And they wondered at that mighty city, with its roofs of burnished brass, and long and lofty walls of marble, with strong palisades above.

And the quays were full of people, merchants, and mariners, and slaves, going to and fro with merchandise among the crowd of ships.

And the heroes' hearts were humbled, and they looked at each other and said, 'We thought ourselves a gallant crew when we sailed from Iolcos by the sea; but how small we look before this city, like an ant before a hive of bees.' Then the sailors hailed them roughly from the quay, 'What men are you ?--we want no strangers here, nor pirates.

We keep our business to ourselves.' But Jason answered gently, with many a flattering word, and praised their city and their harbour, and their fleet of gallant ships.

'Surely you are the children of Poseidon, and the masters of the sea; and we are but poor wandering mariners, worn out with thirst and toil.