O the bliss of memory! My infant brother slain, his limbs asunder rent, My royal father spoiled of his ancestral realm, And Pelias' guiltless daughters lured to slay their sire! But here I must not rest; no untrained hand I bring To execute my deeds. But now, by what approach, Or by what weapon wilt thou threat the treacherous foe? Deep hidden in my secret heart have I conceived A purpose which I dare not utter. O I fear That in my foolish madness I have gone too far.-- I would that children had been born to him of this My hated rival. Still, since she hath gained his heart, His children too are hers.-- That punishment would be most fitting and deserved. Yes, now I see the final deed of crime, and thou, My soul, must face it. You, who once were called my sons, Must pay the penalty of these your father's crimes.-- My heart with horror melts, a numbing chill pervades My limbs, and all my soul is filled with sinking fear. Now wrath gives place, and, heedless of my husband's sins, The tender mother-instinct quite possesses me. And could I shed my helpless children's blood? Not so, O say not so, my maddened heart! Far from my hand And thought be that unnamable and hideous deed! What sin have they that shedding of their wretched blood Would wash away? Their sin--that Jason is their sire, And, deeper guilt, that I have borne them. Let them die; They are not mine.--Nay, nay, they are my own, my sons, And with no spot of guilt.--Full innocent they are, 'Tis true: my brother too was innocent. O soul, Why dost thou hesitate? Why flow these streaming tears 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, 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. O yield thee, grief, To love! Then come, my sons, sole comfort of my heart, Come cling within thy mother's close embrace. Unharmed Your sire may keep you, while your mother holds you too. But she remembers, even as she embraces her children, that this is her last embrace.