ÆG. Dost thou not trust me? what is thy difficulty?
MED. I trust thee; but the house of Pelias is mine enemy, and Creon too; to these then, wert thou bound by oaths, thou wouldest not give me up from the country, should they attempt to drag me thence. But having agreed by words alone, and without calling the Gods to witness, thou mightest be their friend, and perhaps[[20]] be persuaded by an embassy; for weak is my state, but theirs are riches, and a royal house.
ÆG. Thou hast spoken much prudence, O lady. But if it seems fit to thee that I should do this, I refuse not. For to me also this seems the safest plan, that I should have some pretext to show to your enemies, and thy safety is better secured; propose the Gods that I am to invoke.
MED. Swear by the earth, and by the sun the father of my father, and join the whole race of Gods.
ÆG. That I will do what thing, or what not do? speak.
MED. That thou wilt neither thyself ever cast me forth from out of thy country, nor, if any one of my enemies desire to drag me thence, that thou wilt, while living, give me up willingly.
ÆG. I swear by the earth, and the hallowed majesty of the sun, and by all the Gods, to abide by what I hear from thee.
MED. It is sufficient: but what wilt thou endure shouldest thou not abide by this oath?
ÆG. That which befalls impious men.
MED. Go with blessings; for every thing is well. And I will come as quick as possible to thy city, having performed what I intend, and having obtained what I desire.