All these deeds being performed in the presence of the monarch and his
subjects, they were struck with surprise at the boldness and success of the
young hero, who immediately embarked for Europe with Medea, the great
instrument of his preservation. Enraged at the desertion of his daughter,
Oeetes sent his son Absyrtus to bring back the fugitives. Absyrtus overtook
them, but was slain by Medea, who scattered his limbs upon the path of his
father, trusting that Oeetes' paternal affection, would make him anxious to
render due homage to the remains of his son, and prevent him from following
with success.
On the return of the expedition to Thessaly, they were received with
unusual festivity; but Oeson, Jason's father was unable to be there, owing
to the infirmities of age, and Medea at her husband's desire, restored him
to all the power and vigour of youth.
[Illustration: Jason and Medea.]
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With looks averted backward they advance,
Who strike and stab, and leave the blows to chance
Waking in consternation, he essays,
Weltering in blood, his feeble arms to raise;
Environed by so many swords; 'From whence
This barbarous usage? what is my offence?
What fatal fury, what infernal charm,
'Gainst a kind father does his daughter arm?'
Hearing his voice, as thunderstruck they stopped
Their resolution, and their weapons dropped:
Medea then the mortal blow bestows."
The subjects of the deceased king, when they were informed of the cause of
his death, were anxious to avenge it, and Medea found herself compelled to
fly with Jason to Corinth, in which place they resided forty years.
Unhappily their matrimonial happiness was disturbed by Jason's infidelity
with Glaucus, the daughter of the King of the Country, for whom Medea was
divorced, that he might follow his amour in comfort. This infidelity was
severely avenged by Medea, who after destroying the children of Glaucus in
her presence, presented to her a poisoned gown, and induced her to put it
on; it immediately set her whole body on fire, and she died in the most
painful torments.
This deed was followed by one still more revolting to the mind, for Medea
slew two of her own children in their father's presence, and when the
incensed Jason attempted to avenge their murder on the barbarous mother,
she escaped by flying through the air in a chariot drawn by dragons.
"When Medea left her native soil,
Unawed by danger, unsubdued by toil:
Her weeping sire, and beckoning friends withstood,
And launched enamoured in the boiling flood;
One ruddy boy her gentle lips caressed,
And one fair girl was pillowed on her breast;
While high in air the golden treasure burns,
And Love and Glory guide the prow by turns.
But when Thessalia's inauspicious plain,
Received the matron-heroine from the main;
While hours of triumph sound, and altars burn.
And shouting nations hail their Queen's return:
Aghast, she saw new-decked the nuptial bed,
And proud Creusa to the temple led;
Saw her in Jason's mercenary arms.
Deride her virtues and insult her charms:
Saw her dear babes from fame and empire torn,
In foreign realms deserted and forlorn:
Her love rejected, and her vengeance braved
By him, her beauties won, her virtues saved.
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To the stern King of Ghosts she next applied.
And gentle Proserpine, his ravished bride,
That for old Aeson with the laws of fate;
They would dispense, and lengthen his short date.
Thus with repeated prayers she oft assails,
The infernal tyrant, and at last prevails;
Then calls to have decrepid Aeson brought,
And stupifies him with a sleeping draught;
This done, th' enchantress, with her locks unbound
About her altar trips a frantic round;
Piecemeal the consecrated wood she splits,
And dips the splinters in the gory pits,
Then hurls them on the piles; the sleeping sire
She lustrates thrice, with sulphur, water, fire.
* * * * * *
His feeble frame resumes a youthful air,
A glossy brown his hoary head of hair,
The meagre paleness from his aspect fled,
And in its room sprung up a florid red:
Through all his limbs a youthful vigour flies,
His emptied arteries swell with fresh supplies.
Gazing spectators scarce believe their eyes.
But Aeson is the most surprised to find
A happy change in body and in mind,
In sense and constitution the same man,
As when his fortieth active year began."