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^^ MEDEA, 
 
 TRAGEDY OyF SENECA. 
 
 EDITED 
 
 By CHARLES BECK, 
 
 PROFESSOR OF LATIN IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE 
 
 AND 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 JAMES MUNROE & CO., 
 
 BOOKSELLERS TO THE UNIVERSITY. 
 
 1834. 
 

 f^^^-^ 
 
 Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1834, by James 
 MuNROE & Co., in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the 
 District of Massachusetts. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE: 
 
 CHARLES FOIiSOM, 
 
 Printer to the University. 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 The principal object of the Editor in prepar- 
 ing the Medea of Seneca has been to introduce 
 younger students to a branch of Latin poetry, 
 of which they generally know but little. He 
 considers it an important point in the manage- 
 ment of classical studies to arrange the course 
 of reading so that the scholar, after having ac- 
 quired a competent knowledge of the language 
 as it exists in the best prose-writers, niay, so far 
 as time and circumstances allow, become prac- 
 tically acquainted with the extent and charac- 
 ter of its literature, and form for himself a mod- 
 est, but an independent and thorough opinion 
 of the individual authors. Other branches 
 of Latin poetry are, in the common course of 
 our Colleges, well provided for, especially the 
 epic and lyric ; but the drama is almost en- 
 tirely neglected, although the works of Plautus 
 and Terence contain many of the choicest 
 productions of the language, and the collection 
 of tragedies, which generally goes by the name 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 of Seneca, includes, to say the least, some very 
 respectable performances. 
 
 Independently of the merit or demerit of these 
 tragedies, the circumstance of their being the 
 only complete specimens which enable us to 
 ascertain, in what manner and with what modi- 
 fications and success the Romans transferred 
 the tragic muse to their clime, may justly ex- 
 cite some interest in them. A comparison of the 
 principal Greek tragic poets on the one hand, 
 and Seneca on the other, will, it is believed, 
 convince every one, that there is not so broad 
 and deep a chasm between them as is common- 
 ly supposed — all perfection on one side, and 
 failure on the other, — but that there is in the 
 three tragic poets of Greece a developement 
 perceptible, succeeded by a decline of which 
 the best tragedies of Seneca are but a contin- 
 uation, and by no means a distant one. 
 
 This may be shown with regard to various 
 points ; for the purpose of illustration, one only 
 will be mentioned here. It is well known, and 
 is founded in the nature and origin of tragedy, 
 that, in the works of the earlier poets, of the 
 two principal elements of tragedy, the epic and 
 lyric, the latter decidedly predominated. Tra- 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 gedy reached, in this respect as in many others, 
 its perfection in Sophocles, who not only pre- 
 serves the due proportion of these two parts, 
 but unites them so intimately that one cannot 
 be thought of without the other. How differ- 
 ent is this in Euripides ; how does the element 
 of action predominate, and how loosely are the 
 choruses connected with the plot. If we look 
 at the Medea of Seneca, we shall find the 
 former defect, the subordinate rank which the 
 chorus or the lyric element holds in comparison 
 with the attention and care bestowed upon the 
 plot ; but we shall also see that the Medea is free 
 from the other fault, the choruses being much 
 more naturally and closely connected with the 
 whole, than is the case in many plays of Eu- 
 ripides. 
 
 In presenting this view of the relative worth 
 of Greek and Latin tragedy, the Editor does not 
 intend to undertake a vindication of the Medea, 
 still less of any other of the ten tragedies, which 
 have been preserved to us ; his only wish is to 
 avoid the injustice of unmerited censure, as 
 well as the folly of extravagant praise. Few 
 works of antiquity have experienced these two 
 extremes of criticism more severely than these 
 
VI PREFACE.' 
 
 tragedies. Of late, especially since the labors of 
 A. W. Schlegel, the more unfavorable opinion 
 of these specimens of Roman tragedy seems to 
 have gained the ascendency. The Editor must 
 confess, that he could never read the opinion of 
 this distinguished critic, — it is in the eighth of 
 his Lectures on Dramatic Art and Literature, 
 — without being struck by its superficialness, 
 and feeling a suspicion, that it was founded upon 
 a very slight personal acquaintance with the 
 productions in question, if not altogether upon 
 the statements and assertions of others. More- 
 over, the point of view which Schlegel takes, is 
 a very peculiar one ; he is surveying the whole 
 field of the drama, both classical and modern, 
 and analyzing with admirable acuteness the 
 dramatic literature of the different nations, 
 pointing out, in particular, the close connexion 
 between the drama and national character; 
 thus these few tragedies, the least national of 
 all Roman works, dwindle in his view into an 
 insignificance which, from the extent and na- 
 ture of his examination, will appear quite 
 natural. 
 
 In earlier times, many critics were as liberal 
 of their praise as others of their censure. It 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 would be worse than useless to quote the ex- 
 travagances of men who, like Jul. Caes. Scal- 
 iger, did not scruple to consider these tragedies 
 equal, and even superior^ to the masterpieces 
 of Sophocles and Euripides. Their commen- 
 dation proceeds, in most instances, from a 
 bad taste and an ignorance of the true na- 
 ture of poetry and tragedy, which are indeed 
 starthng. But the circumstance of its being 
 found in so bad company ought not to preju- 
 dice us against the opinion of such men as Lip- 
 sius and Lessing, the former of whom is here 
 mentioned, not so much for his stupendous 
 learning, as his nice tact in penetrating and 
 seizing the peculiarities of writers and of the 
 language itself at different periods ; it is readily 
 confessed, that his opinion as to the different 
 authors whose productions are collected under 
 the name of Seneca, is of great weight, al- 
 though it is not to be adopted without some 
 qualification. Lessing, a scholar of very ex- 
 tensive acquirements and a critic of remark- 
 ably good taste, although he was by no means 
 blind to the defects of many of these tragedies, 
 did justice to their merits, and thought it worth 
 his while to subject them to a careful examina- 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 tion, abounding in learning and ingenious rea- 
 soning, as far as it went ; but he never com- 
 pleted it. 
 
 In the course of these remarks, allusion has 
 several times been made to the opinion, that 
 these ten tragedies are the productions of seve- 
 ral authors. Even a moderate knowledge of 
 the language and a superficial perusal of the 
 plays will suggest this view, and a more care- 
 ful investigation will tend to confirm and re- 
 duce it into a more definite shape. To do this, 
 however, lies beyond the limits of the present 
 undertaking. The Editor would only observe, 
 that he knows of no Latin writings which afford 
 so suitable materials for exercising the critical 
 skill of young scholars ; the questions, How 
 many different authors can be traced ? How 
 many and which of the tragedies are to be 
 attributed to each ? have been frequently dis- 
 cussed, but are not yet settled. 
 
 The Medea is the only one of these tragedies 
 which, upon the ground of a direct testimony, 
 can be attributed to Seneca ; this testimony is a 
 passage in Quintilian ix, 2, 8 : " Interrogamus 
 
 aut invidiae causa, ut Medea apud 
 
 Senecam : 
 
 duas peti terras jubes ? " 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 Besides the advantage of being unquestion- 
 ably the production of a man whose works, 
 although not free from glaring defects, will 
 always hold a distinguished place in Latin 
 literature on account of both their matter and 
 manner, this tragedy has other claims to at- 
 tention. The subject is the feelings and re- 
 venge of an injured woman, and the plot con- 
 trived to illustrate this subject, however simple, 
 is complete and constitutes a whole. Of the 
 characters of the play, that of Medea is, of 
 course, the most important and conspicuous ;. 
 and it is unfolded in the most natural and beau- 
 tiful manner. Medea is a high-minded woman, 
 but irresistibly swayed by her passions. After 
 having sacrificed every thing that is dear to a 
 human beings power, wealth, her kindred and 
 native country, to save and be united to the 
 man of her first and only love, she sees her- 
 self now on the point of being abandoned in a 
 foreign country, among people who look upon 
 her with suspicion and horror, by her husband,, 
 the father of her children, for whom she had 
 made that sacrifice, and who from mean and 
 calculating selfishness is capable of purchasing 
 personal security at the expense of the happi- 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 ness, if not safety, of his faithful wife. At 
 first she is not able to believe it possible that 
 Jason could desert her, and, even when she 
 cannot doubt any longer, her conjugal affection 
 is inventive and ingenious to excuse the con- 
 duct of her husband. But when she learns 
 from his own lips his determination, uttered too 
 with cold indifference, a complete change of 
 her feelings takes place. Her love gives way 
 to the most intense hatred, and her ingenuity, 
 a short time before active in paUiating the con- 
 duct of her husband, is now wholly engrossed 
 with the suggestion and execution of her ven- 
 geance, the means of which occur to her mind 
 by degrees and as it were accidentally. When 
 the passing thought and mention of her chil- 
 dren suggest a new resource for punishing the 
 infidelity of Jason, a painful struggle commen- 
 ces between the affection of the mother and 
 the resentment of the injured wife. 
 
 The character of Jason was not an easy one ; 
 the important object was to form it so as to 
 serve, by its greater calmness, as a foil to the 
 vehemence of Medea, without being tame or 
 destitute of interest. Seneca has, perhaps, 
 failed in the latter respect, at least in the 
 
PREFACi:. ^1 
 
 earlier part of the play ; and the perusal of 
 the tragedy, especially of the scene between 
 Medea and Jason, reminds one of the chilling 
 insensibihty of the hero in Madame de StaeFs 
 Corinne, Yet this defect does not vitiate the 
 whole character ; for there are redeeming fea- 
 tures in it, calculated to interest us strongly, as 
 the expression of his paternal affection in 
 refusing to part with his children, which in 
 fact suggests to Medea her horrible revenge : 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Contemnere animus regias, ut scis, opes 540 
 Potest soletque : liberos tantum fugae 
 Habere comites liceat, in quorum sinu 
 Lacrimas profundam. Te novi nati manent. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Parere precibus cupere me fateor tuis ; 
 Pietas vetat : namque, istud ut possim pati, 545 
 Non ipse memet cogat et rex et socer. 
 Haec causa vitae est : hoc perusti pectoris 
 Curis levamen. Spiritu citius queam 
 Carere, membris, luce. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Sic natos am at ? 
 Bene est : tenetur. Vulneri patuit locus. sso 
 
 The remaining characters, including Cleon, 
 are subordinate, but in keeping ; the scene be- 
 tween Cleon and Medea is important, because 
 
Xll PREFACE. 
 
 it is the hinge of the whole plot ; Cleon, yield- 
 ing to the importunate entreaties to which 
 Medea with feigned hunriihty condescends, 
 renders the execution of her revenge possible. 
 As to the language, it may be sufficient to 
 mention its purity, and its freedom from those 
 indications of degeneracy by which the works 
 of almost all the contemporaries of Seneca, 
 and some of his own, are marred. The style 
 is simpler than that of most of the other tra- 
 gedies ; the dialogue in particular is not ren- 
 dered affected and unnatural by the constant 
 interchange of sententious remarks, which is 
 a very striking defect of the Thyestes and the 
 Troades, rich storehouses, indeed, of apo- 
 thegms and mottos for those who are fond of 
 garnishing their discourse with scraps of Latin 
 and Greek. 
 
 With regard to the text, it follows the edi- 
 tion of J. F. Gronovius, based upon the manu- 
 script which he found in the Florentine library, 
 undoubtedly the best, although not perfect. The 
 Editor cannot but remark how severely he has 
 felt, in the course of his labor, the want of mod- 
 ern editions, among which he would mention 
 that of F. H. Bothe, 1819, and that of Levee 
 and Duval, 1823. 
 
 Cambridge, July 4, 1834. 
 
MEDEA. 
 
DRAMATIS PERSON iE, 
 
 Medea. 
 
 Iason. 
 
 Creon. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Chorus Corinthiorum. 
 
 NUNTIUS. 
 
MEDEA. 
 
 ACTUS I. 
 
 Medea. 
 
 Di conjugales ! tuque, genialis tori 
 
 Lucina custos ! quaeque domitorem freti 
 
 Tiphyn novam frenare docuisti ratem ! 
 
 Et tu, profundi saeve dominator maris ! 
 
 Clarumque Titan dividens orbi diem ! 5 
 
 Tacitisque preebens consciura sacris jubar 
 
 Hecate triformis ! quosque juravit mihi 
 
 Deos lason ! quosque Medeae magis 
 
 Fas est precari, Noctis seter^ias chaos, 
 
 Aversa Superis regna, Manesque impios, lo 
 
 Dominumque regni tristis, et dominam fide 
 
 Meliore raptam ! voce non fausta precor : 
 
 Adeste, adeste, sceleris uitrices Dese ! 
 
 Crinem soiutis squalidee serpentibus, 
 
 Atram cruentis manibus amplexae facem, is 
 
 Adeste : thalamis horridge quondam meis 
 
 Quales stetistis. Conjugi letum novae, 
 
 Letumque socero et regiae stirpi date. 
 
 Mihi pejus aliquid, quod precer sponso malum : 
 
 Vivat : per urbes erret ignotas egens, 20 
 
 Exsul, pavens, invisus, incerti laris : 
 
 Me conjugem optet ; limen alienum expetat, 
 
 Jam notus hospes : quoque^ non aliud queam 
 
4 MEDEA. I. 24. 
 
 Pejus precari, liberos similes patri, 
 
 Similesque matri. Parta jam, parta ultio est : 2§ 
 
 Peperi. Querelas, verbaque incassum sero. 
 
 Non ibo in hostes ? manibus excutiam faces, 
 
 Coeloque lucem ? Spectat hoc nostri sator 
 
 Sol generis ! et spectatur ; et curru insidens 
 
 Per solita puri spatia decurrit poli ! so 
 
 Non redit in ortus, et remetitur diem ! 
 
