EURIPIDES
Medea
And what is the reason deserves such flight as this?
Messenger
She is dead, only just now, the royal princess, 1125
And Creon dead, too, her father, by your poisons.
Medea
The finest words you have spoken. Now and hereafter
I shall count you among my benefactors and friei>ds.
Messenger
What! Are you right in the mind? Are you not mad,
Woman? The house of the king is outraged by you. 1130
Do you enjoy it? Not afraid of such doings?
Medea
To what you say I on my side have something too
To say in answer. Do not be in a hurry, friend,
But speak. How did they die? You will delight me twice
As much again if you say they died in agony. 1135
Messenger
When those two children, born of you, had entered in,
Their father with them, and passed into the bride's house,
We were pleased, we slaves who were distressed by your
wrongs.
All through the house we were talking of but one thing,
How you and your husband had made up your quarrel. 1140
Some kissed the children's hands and some their yellow
hair,
And I myself was so full of my joy that I
Followed the children into the women's quarters.
Our mistress, whom we honor now instead of you,
Before she noticed that your two children were there, 1145
Was keeping her eye fixed eagerly on Jason.
Afterwards, however, she covered up her eyes,
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