Scholia on Book 1 of Apollonius' Argonautica. . ed. Carolus Wendel. . .
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Argonautica Perseus (The Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius, Apollonius, Rhodius, creator; Mooney, George W, editor, translator. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1912.) — 1.747 focus
ἐν δὲ βοῶν ἔσκεν λάσιος νομός· ἀμφὶ δὲ βουσὶν
Τηλεβόαι μάρναντο καὶ υἱέες Ἠλεκτρύωνος·
οἱ μὲν ἀμυνόμενοι, ἀτὰρ οἵγʼ ἐθέλοντες ἀμέρσαι,
ληισταὶ Τάφιοι· τῶν δʼ αἵματι δεύετο λειμὼν
750
ἑρσήεις, πολέες δʼ ὀλίγους βιόωντο νομῆας.
ἐν δὲ δύω δίφροι πεπονήατο δηριόωντες.
καὶ τὸν μὲν προπάροιθε Πέλοψ ἴθυνε, τινάσσων
ἡνία, σὺν δέ οἱ ἔσκε παραιβάτις Ἱπποδάμεια·
τὸν δὲ μεταδρομάδην ἐπὶ Μυρτίλος ἤλασεν ἵππους,
755
σὺν τῷ δʼ Οἰνόμαος προτενὲς δόρυ χειρὶ μεμαρπὼς
ἄξονος ἐν πλήμνῃσι παρακλιδὸν ἀγνυμένοιο
πῖπτεν, ἐπεσσύμενος Πελοπήια νῶτα δαΐξαι.
ἐν καὶ Ἀπόλλων Φοῖβος ὀιστεύων ἐτέτυκτο,
βούπαις οὔπω πολλός, ἑὴν ἐρύοντα καλύπτρης
760
μητέρα θαρσαλέως Τιτυὸν μέγαν, ὅν ῥʼ ἔτεκέν γε
δῖʼ Ἐλάρη, θρέψεν δὲ καὶ ἂψ ἐλοχεύσατο Γαῖα.
ἐν καὶ Φρίξος ἔην Μινυήιος ὡς ἐτεόν περ
εἰσαΐων κριοῦ, ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐξενέποντι ἐοικώς.
κείνους κʼ εἰσορόων ἀκέοις, ψεύδοιό τε θυμόν,
765
ἐλπόμενος πυκινήν τινʼ ἀπὸ σφείων ἐσακοῦσαι
βάξιν, ὃ καὶ δηρόν περ ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι θηήσαιο.
τοῖʼ ἄρα δῶρα θεᾶς Τριτωνίδος ἦεν Ἀθήνης.
δεξιτερῇ δʼ ἕλεν ἔγχος ἑκηβόλον, ὅ ῥʼ Ἀταλάντη
Μαινάλῳ ἔν ποτέ οἱ ξεινήιον ἐγγυάλιξεν,
770
πρόφρων ἀντομένη· περὶ γὰρ μενέαινεν ἕπεσθαι
τὴν ὁδόν· ἀλλὰ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἑκὼν ἀπερήτυε κούρην,
δεῖσεν δʼ ἀργαλέας ἔριδας φιλότητος ἕκητι.
βῆ δʼ ἴμεναι προτὶ ἄστυ, φαεινῷ ἀστέρι ἶσος,
ὅν ῥά τε νηγατέῃσιν ἐεργόμεναι καλύβῃσιν
775
νύμφαι θηήσαντο δόμων ὕπερ ἀντέλλοντα,
καί σφισι κυανέοιο διʼ ἠέρος ὄμματα θέλγει
καλὸν ἐρευθόμενος, γάνυται δέ τε ἠιθέοιο
παρθένος ἱμείρουσα μετʼ ἀλλοδαποῖσιν ἐόντος
ἀνδράσιν, ᾧ καί μιν μνηστὴν κομέουσι τοκῆες·
780
τῷ ἴκελος πρὸ πόληος ἀνὰ στίβον ἤιεν ἥρως.
καί ῥʼ ὅτε δὴ πυλέων τε καὶ ἄστεος ἐντὸς ἔβησαν,
δημότεραι μὲν ὄπισθεν ἐπεκλονέοντο γυναῖκες,
γηθόσυναι ξείνῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐπὶ χθονὸς ὄμματʼ ἐρείσας
νίσσετʼ ἀπηλεγέως, ὄφρʼ ἀγλαὰ δώμαθʼ ἵκανεν
785
Ὑψιπύλης· ἄνεσαν δὲ πύλας προφανέντι θεράπναι
δικλίδας, εὐτύκτοισιν ἀρηρεμένας σανίδεσσιν.
ἔνθα μιν Ἰφινόη κλισμῷ ἔνι παμφανόωντι
ἐσσυμένως καλῆς διὰ παστάδος εἷσεν ἄγουσα
ἀντία δεσποίνης· ἡ δʼ ἐγκλιδὸν ὄσσε βαλοῦσα
790
παρθενικὰς ἐρύθηνε παρηίδας· ἔμπα δὲ τόνγε
αἰδομένη μύθοισι προσέννεπεν αἱμυλίοισιν·
ξεῖνε, τίη μίμνοντες ἐπὶ χρόνον ἔκτοθι πύργων
ἧσθʼ αὔτως; ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ὑπʼ ἀνδράσι ναίεται ἄστυ,
ἀλλὰ Θρηικίης ἐπινάστιοι ἠπείροιο
795
πυροφόρους ἀρόωσι γύας. κακότητα δὲ πᾶσαν
ἐξερέω νημερτές, ἵνʼ εὖ γνοίητε καὶ αὐτοί.
εὖτε Θόας ἀστοῖσι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐμβασίλευεν,
τηνίκα Θρηικίην, οἵ τʼ ἀντία ναιετάουσιν,
δήμου ἀπορνύμενοι λαοὶ πέρθεσκον ἐπαύλους
800
ἐκ νηῶν, αὐτῇσι δʼ ἀπείρονα ληίδα κούραις
δεῦρʼ ἄγον· οὐλομένης δὲ θεᾶς πορσύνετο μῆτις
Κύπριδος, ἥ τέ σφιν θυμοφθόρον ἔμβαλεν ἄτην.
δὴ γὰρ κουριδίας μὲν ἀπέστυγον, ἐκ δὲ μελάθρων,
ᾗ ματίῃ εἴξαντες, ἀπεσσεύοντο γυναῖκας·
805
αὐτὰρ ληιάδεσσι δορικτήταις παρίαυον,
σχέτλιοι. ἦ μὲν δηρὸν ἐτέτλαμεν, εἴ κέ ποτʼ αὖτις
ὀψὲ μεταστρέψωσι νόον· τὸ δὲ διπλόον αἰεὶ
πῆμα κακὸν προύβαινεν. ἀτιμάζοντο δὲ τέκνα
γνήσιʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροις, σκοτίη δʼ ἀνέτελλε γενέθλη.
810
αὔτως δʼ ἀδμῆτές τε κόραι, χῆραί τʼ ἐπὶ τῇσιν
μητέρες ἂμ πτολίεθρον ἀτημελέες ἀλάληντο.
οὐδὲ πατὴρ ὀλίγον περ ἑῆς ἀλέγιζε θυγατρός,
εἰ καὶ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι δαϊζομένην ὁρόῳτο
μητρυιῆς ὑπὸ χερσὶν ἀτασθάλου· οὐδʼ ἀπὸ μητρὸς
815
λώβην, ὡς τὸ πάροιθεν, ἀεικέα παῖδες ἄμυνον·
οὐδὲ κασιγνήτοισι κασιγνήτη
μέλε
μελε
1
θυμῷ.
ἀλλʼ οἶαι κοῦραι ληίτιδες ἔν τε δόμοισιν
ἔν τε χοροῖς ἀγορῇ τε καὶ εἰλαπίνῃσι μέλοντο·
εἰσόκε τις θεὸς ἄμμιν ὑπέρβιον ἔμβαλε θάρσος,
820
ἂψ ἀναερχομένους Θρῃκῶν ἄπο μηκέτι πύργοις
δέχθαι, ἵνʼ ἢ φρονέοιεν ἅπερ θέμις, ἠέ πῃ ἄλλῃ
αὐταῖς ληιάδεσσιν ἀφορμηθέντες ἵκοιντο.
οἱ δʼ ἄρα θεσσάμενοι παίδων γένος, ὅσσον ἔλειπτο
ἄρσεν ἀνὰ πτολίεθρον, ἔβαν πάλιν, ἔνθʼ ἔτι νῦν περ
825
Θρηικίης ἄροσιν χιονώδεα ναιετάουσιν.
τῶ ὑμεῖς στρωφᾶσθʼ ἐπιδήμιοι· εἰ δέ κεν αὖθι
ναιετάειν ἐθέλοις, καί τοι ἅδοι, ἦ τʼ ἂν ἔπειτα
πατρὸς ἐμεῖο Θόαντος ἔχοις γέρας· οὐδέ τί σʼ οἴω
γαῖαν ὀνόσσεσθαι· περὶ γὰρ βαθυλήιος ἄλλων
830
νήσων, Αἰγαίῃ ὅσαι εἰν ἁλὶ ναιετάουσιν.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν ἑτάροισιν ἐνίσπες
μύθους ἡμετέρους, μηδʼ ἔκτοθι μίμνε πόληος.
Apollonii Rhodii Argonautica, edited by R. Brunck (OCR draft) Experimental (R. Brunck's edition of the Argonautica, with a concise critical apparatus. Leipzig: Teubner, 1810.) — 1 focus
ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙΟΥ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΝ Α.
1Αρχόμενος σέο, Φοῖβε, παλαιγενέων κλέα φωτων
1
μνήσομαι, οἳ Πόντοιο κατὰ στόμα, καὶ διὰ πέτρας.
Κυανέας, βασιλῆος ἐφημοσύνῃ Πελίαο,
χρύσειον μετὰ κῶας ἐΰζυγον ἤλασαν Αργώ.
Τοίην γὰρ Πελίης φάτιν ἔκλυεν, ὡς μιν ὀπίσσω
5
μοῖρα μένει στυγερὴ, τοῦδ᾽ ἀνέρος, ὅντιν᾽ ἴδοιτο
δημόθεν οἰοπέδιλον, ὑπ᾽ ἐννεσίησι δαμῆναι.
δηρὸν δ᾽ οὐ μετέπειτα θεὴν κατὰ βάξιν ΙΗΣΩΝ,
χειμερίοιο ρέεθρα κιὼν διὰ ποσσὶν Αναύρου,
ἄλλο μὲν ἐξεσάωσεν ὑπ᾿ ἰλύος, ἄλλο δ᾽ ἔνερθε
10
κάλλιπεν αὖθι πέδιλον ἐνισχόμενον προχοῇσιν.
ἵκετο δ᾽ ἐς Πελίην αὐτοσχεδὸν, ἀντιβολήσων
εἰλαπίνης, ἣν πατρὶ Ποσειδάωνι καὶ ἄλλοις
ῥέζε θεοῖς, Ηρης δὲ Πελασγίδος οὐκ ἀλέγιζεν.
αἶψα δὲ τόν γ᾽ ἐςιδὼν ἐφράσσατο, καί οἱ ἄεθλον
15
ἔντυε ναυτιλίης πολυκηδέος, ὄφρ᾽ ἐνὶ πόντῳ
ἠέ κεν ἀλλοδαποῖσι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσι νόστον ὀλέσσῃ.
Νῆα μὲν οὖν οἱ πρόσθεν ἐπικλείουσιν ἀοιδοὶ
Αργον Αθηναίης καμέειν ὑποθημοσύνῃσι.
νῦν δ᾽ ἂν ἐγὼ γενεήν τε καὶ οὔνομα μυθησαίμην
20
ἡρώων, δολιχῆς τε πόρους ἁλὸς, ὅσσα τ᾽ ἔρεξαν
πλαζόμενοι· Μοῦσαι δ᾽ ὑποφήτορες εἶεν ἀοιδῆς.
Πρῶτά νυν ΟΡΦΗΟΣ μνησώμεθα, τόν ῥάποτ᾿ αὐτὴ
Καλλιόπη Θρήϊκι φατίζεται εὐνηθεῖσα
Οἰάγρῳ σκοπιῆς Πιμπληΐδος ἄγχι τεκέσθαι.
25
αὐτὰρ τόν γ᾽ ἐνέπουσιν ἀτειρέας οὔρεσι πέτρας
θέλξαι ἀοιδάων ἐνοπῇ, ποταμῶν τε ῥέεθρα.
φηγοὶ δ᾽ ἀγριάδες, κείνης ἔτι σήματα μολπῆς,
ἀκτῆς Θρηϊκίης Ζώνης ἔπι τηλεθόωσαι
ἑξείης στιχόωσιν ἐπήτριμοι, ἃς ὅ γ᾽ ἐπιπρὸ
30
θελγομένας φόρμιγγι κατήγαγε Πιερίηθεν.
Ορφέα μὲν δὴ τοῖον ἑῶν ἐπαρωγὸν ἀέθλων
Αἰσονίδης, Χείρωνος ἐφημοσύνῃσι πιθήσας,
δέξατο, Πιερίῃ Βιστωνίδι κοιρανέοντα.
Ηλυθε δ᾽ ΑΣΤΕΡΙΩΝ αὐτοσχεδὸν, ὅν ῥα Κομήτης
35
γείνατο δινήεντος ἐφ᾽ ὕδασιν Απιδανοῖο,
Πειρεσιάς, ὄρεος Φυλληΐου ἀγχόθι, ναίων,
ἔνθα μὲν Απιδανός τε μέγας, καὶ δῖος Ενιπεὺς
ἄμφω συμφορέονται, ἀπόπροθι εἰς ἓν ἰόντες.
Λάρισσαν δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσι λιπὼν ΠΟΛΥΦΗΜΟΣ ἵκανεν
40
Εἰλατίδης, ὃς πρὶν μὲν ἐρισθενέων Λαπιθάων,
ὁππότε Κενταύροις Λαπίθαι ἐπεθωρήσσοντο,
ὁπλότερος πολέμιζε· τότ᾽ αὖ βαρύθεσκέ οἱ ἤδη
γυῖα, μένεν δ᾽ ἔτι θυμὸς ἀρήϊος, ὡς τοπάρος περ.
Οὐδὲ μὲν ΙΦΙΚΛΟΣ Φυλάκῃ ἔνι δηρὸν ἔλειπτο,
45
μήτρως Αἰσονίδαο· κασιγνήτην γὰρ ὅπυιεν
Αἴσων Αλκιμέδην Φυλακηΐδα· τῆς μιν ἀνώγει
πηοσύνη καὶ κῆδος ἐνικρινθῆναι ὁμίλῳ.
Οὐδὲ Φεραῖς ΑΔΜΗΤΟΣ ἐϋρήνεσσιν ἀνάσσων
μίμνεν ὑπὸ σκοπιὴν ὄρεος Χαλκωδονίοιο.
50
Οὐδ᾽ Αλόπη μίμνον πολυλήϊοι Ερμείαο
υἱέες, εὖ δεδαῶτε δόλους, ΕΡΥΤΟΣ καὶ ΕΧΙΩΝ.
τοῖσι δ᾽ ἔπι τρίτατος γνωτὸς κίε νισσομένοισιν
ΑΙΘΑΛΙΔΗΣ· καὶ τὸν μὲν ἐπ᾿ Αμφρυσοῖο ῥοῇσι
Μυρμιδόνος κούρη Φθιὰς τέκεν Εὐπολέμεια·
55
τὼ δ᾽ αὖτ᾿ ἐκγεγάτην Μενετηΐδος Αντιανείρης.
Ηλυθε δ᾽ ἀφνειὴν προλιπὼν Γυρτῶνα ΚΟΡΩΝΟΣ
Καινεΐδης, ἐσθλὸς μὲν, ἑοῦ δ᾽ οὐ πατρὸς ἀμείνων.
Καινέα γὰρ ζωόν περ ἐπικλείουσιν ἀοιδοὶ
Κενταύροισιν ὀλέσθαι, ὅτε σφέας οἷος ἀπ᾿ ἄλλων
60
ἤλασ᾽ ἀριστεύων· οἱ δ᾽ ἔμπαλιν ὁρμηθέντες
οὔτε μιν ἀγκλῖναι προτέρω σθένον, οὔτε δαΐξαι.
ἀλλ᾽ ἄῤῥηκτος, ἄκαμπτος ἐδύσατο νειόθι γαίης,
θεινόμενος στιβαρῇσι καταΐγδην ἐλάτησιν.
Ηλυθε δ᾽ αὖ ΜΟΨΟΣ Τιταρήσιος, ὃν πέρι πάντων
65
Λητοΐδης ἐδίδαξε θεοπροπίας οἰωνῶν·
ἠδὲ καὶ ΕΥΡΥΔΑΜΑΣ Κτιμένου πάϊς· ἄγχι δὲ λίμνης
Ξυνιάδος Κτιμένην Δολοπηΐδα ναιετάασκε.
Καὶ μὴν Ακτωρ υἷα ΜΕΝΟΙΤΙΟΝ ἐξ Οπόεντος
ὧρσεν, ἀριστήεσσι σὺν ἀνδράσιν ὄφρα νέοιτο
70
Είπετο δ' ΕΥΡΥΤΙΩΝ τε, καὶ ἀλκήεις ΕΡΙΒΩΤΗΣ,
υἶες, ὁ μὲν Τελέοντος, ὁ δ᾽ Ιρου Ακτορίδαο·
ἤτοι ὁ μὲν Τελέοντος ἐϋκλειὴς Εριβώτης,
Ιρου δ᾽ Εὐρυτίων. σὺν καὶ τρίτος ἧκεν ΟΙΛΕΥΣ
ἔξοχος ἠνορέην, καὶ ἐπαΐξαι μετόπισθεν
75
εὖ δεδαὼς δηΐοισιν, ὅτε κλίνειε φάλαγγας.
Αὐτὰρ ἀπ᾿ Εὐβοίης ΚΑΝΘΟΣ κίε, τὸν ῥα Κάνηθος
πέμπεν Αβαντιάδης λελιημένον· οὐ μὲν ἔμελλε
νοστήσειν Κήρινθον ὑπότροπος. αἶσα γὰρ ἦεν
αὐτὸν ὁμῶς, Μόψον τε δαήμονα μαντοσυνάων,
80
πλαγχθέντας Λιβύης ἐνὶ πείρασι δῃωθῆναι.
ὡς οὐκ ἀνθρώποισι κακὸν μήκιστον ἐπαυρεῖν,
ὁππότε κἀκείνους Λιβύῃ ἔνι ταρχύσαντο,
τόσσον ἑκὰς Κόλχων, ὅσσον τέ περ ἠελίοιο
μεσσηγὺς δύσιές τε καὶ ἀντολαὶ εἰςορόωνται.
85
Τῷ δ' ἄρ᾽ ἔπι ΚΛΥΤΙΟΣ τε καὶ ΙΦΙΤΟΣ ἠγερέθοντο,
Οἰχαλίης ἐπίουροι, ἀπηνέος Εὐρύτου υἶες,
Εὐρύτου, ᾧ πόρε τόξον Εκηβόλος· οὐδ᾽ ἀπόνητο
δωτίνης· αὐτῷ γὰρ ἑκὼν ἐρίδηνε δοτῆρι.
Τοῖσι δ᾽ ἔπ᾿ Αἰακίδαι μετεκίαθον· οὐ μὲν ἅμ᾽ ἄμφω,
90
οὐδ᾽ ὁμόθεν· νόσφι γὰρ ἀλευάμενοι κατένασθεν
Αἰγίνης, ὅτε Φῶκον ἀδελφεὸν ἐξενάριξαν
ἀφραδίῃ. ΤΕΛΑΜΩΝ μὲν ἐν Ατθίδι νάσσατο νήσῳ·
ΠΗΛΕΥΣ δὲ Φθίῃ ἔνι δώματα ναῖε λιασθείς.
Τοῖς δ᾽ ἔπι Κεκροπίηθεν ἀρήϊος ἤλυθε ΒΟΥΤΗΣ,
95
παῖς ἀγαθοῦ Τελέοντος, ἐϋμελίης τε ΦΑΛΗΡΟΣ.
Αλκων μιν προέηκε πατὴρ ἑός· οὐ μὲν ἔτ᾽ ἄλλους
γήραος υἷας ἔχε βιότοιό τε κηδεμονῆας.
ἀλλὰ ἑ, τηλύγετον περ ὅμως καὶ μοῦνον ἐόντα,
πέμπεν, ἵνα θρασέεσσι μεταπρέποι ἡρώεσσι.
100
Θησέα δ᾽, ὃς πέρι πάντας Ερεχθεΐδας ἐκέκαστο,
Ταιναρίην ἀΐδηλος ὑπὸ χθόνα δεσμὸς ἔρυκε,
Πειρίθῳ ἑσπόμενον κοινὴν ὁδόν. ἡ τέ κεν ἄμφω
ῥηΐτερον καμάτοιο τέλος πάντεσσιν ἔθεντο.·
ΤΙΦΥΣ δ' Αγνιάδης Σιφαέα κάλλιπε δῆμου
105
Θεσπιέων, ἐσθλὸς μὲν ὀρινόμενον προδαῆναι
κῦμ᾽ ἁλὸς εὐρείης, ἐσθλὸς δ᾽ ἀνέμοιο θυέλλας
καὶ πλόον ἠελίῳ τε καὶ ἀστέρι τεκμήρασθαι.
αὐτή μιν Τριτωνὶς ἀριστήων ἐς ὅμιλον
ὧρσεν Αθηναίη, μετὰ δ᾽ ἤλυθεν ἐλδομένοισιν.
110
αὐτὴ γὰρ καὶ νῆα θοὴν κάμε· σὺν δὲ οἱ Αργος
τεῦξεν Αρεστορίδης, κείνης ὑποθημοσύνῃσι.
τῷ καὶ πασάων προφερεστάτη ἔπλετο νηῶν,
ὅσσαι ὑπ᾽ εἰρεσίῃσιν ἐπειρήσαντο θαλάσσης.
ΦΛΙΑΣ δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν Αραιθυρέηθεν ἵκανεν,
115
ἔνθ᾽ ἀφνειὸς ἔναιε Διωνύσοιο ἕκητι,
πατρὸς ἑοῦ, πηγῇσιν ἐφέστιος Ασωποῖο.
Αργόθεν αὖ ΤΑΛΑΟΣ καὶ ΑΡΗΪΟΣ, υἱε Βίαντος
ἤλυθον, ἴφθιμός τε ΛΕΩΛΟΚΟΣ, οὓς τέκε Πηρώ
Νηληΐς· τῆς δ᾽ ἄμφι δύην ἐμόγησε βαρεῖαν
120
Αἰολίδης σταθμοῖσιν ἐν Ιφίκλοιο Μελάμπους.
Οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ βίην κρατερόφρονος ΗΡΑΚΛΗΟΣ
πευθόμεθ᾽ Αἰσονίδαο λιλαιομένου ἀθερίξαι.
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ ἄϊε βάξιν ἀγειρομένων ἡρώων,
νεῖον ἀπ᾿ Αρκαδίης Λυγκήϊον Αργος ἀμείψας
125
τὴν ὁδὸν, ᾗ ζωὸν φέρε κάπριον, ὅς ῥ᾽ ἐνὶ βήσσῃς
φέρβετο Λαμπείης, Ερυμάνθιον ἀμμέγα τῖφος·
τὸν μὲν ἐνὶ πρώτῃσι Μυκηναίων ἀγορῇσι
δεσμοῖς ἰλλόμενον μεγάλων ἀπεθήκατο νώτων·
αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἡ ἰότητι, παρὲκ νόον Εὐρυσθῆος,
130
ὡρμήθη· σὺν καί οἱ Υλας κίεν, ἐσθλὸς ὀπάων,
πρωθήβης, ἰῶν τε φορεὺς, φύλακός τε βιοῖο.
Τῷ δ᾽ ἔπι δὴ θείοιο κίεν Δαναοῖο γενέθλη,
ΝΑΥΠΛΙΟΣ. ἦ γὰρ ἔην Κλυτονήου Ναυβολίδαο·
Ναύβολος αὖ Λέρνου· Λέρνον γε μὲν ἴδμεν ἐόντα
135
Προίτου Ναυπλιάδαο· Ποσειδάωνι δὲ κούρη
πρίν ποτ' Αμυμώνη Δαναΐς τέκεν εὐνηθεῖσα
Ναύπλιον, ὃς πέρι πάντας ἐκαίνυτο ναυτιλίῃσιν.
ΙΔΜΩΝ δ᾽ ὑστάτιος μετεκίαθεν, ὅσσοι ἔναιον
Αργος, ἐπεὶ δεδαὼς τὸν ἑὸν μόρον οἰωνοῖσιν
140
ἤϊε, μή οἱ δῆμος ἐϋκλείης ἀγάσαιτο.
οὐ μὲν ὅγ᾽ ἦεν Αβαντος ἐτήτυμον, ἀλλά μιν αὐτὸς
γείνατο κυδαλίμοις ἐναρίθμιον Αἰολίδῃσι
Λητοΐδης· αὐτὸς δὲ θεοπροπίας ἐδίδαξεν,
οἰωνούς τ᾽ ἀλέγειν, ἠδ᾽ ἔμπυρα σήματ᾿ ἰδέσθαι.
145
Καὶ μὴν Αἰτωλὶς κρατερὸν ΠΟΛΥΔΕΥΚΕΑ Λήδη
ΚΑΣΤΟΡΑ τ᾿ ὠκυπόδων ὧρσε δεδαημένον ἵππων
Σπάρτηθεν· τοὺς δ᾽ ἡ γε δόμοις ἔνι Τυνδαρέοιο
τηλυγέτους ὠδῖνι μιῇ τέκεν· οὐδ᾽ ἀπίθησε
νισσομένοις· Ζηνὸς γὰρ ἐπάξια μήδετο λέκτρων.
150
Οἱ τ᾽ Αφαρητιάδαι ΛΥΓΚΕΥΣ καὶ ὑπέρβιος ΊΔΑΣ
Αρήνηθεν ἔβαν, μεγάλῃ περιθαρσέες ἀλκῇ
ἀμφότεροι· Αυγκεὺς δὲ καὶ ὀξυτάτοις ἐκέκαστο
ὄμμασιν, εἰ ἐτεόν γε πέλει κλέος, ἀνέρα κεῖνον·
ῥηϊδίως καὶ νέρθεν ὑπὸ χθονὸς αὐγάζεσθαι. .
155
Σὺν δὲ ΠΕΡΙΚΛΥΜΕΝΟΣ Νηλήϊος ὠρτονέεσθαι,
πρεσβύτατος παίδων, ὅσοι ἐν Πύλῳ ἐξεγένοντο
Νηλῆος θείοιο· Ποσειδάων δέ οἱ ἀλκὴν .
δῶκεν ἀπειρεσίην, ἠδ᾽ ὅ ττι κεν ἀρήσαιτο
μαρνάμενος, τὸ πέλεσθαι ἐνὶ ξυνοχῇ πολέμοιο.
160
Καὶ μὴν ΑΜΦΙΔΑΜΑΣ ΚΗΦΕΥΣτ᾽ ἴσαν Αρκαδίηθεν,
οἳ Τεγέην καὶ κλῆρον Αφειδάντειον ἔναιον,
υἷε δύω Αλεοῦ· τρίτατός γε μὲν ἕσπετ᾿ ἰοῦσιν
ΑΓΚΑΙΟΣ, τὸν μὲν ῥα πατὴρ Λυκόοργος ἔπεμπε,
τῶν ἄμφω γνωτὸς προγενέστερος. ἀλλ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἤδη
165
γηράσκοντ᾽ Αλεὸν λίπετ᾽ ἀμπόλιν ὄφρα κομίζοι,
παῖδα δ᾽ ἑὸν σφετέροισι κασιγνήτοισιν ὄπασσε.
βῆ δ᾽ ὅ γε Μαιναλίης ἄρκτου δέρος, ἀμφίτομόν τε
δεξιτερῇ πάλλων πέλεκυν μέγαν. ἔντεα γάρ οἱ
πατροπάτωρ Αλεὸς μυχάτῃ ἐνέκρυψε καλιῇ,
170
αἴ κέν πως ἔτι καὶ τὸν ἐρητύσειε νέεσθαι.
Βὴ δὲ καὶ ΑΥΓΕΙΗΣ, ὃν δὴ φάτις Ηελίοιο
ἔμμεναι· Ηλείοισι δ᾽ ὅ γ᾽ ἀνδράσιν ἐμβασίλευεν,
ὄλβῳ κυδιόων· μέγα δ᾽ ἵετο Κολχίδα γαῖαν
αὐτόν τ᾽ Αἰήτην ἰδέειν σημάντορα Κόλχων.
175
ΑΣΤΕΡΙΟΣ δὲ καὶ ΑΜΦΙΩΝ Υπερασίου υἶες
Πελλήνης ἀφίκανον Αχαιΐδος, ἣν ποτε Πέλλης
πατροπάτωρ ἐπόλισσεν ἐπ᾽ ὀφρύσιν αἰγιαλοῖο.
Ταίναρον αὖτ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσι λιπὼν ΕΥΦΗΜΟΣ ἵκανε,
τὸν ῥα Ποσειδάωνι ποδωκηέστατον ἄλλων
180
Εὐρώπη Τιτυοῖο μεγασθενέος τέκε κούρη.
κεῖνος ἀνὴρ καὶ πόντου ἐπὶ γλαυκοῖο θέεσκεν
οἴδματος, οὐδὲ θοοὺς βάπτε πόδας, ἀλλ᾽ ὅσον ἄκροις
ἴχνεσι τεγγόμενος διερῇ πεφόρητο κελεύθῳ.
Καὶ δ᾽ ἄλλω δύο παῖδε Ποσειδάωνος ἵκοντο·
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ἤτοι ὁ μὲν πτολίεθρον ἀγανοῦ Μιλήτοιο
νοσφισθεὶς ΕΡΓΙΝΟΣ, ὁ δ᾽ Ιμβρασίης ἕδος Ηρης,
Παρθενίην, ΑΓΚΑΙΟΣ ὑπέρβιος· ἴστορε δ᾽ ἄμφω
ἠμὲν ναυτιλίης, ἠδ᾽ ἄρεος εὐχετόωντο.
Οἰνεΐδης δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἀφορμηθεὶς Καλυδῶνος
190
ἀλκήεις ΜΕΛΕΑΓΡΟΣ ἀνήλυθε, ΛΑΟΚΟΩΝ τε,
Λαοκόων Οἰνῆος ἀδελφεὸς, οὐ μὲν ἰῆς γε
μητέρος· ἀλλά ὁ θῆσσα γυνὴ τέκε· τὸν μὲν ἄρ᾽ Οἰνεὺς
ἤδη γηραλέον κοσμήτορα παιδὸς ἴαλλεν·
ὧδ᾽ ἔτι κουρίζων περιθαρσέα δῦνεν ὅμιλον
195
ἡρώων. τοῦ δ᾽ οὔ τιν᾽ ὑπέρτερον ἄλλον ὀἴω,
νόσφιν γ' Ηρακλῆος, ἐςελθέμεν, εἴ κ᾿ ἔτι μοῦνον
αὖθι μένων λυκάβαντα μετετράφη Αἰτωλοῖσι.
καὶ μὴν οἱ μήτρως αὐτὴν ὁδὸν, εὖ μὲν ἄκοντι,
εὖ δὲ καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ δεδαημένος ἀντιφέρεσθαι,
200
Θεστιάδης ΙΦΙΚΛΟΣ ἐφωμάρτησε κιόντι.
