Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/126

108 Is ever Jason; this my constant care. [To attendants.]

Take now Creüsa'a bridal robe, and steep in these, My potent drugs; and when she dons the clinging folds, Let subtle flames go stealing through her inmost heart. The fire that in this tawny golden circlet lurks Prometheus gave, who, for his daring heavenly theft In human aid, endured an ever-living death. 'Twas Vulcan showed the fires concealed in sulphur's veins; While from my brother Phaethon I gained a flame That never dies; I have preserved Chimera's breath, And that fierce heat that parched the fiery, brazen bull Of Colchis. These dread fires commingled with the gall Of dire Medusa have I bidden keep the power

Of lurking evil. Now, O Hecate, Give added force to these my deadly gifts. And strictly guard the hidden seeds of flame. Let them deceive the sight, endure the touch; But through her veins let burning fever run; In fervent heat consume her very bones, And let her fiercely blazing locks outshine Her marriage torches! Lo, my prayer is heard: Thrice have replied the hounds of Hecate, And she has shown her baleful, gleaming fires. Now all is ready: hither call my sons, And let them bear these presents to the bride. [Enter sons.] Go, go, my sons, of hapless mother born, And win with costly gifts and many prayers The favor of the queen, your father's wife. Begone, but quick your homeward way retrace, That I may fold you in a last embrace. [Exeunt sons toward the palace, Medea in the opposite direction.]

Chorus: Where hastes this Bacchic fury now, All passion-swept? what evil deed Does her unbridled rage prepare? Her features are congealed with rage, And with a queenly bearing, grand