View:
By Card
Aegeus
All hail, Medea! no man knoweth fairer prelude to the greeting of friends than this.
All hail, Medea! no man knoweth fairer prelude to the greeting of friends than this.
Medea
All hail to thee likewise, Aegeus, son of wise Pandion. Whence comest thou to this land?
665
All hail to thee likewise, Aegeus, son of wise Pandion. Whence comest thou to this land?
665
Aegeus
From Phoebus’ ancient oracle.
From Phoebus’ ancient oracle.
Medea
What took thee on thy travels to the prophetic centre of the earth?
What took thee on thy travels to the prophetic centre of the earth?
Aegeus
The wish to ask how I might raise up seed unto myself.
The wish to ask how I might raise up seed unto myself.
Medea
Pray tell me, hast thou till now dragged on a childless life?
670
Pray tell me, hast thou till now dragged on a childless life?
670
Aegeus
I have no child owing to the visitation of some god.
I have no child owing to the visitation of some god.
Medea
Hast thou a wife, or hast thou never known the married state?
Hast thou a wife, or hast thou never known the married state?
Aegeus
I have a wife joined to me in wedlock’s bond.
I have a wife joined to me in wedlock’s bond.
Medea
What said Phoebus to thee as to children?
What said Phoebus to thee as to children?
Aegeus
Words too subtle for man to comprehend.
675
Words too subtle for man to comprehend.
675
Medea
Surely I may learn the god’s answer?
Surely I may learn the god’s answer?
Aegeus
Most assuredly, for it is just thy subtle wit it needs.
Most assuredly, for it is just thy subtle wit it needs.
Medea
What said the god? speak, if I may hear it.
What said the god? speak, if I may hear it.
Aegeus
He bade me
not loose the wineskin’s pendent neck.
1
He bade me
not loose the wineskin’s pendent neck.
1
Medea
Till when? what must thou do first, what country visit?
680
Till when? what must thou do first, what country visit?
680
Aegeus
Till I to my native home return.
Till I to my native home return.
Medea
What object hast thou in sailing to this land?
What object hast thou in sailing to this land?
Aegeus
O’er Troezen’s realm is Pittheus king.
O’er Troezen’s realm is Pittheus king.
Medea
Pelops’ son, a man devout they say.
Pelops’ son, a man devout they say.
Aegeus
To him I fain would impart the oracle of the god.
685
To him I fain would impart the oracle of the god.
685
Medea
The man is shrewd and versed in such-like lore.
The man is shrewd and versed in such-like lore.
Aegeus
Aye, and to me the dearest of all my warrior friends.
Aye, and to me the dearest of all my warrior friends.
Medea
Good luck to thee! success to all thy wishes!
689
Good luck to thee! success to all thy wishes!
Aegeus
But why that downcast eye, that wasted cheek?
But why that downcast eye, that wasted cheek?
Medea
O Aegeus, my husband has proved a monster of iniquity.
690
O Aegeus, my husband has proved a monster of iniquity.
690
Aegeus
What meanest thou? explain to me clearly the cause of thy despondency.
What meanest thou? explain to me clearly the cause of thy despondency.
Medea
Jason is wronging me though I have given him no cause.
Jason is wronging me though I have given him no cause.
Aegeus
What hath he done? tell me more clearly.
What hath he done? tell me more clearly.
Medea
He is taking another wife to succeed me as mistress of his house.
He is taking another wife to succeed me as mistress of his house.
Aegeus
Can he have brought himself to such a dastard deed?
695
Can he have brought himself to such a dastard deed?
695
Medea
Be assured thereof; I, whom he loved of yore, am in dishonour now.
Be assured thereof; I, whom he loved of yore, am in dishonour now.
Aegeus
Hath he found a new love? or does he loathe thy bed?
Hath he found a new love? or does he loathe thy bed?
Medea
Much in love is he! A traitor to his friend is he become.
Much in love is he! A traitor to his friend is he become.
Aegeus
Enough! if he is a villain as thou sayest.
Enough! if he is a villain as thou sayest.
Medea
The alliance he is so much enamoured of is with a princess.
700
The alliance he is so much enamoured of is with a princess.
700
Aegeus
Who gives his daughter to him? go on, I pray.
Who gives his daughter to him? go on, I pray.
Medea
Creon, who is lord of this land of Corinth.
Creon, who is lord of this land of Corinth.
