The Argonautica

for men racing on foot and horsemen driving chariots.

They found Aeetes there and other tribes of Colchians,

some standing high upon the Caucasian cliffs as watchers,

King Aeetes wheeled beside the margin of the river.

When Jason's comrades had tied fast the sternward hawsers,

Jason took spear and shield, then strode into the ordeal,

springing clear of the ship; together he lifted the gleaming

bronze helmet filled to the brim with the sharp dragon's teeth,

and wore his sword across his shoulders, naked in all his body,

in one part Ares, in another golden-sworded Apollo.

Scanning the fallow, he saw the bronze yoke for the bulls

and near it a strong adamant plough, made all in one piece.

He came up close, and planted the massive spear beside it,

upright on the spear-butt, then propped the helmet against the shaft.

Then, carrying only the shield, he went farther ahead,

searching the countless tracks of the bulls. From an unseen hollow

deep underground, where their strong cattle-stall stood hidden,

all wrapped and wreathed around in clouds of sooty smoke,

both burst together, breathing a blazing stream of fire.

The heroes shrank in fear when they saw them. Jason, however,

planted his stance and faced their charge, like a reef-rock

in the sea that stands against waves lashed by countless tempests.

He held his shield before him, braced to meet them; together

they struck with mighty horns and filled the air with bellowing,