Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/114

96 Nay, sure am I that even she, Medea's self, Though fierce she is of soul and brooking no restraint, Will Bee her children's good outweighing all her wrongs. With this good argument my purpose now is fixed, In humble wise to brave her wrath. [Enter Medea.] At sight of me Her raging fury flames anew! Hate, like a shield, She bears, and in her face is pictured all her woe. Medea: Thou see'st, Jason, that we flee. 'Tis no new thing To sutler exile, but the cause of flight is strange; For with thee I was wont to flee, not from thee. Yes, I go. But whither dost thou send me whom thou driv'st From out thy home? Shall I the Colchians seek again, My royal father's realm, whose soil is steeped in blood My brother shed? What country dost thou bid me seek? What way by sea is open? Shall I fare again Where once I saved the noble kings of Greece, and thee, Thou wanton, through the threatening jaws of Pontus' strait, The blue Symplegades? Or shall I hie me back To fair Thessalia's realms? Lo, all the doors which I, For thee, have opened wide, I've closed upon myself. But whither dost thou send me now? Thou bid'st me flee, But show'st no way or means of flight. But 'tis enough: The king's own son-in-law commands and I obey. Come, heap thy torments on me; I deserve them all. Let royal wrath oppress me, wanton that I am, With cruel hand, and load my guilty limbs with chains; And let me be immured in dungeons black as night: Still will my punishment be less than my offense. O ingrate! hast thou then forgot the brazen bull, And his consuming breath? the fear that smote thee, when, Upon the field of Mars, the earth-born brood stood forth To meet thy single sword? 'Twas by my arts that they, The monsters, fell by mutual blows. Remember, too, The long-sought fleece of gold I won for thee, whose guard, The dragon huge, was lulled to rest at my command; My brother slain for thee. For thee old Pelias fell,