Σὺν δὲ ΠΑΔΑΙΜΟΝΙΟΣ Λέρνου πάϊς Ωλενίοιο,
Λέρνου ἐπίκλησιν, γενεήν γε μὲν Ηφαίστοιο·
τοὔνεκ᾽ ἔην πόδε σιφλός· ἀτὰρ δέμας οὐχ ἕ τις ἔτλη
ἠνορέην τ᾽ ὀνόσασθαι, ὃ καὶ μεταρίθμιος ἦε
205
πᾶσιν ἀριστήεσσιν, Ιήσονι κῦδος ἀέξων.
Εκ δ᾽ ἄρα Φωκήων κίεν ΙΦΙΤΟΣ Ορνυτίδαο
Ναυβόλου ἐκγεγαώς· ξεῖνος δὲ οἱ ἔσκε πάροιθεν,
ἦμος ἔβη Πυθῶδε θεοπροπίας ἐρεείνων
ναυτιλίης· τόθι γάρ μιν ἑοῖς ὑπέδεκτο δόμοισι.
210
ΖΗΤΗΣ δ᾽ αὖ ΚΑΛΑΙΣ τε Βορήϊοι υἶες ἵκοντο,
οὓς ποτ᾿ Ερεχθηΐς Βορέῃ τέκεν Ωρείθυια
ἐσχατιῇ Θρήκης δυςχειμέρου· ἔνθ᾽ ἄρα τὴν γε
Θρηΐκιος Βορέης ἀνερείψατο Κεκροπίηθεν,
Ιλισσοῦ προπάροιθε χορῷ ἔνι δινεύουσαν.
215
καί μιν ἄγων ἕκαθεν, Σαρπηδονίην ὅθι πέτρην
κλείουσι, ποταμοῖο παρὰ ῥόον Εργίνοιο,
λυγαίοις ἐδάμασσε περὶ νεφέεσσι καλύψας.
τῶν μὲν ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτοισι ποδῶν ἑκάτερθεν ἐρεμνὰς
σεῖον ἀειρομένω πτέρυγας, μέγα θάμβος ἰδέσθαι,
220
χρυσείαις φολίδεσσι διαυγέας· ἀμφὶ δὲ νώτοις
κράατος ἐξ ὑπάτοιο καὶ αὐχένος ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
κυάνεαι δονέοντο μετὰ πνοιῇσιν ἔθειραι.
Οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδ᾽ αὐτοῖο πάϊς μενέαινεν ΑΚΑΣΤΟΣ
ἰφθίμου Πελίαο δόμοις ἔνι πατρὸς ἑοῖο
225
μιμνάζειν, ΑΡΓΟΣ τε θεᾶς ὑποεργός Αθήνης·
ἀλλ᾽ ἄρα καὶ τὼ μέλλον ἐνικρινθῆναι ὁμίλῳ.
Τόσσοι ἄρ᾽ Αἰσονίδῃ συμμήστορες ἠγερέθοντο.
τοὺς μὲν ἀριστῆας ΜΙΝΥΑΣ περιναιετάοντες
κίκλησκον μάλα πάντας, ἐπεὶ Μινύαο θυγατρῶν
230
οἱ πλεῖστοι καὶ ἄριστοι ἀφ᾿ αἵματος εὐχετόωντο
ἔμμεναι· ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτὸν Ιήσονα γείνατο μήτηρ
Αλκιμέδη, Κλυμένης Μινυηΐδος ἐκγεγαυῖα.
Αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δμώεσσιν ἐπάρμενα πάντ᾽ ἐτέτυκτο,
ὅσσαπερ ἐντύνονται ἐπαρτέες ἔνδοθι νῆες,
235
εὔτ᾽ ἂν ἄγῃ χρέος ἄνδρας ὑπεὶρ ἅλα ναυτίλλεσθαι;
δὴ τότ᾽ ἴσαν μετὰ νῆα δι᾽ ἄστεος, ἔνθα περ ἀκταὶ
κλείονται Παγασαὶ Μαγνήτιδες· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαῶν
πληθὺς ἐπερχομένων ἄμυδις θέεν· οἱ δὲ, φαεινοὶ·
ἀστέρες ὣς νεφέεσσι, μετέπρεπον· ὧδε δ᾽ ἕκαστος
240
ἔννεπεν εἰςορόων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἀΐσσοντας.
Ζεῦ ἄνα, τίς Πελίαο νόος; πόθι τόσσον ὅμιλον
ἡρώων γαίης Παναχαϊΐδος ἔκτοθι βάλλει;
αὐτῆμάρ κε δόμους ὀλοῷ πυρὶ δηώσειαν
» Αἰήτεω, ὅτε μή σφιν ἑκὼν δέρος ἐγγυαλίξῃ.
245
ἀλλ᾽ οὐ φυκτὰ κέλευθα, πόνος δ᾽ ἄπρηκτος ἰοῦσιν.
Ως φάσαν ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα κατὰ πτόλιν· αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες
πολλὰ μάλ᾽ ἀθανάτοισιν ἐς αἰθέρα χεῖρας ἄειρον,
εὐχόμεναι νόστοιο τέλος θυμηδὲς ὀπάσσαι.
ἄλλη δ᾽ εἰς ἑτέρην ὀλοφύρετο δακρυχέουσα.
250
Δειλὴ Αλκιμέδη, καὶ σοὶ κακὸν, ὀψέ περ, ἔμπης
ἤλυθεν, οὐδ᾽ ἐτέλεσσας ἐπ᾿ ἀγλαΐῃ βιότοιο.
Αἴσων αὖ μέγα δή τι δυςάμμορος. ᾖ τέ οἱ ἦε
βέλτερον, εἰ τοπάροιθεν ἐνὶ κτερέεσσιν ἐλυσθεὶς
νειόθι γαίης κεῖτο, κακῶν ἔτι νῆῖς ἀέθλων.
255
ὡς ὄφελεν καὶ Φρίξον, ὅτ᾽ ὤλετο παρθένος Ελλη,
κῦμα μέλαν κριῷ ἅμ᾽ ἐπικλύσαι· ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐδὴν
ἀνδρομέην προέηκε κακὸν τέρας, ὡς κεν ἀνίας
Αλκιμέδη μετόπισθε καὶ ἄλγεα μυρία θείη.
Αἱ μὲν ἄρ᾽ ὡς ἀγόρευον ἐπὶ προμολῇσι κιόντων.
260
ἤδη δὲ δμῶές τε πολεῖς, δμῶαί τ᾽ ἀγέροντο·
μήτηρ δ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ αὐτὸν βεβολημένη· ὀξὺ δ᾽ ἑκάστην
δῦνεν ἄχος· σὺν δέ σφι πατὴρ ὀλοῷ ὑπὸ γήρᾳ
ἐντυπὰς ἐν λεχέεσσι καλυψάμενος γοάασκεν.
αὐτὰρ ὃ τῶν μὲν ἔπειτα κατεπρήϋνεν ἀνίας,
265
θαρσύνων, δμώεσσι δ᾽ ἀρήϊα τεύχε᾽ ἀείρειν
πέφραδεν· οἱ δὲ σίγα κατηφέες ἠείροντο.
μήτηρ δ᾽ ὡς ταπρῶτ᾽ ἐπεχεύατο πήχεε παιδί,
ὡς ἔχετο κλαίουσ᾽ ἀδινώτερον, ἠΰτε κούρη
οἰόθεν ἀσπασίως πολιὴν τροφὸν ἀμφιπεσοῦσα
270
μύρεται, ᾗ οὐκ εἰσὶν ἔτ᾽ ἄλλοι κηδεμονῆες,
ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὸ μητρυιῇ βίοτον βαρὺν ἠγηλάζει,
καί ἑ νέον πολέεσσιν ὀνείδεσιν ἐστυφέλιξε·
τῇ δὲ τ᾽ ὀδυρομένῃ δέδεται κέαρ ἔνδοθεν ἄτῃ,
οὐδ᾽ ἔχει ἐκφλύξαι τόσσον γόον, ὅσσον ὀρεχθεῖ·
275
ὣς ἀδινὸν κλαίεσκεν, ἑὸν παῖδ᾽ ἀγκὰς ἔχουσα,
Αλκιμέδη, καὶ τοῖον ἔπος φάτο κηδοσύνησιν.
Αἴθ᾽ ὄφελον κεῖν᾽ ἦμαρ, ὅτ᾽ ἐξειπόντος ἄκουσα
δειλὴ ἐγὼ Πελίαο κακὴν βασιλῆος ἐφετμὴν,
αὐτίκ᾽ ἀπὸ ψυχὴν μεθέμεν, κηδέων τε λαθέσθαι,
280
ὄφρ᾽ αὐτός με τεῇσι φίλαις ταρχύσαο χερσὶ,
τέκνον ἐμόν· τὸ γὰρ οἷον ἔην ἔτι λοιπὸν ἐέλδωρ
ἐκ σέθεν, ἄλλα δὲ πάντα πάλαι θρεπτήρια πέσσω.
νῦν γε μὲν ἡ τοπάροιθεν Αχαιϊάδεσσιν ἀγητή,
δμωΐς ὅπως, κενεοῖσι λελείψομαι ἐν μεγάροισι,
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σεῖο πόθῳ μινύθουσα δυςάμμορος, ᾧ ἔπι πολλὴν
ἀγλαΐην καὶ κῦδος ἔχον πάρος, ᾧ ἔπι μούνῳ
μίτρην πρῶτον ἔλυσα καὶ ὕστατον. ἔξοχα γάρ μοι
Εἰλείθυια θεὰ πολέος ἐμέγηρε τόκοιο.
ᾧ μοι ἐμῆς ἄτης· τὸ μὲν οὐδ᾽ ὅσον, οὐδ᾽ ἐν ὀνείρῳ
290
ὠϊσάμην, εἰ Φρίξος ἐμοὶ κακὸν ἔσσετ᾽ ἀλύξας.
Ως ἥγε στενάχουσα κινύρετο· ταὶ δὲ γυναῖκες
ἀμφίπολοι γοάασκον ἐπισταδόν· αὐτὰρ ὃ τήνγε
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρηγορέων προςέειπε.
Μή μοι λευγαλέας ἐνιβάλλεο, μῆτερ, ἀνίας
295
ὧδε λίην, ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ἐρητύσεις κακότητος
δάκρυσιν, ἀλλ᾽ ἔτι κεν καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἄλγεσιν ἄλγος ἄροιο.
πήματα γάρ τ᾿ ἀΐδηλα θεοὶ θνητοῖσι νέμουσι,
τῶν μοῖραν κατὰ θυμὸν, ἀνιάζουσά περ, ἔμπης
τλῆθι φέρειν· θάρσει δὲ συνημοσύνῃσιν Αθήνης,
300
ἠδὲ θεοπροπίοισιν, ἐπεὶ μάλα δεξιὰ Φοῖβος
ἔχρη, ἀτὰρ μετέπειτά γ᾽ ἀριστήων ἐπαρωγῇ.
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν αὖθι μετ᾿ ἀμφιπόλοισιν ἕκηλος
μίμνε δόμοις, μηδ᾽ ὄρνις ἀεικελίη πέλε νηΐ·
κεῖσε δ᾽ ὁμαρτήσουσιν ἔται δμῶές τε κιόντι.
305
Η, καὶ ὁ μὲν προτέρωσε δόμων ἐξῶρτο νέεσθαι.
οἷος δ᾽ ἐκ νηοῖο θυώδεος εἶσιν Απόλλων
Δῆλον ἀν᾿ ἠγαθέην, ἠὲ Κλάρον, ἢ ὅ γε Πυθώ,
ἢ Λυκίην εὐρεῖαν, ἐπὶ Ξάνθοιο ῥοῇσι,
τοῖος ἀνὰ πληθὺν δήμου κίεν· ἆρτο δ᾽ ἀϋτὴ
310
κεκλομένων ἄμυδις. τῷ δὲ ξύμβλητο γεραιή
Ιφιάς, Αρτέμιδος πολιηόχου ἀρήτειρα,
καί μιν δεξιτερῆς χειρὸς κύσεν, οὐδέ τι φάσθαι,
ἔμπης ἱεμένη, δύνατο, προθέοντος ὁμίλου·
ἀλλ᾽ ἡ μὲν λίπετ᾽ αὖθι παρακλιδὸν, οἷα γεραιή
315
ὁπλοτέρων, ὁ δὲ πολλὸν ἀποπλαγχθεὶς ἐλιάσθη.
Αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ῥα πόληος ἐϋδμήτους λίπ᾿ ἀγυιὰς,
ἀκτὴν δ᾽ ἵκανε Παγασηΐδα, τῇ μιν ἑταῖροι
δειδέχατ', Αργώῃ ἄμυδις παρὰ νηΐ μένοντες.
στῆ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐπὶ προμολῆς· οἱ δ᾽ ἀντίοι ἠγερέθοντο.
320
ἐς δ᾽ ἐνόησαν Ακαστον ὁμῶς Αργον τε, πόληος
νόσφι καταβλώσκοντας, ἐθάμβησαν δ᾽, ἐςιδόντες
πασσυδίη, Πελίαο παρὲκ νόον, ἰθύοντας.
δέρμα δ᾽ ὁ μὲν ταύροιο ποδηνεκὲς ἀμφέχετ᾽ ὤμους
Αργος Αρεστορίδης λάχνη μέλαν· αὐτὰρ ὁ καλὴν
325
δίπλακα, τήν οἱ ὄπασσε κασιγνήτη Πελόπεια.
ἀλλ᾽ ἔμπης τὼ μέν τε διεξερέεσθαι ἕκαστα
ἔσχετο· τοὺς δ᾽ ἀγορήνδε συνεδριάασθαι ἄνωγεν.
αὐτοῦ δὲ ἰλλομένοις ἐπὶ λαίφεσιν, ἠδὲ καὶ ἱστῷ
κεκλιμένῳ, μάλα πάντες ἐπισχερὼ ἑδριόωντο.
330
τοῖσιν δ᾽ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἐϋφρονέων μετέειπεν.
Αλλα μὲν ὅσσα τε νηΐ ἐφοπλίσσασθαι᾿ ἔοικε,
πάντα μάλ᾽ εὖ κατὰ κόσμον ἐπαρτέα κεῖται ἰοῦσι.
τῷ οὐκ ἂν δηναιὸν ἐχοίμεθα, τοῖό γ᾽ ἕκητι,
ναυτιλίης, ὅτε μοῦνον ἐπιπνεύσωσιν ἀῆται.
335
ἀλλὰ, φίλοι, ξυνὸς γὰρ ἐς Ελλάδα νόστος ὀπίσσω,
ξυναὶ δ᾽ ἄμμι πέλονται ἐς Αἰήταο κέλευθοι·
τοὔνεκα νῦν τὸν ἄριστον᾿ ἀφειδήσαντες ἕλεσθε
ὄρχαμον ἡμείων, ᾧ κεν τὰ ἕκαστα μέλοιτο,
«νείκεα συνθεσίας τε μετὰ ξείνοισι βαλέσθαι.
340
Ως φάτο· πάπτηναν δὲ νέοι θρασὺν Ἡρακλῆα,
ἥμενον ἐν μέσσοισι· μιῇ δὲ ἑ πάντες ἀϋτῇ
σημαίνειν ἐπέτελλον· ὁ δ᾽ αὐτόθεν, ἔνθα περ ἦστο,
δεξιτερὴν ἀνὰ χεῖρα τανύσσατο, φώνησέν τε.
Μή τις ἐμοὶ τόδε κῦδος ὀπαζέτω. οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγε
345
πείσομαι· ὡς δὲ καὶ ἄλλον ἀναστήσεσθαι ἐρύξω.
αὐτὸς, ὅτις ξυνάγειρε, καὶ ἀρχεύοι ὁμάδοιο.
Ἦ ῥα μέγα φρονέων· ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἤνεον, ὡς ἐκέλευεν
Ηρακλέης· ἀνὰ δ᾽ αὐτὸς ἀρήϊος ὤρνυτ᾽ Ιήσων
γηθόσυνος, καὶ τοῖα λιλαιομένοις ἀγόρευεν.
350
Εἰ μὲν δή μοι κῦδος ἐπιτρωπᾶτε μέλεσθαι,
μηκέτ᾽ ἔπειθ᾽, ὡς καὶ πρὶν, ἐρητύοιτο κέλευθα.
νῦν γε μὲν ἤδη, Φοῖβον ἀρεσσάμενοι θυέεσσι,
δαῖτ᾽ ἐντυνώμεσθα παρασχεδόν. ὄφρα δ᾽ ἴωσι
δμῶες ἐμοὶ σταθμῶν σημάντορες, οἶσι μέμηλε
355
δεῦρο βόας ἀγέληθεν ἐϋ κρίναντας ἐλάσσαι,
τόφρα κε νῆ᾽ ἐρύσαιμεν ἔσω ἁλὸς, ὅπλα τε πάντα
ἐνθέμενοι, πεπάλαχθε κατὰ κλΐηδας ἐρετμά.
τείως δ᾽ αὖ καὶ βωμὸν ἐπάκτιον Εμβασίοιο
θείομεν Απόλλωνος, ὅ μοι χρείων ὑπέδεκτο
360
σημανέειν, δείξειν τε πόρους ἁλὸς, εἴ κε θυηλαῖς·
οὗ ἕθεν ἐξάρχωμαι ἀεθλεύων βασιλῆϊ.
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ εἰς ἔργον πρῶτος τράπεθ᾽· οἱδ᾽ ἐπανέσταν
πειθόμενοι· ἀπὸ δ᾽ εἵματ᾽ ἐπήτριμα νηήσαντο
λείῳ ἐπὶ πλαταμῶνι, τὸν οὐκ ἐπέβαλλε θάλασσα
365
κύμασι, χειμερίη δὲ πάλαι ἀποέκλυσεν ἅλμη.
νῆα δ᾽ ἐπικρατέως, Αργου ύποθημοσύνῃσιν,
ἔζωσαν πάμπρωτον ἐϋστρεφεῖ ἔνδοθεν ὅπλῳ,
τεινάμενοι ἑκάτερθεν, ἵν᾽ εὖ ἀραροίατο γόμφοις
δούρατα, καὶ ῥοθίοιο βίην ἔχοι ἀντιόωσαν.
370
σκάπτον δ᾽ αἶψα κατ᾿ εὖρος, ὅσον περιβάλλετο χῶρον,
ἠδὲ κατὰ πρώραν εἴσω ἁλὸς, ὁσσάτιόν περ
ἑλκομένη χείρεσσιν ἐπιδραμέεσθαι ἔμελλεν.
αἰεὶ δὲ προτέρω χθαμαλώτερον ἐξελάχαινον
στείρης, ἐν δ᾽ ὁλκῷ ξεστὰς στορέσαντο φάλαγγας·
375
τὴν δὲ κατάντη κλίναν ἐπὶ πρώτῃσι φάλαγξιν,
ὡς κεν ὀλισθαίνουσα δι' αὐτάων φορέοιτο.
ὕψι δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα μεταστρέψαντες ἐρετμὰ,
πηχύϊον προὔχοντα περὶ σκάλμοισιν ἔδησαν.
τῶν δ᾽ ἐναμοιβαδὶς αὐτοὶ ἐνέσταθεν ἀμφοτέρωθε,
380
στέρνα θ᾽ ὁμοῦ καὶ χεῖρας ἐπήλασαν. ἐν δ᾽ ἄρα Τἴφυς
βήσαθ᾽, ἵν᾽ ὀτρύνειε νέους κατὰ καιρὸν ἐρύσσαι·
κεκλόμενος δ᾽ ἤϋσε μάλα μέγα· τοὶ δὲ παρᾶσσον.
ᾧ κράτεϊ βρίσαντες ἰῇ στυφέλιξαν ἐρωῇ
νειόθεν ἐξ ἕδρης, ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἐῤῥώσαντο πόδεσσι
385
προπροβιαζόμενοι· ἡ δ᾽ ἕσπετο Πηλιὰς Αργὼ
ῥίμφα μάλ᾽· οἱ δ᾽ ἑκάτερθεν ἐπίαχον ἀΐσσοντες.
αἱ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὑπὸ τρόπιδι στιβαρῇ στενάχοντο φάλαγγες
τριβόμεναι· περὶ δέ σφιν ἀϊδνὴ ἐκήκιε λιγνὺς
βριθοσύνη, κατόλισθε δ᾽ ἔσω ἁλός· οἱ δὲ μιν αὖθι
390
ἂψ ἀνασειράζοντες ἔχον προτέρωσε κιοῦσαν.
σκαλμοῖς δ᾽ ἀμφὶς ἐρετμὰ κατήρτυον· ἐν δὲ οἱ ἱστὸν,
λαίφεά τ᾽ εὐποίητα, καὶ ἁρμαλίην ἐβάλοντο.
Αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τὰ ἕκαστα περιφραδέως ἀλέγυναν,
κληΐδας μὲν πρῶτα πάλῳ διεμοιρήσαντο,
395
ἄνδρ᾽ ἐντυναμένω δοιὼ μίαν· ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα μέσσην
ἥρεον Ηρακληϊ, καὶ ἡρώων ἄτερ ἄλλων
Αγκαίῳ, Τεγέης ὃς ῥα πτολίεθρον ἔναιε.
τοῖς μέσσην οἴοισιν ἀπὸ κληΐδα λίποντο
αὕτως, οὐ τι πάλῳ. ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἔτρεπον αἰνήσαντες.
400
Τίφυν ἐϋστείρης οἰήϊα νηὸς ἔρυσθαι.
Ενθεν δ᾽ αὖ λάϊγγας ἁλὸς σχεδὸν ὀχλίζοντες
νήεον αὐτόθι βωμὸν ἐπάκτιον Απόλλωνος,
Ακτίου, Εμβασίοιό τ᾽ ἐπώνυμον· ὦκα δὲ τοί γε
φιτροὺς ἀζαλέης στόρεσαν καθύπερθεν ἐλαίης.
405
τείως δ᾽ αὖτ᾿ ἀγέληθεν ἐπιπροέηκαν ἄγοντες
βουκόλοι Αἰσονίδαο δύω βόε. τοὺς δ᾽ ἐρύσαντο
κουρότεροι ἑτάρων βωμοῦ σχεδόν. οἱ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔπειτα
χέρνιβά τ᾽ οὐλοχύτας τε παρέσχεθον αὐτὰρ Ιήσων
εὔχετο κεκλόμενος πατρώϊον Απόλλωνα.
410
Κλῦθι ἄναξ, Παγασάς τε, πόλιν τ᾿ Αἰσωνίδα ναίων,
ἡμετέροιο τοκῆος ἐπώνυμον, ὅς μοι ὑπέστης,
Πυθοί χρειομένῳ, ἄνυσιν καὶ πείραθ᾽ ὁδοῖο
σημανέειν· αὐτὸς γὰρ ἐπαίτιος ἔπλευ ἀέθλων·
αὐτὸς νῦν ἄγε νῆα σὺν ἀρτεμέεσσιν ἑταίροις
415
,, κεῖσέ τε, καὶ παλίνορσον ἐς Ελλάδα. σοὶ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὀπίσσω
τόσσων, ὅσσοι κεν νοστήσομεν, ἀγλαὰ ταύρων
ἱρὰ πάλιν βωμῷ ἐπιθήσομεν· ἄλλα δὲ Πυθοί,
ἄλλα δ᾽ ἐς Ορτυγίην ἀπερείσια δῶρα κομίσσω.
νῦν δ᾽ ἴθι, καὶ τήνδ᾽ ἡμὶν, Εκηβόλε, δέξο θυηλὴν,
420
ἣν τοι τῆςδ᾽ ἐπίβαθρα χάριν προτεθείμεθα νηὸς
πρωτίστην· λύσαιμι δ᾽, ἄναξ, ἐπ᾿ ἀπήμονι μοίρῃ
πείσματα, σὴν διὰ μῆτιν· ἐπιπνεύσειε δ᾽ ἀήτης
μείλιχος, ᾧ κ᾽ ἐπὶ πόντον ἐλευσόμεθ᾽ εὐδιόωντες.
Η, καὶ ἅμ᾽ εὐχωλῇ προχύτας βάλε. τὰ δ᾽ ἐπὶ βουσὶ.
425
ζωσάσθην, Αγκαῖος ὑπέρβιος, Ηρακλέης τε.
ἤτοι ὁ μὲν ῥοπάλῳ μέσσον κάρη ἀμφὶ μετώπῳ.
πλῆξεν, ὁ δ᾽ ἀθρόος αὖθι πεσὼν ἐνερείσατο γαίῃ·
Αγκαῖος δ᾽ ἑτέροιο κατὰ πλατὺν αὐχένα κόψας
χαλκείῳ πελέκει, κρατεροὺς διέκερσε τένοντας·
430
ἤριπε δ᾽ ἀμφοτέροισι περιρηδὴς κεράεσσι.
τοὺς δ᾽ ἕταροι σφάξαν τε θοῶς, δεῖράν τε βοείας,
κόπτον, δαίτρευόν τε, καὶ ἱερὰ μῆρ᾽ ἐτάμοντο,
καδδ᾽ ἄμυδις τὰ γε πάντα καλύψαντες πύκα δημῷ
καῖον ἐπὶ σχίζῃσιν· ὁ δ᾽ ἀκρήτους χέε λοιβὰς
435
Αἰσονίδης. γήθει δὲ σέλας θηεύμενος Ιδμων
πάντοσε λαμπόμενον θυέων ἄπο, τοῖό τε λιγνὺν
πορφυρέαις ἑλίκεσσιν ἐναίσιμον ἀΐσσουσαν·
αἶψα δ᾽ ἀπηλεγέως νόον ἔκφατο Λητοΐδαο.
Ὑμῖν μὲν δὴ μοῖρα θεῶν χρειώ τε περῆσαι
440
ἐνθάδε κῶας ἄγοντας· ἀπειρέσιοι δ᾽ ἐνὶ μέσσῳ
κεῖσέ τε δεῦρό τ᾽ ἔασιν ἀνερχομένοισιν ἄεθλοι.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ θανέειν στυγερῇ ὑπὸ δαίμονος αἴσῃ
τηλόθι που πέπρωται ἐπ᾿ Ασίδος ἠπείροιο.
ὧδε κακοῖς δεδαὼς ἔτι καὶ πάρος οἰωνοῖσι
445
πότμον ἐμὸν, πάτρης ἐξήϊον, ὄφρ᾽ ἐπιβαίην
νηὸς, ἐϋκλείη δὲ δόμοις ἐπιβάντι λίπηται.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· κοῦροι δὲ θεοπροπίης ἀΐοντες
νόστῳ μὲν γήθησαν, ἄχος δ᾽ ἕλεν Ιδμονος αἴσῃ.
ἦμος δ᾽ ἠέλιος σταθερὸν παραμείβεται ἦμαρ,
450
αἱ δὲ νέον σκοπέλοισιν ὑποσκιόωνται ἄρουραι,
δειελινὸν κλίνοντος ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠελίοιο,
τῆμος ἄρ᾽ ἤδη πάντες ἐπὶ ψαμάθοισι βαθείαν
φυλλάδα χευάμενοι, πολιοῦ πρόπαρ αἰγιαλοῖο
κέκλινθ᾽ ἑξείης· παρὰ δὲ σφίσι μυρί᾽ ἔκειτο
455
εἴδατα, καὶ μέθυ λαρὸν, ἀφυσσομένων προχόῃσιν
οἰνοχόων· μετέπειτα δ᾽ ἀμοιβαδὶς ἀλλήλοισι
μυθεῦνθ᾽, οἷά τε πολλὰ νέοι παρὰ δαιτὶ καὶ οἴνω
τερπνῶς ἑψιόωνται, ὅτ᾽ ἄατος ὕβρις ἀπείη.
ἔνθ᾽ αὖτ᾿ Αἰσονίδης μὲν ἀμήχανος εἰν ἑοῖ αὐτῷ
460
πορφύρεσκεν ἕκαστα, κατηφιόωντι ἐοικώς.
τὸν δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὑποφρασθεὶς μεγάλῃ ὀπὶ νείκεσεν Ιδας.
Αἰσονίδη, τίνα τήνδε μετὰ φρεσὶ μητιν ἑλίσσεις;
αὔδα ἐνὶ μέσσοισι τεὸν νόον. ἠε σε δαμνᾷ
τάρβος ἐπιπλόμενον, τότ᾽ ἀνάλκιδας ἄνδρας ἀτύζει;
465
ἴστω νῦν δόρυ θοῦρον, ὅτῳ περιώσιον ἄλλων·
κῦδος ἐνὶ πτολέμοισιν ἀείρομαι, οὐδ᾽ ἔμ᾽ ὀφέλλει
Ζεὺς τόσον, ὁσσάτιόν περ ἐμὸν δόρυ, μή νύ τι πῆμα
λοίγιον ἔσσεσθαι, μηδ᾽ ἀκράαντον ἄεθλον,
Ιδεω ἑσπομένοιο, καὶ εἰ θεὸς ἀντιόωτο.
470
τοϊόν μ' Αρήνηθεν ἀοσσητῆρα κομίζεις.
Η, καὶ ἐπισχόμενος πλεῖον δέπας ἀμφοτέρῃσι
πῖνε χαλίκρητον λαρὸν μέθυ· δεύετο δ᾽ οἴνῳ
χείλεα, κυάνεαί τε γενειάδες· οἱ δ᾽ ὁμάδησαν
πάντες ὁμῶς, Ιδμων δὲ καὶ ἀμφαδίην ἀγόρευσε.
475
Δαιμόνιε, φρονέεις ὀλοφώϊα καὶ πάρος αὐτῷ.
ἠέ τοι εἰς ἄτην ζωρὸν μέθυ θαρσαλέον κῆρ
οἰδάνει ἐν στήθεσσι, θεοὺς δ᾽ ἀνέηκεν ἀτίζειν;
ἄλλοι μύθοι ἔασι παρήγοροι, οἶσί κεν ἀνὴρ
θαρσύνοι ἕταρον· σὺ δ᾽ ἀτάσθαλα πάμπαν ἔειπας.
480
τοῖα φάτις καὶ τοὺς πρὶν ἐπιφλύειν μακάρεσσιν
υἷας Αλωϊάδας, οἷς οὐδ᾽ ὅσον ἰσοφαρίζεις
ἠνορέην· ἔμπης δὲ θοοῖς ἐδάμησαν ὀἴστοῖς
ἄμφω Λητοΐδαο, καὶ ἴφθιμοί περ ἐόντες.
Ως ἔφατ᾽· ἐκ δ᾽ ἐγέλασσεν ἄδην Αφαρήϊος Ιδας,
485
καί μιν ἐπιλλίζων ἠμείβετο κερτομίοισιν.
Αγρει νυν τόδε σῇσι θεοπροπίῃσιν ἔνισπε,
εἰ καὶ ἐμοὶ τοιόνδε θεοὶ τελέουσιν ὄλεθρον,
οἷον Αλωϊάδῃσι πατήρ τεὸς ἐγγυάλιξε·
φράζεο δ᾽ ὅππως χεῖρας ἐμὰς σόος ἐξαλέοιο,
490
χρειὼ θεσπίζων μεταμώνιον εἴ κεν ἁλῴης.
Χώετ᾽ ἐνιπτάζων· προτέρω δέ κε νεῖκος ἐτύχθη,
εἰ μὴ δηριόωντας ὁμοκλήσαντες ἑταῖροι,
αὐτός τ᾽ Αἰσονίδης κατερήτυεν· ἐν δὲ καὶ Ορφεύς,
λαιῇ ἀνασχόμενος κίθαριν, πείραζεν ἀριδῆς.
