6 ARGONAUTAE
MEDEA,
I meditate the ancient prophecy.
Thus a foreboding is upon my heart,
Seeing some danger follow yet, o’erhang
Our heads, poised gaily in incertitude!
SECOND DANAID.
Nay, grieve not, dear Medea! All men say
The prophecy is well fulfilled.
MEDEA.
Ay me!
“Until the king shall die and live again.”
ALCESTIS.
What means that?
MEDEA,
I have meditated long.
SECOND DANAID.
To what sad end?
MEDEA.
At the full end I see
Allusion to my magic—to that spell
Whereby an old man may renew his youth.
ALCESTIS.
Our father!
MEDEA.
You have guessed aright, my child.
Your father must abandon his old age
And—by my magic—find sweet youth again!