Chorus Leader
[960]
Creon, why are you so silent, without a word? I too am no less amazed.
Creon
What can one say? It is clear what my words must be. For I will never come to such misfortune as to devote my son to death for the city;
[965]
for all men love their children, and no one would give his own son to die. Let no man praise me, and kill my child at the same time. I myself, for I am in the prime of life, am ready to die to save my country.
[970]
But come, my son, before the whole city learns this, fly with all haste away from this land, regardless of these prophets' reckless warnings; for he will tell all this to our rulers and generals [going to the seven gates and the captains];
[975]
now if we can forestall him, you are saved, but if you are too late, we are ruined and you will die.
Menoeceus
Where can I escape? To what city? To which of our guest-friends?
Creon
Where you will be furthest removed from this land.
Menoeceus
It is for you to name a place, for me to carry out your bidding.
Creon
[980]
After passing Delphi—
Menoeceus
Where must I go, father?
Creon
To Aetolia.
Menoeceus
And where must I go from there?
Creon
To the land of Thesprotia.
Menoeceus
To Dodona's holy threshold?
Creon
You understand.
Menoeceus
What protection will I find there?
Creon
The god will send you on your way.
Menoeceus
How shall I find the means?
Creon
[985]
I will supply you with money.
Menoeceus
Menoeceus
A good plan of yours, father. Go now; for I will come to your sister, Jocasta, at whose breast I was suckled when bereft of my mother, a lonely orphan, [to give her greeting and then I will save my life].
[990]
Come, come! be going; it isn't your part to hinder me.Creon departs.
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Table of Contents:
Euripides. The Complete Greek Drama, edited by Whitney J. Oates and Eugene O'Neill, Jr. in two volumes. 2. The Phoenissae, translated by E. P. Coleridge. New York. Random House. 1938.
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