master the fire-breathing bulls with the yoke, and to sow the fatal seed:  and having slain the dragon who watching around the golden fleece guarded it with spiry folds, a sleepless guard, I raised up to thee a light of safety.  But I myself having betrayed my father, and my house, came to the Peliotic Iolcos[18] with thee, with more readiness than prudence.  And I slew Pelias by a death which it is most miserable to die, by the hands of his own children, and I freed thee from every fear.  And having experienced these services from me, thou vilest of men, thou hast betrayed me and hast procured for thyself a new bed, children being born to thee, for if thou wert still childless it would be pardonable in thee to be enamored of this alliance.  But the faith of oaths is vanished:  nor can I discover whether thou thinkest that the former Gods are not still in power, or whether new laws are now laid down for men, since thou art at least conscious of being perjured toward me.  Alas! this right hand which thou hast often touched, and these knees, since in vain have I been polluted by a wicked husband, and have failed in my hopes.  Come (for I will converse with thee as with a friend, not expecting to receive any benefit from thee at least, but nevertheless I will; for when questioned thou wilt appear more base), now whither shall I turn?  Whether to my father’s house, which I betrayed for thee, and my country, and came hither? or to the miserable daughters of Pelias? friendly would they indeed receive me in their house, whose father I slew.  For thus it is:  I am in enmity with my friends at home; but those whom I ought not to injure, by obliging thee, I make my enemies.  On which account in return for this thou hast made me to be called happy by many dames through Greece, and in thee I, wretch that I am, have an admirable and faithful husband, if cast out at least I shall fly this land, deserted by my friends, lonely with thy lonely children.  Fair renown indeed to the new married bridegroom, that his children are wandering in poverty, and I also who preserved thee.  O Jove, why I pray hast thou given to men certain proofs of the gold which is adulterate, but no mark is set by nature on the person of men by which one may distinguish the bad man.

CHOR.  Dreadful is that anger and irremediable, when friends with friends kindle strife.

JAS. It befits me, it seems, not to be weak in argument, but as the prudent pilot of a vessel, with all the sail that can be hoisted, to run from out of thy violent abuse, O woman.  But I, since thou thus much vauntest thy favors, think that Venus alone both of Gods and men was the protectress of my voyage.  But thou hast a fickle mind, but it is an invidious account to go through, how love compelled thee with his inevitable arrows to preserve my life.  But I will not follow up arguments with too great accuracy, for where thou hast assisted me it is well.  Moreover thou hast received more at least from my safety than thou gavest,