Collected Works (Vol. II)

ACTUS TERTIUS 99 AEETES. I love him little. Yet my words were true, Nor would it skill him aught if myriad mén Bucklered his back and breast. For when a man Batters with sword-hilt at the frowning gates That lead to the Beyond, not human force— Hardly the favour of the gods themsel ves— Shall stead him in that peril. CHORUS. Yet we know Courage may conquer all things. AEETES. Such a man Is greater than the gods ! CHORUS. If only he Know who he is—that all these gods and men And things are but the shadows of himself! AEETES. I cannot give you hope. Await the end. CHORUS. We fear indeed that in the trap Of wiles our king is taken. Lachesis shakes a careless lap And dooms divine awaken ! A desolate and cruel hap In this sad hour is shaken. The desperate son and violent Of Helios hath designed A fate more hard than Pelias meant, Revolving in his mind Mischief to catch the coiled ascent Of groaning humankind. O bright Athena, hitherto Protectress of the quest, Divide the deep descending blue ! Be present, ever-blest ! Bring thou the hero Jason through To victory——and rest ! MEDEA. Not by Athena’s calm omnipotence, O heroes, look for safety! Little men;._ Looking to God, are blinded ; mighty ones, Seeking His presence, reel before the glance ; ” And They, the greatest that may be of men, Become that Light, and care no whit for earth. But all your prayers are answered by your- selves, As I myself achieve this thought of niine. CHORUS. To me thou seemest to blaspheme the gods. MEDEA. Belike I seem, O ye of little wit. CHORUS. Surely thy tender years and gentle looks Belie such hatred to our king! I scorn To triumph on an enemy once fallen. MEDEA. Fools always! Iam tenderer than my years, And gentler than my glances. CHORUS. Sayst thou—what ? MEDEA. Ye know me a most powerful sorceress. CHORUS. So I have heard, O lotus-footed! one ! Nathless I see not any miracle. MEDEA. Last night the heavy-hearted audience Broke up, and Jason wended wearily His way, oppressed by direful bodements of The fate of this forenoon. J] saw him go | Sad, and remembered how sublime he stood, 1 An epithet common in the East, conveying a great compliment.