To Colcos comen is this duk Iasoun, 1580 That is of love devourer and dragoun. As matere appetyteth forme al-wey, And from forme in-to forme hit passen may, Or as a welle that were botomlees, Right so can fals Iasoun have no pees. 1585 For, to desyren, through his appetyt, To doon with gentil wommen his delyt, (220) This is his lust and his felicitee. Iasoun is romed forth to the citee, That whylom cleped was Iaconitos, 1590 That was the maister-toun of al Colcos, And hath y-told the cause of his coming Un-to Oëtes, of that contre king, Preying him that he moste doon his assay To gete the flees of gold, if that he may; 1595 Of which the king assenteth to his bone, And doth him honour, as hit is to done, (230) So ferforth, that his doghter and his eyr, Medea, which that was so wys and fair That fairer saw ther never man with yë, 1600 He made her doon to Iasoun companye At mete, and sitte by him in the halle. Now was Iasoun a semely man with-alle, And lyk a lord, and had a greet renoun, And of his loke as real as leoun, 1605 And goodly of his speche, and famulere, And coude of love al craft and art plenere (240) With-oute boke, with everich observaunce. And, as fortune her oghte a foul meschaunce, She wex enamoured upon this man. 1610 'Iasoun,' quod she, 'for ought I see or can, As of this thing the which ye been aboute, Ye han your-self y-put in moche doute. For, who-so wol this aventure acheve, He may nat wel asterten, as I leve, 1615 With-outen deeth, but I his helpe be. But natheles, hit is my wille,' quod she, (250) 'To forthren yow, so that ye shal nat dye, But turnen, sound, hoom to your Tessalye.' 'My righte lady,' quod this Iasoun tho, 1620 'That ye han of my dethe or of my wo Any reward, and doon me this honour, I wot wel that my might ne my labour May nat deserve hit in my lyves day; God thanke yow, ther I ne can ne may. 1625 Your man am I, and lowly you beseche, To been my help, with-oute more speche; (260) But certes, for my deeth shal I nat spare.' Tho gan this Medea to him declare The peril of this cas, fro point to point, 1630 And of his batail, and in what disioint He mote stande, of which no creature, Save only she, ne mighte his lyf assure. And shortly, to the point right for to go, They been accorded ful, betwix hem two, 1635 That Iasoun shal her wedde, as trewe knight;