Penny Dreadfuls, 1912 · page 59 of 118
The Medea — page 59: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a page of running dramatic dialogue from what appears to be a theatrical adaptation of the classical tragedy *Medea*. The scene shows Medea negotiating with Aegeus for protection and asylum, requesting he swear an oath to shelter her from her enemies (King Pelias's house and Creon). Medea expresses doubt that Aegeus will honor a mere spoken word without divine sanction, fearing his more powerful allies will sway him. Aegeus responds by offering to swear a binding oath before the gods, willing to support her cause as protection against her persecutors.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MEDEA | as, MEDEA. Tis well. Give mean oath wherein to trust And all that man could ask thou hast granted me. AEGEUS. Dost trust me not? Or what thing troubleth thee P MEDEA. I trust thee. Butso many, far and near, Do hate me—all King Pelias’ house, and here Creon. Once bound by oaths and sanctities Thou canst not yield me up for such as these To drag from Athens. But a’spoken word, No more, to bind thee, which no God hath heard... The embassies, methinks, would come and go: They all are friends to thee. ... Ah me, I know Thou wilt not list to me! So weak am I, And they full-filled with gold and majesty. AEGEUS. Methinks ’tis a far foresight, this thine oath. Still, if thou so wilt have it, nothing loath Am I to serve thee. Mine own hand is so The stronger, if I have this plea to show Thy persecutors: and for thee withal . The bond more sure.—On what God shall I calle ' Eomicbooks.co =}