The Argonauts

16 ARGONAUTAE Thou bearest, strong shoulder, The sunbright fleece! Glow swifter and bolder And brighter—and cease! O glory of light! O woven of night! O shining and bright! O dream of delight! How splendid the sight for the dwellers of Greece! Gained is the guerdon! The prize is won. The fleecy burden, The soul of the sun! The toil is over; the days discover high joys that hover of lover and lover, and fates above her are fallen and done. JASON, Queen of this people! O my heart’s desire Spotless, the Lady of my love, and friends By whose heroic ardours I am found Victor at last, well girded with the spoil Of life in gleaming beauty, and this prize Thrice precious, my Medea—all is won! Needs only now the favouring kiss of Eurus, Bright-born of Eos, to fulfil for us The last of all the labours, to inspire ‘The quick-raised sail, and fill that flushing gold With thrice desiréd breath, that once again