So both the bulls were tamed and yoked; and Jason bound them to the
plough, and goaded them onward with his lance, till he had ploughed the
sacred field.
And all the Minuai shouted; but Aietes bit his lips with rage; for the
half of Jason's work was over, and the sun was yet high in heaven.
Then he took the serpents' teeth and sowed them, and waited what would
befall. But Medeia looked at him and at his helmet, lest he should
forget the lesson she had taught.
And every furrow heaved and bubbled, and out of every clod rose a man.
Out of the earth they rose by thousands, each clad from head to foot in
steel, and drew their swords and rushed on Jason, where he stood in the
midst alone. Then the Minuai grew pale with fear for him; but Aietes
laughed a bitter laugh. "See! if I had not warriors enough already round
me, I could call them out of the bosom of the earth."
But Jason snatched off his helmet, and hurled it into the thickest of
the throng. And blind madness came upon them, suspicion, hate, and fear;
and one cried to his fellow, "Thou didst strike me!" and another, "Thou
art Jason; thou shalt die!" So fury seized those earth-born phantoms,
and each turned his hand against the rest; and they fought and were
never weary, till they all lay dead upon the ground. Then the magic
furrows opened, and the kind earth took them home into her breast; and
the grass grew up all green again above them, and Jason's work was done.
Pages:
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322