Give up to me those dead, to bury and lamentMedeaNo, never! I will bury them myself, bearing them to Hera’s sacred field, who watches o’er the Cape, that none of their foes may insult them by pulling down their tombs; and in this land of Sisyphus I will ordain hereafter a solemn feast and mystic rites to atone for this impious murder. Myself will now to the land of Erechtheus, to dwell with Aegeus, Pandion’s son. But thou, as well thou mayest, shalt die a caitiff’s death, thy headLegend told how Jason was slain by a beam falling on him as he lay asleep under the shadow of his ship Argo. crushed ’neath a shattered relic of Argo, when thou hast seen the bitter ending of my marriage.

JasonThe curse of our sons’ avenging spirit and of Justice, that calls for blood, be on thee!MedeaWhat god or power divine hears thee, breaker of oaths and every law of hospitality?JasonFie upon thee! cursed witch! child-murderess!MedeaTo thy house! go, bury thy wife.JasonI go, bereft of both my sons.MedeaThy grief is yet to come; wait till old age is with thee too.JasonO my dear, dear children!MedeaDear to their mother, not to thee.JasonAnd yet thou didst slay them?MedeaYea, to vex thy heart.JasonOne last fond kiss, ah me! I fain would on their lips imprint.MedeaEmbraces now, and fond farewells for them; but then a cold repulse!JasonBy heaven I do adjure thee, let me touch their tender skin.MedeaNo, no! in vain this word has sped its flight.