Old Servant
Oh, your heart is hard—but the god’s is harder still!
Creusa
If only you had seen him—my baby—stretching out his hands to me!
Old Servant
Reaching for your breast, longing for your arms?
Creusa
And I denied him that. I wronged him more than anyone.
Old Servant
How could you even think of casting him out?
Creusa
I thought the god would save his own child.
Old Servant
Truly, the fortunes of your family are darkened by storms.
Creusa
Why do you cover your head and weep?
Old Servant
Because I see your father’s sorrow—and yours.
Creusa
That is what it is to be a mortal. Nothing stays the same.
Old Servant
Then let’s stop drowning in grief.
Creusa
What can I do? Misfortune leaves me powerless.
Old Servant
Strike back—against the god who wronged you first.
Creusa
How? I’m mortal. He’s a god. I can’t outrun his power.
Old Servant
Burn Apollo’s temple to the ground!
Creusa
No. I’ve suffered enough. I won’t add more.
Old Servant
Then do what you can—kill your husband.
Creusa
No. I still honor the love we shared when he was true.
Old Servant
Then kill the boy—the one who’s stealing your place.
Creusa
If only I could! Gods, how I wish I could!
Old Servant
Arm your women with daggers.
Creusa
I’ll do it—but where? Where can it happen?
Old Servant
In the sacred tent, while he feasts with his friends.
Creusa
Too public. And slaves make poor soldiers.
Old Servant
You’re losing your nerve. Think of something better.
Creusa
I have a plan. One that cannot fail.
Old Servant
If it works, I’ll help you. Tell me.
Creusa
Do you know the battle of the earth-born giants?
Old Servant
Of course—the war at Phlegra, giants against gods.
Creusa
Earth gave birth to the Gorgon then—a monstrous thing.
Old Servant
To help her sons and trouble the gods?
Creusa
Yes. And Athena killed it.
Old Servant
What did it look like?
Creusa
Its body was armored in snakes.
Old Servant
I’ve heard that tale before.
Creusa
Athena wears its skin now—on her breastplate.
Old Servant
The aegis?
Creusa
Yes. That’s what they call it.
Old Servant
And how does this help us?
Creusa
Do you know Erichthonius?
Old Servant
The child Earth bore—the founder of your line?
Creusa
Athena gave him a gift when he was still a baby—
Old Servant
What gift? Speak!
Creusa
Two drops of Gorgon’s blood.
Old Servant
What power could blood hold?
Creusa
One kills. One heals.
Old Servant
How did she give them?
Creusa
She tied them to his body with golden links.
And when he died, he gave them to my father.
Old Servant
And now they’re yours?
Creusa
Yes. I wear them on my wrist.
Old Servant
How do they work?
Creusa
One drop cures disease. The other brings death.
Old Servant
And you have them separate?
Creusa
Separate. Good doesn’t mix with evil.
Old Servant
Then you’re armed and ready.
Creusa
The boy must die. And you will do it.
Old Servant
How? Where? Tell me, and I’ll act.
Creusa
In Athens—when he comes to my house.
Old Servant
No. That’s foolish. You’ll take the blame.
Creusa
True. People always suspect stepmothers.
Old Servant
Kill him here—so you can deny it.
Creusa
Yes. That will be sweeter.
Old Servant
And you’ll keep the secret your husband tried to keep from you.
Creusa
Then listen. Take this bracelet—Athena’s gift.
Inside is the deadly drop.
Go to the tent where my husband feasts.
When they pour the wine for the gods,
slip this poison into the boy’s cup—his alone.
If he drinks, he’ll never see Athens.
He’ll die here.
Old Servant
Go inside. I’ll do my part.
Come on, old feet—move like youth again!
Help your mistress. Kill her enemy.
Drag him down before he drags her down.
It’s noble to honor the gods in good times—
but when you strike at your foe,
no law stands in your way.
(He exits quickly, clutching the bracelet.)
Chorus
Daughter of Demeter, queen of the dark ways,
guide the hand that pours the cup of death.
Let the Gorgon’s blood do its work—
against the one who dares invade
the house of Erechtheus.
Never let a stranger rule our city!
(The Chorus sways, chanting low as the stage darkens.)
