第8章

"Wewillnoneofusturnback！"criedhisnineandfortybravecomrades。"Letusgetonboardthegalleythisinstant；andifthedragonistomakeabreakfastofus，muchgoodmayitdohim。"

AndOrpheus（whosecustomitwastoseteverythingtomusic）

begantoharpandsingmostgloriously，andmadeeverymother’ssonofthemfeelasifnothinginthisworldweresodelectableastofightdragons，andnothingsotrulyhonorableastobeeatenupatonemouthful，incaseoftheworst。

Afterthis（beingnowundertheguidanceofthetwoprinces，whowerewellacquaintedwiththeway），theyquicklysailedtoColchis。Whenthekingofthecountry，whosenamewasAetes，heardoftheirarrival，heinstantlysummonedJasontocourt。

Thekingwasasternandcruellookingpotentate；andthoughheputonaspoliteandhospitableanexpressionashecould，JasondidnotlikehisfaceawhitbetterthanthatofthewickedKingPelias，whodethronedhisfather。"Youarewelcome，braveJason，"saidKingAetes。"Pray，areyouonapleasurevoyage？——Ordoyoumeditatethediscoveryofunknownislands？——orwhatothercausehasprocuredmethehappinessofseeingyouatmycourt？"

"Greatsir，"repliedJason，withanobeisance——forChironhadtaughthimhowtobehavewithpropriety，whethertokingsorbeggars——"IhavecomehitherwithapurposewhichInowbegyourmajesty’spermissiontoexecute。KingPelias，whositsonmyfather’sthrone（towhichhehasnomorerightthantotheoneonwhichyourexcellentmajestyisnowseated），hasengagedtocomedownfromit，andtogivemehiscrownandsceptre，providedIbringhimtheGoldenFleece。This，asyourmajestyisaware，isnowhangingonatreehereatColchis；andI

humblysolicityourgraciousleavetotakeitaway。"Inspiteofhimself，theking’sfacetwisteditselfintoanangryfrown；

for，aboveallthingselseintheworld，heprizedtheGoldenFleece，andwasevensuspectedofhavingdoneaverywickedact，inordertogetitintohisownpossession。Itputhimintotheworstpossiblehumor，therefore，tohearthatthegallantPrinceJason，andforty-nineofthebravestyoungwarriorsofGreece，hadcometoColchiswiththesolepurposeoftakingawayhischieftreasure。

"Doyouknow，"askedKingAetes，eyeingJasonverysternly，"whataretheconditionswhichyoumustfulfillbeforegettingpossessionoftheGoldenFleece？"

"Ihaveheard，"rejoinedtheyouth，"thatadragonliesbeneaththetreeonwhichtheprizehangs，andthatwhoeverapproacheshimrunstheriskofbeingdevouredatamouthful。"

"True，"saidtheking，withasmilethatdidnotlookparticularlygood-natured。"Verytrue，youngman。Butthereareotherthingsashard，orperhapsalittleharder，tobedonebeforeyoucanevenhavetheprivilegeofbeingdevouredbythedragon。Forexample，youmustfirsttamemytwobrazen-footedandbrazen-lungedbulls，whichVulcan，thewonderfulblacksmith，madeforme。Thereisafurnaceineachoftheirstomachs；andtheybreathesuchhotfireoutoftheirmouthsandnostrils，thatnobodyhashithertogonenighthemwithoutbeinginstantlyburnedtoasmall，blackcinder。Whatdoyouthinkofthis，mybraveJason？"

"Imustencountertheperil，"answeredJason，composedly，"sinceitstandsinthewayofmypurpose。"

"Aftertamingthefierybulls，"continuedKingAetes，whowasdeterminedtoscareJasonifpossible，"youmustyokethemtoaplow，andmustplowthesacredearthintheGroveofMars，andsowsomeofthesamedragon’steethfromwhichCadmusraisedacropofarmedmen。Theyareanunrulysetofreprobates，thosesonsofthedragon’steeth；andunlessyoutreatthemsuitably，theywillfalluponyouswordinhand。YouandyournineandfortyArgonauts，myboldJason，arehardlynumerousorstrongenoughtofightwithsuchahostaswillspringup。"

