The Argonauts

ACTUS TERTIUS 13 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 accurséd 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.