the seamy side

a second son with no inheritance
obliged to seek his fortune overseas
young Jason staked his life on one slim chance
to win rhapsodic immortality
the dragon would have stopped him in his tracks
had he not found an ally and a guide
who bought the hero his safe passage back
his super-competent exotic bride
Euripides stood all this on its head
a modern eye turned on the antique work
to focus on Medea's role instead
and show up Jason as a preening jerk
her suicide must be implied, off-stage
but theater-goers still thrill to her rage