enchantments, as I did with the ram.”  But she lied unto them, and helped them not.  So King Pelias died, being slain by his daughters, when they thought to make him young.  But the people of the land were very wroth with Medea and with Jason her husband, and suffered them not to dwell there any more.  So they came and dwelt in the land of Corinth.  Now when they had abode there many days, the heart of Jason was turned away from his wife, and he was minded to put her away from him, and to take to himself another wife, even Glauce, who was daughter to Creon, the King of the city.

[Illustration:  PELAS sending forth Jason.]

Now, when this thing was told to Medea, at first she went through the house raging like a lioness that is bereaved of her whelps, and crying out to the Gods that they should smite the false husband that had sworn to her and had broken his oath, and affirming that she herself would take vengeance on him.  And they that had the charge of her children kept them from her, lest she should do some mischief.  But when her first fury was spent, she came forth from her house, and spake to certain women of Corinth of her acquaintance, that were gathered together to comfort her, and said, “I am come, my friends, to excuse myself to you.  Ye know this sudden trouble that hath undone me, and the exceeding great wickedness of my husband.  Surely we women are of all creatures that breathe the most miserable.  For we must take husbands to rule over us, and how shall we know whether they be good or bad?  Of a truth, a woman should have the gift of divination, that she may know what manner of man he is to whom she joineth herself, seeing that he is a stranger to her and unknown.  If indeed she find one that is worthy, it is well with her; but if not, then had she better die.  For a man, if he be troubled at home, goeth abroad, and holdeth converse with his friends and equals of age, and is comforted.  But with a woman it is not so; for she hath only the life that is at home.  But why do I compare myself with you? for ye dwell in your own land, and have parents and kinsfolk and friends; but I am desolate and without a country, and am wronged by this man that hath stolen me from a strange land; nor have I mother, or brother, or kinsman, who may help me in my need.  This thing, therefore, I would ask of you; that if I can contrive any device by which I may have vengeance on my husband, and on him that giveth his daughter to him, and on the girl, ye keep silence.  And vengeance I will have; for though a woman have not courage, nor dare to look upon the sword, yet if she be wronged in her love, there is nothing fiercer than she.”

Then the women said, “We will keep silence as thou biddest us, for ’tis right that thou shouldest have vengeance on thy husband.  But see! here cometh King Creon, doubtless with some new purpose.”

And the King said, “Hear this, Medea.  I bid thee depart out of this land, and thy children with thee.  And I am come myself to execute this word, for I depart not again to my own house till I have cast thee forth from my borders.”