The Argonautica

Eileithyia, childbirth goddess, grudged me many children.

Alas for my folly! Not once, not even within a dream

did I think Phrixus' escape would prove an evil for me.

Thus groaning she keened; her attendant women clustered round

and lamented close beside her; Jason answered Alcimede

with soothing words, and gave his mother this answer:

Do not cast miserable sorrows upon me, mother,

so far beyond measure; you cannot ward off evil

with tears, but will heap new anguish on top of anguish.

The gods assign to mortals woes that none can foresee,

and still, though grieved in spirit, accept your allotted share;

endure and bear it; take heart in Athena's promises,

and trust the prophecies Phoebus declared most favorable,

and afterward in the help of so many foremost heroes.

But you now stay at home, at peace among your handmaids,

and never prove a bird of ill omen for the ship;

there all my clansmen and servants will join me as I go.

He spoke, and set out from the house to journey onward.

As Apollo goes forth from a temple fragrant with incense

to sacred Delos, to Claros, or else onward to Pytho,

or broad Lycia, home of Xanthus' streaming waters,

just so Jason moved through the crowd of people; and a cry

rose as they shouted together; there met him the aged

Iphias, serving as priestess to City-guarding Artemis,