The Argonauts

To ARGONAUTAE Bend thou a suppliant at my awful knee, And thus—perhaps—at least get grace of life. PELIAS. And if I say I will not yield the throne? JASON. I am of force to take it. PELIAS. Are my friends Not faithful? Who draws sword for Pelias? MEN. Shall we not slay thee this presumptuous fool? JASON. I am of force, I say. I wrestled once From sunrise to sunset with Heracles, Great Heracles! Not till the full moon rose Availed his might to lay me prone. Beware! Ye weakling knaves! I am of force, I say. PELIAS. Rebellious youth, the justice of thy cause And force I will admit—where force goes far. But think’st thou wait no wild Erinnyes For thee a guest in these my halls, for thee Whose hands are dipped not yet in blood so deep As to have murdered an old man, and him Thy father’s brother?