Then valor be approved, if for it still there's room.Medea.
But it must always be that valor finds its place.
Nurse.
No star of hope points out the way from these our woes.
Medea.
The man who hopes for naught at least has naught to fear.
Nurse.
The Colchians are thy foes; thy husband's vows have failed;
Of all thy vast possessions not a jot is left.
Medea. Yet I am left. There's left both sea and land and fire
And sword and gods and hurtling thunderbolts.
Nurse.
The king must be revered.
Medea.
My father was a king.
Nurse.
Dost thou not fear?
Medea.
Not though the earth produced the foe.
Nurse.
Thou'lt perish.
Medea.
So I wish it.
Nurse.
Flee!
Medea.
I'm done with flight.
Why should Medea flee?
Nurse.
Thy children!
Medea.
Whose, thou know'st.
Nurse.
And dost thou still delay?
Medea.
I go, but vengeance first.
Nurse.
Th' avenger will pursue.
Medea.
Perchance I'll stop his course.
Nurse.
Nay, hold thy words and cease thy threats, O foolish one.
Thy temper curb; 'tis well to yield to fate's decrees.
Medea.
Though fate may strip me of my all, myself am left.
But who flings wide the royal palace doors? Behold,
'Tis Creon's self, exalted high in Grecian sway.
[Medea retires to the back of the stage.
Creon.
[As he enters.] Medea, baleful daughter of the Colchian king, Has not yet taken her hateful presence from our realm. On mischief is she bent; well known her treacherous power. For who escapes her? Who may pass his days in peace? This cursed pestilence at once would I have stayed By force of arms: but Jason's prayers prevailed. She still May live, but let her free my borders from the fear Her presence genders, and her safety gain by flight. [He sees Medea approaching.]
But lo, she comes with fierce and threatening mien to seek
An audience with us.
Slaves! defend us from her touch
And pestilential presence! Bid her silence keep,
And learn at length obedience to the king's
Commands.
[To Medea.] Go, speed thy flight, thou thing of evil, fell And monstrous!
Medea.
What the crime, my lord, or what the guilt
That merits exile?
Creon.
Let the guiltless question thus.
Medea.
If now thou judgest, hear me; if thou reign'st, command.
Creon.
The king's command thou must obey, nor question aught.
Medea.
Unrighteous kingdoms never long endure.
Creon.
Go, bear
Thy plaints to Colchis.
Medea.
Yea, but let him take me hence
Who brought me to thy shores.
Creon.
Too late thy prayer, for fixed
Is my decree.
Medea.
Who sits in judgment and denies
His ear to either suitor, though his judgment right
Appear, is still himself unrighteous.
Creon.
Didst thou lend Thine ear to Pelias, ere thou judgedst him to death?— But come, I'll give thee grace to plead thy goodly cause.
Medea.
How hard the task to turn the soul from wrath, when once
To wrath inclined; how 'tis the creed of sceptered kings
To swerve not from the proposed course they once have taken,
Full well I know, for I have tasted royalty.
For, though by present storms of ill I'm overwhelmed,
An exile, suppliant, lone, forsaken, all undone,
I once in happier times a royal princess shone,
And traced my proud descent from heavenly Phoebus'
