CHOR. Now no longer have I any hope of life for the children, no longer [is there hope]; for already are they going to death. The bride shall receive the destructive present of the golden chaplet, she wretched shall receive them, and around her golden tresses shall she place the attire of death, having received the presents in her hands. The beauty and the divine glitter of the robe will persuade her to place around her head the golden-wrought chaplet. Already with the dead shall the bride be adorned; into such a net will she fall, and such a destiny will she, hapless woman, meet with; nor will she escape her fate. But thou, oh unhappy man! oh wretched bridegroom! son-in-law of princes, unknowingly thou bringest on thy children destruction, and on thy wife a bitter death; hapless man, how much art thou fallen from thy state![28] But I lament for thy grief, O wretch, mother of these children, who wilt murder thy sons on account of a bridal-bed; deserting which, in defiance of thee, thy husband dwells with another wife. TUTOR, MEDEA, CHORUS. TUT. Thy sons, my mistress, are reprieved from banishment, and the royal bride received thy presents in her hands with pleasure, and hence is peace to thy children. MED. Ah! TUT. Why dost thou stand in confusion, when thou art fortunate? MED. Alas! alas! TUT. This behavior is not consonant with the message I have brought thee. MED. Alas! again. TUT. Have I reported any ill fortune unknowingly, and have I failed in my hope of being the messenger of good? MED. Thou hast said what thou hast said, I blame not thee. TUT. Why then dost thou bend down thine eye, and shed tears? MED. Strong necessity compels me, O aged man, for this the Gods and I deliberating ill have contrived. TUT. Be of good courage; thou also wilt return home yet through thy children. MED. Others first will I send to their home,[29] O wretched me! TUT. Thou art not the only one who art separated from thy children; it behooves a mortal to bear calamities with meekness.