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'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 rebounded apart at
the shock。
Then Tiphys cheered the heroes； and they shouted； and the oars bent
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 oar on high； and left them there to sleep
together； on the far…off Lycian shore。 But Idas killed the boar； and
avenged 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 anvils 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
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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 toil 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 riverside； 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…maiden； 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。
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And when they came near together and looked into each other's eyes
the heroes were awed 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 diadem 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 invader？'
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 plunder and to ravage； 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 renowned。 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。
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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 kinsmen； 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 golde