190

By Argus warn'd, the social band withdrew. Th' adventurous path the chief and maid pursue, Along that path the sacred grove they sought, Where tow'r'd the beech, with fleecy treasure fraught, -They see the plant it's giant arms unfold; And bright between appears the pendent gold, Like flaming clouds, with curling radiance bright, That blush, illumin'd by the dawning light The watchful dragon that the fleece defends, A length immense his waving neck extends. Onward the lovers move; his eyeballs flame; And direful hissings their advance proclaim. Baleful and shrill was that ill-omen'd sound; Th' extended shores re-echoed all around.They heard, who, far from the Titanian strand, Plough the wide limits of the Colchian land; Where Lycus from Araxes loud divides, And joys, with Phasis mix'd, to roll his sacred tides. Scar'd by the noise, the mothers start from rest; And press their new-born infants to the breast. From burning woods, ascending to the pole, As globes of smoke in fiery volumes roll; Cloud urges cloud; th' incessant vapours rise, Enormous wreaths, and whirl along the skies; The monster huge impèll'd his countless spires, O'erlaid with scales, that shone like distant fires. Onward he labour'd, with tremendous sway.The maid advanc'd, and stood athwart his way. With softest sweetest notes she call'd a pow'r, Bland, but sufficient in that dangerous hour. With warbled strain she call'd the God of sleep, In Lethe's dew those watchful eyes to steep. Yet more she summons, from beneath the ground, The queen rever'd in shades of night profound. "Rise, awful Hecate, propitious pow'r. "Aid the bold purpose of this fatal hour!”,

1200

210

220

Brave as he was, and oft in perils tried,
With faltering steps the youth pursued his guide.
Now, wrought the mystic charm, with potent sway.
Entranc'd, dissolv'd the dreadful monster lay,
With spine relax'd, extended o'er the plain,
In orbs diffuse uncoil'd his scaly train.-
When breezes fill th' expansive sail no more,
And not a wave is heard to lash the shore,
In placid silence, thus the billows sleep;
And languid curls are spread along the deep.
Yet, still aloft his horrid head he rear'd;
And still in act to close his jaws appear'd;
With dreadful menace. But the nymph display'd
A mystic bough, cut from the sacred shade,
A branch of juniper in drugs bedew'd,
With potency by magic spell imbued.--
Melodious charm her tuneful voice applies;
She waves her opiate o'er the monster's eyes.
Diffus'd around narcotic vapour flows;
The dragon sinks subdued, in deep repose,
Unmoving, harmless, as the silent dead;
His gaping jaws were fix'd; he hung his head;
And spreading, like some vast meand'ring flood,
His powerless volumes stretch'd along the wood. 240
Exhorted by the maid, without delay,

The youth approach'd the tree, to seise the prey;
While, near the dragon fix'd, th' intrepid maid
O'er his dire head the flattering unction laid.
She waited thus, unmov'd, and unappall'd,
Till to the ship the youth her steps recall'd,
When now departing from the sacred grove,

He

gave the sign, of safety, and of love.

As when, exulting in reflected light,

230

The full-orb'd moon displays the torch of night; 25 Some maid delighted sees the splendour fall,

On the high cieling, or the chamber wall;

Around she sees the circling lustre dance,
And spreads her veil to catch th' illusive glance;
So joy'd the youthful hero, to behold

260

The light, reflected from the fleece of gold;
While, as he bore the glorious prize on high,
The ruddy splendors lighten'd to the sky.
O'er his fresh cheek the fiery lustre beams,
The radiance on his front of ivory streams.
That fleece was ample, as an heifer's hide,
Or skin of hinds, that in Achaia bide;
So large it spread, with the metallic freight,
Of golden locks that curl'd, enormous weight.
The rays were darted round, so bright and strong;
The path seem'd gilded, as he strode along.
O'er his broad shoulders now the treasure flung,
Descending ponderous to his footsteps hung;
Now, in his hands the precious fleece he holds;
And turns with anxious care the shining folds;
270
While round his eyes are glanc'd with jealous fear,
Lest god or mortal should the conquest bear.-
Now, rose Aurora, blushing from the main.
The youthful lovers join'd the social train.
In mute amaze, that gallant band survey
The fleece, refulgent with a fiery ray;
As bright, as flaming, as the bolt of Jove;
And all to touch the sacred burden strove.