 Da, da per auras curribus patriis vehi ; 
 
 Committe habenas, genitor, et flagrantibus 
 
 Ignifera loris tribue moderari juga : 
 
 Gemino Corinthos litori opponens moras 35 
 
 Cremata flammis maria committet duo. 
 
 Hoc restat unum, pronubam thalamo feram 
 
 Ut ipsa pinum ; postque sacrificas preces 
 
 Caedam dicatis victimas altaribus. 
 
 Per viscera ipsa quaere supplicio viam, 40 
 
 Si vivis, anime : si quid antiqui tibi 
 
 Remanet vigoris, pelle femineos metus, 
 
 Et inhospitalem Caucasum mente indue. 
 
 duodcunque vidit Phasis aut Pontus nefas, 
 
 Videbit Isthmos. EfFera, ignota, horrida, 45 
 
 Tremenda ccelo pariter ac terris mala 
 
 Mens intus agitat ; vulnera, et caedem, et vagum 
 
 Funus per artus. Levia memoravi nimis : 
 
 Hasc virgo feci : gravior exsurgat dolor. 
 
 Majora jam me scelera post partus decent. so 
 
 Accingere ira, teque in exitium para 
 
 Furore toto : paria narrentur tua 
 
 Repudia thalamis. duo virum linquis modo ? 
 
 Hoc, quo secuta es. Rumpe jam segues moras : 
 
 Quae scelere parta est, scelere linquenda est domus. 
 
 V. 55. QuoB scelere 'pacta est, scelere rumpetur fides. 
 Cod. Lips. 
 
MEDEA, I. 56. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Ad regum thalamos numine prospero, 66 
 
 Qui coelum Superi, quique regunt fretum, 
 
 Adsint cum populis rite faventibus. 
 
 Primus sceptriferis colla Tonantibus 
 
 Taurus celsa ferat tergore candido. 60 
 
 Lucinam nivei femina corporis 
 
 Intentata jugo placet : et, asperi 
 
 Martis sanguineas quae cohibet manus, 
 
 duae dat belligeris foedera gentibus, 
 
 Et cornu retinet divite copiam, 65 
 
 Donetur tenera mitior hostia. 
 
 Et tu, qui facibus legitimis ades, 
 
 Noctem discutiens auspice dextera, 
 
 Hue incede gradu marcidus ebrio, 
 
 Praecingens roseo tempora vinculo. 70 
 
 Et tu, quae gemini prasvia temporis 
 
 Tarde Stella redis semper amantibus : 
 
 Te matres avidae, te cupiunt nurus, 
 
 duamprimum radios spargere lucidos. 
 
 Vincit virgineus decor 75 
 
 Longe Cecropias nurus : 
 Et quas Taygeti jugis 
 Exercet juvenum modo, 
 Muris quod caret, oppidum ; 
 Et quas Aonius latex, so 
 
 Alpheosque sacer lavat. 
 Si forma velit adspici, 
 Cedent iEsonio duci 
 Proles fulminis improbi, 
 Aptat qui juga tigribus ; 
 Necnon qui tripodas movet, 
 Frater virginis asperae. 
 1* 
 
6 MEDEA. I. 88. 
 
 Cedet Castore cum suo 
 
 Pollux csestibus aptior. 
 
 Sic, sic, Coelicolse, precor, 90 
 
 Vincat femina conjuges, 
 
 Vir longe superet viros. 
 
 Haec cura femineo constitit in choro, 
 Unius facies prsenitet omnibus. 
 Sic cum sole perit sidereus decor, 95 
 
 Et densi latitant Pleiadum greges, 
 Cum Phoebe solidum lumine non suo 
 Orbem circuitis cornibus alligat. 
 Ostro sic niveus puniceo color 
 Perfusus rubuit : sic nitidum jubar 100 
 
 Pastor luce nova roscidus adspicit. 
 Ereptus thalamis Phasidos horridis, 
 EfFrense solitus pectora conjugis 
 Invita trepidus prendere dextera, 
 Felix ^oliam corripe virginem 105 
 
 Nunc primum soceris, sponse, volentibus. 
 Concesso, juvenes, ludite jurgio. 
 Hinc illinc, juvenes, mittite carmina. 
 Rara est in dominos justa licentia. 
 
 Candida thyrsigeri proles generosa Lyaei, 110 
 Multifidam jam tempus erat succendere pinum : 
 Excute solemnem digitis marcentibus ignem. 
 Festa dicax fundat convicia Fescenninus : 
 Solvat turba jocos. Tacitis eat ilia tenebris, 
 Si qua peregrino nubit fugitiva marito. 115 
 
 V. 92. Yir longe ut superat vivos. Conj. Lips. 
 V. 95. Sic cum sole perit sideribus decor. 
 
MEDEA. II. 116. 7 
 
 ACTUS II. 
 
 Medea. Nutrix. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Occidimus ! aures pepulit Hymen aeus meas ! 
 Vix ipsa tantum, vix adhuc, credo malum. 
 Haec facere lason potuit ? erepto patre, 
 Patria atque regno, sedibus solam exteris 
 Deserere ? Durus merita contemsit mea, 120 
 
 Qui scelere flammas viderat vinci et mare ? 
 Adeone credit omne consumtum nefas ? 
 Incerta, vecors, mente vesana feror 
 Partes in omnes, unde me ulcisci queam. 
 Utinam esset illi frater ! Est conjux : in banc 125 
 Ferrum exigatur. Hoc meis satis est malis? 
 Si quod Pelasgse, si quod urbes barbarse 
 Novere facinus, quod tuae ignorant manus, 
 Nunc est parandum : scelera te hortentur tua ; 
 Et cuncta redeant. Inclitum regni decus i30 
 
 Raptum ; et nefandse virginis parvus comes 
 Divisus ense, funus ingestum patri ; 
 Sparsumque ponto corpus ; et Peliae senis 
 Decocta aheno membra. Funestum impie 
 duam saepe fudi sanguinem ! at nullum scelus 135 
 Irata feci : seevit infelix amor. 
 Quid tamen lason potuit, alieni arbitri 
 Jurisque factus 1 Debuit ferro obvium 
 OfFerre pectus. Melius, ah ! melius, dolor 
 Furiose, loquere. Si potest, vivat mens, 140 
 
 Ut fuit, lason ; sin minus, vivat tamen, 
 
 V. 132. funus incertum. Lips. funus incestum. All. 
 
8 MEDEA. II. 142. 
 
 Memorque nostri muneri parcat meo. 
 Culpa est Creontis tota, qui sceptro impotens 
 Conjugia solvit ; quique genitricem abstrahit 
 Natis ; et arcto pignore adstrictam fidem 145 
 
 Dirimit. Petatur solus hie ; poenas luat, 
 duas debet. Alto cinere cumulabo domum : 
 Videbit atrum vorticem flammis agi 
 Malea longas navibus flectens moras. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Sile, obsecro ; questusque secreto abditos 150 
 
 Manda dolori. Gravia quisquis vulnera 
 Patiente et aequo mutus animo pertulit, 
 Referre potuit. Ira, quae tegitur, nocet : 
 Professa perdunt odia vindictae locum. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Levis est dolor, qui capere consilium potest, iss 
 Et clepere sese : magna non latitant mala. 
 Libet ire contra. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Siste furialem impetum, 
 Alumna ! Vix te tacita defendit quies. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Fortuna fortes metuit, ignavos premit. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Tunc est probanda, si locum virtus habet. i60 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Nunquam potest non esse virtuti locus. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Spes nulla monstrat rebus afflictis viam. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Qui nil potest sperare, desperet nihil. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Abiere Colchi : conjugis nulla est fides ; 
 
 V. 152. et sequo immotus animo. Conj. Lips. sequo 
 motus animo. All. 
 
MEDEA. II. 165. 9 
 
 Nihilque superest opibus e tantis tibi. les 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Medea superest : hie raare et terras vides, 
 Ferrumque et ignes et Deos et fulmina. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Rex est timendus. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Rex meus fuerat pater. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Non metuis arm a ? 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Sint licet terra edita. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Moriere. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Cupio. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Profuge. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Poenituit fugae no 
 Medea fugiam ? 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Mater es. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Cui sim, vides. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Profugere dubitas ? 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Fugiam : at ulciscar prius. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Vindex sequetur. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Forsan inveniam moras. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Compesce verba ; parce jam demens minis, 
 
10 MEDEA. IL 175. 
 
 Animosque minue. Tempori aptari decet. ns 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Fortuna opes auferre, non animum, potest. — 
 
 Sed cujus ictu regius cardo strepit ? 
 Ipse est Pelasgo tumidus imperio Creon. 
 
 Creon. Medea. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Medea, Colchi noxium Metdd genus, 
 Nondum meis exportat e regnis pedem ? iso 
 
 Molitur aliquid : nota fraus, nota est manus. 
 Cui parcit ilia ? qiiemve securum sinit ? 
 Abolere propere pessimam ferro luem 
 Equidem parabam : precibus evicit gener ; 
 Concessa vita est. Liberet fines metu ; 185 
 
 Abeatque tuta. — Fertgradum contra ferox, 
 Minaxque nostros propius afFatus petit. 
 Arcete, famuli, tactu et accessu procul. 
 Jubete, sileat. Regium imperium pati 
 Aliquando discat. Vade veloci via ; 190 
 
 Monstrumque saevum, horribile, jamdudumavehe. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Cluod crimen, aut quae culpa multatur fuga ? 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Quae causa pellat, innocens mulier rogat. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Si judicas, cognosce : si regnas, jube. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 iEquum atque iniquum regis imperium feras. 195 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Iniqua nunquam regna perpetuo manent. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 I, querere Colchis. 
 
MEDEA. II. 197. H 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Redeo : qui advexit, ferat. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Vox constitute sera decreto venit. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Qui statuit aliquid parte inaudita altera, 
 iEquum licet statuerit, baud sequus fuit. 200 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Auditus a te Pelia supplicium tulit. 
 Sed fare : causae detur egregise locus. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Difficile quam sit animum ab ira flectere 
 Jam concitatum, quamque regale boc putet, 
 Sceptris superbas quisquis admovit manus, 205 
 dua cepit, ire, regia didici mea. 
 Q/Uamvis enim sini clade miseranda obruta, 
 Expulsa, supplex, sola, deserta, undique 
 Afflicta ; quondam nobili fulsi patre, 
 Avoque clarum Sole deduxi genus. 210 
 
 Quodcunque placidis flexibus Pbasis rigat, 
 Pontusque quidquid Scytbicus a tergo videt, 
 Palustribus qua maria dulcescunt aquis, 
 Armata peltis quidquid exterret cobors 
 Inclusa ripis vidua Tbermodontiis, 215 
 
 Hoc omne noster genitor imperio regit. 
 Generosa, felix, decore regali potens 
 Fulsi. Petebant tunc meos tbalamos proci, 
 Clui nunc petuntur. Rapida Fortuna ac levis, 
 Praecepsque regno eripuit, exsilio dedit. 220 
 
 Confide regnis, cum levis magnas opes 
 Hue ferat et illuc casus. Hoc reges babent 
 Magnificum et ingens, nulla quod rapiat dies, 
 Prodesse miseris, supplices fido lare 
 
 V. 214. quidquid exercet cohors. Cod. Lips. 
 
12 MEDEA. II. 225. 
 
 Protegere. Solum hoc Colchico regno extuli ; 225 
 Decus illud ingens, Graecios florem inclitum, 
 Praesidia Achivse gentis, et prolem Deum 
 Servasse memet. Munus est Orpheus meum, 
 Qui saxa cantu mulcet, et silvas trahit ; 
 Geminumque munus Castor et Pollux meum est ; 
 Satique Borea; quique trans Pontum quoque 231 
 Submota Lynceus lumine immisso videt ; 
 Omnesque Minyae : nam ducum taceo ducem, 
 Pro quo nihil debetur. Hunc nulli imputo. 
 Vobis revexi cseteros, unum mihi. 235 
 
 Incesse nunc, et cuncta flagitia ingere ; 
 Fatebor : obici crimen hoc solum potest, 
 Argo reversa. Virgini placeat pudor, . 
 .Paterque placeat ; tota cum ducibus ruet 
 Pelasga tellus. Hie tuus primum gener 240 
 
 Tauri ferocis ore flammanti occidet. 
 Fortuna causam, qua volet, nostram premat ; 
 Non poenitet servasse tot regum decus. 
 duodcunque culpa prsemium ex omni tuli, 
 Hoc est penes te. Si placet, damna ream : 245 
 Sed redde crimen. Sum nocens, fateor, Creo. 
 Talem sciebas esse, cum genua attigi, 
 Fidemque supplex praesidis dextrae peti. 
 Terra hac miseriis angulum et sedem rogo, 
 Latebrasque viles. Urbe si pelli placet, 250 
 
 Detur remotus aliquis in regnis locus. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Non esse me, qui sceptra violenter geram, 
 Nee qui superbo miserias calcem pede, 
 Testatus equidem videor haud clare parum 
 Generum exsulem legendo, et afflictum, et gravi 
 
 V. 236. cuncta j^amma ; cuncta fulmina. Conj. Lips, 
 cuncta crirnina. 
 
MEDEA. 11. 256. 13 
 
 Terrore pavidum. Quippe te poense expetit 256 
 Letoque Acastus regna Thessalica obtinens. 
 Senio trementem debili atque eevo gravem 
 Patrem peremtum queritar, et cassi senis 
 Discissa membra ; cum dolo captse tuo 260 
 
 Pise sorores impium auderent nefas. 
 Potest lason, si tuam causam amoves, 
 Suam tueri. Nullus innocuum cruor 
 Contaminavit : abfuit ferro manus ; 
 Proculque vestro purus a coetu stetit. 26§ 
 
 Tu, tu malorum machinatrix facinorum, 
 Cui feminea nequitia, ad audendum omnia 
 Virile robur, nulla famae memoria est,\ 
 Egredere : purga regna ; letales simul 
 Tecum aufer herbas. Libera cives metu : 270 
 Alia sedens tellure sollicita Deos. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Profugere cogis ? redde fugienti ratem, 
 
 Vel redde comitem. Fugere cur solam jubes? 
 
