[Medea goes within. Jason moves off slowly. Ægeus and Nikias go off conferring in whispers.]

SCENE II.

[Time—After an interval; the evening of the same day. Scene—A street. A crowd of people running to and fro.]

Nikias.

O horror, horror, have ye heard the tale?

Ægeus.

Alas, a bloody rumour reached mine ears
Of awful purport: that the king lies dead—

Nikias.

And by his side, his daughter; both caught up
In sudden toils of torment. With his grief
Jason is all distraught; behold her deed,
The swift and subtle tigress!

Ægeus.