nd the Haemonian rock, or well-wooded Geraestus; even
so was Aeetes, lord of the Colchians, to behold.

(ll. 1246-1277) Meanwhile, prompted by Medea, Jason steeped the charm in
water and sprinkled with it his shield and sturdy spear, and sword; and
his comrades round him made proof of his weapons with might and main,
but could not bend that spear even a little, but it remained firm in
their stalwart hands unbroken as before. But in furious rage with them
Idas, Aphareus' son, with his great sword hewed at the spear near the
butt, and the edge leapt back repelled by the shock, like a hammer
from the anvil; and the heroes shouted with joy for their hope in the
contest. And then he sprinkled his body, and terrible prowess entered
into him, unspeakable, dauntless; and his hands on both sides thrilled
vigorously as they swelled with strength. And as when a warlike steed
eager for the fight neighs and beats the ground with his hoof, while
rejoicing he lifts his neck on high with ears erect; in such wise did
Aeson's son rejoice in the strength of his limbs. And often hither
and thither did he leap high in air tossing in his hands his shield of
bronze and ashen spear. Thou wouldst say that wintry lightning flashing
from the gloomy sky kept on darting forth from the clouds what time they
bring with them their blackest rainstorm. Not long after that were the
heroes to hold back from the contests; but sitting in rows on their
benches they sped swiftly on to the plain of Ares. And it lay in
front of them on the opposite side of the city, as far off as is the
turning-post that a chariot must reach from the starting-point, when the
kinsmen of a dead king appoint funeral games for footmen and horsemen.
And they found Aeetes and the tribes of the Colchians; these were
stationed on the Caucasian heights, but the king by the winding brink of
the river.

(ll. 1278-1325) Now Aeson's son, as soon as his comrades had made the
hawsers fast, leapt from the ship, and with spear and shield came forth
to the contest; and at the same time he took the gleaming helmet of
bronze filled with sharp teeth, and his sword girt round his shoulders,
his body stripped, in somewise resembling Ares and in somewise Apollo
of the golden sword. And gazing over the field he saw the bulls' yoke
of bronze and near it the plough, all of one piece, of stubborn adamant.
Then he came near, and fixed his sturdy spear upright on its butt, and
taking his helmet, off leant