JASON. Nay, have a care, Lest thou shouldst turn my pity unto hate! And keep a quiet mien, since that is all Can soften thy hard fate. MEDEA. To prayers and tears I needs must humble me! My husband!--No, For that thou art no more! Beloved!--No, For that, thou never wert! Man, shall I say? He is no man who breaks his solemn oath! Lord Jason!--Pah! It is a traitor's name! How shall I name thee? Devil!--Gentle! Good! Give me my babes, and let me go in peace! JASON. I cannot, I have told thee, cannot do it. MEDEA. Hard heart! Thou tak'st the husband from the wife, And robb'st the mother of her babes as well? JASON. Nay, then, that thou may'st know how I have yet Some kindness left, take with thee when thou goest One of the babes. MEDEA. But one? Say, only one? JASON. Beware thou ask too much! The little I Have just now granted, oversteps the right. MEDEA. Which shall it be? JASON. We'll leave the choice to them, The babes themselves; and whichsoever will, Him thou shalt take. MEDEA. O thanks a thousand times, Thou gentle, kindly man! He lies who calls Thee traitor! [_The_ KING_ appears at the door._] JASON. Come, my lord! KING. Is't settled, then? JASON. She goes; and I have granted her to take One of the children with her. (_To one of the slaves who has accompanied the _KING.) Hasten swift And bring the babes before us! KING. What is this? Here they shall stay, ay, both of them! MEDEA. This gift That in mine eyes so small is, seemeth it So great a boon to thee? Hast thou no fear Of Heaven's fell anger, harsh and violent man? KING. The gods deal harshly with such wanton crimes As thou hast done! MEDEA. Yea, but they see the cause That drove us to such deeds! KING. 'Tis wicked thoughts, Deep in the heart, beget such crimes as thine! MEDEA. All causes else thou count'st for naught? KING. With stern And iron justice mine own self I rule, And so, with right, judge others. MEDEA. In the act Of punishing my crimes, thou dost commit A worse thyself! JASON. She shall not say of me That I am all hard-hearted; wherefore I One of the babes have promised her, to be His mother's dearest comfort in her woe. CREUSA _enters with the children._