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[παρ να Ὁ Univers LBA LUBRARY
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A OF EurIPIDESs
ited from the Greck into English Verse
wy
JOHN PATTERS( ὟΝ, Mo AL
Ὁ
JOHN P) MORTON ἃ COMPANY LOUISVILLE cok, 48 7:
ἢ
Ge 86.676 AN
Harvard College Library Gift of Col. T. W. Higginson 29 Oct. 1895.
COPYRIGHTED, 1894, By JOHN PATTERSON, M.A,
PREFACE.
NX attempt has been made in this translation to
reproduce some of the peculiarities of Eurip- ides’ style, as the alliterations, metaphors, etc.; also, to reproduce the choral meters in all of the Odes where English prosody permits; to change with the Greek poet to and from anapestic versification, and to tincture the anapests of Medea with a few old English forms where they are tinctured in Greek with Doric. By such auxiliary means I believe it more possible than without them to render, though feebly at best, the great tragedian's miaster-piece.
I have employed the text of Professor F. D. Allen, of Harvard University, and have made free use of his excellent notes; aud for whatever suggestions have been received from the works of others, 1 make
grateful acknowledgment.
j. P.
LOVISVILLE MALE HIGH SCHOOL,
Septem ber, 1894. (3)
ee ~ _
ARGUMENT.
EDEA, the daughter of the King of Colchis, be- came enamored of Jason, who, with the other Argonauts, visited her father’s kingdom in search of the Golden Fleece. Versed in magic and influenced by her love, she enabled Jason to accomplish the tasks set him by Afjetes: the yoking of the fire- breathing bulls, the sowing of the dragon’s teeth, the destruction of the resulting crop of warriors, also the slaying of the guardian dragon of the Golden Fleece. She slew her brother Apsyrtus to aid their escape to Greece.
Arrived at Iolcus, where Pelias, Jason’s uncle, had usurped the throne rightfully Jason’s, Medea brought about the death of Pelias at the hands of his own daughters, persuading them that they could renew their father’s youth by boiling him in a kettle with certain enchanted drugs. Jason and Medea fled from the consequence of this crime, and fixed their resi- dence in Corinth, where they lived in peace till Jason, partly through ambition, principally through a new affection, contracted an alliance with Glauce, daugh- ter of Creon, King of Corinth. The abandoned Medea, barbaric in birth’ and passion, is aroused to frenzy by
such treatment; and with this the drama begins. 2 (5)
PERSONS OF THE DRAMA.
MEDEA’S ΝΌΒΘΕ, Deuteragontist.
OLD SLAVE, Guardian of children, 7rztagonist. MEDEA, Protagontst.
CREON, King of Corinth, 77ztagomnist.
Jason, Deuteragonist. — .
A MESSENGER, Deuteragontst. |
MEDEA’S Two SONS.
AEGEUS, Prince of Athens, 7ritagonist.
Chorus of Corinthian Women, friendly to Medea.
SCENE.
CORINTH: Front of Medea’s house, the Orchestra an
open space before it. The palace and Jason's house
supposed to be on the right.
(6)
MEDEA.
Ὦ δωσθέατον ὄμμα χαὶ τόλμης πιχρᾶς, SOPHOK LES. NURSE. .
O would the Argo’s hull had never winged To Colchian coast through the dark-purpled peaks Of the Symplegades, and ne’er had fallen The riven pine in Pelion’s wooded dells, Nor had equipped the hands of those heroes Who went to seek for Pelias the fleece All-gold; for then had not Medea sailed, My mistress, to the land Iolcus’ towers, Soul-smitten with the love of Jason ; Nor had she won the maids of Pelias To slay their sire; seen this Corinthian home With spouse and sons, gracious to citizens Whose country she had reached in flight, and prone To live in peace with Jason. Surest boon Of man and wife is harmony: But now discord invades, and tenderest ties Are languishing; for, false unto my mistress
And her sons, Jason hath left her couch (7)
--
| MEDEA.
For royal marriage with Creon’s child—
Creon who lords it here in Corinth’s realm. Medea, wretched, disavowed, evokes
The oaths, recalls their plighted hands, the pledge | Most sacred; and implores the gods to view Jason’s perfidious return. Foodless she lies, whelming herself in grief; Dissolves herself in tears the tedious time
Since once she knew herself maltreated by
Her husband, nor uplifts her eyes, nor bends Her visage from the earth, but like a rock
Or deaf sea-wave heeds not her friends’ address; Save ever and anon she turneth her
Neck’s stiow, and to herself bewaileth sire
And native land and hearth which she betrayed To follow him who now dishonors her. ,And she hath learned, poor wretch! of misery ‘The blessing of an unforsaken home.
She hates her very sons, delighteth not
Upon their sight. I tremble lest she plan
Some unexpected ill. Deep-purposed is f ὃ Her heart and brooks no wrong: I know and fear, 3; For dread is she, nor who engages her In hate will easily bear off the meed
e Of victory.
(%)
— precy - “eo m= Ca
MEDEA.
But come the children, finished race and game, All-heedless of their mother’s misery. The heart of youth loves not the haunts of grief!
[Enter παιδαγωγός with two children of MEDEA. |
SLAVE-GUARDIAN.
Ancient belonging of my mistress’ house, Why standest by the gates in solitude, Revolving with thyself a weight of woes? How wills Medea to be left by thee? :
NURSE.
Old guardian of Jason’s sons, The woes that fall on masters bring distress To faithful slaves and fasten on their hearts: So I have come to such a pass of sorrow, The impulse driveth me to come and wail My mistress’ fortunes to the earth and heaven.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN.
What! takes the wretch no respite from her groans?
. NURSE. Sweet ignorance!* her grief ’s not yet at flood.
“Literally, ‘I envy thee (thy ignorance).”’
(9)
MEDEA.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. Poor fool! if one may speak of mistress thus, How little dreams she of more recent 1118!
NURSE. What meanest thou, good man? grudge not to say-
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. Nothing; and I repent me of my words.
NURSE. Nay, by thy beard, conceal it not from ine,
Thy fellow-slave: if need, the secret 's safe.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. I heard who said, when seeming not to hear, Nearing the gaming-place where cronies lounge, Pirene’s hallowed water, that Creon, King of this realm, will from Corinthian soil Banish Medea and her sons. I know Not whether this be true—O would 't were false!
NURSE. Will Jason brook his children’s suffering, F’en though at variance with his wife? 1
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. The old are lesser than the newer ties,
And to this house he is no more a friend. (10)
MEDEA.
NURSE. We perish then, if to the old we ship An added sea ere this is bailed.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. But thou, since ’t is not meet my mistress know, Restrain thy tongue and secret keep the tale.
NURSE. Ὁ children, hear ye what a sire ye have ὃν Nay! I will not desire him death—he is My lord —though he unto his friends untrue.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. What mortal not? Hast just discovered this, More than his neighbor loves each man himself, Some honestly, but sonte through selfishness, Seeing a father indifferent to his sons
For nuptials new?
NURSE. (70 children.) -
Go, children, go—-all will be well—within The mansion. (To SLAVE-GUARDIAN.) Do thou keep them far aloof, Nor let them near their frenzied mother; for I saw her like a maddened bull eye these (11)
MEDEA.
As though she ’d injure them; nor will she ceage From wrath, I ween, before she rushes on Some victim. Be on foe her rage, not friend !
{ MEDEA’S votce ts heard wtthin.]
MEDEA. Alas! I vain wretch am of labors! Ah, me! Me! Would that I die!
NURSE. So is it, dear children, her heart Your mother exciteth, exciteth her wrath. Speed, speed ye, and do not encounter her eye, Nor face her; beware of the savage retreat And furious instinct of nature morose. But go now and hasten within, for 't is plain The cloud of distress on the horizon full soon Will spread with a much greater fury. What, pray, Will dare this high-strung and tempestuous soul, Ritten by wrongs? -
| Exzeunt SLAVE-GUARDIAN and children.)
MEDEA. Alack ! alack! Wretch am I, and have I endured, endured Woes for which no wailing is great enough. 9 , (12) 4, ι
MEDEA.
Accurséd ye barns of womb hated, may ye All perishen—sire and my sons and the house!
