s? For which in no seemly wise, with
shameless will, I have left my country, the glories of my home and even
my parents--things that were dearest to me; and far away all alone I
am borne over the sea with the plaintive kingfishers because of thy
trouble, in order that I might save thy life in fulfilling the contests
with the oxen and the earthborn men. Last of all the fleece--when the
matter became known, it was by my folly thou didst win it; and a foul
reproach have I poured on womankind. Wherefore I say that as thy child,
thy bride and thy sister, I follow thee to the land of Hellas. Be ready
to stand by me to the end, abandon me not left forlorn of thee when thou
dost visit the kings. But only save me; let justice and right, to which
we have both agreed, stand firm; or else do thou at once shear through
this neck with the sword, that I may gain the guerdon due to my mad
passion. Poor wretch! if the king, to whom you both commit your cruel
covenant, doom me to belong to my brother. How shall I come to my
father's sight? Will it be with a good name? What revenge, what heavy
calamity shall I not endure in agony for the terrible deeds I have done?
And wilt thou win the return that thy heart desires? Never may Zeus'
bride, the queen of all, in whom thou dost glory, bring that to pass.
Mayst thou some time remember me when thou art racked with anguish; may
the fleece like a dream vanish into the nether darkness on the wings
of the wind! And may my avenging Furies forthwith drive thee from thy
country, for all that I have suffered through thy cruelty! These curses
will not be allowed to fall unaccomplished to the ground. A mighty oath
hast thou transgressed, ruthless one; but not long shalt thou and thy
comrades sit at ease casting eyes of mockery upon me, for all your
covenants."

(ll. 391-394) Thus she spake, seething with fierce wrath; and she longed
to set fire to the ship and to hew it utterly in pieces, and herself to
fall into the raging flame. But Jason, half afraid, thus addressed her
with gentle words:

(ll. 395-409) "Forbear, lady; me too this pleases not. But we seek some
respite from battle, for such a cloud of hostile men, like to a fire,
surrounds us, on thy account. For all that inhabit this land are eager
to aid Apsyrtus, that they may lead thee back home to thy father, like
some captured maid. And all of us would perish in hateful destruction,
if we closed with them in fight; and bitterer still will be th