said the branch , as soon as it could speak distinctly ; `` cut me off ! cut me off ! and carve me into a figure-head for your galley . '' Accordingly , Jason took the branch at its word , and lopped it off the tree . A carver in the neighborhood engaged to make the figurehead . He was a tolerably good workman , and had already carved several figure-heads , in what he intended for feminine shapes , and looking pretty much like those which we see nowadays stuck up under a vessel 's bowsprit , with great staring eyes , that never wink at the dash of the spray . But -LRB- what was very strange -RRB- the carver found that his hand was guided by some unseen power , and by a skill beyond his own , and that his tools shaped out an image which he had never dreamed of . When the work was finished , it turned out to be the figure of a beautiful woman , with a helmet on her head , from beneath which the long ringlets fell down upon her shoulders . On the left arm was a shield , and in its center appeared a lifelike representation of the head of Medusa with the snaky locks . The right arm was extended , as if pointing onward . The face of this wonderful statue , though not angry or forbidding , was so grave and majestic , that perhaps you might call it severe ; and as for the mouth , it seemed just ready to unclose its lips , and utter words of the deepest wisdom . Jason was delighted with the oaken image , and gave the carver no rest until it was completed , and set up where a figure-head has always stood , from that time to this , in the vessel 's prow . `` And now , '' cried he , as he stood gazing at the calm , majestic face of the statue , `` I must go to the Talking Oak and inquire what next to do . '' `` There is no need of that , Jason , '' said a voice which , though it was far lower , reminded him of the mighty tones of the great oak . `` When you desire good advice , you can seek it of me . '' Jason had been looking straight into the face of the image when these words were spoken . But he could hardly believe either his ears or his eyes . The truth was , however , that the oaken lips had moved , and , to all appearance , the voice had proceeded from the statue 's mouth . Recovering a little from his surprise , Jason bethought himself that the image had been carved out of the wood of the Talking Oak , and that , therefore , it was really no great wonder , but on the contrary , the most natural thing in the world , that it should possess the faculty of speech . It would have been very odd , indeed , if it had not .
But certainly it was a great piece XXXXX good fortune that he should be able to carry so wise a block of wood along with him in his perilous voyage .
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