leading that cruel helpless life, whose every day is misery. Ere that may I this life complete and yield to death, ay, death; for there is no misery that doth surpass the loss of fatherland.

ChorusI have seen with mine eyes, nor from the lips of others have I the lesson learnt; no city, not one friend doth pity thee in this thine awful woe. May he perish and find no favour, whoso hath not in him honour for his friends, freely unlocking his heart to them. Never shall he be friend of mine.

AegeusAll hail, Medea! no man knoweth fairer prelude to the greeting of friends than this.MedeaAll hail to thee likewise, Aegeus, son of wise Pandion. Whence comest thou to this land?AegeusFrom Phoebus’ ancient oracle.MedeaWhat took thee on thy travels to the prophetic centre of the earth?AegeusThe wish to ask how I might raise up seed unto myself.MedeaPray tell me, hast thou till now dragged on a childless life?AegeusI have no child owing to the visitation of some god.MedeaHast thou a wife, or hast thou never known the married state?AegeusI have a wife joined to me in wedlock’s bond.MedeaWhat said Phoebus to thee as to children?AegeusWords too subtle for man to comprehend.MedeaSurely I may learn the god’s answer?AegeusMost assuredly, for it is just thy subtle wit it needs.MedeaWhat said the god? speak, if I may hear it.AegeusHe bade me not loose the wineskin’s pendent neck.i.e., enjoined strict chastity.