\"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！