Cre. This was the name it received, that day she came to do battle for the gods.
Old Ser. How, daughter, can this harm thy enemies?
Cre. Hast heard of Erichthonius, or no? of course thou hast.
Old Ser. Him whom Earth produced, the founder of thy race?
Cre. To him whilst yet a babe did Pallas give
Old Ser. Ha! what? thou hast something yet to add.
Cre. Two drops of Gorgon's blood.
Old Ser. What power could they exert[1] on the nature of a human creature?
Cre. The one with death is fraught, the other cures disease.
Old Ser. What held them when she tied them to the child's body?
Cre. With links of gold she fastened them; this to my sire did Erichthonius give.
Old Ser. And at his death it came to thee?
Cre. Yea, and here at my wrist I wear it.
Old Ser. How works the spell of this double gift of Pallas?
Cre. Each drop of gore which trickled from the hollow vein
Old Ser. What purpose does it serve? what virtue does it carry?
Cre. Wards off disease, and nourishes man's life.
Old Ser. What doth that second drop effect, of which thou madest mention?
Cre. It kills, for it is venom from the Gorgon's snakes.
Old Ser. Dost thou carry this charm mixed in one phial, or separate?
Cre. Separate; for good is no companion for evil.
- ↑ Nauck ἔχοντας.
