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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 ye
reach home this very day； if ye will gladden me with this desire of mine。
For Argus pleads with me； also Chalciope herself； but this that ye 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 ye stand aloof。〃
（ll。 912…918） So she spake； 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；
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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。
（ll。 919…926） 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 upon and to hold converse with。 Even his
comrades wondered as they gazed upon him； radiant with manifold graces；
and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in their journey； already foreboding how
all would end。
（ll。 927…931） 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：
（ll。 932…937） 〃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 thee neither Cypris nor the gentle Loves breathe
in their kindness。〃
（ll。 938…946） She spake chiding； and Mopsus smiled to hear the god…
sent voice of the bird； and thus addressed them： 〃Do thou； son of Aeson；
pass on to the temple； where thou wilt find the maiden； and very kind will
her greeting be to thee through the prompting of Cypris； who will be thy
helpmate in the contest； even as Phineus； Agenor's son； foretold。 But we
two； Argus and I； will await thy return； apart in this very spot； do thou all
alone be a suppliant and win her over with prudent words。〃
（ll。 947…974） He spake 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 upon 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
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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：
（ll。 975…1007） 〃Why； pray； maiden； dost thou fear me so much； all
alone as I am？ Never was I one of these idle boasters such as other men
arenot even aforetime； when I dwelt in my own country。 Wherefore；
maiden； be not too much abashed before me； either to enquire whatever
thou wilt or to speak thy 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
thou didst promise thy sister to give me the charms my heart desires。 I
implore thee by Hecate herself； by thy parents； and by Zeus who holds his
guardian hand over strangers and suppliants； I come here to thee both a
suppliant and a stranger； bending the knee in my sore need。 For without
thee and thy sister never shall I prevail in the grievous contest。 And to
thee will I render thanks hereafter for thy aid； as is right and fitting for
men who dwell far oft； making glorious thy name and fame； and the rest
of the heroes； returning to Hellas； will spread thy 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 thou mightest scatter to the
winds。 In days past the maiden Ariadne； daughter of Minos； with kindly
intent rescued Theseus from grim conteststhe 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
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