The Argonautica

teeth of the Aonian dragon, which once in Ogygian Thebes

Cadmus encountered when he came there seeking Europa,

and killed the dragon guarding the sacred Spring of Ares.

There Cadmus also settled, guided onward by the cow

which Apollo granted by his oracle to guide Cadmus' journey.

The Tritonian goddess tore those teeth out from its jaws

and gave one share each to Aeetes and the dragon-slayer.

Cadmus then sowed his share throughout the Aonian plains,

and Cadmus, son of Agenor, founded an earthborn people,

all who remained when Ares' spear had mown them down.

Those teeth Aeetes gave, to be carried aboard the ship

with ready goodwill, since he never imagined Jason would reach

the trial's end, even if he laid the yoke on the bulls.

Helios far in the west was sinking under the dark earth,

at evening, past the furthest Ethiopian mountain peaks;

Night laid her yoke on the horses; meanwhile the heroes

prepared their beds beside the hawsers. But Jason,

as soon as stars of Helice, the Bear that burns bright,

had tilted down, and all the air beneath heaven fell still,

went to a lonely place, as furtive as a prowling thief,

with everything needful; he had prepared each thing beforehand

during daylight. A ewe and milk taken out from the flock

Argus had gone and brought; Jason took the rest from the ship.

But when he saw a place far off the beaten track of men,