Jason sat awhile, sad and silent; for he had often heard of that golden fleece; but he looked on it as a thing hopeless and impossible for any mortal man to win it.

But when Pelias saw him silent, he began to talk of other things, and courted Jason more and more, speaking to him as if he was certain to be his heir, and asking his advice about the kingdom; till Jason who was young and simple, could not help saying to himself, “Surely he is not the dark man whom people call him.  Yet why did he drive my father out?” And he asked Pelias boldly, “Men say that you are terrible, and a man of blood; but I find you a kind and hospitable man; and as you are to me, so will I be to you.  Yet why did you drive my father out?”

Pelias smiled and sighed:  “Men have slandered me in that, as in all things.  Your father was growing old and weary, and he gave the kingdom up to me of his own will.  You shall see him to-morrow, and ask him; and he will tell you the same.”

Jason’s heart leapt in him, when he heard that he was to see his father; and he believed all that Pelias said, forgetting that his father might not dare to tell the truth.

“One thing more there is,” said Pelias, “on which I need your advice; for though you are young, I see in you a wisdom beyond your years.  There is one neighbour of mine, whom I dread more than all men on earth.  I am stronger than he now, and can command him; but I know that if he stay among us, he will work my ruin in the end.  Can you give me a plan, Jason, by which I can rid myself of that man?”

After awhile, Jason answered, half laughing, “Were I you, I would send him to fetch that same golden fleece; for if he once set forth after it you would never be troubled with him more.”

And at that a bitter smile came across Pelias’s lips, and a flash of wicked joy into his eyes; and Jason saw it, and started; and over his mind came the warning of the old man, and his own one sandal, and the oracle, and he saw that he was taken in a trap.

But Pelias only answered gently, “My son, he shall be sent forthwith.”

“You mean me?” cried Jason, starting up, “because I came here with one sandal?” And he lifted his fist angrily, while Pelias stood up to him like a wolf at bay; and whether of the two was the stronger and the fiercer, it would be hard to tell.

But after a moment Pelias spoke gently, “Why then so rash, my son?  You, and not I, have said what is said; why blame me for what I have not done?  Had you bid me love the man of whom I spoke, and make him my son-in-law and heir, I would have obeyed you; and what if I obey you now, and send the man to win himself immortal fame?  I have not harmed you, or him.  One thing at least I know, that he will go, and that gladly; for he has a hero’s heart within him; loving glory, and scorning to break the word which he has given.”

Jason saw that he was entrapped; but his second promise to Cheiron came into his mind, and he thought, “What if the Centaur were a prophet in that also, and meant that I should win the fleece!” Then he cried aloud: