Then he leapt up in fear, and bade his servants bring his chariot, that
he might go down to the riverside and appease the nymphs, and the heroes
whose spirits haunt the bank. So he went down in his golden chariot, and
his daughters by his side, Medeia the fair witch maiden, and Chalciope,
who had been Phrixus's wife, and behind him a crowd of servants and
soldiers, for he was a rich and mighty prince.
And as he drove down by the reedy river, he saw Argo sliding up beneath
the bank, and many a hero in her, like immortals for beauty and for
strength, as their weapons glittered round them in the level morning
sunlight, through the white mist of the stream. But Jason was the
noblest of all; for Hera who loved him gave him beauty, and tallness,
and terrible manhood.
And when they came near together and looked into each other's eyes, the
heroes were awed before Aietes as he shone in his chariot, like his
father the glorious Sun; for his robes were of rich gold tissue, and the
rays of his diadem flashed fire; and in his hand he bore a jewelled
sceptre, which glittered like the stars; and sternly he looked at them
under his brows, and sternly he spoke and loud:
"Who are you, and what want you here, that you come to the shore of
Cutaia? Do you take no account of my rule, nor of my people the
Colchians who serve me, who never tired yet in the battle, and know well
how to face an invader?"
And the heroes sat silent awhile before the face of that ancient king.
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