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Medea · Medea

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Section one of Medea by Eurypelis. The scene represent the front of Medea's house
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in Corinth. A road to the right leads towards the royal castle, one
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on the left to the harbor. The nurse is discovered alone. Would God
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no argo Ere had winged the seas to Colchis through the blues plegidies, No
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shaft of riven pine and Pellian's glen shaped that first all blade in the hands
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of men valiant, who one to save King Pelias, vow the fleece all
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golden. Never then I trow mine own princess o spirit wounded sore with love
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of Jason to the incastled shore, had sailed of Oldiolcus, never wrought the
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daughters of King Pelias, knowing not to spill their father's life, nor fled
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in fear, hunted for that fierce sin to Corinth. Here with Jason and
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her babes, this folct needs tood friend to her, and she in word
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and deed served always Jason. Surely this doth bind through all ill days the
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hurts of humankind, when man and woman in one music move. But now
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the world is angry and true love sick as with poison. Jason doth forsake
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my mistress and his own two sons to make his couch in a king's chamber.
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He must wed wed with this creon's child, who now is head and
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chief of Corranths. Whereforeesaw betrayed. Medeia calleth up the oath they made they
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too, and wakes the clasped hands again. The truths are passing speech,
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and cries a mane on God in heaven to mark the end, and how
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Jason hath paid his debt. All fasting now and cold, her body yielded
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up to pain. Her day is a waste of weeping she has lain since
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first she knew that he was false. Her eyes are lifted not, and
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all her visage lies in the dust. If friends will speak, she hears
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no more than some dead rock or wave that beats the shore. Only the
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white throat, and a sudden shame may rise, and all alone she moans
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the name of father and land and home forsook that day for this man's sake,
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who casteth her away, not to be quite shut out from home.
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Alas she knoweth now, how rare a thing that was, methinks she has
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a dread not joy to see her children near. Tis this that maketh me
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most tremble lest she do. I know not what her heart is, no
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light thing, and usest not to brook much wrong. I know that woman,
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aye, and dread her. Will she creep alone to die bleeding?
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In that old room west ill is laid Lord Jason's bed. She hath for
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that a blade made keen or slay the bridegroom and the king, and wi
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herself. God knows what dire a thing tis a fell spirit? Few I
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ween shall stir her hate unscathed or lightly humple her a tis the children from
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their games again rested and gay, and all their mother's pain forgotten, young
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lives ever turned from gloom. The children and their attendant come in thou,
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ancient treasure of my lady's room. What makest thou here before the gates alone
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and always turning on thy lips? Some moan of all mischances? Will our
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mistress be content this long time to be left by thee gray guard of Jason's
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children. A good thrall hath his own grief, if any hurt before his
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master's Aye, it holds one's heart. Meseems I have strayed out so deep
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and evil dreams. I long to rest me here alone, and cry Midaia's
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wrongs to this still earth and sky. How are the tears yet running in
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her eyes? Tware good to be like thee. Her sorrow lies scarce wakened,
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yet not half its perils wrought mad spirit. If a man may speak
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his thought of masters mad, and nothing in her ears has sounded yet of
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her last cause for tears. He moves towards the house, but the nurse
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checks him. What cause, old man, nay grudge me? Not one
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word? Tis nothing? Best forget what thou hast heard, nay, house,
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may by thy bed hold it not hid from me? I will keep
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silence. If thou bid I heard an old man talking? Were he at
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drafts in the sun beside the fountain gate, and never thought of me there
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standing still beside him? And he said, twas Creon's will, being lord
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of all this land, that she be sent and with her her two sons
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to banishment? Maybe tis all false? For myself, I know no further,
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and I would it were not so. Jason will never bear it.
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His own son's spanished, however hot his anger runs against their mother old love
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burneth low when new love wakes. Men say, he is not now husband,
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nor father here, nor any kin. But this is ruined, new
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waves breaking into wreck us. Ere we are righted from the old. Well,
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Hold thy peace, our mistress will be told all in good time.
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Speak thou no word hereof my babes? What think you of your father?
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Love? God? Curse him not? He is my master still? But
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oh to them that loved him,'tis an ill friend? And what man
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on earth is different? How hast thou lived all these years and learned?
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But now that every man more loveth his own head than other men's. He
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dreameth of the bed of this new bride, and thinks not of his son's.
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Go run into the house. My little ones all will end happily.
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Keep them apart, Let not their mother meet them while her heart is darkened.
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Yester night, I saw a flame stand in her eye, as though
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she hated them. And would I know not what? For sure? Her
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wrath will never turn nor slumber till she hath go. And if some must
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suffer, may it be not we who love her, but some enemy within?
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Oh shame and pain, Ho woe is me? Would I could die
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in my misery. The children and the attendant go in Ah, children hark,
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She moves again, her frozen heart, her sleeping wrath, in quick
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and never cross her path, nor rouse that dark eye in its pain,
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that fell sea spirit, and the dire spring of a will untaught, unbowed
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quick. Now methinks this weeping cloud has in its heart some thunder fire,
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slow gatherings that must flashy along. I know not how for ill or well
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it turns, this uncontrollable, tempestuous spirit, blind with wrong within? Have
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I not suffered? Doth it call? No tears? Huh? Ye beside
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the wall, unfathered children, God hate you as I am hated, and
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him too, that gat you and this house and all for pity? What
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have they to do? Abes with their father's sin? Why call thy curse
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on these children? All these days? My bosom bleeds for you, rude.
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Are the wills of princes yea prevailing, always seldom crossed on fitful winds,
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their moods are tossed. Tis best men tread the equal way. I
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not with glory, but with peace. May the long summers find me crowned
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for gentleness. Her very sound is magic, and her usages all wholesome.
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But the fiercely great has little music on his road, and falls when the
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hand of God shall move, most deep and desolate. During the last words,
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the leader of the chorus has entered. Other women follow her. I
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heard a voice and a moan, a voice of the eastern seas. Hath
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she found not yet her ease? Speak, Oh, aged one? For
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I stood afar at the gate, and there came from within a cry and
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wailing desolate. Ah, no more joy have I, for the griefs this
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house doth see, and the love it hath wrought in me. There is
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no house tis gone. The lord seeketh a proud of bed, and she
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wastes in her chamber, And not one word will hear of care or charity
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within. Oh Zeus, oh Earth, O light. Will the fire not
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stab my brain? What propheteth living? Oh? Shall I not lift the
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slow yoke and let the life go? Has a beast out in the night
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to lie and be rid of pain? Oh Zeus, oh Earth, O
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light. The cry abroad long heard, ye waist delight? Why weariest thou
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this day? Wild heart? For the bed abhorred, the cold bed in
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the clay, death cometh though no man pray ungarlanded, unadored, Call him
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not thou, if another's arms be thou, where thine have been on his
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head, be the sin rend, not thy brow, all that thou sufferest.
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God seeth O not so sore waste, nor weep for the breast that
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was thine of your or then, virgin of righteousness, virgin of hallowed troth
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ye mark'd me when with an oath I bound him, Mark no less that
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oath's end. Give me to see him and his bride, who sought my
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grief when I wronged her, not broken in misery, and all her house,
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Oh God, my mother's home, had the dim sure that I left
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for him, and the voice of my brother's blood. Oh wild words,
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did ye hear cry to them that god Man's face for sworn zmeis and zeus
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this rothnew born shall make mad workings? Ere it die? Would she but
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come to seek our faces that love her well, and take to her heart
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the spell of words that speak alas for the heavy hate and anger that burneth?
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Ever? Would it but now abate Ah, God, I love her
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yet, and surely my love's endeavor shall fail. Not hear go from that
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chamber, drear forth to the day, lead her and say, oh,
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say that we love her. Dear, go lest her hand be hard on
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the inner scent. Ah, let be for her grief moves hither word like
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an angry sea. That will I though what words of mine or love shall
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move her? Let them lie with the old lost labors. Yet her eye
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know ye the eyes of the wild kind, the lion flash that gods their
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brute. So look she now, if any thrall speak comfort, or draw
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near it, all my mistress. In her evil mood, the nurse goes
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into the house alas the bold, blithe bards of old, that all for
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joy, their music, made for feasts and dancing manifold, that life might
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listen and be glad. But all the darkness and the wrong quick deaths,
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and dim, heart aching things would no man ease them with a song or
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music of a thing strings. Then song has served us in our need?
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What profit o'er the banquet's swell, that lingering cry that none may heed?
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The feast hath filled them all is well? I heard a song, but
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it comes no more. Where the tears ran over A keen cry, but
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tired, tired, a woman's cry for her heart's desired for a traitor's kiss
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and a lost lover. But a prayer, methinks, yet riseth sore to
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God, to faith, God's ancient daughter, the faith that oversundering sees drew
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her to hellas and the breeze of midnight shivered, and the door closed of
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the salt unsounded water. During the last words, madare has come out from
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the house women of Corinth. I am come to show my face. Lest
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ye despise me, For I know some head stand high and fail not even
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at night alone, far less like this in all men's sight. And we
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who study not our wayfarings but feel and cry. Oh, we are drifting
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things and evil. For what truth is in men's eyes which search no heart,
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but in a flash despise a strange face shuddering back from one that ne'er
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hath wronged them. Sure far comers anywhere I know, must bow them and
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be gentle. Nay a Greek himself. Men praise not, who always should
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seek his own will, wrecking not, but I this thing, undreamed of,
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sudden from on high hath sapped my soul. I dazzle where I stand.
