Euripides' Medea Int. and Trans. by Marianne McDonald Copyright ...

Useless giving birth to those you love!
In vain that you left the cruel straits
Of the blue clashing cliffs, the Symplegades.
What anger drives you mad. wretched woman,
That vicious murder follows on murder?
The curse of killing your kin is a heavy one.
The gods send woe upon woe
To the houses of those who slay their own;
Songs of sorrow harmonize with their crimes. 1270
CHILDREN, from within
Help!
CHORUS
Do you hear the children’s cry?
O poor woman, you are cursed.
CHILD 1
Help! What can I do? Where can I run to escape mother?
I don’t know, brother; we’re lost.
CHILD 2
CHORUS
Should I go inside? I’ve got to do something to prevent this murder.
Yes! Help us! We need you now!
She’s coming at us with a knife!
[agonizing screams]
CHILD 1
CHILD 2
CHORUS
Woman, you must be made of rock or iron,
If you can kill those you bore from your own womb.
I know only one woman before you
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