plight. For Cretheus
and Athamas were brothers. I am the grandson of Cretheus, and with
these comrades here I am journeying from that same Hellas to the city of
Aeetes. But of these things we will converse hereafter. And do ye first
put clothing upon you. By heaven's devising, I ween, have ye come to my
hands in your sore need."

(ll. 1168-1178) He spake, and out of the ship gave them raiment to put
on. Then all together they went to the temple of Ares to offer sacrifice
of sheep; and in haste they stood round the altar, which was outside the
roofless temple, an altar built of pebbles; within a black stone stood
fixed, a sacred thing, to which of yore the Amazons all used to pray.
Nor was it lawful for them, when they came from the opposite coast, to
burn on this altar offerings of sheep and oxen, but they used to slay
horses which they kept in great herds. Now when they had sacrificed and
eaten the feast prepared, then Aeson's son spake among them and thus
began:

(ll. 1179-1195) "Zeus' self, I ween, beholds everything; nor do we men
escape his eye, we that be god-fearing and just, for as he rescued your
father from the hands of a murderous step-dame and gave him measureless
wealth besides; even so hath he saved you harmless from the baleful
storm. And on board this ship ye may sail hither and thither, where ye
will, whether to Aea or to the wealthy city of divine Orthomenus. For
our ship Athena built and with axe of bronze cut her timbers near the
crest of Pelion, and with the goddess wrought Argus. But yours the
fierce surge hath shattered, before ye came nigh to the rocks which
all day long clash together in the straits of the sea. But come, be
yourselves our helpers, for we are eager to bring to Hellas the golden
fleece, and guide us on our voyage, for I go to atone for the intended
sacrifice of Phrixus, the cause of Zeus' wrath against the sons of
Aeolus."

(ll. 1196-1199) He spake with soothing words; but horror seized them
when they heard. For they deemed that they would not find Aeetes
friendly if they desired to take away the ram's fleece. And Argus spake
as follows, vexed that they should busy themselves with such a quest:

(ll. 1200-1215) "My friends, our strength, so far as it avails, shall
never cease to help you, not one whit, when need shall come. But Aeetes
is terribly armed with deadly ruthlessness; wherefore exceedingly do I
dread this voyage. And he boasts himself to be the son of Helios;
and a