495
Ηειδε δ᾽ ὡς γαῖα καὶ οὐρανὸς ἠδὲ θάλασσα
τοπρὶν ἐπ᾿ ἀλλήλοισι μιῇ συναρηρότα μορφῇ,
νείκεος ἐξ ὀλοσῖο διέκριθεν ἀμφὶς ἕκαστα·
ἠδ᾽ ὡς ἔμπεδον αἰὲν ἐν αἰθέρι τέκμαρ ἔχουσιν
ἄστρα, σεληναίη τε, καὶ ἠελίοιο κέλευθοι·
500
οὔρεά θ᾽ ὡς ἀνέτειλε, καὶ ὡς ποταμοὶ κελάδοντες,
αὐτῇσι Νύμφησι, καὶ ἑρπετὰ πάντ᾽ ἐγένοντο.
ἤειδε δ᾽ ὡς πρῶτον Οφίων Εὐρυνόμη τε
Ωκεανὶς νιφόεντος ἔχον κράτος Οὐλύμποιο·
ὣς τε βίῃ καὶ χερσὶν ὁ μὲν Κρόνῳ εἴκαθε τιμῆς,
505
ἡ δὲ Ρέῃ, ἔπεσον δ᾽ ἐνὶ κύμασιν Ωκεανοῖο·
οἱ δὲ τέως μακάρεσσι θεοῖς Τιτῆσιν ἄνασσον,
ὄφρα Ζεὺς ἔτι κοῦρος, ἔτι φρεσὶ νήπια εἰδὼς,
Δικταίον ναίεσκεν ὑπὸ σπέος· οἱ δὲ μιν οὔπω
Γηγενέες Κύκλωπες ἐκαρτύναντο κεραυνῷ,
510
βροντῇ τε, στεροπῇ τε· τὰ γὰρ Διῒ κῦδος ὀπάζει.
Η, καὶ ὁ μὲν φόρμιγγα σὺν ἀμβροσίῃ σχέθεν αὐδῇ·
τοῦ δ᾽ ἄμοτον λήξαντος ἔτι προὔχοντο κάρηνα
πάντες ὁμῶς, ὀρθοῖσιν ἐπ᾽ οὔασιν ἠρεμέοντες
κηληθμῷ· τοίην σφιν ἐνέλλιπε θελκτὺν ἀοιδῆς.
515
οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ δὴν μετέπειτα κερασσάμενοι δὴ λοιβὰς,
ᾗ θέμις ἐστὶ, τέως ἐπί τε γλώσσῃσι χέοντο
αἰθομέναις, ὕπνου δὲ διὰ κνέφας ἐμνώοντο.
Αὐτὰρ ὅτ᾽ αἰγλήεσσα φαεινοῖς ὄμμασιν Ηὼς
Πηλίου αἰπεινὰς ἴδεν ἄκριας, ἐκ δ᾽ ἀνέμοιο
520
εὔδιοι ἐκλύζοντο τινασσομένης ἁλὸς ἄκραι,
δὴ τότ᾽ ἀνέγρετο Τίφυς· ἄφαρ δ᾽ ὀρόθυνεν ἑταίρους
βαινέμεναί τ᾽ ἐπὶ νῆα καὶ ἀρτυνέεσθαι ἐρετμά.
σμερδαλέον δὲ λιμὴν Παγασήϊος, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
Πηλιὰς ἴαχεν Αργὼ, ἐπισπέρχουσα νέεσθαι.
525
ἐν γάρ οἱ δόρυ θεῖον ἐλήλατο, τὸ ρ᾽ ἀνὰ μέσσην
στεῖραν Αθηναίη Δωδωνίδος ἥρμοσε φηγοῦ.
οἱ δ᾽ ἀνὰ σέλματα βάντες ἐπισχερὼ ἀλλήλοισιν,
ὡς ἐδάσαντο πάροιθεν ἐρεσσέμεν ᾧ ἐνὶ χώρῳ,
εὐκόσμως σφετέροισι παρ᾽ ἔντεσιν ἑδριόωντο. ·
530
μέσσῳ δ᾽ Αγκαῖος, μέγα τε σθένος Ηρακλῆος
ἵζανον· ἄγχι δὲ οἱ ρόπαλον θέτο, καί οἱ ἔνερθε
ποσσὶν ὑπεκλύσθη νηὸς τρόπις. εἵλκετο δ᾽ ἤδη
πείσματα, καὶ μέθυ λεῖβον ὑπερθ᾽ ἁλός. αὐτὰρ Ιήσων
δακρυόεις γαίης ἀπὸ πατρίδος ὄμματ᾽ ἔνεικεν.
535
οἱ δ᾽, ὥστ᾽ ἤΐθεοι Φοίβῳ χορὸν ἢ ἐνὶ Πυθοῖ,
ἤ που ἐν Ορτυγίῃ, ἢ ἐφ᾽ ὕδασιν Ισμηνοῖο
στησάμενοι, φόρμιγγος ὑπαὶ περὶ βωμὸν ὁμαρτῆ
ἐμμελέως κραὶπνοῖσι πέδον ῥήσσωσι πόδεσσιν·
ὡς οἱ ὑπ᾿ Ὀρφῆὸς κιθάρῃ πέπληγον ἐρετμοῖς
540
πόντου λάβρον ὕδωρ, ἐπὶ δὲ ῥόθια κλύζοντο·
ἀφρῷ δ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθὰ κελαινὴ ἐκήκιεν ἅλμη,
δεινὸν μορμύρούσα ἐρισθενέων μένει ἀνδρῶν.
στράπτε δ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἠελίῳ φλογὶ εἴκελα νηὸς ἰούσης
τεύχεα· μακρὰὶ δ᾽ ἀἰὲν ἐλευκαίνοντο κέλευθοι,
545
ἀτρἀπὸς ὡς χλοεροῖο διειδομένη πεδίοιο.
πάντες δ᾽ οὐρανόθεν λεῦσσον θεοὶ ἤματι κείνῳ
νῆα, καὶ ἡμιθέων ἀνδρῶν μένος, οἳ τότ᾽ ἄριστοι
πόντον ἐπιπλώεσκον· ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτῃσι δὲ Νύμφαι
Πηλιάδες κορύφῇσιν ἐθάμβεον εἰσορόωσαι
550
ἔργον Αθηναίης Ιτωνίδος, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτοὺς
ἥρωας χείρεσσιν ἐπικραδάοντὰς ἐρετμά.
αὐτὰρ ὅ γ᾽ ἐξ ὑπάτου ὄρεος κίεν ἄγχι θαλάσσης
Χείρων Φιλυρίδης, πολιῇ δ᾽ ἐπὶ κύματος ἀγῇ
τέγγε πόδας, καὶ πολλὰ βαρείῃ χειρὶ κελεύων,
555
νόστον ἐπευφήμησεν ἀκηδέα νισσομένοισι·
σὺν καί οἱ παράκοιτις ἐπωλένιον φορέουσα
Πηλείδην Αχιλῆα, φίλῳ δειδίσκετο πατρί.
Οἱ δ᾽ ὅτε δὴ λιμένος περιηγέα κάλλιπον ἀκτὴν
φραδμοσύνῃ μήτι τε δαΐφρονος Αγνιάδαο
560
Τίφυος, ὃς ῥ᾽ ἐνὶ χερσὶν ἐὔξοα τεχνηέντως
πηδάλι᾽ ἀμφιέπεσκ᾽, ὄφρ᾽ ἔμπεδον ἐξιθύνοι,
δή ῥα τότε μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐνεστήσαντο μεσόδμῃ,
δῆσάν τε προτόνοισι, τανυσσάμενοι ἑκάτερθε,
καδδ᾽ αὐτοῦ λίνα χεῦαν, ἐπ᾿ ἠλακάτην ἐρύσαντες.
565
ἐν δὲ λιγὺς πέσεν οὖρος· ἐπ᾿ ἰκριόφιν δὲ κάλωας
ξεστῇσι περόνῃσι διακριδὸν ἀμφιβαλόντες,
Τισαίην εὔκηλοι ὑπὲρ δολιχὴν θέον ἄκρην.
τοῖσι δὲ φορμίζων ἐϋθήμονι μέλπεν ἀοιδῇ
Οἰάγροιο πάϊς νηοσσόον εὐπατέρειαν
570
Αρτεμιν, ἢ κείνας σκοπιὰς ἁλὸς ἀμφιέπεσκε,
ῥυομένη καὶ γαῖαν Ιωλκίδα· τῇ δὲ βαθείης
ἰχθύες ἀΐσσοντες ὕπερθ᾽ ἁλὸς, ἄμμιγα παύροις
ἄπλετοι, ὑγρὰ κέλευθα διασκαίροντες ἕποντο.
ὡς δ᾽ ὁπότ᾽ ἀγραύλοιο κατ᾽ ἴχνια σημαντῆρος
575
μυρία μῆλ᾽ ἐφέπονται, ἄδην κεκορημένα ποίης,
εἰς αὖλιν, ὁ δέ τ᾽ εἶσι πάρος, σύριγγι λιγείῃ
καλὰ μελιζόμενος νόμιον μέλος· ὡς ἄρα τοί γε
ὡμάρτευν· τὴν δ᾽ αἰὲν ἐπασσύτερος φέρεν ουρος.
Αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἠερίη πολυλήϊος αἷα Πελασγῶν
580
δύετο, Πηλιάδας δὲ παρεξήμειβον ἐρίπνας,
αἰὲν ἐπιπροθέοντες· ἔδυνε δὲ Σηπιὰς ἄκρη,
φαίνετο δ᾽ εἰναλίη Σκίαθος, φαίνοντο δ᾽ ἄπωθεν
Πειρεσιαὶ, Μάγνησά θ᾽, ὑπεύδιος ἠπείροιο
ἀκτὴ, καὶ τύμβος Δολοπήϊος· ἔνθ᾽ ἄρα τοίγε
585
ἑσπέριοι ἀνέμοιο παλιμπνοίῃσιν ἔκελσαν,
καί μιν κυδαίνοντες, ὑπὸ κνέφας ἔντομα μήλων
κεῖαν, ὀρινομένης ἁλὸς οἴδματι· διπλόα δ᾽ ἀκταῖς
ἤματ᾿ ἐλινύεσκον· ἀτὰρ τριτάτῳ προέηκαν
νῆα, τανυσσάμενοι περιώσιον ὑψόθι λαῖφος.
590
τὴν δ᾽ ἀκτὴν Αφέτας Αργοῦς ἔτι κικλήσκουσιν.
Ενθεν δὲ προτέρωσε παρεξέθεον Μελίβοιαν,
ἀκτήν τ᾽ αἰγιαλόν τε δυσήνεμον ἐκνεύσαντες.
ἠῶθεν δ᾽ Ομόλην αὐτοσχεδὸν εἰσορόωντες
πόντῳ κεκλιμένην, παρεμέτρεον· οὐδ᾽ ἔτι δηρόν
595
μέλλον ὑπὲκ ποταμοῖο βαλεῖν Αμύροιο ῥέεθρα.
κεῖθεν δ᾽ εὐρυμένας τε πολυκλύστους τε φάραγγας
Οσσης Οὐλύμποιό τ᾽ ἐσέδρακον· αὐταρ, ἔπειτα
κλίτεα Παλλήναια, Καναστραίην ὑπὲρ ἄκρην,
ἤνυσαν ἐννύχιοι, πνοιῆς ἀνέμοιο θέοντες.
600
ἦρι δὲ νισσομένοισιν Αθω ἀνέτελλε κολώνη
Θρηϊκίη, ἢ τόσσον ἀπόπροθι Λῆμνον ἐοῦσαν,
ὅσσον ἐς ἔνδιόν κεν ἐΰστολος ὁλκὰς ἀνύσσαι,
ἀκροτάτῃ κορυφῇ σκιάει, καὶ ἐσάχρι Μυρίνης.
τοῖσιν δ᾽ αὐτῆμαρ μὲν ἄεν καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας οὖρος
605
πάγχυ μάλ᾽ ἀκραὴς, τετάνυστο δὲ λαίφεα νηός.
αὐτὰρ ἅμ᾿ ἠελίοιο βολαῖς ἀνέμοιο λιπόντος,
εἰρεσίῃ κραναὴν Σιντηΐδα Αῆμνον ἵκοντο.
Ενθ᾽ ἄμυδις πᾶς δῆμος ὑπερβασίησι γυναικῶν
νηλειῶς δέδμητο παροιχομένῳ λυκάβαντι.
610
δὴ γὰρ κουριδίας μὲν ἀπηνῄναντο γυναῖκας
ἀνέρες ἐχθήραντες, ἔχον δ᾽ ἐπὶ ληϊάδεσσι
τρηχὺν ἔρον, ἃς αὐτοὶ ἀγίνεον ἀντιπέρηθεν·
Θρηϊκίην δῃοῦντες· ἐπεὶ χόλος αἰνὸς ὄπαζε
Κύπριδος, οΰνεκά μιν γεράων ἐπὶ δηρὸν ἄτισσαν.
615
ὢ μέλεαι, ζήλοιό τ᾽ ἐπισμυγερῶς ἀκόρητοι.
οὐκ οἶον σὺν τῇσιν ἑοὺς ἔῤῥαισαν ἀκοίτας
ἀμφ᾽ εὐνῇ, πᾶν δ᾽ ἄρσεν ὁμοῦ γένος, ὡς κεν ὀπίσσω
μή τινα λευγαλέοιο φόνου τίσειαν ἀμοιβήν.
οἴη δ᾽ ἐκ πασέων γεραροῦ περιφείσατο πατρὸς
620
Υψιπύλεια Θόαντος, ὃ δὴ κατὰ δῆμον ἄνασσε·
λάρνακι δ᾽ ἐν κοίλῃ μιν ὑπερθ᾽ ἁλὸς ἦκε φέρεσθαι,
αἴ κε φύγοι. καὶ τὸν μὲν ἐς Οἰνοίην ἐρύσαντο,
πρόσθεν, ἀτὰρ Σίκινόν γε μεθύστερον αὐδηθεῖσαν,
νῆσον ἐπακτῆρες, Σικίνου ἄπο, τὸν ῥα Θόαντι
625
Νηϊὰς Οἰνοίη Νύμφη τέκεν εὐνηθεῖσα.
τῇσι δὲ βουκόλιαί τε βοῶν, χάλκειά τε δύνειν
τεύχεα, πυροφόρους τε διατμήξασθαι ἀρούρας
ῥηΐτερον πάσῃσιν Αθηναίης πέλεν ἔργών,
οἷς αἰεὶ τοπάροιθεν ὁμίλεον. ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἔμπης
630
ἢ θαμὰ δὴ πάπταινον ἐπὶ πλατὺν ὄμμασι πόντον
δείματι λευγαλέῳ, ὁπότε Θρήϊκες ἴασι.
τῷ καὶ ὅτ᾽ ἐγγύθι νήσου ἐρεσσομένην ἴδον Αργώ,
αὐτίκα πασσυδίη πυλέων ἔκτοσθε Μυρίνης,
δήϊα τεύχεα δῦσαι, ἐς αἰγιαλὸν προχέοντο,
635
Θυιάσιν ὠμοβόροις ἴκελαι· φὰν γάρ που ἱκάνειν
Θρήϊκας· ἠδ᾽ ἅμα τῇσι Θοαντιὰς Υψιπύλεια
δῦν᾽ ἐνὶ τεύχεσι πατρός. ἀμηχανίῃ δ᾽ ἐκέχυντο
ἄφθογγοι· τοῖόν σφιν ἐπὶ δέος ᾐωρεῖτο.
Τείως δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐκ νηὸς ἀριστῆες προέηκαν
640
Αἰθαλίδην, κήρυκα θοὸν, τῷπέρ τε μέλεσθαι
ἀγγελίας, καὶ σκῆπτρον ἐπέτραπον Ερμείαο,
σφωϊτέροιο τοκῆος, ὃς οἱ μνῆστιν πόρε πάντων
ἄφθιτον· οὐδ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ ἀποιχομένου Αχέροντος
δίνας ἀπροφάτοὺς ψυχὴν ἐπιδέδρομε λήθη.
645
ἀλλ᾽ ἡ γ᾽ ἔμπεδον αἰὲν ἀμειβομένη μεμόρηται,
ἄλλοθ᾽ ὑποχθονίοις ἐναρίθμιος, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐς αὐγὰς
ἠελίου ζωοῖσι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσιν. ἀλλὰ τί μύθους
Αἰθαλίδεω χρειώ με διηνεκέως ἀγορεύειν ;
ὃς ῥα τόθ᾽ Υψιπύλην μειλίξατο δέχθαι ἰόντας
650
ἤματος ἀνομένοιο διὰ κνέφας· οὐδὲ μὲν ἠοῖ
πείσματα νηὸς ἔλυσαν ἐπὶ πνοιῇ Βορέαο.
Λημνιάδες δὲ γυναῖκες ἀνὰ πτόλιν ἶζον ἰοῦσαι
εἰς ἀγορήν· αὐτὴ γὰρ ἐπέφραδεν Υψιπύλεια.
καί ὁ᾽ ὅτε δὴ μάλα πᾶσαι ὁμιλαδὸν ἠγερέθοντο,
655
αὐτίκ᾿ ἄρ᾽ ἦγ᾽ ἐνὶ τῇσιν ἐποτρύνουσ᾽ ἀγόρευεν.
Ω φίλαι, εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε δὴ μενοεικέα δῶρα πόρωμεν
ἀνδράσιν, οἷά τ᾽ ἔοικεν ἄγειν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔχοντας,
ἤϊα, καὶ μέθυ λαρὸν, ἵν᾽ ἔμπεδον ἔκτοθι πύργων
μίμνωσι, μηδ' ἄμμε κατὰ χρειὼ μεθέποντες
660
ἀτρεκέως γνώωσι, κακὴ δ᾽ ἐπὶ πολλὸν ἵκηται
βάξις· ἐπεὶ μέγα ἔργον ἐρέξαμεν, οὐδέ τι πάμπαν
θυμηδὲς τοῖσίν γε τόδ᾽ ἔσσεται, εἴ κε δαεῖεν.
ἡμετέρη μέν νυν τοίη παρενήνοθε μῆτις·
ὑμέων δ' εἴ τις ἄρειον ἔπος μητίσεται ἄλλη,
665
ἐγρέσθω· τοῦ γάρ τε καὶ εἵνεκα δεῦρο κάλεσσα.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, καὶ θῶκον ἐφίζανε πατρὸς ἑοῖο
λάϊνον· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα φίλη τροφὸς ὧρτο Πολυξώ,
γήραϊ δὴ ῥικνοῖσιν ἐπισκάζουσα πόδεσσι,
βάκτρῳ ἐρειδομένη, πέρι δὲ μενέαιν᾿ ἀγορεῦσαι.
670
τῇ καὶ παρθενικαὶ πίσυρες σχεδὸν ἑδριόωντο,
ἀδμῆτες, λευκῇσιν ἐπιχνοάουσαι ἐθείραις.
στῆ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐνὶ μέσσῃ ἀγορῇ, ἀνὰ δ᾽ ἔσχεθε δειρὴν
ἦκα μόλις κυφοῖο μεταφρένου, ὧδέ τ᾽ ἔειπε.
Δῶρα μὲν, ὡς αὐτῇ περ ἐφανδάνει Υψιπυλείῃ,
675
πέμπωμεν ξείνοισιν, ἐπεὶ καὶ ἄρειον ὀπάσσαι.
ὔμμι γε μὴν τίς μῆτις ἐπαύρεσθαι βιότοιο,
αἴ κεν ἐπιβρίσῃ Θρήϊξ στρατός, ἠἑ τις ἄλλος
δυσμενέων, ἅτε πολλὰ μετ᾿ ἀνθρώποισι πέλονται,
ὡς καὶ νῦν ὅδ᾽ ὅμιλος ἀνωΐστως ἀφικάνει;
680
εἰ δὲ τὸ μὲν μακάρων τις ἀποτρέποι, ἄλλα δ᾽ ὀπίσσω
μυρία, δηϊοτῆτος ὑπέρτερα, πήματα μίμνει.
εὖτ᾽ ἂν δὴ γεραραὶ μὲν ἀποφθινύθωσι γυναῖκες,
κουρότεραι δ᾽ ἄγονοι στυγερὸν ποτὶ γῆρας ἵκησθε,
πῶς τῆμος βώσεσθε δυσάμμοροι; ἠὲ βαρείαις
685
αὐτόματοι βόες ὕμμιν ἐνιζευχθέντες ἀρούραις
γειοτόμον νειοῖο διειρύσσουσιν ἄροτρον,
καὶ πρόκα, τελλομένου ἔτεος, στάχυν ἀμήσονται;
ἢ μὲν ἐγὼν, εἰ καί με τανῦν ἔτι πεφρίκασι
Κῆρες, ἐπερχόμενόν που οΐομαι εἰς ἔτος ἤδη
690
γαῖαν ἐφέσσεσθαι, κτερέων ἀπὸ μοῖραν ἑλοῦσαν
αὕτως ᾗ θέμις ἐστὶ, πάρος κακότητα πελάσσαι.
ὁπλοτέρῃσι δὲ πάγχυ τάδε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.
νῦν γὰρ δὴ παρὰ ποσσὶν ἐπήβολος ἔστ᾽ ἀλεωρή,
εἴ κεν ἐπιτρέψητε δόμους καὶ ληΐδα πᾶσαν
695
ὑμετέρην ξείνοισι, καὶ ἀγλαὸν ἄστυ μέλεσθαι.
Ως ἔφατ᾿· ἐν, δ᾽ ἀγορὴ πλῆτο θρόου. εὔαδε γάρ σφι
μῦθος. ἀτὰρ μετὰ τὴν γε παρασχεδὸν αὖτις ἀνῶρτο
Υψιπύλη, καὶ τοῖον ὑποβλήδην ἔπος ηὔδα.
Εἰ μὲν δὴ πάσῃσιν ἐφανδάνει ἥδε μενοινή,
700
ἤδη κεν μετὰ νῆα καὶ ἄγγελον ὀτρύναιμι.
ἦ ῥα καὶ Ιφινόην μετεφώνεεν ἆσσον ἐοῦσαν.
Ορσο μοι, Ιφινόη, τοῦδ᾽ ἀγέρος ἀντιόωσα
ἡμέτερόνδε μολεῖν, ὅστις στόλου ἡγεμονεύει;
ὄφρα τί οἱ δήμοιο ἔπος θυμῆρες ἐνίσπω·
705
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὺς γαίης τε καὶ ἄστεος, αἴ κ᾽ ἐθέλωσι,
κέκλεο θαρσαλέως ἐπιβαινέμεν εὐμενέοντας.
Η, καὶ ἔλυσ᾽ ἀγορήν· μετὰ δ᾽ εἰς ἑὸν ὠρτο νέεσθαι·
ὡς δὲ καὶ Ιφινόη Μινύας ἵκεθ᾽· οἱ δὲ ἐρέεινον
χρεῖος ὅ τι φρονέουσα μετήλυθεν. ὦκα δὲ τοὺς γε
710
πασσυδίη μύθοισι προσέννεπεν ἐξερέοντας.
Κούρη τοί μ᾽ ἐπέηκε Θοαντιὰς ἐνθάδ᾽ ἰοῦσαν
Υψιπύλη, καλέειν νηὸς πρόμον, ὅστις ὄρωρεν,
ὄφρα τί οἱ δήμοιο, ἔπος θυμῆρες ἐνίσπῃ·
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὺς γαίης τε καὶ ἄστεος, αἴ κ᾽ ἐθέλητε,
715
κέκλεται αὐτίκα νῦν ἐπιβαινέμεν εὐμενέοντας.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· πάντεσσι δ᾽ ἐναίσιμος ἥνδανε μύθος.
Υψιπύλην δ᾽ εἴσαντο καταφθιμένοιρ Θόαντος
τηλυγέτην γεγαυῖαν ἀνασσέμεν· ὦκα δὲ τόν γε
πέμπον ἴμεν, καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὶ ἐπεντύνοντο νέεσθαι.
720
Αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ ὤμοισι θεᾶς Ιτωνίδος ἔργον,
δίπλακα πορφυρέην περονήσατο, τήν οἱ ὄπασσε
Παλλὰς, ὅτε πρῶτον δρυόχους ἐπεβάλλετο νηὸς
Αργοῦς, καὶ κανόνεσσι δάε ζυγὰ μετρήσασθαι.
ἢ μὲν ῥηϊτερόν κεν ἐς ἠέλιον ἀνιόντα
725
ὄσσε βάλοις, ἢ κεῖνο μεταβλέψειας ἔρευθος.
δὴ γάρ τοι μέσση μὲν ἐρευθήεσσα τέτυκτο,
ἄκρα δὲ, πορφυρέη πάντη πέλεν· ἐν δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἑκάστῳ
τέρματι δαίδαλα πολλὰ διακριδὸν εὐ ἐκέκαστο.
Εν μὲν ἔσαν Κύκλωπες ἐπ᾿ ἀφθίτῳ ἥμενοι ἔργῳ,
730
Ζηνὶ κεραυνὸν ἄνακτι πονεύμενοι, ὃς τόσον ἤδη
παμφαίνων ἐτέτυκτο, μιῆς δ᾽ ἔτι δεύετο μοῦνον
ἀκτῖνος, τὴν οἵγε σιδηρείῃς ἐλάασκον
σφύρῃσι, μαλεροῖο πυρὸς ζείουσαν ἀϋτμῇ.
Εν δ᾽ ἔσαν Αντιόπης Ασωπίδος υἱέε δοιώ,
735
Αμφίων καὶ Ζῆθος· ἀπύργωτος δ᾽ ἔτι Θήβη
κεῖτο πέλας, τῆς οἵγε νέον βάλλοντο δομαίους
ἱέμενοι. Ζῆθος μὲν ἐπωμαδὸν ἠέρταζεν
οὔρεος ἠλιβάτοιο κάρη, μογέοντι ἐοικώς·
Αμφίων δ᾽ ἐπί οἱ χρυσέῃ φόρμιγγι λιγαίνων
740
ἤϊε, δὶς τόσση δὲ μετ᾽ ἴχνια νίσσετο πέτρη.
Εξείης δ᾽ ἤσκητο βαθυπλόκαμος Κυθερείη
Αρεος ὀχμάζουσα θοὸν σάκος· ἐκ δὲ οἱ ὤμου
πῆχυν ἐπὶ σκαιὸν ξυνοχὴ κεχάλαστο χιτῶνος
νέρθεν ὑπὲρ μαζοῖο· τὸ δ᾽ ἀντίον ἀτρεκὲς αὕτως
745
χαλκείῃ δείκηλον ἐν ἀσπίδι φαίνετ᾿ ἰδέσθαι.
Εν δὲ βοῶν ἔσκε λάσιος νομός· ἀμφὶ δὲ βουσὶ
Τηλεβόαι μάρναντο καὶ υἱέες Ηλεκτρύωνος··
οἱ μὲν ἀμειβόμενοι, ἀτὰρ οἵγ᾽ ἐθέλοντες ἀμέρσαι
ληϊσταὶ Τάφιοι· τῶν δ᾽ αἵματι δεύετο λειμών
750
ἑρσήεις, πολέες δ᾽ ὀλίγους βιόωντο νομῆας.
Εν δὲ δύω δίφροι πεπονήατο δηριόωντες.
καὶ τὸν μὲν προπάροιθε Πέλοψ ἴθυνε, τινάσσων.
ἡνία, σὺν δὲ οἱ ἔσκε παραιβάτις Ιπποδάμεια·
τὸν δὲ μεταδρομάδην ἐπὶ Μυρτίλος ἤλασεν ἵππους,
755
σὺν τῷ δ᾽ Οἰνόμαος προτενὲς δόρυ χειρὶ μεμαρπὼς
ἴξονος ἐν πλήμνῃσι παρακλιδὸν ἀγνυμένοιο
πίπτεν, ἐπεσσύμενος Πελοπήϊα νῶτα δαΐξαι.
Εν καὶ Απόλλων Φοῖβος ὀϊστεύων ἐτέτυκτο,
βούπαις οὔπω πολλὸς, ἑὴν ἐρύοντα καλύπτρης
760
μητέρα θαρσαλέως Τιτυὸν μέγαν, ὃν σ᾽ ἔτεκέν γε
δι᾽ Ελάρη, θρέψεν δὲ καὶ ἂψ ἐλοχεύσατο Γαῖα.
Εν καὶ Φρίξος ἔην Μινυήϊος, ὡς ἐτεόν περ
εἰσαΐων κριοῦ, ὁ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐξενέποντι ἐῴκει.
κείνους κ᾽ εἰσορόων ἀκέοις, ψεύδοιό τε θυμὸν,
765
ἐλπόμενος πυκινήν τιν᾿ ἀπὸ σφείων ἐσακοῦσαι
βάξιν, ὃ καὶ δηρόν νυν ἐπ᾿ ἐλπίδι θηήσαιο.
Τοῦ ἄρα δῶρα θεᾶς Ιτωνίδος ἦεν Αθήνης.
δεξιτερῇ δ᾽ ἕλεν ἔγχος ἑκηβόλον, ὁ δ᾽ Αταλάντη
Μαινάλῳ ἔν ποτέ οἱ ξεινήϊον ἐγγυάλιξε,
770
πρόφρων ἀντομένη· πέρι γὰρ μενέαινεν ἕπεσθαι
τὴν ὁδόν· ἀλλὰ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἑκὼν ἀπερήτυε κούρην·
δεῖσεν δ᾽ ἀργαλέας ἔριδας φιλότητος ἕκητι.
Βῆ δ᾽ ἴμεναι προτὶ ἄστυ, φαεινῷ ἀστέρι ἶσὸς,
ὃν ῥά τε νηγατέῃσιν ἐεργόμεναι καλύβῃσι
775
νύμφαι θηήσαντο δόμων ὑπεραντέλλοντα,
καὶ σφίσι κυανέοιο δι' ἠέρος ὄμματα θέλγει
καλὸν ἐρευθόμενος, γάνυται δέ τε ἠϊθέοιο
παρθένος ἱμείρουσα μετ᾿ ἀλλοδαποῖσιν ἐόντος
ἀνδράσιν, ᾧ κέν μιν μνηστὴν κομέωσι τοκῆες·
780
τῷ ἴκελος πρὸ πόληος ἀνὰ στίβον ἤΐεν ἥρως.
καί ῥ᾽ ὅτε δὴ πυλέων τε καὶ ἄστεος ἐντὸς ἔβησαν;
δημότεραι μὲν ὄπισθεν ἐπεκλονέοντο γυναῖκες,
γηθόσυναι ξείνῳ· ὁ δ᾽ ἐπὶ χθονὸς ὄμματ᾽ ἐρείσας
νίσσετ᾽ ἀπηλεγέως, ὄφρ᾽ ἀγλαὰ δώμαθ᾽ ἵκανεν
785
Υψιπύλης· ἄνεσαν δὲ θύρας προφανέντι θεράπναι
δικλίδας, εὐτύκτοισιν ἀρηραμένας σανίδεσσιν.
ἔνθα μιν Ιφινόη κλισμῷ ἐνὶ παμφανόωντι
ἐσσυμένως καλῆς διὰ παστάδος εἶσεν ἄγουσα
ἀντία δεσποίνης· ἡ δ᾽ ἐγκλιδὸν ὄσσε βαλούσα
790
παρθενικὰς ἐρύθηνε παρηΐδας· ἔμπα δὲ τόνγε
αἰδομένη μύθοισι προσέννεπεν αἱμυλίοισι.
Ξεῖνε, τίη μίμνοντες ἐπὶ χρόνον ἔκτοθι πύργων
ἦσθ᾽ αὕτως; ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ὑπ᾽ ἀνδράσι ναίεται ἄστυ.
ἀλλὰ Θρηϊκίης ἐπινάστιοι ἠπείροιο
795
πυροφόρους ἀρόωσι γύας. κακότητα δὲ πᾶσαν
ἐξερέω νημερτὲς, ἵν᾽ εὖ γνοίητε καὶ αὐτοί.
