Ended be life's little day! To be thus from the homeland divided— 650
No pang more bitter there is.
(Ant. 2.)
We have seen, and it needeth nought
That of others herein we be taught:
For thee not a city, for thee not a friend hath compassionated
When affliction most awful is thine.
But he, who regardeth not friends, accursed may he perish, and hated, 660
Who opes not his heart with sincerity's key to the hapless-fated—
Never such shall be friend of mine!
Enter Aigeus.
Aigeus.
Medea, hail!—for fairer greeting-word
None knoweth to accost his friends withal.
Medea.
All hail thou also, wise Pandion's son, 665
Aigeus. Whence art thou journeying through this land?
Aigeus.
Leaving the ancient oracle of Phœbus.
Medea.
Why didst thou fare to earth's prophetic navel?
Aigeus.
To ask how seed of children might be mine.
