noxious roots of the earth, as a sorceress is wont to do; and her
soul fluttered with quivering fear. And the Titanian goddess, the moon,
rising from a far land, beheld her as she fled distraught, and fiercely
exulted over her, and thus spake to her own heart:

(ll. 57-65) "Not I alone then stray to the Latinian cave, nor do I alone
burn with love for fair Endymion; oft times with thoughts of love have I
been driven away by thy crafty spells, in order that in the darkness
of night thou mightest work thy sorcery at ease, even the deeds dear to
thee. And now thou thyself too hast part in a like mad passion; and some
god of affection has given thee Jason to be thy grievous woe. Well, go
on, and steel thy heart, wise though thou be, to take up thy burden of
pain, fraught with many sighs."

(ll. 66-82) Thus spake the goddess; but swiftly the maiden's feet bore
her, hasting on. And gladly did she gain the high-bank of the river and
beheld on the opposite side the gleam of fire, which all night long the
heroes were kindling in joy at the contest's issue. Then through the
gloom, with clear-pealing voice from across the stream, she called on
Phrontis, the youngest of Phrixus' sons, and he with his brothers and
Aeson's son recognised the maiden's voice; and in silence his comrades
wondered when they knew that it was so in truth. Thrice she called, and
thrice at the bidding of the company Phrontis called out in reply; and
meantime the heroes were rowing with swift-moving oars in search of her.
Not yet were they casting the ship's hawsers upon the opposite bank,
when Jason with light feet leapt to land from the deck above, and after
him Phrontis and Argus, sons of Phrixus, leapt to the ground; and she,
clasping their knees with both hands, thus addressed them:

(ll. 83-91) "Save me, the hapless one, my friends, from Aeetes, and
yourselves too, for all is brought to light, nor doth any remedy come.
But let us flee upon the ship, before the king mounts his swift chariot.
And I will lull to sleep the guardian serpent and give you the fleece of
gold; but do thou, stranger, amid thy comrades make the gods witness
of the vows thou hast taken on thyself for my sake; and now that I have
fled far from my country, make me not a mark for blame and dishonour for
want of kinsmen."

(ll. 92-98) She spake in anguish; but greatly did the heart of Aeson's
son rejoice, and at once, as she fell at his knees, he raised her gently
and embraced her,