εὖτε Θόας ἀστοῖσι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐμβασίλευε,
τηνίκα Θρηϊκίων, οἱ τ᾽ ἀντία ναιετάουσι,
Λήμνου ἀπορνύμενοι λαοί πέρθεσκον ἐπαύλους
800
ἐκ νηῶν, αὐτῇσι δ᾽ ἀπείρονα ληΐδα κούραις
δεῦρ᾽ ἄγον· οὐλομένης δὲ θεᾶς πορσύνετο μῆτις
Κύπριδος, ἥτε σφιν θυμοφθόρον ἔμβαλεν ἄτην.
δὴ γὰρ κουριδίας μὲν ἀπέστυγον, ἐκ δὲ μελάθρων,
ᾗματίη εἴξαντες, ἀπεσσεύοντο γυναῖκας·
805
αὐτὰρ ληϊάδεσσι δορυκτήταις παρίαυον,
σχέτλιοι. ἦ μὲν δηρὸν ἐτέτλαμεν, εἴ κέ ποτ᾽ αὖτις
ὀψὲ μεταστρέψωσι νόον· τὸ δὲ διπλόον αἰεὶ
πῆμα κακὸν προὔβαινεν. ἀτιμάζοντο δὲ τέκνα
γνήσι᾽ ἐνὶ μεγάροις, σκοτίη δ᾽ ἀνέτελλε γενέθλη.
810
αὕτως δ᾽ ἀδμῆτές τε κόραι, χῆραί τ᾽ ἐπὶ τῇσι
μητέρες ἀμπτολίεθρον ἀτημελέες ἀλάληντο.
οὐδὲ πατὴρ ὀλίγον περ ἑῆς ἀλέγιζε θυγατρός,
εἰ καὶ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι δαϊζομένην ὁρόῳτο
μητρυιῆς ὑπὸ χερσὶν ἀτασθάλου· οὐδ᾽ ἀπὸ μητρός
815
λώβην, ὡς τοπάροιθεν, ἀεικέα παῖδες ἄμυνον·
οὐδὲ κασιγνήτοισι κασιγνήτη μέλε θυμῷ.
ἀλλ᾽ οἶαι κοῦραι ληΐτιδες ἔν τε δόμοισιν,
ἔν τε χοροῖς, ἀγορῇ τε, καὶ εἰλαπίνῃσι μέλοντο.
εἰσόκε τις θεὸς ἄμμιν ὑπέρβιον ἔμβαλε θάρσος,
820
ἂψ ἐπανερχομένους Θρῃκῶν ἄπο μηκέτι πύργοις
δέχθαι, ἵν᾽ ἢ φρονέοιεν ἅπερ θέμις, ἠἐ πη ἄλλῃ
αὐταῖς ληϊάδεσσιν ἀφορμηθέντες ἵκοιντο.
οἳ δ᾽ ἄρα θεσσάμενοι παίδων γένος, ὅσσον ἔλειπτο
ἄρσεν ἀνὰ πτολίεθρον, ἔβαν πάλιν, ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ
825
Θρηϊκίης ἄροσιν χιονώδεα ναιετάουσι.
τῷ ὑμεῖς στρωφᾶσθ᾽ ἐπιδήμιοι· εἰ δέ κεν αὖθι
ναιετάειν ἐθέλοις, καί τοι ἅδοι, ἦτ᾽ ἂν ἔπειτα
πατρὸς ἐμοῖο Θόαντος ἔχοις γέρας· οὐδέ τί σ᾽ οἴω
γαῖαν ὀνόσσεσθαι· πέρι γὰρ βαθυλήϊος ἄλλων
830
νήσων, Αἰγαίῃ ὅσαι εἰν ἁλὶ ναιετάουσιν.
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε νῦν ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν ἑτάροισιν ἔνισπε
μύθους ἡμετέρους, μηδ᾽ ἔκτοθι μίμνε πόληος.
Ισκεν, ἀμαλδύνουσα φόνου τέλος, οἷον ἐτύχθη
ἀνδράσιν· αὐτὰρ ὃ τήνγε παραβλήδην προσέειπεν.
835
Υψιπύλη, μάλα κεν θυμηδέος ἀντιάσαιμεν
χρησμοσύνης, ἣν ἄμμι, σέθεν χατέουσιν, ὀπάζεις.
εἶμι δ᾽ ὑπότροπος αὖτις ἀνὰ πτόλιν, εὔτ᾽ ἂν ἕκαστα
ἐξείπω κατὰ κόσμον. ἀνακτορίη δὲ μελέσθω
σοί τ᾽ αὐτῇ καὶ νῆσος· ἔγωγε μὲν οὐκ ἀθερίζων
840
χάζομαι, ἀλλά με λυγροὶ ἐπισπέρχουσιν ἄεθλοι.
Η, καὶ δεξιτερῆς χειρὸς θίγεν· αἶψα δ᾽ ὀπίσσω
βῆ ρ᾽ ἴμεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ τόνγε νεήνιδες ἄλλοθεν ἄλλαι
μυρίαι είλίσσοντο κεχαρμέναι, ὄφρα πυλάων
ἐξέμολε· μετέπειτα δ᾽ ἐϋτροχάλοισιν ἁμάξαις
845
ἀκτὴν εἰσανέβαν, ξεινήϊα πολλὰ φέρουσαι,
μῦθον ὅτ᾽ ἤδη πάντα διηνεκέως ἀγόρευσε,
τὸν ῥα καλεσσαμένη διεπέφραδεν Υψιπύλεια·
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὺς ξεινοῦσθαι ἐπὶ σφέα δώματ᾽ ἄγεσκον
ῥηϊδίως· Κύπρις γὰρ ἐπὶ γλυκὺν ἵμερον ὧρσεν,
850
Ηφαίστοιο χάριν πολυμήτιος, ὄφρα κεν αὖτις
ναίηται μετόπισθεν ἀκήρατος ἀνδράσι Λήμνος.
Ενθ᾽ ὁ μὲν Υψιπύλης βασιλήϊον ἐς δόμον ὠρτο
Αἰσονίδης· οἱ δ᾽ ἄλλοι ὅπη καὶ ἔκυρσαν ἕκαστος,
Ηρακλῆος ἄνευθεν. ὁ γὰρ παρὰ νηϊ λέλειπτο
855
αὐτὸς ἑκὼν, παῦροί τε διακρινθέντες ἑταῖροι.
αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἄστυ χοροῖσι καὶ εἰλαπίνῃσι γεγήθει,
καπνῷ κνισσήεντι περίπλεον· ἔξοχα δ᾽ ἄλλων
ἀθανάτων Ηρης υἷα κλυτὸν, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὴν
Κύπριν ἀοιδῇσι θυέεσσί τε μειλίσσοντο.
860
ἀμβολίη δ᾽ εἰς ἦμαρ ἀεὶ ἐξ ἤματος ἦε
ναυτιλίης· δηρὸν δ᾽ ἂν ἐλίκυον αὖθι μένοντες,
εἰ μὴ ἀολλήσας ἑτάρους ἀπάνευθε γυναικῶν
Ηρακλέης, τοίοισιν ἐνιπτάζων προσέειπε.
Δαιμόνιοι, πάτρης ἐμφύλιον αἷμ᾽ ἀποέργει
865
ἡμέας; ἠὲ γάμων ἐπιδευέες ἐνθάδ᾽ ἔβημεν
κεῖθεν, ὀνοσσάμενοι πολιήτιδας; αὖθι δ᾽ ἕαδε
ναίοντας λιπαρὴν ἄροσιν Λήμνοιο ταμέσθαι;
οὐ μὰν εὐκλειεῖς γε σὺν ὀθνείῃσι γυναιξὶν
ἐσσόμεθ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ἐπὶ δηρὸν ἐελμένοι· οὐδέ τι κῶας
870
αὐτόματον δώσει τις ἑλὼν θεὸς εὐξαμένοισιν.
ἴομεν αὖτις ἕκαστος ἐπὶ σφέα· τὸν δ᾽ ἐνὶ λέκτροις
Υψιπύλης εἰᾶτε πανήμερον, εἰσόκε. Λῆμνον
παισὶν ἐπανδρώσῃ, μεγάλη τέ ἑ βάξις ἵκηται.
Ως νείκεσσὲν ὅμιλον· ἐναντία δ᾽ οὐ νύ τις ἔτλη
875
ὄμματ᾽ ἀνασχεθέειν, οὐδὲ προτιμυθήσασθαι·
ἀλλ᾽ αὕτως ἀγορῆθεν ἐπαρτίζοντο νέεσθαι
σπερχόμενοι. ταὶ δὲ σφιν ἐπέδραμον, εὖτ᾽ ἐδάησαν.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε λείρια καλὰ περιβρομέουσι μέλισσαι
πέτρης ἐκχύμεναι σιμβληΐδος, ἀμφὶ δὲ λειμών
880
ἑρσήεις γάνυται, ταὶ δὲ γλυκὺν ἄλλοτε ἄλλον
καρπὸν ἀμέργουσι πεποτημέναι· ὡς ἄρα ταί γε
ἐνδυκὲς ἀνέρας ἀμφὶ κινυρόμεναι προχέοντο,
χερσί τε καὶ μύθοισὶν ἐδεικανόωντο ἕκαστον,
εὐχόμεναι μακάρεσσιν ἀπήμονα νόστον ὀπάσσαι.
885
ὣς δὲ καὶ Υψιπύλη ἠρήσατο, χεῖρας ἑλοῦσα
Αἰσονίδεω, τὰ δὲ οἱ ῥέε δάκρυα χήτει ἰόντος.
Νίσσεο, καὶ σὲ θεοὶ σὺν ἀπηρέσιν αὖτις ἑταίροις
χρύσειον βασιλῆϊδέρος κομίσειαν ἄγοντα
αὕτως, ὡς ἐθέλεις καί τοι φίλον· ἥδε δὲ νῆσος
890
σκῆπτρά τε πατρὸς ἐμοῖο παρέσσεται, εἴ κεν ὀπίσσω
δή ποτε νοστήσας ἐθέλοις ἄψοῤῥον ἱκέσθαι.
ῥηϊδίως δ᾽ ἄν τοι καὶ ἀπείρονα λαὸν ἀγείραις.
ἄλλων ἐκ πολίων. ἀλλ᾽ οὐ σύ γε τήνδε μενοινὴν
σχήσεις, οὔτ᾽ αὐτὴ προτιόσσομαι ὧδε τελεῖσθαι.
895
μνώεο μὴν ἀπεών περ ὁμῶς καὶ νόστιμος ἤδη
Υψιπύλης· λίπε δ᾽ ἡμὶν ἔπος, το κεν ἐξανύσαιμι
πρόφρων, ἣν ἄρα δή με θεοὶ δώωσι τεκέσθαι.
Τὴν δ᾽ αὖτ᾿ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἀγαιόμενος προσέειπεν·
Υψιπύλη, τὰ μὲν οὕτω ἐναίσιμα πάντα γένοιτο
900
ἐκ μακάρων· τύνη δ᾽ ἐμέθεν πέρι θυμὸν ἀρείω
ἴσχαν᾽, ἐπεὶ πάτρην μοι ἅλις Πελίαο ἕκητι
ναιετάειν· μοῦνόν με θεοὶ λύσειαν ἀέθλων.
εἰ δ᾽ οὐ μοι πέπρωται ἐς Ελλάδα γαϊαν ἱκέσθαι
τηλοῦ ἀναπλώοντι, σὺ δ᾽ ἄρσενα παῖδα τέκοιο,
905
πέμπε μιν ἡβήσαντα Πελασγίδος ἔνδον Ιωλκού,
πατρί τ᾽ ἐμῷ καὶ μητρὶ δύης ἄκος, ἣν ἄρα τοὺς γε
τέτμῃ ἔτι ζώοντας, ἵν᾿ ἄνδιχα τοῖο ἄνακτος.
σφοῖσιν πορσύνωνται ἐφέστιον ἐν μεγάροισιν.
Η, καὶ ἔβαιν᾿ ἐπὶ νῆα παροίτατος· ὡς δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι
910
βαῖνον ἀριστῆες· λάζοντο δὲ χερσὶν ἐρετμὰ
ἐνσχερὼ ἑζόμενοι· πρυμνήσια δὲ σφίσιν Αργος
λῦσεν ὑπὲκ πέτρης ἁλιμυρέος. ἔνθ᾽ ἄρα τοίχε
κόπτον ὕδωρ δολιχῇσιν ἐπικρατέως ἐλάτῃσιν.
ἑσπέριοι δ' Ορφῆος ἐφημοσύνῃσιν ἔκελσαν
915
νῆσον ἐς Ηλέκτρης Ατλαντίδος, ὄφρα δαέντες
ἀῤῥήτους ἀγανῇσι τελεσφορίῃσι θέμιστας
σωότεροι κρυόεσσαν ὑπεὶρ ἅλα ναυτίλλοιντο.
τῶν μὲν ἔτ᾽ οὐ προτέρω μυθήσομαι· ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὴ
νῆσος ὁμῶς κεχάροιτο, καὶ οἱ λάχον ὄργια κεῖνα
920
δαίμονες ἐνναέται, τὰ μὲν οὐ θέμις ἄμμιν ἀείδειν.
Κεῖθεν δ᾽ εἰρεσίῃ Μέλανος διὰ βένθεα πόντου
ἰέμενοι, τῇ μὲν Θρῃκῶν χθόνα, τῇ δὲ περαίην
Ιμβρον ἔχον καθύπερθε· νέον γε μὲν ἠελίοιο
δυομένου, Χερόνησον ἐπὶ προὔχουσαν ἵκοντο.
925
ἔνθα σφι λαιψηρὸς ἄη νότος, ἱστία δ᾽ οὔρῳ
στησάμενοι, κούρης Αθαμαντίδος αἰπὰ ῥέεθρα
εἰσέβαλον· πέλαγος δὲ τὸ μὲν καθύπερθε λέλειπτο
ἦρι, τὸ δ᾽ ἐννύχιοι Ροιτειάδος ἔνδοθεν ἀκτῆς
μέτρεον, Ιδαίην ἐπὶ δεξιὰ γαῖαν ἔχοντες.
930
Δαρδανίην δὲ λιπόντες ἐπιπροσέβαλλον Αβύδῳ,
Περκώπην δ᾽ ἐπὶ τῇ, καὶ Αβαρνίδος ἠμαθόεσσαν
ἠϊόνα, ζαθέην τε παρήμειβον Πιτύειαν.
καὶ δὴ τῇ γ᾽ ἐπὶ νυκτὶ, διάνδιχα νηὸς ἰούσης,
δίνῃ πορφύροντα διήνυσαν Ελλήσποντον.
935
Εστι δέ τις αἰπεῖα Προποντίδος ἔνδοθι νῆσος
τυτθὸν ἀπὸ Φρυγίης πολυληΐου ἠπείροιο
εἰς ἅλα κεκλιμένη, ὅσσον τ᾽ ἐπιμύρεται ἰσθμὸς
χέρσῳ ἐπιπρηνὴς καταειμένος· ἐν δὲ οἱ ἀκταὶ
ἀμφίδυμοι, κεῖνται δ᾽ ὑπὲρ ὕδατος Αἰσήποιο.
940
Αρκτων μιν καλέουσιν ὄρος περιναιετάοντες·
καὶ τὸ μὲν ὑβρισταί τε καὶ ἄγριοι ἀμφινέμονται
Γηγενέες, μέγα θαῦμα περικτιόνεσσιν ἰδέσθαι.
ἓξ γὰρ ἑκάστῳ χεῖρες ὑπέρβιοι ἠερέθονται,
αἱ μὲν ἀπὸ στιβαρῶν ὤμων δύο, ταὶ δ᾽ ὑπένερθε
945
τέσσαρες αἰνοτάτῃσιν ἐπὶ πλευρῇς ἀραρυῖαι.
ἰσθμὸν δ᾽ ἀμπεδίον τε Δολίονες ἀμφενέμοντο
ἀνέρες· ἐν δ᾽ ἥρως Αἰνήϊος υἱὸς ἄνασσε
Κύζικος, ὃν κούρη δίου τέκεν Εὐσώροιο
Αἰνήτη. τοὺς δ᾽ οὐ τι, καὶ ἔκπαγλοί περ ἐόντες,
950
Γηγενέες σίνοντο, Ποσειδάωνος ἀρωγῇ·
τοῦ γὰρ ἔσαν ταπρῶτα Δολίονες ἐκγεγαῶτες.
ἔνθ᾽ Αργὼ προὔτυψεν ἐπειγομένη ἀνέμοισι
Θρηϊκίοις, καλὸς δὲ λιμὴν ὑπέδεκτο θέουσαν.
κεῖσε καὶ εὐναίης ὀλίγον λίθον ἐκλύσαντες,
955
Τίφυος ἐννεσίῃσιν ὑπὸ κρήνῃ ἐλίποντο,
κρήνῃ ὑπ᾿ Αρτακίῃ· ἕτερον δ᾽ ἕλον, ὅστις ἀρήρει,
βριθύν· ἀτὰρ κεῖνόν γε θεοπροπίαις Εκάτοιο
Νηλεΐδαι μετόπισθεν Ιάονες ἱδρύσαντο
ἱερὸν, ᾗ θέμις ἦεν, Ιησονίης ἐν Αθήνης.
960
Τοὺς δ᾽ ἄμυδις φιλότητι Δολίονες, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὸς
Κύζικος ἀντήσαντες, ὅτε στόλον ἠδὲ γενέθλην
ἔκλυον οἵτινες εἶεν, ἐϋξείνως ἀρέσαντο,
καὶ σφέας εἰρεσίῃ πέπιθον προτέρωσε κιόντας
ἄστεος ἐν λιμένι πρυμνήσια νηὸς ἀνάψαι.
965
ἔνθ᾽ οἱ γ' Εκβασίῳ βωμὸν θέσαν. Απόλλωνι,
εἰσάμενοι παρὰ θίνα, θυηπολίης τ᾿ ἐμέλοντο.
δῶκεν δ᾽ αὐτὸς ἄναξ λαρὸν μέθυ δευομένοισι,
μῆλά θ᾽ ὁμοῦ. δὴ γὰρ οἱ ἔην φάτις, εὖτ᾽ ἂν ἵκωνται
ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων θεῖος στόλος, αὐτίκα τόνγε
970
μείλιχον ἀντιάαν, μηδὲ πτολέμοιο μέλεσθαι.
νεῖόν που κἀκείνῳ ἐπισταχύεσκον ἴουλοι,
οὐδὲ νύ πω παίδεσσιν ἀγαλλόμενος μεμόρητο·
ἀλλ᾽ ἔτι οἱ κατὰ δώματ᾽ ἀκήρατος ἦεν ἄκοιτις
ὠδίνων, Μέροπος Περκωσίου ἐκγεγαυῖα,
975
Κλείτη ἐϋπλόκαμος. τὴν μὲν νέον ἐξέτι πατρὸς
θεσπεσίοις ἕδνοισιν ἀνήγαγεν ἀντιπέρηθεν.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὡς θάλαμόν τε λιπὼν καὶ δέμνια νύμφης
τοῖς μέτα δαῖτ᾽ ἀλέγυνε, βάλεν δ᾽ ἀπὸ δείματα θυμοῦ.
ἀλλήλους δ᾽ ἐρέεινον ἀμοιβαδίς. ἤτοι ὁ μὲν σφέων
980
πεύθετο ναυτιλίης ἄνυσιν, Πελίαό τ᾽ ἐφετμάς·
οἱ δὲ περικτιόνων πόλιας, καὶ κόλπον ἅπαντα
εὐρείης πεύθοντο Προποντίδος· οὐ μὲν ἐπιπρὸ
ἠείδει καταλέξαι ξελδομένοισι δαῆναι.
ἠοῖ δ᾽ εἰσανέβαν μέγα Δίνδυμον, ὄφρα κεν αὐτοὶ
985
θηήσαιντο πόρους κείνης ἁλός· ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα τοίγε
νῆα χυτοῦ λιμένος προτέρου ἐξήλασαν ὅρμου·
ἥδε δ' Ιησονίη πέφαται ὁδὸς, ἥνπερ ἔβήσαν.
Γηγενέες δ᾽ ἑτέρωθεν ἀπ᾿ οὔρεος ἀΐξαντες
φράξαν ἀπειρεσίοιο Χυτοῦ στόμα νειόθι πέτρης
990
πόντιον, οἷά τε θῆρα λοχώμενοι ἔνδον ἐόντα.
ἀλλὰ γὰρ αὖθι λέλειπτο σὺν ἀνδράσιν ὁπλοτέροισιν
Ηρακλέης, ὃς δή σφι παλίντονον αἶψα τανύσσας
τόξον, ἐπασσυτέρους πέλασε χθονί· τοὶ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
πέτρας ἀμφιρῶγας ἀερτάζοντες ἔβαλλον.
995
δὴ γάρ που κἀκεῖνα θεὰ τρέφεν αἰνὰ πέλωρα
Ηρη, Ζηνὸς ἄκοιτις, ἀέθλιον Ηρακλῆϊ.
σὺν δὲ καὶ ὦλλοι δῆθεν ὑπότροποι ἀντιόωντες,
πρίν περ ἀνελθέμεναι σκοπιὴν, ἥπτοντο φόνοιο
Γηγενέων ἥρωες ἀρήϊοι, ἠμὲν ὀϊστοῖς,
1000
ἠδὲ καὶ ἐγχείῃσι δεδεγμένοι, εἰσόκε πάντας
ἀντιβίην ἀσπερχὲς ὀρινομένους ἐδάϊξαν.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε δούρατα μακρὰ νέον πελέκεσσι τυπέντα
ὑλοτόμοι στοιχηδὸν ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι βάλωσιν,
ὄφρα νοτισθέντα κρατεροὺς ἀνεχοίατο γόμφους·
1005
ὡς οἱ ἐνὶ ξυνοχῇ λιμένος πολιοῖο τέταντο
ἑξείης, ἄλλοι μὲν ἐς ἁλμυρὸν ἀθρόοι ὕδωρ
δύπτοντες κεφαλὰς καὶ στήθεα, γυῖα δ᾽ ὕπερθε
χέρσω τεινάμενοι· τοὶ δ᾽ ἔμπαλιν, αἰγιαλοῖο
κράατὰ μὲν ψαμάθοισι, πόδας δ᾽ εἰς βένθος ἔρειδον,100
1010
ἄμφω ἅμ᾽ οἰωνοῖσι καὶ ἰχθύσι κύρμα γενέσθαι.
Ήρωες δ᾽, ὅτε δή σφιν ἀταρβὴς ἔπλετ᾽ ἄεθλος,
δὴ τότε πείσματα νηὸς ἐπὶ πνοιῆς ἀνέμοιο
λυσάμενοι, προτέρωσε διὲξ ἁλὸς οἶδμα νέοντο.
ἡ δ᾽ ἔθεε λαίφεσσι πανήμερος· οὐ μὲν ἰούσης
1015
νυκτὸς ἔτι ῥιπὴ μένεν ἔμπεδον, ἀλλὰ θύελλαι
ἀντίαι ἁρπάγδην ὀπίσω φέρον, ὄφρ᾽ ἐπέλασσεν
αὖτις ἐϋξείνοισι Δολίοσιν. ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔβησαν
αὐτονυχί· Ιερὴ δὲ φατίζεται ἥδ᾽ ἔτι πέτρη,
ᾗ πέρι πείσματα νηὸς ἐπεσσύμενοι ἐβάλοντο.
1020
οὐδέ τις αὐτὴν νῆσον ἐπιφραδέως ἐνόησεν
ἔμμεναι· οὐδ᾽ ὑπὸ νυκτὶ Δολίονες ἂψ ἀνιόντας
ἥρωας νημερτὲς ἐπήϊσαν· ἀλλά που ἀνδρῶν
Μακριέων εἴσαντο Πελασγικὸν ἄρεα κέλσαι.
τῷ καὶ τεύχεα δύντες ἐπὶ σφίσι χεῖρας ἄειραν.
1025
σὺν δ᾽ ἔλασαν μελίας τε καὶ ἀσπίδας ἀλλήλοισιν,
ὀξείῃ ἴκελοι ῥιπῇ πυρὸς, ἥ τ᾽ ἐνὶ θάμνοις
αὐαλέοισι πεσοῦσα κορύσσεται· ἐν δὲ κυδοιμὸς
δεινός τε ζαμενής τε Δολιονίῳ πέσε δήμῳ.
οὐδ᾽ ὅγε δηϊοτῆτος ὑπὲρ μόρον αὖτις ἔμελλεν
1030
οἴκαδε νυμφιδίους θαλάμους καὶ λέκτρον ἱκέσθαι.
ἀλλά μιν Αἰσονίδης τετραμμένον ἰθὺς ἑεῖο
πλῆξεν ἐπαΐξας στῆθος μέσον, ἀμφὶ δὲ δουρί.
ὀστέον ἐῤῥαίσθη· ὁ δ᾽ ἐνὶ ψαμάθοισιν ἐλυσθεὶς
μοῖραν ἀνέπλησε. τὴν γὰρ θέμις οὔ ποτ᾿ ἀλύξαι
1035
θνητοῖσι· πάντη δὲ περὶ μέγα πέπταται ἕρκος.
ὡς τὸν ὀϊόμενόν που ἀδευκέος ἔκτοθεν ἄτης
εἶναι ἀριστήων, αὐτὴ ὑπὸ νυκτὶ πέδησε,τι
μαρνάμενον κείνοισι. πολεῖς δ᾽ ἐπαρηγόνες ἄλλοι
ἔκταθεν. Ηρακλέης μὲν ἐνήρατο Τηλεκλῆα
1040
ἠδὲ Μεγαβρόντην· Σφόδριν δ᾽ ἐνάριξεν Ακαστος·
Πηλεὺς δὲ Ζέλυν εἶλεν, ἀρηϊθούν τε Γέφυρον.
αὐτὰρ ἐϋμελίης Τελαμών Βασιλῆα κατέκτα.
Ιδας δ᾽ αὖ Προμέα, Κλύτιος δ' Υάκινθον ἔπεφνε,
Τυνδαρίδαι δ᾽ ἄμφω Μεγαλοσσάκεα, Φλόγιόν τε.
1045
Οἰνεΐδης δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἕλε θρασὺν Ιτυμονῆα,
ἠδὲ καὶ Αρτακέα, πρόμον ἀνδρῶν· οὓς ἔτι πάντὰς
ἐνναέται τιμαῖς ἡρωΐσι κυδαίνουσιν.
οἱ δ᾽ ἄλλοι εἴξαντες ὑπέτρεσαν, ἠΰτε κίρκους
ὠκυπέτας ἀγεληδὸν ὑποτρέσσωσι πέλειαι.
1050
ἐς δὲ πύλας ὁμάδῳ πέσον ἀθρόοι· αἶψα δ᾽ αὐτῆς
πλῆτο πόλις, στονόεντος ὑποτροπίῃ πολέμοιο.
ἠῶθεν δ᾽ ὀλοὴν καὶ ἀμήχανον εἰσενόησαν
ἀμπλακίην ἄμφω· στυγερὸν δὲ ἄχος εἶλεν ἰδόντας
ἥρωας Μινύας Αἰνήϊον υἷα πάροιθε
1055
Κύζικον ἐν κονίῃσι καὶ αἵματι πεπτηῶτα.
ἤματα δὲ τρία πάντα γόων, τίλλοντό τε χαίτας
αὐτοὶ ὁμῶς λαοί τε Δολίονες. αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
τρὶς περὶ χαλκείοις σὺν τεύχεσι δινηθέντες
τύμβῳ ἐνεκτερέϊξαν, ἐπειρήσαντό τ᾽ ἀέθλων,
1060
ᾗ θέμις, ἀμπεδίον λειμώνιον, ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ
ἐγκέχυται τόδε σῆμα καὶ ὀψιγόνοισιν ἰδέσθαι.
οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδ᾽ ἄλοχος Κλείτη φθιμένοιο λέλειπτο
οὗ πόσιος μετόπισθε· κακῷ δ᾽ ἔπι κύντερον ἄλλο
ἤνυσεν, ἁψαμένη βρόχον αὐχένι. τὴν δὲ καὶ αὐταὶ
1065
Νύμφαι ἀποφθιμένην ἀλσηΐδες ὠδύραντο·
καὶ οἱ ἀπὸ βλεφάρων ὅσα δάκρυα χεῦαν ἔραζε,
πάντα τάγε κρήνην τεῦξαν θεαὶ, ἣν καλέουσι
Κλείτην, δυστήνοιο περικλεὲς οὔνομα νύμφης.
αἰνότατον δὴ κεῖνο Δολιονίῃσι γυναιξὶν
1070
ἀνδράσι τ᾽ ἐκ Διὸς ἦμαρ ἐπήλυθεν· οὐδὲ γὰρ αὐτῶν
ἔτλη τις πάσσασθαι ἐδητύος, οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ δηρὸν,
ἐξ ἀχέων, ἔργοιο μυληφάτου ἐμνώοντο·
ἀλλ᾽ αὕτως ἄφλεκτα διεζώεσκον ἔδοντες.
ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν, εὔτ᾽ ἂν σφιν ἐτήσια χύτλα χέωνται
1075
Κύζικον ἐνναϊοντες Ιάονες, ἔμπεδον αἰεὶ
πανδήμοιο μύλης πελάνους ἐπαλετρεύουσιν.
Εκ δὲ τόθεν τρηχεῖαι ἀνηέρθησαν ἄελλαι
ἤμαθ᾽ ὁμοῦ νύκτας τε δυώδεκα, τοὺς δὲ κατ᾽ αὖθι
ναυτίλλεσθαι ἔρυκον. ἐπιπλομένῃ δ᾽ ἐνὶ νυκτὶ
1080
ὦλλοι μέν ῥα πάρος δεδμημένοι εὐνάζοντο
ὕπνῳ ἀριστῆες πύματον λάχος· αὐτὰρ Ακαστος
Μόψος τ' Αμπυκίδης ἀδινὰ κνώσσοντας ἔρυντο.
ἡ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὑπὲρ ξανθοῖο καρήατος Αἰσονίδαο
πωτᾶτ᾽ ἀλκυονὶς λιγυρῇ ὀπὶ θεσπίζουσα
1085
λῆξιν ὀρινομένων ἀνέμων· συνέηκε δὲ Μόψος,
ἀκταίης ὄρνιθος ἐναίσιμον ὄσσαν ἀκούσας.
καὶ τὴν μὲν θεὸς αὐτις ἀπέτραπεν, ἶζε δ᾽ ὕπερθε
νηΐου ἀφλάστοιο μετῄορος ἀΐξασα.
τὸν δ᾽ ὅ γε κεκλιμένον μαλακοῖς ἐνὶ κώεσιν οἰῶν
1090
κινήσας ἀνέγειρε παρασχεδὸν, ὧδέ τ᾽ ἔειπεν,
Αἰσονίδη, χρειώ σε τόδ' ἱερὸν εἰσανιόντα
Δινδύμου ὀκριόεντος, ἐϋθρονον ἱλάξασθαι
μητέρα συμπάντων μακάρων· λήξουσι δ᾽ ἄελλαι
ζαχρηεῖς. τοίην γὰρ ἐγὼ νέον ὄσσαν ἄκουσα
1095
ἀλκυόνος ἁλίης, ἥτε κνώσσοντος ὕπερθε
σεῖο πέριξ τὰ ἕκαστα πιφαυσκομένη πεπότητο.
ἐκ γὰρ τῆς ἄνεμοί τε, θάλασσά τε, νειόθι τε χθὼν
πᾶσα πεπείρηται, νιφόεν θ᾽ ἕδος Οὐλύμποιο·
καί οἱ, ὅτ᾽ ἐξ ὀρέων μέγαν οὐρανὸν εἰσαναβαίνει,
1100
Ζεὺς αὐτὸς Κρονίδης ὑποχάζεται. ὡς δὲ καὶ ὦλλοι
ἀθάνατοι μάκαρες δεινὴν θεὸν ἀμφιέπουσιν.
