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both sides as they rose； a great wonder to behold； wings that gleamed with
golden scales： and round their backs from the top of the head and neck；
hither and thither； their dark tresses were being shaken by the wind。
（ll。 224…227） No； nor had Acastus son of mighty Pelias himself any
will to stay behind in the palace of his brave sire； nor Argus； helper of the
goddess Athena； but they too were ready to be numbered in the host。
（ll。 228…233） So many then were the helpers who assembled to join
the son of Aeson。 All the chiefs the dwellers thereabout called Minyae；
for the most and the bravest avowed that they were sprung from the blood
of the daughters of Minyas； thus Jason himself was the son of Alcimede
who was born of Clymene the daughter of Minyas。
（ll。 234…241） Now when all things had been made ready by the
thralls； all things that fully…equipped ships are furnished withal when
men's business leads them to voyage across the sea； then the heroes took
their way through the city to the ship where it lay on the strand that men
call Magnesian Pagasae； and a crowd of people hastening rushed together；
but the heroes shone like gleaming stars among the clouds； and each man
as he saw them speeding along with their armour would say：
（ll。 242…246） 〃King Zeus； what is the purpose of Pelias？ Whither is
he driving forth from the Panachaean land so great a host of heroes？ On
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one day they would waste the palace of Aeetes with baleful fire； should he
not yield them the fleece of his own goodwill。 But the path is not to be
shunned； the toil is hard for those who venture。〃
（ll。 247…250） Thus they spake here and there throughout the city； but
the women often raised their hands to the sky in prayer to the immortals to
grant a return； their hearts' desire。 And one with tears thus lamented to
her fellow：
（ll。 251…260） 〃Wretched Alcimede； evil has come to thee at last
though late； thou hast not ended with splendour of life。 Aeson too； ill…
fated man！ Surely better had it been for him； if he were lying beneath the
earth； enveloped in his shroud； still unconscious of bitter toils。 Would
that the dark wave； when the maiden Helle perished； had overwhelmed
Phrixus too with the ram； but the dire portent even sent forth a human
voice； that it might cause to Alcimede sorrows and countless pains
hereafter。〃
（ll。 261…277） Thus the women spake at the departure of the heroes。
And now many thralls； men and women； were gathered together； and his
mother； smitten with grief for Jason。 And a bitter pang seized every
woman's heart； and with them groaned the father in baleful old age； lying
on his bed； closely wrapped round。 But the hero straightway soothed
their pain； encouraging them； and bade the thralls take up his weapons for
war； and they in silence with downcast looks took them up。 And even as
the mother had thrown her arms about her son； so she clung； weeping
without stint； as a maiden all alone weeps； falling fondly on the neck of
her hoary nurse； a maid who has now no others to care for her； but she
drags on a weary life under a stepmother； who maltreats her continually
with ever fresh insults； and as she weeps； her heart within her is bound fast
with misery； nor can she sob forth all the groans that struggle for utterance；
so without stint wept Alcimede straining her son in her arms； and in her
yearning grief spake as follows：
（ll。 278…291） 〃Would that on that day when； wretched woman that I
am； I heard King Pelias proclaim his evil behest； I had straightway given
up my life and forgotten my cares； so that thou thyself； my son； with thine
own hands； mightest have buried me； for that was the only wish left me
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still to be fulfilled by time； all the other rewards for thy nurture have I long
enjoyed。 Now I； once so admired among Achaean women； shall be left
behind like a bondwoman in my empty halls； pining away； ill…fated one；
for love of thee； thee on whose account I had aforetime so much splendour
and renown； my only son for whom I loosed my virgin zone first and last。
For to me beyond others the goddess Eileithyia grudged abundant
offspring。 Alas for my folly！ Not once； not even in nay dreams did I
forebode this； that the flight of Phrixus would bring me woe。〃
（ll。 292…294） Thus with moaning she wept； and her handmaidens；
standing by； lamented； but Jason spake gently to her with comforting
words：
（ll。 295…305） 〃Do not； I pray thee； mother； store up bitter sorrows
overmuch； for thou wilt not redeem me from evil by tears； but wilt still
add grief to grief。 For unseen are the woes that the gods mete out to
mortals； be strong to endure thy share of them though with grief in thy
heart； take courage from the promises of Athena； and from the answers of
the gods （for very favourable oracles has Phoebus given）； and then from
the help of the chieftains。 But do thou remain here； quiet among thy
handmaids； and be not a bird of ill omen to the ship； and thither my
clansmen and thralls will follow me。〃
（ll。 306…316） He spake； and started forth to leave the house。 And as
Apollo goes forth from some fragrant shrine to divine Delos or Claros or
Pytho or to broad Lyeia near the stream of Xanthus； in such beauty moved
Jason through the throng of people； and a cry arose as they shouted
together。 And there met him aged Iphias； priestess of Artemis guardian
of the city； and kissed his right hand； but she had not strength to say a
word； for all her eagerness； as the crowd rushed on； but she was left there
by the wayside； as the old are left by the young； and he passed on and was
gone afar。
（ll。 317…331） Now when he had left the well…built streets of the city；
he came to the beach of Pagasae； where his comrades greeted him as they
stayed together near the ship Argo。 And he stood at the entering in； and
they were gathered to meet him。 And they perceived Aeastus and Argus
coming from the city； and they marvelled when they saw them hasting
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with all speed； despite the will of Pelias。 The one； Argus； son of Arestor；
had cast round his shoulders the hide of a bull reaching to his feet； with the
black hair upon it； the other； a fair mantle of double fold； which his sister
Pelopeia had given him。 Still Jason forebore from asking them about
each point but bade all be seated for an assembly。 And there； upon the
folded sails and the mast as it lay on the ground； they all took their seats in
order。 And among them with goodwill spake Aeson's son：
（ll。 332…340） 〃All the equipment that a ship needs for all is in due
orderlies ready for our departure。 Therefore we will make no long
delay in our sailing for these things' sake； when the breezes but blow fair。
But； friends；for common to all is our return to Hellas hereafter； and
common to all is our path to the land of Aeetesnow therefore with
ungrudging heart choose the bravest to be our leader； who shall be careful
for everything； to take upon him our quarrels and covenants with
strangers。〃
（ll。 341…344） Thus he spake； and the young heroes turned their eyes
towards bold Heracles sitting in their midst； and with one shout they all
enjoined upon him to be their leader； but he； from the place where he sat；
stretched forth his right hand and said：
（ll。 345…347） 〃Let no one offer this honour to me。 For I will not
consent； and I will forbid any other to stand up。 Let the hero who
brought us together； himself be the leader of the host。〃
（ll。 348…350） Thus he spake with high thoughts； and they assented； as