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 of good fortune that he should be able to carry so wise a block of wood along with him in his perilous voyage . `` Tell me , wondrous image , '' exclaimed Jason , -- `` since you inherit the wisdom of the Speaking Oak of Dodona , whose daughter you are , -- tell me , where shall I find fifty bold youths , who will take each of them an oar of my galley ? They must have sturdy arms to row , and brave hearts to encounter perils , or we shall never win the Golden Fleece . '' `` Go , '' replied the oaken image , `` go , summon all the heroes of Greece . '' And , in fact , considering what a great deed was to be done , could any advice be wiser than this which Jason received from the figure-head of his vessel ? He lost no time in sending messengers to all the cities , and making known to the whole people of Greece , that Prince Jason , the son of King Jason , was going in quest of the Fleece of Gold , and that he desired the help of forty-nine of the bravest and strongest young men alive , to row his vessel and share his dangers . And Jason himself would be the fiftieth . At this news , the adventurous youths , all over the country , began to bestir themselves . Some of them had already fought with giants , and slain dragons ; and the younger ones , who had not yet met with such good fortune , thought it a shame to have lived so long without getting astride of a flying serpent , or sticking their spears into a Chimaera , or , at least , thrusting their right arms down a monstrous lion 's throat . There was a fair prospect that they would meet with plenty of such adventures before finding the Golden Fleece . As soon as they could furbish up their helmets and shields , therefore , and gird on their trusty swords , they came thronging to Iolchos , and clambered on board the new galley .
Shaking hands with Jason , they assured him that they did not care a pin for their lives , but would help row the vessel to the remotest edge XXXXX the world , and as much farther as he might think it best to go .
At as from in into of that though until with