Then Jason lighted the pile, and burnt the carcase of the bull; and they went to their ship and sailed eastward6, like men who have a work to do; and the place from which they went was called Aphetai, the sailing-place, from that day forth8. Three thousand years and more they sailed away, into the unknown Eastern seas; and great nations have come and gone since then, and many a storm has swept the earth; and many a mighty9 armament, to which Argo would be but one small boat; English and French, Turkish and Russian, have sailed those waters since; yet the fame of that small Argo lives for ever, and her name is become a proverb among men.
So they sailed past the Isle10 of Sciathos, with the Cape11 of Sepius on their left, and turned to the northward12 toward Pelion, up the long Magnesian shore. On their right hand was the open sea, and on their left old Pelion rose, while the clouds crawled round his dark pine-forests, and his caps of summer snow. And their hearts yearned13 for the dear old mountain, as they thought of pleasant days gone by, and of the sports of their boyhood, and their hunting, and their schooling14 in the cave beneath the cliff. And at last Peleus spoke15, ‘Let us land here, friends, and climb the dear old hill once more. We are going on a fearful journey; who knows if we shall see Pelion again? Let us go up to Cheiron our master, and ask his blessing16 ere we start. And I have a boy, too, with him, whom he trains as he trained me once—the son whom Thetis brought me, the silver-footed lady of the sea, whom I caught in the cave, and tamed her, though she changed her shape seven times. For she changed, as I held her, into water, and to vapour, and to burning flame, and to a rock, and to a black-maned lion, and to a tall and stately tree. But I held her and held her ever, till she took her own shape again, and led her to my father’s house, and won her for my bride. And all the rulers of Olympus came to our wedding, and the heavens and the earth rejoiced together, when an Immortal17 wedded18 mortal man. And now let me see my son; for it is not often I shall see him upon earth: famous he will be, but short-lived, and die in the flower of youth.’
So Tiphys the helmsman steered19 them to the shore under the crags of Pelion; and they went up through the dark pine-forests towards the Centaur20’s cave.
And they came into the misty21 hall, beneath the snow-crowned crag; and saw the great Centaur lying, with his huge limbs spread upon the rock; and beside him stood Achilles, the child whom no steel could wound, and played upon his harp22 right sweetly, while Cheiron watched and smiled.
Then Cheiron leapt up and welcomed them, and kissed them every one, and set a feast before them of swine’s flesh, and venison, and good wine; and young Achilles served them, and carried the golden goblet round. And after supper all the heroes clapped their hands, and called on Orpheus to sing; but he refused, and said, ‘How can I, who am the younger, sing before our ancient host?’ So they called on Cheiron to sing, and Achilles brought him his harp; and he began a wondrous23 song; a famous story of old time, of the fight between the Centaurs24 and the Lapithai, which you may still see carved in stone. [96] He sang how his brothers came to ruin by their folly25, when they were mad with wine; and how they and the heroes fought, with fists, and teeth, and the goblets26 from which they drank; and how they tore up the pine-trees in their fury, and hurled27 great crags of stone, while the mountains thundered with the battle, and the land was wasted far and wide; till the Lapithai drove them from their home in the rich Thessalian plains to the lonely glens of Pindus, leaving Cheiron all alone. And the heroes praised his song right heartily28; for some of them had helped in that great fight.
Then Orpheus took the lyre, and sang of Chaos29, and the making of the wondrous World, and how all things sprang from Love, who could not live alone in the Abyss. And as he sang, his voice rose from the cave, above the crags, and through the tree-tops, and the glens of oak and pine. And the trees bowed their heads when they heard it, and the gray rocks cracked and rang, and the forest beasts crept near to listen, and the birds forsook30 their nests and hovered32 round. And old Cheiron claps his hands together, and beat his hoofs33 upon the ground, for wonder at that magic song.
Then Peleus kissed his boy, and wept over him, and they went down to the ship; and Cheiron came down with them, weeping, and kissed them one by one, and blest them, and promised to them great renown34. And the heroes wept when they left him, till their great hearts could weep no more; for he was kind and just and pious35, and wiser than all beasts and men. Then he went up to a cliff, and prayed for them, that they might come home safe and well; while the heroes rowed away, and watched him standing36 on his cliff above the sea, with his great hands raised toward heaven, and his white locks waving in the wind; and they strained their eyes to watch him to the last, for they felt that they should look on him no more.
