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diff --git a/37881-h/37881-h.html b/37881-h/37881-h.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6eae7e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/37881-h/37881-h.html @@ -0,0 +1,12154 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> +<head> + <meta name="generator" content= + "HTML Tidy for Linux/x86 (vers 25 March 2009), see www.w3.org" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <link rel="schema.DC" href="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" /> + <meta name="DC.Creator" content="Padraic Colum" /> + <meta name="DC.Title" content= + "The Golden Fleece and The Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles" /> + <meta name="DC.Date" content="October 29, 2011" /> + <meta name="DC.Language" content="English" /> + <meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /> + <meta name="DC.Identifier" content= + "http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/37881" /> + <meta name="DC.Rights" content="This text is in the public domain." /> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Golden Fleece and The Heroes Who + Lived Before Achilles by Padraic Colum</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[*/ + /* + The Gnutenberg Press - default CSS2 stylesheet + + Any generated element will have a class "tei" and a class "tei-elem" + where elem is the element name in TEI. + The order of statements is important !!! 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use + it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License <a href= + "#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this eBook</a> or + online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class= + "tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a></p> + </div> + <pre class="pre tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> +Title: The Golden Fleece and The Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles + +Author: Padraic Colum + +Release Date: October 29, 2011 [Ebook #37881] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN FLEECE AND THE HEROES WHO LIVED BEFORE ACHILLES*** +</pre> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"></div> + <hr class="page" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="cover.png" id= + "cover.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig1" id="fig1"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/cover.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="halftitle.png" + id="halftitle.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig2" id="fig2"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/halftitle.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="frontis.png" id= + "frontis.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig3" id="fig3"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/frontis.png" alt="Illustration" title= + "Jason and Medea" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + Jason and Medea + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="title.png" id= + "title.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig4" id="fig4"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/title.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: center"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">The Golden Fleece</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: center"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">and the Heroes Who</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: center"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Lived before Achilles</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: center; margin-top: 1.44em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">By Padraig Colum</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: center"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">Illustrations by Willy Pogany</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: center; margin-top: 3.00em"> + 1921 + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: center"> + The Macmillan Company, New York + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: center; margin-top: 5.00em"> + to + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: center"> + the children of + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: center"> + Susan and Llewellyn Jones + </div> + </div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 100%"> + <img src="images/contents.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Contents</span></h1> + + <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-toc"> + <li><a href="#toc5">Part I. The Voyage to Colchis</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc7">I. The Youth + Jason</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc11">II. King + Pelias</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc14">III. The Golden + Fleece</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc17">IV. The Assembling of + the Heroes and the Building of the Ship</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc20">V. The <span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 4em"><a href="#toc23">The Beginning of + Things</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc25">VI. Polydeuces’ + Victory and Heracles’ Loss</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc29">VII. King + Phineus</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc32">VIII. King Phineus’s + Counsel; The Landing in Lemnos</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc34">IX. The Lemnian + Maidens</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 4em"><a href="#toc37">Demeter and + Persephone</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 4em"><a href="#toc43">Atalanta’s + Race</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc46">X. The Departure from + Lemnos</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 4em"><a href="#toc48">The Golden + Maid</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc53">XI. The Passage of + the Symplegades</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc55">XII. The Mountain + Caucasus</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 4em"><a href="#toc57">Prometheus</a></li> + + <li><a href="#toc61">Part II. The Return to Greece</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc63">I. King + Æetes</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc65">II. Medea the + Sorceress</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc67">III. The Winning of + the Golden Fleece</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc71">IV. The Slaying of + Apsyrtus</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc74">V. Medea Comes to + Circe</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc77">VI. In the Land of + the Phæacians</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc79">VII. They Come to the + Desert Land</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc82">VIII. The Carrying of + the Argo</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 4em"><a href="#toc85">The Story of + Perseus</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc90">IX. Near to Iolcus + Again</a></li> + + <li><a href="#toc93">Part III. The Heroes of the Quest</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc95">I. Atalanta the + Huntress</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc97">II. Peleus and His + Bride from the Sea</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc99">III. Theseus and the + Minotaur</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc105">IV. The Life and + Labors of Heracles</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 4em"><a href="#toc111">The Battle of the + Frogs and Mice</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc114">V. Admetus</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc118">VI. How Orpheus the + Minstrel Went Down to the World of the Dead</a></li> + + <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc121">VII. Jason and + Medea</a></li> + </ul> + </div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 100%"> + <img src="images/illustrations.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Illustrations</span></h1> + + <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-fig"> + <li><a href="#fig1"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig2"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig3">Jason and Medea</a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig4"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig9"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig10"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig13"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig16"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig19"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig22">the <span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig27"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig28">Hylas</a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig31"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig36"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig39">Persephone and Aidoneus</a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig40"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig41"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig42"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig45">Atalanta’s Last Race</a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig50"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig51"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig52"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig59">Prometheus</a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig60"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig69">The Field of the Dragon’s Teeth</a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig70"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig73"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig76"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig81"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig84"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig87"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig88">Perseus and Andromeda</a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig89"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig92"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig101"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig102"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig103"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig104"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig107"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig108"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig109"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig110"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig113"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig116"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig117"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig120"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig123"></a></li> + + <li><a href="#fig124"></a></li> + </ul> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-body" style= + "margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page1">[pg 1]</span> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="toc5" id="toc5"></a><a name="pdf6" id="pdf6"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Part I. The Voyage to + Colchis</span></h1><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page3">[pg 3]</span> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc7" id="toc7"></a><a name="pdf8" id="pdf8"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">I. The Youth Jason</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capA1.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">A</span></span> MAN in the + garb of a slave went up the side of that mountain that is all + covered with forest, the Mountain Pelion. He carried in his arms a + little child.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When it was + full noon the slave came into a clearing of the forest so silent + that it seemed empty of all life. He laid the child down on the + soft moss, and then, trembling with the fear of what might come + before him, he raised a horn to his lips and blew three blasts upon + it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then he waited. + The blue sky was above him, the great trees stood away from him, + and the little child lay at his feet. He waited, and then he heard + the thud-thud of great hooves. And then from between the trees he + saw coming toward him the strangest of all beings, one who was half + man and half horse; this was Chiron the centaur.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Chiron came + toward the trembling slave. Greater than any horse was Chiron, + taller than any man. The hair of his head flowed back into his + horse’s mane, his great beard flowed over his horse’s chest; in his + man’s hand he held a great spear.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page4">[pg 4]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Not swiftly he + came, but the slave could see that in those great limbs of his + there was speed like to the wind’s. The slave fell upon his knees. + And with eyes that were full of majesty and wisdom and limbs that + were full of strength and speed, the king-centaur stood above him. + <span class="tei tei-q">“O my lord,”</span> the slave said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have come before thee sent by Æson, my + master, who told me where to come and what blasts to blow upon the + horn. And Æson, once King of Iolcus, bade me say to thee that if + thou dost remember his ancient friendship with thee thou wilt, + perchance, take this child and guard and foster him, and, as he + grows, instruct him with thy wisdom.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“For Æson’s sake I will rear and foster this + child,”</span> said Chiron the king-centaur in a deep voice.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The child lying + on the moss had been looking up at the four-footed and two-handed + centaur. Now the slave lifted him up and placed him in the + centaur’s arms. He said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Æson bade me tell thee that the child’s name is Jason. + He bade me give thee this ring with the great ruby in it that thou + mayst give it to the child when he is grown. By this ring with its + ruby and the images engraved on it Æson may know his son when they + meet after many years and many changes. And another thing Æson bade + me say to thee, O my lord Chiron: not presumptuous is he, but he + knows that this child has the regard of the immortal Goddess Hera, + the wife of Zeus.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Chiron held + Æson’s son in his arms, and the little child put hands into his + great beard. Then the centaur said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Let + Æson <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page5">[pg 5]</span> know that + his son will be reared and fostered by me, and that, when they meet + again, there will be ways by which they will be known to each + other.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i001.png" id= + "i001.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig9" id="fig9"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i001.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Saying this + Chiron the centaur, holding the child in his arms, went swiftly + toward the forest arches; then the slave took up the horn and went + down the side of the Mountain Pelion. He came to where a horse was + hidden, and he mounted and rode, first to a city, and then to a + village that was beyond the city.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All this was + before the famous walls of Troy were built; before King Priam had + come to the throne of his father and while he was still known, not + as Priam, but as Podarces. And the beginning of all these + happenings was in Iolcus, a city in Thessaly.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Cretheus + founded the city and had ruled over it in days before King Priam + was born. He left two sons, Æson and Pelias. Æson succeeded his + father. And because he was a mild and gentle man the men of war did + not love Æson; they wanted a hard king who would lead them to + conquests.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Pelias, the + brother of Æson, was ever with the men of war; he knew what mind + they had toward Æson and he plotted with them to overthrow his + brother. This they did, and they brought Pelias to reign as king in + Iolcus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The people + loved Æson and they feared Pelias. And because the people loved him + and would be maddened by his slaying, <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page6">[pg 6]</span> Pelias and the men of war left him living. + With his wife, Alcimide, and his infant son, Æson went from the + city, and in a village that was at a distance from Iolcus he found + a hidden house and went to dwell in it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Æson would have + lived content there were it not that he was fearful for Jason, his + infant son. Jason, he knew, would grow into a strong and a bold + youth, and Pelias, the king, would be made uneasy on his account. + Pelias would slay the son, and perhaps would slay the father for + the son’s sake when his memory would come to be less loved by the + people. Æson thought of such things in his hidden house, and he + pondered on ways to have his son reared away from Iolcus and the + dread and the power of King Pelias.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He had for a + friend one who was the wisest of all creatures—Chiron the centaur; + Chiron who was half man and half horse; Chiron who had lived and + was yet to live measureless years. Chiron had fostered Heracles, + and it might be that he would not refuse to foster Jason, Æson’s + child.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Away in the + fastnesses of Mount Pelion Chiron dwelt; once Æson had been with + him and had seen the centaur hunt with his great bow and his great + spears. And Æson knew a way that one might come to him; Chiron + himself had told him of the way.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now there was a + slave in his house who had been a huntsman and who knew all the + ways of the Mountain Pelion. Æson talked with this slave one day, + and after he had talked with <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page7">[pg 7]</span> him he sat for a long time over the cradle of + his sleeping infant. And then he spoke to Alcimide, his wife, + telling her of a parting that made her weep. That evening the slave + came in and Æson took the child from the arms of the mournful-eyed + mother and put him in the slave’s arms. Also he gave him a horn and + a ring with a great ruby in it and mystic images engraved on its + gold. Then when the ways were dark the slave mounted a horse, and, + with the child in his arms, rode through the city that King Pelias + ruled over. In the morning he came to that mountain that is all + covered with forest, the Mountain Pelion. And that evening he came + back to the village and to Æson’s hidden house, and he told his + master how he had prospered.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Æson was + content thereafter although he was lonely and although his wife was + lonely in their childlessness. But the time came when they rejoiced + that their child had been sent into an unreachable place. For + messengers from King Pelias came inquiring about the boy. They told + the king’s messengers that the child had strayed off from his + nurse, and that whether he had been slain by a wild beast or had + been drowned in the swift River Anaurus they did not know.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The years went + by and Pelias felt secure upon the throne he had taken from his + brother. Once he sent to the oracle of the gods to ask of it + whether he should be fearful of anything. What the oracle answered + was this: that King Pelias had but one thing to dread—the coming of + a half-shod man.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page8">[pg + 8]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The centaur + nourished the child Jason on roots and fruits and honey; for + shelter they had a great cave that Chiron had lived in for + numberless years. When he had grown big enough to leave the cave + Chiron would let Jason mount on his back; with the child holding on + to his great mane he would trot gently through the ways of the + forest.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason began to + know the creatures of the forest and their haunts. Sometimes Chiron + would bring his great bow with him; then Jason, on his back, would + hold the quiver and would hand him the arrows. The centaur would + let the boy see him kill with a single arrow the bear, the boar, or + the deer. And soon Jason, running beside him, hunted too.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> No heroes were + ever better trained than those whose childhood and youth had been + spent with Chiron the king-centaur. He made them more swift of foot + than any other of the children of men. He made them stronger and + more ready with the spear and bow. Jason was trained by Chiron as + Heracles just before him had been trained, and as Achilles was to + be trained afterward.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Moreover, + Chiron taught him the knowledge of the stars and the wisdom that + had to do with the ways of the gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Once, when they + were hunting together, Jason saw a form at the end of an alley of + trees—the form of a woman it was—of a woman who had on her head a + shining crown. Never had Jason dreamt of seeing a form so wondrous. + Not very near did he come, but he thought he knew that the woman + smiled upon <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page9">[pg 9]</span> him. + She was seen no more, and Jason knew that he had looked upon one of + the immortal goddesses.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All day Jason + was filled with thought of her whom he had seen. At night, when the + stars were out, and when they were seated outside the cave, Chiron + and Jason talked together, and Chiron told the youth that she whom + he had seen was none other than Hera, the wife of Zeus, who had for + his father Æson and for himself an especial friendliness.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Jason grew + up upon the mountain and in the forest fastnesses. When he had + reached his full height and had shown himself swift in the hunt and + strong with the spear and bow, Chiron told him that the time had + come when he should go back to the world of men and make his name + famous by the doing of great deeds.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And when Chiron + told him about his father Æson—about how he had been thrust out of + the kingship by Pelias, his uncle—a great longing came upon Jason + to see his father and a fierce anger grew up in his heart against + Pelias.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the time + came when he bade good-by to Chiron his great instructor; the time + came when he went from the centaur’s cave for the last time, and + went through the wooded ways and down the side of the Mountain + Pelion. He came to the river, to the swift Anaurus, and he found it + high in flood. The stones by which one might cross were almost all + washed over; far apart did they seem in the flood.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now as he stood + there pondering on what he might do there <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page10">[pg 10]</span> came up to him an old woman who had on + her back a load of brushwood. <span class="tei tei-q">“Wouldst thou + cross?”</span> asked the old woman. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Wouldst thou cross and get thee to the city of Iolcus, + Jason, where so many things await thee?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Greatly was the + youth astonished to hear his name spoken by this old woman, and to + hear her give the name of the city he was bound for. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Wouldst thou cross the Anaurus?”</span> she asked + again. <span class="tei tei-q">“Then mount upon my back, holding on + to the wood I carry, and I will bear thee over the + river.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason smiled. + How foolish this old woman was to think that she could bear him + across the flooded river! She came near him and she took him in her + arms and lifted him up on her shoulders. Then, before he knew what + she was about to do, she had stepped into the water.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> From stone to + stepping-stone she went, Jason holding on to the wood that she had + drawn to her shoulders. She left him down upon the bank. As she was + lifting him down one of his feet touched the water; the swift + current swept away a sandal.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He stood on the + bank knowing that she who had carried him across the flooded river + had strength from the gods. He looked upon her, and behold! she was + transformed. Instead of an old woman there stood before him one who + had on a golden robe and a shining crown. Around her was a wondrous + light—the light of the sun when it is most golden. Then Jason knew + that she who had carried him across the broad Anaurus was the + goddess <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page11">[pg 11]</span> whom he + had seen in the ways of the forest—Hera, great Zeus’s wife.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i002.png" id= + "i002.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig10" id="fig10"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i002.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Go into Iolcus, Jason,”</span> said great Hera to him, + <span class="tei tei-q">“go into Iolcus, and in whatever chance + doth befall thee act as one who has the eyes of the immortals upon + him.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She spoke and + she was seen no more. Then Jason went on his way to the city that + Cretheus, his grandfather, had founded and that his father Æson had + once ruled over. He came into that city, a tall, great-limbed, + unknown youth, dressed in a strange fashion, and having but one + sandal on.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc11" id="toc11"></a><a name="pdf12" id="pdf12"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">II. King Pelias</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HAT day + King Pelias, walking through the streets of his city, saw coming + toward him a youth who was half shod. He remembered the words of + the oracle that bade him beware of a half-shod man, and straightway + he gave orders to his guards to lay hands upon the youth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But the guards + wavered when they went toward him, for there was something about + the youth that put them in awe of him. He came with the guards, + however, and he stood before the king’s judgment seat.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Fearfully did + Pelias look upon him. But not fearfully did the youth look upon the + king. With head lifted high he cried out, <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page12">[pg 12]</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“Thou art + Pelias, but I do not salute thee as king. Know that I am Jason, the + son of Æson from whom thou hast taken the throne and scepter that + were rightfully his.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> King Pelias + looked to his guards. He would have given them a sign to destroy + the youth’s life with their spears, but behind his guards he saw a + threatening multitude—the dwellers of the city of Iolcus; they + gathered around, and Pelias knew that he had become more and more + hated by them. And from the multitude a cry went up, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Æson, Æson! May Æson come back to us! Jason, son of + Æson! May nothing evil befall thee, brave youth!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Pelias + knew that the youth might not be slain. He bent his head while he + plotted against him in his heart. Then he raised his eyes, and + looking upon Jason he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“O goodly + youth, it well may be that thou art the son of Æson, my brother. I + am well pleased to see thee here. I have had hopes that I might be + friends with Æson, and thy coming here may be the means to the + renewal of our friendship. We two brothers may come together again. + I will send for thy father now, and he will be brought to meet thee + in my royal palace. Go with my guards and with this rejoicing + people, and in a little while thou and I and thy father Æson will + sit at a feast of friends.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Pelias said, + and Jason went with the guards and the crowd of people, and he came + to the palace of the king and he was brought within. The maids led + him to the bath and gave him new robes to wear. Dressed in these + Jason looked a prince indeed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But all that + while King Pelias remained on his judgment seat <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page13">[pg 13]</span> with his crowned head bent + down. When he raised his head his dark brows were gathered together + and his thin lips were very close. He looked to the swords and + spears of his guards, and he made a sign to the men to stand close + to him. Then he left the judgment seat and he went to the + palace.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i003.png" id= + "i003.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig13" id="fig13"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i003.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc14" id="toc14"></a><a name="pdf15" id="pdf15"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">III. The Golden Fleece</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY brought + Jason into a hall where Æson, his father, waited. Very strange did + this old and grave-looking man appear to him. But when Æson spoke, + Jason remembered the tone of his father’s voice and he clasped him + to him. And his father knew him even without the sight of the ruby + ring which Jason had upon his finger.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the young + man began to tell of the centaur and of his life upon the Mountain + Pelion. As they were speaking together Pelias came to where they + stood, Pelias in the purple robe of a king and with the crown upon + his head. Æson tightly clasped Jason as if he had become fearful + for his son. Pelias smilingly took the hand of the young man and + the hand of his brother, and he bade them both welcome to his + palace.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then, walking + between them, the king brought the two into the feasting hall. The + youth who had known only the forest and the mountainside had to + wonder at the beauty and the magnificence <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page14">[pg 14]</span> of all he saw around him. On the walls + were bright pictures; the tables were of polished wood, and they + had vessels of gold and dishes of silver set upon them; along the + walls were vases of lovely shapes and colors, and everywhere there + were baskets heaped with roses white and red.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king’s + guests were already in the hall, young men and elders, and maidens + went amongst them carrying roses which they strung into wreaths for + the guests to put upon their heads. A soft-handed maiden gave Jason + a wreath of roses and he put it on his head as he sat down at the + king’s table. When he looked at all the rich and lovely things in + that hall, and when he saw the guests looking at him with friendly + eyes, Jason felt that he was indeed far away from the dim spaces of + the mountain forest and from the darkness of the centaur’s + cave.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Rich food and + wine such as he had never dreamt of tasting were brought to the + tables. He ate and drank, and his eyes followed the fair maidens + who went through the hall. He thought how glorious it was to be a + king. He heard Pelias speak to Æson, his father, telling him that + he was old and that he was weary of ruling; that he longed to make + friends, and that he would let no enmity now be between him and his + brother. And he heard the king say that he, Jason, was young and + courageous, and that he would call upon him to help to rule the + land, and that, in a while, Jason would bear full sway over the + kingdom that Cretheus had founded.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Pelias spoke + to Æson as they both sat together at the king’s <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page15">[pg 15]</span> high table. But Jason, + looking on them both, saw that the eyes that his father turned on + him were full of warnings and mistrust.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i004.png" id= + "i004.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig16" id="fig16"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i004.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> After they had + eaten King Pelias made a sign, and a cup-bearer bringing a richly + wrought cup came and stood before the king. The king stood up, + holding the cup in his hands, and all in the hall waited silently. + Then Pelias put the cup into Jason’s hands and he cried out in a + voice that was heard all through the hall, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Drink from this cup, O nephew Jason! Drink from this + cup, O man who will soon come to rule over the kingdom that + Cretheus founded!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All in the hall + stood up and shouted with delight at that speech. But the king was + not delighted with their delight, Jason saw. He took the cup and he + drank the rich wine; pride grew in him; he looked down the hall and + he saw faces all friendly to him; he felt as a king might feel, + secure and triumphant. And then he heard King Pelias speaking once + more.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“This is my nephew Jason, reared and fostered in the + centaur’s cave. He will tell you of his life in the forest and the + mountains—his life that was like to the life of the half + gods.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Jason + spoke to them, telling them of his life on the Mountain Pelion. + When he had spoken, Pelias said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I was bidden by the oracle to beware of the man whom I + should see coming toward me half shod. But, as you all see, I have + brought the half-shod man to my palace and my feasting hall, so + little do I dread the anger of the gods.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“And I dread it little because I am blameless. This + youth, the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page16">[pg 16]</span> son + of my brother, is strong and courageous, and I rejoice in his + strength and courage, for I would have him take my place and reign + over you. Ah, that I were as young as he is now! Ah, that I had + been reared and fostered as he was reared and fostered by the wise + centaur and under the eyes of the immortals! Then would I do that + which in my youth I often dreamed of doing! Then would I perform a + deed that would make my name and the name of my city famous + throughout all Greece! Then would I bring from far Colchis the + famous Fleece of Gold that King Æetes keeps guard over!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He finished + speaking, and all in the hall shouted out, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Golden Fleece, the Golden Fleece from + Colchis!”</span> Jason stood up, and his father’s hand gripped him. + But he did not heed the hold of his father’s hand, for <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Golden Fleece, the Golden Fleece!”</span> rang in + his ears, and before his eyes were the faces of those who were all + eager for the sight of the wonder that King Æetes kept guard + over.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then said + Jason, <span class="tei tei-q">“Thou hast spoken well, O King + Pelias! Know, and know all here assembled, that I have heard of the + Golden Fleece and of the dangers that await on any one who should + strive to win it from King Æetes’s care. But know, too, that I + would strive to win the Fleece and bring it to Iolcus, winning fame + both for myself and for the city.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When he had + spoken he saw his father’s stricken eyes; they were fixed upon him. + But he looked from them to the shining eyes of the young men who + were even then pressing around <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page17">[pg 17]</span> where he stood. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Jason, Jason!”</span> they shouted. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Golden Fleece for Iolcus!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“King Pelias knows that the winning of the Golden + Fleece is a feat most difficult,”</span> said Jason. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But if he will have built for me a ship that can make + the voyage to far Colchis, and if he will send throughout all + Greece the word of my adventuring so that all the heroes who would + win fame might come with me, and if ye, young heroes of Iolcus, + will come with me, I will peril my life to win the wonder that King + Æetes keeps guard over.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He spoke and + those in the hall shouted again and made clamor around him. But + still his father sat gazing at him with stricken eyes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> King Pelias + stood up in the hall and holding up his scepter he said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“O my nephew Jason, and O friends assembled + here, I promise that I will have built for the voyage the best ship + that ever sailed from a harbor in Greece. And I promise that I will + send throughout all Greece a word telling of Jason’s voyage so that + all heroes desirous of winning fame may come to help him and to + help all of you who may go with him to win from the keeping of King + Æetes the famous Fleece of Gold.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So King Pelias + said, but Jason, looking to the king from his father’s stricken + eyes, saw that he had been led by the king into the acceptance of + the voyage so that he might fare far from Iolcus, and perhaps lose + his life in striving to gain the wonder that King Æetes kept + guarded. By the glitter in Pelias’s eyes he knew the truth. + Nevertheless Jason would not take back one <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page18">[pg 18]</span> word that he had spoken; his heart was + strong within him, and he thought that with the help of the + bright-eyed youths around and with the help of those who would come + to him at the word of the voyage, he would bring the Golden Fleece + to Iolcus and make famous for all time his own name.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc17" id="toc17"></a><a name="pdf18" id="pdf18"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">IV. The Assembling of the Heroes and + the Building of the Ship</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capF.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">F</span></span>IRST there + came the youths <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Castor</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Polydeuces</span></span>. They came + riding on white horses, two noble-looking brothers. From Sparta + they came, and their mother was Leda, who, after the twin brothers, + had another child born to her—Helen, for whose sake the sons of + many of Jason’s friends were to wage war against the great city of + Troy. These were the first heroes who came to Iolcus after the word + had gone forth through Greece of Jason’s adventuring in quest of + the Golden Fleece.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then there + came one who had both welcome and reverence from Jason; this one + came without spear or bow, bearing in his hands a lyre only. He was + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Orpheus</span></span>, and he knew all + the ways of the gods and all the stories of the gods; when he sang + to his lyre the trees would listen and the beasts would follow him. + It was Chiron who had counseled Orpheus to go with Jason; Chiron + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page19">[pg 19]</span> the centaur had + met him as he was wandering through the forests on the Mountain + Pelion and had sent him down into Iolcus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then there came + two men well skilled in the handling of ships—<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Tiphys</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Nauplius</span></span>. Tiphys knew all + about the sun and winds and stars, and all about the signs by which + a ship might be steered, and Nauplius had the love of Poseidon, the + god of the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Afterward there + came, one after the other, two who were famous for their hunting. + No two could be more different than these two were. The first was + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Arcas</span></span>. He was dressed in + the skin of a bear; he had red hair and savage-looking eyes, and + for arms he carried a mighty bow with bronze-tipped arrows. The + folk were watching an eagle as he came into the city—an eagle that + was winging its way far, far up in the sky. Arcas drew his bow, and + with one arrow he brought the eagle down.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The other + hunter was a girl, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Atalanta</span></span>. Tall and + bright-haired was Atalanta, swift and good with the bow. She had + dedicated herself to Artemis, the guardian of the wild things, and + she had vowed that she would remain unwedded. All the heroes + welcomed Atalanta as a comrade, and the maiden did all the things + that the young men did.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There came a + hero who was less youthful than Castor or Polydeuces; he was a man + good in council named <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Nestor</span></span>. Afterward Nestor + went to the war against Troy, and then he was the oldest of the + heroes in the camp of Agamemnon.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Two brothers + came who were to be special friends of Jason’s—<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Peleus</span></span> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page20">[pg 20]</span> and <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Telamon</span></span>. Both were still + youthful and neither had yet achieved any notable deed. Afterward + they were to be famous, but their sons were to be even more famous, + for the son of Telamon was strong Aias, and the son of Peleus was + great Achilles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Another who + came was <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Admetus</span></span>; afterward he + became a famous king. The God Apollo once made himself a shepherd + and he kept the flocks of King Admetus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And there came + two brothers, twins, who were a wonder to all who beheld them. + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Zetes</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Calais</span></span> they were named; + their mother was Oreithyia, the daughter of Erechtheus, King of + Athens, and their father was Boreas, the North Wind. These two + brothers had on their ankles wings that gleamed with golden scales; + their black hair was thick upon their shoulders, and it was always + being shaken by the wind.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> With Zetes and + Calais there came a youth armed with a great sword whose name was + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Theseus</span></span>. Theseus’s father + was an unknown king; he had bidden the mother show their son where + his sword was hidden. Under a great stone the king had hidden it + before Theseus was born. Before he had grown out of his boyhood + Theseus had been able to raise the stone and draw forth his + father’s sword. As yet he had done no great deed, but he was + resolved to win fame and to find his unknown father.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On the day that + the messengers had set out to bring through Greece the word of + Jason’s going forth in quest of the Golden <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page21">[pg 21]</span> Fleece the woodcutters made their way up + into the forests of Mount Pelion; they began to fell trees for the + timbers of the ship that was to make the voyage to far Colchis.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i005.png" id= + "i005.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig19" id="fig19"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i005.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Great timbers + were cut and brought down to Pagasæ, the harbor of Iolcus. On the + night of the day he had helped to bring them down Jason had a + dream. He dreamt that She whom he had seen in the forest ways and + afterward by the River Anaurus appeared to him. And in his dream + the goddess bade him rise early in the morning and welcome a man + whom he would meet at the city’s gate—a tall and gray-haired man + who would have on his shoulders tools for the building of a + ship.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He went to the + city’s gate and he met such a man. <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Argus</span></span> was his name. He + told Jason that a dream had sent him to the city of Iolcus. Jason + welcomed him and lodged him in the king’s palace, and that day the + word went through the city that the building of the great ship + would soon be begun.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But not with + the timbers brought from Mount Pelion did Argus begin. Walking + through the palace with Jason he noted a great beam in the roof. + That beam, he said, had been shown him in his dream; it was from an + oak tree in Dodona, the grove of Zeus. A sacred power was in the + beam, and from it the prow of the ship should be fashioned. Jason + had them take the beam from the roof of the palace; it was brought + to where the timbers were, and that day the building of the great + ship was begun.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then all along + the waterside came the noise of hammering; in the street where the + metalworkers were came the noise of beating <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page22">[pg 22]</span> upon metals as the smiths + fashioned out of bronze armor for the heroes and swords and spears. + Every day, under the eyes of Argus the master, the ship that had in + it the beam from Zeus’s grove was built higher and wider. And those + who were building the ship often felt going through it tremors as + of a living creature.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the ship + was built and made ready for the voyage a name was given to it—the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Argo</span></span> it was called. And + naming themselves from the ship the heroes called themselves the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Argonauts</span></span>. All was ready + for the voyage, and now Jason went with his friends to view the + ship before she was brought into the water.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Argus the + master was on the ship, seeing to it that the last things were + being done before <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> was launched. Very grave and + wise looked Argus—Argus the builder of the ship. And wonderful to + the heroes the ship looked now that Argus, for their viewing, had + set up the mast with the sails and had even put the oars in their + places. Wonderful to the heroes <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + looked with her long oars and her high sails, with her timbers + painted red and gold and blue, and with a marvelous figure carved + upon her prow. All over the ship Jason’s eyes went. He saw a figure + standing by the mast; for a moment he looked on it, and then the + figure became shadowy. But Jason knew that he had looked upon the + goddess whom he had seen in the ways of the forest and had seen + afterward by the rough Anaurus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then mast and + sails were taken down and the oars were left in <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page23">[pg 23]</span> the ship, and the + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> was launched into the water. + The heroes went back to the palace of King Pelias to feast with the + king’s guests before they took their places on the ship, setting + out on the voyage to far Colchis.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When they came + into the palace they saw that another hero had arrived. His shield + was hung in the hall; the heroes all gathered around, amazed at the + size and the beauty of it. The shield shone all over with gold. In + its center was the figure of Fear—of Fear that stared backward with + eyes burning as with fire. The mouth was open and the teeth were + shown. And other figures were wrought around the figure of + Fear—Strife and Pursuit and Flight; Tumult and Panic and Slaughter. + The figure of Fate was there dragging a dead man by the feet; on + her shoulders Fate had a garment that was red with the blood of + men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Around these + figures were heads of snakes, heads with black jaws and glittering + eyes, twelve heads such as might affright any man. And on other + parts of the shield were shown the horses of Ares, the grim god of + war. The figure of Ares himself was shown also. He held a spear in + his hand, and he was urging the warriors on.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Around the + inner rim of the shield the sea was shown, wrought in white metal. + Dolphins swam in the sea, fishing for little fishes that were shown + there in bronze. Around the rim chariots were racing along with + wheels running close together; there were men fighting and women + watching from high towers. The awful figure of the Darkness of + Death was shown there, too, with mournful <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page24">[pg 24]</span> eyes and the dust of battles upon her + shoulders. The outer rim of the shield showed the Stream of Ocean, + the stream that encircles the world; swans were soaring above and + swimming on its surface.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All in wonder + the heroes gazed on the great shield, telling each other that only + one man in all the world could carry it—Heracles the son of Zeus. + Could it be that Heracles had come amongst them? They went into the + feasting hall and they saw one there who was tall as a pine tree, + with unshorn tresses of hair upon his head. Heracles indeed it was! + He turned to them a smiling face with smiling eyes. Heracles! They + all gathered around the strongest hero in the world, and he took + the hand of each in his mighty hand.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc20" id="toc20"></a><a name="pdf21" id="pdf21"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">V. The</span> <em class= + "tei tei-emph" style="text-align: left"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-style: italic">Argo</span></em></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HE heroes + went the next day through the streets of Iolcus down to where the + ship lay. The ways they went through were crowded; the heroes were + splendid in their appearance, and Jason amongst them shone like a + star.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The people + praised him, and one told the other that it would not be long until + they would win back to Iolcus, for this band of heroes was strong + enough, they said, to take King Æetes’s city and force him to give + up to them the famous Fleece of Gold. Many of the bright-eyed + youths of Iolcus <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page25">[pg + 25]</span> went with the heroes who had come from the different + parts of Greece.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i006.png" id= + "i006.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig22" id="fig22"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i006.png" alt="Illustration" title="the Argo" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + the <em class="tei tei-emph" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As they marched + past a temple a priestess came forth to speak to Jason; Iphias was + her name. She had a prophecy to utter about the voyage. But Iphias + was very old, and she stammered in her speech to Jason. What she + said was not heard by him. The heroes went on, and ancient Iphias + was left standing there as the old are left by the young.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The heroes went + aboard the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. They took their seats as at + an assembly. Then Jason faced them and spoke to them all.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Heroes of the quest,”</span> said Jason, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“we have come aboard the great ship that Argus has + built, and all that a ship needs is in its place or is ready to our + hands. All that we wait for now is the coming of the morning’s + breeze that will set us on our way for far Colchis.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“One thing we have first to do—that is, to choose a + leader who will direct us all, one who will settle disputes amongst + ourselves and who will make treaties between us and the strangers + that we come amongst. We must choose such a leader now.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason spoke, + and some looked to him and some looked to Heracles. But Heracles + stood up, and, stretching out his hand, said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Argonauts! Let no one amongst you offer the leadership + to me. I will not take it. The hero who brought us together and + made all things ready for our going—it is he and no one else who + should be our leader in this voyage.”</span></p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page26">[pg 26]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Heracles + said, and the Argonauts all stood up and raised a cry for Jason. + Then Jason stepped forward, and he took the hand of each Argonaut + in his hand, and he swore that he would lead them with all the mind + and all the courage that he possessed. And he prayed the gods that + it would be given to him to lead them back safely with the Golden + Fleece glittering on the mast of the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They drew lots + for the benches they would sit at; they took the places that for + the length of the voyage they would have on the ship. They made + sacrifice to the gods and they waited for the breeze of the morning + that would help them away from Iolcus.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And while they + waited Æson, the father of Jason, sat at his own hearth, bowed and + silent in his grief. Alcimide, his wife, sat near him, but she was + not silent; she lamented to the women of Iolcus who were gathered + around her. <span class="tei tei-q">“I did not go down to the + ship,”</span> she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“for with my grief + I would not be a bird of ill omen for the voyage. By this hearth my + son took farewell of me—the only son I ever bore. From the doorway + I watched him go down the street of the city, and I heard the + people shout as he went amongst them, they glorying in my son’s + splendid appearance. Ah, that I might live to see his return and to + hear the shout that will go up when the people look on Jason again! + But I know that my life will not be spared so long; I will not look + on my son when he comes back from the dangers he will run in the + quest of the Golden Fleece.”</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page27">[pg 27]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the women + of Iolcus asked her to tell them of the Golden Fleece, and Alcimide + told them of it and of the sorrows that were upon the race of + Æolus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Cretheus, the + father of Æson and Pelias, was of the race of Æolus, and of the + race of Æolus, too, was Athamas, the king who ruled in Thebes at + the same time that Cretheus ruled in Iolcus. And the first children + of Athamas were Phrixus and Helle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, Phrixus and ah, Helle,”</span> Alcimide lamented, + <span class="tei tei-q">“what griefs you have brought on the race + of Æolus! And what griefs you yourselves suffered! The evil that + Athamas, your father, did you lives to be a curse to the line of + Æolus!</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Athamas was wedded first to Nephele, the mother of + Phrixus and Helle, the youth and maiden. But Athamas married again + while the mother of these children was still living, and Ino, the + new queen, drove Nephele and her children out of the king’s + palace.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“And now was Nephele most unhappy. She had to live as a + servant, and her children were servants to the servants of the + palace. They were clad in rags and had little to eat, and they were + beaten often by the servants who wished to win the favor of the new + queen.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But although they wore rags and had menial tasks to + do, Phrixus and Helle looked the children of a queen. The boy was + tall, and in his eyes there often came the flash of power, and the + girl looked as if she would grow into a lovely maiden. And when + Athamas, their father, would meet them by chance he would sigh, + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page28">[pg 28]</span> and Queen Ino + would know by that sigh that he had still some love for them in his + heart. Afterward she would have to use all the power she possessed + to win the king back from thinking upon his children.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“And now Queen Ino had children of her own. She knew + that the people reverenced the children of Nephele and cared + nothing for her children. And because she knew this she feared that + when Athamas died Phrixus and Helle, the children of Nephele, would + be brought to rule in Thebes. Then she and her children would be + made to change places with them.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“This made Queen Ino think on ways by which she could + make Phrixus and Helle lose their lives. She thought long upon + this, and at last a desperate plan came into her mind.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“When it was winter she went amongst the women of the + countryside, and she gave them jewels and clothes for presents. + Then she asked them to do secretly an unheard-of thing. She asked + the women to roast over their fires the grains that had been left + for seed. This the women did. Then spring came on, and the men + sowed in the fields the grain that had been roasted over the fires. + No shoots grew up as the spring went by. In summer there was no + waving greenness in the fields. Autumn came, and there was no grain + for the reaping. Then the men, not knowing what had happened, went + to King Athamas and told him that there would be famine in the + land.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The king sent to the temple of Artemis to ask how the + people might be saved from the famine. And the guardians of the + temple, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page29">[pg 29]</span> having + taken gold from Queen Ino, told them that there would be worse and + worse famine and that all the people of Thebes would die of hunger + unless the king was willing to make a great sacrifice.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“When the king asked what sacrifice he should make he + was told by the guardians of the temple that he must sacrifice to + the goddess his two children, Phrixus and Helle. Those who were + around the king, to save themselves from famine after famine, + clamored to have the children sacrificed. Athamas, to save his + people, consented to the sacrifice.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“They went toward the king’s palace. They found Helle + by the bank of the river washing clothes. They took her and bound + her. They found Phrixus, half naked, digging in a field, and they + took him, too, and bound him. That night they left brother and + sister in the same prison. Helle wept over Phrixus, and Phrixus + wept to think that he was not able to do anything to save his + sister.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The servants of the palace went to Nephele, and they + mocked at her, telling her that her children would be sacrificed on + the morrow. Nephele nearly went wild in her grief. And then, + suddenly, there came into her mind the thought of a creature that + might be a helper to her and to her children.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“This creature was a ram that had wings and a wonderful + fleece of gold. The god of the sea, Poseidon, had sent this + wonderful ram to Athamas and Nephele as a marriage gift. And the + ram had since been kept in a special fold.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“To that fold Nephele went. She spent the night beside + the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page30">[pg 30]</span> ram praying + for its help. The morning came and the children were taken from + their prison and dressed in white, and wreaths were put upon their + heads to mark them as things for sacrifice. They were led in a + procession to the temple of Artemis. Behind that procession King + Athamas walked, his head bowed in shame.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But Queen Ino’s head was not bowed; rather she carried + it high, for her thought was all upon her triumph. Soon Phrixus and + Helle would be dead, and then, whatever happened, her own children + would reign after Athamas in Thebes.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Phrixus and Helle, thinking they were taking their + last look at the sun, went on. And even then Nephele, holding the + horns of the golden ram, was making her last prayer. The sun rose + and as it did the ram spread out its great wings and flew through + the air. It flew to the temple of Artemis. Down beside the altar + came the golden ram, and it stood with its horns threatening those + who came. All stopped in surprise. Still the ram stood with + threatening head and great golden wings spread out. Then Phrixus + ran from those who were holding him and laid his hands upon the + ram. He called to Helle and she, too, came to the golden creature. + Phrixus mounted on the ram and he pulled Helle up beside him. Then + the golden ram flew upward. Up, up, it went, and with the children + upon its back it became like a star in the day-lit sky.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then Queen Ino, seeing the children saved by the + golden ram, shrieked and fled away from that place. Athamas ran + after her. As she ran and as he followed hatred for her grew up + within him. Ino ran on and on until she came to the cliffs that + rose over the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page31">[pg 31]</span> + sea. Fearing Athamas who came behind her she plunged down. But as + she fell she was changed by Poseidon, the god of the sea. She + became a seagull. Athamas, who followed her, was changed also; he + became the sea eagle that, with beak and talons ever ready to + strike, flies above the sea.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“And the golden ram with wings outspread flew on and + on. Over the sea it flew while the wind whistled around the + children. On and on they went, and the children saw only the blue + sea beneath them. Then poor Helle, looking downward, grew dizzy. + She fell off the golden ram before her brother could take hold of + her. Down she fell, and still the ram flew on and on. She was + drowned in that sea. The people afterward named it in memory of + her, calling it <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Hellespont’</span>—<span class="tei tei-q">‘Helle’s + Sea.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“On and on the ram flew. Over a wild and barren country + it flew and toward a river. Upon that river a white city was built. + Down the ram flew, and alighting on the ground, stood before the + gate of that city. It was the city of Aea, in the land of + Colchis.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The king was in the street of the city, and he joined + with the crowd that gathered around the strange golden creature + that had a youth upon its back. The ram folded its wings and then + the youth stood beside it. He spoke to the people, and then the + king—Æetes was his name—spoke to him, asking him from what place he + had come, and what was the strange creature upon whose back he had + flown.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“To the king and to the people Phrixus told his story, + weeping <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page32">[pg 32]</span> to tell + of Helle and her fall. Then King Æetes brought him into the city, + and he gave him a place in the palace, and for the golden ram he + had a special fold made.