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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 fathera 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。
（ll。 609…615） 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。
（ll。 616…635） Now a deep slumber had relieved the maiden from her
love…pains as she lay upon her couch。 But straightway fearful dreams；
deceitful； such as trouble one in grief； assailed her。 And she thought that
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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 upon 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 upon 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：
（ll。 636…644） 〃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。〃
（ll。 645…673） She spake； 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
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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：
（ll。 674…680） 〃Ah me； Medea； why dost thou weep so？ What hath
befallen thee？ What terrible grief has entered thy heart？ Has some
heaven…sent disease enwrapt thy frame； or hast thou 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！〃
（ll。 681…687） Thus she spake； 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：
（ll。 688…692） 〃Chalciope； my heart is all trembling for thy sons； lest
my father forthwith destroy them togethe