The Argonautica

finely wrought for driving mules; then swiftly cityward

they rushed, hastening headlong toward the palace. As Medea went,

Chalciope, grieving for her sons, began to press her questions;

but Medea, helpless as her thoughts kept drifting backward,

neither heard her words nor desired to answer her questions.

She sat herself down on a low stool beneath the couch,

leaning obliquely, her cheek propped upon her left hand;

her eyes stayed wet beneath their lids; she brooded darkly

on the evil deed she chose to share through her own counsel.

When Aeson's son had joined his companions once again

there in the same place where he had left them, drawing away,

he started out beside them, declaring every detail,

toward the heroes' gathering; all reached the ship together.

They welcomed him warmly on sight, and asked him many questions.

He told the assembled heroes all the maiden's counsels,

and showed the fearsome charm; yet one comrade sat apart,

Idas, biting down his anger; all the other heroes

rejoiced until night's gathering darkness penned them fast,

and rested at ease, taking thought for themselves; but at dawn

they sent two men to Aeetes to ask for the seed,

first Telamon himself, the man beloved of Ares,

and Aethalides went too, the famous son of Hermes.

They went their way, and the journey did not prove fruitless;

for lord Aeetes gave them the cruel teeth for the trial,