Jason and Medea
John William Waterhouse
Book 3
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 you share the power of Cypris, and by your love-cares charm
unwedded maidens; wherefore to you too is attached a name that
tells of love.
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:
"Do you now first, daughter of Zeus, give advice. What must
be done? Will you devise some scheme whereby they may seize the
golden fleece of Aeetes and bear it to Hellas, or can they
deceive the king with soft words and so work persuasion? Of a
truth he is terribly overweening. Still it is right to shrink
from no endeavour."
Thus she spoke, and at once Athena addressed her: "I too was
pondering such thoughts in my heart, Hera, when you did ask me
outright. But not yet do I think that I have conceived a scheme
to aid the courage of the heroes, though I have balanced many
plans."
She ended, and the goddesses fixed their eyes on the ground
at their feet, brooding apart; and straightway Hera was the
first to speak her thought: "Come, let us go to Cypris; let both
of us accost her and urge her to bid her son (if only he will
obey) speed his shaft at the daughter of Aeetes, the
enchantress, and charm her with love for Jason. And I deem that
by her device he will bring back the fleece to Hellas."
Thus she spoke, and the prudent plan pleased Athena, and she
addressed her in reply with gentle words:
"Hera, my father begat me to be a stranger to the darts of
love, nor do I know any charm to work desire. But if the word
pleases you, surely I will follow; but you must speak when we
meet her."
So she said, and starting forth they came to the mighty
palace of Cypris, which her husband, the halt-footed god, had
built for her when first he brought her from Zeus to be his
wife. And entering the court they stood beneath the gallery of
the chamber where the goddess prepared the couch of Hephaestus.
But he had gone early to his forge and anvils to a broad cavern
in a floating island where with the blast of flame he wrought
all manner of curious work; and she all alone was sitting
within, on an inlaid seat facing the door. And her white
shoulders on each side were covered with the mantle of her hair
and she was parting it with a golden comb and about to braid up
the long tresses; but when she saw the goddesses before her, she
stayed and called them within, and rose from her seat and placed
them on couches. Then she herself sat down, and with her hands
gathered up the locks still uncombed. And smiling she addressed
them with crafty words:
"Good friends, what intent, what occasion brings you here
after so long? Why have you come, not too frequent visitors
before, chief among goddesses that you are?"
And to her Hera replied: "You mock us, but our hearts are
stirred with calamity. For already on the river Phasis the son
of Aeson moors his ship, he and his comrades in quest of the
fleece. For all their sakes we fear terribly (for the task is
nigh at hand) but most for Aeson's son. Him will I deliver,
though he sail even to Hades to free Ixion below from his brazen
chains, as far as strength lies in my limbs, so that Pelias may
not mock at having escaped an evil doom — Pelias who left me
unhonoured with sacrifice. Moreover Jason was greatly loved by
me before, ever since at the mouth of Anaurus in flood, as I was
making trial of men's righteousness, he met me on his return
from the chase; and all the mountains and long ridged peaks were
sprinkled with snow, and from them the torrents rolling down
were rushing with a roar. And he took pity on me in the likeness
of an old crone, and raising me on his shoulders himself bore me
through the headlong tide. So he is honoured by me unceasingly;
nor will Pelias pay the penalty of his outrage, unless you will
grant Jason his return."
Thus she spoke, and speechlessness seized Cypris. And
beholding Hera supplicating her she felt awe, and then addressed
her with friendly words: "Dread goddess, may no viler thing than
Cypris ever be found, if I disregard your eager desire in word
or deed, whatever my weak arms can effect; and let there be no
favour in return."
She spoke, and Hera again addressed her with prudence: "It is
not in need of might or of strength that we have come. But just
quietly bid your boy charm Aeetes' daughter with love for Jason.
For if she will aid him with her kindly counsel, easily do I
think he will win the fleece of gold and return to Iolcus, for
she is full of wiles."
Thus she spoke, and Cypris addressed them both: "Hera and
Athena, he will obey you rather than me. For unabashed though he
is, there will be some slight shame in his eyes before you; but
he has no respect for me, but ever slights me in contentious
mood. And, overborne by his naughtiness, I purpose to break his
ill-sounding arrows and his bow in his very sight. For in his
anger he has threatened that if I shall not keep my hands off
him while he still masters his temper, I shall have cause to
blame myself thereafter."
So she spoke, and the goddesses smiled and looked at each
other. But Cypris again spoke, vexed at heart: "To others my
sorrows are a jest; nor ought I to tell them to all; I know them
too well myself. But now, since this pleases you both, I will
make the attempt and coax him, and he will not say me nay."
Thus she spoke, and Hera took her slender hand and gently
smiling, replied: "Perform this task, Cytherea, straightway, as
you sayest; and do not be angry or contend with your boy; he
will cease hereafter to vex you."
She spoke, and left her seat, and Athena accompanied her and
they went forth both hastening back. And Cypris went on her way
through the glens of Olympus to find her boy. And she found him
apart, in the blooming orchard of Zeus, not alone, but with him
Ganymedes, whom once Zeus had set to dwell among the immortal
gods, being enamoured of his beauty. And they were playing for
golden dice, as boys in one house are wont to do. And already
greedy Eros was holding the palm of his left hand quite full of
them under his breast, standing upright; and on the bloom of his
cheeks a sweet blush was glowing. But the other sat crouching
hard by, silent and downcast, and he had two dice left which he
threw one after the other, and was angered by the loud laughter
of Eros. And lo, losing them straightway with the former, he
went off empty handed, helpless, and noticed not the approach of
Cypris. And she stood before her boy, and laying her hand on his
lips, addressed him:
"Why do you smile in triumph, unutterable rogue? Have you
cheated him thus, and unjustly overcome the innocent child?
Come, be ready to perform for me the task I will tell you of,
and I will give you Zeus' all-beauteous plaything — the one
which his dear nurse Adrasteia made for him, while he still
lived a child, with childish ways, in the Idaean cave — a
well-rounded ball; no better toy will you get from the hands of
Hephaestus. All of gold are its zones, and round each double
seams run in a circle; but the stitches are hidden, and a dark
blue spiral overlays them all. But if you should cast it with
your hands, lo, like a star, it sends a flaming track through
the sky. This I will give you; and do you strike with your shaft
and charm the daughter of Aeetes with love for Jason; and let
there be no loitering. For then my thanks would be the
slighter."
Thus she spoke, and welcome were her words to the listening
boy. And he threw down all his toys, and eagerly seizing her
robe on this side and on that, clung to the goddess. And he
implored her to bestow the gift at once; but she, facing him
with kindly words, touched his cheeks, kissed him and drew him
to her, and replied with a smile:
"Be witness now your dear head and mine, that surely I will
give you the gift and deceive you not, if you will strike with
your shaft Aeetes' daughter."
