Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MEDEA: VENGEANCE, by EURIPIDES Poet's Biography First Line: O zeus, o zeus-born justice, o bright sun Last Line: For such are they that live most honourable. Subject(s): Vengeance | ||||||||
O ZEUS, O Zeus-born Justice, O bright Sun, Now shall I triumph over mine enemies; Now on the road, dear friends, my feet are planted, Now I shall see my haters pay the price. This AEgeus stands revealed -- my sorest need -- A haven of refuge now for all my councils; Ay, and from him the cable of my hopes Shall be made fast when I come safe within Athena's town and tower. Hark, all my plot I'll tell thee -- listen, bitter though it be. One of my household I shall send to Jason Asking to see him once more face to face; And when he comes I'll make him honeyed speeches, Saying that his will is mine -- all's well and fair In this royal marriage he betrays me for -- All for our good and wisely planned of him. -- I shall but pray him let my children stay; Not that I would abandon child of mine In a hostile land to be flouted by my foes; But that I may spin death for Creon's daughter. For I shall send them carrying gifts from me To the bride, that she may save them banishment -- A fine-wrought robe, a golden diadem; And once she takes those gauds and puts them on, A dreadful death is hers and any man That touches her; such drugs I'll smear them with. But I will say no more -- yet Oh, my heart Cries at the thought of what a deed I must Do after that. For I must kill my children, Mine own. There lives not who shall rescue them. And having thus confounded all the house Of Jason, I will go hence and flee afar My sweet babes' blood and my own bitter sin. For bitterer yet, my friends, the laugh of foes. So be it! What good is life? I have no land, No home, no shelter for my misery. Fool that I was, the day I ever quitted My father's house confiding in the tongue Of a Greek -- ay him, God willing, I'll repay. For never shall he see alive again The sons I bore him, nor any other sons Shall his new bride bring forth, since by my magic She shall find an end as evil as herself. Let no man think of me as mean or weak Or a quiet soul, -- nay very far from it! -- As dangerous a foe as loyal friend. For such are they that live most honourable. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT THE FALL OF AN AGE by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE STORY OF URIAH by RUDYARD KIPLING THE FAMINE YEAR by JANE FRANCESCA WILDE THE MAID'S TRAGEDY by FRANCIS BEAUMONT PRAYER FOR STRENGTH by MARGARET E. BRUNER VENGEANCE IS MINE by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON AEOLUS: THE OLD MEN by EURIPIDES |
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