章节正文
shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my
drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded
hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to
friends; for they win the fairest fame who live then, life like me.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy
hand, both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the
laws men make.
MEDEA
It cannot but be so; thy words I pardon since thou art not in
the same sorry plight that I am.
LEADER
O lady, wilt thou steel thyself to slay thy children twain?
MEDEA
I will, for that will stab my husband to the heart.
LEADER
It may, but thou wilt be the saddest wife alive.
MEDEA
No matter; wasted is every word that comes 'twixt now and then.
Ho! (The NURSE enters in answer to her call.) Thou, go call me Jason
hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word
divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and
likewise of my sex.
(The NURSE goes out.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
Sons of Erechtheus, heroes happy from of yore, children of the
blessed gods, fed on wisdom's glorious food in a holy land ne'er
pillaged by its foes, ye who move with sprightly step through a
climate ever bright and clear, where, as legend tells, the Muses nine,
Pieria's holy maids, were brought to birth by Harmonia with the golden
hair.
antistrophe 1
And poets sing how Cypris drawing water from the streams of
fair-flowing Cephissus breathes o'er the land a gentle breeze of balmy
winds, and ever as she crowns her tresses with a garland of sweet
rose-buds sends forth the Loves to sit by wisdom's side, to take
part in every excellence.
strophe 2
How then shall the city of sacredstreams, the land that
welcomes those it loves, receive thee, the murderess of thy
children, thee whose presence with others is a pollution? 'Think on
the murder of thy children, consider the bloody deed thou takest on
thee. Nay, by thy knees we, one and all, implore thee, slay not thy
babes.
antistrophe 2
Where shall hand or heart find hardihood enough in wreaking such a
fearsome deed upon thy sons? How wilt thou look upon thy babes, and
still without a tear retain thy bloody purpose? Thou canst not, when
they fall at thy feet for mercy, steel thy heart and dip in their
blood thy hand.
(JASON enters.)
JASON
I am come at thy bidding, for e'en though thy hate for me is
bitter thou shalt not fail in this small boon, but I will hear what
new request thou hast to make of me, lady.
MEDEA
Jason, I crave thy pardon for the words I spoke, and well thou
mayest brook my burst of passion, for ere now we twain have shared
much love. For I have reasoned with my soul and railed upon me thus,
"Ah! poor heart! why am I thus distraught, why so angered 'gainst
all good advice, why have I come to hate the rulers of the land, my
husband too, who does the best for me he can, in wedding with a
princess and rearing for my children noble brothers? Shall I not cease
to fret? What possesses me, when heaven its best doth offer? Have I
not my children to consider? do I forget that we are fugitives, in
need of friends?" When I had thought all this I saw how foolish I
had been, how senselessly enraged. So now do commend thee and think
thee most wise in forming this connection for us; but I was mad, I who
should have shared in these designs, helped on thy plans, and lent
my aid to bring about the match, only too pleased to wait upon thy
bride. But what we are, we are, we women, evil I will not say;
wherefore thou shouldst not sink to our sorry level nor with our
weapons meet our childishness.
I yield and do confess that I was wrong then, but now have I
come to a better mind. Come hither, my children, come, leave the
house, step forth, and with me greet and bid farewell to your
father, be reconciled from all past bitterness unto your friends, as
now your mother is; for we have made a truce and anger is no more.
(The ATTENDANT comes out of the house with the children.)
Take his right hand; ah me! my sad fate! when I reflect, as now,
upon the hidden future. O my children, since there awaits you even
thus a long, long life, stretch forth the hand to take a fond
farewell. Ah me! how new to tears am I, how full of fear! For now that
I have at last released me from my quarrel with your father, I let the
tear-drops stream adown my tender cheek.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
From my eyes too bursts forth the copious tear; O, may no
greater ill than the present e'er befall!
JASON
Lady, I praise this conduct, not that I blame what is past; for it
is but natural to the female sex to vent their spleen against a
husband when he trafficks in other marriages besides his own. But
thy heart is changed to wiser schemes and thou art determined on the
better course, late though it be; this is acting like a woman of sober
sense. And for you, my sons, hath your father provided with all good
heed a sure refuge, by God's grace; for ye, I trow, shall with your
brothers share hereafter the foremost rank in this Corinthian realm.
Only grow up, for all the rest your sire and whoso of the gods is kind
to us is bringing to pass. May I see you reach man's full estate, high
o'er the heads of those I hate! But thou, lady, why with fresh tears
dost thou thine eyelids wet, turning away thy wan cheek, with no
welcome for these my happy tidings?