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Soon after the ram died, and then King Æetes took its + golden fleece and hung it upon an oak tree that was in a place + dedicated to Ares, the god of war. Phrixus wed one of the daughters + of the king, and men say that afterward he went back to Thebes, his + own land.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“And as for the Golden Fleece it became the greatest of + King Æetes’s treasures. Well indeed does he guard it, and not with + armed men only, but with magic powers. Very strong and very cunning + is King Æetes, and a terrible task awaits those who would take away + from him that Fleece of Gold.”</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Alcimide + spoke, sorrowfully telling to the women the story of the Golden + Fleece that her son Jason was going in quest of. So she spoke, and + the night waned, and the morning of the sailing of the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + came on.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And when the + Argonauts beheld the dawn upon the high peaks of Pelion they arose + and poured out wine in offering to Zeus, the highest of the gods. + Then <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> herself gave forth a strange + cry, for the beam from Dodona that had been formed into her prow + had endued her with life. She uttered a strange cry, and as she did + the heroes took their places at the benches, one after the other, + as had been arranged by lot, and Tiphys, the helmsman, went to the + steering place. To the sound of Orpheus’s lyre they <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page33">[pg 33]</span> smote with oars the rushing + sea water, and the surge broke over the oar blades. The sails were + let out and the breeze came into them, piping shrilly, and the + fishes came darting through the green sea, great and small, and + followed them, gamboling along the watery paths. And Chiron, the + king-centaur, came down from the Mountain Pelion, and standing with + his feet in the foam cried out, <span class="tei tei-q">“Good + speed, O Argonauts, good speed, and a sorrowless + return.”</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="toc23" id="toc23"></a><a name="pdf24" id="pdf24"></a> + + <h3 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span style="font-size: 120%">The Beginning of Things</span></h3> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Orpheus sang + to his lyre, Orpheus the minstrel, who knew the ways and the + stories of the gods; out in the open sea on the first morning of + the voyage Orpheus sang to them of the beginning of things.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He sang how + at first Earth and Heaven and Sea were all mixed and mingled + together. There was neither Light nor Darkness then, but only a + Dimness. This was Chaos. And from Chaos came forth Night and + Erebus. From Night was born Æther, the Upper Air, and from Night + and Erebus wedded there was born Day.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And out of + Chaos came Earth, and out of Earth came the starry Heaven. And + from Heaven and Earth wedded there were born the Titan gods and + goddesses—Oceanus, Cœus, Crius, Hyperion, Iapetus; Theia, Rhea, + Themis, Mnemosyne, gold-crowned Phœbe, and lovely Tethys. And + then Heaven and Earth had for their child Cronos, the most + cunning of all.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page34">[pg + 34]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Cronos wedded + Rhea, and from Cronos and Rhea were born the gods who were + different from the Titan gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Heaven + and Earth had other children—Cottus, Briareus, and Gyes. These + were giants, each with fifty heads and a hundred arms. And Heaven + grew fearful when he looked on these giant children, and he hid + them away in the deep places of the Earth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Cronos hated + Heaven, his father. He drove Heaven, his father, and Earth, his + mother, far apart. And far apart they stay, for they have never + been able to come near each other since. And Cronos married to + Rhea had for children Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Aidoneus, and + Poseidon, and these all belonged to the company of the deathless + gods. Cronos was fearful that one of his sons would treat him as + he had treated Heaven, his father. So when another child was born + to him and his wife Rhea he commanded that the child be given to + him so that he might swallow him. But Rhea wrapped a great stone + in swaddling clothes and gave the stone to Cronos. And Cronos + swallowed the stone, thinking to swallow his latest-born + child.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That child + was Zeus. Earth took Zeus and hid him in a deep cave and those + who minded and nursed the child beat upon drums so that his cries + might not be heard. His nurse was Adrastia; when he was able to + play she gave him a ball to play with. All of gold was the ball, + with a dark-blue spiral around it. When the boy Zeus would play + with this ball it would make a track across the sky, flaming like + a star.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page35">[pg 35]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Hyperion the + Titan god wed Theia the Titan goddess, and their children were + Helios, the bright Sun, and Selene, the clear Moon. And Cœus wed + Phœbe, and their children were Leto, who is kind to gods and men, + and Asteria of happy name, and Hecate, whom Zeus honored above + all. Now the gods who were the children of Cronos and Rhea went + up unto the Mountain Olympus, and there they built their shining + palaces. But the Titan gods who were born of Heaven and Earth + went up to the Mountain Othrys, and there they had their + thrones.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Between the + Olympians and the Titan gods of Othrys a war began. Neither side + might prevail against the other. But now Zeus, grown up to be a + youth, thought of how he might help the Olympians to overthrow + the Titan gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He went down + into the deep parts of the Earth where the giants Cottus, + Briareus, and Gyes had been hidden by their father. Cronos had + bound them, weighing them down with chains. But now Zeus loosed + them and the hundred-armed giants in their gratitude gave him the + lightning and showed him how to use the thunderbolt.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Zeus would + have the giants fight against the Titan gods. But although they + had mighty strength Cottus, Briareus, and Gyes had no fire of + courage in their hearts. Zeus thought of a way to give them this + courage; he brought the food and drink of the gods to them, + ambrosia and nectar, and when they had eaten and drunk their + spirits grew within the giants, and they were ready to make war + upon the Titan gods.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page36">[pg + 36]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Sons of Earth and Heaven,”</span> said Zeus to the + hundred-armed giants, <span class="tei tei-q">“a long time now + have the Dwellers on Olympus been striving with the Titan gods. + Do you lend your unconquerable might to the gods and help them to + overthrow the Titans.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Cottus, the + eldest of the giants, answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“Divine + One, through your devising we are come back again from the murky + gloom of the mid Earth and we have escaped from the hard bonds + that Cronus laid upon us. Our minds are fixed to aid you in the + war against the Titan gods.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So the + hundred-armed giants said, and thereupon Zeus went and he + gathered around him all who were born of Cronos and Rhea. Cronos + himself hid from Zeus. Then the giants, with their fifty heads + growing from their shoulders and their hundred hands, went forth + against the Titan gods. The boundless sea rang terribly and the + earth crashed loudly; wide Heaven was shaken and groaned, and + high Olympus reeled from its foundation. Holding huge rocks in + their hands the giants attacked the Titan gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Zeus + entered the war. He hurled the lightning; the bolts flew thick + and fast from his strong hand, with thunder and lightning and + flame. The earth crashed around in burning, the forests crackled + with fire, the ocean seethed. And hot flames wrapped the + earth-born Titans all around. Three hundred rocks, one upon + another, did Cottus, Briareus, and Gyes hurl upon the Titans. And + when their ranks were broken the giants seized upon them and held + them for Zeus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But some of + the Titan gods, seeing that the strife for them <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page37">[pg 37]</span> was vain, went over to + the side of Zeus. These Zeus became friendly with. But the other + Titans he bound in chains and he hurled them down to + Tartarus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As far as + Earth is from Heaven so is Tartarus from Earth. A brazen anvil + falling down from Heaven to Earth nine days and nine nights would + reach the earth upon the tenth day. And again, a brazen anvil + falling from Earth nine nights and nine days would reach Tartarus + upon the tenth night. Around Tartarus runs a fence of bronze and + Night spreads in a triple line all about it, as a necklace + circles the neck. There Zeus imprisoned the Titan gods who had + fought against him; they are hidden in the misty gloom, in a dank + place, at the ends of the Earth. And they may not go out, for + Poseidon fixed gates of bronze upon their prison, and a wall runs + all round it. There Cottus, Briareus, and Gyes stay, guarding + them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And there, + too, is the home of Night. Night and Day meet each other at that + place, as they pass a threshold of bronze. They draw near and + they greet one another, but the house never holds them both + together, for while one is about to go down into the house, the + other is leaving through the door. One holds Light in her hand + and the other holds in her arms Sleep.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There the + children of dark Night have their dwellings—Sleep, and Death, his + brother. The sun never shines upon these two. Sleep may roam over + the wide earth, and come upon the sea, and he is kindly to men. + But Death is not kindly, and whoever he seizes upon, him he holds + fast.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page38">[pg 38]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There, too, + stands the hall of the lord of the Underworld, Aidoneus, the + brother of Zeus. Zeus gave him the Underworld to be his dominion + when he shared amongst the Olympians the world that Cronos had + ruled over. A fearful hound guards the hall of Aidoneus: Cerberus + he is called; he has three heads. On those who go within that + hall Cerberus fawns, but on those who would come out of it he + springs and would devour them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Not all the + Titans did Zeus send down to Tartarus. Those of them who had + wisdom joined him, and by their wisdom Zeus was able to overcome + Cronos. Then Cronos went to live with the friendly Titan gods, + while Zeus reigned over Olympus, becoming the ruler of gods and + men.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Orpheus + sang, Orpheus who knew the ways and the histories of the + gods.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc25" id="toc25"></a><a name="pdf26" id="pdf26"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VI. Polydeuces’ Victory and Heracles’ + Loss</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capA1.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">A</span></span>LL the + places that the Argonauts came nigh to and went past need not be + told—Melibœa, where they escaped a stormy beach; Homole, from where + they were able to look on Ossa and holy Olympus; Lemnos, the island + that they were to return to; the unnamed country where the + Earth-born Men abide, each having six arms, two growing + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page39">[pg 39]</span> from his + shoulders, and four fitting close to his terrible sides; and then + the Mountain of the Bears, where they climbed, to make sacrifice + there to Rhea, the mighty mother of the gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Afterward, for + a whole day, no wind blew and the sail of the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + hung slack. But the heroes swore to each other that they would make + their ship go as swiftly as if the storm-footed steeds of Poseidon + were racing to overtake her. Mightily they labored at the oars, and + no one would be first to leave his rower’s bench.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then, just + as the breeze of the evening came up, and just as the rest of the + heroes were leaning back, spent with their labor, the oar that + Heracles still pulled at broke, and half of it was carried away by + the waves. Heracles sat there in ill humor, for he did not know + what to do with his unlaboring hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All through the + night they went on with a good breeze filling their sails, and next + day they came to the mouth of the River Cius. There they landed so + that Heracles might get himself an oar. No sooner did they set + their feet upon the shore than the hero went off into the forest, + to pull up a tree that he might shape into an oar.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Where they had + landed was near to the country of the Bebrycians, a rude people + whose king was named Amycus. Now while Heracles was away from them + this king came with his followers—huge, rude men, all armed with + clubs, down to where the Argonauts were lighting their fires on the + beach.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He did not + greet them courteously, asking them what manner <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page40">[pg 40]</span> of men they were and + whither they were bound, nor did he offer them hospitality. + Instead, he shouted at them insolently:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Listen to something that you rovers had better know. I + am Amycus, and any stranger that comes to this land has to get into + a boxing bout with me. That’s the law that I have laid down. Unless + you have one amongst you who can stand up to me you won’t be let go + back to your ship. If you don’t heed my law, look out, for + something’s going to happen to you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So he shouted, + that insolent king, and his followers raised their clubs and + growled approval of what their master said. But the Argonauts were + not dismayed at the words of Amycus. One of them stepped toward the + Bebrycians. He was Polydeuces, good at boxing.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Offer us no violence, king,”</span> said Polydeuces. + <span class="tei tei-q">“We are ready to obey the law that you have + laid down. Willingly do I take up your challenge, and I will box a + bout with you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + cheered when they saw Polydeuces, the good boxer, step forward, and + when they heard what he had to say. Amycus turned and shouted to + his followers, and one of them brought up two pairs of boxing + gauntlets—of rough cowhide they were. The Argonauts feared that + Polydeuces’ hands might have been made numb with pulling at the + oar, and some of them went to him, and took his hands and rubbed + them to make them supple; others took from off his shoulders his + beautifully colored mantle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Amycus + straightway put on his gauntlets and threw off his <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page41">[pg 41]</span> mantle; he stood there + amongst his followers with his great arms crossed, glowering at the + Argonauts as a wild beast might glower. And when the two faced each + other Amycus seemed like one of the Earth-born Men, dark and hugely + shaped, while Helen’s brother stood there light and beautiful. + Polydeuces was like that star whose beams are lovely at + evening-tide.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i007.png" id= + "i007.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig27" id="fig27"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i007.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Like the wave + that breaks over a ship and gives the sailors no respite Amycus + came on at Polydeuces. He pushed in upon him, thinking to bear him + down and overwhelm him. But as the skillful steersman keeps the + ship from being overwhelmed by the monstrous wave, so Polydeuces, + all skill and lightness, baffled the rushes of Amycus. At last + Amycus, standing on the tips of his toes and rising high above him, + tried to bring down his great fist upon the head of Polydeuces. The + hero swung aside and took the blow on his shoulder. Then he struck + his blow. It was a strong one, and under it the king of the + Bebrycians staggered and fell down. <span class="tei tei-q">“You + see,”</span> said Polydeuces, <span class="tei tei-q">“that we keep + your law.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + shouted, but the rude Bebrycians raised their clubs to rush upon + them. Then would the heroes have been hard pressed, and forced, + perhaps, to get back to the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. But suddenly Heracles + appeared amongst them, coming up from the forest.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He carried a + pine tree in his hands with all its branches still upon it, and + seeing this mighty-statured man appear with the great tree in his + hands, the Bebrycians hurried off, carrying their fallen + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page42">[pg 42]</span> king with them. + Then the Argonauts gathered around Polydeuces, saluted him as their + champion, and put a crown of victory upon his head. Heracles, + meanwhile, lopped off the branches of the pine tree and began to + fashion it into an oar.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The fires were + lighted upon the shore, and the thoughts of all were turned to + supper. Then young Hylas, who used to sit by Heracles and keep + bright the hero’s arms and armor, took a bronze vessel and went to + fetch water.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Never was there + a boy so beautiful as young Hylas. He had golden curls that tumbled + over his brow. He had deep blue eyes and a face that smiled at + every glance that was given him, at every word that was said to + him. Now as he walked through the flowering grasses, with his knees + bare, and with the bright vessel swinging in his hand, he looked + most lovely. Heracles had brought the boy with him from the country + of the Dryopians; he would have him sit beside him on the bench of + the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, and the ill humors that + often came upon him would go at the words and the smile of + Hylas.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now the spring + that Hylas was going toward was called Pegæ, and it was haunted by + the nymphs. They were dancing around it when they heard Hylas + singing. They stole softly off to watch him. Hidden behind trees + the nymphs saw the boy come near, and they felt such love for him + that they thought they could never let him go from their sight.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They stole back + to their spring, and they sank down below its clear surface. Then + came Hylas singing a song that he had <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page43">[pg 43]</span> heard from his mother. He bent down to the + spring, and the brimming water flowed into the sounding bronze of + the pitcher. Then hands came out of the water. One of the nymphs + caught Hylas by the elbow; another put her arms around his neck, + another took the hand that held the vessel of bronze. The pitcher + sank down to the depths of the spring. The hands of the nymphs + clasped Hylas tighter, tighter; the water bubbled around him as + they drew him down. Down, down they drew him, and into the cold and + glimmering cave where they live.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i008.png" id= + "i008.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig28" id="fig28"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i008.png" alt="Illustration" title="Hylas" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + Hylas + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There Hylas + stayed. But although the nymphs kissed him and sang to him, and + showed him lovely things, Hylas was not content to be there.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Where the + Argonauts were the fires burned, the moon arose, and still Hylas + did not return. Then they began to fear lest a wild beast had + destroyed the boy. One went to Heracles and told him that young + Hylas had not come back, and that they were fearful for him. + Heracles flung down the pine tree that he was fashioning into an + oar, and he dashed along the way that Hylas had gone as if a gadfly + were stinging him. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hylas, Hylas,”</span> + he cried. But Hylas, in the cold and glimmering cave that the + nymphs had drawn him into, did not hear the call of his friend + Heracles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All the + Argonauts went searching, calling as they went through the island, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Hylas, Hylas, Hylas!”</span> But only + their own calls came back to them. The morning star came up, and + Tiphys, the steersman, called to them from the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + And when they <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page44">[pg 44]</span> + came to the ship Tiphys told them that they would have to go aboard + and make ready to sail from that place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They called to + Heracles, and Heracles at last came down to the ship. They spoke to + him, saying that they would have to sail away. Heracles would not + go on board. <span class="tei tei-q">“I will not leave this + island,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“until I find + young Hylas or learn what has happened to him.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Jason + arose to give the command to depart. But before the words were said + Telamon stood up and faced him. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Jason,”</span> he said angrily, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“you do not bid Heracles come on board, and you would + have the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> leave without him. You would + leave Heracles here so that he may not be with us on the quest + where his glory might overshadow your glory, Jason.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason said no + word, but he sat back on his bench with head bowed. And then, even + as Telamon said these angry words, a strange figure rose up out of + the waves of the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was the + figure of a man, wrinkled and old, with seaweed in his beard and + his hair. There was a majesty about him, and the Argonauts all knew + that this was one of the immortals—he was Nereus, the ancient one + of the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“To Heracles, and to you, the rest of the Argonauts, I + have a thing to say,”</span> said the ancient one, Nereus. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Know, first, that Hylas has been taken by + the nymphs who love him and who think to win his love, and that he + will stay forever with them in their cold and glimmering cave. For + Hylas seek no more. And to you, Heracles, I will say this: Go + aboard the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> again; the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page45">[pg 45]</span> ship will take you to where + a great labor awaits you, and which, in accomplishing, you will + work out the will of Zeus. You will know what this labor is when a + spirit seizes on you.”</span> So the ancient one of the sea said, + and he sank back beneath the waves.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles went + aboard the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> once more, and he took his + place on the bench, the new oar in his hand. Sad he was to think + that young Hylas who used to sit at his knee would never be there + again. The breeze filled the sail, the Argonauts pulled at the + oars, and in sadness they watched the island where young Hylas had + been lost to them recede from their view.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc29" id="toc29"></a><a name="pdf30" id="pdf30"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VII. King Phineus</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capS.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">S</span></span>AID Tiphys, + the steersman: <span class="tei tei-q">“If we could enter the Sea + of Pontus, we could make our way across that sea to Colchis in a + short time. But the passage into the Sea of Pontus is most + perilous, and few mortals dare even to make approach to + it.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Said Jason, the + chieftain of the host: <span class="tei tei-q">“The dangers of the + passage, Tiphys, we have spoken of, and it may be that we shall + have to carry <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> overland to the Sea of + Pontus. But you, Tiphys, have spoken of a wise king who is + hereabouts, and who might help us to make the dangerous passage. + Speak again to us, and tell us what the dangers of the passage are, + and who the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page46">[pg 46]</span> + king is who may be able to help us to make these dangers + less.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then said + Tiphys, the steersman of the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>: <span class="tei tei-q">“No + ship sailed by mortals has as yet gone through the passage that + brings this sea into the Sea of Pontus. In the way are the rocks + that mariners call The Clashers. These rocks are not fixed as rocks + should be, but they rush one against the other, dashing up the sea, + and crushing whatever may be between. Yea, if <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + were of iron, and if she were between these rocks when they met, + she would be crushed to bits. I have sailed as far as that passage, + but seeing The Clashers strike together I turned back my ship, and + journeyed as far as the Sea of Pontus overland.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But I have been told of one who knows how a ship may + be taken through the passage that The Clashers make so perilous. He + who knows is a king hereabouts, Phineus, who has made himself as + wise as the gods. To no one has Phineus told how the passage may be + made, but knowing what high favor has been shown to us, the + Argonauts, it may be that he will tell us.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Tiphys said, + and Jason commanded him to steer the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + toward the city where ruled Phineus, the wise king.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> To Salmydessus, + then, where Phineus ruled, Tiphys steered the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + They left Heracles with Tiphys aboard to guard the ship, and, with + the rest of the heroes, Jason went through the streets of the city. + They met many men, but when they asked <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page47">[pg 47]</span> any of them how they might come to the + palace of King Phineus the men turned fearfully away.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They found + their way to the king’s palace. Jason spoke to the servants and + bade them tell the king of their coming. The servants, too, seemed + fearful, and as Jason and his comrades were wondering what there + was about him that made men fearful at his name, Phineus, the king, + came amongst them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Were it not + that he had a purple border to his robe no one would have known him + for the king, so miserable did this man seem. He crept along, + touching the walls, for the eyes in his head were blind and + withered. His body was shrunken, and when he stood before them + leaning on his staff he was like to a lifeless thing. He turned his + blinded eyes upon them, looking from one to the other as if he were + searching for a face.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then his + sightless eyes rested upon Zetes and Calais, the sons of Boreas, + the North Wind. A change came into his face as it turned upon them. + One would think that he saw the wonder that these two were endowed + with—the wings that grew upon their ankles. It was a while before + he turned his face from them; then he spoke to Jason and said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“You have come to have counsel with one who has the + wisdom of the gods. Others before you have come for such counsel, + but seeing the misery that is visible upon me they went without + asking for counsel. I would strive to hold you here for a while. + Stay, and have sight of the misery the gods visit upon those who + would be as wise as they. And when you have seen the thing + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page48">[pg 48]</span> that is wont to + befall me, it may be that help will come from you for + me.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Phineus, + the blind king, left them, and after a while the heroes were + brought into a great hall, and they were invited to rest themselves + there while a banquet was being prepared for them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The hall was + richly adorned, but it looked to the heroes as if it had known + strange happenings; rich hangings were strewn upon the ground, an + ivory chair was overturned, and the dais where the king sat had + stains upon it. The servants who went through the hall making ready + the banquet were white-faced and fearful.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The feast was + laid on a great table, and the heroes were invited to sit down to + it. The king did not come into the hall before they sat down, but a + table with food was set before the dais. When the heroes had + feasted, the king came into the hall. He sat at the table, blind, + white-faced, and shrunken, and the Argonauts all turned their faces + to him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Said Phineus, + the blind king: <span class="tei tei-q">“You see, O heroes, how + much my wisdom avails me. You see me blind and shrunken, who tried + to make myself in wisdom equal to the gods. And yet you have not + seen all. Watch now and see what feasts Phineus, the wise king, has + to delight him.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He made a sign, + and the white-faced and trembling servants brought food and set it + upon the table that was before him. The king bent forward as if to + eat, and they saw that his face was <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page49">[pg 49]</span> covered with the damp of fear. He took food + from the dish and raised it to his mouth. As he did, the doors of + the hall were flung open as if by a storm. Strange shapes flew into + the hall and set themselves beside the king. And when the Argonauts + looked upon them they saw that these were terrible and unsightly + shapes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i009.png" id= + "i009.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig31" id="fig31"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i009.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They were + things that had the wings and claws of birds and the heads of + women. Black hair and gray feathers were mixed upon them; they had + red eyes, and streaks of blood were upon their breasts and wings. + And as the king raised the food to his mouth they flew at him and + buffeted his head with their wings, and snatched the food from his + hands. Then they devoured or scattered what was upon the table, and + all the time they screamed and laughed and mocked.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, now ye see,”</span> Phineus panted, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“what it is to have wisdom equal to the wisdom of the + gods. Now ye all see my misery. Never do I strive to put food to my + lips but these foul things, the Harpies, the Snatchers, swoop down + and scatter or devour what I would eat. Crumbs they leave me that + my life may not altogether go from me, but these crumbs they make + foul to my taste and my smell.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And one of the + Harpies perched herself on the back of the king’s throne and looked + upon the heroes with red eyes. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Hah,”</span> she screamed, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“you bring armed men into your feasting hall, thinking + to scare us away. Never, Phineus, can you scare us from you! Always + you will have us, the Snatchers, beside you <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page50">[pg 50]</span> when you would still your + ache of hunger. What can these men do against us who are winged and + who can travel through the ways of the air?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So said the + unsightly Harpy, and the heroes drew together, made fearful by + these awful shapes. All drew back except Zetes and Calais, the sons + of the North Wind. They laid their hands upon their swords. The + wings on their shoulders spread out and the wings at their heels + trembled. Phineus, the king, leaned forward and panted: + <span class="tei tei-q">“By the wisdom I have I know that there are + two amongst you who can save me. O make haste to help me, ye who + can help me, and I will give the counsel that you Argonauts have + come to me for, and besides I will load down your ship with + treasure and costly stuffs. Oh, make haste, ye who can help + me!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Hearing the + king speak like this, the Harpies gathered together and gnashed + with their teeth, and chattered to one another. Then, seeing Zetes + and Calais with their hands upon their swords, they rose up on + their wings and flew through the wide doors of the hall. The king + cried out to Zetes and Calais. But the sons of the North Wind had + already risen with their wings, and they were after the Harpies, + their bright swords in their hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On flew the + Harpies, screeching and gnashing their teeth in anger and dismay, + for now they felt that they might be driven from Salmydessus, where + they had had such royal feasts. They rose high in the air and flew + out toward the sea. But high as the Harpies rose, the sons of the + North Wind rose higher. The <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page51">[pg 51]</span> Harpies cried pitiful cries as they flew + on, but Zetes and Calais felt no pity for them, for they knew that + these dread Snatchers, with the stains of blood upon their breasts + and wings, had shown pity neither to Phineus nor to any other.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On they flew + until they came to the island that is called the Floating Island. + There the Harpies sank down with wearied wings. Zetes and Calais + were upon them now, and they would have cut them to pieces with + their bright swords, if the messenger of Zeus, Iris, with the + golden wings, had not come between.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Forbear to slay the Harpies, sons of Boreas,”</span> + cried Iris warningly, <span class="tei tei-q">“forbear to slay the + Harpies that are the hounds of Zeus. Let them cower here and hide + themselves, and I, who come from Zeus, will swear the oath that the + gods most dread, that they will never again come to Salmydessus to + trouble Phineus, the king.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The heroes + yielded to the words of Iris. She took the oath that the gods most + dread—the oath by the Water of Styx—that never again would the + Harpies show themselves to Phineus. Then Zetes and Calais turned + back toward the city of Salmydessus. The island that they drove the + Harpies to had been called the Floating Island, but thereafter it + was called the Island of Turning. It was evening when they turned + back, and all night long the Argonauts and King Phineus sat in the + hall of the palace and awaited the return of Zetes and Calais, the + sons of the North Wind.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page52">[pg + 52]</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc32" id="toc32"></a><a name="pdf33" id="pdf33"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VIII. King Phineus’s Counsel; The + Landing in Lemnos</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY came + into King Phineus’s hall, their bright swords in their hands. The + Argonauts crowded around them and King Phineus raised his head and + stretched out his thin hands to them. And Zetes and Calais told + their comrades and told the king how they had driven the Harpies + down to the Floating Island, and how Iris, the messenger of Zeus, + had sworn the great oath that was by the Water of Styx that never + again would the Snatchers show themselves in the palace.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then a great + golden cup brimming with wine was brought to the king. He stood + holding it in his trembling hands, fearful even then that the + Harpies would tear the cup out of his hands. He drank—long and + deeply he drank—and the dread shapes of the Snatchers did not + appear. Down amongst the heroes he came and he took into his the + hands of Zetes and Calais, the sons of the North Wind.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“O heroes greater than any kings,”</span> he said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“ye have delivered me from the terrible + curse that the gods had sent upon me. I thank ye, and I thank ye + all, heroes of the quest. And the thanks of Phineus will much avail + you all.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Clasping the + hands of Zetes and Calais he led the heroes through <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page53">[pg 53]</span> hall after hall of his + palace and down into his treasure chamber. There he bestowed upon + the banishers of the Harpies crowns and arm rings of gold and + richly colored garments and brazen chests in which to store the + treasure that he gave. And to Jason he gave an ivory-hilted and + gold-encased sword, and on each of the voyagers he bestowed a rich + gift, not forgetting the heroes who had remained on the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, + Heracles and Tiphys.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They went back + to the great hall, and a feast was spread for the king and for the + Argonauts. They ate from rich dishes and they drank from flowing + wine cups. Phineus ate and drank as the heroes did, and no dread + shapes came before him to snatch from him nor to buffet him. But as + Jason looked upon the man who had striven to equal the gods in + wisdom, and noted his blinded eyes and shrunken face, he resolved + never to harbor in his heart such presumption as Phineus had + harbored.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the feast + was finished the king spoke to Jason, telling him how the + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> might be guided through the + Symplegades, the dread passage into the Sea of Pontus. He told them + to bring their ship near to the Clashing Rocks. And one who had the + keenest sight amongst them was to stand at the prow of the ship + holding a pigeon in his hands. As the rocks came together he was to + loose the pigeon. If it found a space to fly through they would + know that the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> could make the passage, and + they were to steer straight toward where the pigeon had flown. But + if it fluttered down to the sea, or flew back to them, or became + lost in the clouds of spray, they were to know that the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + might not make <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page54">[pg 54]</span> + that passage. Then the heroes would have to take their ship + overland to where they might reach the Sea of Pontus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That day they + bade farewell to Phineus, and with the treasures he had bestowed + upon them they went down to the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + To Heracles and Tiphys they gave the presents that the king had + sent them. In the morning they drew the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + out of the harbor of Salmydessus, and set sail again.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But not until + long afterward did they come to the Symplegades, the passage that + was to be their great trial. For they landed first in a country + that was full of woods, where they were welcomed by a king who had + heard of the voyagers and of their quest. There they stayed and + hunted for many days in the woods. And there a great loss befell + the Argonauts, for Tiphys, as he went through the woods, was bitten + by a snake and died. He who had braved so many seas and so many + storms lost his life away from the ship. The Argonauts made a tomb + for him on the shore of that land—a great pile of stones, in which + they fixed upright his steering oar. Then they set sail again, and + Nauplius was made the steersman of the ship.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The course was + not so clear to Nauplius as it had been to Tiphys. The steersman + did not find his bearings, and for many days and nights the + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> was driven on a backward + course. They came to an island that they knew to be that Island of + Lemnos that they had passed on the first days of the voyage, and + they resolved to <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page55">[pg + 55]</span> rest there for a while, and then to press on for the + passage into the Sea of Pontus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They brought + the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> near the shore. They blew + trumpets and set the loudest voiced of the heroes to call out to + those upon the island. But no answer came to them, and all day the + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> lay close to the island.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There were + hidden people watching them, people with bows in their hands and + arrows laid along the bowstrings. And the people who thus + threatened the unknowing Argonauts were women and young girls.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There were no + men upon the Island of Lemnos. Years before a curse had fallen upon + the people of that island, putting strife between the men and the + women. And the women had mastered the men and had driven them away + from Lemnos. Since then some of the women had grown old, and the + girls who were children when their fathers and brothers had been + banished were now of an age with Atalanta, the maiden who went with + the Argonauts.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They chased the + wild beasts of the island, and they tilled the fields, and they + kept in good repair the houses that were built before the banishing + of the men. The older women served those who were younger, and they + had a queen, a girl whose name was Hypsipyle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The women who + watched with bows in their hands would have shot their arrows at + the Argonauts if Hypsipyle’s nurse, Polyxo, <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page56">[pg 56]</span> had not stayed them. She + forbade them to shoot at the strangers until she had brought to + them the queen’s commands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She hastened to + the palace and she found the young queen weaving at a loom. She + told her about the ship and the strangers on board the ship, and + she asked the queen what word she should bring to the guardian + maidens.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Before you give a command, Hypsipyle,”</span> said + Polyxo, the nurse, <span class="tei tei-q">“consider these words of + mine. We, the elder women, are becoming ancient now; in a few years + we will not be able to serve you, the younger women, and in a few + years more we will have gone into the grave and our places will + know us no more. And you, the younger women, will be becoming + strengthless, and no more will be you able to hunt in the woods nor + to till the fields, and a hard old age will be before + you.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The ship that is beside our shore may have come at a + good time. Those on board are goodly heroes. Let them land in + Lemnos, and stay if they will. Let them wed with the younger women + so that there may be husbands and wives, helpers and helpmeets, + again in Lemnos.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Hypsipyle, the + queen, let the shuttle fall from her hands and stayed for a while + looking full into Polyxo’s face. Had her nurse heard her say + something like this out of her dreams, she wondered? She bade the + nurse tell the guardian maidens to let the heroes land in safety, + and that she herself would put the crown of King Thoas, her father, + upon her head, and go down to the shore to welcome + them.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page57">[pg 57]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now the + Argonauts saw people along the shore and they caught sight of + women’s dresses. The loudest voiced amongst them shouted again, and + they heard an answer given in a woman’s voice. They drew up the + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> upon the shore, and they set + foot upon the land of Lemnos.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason stepped + forth at the head of his comrades, and he was met by Hypsipyle, her + father’s crown upon her head, at the head of her maidens. They + greeted each other, and Hypsipyle bade the heroes come with them to + their town that was called Myrine and to the palace that was + there.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Wonderingly the + Argonauts went, looking on women’s forms and faces and seeing no + men. They came to the palace and went within. Hypsipyle mounted the + stone throne that was King Thoas’s and the four maidens who were + her guards stood each side of her. She spoke to the heroes in + greeting and bade them stay in peace for as long as they would. She + told them of the curse that had fallen upon the people of Lemnos, + and of how the menfolk had been banished. Jason, then, told the + queen what voyage he and his companions were upon and what quest + they were making. Then in friendship the Argonauts and the women of + Lemnos stayed together—all the Argonauts except Heracles, and he, + grieving still for Hylas, stayed aboard the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page58">[pg 58]</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc34" id="toc34"></a><a name="pdf35" id="pdf35"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">IX. The Lemnian Maidens</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capA1.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">A</span></span>ND now the + Argonauts were no longer on a ship that was being dashed on by the + sea and beaten upon by the winds. They had houses to live in; they + had honey-tasting things to eat, and when they went through the + island each man might have with him one of the maidens of Lemnos. + It was a change that was welcome to the wearied voyagers.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They helped the + women in the work of the fields; they hunted the beasts with them, + and over and over again they were surprised at how skillfully the + women had ordered all affairs. Everything in Lemnos was strange to + the Argonauts, and they stayed day after day, thinking each day a + fresh adventure.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Sometimes they + would leave the fields and the chase, and this hero or that hero, + with her who was his friend amongst the Lemnian maidens, would go + far into that strange land and look upon lakes that were all + covered with golden and silver water lilies, or would gather the + blue flowers from creepers that grew around dark trees, or would + hide themselves so that they might listen to the quick-moving birds + that sang in the thickets. Perhaps on their way homeward they would + see the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> in the harbor, and they would + think of Heracles who was aboard, and they would call to him. But + the ship and the voyage they had been on now seemed far away to + them, and the Quest of the Golden Fleece <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page59">[pg 59]</span> seemed to them a story they had heard + and that they had thought of, but that they could never think on + again with all that fervor.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When Jason + looked on Hypsipyle he saw one who seemed to him to be only + childlike in size. Greatly was he amazed at the words that poured + forth from her as she stood at the stone throne of King Thoas—he + was amazed as one is amazed at the rush of rich notes that comes + from the throat of a little bird; all that she said was made + lightninglike by her eyes—her eyes that were not clear and quiet + like the eyes of the maidens he had seen in Iolcus, but that were + dark and burning. Her mouth was heavy and this heavy mouth gave a + shadow to her face that but for it was all bright and lovely.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Hypsipyle spoke + two languages—one, the language of the mothers of the women of + Lemnos, which was rough and harsh, a speech to be flung out to + slaves, and the other the language of Greece, which their fathers + had spoken, and which Hypsipyle spoke in a way that made it sound + like strange music. She spoke and walked and did all things in a + queenlike way, and Jason could see that, for all her youth and + childlike size, Hypsipyle was one who was a ruler.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> From the moment + she took his hand it seemed that she could not bear to be away from + him. Where he walked, she walked too; where he sat she sat before + him, looking at him with her great eyes while she laughed or + sang.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Like the + perfume of strange flowers, like the savor of strange <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page60">[pg 60]</span> fruit was Hypsipyle to + Jason. Hours and hours he would spend sitting beside her or + watching her while she arrayed herself in white or in brightly + colored garments. Not to the chase and not into the fields did + Jason go, nor did he ever go with the others into the Lemnian land; + all day he sat in the palace with her, watching her, or listening + to her singing, or to the long, fierce speeches that she used to + make to her nurse or to the four maidens who attended her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In the evening + they would gather in the hall of the palace, the Argonauts and the + Lemnian maidens who were their comrades. There were dances, and + always Jason and Hypsipyle danced together. All the Lemnian maidens + sang beautifully, but none of them had any stories to tell.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And when the + Argonauts would have stories told the Lemnian maidens would forbid + any tale that was about a god or a hero; only stories that were + about the goddesses or about some maiden would they let be + told.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Orpheus, who + knew the histories of the gods, would have told them many stories, + but the only story of his that they would come from the dance to + listen to was a story of the goddesses, of Demeter and her daughter + Persephone.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i010.png" id= + "i010.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig36" id="fig36"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i010.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page61">[pg 61]</span> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="toc37" id="toc37"></a><a name="pdf38" id="pdf38"></a> + + <h3 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span style="font-size: 120%">Demeter and Persephone</span></h3> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">I</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Once when + Demeter was going through the world, giving men grain to be sown + in their fields, she heard a cry that came to her from across + high mountains and that mounted up to her from the sea. Demeter’s + heart shook when she heard that cry, for she knew that it came to + her from her daughter, from her only child, young Persephone.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She stayed + not to bless the fields in which the grain was being sown, but + she hurried, hurried away, to Sicily and to the fields of Enna, + where she had left Persephone. All Enna she searched, and all + Sicily, but she found no trace of Persephone, nor of the maidens + whom Persephone had been playing with. From all whom she met she + begged for tidings, but although some had seen maidens gathering + flowers and playing together, no one could tell Demeter why her + child had cried out nor where she had since gone to.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There were + some who could have told her. One was Cyane, a water nymph. But + Cyane, before Demeter came to her, had been changed into a spring + of water. And now, not being able to speak and tell Demeter where + her child had gone to and who had carried her away, she showed in + the water the girdle of Persephone that she had caught in her + hands. And Demeter, finding the girdle of her child in the + spring, knew that she had <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page62">[pg 62]</span> been carried off by violence. She lighted + a torch at Ætna’s burning mountain, and for nine days and nine + nights she went searching for her through the darkened places of + the earth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then, upon a + high and a dark hill, the Goddess Demeter came face to face with + Hecate, the Moon. Hecate, too, had heard the cry of Persephone; + she had sorrow for Demeter’s sorrow: she spoke to her as the two + stood upon that dark, high hill, and told her that she should go + to Helios for tidings—to bright Helios, the watcher for the gods, + and beg Helios to tell her who it was who had carried off by + violence her child Persephone.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Demeter came + to Helios. He was standing before his shining steeds, before the + impatient steeds that draw the sun through the course of the + heavens. Demeter stood in the way of those impatient steeds; she + begged of Helios who sees all things upon the earth to tell her + who it was had carried off by violence Persephone, her child.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And Helios, + who may make no concealment, said: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Queenly Demeter, know that the king of the + Underworld, dark Aidoneus, has carried off Persephone to make her + his queen in the realm that I never shine upon.”</span> He spoke, + and as he did, his horses shook their manes and breathed out + fire, impatient to be gone. Helios sprang into his chariot and + went flashing away.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Demeter, + knowing that one of the gods had carried off Persephone against + her will, and knowing that what was done had been done by the + will of Zeus, would go no more into the assemblies <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page63">[pg 63]</span> of the gods. She quenched + the torch that she had held in her hands for nine days and nine + nights; she put off her robe of goddess, and she went wandering + over the earth, uncomforted for the loss of her child. And no + longer did she appear as a gracious goddess to men; no longer did + she give them grain; no longer did she bless their fields. None + of the things that it had pleased her once to do would Demeter do + any longer.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">II</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Persephone + had been playing with the nymphs who are the daughters of + Ocean—Phæno, Ianthe, Melita, Ianeira, Acaste—in the lovely fields + of Enna. They went to gather flowers—irises and crocuses, lilies, + narcissus, hyacinths and rose-blooms—that grow in those fields. + As they went, gathering flowers in their baskets, they had sight + of Pergus, the pool that the white swans come to sing in.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Beside a deep + chasm that had been made in the earth a wonder flower was + growing—in color it was like the crocus, but it sent forth a + perfume that was like the perfume of a hundred flowers. And + Persephone thought as she went toward it that having gathered + that flower she would have something much more wonderful than her + companions had.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She did not + know that Aidoneus, the lord of the Underworld, had caused that + flower to grow there so that she might be drawn by it to the + chasm that he had made.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As Persephone + stooped to pluck the wonder flower, Aidoneus, <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page64">[pg 64]</span> in his chariot of iron, + dashed up through the chasm, and grasping the maiden by the + waist, set her beside him. Only Cyane, the nymph, tried to save + Persephone, and it was then that she caught the girdle in her + hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The maiden + cried out, first because her flowers had been spilled, and then + because she was being reft away. She cried out to her mother, and + her cry went over high mountains and sounded up from the sea. The + daughters of Ocean, affrighted, fled and sank down into the + depths of the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In his great + chariot of iron that was drawn by black steeds Aidoneus rushed + down through the chasm he had made. Into the Underworld he went, + and he dashed across the River Styx, and he brought his chariot + up beside his throne. And on his dark throne he seated + Persephone, the fainting daughter of Demeter.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">III</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> No more did + the Goddess Demeter give grain to men; no more did she bless + their fields: weeds grew where grain had been growing, and men + feared that in a while they would famish for lack of bread.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She wandered + through the world, her thought all upon her child, Persephone, + who had been taken from her. Once she sat by a well by a wayside, + thinking upon the child that she might not come to and who might + not come to her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She saw four + maidens come near; their grace and their youth <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page65">[pg 65]</span> reminded her of her + child. They stepped lightly along, carrying bronze pitchers in + their hands, for they were coming to the Well of the Maiden + beside which Demeter sat.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i011.png" + id="i011.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig39" id="fig39"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i011.png" alt="Illustration" title= + "Persephone and Aidoneus" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + Persephone and Aidoneus + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The maidens + thought when they looked upon her that the goddess was some + ancient woman who had a sorrow in her heart. Seeing that she was + so noble and so sorrowful looking, the maidens, as they drew the + clear water into their pitchers, spoke kindly to her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Why do you stay away from the town, old + mother?”</span> one of the maidens said. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Why do you not come to the houses? We think that you + look as if you were shelterless and alone, and we should like to + tell you that there are many houses in the town where you would + be welcomed.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Demeter’s + heart went out to the maidens, because they looked so young and + fair and simple and spoke out of such kind hearts. She said to + them: <span class="tei tei-q">“Where can I go, dear children? My + people are far away, and there are none in all the world who + would care to be near me.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Said one of + the maidens: <span class="tei tei-q">“There are princes in the + land who would welcome you in their houses if you would consent + to nurse one of their young children. But why do I speak of other + princes beside Celeus, our father? In his house you would indeed + have a welcome. But lately a baby has been born to our mother, + Metaneira, and she would greatly rejoice to have one as wise as + you mind little Demophoön.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All the time + that she watched them and listened to their <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page66">[pg 66]</span> voices Demeter felt that + the grace and youth of the maidens made them like Persephone. She + thought that it would ease her heart to be in the house where + these maidens were, and she was not loath to have them go and ask + of their mother to have her come to nurse the infant child.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Swiftly they + ran back to their home, their hair streaming behind them like + crocus flowers; kind and lovely girls whose names are well + remembered—Callidice and Cleisidice, Demo and Callithoë. They + went to their mother and they told her of the stranger-woman + whose name was Doso. She would make a wise and a kind nurse for + little Demophoön, they said. Their mother, Metaneira, rose up + from the couch she was sitting on to welcome the stranger. But + when she saw her at the doorway, awe came over her, so majestic + she seemed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Metaneira + would have her seat herself on the couch but the goddess took the + lowliest stool, saying in greeting: <span class="tei tei-q">“May + the gods give you all good, lady.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Sorrow has set you wandering from your good + home,”</span> said Metaneira to the goddess, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“but now that you have come to this place you shall + have all that this house can bestow if you will rear up to youth + the infant Demophoön, child of many hopes and + prayers.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The child was + put into the arms of Demeter; she clasped him to her breast, and + little Demophoön looked up into her face and smiled. Then + Demeter’s heart went out to the child and to all who were in the + household.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page67">[pg 67]</span> He grew in strength and + beauty in her charge. And little Demophoön was not nourished as + other children are nourished, but even as the gods in their + childhood were nourished. Demeter fed him on ambrosia, breathing + on him with her divine breath the while. And at night she laid + him on the hearth, amongst the embers, with the fire all around + him. This she did that she might make him immortal, and like to + the gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i012.png" + id="i012.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig40" id="fig40"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i012.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But one night + Metaneira looked out from the chamber where she lay, and she saw + the nurse take little Demophoön and lay him in a place on the + hearth with the burning brands all around him. Then Metaneira + started up, and she sprang to the hearth, and she snatched the + child from beside the burning brands. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Demophoõn, my son,”</span> she cried, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“what would this stranger-woman do to you, bringing + bitter grief to me that ever I let her take you in her + arms?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then said + Demeter: <span class="tei tei-q">“Foolish indeed are you mortals, + and not able to foresee what is to come to you of good or of + evil! Foolish indeed are you, Metaneira, for in your heedlessness + you have cut off this child from an immortality like to the + immortality of the gods themselves. For he had lain in my bosom + and had become dear to me and I would have bestowed upon him the + greatest gift that the Divine Ones can bestow, for I would have + made him deathless and unaging. All this, now, has gone by. Honor + he shall have indeed, but Demophoõn will know age and + death.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The seeming + old age that was upon her had fallen from <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page68">[pg 68]</span> Demeter; beauty and + stature were hers, and from her robe there came a heavenly + fragrance. There came such light from her body that the chamber + shone. Metaneira remained trembling and speechless, unmindful + even to take up the child that had been laid upon the ground.