come here alone, apart from his companions,
to meet me face-to-face, so that we girls
might share among ourselves whatever gifts
1180he brings us. We shall give him, in exchange,
a very potent herbal tincture. Please, though,
stand at a distance when the man arrives.”
So she requested, and her subtle words
persuaded all the maids.
As soon as Argus
1185 (913)learned from his brothers that the girl had left
at daybreak for the shrine of Hecate,
he led the son of Aeson out alone,
apart from his companions, through the plain.
And with them went the offspring of Ampycus,
1190Mopsus, an expert at interpreting
bird signs and guiding heroes on their quests.
Never among the men of long ago—
not among all those sired by Zeus himself,
nor among those the other gods begot—
1195had any man appeared as irresistible
to speak with and adore as on that day
Jason appeared. Hera the wife of Zeus
had made him so. Even his comrades marveled
as they admired his radiant appeal,
1200 (925)and Mopsus swaggered as they walked because
he knew already of the trip’s success.
Beside the footpath through the plain there stands,
next to the shrine of Hecate, a poplar
that wears long hair, innumerable leaves.
1205Crows regularly sit and chatter in it,
and one of them was way up toward the crown
flapping its wings as they were walking by.
At Hera’s prompting it insulted Mopsus:
“You are a sorry sort of seer, too stupid
1210to recognize what even children know:
a maiden never tells a gentleman
sweet words of love when others are around.
Get yourself gone, false prophet, bad adviser.
Neither Cypris nor the gentle love gods
1215 (937)breathe their seductive kindnesses your way.”
So spoke the crow in insult. Mopsus, though,
when he had heard the sacred bird’s command,
smiled in reply and said:
“You go on, Jason,
go on and meet the maiden at the temple.
1220Her welcome will be very warm indeed
thanks to the goddess Cypris, who will help you
complete the labor, just as Phineus
the son of Agenor predicted to you.
Argus and I will wait right here until
1225you finish. You alone must state your case
and win her over with convincing phrases.”
So he insisted, under good advisement,
and his companions gave assent at once.
Medea’s heart, however much she sang,
1230 (949)could not escape from thoughts of Jason, Jason.
None of the tunes she tried distracted her
for long. She broke them off in helplessness
and failed to hold her gaze steady and constant
upon her maids. Her head kept swiveling;
1235she kept on staring out along the roadways.
Time and time again the heart convulsed
within her breast as she debated whether
a passing sound was footsteps or the wind.
Soon he appeared. Her longing eyes perceived him
1240rising from the horizon, as the Dog Star,
Sirius, rises from the River Ocean—
mesmerizing, beautiful—to wreak
unspeakable destruction on the flocks.
In just such splendor did the son of Aeson
1245 (961)rise into view, and his arrival leveled
still greater anguish at the lovesick girl.
Her heart dropped from her breast, her eyes were fog,
and hectic redness chafed her cheeks. She lost
the strength to lift her knees and move forward
1250or back. Her soles were rooted to the earth.
Meanwhile the handmaids had withdrawn from them.
The two stood face-to-face, unspeaking, silent
like oaks or lofty pines that stand unrustled
beside each other on a windless day
1255atop a peak, until a gust of wind
rouses them, and they rustle ceaselessly.
So both of them would soon have much to say
under the impact of the gusts of Eros.
Jason could tell the gods had sunk the girl
in madness, so he plied her gently:
1260 (975)“Maiden,
why are you scared to be alone with me?
I’m not like other men, a no-good boaster,
not now or back when I was in my homeland.
Therefore, though you are young, don’t act so wildly
1265bashful before me that you shrink from saying
what you desire, or anything at all.
Since we have come with goodwill toward each other
and meet on hallowed ground where harmful deeds
are sacrilege, speak freely, ask your questions.
1270But please don’t lead me on by saying simply
what I would like to hear, since from the outset
you have assured your sister you will give me
the strength-inspiring potion.
I beseech you
both in your parents’ names and in the names
1275 (986)of holy Hecate and Zeus Upholder
of Suppliants and Strangers. I have come,
a suppliant and stranger, to embrace
your knees in desperation, since alone—
that is, without your favor—I shall never
1280return successful from this wretched contest.
I am prepared to pay you future honor
for your assistance, all the honor due
between two people living far apart,
by glorifying both your name and virtues.
1285After my comrades have returned to Greece,
they, too, will spread your fame, as will their mothers
and wives, who right now possibly are sitting
and wailing on the shore. You, you could scatter
their cruel flock of worries on the winds.