She spoke, and he gathered up his dice, and having well
counted them all threw them into his mother's gleaming lap. And
straightway with golden baldric he slung round him his quiver
from where it leant against a tree-trunk, and took up his curved
bow. And he fared forth through the fruitful orchard of the
palace of Zeus. Then he passed through the gates of Olympus high
in air; hence is a downward path from heaven; and the twin poles
rear aloft steep mountain tops the highest crests of earth,
where the risen sun grows ruddy with his first beams. And
beneath him there appeared now the life-giving earth and cities
of men and sacred streams of rivers, and now in turn mountain
peaks and the ocean all around, as he swept through the vast
expanse of air.
Now the heroes apart in ambush, in a back-water of the river,
were met in council, sitting on the benches of their ship. And
Aeson's son himself was speaking among them; and they were
listening silently in their places sitting row on row: "My
friends, what pleases myself that will I say out; it is for you
to bring about its fulfilment. For in common is our task, and
common to all alike is the right of speech; and he who in
silence withholds his thought and his counsel, let him know that
it is he alone that bereaves this band of its home-return. Do
you others rest here in the ship quietly with your arms; but I
will go to the palace of Aeetes, taking with me the sons of
Phrixus and two comrades as well. And when I meet him I will
first make trial with words to see if he will be willing to give
up the golden fleece for friendship's sake or not, but trusting
to his might will set at nought our quest. For so, learning his
frowardness first from himself, we will consider whether we
shall meet him in battle, or some other plan shall avail us, if
we refrain from the war-cry. And let us not merely by force,
before putting words to the test, deprive him of his own
possession. But first it is better to go to him and win his
favour by speech. Oftentimes, I ween, does speech accomplish at
need what prowess could hardly catty through, smoothing the path
in manner befitting. And he once welcomed noble Phrixus, a
fugitive from his stepmother's wiles and the sacrifice prepared
by his father. For all men everywhere, even the most shameless,
reverence the ordinance of Zeus, god of strangers, and regard
it."
Thus he spoke, and the youths approved the words of Aeson's
son with one accord, nor was there one to counsel otherwise. And
then he summoned to go with him the sons of Phrixus, and Telamon
and Augeias; and himself took Hermes' wand; and at once they
passed forth from the ship beyond the reeds and the water to dry
land, towards the rising ground of the plain. The plain, I wis,
is called Circe's; and here in line grow many willows and
osiers, on whose topmost branches hang corpses bound with cords.
For even now it is an abomination with the Colchians to burn
dead men with fire; nor is it lawful to place them in the earth
and raise a mound above, but to wrap them in untanned oxhides
and suspend them from trees far from the city. And so earth has
an equal portion with air, seeing that they bury the women; for
that is the custom of their land.
And as they went Hera with friendly thought spread a thick
mist through the city, that they might fare to the palace of
Aeetes unseen by the countless hosts of the Colchians. But soon
when from the plain they came to the city and Aeetes' palace,
then again Hera dispersed the mist. And they stood at the
entrance, marvelling at the king's courts and the wide gates and
columns which rose in ordered lines round the walls; and high up
on the palace a coping of stone rested on brazen triglyphs. And
silently they crossed the threshold. And close by garden vines
covered with green foliage were in full bloom, lifted high in
air. And beneath them ran four fountains, ever-flowing, which
Hephaestus had delved out. One was gushing with milk, one with
wine, while the third flowed with fragrant oil; and the fourth
ran with water, which grew warm at the setting of the Pleiads,
and in turn at their rising bubbled forth from the hollow rock,
cold as crystal. Such then were the wondrous works that the
craftsman-god Hephaestus had fashioned in the palace of Cytaean
Aeetes. And he wrought for him bulls with feet of bronze, and
their mouths were of bronze, and from them they breathed out a
terrible flame of fire; moreover he forged a plough of unbending
adamant, all in one piece, in payment of thanks to Helios, who
had taken the god up in his chariot when faint from the
Phlegraean fight. (1) And here an inner-court was built, and
round it were many well-fitted doors and chambers here and
there, and all along on each side was a richly-wrought gallery.
And on both sides loftier buildings stood obliquely. In one,
which was the loftiest, lordly Aeetes dwelt with his queen; and
in another dwelt Apsyrtus, son of Aeetes, whom a Caucasian
nymph, Asterodeia, bare before he made Eidyia his wedded wife,
the youngest daughter of Tethys and Oceanus. And the sons of the
Colchians called him by the new name of Phaethon, (2) because he
outshone all the youths. The other buildings the handmaidens
had, and the two daughters of Aeetes, Chalciope and Medea. Medea
then [they found] going from chamber to chamber in search of her
sister, for Hera detained her within that day; but beforetime
she was not wont to haunt the palace, but all day long was
busied in Hecate's temple, since she herself was the priestess
of the goddess. And when she saw them she cried aloud, and
quickly Chalciope caught the sound; and her maids, throwing down
at their feet their yarn and their thread, rushed forth all in a
throng. And she, beholding her sons among them, raised her hands
aloft through joy; and so they likewise greeted their mother,
and when they saw her embraced her in their gladness; and she
with many sobs spoke thus:
"After all then, you were not destined to leave me in your
heedlessness and to wander far; but fate has turned you back.
Poor wretch that I am! What a yearning for Hellas from some
woeful madness seized you at the behest of your father Phrixus.
Bitter sorrows for my heart did he ordain when dying. And why
should you go to the city of Orchomenus, whoever this Orchomenus
is, for the sake of Athamas' wealth, leaving your mother alone
to bear her grief?"
Such were her words; and Aeetes came forth last of all and
Eidyia herself came, the queen of Aeetes, on hearing the voice
of Chalciope; and straightway all the court was filled with a
throng. Some of the thralls were busied with a mighty bull,
others with the axe were cleaving dry billets, and others
heating with fire water for the baths; nor was there one who
relaxed his toil, serving the king.
Meantime Eros passed unseen through the grey mist, causing
confusion, as when against grazing heifers rises the gadfly,
which oxherds call the breese. And quickly beneath the lintel in
the porch he strung his bow and took from the quiver an arrow
unshot before, messenger of pain. And with swift feet unmarked
he passed the threshold and keenly glanced around; and gliding
close by Aeson's son he laid the arrow-notch on the cord in the
centre, and drawing wide apart with both hands he shot at Medea;
and speechless amazement seized her soul. But the god himself
flashed back again from the high-roofed hall, laughing loud; and
the bolt burnt deep down in the maiden's heart like a flame; and
ever she kept darting bright glances straight up at Aeson's son,
and within her breast her heart panted fast through anguish, all
remembrance left her, and her soul melted with the sweet pain.
And as a poor woman heaps dry twigs round a blazing brand — a
daughter of toil, whose task is the spinning of wool, that she
may kindle a blaze at night beneath her roof, when she has waked
very early — and the flame waxing wondrous great from the small
brand consumes all the twigs together; so, coiling round her
heart, burnt secretly Love the destroyer; and the hue of her
soft cheeks went and came, now pale, now red, in her soul's
distraction.
