And the Golden Marvel offered thereon, as, gracious-willed, {120}

Hermes bade, in the way as he met him. The hero-crew

There set them aland, as Argus gave them counsel to do.

So these twain fared by the pathway that led to the sacred grove,

Seeking the oak-tree marvellous-huge, mid the branches whereof

Was hanging the Fleece, like a morning-cloud that flusheth red

In the beams of the sun as he riseth up from his ocean-bed.

But barring their path did the neck exceeding long uprise

Of the serpent glaring upon them with keen unsleeping eyes

As they came; and in awful wise did he hiss; and the banks of the flood