JASON.  Thou’rt unjust,
             And hard and wild as ever!

MEDEA.  I unjust! 
             Thou dost not seek her, then, to wife?  Say no!

JASON.  I do but seek a place to lay me down
             And rest.  What else will come, I do not know!

MEDEA.  Ay, but I know full well, and it shall be
             My task to thwart thee, with the help of heaven!

JASON.  Thou canst not speak with calmness, so, farewell!

[He takes a step toward the door.]

MEDEA.  Jason!

JASON (turning back).

What wouldst thou?

MEDEA.  ’Tis, perchance, the last,
             Last time that we shall speak together!

JASON.  True;
             Then let us without hate or rancor part.

MEDEA.  Thou mad’st me love thee deeply.  Wouldst thou now
             Flee from my face?

JASON.  I must!

MEDEA.  Hast robbed me, too,
             Of my dear father; and wouldst steal away
             Mine husband?

JASON.  I am helpless!

MEDEA.  At thy hands
             My brother met his death untimely.  Him
             Thou hast taken from me, too, and now wouldst fly
             And leave me?

JASON.  He was innocent; he fell. 
             And I am blameless, too; but I must flee thee.

MEDEA.  I left my fatherland to follow thee!

JASON.  Thou didst but follow thine own will, not me. 
             Gladly would I, if thou hadst rued thy deed,
             Have sent thee back again.

MEDEA.  I am accurst,
             And damned by all the world,—­and all for thee! 
             And, for thy sake, I even hate myself! 
             Wilt thou forsake me still?

JASON.  ’Tis not my will,
             Nay; but a higher bidding tells me plain
             That I must leave thy side.  Thy fate seems hard,
             But what of mine?  And yet, I pity thee,
             If that be any comfort!

MEDEA (falling upon her knees to him).

Jason!

JASON.  Well? 
             What wouldst thou further?

MEDEA (rising suddenly).

Nothing!  It is past
And done with!  O proud sires, O mighty gods
Of Colchis, grant forgiveness to thy child
Who hath so humbled and dishonored you,
(Ay, and herself as well)—­for I was pressed
And needs must do it.  Now, receive me back!

[JASON turns to leave her.]

Jason!

JASON.  Hope not that thou canst soften me!

MEDEA.  Nay, never think I wished it!  Give me back
             My babes!

JASON.

Thy children?  Never!