The Argonautica

but Jason checked him, answering first in gentle words:

Aeetes, bear with me and this expedition, I beg you.

We have not come to your city and halls for the reason you fancy,

nor with the aim that you think. Who willingly crosses such sea-room

for foreign possession? A god and the icy command drove me

from an overbearing king, to come here on this bitter errand.

Grant your suppliants favor; then through all the breadth of Hellas

carry a wondrous report of your name; and even already

we stand eager to pay swift return with our service in battle,

whether you long for the Sauromatians, or yet another people

to bend them down beneath your royal sceptre's conquering power.

So Jason spoke, beguiling him with gentle, soothing voice; but

Aeetes' spirit within his chest brooded two opposing purposes:

whether to rush them and kill them all there at close quarters,

or test their strength; he judged the latter wiser counsel;

Aeetes cut him short and broke in with this answer:

Stranger, what need to relate every detail in full to the ending?

If you are truly gods' offspring, or else in some other manner

no lesser than I, and have come for the goods of a stranger,

The Golden Fleece is yours; take freely, if you wish it,

once you are tried. I grudge no prize to a man who is valiant,

unlike that ruler of Hellas whom you yourselves have described.

This shall be trial enough of your courage and bodily power,

one that my own two hands can compass, although it is deadly.