"MymasterChiron，"repliedJason，"taughtme，longago，thestoryofCadmus。PerhapsIcanmanagethequarrelsomesonsofthedragon’steethaswellasCadmusdid。"

"Iwishthedragonhadhim，"mutteredKingAetestohimself，"andthefour-footedpedant，hisschoolmaster，intothebargain。Why，whatafoolhardy，self-conceitedcoxcombheis！

We’llseewhatmyfire-breathingbullswilldoforhim。Well，PrinceJason，"hecontinued，aloud，andascomplaisantlyashecould，"makeyourselfcomfortableforto-day，andto-morrowmorning，sinceyouinsistuponit，youshalltryyourskillattheplow。"

WhilethekingtalkedwithJason，abeautifulyoungwomanwasstandingbehindthethrone。Shefixedhereyesearnestlyupontheyouthfulstranger，andlistenedattentivelytoeverywordthatwasspoken；andwhenJasonwithdrewfromtheking’spresence，thisyoungwomanfollowedhimoutoftheroom。

"Iamtheking’sdaughter，"shesaidtohim，"andmynameisMedea。Iknowagreatdealofwhichotheryoungprincessesareignorant，andcandomanythingswhichtheywouldbeafraidsomuchastodreamof。Ifyouwilltrusttome，Icaninstructyouhowtotamethefierybulls，andsowthedragon’steeth，andgettheGoldenFleece。"

"Indeed，beautifulprincess，"answeredJason，"ifyouwilldomethisservice，Ipromisetobegratefultoyoumywholelifelong。"’GazingatMedea，hebeheldawonderfulintelligenceinherface。Shewasoneofthosepersonswhoseeyesarefullofmystery；sothat，whilelookingintothem，youseemtoseeaverygreatway，asintoadeepwell，yetcanneverbecertainwhetheryouseeintothefarthestdepths，orwhethertherebenotsomethingelsehiddenatthebottom。IfJasonhadbeencapableoffearinganything，hewouldhavebeenafraidofmakingthisyoungprincesshisenemy；for，beautifulasshenowlooked，shemight，theverynextinstant，becomeasterribleasthedragonthatkeptwatchovertheGoldenFleece。

"Princess，"heexclaimed，"youseemindeedverywiseandverypowerful。Buthowcanyouhelpmetodothethingsofwhichyouspeak？Areyouanenchantress？"

"Yes，PrinceJason，"answeredMedea，withasmile，"youhavehituponthetruth。Iamanenchantress。Circe，myfather’ssister，taughtmetobeone，andIcouldtellyou，ifI

pleased，whowastheoldwomanwiththepeacock，thepomegranate，andthecuckoostaff，whomyoucarriedovertheriver；and，likewise，whoitisthatspeaksthroughthelipsoftheoakenimage，thatstandsintheprowofyourgalley。Iamacquaintedwithsomeofyoursecrets，youperceive。ItiswellforyouthatIamfavorablyinclined；for，otherwise，youwouldhardlyescapebeingsnappedupbythedragon。"

"Ishouldnotsomuchcareforthedragon，"repliedJason，"ifIonlyknewhowtomanagethebrazen-footedandfiery-lungedbulls。"

"IfyouareasbraveasIthinkyou，andasyouhaveneedtobe，"saidMedea，"yourownboldheartwillteachyouthatthereisbutonewayofdealingwithamadbull。WhatitisIleaveyoutofindoutinthemomentofperil。Asforthefierybreathoftheseanimals，Ihaveacharmedointmenthere，whichwillpreventyoufrombeingburnedup，andcureyouifyouchancetobealittlescorched。"

Sosheputagoldenboxintohishand，anddirectedhimhowtoapplytheperfumedunguentwhichitcontained，andwheretomeetheratmidnight。

