But old age had come on him, and the
weakness of old age, and the power he had won was falling from
his hands. He would be overthrown in his weakness, or else he
would soon come to die, and there would be an end then to his
name and to his kingship.
How fortunate above all kings he would be, he thought, if it
could be that some one should come to him with juices that would
renew his youth! He looked longingly into the eyes of the
ancient-seeming woman before him, and he said: "How is it that
you show no gains from the juices that you speak of? You are old
and in woeful decrepitude. Even if you would not win back to
youth you could have got riches and state for that which you say
you possess."
Then Medea said: "I have lost so much and have suffered so much
that I would not have youth back at the price of facing the
years. I would sink down to the quiet of the grave. But
I hope for some ease before I die--for the ease that is in king's
houses, with good food to eat, and rest, and servants to wait
upon one's aged body. These are the things I desire, O Pelias,
even as you desire youth. You can give me such things, and I have
come to you who desire youth eagerly rather than to kings who
have a less eager desire for it. To you I will give the juices
that bring one back to the strength and the glory of youth."
Pelias said: "I have only your word for it that you possess these
juices. Many there are who come and say deceiving things to a
king.
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