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was then + that his sisters heard Demophoön wail; one ran from her chamber + and took the child in her arms; another kindled again the fire + upon the hearth, and the others made ready to bathe and care for + the infant. All night they cared for him, holding him in their + arms and at their breasts, but the child would not be comforted, + because the nurses who handled him now were less skillful than + was the goddess-nurse.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And as for + Demeter, she left the house of Celeus and went upon her way, + lonely in her heart, and unappeased. And in the world that she + wandered through, the plow went in vain through the ground; the + furrow was sown without any avail, and the race of men saw + themselves near perishing for lack of bread.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But again + Demeter came near the Well of the Maiden. She thought of the + daughters of Celeus as they came toward the well that day, the + bronze pitchers in their hands, and with kind looks for the + stranger—she thought of them as she sat by the well again. And + then she thought of little Demophoön, the child she had held at + her breast. No stir of living was in the land near their home, + and only weeds grew in their fields. As she sat there and looked + around her there came into Demeter’s heart a pity for the people + in whose house she had dwelt.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page69">[pg 69]</span> She rose up and she went + to the house of Celeus. She found him beside his house measuring + out a little grain. The goddess went to him and she told him that + because of the love she bore his household she would bless his + fields so that the seed he had sown in them would come to growth. + Celeus rejoiced, and he called all the people together, and they + raised a temple to Demeter. She went through the fields and + blessed them, and the seed that they had sown began to grow. And + the goddess for a while dwelt amongst that people, in her temple + at Eleusis.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i013.png" + id="i013.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig41" id="fig41"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i013.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">IV</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But still she + kept away from the assemblies of the gods. Zeus sent a messenger + to her, Iris with the golden wings, bidding her to Olympus. + Demeter would not join the Olympians. Then, one after the other, + the gods and goddesses of Olympus came to her; none were able to + make her cease from grieving for Persephone, or to go again into + the company of the immortal gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And so it + came about that Zeus was compelled to send a messenger down to + the Underworld to bring Persephone back to the mother who grieved + so much for the loss of her. Hermes was the messenger whom Zeus + sent. Through the darkened places of the earth Hermes went, and + he came to that dark throne where the lord Aidoneus sat, with + Persephone beside him. Then Hermes spoke to the lord of the + Underworld, saying <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page70">[pg + 70]</span> that Zeus commanded that Persephone should come forth + from the Underworld that her mother might look upon her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then + Persephone, hearing the words of Zeus that might not be gainsaid, + uttered the only cry that had left her lips since she had sent + out that cry that had reached her mother’s heart. And Aidoneus, + hearing the command of Zeus that might not be denied, bowed his + dark, majestic head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She might go + to the Upperworld and rest herself in the arms of her mother, he + said. And then he cried out: <span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, + Persephone, strive to feel kindliness in your heart toward me who + carried you off by violence and against your will. I can give to + you one of the great kingdoms that the Olympians rule over. And + I, who am brother to Zeus, am no unfitting husband for you, + Demeter’s child.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Aidoneus, + the dark lord of the Underworld said, and he made ready the iron + chariot with its deathless horses that Persephone might go up + from his kingdom.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Beside the + single tree in his domain Aidoneus stayed the chariot. A single + fruit grew on that tree, a bright pomegranate fruit. Persephone + stood up in the chariot and plucked the fruit from the tree. Then + did Aidoneus prevail upon her to divide the fruit, and, having + divided it, Persephone ate seven of the pomegranate seeds.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was Hermes + who took the whip and the reins of the chariot. He drove on, and + neither the sea nor the water-courses, nor the glens nor the + mountain peaks stayed the deathless horses of <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page71">[pg 71]</span> Aidoneus, and soon the + chariot was brought near to where Demeter awaited the coming of + her daughter.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i014.png" + id="i014.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig42" id="fig42"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i014.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And when, + from a hilltop, Demeter saw the chariot approaching, she flew + like a wild bird to clasp her child. Persephone, when she saw her + mother’s dear eyes, sprang out of the chariot and fell upon her + neck and embraced her. Long and long Demeter held her dear child + in her arms, gazing, gazing upon her. Suddenly her mind misgave + her. With a great fear at her heart she cried out: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Dearest, has any food passed your lips in all the + time you have been in the Underworld?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She had not + tasted food in all the time she was there, Persephone said. And + then, suddenly, she remembered the pomegranate that Aidoneus had + asked her to divide. When she told that she had eaten seven seeds + from it Demeter wept, and her tears fell upon Persephone’s + face.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, my dearest,”</span> she cried, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“if you had not eaten the pomegranate seeds you could + have stayed with me, and always we should have been together. But + now that you have eaten food in it, the Underworld has a claim + upon you. You may not stay always with me here. Again you will + have to go back and dwell in the dark places under the earth and + sit upon Aidoneus’s throne. But not always you will be there. + When the flowers bloom upon the earth you shall come up from the + realm of darkness, and in great joy we shall go through the world + together, Demeter and Persephone.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And so it has + been since Persephone came back to her mother <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page72">[pg 72]</span> after having eaten of the + pomegranate seeds. For two seasons of the year she stays with + Demeter, and for one season she stays in the Underworld with her + dark lord. While she is with her mother there is springtime upon + the earth. Demeter blesses the furrows, her heart being glad + because her daughter is with her once more. The furrows become + heavy with grain, and soon the whole wide earth has grain and + fruit, leaves and flowers. When the furrows are reaped, when the + grain has been gathered, when the dark season comes, Persephone + goes from her mother, and going down into the dark places, she + sits beside her mighty lord Aidoneus and upon his throne. Not + sorrowful is she there; she sits with head unbowed, for she knows + herself to be a mighty queen. She has joy, too, knowing of the + seasons when she may walk with Demeter, her mother, on the wide + places of the earth, through fields of flowers and fruit and + ripening grain.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Such was the + story that Orpheus told—Orpheus who knew the histories of the + gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A day came + when the heroes, on their way back from a journey they had made + with the Lemnian maidens, called out to Heracles upon the + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. Then Heracles, standing on + the prow of the ship, shouted angrily to them. Terrible did he + seem to the Lemnian maidens, and they ran off, drawing the heroes + with them. Heracles shouted to his comrades again, saying that if + they did not come aboard the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + and make ready <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page73">[pg + 73]</span> for the voyage to Colchis, he would go ashore and + carry them to the ship, and force them again to take the oars in + their hands. Not all of what Heracles said did the Argonauts + hear.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That evening + the men were silent in Hypsipyle’s hall, and it was Atalanta, the + maiden, who told the evening’s story.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="toc43" id="toc43"></a><a name="pdf44" id="pdf44"></a> + + <h3 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span style="font-size: 120%">Atalanta’s Race</span></h3> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There are two + Atalantas, she said; she herself, the Huntress, and another who + is noted for her speed of foot and her delight in the race—the + daughter of Schœneus, King of Bœotia, Atalanta of the Swift + Foot.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So proud was + she of her swiftness that she made a vow to the gods that none + would be her husband except the youth who won past her in the + race. Youth after youth came and raced against her, but Atalanta, + who grew fleeter and fleeter of foot, left each one of them far + behind her. The youths who came to the race were so many and the + clamor they made after defeat was so great, that her father made + a law that, as he thought, would lessen their number. The law + that he made was that the youth who came to race against Atalanta + and who lost the race should lose his life into the bargain. + After that the youths who had care for their lives stayed away + from Bœotia.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Once there + came a youth from a far part of Greece into the country that + Atalanta’s father ruled over. Hippomenes was his name. He did not + know of the race, but having come into <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page74">[pg 74]</span> the city and seeing the crowd of + people, he went with them to the course. He looked upon the + youths who were girded for the race, and he heard the folk say + amongst themselves, <span class="tei tei-q">“Poor youths, as + mighty and as high-spirited as they look, by sunset the life will + be out of each of them, for Atalanta will run past them as she + ran past the others.”</span> Then Hippomenes spoke to the folk in + wonder, and they told him of Atalanta’s race and of what would + befall the youths who were defeated in it. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Unlucky youths,”</span> cried Hippomenes, + <span class="tei tei-q">“how foolish they are to try to win a + bride at the price of their lives.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then, with + pity in his heart, he watched the youths prepare for the race. + Atalanta had not yet taken her place, and he was fearful of + looking upon her. <span class="tei tei-q">“She is a + witch,”</span> he said to himself, <span class="tei tei-q">“she + must be a witch to draw so many youths to their deaths, and she, + no doubt, will show in her face and figure the witch’s + spirit.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But even as + he said this, Hippomenes saw Atalanta. She stood with the youths + before they crouched for the first dart in the race. He saw that + she was a girl of a light and a lovely form. Then they crouched + for the race; then the trumpets rang out, and the youths and the + maiden darted like swallows over the sand of the course.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On came + Atalanta, far, far ahead of the youths who had started with her. + Over her bare shoulders her hair streamed, blown backward by the + wind that met her flight. Her fair neck shone, and her little + feet were like flying doves. It seemed to Hippomenes as he + watched her that there was fire in her <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page75">[pg 75]</span> lovely body. On and on she went as + swift as the arrow that the Scythian shoots from his bow. And as + he watched the race he was not sorry that the youths were being + left behind. Rather would he have been enraged if one came near + overtaking her, for now his heart was set upon winning her for + his bride, and he cursed himself for not having entered the + race.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She passed + the last goal mark and she was given the victor’s wreath of + flowers. Hippomenes stood and watched her and he did not see the + youths who had started with her—they had thrown themselves on the + ground in their despair.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then wild, as + though he were one of the doomed youths, Hippomenes made his way + through the throng and came before the black-bearded King of + Bœtia. The king’s brows were knit, for even then he was + pronouncing doom upon the youths who had been left behind in the + race. He looked upon Hippomenes, another youth who would make the + trial, and the frown became heavier upon his face.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But + Hippomenes saw only Atalanta. She came beside her father; the + wreath was upon her head of gold, and her eyes were wide and + tender. She turned her face to him, and then she knew by the + wildness that was in his look that he had come to enter the race + with her. Then the flush that was on her face died away, and she + shook her head as if she were imploring him to go from that + place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The + dark-bearded king bent his brows upon him and said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Speak, O youth, speak and tell us what brings you + here.”</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page76">[pg + 76]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then cried + Hippomenes as if his whole life were bursting out with his words: + <span class="tei tei-q">“Why does this maiden, your daughter, + seek an easy renown by conquering weakly youths in the race? She + has not striven yet. Here stand I, one of the blood of Poseidon, + the god of the sea. Should I be defeated by her in the race, + then, indeed, might Atalanta have something to boast + of.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Atalanta + stepped forward and said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Do not speak + of it, youth. Indeed I think that it is some god, envious of your + beauty and your strength, who sent you here to strive with me and + to meet your doom. Ah, think of the youths who have striven with + me even now! Think of the hard doom that is about to fall upon + them! You venture your life in the race, but indeed I am not + worthy of the price. Go hence, O stranger youth, go hence and + live happily, for indeed I think that there is some maiden who + loves you well.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Nay, maiden,”</span> said Hippomenes, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will enter the race and I will venture my life on + the chance of winning you for my bride. What good will my life + and my spirit be to me if they cannot win this race for + me?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She drew away + from him then and looked upon him no more, but bent down to + fasten the sandals upon her feet. And the black-bearded king + looked upon Hippomenes and said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Face, + then, this race to-morrow. You will be the only one who will + enter it. But bethink thee of the doom that awaits thee at the + end of it.”</span> The king said no more, and Hippomenes went + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page77">[pg 77]</span> from him and + from Atalanta, and he came again to the place where the race had + been run.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He looked + across the sandy course with its goal marks, and in his mind he + saw again Atalanta’s swift race. He would not meet doom at the + hands of the king’s soldiers, he knew, for his spirit would leave + him with the greatness of the effort he would make to reach the + goal before her. And he thought it would be well to die in that + effort and on that sandy place that was so far from his own + land.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Even as he + looked across the sandy course now deserted by the throng, he saw + one move across it, coming toward him with feet that did not seem + to touch the ground. She was a woman of wonderful presence. As + Hippomenes looked upon her he knew that she was Aphrodite, the + goddess of beauty and of love.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Hippomenes,”</span> said the immortal goddess, + <span class="tei tei-q">“the gods are mindful of you who are + sprung from one of the gods, and I am mindful of you because of + your own worth. I have come to help you in your race with + Atalanta, for I would not have you slain, nor would I have that + maiden go unwed. Give your greatest strength and your greatest + swiftness to the race, and behold! here are wonders that will + prevent the fleet-footed Atalanta from putting all her spirit + into the race.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then the + immortal goddess held out to Hippomenes a branch that had upon it + three apples of shining gold.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“In Cyprus,”</span> said the goddess, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“where I have come from, there is a tree on which + these golden apples grow. Only I <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page78">[pg 78]</span> may pluck them. I have brought them to + you, Hippomenes. Keep them in your girdle, and in the race you + will find out what to do with them, I think.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Aphrodite + said, and then she vanished, leaving a fragrance in the air and + the three shining apples in the hands of Hippomenes. Long he + looked upon their brightness. They were beside him that night, + and when he arose in the dawn he put them in his girdle. Then, + before the throng, he went to the place of the race.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When he + showed himself beside Atalanta all around the course were silent, + for they all admired Hippomenes for his beauty and for the spirit + that was in his face; they were silent out of compassion, for + they knew the doom that befell the youths who raced with + Atalanta.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now + Schœneus, the black-bearded king, stood up, and he spoke to the + throng, saying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Hear me all, both young + and old: this youth, Hippomenes, seeks to win the race from my + daughter, winning her for his bride. Now, if he be victorious and + escape death I will give him my dear child, Atalanta, and many + fleet horses besides as gifts from me, and in honor he shall go + back to his native land. But if he fail in the race, then he will + have to share the doom that has been meted out to the other + youths who raced with Atalanta hoping to win her for a + bride.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then + Hippomenes and Atalanta crouched for the start. The trumpets were + sounded and they darted off. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page79">[pg 79]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Side by side + with Atalanta Hippomenes went. Her flying hair touched his + breast, and it seemed to him that they were skimming the sandy + course as if they were swallows. But then Atalanta began to draw + away from him. He saw her ahead of him, and then he began to hear + the words of cheer that came from the throng—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Bend to the race, Hippomenes! Go on, go on! Use your + strength to the utmost.”</span> He bent himself to the race, but + further and further from him Atalanta drew.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then it + seemed to him that she checked her swiftness a little to look + back at him. He gained on her a little. And then his hand touched + the apples that were in his girdle. As it touched them it came + into his mind what to do with the apples.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He was not + far from her now, but already her swiftness was drawing her + further and further away. He took one of the apples into his hand + and tossed it into the air so that it fell on the track before + her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Atalanta saw + the shining apple. She checked her speed and stooped in the race + to pick it up. And as she stooped Hippomenes darted past her, and + went flying toward the goal that now was within his sight.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But soon she + was beside him again. He looked, and he saw that the goal marks + were far, far ahead of him. Atalanta with the flying hair passed + him, and drew away and away from him. He had not speed to gain + upon her now, he thought, so he put his strength into his hand + and he flung the second of the shining <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page80">[pg 80]</span> apples. The apple rolled before her + and rolled off the course. Atalanta turned off the course, + stooped and picked up the apple.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then did + Hippomenes draw all his spirit into his breast as he raced on. He + was now nearer to the goal than she was. But he knew that she was + behind him, going lightly where he went heavily. And then she was + beside him, and then she went past him. She paused in her speed + for a moment and she looked back on him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As he raced + on, his chest seemed weighted down and his throat was crackling + dry. The goal marks were far away still, but Atalanta was nearing + them. He took the last of the golden apples into his hand. + Perhaps she was now so far that the strength of his throw would + not be great enough to bring the apple before her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But with all + the strength he could put into his hand he flung the apple. It + struck the course before her feet and then went bounding wide. + Atalanta swerved in her race and followed where the apple went. + Hippomenes marveled that he had been able to fling it so far. He + saw Atalanta stoop to pick up the apple, and he bounded on. And + then, although his strength was failing, he saw the goal marks + near him. He set his feet between them and then fell down on the + ground.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The + attendants raised him up and put the victor’s wreath upon his + head. The concourse of people shouted with joy to see him victor. + But he looked around for Atalanta and he <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page81">[pg 81]</span> saw her standing there with the golden + apples in her hands. <span class="tei tei-q">“He has won,”</span> + he heard her say, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I have not to hate + myself for bringing a doom upon him. Gladly, gladly do I give up + the race, and glad am I that it is this youth who has won the + victory from me.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i015.png" + id="i015.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig45" id="fig45"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i015.png" alt="Illustration" title= + "Atalanta’s Last Race" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + Atalanta’s Last Race + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She took his + hand and brought him before the king. Then Schœneus, in the sight + of all the rejoicing people, gave Atalanta to Hippomenes for his + bride, and he bestowed upon him also a great gift of horses. With + his dear and hard-won bride, Hippomenes went to his own country, + and the apples that she brought with her, the golden apples of + Aphrodite, were reverenced by the people.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc46" id="toc46"></a><a name="pdf47" id="pdf47"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">X. The Departure from + Lemnos</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capA1.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">A</span></span> DAY came + when Heracles left the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> and went on the Lemnian land. + He gathered the heroes about him, and they, seeing Heracles come + amongst them, clamored to go to hunt the wild bulls that were + inland from the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So, for once, + the heroes left the Lemnian maidens who were their friends. Jason, + too, left Hypsipyle in the palace and went with Heracles. And as + they went, Heracles spoke to each of the heroes, saying that they + were forgetting the Fleece of Gold that they had sailed to gain. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page82">[pg 82]</span> Jason blushed + to think that he had almost let go out of his mind the quest that + had brought him from Iolcus. And then he thought upon Hypsipyle and + of how her little hand would stay in his, and his own hand became + loose upon the spear so that it nearly fell from him. How could he, + he thought, leave Hypsipyle and this land of Lemnos behind?</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He heard the + clear voice of Atalanta as she, too, spoke to the Argonauts. What + Heracles said was brave and wise, said Atalanta. Forgetfulness + would cover their names if they stayed longer in + Lemnos—forgetfulness and shame, and they would come to despise + themselves. Leave Lemnos, she cried, and draw <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + into the sea, and depart for Colchis.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All day the + Argonauts stayed by themselves, hunting the bulls. On their way + back from the chase they were met by Lemnian maidens who carried + wreaths of flowers for them. Very silent were the heroes as the + maidens greeted them. Heracles went with Jason to the palace, and + Hypsipyle, seeing the mighty stranger coming, seated herself, not + on the couch where she was wont to sit looking into the face of + Jason, but on the stone throne of King Thoas, her father. And + seated on that throne she spoke to Jason and to Heracles as a queen + might speak.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In the hall + that night the heroes and the Lemnian maidens who were with them + were quiet. A story was told; Castor began it and Polydeuces ended + it. And the story that Helen’s brothers told was:</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page83">[pg 83]</span> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="toc48" id="toc48"></a><a name="pdf49" id="pdf49"></a> + + <h3 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span style="font-size: 120%">The Golden Maid</span></h3> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Epimetheus + the Titan had a brother who was the wisest of all + beings—Prometheus called the Foreseer. But Epimetheus himself was + slow-witted and scatter-brained. His wise brother once sent him a + message bidding him beware of the gifts that Zeus might send him. + Epimetheus heard, but he did not heed the warning, and thereby he + brought upon the race of men troubles and cares.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Prometheus, + the wise Titan, had saved men from a great trouble that Zeus + would have brought upon them. Also he had given them the gift of + fire. Zeus was the more wroth with men now because fire, stolen + from him, had been given them; he was wroth with the race of + Titans, too, and he pondered in his heart how he might injure + men, and how he might use Epimetheus, the mindless Titan, to + further his plan.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> While he + pondered there was a hush on high Olympus, the mountain of the + gods. Then Zeus called upon the artisan of the gods, lame + Hephæstus, and he commanded him to make a being out of clay that + would have the likeness of a lovely maiden. With joy and pride + Hephæstus worked at the task that had been given him, and he + fashioned a being that had the likeness of a lovely maiden, and + he brought the thing of his making before the gods and the + goddesses.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All strove to + add a grace or a beauty to the work of Hephæstus. Zeus granted + that the maiden should see and feel. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page84">[pg 84]</span> Athene dressed her in garments that were + as lovely as flowers. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, put a charm + on her lips and in her eyes. The Graces put necklaces around her + neck and set a golden crown upon her head. The Hours brought her + a girdle of spring flowers. Then the herald of the gods gave her + speech that was sweet and flowing. All the gods and goddesses had + given gifts to her, and for that reason the maiden of Hephæstus’s + making was called Pandora, the All-endowed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She was + lovely, the gods knew; not beautiful as they themselves are, who + have a beauty that awakens reverence rather than love, but + lovely, as flowers and bright waters and earthly maidens are + lovely. Zeus smiled to himself when he looked upon her, and he + called to Hermes who knew all the ways of the earth, and he put + her into the charge of Hermes. Also he gave Hermes a great jar to + take along; this jar was Pandora’s dower.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Epimetheus + lived in a deep-down valley. Now one day, as he was sitting on a + fallen pillar in the ruined place that was now forsaken by the + rest of the Titans, he saw a pair coming toward him. One had + wings, and he knew him to be Hermes, the messenger of the gods. + The other was a maiden. Epimetheus marveled at the crown upon her + head and at her lovely garments. There was a glint of gold all + around her. He rose from where he sat upon the broken pillar and + he stood to watch the pair. Hermes, he saw, was carrying by its + handle a great jar.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page85">[pg 85]</span> In wonder and delight he + looked upon the maiden. Epimetheus had seen no lovely thing for + ages. Wonderful indeed was this Golden Maid, and as she came + nearer the charm that was on her lips and in her eyes came to the + Earth-born One, and he smiled with more and more delight.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i016.png" + id="i016.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig50" id="fig50"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i016.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Hermes came + and stood before him. He also smiled, but his smile had something + baleful in it. He put the hands of the Golden Maid into the great + soft hand of the Titan, and he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“O + Epimetheus, Father Zeus would be reconciled with thee, and as a + sign of his good will he sends thee this lovely goddess to be thy + companion.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Oh, very + foolish was Epimetheus the Earth-born One! As he looked upon the + Golden Maid who was sent by Zeus he lost memory of the wars that + Zeus had made upon the Titans and the Elder Gods; he lost memory + of his brother chained by Zeus to the rock; he lost memory of the + warning that his brother, the wisest of all beings, had sent him. + He took the hands of Pandora, and he thought of nothing at all in + all the world but her. Very far away seemed the voice of Hermes + saying, <span class="tei tei-q">“This jar, too, is from Olympus; + it has in it Pandora’s dower.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The jar stood + forgotten for long, and green plants grew over it while + Epimetheus walked in the garden with the Golden Maid, or watched + her while she gazed on herself in the stream, or searched in the + untended places for the fruits that the Elder Gods would eat, + when they feasted with the Titans in the old days, before Zeus + had come to his power. And lost to Epimetheus <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page86">[pg 86]</span> was the memory of his + brother now suffering upon the rock because of the gift he had + given to men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And Pandora, + knowing nothing except the brightness of the sunshine and the + lovely shapes and colors of things and the sweet taste of the + fruits that Epimetheus brought to her, could have stayed forever + in that garden.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But every day + Epimetheus would think that the men and women of the world should + be able to talk to him about this maiden with the wonderful + radiance of gold, and with the lovely garments, and the marvelous + crown. And one day he took Pandora by the hand, and he brought + her out of that deep-lying valley, and toward the homes of men. + He did not forget the jar that Hermes had left with her. All + things that belonged to the Golden Maid were precious, and + Epimetheus took the jar along.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The race of + men at the time were simple and content. Their days were passed + in toil, but now, since Prometheus had given them fire, they had + good fruits of their toil. They had well-shaped tools to dig the + earth and to build houses. Their homes were warmed with fire, and + fire burned upon the altars that were upon their ways.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Greatly they + reverenced Prometheus; who had given them fire, and greatly they + reverenced the race of the Titans. So when Epimetheus came + amongst them, tall as a man walking with stilts, they welcomed + him and brought him and the Golden <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page87">[pg 87]</span> Maid to their hearths. And Epimetheus + showed Pandora the wonderful element that his brother had given + to men, and she rejoiced to see the fire, clapping her hands with + delight. The jar that Epimetheus brought he left in an open + place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In carrying + it up the rough ways out of the valley Epimetheus may have + knocked the jar about, for the lid that had been tight upon it + now fitted very loosely. But no one gave heed to the jar as it + stood in the open space where Epimetheus had left it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> At first the + men and women looked upon the beauty of Pandora, upon her lovely + dresses, and her golden crown and her girdle of flowers, with + wonder and delight. Epimetheus would have every one admire and + praise her. The men would leave off working in the fields, or + hammering on iron, or building houses, and the women would leave + off spinning or weaving, and come at his call, and stand about + and admire the Golden Maid. But as time went by a change came + upon the women: one woman would weep, and another would look + angry, and a third would go back sullenly to her work when + Pandora was admired or praised.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Once the + women were gathered together, and one who was the wisest amongst + them said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Once we did not think about + ourselves, and we were content. But now we think about ourselves, + and we say to ourselves that we are harsh and ill-favored indeed + compared to the Golden Maid that the Titan is so enchanted with. + And we hate to see our own men praise and <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page88">[pg 88]</span> admire her, and often, in + our hearts, we would destroy her if we could.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“That is true,”</span> the women said. And then a + young woman cried out in a most yearnful voice, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“O tell us, you who are wise, how can we make + ourselves as beautiful as Pandora!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then said + that woman who was thought to be wise, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“This Golden Maid is lovely to look upon because she + has lovely apparel and all the means of keeping herself lovely. + The gods have given her the ways, and so her skin remains fair, + and her hair keeps its gold, and her lips are ever red and her + eyes shining. And I think that the means that she has of keeping + lovely are all in that jar that Epimetheus brought with + her.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the + woman who was thought to be wise said this, those around her were + silent for a while. But then one arose and another arose, and + they stood and whispered together, one saying to the other that + they should go to the place where the jar had been left by + Epimetheus, and that they should take out of it the salves and + the charms and the washes that would leave them as beautiful as + Pandora.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So the women + went to that place. On their way they stopped at a pool and they + bent over to see themselves mirrored in it, and they saw + themselves with dusty and unkempt hair, with large and knotted + hands, with troubled eyes, and with anxious mouths. They frowned + as they looked upon their images, and they said in harsh voices + that in a while they would have ways of making themselves as + lovely as the Golden Maid. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page89">[pg 89]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i017.png" + id="i017.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig51" id="fig51"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i017.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And as they + went on they saw Pandora. She was playing in a flowering field, + while Epimetheus, high as a man upon stilts, went gathering the + blossoms of the bushes for her. They went on, and they came at + last to the place where Epimetheus had left the jar that held + Pandora’s dower.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A great stone + jar it was; there was no bird, nor flower, nor branch painted + upon it. It stood high as a woman’s shoulder. And as the women + looked on it they thought that there were things enough in it to + keep them beautiful for all the days of their lives. But each one + thought that she should not be the last to get her hands into + it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Once the lid + had been fixed tightly down on the jar. But the lid was shifted a + little now. As the hands of the women grasped it to take off the + lid the jar was cast down, and the things that were inside + spilled themselves forth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They were + black and gray and red; they were crawling and flying things. + And, as the women looked, the things spread themselves abroad or + fastened themselves upon them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The jar, like + Pandora herself, had been made and filled out of the ill will of + Zeus. And it had been filled, not with salves and charms and + washes, as the women had thought, but with Cares and Troubles. + Before the women came to it one Trouble had already come forth + from the jar—Self-thought that was upon the top of the heap. It + was Self-thought that had afflicted the women, making them + troubled about their own looks, and envious of the graces of the + Golden Maid. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page90">[pg + 90]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now the + others spread themselves out—Sickness and War and Strife between + friends. They spread themselves abroad and entered the houses, + while Epimetheus, the mindless Titan, gathered flowers for + Pandora, the Golden Maid.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Lest she + should weary of her play he called to her. He would take her into + the houses of men. As they drew near to the houses they saw a + woman seated on the ground, weeping; her husband had suddenly + become hard to her and had shut the door on her face. They came + upon a child crying because of a pain that he could not + understand. And then they found two men struggling, their strife + being on account of a possession that they had both held + peaceably before.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In every + house they went to Epimetheus would say, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I am the brother of Prometheus, who gave you the + gift of fire.”</span> But instead of giving them a welcome the + men would say, <span class="tei tei-q">“We know nothing about + your relation to Prometheus. We see you as a foolish man upon + stilts.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Epimetheus + was troubled by the hard looks and the cold words of the men who + once had reverenced him. He turned from the houses and went away. + In a quiet place he sat down, and for a while he lost sight of + Pandora. And then it seemed to him that he heard the voice of his + wise and suffering brother saying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Do + not accept any gift that Zeus may send you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He rose up + and he hurried away from that place, leaving Pandora playing by + herself. There came into his scattered mind Regret and Fear. As + he went on he stumbled. He fell <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page91">[pg 91]</span> from the edge of a cliff, and the sea + washed away the body of the mindless brother of Prometheus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Not + everything had been spilled out of the jar that had been brought + with Pandora into the world of men. A beautiful, living thing was + in that jar also. This was Hope. And this beautiful, living thing + had got caught under the rim of the jar and had not come forth + with the others. One day a weeping woman found Hope under the rim + of Pandora’s jar and brought this living thing into the house of + men. And now because of Hope they could see an end to their + troubles. And the men and women roused themselves in the midst of + their afflictions and they looked toward gladness. Hope, that had + been caught under the rim of the jar, stayed behind the + thresholds of their houses.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As for + Pandora, the Golden Maid, she played on, knowing only the + brightness of the sunshine and the lovely shapes of things. + Beautiful would she have seemed to any being who saw her, but now + she had strayed away from the houses of men and Epimetheus was + not there to look upon her. Then Hephæstus, the lame artisan of + the gods, left down his tools and went to seek her. He found + Pandora, and he took her back to Olympus. And in his brazen house + she stays, though sometimes at the will of Zeus she goes down + into the world of men.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When + Polydeuces had ended the story that Castor had begun, Heracles + cried out: <span class="tei tei-q">“For the Argonauts, too, there + has been <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page92">[pg 92]</span> a + Golden Maid—nay, not one, but a Golden Maid for each. Out of the + jar that has been with her ye have taken forgetfulness of your + honor. As for me, I go back to the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + lest one of these Golden Maids should hold me back from the + labors that make great a man.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Heracles + said, and he went from Hypsipyle’s hall. The heroes looked at + each other, and they stood up, and shame that they had stayed so + long away from the quest came over each of them. The maidens took + their hands; the heroes unloosed those soft hands and turned away + from them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Hypsipyle + left the throne of King Thoas and stood before Jason. There was a + storm in all her body; her mouth was shaken, and a whole life’s + trouble was in her great eyes. Before she spoke Jason cried out: + <span class="tei tei-q">“What Heracles said is true, O Argonauts! + On the Quest of the Golden Fleece our lives and our honors + depend. To Colchis—to Colchis must we go!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He stood + upright in the hall, and his comrades gathered around him. The + Lemnian maidens would have held out their arms and would have + made their partings long delayed, but that a strange cry came to + them through the night. Well did the Argonauts know that cry—it + was the cry of the ship, of <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> herself. They knew that + they must go to her now or stay from the voyage for ever. And the + maidens knew that there was something in the cry of the ship that + might not be gainsaid, and they put their hands before their + faces, and they said no other word. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page93">[pg 93]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i018.png" + id="i018.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig52" id="fig52"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i018.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then said + Hypsipyle, the queen, <span class="tei tei-q">“I, too, am a + ruler, Jason, and I know that there are great commands that we + have to obey. Go, then, to the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + Ah, neither I nor the women of Lemnos will stay your going now. + But to-morrow speak to us from the deck of the ship and bid us + farewell. Do not go from us in the night, Jason.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason and the + Argonauts went from Hypsipyle’s hall. The maidens who were left + behind wept together. All but Hypsipyle. She sat on the throne of + King Thoas and she had Polyxo, her nurse, tell her of the ways of + Jason’s voyage as he had told of them, and of all that he would + have to pass through. When the other Lemnian women slept she put + her head upon her nurse’s knees and wept; bitterly Hypsipyle + wept, but softly, for she would not have the others hear her + weeping.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> By the coming + of the morning’s light the Argonauts had made all ready for their + sailing. They were standing on the deck when the light came, and + they saw the Lemnian women come to the shore. Each looked at her + friend aboard the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, and spoke, and went away. + And last, Hypsipyle, the queen, came. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Farewell, Hypsipyle,”</span> Jason said to her, and + she, in her strange way of speaking, said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“What you told us I have remembered—how you will come + to the dangerous passage that leads into the Sea of Pontus, and + how by the flight of a pigeon you will know whether or not you + may go that way. O Jason, let the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page94">[pg 94]</span> dove you fly when you come to that + dangerous place be Hypsipyle’s.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She showed a + pigeon held in her hands. She loosed it, and the pigeon alighted + on the ship, and stayed there on pink feet, a white-feathered + pigeon. Jason took up the pigeon and held it in his hands, and + the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> drew swiftly away from the + Lemnian land.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc53" id="toc53"></a><a name="pdf54" id="pdf54"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">XI. The Passage of the + Symplegades</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY came + near Salmydessus, where Phineus, the wise king, ruled, and they + sailed past it; they sighted the pile of stones, with the oar + upright upon it that they had raised on the seashore over the body + of Tiphys, the skillful steersman whom they had lost; they sailed + on until they heard a sound that grew more and more thunderous, and + then the heroes said to each other, <span class="tei tei-q">“Now we + come to the Symplegades and the dread passage into the Sea of + Pontus.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was then + that Jason cried out: <span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, when Pelias + spoke of this quest to me, why did I not turn my head away and + refuse to be drawn into it? Since we came near the dread passage + that is before us I have passed every night in groans. As for you + who have come with me, you may take your ease, <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page95">[pg 95]</span> for you need care only for + your own lives. But I have to care for you all, and to strive to + win for you all a safe return to Greece. Ah, greatly am I afflicted + now, knowing to what a great peril I have brought you!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Jason said, + thinking to make trial of the heroes. They, on their part, were not + dismayed, but shouted back cheerful words to him. Then he said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“O friends of mine, by your spirit my + spirit is quickened. Now if I knew that I was being borne down into + the black gulfs of Hades, I should fear nothing, knowing that you + are constant and faithful of heart.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As he said this + they came into water that seethed all around the ship. Then into + the hands of Euphemus, a youth of Iolcus, who was the keenest-eyed + amongst the Argonauts, Jason put the pigeon that Hypsipyle had + given him. He bade him stand by the prow of the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, + ready to loose the pigeon as the ship came nigh that dreadful gate + of rock.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They saw the + spray being dashed around in showers; they saw the sea spread + itself out in foam; they saw the high, black rocks rush together, + sounding thunderously as they met. The caves in the high rocks + rumbled as the sea surged into them, and the foam of the dashing + waves spurted high up the rocks.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason shouted + to each man to grip hard on the oars. The <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + dashed on as the rocks rushed toward each other again. Then there + was such noise that no man’s voice could be heard above it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As the rocks + met, Euphemus loosed the pigeon. With his <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page96">[pg 96]</span> keen eyes he watched her fly through the + spray. Would she, not finding an opening to fly through, turn back? + He watched, and meanwhile the Argonauts gripped hard on the oars to + save the ship from being dashed on the rocks. The pigeon fluttered + as though she would sink down and let the spray drown her. And then + Euphemus saw her raise herself and fly forward. Toward the place + where she had flown he pointed. The rowers gave a loud cry, and + Jason called upon them to pull with might and main.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The rocks were + parting asunder, and to the right and left broad Pontus was seen by + the heroes. Then suddenly a huge wave rose before them, and at the + sight of it they all uttered a cry and bent their heads. It seemed + to them that it would dash down on the whole ship’s length and + overwhelm them all. But Nauplius was quick to ease the ship, and + the wave rolled away beneath the keel, and at the stern it raised + the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> and dashed her away from the + rocks.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They felt the + sun as it streamed upon them through the sundered rocks. They + strained at the oars until the oars bent like bows in their hands. + The ship sprang forward. Surely they were now in the wide Sea of + Pontus!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + shouted. They saw the rocks behind them with the sea fowl screaming + upon them. Surely they were in the Sea of Pontus—the sea that had + never been entered before through the Rocks Wandering. The rocks no + longer dashed together; each remained fixed in its place, for it + was the will of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page97">[pg 97]</span> + the gods that these rocks should no more clash together after a + mortal’s ship had passed between them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They were now + in the Sea of Pontus, the sea into which flowed the river that + Colchis was upon—the River Phasis. And now above Jason’s head the + bird of peaceful days, the Halcyon, fluttered, and the Argonauts + knew that this was a sign from the gods that the voyage would not + any more be troublous.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc55" id="toc55"></a><a name="pdf56" id="pdf56"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">XII. The Mountain + Caucasus</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY rested + in the harbor of Thynias, the desert island, and sailing from there + they came to the land of the Mariandyni, a people who were + constantly at war with the Bebrycians; there the hero Polydeuces + was welcomed as a god. Twelve days afterward they passed the mouth + of the River Callichorus; then they came to the mouth of that river + that flows through the land of the Amazons, the River Thermodon. + Fourteen days from that place brought them to the island that is + filled with the birds of Ares, the god of war. These birds dropped + upon the heroes heavy, pointed feathers that would have pierced + them as arrows if they had not covered themselves with their + shields; then by shouting, and by striking their shields with their + spears, they raised such a clamor as drove the birds away. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page98">[pg 98]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They sailed on, + borne by a gentle breeze, until a gulf of the sea opened before + them, and lo! a mountain that they knew bore some mighty name. + Orpheus, looking on its peak and its crags, said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Lo, now! We, the Argonauts, are looking upon the + mountain that is named Caucasus!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When he + declared the name the heroes all stood up and looked on the + mountain with awe. And in awe they cried out a name, and that name + was <span class="tei tei-q">“Prometheus!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> For upon that + mountain the Titan god was held, his limbs bound upon the hard + rocks by fetters of bronze. Even as the Argonauts looked toward the + mountain a great shadow fell upon their ship, and looking up they + saw a monstrous bird flying. The beat of the bird’s wings filled + out the sail and drove the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> swiftly onward. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is the bird sent by Zeus,”</span> Orpheus said. + <span class="tei tei-q">“It is the vulture that every day devours + the liver of the Titan god.”</span> They cowered down on the ship + as they heard that word—all the Argonauts save Heracles; he stood + upright and looked out toward where the bird was flying. Then, as + the bird came near to the mountain, the Argonauts heard a great cry + of anguish go up from the rocks.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is Prometheus crying out as the bird of Zeus flies + down upon him,”</span> they said to one another. Again they cowered + down on the ship, all save Heracles, who stayed looking toward + where the great vulture had flown.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The night came + and the Argonauts sailed on in silence, thinking in awe of the + Titan god and of the doom that Zeus had <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page99">[pg 99]</span> inflicted upon him. Then, as they sailed + on under the stars, Orpheus told them of Prometheus, of his gift to + men, and of the fearful punishment that had been meted out to him + by Zeus.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="toc57" id="toc57"></a><a name="pdf58" id="pdf58"></a> + + <h3 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span style="font-size: 120%">Prometheus</span></h3> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The gods more + than once made a race of men: the first was a Golden Race. Very + close to the gods who dwell on Olympus was this Golden Race; they + lived justly although there were no laws to compel them. In the + time of the Golden Race the earth knew only one season, and that + season was everlasting Spring. The men and women of the Golden + Race lived through a span of life that was far beyond that of the + men and women of our day, and when they died it was as though + sleep had become everlasting with them. They had all good things, + and that without labor, for the earth without any forcing + bestowed fruits and crops upon them. They had peace all through + their lives, this Golden Race, and after they had passed away + their spirits remained above the earth, inspiring the men of the + race that came after them to do great and gracious things and to + act justly and kindly to one another.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> After the + Golden Race had passed away, the gods made for the earth a second + race—a Silver Race. Less noble in spirit and in body was this + Silver Race, and the seasons that visited them were less + gracious. In the time of the Silver Race the gods made the + seasons—Summer and Spring, and Autumn <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page100">[pg 100]</span> and Winter. They knew parching heat, + and the bitter winds of winter, and snow and rain and hail. It + was the men of the Silver Race who first built houses for + shelter. They lived through a span of life that was longer than + our span, but it was not long enough to give wisdom to them. + Children were brought up at their mothers’ sides for a hundred + years, playing at childish things. And when they came to years + beyond a hundred they quarreled with one another, and wronged one + another, and did not know enough to give reverence to the + immortal gods. Then, by the will of Zeus, the Silver Race passed + away as the Golden Race had passed away. Their spirits stay in + the Underworld, and they are called by men the blessed spirits of + the Underworld.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then + there was made the third race—the Race of Bronze. They were a + race great of stature, terrible and strong. Their armor was of + bronze, their swords were of bronze, their implements were of + bronze, and of bronze, too, they made their houses. No great span + of life was theirs, for with the weapons that they took in their + terrible hands they slew one another. Thus they passed away, and + went down under the earth to Hades, leaving no name that men + might know them by.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the gods + created a fourth race—our own: a Race of Iron. We have not the + justice that was amongst the men of the Golden Race, nor the + simpleness that was amongst the men of the Silver Race, nor the + stature nor the great strength that the men of the Bronze Race + possessed. We are of iron that we <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page101">[pg 101]</span> may endure. It is our doom that we must + never cease from labor and that we must very quickly grow + old.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But miserable + as we are to-day, there was a time when the lot of men was more + miserable. With poor implements they had to labor on a hard + ground. There was less justice and kindliness amongst men in + those days than there is now.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Once it came + into the mind of Zeus that he would destroy the fourth race and + leave the earth to the nymphs and the satyrs. He would destroy it + by a great flood. But Prometheus, the Titan god who had given aid + to Zeus against the other Titans—Prometheus, who was called the + Foreseer—could not consent to the race of men being destroyed + utterly, and he considered a way of saving some of them. To a man + and a woman, Deucalion and Pyrrha, just and gentle people, he + brought word of the plan of Zeus, and he showed them how to make + a ship that would bear them through what was about to be sent + upon the earth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Zeus + shut up in their cave all the winds but the wind that brings rain + and clouds. He bade this wind, the South Wind, sweep over the + earth, flooding it with rain. He called upon Poseidon and bade + him to let the sea pour in upon the land. And Poseidon commanded + the rivers to put forth all their strength, and sweep dykes away, + and overflow their banks.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The clouds + and the sea and the rivers poured upon the earth. The flood rose + higher and higher, and in the places where the pretty lambs had + played the ugly sea calves now gambolled; <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page102">[pg 102]</span> men in their boats drew + fishes out of the tops of elm trees, and the water nymphs were + amazed to come on men’s cities under the waves.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Soon even the + men and women who had boats were overwhelmed by the rise of + water—all perished then except Deucalion and Pyrrha, his wife; + them the waves had not overwhelmed, for they were in a ship that + Prometheus had shown them how to build. The flood went down at + last, and Deucalion and Pyrrha climbed up to a high and a dry + ground. Zeus saw that two of the race of men had been left alive. + But he saw that these two were just and kindly, and had a right + reverence for the gods. He spared them, and he saw their children + again peopling the earth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Prometheus, + who had saved them, looked on the men and women of the earth with + compassion. Their labor was hard, and they wrought much to gain + little. They were chilled at night in their houses, and the winds + that blew in the daytime made the old men and women bend double + like a wheel. Prometheus thought to himself that if men and women + had the element that only the gods knew of—the element of + fire—they could make for themselves implements for labor; they + could build houses that would keep out the chilling winds, and + they could warm themselves at the blaze.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But the gods + had not willed that men should have fire, and to go against the + will of the gods would be impious. Prometheus went against the + will of the gods. He stole fire from the <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page103">[pg 103]</span> altar of Zeus, and he hid it in a + hollow fennel stalk, and he brought it to men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i019.png" + id="i019.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig59" id="fig59"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i019.png" alt="Illustration" title= + "Prometheus" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + Prometheus + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then men were + able to hammer iron into tools, and cut down forests with axes, + and sow grain where the forests had been. Then were they able to + make houses that the storms could not overthrow, and they were + able to warm themselves at hearth fires. They had rest from their + labor at times. They built cities; they became beings who no + longer had heads and backs bent but were able to raise their + faces even to the gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And Zeus + spared the race of men who had now the sacred element of fire. + But he knew that Prometheus had stolen this fire even from his + own altar and had given it to men. And he thought on how he might + punish the great Titan god for his impiety.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He brought + back from the Underworld the giants that he had put there to + guard the Titans that had been hurled down to Tartarus. He + brought back Gyes, Cottus, and Briareus, and he commanded them to + lay hands upon Prometheus and to fasten him with fetters to the + highest, blackest crag upon Caucasus. And Briareus, Cottus, and + Gyes seized upon the Titan god, and carried him to Caucasus, and + fettered him with fetters of bronze to the highest, blackest + crag—with fetters of bronze that may not be broken. There they + have left the Titan stretched, under the sky, with the cold winds + blowing upon him, and with the sun streaming down on him. And + that his punishment might exceed all other punishments Zeus had + sent <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page104">[pg 104]</span> a + vulture to prey upon him—a vulture that tears at his liver each + day.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And yet + Prometheus does not cry out that he has repented of his gift to + man; although the winds blow upon him, and the sun streams upon + him, and the vulture tears at his liver, Prometheus will not cry + out his repentance to heaven. And Zeus may not utterly destroy + him. For Prometheus the Foreseer knows a secret that Zeus would + fain have him disclose. He knows that even as Zeus overthrew his + father and made himself the ruler in his stead, so, too, another + will overthrow Zeus. And one day Zeus will have to have the + fetters broken from around the limbs of Prometheus, and will have + to bring from the rock and the vulture, and into the Council of + the Olympians, the unyielding Titan god.