So they rowed on over the long swell37 of the sea, past Olympus, the seat of the Immortals38, and past the wooded bays of Athos, and Samothrace the sacred isle; and they came past Lemnos to the Hellespont, and through the narrow strait of Abydos, and so on into the Propontis, which we call Marmora now. And there they met with Cyzicus, ruling in Asia over the Dolions, who, the songs say, was the son of Æneas, of whom you will hear many a tale some day. For Homer tells us how he fought at Troy, and Virgil how he sailed away and founded Rome; and men believed until late years that from him sprang our old British kings. Now Cyzicus, the songs say, welcomed the heroes, for his father had been one of Cheiron’s scholars; so he welcomed them, and feasted them, and stored their ship with corn and wine, and cloaks and rugs, the songs say, and shirts, of which no doubt they stood in need.
But at night, while they lay sleeping, came down on them terrible men, who lived with the bears in the mountains, like Titans or giants in shape; for each of them had six arms, and they fought with young firs and pines. But Heracles killed them all before morn with his deadly poisoned arrows; but among them, in the darkness, he slew Cyzicus the kindly39 prince.
Then they got to their ship and to their oars40, and Tiphys bade them cast off the hawsers42 and go to sea. But as he spoke a whirlwind came, and spun43 the Argo round, and twisted the hawsers together, so that no man could loose them. Then Tiphys dropped the rudder from his hand, and cried, ‘This comes from the Gods above.’ But Jason went forward, and asked counsel of the magic bough44.
Then the magic bough spoke, and answered, ‘This is because you have slain45 Cyzicus your friend. You must appease46 his soul, or you will never leave this shore.’
Jason went back sadly, and told the heroes what he had heard. And they leapt on shore, and searched till dawn; and at dawn they found the body, all rolled in dust and blood, among the corpses47 of those monstrous48 beasts. And they wept over their kind host, and laid him on a fair bed, and heaped a huge mound49 over him, and offered black sheep at his tomb, and Orpheus sang a magic song to him, that his spirit might have rest. And then they held games at the tomb, after the custom of those times, and Jason gave prizes to each winner. To Ancæus he gave a golden cup, for he wrestled50 best of all; and to Heracles a silver one, for he was the strongest of all; and to Castor, who rode best, a golden crest51; and Polydeuces the boxer52 had a rich carpet, and to Orpheus for his song a sandal with golden wings. But Jason himself was the best of all the archers53, and the Minuai crowned him with an olive crown; and so, the songs say, the soul of good Cyzicus was appeased54 and the heroes went on their way in peace.
But when Cyzicus’ wife heard that he was dead she died likewise of grief; and her tears became a fountain of clear water, which flows the whole year round.
Then they rowed away, the songs say, along the Mysian shore, and past the mouth of Rhindacus, till they found a pleasant bay, sheltered by the long ridges55 of Arganthus, and by high walls of basalt rock. And there they ran the ship ashore56 upon the yellow sand, and furled the sail, and took the mast down, and lashed57 it in its crutch58. And next they let down the ladder, and went ashore to sport and rest.
And there Heracles went away into the woods, bow in hand, to hunt wild deer; and Hylas the fair boy slipt away after him, and followed him by stealth, until he lost himself among the glens, and sat down weary to rest himself by the side of a lake; and there the water nymphs came up to look at him, and loved him, and carried him down under the lake to be their playfellow, for ever happy and young. And Heracles sought for him in vain, shouting his name till all the mountains rang; but Hylas never heard him, far down under the sparkling lake. So while Heracles wandered searching for him, a fair breeze sprang up, and Heracles was nowhere to be found; and the Argo sailed away, and Heracles was left behind, and never saw the noble Phasian stream.
Then the Minuai came to a doleful land, where Amycus the giant ruled, and cared nothing for the laws of Zeus, but challenged all strangers to box with him, and those whom he conquered he slew. But Polydeuces the boxer struck him a harder blow than he ever felt before, and slew him; and the Minuai went on up the Bosphorus, till they came to the city of Phineus, the fierce Bithynian king; for Zetes and Calais bade Jason land there, because they had a work to do.
And they went up from the shore toward the city, through forests white with snow; and Phineus came out to meet them with a lean and woful face, and said, ‘Welcome, gallant59 heroes, to the land of bitter blasts, the land of cold and misery60; yet I will feast you as best I can.’ And he led them in, and set meat before them; but before they could put their hands to their mouths, down came two fearful monsters, the like of whom man never saw; for they had the faces and the hair of fair maidens61, but the wings and claws of hawks63; and they snatched the meat from off the table, and flew shrieking64 out above the roofs.
