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Teiresias
For Eteocles I would have closed my lips and refrained from all response, but to you I will speak, since it is your wish to learn. This country, Creon, has been long afflicted, ever since Laius became a father against the will of the gods, begetting hapless Oedipus to be his own mother’s husband.
865
That bloody destruction of his eyes was planned by the gods as an example to
Hellas
; and the sons of Oedipus went foolishly astray in wishing to throw over it the veil of time—as if they could outrun the gods! For by robbing their father of his due honor
870
and allowing him no freedom, they exasperated the poor sufferer; so he, suffering and disgraced as well, breathed dreadful curses against them. And I, because I left nothing undone or unsaid, incurred the hatred of the sons of Oedipus.
875
But death inflicted by each other’s hands awaits them, Creon; and the many heaps of the slain, some from
Argive
, some from Theban spears, shall cause bitter lamentation in the land of
Thebes
. Alas for you, poor city, you are being involved in their ruin,
880
unless I can persuade one man. The best course was to prevent any child of Oedipus becoming either citizen or king in this land, on the ground that they were under a ban and would overthrow the city. But since evil has the mastery of good, there is
885
one other means of safety; but—for it is unsafe for me to tell, and painful too for those whose fortune it is to supply their city with the saving cure—I will go away. Farewell; among the rest
890
I will endure what is to come, if I must; for what else can I do?
895
For Eteocles I would have closed my lips and refrained from all response, but to you I will speak, since it is your wish to learn. This country, Creon, has been long afflicted, ever since Laius became a father against the will of the gods, begetting hapless Oedipus to be his own mother’s husband.
865
That bloody destruction of his eyes was planned by the gods as an example to
Hellas
; and the sons of Oedipus went foolishly astray in wishing to throw over it the veil of time—as if they could outrun the gods! For by robbing their father of his due honor
870
and allowing him no freedom, they exasperated the poor sufferer; so he, suffering and disgraced as well, breathed dreadful curses against them. And I, because I left nothing undone or unsaid, incurred the hatred of the sons of Oedipus.
875
But death inflicted by each other’s hands awaits them, Creon; and the many heaps of the slain, some from
Argive
, some from Theban spears, shall cause bitter lamentation in the land of
Thebes
. Alas for you, poor city, you are being involved in their ruin,
880
unless I can persuade one man. The best course was to prevent any child of Oedipus becoming either citizen or king in this land, on the ground that they were under a ban and would overthrow the city. But since evil has the mastery of good, there is
885
one other means of safety; but—for it is unsafe for me to tell, and painful too for those whose fortune it is to supply their city with the saving cure—I will go away. Farewell; among the rest
890
I will endure what is to come, if I must; for what else can I do?
895
Creon
Stay here, old man.
Stay here, old man.
Teiresias
Do not catch hold of me.
Do not catch hold of me.
Creon
Wait; why do you try to escape?
Wait; why do you try to escape?
Teiresias
It is your fortune that tries to escape you, not I.
It is your fortune that tries to escape you, not I.
Creon
Tell me what can save
Thebes
and her citizens.
Tell me what can save
Thebes
and her citizens.
Teiresias
Though you want this now, you will not want it soon.
Though you want this now, you will not want it soon.
Creon
Not wish to save my country? how can that be?
900
Not wish to save my country? how can that be?
900
Teiresias
Do you really wish to hear it, eagerly?
Do you really wish to hear it, eagerly?
Creon
Yes; for where should I show greater zeal?
Yes; for where should I show greater zeal?
Teiresias
Then you will presently hear my prophetic words. But first I would know for certain
where Menoeceus is, who led me here.
905
Then you will presently hear my prophetic words. But first I would know for certain
where Menoeceus is, who led me here.
905
Creon
Here, not far away, but at your side.
Here, not far away, but at your side.
Teiresias
Let him go far from my prophecies.
Let him go far from my prophecies.
Creon
He is my own son and will be silent as he ought.
He is my own son and will be silent as he ought.
Teiresias
Do you want me to tell you in his presence?
Do you want me to tell you in his presence?
Creon
Yes, for he will rejoice to hear the means of safety.
910
Yes, for he will rejoice to hear the means of safety.
910
The Phoenician Women. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.