Now when the thralls had laid a banquet ready before them,
and they had refreshed themselves with warm baths, gladly did
they please their souls with meat and drink. And thereafter
Aeetes questioned the sons of his daughter, addressing them with
these words:
"Sons of my daughter and of Phrixus, whom beyond all
strangers I honoured in my halls, how have you come returning
back to Aea? Did some calamity cut short your escape in the
midst? You did not listen when I set before you the boundless
length of the way. For I marked it once, whirled along in the
chariot of my father Helios, when he was bringing my sister
Circe to the western land and we came to the shore of the
Tyrrhenian mainland, where even now she abides, exceeding far
from Colchis. But what pleasure is there in words? Do you tell
me plainly what has been your fortune, and who these men are,
your companions, and where from your hollow ship you came
ashore."
Such were his questions, and Argus, before all his brethren,
being fearful for the mission of Aeson's son, gently replied,
for he was the elder-born:
"Aeetes, that ship forthwith stormy blasts tore asunder, and
ourselves, crouching on the beams, a wave drove on to the beach
of the isle of Enyalius (3) in the murky night; and some god
preserved us. For even the birds of Ares that haunted the desert
isle beforetime, not even them did we find. But these men had
driven them off, having landed from their ship on the day
before; and the will of Zeus taking pity on us, or some fate,
detained them there, since they straightway gave us both food
and clothing in abundance, when they heard the illustrious name
of Phrixus and thine own; for to your city are they faring. And
if you wish to know their errand, I will not hide it from time.
A certain king, vehemently longing to drive this man far from
his fatherland and possessions, because in might he outshone all
the sons of Aeolus, sends him to voyage here on a bootless
venture; and asserts that the stock of Aeolus will not escape
the heart-grieving wrath and rage of implacable Zeus, nor the
unbearable curse and vengeance due for Phrixus, till the fleece
comes back to Hellas. And their ship was fashioned by Pallas
Athena, not such a one as are the ships among the Colchians, on
the vilest of which we chanced. For the fierce waves and wind
broke her utterly to pieces; but the other holds firm with her
bolts, even though all the blasts should buffet her. And with
equal swiftness she speedsbefore the wind and when the crew ply
the oar with unresting hands. And he has gathered in her the
mightiest heroes of all Achaea, and has come to your city from
wandering far through cities and gulfs of the dread ocean, in
the hope that you will grant him the fleece. But as you please,
so shall it be, for he comesnot to use force, but is eager to
pay you a recompense for the gift. He has heard from me of your
bitter foes the Sauromatae, and he will subdue them to your
sway. And if you desirest to know their names and lineage I will
tell you all. This man on whose account the rest were gathered
from Hellas, they call Jason, son of Aeson, whom Cretheus begat.
And if in truth he is of the stock of Cretheus himself, thus he
would be our kinsman on the father's side. For Cretheus and
Athamas were both sons of Aeolus; and Phrixus was the son of
Athamas, son of Aeolus. And here, if you have heard at all of
the seed of Helios, you see Augeias; and this is Telamon sprung
from famous Aeacus; and Zeus himself begat Aeacus. And so all
the rest, all the comrades that follow him, are the sons or
grandsons of the immortals."
Such was the tale of Argus; but the king at his words was
filled with rage as he heard; and his heart was lifted high in
wrath. And he spoke in heavy displeasure; and was angered most
of all with the son of Chalciope; for he deemed that on their
account the strangers had come; and in his fury his eyes flashed
forth beneath his brows:
"Begone from my sight, felons, straightway, you and your
tricks, from the land, before someone see a fleece and a Phrixus
to his sorrow. Banded together with your friends from Hellas,
not for the fleece, but to seize my sceptre and royal power have
you come here. Had you not first tasted of my table, surely
would I have cut out your tongues and hewn off both hands and
sent you forth with your feet alone, so that you might be stayed
from starting hereafter. And what lies have you uttered against
the blessed gods!"
Thus he spoke in his wrath; and mightily from its depths
swelled the heart of Aeacus' son, and his soul within longed to
speak a deadly word in defiance, but Aeson's son checked him,
for he himself first made gentle answer:
"Aeetes, bear with this armed band, I pray. For not in the
way you deem have we come to your city and palace, no, nor yet
with such desires. For who would of his own will dare to cross
so wide a sea for the goods of a stranger? But fate and the
ruthless command of a presumptuous king urged me. Grant a favour
to your suppliants, and to all Hellas will I publish a glorious
fame of you; yea, we are ready now to pay you a swift recompense
in war, whether it be the Sauromatae or some other people that
you are eager to subdue to your sway."
He spoke, flattering him with gentle utterance; but the
king's soul brooded a twofold purpose within him, whether he
should attack and slay them on the spot or should make trial of
their might. And this, as he pondered, seemed the better way,
and he addressed Jason in answer:
"Stranger, why need you go through your tale to the end? For
if you are in truth of heavenly race, or have come in no wise
inferior to me, to win the goods of strangers, I will give you
the fleece to bear away, if you wish, when I have tried you. For
against brave men I bear no grudge, such as you yourselves tell
me of him who bears sway in Hellas. And the trial of your
courage and might shall be a contest which I myself can compass
with my hands, deadly though it be. Two bulls with feet of
bronze I have that pasture on the plain of Ares, breathing forth
flame from their jaws; them do I yoke and drive over the
stubborn field of Ares, four plough-gates; and quickly cleaving
it with the share up to the headland, I cast into the furrows
the seed, not the corn of Demeter, but the teeth of a dread
serpent that grow up into the fashion of armed men; them I slay
at once, cutting them down beneath my spear as they rise against
me on all sides. In the morning do I yoke the oxen, and at
eventide I cease from the harvesting. And you, if you will
accomplish such deeds as these, on that very day shall carry off
the fleece to the king's palace; before that time comes I will
not give it, expect it not. For indeed it is unseemly that a
brave man should yield to a coward."
Thus he spoke; and Jason, fixing his eyes on the ground, sat
just as he was, speechless, helpless in his evil plight. For a
long time he turned the matter this way and that, and could in
no way take on him the task with courage, for a mighty task it
seemed; and at last he made reply with crafty words:
"With your plea of right, Aeetes, you shut me in overmuch.
Wherefore also I will dare that contest, monstrous as it is,
though it be my doom to die. For nothing will fall on men more
dread than dire necessity, which indeed constrained me to come
here at a king's command."
Thus he spoke, smitten by his helpless plight; and the king
with grim words addressed him, sore troubled as he was: "Go
forth now to the gathering, since you are eager for the toil;
but if you should fear to lift the yoke on the oxen or shrink
from the deadly harvesting, then all this shall be my care, so
that another too may shudder to come to a man that is better
than he."
