crags of the Caucasian mountains rose
up, where, with his limbs bound upon the hard rocks by galling fetters
of bronze, Prometheus fed with his liver an eagle that ever rushed back
to its prey. High above the ship at even they saw it flying with a loud
whirr, near the clouds; and yet it shook all the sails with the fanning
of those huge wings. For it had not the form of a bird of the air but
kept poising its long wing-feathers like polished oars. And not long
after they heard the bitter cry of Prometheus as his liver was being
torn away; and the air rang with his screams until they marked the
ravening eagle rushing back from the mountain on the self-same track.
And at night, by the skill of Argus, they reached broad-flowing Phasis,
and the utmost bourne of the sea.

(ll. 1262-1276) And straightway they let down the sails and the yard-arm
and stowed them inside the hollow mast-crutch, and at once they lowered
the mast itself till it lay along; and quickly with oars they entered
the mighty stream of the river; and round the prow the water surged as
it gave them way. And on their left hand they had lofty Caucasus and
the Cytaean city of Aea, and on the other side the plain of Ares and the
sacred grove of that god, where the serpent was keeping watch and ward
over the fleece as it hung on the leafy branches of an oak. And Aeson's
son himself from a golden goblet poured into the river libations of
honey and pure wine to Earth and to the gods of the country, and to the
souls of dead heroes; and he besought them of their grace to give kindly
aid, and to welcome their ship's hawsers with favourable omen. And
straightway Ancaeus spake these words:

(ll. 1277-1280) "We have reached the Colchian land and the stream of
Phasis; and it is time for us to take counsel whether we shall make
trial of Aeetes with soft words, or an attempt of another kind shall be
fitting."

(ll. 1281-1285) Thus he spake, and by the advice of Argus Jason bade
them enter a shaded backwater and let the ship ride at anchor off shore;
and it was near at hand in their course and there they passed the night.
And soon the dawn appeared to their expectant eyes.

BOOK III

(ll. 1-5) Come now, Erato, stand by my side, and say next how Jason
brought back the fleece to Iolcus aided by the love of Medea. For thou
sharest the power of Cypris, and by thy love-cares dost charm unwedded
maidens; wherefore to thee too is attached a name that tells of love.

(l