CRE.  But what can one say?—­It is clear however what my answer will be.  For never will I go to this degree of calamity, to expose my son a victim for the state.  For all men live with an affection toward their children, nor would any give up his own child to die.  Let no one praise me for the deed, and slay my children.  But I myself, for I am arrived at a mature period of life, am ready to die to liberate my country.  But haste, my son, before the whole city hears it, disregarding the intemperate oracles of prophets, fly as quickly as possible, having quitted this land.  For he will tell these things to the authorities and chiefs, going to the seven gates, and to the officers:  and if indeed we get before him, there is safety for thee, but if thou art too late, we are undone, thou diest.

MEN.  Whither then fly?  To what city? what friends?

CRE.  Wheresoever thou wilt be farthest removed from this country.

MEN.  Therefore it is fitting for thee to speak, and for me to do.

CRE.  Having passed through Delphi—­

MEN.  Whither is it right for me to go, my father?

CRE.  To the land of AEtolia.

MEN.  And from this whither shall I proceed?

CRE.  To Thesprotia’s soil.

MEN.  To the sacred seat of Dodona?

CRE.  Thou understandest.

MEN.  What then will there be to protect me?

CRE.  The conducting deity.

MEN.  But what means of procuring money?

CRE.  I will supply gold.

MEN.  Thou sayest well, my father.  Go then, for having proceeded to salute[34] thy sister, whose breast I first sucked, Jocasta I mean, deprived of my mother, and reft from her, an orphan, I will depart and save my life.  But haste, go, let not thy purpose be hindered.

MENOECEUS, CHORUS.

MEN.  Ye females, how well removed I my father’s fears, having deceived him with words, in order to gain my wishes; who sends me out of the way, depriving the city of its good fortune, and gives me up to cowardice.  And these things are pardonable indeed in an old man, but in my case it deserves no pardon to become the deserter of that country which gave me birth.  That ye may know then, I will go, and preserve the city, and will give up my life for this land.  For it is a disgraceful thing, that those indeed who are free from the oracle, and are not concerned with any compulsion of the Gods, standing at their shields in battle, shall not be slow to die fighting before the towers for their country; and I, having betrayed my father, and my brother, and my own city, shall depart coward-like from out of the land; but wherever I live, I shall appear vile.  No:  by that Jove that dwelleth amidst the constellations, and sanguinary Mars, who set up those sown men, who erst sprung from the earth, to be kings of this country.  But I will depart, and standing on the summit of the battlements, stabbing myself over the dark deep lair of the dragon,