make no long delay in our sailing for these things' sake, when
the breezes but blow fair. But, friends,--for common to all is
our return to Hellas hereafter, and common to all is our path to
the land of Aeetes--now therefore with ungrudging heart choose
the bravest to be our leader, who shall be careful for
everything, to take upon him our quarrels and covenants with
strangers."

(ll. 341-344) Thus he spake; and the young heroes turned their
eyes towards bold Heracles sitting in their midst, and with one
shout they all enjoined upon him to be their leader; but he, from
the place where he sat, stretched forth his right hand and said:

(ll. 345-347) "Let no one offer this honour to me. For I will
not consent, and I will forbid any other to stand up. Let the
hero who brought us together, himself be the leader of the host."

(ll. 348-350) Thus he spake with high thoughts, and they
assented, as Heracles bade; and warlike Jason himself rose up,
glad at heart, and thus addressed the eager throng:

(ll. 351-362) "If ye entrust your glory to my care, no longer as
before let our path be hindered. Now at last let us propitiate
Phoebus with sacrifice and straightway prepare a feast. And
until my thralls come, the overseers of my steading, whose care
it is to choose out oxen from the herd and drive them hither, we
will drag down the ship to the sea, and do ye place all the
tackling within, and draw lots for the benches for rowing.
Meantime let us build upon the beach an altar to Apollo Embasius
(1) who by an oracle promised to point out and show me the paths