Euripides, Phoenician Women 896–961: Fourth episode: Teiresias demands the sacrifice of Menoeceus

Creon Stay here, old man.

Teiresias Do not catch hold of me.

Creon Wait; why do you try to escape?

Teiresias It is your fortune that tries to escape you, not I.

Creon Tell me what can save Thebes and her citizens.

Teiresias Though you want this now, you will not want it soon.

Creon Not wish to save my country? how can that be?

Teiresias Do you really wish to hear it, eagerly?

Creon Yes; for where should I show greater zeal?

Teiresias Then you will presently hear my prophetic words. But first I would know for certain where Menoeceus is, who led me here.

Creon Here, not far away, but at your side.

Teiresias Let him go far from my prophecies.

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.

Teiresias Then hear the intent of my oracle; 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?

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.

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.

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, 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 sent up to us a crop of Sown-men with golden helmets; for one of those born from the dragon’s teeth must die. 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, 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. 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.

Creon, why are you so silent, without a word? I too am no less amazed.