREON. Err I in claiming reverence for my state? HAEMON Reverence upon religion tramples not. CREON. O caitiff soul, thrall of a woman's face! HAEMON Thou wilt not see me by aught base enthralled. CREON. Yet is thy whole discourse a plea for her.