The Argonautica

and grasped the resistless spear, whose point beneath the bellies

he drove like a ploughman wielding a sharp Pelasgian ox-goad,

stabbing their flanks; he held steadily with surest control

the adamant plough-handle, fashioned, fitted, firm, and sound.

Meanwhile the bulls raged on with strength beyond all measure,

breathing a furious flood of fire; their hot blast rose

like blustering winds that roar, the sailors' deepest terror;

fearing their force, seafarers furl the mighty sail.

Before long, at the spear's command, the bulls pressed onward;

the rough fallow split apart and crumbled down behind them,

torn by the bulls' force and the stubborn strength of the ploughman.

The clods groaned terribly together down the plough's furrows,

breaking apart, each massive as a burden for one man;

and Jason followed, pressing the ploughshare with his strong foot;

far from himself he cast the teeth across each fresh-turned clod,

turning his head back, lest danger confront him from before:

the murderous crop of earthborn men; while still ahead of him

the bulls pressed bronze-shod hoofs into the ground and labored.

When only the third portion of the waning day remained

counted from dawn, and weary laborers were calling out

for sweet release, the unyoking hour, to come swiftly,

the tireless ploughman had finished ploughing all the fallow,

though four plough-lands wide; he freed the bulls from the plough.

He frightened the bulls away and drove them out across the plain;