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Medea · Tragedies

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The Medea, by Euripides, translated by E.P. Coleridge.
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Characters, the nurse of Medea, attendance of her children.
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Medea, a chorus of Corinthian women.
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Creon, king of Corinth. Jason, the Gius, king of Athens, a messenger.
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The scene is before Medea's house in Corinth,
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near the palace of Creon. The nurse enters.
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Would to heaven the good ship Argo never had sped its course to the Colchian
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land through the misty blue Symphelegies.
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Now ever in the glens of Pileon the pine been felled to furnish with oars the chieftain's hands,
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who went to fetch the golden fleece for Peleus, for then would my own mistress
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Medea never have sailed through the turrets of Eocchus her soul with love for Jason's smitten.
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Nor would she have meguiled the daughters of Pelea as to slay their father and
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come to live here in the land of corn with her husband and children,
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where her exile found favor with the citizens to whose land she had come,
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and in all things of her own accord was she at one with Jason the greatest safeguard
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this one wife and husband do agree but now their love is all turned to hate,
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and tenderest ties are weak,
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where Jason hath betrayed his own children and my mistress, dear,
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for the love of a royal bride,
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for he hath wedded the daughter of Creon, lord of this land.
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While Medea, his hapless wife, thus scorned, appeals to the oaths he swore,
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recalls the strong pledge his right hand gave, and bids heaven be witness what
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requital she is finding from Jason.
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And here she lies fasting, yielding her body to her grief Wasting away in tears
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ever since she learned that she was wronged by her husband,
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Never lifting her eye nor raising her face from the ground,
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And she lends his deafen ear to her friend's warning as if she wore a rock or
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ocean billow Save when she turns her snow-white neck aside and softly to herself
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the moons her father dear Her country and her home,
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which she gave up to come here with a man who now holds her in dishonor.
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She, poor lady, half by sad experience, learnt how good a thing it is,
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never to quit one's native land.
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And she hates her children now, and feels no joy at seeing them.
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I fear she may contrive some untoward scene, for her mood is dangerous,
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nor will she book her cruel treatment.
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Full well I know her, and much do I dread, and she will plunge the keen sword through their hearts,
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Stealing without a worry into the chamber Where their marriage count is spread,
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Or else that she will slay the prince and bridegroom And so find some calamity
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still more greedless than the present Where dreadful is her wrath,
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Verily the man that doth incur her hate Will have no easy task to raise over her a song of triumph,
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Lo, where her sons come hither from their childish sports.
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Look they wreck of their mother's woes,
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for the soul of the young is no friend to sorrow.
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The attendant leads in Medea's children.
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Why dost thou so long, my lady's own handmaid, stand there at the gate alone,
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loudly lamenting to thyself the piteous tale?
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How comes it that Medea will have thee leave her to herself?
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Old man, attendant on the sons of Jason, our master's fortunes,
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when they go awry, make good slaves grieve and touch their hearts.
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Oh, have come to such a pitch of grief that there stole a yearning wish upon
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me to come forth hither and proclaim to heaven and earth my mistress's hard fate.
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What? Has not the poor lady ceased yet from her lamentations?
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What I were as thou art, the mischief is now but beginning, it has not reached its climax.
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O foolish one, if I may call my mistress such a name, how little she wrecks
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of evil, yet more recent.
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What meanest, old man, grudge not to tell me? Tis not, I do repent of me,
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of the words I have spoken.
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No, by thy beard I conjure thee, hide it not from thy fellow slave.
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We'll be silent, if need be, on that text.
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I heard one say, pretending not to listen as I approached the palace where our
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greybeards sit playing drops near Pyrene's sacred spring, that Creon, the ruler of this land,
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is bent on driving these children and my mother from the boundaries of corn,
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but I know not whether the news is to be relied upon, and would feign it or not.
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What? Will Jason brook such treatment of his sons, even though he be at variance with their mother?
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Old ties give way to new. He bears no longer any love to this family.
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Undone it seems are we, if to
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old wolves fresh ones we add, ere we have drained the former to the dregs.
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Hold thou thy peace. Say not a word of this. It is no time for our mistress to learn hereof.
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O children, do ye hear how your father feels towards you?
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Perdition catch him. No, he is my master still.
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It has proved a very traitor to his nearest and dearest.
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And who amongst men is not? Art learning only now that every single man cares
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for himself more than for his neighbor, some from honest motives,
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others from mere gains sake,
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seeing that to indulge his passion, their father has ceased to love his children.
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Go, children, that's in the house, all will be better. Do thou keep them as
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far as may be, and bring them not near their mother in her evil hour.
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For here this I have seen her eyeing them savagely, as though she were minded
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to do them some grievance.
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And while I know she will not cease from her fury till she hath pounced on some
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victim, at least she may turn her hand against her foes and not against her friends.
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Medea chanting with him.
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Ah, me, a wretched, suffering woman, I, oh, that I could die.
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Tis as I said, my dear children, wild fancies stir your mother's heart,
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wild fearing goats her on, into the house without delay.
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Come not near her eye, approach her not, beware her savage mood,
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the felled tempest of her reckless heart.
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In, in, with what speed ye may, for it is plain she will soon redouble her fury
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that cries but the herald of the gathering storm cloud whose lightning soon will flash.
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What will her proud, restless soul in the anguish of despair be guilty of?
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O me, the agony I have suffered, deep enough to call for these laments.
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Curse you and your father too, you children damned, sons of a doomed mother.
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Ruin sees the whole family.
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Ah me, the pity of it, why pray do thy children share their father's crimes? Why hatest thou them?
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Woe is you, poor children, how do I grieve for you, lest you suffer some outrage?
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Strange are the tempers of princes, and maybe because they seldom have to obey,
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and mostly launder over others, change they their moods with difficulty.
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Tis better then to have trained to live on equal terms, be it mine to reach
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old age, not in proud pomp, but in security.
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Moderation wins the day first is a better word for men to use,
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and likewise it is far the best course for them to pursue.
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But greatness that doth overreach itself brings no blessing to mortal man,
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but pays a penalty greater in ruin, whatever fortune is wroth within a family. The chorus enters.
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I heard the voice uplifted loud of our poor Colton lady, nor yet is she quiet.
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Speak, age dame, for as I stood by the house with double gates I heard a voice sweeping from within.
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And I do grieve, lady, for the sorrows of this house, for it hath won my love.
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Tis a house no more, all that has passed away long since.
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A royal bride keeps Jason at her side while our mistress pines away in her bower,
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finding no comfort for her soul and all her friends can say.
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Oh, would that heaven's leavened bolts would cleave this head in twain.
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What gain is life to me now?
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Oh, to die and win release, quitting this loathed existence.
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Didst thou hear, O Zeus, thou earth, and thou, O light, piteous note of woe,
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the hapless wife is uttering,
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how shall a yearning for that insatiate resting place ever hasten for me,
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poor reckless one, the end that death alone can bring?
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Never pray for that, and if thy Lord prefers a fresh love, be not angry with
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him, for that Zeus will judge betwixt me and him herein, and mourn not for thy
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husband's loss too much,
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nor waste thyself away.
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Great Themis and husband of Themis, behold what I am suffering there,
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though I did bind that accursed one my husband by strong oaths.
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Oh, see to him and his bride some day, brought to utter destruction,
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they in thy house with them.
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For that they presume to wrong me thus unprovoked, O father,
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my country, that I have left to my shame after slaying my own brother.
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Do ye hear her words, how loudly she adjures Venice, oft-invoked,
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and Zeus, whom men regard as keeper of their own.
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A no mere trifle surely will our mistress spend her rage.
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Would that she would come forth for us to see and listen to the words of counsel
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we might give, if happily she might lay aside with fight fierce fury of her
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wrath and her temper stern.
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Never be my zeal at any rate denied my friends, but go thou and bring her hither
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outside the house, and tell her this a friendly thought.
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Haste thee ere she do some mischief to those inside the house.
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For this sorrow urge is mounting high.
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This will I do, but I doubt whether I shall persuade my mistress.
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Still willingly will I undertake this trouble for you,
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Albeit she glares upon her servants With the look of a lioness cub When so anyone
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draws nigh to speak to her,
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Wirt thou to call the men of old time Rude, uncultured boars Thou wouldst not
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err Seen that they devise their hymns For festive occasions For banquets and to grace the bold
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A pleasure to catch the ear Shed over our life But no man hath found a way To
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allay hated grief by music,
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And the minstrel's varied strain when psoriasis slaughter and fell strokes of
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fate to overthrow the homes of men.