NURSE. Ah, me! me! O wretch, Why should thine own children their father’s fault share? Why hatest them? Poor things, alas! I do more Than dread your misfortune ; for fearful exists The arrogance royalty taketh. Controlled In little, in much absolute, so they set Aside their resentment with stubbornness. Life Of humble lot’s better a destiny. Be It mine to grow old grandeurless but secure. The golden mean’s namie is a better to speak, To use brings content most. Transcendency can Bring mortals naught save revenge from the heavens — Some angered god — wrecking their houses.
[Chorus now appears in the Orchestra.}
CHORUS. Prodode.
Heard I Medea’s voice: and I heard the complaint Of this wretched Colchian never appeaséd yet; tell to me, 3 * (13)
MEDEA.
Old nurse, for very near to the vestibule 5
Of the bi-portaled * inansion heard I the
Groans within, nor am I glad of the suffering, Woman — her house is endeared to me.
4
NURSE. No house is: for all this is vanishéd now Since Jason the bed woos of royalty’s line; My mistress is wasting existence away Within her apartments, and taketh in heart | No comfort from words of a friend.
MEDEA.
Alas! alas! Might lightning from heaven descend through my head !
What profiteth me more the essence of life? Alas, me! and might death releasen me from Hated existence!
CHORUS.
Strophe.
Heardest, O Zeus, O earth; and O light, This sad song which hath drear distress Taught Medea?
* For metrical purposes both meanings of ἀμφίτυλος have been +
used, (14) ΄
MEDEA.
What longing for dread resting-place Will e’er, foolish wife, aid thee pass To death’s ultimate sure release? Pray not of the gods thus: If thy spouse desire Bloomier bed than thine own, Be not wroth with him over this: Thee Zeus will avenge in his might — Little repine ‘thou, Mourning thy wedded mate renniss.
MEDEA. High Themis and Artemis honored, Behold what I suffer my spouse from, Accurséd, to me bound with great oaths? Whom may I gloat over and his bride ' To atoms ground under their roof-tree, For daring uninjured to harm me. O father! O homie I abandoned, Disgracefully slaying my brother!
NURSE. Hear ye her language, her crying aloud Themis invokéd and Zeus who records Human oaths? There is no way will her rage Quiet its transports with paltry result.
[15]
MEDEA.
CHORUS. Antistrophe.
Would that Medea welcome our eyes, Coming to hear kind tone of words Spoken to her, If haply the deep-inipressed rage And wrath of her soul they assuage: For let not my tenderness’ edge Dull ever to friendship. Nurse, repair in haste, Tend thou her hither from home; Tell her of our grave sympathy. | Haste, haste before she hath wrought ill Unto the children; ' Frenzy portends this calamity.
NURSE. So will I, though fear if I conquer my mistress: And freely the favor of this task will grant. Although such a glance as a tigress with whelps She casts on her slaves, if a single approach To utter a word. And if callest thou men Of olden uncouth and in naught wise, inventing Refrains at a banquet or private display Or festival, sounds to enchant the quick ear,
(16)
MEDEA.
Thou wouldst not mistake; but ne’er.mortal his skill Hath practised to solace with muse and varied Concordance those Stygian griefs from which deaths And dreadful calamities make houses fall.
And yet for a man to heal such griefs with music Were profit. Where sumptuous feasts are, why raise Vain song, for present abundance of the board Affords its own joy to ephemerals?
CHORUS. E pode. I list to mournful-voicéd agony. Loudly crying her weight of rue, grievously Complains Medea of the false bridegroom to her bed. Suffering wrongly injuries, calls she
On Zeus’ own Thentis consecrate, guide of her way far
Over the night-hooded brine Unto opposite Greece, on the salt Deep sea’s impenetrate bar.
[Enter MEDEA.]
MEDEA. Women of Corinth, I have come from home; Nor blame me. I have known many reserved Of men, some intimates* and strangers some.
* ὀμμάτων ἀπο, literally with my eyes. (A difficult and disputed
passage.) J. P. ᾿ (17)
MEDEA
They in their silent walks of life did gain Repute for infamy and haughtiness. For justice sees not with the eyes of those Who hate unwronged at sight their fellow, ere They learn his character. The stranger needs Must carefully conform himself to his Adopted homie; nor have I thought of praising The citizen who with his airs is rude Unto his fellow, through ill-breeding. But as for me, this unexpected thing Befallen hath crushed my heart. I go and long For death, despairing of life’s weal, my friends. For he in whom ny all, ye clearly know, Hath proved the basest among men, my husband. Forsooth of all to which are breath and brain We women are the sorriest lot, who first Must buy a husband with the fattest purse, Then make him despot of our persons too: Indeed this latter ill’s the bitterer. Then there’s the mighty risk of getting bad Or good. Divorces bring no luster to A woman’s fame, nor is it possible To renounce one’s husband. Thus she who comes among strange laws and rights Hath need of sense prophetic, an’ she hath
(18)
MEDEA.
Not tried at home the temper of her lord. And if, our knowledge well-elaborate, The husband dwells not restive ’neath the yoke, ’T were envied lot; if not, ’t were better death. A man whenever weary of his home May go abroad and ease his heart of surfeit, Unto some friend or boon companion turned ; But woman must look to a single soul. They say we pass a dangerless repose Indoors, they wield the spear —a foolish thought; How would I thrice stand to the shield than bear A siugle child! But such discourse applies not unto you. This is your city, here your fathers’ homes, The sweets of life and intercourse of friends: But I am destitute and cityless, Scorned by my lord, brought from barbaric land, Who have nor mother, brother, relative, Whither to change my mooring from this sea Of woe. This grace I hope from you; if a device Or way be found to mete revenge unto My husband for my wrongs, also to him Who gives his daughter, and to her, the bride, Be silent. For in other things is woman
(19)
MEDEA.
Pregnant with fear, timid to look on fight
' And steel, but injured in her nuptial bed,
No living heart so murderous.
CHORUS. I will be silent, for with justice plain Repay’st thy lord, Medea; nor do I Marvel thou grievest at thy miseries. But Creon, see, the king of this domain Cometh, the messenger of new decrees.
[Enter CREON, with attendants.)
CREON.
Thou of sullen mien, enraged against
Thy spouse, Medea, I’ve resolved, exiled
Shalt pass this country’s line and take thy sons, The twain; and tarry not; for arbiter
Of this my word, I shall not seek my palace Until I hurl thee from the kingdom’s bourn. |
MEDEA. Alas! am I undone, wretch woe-be-gone! Mine enemies shake out their every reef, Nor can I put to shore unrocked with ruin. But I will speak in my distress: Why banish Me the land, King Creon? ( 20)
MEDEA.
CREON.
I fear thee, nor is there a need to cloak
My words, fear that thou do unto my child
Some ill incurable; and to this fear
Doth much bear part. Shrewd wast thou gendered, skilled
In multifold contrivances of harm;
And art exasperate estranged from him
Who shared thy couch. Mine ear doth tremble with
The threats, they tell thou hurlest at my head,
Who give; at his, the groom, and hers, the bride.
Before these fructify I take my guard,
And better that I now incur thy hate,
Woman, than softened soon lament the worst.
MEDEA.
Lack-aday ! Not now the first, but often, Creon, hath My fame for knowledge injured me and worked Me mighty harm. Nor should a prudent man Instruct his children to be over-wise ; For not to name the charge of sloth such bear, They gain the rabble’s envious dislike ; For offering to clowns some science new Thou seemest visionary, not a sage. 4 (21)
MEDEA.
And if deeméd superior to those Who. boast to have a stock of varied lore, Thou wilt appear offensive in the State. So of this fortune do I share the lot: For being wise, to.some I am invidious; To some repugnant: and but little wise Iam. Thou fearest me, to suffer aught BDiscordant. I’ve no coign of vantage — fear Not me, Creon — whence to offend a king. How hast thou injured me? betroth thy maid To whom thou wilt. It is my spouse I hate. But thou, methinks, hast acted wisely thus; Nor do I envy thee prosperity. Array thy bride: fare well; but suffer me To dwell within thy realm, for I will bear Mine injuries in silence, submissive to More potent wills.
