University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIFTH.

Creon.
Cre.
Thus from the malcontents I have removed
All cause of murmuring. I have well reflected:
Nor should have changed my purpose but for this ...
By this means all will be conciliated.
The guilty factions of the people rise
From an innate impatience of restraint;
Yet oft they cloak themselves in feigned compassion,
And evermore with danger is it fraught,
The people's pity, whether true or feign'd;
And now, so much the more, as now my son,
By heading them, adds to their hardihood.
'Tis too, too true, that he who fills the throne
Vainly believes, or rather feigns belief,
To cheat his natural imbecility,
That he can change, or modify at will,
Human propensities, or that a king
Gains with his crown a superhuman power.
That power resides but in the subjects' will;
He trembles at it, who makes others tremble.
But an expert hand, and a subtle head,
Suffer not others to forestall their schemes:
One stroke lays low the idol of the people,
Lays low their hope, their courage, and their strength,
Not irresistible, because unknown.—
But, ah! what noise is this I hear around me?
What brandishing of swords do I behold?
What do I see? With arm'd confederates
Hæmon encircled? ... and towards me advancing?
Let him advance ... The moment is well chosen.