MEDEA
'Tis naught; upon these children my thoughts were turned.
JASON
Then take heart; for I will see that it is well with them.
MEDEA
I will do so; nor will I doubt thy word; woman is a weak creature,
ever given to tears.
JASON
Why prithee, unhappy one, dost moan o'er these children?
MEDEA
I gave them birth; and when thou didst pray long life for them,
pity entered into my soul to think that these things must be. But
the reason of thy coming hither to speak with me is partly told, the
rest will I now mention. Since it is the pleasure of the rulers of the
land to banish me, and well I know 'twere best for me to stand not
in the way of thee or of the rulers by dwelling here, enemy as I am
thought unto their house, forth from this land in exile am I going,
but these children,-that they may know thy fostering hand, beg Creon
to remit their banishment.
JASON
I doubt whether I can persuade him, yet must I attempt it.
MEDEA
At least do thou bid thy wife ask her sire this boon, to remit the
exile of the children from this land.
JASON
Yea, that will I; and her methinks I shall persuade, since she
is woman like the rest.
MEDEA
I too will aid thee in this task, for by the children's hand I
will send to her gifts that far surpass in beauty, I well know,
aught that now is seen 'mongst men, a robe of finest tissue and a
chaplet of chased gold. But one of my attendants must haste and
bring the ornaments hither. (A servant goes into the house.) Happy
shall she be not once alone but ten thousand-fold, for in thee she
wins the noblest soul to share her love, and gets these gifts as
well which on a day my father's sire, the Sun-god, bestowed on his
descendants. (The servant returns and hands the gifts to the
children.) My children, take in your hands these wedding gifts, and
bear them as an offering to the royal maid, the happy bride; for
verily the gifts she shall receive are not to be scorned.
JASON
But why so rashly rob thyself of these gifts? Dost think a royal
palace wants for robes or gold? Keep them, nor give them to another.
For well I know that if my lady hold me in esteem, she will set my
price above all wealth.
MEDEA
Say not so; 'tis said that gifts tempt even gods; and o'er men's
minds gold holds more potent sway than countless words. Fortune smiles
upon thy bride, and heaven now doth swell her triumph; youth is hers
and princely power; yet to save my children from exile I would
barter life, not dross alone. Children, when we are come to the rich
palace, pray your father's new bride, my mistress, with suppliant
voice to save you from exile, offering her these ornaments the
while; for it is most needful that she receive the gifts in her own
hand. Now go and linger not; may ye succeed and to your mother bring
back the glad tidings she fain would hear
(JASON, the ATTENDANT, and the children go out together.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
Gone, gone is every hope I had that the children yet might live;
forth to their doom they now proceed. The hapless bride will take, ay,
take the golden crown that is to be her ruin; with her own hand will
she lift and place upon her golden locks the garniture of death.
antistrophe 1
Its grace and sheen divine will tempt her to put on the robe and
crown of gold, and in that act will she deck herself to be a bride
amid the dead. Such is the snare whereinto she will fall, such is
the deadly doom that waits the hapless maid, nor shall she from the
curse escape.
strophe 2
And thou, poor wretch, who to thy sorrow art wedding a king's
daughter, little thinkest of the doom thou art bringing on thy
children's life, or of the cruel death that waits thy bride. Woe is
thee! how art thou fallen from thy high estate!
antistrophe 2
Next do I bewail thy sorrows, O mother hapless in thy children,
thou who wilt slay thy babes because thou hast a rival, the babes
thy husband hath deserted impiously to join him to another bride.
(The ATTENDANT enters with the children.)
ATTENDANT
Thy children, lady, are from exile freed, and gladly did the royal
bride accept thy gifts in her own hands, and so thy children made
their peace with her.
MEDEA
Ah!
ATTENDANT
Why art so disquieted in thy prosperous hour? Why turnest thou thy
cheek away, and hast no welcome for my glad news?
MEDEA
Ah me!
ATTENDANT
These groans but ill accord with the news I bring.
MEDEA
Ah me! once more I say.
ATTENDANT
Have I unwittingly announced some evil tidings? Have I erred in
thinking my news was good?
MEDEA
drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded
hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to
friends; for they win the fairest fame who live then, life like me.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy
hand, both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the
laws men make.
MEDEA
It cannot but be so; thy words I pardon since thou art not in
the same sorry plight that I am.
LEADER
O lady, wilt thou steel thyself to slay thy children twain?
