“All too surely do I deem that never by night and never by day will I forget thee if I escape death and indeed make my way in safety to the Achaean land, and Aeetes set not before us some other contest worse than this.  And if it pleases thee to know about my fatherland, I will tell it out; for indeed my own heart bids me do that.  There is a land encircled by lofty mountains, rich in sheep and in pasture, where Prometheus, son of Iapetus, begat goodly Deucalion, who first founded cities and reared temples to the immortal gods, and first ruled Over men.  This land the neighbours who dwell around call Haemonia.  And in it stands Iolcus, my city, and in it many others, where they have not so much as heard the name of the Aeaean isle; yet there is a story that Minyas starting thence, Minyas son of Aeolus, built long ago the city of Orchomenus that borders on the Cadmeians.  But why do I tell thee all this vain talk, of our home and of Minos’ daughter, far-famed Ariadne, by which glorious name they called that lovely maiden of whom thou askest me?  Would that, as Minos then was well inclined to Theseus for her sake, so may thy father be joined to us in friendship!”

Thus he spake, soothing her with gentle converse.  But pangs most bitter stirred her heart and in grief did she address him with vehement words: 

“In Hellas, I ween, this is fair—­to pay heed to covenants; but Aeetes is not such a man among men as thou sayest was Pasiphae’s husband, Minos; nor can I liken myself to Ariadne; wherefore speak not of guest-love.  But only do thou, when thou hast reached Iolcus, remember me, and thee even in my parents’ despite, will I remember.  And from far off may a rumour come to me or some messenger-bird, when thou forgettest me; or me, even me, may swift blasts catch up and bear over the sea hence to Iolcus, that so I may cast reproaches in thy face and remind thee that it was by my good will thou didst escape.  May I then be seated in thy halls, an unexpected guest!”

Thus she spake with piteous tears falling down her cheeks, and to her Jason replied:  “Let the empty blasts wander at will, lady, and the messenger-bird, for vain is thy talk.  But if thou comest to those abodes and to the land of Hellas, honoured and reverenced shalt thou be by women and men; and they shall worship thee even as a goddess, for that by thy counsel their sons came home again, their brothers and kinsmen, and stalwart husbands were saved from calamity.  And in our bridal chamber shalt thou prepare our couch; and nothing shall come between our love till the doom of death fold us round.”

Thus he spake; and her soul melted within her to hear his words; nevertheless she shuddered to behold the deeds of destruction to come.  Poor wretch!  Not long was she destined to refuse a home in Hellas.  For thus Hera devised it, that Aeaean Medea might come to Iolcus for a bane to Pelias, forsaking her native land.