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where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared； to be a
haven in my counsels； to him will we make fast the cables of our
ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas。 But now will I
explain to thee my plans in full； do not expect to hear a pleasant
tale。 A servant of mine will I to Jason send and crave an interview；
then when he comes I will address him with soft words； say； 〃this
pleases me；〃 and； 〃that is well；〃 even the marriage with the princess；
which my treacherous lord is celebrating； and add 〃it suits us both；
'twas well thought out〃； then will I entreat that here my children may
abide； not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to
flout； but that I may slay the king's daughter by guile。 For I will
send them with gifts in their hands； carrying them unto the bride to
save them from banishment； a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of
gold。 And if these ornaments she take and put them on； miserably shall
she die； and likewise everyone who touches her； with such fell poisons
will I smear my gifts。 And here I quit this theme； but I shudder at
the deed I must do next； for I will slay the children I have borne；
there is none shall take them from my toils； and when I have utterly
confounded Jason's house I will leave the land； escaping punishment
for my dear children's murder； after my most unholy deed。 For I cannot
endure the taunts of enemies； kind friends； enough！ what gain is
life to me？ I have no country； home； or refuge left。 O； I did wrong；
that hour I left my father's home； persuaded by that Hellene's
words； who now shall pay the penalty； so help me God； Never shall he
see again alive the children I bore to him； nor from his new bride
shall he beget issue； for she must die a hideous death； slain by my
drugs。 Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded
hands； but of another mould； dangerous to foes and well…disposed to
friends； for they win the fairest fame who live then； life like me。
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Since thou hast imparted this design to me； I bid thee hold thy
hand； both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the
laws men make。
MEDEA
It cannot but be so； thy words I pardon since thou art not in
the same sorry plight that I am。
LEADER
O lady； wilt thou steel thyself to slay thy children twain？
MEDEA
I will； for that will stab my husband to the heart。
LEADER
It may； but thou wilt be the saddest wife alive。
MEDEA
No matter； wasted is every word that comes 'twixt now and then。
Ho！ （The NURSE enters in answer to her call。） Thou； go call me Jason
hither； for thee I do employ on every mission of trust。 No word
divulge of all my purpose； as thou art to thy mistress loyal and
likewise of my sex。
（The NURSE goes out。）
CHORUS （singing）
strophe 1
Sons of Erechtheus； heroes happy from of yore； children of the
blessed gods； fed on wisdom's glorious food in a holy land ne'er
pillaged by its foes； ye who move with sprightly step through a
climate ever bright and clear； where； as legend tells； the Muses nine；
Pieria's holy maids； were brought to birth by Harmonia with the golden
hair。
antistrophe 1
And poets sing how Cypris drawing water from the streams of
fair…flowing Cephissus breathes o'er the land a gentle breeze of balmy
winds； and ever as she crowns her tresses with a garland of sweet
rose…buds sends forth the Loves to sit by wisdom's side； to take
part in every excellence。
strophe 2
How then shall the city of sacred streams； the land that
welcomes those it loves； receive thee； the murderess of thy
children； thee whose presence with others is a pollution？ 'Think on
the murder of thy children； consider the bloody deed thou takest on
thee。 Nay； by thy knees we； one and all； implore thee； slay not thy
babes。
antistrophe 2
Where shall hand or heart find hardihood enough in wreaking such a
fearsome deed upon thy sons？ How wilt thou look upon thy babes； and
still without a tear retain thy bloody purpose？ Thou canst not； when
they fall at thy feet for mercy； steel thy heart and dip in their
blood thy hand。
（JASON enters。）
JASON
I am come at thy bidding； for e'en though thy hate for me is
bitter thou shalt not fail in this small boon； but I will hear what
new request thou hast to make of me； lady。
MEDEA
Jason； I crave thy pardon for the words I spoke； and well thou
mayest brook my burst of passion； for ere now we twain have shared
much love。 For I have reasoned with my soul and railed upon me thus；
〃Ah！ poor heart！ why am I thus distraught； why so angered 'gainst
all good advice； why have I come to hate the rulers of the land； my
husband too； who does the best for me he can； in wedding with a
princess and rearing for my children noble brothers？ Shall I not cease
to fret？ What possesses me； when heaven its best doth offer？ Have I
not my children to consider？ do I forget that we are fugitives； in
need of friends？〃 When I had thought all this I saw how foolish I
had been； how senselessly enraged。 So now do commend thee and think
thee most wise in forming this connection for us； but I was mad； I who
should have shared in these designs； helped on thy plans； and lent
my aid to bring about the match； only too pleased to wait upon thy
bride。 But what we are； we are； we women； evil I will not say；
wherefore thou shouldst not sink to our sorry level nor with our
weapons meet our childishness。
I yield and do confess that I was wrong then； but now have I
come to a better mind。 Come hither； my children； come； leave the
house； step forth； and with me greet and bid farewell to your
father； be reconciled from all past bitterness unto your friends； as
now your mother is； for we have made a truce and anger is no more。
（The ATTENDANT comes out of the house with the children。）
Take his right hand； ah me！ my sad fate！ when I reflect； as now；
upon the hidden future。 O my children； since there awaits you even
thus a long； long life； stretch forth the hand to take a fond
farewell。 Ah me！ how new to tears am I； how full of fear！ For now that
I have at last released me from my quarrel with your father； I let the
tear…drops stream adown my tender cheek。
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
From my eyes too bursts forth the copious tear； O； may no
greater ill than the present e'er befall！
JASON
Lady； I praise this conduct； not that I blame what is past； for it
is but natural to the female sex to vent their spleen against a
husband when he trafficks in other marriages besides his own。 But
thy heart is changed