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And yet this was surely a game, to heal men's wounds by music's spell.
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But why tune they their idle song where rich banquets are spread?
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For oft itself let the rich banquet set before them afford to mend the light.
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I heard a bitter lamentation. Loudly, bitterly, she calls on the traitor of
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her marriage bed, her perfidious spouse.
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By grievous wrongs, oppressed, she invokes Themis, bride of Zeus, witness of Oaths,
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who brought her unto Hellas, the land that fronts the strand of Asia over the
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sea by night through oceans bound this gate. Midia enters.
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From the house I have come forth, Corinthian ladies, for fear lest me be blaming,
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me, for well I know that amongst men, many by showing pride have gotten them
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an ill name and a reputation for indifference.
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Both those who shun men's gaze and those who move amid the stranger crowd,
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and likewise they who choose a quiet life, walk.
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For there is no just discernment in the eyes of men, for they,
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or ever they have surely learnt their neighbor's heart, loath him at first sight,
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though never wronged by him, and so a stranger most of all should adopt the city's views.
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Nor do I commend that citizen who, in the stubbornness of his heart,
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with churlishness, resents the city's will.
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But on me hath fallen this unforeseen disaster, and sapped my life.
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Ruined I am, and long to resign the boon of existence, kind friends, and die.
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For he who was all the world to me, as well thou knowest, hath turned out the
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worst of men, my own husband.
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Of all things that have life and sense, we women are the most hapless creatures.
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First, we must buy a husband at a great price, and over our cell is a tyrant's
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set, which is an evil worse than the first.
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And herein lies the most important issue, whether our choice be good or bad.
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For divorce is not honorable to women, nor can we disown our laws.
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Next must the wife, coming as she does to ways and customs new,
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since she hath not learned the lesson in her own, have a diviner's eye to see
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how best to treat the partner of her life.
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If happily we perform these tasks with thoroughness and tact,
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and the husband lived with us without resenting the yoke, Our life is a happy one.
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If not, twere best to die.
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But when a man is vexed with what he finds indoors, he goes forth and rids his
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soul of its disgust to taking him to some friend or comrade of like age,
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whilst we must needs regard his singular self.
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And yet they say we live secure at home, while they are at the moors,
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with their sorry reasoning, for I would gladly take my stand and battle ray
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three times over and once get birth.
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But enough, this language suits not thee as it does me.
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Thou hast a city here, a father's house, of joy and life, and grunge to share thy thoughts.
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But I am destitute, without a city, and therefore scorned by my husband,
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a captive eye from a foreign shore, with no mother or brother or kinsman to
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find a new haven of refuge from this calamity.
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Wherefore this one girl and only this I wish to win from thee by silence.
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If happily I can find some way or means to devise a venge on my husband for
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this cruel treatment, and on the man who gave to him his daughter,
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and on her who is his wife.
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For though women be timorous enough in all else, and as regards courage,
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a coward at the mere sight of steel, yet in the moment she finds her honor wronged,
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no heart is filled with deadlier thoughts than hers.
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Yes, well, I do, for thou wilt be taking a just vengeance on thy husband,
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dear, that thou shouldest more, and thy lot surprises me not.
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But lo, I see Creon, king of this land, coming hither, to announce some new result. Creon entered.
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Hark thee, Medea, I bid thee take those sullen looks and angry thoughts against
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thy husband forth from this land in exile, and with thee children,
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and that without delay, for I am judge in this sentence, and I will not return
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unto my house until I banish thee beyond the borders of this land.
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Now is utter destruction come upon me, unhappy that I am.
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For my enemies are bearing down
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on me full sail, nor have I any landing place to come to in my trouble.
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For all my wretched plight I ask thee, Creon, wherefore dost thou drive me from this land?
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I fear thee no longer need I veil my dread beneath words, lest thou devise against
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my children some cureless ill.
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Many things contribute to this sphere of mine, for thou art a witch by nature,
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expert in countless sorceries, and thou art crafting for the loss of thy husband's dear affection.
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I hear too, so they tell me, that thou dost threaten the father of the bride,
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her husband, and herself with some mischief.
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Wherefore I will take precautions ere our troubles come.
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For it is better for me to incur thy hatred now, lady, and to soften my heart
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bitterly repentant that I,
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Alas, this is not now the first time, but all forth hath my reputation injure me, and cause.
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Wherefore, whoso is wise in
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his generation ought never to have his children taught to be too clever.
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For besides the reputation, they get frailness, or purchase bitter odium from the citizens.
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For if thou shouldest import new learning amongst dullards, thou wilt be thought
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a useless trichler and void of knowledge.
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While if thy fame in the city overtops that of the pretenders to cunning knowledge,
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thou wilt win their dislike.
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I too myself share in this dullard. Some think me clever and hate me.
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Others say I am too reserved, and some the very reverse.
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Others find me hard to please, and not so very clever after all.
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Be that as it may, thou dost fear me, lest I bring on thee something to mar thy harmony.
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Fear me not, Creon, my position scarce is such that she'd seek to quarrel with princes.
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Why should I? For hast how thou injured me. Thou hast betrothed thy daughter
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where thy fancy prompted.
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No, it is my husband that I hate, though I doubt not thou have acted wisely,
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and now I grudge not thy prosperity.
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Betrode thy child, good luck to thee, but let me abide in this land,
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for though I have been wronged, I will still and yield to my superiors.
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Thy words are soft to hear, but much I dread, lest thou art devising some mischief in thy heart.
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And less than ever do I trust thee now, for cunning woman and man likewise is
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easier to guard against when quick-tempered than than taciturn.
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Nay, be gone at once, speak me no speeches, for this is decreed,
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nor hast thou any art whereby thou shalt abide among us, since thou hatest me.
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O say not so, by thy knees and by thy daughters newly wed I do implore,
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thou wastest words that wilt never persuade me.
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What, wilt thou banish me, and to my prayers no pity yield?
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I will, for I love thee not above my own family, but my country,
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what fond memories I have of thee in this hour.
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Yea, and I myself love my city best, save my own children.
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To mortal man, how dread a scourge is love. That, I deem, is according to the turn of our fortunes.
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O Zeus, let not the offer of these my troubles escape thee.
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Be gone, thou silly woman, and free me from my toil. The toil is mine, no lack of it.
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Soon wilt thou be thrust forcibly by thy servant's hand. Not that.
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Not that I do entreat thee, Creon.
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Thou wilt cause disturbance yet, it seems. I will be gone. I ask thee not this boon to grant.
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Why then this violence? Why dost thou not depart?
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Suffer me to abide this single day and devise a plan for the manner of my exile,
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and means of living for my children, since their father cares not to provide his babes therewith.
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Then pity them. Thou too hast children of thine.
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Thou needs must have a kindly heart For my own that lot I care not Though in
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exile I am But for these babes I weep They should learn what sorrow means.
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Mine is in nature anything but harsh, full off by showing pity I've suffered shipwreck.
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And now, albeit I clearly see my error, yet shalt thou gain this frequently.
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But I do forewarn you, if tomorrow's rising sun shall find me and thy children
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within the borders of this land, thou diest.
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My word is spoken, and it will not lie.
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So now, if abide thou must, stay this one day only, for in it thou canst not
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do any of the fearful deeds I tread.
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Creon Exit O poor lady, woe is thee, alas for thy sorrows.
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Whither wilt thou turn? What protection, what home or country to save thee from
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thy troubles wilt thou find?
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O Medea, what a hopeless sea of misery heaven hath plunged thee.
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On all sides sorrow pens me in Whom shall gainsay this?
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But all is not yet lost Think not so Still are there troubles in store for the
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new bride Before her bridegroom no light toil,
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Dost think I would ever have fawned on yonder man Unless to gain some end or
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form some scheme Nay, would not so much as have spoken to him Or touched him with my hand,
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But he has in folly so far stepped in,
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though he might have checked my plot by banishing me from the land.
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He hath allowed me to abide this day, in which I will lay low in death three
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of my enemies, a father and his daughter and my husband too.
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Now, though I have many ways to compass their death, I am not sure,
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friends, which I am to try first.
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Shall I set fire to the bridal mansion, or plunging the wetted soul through
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their hearts, softly stealing into the chamber where their couches spread.