"Onlybebrave，"addedshe，"andbeforedaybreakthebrazenbullsshallbetamed。"

Theyoungmanassuredherthathisheartwouldnotfailhim。Hethenrejoinedhiscomrades，andtoldthemwhathadpassedbetweentheprincessandhimself，andwarnedthemtobeinreadinessincasetheremightbeneedoftheirhelp。AttheappointedhourhemetthebeautifulMedeaonthemarblestepsoftheking’spalace。Shegavehimabasket，inwhichwerethedragon’steeth，justastheyhadbeenpulledoutofthemonster’sjawsbyCadmus，longago。MedeathenledJasondownthepalacesteps，andthroughthesilentstreetsofthecity，andintotheroyalpastureground，wherethetwobrazen-footedbullswerekept。Itwasastarrynight，withabrightgleamalongtheeasternedgeofthesky，wherethemoonwassoongoingtoshowherself。Afterenteringthepasture，theprincesspausedandlookedaround。

"Theretheyare，"saidshe，"reposingthem。selvesandchewingtheirfierycudsinthatfarthestcornerofthefield。Itwillbeexcellentsport，Iassureyou，whentheycatchaglimpseofyourfigure。Myfatherandallhiscourtdelightinnothingsomuchastoseeastrangertryingtoyokethem，inordertocomeattheGoldenFleece。ItmakesaholidayinColchiswheneversuchathinghappens。Formypart，Ienjoyitimmensely。Youcannotimagineinwhatameretwinklingofaneyetheirhotbreathshrivelsayoungmanintoablackcinder。"

"Areyousure，beautifulMedea，"askedJason，"quitesure，thattheunguentinthegoldboxwillprovearemedyagainstthoseterribleburns？"

"Ifyoudoubt，ifyouareintheleastafraid，"saidtheprincess，lookinghiminthefacebythedimstarlight，"youhadbetterneverhavebeenbornthantogoastepnighertothebulls。"

ButJasonhadsethisheartsteadfastlyongettingtheGoldenFleece；andIpositivelydoubtwhetherhewouldhavegonebackwithoutit，evenhadhebeencertainoffindinghimselfturnedintoared-hotcinder，orahandfulofwhiteashes，theinstanthemadeastepfarther。HethereforeletgoMedea’shand，andwalkedboldlyforwardinthedirectionwhithershehadpointed。

Atsomedistancebeforehimheperceivedfourstreamsoffieryvapor，regularlyappearingandagainvanishing，afterdimlylightingupthesurroundingobscurity。These，youwillunderstand，werecausedbythebreathofthebrazenbulls，whichwasquietlystealingoutoftheirfournostrils，astheylaychewingtheircuds。

AtthefirsttwoorthreestepswhichJasonmade，thefourfierystreamsappearedtogushoutsomewhatmoreplentifully；

forthetwobrazenbullshadheardhisfoottramp，andwereliftinguptheirhotnosestosnufftheair。Hewentalittlefarther，andbythewayinwhichtheredvapornowspoutedforth，hejudgedthatthecreatureshadgotupontheirfeet。

Nowhecouldseeglowingsparks，andvividjetsofflame。Atthenextstep，eachofthebullsmadethepastureechowithaterribleroar，whiletheburningbreath，whichtheythusbelchedforth，litupthewholefieldwithamomentaryflash。

OneotherstridedidboldJasonmake；and，suddenlyasastreakoflightning，oncamethesefieryanimals，roaringlikethunder，andsendingoutsheetsofwhiteflame，whichsokindledupthescenethattheyoungmancoulddiscerneveryobjectmoredistinctlythanbydaylight。Mostdistinctlyofallhesawthetwohorriblecreaturesgallopingrightdownuponhim，theirbrazenhoofsrattlingandringingovertheground，andtheirtailsstickingupstifflyintotheair，ashasalwaysbeenthefashionwithangrybulls。Theirbreathscorchedtheherbagebeforethem。Sointenselyhotitwas，indeed，thatitcaughtadrytreeunderwhichJasonwasnowstanding，andsetitallinalightblaze。ButasforJasonhimself（thankstoMedea’senchantedointment），thewhiteflamecurledaroundhisbody，withoutinjuringhimajotmorethanifhehadbeenmadeofasbestos。

