SCENE III

_Medea, Nurse._

_Medea._ He's gone! And can it be he leaves me so, Forgetting me and all my guilt? Forgot? Nay, never shall Medea be forgot! Up! Act! Call all thy power to aid thee now; This fruit of crime is thine, to shun no crime! 565 Deceit is useless, so they fear my guile. Strike where they do not dream thou canst be feared. Medea, haste, be bold to undertake The possible--yea, that which is not so! Thou, faithful nurse, companion of my griefs 570 And varying fortunes, aid my wretched plans. I have a robe, gift of the heavenly powers, An ornament of a king's palace, given By Phœbus to my father as a pledge Of sonship; and a necklace of wrought gold; 575 And a bright diadem, inlaid with gems, With which they used to bind my hair. These gifts, Endued with poison by my magic arts, My sons shall carry for me to the bride. Pay vows to Hecate, bring the sacrifice, 580 Set up the altars. Let the mounting flame Envelop all the house.