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, The youth approach'd the tree, to seise the prey; 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, 260 The light, reflected from the fleece of gold; The youth forbade; and from their sight withdrew. "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, Now, from the meanest Colchian to the throne, 310 320 With steeds illustrious, and his polish'd car, 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. |