Act 5 — Scene III
Ella Isabel Harris translation
Jason in the foreground, Medea with the children appears upon the roof.
Jason. Ye faithful ones, who share In the misfortunes of your harassed king, Hasten to take the author of these deeds. 935 Come hither, hither, cohorts of brave men; Bring up your weapons; overthrow the house. Medea. I have recaptured now my crown and throne, My brother and my father; Colchians hold The golden fleece; my kingdom is won back; 940 My lost virginity returns to me! O gods appeased, marriage, and happy days, Go now,—my vengeance is complete! Not yet— Finish it while thy hands are strong to strike. Why seek delay? Why hesitate, my soul? 945 Thou art able! All thine anger falls to nought! I do repent of that which I have done! Why did'st thou do it, miserable one? Yea, miserable! Ruth shall follow thee! 'Tis done, great joy fills my unwilling heart, 950 And, lo, the joy increases. But one thing Before was lacking—Jason did not see! All that he has not seen I count as lost. Jason. She threatens from the roof; let fire be brought, That she may perish burned with her own flame. 955 Medea. Pile high the funeral pyre of thy sons, And rear their tomb. To Creon and thy wife I have already paid the honors due. This son is dead, and this shall soon be so, And thou shalt see him perish. 960 Jason. By the gods, By our sad flight together, and the bond I have not willingly forsaken, spare Our son! If there is any crime, 'tis mine; Put me to death, strike down the guilty one. Medea. There where thou askest mercy, and canst feel 965 The sting, I thrust the sword. Go, Jason, seek Thy virgin bride, desert a mother's bed. Jason. Let one suffice for vengeance. Medea. Had it been That one could satisfy my hands with blood, I had slain none. But two is not enough. 970 Jason. Then go, fill up the measure of thy crime, I ask for nothing but that thou should'st make A speedy end. Medea. Now, grief, take slow revenge; It is my day; haste not, let me enjoy.
[Kills the other child.
Jason. Slay me, mine enemy! 975 Medea. Dost thou implore My pity? It is well! I am avenged. Grief, there is nothing more that thou canst slay! Look up, ungrateful Jason, recognize Thy wife; so I am wont to flee. The way Lies open through the skies; two dragons bend 980 Their necks, submissive to the yoke. I go In my bright car through heaven. Take thy sons!
[She casts down to him the bodies of her children, and is borne away in a chariot drawn by dragons.
Jason. Go through the skies sublime, and going prove That the gods dwell not in the heavens you seek. 984