Who strike and stab, and leave the blows to chance
Waking in consternation, he essays,
Weltering in blood, his feeble arms to raise;
Environed by so many swords; 'From whence
This barbarous usage? what is my offence?
What fatal fury, what infernal charm,
'Gainst a kind father does his daughter arm?'
Hearing his voice, as thunderstruck they stopped
Their resolution, and their weapons dropped:
Medea then the mortal blow bestows."