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Chorus Leader
Creon, why are you so silent, without a word? I too am no less amazed.
960
Creon, why are you so silent, without a word? I too am no less amazed.
960
Creon
What can one say? It is clear what my words must be. For I will never come to such misfortune as to devote my son to death for the city;
for all men love their children, and no one would give his own son to die. Let no man praise me, and kill my child at the same time. I myself, for I am in the prime of life, am ready to die to save my country.
965
But come, my son, before the whole city learns this, fly with all haste away from this land, regardless of these prophets’ reckless warnings; for he will tell all this to our rulers and generals
going to the seven gates and the captains;
970
now if we can forestall him, you are saved, but if you are too late, we are ruined and you will die.
975
What can one say? It is clear what my words must be. For I will never come to such misfortune as to devote my son to death for the city;
for all men love their children, and no one would give his own son to die. Let no man praise me, and kill my child at the same time. I myself, for I am in the prime of life, am ready to die to save my country.
965
But come, my son, before the whole city learns this, fly with all haste away from this land, regardless of these prophets’ reckless warnings; for he will tell all this to our rulers and generals
going to the seven gates and the captains;
970
now if we can forestall him, you are saved, but if you are too late, we are ruined and you will die.
975
Menoeceus
Where can I escape? To what city? To which of our guest-friends?
Where can I escape? To what city? To which of our guest-friends?
Creon
Where you will be furthest removed from this land.
Where you will be furthest removed from this land.
Menoeceus
It is for you to name a place, for me to carry out your bidding.
It is for you to name a place, for me to carry out your bidding.
Creon
After passing
Delphi
—
980
After passing
Delphi
—
980
Menoeceus
Where must I go, father?
Where must I go, father?
Creon
To
Aetolia
.
To
Aetolia
.
Menoeceus
And where must I go from there?
And where must I go from there?
Creon
To the land of
Thesprotia
.
To the land of
Thesprotia
.
Menoeceus
To
Dodona
’s holy threshold?
To
Dodona
’s holy threshold?
Creon
You understand.
You understand.
Menoeceus
What protection will I find there?
What protection will I find there?
Creon
The god will send you on your way.
The god will send you on your way.
Menoeceus
How shall I find the means?
How shall I find the means?
Creon
I will supply you with money.
985
I will supply you with money.
985
Menoeceus
A good plan of yours, father. Go now; for I will come to your sister, Jocasta, at whose breast I was suckled when bereft of my mother, a lonely orphan,
to give her greeting and then I will save my life.
Come, come! be going; it isn’t your part to hinder me.
Exit Creon.
990
A good plan of yours, father. Go now; for I will come to your sister, Jocasta, at whose breast I was suckled when bereft of my mother, a lonely orphan,
to give her greeting and then I will save my life.
Come, come! be going; it isn’t your part to hinder me.
Exit Creon.
990
The Phoenician Women. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.