`` Do not you see you are lost , without me as your good angel ? In this gold box I have a magic potion , which will do the dragon 's business far more effectually than your sword . '' The dragon had probably heard the voices ; for swift as lightning , his black head and forked tongue came hissing among the trees again , darting full forty feet at a stretch . As it approached , Medea tossed the contents of the gold box right down the monster 's wide-open throat . Immediately , with an outrageous hiss and a tremendous wriggle -- flinging his tail up to the tip-top of the tallest tree , and shattering all its branches as it crashed heavily down again -- the dragon fell at full length upon the ground , and lay quite motionless . `` It is only a sleeping potion , '' said the enchantress to Prince Jason . `` One always finds a use for these mischievous creatures , sooner or later ; so I did not wish to kill him outright . Quick ! Snatch the prize , and let us begone . You have won the Golden Fleece . '' Jason caught the fleece from the tree , and hurried through the grove , the deep shadows of which were illuminated as he passed by the golden glory of the precious object that he bore along . A little way before him , he beheld the old woman whom he had helped over the stream , with her peacock beside her . She clapped her hands for joy , and beckoning him to make haste , disappeared among the duskiness of the trees . Espying the two winged sons of the North Wind -LRB- who were disporting themselves in the moonlight , a few hundred feet aloft -RRB- , Jason bade them tell the rest of the Argonauts to embark as speedily as possible . But Lynceus , with his sharp eyes , had already caught a glimpse of him , bringing the Golden Fleece , although several stone walls , a hill , and the black shadows of the Grove of Mars , intervened between . By his advice , the heroes had seated themselves on the benches of the galley , with their oars held perpendicularly , ready to let fall into the water . As Jason drew near , he heard the Talking Image calling to him with more than ordinary eagerness , in its grave , sweet voice : `` Make haste , Prince Jason ! For your life , make haste ! '' With one bound , he leaped aboard . INTRODUCTORY TO `` THE GORGON 'S HEAD . ''
Beneath the porch of the country-seat called Tanglewood , one fine autumnal morning , was assembled a merry party XXXXX little folks , with a tall youth in the midst of them .
As although by from of over so to with without