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The Argonautica
reached the land of Hellas on our return。〃
（ll。 99…108） Thus he spake； and straightway clasped her right hand in
his； and she bade them row the swift ship to the sacred grove near at hand；
in order that； while it was still night； they might seize and carry off the
fleece against the will of Aeetes。 Word and deed were one to the eager
crew。 For they took her on board； and straightway thrust the ship from
shore； and loud was the din as the chieftains strained at their oars； but she；
starting back； held out her hands in despair towards the shore。 But Jason
spoke cheering words and restrained her grief。
（ll。 109…122） Now at the hour when men have cast sleep from their
eyes~huntsmen； who； trusting to their bounds； never slumber away the end
of night； but avoid the light of dawn lest； smiting with its white beams； it
efface the track and scent of the quarry then did Aeson's son and the
maiden step forth from the ship over a grassy spot； the 〃Ram's couch〃 as
men call it； where it first bent its wearied knees in rest； bearing on its back
the Minyan son of Athamas。 And close by； all smirched with soot； was
the base of the altar； which the Aeolid Phrixus once set up to Zeus； the
alder of fugitives； when he sacrificed the golden wonder at the bidding of
Hermes who graciously met him on the way。 There by the counsels of
Argus the chieftains put them ashore。
（ll。 123…161） And they two by the pathway came to the sacred grove；
seeking the huge oak tree on which was hung the fleece； like to a cloud
that blushes red with the fiery beams of the rising sun。 But right in front
the serpent with his keen sleepless eyes saw them coming； and stretched
out his long neck and hissed in awful wise； and all round the long banks of
the river echoed and the boundless grove。 Those heard it who dwelt in
the Colchian land very far from Titanian Aea； near the outfall of Lycus； the
river which parts from loud…roaring Araxes and blends his sacred stream
with Phasis； and they twain flow on together in one and pour their waters
into the Caucasian Sea。 And through fear young mothers awoke； and
round their new…born babes； who were sleeping in their arms； threw their
hands in agony； for the small limbs started at that hiss。 And as when
above a pile of smouldering wood countless eddies of smoke roll up
mingled with soot； and one ever springs up quickly after another； rising
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The Argonautica
aloft from beneath in wavering wreaths； so at that time did that monster
roll his countless coils covered with hard dry scales。 And as he writhed；
the maiden came before his eyes； with sweet voice calling to her aid sleep；
highest of gods； to charm the monster； and she cried to the queen of the
underworld； the night…wanderer； to be propitious to her enterprise。 And
Aeson's son followed in fear； but the serpent； already charmed by her song；
was relaxing the long ridge of his giant spine； and lengthening out his
myriad coils； like a dark wave； dumb and noiseless； rolling over a sluggish
sea； but still he raised aloft his grisly head； eager to enclose them both in
his murderous jaws。 But she with a newly cut spray of juniper； dipping
and drawing untempered charms from her mystic brew； sprinkled his eyes；
while she chanted her song； and all around the potent scent of the charm
cast sleep； and on the very spot he let his jaw sink down； and far behind
through the wood with its many trees were those countless coils stretched
out。
Hereupon Jason snatched the golden fleece from the oak； at the
maiden bidding； and she； standing firm； smeared with the charm the
monster's head； till Jason himself bade her turn back towards their ship；
and she left the grove of Ares； dusky with shade。 And as a maiden catches
on her finely wrought robe the gleam of the moon at the full； as it rises
above her high…roofed chamber； and her heart rejoices as she beholds the
fair ray； so at that time did Jason uplift the mighty fleece in his hands； and
from the shimmering of the flocks of wool there settled on his fair cheeks
and brow a red flush like a flame。 And great as is the hide of a yearling
ox or stag； which huntsmen call a brocket； so great in extent was the fleece
all golden above。 Heavy it was； thickly clustered with flocks； and as he
moved along； even beneath his feet the sheen rose up from the earth。
And he strode on now with the fleece covering his left shoulder from the
height of his neck to his feet； and now again he gathered it up in his hands；
for he feared exceedingly； lest some god or man should meet him and
deprive him thereof。
（ll。 183…189） Dawn was spreading over the earth when they reached
the throng of heroes； and the youths marvelled to behold the mighty fleece；
which gleamed like the lightning of Zeus。 And each one started up eager
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The Argonautica
to touch it and clasp it in his hands。 But the son of Aeson restrained them
all； and threw over it a mantle newly…woven； and he led the maiden to the
stern and seated her there； and spake to them all as follows：
（ll。 190…205） 〃No longer now； my friends； forbear to return to your
fatherland。 For now the task for which we dared this grievous voyage；
toiling with bitter sorrow of heart； has been lightly fulfilled by the
maiden's counsels。 Herfor such is her willI will bring home to be my
wedded wife； do ye preserve her； the glorious saviour of all Achaea and of
yourselves。 For of a surety； I ween； will Aeetes come with his host to bar
our passage from the river into the sea。 But do some of you toil at the
oars in turn； sitting man by man； and half of you raise your shields of
oxhide； a ready defence against the darts of the enemy； and guard our
return。 And now in our hands we hold the fate of our children and dear
country and of our aged parents； and on our venture all Hellas depends； to
reap either the shame of failure or great renown。〃
（ll。 206…211） Thus he spake； and donned his armour of war； and they
cried aloud； wondrously eager。 And he drew his sword from the sheath
and cut the