Then Phineus beat his breast and cried, ‘These are the Harpies, whose names are the Whirlwind and the Swift, the daughters of Wonder and of the Amber-nymph, and they rob us night and day. They carried off the daughters of Pandareus, whom all the Gods had blest; for Aphrodite fed them on Olympus with honey and milk and wine; and Hera gave them beauty and wisdom, and Athené skill in all the arts; but when they came to their wedding, the Harpies snatched them both away, and gave them to be slaves to the Erinnues, and live in horror all their days. And now they haunt me, and my people, and the Bosphorus, with fearful storms; and sweep away our food from off our tables, so that we starve in spite of all our wealth.’
Then up rose Zetes and Calais, the winged sons of the North-wind, and said, ‘Do you not know us, Phineus, and these wings which grow upon our backs?’ And Phineus hid his face in terror; but he answered not a word.
‘Because you have been a traitor, Phineus, the Harpies haunt you night and day. Where is Cleopatra our sister, your wife, whom you keep in prison? and where are her two children, whom you blinded in your rage, at the bidding of an evil woman, and cast them out upon the rocks? Swear to us that you will right our sister, and cast out that wicked woman; and then we will free you from your plague, and drive the whirlwind maidens to the south; but if not, we will put out your eyes, as you put out the eyes of your own sons.’
Then Phineus swore an oath to them, and drove out the wicked woman; and Jason took those two poor children, and cured their eyes with magic herbs.
But Zetes and Calais rose up sadly and said, ‘Farewell now, heroes all; farewell, our dear companions, with whom we played on Pelion in old times; for a fate is laid upon us, and our day is come at last, in which we must hunt the whirlwinds over land and sea for ever; and if we catch them they die, and if not, we die ourselves.’
At that all the heroes wept; but the two young men sprang up, and aloft into the air after the Harpies, and the battle of the winds began.
The heroes trembled in silence as they heard the shrieking of the blasts; while the palace rocked and all the city, and great stones were torn from the crags, and the forest pines were hurled earthward, north and south and east and west, and the Bosphorus boiled white with foam65, and the clouds were dashed against the cliffs.
But at last the battle ended, and the Harpies fled screaming toward the south, and the sons of the North-wind rushed after them, and brought clear sunshine where they passed. For many a league they followed them, over all the isles66 of the Cyclades, and away to the south-west across Hellas, till they came to the Ionian Sea, and there they fell upon the Echinades, at the mouth of the Achelous; and those isles were called the Whirlwind Isles for many a hundred years. But what became of Zetes and Calais I know not, for the heroes never saw them again: and some say that Heracles met them, and quarrelled with them, and slew them with his arrows; and some say that they fell down from weariness and the heat of the summer sun, and that the Sun-god buried them among the Cyclades, in the pleasant Isle of Tenos; and for many hundred years their grave was shown there, and over it a pillar, which turned to every wind. But those dark storms and whirlwinds haunt the Bosphorus until this day.
But the Argonauts went eastward, and out into the open sea, which we now call the Black Sea, but it was called the Euxine then. No Hellen had ever crossed it, and all feared that dreadful sea, and its rocks, and shoals, and fogs, and bitter freezing storms; and they told strange stories of it, some false and some half-true, how it stretched northward to the ends of the earth, and the sluggish67 Putrid68 Sea, and the everlasting69 night, and the regions of the dead. So the heroes trembled, for all their courage, as they came into that wild Black Sea, and saw it stretching out before them, without a shore, as far as eye could see.
And first Orpheus spoke, and warned them, ‘We shall come now to the wandering blue rocks; my mother warned me of them, Calliope, the immortal muse70.’
And soon they saw the blue rocks shining like spires71 and castles of gray glass, while an ice-cold wind blew from them and chilled all the heroes’ hearts. And as they neared they could see them heaving, as they rolled upon the long sea-waves, crashing and grinding together, till the roar went up to heaven. The sea sprang up in spouts72 between them, and swept round them in white sheets of foam; but their heads swung nodding high in air, while the wind whistled shrill73 among the crags.
The heroes’ hearts sank within them, and they lay upon their oars in fear; but Orpheus called to Tiphys the helmsman, ‘Between them we must pass; so look ahead for an opening, and be brave, for Hera is with us.’ But Tiphys the cunning helmsman stood silent, clenching74 his teeth, till he saw a heron come flying mast-high toward the rocks, and hover31 awhile before them, as if looking for a passage through. Then he cried, ‘Hera has sent us a pilot; let us follow the cunning bird.’
Then the heron flapped to and fro a moment, till he saw a hidden gap, and into it he rushed like an arrow, while the heroes watched what would befall.
And the blue rocks clashed together as the bird fled swiftly through; but they struck but a feather from his tail, and then rebounded75 apart at the shock.