He spoke outright; and Jason rose from his seat, and Augeias
and Telamon at once; and Argus followed alone, for he signed to
his brothers to stay there on the spot meantime; and so they
went forth from the hall. And wonderfully among them all shone
the son of Aeson for beauty and grace; and the maiden looked at
him with stealthy glance, holding her bright veil aside, her
heart smouldering with pain; and her soul creeping like a dream
flitted in his track as he went. So they passed forth from the
palace sorely troubled. And Chalciope, shielding herself from
the wrath of Aeetes, had gone quickly to her chamber with her
sons. And Medea likewise followed, and much she brooded in her
soul all the cares that the Loves awaken. And before her eyes
the vision still appeared — himself what like he was, with what
vesture he was clad, what things he spoke, how he sat on his
seat, how he moved forth to the door — and as she pondered she
deemed there never was such another man; and ever in her ears
rung his voice and the honey-sweet words which he uttered. And
she feared for him, lest the oxen or Aeetes with his own hand
should slay him; and she mourned him as though already slain
outright, and in her affliction a round tear through very
grievous pity coursed down her cheek; and gently weeping she
lifted up her voice aloud:
Why does this grief come on me, poor wretch? Whether he be
the best of heroes now about to perish, or the worst, let him go
to his doom. Yet I would that he had escaped unharmed; yea, may
this be so, revered goddess, daughter of Perses, may he avoid
death and return home; but if it be his lot to be o'ermastered
by the oxen, may he first learn this, that I at least do not
rejoice in his cruel calamity."
Thus then was the maiden's heart racked by love-cares. But
when the others had gone forth from the people and the city,
along the path by which at the first they had come from the
plain, then Argus addressed Jason with these words:
"Son of Aeson, you will despise the counsel which I will tell
you, but, though in evil plight, it is not fitting to forbear
from the trial. Before now you have heard me tell of a maiden
that uses sorcery under the guidance of Hecate, Perses'
daughter. If we could win her aid there will be no dread, it
seems to me, of your defeat in the contest; but terribly do I
fear that my mother will not take this task on her. Nevertheless
I will go back again to entreat her, for a common destruction
overhangs us all."
He spoke with goodwill, and Jason answered with these words:
"Good friend, if this is good in your sight, I say not nay. Go
and move your mother, beseeching her aid with prudent words;
pitiful indeed is our hope when we have put our return in the
keeping of women." So he spoke, and quickly they reached the
back-water. And their comrades joyfully questioned them, when
they saw them close at hand; and to them spoke Aeson's son
grieved at heart:
"My friends, the heart of ruthless Aeetes is utterly filled
with wrath against us, for not at all can the goal be reached
either by me or by you who question me. He said that two bulls
with feet of bronze pasture on the plain of Ares, breathing
forth flame from their jaws. And with these he bade me plough
the field, four plough-gates; and said that he would give me
from a serpent's jaws seed which will raise up earthborn men in
armour of bronze; and on the same day I must slay them. This
task — for there was nothing better to devise — I took on myself
outright."
Thus he spoke; and to all the contest seemed one that none
could accomplish, and long, quiet and silent, they looked at one
another, bowed down with the calamity and their despair; but at
last Peleus spoke with courageous words among all the chiefs:
"It is time to be counselling what we shall do. Yet there is not
so much profit, I trow, in counsel as in the might of our hands.
If you then, hero son of Aeson, are minded to yoke Aeetes' oxen,
and are eager for the toil, surely you will keep your promise
and make yourself ready. But if your soul trusts not her prowess
utterly, then neither bestir yourself nor sit still and look
round for some one else of these men. For it is not I who will
flinch, since the bitterest pain will be but death."
So spoke the son of Aeacus; and Telamon's soul was stirred,
and quickly he started up in eagerness; and Idas rose up the
third in his pride; and the twin sons of Tyndareus; and with
them Oeneus' son who was numbered among strong men, though even
the soft down on his cheek showed not yet; with such courage was
his soul uplifted. But the others gave way to these in silence.
And straightway Argus spoke these words to those that longed for
the contest:
"My friends, this indeed is left us at the last. But I deem
that there will come to you some timely aid from my mother.
Wherefore, eager though you be, refrain and abide in your ship a
little longer as before, for it is better to forbear than
recklessly to choose an evil fate. There is a maiden, nurtured
in the halls of Aeetes, whom the goddess Hecate taught to handle
magic herbs with exceeding skill all that the land and flowing
waters produce. With them is quenched the blast of unwearied
flame, and at once she stays the course of rivers as they rush
roaring on, and checks the stars and the paths of the sacred
moon. Of her we bethought us as we came here along the path from
the palace, if haply my mother, her own sister, might persuade
her to aid us in the venture. And if this is pleasing to you as
well, surely on this very day will I return to the palace of
Aeetes to make trial; and perchance with some god's help shall I
make the trial."
Thus he spoke, and the gods in their goodwill gave them a
sign. A trembling dove in her flight from a mighty hawk fell
from on high, terrified, into the lap of Aeson's son, and the
hawk fell impaled on the stern-ornament. And quickly Mopsus with
prophetic words spoke among them all:
"For you, friends, this sign has been wrought by the will of
heaven; in no other way is it possible to interpret its meaning
better, than to seek out the maiden and entreat her with
manifold skill. And I think she will not reject our prayer, if
in truth Phineus said that our return should be with the help of
the Cyprian goddess. It was her gentle bird that escaped death;
and as my heart within me foresees according to this omen, so
may it prove! But, my friends, let us call on Cytherea to aid
us, and now at once obey the counsels of Argus."
He spoke, and the warriors approved, remembering the
injunctions of Phineus; but all alone leapt up Apharcian Idas
and shouted loudly in terrible wrath: "Shame on us, have we come
here fellow voyagers with women, calling on Cypris for help and
not on the mighty strength of Enyalius? And do you look to doves
and hawks to save yourselves from contests? Away with you, take
thought not for deeds of war, but by supplication to beguile
weakling girls."
Such were his eager words; and of his comrades many murmured
low, but none uttered a word of answer back. And he sat down in
wrath; and at once Jason roused them and uttered his own
thought: "Let Argus set forth from the ship, since this pleases
all; but we will now move from the river and openly fasten our
hawsers to the shore. For surely it is not fitting for us to
hide any longer cowering from the battle-cry."
So he spoke, and straightway sent Argus to return in haste to
the city; and they drew the anchors on board at the command of
Aeson's son, and rowed the ship close to the shore, a little
away from the back-water.
But straightway Aeetes held an assembly of the Colchians far
aloof from his palace at a spot where they sat in times before,
to devise against the Minyae grim treachery and troubles. And he
threatened that when first the oxen should have torn in pieces
the man who had taken on him to perform the heavy task, he would
hew down the oak grove above the wooded hill, and burn the ship
and her crew, that so they might vent forth in ruin their
grievous insolence, for all their haughty schemes. For never
would he have welcomed the Aeolid Phrixus as a guest in his
halls, in spite of his sore need, Phrixus, who surpassed all
strangers in gentleness and fear of the gods, had not Zeus
himself sent Hermes his messenger down from heaven, so that he
might meet with a friendly host; much less would pirates coming
to his land be let go scatheless for long, men whose care it was
to lift their hands and seize the goods of others, and to weave
secret webs of guile, and harry the steadings of herdsmen with
ill-sounding forays. And he said that besides all that the sons
of Phrixus should pay a fitting penalty to himself for returning
in consort with evildoers, that they might recklessly drive him
from his honour and his throne; for once he had heard a baleful
prophecy from his father Helios, that he must avoid the secret
treachery and schemes of his own offspring and their crafty
mischief. Wherefore he was sending them, as they desired, to the
Achaean land at the bidding of their father — a long journey.
