I will take it, then!

MEDEA (_without moving from her place, but drawing the lyre away from
him_).

No!

JASON. Give it me!

MEDEA (_crushing the lyre, so that it breaks with a loud, cracking
sound_).

Here, take it! Broken! Thy fair lyre is broken!

[_She flings the pieces down in front of_ CREUSA.]

CREUSA (_starting back in horror_).

Dead!

MEDEA (_looking swiftly about her as in a daze_).

Dead? Who speaks of death? I am alive!

[_She stands there violently agitated and staring dazedly before her. A
trumpet-blast sounds without._]

JASON. Ha, what is that?

(_To_ MEDEA.)

Why standest silent there?
Thou'lt rue this moment, that I know full well!

[_Another trumpet-blast without. The _KING_ appears suddenly at the
door._]

JASON (_hurrying to meet him_).

What means that warlike trumpet-blast without?

KING. Unhappy man, canst ask?

JASON. I do, my lord!

KING. The stroke that I so feared is fall'n at last.--
Before my palace gates a herald stands,
Sent hither from the Amphictyons' holy seat,
Seeking for news of thee and of thy wife,
Crying to Heaven the doom of banishment
On both!

JASON. This, too?

KING. So is it--. Peace, he comes.

[_The palace doors swing open and a_ HERALD _enters, followed by two
trumpeters and, at a little distance, by a numerous suite._]

HERALD. The blessing of the gods upon this house!

KING (_solemnly_).

Who art thou? On what errand art thou come?

HERALD. A herald of the gods am I, sent forth
From the ancient council of the Amphictyons
That speaks its judgments in that holy town
Of freedom, Delphi. And I follow close,
With cries of vengeance, on the guilty tracks
Of those false kinsmen of King Pelias,
Who ruled Iolcos, ere he fell in death.

KING. Thou seek'st the guilty? Seek in his own house,
'Mongst his own children seek them--but not here!

HERALD. Here have I found them. Here I'll speak my charge:
Thou art accursed, Jason, thou, and she,
Thy wife! With evil magic are ye charged,
Wherewith thine uncle darkly ye did slay.

JASON. A lie! Naught know I of mine uncle's