" Then both the princesses besought him: but Jason
said, "It is too late."
"But you know not," said Medeia, "what he must do who would win the
fleece. He must tame the two brazen-footed bulls, who breathe devouring
flame; and with them he must plough ere nightfall four acres in the
field of Ares; and he must sow them with serpents' teeth, of which each
tooth springs up into an armed man. Then he must fight with all those
warriors; and little will it profit him to conquer them; for the fleece
is guarded by a serpent, more huge than any mountain pine; and over his
body you must step, if you would reach the golden fleece."
Then Jason laughed bitterly. "Unjustly is that fleece kept here, and by
an unjust and lawless king; and unjustly shall I die in my youth, for I
will attempt it ere another sun be set."
Then Medeia trembled, and said: "No mortal man can reach that fleece,
unless I guide him through. For round it, beyond the river, is a wall
full nine ells high, with lofty towers and buttresses, and mighty gates
of threefold brass; and over the gates the wall is arched, with golden
battlements above. And over the gateway sits Brimo, the wild witch
huntress of the woods, brandishing a pine torch in her hands, while her
mad hounds howl around. No man dare meet her or look on her, but only I
her priestess, and she watches far and wide lest any stranger should
come near.
Pages:
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318