t first
Spread o'er these gifts this mantle--fair it is
And richly broidered, made to grace a queen--
To cover all from sight and keep them hid.--
Now, go, and do what I commanded thee,
And take these gifts, that foe doth send to foe!

[_A slave-woman enters with the children._]

SLAVE. My lord the king hath sent these children hither;
And when an hour is gone I take them back.

MEDEA. Sooth, they come early to the marriage feast!
Now to thy mistress lead my servant here;
She takes a message from me, bears rich gifts.

(_She turns to _GORA.)

And thou, remember what I told thee late!
Nay, not a word! It is my will!

(_To the slave-woman._)

Away!
And bring her to thy mistress.

[GORA _and the slave-woman depart together._]

Well begun,
But not yet ended! Easy is my path,
Now I see clearly what I have to do!

[_The children, hand in hand, make as if to follow the slave-woman._]

Where go ye?

BOY. In the house!

MEDEA. What seek ye there?

BOY. Our father told us we should stay with her.

MEDEA. Thy mother bids you tarry. Wait, I say!--
When I bethink me how they are my blood,
My very flesh, the babes I bore so long
In my own womb, and nourished at my breast,
When I bethink me 'tis my very self
That turns against me, in my inmost soul
Fierce anger stabs me knife-like, bloody thoughts
Rise fast within me!--

(_To the children._)

What hath mother done,
To make you flee her sight and run away
To hide in strangers' bosoms?

BOY. Thou dost seek
To steal us both away, and shut us up
Within thy boat again, where we were both
So sick and dizzy. We would rather stay
Here, would we not, my brother?

YOUNGER BOY. Yea!

MEDEA. Thou, too,
Absyrtus? But 'tis better, better so!
Come hither!

BOY. I'm afraid!

MEDEA. Come here, I say!

BOY. Nay, thou wilt hurt me!

MEDEA. Hurt thee? Thou hast done
Naught to deserve it!

Boy. Once thou flung'st me down
Upon the pavement, ha