bitter cry of Prometheus as his liver was being torn away; and the air
rang with his screams until they marked the ravening eagle rushing back
from the mountain on the self-same track. And at night, by the skill of
Argus, they reached broad-flowing Phasis, and the utmost bourne of the
sea.

And straightway they let down the sails and the yard-arm and stowed them
inside the hollow mast-crutch, and at once they lowered the mast itself
till it lay along; and quickly with oars they entered the mighty stream
of the river; and round the prow the water surged as it gave them way.
And on their left hand they had lofty Caucasus and the Cytaean city of
Aea, and on the other side the plain of Ares and the sacred grove of
that god, where the serpent was keeping watch and ward over the fleece
as it hung on the leafy branches of an oak. And Aeson's son himself from
a golden goblet poured into the river libations of honey and pure wine
to Earth and to the gods of the country, and to the souls of dead
heroes; and he besought them of their grace to give kindly aid, and to
welcome their ship's hawsers with favourable omen. And straightway
Ancaeus spake these words:

"We have reached the Colchian land and the stream of Phasis; and it is
time for us to take counsel whether we shall make trial of Aeetes with
soft words, or an attempt of another kind shall be fitting."

Thus he spake, and by the advice of Argus Jason bade them enter a shaded
backwater and let the ship ride at anchor off shore; and it was near at
hand in their course and there they passed the night. And soon the dawn
appeared to their expectant eyes.