Then Tiphys cheered the heroes, and they shouted; and the oars bent76 like withes beneath their strokes as they rushed between those toppling ice-crags and the cold blue lips of death. And ere the rocks could meet again they had passed them, and were safe out in the open sea.
And after that they sailed on wearily along the Asian coast, by the Black Cape and Thyneis, where the hot stream of Thymbris falls into the sea, and Sangarius, whose waters float on the Euxine, till they came to Wolf the river, and to Wolf the kindly king. And there died two brave heroes, Idmon and Tiphys the wise helmsman: one died of an evil sickness, and one a wild boar slew. So the heroes heaped a mound above them, and set upon it an oar41 on high, and left them there to sleep together, on the far-off Lycian shore. But Idas killed the boar, and avenged77 Tiphys; and Ancaios took the rudder and was helmsman, and steered them on toward the east.
And they went on past Sinope, and many a mighty river’s mouth, and past many a barbarous tribe, and the cities of the Amazons, the warlike women of the East, till all night they heard the clank of anvils78 and the roar of furnace-blasts, and the forge-fires shone like sparks through the darkness in the mountain glens aloft; for they were come to the shores of the Chalybes, the smiths who never tire, but serve Ares the cruel War-god, forging weapons day and night.
And at day-dawn they looked eastward, and midway between the sea and the sky they saw white snow-peaks hanging, glittering sharp and bright above the clouds. And they knew that they were come to Caucasus, at the end of all the earth: Caucasus the highest of all mountains, the father of the rivers of the East. On his peak lies chained the Titan, while a vulture tears his heart; and at his feet are piled dark forests round the magic Colchian land.
And they rowed three days to the eastward, while Caucasus rose higher hour by hour, till they saw the dark stream of Phasis rushing headlong to the sea, and, shining above the tree-tops, the golden roofs of King Aietes, the child of the Sun.
Then out spoke Ancaios the helmsman, ‘We are come to our goal at last, for there are the roofs of Aietes, and the woods where all poisons grow; but who can tell us where among them is hid the golden fleece? Many a toil79 must we bear ere we find it, and bring it home to Greece.’
But Jason cheered the heroes, for his heart was high and bold; and he said, ‘I will go alone up to Aietes, though he be the child of the Sun, and win him with soft words. Better so than to go altogether, and to come to blows at once.’ But the Minuai would not stay behind, so they rowed boldly up the stream.
And a dream came to Aietes, and filled his heart with fear. He thought he saw a shining star, which fell into his daughter’s lap; and that Medeia his daughter took it gladly, and carried it to the river-side, and cast it in, and there the whirling river bore it down, and out into the Euxine Sea.
Then he leapt up in fear, and bade his servants bring his chariot, that he might go down to the river-side and appease the nymphs, and the heroes whose spirits haunt the bank. So he went down in his golden chariot, and his daughters by his side, Medeia the fair witch-maiden62, and Chalciope, who had been Phrixus’ wife, and behind him a crowd of servants and soldiers, for he was a rich and mighty prince.
And as he drove down by the reedy river he saw Argo sliding up beneath the bank, and many a hero in her, like Immortals for beauty and for strength, as their weapons glittered round them in the level morning sunlight, through the white mist of the stream. But Jason was the noblest of all; for Hera, who loved him, gave him beauty and tallness and terrible manhood.
And when they came near together and looked into each other’s eyes the heroes were awed80 before Aietes as he shone in his chariot, like his father the glorious Sun; for his robes were of rich gold tissue, and the rays of his diadem81 flashed fire; and in his hand he bore a jewelled sceptre, which glittered like the stars; and sternly he looked at them under his brows, and sternly he spoke and loud—
‘Who are you, and what want you here, that you come to the shore of Cutaia? Do you take no account of my rule, nor of my people the Colchians who serve me, who never tired yet in the battle, and know well how to face an invader82?’
And the heroes sat silent awhile before the face of that ancient king. But Hera the awful goddess put courage into Jason’s heart, and he rose and shouted loudly in answer, ‘We are no pirates nor lawless men. We come not to plunder83 and to ravage84, or carry away slaves from your land; but my uncle, the son of Poseidon, Pelias the Minuan king, he it is who has set me on a quest to bring home the golden fleece. And these too, my bold comrades, they are no nameless men; for some are the sons of Immortals, and some of heroes far renowned85. And we too never tire in battle, and know well how to give blows and to take: yet we wish to be guests at your table: it will be better so for both.’
