Chorus
Since you have shared this story with us,
in our desire to help you and in keeping
with human values, we beg you not to do this.
Medea
I will not change my mind. I understand why
you would say this, you are not suffering abuse as I am.
Chorus
Will you dare to kill your own flesh and blood, Medea?
Medea
Yes, this will cause my husband to feel the most pain.
Chorus
But you would be the sorriest of women.
Medea
Never mind. All other words are in vain.
She calls out and addresses her servant from the opening scene.
Enter Nurse.
Go and bring Jason here.
For we rely on you in all confidential matters.
Tell him nothing of my decisions,
if you care for the well-being of your mistress and are a real woman.
Exit Nurse.
THIRD STASIMON
Chorus
Descendants of Erechtheus,wealthy of old
and children of the blessed gods,
from a land holy and unconquered, feeding
on most glorious wisdom always
stepping delicately through the brightest air,
there once they say the nine Muses of Pieria
gave birth to Golden Harmony.
They sing the tale that Kypris
drawing water at the streams of fair-flowing Kephisos
breathes gentle sweet-smelling
auras of winds over the land; and always putting
on her hair a fragrant garland of rose blossoms,
she sends the Loves, co-workers with wisdom,
helpers of every sort of excellence.
How then will the city of holy rivers,
the land that gives safe-passage
to friends,
welcome you, child-killer,
not holy with the others?
Picture the blow to the children;
picture the murder you are committing.
Do not, at your knees
in every way we beseech you,
do not kill your children.
Where will you get the boldness
of mind to confer upon your hand or heart,
that terrible daring?
And, how, when you cast your eyes
on the children will you take part
in their murder without weeping? No, you cannot
- when your children fall begging -
wet your hand in their blood
keeping an iron-willed heart.
YOU ARE READING
Medea (Euripedes)
Historical Fiction[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."