Greatlyencouragedatfindinghimselfnotyetturnedintoacinder，theyoungmanawaitedtheattackofthebulls。Justasthebrazenbrutesfanciedthemselvessureoftossinghimintotheair，hecaughtoneofthembythehorn，andtheotherbyhisscrewed-uptail，andheldtheminagripelikethatofanironvice，onewithhisrighthand，theotherwithhisleft。

Well，hemusthavebeenwonderfullystronginhisarms，tobesure。Butthesecretofthematterwas，thatthebrazenbullswereenchantedcreatures，andthatJasonhadbrokenthespelloftheirfieryfiercenessbyhisboldwayofhandlingthem。

And，eversincethattime，ithasbeenthefavoritemethodofbravemen，whendangerassailsthem，todowhattheycall"

takingthebullbythehorns"；andtogripehimbythetailisprettymuchthesamething——thatis，tothrowasidefear，andovercometheperilbydespisingit。Itwasnoweasytoyokethebulls，andtoharnessthemtotheplow，whichhadlainrustingonthegroundforagreatmanyyearsgoneby；solongwasitbeforeanybodycouldbefoundcapableofplowingthatpieceofland。Jason，Isuppose，hadbeentaughthowtodrawafurrowbythegoodoldChiron，who，perhaps，usedtoallowhimselftobeharnessedtotheplow。Atanyrate，ourherosucceededperfectlywellinbreakingupthegreensward；and，bythetimethatthemoonwasaquarterofherjourneyupthesky，theplowedfieldlaybeforehim，alargetractofblackearth，readytobesownwiththedragon’steeth。SoJasonscatteredthembroadcast，andharrowedthemintothesoilwithabrush-harrow，andtookhisstandontheedgeofthefield，anxioustoseewhatwouldhappennext。

"Mustwewaitlongforharvesttime？"heinquiredofMedea，whowasnowstandingbyhisside。

"Whethersoonerorlater，itwillbesuretocome，"answeredtheprincess。"Acropofarmedmenneverfailstospringup，whenthedragon’steethhavebeensown。"

Themoonwasnowhighaloftintheheavens，andthrewitsbrightbeamsovertheplowedfield，whereasyettherewasnothingtobeseen。Anyfarmer，onviewingit，wouldhavesaidthatJasonmustwaitweeksbeforethegreenbladeswouldpeepfromamongtheclods，andwholemonthsbeforetheyellowgrainwouldberipenedforthesickle。Butbyandby，alloverthefield，therewassomethingthatglistenedinthemoonbeams，likesparklingdropsofdew。Thesebrightobjectssproutedhigher，andprovedtobethesteelheadsofspears。Thentherewasadazzlinggleamfromavastnumberofpolishedbrasshelmets，beneathwhich，astheygrewfartheroutofthesoil，appearedthedarkandbeardedvisagesofwarriors，strugglingtofreethemselvesfromtheimprisoningearth。Thefirstlookthattheygaveattheupperworldwasaglareofwrathanddefiance。Nextwereseentheirbrightbreastplates；ineveryrighthandtherewasaswordoraspear，andoneachleftarmashield；andwhenthisstrangecropofwarriorshadbuthalfgrownoutoftheearth，theystruggled——suchwastheirimpatienceofrestraint——and，asitwere，torethemselvesupbytheroots。Whereveradragon’stoothhadfallen，therestoodamanarmedforbattle。Theymadeaclangorwiththeirswordsagainsttheirshields，andeyedoneanotherfiercely；fortheyhadcomeintothisbeautifulworld，andintothepeacefulmoonlight，fullofrageandstormypassions，andreadytotakethelifeofeveryhumanbrother，inrecompenseoftheboonoftheirownexistence。

