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 Has snatched the forms of the children away.

And what avails it for children's sake

To have the gods heap on mortals' heads

This bitterest deadly despair?

Friends, now for long abiding the event,

Eager I gaze for what shall come of it;

And now discern a servitor of Jason's

Advancing hither. And his gasping breath

Declares him messenger of some dire news.

Oh thou who hast wrought a horrible wild deed,

Medea, fly, fly, sparing not car of the waves

Nor chariot hurrying thee across the plains.

But what hath chanced to me worth such a flight?

The royal maiden is this moment dead,

With Creon her father, by thy magic drugs.

Thou hast told sweetest news. From henceforth rank

Among my benefactors and my friends.