University of Virginia Library

But as she said these words the luckless three
Stared at her glowing face all helplessly,
Nor to their father's corpse durst turn their eyes,
While in their hearts did fearful thoughts arise.
But now Medea, ceasing, fed the fire
With that same incense, and the flame rose higher,
A portent to the dwellers in the town,
Unto the shepherd waking on the down,
A terror telling of ill things to be.
But from the God-built tower of Thessaly,
Grey Pelion, did the centaur Chiron gaze,
And when he saw that ruddy flame outblaze

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He smiled and said: “So comes to pass the word
That in the forests of the north I heard,
And in such wise shall love be foiled, and hate
And hope of gain, opposing steadfast Fate.”
So to the flowery eastern slopes he gat,
Waiting the dawn, nor hoped for this or that.