Therehavebeenmanyotherarmiesintheworldthatseemedtopossessthesamefiercenaturewiththeonewhichhadnowsproutedfromthedragon’steeth；butthese，inthemoonlitfield，werethemoreexcusable，becausetheyneverhadwomenfortheirmothers。Andhowitwouldhaverejoicedanygreatcaptain，whowasbentonconqueringtheworld，likeAlexanderorNapoleon，toraiseacropofarmedsoldiersaseasilyasJasondid！Forawhile，thewarriorsstoodflourishingtheirweapons，clashingtheirswordsagainsttheirshields，andboilingoverwiththered-hotthirstforbattle。Thentheybegantoshout——"Showustheenemy！Leadustothecharge！

Deathorvictory！""Comeon，bravecomrades！Conquerordie！"

andahundredotheroutcries，suchasmenalwaysbellowforthonabattlefield，andwhichthesedragonpeopleseemedtohaveattheirtongues’ends。Atlast，thefrontrankcaughtsightofJason，who，beholdingtheflashofsomanyweaponsinthemoonlight，hadthoughtitbesttodrawhissword。Inamomentallthesonsofthedragon’steethappearedtotakeJasonforanenemy；andcryingwithonevoice，"GuardtheGoldenFleece！"

theyranathimwithupliftedswordsandprotrudedspears。

Jasonknewthatitwouldbeimpossibletowithstandthisblood-thirstybattalionwithhissinglearm，butdetermined，sincetherewasnothingbettertobedone，todieasvaliantlyasifhehimselfhadsprungfromadragon’stooth。

Medea，however，badehimsnatchupastonefromtheground。

"Throwitamongthemquickly！"criedshe。"Itistheonlywaytosaveyourself。"

ThearmedmenwerenowsonighthatJasoncoulddiscernthefireflashingoutoftheirenragedeyes，whenheletflythestone，andsawitstrikethehelmetofatallwarrior，whowasrushinguponhimwithhisbladealoft。Thestoneglancedfromthisman’shelmettotheshieldofhisnearestcomrade，andthenceflewrightintotheangryfaceofanother，hittinghimsmartlybetweentheeyes。Eachofthethreewhohadbeenstruckbythestonetookitforgrantedthathisnextneighborhadgivenhimablow；andinsteadofrunninganyfarthertowardsJason，theybegantofightamongthemselves。Theconfusionspreadthroughthehost，sothatitseemedscarcelyamomentbeforetheywereallhacking，hewing，andstabbingatoneanother，loppingoffarms，heads，andlegsanddoingsuchmemorabledeedsthatJasonwasfilledwithimmenseadmiration；

although，atthesametime，hecouldnothelplaughingtobeholdthesemightymenpunishingeachotherforanoffensewhichhehimselfhadcommitted。Inanincrediblyshortspaceoftime（almostasshort，indeed，asithadtakenthemtogrowup），allbutoneoftheheroesofthedragon’steethwerestretchedlifelessonthefield。Thelastsurvivor，thebravestandstrongestofthewhole，hadjustforceenoughtowavehiscrimsonswordoverhisheadandgiveashoutofexultation，crying，"Victory！Victory！Immortalfame！"whenhehimselffelldown，andlayquietlyamonghisslainbrethren。

Andtherewastheendofthearmythathadsproutedfromthedragon’steeth。Thatfierceandfeverishfightwastheonlyenjoymentwhichtheyhadtastedonthisbeautifulearth。

"Letthemsleepinthebedofhonor，"saidthePrincessMedea，withaslysmileatJason。"Theworldwillalwayshavesimpletonsenough，justlikethem，fightinganddyingfortheyknownotwhat，andfancyingthatposteritywilltakethetroubletoputlaurelwreathsontheirrustyandbatteredhelmets。Couldyouhelpsmiling，PrinceJason，toseetheself-conceitofthatlastfellow，justashetumbleddown？"

"Itmademeverysad，"answeredJason，gravely。"And，totellyouthetruth，princess，theGoldenFleecedoesnotappearsowellworththewinning，afterwhatIhaveherebeheld！"

