Argonauts (Greek mythology); Jason -- (Mythological character); Medea, consort of Aegeus, King of Athens (Mythological character)
"What is this purpose that ye are now devising about me, O son of Aeson?
Has thy triumph utterly cast forgetfulness upon thee, and reckest thou
nothing of all that thou spakest when held fast by necessity? whither
are fled the oaths by Zeus the suppliants' god, whither are fled thy
honied promises? for which in no seemly wise, with shameless will, I
have left my country, the glories of my home and even my parents--things
that were dearest to me; and far away all alone I am borne over the sea
with the plaintive kingfishers because of thy trouble, in order that I
might save thy life in fulfilling the contests with the oxen and the
earthborn men. Last of all the fleece--when the matter became known, it
was by my folly thou didst win it; and a foul reproach have I poured on
womankind. Wherefore I say that as thy child, thy bride and thy sister,
I follow thee to the land of Hellas. Be ready to stand by me to the end,
abandon me not left forlorn of thee when thou dost visit the kings. But
only save me; let justice and right, to which we have both agreed, stand
firm; or else do thou at once shear through this neck with the sword,
that I may gain the guerdon due to my mad passion. Poor wretch! if the
king, to whom you both commit your cruel covenant, doom me to belong to
my brother. How shall I come to my father's sight? Will it be with a
good name? What revenge, what heavy calamity shall I not endure in agony
for the terrible deeds I have done? And wilt thou win the return that
thy heart desires? Never may Zeus' bride, the queen of all, in whom thou
dost glory, bring that to pass. Mayst thou some time remember me when
thou art racked with anguish; may the fleece like a dream vanish into
the nether darkness on the wings of the wind! And may my avenging Furies
forthwith drive thee from thy country, for all that I have suffered
through thy cruelty! These curses will not be allowed to fall
unaccomplished to the ground. A mighty oath hast thou transgressed,
ruthless one; but not long shalt thou and thy comrades sit at ease
casting eyes of mockery upon me, for all your covenants."
Thus she spake, seething with fierce wrath; and she longed to set fire
to the ship and to hew it utterly in pieces, and herself to fall into
the raging flame. But Jason, half afraid, thus addressed her with gentle
words:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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