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One thing stands in my way. If I am caught making my way into the chamber intent
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on my desire, I shall be put to death and cause my foes to mock.
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So it best to take the shortest way, the way we women are in our skill game,
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by poison to destroy them.
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Well, suppose them dead. What city will receive me?
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What friendly host will give me a shelter in this land, a home secure and save my soul alive?
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None. So I will wait yet a little while in case some tower of defense rise up for me.
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Then will I proceed to this bloody deed and craft of silence.
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But if some expected mischance drive me forth, I will with my own hand seize
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the sword, even though I die for it and slay it, and go forth on my bold path of daring.
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By that dread queen whom I revere before all others And have chosen to share
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my task By Hecate who dwells within my inmost chambers Not one of them shall wound my heart and ruin.
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Bitter and sad will I make their marriage for them. Bitter shall be the wooing
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of it. Bitter my exile from the land.
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Up then, Medea. Spare not the secrets of my art and plotting and devising.
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On to the danger. Now comes a struggle meeting courage.
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Dost see what thou art suffering? Tis not for thee to be a laughingstock to
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the race of Sisyphus by reason of this wedding of Jason's.
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Sprung as thou art from noble sire And of the sun's god's race Thou hast cunning,
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and more than this We women,
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though by nature little apt For virtuous deeds, are most expert To fashion any
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mystery The chorus sings Back to their source the holy rivers Turn their tide,
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order in the universe Are being reversed Tis men whose counsels hold treacherous
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whose oath by heaven was no longer sure.
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Rumor shall bring a change over my life, bringing it into good repute.
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Honor's dawn is breaking for women's sex.
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No more shall the foul tongue of slanty fix upon us.
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The songs of the poets of old shall cease to make our faithlessness fifty.
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Phoebus, lord of minstreliae, hath not implanted in our mind the gift of heavenly song.
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Else had i sung the answer restrained in the race of males for time's long chackler
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for as many a theme among those sects as well as ours,
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with mind distraughts that plough those house desert on the voyage betwixt ocean's
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twin rocks and on a foreign strand outdwellest by bed left husbandless,
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poor lady and thou an exile from the land dishonored persecuted.
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Gone is the grace that Otes once had, through all the breaths of Helos, honor is found no more.
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To heaven hath it sped away, for thee not bother's house is open, woe is to thee.
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To be a haven from the troublous storm, all over thy home is set another queen,
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the bride that is preferred to thee. Jason enters.
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Medea comes out of the house. It is not now, I first remark,
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but often it is, how unruly a pest is a harsh temper.
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For instance, thou, hadst thou but patiently endured the will of thy superiors,
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mightest have remained here in this land, but now for thy idle words wilt thou be banished.
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Thy words are not to me. Cease not to call Jason basest of men,
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but for those words thou hast spoken against our rulers, count it all gain,
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that exile is thy only punishment.
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I ever tried to check the outbursts of that angry monarch, and would have had thee stay.
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Thou wouldst not forego thy silly rage, always reviling our rulers,
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and so wilt thou be banished.
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Yet even after all this I will weary not of my good will.
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But I'm come with this much forethought laid. But thou mayst not be destitute
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nor want for oft, when, with my sons, thou art cast thou.
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Many an evil doth exile bring in its train, for even though thou hatest me,
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Never will I harbor hard thoughts on you.
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Thou craven villain, for that is the only name my tongue can find for thee,
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a foul reproach on thy unmanliness.
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Com'st thou to me, thou most hateful gods, of me and of all mankind?
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T'is no proof of courage or hardihood to confront my friends after an injury
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then, but that worst of all human diseases, loss of shame.
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It hast thou done well to come, for I shall ease my soul by reviling thee,
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when thou wilt be vexed at my recital.
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I will begin at the very beginning.
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I saved thy life, as every Hellene knows who sailed aboard me,
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good ship Argo, when thou wert sent to tame and yoke fire-breathing bulls,
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and to sow the deadly tilth.
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Yea, and I slew the dragon which guarded the golden fleece, keeping sleepless
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watch over, with many a revet coil, and I raised for thee a beacon of deliverance.
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Father and home of my free will I left and came to Iolcus beneath Peleon's hills,
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for my love was stronger than my prudence.
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Next I caused the death of Peleus by a due most grievous, even by his own children's
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hands, beguiling them all out of fear.
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All this have I done for thee, thou traitor, and now cast, cast,
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O me, over, taking to thyself another wife, though children have been born to us.
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Hadst thou been childless still, I could have pardoned thy desires from this new union.
28:59
Gone is now the trust I put in oaths. I cannot even understand whether thou
29:03
thinkest that the gods of old no longer rule, or that fresh decrees are now
29:08
in vogue amongst mankind.
29:10
But I conscious must tell thee thou hast not kept faith.
29:13
Ah, poor right The hand which thou oft did grasp, these knees did thou embrace,
29:20
all in vain, I suffered a traitor to touch me.
29:24
How short of my hopes I am fallen!
29:26
But come, I will deal with thee as though thou wert my friend.
29:31
Yet what kindness can I expect from one so base as me?
29:35
But yet will I do, for my questioning will show thee yet more base.
29:39
Whither can I turn now? To my father's house? To my own country?
29:43
Which I for thee deserted to come hither? To the hapless daughters of Peleus?
29:48
A glad welcome I trow when they give me in their home, whose father's death I compass?
29:53
My case stands even thus. I am become the bitter foe to those of mine own home,
29:59
and those whom I need never have wronged, I have made enemies to pleasure me.
30:04
Wherefore, to reward me for this, thou hast made me doubly blessed in the eyes
30:08
of many white and hellas, and in me I own a peerless, trusty lull.
30:14
Woe is mine, if indeed I am to be cast forth in exile from the land,
30:19
without one friend, one lone woman with her beige full of lords.
30:23
Yea, a fine reproach to thee and thy bride allow, that thy children and thy
30:28
wife who saved are now beggars and vagabonds o mighty zeus why hast thou granted
30:35
unto man clear signs to know the sham and gold
30:38
while on man's brow no brand is stamped whereby to gauge the villain's heart.
30:45
There is something terrible in past, all cure, and quarrels arise betwixt those who are new and dear.
30:51
Needs must I now, it seems, turn orator, and like a good helmsman on a ship
30:56
with close-reefed sails, whether that worrisome tongue of thine.
31:00
Now I believe, since thou wilt exaggerate thy favor, that to Cypri alone of
31:05
gods or men I owe the safety of my voyage, thou hast to settle wit enough.
31:10
It were it a hateful thing for me to say that the love God constrained thee
31:14
by his resistless shaft to save my life.
31:18
However, I will not reckon this too nicely. It was kindly done,
31:21
however thou didst serve me.
31:23
Yet for my safety hast thou received more than ever thou gavest, as I will show.
31:29
First, thou dwellest in Hellas, instead of thy barbarian land,
31:33
and hast learned what justice means and how to live by law, not by the dictates of brute force.
31:38
And all the hellenes recognize thy cleverness, and thou hast gained a name,
31:43
whereas if thou hadst dwelt upon the confines of the earth, no tongue had mentioned thee.
31:48
Give me no gold within my halls, nor skill to sing a fairer strain than ever
31:53
Orpheus sang, unless there with my fame be spread abroad.
31:58
So much I say to thee about my own toils, for t'was thou didst challenge me to this retort.
32:05
As for the taunts thou urged against my marriage with the princess,
32:09
I will prove to thee first that I am prudent here, next chastened in my love.
32:15
And the last powerful friend to thee and to thy sons. Only hold thy peace.
32:20
Since I have here withdrawn from the Alcus, many a hopeless trouble at my back.
32:24
What happier device could I in exile, praying in marriage with the daughter of the king?
32:29
Tis not because I loathe thee for my wife, the thought that rankles in thy heart.
32:34
Tis not because I am smitten with desire for a new bride, nor yet that I am
32:38
eager to buy with others and be getting many children.
32:41
For those we have are quite enough, and I do not complain.
32:45
Nay, tis that we and this is most important, we may dwell in comfort instead of suffering want.
32:53
And that I might rear my sons as doth befit my house. Further,
32:56
that I might be the father of brothers for the children thou hast for.
33:00
Raise thee to the same high rank, uniting the family in one.
33:05
Thou, indeed, hast no need of more children, but it profits me to help my present
33:09
family by that which it is to be. Have I miscarried here?
