Æg. I have a wife joined to me in wedlock's bond.
Med. What said Phœbus to thee as to children?
Æg. Words too subtle for man to comprehend.
Med. Surely I may learn the god's answer?
Æg. Most assuredly, for it is just thy subtle wit it needs.
Med. What said the god? speak, if I may hear it.
Æg. He bade me "not loose the wineskin's pendent neck."[1]
Med. Till when? what must thou do first, what country visit?
Æg. Till I to my native home return.
Med. What object hast thou in sailing to this land?
Æg. O'er Trœzen's realm is Pittheus king.
Med. Pelops' son, a man devout they say.
Æg. To him I fain would impart the oracle of the god.
Med. The man is shrewd and versed in such-like lore.
Æg. Aye, and to me the dearest of all my warrior friends.
Med. Good luck to thee! success to all thy wishes!
Æg. But why that downcast eye, that wasted cheek?
Med. O Ægeus, my husband has proved a monster of iniquity.
Æg. What meanest thou? explain to me clearly the cause of thy despondency.
Med. Jason is wronging me though I have given him no cause.
Æg. What hath he done? tell me more clearly.
Med. He is taking another wife to succeed me as mistress of his house.
Æg. Can he have brought himself to such a dastard deed?
Med. Be assured thereof; I, whom he loved of yore, am in dishonour now.
Æg. Hath he found a new love? or does he loathe thy bed?
- ↑ i.e., enjoined strict chastity.
