sprung from famous Aeacus; and Zeus himself begat Aeacus. And so all the
rest, all the comrades that follow him, are the sons or grandsons of the
immortals."

[Footnote 1: A name of Ares.]

Such was the tale of Argus; but the king at his words was filled with
rage as he heard; and his heart was lifted high in wrath. And he spake
in heavy displeasure; and was angered most of all with the son of
Chalciope; for he deemed that on their account the strangers had come;
and in his fury his eyes flashed forth beneath his brows:

"Begone from my sight, felons, straightway, ye and your tricks, from the
land, ere someone see a fleece and a Phrixus to his sorrow. Banded
together with your friends from Hellas, not for the fleece, but to seize
my sceptre and royal power have ye come hither. Had ye not first tasted
of my table, surely would I have cut out your tongues and hewn off both
hands and sent you forth with your feet alone, so that ye might be
stayed from starting hereafter. And what lies have ye uttered against
the blessed gods!"

Thus he spake in his wrath; and mightily from its depths swelled the
heart of Aeacus' son, and his soul within longed to speak a deadly word
in defiance, but Aeson's son checked him, for he himself first made
gentle answer:

"Aeetes, bear with this armed band, I pray. For not in the way thou
deemest have we come to thy city and palace, no, nor yet with such
desires. For who would of his own will dare to cross so wide a sea for
the goods of a stranger? But fate and the ruthless command of a