t I do regret I pitied thee,
Since thou hast sought to cozen us!

MEDEA. Fear not!
For thou shalt have thy due! Once more I am
Medea! Thanks to thee, kind gods!

KING. Unlock
Thy casket, quick, and give the Fleece to me!

MEDEA. Not yet!

KING. But when?

MEDEA. Right soon, ay, all too soon!

KING. Send it to where Creusa waits.

MEDEA. To her?
This Fleece to thy fair daughter? Ay, I will!

KING. Holdeth this casket aught besides the Fleece?

MEDEA. Yea, many things!

KING. Thine own?

MEDEA. Mine own.
From these A gift I'd send her.

KING. Nay, I would demand
Naught else of thee. Keep that which is thine own.

MEDEA. Surely thou wilt permit me one small gift!
Thy daughter was so mild to me, so good,
And she will be a mother to my babes.
I fain would win her love! Thou dost desire
Naught but the Fleece; perchance some trinkets rare
Would please her eyes.

KING. Do even as thou wilt;
Only, bethink thee of thy needs. Thou knowest
Already how she loves thee. But an hour
Agone she begged to send thy babes to thee
That thou might'st see them once again, and take
A last farewell before thou settest forth
Upon thy weary way. I said her nay,
For I had seen thy fury. Now thou art
Quiet again, and so shalt have that grace.

MEDEA. Oh, thanks to thee, thou good and pious King!

KING. Wait here. I'll send the children to thee straight.

[_He departs._]

MEDEA. He's gone--and to his doom! Fool! Didst thou not
Tremble and shudder when thou took'st away
Her last possession from the woman thou
Hadst robbed already? Yet, I thank thee for it,
Ay, thank thee!
Thou hast given me back myself!
--Unlock the casket!

GORA (_fumbling at it_).

That I cannot do.

MEDEA. Nay, I forgot how I did lock it up!
The key is kept by friends I know full well.

[_She turns toward the chest._]

Up from below!
Down from o'erhead!
Open, thou secretest
Tomb of the dead!

The lid springs open, and I am no more