And a tiara, silver-tissued, placed Upon her fragrant head: so walking forth She paced the palace, with elastic step Treading the floor: of present ills alike Forgetful, and of greater yet behind. MEDEA IN HER CHARIOT. THIS drug she cull'd, and wrapp'd it in the zone That round her heavenly bosom swathed its folds. Forth at the outer gate she pass'd, and climb'd The rapid car. Two damsels with the maid Ascended, sitting one on either side. She caught the reins, and shook the pliant scourge : Or dwell 'midst groves, or fountain-bubbling rocks; And far and near the beasts of lawn and wood Crouch tremblingly with murmur'd blandishings; So rush'd they through the city; while the crowd Fell back, and shunn'd the royal virgin's look. CONFERENCE OF MEDEA AND JASON IN THE TEMPLE OF HECATE. No other theme employ'd Medea's mind, Long please her: she, still absent, in the song But soon he came; and, to the longing maid Appear'd, high-bounding: as the Syrian star, Emerged from Ocean, rises, beautiful And glorious to behold; yet to the flocks Sends forth wide-wasting plagues. Thus Jason came: Thus beautiful in aspect; but his sight Raised agonized emotion, and her heart Sank; her eyes darken'd; and the reddening blood Rush'd to her cheek; nor could her faltering knees Advance, nor yet recede; and, under her, Thus, opposite each other, mute they stood: With deep tumultuous murmur; so the breath When dwelling in the land that gave me birth. Whate'er thou list; and, since we meet with minds Of friendly greeting, in this hallow'd place, |