I and my peacock have something to do on the other side , as well as yourself . '' `` Good mother , '' replied Jason , `` your business can hardly be so important as the pulling down a king from his throne . Besides , as you may see for yourself , the river is very boisterous ; and if I should chance to stumble , it would sweep both of us away more easily than it has carried off yonder uprooted tree . I would gladly help you if I could ; but I doubt whether I am strong enough to carry you across . '' `` Then , '' said she , very scornfully , `` neither are you strong enough to pull King Pelias off his throne . And , Jason , unless you will help an old woman at her need , you ought not to be a king . What are kings made for , save to succor the feeble and distressed ? But do as you please . Either take me on your back , or with my poor old limbs I shall try my best to struggle across the stream . '' Saying this , the old woman poked with her staff in the river , as if to find the safest place in its rocky bed where she might make the first step . But Jason , by this time , had grown ashamed of his reluctance to help her . He felt that he could never forgive himself , if this poor feeble creature should come to any harm in attempting to wrestle against the headlong current . The good Chiron , whether half horse or no , had taught him that the noblest use of his strength was to assist the weak ; and also that he must treat every young woman as if she were his sister , and every old one like a mother . Remembering these maxims , the vigorous and beautiful young man knelt down , and requested the good dame to mount upon his back . `` The passage seems to me not very safe , '' he remarked . `` But as your business is so urgent , I will try to carry you across . If the river sweeps you away , it shall take me too . '' `` That , no doubt , will be a great comfort to both of us , '' quoth the old woman . `` But never fear . We shall get safely across . ''
So she threw her arms around XXXXX 's neck ; and lifting her from the ground , he stepped boldly into the raging and foaming current , and began to stagger away from the shore .
Chiron Jason Pelias dame first maxims peacock something staff stream