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The cup of life shattered in my hand longing to die. O,
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friends, he even he whom to know well, was all the world to
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me. The man I loved hath proved most evil. Oh, of all
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things upon earth that bleed and grow a herb most bruised is woman. We
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must pay our store of gold hoarded for that one day to buy us some
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man's love. And lo they bring a master of our flesh. There comes
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the sting of the whole shame, and then the jeopardy for good or ill?
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What shall that master be reject she cannot, And if he but stays
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his suit, tis shame on all that woman's day. So throne amid new
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laws, new places. Why tis magic she must have? Or prophecy?
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Home never taught her that how best to guide toward peace? This thing that
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sleepeth at her side. And she, who laboring long, shall find some
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way whereby her lord may bear with her, nor fray his yoke. Too
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fiercely blest is the breath that woman draws. Else, let her pray for
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death. Her Lord, if he be wearied of the face within doors,
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gets him forth some merrier place will ease his heart. But she waits on
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her whole vision, and chained on a single soul. And then forsooth tis
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they that face the call of war, while we sit sheltered, hid from
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all peril, false mocking. Sooner would I stand three times to face their
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battles shield in hand, than bear one child. But peace there cannot be
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ever the same tale told of THEE and me. Thou hast this city and
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thy father's home, and joy of friends and hope in days to come.
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But I, being citiless, am cast aside by him that wedded me a
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savage bride, one in far seas, and left no mother near, no
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brother, not one kinsman anywhere for harbor in this storm. Therefore of THEE
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I ask one thing, If chance yet ok to me some path, if
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even now my hand can win strength to requite this Jason for his sin,
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betray me not, oh, in all things, but this I know,
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how full of fears a woman is, and faint at need and shrinking from
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the light of battle. But once spoil her of her right in man's love
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and their moves, I warn THEE well, no bloodier spirit between heaven and
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Hell. I will betray THEE. Not it is, but just thou smite
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him, and that weeping in the dust and stormy tears, How should I
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blame them? Stay tis Creon, Lord of Corinth, makes his way hither
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and bears methinks some word of weight. Enter from the right Creon the king
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with armed attendants. Thou woman, salin eyed and hot with hate against thy
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Lord Medea. I hear command that thou and thy two children from this land
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go forth to banishment. Make no delay, seeing ourselves the king are come
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this deed. See our charge fulfill'd. Nor shall again look home? Or
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dare we have led thy children twain and thee beyond thy realm's last boundary,
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lost, lost mine, haters at the helm, with sail flung free pursuing,
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and for us no beach nor shore in the endless waters. Yet,
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though stricken sore, I still will ask THEE for what crime? What thing
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unlawful? Wilt thou cast me out? O King? What crime? I
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fear THEE woman, little need to cloak my reasons. Rest Thou wort some
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deed of darkness on my child? And in that fear reasons enough have part.
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Thou comest here a wise woman, confessed and full of law in unknown
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ways of evil. Thou art sore in heart, being parted from thy lover's
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arms, and more thou hast made menace so the alarms, but now have
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reached mine. Ear on bride and groom, and him who gave the bride
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to work thy doom of vengeance, which are yet it be too late I
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sweep aside, I choose to earn thine hate of set will now not poder
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with the mood of mercy. And hereafter weep in blood. Tis not the
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first nor second time, O King, that fame hath hurt me, and
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come nigh to bring my ruin. How can any man whose eyes are wholesome
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seek to rear his children wise beyond men's won't much helplessness in arts of common
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life, and in their Townsmen's hearts envy deep set so much their learning brings
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come unto fools with knowledge of new things. They deem it vanity, not
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knowledge. I and men that erst for wisdom were held high, feel thee
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a thorn to fret them privily held higher than they. So hath it been
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with me a wise woman I am, And for that sin to divers ill
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names, men would pen me in a seed of strife, an Eastern dreamer,
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one of brand, not theirs one hard to play upon. Ha I
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am not so wondrous wise, and now to THEE I am terrible. What
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fear'st thou? What dire need do I tread so proud a path? A
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fear me, not thou that I should brave the wrath of princes? Thou?
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What hast thou ever done to wrong me? Granted thine own child to
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one whom thy soul chose ah him out of my heart I hate, but
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thou meseemes hast done thy part, not ill, And for thine houses happiness,
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I hold no grudge. Go marry, and God bless your issues.
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Only suffer me to rest somewhere within this land. Though sore oppressed, I
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will be still, knowing mine own defeat. Thy words be gentle, But
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I fear me yet, lest even now they creep some wickedness deep hid within
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THEE. And for that the less I trust THEE now than ere these words
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begin. A woman quick of wrath aye, or a man is easier watching
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than the cold, and still up straight, And find thy road mock not
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my will with words. This doom is past beyond recall, Nor all thy
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crafts shall help THEE. Being withal my manifest foe to linger at my side,
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suddenly throwing herself down and clinging to creon. Oh by thy knees by
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that new wedded bride is waste of words. Thou shalt not weaken me,
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wilt hunt me, spurn me. When I kneel to THEE is mine own
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house. That kneels to me, Not thou home my lost home. How
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I desire THEE now and I mine and my child Beyond all things, Oh
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loves of man, What curse is on your wings? Blessing or curse?
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Tis as their chances flow? Remember zeus the cause of all this woe?
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Oh rid me my pains up, get THEE gone? What would I with
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thy pains? I have mine own ap Oh, for God, my soldiers
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here shall fling? Not that not that I do, But pray, O,
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King, thou wilt not. I must face the harsher task. I
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accept mine exile tis not that I ask? Why then, so wild?
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Why me to mine hand? Rising for one day? Only leave me in
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thy land at peace, to find some counsel. Here the strain of exile
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fall some comfort for these twain mine innocence. Since others take no thought,
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it seems to save the babes that they begot ah, thou wilt pity them.
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Thou also art a father. Thou hast somewhere still a heart that feels
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I reckon. Not of myself tis they that break me, fallen upon so
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dire a day mine is no tyrant's mood. Ay many a time ere this
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my tenderness hath mad the chime of wisest counsels. And I know that now
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I do mere folly. But so be it. Thou shalt have this grace.
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But this I warn THEE clear. If once the morrow's sunlight finds THEE
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here within my borders, thee or child of thine, thou diest of this
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judgment, not a line shall waver nor abate. So linger on, if
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thou needst must till the next risen sun no further in one day. This
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case can be those perils wrought whose dread yet haunteth me. Exit Creon with
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his suit o woman, woman of sorrow. What town shall be thine tomorrow?
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What land of all lands that be? What door of a strange man's
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home? Yea god hath hunted thee Medea forth to the foam of a trackless
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sea. Defeat on every side. What else? But oh not here the
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end is, think it not? I know for bride and groom, one
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battle yet untried and goodly pains for him that gave the tost dream. I
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would have groveled to this man, save that I won mine end and shaped
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my plan for merry deeds. My lips had never deigned speak word with him,
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My flesh be never stained with touching. Oh fool, O, triple
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fool. It lay so plain for him to kill my whole essay by exile
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swift, ha ha, and lo he sets me free this one long day
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wherein mine haters Three shall lie here dead, the father and the bride and
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husband mine not hers. Oh, I have tried so many thoughts of murder
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to my turn. I know not which best likes me. Shall I burn
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their house with fire? Or stealing past unseen to Jason's bed. I have
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a blade made keen for that stab breast to breast that wedded pair. Good,
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but for one thing. When I am taken there and killed, they
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will laugh loud who hate me? Nay? I love the old way best,
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the simple way of poison. Where we two are strong as men,
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ah me, and they being dead, What place shall hold me. Then
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what friend shall rise with land and violet and trusty doors to shelter from their
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hate? This flesh none anywhere a little more I needs must wait, And
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if there ope some door of refuge, some strong tower to shield me good
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in craft and darkness, I will hunt this blood. Else. If mine
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hour be come and no hope nigh, then sword in hand, full,
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willed and sure to die, I yet will live to slay them. I
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will wend man like their road of daring to the end. So help me,
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she who of all gods hath been the best to me of all my
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chosen queen and helpmate Hecatae, who dwells apart the flame aflame in my fire's
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inmost heart. For all their strength, they shall not stab my soul and
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laugh Thereafter dark and full of doll their bridal feast shall be most dark the
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day they joined their hands and hunted me away. Awake thee. Now,
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Medea, whatso plot thou hast o'er cunning, strive and falter not on to
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the peril point now comes the strain of daring? Shall they trample thee again?
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How and with hellas laughing o'er thy fall, while this thief's daughter weds
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and weds withal Jason. A true king was thy father, yea, and
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born of the ancient son. Thou knowest the way, and God hath made
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thee woman things most vain for help but wondrous. In the paths of pain.
