While with contending thoughts my wavering heart is torn? As when conflicting winds contend in stubborn strife, And waves, to stormy waves opposed, the sea invade, 940 And to their lowest sands the briny waters boil; With such a storm my heart is tossed. Hate conquers love, And love puts impious hate to flight. Oh, yield thee, grief, To love! Then come, my sons, sole comfort of my heart, 945 Come, cling within your mother's close embrace. Unharmed Your sire may keep you, while your mother holds you too. [_Embraces her sons._] But flight and exile drive me forth! And even now My children must be torn away with tears and cries. Then let them die to Jason since they're lost to me. 950 Once more has hate resumed her sway, and passion's fire Is hot within my soul. Now fury, as of yore, Reseeks her own. Lead on, I follow to the end! I would that I had borne twice seven sons, the boast 955 Of Niobe! But all too barren have I been. Still will my two sufficient be to satisfy My brother and my sire. [_Sees a vision of the furies and her brother's ghost._] But whither hastes that throng Of furies? What their quest? What mean their brandished fires? Whom threats this hellish host with horrid, bloody brands? 960 I hear the writhing lash resound of serpents huge. Whom seeks Megaera with her deadly torch? Whose shade Comes gibbering there with scattered limbs? It is my brother! Revenge he seeks, and we will grant his quest. Then come, Within my heart plunge all your torches, rend me, burn; 965 For lo, my bosom open to your fury's stroke. O brother, bid these vengeful goddesses depart And go in peace down to the lowest shades of hell. And do thou leave me to myself, and let this hand That slew thee with the sword now offer sacrifice 970 Unto thy shade. [_Slays her first son._] What sudden uproar meets my ear? 'Tis Corinth's citizens on my destruction bent. Unto the palace roof I'll mount and there complete This bloody sacrifice. [_To her remaining son._] Do thou come hence with me. But thee, poor senseless corse, within mine arms I'll bear. 975 Now gird thyself, my heart, with strength. Nor must this deed Lose all its just renown because in secret done; But to the public eye my hand must be approved. _Jason [in the street below shouting to citizens_]: Ho, all ye loyal sons, who mourn the death of kings! Come, let us seize the worker of this hideous crime. 980 Now ply your arms and raze her palace to the ground.