FOR J. CARPENTER, J. BOOKER, RODWELL AND MARTIN, N. HAILES, J. PORTER, B. E. LLOYD AND SON, C. SMITH, AND C. WHITTINGHAM. THE ARGONAUTICS OF APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. TRANSLATED; WITH Notes and Observations, CRITICAL, HISTORICAL, AND EXPLANATORY, BY W. PRESTON, ESQ. M. R. I. A. VOL. II. Chiswick: FROM THE PRESS OF C. WHITTINGHAM, COLLEGE HOUSE. THE ARGONAUTICS OF APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. BOOK III. The Argument. Juno and Minerva, having consulted together how they may best aid the Argonauts in their enterprise, resolve to apply to Venus. They persuade her to send Cupid to inspire Medea with love for Jason. That hero, with the sons of Phryxus, presenting himself before Eetes, demands of him the golden fleece. The monarch, enraged at this bold application, propounds tremendous, and, as he thought, impracticable tasks, as the means of obtaining the fleece.→ These were, to yoke the bulls breathing fire.--To sow the dragon's teeth, and reap the harvest of armed men.-In the mean time, Venus finds Cupid playing at dice with Ganymede. She bribes her son with a couple of golden balls, to cooperate in the design of inflaming Medea with love. The passion and mental conflicts of that princess are described. She resigns herself wholly to the dominion of love; and, under the influence of that emotion, determines to assist Jason in his enterprise.-She has an interview with the young hero at the temple of Hecate.--She furnishes him with a certain medicament, composed of enchanted herbs and drugs; by which he should be enabled to endure the fiery breath of the bulls.-And instructs him how he is to conduct himself, so as to avoid the fury of the VOL. II. B |