Nor had he ever so slight a fear of his daughters, that they
would form some hateful scheme, nor of his son Apsyrtus; but
this curse was being fulfilled in the children of Chalciope. And
he proclaimed terrible things in his rage against the strangers,
and loudly threatened to keep watch over the ship and its crew,
so that no one might escape calamity.
Meantime Argus, going to Aeetes' palace, with manifold
pleading besought his mother to pray Medea's aid; and Chalciope
herself already had the same thoughts, but fear checked her soul
lest haply either fate should withstand and she should entreat
her in vain, all distraught as she would be at her father's
deadly wrath, or, if Medea yielded to her prayers, her deeds
should be laid bare and open to view.
Now a deep slumber had relieved the maiden from her
love-pains as she lay on her couch. But straightway fearful
dreams, deceitful, such as trouble one in grief, assailed her.
And she thought that the stranger had taken on him the contest,
not because he longed to win the ram's fleece, and that he had
not come on that account to Aeetes' city, but to lead her away,
his wedded wife, to his own home; and she dreamed that herself
contended with the oxen and wrought the task with exceeding
ease; and that her own parents set at naught their promise, for
it was not the maiden they had challenged to yoke the oxen but
the stranger himself; from that arose a contention of doubtful
issue between her father and the strangers; and both laid the
decision on her, to be as she should direct in her mind. But she
suddenly, neglecting her parents, chose the stranger. And
measureless anguish seized them and they shouted out in their
wrath; and with the cry sleep released its hold on her.
Quivering with fear she started up, and stared round the walls
of her chamber, and with difficulty did she gather her spirit
within her as before, and lifted her voice aloud:
"Poor wretch, how have gloomy dreams affrighted me! I fear
that this voyage of the heroes will bring some great evil. My
heart is trembling for the stranger. Let him woo some Achaean
girl far away among his own folk; let maidenhood be mine and the
home of my parents. Yet, taking to myself a reckless heart, I
will no more keep aloof but will make trial of my sister to see
if she will entreat me to aid in the contest, through grief for
her own sons; this would quench the bitter pain in my heart."
She spoke, and rising from her bed opened the door of her
chamber, bare-footed, clad in one robe; and verily she desired
to go to her sister, and crossed the threshold. And for long she
stayed there at the entrance of her chamber, held back by shame;
and she turned back once more; and again she came forth from
within, and again stole back; and idly did her feet bear her
this way and that; yea, as oft as she went straight on, shame
held her within the chamber, and though held back by shame, bold
desire kept urging her on. Thrice she made the attempt and
thrice she checked herself, the fourth time she fell on her bed
face downward, writhing in pain. And as when a bride in her
chamber bewails her youthful husband, to whom her brothers and
parents have given her, nor yet does she hold converse with all
her attendants for shame and for thinking of him; but she sits
apart in her grief; and some doom has destroyed him, before they
have had pleasure of each other's charms; and she with heart on
fire silently weeps, beholding her widowed couch, in fear lest
the women should mock and revile her; like to her did Medea
lament. And suddenly as she was in the midst of her tears, one
of the handmaids came forth and noticed her, one who was her
youthful attendant; and straightway she told Chalciope, who sat
in the midst of her sons devising how to win over her sister.
And when Chalciope heard the strange tale from the handmaid, not
even so did she disregard it. And she rushed in dismay from her
chamber right on to the chamber where the maiden lay in her
anguish, having torn her cheeks on each side; and when Chalciope
saw her eyes all dimmed with tears, she thus addressed her:
"Ah me, Medea, why do you weep so? What has befallen you?
What terrible grief has entered your heart? Has some heaven-sent
disease enwrapt your frame, or have you heard from our father
some deadly threat concerning me and my sons? Would that I did
not behold this home of my parents, or the city, but dwelt at
the ends of the earth, where not even the name of Colchians is
known!"
Thus she spoke, and her sister's cheeks flushed; and though
she was eager to reply, long did maiden shame restrain her. At
one moment the word rose on the end of her tongue, at another it
fluttered back deep within her breast. And often through her
lovely lips it strove for utterance; but no sound came forth;
till at last she spoke with guileful words; for the bold Loves
were pressing her hard:
"Chalciope, my heart is all trembling for your sons, lest my
father forthwith destroy them together with the strangers.
Slumbering just now in a short-lived sleep such a ghastly dream
did I see — may some god forbid its fulfilment and may you never
win for yourself bitter care on your sons' account."
She spoke, making trial of her sister to see if she first
would entreat help for her sons. And utterly unbearable grief
surged over Chalciope's soul for fear at what she heard; and
then she replied: "Yea, I myself too have come to you in eager
furtherance of this purpose, if you would haply devise with me
and prepare some help. But swear by Earth and Heaven that you
will keep secret in your heart what I shall tell you, and be
fellow-worker with me. I implore you by the blessed gods, by
yourself and by your parents, not to see them destroyed by an
evil doom piteously; or else may I die with my dear sons and
come back hereafter from Hades an avenging Fury to haunt you."
Thus she spoke, and straightway a torrent of tears gushed
forth and low down she clasped her sister's knees with both
hands and let her head sink on to her breast. Then they both
made piteous lamentation over each other, and through the halls
rose the faint sound of women weeping in anguish. Medea, sore
troubled, first addressed her sister:
"God help you, what healing can I bring you for what you
speak of, horrible curses and Furies? Would that it were firmly
in my power to save your sons! Be witness that mighty oath of
the Colchians by which you urgest me to swear, the great Heaven,
and Earth beneath, mother of the gods, that as far as strength
lies in me, never shall you fail of help, if only your prayers
can be accomplished."
She spoke, and Chalciope thus replied: "Could you not then,
for the stranger — who himself craves your aid — devise some
trick or some wise thought to win the contest, for the sake of
my sons? And from him has come Argus urging me to try to win
your help; I left him in the palace meantime while I came here."
Thus she spoke, and Medea's heart bounded with joy within
her, and at once her fair cheeks flushed, and a mist swam before
her melting eyes, and she spoke as follows: "Chalciope, as is
dear and delightful to you and your sons, even so will I do.
Never may the dawn appear again to my eyes, may you never see me
living any longer, if I should take thought for anything before
your life or your sons' lives, for they are my brothers, my dear
kinsmen and youthful companions. So do I declare myself to be
your sister, and your daughter too, for you did lift me to your
breast when an infant equally with them, as I ever heard from my
mother in past days. But go, bury my kindness in silence, so
that I may carry out my promise unknown to my parents; and at
dawn I will bring to Hecate's temple charms to cast a spell on
the bulls."
Thus Chalciope went back from the chamber, and made known to
her sons the help given by her sister. And again did shame and
hateful fear seize Medea thus left alone, that she should devise
such deeds for a man in her father's despite.
