There in the wind they hung, as word by word The clear-voiced singers silently they heard; But when the air was barren of their song, Anigh the shore they durst not linger long, So northward turned forewearied Argo's head, And dipping oars, from that fair country sped, Fulfilled of new desires and pensive thought, Which that day's life unto their hearts had brought. Then hard they toiled upon the bitter sea, And in two days they did not fail to be In sight of land, a headland high and blue Which straight Milesian Erginus knew To be the fateful place which now they sought, Stormy Malea, so thitherward they brought The groaning ship, and, casting anchor, lay Beneath that headland's lee, within a bay, Wherefrom the more part landed, and their feet Once more the happy soil of Greece did meet. Therewith they failèd not to bring ashore Rich robes of price and of fair arms good store, And gold and silver, that they there might buy What yet they lacked for their solemnity; Then, while upon the highest point of land Some built an altar, Jason, with a band Of all the chiefest of the Minyæ, Turned inland from the murmur of the sea. Not far they went ere by a little stream Down in a valley they could see the gleam Of brazen pillars and fair-gilded vanes, And, dropping down by dank dark-wooded lanes From off the hill-side, reached a house at last Where in and out men-slaves and women passed, And guests were streaming fast into the hall, Where now the oaken boards were laid for all. With these the Minyæ went, and soon they were Within a pillared hall both great and fair, Where folk already sat beside the board, And on the dais was an ancient lord. But when these saw the fearless Minyæ Glittering in arms, they sprang up hastily, And each man turned about unto the wall To seize his spear or staff: then through the hall Jason cried out: "Laconians, fear ye not, Nor leave the flesh-meat while it reeketh hot For dread of us, for we are men as ye, And I am Jason of the Minyæ, And come from Æa to the land of Greece, And in my ship bear back the Golden Fleece, And a fair Colchian queen to fill my bed. And now we pray to share your wine and bread, And other things we need, and at our hands That ye will take fair things of many lands." "Sirs," said the ancient lord, "be welcome here, Come up and sit by me, and make such cheer As here ye can: glad am I that to me The first of Grecian men from off the sea Ye now are come." Therewith the great hall rang With joyful shouts, and as, with clash and clang Of well-wrought arms, up to the dais they went, All eyes upon the Minyæ were bent, Nor could they have enough of wondering At this or that sea-tossed victorious king. So with the strangers there they held high feast, And afterwards the slaves drove many a beast Down to the shore, and carried back again