 Non sola veni. Bella si metuis pati, 
 
 Utrumque regno pelle. Cur sontes duos 275 
 
 Distinguis? illi Pelia, non nobis jacet. 
 
 Fugam rapinasque adice ; desertum patrem, 
 
 Lacerumque fratrem. Quidquid etiamnum novas 
 
 Docet maritus conjuges, non est meum. 
 
 Toties nocens sum facta, sed nunquam mihi. Qso 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Jam exisse decuit : quid seris fando moras ? 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Supplex recedens illud extremum precor, 
 Ne culpa natos matris insontes trahat. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Vade : hos paterno, ut genitor, excipiam sinu. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Per ego auspicatos regii thalami toros, 285 
 
 2 
 
14 MEDEA. II. 286. 
 
 Per spes futuras, perque regnorum status, 
 Fortuna varia dubia quos agitat vice, 
 Precor, brevem largire fugienti moram, 
 Dum extrema natis mater infigo oscula, 
 Fortasse moriens. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Fraudibus tempus petis. 290 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 duee fraus timeri tempore exiguo potest 1 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Nullum ad nocendum tempus angustum est malis. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Parumne miserse temporis lacrymis negas ? 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Etsi repugnat precibus infixus timer, 
 
 Unus parando dabitur exsilio dies. 295 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Nimis est ; recidas aliquid ex isto licet. 
 Et ipsa propero. 
 
 CREON. 
 
 Capite supplicium lues, 
 Clarus priusquam Phoebus attollat diem. 
 Nisi cedis Isthmo. — Sacra me thalami vocant ; 
 Vocat precari festus Hymenaeo dies. 300 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Audax nimium, qui freta primus 
 
 Rate tarn fragili perfida rupit ; 
 
 Terrasque suas post terga videns 
 
 Animam levibus credidit auris ; 
 
 Dubioque secans aequora cursu 305 
 
 Potuit tenui fidere ligno. 
 
 Inter vitae mortisque vias 
 
MEDEA. IT. 308. 15 
 
 Nimium gracili limite ducto. 
 
 Nondum quisquam sidera norat ; 
 
 Stellisque, quibus pingitur aether, 310 
 
 Non erat usus : nondum pluvias 
 
 Hyadas poterant vitare rates, 
 
 Non Oleniae sidera capras, 
 
 Non quse sequitur flectitque senex 
 
 Arctica tardus plaustra Bootes : 315 
 
 Nondum Boreas, nondum Zephyrus 
 
 Noraen habebant. 
 
 Ausus Tiphys pandere vasto 
 
 Carbasa ponto, legesque novas 
 
 Scribere ventis ; nunc lina sinu 320 
 
 Tendere toto ; nunc prolato 
 
 Pede transversos captare Notes ; 
 
 Nunc antennas medio tutas 
 
 Ponere malo : nunc in sumrao 
 
 Religare loco, cum jam totos 325 
 
 Avidus nimium navita flatus 
 
 Optat, et alto rubicunda tremunt 
 
 Suppara velo. 
 
 Candida nostri saecula patres 
 
 Videre, procul fraude remota. 330 
 
 Sua quisque piger litora tangens, 
 
 Patrioque senex factus in arvo, 
 
 Parvo dives, nisi quas tulerat 
 
 Natale solum, non norat opes. 
 
 Bene dissepti foedera mundi 335 
 
 Traxit in unum Thessala pinus ; 
 
 Jussitque pati verbera pontum, 
 
 Partemque metus fieri nostri 
 
 Mare sepositum. Dedit ilia graves 
 
 Improba poenas per tam longos 340 
 
 Ducta timores ; cum duo montes, 
 
 Claustra profundi, hinc atque illinc 
 
16 MEDEA. II. 343. 
 
 Subito impulsu velut sethereo 
 
 Gemerent sonitu ; spargeret astra 
 
 Nubesque ipsas mare deprensum. 345 
 
 Palluit audax Tiphys, et omnes 
 
 Labente manu misit habenas : 
 
 Orpheus tacuit torpente lyra ; 
 
 Ipsaque vocem perdidit Argo. 
 
 Quid ? cum Siculi virgo Pelori, 350 
 
 Rabidos utero succincta canes, 
 
 Omnes pariter solvit hiatus, 
 
 Quis non lotos horruit artus 
 
 Toties uno latrante malo ? 
 
 Quid ? cum Ausonium diras pestes 355 
 
 Voce canora mare mulcerent ; 
 
 Cum Pieria resonans cithara 
 
 Thracius Orpheus solitam cantu 
 
 Retinere rates psene coegit 
 
 Sirena sequi? quod fuit hujus 360 
 
 Pretium cursus ? aurea pellis, 
 
 Majusque raari Medea malum ; 
 
 Merces prima digna carina. 
 
 Nunc jam cessit pontus, et omnes ' 
 
 Patitur leges. Non Palladia 365 
 
 Compacta manu regum referens 
 
 Inclita remos quaeritur Argo. 
 
 Q-uselibet altum cymba pererrat : 
 
 Terminus omnis motus, et urbes 
 
 Muros terra posuere nova. 370 
 
 Nil, qua fuerat sede, reliquit 
 
 Pervius orbis. 
 
 Indus gelidum potat Araxen : 
 
 V. 844. pergeret astra. Cod. Lips. 
 V. 345. mare depressum. Cod. Lips. 
 V. 354. imo latrante malo. 
 
MEDEA. II. 374. 17 
 
 Albim PerssB Rhenumque bibunt, 
 
 Venient annis saecula seris, 375 
 
 Quibus Oceanus vincula rerum 
 
 Laxet, et ingens pateat tellus, 
 
 Tethysque novos detegat orbes, 
 
 Nee sit terris ultima Thule. 
 
 ACTUS III. 
 
 NuTRix. Medea. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Alumna, celerem quo rapis tectis pedem ? sso 
 Resiste, et iras comprime, ac retine impetum. 
 Incerta qualis entheos cursus tulit, 
 Cum jam recepto Mgenas insanit Deo 
 Pindi nivalis vertice, aut Nysse jugis ; 
 Talis recursat hue et hue motu efFero sss 
 
 Furoris ore signa lymphati gerens. 
 Flammata faeies spiritum ex alto citat. 
 Proclamat : oeulos uberi fletu rigat : 
 Renidet : omnis speeimen afFectus eapit ; 
 Haeret, minatur, aestuat, queritur, gemit. 390 
 
 duo pondus animi verget 1 ubi ponet minas ? 
 Ubi se iste flaetus franget? Exundat furor. 
 Non faeile seeum versat aut medium seelus. 
 Se vineet : irse novimus veteres notas. 
 Magnum aliquid instat, efFerum, immane, impium. 
 Vultum furoris cerno. Di fallant metum ! 396 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Si quaeris, odio, misera, quern statuas modum, 
 
 V. 388. Superij oeulos fletu rigat. Conj. Lips. 
 
 V. 393. di,\xtinduit : aut ludit ; diut rude. Conj. Lips. 
 
 2^^ 
 
IS MEDEA. III. 398. 
 
 Imitare amorem. Regias egon' ut faces 
 Inulta patiar ? segnis hie ibit dies 
 Tan to petitus ambitu, tanto datus ? 400 
 
 Dum terra coelum media libratum feret, 
 Nitidusque certas mundus evolvet vices, 
 Numerusque arenis deerit, et solem dies, 
 Noctem sequentar astra ; dum siccas polus 
 Versabit Arctos ; flumina in pontum cadent ; 405 
 Nunquam mens cessabit in poenas furor, 
 Crescetque semper, dues ferarum immanitas, 
 Quae Scylla, quae Charybdis Ausouium mare 
 Siculumque sorbens, quseque anhelantem premens 
 Titana tantis iEtna fervescit minis ? 410 
 
 Non rapidus amnis, non procellpsum mare, 
 Pontusque Coro ssevus, aut vis ignium 
 Adjuta flatu possit inhibere impetum 
 Irasque nostras. Sternam et evertam omnia. 
 Timuit Creontem, ac bella Thessalici ducis ? 415 
 Amor timere neminem verus potest. 
 Sed cesserit coactus, et dederit manus ; 
 Adire certe, et conjugem extremo alloqui 
 Sermone potuit: hoc quoque extimuit ferox? 
 Laxare certe tempus immitis fugae 420 
 
 Genero licebat. Liberis unus dies 
 Datus duobus ! Non queror tempus breve : 
 Multum patebit. Faciet, hie faciet dies, 
 Quod nullus unquam taceat. Invadam Deos, 
 Et cuncta quatiam. 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Recipe turbatum malis, 425 
 Hera, pectus : animum mitiga. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Sola est quies, 
 Mecum ruina cuncta si video obruta. 
 Mecum omnia abeant. Trahere, cum pereas, libet. 
 
MEDEA. III. 429. 19 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Quam multa sint timenda, si perstas, vide. 
 Nemo potentes aggredi tutus potest. 430 
 
 Iason. Medea. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 O dura fata semper, et sortem asperam, 
 Cum saevit et cum parcit, ex sequo malam ! 
 Remedia quoties invenit nobis Deus 
 Periculis pejora ? Si vellem fidem 
 Praestare meritis conjugis, leto fuit 435 
 
 Caput ofFerendum : si mori nolim, fide 
 Misero carendum est. Non timer vicit virum, 
 Sed trepida pietas : quippe sequeretur necem 
 Proles parentum. O sancta, si coelum incolis, 
 Justitia, numen invoco ac tester tuum. 440 
 
 Nati patrem vicere. duin ipsam quoque, 
 Etsi ferox est corde, nee patiens jugi, 
 Consulere natis malle quam thalamis reor. 
 Constituit animus precibus iratam aggredi. 
 Atque, ecce, viso raemet exsiluit, furit : 445 
 
 Fert odia prse se ; totus in vultu est dolor. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Fugimus, Iason, fiigimus. Hoc non est novum, 
 Mutare sedes : causa fugiendi nova est. 
 Pro te solebam fugere : discedo, exeo. 
 Penatibus profugere quam cogis tuis, 450 
 
 Ad quos remittis ? Phasin et Colchos petam, 
 Patriumque regnum, quaeque fraternus cruor 
 Perfudit arva ? quas peti terras jubes ? 
 Q,ua3 maria monstras? Pontici fauces freti ? 
 Per quas revexi nobiles regum manus, 455 
 
 Adulterum secuta per Symplegadas ? 
 
20 MEDEA. III. 457. 
 
 Parvamne lolcon, Thessala an Tempe petam ? 
 Quascunque aperui tibi vias, clusi mihi. 
 Quo me remittis 1 exsuli exsilium imperas, 
 Nee das. Eatur : regius jussit gener : 4e 
 
 Nihil recuse. Dira supplicia ingere ; 
 Merui. Cruentis pellicem poenis premat 
 Regalis ira ; vinculis oneret manus, 
 Clusamque saxo noctis seternae obruat ; 
 Minora meritis patiar. Ingratum caput ! 4e 
 
 Revolvat animus igneos tauri halitus, 
 Interque ssevos gentis indomitae metus, 
 Armifero in arvo flammeum iEetas pecus, 
 Hostisque subiti tela ; cum, jussu meo, 
 Terrigena miles mutua ca3de occidit. 4i 
 
 Adice expetita spolia Phrixei arietis, 
 Somnoque jussum lumina ignoto dare 
 Insomne monstrum ; traditum fratrem neci ; 
 Et scelere in uno non semel factum scelus; 
 Jussasque natas, fraude deceptas mea, 4^ 
 
 Secare membra non revicturi senis. 
 Aliena quaerens regna, deserui mea. 
 Per spes tuorum liberum, et certum larem, 
 Per victa monstra, per manus, pro te quibus 
 Nunquam peperci, perque prseteritos metus, 4e 
 Per coelum, et undas, conjugi testes mei, 
 Miserere : redde supplici felix vicem. 
 Ex opibus illis, quas procul raptas Scythse 
 Usque a perustis Indiae populis petunt, 
 Quas quia referta vix domus gazas capit, 4£ 
 
 Ornamus auro nemora, nil exsul tuli, 
 Nisi fratris artus. Hos quoque impendi tibi. 
 Tibi patria cessit, tibi pater, frater, pudor. 
 Hac dote nupsi : redde fugienti sua. 
 
 V. 477. Aliena quserens regna .^ deserui mea. 
 
MEDEA. III. 490. 31 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Perimere cum te vellet infestus Creo, 490 
 
 Lacrymis meis evictus exsilium dedit. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Pcenam putabam ; munus, ut video, est faga. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Dum licet abire, profuge, teque hinc eripe. 
 Gravis ira regum est semper. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Hoc suades mihi, 
 Proestas Creusse : pellicem invisam amoves. 495 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Medea araores obicit ? 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Et caedem, et dolos. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Objicere crimen quod potes tandem mihi ? 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Quodcunque feci. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Restat hoc unum insuper, 
 Tuis ut etiam sceleribus fiam nocens. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Tua ilia, tua sunt ilia. Cui prodest scelus, soo 
 Is fecit. Omnes conjugem infamem arguant ; 
 Solus tuere, solus insontem voca. 
 Tibi innocens sit, quisquis est pro te nocens. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Ingrata vita est, cujus acceptse pudet. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Retinenda non est, cujus acceptae pudet. soo 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Quin potius ira concitum pectus doma. 
 Placare natis. 
 
