"
And Aietes bit his lips, for he fancied that they had fled away by
night; but he could not go back from his promise; so he gave them the
serpents' teeth.
Then he called for his chariot and his horses, and sent heralds through
all the town; and all the people went out with him to the dreadful
War-god's field.
And there Aietes sat upon his throne, with his warriors on each hand,
thousands and tens of thousands, clothed from head to foot in
steel-chain mail. And the people and the women crowded to every window,
and bank and wall; while the Minuai stood together, a mere handful in
the midst of that great host.
And Chalciope was there and Argus, trembling, and Medeia, wrapped
closely in her veil; but Aietes did not know that she was muttering
cunning spells between her lips.
Then Jason cried, "Fulfil your promise, and let your fiery bulls come
forth."
Then Aietes bade open the gates, and the magic bulls leapt out. Their
brazen hoofs rang upon the ground, and their nostrils sent out sheets of
flame, as they rushed with lowered heads upon Jason; but he never
flinched a step. The flame of their breath swept round him, but it
singed not a hair of his head; and the bulls stopped short and trembled,
when Medeia began her spell.
Then Jason sprang upon the nearest, and seized him by the horn; and up
and down they wrestled, till the bull fell grovelling on his knees; for
the heart of the brute died within him, and his mighty limbs were loosed
beneath the steadfast eye of that dark witch maiden, and the magic
whisper of her lips.
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