MEDEA (_stepping forward with the children_).
Medea! Here am I.
KING. Is "t she?
JASON (_dully_).
It is.
CREUSA (_pressing close to her father_).
O, horror!
MEDEA (_to_ CREUSA).
Thou"rt wrong. I never slew my sire.
My brother died, "tis true; but ask my lord If "twas my doing.
[_She points to _JASON.]
True it is, fair maid, That I am skilled to mix such magic potions As shall bring death or healing, as I will.
And many a secret else I know. Yet, see!
I am no monster, no, nor murderess.
CREUSA. Oh, dreadful, horrible.
KING. And is she thy--wife?
JASON. My wife.
KING. Those children there?
JASON. They are mine own.
KING. Unhappy man!
JASON. Yea, sooth!--Come, children, bring Those green boughs in your hands, and reach them out To our lord the King, and pray him for his help,
[_He leads them up by the hand._]
Behold, my lord, these babes. Thou canst not spurn them!
ONE CHILD (_holding out a bough timidly to the _KING).
See, here it is.
KING (_laying his hands gently on the children"s heads_).
Poor tiny birdlings, s.n.a.t.c.hed from out your nest!
CREUSA (_kneeling compa.s.sionately beside the children_).
Come here to me, poor, homeless, little orphans!
So young, and yet misfortune bows you down So soon! So young, and oh! so innocent!-- And look, how this one has his father"s mien!
[_She kisses the smaller boy._]
Stay here with me. I"ll be your mother, sister.
MEDEA (_with sudden fierceness_).
They are not orphans, do not need thy tears Of pity! For Prince Jason is their father; And while Medea lives, they have no need To seek a mother!
(_To the children._)
Come to me-come here.
CREUSA (_glancing at her father_).
Shall I let them go?
KING. She is their mother.
CREUSA. Run To mother, children.
MEDEA (to children).
Come! Why stand ye there And wait?
CREUSA (_to the children, who are clasping her about the neck_).
Your mother calls, my little ones.
Run to her quick!
[_The children go to_ MEDEA.]
JASON (_to the_ KING).
My lord, what is thy will?
KING. Thou hast my promise.
JASON. Thou wilt keep me safe?
KING. I have said it.
JASON. Me and mine thou wilt receive?
KING. Nay, _thee_ I said, not _thine_.--Now follow on, First to the altar, to our palace then.