Stasimon 3
[Episode]
A breast-plate of vipers fenced its body.
Old Servant
Is this the tale I heard in days of yore?
Creusa
That Athena wears its skin upon her corslet.
995
Old Servant
Is it this that Pallas wears, called by men her aegis?
Creusa
This was the name it received, that day she came to do battle for the gods.
Old Servant
How, daughter, can this harm thy enemies?
Creusa
Hast heard of Erichthonius, or no? of course thou hast.
Old Servant
Him whom Earth produced, the founder of thy race?
1000
Creusa
To him whilst yet a babe did Pallas give—
Old Servant
Ha! what? thou hast something yet to add?
Creusa
Two drops of Gorgon’s blood.
Old Servant
What power could they exert on the nature of a human creature?
Creusa
The one with death is fraught, the other cures disease.
1005
Old Servant
What held them when she tied them to the child’s body?
Creusa
With links of gold she fastened them; this to my sire did Erichthonius give.
Old Servant
And at his death it came to thee?
Creusa
Yea, and here at my wrist I wear it.
Old Servant
How works the spell of this double gift of Pallas?
1010
Creusa
Each drop of gore which trickled from the hollow vein—
Old Servant
What purpose does it serve? what virtue does it carry?
Creusa
Wards off disease, and nourishes man’s life.
Old Servant
What doth that second drop effect, of which thou madest mention?
Creusa
It kills, for it is venom from the Gorgon’s snakes.
1015
Old Servant
Dost thou carry this charm mixed in one phial, or separate?
Creusa
Separate; for good is no companion for evil.
Old Servant
Daughter dear, thou art fully armed with all thou needest.
Creusa
By this must the boy die, and thou must do the deadly deed.
Old Servant
How and where? thine it is to speak, and mine to dare and do.
1020
Creusa
In Athens, when to my house he comes.
Old Servant
That is not wisely said; I may object to thy plan as thou to mine.
