Epeisodion 1
Creon
I fear thee,—no longer need I veil my dread ’neath words,—lest thou devise against my child some cureless ill. Many things contribute to this fear of mine;
thou art a witch by nature, expert in countless sorceries, and thou art chafing for the loss of thy husband’s affection. I hear, too, so they tell me, that thou dost threaten the father of the bride, her husband, and herself with some mischief; wherefore I will take precautions ere our troubles come.
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For ’tis better for me to incur thy hatred now, lady, than to soften my heart and bitterly repent it hereafter.
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Medea
Alas! this is not now the first time, but oft before, O Creon, hath my reputation injured me and caused sore mischief. Wherefore whoso is wise in his generation ought
never to have his children taught to be too clever; for besides the reputation they get for idleness, they purchase bitter odium from the citizens. For if thou shouldst import new learning amongst dullards, thou will be thought a useless trifler, void of knowledge;
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while if thy fame in the city o’ertops that of the pretenders to cunning knowledge, thou wilt win their dislike. I too myself share in this ill-luck. Some think me clever and hate me, others say I am too reserved, and some the very reverse;This line is inclosed by most editors in brackets as an interpolation from 808 below, where it is in place.
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others find me hard to please and not so very clever after all. Be that as it may, thou dost fear me lest I bring on thee something to mar thy harmony. Fear me not, Creon, ray position scarce is such that I should seek to quarrel with princes. Why should I, for how hast thou injured me? Thou hast betrothed thy daughter
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where thy fancy prompted thee. No, ’tis my husband I hate, though I doubt not thou hast acted wisely herein. And now I grudge not thy prosperity; betroth thy child, good luck to thee, but let me abide in this land, for though I have been wronged
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I will be still and yield to my superiors.
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Creon
Thy words are soft to hear, but much I dread lest thou art devising some mischief in thy heart, and less than ever do I trust thee now; for a cunning woman, and man likewise,
is easier to guard against when quick-tempered than when taciturn. Nay, begone at once! speak me no speeches, for this is decreed, nor hast thou any art whereby thou shalt abide amongst us, since thou hatest me.
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Medea
O, say not so! by thy knees and by thy daughter newly-wed, I do implore!
Creon
Thou wastest words; thou wilt never persuade me.
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Medea
What, wilt thou banish me, and to my prayers no pity yield?
Creon
I will, for I love not thee above my own family.
Medea
O my country! what fond memories I have of thee in this hour!
Creon
Yea, for I myself love my city best of all things save my children.
Medea
Ah me! ah me! to mortal man how dread a scourge is love!
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Creon
That, I deem, is according to the turn our fortunes take.
Medea
O Zeus! let not the author of these my troubles escape thee.
