MEDEA. I warned thee not to shake it, fool!
Back to thy house again,
Serpent with forked tongue!
Wait till the knell hath rung;
Thou shalt not wait in vain!
Now clasp it tightly, carry it with heed!
GORA. I fear some dreadful thing will come of this!
MEDEA. So! Thou wouldst warn me? 'Tis a wise old crone!
GORA. And I must bear it?
MEDEA. Yea! Obey, thou slave!
How darest thou presume to answer me?
Be silent! Nay, thou shalt, thou must!
And next
Here on this salver, high-embossed with gold,
I set this jeweled chalice, rich and fair
To see, and o'er it lay the best of all,
The thing her heart most craves—the Golden Fleece!—
Go hence and do thine errand. Nay, but first
Spread o'er these gifts this mantle—fair it is
And richly broidered, made to grace a queen—
To cover all from sight and keep them hid.—
Now, go, and do what I commanded thee,
And take these gifts, that foe doth send to foe!
[A slave-woman enters with the children.]
SLAVE. My lord the king hath sent these children hither;
And when an hour is gone I take them back.
MEDEA. Sooth, they come early to the marriage feast!
Now to thy mistress lead my servant here;
She takes a message from me, bears rich gifts.
(_She turns to _GORA.)
And thou, remember what I told thee late!
Nay, not a word! It is my will!