MEDEA

I can do no other thing. It is understandable

For you to speak thus. You have not suffered as I have.

CHORUS

But can you have the heart to kill your flesh and blood?

MEDEA

Yes, for this is the best way to wound my husband.

CHORUS

And you, too. Of women you will be most unhappy.

MEDEA

SO it must be. No compromise is possible.

(She turns to the Nurse.)

Go, you, at once, and tell Jason to come to me.

You I employ on all affairs of greatest trust.

Say nothing of these decisions which I have made,

If you love your mistress, if you were born a woman.

CHORUS

From of old the children of Erechtheus* are

Splendid, the sons of blessed gods. They dwell

In Athens’ holy and unconquered land,

Where famous Wisdom feeds them and they pass gaily

Always through that most brilliant air where once, they say,

That golden Harmony gave birth to the nine

Pure Muses of Pieria.

And beside the sweet flow of Cephisus’ stream,**

Where Cypris sailed, they say, to draw the water,

And mild soft breezes breathed along her path,

And on her hair were flung the sweet-smelling garlands

Of flowers of roses by the Lovers, the companions

Of Wisdom, her escort, the helpers of men

In every kind of excellence.

How then can these holy rivers

Or this holy land love you,

Or the city find you a home,

You, who will kill your children,

You, not pure with the rest?

O think of the blow at your children

And think of the blood that you shed.

O, over and over I beg you,

By your knees I beg you do not

Be the murderess of your babes!

O where will you find the courage

Or the skill of hand and heart,

When you set yourself to attempt

A deed so dreadful to do?

How, when you look upon them,

Can you tearlessly hold the decision

For murder? You will not be able,

When your children fall down and implore you,

You will not be able to dip

Steadfast your hand in their blood.

(Enter Jason with attendants.)

JASON

I have come at your request. Indeed, although you are

Bitter against me, this you shall have: I will listen

To what new thing you want, woman, to get from me.

MEDEA

Jason, I beg you to be forgiving toward me

For what I said. It is natural for you to bear with

My temper, since we have had much love together.

I have talked with myself about this and I have

Reproached myself. “Fool,” I said, “why am I so mad?

Why am I set against those who have planned wisely?

Why make myself an enemy of the authorities

And of my husband, who does the best thing for me

By marrying royalty and having children who

Will be as brothers to my own? What is wrong with me?

Let me give up anger, for the gods are kind to me.