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the + light of the morning came the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + was very near to the Mountain Caucasus. The voyagers looked in + awe upon its black crags. They saw the great vulture circling + over a high rock, and from beneath where the vulture circled they + heard a weary cry. Then Heracles, who all night had stood by the + mast, cried out to the Argonauts to bring the ship near to a + landing place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Jason + would not have them go near; fear of the wrath of Zeus was strong + upon him; rather, he bade the Argonauts put all their strength + into their rowing, and draw far off from that forbidden mountain. + Heracles, not heeding what Jason <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page105">[pg 105]</span> ordered, declared that it was his + purpose to make his way up to the black crag, and, with his + shield and his sword in his hands, slay the vulture that preyed + upon the liver of Prometheus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i020.png" + id="i020.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig60" id="fig60"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i020.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Orpheus + in a clear voice spoke to the Argonauts. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Surely some spirit possesses Heracles,”</span> he + said. <span class="tei tei-q">“Despite all we do or say he will + make his way to where Prometheus is fettered to the rock. Do not + gainsay him in this! Remember what Nereus, the ancient one of the + sea, declared! Did Nereus not say that a great labor awaited + Heracles, and that in the doing of it he should work out the will + of Zeus? Stay him not! How just it would be if he who is the son + of Zeus freed from his torments the much-enduring Titan + god!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Orpheus + said in his clear, commanding voice. They drew near to the + Mountain Caucasus. Then Heracles, gripping the sword and shield + that were the gifts of the gods, sprang out on the landing place. + The Argonauts shouted farewell to him. But he, filled as he was + with an overmastering spirit, did not heed their words.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A strong + breeze drove them onward; darkness came down, and the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + went on through the night. With the morning light those who were + sleeping were awakened by the cry of Nauplius—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Lo! The Phasis, and the utmost bourne of the + sea!”</span> They sprang up, and looked with many strange + feelings upon the broad river they had come to.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Here was the + Phasis emptying itself into the Sea of Pontus! Up that river was + Colchis and the city of King Æetes, the <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page106">[pg 106]</span> end of their voyage, the place where + was kept the Golden Fleece! Quickly they let down the sail; they + lowered the mast and they laid it along the deck; strongly they + grasped the oars; they swung the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + around, and they entered the broad stream of the Phasis.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Up the river + they went with the Mountain Caucasus on their left hand, and on + their right the groves and gardens of Aea, King Æetes’s city. As + they went up the stream, Jason poured from a golden cup an + offering to the gods. And to the dead heroes of that country the + Argonauts prayed for good fortune to their enterprise.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was + Jason’s counsel that they should not at once appear before King + Æetes, but visit him after they had seen the strength of his + city. They drew their ship into a shaded backwater, and there + they stayed while day grew and faded around them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Night came, + and the heroes slept upon the deck of <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + Many things came back to them in their dreams or through their + half-sleep: they thought of the Lemnian maidens they had parted + from; of the Clashing Rocks they had passed between; of the look + in the eyes of Heracles as he raised his face to the high, black + peak of Caucasus. They slept, and they thought they saw before + them <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">The Golden Fleece</span></span>; + darkness surrounded it; it seemed to the dreaming Argonauts that + the darkness was the magic power that King Æetes + possessed.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page107">[pg + 107]</span> + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="toc61" id="toc61"></a><a name="pdf62" id="pdf62"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Part II. The Return to + Greece</span></h1> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page109">[pg 109]</span> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc63" id="toc63"></a><a name="pdf64" id="pdf64"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">I. King Æetes</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY had + come into a country that was the strangest of all countries, and + amongst a people that were the strangest of all peoples. They were + in the land, this people said, before the moon had come into the + sky. And it is true that when the great king of Egypt had come so + far, finding in all other places men living on the high hills and + eating the acorns that grew on the oaks there, he found in Colchis + the city of Aea with a wall around it and with pillars on which + writings were graven. That was when Egypt was called the Morning + Land.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And many of the + magicians of Egypt who had come with King Sesostris stayed in that + city of Aea, and they taught people spells that could stay the moon + in her going and coming, in her rising and setting. Priests of the + Moon ruled the city of Aea until King Æetes came.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Æetes had no + need of their magic, for Helios, the bright Sun, was his father, as + he thought. Also, Hephæstus, the artisan of the gods, was his + friend, and Hephæstus made for him <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page110">[pg 110]</span> many wonderful things to be his + protection. Medea, too, his wise daughter, knew the secrets taught + by those who could sway the moon.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Æetes once + was made afraid by a dream that he had: he dreamt that a ship had + come up the Phasis, and then, sailing on a mist, had rammed his + palace that was standing there in all its strength and beauty until + it had fallen down. On the morning of the night that he had had + this dream Æetes called Medea, his wise daughter, and he bade her + go to the temple of Hecate, the Moon, and search out spells that + might destroy those who came against his city.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That morning + the Argonauts, who had passed the night in the backwater of the + river, had two youths come to them. They were in a broken ship, and + they had one oar only. When Jason, after giving them food and fresh + garments, questioned them, he found out that these youths were of + the city of Aea, and that they were none others than the sons of + Phrixus—of Phrixus who had come there with the Golden Ram.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And the youths, + Phrontis and Melas, were as amazed as was Jason when they found out + whose ship they had come aboard. For Jason was the grandson of + Cretheus, and Cretheus was the brother of Athamas, their + grandfather. They had ventured from Aea, where they had been + reared, thinking to reach the country of Athamas and lay claim to + his possessions. But they had been wrecked at a place not far from + the mouth of the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page111">[pg + 111]</span> Phasis, and with great pain and struggle they had made + their way back.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They were + fearful of Aea and of their uncle King Æetes, and they would gladly + go with Jason and the Argonauts back to Greece. They would help + Jason, they said, to persuade Æetes to give the Golden Fleece + peaceably to them. Their mother was the daughter of + Æetes—Chalciope, whom the king had given in marriage to Phrixus, + his guest.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A council of + the Argonauts was held, and it was agreed that Jason should go with + two comrades to King Æetes, Phrontis and Melas going also. They + were to ask the king to give them the Golden Fleece and to offer + him a recompense. Jason took Peleus and Telamon with him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As they came to + the city a mist fell, and Jason and his comrades with the sons of + Phrixus went through the city without being seen. They came before + the palace of King Æetes. Then Phrontis and Melas were some way + behind. The mist lifted, and before the heroes was the wonder of + the palace in the bright light of the morning.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Vines with + broad leaves and heavy clusters of fruit grew from column to + column, the columns holding a gallery up. And under the vines were + the four fountains that Hephæstus had made for King Æetes. They + gushed out into golden, silver, bronze, and iron basins. And one + fountain gushed out clear water, and another gushed out milk; + another gushed out wine; and another oil. On each side of the + courtyard were the palace <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg + 112]</span> buildings; in one King Æetes lived with Apsyrtus, his + son, and in the other Chalciope and Medea lived with their + handmaidens.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea was + passing from her father’s house. The mist lifted suddenly and she + saw three strangers in the palace courtyard. One had a crimson + mantle on; his shoulders were such as to make him seem a man that a + whole world could not overthrow, and his eyes had all the sun’s + light in them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Amazed, Medea + stood looking upon Jason, wondering at his bright hair and gleaming + eyes and at the lightness and strength of the hand that he had + raised. And then a dove flew toward her: it was being chased by a + hawk, and Medea saw the hawk’s eyes and beak. As the dove lighted + upon her shoulder she threw her veil around it, and the hawk dashed + itself against a column. And as Medea, trembling, leaned against + the column she heard a cry from her sister, who was within.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> For now + Phrontis and Melas had come up, and Chalciope who was spinning by + the door saw them and cried out. All the servants rushed out. + Seeing Chalciope’s sons there they, too, uttered loud cries, and + made such commotion that Apsyrtus and then King Æetes came out of + the palace.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason saw King + Æetes. He was old and white, but he had great green eyes, and the + strength of a leopard was in all he did. And Jason looked upon + Apsyrtus too; the son of Æetes looked like a Phænician merchant, + black of beard and with rings in his ears, with a hooked nose and a + gleam of copper in his face.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Phrontis and + Melas went from their mother’s embrace and <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page113">[pg 113]</span> made reverence to King Æetes. Then + they spoke of the heroes who were with them, of Jason and his two + comrades. Æetes bade all enter the palace; baths were made ready + for them, and a banquet was prepared.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> After the + banquet, when they all sat together, Æetes, addressing the eldest + of Chalciope’s sons, said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Sons of Phrixus, of that man whom I honored above all + men who came to my halls, speak now and tell me how it is that you + have come back to Aea so soon, and who they are, these men who come + with you?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Æetes, as he + spoke, looked sharply upon Phrontis and Melas, for he suspected + them of having returned to Aea, bringing these armed men with them, + with an evil intent. Phrontis looked at the King, and said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Æetes, our ship was driven upon the Island of Ares, + where it was almost broken upon the rocks. That was on a murky + night, and in the morning the birds of Ares shot their sharp + feathers upon us. We pulled away from that place, and thereafter we + were driven by the winds back to the mouth of the Phasis. There we + met with these heroes who were friendly to us. Who they are, what + they have come to your city for, I shall now tell you.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“A certain king, longing to drive one of these heroes + from his land, and hoping that the race of Cretheus might perish + utterly, led him to enter a most perilous adventure. He came here + upon a ship that was made by the command of Hera, the wife of + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg 114]</span> Zeus, a ship + more wonderful than mortals ever sailed in before. With him there + came the mightiest of the heroes of Greece. He is Jason, the + grandson of Cretheus, and he has come to beg that you will grant + him freely the famous Fleece of Gold that Phrixus brought to + Aea.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But not without recompense to you would he take the + Fleece. Already he has heard of your bitter foes, the Sauromatæ. He + with his comrades would subdue them for you. And if you would ask + of the names and the lineage of the heroes who are with Jason I + shall tell you. This is Peleus and this is Telamon; they are + brothers, and they are sons of Æacus, who was of the seed of Zeus. + And all the other heroes who have come with them are of the seed of + the gods.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Phrontis + said, but the King was not placated by what he said. He thought + that the sons of Chalciope had returned to Aea bringing these + warriors with them so that they might wrest the kingship from him, + or, failing that, plunder the city. Æetes’s heart was filled with + wrath as he looked upon them, and his eyes shone as a leopard’s + eyes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Begone from my sight,”</span> he cried, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“robbers that ye are! Tricksters! If you had not eaten + at my table, assuredly I should have had your tongues cut out for + speaking falsehoods about the blessed gods, saying that this one + and that of your companions was of their divine race.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Telamon and + Peleus strode forward with angry hearts; they would have laid their + hands upon King Æetes only Jason held <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page115">[pg 115]</span> them back. And then speaking to the king + in a quiet voice, Jason said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Bear with us, King Æetes, I pray you. We have not come + with such evil intent as you think. Ah, it was the evil command of + an evil king that sent me forth with these companions of mine + across dangerous gulfs of the sea, and to face your wrath and the + armed men you can bring against us. We are ready to make great + recompense for the friendliness you may show to us. We will subdue + for you the Sauromatæ, or any other people that you would lord it + over.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Æetes was + not made friendly by Jason’s words. His heart was divided as to + whether he should summon his armed men and have them slain upon the + spot, or whether he should put them into danger by the trial he + would make of them. At last he thought that it would be better to + put them to the trial that he had in mind, slaying them afterward + if need be. And then he spoke to Jason, saying:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Strangers to Colchis, it may be true what my nephews + have said. It may be that ye are truly of the seed of the + immortals. And it may be that I shall give you the Golden Fleece to + bear away after I have made trial of you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As he spoke + Medea, brought there by his messenger so that she might observe the + strangers, came into the chamber. She entered softly and she stood + away from her father and the four who were speaking with him. Jason + looked upon her, and even although his mind was filled with the + thought of bending King <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg + 116]</span> Æetes to his will, he saw what manner of maiden she + was, and what beauty and what strength was hers.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She had a dark + face that was made very strange by her crown of golden hair. Her + eyes, like her father’s, were wide and full of light, and her lips + were so full and red that they made her mouth like an opening rose. + But her brows were always knit as if there was some secret anger + within her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“With brave men I have no quarrel,”</span> said Æetes. + <span class="tei tei-q">“I will make a trial of your bravery, and + if your bravery wins through the trial, be very sure that you will + have the Golden Fleece to bring back in triumph to + Iolcus.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But the trial that I would make of you is hard for a + great hero even. Know that on the plain of Ares yonder I have two + fire-breathing bulls with feet of brass. These bulls were once + conquered by me; I yoked them to a plow of adamant, and with them I + plowed the field of Ares for four plow-gates. Then I sowed the + furrows, not with the seed that Demeter gives, but with teeth of a + dragon. And from the dragon’s teeth that I sowed in the field of + Ares armed men sprang up. I slew them with my spear as they rose + around me to slay me. If you can accomplish this that I + accomplished in days gone by I shall submit to you and give you the + Golden Fleece. But if you cannot accomplish what I once + accomplished you shall go from my city empty-handed, for it is not + right that a brave man should yield aught to one who cannot show + himself as brave.”</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg + 117]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Æetes said. + Then Jason, utterly confounded, cast his eyes upon the ground. He + raised them to speak to the king, and as he did he found the + strange eyes of Medea upon him. With all the courage that was in + him he spoke:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will dare this contest, monstrous as it is. I will + face this doom. I have come far, and there is nothing else for me + to do but to yoke your fire-breathing bulls to the plow of adamant, + and plow the furrows in the field of Ares, and struggle with the + Earth-born Men.”</span> As he said this he saw the eyes of Medea + grow wide as with fear.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Æetes + said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Go back to your ship and make ready + for the trial.”</span> Jason, with Peleus and Telamon, left the + chamber, and the king smiled grimly as he saw them go. Phrontis and + Melas went to where their mother was. But Medea stayed, and Æetes + looked upon her with his great leopard’s eyes. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“My daughter, my wise Medea,”</span> he said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“go, put spells upon the Moon, that Hecate + may weaken that man in his hour of trial.”</span> Medea turned away + from her father’s eyes, and went to her chamber.</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc65" id="toc65"></a><a name="pdf66" id="pdf66"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">II. Medea the Sorceress</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capS.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">S</span></span>HE turned + away from her father’s eyes and she went into her own chamber. For + a long time she stood there with her hands clasped together. She + heard the voice of Chalciope lamenting because Æetes had taken a + hatred to her sons and might strive to destroy them. She heard the + voice of her sister lamenting, but Medea thought that the cause + that her sister had for grieving was small compared with the cause + that she herself had.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She thought on + the moment when she had seen Jason for the first time—in the + courtyard as the mist lifted and the dove flew to her; she thought + of him as he lifted those bright eyes of his; then she thought of + his voice as he spoke after her father had imposed the dreadful + trial upon him. She would have liked then to have cried out to him, + <span class="tei tei-q">“O youth, if others rejoice at the doom + that you go to, I do not rejoice.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Still her + sister lamented. But how great was her own grief compared to her + sister’s! For Chalciope could try to help her sons and could lament + for the danger they were in and no one would blame her. But she + might not strive to help Jason nor might she lament for the danger + he was in. How terrible it would be for a maiden to help a stranger + against her father’s design! How terrible it would be for a woman + of Colchis to <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page119">[pg 119]</span> + help a stranger against the will of the king! How terrible it would + be for a daughter to plot against King Æetes in his own palace!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then Medea + hated Aea, her city. She hated the furious people who came together + in the assembly, and she hated the brazen bulls that Hephæstus had + given her father. And then she thought that there was nothing in + Aea except the furious people and the fire-breathing bulls. O how + pitiful it was that the strange hero and his friends should have + come to such a place for the sake of the Golden Fleece that was + watched over by the sleepless serpent in the grove of Ares!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Still Chalciope + lamented. Would Chalciope come to her and ask her, Medea, to help + her sons? If she should come she might speak of the strangers, too, + and of the danger they were in. Medea went to her couch and lay + down upon it. She longed for her sister to come to her or to call + to her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Chalciope + stayed in her own chamber. Medea, lying upon her couch, listened to + her sister’s laments. At last she went near where Chalciope was. + Then shame that she should think so much about the stranger came + over her. She stood there without moving; she turned to go back to + the couch, and then trembled so much that she could not stir. As + she stood between her couch and her sister’s chamber she heard the + voice of Chalciope calling to her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She went into + the chamber where her sister stood. Chalciope flung her arms around + her. <span class="tei tei-q">“Swear,”</span> said she to Medea, + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“swear by Hecate, the Moon, that you will never speak + of something I am going to ask you.”</span> Medea swore that she + would never speak of it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Chalciope spoke + of the danger her sons were in. She asked Medea to devise a way by + which they could escape with the stranger from Aea. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“In Aea and in Colchis,”</span> she said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“there will be no safety for my sons + henceforth.”</span> And to save Phrontis and Melas, she said, Medea + would have to save the strangers also. Surely she knew of a charm + that would save the stranger from the brazen bulls in the contest + on the morrow!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Chalciope + came to the very thing that was in Medea’s mind. Her heart bounded + with joy and she embraced her. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Chalciope,”</span> she said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I declare that I am your sister, indeed—aye, and your + daughter, too, for did you not care for me when I was an infant? I + will strive to save your sons. I will strive to save the strangers + who came with your sons. Send one to the strangers—send him to the + leader of the strangers, and tell him that I would see him at + daybreak in the temple of Hecate.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When Medea said + this Chalciope embraced her again. She was amazed to see how + Medea’s tears were flowing. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Chalciope,”</span> she said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“no one will know the dangers that I shall go through + to save them.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Swiftly then + Chalciope went from the chamber. But Medea stayed there with her + head bowed and the blush of shame on her face. She thought that + already she had deceived her sister, <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page121">[pg 121]</span> making her think that it was Phrontis and + Melas and not Jason that was in her mind to save. And she thought + on how she would have to plot against her father and against her + own people, and all for the sake of a stranger who would sail away + without thought of her, without the image of her in his mind.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason, with + Peleus and Telamon, went back to the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + His comrades asked how he had fared, and when he spoke to them of + the fire-breathing bulls with feet of brass, of the dragon’s teeth + that had to be sown, and of the Earth-born Men that had to be + overcome, the Argonauts were greatly cast down, for this task, they + thought, was one that could not be accomplished. He who stood + before the fire-breathing bulls would perish on the moment. But + they knew that one amongst them must strive to accomplish the task. + And if Jason held back, Peleus, Telamon, Theseus, Castor, + Polydeuces, or any one of the others would undertake it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Jason would + not hold back. On the morrow, he said, he would strive to yoke the + fire-breathing, brazen-footed bulls to the plow of adamant. If he + perished the Argonauts should then do what they thought was + best—make other trials to gain the Golden Fleece, or turn their + ship and sail back to Greece.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> While they were + speaking, Phrontis, Chalciope’s son, came to the ship. The + Argonauts welcomed him, and in a while he began to speak of his + mother’s sister and of the help she could give. They grew eager as + he spoke of her, all except rough <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page122">[pg 122]</span> Arcas, who stood wrapped in his bear’s + skin. <span class="tei tei-q">“Shame on us,”</span> rough Arcas + cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“shame on us if we have come here to + crave the help of girls! Speak no more of this! Let us, the + Argonauts, go with swords into the city of Aea, and slay this king, + and carry off the Fleece of Gold.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Some of the + Argonauts murmured approval of what Arcas said. But Orpheus + silenced him and them, for in his prophetic mind Orpheus saw + something of the help that Medea would give them. It would be well, + Orpheus said, to take help from this wise maiden; Jason should go + to her in the temple of Hecate. The Argonauts agreed to this; they + listened to what Phrontis told them about the brazen bulls, and the + night wore on.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When darkness + came upon the earth; when, at sea, sailors looked to the Bear and + the stars of Orion; when, in the city, there was no longer the + sound of barking dogs nor of men’s voices, Medea went from the + palace. She came to a path; she followed it until it brought her + into the part of the grove that was all black with the shadow that + oak trees made.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She raised up + her hands and she called upon Hecate, the Moon. As she did, there + was a blaze as from torches all around, and she saw horrible + serpents stretching themselves toward her from the branches of the + trees. Medea shrank back in fear. But again she called upon Hecate. + And now there was a howling as from the hounds of Hades all around + her. Fearful, indeed, Medea grew as the howling came near her; + almost she turned <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page123">[pg + 123]</span> to flee. But she raised her hands again and called upon + Hecate. Then the nymphs who haunted the marsh and the river + shrieked, and at those shrieks Medea crouched down in fear.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She called upon + Hecate, the Moon, again. She saw the moon rise above the treetops, + and then the hissing and shrieking and howling died away. Holding + up a goblet in her hand Medea poured out a libation of honey to + Hecate, the Moon.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then she + went to where the moon made a brightness upon the ground. There she + saw a flower that rose above the other flowers—a flower that grew + from two joined stalks, and that was of the color of a crocus. + Medea cut the stalks with a brazen knife, and as she did there came + a deep groan out of the earth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> This was the + Promethean flower. It had come out of the earth first when the + vulture that tore at Prometheus’s liver had let fall to earth a + drop of his blood. With a Caspian shell that she had brought with + her Medea gathered the dark juice of this flower—the juice that + went to make her most potent charm. All night she went through the + grove gathering the juice of secret herbs; then she mingled them in + a phial that she put away in her girdle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She went from + that grove and along the river. When the sun shed its first rays + upon snowy Caucasus she stood outside the temple of Hecate. She + waited, but she had not long to wait, for, like the bright star + Sirius rising out of Ocean, soon she saw Jason coming toward her. + She made a sign to him, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg + 124]</span> and he came and stood beside her in the portals of the + temple.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They would have + stood face to face if Medea did not have her head bent. A blush had + come upon her face, and Jason seeing it, and seeing how her head + was bent, knew how grievous it was to her to meet and speak to a + stranger in this way. He took her hand and he spoke to her + reverently, as one would speak to a priestess.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Lady,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I + implore you by Hecate and by Zeus who helps all strangers and + suppliants to be kind to me and to the men who have come to your + country with me. Without your help I cannot hope to prevail in the + grievous trial that has been laid upon me. If you will help us, + Medea, your name will be renowned throughout all Greece. And I have + hopes that you will help us, for your face and form show you to be + one who can be kind and gracious.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The blush of + shame had gone from Medea’s face and a softer blush came over her + as Jason spoke. She looked upon him and she knew that she could + hardly live if the breath of the brazen bulls withered his life or + if the Earth-born Men slew him. She took the charm from out her + girdle; ungrudgingly she put it into Jason’s hands. And as she gave + him the charm that she had gained with such danger, the fear and + trouble that was around her heart melted as the dew melts from + around the rose when it is warmed by the first light of the + morning.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then they spoke + standing close together in the portal of the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page125">[pg 125]</span> temple. She told him how + he should anoint his body all over with the charm; it would give + him, she said, boundless and untiring strength, and make him so + that the breath of the bulls could not wither him nor the horns of + the bulls pierce him. She told him also to sprinkle his shield and + his sword with the charm.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then they + spoke of the dragon’s teeth and of the Earth-born Men who would + spring from them. Medea told Jason that when they arose out of the + earth he was to cast a great stone amongst them. The Earth-born Men + would struggle about the stone, and they would slay each other in + the contest.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Her dark and + delicate face was beautiful. Jason looked upon her, and it came + into his mind that in Colchis there was something else of worth + besides the Golden Fleece. And he thought that after he had won the + Fleece there would be peace between the Argonauts and King Æetes, + and that he and Medea might sit together in the king’s hall. But + when he spoke of being joined in friendship with her father, Medea + cried:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Think not of treaties nor of covenants. In Greece such + are regarded, but not here. Ah, do not think that the king, my + father, will keep any peace with you! When you have won the Fleece + you must hasten away. You must not tarry in Aea.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She said this + and her cheeks were wet with tears to think that he should go so + soon, that he would go so far, and that she would never look upon + him again. She bent her head again and she said: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Tell me about your own land; about the place + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span> of your + father, the place where you will live when you win back from + Colchis.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Jason told + her of Iolcus; he told her how it was circled by mountains not so + lofty as her Caucasus; he told her of the pasture lands of Iolcus + with their flocks of sheep; he told her of the Mountain Pelion + where he had been reared by Chiron, the ancient centaur; he told + her of his father who lingered out his life in waiting for his + return.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“When you go back to Iolcus do not forget + me, Medea. I shall remember you, Jason, even in my father’s + despite. And it will be my hope that some rumor of you will come to + me like some messenger-bird. If you forget me may some blast of + wind sweep me away to Iolcus, and may I sit in your hall an unknown + and an unexpected guest!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then they + parted; Medea went swiftly back to the palace, and Jason, turning + to the river, went to where the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + was moored.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The heroes + embraced and questioned him; he told them of Medea’s counsel and he + showed them the charm she had given him. That savage man Arcas + scoffed at Medea’s counsel and Medea’s charm, saying that the + Argonauts had become poor-spirited indeed when they had to depend + upon a girl’s help.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason bathed in + the river; then he anointed himself with the charm; he sprinkled + his spear and shield and sword with it. He came to Arcas who sat + upon his bench, still nursing his anger, and he held the spear + toward him. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page127">[pg + 127]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Arcas took up + his heavy sword and he hewed at the butt of the spear. The edge of + the sword turned. The blade leaped back in his hand as if it had + been struck against an anvil. And Jason, feeling within him a + boundless and tireless strength, laughed aloud.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc67" id="toc67"></a><a name="pdf68" id="pdf68"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">III. The Winning of the Golden + Fleece</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY took + the ship out of the backwater and they brought her to a wharf in + the city. At a place that was called <span class="tei tei-q">“The + Ram’s Couch”</span> they fastened the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + Then they marched to the field of Ares, where the king and the + Colchian people were.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason, carrying + his shield and spear, went before the king. From the king’s hand he + took the gleaming helmet that held the dragon’s teeth. This he put + into the hands of Theseus, who went with him. Then with the spear + and shield in his hands, with his sword girt across his shoulders, + and with his mantle stripped off, Jason looked across the field of + Ares.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He saw the plow + that he was to yoke to the bulls; he saw the yoke of bronze near + it; he saw the tracks of the bulls’ hooves. He followed the tracks + until he came to the lair of the fire-breathing bulls. Out of that + lair, which was underground, smoke and fire belched. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He set his feet + firmly upon the ground and he held his shield before him. He + awaited the onset of the bulls. They came clanging up with loud + bellowing, breathing out fire. They lowered their heads, and with + mighty, iron-tipped horns they came to gore and trample him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea’s charm + had made him strong; Medea’s charm had made his shield impregnable. + The rush of the bulls did not overthrow him. His comrades shouted + to see him standing firmly there, and in wonder the Colchians gazed + upon him. All round him, as from a furnace, there came smoke and + fire.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The bulls + roared mightily. Grasping the horns of the bull that was upon his + right hand, Jason dragged him until he had brought him beside the + yoke of bronze. Striking the brazen knees of the bull suddenly with + his foot he forced him down. Then he smote the other bull as it + rushed upon him, and it too he forced down upon its knees.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Castor and + Polydeuces held the yoke to him. Jason bound it upon the necks of + the bulls. He fastened the plow to the yoke. Then he took his + shield and set it upon his back, and grasping the handles of the + plow he started to make the furrow.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> With his long + spear he drove the bulls before him as with a goad. Terribly they + raged, furiously they breathed out fire. Beside Jason Theseus went + holding the helmet that held the dragon’s teeth. The hard ground + was torn up by the plow of adamant, and the clods groaned as they + were cast up. Jason <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg + 129]</span> flung the teeth between the open sods, often turning + his head in fear that the deadly crop of the Earth-born Men were + rising behind him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i021.png" id= + "i021.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig69" id="fig69"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i021.png" alt="Illustration" title= + "The Field of the Dragon’s Teeth" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + The Field of the Dragon’s Teeth + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> By the time + that a third of the day was finished the field of Ares had been + plowed and sown. As yet the furrows were free of the Earth-born + Men. Jason went down to the river and filled his helmet full of + water and drank deeply. And his knees that were stiffened with the + plowing he bent until they were made supple again.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He saw the + field rising into mounds. It seemed that there were graves all over + the field of Ares. Then he saw spears and shields and helmets + rising up out of the earth. Then armed warriors sprang up, a fierce + battle cry upon their lips.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason + remembered the counsel of Medea. He raised a boulder that four men + could hardly raise and with arms hardened by the plowing he cast + it. The Colchians shouted to see such a stone cast by the hands of + one man. Right into the middle of the Earth-born Men the stone + came. They leaped upon it like hounds, striking at one another as + they came together. Shield crashed on shield, spear rang upon spear + as they struck at each other. The Earth-born Men, as fast as they + arose, went down before the weapons in the hands of their + brethren.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason rushed + upon them, his sword in his hand. He slew some that had risen out + of the earth only as far as the shoulders; he slew others whose + feet were still in the earth; he slew others who were ready to + spring upon him. Soon all the Earth-born <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page130">[pg 130]</span> Men were slain, and the furrows ran + with their dark blood as channels run with water in springtime.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + shouted loudly for Jason’s victory. King Æetes rose from his seat + that was beside the river and he went back to the city. The + Colchians followed him. Day faded, and Jason’s contest was + ended.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But it was not + the will of Æetes that the strangers should be let depart peaceably + with the Golden Fleece that Jason had won. In the assembly place, + with his son Apsyrtus beside him, and with the furious Colchians + all around him, the king stood: on his breast was the gleaming + corselet that Ares had given him, and on his head was that golden + helmet with its four plumes that made him look as if he were truly + the son of Helios, the Sun. Lightnings flashed from his great eyes; + he spoke fiercely to the Colchians, holding in his hand his + bronze-topped spear.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He would have + them attack the strangers and burn the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + He would have the sons of Phrixus slain for bringing them to Aea. + There was a prophecy, he declared, that would have him be watchful + of the treachery of his own offspring: this prophecy was being + fulfilled by the children of Chalciope; he feared, too, that his + daughter, Medea, had aided the strangers. So the king spoke, and + the Colchians, hating all strangers, shouted around him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Word of what + her father had said was brought to Medea. <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page131">[pg 131]</span> She knew that she would have to go to + the Argonauts and bid them flee hastily from Aea. They would not + go, she knew, without the Golden Fleece; then she, Medea, would + have to show them how to gain the Fleece.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then she could + never again go back to her father’s palace, she could never again + sit in this chamber and talk to her handmaidens, and be with + Chalciope, her sister. Forever afterward she would be dependent on + the kindness of strangers. Medea wept when she thought of all this. + And then she cut off a tress of her hair and she left it in her + chamber as a farewell from one who was going afar. Into the chamber + where Chalciope was she whispered farewell.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The palace + doors were all heavily bolted, but Medea did not have to pull back + the bolts. As she chanted her Magic Song the bolts softly drew + back, the doors softly opened. Swiftly she went along the ways that + led to the river. She came to where fires were blazing and she knew + that the Argonauts were there.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She called to + them, and Phrontis, Chalciope’s son, heard the cry and knew the + voice. To Jason he spoke, and Jason quickly went to where Medea + stood.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She clasped + Jason’s hand and she drew him with her. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Golden Fleece,”</span> she said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“the time has come when you must pluck the Golden + Fleece off the oak in the grove of Ares.”</span> When she said + these words all Jason’s being became taut like the string of a bow. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg 132]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was then the + hour when huntsmen cast sleep from their eyes—huntsmen who never + sleep away the end of the night, but who are ever ready to be up + and away with their hounds before the beams of the sun efface the + track and the scent of the quarry. Along a path that went from the + river Medea drew Jason. They entered a grove. Then Jason saw + something that was like a cloud filled with the light of the rising + sun. It hung from a great oak tree. In awe he stood and looked upon + it, knowing that at last he looked upon <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">The Golden + Fleece</span></span>.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> His hand let + slip Medea’s hand and he went to seize the Fleece. As he did he + heard a dreadful hiss. And then he saw the guardian of the Golden + Fleece. Coiled all around the tree, with outstretched neck and keen + and sleepless eyes, was a deadly serpent. Its hiss ran all through + the grove and the birds that were wakening up squawked in + terror.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Like rings of + smoke that rise one above the other, the coils of the serpent went + around the tree—coils covered by hard and gleaming scales. It + uncoiled, stretched itself, and lifted its head to strike. Then + Medea dropped on her knees before it, and began to chant her Magic + Song.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As she sang, + the coils around the tree grew slack. Like a dark, noiseless wave + the serpent sank down on the ground. But still its jaws were open, + and those dreadful jaws threatened Jason. Medea, with a newly cut + spray of juniper dipped in a mystic brew, touched its deadly eyes. + And still she chanted <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page133">[pg + 133]</span> her Magic Song. The serpent’s jaws closed; its eyes + became deadened; far through the grove its length was stretched + out.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i022.png" id= + "i022.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig70" id="fig70"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i022.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Jason took + the Golden Fleece. As he raised his hands to it, its brightness was + such as to make a flame on his face. Medea called to him. He strove + to gather it all up in his arms; Medea was beside him, and they + went swiftly on.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They came to + the river and down to the place where the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + was moored. The heroes who were aboard started up, astonished to + see the Fleece that shone as with the lightning of Zeus. Over Medea + Jason cast it, and he lifted her aboard the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“O friends,”</span> he cried, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“the quest on which we dared the gulfs of the sea and + the wrath of kings is accomplished, thanks to the help of this + maiden. Now may we return to Greece; now have we the hope of + looking upon our fathers and our friends once more. And in all + honor will we bring this maiden with us, Medea, the daughter of + King Æetes.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then he drew + his sword and cut the hawsers of the ship, calling upon the heroes + to drive the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> on. There was a din and a + strain and a splash of oars, and away from Aea the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + dashed. Beside the mast Medea stood; the Golden Fleece had fallen + at her feet, and her head and face were covered by her silver + veil.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page134">[pg 134]</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc71" id="toc71"></a><a name="pdf72" id="pdf72"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">IV. The Slaying of + Apsyrtus</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HAT silver + veil was to be splashed with a brother’s blood, and the Argonauts, + because of that calamity, were for a long time to be held back from + a return to their native land.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now as they + went down the river they saw that dangers were coming swiftly upon + them. The chariots of the Colchians were upon the banks. Jason saw + King Æetes in his chariot, a blazing torch lighting his corselet + and his helmet. Swiftly the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> went, but there were ships + behind her, and they went swiftly too.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They came into + the Sea of Pontus, and Phrontis, the son of Phrixus, gave counsel + to them. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do not strive to make the passage + of the Symplegades,”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“All + who live around the Sea of Pontus are friendly to King Æetes; they + will be warned by him, and they will be ready to slay us and take + the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. Let us journey up the River + Ister, and by that way we can come to the Thrinacian Sea that is + close to your land.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + thought well of what Phrontis said; into the waters of the Ister + the ship was brought. Many of the Colchian ships passed by the + mouth of the river, and went seeking the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + toward the passage of the Symplegades.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But the + Argonauts were on a way that was dangerous for them. For Apsyrtus + had not gone toward the Symplegades <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page135">[pg 135]</span> seeking the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + He had led his soldiers overland to the River Ister at a place that + was at a distance above its mouth. There were islands in the river + at that place, and the soldiers of Apsyrtus landed on the islands, + while Apsyrtus went to the kings of the people around and claimed + their support.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + came and the heroes found themselves cut off. They could not make + their way between the islands that were filled with the Colchian + soldiers, nor along the banks that were lined with men friendly to + King Æetes. <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> was stayed. Apsyrtus sent for + the chiefs; he had men enough to overwhelm them, but he shrank from + a fight with the heroes, and he thought that he might gain all he + wanted from them without a struggle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Theseus and + Peleus went to him. Apsyrtus would have them give up the Golden + Fleece; he would have them give up Medea and the sons of Phrixus + also.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Theseus and + Peleus appealed to the judgment of the kings who supported + Apsyrtus. Æetes, they said, had no more claim on the Golden Fleece. + He had promised it to Jason as a reward for tasks that he had + imposed. The tasks had been accomplished and the Fleece, no matter + in what way it was taken from the grove of Ares, was theirs. So + Theseus and Peleus said, and the kings who supported Apsyrtus gave + judgment for the Argonauts.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Medea would + have to be given to her brother. If that were done the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + would be let go on her course, Apsyrtus said, and the Golden Fleece + would be left with them. Apsyrtus said, <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page136">[pg 136]</span> too, that he would not take Medea back + to the wrath of her father; if the Argonauts gave her up she would + be let stay on the island of Artemis and under the guardianship of + the goddess.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The chiefs + brought Apsyrtus’s words back. There was a council of the + Argonauts, and they agreed that they should leave Medea on the + island of Artemis.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But grief and + wrath took hold of Medea when she heard of this resolve. Almost she + would burn the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. She went to where Jason + stood, and she spoke again of all she had done to save his life and + win the Golden Fleece for the Argonauts. Jason made her look on the + ships and the soldiers that were around them; he showed her how + these could overwhelm the Argonauts and slay them all. With all the + heroes slain, he said, Medea would come into the hands of Apsyrtus, + who then could leave her on the island of Artemis or take her back + to the wrath of her father.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Medea would + not consent to go nor could Jason’s heart consent to let her go. + Then these two made a plot to deceive Apsyrtus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have not been of the council that agreed to give you + up to him,”</span> Jason said. <span class="tei tei-q">“After you + have been left there I will take you off the island of Artemis + secretly. The Colchians and the kings who support them, not knowing + that you have been taken off and hidden on the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, + will let us pass.”</span> This Medea and Jason planned to do, and + it was an ill thing, for it <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page137">[pg 137]</span> was breaking the covenant that the chiefs + had entered with Apsyrtus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i023.png" id= + "i023.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig73" id="fig73"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i023.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea then was + left by the Argonauts on the island of Artemis. Now Apsyrtus had + been commanded by his father to bring her back to Aea; he thought + that when she had been left by the Argonauts he could force her to + come with him. So he went over to the island. Jason, secretly + leaving his companions, went to the island from the other side.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Before the + temple of Artemis Jason and Apsyrtus came face to face. Both men, + thinking they had been betrayed to their deaths, drew their swords. + Then, before the vestibule of the temple and under the eyes of + Medea, Jason and Apsyrtus fought. Jason’s sword pierced the son of + Æetes; as he fell Apsyrtus cried out bitter words against Medea, + saying that it was on her account that he had come on his death. + And as he fell the blood of her brother splashed Medea’s silver + veil.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason lifted + Medea up and carried her to the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + They hid the maiden under the Fleece of Gold and they sailed past + the ships of the Colchians. When darkness came they were far from + the island of Artemis. It was then that they heard a loud wailing, + and they knew that the Colchians had discovered that their prince + had been slain.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Colchians + did not pursue them. Fearing the wrath of Æetes they made + settlements in the lands of the kings who had supported Apsyrtus; + they never went back to Aea; they <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page138">[pg 138]</span> called themselves Apsyrtians + henceforward, naming themselves after the prince they had come + with.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They had + escaped the danger that had hemmed them in, but the Argonauts, as + they sailed on, were not content; covenants had been broken, and + blood had been shed in a bad cause. And as they went on through the + darkness the voice of the ship was heard; at the sound of that + voice fear and sorrow came upon the voyagers, for they felt that it + had a prophecy of doom.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Castor and + Polydeuces went to the front of the ship; holding up their hands, + they prayed. Then they heard the words that the voice uttered: in + the night as they went on the voice proclaimed the wrath of Zeus on + account of the slaying of Apsyrtus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> What was their + doom to be? It was that the Argonauts would have to wander forever + over the gulfs of the sea unless Medea had herself cleansed of her + brother’s blood. There was one who could cleanse Medea—Circe, the + daughter of Helios and Perse. The voice urged the heroes to pray to + the immortal gods that the way to the island of Circe be shown to + them.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page139">[pg 139]</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc74" id="toc74"></a><a name="pdf75" id="pdf75"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">V. Medea Comes to Circe</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY sailed + up the River Ister until they came to the Eridanus, that river + across which no bird can fly. Leaving the Eridanus they entered the + Rhodanus, a river that rises in the extreme north, where Night + herself has her habitation. And voyaging up this river they came to + the Stormy Lakes. A mist lay upon the lakes night and day; voyaging + through them the Argonauts at last brought out their ship upon the + Sea of Ausonia.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was Zetes + and Calais, the sons of the North Wind, who brought the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + safely along this dangerous course. And to Zetes and Calais Iris, + the messenger of the gods, appeared and revealed to them where + Circe’s island lay.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Deep blue water + was all around that island, and on its height a marble house was to + be seen. But a strange haze covered everything as with a veil. As + the Argonauts came near they saw what looked to them like great + dragonflies; they came down to the shore, and then the heroes saw + that they were maidens in gleaming dresses.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The maidens + waved their hands to the voyagers, calling them to come on the + island. Strange beasts came up to where the maidens were and made + whimpering cries.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + would have drawn the ship close and would <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page140">[pg 140]</span> have sprung upon the island only that + Medea cried out to them. She showed them the beasts that whimpered + around the maidens, and then, as the Argonauts looked upon them, + they saw that these were not beasts of the wild. There was + something strange and fearful about them; the heroes gazed upon + them with troubled eyes. They brought the ship near, but they + stayed upon their benches, holding the oars in their hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea sprang to + the island; she spoke to the maidens so that they shrank away; then + the beasts came and whimpered around her. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Forbear to land here, O Argonauts,”</span> Medea + cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“for this is the island where men + are changed into beasts.”</span> She called to Jason to come; only + Jason would she have come upon the island.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They went + swiftly toward the marble house, and the beasts followed them, + looking up at Jason and Medea with pitiful human eyes. They went + into the marble house of Circe, and as suppliants they seated + themselves at the hearth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Circe stood at + her loom, weaving her many-colored threads. Swiftly she turned to + the suppliants; she looked for something strange in them, for just + before they came the walls of her house dripped with blood and the + flame ran over and into her pot, burning up all the magic herbs she + was brewing. She went toward where they sat, Medea with her face + hidden by her hands, and Jason, with his head bent, holding with + its point in the ground the sword with which he had slain the son + of Æetes. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page141">[pg 141]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i024.png" id= + "i024.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig76" id="fig76"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i024.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When Medea took + her hands away from before her face, Circe knew that, like herself, + this maiden was of the race of Helios. Medea spoke to her, telling + her first of the voyage of the heroes and of their toils; telling + her then of how she had given help to Jason against the will of + Æetes, her father; telling her then, fearfully, of the slaying of + Apsyrtus. She covered her face with her robe as she spoke of it. + And then she told Circe she had come, warned by the judgment of + Zeus, to ask of Circe, the daughter of Helios, to purify her from + the stain of her brother’s blood.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Like all the + children of Helios, Circe had eyes that were wide and full of life, + but she had stony lips—lips that were heavy and moveless. Bright + golden hair hung smoothly along each of her sides. First she held a + cup to them that was filled with pure water, and Jason and Medea + drank from that cup.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Circe + stayed by the hearth; she burnt cakes in the flame, and all the + while she prayed to Zeus to be gentle with these suppliants. She + brought both to the seashore. There she washed Medea’s body and her + garments with the spray of the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea pleaded + with Circe to tell her of the life she foresaw for her, but Circe + would not speak of it. She told Medea that one day she would meet a + woman who knew nothing about enchantments but who had much human + wisdom. She was to ask of her what she was to do in her life or + what she was to leave undone. And whatever this woman out of her + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span> wisdom told + her, that Medea was to regard. Once more Circe offered them the cup + filled with clear water, and when they had drunken of it she left + them upon the seashore. As she went toward her marble house the + strange beasts followed Circe, whimpering as they went. Jason and + Medea went aboard the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, and the heroes drew away + from Circe’s island.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc77" id="toc77"></a><a name="pdf78" id="pdf78"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VI. In the Land of the + Phæacians</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capW.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">W</span></span>EARIED were + the heroes now. They would have fain gone upon the island of Circe + to rest there away from the oars and the sound of the sea. But the + wisest of them, looking upon the beasts that were men transformed, + held the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> far off the shore. Then Jason + and Medea came aboard, and with heavy hearts and wearied arms they + turned to the open sea again.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> No longer had + they such high hearts as when they drove the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + between the Clashers and into the Sea of Pontus. Now their heads + drooped as they went on, and they sang such songs as slaves sing in + their hopeless labor. Orpheus grew fearful for them now.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> For Orpheus + knew that they were drawing toward a danger. There was no other way + for them, he knew, but past the Island Anthemœssa in the Tyrrhenian + Sea where the Sirens were. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page143">[pg 143]</span> Once they had been nymphs and had tended + Persephone before she was carried off by Aidoneus to be his queen + in the Underworld. Kind they had been, but now they were changed, + and they cared only for the destruction of men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All set around + with rocks was the island where they were. As the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + came near, the Sirens, ever on the watch to draw mariners to their + destruction, saw them and came to the rocks and sang to them, + holding each other’s hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They sang all + together their lulling song. That song made the wearied voyagers + long to let their oars go with the waves, and drift, drift to where + the Sirens were. Bending down to them the Sirens, with soft hands + and white arms, would lift them to soft resting places. Then each + of the Sirens sang a clear, piercing song that called to each of + the voyagers. Each man thought that his own name was in that song. + <span class="tei tei-q">“O how well it is that you have come + near,”</span> each one sang, <span class="tei tei-q">“how well it + is that you have come near where I have awaited you, having all + delight prepared for you!