"Youwillthinkdifferentlyinthemorning，"saidMedea。"True，theGoldenFleecemaynotbesovaluableasyouhavethoughtit；butthenthereisnothingbetterintheworld；andonemustneedshaveanobject，youknow。Come！Yournight’sworkhasbeenwellperformed；andto-morrowyoucaninformKingAetesthatthefirstpartofyourallottedtaskisfulfilled。"

AgreeablytoMedea’sadvice，JasonwentbetimesinthemorningtothepalaceofKingAetes。Enteringthepresencechamber，hestoodatthefootofthethrone，andmadealowobeisance。

"Youreyeslookheavy，PrinceJason，"observedtheking；"youappeartohavespentasleeplessnight。Ihopeyouhavebeenconsideringthematteralittlemorewisely，andhaveconcludednottogetyourselfscorchedtoacinder，inattemptingtotamemybrazen-lungedbulls。"

"Thatisalreadyaccomplished，mayitpleaseyourmajesty，"

repliedJason。"Thebullshavebeentamedandyoked；thefieldhasbeenplowed；thedragon’steethhavebeensownbroadcast，andharrowedintothesoil；thecropofarmedwarriorshavesprungup，andtheyhaveslainoneanother，tothelastman。

AndnowIsolicityourmajesty’spermissiontoencounterthedragon，thatImaytakedowntheGoldenFleecefromthetree，anddepart，withmynineandfortycomrades。"

KingAetesscowled，andlookedveryangryandexcessivelydisturbed；forheknewthat，inaccordancewithhiskinglypromise，heoughtnowtopermitJasontowintheFleece，ifhiscourageandskillshouldenablehimtodoso。But，sincetheyoungmanhadmetwithsuchgoodluckinthematterofthebrazenbullsandthedragon’steeth，thekingfearedthathewouldbeequallysuccessfulinslayingthedragon。Andtherefore，thoughhewouldgladlyhaveseenJasonsnappedupatamouthful，hewasresolved（anditwasaverywrongthingofthiswickedpotentate）nottorunanyfurtherriskoflosinghisbelovedFleece。

"Youneverwouldhavesucceededinthisbusiness，youngman，"

saidhe，"ifmyundutifuldaughterMedeahadnothelpedyouwithherenchantments。Hadyouactedfairly，youwouldhavebeen，atthisinstant，ablackcinder，orahandfulofwhiteashes。Iforbidyou，onpainofdeath，tomakeanymoreattemptstogettheGoldenFleece。Tospeakmymindplainly，youshallneverseteyesonsomuchasoneofitsglisteninglocks。"

Jasonlefttheking’spresenceingreatsorrowandanger。Hecouldthinkofnothingbettertobedonethantosummontogetherhisforty-ninebraveArgonauts，marchatoncetotheGroveofMars，slaythedragon，takepossessionoftheGoldenFleece，getonboardtheArgo，andspreadallsailforIolchos。

Thesuccessofthisschemedepended，itistrue，onthedoubtfulpointwhetherallthefiftyheroesmightnotbesnappedup，atsomanymouthfuls，bythedragon。But，asJasonwashasteningdownthepalacesteps，thePrincessMedeacalledafterhim，andbeckonedhimtoreturn。Herblackeyesshoneuponhimwithsuchakeenintelligence，thathefeltasiftherewereaserpentpeepingoutofthem；and，althoughshehaddonehimsomuchserviceonlythenightbefore，hewasbynomeansverycertainthatshewouldnotdohimanequallygreatmischiefbeforesunset。Theseenchantresses，youmustknow，arenevertobedependedupon。

"WhatsaysKingAetes，myroyalanduprightfather？"inquiredMedea，slightlysmiling。"WillhegiveyoutheGoldenFleece，withoutanyfurtherriskortrouble？"

"Onthecontrary，"answeredJason，"heisveryangrywithmefortamingthebrazenbullsandsowingthedragon’steeth。Andheforbidsmetomakeanymoreattempts，andpositivelyrefusestogiveuptheGoldenFleece，whetherIslaythedragonorno。"