MEDEA
I will, for that will stab my husband to the heart.
LEADER
It may, but thou wilt be the saddest wife alive.
MEDEA
No matter; wasted is every word that comes 'twixt now and then.
Ho! (The NURSE enters in answer to her call.) Thou, go call me Jason
hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word
divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and
likewise of my sex.
(The NURSE goes out.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
Sons of Erechtheus, heroes happy from of yore, children of the
blessed gods, fed on wisdom's glorious food in a holy land ne'er
pillaged by its foes, ye who move with sprightly step through a
climate ever bright and clear, where, as legend tells, the Muses nine,
Pieria's holy maids, were brought to birth by Harmonia with the golden
hair.
antistrophe 1
And poets sing how Cypris drawing water from the streams of
fair-flowing Cephissus breathes o'er the land a gentle breeze of balmy
winds, and ever as she crowns her tresses with a garland of sweet
rose-buds sends forth the Loves to sit by wisdom's side, to take
part in every excellence.
strophe 2
How then shall the city of sacredstreams, the land that
welcomes those it loves, receive thee, the murderess of thy
children, thee whose presence with others is a pollution? 'Think on
the murder of thy children, consider the bloody deed thou takest on
thee. Nay, by thy knees we, one and all, implore thee, slay not thy
babes.
antistrophe 2
Where shall hand or heart find hardihood enough in wreaking such a
fearsome deed upon thy sons? How wilt thou look upon thy babes, and
still without a tear retain thy bloody purpose? Thou canst not, when
they fall at thy feet for mercy, steel thy heart and dip in their
blood thy hand.
(JASON enters.)
JASON
I am come at thy bidding, for e'en though thy hate for me is
bitter thou shalt not fail in this small boon, but I will hear what
new request thou hast to make of me, lady.
MEDEA
Jason, I crave thy pardon for the words I spoke, and well thou
mayest brook my burst of passion, for ere now we twain have shared
much love. For I have reasoned with my soul and railed upon me thus,
"Ah! poor heart! why am I thus distraught, why so angered 'gainst
all good advice, why have I come to hate the rulers of the land, my
husband too, who does the best for me he can, in wedding with a
princess and rearing for my children noble brothers? Shall I not cease
to fret? What possesses me, when heaven its best doth offer? Have I
not my children to consider? do I forget that we are fugitives, in
need of friends?" When I had thought all this I saw how foolish I
had been, how senselessly enraged. So now do commend thee and think
thee most wise in forming this connection for us; but I was mad, I who
should have shared in these designs, helped on thy plans, and lent
my aid to bring about the match, only too pleased to wait upon thy
bride. But what we are, we are, we women, evil I will not say;
wherefore thou shouldst not sink to our sorry level nor with our
weapons meet our childishness.
I yield and do confess that I was wrong then, but now have I
come to a better mind. Come hither, my children, come, leave the
house, step forth, and with me greet and bid farewell to your
father, be reconciled from all past bitterness unto your friends, as
now your mother is; for we have made a truce and anger is no more.
(The ATTENDANT comes out of the house with the children.)
Take his right hand; ah me! my sad fate! when I reflect, as now,
upon the hidden future. O my children, since there awaits you even
thus a long, long life, stretch forth the hand to take a fond
farewell. Ah me! how new to tears am I, how full of fear! For now that
I have at last released me from my quarrel with your father, I let the
tear-drops stream adown my tender cheek.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
From my eyes too bursts forth the copious tear; O, may no
greater ill than the present e'er befall!
JASON
Lady, I praise this conduct, not that I blame what is past; for it
is but natural to the female sex to vent their spleen against a
husband when he trafficks in other marriages besides his own. But
thy heart is changed to wiser schemes and thou art determined on the
better course, late though it be; this is acting like a woman of sober
sense. And for you, my sons, hath your father provided with all good
heed a sure refuge, by God's grace; for ye, I trow, shall with your
brothers share hereafter the foremost rank in this Corinthian realm.
Only grow up, for all the rest your sire and whoso of the gods is kind
to us is bringing to pass. May I see you reach man's full estate, high
o'er the heads of those I hate! But thou, lady, why with fresh tears
dost thou thine eyelids wet, turning away thy wan cheek, with no
welcome for these my happy tidings?
MEDEA
'Tis naught; upon these children my thoughts were turned.
JASON
Then take heart; for I will see that it is well with them.
MEDEA
I will do so; nor will I doubt thy word; woman is a weak creature,
ever given to tears.
JASON
Why prithee, unhappy one, dost moan o'er these children?
