This is not daring, no, nor courage this,
To wrong thy friends, and blench not from their eyes, 470
But, of all plagues infecting men, the worst,
Even shamelessness. And yet 'tis well thou cam'st,
For I shall ease the burden of mine heart
Reviling thee, and thou be galled to hear.
And with the first things first will I begin. 475
I saved thee, as they know, what Greeks soe'er
Entered with thee the self-same Argo's hull,
Thee, sent to quell the flame-outbreathing bulls
With yoke-bands, and to sow the tilth of death.
The dragon, warder of the Fleece of Gold, 480
That sleepless kept it with his manifold coils,
I slew, and raised deliverance-light for thee.
Myself forsook my father and mine home,
And to Iolkos under Pelion came
With thee, more zealous in thy cause than wise, 485
And Pelias slew by his own children's hands—
Of all deaths worst,—so cast out all thy[1] fear.
And thus of me, basest of men, entreated,
For a new bride hast thou forsaken me,
Though I had born thee children. Wert thou childless, 490
Not past forgiving were this marriage-craving.
But faith of oaths hath vanished. I know not
Whether thou deem'st the olden Gods yet rule,
Or that new laws are now ordained for men;
For thine heart speaks thee unto me forsworn. 495
Out on this right hand, which thou oft wouldst clasp,—
These knees!—how vainly have we been embraced
By a base man, thus frustrate of our hopes!
- ↑ Or "Yea, cast out all their fear."