"Yes，Jason，"saidtheprincess，"andIcantellyoumore。

UnlessyousetsailfromColchisbeforeto-morrow’ssunrise，thekingmeanstoburnyourfifty-oaredgalley，andputyourselfandyourforty-ninebravecomradestothesword。Butbeofgoodcourage。TheGoldenFleeceyoushallhave，ifitlieswithinthepowerofmyenchantmentstogetitforyou。

Waitformehereanhourbeforemidnight。"

AttheappointedhouryoumightagainhaveseenPrinceJasonandthePrincessMedea，sidebyside，stealingthroughthestreetsofColchis，ontheirwaytothesacredgrove，inthecenterofwhichtheGoldenFleecewassuspendedtoatree。

Whiletheywerecrossingthepastureground，thebrazenbullscametowardsJason，lowing，noddingtheirheads，andthrustingforththeirsnouts，which，asothercattledo，theylovedtohaverubbedandcaressedbyafriendlyhand。Theirfiercenaturewasthoroughlytamed；and，withtheirfierceness，thetwofurnacesintheirstomachshadlikewisebeenextinguished，insomuchthattheyprobablyenjoyedfarmorecomfortingrazingandchewingtheircudsthaneverbefore。Indeed，ithadheretoforebeenagreatinconveniencetothesepooranimals，that，whenevertheywishedtoeatamouthfulofgrass，thefireoutoftheirnostrilshadshriveleditup，beforetheycouldmanagetocropit。HowtheycontrivedtokeepthemselvesaliveismorethanIcanimagine。Butnow，insteadofemittingjetsofflameandstreamsofsulphurousvapor，theybreathedtheverysweetestofcowbreath。

Afterkindlypattingthebulls，JasonfollowedMedea’sguidanceintotheGroveofMars，wherethegreatoaktrees，thathadbeengrowingforcenturies，threwsothickashadethatthemoonbeamsstruggledvainlytofindtheirwaythroughit。Onlyhereandthereaglimmerfellupontheleaf-strewnearth，ornowandthenabreezestirredtheboughsaside，andgaveJasonaglimpseofthesky，lest，inthatdeepobscurity，hemightforgetthattherewasone，overhead。Atlength，whentheyhadgonefartherandfartherintotheheartoftheduskiness，MedeasqueezedJason’shand。

"Lookyonder，"shewhispered。"Doyouseeit？"

Gleamingamongthevenerableoaks，therewasaradiance，notlikethemoonbeams，butratherresemblingthegoldengloryofthesettingsun。Itproceededfromanobject，whichappearedtobesuspendedataboutaman’sheightfromtheground，alittlefartherwithinthewood。

"Whatisit？"askedJason。

"Haveyoucomesofartoseekit，"exclaimedMedea，"anddoyounotrecognizethemeedofallyourtoilsandperils，whenitglittersbeforeyoureyes？ItistheGoldenFleece。"

Jasonwentonwardafewstepsfarther，andthenstoppedtogaze。O，howbeautifulitlooked，shiningwithamarvelouslightofitsown，thatinestimableprizewhichsomanyheroeshadlongedtobehold，buthadperishedinthequestofit，eitherbytheperilsoftheirvoyage，orbythefierybreathofthebrazen-lungedbulls。

"Howgloriouslyitshines！"criedJason，inarapture。"Ithassurelybeendippedintherichestgoldofsunset。Letmehastenonward，andtakeittomybosom。"

"Stay，"saidMedea，holdinghimback。"Haveyouforgottenwhatguardsit？"

