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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): MEDEA'S PARTING WORDS by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS

First Line: THEN TO KEEP COVENANT IN GREECE IS WELL!
Last Line: THERE AS YOUR GUEST, THOUGH YOU SHOULD NOT INVITE!
Subject(s): FAREWELL; PARTING;

THEN to keep covenant in Greece is well!
Yet among men AEetes is not such
As Minos, husband of Pasiphae,
You tell of, nor do I myself avouch
To be like Ariadne -- do not tell
Of guest or host; do but remember me,
Once in Iolcos you are safely home.
And still, although my parents interfere,
You I'll remember: but may rumours come
Or tell-tale bird from Greece, when you forget me;
Or let swift storm winds snatching me from here
Over the sea down on Iolcos set me
Myself, that with reproaches face to face
I may remind you how you owed your flight
To my good will. May I then take my place
There as your guest, though you should not invite!



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