`` That is already accomplished , may it please your majesty , '' replied Jason . `` The bulls have been tamed and yoked ; the field has been plowed ; the dragon 's teeth have been sown broadcast , and harrowed into the soil ; the crop of armed warriors have sprung up , and they have slain one another , to the last man . And now I solicit your majesty 's permission to encounter the dragon , that I may take down the Golden Fleece from the tree , and depart , with my nine and forty comrades . '' King Aetes scowled , and looked very angry and excessively disturbed ; for he knew that , in accordance with his kingly promise , he ought now to permit Jason to win the Fleece , if his courage and skill should enable him to do so . But , since the young man had met with such good luck in the matter of the brazen bulls and the dragon 's teeth , the king feared that he would be equally successful in slaying the dragon . And therefore , though he would gladly have seen Jason snapped up at a mouthful , he was resolved -LRB- and it was a very wrong thing of this wicked potentate -RRB- not to run any further risk of losing his beloved Fleece . `` You never would have succeeded in this business , young man , '' said he , `` if my undutiful daughter Medea had not helped you with her enchantments . Had you acted fairly , you would have been , at this instant , a black cinder , or a handful of white ashes . I forbid you , on pain of death , to make any more attempts to get the Golden Fleece . To speak my mind plainly , you shall never set eyes on so much as one of its glistening locks . '' Jason left the king 's presence in great sorrow and anger . He could think of nothing better to be done than to summon together his forty-nine brave Argonauts , march at once to the Grove of Mars , slay the dragon , take possession of the Golden Fleece , get on board the Argo , and spread all sail for Iolchos . The success of this scheme depended , it is true , on the doubtful point whether all the fifty heroes might not be snapped up , at so many mouthfuls , by the dragon . But , as Jason was hastening down the palace steps , the Princess Medea called after him , and beckoned him to return . Her black eyes shone upon him with such a keen intelligence , that he felt as if there were a serpent peeping out of them ; and , although she had done him so much service only the night before , he was by no means very certain that she would not do him an equally great mischief before sunset . These enchantresses , you must know , are never to be depended upon . `` What says King Aetes , my royal and upright father ? '' inquired Medea , slightly smiling . `` Will he give you the Golden Fleece , without any further risk or trouble ? '' `` On the contrary , '' answered Jason , `` he is very angry with me for taming the brazen bulls and sowing the dragon 's teeth .
And he forbids me XXXXX make any more attempts , and positively refuses to give up the Golden Fleece , whether I slay the dragon or no . ''
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