e expedition, under the inspection, of Argos, a famous
workman, which, from him, was called Argo: it was said to have been
executed by the advice of Pallas, who pointed out a tree in the Dodonaean
forest for a mast, which was vocal, and had the gift of prophecy.

The fame of the vessel, the largest that had ever been heard of, but
particularly the design itself, soon induced the bravest and most
distinguished youths of Greece to become adventurers in it, and brought
together about fifty of the most accomplished young persons of the age
to accompany Jason in this expedition; authors, however, are not agreed
on the precise names or numbers of the Argonauts; some state them to
have been forty-nine; others more, and amongst them several were of
divine origin.

On his arrival at Colchis he repaired to the court of AE{=e}tes, from
whom he demanded the golden fleece. The monarch acceded to his request,
provided he could overcome the difficulties which lay in his way, and
which appeared not easily surmountable; these were bulls with brazen
feet, whose nostrils breathed fire, and a dragon which guarded the
fleece. The teeth of the latter, when killed, Jason was enjoined to sow,
and, after they had sprung up into armed men, to destroy them.

Though success attended the enterprise, it was less owing to valor, than
to the assistance of Med{=e}a, daughter of AE{=e}tes, who, by her
enchantments, laid asleep the dragon, taught Jason to subdue the bulls,
and when he had obtained the prize, accompanied him in the night time,
unknown to her brother.

The return of the Argonauts is variously related; some contend it was by
the track in which they came, and say that the brother of Med{=e}a
pursued them as far as the Adriatic, and was overcome by Jason; which
occasioned the story that his sister had cut him in pieces, and strewed
his limbs in the way, that her father, from solicitude to collect them,
might be delayed in the pursuit.

CHAPTER XII.

_Other fabulous personages._

GRACES _or_ CHARITES. Among the multitude of ancient divinities, none
had more votaries that the Graces. Particular nations and countries had
appropriate and local deities, but their empire was universal. To their
influence was ascribed all that could please in nature and in art; and
to them every rank and profession concurred in offering their vows.

Their number was generally limited, by the ancient poets, to three:
_Euphrosyne_, _Thal{=i}a_, and _A