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Back to the home-land, bearing the Fleece of Gold to the king,

Even as thou wilt, and thine heart desireth: and this mine isle,{890}

And my father’s sceptre withal, shall wait for thee the while,

If haply, thine home-coming won, thou wouldst choose to come hither again.

Thou couldst gather from other cities a host unnumbered of men

Lightly—ah, but the longing shall never awaken in thee;

Yea, and mine own heart bodeth that this shall never be!

Yet O remember Hypsipylê whilst thou art far away,

And when home thou hast won; and leave me a word that thy love shall obey

With joy, if the Gods shall vouchsafe me to bear a son to my lord.’

Lovingly looked on her Aison’s son, and he spake the word:

‘Hypsipylê, so may the Gods bring all these blessings to be!{900}

Howbeit a better wish than this frame thou for me;

Forasmuch as by Pelias’ grace it sufficeth me still to live

In the home-land—only the Gods from my toils deliverance give!

But and if to return to the land of Hellas be not my doom,

Afar as I sail, and a fair manchild be the fruit of thy womb,