I have come at your bidding. For even though you hate me

I could not fail you, but I will hear

what new thing you want from me, woman.

Jason, I ask you to forgive me for the things

I said before. And it is reasonable for you to put up with 870

my temper, since many acts of love have passed between us.

I have gone through the arguments with myself

and I reproached myself, "Stubborn woman, why do I rage

and show hatred to those who wish me well,

and make myself an enemy to the rulers of this country 875

and to my husband who is doing the most advantageous things for us

in marrying royalty and fathering brothers

for my children? Shall I not give up

my anger— what is wrong with me? The gods are provident.

Don’t I have children, don’t I know that 880

I am a refugee in need of friends?

In contemplating these things I realized I was suffering

under a delusion and that my rage was in vain.

I accept it now. You seem to me to be acting prudently

in bringing us this marriage alliance, and I was foolish. 885

I should have taken part in the arrangements

and joined you in the ceremony and stood by the bed

and taken delight in your bride as a kinswoman.

But we are what we are, we women:

I will not say evil. But you should not, then, share our ills; 890

not repay silliness in kind.

I give up and admit that I was wrong

then, but I have come to a better way of thinking.

Children, children, come out of the house.

Greet your father and speak to him 895

with me and give up our earlier hostility

to become friends again along with your mother.

We have made a truce and our anger is over.

Take his right hand. Ah me, for our troubles:

secret sorrows flood into my mind. 900

My children, will you live for a long time

to stretch out your dear arms in this way?

Aah! I am near tears and full of fear.

In time I have cast off the strife with your father,

and filled my tender sight with tears. 905

And for me too, tears well up in my eyes.

I pray there will be no greater ill than the present ones.

These things I approve of, woman, and I do not blame the past.

It is natural for the female of the species to give way to passions

when a husband smuggles in another marriage, 910

but your heart has changed for the better

and you have recognized the winning argument,

in your own good time. This is the action of a wise woman.

And, children, not without sound planning your father has

arranged great security for you, with gods’ help. 915

For I think that you one day along with your brothers

will be in the top rank of Corinthian society.

When you grow up. The rest your father is taking care of

and whoever of the gods is propitious.

May I see you well-grown reaching your early 920

manhood, superior to my enemies.

But you there, why do you wet your eyes with

bright tears, turning away your pale neck,

and do not gladly accept my words?

It’s nothing. I was thinking about my children. 925

Cheer up now. I will do right by them.

I will do that. I do not disbelieve your words.

But a woman is female and naturally given to tears.

Why then are you grieving over your children?

I gave birth to them. And when you prayed that they would live 930

pity came over me wondering if this would happen.

But some of the reasons I had for inviting you into this exchange

have been said, and now I will tell you the rest.

Since the royal family has determined to send me into exile—

and I agree that this is best, I understand it very well, 935

for me not to stay here an encumbrance to you

and the rulers of the country, for I appear an enemy to the house—

I will then lift anchor in exile from this land,

but the children— they should be raised at your hand.

Ask Creon not to exile them from this country. 940

I’m not sure I can convince him, but still I must give it a try.

Then tell your new wife to ask her father

not to exile the children from this country.

Yes, of course, and I think I will convince her.

If she is a woman like the rest. 945

I too will lend a hand in this effort.

I will send her gifts which are the most lovely

in all the world, I am sure of it, by far the most lovely:

a fine dress and a tiara of beaten gold

and my children carrying them. But quickly, 950

one of my servants bring here the ornaments.

She will be happy in not one but countless ways:

in you she has a most excellent husband

and she will also possess the ornament which Helios, the Sun,

father of my father, gave to his descendants. 955

Take these dowry gifts, children, into your hands

and give them to the happy royal bride.

She will receive gifts without fault.

But why, you foolish woman, do you deprive yourself of these?

Do the think the king’s house is lacking in dresses 960

or in gold? Keep them. Don’t give them away.

If my wife has any respect for me at all

she prefers me to gold, I am certain.

Oh no you don’t. The saying is "gifts persuade the gods."

And gold is stronger that ten thousand words among men. 965

Hers is the divine fortune, now the god will increase that.

In her youth she has power. But to save my children from exile

I would give my life, not gold alone.

But, children, go into the wealthy house

to your father’s new wife, my mistress, 970

supplicate her, beg her not to send you into exile,

handing her the ornaments—this is very important—

that she take these gifts into her own hands.

Go, quickly. And may you succeed and be bearers of good news

to your mother of what she wants to hear. 975