Ως φάτο· τῷ δ᾽ ἀσπαστὸν ἔπος γένετ᾽ εἰσαΐοντι.
ὤρνυτο δ᾽ ἐξ εὐνῆς κεχαρημένος· ὧρσε δ᾽ ἑταίρους
ΙΙοὐπάντας ἐπισπέρχων, καί τε σφίσιν ἀγρομένοισιν
1105
Αμπυκίδεω Μόψοιο θεοπροπίας ἀγόρευεν.
αἶψα δὲ κουρότεροι μὲν ἀπὸ σταθμῶν ἐλάσαντες
ἔνθεν ἐπ᾿ αἰπεινὴν ἄναγον βόας οὔρεος ακρην.
οἱ δ᾽ ἄρα λυσάμενοι Ιερῆς ἐκ πείσματα πέτρης,
Ιπποὔρεσαν ἐς λιμένα Θρηΐκιον· ἀν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
1110
βαῖνον, παυροτέρους ἑτάρων ἐν νηΐ λιπόντες.
τοῖσι δὲ Μακριάδες σκοπιαὶ, καὶ πᾶσα περαίη.
Θρηϊκίης ἐνὶ χερσὶν ἑαῖς προὐφαίνετ᾿ ἰδέσθαι·
φαίνετο δ᾽ ἠερόεν στόμα Βοσπόρου, ἠδὲ κολῶναι
Μυσίαι· ἐκ δ᾽ ἑτέρης ποταμοῦ ῥόος Αἰσήποιο
1115
ἄστυ τε καὶ πεδίον Νηπήϊον Αδρηστείης.
ἔσκε δέ τι στιβαρὸν στύπος ἀμπέλου ἔντροφον ὕλῃ
πρόχνυ γεράνδρυον· τὸ μὲν ἔκταμον, ὄφρα πέλοιτο
δαίμονος οὐρείης ἱερὸν βρέτας· ἔξεσε δ' Αργος
εὐκόσμως, καὶ δή μιν ἐπ᾿ ὀκριόεντι κολωνῷ
1120
ἵδρυσαν, φηγοῖσιν ἐπηρεφὲς ἀκροτάτῃσιν,
αἱ ῥά τε πασάων πανυπέρταται ἐρρίζωντο. ··
βωμὸν δ᾽ αὖ χεράδος παρενήνεον· ἀμφὶ δὲ φύλλοις
στεψάμενοι δρυΐνοισι θυηπολίης ἐμέλοντο,
Μητέρα Δινδυμίην πολυπότνιαν ἀγκαλέοντες,
1125
ἐνναέτιν Φρυγίης, Τιτίην θ᾽ ἅμα, Κυλληνόν τε,
οἳ μοῦνοι πολέων μοιρηγέται ἠδὲ πάρεδροι
Μητέρος Ιδαίης κεκλήαται, ὅσσοι ἔασι
Δάκτυλοι Ιδαῖοι Κρηταιέες, οὕς ποτε Νύμφη
Αγχιάλη Δικταῖον ἀνὰ σπέος, ἀμφοτέρῃσι
1130
δραξαμένη γαίης Οἰαξίδος, ἐβλάστησε.
πολλὰ δὲ τήνγε λιτῇσιν ἀποστρέψαι ἐριωλὰς
Αἰσονίδης γουνάζετ᾽ ἐπιλείβων ἱεροῖσιν
αἰθομένοις· ἄμυδις δὲ νέοι Ορφῆος ἀνωγῇ
σκαίροντες βηταρμὸν ἐνόπλιον ὠρχήσαντο,
1135
καὶ σάκεα ξιφέεσσιν ἐπέκτυπον, ὡς κεν ἰωὴ
δύσφημος πλάζοιτο δι' ἠέρος, ἣν ἔτι λαοὶ
κηδείῃ βασιλῆος ἀνέστενον. ἔνθεν ἐσαιεὶ
ῥόμβῳ καὶ τυπάνῳ Ρείην Φρύγες ἱλάσκονται.
ἡ δέ που εὐαγέεσσιν ἐπὶ φρένα θῆκε θυηλαῖς
1140
ἀνταίη δαίμων· τὰ δ᾽ ἐοικότα σήματ᾽ ἔγεντο.
δένδρεα μὲν καρπὸν χέον· ἄσπετον, ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὺν α
αὐτομάτη φύε γαῖα τερείνης ἄνθεα ποίης.
θῆρες δ᾽ εἰλυούς τε κατὰ ξυλόχους τε λιπόντες,
οὐρῇσι σαίνοντες ἐπήλυθον. ἠδὲ καὶ ἄλλα
1145
θῆκε τέρας· ἐπεὶ οὐ τι παροίτερον ὕδατι νᾶε
Δίνδυμον· ἀλλά σφιν τότ᾽ ἀνέβραχε διψάδος αὕτως
ἐκ κορυφῆς ἄλληκτου· Ιησονίην δ᾽ ἐνέπουσι
κεῖνο ποτὸν κρήνην περιψαιέται ἄνδρες ἀπίσσω.
καὶ τότε μὲν δαῖτ᾽ ἀμφὶ θεᾶς θέσαν οὔρεσιν Αρκτων,
1150
μέλποντες Ρείην πολυπότνιαν. αὐτὰρ ἐς ἠὼ,
ληξάντων ἀνέμων, νῆσον λίπον εἰρεσίῃσιν.
Ενθ' ἔρις ἄνδρα ἕκαστον ἀριστήων ὀρόθυνεν,
ὅστις ἀπολήξειε πανύστατος. ἀμφὶ γὰρ αἰθὴρ
νήνεμος ἐστόρεσεν δίνας, κατὰ δ᾽ εὔνασε πόντον,
1155
οἱ δὲ γαληναίῃ πίσυνοι ἐλάασκαν ἐπιπρὸ
νῆα βίη· τὴν δ᾽ οὐ κε διὲξ ἁλὸς ἀΐσσουσαν
οὐδὲ Ποσειδάωνος ἀελλόποδες κίχον ἵπποι.
ἔμπης δ᾽ ἐχρομένοιο σάλου ζαχρηέσιν αὔραις,
αΐ νέον ἐκ ποταμῶν ὑπὸ δείελον ἠερέθοντο,
1160
τειρόμενοι καμάτῳ μετελώφεον. αὐτὰρ ὁ τούςγε
πασσυδίη μογέοντας ἐφέλκετο κάρτεϊ χειρῶν
Ηρακλέης, ἐτίνασσε δ᾽ ἀρηρότα δούρατα νηός,
ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε δὴ, Μυσῶν λελιημένοι ἠπείροιο,
Ρυνδακίδας προχοὰς, μέγα τ᾽ ἠρίον Αἰγαίωνος
1165
τυτθὸν ὑπὲκ Φρυγίης παρεμέτρεου εἰσορόωντες,
δὴ τότ᾽ ἀνοχλίζων τετρηχότος οἴδματος ὁλκοὺς,
μεσσόθεν ἄξεν ἐρετμόν, ἀτὰρ τρύφος ἄλλο μὲν αὐτὸς
ἄμφω χερσὶν ἔχων πέσε δόχμιος, ἄλλο δὲ πόντας
κλύζε παλιροθίοισι φέρων, ἀνὰ δ᾽ ἕζετο σιγῇ
1170
παπταίνων· χεῖρες γὰρ ἀήθεσαν ἠρεμέουσαι.
Ημος δ᾽ ἀγρόθεν εἶσι φυτοσκάφος, ἤ τις ἀροτρεὺς
ἀσπασίως εἰς αὖλιν ἑὴν, δόρποιο χατίζων,
αὐτοῦ δ᾽ ἐν προμολῇ τετρυμένα γούνατ' ἔκαμψεν
αὐσταλέος κονίησι, περιτριβέας δέ τε χεῖρας
1175
εἰσορόων, κακὰ πολλὰ ἑῇ ἠρήσατο γαστρί·
τῆμος ἄρ᾽ οἳ γ᾽ ἀφίκοντο Κιανίδος ἤθεα γαίης,
ἀμφ᾿ Αργανθώνειον ὄρος, προχοάς τε Κίοιο.
τοὺς μὲν ἐϋξείνως Μυσοὶ φιλότητι κιόντας
δειδέχατ᾽, ἐνναέται κείνης χθονὸς, ἤϊά τε σφι
1180
μῆλά τε δευομένοις, μέθυ τ᾽ ἄσπετον ἐγγυάλιξαν.
ἔνθα δ᾽ ἔπειθ᾽ οἱ μὲν ξύλα κάγκανα, τοὶ δὲ λεχαίην
φυλλάδα λειμώνων φέρον ἄσπετον ἀμήσαντες,
στόρνυσθαι· τοὶ δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πυρήϊα δινεύεσκον·
οἱ δ᾽᾽ οἶνον κρητῆρσι κέρων, πονέοντά τε δαῖτα,
1185
Εκβασίῳ ῥέξαντες ὑπὸ κνέφας Απόλλωνι.
Αὐτὰρ ὁ δαίνυσθαι ἑτάροις οἷς ἐὗ ἐπιτείλας
βῆ ῥ᾽ ἴμεν εἰς ὅλην υἱὸς Διὸς, ὡς κεν ἐρετμὸν
οἱ αὐτῷ φθαίη καταχείριον ἐντύνασθαι.
εὗρεν ἔπειτ᾽ ἐλάτην ἀλαλήμενος, οὔτε τι πολλοῖς
1190
ἀχθομένην ἄζοις, οὐδὲ μέγα τηλεθόωσαν,
ἀλλ᾽ οἷον ταναῆς ἔρνος πέλει αἰγείροιο·
τόσση ὁμῶς μῆκός τε καὶ ἐς πάχος ἦεν ἰδέσθαι.
ῥίμφα δ᾽ ὀϊστοδόκην μὲν ἐπὶ χθονὶ· θῆκε φαρέτρην
αὐτοῖσι· τόξοισιν, ἔδυ δ᾽ ἄπα δέρμα λέοντος,
1195
τὴν δ᾽ ὅγε χαλκοβαρεῖ ῥοπάλῳ δαπέδοιο τινάξας
νειόθὲν ἀμφοτέρῃσι περὶ στύπος ἔλλαβε χερσὶν,
ἠνορέῃ πίσυνος· ἐν δὲ πλατὺν ὦμον ἔρεισεν
εὖ διαβάς· πεδόθεν δὲ, βαθύριζόν περ ἐοῦσαν, κα
προσφὺς ἐξήειρε σὺν αὐτοῖς ἔχμασι γαίης. Α
1200
ὡς δ᾽ ὅταν ἀπροφάτως ἱστὸν νεὸς, εὖτε μάλιστα
χειμερίη ὀλοοῖο πέλει δύσις Ωρίωνος,
ὑψόθεν ἐμπλήξασα θοὴ ἀνέμοιο κατάϊξ
αὐτοῖσι σφήνεσσιν ὑπὲκ προτόνων ἐρύσηται·
ὡς ὅγε τὴν ἤειρεν. ὁμοῦ δ᾽ ἀνὰ τόξα καὶ ἰοὺς,
1205
δέρμα θ᾽ ἑλὼν, ρόπαλόν τε, παλίσσυτος ὧρτο νέεσθαι.
Τόφρα δ' Υλας χαλκέῃ σὺν κάλπιδι νόσφιν ὁμίλου
δίζετο κρηναίης ἱερὸν ῥόον, ὥς κέν οἱ ὕδωρ
φθαίη ἀφυσσάμενος ποτιδόρπιον, ἄλλα τε πάντα
ὀτραλέως κατὰ κόσμον ἐπαρτίσσειεν ἰόντι.
1210
δὴ γάρ μιν τοίοισιν ἐν ἤθεσιν αὐτὸς ἔφερβε
νηπίαχον ταπρῶτα, δόμων ἐκ πατρὸς ἀπούρας,
δίου Θειοδάμαντος, ὃν ἐν Δρυόπεσσιν ἔπεφνε
νηλειῶς, βοὸς ἀμφὶ γεωμόρου ἀντιόωντα.
ἤτοι ὁ μὲν νειοῖο γύας τέμνεσκεν ἀρότρῳ
1215
Θειοδάμας ἀνίῃ βεβολημένος· αὐτὰρ ὁ τόνγε
βοῦν ἀρότην ἤνωγε παρασχέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα.
ἵετο γὰρ πρόφασιν πολέμου Δρυόπεσσι βαλέσθαι
λευγαλέην, ἐπεὶ οὐ τι δίκης ἀλέγοντες ἔναιον.
ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν τηλοῦ κεν ἀποπλάγξειεν ἀοιδῆς.
1220
αἶψα δ' ὅ γε κρήνην μετεκίαθεν, ἣν καλέουσι
Πηγὰς ἀγχίγυοι περιναιέται. οἱ δέ που ἄρτι
Νυμφάων ἵσταντο χοροί· μέλε γὰρ σφίσι πάσαις,
ὅσσαι κεῖσ᾽ ἐρατὸν Νύμφαι ῥίον ἀμφενέμοντο,
Αρτεμιν ἐννυχίῃσιν ἀεὶ μέλπεσθαι ἀοιδαῖς.
1225
αἱ μὲν ὅσαι σκοπιὰς ὀρέων λάχον, ἢ καὶ ἐναύλους,
αἱ γε μὲν ὑλήωροι ἀπόπροθεν ἐστιχόωντο·
ἡ δὲ νέον κρήνης ἀνεδύετο καλλινάοιο
Νύμφη ἐφυδατίη· τὸν δὲ σχεδὸν εἰσενόησε
κάλλεϊ καὶ γλυκερῇσιν ἐρευθόμενον χαρίτεσσι.
1230
πρὸς γάρ οἱ διχόμηνις ἀπ' αἰθέρος αὐγάζουσα
βάλλε Σεληναίη, τὴν δὲ φρένας ἐπτοίησε
Κύπρις, ἀμηχανίῃ δὲ μόγις συναγείρατο θυμόν.
αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ ὡς ταπρῶτα ῥόῳ ἔνι κάλπιν ἔρεισε
λέχρις ἐπιχριμφθεὶς, περὶ δ᾽ ἄσπετον ἔβραχεν ὕδωρ
1235
χαλκὸν ἐς ἠχήεντα φορεύμενον, αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἤγε
λαιὸν μὲν καθύπερθεν ἐπ' αὐχένος ἄνθετο πῆχυν,
κύσσαι ἐπιθύουσα τέρεν στόμα· δεξιτερῇ δὲ
ἀγκῶν᾽ ἔσπασε χειρὶ, μέσῃ δ᾽ ἐνικάββαλε δίνῃ.
Τοῦ δ᾽ ἥρως ἰάχοντος ἐπέκλυεν οἷος ἑταίρων
1240
Εἰλατίδης Πολύφημος, ἰὼν προτέρωσε κελεύθου.
δέκτο γὰρ Ηρακλῆα πελώριον, ὁππόθ᾽ ἵκοιτο. Αυτό
βῆ δὲ μεταΐξας Πηγέων σχεδὸν, ἠὔτε τις θὴρ
ἄγριος, ὃν ῥά τε γῆρυς ἀπόπροθεν ἵκετο μήλων,
λιμῷ δ᾽ αἰθόμενος μετανίσσεται, οὐδ᾽ ἐπέκυρσε
1245
ποίμνῃσι· πρὸ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἐνὶ σταθμοῖσι νομῆες
ἔλσαν· ὁ δὲ στενάχων βρέμει ἄσπετον, ὄφρα κάμησιν·
ὣς τότ᾽ ἄρ᾽ Εἰλατίδης μεγάλ᾽ ἔστενεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ χῶρον
φοίτα κεκληγώς· μελέη δὲ οἱ ἔπλετο φωνή.
αἶψα δ᾽ ἐρυσσάμενος μέγα φάσγανον ὧρτο δίεσθαι,
1250
μή πως ἢ θήρεσσιν ἕλωρ πέλεν, ἠε μιν, ἄνδρες. Α
μοῦνον ἐόντ᾽ ἐλόχησαν, ἄγουσι δὲ ληϊδ᾽ ἑτοίμην
ἔνθ᾽ αὐτῷ ξύμβλητο κατὰ στίβον Ηρακλῆϊ,
γυμνὸν ἐπαΐσσων παλάμη ξίφος· εὖ δέ μιν ἔγνω
σπερχόμενον μετὰ νῆα διὰ κνέφας. αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἄτην
1255
ἔκφατο, λευγαλέην, βεβαρημένος ἄσθματι θυμόν.
Δαιμόνιε, στυγερόν τοῦ ἄχος πάμπρωτος ἐνίψω.
οὐ γὰρ Υλας κρήνηνδε κιών, σόος αὖτις ἱκάνει.
ἀλλὰ ἑ ληϊστῆρες ἐνιχρίμψαντες ἄγουσιν,
ἢ θῆρες σίνονται· ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἰάχοντος ἄκουσα.
1260
Ως φάτο· τῷ δ᾽ ἀΐοντι κατὰ κροτάφων ἅλις ἱδρὼς
κήκιεν, ἐν δὲ κελαινὸν ὑπὸ σπλάγχνοις ζέεν αἷμα.
χωόμενος δ᾽ ἐλάτην χαμάδις βάλεν, ἐς δὲ κέλευθον
τὴν θέεν, ᾗ πόδες αὐτὸν ὑπέκφέρον ἀΐσσοντα.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε τίς τε μύωπι τετυμμένος ἔσσυτο ταῦρος,
1265
πίσεά τε προλιπὼν καὶ ἐλεσπίδας, οὐδὲ νομήων
οὐδ᾽ ἀγέλης ὄθεται, πρήσσει δ᾽ ὁδὸν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἄπαυστος,
ἄλλοτε δ᾽ ἱστάμενος, καὶ ἀνὰ πλατὺν αὐχέν᾿ ἀείρων
ἵησι μύκημα, κακῷ βεβολημένος οἴστρῳ·
ὡς ὅγε μαιμώων, ὁτὲ μὲν θοὰ γούνατ᾽ ἔπαλλε
1270
συνεχέως, ὁτὲ δ᾽ αὖτε μεταλήγων καμάτοιο
τῆλε διαπρύσιον μεγάλῃ βοάασκεν ἀϋτῇ.
Αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἀκροτάτας ὑπερέσχεθεν ἄκριας ἀστὴρ ·
ἠῷος, πνοιαὶ δὲ κατήλυθον· ὦκα δὲ Τίφυς
ἐσβαίνειν ὀρόθυνεν, ἐπαύρεσθαί τ᾽ ἀνέμοιο.
1275
οἱ δ᾽ ἐσέβαινον ἄφαρ λελιημένοι· ὕψι δὲ νηὸς
εὐναίας· ἐρύσαντες ἀνεκρούσαντο κάλωας.
κυρτώθη δ᾽ ἀνέμῳ λίνα μεσσόθι, τῆλε δ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ἀκτῆς
γηθόσυνοι φορέοντο παραὶ Ποσιδήϊον ἄκρην.
ἦμος δ᾽ οὐρανόθεν χαροπὴ ὑπολάμπεται ἠὼς
1280
ἐκ περάτης ἀνιοῦσα, διαγλαύσσουσι δ᾽ ἀταρποὶ,
καὶ πεδία δροσόεντα φαεινῇ λάμπεται αἴγλῃ,
τῆμος τούςγ᾽ ἐνόησαν ἀϊδρείῃσι λιπόντες.
ἐν δέ σφι κρατερὸν νεῖκος πέσεν, ἐν δὲ κολωὸς
ἄσπετος, εἰ τὸν ἄριστον ἀποπρολιπόντες ἔβησαν
1285
σφωϊτέρων ἑτάρων. ὁ δ᾽ ἀμηχανίῃσιν ἀτυχθεὶς
οὐδέ τι τοῖον ἔπος, μετεφώνεεν, οὐδέ τι τοῖον
Αἰσονίδης· ἀλλ᾽ ἦστο βαρείῃ νειόθεν ἄτῃ
θυμὸν ἔδων· Τελαμῶνα δ᾽ ἕλε χόλος, ὧδέ τ᾽ ἔειπεν.
Ησ᾿ αὕτως εὔκηλος, ἐπεὶ νύ του ἄρμενον ἦεν
1290
Ηρακλῆα λιπεῖν· σέο δ᾽ ἔκτοθι μῆτις ὄρωρεν,
ὄφρα τὸ κείνου κῦδος ἀν᾿ Ελλάδα μή σε καλύψη,
αἴ κε θεοὶ δώωσιν ὑπότροπον οἴκαδε νόστον.
ἀλλὰ τί μύθων ἦδος, ἐπεὶ καὶ νόσφιν ἑταίρων
εἶμι τεῶν, οἱ τόνγε δόλον συνετεκτήναντο.
1295
Η, καὶ ἐς Αγνιάδην Τίφυν θόρε· τὼ δὲ οἱ ὄσσε
ὄστλιγγες μαλεροῖο πυρὸς ὡς ἰνδάλλοντο.·
καὶ νύ κεν ἂψ ὀπίσω Μυσῶν ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἵκοντο,
λαῖτμα βιησάμενοι, ἀνέμου τ᾽ ἄλληκτον ἰωὴν,
εἰ μὴ Θρηϊκίοιο δύω υἷες Βορέαο
1300
Αἰακίδην χαλεποῖσιν ἐρητύεσκον ἔπεσσι,
σχέτλιοι· ἢ τέ σφι στυγερή τίσις ἔπλετ᾽ ὀπίσσω
χερσὶν ὑφ᾽ Ἡρακλῆος, ὅ μιν δίζεσθαι ἔρυκον.
ἄθλων γὰρ Πελίαο δεδουπότος ἂῳ ἀνιόντας
Τήνῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ πέφνε, καὶ ἀμήσατο γαῖαν
1305
ἀμφ᾿ αὐτοῖς, στήλας τε δύω καθύπερθεν ἔτευξεν,
ὧν ἑτέρη, θάμβος περιώσιον ἀνδράσι λεύσσειν,
κίνυται ἠχήεντος ὑπὸ πνοιῇ Βορέαο.
καὶ τὰ μὲν ὡς ἤμελλε μετὰ χρόνον ἐκτελέεσθαι.
τοῖσιν δὲ Γλαύκος βρυχίης ἁλὸς ἐξεφαάνθη,
1310
Νηρῆος θείοιο πολυφράδμων ὑποφήτης·
ὕψι δὲ λαχνῆέν τε κάρη καὶ στήθε᾽ ἀείρας
νειόθεν ἐκ λαγόνων, στιβαρῇ γ᾽ ἐπαρέξατο χειρὶ
νηΐου ὁλκαίοιο, καὶ ἴαχεν ἐσσυμένοισι.
Τίπτε παρὲκ μεγάλοιο Διὸς μενεαίνετε βουλὴν
1315
Αἰήτεω πτολίεθρον ἄγειν θρασὺν Ηρακλῆα;
Αργεί οἱ μοῖρ᾽ ἐστὶν ἀτασθάλῳ Εὐρυσθῆϊ
ἐκπλῆσαι μογέοντα δυώδεκα πάντας ἀέθλους,
ναίειν δ᾽ ἀθανάτοισι συνέστιον, εἴ κ᾿ ἔτι παύρους
ἐξανύσῃ· τῷ μή τι ποθὴ κείνοιο πελέσθω.
1320
αὕτως δ᾽ αὖ Πολύφημον ἐπὶ προχοῇσι Κίοιο
πέπρωται Μυσοῖσι περικλεὲς ἄστυ καμόντα,
μοῖραν ἀναπλήσειν Χαλύβων ἐν ἀπείρονι γαίῃ.
αὐτὰρ Υλαν φιλότητι θεὰ ποιήσατο Νύμφη.
ὃν πόσιν, οἷα περ οΰνεκ᾽ ἀποπλαγχθέντες ἔλειφθεν.
1325
Η, καὶ κῦμ᾽ ἀλίαστον ἐφέσσατο νειόθι δύψας·
ἀμφὶ δὲ οἱ δίνῃσι κυκώμενον ἄφρεεν ὕδωρ
πορφύρεον, κοίλην δὲ διὲξ ἁλὸς ἔκλυσε νῆα.
γήθησαν δ᾽ ἥρωες· ὁ δ᾽ ἐσσυμένως ἐβεβήκει
Αἰακίδης Τελαμὼν ἐς Ιήσονα, χεῖρα δὲ χειρὶ
1330
ἄκρην ἀμφιβαλὼν προσπτύξατο, φώνησέν τε.
Αἰσονίδη, μή μοί τι χολώσεαι, ἀφραδίησιν
εἴ τί περ ἀασάμην. πέρι γάρ μ' ἄχος ἦκεν ἐνίσπειν
μύθον ὑπερφίαλόν τε καὶ ἄσχετον, ἀλλ᾽ ἀνέμοισι
δώομεν ἀμπλακίην, ὡς καὶ πάρος εὐμενέοντες.
1335
Τὸν δ᾽ αὖτ᾿ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἐπιφραδέως προσέειπεν ·
Ω πέπον, ἢ μάλα δή με κακῷ ἐκυδάσσαο μύθῳ,
φὰς ἐνὶ τοῖσιν ἅπασιν ἐνηέος ἀνδρὸς ἀλείτην
ἔμμεναι, ἀλλ᾽ οὐ θήν του ἀδευκέα μῆνιν ἀέξω,
πρίν περ ἀνιηθείς· ἐπεὶ οὐ περὶ πώεσι μήλων,
1340
οὐδὲ περὶ κτεάτεσσι χαλεψάμενος μενέηνας,
ἀλλ᾽ ἑτάρου περὶ φωτός. ἔολπα δέ τοι σὲ καὶ ἄλλῳ
ἀμφ᾿ ἐμεῦ, εἰ τοιόνδε πέλοι ποτὲ, δηρίσεσθαι.
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀρθμηθέντες, ὅπη πάρος, ἑδριόωντο.
τὼ δὲ Διὸς βουλῇσιν, ὁ μὲν Μυσοῖσι βαλέσθαι
1345
μέλλεν ἐπώνυμον ἄστυ πολισσάμενος ποταμοίο
Εἰλατίδης Πολύφημος· ὁ δ᾽. Εὐρυσθῆος ἀέθλους
αὖτις ἰὼν πονέεσθαι. ἐπηπείλησε δὲ γαῖαν
Μυσίδ᾽ ἀναστήσειν αὐτοσχεδὸν, ὁππότε μή οἱ
ἢ ζωοῦ εὕροιεν Υλα μόρον, ἠὲ θανόντος.
1350
τοῖο δὲ ῥύσι᾽ ὄπασσαν, ἀποκρίναντες ἀρίστους;
υἱέας ἐκ δήμοιο, καὶ ὅρκια ποιήσαντο,
μή πατε μαστεύοντες ἀπολήξειν καμάτοιο.
τοὔνεκεν εἰσέτι νῦν περ Υλαν ἐρέουσι Κιανοὶ,
κοῦρον Θειοδάμαντος, ἐϋκτιμένης τε μέλονται
1355
Τρηχῖνος. δὴ γάρ ῥα κατ᾿ αὐτόθι νάσσατο παῖδας,
οὕς οἱ ῥύσια κεῖθεν ἐπιπροέηκαν ἄγεσθαι,
Νηῦν δὲ πανημερίην ἄνεμος φέρε νυκτί τε πάσῃ
λάβρος ἐπιπνείων· ἀτὰρ οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ τυτθὸν ἄητο
ἠοῦς τελλομένης. οἱ δὲ χθονὸς εἰσανέχουσαν
1360
ἀκτὴν ἐκ κόλποιο μάλ᾽ εὐρεῖάν γ᾽ ἐσιδέσθαι
φρασσάμενοι, κώπῃσιν ἅμ' ἠελίῳ ἐπέκελσαν.
Apollonii Rhodii Argonautica, edited by R. C. Seaton (OCR draft) Experimental (R. C. Seaton's Oxford Classical Text of the Argonautica, with a concise critical apparatus. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1900.) — 1 focus
1
1
2
51
3
105
4
5
156
6
7
207
8
260
9
10
317
11
12
13
394
14
448
15
512
16
17
18
580
19
20
640
21
697
22
23
747
24
25
26
834
27
28
888
29
30
961
31
32
1012
33
34
1078
35
36
1153
37
38
1207
39
40
1257
41
1315
42
43
Ἀρχόμενος σέο, Φοῖβε, παλαιγενέων κλέα φωτῶν
1
μνήσομαι, οἳ Πόντοιο κατὰ στόμα καὶ διὰ πέτρας
Κυανέας βασιλῆος ἐφημοσύνῃ Πελίαο
χρύσειον μετὰ κῶας ἐύζυγον ἤλασαν Ἀργώ.
Τοίην γὰρ Πελίης φάτιν ἔκλυεν, ὥς μιν ὀπίσσω
5
μοῖρα μένει στυγερή, τοῦδ᾽ ἀνέρος, ὅντιν᾽ ἴδοιτο
δημόθεν οἰοπέδιλον, ὑπ᾽ ἐννεσίῃσι δαμῆναι.
δηρὸν δ᾽ οὐ μετέπειτα †τεὴν† κατὰ βάξιν Ἰήσων
χειμερίοιο ῥέεθρα κιὼν διὰ ποσσὶν Ἀναύρου
ἄλλο μὲν ἐξεσάωσεν ὑπ᾿ ἰλύος, ἄλλο δ᾽ ἔνερθεν
10
κάλλιπεν αὖθι πέδιλον ἐνισχόμενον προχοῇσιν.
ἵκετο δ᾽ ἐς Πελίην αὐτοσχεδὸν ἀντιβολήσων
εἰλαπίνης, ἣν πατρὶ Ποσειδάωνι καὶ ἄλλοις
ῥέζε θεοῖς, Ἥρης δὲ Πελασγίδος οὐκ ἀλέγιζεν.
αἶψα δὲ τόνγ᾽ ἐσιδὼν ἐφράσσατο, καί οἱ ἄεθλον
15
ἔντυε ναυτιλίης πολυκηδέος, ὄφρ᾽ ἐνὶ πόντῳ
ἠὲ καὶ ἀλλοδαποῖσι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσι νόστον ὀλέσσῃ.
Νῆα μὲν οὖν οἱ πρόσθεν ἐπικλείουσιν ἀοιδοὶ
Ἄργον Ἀθηναίης καμέειν ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν.
νῦν δ᾽ ἂν ἐγὼ γενεήν τε καὶ οὔνομα μυθησαίμην
20
ἡρώων, δολιχῆς τε πόρους ἁλός, ὅσσα τ᾽ ἔρεξαν
πλαζόμενοι· Μοῦσαι δ᾽ ὑποφήτορες εἶεν ἀοιδῆς.
Πρῶτά νυν Ὀρφῆος μνησώμεθα, τόν ῥά ποτ᾿ αὐτὴ
Καλλιόπη Θρήικι φατίζεται εὐνηθεῖσα
Οἰάγρῳ σκοπιῆς Πιμπληίδος ἄγχι τεκέσθαι.
25
αὐτὰρ τόνγ᾽ ἐνέπουσιν ἀτειρέας οὔρεσι πέτρας
θέλξαι ἀοιδάων ἐνοπῇ ποταμῶν τε ῥέεθρα.
φηγοὶ δ᾽ ἀγριάδες, κείνης ἔτι σήματα μολπῆς,
ἀκτῆς Θρηικίης Ζώνης ἔπι τηλεθόωσαι
ἑξείης στιχόωσιν ἐπήτριμοι, ἃς ὅγ᾽ ἐπιπρὸ
30
θελγομένας φόρμιγγι κατήγαγε Πιερίηθεν.