Aegeus
Lady, I can well pardon thy grief.
Lady, I can well pardon thy grief.
Medea
I am undone, and more than that, am banished from the land.
I am undone, and more than that, am banished from the land.
Aegeus
By whom? fresh woe this word of thine unfolds.
705
By whom? fresh woe this word of thine unfolds.
705
Medea
Creon drives me forth in exile from Corinth.
Creon drives me forth in exile from Corinth.
Aegeus
Doth Jason allow it? This too I blame him for.
Doth Jason allow it? This too I blame him for.
Medea
Not in words, but he will not stand out against it. Ο, I implore thee by this beard
and by thy knees, in suppliant posture, pity, O pity my sorrows; do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country, to a seat within thy halls. So may thy wish by heaven’s grace be crowned with a full harvest
710
of offspring, and may thy life close in happiness! Thou knowest not the rare good luck thou findest here, for I will make thy childlessness to cease and cause thee to beget fair issue; so potent are the spells I know.
715
Not in words, but he will not stand out against it. Ο, I implore thee by this beard
and by thy knees, in suppliant posture, pity, O pity my sorrows; do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country, to a seat within thy halls. So may thy wish by heaven’s grace be crowned with a full harvest
710
of offspring, and may thy life close in happiness! Thou knowest not the rare good luck thou findest here, for I will make thy childlessness to cease and cause thee to beget fair issue; so potent are the spells I know.
715
Aegeus
Lady, on many grounds I am most fain to grant thee this thy boon,
first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost.
2
’Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do.
720
Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid,
725
for I have no wish to incur the blame of my allies as well.
3
730
731
Lady, on many grounds I am most fain to grant thee this thy boon,
first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost.
2
’Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do.
720
Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid,
725
for I have no wish to incur the blame of my allies as well.
3
730
Medea
It shall be even so; but wouldst thou pledge thy word to this, I should in all be well content with thee.
It shall be even so; but wouldst thou pledge thy word to this, I should in all be well content with thee.
Aegeus
Surely thou dost trust me? or is there aught that troubles thee?
Surely thou dost trust me? or is there aught that troubles thee?
Medea
Thee I trust; but Pelias’ house and Creon are my foes.
Wherefore, if thou art bound by an oath, thou wilt not give
4
me up to them when they come to drag me from the land, but, having entered into a compact and sworn
5
by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures. Weak is any aid of mine,
735
whilst they have wealth and a princely house.
740
Thee I trust; but Pelias’ house and Creon are my foes.
Wherefore, if thou art bound by an oath, thou wilt not give
4
me up to them when they come to drag me from the land, but, having entered into a compact and sworn
5
by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures. Weak is any aid of mine,
735
whilst they have wealth and a princely house.
740
Aegeus
Lady, thy words show much foresight, so if this is thy will, I do not refuse. For I shall feel secure and safe if I have some pretext to offer to thy foes,
and thy case too the firmer stands. Now name thy gods.
745
Lady, thy words show much foresight, so if this is thy will, I do not refuse. For I shall feel secure and safe if I have some pretext to offer to thy foes,
and thy case too the firmer stands. Now name thy gods.
745
Medea
Swear by the plain of Earth, by Helios my father’s sire, and, in one comprehensive oath, by all the race of gods.
Swear by the plain of Earth, by Helios my father’s sire, and, in one comprehensive oath, by all the race of gods.
Aegeus
What shall I swear to do, from what refrain? tell me that.
What shall I swear to do, from what refrain? tell me that.
Medea
Swear that thou wilt never of thyself expel me from thy land,
nor, whilst life is thine, permit any other, one of my foes maybe, to hale me thence if so he will.
750
Swear that thou wilt never of thyself expel me from thy land,
nor, whilst life is thine, permit any other, one of my foes maybe, to hale me thence if so he will.
750
Aegeus
By earth I swear, by the sun-god’s holy beam and by all the host of heaven that I will stand fast to the terms, I hear thee make.
By earth I swear, by the sun-god’s holy beam and by all the host of heaven that I will stand fast to the terms, I hear thee make.
Medea
’Tis enough. If thou shouldst break this oath, what curse dost thou invoke upon thyself?
’Tis enough. If thou shouldst break this oath, what curse dost thou invoke upon thyself?
Aegeus
Whate’er betides the impious.
755
Whate’er betides the impious.
755
Medea
Go in peace; all is well, and I with what speed I may, will to thy city come, when I have wrought my purpose and obtained my wish.
