Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/113

Rh What sea-engulfing pool? What burning Aetna placed On impious Titan's heaving breast? No torrent stream, Nor storm-tossed sea, nor breath of flame fanned by the gale, Can check or equal my wild storm of rage. My will Is set on limitless revenge! Will Jason say He feared the power of Creon and Acastus' threats? True love is proof against the fear of man. But grant He was compelled to yield, and pledged his hand in fear: He might at least have sought his wife with one last word Of comfort and farewell. But this, though brave in heart, He feared to do. The cruel terms of banishment Could Creon's son-in-law not soften? No. One day Alone was giv'n for last farewell to both my babes. But time's short space I'll not bewail; though brief in hours, In consequence it stretches out eternally. This day shall see a deed that ne'er shall be forgot. But now I'll go and pray the gods, and move high heaven But I shall work my will! Nurse:Thy heart all passion-tossed, I pray thee, mistress, soothe, and calm thy troubled soul. Medea:My troubled soul can never know a time of rest Until it sees all things o'erwhelmed in common doom. All must go down with me! 'Tis sweet such death to die. [Exit Medea.] Nurse [calling after her]: Oh, think what perils thou must meet if thou persist! No one with safety may defy a sceptered king. [Enter Jason.] Jason: O heartless fate, if frowns or smiles bedeck thy brow, How often are thy cures far worse than the disease They seek to cure! If, now, I wish to keep the troth I plighted to my lawful bride, my life must pay The forfeit; if I shrink from death, my guilty soul Must perjured be. I fear no power that man can wield; But in my heart paternal love unmans me quite; For well I know that in my death my children's fate Is sealed. O sacred Justice, if in heaven thou dwell'st, Be witness now, that for my children's sake I act.