Then he must fight with all those warriors; and little will it profit him to conquer them, for the fleece is guarded by a serpent, more huge than any mountain pine; and over his body you must step if you would reach the golden fleece.' Then Jason laughed bitterly.

'Unjustly is that fleece kept here, and by an unjust and lawless king; and unjustly shall I die in my youth, for I will attempt it ere another sun be set.' Then Medeia trembled, and said, 'No mortal man can reach that fleece unless I guide him through.

For round it, beyond the river, is a wall full nine ells high, with lofty towers and buttresses, and mighty gates of threefold brass; and over the gates the wall is arched, with golden battlements above.

And over the gateway sits Brimo, the wild witch-huntress of the woods, brandishing a pine-torch in her hands, while her mad hounds howl around.

No man dare meet her or look on her, but only I her priestess, and she watches far and wide lest any stranger should come near.' 'No wall so high but it may be climbed at last, and no wood so thick but it may be crawled through; no serpent so wary but he may be charmed, or witch-queen so fierce but spells may soothe her; and I may yet win the golden fleece, if a wise maiden help bold men.' And he looked at Medeia cunningly, and held her with his glittering eye, till she blushed and trembled, and said-- 'Who can face the fire of the bulls' breath, and fight ten thousand armed men ?' 'He whom you help,' said Jason, flattering her, 'for your fame is spread over all the earth.