`` Let them sleep in the bed of honor , '' said the Princess Medea , with a sly smile at Jason . `` The world will always have simpletons enough , just like them , fighting and dying for they know not what , and fancying that posterity will take the trouble to put laurel wreaths on their rusty and battered helmets . Could you help smiling , Prince Jason , to see the self-conceit of that last fellow , just as he tumbled down ? '' `` It made me very sad , '' answered Jason , gravely . `` And , to tell you the truth , princess , the Golden Fleece does not appear so well worth the winning , after what I have here beheld ! '' `` You will think differently in the morning , '' said Medea . `` True , the Golden Fleece may not be so valuable as you have thought it ; but then there is nothing better in the world ; and one must needs have an object , you know . Come ! Your night 's work has been well performed ; and to-morrow you can inform King Aetes that the first part of your allotted task is fulfilled . '' Agreeably to Medea 's advice , Jason went betimes in the morning to the palace of King Aetes . Entering the presence chamber , he stood at the foot of the throne , and made a low obeisance . `` Your eyes look heavy , Prince Jason , '' observed the king ; `` you appear to have spent a sleepless night . I hope you have been considering the matter a little more wisely , and have concluded not to get yourself scorched to a cinder , in attempting to tame my brazen-lunged bulls . '' `` 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 , XXXXX this instant , a black cinder , or a handful of white ashes .
after as at from into of since that with worth