The Argonautica

in another lived Apsyrtus, himself a son of Aeetes.

Asterodeia, Caucasian nymph, had given birth to the boy

before Aeetes made Eidyia his lawfully wedded wife,

the youngest daughter that Tethys had ever borne to Oceanus.

The Colchians' sons called the young man Phaethon,

because he shone out above every youth of his people.

The other rooms were held by the handmaids and both daughters

of Aeetes, Chalciope and Medea; and there they saw her

moving from chamber to chamber in search of her own sister,

for Hera held her at home; she had never before that time

frequented the halls, but served all day in Hecate's temple,

because she herself served the goddess there as her priestess.

When she saw the men come near her, she cried; Chalciope heard it

sharply, and handmaids threw down at their feet where they stood

their yarn and their spindles; gathered together, all of the handmaids

ran outside; amid the throng Chalciope saw her sons

and lifted both hands up high in joy; in the same way her sons

welcomed their mother and folded her tightly in both arms,

joyful; but she, lamenting and sobbing, spoke these words:

After all, fate never meant you to leave me neglected

and wander far away; fate turned you and carried you homeward.

Poor that I am! What longing for Hellas, born out of some ruinous

madness, seized you at the bidding of Phrixus, your father?

Dying, your father appointed bitter anguish and sorrow