But Medea—her thoughts unto nought else turned, upon nought could be stayed,

Howsoever she sang—but never a song, howsoe’er she essayed,

Pleased her, that long its melody winged her feet for the dance;

But ever she faltered amidst them, her eyes ever wandered askance {950}

Away from the throng of her maidens unresting; and over the ways,

Turning aside her cheeks, far off ever strained she her gaze.

O the heart in her breast oft fainted, whenever in fancy she heard

Fleet past her the sound of a footfall, the breath of a breeze as it stirred.

But it was not long ere the hero appeared to her yearning eyes

Stately striding, as out of the ocean doth Sirius uprise,