The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vi Part 40

JASON. Nay, have a care, Lest thou shouldst turn my pity unto hate!

And keep a quiet mien, since that is all Can soften thy hard fate.

MEDEA. To prayers and tears I needs must humble me! My husband!--No, For that thou art no more! Beloved!--No, For that, thou never wert! Man, shall I say?

He is no man who breaks his solemn oath!

Lord Jason!--Pah! It is a traitor's name!

How shall I name thee? Devil!--Gentle! Good!

Give me my babes, and let me go in peace!

JASON. I cannot, I have told thee, cannot do it.

MEDEA. Hard heart! Thou tak'st the husband from the wife, And robb'st the mother of her babes as well?

JASON. Nay, then, that thou may'st know how I have yet Some kindness left, take with thee when thou goest One of the babes.

MEDEA. But one? Say, only one?

JASON. Beware thou ask too much! The little I Have just now granted, oversteps the right.

MEDEA. Which shall it be?

JASON. We'll leave the choice to them, The babes themselves; and whichsoever will, Him thou shalt take.

MEDEA. O thanks a thousand times, Thou gentle, kindly man! He lies who calls Thee traitor!

[_The_ KING_ appears at the door._]

JASON. Come, my lord!

KING. Is't settled, then?

JASON. She goes; and I have granted her to take One of the children with her.

(_To one of the slaves who has accompanied the _KING.)

Hasten swift And bring the babes before us!

KING. What is this?

Here they shall stay, ay, both of them!

MEDEA. This gift That in mine eyes so small is, seemeth it So great a boon to thee? Hast thou no fear Of Heaven's fell anger, harsh and violent man?

KING. The G.o.ds deal harshly with such wanton crimes As thou hast done!

MEDEA. Yea, but they see the cause That drove us to such deeds!

KING. 'Tis wicked thoughts, Deep in the heart, beget such crimes as thine!

MEDEA. All causes else thou count'st for naught?

KING. With stern And iron justice mine own self I rule, And so, with right, judge others.

MEDEA. In the act Of punishing my crimes, thou dost commit A worse thyself!

JASON. She shall not say of me That I am all hard-hearted; wherefore I One of the babes have promised her, to be His mother's dearest comfort in her woe.

CREUSA _enters with the children._

CREUSA. One told me that these babes were summoned here.

What will ye have? What deeds are now afoot?

Behold how they do love me, though they were But now brought here to Corinth! 'Tis as if Long years already we had seen and known Each one the other. 'Twas my gentle words That won them; for, poor babes, they were not used To loving treatment; and their sore distress, Their loneliness did straightway win my heart.

MEDEA. One of the babes goes with me!

CREUSA. What is this?

Leaves us?

KING. E'en so. It is their father's will!

(_To_ MEDEA,_ who stands in deep meditation._)

Here are thy children. Let them make their choice!

MEDEA (_wildly_).

The babes! My children! Ay, 'tis they, in sooth!

The one thing left me in this bitter world!

Ye G.o.ds, forget those dark and wicked thoughts That late I harbored; grant me both my babes, Yea, both, and I'll go forth from out this land Praising your mercy! Yea, I'll e'en forgive My husband there, and her--No! Her I'll not Forgive--nor Jason, either! Come to me, Come here, my babes!--Why stand ye silent there And cling upon the breast of my false foe?

Ah, could ye know how she hath humbled me, Ye would arm your tiny hands, curve into claws Those little, weakling fingers, rend and tear That soft and tender form, whereto ye cling So lovingly!--Wouldst hold my children back From coming to me? Let them go!

CREUSA. In sooth, Unhappy woman, I restrain them not!

MEDEA. Not with thy hand, I know, but with thy glance, Thy false, deceitful face, that seems all love, And holds my husband from me, too! Thou laugh'st?

I promise thee thou'lt weep hot tears in days To come!

CREUSA. Now may the G.o.ds chastise me if I had A thought of laughing!

KING. Woman, break not forth In insults and in anger! Do what thou Hast yet to do, or go!

MEDEA. Thou'rt right, O king, Most just of kings! Not so much kind of heart As just! How do thy bidding? Yet will I Strive to do both. Hark, children! List to me!

They send your mother forth, to wander wide O'er sea and land. Who knows where she shall come?

These kindly folk, thy father, and that just And gentle king that standeth there, have said That I may take, to share my lonely fate, One of my babes, but only one. Ye G.o.ds, Hear ye this sentence? One, and one alone!

Now, whichsoever of you loves me more, Let that one come to join me, for I may Not have you both; the other here must stay Beside his father, and with that false king's Still falser daughter!--Hear ye what I say?

Why linger there?

KING. Thou seest they will not come!

MEDEA. Thou liest, false and wicked king! They would, Save that thy daughter hath enchanted them And keeps them from me!--Heard ye not, my babes?-- Accurst and monstrous children, bane and curse Of your poor mother, image of your sire!

JASON. They will not come!