CREON. Thou say’st soft things to hear, but inwardly I shudder that thou plottest something hard. By so much am I less persuaded than Before. A woman quick to wrath, just as A man, is easier to guard against Than one of silent craftiness. Begone with all despatch, nor trifle words ;
(22)
MEDEA.
For suchis my irrevocable will. Thou lackest art to tarry here, to me
An enemy. MEDEA.
Nay, by thy knees and by the new-wed maid! CREON.
Thy words are lost, for thou canst ne’er persuade.
MEDEA.
And thou wilt banish me, nor heed my prayers?
CREON.
I love not thee more than my family.
MEDEA.
O fatherland, now wells thy memory.
CREON.
So dearest that to me, except my child.
MEDEA.
Alas! alas! how great an evil love.
CREON.
That is, I ween, as circumstances fall.
MEDEA. Forget not, Zeus, the cause of my distress. (23)
MEDEA.
CREON.
Away! fond wretch, relieve me from my cares.
MEDEA.
’T is I have cares, and cares enough I ἴσον.
CREON.
My servants’ hands shall quickly thrust thee hence.
MEDEA.
Surely not this, for, Creon, I implore —
CREON.
Thou wilt make trouble, woman, as it seems.
MEDEA.
I flee—my supplication’s not of this.
CREON.
Why dost resist, and leavest not my land?
MEDEA. Permit me to remain this single day And frame some plan to guide my banishment, Some resource for my sons, since that their sire Cares not to make provision for his boys. Pity then, for thou too art a father, And it is probable hast tenderness.
(24)
MEDEA.
For me—I have no dread of banishment, But weep for them to share my casualty.
CREON. My nature hath no strain of tyranny: Through sympathy for others, much have lost. And now I see myself am wrong, O lady, Yet take thy prayer, but with it this decree: If so the coming lamp of God shine on Thee and thy sons within this country’s bounds, Thou diest. I have said, nor false the word.
[Ἐχτξ CREON wrth attendants.)
CHORUS. Miserable woman, Well-a-day! Well-a-day! Thou vanity of ill, Whither wilt turn? What shelter from throes,
Hospitable to thee,
Wilt find, of house or soil?
Into such trackless surges of woes
Fate hath brought thee, Medea.
MEDEA. Everything’s perverse, who will gainsay ? But scarce so bad as that, believe it not. Still are there trials for the brief-betrothed, (25)
MEDEA.
And for the allied, labors not a few.
For thinkest thou that I would ever fawn Without some hope of gain, or crafty end?
I had not deigned to speak nor touch him with My banat δὶ he, to such a pass of folly Hath comé, with power to prison all my plans In banishment, grants me to wait this day
In which 11 stretch three corses of my foes, The fath father and my husband and the bride.
τ᾿ But with a plenitude-ef-rodtsto-death,__
I know not which to open first, my friends: Whether consume the bridal house with fire, Or to implunge the pointed steel into
The princess’ vitals, passing with stealthy tread Within the nuptial chamber. But one thing Opposes; if I shall be seized entering
The house to prosecute my plans, I die, Derision of mine enemies.
The straightest road ’s the best, in which my skill Is most proficient — them to slay with poison. Be it so!
And they are dead, what city will receive me? What host afford asylum or a roof
Secure, and shield my person? There is none. }
Awaiting yet a little while if some (26)
MEDEA.
Tower of my safety may appear, I’ll plot The murder in deceit and silence.
And if a hopeless destiny decree
My exile, with the sword in hand, although I perish, I will kill them; such a pitch
Of daring have I reached.— Not, by my mistress The whom I honor most of all and choose Assistant, Hecate who dwells within
The recess of my hearth, shall one of them Exult at my afflicted heart.
Bitter I’ll make these nuptials to them, Foriorn to them: bitter this union and
My exile. But enough: Spare nothing of Thy sciences: Medea, rouse, contrive. Creep to thy dread design: the game is one Of nerve. Seest thy wrongs? Thou shouldst not be A gibe of Sisypheans and of Jason’s Betrothed, who art the breed of noble sire, Helios —Thy science conjure: and besides We women are, in noble deeds untaught, Most cunning artisans of every ill.
CHORUS. Strophe a’. Reverséd are consecrate streams’ downpouring foun-
tains, (27)
MEDEA.
Justice and all substance of things are subvert. Treacherous purposes bind men; even faith Plighted to gods, they evaden. So change will embellish feminine life to a fairer desert; Honor will favor our rdce, O Medea: Never again shall harsh rumor women upbraiden.
Antistrophe a’.
The muses of olden refraius will cease singing us, Hymning our famed faithlessness unto the shell. Not unto woman hath Pheebos, the minstrel, Granted divine voice of his lyre, As I know, or I would reply to man’s song with song of man’s guile. Mutual relations of master and woman Lips of long life have gained wisdom to choir.
Strophe p’. And thou from far home of thy father embarkedst, Mad in love’s ecstacy, parting the deep’s double pillars of stone; And dwellest on stranger shore, Having lost the mate of thy widowed Couch —couch never spread for love more — An exile and outcast in one,
Dishonored, abandoned. ( 28)
MEDEA.
Antistrophe 2’.
And sped is all reverence of oaths divine. Shame like a tremulous bird hath ta’en flight from great Greece into heaven. To thee never more a home Paternal shall offer moorage, In waters of trouble aroam: A princess more potent in charms Usurpeth thy palace.
\Enter JASON.)
JASON.
This is not new, but oft have I perceived
That rugged passion hath no remedy.
For it was thine to share this country, thine
This home, by calm submission to the king’s
Designs; and now art driven from the land For idle words. Of me, I do not care:
"Go on forever with thy chattering
That Jason is the worst of men; but deem,
For threats against the royal family,
Clear gain thy punishment is exile sole.
Forever did I try to stay the tide
Of royal wrath, and wished thee to remain;
But from thy folly wouldst thou not depart,
5 (29)
ΒΝ
Reviling aye the sovereigns; wherefore
Art banished. Spite of this I do not fail
My friends, but come providing for thy good, Woman, that thou may’st not be outcast with ‘Thy children, penniless. and in the need
Of aught. For exile drags many an ill Within its wake, and though thou hatest me, I could not ever wish thee harm,
MEDEA.
Ὁ utterly-depraved, for this have I
To tell thee, worst reproach my lips can frame,
Hast come to us, hast come of hostile heart?
Such is not manliness nor bravery,
To injure friends, then seek to gloat o'er them;
But of all human maladies, most foul—
Audacity. Yet well didst thou to come,
For with reproaches shall I vent my heart,
And thou he pained to hear. "
Will from the very first I first recount:
I saved thee; as such Hellenes do know
Who with thee entered in the Argo’s hull,
With thee enjoined to yoke the fire-breath’d bulls
And strew the direful crop. The dragon which
Guarded the Golden Fleece with tangled folds, (30)
MEDEA.
Sleepless ever, I slew, and held to thee
The light of safety. I betrayed my’sire,
My home, to flee with thee to Pelion
Iolcus, more impulsive than more wise.
And Pelias I caused to dre by death —
The most imbittered death — his daughters’ hands. I banished every fear. O basest man,
For this returnest treachery, thyself;
Procurest other bed, though children born: Perchance, if childless yet, I might forgive
Thy new infatuation. Thus, vain is
The faith of oaths: nor can my thought surmise Whether thou dreamest the gods no longer reign, Or have enacted newer rights for men,
Since thou art conscious of thy perjury.
Alas! right hand which thou so oft hast grasped: Alas! these knees, how vainly were we clasped This villain by, how have we missed our-hopes! But hold! shall I commune with thee as friend, Expecting to receive ravors of thee?
Yet be it so: for questioned baser thou'lt Appear: Whither shall I betake me now? ° Is it unto my father’s house, whom I
Betrayed with fatherland, to follow thee?
Is it unto the miserable maids
(31)
MEDEA.
Of Pelias? a fine reception would
They tender me who slew their sire: for so Itis. I am an enemy to those
At homie, and by my services to thee,
At war with whom my thankless hand hath harmed. Surely for this thou hast exalted me
A name for happiness to Grecian dames.