Then Aietes’ race rushed up like a whirlwind, and his eyes flashed fire as he heard; but he crushed his anger down in his breast, and spoke mildly a cunning speech—
‘If you will fight for the fleece with my Colchians, then many a man must die. But do you indeed expect to win from me the fleece in fight? So few you are that if you be worsted I can load your ship with your corpses. But if you will be ruled by me, you will find it better far to choose the best man among you, and let him fulfil the labours which I demand. Then I will give him the golden fleece for a prize and a glory to you all.’
So saying, he turned his horses and drove back in silence to the town. And the Minuai sat silent with sorrow, and longed for Heracles and his strength; for there was no facing the thousands of the Colchians and the fearful chance of war.
But Chalciope, Phrixus’ widow, went weeping to the town; for she remembered her Minuan husband, and all the pleasures of her youth, while she watched the fair faces of his kinsmen86, and their long locks of golden hair. And she whispered to Medeia her sister, ‘Why should all these brave men die? why does not my father give them up the fleece, that my husband’s spirit may have rest?’
And Medeia’s heart pitied the heroes, and Jason most of all; and she answered, ‘Our father is stern and terrible, and who can win the golden fleece?’ But Chalciope said, ‘These men are not like our men; there is nothing which they cannot dare nor do.’
And Medeia thought of Jason and his brave countenance87, and said, ‘If there was one among them who knew no fear, I could show him how to win the fleece.’
So in the dusk of evening they went down to the river-side, Chalciope and Medeia the witch-maiden, and Argus, Phrixus’ son. And Argus the boy crept forward, among the beds of reeds, till he came where the heroes were sleeping, on the thwarts88 of the ship, beneath the bank, while Jason kept ward7 on shore, and leant upon his lance full of thought. And the boy came to Jason, and said—
‘I am the son of Phrixus, your Cousin; and Chalciope my mother waits for you, to talk about the golden fleece.’
Then Jason went boldly with the boy, and found the two princesses standing; and when Chalciope saw him she wept, and took his hands, and cried—‘O cousin of my beloved, go home before you die!’
‘It would be base to go home now, fair princess, and to have sailed all these seas in vain.’ Then both the princesses besought89 him; but Jason said, ‘It is too late.’
‘But you know not,’ said Medeia, ‘what he must do who would win the fleece. He must tame the two brazen90-footed bulls, who breathe devouring91 flame; and with them he must plough ere nightfall four acres in the field of Ares; and he must sow them with serpents’ teeth, of which each tooth springs up into an armed man. Then he must fight with all those warriors92; and little will it profit him to conquer them, for the fleece is guarded by a serpent, more huge than any mountain pine; and over his body you must step if you would reach the golden fleece.’
Then Jason laughed bitterly. ‘Unjustly is that fleece kept here, and by an unjust and lawless king; and unjustly shall I die in my youth, for I will attempt it ere another sun be set.’
Then Medeia trembled, and said, ‘No mortal man can reach that fleece unless I guide him through. For round it, beyond the river, is a wall full nine ells high, with lofty towers and buttresses93, and mighty gates of threefold brass94; and over the gates the wall is arched, with golden battlements above. And over the gateway95 sits Brimo, the wild witch-huntress of the woods, brandishing96 a pine-torch in her hands, while her mad hounds howl around. No man dare meet her or look on her, but only I her priestess, and she watches far and wide lest any stranger should come near.’
‘No wall so high but it may be climbed at last, and no wood so thick but it may be crawled through; no serpent so wary97 but he may be charmed, or witch-queen so fierce but spells may soothe98 her; and I may yet win the golden fleece, if a wise maiden help bold men.’
And he looked at Medeia cunningly, and held her with his glittering eye, till she blushed and trembled, and said—
‘Who can face the fire of the bulls’ breath, and fight ten thousand armed men?’
‘He whom you help,’ said Jason, flattering her, ‘for your fame is spread over all the earth. Are you not the queen of all enchantresses, wiser even than your sister Circe, in her fairy island in the West?’
‘Would that I were with my sister Circe in her fairy island in the West, far away from sore temptation and thoughts which tear the heart! But if it must be so—for why should you die?—I have an ointment99 here; I made it from the magic ice-flower which sprang from Prometheus’ wound, above the clouds on Caucasus, in the dreary100 fields of snow. Anoint yourself with that, and you shall have in you seven men’s strength; and anoint your shield with it, and neither fire nor sword can harm you. But what you begin you must end before sunset, for its virtue101 lasts only one day. And anoint your helmet with it before you sow the serpents’ teeth; and when the sons of earth spring up, cast your helmet among their ranks, and the deadly crop of the War-god’s field will mow102 itself, and perish.’
Then Jason fell on his knees before her, and thanked her and kissed her hands; and she gave him the vase of ointment, and fled trembling through the reeds. And Jason told his comrades what had happened, and showed them the box of ointment; and all rejoiced but Idas, and he grew mad with envy.
