lchians to be borne to my father, if thou thyself too art one
of the race of mortals, whose heart rushes swiftly to ruin from light
transgressions. For my firm sense forsook me--it was not for wantonness.
Be witness the sacred light of Helios, be witness the rites of the
maiden that wanders by night, daughter of Perses. Not willingly did
I haste from my home with men of an alien race; but a horrible fear
wrought on me to bethink me of flight when I sinned; other device was
there none. Still my maiden's girdle remains, as in the halls of my
father, unstained, untouched. Pity me, lady, and turn thy lord to mercy;
and may the immortals grant thee a perfect life, and joy, and children,
and the glory of a city unravaged!"

(ll. 1029-1030) Thus did she implore Arete, shedding tears, and thus
each of the chieftains in turn:

(ll. 1031-1052) "On your account, ye men of peerless might, and on
account of my toils in your ventures am I sorely afflicted; even I,
by whose help ye yoked the bulls, and reaped the deadly harvest of the
earthborn men; even I, through whom on your homeward path ye shall bear
to Haemonia the golden fleece. Lo, here am I, who have lost my country
and my parents, who have lost my home and all the delights of life; to
you have I restored your country and your homes; with eyes of gladness
ye will see again your parents; but from me a heavy-handed god has
raft all joy; and with strangers I wander, an accursed thing. Fear your
covenant and your oaths, fear the Fury that avenges suppliants and the
retribution of heaven, if I fall into Aeetes' hands and am slain with
grievous outrage. To no shrines, no tower of defence, no other refuge
do I pay heed, but only to you. Hard and pitiless in your cruelty!
No reverence have ye for me in your heart though ye see me helpless,
stretching my hands towards the knees of a stranger queen; yet, when ye
longed to seize the fleece, ye would have met all the Colchians face to
thee and haughty Aeetes himself; but now ye have forgotten your courage,
now that they are all alone and cut off."

(ll. 1053-1067) Thus she spake, beseeching; and to whomsoever she bowed
in prayer, that man tried to give her heart and to check her anguish.
And in their hands they shook their sharp pointed spears, and drew the
swords from their sheaths; and they swore they would not hold back from
giving succour, if she should meet with an unrighteous judgement. And
the host were all wearied and Night cam