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Orpheus took up + his lyre as the Sirens began to sing. He sang to the heroes of + their own toils. He sang of them, how, gaunt and weary as they + were, they were yet men, men who were the strength of Greece, men + who had been fostered by the love and hope of their country. They + were the winners of the Golden Fleece and their story would be told + forever. And for the fame that they had won men would forego all + rest and all delight. Why should they not toil, they who were born + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg 144]</span> for great + labors and to face dangers that other men might not face? Soon + hands would be stretched out to them—the welcoming hands of the men + and women of their own land.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Orpheus + sang, and his voice and the music of his lyre prevailed above the + Sirens’ voices. Men dropped their oars, but other men remained at + their benches, and pulled steadily, if wearily, on. Only one of the + Argonauts, Butes, a youth of Iolcus, threw himself into the water + and swam toward the rocks from which the Sirens sang.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But an anguish + that nearly parted their spirits from their bodies was upon them as + they went wearily on. Toward the end of the day they beheld another + island—an island that seemed very fair; they longed to land and + rest themselves there and eat the fruits of the island. But Orpheus + would not have them land. The island, he said, was Thrinacia. Upon + that island the Cattle of the Sun pastured, and if one of the + cattle perished through them their return home might not be won. + They heard the lowing of the cattle through the mist, and a deep + longing for the sight of their own fields, with a white house near, + and flocks and herds at pasture, came over the heroes. They came + near the Island of Thrinacia, and they saw the Cattle of the Sun + feeding by the meadow streams; not one of them was black; all were + white as milk, and the horns upon their heads were golden. They saw + the two nymphs who herded the kine—Phæthusa and Lampetia, one with + a staff of silver and the other with a staff of gold. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Driven by the + breeze that came over the Thrinacian Sea the Argonauts came to the + land of the Phæacians. It was a good land as they saw when they + drew near; a land of orchards and fresh pastures, with a white and + sun-lit city upon the height. Their spirits came back to them as + they drew into the harbor; they made fast the hawsers, and they + went upon the ways of the city.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then they + saw everywhere around them the dark faces of Colchian soldiers. + These were the men of King Æetes, and they had come overland to the + Phæacian city, hoping to cut off the Argonauts. Jason, when he saw + the soldiers, shouted to those who had been left on the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, + and they drew out of the harbor, fearful lest the Colchians should + grapple with the ship and wrest from them the Fleece of Gold. Then + Jason made an encampment upon the shore, and the captain of the + Colchians went here and there, gathering together his men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea left + Jason’s side and hastened through the city. To the palace of + Alcinous, king of the Phæacians, she went. Within the palace she + found Arete, the queen. And Arete was sitting by her hearth, + spinning golden and silver threads.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Arete was young + at that time, as young as Medea, and as yet no child had been born + to her. But she had the clear eyes of one who understands, and who + knows how to order things well. Stately, too, was Arete, for she + had been reared in the house of a great king. Medea came to her, + and fell upon <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg 146]</span> + her knees before her, and told her how she had fled from the house + of her father, King Æetes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She told Arete, + too, how she had helped Jason to win the Golden Fleece, and she + told her how through her her brother had been led to his death. As + she told this part of her story she wept and prayed at the knees of + the queen.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Arete was + greatly moved by Medea’s tears and prayers. She went to Alcinous in + his garden, and she begged of him to save the Argonauts from the + great force of the Colchians that had come to cut them off. + <span class="tei tei-q">“The Golden Fleece,”</span> said Arete, + <span class="tei tei-q">“has been won by the tasks that Jason + performed. If the Colchians should take Medea, it would be to bring + her back to Aea and to a bitter doom. And the maiden,”</span> said + the queen, <span class="tei tei-q">“has broken my heart by her + prayers and tears.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> King Alcinous + said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Æetes is strong, and although his + kingdom is far from ours, he can bring war upon us.”</span> But + still Arete pleaded with him to protect Medea from the Colchians. + Alcinous went within; he raised up Medea from where she crouched on + the floor of the palace, and he promised her that the Argonauts + would be protected in his city.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the king + mounted his chariot; Medea went with him, and they came down to the + seashore where the heroes had made their encampment. The Argonauts + and the Colchians were drawn up against each other, and the + Colchians far outnumbered the wearied heroes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Alcinous drove + his chariot between the two armies. The <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page147">[pg 147]</span> Colchians prayed him to have the + strangers make surrender to them. But the king drove his chariot to + where the heroes stood, and he took the hand of each, and received + them as his guests. Then the Colchians knew that they might not + make war upon the heroes. They drew off. The next day they marched + away.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was a rich + land that they had come to. Once Aristæus dwelt there, the king who + discovered how to make bees store up their honey for men and how to + make the good olive grow. Macris, his daughter, tended Dionysus, + the son of Zeus, when Hermes brought him of the flame, and + moistened his lips with honey. She tended him in a cave in the + Phæacian land, and ever afterward the Phæacians were blessed with + all good things.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now as the + heroes marched to the palace of King Alcinous the people came to + meet them, bringing them sheep and calves and jars of wine and + honey. The women brought them fresh garments; to Medea they gave + fine linen and golden ornaments.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Amongst the + Phæacians who loved music and games and the telling of stories the + heroes stayed for long. There were dances, and to the Phæacians who + honored him as a god, Orpheus played upon his lyre. And every day, + for the seven days that they stayed amongst them, the Phæacians + brought rich presents to the heroes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And Medea, + looking into the clear eyes of Queen Arete, knew <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg 148]</span> that she was the woman of + whom Circe had prophesied, the woman who knew nothing of + enchantments, but who had much human wisdom. She was to ask of her + what she was to do in her life and what she was to leave undone. + And what this woman told her Medea was to regard. Arete told her + that she was to forget all the witcheries and enchantments that she + knew, and that she was never to practice against the life of any + one. This she told Medea upon the shore, before Jason lifted her + aboard the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc79" id="toc79"></a><a name="pdf80" id="pdf80"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VII. They Come to the Desert + Land</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capA1.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">A</span></span>ND now with + sail spread wide the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> went on, and the heroes + rested at the oars. The wind grew stronger. It became a great + blast, and for nine days and nine nights the ship was driven + fearfully along.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The blast drove + them into the Gulf of Libya, from whence there is no return for + ships. On each side of the gulf there are rocks and shoals, and the + sea runs toward the limitless sand. On the top of a mighty tide the + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> was lifted, and she was flung + high up on the desert sands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A flood tide + such as might not come again for long left the Argonauts on the + empty Libyan land. And when they came forth and saw that vast level + of sand stretching like a mist <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page149">[pg 149]</span> away into the distance, a deadly fear + came over each of them. No spring of water could they descry; no + path; no herdsman’s cabin; over all that vast land there was + silence and dead calm. And one said to the other: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“What land is this? Whither have we come? Would that + the tempest had overwhelmed us, or would that we had lost the ship + and our lives between the Clashing Rocks at the time when we were + making our way into the Sea of Pontus.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And the + helmsman, looking before him, said with a breaking heart: + <span class="tei tei-q">“Out of this we may not come, even should + the breeze blow from the land, for all around us are shoals and + sharp rocks—rocks that we can see fretting the water, line upon + line. Our ship would have been shattered far from the shore if the + tide had not borne her far up on the sand. But now the tide rushes + back toward the sea, leaving only foam on which no ship can sail to + cover the sand. And so all hope of our return is cut + off.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He spoke with + tears flowing upon his cheeks, and all who had knowledge of ships + agreed with what the helmsman had said. No dangers that they had + been through were as terrible as this. Hopelessly, like lifeless + specters, the heroes strayed about the endless strand.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They embraced + each other and they said farewell as they laid down upon the sand + that might blow upon them and overwhelm them in the night. They + wrapped their heads in their cloaks, and, fasting, they laid + themselves down. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg + 150]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Jason crouched + beside the ship, so troubled that his life nearly went from him. He + saw Medea huddled against a rock and with her hair streaming on the + sand. He saw the men who, with all the bravery of their lives, had + come with him, stretched on the desert sand, weary and without + hope. He thought that they, the best of men, might die in this + desert with their deeds all unknown; he thought that he might never + win home with Medea, to make her his queen in Iolcus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He lay against + the side of the ship, his cloak wrapped around his head. And there + death would have come to him and to the others if the nymphs of the + desert had been unmindful of these brave men. They came to Jason. + It was midday then, and the fierce rays of the sun were scorching + all Libya. They drew off the cloak that wrapped his head; they + stood near him, three nymphs girded around with goatskins.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Why art thou so smitten with despair?”</span> the + nymphs said to Jason. <span class="tei tei-q">“Why art thou smitten + with despair, thou who hast wrought so much and hast won so much? + Up! Arouse thy comrades! We are the solitary nymphs, the warders of + the land of Libya, and we have come to show a way of escape to you, + the Argonauts.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Look around and watch for the time when Poseidon’s + great horse shall be unloosed. Then make ready to pay recompense to + the mother that bore you all. What she did for you all, that you + all must do for her; by doing it you will win back to the land of + Greece.”</span> Jason heard them say these words and <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page151">[pg 151]</span> then he saw them no more; + the nymphs vanished amongst the desert mounds.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i025.png" id= + "i025.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig81" id="fig81"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i025.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Jason rose + up. He did not know what to make out of what had been told him, but + there was courage now and hope in his heart. He shouted; his voice + was like the roar of a lion calling to his mate. At his shout his + comrades roused themselves; all squalid with the dust of the desert + the Argonauts stood around him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Listen, comrades, to me,”</span> Jason said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“while I speak of a strange thing that has + befallen me. While I lay by the side of our ship three nymphs came + before me. With light hands they drew away the cloak that wrapped + my head. They declared themselves to be the solitary nymphs, the + warders, of Libya. Very strange were the words they said to me. + When Poseidon’s great horse shall be unloosed, they said, we were + to make the mother of us all a recompense, doing for her what she + had done for us all. This the nymphs told me to say, but I cannot + understand the meaning of their words.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There were some + there who would not have given heed to Jason’s words, deeming them + words without meaning. But even as he spoke a wonder came before + their eyes. Out of the far-off sea a great horse leaped. Vast he + was of size and he had a golden mane. He shook the spray of the sea + off his sides and mane. Past them he trampled and away toward the + horizon, leaving great tracks in the sand.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Nestor + spoke rejoicingly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Behold the great horse! + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg 152]</span> It is the + horse that the desert nymphs spoke of, Poseidon’s horse. Even now + has the horse been unloosed, and now is the time to do what the + nymphs bade us do.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Who but <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> is the mother of us all? She + has carried us. Now we must make her a recompense and carry her + even as she carried us. With untiring shoulders we must bear + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> across this great + desert.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“And whither shall we bear her? Whither but along the + tracks that Poseidon’s horse has left in the sand! Poseidon’s horse + will not go under the earth—once again he will plunge into the + sea!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Nestor said + and the Argonauts saw truth in his saying. Hope came to them + again—the hope of leaving that desert and coming to the sea. Surely + when they came to the sea again, and spread the sail and held the + oars in their hands, their sacred ship would make swift course to + their native land!</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc82" id="toc82"></a><a name="pdf83" id="pdf83"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VIII. The Carrying of the + Argo</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capW.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">W</span></span>ITH the + terrible weight of the ship upon their shoulders the Argonauts made + their way across the desert, following the tracks of Poseidon’s + golden-maned horse. Like a wounded serpent that drags with pain its + length along, they went day after day across that limitless + land.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A day came when + they saw the great tracks of the horse <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page153">[pg 153]</span> no more. A wind had come up and had + covered them with sand. With the mighty weight of the ship upon + their shoulders, with the sun beating upon their heads, and with no + marks on the desert to guide them, the heroes stood there, and it + seemed to them that the blood must gush up and out of their + hearts.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i026.png" id= + "i026.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig84" id="fig84"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i026.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Zetes and + Calais, sons of the North Wind, rose up upon their wings to strive + to get sight of the sea. Up, up, they soared. And then as a man + sees, or thinks he sees, at the month’s beginning, the moon through + a bank of clouds, Zetes and Calais, looking over the measureless + land, saw the gleam of water. They shouted to the Argonauts; they + marked the way for them, and wearily, but with good hearts, the + heroes went upon the way.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They came at + last to the shore of what seemed to be a wide inland sea. They set + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> down from off their + over-wearied shoulders and they let her keel take water once + more.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All salt and + brackish was that water; they dipped their hands into and tasted + the salt. Orpheus was able to name the water they had come to; it + was that lake that was called after Triton, the son of Nereus, the + ancient one of the sea. They set up an altar and they made + sacrifices in thanksgiving to the gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They had come + to water at last, but now they had to seek for other water—for the + sweet water that they could drink. All around them they looked, but + they saw no sign of a spring. And then they felt a wind blow upon + them—a wind that had in it not the dust of the desert but the + fragrance of growing things. Toward where that wind blew from they + went. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As they went on + they saw a great shape against the sky; they saw mountainous + shoulders bowed. Orpheus bade them halt and turn their faces with + reverence toward that great shape: for this was Atlas the Titan, + the brother of Prometheus, who stood there to hold up the sky on + his shoulders.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then they were + near the place that the fragrance had blown from: there was a + garden there; the only fence that ran around it was a lattice of + silver. <span class="tei tei-q">“Surely there are springs in the + garden,”</span> the Argonauts said. <span class="tei tei-q">“We + will enter this fair garden now and slake our thirst.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Orpheus bade + them walk reverently, for all around them, he said, was sacred + ground. This garden was the Garden of the Hesperides that was + watched over by the Daughters of the Evening Land. The Argonauts + looked through the silver lattice; they saw trees with lovely + fruit, and they saw three maidens moving through the garden with + watchful eyes. In this garden grew the tree that had the golden + apples that Zeus gave to Hera as a wedding gift.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They saw the + tree on which the golden apples grew. The maidens went to it and + then looked watchfully all around them. They saw the faces of the + Argonauts looking through the silver lattice and they cried out, + one to the other, and they joined their hands around the tree.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Orpheus + called to them, and the maidens understood the divine speech of + Orpheus. He made the Daughters of the Evening Land know that they + who stood before the lattice were <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page155">[pg 155]</span> men who reverenced the gods, who would + not strive to enter the forbidden garden. The maidens came toward + them. Beautiful as the singing of Orpheus was their utterance, but + what they said was a complaint and a lament.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Their lament + was for the dragon Ladon, that dragon with a hundred heads that + guarded sleeplessly the tree that had the golden apples. Now that + dragon was slain. With arrows that had been dipped in the poison of + the Hydra’s blood their dragon, Ladon, had been slain.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Daughters + of the Evening Land sang of how a mortal had come into the garden + that they watched over. He had a great bow, and with his arrow he + slew the dragon that guarded the golden apples. The golden apples + he had taken away; they had come back to the tree they had been + plucked from, for no mortal might keep them in his possession. So + the maidens sang—Hespere, Eretheis, and Ægle—and they complained + that now, unhelped by the hundred-headed dragon, they had to keep + guard over the tree.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + knew of whom they told the tale—Heracles, their comrade. Would that + Heracles were with them now!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Hesperides + told them of Heracles—of how the springs in the garden dried up + because of his plucking the golden apples. He came out of the + garden thirsting. Nowhere could he find a spring of water. To + yonder great rock he went. He smote it with his foot and water came + out in full flow. Then he, leaning on his hands and with his chest + upon the ground, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page156">[pg + 156]</span> drank and drank from the water that flowed from the + rifted rock.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + looked to where the rock stood. They caught the sound of water. + They carried Medea over. And then, company after company, all + huddled together, they stooped down and drank their fill of the + clear good water. With lips wet with the water they cried to each + other, <span class="tei tei-q">“Heracles! Although he is not with + us, in very truth Heracles has saved his comrades from deadly + thirst!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They saw his + footsteps printed upon the rocks, and they followed them until they + led to the sand where no footsteps stay. Heracles! How glad his + comrades would have been if they could have had sight of him then! + But it was long ago—before he had sailed with them—that Heracles + had been here.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Still hearing + their complaint they turned back to the lattice, to where the + Daughters of the Evening Land stood. The Daughters of the Evening + Land bent their heads to listen to what the Argonauts told one + another, and, seeing them bent to listen, Orpheus told a story + about one who had gone across the Libyan desert, about one who was + a hero like unto Heracles.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="toc85" id="toc85"></a><a name="pdf86" id="pdf86"></a> + + <h3 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span style="font-size: 120%">The Story of Perseus</span></h3> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Beyond where + Atlas stands there is a cave where the strange women, the ancient + daughters of Phorcys, live. They have been gray from their birth. + They have but one eye and one <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page157">[pg 157]</span> tooth between them, and they pass the + eye and the tooth, one to the other, when they would see or eat. + They are called the Graiai, these two sisters.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Up to the + cave where they lived a youth once came. He was beardless, and + the garb he wore was torn and travel-stained, but he had + shapeliness and beauty. In his leathern belt there was an + exceedingly bright sword; this sword was not straight like the + swords we carry, but it was hooked like a sickle. The strange + youth with the bright, strange sword came very quickly and very + silently up to the cave where the Graiai lived and looked over a + high boulder into it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> One was + sitting munching acorns with the single tooth. The other had the + eye in her hand. She was holding it to her forehead and looking + into the back of the cave. These two ancient women, with their + gray hair falling over them like thick fleeces, and with faces + that were only forehead and cheeks and nose and mouth, were + strange creatures truly. Very silently the youth stood looking at + them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Sister, sister,”</span> cried the one who was + munching acorns, <span class="tei tei-q">“sister, turn your eye + this way. I heard the stir of something.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The other + turned, and with the eye placed against her forehead looked out + to the opening of the cave. The youth drew back behind the + boulder. <span class="tei tei-q">“Sister, sister, there is + nothing there,”</span> said the one with the eye.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then she + said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Sister, give me the tooth for I + would eat my acorns. Take the eye and keep watch.”</span> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg 158]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The one who + was eating held out the tooth, and the one who was watching held + out the eye. The youth darted into the cave. Standing between the + eyeless sisters, he took with one hand the tooth and with the + other the eye.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Sister, sister, have you taken the eye?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have not taken the eye. Have you taken the + tooth?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have not taken the tooth.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Some one has taken the eye, and some one has taken + the tooth.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They stood + together, and the youth watched their blinking faces as they + tried to discover who had come into the cave, and who had taken + the eye and the tooth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then they + said, screaming together: <span class="tei tei-q">“Who ever has + taken the eye and the tooth from the Graiai, the ancient + daughters of Phorcys, may Mother Night smother him.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The youth + spoke. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ancient daughters of + Phorcys,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Graiai, I + would not rob from you. I have come to your cave only to ask the + way to a place.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, it is a mortal, a mortal,”</span> screamed the + sisters. <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, mortal, what would you + have from the Graiai?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ancient Graiai,”</span> said the youth, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I would have you tell me, for you alone know, where + the nymphs dwell who guard the three magic treasures—the cap of + darkness, the shoes of flight, and the magic pouch.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“We will not tell you, we will not tell you + that,”</span> screamed the two ancient sisters. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i027.png" + id="i027.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig87" id="fig87"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i027.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will keep the eye and the tooth,”</span> said the + youth, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I will give them to one who + will help me.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Give me the eye and I will tell you,”</span> said + one. <span class="tei tei-q">“Give me the tooth and I will tell + you,”</span> said the other. The youth put the eye in the hand of + one and the tooth in the hand of the other, but he held their + skinny hands in his strong hands until they should tell him where + the nymphs dwelt who guarded the magic treasures. The Gray Ones + told him. Then the youth with the bright sword left the cave. As + he went out he saw on the ground a shield of bronze, and he took + it with him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> To the other + side of where Atlas stands he went. There he came upon the nymphs + in their valley. They had long dwelt there, hidden from gods and + men, and they were startled to see a stranger youth come into + their hidden valley. They fled away. Then the youth sat on the + ground, his head bent like a man who is very sorrowful.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The youngest + and the fairest of the nymphs came to him at last. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Why have you come, and why do you sit here in such + great trouble, youth?”</span> said she. And then she said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“What is this strange sickle-sword that + you wear? Who told you the way to our dwelling place? What name + have you?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have come here,”</span> said the youth, and he + took the bronze shield upon his knees and began to polish it, + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have come here because I want you, the + nymphs who guard them, to give to me the cap of darkness and the + shoes of flight and the magic pouch. I must gain these things; + without them I must go to <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page160">[pg 160]</span> my death. Why I must gain them you will + know from my story.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When he said + that he had come for the three magic treasures that they guarded, + the kind nymph was more startled than she and her sisters had + been startled by the appearance of the strange youth in their + hidden valley. She turned away from him. But she looked again and + she saw that he was beautiful and brave looking. He had spoken of + his death. The nymph stood looking at him pitifully, and the + youth, with the bronze shield laid beside his knees and the + strange hooked sword lying across it, told her his story.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I am Perseus,”</span> he said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“and my grandfather, men say, is king in Argos. His + name is Acrisius. Before I was born a prophecy was made to him + that the son of Danaë, his daughter, would slay him. Acrisius was + frightened by the prophecy, and when I was born he put my mother + and myself into a chest, and he sent us adrift upon the waves of + the sea.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I did not know what a terrible peril I was in, for I + was an infant newly born. My mother was so hopeless that she came + near to death. But the wind and the waves did not destroy us: + they brought us to a shore; a shepherd found the chest, and he + opened it and brought my mother and myself out of it alive. The + land we had come to was Seriphus. The shepherd who found the + chest and who rescued my mother and myself was the brother of the + king. His name was Dictys. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page161">[pg 161]</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the shepherd’s wattled house my mother stayed + with me, a little infant, and in that house I grew from babyhood + to childhood, and from childhood to boyhood. He was a kind man, + this shepherd Dictys. His brother Polydectes had put him away + from the palace, but Dictys did not grieve for that, for he was + happy minding his sheep upon the hillside, and he was happy in + his little hut of wattles and clay.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Polydectes, the king, was seldom spoken to about his + brother, and it was years before he knew of the mother and child + who had been brought to live in Dictys’s hut. But at last he + heard of us, for strange things began to be said about my + mother—how she was beautiful, and how she looked like one who had + been favored by the gods. Then one day when he was hunting, + Polydectes the king came to the hut of Dictys the + shepherd.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“He saw Danaë, my mother, there. By her looks he knew + that she was a king’s daughter and one who had been favored by + the gods. He wanted her for his wife. But my mother hated this + harsh and overbearing king, and she would not wed with him. Often + he came storming around the shepherd’s hut, and at last my mother + had to take refuge from him in a temple. There she became the + priestess of the goddess.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I was taken to the palace of Polydectes, and there I + was brought up. The king still stormed around where my mother + was, more and more bent on making her marry him. If she had not + been in the temple where she was under the protection + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page162">[pg 162]</span> of the + goddess he would have wed her against her will.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But I was growing up now, and I was able to give + some protection to my mother. My arm was a strong one, and + Polydectes knew that if he wronged my mother in any way, I had + the will and the power to be deadly to him. One day I heard him + say before his princes and his lords that he would wed, and would + wed one who was not Danaë. I was overjoyed to hear him say this. + He asked the lords and the princes to come to the wedding feast; + they declared they would, and they told him of the presents they + would bring.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then King Polydectes turned to me and he asked me to + come to the wedding feast. I said I would come. And then, because + I was young and full of the boast of youth, and because the king + was now ceasing to be a terror to me, I said that I would bring + to his wedding feast the head of the Gorgon.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The king smiled when he heard me say this, but he + smiled not as a good man smiles when he hears the boast of youth. + He smiled, and he turned to the princes and lords, and he said: + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Perseus will come, and he will bring a + greater gift than any of you, for he will bring the head of her + whose gaze turns living creatures into stone.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“When I heard the king speak so grimly about my boast + the fearfulness of the thing I had spoken of doing came over me. + I thought for an instant that the Gorgon’s head appeared before + me, and that I was then and there turned into stone. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg 163]</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The day of the wedding feast came. I came and I + brought no gift. I stood with my head hanging for shame. Then the + princes and the lords came forward, and they showed the great + gifts of horses that they had brought. I thought that the king + would forget about me and about my boast. And then I heard him + call my name. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Perseus,’</span> he said, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Perseus, bring before us now the + Gorgon’s head that, as you told us, you would bring for the + wedding gift.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The princes and lords and people looked toward me, + and I was filled with a deeper shame. I had to say that I had + failed to bring a present. Then that harsh and overbearing king + shouted at me. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Go forth,’</span> he + said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘go forth and fetch the present + that you spoke of. If you do not bring it remain forever out of + my country, for in Seriphus we will have no empty + boasters.’</span> The lords and the princes applauded what the + king said; the people were sad for me and sad for my mother, but + they might not do anything to help me, so just and so due to me + did the words of the king seem. There was no help for it, and I + had to go from the country of Seriphus, leaving my mother at the + mercy of Polydectes.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I bade good-by to my sorrowful mother and I went + from Seriphus—from that land that I might not return to without + the Gorgon’s head. I traveled far from that country. One day I + sat down in a lonely place and prayed to the gods that my + strength might be equal to the will that now moved in me—the will + to take the Gorgon’s head, and take from my name <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page164">[pg 164]</span> the shame of a broken + promise, and win back to Seriphus to save my mother from the + harshness of the king.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“When I looked up I saw one standing before me. He + was a youth, too, but I knew by the way he moved, and I knew by + the brightness of his face and eyes, that he was of the + immortals. I raised my hands in homage to him, and he came near + me. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Perseus,’</span> he said, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘if you have the courage to strive, the + way to win the Gorgon’s head will be shown you.’</span> I said + that I had the courage to strive, and he knew that I was making + no boast.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“He gave me this bright sickle-sword that I carry. He + told me by what ways I might come near enough to the Gorgons + without being turned into stone by their gaze. He told me how I + might slay the one of the three Gorgons who was not immortal, and + how, having slain her, I might take her head and flee without + being torn to pieces by her sister Gorgons.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then I knew that I should have to come on the + Gorgons from the air. I knew that having slain the one that could + be slain I should have to fly with the speed of the wind. And I + knew that that speed even would not save me—I should have to be + hidden in my flight. To win the head and save myself I would need + three magic things—the shoes of flight and the magic pouch, and + the dogskin cap of Hades that makes its wearer + invisible.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The youth said: <span class="tei tei-q">‘The magic + pouch and the shoes of flight and the dogskin cap of Hades are in + the keeping of the nymphs <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page165">[pg 165]</span> whose dwelling place no mortal knows. I + may not tell you where their dwelling place is. But from the Gray + Ones, from the ancient daughters of Phorcys who live in a cave + near where Atlas stands, you may learn where their dwelling place + is.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Thereupon he told me how I might come to the Graiai, + and how I might get them to tell me where you, the nymphs, had + your dwelling. The one who spoke to me was Hermes, whose dwelling + is on Olympus. By this sickle-sword that he gave me you will know + that I speak the truth.”</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Perseus + ceased speaking, and she who was the youngest and fairest of the + nymphs came nearer to him. She knew that he spoke truthfully, and + besides she had pity for the youth. <span class="tei tei-q">“But + we are the keepers of the magic treasures,”</span> she said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“and some one whose need is greater even + than yours may some time require them from us. But will you swear + that you will bring the magic treasures back to us when you have + slain the Gorgon and have taken her head?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Perseus + declared that he would bring the magic treasures back to the + nymphs and leave them once more in their keeping. Then the nymph + who had compassion for him called to the others. They spoke + together while Perseus stayed far away from them, polishing his + shield of bronze. At last the nymph who had listened to him came + back, the others following her. They brought to Perseus and they + put into his hands the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg + 166]</span> things they had guarded—the cap made from dogskin + that had been brought up out of Hades, a pair of winged shoes, + and a long pouch that he could hang across his shoulder.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And so with + the shoes of flight and the cap of darkness and the magic pouch, + Perseus went to seek the Gorgons. The sickle-sword that Hermes + gave him was at his side, and on his arm he held the bronze + shield that was now well polished.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He went + through the air, taking a way that the nymphs had shown him. He + came to Oceanus that was the rim around the world. He saw forms + that were of living creatures all in stone, and he knew that he + was near the place where the Gorgons had their lair.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then, looking + upon the surface of his polished shield, he saw the Gorgons below + him. Two were covered with hard serpent scales; they had tusks + that were long and were like the tusks of boars, and they had + hands of gleaming brass and wings of shining gold. Still looking + upon the shining surface of his shield Perseus went down and + down. He saw the third sister—she who was not immortal. She had a + woman’s face and form, and her countenance was beautiful, + although there was something deadly in its fairness. The two + scaled and winged sisters were asleep, but the third, Medusa, was + awake, and she was tearing with her hands a lizard that had come + near her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Upon her head + was a tangle of serpents all with heads raised as though they + were hissing. Still looking into the mirror of <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page167">[pg 167]</span> his shield Perseus came + down and over Medusa. He turned his head away from her. Then, + with a sweep of the sickle-sword he took her head off. There was + no scream from the Gorgon, but the serpents upon her head hissed + loudly.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Still with + his face turned from it he lifted up the head by its tangle of + serpents. He put it into the magic pouch. He rose up in the air. + But now the Gorgon sisters were awake. They had heard the hiss of + Medusa’s serpents, and now they looked upon her headless body. + They rose up on their golden wings, and their brazen hands were + stretched out to tear the one who had slain Medusa. As they flew + after him they screamed aloud.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Although he + flew like the wind the Gorgon sisters would have overtaken him if + he had been plain to their eyes. But the dogskin cap of Hades + saved him, for the Gorgon sisters did not know whether he was + above or below them, behind or before them. On Perseus went, + flying toward where Atlas stood. He flew over this place, over + Libya. Drops of blood from Medusa’s head fell down upon the + desert. They were changed and became the deadly serpents that are + on these sands and around these rocks. On and on Perseus flew + toward Atlas and toward the hidden valley where the nymphs who + were again to guard the magic treasures had their dwelling place. + But before he came to the nymphs Perseus had another + adventure.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In Ethopia, + which is at the other side of Libya, there ruled a <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page168">[pg 168]</span> king whose name was + Cepheus. This king had permitted his queen to boast that she was + more beautiful than the nymphs of the sea. In punishment for the + queen’s impiety and for the king’s folly Poseidon sent a monster + out of the sea to waste that country. Every year the monster + came, destroying more and more of the country of Ethopia. Then + the king asked of an oracle what he should do to save his land + and his people. The oracle spoke of a dreadful thing that he + would have to do—he would have to sacrifice his daughter, the + beautiful Princess Andromeda.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king was + forced by his savage people to take the maiden Andromeda and + chain her to a rock on the seashore, leaving her there for the + monster to devour her, satisfying himself with that prey.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Perseus, + flying near, heard the maiden’s laments. He saw her lovely body + bound with chains to the rock. He came near her, taking the cap + of darkness off his head. She saw him, and she bent her head in + shame, for she thought that he would think that it was for some + dreadful fault of her own that she had been left chained in that + place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Her father + had stayed near. Perseus saw him, and called to him, and bade him + tell why the maiden was chained to the rock. The king told + Perseus of the sacrifice that he had been forced to make. Then + Perseus came near the maiden, and he saw how she looked at him + with pleading eyes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Perseus + made her father promise that he would give <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page169">[pg 169]</span> Andromeda to him for + his wife if he should slay the sea monster. Gladly Cepheus + promised this. Then Perseus once again drew his sickle-sword; by + the rock to which Andromeda was still chained he waited for sight + of the sea monster.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i028.png" + id="i028.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig88" id="fig88"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i028.png" alt="Illustration" title= + "Perseus and Andromeda" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + Perseus and Andromeda + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It came + rolling in from the open sea, a shapeless and unsightly thing. + With the shoes of flight upon his feet Perseus rose above it. The + monster saw his shadow upon the water, and savagely it went to + attack the shadow. Perseus swooped down as an eagle swoops down; + with his sickle-sword he attacked it, and he struck the hook + through the monster’s shoulder. Terribly it reared up from the + sea. Perseus rose over it, escaping its wide-opened mouth with + its treble rows of fangs. Again he swooped and struck at it. Its + hide was covered all over with hard scales and with the shells of + sea things, but Perseus’s sword struck through it. It reared up + again, spouting water mixed with blood. On a rock near the rock + that Andromeda was chained to Perseus alighted. The monster, + seeing him, bellowed and rushed swiftly through the water to + overwhelm him. As it reared up he plunged the sword again and + again into its body. Down into the water the monster sank, and + water mixed with blood was spouted up from the depths into which + it sank.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then was + Andromeda loosed from her chains. Perseus, the conqueror, lifted + up the fainting maiden and carried her back to the king’s palace. + And Cepheus there renewed his promise to give her in marriage to + her deliverer.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Perseus went + on his way. He came to the hidden valley <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page170">[pg 170]</span> where the nymphs had their dwelling + place, and he restored to them the three magic treasures that + they had given him—the cap of darkness, the shoes of flight, and + the magic pouch. And these treasures are still there, and the + hero who can win his way to the nymphs may have them as Perseus + had them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Again he + returned to the place where he had found Andromeda chained. With + face averted he drew forth the Gorgon’s head from where he had + hidden it between the rocks. He made a bag for it out of the + horny skin of the monster he had slain. Then, carrying his + tremendous trophy, he went to the palace of King Cepheus to claim + his bride.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now before + her father had thought of sacrificing her to the sea monster he + had offered Andromeda in marriage to a prince of Ethopia—to a + prince whose name was Phineus. Phineus did not strive to save + Andromeda. But, hearing that she had been delivered from the + monster, he came to take her for his wife; he came to Cepheus’s + palace, and he brought with him a thousand armed men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The palace of + Cepheus was filled with armed men when Perseus entered it. He saw + Andromeda on a raised place in the hall. She was pale as when she + was chained to the rock, and when she saw him in the palace she + uttered a cry of gladness.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Cepheus, the + craven king, would have let him who had come with the armed bands + take the maiden. Perseus came beside <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page171">[pg 171]</span> Andromeda and he made his claim. + Phineus spoke insolently to him, and then he urged one of his + captains to strike Perseus down. Many sprang forward to attack + him. Out of the bag Perseus drew Medusa’s head. He held it before + those who were bringing strife into the hall. They were turned to + stone. One of Cepheus’s men wished to defend Perseus: he struck + at the captain who had come near; his sword made a clanging sound + as it struck this one who had looked upon Medusa’s head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Perseus went + from the land of Ethopia taking fair Andromeda with him. They + went into Greece, for he had thought of going to Argos, to the + country that his grandfather ruled over. At this very time + Acrisius got tidings of Danaë and her son, and he knew that they + had not perished on the waves of the sea. Fearful of the prophecy + that told he would be slain by his grandson and fearing that he + would come to Argos to seek him, Acrisius fled out of his + country.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He came into + Thessaly. Perseus and Andromeda were there. Now, one day the old + king was brought to games that were being celebrated in honor of + a dead hero. He was leaning on his staff, watching a youth throw + a metal disk, when something in that youth’s appearance made him + want to watch him more closely. About him there was something of + a being of the upper air; it made Acrisius think of a brazen + tower and of a daughter whom he had shut up there.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He moved so + that he might come nearer to the disk-thrower. But as he left + where he had been standing he came into the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg 172]</span> line of the thrown + disk. It struck the old man on the temple. He fell down dead, and + as he fell the people cried out his name—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Acrisius, King Acrisius!”</span> Then Perseus knew + whom the disk, thrown by his hand, had slain.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And because + he had slain the king by chance Perseus would not go to Argos, + nor take over the kingdom that his grandfather had reigned over. + With Andromeda he went to Seriphus where his mother was. And in + Seriphus there still reigned Polydectes, who had put upon him the + terrible task of winning the Gorgon’s head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He came to + Seriphus and he left Andromeda in the hut of Dictys the shepherd. + No one knew him; he heard his name spoken of as that of a youth + who had gone on a foolish quest and who would never again be + heard of. To the temple where his mother was a priestess he came. + Guards were placed all around it. He heard his mother’s voice and + it was raised in lament: <span class="tei tei-q">“Walled up here + and given over to hunger I shall be made go to Polydectes’s house + and become his wife. O ye gods, have ye no pity for Danaë, the + mother of Perseus?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Perseus cried + aloud, and his mother heard his voice and her moans ceased. He + turned around and he went to the palace of Polydectes, the + king.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king + received him with mockeries. <span class="tei tei-q">“I will let + you stay in Seriphus for a day,”</span> he said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“because I would have you at a marriage feast. I have + vowed that Danaë, taken from the temple where she sulks, will be + my wife by to-morrow’s sunset.”</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page173">[pg 173]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i029.png" + id="i029.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig89" id="fig89"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i029.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Polydectes + said, and the lords and princes who were around him mocked at + Perseus and flattered the king. Perseus went from them then. The + next day he came back to the palace. But in his hands now there + was a dread thing—the bag made from the hide of the sea monster + that had in it the Gorgon’s head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He saw his + mother. She was brought in white and fainting, thinking that she + would now have to wed the harsh and overbearing king. Then she + saw her son, and hope came into her face.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king + seeing Perseus, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Step forward, O + youngling, and see your mother wed to a mighty man. Step forward + to witness a marriage, and then depart, for it is not right that + a youth that makes promises and does not keep them should stay in + a land that I rule over. Step forward now, you with the empty + hands.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But not with + empty hands did Perseus step forward. He shouted out: + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have brought something to you at last, + O king—a present to you and your mocking friends. But you, O my + mother, and you, O my friends, avert your faces from what I have + brought.”</span> Saying this Perseus drew out the Gorgon’s head. + Holding it by the snaky locks he stood before the company. His + mother and his friends averted their faces. But Polydectes and + his insolent friends looked full upon what Perseus showed. + <span class="tei tei-q">“This youth would strive to frighten us + with some conjuror’s trick,”</span> they said. They said no more, + for they <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page174">[pg 174]</span> + became as stones, and as stone images they still stand in that + hall in Seriphus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He went to + the shepherd’s hut, and he brought Dictys from it with Andromeda. + Dictys he made king in Polydectes’s stead. Then with Danaë and + Andromeda, his mother and his wife, he went from Seriphus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He did not go + to Argos, the country that his grandfather had ruled over, + although the people there wanted Perseus to come to them, and be + king over them. He took the kingdom of Tiryns in exchange for + that of Argos, and there he lived with Andromeda, his lovely wife + out of Ethopia. They had a son named Perses who became the parent + of the Persian people.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The + sickle-sword that had slain the Gorgon went back to Hermes, and + Hermes took Medusa’s head also. That head Hermes’s divine sister + set upon her shield—Medusa’s head upon the shield of Pallas + Athene. O may Pallas Athene guard us all, and bring us out of + this land of sands and stone where are the deadly serpents that + have come from the drops of blood that fell from the Gorgon’s + head!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They turned + away from the Garden of the Daughters of the Evening Land. The + Argonauts turned from where the giant shape of Atlas stood + against the sky and they went toward the Tritonian Lake. But not + all of them reached the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. On his way back to the + ship, Nauplius, the helmsman, met his death.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A sluggish + serpent was in his way—it was not a serpent that <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span> would strike at one who + turned from it. Nauplius trod upon it, and the serpent lifted its + head up and bit his foot. They raised him on their shoulders and + they hurried back with him. But his limbs became numb, and when + they laid him down on the shore of the lake he stayed moveless. + Soon he grew cold. They dug a grave for Nauplius beside the lake, + and in that desert land they set up his helmsman’s oar in the + middle of his tomb of heaped stones.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now like + a snake that goes writhing this way and that way and that cannot + find the cleft in the rock that leads to its lair, the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + went hither and thither striving to find an outlet from that + lake. No outlet could they find and the way of their homegoing + seemed lost to them again. Then Orpheus prayed to the son of + Nereus, to Triton, whose name was on that lake, to aid them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Triton + appeared. He stretched out his hand and showed them the outlet to + the sea. And Triton spoke in friendly wise to the heroes, bidding + them go upon their way in joy. <span class="tei tei-q">“And as + for labor,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“let there be + no grieving because of that, for limbs that have youthful vigor + should still toil.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They took up + the oars and they pulled toward the sea, and Triton, the friendly + immortal, helped them on. He laid hold upon <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo’s</span></em> keel and he guided her + through the water. The Argonauts saw him beneath the water; his + body, from his <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg + 176]</span> head down to his waist, was fair and great and like + to the body of one of the other immortals. But below his body was + like a great fish’s, forking this way and that. He moved with + fins that were like the horns of the new moon. Triton helped + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> along until they came into + the open sea. Then he plunged down into the abyss. The heroes + shouted their thanks to him. Then they looked at each other and + embraced each other with joy, for the sea that touched upon the + land of Greece was open before them.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc90" id="toc90"></a><a name="pdf91" id="pdf91"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">IX. Near to Iolcus Again</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HE sun + sank; then that star came that bids the shepherd bring his flock to + the fold, that brings the wearied plowman to his rest. But no rest + did that star bring to the Argonauts. The breeze that filled the + sail died down; they furled the sail and lowered the mast; then, + once again, they pulled at the oars. All night they rowed, and all + day, and again when the next day came on. Then they saw the island + that is halfway to Greece—the great and fair island of Crete.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was Theseus + who first saw Crete—Theseus who was to come to Crete upon another + ship. They drew the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> near the great island; they + wanted water, and they were fain to rest there. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg 177]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Minos, the + great king, ruled over Crete. He left the guarding of the island to + one of the race of bronze, to Talos, who had lived on after the + rest of the bronze men had been destroyed. Thrice a day would Talos + stride around the island; his brazen feet were tireless.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now Talos saw + the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> drawing near. He took up + great rocks and he hurled them at the heroes, and very quickly they + had to draw their ship out of range.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They were + wearied and their thirst was consuming them. But still that bronze + man stood there ready to sink their ship with the great rocks that + he took up in his hands. Medea stood forward upon the ship, ready + to use her spells against the man of bronze.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In body and + limbs he was made of bronze and in these he was invulnerable. But + beneath a sinew in his ankle there was a vein that ran up to his + neck and that was covered by a thin skin. If that vein were broken + Talos would perish.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea did not + know about this vein when she stood forward upon the ship to use + her spells against him. Upon a cliff of Crete, all gleaming, stood + that huge man of bronze. Then, as she was ready to fling her spells + against him, Medea thought upon the words that Arete, the wise + queen, had given her—that she was not to use spells and not to + practice against the life of any one.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But she knew + that there was no impiety in using spells and practicing against + Talos, for Zeus had already doomed all his <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page178">[pg 178]</span> race. She stood upon the ship, and + with her Magic Song she enchanted him. He whirled round and round. + He struck his ankle against a jutting stone. The vein broke, and + that which was the blood of the bronze man flowed out of him like + molten lead. He stood towering upon the cliff. Like a pine upon a + mountaintop that the woodman had left half hewn through and that a + mighty wind pitches against, Talos stood upon his tireless feet, + swaying to and fro. Then, emptied of all his strength, Minos’s man + of bronze fell into the Cretan Sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The heroes + landed. That night they lay upon the land of Crete and rested and + refreshed themselves. When dawn came they drew water from a spring, + and once more they went on board the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A day came when + the helmsman said, <span class="tei tei-q">“To-morrow we shall see + the shore of Thessaly, and by sunset we shall be in the harbor of + Pagasæ. Soon, O voyagers, we shall be back in the city from which + we went to gain the Golden Fleece.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Jason + brought Medea to the front of the ship so that they might watch + together for Thessaly, the homeland. The Mountain Pelion came into + sight. Jason exulted as he looked upon that mountain; again he told + Medea about Chiron, the ancient centaur, and about the days of his + youth in the forests of Pelion.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + went on; the sun sank, and darkness came on. Never was there + darkness such as there was on that night. <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page179">[pg 179]</span> They called that night afterward the + Pall of Darkness. To the heroes upon the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> it + seemed as if black chaos had come over the world again; they knew + not whether they were adrift upon the sea or upon the River of + Hades. No star pierced the darkness nor no beam from the moon.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i030.png" id= + "i030.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig92" id="fig92"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i030.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> After a night + that seemed many nights the dawn came. In the sunrise they saw the + land of Thessaly with its mountain, its forests, and its fields. + They hailed each other as if they had met after a long parting. + They raised the mast and unfurled the sail.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But not toward + Pagasæ did they go. For now the voice of <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + came to them, shaking their hearts: Jason and Orpheus, Castor and + Polydeuces, Zetes and Calais, Peleus and Telamon, Theseus, Admetus, + Nestor, and Atalanta, heard the cry of their ship. And the voice of + <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> warned them not to go into + the harbor of Pagasæ.