Jason.
The royal power
Doth compass me.
Medea.
A greater than the king is here:
Medea. Set us front to front, and let us strive;
And of this royal strife let Jason be the prize.
Jason.
Outwearied by my woes I yield. But be thou ware,
Medea, lest too often thou shouldst tempt thy fate.
Medea.
Yet Fortune's mistress have I ever been.
Jason.
But see
With hostile front Acastus comes, on vengeance bent,
While Creon threatens instant death.
Medea.
Then flee them both.
I ask thee not to draw thy sword against the king,
Nor yet to stain thy pious hands with kindred blood.
Come, flee with me.
Jason.
But what resistance can we make,
If war with double visage rear his horrid front,—
If Creon and Acastus join in common cause?
Medea.
Add, too, the Colchian armies with my father's self
To lead them; join the Scythian and Pelasgian hordes.
In one deep grief of ruin will I whelm them all.
Jason.
Yet on the scepter do I look with fear.
Medea.
Beware,
Lest not the fear, but lust of power prevail with thee.