Turning aback from them thy pallid cheek,
And dost not hear with gladness this my speech?
Medea.
'Tis nought: but o'er these children broods mine heart. 925
Jason.
Fear not: all will I order well for them.
Medea.
This will I:—'Tis not I mistrust thy words;
But woman is but woman—born for tears.
Jason.
Why, hapless one, dost make moan over these?
Medea.
I bare them. When thou prayedst life for them, 930
Pity stole o'er me, whispering, "Shall this be?"
But that for which thou cam'st to speech of me
In part is said; to speak the rest is mine:—[1]
Since the king pleaseth forth the land to send me,
For me too this is best,—I know it well,— 935
That I bide not, a stumblingblock to thee
And the land's lords, whose house's foe I seem,
So fare I forth to exile from this land.
But, that my sons by thine hand may be reared,
Entreat thou Kreon that they be not banished. 940
