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and them Apsyrtus led； and； turning aside； he entered the mouth called
Fair。 Wherefore he outstripped the heroes by crossing a neck of land into
the furthest gulf of the Ionian sea。 For a certain island is enclosed by
Ister； by name Peuee； three…cornered； its base stretching along the coast；
and with a sharp angle towards the river； and round it the outfall is cleft in
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two。 One mouth they call the mouth of Narex； and the other； at the lower
end； the Fair mouth。 And through this Apsyrtus and his Colchians rushed
with all speed； but the heroes went upwards far away towards the highest
part of the island。 And in the meadows the country shepherds left their
countless flocks for dread of the ships； for they deemed that they were
beasts coming forth from the monster…teeming sea。 For never yet before
had they seen seafaring ships； neither the Scythians mingled with the
Thracians； nor the Sigynni； nor yet the Graucenii； nor the Sindi that now
inhabit the vast desert plain of Laurium。 But when they had passed near
the mount Angurum； and the cliff of Cauliacus； far from the mount
Angurum； round which Ister； dividing his stream； falls into the sea on this
side and on that； and the Laurian plain； then indeed the Colchians went
forth into the Cronian sea and cut off all the ways； to prevent their foes'
escape。 And the heroes came down the river behind and reached the two
Brygean isles of Artemis near at hand。 Now in one of them was a sacred
temple； and on the other they landed； avoiding the host of Apsyrtus； for
the Colchians had left these islands out of many within the river； just as
they were； through reverence for the daughter of Zeus； but the rest；
thronged by the Colchians； barred the ways to the sea。 And so on other
islands too； close by； Apsyrtus left his host as far as the river Salangon and
the Nestian land。
（ll。 338…349） There the Minyae would at that time have yielded in
grim fight； a few to many； but ere then they made a covenant； shunning a
dire quarrel； as to the golden fleece； that since Aeetes himself had so
promised them if they should fulfill the contests； they should keep it as
justly won； whether they carried it off by craft or even openly in the king's
despite； but as to Medeafor that was the cause of strifethat they should
give her in ward to Leto's daughter apart from the throng； until some one
of the kings that dispense justice should utter his doom； whether she must
return to her father's home or follow the chieftains to the land of Hellas。
（ll。 350…354） Now when the maiden had mused upon all this； sharp
anguish shook her heart unceasingly； and quickly she called forth Jason
alone apart from his comrades； and led him aside until they were far away；
and before his face uttered her speech all broken with sobs：
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（ll。 355…390） 〃What is this purpose that ye are now devising about
me； O son of Aeson？ Has thy triumph utterly cast forgetfulness upon
thee； and reekest thou nothing of all that thou spakest when held fast by
necessity？ Whither are fled the oaths by Zeus the suppliants' god；
whither are fled thy honied promises？ For which in no seemly wise； with
shameless will； I have left my country； the glories of my home and even
my parents things that were dearest to me； and far away all alone I am
borne over the sea with the plaintive kingfishers because of thy trouble； in
order that I might save thy life in fulfilling the contests with the oxen and
the earthborn men。 Last of all the fleecewhen the matter became
known； it was by my folly thou didst win it； and a foul reproach have I
poured on womankind。 Wherefore I say that as thy child； thy bride and thy
sister； I follow thee to the land of Hellas。 Be ready to stand by me to the
end； abandon me not left forlorn of thee when thou dost visit the kings。
But only save me； let justice and right； to which we have both agreed；
stand firm； or else do thou at once shear through this neck with the sword；
that I may gain the guerdon due to my mad passion。 Poor wretch！ if
the king； to whom you both commit your cruel covenant； doom me to
belong to my brother。 How shall I come to my father's sight？ Will it be
with a good name？ What revenge； what heavy calamity shall I not endure
in agony for the terrible deeds I have done？ And wilt thou win the return
that thy heart desires？ Never may Zeus' bride； the queen of all； in whom
thou dost glory； bring that to pass。 Mayst thou some time remember me
when thou art racked with anguish； may the fleece like a dream vanish
into the nether darkness on the wings of the wind！ And may my
avenging Furies forthwith drive thee from thy country； for all that I have
suffered through thy cruelty！ These curses will not be allowed to fall
unaccomplished to the ground。 A mighty oath hast thou transgressed；
ruthless one； but not long shalt thou and thy comrades sit at ease casting
eyes of mockery upon me； for all your covenants。〃
（ll。 391…394） Thus she spake； seething with fierce wrath； and she
longed to set fire to the ship and to hew it utterly in pieces； and herself to
fall into the raging flame。 But Jason； half afraid； thus addressed her with
gentle words：
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（ll。 395…409） 〃Forbear； lady； me too this pleases not。 But we seek
some respite from battle； for such a cloud of hostile men； like to a fire；
surrounds us； on thy account。 For all that inhabit this land are eager to
aid Apsyrtus； that they may lead thee back home to thy father； like some
captured maid。 And all of us would perish in hateful destruction； if we
closed with them in fight； and bitterer still will be the pain； if we are slain
and leave thee to be their prey。 But this covenant will weave a web of
guile to lead him to ruin。 Nor will the people of the land for thy sake
oppose us； to favour the Colchians； when their prince is no longer with
them； who is thy champion and thy brother； nor will I shrink from
matching myself in fight with the Colchians； if they bar my way
homeward。〃
（ll。 410…420） Thus he spake soothing her； and she uttered a deadly
speech： 〃Take heed now。 For when sorry deeds are done we must needs
devise sorry counsel； since at first I was distraught by my error； and by
heaven's will it was I wrought the accomplishment of evil desires。 Do
thou in the turmoil shield me from the Colchians' spears； and I will beguile
Apsyrtus to come into thy handsdo thou greet him with splendid giftsif
only I could persuade the heralds on their departure to bring him alone to
hearken to my words。 Thereupon if this deed pleases thee； slay him and
raise a conflict with the Colchians； I care not。
（ll。 421…422） So they two agreed and prepared a great web of guile
for Apsyrtus； and provided many gifts such as are due to guests； and
among them gave a sacred robe of Hypsipyle； of crimson hue。 The
Graces with their own hands had wrought it for Dionysus in sea…girt Dia；
and he gave it to his son Thoas thereafter； and Thoas left it to Hypsipyle；
and she gave that fair…wrought guest…gift with many another marvel to
Aeson's son to wear。 Never couldst thou satisfy thy sweet desire by
touching it or gazing on it。 And from it a divine fragrance breathed from
the time when the king of Nysa himself lay to rest thereon； flushed with
wine and nectar as he clasped the beauteous breast of the maiden…daughter
of Minos； whom once Theseus forsook in the island of Dia； when she had
followed him from Cnossus。 And when she had wo