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above the treetops； and then the hissing and shrieking and howling died
away。 Holding up a goblet in her hand Medea poured out a libation of
honey to Hecate； the Moon。
And then she went to where the moon made a brightness upon the
ground。 There she saw a flower that rose above the other flowersa flower
that grew from two joined stalks； and that was of the color of a crocus。
Medea cut the stalks with a brazen knife； and as she did there came a deep
groan out of the earth。
This was the Promethean flower。 It had come out of the earth first
when the vulture that tore at Prometheus's liver had let fall to earth a drop
of his blood。 With a Caspian shell that she had brought with her Medea
gathered the dark juice of this flowerthe juice that went to make her most
potent charm。 All night she went through the grove gathering the juice of
secret herbs； then she mingled them in a phial that she put away in her
girdle。
She went from that grove and along the river。 When the sun shed its
first rays upon snowy Caucasus she stood outside the temple of Hecate。
She waited； but she had not long to wait； for； like the bright star Sirius
rising out of Ocean； soon she saw Jason coming toward her。 She made a
sign to him； and he came and stood beside her in the portals of the temple。
They would have stood face to face if Medea did not have her head
bent。 A blush had come upon her face； and Jason seeing it； and seeing how
her head was bent； knew how grievous it was to her to meet and speak to a
stranger in this way。 He took her hand and he spoke to her reverently； as
one would speak to a priestess。
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〃Lady；〃 he said； 〃I implore you by Hecate and by Zeus who helps all
strangers and suppliants to be kind to me and to the men who have come
to your country with me。 Without your help I cannot hope to prevail in the
grievous trial that has been laid upon me。 If you will help us； Medea； your
name will be renowned throughout all Greece。 And I have hopes that you
will help us； for your face and form show you to be one who can be kind
and gracious。〃
The blush of shame had gone from Medea's face and a softer blush
came over her as Jason spoke。 She looked upon him and she knew that she
could hardly live if the breath of the brazen bulls withered his life or if the
Earth…born Men slew him。 She took the charm from out her girdle；
ungrudgingly she put it into Jason's hands。 And as she gave him the charm
that she had gained with such danger； the fear and trouble that was around
her heart melted as the dew melts from around the rose when it is warmed
by the first light of the morning。
Then they spoke standing close together in the portal of the temple。
She told him how he should anoint his body all over with the charm； it
would give him； she said； boundless and untiring strength； and make him
so that the breath of the bulls could not wither him nor the horns of the
bulls pierce him。 She told him also to sprinkle his shield and his sword
with the charm。
And then they spoke of the dragon's teeth and of the Earth…born Men
who would spring from them。 Medea told Jason that when they arose out
of the earth he was to cast a great stone amongst them。 The Earth…born
Men would struggle about the stone； and they would slay each other in the
contest。
Her dark and delicate face was beautiful。 Jason looked upon her； and it
came into his mind that in Colchis there was something else of worth
besides the Golden Fleece。 And he thought that after he had won the
Fleece there would be peace between the Argonauts and King Aeetes； and
that he and Medea might sit together in the king's hall。 But when he spoke
of being joined in friendship with her father； Medea cried：
〃Think not of treaties nor of covenants。 In Greece such are regarded；
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but not here。 Ah； do not think that the king； my father； will keep any peace
with you！ When you have won the Fleece you must hasten away。 You must
not tarry in Aea。〃
She said this and her cheeks were wet with tears to think that he
should go so soon； that he would go so far； and that she would never look
upon him again。 She bent her head again and she said： 〃Tell me about your
own land； about the place of your father； the place where you will live
when you win back from Colchis。〃
Then Jason told her of Icolus； he told her how it was circled by
mountains not so lofty as her Caucasus； he told her of the pasture lands of
Iolcus with their flocks of sheep； he told her of the Mountain Pelion where
he had been reared by Chiron； the ancient centaur； he told her of his father
who lingered out his life in waiting for his return。
Medea said： 〃When you go back to Iolcus do not forget me； Medea。 I
shall remember you； Jason； even in my father's despite。 And it will be my
hope that some rumor of you will come to me like some messenger…bird。 If
you forget me may some blast of wind sweep me away to Iolcus； and may
I sit in your hall an unknown and an unexpected guest！〃
Then they parted； Medea went swiftly back to the palace； and Jason；
turning to the river； went to where the Argo was moored。
The heroes embraced and questioned him； he told them of Medea's
counsel and he showed them the charm she had given him。 That savage
man Arcas scoffed at Medea's counsel and Medea's charm； saying that the
Argonauts had become poorspirited indeed when they had to depend upon
a girl's help。
Jason bathed in the river； then he anointed himself with the charm； he
sprinkled his spear and shield and sword with it。 He came to Arcas who sat
upon his bench； still nursing his anger； and he held the spear toward him。
Arcas took up his heavy sword and he hewed at the butt of the spear。
The edge of the sword turned。 The blade leaped back in his hand as if it
had been struck against an anvil。 And Jason； feeling within him a
boundless and tireless strength； laughed aloud。
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III。 The Winning Of The Golden Fleece
They took the ship out of th