a noble creature-but ye drew
Your nets of shameful treachery too close
About her, till, in wild despair, cut off
From all escape else, she o'erleaped your snares,
And made thy crown, the kingly ornament
Of royal heads, to be the awful tool
Of her unnatural crime! Ay, wring your hands,
But wring them for your own most grievous fate!

(_Turning to the_ KING.)

Why sought thy child another woman's bed?

(_Turning to_ JASON.)

Why must thou steal her, bring her here to Greece,
If thou didst never love her? If thou didst
Right truly love her, why, then, thrust her forth?
Though others cry her murderess, yea, though I
Myself must name her so, yet none the less
Ye have but met your just deserts!--For me,
I have no wish to live another day!
Two of my babes are dead, the third I needs
Must hate forever! Take me, lead me hence
And slay me, if ye will! Fair hopes I have
At last, of justice in that other world,
Now I have seen Heaven's vengeance on you hurled!

[_She is led away by some of the _KING's _attendants._]

(_Pause._)

KING. Nay, if I wronged her,--by the gods in Heaven
I swear I meant it not!--Now haste we all
To search these smoking ruins for what trace
Remains of my poor girl, that we may lay
Her broken, bruised frame to rest at last
In Earth's kind bosom!

[_He turns to _JASON.]

But, for thee--straightway
Thou must go forth, where'er thy feet may choose
To carry thee! Pollution such as thine
Spells woe for all about thee, as I've proved.
Oh, had I never seen, never rescued thee,
Ne'er acted friendship's part and welcomed thee
Within my palace! And, for thanks, thou took'st
My daughter from me! Go, lest thou shouldst take
As well the only comfort left me now--
To weep her memory!

JASON. Wouldst thou thrust me forth?

KING. I banish thee my sight.

JASON. What shall I do?

KING. Some god will answer that!

JASON. Who, then, will guide
My wandering steps, who lend a helping hand?
For