33:13
Not even thou wouldst say, so unless a rival's charm rankled in my bosom.
33:18
No, but you women have such strange ideas. that you think all ends well as long
33:23
as your married life runs smooth.
33:25
But if some mischance occur to ruffle your love, all that was good and lovely
33:29
ere she reckoned as your foes, yea, men should have begotten children from some
33:34
other source, no female race existing.
33:37
Thus would no evil ever have fallen on mankind.
33:41
This speech, O Jason, hast thou specious art arranged.
33:45
But yet, I think, albeit in speaking, I am indiscreet, screed,
33:50
that thou hast sinned in thy betrayal with thy wife.
33:53
No doubt I differ from the mass of many on many points, for to my mind whoso
33:58
hath skilled to fence with words in an unjust cause incurs the heaviest penalty.
34:04
For such is one, confident that he can cast the decent failed words over his
34:08
own justice, dares to practice it, and yet he is not so very clever after all.
34:14
For do not thou put forth thy specious pleas and clever words to me now,
34:19
for one word of mine will lay me low.
34:22
Hats thou not a villain's heart, thou shouldest gain my consent and made this
34:28
match instead of hiding it from those who love thee.
34:32
Thou wouldst have let me ready aid, no doubt, in this proposal,
34:36
if I had told thee of my marriage, seeing that not even now canst thou restraining thy soul's hot fury.
34:42
This was not what restrained thee, but thine eyes was turned towards old age,
34:47
and a foreign wife began to appear ashamed to thee.
34:51
Be well assured of this, with not for the woman's sake I wedded the king's daughter, my present wife.
34:57
But as I have already told thee, I wish to ensure thy safety to be the father
35:02
of royal sons bound by blood to my own children, a bulwark to our house.
35:08
May that prosperity whose end is woe never be mine, nor such wealth as would ever sting my heart.
35:15
Change that prayer, or else I will teach thee, and thou wilt show more wisdom.
35:20
Never let happiness appear in sorrow's guise, nor will my fortune's smiles pretend she frown.
35:26
Mock on, thou hast a place of refuge. I am alone, and exile seem to be.
35:33
Thy own free choice was this, blame no one else.
35:37
What did I do? marry, then betray thee. Against the king thou didst invoke an impious curse.
35:44
On thy house too may I bring this curse.
35:48
Know this, I will no further dispute this point with thee, but thou wilt of
35:53
mine fortune somewhat take from the children of thyself to help thy exalt, say on,
35:59
for I am ready to grant it with an ungrudging hand, yea, and to bend tokens
36:03
to friends elsewhere who shall treat thee well.
36:06
If thou refuse this offer, thou wilt do a foolish deed. But if thou cease from
36:11
anger, the greater will be thy gain.
36:14
I will have nothing to do with friends of mine. Not will I receive with thee, offer it not to me.
36:19
A villain's gift can bring no blessing.
36:23
At least I call the gods to witness, but I am ready in all things to serve thee and thy children.
36:29
But thou dost score my favors and thrust us my friends stubbornly away.
36:34
Wherefore thy lot will be more bitter.
36:36
Away, by love for thy young bride and trap, too long thou wanderest outside her chamber.
36:43
Go, wed, if God will.
36:46
Thou shalt have such a marriage as thou wouldest fame refuse.
36:51
Jason Leeds, The Question.
36:56
When in excess and past all limits love doth come, he brings back glory or repute to man.
37:02
But if the Cyprian queen in a moderate might approach, the goddess is so full
37:07
of charm as she, never, oh never, lady mine, discharge of me from my golden
37:12
vow, a shaft invincible, and passion's venom dip.
37:17
On me may chastity heaven's fairest gift, look with a favoring eye.
37:22
Never may Cyprus, goddess dread Fasten on me in a temper too disple,
37:28
Or restless jealousy Smiting my soul with mad desire For unlawful love But may
37:34
she hallow peaceful married life And truly decide who each of us shall lead,
37:40
O my country, O my dear home God grant I may never be an outcast Of my city,
37:47
Leading that cruel helpless life Whose every day is misery,
37:52
Ere that may I this my life complete and yield to death.
37:57
For there is no misery that doth surpass the loss of Father Lamb.
38:01
I have seen with my eyes, nor from the lips of others have I blessed the world.
38:07
No city, not one friend doth pity thee in this thine awful woe.
38:13
May he perish and find no favor, whoso hath not in him honor for his friends,
38:19
really unlocking his heart never shall he be friend and one.
38:25
Medea has been seated in despair on her doorstep during the choral song,
38:30
Aegeus and his attendant center.
38:32
All hail, Medea. No man knoweth fairer prelude to the greetings of friends than this.
38:38
All hail to thee likewise, Aegeus, son of wise Pandion. Whence comest thou to
38:43
this land? From Phoebus's ancient oracle.
38:47
What took thee on thy travels to the prophetic center of the earth?
38:51
The wish to ask how I might raise up seed unto myself.
38:55
Pray tell me, hast thou till now dragged on a child in this life?
39:00
I have no child owing to the visitation of some god.
39:03
Hadst thou a wife, or hast thou never known the married stake?
39:07
I have a wife joined to me in bloodlocks bond.
39:11
What said Phoebus to thee as to children? Words too subtle for a man to comprehend.
39:16
Surely I may learn the god's answer.
39:19
Most assuredly, for it is just thy son a whittet means.
39:23
What said the god? speak if I may hear it. He bade me not loose the wineskin's pendant neck.
39:31
Till when? What must thou do first? What country visit? Till I return to my native home.
39:37
What object hast thou in sailing to this land? Over treason's realm is piteous king.
39:43
Pelop's son, a man devout, they say.
39:47
Him I have feigned would be part the oracle of the god. The man is shrewd and
39:52
versed in such light, Lord.
39:54
Ay, and to me the dearest of all my warrior friends.
39:58
Good luck to thee, success to all thy wishes. But why that downcast eye, that wasted cheek?
40:04
O Aegeus, my husband has proved much evil.
40:07
What meanest thou? Explain to me clearly the cause of thy despondency.
40:12
Jason is longing me, though I have given him no cause.
40:15
What hath he done? Tell me more clearly. He is taking another wife to succeed
40:20
me as mistress of this house.
40:22
Can he have brought himself to such a dastard deed? Be assured thereof.
40:27
I, whom he loved, have yore in the dishonor now. Hath he found a new love,
40:32
or does he love Thadette?
40:34
Much in love is he, a traitor to his friend, does he become.
40:38
Enough. Is he a villain, as thou sayest?
40:41
The alliance he is so in every of is with the princess.
40:45
Who gives him his daughter? Go on, I pray. Creon, who is lord of this land of corn.
40:51
Lady, I can well pardon thy grief. I am undone, and more than that am banished from the land.
40:58
By whom? Fresh woe, this word of thine unfolds.
41:02
Creon drives me forth in exile from corn.
41:05
And Jason allows this? This too I blame him.
41:09
Not in words, but he will stand not against it.
41:12
Oh, I implore thee by this beard and by thy knees in suppliant posture. Pity, oh pity my sorrow.
41:19
Do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country to a seat within thy hollows.
41:25
So may thy wish by heaven's grace be crowned with a full harvest of offspring
41:30
and may thy life close in happiness i know it's not the rare good luck that i find is here,
41:36
for i will make thy childlessness to cease and cause them to forget fair issue
41:40
so potent are the spells i know.
41:43
Lady, on many grounds I am most fain to grant thee this boon,
41:47
first for the gods' sake, next for my children, whom thou dost promise I shall beget.
41:52
For in respect of this I am completely lost. Tis thus with me.
41:57
If ever thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to
42:01
do it. Only one warning I do give thee, Spurs, lady.
42:04
I will not from this land bear thee away.
42:08
If of thyself thou reach my hold, there shalt thy bid in safety,
42:13
and I will never yield thee up to any man.
42:15
But from this land escape without my aid, for I have no wish to incur the blame of my allies.
42:22
Shall be even so. But wouldst thou pledge thy word to this, I should be well
42:27
in land content with thee.
42:29
Surely thou dost trust me, as there are all that troubles thee.
42:33
Thee I trust, but Peleus' house and Creon are my foes.
42:37
Wherefore, if thou art bond by an oath, thou wilt not give me up to them when
42:42
they come to drag me from the lair, but having entered into a compact and sworn
42:46
by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures.
