rought thee here, or hast thou aught to say
Besides?

KING. Nay, I forgot one other word,
But I will speak it now. Thy husband brought
Much treasure when he fled to Corinth here
From far Iolcos, when his uncle died.

MEDEA. There in the house it lies, still guarded safe;
Go in and take it!

KING. And that trinket fair
Of dazzling gold, the Fleece--the gleaming prize
The Argo brought--is that within, as well?
Why turnest thou away, and wouldst depart?
Give answer! Is it there?

MEDEA. No!

KING. Where, then? Where?

MEDEA. I know not.

KING. Yet thyself didst bear it forth
From Pelias' chamber--so the Herald said.

MEDEA. Nay, if he said so, it must needs be true!

KING. Where is it?

MEDEA. Nay, I know not.

KING. Never think
To cheat us thus!

MEDEA. If thou wouldst give it me,
I would requite thee even with my life;
For, if I had it here, thou shouldst not stand
Before me, shouting threats!

KING. Didst thou not seize
And bear it with thee from Iolcos?

MEDEA. Yea!

KING. And now--?

MEDEA. I have it not.

KING. Who hath it, then?

MEDEA. The earth doth hold it.

KING. Ha! I understand!
So it was there, in sooth?

[_He turns to his attendants._]

Go, fetch me here
That which I bade you. What I mean, ye know!

[_The attendants go out._]

Ha! Didst thou think to cheat us with thy words
Of double meaning? Earth doth hold it! Now
I understand thee! Nay, look not away!
Look here at me, and harken!--Yonder there
Upon the seashore, where last night ye lay,
I gave command to raise a sacred fane
To Pelias' shades; and, as my henchmen toiled,
They found--thou palest!--freshly buried there
An ebon casket, marked with curious signs.

[_The attendants bring in the chest._]

Look! Is it thine?

MEDEA (_rushing eagerly to the chest_).
Yea, mine!

KING. And is the Fleece
Therein?

MEDEA. It is.

KING. Then give it me!

MEDEA. I will!

KING. Almos