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Page 1 of 11904 · PDF PAGE 18
To ARGONAUTAE Bend thou a suppliant at my awful knee, And thus—perhaps—at least get grace of life. PELIAS. And if I say I will not yield the throne? JASON. I am of force to take it. PELIAS. Are my friends Not faithful? Who draws sword for Pelias? MEN. Shall we not slay thee this presumptuous fool? JASON. I am of force, I say. I wrestled once From sunrise to sunset with Heracles, Great Heracles! Not till the full moon rose Availed his might to lay me prone. Beware! Ye weakling knaves! I am of force, I say. PELIAS. Rebellious youth, the justice o…
1904 · PDF PAGE 25
ACTUS PRIMUS Lightly—a maiden’s pleasure-wandering Through lilied fields a summer’s afternoon. PELIAS. The Gods give strength! I pray them send thee back Safe to this throne. JASON, I will not see thy face Ever again until the quest be won. Rule thou with justice in my sacred seat Until I come again. PELIAS, The Gods thy speed. MEN. The hardy hero goes to find The living Fleece of Gold; Or else, some death may chance to bind Those limbs of manly mould. In sooth, I doubt if I shall earn The singer’s fee for his return. PELIAS. Think now—I feared…
1904 · PDF PAGE 24
…eyond the lightning levin! No misery, no despair may pay The joy to hold thee for a day! JASON. Athena’s servant recks not much of Ares. PELIAS, Are thine eyes kindled at the golden thought? JASON. * Mine eyes see farther than the Fleece of Gold. PELIAS. What heroes can attain so fair a thing? JASON. I have some friends who would esteem this quest
1904 · PDF PAGE 22
… me Who thus a score of years have nurtured it. JASON. I hear thee. Thou art grown like royal wine Better with age. Forgive my violence! PELIAS. [Aside.] The fish bites hard. [A/oud.] There is a prophecy: “Once stirred, Iolchus never shall know peace Till in its temple hangs the Golden Fleece.” Now thou hast so disquieted our days, The time is come: seek thou Aea’s isle, And hang this trophy on our temple walls! JASON. Tell me what is this fleece. PELIAS. Let women sing. WOMEN. In Ares’ grove, the sworded trees, The world’s heart wondering, Han…
1904 · PDF PAGE 20
…the happy days And storm-unshatteréd abodes of Greece? JASON. Athena, who is Justice, also is Wisdom: and also “She who buildeth towns.” PELIAS. Think also, I am born of deity. I am inured to majesty; I know How venerable is the sight of kings, And how the serpent Treason writhes beneath The royal foot, conscious of its own shame, And how the Lion of Rebellion cowers Before the presence of a king unarmed, Quelled by one mild glance of authority. JASON. A king unjust is shorn of majesty. PELIAS, Still the one fool’s-word—justice—answers all. Wou…
1904 · PDF PAGE 17
ACTUS PRIMUS 9 WOMEN. Ah, there’s a fine retort ! PELIAS. Goddesses speak and men list reverently. Could she not find a fitter messenger? JASON. Her cause is Jason’s. Jason therefore speaks. P PELIAS. Aha! A suppliant to our clemency! I did mistake the gesture and the sword Angrily gripped, the foot flung terribly Foremost, the fierce, constrainéd attitude. But—as a suppliant! Tell thy woeful tale, Sad youth! Some woman thou hast loved and lost? JASON. Thou hast robbed me of this kingdom. Thou hast kept My father (poor half-witted man!) a slave…
1904 · PDF PAGE 19
…these, Blood of his blood, he shall nor slay nor ’scape. My heart hath never pastured on regret Or pang for thee. My justice covers all. PELIAS. That one word “ justice” covers all indeed To thine own self. But think’st thou for a word To ruin many years of commonweal, And poison in an hour the politics Of states and thrones for—justice? Thou art just; But wisdom, but the life of innocents, The happiness of all, are better served By solemn thought and weighty counsel held. JASON. This is more simple. I abolish thee— One sword-sweep—and assume t…
1904 · PDF PAGE 21
ACTUS PRIMUS 13 PELIAS, To proof, then, boy. I lay my sceptre by, Put off my crown, descend the steps to thee. Here is my breast. Look firmly in my face, And slay me. Is there fear writ large and deep In mine old eyes? Or shudderest thou with fear? JASON. More hate than fear. In sooth, I cannot strike. PELIAS. A king is not so slain—except a madman May fall upon him with averted head. Indeed, I conquer. [Aside.] Even so, beware! Victory ill-nurtured breeds the babe defeat. [4Zoud.] Listen, my brother’s son! Nay, stoop not so, Bending ashaméd br…
1904 · PDF PAGE 13
… not see. WOMEN. Ay me! this stranger seems most ominous. JASON. Where is the son of Tyro and Poseidon? MEN. This is the Palace-place of Pelias, Son of Poseidon, of Iolchus King.
1904 · PDF PAGE 55
…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 befor…
1904 · PDF PAGE 16
…In the quick eye! What vigour and warm strength! FIRST WOMAN. Yes, in your wishes, But indeed he is A proper man. Away, you ancient egg! PELIAS. With what audacious foot and impious voice Strides this young man and talks? Let him advance, Trembling at our offended majesty. Who art thou whose rude summons startles us From work of state to listen a young mouth Beardless? Speak, man, for shortly thou shalt die. JASON. Athena speaks.
1904 · PDF PAGE 103
ACTUS QUINTUS That Pelias should wander, free to slide His sidelong looks among our courtiers Ripe ever for some mischief. Yet methinks There is a wandering other than this present— Say, by the Stygian waves, unburied corpse !— But, for the means? It ill befits our power And grace—my husband’s honour—to stretch forth The arm of murder o’er the head of age. But surely must be means—— MADNESS. The prophecy! MEDEA. Happy my thought be! I have found it! Ha! “ Athena shall relent not till the king Shall die and live.” Vainly the prophet meant Mere t…