Absyrtus

Then Jason took the fleece and Media withal, for that he had pledged him to wed her in the land of Greece.

But as they fled, Absyrtus her brother pursued them with a host of war, yet by Media's devising was he slain.

So they came to the land of Iolcos and to Peleus, who held the kingdom which was Jason's of right.

But Media by her magic wrought upon Peleus' daughters so that they slew their father.

In one, which was the loftiest, lordly Aeëtes dwelt with his queen.

And in another dwelt Apsyrtus, son of Aeëtes, whom a Caucasian nymph, Asterodea, bare before he made Edea his wedded wife, the youngest daughter of Tethys and Oceanus.

And the sons of the Colchians called him by the new name of Phaeton, because he outshone all the youths.

The other buildings the handmaidens had, and the two daughters of Aeëtes, Chalchiopi and Medea.

And in his shapely chariot Aeetes shone forth above all with his steeds, the gift of Helios, swift as the blasts of the wind.

In his left hand he raised his curved shield, and in his right a huge pine torch, and near him in front stood up his mighty spear.

And Apsyrtus held in his hands the reins of the steeds.

But already the ship was cleaving the sea before her, urged on by stalwart oarsmen and the stream of the mighty river rushing down.

On each side of the courtyard were the palace buildings.

In one, King Aeetus lived with Absyrtus, his son, and in the other Chalciope and Medea lived with their handmaidens.

Medea was passing from her father's house.

The mist lifted suddenly, and she saw three strangers in the palace courtyard.

For now, Phrontis and Melas had come up, and Chalciope, who was spinning by the door, saw them and cried out.

All the servants rushed out.

Seeing Chalciope's sons, there they, too, uttered loud cries and made such commotion that Absyrtus, and then King Aeetus, came out of the palace.

Jason saw King Aeetus.

In his left hand He raised his curved shield, and in his right A huge pine torch; and near him in front Stood up his mighty spear.

And Apsyrtus Held in his hands the reins of the steeds.

But already the ship was cleaving the sea Before her, urged on by stalwart oarsmen And the stream of the mighty river Rushing down.

But the king in grievous anguish Lifted his hands, and called on Helios and Zeus To bear witness to their evil deeds.

But they did not round Carambis, for the winds and the gleam of the heavenly fire stayed with them till they reached Ister's mighty stream.

Now some of the Colchians in a vain search passed out from Pontus through the Cyanean rocks.

But the rest went to the river, and them Apsyrtus led, and turning aside he entered the mouth called Phere.

Wherefore he outstripped the heroes by crossing a neck of land into the furthest gulf of the Ionian sea.

Then Jason took the Fleece and Media withal, for that he had pledged him to wed her in the land of Greece.

But as they fled, Absyrtus her brother pursued them with a host of war, yet by Media's devising was he slain.

So they came to the land of Iolcos and to Peleus, who held the kingdom which was Jason's of right.

But Media by her magic wrought upon Peleus' daughters so that they slew their father.

They wanted a hard king who would lead them to conquests.

Peleus, the brother of Aeson, was ever with the men of war.

He knew what mind they had toward Aeson, and he plotted with them to overthrow his brother.

This they did, and they brought Peleus to reign as king in Iolcus.

The people loved Æson, and they feared Pelias.

For messengers from King Pelias came inquiring about the boy.

They told the king's messengers that the child had strayed off from his nurse and that whether he had been slain by a wild beast or had been drowned in the swift river Anaurus they did not know.

The years went by and Pelias felt secure upon the throne he had taken from his brother.

[laughs]

Polydeuces, also known as Pollux, uh, brother of Castor and Helen of Sparta, as she currently is, uh, son of Tyndareus, steps up to fight.

Apollonius says he is like a shining star, and Amycos is like the son of Typhon, a monster.

A little bit biased.

The Argonauts row out to sea.

Hera gives them a following wind.

The Colchians, under command of Absyrtus, Medea's brother, give chase and soon have the Argo surrounded.

They say Jason can keep the fleece, but they want Medea back.

Then Jason took the fleece and Media withal, for that he had pledged him to wed her in the land of Greece.

But as they fled, Absyrtus her brother pursued them with a host of war, yet by Media's devising was he slain.

So they came to the land of Iolcos and to Peleus, who held the kingdom which was Jason's of right.

But Media by her magic wrought upon Peleus' daughters so that they slew their father.

but she had hardly time to look at him before he had laid aside his trident and leapt down the rocks and thrown his casting-net so surely over denet and the chest that he drew it and her and the baby safe upon a ledge of rock then the fisherman took denet by the hand and lifted her out of the chest and said "'Oh, beautiful damsel, what strange chance has brought you to this island in so frail a ship? Who are you, and whence? Surely you are some king's daughter, and this boy has somewhat more than mortal.' And as he spoke he pointed to the babe, for its face shone like the morning star.

But Dene only held down her head and sobbed out, "'Tell me to what land I have come, unhappy that I am, and among what men I have fallen?' and he said this isle is called seraphos and i am a hellen and dwell in it i am the brother of polydectes the king and men call me dictys the netter because i catch the fish of the shore Then Dene fell down at his feet and embraced his knees and cried, "'Oh, sir, have pity upon a stranger, whom a cruel doom has driven to your land, and let me live in your house as a servant, but treat me honourably, for I was once a king's daughter, and this my boy, as you have truly said, is of no common race.

I will not be a charge to you or eat the bread of idleness, for I am more skilful in weaving and embroidery than all the maidens of my land.' and she was going on, but Dictys stopped her, and raised her up, and said, "'My daughter, I am old, and my hairs are growing grey, while I have no children to make my home cheerful.

Come with me then, and you shall be a daughter to me and to my wife, and this babe shall be our grandchild, for I fear the gods and show hospitality to all strangers, knowing that good deeds, like evil ones, always return to those who do them.' So Dene was comforted, and went home with Dictys the good fisherman, and was a daughter to him, and to his wife, till fifteen years were past.

How Perseus Vowed a Rash Vow.

Fifteen years were past and gone, and the babe was now grown to be a tall lad and a sailor.

and went many voyages after merchandise to the islands round his mother called him perseus but all the people and seraphos said that he was not the son of mortal man and called him the son of zeus the king of mortals for though he was but fifteen he was taller by a head than any man on the island and he was the most skilful all in running and wrestling and boxing and in throwing the quoit and the javelin and in rowing with the oar and in playing on the harp and in all which benefits a man and he was brave and truthful gentle and courteous for good old dictys had trained him well and well it was for perseus that he had done so for now danae and her son fell into great danger and perseus had need of all his wit to defend his mother and himself i said that dictys's brother was polydentes king of the island he was not a righteous man like dictys but greedy and cunning and cruel and when he saw feridene he wanted to marry her but she would not for she did not love him and cared for no one but her boy and her boy's father whom she never hoped to see again at last polydictus became furious and while perseus was away at sea he took poor danae away from dictys saying if you will not be my wife you shall be my slave so danae was made a slave and had to fetch water from the well and grind in the mill and perhaps was beaten and wore a heavy chain because she would not marry the cruel king but perseus was far away over the sea in the isle of samos little thinking of how his mother was languishing

in grief