Medea
Choose a text
id="mobileReaderAuthor" class="mobile-reader-author" href="/authors/euripides" aria-label="More works by Euripides">
—
⋯
Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
101
101
Creon
101
I will, for I love not thee above my own family.
102
102
Medea
102
O my country! what fond memories I have of thee in this hour!
103
103
Creon
103
Yea, for I myself love my city best of all things save my children.
104
104
Medea
104
Ah me! ah me! to mortal man how dread a scourge is love!
105
105
Creon
105
That, I deem, is according to the turn our fortunes take.
106
106
Medea
106
O Zeus! let not the author of these my troubles escape thee.
107
107
Creon
107
Begone, thou silly woman, and free me from my toil.
108
108
Medea
108
The toil is mine, no lack of it.
109
109
Creon
109
Soon wilt thou be thrust out forcibly by the hand of servants.
110
110
Medea
110
Not that, not that, I do entreat thee, Creon!
111
111
Creon
111
Thou wilt cause disturbance yet, it seems.
112
112
Medea
112
I will begone; I ask thee not this boon to grant.
113
113
Creon
113
Why then this violence? why dost thou not depart?
114
114
Medea
114
Suffer me to abide this single day and devise some plan for the manner of my exile, and means of living for my children, since their father cares not to provide his babes therewith. Then pity them; thou too hast children of thine own;
115
thou needs must have a kindly heart. For my own lot I care naught, though I an exile am, but for those babes I weep, that they should learn what sorrow means.
116
116
Creon
116
Mine is a nature anything but harsh; full oft by showing pity have I suffered shipwreck;
117
and now albeit I clearly see my error, yet shalt thou gain this request, lady; but I do forewarn thee, if to-morrow’s rising sun shall find thee and thy children within the borders of this land, thou diest; my word is spoken and it will not lie.
118
So now, if abide thou must, stay this one day only, for in it thou canst not do any of the fearful deeds I dread.
119
119
Chorus
119
Ah! poor lady, woe is thee! Alas, for thy sorrows! Whither wilt thou turn? What protection,
120
what home or country to save thee from thy troubles wilt thou find? O Medea, in what a hopeless sea of misery heaven hath plunged thee!
121
121
Medea
121
On all sides sorrow pens me in. Who shall gainsay this?
122
But all is not yet lost! think not so. Still are there troubles in store for the new bride, and for her bridegroom no light toil. Dost think I would ever have fawned on yonder man, unless to gain some end or form some scheme?
123
Nay, I would not so much as have spoken to him or touched him with my hand. But he has in folly so far stepped in that, though he might have checked my plot by banishing me from the land, he hath allowed me to abide this day, in which I will lay low in death three of my enemies—
124
a father and his daughter and my husband too. Now, though I have many ways to compass their death, I am not sure, friends, which I am to try first. Shall I set fire to the bridal mansion, or plunge the whetted sword through their hearts,
125
softly stealing into the chamber where their couch is spread? One thing stands in my way. If I am caught making my way into the chamber, intent on my design, I shall be put to death and cause my foes to mock. ’Twere best to take the shortest way—the way we women are
126
most skilled in—by poison to destroy them. Well, well, suppose them dead; what city will receive me? What friendly host will give me a shelter in his land, a home secure, and save my soul alive? None. So I will wait yet a little while
127
in case some tower of defence rise up for me; then will I proceed to this bloody deed in crafty silence; but if some unexpected mischance drive me forth, I will with mine own hand seize the sword, e’en though I die for it, and slay them, and go forth on my bold path of daring.
128
By that dread queen whom I revere before all others and have chosen to share my task, by Hecate who dwells within my inmost chamber, not one of them shall wound my heart and rue it not. Bitter and sad will I make their marriage for them;
129
bitter shall be the wooing of it, bitter my exile from the land. Up, then, Medea, spare not the secrets of thy art in plotting and devising; on to the danger. Now comes a struggle needing courage. Dost see what thou art suffering? ’Tis not for thee to be a laughing-stock
130
to the race of SisyphusSisyphus was the founder of the royal house of Corinth. by reason of this wedding of Jason, sprung, as thou art, from a noble sire, and of the Sun-god’s race. Thou hast cunning; and, more than this, we women, though by nature little apt for virtuous deeds, are most expert to fashion any mischief.
131
131
Chorus
131
Back to their source the holy rivers turn their tide. Order and the universe are being reversed. ’Tis men whose counsels are treacherous, whose oath by heaven is no longer sure.
132
Rumour shall bring a change o’er my life, bringing it into good repute. Honour’s dawn is breaking for woman’s sex;
133
no more shall the foul tongue of slander fix upon us.
134
134
Chorus
134
The songs of the poets of old shall cease to make our faithlessness their theme. Phoebus, lord of minstrelsy, hath not implanted in our mind
135
the gift of heavenly song, else had I sung an answering strain to the race of males, for time’s long chapter affords
136
many a theme on their sex as well as ours.
