ow ship ye came ashore."

(ll. 317-319) Such were his questions, and Argus, before all his
brethren, being fearful for the mission of Aeson's son, gently replied,
for he was the elder-born:

(ll. 320-366) "Aeetes, that ship forthwith stormy blasts tore asunder,
and ourselves, crouching on the beams, a wave drove on to the beach of
the isle of Enyalius [1303] in the murky night; and some god preserved
us. For even the birds of Ares that haunted the desert isle beforetime,
not even them did we find. But these men had driven them off, having
landed from their ship on the day before; and the will of Zeus taking
pity on us, or some fate, detained them there, since they straightway
gave us both food and clothing in abundance, when they heard the
illustrious name of Phrixus and thine own; for to thy city are they
faring. And if thou dost wish to know their errand, I will not hide it
from time. A certain king, vehemently longing to drive this man far from
his fatherland and possessions, because in might he outshone all the
sons of Aeolus, sends him to voyage hither on a bootless venture; and
asserts that the stock of Aeolus will not escape the heart-grieving
wrath and rage of implacable Zeus, nor the unbearable curse and
vengeance due for Phrixus, until the fleece comes back to Hellas. And
their ship was fashioned by Pallas Athena, not such a one as are the
ships among the Colchians, on the vilest of which we chanced. For the
fierce waves and wind broke her utterly to pieces; but the other holds
firm with her bolts, even though all the blasts should buffet her. And
with equal swiftness she speedeth before the wind and when the crew ply
the oar with unresting hands. And he hath gathered in her the mightiest
heroes of all Achaea, and hath come to thy city from wandering far
through cities and gulfs of the dread ocean, in the hope that thou wilt
grant him the fleece. But as thou dost please, so shall it be, for he
cometh not to use force, but is eager to pay thee a recompense for the
gift. He has heard from me of thy bitter foes the Sauromatae, and he
will subdue them to thy sway. And if thou desirest to know their names
and lineage I will tell thee all. This man on whose account the rest
were gathered from Hellas, they call Jason, son of Aeson, whom Cretheus
begat. And if in truth he is of the stock of Cretheus himself, thus he
would be our kinsman on the father's side. For Cretheus and Athamas were
both sons of Aeolus; and Phri