I have in thee a wondrous spouse and true, . Wretch that I aim, if I shall flee the land, Banished, deserted, lonely with my waifs.
A fine reflection on the brave bridegroom, That beggars do thy children roam and I, Thy savior.
O Zeus, why hast thou granted unto man
A true touch-stone for gold that’s spurious: Not on his person pressed a natural stamp By which to know the villain?
CHORUS.
Dread is that anger and of quenchless life, Whenever friends with friends enkindle strite.
JASON. I must, it seems, have no unskillful tongue, But as the prudent helmsman of a ship With close-reefed sails run hard before the storm, ( 32)
MEDEA.
O woman, of thy never-weary gabble.
For me, so valuest thy favors thou,
I deem that Cypris of the gods and men. Was my sole rescuer from shipwreck.
Thou hast a subtile mind, and as the speech Would be indelicate that Eros drove
Thee with unerring shafts to save my life,
I leave the subject with this single hint;
For where thou aidedst me, ‘tis not amiss: That more however from my safety thou Hast since received than given, I shall show. And first thy dwelling-place 1s Greece instead Of land barbaric, and thou knowest right And benefit of laws unswayed by force.
So, all the Greeks confess thy cleverness, And fame ts thine. But if thou dwelledst in _ Remote confines of earth, thou wert obscure. And may there ne’er be gold within my halls, Nor mine to hymn a sweeter song than Orpheus, If fortune leave me unto faine unknown.
So much upon my labors I have said,
For thou the wordy contest didst provoke. And as to thy reproaches on my head
For royal marriage, first I shall prove
Myself discreet. then chaste, and thirdly thy
(33)
MEDEA.
Great friend, and too my children's: only hear.
When from Iolcus hither I had come,
(’erwhelmed with many dire calamities,
What happier fortune could I find than this,
A refugee to wed a monarch’s child?
Not, as doth fret thee, cloyed with thy bed,
Smitten with longing for another bride,
Nor eager for more numerous offspring.
My children are enough—no fault in this:
Kut that, and most important, we might dwell
In comfort, not constrained with want. I know
That every friend flees far the pauper’s path ;
And I would rear my children as becomes
My house, begetting brothers to thy heirs:
EK xalt them to one rank and family,
“And live in honor; for, what need hast thou
Of children more? and it would profit me
To help the living by a future stock.
Have I determined ill? thou wouldst not say
Did not thy love-bed nettle thee.
To such a point have women come, that if
Your couch is well, ye fancy all secure:
But if some casualty befall your bed,
Ye count the fairest and the best as lost.
Oh! would that mortals might beget their young (34)
From other source, the race of women ποῖ — So would there be no evil under heaven !.
CHORUS. Well, Jason, hast thou gilded thy discourse ; Yet I, although I speak against thy mind, Must deem thee to thy lady treacherous, — To justice, blind.
MEDEA. Surely in much I disagree with men. - To me at least the unjust man who is Ready of speech deserves the heaviest Penalty. Presumptuous with his tongue. _ : To gloss injustice; he is bold in wrong, 5... Yet is not overwise, for instance thou— Hadst best not try on me thy brilliancy And rhetoric. One word will trip thee. It was thy duty, if thou wast not false, First to convince mé, then contract this match ; But not to keep it secret from thy friends.
JASON. | A fine conformity wouldst thou have inade Unto this argument, if I had told Thee of my marriage, who wilt not now Endure to abate thy heart’s big rage.. (35)
MEDEA.
MEDEA. Not this restrained thee. A barbaric mate Had brought thee disrepute in thy gray years.
JASON. Nay, be convinced of this, tis not the bride Impelled me to the couch of kings I win, But as I said before, ‘tis the desire To aid thyself and gender for my sons Brothers of regal blood, a bulwark for Our house. MEDEA. Be mine no life of a golden sorrow, Nor mine the wealth which frets the spirit’s peace.
<4
JASON.
Knowest with altered. wish thou wouldst appear More wise? Ne’er let the good seem bitter to Thy sense; when fortune smiles, deem not she frowns.
MEDEA. Be insolent, since thou hast refuge here, And I forlorn shall flee this country’s terms.
JASON.
Thus hast thou made thy choice; no other blame. (36)
MEDEA. )
MEDEA.
How, pray? by marrying, betraying thee ?
JASON.
By impious curses on the sovereigns.
MEDEA.
I might be too a curse upon thy house.
JASON.
Stay! I will not dispute thus more with thee.
But if thou wouldst receive aught of my wealth, Assistance to thy sons and to thy flight,
Speak out; since readily with lavish hand
I'll give and send the pledge-bone to guest-friends 5 Who thence will favor thee. Refusing this, Woman, thou play’st the fool: ceasing from wrath Thy profit will be more.
MEDEA. I would not trust guest-friends of such as thou, Nor would receive of thine, so proffer not. Gifts of the wicked bring no luck with them,
“In contracting fevia, guest and host broke a small bone, and retained each a half.”—ALLEN.
6 (37)
MEDEA,
JASON. ‘In anywise I call the gods to prove That I would aid thee and thy sons in all. But blessings please thee not, with haughtiness Dost thou reject thy friends: whence more thy griefs.
MEDEA. Away! no doubt the longing for thy new- Mate maid doth seize thee from the palace staved. Wed her; perhaps, with God’s will be it said, Ὕ will be a match thy future would revoke.
[Φ χτί JASON.)
CHORUS. Strophe a’, The Loves in excess bring nor virtue nor fame; But if Cypris gently should coine, No goddess of heaven so pleasing a dame: Yet never, O mistress, in sure passion steeped, Aim at me thy gold bow’'s barbéd flame.
Antistrophe a’. . May temperance watch o’er me, best gift of the gods, May ne’er to wild wrangliny and strife Dread Cypris impel me soul-pierced with strange lust ; But with favoring eye on the quarrelless couch
Spread she wisely the love-bed of wife. (38)
MEDEA.
Strophe 3". Oh fatherland! Oh native home! Never cityless May I tread the weary path of want, Ever pitiless And full of doom ! But on that day to death, to death be slave! Without a country ’s worse than in a grave.
intistrophe 2’.
Mine eye hath seen, nor do I inuse On other’s history. Nor home nor friend bewails thy nameless pangs. Perish dismally The fiend who fails To cherish friends, turning the guileless key Of candor’s gate! Such friend be far from me!
{Enter AEGEUS.]
ARGEUS. Medea, hail! for than tlris prelude of My speech no one can offer friend more fair.
MEDEA. And thou too hail, son of wise Pandion, -Egeus, whence dost thou tread this country’s plain ? (39)
ΜΈΡΕΑ. ZEGEUS.
From Phoebos’ ancient shrine of oracle. MEDEA.
What mission took thee to the earth’s white® nave?” ZEGEUS.
To search how seed of children spring for me. MEDEA.
By heaven, is yet thy life unblest with child? AEGEUS.
through some deity’s design it is.
MEDE.
Hast thou a wife, or unto wedlock strange?
AGEUS.
| am not yokeless of the marriage bond.
MEDEA. What pray hath Phoebos said to thee of child?
AEGEUS. Words wiser than a man may comprehend.
A white stone in the nave of the temple at Delphi was thought to mark the earth's center. (40)
MEDEA.
MEDEA.
May | in piety learn his response?
EGEUS.
Thou may’st, since there is need of wisdom’s skill.
MEDEA. What said he? Speak, if it is right to hear.
ZEGEUS. ᾿ I must not loose the bag’s protruding foot —
MEDEA. Ere thou do what or in what land arrive?
AEGEUS. Ere I do reach again my native hearth.
MEDEA. What prompts thee then to sail unto this coast?
AGEUS. There is one Pitheus, Trazene’s king.
MEDEA. Of Pelops’ sons most pious, as they say.
AEGEUS. I would commune with him the god’s reply. (41)
ΠΊΩΝ
wh
MEDEA.
MEDEA.
Too well he hath, his former ties disdained. ..
AEGEUS. Induced by love or cloyed with thy charmis?
MEDEA. By mighty passion made untrue to friends.
AEGEUS. Then let him go, if wicked as thou sayest.
