The Argonauts

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