(ll. 1179-1195) "Zeus' self, I ween, beholds everything; nor do we
men escape his eye, we that be god-fearing and just, for as he rescued your
father from the hands of a murderous step-dame and gave him measureless
wealth besides; even so hath he saved you harmless from the baleful storm.
And on board this ship ye may sail hither and thither, where ye will,
whether to Aea or to the wealthy city of divine Orthomenus. For our ship
Athena built and with axe of bronze cut her timbers near the crest of
Pelion, and with the goddess wrought Argus. But yours the fierce surge
hath shattered, before ye came nigh to the rocks which all day long clash
together in the straits of the sea. But come, be yourselves our helpers, for
we are eager to bring to Hellas the golden fleece, and guide us on our
voyage, for I go to atone for the intended sacrifice of Phrixus, the cause of
Zeus' wrath against the sons of Aeolus."
(ll. 1196-1199) He spake with soothing words; but horror seized
them when they heard. For they deemed that they would not find Aeetes
friendly if they desired to take away the ram's fleece. And Argus spake as
follows, vexed that they should busy themselves with such a quest:
(ll. 1200-1215) "My friends, our strength, so far as it avails, shall
never cease to help you, not one whit, when need shall come. But Aeetes
is terribly armed with deadly ruthlessness; wherefore exceedingly do I
dread this voyage. And he boasts himself to be the son of Helios; and all
round dwell countless tribes of Colchians; and he might match himself
with Ares in his dread war-cry and giant strength. Nay, to seize the
fleece in spite of Aeetes is no easy task; so huge a serpent keeps guard
round and about it, deathless and sleepless, which Earth herself brought
forth on the sides of Caucasus, by the rock of Typhaon, where Typhaon,
they say, smitten by the bolt of Zeus, son of Cronos, when he lifted against
the god his sturdy hands, dropped from his head hot gore; and in such
plight he reached the mountains and plain of Nysa, where to this day he
lies whelmed beneath the waters of the Serbonian lake."
(ll. 1216-1218) Thus he spake, and straightway many a cheek grew
pale when they heard of so mighty an adventure. But quickly Peleus
answered with cheering words, and thus spake:
(ll. 1219-1225) "Be not so fearful in spirit, my good friend. For we |
