Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/109

Rh And man's effective strength; while in thy reckless heart No thought of reputation dwells to check thy hand. Then go thou hence and purge our kingdom of its stain; Bear hence thy deadly poisons; free the citizens From fear; abiding in some other land than this, Outwear the patience of the gods. Medea: Thou bid'st me flee? Then give me back my bark wherein to flee. Restore The partner of my flight! Why should I flee alone? I came not thus. Or if avenging war thou fear'st, Then banish both the culprits; why distinguish me From Jason? 'Twas for him old Pelias was o'ercome; For him the flight, the plunder of my father's realm, My sire forsaken and my infant brother slain, And all the guilt that love suggests; 'twas all for him. Deep dyed in sin am I, but on my guilty soul The sin of profit lieth not. Creon: Why seek delay By speech? Too long thou tarriest. Medea: I go, but grant This last request: let not the mother's fall o'erwhelm Her hapless babes. Creon: Then go in peace. For I to them A father's place will fill, and take them to my heart. Medea: Now by the fair hopes born upon this wedding day, And by thy hopes of lasting sovereignty secure From changeful fate's assault, I pray thee grant from flight A respite brief, while I upon my children's lips A mother's kiss imprint, perchance the last. Creon: A time Thou seek'st for treachery. Medea: What fraud can be devised In one short hour? Creon: To those on mischief bent, be sure. The briefest time is fraught with mischief's fatal power. Medea: Dost thou refuse me, then, one little space for tears? Creon: Though deep-ingrafted fear would fain resist thy plea, A single day I'll give thee ere my sentence holds. Medea: Too gracious thou. But let my respite further shrink,