Ὀρφέα μὲν δὴ τοῖον ἑῶν ἐπαρωγὸν ἀέθλων
Αἰσονίδης Χείρωνος ἐφημοσύνῃσι πιθήσας
δέξατο, Πιερίῃ Βιστωνίδι κοιρανέοντα.
Ἤλυθε δ᾽ Ἀστερίων αὐτοσχεδόν, ὅν ῥα Κομήτης
35
γείνατο δινήεντος ἐφ᾽ ὕδασιν Ἀπιδανοῖο,
Πειρεσιὰς ὄρεος Φυλληίου ἀγχόθι ναίων,
ἔνθα μὲν Ἀπιδανός τε μέγας καὶ δῖος Ἐνιπεὺς
ἄμφω συμφορέονται, ἀπόπροθεν εἰς ἓν ἰόντες.
Λάρισαν δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσι λιπὼν Πολύφημος ἵκανεν
40
Εἰλατίδης, ὃς πρὶν μὲν ἐρισθενέων Λαπιθάων,
ὁππότε Κενταύροις Λαπίθαι ἐπὶ θωρήσσοντο,
ὁπλότερος πολέμιζε· τότ᾽ αὖ βαρύθεσκέ οἱ ἤδη
γυῖα, μένεν δ᾽ ἔτι θυμὸς ἀρήιος, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ.
Οὐδὲ μὲν Ἴφικλος Φυλάκῃ ἔνι δηρὸν ἔλειπτο,
45
μήτρως Αἰσονίδαο· κασιγνήτην γὰρ ὄπυιεν
Αἴσων Ἀλκιμέδην Φυλακηίδα· τῆς μιν ἀνώγει
πηοσύνη καὶ κῆδος ἐνικρινθῆναι ὁμίλῳ.
Οὐδὲ Φεραῖς Ἄδμητος ἐυρρήνεσσιν ἀνάσσων
μίμνεν ὑπὸ σκοπιὴν ὄρεος Χαλκωδονίοιο.
50
Οὐδ᾽ Ἀλόπῃ μίμνον πολυλήιοι Ἑρμείαο
υἱέες εὖ δεδαῶτε δόλους, Ἔρυτος καὶ Ἐχίων,
τοῖσι δ᾽ ἐπὶ τρίτατος γνωτὸς κίε νισσομένοισιν
Αἰθαλίδης· καὶ τὸν μὲν ἐπ᾿ Ἀμφρυσσοῖο ῥοῇσιν
Μυρμιδόνος κούρη Φθιὰς τέκεν Εὐπολέμεια·
55
τὼ δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐκγεγάτην Μενετηίδος Ἀντιανείρης.
Ἤλυθε δ᾽ ἀφνειὴν προλιπὼν Γυρτῶνα Κόρωνος
Καινεΐδης, ἐσθλὸς μέν, ἑοῦ δ᾽ οὐ πατρὸς ἀμείνων.
Καινέα γὰρ ζῶόν περ ἔτι κλείουσιν ἀοιδοὶ
Κενταύροισιν ὀλέσθαι, ὅτε σφέας οἶος ἀπ᾿ ἄλλων
60
ἤλασ᾽ ἀριστήων· οἱ δ᾽ ἔμπαλιν ὁρμηθέντες
οὔτε μιν ἀγκλῖναι προτέρω σθένον, οὔτε δαΐξαι·
ἀλλ᾽ ἄρρηκτος ἄκαμπτος ἐδύσετο νειόθι γαίης,
θεινόμενος στιβαρῇσι καταΐγδην ἐλάτῃσιν.
Ἤλυθε δ᾽ αὖ Μόψος Τιταρήσιος, ὃν περὶ πάντων
65
Λητοΐδης ἐδίδαξε θεοπροπίας οἰωνῶν·
ἠδὲ καὶ Εὐρυδάμας Κτιμένου πάις· ἄγχι δὲ λίμνης
Ξυνιάδος Κτιμένην Δολοπηίδα ναιετάασκεν.
Καὶ μὴν Ἄκτωρ υἱα Μενοίτιον ἐξ Ὀπόεντος
ὧρσεν, ἀριστήεσσι σὺν ἀνδράσιν ὄφρα νέοιτο.
70
Εἴπετο δ᾽ Εὐρυτίων τε καὶ ἀλκήεις Ἐρυβώτης,
υἶες ὁ μὲν Τελέοντος, ὁ δ᾽ Ἴρου Ἀκτορίδαο·
ἤτοι ὁ μὲν Τελέοντος ἐυκλειὴς Ἐρυβώτης,
Ἴρου δ᾽ Εὐρυτίων. σὺν καὶ τρίτος ἦεν Ὀιλεύς,
ἔξοχος ἠνορέην καὶ ἐπαΐξαι μετόπισθεν
75
εὖ δεδαὼς δῄοισιν, ὅτε κλίνωσι φάλαγγας.
Αὐτὰρ ἀπ᾿ Εὐβοίης Κάνθος κίε, τόν ῥα Κάνηθος
πέμπεν Ἀβαντιάδης λελιημένον· οὐ μὲν ἔμελλεν
νοστήσειν Κήρινθον ὑπότροπος. αἶσα γὰρ ἦεν
αὐτὸν ὁμῶς Μόψον τε δαήμονα μαντοσυνάων
80
πλαγχθέντας Λιβύης ἐνὶ πείρασι δῃωθῆναι.
ὡς οὐκ ἀνθρώποισι κακὸν μήκιστον ἐπαυρεῖν,
ὁππότε κἀκείνους Λιβύῃ ἔνι ταρχύσαντο,
τόσσον ἑκὰς Κόλχων, ὅσσον τέ περ ἠελίοιο
μεσσηγὺς δύσιές τε καὶ ἀντολαὶ εἰσορόωνται.
85
Τῷ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐπὶ Κλυτίος τε καὶ Ἴφιτος ἠγερέθοντο,
Οἰχαλίης ἐπίουροι, ἀπηνέος Εὐρύτου υἶες,
Εὐρύτου, ᾧ πόρε τόξον Ἑκηβόλος· οὐδ᾽ ἀπόνητο
δωτίνης· αὐτῷ γὰρ ἑκὼν ἐρίδηνε δοτῆρι.
Τοῖσι δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ Αἰακίδαι μετεκίαθον· οὐ μὲν ἅμ᾽ ἄμφω, 90
90
οὐδ᾽ ὁμόθεν· νόσφιν γὰρ ἀλευάμενοι κατένασθεν
Αἰγίνης, ὅτε Φῶκον ἀδελφεὸν ἐξενάριξαν
ἀφραδίῃ. Τελαμὼν μὲν ἐν Ἀτθίδι νάσσατο νήσῳ·
Πηλεὺς δὲ Φθίῃ ἐνὶ δώματα ναῖε λιασθείς.
Τοῖς δ᾽ ἐπὶ Κεκροπίηθεν ἀρήιος ἤλυθε Βούτης,
95
παῖς ἀγαθοῦ Τελέοντος, ἐυμμελίης τε Φάληρος.
Ἄλκων μιν προέηκε πατὴρ ἑός· οὐ μὲν ἔτ᾽ ἄλλους
γήραος υἷας ἔχεν βιότοιό τε κηδεμονῆας.
ἀλλά ἑ τηλύγετόν περ ὁμῶς καὶ μοῦνον ἐόντα
πέμπεν, ἵνα θρασέεσσι μεταπρέποι ἡρώεσσιν.
100
Θησέα δ᾽, ὃς περὶ πάντας Ἐρεχθεΐδας ἐκέκαστο,
Ταιναρίην ἀίδηλος ὑπὸ χθόνα δεσμὸς ἔρυκεν,
Πειρίθῳ ἑσπόμενον κοινὴν ὁδόν· ἡ τέ κεν ἄμφω
ῥηίτερον καμάτοιο τέλος πάντεσσιν ἔθεντο.
Τίφυς δ᾽ Ἁγνιάδης Σιφαέα κάλλιπε δῆμον
105
Θεσπιέων, ἐσθλὸς μὲν ὀρινόμενον προδαῆναι
κῦμ᾽ ἁλὸς εὐρείης, ἐσθλὸς δ᾽ ἀνέμοιο θυέλλας
καὶ πλόον ἠελίῳ τε καὶ ἀστέρι τεκμήρασθαι.
αὐτή μιν Τριτωνὶς ἀριστήων ἐς ὅμιλον
ὧρσεν Ἀθηναίη, μετὰ δ᾽ ἤλυθεν ἐλδομένοισιν.
110
αὐτὴ γὰρ καὶ νῆα θοὴν κάμε· σὺν δὲ οἱ Ἄργος
τεῦξεν Ἀρεστορίδης κείνης ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν.
τῶ καὶ πασάων προφερεστάτη ἔπλετο νηῶν,
ὅσσαι ὑπ᾽ εἰρεσίῃσιν ἐπειρήσαντο θαλάσσης.
Φλίας δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν Ἀραιθυρέηθεν ἵκανεν,
115
ἔνθ᾽ ἀφνειὸς ἔναιε Διωνύσοιο ἕκητι,
πατρὸς ἑοῦ, πηγῇσιν ἐφέστιος Ἀσωποῖο.
Ἀργόθεν αὖ Ταλαὸς καὶ Ἀρήιος, υἱε Βίαντος,
ἤλυθον ἴφθιμός τε Λεώδοκος, οὓς τέκε Πηρὼ
Νηληίς· τῆς δ᾽ ἀμφὶ δύην ἐμόγησε βαρεῖαν
120
Αἰολίδης σταθμοῖσιν ἐν Ἰφίκλοιο Μελάμπους.
Οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ βίην κρατερόφρονος Ἡρακλῆος
πευθόμεθ᾽ Αἰσονίδαο λιλαιομένου ἀθερίξαι.
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ ἄιε βάξιν ἀγειρομένων ἡρώων,
νεῖον ἀπ᾿ Ἀρκαδίης Λυρκήιον Ἄργος ἀμείψας
125
τὴν ὁδόν, ᾗ ζωὸν φέρε κάπριον, ὅς ῥ᾽ ἐνὶ βήσσῃς
φέρβετο Λαμπείης, Ἐρυμάνθιον ἂμ μέγα τῖφος,
τὸν μὲν ἐνὶ πρώτῃσι Μυκηναίων ἀγορῇσιν
δεσμοῖς ἰλλόμενον μεγάλων ἀπεθήκατο νώτων·
αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἡ ἰότητι παρὲκ νόον Εὐρυσθῆος
130
ὡρμήθη· σὺν καί οἱ Ὕλας κίεν, ἐσθλὸς ὀπάων,
πρωθήβης, ἰῶν τε φορεὺς φύλακός τε βιοῖο.
Τῷ δ᾽ ἐπὶ δὴ θείοιο κίεν Δαναοῖο γενέθλη,
Ναύπλιος. ἦ γὰρ ἔην Κλυτονήου Ναυβολίδαο·
Ναύβολος αὖ Λέρνου· Λέρνον γε μὲν ἴδμεν ἐόντα
135
Προίτου Ναυπλιάδαο· Ποσειδάωνι δὲ κούρη
πρίν ποτ' Ἀμυμώνη Δαναΐς τέκεν εὐνηθεῖσα
Ναύπλιον, ὃς περὶ πάντας ἐκαίνυτο ναυτιλίῃσιν.
Ἴδμων δ᾽ ὑστάτιος μετεκίαθεν, ὅσσοι ἔναιον
Ἄργος, ἐπεὶ δεδαὼς τὸν ἑὸν μόρον οἰωνοῖσιν
140
ἤιε, μή οἱ δῆμος ἐυκλείης ἀγάσαιτο.
οὐ μὲν ὅγ᾽ ἦεν Ἄβαντος ἐτήτυμον, ἀλλά μιν αὐτὸς
γείνατο κυδαλίμοις ἐναρίθμιον Αἰολίδῃσιν
Λητοΐδης· αὐτὸς δὲ θεοπροπίας ἐδίδαξεν
οἰωνούς τ᾽ ἀλέγειν ἠδ᾽ ἔμπυρα σήματ᾿ ἰδέσθαι.
145
Καὶ μὴν Αἰτωλὶς κρατερὸν Πολυδεύκεα Λήδη
Κάστορά τ᾽ ὠκυπόδων ὤρσεν δεδαημένον ἵππων
Σπάρτηθεν· τοὺς δ᾽ ἤγε δόμοις ἔνι Τυνδαρέοιο
τηλυγέτους ὠδῖνι μιῇ τέκεν· οὐδ᾽ ἀπίθησεν
νισσομένοις· Ζηνὸς γὰρ ἐπάξια μήδετο λέκτρων.
150
Οἵ τ᾽ Ἀφαρητιάδαι Λυγκεὺς καὶ ὑπέρβιος Ἴδας
Ἀρήνηθεν ἔβαν, μεγάλῃ περιθαρσέες ἀλκῇ
ἀμφότεροι· Λυγκεὺς δὲ καὶ ὀξυτάτοις ἐκέκαστο
ὄμμασιν, εἰ ἐτεόν γε πέλει κλέος, ἀνέρα κεῖνον
ῥηιδίως καὶ νέρθε κατὰ χθονὸς αὐγάζεσθαι.
155
Σὺν δὲ Περικλύμενος Νηλήιος ὣρτο νέεσθαι,
πρεσβύτατος παίδων, ὅσσοι Πύλῳ ἐξεγένοντο
Νηλῆος θείοιο· Ποσειδάων δέ οἱ ἀλκὴν
δῶκεν ἀπειρεσίην ἠδ᾽ ὅττι κεν ἀρήσαιτο
μαρνάμενος, τὸ πέλεσθαι ἐνὶ ξυνοχῇ πολέμοιο.
160
Καὶ μὴν Ἀμφιδάμας Κηφεύς τ᾽ ἴσαν Ἀρκαδίηθεν.
οἳ Τεγέην καὶ κλῆρον Ἀφειδάντειον ἔναιον,
υἱε δύω Ἀλεοῦ· τρίτατός γε μὲν ἔσπετ᾿ ἰοῦσιν
Ἀγκαῖος, τὸν μέν ῥα πατὴρ Λυκόοργος ἔπεμπεν,
τῶν ἄμφω γνωτὸς προγενέστερος. ἀλλ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἤδη
165
γηράσκοντ᾽ Ἀλεὸν λίπετ᾽ ἂμ πόλιν ὄφρα κομίζοι,
παῖδα δ᾽ ἑὸν σφετέροισι κασιγνήτοισιν ὄπασσεν.
βῆ δ᾽ ὅγε Μαιναλίης ἄρκτου δέρος, ἀμφίτομόν τε
δεξιτερῇ πάλλων πέλεκυν μέγαν. ἔντεα γάρ οἱ
πατροπάτωρ Ἀλεὸς μυχάτῃ ἐνέκρυψε καλιῇ,
170
αἴ κέν πως ἔτι καὶ τὸν ἐρητύσειε νέεσθαι.
Βῆ δὲ καὶ Αὐγείης, ὃν δὴ φάτις Ηελίοιο
ἔμμεναι· Ἠλείοισι δ᾽ ὅγ᾽ ἀνδράσιν ἐμβασίλευεν,
ὄλβῳ κυδιόων· μέγα δ᾽ ἵετο Κολχίδα γαῖαν
αὐτόν τ᾿ Αἰήτην ἰδέειν σημάντορα Κόλχων.
175
Ἀστέριος δὲ καὶ Ἀμφίων Ὑπερασίου υἶες
Πελλήνης ἀφίκανον Ἀχαιίδος, ἥν ποτε Πέλλης
πατροπάτωρ ἐπόλισσεν ἐπ᾽ ὀφρύσιν Αἰγιαλοῖο.
Ταίναρον αὖτ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσι λιπὼν Εὔφημος ἵκανεν,
τόν ῥα Ποσειδάωνι ποδωκηέστατον ἄλλων
180
Εὐρώπη Τιτυοῖο μεγασθενέος τέκε κούρη.
κεῖνος ἀνὴρ καὶ πόντου ἐπὶ γλαυκοῖο θέεσκεν
οἴδματος, οὐδὲ θοοὺς βάπτεν πόδας, ἀλλ᾽ ὅσον ἄκροις
ἴχνεσι τεγγόμενος διερῇ πεφόρητο κελεύθῳ.
Καὶ δ᾽ ἄλλω δύο παῖδε Ποσειδάωνος ἵκοντο·
185
ἤτοι ὁ μὲν πτολίεθρον ἀγαυοῦ Μιλήτοιο
νοσφισθεὶς Ἐργῖνος, ὁ δ᾽ Ἰμβρασίης ἕδος Ἥρης,
Παρθενίην, Ἀγκαῖος ὑπέρβιος· ἴστορε δ᾽ ἄμφω
ἠμὲν ναυτιλίης, ἠδ᾽ ἄρεος εὐχετόωντο.
Οἰνεΐδης δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἀφορμηθεὶς Καλυδώνος
190
ἀλκήεις Μελέαγρος ἀνήλυθε, Λαοκόων τε,
Λαοκόων Οἰνῆος ἀδελφεός, οὐ μὲν ἰῆς γε
μητέρος· ἀλλά ὁ θῆσσα γυνὴ τέκε· τὸν μὲν ἄρ᾽ Οἰνεὺς
ἤδη γηραλέον κοσμήτορα παιδὸς ἴαλλεν·
ὧδ᾽ ἔτι κουρίζων περιθαρσέα δῦνεν ὅμιλον
195
ἡρώων. τοῦ δ᾽ οὔτιν᾽ ὑπέρτερον ἄλλον δίω,
νόσφιν γ᾽ Ἡρακλῆος, ἐπελθέμεν, εἴ κ᾿ ἔτι μοῦνον
αὖθι μένων λυκάβαντα μετετράφη Αἰτωλοῖσιν.
καὶ μήν οἱ μήτρως αὐτὴν ὁδόν, εὖ μὲν ἄκοντι,
εὖ δὲ καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ δεδαημένος ἀντιφέρεσθαι,
200
Θεστιάδης Ιφικλος ἐφωμάρτησε κιόντι.
Σὺν δὲ Πυλαιμόνιος Λέρνου πάις Ωλενίοιο,
Λέρνου ἐπίκλησιν, γενεήν γε μὲν Ἡφαίστοιο·
τούνεκ᾽ ἔην πόδα σιφλός· ἀτὰρ δέμας οὗ κέ τις ἔτλη
ἠνορέην τ᾽ ὀνόσασθαι, ὃ καὶ μεταρίθμιος ἦεν
205
πᾶσιν ἀριστήεσσιν, Ἰήσονι κῦδος ἀέξων.
Ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα Φωκήων κίεν Ίφιτος Ὀρνυτίδαο
Ναυβόλου ἐκγεγαώς· ξεῖνος δέ οἱ ἔσκε πάροιθεν,
ἦμος ἔβη Πυθώδε θεοπροπίας ἐρεείνων
ναυτιλίης· τόθι γάρ μιν ἑοῖς ὑπέδεκτο δόμοισιν.
210
Ζήτης αὖ Κάλαΐς τε Βορήιοι υἶες ἵκοντο,
οὕς ποτ᾽ Ερεχθηὶς Βορέῃ τέκεν ᾿Ωρείθυια
ἐσχατιῇ Θρήκης δυσχειμέρου· ἔνθ᾽ ἄρα τήνγε
Θρηίκιος Βορέης ἀνερέψατο Κεκροπίηθεν
Ἰλισσοῦ προπάροιθε χορῷ ἔνι δινεύουσαν.
215
καί μιν ἄγων ἕκαθεν, Σαρπηδονίην ὅθι πέτρην
κλείουσιν, ποταμοῖο παρὰ ῥόον Ἐργίνοιο,
λυγαίοις ἐδάμασσε περὶ νεφέεσσι καλύψας.
τὼ μὲν ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτοισι ποδῶν ἑκάτερθεν ἐρεμνὰς
σεῖον ἀειρομένω πτέρυγας, μέγα θάμβος ἰδέσθαι,
220
χρυσείαις φολίδεσσι διαυγέας· ἀμφὶ δὲ νώτοις
κράατος ἐξ ὑπάτοιο καὶ αὐχένος ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
κυάνεαι δονέοντο μετὰ πνοιῇσιν ἔθειραι.
Οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδ᾽ αὐτοῖο πάις μενέαινεν Ἄκαστος
ἰφθίμου Πελίαο δόμοις ἔνι πατρὸς ἑῆος
225
μιμνάζειν, Ἄργος τε θεᾶς ὑποεργὸς Ἀθήνης·
ἀλλ᾽ ἄρα καὶ τὼ μέλλον ἐνικρινθῆναι ὁμίλῳ.
Τόσσοι ἄρ᾽ Αἰσονίδῃ συμμήστορες ἠγερέθοντο.
τοὺς μὲν ἀριστῆας Μινύας περιναιετάοντες
κίκλησκον μάλα πάντας, ἐπεὶ Μινύαο θυγατρῶν
230
οἱ πλεῖστοι καὶ ἄριστοι ἀφ᾽ αἵματος εὐχετόωντο
ἔμμεναι· ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτὸν Ἰήσονα γείνατο μήτηρ
Ἀλκιμέδη, Κλυμένης Μινυηίδος ἐκγεγαυῖα.
Αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δμώεσσιν ἐπαρτέα πάντ᾽ ἐτέτυκτο,
ὅσσα περ ἐντύνονται ἐπαρτέες ἔνδοθι νῆες,
235
εὐτ᾽ ἂν ἄγῃ χρέος ἄνδρας ὑπεὶρ ἅλα ναυτίλλεσθαι,
δὴ τότ᾽ ἴσαν μετὰ νῆα δι᾽ ἄστεος, ἔνθα περ ἀκταὶ
κλείονται Παγασαὶ Μαγνήτιδες· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαῶν
πληθὺς σπερχομένων ἄμυδις θέεν· |οἱ δὲ φαεινοὶ
ἀστέρες ὡς νεφέεσσι μετέπρεπον· ὧδε δ᾽ ἕκαστος
240
ἔννεπεν εἰσορόων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἀίσσοντας·
Ζεῦ ἄνα, τίς Πελίαο νόος; πόθι τόσσον ὅμιλον
ἡρώων γαίης Παναχαιίδος ἔκτοθι βάλλει;
αὐτῆμάρ κε δόμους ὀλοῷ πυρὶ δῃώσειαν
Αἰήτεω, ὅτε μή σφιν ἑκὼν δέρος ἐγγυαλίξῃ.
245
ἀλλ᾽ οὐ φυκτὰ κέλευθα, πόνος δ᾽ ἄπρηκτος ἰοῦσιν.
Ως φάσαν ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα κατὰ πτόλιν· αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες
πολλὰ μάλ᾽ ἀθανάτοισιν ἐς αἰθέρα χεῖρας ἄειρον,
εὐχόμεναι νόστοιο τέλος θυμηδὲς ὀπάσσαι.
ἄλλη δ᾽ εἰς ἑτέρην ὀλοφύρετο δακρυχέουσα·
250
Δειλὴ Ἀλκιμέδη, καὶ σοὶ κακὸν ὀψέ περ ἔμπης
ἤλυθεν, οὐδ᾽ ἐτέλεσσας ἐπ᾿ ἀγλαΐῃ βιότοιο.
Αἴσων αὖ μέγα δή τι δυσάμμορος. ἢ τέ οἱ ἦεν
βέλτερον, εἰ τὸ πάροιθεν ἐνὶ κτερέεσσιν ἐλυσθεὶς
νειόθι γαίης κεῖτο, κακῶν ἔτι νῆις ἀέθλων.
255
ὡς ὄφελεν καὶ Φρίξον, ὅτ᾽ ὤλετο παρθένος Ἕλλη,
κῦμα μέλαν κριῷ ἅμ᾽ ἐπικλύσαι· ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐδὴν
ἀνδρομέην προέηκε κακὸν τέρας, ὥς κεν ἀνίας
Ἀλκιμέδῃ μετόπισθε καὶ ἄλγεα μυρία θείη.
Αἱ μὲν ἄρ᾽ ὡς ἀγόρευον ἐπὶ προμολῇσι κιόντων.
260
ἤδη δὲ δμῶές τε πολεῖς δμωαί τ᾽ ἀγέροντο·
μήτηρ δ᾽ ἀμφ᾿ αὐτὸν βεβολημένη. ὀξὺ δ᾽ ἑκάστην
δῦνεν ἄχος· σὺν δέ σφι πατὴρ ὀλοῷ ὑπὸ γήραι
ἐντυπὰς ἐν λεχέεσσι καλυψάμενος γοάασκεν.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τῶν μὲν ἔπειτα κατεπρήυνεν ἀνίας
265
θαρσύνων, δμώεσσι δ᾽ ἀρήια τεύχε᾽ ἀείρειν
πέφραδεν· οἱ δέ τε σίγα κατηφέες ἠείροντο.
μήτηρ δ᾽ ὡς τὰ πρῶτ᾽ ἐπεχεύατο πήχεε παιδί,
ὡς ἔχετο κλαίουσ᾽ ἀδινώτερον, ἠύτε κούρη
οἰόθεν ἀσπασίως πολιὴν τροφὸν ἀμφιπεσοῦσα
270
μύρεται, ᾗ οὐκ εἰσὶν ἔτ᾽ ἄλλοι κηδεμονῆες,
ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὸ μητρυιῇ βίοτον βαρὺν ἡγηλάζει·
καί ἑ νέον πολέεσσιν ὀνείδεσιν ἐστυφέλιξεν,
τῇ δέ τ᾽ ὀδυρομένῃ δέδεται κέαρ ἔνδοθεν ἄτῃ,
οὐδ᾽ ἔχει ἐκφλύξαι τόσσον γόον, ὅσσον ὀρεχθεῖ·
275
ὡς ἀδινὸν κλαίεσκεν ἑὸν παῖδ᾽ ἀγκὰς ἔχουσα
Ἀλκιμέδη, καὶ τοῖον ἔπος φάτο κηδοσύνῃσιν·
Αἴθ᾽ ὄφελον κεῖν᾽ ἦμαρ, ὅτ᾽ ἐξειπόντος ἄκουσα
δειλὴ ἐγὼ Πελίαο κακὴν βασιλῆος ἐφετμήν,
αὐτίκ᾽ ἀπὸ ψυχὴν μεθέμεν, κηδέων τε λαθέσθαι,
280
ὄφρ᾽ αὐτός με τεῇσι φίλαις ταρχύσαο χερσίν,
τέκνον ἐμόν· τὸ γὰρ οἷον ἔην ἔτι λοιπὸν ἐέλδωρ
ἐκ σέθεν, ἄλλα δὲ πάντα πάλαι θρεπτήρια πέσσω.
νῦν γε μὲν ἡ τὸ πάροιθεν Ἀχαιιάδεσσιν ἀγητὴ
δμωὶς ὅπως κενεοῖσι λελείψομαι ἐν μεγάροισιν,
285
σεῖο πόθῳ μινύθουσα δυσάμμορος, ᾧ ἔπι πολλὴν
ἀγλαΐην καὶ κῦδος ἔχον πάρος, ᾧ ἔπι μούνῳ
μίτρην πρῶτον ἔλυσα καὶ ὕστατον. ἔξοχα γάρ μοι
Εἰλείθυια θεὰ πολέος ἐμέγηρε τόκοιο.
ᾧ μοι ἐμῆς ἄτης· τὸ μὲν οὐδ᾽ ὅσον, οὐδ᾽ ἐν ὀνείρῳ
290
ὠισάμην, εἰ Φρίξος ἐμοὶ κακὸν ἔσσετ᾽ ἀλύξας.
*Ως ἤγε στενάχουσα κινύρετο· ταὶ δὲ γυναῖκες
ἀμφίπολοι γοάασκον ἐπισταδόν· αὐτὰρ ὁ τήνγε
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρηγορέων προσέειπεν·
Μή μοι λευγαλέας ἐνιβάλλεο, μῆτερ, ἀνίας
295
ὧδε λίην, ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ἐρητύσεις κακότητος
δάκρυσιν, ἀλλ᾽ ἔτι κεν καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἄλγεσιν ἄλγος ἄροιο.
πήματα γάρ τ᾽ ἀίδηλα θεοὶ θνητοῖσι νέμουσιν,
τῶν μοῖραν κατὰ θυμὸν ἀνιάζουσά περ ἔμπης
τλῆθι φέρειν· θάρσει δὲ συνημοσύνῃσιν Ἀθήνης,
300
ἠδὲ θεοπροπίοισιν, ἐπεὶ μάλα δεξιὰ Φοῖβος
ἔχρη, ἀτὰρ μετέπειτά γ᾽ ἀριστήων ἐπαρωγῇ.
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν αὖθι μετ᾿ ἀμφιπόλοισιν ἕκηλος
μίμνε δόμοις, μηδ᾽ ὄρνις ἀεικελίη πέλε νηί·
κεῖσε δ᾽ ὁμαρτήσουσιν ἔται δμῶές τε κιόντι.
305
Ἦ, καὶ ὁ μὲν προτέρωσε δόμων ἐξῶρτο νέεσθαι.
οἷος δ᾽ ἐκ νηοῖο θυώδεος εἶσιν Ἀπόλλων
Δῆλον ἀν᾿ ἠγαθέην, ἠὲ Κλάρον, ἢ ὅγε Πυθώ,
ἢ Λυκίην εὐρεῖαν, ἐπὶ Ξάνθοιο ῥοῇσιν,
τοῖος ἀνὰ πληθὺν δήμου κίεν· ὥρτο δ᾽ ἀυτὴ
310
κεκλομένων ἄμυδις. τῷ δὲ ξύμβλητο γεραιὴ
Ἰφιὰς Ἀρτέμιδος πολιηόχου ἀρήτειρα,
καί μιν δεξιτερῆς χειρὸς κύσεν, οὐδέ τι φάσθαι
ἔμπης ἱεμένη δύνατο, προθέοντος ὁμίλου·
ἀλλ᾽ ἡ μὲν λίπετ᾽ αὖθι παρακλιδόν, οἷα γεραιὴ
315
ὁπλοτέρων, ὁ δὲ πολλὸν ἀποπλαγχθεὶς ἐλιάσθη.
Αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥα πόληος ἐυδμήτους λίπ᾿ ἀγυιάς,
ἀκτὴν δ᾽ ἵκανεν Παγασηίδα, τῇ μιν ἑταῖροι
δειδέχατ᾽, Ἀργῴῃ ἄμυδις παρὰ νηὶ μένοντες.
στῆ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐπὶ προμολῇς· οἱ δ᾽ ἀντίοι ἠγερέθοντο.
320
ἐς δ᾽ ἐνόησαν Ἄκαστον ὁμῶς Ἄργον τε πόληος
νόσφι καταβλώσκοντας, ἐθάμβησαν δ᾽ ἐσιδόντες
πασσυδίῃ Πελίαο παρὲκ νόον ἰθύοντας.
δέρμα δ᾽ ὁ μὲν ταύροιο ποδηνεκὲς ἀμφέχετ᾽ ὤμους
Ἄργος Ἀρεστορίδης λάχνῃ μέλαν· αὐτὰρ ὁ καλὴν
325
δίπλακα, τήν οἱ ὄπασσε κασιγνήτη Πελόπεια.
ἀλλ᾽ ἔμπης τὼ μέν τε διεξερέεσθαι ἕκαστα
ἔσχετο· τοὺς δ᾽ ἀγορήνδε συνεδριάασθαι ἄνωγεν.
αὐτοῦ δ᾽ ἰλλομένοις ἐπὶ λαίφεσιν, ἠδὲ καὶ ἱστῷ
κεκλιμένῳ μάλα πάντες ἐπισχερὼ ἑδριόωντο.
330
τοῖσιν δ᾽ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἐυφρονέων μετέειπεν·
Ἄλλα μὲν ὅσσα τε νηὶ ἐφοπλίσσασθαι ἔοικεν
—πάντα γὰρ εὖ κατὰ κόσμον ἐπαρτέα κεῖται ἰοῦσιν.