22 MEDEA. III. 507. 
 
 MEDEA, 
 
 Abdico, ejuro, abnuo. " 
 Meis Creusa liberis fratres dabit ? 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Regina natis exsulum, afflictis potens. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Non veniat unquam tarn malus miseris dies, 510 
 dai prole fceda misceat prolem inclitam, 
 Phoebi nepotes Sisyphi nepotibus. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Quid, misera, meque teque in exitium trahis ? 
 Abscede, quaeso. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Supplicem audivit Creo. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Quid facere possim, eloquere. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Pro me? vel scelus. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Hinc rex, et iliinc. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Est et his major metus, 516 
 Medea. Nos confligere certemus, sine ; 
 Sit pretium lason. 
 
 I A SON. 
 
 Cedo defessus malis. 
 Et ipsa casus ssepe jam expertos lime. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Fortuna semper omnis intra me stetit. 520 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Acastus instat ; propior est hostis Creo. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Utrumque profuge. Nolo ut in socerum manus 
 Armes ; nee, ut te caede cognata inquines, 
 Medea cogit : innocens mecum fuge. 
 
MEDEA. III. 525. 23 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Et quis resistet, gemina si bella ingruant, 625 
 
 Creo atque Acastus arma si jungant sua ? 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 His adice Colchos, adjice JEeten ducem ; 
 Scythas Pelasgis junge ; demersos dabo. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Alta extimesco sceptra. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Ne cupias, vide. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Suspecta ne sint, longa colloquia amputa. 530 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Nunc summe toto Jupiter coelo tona ; 
 
 Intende dextram ; vindices flammas para ; 
 
 Omnemque ruptis nubibus mundum quate. 
 
 Nee diligenti tela librentur manu : 
 
 Vel me, vel istum : quisquis e nobis cadet, 535 
 
 Nocens peribit : non potest in nos tuum 
 
 Errare fulmen. 
 
 IAS ox. 
 Sana meditari incipe, 
 Et placida fare. Si quid ex soceri domo 
 Potest fugam levare, solamen pete. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Contemnere animus regias, ut scis, opes 540 
 
 Potest soletque : liberos tantum fugae 
 Habere comites liceat, in quorum sinu 
 Lacrimas profundam. Te novi nati manent. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Parere precibus cupere me fateor tuis ; 
 
 Pietas vetat : namque, istud ut possim pati, 545 
 
 Non ipse memet cogat et rex et socer. 
 
 Haec causa vitae est : hoc perusti pectoris 
 
 Curis levamen. Spiritu citius queam 
 
 Carere, membris, luce. 
 
24 MEDEA. III. 549. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Sic natos am at? 
 Bene est : tenetur. Vulneri patuit locus. 550 
 
 Saprema certe liceat abeuntem loqui 
 Mandata : liceat ultimum amplexum dare. 
 Gratum est et illud. Voce jamextrema peto, 
 Ne, si qua noster dubius efFudit dolor, 
 Maneant in animo verba ; sed melior tibi 655 
 
 Memoria nostri subeat : hsec irae data 
 Obliterentur. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Omnia ex animo expuli. 
 Precorque, et ipsa fervidam ut mentem regas, 
 Placideque tractes. Miserias lenit quies, 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Discessit ! Itan' est ? vadis oblitus mei, 560 
 
 Et tot meorum facinorum ? excidimus tibi ? 
 Nunquam excidemus. Hoc age ; omnes advoca 
 Vires et artes. Fructus est scelerum tibi, 
 Nullum scelus putare. Vix fraudi est locus ; 
 Timemur ; hac aggredere, qua nemo potest 665 
 Quidquam timere : perge : nunc aude, incipe, 
 Quidquid potes, Medea, quidquid non potes. 
 Tu, fida nutrix, socia moeroris mei, 
 Variique casus, misera consilia adjuva. 
 Est palla nobis, munus setheresB domus 670 
 
 Decusque regni, pignus JEetae datum 
 A Sole generis. Est et auro textili 
 Monile fulgens ; quodque gemmarum nitor 
 Distinguit aurum, quo solent cingi comae. 
 Haec nostra nati dona nubenti ferant, 575 
 
 Sed ante diris illita ac tincta artibus. 
 Vocetur Hecate : sacra luctifica appara. 
 Statuantur aras : flamma jam tectis sonet. 
 
MEDEA. III. 579. 25 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Nulla vis flammse tumidique venti 
 
 Tanta, nee teli metiienda torti, sso 
 
 Quanta cum conjux viduata tsedis 
 
 Ardet et odit. 
 Non ubi hibernos nebulosus imbres 
 Auster advexit, properatque torrens 
 Ister, et junctos vetat esse pontes, 585 
 
 Ac vagus errat. 
 Non ubi impellit Rhodanus profundum; 
 Aut ubi in rivos nivibus solutis 
 Sole jam forti medioque vere 
 
 Tabuit Haemus. 590 
 
 Cebcus est ignis stimulatus ira ; 
 Nee regi curat, patiturve frenos. 
 Haud timet mortem : cupit ire in ipsos 
 
 Obvius enses. 
 Parcite, o Divi ! veniam precamur, 595 
 
 Vivat ut tutus, mare qui subegit. 
 Sed furit vinci dominus profundi 
 
 Regna secunda. 
 Ausus seternos agitare currus, 
 Immemor metae juvenis paternge, 600 
 
 Q.UOS polo sparsit furiosus ignes^ 
 
 Ipse recepit. 
 Constitit nulli via nota magno. 
 Vade, qua tutum populo priori : 
 Rumpe nee sacro, violente, sancta eos 
 
 Foedera mundi. 
 duisquis audacis tetigit carinas 
 Nobiles remos, nemorisque sacri 
 Pelion densa spoliavit umbra ; 
 Quisquis intravit scopulos vagantes, 610 
 
 3 
 
26 MEDEA. III. 611. 
 
 Et tot emensus pelagi labores 
 Barbara funem religavit ora, 
 Raptor extern! rediturus auri ; 
 Exitu diro temerata ponti 
 
 Jura piavit. eis 
 
 Exigit poenas mare provocatum. 
 Tiphys in primis, domitor profundi, 
 Liquit indocto regimen magistro 
 Litore externo procul a paternis 
 Occidens regnis ; tumuloque vili 620 
 
 Tectus ignotas jacet inter umbras. 
 Aulis amissi memor inde regis 
 Portubus lentis retinet carinas 
 
 Stare querentes. 
 Ille, vocali genitus Camoena, 625 
 
 Cujus ad chordas modulante plectro 
 Restitit torrens, siluere venti ; 
 Cui suo cantu volucris relicto 
 Adfuit tota comitante silva, 
 Thracios sparsus jacuit per agros. 63o 
 
 At caput tristi fluitavit Hebro. 
 Contigit notam Styga Tartarumque 
 
 Non rediturus. 
 Stravit Alcides Aquilone natos : 
 Patre Neptuno genitum necavit 635 
 
 Sumere innumeras solitum figuras. 
 Ipse post terrse pelagique pacem, 
 Post feri Ditis patefacta regna 
 Vivus ardenti recubans in CEta, 
 Prsebuit ssevis sua membra flammis 64a 
 
 Tabe consumtus gemini cruoris 
 
 Munere nuptse. 
 Stravit Ancaeum violentus ictu 
 Setiger. Fratres, Meleagre, matris 
 Impius mactas ; morerisque dextra 645 
 
MEDEA. III. 646. 27 
 
 Matris iratae. Meruere cuncti. 
 
 Morte quod crimen tener expiavit 
 
 Herculi magno puer irrepertus, 
 
 Raptus, heu ! tutas puer inter undas ? 
 
 Ite nunc, fortes; perarate pontum 6o0 
 
 Fonte timendo. 
 Idmonem, quamvis bene fata nosset, 
 Condidit serpens. Libycis arenis 
 Omnibus verax, sibi falsus uni 
 Concidit Mopsus, caruitque Thebis. 655 
 
 Ille si vere cecinit fatura, 
 Exsul errabit Thetidis maritus : 
 Igne fallaci nociturus Argis 
 Nauplius praeceps cadet in profundum : 
 Patrioque pendet crimine poenas 660 
 
 Fulmine et ponto moriens Oileus. 
 Conjugis fatum redimens Pherei, 
 Uxor, impendes animam marito. 
 Ipse, qui praedam spoliumque jussit 
 Aureum prima revehi carina, 665 
 
 Ustus accenso Pelias aheno 
 Arsit angustas vagus inter undas. 
 Jam satis, Divi, mare vindicastis : 
 
 Parcite jusso. 
 
 ACTUS IV. 
 
 NuTRIX. 
 
 Pavet animus, horret : magna pernicies adest. 67o 
 Immane quantum augescit, et semet dolor 
 Accendit ipse, vimque praeteritam integrat. 
 Vidi furentem, saepe et aggressam Deos, 
 Coelam trahentem : majus his, majus parat 
 
28 MEDEA. IV. 675. 
 
 Medea monstrum : namque ut attonito gradu 675 
 Evasit, et penetrale funestum attigit, 
 Totas opes efFadit ; et quidquid dia 
 Etiam ipsa timuit, promit ; atque omnem explicat 
 Turbam malorum : arcana, secreta, abdita. 
 Et triste laeva comprecans sacrum manu eso 
 
 Pestes vocat, quascunque ferventis creat 
 Arena Libyae, quasque perpetua nive 
 Taurus coercet frigore Arctoo rigens ; 
 Et omne monstrum. Tracta magicis cantibus 
 Squamifera latebris turba desertis adest. 685 
 
 Hie sera serpens corpus immensum trahit, 
 Trifidamque linguam exsertat ; et quaerens, quibus 
 Mortifera veniat, carmine audito stupet, 
 Tumidumque nodis corpus aggestis plicat, 
 Cogitque in orbes. '^ Parva sunt," inquit, *^ mala, 
 Et vile telum est, ima quod tellus creat : 69i 
 
 Coelo petam venena. Jam nunc tempus est 
 Aliquid movere fraude vulgari altius. 
 Hue ille, vasti more torrentis jacens, 
 Descendat anguis, cujus immensos dues 695 
 
 Major minorque sentiunt nodes ferae ; 
 Major Pelasgis apta, Sidoniis minor. 
 Pressasque tandem solvat Ophiuchus manus, 
 Virusque fundat. Adsit ad cantus meos 
 Lacessere ausus gemina Python numina : too 
 
 Et hydra, et omnis redeat Herculea manu 
 Succisa serpens csede se reparans sua. 
 Tu quoque relictis pervigil Colchis ades, 
 Sopite primum cantibus serpens meis." 
 Postquam evocavit omne serpentum genus, 705 
 Congerit in unum frugis infaustse mala : 
 Q/Uaecunque generat invius saxis Eryx ; 
 Cluae fert opertis hieme perpetua jugis 
 Sparsus cruore Caucasus Promethei ; 
 
MEDEA. IV. 710. 29 
 
 Pharetraque pugnax Medus, aut Parthus levis ; 7io 
 
 Et quis sagittas divites Arabes linunt ; 
 
 Aut quos sub axe frigido succos legunt 
 
 Lucis Suevi nobiles Hercyniis ; 
 
 Q^uodcunque tellus vere iiidifico creat ; 
 
 Aut rigida cum jam bruma decussit decus 715 
 
 Nemorum, et nivali cuncta constrinxit gelu ; 
 
 (iuodcunque gramen flore mortifero viret, 
 
 Dirusve tortis succus in radicibus 
 
 Causas nocendi gignit, attrectat manu. 
 
 Haemonius illas contulit pestes Athos ; 720 
 
 Has Pindus ingens : ilia Pangsei jugis 
 
 Teneram cruenta falce deposuit comam ; 
 
 Has aluit altum gurgitem Tigris premens ; 
 
 Danubius illas ; has per arentes plagas 
 
 Tepidis Hydaspes gemmifer currens aquis, 725 
 
 Nomenque terris qui dedit Bsetis suis, 
 
 Hesperia pulsans maria languenti vado : 
 
 Heec passa ferrum est, dum parat Phoebus diem ; 
 
 Illius alta nocte saccisus frutex : 
 
 At hujus ungue secta cantato seges : 730 
 
 Mortifera carpit gramina, ac serpentium 
 
 Saniem exprimit ; miscetque et obscosnas aves, 
 
 Moestique cor bubonis, et raucae strigis 
 
 Exsecta vivae viscera. Hsec scelerum artifex 
 
 Discreta ponit : his rapax vis ignium, 735 
 
 His gelida pigri frigoris glacies inest. 
 
 Addit venenis verba non istis minus 
 
 Metuenda. Sonuit, ecce, vesano gradu, 
 
 Canitque : mundus vocibus primis tremit. 
 
 v. 710. Et quels sagittas divites Arabes linunt, 
 
 Pharetraque pugnax Medus, aut Parthus levis. 
 
 Conj. Gronov. 
 
 3* 
 
30 MEDEA. IV. 740. 
 
 Medea. 
 
 Comprecor valgus silentum, vosque ferales Deos, 
 Et Chaos coecum, atque opacam Ditis umbrosi 
 
 domum, 741 
 
 Tartar! ripis ligatos squalidse Mortis specus, 
 Suppliciis, anima3, remissis currite ad thalamos 
 
 novos. 
 Rota resistat membra torquens; tangat Ixion 
 
 humum. 
 Tantalus securus undas hauriat Pirenidas. 745 
 Gravior Tityi poena sedeat conjugis socero mei : 
 Lubricus per saxa retro Sisyphum volvat lapis. 
 Vos quoque, urnis quas foratis irritus ludit labor, 
 Danaides, coite ; vestras hie dies quaerit manus. 
 Nunc meis vocata sacris noctium sidus veni, 750 
 Pessimos induta vultus, fronte non una minax. 
 
