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THE ARGONAUTICA, BOOK I

nor Argus, helper of the goddess Athena ; but they too were ready to be numbered in the host.

So many then were the helpers who assembled to join the son of Aeson. All the chiefs the dwellers thereabout called Minyae, for the most and the bravest avowed that they were sprung from the blood of the daughters of Minyas ; thus Jason himself was the son of Alcimede who was born of Clymene the daughter of Minyas.

Now when all things had been made ready by the thralls, all things that fully-equipped ships are furnished withal when men's business leads them to voyage across the sea, then the heroes took their way through the city to the ship where it lay on the strand that men call Magnesian Pagasae ; and a crowd of people hastening rushed together ; but the heroes shone like gleaming stars among the clouds ; and each man as he saw them speeding along with their armour would say:

"King Zeus, what is the purpose of Pelias? Whither is he driving forth from the Panachaean land so great a host of heroes? On one day they would waste the palace of Aeetes with baleful fire, should he not yield them the fleece of his own good- will. But the path is not to be shunned, the toil is hard for those who venture."

Thus they spake here and there throughout the city; but the women often raised their hands to the sky in prayer to the immortals to grant a return, their hearts' desire. And one with tears thus lamented to her fellow:

"Wretched Alcimede, evil has come to thee at

last though late, thou hast not ended with splendour