She looked very aged , and wrinkled , and infirm ; and yet her eyes , which were as brown as those of an ox , were so extremely large and beautiful , that , when they were fixed on Jason 's eyes , he could see nothing else but them . The old woman had a pomegranate in her hand , although the fruit was then quite out of season . `` Whither are you going , Jason ? '' she now asked . She seemed to know his name , you will observe ; and , indeed , those great brown eyes looked as if they had a knowledge of everything , whether past or to come . While Jason was gazing at her , a peacock strutted forward , and took his stand at the old woman 's side . `` I am going to Iolchos , '' answered the young man , `` to bid the wicked King Pelias come down from my father 's throne , and let me reign in his stead . '' `` Ah , well , then , '' said the old woman , still with the same cracked voice , `` if that is all your business , you need not be in a very great hurry . Just take me on your back , there 's a good youth , and carry me across the river . 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 , XXXXX this poor feeble creature should come to any harm in attempting to wrestle against the headlong current .
across at for from if in of on that to