The Argonautica

yet failed to move him by the least breadth in their full onslaught.

As bellows made of stout hide, through the pierced mouths of furnaces,

send quick flashes of fire for the workers in bronze,

now kindling devouring fire, now falling still from blast,

while from the fire a fearful roaring rises upward whenever

it leaps up from beneath; just so the two bulls, breathing

swift flame from their mouths, roared on; the destroying heat

enclosed and struck him like lightning; the maiden's charm guarded him.

Then, seizing the tip of the right-hand bull's horn, Jason

dragged it mightily, exerting all his gathered strength

to bring it to the bronze yoke; then forced it down to its knees,

striking its bronze hoof sharply with his foot. The other too

he forced upon its knees as it charged, felled in one onrush.

Then casting his broad shield away upon the ground, Jason

strode left and right, and held the two beasts fallen

upon both forward knees, as flame wrapped him in an instant.

Aeetes stood amazed at all the mighty strength of the man.

The sons of Tyndareus--their task prescribed long beforehand--

drew near and lifted the yoke from the earth for Jason.

He bound the yoke securely on their necks, then raised between them

the bronze pole, locking its pointed end into the yoke.

The twins together left the fire and hastened toward Argo,

while Jason lifted the shield again and slung it behind him,

then took the mighty helmet full of the sharp dragon's teeth,