was, speechless, helpless in his evil plight. For a long time he turned
the matter this way and that, and could in no way take on him the task
with courage, for a mighty task it seemed; and at last he made reply
with crafty words:

"With thy plea of right, Aeetes, thou dost shut me in overmuch.
Wherefore also I will dare that contest, monstrous as it is, though it
be my doom to die. For nothing will fall upon men more dread than dire
necessity, which indeed constrained me to come hither at a king's
command."

Thus he spake, smitten by his helpless plight; and the king with grim
words addressed him, sore troubled as he was: "Go forth now to the
gathering, since thou art eager for the toil; but if thou shouldst fear
to lift the yoke upon the oxen or shrink from the deadly harvesting,
then all this shall be my care, so that another too may shudder to come
to a man that is better than he."

He spake outright; and Jason rose from his seat, and Augeias and Telamon
at once; and Argus followed alone, for he signed to his brothers to stay
there on the spot meantime; and so they went forth from the hall. And
wonderfully among them all shone the son of Aeson for beauty and grace;
and the maiden looked at him with stealthy glance, holding her bright
veil aside, her heart smouldering with pain; and her soul creeping like
a dream flitted in his track as he went. So they passed forth from the
palace sorely troubled. And Chalciope, shielding herself from the wrath
of Aeetes, had gone quickly to her chamber with her sons. And Medea
likewise followed, and much she brooded in her soul all the cares that
the Loves awaken. And before her eyes the vision still appeared--himself
what like he was, with what vesture he was clad, what things he spake,