And at sunrise Jason went and bathed, and anointed himself from head to foot, and his shield, and his helmet, and his weapons, and bade his comrades try the spell. So they tried to bend his lance, but it stood like an iron bar; and Idas in spite hewed103 at it with his sword, but the blade flew to splinters in his face. Then they hurled their lances at his shield, but the spear-points turned like lead; and Caineus tried to throw him, but he never stirred a foot; and Polydeuces struck him with his fist a blow which would have killed an ox, but Jason only smiled, and the heroes danced about him with delight; and he leapt, and ran, and shouted in the joy of that enormous strength, till the sun rose, and it was time to go and to claim Aietes’ promise.
So he sent up Telamon and Aithalides to tell Aietes that he was ready for the fight; and they went up among the marble walls, and beneath the roofs of gold, and stood in Aietes’ hall, while he grew pale with rage.
‘Fulfil your promise to us, child of the blazing Sun. Give us the serpents’ teeth, and let loose the fiery104 bulls; for we have found a champion among us who can win the golden fleece.’
And Aietes bit his lips, for he fancied that they had fled away by night: but he could not go back from his promise; so he gave them the serpents’ teeth.
Then he called for his chariot and his horses, and sent heralds105 through all the town; and all the people went out with him to the dreadful War-god’s field.
And there Aietes sat upon his throne, with his warriors on each hand, thousands and tens of thousands, clothed from head to foot in steel chain-mail. And the people and the women crowded to every window and bank and wall; while the Minuai stood together, a mere107 handful in the midst of that great host.
And Chalciope was there and Argus, trembling, and Medeia, wrapped closely in her veil; but Aietes did not know that she was muttering cunning spells between her lips.
Then Jason cried, ‘Fulfil your promise, and let your fiery bulls come forth.’
Then Aietes bade open the gates, and the magic bulls leapt out. Their brazen hoofs rang upon the ground, and their nostrils108 sent out sheets of flame, as they rushed with lowered heads upon Jason; but he never flinched109 a step. The flame of their breath swept round him, but it singed110 not a hair of his head; and the bulls stopped short and trembled when Medeia began her spell.
Then Jason sprang upon the nearest and seized him by the horn; and up and down they wrestled, till the bull fell grovelling111 on his knees; for the heart of the brute113 died within him, and his mighty limbs were loosed, beneath the steadfast114 eye of that dark witch-maiden and the magic whisper of her lips.
So both the bulls were tamed and yoked115; and Jason bound them to the plough, and goaded116 them onward117 with his lance till he had ploughed the sacred field.
And all the Minuai shouted; but Aietes bit his lips with rage, for the half of Jason’s work was over, and the sun was yet high in heaven.
Then he took the serpents’ teeth and sowed them, and waited what would befall. But Medeia looked at him and at his helmet, lest he should forget the lesson she had taught.
And every furrow118 heaved and bubbled, and out of every clod arose a man. Out of the earth they rose by thousands, each clad from head to foot in steel, and drew their swords and rushed on Jason, where he stood in the midst alone.
Then the Minuai grew pale with fear for him; but Aietes laughed a bitter laugh. ‘See! if I had not warriors enough already round me, I could call them out of the bosom119 of the earth.’
But Jason snatched off his helmet, and hurled it into the thickest of the throng120. And blind madness came upon them, suspicion, hate, and fear; and one cried to his fellow, ‘Thou didst strike me!’ and another, ‘Thou art Jason; thou shalt die!’ So fury seized those earth-born phantoms121, and each turned his hand against the rest; and they fought and were never weary, till they all lay dead upon the ground. Then the magic furrows122 opened, and the kind earth took them home into her breast and the grass grew up all green again above them, and Jason’s work was done.
Then the Minuai rose and shouted, till Prometheus heard them from his crag. And Jason cried, ‘Lead me to the fleece this moment, before the sun goes down.’
But Aietes thought, ‘He has conquered the bulls, and sown and reaped the deadly crop. Who is this who is proof against all magic? He may kill the serpent yet.’ So he delayed, and sat taking counsel with his princes till the sun went down and all was dark. Then he bade a herald106 cry, ‘Every man to his home for to-night. To-morrow we will meet these heroes, and speak about the golden fleece.’
Then he turned and looked at Medeia. ‘This is your doing, false witch-maid! You have helped these yellow-haired strangers, and brought shame upon your father and yourself!’
Medeia shrank and trembled, and her face grew pale with fear; and Aietes knew that she was guilty, and whispered, ‘If they win the fleece, you die!’
