MEDEA.  No!

KING.  Where, then?  Where?

MEDEA.  I know not.

KING.  Yet thyself didst bear it forth
             From Pelias’ chamber—­so the Herald said.

MEDEA.  Nay, if he said so, it must needs be true!

KING.  Where is it?

MEDEA.  Nay, I know not.

KING.  Never think
             To cheat us thus!

MEDEA.  If thou wouldst give it me,
             I would requite thee even with my life;
             For, if I had it here, thou shouldst not stand
             Before me, shouting threats!

KING.  Didst thou not seize
             And bear it with thee from Iolcos?

MEDEA.  Yea!

KING.  And now—?

MEDEA.  I have it not.

KING.  Who hath it, then?

MEDEA.  The earth doth hold it.

KING.  Ha!  I understand! 
             So it was there, in sooth?

[He turns to his attendants.]

Go, fetch me here
That which I bade you.  What I mean, ye know!

[The attendants go out.]

Ha!  Didst thou think to cheat us with thy words
Of double meaning?  Earth doth hold it!  Now
I understand thee!  Nay, look not away! 
Look here at me, and harken!—­Yonder there
Upon the seashore, where last night ye lay,
I gave command to raise a sacred fane
To Pelias’ shades; and, as my henchmen toiled,
They found—­thou palest!—­freshly buried there
An ebon casket, marked with curious signs.

[The attendants bring in the chest.]

Look!  Is it thine?

MEDEA (rushing eagerly to the chest). 
             Yea, mine!

KING.  And is the Fleece
             Therein?

MEDEA.  It is.

KING.  Then give it me!

MEDEA.  I will!

KING.  Almost I do regret I pitied thee,
             Since thou hast sought to cozen us!

MEDEA.  Fear not! 
             For thou shalt have thy due!  Once more I am
             Medea!  Thanks to thee, kind gods!

KING.  Unlock
             Thy casket, quick, and give the Fleece to me!

MEDEA.  Not yet!

KING.  But when?

MEDEA.  Right soon, ay, all too soon!

KING.  Send it to where Creusa waits.

MEDEA.  To her? 
             This Fleece to thy fair daughter?  Ay, I will!

KING.  Holdeth this casket aught besides the Fleece?

MEDEA.  Yea, many things!

KING.  Thine own?

MEDEA.  Mine own. 
             From these A gift I’d send her.

KING.  Nay, I would demand
             Naught else of thee.  Keep that which is thine own.