MEDEA. He was delighted with the royal bands.
AEGEUS. Who gives the bride? Continue thy account.
MEDEA. Creon who rules the realm of Corinth here.
#GRUS. Then, lady, pardonable is thy grief.
MEDEA. I am undone, ay, driven from the land.
AIGEUS.
By whom? this adds new weight unto thy wrongs.
(43)
MEDEA.
MEDEA. Creon from Corinth driveth me exiled.
ARGEUS. Will Jason suffer it to his reproach ?
MEDEA. Not speciously, but he will brave it out.— By this thy beard and these thy knees I pray Thee and become a suppliant, pity, Pity me, wretched that I am, nor see Me banished destitute; but take me to Thy country and thy hearth. So by the gods Thy hope of children soon be perfected! And may’st thou live in happiness to death! ‘Thou knowest not the fortune thou hast found, For I will free thee from a sterile lot And make thee blest with child— such charms I kuow.
ARGEUS. For many reasons, lady, am I prone ‘To grant this charity, first for the gods, And secondly for the children whose birth Thou promisest, since in this blessing I Am helpless quite. And thus my purpose is, If thou shalt come unto my country, I Will try in justice to befriend thy need.
(44)
MEDEA,
But from this land thyself withdraw thy foot, For I would make no breach’of friendly ties.
MEDEA, So shallit be. And if thou givest pledge Of this, thy favors will be most complete.
AEGEUS. And trustest not my faith? What is the fault?
MEDEA. I trust thee, but the house of Pelias And Creon too are hostile to my cause. If bound to me by oaths, at their request Who force me from the land, thy piety Would not resign me; but if held by words, Unsworn of heaven, thou mightst be their friend, And soon an embassy persuade their plea. My means are weak, and theirs the potency Of wealth and crown.
AEGEUS. Much prudence in thy words, O lady. If such thy wish, I do uot hesitate: For so to me this seems the safest plan. To show I have some pretext to thy foes, Would help thy interests. So name thy gods. 7 (45)
ΜΈΡΕΑ.
MEDEA. Swear by the realm of Earth and by the Sun, Sire of my sire: by all the race of heaven,
Swear. ABGEUS.
That I will do or not do what? declare.
MEDEA. Nor wilt thou ever banish me thy land, Nor if some other, of my foes, attempt, Wilt ever give me up, with life and will.
JEGEUS. I swear by Earth and holy reverence Of yonder Sun and all the hosts of heaven Observance of thy prayer.
MEDEA, Enough; and what the penalty if broken?
AIGEUS.
Such as befalls the impious of men.
MEDEA. Go on thy way in happiness, for all
Is well. And I shall hasten to thy home (46)
MEDEA.
With utmost speed, when my intents are done And when my wishes are fulfilled. [Extt AEGEUS.])
CHORUS. The son of Maia,* king and guide, Attend thee to thy home. Abide With thee success in what thy hopes Impatient span. . /Egeus, to me thou seemest, tried,
A noble man.
MEDEA. O Zeus, Justice of Zeus and Light of Sun! Friends, we shall be now victors of our foes, At last have found the road: now enters hope Of wreaking vengeance on mine enemies. For where I labored most this man appeared The haven of my counsels, and from him Shall stretch the cable of my keel arrived At Pallas’ town and citadel.f And now I shall declare to thee my purposes ; Nor do expect words of a pleasant strain. One of my company shall I dispatch, And pray that Jason come again to me; * Hermes. ¢ Athens. (47)
ΜΈΡΕΑ.
And when he comes, with honeyed words I'll say ‘That his designs seem right and all is well.
And I shall pray him that my sons remain,
Not purposing to leave on hostile soil
‘These twain to enemies’ insults, but that
With treachery I may kill the monarch’s child. For I shall send them, presents in their hands
To bear the bride, ἃ plea to stay their exile,
A filmy robe and wreath of woven gold.
And if she take the ornaments and bind
Them on her, she deplorably shall die
And all who touch the maiden; with such drugs ΤῊ] steep the offerings. Here I dismiss . ‘This narrative, to speak with deep lament
Of what I then must do. My children will
I slay, nor is there who shall rescue them.
The house of Jason thus confused in woe,
I'll leave the land, fleeing the murder’s curse
Of my belovéd children — having dared
A deed most impious.
It is intolerable to be mocked, | Ὁ friends, by enemies—Away! what good ‘To me is life? I have nor fatherland
Nor home nor refuge from calamities. ‘Then was my error when I left my home
(48)
MEDEA,
Paternal, won over by a Grecian’s words, Who by the aid of heaven shall pay the price: | For never more offspring of me alive
Shall glad his eyes, nor of his newly-wed Princess shall he beget an heir, since fate Decrees fhe wretch shall perish wretchedly By my enchantments.
Let no one deem me paltry, weak nor mild, But of a spirit contrary; to foes, Implacable, and unto friends, benign:
For of such mortals is the life most famed.
CHORUS. Since thou to us thy purpose hast disclosed, Wishing to help both thee and man’s decrees, I would dissuade thee from such infamies.
MEDEA. I have no other course, and yet for thee To say such things is pardonable, for Thou hast not suffered grievously as I.
CHORUS. But, woman, wilt thou dare thy two to slay?
MEDEA. [ Yea, for my husband will be most distressed. (49)
MEDEA.
CHORUS.
And thou most wretched of thy sex, alway.
MEDEA.
So let it be. All intervening words Are useless.
[70 NuRSE, who has come out of the house.)
But make haste and.Jason bring; . “
For in all deeds of trust I honor thee: |
[70 CHORUS.) And do thou mention naught of my designs, If favorest thy mistress and art woman.
[Fatt NURSE.]
CHORUS. Strophe a’.
Erectheus’ race hath forever Been fortunate, the Blessed Band’s Own cions nurtured on wisdom renowned at the breast of a country divine
Never ravished by conquerors’ hands; who ever daint- ily wander.through most ambrosial air: In whose realm, saith the legend, did gold-haired Har- monia The nine pure muses of Pierus bear.
(50)
MEDEA.
Antistrophe α΄. Of Cephisus the fair-flowing Is famed Cypris dippeth the stream, And cooling the genial breath of the wind wafts it. lightly o’er Athens, The land of perennial gleam; and ever wreathing her tresses with rose-flowers’ odorous plaits, Sendeth companions to wisdom such Loves as are tem- perate, s Of multifold virtues the chaste help-mates.
Strophe py. How then shall this city of tide Sacred, or country safe Harbor unto its friends Hold thee an infanticide, Impious wretch among men ?— Ponder thy children’s death: Ponder the crime thou assumest: Do not by thy knees we implore Thee, pleading with every breath, Murder thine offspring !
Antistrophe 3’. Whence, whence can a daring of will, Or of the hand or heart, (51)
MEDEA,
Daughter, impel thee
To finish this hideous ill?
How shall eyes bent on thy boys
Be tearless at murder’s woe ?—
Never canst thou stain thy right hand Crimson with their blood when they kneel, Thy suppliant children, though
Ruthless thy spirit!
[Enter JASON.) \
JASON. Thou hast bidden and I am here; for even If hostile, yet thou shouldst not be deprived Of such a service, but I will give ear To what new thing, woman, he now thy whim.
MEDEA. Jason, I pray thee pardon for past words: To bear my anger with is right for thee, Because of many mutual services. I have engaged myself in argument, Myself rebuked: foolish why do I rave? Why do I threaten those who wish me well? Why am I angry with my sovereigns And with my husband who designeth best For us in marrying a princess bride,
(52)
MEDEA.
To gender royal brothers for my sons? Shall I not cease from ire? What thinking of Am I, seeing the gods provide me good? Have I not children, do I know we flee Iolcus and are scarce of friendly aids? Reflecting thus I have perceived my lack Of prudence, and unreasonable wrath. Therefore I now commend thee; and thou seemest - Discreet to gain this tie for us, and I A fool, who rather should cooperate In thése designs, help perfect them, assist The bridal pomp, be pleased to tend thy bride. But we are what we are, nor evil meant, We women ! It is not right for thee to imitate My follies nor return vain words for vaiu- I ask indulgence and confess my wrong: But now I have designed a better course. Children, children, come from out the house: (Enter children with SLAVE-GUARDIAN.] Advance, embrace your father: speak to him With me, and with your mother cease from rage Against our friends, for there is peace, and anger Hath passed away. -Clasp his right hand —Oh! woe Is me! how I divine some hidden ill! — ᾿
8 (53)
MEDEA.