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As they stood + upon the ship, looking toward Iolcus, sorrow came over all the + heroes, such sorrow as made their hearts nearly break. For long + they stood there in utter numbness.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Admetus + spoke—Admetus who was the happiest of all those who went in quest + of the Golden Fleece. <span class="tei tei-q">“Although we may not + go into the harbor of Pagasæ, nor into the city of Iolcus,”</span> + Admetus said, <span class="tei tei-q">“still we have come to the + land of Greece. There are other harbors and other cities that we + may go into. And in all the places that we go to we will be + honored, for we have gone through toils and dangers, and we have + brought to Greece the famous Fleece of Gold.”</span> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Admetus + said, and their spirits came back again to the heroes—came back to + all of them save Jason. The rest had other cities to go to, and + fathers and mothers and friends to greet them in other places, but + for Jason there was only Iolcus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea took his + hand, and sorrow for him overcame her. For Medea could divine what + had happened in Iolcus and why it was that the heroes might not go + there.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was to + Corinth that the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> went. Creon, the king of + Corinth, welcomed them and gave great honor to the heroes who had + faced such labors and such dangers to bring the world’s wonder to + Greece.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + stayed together until they went to Calydon, to hunt the boar that + ravaged Prince Meleagrus’s country. After that they separated, each + one going to his own land. Jason came back to Corinth where Medea + stayed. And in Corinth he had tidings of the happenings in + Iolcus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> King Pelias now + ruled more fearfully in Iolcus, having brought down from the + mountains more and fiercer soldiers. And Æson, Jason’s father, and + Alcimide, his mother, were now dead, having been slain by King + Pelias.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> This Jason + heard from men who came into Corinth from Thessaly. And because of + the great army that Pelias had gathered there, Jason might not yet + go into Iolcus, either to exact a vengeance, or to show the people + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">The + Golden Fleece</span></span> that he had gone so far to + gain.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg 181]</span> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="toc93" id="toc93"></a><a name="pdf94" id="pdf94"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Part III. The Heroes of the + Quest</span></h1><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg + 183]</span> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc95" id="toc95"></a><a name="pdf96" id="pdf96"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">I. Atalanta the Huntress</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">I</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEY came + once more together, the heroes of the quest, to hunt a boar in + Calydon—Jason and Peleus came, Telamon, Theseus, and rough Arcas, + Nestor and Helen’s brothers Polydeuces and Castor. And, most noted + of all, there came the Arcadian huntress maid, Atalanta.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Beautiful they + all thought her when they knew her aboard the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + But even more beautiful Atalanta seemed to the heroes when she came + amongst them in her hunting gear. Her lovely hair hung in two bands + across her shoulders, and over her breast hung an ivory quiver + filled with arrows. They said that her face with its wide and + steady eyes was maidenly for a boy’s, and boyish for a maiden’s + face. Swiftly she moved with her head held high, and there was not + one amongst the heroes who did not say, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Oh, happy would that man be whom Atalanta the unwedded + would take for her husband!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All the heroes + said it, but the one who said it most feelingly was the prince of + Calydon, young Meleagrus. He more than the other heroes felt the + wonder of Atalanta’s beauty. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page184">[pg 184]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now the boar + they had come to hunt was a monster boar. It had come into Calydon + and it was laying waste the fields and orchards and destroying the + people’s cattle and horses. That boar had been sent into Calydon by + an angry divinity. For when Œneus, the king of the country, was + making sacrifice to the gods in thanksgiving for a bounteous + harvest, he had neglected to make sacrifice to the goddess of the + wild things, Artemis. In her anger Artemis had sent the monster + boar to lay waste Œneus’s realm.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was a + monster boar indeed—one as huge as a bull, with tusks as great as + an elephant’s; the bristles on its back stood up like spear points, + and the hot breath of the creature withered the growth on the + ground. The boar tore up the corn in the fields and trampled down + the vines with their clusters and heavy bunches of grapes; also it + rushed against the cattle and destroyed them in the fields. And no + hounds the huntsmen were able to bring could stand before it. And + so it came to pass that men had to leave their farms and take + refuge behind the walls of the city because of the ravages of the + boar. It was then that the rulers of Calydon sent for the heroes of + the quest to join with them in hunting the monster.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Calydon itself + sent Prince Meleagrus and his two uncles, Plexippus and Toxeus. + They were brothers to Meleagrus’s mother, Althæa. Now Althæa was a + woman who had sight to see mysterious things, but who had also a + wayward and passionate heart. Once, after her son Meleagrus was + born, she <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span> saw + the three Fates sitting by her hearth. They were spinning the + threads of her son’s life, and as they spun they sang to each + other, <span class="tei tei-q">“An equal span of life we give to + the newborn child, and to the billet of wood that now rests above + the blaze of the fire.”</span> Hearing what the Fates sang and + understanding it Althæa had sprung up from her bed, had seized the + billet of wood, and had taken it out of the fire before the flames + had burnt into it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That billet of + wood lay in her chest, hidden away. And Meleagrus nor any one else + save Althæa knew of it, nor knew that the prince’s life would last + only for the space it would be kept from the burning. On the day of + the hunting he appeared as the strongest and bravest of the youths + of Calydon. And he knew not, poor Meleagrus, that the love for + Atalanta that had sprung into his heart was to bring to the fire + the billet of wood on which his life depended.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">II</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As Atalanta + went, the bow in her hands, Prince Meleagrus pressed behind her. + Then came Jason and Peleus, Telamon, Theseus and Nestor. Behind + them came Meleagrus’s dark-browed uncles, Plexippus and Toxeus. + They came to a forest that covered the side of a mountain. Huntsmen + had assembled here with hounds held in leashes and with nets to + hold the rushing quarry. And when they had all gathered together + they went through the forest on the track of the monster boar. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg 186]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was easy to + track the boar, for it had left a broad trail through the forest. + The heroes and the huntsmen pressed on. They came to a marshy + covert where the boar had its lair. There was a thickness of osiers + and willows and tall bullrushes, making a place that it was hard + for the hunters to go through.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They roused the + boar with the blare of horns and it came rushing out. Foam was on + its tusks, and its eyes had in them the blaze of fire. On the boar + came, breaking down the thicket in its rush. But the heroes stood + steadily with the points of their spears toward the monster.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The hounds were + loosed from their leashes and they dashed toward the boar. The boar + slashed them with its tusks and trampled them into the ground. + Jason flung his spear. The spear went wide of the mark. Another, + Arcas, cast his, but the wood, not the point of the spear, struck + the boar, rousing it further. Then its eyes flamed, and like a + great stone shot from a catapult the boar rushed on the huntsmen + who were stationed to the right. In that rush it flung two youths + prone upon the ground.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then might + Nestor have missed his going to Troy and his part in that story, + for the boar swerved around and was upon him in an instant. Using + his spear as a leaping pole he vaulted upward and caught the + branches of a tree as the monster dashed the spear down in its + rush. In rage the beast tore at the trunk of the tree. The heroes + might have been scattered at this moment, for Telamon had fallen, + tripped by the roots of a tree, <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page187">[pg 187]</span> and Peleus had had to throw himself upon + him to pull him out of the way of danger, if Polydeuces and Castor + had not dashed up to their aid. They came riding upon high white + horses, spears in their hands. The brothers cast their spears, but + neither spear struck the monster boar.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the boar + turned and was for drawing back into the thicket. They might have + lost it then, for its retreat was impenetrable. But before it got + clear away Atalanta put an arrow to the string, drew the bow to her + shoulder, and let the arrow fly. It struck the boar, and a patch of + blood was seen upon its bristles. Prince Meleagrus shouted out, + <span class="tei tei-q">“O first to strike the monster! Honor + indeed shall you receive for this, Arcadian maid.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> His uncles were + made wroth by this speech, as was another, the Arcadian, rough + Arcas. Arcas dashed forward, holding in his hands a two-headed axe. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Heroes and huntsmen,”</span> he cried, + <span class="tei tei-q">“you shall see how a man’s strokes surpass + a girl’s.”</span> He faced the boar, standing on tiptoe with his + axe raised for the stroke. Meleagrus’s uncles shouted to encourage + him. But the boar’s tusks tore him before Arcas’s axe fell, and the + Arcadian was trampled upon the ground.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The boar, + roused again by Atalanta’s arrow, turned on the hunters. Jason + hurled a spear again. It swerved and struck a hound and pinned it + to the ground. Then, speaking the name of Atalanta, Meleagrus + sprang before the heroes and the huntsmen. <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page188">[pg 188]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He had two + spears in his hands. The first missed and stuck quivering in the + ground. But the second went right through the back of the monster + boar. It whirled round and round, spouting out blood and foam. + Meleagrus pressed on, and drove his hunting knife through the + shoulders of the monster.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> His uncles, + Plexippus and Toxeus, were the first to come to where the monster + boar was lying outstretched. <span class="tei tei-q">“It is well, + the deed you have done, boy,”</span> said one; <span class= + "tei tei-q">“it is well that none of the strangers to our country + slew the boar. Now will the head and tusks of the monster adorn our + hall, and men will know that the arms of our house can well protect + this land.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But one word + only did Meleagrus say, and that word was the name, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Atalanta.”</span> The maiden came and Meleagrus, his + spear upon the head, said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Take, O fair + Arcadian, the spoil of the chase. All know that it was you who + inflicted the first wound upon the boar.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Plexippus and + Toxeus tried to push him away, as if Meleagrus was still a boy + under their tutoring. He shouted to them to stand off, and then he + hacked out the terrible tusks and held them toward Atalanta.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She would have + taken them, for she, who had never looked lovingly upon a youth, + was moved by the beauty and the generosity of Prince Meleagrus. She + would have taken from him the spoil of the chase. But as she held + out her arms Meleagrus’s uncles struck them with the poles of their + spears. Heavy <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page189">[pg 189]</span> + marks were made on the maiden’s white arms. Madness then possessed + Meleagrus, and he took up his spear and thrust it, first into the + body of Plexippus and then into the body of Toxeus. His thrusts + were terrible, for he was filled with the fierceness of the hunt, + and his uncles fell down in death.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then a great + horror came over all the heroes. They raised up the bodies of + Plexippus and Toxeus and carried them on their spears away from the + place of the hunting and toward the temple of the gods. Meleagrus + crouched down upon the ground in horror of what he had done. + Atalanta stood beside him, her hand upon his head.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">III</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Althæa was in + the temple making sacrifice to the gods. She saw men come in + carrying across their spears the bodies of two men. She looked and + she saw that the dead men were her two brothers, Plexippus and + Toxeus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then she beat + her breast and she filled the temple with the cries of her + lamentation. <span class="tei tei-q">“Who has slain my brothers? + Who has slain my brothers?”</span> she kept crying out.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then she was + told that her son Meleagrus had slain her brothers. She had no + tears to shed then, and in a hard voice she asked, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Why did my son slay Plexippus and Toxeus, his + uncles?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The one who was + wroth with Atalanta, Arcas the Arcadian, <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page190">[pg 190]</span> came to her and told her that her + brothers had been slain because of a quarrel about the girl + Atalanta.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“My brothers have been slain because a girl bewitched + my son; then accursed be that son of mine,”</span> Althæa cried. + She took off the gold-fringed robe of a priestess, and she put on a + black robe of mourning.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Her brothers, + the only sons of her father, had been slain, and for the sake of a + girl. The image of Atalanta came before her, and she felt she could + punish dreadfully her son. But her son was not there to punish; he + was far away, and the girl for whose sake he had killed Plexippus + and Toxeus was with him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The rage she + had went back into her heart and made her truly mad. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I gave Meleagrus life when I might have let it go from + him with the burning billet of wood,”</span> she cried, + <span class="tei tei-q">“and now he has taken the lives of my + brothers.”</span> And then her thought went to the billet of wood + that was hidden in the chest.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Back to her + house she went, and when she went within she saw a fire of pine + knots burning upon the hearth. As she looked upon their burning a + scorching pain went through her. But she went from the hearth, + nevertheless, and into the inner room. There stood the chest that + she had not opened for years. She opened it now, and out of it she + took the billet of wood that had on it the mark of the burning.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She brought it + to the hearth fire. Four times she went to throw it into the fire, + and four times she stayed her hand. The <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page191">[pg 191]</span> fire was before her, but it was in her + too. She saw the images of her brothers lying dead, and, saying + that he who had slain them should lose his life, she threw the + billet of wood into the fire of pine knots.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Straightway it + caught fire and began to burn. And Althæa cried, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Let him die, my son, and let naught remain; let all + perish with my brothers, even the kingdom that Œneus, my husband, + founded.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then she turned + away and remained stiffly standing by the hearth, the life withered + up within her. Her daughters came and tried to draw her away, but + they could not—her two daughters, Gorge and Deianira.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Meleagrus was + crouching upon the ground with Atalanta watching beside him. Now he + stood up, and taking her hand he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Let + me go with you to the temple of the gods where I shall strive to + make atonement for the deed I have done to-day.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She went with + him. But even as they came to the street of the city a sharp and a + burning pain seized upon Meleagrus. More and more burning it grew, + and weaker and weaker he became. He could not have moved further if + it had not been for the aid of Atalanta. Jason and Peleus lifted + him across the threshold and carried him into the temple of the + gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They laid him + down with his head upon Atalanta’s lap. The pain within him grew + fiercer and fiercer, but at last it died down as the burning billet + of wood sank down into the ashes. The heroes of the quest stood + around, all overcome with woe. In <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page192">[pg 192]</span> the street they heard the lamentations + for Plexippus and Toxeus, for Prince Meleagrus, and for the passing + of the kingdom founded by Œneus. Atalanta left the temple, and + attended by the two brothers on the white horses, Polydeuces and + Castor, she went back to Arcady.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc97" id="toc97"></a><a name="pdf98" id="pdf98"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">II. Peleus and His Bride from the + Sea</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">I</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capP.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">P</span></span>RINCE + PELEUS came on his ship to a bay on the coast of Thessaly. His + painted ship lay between two great rocks, and from its poop he saw + a sight that enchanted him. Out from the sea, riding on a dolphin, + came a lovely maiden. And by the radiance of her face and limbs + Peleus knew her for one of the immortal goddesses.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now Peleus had + borne himself so nobly in all things that he had won the favor of + the gods themselves. Zeus, who is highest amongst the gods, had + made this promise to Peleus: he would honor him as no one amongst + the sons of men had been honored before, for he would give him an + immortal goddess to be his bride.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She who came + out of the sea went into a cave that was overgrown with vines and + roses. Peleus looked into the cave and <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page193">[pg 193]</span> he saw her sleeping upon skins of the + beasts of the sea. His heart was enchanted by the sight, and he + knew that his life would be broken if he did not see this goddess + day after day. So he went back to his ship and he prayed: + <span class="tei tei-q">“O Zeus, now I claim the promise that you + once made to me. Let it be that this goddess come with me, or else + plunge my ship and me beneath the waves of the sea.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And when Peleus + said this he looked over the land and the water for a sign from + Zeus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Even then the + goddess sleeping in the cave had dreams such as had never before + entered that peaceful resting place of hers. She dreamt that she + was drawn away from the deep and the wide sea. She dreamt that she + was brought to a place that was strange and unfree to her. And as + she lay in the cave, sleeping, tears that might never come into the + eyes of an immortal lay around her heart.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Peleus, + standing on his painted ship, saw a rainbow touch upon the sea. He + knew by that sign that Iris, the messenger of Zeus, had come down + through the air. Then a strange sight came before his eyes. Out of + the sea rose the head of a man; wrinkled and bearded it was, and + the eyes were very old. Peleus knew that he who was there before + him was Nereus, the ancient one of the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Said old + Nereus: <span class="tei tei-q">“Thou hast prayed to Zeus, and I am + here to speak an answer to thy prayer. She whom you have looked + upon is Thetis, the goddess of the sea. Very loath will she be + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg 194]</span> to take + Zeus’s command and wed with thee. It is her desire to remain in the + sea, unwedded, and she has refused marriage even with one of the + immortal gods.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then said + Peleus, <span class="tei tei-q">“Zeus promised me an immortal + bride. If Thetis may not be mine I cannot wed any other, goddess or + mortal maiden.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then thou thyself wilt have to master Thetis,”</span> + said Nereus, the wise one of the sea. <span class="tei tei-q">“If + she is mastered by thee, she cannot go back to the sea. She will + strive with all her strength and all her wit to escape from thee; + but thou must hold her no matter what she does, and no matter how + she shows herself. When thou hast seen her again as thou didst see + her at first, thou wilt know that thou hast mastered her.”</span> + And when he had said this to Peleus, Nereus, the ancient one of the + sea, went under the waves.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">II</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> With his hero’s + heart beating more than ever it had beaten yet, Peleus went into + the cave. Kneeling beside her he looked down upon the goddess. The + dress she wore was like green and silver mail. Her face and limbs + were pearly, but through them came the radiance that belongs to the + immortals.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He touched the + hair of the goddess of the sea, the yellow hair that was so long + that it might cover her all over. As he touched her hair she + started up, wakening suddenly out of her sleep. His hands touched + her hands and held them. Now he <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page195">[pg 195]</span> knew that if he should loose his hold + upon her she would escape from him into the depths of the sea, and + that thereafter no command from the immortals would bring her to + him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She changed + into a white bird that strove to bear itself away. Peleus held to + its wings and struggled with the bird. She changed and became a + tree. Around the trunk of the tree Peleus clung. She changed once + more, and this time her form became terrible: a spotted leopard she + was now, with burning eyes; but Peleus held to the neck of the + fierce-appearing leopard and was not affrighted by the burning + eyes. Then she changed and became as he had seen her first—a lovely + maiden, with the brow of a goddess, and with long yellow hair.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But now there + was no radiance in her face or in her limbs. She looked past + Peleus, who held her, and out to the wide sea. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Who is he,”</span> she cried, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“who has been given this mastery over me?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then said the + hero: <span class="tei tei-q">“I am Peleus, and Zeus has given me + the mastery over thee. Wilt thou come with me, Thetis? Thou art my + bride, given me by him who is highest amongst the gods, and if thou + wilt come with me, thou wilt always be loved and reverenced by + me.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Unwillingly I leave the sea,”</span> she cried, + <span class="tei tei-q">“unwillingly I go with thee, + Peleus.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But life in the + sea was not for her any more now that she was mastered. She went to + Peleus’s ship and she went to Phthia, his country. And when the + hero and the sea goddess were <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page196">[pg 196]</span> wedded the immortal gods and goddesses + came to their hall and brought the bride and the bridegroom + wondrous gifts. The three sisters who are called the Fates came + also. These wise and ancient women said that the son born of the + marriage of Peleus and Thetis would be a man greater than Peleus + himself.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">III</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now although a + son was born to her, and although this son had something of the + radiance of the immortals about him, Thetis remained forlorn and + estranged. Nothing that her husband did was pleasing to her. Prince + Peleus was in fear that the wildness of the sea would break out in + her, and that some great harm would be wrought in his house.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> One night he + wakened suddenly. He saw the fire upon his hearth and he saw a + figure standing by the fire. It was Thetis, his wife. The fire was + blazing around something that she held in her hands. And while she + stood there she was singing to herself a strange-sounding song.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then he saw + what Thetis held in her hands and what the fire was blazing around; + it was the child, Achilles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Prince Peleus + sprang from the bed and caught Thetis around the waist and lifted + her and the child away from the blazing fire. He put them both upon + the bed, and he took from her the child that she held by the heel. + His heart was wild within him, for the thought that wildness had + come over his wife, and <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page197">[pg + 197]</span> that she was bent upon destroying their child. But + Thetis looked on him from under those goddess brows of hers and she + said to him: <span class="tei tei-q">“By the divine power that I + still possess I would have made the child invulnerable; but the + heel by which I held him has not been endued by the fire and in + that place some day he may be stricken. All that the fire covered + is invulnerable, and no weapon that strikes there can destroy his + life. His heel I cannot now make invulnerable, for now the divine + power is gone out of me.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When she said + this Thetis looked full upon her husband, and never had she seemed + so unforgiving as she was then. All the divine radiance that had + remained with her was gone from her now, and she seemed a + white-faced and bitter-thinking woman. And when Peleus saw that + such a great bitterness faced him he fled from his house.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He traveled far + from his own land, and first he went to the help of Heracles, who + was then in the midst of his mighty labors. Heracles was building a + wall around a city. Peleus labored, helping him to raise the wall + for King Laomedon. Then, one night, as he walked by the wall he had + helped to build, he heard voices speaking out of the earth. And one + voice said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Why has Peleus striven so hard + to raise a wall that his son shall fight hard to overthrow?”</span> + No voice replied. The wall was built, and Peleus departed. The city + around which the wall was built was the great city of Troy.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In whatever + place he went Peleus was followed by the hatred <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg 198]</span> of the people of the sea, + and above all by the hatred of the nymph who is called Psamathe. + Far, far from his own country he went, and at last he came to a + country of bright valleys that was ruled over by a kindly king—by + Ceyx, who was called the Son of the Morning Star.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Bright of face + and kindly and peaceable in all his ways was this king, and kindly + and peaceable was the land that he ruled over. And when Prince + Peleus went to him to beg for his protection, and to beg for + unfurrowed fields where he might graze his cattle, Ceyx raised him + up from where he knelt. <span class="tei tei-q">“Peaceable and + plentiful is the land,”</span> he said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“and all who come here may have peace and a chance to + earn their food. Live where you will, O stranger, and take the + unfurrowed fields by the seashore for pasture for your + cattle.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Peace came into + Peleus’s heart as he looked into the untroubled face of Ceyx, and + as he looked over the bright valleys of the land he had come into. + He brought his cattle to the unfurrowed fields by the seashore and + he left herdsmen there to tend them. And as he walked along these + bright valleys he thought upon his wife and upon his son Achilles, + and there were gentle feelings in his breast. But then he thought + upon the enmity of Psamathe, the woman of the sea, and great + trouble came over him again. He felt he could not stay in the + palace of the kindly king. He went where his herdsmen camped and he + lived with them. But the sea was very near and its sound tormented + him, and as the days went by, Peleus, wild looking <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg 199]</span> and shaggy, became more + and more unlike the hero whom once the gods themselves had + honored.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> One day as he + was standing near the palace having speech with the king, a + herdsman ran to him and cried out: <span class="tei tei-q">“Peleus, + Peleus, a dread thing has happened in the unfurrowed + fields.”</span> And when he had got his breath the herdsman told of + the thing that had happened.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They had + brought the herd down to the sea. Suddenly, from the marshes where + the sea and land came together, a monstrous beast rushed out upon + the herd; like a wolf this beast was, but with mouth and jaws that + were more terrible than a wolf’s even. The beast seized upon the + cattle. Yet it was not hunger that made it fierce, for the beasts + that it killed it tore, but did not devour. It rushed on and on, + killing and tearing more and more of the herd. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Soon,”</span> said the herdsman, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“it will have destroyed all in the herd, and then it + will not spare to destroy the other flocks and herds that are in + the land.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Peleus was + stricken to hear that his herd was being destroyed, but more + stricken to know that the land of a friendly king would be ravaged, + and ravaged on his account. For he knew that the terrible beast + that had come from where the sea and the land joined had been sent + by Psamathe. He went up on the tower that stood near the king’s + palace. He was able to look out on the sea and able to look over + all the land. And looking across the bright valleys he saw the + dread beast. He saw it rush through his own mangled cattle and fall + upon the herds of the kindly king. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page200">[pg 200]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He looked + toward the sea and he prayed to Psamathe to spare the land that he + had come to. But, even as he prayed, he knew that Psamathe would + not harken to him. Then he made a prayer to Thetis, to his wife who + had seemed so unforgiving. He prayed her to deal with Psamathe so + that the land of Ceyx would not be altogether destroyed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As he looked + from the tower he saw the king come forth with arms in his hands + for the slaying of the terrible beast. Peleus felt fear for the + life of the kindly king. Down from the tower he came, and taking up + his spear he went with Ceyx.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Soon, in one of + the brightest of the valleys, they came upon the beast; they came + between it and a herd of silken-coated cattle. Seeing the men it + rushed toward them with blood and foam upon its jaws. Then Peleus + knew that the spears they carried would be of little use against + the raging beast. His only thought was to struggle with it so that + the king might be able to save himself.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Again he lifted + up his hands and prayed to Thetis to draw away Psamathe’s enmity. + The beast rushed toward them; but suddenly it stopped. The bristles + upon its body seemed to stiffen. The gaping jaws became fixed. The + hounds that were with them dashed upon the beast, but then fell + back with yelps of disappointment. And when Peleus and Ceyx came to + where it stood they found that the monstrous beast had been turned + into stone.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And a stone it + remains in that bright valley, a wonder to all <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span> the men of Ceyx’s land. + The country was spared the ravages of the beast. And the heart of + Peleus was uplifted to think that Thetis had harkened to his prayer + and had prevailed upon Psamathe to forego her enmity. Not + altogether unforgiving was his wife to him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That day he + went from the land of the bright valleys, from the land ruled over + by the kindly Ceyx, and he came back to rugged Phthia, his own + country. When he came near his hall he saw two at the doorway + awaiting him. Thetis stood there, and the child Achilles was by her + side. The radiance of the immortals was in her face no longer, but + there was a glow there, a glow of welcome for the hero Peleus. And + thus Peleus, long tormented by the enmity of the sea-born ones, + came back to the wife he had won from the sea.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc99" id="toc99"></a><a name="pdf100" id="pdf100"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">III. Theseus and the + Minotaur</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">I</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capT.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">T</span></span>HEREAFTER + Theseus made up his mind to go in search of his father, the unknown + king, and Medea, the wise woman, counseled him to go to Athens. + After the hunt in Calydon he set forth. On his way he fought with + and slew two robbers who harassed countries and treated people + unjustly. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg 202]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The first was + Sinnias. He was a robber who slew men cruelly by tying them to + strong branches of trees and letting the branches fly apart. On him + Theseus had no mercy. The second was a robber also, Procrustes: he + had a great iron bed on which he made his captives lie; if they + were too long for that bed he chopped pieces off them, and if they + were too short he stretched out their bodies with terrible racks. + On him, likewise, Theseus had no mercy; he slew Procrustes and gave + liberty to his captives.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The King of + Athens at the time was named Ægeus. He was father of Theseus, but + neither Theseus nor he knew that this was so. Æthra was his mother, + and she was the daughter of the King of Trœzen. Before Theseus was + born his father left a great sword under a stone, telling Æthra + that the boy was to have the sword when he was able to move that + stone away.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> King Ægeus was + old and fearful now: there were wars and troubles in the city; + besides, there was in his palace an evil woman, a witch, to whom + the king listened. This woman heard that a proud and fearless young + man had come into Athens, and she at once thought to destroy + him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So the witch + spoke to the fearful king, and she made him believe that this + stranger had come into Athens to make league with his enemies and + destroy him. Such was her power over Ægeus that she was able to + persuade him to invite the stranger youth to a feast in the palace, + and to give him a cup that would have poison in it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Theseus came to + the palace. He sat down to the banquet <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page203">[pg 203]</span> with the king. But before the cup was + brought something moved him to stand up and draw forth the sword + that he carried. Fearfully the king looked upon the sword. Then he + saw the heavy ivory hilt with the curious carving on it, and he + knew that this was the sword that he had once laid under the stone + near the palace of the King of Trœzen. He questioned Theseus as to + how he had come by the sword, and Theseus told him how Æthra, his + mother, had shown him where it was hidden, and how he had been able + to take it from under the stone before he was grown a youth. More + and more Ægeus questioned him, and he came to know that the youth + before him was his son indeed. He dashed down the cup that had been + brought to the table, and he shook all over with the thought of how + near he had been to a terrible crime. The witchwoman watched all + that passed; mounting on a car drawn by dragons she made flight + from Athens.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now the + people of the city, knowing that it was he who had slain the + robbers Sinnias and Procrustes, rejoiced to have Theseus amongst + them. When he appeared as their prince they rejoiced still more. + Soon he was able to bring to an end the wars in the city and the + troubles that afflicted Athens.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">II</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The greatest + king in the world at that time was Minos, King of Crete. Minos had + sent his son to Athens to make peace and <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page204">[pg 204]</span> friendship between his kingdom and the + kingdom of King Ægeus. But the people of Athens slew the son of + King Minos, and because Ægeus had not given him the protection that + a king should have given a stranger come upon such an errand he was + deemed to have some part in the guilt of his slaying.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Minos, the + great king, was wroth, and he made war on Athens, wreaking great + destruction upon the country and the people. Moreover, the gods + themselves were wroth with Athens; they punished the people with + famine, making even the rivers dry up. The Athenians went to the + oracle and asked Apollo what they should do to have their guilt + taken away. Apollo made answer that they should make peace with + Minos and fulfill all his demands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> All this + Theseus now heard, learning for the first time that behind the wars + and troubles in Athens there was a deed of evil that Ægeus, his + father, had some guilt in.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The demands + that King Minos made upon Athens were terrible. He demanded that + the Athenians should send into Crete every year seven youths and + seven maidens as a price for the life of his son. And these youths + and maidens were not to meet death merely, nor were they to be + reared in slavery—they were to be sent that a monster called the + Minotaur might devour them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Youths and + maidens had been sent, and for the third time the messengers of + King Minos were coming to Athens. The tribute for the Minotaur was + to be chosen by lot. The fathers <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page205">[pg 205]</span> and mothers were in fear and trembling, + for each man and woman thought that his or her son or daughter + would be taken for a prey for the Minotaur.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They came + together, the people of Athens, and they drew the lots fearfully. + And on the throne above them all sat their pale-faced king, Ægeus, + the father of Theseus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Before the + first lot was drawn Theseus turned to all of them and said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“People of Athens, it is not right that + your children should go and that I, who am the son of King Ægeus, + should remain behind. Surely, if any of the youths of Athens should + face the dread monster of Crete, I should face it. There is one lot + that you may leave undrawn. I will go to Crete.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> His father, on + hearing the speech of Theseus, came down from his throne and + pleaded with him, begging him not to go. But the will of Theseus + was set; he would go with the others and face the Minotaur. And he + reminded his father of how the people had complained, saying that + if Ægeus had done the duty of a king, Minos’s son would not have + been slain and the tribute to the Minotaur would have not been + demanded. It was the passing about of such complaints that had led + to the war and troubles that Theseus found on his coming to + Athens.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Also Theseus + told his father and told the people that he had hope in his + hands—that the hands that were strong enough to slay Sinnias and + Procrustes, the giant robbers, would be strong enough to slay the + dread monster of Crete. His father at last consented to his going. + And Theseus was able to make the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page206">[pg 206]</span> people willing to believe that he would + be able to overcome the Minotaur, and so put an end to the terrible + tribute that was being exacted from them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> With six other + youths and seven maidens Theseus went on board of the ship that + every year brought to Crete the grievous tribute. This ship always + sailed with black sails. But before it sailed this time King Ægeus + gave to Nausitheus, the master of the ship, a white sail to take + with him. And he begged Theseus, that in case he should be able to + overcome the monster, to hoist the white sail he had given. Theseus + promised he would do this. His father would watch for the return of + the ship, and if the sail were black he would know that the + Minotaur had dealt with his son as it had dealt with the other + youths who had gone from Athens. And if the sail were white Ægeus + would have indeed cause to rejoice.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">III</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now the + black-sailed ship had come to Crete, and the youths and maidens of + Athens looked from its deck on Knossos, the marvelous city that + Dædalus the builder had built for King Minos. And they saw the + palace of the king, the red and black palace in which was the + labyrinth, made also by Dædalus, where the dread Minotaur was + hidden.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In fear they + looked upon the city and the palace. But not in fear did Theseus + look, but in wonder at the magnificence of <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page207">[pg 207]</span> it all—the harbor with its great steps + leading up into the city, the far-spreading palace all red and + black, and the crowds of ships with their white and red sails. They + were brought through the city of Knossos to the palace of the king. + And there Theseus looked upon Minos. In a great red chamber on + which was painted the sign of the axe, King Minos sat.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On a low throne + he sat, holding in his hand a scepter on which a bird was perched. + Not in fear, but steadily, did Theseus look upon the king. And he + saw that Minos had the face of one who has thought long upon + troublesome things, and that his eyes were strangely dark and deep. + The king noted that the eyes of Theseus were upon him, and he made + a sign with his head to an attendant and the attendant laid his + hand upon him and brought Theseus to stand beside the king. Minos + questioned him as to who he was and what lands he had been in, and + when he learned that Theseus was the son of Ægeus, the King of + Athens, he said the name of his son who had been slain, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Androgeus, Androgeus,”</span> over and + over again, and then spoke no more.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> While he stood + there beside the king there came into the chamber three maidens; + one of them, Theseus knew, was the daughter of Minos. Not like the + maidens of Greece were the princess and her two attendants: instead + of having on flowing garments and sandals and wearing their hair + bound, they had on dresses of gleaming material that were tight at + the waists and bell-shaped; the hair that streamed on their + shoulders was <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg 208]</span> + made wavy; they had on high shoes of a substance that shone like + glass. Never had Theseus looked upon maidens who were so + strange.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They spoke to + the king in the strange Cretan language; then Minos’s daughter made + reverence to her father, and they went from the chamber. Theseus + watched them as they went through a long passage, walking slowly on + their high-heeled shoes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Through the + same passage the youths and maidens of Athens were afterward + brought. They came into a great hall. The walls were red and on + them were paintings in black—pictures of great bulls with girls and + slender youths struggling with them. It was a place for games and + shows, and Theseus stood with the youths and maidens of Athens and + with the people of the palace and watched what was happening.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They saw women + charming snakes; then they saw a boxing match, and afterward they + all looked on a bout of wrestling. Theseus looked past the + wrestlers and he saw, at the other end of the hall, the daughter of + King Minos and her two attendant maidens.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> One + broad-shouldered and bearded man overthrew all the wrestlers who + came to grips with him. He stood there boastfully, and Theseus was + made angry by the man’s arrogance. Then, when no other wrestler + would come against him, he turned to leave the arena.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Theseus + stood in his way and pushed him back. The <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page209">[pg 209]</span> boastful man laid hands upon him and + pulled him into the arena. He strove to throw Theseus as he had + thrown the others; but he soon found that the youth from Greece was + a wrestler, too, and that he would have to strive hard to overthrow + him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i031.png" id= + "i031.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig101" id="fig101"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i031.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> More eagerly + than they had watched anything else the people of the palace and + the youths and maidens of Athens watched the bout between Theseus + and the lordly wrestler. Those from Athens who looked upon him now + thought that they had never seen Theseus look so tall and so + conquering before; beside the slender, dark-haired people of Crete + he looked like a statue of one of the gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Very adroit was + the Cretan wrestler, and Theseus had to use all his strength to + keep upon his feet; but soon he mastered the tricks that the + wrestler was using against him. Then the Cretan left aside his + tricks and began to use all his strength to throw Theseus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Steadily + Theseus stood and the Cretan wrestler was spent and gasping in the + effort to throw him. Then Theseus made him feel his grip. He bent + him backward, and then, using all his strength suddenly, forced him + to the ground. All were filled with wonder at the strength and + power of this youth from overseas.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Food and wine + were given the youths and maidens of Athens, and they with Theseus + were let wander through the grounds of the palace. But they could + make no escape, for guards followed them and the way to the ships + was filled with strangers <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg + 210]</span> who would not let them pass. They talked to each other + about the Minotaur, and there was fear in every word they said. But + Theseus went from one to the other, telling them that perhaps there + was a way by which he could come to the monster and destroy it. And + the youths and maidens, remembering how he had overthrown the + lordly wrestler, were comforted a little, thinking that Theseus + might indeed be able to destroy the Minotaur and so save all of + them.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">IV</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Theseus was + awakened by some one touching him. He arose and he saw a dark-faced + servant, who beckoned to him. He left the little chamber where he + had been sleeping, and then he saw outside one who wore the strange + dress of the Cretans.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When Theseus + looked full upon her he saw that she was none other than the + daughter of King Minos. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am + Ariadne,”</span> she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“and, O youth + from Greece, I have come to save you from the dread + Minotaur.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He looked upon + Ariadne’s strange face with its long, dark eyes, and he wondered + how this girl could think that she could save him and save the + youths and maidens of Athens from the Minotaur. Her hand rested + upon his arm, and she led him into the chamber where Minos had sat. + It was lighted now by many little lamps.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will show the way of escape to you,”</span> said + Ariadne. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg 211]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Theseus + looked around, and he saw that none of the other youths and maidens + were near them, and he looked on Ariadne again, and he saw that the + strange princess had been won to help him, and to help him + only.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Who will show the way of escape to the others?”</span> + asked Theseus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah,”</span> said the Princess Ariadne, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“for the others there is no way of escape.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then,”</span> said Theseus, <span class="tei tei-q">“I + will not leave the youths and maidens of Athens who came with me to + Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, Theseus,”</span> said Ariadne, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“they cannot escape the Minotaur. One only may escape, + and I want you to be that one. I saw you when you wrestled with + Deucalion, our great wrestler, and since then I have longed to save + you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have come to slay the Minotaur,”</span> said + Theseus, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I cannot hold my life as my + own until I have slain it.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Said Ariadne, + <span class="tei tei-q">“If you could see the Minotaur, Theseus, + and if you could measure its power, you would know that you are not + the one to slay it. I think that only Talos, that giant who was all + of bronze, could have slain the Minotaur.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Princess,”</span> said Theseus, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“can you help me to come to the Minotaur and look upon + it so that I can know for certainty whether this hand of mine can + slay the monster?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I can help you to come to the Minotaur and look upon + it,”</span> said Ariadne. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg + 212]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then help me, princess,”</span> cried Theseus; + <span class="tei tei-q">“help me to come to the Minotaur and look + upon it, and help me, too, to get back the sword that I brought + with me to Crete.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Your sword will not avail you against the + Minotaur,”</span> said Ariadne; <span class="tei tei-q">“when you + look upon the monster you will know that it is not for your hand to + slay.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Oh, but bring me my sword, princess,”</span> cried + Theseus, and his hands went out to her in supplication.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will bring you your sword,”</span> said she.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She took up a + little lamp and went through a doorway, leaving Theseus standing by + the low throne in the chamber of Minos. Then after a little while + she came back, bringing with her Theseus’s great ivory-hilted + sword.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is a great sword,”</span> she said; <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I marked it before because it is your sword, Theseus. + But even this great sword will not avail against the + Minotaur.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Show me the way to come to the Minotaur, O + Ariadne,”</span> cried Theseus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He knew that + she did not think that he would deem himself able to strive with + the Minotaur, and that when he looked upon the dread monster he + would return to her and then take the way of his escape.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She took his + hand and led him from the chamber of Minos. She was not tall, but + she stood straight and walked steadily, and Theseus saw in her + something of the strange majesty that he had seen in Minos the + king. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page213">[pg 213]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i032.png" id= + "i032.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig102" id="fig102"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i032.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They came to + high bronze gates that opened into a vault. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Here,”</span> said Ariadne, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“the labyrinth begins. Very devious is the labyrinth, + built by Dædalus, in which the Minotaur is hidden, and without the + clue none could find a way through the passages. But I will give + you the clue so that you may look upon the Minotaur and then come + back to me. Theseus, now I put into your hand the thread that will + guide you through all the windings of the labyrinth. And outside + the place where the Minotaur is you will find another thread to + guide you back.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A cone was on + the ground and it had a thread fastened to it. Ariadne gave Theseus + the thread and the cone to wind it around. The thread as he held it + and wound it around the cone would bring him through all the + windings and turnings of the labyrinth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She left him, + and Theseus went on. Winding the thread around the cone he went + along a wide passage in the vault. He turned and came into a + passage that was very long. He came to a place in this passage + where a door seemed to be, but within the frame of the doorway + there was only a blank wall. But below that doorway there was a + flight of six steps, and down these steps the thread led him. On he + went, and he crossed the marks that he himself had made in the + dust, and he thought he must have come back to the place where he + had parted from Ariadne. He went on, and he saw before him a flight + of steps. The thread did not lead up the steps; it led into the + most winding of passages. So sudden were the turnings in it that + one could not see three steps before one. He was <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page214">[pg 214]</span> dazed by the turnings of + this passage, but still he went on. He went up winding steps and + then along a narrow wall. The wall overhung a broad flight of + steps, and Theseus had to jump to them. Down the steps he went and + into a wide, empty hall that had doorways to the right hand and to + the left hand. Here the thread had its end. It was fastened to a + cone that lay on the ground, and beside this cone was another—the + clue that was to bring him back.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now Theseus, + knowing he was in the very center of the labyrinth, looked all + around for sight of the Minotaur. There was no sight of the monster + here. He went to all the doors and pushed at them, and some opened + and some remained fast. The middle door opened. As it did Theseus + felt around him a chilling draft of air.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That chilling + draft was from the breathing of the monster. Theseus then saw the + Minotaur. It lay on the ground, a strange, bull-faced thing.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the + thought came to Theseus that he would have to fight that monster + alone and in that hidden and empty place all delight left him; he + grew like a stone; he groaned, and it seemed to him that he heard + the voice of Ariadne calling him back. He could find his way back + through the labyrinth and come to her. He stepped back, and the + door closed on the Minotaur, the dread monster of Crete.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In an instant + Theseus pushed the door again. He stood within the hall where the + Minotaur was, and the heavy door <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page215">[pg 215]</span> shut behind him. He looked again on that + dark, bull-faced thing. It reared up as a horse rears and Theseus + saw that it would crash down on him and tear him with its dragon + claws. With a great bound he went far away from where the monster + crashed down. Then Theseus faced it: he saw its thick lips and its + slobbering mouth; he saw that its skin was thick and hard.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i033.png" id= + "i033.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig103" id="fig103"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i033.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He drew near + the monster, his sword in his hand. He struck at its eyes, and his + sword made a great dint. But no blood came, for the Minotaur was a + bloodless monster. From its mouth and nostrils came a draft that + covered him with a chilling slime.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then it rushed + upon him and overthrew him, and Theseus felt its terrible weight + upon him. But he thrust his sword upward, and it reared up again, + screaming with pain. Theseus drew himself away, and then he saw it + searching around and around, and he knew he had made it sightless. + Then it faced him; all the more fearful it was because from its + wounds no blood came.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Anger flowed + into Theseus when he saw the monster standing frightfully before + him; he thought of all the youths and maidens that this bloodless + thing had destroyed, and all the youths and maidens that it would + destroy if he did not slay it now. Angrily he rushed upon it with + his great sword. It clawed and tore him, and it opened wide its + most evil mouth as if to draw him into it. But again he sprang at + it; he thrust his great sword through its neck, and he left his + sword there. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page216">[pg + 216]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> With the last + of his strength he pulled open the heavy door and he went out from + the hall where the Minotaur was. He picked up the thread and he + began to wind it as he had wound the other thread on his way down. + On he went, through passage after passage, through chamber after + chamber. His mind was dizzy, and he had little thought for the way + he was going. His wounds and the chill that the monster had + breathed into him and his horror of the fearful and bloodless thing + made his mind almost forsake him. He kept the thread in his hand + and he wound it as he went on through the labyrinth. He stumbled + and the thread broke. He went on for a few steps and then he went + back to find the thread that had fallen out of his hands. In an + instant he was in a part of the labyrinth that he had not been in + before.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He walked a + long way, and then he came on his own footmarks as they crossed + themselves in the dust. He pushed open a door and came into the + air. He was now by the outside wall of the palace, and he saw birds + flying by him. He leant against the wall of the palace, thinking + that he would strive no more to find his way through the + labyrinth.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">V</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That day the + youths and maidens of Athens were brought through the labyrinth and + to the hall where the Minotaur was. They went through the passages + weeping and lamenting. Some cried out for Theseus, and some said + that Theseus had deserted <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page217">[pg + 217]</span> them. The heavy door was opened. Then those who were + with the youths and maidens saw the Minotaur lying stark and stiff + with Theseus’s sword through its neck. They shouted and blew + trumpets and the noise of their trumpets filled the labyrinth. Then + they turned back, bringing the youths and maidens with them, and a + whisper went through the whole palace that the Minotaur had been + slain. The youths and maidens were lodged in the chamber where + Minos gave his judgments.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">VI</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Theseus, + wearied and overcome, fell into a deep sleep by the wall of the + palace. He awakened with a feeling that the claw of the Minotaur + was upon him. There were stars in the sky above the high palace + wall, and he saw a dark-robed and ancient man standing beside him. + Theseus knew that this was Dædalus, the builder of the palace and + the labyrinth. Dædalus called and a slim youth came—Icarus, the son + of Dædalus. Minos had set father and son apart from the rest of the + palace, and Theseus had come near the place where they were + confined. Icarus came and brought him to a winding stairway and + showed him a way to go.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A dark-faced + servant met and looked him full in the face. Then, as if he knew + that Theseus was the one whom he had been searching for, he led him + into a little chamber where there were three maidens. One started + up and came to him quickly, and Theseus again saw Ariadne. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page218">[pg 218]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She hid him in + the chamber of the palace where her singing birds were, and she + would come and sit beside him, asking about his own country and + telling him that she would go with him there. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I showed you how you might come to the + Minotaur,”</span> she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“and you went + there and you slew the monster, and now I may not stay in my + father’s palace.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And Theseus + thought all the time of his return, and of how he might bring the + youths and maidens of Athens back to their own people. For Ariadne, + that strange princess, was not dear to him as Medea was dear to + Jason, or Atalanta the Huntress to young Meleagrus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> One sunset she + led him to a roof of the palace and she showed him the harbor with + the ships, and she showed him the ship with the black sail that had + brought him to Knossos. She told him she would take him aboard that + ship, and that the youths and maidens of Athens could go with them. + She would bring to the master of the ship the seal of King Minos, + and the master, seeing it, would set sail for whatever place + Theseus desired to go.