The Argonautica

those bones lie among the people called Apsyrteans.

Together, seeing the bright torch blaze before them,

Medea's signal, raised to guide their swift advance,

the heroes brought Argo beside the Colchian vessel;

then slaughtered the Colchian host, like swift, descending hawks

fall upon tribes of doves, or as wild lions scatter

a mighty flock when lions leap across the sheepfold walls.

Not one of those men escaped death; on the whole company

the heroes rushed, destroying like fire; late Jason

met them, eager to give help though they had little need

of aid; already they felt anxious for Jason's life.

Then, sitting together, they devised their careful counsel

about the voyage; each hero still deliberated; the maiden

came near them, but Peleus was first to speak his counsel:

Now I command that we board the ship while night remains

and row by the route opposite the passage our enemies guard.

For at dawn, once they have looked closely on each thing,

I think no single counsel urging them to chase us farther

will sway the Colchians, now bereft of royal command;

the whole host will scatter apart in bitter dissension.

Then, with all of the people scattered in separate factions,

our homeward route thereafter will prove smooth and easy.

So Peleus spoke; the crew approved his prudent counsel.

Swiftly boarding the ship, they strained without cease at the oars