how he sat on his seat, how he moved forth to the door--and as she
pondered she deemed there never was such another man; and ever in her
ears rung his voice and the honey-sweet words which he uttered. And she
feared for him, lest the oxen or Aeetes with his own hand should slay
him; and she mourned him as though already slain outright, and in her
affliction a round tear through very grievous pity coursed down her
cheek: and gently weeping she lifted up her voice aloud:

"Why does this grief come upon me, poor wretch? Whether he be the best
of heroes now about to perish, or the worst, let him go to his doom. Yet
I would that he had escaped unharmed; yea, may this be so, revered
goddess, daughter of Perses, may he avoid death and return home; but if
it be his lot to be o'ermastered by the oxen, may he first learn this
that I at least do not rejoice in his cruel calamity."

Thus then was the maiden's heart racked by love-cares. But when the
others had gone forth from the people and the city, along the path by
which at the first they had come from the plain, then Argus addressed
Jason with these words:

"Son of Aeson, thou wilt despise the counsel which I will tell thee,
but, though in evil plight, it is not fitting to forbear from the trial.
Ere now thou hast heard me tell of a maiden that uses sorcery under the
guidance of Hecate, Perses' daughter. If we could win her aid there will
be no dread, methinks, of thy defeat in the contest; but terribly do I
fear that my mother will not take this task upon her. Nevertheless I
will go back again to entreat her, for a common destruction overhangs us
all."

He spake with goodwill, and Jason answered with these words: "Good