42:52
Weak is any aid of mine, whilst they have wealth in a princely house.
42:57
Lady, thy words show much foresight, so if this is thy will I do not refuse,
43:03
for I shall feel secure and safe if I have some pretext to offer to thy foes,
43:07
in thy case too the firmer stands. Now name thy gods.
43:12
Swear by the plain of earth, by Heliosus, my father's sire, and in one comprehensive
43:17
oath by all the race of the gods.
43:20
What shall I swear to do? From what refrain, tell me that.
43:24
Swear that thou wilt never of thyself expel me from thy land,
43:27
nor, whilst life is thine, commit any other, one of my foes may be,
43:32
to hail me then, since he so will.
43:35
By earth I swear, by the Son God's holy being, and by all the hosts of heaven,
43:39
that I will stand fast in the terms I hear thee make.
43:43
But soon enough, that thou shouldst break this oath, what curse dost thou invoke
43:47
upon ourselves, whatever betides the impious.
43:52
Go in peace, all is well, and I with speed will come to thee,
43:56
but I have wrought my purpose and obtained my wish.
44:00
Jesus and his brethren will depart.
44:03
Am I as prince's son, go with me on thy way to bring thee to thy home,
44:09
and mayest thou attain that on thy soul which is so firmly set,
44:14
thou to mind, thou seemest a generous man, O Jesus.
44:19
O Zeus, injustice, child of Zeus, and sun god's light, now will triumph over my foes.
44:26
Kind friends, on victory's road have I set forth. Good hope have I of wreaking
44:32
vengeance on moves I hate.
44:35
For where we were in most distress, a stranger had appeared to be a haven in my counsels.
44:41
To him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town's citadel palace.
44:48
But now I'll explain to thee my plans in full. Do not expect to hear a pleasant tale.
44:54
A servant of mine will lie to Jason Sen and crave an interview.
44:58
Then when he comes I will address him with soft words and say,
45:02
This pleases me, and that as well.
45:04
Even the marriage with the princess which my treacherous lord is celebrating
45:09
and add it suits us both was well thought out,
45:13
then will I entreat that here my children may abide not that I mean to leave
45:18
them in a hostile land with those to flout but that I may slay the king's daughter by guile,
45:24
where I will send them with gifts in their hands carrying them unto the bride
45:28
to save them from banishment,
45:30
a robe of finest wool and a chaplet of gold,
45:34
And if these ornaments she'd taken put them on, miserably Salcee died.
45:39
Likewise, everyone who touches her with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts.
45:45
And here I quit this thing, but I shudder at the deed I must do next.
45:50
I will slay the children I have borne. There is none shall take them from my toils.
45:55
And when I have utterly confounded Jason's house, I will leave the land,
46:00
escaping punishment and my dear children's murder after my most unholy deed.
46:06
For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kinds from this enough. What gain is left to me?
46:12
I have no country, home, or refuge left.
46:15
Oh, I did wrong that hour I left my father's home, Persuaded by that Hellene's
46:20
words, Who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God.
46:24
Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him, Or from his new bribe
46:30
shall he beget issue, For she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs.
46:36
Let no one deem me a poor, weak woman Who sits with folded hands,
46:41
But of another mold, dangerous to foes And well-disposed to ends.
46:45
For they win the fairest fame, who's lived a life like mine.
46:54
Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy hand,
46:59
both from a wish to serve me and because I would uphold the laws in the midst.
47:03
Cannot be. By words I pardon, since thou art not in the same sorry plight as I.
47:09
O lady, would thou steal thyself to slay thy children?
47:14
I will, for thou wilt stab my husband to the heart.
47:18
It may, but thou wilt be the saddest wife alive.
47:22
No matter. Wasted is every word that comes betwixt thou and then. Nurse, enter me.
47:28
Then go to Jason who me, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust.
47:33
No word divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal,
47:38
likewise of my sex. Precouris sings.
47:43
Sons of Erechtheus, heroes happy from all your children of the blessed God,
47:49
bed on the wisdom's glorious field and holy land never pillaged by its foes.
47:55
Yea, you move with sprightly step through a climate ever bright and clear where,
48:01
as legend tells, in Muses 9, Pyrian's
48:05
homey maids were brought to birth by Harmonia with the golden hair.
48:10
And poets sing how sickles drawing water from the streams of fair-flowing Cepheus's
48:16
breasts over the land, the gentle breeze of balmy winds.
48:20
And ever as she crowns with tracety, the garland of sweet rose buds,
48:25
sends forth the love to sit by wisdom's eye, to take part in every excellence.
48:32
Now then shall the city of sacred streams, the land that welcomes those who
48:37
it loves, receive thee, the murderers of thy child, thee whose presence with others is a pollution.
48:44
Think on the murder of thy children. Consider the bloody deed thou takest on me.
48:49
Nay, by thy knees we, one and all, implore them, slay not thy face.
48:57
Where shall hand or heart find hardihood enough And greet me such a fearsome deed upon my sons?
49:04
How wilt thou look upon my babes And still without a tear retain thy bloody purpose?
49:10
Thou canst not, when they fall thy feet in their seat, Steal thy heart and dip
49:15
in their blood thy hair. Jason enters.
49:20
I am come at thy bidding, for.
49:24
Even though thy hate for me is bitter, Thou shalt not fail in this small bull,
49:28
but I will hear what new request thou hast to make of me ready.
49:32
Jason, I crave my pardon for the words I spoke, and well, thou mayest brook my burst of passion.
49:39
For never now we twain have shared much love, for I have reasoned with my soul
49:44
and rallied upon me thus.
49:46
Ah, poor heart, why am I thus distraught? Why so angered against all good advice?
49:53
Why have I come to hate the rulers of the land my husband too who does the best
49:57
for me he can wedding with a princess and rearing for my children noble brothers and,
50:03
Shall I not cease to fret what possesses me when heaven is death's death out there?
50:09
Have I not my children to consider? Do I forget that we are fugitives and need of friends?
50:15
When I had thought all of this and how sadly foolish I had been,
50:19
how senselessly enraged.
50:21
So now do commend thee and think thee most wise in forming this connection for us. For I was mad.
50:28
I, who should have shared in these designs, helped on my plans,
50:31
and let my aid to bring about the match, only too pleased to wait upon thy bride.
50:37
For what we are, we are, we women, evil I will not say.
50:41
Wherefore, thou shouldest not
50:42
sink to our sorrow and level, nor with our weapons be our childishness.
50:48
I yield and do confess, Jason, that I was wrong, but now have I come to a better mind.
50:53
Come hither, my children, come Leave the house, step forth, and with me Greet
50:57
and bid farewell to your father Be reconciled from all past Bitterness unto
51:02
your friends As now your mother is But we have made a truce and anger no more,
51:08
The attendant comes out of the house With your children,
51:11
Take his right hand, my sad faith When I reflect is now upon The hidden future,
51:16
O my children, since there awaits you You need thus a long, long life Stretch
51:21
forth the hand to take a on farewell.
51:24
How new to tears am I, how sore fear, for now that I have at last released me
51:29
from my call with your father, I let the tears drop, stream down my tender cheek.
51:36
Are my eyes too garstful with the copious tear? Oh, may no greater ill than the present ever fall.
51:43
Lady, I praise this conduct, not that I blame for what is past,
51:47
for it is but natural to the female sex to vent their spleen against the husband
51:52
when it traffics in other marriages.
51:54
But thy heart is changed to wiser
51:56
schemes, and thou art determined on a better course, late thou it be.
52:00
This is acting like a woman of sober sense.
52:03
And for you, my sons, hath your father provided with all good a heed so absurd refuge.
52:09
By God's grace, for me, I trow, shall with your brothers share her act with
52:14
the foremost moraginous current in the realm.
52:17
Only grow up, for all the rest your sire and whoso of the gods is kind to us
52:22
in bringing this to pass.
52:24
May I see you reach man's full estate, high over the heads of those I hate.
52:29
But thou, lady, with thy fresh tears Dost thine eyelids wet Turning away thy
52:35
warm cheek With no welcome for me's my happy tidings,
52:39
Tis not Upon these children my thoughts will turn Take heart,
52:43
then For I will see that it is well with them I will do so Nor will I doubt
52:49
thy worry Woman is a weak creature Ever given to tears,
52:53
Why pray the unhappy one Dost moan over these children.
52:58
I gave them birth, and when thou didst pray a long life for them,
53:02
pity entered into my soul to think that these things must be.
