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（ll。 1179…1195） 〃Zeus' self； I ween； beholds everything； nor do we
men escape his eye； we that be god…fearing and just； for as he rescued your
father from the hands of a murderous step…dame and gave him measureless
wealth besides； even so hath he saved you harmless from the baleful storm。
And on board this ship ye may sail hither and thither； where ye will；
whether to Aea or to the wealthy city of divine Orthomenus。 For our ship
Athena built and with axe of bronze cut her timbers near the crest of
Pelion； and with the goddess wrought Argus。 But yours the fierce surge
hath shattered； before ye came nigh to the rocks which all day long clash
together in the straits of the sea。 But come； be yourselves our helpers； for
we are eager to bring to Hellas the golden fleece； and guide us on our
voyage； for I go to atone for the intended sacrifice of Phrixus； the cause of
Zeus' wrath against the sons of Aeolus。〃
（ll。 1196…1199） He spake with soothing words； but horror seized
them when they heard。 For they deemed that they would not find Aeetes
friendly if they desired to take away the ram's fleece。 And Argus spake as
follows； vexed that they should busy themselves with such a quest：
（ll。 1200…1215） 〃My friends； our strength； so far as it avails； shall
never cease to help you； not one whit； when need shall come。 But Aeetes
is terribly armed with deadly ruthlessness； wherefore exceedingly do I
dread this voyage。 And he boasts himself to be the son of Helios； and all
round dwell countless tribes of Colchians； and he might match himself
with Ares in his dread war…cry and giant strength。 Nay； to seize the
fleece in spite of Aeetes is no easy task； so huge a serpent keeps guard
round and about it； deathless and sleepless； which Earth herself brought
forth on the sides of Caucasus； by the rock of Typhaon； where Typhaon；
they say； smitten by the bolt of Zeus； son of Cronos； when he lifted against
the god his sturdy hands； dropped from his head hot gore； and in such
plight he reached the mountains and plain of Nysa； where to this day he
lies whelmed beneath the waters of the Serbonian lake。〃
（ll。 1216…1218） Thus he spake； and straightway many a cheek grew
pale when they heard of so mighty an adventure。 But quickly Peleus
answered with cheering words； and thus spake：
（ll。 1219…1225） 〃Be not so fearful in spirit； my good friend。 For we
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are not so lacking in prowess as to be no match for Aeetes to try his
strength with arms； but I deem that we too are cunning in war； we that go
thither； near akin to the blood of the blessed gods。 Wherefore if he will
not grant us the fleece of gold for friendship's sake； the tribes of the
Colchians will not avail him； I ween。〃
（ll。 1226…1230） Thus they addressed each other in turn； until again；
satisfied with their feast； they turned to rest。 And when they rose at dawn
a gentle breeze was blowing； and they raised the sails； which strained to
the rush of the wind； and quickly they left behind the island of Ares。
（ll。 1231…1241） And at nightfall they came to the island of Philyra；
where Cronos； son of Uranus； what time in Olympus he reigned over the
Titans； and Zeus was yet being nurtured in a Cretan cave by the Curetes of
Ida； lay beside Philyra； when he had deceived Rhea； and the goddess
found them in the midst of their dalliance； and Cronos leapt up from the
couch with a rush in the form of a steed with flowing mane； but Ocean's
daughter； Philyra； in shame left the spot and those haunts； and came to the
long Pelasgian ridges； where by her union with the transfigured deity she
brought forth huge Cheiron； half like a horse； half like a god。
（ll。 1242…1261） Thence they sailed on； past the Macrones and the far…
stretching land of the Becheiri and the overweening Sapeires； and after
them the Byzeres； for ever forward they clave their way； quickly borne by
the gentle breeze。 And lo； as they sped on； a deep gulf of the sea was
opened； and lo； the steep crags of the Caucasian mountains rose up； where；
with his limbs bound upon the hard rocks by galling fetters of bronze；
Prometheus fed with his liver an eagle that ever rushed back to its prey。
High above the ship at even they saw it flying with a loud whirr； near the
clouds； and yet it shook all the sails with the fanning of those huge wings。
For it had not the form of a bird of the air but kept poising its long wing…
feathers like polished oars。 And not long after they heard the bitter cry of
Prometheus as his liver was being torn away； and the air rang with his
screams until they marked the ravening eagle rushing back from the
mountain on the self…same track。 And at night； by the skill of Argus； they
reached broad…flowing Phasis； and the utmost bourne of the sea。
（ll。 1262…1276） And straightway they let down the sails and the yard…
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arm and stowed them inside the hollow mast…crutch； and at once they
lowered the mast itself till it lay along； and quickly with oars they entered
the mighty stream of the river； and round the prow the water surged as it
gave them way。 And on their left hand they had lofty Caucasus and the
Cytaean city of Aea； and on the other side the plain of Ares and the sacred
grove of that god； where the serpent was keeping watch and ward over the
fleece as it hung on the leafy branches of an oak。 And Aeson's son
himself from a golden goblet poured into the river libations of honey and
pure wine to Earth and to the gods of the country； and to the souls of dead
heroes； and he besought them of their grace to give kindly aid； and to
welcome their ship's hawsers with favourable omen。 And straightway
Ancaeus spake these words：
（ll。 1277…1280） 〃We have reached the Colchian land and the stream
of Phasis； and it is time for us to take counsel whether we shall make trial
of Aeetes with soft words； or an attempt of another kind shall be fitting。〃
（ll。 1281…1285） Thus he spake； and by the advice of Argus Jason
bade them enter a shaded backwater and let the ship ride at anchor off
shore； and it was near at hand in their course and there they passed the
night。 And soon the dawn appeared to their expectant eyes。
ENDNOTES： （1） i。e。 Polydeuces。 （2） i。e。 Saviour of Sailors。 （3）
i。e。 through the ravine that divides the headland。 （4） i。e。 river of fair
dances。 （5） i。e。 the bedchamber。 （6） The north…west wind。 （7） Called
〃Mossynes〃。 （8） i。e。 without exacting gifts from the bridegroom。 So in
the 〃Iliad〃 （ix。 146） Agamemnon offers Achilles any of his three
daughters ANAEONOS。
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BOOK III
（ll。 1…5） Come now； Erato； stand by my side； and say next how Jason
brought back the fleece to Iolcus aided by the love of Medea。 For thou
sharest the power of Cypris； and by thy love…cares dost charm unwedded
maidens； wherefore to thee too is attached a name that tells of love。
（ll。 6…10） Thus the heroes； unobserved； were waiting in ambush amid
the thick reed…beds； but Hera and Athena took note of them； and； apart
from Zeus and the other immortals； entered a chamber and took counsel
together； and Hera first made trial of Athena：
（ll。 11…16） 〃Do thou now first； daughter of Zeus； give advice。 What
must be done？ Wilt thou devise some scheme whereby they may seize
the golden fleece of Aeetes and bear it to H