Jason
I have come at your bidding. For even though you hate me
I could not fail you, but I will hear
what new thing you want from me, woman.

Medea
Jason, I ask you to forgive me for the things
I said before. And it is reasonable for you to put up with 870
my temper, since many acts of love have passed between us.
I have gone through the arguments with myself
and I reproached myself, "Stubborn woman, why do I rave
and show hatred to those who wish me well,
and make myself an enemy to the rulers of this country 875
and to my husband who is doing the most advantageous things for us
in marrying royalty and fathering brothers
for my children? Shall I not give up
my anger— what is wrong with me? The gods provide well.
Don’t I have children, don’t I know that 880
I am a refugee in need of friends?
In contemplating these things I realized I was suffering
under a delusion and that my rage was in vain.
I accept it now. You seem to me to be acting prudently
in bringing us this marriage alliance, and I was foolish. 885
I should have taken part in the arrangements
and joined you in the ceremony and stood by the bed
and taken delight in your bride as a member of the family.
But we are what we are, we women:
I will not say evil. But you should not copy our faults; 890
don’t repay silliness in kind.
I give up and admit that I was wrong
then, but I have come to a better way of thinking.
Children, children, come out of the house.
Greet your father and speak to him 895
with me and give up our earlier hostility
to become friends along with your mother.
We have made a truce and our anger is over.
Take his right hand. Ah me, for our troubles:
secret sorrows flood into my mind 900
My children, will you live for a long time
to stretch out your dear arms in this way?
Ah! I am near tears and full of fear.
At long last I have put off the strife with your father,
and tears fill my tender sight. 905

Chorus
And for me too, tears well up in my eyes.
I pray there will be no greater ill than the present ones.

Jason
These things I approve of, woman, and I do not blame the past.
It is natural for the female of the species to give way to passions
when a husband smuggles in another marriage, 910
but your heart has changed for the better
and you have recognized the winning argument,
in your own good time. This is the action of a wise woman.
And, children, not without sound planning your father has
arranged greater security for you, with gods’ help. 915
For I think that you one day with your brothers
will be in the top rank of Corinthian society.
When you grow up. The rest your father is taking care of
and any of the gods who are propitious to me.
May I see you well-grown reaching your early 920
manhood, superior to my enemies.
But you there, why do your eyes glisten
with tears, why do you turn away your pale face,
and do not gladly accept my words?

Medea
It’s nothing. I was thinking about my children. 925

Jason
Cheer up now. I will do right by them.

Medea
I will do that. I do not disbelieve your words.
But a woman is just a female naturally given to tears.

Jason
Why then are you grieving over your children?

Medea
I gave birth to them. And when you prayed that they would live, 930
pity came over me if this would happen.
But some of the reasons I had for inviting you into this exchange
have been said, and now I will tell you the rest.
Since the royal family has determined to send me into exile—
and I agree that this is best, I understand it very well, 935
for me not to stay here as an encumbrance to you
and the rulers of the country, for I appear to be an enemy to the house—
I will then lift anchor in exile from this land,
but the children— they should be raised at your hand—
Ask Creon not to exile them from his territory. 940

Jason
I’m not sure I can convince him, but still it is worth a try.

Medea
Then tell your new wife to ask her father
not to exile the children from this country.

Jason
Yes, of course, and I think I will convince her.

Medea
If she is a woman like the rest. 945
I too will lend you a hand in this effort.
I will send her gifts which are the most lovely
in all the world, I am sure of it, by far the most lovely:
a fine dress and a tiara of beaten gold
and my children carrying them. But quickly 950
one of my servants bring here the ornaments.
She will be happy not in one but in countless ways:
in you she has a most excellent husband
she will also possess the ornament which Helios, the Sun,
father of my father gave to his descendants.955
Take these dowry gifts, children, into your hands
and give them to the happy royal bride.
She will receive gifts without fault.

Jason
But why, you foolish woman, do you deprive yourself of these?
Do the think the king’s house is lacking in dresses 960
or in gold? Keep them. Don’t give them away.
If my wife has any respect for me at all
she prefers me to gold, I am certain.

Medea
Oh no you don’t. The saying is "gifts persuade the gods."
And gold is stronger than ten thousand words among men. 965
Hers is the divine fortune, now the god will increase that.
In her youth she has power. But to save my children from exile
I would give my life, not gold alone.
But, children, go into the wealthy house
to your father’s new wife, my mistress, 970
supplicate her, beg her not to send you into exile,
handing her the ornaments— this is very important—
that she take these gifts into her own hands.
Go, quickly. And may you succeed and be bearers of good news
to you mother of what she wants to hear. 975

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