ALTHAEA.

Thy double word brings forth a double death.

MESSENGER.

Know this then singly, by one hand they fell.

ALTHAEA.

What mutterest thou with thine ambiguous mouth?

MESSENGER.

Slain by thy son's hand; is that saying so hard?

ALTHAEA.

Our time is come upon us: it is here.

CHORUS.

O miserable, and spoiled at thine own hand.

ALTHAEA.

Wert thou not called Meleager from this womb?

CHORUS.

A grievous huntsman hath it bred to thee.

ALTHAEA.

Wert thou born fire, and shalt thou not devour?

CHORUS.

The fire thou madest, will it consume even thee?

ALTHAEA.

My dreams are fallen upon me; burn thou too.

CHORUS.

Not without G.o.d are visions born and die.

ALTHAEA.

The G.o.ds are many about me; I am one.

CHORUS

She groans as men wrestling with heavier G.o.ds.

ALTHAEA.

They rend me, they divide me, they destroy.

CHORUS.

Or one labouring in travail of strange births.

ALTHAEA.

They are strong, they are strong; I am broken, and these prevail.

CHORUS.

The G.o.d is great against her; she will die.

ALTHAEA.

Yea, but not now; for my heart too is great.

I would I were not here in sight of the sun.

But thou, speak all thou sawest, and I will die.

I would I were not here in sight of the sun.

MESSENGER.