Then did night draw darkness over the earth; and on the sea
sailors from their ships looked towards the Bear and the stars
of Orion; and now the wayfarer and the warder longed for sleep,
and the pall of slumber wrapped round the mother whose children
were dead; nor was there any more the barking of dogs through
the city, nor sound of men's voices; but silence held the
blackening gloom. But not indeed on Medea came sweet sleep. For
in her love for Aeson's son many cares kept her wakeful, and she
dreaded the mighty strength of the bulls, beneath whose fury he
was like to perish by an unseemly fate in the field of Ares. And
fast did her heart throb within her breast, as a sunbeam quivers
on the walls of a house when flung up from water, which is just
poured forth in a caldron or a pail may be; and here and there
on the swift eddy does it dart and dance along; even so the
maiden's heart quivered in her breast. And the tear of pity
flowed from her eyes, and ever within anguish tortured her, a
smouldering fire through her frame, and about her fine nerves
and deep down beneath the nape of the neck where the pain enters
keenest, whenever the unwearied Loves direct against the heart
their shafts of agony. And she thought now that she would give
him the charms to cast a spell on the bulls, now that she would
not, and that she herself would perish; and again that she would
not perish and would not give the charms, but just as she was
would endure her fate in silence. Then sitting down she wavered
in mind and said:
"Poor wretch, must I toss here and there in woe? On every
side my heart is in despair; nor is there any help for my pain;
but it burnsever thus. Would that I had been slain by the swift
shafts of Artemis before I had set eyes on him, before
Chalciope's sons reached the Achaean land. Some god or some Fury
brought them here for our grief, a cause of many tears. Let him
perish in the contest if it be his lot to die in the field. For
how could I prepare the charms without my parents' knowledge?
What story call I tell them? What trick, what cunning device for
aid can I find? If I see him alone, apart from his comrades,
shall I greet him? Ill-starred that I am! I cannot hope that I
should rest from my sorrows even though he perished; then will
evil come to me when he is bereft of life. Perish all shame,
perish all glow; may he, saved by my effort, go scatheless
wherever his heart desires. But as for me, on the day when he
bides the contest in triumph, may I die either straining my neck
in the noose from the roof-tree or tasting drugs destructive of
life. But even so, when I am dead, they will fling out taunts
against me; and every city far away will ring with my doom, and
the Colchian women, tossing my name on their lips here and
there, will revile me with unseemly mocking — the maid who cared
so much for a stranger that she died, the maid who disgraced her
home and her parents, yielding to a mad passion. And what
disgrace will not be mine? Alas for my infatuation! Far better
would it be for me to forsake life this very night in my chamber
by some mysterious fate, escaping all slanderous reproach,
before I complete such nameless dishonour."
She spoke, and brought a casket wherein lay many drugs, some
for healing, others for killing, and placing it on her knees she
wept. And she drenched her bosom with ceaseless tears, which
flowed in torrents as she sat, bitterly bewailing her own fate.
And she longed to choose a murderous drug to taste it, and now
she was loosening the bands of the casket eager to take it
forth, unhappy maid! But suddenly a deadly fear of hateful Hades
came on her heart. And long she held back in speechless horror,
and all around her thronged visions of the pleasing cares of
life. She thought of all the delightful things that are among
the living, she thought of her joyous playmates, as a maiden
will; and the sun grew sweeter than ever to behold, seeing that
in truth her soul yearned for all. And she put the casket again
from off her knees, all changed by the prompting of Hera, and no
more did she waver in purpose; but longed for the rising dawn to
appear quickly, that she might give him the charms to work the
spell as she had promised, and meet him face to face. And often
did she loosen the bolts of her door, to watch for the faint
gleam: and welcome to her did the dayspring shed its light, and
folk began to stir throughout the city.
Then Argus bade his brothers remain there to learn the
maiden's mind and plans, but himself turned back and went to the
ship.
Now soon as ever the maiden saw the light of dawn, with her
hands she gathered up her golden tresses which were floating
round her shoulders in careless disarray, and bathed her
tear-stained cheeks, and made her skin shine with ointment sweet
as nectar; and she donned a beautiful robe, fitted with
well-bent clasps, and above on her head, divinely fair, she
threw a veil gleaming like silver. And there, moving to and fro
in the palace, she trod the ground forgetful of the heaven-sent
woes thronging round her and of others that were destined to
follow. And she called to her maids. Twelve they were, who lay
during the night in the vestibule of her fragrant chamber, young
as herself, not yet sharing the bridal couch, and she bade them
hastily yoke the mules to the chariot to bear her to the
beauteous shrine of Hecate. Thereupon the handmaids were making
ready the chariot; and Medea meanwhile took from the hollow
casket a charm which men say is called the charm of Prometheus.
If a man should anoint his body therewithal, having first
appeased the Maiden, the only-begotten, with sacrifice by night,
surely that man could not be wounded by the stroke of bronze nor
would he flinch from blazing fire; but for that day he would
prove superior both in prowess and in might. It shot up
firstborn when the ravening eagle on the rugged flanks of
Caucasus let drip to the earth the blood-like ichor of tortured
Prometheus. And its flower appeared a cubit above ground in
colour like the Corycian crocus, rising on twin stalks; but in
the earth the root was like newly-cut flesh. The dark juice of
it, like the sap of a mountain-oak, she had gathered in a
Caspian shell to make the charm withal, when she had first
bathed in seven ever-flowing streams, and had called seven times
on Brimo, nurse of youth, night-wandering Brimo, of the
underworld, queen among the dead, — in the gloom of night, clad
in dusky garments. And beneath, the dark earth shook and
bellowed when the Titanian root was cut; and the son of Iapetus
himself groaned, his soul distraught with pain. And she brought
the charm forth and placed it in the fragrant band which
engirdled her, just beneath her bosom, divinely fair. And going
forth she mounted the swift chariot, and with her went two
handmaidens on each side. And she herself took the reins and in
her right hand the well-fashioned whip, and drove through the
city; and the rest, the handmaids, laid their hands on the
chariot behind and ran along the broad highway; and they kilted
up their light robes above their white knees. And even as by the
mild waters of Parthenius, or after bathing in the river
Amnisus, Leto's daughter stands on her golden chariot and
courses over the hills with her swift-footed roes, to greet from
afar some richly-steaming hecatomb; and with her come the nymphs
in attendance, gathering, some at the spring of Amnisus itself,
others by the glens and many-fountained peaks; and round her
whine and fawn the beasts cowering as she moves along: thus they
sped through the city; and on both sides the people gave way,
shunning the eyes of the royal maiden. But when she had left the
city's well paved streets, and was approaching the shrine as she
drove over the plains, then she alighted eagerly from the
smooth-running chariot and spoke as follows among her maidens:
"Friends, verily have I sinned greatly and took no heed not
to go among the stranger-folk 1 who roam over our land. The
whole city is smitten with dismay; wherefore no one of the women
who formerly gathered here day by day has now come here. But
since we have come and no one else draws near, come, let us
satisfy our souls without stint with soothing song, and when we
have plucked the fair flowers amid the tender grass, that very
hour will we return. And with many a gift shall you reach home
this very day, if you will gladden me with this desire of mine.
For Argus pleads with me, also Chalciope herself; but this that
you hear from me keep silently in your hearts, lest the tale
reach my father's ears. As for yon stranger who took on him the
task with the oxen, they bid me receive his gifts and rescue him
from the deadly contest. And I approved their counsel, and I
have summoned him to come to my presence apart from his
comrades, so that we may divide the gifts among ourselves if he
bring them in his hands, and in return may give him a baleful
charm. But when he comes, do you stand aloof."