1290 (998)Minos’ maiden daughter Ariadne
once rescued Theseus from a deadly trial—
yes, Helius’ daughter Pasiphae,
the sister of your father, was her mother.
Once Minos had recovered from his anger,
1295the girl embarked upon the hero’s ship
and left her fatherland. Even the gods
adored this girl, and a memento of her,
a garland known as Ariadne’s Crown,
revolves among the heavenly constellations
1300at night. The gods will give you thanks as well
if you assist so mighty an assembly
of heroes. Judging from your beauty, you
should be supreme in gentle kindnesses.”
So he addressed her, playing to her pride.
1305 (1008)She dropped her gaze but, as she did, a smile
as sweet as nectar spread across her face.
Her heart had thawed beneath his flattery.
When she looked up at him again, she failed
to find words fit to start with, since she was
1310so keen to tell him everything at once.
All modesty behind her, she removed
the vial of resin from her fragrant bodice,
and he was quick to wrap his hands around it.
He seemed so very pleased. She would have tugged
1315the soul out of her breast and happily
bestowed it on this man who needed her.
Eros had kindled a miraculous
and winning fire on Jason’s golden hair,
&n
bsp; and he was ravishing her gaze. Her eyes
1320 (1020)were glinting, and her heart grew warm and melted
like dew on roses in the dawn’s first light.
Each of them awkwardly admired the ground
at times and then at times kept firing glances
at one another, shooting forth desire
1325from underneath their brows. A good while later,
under extreme duress, the girl brought out:
“Please listen. I shall give you some instructions:
Once my father has bestowed upon you
the serpent’s deadly fangs to sow the field,
1330wait for the darkest hour of the night,
then wash your body in a rushing river,
don an all-black mantle, and retire
somewhere alone, apart from your companions,
and dig a wide round hole. Once you have slit
1335 (1033)an ewe’s throat, drained the blood into the pit,
and laid the carcass, whole, upon a fire
that you have duly built up round the edges,
call upon Hecate, the only child
of Perses, while decanting from a goblet
1340the comb-begotten labor of the bees.
Then, after you have dutifully sought
Hecate’s favor, turn and leave. Make certain
neither the sound of footsteps nor the baying
of dogs moves you to turn and look behind you,
1345or you will cancel all that you have done
and fail to come back ready to your comrades.
At daybreak steep the drug I have provided
in pure spring water, strip off all your clothes,
and rub your body with it as with oil.
1350 (1044)There will be awesome power and boundless valor
within it. You will find your strength a match
not for mere mortals but the deathless gods.
Sprinkle your shield, sword, and spear with it.
The weapons of the earthborn men will never
1355injure you then, nor the unbearable fire
that shoots out of the deadly bulls. Not long
will you be so enhanced, just one day only.
Be sure, then, not to shrink before the challenge.
And I shall grace you with a second favor:
1360once you have yoked the mighty bulls and swiftly
with might and main plowed up the stubborn fallows,
then, as the earthborn men are sprouting skyward
out of the snake’s fangs planted in the furrows,
cast a stone into their midst, a large one.
1365 (1057)Make certain no one sees you. They will slaughter
each other over it, like wild dogs
contending over scraps of food. Make sure
that you yourself then rush into the fray.
Because of your successes you will carry
1370the fleece back into Hellas, to some place
far from Aea. Go, though, all the same,
wherever you desire, wherever you
insist on going once you spread your sail.”
With that, she fixed her eyes before her feet
1375in silence and suffused her gleaming cheeks
with sultry tears, bereft because he soon
would sail the sea far, far away from her.
She took his hand and gazed upon his face.
Modesty left her eyes, and yet again
in agony she spoke to him:
1380 (1069)“Remember
the name Medea if, by chance, you live
to come back home. When you are far away
I shall remember yours as well. Please, though,
kindly inform me where your home might be.
1385Where will you go when you go sailing off
across the sea? Will you approach luxurious
Orchomenus or skirt Aeaea Island?
And please do tell me more about that girl,
the one you named, you know, the famous daughter
1390of Pasiphae, who is my father’s sister.”
Such were her inquiries, and devastating
affection crept up over him, because
she was a maiden, crying. So he answered:
“Never, day or night, shall I forget you—
1395 (1080)that is, so long as I escape my death
and do return uninjured to Achaea,
and if Aeëtes doesn’t force still worse
trials upon us. If you wish to know
about my homeland, I will tell you of it.
