And thou, if thou wilt accomplish such deeds as these, on that very day shalt carry off the fleece to the king's palace; ere that time comes I will not give it, expect it not.

For indeed it is unseemly that a brave man should yield to a coward." (ll.

422-426) Thus he spake; and Jason, fixing his eyes on the ground, sat just as he was, speechless, helpless in his evil plight.

For a long time he turned the matter this way and that, and could in no way take on him the task with courage, for a mighty task it seemed; and at last he made reply with crafty words: (ll.

427-431) "With thy plea of right, Aeetes, thou dost shut me in overmuch.