53:06
But the reason of thy coming hither to speak with me is partly told,
53:10
the rest I will now mention.
53:12
Since it is the pleasure of the rulers of the land to banish me,
53:15
and while I know it were best for me to stand not in the way of thee or the
53:19
rulers by dwelling here, and amidst I am, thought unto their house.
53:25
For with from this land in exile am I going, with these children,
53:28
that they may know thy fostering hand, beg Creon to remit their vanishing.
53:33
I doubt whether I can persuade him, yet must I attempt it.
53:38
At least do thou bid thy wife ask her sire in this boon, to remit the exile
53:43
of you children from this land.
53:45
Yea, that I will, and her in me thinks I shall persuade, since she is a woman like the rest.
53:51
I too will aid thee in this task, for by the children's hands I will send to
53:56
her gifts that far surpass in beauty.
53:59
I well know that now is seen amongst men, a robe of finest tissue and a chaplet of chaste gold.
54:06
One of my attendants must haste and bring the ornaments hither.
54:11
Happy shall be she once allowed but ten thousandfold.
54:14
When be she when the noah's soul to share her love, and gets these gifts as
54:19
well, which on a day my father's side, the sun god, bestowed on those descendants.
54:25
The servant returns and hands the gifts to the children.
54:29
My children, take these in thy
54:31
hands, and bear them as an offering to the royal maid, the happy bride.
54:36
For verily the gifts she shall receive are not to be scored.
54:40
Why so rashly rob thyself of these gifts? Thust think a royal palace wants her robes or gold?
54:47
Keep them, Medea, and give them to another.
54:50
For well I know that if my lady hold me in esteem, she will set my price above all wealth.
54:55
Say not so. Tis said that gifts tempt even gods, and of the men's minds gold
55:01
hold more potent sway than countless words.
55:05
Fortune smiles upon my bride, and heaven now doth swell her triumph.
55:09
Youth is hers, and princely power. Yet to save my children from exile,
55:14
I would barter a lion, not cross alone.
55:17
Children, when we are come to the rich palace, pray your father's new bride,
55:21
my mistress, with suppliant voice to save me from exile, offering her these ornaments to lie.
55:27
For it is most needful that she receive the gifts in her own hand. Now go on my no-no.
55:33
May you succeed, and your mother bring back the glad tithing that she would bring to hear.
55:38
Jason and the children go out together. Chorus sings.
55:43
Gone, gone is every hope I had in the children yet I live. Forth to their doom they now proceed.
55:50
The hapless bride will take the golden crown that is to be her lumen.
55:56
With her own hand will she lift and place upon her golden locks the garniture of death.
56:02
Its grace and sheen divine will tempt her to put on the robe and crown of gold.
56:07
And in that act will she deck herself to be a bride amid the dead.
56:12
Such is the snare whereinto she will fall. Such is the deadly doom that waits for hapless maid.
56:19
Nor shall she from the curse escape.
56:21
And thou, poor wretch, who to thyself art wedding with the king's daughter.
56:27
Then I'll thinkest of thy doom thou art bringing on thy children's life.
56:30
For of the cruel death that waits by brother, woe is you.
56:35
How art thou falling from thy highest day?
56:38
Do I bewail thy sorrows, O mother, hapless in thy children, thou who wilt slay
56:44
thy babes, because thou hast arrival, the babes thy husband hath deserted impiously
56:50
to join them to another bride.
56:53
Attendant enters with each other. Thy children, lady, are from exile free,
56:58
and gladly did the royal bride accept thy gifts in her own hands,
57:01
and so thy children made their peace with her.
57:05
But why art so disquiet in thy prosperous hour? Why turnest thou cheek away,
57:10
and hast no welcome for my glad news?
57:13
O Lord, these groans ill accord with the news I bring.
57:17
O Lord, once more I say, Have I unwittingly announced some evil tidings?
57:22
Have I erred in my thinking my news was good?
57:25
The news is as it was, I blame thee not. And why this downcast eye, this flood of tears?
57:32
Old friends, needs must I weep, for the gods and I, with fell intent,
57:37
devise these schemes. Be of good cheer.
57:41
Thou too of a surety shalt thy sons yet be brought home again.
57:45
Ere that shall I bring others to their home. Woe is mine.
57:50
Thou art not the mother from thy children wrath. Fear patiently thy troubles as a mortal must.
57:56
I will obey. Go thou within the house and make the day's provisions for the children.
58:01
The attendant enters the house. Medea turns to the children.
58:06
O my babes, my babes, ye have still a city and a home.
58:11
Where far from me and my sad lot you will live your lives, rest of your mother
58:15
forever, while I must go to another land of banishment.
58:20
Or ever have I had you in my joy, or lived to see you happy,
58:24
or ever had I graced your marriage couch, your bride, your bridal power,
58:29
or lifted high the wedding torch.
58:31
Oh, a victim of my own self-will. So it was all in vain I reared you,
58:37
oh my sons, in vain did suffer a wreck with anguish and during the cruel pangs of childhood.
58:43
Before heaven I once had hope for me. I hope of ye that you would nurse me in
58:48
my age and deck my corpse with loving hands, a boon we mortals covet.
58:54
But now is my sweet fancy dead and gone.
58:58
For I must lose you both, that in bitterness and sorrow drag through life.
59:03
And ye shall never with fond eyes see your mother mourn, For over your life
59:08
there now comes a change.
59:11
Why do you look at me so, my children? Why smile that last sweet smile?
59:17
Am I to do? My heart gives way when I behold my children's laughing eyes.
59:23
Oh, I cannot. Farewell to all
59:25
my former schemes. I will take the children from the land of Apes I bore.
59:29
Why should I wound their sire by wounding them and get me a twofold measure
59:33
of sorrow? No, no, I will not do it.
59:36
Farewell, my scheming, and yet what possesses me?
59:39
Can I consent to let those thrones of mine escape from punishment and incur their mockery?
59:45
No, I must face this deed out upon my craven heart to think that I should even
59:52
have let the soft words escape my soul.
59:56
Into the house, children. Children go into the house.
1:00:00
And whoso feels he must not be present at my sacrifice, must see to it himself.
1:00:06
I will not spoil my handiwork.
1:00:09
Do not, my heart, oh, do not do this deed.
1:00:13
Let the children go, unhappy ones, spare the babes, for if they live they will cheer thee in thy exile.
1:00:19
Nay, by the themes of hell's abyss, never, never will I hand my children over
1:00:24
to their foes to mock and flout.
1:00:27
Die they must in any case, and since see so, why I, the mother who bore them,
1:00:32
will give the fatal blow.
1:00:34
In any case, their doom is fixed and there is no escape. Already the crown is
1:00:39
on her head, the robe is around her and she is dying, the royal bride.
1:00:44
That I do know full well. But now, since I have a piteous path to tread,
1:00:48
and yet more piteous still the path I send my children on, feign what I say farewell to me.
1:00:55
She takes her children in her arms. Oh, my babes, my babes, Let your mother kiss your hand.
1:01:03
I love so well. Oh, lips most dear to me. Oh, noble form and features of my
1:01:09
children. I wish he'd joy.
1:01:11
But in that other land, where here your father robbed you of your home.
1:01:16
Oh, the sweet embrace, the soft young cheek, the fragrant breath. My children, go.
1:01:23
Leave me. I cannot bear to look upon you.
1:01:26
My sorrow wins the day. At last I understand the awful deed I am to do.
1:01:32
With passion that causeth diarous woes to murder man has triumphed over my silver thought.
1:01:40
She goes into the house with the children, the chorus songs.
1:01:44
Oft here now have I pursued subtler themes and have faced graver issues than
1:01:49
the woman's sack she'd seek to probe.
1:01:52
But then, even we aspire to culture, which dwells with us each to teach us wisdom.
1:01:58
I say not all, for small is the class amongst women that is not incapable of wisdom.
1:02:05
But amongst mortals do I assert that they are wholly without experience and
1:02:09
have never had children far surpassed in happiness to those who are parents.
1:02:14
The childless, because they have never proved whether children grow up to be
1:02:17
a blessing or a curse to men, are removed from all share and many troubles.
1:02:23
While stems who have a race of children growing up in their house do wear away
1:02:28
as I perceive their whole life.
1:02:31
First with the thought how they may train them up in virtue.
1:02:35
Next time they shall leave their son the means to live.
