lessed gods, by thyself and by thy parents, not to see them destroyed
by an evil doom piteously; or else may I die with my dear sons and come
back hereafter from Hades an avenging Fury to haunt thee."

(ll. 705-710) Thus she spake, and straightway a torrent of tears gushed
forth and low down she clasped her sister's knees with both hands
and let her head sink on to her breast. Then they both made piteous
lamentation over each other, and through the halls rose the faint sound
of women weeping in anguish. Medea, sore troubled, first addressed her
sister:

(ll. 711-717) "God help thee, what healing can I bring thee for what
thou speakest of, horrible curses and Furies? Would that it were
firmly in my power to save thy sons! Be witness that mighty oath of the
Colchians by which thou urgest me to swear, the great Heaven, and Earth
beneath, mother of the gods, that as far as strength lies in me, never
shalt thou fail of help, if only thy prayers can be accomplished."

(ll. 718-723) She spake, and Chalciope thus replied: "Couldst thou not
then, for the stranger--who himself craves thy aid--devise some trick or
some wise thought to win the contest, for the sake of my sons? And from
him has come Argus urging me to try to win thy help; I left him in the
palace meantime while I came hither."

(ll. 724-739) Thus she spake, and Medea's heart bounded with joy within
her, and at once her fair cheeks flushed, and a mist swam before her
melting eyes, and she spake as follows: "Chalciope, as is dear and
delightful to thee and thy sons, even so will I do. Never may the dawn
appear again to my eyes, never mayst thou see me living any longer, if I
should take thought for anything before thy life or thy sons' lives, for
they are my brothers, my dear kinsmen and youthful companions. So do I
declare myself to be thy sister, and thy daughter too, for thou didst
lift me to thy breast when an infant equally with them, as I ever heard
from my mother in past days. But go, bury my kindness in silence, so
that I may carry out my promise unknown to my parents; and at dawn I
will bring to Hecate's temple charms to cast a spell upon the bulls."

(ll. 740-743) Thus Chalciope went back from the chamber, and made
known to her sons the help given by her sister. And again did shame and
hateful fear seize Medea thus left alone, that she should devise such
deeds for a man in her father's despite.

(ll. 744-771) Then did night draw darkness over the earth;