CHOR.  By what means could she come into our sight, and hear the voice of our discourse, if she would by any means remit her fierce anger and her fury of mind.  Let not my zeal however be wanting ever to my friends.  But go and conduct her hither from without the house, my friend, and tell her this, hasten, before she injure in any way those within, for this grief of hers is increased to a great height.

NUR.  I will do it, but I fear that I shall not persuade my mistress; nevertheless I will give you this favor of my labor.  And yet with the aspect of a lioness that has just brought forth does she look sternly on her attendants when any one approaches near attempting to address her.  But thou wouldest not err in calling men of old foolish and nothing wise, who invented songs, for festivals, for banquets, and for suppers, the delights of life that charm the ear; but no mortal has discovered how to soothe with music and with varied strains those bitter pangs, from which death and dreadful misfortunes overthrow families.  And yet for men to assuage these griefs with music were gain; but where the plenteous banquet is furnished, why raise they the song in vain? for the present bounty of the feast brings pleasure of itself to men.

CHOR.  I heard the dismal sound of groans, and in a shrill voice she vents her bitter[10] anguish on the traitor to her bed, her faithless husband—­and suffering wrongs she calls upon the Goddess Themis, arbitress of oaths, daughter of Jove, who conducted her to the opposite coast of Greece, across the sea by night, over the salt straits of the boundless ocean.

MEDEA, CHORUS.

MED. Ye Corinthian dames, I have come from out my palace; do not in any wise blame me; for I have known many men who have been[11] renowned, some who have lived far from public notice, and others in the world; but those of a retired turn have gained for themselves a character of infamy and indolence.  For justice dwells not in the eyes of man,[12] whoever, before he can well discover the disposition of a man, hates him at sight, in no way wronged by him.  But it is necessary for a stranger exactly to conform himself to the state, nor would I praise the native, whoever becoming self-willed is insolent to his fellow-citizens through ignorance.  But this unexpected event that hath fallen upon me hath destroyed my spirit:  I am going, and having given up the pleasure of life I am desirous to meet death, my friends.  For he on whom my all rested, as you well know, my husband, has turned out the basest of men.  But of all things as many as have life and intellect, we women are the most wretched race.  Who indeed first must purchase a husband with excess of money, and receive him a lord of our persons; for this is a still greater ill than the former.  And in this is the greatest risk, whether we receive a bad one or a good one; for divorces bring not good fame to women, nor is it possible to repudiate one’s husband.  But on passing