432
SENECA'S TRAGEDIES.
[Lines 431—460
JASON, MEDEA.
Jafonem, gravatim Medeam deferentem, feque excufantem, aggreditur
Medea opprobiis, precibus, fimulata conciliatioue.
JAS. Odura fata femper, & fortem afperam,
Cum fasvit, & cum parcit, ex eequo malaml
Remedia toties invenit nobis Deus
Periculis pejora? fi vellem fidem
Prseftare meritis conjugis, leto fuit 435
Caput offerendum: fi mori nolim, fide
Mifera carendum eft. non timor vicit virura,
Sed trepida pietas. quippe fequeretur necem
Eroles parentum o fanila, fi coelum incolis,
Juftitia, numen invoco ac teftor tuum. 440
Nati pah-em vicere. quin ipfam quoque,
Etfi ferox eft corde, nee patiens jugi,
Confulere natis malle, quam thalamis, reor.
Conftituit animus precibus iratam aggredi.
Atque ecce, vifo memet, exCluit, furit. 445
Fert odia praa fe, totus in vultu eft dolor.
MED. Fugimus, Jafon, fugimus. hoc non eft novum,
Mulare fedes. caufa fugiendi nova eft.
Pro te folebam fugere. difcedo, exeo.
Penatibus profugere quam cogis tuis, 450
Ad quos remittis? Phafin & Colchos petam,
Patriumque regnum, quieque fratemus cruor
Perfudit arva? quas peti terras jubes?
Quae maria monftras? Pontici fauces freti?
Per quas revexi nobiles regum manus, 455
Adulterum fecuta per Symplegadas?
Parvamne lolcon, Theffala an Tempe petam?
Quafcunque aperui tibi vias, clufi mihi.
Quo me remittis? exfuli exfilium imperas.
Nee das. eatur. regius juffit gener. 460
JASON—MEDEA.
Medea attacks Jason with violent reproaches for deserting her and excusing himself, and then at his entreaties, pretends to be conciliated.
JASON.
Oh! ye Fates always severe, oh the bitter condition of my own lot, equally so in its results, whether it is accorded as an angry visitation, or whether it is intended to be an act of clemency! How often does the Deity devise remedies for us, which are more disastrous in their effects than the evils they are intended to