The Argonautica

stands easily accomplished by the maiden's wise counsels.

By her own will, I myself shall bring her home as wedded

wife. Heroes of Achaea, stand as Medea's guardians,

as noble aid to all Achaea and each hero;

for now, I think, Aeetes comes to block our passage,

leading his host, barring our course to open sea.

Let some sit throughout the ship, each man after another,

and row with oar blades; let half of the others hold oxhide

shields out before us, a swift defense against hostile missiles,

and guard our homecoming. Now in our hands we hold

our children, our dear homeland, and honored aged parents.

On this enterprise all Hellas leans for the issue,

whether its outcome proved dejection or surpassing glory.

He spoke, then donned his war gear; all the heroes

shouted prodigiously, eager. Then drawing his sword

out from its sheath, he cut the stern cables from the ship.

Armed, he took his stand close by the maiden and next

to Ancaeus the steersman; the ship sped on with their rowing

as they strained without cease to drive quickly out of the river.

Already to proud Aeetes and all of the Colchian people

Medea's love and deeds had now become notorious.

Armed head to foot, they thronged the assembly, countless

waves of the winter sea a storm-wind heaves into crests,

or all the leaves that fall to earth from the many-branched woodland