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（ll。 1277…1280） 〃We have reached the Colchian land and the stream
of Phasis； and it is time for us to take counsel whether we shall make trial
of Aeetes with soft words； or an attempt of another kind shall be fitting。〃
（ll。 1281…1285） Thus he spake； and by the advice of Argus Jason
bade them enter a shaded backwater and let the ship ride at anchor off
shore； and it was near at hand in their course and there they passed the
night。 And soon the dawn appeared to their expectant eyes。
ENDNOTES： （1） i。e。 Polydeuces。 （2） i。e。 Saviour of Sailors。 （3）
i。e。 through the ravine that divides the headland。 （4） i。e。 river of fair
dances。 （5） i。e。 the bedchamber。 （6） The north…west wind。 （7） Called
〃Mossynes〃。 （8） i。e。 without exacting gifts from the bridegroom。 So in
the 〃Iliad〃 （ix。 146） Agamemnon offers Achilles any of his three
daughters ANAEONOS。
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BOOK III
（ll。 1…5） 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 thou
sharest the power of Cypris； and by thy love…cares dost charm unwedded
maidens； wherefore to thee too is attached a name that tells of love。
（ll。 6…10） 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：
（ll。 11…16） 〃Do thou now first； daughter of Zeus； give advice。 What
must be done？ Wilt thou 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。〃
（ll。 17…21） Thus she spake； and at once Athena addressed her： 〃I too
was pondering such thoughts in my heart； Hera； when thou didst 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。〃
（ll。 22…29） 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。〃
（ll。 30…31） Thus she spake； and the prudent plan pleased Athena； and
she addressed her in reply with gentle words：
（ll。 32…35） 〃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
thee； surely I will follow； but thou must speak when we meet her。〃
（ll。 36…51） 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
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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：
（ll。 52…54） 〃Good friends； what intent； what occasion brings you here
after so long？ Why have ye come； not too frequent visitors before； chief
among goddesses that ye are？〃
（ll。 55…75） And to her Hera replied： 〃Thou dost 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 doomPelias 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 thou
wilt grant Jason his return。〃
（ll。 76…82） Thus she spake； 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 thy eager desire in word or deed； whatever my weak
arms can effect； and let there be no favour in return。〃
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（ll。 83…89） She spake； 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 thy boy charm Aeetes' daughter with love for Jason。 For if
she will aid him with her kindly counsel； easily do I think