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With welcome of love, and thou shalt not bethink thee at all of the fray.’

And, like unto Jason, the soft down bloomed on the young king’s chin;

Neither yet was he gladdened with laughter of children his halls within;

For the pangs of the travailing hour not yet to his bride had been known,

Even to the lady born of Merops, Perkosius’ son,

Fair-tressed Kleitê. But now had she passed from her sire’s halls forth

On the mainland-shore, when he won her with gifts of priceless worth.

But for all this left he his bridal bower and the bed of his bride,

And arrayed them a banquet, and cast from his heart all fear aside.

And they questioned each other, the king and the heroes. Of them would he learn{980}

The end whereunto they voyaged, and Pelias’ bidding stern.

Of the dwellers around, and their cities, they asked and were fain to be taught

Touching all the gulf of Propontis the wide: but the king knew nought

Beyond to tell them, albeit with eager desire they sought.

So at dawn did they climb huge Dindymus’ sides, with purpose to gaze