By Hecatè, who dwells on my hearth's shrine,
Shall any wring my heart and still be glad."
A noble and appropriate chorus follows this magnificent speech of Medea's. There is room only for the first strophe, in which the women hail the good time coming:—
"The hallowed rivers backward stream
Against their founts: right crooks awry
With all things else: man's every scheme
Is treachery.
Even with gods faith finds no place.
But fame turns too; our life shall have renown:
Honour shall come to woman's race,
And envious fame no more weigh women down."
Jason now enters: he comes with the intention of remonstrating with Medea about her indiscreet demeanour towards Creon and the royal house; tells her that, but for her abominable temper and rash tongue, she might have remained on good terms with himself and all in Corinth: she has to thank herself alone for the decree of banishment. For his part, he has done all in his power to avert her doom; and even now, though she is for ever calling him "the worst of men," he will not let her go forth penniless; she shall have a handsome provision for herself and children, for, he adds,—
"Many hardships
Do wait on exile, and, though thou dost hate me,
I am not able to desire thy harm."
Unless Euripides meant to represent Jason as a fool,
