Epeisodion 2
Macaria
Are these indeed the terms on which our safety depends?
Iolaus
Yea, on these; if, that is, we are successful otherwise.
Macaria
No longer then cower before the hated Argive spear; for I, of my own free will, or ever they bid me, am ready to die and offer myself as a victim. For what excuse have we, if, while this city deems it right to incur a great danger on our behalf,
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we, though we might save ourselves, fly from death, by foisting our trouble on others? No! indeed, ’twere surely most ridiculous to sit and mourn as suppliants of the gods, and show ourselves but cowards, children as we are of that illustrious sire.
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Where among the brave is such conduct seen? Better, I suppose, this city should be taken and I (which Heaven forefend!) fall into the hands of the enemy, and then, for all I am my noble father’s child, meet an awful doom, and face the Death-god none the less.
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Shall I wander as an exile from this land? Shall I not feel shame then, when someone says, as say they will, Why are ye come hither with suppliant boughs, loving your lives too well? Begone from our land! for we will not succour cowards.
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Nay, if these be slain and I alone be saved, I have no hope in any wise of being happy, though many ere now have in this hope betrayed their friends. For who will care to wed a lonely maid or make me mother of his children?
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’Tis better I should die than meet such treatment, Paley brackets these two lines as spurious, and Nauck suspects their genuineness. little as I merit it. This were fitter treatment for some other, one that is not born to fame as I am. Conduct me to the scene of death, Paley encloses this line in brackets. Nauck says it is either spurious or corrupt. Certainly it offends against tragic usage by containing a cretic foot as the fifth. crown me with garlands, and begin the rites, if so it please you;
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then be victorious o’er the foe, for here I offer my life freely and without constraint, and for my brothers and myself I undertake to die. Also regarded by Paley as spurious. For I, by loving not my life too well, have found a treasure very fair, a glorious means to leave it.
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Chorus
Ah, what shall I say on hearing the maid’s brave words, she that is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do more noble deeds henceforth for ever?
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Iolaus
Daughter, thou art his own true child, no other man’s but Heracles’,
that godlike soul; proud am I of thy words, though I sorrow for thy lot. Yet will I propose a fairer method: ’tis right to summon hither all the sisters of this maiden,
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and then let her, on whom the lot shall fall, die for her family; for that thou shouldst die without the lot is not just.
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Macaria
My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you
of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint.
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Iolaus
Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass
thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! forNauck condemns this line. by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve.
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Macaria
A cautious bidding thine! Fear not to take a stain of guilt from me; only let me die as one whose death is free.
Follow me, old friend, for in thy arms I fain would die; stand by and veil my body with my robe, for I will go even to the dreadful doom of sacrifice, seeing whose daughter I avow myself.
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Iolaus
I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.
Macaria
At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s.
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Demophon
It shall be so, unhappy maid; for this were shame to me to refuse thee honour due, for many reasons: because thou hast a soul so brave; because
’tis right; and thou hast shown more courage than any of thy sex my eyes have ever seen. Now, if thou hast aught to say to these children or thy aged guide, ohReading δὴ, with Elmsley, for μοι.! say the last thou hast to say—then go.
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Macaria
Farewell, old friend, farewell! and prithee teach
these children to be like thyself, wise at every point; let them strive no further, for that will suffice them. And seek to save them from death, even as thou art anxious to do; thy children are we, thy care it was that nurtured us. Thou seest how I yield my bridal
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bloom to die for them. For you, my brothers gathered here, may you be happy! and may every blessing be yours, for the which my blood shall pay the price!Badham proposed σφαλήσεται, certainly an easier reading. Honour this old friend, and her that is within the house,
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Alcmena, the aged mother of my sire, and these strangers too. And if ever heaven for you devise release from trouble and a return to your home, remember the burial due to her that saved you, a funeral fairNauck, μάλιστα for κάλλιστα. as I deserve; for I have not failed,
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but stood by you, and died to save my race. This shall be my pearl of price instead of children, and for the maiden life I leave, if there be really aught beyond the grave—God grant there may not be! For if, e’en there, we who are to die shall find a life of care,
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I know not whither one shall turn; for death is held a sovereign cure for every ill.
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Iolaus
Maiden of heroic soul, transcending all thy race, be sure the fame that thou shalt win from us, in life, in death, shall leave the rest of women far behind;
