ll 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. 1219-1225) "Be not so fearful in spirit, my good friend. For we
are not so lacking in prowess as to be no match for Aeetes to try his
strength with arms; but I deem that we too are cunning in war, we that
go thither, near akin to the blood of the blessed gods. Wherefore if he
will not grant us the fleece of gold for friendship's sake, the tribes
of the Colchians will not avail him, I ween."

(ll. 1226-1230) Thus they addressed each other in turn, until again,
satisfied with their feast, they turned to rest. And when they rose
at dawn a gentle breeze was blowing; and they raised the sails, which
strained to the rush of the wind, and quickly they left behind the
island of Ares.

(ll. 1231-1241) And at nightfall they came to the island of Philyra,
where Cronos, son of Uranus, what time in Olympus he reigned over the
Titans, and Zeus was yet being nurtured in a Cretan cave by the Curetes
of Ida, lay beside Philyra, when he had deceived Rhea; and the goddess
found them in the midst of their dalliance; and Cronos leapt up from the
couch with a rush in the form of a steed with flowing mane, but Ocean's
daughter, Philyra, in shame left the spot and those haunts, and came
to the long Pelasgian ridges, where by her union with the transfigured
deity she brought forth huge Cheiron, half like a horse, half like a
god.

(ll. 1242-1261) Thence they sailed on, past the Macrones and the
far-stretching land of the Becheiri and the overweening Sapeires, and
after them the Byzeres; for ever forward they clave their way, quickly
borne by the gentle breeze. And lo, as they sped on, a deep gulf of the
sea was opened, and lo, the steep