1400My heart as well commands I do as much:
there is a broad plain ringed by lofty mountains,
a sheep land rich in pasture. It was there
Prometheus, the son of Iapetus,
begat the excellent Deucalion
1405who was the first to draw up plans for cities
and raise temples to the immortal gods.
He also was the first to serve as king.
My people call this land Haemonia.
My city Iolcus stands in it, and in it
1410 (1092)stand a hundred other cities where
the name Aea never has been heard.
And, yes, a legend states that Minyas,
a son of Aeolus, once left this land
to build the city of Orchomenus
1415on the Cadmeians’ eastern border. Why, though,
do I keep rambling on about my home
and Minos’ most reverend daughter
Ariadne? (That’s the famous name
the lovely maiden you have asked about
1420once called her own.) I pray that, just as Minos
eventually accepted Theseus,
your father may be joined to us in friendship.”
So he responded, stroking her with soothing
utterances. Most distressing worries, though,
1425 (1104)kept troubling her heart, and she was sad
when she addressed these throbbing words to him:
“Although in Hellas it may be considered
noble to keep one’s word, Aeëtes differs
greatly in that regard from Minos, husband
1430of Pasiphae—that man you mentioned to me.
Nor do I rank myself with Ariadne.
Say nothing, therefore, of a fond guest-friendship.
But think of me when you return to Iolcus,
and I shall think of you in spite of all
1435my parents say. May news or bird of omen
bring us together, when we live apart.
Yet, if I slip your mind, may sudden storm winds
snatch me aloft and carry me to Iolcus,
so that I may confront you face-to-face,
1440 (1115)reproaching you, reminding you that you
escaped this land alive by my assistance.
Yes, may I then appear out of the blue
and haunt you right beside your palace hearth.”
So she proclaimed, with liquid sorrow streaming
1445down her cheeks. After a while he answered:
“Sad maiden, let your storm winds rove
in vain and all your birds and rumors, too.
You’re talking nonsense. If you come to Greece
and any of those places you have mentioned,
1450men and women will esteem and love you,
yes, they will venerate you like a goddess,
some because your counsel helped their sons
come home alive, others because you saved
their brothers, relatives, and valiant husbands
1455 (1127)from such great trouble. In our wedding chamber
you shall enjoy the marriage bed with me,
and nothing shall divide us from our love
until our predetermined end enshrouds us.”
So he explained. The heart within her melted
1460to hear it, but she shuddered as it did,
imagining the crime she would c
ommit.
Poor maiden, she would not long shrink from living
in Hellas. Hera had already ruled
Medea of Aea would forsake
1465her fatherland and come to holy Iolcus
to ruin Pelias.
Meanwhile the handmaids
watching them in silence from afar
grew agitated: daylight was expiring;
Medea should be home beside her mother.
1470 (1140)The girl herself had not yet thought of leaving,
since she was so bewitched by Jason’s beauty
and winning words. It was the son of Aeson
who sensed the hour and said to her at last:
“It’s time for us to go, or else the sun
1475will set before you reach the court, and someone
will note your absence and discover all.
But we will come back here and meet again.”
They tested one another with endearments
so far, then turned and went their separate ways,
1480Jason departing to his crew and ship
in an exultant mood, she to her handmaids.
They all went out to meet her, but she hardly
noticed them gathering around her, no,
her soul was flying through the clouds. Her feet
1485 (1152)all on their own conveyed her to the wagon.
One hand reached out to take the reins, the other
the intricately braided whip, and off
the mules went toward the city and the palace.
When they returned, Chalciope of course
1490asked questions, since she hoped to save her sons.
The girl, though, spun by swiftly shifting thoughts,
heard nothing and was not disposed to answer.
She settled on a stool beside her bed,
cheek resting flat upon her clenched left hand,
1495and worried, teary-eyed, about the plot
she had devised, how traitorous it was.
When Jason joined his comrades at the spot
where he had left them to approach Medea,
he set out with them toward their shore-side camp,
1500 (1165)recounting what she’d said along the way.
They reached the ship together. When the heroes
caught sight of Aeson’s son, they greeted him
with questions, and he told them all about
the maiden’s scheme and showed the potent drug.
1505Though Idas sat apart from his companions
and gnawed his anger, all the rest were joyful
and, when the lateness of the hour compelled them,
cheerfully went about their chores.
At daybreak
they sent a pair of soldiers to Aeëtes
Jason and the Argonauts (Penguin Classics) Page 17