So she spoke, and the crafty counsel pleased them all. And
straightway Argus drew Aeson's son apart from his comrades as
soon as he heard from his brothers that Medea had gone at
daybreak to the holy shrine of Hecate, and led him over the
plain; and with them went Mopsus, son of Ampycus, skilled to
utter oracles from the appearance of birds, and skilled to give
good counsel to those who set out on a journey.
Never yet had there been such a man in the days of old,
neither of all the heroes of the lineage of Zeus himself, nor of
those who sprung from the blood of the other gods, as on that
day the bride of Zeus made Jason, both to look on and to hold
converse with. Even his comrades wondered as they gazed on him,
radiant with manifold graces; and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in
their journey, already foreboding how all would end.
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:
"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 you neither Cypris nor
the gentle Loves breathe in their kindness."
She spoke chiding, and Mopsus smiled to hear the god-sent
voice of the bird, and thus addressed them: "Do you, son of
Aeson, pass on to the temple, where you will find the maiden;
and very kind will her greeting be to you through the prompting
of Cypris, who will be your helpmate in the contest, even as
Phineus, Agenor's son, foretold. But we two, Argus and I, will
await your return, apart in this very spot; do you all alone be
a suppliant and win her over with prudent words."
He spoke 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 on 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 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:
"Why, pray, maiden, do you fear me so much, all alone as I
am? Never was I one of these idle boasters such as other men are
— not even aforetime, when I dwelt in my own country. Wherefore,
maiden, do not be too much abashed before me, either to enquire
whatever you will or to speak your 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 you did promise your
sister to give me the charms my heart desires. I implore you by
Hecate herself, by your parents, and by Zeus who holds his
guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come here to you
both a suppliant and a stranger, bending the knee in my sore
need. For without you and your sister never shall I prevail in
the grievous contest. And to you will I render thanks hereafter
for your aid, as is right and fitting for men who dwell far oft,
making glorious your name and fame; and the rest of the heroes,
returning to Hellas, will spread your 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 you might
scatter to the winds. In days past the maiden Ariadne, daughter
of Minos, with kindly intent rescued Theseus from grim contests
— the 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 men
call Ariadne's crown, rolls along all night among the heavenly
constellations. So to you too shall be thanks from the gods, if
you will save so mighty an array of chieftains. For surely from
your lovely form you are like to excel in gentle courtest."
Thus he spoke, 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 on 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:
"Take heed now, that I may devise help for you. When at your
coming my father has given you 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 you
have heedfully sought the grace of the goddess, retreat from the
pyre; and let neither the sound of feet drive you to turn back,
nor the baying of hounds, lest haply you should maim all the
rites and yourself fail to return duly to your comrades. And at
dawn steep this charm in water, strip, and anoint your body
therewith as with oil; and in it there will be boundless prowess
and mighty strength, and you will deem yourself a match not for
men but for the immortal gods. And besides, let your spear and
shield and sword be sprinkled. Thereupon the spear-heads of the
earthborn men shall not pierce you, nor the flame of the deadly
bulls as it rushes forth resistless. But such you shall not be
for long, but for that one day; still never flinch from the
contest. And I will tell you besides of yet another help. As
soon as you have yoked the strong oxen, and with your might and
your prowess have 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 you mark 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 you yourself hasten to rush
to the battle-strife, and the fleece thereupon you shall bear
far away from Aea; nevertheless, depart wherever you will, or
your pleasure takes you, when you have gone hence."
Thus she spoke, and cast her eyes to her feet in silence, and
her cheek, divinely fair, was wet with warm tears as she
sorrowed for that he was about to wander far from her side over
the wide sea: and once again she addressed him face to face with
mournful words, and took his right hand; for now shame had left
her eyes:
"Remember, if haply you return to your home, Medea's name;
and so will I remember thine, though you be far away. And of
your kindness tell me this, where is your home, where will you
sail hence in your ship over the sea; will you come near wealthy
Orchomenus, or near the Aeaean isle? And tell me of the maiden,
whoever she be that you have named, the far-renowned daughter of
Pasiphae, who is kinswoman to my father."
Thus she spoke; and over him too, at the tears of the maiden,
stole Love the destroyer, and he thus answered her:
"All too surely do I deem that never by night and never by
day will I forget you if I escape death and indeed make my way
in safety to the Achaean land, and Aeetes set not before us some
other contest worse than this. And if it pleases you to know
about my fatherland, I will tell it out; for indeed my own heart
bids me do that. There is a land encircled by lofty mountains,
rich in sheep and in pasture, where Prometheus, son of Iapetus,
begat goodly Deucalion, who first founded cities and reared
temples to the immortal gods, and first ruled over men. This
land the neighbours who dwell around call Haemonia. And in it
stands Ioleus, my city, and in it many others, where they have
not so much as heard the name of the Aeaean isle; yet there is a
story that Minyas starting thence, Minyas son of Aeolus, built
long ago the city of Orchomenus that borders on the Cadmeians.
But why do I tell you all this vain talk, of our home and of
Minos' daughter, far-famed Ariadne, by which glorious name they
called that lovely maiden of whom you ask me? Would that, as
Minos then was well inclined to Theseus for her sake, so may
your father be joined to us in friendship!"
Thus he spoke, soothing her with gentle converse. But pangs
most bitter stirred her heart and in grief did she address him
with vehement words:
"In Hellas, I ween, this is fair to pay heed to covenants;
but Aeetes is not such a man among men as you say was Pasiphae's
husband, Minos; nor can I liken myself to Ariadne; wherefore
speak not of guest-love. But only do you, when you have reached
Iolcus, remember me, and you even in my parents' despite, will I
remember. And from far off may a rumour come to me or some
messenger-bird, when you forget me; or me, even me, may swift
blasts catch up and bear over the sea hence to Iolcus, that so I
may cast reproaches in your face and remind you that it was by
my good will you did escape. May I then be seated in your halls,
an unexpected guest!"
Thus she spoke with piteous tears falling down her cheeks,
and to her Jason replied: "Let the empty blasts wander at will,
lady, and the messenger-bird, for vain is your talk. But if you
come to those abodes and to the land of Hellas, honoured and
reverenced shall you be by women and men; and they shall worship
you even as a goddess, for that by your counsel their sons came
home again, their brothers and kinsmen and stalwart husbands
were saved from calamity. And in our bridal chamber shall you
prepare our couch; and nothing shall come between our love till
the doom of death fold us round."
Thus he spoke; and her soul melted within her to hear his
words; nevertheless she shuddered to behold the deeds of
destruction to come. Poor wretch! Not long was she destined to
refuse a home in Hellas. For thus Hera devised it, that Aeaean
Medea might come to Ioleus for a bane to Pelias, forsaking her
native land.