Tosaythetruth，inthejoyofbeholdingtheobjectofhisdesires，theterribledragonhadquiteslippedoutofJason’smemory。Soon，however，somethingcametopass，thatremindedhimwhatperilswerestilltobeencountered。Anantelope，thatprobablymistooktheyellowradianceforsunrise，cameboundingfleetlythroughthegrove。HewasrushingstraighttowardstheGoldenFleece，whensuddenlytherewasafrightfulhiss，andtheimmenseheadandhalfthescalybodyofthedragonwasthrustforth（forhewastwistedroundthetrunkofthetreeonwhichtheFleecehung），andseizingthepoorantelope，swallowedhimwithonesnapofhisjaws。

Afterthisfeat，thedragonseemedsensiblethatsomeotherlivingcreaturewaswithinreach，onwhichhefeltinclinedtofinishhismeal。Invariousdirectionshekeptpokinghisuglysnoutamongthetrees，stretchingouthisneckaterriblelongway，nowhere，nowthere，andnowclosetothespotwhereJasonandtheprincesswerehidingbehindanoak。Uponmyword，astheheadcamewavingandundulatingthroughtheair，andreachingalmostwithinarm’slengthofPrinceJason，itwasaveryhideousanduncomfortablesight。Thegapeofhisenormousjawswasnearlyaswideasthegatewayoftheking’spalace。

"Well，Jason，"whisperedMedea（forshewasillnatured，asallenchantressesare，andwantedtomaketheboldyouthtremble），"whatdoyouthinknowofyourprospectofwinningtheGoldenFleece？"

Jasonansweredonlybydrawinghissword，andmakingastepforward。

"Stay，foolishyouth，"saidMedea，graspinghisarm。"Donotyouseeyouarelost，withoutmeasyourgoodangel？InthisgoldboxIhaveamagicpotion，whichwilldothedragon’sbusinessfarmoreeffectuallythanyoursword。"

Thedragonhadprobablyheardthevoices；forswiftaslightning，hisblackheadandforkedtonguecamehissingamongthetreesagain，dartingfullfortyfeetatastretch。Asitapproached，Medeatossedthecontentsofthegoldboxrightdownthemonster’swide-openthroat。Immediately，withanoutrageoushissandatremendouswriggle——flinginghistailuptothetip-topofthetallesttree，andshatteringallitsbranchesasitcrashedheavilydownagain——thedragonfellatfulllengthupontheground，andlayquitemotionless。

"Itisonlyasleepingpotion，"saidtheenchantresstoPrinceJason。"Onealwaysfindsauseforthesemischievouscreatures，soonerorlater；soIdidnotwishtokillhimoutright。Quick！

Snatchtheprize，andletusbegone。YouhavewontheGoldenFleece。"

Jasoncaughtthefleecefromthetree，andhurriedthroughthegrove，thedeepshadowsofwhichwereilluminatedashepassedbythegoldengloryofthepreciousobjectthatheborealong。

Alittlewaybeforehim，hebeheldtheoldwomanwhomhehadhelpedoverthestream，withherpeacockbesideher。Sheclappedherhandsforjoy，andbeckoninghimtomakehaste，disappearedamongtheduskinessofthetrees。EspyingthetwowingedsonsoftheNorthWind（whoweredisportingthemselvesinthemoonlight，afewhundredfeetaloft），JasonbadethemtelltherestoftheArgonautstoembarkasspeedilyaspossible。ButLynceus，withhissharpeyes，hadalreadycaughtaglimpseofhim，bringingtheGoldenFleece，althoughseveralstonewalls，ahill，andtheblackshadowsoftheGroveofMars，intervenedbetween。Byhisadvice，theheroeshadseatedthemselvesonthebenchesofthegalley，withtheiroarsheldperpendicularly，readytoletfallintothewater。

AsJasondrewnear，heheardtheTalkingImagecallingtohimwithmorethanordinaryeagerness，initsgrave，sweetvoice：

"Makehaste，PrinceJason！Foryourlife，makehaste！"

Withonebound，heleapedaboard。AtsightofthegloriousradianceoftheGoldenFleece，thenineandfortyheroesgaveamightyshout，andOrpheus，strikinghisharp，sangasongoftriumph，tothecadenceofwhichthegalleyflewoverthewater，homewardbound，asifcareeringalongwithwings！