JASON. Until—Why hidest thou thy face?
MEDEA. Ah, say no more! This is that bitter fate
Whereof my father warned me! Said he not
We should torment each other, thou and I?
But no!—My spirit is not broken yet!
All that I was, all that I had, is gone,
Save this: I am thy wife! To that I'll cling
Even to death.
JASON. Why twist my kindly words
To a false meaning that I never dreamed of?
MEDEA. Prove that I twist thy words! I'll thank thee for it.
Quick, quick! The king draws nigh.—Let thy heart speak!
JASON. So, wait we here the breaking of the storm.
[GORA comes out of the tent with the two children; MEDEA places herself between the children, and at first waits in the distance, watching anxiously all that passes. The KING enters with his daughter and attended by youths and maidens who carry the vessels for the sacrifice.]
KING. Where is this stranger?—Who he is, my heart,
By its wild beating, warns me; wanderer,
And banished from his homeland, nay, mayhap
E'en guilty of those crimes men charge him with.—
Where is the stranger?
JASON. Here, my lord, bowed low
Before thee, not a stranger, though estranged.
A suppliant I, and come to pray thine aid.
Thrust forth from house and home, by all men shunned,
I fly to thee, my guest-friend, and beseech
In confidence the shelter of thy roof.
CREUSA. Ay, it is he! Look, father, 'tis Prince Jason!
[She takes a step toward him.]