The Argonautica

all the way to the river Salangon and the land of Nestis.

There the Minyans, locked in a wretched, bitter battle,

few against many, would have yielded; first, however,

the hosts made a compact to avert terrible conflict:

the Golden Fleece, since King Aeetes himself had pledged it

to the heroes, once they met every trial he imposed,

they could justly keep it, securely won by crafty cunning

or seized by open force against Aeetes' will;

but Medea - for this alone was still the matter disputed -

Medea must be set apart in Leto's daughter's keeping

until one law-guarding king renders final judgment

whether Medea must go back to her father's halls,

or may instead follow the heroes onward into Hellas.

There, when the maiden had weighed every matter in her mind,

sharp pangs seized her and shook the heart within her

without cease. Swiftly she called Jason out, alone

apart from his companions, then led Jason elsewhere;

Far off, she faced him and spoke these grieving words:

Son of Aeson, what is this design that you have fashioned

about me? Have triumphs sunk you deep in total forgetfulness,

their splendor making you forget every promise spoken

when need constrained you? Where are the sworn oaths to Zeus,

Suppliants' lord? Where have your honeyed promises gone?

Because of them, in no seemly way and with shameless purpose,