EURIPIDES
Jason
No, don't be foolish, and empty your hands of these.
1 Do you think the palace is short of dresses to wear? 960
Do you think there is no gold there? Keep them, don't
give them
Away. If my wife considers me of any value,
She will think more of me than money, I am sure of it.
Medea
No, let me have my way .They say the gods themselves
Are moved by gifts, and gold does more with men than
words. 965
Hers is the luck, her fortune that which God blesses;
She is young and a princess; but for my children's reprieve
I would give my very life, and not gold only.
Go children, go together to that rich palace,
Be suppliants to the new wife of your father, 970
My lady, beg her not to let you be banished.
And give her the dress—for this is of great importance,
That she should take the gift into her hand from yours.
Go, quick as you can. And bring your mother good news
x:By your success of those things which she longs to gain. 975
(Jason goes out with his attendants, followed by the
f Tutor and the children carrying the poisoned gifts.)
Chorus
Now there is no hope left for the children's lives.
Now there is none. They are walking already to murder.
* The bride, poor bride, will accept the curse of the gold,
Will accept the bright diadem.
Around her yellow hair she will set that dress 980
Of death with her own hands.
The grace and the perfume and glow of the golden robe
Will charm her to put them upon her and wear the
wreath,
And now her wedding will be with the dead below, 985
106