Jason
It is your own choice. Don't blame anyone but yourself.Medea
And what did I do? Get married and abandon you?Jason
You uttered curses against the royal house.Medea
Yes, and to your house I really am a curse.Jason
I will not carry on this quarrel any longer.
But if you want to take me up on my offer
of money for the children or your own exile
say so. I am ready to be generous to you
and to send letters to friends abroad who will take care of you.
And you are a fool, if you refuse my offer, woman.
Put aside your venom and you might get somewhere.
Medea
We will not be making use of your friends;
I will not take anything from you; don't give me anything.
The gift of a bad man brings no pleasure.
Jason
I call the gods to witness
that I want to help you and the children in every way I can.
My generosity is not enough for you, but in your stubbornness
you push your friends away. You hurt yourself all the more.
Exit Jason.Medea
Go. Desire for your new bride overcomes you
when you spend too much time away from the house.
Get on with your marriage. Perhaps with gods' help it will be said
you have made a marriage that you will soon regret.SECOND STASIMON
Chorus
Love coming on too strong
does not give glory or virtue
to men. But if Kypris comes in moderation,
no other goddess is so gracious.
Never, oh goddess, let fly at me an inescapable arrow
from your golden bow, after you drench it in desire.
But I pray that composure be my friend,
the finest gift of the gods.
Dreaded Kypris, never hit me with quarrelsome angers
and insatiable strife,
after stinging my heart for another bed,
but honoring a match free of conflict, wisely discern
women's love.
Fatherland, home,
let me not be stateless,
leading a life without means,
hard to get through,
full of the most pitiable sorrows.
Let me die, yes, die,
before reaching that day;
of troubles there is no other worse than
separation from one's native land.
We have seen it and do not have this story
from others to reflect upon;
no city, no friend
pities you, as you suffer
the most terrible of sufferings.
Without grace may he perish who
does not treat his loved ones honorably
unbolting his heart in pure love.
He will never be a friend of mine.
YOU ARE READING
Medea (Euripedes)
Исторические романы[Play] "The mind of a queen Is a thing to fear. A queen is used To giving commands, not obeying them; And her rage once roused is hard to appease."