Will ye, my children, thus tn length of days Stretch out your lovéd arms? Wretch that I am, How I am full of weeping, full of fear!
Having at last resolved my quarrel with
Your father, thus have I filled my tender glance
With tears. CHORUS.
Mine eyes, too, glisten with the tears’ fresh flow: Greater than now may not the evil grow.
JASON. Lady, I praise this course, nor blame the past: For it is natural the female sex Make quarrel with their lords who secretly Contract new nuptials. Howe’er, thy heart Hath changed for better, and in time thyself Hast known the victor plan. Such is the act Of wisdom: and, my sons, not thoughtlessly Your sire hath taken measures multifold Of providence with the Eternals’ aid. For of this land of Corinth ye methinks Will hold first rank beside your royal brothers, But wax in strength: your father and of gods Who is propitious will the rest effect. - May I behold you reach the age of bloom In healthy flower, superior to my foes. °
(54)
MEDEA.
And thou, why dost suffuse with dew of tears Thine orbs, averting thus thy snowy cheek; And not with smiles receive mine utterance ?
MEDEA.
’T is nothing, Iam dreaming of my boys.
JASON.
Take heart now, for myself will care for them. e
MEDEA. So shall I, nor will yet distrust thy words. But woman’s sex was born to tears.
JASON.
Poor woman, why dost grieve so for thy sons?
MEDEA. I am their mother, and when thou didst pray That they might live, a flood of pity came Upon me, if the fates allow.— But why Thou camest to me in conference, some hath Been said, the rest I shall declare. Since it appeareth to the powers meet To ask me from the land, seemeth this course Best also unto me. I know it well, A hinderance to thee and to the lords
(55)
ΜΈΡΕΑ.
Of Corinth, I should not remain, who seem Invidious to the palace. I depart
From out this realm a fugitive, but that
‘The children may be reared by thine own hand, Pray Creon not to make them share this flight.
JASON. I doubt if I prevail, but fain would try.
. MEDEA. Exhort the bride herself to pray her sire, The children be not driven hence with me.
JASON. Most heartily, and believe I shall persuade.
MEDEA. If she is one like others of her sex. 1 also will assist thee in the task, For I will send her presents which transcend By far, I know, beauty man’s eye hath seen, My sons to offer them. With utmost speed Some menial of my train the ornaments Convey. She shall be envied not in one But thousand instances; in gaining thee, ‘The best of consorts, and in owning spoils Which once Helios, sire of my sire, bequeathed
(56)
MEDEA.
To his descendants. Take this dowry, sons, And bear it in your hands unto the princess: Present it to the happy bride. Such gifts She shall receive as not to be despised.
JASON. And why, improvident, despoil thy hands? Thinkest a palace hath a lack of robes? Thinkest a palace hath a lack of gold? Preserve then; give them not away, for if The lady deems me worth account, I know Full well she will prefer my wish to gold.
MEDEA. Nay, do not cross me. Gifts, the saying runs, Affect the very gods, and gold is more Persuasive than a thousand words to man — The smile of Fortune, Glauce’s: her circumstance The goddess props; young and a princess, she. The exile of my children I would give My very life to stay, not gold alone. But, children, enter ye the sumptuous house Unto your father’s newer spouse, my mistress. Beseech her; pray her not to banish you. Present these splendors: most important this, No hand but hers receive the regal robes.
(57)
MEDEA.
Proceed with all dispatch, and may ye be Fair messengers, in good success, unto Your mother of what her ardent heart desires.
[Exeunt JASON, SLAVE-GUARDIAN, and children.)
CHORUS. Strophe a’.
Hopes fade, no more the children’s lives illuminate: No more, for already they part to a deadly fate. Receiveth the ill-destined bride the gold head-bands ;
Receiveth her doom in their bane:
And bindeth her yellow hair in Hades’ gems With the grace of her own twin hands.
Antistrophe a’.
The ambrosial charm and sheen will soon persuade The woman to deck herself in a robe gold-plaid And circlet. She drapeth anon as bride of the dead; . In such a webbing of fate And death is she caught, the princess forlorn, Nor will ever untangle the thread. |
Strophe β΄. Thou, wretch, unhappy groom who wouldst mate among kings, on thy sons’ Lives, in ignorant bliss, (58)
|
MEDEA.
Bringest destruction, and pitiable death to thy couch and princess. Ill-starred, how far dost thy destiny miss!
Antistrophe β'. My wailing song I tune to thy woe, desperate mother Of the boys, who murderest Thy babes because of a new bridal bed with a stranger pressed By false Jason who leaves thee an outcast.
[Enter SLAVE-GUARDIAN with children.]}
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. These sons of thine, my mistress, are reprieved From exile, and the royal bride with joy The gifts hath taken in her hands; and there Is peace unto the children from this source At least—Ah ! Why dost thou stand confused when fortunate?
MEDEA. Ah me! ah me!
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. This is not fitted to the news I hear.
MEDEA. Once more, ah me! (59)
MEDEA.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN.
Do I unconsciously announce some ill And fail to be the harbinger of good?
MEDEA.
Thou hast announced what hast. I blame not thee,
SLAVE-GUARDIAN, Why then bendest thine eyes suffused with tears?
MEDEA. There is much need, old man; for heaven and I Devising ill together, this contrived.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. Take heart: Yet through thy sons thou ’lt be restored,.
MEDEA.
I, wretched, others shall restore first.
SLAVE-GUARDIAN. - Not thou alone art severed from thy sons. Who mortal is must bear calamity With cheerful soul. MEDEA. And so I will. But enter in the house, Thou, and provide my sons their daily needs.
[Exit SLAVE-GUARDIAN.] (60 )
MEDEA.
O children, children, yours a city is And home in which—abandoned wretched I— Forever destitute of mother’s care he needs must dwell, and I an exile go To other land, before I had delight In you and saw you prosperous; before I blessed your match and wife and bridal couch, And carried the nuptial torch. Oh me! Most miserable for my waywardness! In vain I nurtured you, O children mine; In vain I laboured and was racked with throes, Enduring childbirth’s cruel agony. Once surely, hapless, I had many hopes In you that ye would cherish my old age ' And would compose my corse with tender hands: A mortal’s enviable lot ! Already now the sweet hope perishes. For destitute of you I shall prolong A mournful life and bitter unto me: And ye no longer with belovéd eyes Will look upon a mother — passed into A different destiny. Alas! alas! Why do ye, children, fix on me your eyes? Why do ye smile the very last of smiles? Ah me! what shall I do? for heart is failing,
9 - (61)
ΜΈΡΕΑ.
Women, when I behold my sons’ bright glance. Ican not do it. Fare ye well, designs Ientertained. I'll lead my boys afar.
What profits me to grieve by ills of these ‘Their father, and possess myself ills twice As great? Nay, surely not. Farewell, my plans— j.And yet what am I thinking of? wish I ( {To be the laughing-stock of enemies i Nupunished left? The deed, it must be dared. Shame on my weakness, that soft words should slip My spirit. Go, my sons, into the house. ‘To whom it is profane my sacrifice To witness, let him look out: my hand I shall Not weaken, But alas! alas! Do not, my soul, I pray, not thou attempt This deed. Let them alone, O wretch, and spare ‘Thy sons. There® shall they live with us, and there Bring thee delight—nay, by the infernal Furies of Pluto’s reign, it shall ne’er be ‘That I afford my sons to enemies’ Insults! The lots are cast, and shall not fail. And now, upon her brow the crown, princess And bride she perishes within the robes, Well do I know. But since most glaomy way “In Athens. (62)
MEDEA.