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then did she + become dear to Theseus because of her great kindness, and he kissed + her eyes and swore that he would not go from the palace unless she + would come with him to his own country. The strange princess smiled + and wept as if she doubted what he said. Nevertheless, she led him + from the roof and down into one of the palace gardens. He waited + there, and the youths and maidens of Athens were led into the + garden, all wearing cloaks that hid their forms and faces. Young + Icarus <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page219">[pg 219]</span> led + them from the grounds of the palace and down to the ships. And + Ariadne went with them, bringing with her the seal of her father, + King Minos.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And when they + came on board of the black-sailed ship they showed the seal to the + master, Nausitheus, and the master of the ship let the sail take + the breeze of the evening, and so Theseus went away from Crete.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">VII</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> To the Island + of Naxos they sailed. And when they reached that place the master + of the ship, thinking that what had been done was not in accordance + with the will of King Minos, stayed the ship there. He waited until + other ships came from Knossos. And when they came they brought word + that Minos would not slay nor demand back Theseus nor the youths + and maidens of Athens. His daughter, Ariadne, he would have back, + to reign with him over Crete.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Ariadne + left the black-sailed ship, and went back to Crete from Naxos. + Theseus let the princess go, although he might have struggled to + hold her. But more strange than dear did Ariadne remain to + Theseus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And all this + time his father, Ægeus, stayed on the tower of his palace, watching + for the return of the ship that had sailed for Knossos. The life of + the king wasted since the departure of Theseus, and now it was but + a thread. Every day he watched for the return of the ship, hoping + against hope that Theseus <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page220">[pg + 220]</span> would return alive to him. Then a ship came into the + harbor. It had black sails. Ægeus did not know that Theseus was + aboard of it, and that Theseus in the hurry of his flight and in + the sadness of his parting from Ariadne had not thought of taking + out the white sail that his father had given to Nausitheus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Joyously + Theseus sailed into the harbor, having slain the Minotaur and + lifted for ever the tribute put upon Athens. Joyously he sailed + into the harbor, bringing back to their parents the youths and + maidens of Athens. But the king, his father, saw the black sails on + his ship, and straightway the thread of his life broke, and he died + on the roof of the tower which he had built to look out on the + sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Theseus landed + on the shore of his own country. He had the ship drawn up on the + beach and he made sacrifices of thanksgiving to the gods. Then he + sent messengers to the city to announce his return. They went + toward the city, these joyful messengers, but when they came to the + gate they heard the sounds of mourning and lamentation. The + mourning and the lamentation were for the death of the king, + Theseus’s father. They hurried back and they came to Theseus where + he stood on the beach. They brought a wreath of victory for him, + but as they put it into his hand they told him of the death of his + father. Then Theseus left the wreath on the ground, and he wept for + the death of Ægeus—of Ægeus, the hero, who had left the sword under + the stone for him before he was born.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The men and + women who came to the beach wept and laughed <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page221">[pg 221]</span> as they clasped in their + arms the children brought back to them. And Theseus stood there, + silent and bowed; the memory of his last moments with his father, + of his fight with the Minotaur, of his parting with Ariadne—all + flowed back upon him. He stood there with head bowed, the man who + might not put upon his brows the wreath of victory that had been + brought to him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i034.png" id= + "i034.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig104" id="fig104"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i034.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">VIII</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There had come + into the city a youth of great valor whose name was Peirithous: + from a far country he had come, filled with a desire of meeting + Theseus, whose fame had come to him. The youth was in Athens at the + time Theseus returned. He went down to the beach with the + townsfolk, and he saw Theseus standing alone with his head bowed + down. He went to him and he spoke, and Theseus lifted his head and + he saw before him a young man of strength and beauty. He looked + upon him, and the thought of high deeds came into his mind again. + He wanted this young man to be his comrade in dangers and upon + quests. And Peirithous looked upon Theseus, and he felt that he was + greater and nobler than he had thought. They became friends and + sworn brothers, and together they went into far countries.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now there was + in Epirus a savage king who had a very fair daughter. He had named + this daughter Persephone, naming her thus to show that she was held + as fast by him as that other Persephone was held who ruled in the + Underworld. No man might <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page222">[pg + 222]</span> see her, and no man might wed her. But Peirithous had + seen the daughter of this king, and he desired above all things to + take her from her father and make her his wife. He begged Theseus + to help him enter that king’s palace and carry off the maiden.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So they came to + Epirus, Theseus and Peirithous, and they entered the king’s palace, + and they heard the bay of the dread hound that was there to let no + one out who had once come within the walls. Suddenly the guards of + the savage king came upon them, and they took Theseus and + Peirithous and they dragged them down into dark dungeons.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Two great + chairs of stone were there, and Theseus and Peirithous were left + seated in them. And the magic powers that were in the chairs of + stone were such that the heroes could not lift themselves out of + them. There they stayed, held in the great stone chairs in the + dungeons of that savage king.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then it so + happened that Heracles came into the palace of the king. The harsh + king feasted Heracles and abated his savagery before him. But he + could not forbear boasting of how he had trapped the heroes who had + come to carry off Persephone. And he told how they could not get + out of the stone chairs and how they were held captive in his dark + dungeon. Heracles listened, his heart full of pity for the heroes + from Greece who had met with such a harsh fate. And when the king + mentioned that one of the heroes was Theseus, Heracles would feast + no more with him until he had promised that the one who had been + his comrade on the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> would be let go. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page223">[pg 223]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king said + he would give Theseus his liberty if Heracles would carry the stone + chair on which he was seated out of the dungeon and into the outer + world. Then Heracles went down into the dungeon. He found the two + heroes in the great chairs of stone. But one of them, Peirithous, + no longer breathed. Heracles took the great chair of stone that + Theseus was seated in, and he carried it up, up, from the dungeon + and out into the world. It was a heavy task even for Heracles. He + broke the chair in pieces, and Theseus stood up, released.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Thereafter the + world was before Theseus. He went with Heracles, and in the deeds + that Heracles was afterward to accomplish Theseus shared.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc105" id="toc105"></a><a name="pdf106" id="pdf106"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">IV. The Life and Labors of + Heracles</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">I</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capH.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">H</span></span>ERACLES was + the son of Zeus, but he was born into the family of a mortal king. + When he was still a youth, being overwhelmed by a madness sent upon + him by one of the goddesses, he slew the children of his brother + Iphicles. Then, coming to know what he had done, sleep and rest + went from him: he went to Delphi, to the shrine of Apollo, to be + purified of his crime.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> At Delphi, at + the shrine of Apollo, the priestess purified him, <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page224">[pg 224]</span> and when she had purified + him she uttered this prophecy: <span class="tei tei-q">“From this + day forth thy name shall be, not Alcides, but Heracles. Thou shalt + go to Eurystheus, thy cousin, in Mycenæ, and serve him in all + things. When the labors he shall lay upon thee are accomplished, + and when the rest of thy life is lived out, thou shalt become one + of the immortals.”</span> Heracles, on hearing these words, set out + for Mycenæ.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He stood before + his cousin who hated him; he, a towering man, stood before a king + who sat there weak and trembling. And Heracles said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have come to take up the labors that you will lay + upon me; speak now, Eurystheus, and tell me what you would have me + do.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Eurystheus, + that weak king, looking on the young man who stood as tall and as + firm as one of the immortals, had a heart that was filled with + hatred. He lifted up his head and he said with a frown:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“There is a lion in Nemea that is stronger and more + fierce than any lion known before. Kill that lion, and bring the + lion’s skin to me that I may know that you have truly performed + your task.”</span> So Eurystheus said, and Heracles, with neither + shield nor arms, went forth from the king’s palace to seek and to + combat the dread lion of Nemea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He went on + until he came into a country where the fences were overthrown and + the fields wasted and the houses empty and fallen. He went on until + he came to the waste around that land: there he came on the trail + of the lion; it led up the side <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page225">[pg 225]</span> of a mountain, and Heracles, without + shield or arms, followed the trail.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i035.png" id= + "i035.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig107" id="fig107"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i035.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He heard the + roar of the lion. Looking up he saw the beast standing at the mouth + of a cavern, huge and dark against the sunset. The lion roared + three times, and then it went within the cavern.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Around the + mouth were strewn the bones of creatures it had killed and carried + there. Heracles looked upon them when he came to the cavern. He + went within. Far into the cavern he went, and then he came to where + he saw the lion. It was sleeping.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles viewed + the terrible bulk of the lion, and then he looked upon his own + knotted hands and arms. He remembered that it was told of him that, + while still a child of eight months, he had strangled a great + serpent that had come to his cradle to devour him. He had grown and + his strength had grown too.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So he stood, + measuring his strength and the size of the lion. The breath from + its mouth and nostrils came heavily to him as the beast slept, + gorged with its prey. Then the lion yawned. Heracles sprang on it + and put his great hands upon its throat. No growl came out of its + mouth, but the great eyes blazed while the terrible paws tore at + Heracles. Against the rock Heracles held the beast; strongly he + held it, choking it through the skin that was almost impenetrable. + Terribly the lion struggled; but the strong hands of the hero held + around its throat until it struggled no more. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page226">[pg 226]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Heracles + stripped off that impenetrable skin from the lion’s body; he put it + upon himself for a cloak. Then, as he went through the forest, he + pulled up a young oak tree and trimmed it and made a club for + himself. With the lion’s skin over him—that skin that no spear or + arrow could pierce—and carrying the club in his hand he journeyed + on until he came to the palace of King Eurystheus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king, + seeing coming toward him a towering man all covered with the hide + of a monstrous lion, ran and hid himself in a great jar. He lifted + the lid up to ask the servants what was the meaning of this + terrible appearance. And the servants told him that it was Heracles + come back with the skin of the lion of Nemea. On hearing this + Eurystheus hid himself again.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He would not + speak with Heracles nor have him come near him, so fearful was he. + But Heracles was content to be left alone. He sat down in the + palace and feasted himself.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The servants + came to the king; Eurystheus lifted the lid of the jar and they + told him how Heracles was feasting and devouring all the goods in + the palace. The king flew into a rage, but still he was fearful of + having the hero before him. He issued commands through his heralds + ordering Heracles to go forth at once and perform the second of his + tasks.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was to slay + the great water snake that made its lair in the swamps of Lerna. + Heracles stayed to feast another day, and then, with the lion’s + skin across his shoulders and the great <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page227">[pg 227]</span> club in his hands, he started off. But + this time he did not go alone; the boy Iolaus went with him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i036.png" id= + "i036.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig108" id="fig108"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i036.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles and + Iolaus went on until they came to the vast swamp of Lerna. Right in + the middle of the swamp was the water snake that was called the + Hydra. Nine heads it had, and it raised them up out of the water as + the hero and his companion came near. They could not cross the + swamp to come to the monster, for man or beast would sink and be + lost in it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Hydra + remained in the middle of the swamp belching mud at the hero and + his companion. Then Heracles took up his bow and he shot flaming + arrows at its heads. It grew into such a rage that it came through + the swamp to attack him. Heracles swung his club. As the Hydra came + near he knocked head after head off its body.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But for every + head knocked off two grew upon the Hydra. And as he struggled with + the monster a huge crab came out of the swamp, and gripping + Heracles by the foot tried to draw him in. Then Heracles cried out. + The boy Iolaus came; he killed the crab that had come to the + Hydra’s aid.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Heracles + laid hands upon the Hydra and drew it out of the swamp. With his + club he knocked off a head and he had Iolaus put fire to where it + had been, so that two heads might not grow in that place. The life + of the Hydra was in its middle head; that head he had not been able + to knock off with his club. Now, with his hands he tore it off, and + he placed <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page228">[pg 228]</span> + this head under a great stone so that it could not rise into life + again. The Hydra’s life was now destroyed. Heracles dipped his + arrows into the gall of the monster, making his arrows deadly; no + thing that was struck by these arrows afterward could keep its + life.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Again he came + to Eurystheus’s palace, and Eurystheus, seeing him, ran again and + hid himself in the jar. Heracles ordered the servants to tell the + king that he had returned and that the second labor was + accomplished.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Eurystheus, + hearing from the servants that Heracles was mild in his ways, came + out of the jar. Insolently he spoke. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Twelve labors you have to accomplish for me,”</span> + said he to Heracles, <span class="tei tei-q">“and eleven yet remain + to be accomplished.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“How?”</span> said Heracles. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Have I not performed two of the labors? Have I not + slain the lion of Nemea and the great water snake of + Lerna?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the killing of the water snake you were helped by + Iolaus,”</span> said the king, snapping out his words and looking + at Heracles with shifting eyes. <span class="tei tei-q">“That labor + cannot be allowed you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles would + have struck him to the ground. But then he remembered that the + crime that he had committed in his madness would have to be + expiated by labors performed at the order of this man. He looked + full upon Eurystheus and he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Tell me + of the other labors, and I will go forth from Mycenæ and accomplish + them.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Eurystheus + bade him go and make clean the stables of <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page229">[pg 229]</span> King Augeias. Heracles came into that + king’s country. The smell from the stables was felt for miles + around. Countless herds of cattle and goats had been in the stables + for years, and because of the uncleanness and the smell that came + from it the crops were withered all around. Heracles told the king + that he would clean the stables if he were given one tenth of the + cattle and the goats for a reward.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king agreed + to this reward. Then Heracles drove the cattle and the goats out of + the stables; he broke through the foundations and he made channels + for the two rivers Alpheus and Peneius. The waters flowed through + the stables, and in a day all the uncleanness was washed away. Then + Heracles turned the rivers back into their own courses.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He was not + given the reward he had bargained for, however.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He went back to + Mycenæ with the tale of how he had cleaned the stables. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Ten labors remain for me to do + now,”</span> he said.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Eleven,”</span> said Eurystheus. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“How can I allow the cleaning of King Augeias’s stables + to you when you bargained for a reward for doing it?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then while + Heracles stood still, holding himself back from striking him, + Eurystheus ran away and hid himself in the jar. Through his heralds + he sent word to Heracles, telling him what the other labors would + be.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He was to clear + the marshes of Stymphalus of the man-eating birds that gathered + there; he was to capture and bring <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page230">[pg 230]</span> to the king the golden-horned deer of + Coryneia; he was also to capture and bring alive to Mycenæ the boar + of Erymanthus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles came + to the marshes of Stymphalus. The growth of jungle was so dense + that he could not cut his way through to where the man-eating birds + were; they sat upon low bushes within the jungle, gorging + themselves upon the flesh they had carried there.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> For days + Heracles tried to hack his way through. He could not get to where + the birds were. Then, thinking he might not be able to accomplish + this labor, he sat upon the ground in despair.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was then + that one of the immortals appeared to him; for the first and only + time he was given help from the gods.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was Athena + who came to him. She stood apart from Heracles, holding in her + hands brazen cymbals. These she clashed together. At the sound of + this clashing the Stymphalean birds rose up from the low bushes + behind the jungle. Heracles shot at them with those unerring arrows + of his. The man-eating birds fell, one after the other, into the + marsh.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Heracles + went north to where the Coryneian deer took her pasture. So swift + of foot was she that no hound nor hunter had ever been able to + overtake her. For the whole of a year Heracles kept Golden Horns in + chase, and at last, on the side of the Mountain Artemision, he + caught her. Artemis, the goddess of the wild things, would have + punished Heracles for capturing the deer, but the hero pleaded with + her, and she relented and agreed to let him bring the deer to + Mycenæ and show her <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page231">[pg + 231]</span> to King Eurystheus. And Artemis took charge of Golden + Horns while Heracles went off to capture the Erymanthean boar.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He came to the + city of Psophis, the inhabitants of which were in deadly fear + because of the ravages of the boar. Heracles made his way up the + mountain to hunt it. Now on this mountain a band of centaurs lived, + and they, knowing him since the time he had been fostered by + Chiron, welcomed Heracles. One of them, Pholus, took Heracles to + the great house where the centaurs had their wine stored.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Seldom did the + centaurs drink wine; a draft of it made them wild, and so they + stored it away, leaving it in the charge of one of their band. + Heracles begged Pholus to give him a draft of wine; after he had + begged again and again the centaur opened one of his great + jars.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles drank + wine and spilled it. Then the centaurs that were without smelt the + wine and came hammering at the door, demanding the drafts that + would make them wild. Heracles came forth to drive them away. They + attacked him. Then he shot at them with his unerring arrows and he + drove them away. Up the mountain and away to far rivers the + centaurs raced, pursued by Heracles with his bow.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> One was slain, + Pholus, the centaur who had entertained him. By accident Heracles + dropped a poisoned arrow on his foot. He took the body of Pholus up + to the top of the mountain and buried the centaur there. Afterward, + on the snows of Erymanthus, he set a snare for the boar and caught + him there. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page232">[pg + 232]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Upon his + shoulders he carried the boar to Mycenæ and he led the deer by her + golden horns. When Eurystheus had looked upon them the boar was + slain, but the deer was loosed and she fled back to the Mountain + Artemision.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> King Eurystheus + sat hidden in the great jar, and he thought of more terrible labors + he would make Heracles engage in. Now he would send him oversea and + make him strive with fierce tribes and more dread monsters. When he + had it all thought out he had Heracles brought before him and he + told him of these other labors.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He was to go to + savage Thrace and there destroy the man-eating horses of King + Diomedes; afterward he was to go amongst the dread women, the + Amazons, daughters of Ares, the god of war, and take from their + queen, Hippolyte, the girdle that Ares had given her; then he was + to go to Crete and take from the keeping of King Minos the + beautiful bull that Poseidon had given him; afterward he was to go + to the Island of Erytheia and take away from Geryoneus, the monster + that had three bodies instead of one, the herd of red cattle that + the two-headed hound Orthus kept guard over; then he was to go to + the Garden of the Hesperides, and from that garden he was to take + the golden apples that Zeus had given to Hera for a marriage + gift—where the Garden of the Hesperides was no mortal knew.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Heracles set + out on a long and perilous quest. First he went to Thrace, that + savage land that was ruled over by Diomedes, son of Ares, the war + god. Heracles broke into the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page233">[pg 233]</span> stable where the horses were; he caught + three of them by their heads, and although they kicked and bit and + trampled he forced them out of the stable and down to the seashore, + where his companion, Abderus, waited for him. The screams of the + fierce horses were heard by the men of Thrace, and they, with their + king, came after Heracles. He left the horses in charge of Abderus + while he fought the Thracians and their savage king. Heracles shot + his deadly arrows amongst them, and then he fought with their king. + He drove them from the seashore, and then he came back to where he + had left Abderus with the fierce horses.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They had thrown + Abderus upon the ground, and they were trampling upon him. Heracles + drew his bow and he shot the horses with the unerring arrows that + were dipped with the gall of the Hydra he had slain. Screaming, the + horses of King Diomedes raced toward the sea, but one fell and + another fell, and then, as it came to the line of the foam, the + third of the fierce horses fell. They were all slain with the + unerring arrows.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Heracles + took up the body of his companion and he buried it with proper + rights, and over it he raised a column. Afterward, around that + column a city that bore the name of Heracles’s friend was + built.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then toward the + Euxine Sea he went. There, where the River Themiscyra flows into + the sea he saw the abodes of the Amazons. And upon the rocks and + the steep place he saw the warrior women standing with drawn bows + in their hands. Most dangerous <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page234">[pg 234]</span> did they seem to Heracles. He did not + know how to approach them; he might shoot at them with his unerring + arrows, but when his arrows were all shot away, the Amazons, from + their steep places, might be able to kill him with the arrows from + their bows.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> While he stood + at a distance, wondering what he might do, a horn was sounded and + an Amazon mounted upon a white stallion rode toward him. When the + warrior-woman came near she cried out, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Heracles, the Queen Hippolyte permits you to come + amongst the Amazons. Enter her tent and declare to the queen what + has brought you amongst the never-conquered Amazons.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles came + to the tent of the queen. There stood tall Hippolyte with an iron + crown upon her head and with a beautiful girdle of bronze and + iridescent glass around her waist. Proud and fierce as a mountain + eagle looked the queen of the Amazons: Heracles did not know in + what way he might conquer her. Outside the tent the Amazons stood; + they struck their shields with their spears, keeping up a + continuous savage din.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“For what has Heracles come to the country of the + Amazons?”</span> Queen Hippolyte asked.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“For the girdle you wear,”</span> said Heracles, and he + held his hands ready for the struggle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Is it for the girdle given me by Ares, the god of war, + that you have come, braving the Amazons, Heracles?”</span> asked + the queen. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page235">[pg + 235]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“For that,”</span> said Heracles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I would not have you enter into strife with the + Amazons,”</span> said Queen Hippolyte. And so saying she drew off + the girdle of bronze and iridescent glass, and she gave it into his + hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles took + the beautiful girdle into his hands. Fearful he was that some piece + of guile was being played upon him, but then he looked into the + open eyes of the queen and he saw that she meant no guile. He took + the girdle and he put it around his great brows; then he thanked + Hippolyte and he went from the tent. He saw the Amazons standing on + the rocks and the steep places with bows bent; unchallenged he went + on, and he came to his ship and he sailed away from that country + with one more labor accomplished.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The labor that + followed was not dangerous. He sailed over sea and he came to + Crete, to the land that King Minos ruled over. And there he found, + grazing in a special pasture, the bull that Poseidon had given King + Minos. He laid his hands upon the bull’s horns and he struggled + with him and he overthrew him. Then he drove the bull down to the + seashore.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> His next labor + was to take away the herd of red cattle that was owned by the + monster Geryoneus. In the Island of Erytheia, in the middle of the + Stream of Ocean, lived the monster, his herd guarded by the + two-headed hound Orthus—that hound was the brother of Cerberus, the + three-headed hound that kept guard in the Underworld.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Mounted upon + the bull given Minos by Poseidon, Heracles <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page236">[pg 236]</span> fared across the sea. He came even to + the straits that divide Europe from Africa, and there he set up two + pillars as a memorial of his journey—the Pillars of Heracles that + stand to this day. He and the bull rested there. Beyond him + stretched the Stream of Ocean; the Island of Erytheia was there, + but Heracles thought that the bull would not be able to bear him so + far.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And there the + sun beat upon him, and drew all strength away from him, and he was + dazed and dazzled by the rays of the sun. He shouted out against + the sun, and in his anger he wanted to strive against the sun. Then + he drew his bow and shot arrows upward. Far, far out of sight the + arrows of Heracles went. And the sun god, Helios, was filled with + admiration for Heracles, the man who would attempt the impossible + by shooting arrows at him; then did Helios fling down to Heracles + his great golden cup.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Down, and into + the Stream of Ocean fell the great golden cup of Helios. It floated + there wide enough to hold all the men who might be in a ship. + Heracles put the bull of Minos into the cup of Helios, and the cup + bore them away, toward the west, and across the Stream of + Ocean.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Thus Heracles + came to the Island of Erytheia. All over the island straggled the + red cattle of Geryoneus, grazing upon the rich pastures. Heracles, + leaving the bull of Minos in the cup, went upon the island; he made + a club for himself out of a tree and he went toward the cattle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The hound + Orthus bayed and ran toward him; the two-headed <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page237">[pg 237]</span> hound that was the + brother of Cerberus sprang at Heracles with poisonous foam upon his + jaws. Heracles swung his club and struck the two heads off the + hound. And where the foam of the hound’s jaws dropped down a + poisonous plant sprang up. Heracles took up the body of the hound, + and swung it around and flung it far out into the Ocean.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i037.png" id= + "i037.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig109" id="fig109"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i037.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the + monster Geryoneus came upon him. Three bodies he had instead of + one; he attacked Heracles by hurling great stones at him. Heracles + was hurt by the stones. And then the monster beheld the cup of + Helios, and he began to hurl stones at the golden thing, and it + seemed that he might sink it in the sea, and leave Heracles without + a way of getting from the island. Heracles took up his bow and he + shot arrow after arrow at the monster, and he left him dead in the + deep grass of the pastures.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then he rounded + up the red cattle, the bulls and the cows, and he drove them down + to the shore and into the golden cup of Helios where the bull of + Minos stayed. Then back across the Stream of Ocean the cup floated, + and the bull of Crete and the cattle of Geryoneus were brought past + Sicily and through the straits called the Hellespont. To Thrace, + that savage land, they came. Then Heracles took the cattle out, and + the cup of Helios sank in the sea. Through the wild lands of Thrace + he drove the herd of Geryoneus and the bull of Minos, and he came + into Mycenæ once more.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But he did not + stay to speak with Eurystheus. He started off to find the Garden of + the Hesperides, the Daughters of the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page238">[pg 238]</span> Evening Land. Long did he search, but he + found no one who could tell him where the garden was. And at last + he went to Chiron on the Mountain Pelion, and Chiron told Heracles + what journey he would have to make to come to the Hesperides, the + Daughters of the Evening Land.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Far did + Heracles journey; weary he was when he came to where Atlas stood, + bearing the sky upon his weary shoulders. As he came near he felt + an undreamt-of perfume being wafted toward him. So weary was he + with his journey and all his toils that he would fain sink down and + dream away in that evening land. But he roused himself, and he + journeyed on toward where the perfume came from. Over that place a + star seemed always about to rise.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He came to + where a silver lattice fenced a garden that was full of the quiet + of evening. Golden bees hummed through the air, and there was the + sound of quiet waters. How wild and laborious was the world he had + come from, Heracles thought! He felt that it would be hard for him + to return to that world.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He saw three + maidens. They stood with wreaths upon their heads and blossoming + branches in their hands. When the maidens saw him they came toward + him crying out: <span class="tei tei-q">“O man who has come into + the Garden of the Hesperides, go not near the tree that the + sleepless dragon guards!”</span> Then they went and stood by a tree + as if to keep guard over it. All around were trees that bore + flowers and fruit, but this tree had golden apples amongst its + bright green leaves. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page239">[pg + 239]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then he saw the + guardian of the tree. Beside its trunk a dragon lay, and as + Heracles came near the dragon showed its glittering scales and its + deadly claws.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The apples were + within reach, but the dragon, with its glittering scales and claws, + stood in the way. Heracles shot an arrow; then a tremor went + through Ladon, the sleepless dragon; it screamed and then lay + stark. The maidens cried in their grief; Heracles went to the tree, + and he plucked the golden apples and he put them into the pouch he + carried. Down on the ground sank the Hesperides, the Daughters of + the Evening Land, and he heard their laments as he went from the + enchanted garden they had guarded.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Back from the + ends of the earth came Heracles, back from the place where Atlas + stood holding the sky upon his weary shoulders. He went back + through Asia and Libya and Egypt, and he came again to Mycenæ and + to the palace of Eurystheus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He brought to + the king the herd of Geryoneus; he brought to the king the bull of + Minos; he brought to the king the girdle of Hippolyte; he brought + to the king the golden apples of the Hesperides. And King + Eurystheus, with his thin white face, sat upon his royal throne and + he looked over all the wonderful things that the hero had brought + him. Not pleased was Eurystheus; rather was he angry that one he + hated could win such wonderful things.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He took into + his hands the golden apples of the Hesperides. But this fruit was + not for such as he. An eagle snatched the <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page240">[pg 240]</span> branch from his hand, and the eagle + flew and flew until it came to where the Daughters of the Evening + Land wept in their garden. There the eagle let fall the branch with + the golden apples, and the maidens set it back upon the tree, and + behold! it grew as it had been growing before Heracles plucked + it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The next day + the heralds of Eurystheus came to Heracles and they told him of the + last labor that he would have to set out to accomplish—this time he + would have to go down into the Underworld, and bring up from King + Aidoneus’s realm Cerberus, the three-headed hound.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles put + upon him the impenetrable lion’s skin and set forth once more. This + might indeed be the last of his life’s labors: Cerberus was not an + earthly monster, and he who would struggle with Cerberus in the + Underworld would have the gods of the dead against him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Heracles + went on. He journeyed to the cave Tainaron, which was an entrance + to the Underworld. Far into that dismal cave he went, and then + down, down, until he came to Acheron, that dim river that has + beyond it only the people of the dead. Cerberus bayed at him from + the place where the dead cross the river. Knowing that he was no + shade, the hound sprang at Heracles, but he could neither bite nor + tear through that impenetrable lion’s skin. Heracles held him by + the neck of his middle head so that Cerberus was neither able to + bite nor tear nor bellow.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then to the + brink of Acheron came Persephone, queen of the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page241">[pg 241]</span> Underworld. She declared + to Heracles that the gods of the dead would not strive against him + if he promised to bring Cerberus back to the Underworld, carrying + the hound downward again as he carried him upward.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i038.png" id= + "i038.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig110" id="fig110"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i038.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> This Heracles + promised. He turned around and he carried Cerberus, his hands + around the monster’s neck while foam dripped from his jaws. He + carried him on and upward toward the world of men. Out through a + cave that was in the land of Trœzen Heracles came, still carrying + Cerberus by the neck of his middle head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> From Trœzen to + Mycenæ the hero went and men fled before him at the sight of the + monster that he carried. On he went toward the king’s palace. + Eurystheus was seated outside his palace that day, looking at the + great jar that he had often hidden in, and thinking to himself that + Heracles would never appear to affright him again. Then Heracles + appeared. He called to Eurystheus, and when the king looked up he + held the hound toward him. The three heads grinned at Eurystheus; + he gave a cry and scrambled into the jar. But before his feet + touched the bottom of it Eurystheus was dead of fear. The jar + rolled over, and Heracles looked upon the body that was all twisted + with fright. Then he turned around and made his way back to the + Underworld. On the brink of Acheron he loosed Cerberus, and the + bellow of the three-headed hound was heard again.</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page242">[pg 242]</span> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">II</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was then + that Heracles was given arms by the gods—the sword of Hermes, the + bow of Apollo, the shield made by Hephæstus; it was then that + Heracles joined the Argonauts and journeyed with them to the edge + of the Caucasus, where, slaying the vulture that preyed upon + Prometheus’s liver, he, at the will of Zeus, liberated the Titan. + Thereafter Zeus and Prometheus were reconciled, and Zeus, that + neither might forget how much the enmity between them had cost gods + and men, had a ring made for Prometheus to wear; that ring was made + out of the fetter that had been upon him, and in it was set a + fragment of the rock that the Titan had been bound to.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The Argonauts + had now won back to Greece. But before he saw any of them he had + been in Oichalia, and had seen the maiden Iole.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king of + Oichalia had offered his daughter Iole in marriage to the hero who + could excel himself and his sons in shooting with arrows. Heracles + saw Iole, the blue-eyed and childlike maiden, and he longed to take + her with him to some place near the Garden of the Hesperides. And + Iole looked on him, and he knew that she wondered to see him so + tall and so strongly knit even as he wondered to see her so + childlike and delicate.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the + contest began. The king and his sons shot wonderfully well, and + none of the heroes who stood before Heracles had a chance of + winning. Then Heracles shot his arrows. <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page243">[pg 243]</span> No matter how far away they moved the + mark, Heracles struck it and struck the very center of it. The + people wondered who this great archer might be. And then a name was + guessed at and went around—Heracles!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the king + heard the name of Heracles he would not let him strive in the + contest any more. For the maiden Iole would not be given as a prize + to one who had been mad and whose madness might afflict him again. + So the king said, speaking in judgment in the market place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Rage came on + Heracles when he heard this judgment given. He would not let his + rage master him lest the madness that was spoken of should come + with his rage. So he left the city of Oichalia declaring to the + king and the people that he would return.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was then + that, wandering down to Crete, he heard of the Argonauts being + near. And afterward he heard of them being in Calydon, hunting the + boar that ravaged Œneus’s country. To Calydon Heracles went. The + heroes had departed when he came into the country, and all the city + was in grief for the deaths of Prince Meleagrus and his two + uncles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On the steps of + the temple where Meleagrus and his uncles had been brought Heracles + saw Deianira, Meleagrus’s sister. She was pale with her grief, this + tall woman of the mountains; she looked like a priestess, but also + like a woman who could cheer camps of men with her counsel, her + bravery, and her good companionship; her hair was very dark and she + had dark eyes. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page244">[pg + 244]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Straightway she + became friends with Heracles; and when they saw each other for a + while they loved each other. And Heracles forgot Iole, the + childlike maiden whom he had seen in Oichalia.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He made himself + a suitor for Deianira, and those who protected her were glad of + Heracles’s suit, and they told him they would give him the maiden + to marry as soon as the mourning for Prince Meleagrus and his + uncles was over. Heracles stayed in Calydon, happy with Deianira, + who had so much beauty, wisdom, and bravery.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But then a + dreadful thing happened in Calydon; by an accident, while using his + strength unthinkingly, Heracles killed a lad who was related to + Deianira. He might not marry her now until he had taken punishment + for slaying one who was close to her in blood.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As a punishment + for the slaying it was judged that Heracles should be sold into + slavery for three years. At the end of his three years’ slavery he + could come back to Calydon and wed Deianira.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And so Heracles + and Deianira were parted. He was sold as a slave in Lydia; the one + who bought him was a woman, a widow named Omphale. To her house + Heracles went, carrying his armor and wearing his lion’s skin. And + Omphale laughed to see this tall man dressed in a lion’s skin + coming to her house to do a servant’s tasks for her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She and all in + her house kept up fun with Heracles. They <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page245">[pg 245]</span> would set him to do housework, to + carry water, and set vessels on the tables, and clear the vessels + away. Omphale set him to spin with a spindle as the women did. And + often she would put on Heracles’s lion skin and go about dragging + his club, while he, dressed in woman’s garb, washed dishes and + emptied pots.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But he would + lose patience with these servant’s tasks, and then Omphale would + let him go away and perform some great exploit. Often he went on + long journeys and stayed away for long times. It was while he was + in slavery to Omphale that he liberated Theseus from the dungeon in + which he was held with Peirithous, and it was while he still was in + slavery that he made his journey to Troy.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> At Troy he + helped to repair for King Laomedon the great walls that years + before Apollo and Poseidon had built around the city. As a reward + for this labor he was offered the Princess Hesione in marriage; she + was the daughter of King Laomedon, and the sister of Priam, who was + then called, not Priam but Podarces. He helped to repair the wall, + and two of the Argonauts were there to aid him: one was Peleus and + the other was Telamon. Peleus did not stay for long: Telamon + stayed, and to reward Telamon Heracles withdrew his own claim for + the hand of the Princess Hesione. It was not hard on Heracles to do + this, for his thoughts were ever upon Deianira.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Telamon + rejoiced, for he loved Hesione greatly. On the day they married + Heracles showed the two an eagle in the sky. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page246">[pg 246]</span> He said it was sent as an + omen to them—an omen for their marriage. And in memory of that omen + Telamon named his son <span class="tei tei-q">“Aias”</span>; that + is, <span class="tei tei-q">“Eagle.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the walls + of Troy were repaired and Heracles turned toward Lydia, Omphale’s + home. Not long would he have to serve Omphale now, for his three + years’ slavery was nearly over. Soon he would go back to Calydon + and wed Deianira.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As he went + along the road to Lydia he thought of all the pleasantries that had + been made in Omphale’s house and he laughed at the memory of them. + Lydia was a friendly country, and even though he had been in + slavery Heracles had had his good times there.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He was tired + with the journey and made sleepy with the heat of the sun, and when + he came within sight of Omphale’s house he lay down by the side of + the road, first taking off his armor, and laying aside his bow, his + quiver, and his shield. He wakened up to see two men looking down + upon him; he knew that these were the Cercopes, robbers who waylaid + travelers upon this road. They were laughing as they looked down on + him, and Heracles saw that they held his arms and his armor in + their hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They thought + that this man, for all his tallness, would yield to them when he + saw that they had his arms and his armor. But Heracles sprang up, + and he caught one by the waist and the other by the neck, and he + turned them upside down and tied them together by the heels. Now he + held them securely <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page247">[pg + 247]</span> and he would take them to the town and give them over + to those whom they had waylaid and robbed. He hung them by their + heels across his shoulders and marched on.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But the + robbers, as they were being bumped along, began to relate + pleasantries and mirthful tales to each other, and Heracles, + listening, had to laugh. And one said to the other, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“O my brother, we are in the position of the frogs when + the mice fell upon them with such fury.”</span> And the other said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Indeed nothing can save us if Zeus does + not send an ally to us as he sent an ally to the frogs.”</span> And + the first robber said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Who began that + conflict, the frogs or the mice?”</span> And thereupon the second + robber, his head reaching down to Heracles’s waist, began:</p> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="toc111" id="toc111"></a><a name="pdf112" id= + "pdf112"></a> + + <h3 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span style="font-size: 120%">The Battle of the Frogs and + Mice</span></h3> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A warlike + mouse came down to the brink of a pond for no other reason than + to take a drink of water. Up to him hopped a frog. Speaking in + the voice of one who had rule and authority, the frog said:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Stranger to our shore, you may not know it, but I am + Puff Jaw, king of the frogs. I do not speak to common mice, but + you, as I judge, belong to the noble and kingly sort. Tell me + your race. If I know it to be a noble one I shall show you my + kingly friendship.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The mouse, + speaking haughtily, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“I am Crumb + Snatcher, and my race is a famous one. My father is the heroic + Bread <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page248">[pg 248]</span> + Nibbler, and he married Quern Licker, the lovely daughter of a + king. Like all my race I am a warrior who has never been wont to + flinch in battle. Moreover, I have been brought up as a mouse of + high degree, and figs and nuts, cheese and honey-cakes is the + provender that I have been fed on.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now this + reply of Crumb Snatcher pleased the kingly frog greatly. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Come with me to my abode, illustrious + Crumb Snatcher,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I + shall show you such entertainment as may be found in the house of + a king.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But the mouse + looked sharply at him. <span class="tei tei-q">“How may I get to + your house?”</span> he asked. <span class="tei tei-q">“We live in + different elements, you and I. We mice want to be in the driest + of dry places, while you frogs have your abodes in the + water.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah,”</span> answered Puff Jaw, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“you do not know how favored the frogs are above all + other creatures. To us alone the gods have given the power to + live both in the water and on the land. I shall take you to my + land palace that is the other side of the pond.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“How may I go there with you?”</span> asked Crumb + Snatcher the mouse, doubtfully.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Upon my back,”</span> said the frog. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Up now, noble Crumb Snatcher. And as we go I will + show you the wonders of the deep.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He offered + his back and Crumb Snatcher bravely mounted. The mouse put his + forepaws around the frog’s neck. Then Puff Jaw swam out. Crumb + Snatcher at first was pleased to <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page249">[pg 249]</span> feel himself moving through the water. + But as the dark waves began to rise his mighty heart began to + quail. He longed to be back upon the land. He groaned aloud.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“How quickly we get on,”</span> cried Puff Jaw; + <span class="tei tei-q">“soon we shall be at my land + palace.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heartened by + this speech, Crumb Snatcher put his tail into the water and + worked it as a steering oar. On and on they went, and Crumb + Snatcher gained heart for the adventure. What a wonderful tale he + would have to tell to the clans of the mice!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But suddenly, + out of the depths of the pond, a water snake raised his horrid + head. Fearsome did that head seem to both mouse and frog. And + forgetful of the guest that he carried upon his back, Puff Jaw + dived down into the water. He reached the bottom of the pond and + lay on the mud in safety.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But far from + safety was Crumb Snatcher the mouse. He sank and rose, and sank + again. His wet fur weighed him down. But before he sank for the + last time he lifted up his voice and cried out and his cry was + heard at the brink of the pond:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, Puff Jaw, treacherous frog! An evil thing you + have done, leaving me to drown in the middle of the pond. Had you + faced me on the land I should have shown you which of us two was + the better warrior. Now I must lose my life in the water. But I + tell you my death shall not go unavenged—the cowardly frogs will + be punished for the ill they have done to me who am the son of + the king of the mice.”</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page250">[pg 250]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Crumb + Snatcher sank for the last time. But Lick Platter, who was at the + brink of the pond, had heard his words. Straightway this mouse + rushed to the hole of Bread Nibbler and told him of the death of + his princely son.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Bread Nibbler + called out the clans of the mice. The warrior mice armed + themselves, and this was the grand way of their arming:</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> First, the + mice put on greaves that covered their forelegs. These they made + out of bean shells broken in two. For shield, each had a lamp’s + centerpiece. For spears they had the long bronze needles that + they had carried out of the houses of men. So armed and so + accoutered they were ready to war upon the frogs. And Bread + Nibbler, their king, shouted to them: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Fall upon the cowardly frogs, and leave not one + alive upon the bank of the pond. Henceforth that bank is ours, + and ours only. Forward!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And, on the + other side, Puff Jaw was urging the frogs to battle. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Let us take our places on the edge of the + pond,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“and when the mice + come amongst us, let each catch hold of one and throw him into + the pond. Thus we will get rid of these dry bobs, the + mice.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The frogs + applauded the speech of their king, and straightway they went to + their armor and their weapons. Their legs they covered with the + leaves of mallow. For breastplates they had the leaves of beets. + Cabbage leaves, well cut, made their strong shields. They took + their spears from the pond side—deadly <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page251">[pg 251]</span> pointed rushes they were, and they + placed upon their heads helmets that were empty snail shells. So + armed and so accoutered they were ready to meet the grand attack + of the mice.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the + robber came to this part of the story Heracles halted his march, + for he was shaking with laughter. The robber stopped in his + story. Heracles slapped him on the leg and said: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“What more of the heroic exploits of the + mice?”</span> The second robber said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I + know no more, but perhaps my brother at the other side of you can + tell you of the mighty combat between them and the frogs.”</span> + Then Heracles shifted the first robber from his back to his + front, and the first robber said: <span class="tei tei-q">“I will + tell you what I know about the heroical combat between the frogs + and the mice.”</span> And thereupon he began:</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The gnats + blew their trumpets. This was the dread signal for war.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Bread Nibbler + struck the first blow. He fell upon Loud Crier the frog, and + overthrew him. At this Loud Crier’s friend, Reedy, threw down + spear and shield and dived into the water. This seemed to presage + victory for the mice. But then Water Larker, the most warlike of + the frogs, took up a great pebble and flung it at Ham Nibbler who + was then pursuing Reedy. Down fell Ham Nibbler, and there was + dismay in the ranks of the mice.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Cabbage + Climber, a great-hearted frog, took up a clod <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page252">[pg 252]</span> of mud and flung it + full at a mouse that was coming furiously upon him. That mouse’s + helmet was knocked off and his forehead was plastered with the + clod of mud, so that he was well-nigh blinded.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It was then + that victory inclined to the frogs. Bread Nibbler again came into + the fray. He rushed furiously upon Puff Jaw the king.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Leeky, the + trusted friend of Puff Jaw, opposed Bread Nibbler’s onslaught. + Mightily he drove his spear at the king of the mice. But the + point of the spear broke upon Bread Nibbler’s shield, and then + Leeky was overthrown.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Bread Nibbler + came upon Puff Jaw, and the two great kings faced each other. The + frogs and the mice drew aside, and there was a pause in the + combat. Bread Nibbler the mouse struck Puff Jaw the frog terribly + upon the toes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Puff Jaw drew + out of the battle. Now all would have been lost for the frogs had + not Zeus, the father of the gods, looked down upon the + battle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Dear, dear,”</span> said Zeus, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“what can be done to save the frogs? They will surely + be annihilated if the charge of yonder mouse is not + halted.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> For the + father of the gods, looking down, saw a warrior mouse coming on + in the most dreadful onslaught of the whole battle. Slice + Snatcher was the name of this warrior. He had come late into the + field. He waited to split a chestnut in two and to put the halves + upon his paws. Then, furiously dashing amongst <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page253">[pg 253]</span> the frogs, he cried out + that he would not leave the ground until he had destroyed the + race, leaving the bank of the pond a playground for the mice and + for the mice alone.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> To stop the + charge of Slice Snatcher there was nothing for Zeus to do but to + hurl the thunderbolt that is the terror of gods and men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Frogs and + mice were awed by the thunder and the flame. But still the mice, + urged on by Slice Snatcher, did not hold back from their + onslaught upon the frogs.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Now would the + frogs have been utterly destroyed; but, as they dashed on, the + mice encountered a new and a dreadful army. The warriors in these + ranks had mailed backs and curving claws. They had bandy legs and + long-stretching arms. They had eyes that looked behind them. They + came on sideways. These were the crabs, creatures until now + unknown to the mice. And the crabs had been sent by Zeus to save + the race of the frogs from utter destruction.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Coming upon + the mice they nipped their paws. The mice turned around and they + nipped their tails. In vain the boldest of the mice struck at the + crabs with their sharpened spears. Not upon the hard shells on + the backs of the crabs did the spears of the mice make any dint. + On and on, on their queer feet and with their terrible nippers, + the crabs went. Bread Nibbler could not rally them any more, and + Slice Snatcher ceased to speak of the monument of victory that + the mice would erect upon the bank of the pond. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page254">[pg 254]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> With their + heads out of the water they had retreated to, the frogs watched + the finish of the battle. The mice threw down their spears and + shields and fled from the battleground. On went the crabs as if + they cared nothing for their victory, and the frogs came out of + the water and sat upon the bank and watched them in awe.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles had + laughed at the diverting tale that the robbers had told him; he + could not bring them then to a place where they would meet with + captivity or death. He let them loose upon the highway, and the + robbers thanked him with high-flowing speeches, and they declared + that if they should ever find him sleeping by the roadway again + they would let him lie. Saying this they went away, and Heracles, + laughing as he thought upon the great exploits of the frogs and + mice, went on to Omphale’s house.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Omphale, the + widow, received him mirthfully, and then set him to do tasks in + the kitchen while she sat and talked to him about Troy and the + affairs of King Laomedon. And afterward she put on his lion’s + skin, and went about in the courtyard dragging the heavy club + after her. Mirthfully and pleasantly she made the rest of his + time in Lydia pass for Heracles, and the last day of his slavery + soon came, and he bade good-by to Omphale, that pleasant widow, + and to Lydia, and he started off for Calydon to claim his bride + Deianira.