Epeisodion 3
Creon
He is my own son and will be silent as he ought.
Teiresias
Do you want me to tell you in his presence?
Creon
Yes, for he will rejoice to hear the means of safety.
910
Teiresias
Then hear the intent of my oracle; if you observe it, you will save the city of Cadmus you must sacrifice Menoeceus, your son here, for your country, since you yourself are calling on fate.
Creon
What do you mean? What is this you have said, old man?
915
Teiresias
I have said what is, and you must do it.
Creon
O great evil, spoken so briefly!
Teiresias
Evil to you, but to your country great salvation.
Creon
I did not hear; I never listened; I renounce my city!
Teiresias
The man is no longer himself; he is drawing back.
920
Creon
Go in peace; it is not your prophecy I need.
Teiresias
Is truth dead, because you are unfortunate?
Creon
By your knees and gray hair—
Teiresias
Why implore me? You are demanding evils that are hard to prevent.
Creon
Be silent; do not tell the city your news.
925
Teiresias
You bid me to act unjustly; I cannot be silent.
Creon
What will you do to me? Kill my child?
Teiresias
That is for others to decide; it is for me to speak.
Creon
How did this curse come on me and my son?
Teiresias
You do right to ask me and to test what I have said. In the chamber where the earth-born dragon kept watch over Dirce’s springs, he must be offered as a sacrifice and shed his blood on the ground, a libation of Cadmus, because of the ancient wrath of Ares,
930
who now avenges the slaughter of his earth-born snake. If you do this, you shall win Ares as an ally. If the earth receives fruit for fruit and human blood for blood, you shall find her kind to you again, who once
935
sent up to us a crop of Sown-men with golden helmets; for one of those born from the dragon’s teeth must die.
940
Now you are our only survivor of the Sown race, pure-blooded both on your mother’s and your father’s side, you and your sons. Haemon’s marriage
holds him back from the slaughter, for he is no longer single; even if he has not consummated his marriage, yet he is betrothed. But this tender youth, consecrated to his city, might by dying rescue his country; and bitter will he make the return of Adrastus and his Argives,
945
flinging over their eyes a black spirit of death, and he will glorify Thebes. Choose one of these two destinies: either save the city or your son.
950
Now you have all that I had to say. Daughter, lead me home. The man who practices the prophet’s art
is a fool; for if he happens to give an adverse answer, he makes himself disliked by those for whom he takes the omens; while if he pities and deceives those who are consulting him, he wrongs the gods. Phoebus should have been man’s only prophet, for he fears no one. Exit Teiresias.
955
Chorus Leader
Creon, why are you so silent, without a word? I too am no less amazed.
960
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;
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.
965
