104
THE ARGONAUTS
CHORUS.
In sooth, I have no fear at all—to flee.
JASON.
Night, likea mist, steals softly from the Kast.
The hand of darkness gathers up the folds
Of day’s gold garment, and the valleys sink
Into slow sadness, though the hills retain
That brilliance for a little.
CHORUS.
Let us go!
Methinks that under cover of the night
I may escape Aeetes.
JASON.
If he chase,
Our Argo is not battered by rough winds
So far but what some fight were possible.
MEDEA. [Leads forward ABSYRTUS.]
I know a better way than that, my lord.
This boy shall come with us.
JASON.
Ah, not to Greece !
Aea needs to-morrow’s king.
MEDEA.
“With us”
I said. ‘* To Greece ’—I said not.
CHORUS.
What is this?
Thou hintest at some dangerous destiny.
MEDEA.
Come love, to the long years of love with
me !
JASON.
Form, heroes, and in solemn order stride;
The body-guardians of the Golden Fleece !
MEDEA.
Guarding your king and queen on every
side—
CHORUS.
We sail triumphant to the land of Greece.
MEDEA,
A woman’s love, a woman’s power be told
Through ages, gainers of thé Fleece of Gold.
EXPLICIT ACTUS ‘TERTIUS.
ARGONAUTAE.
ACTUS QUARTUS.
SIRENAE.
JASON, MEDEA, ORPHEUS, THESEUS, HER-
ACLES, Chorus of Heroes, ¢he Sirens.
SCENE: Zhe -lrgo.
MEDEA.
Ay ! I would murder not my brother only,
But tear my own limbs, strew them on the
sea,!
To keep one fury from the man I love!
CHORUS.
This act and speech are much akin to mad-
ness.
MEDEA.
Remember that your own skins pay the price.
CHORUS.
I now remember somewhat of the voice
Of the oracle, that Madness should hunt hard
On the thief’s furtive track, upon the prow
Brooding, and at the table president,
And spouse-like in the bed.
1 The Argonauts being pursued by Aeetes,
Medea threw the severed limbs and trunk of
Absyrtus upon the sea, so that the father, stop-
ping to perform the sacred duties of burial, was
left behind.