"Now, my lord, I beseech thee to have pity on me, nor suffer me to
wander homeless and friendless, but receive me into thy house. So may
the Gods grant thee thy desire that thou mayest have a son to reign
after thee. And indeed I have such knowledge in these matters that I can
help thee myself."

Then said King Ægeus, "I am willing to do thee this service both for
right's sake and because of the hope of children which thou promisest to
me. Only I may not take thee with me from this land. But if thou comest
to me thou shalt be safe, nor will I give thee up to any man."

Then said Medea, "It is well, and I trust thee. And yet, for I am weak
and my enemies are strong, I would fain bind thee by an oath."

To this the King answered, "Lady, thou art prudent, and I refuse not the
oath; for being so bound, I shall have wherewith to answer thine
enemies, if they seek thee from me. By what Gods shall I swear?"

"Swear by the Earth and by the Sun, who was the father of my father, and
by all the Gods, that thou wilt not banish me from thy land, nor give me
up to my enemies seeking me."

And King Ægeus sware a great oath, by the Earth and by the Sun, and by
all the Gods, that he would not banish her, nor give her up; and so
departed.

Then said Medea, "Now shall my counsels prosper; for this man hath given
me that which I needed, even a refuge in the city of Athens. Now,
therefore, hear what I will do. I will send one of my servants to Jason,
and bid him come to me, and will speak softly to him, confessing that he