MEDEA
I gave them birth; and when thou didst pray long life for them,
pity entered into my soul to think that these things must be. But
the reason of thy coming hither to speak with me is partly told, the
rest will I now mention. Since it is the pleasure of the rulers of the
land to banish me, and well I know 'twere best for me to stand not
in the way of thee or of the rulers by dwelling here, enemy as I am
thought unto their house, forth from this land in exile am I going,
but these children,-that they may know thy fostering hand, beg Creon
to remit their banishment.
JASON
I doubt whether I can persuade him, yet must I attempt it.
MEDEA
At least do thou bid thy wife ask her sire this boon, to remit the
exile of the children from this land.
JASON
Yea, that will I; and her methinks I shall persuade, since she
is woman like the rest.
MEDEA
I too will aid thee in this task, for by the children's hand I
will send to her gifts that far surpass in beauty, I well know,
aught that now is seen 'mongst men, a robe of finest tissue and a
chaplet of chased gold. But one of my attendants must haste and
bring the ornaments hither. (A servant goes into the house.) Happy
shall she be not once alone but ten thousand-fold, for in thee she
wins the noblest soul to share her love, and gets these gifts as
well which on a day my father's sire, the Sun-god, bestowed on his
descendants. (The servant returns and hands the gifts to the
children.) My children, take in your hands these wedding gifts, and
bear them as an offering to the royal maid, the happy bride; for
verily the gifts she shall receive are not to be scorned.
JASON
But why so rashly rob thyself of these gifts? Dost think a royal
palace wants for robes or gold? Keep them, nor give them to another.
For well I know that if my lady hold me in esteem, she will set my
price above all wealth.
MEDEA
Say not so; 'tis said that gifts tempt even gods; and o'er men's
minds gold holds more potent sway than countless words. Fortune smiles
upon thy bride, and heaven now doth swell her triumph; youth is hers
and princely power; yet to save my children from exile I would
barter life, not dross alone. Children, when we are come to the rich
palace, pray your father's new bride, my mistress, with suppliant
voice to save you from exile, offering her these ornaments the
while; for it is most needful that she receive the gifts in her own
hand. Now go and linger not; may ye succeed and to your mother bring
back the glad tidings she fain would hear
(JASON, the ATTENDANT, and the children go out together.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
Gone, gone is every hope I had that the children yet might live;
forth to their doom they now proceed. The hapless bride will take, ay,
take the golden crown that is to be her ruin; with her own hand will
she lift and place upon her golden locks the garniture of death.
antistrophe 1
Its grace and sheen divine will tempt her to put on the robe and
crown of gold, and in that act will she deck herself to be a bride
amid the dead. Such is the snare whereinto she will fall, such is
the deadly doom that waits the hapless maid, nor shall she from the
curse escape.
strophe 2
And thou, poor wretch, who to thy sorrow art wedding a king's
daughter, little thinkest of the doom thou art bringing on thy
children's life, or of the cruel death that waits thy bride. Woe is
thee! how art thou fallen from thy high estate!
antistrophe 2
Next do I bewail thy sorrows, O mother hapless in thy children,
thou who wilt slay thy babes because thou hast a rival, the babes
thy husband hath deserted impiously to join him to another bride.
(The ATTENDANT enters with the children.)
ATTENDANT
Thy children, lady, are from exile freed, and gladly did the royal
bride accept thy gifts in her own hands, and so thy children made
their peace with her.
MEDEA
Ah!
ATTENDANT
Why art so disquieted in thy prosperous hour? Why turnest thou thy
cheek away, and hast no welcome for my glad news?
MEDEA
Ah me!
ATTENDANT
These groans but ill accord with the news I bring.
MEDEA
Ah me! once more I say.
ATTENDANT
Have I unwittingly announced some evil tidings? Have I erred in
thinking my news was good?