But the Minuai marched toward their ship, growling123 like lions cheated of their prey124; for they saw that Aietes meant to mock them, and to cheat them out of all their toil. And Oileus said, ‘Let us go to the grove112 together, and take the fleece by force.’
And Idas the rash cried, ‘Let us draw lots who shall go in first; for, while the dragon is devouring one, the rest can slay125 him and carry off the fleece in peace.’ But Jason held them back, though he praised them; for he hoped for Medeia’s help.
And after awhile Medeia came trembling, and wept a long while before she spoke. And at last—
‘My end is come, and I must die; for my father has found out that I have helped you. You he would kill if he dared; but he will not harm you, because you have been his guests. Go then, go, and remember poor Medeia when you are far away across the sea.’ But all the heroes cried—
‘If you die, we die with you; for without you we cannot win the fleece, and home we will not go without it, but fall here fighting to the last man.’
‘You need not die,’ said Jason. ‘Flee home with us across the sea. Show us first how to win the fleece; for you can do it. Why else are you the priestess of the grove? Show us but how to win the fleece, and come with us, and you shall be my queen, and rule over the rich princes of the Minuai, in Iolcos by the sea.’
And all the heroes pressed round, and vowed to her that she should be their queen.
Medeia wept, and shuddered126, and hid her face in her hands; for her heart yearned after her sisters and her playfellows, and the home where she was brought up as a child. But at last she looked up at Jason, and spoke between her sobs—
‘Must I leave my home and my people, to wander with strangers across the sea? The lot is cast, and I must endure it. I will show you how to win the golden fleece. Bring up your ship to the wood-side, and moor127 her there against the bank; and let Jason come up at midnight, and one brave comrade with him, and meet me beneath the wall.’
Then all the heroes cried together, ‘I will go!’ ‘and I!’ ‘and I!’ And Idas the rash grew mad with envy; for he longed to be foremost in all things. But Medeia calmed them, and said, ‘Orpheus shall go with Jason, and bring his magic harp; for I hear of him that he is the king of all minstrels, and can charm all things on earth.’
And Orpheus laughed for joy, and clapped his hands, because the choice had fallen on him; for in those days poets and singers were as bold warriors as the best.
So at midnight they went up the bank, and found Medeia; and beside came Absyrtus her young brother, leading a yearling lamb.
Then Medeia brought them to a thicket128 beside the War-god’s gate; and there she bade Jason dig a ditch, and kill the lamb, and leave it there, and strew129 on it magic herbs and honey from the honeycomb.
Then sprang up through the earth, with the red fire flashing before her, Brimo the wild witch-huntress, while her mad hounds howled around. She had one head like a horse’s, and another like a ravening130 hound’s, and another like a hissing131 snake’s, and a sword in either hand. And she leapt into the ditch with her hounds, and they ate and drank their fill, while Jason and Orpheus trembled, and Medeia hid her eyes. And at last the witch-queen vanished, and fled with her hounds into the woods; and the bars of the gates fell down, and the brazen doors flew wide, and Medeia and the heroes ran forward and hurried through the poison wood, among the dark stems of the mighty beeches132, guided by the gleam of the golden fleece, until they saw it hanging on one vast tree in the midst. And Jason would have sprung to seize it; but Medeia held him back, and pointed133, shuddering134, to the tree-foot, where the mighty serpent lay, coiled in and out among the roots, with a body like a mountain pine. His coils stretched many a fathom135, spangled with bronze and gold; and half of him they could see, but no more, for the rest lay in the darkness far beyond.
And when he saw them coming he lifted up his head, and watched them with his small bright eyes, and flashed his forked tongue, and roared like the fire among the woodlands, till the forest tossed and groaned136. For his cries shook the trees from leaf to root, and swept over the long reaches of the river, and over Aietes’ hall, and woke the sleepers137 in the city, till mothers clasped their children in their fear.
But Medeia called gently to him, and he stretched out his long spotted138 neck, and licked her hand, and looked up in her face, as if to ask for food. Then she made a sign to Orpheus, and he began his magic song.
And as he sung, the forest grew calm again, and the leaves on every tree hung still; and the serpent’s head sank down, and his brazen coils grew limp, and his glittering eyes closed lazily, till he breathed as gently as a child, while Orpheus called to pleasant Slumber139, who gives peace to men, and beasts, and waves.
Then Jason leapt forward warily140, and stept across that mighty snake, and tore the fleece from off the tree-trunk; and the four rushed down the garden, to the bank where the Argo lay.
There was a silence for a moment, while Jason held the golden fleece on high. Then he cried, ‘Go now, good Argo, swift and steady, if ever you would see Pelion more.’
