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came into his mind that in Colchis there was something else of worth
besides the Golden Fleece。 And he thought that after he had won the
Fleece there would be peace between the Argonauts and King Aeetes； and
that he and Medea might sit together in the king's hall。 But when he spoke
of being joined in friendship with her father； Medea cried：
〃Think not of treaties nor of covenants。 In Greece such are regarded；
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but not here。 Ah； do not think that the king； my father； will keep any peace
with you！ When you have won the Fleece you must hasten away。 You must
not tarry in Aea。〃
She said this and her cheeks were wet with tears to think that he
should go so soon； that he would go so far； and that she would never look
upon him again。 She bent her head again and she said： 〃Tell me about your
own land； about the place of your father； the place where you will live
when you win back from Colchis。〃
Then Jason told her of Icolus； he told her how it was circled by
mountains not so lofty as her Caucasus； he told her of the pasture lands of
Iolcus with their flocks of sheep； he told her of the Mountain Pelion where
he had been reared by Chiron； the ancient centaur； he told her of his father
who lingered out his life in waiting for his return。
Medea said： 〃When you go back to Iolcus do not forget me； Medea。 I
shall remember you； Jason； even in my father's despite。 And it will be my
hope that some rumor of you will come to me like some messenger…bird。 If
you forget me may some blast of wind sweep me away to Iolcus； and may
I sit in your hall an unknown and an unexpected guest！〃
Then they parted； Medea went swiftly back to the palace； and Jason；
turning to the river； went to where the Argo was moored。
The heroes embraced and questioned him； he told them of Medea's
counsel and he showed them the charm she had given him。 That savage
man Arcas scoffed at Medea's counsel and Medea's charm； saying that the
Argonauts had become poorspirited indeed when they had to depend upon
a girl's help。
Jason bathed in the river； then he anointed himself with the charm； he
sprinkled his spear and shield and sword with it。 He came to Arcas who sat
upon his bench； still nursing his anger； and he held the spear toward him。
Arcas took up his heavy sword and he hewed at the butt of the spear。
The edge of the sword turned。 The blade leaped back in his hand as if it
had been struck against an anvil。 And Jason； feeling within him a
boundless and tireless strength； laughed aloud。
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III。 The Winning Of The Golden Fleece
They took the ship out of the backwater and they brought her to a
wharf in the city。 At a place that was called 〃The Ram's Couch〃 they
fastened the Argo。 Then they marched to the field of Ares； where the king
and the Colchian people were。
Jason； carrying his shield and spear； went before the king。 From the
king's hand he took the gleaming helmet that held the dragon's teeth。 This
he put into the hands of Theseus； who went with him。 Then with the spear
and shield in his hands； with his sword girt across his shoulders； and with
his mantle stripped off； Jason looked across the field of Ares。
He saw the plow that he was to yoke to the bulls； he saw the yoke of
bronze near it； he saw the tracks of the bulls' hooves。 He followed the
tracks until he came to the lair of the fire…breathing bulls。 Out of that lair；
which was underground； smoke and fire belched。 He set his feet firmly
upon the ground and he held his shield before him。 He awaited the onset
of the bulls。 They came clanging up with loud bellowing； breathing out
fire。 They lowered their heads； and with mighty； iron…tipped horns they
came to gore and trample him。
Medea's charm had made him strong； Medea's charm had made his
shield impregnable。 The rush of the bulls did not overthrow him。 His
comrades shouted to see him standing firmly there； and in wonder the
Colchians gazed upon him。 All round him； as from a furnace； there came
smoke and fire。
The bulls roared mightily。 Grasping the horns of the bull that was upon
his right hand； Jason dragged him until he had brought him beside the
yoke of bronze。 Striking the brazen knees of the bull suddenly with his
foot he forced him down。 Then he smote the other bull as it rushed upon
him； and it too he forced down upon its knees。
Castor and Polydeuces held the yoke to him。 Jason bound it upon the
necks of the bulls。 He fastened the plow to the yoke。 Then he took his
shield and set it upon his back； and grasping the handles of the plow he
started to make the furrow。
With his long spear he drove the bulls before him as with a goad。
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Terribly they raged； furiously they breathed out fire。 Beside Jason Theseus
went holding the helmet that held the dragon's teeth。 The hard ground was
torn up by the plow of adamant； and the clods groaned as they were cast
up。 Jason flung the teeth between the open sods； often turning his head in
fear that the deadly crop of the Earth…born Men were rising behind him。
By the time that a third of the day was finished the field of Ares had
been plowed and sown。 As yet the furrows were free of the Earth…born
Men。 Jason went down to the river and filled his helmet full of water and
drank deeply。 And his knees that were stiffened with the plowing he bent
until they were made supple again。
He saw the field rising into mounds。 It seemed that there were graves
all over the field of Ares。 Then he saw spears and shields and helmets
rising up out of the earth。 Then armed warriors sprang up； a fierce battle
cry upon their lips。
Jason remembered the counsel of Medea。 He raised a boulder that four
men could hardly raise and with arms hardened by the plowing he cast it。
The Colchians shouted to see such a stone cast by the hands of one man。
Right into the middle of the Earth…born Men the stone came。 They leaped
upon it like hounds； striking at one another as they came together。 Shield
crashed on shield； spear rang upon spear as they struck at each other。 The
Earth…born Men； as fast as they arose； went down before the weapons in
the hands of their brethren。
Jason rushed upon them； his sword in his hand。 He slew some that had
risen out of the earth only as far as the shoulders； he slew others whose
feet were still in the earth； he slew others who were ready to spring upon
him。 Soon all the Earth…born Men were slain； and the furrows ran with
their dark blood as channels run with water in springtime。
The Argonauts shouted loudly for Jason's victory。 King Aeetes rose
from his seat that was beside the river and he went back to the city。 The
Colchians followed him。 Day faded； and Jason's contest was ended。
But it was not the will of Aeetes that the strangers should be let depart
peaceably with the Golden Fleece that Jason had won。 In the assembly
place； with his son Apsyrtus beside him； and with the furious Colchians all
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around him； the king stood： on his breast was the gleaming corselet that
Ares had given him； and on his head was that golden helmet with its four
plumes that made him look as if he were truly the son of Helios； the Sun。
Lightnings flashed from his great eyes； he spoke fiercely to the Colchians；
holding in his hand his bronze…topped spear。
He would have them attack the strangers and burn the Argo。 He would
have the sons of Phrixus slain for bringing them to Aea。 There was a
prophecy； he declared； that would have him be watchful of the treachery of
his own offspring： this prophecy was being fulfilled by the children of
Chalciope； he feared； too； that his daughter；