Those heaven-sent woes at the door, and of others that yet should befall.

And she summoned her bower-maidens; twelve by tale were they:

Through the night at the entering-in of her odorous chamber they lay,

Young as herself, nor yet on the bridal couch embraced. {840}

And these she commanded to harness the mules to the wain in haste

To bear their lady to Hekatê’s passing-beautiful fane.

Wherefore the bower-maidens hasted and harnessed the mules to the wain.

And Medea the while took forth from the casket a drug of might,

The magic root that they say is the Herb of Prometheus hight.

For if any with midnight sacrifice upon Daira shall call,