Page:Medea (Webster 1868).djvu/41

 And truly a most perfect loyal spouse

Have I, poor wretch, if banished I go forth,

Barren of friends, alone with my lone children.

Rare fame for the new bridegroom that his sons

And she who saved him beggars roam about.

Oh Zeus why hast thou given mankind sure test

To know the spurious gold, while upon men

Is no mark born whereby to tell a knave?

Terrible is that anger, and to assuage

Most difficult, when friends with friends join battle.

It seems I'd needs be not unapt at words,

But like a skilful pilot sheer away,

Woman, from the jangling of thy wordy tongue.

But since thou dost so much exalt thy service,

I take it Cypris was, of gods and men,

Alone the guardian of my enterprise.

Why yes, thou hast a very crafty wit,

But 'twere invidious to go through the tale

How Eros, with his swift escapeless darts,