And now her handmaids, glancing at them from a distance, were
grieving in silence; and the time of day required that the
maiden should return home to her mother's side. But she thought
not yet of departing, for her soul delighted both in his beauty
and in his winsome words, but Aeson's son took heed, and spoke
at last, though late: "It is time to depart, lest the sunlight
sink before we know it, and some stranger notice all; but again
will we come and meet here."
So did they two make trial of one another thus far with
gentle words; and thereafter parted. Jason hastened to return in
joyous mood to his comrades and the ship, she to her handmaids;
and they all together came near to meet her, but she marked them
not at all as they thronged around. For her soul had soared
aloft amid the clouds. And her feet of their own accord mounted
the swift chariot, and with one hand she took the reins, and
with the other the whip of cunning workmanship, to drive the
mules; and they rushed hasting to the city and the palace. And
when she was come Chalciope in grief for her sons questioned
her; but Medea, distraught by swiftly-changing thoughts, neither
heard her words nor was eager to speak in answer to her
questions. But she sat on a low stool at the foot of her couch,
bending down, her cheek leaning on her left hand, and her eyes
were wet with tears as she pondered what an evil deed she had
taken part in by her counsels.
Now when Aeson's son had joined his comrades again in the
spot where he had left them when he departed, he set out to go
with them, telling them all the story, to the gathering of the
heroes; and together they approached the ship. And when they saw
Jason they embraced him and questioned him. And he told to all
the counsels of the maiden and showed the dread charm; but Idas
alone of his comrades sat apart biting down his wrath; and the
rest joyous in heart, at the hour when the darkness of night
stayed them, peacefully took thought for themselves. But at
daybreak they sent two men to go to Aeetes and ask for the seed,
first Telamon himself, dear to Ares, and with him Aethalides,
Hermes' famous son. So they went and made no vain journey; but
when they came, lordly Aeetes gave them for the contest the fell
teeth of the Aonian dragon which Cadmus found in Ogygian Thebes
when he came seeking for Europa and there slew the — warder of
the spring of Ares. There he settled by the guidance of the
heifer whom Apollo by his prophetic word granted him to lead him
on his way. But the teeth the Tritonian goddess tore away from
the dragon's jaws and bestowed as a gift on Aeetes and the
slayer. And Agenor's son, Cadmus, sowed them on the Aonian
plains and founded an earthborn people of all who were left from
the spear when Ares did the reaping; and the teeth Aeetes then
readily gave to be borne to the ship, for he deemed not that
Jason would bring the contest to an end, even though he should
cast the yoke on the oxen.
Far away in the west the sun was sailing beneath the dark
earth, beyond the furthest hills of the Aethiopians; and Night
was laying the yoke on her steeds; and the heroes were preparing
their beds by the hawsers. But Jason, as soon as the stars of
Heliee, the bright-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 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.
Then Aeetes arrayed his breast in the stiff corslet which
Ares gave him when he had slain Phlegraean Mimas with his own
hands; and on 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.
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 here and there did he leap high in air tossing
in his hands his shield of bronze and ashen spear. You would say
that wintry 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.
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 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 on 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.
The bulls meantime raged exceedingly, breathing forth furious
flame of fire; and their breath rose up like the roar of
blustering winds, in fear of which above all seafaring men furl
their large sail. But not long after that they moved on at the
bidding of the spear; and behind them the rugged fallow was
broken up, cloven by the might of the bulls and the sturdy
ploughman. Then terribly groaned the clods withal along the
furrows of the plough as they were rent, each a man's burden;
and Jason followed, pressing down the cornfield with firm foot;
and far from him he ever sowed the teeth along the clods as each
was ploughed, turning his head back for fear lest the deadly
crop of earthborn men should rise against him first; and the
bulls toiled onwards treading with their hoofs of bronze.
But when the third part of the day was still left as it wanes
from dawn, and wearied labourers call for the sweet hour of
unyoking to come to them straightway, then the fallow was
ploughed by the tireless ploughman, four plough-gates though it
was; and he loosed the plough from the oxen. Them he scared in
flight towards the plain; but he went back again to the ship,
while he still saw the furrows free of the earthborn men. And
all round his comrades heartened him with their shouts. And in
the helmet he drew from the river's stream and quenched his
thirst with the water. Then he bent his knees till they grew
supple, and filled his mighty heart with courage, raging like a
boar, when it sharpens its teeth against the hunters, while from
its wrathful mouth plenteous foam drips to the ground. By now
the earthborn men were springing up over all the field; and the
plot of Ares, the death-dealer, bristled with sturdy shields and
double-pointed spears and shining helmets; and the gleam reached
Olympus from beneath, flashing through the air. And as when
abundant snow has fallen on the earth and the storm blasts have
dispersed the wintry clouds under the murky night, and all the
hosts of the stars appear shining through the gloom; so did
those warriors shine springing up above the earth. But Jason
bethought him of the counsels of Medea full of craft, and seized
from the plain a huge round boulder, a terrible quoit of Ares
Enyalius; four stalware youths could not have raised it from the
ground even a little. Taking it in his hands he threw it with a
rush far away into their midst; and himself crouched unseen
behind his shield, with full confidence. And the Colchians gave
a loud cry, like the roar of the sea when it beats on sharp
crags; and speechless amazement seized Aeetes at the rush of the
sturdy quoit. And the Earthborn, like fleet-footed hounds,
leaped on one another and slew with loud yells; and on earth
their mother they fell beneath their own spears, likes pines or
oaks, which storms of wind beat down. And even as a fiery star
leaps from heaven, trailing a furrow of light, a portent to men,
whoever see it darting with a gleam through the dusky sky; in
such wise did Aeson's son rush on the earthborn men, and he drew
from the sheath his bare sword, and smote here and there, mowing
them down, many on the belly and side, half risen to the air —
and some that had risen as far as the shoulders — and some just
standing upright, and others even now rushing to battle. And as
when a fight is stirred up concerning boundaries, and a
husbandman, in fear lest they should ravage his fields, seizes
in his hand a curved sickle, newly sharpened, and hastily cuts
the unripe crop, and waits not for it to be parched in due
season by the beams of the sun; so at that time did Jason cut
down the crop of the Earthborn; and the furrows were filled with
blood, as the channels of a spring with water. And they fell,
some on their faces biting the rough clod of earth with their
teeth, some on their backs, and others on their hands and sides,
like to sea-monsters to behold. And many, smitten before raising
their feet from the earth, bowed down as far to the ground as
they had risen to the air, and rested there with the damp of
death on their brows. Even so, I ween, when Zeus has sent a
measureless rain, new planted orchard-shoots droop to the
ground, cut off by the root the toil of gardening men; but
heaviness of heart and deadly anguish come to the owner of the
farm, who planted them; so at that time did bitter grief come on
the heart of King Aeetes. And he went back to the city among the
Colchians, pondering how he might most quickly oppose the
heroes. And the day died, and Jason's contest was ended.
ENDNOTES:
(1) i.e. the fight between the gods and the giants.
(2) i.e. the Shining One.
(3) A name of Ares.
(4) i.e. the liquid that flows in the veins of gods.
(5) Or, reading MENIM, "took no heed of the cause of wrath
with the stranger-folk."
Eugene
Delacroix
1798-1863
France
Medea
