Pelias, in alarm, sends Jason to Colchis to fetch the golden fleece. So Jason gathers the chieftains, and is chosen captain himself. After launching Argo they sail on without adventure as far as Lemnos, where they stay awhile, and are hospitably received by Hypsipyle the queen. Thence they come to the Doliones and their king Cyzicus, and are kindly entertained. Giants withstand them at Dindymus, but these are shot by Heracles. On the same night a storm drives the ship back to Cyzicus, and in the darkness they and the Doliones come to blows, and Cyzicus is slain. After mourning for him, they sail on to Mysia, where Hylas is lost, and Heracles, who will not be comforted, is left behind with Polyphemus.

1 wITH thee, Phœbus, will I begin and record the famous deeds of those men of old time, who, at the bidding of king Pelias, rowed the good ship Argo past the mouth of the Euxine and through the rocks Cyanean 1

to fetch the golden fleece.

For Pelias had heard an oracle on this wise, that in the latter days a hateful doom awaited him, even death at the prompting of one whom he should see come forth from the people with but one sandal. And not long after, according to the sure report, came Jason on foot across the stream of a swollen torrent, and one sandal did he save from 'neath the mud, but the other left he there sticking in the river bed. So he came to Pelias forthwith to take a part in the solemn feast, which he was offering to his father Poseidon and the other gods, but to Pelasgian Hera 2

he paid no heed. And the instant Pelias saw Jason, he was ware of him, and made ready to his hurt a grievous task of seaman- ^{1 2} ship, that so he might lose his return in the deep or haply among strange folk.

Now minstrels even before any day do tell how Argus by the counsels of Athene built a ship for him ; but mine shall it now be to declare the lineage and name of the heroes, and their passage of the long sea, and all that they did in their wanderings; and may the Muses be the heralds of my song!

First then let us make mention of Orpheus ; he it was, whom, on a day, as rumour saith, Calliope bare beside the peak of Pimpleia, her pledge of love to Thracian Oeager. He, men say, did charm the stubborn rocks upon the hills and the river streams by the strains of his minstrelsy. And wild oaks, memorials yet of that his singing, which he had led right on from Pieria by the spell, of his lyre, marched in ordered ranks, each behind his fellow, to range themselves, with all their leaves, upon the fringe of the Thracian shore. So mighty a man was Orpheus, whom the son of Æson, by the counsels of Chiron, did persuade and take to help him in his toils from his kingship over Bistonian Pieria.

Anon came Asterion ; he it was whom Cometes did beget by the waters of swirling Apidanus, when he dwelt in Peiresia, hard by the Phylleian 1

hill, where mighty Apidanus' and divine Enipeus do unite, flowing into one stream from their distant sources.

To these came Polyphemus, 2

son of Elatus, having left Larissa; who erst, what time the Lapithæ armed against ^{3 4} the Centaurs, joined the fray as the youngest of the mighty Lapithæ. Now on that day were his limbs weighed down with wine, but firm abode his warlike spirit still, even as aforetime.

No long space was Iphiclus, uncle of the son of Æson, left behind in Phylace; for Æson had wedded his sister, Alcimede of Phylace; whence the claims of blood and kith bade him enrol himself in the muster.

Neither did Admetus, lord of Pheræ, rich in sheep, abide beneath the peak of the Chalcodonian mountain.

51 Erytus and Echion too, sons of Hermes, well skilled in craftiness, and rich in broad cornlands, lingered not in Alope; and yet a third arrived to join them as they were starting, Æthalides, their kinsman; 1

him by the stream of Myrmidonian Amphrysus did Eupolemeia, maid of Plithia, bear; but those other twain were sons of Antianeira, daughter of Menetes.

Came too Coronus, son of Cæneus, 2

leaving rich Gyrton, a goodly man, yet scarce his father's match. For minstrels tell how Cæneus, though he liveth yet, was slain by the Centaurs; what time, alone and apart from the other chiefs, he routed them; and, when they suddenly rallied again, they could not make him give way nor slay him; but he, unconquered and unflinching, passed beneath the earth, smitten by the heavy pines they hurled on him.

Next came Mopsus, sprung from Titaron; him the son of Leto had taught the augury of birds beyond all men; ^{5 6} likewise came Eurydamas, son of Ctimenus, who had his dwelling in Dolopian Ctimene, nigh unto the Xunian 1

lake.

Moreover Actor sent forth his son Menœtius from Opus, to go with the chieftains.

And Eurytion followed, and valiant Eribotes ; one the son of Teleon, the other of Irus, son of Actor; verily, famous Eribotes was sprung from Teleon, and Eurytion had Irus for his sire. With these went a third, Oileus, matchless for chivalry, and skilled enow in rushing on the rear of the foe, what time their ranks give way.

From Eubœa Canthus hied him forth ; he it was whom Canethus, son of Abas, was sending with eager feet; yet was he never to turn again and reach Cerinthus. For his fate it was with Mopsus, that skilled diviner, to wander to his death in the utmost ends of Libya. For of evils none is too far away for man to meet therewith; seeing that men buried those twain even in Libya, as far from Colchis as the rising and the setting of the sun are seen to be from each other.

Next then gathered to the muster Clytius and Iphitus, wardens of (Echalia, sons of Eurytus the harsh-that Eurytus, to whom the far-darting god gave a bow ; yet had he no joy of the gift, for of his own choice he strove with the giver himself.

After these the sons of Æacus joined the quest; they came not both together, nor from the same place; for they dwelt apart, keeping aloof from Ægina, since the day, when in their witlessness they slew their kinsman Phocus. Now Telamon had settled in Salamis, isle of Attica; while Peleus went away and builded him a home in Phthia.

Next came the warrior Butes from Cecropia, the son of ⁷ goodly Teleon, and Phalerus of the stout ashen spear. Alcon, his sire, had sent him forth, albeit he had no other sons to nurse the evening of his life ; yet for all he was his well-beloved, 1

yea, his only-begotten, still would he send him to win renown among those heroes bold.

But Theseus, who far excelled all the sons of Erechtheus, did an unseen 2

bond keep back beneath the land of Tænarus, for thither had he gone along with Peirithous. Verily these twain might 3

have made the accomplishment of their toil lighter for them all.

105 And Tiphys, son of Hagnias, left his Thespian folk in Siphas ; a cunning prophet he to foretell a rising tumult amid the waves of the wide sea, and cunning to divine storms of wind and the course of a ship from the sun and the stars. Him did Tritonian Athene herself rouse to the gathering of the chiefs, and he came amongst men eager for his coming ; for it was Athene, too, that builded the swift ship, and with her had Argus, son of Arestor, fashioned it ^{8 9 10} by her counsels. Wherefore was Argo far the best of all the barques that ever crossed the sea with oars.

Next came Phlias from Aræthyrea, where he dwelt in plenty by the grace of Dionysus, his father, in his home by the springs of Asopus.

From Argos came forth Talaus and Areius, two sons of Bias; and mighty Leodocus, whom Pero, daughter of Neleus, bare; for her sake Melampus, son of Æolus, endured grievous misery in the steading of Iphiclus.

Nor are we told that mighty Heracles, stout of heart, made light of the earnest prayer of the son of Æson. Nay, when he heard the report that the heroes were gathering, he changed his path anew from Arcadia and came to Lyrceian Argos, whither he was bringing alive a boar that battened in the glens of Lampeia 1

beside the vast marsh of Erymanthus ; and he cast him down from off his mighty back, fast bound in chains, at the entrance to the assembly of the Mycenæans, while himself started off as he listed against the purpose of Eurystheus; and with him came Hylas, his trusty squire, in the bloom of youth, to bear his arrows and to keep his bow.

Next came the son of divine Danaus, Nauplius. Lo! he was son of Clytoneus, the child of Naubolus; and Naubolus was the son of Lernus; and of Lernus we are told that he was the son of Prœtus, whom Nauplius begat; for the maid Amymone, daughter of Danaus, in days gone by, bare, from the embraces of Poseidon, Nauplius, who far excelled all men in seamanship.

And last of those, who dwelt in Argos, came Idmon; for he would be there, although from augury he knew his fate; lest the people should grudge him a fair fame. He, of a truth, was no son of Abas, but the child of Leto him self begat him to swell the number of the famous race of ¹¹ Æolus ; 1

yea, and himself did teach him divination, and to heed the flight of birds, and to read signs in blazing fire.

Moreover, Ætolian Leda sent forth from Sparta strong Polydeuces and Castor, skilled to curb fleet steeds; these, her well-beloved sons, she bare at one birth in the halls of Tyndarus, and when they would go she said not nav, for her thoughts were worthy the bride of Zeus.

From Arene came the sons of Apharetus, Lynceus and Idas, of overweening pride, both too confident in their great strength; and Lynceus too excelled in the keenness of his sight, if that is really a true legend, that he could see with ease a man even beneath the earth.

156 And with them Periclymenus, son of Neleus, started to go, eldest of all the children that were born to divine Neleus in Pylos ; him Poseidon gifted with boundless might, and granted that 2

whatsoever he should pray to be during the fray, that should he become in the stress of battle.

Again, from Arcadia came Amphidamas and Cepheus, who dwelt in Tegea, the heritage of Apheidas, the two sons of Aleus ; and eke a third followed in their train, Ancaeus, whom his own father Lycurgus was sending ; he was elder brother to those twain, but was left behind in the city that he might care for Aleus in his old age, but he sent his own son to join his brethren. And the young man went on his way, brandishing the skin of a bear of Mænalus, and in his right hand a great two-edged axe. For his grandsire Aleus had hidden his weapons in an inner closet, if haply he might stay him even yet from setting out.

There came too Augeas, who, legend saith, is son to Helios; and over the men of Elis this prince held sway, ^{12 13} glorying in his wealth; but greatly did he long to see the land of Colchis and Æetes in person, the leader of the Colchians.

And Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came from Achæan Pellene, which on a day their grandsire Pelles founded on the crags by the sea-shore.

To these, again, came Euphemus, leaving Tænarus, he it was whom Europe, daughter of Tityus, of giant strength, bare, outstripping all in speed of foot. He would run upon the sea's gray swell, and never wet his swift feet; but, moistening just the soles thereof, he sped along his watery 1

path.

And there came two other sons of Poseidon; the one, to wit, Erginus, who had left the town of noble Miletus; the other, Ancæus, the proud, who had come from Parthenie, seat of Imbrasian 2

Hera; both these boasted their knowledge of seacraft and of war.

Next came valiant Meleager, son of Œneus, having started from Calydon, and Laocoon too, who was brother of (Eneus; yet were they not sons of one mother, but him did a bondwoman bear; he it was whom Œneus sent, now that he was grown up, to guard his child; so while yet a youth he entered that brave band of heroes, and none, me thinks, mightier than he had come, save Heracles alone, if he had stayed but one year 3

longer there and been trained ^{14 15 16} up amongst the Ætolians. And lo ! his uncle Iphiclus, the son of Thestius, bare him company on that journey, a spearman good, and skilled enow as well to match himself with any in close fight.

And with him was Palaemonius, son of Lernus, of Olenus ; son of Lernus men called him, but he drew his lineage from Hephæstus, wherefore he was lame of foot; but none would have the hardihood to scorn his form and manliness, where fore he too was numbered amongst the other chiefs, swel ling the fame of Jason.

207 From the Phocians then came Iphitus, sprung from Naubolus, son of Ornytus; now he had been Jason's host aforetime when he came to Pytho to ask an oracle about his voyage; for there did Iphitus receive him in his halls.

Next came the sons of Boreas, Calais and Zetes, whom, on a day, Oreithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, bare to Boreas at the verge of wintry Thrace ; thither it was that Thraciau Boreas had snatched her away from Cecropia, as she was circling in the dance by the banks of the Ilissus. And from afar he brought her to the spot men call Sarpedon's rock, beside the stream of the river Erginus, and there he shrouded her in dark clouds, and had his will of her. These his two sons made strong pinions move on either ancle as they rose, a mighty marvel to behold, radiant with scales of gold; and about their backs, from the crown of the head and on. either side the neck, dark hair was waving in the breeze.

Nor yet had Acastus, son of stalwart Pelias himself, any longing to abide within his father's house ; nor Argus either, servant of the goddess Athene; nay, for they too, I ween, were to be counted in the muster.

This, then, is the tale of those who gathered to the son of Æson to aid him with their counsel; whom the neigh bouring folk called Minyan chieftains, one and all, since most of them, and those the best, avowed them to be of the blood of the daughters of Minyas ; even so Alcimede, the mother of Jason himself, was sprung from Clymene, a daughter of Minyas.

Now when the thralls had made all things ready, where with ships are furnished for their freight, whenso business calls men to make a voyage across the sea; in that hour they betook them to the ship through the city to the place men call the headland of Pagasæ, 1

in Magnesia ; and around them a crowd of folk ran thronging eagerly; but they showed like bright stars amid clouds, and thus would each man say as he gazed on them flashing in their harness: “ King Zeus, what is the intent of Pelias ? whither is he sending such a muster of heroes from out the Panachæan 2

land ? They will sack the homes of Æetes with baleful fire the very day they see them, if so be he give them not the fleece of his own accord. But the voyage may not be shunned, nor shall their toil be fruitless, if they go."

So spake they, one here, one there throughout the city; and the women lifted up their hands full oft toward heaven to the immortal gods, praying that they would grant the accomplishment of their return as their heart desired. And one to another would thus complain through her tears: " Ah, hapless Alcimede, to thee too hath sorrow come, late though it be, nor hast thou finished thy course with joy. Surely Æson is a man of sorrows, and that in no small measure. Yea, better for him had it been, if ere this he had been wrapped in his shroud 3

and were lying 'neath the earth, a stranger still to evil enterprises. Would that the black wave had engulfed Phrixus too, fleece and all, ^{17 18 19} on the day that the maiden Helle perished! But no ! that prodigy of ill uttered 1

a human voice, that it might bring grief and countless woes to Alcimede, in days to come."

260 Thus would the women speak as the heroes went on their way forth. And many thralls, both men and maids, were already gathering, and his mother flung herself on Jason's neck. For piercing grief had entered each woman's breast; and with her his father, bowed by baleful age, made moan upon his bed, closely veiled from head to foot.

And Jason, the while, was soothing their grief with words of comfort; but he signed to the thralls to take up his weapons of war, and they in silence and with downcast 2

look took them up. But his mother, so soon as she had thrown her arms around her boy, so clung to him, while her sobs 3

came ever more thick and fast; as when a maiden in her solitude is fain to cast her arms about her gray haired nurse and weep, one who hath none left to defend her, but she leads a cruel life under a step-mother, who ill treats her tender years with many a flout; and as she weeps, her heart within her is held fast in misery, nor can she utter 4

half the grief she yearneth to; even thus was Al cimede weeping loud and long, as she held her son in her arms. And in her affliction she spake this word: " Ah ! would that I had straight given up the ghost and so for gotten my troubles, on the day I heard king Pelias declare to my sorrow his evil best, that thou, my child, with thine ^{20 21 22 23} own dear hands mightest have buried me; since that was all I yet could wish of thee, for all else that thy nurture owed I have long enjoyed. Now shall I, who erst was so admired by the Achæan women, be left like a slave in my empty halls, miserably wasting away in longing for thee, over whom I once had much joy and glory, my only son for whom I loosed my maiden zone 1

for the first time and the last. For the goddess Eileithyia 2

exceedingly did grudge me many children. Ah me ! for my blind folly! Little I reeked of this, even in dreams, that Phrixus would be an evil for me to shun."

Thus was she, poor lady, sobbing and wailing, and the women her handmaids took up the wail in turn, but Jason spake to her softly with words of comfort: " Mother mine, lay not such piteous grief on me thus all too much, for by thy tears shalt thou not keep from suffering; nay, thou wilt join sorrow on to sorrow. For the gods allot to mortals woes they cannot see. Take heart to bear the lot of mortals for all thy heaviness of soul, and cheer thee with the solemn promise of Athene and with the god's answer, for very favourable was the word of Phœbus, and after these with the aid of the chieftains. But now do thou with thy handmaidens abide quietly within the house, and be not a bird of ill omen to our ship; for my clansmen and my thralls shall lead me on my way thither."

He spake, and forth from the house started on his path. Even as Apollo goes forth from his fragrant shrine through holy Delos, or Claros, or through Pytho, in his might, or wide Lycia by the streams of Xanthus; in such beauty went he through the throng of folk, and there arose a-shout ^{24 25} of men giving commands all together. And there met him Iphias, the aged priestess of Artemis, protectress of the city; and she clasped him by his right hand but could not , say a word for all her longing, since the crowd went hasting on ; so she turned aside and left him there, as an old dame must before younger folk; and lo! he passed by and was gone far away.

317 Now when he had left the streets of the town with their fair buildings, and was come to the headland of Pagasæ ; there did his comrades welcome him, abiding together be side the ship Argo. There she stood at the river mouth, and they were gathered over against her; when lo ! they saw Acastus and with him Argus coming forth from the city to them, and they marvelled to see them hasting thither with all speed, against the will of Pelias. And the one, Argus, son of Arestor, had fastened about his shoulders a bull's hide, reaching to his feet, black, with the hair upon it; but the other had a fair mantle of double woof, which his sister Pelopeia gave to him. But Jason refrained for all that from questioning the pair on each point, but bade them seat themselves at the assembly; for there were they sitting one and all in rows on furled sails and the mast that lay upon the ground. And amongst them the son of Æson spake with good intent, " For the rest, whatsoever a ship should be furnished withal lies ready against our start, for all hath been done well and in order; therefore no long space will we hold back from our voyage on that account, when but the winds blow fair. Nay but, friends, since our return to Hellas again is for all of us, and for all is the voyage to the land of Æetes, choose ye therefore now un grudgingly the best of you for leader, to whom each thing shall be a care, to take upon him our quarrels and our covenants with strangers."

So spake he : and the young men looked round at bold Heracles sitting in their midst; and with one shout they bade Jason declare him leader; but he forthwith, from where he sat, stretched out his right hand and uttered his voice, "Let none offer this honour to me. For I will never consent; wherefore I will even stay another from rising up. Let him who gathered us together, also lead the throng."

So spake he in the greatness of his heart; and they would have it as Heracles bade. Then arose warlike Jason himself in his gladness, and to his eager listeners thus made harangue : " If then 'tis your will that your fame be in my hands, no longer let the voyage be delayed as hitherto. Now forthwith let us appease Phœbus with sacrifice and make a feast at once; and whilst my thralls, the overseers of my steadings, go forth, whose business it is to make good choice of oxen and drive them hither from the herd; mean time will we drag the ship to sea, and do ye place all the tackling therein and allot the oars amongst the benches; and let us the while build an altar on the strand to Apollo, lord of embarkation, who in answer to my prayer hath promised to declare and show the passage o'er the sea, if haply by sacrifice to him I may begin my contest with the king."

So spake he, and was the first to turn him to the work, and they rose up obedient to him ; and they piled up their garments apart in rows on a smooth ledge of rock, over which the sea burst not with its waves, but long ago the stormy brine had washed it clean. First then by the coun sels of Argus they lashed the ship stoutly with a well twisted cable from within, stretching it on either side, that the timbers might hold fast by their bolts and have strength to meet the breakers. 1

And quickly they scooped out a ²⁶ space as wide as the ship's girth encompassed, and about the prow into the deep they dug out all that she would take to run in, when they hauled her down. And ever in front of the keel they kept hollowing deeper in the ground, and in the furrow did they lay smooth rollers, and on to the first of these they tilted her forward, that she might slide along them and be carried on. And above, on this side and on that, they laid the oars across the ship, so as to project a cubit, and they bound them to the tholes; while they stood there on either side at alternate oars and pushed with hand and chest together. And amongst them went Tiphys to encourage the young men to push in time. Loudly he shouted to urge them, and they at once leant on with all their might, and thrust her with one rush right from out her place, while with their feet they strained and strove ; and lo! Pelian Argo went with them very swiftly, and they darted from her sides with a cheer. Be neath her heavy keel the rollers groaned at the friction, and around them dark smoke and flame leapt 1

up beneath the weight, and into the sea she slid. Then did they check her onward course and held her with a rope. And they fitted oars on both sides to the tholes, and laid the mast and shapely sails and stores within her.

394 Now when they had taken careful heed to each thing, first they portioned out the benches by lot, two men being ²⁷ told off to one bench, but the midmost bench, apart from the other heroes, did they select for Heracles and Ancæus, who dwelt in the citadel of Tegea. For them alone they left the middle seat, at once, without casting lots ; and with one accord they entrusted Tiphys to mind the helm of their ship with her good keel.

Next, hard by the sea, they raised a pile of shingle, and builded an altar there upon the strand to Apollo, naming it after him who holds the shore and favours those who go aboard. And quickly they laid thereon logs of dry olive; meantime, the herdsmen of the son of Æson drove before them from the herd two oxen ; these the young men of his crew dragged to the altar, while others then held the lustral 1

water and meal for sprinkling nigh. And Jason called upon Apollo, the god of his fathers, and prayed, " Hearken, O king, who dwellest in Pagasæ and the city of Æson, that is called after my sire, thou who didst promise me when I sought to thee at Pytho to show me the accomplishment and end of my journey. For 'twas thou thyself that wast the cause 2

of the enterprise. Do thou then bring my ship with my comrades safe and sound hither back to Hellas. Then in thy honour will we lay hereafter on thy altar noble sacrifices of bulls for all of us who shall return, and other gifts will I bring to Pytho, and others to Ortygia in count less number. Come then and receive this sacrifice at our hands, far-darting god ; which we have set before thee; a first gift, as an offering for our embarking on this ship; and may I loose my cables with a harmless destiny through ^{28 29} thy guidance, and may soft breezes blow, wherewith we may go in fair weather across the sea."

He spake, and, as he prayed, cast the barley-meal. And those twain, Ancæus the proud and Heracles, girt them selves to slay the steers. Now the one smote with his club the middle of the head about the forehead, and forthwith the ox lay fallen in a heap upon the earth. But Ancæus struck the other on his broad neck with a brazen axe and cleft the strong sinews, and down he tumbled, doubled up 1

upon his horns. Quickly then their comrades cut the oxen's throats, and flayed their hides ; next broke them up and carved them, cutting out the sacred thighs, which they wrapped closely in fat all together and burnt upon firewood. Next the son of Æson poured pure libations; and Idmon was glad, when he saw the flame blaze up on every side from the sacrifice and the smoke thereof leaping up favour ably in dark-gleaming wreaths ; and forthwith he declared outright the will of the son of Leto.

" Lo! it is the will of heaven and your destiny to come hither again bringing the fleece with you, but countless toils meantime await you as you come and go. But for me 'tis fated to die by the hateful doom of a god, some where far away on Asia's strand. Even so came I forth from my fatherland, though I knew my doom a while ago from evil omens, that I might embark upon the ship, and fair fame be left me in my home for my embarking."

448 So spake he: and the young warriors heard his prophecy and were glad for their return, though grief seized them for the fate of Idmon. Now when the sun had passed the still hour of noon, and the plough-lands were just shadowed by the rocks, as the sun declined beneath the evening dusk ; in that hour all strewed a deep couch of leaves upon the ³⁰ sand and laid them down in order before the gray sea's edge, and beside them lay vast stores of food and sweet mead, which cupbearers drew forth in beakers ; next they told each other tales in turn, such tales as young men oft love to tell for their pastime 1

o'er the feast and wine, what time the spirit of insatiate violence is far away. Now the son of Æson the while was lost in wonder, and was ponder ing each matter within himself like to one downcast, when lo! Idas noted him askance, and with loud voice railed upon him, " Thou son of Æson, what plan is this thou turnest over in thy heart ? Speak out thy will here in the midst. Is it fear, that bugbear of cowards, that is coming upon thee and mastering thee ? Be witness 'twixt us now, my impetuous spear, wherewith I win myself renown far be yond other men in the wars, nor is it Zeus that helpeth me the half as much as this my spear,—yea, let it witness that there shall come no deadly woe, and that no task shall re main unaccomplished while Idas is with thee, even though a god should rise up against us. Such a man am I whom thou art bringing from Arene to thy aid."

He spake; and grasping in both hands a full goblet drank off the pure sweet mead, and his lips and dark cheeks were wet with wine; but those others raised a din all together, and Idmon lifted up his voice and spake, " God help thee, 2

fool! deadly are thy thoughts, even beforehand, for thyself. Is it that the pure mead makes thy bold heart to swell within thy breast to thy undoing, and hath driven thee to slight the gods ? Other are the words of comfort where with a man might cheer his fellow, but thou hast spoken altogether presumptuously. Such a speech, 'tis said, the ^{31 32} sons of Aloeus, 1

men of old time, did sputter forth against the blessed gods; and to them thou art nowise equal in manhood ; yet were they both laid low by the swift arrows of the son of Leto, for all their bravery."

He ended; and Idas, son of Aphareus, laughed aloud his fill; and, with blinking 2

eyes, answered him with mocking words, " Come now, tell me this by thy divination, whether for me too the gods are fulfilling such another doom, as that father of thine gave unto the sons of Aloeus. And devise thee how thou mayest safely escape from my hands, else shalt thou die for telling a prophecy light 3

as the winds."

Thus in his wrath he upbraided him; and the quarrel would have gone further, had not their comrades and the son of Æson himself called to them with one accord and stayed them from their strife. Then too Orpheus lifted up his lyre in his left hand and made essay to sing. He sang how earth, and heaven, and sea, once all joined together in unity, were separated, each apart, after a deadly quarrel; and how, for ever in heaven, the stars, and moon, and the paths of the sea have their steadfast goal; and how the mountains rose up, and how rivers rushing noisily with their nymphs, and all creeping things came into being. Next he sang how, at the first, Ophion and Eurynome, daughter of Oceanus, held sway o'er snow- ^{33 34 35} capped Olympus, and how the one yielded up his honours to the mighty hands of Cronus, while she gave way to Rhea, and they plunged 'neath the waves of ocean. Awhile did these lord it over the blessed Titan gods, whilst Zeus was yet a child and thought as a child in his home beneath the Cave 1

of Dicte, for not yet had the earth-born Cyclopes made strong his hands with bolts of flashing lightning, for 'tis these that bring glory to Zeus.

512 He ended, and checked his lyre and voice divine; but they, as he ceased, still leant their heads towards him with eager ears, one and all hushed but hungry still by his en chantment, so strong a spell of music had he left within their hearts. But not long after did they mix libations for Zeus, as was his due, and piously poured them on the blazing tongues, 2

and so bethought them of sleep for the night.

Now when the radiant Dawn with bright eyes looked forth upon the high mountain-tops of Pelias, and the headlands of the tossing main were swept into clear view before the breeze; in that hour uprose Tiphys, and at once he bade his comrades go aboard and make ready the oars. And strangely did the harbour of Pagasæ, yea, and Pelian Argo herself cry aloud, urging them to set forth. For within Argo was laid one beam 3

divine; this it was that Athene made of oak from Dodona, and fitted all along the keel. So they went up upon the benches one after another, as before they had allotted to each in his place to • row, and sat them down in order beside their gear. And in the midst sat Ancæus and Heracles, that mighty man, ^{36 37 38} and nigh to him he set his club, and beneath his tread the ship's keel sank deep. And now were the cables drawn in, and they poured a cup of mead upon the sea. And Jason with a tear turned his eyes away from his fatherland.

But they, like young men who range themselves to dance to Phœbus, either in Pytho, or haply in Ortygia or by the waters of Ismenus, and all together and in time they beat the ground with nimble feet to the sound of the lyre round his altar; even so they in time to the lyre of Orpheus smote with their oars the boisterous water of the deep, and the waves went dashing by, while on this side and on that the dark brine bubbled up in foam, boiling terribly 'neath the might of those strong men. And their harness flashed like flame in the sunlight as the ship sped on, while ever far behind their course was white with foam, like a track seen over a grassy plain.

On that day all the gods looked down from heaven at the ship, and those men of courage half divine, who then were sailing o'er the sea, a picked crew ; and upon the tops of peaks stood the Pelian nymphs, marvelling to see the work of Itonian Athene, and the heroes too, wielding their oars in their hands. Yea, and from a mountain-top came another nigh unto the sea, Chiron, 1

son of Philyra, and he wetted his feet where the gray waves break, and with his weighty hand he waved them on full oft, chanting the while as they went a returning free from sorrow. And with him his wife, bearing on her arm Achilles, son of Peleus, sent a greeting to his dear father.

But when they had left the rounded headland of the harbour by the cunning and skill of Tiphys, wise son of Hagnias, who deftly handled the polished helm to guide the ship stedfastly, then did they set up the mighty mast in the cross-plank, and made it fast with stays, drawing ³⁹ them taut on either side, and they spread the sails upon it, stretching them along the yard-arm. Therewith a fresh fair wind fell on them, so they fastened the ropes on the deck to polished pins, set at intervals, and quietly they sped beneath the long headland 1

of Tisa. And for them the son of (Eager touched his lyre and sang in rhythmic song of Artemis, daughter of a noble sire, protectress of ships, who keepeth 'neath her care those peaks by the sea and the land of Iolchos; and the fishes darting beneath the deep sea, great and small together, followed bounding through the watery ways. As when, in the track of the shepherd, countless sheep follow to the fold filled to the full with grass, while he goeth before them gaily piping some shepherd's madrigal on his shrill pipe ; even so did the fishes follow with them, and ever onward the steady wind bare Argo.

580 Anon the misty 2

land of the Pelasgi, with its many corn- fields, sank out of sight; and past the Pelian cliffs they went, speeding ever onward; then the Sepian 3

headland opened to them, and Sciathus 4

by the sea came in view, and in the distance were seen the Peiresian headlands and the headland of Magnesia, calm and clear upon the mainland, and the cairn of Dolops; there they beached their ship at eve, as the wind veered round, and in honour of Dolops they burnt victims at nightfall by the swell of the heaving deep. And two days they rested on the beach, but on the third they put forth the ship, stretching the wide canvas aloft; wherefore men still call that beach the loosing place of Argo. ^{40 41 42 43}

Thence onward they sped past Melibœa, 1

seeing its black and stormy strand. And at dawn they saw Homole close to them lying on the deep, and past it they steered, nor was it long before they were to sail away from the streams of the river Amyrus. From thence they beheld Eurymenæ, and the sea-beat ravines of Ossa and Olympus ; and then speeding on by the breath of the wind they reached at night the slopes of Pallene, beyond the headland of Canastra. 2

Now, as they fared on in the morning, the Thracian hill of Athos 3

rose before them, which over shadows with its crest Lemnos, lying as far away as a well found merchantman could make by noon, even unto Myrine. On the self-same day the wind blew on for them till nightfall, exceeding fresh, and the sails of the ship strained to it. But at sunset, when the wind fell, they rowed, and came to Sintian Lemnos, 4

rugged isle.

There had all the men-folk together been ruthlessly slain by the women's wanton violence in the past year ; for the men had rejected their wedded wives from dislike, and had had a wild passion for captive maids, whom they brought from the mainland opposite from their forays in Thrace; for the dire wrath of Cypris was upon them, for that they ^{44 45 46 47} long had grudged her her honours. Ah ! hapless wives, insatiate in jealousy to your own grief. Not only did they slay their husbands with those captives for their guilty love, but the whole race of men as well, that they might exact no vengeance thereafter for the pitiful murder. Alone of all the women Hypsipyle spared Thoas her aged father, who indeed was king over the people ; but him she sent to drift o'er the sea in a hollow ark, if haply he might escape. Him did fisher-folk bring safe to an island, formerly called (Enoe, but afterwards Sicinus, from that Sicinus whom Œnoe, the water-nymph, bare from the embraces of Thoas. Now to these Lemnian women, one and all, the herding of cattle, and the donning of bronze harness, and ploughing the wheat-bearing tilth was an easier lot than the toils 1

of Athene, whereat ever aforetime they busied them. Yet for all that full oft would they peer across the broad sea in grievous dread against the coming of the Thracians. Where fore when they saw Argo rowing near the island, forth with in all speed they did on their warlike gear, and poured down to the beach from out the gates of Myrine, like to Thyades who eat raw flesh, for they thought that surely the Thracians were come; and amongst them, she, the daughter of Thoas, Hypsipyle, did on her father's harness; and they poured forth speechless with dismay; such dread was in their fluttering hearts. 640 Meantime forth from the ship the chieftains sent Æthalides 2

, 2 their swift herald, to whose care they entrusted their message and the wand of Hermes, his own sire, who gave to him a memory for all things, that waxed not old; for even when ^{48 49} he crossed the dreadful whirlpools of Acheron forgetfulness rushed not o'er his soul, but its portion is ever to change to and fro, now counted amongst those beneath the earth, now amongst living men in the sun-light. But why need I tell out in full the tale of iEthalides ? He it was who then persuaded Hypsipyle to receive the heroes, as they came at dusk, toward the close of day ; nor did they loose the cables of their ship at dawn to the breath of the north- wind.

Now the women of Lemnos went through the city and sat themselves in the assembly ; for such was the bidding of Hypsipyle herself. And when they were gathered, one and all, and come together, forthwith amongst them she made eager harangue.

" My friends, come now, let us give the men gifts in plenty, all that men should have to carry on a ship, food and sweet mead, that so they may abide steadfastly outside our battlements, and may not in pursuit of their business get to know us too well, and a foul report spread far and wide; for we have wrought a great deed, which will not be wholly to their liking, if they should learn it. Let this be our plan now in this matter. But if any of you can devise better counsel, let her arise, for to this end did I call you hither."

So spake she, and sat down on her father's seat of stone. And next'uprose her dear nurse Polyxo, limping on feet shrivelled with age, I trow, and leaning on a staff; and she longed exceedingly to have her say. And by her, with her white hair about her head, sat four unmarried maidens. So she stood in the midst of the assembly, and raising ever so little her bent and skinny back, she spake thus :

" Gifts let us send to the strangers, as is pleasing to Hypsipyle herself, for 'tis better to send them. But for you, what plan have ye to keep your life, if a Thracian army fall on you, or any other foe, as happeneth oft ’mongst men ? since even now yon host is come unex pectedly. And if any one of the blessed gods turn this aside, yet hereafter there await us countless other woes worse than battle, when the aged women are dead, and ye younger maidens reach a cheerless old age, childless. How then will ye live, poor creatures? shall the oxen, yoked of their own accord for you, drag the plough, that cleaves the fallow, through the deep tilth, and straightway in the fulness of the year reap the harvest ? Of a truth o'er me, methinks, the earth shall lie this very year that cometh, albeit the Fates have hitherto shrunk 1

away from me, and I shall get my meed of burial even thus, as is right, or ever misfortune arrived But I bid you younger women heed these things well. For now before you open stands the door of escape, if but ye will give over to the care of strangers your homes and all your booty and your glorious town."

697 So spake she, and through the assembly ran a murmur of assent. For her saying pleased them well. But after her at once Hypsipyle, again uprising, took up her parable and said:

" Why, then, if unto you all this purpose is pleasing, at once will I send forth even a messenger to find their ship."

She spake, and called to Iphinoe sitting near, " Rouse thee, Iphinoe, I pray, and beg yon' man who leads their company to come unto us, that I may tell to him the word that finds favour with my people, and bid his company, if they will, set foot within our land and city boldly and with a good heart."

She spake, and broke up the assembly ; and then started to go to her own house. And so Iphinoe came unto the ⁵⁰ Minyæ, who questioned her on what business bent she came amongst them. And forthwith she thus made answer with all haste to their questions, " Verily, 'twas the daughter of Thoas, Hypsipyle, who sent me on my journey hither to call the captain of the ship, whosoever he is, that she may tell him somewhat that hath found favour with her folk ; moreover she bids you, an you list, at once now set foot within her land and city with a good heart."

So spake she; and welcome to all was her fair message. Now they imagined that Hypsipyle, the well-beloved daughter of Thoas, did reign in his stead ; so quickly sent they Jason on his way, yea, and themselves made ready to go.

Now he had buckled on his shoulders a purple mantle of double woof, the handiwork of the Tritonian goddess, which Pallas gave him, on that first day she laid down the props for the ship Argo, and taught him to measure cross-planks with the rule. More easily might you gaze on the sun at his rising than on that mantle, or face the sheen thereof. For lo! the middle was red, and the top was all of purple, and on either end many cunning things were worked passing well. On it were the Cyclopes sitting at their work, that never decayeth, fashioning the thunder bolt for king Zeus ; lo! it was all but made 1

in its bright splendour, but yet it lacked one single flash, which they with their hammers of iron were forging, with its breath of fierce fire.

On it were the two sons of Antiope, daughter of Asopus, Amphion and Zethus; near by lay Thebes, as yet ungirt with towers, whereof they were just laying the foundations in eager haste. Zethus was bearing shoulder-high the top ⁵¹ of a steep mountain, like unto a man that toiled; and be hind him came Amphion 1

,l singing aloud to his golden lyre, while in his track twice as large a rock followed.

Next was worked thereon Cytherea, of the thick tresses, carrying the nimble shield of Ares ; and from her shoulder, from beneath her bosom, hung her girdle loosely over her left arm; and there as she stood one seemed to see her sure reflection thrown upon the brazen shield. 747 And there was a shaggy herd upon it; and the Teleboans 2

and the sons of Electryon were fighting about the cattle; these in their defence, but those others, Taphian pirates, longing to rob them; and the dewy meadow was wet with their blood, and the many had the mastery of the few, even of the herdsmen.

Two chariots racing were fashioned there. Pelops drove the one that was in front, shaking the reins, and with him was Hippodamia for his companion ; while hard upon him Myrtilus urged his steeds, and with him was (Enomaus, gripping in his hand his couched lance, but down he fell as the axle of the wheel break sideways in the nave, in his eagerness to wound Pelops in the back.

There too was broidered Phœbus Apollo, a big boy not yet grown up, shooting at Tityos 3

as he tried, with bold hand, to snatch away his mother's veil,-great Tityos, whose mother indeed was divine Elare, but the earth gave him second birth, and brought him up. ^{52 53 54}

Yea, and Minyan Phrixus was there, even as though he were really listening to the ram, while it was like to one that spoke. Ah! shouldst thou see them, thou wouldst be silent and deceive thy soul, expecting haply to hear their voice aloud; and long mightest thou gaze thereon in that hope.

Such then were the presents of the Tritonian goddess Athene. And in his right hand he held a spear, far-dart ing, which on a day Atalanta gave to him in Mænalus as a gift to a stranger, what time she met him graciously; for greatly did she long to join him on that voyage; but yet of himself and willingly he held her back, for he feared grievous quarrels for her love.