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Medea goes into the house, back streams the way on the river life
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life is changed, and the laws of it trod. Man shall be the
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slave, the affrighted, the low liver. Man hath forgotten God. And
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woman, yea, woman shall be terrible in story, the tales too,
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meseemeth shall be other than of your For a fear there is that cometh out
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of woman and a glory, and the hard, hating voices shall encompass her
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no more. The old bards shall cease, and their memory that lingers of
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frail brides and faithless shall be shriveled, as with fire. For they loved
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us not nor knew us, and our lips were dumb. Our fingers could
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not wake the secret of the lyre. Else else, o God, the
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singer I had sung amid their rages, a long tale of man and his
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deeds for good and ill. But the old world knoweth tis the speech of
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all his ages, Man's wrong and ours. He knoweth, and is still
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forth from thy father's home. Thou camest o heart of fire, to the
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dark blue rocks, to the clashing foam, to the seas of thy desire,
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till the dark blue bar was crossed and lo by an alien river,
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standing thy lover, lost, void, armed forever forth yet again, a
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lowest of landless women, a ranger of desolate ways. Thou goest from the
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walls of the stranger, and the great oath waxeth weak and ruth as a
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thing outstriven is fled, fled from the shores of the Greek away on the
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winds of heaven. Dark is the house afar, where an old king called
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thee daughter, all that was once thy star, in stormy water, dark
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and low in the nearer house that was sworn to love thee another queenlier dearer,
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is thrown nets above thee enter from the right Jason, Aught have I
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seen in other days than these? How a dark temper maketh maladies no friend
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can heal. Twas easy to have kept both land and home it needed,
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but to accept unstrivingly the pleasure of our lords. But thou, from mere
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delight in stormy words, wilt lose all. Now thy speech provokes not me
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rail on of all mankind, that Jason be most evil. Nonch'll check THEE.
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But for these dark threats cast out against the majesties of corinth count as
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variest gain thy path of exile. I myself, when princely wrath, was
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hot against THEE, strove with all good will to appease the wrath, and
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wished to keep THEE still beside me. But thy mouth would never stay from
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vanity, blaspheming night and day our masters. Therefore thou shalt fly the land.
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Yet even so I will not hold my hand and from succoring mine own
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people. Here am I to help THEE woman pondering heathly thy new state,
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For I would not have THEE flung provisionless away. I am the young children
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as well, Nor lacking art, that will of mine can bring THEE many
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a lesser ill hangs on the heels of exile. And though thou hate me,
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dream not that my heart can know or fashion aught of angry will to
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THEE evil most evil. Since thou grantest me that comfort, the worst weapon
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left me now to smite a coward, Thou comest to me, thou mine
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enemy. Oh say, how call ye this to face and smile the comrade
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whom his kiss betrayed, Scorn, insult, courage. None of these tis
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but of all man's inward sicknesses. The vilest that he knoweth not of shame
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nor pity. Yet I praise him that he came to me. It shall
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bring comfort once to clear my heart on thee, and thou shalt WinCE to
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hear, I will begin with that TwixT me and THEE that first befell I
34:25
saved thee. I saved thee. Let thine own Greeks be witness. Every
34:32
one that sailed on Argo saved thee sent alone to yoke with yokes the bulls
34:37
of fiery breath. And so that acre of the lords of death, and
34:43
mine own ancient serpent, who did keep the golden fleece, the eyes that
34:47
knew not sleep, and shining coils him. Also did I smite dead for
34:54
thy sake, and lifted up the light that bade THEE live. Myself uncounseled,
35:02
stole forth from father and from home, and fled where dark iolcus under
35:07
pellion lies with thee oh, single hearted, more than wise, I murdered
35:14
Pelias Yea in agony by his own daughter's hands, for sake of THEE.
35:20
I swept their house like war, And hast thou then accept it all o
35:27
evil yet again, and cast me off, and taken THEE for bride another,
35:32
And with children at thy side, one could forgive a childless man,
35:38
But no I have borne THEE children his sworn faith so low and weak a
35:45
thing I understand it. Not are the old gods dead? Are the old
35:52
laws forgot? And new laws made? Since? Not my passioning but thine
35:58
own heart doth cry THEE for a thing for sworn. She catches sight of
36:02
her own hand, which she hath thrown out to denounce him, poor poor
36:07
right hand of mine, whom he did cling to, And these knees so
36:14
cravingly. We are unclean, thou and I. We have caught the stain
36:20
of bad men's flesh, and dreamed our dreams in vain. Thou comest befriend
36:28
me, give me, then, thy counsel, tis not that I dream
36:32
again for good from THEE. But questioned, thou wilt show the vileer,
36:38
Say now, whither shall I go back? To my father him I did
36:45
betray and all his land when we two fled away to those poor peliad mates,
36:52
for them twear good to take me in, who spilled their father's blood.
36:57
Ay, so my whole life stand. There were at home who loved
37:02
me well. To them I am become a curse. And the first friends
37:07
who sheltered me, whom most I should have spared to pleasure thee I have
37:12
turned to foes. Ho therefore hast thou laid my crown upon me, blest
37:17
of many a maiden? Hellas now I have won what all did crave,
37:23
thee, the world wondered lover, and the brave who this day looks and
37:30
seize me banished, thrown away with these two babes, all all alone,
37:42
O merry mocking. When the lamps are red, Where go the bridegroom's babes
37:46
to beg their bread in exile? And the woman who gave all to save
37:52
him? Oh, Great God, shall goldwith all bear thy clear mark to
38:00
sift the base and fine and all man's living visage runs no sign to show
38:05
the lie within air All too late, dire and beyond all healing is the
38:13
hate when hearts that loved are turned to enmity in speech. At least miss
38:17
myth. I must be not evil. But as some old pilot goes furled
38:22
to his sail's last edge when danger blows to fiery, run before the wind
38:28
and swell woman of thy loud storms. And thus I tell my tale,
38:35
since thou wilt build so wondrous high thy deeds of service in my jeopardy to
38:42
all my crew and quest, I know but one savior of God's or mortals,
38:46
one alone, the Cyprian. Oh, thou hast brain and wity underneath.
38:53
Nay, all the tale of it were graceless, telling how sheer love
38:58
a fire of poisoned shafts compelled THEE with desire to save me. But enough
39:05
I will not score that count too close. Twas good help, and therefore
39:09
I give THEE thanks howe'er the help was wrought. Howbeit in my deliverance thou
39:15
hast got far more than given a good Greek land, hath been thy lasting
39:21
home, not barbary. Thou hast seen our ordered life and justice, and
39:25
the long still grasp of law not changing with the strong man's pleasure. Then
39:31
all hellas far and near hath learned thy wisdom, and in every ear thy
39:37
fame is had thy days learned by unseen on that last edge of the world,
39:43
where that had been the story of great Medea. Thou and I?
39:46
What worth to us? Would treasures heap it high in rich king's rooms?
39:51
What worth a voice of gold more sweet than ever rang from orpheus old?
39:55
Unless our deeds have glory? Speak I so touching the quest, I wrot
40:02
thyself, did throw the challenge down next with thy caveling of wrath at mine
40:07
alliance with a king. Here thou should say I both was wise and free
40:13
from touch of passion, and a friend to thee most potent and my children
40:16
nay bee. Still, when first I stood in Corinth, clogged with ill
40:22
for many a desperate mischance, What bliss could I that day have dreamed of?
40:27
Like to this? To wed with the king's daughter I exiled and beggared.
40:32
Not what makes thy passion wild from loathing of thy bed, not overfraught
40:37
with love for this new bride. Not that I sought to upbuild mine house
40:42
with offspring is enough with thou wast born. I make no word thereof,
40:46
but first and greatest, that we all might dwell in a fair house,
40:51
and what not, knowing well that poor men have no friends but far and
40:54
near, shutting in silence. Next, I sought to rear our sons in
41:00
nurture worthy of my race, and raising brethren to them in one place,
41:05
join both my houses, and be all from now prince like and happy.
41:09
What more need hast thou of children? And for me it serves my star
41:14
to link in strength the children that now are with those that sall be have
41:19
I counseled, ill not thine own self would say it couldst thou still one
41:23
hour? Thy jealous flesh tis ever so who looks for more in women?
41:30
When the flow of love runs plain? Why oh the world is fair.
41:34
But once therefore some ill chance anywhere to balk that thirst down In swift hate,
41:39
are trod men's dearest aims at noblest would to God we mortals by some
41:45
other seed could raise our fruits, and no blind women block our ways.
