Yet I would that he had escaped unharmed; yea, may this be so, revered goddess, daughter of Perses, may he avoid death and return home; but if it be his lot to be o'ermastered by the oxen, may he first learn this that I at least do not rejoice in his cruel calamity." Thus then was the maiden's heart racked by love-cares.

But when the others had gone forth from the people and the city, along the path by which at the first they had come from the plain, then Argus addressed Jason with these words: "Son of Aeson, thou wilt despise the counsel which I will tell thee, but, though in evil plight, it is not fitting to forbear from the trial.
Ere now thou hast heard me tell of a maiden that uses sorcery under the guidance of Hecate, Perses' daughter.

If we could win her aid there will be no dread, methinks, of thy defeat in the contest; but terribly do I fear that my mother will not take this task upon her.

Nevertheless I will go back again to entreat her, for a common destruction overhangs us all." He spake with goodwill, and Jason answered with these words: "Good friend, if this is good in thy sight, I say not nay.

Go and move thy mother, beseeching her aid with prudent words; pitiful indeed is our hope when we have put our return in the keeping of women." So he spake, and quickly they reached the back-water.