登陆注册
15321700000037

第37章

(ll.616-635) Now a deep slumber had relieved the maiden from her love-pains as she lay upon her couch.But straightway fearful dreams, deceitful, such as trouble one in grief, assailed her.And she thought thatthe stranger had taken on him the contest, not because he longed to win the ram's fleece, and that he had not come on that account to Aeetes' city, but to lead her away, his wedded wife, to his own home; and she dreamed that herself contended with the oxen and wrought the task with exceeding ease; and that her own parents set at naught their promise, for it was not the maiden they had challenged to yoke the oxen but the stranger himself; from that arose a contention of doubtful issue between her father and the strangers; and both laid the decision upon her, to be as she should direct in her mind.But she suddenly, neglecting her parents, chose the stranger.And measureless anguish seized them and they shouted out in their wrath; and with the cry sleep released its hold upon her.Quivering with fear she started up, and stared round the walls of her chamber, and with difficulty did she gather her spirit within her as before, and lifted her voice aloud:

(ll.636-644) "Poor wretch, how have gloomy dreams affrighted me! I fear that this voyage of the heroes will bring some great evil.My heart is trembling for the stranger.Let him woo some Achaean girl far away among his own folk; let maidenhood be mine and the home of my parents.Yet, taking to myself a reckless heart, I will no more keep aloof but will make trial of my sister to see if she will entreat me to aid in the contest, through grief for her own sons; this would quench the bitter pain in my heart."(ll.645-673) She spake, and rising from her bed opened the door of her chamber, bare-footed, clad in one robe; and verily she desired to go to her sister, and crossed the threshold.And for long she stayed there at the entrance of her chamber, held back by shame; and she turned back once more; and again she came forth from within, and again stole back; and idly did her feet bear her this way and that; yea, as oft as she went straight on, shame held her within the chamber, and though held back by shame, bold desire kept urging her on.Thrice she made the attempt and thrice she checked herself, the fourth time she fell on her bed face downward, writhing in pain.And as when a bride in her chamber bewails her youthful husband, to whom her brothers and parents have given her, nor yet does she hold converse with all her attendants for shame and for thinking of him; but she sits apart in her grief; and some doom hasdestroyed him, before they have had pleasure of each other's charms; and she with heart on fire silently weeps, beholding her widowed couch, in fear lest the women should mock and revile her; like to her did Medea lament.And suddenly as she was in the midst of her tears, one of the handmaids came forth and noticed her, one who was her youthful attendant; and straightway she told Chalciope, who sat in the midst of her sons devising how to win over her sister.And when Chalciope heard the strange tale from the handmaid, not even so did she disregard it.And she rushed in dismay from her chamber right on to the chamber where the maiden lay in her anguish, having torn her cheeks on each side; and when Chalciope saw her eyes all dimmed with tears, she thus addressed her:

(ll.674-680) "Ah me, Medea, why dost thou weep so? What hath befallen thee? What terrible grief has entered thy heart? Has some heaven-sent disease enwrapt thy frame, or hast thou heard from our father some deadly threat concerning me and my sons? Would that I did not behold this home of my parents, or the city, but dwelt at the ends of the earth, where not even the name of Colchians is known!"(ll.681-687) Thus she spake, and her sister's cheeks flushed; and though she was eager to reply, long did maiden shame restrain her.At one moment the word rose on the end of her tongue, at another it fluttered back deep within her breast.And often through her lovely lips it strove for utterance; but no sound came forth; till at last she spoke with guileful words; for the bold Loves were pressing her hard:

(ll.688-692) "Chalciope, my heart is all trembling for thy sons, lest my father forthwith destroy them together with the strangers.Slumbering just now in a short-lived sleep such a ghastly dream did I see-- may some god forbid its fulfilment and never mayst thou win for thyself bitter care on thy sons' account."(ll.693-704) She spake, making trial of her sister to see if she first would entreat help for her sons.And utterly unbearable grief surged over Chalciope's soul for fear at what she heard; and then she replied: "Yea, I myself too have come to thee in eager furtherance of this purpose, if thou wouldst haply devise with me and prepare some help.But swear by Earth and Heaven that thou wilt keep secret in thy heart what I shall tellthee, and be fellow-worker with me.I implore thee by the blessed gods, by thyself and by thy parents, not to see them destroyed by an evil doom piteously; or else may I die with my dear sons and come back hereafter from Hades an avenging Fury to haunt thee."(ll.705-710) Thus she spake, and straightway a torrent of tears gushed forth and low down she clasped her sister's knees with both hands and let her head sink on to her breast.Then they both made piteous lamentation over each other, and through the halls rose the faint sound of women weeping in anguish.Medea, sore troubled, first addressed her sister:

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 金陵缘

    金陵缘

    当了百年睡美人不说,还受尽小鬼差的白眼和酷刑……小场面,她忍×1。睡美人苏醒后发现一切在没经自己手动确认的情况下恢复了出厂设置:身旁人都说着她听不懂的鬼话,且她好像跟原先那个自己丝毫不沾边了……脸上笑嘻嘻,她忍×2。Areyoukidding?!原来睡美人的前生是个老巫婆一般的角色!原来她这辈子依然还要替前生背锅……事情大了,她忍×3
  • 混沌世界的魔法师

    混沌世界的魔法师

    本书叙述的内容是,当世界重新回归混沌之后,少年从一个冒险家开始,成为一个魔法师的经历。本书充满笑料的生活气氛,文字简单明朗,内容从生活的平淡到魔法对决的精彩,希望大家收藏。
  • 我不会牵你的手

    我不会牵你的手

    这是一场没有结果的爱恋,札律和尼亚从一开始的亲梅竹马到最后的混乱关系,逐渐演变成阴谋与爱情的悲剧。
  • 中学生高效学习方法指导

    中学生高效学习方法指导

    本书针对当代中学生在学习过程中出现的不良习惯进行分析,再针对问题给出相应的解答,让学生发现自身的问题,并根据本书提供的方法进行纠正,以达到有效提高学习成绩的目的。另外本书针对外界给现在学生带来的种种不良影响,对中学生的道德及行为规范进行了比较详细的阐述。
  • 再世我为男生

    再世我为男生

    凌冽,一个喜欢女生的女生,不小心到了古代变成了男生,这不是满足了她最大的愿望嘛!好!就让我在古代好好恋爱,好好再活一遍,不会变成同性恋(其实本质还是...),没有比这更好的了。可是也太多了吧,那么多少女你让我选哪一个?就算让我当个韦小宝,那你还送那么多男的干嘛!
  • 寻梦之源的世界

    寻梦之源的世界

    他曾经是拯救世界的英雄,天赋异能的他拯救了地球的过去、现在、未来。当身世之谜被解开,当天赋异能源于血脉。平静的生活被打破,在校学习的日子一去不复返。辗转踏入源的世界,一切,又是新的开始......
  • 如意年华似火

    如意年华似火

    他是城市中赫赫有名的心理医生,她是时尚杂志著名编辑,两人相知多年,却在时光的逆旅中苦苦挣扎,试问像仓央嘉措那样的人依然会面临种种不期而遇的选择,而当爱情遇上友情,空间与时间的重重交错,记忆与内心深处的苦苦挣扎,这一切的一切终究会擦出怎样的火花?当时间流逝多年,他是否还会有所坚持?当他她在深夜醒来是否还会忆起昨日......
  • 盗墓三十年

    盗墓三十年

    远古的文明,失落的宝藏,无所不能的预言家,夸张到极致的描写手法,跟随者主人公展开惊心动魄的冒险,波澜壮阔的经历,带给你前所未有的刺激。本书就是这样一个系列形式的文字冒险故事。故事的主人公,祖上是有名的盗贼,可他却成了倒霉的官二代,命运的轮回,又让他混迹于了形形色色的各类贼人之中,跟随他们一起探寻离奇诡异未知世界。
  • 孔雀东南飞

    孔雀东南飞

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 生灵谱

    生灵谱

    数千年后,地球生态圈毁于空前的灾难,沧海横流,高岸为谷,深谷为陵。又数万年后,文明重开。但这已然是一个完全不同的世界。少数人身具灵脉,五行八卦阴阳混沌。修者,出入青冥,举手投足间翻江倒海。而传说中,万千道法中隐藏着长生不死的大道。