And she went, as the heroes drove her, grim and silent all, with muffled141 oars, till the pine-wood bent like willow142 in their hands, and stout143 Argo groaned beneath their strokes.
On and on, beneath the dewy darkness, they fled swiftly down the swirling144 stream; underneath145 black walls, and temples, and the castles of the princes of the East; past sluice-mouths, and fragrant146 gardens, and groves147 of all strange fruits; past marshes148 where fat kine lay sleeping, and long beds of whispering reeds; till they heard the merry music of the surge upon the bar, as it tumbled in the moonlight all alone.
Into the surge they rushed, and Argo leapt the breakers like a horse; for she knew the time was come to show her mettle149, and win honour for the heroes and herself.
Into the surge they rushed, and Argo leapt the breakers like a horse, till the heroes stopped all panting, each man upon his oar, as she slid into the still broad sea.
Then Orpheus took his harp and sang a pæan, till the heroes’ hearts rose high again; and they rowed on stoutly150 and steadfastly151, away into the darkness of the West.
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收听单词发音
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1
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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schooling
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| n.教育；正规学校教育 | |
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15
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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16
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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18
wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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20
centaur
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| n.人首马身的怪物 | |
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misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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22
harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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23
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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24
centaurs
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| n.（希腊神话中）半人半马怪物( centaur的名词复数 ) | |
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25
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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26
goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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27
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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28
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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29
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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30
forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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31
hover
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| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
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32
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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33
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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34
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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35
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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36
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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38
immortals
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| 不朽的人物( immortal的名词复数 )； 永生不朽者 | |
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39
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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40
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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41
oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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42
hawsers
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| n.（供系船或下锚用的）缆索，锚链( hawser的名词复数 ) | |
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43
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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44
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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45
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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46
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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47
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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48
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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49
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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50
wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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51
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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52
boxer
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| n.制箱者，拳击手 | |
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53
archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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54
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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55
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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56
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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57
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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58
crutch
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| n.T字形拐杖；支持，依靠，精神支柱 | |
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59
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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60
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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61
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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62
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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63
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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64
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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65
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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66
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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67
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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68
putrid
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| adj.腐臭的；有毒的；已腐烂的；卑劣的 | |
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69
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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70
muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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71
spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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72
spouts
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| n.管口( spout的名词复数 )；（喷出的）水柱；（容器的）嘴；在困难中v.（指液体）喷出( spout的第三人称单数 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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73
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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74
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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75
rebounded
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| 弹回( rebound的过去式和过去分词 )； 反弹； 产生反作用； 未能奏效 | |
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76
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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77
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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78
anvils
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| n.（铁）砧( anvil的名词复数 )；砧骨 | |
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79
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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80
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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82
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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83
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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84
ravage
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| vt.使...荒废，破坏...；n.破坏，掠夺，荒废 | |
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85
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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86
kinsmen
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| n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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87
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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88
thwarts
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| 阻挠( thwart的第三人称单数 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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89
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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90
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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91
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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92
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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93
buttresses
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| n.扶壁，扶垛( buttress的名词复数 )v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的第三人称单数 ) | |
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94
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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95
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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96
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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97
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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ointment
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| n.药膏，油膏，软膏 | |
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100
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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101
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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102
mow
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| v.割（草、麦等），扫射，皱眉；n.草堆，谷物堆 | |
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103
hewed
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的过去式和过去分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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104
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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105
heralds
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| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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106
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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107
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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108
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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109
flinched
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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111
grovelling
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| adj.卑下的，奴颜婢膝的v.卑躬屈节，奴颜婢膝( grovel的现在分词 )；趴 | |
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112
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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113
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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114
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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115
yoked
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| 结合（yoke的过去式形式） | |
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116
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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117
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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118
furrow
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| n.沟；垄沟；轨迹；车辙；皱纹 | |
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119
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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120
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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121
phantoms
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| n.鬼怪，幽灵( phantom的名词复数 ) | |
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122
furrows
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| n.犁沟( furrow的名词复数 )；（脸上的）皱纹v.犁田，开沟( furrow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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123
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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124
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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125
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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126
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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127
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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128
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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129
strew
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| vt.撒；使散落；撒在…上，散布于 | |
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130
ravening
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| a.贪婪而饥饿的 | |
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131
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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132
beeches
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| n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材 | |
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133
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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134
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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135
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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136
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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137
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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138
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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139
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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140
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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141
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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142
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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144
swirling
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的现在分词 ) | |
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145
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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146
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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147
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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148
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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149
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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150
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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151
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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