41:50
Then had there been no curse to wreck mankind. Lord Jason, very subtly
41:54
hast thou twine thy speech. But yet though all thy will I speak,
42:01
this is not well Thou dost but ill betraying her who loved Thee and was
42:07
true. Surely I have my thoughts, and not a few have held me
42:14
strange to me, it seemeth when a crafty tongue is given to evil men,
42:21
tis like to wreck, not help them. Their own brain tempts them
42:27
with lies, to dare, and dare again, till no man hath enough
42:32
of subtlety, as thou be, not so seeming fair to me, nor
42:39
deft of speech. One word will make THEE fall? Would thou not false
42:45
twas thine to tell me all and charge me help thy marriage path, as
42:52
I did love Thee, not befool me with a lie, an easy task
42:58
of that being. I am our loving aid, who canst not even now
43:01
still that loud heart that surges like the tide that moved Thee. Not thine
43:07
old barbarian bride, the dog out of the east, who loved THEE sore
43:13
she grew gray haired, she served thy pride. No more now understand,
43:19
for once the girl to me is nothing in this web of sovereignty I hold.
43:22
I do but seek to save even yet THEE. And for brethren,
43:28
to our sons, beget young kings to prosper all our lives. Again,
43:32
God shelter me from prosperous days of pain and wealth that maketh wounds about my
43:37
heart will change that prayer, and she's a wiser part. Pray not to
43:42
hold true sense for pain, nor rate thyself unhappy, being too fortunate.
43:49
I mock me. Thou hast where to lay thine head, But I go
43:53
naked to mine exile, tread thine own path. Thou hast made it all
43:58
to be, how by seducing and forsaking thee, by those vile curses on
44:04
the royal halls, Let loose on thy house also as chance falls, I
44:08
am a living curse. Ah peace enough of these vain wars, I will
44:15
know more thereof if thou wilt take from all that I possess eight for these
44:19
babes and mine own helplessness of exile, speak thy bidding here. I stand
44:23
fore willed to succor THEE with stithless hand, and send my signet to old
44:28
friends that dwell on foreign yours, who will entreat THEE well. Refuse,
44:32
and thou shalt do a deed most vain, But cast thy rage away,
44:37
and thou shalt gain much and lose little for thine anger's sake. I will
44:40
not seek thy friends. I will not take thy givings, give them naught
44:45
fruits of a stem unholy, Bring no blessing after them. Now, God
44:51
in Heaven be thy witness. All My heart is willing in all ways to
44:54
do its part for THEE and for thy babes. But nothing good can please
44:59
THEE in sheer savageness of moved that driver us from me, every friend.
45:05
Wherefore I warrant THEE thy pains shall be the more he goes slowly away.
45:09
Go thou art weary for the new delight. Thou wooest so long, tarrying
45:17
out of sight of her sweet chamber. Go fulfill thy pride, oh bridegroom,
45:27
for it may be such a bride shall wait thee. Yea God hereth
45:32
me in this as thine own heart shall sicken, eer it kiss. End
45:39
of Section one. Alas the love that falls liked, strong winged, and
45:47
transitory, what praise him, be good, good man, or glory.
45:55
Yet love there is that moves in gentleness, heart filling, sweetest of all
46:01
powers that bless loose not on me, o holder of man's heart, thy
46:07
golden quiver, nor steep in poison of desire. The dart that heals not
46:14
ever the pent hate of the word that caveleth, the strife that hath no
46:20
fill where once was fondness, and the mad heart's breath for strange love panting
46:27
still o Cyprian. Cast me not on these, but sift, keen,
46:35
eyed of love. The good and evil gift make innocence my friend, God's
46:43
fairest star yea and abate. Not the rare sweet beat of bosoms without war,
46:52
that love and hate not home of my heart, land of my own.
46:59
Cast me not nay for pity, out of my ways, helpless alone
47:06
where the feet fail in the mire and stone, a woman without a city,
47:13
ah. Not that better the end the green grave cover me. Rather,
47:20
if a break must come in the days I know, and the skies
47:24
be changed, and the earth below, for the weariest road that man may
47:30
wend is forth from the home of his father. Lo we have seen.
47:37
Tis not a song sung, nor learned of another. For whom hast thou
47:42
in thy direst wrong for comfort. Never a city strong to hide thee never
47:49
a brother ah, but the man cursed be he cursed beyond recover, who
47:57
openeth shattering seal by sea, A friend's clean heart then turns his heel death
48:05
unto love. Never in me, friends, shall he know nor a lover.
48:09
While Medea is waiting downcast, seated upon her doorstep. There passes from
48:15
the left. A traveler would follow us. As he catches sight of media,
48:20
he stops. Have joy. Medea tis the homeliest word that old friends
48:25
can greet with, and the best looking up surprised, Oh, joy on
48:30
thee too igeous, gentle king of Athens. But whence comest thou journeying from
48:37
Delphie now? And the old in cabin stare where Earth's heart speaks in song?
48:44
What maetst thou? There? Ah prayed heaven for children the same search
48:50
alway children, Oh God art childless to this day? So God hath willed
48:58
childless and desolate? What word did Phoebus speak to change thy fate? Riddles
49:05
too hard for more man to read, which I may hear assuredly they need
49:10
a raarer wit? How said he not to spill thy swine, nor seek
49:16
for more until until I tread the hearstone of my sires of yore? And
49:24
what should bring thee here by creon shore? One? Piteous knowest thou high
49:30
Lord of Trozen, a Pelop's son, a man most pure of sin him,
49:37
I would ask, touching Apollo's will, much use in God's waighs hath
49:40
he and much skill, And long years back he was my battle friend,
49:45
the truest air man had. Well, May God send good hap to thee
49:51
and grant all thy desire. But thou, thy frame is wasted, and
49:57
the fire dead in thine eyes. My husband is the falsest man in the
50:04
world. What word is this? Say? Clearly? What thus makes thy
50:09
visage dim? He is false to me, who never injured him? What
50:15
hath he done? Show all that I may see? Tain him a wife,
50:20
a wife set over me to rule his house? He hath not dared
50:25
to do Jason a thing so shameful. Ay tis true, And those he
50:32
loved of yore have no place now. Some passion sweep with him? Or
50:37
is it thou? He turns from passion passion to betray his dearest shame be
50:44
his so fallen away from honor, passion to be near a throne, a
50:49
king's heir. How who gives a bride? Say on, Creon, who
50:55
o'er all Corinth standeth? Chief woman? Thou indeed much cause for grief tis
51:02
ruin, and they have cast me out as well. Who tis a new
51:08
wrong? This and terrible creon the king from every land and shore. And
51:15
Jason suff was him. Oh tis too sore. He loveth to bear bravely
51:22
ills like these. But jeus by thy beard, oh by thy knees,
51:29
I pray thee, and I give me for thine own, thy suppliant pity
51:35
me, Oh, pity one so miserable. Thou never wilt stand there and
51:39
see me cast out, friendless to despair. Give me a home in Athens
51:45
by the fire of thine own hearth. Oh, so may thy desire of
51:50
children be fulfilled of God, and thou die happy. Thou canst know not
51:55
even now thy prize is won. Ay, I will make of thee a
52:00
childless man. No more the seed shall be. I swear it sown such
52:06
magic herbs, I know, woman. Indeed, my heart goes forth to
52:10
show this help to thee. First for religion's sake, then for thy promised
52:15
hope to heal my ache of childlessness. Tis this hath made mine whole life
52:22
as a shadow, and starved out my soul. But thus it stands with
52:27
me. Once make thy way to attic earth. Ay, as in law,
52:30
I may will keep THEE and befriend. But in this land, where
52:37
Creon rules, I may not raise my hand to shelter THEE move of thine
52:42
own essay to seek my house there Thou shalt always stay invalid, never to
52:49
be seized again. Become thyself on Corinth, I would fain, even in
52:53
foreign eyes. Be always just. Tis well, give me an oath wherein
52:59
to trust, and all that man could ask thou hast granted me. Dost
53:04
trust me not? Or what thing troubleth THEE? I trust THEE, But
53:09
so many far and near do hate me, all King Pelias house and here
53:15
Creon. Once bound by oaths and sanctities, Thou canst not yield me up
53:21
for such as these to drag from Athens. But a spoken word no more
53:25
to bind THEE, which no god hath heard. The embassies, methinks,
53:30
would come and go. They are all friends to THEE. Ah Me,
53:36
I know thou wilt not list to me. So weak am I? And
53:38
they fulfilled with gold and majesty. Methinks tis a far foresight this thine oath.
