Page:Medea (Webster 1868).djvu/78

 Her whitened face, loathing the boys' approach.

But thy husband checked his young bride's heat and rage,

Thus speaking, "Be not rancorous to thy friends,

But cease thy wrath and turn again thy head,

Counting those dear who're to thy husband dear.

Take then their gifts, and of thy father pray

He spare for my sake my boys' banishment."

And when she saw the gauds she said no nay,

But spoke her husband sooth in all. And ere

The father and the boys had gone far forth

She took the shimmering robes and put them on,

And, setting round her curls the golden crown,

At the bright mirror stroked her tresses right,

And smiled on the mute likeness of herself.

Next, risen from her couch, flits through the room,

Daintily tripping on her milk-white feet,

With the gifts overjoyed, often and long

O'er her slant shoulder gazing on herself.

But then a sight came dread to look upon;

For, a change come on her hue, she staggers back,

Shuddering in every limb, and scarce wins time

To fall upon her couch, not to the ground.