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Beautiful + indeed Deianira looked now that she had ceased to <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page255">[pg 255]</span> mourn for her brother, + for the laughter that had been under her grief always now flashed + out even while she looked priestesslike and of good counsel; her + dark eyes shone like stars, and her being had the spirit of one + who wanders from camp to camp, always greeting friends and + leaving friends behind her. Heracles and Deianira wed, and they + set out for Tiryns, where a king had left a kingdom to + Heracles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They came to + the River Evenus. Heracles could have crossed the river by + himself, but he could not cross it at the part he came to, + carrying Deianira. He and she went along the river, seeking a + ferry that might take them across. They wandered along the side + of the river, happy with each other, and they came to a place + where they had sight of a centaur.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles knew + this centaur. He was Nessus, one of the centaurs whom he had + chased up the mountain the time when he went to hunt the + Erymanthean boar. The centaurs knew him, and Nessus spoke to + Heracles as if he had friendship for him. He would, he said, + carry Heracles’s bride across the river.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Heracles + crossed the river, and he waited on the other side for Nessus and + Deianira. Nessus went to another part of the river to make his + crossing. Then Heracles, upon the other bank, heard screams—the + screams of his wife, Deianira. He saw that the centaur was + savagely attacking her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Heracles + leveled his bow and he shot at Nessus. Arrow after arrow he shot + into the centaur’s body. Nessus loosed his <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page256">[pg 256]</span> hold on Deianira, and + he lay down on the bank of the river, his lifeblood streaming + from him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Nessus, + dying, but with his rage against Heracles unabated, thought of a + way by which the hero might be made to suffer for the death he + had brought upon him. He called to Deianira, and she, seeing he + could do her no more hurt, came close to him. He told her that in + repentance for his attack upon her he would bestow a great gift + upon her. She was to gather up some of the blood that flowed from + him; his blood, the centaur said, would be a love philter, and if + ever her husband’s love for her waned it would grow fresh again + if she gave to him something from her hands that would have this + blood upon it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Deianira, who + had heard from Heracles of the wisdom of the centaurs, believed + what Nessus told her. She took a phial and let the blood pour + into it. Then Nessus plunged into the river and died there as + Heracles came up to where Deianira stood.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She did not + speak to him about the centaur’s words to her, nor did she tell + him that she had hidden away the phial that had Nessus’s blood in + it. They crossed the river at another point and they came after a + time to Tiryns and to the kingdom that had been left to + Heracles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> There + Heracles and Deianira lived, and a son who was named Hyllos was + born to them. And after a time Heracles was led into a war with + Eurytus—Eurytus who was king of Oichalia.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Word came to + Deianira that Oichalia was taken by Heracles, and that the king + and his daughter Iole were held captive. <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page257">[pg 257]</span> Deianira knew that Heracles had once + tried to win this maiden for his wife, and she feared that the + sight of Iole would bring his old longing back to him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i039.png" + id="i039.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig113" id="fig113"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i039.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She thought + upon the words that Nessus had said to her, and even as she + thought upon them messengers came from Heracles to ask her to + send him a robe—a beautifully woven robe that she had—that he + might wear it while making a sacrifice. Deianira took down the + robe; through this robe, she thought, the blood of the centaur + could touch Heracles and his love for her would revive. Thinking + this she poured Nessus’s blood over the robe.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles was + in Oichalia when the messengers returned to him. He took the robe + that Deianira sent, and he went to a mountain that overlooked the + sea that he might make the sacrifice there. Iole went with him. + Then he put on the robe that Deianira had sent. When it touched + his flesh the robe burst into flame. Heracles tried to tear it + off, but deeper and deeper into his flesh the flames went. They + burned and burned and none could quench them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Heracles + knew that his end was near. He would die by fire, and knowing + that he piled up a great heap of wood and he climbed upon it. + There he stayed with the flaming robe burning into him, and he + begged of those who passed to fire the pile that his end might + come more quickly.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> None would + fire the pile. But at last there came that way a young warrior + named Philoctetes, and Heracles begged of him to fire the pile. + Philoctetes, knowing that it was the will of <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page258">[pg 258]</span> the gods that Heracles + should die that way, lighted the pile. For that Heracles bestowed + upon him his great bow and his unerring arrows. And it was this + bow and these arrows, brought from Philoctetes, that afterward + helped to take Priam’s city.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The pile that + Heracles stood upon was fired. High up, above the sea, the pile + burned. All who were near that burning fled—all except Iole, that + childlike maiden. She stayed and watched the flames mount up and + up. They wrapped the sky, and the voice of Heracles was heard + calling upon Zeus. Then a great chariot came and Heracles was + borne away to Olympus. Thus, after many labors, Heracles passed + away, a mortal passing into an immortal being in a great burning + high above the sea.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc114" id="toc114"></a><a name="pdf115" id="pdf115"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">V. Admetus</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">I</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capI.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">I</span></span>T happened + once that Zeus would punish Apollo, his son. Then he banished him + from Olympus, and he made him put off his divinity and appear as a + mortal man. And as a mortal Apollo sought to earn his bread amongst + men. He came to the house of King Admetus and took service with him + as his herdsman.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> For a year + Apollo served the young king, minding his herds <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page259">[pg 259]</span> of black cattle. Admetus + did not know that it was one of the immortal gods who was in his + house and in his fields. But he treated him in friendly wise, and + Apollo was happy whilst serving Admetus.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Afterward + people wondered at Admetus’s ever-smiling face and ever-radiant + being. It was the god’s kindly thought of him that gave him such + happiness. And when Apollo was leaving his house and his fields he + revealed himself to Admetus, and he made a promise to him that when + the god of the Underworld sent Death for him he would have one more + chance of baffling Death than any mortal man.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> That was before + Admetus sailed on the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> with Jason and the companions + of the quest. The companionship of Admetus brought happiness to + many on the voyage, but the hero to whom it gave the most happiness + was Heracles. And often Heracles would have Admetus beside him to + tell him about the radiant god Apollo, whose bow and arrows + Heracles had been given.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> After that + voyage and after the hunt in Calydon Admetus went back to his own + land. There he wed that fair and loving woman, Alcestis. He might + not wed her until he had yoked lions and leopards to the chariot + that drew her. This was a feat that no hero had been able to + accomplish. With Apollo’s aid he accomplished it. Thereafter + Admetus, having the love of Alcestis, was even more happy than he + had been before. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page260">[pg + 260]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> One day as he + walked by fold and through pasture field he saw a figure standing + beside his herd of black cattle. A radiant figure it was, and + Admetus knew that this was Apollo come to him again. He went toward + the god and he made reverence and began to speak to him. But Apollo + turned to Admetus a face that was without joy.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“What years of happiness have been mine, O Apollo, + through your friendship for me,”</span> said Admetus. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, as I walked my pasture land to-day it came into my + mind how much I loved this green earth and the blue sky! And all + that I know of love and happiness has come to me through + you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But still + Apollo stood before him with a face that was without joy. He spoke + and his voice was not that clear and vibrant voice that he had once + in speaking to Admetus. <span class="tei tei-q">“Admetus, + Admetus,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“it is for me to + tell you that you may no more look on the blue sky nor walk upon + the green earth. It is for me to tell you that the god of the + Underworld will have you come to him. Admetus, Admetus, know that + even now the god of the Underworld is sending Death for + you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the light + of the world went out for Admetus, and he heard himself speaking to + Apollo in a shaking voice: <span class="tei tei-q">“O Apollo, + Apollo, thou art a god, and surely thou canst save me! Save me now + from this Death that the god of the Underworld is sending for + me!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But Apollo + said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Long ago, Admetus, I made a bargain + with the god of the Underworld on thy behalf. Thou hast been + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page261">[pg 261]</span> given a + chance more than any mortal man. If one will go willingly in thy + place with Death, thou canst still live on. Go, Admetus. Thou art + well loved, and it may be that thou wilt find one to take thy + place.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Apollo + went up unto the mountaintop and Admetus stayed for a while beside + the cattle. It seemed to him that a little of the darkness had + lifted from the world. He would go to his palace. There were aged + men and women there, servants and slaves, and one of them would + surely be willing to take the king’s place and go with Death down + to the Underworld.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Admetus + thought as he went toward the palace. And then he came upon an + ancient woman who sat upon stones in the courtyard, grinding corn + between two stones. Long had she been doing that wearisome labor. + Admetus had known her from the first time he had come into that + courtyard as a little child, and he had never seen aught in her + face but a heavy misery. There she was sitting as he had first + known her, with her eyes bleared and her knees shaking, and with + the dust of the courtyard and the husks of the corn in her matted + hair. He went to her and spoke to her, and he asked her to take the + place of the king and go with Death.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But when she + heard the name of Death horror came into the face of the ancient + woman, and she cried out that she would not let Death come near + her. Then Admetus left her, and he came upon another, upon a + sightless man who held out a shriveled hand for the food that the + servants of the palace might <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page262">[pg 262]</span> bestow upon him. Admetus took the man’s + shriveled hand, and he asked him if he would not take the king’s + place and go with Death that was coming for him. The sightless man, + with howls and shrieks, said he would not go.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Admetus + went into the palace and into the chamber where his bed was, and he + lay down upon the bed and he lamented that he would have to go with + Death that was coming for him from the god of the Underworld, and + he lamented that none of the wretched ones around the palace would + take his place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A hand was laid + upon him. He looked up and he saw his tall and grave-eyed wife, + Alcestis, beside him. Alcestis spoke to him slowly and gravely. + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have heard what you have said, O my + husband,”</span> said she. <span class="tei tei-q">“One should go + in your place, for you are the king and have many great affairs to + attend to. And if none other will go, I, Alcestis, will go in your + place, Admetus.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It had seemed + to Admetus that ever since he had heard the words of Apollo that + heavy footsteps were coming toward him. Now the footsteps seemed to + stop. It was not so terrible for him as before. He sprang up, and + he took the hands of Alcestis and he said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“You, then, will take my place?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will go with Death in your place, Admetus,”</span> + Alcestis said.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then, even as + Admetus looked into her face, he saw a pallor come upon her; her + body weakened and she sank down upon the bed. Then, watching over + her, he knew that not he but <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page263">[pg 263]</span> Alcestis would go with Death. And the + words he had spoken he would have taken back—the words that had + brought her consent to go with Death in his place.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i040.png" id= + "i040.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig116" id="fig116"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i040.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Paler and + weaker Alcestis grew. Death would soon be here for her. No, not + here, for he would not have Death come into the palace. He lifted + Alcestis from the bed and he carried her from the palace. He + carried her to the temple of the gods. He laid her there upon the + bier and waited there beside her. No more speech came from her. He + went back to the palace where all was silent—the servants moved + about with heads bowed, lamenting silently for their mistress.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">II</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As Admetus was + coming back from the temple he heard a great shout; he looked up + and saw one standing at the palace doorway. He knew him by his + lion’s skin and his great height. This was Heracles—Heracles come + to visit him, but come at a sad hour. He could not now rejoice in + the company of Heracles. And yet Heracles might be on his way from + the accomplishment of some great labor, and it would not be right + to say a word that might turn him away from his doorway; he might + have much need of rest and refreshment.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Thinking this + Admetus went up to Heracles and took his hand and welcomed him into + his house. <span class="tei tei-q">“How is it with you, friend + Admetus?”</span> Heracles asked. Admetus would only say + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page264">[pg 264]</span> that nothing + was happening in his house and that Heracles, his hero-companion, + was welcome there. His mind was upon a great sacrifice, he said, + and so he would not be able to feast with him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The servants + brought Heracles to the bath, and then showed him where a feast was + laid for him. And as for Admetus, he went within the chamber, and + knelt beside the bed on which Alcestis had lain, and thought of his + terrible loss.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles, after + the bath, put on the brightly colored tunic that the servants of + Admetus brought him. He put a wreath upon his head and sat down to + the feast. It was a pity, he thought, that Admetus was not feasting + with him. But this was only the first of many feasts. And thinking + of what companionship he would have with Admetus, Heracles left the + feasting hall and came to where the servants were standing about in + silence.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Why is the house of Admetus so hushed to-day?”</span> + Heracles asked.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is because of what is befalling,”</span> said one + of the servants.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ah, the sacrifice that the king is making,”</span> + said Heracles. <span class="tei tei-q">“To what god is that + sacrifice due?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“To the god of the Underworld,”</span> said the + servant. <span class="tei tei-q">“Death is coming to Alcestis the + queen where she lies on a bier in the temple of the + gods.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the + servant told Heracles the story of how Alcestis had taken her + husband’s place, going in his stead with Death. Heracles thought + upon the sorrow of his friend, and of the great <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page265">[pg 265]</span> sacrifice that his wife + was making for him. How noble it was of Admetus to bring him into + his house and give entertainment to him while such sorrow was upon + him. And then Heracles felt that another labor was before him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i041.png" id= + "i041.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig117" id="fig117"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i041.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have dragged up from the Underworld,”</span> he + thought, <span class="tei tei-q">“the hound that guards those whom + Death brings down into the realm of the god of the Underworld. Why + should I not strive with Death? And what a noble thing it would be + to bring back this faithful woman to her house and to her husband! + This is a labor that has not been laid upon me, and it is a labor I + will undertake.”</span> So Heracles said to himself.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He left the + palace of Admetus and he went to the temple of the gods. He stood + inside the temple and he saw the bier on which Alcestis was laid. + He looked upon the queen. Death had not touched her yet, although + she lay so still and so silent. Heracles would watch beside her and + strive with Death for her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Heracles + watched and Death came. When Death entered the temple Heracles laid + hands upon him. Death had never been gripped by mortal hands and he + strode on as if that grip meant nothing to him. But then he had to + grip Heracles. In Death’s grip there was a strength beyond + strength. And upon Heracles a dreadful sense of loss came as Death + laid hands upon him—a sense of the loss of light and the loss of + breath and the loss of movement. But Heracles struggled with Death + although his breath went and his strength seemed to go from him. He + held that stony body to him, and the cold of that body went through + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page266">[pg 266]</span> him, and its + stoniness seemed to turn his bones to stone, but still Heracles + strove with him, and at last he overthrew him and he held Death + down upon the ground.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Now you are held by me, Death,”</span> cried Heracles. + <span class="tei tei-q">“You are held by me, and the god of the + Underworld will be made angry because you cannot go about his + business—either this business or any other business. You are held + by me, Death, and you will not be let go unless you promise to go + forth from this temple without bringing one with you.”</span> And + Death, knowing that Heracles could hold him there, and that the + business of the god of the Underworld would be left undone if he + were held, promised that he would leave the temple without bringing + one with him. Then Heracles took his grip off Death, and that stony + shape went from the temple.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Soon a flush + came into the face of Alcestis as Heracles watched over her. Soon + she arose from the bier on which she had been laid. She called out + to Admetus, and Heracles went to her and spoke to her, telling her + that he would bring her back to her husband’s house.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">III</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Admetus left + the chamber where his wife had lain and stood before the door of + his palace. Dawn was coming, and as he looked toward the temple he + saw Heracles coming to the palace. A woman came with him. She was + veiled, and Admetus could not see her features. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page267">[pg 267]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Admetus,”</span> Heracles said, when he came before + him, <span class="tei tei-q">“Admetus, there is something I would + have you do for me. Here is a woman whom I am bringing back to her + husband. I won her from an enemy. Will you not take her into your + house while I am away on a journey?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“You cannot ask me to do this, Heracles,”</span> said + Admetus. <span class="tei tei-q">“No woman may come into the house + where Alcestis, only yesterday, had her life.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“For my sake take her into your house,”</span> said + Heracles. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come now, Admetus, take this + woman by the hand.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> A pang came to + Admetus as he looked at the woman who stood beside Heracles and saw + that she was the same stature as his lost wife. He thought that he + could not bear to take her hand. But Heracles pleaded with him, and + he took her by the hand.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Now take her across your threshold, Admetus,”</span> + said Heracles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Hardly could + Admetus bear to do this—hardly could he bear to think of a strange + woman being in his house and his own wife gone with Death. But + Heracles pleaded with him, and by the hand he held he drew the + woman across his threshold.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Now raise her veil, Admetus,”</span> said + Heracles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“This I cannot do,”</span> said Admetus. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have had pangs enough. How can I look upon a woman’s + face and remind myself that I cannot look upon Alcestis’s face ever + again?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Raise her veil, Admetus,”</span> said Heracles. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page268">[pg 268]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Admetus + raised the veil of the woman he had taken across the threshold of + his house. He saw the face of Alcestis. He looked again upon his + wife brought back from the grip of Death by Heracles, the son of + Zeus. And then a deeper joy than he had ever known came to Admetus. + Once more his wife was with him, and Admetus the friend of Apollo + and the friend of Heracles had all that he cared to have.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc118" id="toc118"></a><a name="pdf119" id="pdf119"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VI. How Orpheus the Minstrel Went + Down to the World of the Dead</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capM.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">M</span></span>ANY were + the minstrels who, in the early days, went through the world, + telling to men the stories of the gods, telling of their wars and + their births. Of all these minstrels none was so famous as Orpheus + who had gone with the Argonauts; none could tell truer things about + the gods, for he himself was half divine.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But a great + grief came to Orpheus, a grief that stopped his singing and his + playing upon the lyre. His young wife Eurydice was taken from him. + One day, walking in the garden, she was bitten on the heel by a + serpent, and straightway she went down to the world of the + dead.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then everything + in this world was dark and bitter for the <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page269">[pg 269]</span> minstrel Orpheus; sleep would not come + to him, and for him food had no taste. Then Orpheus said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“I will do that which no mortal has ever + done before; I will do that which even the immortals might shrink + from doing: I will go down into the world of the dead, and I will + bring back to the living and to the light my bride + Eurydice.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i042.png" id= + "i042.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig120" id="fig120"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i042.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Orpheus + went on his way to the valley of Acherusia which goes down, down + into the world of the dead. He would never have found his way to + that valley if the trees had not shown him the way. For as he went + along Orpheus played upon his lyre and sang, and the trees heard + his song and they were moved by his grief, and with their arms and + their heads they showed him the way to the deep, deep valley of + Acherusia.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Down, down by + winding paths through that deepest and most shadowy of all valleys + Orpheus went. He came at last to the great gate that opens upon the + world of the dead. And the silent guards who keep watch there for + the rulers of the dead were affrighted when they saw a living + being, and they would not let Orpheus approach the gate.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But the + minstrel, knowing the reason for their fear, said: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I am not Heracles come again to drag up from the world + of the dead your three-headed dog Cerberus. I am Orpheus, and all + that my hands can do is to make music upon my lyre.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then he + took the lyre in his hands and played upon it. As he played, the + silent watchers gathered around him, leaving the gate unguarded. + And as he played the rulers of the dead <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page270">[pg 270]</span> came forth, Aidoneus and Persephone, + and listened to the words of the living man.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The cause of my coming through the dark and fearful + ways,”</span> sang Orpheus, <span class="tei tei-q">“is to strive + to gain a fairer fate for Eurydice, my bride. All that is above + must come down to you at last, O rulers of the most lasting world. + But before her time has Eurydice been brought here. I have desired + strength to endure her loss, but I cannot endure it. And I come + before you, Aidoneus and Persephone, brought here by + Love.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When Orpheus + said the name of Love, Persephone, the queen of the dead, bowed her + young head, and bearded Aidoneus, the king, bowed his head also. + Persephone remembered how Demeter, her mother, had sought her all + through the world, and she remembered the touch of her mother’s + tears upon her face. And Aidoneus remembered how his love for + Persephone had led him to carry her away from the valley in the + upper world where she had been gathering flowers. He and Persephone + bowed their heads and stood aside, and Orpheus went through the + gate and came amongst the dead.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Still upon his + lyre he played. Tantalus—who, for his crimes, had been condemned to + stand up to his neck in water and yet never be able to assuage his + thirst—Tantalus heard, and for a while did not strive to put his + lips toward the water that ever flowed away from him; Sisyphus—who + had been condemned to roll up a hill a stone that ever rolled + back—Sisyphus heard the music that Orpheus played, and for a while + he sat still <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page271">[pg 271]</span> + upon his stone. And even those dread ones who bring to the dead the + memories of all their crimes and all their faults, even the + Eumenides had their cheeks wet with tears.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In the throng + of the newly come dead Orpheus saw Eurydice. She looked upon her + husband, but she had not the power to come near him. But slowly she + came when Aidoneus called her. Then with joy Orpheus took her + hands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> It would be + granted them—no mortal ever gained such privilege before—to leave, + both together, the world of the dead, and to abide for another + space in the world of the living. One condition there would be—that + on their way up through the valley of Acherusia neither Orpheus nor + Eurydice should look back.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They went + through the gate and came amongst the watchers that are around the + portals. These showed them the path that went up through the valley + of Acherusia. That way they went, Orpheus and Eurydice, he going + before her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Up and up + through the darkened ways they went, Orpheus knowing that Eurydice + was behind him, but never looking back upon her. But as he went, + his heart was filled with things to tell—how the trees were + blossoming in the garden she had left; how the water was sparkling + in the fountain; how the doors of the house stood open, and how + they, sitting together, would watch the sunlight on the laurel + bushes. All these things were in his heart to tell her, to tell her + who came behind him, silent and unseen. <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page272">[pg 272]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now they + were nearing the place where the valley of Acherusia opened on the + world of the living. Orpheus looked on the blue of the sky. A + white-winged bird flew by. Orpheus turned around and cried, + <span class="tei tei-q">“O Eurydice, look upon the world that I + have won you back to!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He turned to + say this to her. He saw her with her long dark hair and pale face. + He held out his arms to clasp her. But in that instant she slipped + back into the depths of the valley. And all he heard spoken was a + single word, <span class="tei tei-q">“Farewell!”</span> Long, long + had it taken Eurydice to climb so far, but in the moment of his + turning around she had fallen back to her place amongst the + dead.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Down through + the valley of Acherusia Orpheus went again. Again he came before + the watchers of the gate. But now he was not looked at nor listened + to, and, hopeless, he had to return to the world of the living.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The birds were + his friends now, and the trees and the stones. The birds flew + around him and mourned with him; the trees and stones often + followed him, moved by the music of his lyre. But a savage band + slew Orpheus and threw his severed head and his lyre into the River + Hebrus. It is said by the poets that while they floated in + midstream the lyre gave out some mournful notes and the head of + Orpheus answered the notes with song.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now that he + was no longer to be counted with the living, Orpheus went down to + the world of the dead, not going now by that steep descent through + the valley of Acherusia, but going <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page273">[pg 273]</span> down straightway. The silent watchers let + him pass, and he went amongst the dead and saw his Eurydice in the + throng. Again they were together, Orpheus and Eurydice, and as they + went through the place that King Aidoneus ruled over, they had no + fear of looking back, one upon the other.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <a name="toc121" id="toc121"></a><a name="pdf122" id="pdf122"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">VII. Jason and Medea</span></h2> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capJ.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">J</span></span>ASON and + Medea, unable to win to Iolcus, stayed at Corinth, at the court of + King Creon. Creon was proud to have Jason in his city, but of Medea + the king was fearful, for he had heard how she had brought about + the death of Apsyrtus, her brother.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea wearied + of this long waiting in the palace of King Creon. A longing came + upon her to exercise her powers of enchantment. She did not forget + what Queen Arete had said to her—that if she wished to appease the + wrath of the gods she should have no more to do with enchantments. + She did not forget this, but still there grew in her a longing to + use all her powers of enchantment.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And Jason, at + the court of King Creon, had his longings, too. He longed to enter + Iolcus and to show the people the Golden Fleece that he had won; he + longed to destroy Pelias, the murderer <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page274">[pg 274]</span> of his mother and father; above all he + longed to be a king, and to rule in the kingdom that Cretheus had + founded.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Once Jason + spoke to Medea of his longing. <span class="tei tei-q">“O + Jason,”</span> Medea said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I have done + many things for thee and this thing also I will do. I will go into + Iolcus, and by my enchantments I will make clear the way for the + return of the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> and for thy return with thy + comrades—yea, and for thy coming to the kingship, O + Jason.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He should have + remembered then the words of Queen Arete to Medea, but the longing + that he had for his triumph and his revenge was in the way of his + remembering. He said, <span class="tei tei-q">“O Medea, help me in + this with all thine enchantments and thou wilt be more dear to me + than ever before thou wert.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea then went + forth from the palace of King Creon and she made more terrible + spells than ever she had made in Colchis. All night she stayed in a + tangled place weaving her spells. Dawn came, and she knew that the + spells she had woven had not been in vain, for beside her there + stood a car that was drawn by dragons.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea the + Enchantress had never looked on these dragon shapes before. When + she looked upon them now she was fearful of them. But then she said + to herself, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am Medea, and I would be a + greater enchantress and a more cunning woman than I have been, and + what I have thought of, that will I carry out.”</span> She mounted + the car drawn by the dragons, and in the first light of the day she + went from Corinth. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page275">[pg + 275]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i043.png" id= + "i043.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig123" id="fig123"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i043.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> To the places + where grew the herbs of magic Medea journeyed in her dragon-drawn + car—to the Mountains Ossa, Pelion, Œthrys, Pindus, and Olympus; + then to the rivers Apidanus, Enipeus, and Peneus. She gathered + herbs on the mountains and grasses on the rivers’ banks; some she + plucked up by the roots and some she cut with the curved blade of a + knife. When she had gathered these herbs and grasses she went back + to Corinth on her dragon-drawn car.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Jason saw + her; pale and drawn was her face, and her eyes were strange and + gleaming. He saw her standing by the car drawn by the dragons, and + a terror of Medea came into his mind. He went toward her, but in a + harsh voice she bade him not come near to disturb the brewing that + she was going to begin. Jason turned away. As he went toward the + palace he saw Glauce, King Creon’s daughter; the maiden was coming + from the well and she carried a pitcher of water. He thought how + fair Glauce looked in the light of the morning, how the wind played + with her hair and her garments, and how far away she was from + witcheries and enchantments.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> As for Medea, + she placed in a heap beside her the magic herbs and grasses she had + gathered. Then she put them in a bronze pot and boiled them in + water from the stream. Soon froth came on the boiling, and Medea + stirred the pot with a withered branch of an apple tree. The branch + was withered—it was indeed no more than a dry stick, but as she + stirred the herbs and grasses with it, first leaves, then flowers, + and lastly, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page276">[pg 276]</span> + bright gleaming apples came on it. And when the pot boiled over and + drops from it fell upon the ground, there grew up out of the dry + earth soft grasses and flowers. Such was the power of renewal that + was in the magical brew that Medea had made.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She filled a + phial with the liquid she had brewed, and she scattered the rest in + the wild places of the garden. Then, taking the phial and the + apples that had grown on the withered branch, she mounted the car + drawn by the dragons, and she went once more from Corinth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On she + journeyed in her dragon-drawn car until she came to a place that + was near to Iolcus. There the dragons descended. They had come to a + dark pool. Medea, making herself naked, stood in that dark pool. + For a while she looked down upon herself, seeing in the dark water + her white body and her lovely hair. Then she bathed herself in the + water. Soon a dread change came over her: she saw her hair become + scant and gray, and she saw her body become bent and withered. She + stepped out of the pool a withered and witchlike woman; when she + dressed herself the rich clothes that she had worn before hung + loosely upon her, and she looked the more forbidding because of + them. She bade the dragons go, and they flew through the air with + the empty car. Then she hid in her dress the phial with the liquid + she had brewed and the apples that had grown upon the withered + branch. She picked up a stick to lean upon, and with the gait of an + ancient woman she went hobbling upon the road to Iolcus. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page277">[pg 277]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> On the streets + of the city the fierce fighting men that Pelias had brought down + from the mountains showed themselves; few of the men or women of + the city showed themselves even in the daytime. Medea went through + the city and to the palace of King Pelias. But no one might enter + there, and the guards laid hands upon her and held her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea did not + struggle with them. She drew from the folds of her dress one of the + gleaming apples that she carried and she gave it to one of the + guards. <span class="tei tei-q">“It is for King Pelias,”</span> she + said. <span class="tei tei-q">“Give the apple to him and then do + with me as the king would have you do.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The guards + brought the gleaming apple to the king. When he had taken it into + his hand and had smelled its fragrance, old trembling Pelias asked + where the apple had come from. The guards told him it had been + brought by an ancient woman who was now outside seated on a stone + in the courtyard.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> He looked on + the shining apple and he felt its fragrance and he could not help + thinking, old trembling Pelias, that this apple might be the means + of bringing him back to the fullness of health and courage that he + had had before. He sent for the ancient woman who had brought it + that she might tell him where it had come from and who it was that + had sent it to him. Then the guards brought Medea before him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She saw an old + man, white-faced and trembling, with shaking hands and eyes that + looked on her fearfully. <span class="tei tei-q">“Who are + you,”</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page278">[pg 278]</span> + he asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“and from whence came the apple + that you had them bring me?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea, standing + before him, looked a withered and shrunken beldame, a woman bent + with years, but yet with eyes that were bright and living. She came + near him and she said: <span class="tei tei-q">“The apple, O King, + came from the garden that is watched over by the Daughters of the + Evening Land. He who eats it has a little of the weight of old age + taken from him. But things more wonderful even than the shining + apples grow in that far garden. There are plants there the juices + of which make youthful again all aged and failing things. The apple + would bring you a little way toward the vigor of your prime. But + the juices I have can bring you to a time more wonderful—back even + to the strength and the glory of your youth.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> When the king + heard her say this a light came into his heavy eyes, and his hands + caught Medea and drew her to him. <span class="tei tei-q">“Who are + you?”</span> he cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“who speak of the + garden watched over by the Daughters of the Evening Land? Who are + you who speak of juices that can bring back one to the strength and + glory of his youth?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea answered: + <span class="tei tei-q">“I am a woman who has known many and great + griefs, O king. My griefs have brought me through the world. Many + have searched for the garden watched over by the Daughters of the + Evening Land, but I came to it unthinkingly, and without wanting + them I gathered the gleaming apples and took from the plants there + the juices that can bring youth back.”</span> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page279">[pg 279]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Pelias said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“If you have been able to come by those + juices, how is it that you remain in woeful age and + decrepitude?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“Because of my many griefs, king, I would + not renew my life. I would be ever nearer death and the end of all + things. But you are a king and have all things you desire at your + hand—beauty and state and power. Surely if any one would desire it, + you would desire to have youth back to you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Pelias, when he + heard her say this, knew that besides youth there was nothing that + he desired. After crimes that had gone through the whole of his + manhood he had secured for himself the kingdom that Cretheus had + founded. But old age had come on him, and the weakness of old age, + and the power he had won was falling from his hands. He would be + overthrown in his weakness, or else he would soon come to die, and + there would be an end then to his name and to his kingship.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> How fortunate + above all kings he would be, he thought, if it could be that some + one should come to him with juices that would renew his youth! He + looked longingly into the eyes of the ancient-seeming woman before + him, and he said: <span class="tei tei-q">“How is it that you show + no gains from the juices that you speak of? You are old and in + woeful decrepitude. Even if you would not win back to youth you + could have got riches and state for that which you say you + possess.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Medea + said: <span class="tei tei-q">“I have lost so much and have + suffered so much that I would not have youth back at the price of + facing the years. I would sink down to the quiet of the grave. But + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page280">[pg 280]</span> I hope for + some ease before I die—for the ease that is in king’s houses, with + good food to eat, and rest, and servants to wait upon one’s aged + body. These are the things I desire, O Pelias, even as you desire + youth. You can give me such things, and I have come to you who + desire youth eagerly rather than to kings who have a less eager + desire for it. To you I will give the juices that bring one back to + the strength and the glory of youth.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Pelias said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have only your word for it that you + possess these juices. Many there are who come and say deceiving + things to a king.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Said Medea: + <span class="tei tei-q">“Let there be no more words between us, O + king. To-morrow I will show you the virtue of the juices I have + brought with me. Have a great vat prepared—a vat that a man could + lay himself in with the water covering him. Have this vat filled + with water, and bring to it the oldest creature you can get—a ram + or a goat that is the oldest of their flock. Do this, O king, and + you will be shown a thing to wonder at and to be hopeful + over.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So Medea said, + and then she turned around and left the king’s presence. Pelias + called to his guards and he bade them take the woman into their + charge and treat her considerately. The guards took Medea away. + Then all day the king mused on what had been told him and a wild + hope kept beating about his heart. He had the servants prepare a + great vat in the lower chambers, and he had his shepherd bring him + a ram that was the oldest in the flock. <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page281">[pg 281]</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Only Medea was + permitted to come into that chamber with the king; the ways to it + were guarded, and all that took place in it was secret. Medea was + brought to the closed door by her guard. She opened it and she saw + the king there and the vat already prepared; she saw a ram tethered + near the vat.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Medea looked + upon the king. In the light of the torches his face was white and + fierce and his mouth moved gaspingly. She spoke to him quietly, and + said: <span class="tei tei-q">“There is no need for you to hear me + speak. You will watch a great miracle, for behold! the ram which is + the oldest and feeblest in the flock will become young and + invigorated when it comes forth from this vat.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She untethered + the ram, and with the help of Pelias drew it to the vat. This was + not hard to do, for the beast was very feeble; its feet could + hardly bear it upright, its wool was yellow and stayed only in + patches on its shrunken body. Easily the beast was forced into the + vat. Then Medea drew the phial out of her bosom and poured into the + water some of the brew she had made in Creon’s garden in Corinth. + The water in the vat took on a strange bubbling, and the ram sank + down.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then Medea, + standing beside the vat, sang an incantation.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“O Earth,”</span> she sang, <span class="tei tei-q">“O + Earth who dost provide wise men with potent herbs, O Earth help me + now. I am she who can drive the clouds; I am she who can dispel the + winds; I am she who can break the jaws of serpents with my + incantations; I am she who can uproot living trees and rocks; who + can make the mountains shake; who can bring the ghosts from their + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page282">[pg 282]</span> tombs. O + Earth, help me now.”</span> At this strange incantation the mixture + in the vat boiled and bubbled more and more. Then the boiling and + bubbling ceased. Up to the surface came the ram. Medea helped it to + struggle out of the vat, and then it turned and smote the vat with + its head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Pelias took + down a torch and stood before the beast. Vigorous indeed was the + ram, and its wool was white and grew evenly upon it. They could not + tether it again, and when the servants were brought into the + chamber it took two of them to drag away the ram.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The king was + most eager to enter the vat and have Medea put in the brew and + speak the incantation over it. But Medea bade him wait until the + morrow. All night the king lay awake, thinking of how he might + regain his youth and his strength and be secure and triumphant + thereafter.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> At the first + light he sent for Medea and he told her that he would have the vat + made ready and that he would go into it that night. Medea looked + upon him, and the helplessness that he showed made her want to work + a greater evil upon him, or, if not upon him, upon his house. How + soon it would have reached its end, all her plot for the + destruction of this king! But she would leave in the king’s house a + misery that would not have an end so soon.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So she said to + the king: <span class="tei tei-q">“I would say the incantation over + a beast of the field, but over a king I could not say it. Let those + of your own blood be with you when you enter the vat that + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page283">[pg 283]</span> will bring + such change to you. Have your daughters there. I will give them the + juice to mix in the vat, and I will teach them the incantation that + has to be said.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> So she said, + and she made Pelias consent to having his daughters and not Medea + in the chamber of the vat. They were sent for and they came before + Medea, the daughters of King Pelias.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> They were women + who had been borne down by the tyranny of their father; they stood + before him now, two dim-eyed creatures, very feeble and fearful. To + them Medea gave the phial that had in it the liquid to mix in the + vat; also she taught them the words of the incantation, but she + taught them to use these words wrongly.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The vat was + prepared in the lower chambers; Pelias and his daughters went + there, and the chamber was guarded, and what happened there was in + secret. Pelias went into the vat; the brew was thrown into it, and + the vat boiled and bubbled as before. Pelias sank down in it. Over + him then his daughters said the magic words as Medea had taught + them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Pelias sank + down, but he did not rise again. The hours went past and the + morning came, and the daughters of King Pelias raised frightened + laments. Over the sides of the vat the mixture boiled and bubbled, + and Pelias was to be seen at the bottom with his limbs stiffened in + death.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then the guards + came, and they took King Pelias out of the vat and left him in his + royal chamber. The word went through the palace that the king was + dead. There was a hush in the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page284">[pg 284]</span> palace then, but not the hush of grief. + One by one servants and servitors stole away from the palace that + was hated by all. Then there was clatter in the streets as the + fierce fighting men from the mountains galloped away with what + plunder they could seize. And through all this the daughters of + King Pelias sat crouching in fear above the body of their + father.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And Medea, + still an ancient woman seemingly, went through the crowds that now + came on the streets of the city. She told those she went amongst + that the son of Æson was alive and would soon be in their midst. + Hearing this the men of the city formed a council of elders to rule + the people until Jason’s coming. In such way Medea brought about + the end of King Pelias’s reign.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> In triumph she + went through the city. But as she was passing the temple her dress + was caught and held, and turning around she faced the ancient + priestess of Artemis, Iphias. <span class="tei tei-q">“Thou art + Æetes’s daughter,”</span> Iphias said, <span class="tei tei-q">“who + in deceit didst come into Iolcus. Woe to thee and woe to Jason for + what thou hast done this day! Not for the slaying of Pelias art + thou blameworthy, but for the misery that thou hast brought upon + his daughters by bringing them into the guilt of the slaying. Go + from the city, daughter of King Æetes; never, never wilt thou come + back into it.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> But little heed + did Medea pay to the ancient priestess, Iphias. Still in the guise + of an old woman she went through the streets of the city, and out + through the gate and along the highway <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page285">[pg 285]</span> that led from Iolcus. To that dark pool + she came where she had bathed herself before. But now she did not + step into the pool nor pour its water over her shrinking flesh; + instead she built up two altars of green sods—an altar to Youth and + an altar to Hecate, queen of the witches; she wreathed them with + green boughs from the forest, and she prayed before each. Then she + made herself naked, and she anointed herself with the brew she had + made from the magical herbs and grasses. All marks of age and + decrepitude left her, and when she stood over the dark pool and + looked down on herself she saw that her body was white and shapely + as before, and that her hair was soft and lovely.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="i044.png" id= + "i044.png" class="tei tei-anchor" style= + "text-align: center"></a><a name="fig124" id="fig124"></a></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style= + "width: 100%; text-align: center"> + <img src="images/i044.png" alt="Illustration" title="" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> She stayed all + night between the tangled wood and the dark pool, and with the + first light the car drawn by the scaly dragons came to her. She + mounted the car, and she journeyed back to Corinth.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Into Jason’s + mind a fear of Medea had come since the hour when he had seen her + mount the car drawn by the scaly dragons. He could not think of her + any more as the one who had been his companion on the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + He thought of her as one who could help him and do wonderful things + for him, but not as one whom he could talk softly and lovingly to. + Ah, but if Jason had thought less of his kingdom and less of his + triumphing with the Fleece of Gold, Medea would not have had the + dragons come to her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And now that + his love for Medea had altered, Jason noted the loveliness of + another—of Glauce, the daughter of Creon, the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page286">[pg 286]</span> King of Corinth. And + Glauce, who had red lips and the eyes of a child, saw in Jason who + had brought the Golden Fleece out of Colchis the image of every + hero she had heard about in stories. Creon, the king, often brought + Jason and Glauce together, for his hope was that the hero would wed + his daughter and stay in Corinth and strengthen his kingdom. He + thought that Medea, that strange woman, could not keep a + companionship with Jason.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Two were + walking in the king’s garden, and they were Jason and Glauce. A + shadow fell between them, and when Jason looked up he saw Medea’s + dragon car. Down flew the dragons, and Medea came from the car and + stood between Jason and the princess. Angrily she spoke to him. + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have made the kingdom ready for your + return,”</span> she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“but if you would + go there you must first let me deal in my own way with this pretty + maiden.”</span> And so fiercely did Medea look upon her that Glauce + shrank back and clung to Jason for protection. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“O, Jason,”</span> she cried, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“thou didst say that I am such a one as thou didst + dream of when in the forest with Chiron, before the adventure of + the Golden Fleece drew thee away from the Grecian lands. Oh, save + me now from the power of her who comes in the dragon car.”</span> + And Jason said: <span class="tei tei-q">“I said all that thou hast + said, and I will protect thee, O Glauce.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And then Medea + thought of the king’s house she had left for Jason, and of the + brother whom she had let be slain, and of the plot she had carried + out to bring Jason back to Iolcus, and a <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page287">[pg 287]</span> great fury came over her. In her hand + she took foam from the jaws of the dragons, and she cast the foam + upon Glauce, and the princess fell back into the arms of Jason with + the dragon foam burning into her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Then, seeing in + his eyes that he had forgotten all that he owed to her—the winning + of the Golden Fleece, and the safety of <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>, + and the destruction of the power of King Pelias—seeing in his eyes + that Jason had forgotten all this, Medea went into her dragon-borne + car and spoke the words that made the scaly dragons bear her aloft. + She flew from Corinth, leaving Jason in King Creon’s garden with + Glauce dying in his arms. He lifted her up and laid her upon a bed, + but even as her friends came around her the daughter of King Creon + died. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page288">[pg 288]</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> </p> + + <div class="deco-letter floatleft tei tei-figure" style= + "margin-bottom: 0.00em; margin-top: 0.00em"><img src= + "images/capA2.png" alt="Decorative first letter" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="margin-left: -1.00em"><span style= + "color: white; font-variant: small-caps">A</span></span>ND Jason? + For long he stayed in Corinth, a famous man indeed, but one + sorrowful and alone. But again there grew in him the desire to rule + and to have possessions. He called around him again the men whose + home was in Iolcus—those who had followed him as bright-eyed youths + when he first proclaimed his purpose of winning the Fleece of Gold. + He called them around him, and he led them on board the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em>. + Once more they lifted sails, and once more they took the <em class= + "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> + into the open sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Toward Iolcus + they sailed; their passage was fortunate, and in a short time they + brought the <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> safely into the harbor of + Pagasæ. Oh, happy were the crowds that came thronging to see the + ship that had the famous Fleece of Gold upon her masthead, and + green and sweet smelling were the garlands that the people brought + to wreathe the heads of Jason and his companions! Jason looked upon + the throngs, and he thought that much had gone from him, but he + thought that whatever else had gone something remained to him—to be + a king and a great ruler over a people.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And so Jason + came back to Iolcus. The <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argo</span></em> he made a blazing pile of in + sacrifice to Poseidon, the god of the sea. The Golden Fleece he + hung in the temple of the gods. Then he took up the rule of the + kingdom that Cretheus had founded, and he became the greatest of + the kings of Greece.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page289">[pg + 289]</span> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> And to Iolcus + there came, year after year, young men who would look upon the + gleaming thing that was hung there in the temple of the gods. And + as they looked upon it, young man after young man, the thought + would come to each that he would make himself strong enough and + heroic enough to win for his country something as precious as + Jason’s <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Golden Fleece</span></span>. And for all + their lives they kept in mind the words that Jason had inscribed + upon a pillar that was placed beside the Fleece of Gold—the words + that Triton spoke to the Argonauts when they were fain to win their + way out of the inland sea:—</p> + + <div class="block tei tei-q" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <span style="font-size: 90%">THAT IS THE OUTLET TO THE SEA, WHERE + THE DEEP WATER LIES UNMOVED AND DARK; ON EACH SIDE ROLL WHITE + BREAKERS WITH SHINING CRESTS; AND THE WAY BETWEEN FOR YOUR PASSAGE + OUT IS NARROW. BUT GO IN JOY, AND AS FOR LABOR LET THERE BE NO + GRIEVING THAT LIMBS IN YOUTHFUL VIGOR SHOULD STILL TOIL.</span> + </div> + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-back" style= + "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="boxed tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Transcriber’s Note</span></h1> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> The book received + a Newbery Honor Award (1922).</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Illustrations in + the original appear on separate, unnumbered pages. In this + transcription, wherever an illustration would break a paragraph, it + was moved after the paragraph.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.00em"> Obvious + typographical errors were silently corrected.</p> + </div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <pre class="pre tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN FLEECE AND THE HEROES WHO LIVED BEFORE ACHILLES*** +</pre> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="rightpageheader125" id="rightpageheader125"></a><a name= + "pgtoc126" id="pgtoc126"></a><a name="pdf127" id="pdf127"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1> + + <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss"></th> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tei tei-item tei-item-gloss"> + <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" + style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <tbody> + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">Project Gutenberg TEI + edition 1</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><span class= + "tei tei-respStmt"><span class= + "tei tei-resp">Produced by <span class= + "tei tei-name">David Edwards</span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name">Daniel Mahu</span>, and the + <span class="tei tei-name">Online Distributed + Proofreading Team</span> at + <http://www.pgdp.net/c> (This file was + produced from images generously made available by + The Internet Archive).</span></span></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + </div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="rightpageheader128" id="rightpageheader128"></a><a name= + "pgtoc129" id="pgtoc129"></a><a name="pdf130" id="pdf130"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">A Word from Project + Gutenberg</span></h1> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This file + should be named 37881-h.html or 37881-h.zip.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This and all + associated files of various formats will be found in: <a href= + "http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/7/8/8/37881/" class= + "block tei tei-xref" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <span style= + "font-size: 90%">http://www.gutenberg.org</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">/dirs/3/7/8/8/37881/</span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Updated + editions will replace the previous one — the old editions will be + renamed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Creating the + works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a + United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and + you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without + permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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