53:46
Still, if thou so wilt have it, nothing loath I am to
53:52
serve THEE. Mine on hand is so the stronger if I have this flea
53:57
to show thy persecutors, and for THEE with the bond more sure, and
54:02
what God shall I call swear by the earth, Thou tread'st by the sun,
54:08
sire of my sires, and all the gods as one to do what
54:14
THEE will not do. May complain, never thyself to cast me out again,
54:20
nor let another whatsoe'er his plea take me, while thou yet livest or
54:24
art free. Never so hear me Earth and the great Star of daylight,
54:30
and all other gods that are tis well. And if thou falter from thy
54:37
vow God's judgment on the godless, break my brow. Go go thy ways,
54:45
rejoicing all is bright and clear before me. Go, and ere the
54:51
Knight myself will follow. When the deed is done, I purpose, and
54:55
the end I thirst for one I goes and his train depart. Farewell,
55:01
and Maya's guiding son back lead THEE to thy heart, and fire ages and
55:08
all long desire that wasteth THEE. At last, long as our heart a
55:17
gentle and a righteous heart, God and God's justice, and ye blinding skies
55:27
at last the victory doneth yea mine eyes see, and my foot is on
55:31
the mountain's brow. Mine enemies, all mine enemies. Now atonement cometh here
55:42
at my worst hour a friend is found, a very port of power to
55:46
save my shipwreck. Here will I make fast mine anchor and escape them at
55:52
the last in Athens walllet hill. But ere the end tis meet. I
55:57
show thee all my counsel friends, and take it no tale to make men
56:02
laugh withal straightway to Jason, I will send some thraught to entreat him to
56:08
my presence. Comes he here? Then, with soft reasons will I feed
56:15
his ear? How his will now is my will? How all things are
56:20
well touching this marriage bed of kings, for which I am betrayed, all
56:24
wise and rare and profitable. Yet will I make one prayer that my two
56:31
children be no more exiled? But stay, Oh, not that I would
56:36
leave a child here upon angry shores, till those have laughed who hate me.
56:42
Tis that I will slay by craft the King's daughter with gifts. They
56:47
shall be sent gift to the bride despair their banishment, fine robings and a
56:53
carcanet of gold, which raiment let her wants, but take and foe her
57:00
a foul death. Shall that girl die, and all who touch her in
57:06
her agony such poison? Shall they drink My robe and wreath, howbeit of
57:14
that no more, I gnash my teeth, thinking on what a path my
57:17
feet must tread. Thereafter I shall lay those children dead mine, whom no
57:25
hand shall steal from me away. Then, leaving Jason childless, and the
57:31
day as night above him, I will go my road to exile, flying,
57:38
flying from the blood of these, my best beloved, and having wrought
57:43
all horror, so but one thing reach me, not the laugh of them
57:47
that hate us. Let it come what profits life to me? I have
57:54
no home, no country now, nor shield from any wrong. That was
58:00
my evil hour when down the long halls of my father out I stole my
58:05
will, chained by a Greek man's voice. Who still, Oh still,
58:10
if God yet live, shall all requited be for? Never child of mine
58:19
shall Jason see hereafter living, never child beget from his new bride, who
58:24
this day desolate, even as ye made me desolate, shall die shrieking abid
58:30
my poisons. Names have I among your folk? One light, one week
58:37
of hand? An Eastern dreamer nay, but with the brand of strange sons,
58:45
burnt my hate by God above a perilous thing, and passing sweet my
58:51
love for these it is that make life glorious. Since thou hast bared thy
58:58
fell intent to us, I loving thee and helping in their need Man's laws,
59:05
ajure thee dream not of this deed. There is no other way.
59:10
I pardon thee, thy littleness, who art not wronged like me? Thou
59:15
canst not kill the fruit thy body bore. Yes, if the man I
59:21
hate be pained the more, and thou made miserable, most miserable, how
59:27
let it come, all words of good or ill are wasted. Now she
59:32
claps her hands. The nurse comes out from the house. Ho woman,
59:38
get thee gone, and lead Lord Jason hither. There is none like THEE
59:43
to work me these high services. But speak no word of what my purpose
59:46
is? Hast thou art faithful, thou and bold to try all succors and
59:52
a woman even as I the nurse departs. The sons of Erectheus, the
59:57
old un whom High God planted of yore in an old land of heaven,
1:00:02
upholden, a proud land untrodden of war, they are hungered and lo their
1:00:09
desire with wisdom is fed as with meat. In their skies is a shining
1:00:15
of fire, a joy in the fall of their feet, And thither with
1:00:22
manifold dowers from the north, from the hills, from the morn. The
1:00:28
muses did gather their powers that a child of the nine should be borne,
1:00:34
and harmony sown, as the flowers grew gold in the acres of corn,
1:00:39
and Sephesus, the fair flowing river. The Cyprian dipping her hand hath drawn
1:00:46
of his dew, and the shiver of her touch is as joy in the
1:00:52
land. For her breathing in fragrance is written, and in music her path
1:00:58
as she goes, and the cloud of her hair it is litten with stars
1:01:04
of the wind woven rose. So fareth she ever and ever and forth of
1:01:10
her bosom is blown as dews on the winds of the river, and hunger
1:01:16
of passions unknown, strong loves of all godlike endeavor, whom wisdom shall throne
1:01:24
on her throne. But Cephysus, the fair flowing will he bear thee on
1:01:30
his shore? Shall the land that succ hers all suck her? Thee who
1:01:37
art foul among thy kind, with the tears of children blind. Dost thou
1:01:45
see the red gash growing thine own burden. Dost thou see every side every
1:01:52
way. Lo we kneel to THEE and pray by thy knees, by thy
1:02:00
soul, O woman, wild one, at least thou canst not slay not
1:02:06
thy child. Hast thou ies that thou shalt bind it to thy breast and
1:02:12
make THEE dead to thy children, to thine own spirit's pain, when the
1:02:16
hand knows what it dares, when thine eyes look into theirs, shalt thou
1:02:22
keep thy tears unblinded, thy dividing of the slain. These be deeds not
1:02:29
for THEE. These be things that cannot be thy babes. Though thine hardihood
1:02:36
be fell when they cling about thy knee, twill be well. And to
1:02:40
Jason, I answer to thy call. Though full of hate thou be,
1:02:45
I yet will not so far abeat my kindness for THEE, nor refuse mine
1:02:49
ear say in what new desire thou hast called me here? Jason, I
1:02:54
pray THEE for my words, but now spoken forgive me my bad moods.
1:03:04
O thou, at least wilt strive to bear with them? There be many
1:03:08
old deeds of love TwixT me and THEE. Lo I have reasoned with myself
1:03:15
apart and chidden. Why must I be mad, o heart of mine,
1:03:21
and raging against one whose word is wisdom, making me a thing abhored to
1:03:25
them that rule the land, and to mine own husband, who doth but
1:03:30
that which being done will help us all to wed a queen and get young
1:03:35
kings for brethren, to my sons. And yet I rage alone and cannot
1:03:40
quit my rage? What aileth me when God sends harborage? So simple?
1:03:49
Have I not my children? No I not? We are but exiles,
1:03:52
and must go beggard and friendless. Else. Thought upon thought so pressed me
1:04:00
till I knew myself full fraught with bitterness of heart and blinded eyes. So
1:04:05
now I give THEE thanks, and hold THEE wise to have caught this anchor
1:04:12
for our aid. The fool was I who should have been thy friend,
1:04:16
thy tool, gone wooing with THEE, stood at thy bedside, serving and
1:04:21
welcomed duteously thy bride. But as we are we are, I will not
1:04:29
say, mere, evil women, why must thou to day turn strange and
1:04:34
make thee like some evil thing childish to meet my childish passioning. See I
1:04:43
surrender and confess that then I had bad thoughts, but now have turned again
1:04:48
and found my wiser mind. O, children, run quickly, come hither
1:04:56
out into the sun. The children come from the house, followed by their
1:05:00
attendant, and greet your father. Welcome him with us, and throw quite
1:05:06
quite away, as mother does, your anger against one. So dear,
1:05:11
our peace is made, and all the old bad war shall cease for ever.
1:05:16
Go and take his hand. As the children go to Jason, she
1:05:20
suddenly bursts into tears. The children quickly returned to her. She recovers herself
1:05:27
smiling, and made her tears. Me. I am full of hidden horrors.
1:05:34
Shall it be a long time more my children than ye live to reach
1:05:38
to me? Those dear, dear arms forgive. I am so ready with
1:05:45
my tears to day, and full of dread. I sought to smooth away
1:05:49
the long strife with your father, and lo, now I have all drowned
1:05:55
with tears. This little brow he wipes the child's face or mine eyes too.
1:06:02
There stealeth a pale tear. Let the evil rest, o God,
1:06:06
let it rest here woman. Indeed, I praise thee now, nor say
1:06:11
ill of thine other hour tis nature's way. A woman needs must stir herself
1:06:15
to wrath when work of marriage by so strange a path crosseth her lord.