τῶ οὐκ ἂν δηναιὸν ἐχοίμεθα τοῖο ἕκητι
ναυτιλίης, ὅτε μοῦνον ἐπιπνεύσουσιν ἀῆται.
335
ἀλλά, φίλοι,—ξυνὸς γὰρ ἐς Ἑλλάδα νόστος ὀπίσσω,
ξυναὶ δ᾽ ἄμμι πέλονται ἐς Αἰήταο κέλευθοι—
τούνεκα νῦν τὸν ἄριστον ἀφειδήσαντες ἕλεσθε
ὄρχαμον ἡμείων, ᾧ κεν τὰ ἕκαστα μέλοιτο,
νείκεα συνθεσίας τε μετὰ ξείνοισι βαλέσθαι.
340
Ως φάτο· πάπτηναν δὲ νέοι θρασὺν Ἡρακλῆα
ἥμενον ἐν μέσσοισι· μιῇ δέ ἑ πάντες ἀυτῇ
σημαίνειν ἐπέτελλον· ὁ δ᾽ αὐτόθεν, ἔνθα περ ἦστο,
δεξιτερὴν ἀνὰ χεῖρα τανύσσατο φώνησέν τε·
Μήτις ἐμοὶ τόδε κῦδος ὀπαζέτω. οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγε
345
πείσομαι· ὥστε καὶ ἄλλον ἀναστήσεσθαι ἐρύξω.
αὐτός, ὅτις ξυνάγειρε, καὶ ἀρχεύοι ὁμάδοιο.
Ἦ ῥα μέγα φρονέων, ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἤνεον, ὡς ἐκέλευεν
Ἡρακλέης· ἀνὰ δ᾽ αὐτὸς ἀρήιος ὤρνυτ᾽ Ἰήσων
γηθόσυνος, καὶ τοῖα λιλαιομένοις ἀγόρευεν·
350
Εἰ μὲν δή μοι κῦδος ἐπιτρωπᾶτε μέλεσθαι,
μηκέτ᾽ ἔπειθ᾽, ὡς καὶ πρίν, ἐρητύοιτο κέλευθα.
νῦν γε μὲν ἤδη Φοῖβον ἀρεσσάμενοι θυέεσσιν
δαῖτ᾽ ἐντυνώμεσθα παρασχεδόν. ὄφρα δ᾽ ἴωσιν
δμῶες ἐμοὶ σταθμῶν σημάντορες, οἶσι μέμηλεν
355
δεῦρο βόας ἀγέληθεν ἐὺ κρίναντας ἐλάσσαι,
τόφρα κε νῆ᾽ ἐρύσαιμεν ἔσω ἁλός, ὅπλα δὲ πάντα
ἐνθέμενοι πεπάλαχθε κατὰ κληῖδας ἐρετμά.
τείως δ᾽ αὖ καὶ βωμὸν ἐπάκτιον Ἐμβασίοιο
θείομεν Ἀπόλλωνος, ὅ μοι χρείων ὑπέδεκτο
360
σημανέειν δείξειν τε πόρους ἁλός, εἴ κε θυηλαῖς
οὗ ἕθεν ἐξάρχωμαι ἀεθλεύων βασιλῆι.
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ εἰς ἔργον πρῶτος τράπεθ᾽· οἱ δ᾽ ἐπανέσταν
πειθόμενοι· ἀπὸ δ᾽ εἵματ᾽ ἐπήτριμα νηήσαντο
λείῳ ἐπὶ πλαταμῶνι, τὸν οὐκ ἐπέβαλλε θάλασσα
365
κύμασι, χειμερίη δὲ πάλαι ἀποέκλυσεν ἅλμη.
νῆα δ᾽ ἐπικρατέως Ἄργου ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν
ἔζωσαν πάμπρωτον ἐυστρεφεῖ ἔνδοθεν ὅπλῳ
τεινάμενοι ἑκάτερθεν, ἵν᾽ εὖ ἀραροίατο γόμφοις
δούρατα καὶ ῥοθίοιο βίην ἔχοι ἀντιόωσαν.
370
σκάπτον δ᾽ αἶψα κατ᾿ εὖρος ὅσον περιβάλλετο χώρον,
ἠδὲ κατὰ πρώραν εἴσω ἁλὸς ὁσσάτιόν περ
ἑλκομένη χείρεσσιν ἐπιδραμέεσθαι ἔμελλεν.
αἰεὶ δὲ προτέρω χθαμαλώτερον ἐξελάχαινον
στείρης, ἐν δ᾽ ὁλκῷ ξεστὰς στορέσαντο φάλαγγας·
375
τὴν δὲ κατάντη κλῖναν ἐπὶ πρώτῃσι φάλαγξιν,
ὥς κεν ὀλισθαίνουσα δι᾽ αὐτάων φορέοιτο.
ὕψι δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα μεταστρέψαντες ἐρετμὰ
πήχυιον προύχοντα περὶ σκαλμοῖσιν ἔδησαν.
τῶν δ᾽ ἐναμοιβαδὶς αὐτοὶ ἐνέσταθεν ἀμφοτέρωθεν,
380
στέρνα θ᾽ ὁμοῦ καὶ χεῖρας ἐπήλασαν. ἐν δ᾽ ἄρα Τίφυς
βήσαθ᾽, ἵν᾽ ὀτρύνειε νέους κατὰ καιρὸν ἐρύσσαι·
κεκλόμενος δ᾽ ἤυσε μάλα μέγα· τοὶ δὲ παρᾶσσον
ᾧ κράτεϊ βρίσαντες ἰῇ στυφέλιξαν ἐρωῇ
νειόθεν ἐξ ἕδρης, ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἐρρώσαντο πόδεσσιν
385
προπροβιαζόμενοι· ἡ δ᾽ ἕσπετο Πηλιὰς Ἀργὼ
ῥίμφα μάλ᾽· οἱ δ᾽ ἑκάτερθεν ἐπίαχον ἀίσσοντες.
αἱ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὑπὸ τρόπιδι στιβαρῇ στενάχοντο φάλαγγες
τριβόμεναι· περὶ δέ σφιν ἀιδνὴ κήκιε λιγνὺς
βριθοσύνῃ, κατόλισθε δ᾽ ἔσω ἁλός· οἱ δέ μιν αὖθι
390
ἂψ ἀνασειράζοντες ἔχον προτέρωσε κιοῦσαν.
σκαλμοῖς δ᾽ ἀμφὶς ἐρετμὰ κατήρτυον· ἐν δὲ οἱ ἱστὸν
λαίφεά τ᾽ εὐποίητα καὶ ἁρμαλίην ἐβάλοντο.
Αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τὰ ἕκαστα περιφραδέως ἀλέγυναν,
κληῖδας μὲν πρῶτα πάλῳ διεμοιρήσαντο,
395
ἄνδρ᾽ ἐντυναμένω δοιὼ μίαν· ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα μέσσην
ἥρεον Ἡρακλῆι καὶ ἡρώων ἄτερ ἄλλων
Ἀγκαίῳ, Τεγέης ὅς ῥα πτολίεθρον ἔναιεν.
τοῖς μέσσην οἴοισιν ἀπὸ κληῖδα λίποντο
αὔτως, οὔτι πάλῳ· ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἔτρεπον αἰνήσαντες
400
Τίφυν ἐυστείρης οἰήια νηὸς ἔρυσθαι.
Ἔνθεν δ᾽ αὖ λάιγγας ἁλὸς σχεδὸν ὀχλίζοντες
νήεον αὐτόθι βωμὸν ἐπάκτιον Ἀπόλλωνος,
Ἀκτίου Ἐμβασίοιό τ᾽ ἐπώνυμον· ὦκα δὲ τοίγε
φιτροὺς ἀζαλέης στόρεσαν καθύπερθεν ἐλαίης.
405
τείως δ᾽ αὐτ᾿ ἀγέληθεν ἐπιπροέηκαν ἄγοντες
βουκόλοι Αἰσονίδαο δύω βόε. τοὺς δ᾽ ἐρύσαντο
κουρότεροι ἑτάρων βωμοῦ σχεδόν. οἱ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔπειτα
χέρνιβά τ᾽ οὐλοχύτας τε παρέσχεθον. αὐτὰρ Ιήσων
εὔχετο κεκλόμενος πατρώιον Ἀπόλλωνα·
410
Κλύθι ἄναξ, Παγασάς τε πόλιν τ᾿ Αἰσωνίδα ναίων,
ἡμετέροιο τοκῆος ἐπώνυμον, ὅς μοι ὑπέστης
Πυθοῖ χρειομένῳ ἄνυσιν καὶ πείραθ᾽ ὁδοῖο
σημανέειν, αὐτὸς γὰρ ἐπαίτιος ἔπλευ ἀέθλων·
αὐτὸς νῦν ἄγε νῆα σὺν ἀρτεμέεσσιν ἑταίροις
415
κεῖσέ τε καὶ παλίνορσον ἐς Ἑλλάδα. σοὶ δ᾽ ἂν ὀπίσσω
τόσσων, ὅσσοι κεν νοστήσομεν, ἀγλαὰ ταύρων
ἱρὰ πάλιν βωμῷ ἐπιθήσομεν· ἄλλα δὲ Πυθοῖ,
ἄλλα δ᾽ ἐς Ὀρτυγίην ἀπερείσια δῶρα κομίσσω.
νῦν δ᾽ ἴθι, καὶ τήνδ᾽ ἡμιν, Ἑκηβόλε, δέξο θυηλήν,
420
ἥν τοι τῆσδ᾽ ἐπίβαθρα χάριν προτεθείμεθα νηὸς
πρωτίστην· λύσαιμι δ᾽, ἄναξ, ἐπ᾿ ἀπήμονι μοίρῃ
πείσματα σὴν διὰ μῆτιν· ἐπιπνεύσειε δ᾽ ἀήτης
μείλιχος, ᾧ κ᾽ ἐπὶ πόντον ἐλευσόμεθ᾽ εὐδιόωντες.
Ἦ, καὶ ἅμ᾽ εὐχωλῇ προχύτας βάλε. τὼ δ᾽ ἐπὶ βουσὶν
425
ζωσάσθην, Ἀγκαῖος ὑπέρβιος, Ἡρακλέης τε.
ἤτοι ὁ μὲν ῥοπάλῳ μέσσον κάρη ἀμφὶ μέτωπα
πλῆξεν, ὁ δ᾽ ἀθρόος αὖθι πεσὼν ἐνερείσατο γαίῃ·
Ἀγκαῖος δ᾽ ἑτέροιο κατὰ πλατὺν αὐχένα κόψας
χαλκείῳ πελέκει κρατεροὺς διέκερσε τένοντας·
430
ἤριπε δ᾽ ἀμφοτέροισι περιρρηδὴς κεράεσσιν.
τοὺς δ᾽ ἕταροι σφάξαν τε θοῶς, δεῖράν τε βοείας,
κόπτον, δαίτρευόν τε, καὶ ἱερὰ μῆρ᾽ ἐτάμοντο,
κὰδ δ᾽ ἄμυδις τάγε πάντα καλύψαντες πύκα δημῷ
καῖον ἐπὶ σχίζῃσιν· ὁ δ᾽ ἀκρήτους χέε λοιβὰς
435
Αἰσονίδης, γήθει δὲ σέλας θηεύμενος Ἴδμων
πάντοσε λαμπόμενον θυέων ἄπο τοῖό τε λιγνὺν
πορφυρέαις ἑλίκεσσιν ἐναίσιμον ἀίσσουσαν·
αἶψα δ᾽ ἀπηλεγέως νόον ἔκφατο Λητοΐδαο·
Ὑμῖν μὲν δὴ μοῖρα θεῶν χρειώ τε περῆσαι
440
ἐνθάδε κῶας ἄγοντας· ἀπειρέσιοι δ᾽ ἐνὶ μέσσῳ
κεῖσέ τε δεῦρό τ᾽ ἔασιν ἀνερχομένοισιν ἄεθλοι.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ θανέειν στυγερῇ ὑπὸ δαίμονος αἴσῃ
τηλόθι που πέπρωται ἐπ᾿ Ἀσίδος ἠπείροιο.
ὧδε κακοῖς δεδαὼς ἔτι καὶ πάρος οἰωνοῖσιν
445
πότμον ἐμὸν πάτρης ἐξήιον, ὄφρ᾽ ἐπιβαίην
νηός, ἐυκλείη δὲ δόμοις ἐπιβάντι λίπηται.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· κοῦροι δὲ θεοπροπίης ἀίοντες
νόστῳ μὲν γήθησαν, ἄχος δ᾽ ἕλεν Ἴδμονος αἴσῃ.
ἦμος δ᾽ ἠέλιος σταθερὸν παραμείβεται ἦμαρ,
450
αἱ δὲ νέον σκοπέλοισιν ὑποσκιόωνται ἄρουραι,
δειελινὸν κλίνοντος ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠελίοιο,
τῆμος ἄρ᾽ ἤδη πάντες ἐπὶ ψαμάθοισι βαθεῖαν
φυλλάδα χευάμενοι πολιοῦ πρόπαρ αἰγιαλοῖο
κέκλινθ᾽ ἑξείης· παρὰ δέ σφισι μυρί᾽ ἔκειτο
455
εἴδατα, καὶ μέθυ λαρόν, ἀφυσσαμένων προχόῃσιν
οἰνοχόων· μετέπειτα δ᾽ ἀμοιβαδὶς ἀλλήλοισιν
μυθεῦνθ᾽, οἷά τε πολλὰ νέοι παρὰ δαιτὶ καὶ οἴνῳ
τερπνῶς ἑψιόωνται, ὅτ᾽ ἄατος ὕβρις ἀπείη.
ἔνθ᾽ αὐτ᾿ Αἰσονίδης μὲν ἀμήχανος εἰν ἑοῖ αὐτῷ
460
πορφύρεσκεν ἕκαστα κατηφιόωντι ἐοικώς.
τὸν δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὑποφρασθεὶς μεγάλῃ ὀπὶ νείκεσεν ῎Ἴδας·
Αἰσονίδη, τίνα τήνδε μετὰ φρεσὶ μῆτιν ἑλίσσεις;
αὔδα ἐνὶ μέσσοισι τεὸν νόον. ἠέ σε δαμνᾷ
τάρβος ἐπιπλόμενον, τό τ᾽ ἀνάλκιδας ἄνδρας ἀτύζει;
465
ἴστω νῦν δόρυ θοῦρον, ὅτῳ περιώσιον ἄλλων
κῦδος ἐνὶ πτολέμοισιν ἀείρομαι, οὐδέ μ᾽ ὀφέλλει
Ζεὺς τόσον, ὁσσάτιόν περ ἐμὸν δόρυ, μή νύ τι πῆμα
λοίγιον ἔσσεσθαι, μηδ᾽ ἀκράαντον ἄεθλον
Ἴδεω ἑσπομένοιο, καὶ εἰ θεὸς ἀντιόῳτο.
470
τοῖόν μ' Ἀρήνηθεν ἀοσσητήρα κομίζεις.
Ἦ, καὶ ἐπισχόμενος πλεῖον δέπας ἀμφοτέρῃσιν
πῖνε χαλίκρητον λαρὸν μέθυ· δεύετο δ᾽ οἴνῳ
χείλεα, κυάνεαί τε γενειάδες· οἱ δ᾽ ὁμάδησαν
πάντες ὁμῶς, Ἴδμων δὲ καὶ ἀμφαδίην ἀγόρευσεν·
475
Δαιμόνιε, φρονέεις ὀλοφώια καὶ πάρος αὐτῷ.
ἦέ τοι εἰς ἄτην ζωρὸν μέθυ θαρσαλέον κῆρ
οἰδάνει ἐν στήθεσσι, θεοὺς δ᾽ ἀνέηκεν ἀτίζειν;
ἄλλοι μύθοι ἔασι παρήγοροι, οἷσί περ ἀνὴρ
θαρσύνοι ἕταρον· σὺ δ᾽ ἀτάσθαλα πάμπαν ἔειπας,
480
τοῖα φάτις καὶ τοὺς πρὶν ἐπιφλύειν μακάρεσσιν
υΐας Ἀλωιάδας, οἷς οὐδ᾽ ὅσον ἰσοφαρίζεις
ἠνορέην· ἔμπης δὲ θοοῖς ἐδάμησαν ὀιστοῖς
ἄμφω Λητοΐδαο, καὶ ἴφθιμοί περ ἐόντες.
Ὡς ἔφατ᾿· ἐκ δ᾽ ἐγέλασσεν ἄδην Ἀφαρήιος ῎Ἴδας
485
καί μιν ἐπιλλίζων ἠμείβετο κερτομίοισιν·
Ἄγρει νυν τόδε σῇσι θεοπροπίῃσιν ἐνίσπες,
εἰ καὶ ἐμοὶ τοιόνδε θεοὶ τελέουσιν ὄλεθρον,
οἷον Ἀλωιάδῃσι πατὴρ τεὸς ἐγγυάλιξεν.
φράζεο δ᾽ ὅππως χεῖρας ἐμὰς σόος ἐξαλέοιο,
490
χρειὼ θεσπίζων μεταμώνιον εἴ κεν ἁλῴης.
Χώετ᾽ ἐνιπτάζων· προτέρω δέ κε νεῖκος ἐτύχθη,
εἰ μὴ δηριόωντας ὁμοκλήσαντες ἑταῖροι
αὐτός τ᾽ Αἰσονίδης κατερήτυεν· ἂν δὲ καὶ Ὀρφεὺς
λαιῇ ἀνασχόμενος κίθαριν πείραζεν ἀοιδῆς.
495
Ἤειδεν δ᾽ ὡς γαῖα καὶ οὐρανὸς ἠδὲ θάλασσα,
τὸ πρὶν ἐπ᾿ ἀλλήλοισι μιῇ συναρηρότα μορφῇ,
νείκεος ἐξ ὀλοοῖο διέκριθεν ἀμφὶς ἕκαστα·
ἠδ᾽ ὡς ἔμπεδον αἰὲν ἐν αἰθέρι τέκμαρ ἔχουσιν
ἄστρα σεληναίη τε καὶ ἠελίοιο κέλευθοι·
500
οὔρεά θ᾽ ὡς ἀνέτειλε, καὶ ὡς ποταμοὶ κελάδοντες
αὐτῇσιν νύμφῃσι καὶ ἑρπετὰ πάντ᾽ ἐγένοντο.
ἤειδεν δ᾽ ὡς πρῶτον Ὀφίων Εὐρυνόμη τε
᾿Ὠκεανὶς νιφόεντος ἔχον κράτος Οὐλύμποιο·
ὥς τε βίῃ καὶ χερσὶν ὁ μὲν Κρόνῳ εἴκαθε τιμῆς,
505
ἡ δὲ ῾Ῥέῃ, ἔπεσον δ᾽ ἐνὶ κύμασιν ᾿Ὠκεανοῖο·
οἱ δὲ τέως μακάρεσσι θεοῖς Τιτῆσιν ἄνασσον,
ὄφρα Ζεὺς ἔτι κοῦρος, ἔτι φρεσὶ νήπια εἰδώς,
Δικταῖον ναίεσκεν ὑπὸ σπέος· οἱ δέ μιν οὔπω
γηγενέες Κύκλωπες ἐκαρτύναντο κεραυνῷ,
510
βροντῇ τε στεροπῇ τε· τὰ γὰρ Διὶ κῦδος ὀπάζει.
Ἦ, καὶ ὁ μὲν φόρμιγγα σὺν ἀμβροσίῃ σχέθεν αὐδῇ.
τοὶ δ᾽ ἄμοτον λήξαντος ἔτι προύχοντο κάρηνα
πάντες ὁμῶς ὀρθοῖσιν ἐπ᾿ οὔασιν ἠρεμέοντες
κηληθμῷ· τοῖόν σφιν ἐνέλλιπε θέλκτρον ἀοιδῆς.
515
οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ δὴν μετέπειτα κερασσάμενοι Διὶ λοιβάς,
†ἢ θέμις ἐστί, τέως ἐπί τε γλώσσῃσι χέοντο†
αἰθομέναις, ὕπνου δὲ διὰ κνέφας ἐμνώοντο.
Αὐτὰρ ὅτ᾽ αἰγλήεσσα φαεινοῖς ὄμμασιν Ἠὼς
Πηλίου αἰπεινὰς ἴδεν ἄκριας, ἐκ δ᾽ ἀνέμοιο
520
εὔδιοι ἐκλύζοντο τινασσομένης ἁλὸς ἄκραι,
δὴ τότ᾽ ἀνέγρετο Τίφυς· ἄφαρ δ᾽ ὀρόθυνεν ἑταίρους
βαινέμεναί τ᾽ ἐπὶ νῆα καὶ ἀρτύνασθαι ἐρετμά.
σμερδαλέον δὲ λιμὴν Παγασήιος ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
Πηλιὰς ἴαχεν Ἀργὼ ἐπισπέρχουσα νέεσθαι.
525
ἐν γάρ οἱ δόρυ θεῖον ἐλήλατο, τό ῥ᾽ ἀνὰ μέσσην
στεῖραν Ἀθηναίη Δωδωνίδος ἥρμοσε φηγοῦ.
οἱ δ᾽ ἀνὰ σέλματα βάντες ἐπισχερὼ ἀλλήλοισιν,
ὡς ἐδάσαντο πάροιθεν ἐρεσσέμεν ᾧ ἐνὶ χώρῳ,
εὐκόσμως σφετέροισι παρ᾽ ἔντεσιν ἑδριόωντο.
530
μέσσῳ δ᾽ Ἀγκαῖος μέγα τε σθένος Ἡρακλῆος
ἵζανον· ἄγχι δέ οἱ ῥόπαλον θέτο, καί οἱ ἔνερθεν
ποσσὶν ὑπεκλύσθη νηὸς τρόπις. εἵλκετο δ᾽ ἤδη
πείσματα, καὶ μέθυ λεῖβον ὕπερθ᾽ ἁλός. αὐτὰρ Ἰήσων
δακρυόεις γαίης ἀπὸ πατρίδος ὄμματ᾽ ἔνεικεν.
535
οἱ δ᾽, ὥστ᾽ ἠίθεοι Φοίβῳ χορὸν ἢ ἐνὶ Πυθοῖ
ἤ που ἐν Ὀρτυγίῃ, ἢ ἐφ᾽ ὕδασιν Ἰσμηνοῖο
στησάμενοι, φόρμιγγος ὑπαὶ περὶ βωμὸν ὁμαρτῇ
ἐμμελέως κραιπνοῖσι πέδον ῥήσσωσι πόδεσσιν·
ὡς οἱ ὑπ᾿ Ὀρφῆος κιθάρῃ πέπληγον ἐρετμοῖς
540
πόντου λάβρον ὕδωρ, ἐπὶ δὲ ῥόθια κλύζοντο·
ἀφρῷ δ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα κελαινὴ κήκιεν ἅλμη
δεινὸν μορμύρουσα ἐρισθενέων μένει ἀνδρῶν.
στράπτε δ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἠελίῳ φλογὶ εἴκελα νηὸς ἰούσης
τεύχεα· μακραὶ δ᾽ αἰὲν ἐλευκαίνοντο κέλευθοι,
545
ἀτραπὸς ὡς χλοεροῖο διειδομένη πεδίοιο.
πάντες δ᾽ οὐρανόθεν λεῦσσον θεοὶ ἤματι κείνῳ
νῆα καὶ ἡμιθέων ἀνδρῶν μένος, οἳ τότ᾽ ἄριστοι
πόντον ἐπιπλώεσκον· ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτῃσι δὲ νύμφαι
Πηλιάδες κορυφῇσιν ἐθάμβεον εἰσορόωσαι
550
ἔργον Ἀθηναίης Ἰτωνίδος, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτοὺς
ἥρωας χείρεσσιν ἐπικραδάοντας ἐρετμά.
αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ ἐξ ὑπάτου ὄρεος κίεν ἄγχι θαλάσσης
Χείρων Φιλλυρίδης, πολιῇ δ᾽ ἐπὶ κύματος ἀγῇ
τέγγε πόδας, καὶ πολλὰ βαρείῃ χειρὶ κελεύων,
555
νόστον ἐπευφήμησεν ἀκηδέα νισσομένοισιν.
σὺν καί οἱ παράκοιτις ἐπωλένιον φορέουσα
Πηλείδην Ἀχιλῆα, φίλῳ δειδίσκετο πατρί.
Οἱ δ᾽ ὅτε δὴ λιμένος περιηγέα κάλλιπον ἀκτὴν
φραδμοσύνῃ μήτι τε δαΐφρονος Ἁγνιάδαο
560
Τίφυος, ὅς ῥ᾽ ἐνὶ χερσὶν ἐύξοα τεχνηέντως
πηδάλι᾽ ἀμφιέπεσκ᾽, ὄφρ᾽ ἔμπεδον ἐξιθύνοι,
δή ῥα τότε μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐνεστήσαντο μεσόδμῃ,
δῆσαν δὲ προτόνοισι, τανυσσάμενοι ἑκάτερθεν,
κὰδ δ᾽ αὐτοῦ λίνα χεῦαν, ἐπ᾿ ἠλακάτην ἐρύσαντες.
565
ἐν δὲ λιγὺς πέσεν οὗρος· ἐπ᾿ ἰκριόφιν δὲ κάλωας
ξεστῇσιν περόνῃσι διακριδὸν ἀμφιβαλόντες
Τισαίην εὔκηλοι ὑπὲρ δολιχὴν θέον ἄκρην.
τοῖσι δὲ φορμίζων εὐθήμονι μέλπεν ἀοιδῇ
Οἰάγροιο πάις νηοσσόον εὐπατέρειαν
570
Ἄρτεμιν, ἢ κείνας σκοπιὰς ἁλὸς ἀμφιέπεσκεν
ῥυομένη καὶ γαῖαν Ἰωλκίδα˙ τοὶ δὲ βαθείης
ἰχθύες ἀίσσοντες ὕπερθ᾽ ἁλός, ἄμμιγα παύροις
ἄπλετοι, ὑγρὰ κέλευθα διασκαίροντες ἕποντο.
ὡς δ᾽ ὁπότ᾽ ἀγραύλοιο κατ᾽ ἴχνια σημαντῆρος
575
μυρία μῆλ᾽ ἐφέπονται ἄδην κεκορημένα ποίης
εἰς αὐλιν, ὁ δέ τ᾽ εἶσι πάρος σύριγγι λιγείῃ
καλὰ μελιζόμενος νόμιον μέλος· ὡς ἄρα τοίγε
ὡμάρτευν· τὴν δ᾽ αἰὲν ἐπασσύτερος φέρεν οὗρος.
Αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἠερίη πολυλήιος αΐα Πελασγῶν
580
δύετο, Πηλιάδας δὲ παρεξήμειβον ἐρίπνας
αἰὲν ἐπιπροθέοντες· ἔδυνε δὲ Σηπιὰς ἄκρη,
φαίνετο δ᾽ εἰναλίη Σκίαθος, φαίνοντο δ᾽ ἄπωθεν
Πειρεσιαὶ Μάγνησά θ᾽ ὑπεύδιος ἠπείροιο
ἀκτὴ καὶ τύμβος Δολοπήιος· ἔνθ᾽ ἄρα τοίγε
585
ἑσπέριοι ἀνέμοιο παλιμπνοίῃσιν ἔκελσαν,
καί μιν κυδαίνοντες ὑπὸ κνέφας ἔντομα μήλων
κεῖαν, ὀρινομένης ἁλὸς οἴδματι· διπλόα δ᾽ ἀκταῖς
ἤματ᾽ ἐλινύεσκον· ἀτὰρ τριτάτῳ προέηκαν
νῆα, τανυσσάμενοι περιώσιον ὑψόθι λαῖφος.
590
τὴν δ᾽ ἀκτὴν Ἀφέτας Ἀργοῦς ἔτι κικλήσκουσιν.
Ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρωσε παρεξέθεον Μελίβοιαν,
ἀκτήν τ᾽ αἰγιαλόν τε δυσήνεμον Τεἰσορόωντες.†
ἠῶθεν δ᾽ Ὁμόλην αὐτοσχεδὸν εἰσορόωντες
πόντῳ κεκλιμένην παρεμέτρεον· οὐδ᾽ ἔτι δηρὸν
595
μέλλον ὑπὲκ ποταμοῖο βαλεῖν Ἀμύροιο ῥέεθρα.
κεῖθεν δ᾽ Εὐρυμένας τε πολυκλύστους τε φάραγγας
Ὄσσης Οὐλύμποιό τ᾽ ἐσέδρακον· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
κλίτεα Παλλήναια, Καναστραίην ὑπὲρ ἄκρην,
ἤνυσαν ἐννύχιοι πνοιῇ ἀνέμοιο θέοντες.
600
ἦρι δὲ νισσομένοισιν Ἄθω ἀνέτελλε κολώνη
Θρηικίη, ἢ τόσσον ἀπόπροθι Λήμνον ἐοῦσαν,
ὅσσον ἐς ἔνδιόν κεν ἐύστολος ὁλκὰς ἀνύσσαι,
ἀκροτάτῃ κορυφῇ σκιάει, καὶ ἐσάχρι Μυρίνης.
τοῖσιν δ᾽ αὐτῆμαρ μὲν ἄεν καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας οὗρος
605
πάγχυ μάλ᾽ ἀκραής, τετάνυστο δὲ λαίφεα νηός.
αὐτὰρ ἅμ᾽ ἠελίοιο βολαῖς ἀνέμοιο λιπόντος
εἰρεσίῃ κραναὴν Σιντηίδα Λήμνον ἵκοντο.
Ἔνθ᾽ ἄμυδις πᾶς δῆμος ὑπερβασίῃσι γυναικῶν
νηλειῶς δέδμητο παροιχομένῳ λυκάβαντι.
610
δὴ γὰρ κουριδίας μὲν ἀπηνήναντο γυναῖκας
ἀνέρες ἐχθήραντες, ἔχον δ᾽ ἐπὶ ληιάδεσσιν
τρηχὺν ἔρον, ἃς αὐτοὶ ἀγίνεον ἀντιπέρηθεν
Θρηικίην δῃοῦντες· ἐπεὶ χόλος αἰνὸς ὄπαζεν
Κύπριδος, οἵνεκά μιν γεράων ἐπὶ δηρὸν ἄτισσαν.
615
ὦ μέλεαι, ζήλοιό τ᾽ ἐπισμυγερῶς ἀκόρητοι.
οὐκ οἶον σὺν τῇσιν ἑοὺς ἔρραισαν ἀκοίτας
ἀμφ᾽ εὐνῇ, πᾶν δ᾽ ἄρσεν ὁμοῦ γένος, ὥς κεν ὀπίσσω
μήτινα λευγαλέοιο φόνου τίσειαν ἀμοιβήν.
οἴη δ᾽ ἐκ πασέων γεραροῦ περιφείσατο πατρὸς
620
Ὑψιπύλεια Θόαντος, ὃ δὴ κατὰ δῆμον ἄνασσεν·
λάρνακι δ᾽ ἐν κοίλῃ μιν ὕπερθ᾽ ἁλὸς ἦκε φέρεσθαι,
αἴ κε φύγῃ. καὶ τὸν μὲν ἐς Οἰνοίην ἐρύσαντο
πρόσθεν, ἀτὰρ Σίκινόν γε μεθύστερον αὐδηθεῖσαν
νῆσον, ἐπακτῆρες, Σικίνου ἄπο, τόν ῥα Θόαντι
625
νηιὰς Οἰνοίη νύμφη τέκεν εὐνηθεῖσα.