I tread, and these by gloomier still shall send,
I wish to bid my sons farewell. Children, Extend, extend your right hands to your mother’s Kisses. O dearest hands and dearest lips
To me, and form and noble countenance
Of my children! be prosperous but —there :*
All here your father hath bereft. O sweet Embrace, O tender skin, most fragrant breath ! — Away! away! no longer am I fit
To look upon you, but am overcome
By woes. I know, ’tis true, the evils I
Shail dare, and yet my wrath is master of
My better judgment: and this is the cause Which probes the quick of human misery.
CHORUS. Already in subtiler speeches I often disputed ; in season Did ponder discussions more weighty Than wonted to feminine reason; For we have a muse who indwelleth Our bosoms, the wisdom-inspiring. Not all of us, only a portion — One instance in many, inquiring, “In Hades. Children suppose that she means in Athens. (63)
MEDEA.
Mayhap thou wouldst find— Are museless, of woman-kind meaning. I venture, then, whoso of mortals Unfettered in marriage, hath never Begotten an offspring, the portals Of blessings are nearer than him to Whom children consigned. The childless, through ignorance whether Τὸ mortals an anguish or joyance Children are begotten, without them Are guarded from untold annoyance. ‘To whom there hath bloomed in their houses An offspring like delicate blossom Behold I forever are anxious, How first these wax fair from the bosom, ‘Then how they be left with good substance : Yet, after, one can not unravel If for good or wicked his labor. An evil ‘To all who are human now cometh,
The crowning of all of this seeming: For grant that they’ve gained them a fortune; ‘The grace of their children be beaming Maturely; their virtue be constant: If it be their destiny, faded
(64)
MEDEA.
To Hades, Death beareth their bodies.— What profit, to other woes mated
Men take this unbearable anguish
At hands of the gods— all for children?
MEDEA. My friends, for long the issue I await And anxiously expect what happens there. I now behold a slave of Jason’s train Advancing, and his panting breath declares He is the messenger of evil new.
[Enter MESSENGER.]
MESSENGER. O thou, who impiously hast contrived This heinous deed, flee, flee, nor leave untried The ocean’s wain nor the earth-scouring car.
MEDEA. What hath been done which merits such a flight?
MESSENGER. The maiden princess hath but just expired, And too her sire, Creon, through thy spells.
MEDEA. O happiest words! Hereafter in my friends And benefactors shalt thou be. (65)
»
ΜΈΡΕΑ.
MESSENGER. What sayest thou? Art in thy senses, woman, Or art bereft who dost rejoice to hear ‘The household of thy king destroyed, and still Not fear the consequence ?
MEDEA. I could add words to these to answer thine! Be not excited, friend, but tell me how They died; for twice as much delight is mine If perished they all-miserably.
MESSENGER. Thy twofold stem of children had approached And entered with their sire the bridal halls: We vassals who were troubled with thy woes Rejoiced, and straightway through the palace spread ‘The tale that thou and Jason had resolved ‘The former quarrel. And one kissed the hands, Another kissed thy children’s yellow heads, And I myself followed in ecstacy Into the women’s chambers with thy boys. My mistress, whom we reverence now instead Of thee, before she saw the twain of thine, Upon Jason held fixed her eager glance; But afterward she veiled her eyes and turned
(66)
Φ
MEDEA.
Aside her milky cheek, annoyed by
The entrance of thy sons. Thy husband quelled
The wrath and passion of the maid with these: “Be not thou wroth with friends; from anger cease,
And turn again thy head, esteeming those
As friends whome’er thy husband holds as such:
Receive the presents, and pray of thy sire
The children’s exile be revoked, for sake
Of me.” And when she saw the ornaments,
She did not hesitate but pleased her lord
In all. Even before their father and
Thy sons had left the palace far, she took
The varied robes, and looped them on, setting
The golden wreath upon her ringlets; dressed
Her tresses in the gleaming glass, with smiles
Upon the lifeless phantom of her form.
And afterward arising from her seat
She crosséd her apartments, daintily
Gliding with snow-white foot, pleased with her gifts;
Oft and often on tip-toe raised, with eyes
Askance.
Then surely was a fearful spectacle.
For changing hue she turnéd faltering back
With trembling limbs, and scarcely did she throw
Herself upon the cushions to avoid
(67)
MEDEA.
Plunging amain, A certain beldam then Among her slaves, supposing that the wrath Of Pan or other god had come upon Her, muttered a prayer, until she saw ‘The white froth ooze from Glauce’s mouth, and of Her eyes the rolling balls; her bloodless skin. ‘Then in a different strain from murmured praying Burst forth a mighty shriek. Straightway slave hastened to her father’s house, And one unto her recent spouse, to tell The bride's bewrecking, and all the vaulted Palace rang to the crowded running feet. And now a speedy limb with tendons strained Had reached the goal of twice three plethra’s span, When she from speechlessness and fastened lips With dreadful groans aroused —the wretched maid. A twofold agony was racking her: ‘The golden wreath which rested on her head, Most wonderful, sent forth a stream of all- Devouring flame; the fine-spun robes, the gifts Of thy children, fed on the milky fesh Of the ill-fated princess. And starting from her cushions, wrapped in fire She fled, tossing her locks and head on this Side and on that, eager to tear away
(68)
MEDEA.
The fillet, but the gold held close the clasps; And, too, the flame, as often as she shook Her hair, glared forth with fury doubled, till She pitchéd to the floor o’ercome with agony, And hard to recognize e’en for her sire. Nor more the luster of her eyes was clear, Nor yet her noble visage, for the blood Mingled with fire dripped from the summit of Her head,.and from her bones kept dropping flesh, As from the pine the pitchy tear, rotten
| With poison’s secret fangs—a dreadful sight! And all were fearful of the body’s touch, For her calamity had taught us fear. But her unhappy father, ignorant Of Glauce’s fate, with sudden haste entering The house, fell prostrate on the corpse, and wailed Forthwith, and folding her within his arms, He kisséd her with this lament:
“Ὁ miserable child, what power hath thus Deplorably destroyed thee? who makes My hoary grave hereaved of thee? Oh me! May death envelop me with thee, my child!” And when he ceased his groans and loud laments, Attempting to uplift his aged form He stuck, as doth the ivy to the shoots of bay,
10 (69)
MEDEA.
Unto the delicate robes: and fearful was
‘The struggle. For he strove to raise his knee, In turn the body held him fast: and if
He strained with violence, from off his bones He tore away the ancient flesh.
At length he ceased and loosed his soul, ill-starred ; For longer could he not endure the bane.
And there they lie, daughter and aged sire, Corpses by one another's side, a fate
Of tears’ delight. And thine be not a part
Of my discourse, for thou wilt know some shift From punishment,
Not now the first time do I estimate
Mau’s lot a shade, nor would my tongue at least With hesitancy say that those of men
Reputed wise, searchers of happy saws, Deserve the heaviest punishment, for man
Of mortal breath ’s not born for happiness.
In riches’ flood one may be luckier than
His fellow, but happy —never!
CHORUS. It pleaseth god inflict this day In equity many a woe On Jason.
(70)
ΜΈΡΕΑ.
Unhappy, how deplore we
THy destiny, O Creon’s maid
Who vanishest to Hades’ sway,
By reason of thy marriage-bed With Jason.
MEDEA.
My friends, this course hath firmly been devised By me, with utmost speed to slay my sons, And put forth from this land, nor lead delay, To give my children to more hostile hand To murder; for at all events they die. Since such their fate, then I who gave them life Shall kill them. So, my spirit, arm thyself. Why do we falter to perform this deed Of dread, yet of necessity ? Come, O unhappy hand, grasp thou the blade; Grasp, and bend thee to the bitter post of life. Play not the coward, nor reflect how dear Thy children are, and that thou art a mother. For this brief day forget the sons of thee; The long to-morrows mourn: for even if Thou slayest them, still are they dear, and I A woman made acquaint with sorrows!
[Axtt MEDEA into the house.)
(71)
---.
MEDEA.
cHorvs. Strophe α΄. Ὁ Earth, and thou Pellucid Glance Of the Sun, look, look thou down upon This desperate woman: hold the hand which aims ‘The suicidal murder of its own. ‘These streams have sprung from the Golden Fount, And there is fear that blood divine will spill By mortal’s stroke. But thou, O god-born Light, her hand dissuade, Environ her; expel from the house this jade Of frenzy, by the Furies’ lash blood-mad.
