on to be forsworn, nor let the father,
if thou canst help, work with angry heart some intolerable mischief on
his child. For fathers are all too jealous against their children; what
wrong did Nycteus devise against Antiope, fair of face! What woes did
Danae endure on the wide sea through her sire's mad rage! Of late, and
not far away, Echetus in wanton cruelty thrust spikes of bronze in his
daughter's eyes; and by a grievous fate is she wasting away, grinding
grains of bronze in a dungeon's gloom."

Thus she spake, beseeching; and by his wife's words his heart was
softened, and thus he spake:

"Arete, with arms I could drive forth the Colchians, showing grace to
the heroes for the maiden's sake. But I fear to set at nought the
righteous judgment of Zeus. Nor is it well to take no thought of Aeetes,
as thou sayest: for none is more lordly than Aeetes. And, if he willed,
he might bring war upon Hellas, though he dwell afar. Wherefore it is
right for me to deliver the judgement that in all men's eyes shall be
best; and I will not hide it from thee. If she be yet a maid I decree
that they carry her back to her father; but if she shares a husband's
bed, I will not separate her from her lord; nor, if she bear a child
beneath her breast, will I give it up to an enemy."

Thus he spake, and at once sleep laid him to rest. And she stored up in
her heart the word of wisdom, and straightway rose from her couch and
went through the palace; and her handmaids came hasting together,
eagerly tending their mistress. But quietly she summoned her herald and
addressed him, in her prudence urging Aeson's son to wed the maiden, and
not to implore Alcinous; for he himself, she said, will decree to the
Colchians that if she is still a maid he will deliver her up to be borne
to her father's house, but that if she shares a husband's bed he will
not sever her from wedded love.

Thus she spake, and quickly from the hall his feet bore him, that be
might declare to Jason the fair-omened speech of Arete and the counsel
of god-fearing Alcinous. And he found the heroes watching in full armour
in the haven of Hyllus, near the city; and out he spake the whole
message; and each hero's heart rejoiced; for the word that he spake was
welcome.

And straightway they mingled a bowl to the blessed ones, as is right,
and reverently led sheep to the altar, and for that very night prepared
for the maiden the bridal couch in the sacred cave, where once dwelt
Ma