Ere Jason, afire for their helping, came: no need of his aid

Had they; nay rather for him by this were their hearts afraid. {490}

Thereafter they sat them down to devise for their voyaging

Deep counsel; and, yet as they mused, stole into the midst of the ring

The maiden. And Peleus resolved him the first, and he spake the thing:

‘Now call I upon you to enter up into the ship, and to row

Cleaving your sea-path onward, while yet it is night, and the foe

Tarry; for when with the dawn they shall see and be ware of their plight,

There is no man, I trust me, who, bidding them follow the track of your flight,

Shall win them to hearken a word; but, as folk of their king bereft,