The Argonautica

to her own father; sharing any man's bed, though,

I will not sever Medea from her lawful husband,

nor shall I yield to foes whatever child she bears.

So he spoke, and sleep at once laid Alcinous to rest.

Arete held his prudent words within her heart,

then rose from bed and crossed the house; her women gathered,

her serving-maids bustling after their mistress through the halls.

Silently calling her own herald, Arete spoke:

in wisdom charging her herald to urge Aeson's son

to join the maiden, not petition King Alcinous;

for he himself would go pronounce this to the Colchians:

if maidenhood remained, she must return to father's halls,

but sharing a lawful husband's honorable wedded bed,

then marriage stands unsevered, lawful, firm, and whole.

So Arete spoke, and quickly his feet bore him from the palace,

so he might announce to Jason this favorable message

from Arete, together with the wise plans of god-revering Alcinous.

He found the heroes awake beside the ship in their armor

in Hyllean Harbor, near the city; there the herald

told all the news; joy filled each hero's heart,

for his welcome speech greatly pleased the assembled heroes.

At once they mixed a great wine-bowl for the blessed gods,

as custom required, and reverently drew sheep to the altars;

that very night they prepared a bridal bed for the maiden