16 ARGONAUTAE
Thou bearest, strong shoulder,
The sunbright fleece!
Glow swifter and bolder
And brighter—and cease!
O glory of light! O woven of night! O shining and
bright! O dream of delight! How splendid the
sight for the dwellers of Greece!
Gained is the guerdon!
The prize is won.
The fleecy burden,
The soul of the sun!
The toil is over; the days discover high joys that hover
of lover and lover, and fates above her are fallen
and done.
JASON,
Queen of this people! O my heart’s desire
Spotless, the Lady of my love, and friends
By whose heroic ardours I am found
Victor at last, well girded with the spoil
Of life in gleaming beauty, and this prize
Thrice precious, my Medea—all is won!
Needs only now the favouring kiss of Eurus,
Bright-born of Eos, to fulfil for us
The last of all the labours, to inspire
‘The quick-raised sail, and fill that flushing gold
With thrice desiréd breath, that once again