"Do not, I pray thee, mother, store up bitter sorrows overmuch, for thou
wilt not redeem me from evil by tears, but wilt still add grief to
grief. For unseen are the woes that the gods mete out to mortals; be
strong to endure thy share of them though with grief in thy heart; take
courage from the promises of Athena, and from the answers of the gods
(for very favourable oracles has Phoebus given), and then from the help
of the chieftains. But do thou remain here, quiet among thy handmaids,
and be not a bird of ill omen to the ship; and thither my clansmen and
thralls will follow me."

He spake, and started forth to leave the house. And as Apollo goes forth
from some fragrant shrine to divine Delos or Claros or Pytho or to broad
Lycia near the stream of Xanthus, in such beauty moved Jason through the
throng of people; and a cry arose as they shouted together. And there
met him aged Iphias, priestess of Artemis guardian of the city, and
kissed his right hand, but she had not strength to say a word, for all
her eagerness, as the crowd rushed on, but she was left there by the
wayside, as the old are left by the young, and he passed on and was gone
afar.

Now when he had left the well-built streets of the city he came to the
beach of Pagasae, where his comrades greeted him as they stayed together
near the ship Argo. And he stood at the entering in, and they were
gathered to meet him. And they perceived Acastus and Argus coming from
the city, and they marvelled when they saw them hasting with all speed,
despite the will of Pelias. The one, Argus, son of Arestor, had cast
round his shoulders the hide of a bull reaching to his feet, with the
black hair upon it, the other, a fair mantle of double fold, which his
sister Pelopeia had given him. Still Jason forebore from asking them