Epeisodion 2
Medea
No doubt I differ from the mass of men on many points;
for, to my mind, whoso hath skill to fence with words in an unjust cause, incurs the heaviest penalty; for such an one, confident that he can cast a decent veil of words o’er his injustice, dares to practise it; and yet he is not so very clever after all. So do not thou put forth thy specious pleas
580
and clever words to me now, for one word of mine will lay thee low. Hadst thou not had a villain’s heart, thou shouldst have gained my consent, then made this match, instead of hiding it from those who loved thee.
585
Jason
Thou wouldest have lent me ready aid, no doubt, in this proposal, if I had told thee of my marriage, seeing that not even now
canst thou restrain thy soul’s hot fury.
590
Medea
This was not what restrained thee; but thine eye was turned towards old age, and a foreign wife began to appear discreditable to thee.
Jason
Be well assured of this: ’twas not for the woman’s sake I wedded the king’s daughter, my present wife;
but, as I have already told thee, I wished to insure thy safety and to be the father of royal sons bound by blood to my own children—a bulwark to our house.
595
Medea
May that prosperity, whose end is woe, ne’er be mine, nor such wealth as would ever sting my heart!
Jason
Change that prayer as I will teach thee, and thou wilt show more wisdom. Never let happiness appear in sorrow’s guise, nor, when thy fortune smiles, pretend she frowns!
600
Medea
Mock on; thou hast a place of refuge; I am alone, an exile soon to be.
Jason
Thy own free choice was this; blame no one else.
605
Medea
What did I do? Marry, then betray thee?
Jason
Against the king thou didst invoke an impious curse.
Medea
On thy house too maybe I bring the curse.
Jason
Know this, I will no further dispute this point with thee.
But, if thou wilt of my fortune somewhat take for the children or thyself to help thy exile, say on; for I am ready to grant it with ungrudging hand, yea and to send tokens to my friends elsewhere who shall treat thee well. If thou refuse this offer, thou wilt do a foolish deed,
610
but if thou cease from anger the greater will be thy gain.
615
Medea
I will have naught to do with friends of thine, naught will I receive of thee, offer it not to me; a villain’s gifts can bring no blessing.
Jason
At least I call the gods to witness,
that I am ready in all things to serve thee and thy children, but thou dost scorn my favours and thrustest thy friends stubbornly away; wherefore thy lot will be more bitter still.
620
Medea
Away! By love for thy young bride entrapped, too long thou lingerest outside her chamber;
go wed, for, if God will, thou shalt have such a marriage as thou wouldst fain refuse.
625
