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war。 For he longed to allay the lawless strife between both sides without
the clash of battle。 And the maiden in deadly fear often implored the
comrades of Aeson's son； and often with her hands touched the knees of
Arete； the bride of Aleinous：
（ll。 1014…1028） 〃I beseech thee； O queen； be gracious and deliver me
not to the Colchians to be borne to my father； if thou thyself too art one of
the race of mortals； whose heart rushes swiftly to ruin from light
transgressions。 For my firm sense forsook meit was not for wantonness。
Be witness the sacred light of Helios； be witness the rites of the maiden
that wanders by night； daughter of Perses。 Not willingly did I haste from
my home with men of an alien race； but a horrible fear wrought on me to
bethink me of flight when I sinned； other device was there none。 Still my
maiden's girdle remains； as in the halls of my father； unstained； untouched。
Pity me； lady； and turn thy lord to mercy； and may the immortals grant
thee a perfect life； and joy； and children； and the glory of a city
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unravaged！〃
（ll。 1029…1030） Thus did she implore Arete； shedding tears； and thus
each of the chieftains in turn：
（ll。 1031…1052） 〃On your account； ye men of peerless might； and on
account of my toils in your ventures am I sorely afflicted； even I； by
whose help ye yoked the bulls； and reaped the deadly harvest of the
earthborn men； even I； through whom on your homeward path ye shall
bear to Haemonia the golden fleece。 Lo； here am I； who have lost my
country and my parents； who have lost my home and all the delights of life；
to you have I restored your country and your homes； with eyes of gladness
ye will see again your parents； but from me a heavy…handed god has raft
all joy； and with strangers I wander； an accursed thing。 Fear your
covenant and your oaths； fear the Fury that avenges suppliants and the
retribution of heaven； if I fall into Aeetes' hands and am slain with
grievous outrage。 To no shrines； no tower of defence； no other refuge do
I pay heed； but only to you。 Hard and pitiless in your cruelty！ No
reverence have ye for me in your heart though ye see me helpless；
stretching my hands towards the knees of a stranger queen； yet； when ye
longed to seize the fleece； ye would have met all the Colchians face to
thee and haughty Aeetes himself； but now ye have forgotten your courage；
now that they are all alone and cut off。〃
（ll。 1053…1067） Thus she spake； beseeching； and to whomsoever she
bowed in prayer； that man tried to give her heart and to check her anguish。
And in their hands they shook their sharp pointed spears； and drew the
swords from their sheaths； and they swore they would not hold back from
giving succour； if she should meet with an unrighteous judgement。 And
the host were all wearied and Night came on them； Night that puts to rest
the works of men； and lulled all the earth to sleep； but to the maid no sleep
brought rest； but in her bosom her heart was wrung with anguish。 Even
as when a toiling woman turns her spindle through the night； and round
her moan her orphan children； for she is a widow； and down her cheeks
fall the tears； as she bethinks her how dreary a lot hath seized her； so
Medea's cheeks were wet； and her heart within her was in agony； pierced
with sharp pain。
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（ll。 1068…1072） Now within the palace in the city； as aforetime； lay
lordly Alcinous and Arete； the revered wife of Alcinous； and on their
couch through the night they were devising plans about the maiden； and
him； as her wedded husband； the wife addressed with loving words：
（ll。 1073…1095） 〃Yea； my friend； come； save the woe…stricken maid
from the Colchians and show grace to the Minyae。 Argos is near our isle
and the men of Haemonia； but Aeetes dwells not near； nor do we know of
Aeetes one whit： we hear but his name； but this maiden of dread suffering
hath broken my heart by her prayers。 O king； give her not up to the
Colchians to be borne back to her father's home。 She was distraught
when first she gave him the drugs to charm the oxen； and next； to cure one
ill by another； as in our sinning we do often； she fled from her haughty
sire's heavy wrath。 But Jason； as I hear； is bound to her by mighty oaths
that he will make her his wedded wife within his halls。 Wherefore； my
friend； make not； of thy will； Aeson's son to be forsworn； nor let the father；
if thou canst help； work with angry heart some intolerable mischief on his
child。 For fathers are all too jealous against their children； what wrong
did Nycteus devise against Antiope； fair of face！ What woes did Danae
endure on the wide sea through her sire's mad rage！ Of late； and not far
away； Echetus in wanton cruelty thrust spikes of bronze in his daughter's
eyes； and by a grievous fate is she wasting away； grinding grains of bronze
in a dungeon's gloom。〃
（ll。 1096…1097） Thus she spake； beseeching； and by his wife's words
his heart was softened； and thus he spake：
（ll。 1098…1109） 〃Arete； with arms I could drive forth the Colchians；
showing grace to the heroes for the maiden's sake。 But I fear to set at
nought the righteous judgment of Zeus。 Nor is it well to take no thought
of Aeetes； as thou sayest： for none is more lordly than Aeetes。 And； if he
willed； he might bring war upon Hellas； though he dwell afar。 Wherefore
it is right for me to deliver the judgement that in all men's eyes shall be
best； and I will not hide it from thee。 If she be yet a maid I decree that
they carry her back to her father； but if she shares a husband's bed； I will
not separate her from her lord； nor； if she bear a child beneath her breast；
will I give it up to an enemy。〃
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（ll。 1110…1120） Thus he spake； and at