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（ll。 1…5） Now do thou thyself； goddess Muse； daughter of Zeus； tell
of the labour and wiles of the Colchian maiden。 Surely my soul within
me wavers with speechless amazement as I ponder whether I should call it
the lovesick grief of mad passion or a panic flight； through which she left
the Colchian folk。
（ll。 6…10） Aeetes all night long with the bravest captains of his people
was devising in his halls sheer treachery against the heroes； with fierce
wrath in his heart at the issue of the hateful contest； nor did he deem at all
that these things were being accomplished without the knowledge of his
daughters。
（ll。 11…29） But into Medea's heart Hera cast most grievous fear； and
she trembled like a nimble fawn whom the baying of hounds hath terrified
amid the thicket of a deep copse。 For at once she truly forboded that the
aid she had given was not hidden from her father； and that quickly she
would fill up the cup of woe。 And she dreaded the guilty knowledge of
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her handmaids； her eyes were filled with fire and her ears rung with a
terrible cry。 Often did she clutch at her throat； and often did she drag out
her hair by the roots and groan in wretched despair。 There on that very
day the maiden would have tasted the drugs and perished and so have
made void the purposes of Hera； had not the goddess driven her； all
bewildered； to flee with the sons of Phrixus； and her fluttering soul within
her was comforted； and then she poured from her bosom all the drugs back
again into the casket。 Then she kissed her bed； and the folding…doors on
both sides； and stroked the walls； and tearing away in her hands a long
tress of hair； she left it in the chamber for her mother； a memorial of her
maidenhood； and thus lamented with passionate voice：
（ll。 30…33） 〃I go； leaving this long tress here in my stead； O mother
mine； take this farewell from me as I go far hence； farewell Chalciope； and
all my home。 Would that the sea； stranger； had dashed thee to pieces； ere
thou camest to the Colchian land！〃
（ll。 34…56） Thus she spake； and from her eyes shed copious tears。
And as a bondmaid steals away from a wealthy house； whom fate has
lately severed from her native land； nor yet has she made trial of grievous
toil； but still unschooled to misery and shrinking in terror from slavish
tasks； goes about beneath the cruel hands of a mistress； even so the lovely
maiden rushed forth from her home。 But to her the bolts of the doors
gave way self…moved； leaping backwards at the swift strains of her magic
song。 And with bare feet she sped along the narrow paths； with her left
hand holding her robe over her brow to veil her face and fair cheeks； and
with her right lifting up the hem of her tunic。 Quickly along the dark track；
outside the towers of the spacious city； did she come in fear； nor did any of
the warders note her； but she sped on unseen by them。 Thence she was
minded to go to the temple； for well she knew the way； having often
aforetime wandered there in quest of corpses and noxious roots of the
earth； as a sorceress is wont to do； and her soul fluttered with quivering
fear。 And the Titanian goddess； the moon； rising from a far land； beheld
her as she fled distraught； and fiercely exulted over her； and thus spake to
her own heart：
（ll。 57…65） 〃Not I alone then stray to the Latinian cave； nor do I alone
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burn with love for fair Endymion； oft times with thoughts of love have I
been driven away by thy crafty spells； in order that in the darkness of night
thou mightest work thy sorcery at ease； even the deeds dear to thee。 And
now thou thyself too hast part in a like mad passion； and some god of
affection has given thee Jason to be thy grievous woe。 Well； go on； and
steel thy heart； wise though thou be； to take up thy burden of pain； fraught
with many sighs。〃
（ll。 66…82） Thus spake the goddess； but swiftly the maiden's feet bore
her； hasting on。 And gladly did she gain the high…bank of the river and
beheld on the opposite side the gleam of fire； which all night long the
heroes were kindling in joy at the contest's issue。 Then through the
gloom； with clear…pealing voice from across the stream； she called on
Phrontis； the youngest of Phrixus' sons； and he with his brothers and
Aeson's son recognised the maiden's voice； and in silence his comrades
wondered when they knew that it was so in truth。 Thrice she called； and
thrice at the bidding of the company Phrontis called out in reply； and
meantime the heroes were rowing with swift… moving oars in search of her。
Not yet were they casting the ship's hawsers upon the opposite bank； when
Jason with light feet leapt to land from the deck above； and after him
Phrontis and Argus； sons of Phrixus； leapt to the ground； and she； clasping
their knees with both hands； thus addressed them：
（ll。 83…91） 〃Save me； the hapless one； my friends； from Aeetes； and
yourselves too； for all is brought to light； nor doth any remedy come。
But let us flee upon the ship； before the king mounts his swift chariot。
And I will lull to sleep the guardian serpent and give you the fleece of
gold； but do thou； stranger； amid thy comrades make the gods witness of
the vows thou hast taken on thyself for my sake； and now that I have fled
far from my country； make me not a mark for blame and dishonour for
want of kinsmen。〃
（ll。 92…98） She spake in anguish； but greatly did the heart of Aeson's
son rejoice； and at once； as she fell at his knees； he raised her gently and
embraced her； and spake words of comfort： 〃Lady； let Zeus of Olympus
himself be witness to my oath； and Hera； queen of marriage； bride of Zeus；
that I will set thee in my halls my own wedded wife； when we have
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