steel thy heart, wise though thou be, to take up thy burden of pain,
fraught with many sighs."

"Thus spake the goddess; but swiftly the maiden's feet bore her, hasting
on. And gladly did she gain the high bank of the river and beheld on the
opposite side the gleam of fire, which all night long the heroes were
kindling in joy at the contest's issue. Then through the gloom, with
clear-pealing voice from across the stream, she called on Phrontis, the
youngest of Phrixus' sons, and he with his brothers and Aeson's son
recognised the maiden's _voice_; and in silence his comrades wondered
when they knew that it was so in truth. Thrice she called, and thrice at
the bidding of the company Phrontis called out in reply; and meantime
the heroes were rowing with swift-moving oars in search of her. Not yet
were they casting the ship's hawsers upon the opposite bank, when Jason
with light feet leapt to land from the deck above, and after him
Phrontis and Argus, sons of Phrixus, leapt to the ground; and she,
clasping their knees with both hands, thus addressed them:

"Save me, the hapless one, my friends, from Aeetes, and yourselves too,
for all is brought to light, nor doth any remedy come. But let us flee
upon the ship; before the king mounts his swift chariot. And I will lull
to sleep the guardian serpent and give you the fleece of gold; but do
thou, stranger, amid thy comrades make the gods witness of the vows thou
hast taken on thyself for my sake; and now that I have fled far from my
country, make me not a mark for blame and dishonour for want of
kinsmen."

She spake in anguish; but greatly did the heart of Aeson's son rejoice,
and at once, as she fell at his knees, he raised her gently and embraced
her, and spake words of comfort: "Lady, let Zeus of Olympus himself be