Antistrophe α΄. Lost strays thy vain guardian-care Of the children ; vain hast thou gendered young, Ὁ thou who didst pierce the inhospitable pass Where the Symplegades’ darkling crags hung. Dread princess, why should the weight of wrath Overwhelm thee, and malignant murder turn Upon thy head?
For grievous are human ills, commensurate With stains of kindred blood diffused in the state — Vengeance of gods on house with guilt replete! *
‘The last verses of this antistrophe are obscure and corrupt. I have interpreted the text as if written, ὁμογενεῖ μιάσματι, which is at least intelligible, even if it does not reach the root of the matter.—J. P.
(72)
MEDEA.
BOYS (within).
Alas! alas!
Strophe 33.’ CHORUS. Hearest? dost thou hear the children’s cry? O wretch, O woman of foul destiny!
BOY a’. What shall I do, my mother’s hands to flee?
ΒΟΥ β΄. I know not, dearest brother: we shall die. CHORUS.
The portal have I reached? Then I design The children’s murder to stay.
BOYS. Yea, save us by the gods, we are in ail, So near unto the ruthless ruin of steel. .
CHORUS. Wretch, thou wert made of rock or iron to kill The fruit of thy pangs with thy hand.
Antistrophe 3. One, one dame of eld, the story runs,
Lay murderous hands upon her sons; (73)
MEDEA.
Ino maddened by gods, when might of Zeus, Her with distraction’s goad from palace drove. ’ She fell, the wretch, into the bitter sea For infanticide’s repay. Her foot-steps faltering o’er the brine-beat height, She perished, too, by death’s combining might. What deed more dread, thou couch of vain delight ?— Such ills on mortals dost send! (Enter JASON.]
JASON. Ye women train who near this mansion stand, Is she who perpetrated these foul crimes, Medea, in these walls, or hath withdrawn In flight? For she in truth must be concealed Beneath the earth, or lift her wingéd form Into the vast of heaven, would she not Pay penalty unto the princes’ house. Doth hope the murderess of the potentates Of Corinth to escape this roof unscathed? Though not for her my thought concerned, as for My children. Her, they whom she hath wrought ill Shall ill repay; but I have come to save The lives of my two sons, fearful Creon’s Kinsmen may do them hurt, in vengeance for
Their mother’s godless guilt. (74)
MEDEA.
CHORUS.
Hapless, thou knowest not to what a pass Thy misery, Jason, hath come; or such Vain words as these thy lips would not express.
JASON.
What! doth her purpose aim to kill me too?
CHORUS. By mother’s hand thy sons have perishéd.
JASON.
My god! what say’st? How thou hast killed me, woman !
CHORUS. Think of thy children as among the dead.
JASON.
Where slew she them, within the house or out?
CHORUS.
Unbar these doors, to see thy infants bleed.
JASON (éo slaves within). Undo the bolts with instant haste, O slaves; Let turn the hinges, that this twice-fold horror I may behold, my children slain, aud her — May punish for the murder. (75)
MEDEA.
{MEDEA appears aloft in a chariot drawn by dragons, bearing the bodies of the children.)
MEDEA. Why dost thou rattle and uplift these doors, Seeking the dead and me who wrought the deed? Cease from such labor, and if thou wouldst aught Of me, speak out thy wish; but never shalt Thou gall me with thy touch; such chariot My father’s sire, Helios, presents to me As refuge from a hostile hand.
JASON.
Thou scourge, thou all-detested woman to The gods and me and all the human race, Who hadst heart to implunge the sword into The children of thy womb, leave childless me: And thus imbrued dost look upon the sun And earth, daring a deed most impious Of impious. Perdition be thine end! Late am I wise; how unwise then, when from Thy roof and soil barbaric thee I led To Grecian home, a mighty pest, to sire Traitress and to the land which nurtured thee. The Fury of revenge thy family Which haunted, heavenly powers have hurled on me.
(76) |
MEDEA.
Red with thy brother slain upon his hearth, Didst thou embark in Argo’s fair-prowed hull: Such thy beginning, then mated unto me
And bearing me two sons, for doting couch Thou hast destroyed them.
There is no Grecian woman would have dared This thing, and I preferred marrying thee
To one of them. A tie bitter to me
And ruinous, thou lioness, not woman,
Who hast a heart than Scylla more untamed, The Tuscan monster. But I could not sting Thee with ten thousand curses, such is thy Unfeeling heart. Avaunt! disgraceful hag And murderess of thy babes. To me is left The wailing of my doom, not to enjoy
My nuptials new, nor have the power to speak Farewell to them alive, sons I begot
And reared — now lost forever.
MEDEA.
Perchance I would reply at length to these,
Thy taunts, did not Zeus Sire the treatment know Thou hast received from me, what done in turn. Thou wast not to dishonor my true bed
And lead thy wanton pleasure to my scorn;
II (77)
MEDEA
Nor were the princess and Creon who gave ‘The bride, me unavenged to banish hence.
For this then call me lioness, an’ thou
Dost please, and Scylla who dwelleth in the straits Etruscan: for thy heart I’ve finely torn.
JASON. ‘Thou too art grieved; partaker of my pangs.
MEDEA. Be thou assured; and yet grief profits me If thou canst not deride.
JASON. . O babes, what fiendish mother have ye found!
MEDEA. Ὁ sons, how perished by a father’s lust!
JASON. Yet my right hand drove not the fatal steel.
MEDEA.
‘Thy insolence and new-joined nuptials did.
JASON. Deem’st thou it right to slay them for thy bed? (78)
‘MEDEA.
MEDEA. A slight affair, dost think, unto a wife?
JASON. If she be wise, O thou of every guile.
MEDEA. ἡ But they are dead; for this will torture thee.
JASON.
They live — alas !— avengers on thy head.
MEDEA.
The gods know who began our misery.
JASON. . They surely know thy execrable heart.
MEDEA. Abhor me ;— but I loathe thy bitter sight.
_ JASON.
So doI thine: and easy parting then.
MEDEA.
How, pray? I long for this with all my soul.
JASON. Allow me to inter these dead and mourn. (79)
MEDEA.
MEDEA. Never, since I shall bury them with mine Own hand, bearing them to the hallowed terms Of Hera, goddess of the heights, that no One of my foes may desecrate their graves Uptorn. But in this land of Sisyphus Myself shall institute a sacred feast And rites forever, to atone for this Unholy murder. Then I go unto” Erectheus’ land to dwell with Zigeus, Wise Pandion’s son; but, as it is most right, Thou, wretch, shall perish wretchedly, riven Thy forehead by the Argo’s wreck; seeing The bitter issue of thy match with me,
JASON, Oh! thee may the children’s Erinys And Justice, the murder-requiting,
Destroy! MEDEA.
And who of the gods or of spirits Heareth, violator of duties To gods and to guests?
JASON.
Fye! fye! thou infanticide, loathsome. (8)
MEDEA.
MEDEA.
Go homeward, entomb thou thy princess.
JASON.
I go, of my two sons bereavéd.
MEDEA. Thou grievest not yet; wait old age.
JASON,
O dearest of children!
MEDEA. To me, not to thee.
JASON, ) and yet thou destroyedst them?
MEDEA. [το anguish thy heart.
JASON.
Oh! wretch that I am, how I long for The lips of my loved ones to kiss them.
MEDEA. So now wouldst address them, cling to them ;
Then, thou couldst thrust them away. (81)
MEDEA.
JASON.
Oh! by the gods, grant me to touch my Dear ones’ soft flesh.
MEDEA.
It can not be: vain thy petition.
JASON.
Zeus, hearest these words, how she thrusteth Away me; and all that I suffer
This pest from — infanticide, tigress ?—
Yet what I have power I do:
Lament and conjure while invoking
The gods to attest how Medea
Hath slain both my children; preventeth From burying their bodies; whom would I Had never, oh never begotten,
To witness them murdered by thee!
CHORUS. Dispenser of manifold ends in Olympus Is Zeus, and results manifold Heaven brings Averse to desire. The expected unhappened, The god hath evolved these astonishing things ; Thus commanded our lyre.
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FEB 2 8 1997
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