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d the ground forgetful of the heaven…sent woes thronging round her and of others that were destined to follow。 And she called to her maids。 Twelve they were； who lay during the night in the vestibule of her fragrant chamber； young as herself； not yet sharing the bridal couch； and she bade them hastily yoke the mules to the chariot to bear her to the beauteous shrine of Hecate。 Thereupon the handmaids were making ready the chariot； and Medea meanwhile took from the hollow casket a charm which men say is called the charm of Prometheus。 If a man should anoint his body therewithal； having first appeased the Maiden； the only…begotten； with sacrifice by night； surely that man could not be wounded by the stroke of bronze nor would he flinch from blazing fire； but for that day he would prove superior both in prowess and in might。 It shot up first… born when the ravening eagle on the rugged flanks of Caucasus let drip to the earth the blood…like ichor of tortured Prometheus。 And its flower appeared a cubit above ground in colour like the Corycian crocus； rising on twin stalks； but in the earth the root was like newly…cut flesh。 The dark juice of it； like the sap of a mountain…oak； she had gathered in a Caspian shell to make the charm withal； when she had first bathed in seven ever…flowing streams； and had called seven times on Brimo； nurse of youth； night…wandering Brimo； of the underworld； queen among the dead； in the gloom of night； clad in dusky garments。 And beneath； the dark earth shook and bellowed when the Titanian root was cut； and the son of Iapetus himself groaned； his soul distraught with pain。 And she brought the charm forth and placed it in the fragrant band which engirdled her； just beneath her bosom； divinely fair。 And going forth she mounted the swift chariot； and with her went two handmaidens on each side。 And she herself took the reins and in her right hand the well…fashioned whip； and drove through the city； and the rest； the handmaids； laid their hands on the chariot behind and ran along the broad highway； and they kilted up their light robes above their white knees。 And even as by the mild waters of Parthenius； or after bathing in the river Amnisus； Leto's daughter stands upon her golden chariot and courses over the hills with her swift…footed roes； to greet from afar some richly…steaming hecatomb； and with her come the nymphs in attendance； gathering； some at the spring of Amnisus itself； others by the glens and many…fountained peaks； and round her whine and fawn the beasts cowering as she moves along： thus they sped through the city； and on both sides the people gave way； shunning the eyes of the royal maiden。 But when she had left the city's well paved streets； and was approaching the shrine as she drove over the plains； then she alighted eagerly from the smooth… running chariot and spake as follows among her maidens：
（ll。 891…911） 〃Friends； verily have I sinned greatly and took no heed not to go among the stranger…folk 1 who roam over our land。 The whole city is smitten with dismay； wherefore no one of the women who formerly gathered here day by day has now come hither。 But since we have come and no one else draws near； come； let us satisfy our souls without stint with soothing song； and when we have plucked the fair flowers amid the tender grass； that very hour will we return。 And with many a gift shall ye reach home this very day； if ye will gladden me with this desire of mine。 For Argus pleads with me； also Chalciope herself； but this that ye hear from me keep silently in your hearts； lest the tale reach my father's ears。 As for yon stranger who took on him the task with the oxen； they bid me receive his gifts and rescue him from the deadly contest。 And I approved their counsel； and I have summoned him to come to my presence apart from his comrades； so that we may divide the gifts among ourselves if he bring them in his hands； and in return may give him a baleful charm。 But when he comes； do ye stand aloof。〃
（ll。 912…918） So she spake； and the crafty counsel pleased them all。 And straightway Argus drew Aeson's son apart from his comrades as soon as he heard from his brothers that Medea had gone at daybreak to the holy shrine of Hecate； and led him over the plain； and with them went Mopsus； son of Ampycus； skilled to utter oracles from the appearance of birds； and skilled to give good counsel to those who set out on a journey。
（ll。 919…926） Never yet had there been such a man in the days of old； neither of all the heroes of the lineage of Zeus himself； nor of those who sprung from the blood of the other gods； as on that day the bride of Zeus made Jason； both to look upon and to hold converse with。 Even his comrades wondered as they gazed upon him； radiant with manifold graces； and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in their journey； already foreboding how all would end。
（ll。 927…931） Now by the path along the plain there stands near the shrine a poplar with its crown of countless leaves； whereon often chattering crows would roost。 One of them meantime as she clapped her wings aloft in the branches uttered the counsels of Hera：
（ll。 932…937） 〃What a pitiful seer is this； that has not the wit to conceive even what children know； how that no maiden will say a word of sweetness or love to a youth when strangers be near。 Begone； sorry prophet； witless one； on thee neither Cypris nor the gentle Loves breathe in their kindness。〃
（ll。 938…946） She spake chiding； and Mopsus smiled to hear the god…sent voice of the bird； and thus addressed them： 〃Do thou； son of Aeson； pass on to the temple； where thou wilt find the maiden； and very kind will her greeting be to thee through the prompting of Cypris； who will be thy helpmate in the contest； even as Phineus； Agenor's son； foretold。 But we two； Argus and I； will await thy return； apart in this very spot； do thou all alone be a suppliant and win her over with prudent words。〃
（ll。 947…974） He spake wisely； and both at once gave approval。 Nor was Medea's heart turned to other thoughts； for all her singing； and never a song that she essayed pleased her long in her sport。 But in confusion she ever faltered； nor did she keep her eyes resting quietly upon the throng of her handmaids； but to the paths far off she strained her gaze； turning her face aside。 Oft did her heart sink fainting within her bosom whenever she fancied she heard passing by the sound of a footfall or of the wind。 But soon he appeared to her longing eyes； striding along loftily； like Sirius coming from ocean； which rises fair and clear to see； but brings unspeakable mischief to flocks； thus then did Aeson's son come to her； fair to see； but the sight of him brought love…sick care。 Her heart fell from out her bosom； and a dark mist came over her eyes； and a hot blush covered her cheeks。 And she had no strength to lift her knees backwards or forwards； but her feet beneath were rooted to the ground； and meantime all her handmaidens had drawn aside。 So they two stood face to face without a word； without a sound； like oaks or lofty pines； which stand quietly side by side on the mountains when the wind is still； then again； when stirred by the breath of the wind； they murmur c