Trachiniae
Sophocles
Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 5: The Trachiniae. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1892.
- then get yourself some other father, and be called my son no longer!
- Ah, me! What deeds you call on me to do, Father—that I should become your murderer, polluted with your blood!
- Not so, in truth, but healer of my sufferings, sole physician of my pain!
- And how, by inflaming your body, shall I heal it?
- If your fear keeps you from this one task, at least perform the rest.
- The service of carrying you will not be refused.
- And the heaping of the pyre which I have ordered?
- Yes, except that I will not touch fire to it with my own hands.
- All else will I do, and you will have no hindrance on my part.
- Well, that much will be enough—yet add one small favor to your large benefits.
- Even if it is tremendously large, it will be done.
- Do you know, then, the maiden, daughter of Eurytus?
- You mean Iole, I would guess.
- You know her. Just this is the command that I impose upon you, my son: when I am dead, if you wish to show your piety by remembrance of your oath to your father, make this woman your wife and do not disobey your father.
- Let no other but you take her who has lain close at my side. You, my son, make that marriage-bond your own. Obey; for although you were obedient in great affairs, your disobedience in small ones cancels the gratitude already won.
- Ah, me, it is wrong to be angry with a sick man, but who could bear to see him have thoughts like these?
- Your words show no willingness to do as I say.
- Who on earth would, when she alone is to blame for my mother’s death, and for your present condition besides?
- Who would choose to do so, unless he were infected by avenging fiends? It would be better, Father, that I also die, rather than live united with those whom I most detest!
- The man will render no due respect, it seems, to my dying prayer. No, be sure that the curse of the gods