Have I not children, and do I not know that we

In exile from our country must be short of friends?”

When I considered this I saw that I had shown

Great lack of sense, and that my anger was foolish.

Now I agree with you. I think that you are wise

In having this other wife as well as me, and I

Was mad. I should have helped you in these plans of yours,

Have joined in the wedding, stood by the marriage bed,

Have taken pleasure in attendance on your bride.

But we women are what we are—perhaps a little

Worthless; and you men must not be like us in this,

Nor be foolish in return when we are foolish.

Now, I give in, and admit that then I was wrong.

I have come to a better understanding now.

(She turns toward the house.)

Children, come here, my children, come outdoors to us!

Welcome your father with me, and say goodbye to him,

And with your mother, who just now was his enemy,

Join again in making friends with him who loves us.

(Enter the children, attended by the Tutor.)

We have made peace, and all our anger is over.

Take hold of his right hand—O God, I am thinking

Of something which may happen in the secret future.

O children, will you just so, after a long life,

Hold out your loving arms at the grave? O children,

How ready to cry I am, how full of foreboding!

I am ending at last this quarrel with your father,

And look, my soft eyes have suddenly filled with tears.

CHORUS

And the pale tears have started also in my eyes.

O may the trouble not grow worse than now it is!

JASON

I approve of what you say. And I cannot blame you

Even for what you said before. It is natural

For a woman to be wild with her husband when he

Goes in for secret love. But now your mind has turned

To better reasoning. In the end you have come to

The right decision, like the clever woman you are.

And of you, children, your father is taking care.

He has made, with Gods help, ample provision for you.

For I think that a time will come when you will be

The leading people in Corinth with your brothers.

You must grow up. As to the future, your father

And those of the gods who love him will deal with that.

I want to see you, when you have become young men,

Healthy and strong, better men than my enemies.

Medea, why are your eyes all wet with pale tears?

Why is your cheek so white and turned away from me?

Are not these words of mine pleasing for you to hear?

MEDEA

It is nothing. I was thinking about these children.

JASON

You must be cheerful. I shall look after them well.

MEDEA

I will be. It is not that I distrust your words,