142
142
Jason
142
It is not now I first remark, but oft ere this, how unruly a pest is a harsh temper. For instance, thou, hadst thou but patiently endured the will of thy superiors, mightest have remained here in this land and house,
143
but now for thy idle words wilt thou be banished. Thy words are naught to roe. Cease not to call Jason basest of men; but for those words thou hast spoken against our rulers, count it all gain that exile is thy only punishment.
144
I ever tried to check the outbursts of the angry monarch, and would have had thee stay, but thou wouldst not forego thy silly rage, always reviling our rulers, and so thou wilt be banished. Yet even after all this I weary not of my goodwill,
145
but am come with thus much forethought, lady, that thou mayst not be destitute nor want for aught, when, with thy sons, thou art cast out. Many an evil doth exile bring in its train with it; for even though thou hatest me, never will I harbour hard thoughts of thee.
146
146
Medea
146
Thou craven villain (for that is the only name my tongue can find for thee, a foul reproach on thy unmanliness)! comest thou to me, thou, most hated foe of gods, of me, and of all mankind? Tis no proof of courage or hardihood
147
to confront thy friends after injuring them, but that worst of all human diseases—loss of shame. Yet hast thou done well to come; for I shall ease ray soul by reviling thee, and thou wilt be vexed at my recital.
148
I will begin at the very beginning. I saved thy life, as every Hellene knows who sailed with thee aboard the good ship Argo, when thou wert sent to tame and yoke fire-breathing bulls, and to sow the deadly tilth.
149
Yea, and I slew the dragon which guarded the golden fleece, keeping sleepless watch o’er it with many a wreathed coil, and I raised for thee a beacon of deliver arice. Father and home of my free will I left and came with thee to Iolcos, ’neath Pelion’s hills,
150
for my love was stronger than my prudence. Next I caused the death of Pelias by a doom most grievous, even by his own children’s hand, beguiling them of all their fear. All this have I done for thee, thou traitor! and thou hast cast me over, taking to thyself another wife,
151
though children have been bom to us. Hadst thou been childless still, I could have pardoned thy desire for this new union.
152
Gone is now the trust I put in oaths. I cannot even understand whether thou thinkest that the gods of old no longer rule, or that fresh decrees are now in vogue amongst mankind,
153
for thy conscience must tell thee thou hast not kept faith with me. Ah! poor right hand, which thou didst often grasp. These knees thou didst embrace! All in vain, I suffered a traitor to touch me! How short of my hopes I am fallen! But come, I will deal with thee as though thou wert my friend.
154
Yet what kindness can I expect from one so base as thee? but yet I will do it, for my questioning will show thee yet more base. Whither can I turn me now? to my father’s house, to my own country, which I for thee deserted to come hither? to the hapless daughters of Pelias? A glad
155
welcome, I trow, would they give me in their home, whose father’s death I compassed! My case stands even thus: I am become the bitter foe to those of mine own home, and those whom I need ne’er have wronged I have made mine enemies to pleasure thee. Wherefore to reward me for this thou hast made me doubly blest in the eyes of many a wife in Hellas;
156
and in thee I own a peerless, trusty lord. O woe is me, if indeed I am to be cast forth an exile from the land, without one friend; one lone woman with her babes forlorn! Yea, a fine reproach to thee in thy bridal hour,
157
that thy children and the wife who saved thy life are beggars and vagabonds! O Zeus! why hast thou granted unto man clear signs to know the sham in gold, white on man’s brow no brand is stamped whereby to gauge the villain’s heart?
158
158
Chorus
158
There is a something terrible and past all cure, when quarrels arise ’twixt those who are near and dear.
159
159
Jason
159
Needs must I now, it seems, turn orator, and, like a good helmsman on a ship with close-reefed sails, weather
160
that wearisome tongue of thine. Now, I believe, since thou wilt exaggerate thy favours, that to Cypris alone of gods or men I owe the safety of my voyage. Thou hast a subtle wit enough; yet were it a hateful thing for me
161
to say that the Love-god constrained thee by his resistless shaft to save my life. However, I will not reckon this too nicely; ’twas kindly done, however thou didst serve me. Yet for my safety
162
hast thou received more than ever thou gavest, as I will show. First, thou dwellest in Hellas, instead of thy barbarian land, and hast learnt what justice means find how to live by law, not by the dictates of brute force; and all the Hellenes recognize thy cleverness,
163
and thou hast gained a name; whereas, if thou hadst dwelt upon the confines of the earth, no tongue had mentioned thee. Give me no gold within my halls; nor skill to sing a fairer strain than ever Orpheus sang, unless therewith my fame be spread abroad!
164
So much I say to thee about my own toils, for ’twas thou didst challenge me to this retort. As for the taunts thou urgest against my marriage with the princess, I will prove to thee, first, that I am prudent herein, next chastened in my love, and last a powerful friend
165
to thee and to thy sons; only hold thy peace. Since I have here withdrawn from Iolcos with many a hopeless trouble at my back, what happier device could I, an exile, frame than marriage with the daughter of the king?