759
Go in peace; all is well, and I with what speed I may, will to thy city come, when I have wrought my purpose and obtained my wish.
Chorus
May Maia’s princely son
go with thee on thy way to bring thee to thy home, and mayest thou attain that on which thy soul is set so firmly, for to my mind thou seemest a generous man, O Aegeus.
760
764
May Maia’s princely son
go with thee on thy way to bring thee to thy home, and mayest thou attain that on which thy soul is set so firmly, for to my mind thou seemest a generous man, O Aegeus.
760
Medea
O Zeus, and Justice, child of Zeus, and sun-god’s light,
now will I triumph o’er my foes, kind friends; on victory’s road have I set forth; good hope have I of wreaking vengeance on those I hate. For where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared, to be a haven in my counsels;
765
to him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas. But now will I explain to thee my plans in full; do not expect to hear a pleasant tale. A servant of mine will I to Jason
770
send and crave an interview; then when he comes I will address him with soft words, say,
this pleases me, and,
that is well,
even the marriage with the princess, which my treacherous lord is celebrating, and add
it suits us both, ’twas well thought out;
6
775
then will I entreat that here my children may abide, not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to flout, but that I may slay the king’s daughter by guile. For I will send them with gifts in their hands,
780
carrying them unto the bride to save them from banishment, a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of gold. And if these ornaments she take and put them on, miserably shall she die, and likewise everyone who touches her; with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts.
785
790
And here I quit this theme; but I shudder at the deed I must do next; for I will slay the children I have borne; there is none shall take them from my toils; and when I have utterly confounded Jason’s house
790
I will leave the land, escaping punishment for my dear children’s murder, after my most unholy deed. For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kind friends; enough! what gain is life to me? I have no country, home, or refuge left.
795
Ο, I did wrong, that hour I left my father’s home, persuaded by that Hellene’s words, who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God. Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him,
800
nor from his new bride shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends;
805
for they win the fairest fame who live their life like me.
810
O Zeus, and Justice, child of Zeus, and sun-god’s light,
now will I triumph o’er my foes, kind friends; on victory’s road have I set forth; good hope have I of wreaking vengeance on those I hate. For where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared, to be a haven in my counsels;
765
to him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas. But now will I explain to thee my plans in full; do not expect to hear a pleasant tale. A servant of mine will I to Jason
770
send and crave an interview; then when he comes I will address him with soft words, say,
this pleases me, and,
that is well,
even the marriage with the princess, which my treacherous lord is celebrating, and add
it suits us both, ’twas well thought out;
6
775
then will I entreat that here my children may abide, not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to flout, but that I may slay the king’s daughter by guile. For I will send them with gifts in their hands,
780
carrying them unto the bride to save them from banishment, a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of gold. And if these ornaments she take and put them on, miserably shall she die, and likewise everyone who touches her; with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts.
785
And here I quit this theme; but I shudder at the deed I must do next; for I will slay the children I have borne; there is none shall take them from my toils; and when I have utterly confounded Jason’s house
790
I will leave the land, escaping punishment for my dear children’s murder, after my most unholy deed. For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kind friends; enough! what gain is life to me? I have no country, home, or refuge left.
795
Ο, I did wrong, that hour I left my father’s home, persuaded by that Hellene’s words, who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God. Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him,
800
nor from his new bride shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends;
805
for they win the fairest fame who live their life like me.
810
Chorus
Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy hand, both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the laws men make.
Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy hand, both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the laws men make.
Medea
It cannot but be so; thy words
I pardon since thou art not in the same sorry plight that I am.
815
It cannot but be so; thy words
I pardon since thou art not in the same sorry plight that I am.
815
Chorus
O lady, wilt thou steel thyself to slay thy children twain?
O lady, wilt thou steel thyself to slay thy children twain?
Medea
I will, for that will stab my husband to the heart.
I will, for that will stab my husband to the heart.
Chorus
It may, but thou wilt be the saddest wife alive.
It may, but thou wilt be the saddest wife alive.
Medea
No matter; wasted is every word that comes ’twixt now and then.
(To the Nurse.) Ho! thou, go call me Jason hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and likewise of my sex.
820
No matter; wasted is every word that comes ’twixt now and then.
(To the Nurse.) Ho! thou, go call me Jason hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and likewise of my sex.
820
Medea. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by Tufts University.