tanglewood tales(探戈林故事)-第40章
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After this feat； the dragon seemed sensible that some other living
creature was within reach； on which he felt inclined to finish his meal。 In
various directions he kept poking his ugly snout among the trees；
stretching out his neck a terrible long way； now here； now there； and now
close to the spot where Jason and the princess were hiding behind an oak。
Upon my word； as the head came waving and undulating through the air；
and reaching almost within arm's length of Prince Jason； it was a very
hideous and uncomfortable sight。 The gape of his enormous jaws was
nearly as wide as the gateway of the king's palace。
〃Well； Jason；〃 whispered Medea （for she was ill natured； as all
enchantresses are； and wanted to make the bold youth tremble）； 〃what do
you think now of your prospect of winning the Golden Fleece？〃
Jason answered only by drawing his sword； and making a step
forward。
〃Stay； foolish youth；〃 said Medea； grasping his arm。 〃Do not you see
you are lost； without me as your good angel？ In this gold box I have a
magic potion； which will do the dragon's business far more effectually
than your sword。〃
The dragon had probably heard the voices； for swift as lightning； his
black head and forked tongue came hissing among the trees again； darting
full forty feet at a stretch。 As it approached； Medea tossed the contents of
the gold box right down the monster's wide…open throat。 Immediately； with
an outrageous hiss and a tremendous wriggleflinging his tail up to the
tip…top of the tallest tree； and shattering all its branches as it crashed
heavily down againthe dragon fell at full length upon the ground； and lay
quite motionless。
〃It is only a sleeping potion；〃 said the enchantress to Prince Jason。
〃One always finds a use for these mischievous creatures； sooner or later；
so I did not wish to kill him outright。 Quick！ Snatch the prize； and let us
begone。 You have won the Golden Fleece。〃
Jason caught the fleece from the tree； and hurried through the grove；
the deep shadows of which were illuminated as he passed by the golden
glory of the precious object that he bore along。 A little way before him； he
beheld the old woman whom he had helped over the stream； with her
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peacock beside her。 She clapped her hands for joy； and beckoning him to
make haste； disappeared among the duskiness of the trees。 Espying the
two winged sons of the North Wind （who were disporting themselves in
the moonlight； a few hundred feet aloft）； Jason bade them tell the rest of
the Argonauts to embark as speedily as possible。 But Lynceus； with his
sharp eyes； had already caught a glimpse of him； bringing the Golden
Fleece； although several stone walls； a hill； and the black shadows of the
Grove of Mars； intervened between。 By his advice； the heroes had seated
themselves on the benches of the galley； with their oars held
perpendicularly； ready to let fall into the water。
As Jason drew near； he heard the Talking Image calling to him with
more than ordinary eagerness； in its grave； sweet voice：
〃Make haste； Prince Jason！ For your life； make haste！〃
With one bound； he leaped aboard。 At sight of the glorious radiance of
the Golden Fleece； the nine and forty heroes gave a mighty shout； and
Orpheus； striking his harp； sang a song of triumph； to the cadence of
which the galley flew over the water； homeward bound； as if careering
along with wings！
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