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III。 The Winning Of The Golden Fleece
They took the ship out of the backwater and they brought her to a
wharf in the city。 At a place that was called 〃The Ram's Couch〃 they
fastened the Argo。 Then they marched to the field of Ares； where the king
and the Colchian people were。
Jason； carrying his shield and spear； went before the king。 From the
king's hand he took the gleaming helmet that held the dragon's teeth。 This
he put into the hands of Theseus； who went with him。 Then with the spear
and shield in his hands； with his sword girt across his shoulders； and with
his mantle stripped off； Jason looked across the field of Ares。
He saw the plow that he was to yoke to the bulls； he saw the yoke of
bronze near it； he saw the tracks of the bulls' hooves。 He followed the
tracks until he came to the lair of the fire…breathing bulls。 Out of that lair；
which was underground； smoke and fire belched。 He set his feet firmly
upon the ground and he held his shield before him。 He awaited the onset
of the bulls。 They came clanging up with loud bellowing； breathing out
fire。 They lowered their heads； and with mighty； iron…tipped horns they
came to gore and trample him。
Medea's charm had made him strong； Medea's charm had made his
shield impregnable。 The rush of the bulls did not overthrow him。 His
comrades shouted to see him standing firmly there； and in wonder the
Colchians gazed upon him。 All round him； as from a furnace； there came
smoke and fire。
The bulls roared mightily。 Grasping the horns of the bull that was upon
his right hand； Jason dragged him until he had brought him beside the
yoke of bronze。 Striking the brazen knees of the bull suddenly with his
foot he forced him down。 Then he smote the other bull as it rushed upon
him； and it too he forced down upon its knees。
Castor and Polydeuces held the yoke to him。 Jason bound it upon the
necks of the bulls。 He fastened the plow to the yoke。 Then he took his
shield and set it upon his back； and grasping the handles of the plow he
started to make the furrow。
With his long spear he drove the bulls before him as with a goad。
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Terribly they raged； furiously they breathed out fire。 Beside Jason Theseus
went holding the helmet that held the dragon's teeth。 The hard ground was
torn up by the plow of adamant； and the clods groaned as they were cast
up。 Jason flung the teeth between the open sods； often turning his head in
fear that the deadly crop of the Earth…born Men were rising behind him。
By the time that a third of the day was finished the field of Ares had
been plowed and sown。 As yet the furrows were free of the Earth…born
Men。 Jason went down to the river and filled his helmet full of water and
drank deeply。 And his knees that were stiffened with the plowing he bent
until they were made supple again。
He saw the field rising into mounds。 It seemed that there were graves
all over the field of Ares。 Then he saw spears and shields and helmets
rising up out of the earth。 Then armed warriors sprang up； a fierce battle
cry upon their lips。
Jason remembered the counsel of Medea。 He raised a boulder that four
men could hardly raise and with arms hardened by the plowing he cast it。
The Colchians shouted to see such a stone cast by the hands of one man。
Right into the middle of the Earth…born Men the stone came。 They leaped
upon it like hounds； striking at one another as they came together。 Shield
crashed on shield； spear rang upon spear as they struck at each other。 The
Earth…born Men； as fast as they arose； went down before the weapons in
the hands of their brethren。
Jason rushed upon them； his sword in his hand。 He slew some that had
risen out of the earth only as far as the shoulders； he slew others whose
feet were still in the earth； he slew others who were ready to spring upon
him。 Soon all the Earth…born Men were slain； and the furrows ran with
their dark blood as channels run with water in springtime。
The Argonauts shouted loudly for Jason's victory。 King Aeetes rose
from his seat that was beside the river and he went back to the city。 The
Colchians followed him。 Day faded； and Jason's contest was ended。
But it was not the will of Aeetes that the strangers should be let depart
peaceably with the Golden Fleece that Jason had won。 In the assembly
place； with his son Apsyrtus beside him； and with the furious Colchians all
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around him； the king stood： on his breast was the gleaming corselet that
Ares had given him； and on his head was that golden helmet with its four
plumes that made him look as if he were truly the son of Helios； the Sun。
Lightnings flashed from his great eyes； he spoke fiercely to the Colchians；
holding in his hand his bronze…topped spear。
He would have them attack the strangers and burn the Argo。 He would
have the sons of Phrixus slain for bringing them to Aea。 There was a
prophecy； he declared； that would have him be watchful of the treachery of
his own offspring： this prophecy was being fulfilled by the children of
Chalciope； he feared； too； that his daughter； Medea； had aided the
strangers。 So the king spoke； and the Colchians； hating all strangers；
shouted around him。
Word of what her father had said was brought to Medea。 She knew that
she would have to go to the Argonauts and bid them flee hastily from
Aea。 They would not go； she knew； without the Golden Fleece； then she；
Medea； would have to show them how to gain the Fleece。
Then she could never again go back to her father's palace； she could
never again sit in this chamber and talk to her handmaidens； and be with
Chalciope； her sister。 Forever afterward she would be dependent on the
kindness of strangers。 Medea wept when she thought of all this。 And then
she cut off a tress of her hair and she left it in her chamber as a farewell
from one who was going afar。 Into the chamber where Chalciope was she
whispered farewell。
The palace doors were all heavily bolted； but Medea did not have to
pull back the bolts。 As she chanted her