uch then
were the wondrous works that the craftsman-god Hephaestus had fashioned
in the palace of Cytaean Aeetes. And he wrought for him bulls with feet
of bronze, and their mouths were of bronze, and from them they breathed
out a terrible flame of fire; moreover he forged a plough of unbending
adamant, all in one piece, in payment of thanks to Helios, who had taken
the god up in his chariot when faint from the Phlegraean fight. [1301]
And here an inner-court was built, and round it were many well-fitted
doors and chambers here and there, and all along on each side was
a richly-wrought gallery. And on both sides loftier buildings stood
obliquely. In one, which was the loftiest, lordly Aeetes dwelt with his
queen; and in another dwelt Apsyrtus, son of Aeetes, whom a Caucasian
nymph, Asterodeia, bare before he made Eidyia his wedded wife, the
youngest daughter of Tethys and Oceanus. And the sons of the Colchians
called him by the new name of Phaethon, [1302] because he outshone
all the youths. The other buildings the handmaidens had, and the two
daughters of Aeetes, Chalciope and Medea. Medea then [they found] going
from chamber to chamber in search of her sister, for Hera detained her
within that day; but beforetime she was not wont to haunt the palace,
but all day long was busied in Hecate's temple, since she herself was
the priestess of the goddess. And when she saw them she cried aloud,
and quickly Chalciope caught the sound; and her maids, throwing down at
their feet their yarn and their thread, rushed forth all in a throng.
And she, beholding her sons among them, raised her hands aloft through
joy; and so they likewise greeted their mother, and when they saw her
embraced her in their gladness; and she with many sobs spoke thus:

(ll. 260-267) "After all then, ye were not destined to leave me in
your heedlessness and to wander far; but fate has turned you back. Poor
wretch that I am! What a yearning for Hellas from some woeful madness
seized you at the behest of your father Phrixus. Bitter sorrows for
my heart did he ordain when dying. And why should ye go to the city of
Orchomenus, whoever this Orchomenus is, for the sake of Athamas' wealth,
leaving your mother alone to bear her grief?"

(ll. 268-274) Such were her words; and Aeetes came forth last of all
and Eidyia herself came, the queen of Aeetes, on hearing the voice of
Chalciope; and straightway all the court was filled with a throng. Some
of the thralls were