itor!

[_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._

CREUSA. One told me that these babes were summoned here.
What will ye have? What deeds are now afoot?
Behold how they do love me, though they were
But now brought here to Corinth! 'Tis as if
Long years already we had seen and known
Each one the other. 'Twas my gentle words
That won them; for, poor babes, they were not used
To loving treatment; and their sore distress,
Their loneliness did straightway win my heart.

MEDEA. One of the babes goes with me!

CREUSA. What is this?
Leaves us?

KING. E'en so. It is their father's will!

(_To_ MEDEA,_ who stands in deep meditation._)

Here are thy children. Let them make their choice!

MEDEA (_wildly_).

The babes! My children! Ay, 'tis they, in sooth!
The one thing left me in this bitter world!
Ye gods, forget those dark and wicked thoughts
That late I harbored;