And I am afraid that she will hatch some sinister plan. For she has a terrible temper and will not put up with bad treatment (I know her), and I fear [40] she may thrust a whetted sword through her vitals, [slipping quietly into the house where the bed is spread,] or kill the royal family and the bride-groom and then win some greater calamity. For she is dangerous. I tell you, no man who clashes with her [45] will find it easy to crow in victory.Enter Tutor by Eisodos A, escorting the two sons of Jason and Medea. But see, her boys are coming home after their games. They have no thought of their mother's troubles: it is not usual for young minds to dwell on grief. 1 The Symplegades, mobile rocks that clashed together to crush any ships running between them, guarded the entrance to the Hellespont and prevented passage between East and West until the Argo managed by a clever ruse to get through. 2 This gives the probable sense of the lacuna. Medeawithin Oh, what a wretch am I, how miserable in my sorrows! Ah ah, how I wish I could die!NurseJust as I said, dear children. Your mother is stirring up her feelings, stirring up her anger. [100] Go quickly into the house, and do not come into her sight or approach her, but beware of her fierce nature and the hatefulness of her wilful temper. [105] Go inside as quickly as you can.Exit Tutor and children into the house. It is plain that she will soon kindle with even greater passion the cloud of lament now rising from its source: what will her proud soul, so hard to check, [110] do when stung by this injury?MedeaOh, what sufferings are mine, sufferings that call for loud lamentation! O accursed children of a hateful mother, may you perish with your father and the whole house collapse in ruin!Nurse[115] Oh, woe is me! Why do you make the children sharers in their father's sin? Why do you hate them? O children, how terrified I am that you may come to harm. The minds of royalty are dangerous: [...
