Ion (1011-1065)

Each drop of gore which trickled from the hollow vein—

What purpose does it serve? what virtue does it carry?

Wards off disease, and nourishes man’s life.

What doth that second drop effect, of which thou madest mention?

It kills, for it is venom from the Gorgon’s snakes.

Dost thou carry this charm mixed in one phial, or separate?

Separate; for good is no companion for evil.

Daughter dear, thou art fully armed with all thou needest.

By this must the boy die, and thou must do the deadly deed.

How and where? thine it is to speak, and mine to dare and do.

In Athens, when to my house he comes.

That is not wisely said; I may object to thy plan as thou to mine.

How so? Hast thou the same mistrust that I experience?

Thou wilt get the credit of his death, although thou slay him not.

True; men say stepdames are jealous of their husband’s children.

Kill him here then, that so thou mayst deny the murder.

Well, thus I do anticipate the pleasure.

Yea, and thou wilt from thy husband keep the very secret he would keep from thee.

Dost know then what to do? Take from my arm

this golden bracelet, Athena’s gift, some ancient craftsman’s work, and seek the spot where my lord is offering secret sacrifice; then when their feasting is o’er and they are about to pour drink-offering to the gods, take this phial in thy robe and pour it into the young man’s goblet;

not for all, but for him alone, providing a separate draught, who thinks to lord it o’er my house. And if once it pass his lips, never shall he come to glorious Athens, but here abide, of life bereft.

Go thou within the house of our public hosts;

I the while will set about my appointed task. On! aged foot, grow young again in action, for all that time saith no to thee. Go, aid thy mistress against her enemy, help slay and drag him from her house.

’Tis well to honour piety in the hour of fortune, but when thou wouldst harm thy foe, no law doth block thy path.