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and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in their journey； already foreboding how
all would end。
（ll。 927…931） Now by the path along the plain there stands near the
shrine a poplar with its crown of countless leaves； whereon often
chattering crows would roost。 One of them meantime as she clapped her
wings aloft in the branches uttered the counsels of Hera：
（ll。 932…937） 〃What a pitiful seer is this； that has not the wit to
conceive even what children know； how that no maiden will say a word of
sweetness or love to a youth when strangers be near。 Begone； sorry
prophet； witless one； on thee neither Cypris nor the gentle Loves breathe
in their kindness。〃
（ll。 938…946） She spake chiding； and Mopsus smiled to hear the god…
sent voice of the bird； and thus addressed them： 〃Do thou； son of Aeson；
pass on to the temple； where thou wilt find the maiden； and very kind will
her greeting be to thee through the prompting of Cypris； who will be thy
helpmate in the contest； even as Phineus； Agenor's son； foretold。 But we
two； Argus and I； will await thy return； apart in this very spot； do thou all
alone be a suppliant and win her over with prudent words。〃
（ll。 947…974） He spake wisely； and both at once gave approval。 Nor
was Medea's heart turned to other thoughts； for all her singing； and never a
song that she essayed pleased her long in her sport。 But in confusion she
ever faltered； nor did she keep her eyes resting quietly upon the throng of
her handmaids； but to the paths far off she strained her gaze； turning her
face aside。 Oft did her heart sink fainting within her bosom whenever she
fancied she heard passing by the sound of a footfall or of the wind。 But
soon he appeared to her longing eyes； striding along loftily； like Sirius
coming from ocean； which rises fair and clear to see； but brings
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unspeakable mischief to flocks； thus then did Aeson's son come to her； fair
to see； but the sight of him brought love…sick care。 Her heart fell from
out her bosom； and a dark mist came over her eyes； and a hot blush
covered her cheeks。 And she had no strength to lift her knees backwards
or forwards； but her feet beneath were rooted to the ground； and meantime
all her handmaidens had drawn aside。 So they two stood face to face
without a word； without a sound； like oaks or lofty pines； which stand
quietly side by side on the mountains when the wind is still； then again；
when stirred by the breath of the wind； they murmur ceaselessly； so they
two were destined to tell out all their tale； stirred by the breath of Love。
And Aeson's son saw that she had fallen into some heaven…sent calamity；
and with soothing words thus addressed her：
（ll。 975…1007） 〃Why； pray； maiden； dost thou fear me so much； all
alone as I am？ Never was I one of these idle boasters such as other men
arenot even aforetime； when I dwelt in my own country。 Wherefore；
maiden； be not too much abashed before me； either to enquire whatever
thou wilt or to speak thy mind。 But since we have met one another with
friendly hearts； in a hallowed spot； where it is wrong to sin； speak openly
and ask questions； and beguile me not with pleasing words； for at the first
thou didst promise thy sister to give me the charms my heart desires。 I
implore thee by Hecate herself； by thy parents； and by Zeus who holds his
guardian hand over strangers and suppliants； I come here to thee both a
suppliant and a stranger； bending the knee in my sore need。 For without
thee and thy sister never shall I prevail in the grievous contest。 And to
thee will I render thanks hereafter for thy aid； as is right and fitting for
men who dwell far oft； making glorious thy name and fame； and the rest
of the heroes； returning to Hellas； will spread thy renown and so will the
heroes' wives and mothers； who now perhaps are sitting on the shore and
making moan for us； their painful affliction thou mightest scatter to the
winds。 In days past the maiden Ariadne； daughter of Minos； with kindly
intent rescued Theseus from grim conteststhe maiden whom Pasiphae
daughter of Helios bare。 But she； when Minos had lulled his wrath to
rest； went aboard the ship with him and left her fatherland； and her even
the immortal gods loved； and； as a sign in mid…sky； a crown of stars； which
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men call Ariadne's crown； rolls along all night among the heavenly
constellations。 So to thee too shall be thanks from the gods； if thou wilt
save so mighty an array of chieftains。 For surely from thy lovely form
thou art like to excel in gentle courtest。〃
（ll。 1008…1025） Thus he spake； honouring her； and she cast her eyes
down with a smile divinely sweet； and her soul melted within her； uplifted
by his praise； and she gazed upon him face to face； nor did she know what
word to utter first； but was eager to pour out everything at once。 And
forth from her fragrant girdle ungrudgingly she brought out the charm； and
he at once received it in his hands with joy。 And she would even have
drawn out all her soul from her breast and given it to him； exulting in his
desire； so wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame from the golden
head of Aeson's son； and he captivated her gleaming eyes； and her heart
within grew warm； melting away as the dew melts away round roses when
warmed by the morning's light。 And now both were fixing their eyes on
the ground abashed； and again were throwing glances at each other；
smiling with the light of love beneath their radiant brows。 And at last
and scarcely then did the maiden greet him：
（ll。 1026…1062） 〃Take heed now； that I may devise help for thee。
When at thy coming my father has given thee the deadly teeth from the
dragon's jaws for sowing； then watch for the time when the night is parted
in twain； then bathe in the stream of the tireless river； and alone； apart
from others； clad in dusky raiment； dig a rounded pit； and therein slay a
ewe； and sacrifice it whole； heaping high the pyre on the very edge of the
pit。 And propitiate only…begotten Hecate； daughter of Perses； pouring
from a goblet the hive…stored labour of bees。 And then； when thou hast
heedfully sought the grace of the goddess； retreat from the pyre； and let
neither the sound of feet drive thee to turn back； nor the baying of hounds；
lest haply thou shouldst maim all the rites and thyself fail to return duly to
thy comrades。 And at dawn steep this charm in water； strip； and anoint
thy body therewith as with oil； and in it there will be boundless prowess
and mighty strength； and thou wilt deem thyself a match not for men but
for the immortal gods。 And besides； let thy spear and shield and sword
be sprinkled。 Thereupon the spear…heads of the earthborn men shall not
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pierce thee； nor the flame of the deadly bulls as it rushes forth resistless。
But such thou shalt be not for long； but for that one day； still never flinch
from the contest。 And I will tell thee besides of yet another help。 As
soon as thou hast yoked the strong oxen； and with thy might and thy
prowess hast ploughed all the stubborn fallow； and now along the furrows
the Giants are springing up； when the serpent's teeth are sown on the
dusky clods； if thou markest them uprising in throngs from the fallow； cast
unseen among them a massy stone； and they over it； like ravening hounds
over their food； will slay one another； and do thou thyself hasten to rush to
the battle… strife； and the fleece thereupon thou shalt bear far away from
Aea； nevertheless； depart wherever thou wilt； or thy pleasure takes thee；
when thou hast gone hence。〃
（ll。 1063…1068） Thus she spake； and cast her eyes to her feet in
sile