Penny Dreadfuls, 1912 · page 21 of 118
The Medea — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 5 of a Victorian Penny Dreadful: *Medea* This is a page of running dramatic dialogue (theatrical script format) from what appears to be a Victorian adaptation of the classical tragedy *Medea*. The scene shows a Nurse speaking with an Attendant about Medea's emotional state—her dangerous "fell spirit" and deep sorrow over wrongs committed against her. The dialogue reveals that Medea's children have returned from play, seemingly unaware of their mother's anguish, while the Nurse contemplates the brewing danger of Medea's unawakened rage. The text emphasizes Medea's festering grief and hints at impending calamity ("not half its perils wrought").
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MEDEA. 5 "Tis a fell spirit. Few, I ween, shall stir Her hate unscathed, or lightly humble her. Ha! ’Tis the children from their games again, Rested and gay; and all their mother’s pain Forgotten! Young lives ever turn from gloom! [Zhe CHILDREN and their ATTENDANT come in. ATTENDANT. Thou ancient treasure of my lady’s room, What mak’st thou here before the gates alone, And alway turning on thy lips some moan Of old mischances? Will our mistress be Content, this long time to be left by thee ? NURSE. Grey guard of Jason’s children, a good thrall Hath his own grief, if any hurt befall His masters. Aye, it holds one’s heart! ... Meseems I have strayed out so deep in evil dreams, I longed to rest me here alone, and cry Medea’s wrongs to this still Earth and Sky. ATTENDANT. How? Are the tears yet running in her eyes? NURSE. *Twere good to be like thee! . . . Her sorrow lies Scarce wakened yet, not half its perils wrought. (E(0) 6)(0 6) cS (E(0) =}