The youth forbade; and from their sight withdrew.
A new-wrought mantle o'er the fleece he threw. 280
Then, near the helm he plac'd the royal maid;
And, turning to his brave companions said.

"No more, despondence shall afflict this band.— "Despair no longer of your native land.— "The vast emprize, that most allur'd and griev'd, "Hope of our toil and perils, is atchiev'd.— "Behold this lovely maid, with grateful hearts. "Ascribe your safety to her prosperous arts.

aid,

"Her, to my home, a virgin bride I bear, "Alike from gratitude and beauty dear. "If charms, if benefits may claim your "My friends will guard our tutelary maid, "Whose hand beneficent bestows the fleece, "And home conducts you, to your loves in Greece. "But think not yet our labours at an end; "What art obtain'd your valour must defend. “-Æetes soon, with savage throngs, will sweep, "To bar our exit, to the friendly deep.

290

309

"Some, urge the vessel from these dangerous shores, “Set, man to man, alternate at your oars.— "Half grasp the shield compact of many a hide; "And be the foes in open fight defied.

Each, in that hour, will feel upon his hand,
"Loves, children, parents, friends, his native land,
"All, that possest delights the human heart;
"All, all, that lost affliction can impart.
"This moment calls us, to renown or shame.".
He ceas'd. His arms around the hero flame.
Loud shouts of ardour burst from all the crew.
Their leader from the sheath his falchion drew.
Nor weak nor erring hand the halser smote;
And free from land he sees the vessel float.-
Then, near Ancaus, while the helm he sway'd,
In arms he stood, beside the plighted maid.
Urg'd by th' exertions of that vigorous throng,
Το
pass the flood, the vessel shot along.

Now, from the meanest Colchian to the throne,
Medea's love and deeds by all were known.—
In armour clad the crowds to council haste,
Numerous, as billows, with the wint❜ry blast;
Numerous, as leaves in forests strew the ground;
When chiding autumn bids her gale resound;
Thus, countless they, in many a crouded rank,
With noise and fury fill'd the river's bank.

310

320

With steeds illustrious, and his polish'd car,
Amid the crowd Eetes shone from far.
The steeds, donation of his sire the sun,
Were swift, as winds or flying sounds, to run.
While in the left his circling shield he took,
A branch of flaming pine his right hand shook.
Beside him lay his spear's enormous length,
Of weight prodigious, and resistless strength.
With dext'rous hand Absyrtus held the reins.
Meantime, the welcome deep the vessel gains,
Driv'n by the force combin'd, of youthful arms,
And prosperous currents from that land of harms.
Eetes view'd, with anguish and dismay.-
To Jove appealing and the solar ray,

330

340

With hands uprais'd.-" Ye Gods, to whom belongs, "All-seeing pow'rs, the punishment of wrongs, "Receive my vows; my direful curses hear!— "And you my subjects, if my wrath ye fear; "O'ertake these traitors, if the land they keep; "O'ertake their vessel, if she ploughs the deep; "Regain that wanton, from the miscreant band; "Bring her, to feel a wrathful father's hand. "Let vengeance swiftly seise the caitiff crew; "In combat quell them; or in flight pursue.".

He ceas'd. That very day, with active care, Their ships and stores the Colchian band prepare. 350 That very day, their vessels plough'd the wave; And sails unnumber'd to the breezes gave. Not ships, but feather'd flocks, the vessels seem, That urge their flight, with many a shrilly scream.— Meantime, the Grecian vessel wing'd her path, Charg'd with the messenger of heav'nly wrath. The breezes, that with Juno's will conspire, To Pelias waft the creature of her ire.

* Medea.-See notes, vol. z. and the text ante.