But Aeetes is terribly armed with deadly ruthlessness; wherefore exceedingly do I dread this voyage.

And he boasts himself to be the son of Helios; and all round dwell countless tribes of Colchians; and he might match himself with Ares in his dread war-cry and giant strength.

Nay, to seize the fleece in spite of Aeetes is no easy task; so huge a serpent keeps guard round and about it, deathless and sleepless, which Earth herself brought forth on the sides of Caucasus, by the rock of Typhaon, where Typhaon, they say, smitten by the bolt of Zeus, son of Cronos, when he lifted against the god his sturdy hands, dropped from his head hot gore; and in such plight he reached the mountains and plain of Nysa, where to this day he lies whelmed beneath the waters of the Serbonian lake." (ll.

1216-1218) Thus he spake, and straightway many a cheek grew pale when they heard of so mighty an adventure.

But quickly Peleus answered with cheering words, and thus spake: (ll.