Page:Medea (Webster 1868).djvu/29

 To have his children reared surpassing wise;

For, added to their blame of lavished time,

They win cross envy from their citizens.

For, offering a new wisdom unto fools,

Thou shalt be held a dullard not a sage:

And, if deemed more than those who make a show

Of varied subtleties, then shalt thou seem

A mischief in the city. Yea, myself

I share this fortune, for, being wise, I am

To some a mark for envy, and to some

Abhorrent. Yet I am not very wise.

But thou then fearest me lest thou feel some blow:

Things are not so with me—dread us not, Creon—

That I should do offence to kingly men.

For thou, how hast thou wronged me? Thou hast given

Thy girl what way thy mind led. But my husband

I hate. Yet thou, I think, in this didst well.

And now, in sooth, I grudge thee not thy luck:

Make marriages, be prosperous. But this land

Leave me, a home to dwell in: for, though wronged,

I will keep silence, vanquished by my lords.