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The Argonautica by c. 3rd cent. B.C. Apollonius Rhodius
page 115 of 244 (47%)

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:

"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."

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 tell
thee, 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."

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:
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