The Argonauts

12 ARGONAUTAE CHORUS. Tell me that Jason has achieved the quest. MESSENGER. Truth is no handmaid unto happiness. CHORUS. What terror dost thou fill my heart withal? MEDEA. O timorous heroes! Let the herald speak! Who meets fear drives her back; who flees from fear Stumbles ; who cares not, sees her not. Speak on! THE MESSENGER. Terrible bellowings as of angry bulls Broke from the stable as the first swift shaft Of dawn smote into it: and stampings fierce Resounded, shaking the all-mother earth. Whereunto came the calm and kingly man, Smiling as if a sweet dream still beguiled His waking brows; not caring any more For spring or summer; heeding least of all That tumult of ox-fury. Suddenly A light sprang in his face; the great hand shot Forth, and broke in the brass-bound door; the day Passed with him inwards; then the brazen hoofs Beat with a tenfold fury on the stone. But Jason, swiftly turned, evaded these, And chose two oxen from that monstrous herd To whose vast heads he strode, and by the horns