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 Jason '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 . As for the peacock , it alighted on the old dame 's shoulder .
XXXXX 's two spears , one in each hand , kept him from stumbling , and enabled him to feel his way among the hidden rocks ; although every instant , he expected that his companion and himself would go down the stream , together with the driftwood of shattered trees , and the carcasses of the sheep and cow .
Chiron Jason Pelias back comfort first harm limbs maxims need