1:02:38
And after all this, it is far from clear whether I'm good or bad children. They bestow their toil.
1:02:44
But one last crowning lobe for every mortal man will now name.
1:02:49
Suppose that they have sufficient life and means to live.
1:02:52
And see their children grow into man's estate and walk in virtue's path.
1:02:57
Still a fortune so long comes death and bears the children's bodies off to Hades.
1:03:05
Can it be any profit to the gods to keep upon us mortal men besides our other
1:03:10
woes this further grief for children lost? The grief is surpassing all.
1:03:15
Medea comes out of the house. Kind friends, long have I waited expectantly to
1:03:21
know how things would be at the palace.
1:03:24
And lo, I see one of Jason's servants coming hither, whose hurried gasps with
1:03:30
breath proclaiming the bearer of some fresh nighting.
1:03:34
A messenger. Fly, fly, Medea, who has wrought an awful deed transgressing every
1:03:40
law, nor leave behind or seen one bark or car that scours the plain.
1:03:46
Why, what hath chance that calls for such a flight of mine?
1:03:50
The princess is dead, a moment gone, and Creon, too, her sire slain by those drugs of thine.
1:03:57
Tidings most fair are thine. Henceforth shalt thou be raked among my friends. What? Out thou sane?
1:04:05
Art not distraught, lady, who hears with joy the outrage to a royal house done?
1:04:09
And art thou not afraid of the horrid tale?
1:04:13
Somewhat have I, too, to say in answer to thy words.
1:04:18
But not so hasty friend but tell the manner of their death for thou wouldst
1:04:22
givest me double joy if they so perished miserably.
1:04:28
And the children twain whom thou
1:04:30
didst bear came with their father and entered the palace of the bride.
1:04:33
Right glad were weak thralls who had shared thy griefs, for instantly from ear
1:04:38
to ear rumors spread that thou and thy lord had made up their quarrel.
1:04:42
One kissed thy children's hands and another their golden hair,
1:04:46
while I for very joy went with them in person to the woman's chambers.
1:04:51
Our mistress, whom we now do revere in thy room, cast a longing glance at Jason,
1:04:57
ere she saw thy children twain, but then she veiled her eyes and turned her
1:05:01
blanching cheek away, disgusted at their coming.
1:05:05
But thy husband tried to check his young bride's anger and humor with these
1:05:09
words. Oh, be not angered against thy friends.
1:05:12
Cease from wrath and turn once
1:05:14
more thy face this way, counting as friends whom so thy husband counts.
1:05:19
And accept these gifts, and for my sake crave thy sire to ruin these children's exile.
1:05:26
As soon as she saw the ornaments, no longer she held out, but yielded to her lord and all.
1:05:31
And where her father and sons were gone from the palace, she took the broidered
1:05:35
robe and put it on and set the golden crown about her tresses,
1:05:39
arranging her hair at the bright air, with many a happy smile of the breathless counterfeit.
1:05:46
Then, rising from her seat, she passed across the chamber, tripping lightly
1:05:50
on her fair white foot, exulting in the king.
1:05:53
Many a glance at her uplifted ankle.
1:05:57
When lo, a scene of awful horror did ensue. In a moment she turned pale,
1:06:02
reeled backwards, trembling every limb, and sinks upon a seat scarce sooner
1:06:07
enough to save herself from falling to the ground.
1:06:10
An aged dame, one of her company, thinking alike it was a fit of a tan or some
1:06:15
godsend, raised a cry of prayer, till from her mouth she saw the foam flakes
1:06:21
as she put eyeballs rolling in their sockets,
1:06:24
and all the blood her face deserved.
1:06:27
Then did she raise a loud scream, far different from a formal cry.
1:06:32
Forthwith one hand made rush to her father's house, and another to her new bridegroom
1:06:36
to tell his dry and sad fate.
1:06:39
And the whole house echoed with her running to and fro.
1:06:42
By this time would a quick walker have made the turn and chorus of six plethora
1:06:47
and meet the goal. But when she with one awful shriek awoke,
1:06:50
poor sufferer, from the speechless trance, it poked her closed eyes.
1:06:55
For against her a twofold English was worn.
1:06:59
The chaplet of gold about her head was sending forth a wondrous stream of ravening
1:07:04
flame, while the fine raiment, my children's gift, was preying on the hapless
1:07:09
maiden's fair white flesh.
1:07:11
When she starts from her seat in her blaze and seeks to fly,
1:07:15
shaking her hair and head this way and that, to cast the crown their thumb.
1:07:21
But the gold held firm to its fastenings in the flame as she shook her locks,
1:07:25
blazed forth them more with double fury.
1:07:28
Then to the earth she sinks by the cruel glow of her cum, past all recognition
1:07:34
now saved to her father's eye.
1:07:36
For her eyes had lost their tranquil gaze, her face no more its natural look preserved.
1:07:42
And from the crown of her head blood and fire and mingled stream ran down and
1:07:48
from her bones the flesh kept peeling off beneath the gnawing of those secret drugs,
1:07:53
even as when the pine tree meets its tears in pitch a fearsome sight to see,
1:07:59
and all were afraid to touch the corpse but we were warned by what had chanced
1:08:04
and on came her hapless father unto the house all unwitting for doom and stumbles
1:08:10
over the dead and loud he cries,
1:08:12
and folding his arms around her kiss with words like these,
1:08:17
oh my poor poor child which of the gods hath destroyed me thus fouled,
1:08:22
who is robbing me of thee old as i am and ripe for death,
1:08:26
oh my child alas what i could die with thee.
1:08:32
He ceased his sad lament and would have raised his age of frame,
1:08:36
but found himself held fast by the fine spun of the old man's ivy that clings
1:08:40
in the branches of the bay, and then ensued a fearful struggle.
1:08:45
He strove to rise, but she still held him back, and if ever he pulled with all
1:08:51
his might, from off his bones his page flesh he tore.
1:08:55
At last he gave it up and breathed forth his soul of awful suffering,
1:09:01
so he could no longer master the pain.
1:09:03
So there they lie, daughter and aged side, dead side by side,
1:09:09
a grievous sight that calls for two.
1:09:11
And as for thee, I leave thee out of my consideration, where thyself must discover
1:09:17
a means to escape punishment.
1:09:19
Not now, for the first time, I think this human life is shattered.
1:09:23
Yea, without shrinking, I will say that they amongst men who pretend to listen
1:09:28
and expand deep thought on words do incur a serious charge of folly.
1:09:33
For amongst mortals, no man is happy.
1:09:36
Wealth may pour and make one luckier than another, but none can be happy. Messenger of the Taurus.
1:09:44
This day the deity, it seems, will mass on Jason, as he well deserves a heavy load of evil.
1:09:51
Woe is thee, daughter of Creon, we pity thy sad fate.
1:09:55
Gone as thou art to Hades' halls is the price of thy merit to Jason.
1:10:00
My friends, I am resolved upon the deed. Once will I slay my children,
1:10:05
and then leave this land, without laying long enough to hand them over to some
1:10:10
more savage hand to butcher.
1:10:12
Needs must they die in any case, and since they must, I will slay them.
1:10:17
I, the mother that bear them, O hearted mind, steal thyself.
1:10:22
Why do I hesitate to do the awful deed that must be done?
1:10:26
Come, take the sword, thou wretched hand of mine.
1:10:30
Take it, and advance to the post when life starts, the life of sorrow.
1:10:35
Away with cowardice, give not one thought to thy babies. How dear they are, how thou art them, Lord.
1:10:42
This one brief day forget thy children, dear. And after that lament.
1:10:48
For though thou wilt slay them, yet they were thy darlings still,
1:10:53
that I am a lady of sorrow. Dear enters the house.
1:10:57
The chorus sings, O earth, O sun, whose being the wounds at all,
1:11:03
look upon this lost woman, ere she stretched forth over earth's hand upon her sons for blood.
1:11:10
For lo, these scions of thine golden sea, where the blood of gods is endangered and shed by mere.
1:11:18
O light, from Zeus proceeding, stay her, hold her hand.
1:11:23
Forth in the house, chase this spell of bloody steel, thy demons led.
1:11:27
Vainly wasted were the throes thy children costly. Vainly hast thou more seen, sweet babe.
1:11:35
O thou who left behind that passage through the rooms and feel like Addis,
1:11:41
that strangers justly hate.
1:11:43
Ah, hapless one who doth fierce anger thy sorrow assail.
