And Jason praised her that she had so changed her thoughts; and to his children he said, “Be sure, my sons, that your father hath counselled wisely for you.  Live, you shall yet be the first in this land of Corinth.”

And as he spake these words, he perceived that Medea wept, and said, “Why weepest thou?”

And she answered, “Women are always ready with tears for their children.  I bare them; and when thou saidst to them ‘Live,’ I doubted whether this might be.  But listen.  Doubtless it is well that I depart from this land, both for me and for you.  But as for these children, wilt thou not persuade the King that he suffer them to dwell here?”

“I know not whether I shall persuade him; but I will endeavour.”

“Ask thy wife to intercede for these children, that they be not banished from this land.”

“Even so.  With her doubtless I shall prevail, if she be like to other women.”

“I will help thee in this, sending her gifts so fair that there could be found nothing more beautiful on the earth—­a robe exceeding fine and a crown of gold.  These shall my children bear to her.  So shall she be the happiest of women, having such a husband as thou art, and this adornment which the Sun, my grandsire, gave to his descendants after him that they should possess it.”

Then she turned herself to her children, and said, “Take these caskets in your hands, my sons, and take them to the new bride, the King’s daughter.”

“But why wilt thou empty thy hands?  Are there not, thinkest thou, robes enough and gold enough in the treasure of the King?  Keep them for thyself.  She will make more account of me than of thy gifts.”

“Nay, not so.  Is it not said that even the Gods are persuaded by gifts, and that gold is mightier than ten thousand speeches?  Go, then, my children, to the King’s palace.  Seek your father’s new wife, and fall down before her, and beseech her, giving her these adornments, that ye be not banished from the land.”

So the two boys went to the palace bearing the gifts.  And all the servants of Jason that were therein rejoiced to see them, thinking that Medea had put away her anger against her husband.  And they kissed their hands and their heads; and one led them into the chambers of the women, to the King’s daughter.  And she, who before sat looking with much love upon Jason, when she saw the boys, turned her head from them in anger.

But Jason soothed her, saying, “Be not angry with thy friends, but love them whom thy husband loveth, and take the gifts which they bring, and persuade thy father for my sake that he banish them not.”

And when she saw the gifts, she changed her thoughts, and consented to his words.  And in a very brief space she took the robe and clothed herself with it, and put the crown upon her head, and ordered her hair, looking in the glass and smiling at the image of herself.  And then she rose from her seat, and walked through the house, stepping daintily, and often regarding herself.