 Tibi more gentis vinculo solvens comam 
 Secreta nudo nemora lustravi pede. 
 Et evocavi nubibus siccis aquas ; 
 Egique ad imum maria, et Oceanus graves 755 
 Interius undas aestibus victis dedit : 
 Pariterque mundus lege confusa setheris 
 Et solem et astra vidit ; et vetitum mare 
 Tetigistis, Ursse. Temporum flexi vices ; 
 iEstiva tellus floruit cantu meo ; 760 
 
 Messem coacta vidit hibernam Ceres. 
 Violenta Phasis vertit in fontem vada ; 
 Et Ister in tot ora divisus truces 
 Compressit undas, omnibus ripis piger. 
 Sonuere fluctus : tumuit insanum mare 765 
 
 Tacente vento. Nemoris antiqui domus 
 
 V. 747 Sisyphum solvat lapis. Conj. Gronov. 
 
MEDEA. IV. 767. 31 
 
 Amisit umbram vocis imperio mese : 
 Die relicto Phoebus in medio stetit ; 
 Hyadesque nostris cantibus motae labant. 
 Adesse sacris tempus est, Phoebe, tuis. 770 
 
 Tibi ha3c cruenta serta texuntur manu, 
 
 Novena quae serpens ligat : 
 Tibi hsec, Typhoeus membra quae discors tulit, 
 
 dui regna concussit Jovis. 
 Vectoris istic perfidi sanguis inest, 775 
 
 duem Nessus exspirans dedit. 
 CEtaeus isto cinere defecit rogus, 
 
 Qui virus Herculeum bibit, 
 Piae sororis, impise matris facem 
 
 Uhricis Althaeae vides. 780 
 
 Reliquit istas invio plumas specu 
 
 Harpyia, dum Zeten fugit. 
 His adice pennas sauciae Stymphalidos, 
 
 Lernaea passae spicula. 
 Sonuistis al al : tripod as agnosco meos 785 
 
 Favente commotos Dea. 
 Video Trivise currus agiles, 
 Non quos pleno lucida vultu 
 Pernox agitat ; sed quos facie 
 Lurida moesta, cum Thessalicis 790 
 
 Vexata minis coelum freno 
 Propiore legit. Sic face tristem 
 Pallida lucem funde per auras ; 
 Horrore novo terre populos ; 
 Inque auxilium, Dictynna, tuum 795 
 
 Pretiosa sonent sera Corinthi. 
 Tibi sanguineo caespite sacrum 
 Solemne damus : tibi de medio 
 Rapta sepulchro fax nocturnos 
 Sustulit ignes : tibi mota caput 8OO 
 
 Flexa voces cervice dedi : 
 
32 MEDEA. IV. 802. 
 
 Tibi funereo de more jacens 
 
 Passes cingit vitta capillos : 
 
 Tibi jactatur tristis Stygia 
 
 Ramus ab iinda : tibi nudato 805 
 
 Pectore Msenas sacro feriam 
 
 Brachia cultro. 
 
 Manet noster sanguis ad aras. 
 
 Assuesce, manus, stringere ferrum, 
 
 Carosque pati posse cruores. sio 
 
 Sacrum laticem percussa dedi. 
 
 Quod si nimium sgepe vocari 
 
 duereris, votis ignosce, precor. 
 
 Causa vocandi, Persei, tuos 
 
 Ssepius arcus una atque eadem 8i5 
 
 Semper lason. Tu nunc vestes 
 
 Tinge Creusae, quas cum primum 
 
 Sumserit, imas urat serpens 
 
 Flarama medullas. Ignis fulvo 
 
 Clusus in auro latet obscurus ; 820 
 
 Quem mihi, coeli qui furta luit 
 
 Viscere feto, dedit, et docuit 
 
 Condere vires arte Prometheus, 
 
 Dedit et tenui sulfure tectos 
 
 Mulciber ignes : et vivacis 825 
 
 Fulwra flammse de cognato 
 
 Phaethonte tuli. Habeo mediae 
 
 Dona Chimcerse. 
 
 Habeo flammas usto tauri 
 
 Gutture raptas ; quas permixto sso 
 
 Felle Medusae tacitum jussi 
 
 Servare malum. 
 
 Adde venenis stimulos, Hecate; 
 
 Donisque meis semina flammae 
 
 Condita serva ; fallant visus, 835 
 
 Tactusque ferant. Meet in pectus 
 
MEDEA. IV. 837. 33 
 
 Venasque calor : stillent artus, 
 
 Ossaque fumeiit ; vincatque suas 
 
 Flagrante coma nova nupta faces. 
 
 Vota tenentar ; ter latratus S40 
 
 Audax Hecate dedit, et sacros 
 
 Edidit ignes face iuctifera. 
 
 Peracta vis est omnis : hue natos voca, 
 Pretiosa per quos dona nubenti feras. 
 Ite, ite, nati, matris infaustag genus : 645 
 
 Placate vobis munere et multa prece 
 Dominam et novercam. Vadite, et celeresdomum 
 Referte gressus, ultimo amplexu ut fruar. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Cluonam cruenta Msenas 
 
 Praeceps amore ssevo ^o 
 
 Rapitur? quod impotenti 
 
 Facinus parat furore? 
 
 Vultus citatus ira 
 
 Riget ; et caput feroci 
 
 Quatiens superba motu sss 
 
 Regi minatur ultro. 
 
 Quis credat exsulantem ? 
 
 Flagrant gendd rubentes ; 
 
 Pallor fugat ruborem : 
 
 Nullum vagante forma S60 
 
 Servat diu colorem. 
 
 Hue fert pedes et illuc, 
 
 Ut tigris orba natis 
 
 Cursu furente lustrat 
 
 Gangeticum nemus ; sic ses 
 
 Frenare nescit iras 
 
 Medea, non amores. 
 
34 MEDEA. IV. 8G8. 
 
 Nunc ira amorque causam 
 
 Junxere : quid sequitur? 
 
 Quando efFeret Pelasgis stc 
 
 Nefanda Colchis arvis 
 
 Gressum ; metuque solvet 
 
 Regnum simulque reges ? 
 
 Nunc, PhcBbe, rnitte currus 
 
 Nullo morante loro. 875 
 
 Nox condat alma lucem : 
 
 Mergat diem timendum 
 
 Dux noctis Hesperugo. 
 
 ACTUS V. 
 
 NuNTius. Chorus. Nutrix. Medea. Iason. 
 
 NUNTIUS. 
 
 Periere cuncta : concidit regni status. 
 
 Nata atque genitor cinere permixto jacent. 880 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 dua fraude capti ? 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 Qua Solent reges capi ; 
 Donis. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 In illis esse quis potuit dolus ? 
 
 NUNTIUS. 
 
 Et ipse miror ; vixque jam facto malo 
 Potuisse fieri credo. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Quis cladis modus? 
 
 NUNTIUS. 
 
 Avidus per omnem regive partem furit, sss 
 
 Ut jussus, ignis : jam domus tota occidit ; 
 
MEDEA. V. 887. 35 
 
 Urbi timetur. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Unda flammas opprimat. 
 
 NUNTIUS. 
 
 Et hoc in ista clade mirandum accidit; 
 
 Alit unda flammas ; quoque prohibetur magis, 
 
 Magis ardet ignis. Ipsa prsesidia occupat. 890 
 
 NUTRIX. 
 
 EfFer citatum sede Pelopea gradum, 
 Medea : praeceps quaslibet terras pete. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Egon' ut recedam ? Si profugissem prius, 
 
 Ad hoc redirem. Nuptias specto novas. 
 
 duid, anime, cessas ? sequere felicem impetum. 
 
 Pars uitionis ista, qua gaudes, quota est ! 896 
 
 Amas adhuc, fariosa, si satis est tibi 
 
 Coelebs lason. Quaere poenarum genus 
 
 Hand usitatum : jamque sic temet para. 
 
 Fas omne cedat : abeat expulsus pudor. 900 
 
 Vindicta levis est, quam ferunt purae manus. 
 
 Incumbe in iras, teque languentem excita ; 
 
 Penitusque veteres pectore ex imo impetus 
 
 Violentus hauri. Quidquid admissum est adhuc, 
 
 Pietas vocetur. Hoc age : et faxo, sciant, 905 
 
 Quamlevia fuerint, quamque vulgaris notae, 
 
 duse commodavi scelera. Prolusit dolor 
 
 Per ista noster : quid manus poterant rudes 
 
 Audere magnum ? quid puellaris furor? 
 
 Medea nunc sum : crevit ingenium malis. 910 
 
 Juvat, juvat rapuisse fraternum caput ; 
 
 Artus juvat secuisse, et arcano patrem 
 
 Spoliasse sacro. Juvat in exitium senis 
 
 Armasse natas. duaere materiam, dolor : 
 
 Ad omne facinus non rudem dextram afleres. 9i5 
 
 duo te igitur, ira, mittis 1 aut quae perfido 
 
36 MEDEA. V. 917. 
 
 Intendis hosti tela ? Nescio quid ferox 
 
 Decrevit animus intus, et nonduin sibi 
 
 Audet fateri. Stulta properavi nimis. 
 
 Ex pellice utinam liberos hostis meus 92« 
 
 Aliquos haberet ! duidquid ex illo tuum est, 
 
 Creusa peperit : placuit hoc poence genus, 
 
 Meritoque placuit. Ultimum agnosco scelus. 
 
 Anime, parandum est. Liberi quondam raei, 
 
 Vos pro paternis sceleribus pcenas date. 925 
 
 Cor pepulit horror : membra torpescunt gelu, 
 
 Pectusque tremuit. Ira discessit loco : 
 
 Materque tota conjuge expulsa redit. 
 
 Egon' ut meorum liberum ac prolis meae 
 
 Fundam cruorem? melius, ah demens furor I 930 
 
 Incognitum istud facinus ac dirum nefas 
 
 A me quoque absit. Quod scelus miseri luent? 
 
 Scelus est lason genitor, et majus scelus 
 
 Medea mater. Occidant : non sunt mei. 
 
 Pereant 1 mei sunt : crimine et culpa carent. 935 
 
 Sunt innocentes : fateor : et frater fuit. 
 
 Cluid, anime, titubas? ora quid lachrimaerigant? 
 
 Variamque nunc hue ira, nunc illuc amor 
 
 Diducit ? Anceps eestus incertam rapit. 
 
 Ut sseva rapidi bella cum venti gerunt, 940 
 
 Utrimque fiuctus maria discordes agunt, 
 
 Dubiumque pelagus fervet ; baud aliter meum 
 
 Cor fluctuatur : ira pietatem fugat, 
 
 Iramque pietas. Cede pietati, dolor. 
 
 Hue, cara proles, unicum afflictaB domus 945 
 
 Sol amen, hue vos ferte, et infuses mihi 
 
 Conjungite artus. Habeat incolumes pater, 
 
 Dum et mater habeat. Urget exsilium ac fuga. 
 
 Jam jam meo rapientur avulsi e sinu 
 
 Flentes, gementes. Osculis pereant patris ; 950 
 
 Periere matris. Rursus increscit dolor, 
 
MEDEA. V. 952. ^i 
 
 Et fervet odium : repetit invitam manum 
 Antiqua Erinnys. Ira, qua ducis, sequor. 
 Utinam superbse turba Tantalidos meo 
 Exisset utero, bisque septenos parens 955 
 
 Natos tulissem ! sterilis in poenas fui. 
 Fratri patrique quod sat est, peperi duos. 
 Quonam ista tendit turba Furiarum impotens ? 
 Quem qugerit ? aut quo flamineos ictus parat ? 
 Aut cui cruentas agmen infernum faces 960 
 
 Intentat ? Ingens anguis excusso sonat 
 Tortus flagello. Quem trabe infesta petit 
 Megaera ? cujus umbra dispersis venit 
 Incerta membris ? Frater est ! pcenas petit ! 
 Dabimus. Sed omnes fige luminibus faces : 965 
 Lania, perure : pectus en furiis patet. 
 Discedere a me, frater, ultrices Deas, 
 Manesque ad imos ire securas jube : 
 Mihi me relinque, et utere hac, frater, manu, 
 Quae strinxit ensem : victima Manes tuos 970 
 
 Placemus ista. Quid repens affert sonus? 
 Parantur arma, meque in exitium petunt. 
 Excelsa nostras tecta conscendam domus 
 Caede inchoata. Perge tu mecum comes, 
 Tuum quoque ipsa corpus hinc mecum aveham. 
 Nunc hoc age, anime. Non in occulto tibi est 970 
 Perdenda virtus : approba populo manum. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Quicunque regum cladibus fidus doles, 
 Concurre, ut ipsam sceleris auctorem horridi 
 Capiamus. Hue, hue, fortis, armigeri, cohors, 980 
 Conferte tela : vertite ex imo domum. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Jam jam recepi sceptra, germanum, patrem ; 
 Spoliumque Colchi pecudis auratae tenent, 
 Rediere regna : rapta virginitas redit. 
 4 
 
38 MEDEA. V. 985. 
 
 O placida tandem numina ! O festum diem ! 985 
 
 nuptialem! Vade. Perfectum est scelus ; 
 Vindicta nondum : perage, durn faciunt manus. 
 Quid nunc nioraris, anime ? quid dubitas ? potes. 
 Jam cecidit ira : poenitet: facti pudet. 
 
 Quid, misera, feci? Misera, poeniteat licet, 990 
 Feci. Voluptas magna me invitam subit: 
 Et ecce crescit. Deerat hoc unum mihi, 
 Spectator ipse. Nil adhuc factum reor : 
 Quidquid sine isto fecimus sceleris, perit. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 En ipsa tecti parte praecipiti imminet. 996 
 
 Hue rapiat ignes aliquis, ut flammis cadat 
 Suis perusta. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Congere extremum tuis 
 Natis, lason, funus, actumulum strue. 
 Conjux socerque justa jam functis habent 
 A me sepulti. Natus hie fatum tulit ; looo 
 
 Hie, te vidente, dabitur exitio pari. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Per numen omne, perque communes fugas, 
 Torosque, quos non nostra violavit fides, 
 Jam parce nato. Si quod est crimen, meum est : 
 Me dede morti ; noxium macta caput. lOOs 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Hac, qua recusas, qua doles, ferrum exigam. 
 
