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Title: The Argonautica
Author: Apollonius Rhodius
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<div class="fig" style="width:60%;">
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</div>
<h1>The Argonautica</h1>
<h2>by Apollonius Rhodius</h2>
<p class="p2">
Originally written in Ancient Greek sometime in the 3rd Century B.C. by the
Alexandrian poet Apollonius Rhodius (“Apollonius the Rhodian”).
Translation by R.C. Seaton, 1912.
</p>
<hr />
<p>
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: ORIGINAL TEXT—
</p>
<p>
Seaton, R.C. (Ed. & Trans.): “Apollonius Rhodius: Argonautica”
(Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA, 1912). Original Greek text with
side-by-side English translation.
</p>
<p>
OTHER TRANSLATIONS—
</p>
<p>
Rieu, E.V. (Trans.): “Apollonius of Rhodes: The Voyage of the Argo”
(Penguin Classics, London, 1959, 1971).
</p>
<p>
RECOMMENDED READING—
</p>
<p>
Euripides: “Medea”, “Hecabe”, “Electra”,
and “Heracles”, translated by Philip Vellacott (Penguin Classics,
London, 1963). Contains four plays by Euripides, two of which concern
characters from “The Argonautica”.
</p>
<hr />
<h2>Contents</h2>
<table summary="" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto">
<tr>
<td> <a href="#chap01">INTRODUCTION</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <a href="#chap02">THE ARGONAUTICA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <a href="#chap03">BOOK I</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <a href="#chap04">BOOK II</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <a href="#chap05">BOOK III</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <a href="#chap06">BOOK IV</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <a href="#chap07">ENDNOTES</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
<div class="chapter">
<h2><a name="chap01"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2>
<p>
Much has been written about the chronology of Alexandrian literature and the
famous Library, founded by Ptolemy Soter, but the dates of the chief writers
are still matters of conjecture. The birth of Apollonius Rhodius is placed by
scholars at various times between 296 and 260 B.C., while the year of his death
is equally uncertain. In fact, we have very little information on the subject.
There are two “lives” of Apollonius in the Scholia, both derived
from an earlier one which is lost. From these we learn that he was of
Alexandria by birth,<a href="#linknote-1" name="linknoteref-1"
id="linknoteref-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> that he lived in the time of the
Ptolemies, and was a pupil of Callimachus; that while still a youth he composed
and recited in public his <i>Argonautica</i>, and that the poem was
condemned, in consequence of which he retired to Rhodes; that there he revised
his poem, recited it with great applause, and hence called himself a Rhodian.
The second “life” adds: “Some say that he returned to
Alexandria and again recited his poem with the utmost success, so that he was
honoured with the libraries of the Museum and was buried with
Callimachus.” The last sentence may be interpreted by the notice of
Suidas, who informs us that Apollonius was a contemporary of Eratosthenes,
Euphorion and Timarchus, in the time of Ptolemy Euergetes, and that he
succeeded Eratosthenes in the headship of the Alexandrian Library. Suidas also
informs us elsewhere that Aristophanes at the age of sixty-two succeeded
Apollonius in this office. Many modern scholars deny the
“bibliothecariate” of Apollonius for chronological reasons, and
there is considerable difficulty about it. The date of Callimachus’
<i>Hymn to Apollo</i>, which closes with some lines (105-113) that are
admittedly an allusion to Apollonius, may be put with much probability at 248
or 247 B.C. Apollonius must at that date have been at least twenty years old.
Eratosthenes died 196-193 B.C. This would make Apollonius seventy-two to
seventy-five when he succeeded Eratosthenes. This is not impossible, it is
true, but it is difficult. But the difficulty is taken away if we assume with
Ritschl that Eratosthenes resigned his office some years before his death,
which allows us to put the birth of Apollonius at about 280, and would solve
other difficulties. For instance, if the Librarians were buried within the
precincts, it would account for the burial of Apollonius next to
Callimachus—Eratosthenes being still alive. However that may be, it is
rather arbitrary to take away the “bibliothecariate” of Apollonius,
which is clearly asserted by Suidas, on account of chronological calculations
which are themselves uncertain. Moreover, it is more probable that the words
following “some say” in the second “life” are a remnant
of the original life than a conjectural addition, because the first
“life” is evidently incomplete, nothing being said about the end of
Apollonius’ career.
</p>
<p>
The principal event in his life, so far as we know, was the quarrel with his
master Callimachus, which was most probably the cause of his condemnation at
Alexandria and departure to Rhodes. This quarrel appears to have arisen from
differences of literary aims and taste, but, as literary differences often do,
degenerated into the bitterest personal strife. There are references to the
quarrel in the writings of both. Callimachus attacks Apollonius in the passage
at the end of the <i>Hymn to Apollo</i>, already mentioned, also
probably in some epigrams, but most of all in his <i>Ibis</i>, of which
we have an imitation, or perhaps nearly a translation, in Ovid’s poem of
the same name. On the part of Apollonius there is a passage in the third book
of the <i>Argonautica</i> (ll. 927-947) which is of a polemical nature
and stands out from the context, and the well-known savage epigram upon
Callimachus.<a href="#linknote-2" name="linknoteref-2"
id="linknoteref-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Various combinations have been
attempted by scholars, notably by Couat, in his <i>Poésie
Alexandrine</i>, to give a connected account of the quarrel, but we have not
<i>data</i> sufficient to determine the order of the attacks, and replies, and
counter-attacks. The <i>Ibis</i> has been thought to mark the
termination of the feud on the curious ground that it was impossible for abuse
to go further. It was an age when literary men were more inclined to comment on
writings of the past than to produce original work. Literature was engaged in
taking stock of itself. Homer was, of course, professedly admired by all, but
more admired than imitated. Epic poetry was out of fashion and we find many
epigrams of this period—some by Callimachus—directed against the
“cyclic” poets, by whom were meant at that time those who were
always dragging in conventional and commonplace epithets and phrases peculiar
to epic poetry. Callimachus was in accordance with the spirit of the age when
he proclaimed “a great book” to be “a great evil”, and
sought to confine poetical activity within the narrowest limits both of subject
and space. Theocritus agreed with him, both in principle and practice. The
chief characteristics of Alexandrianism are well summarized by Professor
Robinson Ellis as follows: “Precision in form and metre, refinement in
diction, a learning often degenerating into pedantry and obscurity, a resolute
avoidance of everything commonplace in subject, sentiment or allusion.”
These traits are more prominent in Callimachus than in Apollonius, but they are
certainly to be seen in the latter. He seems to have written the
<i>Argonautica</i> out of bravado, to show that he <i>could</i> write an epic
poem. But the influence of the age was too strong. Instead of the unity of an
Epic we have merely a series of episodes, and it is the great beauty and power
of one of these episodes that gives the poem its permanent value—the
episode of the love of Jason and Medea. This occupies the greater part of the
third book. The first and second books are taken up with the history of the
voyage to Colchis, while the fourth book describes the return voyage. These
portions constitute a metrical guide book, filled no doubt with many pleasing
episodes, such as the rape of Hylas, the boxing match between Pollux and
Amyeus, the account of Cyzicus, the account of the Amazons, the legend of
Talos, but there is no unity running through the poem beyond that of the voyage
itself.
</p>
<p>
The Tale of the Argonauts had been told often before in verse and prose, and
many authors’ names are given in the Scholia to Apollonius, but their
works have perished. The best known earlier account that we have is that in
Pindar’s fourth Pythian ode, from which Apollonius has taken many
details. The subject was one for an epic poem, for its unity might have been
found in the working out of the expiation due for the crime of Athamas; but
this motive is barely mentioned by our author.
</p>
<p>
As we have it, the motive of the voyage is the command of Pelias to bring back
the golden fleece, and this command is based on Pelias’ desire to destroy
Jason, while the divine aid given to Jason results from the intention of Hera
to punish Pelias for his neglect of the honour due to her. The learning of
Apollonius is not deep but it is curious; his general sentiments are not
according to the Alexandrian standard, for they are simple and obvious. In the
mass of material from which he had to choose the difficulty was to know what to
omit, and much skill is shown in fusing into a tolerably harmonious whole
conflicting mythological and historical details. He interweaves with his
narrative local legends and the founding of cities, accounts of strange
customs, descriptions of works of art, such as that of Ganymede and Eros
playing with knucklebones,<a href="#linknote-3" name="linknoteref-3"
id="linknoteref-3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> but prosaically calls himself
back to the point from these pleasing digressions by such an expression as
“but this would take me too far from my song.” His business is the
straightforward tale and nothing else. The astonishing geography of the fourth
book reminds us of the interest of the age in that subject, stimulated no doubt
by the researches of Eratosthenes and others.
</p>
<p>
The language is that of the conventional epic. Apollonius seems to have
carefully studied Homeric glosses, and gives many examples of isolated uses,
but his choice of words is by no means limited to Homer. He freely avails
himself of Alexandrian words and late uses of Homeric words. Among his
contemporaries Apollonius suffers from a comparison with Theocritus, who was a
little his senior, but he was much admired by Roman writers who derived
inspiration from the great classical writers of Greece by way of Alexandria. In
fact Alexandria was a useful bridge between Athens and Rome. The
<i>Argonautica</i> was translated by Varro Atacinus, copied by Ovid and
Virgil, and minutely studied by Valerius Flaccus in his poem of the same name.
Some of his finest passages have been appropriated and improved upon by Virgil
by the divine right of superior genius.<a href="#linknote-4"
name="linknoteref-4" id="linknoteref-4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> The
subject of love had been treated in the romantic spirit before the time of
Apollonius in writings that have perished, for instance, in those of Antimachus
of Colophon, but the <i>Argonautica</i> is perhaps the first poem still
extant in which the expression of this spirit is developed with elaboration.
The Medea of Apollonius is the direct precursor of the Dido of Virgil, and it
is the pathos and passion of the fourth book of the “Aeneid” that
keep alive many a passage of Apollonius.
</p>
</div><!--end chapter-->
<div class="chapter">
<h2><a name="chap02"></a>THE ARGONAUTICA</h2>
</div><!--end chapter-->
<div class="chapter">
<h2><a name="chap03"></a>BOOK I</h2>
<p>
Beginning with thee, O Phoebus, I will recount the famous deeds of men of old,
who, at the behest of King Pelias, down through the mouth of Pontus and between
the Cyanean rocks, sped well-benched Argo in quest of the golden fleece.
</p>
<p>
Such was the oracle that Pelias heard, that a hateful doom awaited him to be
slain at the prompting of the man whom he should see coming forth from the
people with but one sandal. And no long time after, in accordance with that
true report, Jason crossed the stream of wintry Anaurus on foot, and saved one
sandal from the mire, but the other he left in the depths held back by the
flood. And straightway he came to Pelias to share the banquet which the king
was offering to his father Poseidon and the rest of the gods, though he paid no
honour to Pelasgian Hera. Quickly the king saw him and pondered, and devised
for him the toil of a troublous voyage, in order that on the sea or among
strangers he might lose his home-return.
</p>
<p>
The ship, as former bards relate, Argus wrought by the guidance of Athena. But
now I will tell the lineage and the names of the heroes, and of the long
sea-paths and the deeds they wrought in their wanderings; may the Muses be the
inspirers of my song!
</p>
<p>
First then let us name Orpheus whom once Calliope bare, it is said, wedded to
Thracian Oeagrus, near the Pimpleian height. Men say that he by the music of
his songs charmed the stubborn rocks upon the mountains and the course of
rivers. And the wild oak-trees to this day, tokens of that magic strain, that
grow at Zone on the Thracian shore, stand in ordered ranks close together, the
same which under the charm of his lyre he led down from Pieria. Such then was
Orpheus whom Aeson’s son welcomed to share his toils, in obedience to the
behest of Cheiron, Orpheus ruler of Bistonian Pieria.
</p>
<p>
Straightway came Asterion, whom Cometes begat by the waters of eddying
Apidanus; he dwelt at Peiresiae near the Phylleian mount, where mighty Apidanus
and bright Enipeus join their streams, coming together from afar.
</p>
<p>
Next to them from Larisa came Polyphemus, son of Eilatus, who aforetime among
the mighty Lapithae, when they were arming themselves against the Centaurs,
fought in his younger days; now his limbs were grown heavy with age, but his
martial spirit still remained, even as of old.
</p>
<p>
Nor was Iphiclus long left behind in Phylace, the uncle of Aeson’s son;
for Aeson had wedded his sister Alcimede, daughter of Phylacus: his kinship
with her bade him be numbered in the host.
</p>
<p>
Nor did Admetus, the lord of Pherae rich in sheep, stay behind beneath the peak
of the Chalcodonian mount.
</p>
<p>
Nor at Alope stayed the sons of Hermes, rich in corn-land, well skilled in
craftiness, Erytus and Echion, and with them on their departure their kinsman
Aethalides went as the third; him near the streams of Amphrysus Eupolemeia
bare, the daughter of Myrmidon, from Phthia; the two others were sprung from
Antianeira, daughter of Menetes.
</p>
<p>
From rich Gyrton came Coronus, son of Caeneus, brave, but not braver than his
father. For bards relate that Caeneus though still living perished at the hands
of the Centaurs, when apart from other chiefs he routed them; and they,
rallying against him, could neither bend nor slay him; but unconquered and
unflinching he passed beneath the earth, overwhelmed by the downrush of massy
pines.
</p>
<p>
There came too Titaresian Mopsus, whom above all men the son of Leto taught the
augury of birds; and Eurydamas the son of Ctimenus; he dwelt at Dolopian
Ctimene near the Xynian lake.
</p>
<p>
Moreover Actor sent his son Menoetius from Opus that he might accompany the
chiefs.
</p>
<p>
Eurytion followed and strong Eribotes, one the son of Teleon, the other of
Irus, Actor’s son; the son of Teleon renowned Eribotes, and of Irus
Eurytion. A third with them was Oileus, peerless in courage and well skilled to
attack the flying foe, when they break their ranks.
</p>
<p>
Now from Euboea came Canthus eager for the quest, whom Canethus son of Abas
sent; but he was not destined to return to Cerinthus. For fate had ordained
that he and Mopsus, skilled in the seer’s art, should wander and perish
in the furthest ends of Libya. For no ill is too remote for mortals to incur,
seeing that they buried them in Libya, as far from the Colchians as is the
space that is seen between the setting and the rising of the sun.
</p>
<p>
To him Clytius and Iphitus joined themselves, the warders of Oechalia, sons of
Eurytus the ruthless, Eurytus, to whom the Far-shooting god gave his bow; but
he had no joy of the gift; for of his own choice he strove even with the giver.
</p>
<p>
After them came the sons of Aeacus, not both together, nor from the same spot;
for they settled far from Aegina in exile, when in their folly they had slain
their brother Phoeus. Telamon dwelt in the Attic island; but Peleus departed
and made his home in Phthia.
</p>
<p>
After them from Cecropia came warlike Butes, son of brave Teleon, and Phalerus
of the ashen spear. Alcon his father sent him forth; yet no other sons had he
to care for his old age and livelihood. But him, his well-beloved and only son,
he sent forth that amid bold heroes he might shine conspicuous. But Theseus,
who surpassed all the sons of Erechtheus, an unseen bond kept beneath the land
of Taenarus, for he had followed that path with Peirithous; assuredly both
would have lightened for all the fulfilment of their toil.
</p>
<p>
Tiphys, son of Hagnias, left the Siphaean people of the Thespians, well skilled
to foretell the rising wave on the broad sea, and well skilled to infer from
sun and star the stormy winds and the time for sailing. Tritonian Athena
herself urged him to join the band of chiefs, and he came among them a welcome
comrade. She herself too fashioned the swift ship; and with her Argus, son of
Arestor, wrought it by her counsels. Wherefore it proved the most excellent of
all ships that have made trial of the sea with oars.
</p>
<p>
After them came Phlias from Araethyrea, where he dwelt in affluence by the
favour of his father Dionysus, in his home by the springs of Asopus.
</p>
<p>
From Argos came Talaus and Areius, sons of Bias, and mighty Leodocus, all of
whom Pero daughter of Neleus bare; on her account the Aeolid Melampus endured
sore affliction in the steading of Iphiclus.
</p>
<p>
Nor do we learn that Heracles of the mighty heart disregarded the eager summons
of Aeson’s son. But when he heard a report of the heroes’ gathering
and had reached Lyrceian Argos from Arcadia by the road along which he carried
the boar alive that fed in the thickets of Lampeia, near the vast Erymanthian
swamp, the boar bound with chains he put down from his huge shoulders at the
entrance to the market-place of Mycenae; and himself of his own will set out
against the purpose of Eurystheus; and with him went Hylas, a brave comrade, in
the flower of youth, to bear his arrows and to guard his bow.
</p>
<p>
Next to him came a scion of the race of divine Danaus, Nauplius. He was the son
of Clytonaeus son of Naubolus; Naubolus was son of Lernus; Lernus we know was
the son of Proetus son of Nauplius; and once Amymone daughter of Danaus, wedded
to Poseidon, bare Nauplius, who surpassed all men in naval skill.
</p>
<p>
Idmon came last of all them that dwelt at Argos, for though he had learnt his
own fate by augury, he came, that the people might not grudge him fair renown.
He was not in truth the son of Abas, but Leto’s son himself begat him to
be numbered among the illustrious Aeolids; and himself taught him the art of
prophecy—to pay heed to birds and to observe the signs of the burning
sacrifice.
</p>
<p>
Moreover Aetolian Leda sent from Sparta strong Polydeuces and Castor, skilled
to guide swift-footed steeds; these her dearly-loved sons she bare at one birth
in the house of Tyndareus; nor did she forbid their departure; for she had
thoughts worthy of the bride of Zeus.
</p>
<p>
The sons of Aphareus, Lynceus and proud Idas, came from Arene, both exulting in
their great strength; and Lynceus too excelled in keenest sight, if the report
is true that that hero could easily direct his sight even beneath the earth.
</p>
<p>
And with them Neleian Periclymenus set out to come, eldest of all the sons of
godlike Neleus who were born at Pylos; Poseidon had given him boundless
strength and granted him that whatever shape he should crave during the fight,
that he should take in the stress of battle.
</p>
<p>
Moreover from Arcadia came Amphidamas and Cepheus, who inhabited Tegea and the
allotment of Apheidas, two sons of Aldus; and Ancaeus followed them as the
third, whom his father Lycurgus sent, the brother older than both. But he was
left in the city to care for Aleus now growing old, while he gave his son to
join his brothers. Antaeus went clad in the skin of a Maenalian bear, and
wielding in his right hand a huge two-edged battleaxe. For his armour his
grandsire had hidden in the house’s innermost recess, to see if he might
by some means still stay his departure.
</p>
<p>
There came also Augeias, whom fame declared to be the son of Helios; he reigned
over the Eleans, glorying in his wealth; and greatly he desired to behold the
Colchian land and Aeetes himself the ruler of the Colchians.
</p>
<p>
Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came from Achaean Pellene, which once
Pelles their grandsire founded on the brows of Aegialus.
</p>
<p>
After them from Taenarus came Euphemus whom, most swift-footed of men, Europe,
daughter of mighty Tityos, bare to Poseidon. He was wont to skim the swell of
the grey sea, and wetted not his swift feet, but just dipping the tips of his
toes was borne on the watery path.
</p>
<p>
Yea, and two other sons of Poseidon came; one Erginus, who left the citadel of
glorious Miletus, the other proud Ancaeus, who left Parthenia, the seat of
Imbrasion Hera; both boasted their skill in seacraft and in war.
</p>
<p>
After them from Calydon came the son of Oeneus, strong Meleagrus, and
Laocoon—Laocoon the brother of Oeneus, though not by the same mother, for
a serving-woman bare him; him, now growing old, Oeneus sent to guard his son:
thus Meleagrus, still a youth, entered the bold band of heroes. No other had
come superior to him, I ween, except Heracles, if for one year more he had
tarried and been nurtured among the Aetolians. Yea, and his uncle, well skilled
to fight whether with the javelin or hand to hand, Iphiclus son of Thestius,
bare him company on his way.
</p>
<p>
With him came Palaemonius, son of Olenian Lernus, of Lernus by repute, but his
birth was from Hephaestus; and so he was crippled in his feet, but his bodily
frame and his valour no one would dare to scorn. Wherefore he was numbered
among all the chiefs, winning fame for Jason.
</p>
<p>
From the Phocians came Iphitus sprung from Naubolus son of Ornytus; once he had
been his host when Jason went to Pytho to ask for a response concerning his
voyage; for there he welcomed him in his own hails.
</p>
<p>
Next came Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas, whom once Oreithyia, daughter of
Erechtheus, bare to Boreas on the verge of wintry Thrace; thither it was that
Thracian Boreas snatched her away from Cecropia as she was whirling in the
dance, hard by Hissus’ stream. And, carrying her far off, to the spot
that men called the rock of Sarpedon, near the river Erginus, he wrapped her in
dark clouds and forced her to his will. There they were making their dusky
wings quiver upon their ankles on both sides as they rose, a great wonder to
behold, wings that gleamed with golden scales: and round their backs from the
top of the head and neck, hither and thither, their dark tresses were being
shaken by the wind.
</p>
<p>
No, nor had Acastus son of mighty Pelias himself any will to stay behind in the
palace of his brave sire, nor Argus, helper of the goddess Athena; but they too
were ready to be numbered in the host.
</p>
<p>
So many then were the helpers who assembled to join the son of Aeson. All the
chiefs the dwellers thereabout called Minyae, for the most and the bravest
avowed that they were sprung from the blood of the daughters of Minyas; thus
Jason himself was the son of Alcimede who was born of Clymene the daughter of
Minyas.
</p>
<p>
Now when all things had been made ready by the thralls, all things that
fully-equipped ships are furnished withal when men’s business leads them
to voyage across the sea, then the heroes took their way through the city to
the ship where it lay on the strand that men call Magnesian Pagasae; and a
crowd of people hastening rushed together; but the heroes shone like gleaming
stars among the clouds; and each man as he saw them speeding along with their
armour would say:
</p>
<p>
“King Zeus, what is the purpose of Pelias? Whither is he driving forth
from the Panachaean land so great a host of heroes? On one day they would waste
the palace of Aeetes with baleful fire, should he not yield them the fleece of
his own goodwill. But the path is not to be shunned, the toil is hard for those
who venture.”
</p>
<p>
Thus they spake here and there throughout the city; but the women often raised
their hands to the sky in prayer to the immortals to grant a return, their
hearts’ desire. And one with tears thus lamented to her fellow:
</p>
<p>
“Wretched Alcimede, evil has come to thee at last though late, thou hast
not ended with splendour of life. Aeson too, ill-fated man! Surely better had
it been for him, if he were lying beneath the earth, enveloped in his shroud,
still unconscious of bitter toils. Would that the dark wave, when the maiden
Helle perished, had overwhelmed Phrixus too with the ram; but the dire portent
even sent forth a human voice, that it might cause to Alcimede sorrows and
countless pains hereafter.”
</p>
<p>
Thus the women spake at the departure of the heroes. And now many thralls, men
and women, were gathered together, and his mother, smitten with grief for
Jason. And a bitter pang seized every woman’s heart; and with them
groaned the father in baleful old age, lying on his bed, closely wrapped round.
But the hero straightway soothed their pain, encouraging them, and bade the
thralls take up his weapons for war; and they in silence with downcast looks
took them up. And even as the mother had thrown her arms about her son, so she
clung, weeping without stint, as a maiden all alone weeps, falling fondly on
the neck of her hoary nurse, a maid who has now no others to care for her, but
she drags on a weary life under a stepmother, who maltreats her continually
with ever fresh insults, and as she weeps, her heart within her is bound fast
with misery, nor can she sob forth all the groans that struggle for utterance;
so without stint wept Alcimede straining her son in her arms, and in her
yearning grief spake as follows:
</p>
<p>
“Would that on that day when, wretched woman that I am, I heard King
Pelias proclaim his evil behest, I had straightway given up my life and
forgotten my cares, so that thou thyself, my son, with thine own hands,
mightest have buried me; for that was the only wish left me still to be
fulfilled by time, all the other rewards for thy nurture have I long enjoyed.
Now I, once so admired among Achaean women, shall be left behind like a
bondwoman in my empty halls, pining away, ill-fated one, for love of thee, thee
on whose account I had aforetime so much splendour and renown, my only son for
whom I loosed my virgin zone first and last. For to me beyond others the
goddess Eileithyia grudged abundant offspring. Alas for my folly! Not once, not
even in nay dreams did I forebode this, that the flight of Phrixus would bring
me woe.”
</p>
<p>
Thus with moaning she wept, and her handmaidens, standing by, lamented; but
Jason spake gently to her with comforting words:
</p>
<p>
“Do not, I pray thee, mother, store up bitter sorrows overmuch, for thou
wilt not redeem me from evil by tears, but wilt still add grief to grief. For
unseen are the woes that the gods mete out to mortals; be strong to endure thy
share of them though with grief in thy heart; take courage from the promises of
Athena, and from the answers of the gods (for very favourable oracles has
Phoebus given), and then from the help of the chieftains. But do thou remain
here, quiet among thy handmaids, and be not a bird of ill omen to the ship; and
thither my clansmen and thralls will follow me.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and started forth to leave the house. And as Apollo goes forth from
some fragrant shrine to divine Delos or Claros or Pytho or to broad Lyeia near
the stream of Xanthus, in such beauty moved Jason through the throng of people;
and a cry arose as they shouted together. And there met him aged Iphias,
priestess of Artemis guardian of the city, and kissed his right hand, but she
had not strength to say a word, for all her eagerness, as the crowd rushed on,
but she was left there by the wayside, as the old are left by the young, and he
passed on and was gone afar.
</p>
<p>
Now when he had left the well-built streets of the city, he came to the beach
of Pagasae, where his comrades greeted him as they stayed together near the
ship Argo. And he stood at the entering in, and they were gathered to meet him.
And they perceived Aeastus and Argus coming from the city, and they marvelled
when they saw them hasting with all speed, despite the will of Pelias. The one,
Argus, son of Arestor, had cast round his shoulders the hide of a bull reaching
to his feet, with the black hair upon it, the other, a fair mantle of double
fold, which his sister Pelopeia had given him. Still Jason forebore from asking
them about each point but bade all be seated for an assembly. And there, upon
the folded sails and the mast as it lay on the ground, they all took their
seats in order. And among them with goodwill spake Aeson’s son:
</p>
<p>
“All the equipment that a ship needs for all is in due order—lies
ready for our departure. Therefore we will make no long delay in our sailing
for these things’ sake, when the breezes but blow fair. But,
friends,—for common to all is our return to Hellas hereafter, and common
to all is our path to the land of Aeetes—now therefore with ungrudging
heart choose the bravest to be our leader, who shall be careful for everything,
to take upon him our quarrels and covenants with strangers.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and the young heroes turned their eyes towards bold Heracles
sitting in their midst, and with one shout they all enjoined upon him to be
their leader; but he, from the place where he sat, stretched forth his right
hand and said:
</p>
<p>
“Let no one offer this honour to me. For I will not consent, and I will
forbid any other to stand up. Let the hero who brought us together, himself be
the leader of the host.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake with high thoughts, and they assented, as Heracles bade; and
warlike Jason himself rose up, glad at heart, and thus addressed the eager
throng:
</p>
<p>
“If ye entrust your glory to my care, no longer as before let our path be
hindered. Now at last let us propitiate Phoebus with sacrifice and straightway
prepare a feast. And until my thralls come, the overseers of my steading, whose
care it is to choose out oxen from the herd and drive them hither, we will drag
down the ship to the sea, and do ye place all the tackling within, and draw
lots for the benches for rowing. Meantime let us build upon the beach an altar
to Apollo Embasius<a href="#linknote-5" name="linknoteref-5"
id="linknoteref-5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> who by an oracle promised to
point out and show me the paths of the sea, if by sacrifice to him I should
begin my venture for King Pelias.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and was the first to turn to the work, and they stood up in obedience
to him; and they heaped their garments, one upon the other, on a smooth stone,
which the sea did not strike with its waves, but the stormy surge had cleansed
it long before. First of all, by the command of Argus, they strongly girded the
ship with a rope well twisted within,<a href="#linknote-6"
name="linknoteref-6" id="linknoteref-6"><sup>[6]</sup></a>
stretching it tight on each side, in order that the planks might be well
compacted by the bolts and might withstand the opposing force of the surge. And
they quickly dug a trench as wide as the space the ship covered, and at the
prow as far into the sea as it would run when drawn down by their hands. And
they ever dug deeper in front of the stem, and in the furrow laid polished
rollers; and inclined the ship down upon the first rollers, that so she might
glide and be borne on by them. And above, on both sides, reversing the oars,
they fastened them round the thole-pins, so as to project a cubit’s
space. And the heroes themselves stood on both sides at the oars in a row, and
pushed forward with chest and hand at once. And then Tiphys leapt on board to
urge the youths to push at the right moment; and calling on them he shouted
loudly; and they at once, leaning with all their strength, with one push
started the ship from her place, and strained with their feet, forcing her
onward; and Pelian Argo followed swiftly; and they on each side shouted as they
rushed on. And then the rollers groaned under the sturdy keel as they were
chafed, and round them rose up a dark smoke owing to the weight, and she glided
into the sea; but the heroes stood there and kept dragging her back as she sped
onward. And round the thole-pins they fitted the oars, and in the ship they
placed the mast and the well-made sails and the stores.
</p>
<p>
Now when they had carefully paid heed to everything, first they distributed the
benches by lot, two men occupying one seat; but the middle bench they chose for
Heracles and Ancaeus apart from the other heroes, Ancaeus who dwelt in Tegea.
For them alone they left the middle bench just as it was and not by lot; and
with one consent they entrusted Tiphys with guarding the helm of the
well-stemmed ship.
</p>
<p>
Next, piling up shingle near the sea, they raised there an altar on the shore
to Apollo, under the name of Actius<a href="#linknote-7"
name="linknoteref-7" id="linknoteref-7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> and
Embasius, and quickly spread above it logs of dried olive-wood. Meantime the
herdsmen of Aeson’s son had driven before them from the herd two steers.
These the younger comrades dragged near the altars, and the others brought
lustral water and barley meal, and Jason prayed, calling on Apollo the god of
his fathers:
</p>
<p>
“Hear, O King, that dwellest in Pagasae and the city Aesonis, the city
called by my father’s name, thou who didst promise me, when I sought thy
oracle at Pytho, to show the fulfilment and goal of my journey, for thou
thyself hast been the cause of my venture; now do thou thyself guide the ship
with my comrades safe and sound, thither and back again to Hellas. Then in thy
honour hereafter we will lay again on thy altar the bright offerings of
bulls—all of us who return; and other gifts in countless numbers I will
bring to Pytho and Ortygia. And now, come, Far-darter, accept this sacrifice at
our hands, which first of all we have offered thee for this ship on our
embarcation; and grant, O King, that with a prosperous wind I may loose the
hawsers, relying on thy counsel, and may the breeze blow softly with which we
shall sail over the sea in fair weather.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and with his prayer cast the barley meal. And they two girded
themselves to slay the steers, proud Ancaeus and Heracles. The latter with his
club smote one steer mid-head on the brow, and falling in a heap on the spot,
it sank to the ground; and Ancaeus struck the broad neck of the other with his
axe of bronze, and shore through the mighty sinews; and it fell prone on both
its horns. Their comrades quickly severed the victims’ throats, and
flayed the hides: they sundered the joints and carved the flesh, then cut out
the sacred thigh bones, and covering them all together closely with fat burnt
them upon cloven wood. And Aeson’s son poured out pure libations, and
Idmon rejoiced beholding the flame as it gleamed on every side from the
sacrifice, and the smoke of it mounting up with good omen in dark spiral
columns; and quickly he spake outright the will of Leto’s son:
</p>
<p>
“For you it is the will of heaven and destiny that ye shall return here
with the fleece; but meanwhile both going and returning, countless trials await
you. But it is my lot, by the hateful decree of a god, to die somewhere afar
off on the mainland of Asia. Thus, though I learnt my fate from evil omens even
before now, I have left my fatherland to embark on the ship, that so after my
embarking fair fame may be left me in my house.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and the youths hearing the divine utterance rejoiced at their
return, but grief seized them for the fate of Idmon. Now at the hour when the
sun passes his noon-tide halt and the ploughlands are just being shadowed by
the rocks, as the sun slopes towards the evening dusk, at that hour all the
heroes spread leaves thickly upon the sand and lay down in rows in front of the
hoary surf-line; and near them were spread vast stores of viands and sweet
wine, which the cupbearers had drawn off in pitchers; afterwards they told
tales one to another in turn, such as youths often tell when at the feast and
the bowl they take delightful pastime, and insatiable insolence is far away.
But here the son of Aeson, all helpless, was brooding over each event in his
mind, like one oppressed with thought. And Idas noted him and assailed him with
loud voice:
</p>
<p>
“Son of Aeson, what is this plan thou art turning over in mind. Speak out
thy thought in the midst. Does fear come on and master thee, fear, that
confounds cowards? Be witness now my impetuous spear, wherewith in wars I win
renown beyond all others (nor does Zeus aid me so much as my own spear), that
no woe will be fatal, no venture will be unachieved, while Idas follows, even
though a god should oppose thee. Such a helpmeet am I that thou bringest from
Arene.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and holding a brimming goblet in both hands drank off the unmixed
sweet wine; and his lips and dark cheeks were drenched with it; and all the
heroes clamoured together and Idmon spoke out openly:
</p>
<p>
“Vain wretch, thou art devising destruction for thyself before the time.
Does the pure wine cause thy bold heart to swell in thy breast to thy ruin, and
has it set thee on to dishonour the gods? Other words of comfort there are with
which a man might encourage his comrade; but thou hast spoken with utter
recklessness. Such taunts, the tale goes, did the sons of Aloeus once blurt out
against the blessed gods, and thou dost no wise equal them in valour;
nevertheless they were both slain by the swift arrows of Leto’s son,
mighty though they were.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and Aphareian Iclas laughed out, loud and long, and eyeing him
askance replied with biting words:
</p>
<p>
“Come now, tell me this by thy prophetic art, whether for me too the gods
will bring to pass such doom as thy father promised for the sons of Aloeus. And
bethink thee how thou wilt escape from my hands alive, if thou art caught
making a prophecy vain as the idle wind.”
</p>
<p>
Thus in wrath Idas reviled him, and the strife would have gone further had not
their comrades and Aeson’s son himself with indignant cry restrained the
contending chiefs; and Orpheus lifted his lyre in his left hand and made essay
to sing.
</p>
<p>
He sang how the earth, the heaven and the sea, once mingled together in one
form, after deadly strife were separated each from other; and how the stars and
the moon and the paths of the sun ever keep their fixed place in the sky; and
how the mountains rose, and how the resounding rivers with their nymphs came
into being and all creeping things. And he sang how first of all Ophion and
Eurynome, daughter of Ocean, held the sway of snowy Olympus, and how through
strength of arm one yielded his prerogative to Cronos and the other to Rhea,
and how they fell into the waves of Ocean; but the other two meanwhile ruled
over the blessed Titan-gods, while Zeus, still a child and with the thoughts of
a child, dwelt in the Dictaean cave; and the earthborn Cyclopes had not yet
armed him with the bolt, with thunder and lightning; for these things give
renown to Zeus.
</p>
<p>
He ended, and stayed his lyre and divine voice. But though he had ceased they
still bent forward with eagerness all hushed to quiet, with ears intent on the
enchanting strain; such a charm of song had he left behind in their hearts. Not
long after they mixed libations in honour of Zeus, with pious rites as is
customary, and poured them upon the burning tongues, and bethought them of
sleep in the darkness.
</p>
<p>
Now when gleaming dawn with bright eyes beheld the lofty peaks of Pelion, and
the calm headlands were being drenched as the sea was ruffled by the winds,
then Tiphys awoke from sleep; and at once he roused his comrades to go on board
and make ready the oars. And a strange cry did the harbour of Pagasae utter,
yea and Pelian Argo herself, urging them to set forth. For in her a beam divine
had been laid which Athena had brought from an oak of Dodona and fitted in the
middle of the stem. And the heroes went to the benches one after the other, as
they had previously assigned for each to row in his place, and took their seats
in due order near their fighting gear. In the middle sat Antaeus and mighty
Heracles, and near him he laid his club, and beneath his tread the ship’s
keel sank deep. And now the hawsers were being slipped and they poured wine on
the sea. But Jason with tears held his eyes away from his fatherland. And just
as youths set up a dance in honour of Phoebus either in Pytho or haply in
Ortygia, or by the waters of Ismenus, and to the sound of the lyre round his
altar all together in time beat the earth with swiftly-moving feet; so they to
the sound of Orpheus’ lyre smote with their oars the rushing sea-water,
and the surge broke over the blades; and on this side and on that the dark
brine seethed with foam, boiling terribly through the might of the sturdy
heroes. And their arms shone in the sun like flame as the ship sped on; and
ever their wake gleamed white far behind, like a path seen over a green plain.
On that day all the gods looked down from heaven upon the ship and the might of
the heroes, half-divine, the bravest of men then sailing the sea; and on the
topmost heights the nymphs of Pelion wondered as they beheld the work of
Itonian Athena, and the heroes themselves wielding the oars. And there came
down from the mountain-top to the sea Chiron, son of Philyra, and where the
white surf broke he dipped his feet, and, often waving with his broad hand,
cried out to them at their departure, “Good speed and a sorrowless
home-return!” And with him his wife, bearing Peleus’ son Achilles
on her arm, showed the child to his dear father.
</p>
<p>
Now when they had left the curving shore of the harbour through the cunning and
counsel of prudent Tiphys son of Hagnias, who skilfully handled the
well-polished helm that he might guide them steadfastly, then at length they
set up the tall mast in the mastbox, and secured it with forestays, drawing
them taut on each side, and from it they let down the sail when they had hauled
it to the top-mast. And a breeze came down piping shrilly; and upon the deck
they fastened the ropes separately round the well-polished pins, and ran
quietly past the long Tisaean headland. And for them the son of Oeagrus touched
his lyre and sang in rhythmical song of Artemis, saviour of ships, child of a
glorious sire, who hath in her keeping those peaks by the sea, and the land of
Iolcos; and the fishes came darting through the deep sea, great mixed with
small, and followed gambolling along the watery paths. And as when in the track
of the shepherd, their master, countless sheep follow to the fold that have fed
to the full of grass, and he goes before gaily piping a shepherd’s strain
on Iris shrill reed; so these fishes followed; and a chasing breeze ever bore
the ship onward.
</p>
<p>
And straightway the misty land of the Pelasgians, rich in cornfields, sank out
of sight, and ever speeding onward they passed the rugged sides of Pelion; and
the Sepian headland sank away, and Sciathus appeared in the sea, and far off
appeared Piresiae and the calm shore of Magnesia on the mainland and the tomb
of Dolops; here then in the evening, as the wind blew against them, they put to
land, and paying honour to him at nightfall burnt sheep as victims, while the
sea was tossed by the swell: and for two days they lingered on the shore, but
on the third day they put forth the ship, spreading on high the broad sail. And
even now men call that beach Aphetae<a href="#linknote-8"
name="linknoteref-8" id="linknoteref-8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> of Argo.
</p>
<p>
Thence going forward they ran past Meliboea, escaping a stormy beach and
surf-line. And in the morning they saw Homole close at hand leaning on the sea,
and skirted it, and not long after they were about to pass by the outfall of
the river Amyrus. From there they beheld Eurymenae and the seawashed ravines of
Ossa and Olympus; next they reached the slopes of Pallene, beyond the headland
of Canastra, running all night with the wind. And at dawn before them as they
journeyed rose Athos, the Thracian mountain, which with its topmost peak
overshadows Lemnos, even as far as Myrine, though it lies as far off as the
space that a well-trimmed merchantship would traverse up to mid-day. For them
on that day, till darkness fell, the breeze blew exceedingly fresh, and the
sails of the ship strained to it. But with the setting of the sun the wind left
them, and it was by the oars that they reached Lemnos, the Sintian isle.
</p>
<p>
Here the whole of the men of the people together had been ruthlessly slain
through the transgressions of the women in the year gone by. For the men had
rejected their lawful wives, loathing them, and had conceived a fierce passion
for captive maids whom they themselves brought across the sea from their forays
in Thrace; for the terrible wrath of Cypris came upon them, because for a long
time they had grudged her the honours due. O hapless women, and insatiate in
jealousy to their own ruin! Not their husbands alone with the captives did they
slay on account of the marriage-bed, but all the males at the same time, that
they might thereafter pay no retribution for the grim murder. And of all the
women, Hypsipyle alone spared her aged father Thoas, who was king over the
people; and she sent him in a hollow chest, to drift over the sea, if haply he
should escape. And fishermen dragged him to shore at the island of Oenoe,
formerly Oenoe, but afterwards called Sicinus from Sicinus, whom the
water-nymph Oenoe bore to Thoas. Now for all the women to tend kine, to don
armour of bronze, and to cleave with the plough-share the wheat-bearing fields,
was easier than the works of Athena, with which they were busied aforetime. Yet
for all that did they often gaze over the broad sea, in grievous fear against
the Thracians’ coming. So when they saw Argo being rowed near the island,
straightway crowding in multitude from the gates of Myrine and clad in their
harness of war, they poured forth to the beach like ravening Thyiades: for they
deemed that the Thracians were come; and with them Hypsipyle, daughter of
Thoas, donned her father’s harness. And they streamed down speechless
with dismay; such fear was wafted about them.
</p>
<p>
Meantime from the ship the chiefs had sent Aethalides the swift herald, to
whose care they entrusted their messages and the wand of Hermes, his sire, who
had granted him a memory of all things, that never grew dim; and not even now,
though he has entered the unspeakable whirlpools of Acheron, has forgetfulness
swept over his soul, but its fixed doom is to be ever changing its abode; at
one time to be numbered among the dwellers beneath the earth, at another to be
in the light of the sun among living men. But why need I tell at length tales
of Aethalides? He at that time persuaded Hypsipyle to receive the new-comers as
the day was waning into darkness; nor yet at dawn did they loose the
ship’s hawsers to the breath of the north wind.
</p>
<p>
Now the Lemnian women fared through the city and sat down to the assembly, for
Hypsipyle herself had so bidden. And when they were all gathered together in
one great throng straightway she spake among them with stirring words:
</p>
<p>
“O friends, come let us grant these men gifts to their hearts’
desire, such as it is fitting that they should take on ship-board, food and
sweet wine, in order that they may steadfastly remain outside our towers, and
may not, passing among us for need’s sake, get to know us all too well,
and so an evil report be widely spread; for we have wrought a terrible deed and
in nowise will it be to their liking, should they learn it. Such is our counsel
now, but if any of you can devise a better plan let her rise, for it was on
this account that I summoned you hither.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake and sat upon her father’s seat of stone, and then rose up
her dear nurse Polyxo, for very age halting upon her withered feet, bowed over
a staff, and she was eager to address them. Near her were seated four virgins,
unwedded, crowned with white hair. And she stood in the midst of the assembly
and from her bent back she feebly raised her neck and spake thus:
</p>
<p>
“Gifts, as Hypsipyle herself wishes, let us send to the strangers, for it
is better to give them. But for you what device have ye to get profit of your
life if the Thracian host fall upon us, or some other foe, as often happens
among men, even as now this company is come unforeseen? But if one of the
blessed gods should turn this aside yet countless other woes, worse than
battle, remain behind, when the aged women die off and ye younger ones, without
children, reach hateful old age. How then will ye live, hapless ones? Will your
oxen of their own accord yoke themselves for the deep plough-lands and draw the
earth-cleaving share through the fallow, and forthwith, as the year comes
round, reap the harvest? Assuredly, though the fates till now have shunned me
in horror, I deem that in the coming year I shall put on the garment of earth,
when I have received my meed of burial even so as is right, before the evil
days draw near. But I bid you who are younger give good heed to this. For now
at your feet a way of escape lies open, if ye trust to the strangers the care
of your homes and all your stock and your glorious city.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and the assembly was filled with clamour. For the word pleased
them. And after her straightway Hypsipyle rose up again, and thus spake in
reply.
</p>
<p>
“If this purpose please you all, now will I even send a messenger to the
ship.”
</p>
<p>
She spake and addressed Iphinoe close at hand: “Go, Iphinoe, and beg
yonder man, whoever it is that leads this array, to come to our land that I may
tell him a word that pleases the heart of my people, and bid the men
themselves, if they wish, boldly enter the land and the city with friendly
intent.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and dismissed the assembly, and thereafter started to return home.
And so Iphinoe came to the Minyae; and they asked with what intent she had come
among them. And quickly she addressed her questioners with all speed in these
words:
</p>
<p>
“The maiden Hypsipyle daughter of Thoas, sent me on my way here to you,
to summon the captain of your ship, whoever he be, that she may tell him a word
that pleases the heart of the people, and she bids yourselves, if ye wish it,
straightway enter the land and the city with friendly intent.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake and the speech of good omen pleased all. And they deemed that
Thoas was dead and that his beloved daughter Hypsipyle was queen, and quickly
they sent Jason on his way and themselves made ready to go.
</p>
<p>
Now he had buckled round his shoulders a purple mantle of double fold, the work
of the Tritonian goddess, which Pallas had given him when she first laid the
keel-props of the ship Argo and taught him how to measure timbers with the
rule. More easily wouldst thou cast thy eyes upon the sun at its rising than
behold that blazing splendour. For indeed in the middle the fashion thereof was
red, but at the ends it was all purple, and on each margin many separate
devices had been skilfully inwoven.
</p>
<p>
In it were the Cyclops seated at their imperishable work, forging a thunderbolt
for King Zeus; by now it was almost finished in its brightness and still it
wanted but one ray, which they were beating out with their iron hammers as it
spurted forth a breath of raging flame.
</p>
<p>
In it too were the twin sons of Antiope, daughter of Asopus, Amphion and
Zethus, and Thebe still ungirt with towers was lying near, whose foundations
they were just then laying in eager haste. Zethus on his shoulders was lifting
the peak of a steep mountain, like a man toiling hard, and Amphion after him,
singing loud and clear on his golden lyre, moved on, and a rock twice as large
followed his footsteps.
</p>
<p>
Next in order had been wrought Cytherea with drooping tresses, wielding the
swift shield of Ares; and from her shoulder to her left arm the fastening of
her tunic was loosed beneath her breast; and opposite in the shield of bronze
her image appeared clear to view as she stood.
</p>
<p>
And in it there was a well-wooded pasturage of oxen; and about the oxen the
Teleboae and the sons of Eleetryon were fighting; the one party defending
themselves, the others, the Taphian raiders, longing to rob them; and the dewy
meadow was drenched with their blood, and the many were overmastering the few
herdsmen.
</p>
<p>
And therein were fashioned two chariots, racing, and the one in front Pelops
was guiding, as he shook the reins, and with him was Hippodameia at his side,
and in pursuit Myrtilus urged his steeds, and with him Oenomaus had grasped his
couched spear, but fell as the axle swerved and broke in the nave, while he was
eager to pierce the back of Pelops.
</p>
<p>
And in it was wrought Phoebus Apollo, a stripling not yet grown up, in the act
of shooting at mighty Tityos who was boldly dragging his mother by her veil,
Tityos whom glorious Elate bare, but Earth nursed him and gave him second
birth.
</p>
<p>
And in it was Phrixus the Minyan as though he were in very deed listening to
the ram, while it was like one speaking. Beholding them thou wouldst be silent
and wouldst cheat thy soul with the hope of hearing some wise speech from them,
and long wouldst thou gaze with that hope.
</p>
<p>
Such then were the gifts of the Tritonian goddess Athena. And in his right hand
Jason held a fardarting spear, which Atalanta gave him once as a gift of
hospitality in Maenalus as she met him gladly; for she eagerly desired to
follow on that quest; but he himself of his own accord prevented the maid, for
he feared bitter strife on account of her love.
</p>
<p>
And he went on his way to the city like to a bright star, which maidens, pent
up in new-built chambers, behold as it rises above their homes, and through the
dark air it charms their eyes with its fair red gleam and the maid rejoices,
love-sick for the youth who is far away amid strangers, for whom her parents
are keeping her to be his bride; like to that star the hero trod the way to the
city. And when they had passed within the gates and the city, the women of the
people surged behind them, delighting in the stranger, but he with his eyes
fixed on the ground fared straight on, till he reached the glorious palace of
Hypsipyle; and when he appeared the maids opened the folding doors, fitted with
well-fashioned panels. Here Iphinoe leading him quickly through a fair porch
set him upon a shining seat opposite her mistress, but Hypsipyle turned her
eyes aside and a blush covered her maiden cheeks, yet for all her modesty she
addressed him with crafty words:
</p>
<p>
“Stranger, why stay ye so long outside our towers? for the city is not
inhabited by the men, but they, as sojourners, plough the wheat-bearing fields
of the Thracian mainland. And I will tell out truly all our evil plight, that
ye yourselves too may know it well. When my father Thoas reigned over the
citizens, then our folk starting from their homes used to plunder from their
ships the dwellings of the Thracians who live opposite, and they brought back
hither measureless booty and maidens too. But the counsel of the baneful
goddess Cypris was working out its accomplishment, who brought upon them soul
destroying infatuation. For they hated their lawful wives, and, yielding to
their own mad folly, drove them from their homes; and they took to their beds
the captives of their spear, cruel ones. Long in truth we endured it, if haply
again, though late, they might change their purpose, but ever the bitter woe
grew, twofold. And the lawful children were being dishonoured in their halls,
and a bastard race was rising. And thus unmarried maidens and widowed mothers
too wandered uncared for through the city; no father heeded his daughter ever
so little even though he should see her done to death before his eyes at the
hands of an insolent step-dame, nor did sons, as before, defend their mother
against unseemly outrage; nor did brothers care at heart for their sister. But
in their homes, in the dance, in the assembly and the banquet all their thought
was only for their captive maidens; until some god put desperate courage in our
hearts no more to receive our lords on their return from Thrace within our
towers so that they might either heed the right or might depart and begone
elsewhither, they and their captives. So they begged of us all the male
children that were left in the city and went back to where even now they dwell
on the snowy tilths of Thrace. Do ye therefore stay and settle with us; and
shouldst thou desire to dwell here, and this finds favour with thee, assuredly
thou shalt have the prerogative of my father Thoas; and I deem that thou wilt
not scorn our land at all; for it is deepsoiled beyond all other islands that
lie in the Aegaean sea. But come now, return to the ship and relate my words to
thy comrades, and stay not outside our city.”
</p>
<p>
She spoke, glozing over the murder that had been wrought upon the men; and
Jason addressed her in answer:
</p>
<p>
“Hypsipyle, very dear to our hearts is the help we shall meet with, which
thou grantest to us who need thee. And I will return again to the city when I
have told everything in order due. But let the sovereignty of the island be
thine; it is not in scorn I yield it up, but grievous trials urge me on.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and touched her right hand; and quickly he turned to go back: and
round him the young maids on every side danced in countless numbers in their
joy till he passed through the gates. And then they came to the shore in
smooth-running wains, bearing with them many gifts, when now he had related
from beginning to end the speech which Hypsipyle had spoken when she summoned
them; and the maids readily led the men back to their homes for entertainment.
For Cypris stirred in them a sweet desire, for the sake of Hephaestus of many
counsels, in order that Lemnos might be again inhabited by men and not be
ruined.
</p>
<p>
Thereupon Aeson’s son started to go to the royal home of Hypsipyle; and
the rest went each his way as chance took them, all but Heracles; for he of his
own will was left behind by the ship and a few chosen comrades with him. And
straightway the city rejoiced with dances and banquets, being filled with the
steam of sacrifice; and above all the immortals they propitiated with songs and
sacrifices the illustrious son of Hera and Cypris herself. And the sailing was
ever delayed from one day to another; and long would they have lingered there,
had not Heracles, gathering together his comrades apart from the women, thus
addressed them with reproachful words:
</p>
<p>
“Wretched men, does the murder of kindred keep us from our native land?
Or is it in want of marriage that we have come hither from thence, in scorn of
our countrywomen? Does it please us to dwell here and plough the rich soil of
Lemnos? No fair renown shall we win by thus tarrying so long with stranger
women; nor will some god seize and give us at our prayer a fleece that moves of
itself. Let us then return each to his own; but him leave ye to rest all day
long in the embrace of Hypsipyle until he has peopled Lemnos with men-children,
and so there come to him great glory.”
</p>
<p>
Thus did he chide the band; but no one dared to meet his eye or to utter a word
in answer. But just as they were in the assembly they made ready their
departure in all haste, and the women came running towards them, when they knew
their intent. And as when bees hum round fair lilies pouring forth from their
hive in the rock, and all around the dewy meadow rejoices, and they gather the
sweet fruit, flitting from one to another; even so the women eagerly poured
forth clustering round the men with loud lament, and greeted each one with
hands and voice, praying the blessed gods to grant him a safe return. And so
Hypsipyle too prayed, seizing the hands of Aeson’s son, and her tears
flowed for the loss of her lover:
</p>
<p>
“Go, and may heaven bring thee back again with thy comrades unharmed,
bearing to the king the golden fleece, even as thou wilt and thy heart
desireth; and this island and my father’s sceptre will be awaiting thee,
if on thy return hereafter thou shouldst choose to come hither again; and
easily couldst thou gather a countless host of men from other cities. But thou
wilt not have this desire, nor do I myself forbode that so it will be. Still
remember Hypsipyle when thou art far away and when thou hast returned; and
leave me some word of bidding, which I will gladly accomplish, if haply heaven
shall grant me to be a mother.”
</p>
<p>
And Aeson’s son in admiration thus replied: “Hypsipyle, so may all
these things prove propitious by the favour of the blessed gods. But do thou
hold a nobler thought of me, since by the grace of Pelias it is enough for me
to dwell in my native land; may the gods only release me from my toils. But if
it is not my destiny to sail afar and return to the land of Hellas, and if thou
shouldst bear a male child, send him when grown up to Pelasgian Iolcus, to heal
the grief of my father and mother if so be that he find them still living, in
order that, far away from the king, they may be cared for by their own hearth
in their home.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and mounted the ship first of all; and so the rest of the chiefs
followed, and, sitting in order, seized the oars; and Argus loosed for them the
hawsers from under the sea-beaten rock. Whereupon they mightily smote the water
with their long oars, and in the evening by the injunctions of Orpheus they
touched at the island of Electra,<a href="#linknote-9"
name="linknoteref-9" id="linknoteref-9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> daughter
of Atlas, in order that by gentle initiation they might learn the rites that
may not be uttered, and so with greater safety sail over the chilling sea. Of
these I will make no further mention; but I bid farewell to the island itself
and the indwelling deities, to whom belong those mysteries, which it is not
lawful for me to sing.
</p>
<p>
Thence did they row with eagerness over the depths of the black Sea, having on
the one side the land of the Thracians, on the other Imbros on the south; and
as the sun was just setting they reached the foreland of the Chersonesus. There
a strong south wind blew for them; and raising the sails to the breeze they
entered the swift stream of the maiden daughter of Athamas; and at dawn the sea
to the north was left behind and at night they were coasting inside the
Rhoeteian shore, with the land of Ida on their right. And leaving Dardania they
directed their course to Abydus, and after it they sailed past Percote and the
sandy beach of Abarnis and divine Pityeia. And in that night, as the ship sped
on by sail and oar, they passed right through the Hellespont dark-gleaming with
eddies.
</p>
<p>
There is a lofty island inside the Propontis, a short distance from the
Phrygian mainland with its rich cornfields, sloping to the sea, where an
isthmus in front of the mainland is flooded by the waves, so low does it lie.
And the isthmus has double shores, and they lie beyond the river Aesepus, and
the inhabitants round about call the island the Mount of Bears. And insolent
and fierce men dwell there, Earthborn, a great marvel to the neighbours to
behold; for each one has six mighty hands to lift up, two from his sturdy
shoulders, and four below, fitting close to his terrible sides. And about the
isthmus and the plain the Doliones had their dwelling, and over them Cyzicus
son of Aeneus was king, whom Aenete the daughter of goodly Eusorus bare. But
these men the Earthborn monsters, fearful though they were, in nowise harried,
owing to the protection of Poseidon; for from him had the Doliones first
sprung. Thither Argo pressed on, driven by the winds of Thrace, and the Fair
haven received her as she sped. There they cast away their small anchorstone by
the advice of Tiphys and left it beneath a fountain, the fountain of Artaeie;
and they took another meet for their purpose, a heavy one; but the first,
according to the oracle of the Far-Darter, the Ionians, sons of Neleus, in
after days laid to be a sacred stone, as was right, in the temple of Jasonian
Athena.
</p>
<p>
Now the Doliones and Cyzicus himself all came together to meet them with
friendliness, and when they knew of the quest and their lineage welcomed them
with hospitality, and persuaded them to row further and to fasten their
ship’s hawsers at the city harbour. Here they built an altar to Ecbasian
Apollo<a href="#linknote-10" name="linknoteref-10"
id="linknoteref-10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> and set it up on the beach, and
gave heed to sacrifices. And the king of his own bounty gave them sweet wine
and sheep in their need; for he had heard a report that whenever a godlike band
of heroes should come, straightway he should meet it with gentle words and
should have no thought of war. As with Jason, the soft down was just blooming
on his chin, nor yet had it been his lot to rejoice in children, but still in
his palace his wife was untouched by the pangs of child-birth, the daughter of
Percosian Merops, fair-haired Cleite, whom lately by priceless gifts he had
brought from her father’s home from the mainland opposite. But even so he
left his chamber and bridal bed and prepared a banquet among the strangers,
casting all fears from his heart. And they questioned one another in turn. Of
them would he learn the end of their voyage and the injunctions of Pelias;
while they enquired about the cities of the people round and all the gulf of
the wide Propontis; but further he could not tell them for all their desire to
learn. In the morning they climbed mighty Dindymum that they might themselves
behold the various paths of that sea; and they brought their ship from its
former anchorage to the harbour, Chytus; and the path they trod is named the
path of Jason.
</p>
<p>
But the Earthborn men on the other side rushed down from the mountain and with
crags below blocked up the mouth of vast Chytus towards the sea, like men lying
in wait for a wild beast within. But there Heracles had been left behind with
the younger heroes and he quickly bent his back-springing bow against the
monsters and brought them to earth one after another; and they in their turn
raised huge ragged rocks and hurled them. For these dread monsters too, I ween,
the goddess Hera, bride of Zeus, had nurtured to be a trial for Heracles. And
therewithal came the rest of the martial heroes returning to meet the foe
before they reached the height of outlook, and they fell to the slaughter of
the Earthborn, receiving them with arrows and spears until they slew them all
as they rushed fiercely to battle. And as when woodcutters cast in rows upon
the beach long trees just hewn down by their axes, in order that, once sodden
with brine, they may receive the strong bolts; so these monsters at the
entrance of the foam-fringed harbour lay stretched one after another, some in
heaps bending their heads and breasts into the salt waves with their limbs
spread out above on the land; others again were resting their heads on the sand
of the shore and their feet in the deep water, both alike a prey to birds and
fishes at once.
</p>
<p>
But the heroes, when the contest was ended without fear, loosed the
ship’s hawsers to the breath of the wind and pressed on through the
sea-swell. And the ship sped on under sail all day; but when night came the
rushing wind did not hold steadfast, but contrary blasts caught them and held
them back till they again approached the hospitable Doliones. And they stepped
ashore that same night; and the rock is still called the Sacred Rock round
which they threw the ship’s hawsers in their haste. Nor did anyone note
with care that it was the same island; nor in the night did the Doliones
clearly perceive that the heroes were returning; but they deemed that Pelasgian
war-men of the Macrians had landed. Therefore they donned their armour and
raised their hands against them. And with clashing of ashen spears and shields
they fell on each other, like the swift rush of fire which falls on dry
brushwood and rears its crest; and the din of battle, terrible and furious,
fell upon the people of the Doliones. Nor was the king to escape his fate and
return home from battle to his bridal chamber and bed. But Aeson’s son
leapt upon him as he turned to face him, and smote him in the middle of the
breast, and the bone was shattered round the spear; he rolled forward in the
sand and filled up the measure of his fate. For that no mortal may escape; but
on every side a wide snare encompasses us. And so, when he thought that he had
escaped bitter death from the chiefs, fate entangled him that very night in her
toils while battling with them; and many champions withal were slain; Heracles
killed Telecles and Megabrontes, and Acastus slew Sphodris; and Peleus slew
Zelus and Gephyrus swift in war. Telamon of the strong spear slew Basileus. And
Idas slew Promeus, and Clytius Hyacinthus, and the two sons of Tyndareus slew
Megalossaces and Phlogius. And after them the son of Oeneus slew bold
Itomeneus, and Artaceus, leader of men; all of whom the inhabitants still
honour with the worship due to heroes. And the rest gave way and fled in terror
just as doves fly in terror before swift-winged hawks. And with a din they
rustled in a body to the gates; and quickly the city was filled with loud cries
at the turning of the dolorous fight. But at dawn both sides perceived the
fatal and cureless error; and bitter grief seized the Minyan heroes when they
saw before them Cyzicus son of Aeneus fallen in the midst of dust and blood.
And for three whole days they lamented and rent their hair, they and the
Dollones. Then three times round his tomb they paced in armour of bronze and
performed funeral rites and celebrated games, as was meet, upon the
meadow-plain, where even now rises the mound of his grave to be seen by men of
a later day. No, nor was his bride Cleite left behind her dead husband, but to
crown the ill she wrought an ill yet more awful, when she clasped a noose round
her neck. Her death even the nymphs of the grove bewailed; and of all the tears
for her that they shed to earth from their eyes the goddesses made a fountain,
which they call Cleite,<a href="#linknote-11" name="linknoteref-11"
id="linknoteref-11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> the illustrious name of the
hapless maid. Most terrible came that day from Zeus upon the Doliones, women
and men; for no one of them dared even to taste food, nor for a long time by
reason of grief did they take thought for the toil of the cornmill, but they
dragged on their lives eating their food as it was, untouched by fire. Here
even now, when the Ionians that dwell in Cyzicus pour their yearly libations
for the dead, they ever grind the meal for the sacrificial cakes at the common
mill.<a href="#linknote-12" name="linknoteref-12"
id="linknoteref-12"><sup>[12]</sup></a>
</p>
<p>
After this, fierce tempests arose for twelve days and nights together and kept
them there from sailing. But in the next night the rest of the chieftains,
overcome by sleep, were resting during the latest period of the night, while
Acastus and Mopsus the son of Ampyeus kept guard over their deep slumbers. And
above the golden head of Aeson’s son there hovered a halcyon prophesying
with shrill voice the ceasing of the stormy winds; and Mopsus heard and
understood the cry of the bird of the shore, fraught with good omen. And some
god made it turn aside, and flying aloft it settled upon the stern-ornament of
the ship. And the seer touched Jason as he lay wrapped in soft sheepskins and
woke him at once, and thus spake:
</p>
<p>
“Son of Aeson, thou must climb to this temple on rugged Dindymum and
propitiate the mother<a href="#linknote-13" name="linknoteref-13"
id="linknoteref-13"><sup>[13]</sup></a> of all the blessed gods on her
fair throne, and the stormy blasts shall cease. For such was the voice I heard
but now from the halcyon, bird of the sea, which, as it flew above thee in thy
slumber, told me all. For by her power the winds and the sea and all the earth
below and the snowy seat of Olympus are complete; and to her, when from the
mountains she ascends the mighty heaven, Zeus himself, the son of Cronos, gives
place. In like manner the rest of the immortal blessed ones reverence the dread
goddess.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and his words were welcome to Jason’s ear. And he arose
from his bed with joy and woke all his comrades hurriedly and told them the
prophecy of Mopsus the son of Ampycus. And quickly the younger men drove oxen
from their stalls and began to lead them to the mountain’s lofty summit.
And they loosed the hawsers from the sacred rock and rowed to the Thracian
harbour; and the heroes climbed the mountain, leaving a few of their comrades
in the ship. And to them the Macrian heights and all the coast of Thrace
opposite appeared to view close at hand. And there appeared the misty mouth of
Bosporus and the Mysian hills; and on the other side the stream of the river
Aesepus and the city and Nepeian plain of Adrasteia. Now there was a sturdy
stump of vine that grew in the forest, a tree exceeding old; this they cut
down, to be the sacred image of the mountain goddess; and Argus smoothed it
skilfully, and they set it upon that rugged hill beneath a canopy of lofty
oaks, which of all trees have their roots deepest. And near it they heaped an
altar of small stones, and wreathed their brows with oak leaves and paid heed
to sacrifice, invoking the mother of Dindymum, most venerable, dweller in
Phrygia, and Titias and Cyllenus, who alone of many are called dispensers of
doom and assessors of the Idaean mother,—the Idaean Dactyls of Crete,
whom once the nymph Anchiale, as she grasped with both hands the land of Oaxus,
bare in the Dictaean cave. And with many prayers did Aeson’s son beseech
the goddess to turn aside the stormy blasts as he poured libations on the
blazing sacrifice; and at the same time by command of Orpheus the youths trod a
measure dancing in full armour, and clashed with their swords on their shields,
so that the ill-omened cry might be lost in the air the wail which the people
were still sending up in grief for their king. Hence from that time forward the
Phrygians propitiate Rhea with the wheel and the drum. And the gracious
goddess, I ween, inclined her heart to pious sacrifices; and favourable signs
appeared. The trees shed abundant fruit, and round their feet the earth of its
own accord put forth flowers from the tender grass. And the beasts of the wild
wood left their lairs and thickets and came up fawning on them with their
tails. And she caused yet another marvel; for hitherto there was no flow of
water on Dindymum, but then for them an unceasing stream gushed forth from the
thirsty peak just as it was, and the dwellers around in after times called that
stream, the spring of Jason. And then they made a feast in honour of the
goddess on the Mount of Bears, singing the praises of Rhea most venerable; but
at dawn the winds had ceased and they rowed away from the island.
</p>
<p>
Thereupon a spirit of contention stirred each chieftain, who should be the last
to leave his oar. For all around the windless air smoothed the swirling waves
and lulled the sea to rest. And they, trusting in the calm, mightily drove the
ship forward; and as she sped through the salt sea, not even the storm-footed
steeds of Poseidon would have overtaken her. Nevertheless when the sea was
stirred by violent blasts which were just rising from the rivers about evening,
forspent with toil, they ceased. But Heracles by the might of his arms pulled
the weary rowers along all together, and made the strong-knit timbers of the
ship to quiver. But when, eager to reach the Mysian mainland, they passed along
in sight of the mouth of Rhyndaeus and the great cairn of Aegaeon, a little way
from Phrygia, then Heracles, as he ploughed up the furrows of the roughened
surge, broke his oar in the middle. And one half he held in both his hands as
he fell sideways, the other the sea swept away with its receding wave. And he
sat up in silence glaring round; for his hands were unaccustomed to be idle.
</p>
<p>
Now at the hour when from the field some delver or ploughman goes gladly home
to his hut, longing for his evening meal, and there on the threshold, all
squalid with dust, bows his wearied knees, and, beholding his hands worn with
toil, with many a curse reviles his belly; at that hour the heroes reached the
homes of the Cianian land near the Arganthonian mount and the outfall of Cius.
Them as they came in friendliness, the Mysians, inhabitants of that land,
hospitably welcomed, and gave them in their need provisions and sheep and
abundant wine. Hereupon some brought dried wood, others from the meadows leaves
for beds which they gathered in abundance for strewing, whilst others were
twirling sticks to get fire; others again were mixing wine in the bowl and
making ready the feast, after sacrificing at nightfall to Apollo Ecbasius.
</p>
<p>
But the son of Zeus having duly enjoined on his comrades to prepare the feast
took his way into a wood, that he might first fashion for himself an oar to fit
his hand. Wandering about he found a pine not burdened with many branches, nor
too full of leaves, but like to the shaft of a tall poplar; so great was it
both in length and thickness to look at. And quickly he laid on the ground his
arrow-holding quiver together with his bow, and took off his lion’s skin.
And he loosened the pine from the ground with his bronze-tipped club and
grasped the trunk with both hands at the bottom, relying on his strength; and
he pressed it against his broad shoulder with legs wide apart; and clinging
close he raised it from the ground deep-rooted though it was, together with
clods of earth. And as when unexpectedly, just at the time of the stormy
setting of baleful Orion, a swift gust of wind strikes down from above, and
wrenches a ship’s mast from its stays, wedges and all; so did Heracles
lift the pine. And at the same time he took up his bow and arrows, his lion
skin and club, and started on his return.
</p>
<p>
Meantime Hylas with pitcher of bronze in hand had gone apart from the throng,
seeking the sacred flow of a fountain, that he might be quick in drawing water
for the evening meal and actively make all things ready in due order against
his lord’s return. For in such ways did Heracles nurture him from his
first childhood when he had carried him off from the house of his father,
goodly Theiodamas, whom the hero pitilessly slew among the Dryopians because he
withstood him about an ox for the plough. Theiodamas was cleaving with his
plough the soil of fallow land when he was smitten with the curse; and Heracles
bade him give up the ploughing ox against his will. For he desired to find some
pretext for war against the Dryopians for their bane, since they dwelt there
reckless of right. But these tales would lead me far astray from my song. And
quickly Hylas came to the spring which the people who dwell thereabouts call
Pegae. And the dances of the nymphs were just now being held there; for it was
the care of all the nymphs that haunted that lovely headland ever to hymn
Artemis in songs by night. All who held the mountain peaks or glens, all they
were ranged far off guarding the woods; but one, a water-nymph was just rising
from the fair-flowing spring; and the boy she perceived close at hand with the
rosy flush of his beauty and sweet grace. For the full moon beaming from the
sky smote him. And Cypris made her heart faint, and in her confusion she could
scarcely gather her spirit back to her. But as soon as he dipped the pitcher in
the stream, leaning to one side, and the brimming water rang loud as it poured
against the sounding bronze, straightway she laid her left arm above upon his
neck yearning to kiss his tender mouth; and with her right hand she drew down
his elbow, and plunged him into the midst of the eddy.
</p>
<p>
Alone of his comrades the hero Polyphemus, son of Eilatus, as he went forward
on the path, heard the boy’s cry, for he expected the return of mighty
Heracles. And he rushed after the cry, near Pegae, like some beast of the wild
wood whom the bleating of sheep has reached from afar, and burning with hunger
he follows, but does not fall in with the flocks; for the shepherds beforehand
have penned them in the fold, but he groans and roars vehemently until he is
weary. Thus vehemently at that time did the son of Eilatus groan and wandered
shouting round the spot; and his voice rang piteous. Then quickly drawing his
great sword he started in pursuit, in fear lest the boy should be the prey of
wild beasts, or men should have lain in ambush for him faring all alone, and be
carrying him off, an easy prey. Hereupon as he brandished his bare sword in his
hand he met Heracles himself on the path, and well he knew him as he hastened
to the ship through the darkness. And straightway he told the wretched calamity
while his heart laboured with his panting breath.
</p>
<p>
“My poor friend, I shall be the first to bring thee tidings of bitter
woe. Hylas has gone to the well and has not returned safe, but robbers have
attacked and are carrying him off, or beasts are tearing him to pieces; I heard
his cry.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and when Heracles heard his words, sweat in abundance poured
down from his temples and the black blood boiled beneath his heart. And in
wrath he hurled the pine to the ground and hurried along the path whither his
feet bore on his impetuous soul. And as when a bull stung by a gadfly tears
along, leaving the meadows and the marsh land, and recks not of herdsmen or
herd, but presses on, now without cheek, now standing still, and raising his
broad neck he bellows loudly, stung by the maddening fly; so he in his frenzy
now would ply his swift knees unresting, now again would cease from toil and
shout afar with loud pealing cry.
</p>
<p>
But straightway the morning star rose above the topmost peaks and the breeze
swept down; and quickly did Tiphys urge them to go aboard and avail themselves
of the wind. And they embarked eagerly forthwith; and they drew up the
ship’s anchors and hauled the ropes astern. And the sails were bellied
out by the wind, and far from the coast were they joyfully borne past the
Posideian headland. But at the hour when gladsome dawn shines from heaven,
rising from the east, and the paths stand out clearly, and the dewy plains
shine with a bright gleam, then at length they were aware that unwittingly they
had abandoned those men. And a fierce quarrel fell upon them, and violent
tumult, for that they had sailed and left behind the bravest of their comrades.
And Aeson’s son, bewildered by their hapless plight, said never a word,
good or bad; but sat with his heavy load of grief, eating out his heart. And
wrath seized Telamon, and thus he spake:
</p>
<p>
“Sit there at thy ease, for it was fitting for thee to leave Heracles
behind; from thee the project arose, so that his glory throughout Hellas should
not overshadow thee, if so be that heaven grants us a return home. But what
pleasure is there in words? For I will go, I only, with none of thy comrades,
who have helped thee to plan this treachery.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and rushed upon Tiphys son of Hagnias; and his eyes sparkled like
flashes of ravening flame. And they would quickly have turned back to the land
of the Mysians, forcing their way through the deep sea and the unceasing blasts
of the wind, had not the two sons of Thracian Boreas held back the son of
Aeacus with harsh words. Hapless ones, assuredly a bitter vengeance came upon
them thereafter at the hands of Heracles, because they stayed the search for
him. For when they were returning from the games over Pelias dead he slew them
in sea-girt Tenos and heaped the earth round them, and placed two columns
above, one of which, a great marvel for men to see, moves at the breath of the
blustering north wind. These things were thus to be accomplished in after
times. But to them appeared Glaucus from the depths of the sea, the wise
interpreter of divine Nereus, and raising aloft his shaggy head and chest from
his waist below, with sturdy hand he seized the ship’s keel, and then
cried to the eager crew:
</p>
<p>
“Why against the counsel of mighty Zeus do ye purpose to lead bold
Heracles to the city of Aeetes? At Argos it is his fate to labour for insolent
Eurystheus and to accomplish full twelve toils and dwell with the immortals, if
so be that he bring to fulfilment a few more yet; wherefore let there be no
vain regret for him. Likewise it is destined for Polyphemus to found a glorious
city at the mouth of Cius among the Mysians and to fill up the measure of his
fate in the vast land of the Chalybes. But a goddess-nymph through love has
made Hylas her husband, on whose account those two wandered and were left
behind.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and with a plunge wrapped him about with the restless wave; and round
him the dark water foamed in seething eddies and dashed against the hollow ship
as it moved through the sea. And the heroes rejoiced, and Telamon son of Aeacus
came in haste to Jason, and grasping his hand in his own embraced him with
these words:
</p>
<p>
“Son of Aeson, be not wroth with me, if in my folly I have erred, for
grief wrought upon me to utter a word arrogant and intolerable. But let me give
my fault to the winds and let our hearts be joined as before.”
</p>
<p>
Him the son of Aeson with prudence addressed: “Good friend, assuredly
with an evil word didst thou revile me, saying before them all that I was the
wronger of a kindly man. But not for long will I nurse bitter wrath, though
indeed before I was grieved. For it was not for flocks of sheep, no, nor for
possessions that thou wast angered to fury, but for a man, thy comrade. And I
were fain thou wouldst even champion me against another man if a like thing
should ever befall me.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and they sat down, united as of old. But of those two, by the counsel
of Zeus, one, Polyphemus son of Eilatus, was destined to found and build a city
among the Mysians bearing the river’s name, and the other, Heracles, to
return and toil at the labours of Eurystheus. And he threatened to lay waste
the Mysian land at once, should they not discover for him the doom of Hylas,
whether living or dead. And for him they gave pledges choosing out the noblest
sons of the people and took an oath that they would never cease from their
labour of search. Therefore to this day the people of Cius enquire for Hylas
the son of Theiodamas, and take thought for the well-built Trachis. For there
did Heracles settle the youths whom they sent from Cius as pledges.
</p>
<p>
And all day long and all night the wind bore the ship on, blowing fresh and
strong; but when dawn rose there was not even a breath of air. And they marked
a beach jutting forth from a bend of the coast, very broad to behold, and by
dint of rowing came to land at sunrise.
</p>
</div><!--end chapter-->
<div class="chapter">
<h2><a name="chap04"></a>BOOK II</h2>
<p>
Here were the oxstalls and farm of Amycus, the haughty king of the Bebrycians,
whom once a nymph, Bithynian Melie, united to Poseidon Genethlius, bare the
most arrogant of men; for even for strangers he laid down an insulting
ordinance, that none should depart till they had made trial of him in boxing;
and he had slain many of the neighbours. And at that time too he went down to
the ship and in his insolence scorned to ask them the occasion of their voyage,
and who they were, but at once spake out among them all:
</p>
<p>
“Listen, ye wanderers by sea, to what it befits you to know. It is the
rule that no stranger who comes to the Bebrycians should depart till he has
raised his hands in battle against mine. Wherefore select your bravest warrior
from the host and set him here on the spot to contend with me in boxing. But if
ye pay no heed and trample my decrees under foot, assuredly to your sorrow will
stern necessity come upon you.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake in his pride, but fierce anger seized them when they heard it,
and the challenge smote Polydeuces most of all. And quickly he stood forth his
comrades’ champion, and cried:
</p>
<p>
“Hold now, and display not to us thy brutal violence, whoever thou art;
for we will obey thy rules, as thou sayest. Willingly now do I myself undertake
to meet thee.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake outright; but the other with rolling eyes glared on him, like to
a lion struck by a javelin when hunters in the mountains are hemming him round,
and, though pressed by the throng, he reeks no more of them, but keeps his eyes
fixed, singling out that man only who struck him first and slew him not.
Hereupon the son of Tyndareus laid aside his mantle, closely-woven,
delicately-wrought, which one of the Lemnian maidens had given him as a pledge
of hospitality; and the king threw down his dark cloak of double fold with its
clasps and the knotted crook of mountain olive which he carried. Then
straightway they looked and chose close by a spot that pleased them and bade
their comrades sit upon the sand in two lines; nor were they alike to behold in
form or in stature. The one seemed to be a monstrous son of baleful Typhoeus or
of Earth herself, such as she brought forth aforetime, in her wrath against
Zeus; but the other, the son of Tyndareus, was like a star of heaven, whose
beams are fairest as it shines through the nightly sky at eventide. Such was
the son of Zeus, the bloom of the first down still on his cheeks, still with
the look of gladness in his eyes. But his might and fury waxed like a wild
beast’s; and he poised his hands to see if they were pliant as before and
were not altogether numbed by toil and rowing. But Amycus on his side made no
trial; but standing apart in silence he kept his eyes upon his foe, and his
spirit surged within him all eager to dash the life-blood from his breast. And
between them Lyeoreus, the henchman of Amycus, placed at their feet on each
side two pairs of gauntlets made of raw hide, dry, exceeding tough. And the
king addressed the hero with arrogant words:
</p>
<p>
“Whichever of these thou wilt, without casting lots, I grant thee freely,
that thou mayst not blame me hereafter. Bind them about thy hands; thou shalt
learn and tell another how skilled I am to carve the dry oxhides and to spatter
men’s cheeks with blood.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; but the other gave back no taunt in answer, but with a light
smile readily took up the gauntlets that lay at his feet; and to him came
Castor and mighty Talaus, son of Bias, and they quickly bound the gauntlets
about his hands, often bidding him be of good courage. And to Amycus came
Aretus and Ornytus, but little they knew, poor fools, that they had bound them
for the last time on their champion, a victim of evil fate.
</p>
<p>
Now when they stood apart and were ready with their gauntlets, straightway in
front of their faces they raised their heavy hands and matched their might in
deadly strife. Hereupon the Bebrycian king even as a fierce wave of the sea
rises in a crest against a swift ship, but she by the skill of the crafty pilot
just escapes the shock when the billow is eager to break over the
bulwark—so he followed up the son of Tyndareus, trying to daunt him, and
gave him no respite. But the hero, ever unwounded, by his skill baffled the
rush of his foe, and he quickly noted the brutal play of his fists to see where
he was invincible in strength, and where inferior, and stood unceasingly and
returned blow for blow. And as when shipwrights with their hammers smite
ships’ timbers to meet the sharp clamps, fixing layer upon layer; and the
blows resound one after another; so cheeks and jaws crashed on both sides, and
a huge clattering of teeth arose, nor did they cease ever from striking their
blows until laboured gasping overcame both. And standing a little apart they
wiped from their foreheads sweat in abundance, wearily panting for breath. Then
back they rushed together again, as two bulls fight in furious rivalry for a
grazing heifer. Next Amycus rising on tiptoe, like one who slays an ox, sprung
to his full height and swung his heavy hand down upon his rival; but the hero
swerved aside from the rush, turning his head, and just received the arm on his
shoulder; and coming near and slipping his knee past the king’s, with a
rush he struck him above the ear, and broke the bones inside, and the king in
agony fell upon his knees; and the Minyan heroes shouted for joy; and his life
was poured forth all at once.
</p>
<p>
Nor were the Bebrycians reckless of their king; but all together took up rough
clubs and spears and rushed straight on Polydeuces. But in front of him stood
his comrades, their keen swords drawn from the sheath. First Castor struck upon
the head a man as he rushed at him: and it was cleft in twain and fell on each
side upon his shoulders. And Polydeuces slew huge Itymoneus and Mimas. The one,
with a sudden leap, he smote beneath the breast with his swift foot and threw
him in the dust; and as the other drew near he struck him with his right hand
above the left eyebrow, and tore away his eyelid and the eyeball was left bare.
But Oreides, insolent henchman of Amycus, wounded Talaus son of Bias in the
side, but did not slay him, but only grazing the skin the bronze sped under his
belt and touched not the flesh. Likewise Aretus with well-seasoned club smote
Iphitus, the steadfast son of Eurytus, not yet destined to an evil death;
assuredly soon was he himself to be slain by the sword of Clytius. Then
Ancaeus, the dauntless son of Lycurgus, quickly seized his huge axe, and in his
left hand holding a bear’s dark hide, plunged into the midst of the
Bebrycians with furious onset; and with him charged the sons of Aeacus, and
with them started warlike Jason. And as when amid the folds grey wolves rush
down on a winter’s day and scare countless sheep, unmarked by the
keen-scented dogs and the shepherds too, and they seek what first to attack and
carry off; often glaring around, but the sheep are just huddled together and
trample on one another; so the heroes grievously scared the arrogant
Bebrycians. And as shepherds or beekeepers smoke out a huge swarm of bees in a
rock, and they meanwhile, pent up in their hive, murmur with droning hum, till,
stupefied by the murky smoke, they fly forth far from the rock; so they stayed
steadfast no longer, but scattered themselves inland through Bebrycia,
proclaiming the death of Amycus; fools, not to perceive that another woe all
unforeseen was hard upon them. For at that hour their vineyards and villages
were being ravaged by the hostile spear of Lycus and the Mariandyni, now that
their king was gone. For they were ever at strife about the ironbearing land.
And now the foe was destroying their steadings and farms, and now the heroes
from all sides were driving off their countless sheep, and one spake among his
fellows thus:
</p>
<p>
“Bethink ye what they would have done in their cowardice if haply some
god had brought Heracles hither. Assuredly, if he had been here, no trial would
there have been of fists, I ween, but when the king drew near to proclaim his
rules, the club would have made him forget his pride and the rules to boot.
Yea, we left him uncared for on the strand and we sailed oversea; and full well
each one of us shall know our baneful folly, now that he is far away.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, but all these things had been wrought by the counsels of Zeus.
Then they remained there through the night and tended the hurts of the wounded
men, and offered sacrifice to the immortals, and made ready a mighty meal; and
sleep fell upon no man beside the bowl and the blazing sacrifice. They wreathed
their fair brows with the bay that grew by the shore, whereto their hawsers
were bound, and chanted a song to the lyre of Orpheus in sweet harmony; and the
windless shore was charmed by their song; and they celebrated the Therapnaean
son of Zeus.<a href="#linknote-14" name="linknoteref-14"
id="linknoteref-14"><sup>[14]</sup></a>
</p>
<p>
But when the sun rising from far lands lighted up the dewy hills and wakened
the shepherds, then they loosed their hawsers from the stem of the baytree and
put on board all the spoil they had need to take; and with a favouring wind
they steered through the eddying Bosporus. Hereupon a wave like a steep
mountain rose aloft in front as though rushing upon them, ever upheaved above
the clouds; nor would you say that they could escape grim death, for in its
fury it hangs over the middle of the ship, like a cloud, yet it sinks away into
calm if it meets with a skilful helmsman. So they by the steering-craft of
Tiphys escaped, unhurt but sore dismayed. And on the next day they fastened the
hawsers to the coast opposite the Bithynian land.
</p>
<p>
There Phineus, son of Agenor, had his home by the sea, Phineus who above all
men endured most bitter woes because of the gift of prophecy which Leto’s
son had granted him aforetime. And he reverenced not a whit even Zeus himself,
for he foretold unerringly to men his sacred will. Wherefore Zeus sent upon him
a lingering old age, and took from his eyes the pleasant light, and suffered
him not to have joy of the dainties untold that the dwellers around ever
brought to his house, when they came to enquire the will of heaven. But on a
sudden, swooping through the clouds, the Harpies with their crooked beaks
incessantly snatched the food away from his mouth and hands. And at times not a
morsel of food was left, at others but a little, in order that he might live
and be tormented. And they poured forth over all a loathsome stench; and no one
dared not merely to carry food to his mouth but even to stand at a distance; so
foully reeked the remnants of the meal. But straightway when he heard the voice
and the tramp of the band he knew that they were the men passing by, at whose
coming Zeus’ oracle had declared to him that he should have joy of his
food. And he rose from his couch, like a lifeless dream, bowed over his staff,
and crept to the door on his withered feet, feeling the walls; and as he moved,
his limbs trembled for weakness and age; and his parched skin was caked with
dirt, and naught but the skill held his bones together. And he came forth from
the hall with wearied knees and sat on the threshold of the courtyard; and a
dark stupor covered him, and it seemed that the earth reeled round beneath his
feet, and he lay in a strengthless trance, speechless. But when they saw him
they gathered round and marvelled. And he at last drew laboured breath from the
depths of his chest and spoke among them with prophetic utterance:
</p>
<p>
“Listen, bravest of all the Hellenes, if it be truly ye, whom by a
king’s ruthless command Jason is leading on the ship Argo in quest of the
fleece. It is ye truly. Even yet my soul by its divination knows everything.
Thanks I render to thee, O king, son of Leto, plunged in bitter affliction
though I be. I beseech you by Zeus the god of suppliants, the sternest foe to
sinful men, and for the sake of Phoebus and Hera herself, under whose especial
care ye have come hither, help me, save an ill-fated man from misery, and
depart not uncaring and leaving me thus as ye see. For not only has the Fury
set her foot on my eyes and I drag on to the end a weary old age; but besides
my other woes a woe hangs over me the bitterest of all. The Harpies, swooping
down from some unseen den of destruction, ever snatch the food from my mouth.
And I have no device to aid me. But it were easier, when I long for a meal, to
escape my own thoughts than them, so swiftly do they fly through the air. But
if haply they do leave me a morsel of food it reeks of decay and the stench is
unendurable, nor could any mortal bear to draw near even for a moment, no, not
if his heart were wrought of adamant. But necessity, bitter and insatiate,
compels me to abide and abiding to put food in my cursed belly. These pests,
the oracle declares, the sons of Boreas shall restrain. And no strangers are
they that shall ward them off if indeed I am Phineus who was once renowned
among men for wealth and the gift of prophecy, and if I am the son of my father
Agenor; and, when I ruled among the Thracians, by my bridal gifts I brought
home their sister Cleopatra to be my wife.”
</p>
<p>
So spake Agenor’s son; and deep sorrow seized each of the heroes, and
especially the two sons of Boreas. And brushing away a tear they drew nigh, and
Zetes spake as follows, taking in his own the hand of the grief-worn sire:
</p>
<p>
“Unhappy one, none other of men is more wretched than thou, methinks. Why
upon thee is laid the burden of so many sorrows? Hast thou with baneful folly
sinned against the gods through thy skill in prophecy? For this are they
greatly wroth with thee? Yet our spirit is dismayed within us for all our
desire to aid thee, if indeed the god has granted this privilege to us two. For
plain to discern to men of earth are the reproofs of the immortals. And we will
never check the Harpies when they come, for all our desire, until thou hast
sworn that for this we shall not lose the favour of heaven.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and towards him the aged sire opened his sightless eyes, and
lifted them up and replied with these words:
</p>
<p>
“Be silent, store not up such thoughts in thy heart, my child. Let the
son of Leto be my witness, he who of his gracious will taught me the lore of
prophecy, and be witness the ill-starred doom which possesses me and this dark
cloud upon my eyes, and the gods of the underworld—and may their curse be
upon me if I die perjured thus—no wrath from heaven will fall upon you
two for your help to me.”
</p>
<p>
Then were those two eager to help him because of the oath. And quickly the
younger heroes prepared a feast for the aged man, a last prey for the Harpies;
and both stood near him, to smite with the sword those pests when they swooped
down. Scarcely had the aged man touched the food when they forthwith, like
bitter blasts or flashes of lightning, suddenly darted from the clouds, and
swooped down with a yell, fiercely craving for food; and the heroes beheld them
and shouted in the midst of their onrush; but they at the cry devoured
everything and sped away over the sea after; and an intolerable stench
remained. And behind them the two sons of Boreas raising their swords rushed in
pursuit. For Zeus imparted to them tireless strength; but without Zeus they
could not have followed, for the Harpies used ever to outstrip the blasts of
the west wind when they came to Phineus and when they left him. And as when,
upon the mountain-side, hounds, cunning in the chase, run in the track of
horned goats or deer, and as they strain a little behind gnash their teeth upon
the edge of their jaws in vain; so Zetes and Calais rushing very near just
grazed the Harpies in vain with their finger-tips. And assuredly they would
have torn them to pieces, despite heaven’s will, when they had overtaken
them far off at the Floating Islands, had not swift Iris seen them and leapt
down from the sky from heaven above, and cheeked them with these words:
</p>
<p>
“It is not lawful, O sons of Boreas, to strike with your swords the
Harpies, the hounds of mighty Zeus; but I myself will give you a pledge, that
hereafter they shall not draw near to Phineus.”
</p>
<p>
With these words she took an oath by the waters of Styx, which to all the gods
is most dread and most awful, that the Harpies would never thereafter again
approach the home of Phineus, son of Agenor, for so it was fated. And the
heroes yielding to the oath, turned back their flight to the ship. And on
account of this men call them the Islands of Turning though aforetime they
called them the Floating Islands. And the Harpies and Iris parted. They entered
their den in Minoan Crete; but she sped up to Olympus, soaring aloft on her
swift wings.
</p>
<p>
Meanwhile the chiefs carefully cleansed the old man’s squalid skin and
with due selection sacrificed sheep which they had borne away from the spoil of
Amycus. And when they had laid a huge supper in the hall, they sat down and
feasted, and with them feasted Phineus ravenously, delighting his soul, as in a
dream. And there, when they had taken their fill of food and drink, they kept
awake all night waiting for the sons of Boreas. And the aged sire himself sat
in the midst, near the hearth, telling of the end of their voyage and the
completion of their journey:
</p>
<p>
“Listen then. Not everything is it lawful for you to know clearly; but
whatever is heaven’s will, I will not hide. I was infatuated aforetime,
when in my folly I declared the will of Zeus in order and to the end. For he
himself wishes to deliver to men the utterances of the prophetic art
incomplete, in order that they may still have some need to know the will of
heaven.”
</p>
<p>
“First of all, after leaving me, ye will see the twin Cyanean rocks where
the two seas meet. No one, I ween, has won his escape between them. For they
are not firmly fixed with roots beneath, but constantly clash against one
another to one point, and above a huge mass of salt water rises in a crest,
boiling up, and loudly dashes upon the hard beach. Wherefore now obey my
counsel, if indeed with prudent mind and reverencing the blessed gods ye pursue
your way; and perish not foolishly by a self-sought death, or rush on following
the guidance of youth. First entrust the attempt to a dove when ye have sent
her forth from the ship. And if she escapes safe with her wings between the
rocks to the open sea, then no more do ye refrain from the path, but grip your
oars well in your hands and cleave the sea’s narrow strait, for the light
of safety will be not so much in prayer as in strength of hands. Wherefore let
all else go and labour boldly with might and main, but ere then implore the
gods as ye will, I forbid you not. But if she flies onward and perishes midway,
then do ye turn back; for it is better to yield to the immortals. For ye could
not escape an evil doom from the rocks, not even if Argo were of iron.”
</p>
<p>
“O hapless ones, dare not to transgress my divine warning, even though ye
think that I am thrice as much hated by the sons of heaven as I am, and even
more than thrice; dare not to sail further with your ship in despite of the
omen. And as these things will fall, so shall they fall. But if ye shun the
clashing rocks and come scatheless inside Pontus, straightway keep the land of
the Bithynians on your right and sail on, and beware of the breakers, until ye
round the swift river Rhebas and the black beach, and reach the harbour of the
Isle of Thynias. Thence ye must turn back a little space through the sea and
beach your ship on the land of the Mariandyni lying opposite. Here is a
downward path to the abode of Hades, and the headland of Acherusia stretches
aloft, and eddying Acheron cleaves its way at the bottom, even through the
headland, and sends its waters forth from a huge ravine. And near it ye will
sail past many hills of the Paphlagonians, over whom at the first Eneteian
Pelops reigned, and of his blood they boast themselves to be.”
</p>
<p>
“Now there is a headland opposite Helice the Bear, steep on all sides,
and they call it Carambis, about whose crests the blasts of the north wind are
sundered. So high in the air does it rise turned towards the sea. And when ye
have rounded it broad Aegialus stretches before you; and at the end of broad
Aegialus, at a jutting point of coast, the waters of the river Halys pour forth
with a terrible roar; and after it his flowing near, but smaller in stream,
rolls into the sea with white eddies. Onward from thence the bend of a huge and
towering cape reaches out from the land, next Thermodon at its mouth flows into
a quiet bay at the Themiscyreian headland, after wandering through a broad
continent. And here is the plain of Doeas, and near are the three cities of the
Amazons, and after them the Chalybes, most wretched of men, possess a soil
rugged and unyielding sons of toil, they busy themselves with working iron. And
near them dwell the Tibareni, rich in sheep, beyond the Genetaean headland of
Zeus, lord of hospitality. And bordering on it the Mossynoeci next in order
inhabit the well-wooded mainland and the parts beneath the mountains, who have
built in towers made from trees their wooden homes and well-fitted chambers,
which they call Mossynes, and the people themselves take their name from them.
After passing them ye must beach your ship upon a smooth island, when ye have
driven away with all manner of skill the ravening birds, which in countless
numbers haunt the desert island. In it the Queens of the Amazons, Otrere and
Antiope, built a stone temple of Ares what time they went forth to war. Now
here an unspeakable help will come to you from the bitter sea; wherefore with
kindly intent I bid you stay. But what need is there that I should sin yet
again declaring everything to the end by my prophetic art? And beyond the
island and opposite mainland dwell the Philyres: and above the Philyres are the
Macrones, and after them the vast tribes of the Becheiri. And next in order to
them dwell the Sapeires, and the Byzeres have the lands adjoining to them, and
beyond them at last live the warlike Colchians themselves. But speed on in your
ship, till ye touch the inmost bourne of the sea. And here at the Cytaean
mainland and from the Amarantine mountains far away and the Circaean plain,
eddying Phasis rolls his broad stream to the sea. Guide your ship to the mouth
of that river and ye shall behold the towers of Cytaean Aeetes and the shady
grove of Ares, where a dragon, a monster terrible to behold, ever glares
around, keeping watch over the fleece that is spread upon the top of an oak;
neither by day nor by night does sweet sleep subdue his restless eyes.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and straightway fear seized them as they heard. And for a long
while they were struck with silence; till at last the hero, son of Aeson,
spake, sore dismayed at their evil plight:
</p>
<p>
“O aged sire, now hast thou come to the end of the toils of our
sea-journeying and hast told us the token, trusting to which we shall make our
way to Pontus through the hateful rocks; but whether, when we have escaped
them, we shall have a return back again to Hellas, this too would we gladly
learn from thee. What shall I do, how shall I go over again such a long path
through the sea, unskilled as I am, with unskilled comrades? And Colchian Aea
lies at the edge of Pontus and of the world.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and him the aged sire addressed in reply: “O son, when
once thou hast escaped through the deadly rocks, fear not; for a deity will be
the guide from Aea by another track; and to Aea there will be guides enough.
But, my friends, take thought of the artful aid of the Cyprian goddess. For on
her depends the glorious issue of your venture. And further than this ask me
not.”
</p>
<p>
Thus spake Agenor’s son, and close at hand the twin sons of Thracian
Boreas came darting from the sky and set their swift feet upon the threshold;
and the heroes rose up from their seats when they saw them present. And Zetes,
still drawing hard breath after his toil, spake among the eager listeners,
telling them how far they had driven the Harpies and how his prevented their
slaying them, and how the goddess of her grace gave them pledges, and how those
others in fear plunged into the vast cave of the Dictaean cliff. Then in the
mansion all their comrades were joyful at the tidings and so was Phineus
himself. And quickly Aeson’s son, with good will exceeding, addressed
him:
</p>
<p>
“Assuredly there was then, Phineus, some god who cared for thy bitter
woe, and brought us hither from afar, that the sons of Boreas might aid thee;
and if too he should bring sight to thine eyes, verily I should rejoice,
methinks, as much as if I were on my homeward way.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, but Phineus replied to him with downcast look: “Son of
Aeson, that is past recall, nor is there any remedy hereafter, for blasted are
my sightless eyes. But instead of that, may the god grant me death at once, and
after death I shall take my share in perfect bliss.”
</p>
<p>
Then they two returned answering speech, each to other, and soon in the midst
of their converse early dawn appeared; and round Phineus were gathered the
neighbours who used to come thither aforetime day by day and constantly bring a
portion of their food. To all alike, however poor he was that came, the aged
man gave his oracles with good will, and freed many from their woes by his
prophetic art; wherefore they visited and tended him. And with them came
Paraebius, who was dearest to him, and gladly did he perceive these strangers
in the house. For long ere now the seer himself had said that a band of
chieftains, faring from Hellas to the city of Aceres, would make fast their
hawsers to the Thynian land, and by Zeus’ will would check the approach
of the Harpies. The rest the old man pleased with words of wisdom and let them
go; Paraebius only he bade remain there with the chiefs; and straightway he
sent him and bade him bring back the choicest of his sheep. And when he had
left the hall Phineus spake gently amid the throng of oarsmen:
</p>
<p>
“O my friends, not all men are arrogant, it seems, nor unmindful of
benefits. Even as this man, loyal as he is, came hither to learn his fate. For
when he laboured the most and toiled the most, then the needs of life, ever
growing more and more, would waste him, and day after day ever dawned more
wretched, nor was there any respite to his toil. But he was paying the sad
penalty of his father’s sin. For he when alone on the mountains, felling
trees, once slighted the prayers of a Hamadryad, who wept and sought to soften
him with plaintive words, not to cut down the stump of an oak tree coeval with
herself, wherein for a long time she had lived continually; but he in the
arrogance of youth recklessly cut it down. So to him the nymph thereafter made
her death a curse, to him and to his children. I indeed knew of the sin when he
came; and I bid him build an altar to the Thynian nymph, and offer on it an
atoning sacrifice, with prayer to escape his father’s fate. Here, ever
since he escaped the god-sent doom, never has he forgotten or neglected me; but
sorely and against his will do I send him from my doors, so eager is he to
remain with me in my affliction.”
</p>
<p>
Thus spake Agenor’s son; and his friend straightway came near leading two
sheep from the flock. And up rose Jason and up rose the sons of Boreas at the
bidding of the aged sire. And quickly they called upon Apollo, lord of
prophecy, and offered sacrifice upon the health as the day was just sinking.
And the younger comrades made ready a feast to their hearts’ desire.
Thereupon having well feasted they turned themselves to rest, some near the
ship’s hawsers, others in groups throughout the mansion. And at dawn the
Etesian winds blew strongly, which by the command of Zeus blow over every land
equally.
</p>
<p>
Cyrene, the tale goes, once tended sheep along the marsh-meadow of Peneus among
men of old time; for dear to her were maidenhood and a couch unstained. But, as
she guarded her flock by the river, Apollo carried her off far from Haemonia
and placed her among the nymphs of the land, who dwelt in Libya near the
Myrtosian height. And here to Phoebus she bore Aristaeus whom the Haemonians,
rich in corn-land, call “Hunter” and “Shepherd”. Her,
of his love, the god made a nymph there, of long life and a huntress, and his
son he brought while still an infant to be nurtured in the cave of Cheiron. And
to him when he grew to manhood the Muses gave a bride, and taught him the arts
of healing and of prophecy; and they made him the keeper of their sheep, of all
that grazed on the Athamantian plain of Phthia and round steep Othrys and the
sacred stream of the river Apidanus. But when from heaven Sirius scorched the
Minoan Isles, and for long there was no respite for the inhabitants, then by
the injunction of the Far-Darter they summoned Aristaeus to ward off the
pestilence. And by his father’s command he left Phthia and made his home
in Ceos, and gathered together the Parrhasian people who are of the lineage of
Lycaon, and he built a great altar to Zeus Icmaeus, and duly offered sacrifices
upon the mountains to that star Sirius, and to Zeus son of Cronos himself. And
on this account it is that Etesian winds from Zeus cool the land for forty
days, and in Ceos even now the priests offer sacrifices before the rising of
the Dog-star.
</p>
<p>
So the tale is told, but the chieftains stayed there by constraint, and every
day the Thynians, doing pleasure to Phineus, sent them gifts beyond measure.
And afterwards they raised an altar to the blessed twelve on the sea-beach
opposite and laid offerings thereon and then entered their swift ship to row,
nor did they forget to bear with them a trembling dove; but Euphemus seized her
and brought her all quivering with fear, and they loosed the twin hawsers from
the land.
</p>
<p>
Nor did they start unmarked by Athena, but straightway swiftly she set her feel
on a light cloud, which would waft her on, mighty though she was, and she swept
on to the sea with friendly thoughts to the oarsmen. And as when one roveth far
from his native land, as we men often wander with enduring heart, nor is any
land too distant but all ways are clear to his view, and he sees in mind his
own home, and at once the way over sea and land seems slain, and swiftly
thinking, now this way, now that, he strains with eager eyes; so swiftly the
daughter of Zeus darted down and set her foot on the cheerless shore of Thynia.
</p>
<p>
Now when they reached the narrow strait of the winding passage, hemmed in on
both sides by rugged cliffs, while an eddying current from below was washing
against the ship as she moved on, they went forward sorely in dread; and now
the thud of the crashing rocks ceaselessly struck their ears, and the
sea-washed shores resounded, and then Euphemus grasped the dove in his hand and
started to mount the prow; and they, at the bidding of Tiphys, son of Hagnias,
rowed with good will to drive Argo between the rocks, trusting to their
strength. And as they rounded a bend they saw the rocks opening for the last
time of all. Their spirit melted within them; and Euphemus sent forth the dove
to dart forward in flight; and they all together raised their heads to look;
but she flew between them, and the rocks again rushed together and crashed as
they met face to face. And the foam leapt up in a mass like a cloud; awful was
the thunder of the sea; and all round them the mighty welkin roared.
</p>
<p>
The hollow caves beneath the rugged cliffs rumbled as the sea came surging in;
and the white foam of the dashing wave spurted high above the cliff. Next the
current whirled the ship round. And the rocks shore away the end of the
dove’s tail-feathers; but away she flew unscathed. And the rowers gave a
loud cry; and Tiphys himself called to them to row with might and main. For the
rocks were again parting asunder. But as they rowed they trembled, until the
tide returning drove them back within the rocks. Then most awful fear seized
upon all; for over their head was destruction without escape. And now to right
and left broad Pontus was seen, when suddenly a huge wave rose up before them,
arched, like a steep rock; and at the sight they bowed with bended heads. For
it seemed about to leap down upon the ship’s whole length and to
overwhelm them. But Tiphys was quick to ease the ship as she laboured with the
oars; and in all its mass the wave rolled away beneath the keel, and at the
stern it raised Argo herself and drew her far away from the rocks; and high in
air was she borne. But Euphemus strode among all his comrades and cried to them
to bend to their oars with all their might; and they with a shout smote the
water. And as far as the ship yielded to the rowers, twice as far did she leap
back, and the oar, were bent like curved bows as the heroes used their
strength.
</p>
<p>
Then a vaulted billow rushed upon them, and the ship like a cylinder ran on the
furious wave plunging through the hollow sea. And the eddying current held her
between the clashing rocks; and on each side they shook and thundered; and the
ship’s timbers were held fast. Then Athena with her left hand thrust back
one mighty rock and with her right pushed the ship through; and she, like a
winged arrow, sped through the air. Nevertheless the rocks, ceaselessly
clashing, shore off as she passed the extreme end of the stern-ornament. But
Athena soared up to Olympus, when they had escaped unscathed. And the rocks in
one spot at that moment were rooted fast for ever to each other, which thing
had been destined by the blessed gods, when a man in his ship should have
passed between them alive. And the heroes breathed again after their chilling
fear, beholding at the same time the sky and the expanse of sea spreading far
and wide. For they deemed that they were saved from Hades; and Tiphys first of
all began to speak:
</p>
<p>
“It is my hope that we have safely escaped this peril—we, and the
ship; and none other is the cause so much as Athena, who breathed into Argo
divine strength when Argus knitted her together with bolts; and she may not be
caught. Son of Aeson, no longer fear thou so much the hest of thy king, since a
god hath granted us escape between the rocks; for Phineus, Agenor’s son,
said that our toils hereafter would be lightly accomplished.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and at once he sped the ship onward through the midst of the sea past
the Bithynian coast. But Jason with gentle words addressed him in reply:
“Tiphys, why dost thou comfort thus my grieving heart? I have erred and
am distraught in wretched and helpless ruin. For I ought, when Pelias gave the
command, to have straightway refused this quest to his face, yea, though I were
doomed to die pitilessly, torn limb from limb, but now I am wrapped in
excessive fear and cares unbearable, dreading to sail through the chilling
paths of the sea, and dreading when we shall set foot on the mainland. For on
every side are unkindly men. And ever when day is done I pass a night of groans
from the time when ye first gathered together for my sake, while I take thought
for all things; but thou talkest at thine ease, eating only for thine own life;
while for myself I am dismayed not a whit; but I fear for this man and for that
equally, and for thee, and for my other comrades, if I shall not bring you back
safe to the land of Hellas.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, making trial of the chiefs; but they shouted loud with cheerful
words. And his heart was warmed within him at their cry and again he spake
outright among them:
</p>
<p>
“My friends, in your valour my courage is quickened. Wherefore now, even
though I should take my way through the gulfs of Hades, no more shall I let
fear seize upon me, since ye are steadfast amid cruel terrors. But now that we
have sailed out from the striking rocks, I trow that never hereafter will there
be another such fearful thing, if indeed we go on our way following the counsel
of Phineus.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and straightway they ceased from such words and gave unwearying
labour to the oar; and quickly they passed by the swiftly flowing river Rhebas
and the peak of Colone, and soon thereafter the black headland, and near it the
mouth of the river Phyllis, where aforetime Dipsaeus received in his home the
son of Athamas, when with his ram he was flying from the city of Orchomenus;
and Dipsacus was the son of a meadow-nymph, nor was insolence his delight, but
contented by his father’s stream he dwelt with his mother, pasturing his
flocks by the shore. And quickly they sighted and sailed past his shrine and
the broad banks of the river and the plain, and deep-flowing Calpe, and all the
windless night and the day they bent to their tireless oars. And even as
ploughing oxen toil as they cleave the moist earth, and sweat streams in
abundance from flank and neck; and from beneath the yoke their eyes roll
askance, while the breath ever rushes from their mouths in hot gasps; and all
day long they toil, planting their hoofs deep in the ground; like them the
heroes kept dragging their oars through the sea.
</p>
<p>
Now when divine light has not yet come nor is it utter darkness, but a faint
glimmer has spread over the night, the time when men wake and call it twilight,
at that hour they ran into the harbour of the desert island Thynias and, spent
by weary toil, mounted the shore. And to them the son of Leto, as he passed
from Lycia far away to the countless folk of the Hyperboreans, appeared; and
about his cheeks on both sides his golden locks flowed in clusters as he moved;
in his left hand he held a silver bow, and on his back was slung a quiver
hanging from his shoulders; and beneath his feet all the island quaked, and the
waves surged high on the beach. Helpless amazement seized them as they looked;
and no one dared to gaze face to face into the fair eyes of the god. And they
stood with heads bowed to the ground; but he, far off, passed on to the sea
through the air; and at length Orpheus spake as follows, addressing the chiefs:
</p>
<p>
“Come, let us call this island the sacred isle of Apollo of the Dawn
since he has appeared to all, passing by at dawn; and we will offer such
sacrifices as we can, building an altar on the shore; and if hereafter he shall
grant us a safe return to the Haemonian land, then will we lay on his altar the
thighs of horned goats. And now I bid you propitiate him with the steam of
sacrifice and libations. Be gracious, O king, be gracious in thy
appearing.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and they straightway built up an altar with shingle; and over
the island they wandered, seeking if haply they could get a glimpse of a fawn
or a wild goat, that often seek their pasture in the deep wood. And for them
Leto’s son provided a quarry; and with pious rites they wrapped in fat
the thigh bones of them all and burnt them on the sacred altar, celebrating
Apollo, Lord of Dawn. And round the burning sacrifice they set up a broad
dancing-ring, singing, “All hail fair god of healing, Phoebus, all
hail,” and with them Oeagrus’ goodly son began a clear lay on his
Bistonian lyre; how once beneath the rocky ridge of Parnassus he slew with his
bow the monster Delphyne, he, still young and beardless, still rejoicing in his
long tresses. Mayst thou be gracious! Ever, O king, be thy locks unshorn, ever
unravaged; for so is it right. And none but Leto, daughter of Coeus, strokes
them with her dear hands. And often the Corycian nymphs, daughters of Pleistus,
took up the cheering strain crying “Healer”; hence arose this
lovely refrain of the hymn to Phoebus.
</p>
<p>
Now when they had celebrated him with dance and song they took an oath with
holy libations, that they would ever help each other with concord of heart,
touching the sacrifice as they swore; and even now there stands there a temple
to gracious Concord, which the heroes themselves reared, paying honour at that
time to the glorious goddess.
</p>
<p>
Now when the third morning came, with a fresh west wind they left the lofty
island. Next, on the opposite side they saw and passed the mouth of the river
Sangarius and the fertile land of the Mariandyni, and the stream of Lycus and
the Anthemoeisian lake; and beneath the breeze the ropes and all the tackling
quivered as they sped onward. During the night the wind ceased and at dawn they
gladly reached the haven of the Acherusian headland. It rises aloft with steep
cliffs, looking towards the Bithynian sea; and beneath it smooth rocks, ever
washed by the sea, stand rooted firm; and round them the wave rolls and
thunders loud, but above, wide-spreading plane trees grow on the topmost point.
And from it towards the land a hollow glen slopes gradually away, where there
is a cave of Hades overarched by wood and rocks. From here an icy breath,
unceasingly issuing from the chill recess, ever forms a glistening rime which
melts again beneath the midday sun. And never does silence hold that grim
headland, but there is a continual murmur from the sounding sea and the leaves
that quiver in the winds from the cave. And here is the outfall of the river
Acheron which bursts its way through the headland and falls into the Eastern
sea, and a hollow ravine brings it down from above. In after times the Nisaean
Megarians named it Soonautes<a href="#linknote-15" name="linknoteref-15"
id="linknoteref-15"><sup>[15]</sup></a> when they were about to settle in
the land of the Mariandyni. For indeed the river saved them with their ships
when they were caught in a violent tempest. By this way the heroes took the
ship through<a href="#linknote-16" name="linknoteref-16"
id="linknoteref-16"><sup>[16]</sup></a> the Acherusian headland and came
to land over against it as the wind had just ceased.
</p>
<p>
Not long had they come unmarked by Lycus, the lord of that land, and the
Mariandyni—they, the slayers of Amycus, according to the report which the
people heard before; but for that very deed they even made a league with the
heroes. And Polydeuces himself they welcomed as a god, flocking from every
side, since for a long time had they been warring against the arrogant
Bebrycians. And so they went up all together into the city, and all that day
with friendly feelings made ready a feast within the palace of Lycus and
gladdened their souls with converse. Aeson’s son told him the lineage and
name of each of his comrades and the behests of Pelias, and how they were
welcomed by the Lemnian women, and all that they did at Dolionian Cyzieus; and
how they reached the Mysian land and Cius, where, sore against their will, they
left behind the hero Heracles, and he told the saying of Glaucus, and how they
slew the Bebrycians and Amycus, and he told of the prophecies and affliction of
Phineus, and how they escaped the Cyanean rocks, and how they met with
Leto’s son at the island. And as he told all, Lycus was charmed in soul
with listening; and he grieved for Heracles left behind, and spake as follows
among them all:
</p>
<p>
“O friends, what a man he was from whose help ye have fallen away, as ye
cleave your long path to Aeetes; for well do I know that I saw him here in the
halls of Dascylus my father, when he came hither on foot through the land of
Asia bringing the girdle of warlike Hippolyte; and me he found with the down
just growing on my cheeks. And here, when my brother Priolas was slain by the
Mysians—my brother, whom ever since the people lament with most piteous
dirges—he entered the lists with Titias in boxing and slew him, mighty
Titias, who surpassed all the youths in beauty and strength; and he dashed his
teeth to the ground. Together with the Mysians he subdued beneath my
father’s sway the Phrygians also, who inhabit the lands next to us, and
he made his own the tribes of the Bithynians and their land, as far as the
mouth of Rhebas and the peak of Colone; and besides them the Paphlagonians of
Pelops yielded just as they were, even all those round whom the dark water of
Billaeus breaks. But now the Bebrycians and the insolence of Amycus have robbed
me, since Heracles dwells far away, for they have long been cutting off huge
pieces of my land until they have set their bounds at the meadows of
deep-flowing Hypius. Nevertheless, by your hands have they paid the penalty;
and it was not without the will of heaven, I trow, that he brought war on the
Bebrycians this day—he, the son of Tyndareus, when he slew that champion.
Wherefore whatever requital I am now able to pay, gladly will I pay it, for
that is the rule for weaker men when the stronger begin to help them. So with
you all, and in your company, I bid Dascylus my son follow; and if he goes, you
will find all men friendly that ye meet on your way through the sea even to the
mouth of the river Thermodon. And besides that, to the sons of Tyndareus will I
raise a lofty temple on the Acherusian height, which all sailors shall mark far
across the sea and shall reverence; and hereafter for them will I set apart
outside the city, as for gods, some fertile fields of the well-tilled
plain.”
</p>
<p>
Thus all day long they revelled at the banquet. But at dawn they hied down to
the ship in haste; and with them went Lycus himself, when he had given them
countless gifts to bear away; and with them he sent forth his son from his
home.
</p>
<p>
And here his destined fate smote Idmon, son of Abas, skilled in soothsaying;
but not at all did his soothsaying save him, for necessity drew him on to
death. For in the mead of the reedy river there lay, cooling his flanks and
huge belly in the mud, a white-tusked boar, a deadly monster, whom even the
nymphs of the marsh dreaded, and no man knew it; but all alone he was feeding
in the wide fell. But the son of Abas was passing along the raised banks of the
muddy river, and the boar from some unseen lair leapt out of the reed-bed, and
charging gashed his thigh and severed in twain the sinews and the bone. And
with a sharp cry the hero fell to the ground; and as he was struck his comrades
flocked together with answering cry. And quickly Peleus with his hunting spear
aimed at the murderous boar as he fled back into the fen; and again he turned
and charged; but Idas wounded him, and with a roar he fell impaled upon the
sharp spear. And the boar they left on the ground just as he had fallen there;
but Idmon, now at the last gasp, his comrades bore to the ship in sorrow of
heart, and he died in his comrades’ arms.
</p>
<p>
And here they stayed from taking thought for their voyaging and abode in grief
for the burial of their dead friend. And for three whole days they lamented;
and on the next they buried him with full honours, and the people and King
Lycus himself took part in the funeral rites; and, as is the due of the
departed, they slaughtered countless sheep at his tomb. And so a barrow to this
hero was raised in that land, and there stands a token for men of later days to
see, the trunk of a wild olive tree, such as ships are built of; and it
flourishes with its green leaves a little below the Acherusian headland. And if
at the bidding of the Muses I must tell this tale outright, Phoebus strictly
commanded the Boeotians and Nisaeans to worship him as guardian of their city,
and to build their city round the trunk of the ancient wild olive; but they,
instead of the god-fearing Aeolid Idmon, at this day honour Agamestor.
</p>
<p>
Who was the next that died? For then a second time the heroes heaped up a
barrow for a comrade dead. For still are to be seen two monuments of those
heroes. The tale goes that Tiphys son of Hagnias died; nor was it his destiny
thereafter to sail any further. But him there on the spot a short sickness laid
to rest far from his native land, when the company had paid due honours to the
dead son of Abas. And at the cruel woe they were seized with unbearable grief.
For when with due honours they had buried him also hard by the seer, they cast
themselves down in helplessness on the sea-shore silently, closely wrapped up,
and took no thought for meat or drink; and their spirit drooped in grief, for
all hope of return was gone. And in their sorrow they would have stayed from
going further had not Hera kindled exceeding courage in Ancaeus, whom near the
waters of Imbrasus Astypalaea bore to Poseidon; for especially was he skilled
in steering and eagerly did he address Peleus:
</p>
<p>
“Son of Aeacus, is it well for us to give up our toils and linger on in a
strange land? Not so much for my prowess in war did Jason take me with him in
quest of the fleece, far from Parthenia, as for my knowledge of ships.
Wherefore, I pray, let there be no fear for the ship. And so there are here
other men of skill, of whom none will harm our voyaging, whomsoever we set at
the helm. But quickly tell forth all this and boldly urge them to call to mind
their task.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and Peleus’ soul was stirred with gladness, and
straightway he spake in the midst of all: “My friends, why do we thus
cherish a bootless grief like this? For those two have perished by the fate
they have met with; but among our host are steersmen yet, and many a one.
Wherefore let us not delay our attempt, but rouse yourselves to the work and
cast away your griefs.”
</p>
<p>
And him in reply Aeson’s son addressed with helpless words: “Son of
Aeacus, where are these steersmen of thine? For those whom we once deemed to be
men of skill, they even more than I are bowed with vexation of heart. Wherefore
I forebode an evil doom for us even as for the dead, if it shall be our lot
neither to reach the city of fell Aeetes, nor ever again to pass beyond the
rocks to the land of Hellas, but a wretched fate will enshroud us here
ingloriously till we grow old for naught.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, but Ancaeus quickly undertook to guide the swift ship; for he
was stirred by the impulse of the goddess. And after him Erginus and Nauplius
and Euphemus started up, eager to steer. But the others held them back, and
many of his comrades granted it to Ancaeus.
</p>
<p>
So on the twelfth day they went aboard at dawn, for a strong breeze of westerly
wind was blowing. And quickly with the oars they passed out through the river
Acheron and, trusting to the wind, shook out their sails, and with canvas
spread far and wide they were cleaving their passage through the waves in fair
weather. And soon they passed the outfall of the river Callichorus, where, as
the tale goes, the Nysean son of Zeus, when he had left the tribes of the
Indians and came to dwell at Thebes, held revels and arrayed dances in front of
a cave, wherein he passed unsmiling sacred nights, from which time the
neighbours call the river by the name of Callichorus<a href="#linknote-17"
name="linknoteref-17" id="linknoteref-17"><sup>[17]</sup></a> and the
cave Aulion.<a href="#linknote-18" name="linknoteref-18"
id="linknoteref-18"><sup>[18]</sup></a>
</p>
<p>
Next they beheld the barrow of Sthenelus, Actor’s son, who on his way
back from the valorous war against the Amazons—for he had been the
comrade of Heracles—was struck by an arrow and died there upon the
sea-beach. And for a time they went no further, for Persephone herself sent
forth the spirit of Actor’s son which craved with many tears to behold
men like himself, even for a moment. And mounting on the edge of the barrow he
gazed upon the ship, such as he was when he went to war; and round his head a
fair helm with four peaks gleamed with its blood-red crest. And again he
entered the vast gloom; and they looked and marvelled; and Mopsus, son of
Ampycus, with word of prophecy urged them to land and propitiate him with
libations. Quickly they drew in sail and threw out hawsers, and on the strand
paid honour to the tomb of Sthenelus, and poured out drink offerings to him and
sacrificed sheep as victims. And besides the drink offerings they built an
altar to Apollo, saviour of ships, and burnt thigh bones; and Orpheus dedicated
his lyre; whence the place has the name of Lyra.
</p>
<p>
And straightway they went aboard as the wind blew strong; and they drew the
sail down, and made it taut to both sheets; then Argo was borne over the sea
swiftly, even as a hawk soaring high through the air commits to the breeze its
outspread wings and is borne on swiftly, nor swerves in its flight, poising in
the clear sky with quiet pinions. And lo, they passed by the stream of
Parthenius as it flows into the sea, a most gentle river, where the maid,
daughter of Leto, when she mounts to heaven after the chase, cools her limbs in
its much-desired waters. Then they sped onward in the night without ceasing,
and passed Sesamus and lofty Erythini, Crobialus, Cromna and woody Cytorus.
Next they swept round Carambis at the rising of the sun, and plied the oars
past long Aegialus, all day and on through the night.
</p>
<p>
And straightway they landed on the Assyrian shore where Zeus himself gave a
home to Sinope, daughter of Asopus, and granted her virginity, beguiled by his
own promises. For he longed for her love, and he promised to grant her whatever
her hearts desire might be. And she in her craftiness asked of him virginity.
And in like manner she deceived Apollo too who longed to wed her, and besides
them the river Halys, and no man ever subdued her in love’s embrace. And
there the sons of noble Deimachus of Tricca were still dwelling, Deileon,
Autolycus and Phlogius, since the day when they wandered far away from
Heracles; and they, when they marked the array of chieftains, went to meet them
and declared in truth who they were; and they wished to remain there no longer,
but as soon as Argestes<a href="#linknote-19" name="linknoteref-19"
id="linknoteref-19"><sup>[19]</sup></a> blew went on ship-board. And so
with them, borne along by the swift breeze, the heroes left behind the river
Halys, and left behind his that flows hard by, and the delta-land of Assyria;
and on the same day they rounded the distant headland of the Amazons that
guards their harbour.
</p>
<p>
Here once when Melanippe, daughter of Ares, had, gone forth, the hero Heracles
caught her by ambuscade and Hippolyte gave him her glistening girdle as her
sister’s ransom, and he sent away his captive unharmed. In the bay of
this headland, at the outfall of Thermodon, they ran ashore, for the sea was
rough for their voyage. No river is like this, and none sends forth from itself
such mighty streams over the land. If a man should count every one he would
lack but four of a hundred, but the real spring is only one. This flows down to
the plain from lofty mountains, which, men say, are called the Amazonian
mountains. Thence it spreads inland over a hilly country straight forward;
wherefrom its streams go winding on, and they roll on, this way and that ever
more, wherever best they can reach the lower ground, one at a distance and
another near at hand; and many streams are swallowed up in the sand and are
without a name; but, mingled with a few, the main stream openly bursts with its
arching crest of foam into the inhospitable Pontus. And they would have tarried
there and have closed in battle with the Amazons, and would have fought not
without bloodshed for the Amazons were not gentle foes and regarded not
justice, those dwellers on the Doeantian plain; but grievous insolence and the
works of Ares were all their care; for by race they were the daughters of Ares
and the nymph Harmonia, who bare to Ares war-loving maids, wedded to him in the
glens of the Acmonian wood had not the breezes of Argestes come again from
Zeus; and with the wind they left the rounded beach, where the Themiscyreian
Amazons were arming for war. For they dwelt not gathered together in one city,
but scattered over the land, parted into three tribes. In one part dwelt the
Themiscyreians, over whom at that time Hippolyte reigned, in another the
Lycastians, and in another the dart-throwing Chadesians. And the next day they
sped on and at nightfall they reached the land of the Chalybes.
</p>
<p>
That folk have no care for ploughing with oxen or for any planting of
honey-sweet fruit; nor yet do they pasture flocks in the dewy meadow. But they
cleave the hard iron-bearing land and exchange their wages for daily
sustenance; never does the morn rise for them without toil, but amid bleak
sooty flames and smoke they endure heavy labour.
</p>
<p>
And straightway thereafter they rounded the headland of Genetaean Zeus and sped
safely past the land of the Tibareni. Here when wives bring forth children to
their husbands, the men lie in bed and groan with their heads close bound; but
the women tend them with food, and prepare child-birth baths for them.
</p>
<p>
Next they reached the sacred mount and the land where the Mossynoeci dwell amid
high mountains in wooden huts,<a href="#linknote-20" name="linknoteref-20"
id="linknoteref-20"><sup>[20]</sup></a> from which that people take their
name. And strange are their customs and laws. Whatever it is right to do openly
before the people or in the market place, all this they do in their homes, but
whatever acts we perform at home, these they perform out of doors in the midst
of the streets, without blame. And among them is no reverence for the
marriage-bed, but, like swine that feed in herds, no whit abashed in
others’ presence, on the earth they lie with the women. Their king sits
in the loftiest hut and dispenses upright judgments to the multitude, poor
wretch! For if haply he err at all in his decrees, for that day they keep him
shut up in starvation.
</p>
<p>
They passed them by and cleft their way with oars over against the island of
Ares all day long; for at dusk the light breeze left them. At last they spied
above them, hurtling through the air, one of the birds of Ares which haunt that
isle. It shook its wings down over the ship as she sped on and sent against her
a keen feather, and it fell on the left shoulder of goodly Oileus, and he
dropped his oar from his hands at the sudden blow, and his comrades marvelled
at the sight of the winged bolt. And Eribotes from his seat hard by drew out
the feather, and bound up the wound when he had loosed the strap hanging from
his own sword-sheath; and besides the first, another bird appeared swooping
down; but the hero Clytius, son of Eurytus—for he bent his curved bow,
and sped a swift arrow against the bird—struck it, and it whirled round
and fell close to the ship. And to them spake Amphidamas, son of Aleus:
</p>
<p>
“The island of Ares is near us; you know it yourselves now that ye have
seen these birds. But little will arrows avail us, I trow, for landing. But let
us contrive some other device to help us, if ye intend to land, bearing in mind
the injunction of Phineus. For not even could Heracles, when he came to
Arcadia, drive away with bow and arrow the birds that swam on the Stymphalian
lake. I saw it myself. But he shook in his hand a rattle of bronze and made a
loud clatter as he stood upon a lofty peak, and the birds fled far off,
screeching in bewildered fear. Wherefore now too let us contrive some such
device, and I myself will speak, having pondered the matter beforehand. Set on
your heads your helmets of lofty crest, then half row by turns, and half fence
the ship about with polished spears and shields. Then all together raise a
mighty shout so that the birds may be scared by the unwonted din, the nodding
crests, and the uplifted spears on high. And if we reach the island itself,
then make mighty noise with the clashing of shields.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and the helpful device pleased all. And on their heads they
placed helmets of bronze, gleaming terribly, and the blood-red crests were
tossing. And half of them rowed in turn, and the rest covered the ship with
spears and shields. And as when a man roofs over a house with tiles, to be an
ornament of his home and a defence against rain, and one the fits firmly into
another, each after each; so they roofed over the ship with their shields,
locking them together. And as a din arises from a warrior-host of men sweeping
on, when lines of battle meet, such a shout rose upward from the ship into the
air. Now they saw none of the birds yet, but when they touched the island and
clashed upon their shields, then the birds in countless numbers rose in flight
hither and thither. And as when the son of Cronos sends from the clouds a dense
hailstorm on city and houses, and the people who dwell beneath hear the din
above the roof and sit quietly, since the stormy season has not come upon them
unawares, but they have first made strong their roofs; so the birds sent
against the heroes a thick shower of feather-shafts as they darted over the sea
to the mountains of the land opposite.
</p>
<p>
What then was the purpose of Phineus in bidding the divine band of heroes land
there? Or what kind of help was about to meet their desire?
</p>
<p>
The sons of Phrixus were faring towards the city of Orchomenus from Aea, coming
from Cytaean Aeetes, on board a Colchian ship, to win the boundless wealth of
their father; for he, when dying, had enjoined this journey upon them. And lo,
on that day they were very near that island. But Zeus had impelled the north
wind’s might to blow, marking by rain the moist path of Arcturus; and all
day long he was stirring the leaves upon the mountains, breathing gently upon
the topmost sprays; but at night he rushed upon the sea with monstrous force,
and with his shrieking blasts uplifted the surge; and a dark mist covered the
heavens, nor did the bright stars anywhere appear from among the clouds, but a
murky gloom brooded all around. And so the sons of Phrixus, drenched and
trembling in fear of a horrible doom, were borne along by the waves helplessly.
And the force of the wind had snatched away their sails and shattered in twain
the hull, tossed as it was by the breakers. And hereupon by heaven’s
prompting those four clutched a huge beam, one of many that were scattered
about, held together by sharp bolts, when the ship broke to pieces. And on to
the island the waves and the blasts of wind bore the men in their distress,
within a little of death. And straightway a mighty rain burst forth, and rained
upon the sea and the island, and all the country opposite the island, where the
arrogant Mossynoeci dwelt. And the sweep of the waves hurled the sons of
Phrixus, together with their massy beam, upon the beach of the island, in the
murky night; and the floods of rain from Zeus ceased at sunrise, and soon the
two bands drew near and met each other, and Argus spoke first:
</p>
<p>
“We beseech you, by Zeus the Beholder, whoever ye are, to be kindly and
to help us in our need. For fierce tempests, falling on the sea, have shattered
all the timbers of the crazy ship in which we were cleaving our path on
business bent. Wherefore we entreat you, if haply ye will listen, to grant us
just a covering for our bodies, and to pity and succour men in misfortune, your
equals in age. Oh, reverence suppliants and strangers for Zeus’ sake, the
god of strangers and suppliants. To Zeus belong both suppliants and strangers;
and his eye, methinks, beholdeth even us.”
</p>
<p>
And in reply the son of Aeson prudently questioned him, deeming that the
prophecies of Phineus were being fulfilled: “All these things will we
straightway grant you with right good will. But come tell me truly in what
country ye dwell and what business bids you sail across the sea, and tell me
your own glorious names and lineage.”
</p>
<p>
And him Argus, helpless in his evil plight, addressed: “That one Phrixus
an Aeolid reached Aea from Hellas you yourselves have clearly heard ere this, I
trow; Phrixus, who came to the city of Aeetes, bestriding a ram, which Hermes
had made all gold; and the fleece ye may see even now. The ram, at its own
prompting, he then sacrificed to Zeus, son of Cronos, above all, the god of
fugitives. And him did Aeetes receive in his palace, and with gladness of heart
gave him his daughter Chalciope in marriage without gifts of wooing. <a
href="#linknote-21" name="linknoteref-21"
id="linknoteref-21"><sup>[21]</sup></a> From those two are we sprung. But
Phrixus died at last, an aged man, in the home of Aeetes; and we, giving heed
to our father’s behests, are journeying to Orehomenus to take the
possessions of Athamas. And if thou dost desire to learn our names, this is
Cytissorus, this Phrontis, and this Melas, and me ye may call Argus.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and the chieftains rejoiced at the meeting, and tended them,
much marvelling. And Jason again in turn replied, as was fitting, with these
words:
</p>
<p>
“Surely ye are our kinsmen on my father’s side, and ye pray that
with kindly hearts we succour your evil plight. For Cretheus and Athamas were
brothers. I am the grandson of Cretheus, and with these comrades here I am
journeying from that same Hellas to the city of Aeetes. But of these things we
will converse hereafter. And do ye first put clothing upon you. By
heaven’s devising, I ween, have ye come to my hands in your sore
need.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and out of the ship gave them raiment to put on. Then all together
they went to the temple of Ares to offer sacrifice of sheep; and in haste they
stood round the altar, which was outside the roofless temple, an altar built of
pebbles; within a black stone stood fixed, a sacred thing, to which of yore the
Amazons all used to pray. Nor was it lawful for them, when they came from the
opposite coast, to burn on this altar offerings of sheep and oxen, but they
used to slay horses which they kept in great herds. Now when they had
sacrificed and eaten the feast prepared, then Aeson’s son spake among
them and thus began:
</p>
<p>
“Zeus’ self, I ween, beholds everything; nor do we men escape his
eye, we that be god-fearing and just, for as he rescued your father from the
hands of a murderous step-dame and gave him measureless wealth besides; even so
hath he saved you harmless from the baleful storm. And on board this ship ye
may sail hither and thither, where ye will, whether to Aea or to the wealthy
city of divine Orthomenus. For our ship Athena built and with axe of bronze cut
her timbers near the crest of Pelion, and with the goddess wrought Argus. But
yours the fierce surge hath shattered, before ye came nigh to the rocks which
all day long clash together in the straits of the sea. But come, be yourselves
our helpers, for we are eager to bring to Hellas the golden fleece, and guide
us on our voyage, for I go to atone for the intended sacrifice of Phrixus, the
cause of Zeus’ wrath against the sons of Aeolus.”
</p>
<p>
He spake with soothing words; but horror seized them when they heard. For they
deemed that they would not find Aeetes friendly if they desired to take away
the ram’s fleece. And Argus spake as follows, vexed that they should busy
themselves with such a quest:
</p>
<p>
“My friends, our strength, so far as it avails, shall never cease to help
you, not one whit, when need shall come. But Aeetes is terribly armed with
deadly ruthlessness; wherefore exceedingly do I dread this voyage. And he
boasts himself to be the son of Helios; and all round dwell countless tribes of
Colchians; and he might match himself with Ares in his dread war-cry and giant
strength. Nay, to seize the fleece in spite of Aeetes is no easy task; so huge
a serpent keeps guard round and about it, deathless and sleepless, which Earth
herself brought forth on the sides of Caucasus, by the rock of Typhaon, where
Typhaon, they say, smitten by the bolt of Zeus, son of Cronos, when he lifted
against the god his sturdy hands, dropped from his head hot gore; and in such
plight he reached the mountains and plain of Nysa, where to this day he lies
whelmed beneath the waters of the Serbonian lake.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and straightway many a cheek grew pale when they heard of so
mighty an adventure. But quickly Peleus answered with cheering words, and thus
spake:
</p>
<p>
“Be not so fearful in spirit, my good friend. For we are not so lacking
in prowess as to be no match for Aeetes to try his strength with arms; but I
deem that we too are cunning in war, we that go thither, near akin to the blood
of the blessed gods. Wherefore if he will not grant us the fleece of gold for
friendship’s sake, the tribes of the Colchians will not avail him, I
ween.”
</p>
<p>
Thus they addressed each other in turn, until again, satisfied with their
feast, they turned to rest. And when they rose at dawn a gentle breeze was
blowing; and they raised the sails, which strained to the rush of the wind, and
quickly they left behind the island of Ares.
</p>
<p>
And at nightfall they came to the island of Philyra, where Cronos, son of
Uranus, what time in Olympus he reigned over the Titans, and Zeus was yet being
nurtured in a Cretan cave by the Curetes of Ida, lay beside Philyra, when he
had deceived Rhea; and the goddess found them in the midst of their dalliance;
and Cronos leapt up from the couch with a rush in the form of a steed with
flowing mane, but Ocean’s daughter, Philyra, in shame left the spot and
those haunts, and came to the long Pelasgian ridges, where by her union with
the transfigured deity she brought forth huge Cheiron, half like a horse, half
like a god.
</p>
<p>
Thence they sailed on, past the Macrones and the far-stretching land of the
Becheiri and the overweening Sapeires, and after them the Byzeres; for ever
forward they clave their way, quickly borne by the gentle breeze. And lo, as
they sped on, a deep gulf of the sea was opened, and lo, the steep crags of the
Caucasian mountains rose up, where, with his limbs bound upon the hard rocks by
galling fetters of bronze, Prometheus fed with his liver an eagle that ever
rushed back to its prey. High above the ship at even they saw it flying with a
loud whirr, near the clouds; and yet it shook all the sails with the fanning of
those huge wings. For it had not the form of a bird of the air but kept poising
its long wing-feathers like polished oars. And not long after they heard the
bitter cry of Prometheus as his liver was being torn away; and the air rang
with his screams until they marked the ravening eagle rushing back from the
mountain on the self-same track. And at night, by the skill of Argus, they
reached broad-flowing Phasis, and the utmost bourne of the sea.
</p>
<p>
And straightway they let down the sails and the yard-arm and stowed them inside
the hollow mast-crutch, and at once they lowered the mast itself till it lay
along; and quickly with oars they entered the mighty stream of the river; and
round the prow the water surged as it gave them way. And on their left hand
they had lofty Caucasus and the Cytaean city of Aea, and on the other side the
plain of Ares and the sacred grove of that god, where the serpent was keeping
watch and ward over the fleece as it hung on the leafy branches of an oak. And
Aeson’s son himself from a golden goblet poured into the river libations
of honey and pure wine to Earth and to the gods of the country, and to the
souls of dead heroes; and he besought them of their grace to give kindly aid,
and to welcome their ship’s hawsers with favourable omen. And straightway
Ancaeus spake these words:
</p>
<p>
“We have reached the Colchian land and the stream of Phasis; and it is
time for us to take counsel whether we shall make trial of Aeetes with soft
words, or an attempt of another kind shall be fitting.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and by the advice of Argus Jason bade them enter a shaded
backwater and let the ship ride at anchor off shore; and it was near at hand in
their course and there they passed the night. And soon the dawn appeared to
their expectant eyes.
</p>
</div><!--end chapter-->
<div class="chapter">
<h2><a name="chap05"></a>BOOK III</h2>
<p>
Come now, Erato, stand by my side, and say next how Jason brought back the
fleece to Iolcus aided by the love of Medea. For thou sharest the power of
Cypris, and by thy love-cares dost charm unwedded maidens; wherefore to thee
too is attached a name that tells of love.
</p>
<p>
Thus the heroes, unobserved, were waiting in ambush amid the thick reed-beds;
but Hera and Athena took note of them, and, apart from Zeus and the other
immortals, entered a chamber and took counsel together; and Hera first made
trial of Athena:
</p>
<p>
“Do thou now first, daughter of Zeus, give advice. What must be done?
Wilt thou devise some scheme whereby they may seize the golden fleece of Aeetes
and bear it to Hellas, or can they deceive the king with soft words and so work
persuasion? Of a truth he is terribly overweening. Still it is right to shrink
from no endeavour.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and at once Athena addressed her: “I too was pondering
such thoughts in my heart, Hera, when thou didst ask me outright. But not yet
do I think that I have conceived a scheme to aid the courage of the heroes,
though I have balanced many plans.”
</p>
<p>
She ended, and the goddesses fixed their eyes on the ground at their feet,
brooding apart; and straightway Hera was the first to speak her thought:
“Come, let us go to Cypris; let both of us accost her and urge her to bid
her son (if only he will obey) speed his shaft at the daughter of Aeetes, the
enchantress, and charm her with love for Jason. And I deem that by her device
he will bring back the fleece to Hellas.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and the prudent plan pleased Athena, and she addressed her in
reply with gentle words:
</p>
<p>
“Hera, my father begat me to be a stranger to the darts of love, nor do I
know any charm to work desire. But if the word pleases thee, surely I will
follow; but thou must speak when we meet her.”
</p>
<p>
So she said, and starting forth they came to the mighty palace of Cypris, which
her husband, the halt-footed god, had built for her when first he brought her
from Zeus to be his wife. And entering the court they stood beneath the gallery
of the chamber where the goddess prepared the couch of Hephaestus. But he had
gone early to his forge and anvils to a broad cavern in a floating island where
with the blast of flame he wrought all manner of curious work; and she all
alone was sitting within, on an inlaid seat facing the door. And her white
shoulders on each side were covered with the mantle of her hair and she was
parting it with a golden comb and about to braid up the long tresses; but when
she saw the goddesses before her, she stayed and called them within, and rose
from her seat and placed them on couches. Then she herself sat down, and with
her hands gathered up the locks still uncombed. And smiling she addressed them
with crafty words:
</p>
<p>
“Good friends, what intent, what occasion brings you here after so long?
Why have ye come, not too frequent visitors before, chief among goddesses that
ye are?”
</p>
<p>
And to her Hera replied: “Thou dost mock us, but our hearts are stirred
with calamity. For already on the river Phasis the son of Aeson moors his ship,
he and his comrades in quest of the fleece. For all their sakes we fear
terribly (for the task is nigh at hand) but most for Aeson’s son. Him
will I deliver, though he sail even to Hades to free Ixion below from his
brazen chains, as far as strength lies in my limbs, so that Pelias may not mock
at having escaped an evil doom—Pelias who left me unhonoured with
sacrifice. Moreover Jason was greatly loved by me before, ever since at the
mouth of Anaurus in flood, as I was making trial of men’s righteousness,
he met me on his return from the chase; and all the mountains and long ridged
peaks were sprinkled with snow, and from them the torrents rolling down were
rushing with a roar. And he took pity on me in the likeness of an old crone,
and raising me on his shoulders himself bore me through the headlong tide. So
he is honoured by me unceasingly; nor will Pelias pay the penalty of his
outrage, unless thou wilt grant Jason his return.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and speechlessness seized Cypris. And beholding Hera
supplicating her she felt awe, and then addressed her with friendly words:
“Dread goddess, may no viler thing than Cypris ever be found, if I
disregard thy eager desire in word or deed, whatever my weak arms can effect;
and let there be no favour in return.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and Hera again addressed her with prudence: “It is not in need
of might or of strength that we have come. But just quietly bid thy boy charm
Aeetes’ daughter with love for Jason. For if she will aid him with her
kindly counsel, easily do I think he will win the fleece of gold and return to
Iolcus, for she is full of wiles.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and Cypris addressed them both: “Hera and Athena, he will
obey you rather than me. For unabashed though he is, there will be some slight
shame in his eyes before you; but he has no respect for me, but ever slights me
in contentious mood. And, overborne by his naughtiness, I purpose to break his
ill-sounding arrows and his bow in his very sight. For in his anger he has
threatened that if I shall not keep my hands off him while he still masters his
temper, I shall have cause to blame myself thereafter.”
</p>
<p>
So she spake, and the goddesses smiled and looked at each other. But Cypris
again spoke, vexed at heart: “To others my sorrows are a jest; nor ought
I to tell them to all; I know them too well myself. But now, since this pleases
you both, I will make the attempt and coax him, and he will not say me
nay.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and Hera took her slender hand and gently smiling, replied:
“Perform this task, Cytherea, straightway, as thou sayest; and be not
angry or contend with thy boy; he will cease hereafter to vex thee.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and left her seat, and Athena accompanied her and they went forth
both hastening back. And Cypris went on her way through the glens of Olympus to
find her boy. And she found him apart, in the blooming orchard of Zeus, not
alone, but with him Ganymedes, whom once Zeus had set to dwell among the
immortal gods, being enamoured of his beauty. And they were playing for golden
dice, as boys in one house are wont to do. And already greedy Eros was holding
the palm of his left hand quite full of them under his breast, standing
upright; and on the bloom of his cheeks a sweet blush was glowing. But the
other sat crouching hard by, silent and downcast, and he had two dice left
which he threw one after the other, and was angered by the loud laughter of
Eros. And lo, losing them straightway with the former, he went off empty
handed, helpless, and noticed not the approach of Cypris. And she stood before
her boy, and laying her hand on his lips, addressed him:
</p>
<p>
“Why dost thou smile in triumph, unutterable rogue? Hast thou cheated him
thus, and unjustly overcome the innocent child? Come, be ready to perform for
me the task I will tell thee of, and I will give thee Zeus’ all-beauteous
plaything—the one which his dear nurse Adrasteia made for him, while he
still lived a child, with childish ways, in the Idaean cave—a
well-rounded ball; no better toy wilt thou get from the hands of Hephaestus.
All of gold are its zones, and round each double seams run in a circle; but the
stitches are hidden, and a dark blue spiral overlays them all. But if thou
shouldst cast it with thy hands, lo, like a star, it sends a flaming track
through the sky. This I will give thee; and do thou strike with thy shaft and
charm the daughter of Aeetes with love for Jason; and let there be no
loitering. For then my thanks would be the slighter.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and welcome were her words to the listening boy. And he threw
down all his toys, and eagerly seizing her robe on this side and on that, clung
to the goddess. And he implored her to bestow the gift at once; but she, facing
him with kindly words, touched his cheeks, kissed him and drew him to her, and
replied with a smile:
</p>
<p>
“Be witness now thy dear head and mine, that surely I will give thee the
gift and deceive thee not, if thou wilt strike with thy shaft Aeetes’
daughter.”
</p>
<p>
She spoke, and he gathered up his dice, and having well counted them all threw
them into his mother’s gleaming lap. And straightway with golden baldric
he slung round him his quiver from where it leant against a tree-trunk, and
took up his curved bow. And he fared forth through the fruitful orchard of the
palace of Zeus. Then he passed through the gates of Olympus high in air; hence
is a downward path from heaven; and the twin poles rear aloft steep mountain
tops the highest crests of earth, where the risen sun grows ruddy with his
first beams. And beneath him there appeared now the life-giving earth and
cities of men and sacred streams of rivers, and now in turn mountain peaks and
the ocean all around, as he swept through the vast expanse of air.
</p>
<p>
Now the heroes apart in ambush, in a back-water of the river, were met in
council, sitting on the benches of their ship. And Aeson’s son himself
was speaking among them; and they were listening silently in their places
sitting row upon row: “My friends, what pleases myself that will I say
out; it is for you to bring about its fulfilment. For in common is our task,
and common to all alike is the right of speech; and he who in silence withholds
his thought and his counsel, let him know that it is he alone that bereaves
this band of its home-return. Do ye others rest here in the ship quietly with
your arms; but I will go to the palace of Aeetes, taking with me the sons of
Phrixus and two comrades as well. And when I meet him I will first make trial
with words to see if he will be willing to give up the golden fleece for
friendship’s sake or not, but trusting to his might will set at nought
our quest. For so, learning his frowardness first from himself, we will
consider whether we shall meet him in battle, or some other plan shall avail
us, if we refrain from the war-cry. And let us not merely by force, before
putting words to the test, deprive him of his own possession. But first it is
better to go to him and win his favour by speech. Oftentimes, I ween, does
speech accomplish at need what prowess could hardly catty through, smoothing
the path in manner befitting. And he once welcomed noble Phrixus, a fugitive
from his stepmother’s wiles and the sacrifice prepared by his father. For
all men everywhere, even the most shameless, reverence the ordinance of Zeus,
god of strangers, and regard it.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and the youths approved the words of Aeson’s son with one
accord, nor was there one to counsel otherwise. And then he summoned to go with
him the sons of Phrixus, and Telamon and Augeias; and himself took
Hermes’ wand; and at once they passed forth from the ship beyond the
reeds and the water to dry land, towards the rising ground of the plain. The
plain, I wis, is called Circe’s; and here in line grow many willows and
osiers, on whose topmost branches hang corpses bound with cords. For even now
it is an abomination with the Colchians to burn dead men with fire; nor is it
lawful to place them in the earth and raise a mound above, but to wrap them in
untanned oxhides and suspend them from trees far from the city. And so earth
has an equal portion with air, seeing that they bury the women; for that is the
custom of their land.
</p>
<p>
And as they went Hera with friendly thought spread a thick mist through the
city, that they might fare to the palace of Aeetes unseen by the countless
hosts of the Colchians. But soon when from the plain they came to the city and
Aeetes’ palace, then again Hera dispersed the mist. And they stood at the
entrance, marvelling at the king’s courts and the wide gates and columns
which rose in ordered lines round the walls; and high up on the palace a coping
of stone rested on brazen triglyphs. And silently they crossed the threshold.
And close by garden vines covered with green foliage were in full bloom, lifted
high in air. And beneath them ran four fountains, ever-flowing, which
Hephaestus had delved out. One was gushing with milk, one with wine, while the
third flowed with fragrant oil; and the fourth ran with water, which grew warm
at the setting of the Pleiads, and in turn at their rising bubbled forth from
the hollow rock, cold as crystal. Such then were the wondrous works that the
craftsman-god Hephaestus had fashioned in the palace of Cytaean Aeetes. And he
wrought for him bulls with feet of bronze, and their mouths were of bronze, and
from them they breathed out a terrible flame of fire; moreover he forged a
plough of unbending adamant, all in one piece, in payment of thanks to Helios,
who had taken the god up in his chariot when faint from the Phlegraean fight.<a
href="#linknote-22" name="linknoteref-22"
id="linknoteref-22"><sup>[22]</sup></a> And here an inner-court was built, and
round it were many well-fitted doors and chambers here and there, and all along
on each side was a richly-wrought gallery. And on both sides loftier buildings
stood obliquely. In one, which was the loftiest, lordly Aeetes dwelt with his
queen; and in another dwelt Apsyrtus, son of Aeetes, whom a Caucasian nymph,
Asterodeia, bare before he made Eidyia his wedded wife, the youngest daughter
of Tethys and Oceanus. And the sons of the Colchians called him by the new name
of Phaethon,<a href="#linknote-23" name="linknoteref-23"
id="linknoteref-23"><sup>[23]</sup></a> because he outshone all the youths. The
other buildings the handmaidens had, and the two daughters of Aeetes, Chalciope
and Medea. Medea then [they found] going from chamber to chamber in search of
her sister, for Hera detained her within that day; but beforetime she was not
wont to haunt the palace, but all day long was busied in Hecate’s temple,
since she herself was the priestess of the goddess. And when she saw them she
cried aloud, and quickly Chalciope caught the sound; and her maids, throwing
down at their feet their yarn and their thread, rushed forth all in a throng.
And she, beholding her sons among them, raised her hands aloft through joy; and
so they likewise greeted their mother, and when they saw her embraced her in
their gladness; and she with many sobs spoke thus:
</p>
<p>
“After all then, ye were not destined to leave me in your heedlessness
and to wander far; but fate has turned you back. Poor wretch that I am! What a
yearning for Hellas from some woeful madness seized you at the behest of your
father Phrixus. Bitter sorrows for my heart did he ordain when dying. And why
should ye go to the city of Orchomenus, whoever this Orchomenus is, for the
sake of Athamas’ wealth, leaving your mother alone to bear her
grief?”
</p>
<p>
Such were her words; and Aeetes came forth last of all and Eidyia herself came,
the queen of Aeetes, on hearing the voice of Chalciope; and straightway all the
court was filled with a throng. Some of the thralls were busied with a mighty
bull, others with the axe were cleaving dry billets, and others heating with
fire water for the baths; nor was there one who relaxed his toil, serving the
king.
</p>
<p>
Meantime Eros passed unseen through the grey mist, causing confusion, as when
against grazing heifers rises the gadfly, which oxherds call the breese. And
quickly beneath the lintel in the porch he strung his bow and took from the
quiver an arrow unshot before, messenger of pain. And with swift feet unmarked
he passed the threshold and keenly glanced around; and gliding close by
Aeson’s son he laid the arrow-notch on the cord in the centre, and
drawing wide apart with both hands he shot at Medea; and speechless amazement
seized her soul. But the god himself flashed back again from the high-roofed
hall, laughing loud; and the bolt burnt deep down in the maiden’s heart
like a flame; and ever she kept darting bright glances straight up at
Aeson’s son, and within her breast her heart panted fast through anguish,
all remembrance left her, and her soul melted with the sweet pain. And as a
poor woman heaps dry twigs round a blazing brand—a daughter of toil,
whose task is the spinning of wool, that she may kindle a blaze at night
beneath her roof, when she has waked very early—and the flame waxing
wondrous great from the small brand consumes all the twigs together; so,
coiling round her heart, burnt secretly Love the destroyer; and the hue of her
soft cheeks went and came, now pale, now red, in her soul’s distraction.
</p>
<p>
Now when the thralls had laid a banquet ready before them, and they had
refreshed themselves with warm baths, gladly did they please their souls with
meat and drink. And thereafter Aeetes questioned the sons of his daughter,
addressing them with these words:
</p>
<p>
“Sons of my daughter and of Phrixus, whom beyond all strangers I honoured
in my halls, how have ye come returning back to Aea? Did some calamity cut
short your escape in the midst? Ye did not listen when I set before you the
boundless length of the way. For I marked it once, whirled along in the chariot
of my father Helios, when he was bringing my sister Circe to the western land
and we came to the shore of the Tyrrhenian mainland, where even now she abides,
exceeding far from Colchis. But what pleasure is there in words? Do ye tell me
plainly what has been your fortune, and who these men are, your companions, and
where from your hollow ship ye came ashore.”
</p>
<p>
Such were his questions, and Argus, before all his brethren, being fearful for
the mission of Aeson’s son, gently replied, for he was the elder-born:
</p>
<p>
“Aeetes, that ship forthwith stormy blasts tore asunder, and ourselves,
crouching on the beams, a wave drove on to the beach of the isle of Enyalius <a
href="#linknote-24" name="linknoteref-24"
id="linknoteref-24"><sup>[24]</sup></a> in the murky night; and some god
preserved us. For even the birds of Ares that haunted the desert isle
beforetime, not even them did we find. But these men had driven them off,
having landed from their ship on the day before; and the will of Zeus taking
pity on us, or some fate, detained them there, since they straightway gave us
both food and clothing in abundance, when they heard the illustrious name of
Phrixus and thine own; for to thy city are they faring. And if thou dost wish
to know their errand, I will not hide it from time. A certain king, vehemently
longing to drive this man far from his fatherland and possessions, because in
might he outshone all the sons of Aeolus, sends him to voyage hither on a
bootless venture; and asserts that the stock of Aeolus will not escape the
heart-grieving wrath and rage of implacable Zeus, nor the unbearable curse and
vengeance due for Phrixus, until the fleece comes back to Hellas. And their
ship was fashioned by Pallas Athena, not such a one as are the ships among the
Colchians, on the vilest of which we chanced. For the fierce waves and wind
broke her utterly to pieces; but the other holds firm with her bolts, even
though all the blasts should buffet her. And with equal swiftness she speedeth
before the wind and when the crew ply the oar with unresting hands. And he hath
gathered in her the mightiest heroes of all Achaea, and hath come to thy city
from wandering far through cities and gulfs of the dread ocean, in the hope
that thou wilt grant him the fleece. But as thou dost please, so shall it be,
for he cometh not to use force, but is eager to pay thee a recompense for the
gift. He has heard from me of thy bitter foes the Sauromatae, and he will
subdue them to thy sway. And if thou desirest to know their names and lineage I
will tell thee all. This man on whose account the rest were gathered from
Hellas, they call Jason, son of Aeson, whom Cretheus begat. And if in truth he
is of the stock of Cretheus himself, thus he would be our kinsman on the
father’s side. For Cretheus and Athamas were both sons of Aeolus; and
Phrixus was the son of Athamas, son of Aeolus. And here, if thou hast heard at
all of the seed of Helios, thou dost behold Augeias; and this is Telamon sprung
from famous Aeacus; and Zeus himself begat Aeacus. And so all the rest, all the
comrades that follow him, are the sons or grandsons of the immortals.”
</p>
<p>
Such was the tale of Argus; but the king at his words was filled with rage as
he heard; and his heart was lifted high in wrath. And he spake in heavy
displeasure; and was angered most of all with the son of Chalciope; for he
deemed that on their account the strangers had come; and in his fury his eyes
flashed forth beneath his brows:
</p>
<p>
“Begone from my sight, felons, straightway, ye and your tricks, from the
land, ere someone see a fleece and a Phrixus to his sorrow. Banded together
with your friends from Hellas, not for the fleece, but to seize my sceptre and
royal power have ye come hither. Had ye not first tasted of my table, surely
would I have cut out your tongues and hewn off both hands and sent you forth
with your feet alone, so that ye might be stayed from starting hereafter. And
what lies have ye uttered against the blessed gods!”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake in his wrath; and mightily from its depths swelled the heart of
Aeacus’ son, and his soul within longed to speak a deadly word in
defiance, but Aeson’s son checked him, for he himself first made gentle
answer:
</p>
<p>
“Aeetes, bear with this armed band, I pray. For not in the way thou
deemest have we come to thy city and palace, no, nor yet with such desires. For
who would of his own will dare to cross so wide a sea for the goods of a
stranger? But fate and the ruthless command of a presumptuous king urged me.
Grant a favour to thy suppliants, and to all Hellas will I publish a glorious
fame of thee; yea, we are ready now to pay thee a swift recompense in war,
whether it be the Sauromatae or some other people that thou art eager to subdue
to thy sway.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, flattering him with gentle utterance; but the king’s soul
brooded a twofold purpose within him, whether he should attack and slay them on
the spot or should make trial of their might. And this, as he pondered, seemed
the better way, and he addressed Jason in answer:
</p>
<p>
“Stranger, why needest thou go through thy tale to the end? For if ye are
in truth of heavenly race, or have come in no wise inferior to me, to win the
goods of strangers, I will give thee the fleece to bear away, if thou dost
wish, when I have tried thee. For against brave men I bear no grudge, such as
ye yourselves tell me of him who bears sway in Hellas. And the trial of your
courage and might shall be a contest which I myself can compass with my hands,
deadly though it be. Two bulls with feet of bronze I have that pasture on the
plain of Ares, breathing forth flame from their jaws; them do I yoke and drive
over the stubborn field of Ares, four plough-gates; and quickly cleaving it
with the share up to the headland, I cast into the furrows the seed, not the
corn of Demeter, but the teeth of a dread serpent that grow up into the fashion
of armed men; them I slay at once, cutting them down beneath my spear as they
rise against me on all sides. In the morning do I yoke the oxen, and at
eventide I cease from the harvesting. And thou, if thou wilt accomplish such
deeds as these, on that very day shalt carry off the fleece to the king’s
palace; ere that time comes I will not give it, expect it not. For indeed it is
unseemly that a brave man should yield to a coward.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and Jason, fixing his eyes on the ground, sat just as he was,
speechless, helpless in his evil plight. For a long time he turned the matter
this way and that, and could in no way take on him the task with courage, for a
mighty task it seemed; and at last he made reply with crafty words:
</p>
<p>
“With thy plea of right, Aeetes, thou dost shut me in overmuch. Wherefore
also I will dare that contest, monstrous as it is, though it be my doom to die.
For nothing will fall upon men more dread than dire necessity, which indeed
constrained me to come hither at a king’s command.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, smitten by his helpless plight; and the king with grim words
addressed him, sore troubled as he was: “Go forth now to the gathering,
since thou art eager for the toil; but if thou shouldst fear to lift the yoke
upon the oxen or shrink from the deadly harvesting, then all this shall be my
care, so that another too may shudder to come to a man that is better than
he.”
</p>
<p>
He spake outright; and Jason rose from his seat, and Augeias and Telamon at
once; and Argus followed alone, for he signed to his brothers to stay there on
the spot meantime; and so they went forth from the hall. And wonderfully among
them all shone the son of Aeson for beauty and grace; and the maiden looked at
him with stealthy glance, holding her bright veil aside, her heart smouldering
with pain; and her soul creeping like a dream flitted in his track as he went.
So they passed forth from the palace sorely troubled. And Chalciope, shielding
herself from the wrath of Aeetes, had gone quickly to her chamber with her
sons. And Medea likewise followed, and much she brooded in her soul all the
cares that the Loves awaken. And before her eyes the vision still
appeared—himself what like he was, with what vesture he was clad, what
things he spake, how he sat on his seat, how he moved forth to the
door—and as she pondered she deemed there never was such another man; and
ever in her ears rung his voice and the honey-sweet words which he uttered. And
she feared for him, lest the oxen or Aeetes with his own hand should slay him;
and she mourned him as though already slain outright, and in her affliction a
round tear through very grievous pity coursed down her cheek; and gently
weeping she lifted up her voice aloud:
</p>
<p>
“Why does this grief come upon me, poor wretch? Whether he be the best of
heroes now about to perish, or the worst, let him go to his doom. Yet I would
that he had escaped unharmed; yea, may this be so, revered goddess, daughter of
Perses, may he avoid death and return home; but if it be his lot to be
o’ermastered by the oxen, may he first learn this, that I at least do not
rejoice in his cruel calamity.”
</p>
<p>
Thus then was the maiden’s heart racked by love-cares. But when the
others had gone forth from the people and the city, along the path by which at
the first they had come from the plain, then Argus addressed Jason with these
words:
</p>
<p>
“Son of Aeson, thou wilt despise the counsel which I will tell thee, but,
though in evil plight, it is not fitting to forbear from the trial. Ere now
thou hast heard me tell of a maiden that uses sorcery under the guidance of
Hecate, Perses’ daughter. If we could win her aid there will be no dread,
methinks, of thy defeat in the contest; but terribly do I fear that my mother
will not take this task upon her. Nevertheless I will go back again to entreat
her, for a common destruction overhangs us all.”
</p>
<p>
He spake with goodwill, and Jason answered with these words: “Good
friend, if this is good in thy sight, I say not nay. Go and move thy mother,
beseeching her aid with prudent words; pitiful indeed is our hope when we have
put our return in the keeping of women.” So he spake, and quickly they
reached the back-water. And their comrades joyfully questioned them, when they
saw them close at hand; and to them spoke Aeson’s son grieved at heart:
</p>
<p>
“My friends, the heart of ruthless Aeetes is utterly filled with wrath
against us, for not at all can the goal be reached either by me or by you who
question me. He said that two bulls with feet of bronze pasture on the plain of
Ares, breathing forth flame from their jaws. And with these he bade me plough
the field, four plough-gates; and said that he would give me from a
serpent’s jaws seed which will raise up earthborn men in armour of
bronze; and on the same day I must slay them. This task—for there was
nothing better to devise—I took on myself outright.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and to all the contest seemed one that none could accomplish,
and long, quiet and silent, they looked at one another, bowed down with the
calamity and their despair; but at last Peleus spake with courageous words
among all the chiefs: “It is time to be counselling what we shall do. Yet
there is not so much profit, I trow, in counsel as in the might of our hands.
If thou then, hero son of Aeson, art minded to yoke Aeetes’ oxen, and art
eager for the toil, surely thou wilt keep thy promise and make thyself ready.
But if thy soul trusts not her prowess utterly, then neither bestir thyself nor
sit still and look round for some one else of these men. For it is not I who
will flinch, since the bitterest pain will be but death.”
</p>
<p>
So spake the son of Aeacus; and Telamon’s soul was stirred, and quickly
he started up in eagerness; and Idas rose up the third in his pride; and the
twin sons of Tyndareus; and with them Oeneus’ son who was numbered among
strong men, though even the soft down on his cheek showed not yet; with such
courage was his soul uplifted. But the others gave way to these in silence. And
straightway Argus spake these words to those that longed for the contest:
</p>
<p>
“My friends, this indeed is left us at the last. But I deem that there
will come to you some timely aid from my mother. Wherefore, eager though ye be,
refrain and abide in your ship a little longer as before, for it is better to
forbear than recklessly to choose an evil fate. There is a maiden, nurtured in
the halls of Aeetes, whom the goddess Hecate taught to handle magic herbs with
exceeding skill all that the land and flowing waters produce. With them is
quenched the blast of unwearied flame, and at once she stays the course of
rivers as they rush roaring on, and checks the stars and the paths of the
sacred moon. Of her we bethought us as we came hither along the path from the
palace, if haply my mother, her own sister, might persuade her to aid us in the
venture. And if this is pleasing to you as well, surely on this very day will I
return to the palace of Aeetes to make trial; and perchance with some
god’s help shall I make the trial.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and the gods in their goodwill gave them a sign. A trembling
dove in her flight from a mighty hawk fell from on high, terrified, into the
lap of Aeson’s son, and the hawk fell impaled on the stern-ornament. And
quickly Mopsus with prophetic words spake among them all:
</p>
<p>
“For you, friends, this sign has been wrought by the will of heaven; in
no other way is it possible to interpret its meaning better, than to seek out
the maiden and entreat her with manifold skill. And I think she will not reject
our prayer, if in truth Phineus said that our return should be with the help of
the Cyprian goddess. It was her gentle bird that escaped death; and as my heart
within me foresees according to this omen, so may it prove! But, my friends,
let us call on Cytherea to aid us, and now at once obey the counsels of
Argus.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and the warriors approved, remembering the injunctions of Phineus;
but all alone leapt up Apharcian Idas and shouted loudly in terrible wrath:
“Shame on us, have we come here fellow voyagers with women, calling on
Cypris for help and not on the mighty strength of Enyalius? And do ye look to
doves and hawks to save yourselves from contests? Away with you, take thought
not for deeds of war, but by supplication to beguile weakling girls.”
</p>
<p>
Such were his eager words; and of his comrades many murmured low, but none
uttered a word of answer back. And he sat down in wrath; and at once Jason
roused them and uttered his own thought: “Let Argus set forth from the
ship, since this pleases all; but we will now move from the river and openly
fasten our hawsers to the shore. For surely it is not fitting for us to hide
any longer cowering from the battle-cry.”
</p>
<p>
So he spake, and straightway sent Argus to return in haste to the city; and
they drew the anchors on board at the command of Aeson’s son, and rowed
the ship close to the shore, a little away from the back-water.
</p>
<p>
But straightway Aeetes held an assembly of the Colchians far aloof from his
palace at a spot where they sat in times before, to devise against the Minyae
grim treachery and troubles. And he threatened that when first the oxen should
have torn in pieces the man who had taken upon him to perform the heavy task,
he would hew down the oak grove above the wooded hill, and burn the ship and
her crew, that so they might vent forth in ruin their grievous insolence, for
all their haughty schemes. For never would he have welcomed the Aeolid Phrixus
as a guest in his halls, in spite of his sore need, Phrixus, who surpassed all
strangers in gentleness and fear of the gods, had not Zeus himself sent Hermes
his messenger down from heaven, so that he might meet with a friendly host;
much less would pirates coming to his land be let go scatheless for long, men
whose care it was to lift their hands and seize the goods of others, and to
weave secret webs of guile, and harry the steadings of herdsmen with
ill-sounding forays. And he said that besides all that the sons of Phrixus
should pay a fitting penalty to himself for returning in consort with
evildoers, that they might recklessly drive him from his honour and his throne;
for once he had heard a baleful prophecy from his father Helios, that he must
avoid the secret treachery and schemes of his own offspring and their crafty
mischief. Wherefore he was sending them, as they desired, to the Achaean land
at the bidding of their father—a long journey. Nor had he ever so slight
a fear of his daughters, that they would form some hateful scheme, nor of his
son Apsyrtus; but this curse was being fulfilled in the children of Chalciope.
And he proclaimed terrible things in his rage against the strangers, and loudly
threatened to keep watch over the ship and its crew, so that no one might
escape calamity.
</p>
<p>
Meantime Argus, going to Aeetes’ palace, with manifold pleading besought
his mother to pray Medea’s aid; and Chalciope herself already had the
same thoughts, but fear checked her soul lest haply either fate should
withstand and she should entreat her in vain, all distraught as she would be at
her father’s deadly wrath, or, if Medea yielded to her prayers, her deeds
should be laid bare and open to view.
</p>
<p>
Now a deep slumber had relieved the maiden from her love-pains as she lay upon
her couch. But straightway fearful dreams, deceitful, such as trouble one in
grief, assailed her. And she thought that the stranger had taken on him the
contest, not because he longed to win the ram’s fleece, and that he had
not come on that account to Aeetes’ city, but to lead her away, his
wedded wife, to his own home; and she dreamed that herself contended with the
oxen and wrought the task with exceeding ease; and that her own parents set at
naught their promise, for it was not the maiden they had challenged to yoke the
oxen but the stranger himself; from that arose a contention of doubtful issue
between her father and the strangers; and both laid the decision upon her, to
be as she should direct in her mind. But she suddenly, neglecting her parents,
chose the stranger. And measureless anguish seized them and they shouted out in
their wrath; and with the cry sleep released its hold upon her. Quivering with
fear she started up, and stared round the walls of her chamber, and with
difficulty did she gather her spirit within her as before, and lifted her voice
aloud:
</p>
<p>
“Poor wretch, how have gloomy dreams affrighted me! I fear that this
voyage of the heroes will bring some great evil. My heart is trembling for the
stranger. Let him woo some Achaean girl far away among his own folk; let
maidenhood be mine and the home of my parents. Yet, taking to myself a reckless
heart, I will no more keep aloof but will make trial of my sister to see if she
will entreat me to aid in the contest, through grief for her own sons; this
would quench the bitter pain in my heart.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and rising from her bed opened the door of her chamber, bare-footed,
clad in one robe; and verily she desired to go to her sister, and crossed the
threshold. And for long she stayed there at the entrance of her chamber, held
back by shame; and she turned back once more; and again she came forth from
within, and again stole back; and idly did her feet bear her this way and that;
yea, as oft as she went straight on, shame held her within the chamber, and
though held back by shame, bold desire kept urging her on. Thrice she made the
attempt and thrice she checked herself, the fourth time she fell on her bed
face downward, writhing in pain. And as when a bride in her chamber bewails her
youthful husband, to whom her brothers and parents have given her, nor yet does
she hold converse with all her attendants for shame and for thinking of him;
but she sits apart in her grief; and some doom has destroyed him, before they
have had pleasure of each other’s charms; and she with heart on fire
silently weeps, beholding her widowed couch, in fear lest the women should mock
and revile her; like to her did Medea lament. And suddenly as she was in the
midst of her tears, one of the handmaids came forth and noticed her, one who
was her youthful attendant; and straightway she told Chalciope, who sat in the
midst of her sons devising how to win over her sister. And when Chalciope heard
the strange tale from the handmaid, not even so did she disregard it. And she
rushed in dismay from her chamber right on to the chamber where the maiden lay
in her anguish, having torn her cheeks on each side; and when Chalciope saw her
eyes all dimmed with tears, she thus addressed her:
</p>
<p>
“Ah me, Medea, why dost thou weep so? What hath befallen thee? What
terrible grief has entered thy heart? Has some heaven-sent disease enwrapt thy
frame, or hast thou heard from our father some deadly threat concerning me and
my sons? Would that I did not behold this home of my parents, or the city, but
dwelt at the ends of the earth, where not even the name of Colchians is
known!”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and her sister’s cheeks flushed; and though she was eager
to reply, long did maiden shame restrain her. At one moment the word rose on
the end of her tongue, at another it fluttered back deep within her breast. And
often through her lovely lips it strove for utterance; but no sound came forth;
till at last she spoke with guileful words; for the bold Loves were pressing
her hard:
</p>
<p>
“Chalciope, my heart is all trembling for thy sons, lest my father
forthwith destroy them together with the strangers. Slumbering just now in a
short-lived sleep such a ghastly dream did I see—may some god forbid its
fulfilment and never mayst thou win for thyself bitter care on thy sons’
account.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, making trial of her sister to see if she first would entreat help
for her sons. And utterly unbearable grief surged over Chalciope’s soul
for fear at what she heard; and then she replied: “Yea, I myself too have
come to thee in eager furtherance of this purpose, if thou wouldst haply devise
with me and prepare some help. But swear by Earth and Heaven that thou wilt
keep secret in thy heart what I shall tell thee, and be fellow-worker with me.
I implore thee by the blessed gods, by thyself and by thy parents, not to see
them destroyed by an evil doom piteously; or else may I die with my dear sons
and come back hereafter from Hades an avenging Fury to haunt thee.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and straightway a torrent of tears gushed forth and low down
she clasped her sister’s knees with both hands and let her head sink on
to her breast. Then they both made piteous lamentation over each other, and
through the halls rose the faint sound of women weeping in anguish. Medea, sore
troubled, first addressed her sister:
</p>
<p>
“God help thee, what healing can I bring thee for what thou speakest of,
horrible curses and Furies? Would that it were firmly in my power to save thy
sons! Be witness that mighty oath of the Colchians by which thou urgest me to
swear, the great Heaven, and Earth beneath, mother of the gods, that as far as
strength lies in me, never shalt thou fail of help, if only thy prayers can be
accomplished.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and Chalciope thus replied: “Couldst thou not then, for the
stranger—who himself craves thy aid—devise some trick or some wise
thought to win the contest, for the sake of my sons? And from him has come
Argus urging me to try to win thy help; I left him in the palace meantime while
I came hither.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and Medea’s heart bounded with joy within her, and at
once her fair cheeks flushed, and a mist swam before her melting eyes, and she
spake as follows: “Chalciope, as is dear and delightful to thee and thy
sons, even so will I do. Never may the dawn appear again to my eyes, never
mayst thou see me living any longer, if I should take thought for anything
before thy life or thy sons’ lives, for they are my brothers, my dear
kinsmen and youthful companions. So do I declare myself to be thy sister, and
thy daughter too, for thou didst lift me to thy breast when an infant equally
with them, as I ever heard from my mother in past days. But go, bury my
kindness in silence, so that I may carry out my promise unknown to my parents;
and at dawn I will bring to Hecate’s temple charms to cast a spell upon
the bulls.”
</p>
<p>
Thus Chalciope went back from the chamber, and made known to her sons the help
given by her sister. And again did shame and hateful fear seize Medea thus left
alone, that she should devise such deeds for a man in her father’s
despite.
</p>
<p>
Then did night draw darkness over the earth; and on the sea sailors from their
ships looked towards the Bear and the stars of Orion; and now the wayfarer and
the warder longed for sleep, and the pall of slumber wrapped round the mother
whose children were dead; nor was there any more the barking of dogs through
the city, nor sound of men’s voices; but silence held the blackening
gloom. But not indeed upon Medea came sweet sleep. For in her love for
Aeson’s son many cares kept her wakeful, and she dreaded the mighty
strength of the bulls, beneath whose fury he was like to perish by an unseemly
fate in the field of Ares. And fast did her heart throb within her breast, as a
sunbeam quivers upon the walls of a house when flung up from water, which is
just poured forth in a caldron or a pail may be; and hither and thither on the
swift eddy does it dart and dance along; even so the maiden’s heart
quivered in her breast. And the tear of pity flowed from her eyes, and ever
within anguish tortured her, a smouldering fire through her frame, and about
her fine nerves and deep down beneath the nape of the neck where the pain
enters keenest, whenever the unwearied Loves direct against the heart their
shafts of agony. And she thought now that she would give him the charms to cast
a spell on the bulls, now that she would not, and that she herself would
perish; and again that she would not perish and would not give the charms, but
just as she was would endure her fate in silence. Then sitting down she wavered
in mind and said:
</p>
<p>
“Poor wretch, must I toss hither and thither in woe? On every side my
heart is in despair; nor is there any help for my pain; but it burneth ever
thus. Would that I had been slain by the swift shafts of Artemis before I had
set eyes on him, before Chalciope’s sons reached the Achaean land. Some
god or some Fury brought them hither for our grief, a cause of many tears. Let
him perish in the contest if it be his lot to die in the field. For how could I
prepare the charms without my parents’ knowledge? What story call I tell
them? What trick, what cunning device for aid can I find? If I see him alone,
apart from his comrades, shall I greet him? Ill-starred that I am! I cannot
hope that I should rest from my sorrows even though he perished; then will evil
come to me when he is bereft of life. Perish all shame, perish all glow; may
he, saved by my effort, go scatheless wherever his heart desires. But as for
me, on the day when he bides the contest in triumph, may I die either straining
my neck in the noose from the roof-tree or tasting drugs destructive of life.
But even so, when I am dead, they will fling out taunts against me; and every
city far away will ring with my doom, and the Colchian women, tossing my name
on their lips hither and thither, will revile me with unseemly
mocking—the maid who cared so much for a stranger that she died, the maid
who disgraced her home and her parents, yielding to a mad passion. And what
disgrace will not be mine? Alas for my infatuation! Far better would it be for
me to forsake life this very night in my chamber by some mysterious fate,
escaping all slanderous reproach, before I complete such nameless
dishonour.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and brought a casket wherein lay many drugs, some for healing,
others for killing, and placing it upon her knees she wept. And she drenched
her bosom with ceaseless tears, which flowed in torrents as she sat, bitterly
bewailing her own fate. And she longed to choose a murderous drug to taste it,
and now she was loosening the bands of the casket eager to take it forth,
unhappy maid! But suddenly a deadly fear of hateful Hades came upon her heart.
And long she held back in speechless horror, and all around her thronged
visions of the pleasing cares of life. She thought of all the delightful things
that are among the living, she thought of her joyous playmates, as a maiden
will; and the sun grew sweeter than ever to behold, seeing that in truth her
soul yearned for all. And she put the casket again from off her knees, all
changed by the prompting of Hera, and no more did she waver in purpose; but
longed for the rising dawn to appear quickly, that she might give him the
charms to work the spell as she had promised, and meet him face to face. And
often did she loosen the bolts of her door, to watch for the faint gleam: and
welcome to her did the dayspring shed its light, and folk began to stir
throughout the city.
</p>
<p>
Then Argus bade his brothers remain there to learn the maiden’s mind and
plans, but himself turned back and went to the ship.
</p>
<p>
Now soon as ever the maiden saw the light of dawn, with her hands she gathered
up her golden tresses which were floating round her shoulders in careless
disarray, and bathed her tear-stained cheeks, and made her skin shine with
ointment sweet as nectar; and she donned a beautiful robe, fitted with
well-bent clasps, and above on her head, divinely fair, she threw a veil
gleaming like silver. And there, moving to and fro in the palace, she trod the
ground forgetful of the heaven-sent woes thronging round her and of others that
were destined to follow. And she called to her maids. Twelve they were, who lay
during the night in the vestibule of her fragrant chamber, young as herself,
not yet sharing the bridal couch, and she bade them hastily yoke the mules to
the chariot to bear her to the beauteous shrine of Hecate. Thereupon the
handmaids were making ready the chariot; and Medea meanwhile took from the
hollow casket a charm which men say is called the charm of Prometheus. If a man
should anoint his body therewithal, having first appeased the Maiden, the
only-begotten, with sacrifice by night, surely that man could not be wounded by
the stroke of bronze nor would he flinch from blazing fire; but for that day he
would prove superior both in prowess and in might. It shot up first-born when
the ravening eagle on the rugged flanks of Caucasus let drip to the earth the
blood-like ichor<a href="#linknote-25" name="linknoteref-25"
id="linknoteref-25"><sup>[25]</sup></a> of tortured Prometheus. And its
flower appeared a cubit above ground in colour like the Corycian crocus, rising
on twin stalks; but in the earth the root was like newly-cut flesh. The dark
juice of it, like the sap of a mountain-oak, she had gathered in a Caspian
shell to make the charm withal, when she had first bathed in seven ever-flowing
streams, and had called seven times on Brimo, nurse of youth, night-wandering
Brimo, of the underworld, queen among the dead,—in the gloom of night,
clad in dusky garments. And beneath, the dark earth shook and bellowed when the
Titanian root was cut; and the son of Iapetus himself groaned, his soul
distraught with pain. And she brought the charm forth and placed it in the
fragrant band which engirdled her, just beneath her bosom, divinely fair. And
going forth she mounted the swift chariot, and with her went two handmaidens on
each side. And she herself took the reins and in her right hand the
well-fashioned whip, and drove through the city; and the rest, the handmaids,
laid their hands on the chariot behind and ran along the broad highway; and
they kilted up their light robes above their white knees. And even as by the
mild waters of Parthenius, or after bathing in the river Amnisus, Leto’s
daughter stands upon her golden chariot and courses over the hills with her
swift-footed roes, to greet from afar some richly-steaming hecatomb; and with
her come the nymphs in attendance, gathering, some at the spring of Amnisus
itself, others by the glens and many-fountained peaks; and round her whine and
fawn the beasts cowering as she moves along: thus they sped through the city;
and on both sides the people gave way, shunning the eyes of the royal maiden.
But when she had left the city’s well paved streets, and was approaching
the shrine as she drove over the plains, then she alighted eagerly from the
smooth-running chariot and spake as follows among her maidens:
</p>
<p>
“Friends, verily have I sinned greatly and took no heed not to go among
the stranger-folk<a href="#linknote-26" name="linknoteref-26"
id="linknoteref-26"><sup>[26]</sup></a> who roam over our land. The whole
city is smitten with dismay; wherefore no one of the women who formerly
gathered here day by day has now come hither. But since we have come and no one
else draws near, come, let us satisfy our souls without stint with soothing
song, and when we have plucked the fair flowers amid the tender grass, that
very hour will we return. And with many a gift shall ye reach home this very
day, if ye will gladden me with this desire of mine. For Argus pleads with me,
also Chalciope herself; but this that ye hear from me keep silently in your
hearts, lest the tale reach my father’s ears. As for yon stranger who
took on him the task with the oxen, they bid me receive his gifts and rescue
him from the deadly contest. And I approved their counsel, and I have summoned
him to come to my presence apart from his comrades, so that we may divide the
gifts among ourselves if he bring them in his hands, and in return may give him
a baleful charm. But when he comes, do ye stand aloof.”
</p>
<p>
So she spake, and the crafty counsel pleased them all. And straightway Argus
drew Aeson’s son apart from his comrades as soon as he heard from his
brothers that Medea had gone at daybreak to the holy shrine of Hecate, and led
him over the plain; and with them went Mopsus, son of Ampycus, skilled to utter
oracles from the appearance of birds, and skilled to give good counsel to those
who set out on a journey.
</p>
<p>
Never yet had there been such a man in the days of old, neither of all the
heroes of the lineage of Zeus himself, nor of those who sprung from the blood
of the other gods, as on that day the bride of Zeus made Jason, both to look
upon and to hold converse with. Even his comrades wondered as they gazed upon
him, radiant with manifold graces; and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in their
journey, already foreboding how all would end.
</p>
<p>
Now by the path along the plain there stands near the shrine a poplar with its
crown of countless leaves, whereon often chattering crows would roost. One of
them meantime as she clapped her wings aloft in the branches uttered the
counsels of Hera:
</p>
<p>
“What a pitiful seer is this, that has not the wit to conceive even what
children know, how that no maiden will say a word of sweetness or love to a
youth when strangers be near. Begone, sorry prophet, witless one; on thee
neither Cypris nor the gentle Loves breathe in their kindness.”
</p>
<p>
She spake chiding, and Mopsus smiled to hear the god-sent voice of the bird,
and thus addressed them: “Do thou, son of Aeson, pass on to the temple,
where thou wilt find the maiden; and very kind will her greeting be to thee
through the prompting of Cypris, who will be thy helpmate in the contest, even
as Phineus, Agenor’s son, foretold. But we two, Argus and I, will await
thy return, apart in this very spot; do thou all alone be a suppliant and win
her over with prudent words.”
</p>
<p>
He spake wisely, and both at once gave approval. Nor was Medea’s heart
turned to other thoughts, for all her singing, and never a song that she
essayed pleased her long in her sport. But in confusion she ever faltered, nor
did she keep her eyes resting quietly upon the throng of her handmaids; but to
the paths far off she strained her gaze, turning her face aside. Oft did her
heart sink fainting within her bosom whenever she fancied she heard passing by
the sound of a footfall or of the wind. But soon he appeared to her longing
eyes, striding along loftily, like Sirius coming from ocean, which rises fair
and clear to see, but brings unspeakable mischief to flocks; thus then did
Aeson’s son come to her, fair to see, but the sight of him brought
love-sick care. Her heart fell from out her bosom, and a dark mist came over
her eyes, and a hot blush covered her cheeks. And she had no strength to lift
her knees backwards or forwards, but her feet beneath were rooted to the
ground; and meantime all her handmaidens had drawn aside. So they two stood
face to face without a word, without a sound, like oaks or lofty pines, which
stand quietly side by side on the mountains when the wind is still; then again,
when stirred by the breath of the wind, they murmur ceaselessly; so they two
were destined to tell out all their tale, stirred by the breath of Love. And
Aeson’s son saw that she had fallen into some heaven-sent calamity, and
with soothing words thus addressed her:
</p>
<p>
“Why, pray, maiden, dost thou fear me so much, all alone as I am? Never
was I one of these idle boasters such as other men are—not even
aforetime, when I dwelt in my own country. Wherefore, maiden, be not too much
abashed before me, either to enquire whatever thou wilt or to speak thy mind.
But since we have met one another with friendly hearts, in a hallowed spot,
where it is wrong to sin, speak openly and ask questions, and beguile me not
with pleasing words, for at the first thou didst promise thy sister to give me
the charms my heart desires. I implore thee by Hecate herself, by thy parents,
and by Zeus who holds his guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come
here to thee both a suppliant and a stranger, bending the knee in my sore need.
For without thee and thy sister never shall I prevail in the grievous contest.
And to thee will I render thanks hereafter for thy aid, as is right and fitting
for men who dwell far oft, making glorious thy name and fame; and the rest of
the heroes, returning to Hellas, will spread thy renown and so will the
heroes’ wives and mothers, who now perhaps are sitting on the shore and
making moan for us; their painful affliction thou mightest scatter to the
winds. In days past the maiden Ariadne, daughter of Minos, with kindly intent
rescued Theseus from grim contests—the maiden whom Pasiphae daughter of
Helios bare. But she, when Minos had lulled his wrath to rest, went aboard the
ship with him and left her fatherland; and her even the immortal gods loved,
and, as a sign in mid-sky, a crown of stars, which men call Ariadne’s
crown, rolls along all night among the heavenly constellations. So to thee too
shall be thanks from the gods, if thou wilt save so mighty an array of
chieftains. For surely from thy lovely form thou art like to excel in gentle
courtest.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, honouring her; and she cast her eyes down with a smile divinely
sweet; and her soul melted within her, uplifted by his praise, and she gazed
upon him face to face; nor did she know what word to utter first, but was eager
to pour out everything at once. And forth from her fragrant girdle ungrudgingly
she brought out the charm; and he at once received it in his hands with joy.
And she would even have drawn out all her soul from her breast and given it to
him, exulting in his desire; so wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame
from the golden head of Aeson’s son; and he captivated her gleaming eyes;
and her heart within grew warm, melting away as the dew melts away round roses
when warmed by the morning’s light. And now both were fixing their eyes
on the ground abashed, and again were throwing glances at each other, smiling
with the light of love beneath their radiant brows. And at last and scarcely
then did the maiden greet him:
</p>
<p>
“Take heed now, that I may devise help for thee. When at thy coming my
father has given thee the deadly teeth from the dragon’s jaws for sowing,
then watch for the time when the night is parted in twain, then bathe in the
stream of the tireless river, and alone, apart from others, clad in dusky
raiment, dig a rounded pit; and therein slay a ewe, and sacrifice it whole,
heaping high the pyre on the very edge of the pit. And propitiate only-begotten
Hecate, daughter of Perses, pouring from a goblet the hive-stored labour of
bees. And then, when thou hast heedfully sought the grace of the goddess,
retreat from the pyre; and let neither the sound of feet drive thee to turn
back, nor the baying of hounds, lest haply thou shouldst maim all the rites and
thyself fail to return duly to thy comrades. And at dawn steep this charm in
water, strip, and anoint thy body therewith as with oil; and in it there will
be boundless prowess and mighty strength, and thou wilt deem thyself a match
not for men but for the immortal gods. And besides, let thy spear and shield
and sword be sprinkled. Thereupon the spear-heads of the earthborn men shall
not pierce thee, nor the flame of the deadly bulls as it rushes forth
resistless. But such thou shalt be not for long, but for that one day; still
never flinch from the contest. And I will tell thee besides of yet another
help. As soon as thou hast yoked the strong oxen, and with thy might and thy
prowess hast ploughed all the stubborn fallow, and now along the furrows the
Giants are springing up, when the serpent’s teeth are sown on the dusky
clods, if thou markest them uprising in throngs from the fallow, cast unseen
among them a massy stone; and they over it, like ravening hounds over their
food, will slay one another; and do thou thyself hasten to rush to the
battle-strife, and the fleece thereupon thou shalt bear far away from Aea;
nevertheless, depart wherever thou wilt, or thy pleasure takes thee, when thou
hast gone hence.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and cast her eyes to her feet in silence, and her cheek,
divinely fair, was wet with warm tears as she sorrowed for that he was about to
wander far from her side over the wide sea: and once again she addressed him
face to face with mournful words, and took his right hand; for now shame had
left her eyes:
</p>
<p>
“Remember, if haply thou returnest to thy home, Medea’s name; and
so will I remember thine, though thou be far away. And of thy kindness tell me
this, where is thy home, whither wilt thou sail hence in thy ship over the sea;
wilt thou come near wealthy Orchomenus, or near the Aeaean isle? And tell me of
the maiden, whosoever she be that thou hast named, the far-renowned daughter of
Pasiphae, who is kinswoman to my father.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake; and over him too, at the tears of the maiden, stole Love the
destroyer, and he thus answered her:
</p>
<p>
“All too surely do I deem that never by night and never by day will I
forget thee if I escape death and indeed make my way in safety to the Achaean
land, and Aeetes set not before us some other contest worse than this. And if
it pleases thee to know about my fatherland, I will tell it out; for indeed my
own heart bids me do that. There is a land encircled by lofty mountains, rich
in sheep and in pasture, where Prometheus, son of Iapetus, begat goodly
Deucalion, who first founded cities and reared temples to the immortal gods,
and first ruled over men. This land the neighbours who dwell around call
Haemonia. And in it stands Ioleus, my city, and in it many others, where they
have not so much as heard the name of the Aeaean isle; yet there is a story
that Minyas starting thence, Minyas son of Aeolus, built long ago the city of
Orchomenus that borders on the Cadmeians. But why do I tell thee all this vain
talk, of our home and of Minos’ daughter, far-famed Ariadne, by which
glorious name they called that lovely maiden of whom thou askest me? Would
that, as Minos then was well inclined to Theseus for her sake, so may thy
father be joined to us in friendship!”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, soothing her with gentle converse. But pangs most bitter stirred
her heart and in grief did she address him with vehement words:
</p>
<p>
“In Hellas, I ween, this is fair to pay heed to covenants; but Aeetes is
not such a man among men as thou sayest was Pasiphae’s husband, Minos;
nor can I liken myself to Ariadne; wherefore speak not of guest-love. But only
do thou, when thou hast reached Iolcus, remember me, and thee even in my
parents’ despite, will I remember. And from far off may a rumour come to
me or some messenger-bird, when thou forgettest me; or me, even me, may swift
blasts catch up and bear over the sea hence to Iolcus, that so I may cast
reproaches in thy face and remind thee that it was by my good will thou didst
escape. May I then be seated in thy halls, an unexpected guest!”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake with piteous tears falling down her cheeks, and to her Jason
replied: “Let the empty blasts wander at will, lady, and the
messenger-bird, for vain is thy talk. But if thou comest to those abodes and to
the land of Hellas, honoured and reverenced shalt thou be by women and men; and
they shall worship thee even as a goddess, for that by thy counsel their sons
came home again, their brothers and kinsmen and stalwart husbands were saved
from calamity. And in our bridal chamber shalt thou prepare our couch; and
nothing shall come between our love till the doom of death fold us
round.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and her soul melted within her to hear his words; nevertheless
she shuddered to behold the deeds of destruction to come. Poor wretch! Not long
was she destined to refuse a home in Hellas. For thus Hera devised it, that
Aeaean Medea might come to Ioleus for a bane to Pelias, forsaking her native
land.
</p>
<p>
And now her handmaids, glancing at them from a distance, were grieving in
silence; and the time of day required that the maiden should return home to her
mother’s side. But she thought not yet of departing, for her soul
delighted both in his beauty and in his winsome words, but Aeson’s son
took heed, and spake at last, though late: “It is time to depart, lest
the sunlight sink before we know it, and some stranger notice all; but again
will we come and meet here.”
</p>
<p>
So did they two make trial of one another thus far with gentle words; and
thereafter parted. Jason hastened to return in joyous mood to his comrades and
the ship, she to her handmaids; and they all together came near to meet her,
but she marked them not at all as they thronged around. For her soul had soared
aloft amid the clouds. And her feet of their own accord mounted the swift
chariot, and with one hand she took the reins, and with the other the whip of
cunning workmanship, to drive the mules; and they rushed hasting to the city
and the palace. And when she was come Chalciope in grief for her sons
questioned her; but Medea, distraught by swiftly-changing thoughts, neither
heard her words nor was eager to speak in answer to her questions. But she sat
upon a low stool at the foot of her couch, bending down, her cheek leaning on
her left hand, and her eyes were wet with tears as she pondered what an evil
deed she had taken part in by her counsels.
</p>
<p>
Now when Aeson’s son had joined his comrades again in the spot where he
had left them when he departed, he set out to go with them, telling them all
the story, to the gathering of the heroes; and together they approached the
ship. And when they saw Jason they embraced him and questioned him. And he told
to all the counsels of the maiden and showed the dread charm; but Idas alone of
his comrades sat apart biting down his wrath; and the rest joyous in heart, at
the hour when the darkness of night stayed them, peacefully took thought for
themselves. But at daybreak they sent two men to go to Aeetes and ask for the
seed, first Telamon himself, dear to Ares, and with him Aethalides,
Hermes’ famous son. So they went and made no vain journey; but when they
came, lordly Aeetes gave them for the contest the fell teeth of the Aonian
dragon which Cadmus found in Ogygian Thebes when he came seeking for Europa and
there slew the—warder of the spring of Ares. There he settled by the
guidance of the heifer whom Apollo by his prophetic word granted him to lead
him on his way. But the teeth the Tritonian goddess tore away from the
dragon’s jaws and bestowed as a gift upon Aeetes and the slayer. And
Agenor’s son, Cadmus, sowed them on the Aonian plains and founded an
earthborn people of all who were left from the spear when Ares did the reaping;
and the teeth Aeetes then readily gave to be borne to the ship, for he deemed
not that Jason would bring the contest to an end, even though he should cast
the yoke upon the oxen.
</p>
<p>
Far away in the west the sun was sailing beneath the dark earth, beyond the
furthest hills of the Aethiopians; and Night was laying the yoke upon her
steeds; and the heroes were preparing their beds by the hawsers. But Jason, as
soon as the stars of Heliee, the bright-gleaming bear, had set, and the air had
all grown still under heaven, went to a desert spot, like some stealthy thief,
with all that was needful; for beforehand in the daytime had he taken thought
for everything; and Argus came bringing a ewe and milk from the flock; and them
he took from the ship. But when the hero saw a place which was far away from
the tread of men, in a clear meadow beneath the open sky, there first of all he
bathed his tender body reverently in the sacred river; and round him he placed
a dark robe, which Hypsipyle of Lemnos had given him aforetime, a memorial of
many a loving embrace. Then he dug a pit in the ground of a cubit’s depth
and heaped up billets of wood, and over it he cut the throat of the sheep, and
duly placed the carcase above; and he kindled the logs placing fire beneath,
and poured over them mingled libations, calling on Hecate Brimo to aid him in
the contests. And when he had called on her he drew back; and she heard him,
the dread goddess, from the uttermost depths and came to the sacrifice of
Aeson’s son; and round her horrible serpents twined themselves among the
oak boughs; and there was a gleam of countless torches; and sharply howled
around her the hounds of hell. All the meadows trembled at her step; and the
nymphs that haunt the marsh and the river shrieked, all who dance round that
mead of Amarantian Phasis. And fear seized Aeson’s son, but not even so
did he turn round as his feet bore him forth, till he came back to his
comrades; and now early dawn arose and shed her light above snowy Caucasus.
</p>
<p>
Then Aeetes arrayed his breast in the stiff corslet which Ares gave him when he
had slain Phlegraean Mimas with his own hands; and upon his head he placed a
golden helmet with four plumes, gleaming like the sun’s round light when
he first rises from Ocean. And he wielded his shield of many hides, and his
spear, terrible, resistless; none of the heroes could have withstood its shock
now that they had left behind Heracles far away, who alone could have met it in
battle. For the king his well-fashioned chariot of swift steeds was held near
at hand by Phaethon, for him to mount; and he mounted, and held the reins in
his hands. Then from the city he drove along the broad highway, that he might
be present at the contest; and with him a countless multitude rushed forth. And
as Poseidon rides, mounted in his chariot, to the Isthmian contest or to
Taenarus, or to Lerna’s water, or through the grove of Hyantian
Onchestus, and thereafter passes even to Calaureia with his steeds, and the
Haemonian rock, or well-wooded Geraestus; even so was Aeetes, lord of the
Colchians, to behold.
</p>
<p>
Meanwhile, prompted by Medea, Jason steeped the charm in water and sprinkled
with it his shield and sturdy spear, and sword; and his comrades round him made
proof of his weapons with might and main, but could not bend that spear even a
little, but it remained firm in their stalwart hands unbroken as before. But in
furious rage with them Idas, Aphareus’ son, with his great sword hewed at
the spear near the butt, and the edge leapt back repelled by the shock, like a
hammer from the anvil; and the heroes shouted with joy for their hope in the
contest. And then he sprinkled his body, and terrible prowess entered into him,
unspeakable, dauntless; and his hands on both sides thrilled vigorously as they
swelled with strength. And as when a warlike steed eager for the fight neighs
and beats the ground with his hoof, while rejoicing he lifts his neck on high
with ears erect; in such wise did Aeson’s son rejoice in the strength of
his limbs. And often hither and thither did he leap high in air tossing in his
hands his shield of bronze and ashen spear. Thou wouldst say that wintry
lightning flashing from the gloomy sky kept on darting forth from the clouds
what time they bring with them their blackest rainstorm. Not long after that
were the heroes to hold back from the contests; but sitting in rows on their
benches they sped swiftly on to the plain of Ares. And it lay in front of them
on the opposite side of the city, as far off as is the turning-post that a
chariot must reach from the starting-point, when the kinsmen of a dead king
appoint funeral games for footmen and horsemen. And they found Aeetes and the
tribes of the Colchians; these were stationed on the Caucasian heights, but the
king by the winding brink of the river.
</p>
<p>
Now Aeson’s son, as soon as his comrades had made the hawsers fast, leapt
from the ship, and with spear and shield came forth to the contest; and at the
same time he took the gleaming helmet of bronze filled with sharp teeth, and
his sword girt round his shoulders, his body stripped, in somewise resembling
Ares and in somewise Apollo of the golden sword. And gazing over the field he
saw the bulls’ yoke of bronze and near it the plough, all of one piece,
of stubborn adamant. Then he came near, and fixed his sturdy spear upright on
its butt, and taking his helmet, off leant it against the spear. And he went
forward with shield alone to examine the countless tracks of the bulls, and
they from some unseen lair beneath the earth, where was their strong steading,
wrapt in murky smoke, both rushed out together, breathing forth flaming fire.
And sore afraid were the heroes at the sight. But Jason, setting wide his feet,
withstood their onset, as in the sea a rocky reef withstands the waves tossed
by the countless blasts. Then in front of him he held his shield; and both the
bulls with loud bellowing attacked him with their mighty horns; nor did they
stir him a jot by their onset. And as when through the holes of the furnace the
armourers’ bellows anon gleam brightly, kindling the ravening flame, and
anon cease from blowing, and a terrible roar rises from the fire when it darts
up from below; so the bulls roared, breathing forth swift flame from their
mouths, while the consuming heat played round him, smiting like lightning; but
the maiden’s charms protected him. Then grasping the tip of the horn of
the right-hand bull, he dragged it mightily with all his strength to bring it
near the yoke of bronze, and forced it down on to its knees, suddenly striking
with his foot the foot of bronze. So also he threw the other bull on to its
knees as it rushed upon him, and smote it down with one blow. And throwing to
the ground his broad shield, he held them both down where they had fallen on
their fore-knees, as he strode from side to side, now here, now there, and
rushed swiftly through the flame. But Aeetes marvelled at the hero’s
might. And meantime the sons of Tyndareus for long since had it been thus
ordained for them—near at hand gave him the yoke from the ground to cast
round them. Then tightly did he bind their necks; and lifting the pole of
bronze between them, he fastened it to the yoke by its golden tip. So the twin
heroes started back from the fire to the ship. But Jason took up again his
shield and cast it on his back behind him, and grasped the strong helmet filled
with sharp teeth, and his resistless spear, wherewith, like some ploughman with
a Pelasgian goad, he pricked the bulls beneath, striking their flanks; and very
firmly did he guide the well fitted plough handle, fashioned of adamant.
</p>
<p>
The bulls meantime raged exceedingly, breathing forth furious flame of fire;
and their breath rose up like the roar of blustering winds, in fear of which
above all seafaring men furl their large sail. But not long after that they
moved on at the bidding of the spear; and behind them the rugged fallow was
broken up, cloven by the might of the bulls and the sturdy ploughman. Then
terribly groaned the clods withal along the furrows of the plough as they were
rent, each a man’s burden; and Jason followed, pressing down the
cornfield with firm foot; and far from him he ever sowed the teeth along the
clods as each was ploughed, turning his head back for fear lest the deadly crop
of earthborn men should rise against him first; and the bulls toiled onwards
treading with their hoofs of bronze.
</p>
<p>
But when the third part of the day was still left as it wanes from dawn, and
wearied labourers call for the sweet hour of unyoking to come to them
straightway, then the fallow was ploughed by the tireless ploughman, four
plough-gates though it was; and he loosed the plough from the oxen. Them he
scared in flight towards the plain; but he went back again to the ship, while
he still saw the furrows free of the earthborn men. And all round his comrades
heartened him with their shouts. And in the helmet he drew from the
river’s stream and quenched his thirst with the water. Then he bent his
knees till they grew supple, and filled his mighty heart with courage, raging
like a boar, when it sharpens its teeth against the hunters, while from its
wrathful mouth plenteous foam drips to the ground. By now the earthborn men
were springing up over all the field; and the plot of Ares, the death-dealer,
bristled with sturdy shields and double-pointed spears and shining helmets; and
the gleam reached Olympus from beneath, flashing through the air. And as when
abundant snow has fallen on the earth and the storm blasts have dispersed the
wintry clouds under the murky night, and all the hosts of the stars appear
shining through the gloom; so did those warriors shine springing up above the
earth. But Jason bethought him of the counsels of Medea full of craft, and
seized from the plain a huge round boulder, a terrible quoit of Ares Enyalius;
four stalwart youths could not have raised it from the ground even a little.
Taking it in his hands he threw it with a rush far away into their midst; and
himself crouched unseen behind his shield, with full confidence. And the
Colchians gave a loud cry, like the roar of the sea when it beats upon sharp
crags; and speechless amazement seized Aeetes at the rush of the sturdy quoit.
And the Earthborn, like fleet-footed hounds, leaped upon one another and slew
with loud yells; and on earth their mother they fell beneath their own spears,
likes pines or oaks, which storms of wind beat down. And even as a fiery star
leaps from heaven, trailing a furrow of light, a portent to men, whoever see it
darting with a gleam through the dusky sky; in such wise did Aeson’s son
rush upon the earthborn men, and he drew from the sheath his bare sword, and
smote here and there, mowing them down, many on the belly and side, half risen
to the air—and some that had risen as far as the shoulders—and some
just standing upright, and others even now rushing to battle. And as when a
fight is stirred up concerning boundaries, and a husbandman, in fear lest they
should ravage his fields, seizes in his hand a curved sickle, newly sharpened,
and hastily cuts the unripe crop, and waits not for it to be parched in due
season by the beams of the sun; so at that time did Jason cut down the crop of
the Earthborn; and the furrows were filled with blood, as the channels of a
spring with water. And they fell, some on their faces biting the rough clod of
earth with their teeth, some on their backs, and others on their hands and
sides, like to sea-monsters to behold. And many, smitten before raising their
feet from the earth, bowed down as far to the ground as they had risen to the
air, and rested there with the damp of death on their brows. Even so, I ween,
when Zeus has sent a measureless rain, new planted orchard-shoots droop to the
ground, cut off by the root the toil of gardening men; but heaviness of heart
and deadly anguish come to the owner of the farm, who planted them; so at that
time did bitter grief come upon the heart of King Aeetes. And he went back to
the city among the Colchians, pondering how he might most quickly oppose the
heroes. And the day died, and Jason’s contest was ended.
</p>
</div><!--end chapter-->
<div class="chapter">
<h2><a name="chap06"></a>BOOK IV</h2>
<p>
Now do thou thyself, goddess Muse, daughter of Zeus, tell of the labour and
wiles of the Colchian maiden. Surely my soul within me wavers with speechless
amazement as I ponder whether I should call it the lovesick grief of mad
passion or a panic flight, through which she left the Colchian folk.
</p>
<p>
Aeetes all night long with the bravest captains of his people was devising in
his halls sheer treachery against the heroes, with fierce wrath in his heart at
the issue of the hateful contest; nor did he deem at all that these things were
being accomplished without the knowledge of his daughters.
</p>
<p>
But into Medea’s heart Hera cast most grievous fear; and she trembled
like a nimble fawn whom the baying of hounds hath terrified amid the thicket of
a deep copse. For at once she truly forboded that the aid she had given was not
hidden from her father, and that quickly she would fill up the cup of woe. And
she dreaded the guilty knowledge of her handmaids; her eyes were filled with
fire and her ears rung with a terrible cry. Often did she clutch at her throat,
and often did she drag out her hair by the roots and groan in wretched despair.
There on that very day the maiden would have tasted the drugs and perished and
so have made void the purposes of Hera, had not the goddess driven her, all
bewildered, to flee with the sons of Phrixus; and her fluttering soul within
her was comforted; and then she poured from her bosom all the drugs back again
into the casket. Then she kissed her bed, and the folding-doors on both sides,
and stroked the walls, and tearing away in her hands a long tress of hair, she
left it in the chamber for her mother, a memorial of her maidenhood, and thus
lamented with passionate voice:
</p>
<p>
“I go, leaving this long tress here in my stead, O mother mine; take this
farewell from me as I go far hence; farewell Chalciope, and all my home. Would
that the sea, stranger, had dashed thee to pieces, ere thou camest to the
Colchian land!”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and from her eyes shed copious tears. And as a bondmaid steals
away from a wealthy house, whom fate has lately severed from her native land,
nor yet has she made trial of grievous toil, but still unschooled to misery and
shrinking in terror from slavish tasks, goes about beneath the cruel hands of a
mistress; even so the lovely maiden rushed forth from her home. But to her the
bolts of the doors gave way self-moved, leaping backwards at the swift strains
of her magic song. And with bare feet she sped along the narrow paths, with her
left hand holding her robe over her brow to veil her face and fair cheeks, and
with her right lifting up the hem of her tunic. Quickly along the dark track,
outside the towers of the spacious city, did she come in fear; nor did any of
the warders note her, but she sped on unseen by them. Thence she was minded to
go to the temple; for well she knew the way, having often aforetime wandered
there in quest of corpses and noxious roots of the earth, as a sorceress is
wont to do; and her soul fluttered with quivering fear. And the Titanian
goddess, the moon, rising from a far land, beheld her as she fled distraught,
and fiercely exulted over her, and thus spake to her own heart:
</p>
<p>
“Not I alone then stray to the Latinian cave, nor do I alone burn with
love for fair Endymion; oft times with thoughts of love have I been driven away
by thy crafty spells, in order that in the darkness of night thou mightest work
thy sorcery at ease, even the deeds dear to thee. And now thou thyself too hast
part in a like mad passion; and some god of affection has given thee Jason to
be thy grievous woe. Well, go on, and steel thy heart, wise though thou be, to
take up thy burden of pain, fraught with many sighs.”
</p>
<p>
Thus spake the goddess; but swiftly the maiden’s feet bore her, hasting
on. And gladly did she gain the high-bank of the river and beheld on the
opposite side the gleam of fire, which all night long the heroes were kindling
in joy at the contest’s issue. Then through the gloom, with clear-pealing
voice from across the stream, she called on Phrontis, the youngest of
Phrixus’ sons, and he with his brothers and Aeson’s son recognised
the maiden’s voice; and in silence his comrades wondered when they knew
that it was so in truth. Thrice she called, and thrice at the bidding of the
company Phrontis called out in reply; and meantime the heroes were rowing with
swift-moving oars in search of her. Not yet were they casting the ship’s
hawsers upon the opposite bank, when Jason with light feet leapt to land from
the deck above, and after him Phrontis and Argus, sons of Phrixus, leapt to the
ground; and she, clasping their knees with both hands, thus addressed them:
</p>
<p>
“Save me, the hapless one, my friends, from Aeetes, and yourselves too,
for all is brought to light, nor doth any remedy come. But let us flee upon the
ship, before the king mounts his swift chariot. And I will lull to sleep the
guardian serpent and give you the fleece of gold; but do thou, stranger, amid
thy comrades make the gods witness of the vows thou hast taken on thyself for
my sake; and now that I have fled far from my country, make me not a mark for
blame and dishonour for want of kinsmen.”
</p>
<p>
She spake in anguish; but greatly did the heart of Aeson’s son rejoice,
and at once, as she fell at his knees, he raised her gently and embraced her,
and spake words of comfort: “Lady, let Zeus of Olympus himself be witness
to my oath, and Hera, queen of marriage, bride of Zeus, that I will set thee in
my halls my own wedded wife, when we have reached the land of Hellas on our
return.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and straightway clasped her right hand in his; and she bade them
row the swift ship to the sacred grove near at hand, in order that, while it
was still night, they might seize and carry off the fleece against the will of
Aeetes. Word and deed were one to the eager crew. For they took her on board,
and straightway thrust the ship from shore; and loud was the din as the
chieftains strained at their oars, but she, starting back, held out her hands
in despair towards the shore. But Jason spoke cheering words and restrained her
grief.
</p>
<p>
Now at the hour when men have cast sleep from their eyes~huntsmen, who,
trusting to their bounds, never slumber away the end of night, but avoid the
light of dawn lest, smiting with its white beams, it efface the track and scent
of the quarry—then did Aeson’s son and the maiden step forth from
the ship over a grassy spot, the “Ram’s couch” as men call
it, where it first bent its wearied knees in rest, bearing on its back the
Minyan son of Athamas. And close by, all smirched with soot, was the base of
the altar, which the Aeolid Phrixus once set up to Zeus, the alder of
fugitives, when he sacrificed the golden wonder at the bidding of Hermes who
graciously met him on the way. There by the counsels of Argus the chieftains
put them ashore.
</p>
<p>
And they two by the pathway came to the sacred grove, seeking the huge oak tree
on which was hung the fleece, like to a cloud that blushes red with the fiery
beams of the rising sun. But right in front the serpent with his keen sleepless
eyes saw them coming, and stretched out his long neck and hissed in awful wise;
and all round the long banks of the river echoed and the boundless grove. Those
heard it who dwelt in the Colchian land very far from Titanian Aea, near the
outfall of Lycus, the river which parts from loud-roaring Araxes and blends his
sacred stream with Phasis, and they twain flow on together in one and pour
their waters into the Caucasian Sea. And through fear young mothers awoke, and
round their new-born babes, who were sleeping in their arms, threw their hands
in agony, for the small limbs started at that hiss. And as when above a pile of
smouldering wood countless eddies of smoke roll up mingled with soot, and one
ever springs up quickly after another, rising aloft from beneath in wavering
wreaths; so at that time did that monster roll his countless coils covered with
hard dry scales. And as he writhed, the maiden came before his eyes, with sweet
voice calling to her aid sleep, highest of gods, to charm the monster; and she
cried to the queen of the underworld, the night-wanderer, to be propitious to
her enterprise. And Aeson’s son followed in fear, but the serpent,
already charmed by her song, was relaxing the long ridge of his giant spine,
and lengthening out his myriad coils, like a dark wave, dumb and noiseless,
rolling over a sluggish sea; but still he raised aloft his grisly head, eager
to enclose them both in his murderous jaws. But she with a newly cut spray of
juniper, dipping and drawing untempered charms from her mystic brew, sprinkled
his eyes, while she chanted her song; and all around the potent scent of the
charm cast sleep; and on the very spot he let his jaw sink down; and far behind
through the wood with its many trees were those countless coils stretched out.
</p>
<p>
Hereupon Jason snatched the golden fleece from the oak, at the maiden bidding;
and she, standing firm, smeared with the charm the monster’s head, till
Jason himself bade her turn back towards their ship, and she left the grove of
Ares, dusky with shade. And as a maiden catches on her finely wrought robe the
gleam of the moon at the full, as it rises above her high-roofed chamber; and
her heart rejoices as she beholds the fair ray; so at that time did Jason
uplift the mighty fleece in his hands; and from the shimmering of the flocks of
wool there settled on his fair cheeks and brow a red flush like a flame. And
great as is the hide of a yearling ox or stag, which huntsmen call a brocket,
so great in extent was the fleece all golden above. Heavy it was, thickly
clustered with flocks; and as he moved along, even beneath his feet the sheen
rose up from the earth. And he strode on now with the fleece covering his left
shoulder from the height of his neck to his feet, and now again he gathered it
up in his hands; for he feared exceedingly, lest some god or man should meet
him and deprive him thereof.
</p>
<p>
Dawn was spreading over the earth when they reached the throng of heroes; and
the youths marvelled to behold the mighty fleece, which gleamed like the
lightning of Zeus. And each one started up eager to touch it and clasp it in
his hands. But the son of Aeson restrained them all, and threw over it a mantle
newly-woven; and he led the maiden to the stern and seated her there, and spake
to them all as follows:
</p>
<p>
“No longer now, my friends, forbear to return to your fatherland. For now
the task for which we dared this grievous voyage, toiling with bitter sorrow of
heart, has been lightly fulfilled by the maiden’s counsels. Her—for
such is her will—I will bring home to be my wedded wife; do ye preserve
her, the glorious saviour of all Achaea and of yourselves. For of a surety, I
ween, will Aeetes come with his host to bar our passage from the river into the
sea. But do some of you toil at the oars in turn, sitting man by man; and half
of you raise your shields of oxhide, a ready defence against the darts of the
enemy, and guard our return. And now in our hands we hold the fate of our
children and dear country and of our aged parents; and on our venture all
Hellas depends, to reap either the shame of failure or great renown.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and donned his armour of war; and they cried aloud, wondrously
eager. And he drew his sword from the sheath and cut the hawsers at the stern.
And near the maiden he took his stand ready armed by the steersman Aneaeus, and
with their rowing the ship sped on as they strained desperately to drive her
clear of the river.
</p>
<p>
By this time Medea’s love and deeds had become known to haughty Aeetes
and to all the Colchians. And they thronged to the assembly in arms; and
countless as the waves of the stormy sea when they rise crested by the wind, or
as the leaves that fall to the ground from the wood with its myriad branches in
the month when the leaves fall—who could reckon their tale?—so they
in countless number poured along the banks of the river shouting in frenzy; and
in his shapely chariot Aeetes shone forth above all with his steeds, the gift
of Helios, swift as the blasts of the wind. In his left hand he raised his
curved shield, and in his right a huge pine-torch, and near him in front stood
up his mighty spear. And Apsyrtus held in his hands the reins of the steeds.
But already the ship was cleaving the sea before her, urged on by stalwart
oarsmen, and the stream of the mighty river rushing down. But the king in
grievous anguish lifted his hands and called on Helios and Zeus to bear witness
to their evil deeds; and terrible threats he uttered against all his people,
that unless they should with their own hands seize the maiden, either on the
land or still finding the ship on the swell of the open sea, and bring her
back, that so he might satisfy his eager soul with vengeance for all those
deeds, at the cost of their own lives they should learn and abide all his rage
and revenge.
</p>
<p>
Thus spake Aeetes; and on that same day the Colchians launched their ships and
cast the tackle on board, and on that same day sailed forth on the sea; thou
wouldst not say so mighty a host was a fleet of ships, but that a countless
flight of birds, swarm on swarm, was clamouring over the sea.
</p>
<p>
Swiftly the wind blew, as the goddess Hera planned, so that most quickly Aeaean
Medea might reach the Pelasgian land, a bane to the house of Pelias, and on the
third morn they bound the ship’s stern cables to the shores of the
Paphlagonians, at the mouth of the river Halys. For Medea bade them land and
propitiate Hecate with sacrifice. Now all that the maiden prepared for offering
the sacrifice may no man know, and may my soul not urge me to sing thereof. Awe
restrains my lips, yet from that time the altar which the heroes raised on the
beach to the goddess remains till now, a sight to men of a later day.
</p>
<p>
And straightway Aeson’s son and the rest of the heroes bethought them of
Phineus, how that he had said that their course from Aea should be different,
but to all alike his meaning was dim. Then Argus spake, and they eagerly
hearkened:
</p>
<p>
“We go to Orchomenus, whither that unerring seer, whom ye met aforetime,
foretold your voyage. For there is another course, signified by those priests
of the immortal gods, who have sprung from Tritonian Thebes. As yet all the
stars that wheel in the heaven were not, nor yet, though one should inquire,
could aught be heard of the sacred race of the Danai. Apidanean Arcadians alone
existed, Arcadians who lived even before the moon, it is said, eating acorns on
the hills; nor at that time was the Pelasgian land ruled by the glorious sons
of Deucalion, in the days when Egypt, mother of men of an older time, was
called the fertile Morning-land, and the river fair-flowing Triton, by which
all the Morning-land is watered; and never does the rain from Zeus moisten the
earth; but from the flooding of the river abundant crops spring up. From this
land, it is said, a king<a href="#linknote-27" name="linknoteref-27"
id="linknoteref-27"><sup>[27]</sup></a> made his way all round through
the whole of Europe and Asia, trusting in the might and strength and courage of
his people; and countless cities did he found wherever he came, whereof some
are still inhabited and some not; many an age hath passed since then. But Aea
abides unshaken even now and the sons of those men whom that king settled to
dwell in Aea. They preserve the writings of their fathers, graven on pillars,
whereon are marked all the ways and the limits of sea and land as ye journey on
all sides round. There is a river, the uttermost horn of Ocean, broad and
exceeding deep, that a merchant ship may traverse; they call it Ister and have
marked it far off; and for a while it cleaves the boundless tilth alone in one
stream; for beyond the blasts of the north wind, far off in the Rhipaean
mountains, its springs burst forth with a roar. But when it enters the
boundaries of the Thracians and Scythians, here, dividing its stream into two,
it sends its waters partly into the Ionian sea,<a href="#linknote-28"
name="linknoteref-28" id="linknoteref-28"><sup>[28]</sup></a> and
partly to the south into a deep gulf that bends upwards from the Trinaerian
sea, that sea which lies along your land, if indeed Achelous flows forth from
your land.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and to them the goddess granted a happy portent, and all at the
sight shouted approval, that this was their appointed path. For before them
appeared a trail of heavenly light, a sign where they might pass. And gladly
they left behind there the son of Lyeus and with canvas outspread sailed over
the sea, with their eyes on the Paphlagonian mountains. But they did not round
Carambis, for the winds and the gleam of the heavenly fire stayed with them
till they reached Ister’s mighty stream.
</p>
<p>
Now some of the Colchians, in a vain search, passed out from Pontus through the
Cyanean rocks; but the rest went to the river, and them Apsyrtus led, and,
turning aside, he entered the mouth called Fair. Wherefore he outstripped the
heroes by crossing a neck of land into the furthest gulf of the Ionian sea. For
a certain island is enclosed by Ister, by name Peuee, three-cornered, its base
stretching along the coast, and with a sharp angle towards the river; and round
it the outfall is cleft in two. One mouth they call the mouth of Narex, and the
other, at the lower end, the Fair mouth. And through this Apsyrtus and his
Colchians rushed with all speed; but the heroes went upwards far away towards
the highest part of the island. And in the meadows the country shepherds left
their countless flocks for dread of the ships, for they deemed that they were
beasts coming forth from the monster-teeming sea. For never yet before had they
seen seafaring ships, neither the Scythians mingled with the Thracians, nor the
Sigynni, nor yet the Graucenii, nor the Sindi that now inhabit the vast desert
plain of Laurium. But when they had passed near the mount Angurum, and the
cliff of Cauliacus, far from the mount Angurum, round which Ister, dividing his
stream, falls into the sea on this side and on that, and the Laurian plain,
then indeed the Colchians went forth into the Cronian sea and cut off all the
ways, to prevent their foes’ escape. And the heroes came down the river
behind and reached the two Brygean isles of Artemis near at hand. Now in one of
them was a sacred temple; and on the other they landed, avoiding the host of
Apsyrtus; for the Colchians had left these islands out of many within the
river, just as they were, through reverence for the daughter of Zeus; but the
rest, thronged by the Colchians, barred the ways to the sea. And so on other
islands too, close by, Apsyrtus left his host as far as the river Salangon and
the Nestian land.
</p>
<p>
There the Minyae would at that time have yielded in grim fight, a few to many;
but ere then they made a covenant, shunning a dire quarrel; as to the golden
fleece, that since Aeetes himself had so promised them if they should fulfill
the contests, they should keep it as justly won, whether they carried it off by
craft or even openly in the king’s despite; but as to Medea—for
that was the cause of strife—that they should give her in ward to
Leto’s daughter apart from the throng, until some one of the kings that
dispense justice should utter his doom, whether she must return to her
father’s home or follow the chieftains to the land of Hellas.
</p>
<p>
Now when the maiden had mused upon all this, sharp anguish shook her heart
unceasingly; and quickly she called forth Jason alone apart from his comrades,
and led him aside until they were far away, and before his face uttered her
speech all broken with sobs:
</p>
<p>
“What is this purpose that ye are now devising about me, O son of Aeson?
Has thy triumph utterly cast forgetfulness upon thee, and reekest thou nothing
of all that thou spakest when held fast by necessity? Whither are fled the
oaths by Zeus the suppliants’ god, whither are fled thy honied promises?
For which in no seemly wise, with shameless will, I have left my country, the
glories of my home and even my parents—things that were dearest to me;
and far away all alone I am borne over the sea with the plaintive kingfishers
because of thy trouble, in order that I might save thy life in fulfilling the
contests with the oxen and the earthborn men. Last of all the fleece—when
the matter became known, it was by my folly thou didst win it; and a foul
reproach have I poured on womankind. Wherefore I say that as thy child, thy
bride and thy sister, I follow thee to the land of Hellas. Be ready to stand by
me to the end, abandon me not left forlorn of thee when thou dost visit the
kings. But only save me; let justice and right, to which we have both agreed,
stand firm; or else do thou at once shear through this neck with the sword,
that I may gain the guerdon due to my mad passion. Poor wretch! if the king, to
whom you both commit your cruel covenant, doom me to belong to my brother. How
shall I come to my father’s sight? Will it be with a good name? What
revenge, what heavy calamity shall I not endure in agony for the terrible deeds
I have done? And wilt thou win the return that thy heart desires? Never may
Zeus’ bride, the queen of all, in whom thou dost glory, bring that to
pass. Mayst thou some time remember me when thou art racked with anguish; may
the fleece like a dream vanish into the nether darkness on the wings of the
wind! And may my avenging Furies forthwith drive thee from thy country, for all
that I have suffered through thy cruelty! These curses will not be allowed to
fall unaccomplished to the ground. A mighty oath hast thou transgressed,
ruthless one; but not long shalt thou and thy comrades sit at ease casting eyes
of mockery upon me, for all your covenants.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, seething with fierce wrath; and she longed to set fire to the
ship and to hew it utterly in pieces, and herself to fall into the raging
flame. But Jason, half afraid, thus addressed her with gentle words:
</p>
<p>
“Forbear, lady; me too this pleases not. But we seek some respite from
battle, for such a cloud of hostile men, like to a fire, surrounds us, on thy
account. For all that inhabit this land are eager to aid Apsyrtus, that they
may lead thee back home to thy father, like some captured maid. And all of us
would perish in hateful destruction, if we closed with them in fight; and
bitterer still will be the pain, if we are slain and leave thee to be their
prey. But this covenant will weave a web of guile to lead him to ruin. Nor will
the people of the land for thy sake oppose us, to favour the Colchians, when
their prince is no longer with them, who is thy champion and thy brother; nor
will I shrink from matching myself in fight with the Colchians, if they bar my
way homeward.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake soothing her; and she uttered a deadly speech: “Take heed
now. For when sorry deeds are done we must needs devise sorry counsel, since at
first I was distraught by my error, and by heaven’s will it was I wrought
the accomplishment of evil desires. Do thou in the turmoil shield me from the
Colchians’ spears; and I will beguile Apsyrtus to come into thy
hands—do thou greet him with splendid gifts—if only I could
persuade the heralds on their departure to bring him alone to hearken to my
words. Thereupon if this deed pleases thee, slay him and raise a conflict with
the Colchians, I care not.”
</p>
<p>
So they two agreed and prepared a great web of guile for Apsyrtus, and provided
many gifts such as are due to guests, and among them gave a sacred robe of
Hypsipyle, of crimson hue. The Graces with their own hands had wrought it for
Dionysus in sea-girt Dia, and he gave it to his son Thoas thereafter, and Thoas
left it to Hypsipyle, and she gave that fair-wrought guest-gift with many
another marvel to Aeson’s son to wear. Never couldst thou satisfy thy
sweet desire by touching it or gazing on it. And from it a divine fragrance
breathed from the time when the king of Nysa himself lay to rest thereon,
flushed with wine and nectar as he clasped the beauteous breast of the
maiden-daughter of Minos, whom once Theseus forsook in the island of Dia, when
she had followed him from Cnossus. And when she had worked upon the heralds to
induce her brother to come, as soon as she reached the temple of the goddess,
according to the agreement, and the darkness of night surrounded them, that so
she might devise with him a cunning plan for her to take the mighty fleece of
gold and return to the home of Aeetes, for, she said, the sons of Phrixus had
given her by force to the strangers to carry off; with such beguiling words she
scattered to the air and the breezes her witching charms, which even from afar
would have drawn down the savage beast from the steep mountain-height.
</p>
<p>
Ruthless Love, great bane, great curse to mankind, from thee come deadly
strifes and lamentations and groans, and countless pains as well have their
stormy birth from thee. Arise, thou god, and arm thyself against the sons of
our foes in such guise as when thou didst fill Medea’s heart with
accursed madness. How then by evil doom did she slay Apsyrtus when he came to
meet her? For that must our song tell next.
</p>
<p>
When the heroes had left the maiden on the island of Artemis, according to the
covenant, both sides ran their ships to land separately. And Jason went to the
ambush to lie in wait for Apsyrtus and then for his comrades. But he, beguiled
by these dire promises, swiftly crossed the swell of the sea in his ship, and
in dark night set foot on the sacred island; and faring all alone to meet her
he made trial in speech of his sister, as a tender child tries a wintry torrent
which not even strong men can pass through, to see if she would devise some
guile against the strangers. And so they two agreed together on everything; and
straightway Aeson’s son leapt forth from the thick ambush, lifting his
bare sword in his hand; and quickly the maiden turned her eyes aside and
covered them with her veil that she might not see the blood of her brother when
he was smitten. And Jason marked him and struck him down, as a butcher strikes
down a mighty strong-horned bull, hard by the temple which the Brygi on the
mainland opposite had once built for Artemis. In its vestibule he fell on his
knees; and at last the hero breathing out his life caught up in both hands the
dark blood as it welled from the wound; and he dyed with red his sister’s
silvery veil and robe as she shrank away. And with swift side-glance the
irresistible pitiless Fury beheld the deadly deed they had done. And the hero,
Aeson’s son, cut off the extremities of the dead man, and thrice licked
up some blood and thrice spat the pollution from his teeth, as it is right for
the slayer to do, to atone for a treacherous murder. And the clammy corpse he
hid in the ground where even now those bones lie among the Apsyrtians.
</p>
<p>
Now as soon as the heroes saw the blaze of a torch, which the maiden raised for
them as a sign to pursue, they laid their own ship near the Colchian ship, and
they slaughtered the Colchian host, as kites slay the tribes of wood-pigeons,
or as lions of the wold, when they have leapt amid the steading, drive a great
flock of sheep huddled together. Nor did one of them escape death, but the
heroes rushed upon the whole crew, destroying them like a flame; and at last
Jason met them, and was eager to give aid where none was needed; but already
they were taking thought for him too. Thereupon they sat to devise some prudent
counsel for their voyage, and the maiden came upon them as they pondered, but
Peleus spake his word first:
</p>
<p>
“I now bid you embark while it is still night, and take with your oars
the passage opposite to that which the enemy guards, for at dawn when they see
their plight I deem that no word urging to further pursuit of us will prevail
with them; but as people bereft of their king, they will be scattered in
grievous dissension. And easy, when the people are scattered, will this path be
for us on our return.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and the youths assented to the words of Aeacus’ son. And
quickly they entered the ship, and toiled at their oars unceasingly until they
reached the sacred isle of Electra, the highest of them all, near the river
Eridanus.
</p>
<p>
But when the Colchians learnt the death of their prince, verily they were eager
to pursue Argo and the Minyans through all the Cronian sea. But Hera restrained
them by terrible lightnings from the sky. And at last they loathed their own
homes in the Cytaean land, quailing before Aeetes’ fierce wrath; so they
landed and made abiding homes there, scattered far and wide. Some set foot on
those very islands where the heroes had stayed, and they still dwell there,
bearing a name derived from Apsyrtus; and others built a fenced city by the
dark deep Illyrian river, where is the tomb of Harmonia and Cadmus, dwelling
among the Encheleans; and others live amid the mountains which are called the
Thunderers, from the day when the thunders of Zeus, son of Cronos, prevented
them from crossing over to the island opposite.
</p>
<p>
Now the heroes, when their return seemed safe for them, fared onward and made
their hawsers fast to the land of the Hylleans. For the islands lay thick in
the river and made the path dangerous for those who sailed thereby. Nor, as
aforetime, did the Hylleans devise their hurt, but of their own accord
furthered their passage, winning as guerdon a mighty tripod of Apollo. For
tripods twain had Phoebus given to Aeson’s son to carry afar in the
voyage he had to make, at the time when he went to sacred Pytho to enquire
about this very voyage; and it was ordained by fate that in whatever land they
should be placed, that land should never be ravaged by the attacks of foemen.
Therefore even now this tripod is hidden in that land near the pleasant city of
Hyllus, far beneath the earth, that it may ever be unseen by mortals. Yet they
found not King Hyllus still alive in the land, whom fair Melite bare to
Heracles in the land of the Phaeacians. For he came to the abode of Nausithous
and to Macris, the nurse of Dionysus, to cleanse himself from the deadly murder
of his children; here he loved and overcame the water nymph Melite, the
daughter of the river Aegaeus, and she bare mighty Hyllus. But when he had
grown up he desired not to dwell in that island under the rule of Nausithous
the king; but he collected a host of native Phaeacians and came to the Cronian
sea; for the hero King Nausithous aided his journey, and there he settled, and
the Mentores slew him as he was fighting for the oxen of his field.
</p>
<p>
Now, goddesses, say how it is that beyond this sea, near the land of Ausonia
and the Ligystian isles, which are called Stoechades, the mighty tracks of the
ship Argo are clearly sung of? What great constraint and need brought the
heroes so far? What breezes wafted them?
</p>
<p>
When Apsyrtus had fallen in mighty overthrow Zeus himself, king of gods, was
seized with wrath at what they had done. And he ordained that by the counsels
of Aeaean Circe they should cleanse themselves from the terrible stain of blood
and suffer countless woes before their return. Yet none of the chieftains knew
this; but far onward they sped starting from the Hyllean land, and they left
behind all the islands that were beforetime thronged by the Colchians—the
Liburnian isles, isle after isle, Issa, Dysceladus, and lovely Pityeia. Next
after them they came to Corcyra, where Poseidon settled the daughter of Asopus,
fair-haired Corcyra, far from the land of Phlius, whence he had carried her off
through love; and sailors beholding it from the sea, all black with its sombre
woods, call it Corcyra the Black. And next they passed Melite, rejoicing in the
soft-blowing breeze, and steep Cerossus, and Nymphaea at a distance, where lady
Calypso, daughter of Atlas, dwelt; and they deemed they saw the misty mountains
of Thunder. And then Hera bethought her of the counsels and wrath of Zeus
concerning them. And she devised an ending of their voyage and stirred up
storm-winds before them, by which they were caught and borne back to the rocky
isle of Electra. And straightway on a sudden there called to them in the midst
of their course, speaking with a human voice, the beam of the hollow ship,
which Athena had set in the centre of the stem, made of Dodonian oak. And
deadly fear seized them as they heard the voice that told of the grievous wrath
of Zeus. For it proclaimed that they should not escape the paths of an endless
sea nor grievous tempests, unless Circe should purge away the guilt of the
ruthless murder of Apsyrtus; and it bade Polydeuces and Castor pray to the
immortal gods first to grant a path through the Ausonian sea where they should
find Circe, daughter of Perse and Helios.
</p>
<p>
Thus Argo cried through the darkness; and the sons of Tyndareus uprose, and
lifted their hands to the immortals praying for each boon: but dejection held
the rest of the Minyan heroes. And far on sped Argo under sail, and entered
deep into the stream of Eridanus; where once, smitten on the breast by the
blazing bolt, Phaethon half-consumed fell from the chariot of Helios into the
opening of that deep lake; and even now it belcheth up heavy steam clouds from
the smouldering wound. And no bird spreading its light wings can cross that
water; but in mid-course it plunges into the flame, fluttering. And all around
the maidens, the daughters of Helios, enclosed in tall poplars, wretchedly wail
a piteous plaint; and from their eyes they shed on the ground bright drops of
amber. These are dried by the sun upon the sand; but whenever the waters of the
dark lake flow over the strand before the blast of the wailing wind, then they
roll on in a mass into Eridanus with swelling tide. But the Celts have attached
this story to them, that these are the tears of Leto’s son, Apollo, that
are borne along by the eddies, the countless tears that he shed aforetime when
he came to the sacred race of the Hyperboreans and left shining heaven at the
chiding of his father, being in wrath concerning his son whom divine Coronis
bare in bright Lacereia at the mouth of Amyrus. And such is the story told
among these men. But no desire for food or drink seized the heroes nor were
their thoughts turned to joy. But they were sorely afflicted all day, heavy and
faint at heart, with the noisome stench, hard to endure, which the streams of
Eridanus sent forth from Phaethon still burning; and at night they heard the
piercing lament of the daughters of Helios, wailing with shrill voice; and, as
they lamented, their tears were borne on the water like drops of oil.
</p>
<p>
Thence they entered the deep stream of Rhodanus which flows into Eridanus; and
where they meet there is a roar of mingling waters. Now that river, rising from
the ends of the earth, where are the portals and mansions of Night, on one side
bursts forth upon the beach of Ocean, at another pours into the Ionian sea, and
on the third through seven mouths sends its stream to the Sardinian sea and its
limitless bay.<a href="#linknote-29" name="linknoteref-29"
id="linknoteref-29"><sup>[29]</sup></a> And from Rhodanus they entered
stormy lakes, which spread throughout the Celtic mainland of wondrous size; and
there they would have met with an inglorious calamity; for a certain branch of
the river was bearing them towards a gulf of Ocean which in ignorance they were
about to enter, and never would they have returned from there in safety. But
Hera leaping forth from heaven pealed her cry from the Hercynian rock; and all
together were shaken with fear of her cry; for terribly crashed the mighty
firmament. And backward they turned by reason of the goddess, and noted the
path by which their return was ordained. And after a long while they came to
the beach of the surging sea by the devising of Hera, passing unharmed through
countless tribes of the Celts and Ligyans. For round them the goddess poured a
dread mist day by day as they fared on. And so, sailing through the midmost
mouth, they reached the Stoechades islands in safety by the aid of the sons of
Zeus; wherefore altars and sacred rites are established in their honour for
ever; and not that sea-faring alone did they attend to succour; but Zeus
granted to them the ships of future sailors too. Then leaving the Stoechades
they passed on to the island Aethalia, where after their toil they wiped away
with pebbles sweat in abundance; and pebbles like skin in colour are strewn on
the beach;<a href="#linknote-30" name="linknoteref-30"
id="linknoteref-30"><sup>[30]</sup></a> and there are their quoits and
their wondrous armour; and there is the Argoan harbour called after them.
</p>
<p>
And quickly from there they passed through the sea, beholding the Tyrrhenian
shores of Ausonia; and they came to the famous harbour of Aeaea, and from the
ship they cast hawsers to the shore near at hand. And here they found Circe
bathing her head in the salt sea-spray, for sorely had she been scared by
visions of the night. With blood her chambers and all the walls of her palace
seemed to be running, and flame was devouring all the magic herbs with which
she used to bewitch strangers whoever came; and she herself with murderous
blood quenched the glowing flame, drawing it up in her hands; and she ceased
from deadly fear. Wherefore when morning came she rose, and with sea-spray was
bathing her hair and her garments. And beasts, not resembling the beasts of the
wild, nor yet like men in body, but with a medley of limbs, went in a throng,
as sheep from the fold in multitudes follow the shepherd. Such creatures,
compacted of various limbs, did each herself produce from the primeval slime
when she had not yet grown solid beneath a rainless sky nor yet had received a
drop of moisture from the rays of the scorching sun; but time combined these
forms and marshalled them in their ranks; in such wise these monsters shapeless
of form followed her. And exceeding wonder seized the heroes, and at once, as
each gazed on the form and face of Circe, they readily guessed that she was the
sister of Aeetes.
</p>
<p>
Now when she had dismissed the fears of her nightly visions, straightway she
fared backwards, and in her subtlety she bade the heroes follow, charming them
on with her hand. Thereupon the host remained stedfast at the bidding of
Aeson’s son, but Jason drew with him the Colchian maid. And both followed
the selfsame path till they reached the hall of Circe, and she in amaze at
their coming bade them sit on brightly burnished seats. And they, quiet and
silent, sped to the hearth and sat there, as is the wont of wretched
suppliants. Medea hid her face in both her hands, but Jason fixed in the ground
the mighty hilted sword with which he had slain Aeetes’ son; nor did they
raise their eyes to meet her look. And straightway Circe became aware of the
doom of a suppliant and the guilt of murder. Wherefore in reverence for the
ordinance of Zeus, the god of suppliants, who is a god of wrath yet mightily
aids slayers of men, she began to offer the sacrifice with which ruthless
suppliants are cleansed from guilt when they approach the altar. First, to
atone for the murder still unexpiated, she held above their heads the young of
a sow whose dugs yet swelled from the fruit of the womb, and, severing its
neck, sprinkled their hands with the blood; and again she made propitiation
with other drink offerings, calling on Zeus the Cleanser, the protector of
murder-stained suppliants. And all the defilements in a mass her attendants
bore forth from the palace—the Naiad nymphs who ministered all things to
her. And within, Circe, standing by the hearth, kept burning atonement-cakes
without wine, praying the while that she might stay from their wrath the
terrible Furies, and that Zeus himself might be propitious and gentle to them
both, whether with hands stained by the blood of a stranger or, as kinsfolk, by
the blood of a kinsman, they should implore his grace.
</p>
<p>
But when she had wrought all her task, then she raised them up and seated them
on well polished seats, and herself sat near, face to face with them. And at
once she asked them clearly of their business and their voyaging, and whence
they had come to her land and palace, and had thus seated themselves as
suppliants at her hearth. For in truth the hideous remembrance of her dreams
entered her mind as she pondered; and she longed to hear the voice of the
maiden, her kinswoman, as soon as she saw that she had raised her eyes from the
ground. For all those of the race of Helios were plain to discern, since by the
far flashing of their eyes they shot in front of them a gleam as of gold. So
Medea told her all she asked—the daughter of Aeetes of the gloomy heart,
speaking gently in the Colchian tongue, both of the quest and the journeyings
of the heroes, and of their toils in the swift contests, and how she had sinned
through the counsels of her much-sorrowing sister, and how with the sons of
Phrixus she had fled afar from the tyrannous horrors of her father; but she
shrank from telling of the murder of Apsyrtus. Yet she escaped not
Circe’s ken; nevertheless, in spite of all, she pitied the weeping
maiden, and spake thus:
</p>
<p>
“Poor wretch, an evil and shameful return hast thou planned. Not for
long, I ween, wilt thou escape the heavy wrath of Aeetes; but soon will he go
even to the dwellings of Hellas to avenge the blood of his son, for intolerable
are the deeds thou hast done. But since thou art my suppliant and my kinswoman,
no further ill shall I devise against thee at thy coming; but begone from my
halls, companioning the stranger, whosoever he be, this unknown one that thou
hast taken in thy father’s despite; and kneel not to me at my hearth, for
never will I approve thy counsels and thy shameful flight.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and measureless anguish seized the maid; and over her eyes she
cast her robe and poured forth a lamentation, until the hero took her by the
hand and led her forth from the hall quivering with fear. So they left the home
of Circe.
</p>
<p>
But they were not unmarked by the spouse of Zeus, son of Cronos; but Iris told
her when she saw them faring from the hall. For Hera had bidden her watch what
time they should come to the ship; so again she urged her and spake:
</p>
<p>
“Dear Iris, now come, if ever thou hast fulfilled my bidding, hie thee
away on light pinions, and bid Thetis arise from the sea and come hither. For
need of her is come upon me. Then go to the sea-beaches where the bronze anvils
of Hephaestus are smitten by sturdy hammers, and tell him to still the blasts
of fire until Argo pass by them. Then go to Aeolus too, Aeolus who rules the
winds, children of the clear sky; and to him also tell my purpose so that he
may make all winds cease under heaven and no breeze may ruffle the sea; yet let
the breath of the west wind blow until the heroes have reached the Phaeacian
isle of Alcinous.”
</p>
<p>
So she spake, and straightway Iris leapt down from Olympus and cleft her way,
with light wings outspread. And she plunged into the Aegean Sea, where is the
dwelling of Nereus. And she came to Thetis first and, by the promptings of
Hera, told her tale and roused her to go to the goddess. Next she came to
Hephaestus, and quickly made him cease from the clang of his iron hammers; and
the smoke-grimed bellows were stayed from their blast. And thirdly she came to
Aeolus, the famous son of Hippotas. And when she had given her message to him
also and rested her swift knees from her course, then Thetis leaving Nereus and
her sisters had come from the sea to Olympus to the goddess Hera; and the
goddess made her sit by her side and uttered her word:
</p>
<p>
“Hearken now, lady Thetis, to what I am eager to tell thee. Thou knowest
how honoured in my heart is the hero, Aeson’s son, and the others that
have helped him in the contest, and how I saved them when they passed between
the Wandering rocks,<a href="#linknote-31" name="linknoteref-31"
id="linknoteref-31"><sup>[31]</sup></a> where roar terrible storms of
fire and the waves foam round the rugged reefs. And now past the mighty rock of
Scylla and Charybdis horribly belching, a course awaits them. But thee indeed
from thy infancy did I tend with my own hands and love beyond all others that
dwell in the salt sea because thou didst refuse to share the couch of Zeus, for
all his desire. For to him such deeds are ever dear, to embrace either
goddesses or mortal women. But in reverence for me and with fear in thy heart
thou didst shrink from his love; and he then swore a mighty oath that thou
shouldst never be called the bride of an immortal god. Yet he ceased not from
spying thee against thy will, until reverend Themis declared to him the whole
truth, how that it was thy fate to bear a son mightier than his sire; wherefore
he gave thee up, for all his desire, fearing lest another should be his match
and rule the immortals, and in order that he might ever hold his own dominion.
But I gave thee the best of the sons of earth to be thy husband, that thou
mightest find a marriage dear to thy heart and bear children; and I summoned to
the feast the gods, one and all. And with my own hand I raised the bridal
torch, in return for the kindly honour thou didst pay me. But come, let me tell
a tale that erreth not. When thy son shall come to the Elysian plain, he whom
now in the home of Cheiron the Centaur water-nymphs are tending, though he
still craves thy mother milk, it is fated that he be the husband of Medea,
Aeetes’ daughter; do thou aid thy daughter-in-law as a mother-in-law
should, and aid Peleus himself. Why is thy wrath so steadfast? He was blinded
by folly. For blindness comes even upon the gods. Surely at my behest I deem
that Hephaestus will cease from kindling the fury of his flame, and that
Aeolus, son of Hippotas, will check his swift rushing winds, all but the steady
west wind, until they reach the havens of the Phaeacians; do thou devise a
return without bane. The rocks and the tyrannous waves are my fear, they alone,
and them thou canst foil with thy sisters’ aid. And let them not fall in
their helplessness into Charybdis lest she swallow them at one gulp, or
approach the hideous lair of Scylla, Ausonian Scylla the deadly, whom
night-wandering Hecate, who is called Crataeis,<a href="#linknote-32"
name="linknoteref-32" id="linknoteref-32"><sup>[32]</sup></a> bare to
Phoreys, lest swooping upon them with her horrible jaws she destroy the
chiefest of the heroes. But guide their ship in the course where there shall be
still a hair’s breadth escape from destruction.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and Thetis answered with these words: “If the fury of the
ravening flame and the stormy winds cease in very deed, surely will I promise
boldly to save the ship, even though the waves bar the way, if only the west
wind blows fresh and clear. But it is time to fare on a long and measureless
path, in quest of my sisters who will aid me, and to the spot where the
ship’s hawsers are fastened, that at early dawn the heroes may take
thought to win their home-return.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and darting down from the sky fell amid the eddies of the dark blue
sea; and she called to aid her the rest of the Nereids, her own sisters; and
they heard her and gathered together; and Thetis declared to them Hera’s
behests, and quickly sped them all on their way to the Ausonian sea. And
herself, swifter than the flash of an eye or the shafts of the sun, when it
rises upwards from a far-distant land, hastened swiftly through the sea, until
she reached the Aeaean beach of the Tyrrhenian mainland. And the heroes she
found by the ship taking their pastime with quoits and shooting of arrows; and
she drew near and just touched the hand of Aeaeus’ son Peleus, for he was
her husband; nor could anyone see her clearly, but she appeared to his eyes
alone, and thus addressed him:
</p>
<p>
“No longer now must ye stay sitting on the Tyrrhenian beach, but at dawn
loosen the hawsers of your swift ship, in obedience to Hera, your helper. For
at her behest the maiden daughters of Nereus have met together to draw your
ship through the midst of the rocks which are called Planctae, <a
href="#linknote-33" name="linknoteref-33"
id="linknoteref-33"><sup>[33]</sup></a> for that is your destined path.
But do thou show my person to no one, when thou seest us come to meet time, but
keep it secret in thy mind, lest thou anger me still more than thou didst anger
me before so recklessly.”
</p>
<p>
She spake, and vanished into the depths of the sea; but sharp pain smote
Peleus, for never before had he seen her come, since first she left her bridal
chamber and bed in anger, on account of noble Achilles, then a babe. For she
ever encompassed the child’s mortal flesh in the night with the flame of
fire; and day by day she anointed with ambrosia his tender frame, so that he
might become immortal and that she might keep off from his body loathsome old
age. But Peleus leapt up from his bed and saw his dear son gasping in the
flame; and at the sight he uttered a terrible cry, fool that he was; and she
heard it, and catching up the child threw him screaming to the ground, and
herself like a breath of wind passed swiftly from the hall as a dream and leapt
into the sea, exceeding wroth, and thereafter returned not again. Wherefore
blank amazement fettered his soul; nevertheless he declared to his comrades all
the bidding of Thetis. And they broke off in the midst and hurriedly ceased
their contests, and prepared their meal and earth-strewn beds, whereon after
supper they slept through the night as aforetime.
</p>
<p>
Now when dawn the light-bringer was touching the edge of heaven, then at the
coming of the swift west wind they went to their thwarts from the land; and
gladly did they draw up the anchors from the deep and made the tackling ready
in due order; and above spread the sail, stretching it taut with the sheets
from the yard-arm. And a fresh breeze wafted the ship on. And soon they saw a
fair island, Anthemoessa, where the clear-voiced Sirens, daughters of Achelous,
used to beguile with their sweet songs whoever cast anchor there, and then
destroy him. Them lovely Terpsichore, one of the Muses, bare, united with
Achelous; and once they tended Demeter’s noble daughter still unwed, and
sang to her in chorus; and at that time they were fashioned in part like birds
and in part like maidens to behold. And ever on the watch from their place of
prospect with its fair haven, often from many had they taken away their sweet
return, consuming them with wasting desire; and suddenly to the heroes, too,
they sent forth from their lips a lily-like voice. And they were already about
to cast from the ship the hawsers to the shore, had not Thracian Orpheus, son
of Oeagrus, stringing in his hands his Bistonian lyre, rung forth the hasty
snatch of a rippling melody so that their ears might be filled with the sound
of his twanging; and the lyre overcame the maidens’ voice. And the west
wind and the sounding wave rushing astern bore the ship on; and the Sirens kept
uttering their ceaseless song. But even so the goodly son of Teleon alone of
the comrades leapt before them all from the polished bench into the sea, even
Butes, his soul melted by the clear ringing voice of the Sirens; and he swam
through the dark surge to mount the beach, poor wretch. Quickly would they have
robbed him of his return then and there, but the goddess that rules Eryx,
Cypris, in pity snatched him away, while yet in the eddies, and graciously
meeting him saved him to dwell on the Lilybean height. And the heroes, seized
by anguish, left the Sirens, but other perils still worse, destructive to
ships, awaited them in the meeting-place of the seas.
</p>
<p>
For on one side appeared the smooth rock of Scylla; on the other Charybdis
ceaselessly spouted and roared; in another part the Wandering rocks were
booming beneath the mighty surge, where before the burning flame spurted forth
from the top of the crags, above the rock glowing with fire, and the air was
misty with smoke, nor could you have seen the sun’s light. Then, though
Hephaestus had ceased from his toils, the sea was still sending up a warm
vapour. Hereupon on this side and on that the daughters of Nereus met them; and
behind, lady Thetis set her hand to the rudder-blade, to guide them amid the
Wandering rocks. And as when in fair weather herds of dolphins come up from the
depths and sport in circles round a ship as it speeds along, now seen in front,
now behind, now again at the side and delight comes to the sailors; so the
Nereids darted upward and circled in their ranks round the ship Argo, while
Thetis guided its course. And when they were about to touch the Wandering
rocks, straightway they raised the edge of their garments over their snow-white
knees, and aloft, on the very rocks and where the waves broke, they hurried
along on this side and on that apart from one another. And the ship was raised
aloft as the current smote her, and all around the furious wave mounting up
broke over the rocks, which at one time touched the sky like towering crags, at
another, down in the depths, were fixed fast at the bottom of the sea and the
fierce waves poured over them in floods. And the Nereids, even as maidens near
some sandy beach roll their garments up to their waists out of their way and
sport with a shapely-rounded ball; then they catch it one from another and send
it high into the air; and it never touches the ground; so they in turn one from
another sent the ship through the air over the waves, as it sped on ever away
from the rocks; and round them the water spouted and foamed. And lord
Hephaestus himself standing on the summit of a smooth rock and resting his
massy shoulder on the handle of his hammer, beheld them, and the spouse of Zeus
beheld them as she stood above the gleaming heaven; and she threw her arms
round Athena, such fear seized her as she gazed. And as long as the space of a
day is lengthened out in springtime, so long a time did they toil, heaving the
ship between the loud-echoing rocks; then again the heroes caught the wind and
sped onward; and swiftly they passed the mead of Thrinacia, where the kine of
Helios fed. There the nymphs, like sea-mews, plunged beneath the depths, when
they had fulfilled the behests of the spouse of Zeus. And at the same time the
bleating of sheep came to the heroes through the mist and the lowing of kine,
near at hand, smote their ears. And over the dewy leas Phaethusa, the youngest
of the daughters of Helios, tended the sheep, bearing in her hand a silver
crook; while Lampetia, herding the kine, wielded a staff of glowing
orichalcum<a href="#linknote-34" name="linknoteref-34"
id="linknoteref-34"><sup>[34]</sup></a> as she followed. These kine the heroes
saw feeding by the river’s stream, over the plain and the water-meadow;
not one of them was dark in hue but all were white as milk and glorying in
their horns of gold. So they passed them by in the day-time, and when night
came on they were cleaving a great sea-gulf, rejoicing, until again early
rising dawn threw light upon their course.
</p>
<p>
Fronting the Ionian gulf there lies an island in the Ceraunian sea, rich in
soil, with a harbour on both sides, beneath which lies the sickle, as legend
saith—grant me grace, O Muses, not willingly do I tell this tale of olden
days—wherewith Cronos pitilessly mutilated his father; but others call it
the reaping-hook of Demeter, goddess of the nether world. For Demeter once
dwelt in that island, and taught the Titans to reap the ears of corn, all for
the love of Macris. Whence it is called Drepane,<a href="#linknote-35"
name="linknoteref-35" id="linknoteref-35"><sup>[35]</sup></a> the
sacred nurse of the Phaeacians; and thus the Phaeacians themselves are by birth
of the blood of Uranus. To them came Argo, held fast by many toils, borne by
the breezes from the Thrinacian sea; and Alcinous and his people with kindly
sacrifice gladly welcomed their coming; and over them all the city made merry;
thou wouldst say they were rejoicing over their own sons. And the heroes
themselves strode in gladness through the throng, even as though they had set
foot in the heart of Haemonia; but soon were they to arm and raise the
battle-cry; so near to them appeared a boundless host of Colchians, who had
passed through the mouth of Pontus and between the Cyanean rocks in search of
the chieftains. They desired forthwith to carry off Medea to her father’s
house apart from the rest, or else they threatened with fierce cruelty to raise
the dread war-cry both then and thereafter on the coming of Aeetes. But lordly
Alcinous checked them amid their eagerness for war. For he longed to allay the
lawless strife between both sides without the clash of battle. And the maiden
in deadly fear often implored the comrades of Aeson’s son, and often with
her hands touched the knees of Arete, the bride of Aleinous:
</p>
<p>
“I beseech thee, O queen, be gracious and deliver me not to the Colchians
to be borne to my father, if thou thyself too art one of the race of mortals,
whose heart rushes swiftly to ruin from light transgressions. For my firm sense
forsook me—it was not for wantonness. Be witness the sacred light of
Helios, be witness the rites of the maiden that wanders by night, daughter of
Perses. Not willingly did I haste from my home with men of an alien race; but a
horrible fear wrought on me to bethink me of flight when I sinned; other device
was there none. Still my maiden’s girdle remains, as in the halls of my
father, unstained, untouched. Pity me, lady, and turn thy lord to mercy; and
may the immortals grant thee a perfect life, and joy, and children, and the
glory of a city unravaged!”
</p>
<p>
Thus did she implore Arete, shedding tears, and thus each of the chieftains in
turn:
</p>
<p>
“On your account, ye men of peerless might, and on account of my toils in
your ventures am I sorely afflicted; even I, by whose help ye yoked the bulls,
and reaped the deadly harvest of the earthborn men; even I, through whom on
your homeward path ye shall bear to Haemonia the golden fleece. Lo, here am I,
who have lost my country and my parents, who have lost my home and all the
delights of life; to you have I restored your country and your homes; with eyes
of gladness ye will see again your parents; but from me a heavy-handed god has
raft all joy; and with strangers I wander, an accursed thing. Fear your
covenant and your oaths, fear the Fury that avenges suppliants and the
retribution of heaven, if I fall into Aeetes’ hands and am slain with
grievous outrage. To no shrines, no tower of defence, no other refuge do I pay
heed, but only to you. Hard and pitiless in your cruelty! No reverence have ye
for me in your heart though ye see me helpless, stretching my hands towards the
knees of a stranger queen; yet, when ye longed to seize the fleece, ye would
have met all the Colchians face to thee and haughty Aeetes himself; but now ye
have forgotten your courage, now that they are all alone and cut off.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, beseeching; and to whomsoever she bowed in prayer, that man
tried to give her heart and to check her anguish. And in their hands they shook
their sharp pointed spears, and drew the swords from their sheaths; and they
swore they would not hold back from giving succour, if she should meet with an
unrighteous judgement. And the host were all wearied and Night came on them,
Night that puts to rest the works of men, and lulled all the earth to sleep;
but to the maid no sleep brought rest, but in her bosom her heart was wrung
with anguish. Even as when a toiling woman turns her spindle through the night,
and round her moan her orphan children, for she is a widow, and down her cheeks
fall the tears, as she bethinks her how dreary a lot hath seized her; so
Medea’s cheeks were wet; and her heart within her was in agony, pierced
with sharp pain.
</p>
<p>
Now within the palace in the city, as aforetime, lay lordly Alcinous and Arete,
the revered wife of Alcinous, and on their couch through the night they were
devising plans about the maiden; and him, as her wedded husband, the wife
addressed with loving words:
</p>
<p>
“Yea, my friend, come, save the woe-stricken maid from the Colchians and
show grace to the Minyae. Argos is near our isle and the men of Haemonia; but
Aeetes dwells not near, nor do we know of Aeetes one whit: we hear but his
name; but this maiden of dread suffering hath broken my heart by her prayers. O
king, give her not up to the Colchians to be borne back to her father’s
home. She was distraught when first she gave him the drugs to charm the oxen;
and next, to cure one ill by another, as in our sinning we do often, she fled
from her haughty sire’s heavy wrath. But Jason, as I hear, is bound to
her by mighty oaths that he will make her his wedded wife within his halls.
Wherefore, my friend, make not, of thy will, Aeson’s son to be forsworn,
nor let the father, if thou canst help, work with angry heart some intolerable
mischief on his child. For fathers are all too jealous against their children;
what wrong did Nycteus devise against Antiope, fair of face! What woes did
Danae endure on the wide sea through her sire’s mad rage! Of late, and
not far away, Echetus in wanton cruelty thrust spikes of bronze in his
daughter’s eyes; and by a grievous fate is she wasting away, grinding
grains of bronze in a dungeon’s gloom.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, beseeching; and by his wife’s words his heart was
softened, and thus he spake:
</p>
<p>
“Arete, with arms I could drive forth the Colchians, showing grace to the
heroes for the maiden’s sake. But I fear to set at nought the righteous
judgment of Zeus. Nor is it well to take no thought of Aeetes, as thou sayest:
for none is more lordly than Aeetes. And, if he willed, he might bring war upon
Hellas, though he dwell afar. Wherefore it is right for me to deliver the
judgement that in all men’s eyes shall be best; and I will not hide it
from thee. If she be yet a maid I decree that they carry her back to her
father; but if she shares a husband’s bed, I will not separate her from
her lord; nor, if she bear a child beneath her breast, will I give it up to an
enemy.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and at once sleep laid him to rest. And she stored up in her
heart the word of wisdom, and straightway rose from her couch and went through
the palace; and her handmaids came hasting together, eagerly tending their
mistress. But quietly she summoned her herald and addressed him, in her
prudence urging Aeson’s son to wed the maiden, and not to implore
Alcinous; for he himself, she said, will decree to the Colchians that if she is
still a maid he will deliver her up to be borne to her father’s house,
but that if she shares a husband’s bed he will not sever her from wedded
love.
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake, and quickly from the hall his feet bore him, that he might
declare to Jason the fair-omened speech of Arete and the counsel of godfearing
Alcinous. And he found the heroes watching in full armour in the haven of
Hyllus, near the city; and out he spake the whole message; and each
hero’s heart rejoiced; for the word that he spake was welcome.
</p>
<p>
And straightway they mingled a bowl to the blessed ones, as is right, and
reverently led sheep to the altar, and for that very night prepared for the
maiden the bridal couch in the sacred cave, where once dwelt Macris, the
daughter of Aristaeus, lord of honey, who discovered the works of bees and the
fatness of the olive, the fruit of labour. She it was that first received in
her bosom the Nysean son of Zeus in Abantian Euboea, and with honey moistened
his parched lips when Hermes bore him out of the flame. And Hera beheld it, and
in wrath drove her from the whole island. And she accordingly came to dwell far
off, in the sacred cave of the Phaeacians, and granted boundless wealth to the
inhabitants. There at that time did they spread a mighty couch; and thereon
they laid the glittering fleece of gold, that so the marriage might be made
honoured and the theme of song. And for them nymphs gathered flowers of varied
hue and bore them thither in their white bosoms; and a splendour as of flame
played round them all, such a light gleamed from the golden tufts. And in their
eyes it kindled a sweet longing; yet for all her desire, awe withheld each one
from laying her hand thereon. Some were called daughters of the river Aegaeus;
others dwelt round the crests of the Meliteian mount; and others were woodland
nymphs from the plains. For Hera herself, the spouse of Zeus, had sent them to
do honour to Jason. That cave is to this day called the sacred cave of Medea,
where they spread the fine and fragrant linen and brought these two together.
And the heroes in their hands wielded their spears for war, lest first a host
of foes should burst upon them for battle unawares, and, their heads enwreathed
with leafy sprays, all in harmony, while Orpheus’ harp rang clear, sang
the marriage song at the entrance to the bridal chamber. Yet not in the house
of Alcinous was the hero, Aeson’s son, minded to complete his marriage,
but in his father’s hall when he had returned home to Ioleus; and such
was the mind of Medea herself; but necessity led them to wed at this time. For
never in truth do we tribes of woe-stricken mortals tread the path of delight
with sure foot; but still some bitter affliction keeps pace with our joy.
Wherefore they too, though their souls were melted with sweet love, were held
by fear, whether the sentence of Alcinous would be fulfilled.
</p>
<p>
Now dawn returning with her beams divine scattered the gloomy night through the
sky; and the island beaches laughed out and the paths over the plains far off,
drenched with dew, and there was a din in the streets; the people were astir
throughout the city, and far away the Colchians were astir at the bounds of the
isle of Macris. And straightway to them went Alcinous, by reason of his
covenant, to declare his purpose concerning the maiden, and in his hand he held
a golden staff, his staff of justice, whereby the people had righteous
judgments meted out to them throughout the city. And with him in order due and
arrayed in their harness of war went marching, band by band, the chiefs of the
Phaeacians. And from the towers came forth the women in crowds to gaze upon the
heroes; and the country folk came to meet them when they heard the news, for
Hera had sent forth a true report. And one led the chosen ram of his flock, and
another a heifer that had never toiled; and others set hard by jars of wine for
mixing; and the smoke of sacrifice leapt up far away. And women bore fine
linen, the fruit of much toil, as women will, and gifts of gold and varied
ornaments as well, such as are brought to newly-wedded brides; and they
marvelled when they saw the shapely forms and beauty of the gallant heroes, and
among them the son of Oeagrus, oft beating the ground with gleaming sandal, to
the time of his loud-ringing lyre and song. And all the nymphs together,
whenever he recalled the marriage, uplifted the lovely bridal-chant; and at
times again they sang alone as they circled in the dance, Hera, in thy honour;
for it was thou that didst put it into the heart of Arete to proclaim the wise
word of Alcinous. And as soon as he had uttered the decree of his righteous
judgement, and the completion of the marriage had been proclaimed, he took care
that thus it should abide fixed; and no deadly fear touched him nor
Aeetes’ grievous wrath, but he kept his judgement fast bound by unbroken
oaths. So when the Colchians learnt that they were beseeching in vain and he
bade them either observe his judgements or hold their ships away from his
harbours and land, then they began to dread the threats of their own king and
besought Alcinous to receive them as comrades; and there in the island long
time they dwelt with the Phaeacians, until in the course of years, the
Bacchiadae, a race sprung from Ephyra,<a href="#linknote-36"
name="linknoteref-36" id="linknoteref-36"><sup>[36]</sup></a> settled
among them; and the Colchians passed to an island opposite; and thence they
were destined to reach the Ceraunian hills of the Abantes, and the Nestaeans
and Oricum; but all this was fulfilled after long ages had passed. And still
the altars which Medea built on the spot sacred to Apollo, god of shepherds,
receive yearly sacrifices in honour of the Fates and the Nymphs. And when the
Minyae departed many gifts of friendship did Alcinous bestow, and many Arete;
moreover she gave Medea twelve Phaeacian handmaids from the palace, to bear her
company. And on the seventh day they left Drepane; and at dawn came a fresh
breeze from Zeus. And onward they sped borne along by the wind’s breath.
Howbeit not yet was it ordained for the heroes to set foot on Achaea, until
they had toiled even in the furthest bounds of Libya.
</p>
<p>
Now had they left behind the gulf named after the Ambracians, now with sails
wide spread the land of the Curetes, and next in order the narrow islands with
the Echinades, and the land of Pelops was just descried; even then a baleful
blast of the north wind seized them in mid-course and swept them towards the
Libyan sea nine nights and as many days, until they came far within Syrtis,
wherefrom is no return for ships, when they are once forced into that gulf. For
on every hand are shoals, on every hand masses of seaweed from the depths; and
over them the light foam of the wave washes without noise; and there is a
stretch of sand to the dim horizon; and there moveth nothing that creeps or
flies. Here accordingly the flood-tide—for this tide often retreats from
the land and bursts back again over the beach coming on with a rush and
roar—thrust them suddenly on to the innermost shore, and but little of
the keel was left in the water. And they leapt forth from the ship, and sorrow
seized them when they gazed on the mist and the levels of vast land stretching
far like a mist and continuous into the distance; no spot for water, no path,
no steading of herdsmen did they descry afar off, but all the scene was
possessed by a dead calm. And thus did one hero, vexed in spirit, ask another:
</p>
<p>
“What land is this? Whither has the tempest hurled us? Would that,
reckless of deadly fear, we had dared to rush on by that same path between the
clashing rocks! Better were it to have overleapt the will of Zeus and perished
in venturing some mighty deed. But now what should we do, held back by the
winds to stay here, if ever so short a time? How desolate looms before us the
edge of the limitless land!”
</p>
<p>
Thus one spake; and among them Ancaeus the helmsman, in despair at their evil
case, spoke with grieving heart: “Verily we are undone by a terrible
doom; there is no escape from ruin; we must suffer the cruellest woes, having
fallen on this desolation, even though breezes should blow from the land; for,
as I gaze far around, on every side do I behold a sea of shoals, and masses of
water, fretted line upon line, run over the hoary sand. And miserably long ago
would our sacred ship have been shattered far from the shore; but the tide
itself bore her high on to the land from the deep sea. But now the tide rushes
back to the sea, and only the foam, whereon no ship can sail, rolls round us,
just covering the land. Wherefore I deem that all hope of our voyage and of our
return is cut off. Let someone else show his skill; let him sit at the helm the
man that is eager for our deliverance. But Zeus has no will to fulfil our day
of return after all our toils.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake with tears, and all of them that had knowledge of ships agreed
thereto; but the hearts of all grew numb, and pallor overspread their cheeks.
And as, like lifeless spectres, men roam through a city awaiting the issue of
war or of pestilence, or some mighty storm which overwhelms the countless
labours of oxen, when the images of their own accord sweat and run down with
blood, and bellowings are heard in temples, or when at mid-day the sun draws on
night from heaven, and the stars shine clear through the mist; so at that time
along the endless strand the chieftains wandered, groping their way. Then
straightway dark evening came upon them; and piteously did they embrace each
other and say farewell with tears, that they might, each one apart from his
fellow, fall on the sand and die. And this way and that they went further to
choose a resting-place; and they wrapped their heads in their cloaks and,
fasting and unfed, lay down all that night and the day, awaiting a piteous
death. But apart the maidens huddled together lamented beside the daughter of
Aeetes. And as when, forsaken by their mother, unfledged birds that have fallen
from a cleft in the rock chirp shrilly; or when by the banks of fair-flowing
Pactolus, swans raise their song, and all around the dewy meadow echoes and the
river’s fair stream; so these maidens, laying in the dust their golden
hair, all through the night wailed their piteous lament. And there all would
have parted from life without a name and unknown to mortal men, those bravest
of heroes, with their task unfulfilled; but as they pined in despair, the
heroine-nymphs, warders of Libya, had pity on them, they who once found Athena,
what time she leapt in gleaming armour from her father’s head, and bathed
her by Trito’s waters. It was noon-tide and the fiercest rays of the sun
were scorching Libya; they stood near Aeson’s son, and lightly drew the
cloak from his head. And the hero cast down his eyes and looked aside, in
reverence for the goddesses, and as he lay bewildered all alone they addressed
him openly with gentle words:
</p>
<p>
“Ill-starred one, why art thou so smitten with despair? We know how ye
went in quest of the golden fleece; we know each toil of yours, all the mighty
deeds ye wrought in your wanderings over land and sea. We are the solitary
ones, goddesses of the land, speaking with human voice, the heroines,
Libya’s warders and daughters. Up then; be not thus afflicted in thy
misery, and rouse thy comrades. And when Amphitrite has straightway loosed
Poseidon’s swift-wheeled car, then do ye pay to your mother a recompense
for all her travail when she bare you so long in her womb; and so ye may return
to the divine land of Achaea.”
</p>
<p>
Thus they spake, and with the voice vanished at once, where they stood. But
Jason sat upon the earth as he gazed around, and thus cried:
</p>
<p>
“Be gracious, noble goddesses of the desert, yet the saying about our
return I understand not clearly. Surely I will gather together my comrades and
tell them, if haply we can find some token of our escape, for the counsel of
many is better.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and leapt to his feet, and shouted afar to his comrades, all squalid
with dust, like a lion when he roars through the woodland seeking his mate; and
far off in the mountains the glens tremble at the thunder of his voice; and the
oxen of the field and the herdsmen shudder with fear; yet to them Jason’s
voice was no whit terrible the voice of a comrade calling to his friends. And
with looks downcast they gathered near, and hard by where the ship lay he made
them sit down in their grief and the women with them, and addressed them and
told them everything:
</p>
<p>
“Listen, friends; as I lay in my grief, three goddesses girded with
goat-skins from the neck downwards round the back and waist, like maidens,
stood over my head nigh at hand; and they uncovered me, drawing my cloak away
with light hand, and they bade me rise up myself and go and rouse you, and pay
to our mother a bounteous recompense for all her travail when she bare us so
long in her womb, when Amphitrite shall have loosed Poseidon’s
swift-wheeled car. But I cannot fully understand concerning this divine
message. They said indeed that they were heroines, Libya’s warders and
daughters; and all the toils that we endured aforetime by land and sea, all
these they declared that they knew full well. Then I saw them no more in their
place, but a mist or cloud came between and hid them from my sight.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and all marvelled as they heard. Then was wrought for the Minyae
the strangest of portents. From the sea to the land leapt forth a monstrous
horse, of vast size, with golden mane tossing round his neck; and quickly from
his limbs he shook off abundant spray and started on his course, with feet like
the wind. And at once Peleus rejoiced and spake among the throng of his
comrades:
</p>
<p>
“I deem that Poseidon’s ear has even now been loosed by the hands
of his dear wife, and I divine that our mother is none else than our ship
herself; for surely she bare us in her womb and groans unceasingly with
grievous travailing. But with unshaken strength and untiring shoulders will we
lift her up and bear her within this country of sandy wastes, where yon
swift-footed steed has sped before. For he will not plunge beneath the earth;
and his hoof-prints, I ween, will point us to some bay above the sea.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and the fit counsel pleased all. This is the tale the Muses
told; and I sing obedient to the Pierides, and this report have I heard most
truly; that ye, O mightiest far of the sons of kings, by your might and your
valour over the desert sands of Libya raised high aloft on your shoulders the
ship and all that ye brought therein, and bare her twelve days and nights
alike. Yet who could tell the pain and grief which they endured in that toil?
Surely they were of the blood of the immortals, such a task did they take on
them, constrained by necessity. How forward and how far they bore her gladly to
the waters of the Tritonian lake! How they strode in and set her down from
their stalwart shoulders!
</p>
<p>
Then, like raging hounds, they rushed to search for a spring; for besides their
suffering and anguish, a parching thirst lay upon them, and not in vain did
they wander; but they came to the sacred plain where Ladon, the serpent of the
land, till yesterday kept watch over the golden apples in the garden of Atlas;
and all around the nymphs, the Hesperides, were busied, chanting their lovely
song. But at that time, stricken by Heracles, he lay fallen by the trunk of the
apple-tree; only the tip of his tail was still writhing; but from his head down
his dark spine he lay lifeless; and where the arrows had left in his blood the
bitter gall of the Lernaean hydra, flies withered and died over the festering
wounds. And close at hand the Hesperides, their white arms flung over their
golden heads, lamented shrilly; and the heroes drew near suddenly; but the
maidens, at their quick approach, at once became dust and earth where they
stood. Orpheus marked the divine portent, and for his comrades addressed them
in prayer: “O divine ones, fair and kind, be gracious, O queens, whether
ye be numbered among the heavenly goddesses, or those beneath the earth, or be
called the Solitary nymphs; come, O nymphs, sacred race of Oceanus, appear
manifest to our longing eyes and show us some spring of water from the rock or
some sacred flow gushing from the earth, goddesses, wherewith we may quench the
thirst that burns us unceasingly. And if ever again we return in our voyaging
to the Achaean land, then to you among the first of goddesses with willing
hearts will we bring countless gifts, libations and banquets.”
</p>
<p>
So he spake, beseeching them with plaintive voice; and they from their station
near pitied their pain; and lo! First of all they caused grass to spring from
the earth; and above the grass rose up tall shoots, and then flourishing
saplings grew standing upright far above the earth. Hespere became a poplar and
Eretheis an elm, and Aegle a willow’s sacred trunk. And forth from these
trees their forms looked out, as clear as they were before, a marvel exceeding
great, and Aegle spake with gentle words answering their longing looks:
</p>
<p>
“Surely there has come hither a mighty succour to your toils, that most
accursed man, who robbed our guardian serpent of life and plucked the golden
apples of the goddesses and is gone; and has left bitter grief for us. For
yesterday came a man most fell in wanton violence, most grim in form; and his
eyes flashed beneath his scowling brow; a ruthless wretch; and he was clad in
the skin of a monstrous lion of raw hide, untanned; and he bare a sturdy bow of
olive, and a bow, wherewith he shot and killed this monster here. So he too
came, as one traversing the land on foot, parched with thirst; and he rushed
wildly through this spot, searching for water, but nowhere was he like to see
it. Now here stood a rock near the Tritonian lake; and of his own device, or by
the prompting of some god, he smote it below with his foot; and the water
gushed out in full flow. And he, leaning both his hands and chest upon the
ground, drank a huge draught from the rifted rock, until, stooping like a beast
of the field, he had satisfied his mighty maw.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake; and they gladly with joyful steps ran to the spot where Aegle
had pointed out to them the spring, until they reached it. And as when
earth-burrowing ants gather in swarms round a narrow cleft, or when flies
lighting upon a tiny drop of sweet honey cluster round with insatiate
eagerness; so at that time, huddled together, the Minyae thronged about the
spring from the rock. And thus with wet lips one cried to another in his
delight:
</p>
<p>
“Strange! In very truth Heracles, though far away, has saved his
comrades, fordone with thirst. Would that we might find him on his way as we
pass through the mainland!”
</p>
<p>
So they spake, and those who were ready for this work answered, and they
separated this way and that, each starting to search. For by the night winds
the footsteps had been effaced where the sand was stirred. The two sons of
Boreas started up, trusting in their wings; and Euphemus, relying on his swift
feet, and Lynceus to cast far his piercing eyes; and with them darted off
Canthus, the fifth. He was urged on by the doom of the gods and his own
courage, that he might learn for certain from Heracles where he had left
Polyphemus, son of Eilatus; for he was minded to question him on every point
concerning his comrade. But that hero had founded a glorious city among the
Mysians, and, yearning for his home-return, had passed far over the mainland in
search of Argo; and in time he reached the land of the Chalybes, who dwell near
the sea; there it was that his fate subdued him. And to him a monument stands
under a tall poplar, just facing the sea. But that day Lynceus thought he saw
Heracles all alone, far off, over measureless land, as a man at the
month’s beginning sees, or thinks he sees, the moon through a bank of
cloud. And he returned and told his comrades that no other searcher would find
Heracles on his way, and they also came back, and swift-footed Euphemus and the
twin sons of Thracian Boreas, after a vain toil.
</p>
<p>
But thee, Canthus, the fates of death seized in Libya. On pasturing flocks
didst thou light; and there followed a shepherd who, in defence of his own
sheep, while thou weft leading them off<a href="#linknote-37"
name="linknoteref-37" id="linknoteref-37"><sup>[37]</sup></a> to thy
comrades in their need, slew thee by the cast of a stone; for he was no
weakling, Caphaurus, the grandson of Lycoreian Phoebus and the chaste maiden
Acacallis, whom once Minos drove from home to dwell in Libya, his own daughter,
when she was bearing the gods’ heavy load; and she bare to Phoebus a
glorious son, whom they call Amphithemis and Garamas. And Amphithemis wedded a
Tritonian nymph; and she bare to him Nasamon and strong Caphaurus, who on that
day in defending his sheep slew Canthus. But he escaped not the
chieftains’ avenging hands, when they learned the deed he had done. And
the Minyae, when they knew it, afterwards took up the corpse and buried it in
the earth, mourning; and the sheep they took with them.
</p>
<p>
Thereupon on the same day a pitiless fate seized Mopsus too, son of Ampycus;
and he escaped not a bitter doom by his prophesying; for there is no averting
of death. Now there lay in the sand, avoiding the midday heat, a dread serpent,
too sluggish of his own will to strike at an unwilling foe, nor yet would he
dart full face at one that would shrink back. But into whatever of all living
beings that life-giving earth sustains that serpent once injects his black
venom, his path to Hades becomes not so much as a cubit’s length, not
even if Paeeon, if it is right for me to say this openly, should tend him, when
its teeth have only grazed the skin. For when over Libya flew godlike Perseus
Eurymedon for by that name his mother called him—bearing to the king the
Gorgon’s head newly severed, all the drops of dark blood that fell to the
earth, produced a brood of those serpents. Now Mopsus stepped on the end of its
spine, setting thereon the sole of his left foot; and it writhed round in pain
and bit and tore the flesh between the shin and the muscles. And Medea and her
handmaids fled in terror; but Canthus bravely felt the bleeding wound; for no
excessive pain harassed him. Poor wretch! Already a numbness that loosed his
limbs was stealing beneath his skin, and a thick mist was spreading over his
eyes. Straightway his heavy limbs sank helplessly to the ground and he grew
cold; and his comrades and the hero, Aeson’s son, gathered round,
marvelling at the close-coming doom. Nor yet though dead might he lie beneath
the sun even for a little space. For at once the poison began to rot his flesh
within, and the hair decayed and fell from the skin. And quickly and in haste
they dug a deep grave with mattocks of bronze; and they tore their hair, the
heroes and the maidens, bewailing the dead man’s piteous suffering; and
when he had received due burial rites, thrice they marched round the tomb in
full armour, and heaped above him a mound of earth.
</p>
<p>
But when they had gone aboard, as the south wind blew over the sea, and they
were searching for a passage to go forth from the Tritonian lake, for long they
had no device, but all the day were borne on aimlessly. And as a serpent goes
writhing along his crooked path when the sun’s fiercest rays scorch him;
and with a hiss he turns his head to this side and that, and in his fury his
eyes glow like sparks of fire, until he creeps to his lair through a cleft in
the rock; so Argo seeking an outlet from the lake, a fairway for ships,
wandered for a long time. Then straightway Orpheus bade them bring forth from
the ship Apollo’s massy tripod and offer it to the gods of the land as
propitiation for their return. So they went forth and set Apollo’s gift
on the shore; then before them stood, in the form of a youth, farswaying
Triton, and he lifted a clod from the earth and offered it as a
stranger’s gift, and thus spake:
</p>
<p>
“Take it, friends, for no stranger’s gift of great worth have I
here by me now to place in the hands of those who beseech me. But if ye are
searching for a passage through this sea, as often is the need of men passing
through a strange land, I will declare it. For my sire Poseidon has made me to
be well versed in this sea. And I rule the shore if haply in your distant land
you have ever heard of Eurypylus, born in Libya, the home of wild
beasts.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake, and readily Euphemus held out his hands towards the clod, and
thus addressed him in reply:
</p>
<p>
“If haply, hero, thou knowest aught of Apis<a href="#linknote-38"
name="linknoteref-38" id="linknoteref-38"><sup>[38]</sup></a> and the
sea of Minos, tell us truly, who ask it of you. For not of our will have we
come hither, but by the stress of heavy storms have we touched the borders of
this land, and have borne our ship aloft on our shoulders to the waters of this
lake over the mainland, grievously burdened; and we know not where a passage
shows itself for our course to the land of Pelops.”
</p>
<p>
So he spake; and Triton stretched out his hand and showed afar the sea and the
lake’s deep mouth, and then addressed them: “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. And that sea stretches away in mist to the divine land of Pelops beyond
Crete; but hold to the right, when ye have entered the swell of the sea from
the lake, and steer your course hugging the land, as long as it trends to the
north; but when the coast bends, falling away in the other direction, then your
course is safely laid for you if ye go straight forward from the projecting
cape. But go in joy, and as for labour let there be no grieving that limbs in
youthful vigour should still toil.”
</p>
<p>
He spake with kindly counsel; and they at once went aboard, intent to come
forth from the lake by the use of oars. And eagerly they sped on; meanwhile
Triton took up the mighty tripod, and they saw him enter the lake; but
thereafter did no one mark how he vanished so near them along with the tripod.
But their hearts were cheered, for that one of the blessed had met them in
friendly guise. And they bade Aeson’s son offer to him the choicest of
the sheep and when he had slain it chant the hymn of praise. And straightway he
chose in haste and raising the victim slew it over the stern, and prayed with
these words:
</p>
<p>
“Thou god, who hast manifested thyself on the borders of this land,
whether the daughters born of the sea call thee Triton, the great sea-marvel,
or Phoreys, or Nereus, be gracious, and grant the return home dear to our
hearts.”
</p>
<p>
He spake, and cut the victim’s throat over the water and cast it from the
stern. And the god rose up from the depths in form such as he really was. And
as when a man trains a swift steed for the broad race-course, and runs along,
grasping the bushy mane, while the steed follows obeying his master, and rears
his neck aloft in his pride, and the gleaming bit rings loud as he champs it in
his jaws from side to side; so the god, seizing hollow Argo’s keel,
guided her onward to the sea. And his body, from the crown of his head, round
his back and waist as far as the belly, was wondrously like that of the blessed
ones in form; but below his sides the tail of a sea monster lengthened far,
forking to this side and that; and he smote the surface of the waves with the
spines, which below parted into curving fins, like the horns of the new moon.
And he guided Argo on until he sped her into the sea on her course; and quickly
he plunged into the vast abyss; and the heroes shouted when they gazed with
their eyes on that dread portent. There is the harbour of Argo and there are
the signs of her stay, and altars to Poseidon and Triton; for during that day
they tarried. But at dawn with sails outspread they sped on before the breath
of the west wind, keeping the desert land on their right. And on the next morn
they saw the headland and the recess of the sea, bending inward beyond the
jutting headland. And straightway the west wind ceased, and there came the
breeze of the clear south wind; and their hearts rejoiced at the sound it made.
But when the sun sank and the star returned that bids the shepherd fold, which
brings rest to wearied ploughmen, at that time the wind died down in the dark
night; so they furled the sails and lowered the tall mast and vigorously plied
their polished oars all night and through the day, and again when the next
night came on. And rugged Carpathus far away welcomed them; and thence they
were to cross to Crete, which rises in the sea above other islands.
</p>
<p>
And Talos, the man of bronze, as he broke off rocks from the hard cliff, stayed
them from fastening hawsers to the shore, when they came to the roadstead of
Dicte’s haven. He was of the stock of bronze, of the men sprung from
ash-trees, the last left among the sons of the gods; and the son of Cronos gave
him to Europa to be the warder of Crete and to stride round the island thrice a
day with his feet of bronze. Now in all the rest of his body and limbs was he
fashioned of bronze and invulnerable; but beneath the sinew by his ankle was a
blood-red vein; and this, with its issues of life and death, was covered by a
thin skin. So the heroes, though outworn with toil, quickly backed their ship
from the land in sore dismay. And now far from Crete would they have been borne
in wretched plight, distressed both by thirst and pain, had not Medea addressed
them as they turned away:
</p>
<p>
“Hearken to me. For I deem that I alone can subdue for you that man,
whoever he be, even though his frame be of bronze throughout, unless his life
too is everlasting. But be ready to keep your ship here beyond the cast of his
stones, till he yield the victory to me.”
</p>
<p>
Thus she spake; and they drew the ship out of range, resting on their oars,
waiting to see what plan unlooked for she would bring to pass; and she, holding
the fold of her purple robe over her cheeks on each side, mounted on the deck;
and Aeson’s son took her hand in his and guided her way along the
thwarts. And with songs did she propitiate and invoke the Death-spirits,
devourers of life, the swift hounds of Hades, who, hovering through all the
air, swoop down on the living. Kneeling in supplication, thrice she called on
them with songs, and thrice with prayers; and, shaping her soul to mischief,
with her hostile glance she bewitched the eyes of Talos, the man of bronze; and
her teeth gnashed bitter wrath against him, and she sent forth baneful phantoms
in the frenzy of her rage.
</p>
<p>
Father Zeus, surely great wonder rises in my mind, seeing that dire destruction
meets us not from disease and wounds alone, but lo! even from afar, may be, it
tortures us! So Talos, for all his frame of bronze, yielded the victory to the
might of Medea the sorceress. And as he was heaving massy rocks to stay them
from reaching the haven, he grazed his ankle on a pointed crag; and the ichor
gushed forth like melted lead; and not long thereafter did he stand towering on
the jutting cliff. But even as some huge pine, high up on the mountains, which
woodmen have left half hewn through by their sharp axes when they returned from
the forest—at first it shivers in the wind by night, then at last snaps
at the stump and crashes down; so Talos for a while stood on his tireless feet,
swaying to and fro, when at last, all strengthless, fell with a mighty thud.
For that night there in Crete the heroes lay; then, just as dawn was growing
bright, they built a shrine to Minoan Athena, and drew water and went aboard,
so that first of all they might by rowing pass beyond Salmone’s height.
</p>
<p>
But straightway as they sped over the wide Cretan sea night scared them, that
night which they name the Pall of Darkness; the stars pierced not that fatal
night nor the beams of the moon, but black chaos descended from heaven, or
haply some other darkness came, rising from the nethermost depths. And the
heroes, whether they drifted in Hades or on the waters, knew not one whit; but
they committed their return to the sea in helpless doubt whither it was bearing
them. But Jason raised his hands and cried to Phoebus with mighty voice,
calling on him to save them; and the tears ran down in his distress; and often
did he promise to bring countless offerings to Pytho, to Amyclae, and to
Ortygia. And quickly, O son of Leto, swift to hear, didst thou come down from
heaven to the Melantian rocks, which lie there in the sea. Then darting upon
one of the twin peaks, thou raisedst aloft in thy right hand thy golden bow;
and the bow flashed a dazzling gleam all round. And to their sight appeared a
small island of the Sporades, over against the tiny isle Hippuris, and there
they cast anchor and stayed; and straightway dawn arose and gave them light;
and they made for Apollo a glorious abode in a shady wood, and a shady altar,
calling on Phoebus the “Gleamer”, because of the gleam far-seen;
and that bare island they called Anaphe,<a href="#linknote-39"
name="linknoteref-39" id="linknoteref-39"><sup>[39]</sup></a> for that
Phoebus had revealed it to men sore bewildered. And they sacrificed all that
men could provide for sacrifice on a desolate strand; wherefore when
Medea’s Phaeacian handmaids saw them pouring water for libations on the
burning brands, they could no longer restrain laughter within their bosoms, for
that ever they had seen oxen in plenty slain in the halls of Alcinous. And the
heroes delighted in the jest and attacked them with taunting words; and merry
railing and contention flung to and fro were kindled among them. And from that
sport of the heroes such scoffs do the women fling at the men in that island
whenever they propitiate with sacrifices Apollo the gleaming god, the warder of
Anaphe.
</p>
<p>
But when they had loosed the hawsers thence in fair weather, then Euphemus
bethought him of a dream of the night, reverencing the glorious son of Maia.
For it seemed to him that the god-given clod of earth held in his palm close to
his breast was being suckled by white streams of milk, and that from it, little
though it was, grew a woman like a virgin; and he, overcome by strong desire,
lay with her in love’s embrace; and united with her he pitied her, as
though she were a maiden whom he was feeding with his own milk; but she
comforted him with gentle words:
</p>
<p>
“Daughter of Triton am I, dear friend, and nurse of thy children, no
maiden; Triton and Libya are my parents. But restore me to the daughters of
Nereus to dwell in the sea near Anaphe; I shall return again to the light of
the sun, to prepare a home for thy descendants.”
</p>
<p>
Of this he stored in his heart the memory, and declared it to Aeson’s
son; and Jason pondered a prophecy of the Far-Darter and lifted up his voice
and said:
</p>
<p>
“My friend, great and glorious renown has fallen to thy lot. For of this
clod when thou hast cast it into the sea, the gods will make an island, where
thy children’s children shall dwell; for Triton gave this to thee as a
stranger’s gift from the Libyan mainland. None other of the immortals it
was than he that gave thee this when he met thee.”
</p>
<p>
Thus he spake; and Euphemus made not vain the answer of Aeson’s son; but,
cheered by the prophecy, he cast the clod into the depths. Therefrom rose up an
island, Calliste, sacred nurse of the sons of Euphemus, who in former days
dwelt in Sintian Lemnos, and from Lemnos were driven forth by Tyrrhenians and
came to Sparta as suppliants; and when they left Sparta, Theras, the goodly son
of Autesion, brought them to the island Calliste, and from himself he gave it
the name of Thera. But this befell after the days of Euphemus.
</p>
<p>
And thence they steadily left behind long leagues of sea and stayed on the
beach of Aegina; and at once they contended in innocent strife about the
fetching of water, who first should draw it and reach the ship. For both their
need and the ceaseless breeze urged them on. There even to this day do the
youths of the Myrmidons take up on their shoulders full-brimming jars, and with
swift feet strive for victory in the race.
</p>
<p>
Be gracious, race of blessed chieftains! And may these songs year after year be
sweeter to sing among men. For now have I come to the glorious end of your
toils; for no adventure befell you as ye came home from Aegina, and no tempest
of winds opposed you; but quietly did ye skirt the Cecropian land and Aulis
inside of Euboea and the Opuntian cities of the Locrians, and gladly did ye
step forth upon the beach of Pagasae.
</p>
</div><!--end chapter-->
<div class="chapter">
<h2><a name="chap07"></a>ENDNOTES:</h2>
<p>
<a name="linknote-1" id="linknote-1">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-1">1</a><br /> “Or of Naucratis”, according
to Aelian and Athenaeus.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-2" id="linknote-2">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-2">2</a><br /> Anth. Pal. xl. 275.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-3" id="linknote-3">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-3">3</a><br /> iii. 117-124.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-4" id="linknote-4">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-4">4</a><br /> <i>e.g.</i> compare <i>Aen.</i> iv. 305
foll. with Ap. Rh. iv. 355 foll.; <i>Aen.</i> iv. 327-330 with Ap. Rh. I. 897,
898; <i>Aen.</i> iv. 522 foll., with Ap. Rh. iii. 744 foll.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-5" id="linknote-5">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-5">5</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> God of embarcation.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-6" id="linknote-6">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-6">6</a><br /> Or, reading
ἔκτοθεν, “they strongly girded the
ship outside with a well-twisted rope.” In either case there is probably
no allusion to
ὐποζώματα (ropes for
undergirding) which were carried loose and only used in stormy weather.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-7" id="linknote-7">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-7">7</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> God of the shore.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-8" id="linknote-8">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-8">8</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> The Starting.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-9" id="linknote-9">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-9">9</a><br /> Samothrace.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-10" id="linknote-10">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-10">10</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> god of disembarcation.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-11" id="linknote-11">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-11">11</a><br /> Cleite means illustrious.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-12" id="linknote-12">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-12">12</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> to avoid grinding it at
home.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-13" id="linknote-13">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-13">13</a><br /> Rhea.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-14" id="linknote-14">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-14">14</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> Polydeuces.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-15" id="linknote-15">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-15">15</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> Saviour of Sailors.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-16" id="linknote-16">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-16">16</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> through the ravine that
divides the headland.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-17" id="linknote-17">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-17">17</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> river of fair dances.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-18" id="linknote-18">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-18">18</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the bedchamber.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-19" id="linknote-19">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-19">19</a><br /> The north-west wind.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-20" id="linknote-20">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-20">20</a><br /> Called “Mossynes”.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-21" id="linknote-21">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-21">21</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> without exacting gifts from
the bridegroom. So in the “Iliad” ix. 146: Agamemnon offers
Achilles any of his three daughters
ἀνάεδνος.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-22" id="linknote-22">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-22">22</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the fight between the gods
and the giants.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-23" id="linknote-23">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-23">23</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the Shining One.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-24" id="linknote-24">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-24">24</a><br /> A name of Ares.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-25" id="linknote-25">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-25">25</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the liquid that flows in the
veins of gods.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-26" id="linknote-26">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-26">26</a><br /> Or, reading
μήνιμ’,
“took no heed of the cause of wrath with the stranger-folk.”
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-27" id="linknote-27">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-27">27</a><br /> The allusion is to Sesotris. See
Herodotus ii. 102 foll.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-28" id="linknote-28">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-28">28</a><br /> Or, reading
ἠμετέρην,
“into our sea”. The Euxine is meant in any case and the word Ionian
is therefore wrong.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-29" id="linknote-29">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-29">29</a><br /> Apollonius seems to have thought that
the Po, the Rhone, and the Rhine are all connected together.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-30" id="linknote-30">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-30">30</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> like the scrapings from
skin,
ἀποστλεγγίσματα;
see Strabo p. 224 for this adventure.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-31" id="linknote-31">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-31">31</a><br /> The <i>Symplegades</i> are referred to,
where help was given by Athena, not by Hera. It is strange that no mention is
made of the <i>Planctae</i>, properly so called, past which they are soon to be
helped. Perhaps some lines have fallen out.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-32" id="linknote-32">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-32">32</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the Mighty One.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-33" id="linknote-33">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-33">33</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the Wanderers.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-34" id="linknote-34">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-34">34</a><br /> A fabulous metal, resembling gold in
appearance.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-35" id="linknote-35">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-35">35</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the Sickle-island.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-36" id="linknote-36">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-36">36</a><br /> The old name of Corinth.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-37" id="linknote-37">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-37">37</a><br /> This seems to be the only possible
translation, but the optative is quite anomalous. We should expect
ἐκόμιζες.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-38" id="linknote-38">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-38">38</a><br /> An old name of the Peloponnesus.
</p>
<p>
<a name="linknote-39" id="linknote-39">
<!-- Note --></a>
</p>
<p class="footnote">
<a href="#linknoteref-39">39</a><br /> <i>i.e.</i> the isle of Revealing. </p>
</div><!--end chapter-->
<pre>
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