Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/109

Rh What home or what land to receive thee, deliverance from evils to give thee,

Wilt thou find for thee now?

How mid surge of despair to o'erwhelm thee in ruin God's hand on thine helm

Hath steered, O Medea, thy prow!

'Tis ill done every way; who shall gainsay?

Yet nowise ill in this: deem not so yet.

Bridegroom and bride grim conflicts yet await;

Nor troubles light abide these marriage-makers.

Think'st thou that I had cringed to yon man ever,

Except to gain some gain, or work some wile?

Nor word nor touch of hand had I vouchsafed him.

But to such height of folly hath he come,

That, when he might forestall mine every plot

By banishment, this day of grace he grants me

To stay, wherein three foes will I lay dead,

The father, and the daughter, and mine husband.

And, having for them many paths of death,

Which first to take in hand I know not, friends;

Whether to set the bridal bower aflame,

Or through the heart to thrust the whetted knife,

Through yon halls stealing silent to their couch.

Yet one thing bars the way—if I be found

Crossing the threshold of the house and plotting,

Die shall I, and make mirth unto my foes.

Best the straight path, wherein my nature's cunning

Excels, by poisons to destroy them:—yea.

Now, grant them dead: what city will receive me,

What host vouchsafe a land of refuge, home

Secure, and from the avenger shield my life?