 1 nunc, superbe ! virginurn thalamos pete ; 
 Relinque matres. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Uniis est poenae satis. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Si posset una ccede satiari manus, 
 
 Nullam petisset. Ut duos perimam tamen, loio 
 
 Nimium est dolori Humerus angustus meo. 
 
MEDEA. V. 1012. 39 
 
 In matre si quod pignus etiamnum latet, 
 Scrutabor ense viscera, et ferro extraharn. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Jam perage coeptum facinus, baud ultra precor ; 
 Moramque saltern suppliciis dona meis. lois 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Perfruere lento scelere ; ne propera, dolor. 
 Meus dies est: tempore accepto utimur. 
 
 lASON. 
 
 Infesta memet perime. 
 
 MEDEA. 
 
 Misereri jubes. 
 Bene est ; peractum est. Plura non habui, dolor, 
 duae libi litarem. Lumina hue turaida alleva, 
 Ingrate lason. Conjugem agnoscis tuam? 1021 
 Sic fugere soleo. Patuit in coelum via. 
 Squamosa gemini colla serpentes jugo 
 Submissa praebent. Recipe jam natos parens. 
 Ego inter auras aliti curru vehar. 1025 
 
 IAS ON. 
 
 Per alta vade spatia sublimi aetheris : 
 Testare nullos esse, qua veheris, Deos. 
 
NOTES 
 
 4* 
 
NOTES 
 
 ACT I. — Scene L 
 
 Verse 
 
 1. Di conjugates'] the deities presiding over the in- 
 stitution of marriage, Jupiter and Juno. 
 
 2. Lucina] from lux^ « shining, affording light ;' then 
 * bringing to light, ushering into life ;' an epithet of Ju- 
 no and Diana. qucEque] Minerva. 
 
 3. Tiphyri] Tiphys was the pilot of the Argonauts. 
 
 5. Titan] here the name of Sol, the son of Hyperion. 
 ■ dividens} Hor. Carm. i. 15, 15. 
 
 6. Taciiis sacris] rites performed in the night, partic- 
 ularly those of sorcery. 
 
 7. Hecate triformis] This goddess is called triformis, 
 either because she is represented with three heads, that 
 of a horse, a dog, and a swine ; or because she is the same 
 who is sometimes called Proserpine and Diana ; or on 
 account of her various manifestations of power. Hor. 
 
 Carm. iii. 22, 4. quosque juravit mihi Deos lason] 
 
 Ovid. Metam. vii. 94, the Sun and Hecate. Ovid. 
 Heroid. xii.78-80. 
 
 9. chaos] not the state of the world before its organ- 
 ization, but, in general, a confused, dark condition. 
 
 10. Manesque impios] merciless ; Hor. Epod. 5,13. 
 
44 NOTES. 
 
 12. Meliore] Pluto kept better faith towards Proser- 
 pine, than Jason towards Medea. 
 
 16. thalamis] is the dative governed by stetistiSj instead 
 of adstitistis. 
 
 19. Mihi 'pejus aliquid^ quod] Some supply date', 
 * Suggest to me something worse, which I may pray 
 for : ' others, est; ^ I have, I know something worse.' Gro- 
 novius would change mihi into me ; * Grant something 
 worse than I am.' According to the first and third ex- 
 planations, Medea must pause, before she continues Vivat. 
 
 24. similes patri] Moral similitude is meant, although 
 the dative is used. 
 
 26. Peperi} ' I have children ; my wish is fulfilled.' 
 Medea thinks of her children as yet only as resembling 
 their parents in their vices; but unconsciously she 
 presents them to the reader as the instruments and vic- 
 tims of her future cruel revenge. 
 
 27. manihv^ excutiam faces} refers to the marriage 
 ceremony. 
 
 28. Cceloque lucem} int. deducam. Virg. Eel. viii. 
 69. ; Hor. Epod. v. 46 ; xvii. 5. refer to her magic 
 
 power. nostri sator Sol generis] Sol, the father of 
 
 ^etes, and grandfather of Medea. Therefore 
 
 32. patriis] i. e. avitis. 
 
 36. maria committet duo] unite the Ionian and ^g©- 
 an seas, separated by the isthmus of Corinth. 
 
 37. thalamo feram] for infer am. 
 
 43. Et inhospitalem Caucasum mente indue] for et in- 
 kospitalis Caucasi mentem indue. 
 
 47. vagum Funus per artus] An allusion to the death 
 of her brother Absyrtus. 
 
 55. A manuscript of Lipsius has Quce scelere pacta est, 
 scelere rump etur fides, Domus, implying marriage and 
 domestic life, is more expressive than the more general 
 and vague word fides. 
 
NOTES. 45 
 
 Chorus, 
 
 56. regurri] Not only kings, but royal personages. 
 
 58. populis] poetically for populo. 
 
 59. Tonantibus] i. e. Jovi et Junoni, Farnabius seems 
 to understand Jupiter alone, and takes Lucina as signify- 
 ing Juno. Not to say any thing of this use of the plural, 
 Diana would thus not be mentioned, an omission by no 
 means probable. 
 
 63. Martis qucs cohibet manus] Peace. 
 
 65. copiami Plenty is represented as an attribute of 
 Peace ; it is generally mentioned as a distinct deity. 
 Hor. Carm. Saec. 60. 
 
 67. Et tu\ i. e. Hymenaeus, the god of marriage. Ac- 
 cording to some, he was the son of one of the muses, 
 Urania, or Calliope j according to others, of Bacchus and 
 Venus. Seneca adopts the latter opinion. See v. 110. 
 
 71. Ettu\ Venus. 
 
 73. nurus] for sponscB. 
 
 77 - 79. Description of Lacedaemon, and the education 
 of its females. 
 
 80. Aonius latex] Farnabius takes this to be the foun- 
 tain Dirce, at Thebes. It might also refer to the foun- 
 tain Aganippe, and signify not only Thebes, but all Boe- 
 otia. 
 
 84. Proles fulminis improbi] Bacchus, whose mother, 
 Semele, was destroyed by the lightning of Jupiter. 
 
 92. Vir longe superet viros] A manuscript of Lipsius 
 contained vir longe ut super at viros, which makes a bet- 
 ter sense ; it having already been stated, that Jason sur- 
 passes all others in beauty, a wish is added that Creusa 
 may, in a similar manner, excel all women. 
 
 95. cum sols'] i, e. simulac sol oritur, 
 
 98. solidum Orbem circuitis cornihus aUigat] when the 
 moon becomes full. 
 
46 NOTES. 
 
 100. rubuit] the perfect either of rubeo, used as an 
 aorist, or of rubesco^ ' has become red,' i. e. is red. 
 
 103. Ereptus for erepte] Liv. i. 24 Pliasidos] Pha- 
 
 sis for the more common form Phasias. 
 
 105. JEoliaufi virginem'] iEolus, the grandson of Deu- 
 calion, from whom Creon was descended. 
 
 106. soceris volentibus] An allusion to the father of 
 Medea, iEetes. 
 
 107. jurgio] ^alternate songs.' 
 
 109. justa] ' lawful, proper, permitted.' 
 
 111. tempus erat] for est^ expressive of impatience. 
 Hor. Carm. i. 37, 4. 
 
 112. marcentilus] v. 69. 
 
 114. Solvat] i. e. ezpediat^promat. 
 
 ACT 11.-^ Scene L 
 
 116. HymencEUs] * marriage-song.' 
 
 120. rnerita'] assistance afforded to Jason. 
 
 121. flammas] refers to the contest with the bulls 
 
 breathing fire. Ov. Met. vii. 104. mare] The danger 
 
 of being overtaken by ^etes was averted by the murder 
 of Absyrtus, and scattering his limbs over the sea. Apoll. 
 I. 9, 25. 
 
 128. quod tuce manus] Medea speaks to herself. The 
 fluctuations of her mind, agitated by the opposite feel- 
 ings of love, sense of injury, and desire of revenge, are 
 beautifully described. 
 
 130. redeant] i. q. iterentur. Inclitum regni decus] 
 
 the golden fleece, and the possession of the kingdom, 
 which depended upon it. 
 
 132. ingestum] thrown in the way of the father ; others 
 read incertum, being scattered here and there, so as to 
 
NOTES. 47 
 
 deceive the father concerning the direction of the 
 flight; also incestum, descriptive of the crime. 
 
 142. muneri meo] i. e. vitcB suce^ owing his life to her 
 assistance. 
 
 143. impotens] ' unable to govern himself.' The word 
 is almost always used in this moral sense ; rarely as re- 
 lating to physical strength. 
 
 149. Malea] a promontory in Laconia, at least a hun- 
 dred miles from Corinth. flectens moras} ' causing, by 
 
 its sinuous shore, delay to navigation.' 
 
 152. mutus] The codex of Lipsius has imrnotus, which 
 is not so good as mutus. The nurse does not advise Me- 
 dea to be insensible, but to conceal her feelings ; motuSy 
 the reading of earlier editions, makes a very good sense, 
 * although excited ' ; yet it is not so expressive as miitus. 
 
 pertulit] uo^ia-reog, not with the force of a perfect. 
 
 Hor. Carm. in. 2, 30. 
 
 154. professa] with a passive sense. 
 
 156. clepere] imitation of the old language. This 
 word occurs generally in very old prose, as Cic. de Legg. 
 II. 9; Liv. XXII. 10; and is one of those, which prove 
 the close relationship of the Latin and Greek languages. 
 The Greek is xXi-Traf, 
 
 160. si locum, virtus habet] for cum I. v. h. virtus, 
 
 ' manliness, energy, resolution.' 
 
 163. This line would not be a correct thought, if despe- 
 ret were used in its common meaning, ' to despair, to have 
 no hope'; it expresses the vague apprehension of evil, 
 which is so discouraging ; he who has no reason to hope 
 awaits misfortune, and endeavours to meet it. 
 
 164. Miere Colchi] abiere for absunt. ' Your country- 
 men are distant.' 
 
 169. Sint licet terra edita] An allusion to the warriors 
 springing up from the teeth of the dragon, sown by Ja- 
 son. Ovid. Met. vii. 130. 
 
48 NOTES. 
 
 ACT 11.-- Scene II, 
 
 181. fraus] either signifies treacherous disposition, or, 
 if this signification cannot be made out, the singular may- 
 be considered as used for the plural. * Her past crimes 
 are so well known, that we know what we have to ex- 
 pect.' 
 
 187. nostros affatus petit] i. q. me alloqui petit, 
 
 190. Fade] spoken to a servant. 
 
 191. jamdudum] ' immediately.' 
 
 193. innocens] used ironically. 
 
 194. cognosce] in its judicial meaning, * investigate.' 
 197. Redeo] for rediturus sum, ' 1 am ready, willing to 
 
 return.' 
 
 201. Said ironically. Pelia for Pelias, on account 
 
 of the metre. 
 
 206. regiamea] ^ in the palace of my father;' ' I know 
 this from my own experience, being the daughter of a 
 king,' quondam nobili fulsi patre, v. 209. 
 
 210. deduxi genus] '■ I am sprung,' i. q. ortasum, 
 
 212. Pontus Scythicus] the Pontus Euxinus. a teV' 
 
 go] towards the west. 
 
 213. This phenomenon is mentioned in Strabo, Lib. i. 
 3, pages 49, 50, where an explanation by Strato, a natu- 
 ral philosopher, is given. 
 
 214. exterret] is preferable to exercet, the former ex- 
 pressing the military, fierce disposition of the Amazons ; 
 the latter implying that they were cultivators of the soil. 
 
 218. proci] for procus ; it refers to Jason alone, as 
 appears from qui nunc petuntur. 
 
 221. Confide regnis] ironically. 
 
 222. Hoc] This is the virtue of generosity, rather than 
 the power of exercising it ; for the latter may be lost. 
 
 226. Decus illud ingens, etc] the Argonauts. 
 231. Satique Borea] Calais and Zetes. 
 
NOTES. 4g 
 
 232. lumine immisso} According to the ancient notion^ 
 the rays of light proceeded from the eye. 
 
 233. Miny(B] a name of the Argonauts, because many 
 of them were descendants of Minyas, king of Thessaly. 
 
 234. Hunc nulli imputo] ' For him I do not consider you 
 under obligations to me.' Juv. v. 14. 
 
 238. Virgini pJaceat, ete.] ^ Let the virgin prefer modes- 
 ty, and all Greece will be ruined ;' as if the case had not 
 yet happened. It is a more lively expression, than Si 
 virgini placuisset pudor, omnis Pdasga tellus ruisset. 
 
 244. Quodcunque prcBmium] i. e. Jason. 
 
 257. Acastus] son of Pelias, whose death Medea had 
 caused, with the assistance of his infatuated daughters. 
 Ovid. Met. vii. 297 - 350. 
 
 268. mcmoria] for ratio. 
 
 276. illi Pelia jacet] i.e illi Pelia occidit, * on his ac- 
 count, for his advantage, Pelias was murdered.' 
 
 279. 71071 est meurri] ' all I did, was not done for my 
 sake.' 
 
 Chorus, 
 
 308. JVtmium gracili limite ducto.'] The same idea is 
 expressed Juv. xii. 57 : / nunc^ et ventis animam com- 
 mitte dolato Confisus ligno, digitis a morte remotus Qua- 
 tuor aut septemj si sit latissima tmda. 
 
 313 OlenicB caprcB] the goat of Amalthea, by whom 
 Jupiter was suckled ; as a constellatioUj it was believed 
 to cause rain. 
 
