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gleaming bear； had set； and the air had all grown still under heaven； went
to a desert spot； like some stealthy thief； with all that was needful； for
beforehand in the daytime had he taken thought for everything； and Argus
came bringing a ewe and milk from the flock； and them he took from the
ship。 But when the hero saw a place which was far away from the tread
of men； in a clear meadow beneath the open sky； there first of all he
bathed his tender body reverently in the sacred river； and round him he
placed a dark robe； which Hypsipyle of Lemnos had given him aforetime；
a memorial of many a loving embrace。 Then he dug a pit in the ground of
a cubit's depth and heaped up billets of wood； and over it he cut the throat
of the sheep； and duly placed the carcase above； and he kindled the logs
placing fire beneath； and poured over them mingled libations； calling on
Hecate Brimo to aid him in the contests。 And when he had called on her
he drew back； and she heard him； the dread goddess； from the uttermost
depths and came to the sacrifice of Aeson's son； and round her horrible
serpents twined themselves among the oak boughs； and there was a gleam
of countless torches； and sharply howled around her the hounds of hell。
All the meadows trembled at her step； and the nymphs that haunt the
marsh and the river shrieked； all who dance round that mead of
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Amarantian Phasis。 And fear seized Aeson's son； but not even so did he
turn round as his feet bore him forth； till he came back to his comrades；
and now early dawn arose and shed her light above snowy Caucasus。
（ll。 1225…1245） Then Aeetes arrayed his breast in the stiff corslet
which Ares gave him when he had slain Phlegraean Mimas with his own
hands； and upon his head he placed a golden helmet with four plumes；
gleaming like the sun's round light when he first rises from Ocean。 And
he wielded his shield of many hides； and his spear； terrible； resistless； none
of the heroes could have withstood its shock now that they had left behind
Heracles far away； who alone could have met it in battle。 For the king
his well…fashioned chariot of swift steeds was held near at hand by
Phaethon； for him to mount； and he mounted； and held the reins in his
hands。 Then from the city he drove along the broad highway； that he
might be present at the contest； and with him a countless multitude rushed
forth。 And as Poseidon rides； mounted in his chariot； to the Isthmian
contest or to Taenarus； or to Lerna's water； or through the grove of
Hyantian Onchestus； and thereafter passes even to Calaureia with his
steeds； and the Haemonian rock； or well…wooded Geraestus； even so was
Aeetes； lord of the Colchians； to behold。
（ll。 1246…1277） Meanwhile； prompted by Medea； Jason steeped the
charm in water and sprinkled with it his shield and sturdy spear； and sword；
and his comrades round him made proof of his weapons with might and
main； but could not bend that spear even a little； but it remained firm in
their stalwart hands unbroken as before。 But in furious rage with them Idas；
Aphareus' son； with his great sword hewed at the spear near the butt； and
the edge leapt back repelled by the shock； like a hammer from the anvil；
and the heroes shouted with joy for their hope in the contest。 And then
he sprinkled his body； and terrible prowess entered into him； unspeakable；
dauntless； and his hands on both sides thrilled vigorously as they swelled
with strength。 And as when a warlike steed eager for the fight neighs and
beats the ground with his hoof； while rejoicing he lifts his neck on high
with ears erect； in such wise did Aeson's son rejoice in the strength of his
limbs。 And often hither and thither did he leap high in air tossing in his
hands his shield of bronze and ashen spear。 Thou wouldst say that wintry
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lightning flashing from the gloomy sky kept on darting forth from the
clouds what time they bring with them their blackest rainstorm。 Not long
after that were the heroes to hold back from the contests； but sitting in
rows on their benches they sped swiftly on to the plain of Ares。 And it
lay in front of them on the opposite side of the city； as far off as is the
turning…post that a chariot must reach from the starting…point； when the
kinsmen of a dead king appoint funeral games for footmen and horsemen。
And they found Aeetes and the tribes of the Colchians； these were
stationed on the Caucasian heights； but the king by the winding brink of
the river。
（ll。 1278…1325） Now Aeson's son； as soon as his comrades had made
the hawsers fast； leapt from the ship； and with spear and shield came forth
to the contest； and at the same time he took the gleaming helmet of bronze
filled with sharp teeth； and his sword girt round his shoulders； his body
stripped； in somewise resembling Ares and in somewise Apollo of the
golden sword。 And gazing over the field he saw the bulls' yoke of bronze
and near it the plough； all of one piece； of stubborn adamant。 Then he
came near； and fixed his sturdy spear upright on its butt； and taking his
helmet； off leant it against the spear。 And he went forward with shield
alone to examine the countless tracks of the bulls； and they from some
unseen lair beneath the earth； where was their strong steading； wrapt in
murky smoke； both rushed out together； breathing forth flaming fire。
And sore afraid were the heroes at the sight。 But Jason； setting wide his
feet； withstood their onset； as in the sea a rocky reef withstands the waves
tossed by the countless blasts。 Then in front of him he held his shield；
and both the bulls with loud bellowing attacked him with their mighty
horns； nor did they stir him a jot by their onset。 And as when through the
holes of the furnace the armourers' bellows anon gleam brightly； kindling
the ravening flame； and anon cease from blowing； and a terrible roar rises
from the fire when it darts up from below； so the bulls roared； breathing
forth swift flame from their mouths； while the consuming heat played
round him； smiting like lightning； but the maiden's charms protected him。
Then grasping the tip of the horn of the right… hand bull； he dragged it
mightily with all his strength to bring it near the yoke of bronze； and
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forced it down on to its knees； suddenly striking with his foot the foot of
bronze。 So also he threw the other bull on to its knees as it rushed upon
him； and smote it down with one blow。 And throwing to the ground his
broad shield； he held them both down where they had fallen on their fore…
knees； as he strode from side to side； now here； now there； and rushed
swiftly through the flame。 But Aeetes marvelled at the hero's might。
And meantime the sons of Tyndareus for long since had it been thus
ordained for them near at hand gave him the yoke from the ground to
cast round them。 Then tightly did he bind their necks； and lifting the
pole of bronze between them； he fastened it to the yoke by its golden tip。
So the twin heroes started back from the fire to the ship。 But Jason took up
again his shield and cast it on his back behind him； and grasped the strong
helmet filled with sharp teeth； and his resistless spear； wherewith； like
some ploughman with a Pelasgian goad； he pricked the bulls beneath；
striking their flanks； and very firmly did he guide the well fitted plough
handle； fashioned of adamant。
（ll。 1326…1339） The bulls meantime r