MEDEA
- pardon [´pɑ:dən]
n.&vt.原谅；饶恕；赦免 (初中英语单词) - mission [´miʃən] n.代表团；使馆vt.派遣 (初中英语单词)
- mistress [´mistris] n.女主人；情妇；女能手 (初中英语单词)
- glorious [´glɔ:riəs] a.光荣的；辉煌的 (初中英语单词)
- breeze [bri:z] n.微风；不费力的事 (初中英语单词)
- sacred [´seikrid] a.神圣的；庄严的 (初中英语单词)
- bloody [´blʌdi] a.(流)血的；血腥的 (初中英语单词)
- retain [ri´tein] vt.保持；保留；留住 (初中英语单词)
- passion [´pæʃən] n.激情；激怒；恋爱 (初中英语单词)
- wedding [´wediŋ] n.婚礼，结婚 (初中英语单词)
- connection [kə´nekʃən] n.联系；关系；联运 (初中英语单词)
- confess [kən´fes] vt.供认；坦白；承认 (初中英语单词)
- hither [´hiðə] ad.到此处 (初中英语单词)
- farewell [feə´wel] int.再见 n.&a.告别 (初中英语单词)
- attendant [ə´tendənt] n.随员 a.伴随的 (初中英语单词)
- reflect [ri´flekt] v.反射；反响；表达 (初中英语单词)
- hidden [´hid(ə)n] hide 的过去分词 (初中英语单词)
- stream [stri:m] n.河 vi.流出；飘扬 (初中英语单词)
- female [´fi:meil] a.女(性)的 n.女人 (初中英语单词)
- acting [´æktiŋ] a.代理的 n.演戏 (初中英语单词)
- refuge [´refju:dʒ] v.&n.避难(所)；庇护 (初中英语单词)
- estate [i´steit] n.财产；庄园；等级 (初中英语单词)
- unhappy [ʌn´hæpi] a.不幸的；不快乐的 (初中英语单词)
- partly [´pɑ:tli] ad.部分地；不完全地 (初中英语单词)
- dwelling [´dweliŋ] n.住所；寓所 (初中英语单词)
- persuade [pə´sweid] v.(被)说服；使相信 (初中英语单词)
- triumph [´traiəmf] n.胜利 vi.得胜，战胜 (初中英语单词)
- linger [´liŋgə] v.逗留；留恋；拖延 (初中英语单词)
- divine [di´vain] a.神圣的 v.预言 (初中英语单词)
- deadly [´dedli] a.致命的 ad.死一般地 (初中英语单词)
- prosperous [´prɔspərəs] a.繁荣的；顺利的 (初中英语单词)
- welcome [´welkəm] a.受欢迎的；可喜的 (初中英语单词)
- accord [ə´kɔ:d] n.&vi.符合 vt.给与 (初中英语单词)
- hideous [´hidiəs] a.丑陋的，可怕的 (高中英语单词)
- plight [plait] n.境况；困境；苦境 (高中英语单词)
- garland [´gɑ:lənd] n.花环 vt.给带花环 (高中英语单词)
- implore [im´plɔ:] vt.乞求，恳求 (高中英语单词)
- commend [kə´mend] vt.把...交托给；称赞 (高中英语单词)
- bitterness [´bitənis] n.苦味；辛酸；苦难 (高中英语单词)
- hereafter [hiər´ɑ:ftə] ad.&n.将来；来世 (高中英语单词)
- foremost [´fɔ:məust] a.最重要的；最先的 (高中英语单词)
- naught [nɔ:t] n.无；零 (高中英语单词)
- banish [´bæniʃ] vt.流放；消除(顾虑等) (高中英语单词)
- methinks [mi´θiŋks] vi.据我看来 (高中英语单词)
- surpass [sə´pɑ:s] vt.超过，胜过 (高中英语单词)
- tissue [´tiʃu:, -sju:] n.织物，薄绢，纸 (高中英语单词)
- offering [´ɔfəriŋ] n.提供；礼物；捐献 (高中英语单词)
- esteem [i´sti:m] n.尊重 vt.认为；感到 (高中英语单词)
- countless [´kauntlis] a.无数的 (高中英语单词)
- tidings [´taidiŋz] n.消息，音信 (高中英语单词)
- gladly [´glædli] ad.愉快地，高兴地 (高中英语单词)
- uphold [,ʌp´həuld] vt.支持，拥护；维持 (英语四级单词)
- drawing [´drɔ:iŋ] n.画图；制图；图样 (英语四级单词)
- potent [´pəutənt] a.有(势)力的；烈性的 (英语四级单词)
- princely [´prinsli] a.王候般的；高贵的 (英语四级单词)
- wretch [retʃ] n.不幸的人；卑鄙的人 (英语四级单词)
- bewail [bi´weil] v.悲叹；痛哭；哀悼 (英语四级单词)
- sprightly [´spraitli] a.活泼的；轻快的 (英语六级单词)
- copious [´kəupiəs] a.丰富的；冗长的 (英语六级单词)
- hapless [´hæpləs] a.不幸的；倒楣的 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:翻译 译文 翻译文
章节正文
京公网安备 11011202003401号