 315. tardus Bootes] a common epithet of this constel- 
 lation ; Juv. v. 23 : tempore, quo se Frigida circumagunt 
 pigri sarraca Bootee. 
 
 318. Tiphys] See v. 3. 
 
 321. prolato pede] a rope by which the corner of the 
 sail is drawn to one side, ^ the sheet.' 
 5 
 
50 NOTES. 
 
 323. medio malo] ' half-mast.' 
 
 326. Jlvidus"] ' desirous of despatch/ 
 
 327. rubicunda] the effect of the sun. 
 
 335 BpMe dissepti mundi] Hor. Carm i. 3, 21, 22. 
 
 339. iUa] the ship of the Argonauts. 
 
 341. duo mantes] the Sympiegades, rocks which were 
 fabled to be movable. 
 
 345, 7nare deprensum] * the sea caught between,' and 
 forced up by the closing rocks. The MS. of Lipsius ha» 
 depressum, which is not so descriptive. 
 
 350. Sicull virgo Felori] Scylla. 
 
 352. solvit hiatus] i. q. aperit or a. 
 
 354. malo] i. q. monstro, prodigio. 
 
 355. dircB pestcs] the Sirens. cum m^ulcereni] Al- 
 though they assuaged the sea, the skill of Orpheus was 
 superior ; that this is the idea, is indicated by the sub- 
 junctive mulcerent. 
 
 365. Non Palladia manu] The vessel of the Argonauts 
 was built with the assistance and advice of Minerva. 
 
 376. vincula laxet] ' will relax its bonds, will become 
 passable' 
 
 377. et ingens pateat tellus] An interesting prediction, 
 indeed. 
 
 ACT ill. — Scene L 
 
 383. recepto Deo} Hor. Carm. ii. 19, 6; iii. 25, 1. 
 
 393. medium] Of the various readings, none is better 
 than that of the Florentine codex ; the emendation of 
 Lipsius, rude J is very good, expressing that whatever 
 Medea will do, will prove her an adept. 
 
 399. dies] refers to the respite granted to her by Creon. 
 segnis] ' unimproved through sloth ' 
 
 415, Timuit] int. Jason. Thessalici ducis] Acasti. 
 
 See V. 257. 
 
NOTES. 51 
 
 419. hoc quoque extimuit ferox] ironical. 
 
 423. Multum patebit] ' it will extend far ;' it will be a 
 long time. 
 
 424. Inradavi Decs'] a stronger term than adibo Deos \ 
 * I will address the Gods,' * I will importune the Gods.* 
 
 428. Trahere] Supply tecum. 
 
 ACT III. — Scene II, 
 
 435. meritis conjugis] for conjugi de me bene meritce. 
 
 436 si mori nolini] a nice distinction between the 
 present nolim, and the preceding imperfect si vellem^ 
 implying that he does not wish to preserve his faith at 
 the expense of his life. 
 
 447. Fugimus} for expellor. Fugere, in this respect, 
 agrees with the Greek (ptvyetv^ as fuga, * banishment/ 
 with (pvyr^t 
 
 456. Adulteruml either for amatorem or raptorem, hav- 
 ing carried off Medea ; or with reference to his deserting 
 her for Creusa. 
 
 457. lolcon'] lolcos, the native town of Jason in Thes- 
 saly, and the port from which the Argonauts sailed. 
 
 466. igneos tauri halitusl See Ovid. Met. vii. 104. 
 
 469. Hostisque subiti] the warriors springing up after 
 the sowing of the serpent's teeth. See Ovid. Met. vii. 
 130. 
 
 471. spolia Phryxei arietis] the golden fleece of the 
 ram, on which Phryxus, with his sister Helle, escaped 
 from the persecution of their stepmother Ino. Having 
 crossed the sea where Helle perished (Hellespontus), 
 and reached Colchis, he sacrificed the ram, and suspend- 
 ed the fleece on a tree, where it was guarded as a kind 
 of palladium, by a dragon, until Jason obtained posses- 
 sion of it. 
 
52 NOTES. 
 
 473. Insomne monstrum] See Ovid. Met. vii. 149. 
 
 474. Et scelere in uno non semel factum scelus] the one 
 crime was the cause of many. 
 
 475. natas deceptas] the daughters of Pelias, who, at 
 the instance of Medea, killed their own father. See 
 Ovid. Met. vii. 297. 
 
 477. Aliena qucerens regno] If taken as a question, the 
 sense is good; implying that love, and not ambition in- 
 fluenced her. 
 
 481. conjugi testes mei] allusion to the nuptials of 
 Jason and Medea, celebrated upon the sea. 
 
 495. PrcBstas Creusce} « In giving me this advice, you 
 do a kindness to Creusa.' 
 
 496. Medea amoves ohicit P] too severe a taunt. 
 502. Solus tuere] a most touching appeal. 
 507. natisl dativus commodi. 
 
 512. Sisyphi nepotibus'] Sisyphus, the ancestor of Cre- 
 on and Creusa.* 
 
 616. Hinc rex, etillinc] Creon and Acastus. 
 
 520. Fortuna stetW] Gronovius explains intra 
 
 mestetit, * did not extend so far as I, or my power,' * I am 
 more powerful than fortune ;' Farnabius,* I have always 
 been the maker of my own fortune.' The adjective omnis 
 favors the latter explanation. 
 
 528. Scythas] i. e. Colchos. 
 
 534. diligenti] * discriminating.' 
 
 537. Sana] the nomin. sing., as well a.s placida. 
 
 546. et rex et socer] ' Creon, whether he employs his 
 power as king, or his influence as father-in-law.' 
 
 549. Sic natos locus'] spoken aside. 
 
 550. tenetur] i. q. nonfugit, ' it has not escaped notice,* 
 < it has been observed.' 
 
 564. Nullum scelus putare] for nihil scelus putare, 
 573. quodque comcB] Doubts have been raised, 
 
NOTES. 53 
 
 whether in these words a third article is described, or 
 whether they are a further description of the second, 
 monile. Gronovius, influenced by Eurip. Med. 782, 
 XsTTov rt ^i-TTkoy kou ^Xoxcv x-^vyr.kitTov, is of the latter 
 opinion, while Delrius and others, supported, as I think, 
 by the words of the passage, are of the former. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 581. viduata tcBdis] i. q. repudiata. 
 591. ignis] i. q. amor ; as in v. 582, ardet for amat. 
 598. Regna secunda] the second dominion, that of 
 Jupiter being the first, that of Pluto, the third. 
 600. mete] pars pro toto, for curriculi, 
 606. Fobdera mundi'] See v. 335. 
 
 609. Pelion] accusative. 
 
 610. scopulos vagantes] i. e. Symplegades. See v. 341. 
 618. indocto magistro] Erginus, Apollon. i. 9, 16, and 
 
 Val. Flacc. 
 
 623. retinet] An allusion to the delay experienced by 
 the Greeks at the commencement of the Trojan expedi- 
 tion. 
 
 628. volucris] for avis. 
 
 632. notam Styga] An allusion to the recovery of 
 Eurydice from the infernal regions. 
 
 634. Aquilone natosl See v. 231. 
 
 635. Neptuno genitum] Periclymenus. Seneca con- 
 founds the son of Neptune with the son of Neleus, who 
 received from his father the power of changing his body. 
 See Apollod. ii. 7, 3 : TLi^tKXvfAivov xrimi n-ov oiXxi/tAurarof 
 
 641. gemini cruoris] Farnabius explains geminus as the 
 blood of the Hydra and Nessus, upon what authority, I 
 
 5* 
 
54 NOTES. 
 
 am unable to say ; geminus refers to the double form 
 of the Centaur, Nessus. 
 642. nupt(B] Dejanira. 
 
 644. Setiger] sc. aper, the Calydonian boar. > 
 
 fratres matris mactas] Plexippus and Toxeus ; see Ovid. 
 Met. VIII. 439 and 444. 
 
 645. morerisque dextra matris'] Althasa, to avenge the 
 death of her brothers, threw a firebrand, upon which the 
 life of her son Meleager depended, into the fire. See 
 Ovid. Met. viii. 512-524. 
 
 648. puer} Hylas. 
 
 651. Fonte timendo] If a spring is to be feared, how 
 much more the sea. 
 
 653. Condidit serpens] It is impossible to make any 
 sense of this. It is known from Apollodorus, Hyginus, 
 and others, that Idmon was killed by a boar during the 
 expedition. We might, perhaps, read : condidit tellus j 
 or contudit verres. 
 
 657. Thetidis maritus] Peleus. 
 
 659. JVaiiplius] king of Euboea, in order to avenge 
 the death of his son Palamedes, caused the shipwreck of 
 the Greeks, returning from Troy ; but, on learning that 
 Ulysses had escaped, threw himself into the sea. 
 
 660. Patrio crimine] Ajax, the son of Oileus, is here 
 represented as suffering for the presumption of his fa- 
 ther in joining the expedition of the Argonauts, and not 
 for his own crime. 
 
 661. Oileus] for Ajax Oilei. 
 
 662. Conjugis Pherei] Admetns, husband of Alcestis, 
 son-in-law of Pelias, king of PhersB, in Thessaly. 
 
 ACT IV. — Scene I. 
 
 680. l(Bva manu] indicative of the purpose and the dei- 
 ty applied to. 
 
NOTES. 55 
 
 685. Squamifera turbo] i. e. serpentes. 
 
 695. anguis] the constellation. du(B major minor- 
 
 que feres'] the larger and smaller bear. sentiuni] ex- 
 pressing the relative situation of the three constellations. 
 
 698. Ophiuchus] (o^iou^^os)^ the Latin Serpentarius, 
 a constellation. 
 
 700. Python] a huge serpent, slain by Apollo. 
 
 703. Colchis serpens sopite cantibus meis] See Ovid. 
 Met VII. 155. 
 
 707. Eryx] a mountain in Sicily. -■ saxis] ablat. 
 
 710. Gronovius proposes to place v. 711 before v. 710 ; 
 a very good alteration. 
 
 726. JVomen] Hispania Baetica, or Baeturia. 
 
 727. languenti vado] The river Bsetis (Guadalquivir) 
 forms, before its entrance into the sea, a shallow bay. 
 
 732. obsccenas aves] foreboding ill. 
 
 738. sonuit vesano gradu] sonare gradu. Virg. Georg. 
 III. 191. 
 
 ACT IV. — Scene 11. 
 
 740. vulgus silentum] silentum ace. sing, of silentus, 
 rather than the genit. pi. of silens, for silentium, ' dumb 
 shades.' 
 
 745. undas Pirenidas] Pirene, a spring in Corinth, 
 mentioned here, because Tantalus had been king of 
 Corinth. 
 
 746. Tityi] This virord, which is not in the Florentine 
 codex, has been inserted by Gronovius for the sake of 
 the metre. 
 
 747. volvat] Gronovius justly objects to this exception 
 made by Medea with regard to Sisyphus, and proposes 
 to read solvat. Besides, if the punishment of Sisyphus 
 is to continue as an exception, the contrast between 
 his condition and that of the rest is not indicated 
 by any qualifying conjunction, or adverb ; on the con- 
 trary, the following line, which evidently expresses 
 
56 NOTES. 
 
 a cessation of the usual labor of the Danaides, is intro^ 
 duced by quoque, 
 
 751. P essimos] ^ unpropitions.^ 
 
 757. Pariter] According to Farnabius, nno eodemque 
 tempore. The meaning eodem modo appears better ; the 
 laws of the heavenly bodies being violated in the same 
 manner as those of the sea. 
 
 772. JYovena for noveni] referring to the number of ser- 
 pents, or for novies^ referring to the w^indings of the ser- 
 pent. 
 
 773. membra] the hundred serpents growing from the 
 shoulders of the giant. discors] i. q. hostilis. 
 
 775. Vector is perjidi] i. e. Nessi. 
 
 777. isto cinere defecit] ' is without,' ' has parted with.' 
 
 (Etceus rogus'] the funeral pile on which Hercules 
 
 was consumed. 
 
 780. AlthcEce] see v. 645. 
 
 784. Lerncea spicula] arrows, poisoned with the gore of 
 the hydra. 
 
 7S5. Sonuistis eu aJ] The Florent. MS. has ae, which 
 Gronovius supposed to be intended for the Greek inter- 
 jection alt. This opinion is certainly corroborated by Ov. 
 Met. X. 21 5 : et ai ai Flos hahet inscriptum. The in- 
 voked spirits are supposed to answer to the prayer of 
 Medea. tripodas] for oraculum. 
 
 791. freno Propiore] i. e. propius terrce, 
 
 795. in auxilium tuum] To prevent the moon from 
 being drawn down by incantations, a deafening noise 
 was made by striking together brass vessels. Juv. vi. 
 442 : jam nemo tubas ^ nemo cera fatiget ; Una laboranti 
 
 poterit subcurrere lunce. Dictynna^ name of Diana, 
 
 from ViKTvov, net. 
 
 810. Caros cruores] An allusion, perhaps unconscious, 
 to the murder of her children. 
 
 814. Persei] Perseis or Hecate, being the daughter of 
 Perses and Asteria. 
 
NOTES. 57 
 
 822. Viscere feto] expressing the reproduction of the 
 liver of Prometheus, whenever consumed by the eagle. 
 825. Mulciber] name of Vulcanus, (mulceo a,nd f err um.) 
 840. Vota tenentur] i. q. audiuntur. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 865. Gangeticura] relating to Ganges. 
 
 867. non amores] i. e. nescitfrenare amores. 
 
 878. Hesperugo] (U'ri^os and eiya)) Compare Hor. 
 Carm. iii. 6, 41 : sol amicum tempus agens, 
 
 ACT v. — Scene L 
 
 879. regni status] i. e. regia domus, Creon and his 
 daughter. 
 
