he had slain the son of AEetes When
Medea took her hands away from before her face, Circe knew that, like
herself, this maiden was of the race of Helios. Medea spoke to her,
telling her first of the voyage of the heroes and of their toils;
telling her then of how she had given help to Jason against the will of
AEetes her father; telling her then, fearfully, of the slaying of
Apsyrtus. She covered her face with her robe as she spoke of it. And
then she told Circe she had come, warned by the judgment of Zeus, to
ask of Circe, the daughter of Helios, to purify her from the stain of
her brother's blood.

Like all the children of Helios, Circe had eyes that were wide and full
of life, but she had stony lips--lips that were heavy and moveless.
Bright golden hair hung smoothly along each of her sides. First she
held a cup to them that was filled with pure water, and Jason and Medea
drank from that cup.

Then Circe stayed by the hearth; she burnt cakes in the flame, and all
the while she prayed to Zeus to be gentle with these suppliants. She
brought both to the seashore. There she washed Medea's body and her
garments with the spray of the sea.

Medea pleaded with Circe to tell her of the life she foresaw for her,
but Circe would not speak of it. She told Medea that one day she would
meet a woman who knew nothing about enchantments but who had much human
wisdom. She was to ask of her what she was to do in her life or what
she was to leave undone. And whatever this woman out of her wisdom told
her, that Medea was to regard. Once more Circe offered them the cup
filled with clear water, and when they had drunken of it she left them
upon the seashore. As she went toward her marble house the strange
beasts followed Circe, whimpering as they went. Jason and Medea went
aboard the Argo, and the heroes drew away from Circe's island.

VI. IN THE LAND OF THE PHAEACIANS

Wearied were the heroes now. They would have fain gone upon the island
of Circe to rest there away from the oars and the sound of the sea. But
the wisest of them, looking upon the beasts that were men transformed,
held the Argo far off the shore. Then Jason and Medea came aboard, and
with heavy hearts and wearied arms they turned to the open sea again.

No longer had they such high hearts as when they drove the Argo between
the Clashers and into the Sea of Pontus. Now their heads drooped as
they went on, and they sang such songs as slaves sing in their hopeless