THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

antistrophe 1
Its grace and sheen divine will tempt her to put on the robe and
crown of gold, and in that act will she deck herself to be a bride amid
the dead. Such is the snare whereinto she will fall, such is the deadly
doom that waits the hapless maid, nor shall she from the curse
escape.
strophe 2
And thou, poor wretch, who to thy sorrow art wedding a king's
daughter, little thinkest of the doom thou art bringing on thy children's
life, or of the cruel death that waits thy bride. Woe is thee!
how art thou fallen from thy high estate!
antistrophe 2
Next do I bewail thy sorrows, O mother hapless in thy children,
thou who wilt slay thy babes because thou hast a rival, the babes thy
husband hath deserted impiously to join him to another bride.
{The ATTENDANT enters with the children.)
ATTENDANT
Thy children, lady, are from exile freed, and gladly did the royal bride
accept thy gifts in her own hands, and so thy children made theirpeace
with her.
Ah!
MEDEA
ATTENDANT
Why art so disquieted in thy prosperous hour? Why turnest thou thy
cheek away, and hast no welcome for my glad news?
Ah me!
MEDEA
ATTENDANT
These groans but ill accord with the news I bring.
Ah me! once more I say.
MEDEA
ATTENDANT
Have I unwittingly announced some evil tidings? Have I erred in
thinking my news was good?
MEDEA
Thy news is as it is; I blame thee not.