166
’Tis not because I loathe thee for my wife—the thought that rankles in thy heart; ’tis not because I am smitten with desire fot a new bride, nor yet that I am eager to vie with others in begetting many children, for those we have are quite enough, and I do not complain. Nay, ’tis that we—and this is most important—
167
may dwell in comfort, instead of suffering want (for well I know that every whilom friend avoids the poor), and that I might rear my sons as doth befit my house; further, that I might be the father of brothers for the children thou hast born, and raise these to the same high rank, uniting the family in one,—
168
to my lasting bliss. Thou, indeed, hast no need of more children, but me it profits to help my present family by that which is to be. Have I miscarried here? Not even thou wouldest say so unless a rival’s charms rankled in thy bosom. No, but you women have such strange ideas,
169
that you think all is well so long as your married life runs smooth; but if some mischance occur to ruffle your love, all that was good and lovely erst you reckon as your foes. Yea, men should have begotten children from some other source, no female race existing;
170
thus would no evil ever have fallen on mankind.
171
171
Chorus
171
This speech, O Jason, hast thou with specious art arranged; but yet I think—albeit in saying so I betray indiscretion—that thou hast sinned in casting over thy wife.
172
172
Medea
172
No doubt I differ from the mass of men on many points;
173
for, to my mind, whoso hath skill to fence with words in an unjust cause, incurs the heaviest penalty; for such an one, confident that he can cast a decent veil of words o’er his injustice, dares to practise it; and yet he is not so very clever after all. So do not thou put forth thy specious pleas
174
and clever words to me now, for one word of mine will lay thee low. Hadst thou not had a villain’s heart, thou shouldst have gained my consent, then made this match, instead of hiding it from those who loved thee.
175
175
Jason
175
Thou wouldest have lent me ready aid, no doubt, in this proposal, if I had told thee of my marriage, seeing that not even now
176
canst thou restrain thy soul’s hot fury.
177
177
Medea
177
This was not what restrained thee; but thine eye was turned towards old age, and a foreign wife began to appear discreditable to thee.
178
178
Jason
178
Be well assured of this: ’twas not for the woman’s sake I wedded the king’s daughter, my present wife;
179
but, as I have already told thee, I wished to insure thy safety and to be the father of royal sons bound by blood to my own children—a bulwark to our house.
180
180
Medea
180
May that prosperity, whose end is woe, ne’er be mine, nor such wealth as would ever sting my heart!
181
181
Jason
181
Change that prayer as I will teach thee, and thou wilt show more wisdom. Never let happiness appear in sorrow’s guise, nor, when thy fortune smiles, pretend she frowns!
182
182
Medea
182
Mock on; thou hast a place of refuge; I am alone, an exile soon to be.
183
183
Jason
183
Thy own free choice was this; blame no one else.
184
184
Medea
184
What did I do? Marry, then betray thee?
185
185
Jason
185
Against the king thou didst invoke an impious curse.
186
186
Medea
186
On thy house too maybe I bring the curse.
187
187
Jason
187
Know this, I will no further dispute this point with thee.
188
But, if thou wilt of my fortune somewhat take for the children or thyself to help thy exile, say on; for I am ready to grant it with ungrudging hand, yea and to send tokens to my friends elsewhere who shall treat thee well. If thou refuse this offer, thou wilt do a foolish deed,
189
but if thou cease from anger the greater will be thy gain.
190
190
Medea
190
I will have naught to do with friends of thine, naught will I receive of thee, offer it not to me; a villain’s gifts can bring no blessing.
191
191
Jason
191
At least I call the gods to witness,
192
that I am ready in all things to serve thee and thy children, but thou dost scorn my favours and thrustest thy friends stubbornly away; wherefore thy lot will be more bitter still.
193
193
Medea
193
Away! By love for thy young bride entrapped, too long thou lingerest outside her chamber;
194
go wed, for, if God will, thou shalt have such a marriage as thou wouldst fain refuse.
195
195
Chorus
195
When in excess and past all limits Love doth come, he brings not glory or repute
196
to man; but if the Cyprian queen in moderate might approach, no goddess is so full of charm as she. Never, O never, lady mine, discharge at me from thy golden bow a shaft invincible, in passion’s venom dipped.
197
197
Chorus
197
On me may chastity, heaven’s fairest gift, lookVerrall proposes to read στέγοι protect, for MSS. στέργοι. with a favouring eye;
198
never may Cypris, goddess dread, fasten on me a temper to dispute, or restless jealousy, smiting my soul with mad desire for unlawful love, but may she hallow peaceful married life and shrewdly decide whom each of us shall wed.
205
205
Aegeus
205
All hail, Medea! no man knoweth fairer prelude to the greeting of friends than this.
206
206
Medea
206
All hail to thee likewise, Aegeus, son of wise Pandion. Whence comest thou to this land?
207
207
Aegeus
207
From Phoebus’ ancient oracle.
208
208
Medea
208
What took thee on thy travels to the prophetic centre of the earth?
209
209
Aegeus
209
The wish to ask how I might raise up seed unto myself.
210
210
Medea
210
Pray tell me, hast thou till now dragged on a childless life?
211
211
Aegeus
211
I have no child owing to the visitation of some god.