[_While_ MEDEA _is waiting downcast, seated upon her door-step, there pa.s.ses from the left a traveller with followers. As he catches sight of_ MEDEA _he stops_.

AEGEUS.

Have joy, Medea! 'Tis the homeliest Word that old friends can greet with, and the best.

MEDEA (_looking up, surprised_).

Oh, joy on thee, too, Aegeus, gentle king Of Athens!--But whence com'st thou journeying?

AEGEUS.

From Delphi now and the old encaverned stair... .

MEDEA.

Where Earth's heart speaks in song? What mad'st thou there?

AEGEUS.

Prayed heaven for children--the same search alway.

MEDEA.

Children? Ah G.o.d! Art childless to this day?

AEGEUS.

So G.o.d hath willed. Childless and desolate.

MEDEA.

What word did Phoebus speak, to change thy fate?

AEGEUS.

Riddles, too hard for mortal man to read.

MEDEA.

Which I may hear?

AEGEUS.

a.s.suredly: they need A rarer wit.

MEDEA.

How said he?

AEGEUS.

Not to spill Life's wine, nor seek for more... .

MEDEA.

Until?

AEGEUS.

Until I tread the hearth-stone of my sires of yore.

MEDEA.

And what should bring thee here, by Creon's sh.o.r.e?

AEGEUS.

One Pittheus know'st thou, high lord of Trozen?

MEDEA.

Aye, Pelops' son, a man most pure of sin.

AEGEUS.

Him I would ask, touching Apollo's will.

MEDEA.

Much use in G.o.d's ways hath he, and much skill.

AEGEUS.

And, long years back he was my battle-friend, The truest e'er man had.

MEDEA.

Well, may G.o.d send Good hap to thee, and grant all thy desire.

AEGEUS.

But thou ... ? Thy frame is wasted, and the fire Dead in thine eyes.

MEDEA.

Aegeus, my husband is The falsest man in the world.

AEGEUS.