These without pain that both must rue,
Restore—lest fresher grief ensue!" 276
When thus the youthful hero spoke,
From Pelias this mild answer broke:275
"Such will I be—though tardy age
Now warn me of life's closing stage,
While thou art fresh in youth's gay flow'ret still—
Potent thy vigorous arm shall prove,
Th' infernal godheads' wrath remove,280
And murder'd Phryxus' high behest fulfil:[1]
'Haste, from Æetes' chambers bear
My soul, he cried, and golden hair,
On the ram's fleecy back outspread,
That once a certain refuge gave285
From stepdame's treachery and the wave.'
'Twas thus the wondrous vision said.
Where the Castalian waters flow,
To search the oracle I go—
When straight the voice prophetic there290
Bids me for naval flight prepare.
If thou thy prompt assistance lend,
Which may this arduous contest end,
I swear to make the lot thine own,
To monarchize and rule alone.295
Firm witness of the faithful oath
Be Jove, the common sire of both." 298
They part; this compact ratified,
Jason the herald's trump of fame,
His instant voyage to proclaim,300
Urges to sound on every side.
Thither the sons of Leda fair
And of Saturnian Jove repair;
- ↑ Phryxus, whose manes, as Pelias craftily insinuates, are to be appeased by the youthful Jason, was the father of Athamas and Ino, who were driven from their paternal soil and died in Colchis.
