Collected Works (Vol. II)

102 THE ARGONAUTS MESSENGER. Queen and fair mother of great kings un- born, And mighty chosen of the land of Greece, A tidings of deep bliss is born to you. 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 stainpings 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 Plucked them. Then fire, devouring, sprang at him From furious nostrils: and indignant breath, Fountains of seething smoke, spat forth at him. But with no tremor of aught that seemed like fear Drew them by sheer strength from their place, and yoked Their frenzy to his plough, and with the goad Urged them, thrice trampling the accursed field Until the furrows flamed across the sun, Treading whose glory stood Apollo’s self As witness of the deed. Then a last thrust Savage, drove them less savage to their stalls, And Jason turned and laughed. Then drew he out The dreadful teeth of woe, Cadmean stock Of Thebes’ old misery, and presently Pacing the furrowed field, he scattered them With muttered words of power athwart the course | Of the bright moon, due path of pestilence And terror. Ere the last bone fell to earth The accurséd harvest sprang to life. Armed men, Fiery with anger, rose upon the earth While Jason stood, one witnessing a dream, Not one who lives his life. The sword and spear | Turn not to him, but mutual madness strikes The warriors witless, and fierce wrath invades Their hearts of fury, and with arms engaged They fell upon each other silently | And slew, and slew. As in the middle seas A mirage flashes out and passes, so The phantoms faded, and the way was clear. Thus, stepping ever proud and calm, he went Unto the grove of Ares, where the worm, Huge in his hatred, guarded all. But now Sunk in some stupor, surely sent of Zeus, He stirred not. Stepping delicately past The dragon, then came Jason to the grove And saw what tree umbrageous bore the fruit That he had saddened for so long. And he, Rending the branches of that wizard Oak, With a strong grasp tore down the Fleece of Gold. Then camea voice : ‘‘ Woe, woe! Aea’sisle ! The glory is departed!” And a voice Answered it ‘‘Woe!” Then Jason seemed to see Some Fear behind the little former fears ;