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The Argonautica by c. 3rd cent. B.C. Apollonius Rhodius
page 123 of 244 (50%)
her handmaids; but to the paths far off she strained her gaze, turning
her face aside. Oft did her heart sink fainting within Tier bosom
whenever she fancied she heard passing by the sound of a footfall or of
the wind. But soon he appeared to her longing eyes, striding along
loftily, like Sirius coming from ocean, which rises fair and clear to
see, but brings unspeakable mischief to flocks; thus then did Aeson's
son come to her, fair to see, but the sight of him brought love-sick
care. Her heart fell from out her bosom, and a dark mist came over her
eyes, and a hot blush covered her cheeks. And she had no strength to
lift her knees backwards or forwards, but her feet beneath were rooted
to the ground; and meantime all her handmaidens had drawn aside. So they
two stood face to face without a word, without a sound, like oaks or
lofty pines, which stand quietly side by side on the mountains when the
wind is still; then again, when stirred by the breath of the wind, they
murmur ceaselessly; so they two were destined to tell out all their
tale, stirred by the breath of Love. And Aeson's son saw that she had
fallen into some heaven-sent calamity, and with soothing words thus
addressed her:

"Why, pray, maiden, dost thou fear me so much, all alone as I am? Never
was I one of these idle boasters such as other men are--not even
aforetime, when I dwelt in my own country. Wherefore, maiden, be not too
much abashed before me, either to enquire whatever thou wilt or to speak
thy mind. But since we have met one another with friendly hearts, in a
hallowed spot, where it is wrong to sin, speak openly and ask questions,
and beguile me not with pleasing words, for at the first thou didst
promise thy sister to give me the charms my heart desires. I implore
thee by Hecate herself, by thy parents, and by Zeus who holds his
guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come here to thee both a
suppliant and a stranger, bending the knee in my sore need. For without
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