16 ARGONAUTAE
Upon his prow should Madness sit,
A baleful beacon-star;
And in his home Despair and Strife
Lie in his bosom for a wife!
But oh, the glory of the quest,
The gainless goodly prize!
The fairest form man e’er caressed,
The word he heard most wise ;—
All lures of life avoid and cease
Before the winning of the Fleece!
O nameless splendour of the Gods,
Begotten hardly of Heaven!
Unspoken treasure of the abodes
Beyond the lightning levin!
No misery, no despair may pay
The joy to hold thee for a day!
JASON.
Athena’s servant recks not much of Ares.
PELIAS,
Are thine eyes kindled at the golden thought?
JASON. *
Mine eyes see farther than the Fleece of Gold.
PELIAS.
What heroes can attain so fair a thing?
JASON.
I have some friends who would esteem this quest