18
ARGONAUTAE
O let me fall from death to dream,
Eternal monotone;
Faint eventide of sleep supreme
With thee and love alone!
A jewelled night of star and moon
Shall watch our bridal chamber,
Bending the blue rays to the tune
Of softly-sliding amber.
Dim winds shall whisper echoes of
Our slow ecstatic breath,
Telling all worlds how sweet is love,
How beautiful is death.
MEDEA.
Sing, Orpheus, this doth madden them the most.
Should one man leap—This tune is terrible !
ORPHEUS.
I am not moved, although I am a man.
So strong a safeguard is cool chastity.
MEDEA.
But love thou me! My husband is distraught.
ORPHEUS.
Madness is on him for thy punishment.
MEDEA.
Sing, therefore!
ORPHEUS.
This last song of theirs was sweet.