So he went on his way toward the city like a bright star, which maidens through their curtains, newly made, do see, when they awake, rising o'er their home, and through the dark mist it charms their eyes with its lovely blush ; and the maiden is cheered in her longing for the youth who is amongst strange folk, for whom her parents are keeping her to be his wedded wife; like to that star the hero stepped along the path before the city. Now when they were come within the gates of the city, the maidens of the people surged behind them, glad to see the stranger ; but he, with his eyes upon the ground, kept straight on, until he reached the glorious halls of Hypsipyle ; and at his appearing maids threw wide the folding-doors, fitted with planks well wrought. Then did Iphinoe lead him hastily through a fair hall, and seat him on a shining couch before her mistress; but that lady cast down her eyes, and a .blush stole o'er her maiden cheek; yet for all her modesty found she wheedling word to address him withal: " Strange sir, why sat ye thus so long outside our battlements ? for our husbands abide not now within the city, but they are sojourners awhile upon the Thracian mainland, and do plough the wheat-bearing tilths. And I will tell thee truly all our trouble, that ye may know it surely for your selves. When my father Thoas was king over the burghers, then did bands of our folk start forth and plunder from their ships the folds of the Thracians who dwell over against us, and hither they brought endless booty and maidens too. But Cypris, deadly goddess, schemed a scheme, which cast upon them a fatal curse. For lo! they loathed their wedded wives, and chased them from their homes, yielding to their folly, and they took for con cubines the captives of their spears, luckless wights ! Long time did we endure, if haply they might change their mind again at last; but ever the evil went on and doubled, for they dishonoured their true children in their halls, and there grew up a bastard race. And so maids unwed, and widowed mothers with them, went wandering in neglect through the city. Nor did a father care ever so little for his daughter, though he saw her done to death before his eyes by the hand of an insolent step-mother ; nor did chil dren ward off unseemly outrage from their mother as before, nor had brothers any thought for a sister. But only captive maidens found favour at home and in the dance, in the place of assembly, and at festivals, till some god put overweening boldness in our hearts, that we would no more receive them in our battlements on their return from the Thracians, that so they might either be minded aright, or start and go elsewhither, captive maids and all. Thereon did they demand all the male children that were left within the city, and went back again to the place where still they dwell on the snowy ploughlands of Thrace. Wherefore tarry ye here and sojourn ; and if, indeed, thou wilt dwell here, and it find favour with thee, verily then shalt thou have the honour of my father Thoas. And methinks thou canst not scorn my land, for very fruitful is it beyond all other isles that lie in the Ægean sea. Nay, come now, get thee to thy ship,. and tell our words unto thy crew, and abide not outside the city."

834 So spake she, glozing over the murderous end that had been worked upon the men; and Jason said to her in answer, " Hypsipyle, lo! so shall we gain a request that is very dear unto our hearts, which thou dost offer to our de sire. But I will return again unto the city, when I have told each thing in order. But thine, and thine alone be the lordship of the island ; 'tis from no scorn that I shrink therefrom, but upon me grievous toils press hard."

He spake, and took her right hand, and at once went on his way back; while about him throngs of maidens danced on every side for very joy, till he passed outside the gates. Next they went unto the shore, bearing on smoothly running wains gifts full many for the strangers, as soon as he had told them all the message from beginning to end, even the word that Hypsipyle declared when she summoned him. Yea, and they led the heroes to their houses to entertain them, willingly. For Cypris stirred up sweet desire 1

for the sake of Hephæstus, the crafty; that so Lemnos might again be inhabited by men in time to come and get no hurt.

Then did he, the son of Æson, start for the royal home of Hypsipyle, but those others went whither chance led each, all save Heracles, for he stayed by the ship of his own free will, and with him a few chosen comrades. Anon the city made merry with dance and feast, filled with the smoke of steaming sacrifice; and beyond the rest of the immortal gods did they propitiate the famous son of Hera, yea, and Cypris too, with song and sacrifice. And ever day by day was their voyage delayed, and long time would they have tarried and rested there, had not Heracles assem bled his companions, apart from the women, and thus up- ⁵⁵ braided them: " God help you, sirs! is it a kinsman's . murder that keeps us from our country ? Was it for want of weddings that we came from that land to this, scorning the maidens of our people ? or is it your pleasure to dwell here and till the fat glebes of Lemnos ? No fair fame shall we win, I trow, from this our long sojourn with strange women ; nor will some god of his own accord take the . fleece and give it us at our prayer. Let us go each man to his own again ; but leave ye that other to spend the live long day in the arms of Hypsipyle, till he people Lemnos with male children, and so there come to him great fame."

Thus did he chide the company, and none durst look him in the face or make answer to him, but, even as they were, hasting from the assembly they made ready to be gone. But the women ran to them, when they learnt thereof. And as when bees hum round fair lilies, pouring forth from their hive in the rock, and around the dewy meadow is glad, and they the while flit from flower to flower, and gather their sweet food; even so, I ween, did those women pour forth eagerly around the men, with loud lament, while with hand and word they greeted each one, praying to the blessed gods to grant them a safe return. So too Hypsipyle prayed, taking the son of Æson by the hands, and the tears that she' shed were for the loss of him departing, " 888 Go, and heaven guide thee hither again with thy comrades all unmanned, bearing the golden fleece to the king, even thus as thou wilt -and as is thy desire. And this mine isle and my father's sceptre shall be thine, if some day hereafter thou wilt yet return and come again; and easily couldst thou gather for thyself a countless host from other cities. Nay, but thou wilt never have this eager desire, and of myself I foresee that thus it will not come to pass; still I pray thee, though thou art far away, and when thou art returning, remember Hypsipyle; and leave me now thy bidding, which I will fulfil gladly, if, as may be, the gods grant me to bear thy child."

But the son of Æson, with a look of admiration answered her : " Hypsipyle, may all these things turn out luckily by the will of the blessed gods. But do thou devise some better thought for me, for 'tis enough for me to dwell in my fatherland by the grace of Pelias; only may heaven loose me from my toils! But if it is not destined that I should come to the land of Hellas after my far journey, and thou do bear a boy, send him, when he is grown, within Pelasgian Iolchos, to my father and mother, to soothe their grief, if haply he find them yet alive, that they may sit within their halls and be cared for, though I, the king, be far away."

Therewith he went aboard before them all, and in like manner went the other chiefs, and, sitting in rows, they grasped the oars in their hands, and Argus loosed for them the stern-cables from beneath the sea-beat rock. Then did they smite the water lustily with the long oars. At eve, by the counsel of Orpheus, they beached the ship at the isle 1

of Electra, daughter of Atlas, that they might learn the secret rites through gentle initiation, and so might fare more safely over the chilling sea. Of these things will I speak no further; nay, farewell to yon isle itself, and farewell to the gods who dwell there, whose mysteries these are ; of them 'tis not right for us to sing.