1:06:21
But thou thine heart dost wend the happier road. Thou hast seen ere quite
1:06:26
the end? What choice must needs? Be stronger? Which to do shows
1:06:30
a wise minded woman. And for you children, your father never has forgot
1:06:34
your needs. If God would help him, he hath wrought a strong deliverance
1:06:39
for your weakness. Yea, I think you with your brethren, Yet one
1:06:43
day shall be the mightiest voices in this land. Do you grow tall and
1:06:47
strong? Your father's hand to guideth all else? And whatso power divine hath
1:06:53
always helped him. Ah may be mine to see you. Yet in manhood
1:06:57
stern of brows, strong armed, said high, I owe those that hate
1:07:00
me, how woman thy face is turned, thy cheek is swept with pallor
1:07:08
of strange tears. Dost not accept gladly and of good will? My benisons
1:07:13
tis nothing. Thinking of these little ones, I'll take heart. Then I
1:07:17
will guard them from all ill I do take heart thy word, I never
1:07:23
will mistrust alas a woman's bosom bears, but woman's courage a thing born for
1:07:30
tears? What ails thee? How too sore thou weepest there? I was
1:07:35
their mother, when I heard thy prayer of long life for them? There
1:07:40
swept over me a horror, wondering how these things shall be. But for
1:07:45
the matter of my need that thou should speak with me. Part I have
1:07:50
said, and now will finish. Seeing it is the King's behest to cast
1:07:56
me out from Corinth Aye, and best far best for me, I know
1:08:00
it, not to stay longer, to trouble thee and those who sway the
1:08:03
realm, being held to all their house a foe behold. I spread my
1:08:09
sails and meekly go to exile. But our children, could this land be
1:08:15
still their home? Awhile could thine own hand but guide their boyhood? Seek
1:08:23
the King and pray his pity that he bid thy children stay. He is
1:08:28
hard to move, Yet truly twere well done bid her for thy sake,
1:08:32
for a daughter's boon, well thought her I can fashion to my mind.
1:08:38
Surely she is a woman like her kind. Yet I will aid thee in
1:08:44
thy labor. I will send her gifts, the fairest gifts that lie in
1:08:47
the hands of men, things of the days of old, fine robings and
1:08:51
a COCONet of gold by the boy's hands. Go quick, some handmaiden,
1:08:56
and fetch the raiment. A handmaid goes into the ah. Her cup shall
1:09:01
then be filled. Indeed, what more should woman crave? Being wed with
1:09:08
thee the bravest of the brave, and girt with raiment, which of old,
1:09:12
the sire of all my house the Sun gave steeped in fire to his
1:09:17
own fiery race. The handmaid has returned, bearing the gifts. Come children,
1:09:25
Lift with heed these caskets. Bear them as your gift to her,
1:09:29
being bride and princess and of right blest. I think she will not hold
1:09:33
them? Light fond woman, why wild empty? Thus thine hand of treasure
1:09:39
did King Creon's castle stand in stint of raiment or instint of gold? Keep
1:09:44
these and make no gift. For if she hold Jason of any worth at
1:09:47
all, I swear chattels like these will not weigh more with her. Oh,
1:09:50
chide me not, tis written gifts persuade the gods in heaven, and
1:09:56
gold is stronger made than words, innumerable to bend men's w ways. Fortune
1:10:01
is hers. God maketh greater her days young, and a crowned queen,
1:10:08
and banishment for those two babes. I would not gold were spent, but
1:10:13
life's blood. Ere that come, my children, go forth into those rich
1:10:19
halls, and, bowing low, beseech your father's bride, whom I obey,
1:10:25
Ye be not of her mercy, cast away exiled, and give the
1:10:30
caskets above all, mark this to none but her to hold withal, and
1:10:35
keep. Go quick, and let your mother know soon the good tiding that
1:10:41
she longs for go. She goes quickly into the house. Jason, and
1:10:46
the children, with their attendant depart. Now I have no hope more of
1:10:51
the children's living, no hope more. They are gone forth unto death.
1:10:58
The bride she taketh the poison of their giving. She taketh the bound in
1:11:03
gold and openeth, and the crown. The crown she lifteth about her brow,
1:11:10
where the light brown curls are clustering. No hope. Now, o,
1:11:15
sweet and cloudy gleam of the garment's golden the robe it hath clasped her
1:11:21
breast, and the crown her head. Then then she deketh the bride as
1:11:28
a bride of olden story, that goeth pale to the kiss of the dead.
1:11:33
For the ring hath closed, and the portion of death is there,
1:11:39
and she flieth not, But perisheth unaware, O bridegroom, bridegroom of the
1:11:46
kiss? So cold art thou wed with princes? Art thou girt with gold?
1:11:55
Who knowest not suing for thy child's undoing? And on her thou lovest
1:12:00
for a doom untold? How art thou fallen from thy place of old,
1:12:06
O mother Mother? What hast thou to reap when the harvest cometh between wake
1:12:15
and sleep? For a heart unslaken, for a troth forsaken lo babes that
1:12:24
call thee from a bloody deep, and thy love returns. Not get thee
1:12:30
forth and weep enter the attendant with the two children. Medea comes out from
1:12:36
the house Mistress. These children from their banishment, are spared. The royal
1:12:43
bride hath mildly bent her hand to accept thy gifts, and all is now
1:12:48
peace for the children. Ha. Why standest thou confounded when good fortune draweth
1:12:56
near, Oh God, this chime's not with the news I bear, O
1:13:00
God, have mercy. Is some word of wrath here hidden that I knew
1:13:04
not of, And hath my hope to give THEE joy so cheated me.
1:13:10
Thou givest what thou givest? I blame not THEE. Thy brows are all
1:13:15
o'er cast. Thine eyes are filled for bitter need, old man. The
1:13:20
gods have willed and my own evil mind that this should come. Take heart,
1:13:27
thy sons, one day will bring THEE home home. I have others
1:13:32
to send home woes. Me be patient. Many a mother before THEE hath
1:13:40
parted from her children. We poor things of men, must needs endure what
1:13:45
fortune brings. I will endure. Go thou within and lay already that my
1:13:54
sons may need to day. The attendant goes into the house. O,
1:13:58
children, children, mine, and you have found a land and home where,
1:14:04
leaving me discrowned and desolate. Forever? Will you stay? Motherless children?
1:14:12
And I go my way to other lands an exile. Ere you bring
1:14:16
your fruit home. Ere I see you prospering, or know your brides,
1:14:21
Or deck the bridal bed all flowers, and lift your torches over head.
1:14:28
Oh cursed be mine own hard heart twas all in vain. Then that I
1:14:34
reared you up, so tall and fair in vain, I bore you and
1:14:41
was torn with those long, pitiless pains when you were born. Oh wondrous
1:14:45
hopes my poor heart had in you, how you would tend me in mine
1:14:49
age and do the shroud about me with your own dear hands. When I
1:14:55
lay cold, blessed in all the lands that knew us, and that gentle
1:15:00
thought is dead, You go, and I live on to each the bread
1:15:08
of long years, to myself most full of pain, And never your dear
1:15:15
eyes, never again shall see your mother far away being thrown to other shapes
1:15:19
of life. My babes, my own, Why gaze ye so what is
1:15:29
it that ye see? And laugh with that last laughter? Woe is me?
1:15:36
What shall I do? Women? My strength is gone, gone like
1:15:43
a dream, since once I looked upon those shining faces. I can do
1:15:49
it not. Ah, good Bye to all the thoughts that burned so hot
1:15:56
aforetime I will take them and hide them far far from men's eyes. Why
1:16:01
should I seek a war so blind by these babe's wounds, to sting again
1:16:06
their father's heart, and win myself a pain twice deeper. Never, never
1:16:15
I forget. Henceforward all I labored for? And yet what is it with
1:16:19
me? Would I be a thing mocked at and leave mine enemies to sting
1:16:25
unsmitten. It must be O coward heart ever to harbor such soft words.
1:16:33
Depart out of my sight, ye twain. The children go in, and
1:16:38
they whose eyes shall hold its sin, to share my sacrifice on their heads.
1:16:43
Be it My hand shall not swerve. Now ah ah, thou wrath
1:16:51
within me? Do not thou do not down down, thou tortured thing,
1:16:59
and spare my children. They will dwell with us I there far off and
1:17:04
give thee peace. Too late, too late, by all Hell's living agonies
1:17:13
of hate. They shall not take my little ones alive to make their mock
1:17:16
with. How so e'er I strive, the thing is doomed. It shall
1:17:20
not escape now from being ai. The crown is on the brow, and
1:17:25
the robe girt, and in the robe that high queen dying. I know
1:17:30
all, yet, seeing that I must go so long a journey, and
1:17:36
these twain are longer yet and darker, I would fain speak with them.
1:17:42
Ere I go A handmaid brings to children. Out again, come, children,
1:17:48
stand a little from me. There, reach out your hand, your
1:17:54
right hand, so to mother, and good bye. She has kept them
1:18:00
hitherto at arm's length, but at a touch of their hands her resolution breaks
1:18:04
down, and she gathers them passionately into her arms. Ho, darling head,
1:18:12
oh darling mouth, and I and royal mean and bright, brave face
1:18:18
is clear. May you be blessed? But not here? What here was
1:18:25
yours your father stole, Oh God, the glow of cheek, aunt cheek,
1:18:31
the tender touch, and oh sweet scent of childhood. Go go am,
1:18:43
I blind mine eyes can see not when I look to find their places.
1:18:49
I am broken by the wings of evil. Yea, I know to
1:18:55
what bad things I go. But louder than all thought doth cry engunger,
1:19:00
which maketh man's worst misery. She follows the children into the house. My
1:19:06
thoughts have roamed the cloudy land, and heard a fierier music fall than woman's
1:19:13
heart should stir withal. And yet some muse, majestical unknown, hath hold
1:19:20
of woman's hand, seeking for wisdom. Not in all a feeble seed,
1:19:28
a scattered band, Thou yet shalt find in lonely places, not dead amongst
1:19:33
us, nor our faces turned alway from the muses call, And thus my
1:19:40
thought would speak, that she who ne'er hath borne a child, nor known,
1:19:45
is nearer to felicity unlit. She goeth and alone, with little understanding
1:19:51
what a child's touch means of joy or woe, and many toils. She
1:19:59
beareth not. But they within whose garden fair that gentle plant hath blown.
