grant me both my babes,
Yea, both, and I'll go forth from out this land
Praising your mercy! Yea, I'll e'en forgive
My husband there, and her--No! Her I'll not
Forgive--nor Jason, either! Come to me,
Come here, my babes!--Why stand ye silent there
And cling upon the breast of my false foe?
Ah, could ye know how she hath humbled me,
Ye would arm your tiny hands, curve into claws
Those little, weakling fingers, rend and tear
That soft and tender form, whereto ye cling
So lovingly!--Wouldst hold my children back
From coming to me? Let them go!

CREUSA. In sooth,
Unhappy woman, I restrain them not!

MEDEA. Not with thy hand, I know, but with thy glance,
Thy false, deceitful face, that seems all love,
And holds my husband from me, too! Thou laugh'st?
I promise thee thou'lt weep hot tears in days
To come!

CREUSA. Now may the gods chastise me if I had
A thought of laughing!

KING. Woman, break not forth
In insults and in anger! Do what thou
Hast yet to do, or go!

MEDEA. Thou'rt right, O king,
Most just of kings! Not so much kind of heart
As just! How do thy bidding? Yet will I
Strive to do both. Hark, children! List to me!
They send your mother forth, to wander wide
O'er sea and land. Who knows where she shall come?
These kindly folk, thy father, and that just
And gentle king that standeth there, have said
That I may take, to share my lonely fate,
One of my babes, but only one. Ye gods,
Hear ye this sentence? One, and one alone!
Now, whichsoever of you loves me more,
Let that one come to join me, for I may
Not have you both; the other here must stay
Beside his father, and with that false king's
Still falser daughter!--Hear ye what I say?
Why linger there?

KING. Thou seest they will not come!

MEDEA. Thou liest, false and wicked king! They would,
Save that thy daughter hath enchanted them
And keeps them from me!--Heard ye not, my babes?--
Accurst and monstrous children,