“How could the thought of such inhuman wrong Escape,” said she, “from pious Jason’s tongue? Does the whole world another Jason bear, Whose life Medea can to yours prefer? Or could I with so dire a change dispense, Hecate will never join in that offence: Unjust is the request you make, and I, In kindness, your petition shall deny; Yet she, that grants not what you do implore, Shall yet essay to give her Jason more, Find means to increase the stock of Aeson’s years, Without retrenchment of your life’s arrears, Provided that the triple goddess join A strong confederate in my bold design.”

Thus was her enterprise resolved; but still Three tedious nights are wanting to fulfil The circling crescents of the increasing moon; Then, in the height of her nocturnal noon, Medea steals from court; her ankles bare, Her garments closely girt, but loose her hair; Thus sallied, like a solitary sprite, She traverses the terrors of the night.