1:20:05
They go deep, written all their days, with care to rear the children,
1:20:12
to make fast their hold, to win them wealth, and then much
1:20:16
darkness, if the seed at last bear fruit in good or evil men.
1:20:24
And one thing at the end of all abideth that which all men dread.
1:20:30
The wealth is one the limbs are bred to manhood, and the heart withal
1:20:36
honest and lo where fortune smiled, some change, And what hath fallen?
1:20:45
Hark tis death slowly to the dark, and in his arms, what was
1:20:53
thy child? What therefore, though it bring of gain to men whose cup
1:21:00
stood full before? That God should send this one thing more of hunger and
1:21:05
of dread. A door said wide to every wind of pain. Medea comes
1:21:13
out alone from the house friends, this long hour, I wait on Fortune's
1:21:17
eyes and strain my senses in a hot surmise. What passeth on that hill
1:21:26
even now there comes tis one of Jason's men. I trow his wild,
1:21:30
perturbed breath, doth warrant me the tidings of some strange calamity and a messenger,
1:21:36
Oh, dire and ghastly deed, get thee away, medea fly,
1:21:43
nor let behind thee stay one chariot's wing, one keel that sweeps the seas.
1:21:48
And what hath chanced to cause such flights as these? The maiden Princess
1:21:54
Liath and her sire the King, both murdered by thy poison fire, most
1:22:00
happy tiding, which thy name prefers henceforth among my friends and well wishers,
1:22:06
What sayest thou woman? Is thy mind within clear and not raving? Thou
1:22:13
art found in sin, most bloody wrought against the King's high head, and
1:22:18
laughest at the tail, and hast no dread. I have words also that
1:22:24
could answer well thy word. But take thine ease, good friend, and
1:22:30
tell how died they hath? It been a very foul death? Prithee,
1:22:34
that were comfort to my soul. When thy two children, hand in hand
1:22:41
entwined, came with their father and passed on to find the new made bridal
1:22:46
rooms, Oh we were glad, we thrawls, who ever loved thee well
1:22:53
and had grief in thy grief and straight there passed a word from ear to
1:22:58
ear that thou and thy false lord had poured peace offering upon Wrath foregone a
1:23:04
right glad welcome gave we them, and one kissed the small hand, and
1:23:10
one the shining hair. Myself for very joy, I followed where the women's
1:23:15
rooms are there our mistress, she whom now we name so, thinking not
1:23:21
to see thy little pair with glad and eager brows, sate waiting Jason.
1:23:28
Then she saw, and slow shrouded her eyes, and backward turned again,
1:23:33
sick that thy children should come near her. Then thy husband quick went forward
1:23:39
to entreat the young maid's fitful wrath. Thou wilt not meet love's coming with
1:23:45
unkindness, Nay, refrain thy suddenness, and turn thy face again, holding
1:23:53
us friends all that to me are dear thine husband, and accept these robes
1:23:58
they bear as gifts, and beg thy father to unmake his doom of exile
1:24:02
on them for my sake. When once she saw the raiment, she could
1:24:08
still her joy no more, but gave him all his will, and almost
1:24:13
ere the father and the two children were gone from out the room, she
1:24:16
drew the flower at garments forth and sate her down to her arraying bound the
1:24:23
golden crown through her long curls, and in a mirror fair arranged their separate
1:24:29
clusters. Smiling there at the dead self that faced her. Then aside,
1:24:34
she pushed her seat and paced those chambers wide alone, her white foot poising
1:24:42
delicately, so passing, joyful in those gifts was she, and many a
1:24:46
time would pause, straight limbed and wheel her head to watch the long fold
1:24:53
to her heel sweeping. And then came something strange. Her che cheek seemed
1:25:00
pale and back, with crooked steps and weak groping of arms, she walked
1:25:05
and scarcely found her old seat, that she fell not to the ground.
1:25:12
Among the handmaids was a woman old and gray, who deemed, I think
1:25:16
that pan had hold upon her or some spirit, and raised a keen awakening
1:25:21
shout till through her lips was seen a white foam crawling, and her eyeballs
1:25:30
back twisted, and all her face dead, pale for lack of life.
1:25:33
And while that old dame called the cry, turned strangely to its opposite to
1:25:41
die sobbing o swiftly. Then one woman flew to seek her father's rooms,
1:25:46
one for the new bridegroom to tell the tale, And all the place was
1:25:50
loud with hurrying feet, so long a space as a swift walker on a
1:25:56
measured way would pace a furlong's course. In there she lay speechless with vlid
1:26:02
lids. Then wide her eyes she OpEd and wildly as she strove to rise,
1:26:10
shrieked for two diverse waves. Upon her rolled of stabbing death. The
1:26:15
carcanet of gold that gripped her brow was molten in a dire and wondrous river
1:26:21
of devouring fire. And those fine robes, the gift thy children gave God's
1:26:29
mercy. Everywhere did lap and lave the delicate flesh till up she sprang and
1:26:34
fled a fiery pillar, shaking locks and head this way and that, seeking
1:26:42
to cast the crown somewhere away. But like a thing nailed down, the
1:26:46
burning gold held fast the anadem, and through her locks, the more she
1:26:53
scattered them came fire, the fiercer, till to earth she fell a thing
1:26:58
save to her sire, scarce nameable, and strove no more that cheek of
1:27:05
royal mien, Where was it or the place where eyes had been? Only
1:27:12
from crown and temples came faint, blood, shot through with fire. The
1:27:17
very flesh it stood out from the bones as from a wounded pine, the
1:27:24
gum starts where those gnawing poisons fine bit in the dark. A ghastly sight
1:27:32
and touch the dead, we durst not we had seen too much. But
1:27:39
that poor father, knowing not, had sped swift to his daughter's room,
1:27:45
and there the dead lay at his feet. He knelt, and, groaning
1:27:50
low, folded her in his arms, and kiss'd her, O, unhappy
1:27:56
child? What thing unnatural hath so hideously undone THEE? For what wrath of
1:28:03
gods to make this old gray sepulcher childless of thee? Would God but lay
1:28:10
me there to die with THEE my daughter? So he cried. But after
1:28:15
when he stayed from tears and tried to uplift his old bent frame, lo
1:28:23
in the folds of those fine robes it held as ivy holds, strangling among
1:28:30
your laurel boughs. Oh, Then a ghastly struggle came again again upon his
1:28:38
knee. He writh'd, but that dead breast clung still to his till wild,
1:28:45
like one possess'd, he dragg'd himself half free, and lo, the
1:28:49
live flesh parted, and he laid him down to strive no more with death,
1:28:57
but perish, for the deep had risen above his soul. And there
1:29:02
they sleep at last, the old proud father and the bride, even as
1:29:09
his tears had craved it side by side. For thee, Oh, no
1:29:15
word more thyself will know how best to baffle vengeance. Long ago I looked
1:29:21
upon man's days and found a gray shadow, And this thing more, I
1:29:27
surely say that those of all men, who are counted wise, strong wits,
1:29:32
devisors of great policies, do pay the bitterest toll since life began.
1:29:41
Hath therein God's eye stood one happy man. Fair days roll on and bear
1:29:47
more gifts or less of fortune, But to no man happiness exit messenger Wrath
1:29:57
upon wrath, meseems this day shall fall from God on Jason. He hath
1:30:02
earned it all, O, miserable maiden, all my heart is torn for
1:30:08
thee so sudden to depart from thy king's chambers, and the light above to
1:30:14
darkness, all forsake of Jason's love. Women, My mind is clear I
1:30:21
go to slay my children with all speed, and then away from hence,
1:30:27
not wait yet longer till they stand beneath another and an angrier hand to die.
1:30:31
Yea, how soe'er I shield them? Die they must, And seeing
1:30:35
that they must, tis, I shall slay them. I their mother,
1:30:40
touched of none beside, Oh, up and get thine armor on my heart.
1:30:46
Why longer tarry we to win our crown of dire, inevitable sin.
1:30:50
Take up thy sword, O, poor right hand of mine, thy sword.
1:30:56
Then onward to the thin drawn line where life turns agony, that there
1:31:00
be not of softness now and keep thee from that thought born of thy flesh,
1:31:06
Thine own beloved, Now for one brief day, forget thy children.
1:31:13
Thou shalt weep hereafter, Oh thou slay them? Yet sweet were they?
