CREUSA (taking JASON’s hand and leading him to her father).

See, father, ’tis Prince Jason!

KING.  He is welcome.

JASON.  Thy distant greeting shows me clear what place
             Now best beseems me.  Here at thy feet I fall
             And clasp thy knees, and stretch a timid hand
             To touch thy chin.  Grant me my prayer, O King! 
             Receive and shelter a poor suppliant wretch!

KING.  Rise, Jason.

JASON.  Never, till thou—­

KING.  Rise, I say.

[Jason rises to his feet.]

KING.  So, from thine Argo-quest thou art returned?

JASON.  ’Tis scarce one moon since I set foot on land.

KING.  What of the golden prize ye sought?  Is’t won?

JASON.  The king who set the task—­he hath it now.

KING.  Why art thou banished from thy fatherland?

JASON.  They drove me forth—­homeless I wander now.

KING.  Ay, but why banished?  I must see this clear.

JASON.  They charged me with a foul, accursed crime.

KING.  Truly or falsely?  Answer me this first.

JASON.  A false charge!  By the gods I swear, ’tis false!

KING (swiftly grasping JASON’s hand and leading him forward).

Thine uncle perished?

JASON.  Yea, he died.

KING.  But how?

JASON.  Not at my hands!  As I do live and breathe,
             I swear that bloody deed was none of mine!

KING.  Yet Rumor names thee Murderer, and the word
             Through all the land is blown.

JASON.  Then Rumor lies,
             And all that vile land with it!

KING.  Dream’st thou then
             I can believe thy single tale, when all
             The world cries, “Liar!”

JASON.  ’Tis the word of one
             Thou knowest well, against the word of strangers.

KING.  Say, then, how fell the king?

JASON.  ’Twas his own blood,
             The children of his flesh, that did the deed.

KING.  Horror of horrors!  Surely ’tis not true? 
             It cannot be!

JASON.  The gods know it is truth. 
             Give ear, and I will tell thee how it chanced.

KING.  Nay, hold.  Creusa comes.  This is no tale
             For gentle ears.  I fain would shield the maid
             From knowledge of such horror. (Aloud.) For the moment
             I know enough.  We’ll hear the rest anon. 
             I will believe thee worthy while I can.

CREUSA (coming up to KING CREON).

Hast heard his tale?  He’s innocent, I know.

KING.  Go, take his hand.  Thou canst without disgrace.