Medea: I'm done with flight.[1]
Why should Medea flee?
Nurse: Thy children!
Medea: Whose, thou know'st.
Nurse: And dost thou still delay?
Medea: I go, but vengeance first.
Nurse: Th' avenger will pursue.
Medea: Perchance I'll stop his course.
Nurse: Nay, hold thy words, and cease thy threats, O foolish one.
Thy temper curb; 'tis well to yield to fate's decrees. 175
Medea: Though fate may strip me of all my, myself am left.
But who flings wide the royal palace doors? Behold,
'Tis Creon's self, exalted high in Grecian sway.
[Medea retires to back of stage; exit Nurse; enter Creon.]
Creon: Medea, baleful daughter of the Colchian king,
Has not yet taken her hateful presence from our realm. 180
On mischief is she bent. Well known her treach'rous power.
For who escapes her? Who may pass his days in peace?
This cursed pestilence at once would I have stayed
By force of arms; but Jason's prayers prevailed. She still
May live, but let her free my borders from the fear 185
Her presence genders, and her safety gain by flight.
[He sees Medea approaching.]
But lo, she comes, with fierce and threatening mien, to seek
An audience with us.
[To attendants.]
Slaves defend us from her touch
And pestilential presence! Bid her silence keep,
And learn to yield obedience to the king's commands. 190
[To Medea.]
Go, speed thy flight, thou thing of evil, fell, and monstrous!
Medea: But tell me what the crime, my lord, or what the guilt
That merits exile?
Creon: Let the guiltless question thus.
Medea: If now thou judgest, hear me; if thou reign'st, command.[2]
Creon: The king's command thou must abide, nor question aught. 195
Medea: Unrighteous sovereignty has never long endured.
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The Tragedies of Seneca