1:31:21
I am sore unfortunate. She goes into the house, Oh Earth, our
1:31:27
mother, and thou all sere arrowy crown of sunlight. Now all look down
1:31:38
look upon one accursed ere Yet in blood sheep twine red hands, blood that
1:31:45
is thine, O son, Save her first, she is thy daughter,
1:31:51
still of thine own golden line. Save her, or shall man spill the
1:32:00
life divine, Give peace, O fire that diest not send thy spell to
1:32:08
stay her, yet to lift her. Afar afar, a torture changed spirit,
1:32:15
a voice of hell, wrought of old wrongs and war, alas for
1:32:20
the mother's pain wasted, alas the dear life that was born in vain?
1:32:29
Woman, What makest thou? Hear thou from beyond the gate where dim simple
1:32:34
gaits clash in the dark blue seas, the shores where death thouth? Wait?
1:32:44
Why hast thou taken on thee to make us desolate? This anger of
1:32:49
misery and guilt of hate? For fierce are the smitings back of blood one's
1:32:58
shed, where love hath been, God's wrath upon them that kill, And
1:33:04
an anguished earth, and the wonder of the dead, haunting as music.
1:33:11
Still a cry is heard within Hark did ye hear heard? Ye? The
1:33:16
children's cry? Oh, miserable woman, Oh abhorred? What shall I do?
1:33:23
What is it? Keep me fast from mother? I know nothing,
1:33:28
brother, Oh, I think she means to kill us. Let me go.
1:33:32
I will help help and save them at the last. Yes, in
1:33:39
God's name, holp quickly ere we die. She has almost caught me now
1:33:45
she has a sword. Many of the women are now beating at the barred
1:33:48
door to get in. Others are standing apart, Thou stone, Thou sing
1:33:55
o iron, wilt verily spill with thine hand that life, the vintage stored
1:34:01
of thine own agony. A mother slew her babes in days of yore,
1:34:08
one only one from dawn to eventide, I know God maddened whom the Queen
1:34:16
of Heaven set frenzied, flying to the dark. And she cast her for
1:34:23
sorrow to the wide salt sea, forth from those rooms of murder, unforgiven,
1:34:30
wild footed from a white crag of the shore, and clasping still her
1:34:35
children. Twain she died, O love of woman, charged with sorrow sore?
1:34:44
What hast thou rote upon us? What beside resteth to tremble for and
1:34:50
dea hurriedly Jason and attendants, Ye woman by this doorway, clustering speak is
1:34:57
the doer of the ghastly thing. Yet here are fled? What hope is
1:35:00
she of flight? Shall the deep yond to shield her, shall the heights
1:35:04
and wings and hide her in the vaulted sky, to work red murder on
1:35:08
her lord's and fly unrecommenced. But let her go. My care is but
1:35:13
to save my children, not for her. Let them she wrong, for
1:35:16
quite her as they may. I care not tis my sons. I must
1:35:19
some way save ere the kinsmen of the dead, can win from them the
1:35:23
payment of their mother's sin. Unhappy man. Indeed, thou knowest not what
1:35:29
dark place thou art come to? Else? God, what Jason? No
1:35:34
word like these could fall from thee? What is it? Ha? The
1:35:39
woman would kill me? Thy sons are dead, slain by their mother's hand.
1:35:45
How not the children I scarce understand? Oh God, thou hast broken
1:35:54
me? Think of those twain as things once fair that ne'er shall bloom again?
1:36:00
Where did she murder them? In that old room? Open? And
1:36:04
thou shalt see thy children's doom? O throws a loose me yonder bars,
1:36:12
big warm speed, Then children joining at the door, And shall my two
1:36:15
edge curse the children dead? The woman all this sword upon her head.
1:36:23
While the attendants are still battering at the door, madea appears on the roof,
1:36:27
standing on a chariot of winged dragons, in which are the children's bodies?
1:36:31
What make ye at my gates? Why batter ye with brazen bars,
1:36:35
seeking the dead, and me who slew them peace, And thou, if
1:36:42
aught of mine, thou needest speak, though never touch of thine shall scathe
1:36:46
me more out of his firmament. My father's father, the high Sun,
1:36:51
hath sent this that shall save me from mine enemy's rage. Thou living hate,
1:36:59
thou life in every age of horrid blood. Red mother, who did
1:37:02
kill my sons and make me is the dead, and still can stake the
1:37:09
sunshine to thine eyes and smell the green earth, reeking for my dead of
1:37:13
hell. I cursed thee now mine eyes couldn't see that then were blinded when
1:37:20
from savagery of eastern chambers, from a cruel land to Greece and home I
1:37:26
gathered in my head feet Thou incarnate curse would have betrayed her home, her
1:37:31
father. Oh God, itly thy sins on me. I knew, I
1:37:36
knew there lay a brother murdered on thy heart that day when thy first footstep
1:37:41
fell on Argo's hull. Argo, my own, my swift and beautiful,
1:37:47
That was her first beginning. Then a wife I made her in my house.
1:37:54
She bought a life children, and Thou for love for chapering in men's
1:37:59
arms. She has burden them a thing, not one of all the means
1:38:02
of grace, not one if dreamed of whom I spurned, and for mine
1:38:08
own choose thee a bride of hate to me and death, Tigris, dont
1:38:13
woman beast of wilder breath and still a shrieking more than tusk can see enough,
1:38:20
No scorn of mine can reach to thee. Such ironies o'er thy eyes
1:38:26
out for my road, though cry, beginner replied, with children's blood,
1:38:31
and let me weep alone the bitter tide that sweeping Jason's days. No gentle
1:38:38
practice speak with more, no child to look upon? Who What's I reared?
1:38:43
Ah, ah, forever gone? An easy answer had I to this
1:38:47
swell of speech. But zeus, our father knoweth well all I for thee
1:38:54
half wrought, and thou for me. So let it rest. This thing
1:39:00
was not to be, that thou shouldst live a merry life. My bed
1:39:03
forgotten and my heart uncomforted. Thou, nor thy princess, nor the king
1:39:10
that plann'd thy marriage. Drive Medeir from his land, and suffer not call
1:39:15
me what thing thou please, Tigris or Skilla from the tuscan seas my claws
1:39:20
have gripped thine heart and all things shine. Thou too, hast grief.
1:39:28
Thy pain is fierce as mine. I love the pain, so thou shalt
1:39:32
laugh no more. Oh what a womb of sin my children bore sons?
1:39:38
Did ye perish for your father's shame? How it was not my Heaven murdered
1:39:43
them twas thy false wooings, twas thy trampling pride. Thou hast sentence,
1:39:48
thy lust and love they died, and love to women a slight thing should
1:39:54
be to women pure all thy thou life to thee think of thy torment.
1:40:00
They are dead. They are dead. No quick, great God, quick
1:40:05
curses round thy head. The gods know who began this work of woe,
1:40:11
Thy heart and all its loathliness. They know loathe on But oh thy voice,
1:40:18
it hurts me, sore Hi, and thine me would stir me?
1:40:24
Then no more? How show me? But the way tis this I crave.
1:40:29
Give me the dead to weep and make their grave. Never myself will
1:40:34
lay them in a still green sepulcher, where hera by the hill hath precinct
1:40:39
holy, that no angry men may break their graves. And cast them forth
1:40:44
again to evil. So I lay on all this shore of Corinth, the
1:40:48
high feast for evermore and right to purge them yearly of the stain of this
1:40:54
poor blood. And I to palace plain. I go to dwell beside Pandian
1:41:00
son eegeus. For thee behold death, draweth on evil and lonely like thine
1:41:09
heart. The hands of thine old argo, rotting where she stands, shall
1:41:14
smite thine head in twain and bitter be to the last end thy memories of
1:41:19
me. She rises on the chariot and is slowly borne away. May they
1:41:25
then hear the weeping child blest thee, and they that walk in blood,
1:41:29
Thy broken vows, thy friends beguiled, have shut for thee the ears of
1:41:33
God. Go thou art, wet with children's tears, Go thou and lay
1:41:40
thy bride to sleep, childless. I go to weep and weep. Not
1:41:45
yet age cometh, and long years My sons mine lone, not thine,
1:41:54
but mine, who slow them. Yes, to torture thee. Once,
1:42:00
let me kiss their lips. Once, twine mine arms in touch. O
1:42:04
woe is me, wouldst love them and entreat. But now they were as
1:42:10
nothing at the last, Oh God, to touch the tender brow. Thy
1:42:15
words upon the wind are cast. Thou Zeus wilt hear me. All is
1:42:19
said for naught. I have but spurned away and trampled by this tigress red
1:42:26
with children's blood. Yet come with me, so far as thou hast granted
1:42:30
ye, so far as yet my strike may stand. I weep upon these
1:42:34
dead, and say their last thrill? Will it raise my hand to all
1:42:40
the demons of the air, and witness of these things? How she you
1:42:44
stow them, will not suffer me to gather up my babes, nor better
1:42:47
earth their bodies, whom oh stole of women, would I never know,
1:42:54
nor God to be slain by thee He casts himself upon the earth. Great
1:43:00
treasure halls half Zeus in heaven. From whence to man's strange dooms be given
1:43:08
past her hope or fear? And had men looked for cometh not? And
1:43:14
a path is there where no man thought, so hath it fallen here?
1:43:21
End of section two End of Medea by Eurypees, translated by Gilbert Murray.