1:11:48
Why in its place is fell murder growing up?
1:11:51
For grievous unto mortal men are pollutions that come with kindred blood poured on the earth.
1:11:57
Woes to suit each crime Hurled in heaven in the murderer's house The first son
1:12:03
One was eight What can I do?
1:12:05
Whither fly to escape my mother's blows?
1:12:08
Second son I know not, sweet brother of mine I think we are lost Tid's tear,
1:12:15
did's tear the children's cry O lady born to sorrow Victim of an evil fate Shall I enter the house?
1:12:22
For the children's sake I am resolved To ward off the murder First son Yea,
1:12:27
by heaven I adjure you, help, your hate is needed, the second son.
1:12:31
Even now the toils of the sword are closed around us.
1:12:36
Oh, haptest mother, surely thou hast a hard stone of steel to slay the offspring
1:12:42
of thy womb by such a murderous doom.
1:12:45
While the wives of evil, I know but one who laid her hand upon her own children.
1:12:51
Even I know from the gods that maddened the day that the wife was used to her
1:12:55
for wandering in their home.
1:12:57
But she, poor sufferer, won herself into the sea because of the foul murder of her children.
1:13:04
Leaping over the way the cleft and in her death was she united to her soul of the twain,
1:13:10
can there be any deed of horror left to follow this woe for the wound of women
1:13:15
fraught with disaster what sorrows has thou caused men before now chasing as the tenrils enter,
1:13:23
ladies stationed near this house pray tell me is the author of these hideous deeds,
1:13:30
Medea still within or has she fled from hence.
1:13:35
For she must hide beneath the earth, or soar on wings towards heaven's wall,
1:13:40
if she would avoid the vengeance of the royal house.
1:13:43
Is she so sure she will escape herself unpunished from this house,
1:13:47
when she hath slain the rulers of this land?
1:13:50
But enough of this, I am forgetting her children.
1:13:53
As for her, those whom she hath longed will do the like by her.
1:13:58
But I am come to save her children's life, Lest the victim's kin whizzle their
1:14:03
wrath on me In vengeance for the murder of thou Brought by my children's mother,
1:14:09
Unhappy man, thou knowest not the full extent of thy misery Else thou would
1:14:14
have never said those words,
1:14:16
How now, can she want to kill me too?
1:14:19
Thy sons are dead, slain by their own mother's hands No, God, what sayest thou?
1:14:27
Woman, thou hast sealed my doom Thy children are no more, be sure of this Who,
1:14:34
where she slew them, within the palace or outside?
1:14:38
Throw wide the doors and see thy children the murdered corpses Haste ye slaves,
1:14:44
loose the bolts, undo the fastenings That I may see the sight of twofold woe,
1:14:48
my murdered sons In her whose blood and vengeance I will shed,
1:14:53
Medea appears above the house on the chariot drawn by dragons The children's
1:14:57
corpse is beside her Why shake those doors and attempt to loose their bolts
1:15:03
in quest of the dead and me their murderous?
1:15:06
From such toil desist.
1:15:08
Thou wouldst ought with me, say on, if so thou wilt, but never shalt thou lay hand on me.
1:15:17
So swift the steeds of the sun my father's sire to me doth give to save me from the hands of my foes.
1:15:25
A cursed woman, by gods, by me, and all mankind, abhorred as never a woman was,
1:15:30
who hast the heart to stab thy babes?
1:15:33
Thou their mother, leaving me undone and childless?
1:15:37
This house thou done, and still dost gaze upon the sun and earth,
1:15:41
after this deed most impious, curses on me.
1:15:46
Now proceed what then I missed in the day I brought thee, fraught with doom
1:15:51
from thy home in a barbarian land to dwell in Halas, traitorous to thy sire
1:15:56
and to the land that nurtured thee.
1:15:59
On me the gods have hurled the curse that dog my steps.
1:16:03
For thou didst slay thy brother at his heart, ere thou camest aboard our fair ship.
1:16:09
Such was the outset of thy life of crime. Then didst thou wed with me,
1:16:13
and having borne me sons to glut thy passion's lust, thou now hast slain them.
1:16:19
Not one amongst the wives of Hellas ever dared this deed.
1:16:24
Yet before them all I chose thee for my wife, wedding a foe to be my doom.
1:16:29
No woman but a lioness fiercer than Tyrion's scylla in nature.
1:16:34
But with the poach's heap thousandfold I cannot ruin thee, so brazen is thy nature.
1:16:39
Perish, vile sorceress, murderous of thy babes, whilst I must mourn my luckless fate,
1:16:45
for I shall never enjoy my new-ground bride, nor shall I have the children whom
1:16:50
I have bred and reared, allowed to say the last farewell to me. Nay, I have lost them.
1:16:58
To this thy speech I could have made a long reply, but Father Zeus knows well
1:17:03
all I have done for thee and the treatment thou hast given me.
1:17:06
If thou were not ordained to score my love and lead a life of joy and mockery
1:17:11
of me, nor was thy royal bride Creon, who gave thee a second wife to thrust
1:17:17
me from this land and rue it not.
1:17:19
Wherefore, if thou wilt call me a lioness in Scylla, whose home is in the Tyrian
1:17:25
land, For I in turn have wrung thy heart As well I might,
1:17:30
Thou too art grieved thyself And share in my sorrow Be well assured I am But
1:17:36
it relieves my pain to know Thou canst not mock me O my children how vile a mother ye have found,
1:17:43
My sons Your father's feeble lust has been in ruin,
1:17:47
T'was not by my hand At any rate that slew them No, a thou foul treatment of me In thy new marriage,
1:17:55
Didst think that marriage caused enough to murder?
1:17:59
Dost think a woman counts this a trifling injury?
1:18:02
So she be self-restrained, but in thy eyes always evil.
1:18:07
My sons are dead and gone, that will stab thee in thy heart.
1:18:12
They live, methinks, to bring a curse upon thy head. The gods know,
1:18:17
whoso of them began this troublous coil.
1:18:20
Indeed, they know that hateful heart of mine. Thou art as hateful,
1:18:25
I am wary of thy bitter tongue, and I likewise of thine, but parting is easy.
1:18:32
Say now, what am I to do?
1:18:35
For I am fain as thou to go.
1:18:38
Give up to me those dead to bury and lament? No, never.
1:18:43
I will bury them myself, burying them to Hera's sacred fields who watches over
1:18:48
the Cape, that none of their foes may insult them by pulling down their tombs.
1:18:54
And in this land of Sisyphus I will ordain hereafter a solemn feast and mystic
1:18:59
rites to atone for this impious murder.
1:19:02
Myself will now to the land of Erectus, to dwell with Aegeus,
1:19:06
Pandian's son, but thou, as well now mayest, shall die in Catelyn's death.
1:19:13
Thy head crushed beneath the shattered relic of our wealth, and thou hast seen
1:19:17
the bitter ending of my marriage, the curse of our son's avenging spirit of
1:19:23
justice that calls for blood beyond me.
1:19:26
What God or divine power hears thee, breaker of oaths and every law of hospitality,
1:19:32
be upon me cursed witch, child murderous, to thy house go bury thy wife.
1:19:39
I go, reft of both my son. My grief is yet to come.
1:19:44
Wait till old age is with me. Oh, my dear, dear children, dear to their mother, not to thee.
1:19:51
And yet thou did slain them. Yes, to vex thy heart.
1:19:56
One last fond kiss I would slain to put upon their lips.
1:20:01
Embraces now and fond farewells alone, but then a cold repulse.
1:20:06
By heaven, I do it cheerily. Let me touch the tender skin.
1:20:11
No, in vain this word has sped its flight.
1:20:15
O Zeus, dost hear how I am driven hence?
1:20:19
Dost mark the treatment I received from this she-lion, fell murderous of her own?
1:20:25
Yet so far as I may and can, I am raised for them a dirge to endure the gods
1:20:32
to witness how thou hast slain my sons and wilt not suffer me to embrace or bury their dead bodies.
1:20:40
When I had never gotten them to see them slain in that world.
1:20:44
Chariot carries Medea away. The chorus sings.
1:20:48
Many a fate doth Zeus dispense high on his immobile groan.
1:20:54
Off do the gods bring things to pass beyond man's expectations.
1:20:59
That which we thought would be is not fulfilled.
1:21:02
Although the unlooked-for god finds a way, such has been the issue on this matter the end.