CHOR.  But wilt thou dare to slay thy two sons, O lady?

MED. For in this way will my husband be most afflicted.

CHOR.  But thou at least wilt be the most wretched woman.

MED. Be that as it may:  all intervening words are superfluous; but go, hasten, and bring Jason hither; for I make use of thee in all matters of trust.  And thou wilt mention nothing of the plans determined on by me, if at least thou meanest well to thy mistress, and art a woman.

CHOR.  The Athenians happy of old, and the descendants of the blessed Gods, feeding on the most exalted wisdom of a country sacred and unconquered, always tripping elegantly through the purest atmosphere, where they say that of old the golden-haired Harmonia gave birth to the chaste nine Pierian Muses.[23] And they report also that Venus drawing in her breath from the stream of the fair-flowing Cephisus, breathed over their country gentle sweetly-breathing gales of air; and always entwining in her hair the fragrant wreath of roses, sends the loves as assessors to wisdom; the assistants of every virtue.  How then will the city of hallowed rivers,[24] or the country which conducts thee to friends, receive the murderer of her children, the unholy one?  Consider in conjunction with others of the slaughter of thy children, consider what a murder thou wilt undertake.  Do not by thy knees, by every plea,[25] by every prayer, we entreat you, do not murder your children; but how wilt thou acquire confidence either of mind or hand or in heart against thy children, attempting a dreadful deed of boldness?  But how, having darted thine eyes upon thy children, wilt thou endure the perpetration of the murder without tears?  Thou wilt not[26] be able, when thy children fall suppliant at thy feet, to imbrue thy savage hand in their wretched life-blood.

JASON, MEDEA, CHORUS.

JAS. I am come, by thee requested; for although thou art enraged, thou shalt not be deprived of this at least; but I will hear what new service thou dost desire of me, lady.

MED. Jason, I entreat you to be forgiving of what has been said, but right is it that you should bear with my anger, since many friendly acts have been done by us two.  But I reasoned with myself and rebuked myself; wayward woman, why am I maddened and am enraged with those who consult well for me? and why am I in enmity with the princes of the land and with my husband, who is acting in the most advantageous manner for us, having married a princess, and begetting brothers to my children?  Shall I not cease from my rage?  What injury do I suffer, the Gods providing well for me?  Have I not children?  And I know that I am flying the country, and am in want of friends.  Revolving this in my mind I perceive that I had much imprudence, and was enraged without reason.  Now then I approve of this, and thou appearest to me to be prudent, having added this alliance to us; but I was foolish, who ought to share in these