Metamorphoses by Ovid

Now in the Pagasaean vessel borne, Plough'd the wide sea the Argonauts, and saw The fate of Phineus; whose old age the curse Of hunger felt, and felt perpetual night. The youths from Boreas sprung, quick sped to flight The virgin-featur'd birds, his hapless face, Far distant. 'Neath great Jason's rule much toil They bore ere on the oozy banks they stay'd Of rapid Phasis. Here the king they seek; And here demand the golden fleece; and here An answer big with fearful labors learn The Grecian crew. Meantime the royal maid Burns with fierce fires: with reason struggling long, Still her hot flame to quench unable, cries Aloud Medea;--"vainly I oppose! "Some unknown god controls. Perhaps 'tis love! "If love 'tis not, no sentiment more near "To love can come. Why else my sire's commands "So harsh appear? But harsh in truth they are. "But why his failing dread? Why dread his death, "But barely seen? What cause such fear can give? "O, hapless maid! would from my virgin breast "Those flames to fling were given. If mine the power "More wisdom would I use. But me this force, "Before unknown, unwilling drags; this love "Persuades, oppos'd to reason: plain I see "The better track,--approve it most, yet swerv'd, "I tread the worse. Why, royal virgin, burn "Thus for a stranger guest? Why long'st thou thus, "A foreign partner in the marriage bed "To clasp? Thy country well can thee supply "What e'er thou lovest. In the gods' decree "His death or safety rests. Yet may he live! "Pray may'st thou for him sure, --love unconcern'd. "But what has Jason done? Savage, indeed! "Were those his youth, his birth, and brilliant deeds "Not touch'd: how savage too the soul must be "His beauty touch'd not, were there nought beside; "My bosom sure it moves. But were my aid "Deny'd, the furious bulls with flaming breath "His fate would compass; or the foes that spring "From earth, his harvest, slay him in the fight; "Or last, he'd fall the ravenous dragon's prey. "If this I suffer, from the tiger sprung "Believe me; steel and marble in my breast, "Deem me to wear. Why not his death behold? "Why not mine eyes with the dread sight pollute! "Why not the bulls, the earth-born foes incite, "And sleepless dragon, with redoubled ire? "Heaven wills it better.