ontest.
And then he sprinkled his body, and terrible prowess entered into him,
unspeakable, dauntless; and his hands on both sides thrilled vigorously
as they swelled with strength. And as when a warlike steed eager for the
fight neighs and beats the ground with his hoof, while rejoicing he
lifts his neck on high with ears erect; in such wise did Aeson's son
rejoice in the strength of his limbs. And often hither and thither did
he leap high in air tossing in his hands his shield of bronze and ashen
spear. Thou wouldst say that wintry lightning flashing from the gloomy
sky kept on darting forth from the clouds what time they bring with them
their blackest rainstorm. Not long after that were the heroes to hold
back from the contests; but sitting in rows on their benches they sped
swiftly on to the plain of Ares. And it lay in front of them on the
opposite side of the city, as far off as is the turning-post that a
chariot must reach from the starting-point, when the kinsmen of a dead
king appoint funeral games for footmen and horsemen. And they found
Aeetes and the tribes of the Colchians; these were stationed on the
Caucasian heights, but the king by the winding brink of the river.

Now Aeson's son, as soon as his comrades had made the hawsers fast,
leapt from the ship, and with spear and shield came forth to the
contest; and at the same time he took the gleaming helmet of bronze
filled with sharp teeth, and his sword girt round his shoulders, his
body stripped, in somewise resembling Ares and in somewise Apollo of the
golden sword. And gazing over the field he saw the bulls' yoke of bronze
and near it the plough, all of one piece, of stubborn adamant. Then he
came near, and fixed his sturdy spear upright on its butt, and taking
his helmet off leant it against the spear. And he went forward with
shield alone to examine the countless tracks of the bulls, and they from
some unseen lair beneath the earth, where was their strong steading,
wrapt in murky smoke, both rushed out together, breathing forth flaming
fire. And sore afraid were the heroes at the sight. But Jason, setting
wide his feet, withstood their onset, as in the sea a rocky reef
withstands the waves tossed by the countless blasts. Then in front of
him he held his shield; and both the bulls with loud bellowing attacked
him with their mighty horns; nor did they stir him a jot by their onset.
And as when through the holes of the furnace the armourers' bellows anon