Penny Dreadfuls, 1912 · page 71 of 118
The Medea — page 71: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis This is a page of running dramatic verse from what appears to be a theatrical adaptation of the classical tragedy *Medea*. The page contains dialogue between the characters Medea and Jason, with a stage direction noting the handmaid's return with gifts. Medea insists her children present valuable gifts to Jason's new bride to secure the children's safety, while Jason argues the gifts are unnecessary. Medea then reveals her desperation—she would sacrifice her own blood rather than see her children face banishment. The page number indicates this is part 55 of a serialized work.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MEDEA | 55 And girt with raiment which of old the sire Of all my house, the Sun, gave, steeped in fire, To his own fiery race? | Zhe handmaid has returned bearing the Gifts. Come, children, lift With heed these caskets. Bear them as your gift To her, being bride and princess and of right Blessed !—I think she will not hold them light. JASON. Fond woman, why wilt empty thus thine hand Of treasure? Doth King Creon’s castle stand In stint of raiment, or in stint of gold P _ Keep these, and make no gift. For if she hold Jason of any worth at all, I swear Chattels like these will not weigh more with her. MEDEA. Ah, chide me not! ’Tis written, gifts persuade The gods in heaven; and gold is stronger made Than words innumerable to bend men’s ways. Fortune is hers. God maketh great her days: Young and a crownéd queen! And banishment For those two babes. ... I would not gold were spent, But life’s blood, ere that come. My children, go Forth into those rich halls, and, bowing low, Beseech your father’s bride, whom I obey, Ye be not, of her mercy, cast away Eomichbooks.com