 890. ipsa prcesidia occupat] The fire is communicated 
 to what, under common circumstances, is a protection 
 against it. 
 
 895. impetum'] * onset.* 
 
 904. Violentus] referring still to animCj v. 895. 
 
 908. Per ista] i. e. ista (superiora) scelera tamquampro- 
 lusio sunt doloris mei. 
 
 913. senis] i. e. Felice, 
 
 921. Quidquid ex illo tuum est] i. e. quotquot ex illo liberi 
 tibi sunt. 
 
 930. Tnelius'] int. consule, or consilium da. 
 
 950. osculis] dative. 
 
 952. repetit invitam manum antiqua Erinnys] antiqua^ 
 who has impelled me already M^on former occasions. 
 
 954. Tantalidos] Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus, and 
 wife of Amphion. 
 
 962. trabe infesta] See Here. Fur. 102 : atque luctifica 
 manu Vastam rogo flagrante corripiat trabem. 
 
58 NOTES. 
 
 964. Incerta] * causing uncertainty,' ^ not readily dis- 
 cerned.' 
 
 970. mctima Manes tuos Placemus ista] Here one of 
 the children is killed by Medea. 
 
 974. Perge tu] spoken to the other child. 
 
 978. regum] Creon and Creusa. 
 
 980. armigeri] vocative. 
 
 986. Vade] addressed to herself. 
 
 1003. quos non nostra violavit fides] Gronovius ob- 
 jects strenuously to this non, as altogether inconsistent 
 with the sense. But his objection seems unfounded. The 
 idea to be expressed is : My deserting you was not an 
 act of choice, and so far no violation of my fidelity. 
 
 1006. ferrum exigam] i. q. vulnerabo, 
 
 1018. Misereri jubes} After these words Medea kills 
 the second child. 
 
METRES 
 
METRES 
 
 The difFerence between Latin and Greek tragedy, with 
 regard to form, appears most distinctly in the greater sim- 
 plicity of the prosody of the former. This simplicity, how- 
 ever, of the Romans proceeds by no means from a purer 
 taste, or a desire of avoiding what they considered artifi- 
 cial, but from the greater inflexibility of the Latin lan- 
 guage. Horace, than whom no Latin poet knew better 
 the power and capability of his language, bore strong 
 testimony to this fact by confining himself to so few, 
 and those the simplest, modifications of the many and 
 complicated metres of the lyric poets of Greece. 
 
 The kinds of verses which occur in the Medea are 
 eleven : 
 
 1. The lambicus trimeter acatalectus, 
 
 2. lambicus dimeter acatalectus, 
 
 3. lambicus dimeter catalectus, 
 
 4. Asclepiadeus minor, 
 
 5. Sapphicus minor, 
 
 6. Trochaicus tetrameter catalectus, 
 
 7. Anapaesticus tetrameter acatalectus, 
 
 8. Anapaesticus dimeter acatalectus, 
 
 9. Adonicus, or Dactylicus dimeter catalectus, 
 
 10. Dactylicus hexameter catalectus, 
 
 11. Glyconicus. 
 
 6 
 
62 METRES. 
 
 1. Versus lamhicus trimeter acatalectus. 
 
 According to the usual rule, the tribrachys ( ^ J ^ ), 
 
 the spondee ( J_), and its solutions, the dactyle and 
 
 anapaest ( ^ v^, ^ w )> ^^Y ^® ^^^^ ^^ ^1^ P^^*- 
 
 ce«, except the last, so that the iambus is constantly 
 preserved in the last place alone. But this rule is 
 modified by the practice of Seneca, at least in the Medea, 
 in several respects : the spondee is never used in the 
 second and fourth places, nor the dactyle and anapaest, 
 the solutions of the spondee ; except the anapaest once 
 in the second place, v. 670. The iambus is never 
 used in the fifth place, except twice, v. 6 and 512. 
 
 The following schedule exhibits these changes : 
 
 _L o_L _-L w-i- L w_I 
 
 W J- ( W _l) W v^ 
 
 S./ -i- \J 
 
 W^ •<-»««/ WW 
 
 W w _ \ W W -L / W v-> _L V '-r JL 
 
 Of the great number of modifications of which this 
 verse is accordingly susceptible, some idea may be 
 formed from the fact that there are nearly sixty in the 
 Medea, which contains about seven hundred and twenty- 
 five verses of this kind. By far the most common form is 
 
 _w_/. w_L L w_L L. w J=L. 
 
 which occurs more than two hundred times. Some oth- 
 ers are 
 
 JrL. . \j — _„ w w>-> w J!=L 
 
 J=! „ w — w — w wJ!=L 
 
 \^ ^^ — >^ — — — vj — . \^ -ii- 
 
 _2=1 sj — — www— %^ 
 
METRES. 63 
 
 which occur each between forty and sixty times. There 
 are nearly twenty forms, each of which occurs once 
 only in the whole tragedy. 
 
 In the greater number of these iambic verses, the 
 caesura is ^nv^yifUfAz^hs , in very few \(p^nfitfjt.i^yts . The 
 iambic trimeter is generally used as a monocolon mo- 
 nostrophon, that is, the same verse is repeated without 
 the interposition of any other. A short passage, v. 772 
 -785, is an exception, being dicolon distrophon, that is, 
 two different verses, the Iambic trimeter and Iambic di- 
 meter, being used alternately. 
 
 The tribrachys and dactyle, which are substituted for 
 the iambus, have of course the ictus on the second syl- 
 lable (^ vi, w, _ c. V )• 
 
 2. Versus lamhicus dimeter acatalectus. 
 
 The general rules relating to Iambic verses apply to 
 this. But of the many possible modifications, the fol~ 
 lowing alone are found in the Medea : 
 
 _y v^__ >^ J=L 
 
 3. Versus Trochaicus tetrameter catalectus. 
 
 For the pure trochees, various other feet may be sub- 
 stituted. The tribrachys may be used in all places, 
 the last excepted. In the second, fourth, and sixth, 
 the spondee and its solutions, the anapaest and dactyle 
 r > .j_ »^ w )» "^^y ^^^^ ^^^ place of the trochee. 
 
 V'V.^W s^V->»-/ UWW wOw wW>^ v^wnJ 
 
 
 w w 
 
64 METRES. 
 
 The most frequent form in the Medea is 
 J-v-, _L_ ±^ _L_ II -Lw -i-__ _L.w _ 
 Some other modifications are 
 
 The cassura occurs after the second dipodia, or fourth 
 foot. In one passage, v. 746, the text is impure, and 
 the metre violated. The readings of this line vary much, 
 and the number of emendations and conjectures is con- 
 siderable. It will be perceived that the following reading 
 of the Florentine manuscript is inconsistent with the 
 metre. 
 
 Gravior poena sedeat conjugis socero mei : 
 
 t/ Www w w >«/ w — — 
 
 Another codex has a reading reconcilable with the 
 metre : 
 
 Graviorum poena sedeat conjugis socero mei. 
 
 w w ,^ ^ w w ■u w 
 
 These three kinds of verse, and the two kinds of ana- 
 paestic verse described below (No. 7 and 8), occur in the 
 dialogue of the play ; the remaining six, in the choruses. 
 
 4. Versus Asclepiadeus minor. 
 
 The regular form of this verse is 
 
 _Lww — II ww-JL wJ=L 
 
 and is to be found in the first chorus, with one ex- 
 ception, V. 62, where, in the third place, a poeon 
 quartus ( ^ ^^ ^ ) is used instead of a choriambus 
 
METRES. 65 
 
 5. Versus Glyconicus. 
 The 'regular form of this verse is 
 
 and is observed without an exception. 
 
 6. Versus Dactylicus hexameter catalectus. 
 The rules of this verse are well known ; a spondee 
 may be substituted in anj^ place, except the fifth. The 
 cessura is mostly ^rsvS-jj^/^s^jjj, rarely l(pB-yifnius^^$. V. 113 
 is a versus spondaicus, that is, a verse with a spondee in 
 the fifth place. 
 
 7. Versus Anapcesticus tetrameter acatalectus. 
 Instead of an anapaest, a spondee, dactyle, or proceleus- 
 
 maticus may be used ( f_ ^ ^ ). The Greek 
 
 dramatic writers employ this verse in systems, conclud- 
 ing each with a dimeter catalectus in syllabam, which 
 is then called versus parcemiacus. Seneca never uses 
 this conclusion, and thus impairs very much the effect 
 of this metre. An anapaestic dimeter, which is occa- 
 sionally interspersed, relieves somewhat the monotony. 
 The proceleusmaticus, in the place of an anapaest, does 
 not occur in the Medea ; but all the other changes men- 
 tioned above, producing a great number of modifications, 
 (about 25, a large number, considering that the verse is 
 used only about 130 times). The verse occurs twice in 
 its pure form : 
 
 WW-/- ww_L. wv^_L ww-1- 
 Some of the most frequent modifications are the follow- 
 ing : 
 
 iL ^ J. / / 
 
 J ^ s^ L 
 
 6* 
 

 METRES. 
 
 /_ 
 
 / 
 
 / 
 
 ww_L sL^ ±L 
 
 66 
 
 There is one instance of this verse being used in a pas- 
 sage which is not a part of a chorus ; the passage (v. 
 787-842) is full of excitement, and this, no doubt, ac- 
 counts for the choice of the metre. 
 
 8. Versus Anapasticus dimeter acatalectus. 
 
 This verse occurs a few times interspersed among 
 the anapaestic tetrameters, described above. The only two 
 forms of it in the Medea, are 
 
 9. Versus Sapphicus minor. 
 
 This verse is formed by Seneca very much as by Hor- 
 ace ; neither of them consider the last syllable of the 
 trochaic dipodia as doubtful. In one instance, v. 636, 
 Seneca seems to have admitted the solution of the spon- 
 dee into a dactyle. The usual form of this verse is 
 
 In one instance, v. 660, the text is probably incorrect, 
 and the metre violated. The text of the Florentine 
 manuscript is 
 
 Patrioque pendet crimine poenas. 
 
 Another reading, 
 
 Crimini pcsnas patrio pependit, 
 
 complies with the metre ; but the structure of the whole 
 
METRES. 67 
 
 sentence and the sense require a different tense. For 
 this reason the emendation of Gronovius is the best 
 expedient, who proposes to read 
 
 Crimini pcenas patrio rependet. 
 
 10. Versus Monicus. 
 
 This kind of verse is used in connexion with the 
 Sapphic. The stanzas formed of the two are of different 
 length ; the first seven consist of three Sapphic and an 
 Adonic verse ; the five following, of eight Sapphic and an 
 Adonic; and the last, of seventeen Sapphic and one 
 Adonic verse. The Adonic is a dactylicus dimeter 
 catalectus, which admits of no change, 
 
 11. Versus lamhicus dimeter catalectus. 
 
 In this kind of verse Seneca has taken very little liber- 
 ty. Two modifications only occur in a chorus of thirty 
 lines : 
 
 For the convenience and assistance of younger schol- 
 ars, a list of all the metres is subjoined in the order in 
 which they occur in the tragedy. 
 
 Act I. V. 1 — 55. Vers. Iamb. trim, acat., 
 Chor, 56 — 74. Vers. Asclep. min. 
 75 — 92. Vers. Glycon. 
 
68 METRES. 
 
 ChoT. V. 93 — 109. Vers. Asclep. min. 
 110 — 115. Vers. Dact. hexam. 
 Act II. V. 116 — 178. Vers. Iamb. trim. acat. 
 179 _ 300. " " " *^ 
 Chor, 301 — 316. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat. 
 317. Vers. Anapaest, dimet. acat. 
 
 318 — 327. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat. 
 328. Vers. Anapaest, dimet. acat. 
 
 329 — 371. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat, 
 372. Vers. Anapaest, dimet. acat. 
 
 373 — 379. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat. 
 Act III. y. 380 — 490. Vers. Iamb. trim. acat. 
 491 — 578. " " " " 
 Chor. V. 579 — 581. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 582 Vers. Adon. 
 
 583 — 585. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 586. Vers. Adon. 
 
 587 — 589. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 590. Vers. Adon. 
 
 591 — 593. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 594. Vers. Adon. 
 
 595 _ 597. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 598. Vers. Adon. 
 
 599___601. Vers. Sapph. min, 
 
 602. Vers. Adon. 
 
 603 — 605. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 606. Vers. Adon. 
 
 607 — 614. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 615. Vers. Adon. 
 
 616 — 623. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 624. Vers. Adon. 
 
 625 — 632. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 
 633. Vers. Adon. 
 
 ^34^641. Vers. Sapph. miiu 
 
METRES. 69 
 
 642. Vers. Adon. 
 
 643 — 650. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 651. Vers. Adon. 
 
 652 — 668. Vers. Sapph. min. 
 669. Vers. Adon. 
 
 Act IV. V. 670 — 739. Vers. Iamb. trim. acat. 
 
 740 — 751. Vers. Troch. tetram. cat. 
 752 — 770. Vers. Iamb. trim. acat. 
 771 — 786. Vers. Iamb. trim, acat., and 
 
 Vers. Iamb. dim. acat. alternate- 
 
 787 — 806. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat. 
 807. Vers. Anapaest, dimet. acat. 
 
 808 — 827. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat. 
 828. Vers. Anapaest, dimet. acat. 
 
 829 — 831. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat. 
 832. Vers. Anapaest, dimet. acat. 
 
 833 — 842. Vers. Anapaest, tetram. acat. 
 843 — 848. Vers. Iamb. trim. acat. 
 Chor. 849 — 878. Vers. Iamb. dim. cat. 
 Act V. V. 879 — 1027. Vers. Iamb. trim. acat. 
 
CAMBRIDGE: 
 CHARLES FOLSOM, 
 
 riElINTSR TO THE UNITERSITY. 
 

 
 
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