τῇσι δὲ βουκόλιαί τε βοῶν χάλκειά τε δύνειν
τεύχεα, πυροφόρους τε διατμήξασθαι ἀρούρας
ῥηίτερον πάσῃσιν Ἀθηναίης πέλεν ἔργων,
οἷς αἰεὶ τὸ πάροιθεν ὁμίλεον. ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἔμπης
630
ἦ θαμὰ δὴ πάπταινον ἐπὶ πλατὺν ὄμμασι πόντον
δείματι λευγαλέῳ, ὁπότε Θρήικες ἴασιν.
τῶ καὶ ὅτ᾽ ἐγγύθι νήσου ἐρεσσομένην ἴδον Ἀργώ,
αὐτίκα πασσυδίῃ πυλέων ἔκτοσθε Μυρίνης
δήια τεύχεα δῦσαι ἐς αἰγιαλὸν προχέοντο,
635
Θυιάσιν ὠμοβόροις ἴκελαι· φὰν γάρ που ἱκάνειν
Θρήικας· ἡ δ᾽ ἅμα τῇσι Θοαντιὰς Ὑψιπύλεια
δῦν᾽ ἐνὶ τεύχεσι πατρός. ἀμηχανίῃ δ᾽ ἐχέοντο
ἄφθογγοι· τοῖόν σφιν ἐπὶ δέος ᾐωρεῖτο.
Τείως δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐκ νηὸς ἀριστῆες προέηκαν
640
Αἰθαλίδην κήρυκα θοόν, τῷπέρ τε μέλεσθαι
ἀγγελίας καὶ σκῆπτρον ἐπέτρεπον Ἑρμείαο,
σφωιτέροιο τοκῆος, ὅ οἱ μνῆστιν πόρε πάντων
ἄφθιτον· οὐδ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ ἀποιχομένου Ἀχέροντος
δίνας ἀπροφάτους ψυχὴν ἐπιδέδρομε λήθη·
645
ἀλλ᾽ ἤγ᾽ ἔμπεδον αἰὲν ἀμειβομένη μεμόρηται,
ἄλλοθ᾽ ὑποχθονίοις ἐναρίθμιος, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐς αὐγὰς
ἠελίου ζωοῖσι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσιν. ἀλλὰ τί μύθους
Αἰθαλίδεω χρειώ με διηνεκέως ἀγορεύειν;
ὅς ῥα τόθ᾽ Ὑψιπύλην μειλίξατο δέχθαι ἰόντας
650
ἤματος ἀνομένοιο διὰ κνέφας· οὐδὲ μὲν ἠοῖ
πείσματα νηὸς ἔλυσαν ἐπὶ πνοιῇ βορέαο.
Λημνιάδες δὲ γυναῖκες ἀνὰ πτόλιν ἶζον ἰοῦσαι
εἰς ἀγορήν· αὐτὴ γὰρ ἐπέφραδεν Ὑψιπύλεια.
καί ρ᾽ ὅτε δὴ μάλα πᾶσαι ὁμιλαδὸν ἠγερέθοντο,
655
αὐτίκ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἦγ᾽ ἐνὶ τῇσιν ἐποτρύνουσ᾽ ἀγόρευεν·
Ὦ φίλαι, εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε δὴ μενοεικέα δῶρα πόρωμεν
ἀνδράσιν, οἱά τ᾽ ἔοικεν ἄγειν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔχοντας,
ἤια, καὶ μέθυ λαρόν, ἵν᾽ ἔμπεδον ἔκτοθι πύργων
μίμνοιεν, μηδ᾽ ἄμμε κατὰ χρειὼ μεθέποντες
660
ἀτρεκέως γνώωσι, κακὴ δ᾽ ἐπὶ πολλὸν ἵκηται
βάξις· ἐπεὶ μέγα ἔργον ἐρέξαμεν, οὐδέ τι πάμπαν
θυμηδὲς καὶ τοῖσι τόγ᾽ ἔσσεται, εἴ κε δαεῖεν.
ἡμετέρη μὲν νῦν τοίη παρενήνοθε μῆτις·
ὑμέων δ᾽ εἴ τις ἄρειον ἔπος μητίσεται ἄλλη,
665
ἐγρέσθω· τοῦ γάρ τε καὶ εἶνεκα δεῦρο κάλεσσα.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, καὶ θῶκον ἐφίζανε πατρὸς ἑοῖο
λάινον· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα φίλη τροφὸς ὧρτο Πολυξώ,
γήραϊ δὴ ῥικνοῖσιν ἐπισκάζουσα πόδεσσιν,
βάκτρῳ ἐρειδομένη, περὶ δὲ μενέαιν᾿ ἀγορεῦσαι.
670
τῇ καὶ παρθενικαὶ πίσυρες σχεδὸν ἑδριόωντο
ἀδμῆτες λευκῇσιν ἐπιχνοάουσῃ ἐθείραις.
στῆ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐνὶ μέσσῃ ἀγορῇ, ἀνὰ δ᾽ ἔσχεθε δειρὴν
ἦκα μόλις κυφοῖο μεταφρένου, ὧδέ τ᾽ ἔειπεν·
Δῶρα μέν, ὡς αὐτῇ περ ἐφανδάνει Ὑψιπυλείῃ,
675
πέμπωμεν ξείνοισιν, ἐπεὶ καὶ ἄρειον ὀπάσσαι.
ὄμμι γε μὴν τίς μῆτις ἐπαύρεσθαι βιότοιο,
αἴ κεν ἐπιβρίσῃ Θρήιξ στρατός, ἠέ τις ἄλλος
δυσμενέων, ἅ τε πολλὰ μετ᾿ ἀνθρώποισι πέλονται;
ὡς καὶ νῦν ὅδ᾽ ὅμιλος ἀνωίστως ἐφικάνει.
680
εἰ δὲ τὸ μὲν μακάρων τις ἀποτρέποι, ἄλλα δ᾽ ὀπίσσω
μυρία δηιοτῆτος ὑπέρτερα πήματα μίμνει,
εὐτ᾽ ἂν δὴ γεραραὶ μὲν ἀποφθινύθωσι γυναῖκες,
κουρότεραι δ᾽ ἄγονοι στυγερὸν ποτὶ γῆρας ἵκησθε.
πῶς τῆμος βώσεσθε δυσάμμοροι; ἦε βαθείαις
685
αὐτόματοι βόες ύμμιν ἐνιζευχθέντες ἀρούραις
γειοτόμον νειοῖο διειρύσσουσιν ἄροτρον,
καὶ πρόκα τελλομένου ἔτεος στάχυν ἀμήσονται;
ἡ μὲν ἐγών, εἰ καί με τὰ νῦν ἔτι πεφρίκασιν
Κῆρες, ἐπερχόμενόν που δίομαι εἰς ἔτος ἤδη
690
γαῖαν ἐφέσσεσθαι, κτερέων ἀπὸ μοῖραν ἑλοῦσαν
αὔτως, ἢ θέμις ἐστί, πάρος κακότητα πελάσσαι.
ὁπλοτέρῃσι δὲ πάγχυ τάδε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.
νῦν γὰρ δὴ παρὰ ποσσὶν ἐπήβολός ἐστ᾽ ἀλεωρή,
εἴ κεν ἐπιτρέψητε δόμους καὶ ληίδα πᾶσαν
695
ὑμετέρην ξείνοισι καὶ ἀγλαὸν ἄστυ μέλεσθαι.
Ὡς ἔφατ᾿· ἐν δ᾽ ἀγορὴ πλῆτο θρόου. εὔαδε γάρ σφιν
μῦθος. ἀτὰρ μετὰ τήνγε παρασχεδὸν αὐτις ἀνῶρτο
Ὑψιπύλη, καὶ τοῖον ὑποβλήδην ἔπος ηὔδα·
Εἰ μὲν δὴ πάσῃσιν ἐφανδάνει ἥδε μενοινή,
700
ἤδη κεν μετὰ νῆα καὶ ἄγγελον ὀτρύναιμι.
ἢ ῥα, καὶ Ἰφινόην μετεφώνεεν ἆσσον ἐοῦσαν·
Ὄρσο μοι, Ἰφινόη, τοῦδ᾽ ἀνέρος ἀντιόωσα,
ἡμέτερόνδε μολεῖν, ὅστις στόλου ἡγεμονεύει,
ὄφρα τί οἱ δήμοιο ἔπος θυμῆρες ἐνίσπω·
705
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὺς γαίης τε καὶ ἄστεος, αἴ κ᾿ ἐθέλωσιν,
κέκλεο θαρσαλέως ἐπιβαινέμεν εὐμενέοντας.
Ἦ, καὶ ἔλυσ᾽ ἀγορήν, μετὰ δ᾽ εἰς ἑὸν ὧρτο νέεσθαι.
ὡς δὲ καὶ Ἰφινόη Μινύας ἵκεθ᾽· οἱ δ᾽ ἐρέεινον,
χρεῖος ὅ τι φρονέουσα μετήλυθεν. ὦκα δὲ τούσγε
710
πασσυδίῃ μύθοισι προσέννεπεν ἐξερέοντας·
Κούρη τοί μ᾽ ἐφέηκε Θοαντιὰς ἐνθάδ᾽ ἰοῦσαν,
Ὑψιπύλη, καλέειν νηὸς πρόμον, ὅστις ὄρωρεν,
ὄφρα τί οἱ δήμοιο ἔπος θυμῆρες ἐνίσπῃ·
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὺς γαίης τε καὶ ἄστεος, αἴ κ᾿ ἐθέλητε,
715
κέκλεται αὐτίκα νῦν ἐπιβαινέμεν εὐμενέοντας.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· πάντεσσι δ᾽ ἐναίσιμος ἥνδανε μῦθος.
Ὑψιπύλην δ᾽ εἴσαντο καταφθιμένοιο Θόαντος
τηλυγέτην γεγαυῖαν ἀνασσέμεν· ὦκα δὲ τόνγε
πέμπον ἴμεν, καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὶ ἐπεντύνοντο νέεσθαι.
720
Αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ ὤμοισι θεᾶς Τριτωνίδος ἔργον,
δίπλακα πορφυρέην περονήσατο, τήν οἱ ὄπασσεν
Παλλάς, ὅτε πρῶτον δρυόχους ἐπεβάλλετο νηὸς
Ἀργοῦς, καὶ κανόνεσσι δάε ζυγὰ μετρήσασθαι.
τῆς μὲν ῥηίτερόν κεν ἐς ἠέλιον ἀνιόντα
725
ὄσσε βάλοις, ἢ κεῖνο μεταβλέψειας ἔρευθος.
δὴ γάρ τοι μέσση μὲν ἐρευθήεσσα τέτυκτο,
ἄκρα δὲ πορφυρέη πάντῃ πέλεν· ἐν δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἑκάστῳ
τέρματι δαίδαλα πολλὰ διακριδὸν εὖ ἐπέπαστο.
Ἐν μὲν ἔσαν Κύκλωπες ἐπ᾿ ἀφθίτῳ ἥμενοι ἔργῳ,
730
Ζηνὶ κεραυνὸν ἄνακτι πονεύμενοι· ὃς τόσον ἤδη
παμφαίνων ἐτέτυκτο, μιῆς δ᾽ ἔτι δεύετο μοῦνον
ἀκτῖνος, τὴν οἶγε σιδηρείῃς ἐλάασκον
σφύρῃσιν, μαλεροῖο πυρὸς ζείουσαν ἀυτμήν.
Ἐν δ᾽ ἔσαν Ἀντιόπης Ἀσωπίδος υἱέε δοιώ,
735
Ἀμφίων καὶ Ζῆθος· ἀπύργωτος δ᾽ ἔτι Θήβη
κεῖτο πέλας, τῆς οἵγε νέον βάλλοντο δομαίους
ἱέμενοι. Ζῆθος μὲν ἐπωμαδὸν ἠέρταζεν
οὔρεος ἠλιβάτοιο κάρη, μογέοντι ἐοικώς·
Ἀμφίων δ᾽ ἐπὶ οἱ χρυσέῃ φόρμιγγι λιγαίνων
740
ἤιε, δὶς τόσση δὲ μετ᾽ ἴχνια νίσσετο πέτρη.
Ἑξείης δ᾽ ἤσκητο βαθυπλόκαμος Κυθέρεια
Ἄρεος ὀχμάζουσα θοὸν σάκος· ἐκ δέ οἱ ὤμου
πῆχυν ἔπι σκαιὸν ξυνοχὴ κεχάλαστο χιτῶνος
νέρθεν ὑπὲκ μαζοῖο· τὸ δ᾽ ἀντίον ἀτρεκὲς αὕτως
745
χαλκείῃ δείκηλον ἐν ἀσπίδι φαίνετ᾿ ἰδέσθαι.
Ἐν δὲ βοῶν ἔσκεν λάσιος νομός· ἀμφὶ δὲ βουσὶν
Τηλεβόαι μάρναντο καὶ υἱέες Ηλεκτρύωνος·
οἱ μὲν ἀμυνόμενοι, ἀτὰρ οἵγ᾽ ἐθέλοντες ἀμέρσαι,
ληισταὶ Τάφιοι· τῶν δ᾽ αἵματι δεύετο λειμὼν
750
ἑρσήεις, πολέες δ᾽ ὀλίγους βιόωντο νομῆας.
Ἐν δὲ δύω δίφροι πεπονήατο δηριόωντες.
καὶ τὸν μὲν προπάροιθε Πέλοψ ἴθυνε, τινάσσων
ἡνία, σὺν δέ οἱ ἔσκε παραιβάτις Ἱπποδάμεια·
τὸν δὲ μεταδρομάδην ἐπὶ Μυρτίλος ἤλασεν ἵππους,
755
σὺν τῷ δ᾽ Οἰνόμαος προτενὲς δόρυ χειρὶ μεμαρπὼς
ἄξονος ἐν πλήμνῃσι παρακλιδὸν ἀγνυμένοιο
πῖπτεν, ἐπεσσύμενος Πελοπήια νῶτα δαΐξαι.
Ἐν καὶ Ἀπόλλων Φοῖβος ὀιστεύων ἐτέτυκτο,
βούπαις οὔπω πολλός, ἑὴν ἐρύοντα καλύπτρης
760
μητέρα θαρσαλέως Τιτυὸν μέγαν, ὅν ῥ᾽ ἔτεκέν γε
δῖ᾽ Ελάρη, θρέψεν δὲ καὶ ἂψ ἐλοχεύσατο Γαῖα.
Ἐν καὶ Φρίξος ἔην Μινυήιος ὡς ἐτεόν περ
εἰσαΐων κριοῦ, ὁ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐξενέποντι ἐοικώς.
κείνους κ᾽ εἰσορόων ἀκέοις, ψεύδοιό τε θυμόν,
765
ἐλπόμενος πυκινήν τιν᾿ ἀπὸ σφείων ἐσακοῦσαι
βάξιν, ὃ καὶ δηρόν περ ἐπ᾿ ἐλπίδι θηήσαιο.
Τοῖ ἄρα δῶρα θεᾶς Τριτωνίδος ἦεν Ἀθήνης.
δεξιτερῇ δ᾽ ἕλεν ἔγχος ἑκηβόλον, ὅ ῥ᾽ Ἀταλάντη
Μαινάλῳ ἔν ποτέ οἱ ξεινήιον ἐγγυάλιξεν,
770
πρόφρων ἀντομένη· περὶ γὰρ μενέαινεν ἕπεσθαι
τὴν ὁδόν· ἀλλὰ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἑκὼν ἀπερήτυε κούρην,
δεῖσεν δ᾽ ἀργαλέας ἔριδας φιλότητος ἕκητι.
Βῆ δ᾽ ἴμεναι προτὶ ἄστυ, φαεινῷ ἀστέρι ἶσος,
ὅν ῥά τε νηγατέῃσιν ἐεργόμεναι καλύβῃσιν
775
νύμφαι θηήσαντο δόμων ὕπερ ἀντέλλοντα,
καί σφισι κυανέοιο δι' ἠέρος ὄμματα θέλγει
καλὸν ἐρευθόμενος, γάνυται δέ τε ἠιθέοιο
παρθένος ἱμείρουσα μετ᾿ ἀλλοδαποῖσιν ἐόντος
ἀνδράσιν, ᾧ καί μιν μνηστὴν κομέουσι τοκῆες·
780
τῷ ἴκελος πρὸ πόληος ἀνὰ στίβον ἤιεν ἥρως.
καί ῥ᾽ ὅτε δὴ πυλέων τε καὶ ἄστεος ἐντὸς ἔβησαν,
δημότεραι μὲν ὄπισθεν ἐπεκλονέοντο γυναῖκες,
γηθόσυναι ξείνῳ· ὁ δ᾽ ἐπὶ χθονὸς ὄμματ᾽ ἐρείσας
νίσσετ᾽ ἀπηλεγέως, ὄφρ᾽ ἀγλαὰ δώμαθ᾽ ἵκανεν
785
Ὑψιπύλης· ἄνεσαν δὲ πύλας προφανέντι θεράπναι
δικλίδας, εὐτύκτοισιν ἀρηρεμένας σανίδεσσιν.
ἔνθα μιν Ἰφινόη κλισμῷ ἔνι παμφανόωντι
ἐσσυμένως καλῆς διὰ παστάδος εἶσεν ἄγουσα
ἀντία δεσποίνης· ἡ δ᾽ ἐγκλιδὸν ὄσσε βαλοῦσα
790
παρθενικὰς ἐρύθηνε παρηίδας· ἔμπα δὲ τόνγε
αἰδομένη μύθοισι προσέννεπεν αἱμυλίοισιν·
Ξεῖνε, τίη μίμνοντες ἐπὶ χρόνον ἔκτοθι πύργων
ἦσθ᾽ αὕτως; ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ὑπ᾽ ἀνδράσι ναίεται ἄστυ,
ἀλλὰ Θρηικίης ἐπινάστιοι ἠπείροιο
795
πυροφόρους ἀρόωσι γύας. κακότητα δὲ πᾶσαν
ἐξερέω νημερτές, ἵν᾽ εὖ γνοίητε καὶ αὐτοί.
εὐτε Θόας ἀστοῖσι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐμβασίλευεν,
τηνίκα Θρηικίην, οἵ τ᾽ ἀντία ναιετάουσιν,
δήμου ἀπορνύμενοι λαοὶ πέρθεσκον ἐπαύλους
800
ἐκ νηῶν, αὐτῇσι δ᾽ ἀπείρονα ληίδα κούραις
δεῦρ᾽ ἄγον· οὐλομένης δὲ θεᾶς πορσύνετο μῆτις
Κύπριδος, ἥ τέ σφιν θυμοφθόρον ἔμβαλεν ἄτην.
δὴ γὰρ κουριδίας μὲν ἀπέστυγον, ἐκ δὲ μελάθρων,
ᾗ ματίῃ εἴξαντες, ἀπεσσεύοντο γυναῖκας·
805
αὐτὰρ ληιάδεσσι δορικτήταις παρίαυον,
σχέτλιοι. ἡ μὲν δηρὸν ἐτέτλαμεν, εἴ κέ ποτ᾿ αὐτις
ὀψὲ μεταστρέψωσι νόον· τὸ δὲ διπλόον αἰεὶ
πῆμα κακὸν προύβαινεν. ἀτιμάζοντο δὲ τέκνα
γνήσι᾽ ἐνὶ μεγάροις, σκοτίη δ᾽ ἀνέτελλε γενέθλη.
810
αὕτως δ᾽ ἀδμητές τε κόραι, χῆραί τ᾽ ἐπὶ τῇσιν
μητέρες ἂμ πτολίεθρον ἀτημελέες ἀλάληντο.
οὐδὲ πατὴρ ὀλίγον περ ἑῆς ἀλέγιζε θυγατρός,
εἰ καὶ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι δαϊζομένην δρόῳτο
μητρυιῆς ὑπὸ χερσὶν ἀτασθάλου· οὐδ᾽ ἀπὸ μητρὸς
815
λώβην, ὡς τὸ πάροιθεν, ἀεικέα παῖδες ἄμυνον·
οὐδὲ κασιγνήτοισι κασιγνήτη μέλε θυμῷ.
ἀλλ᾽ οἶαι κοῦραι ληίτιδες ἔν τε δόμοισιν
ἔν τε χοροῖς ἀγορῇ τε καὶ εἰλαπίνῃσι μέλοντο.
εἰσόκε τις θεὸς ἄμμιν ὑπέρβιον ἔμβαλε θάρσος,
820
ἂψ ἀναερχομένους Θρῃκῶν ἄπο μηκέτι πύργοις
δέχθαι, ἵν᾽ ἢ φρονέοιεν ἅπερ θέμις, ἠέ πῃ ἄλλῃ
αὐταῖς ληιάδεσσιν ἀφορμηθέντες ἵκοιντο.
οἱ δ᾽ ἄρα θεσσάμενοι παίδων γένος, ὅσσον ἔλειπτο
ἄρσεν ἀνὰ πτολίεθρον, ἔβαν πάλιν, ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ
825
Θρηικίης ἄροσιν χιονώδεα ναιετάουσιν.
τῶ ὑμεῖς στρωφᾶσθ᾽ ἐπιδήμιοι· εἰ δέ κεν αὖθι
ναιετάειν ἐθέλοις, καί τοι ἅδοι, ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ἔπειτα
πατρὸς ἐμεῖο Θόαντος ἔχοις γέρας· οὐδέ τί σ᾽ οἴω
γαῖαν ὀνόσσεσθαι· περὶ γὰρ βαθυλήιος ἄλλων
830
νήσων, Αἰγαίῃ ὅσαι εἰν ἁλὶ ναιετάουσιν.
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε νῦν ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν ἑτάροισιν ἐνίσπες
μύθους ἡμετέρους, μηδ᾽ ἔκτοθι μίμνε πόληος.
Ἴσκεν, ἀμαλδύνουσα φόνου τέλος, οἷον ἐτύχθη
ἀνδράσιν· αὐτὰρ ὁ τήνγε παραβλήδην προσέειπεν·
835
Ὑψιπύλη, μάλα κεν θυμηδέος ἀντιάσαιμεν
χρησμοσύνης, ἣν ἄμμι σέθεν χατέουσιν ὀπάζεις.
εἶμι δ᾽ ὑπότροπος αὖτις ἀνὰ πτόλιν, εὐτ᾽ ἂν ἕκαστα
ἐξείπω κατὰ κόσμον. ἀνακτορίη δὲ μελέσθω
σοίγ᾽ αὐτῇ καὶ νῆσος· ἔγωγε μὲν οὐκ ἀθερίζων
840
χάζομαι, ἀλλά με λυγροὶ ἐπισπέρχουσιν ἄεθλοι.
Ἦ, καὶ δεξιτερῆς χειρὸς θίγεν· αἶψα δ᾽ ὀπίσσω
βῆ ῥ᾽ ἴμεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ τόνγε νεήνιδες ἄλλοθεν ἄλλαι
μυρίαι εἱλίσσοντο κεχαρμέναι, ὄφρα πυλάων
ἐξέμολεν. μετέπειτα δ᾽ ἐυτροχάλοισιν ἀμάξαις
845
ἀκτὴν εἰσαπέβαν, ξεινήια πολλὰ φέρουσαι,
μῦθον ὅτ᾽ ἤδη πάντα διηνεκέως ἀγόρευσεν,
τόν ῥα καλεσσαμένη διεπέφραδεν Ὑψιπύλεια·
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὺς ξεινοῦσθαι ἐπὶ σφέα δώματ᾽ ἄγεσκον
ῥηιδίως. Κύπρις γὰρ ἐπὶ γλυκὺν ἵμερον ὧρσεν
850
Ηφαίστοιο χάριν πολυμήτιος, ὄφρα κεν αὐτις
ναίηται μετόπισθεν ἀκήρατος ἀνδράσι Λήμνος.
Ἔνθ᾽ ὁ μὲν Ὑψιπύλης βασιλήιον ἐς δόμον ὧρτο
Αἰσονίδης· οἱ δ᾽ ἄλλοι ὅπῃ καὶ ἔκυρσαν ἕκαστος,
Ἡρακλῆος ἄνευθεν, ὁ γὰρ παρὰ νηὶ λέλειπτο
855
αὐτὸς ἑκὼν παῦροί τε διακρινθέντες ἑταῖροι.
αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἄστυ χοροῖσι καὶ εἰλαπίνῃσι γεγήθει
καπνῷ κνισήεντι περίπλεον· ἔξοχα δ᾽ ἄλλων
ἀθανάτων Ἥρης υἷα κλυτὸν ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὴν
Κύπριν ἀοιδῇσιν θυέεσσί τε μειλίσσοντο.
860
ἀμβολίη δ᾽ εἰς ἦμαρ ἀεὶ ἐξ ἤματος ἦεν
ναυτιλίης· δηρὸν δ᾽ ἂν ἐλίνυον αὖθι μένοντες,
εἰ μὴ ἀολλίσσας ἑτάρους ἀπάνευθε γυναικῶν
Ἡρακλέης τοίοισιν ἐνιπτάζων μετέειπεν·
Δαιμόνιοι, πάτρης ἐμφύλιον αἷμ᾽ ἀποέργει
865
ἡμέας; ἧε γάμων ἐπιδευέες ἐνθάδ᾽ ἔβημεν
κεῖθεν, ὀνοσσάμενοι πολιήτιδας; αὖθι δ᾽ ἕαδεν
ναίοντας λιπαρὴν ἄροσιν Λήμνοιο ταμέσθαι;
οὐ μὰν εὐκλειεῖς γε σὺν ὀθνείῃσι γυναιξὶν
ἐσσόμεθ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ἐπὶ δηρὸν ἐελμένοι· οὐδέ τι κῶας
870
αὐτόματον δώσει τις ἑλὼν θεὸς εὐξαμένοισιν.
ἴομεν αὐτις ἕκαστοι ἐπὶ σφέα· τὸν δ᾽ ἐνὶ λέκτροις
Ὑψιπύλης εἰᾶτε πανήμερον, εἰσόκε Λήμνον
παισὶν ἐσανδρώσῃ, μεγάλη τέ ἑ βάξις ἵκηται.
Ως νείκεσσεν ὅμιλον· ἐναντία δ᾽ οὐ νύ τις ἔτλη
875
ὄμματ᾽ ἀνασχεθέειν, οὐδὲ προτιμυθήσασθαι·
ἀλλ᾽ αὔτως ἀγορῆθεν ἐπαρτίζοντο νέεσθαι
σπερχόμενοι. ταὶ δέ σφιν ἐπέδραμον, εὔτ᾽ ἐδάησαν.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε λείρια καλὰ περιβρομέουσι μέλισσαι
πέτρης ἐκχύμεναι σιμβληίδος, ἀμφὶ δὲ λειμὼν
880
ἑρσήεις γάνυται, ταὶ δὲ γλυκὺν ἄλλοτε ἄλλον
καρπὸν ἀμέργουσιν πεποτημέναι· ὡς ἄρα ταίγε
ἐνδυκὲς ἀνέρας ἀμφὶ κινυρόμεναι προχέοντο,
χερσί τε καὶ μύθοισιν ἐδεικανόωντο ἕκαστον,
εὐχόμεναι μακάρεσσιν ἀπήμονα νόστον ὀπάσσαι.
885
ὡς δὲ καὶ Ὑψιπύλη ἠρήσατο χεῖρας ἑλοῦσα
Αἰσονίδεω, τὰ δέ οἱ ῥέε δάκρυα χήτει ἰόντος·
Νίσσεο, καὶ σὲ θεοὶ σὺν ἀπηρέσιν αὐτις ἑταίροις
χρύσειον βασιλῆι δέρος κομίσειαν ἄγοντα
αὕτως, ὡς ἐθέλεις καί τοι φίλον· ἥδε δὲ νῆσος
890
σκῆπτρά τε πατρὸς ἐμεῖο παρέσσεται, ἦν καὶ ὀπίσσω
δή ποτε νοστήσας ἐθέλῃς ἄψορρον ἱκέσθαι.
ῥηιδίως δ᾽ ἂν ἑοῖ καὶ ἀπείρονα λαὸν ἀγείραις
ἄλλων ἐκ πολίων· ἀλλ᾽ οὐ σύγε τήνδε μενοινὴν
σχήσεις, οὔτ᾽ αὐτὴ προτιόσσομαι ὧδε τελεῖσθαι.
895
μνώεο μὴν ἀπεών περ ὁμῶς καὶ νόστιμος ἤδη
Ὑψιπύλης· λίπε δ᾽ ἡμιν ἔπος, τό κεν ἐξανύσαιμι
πρόφρων, ἣν ἄρα δή με θεοὶ δώωσι τεκέσθαι.
Τὴν δ᾽ αὐτ᾿ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἀγαιόμενος προσέειπεν·
Υψιπύλη, τὰ μὲν οὕτω ἐναίσιμα πάντα γένοιτο
900
ἐκ μακάρων· τύνη δ᾽ ἐμέθεν πέρι θυμὸν ἀρείω
ἴσχαν᾽, ἐπεὶ πάτρην μοι ἅλις Πελίαο ἕκητι
ναιετάειν· μοῦνόν με θεοὶ λύσειαν ἀέθλων.
εἰ δ᾽ οὔ μοι πέπρωται ἐς Ἑλλάδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι
τηλοῦ ἀναπλώοντι, σὺ δ᾽ ἄρσενα παῖδα τέκηαι,
905
πέμπε μιν ἡβήσαντα Πελασγίδος ἔνδον Ἰωλκοῦ
πατρί τ᾿ ἐμῷ καὶ μητρὶ δύης ἄκος, ἣν ἄρα τούσγε
τέτμῃ ἔτι ζώοντας, ἵν᾽ ἄνδιχα τοῖο ἄνακτος
σφοῖσιν πορσύνωνται ἐφέστιοι ἐν μεγάροισιν.
Ἦ, καὶ ἔβαιν᾽ ἐπὶ νῆα παροίτατος· ὡς δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι
910
βαῖνον ἀριστῆες· λάζοντο δὲ χερσὶν ἐρετμὰ
ἐνσχερὼ ἑζόμενοι· πρυμνήσια δέ σφισιν Ἄργος
λῦσεν ὑπὲκ πέτρης ἁλιμυρέος. ἔνθ᾽ ἄρα τοίγε
κόπτον ὕδωρ δολιχῇσιν ἐπικρατέως ἐλάτῃσιν. ·
ἑσπέριοι δ᾽ Ὀρφῆος ἐφημοσύνῃσιν ἔκελσαν
915
νῆσον ἐς Ἠλέκτρης Ἀτλαντίδος, ὄφρα δαέντες
ἀρρήτους ἀγανῇσι τελεσφορίῃσι θέμιστας
σωότεροι κρυόεσσαν ὑπεὶρ ἅλα ναυτίλλοιντο.
τῶν μὲν ἔτ᾽ οὐ προτέρω μυθήσομαι· ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὴ
νῆσος ὁμῶς κεχάροιτο καὶ οἳ λάχον ὄργια κεῖνα
920
δαίμονες ἐνναέται, τὰ μὲν οὐ θέμις ἄμμιν ἀείδειν.
Κεῖθεν δ᾽ εἰρεσίῃ Μέλανος διὰ βένθεα πόντου
ἱέμενοι τῇ μὲν Θρῃκῶν χθόνα, τῇ δὲ περαίην
Ἴμβρον ἔχον καθύπερθε· νέον γε μὲν ἠελίοιο
δυομένου Χερόνησον ἐπὶ προύχουσαν ἵκοντο.
925
ἔνθα σφιν λαιψηρὸς ἄη νότος, ἱστία δ᾽ οὔρῳ
στησάμενοι κούρης Ἀθαμαντίδος αἰπὰ ῥέεθρα
εἰσέβαλον· πέλαγος δὲ τὸ μὲν καθύπερθε λέλειπτο
ἦρι, τὸ δ᾽ ἐννύχιοι ῾Ῥοιτειάδος ἔνδοθεν ἀκτῆς
μέτρεον, Ἰδαίην ἐπὶ δεξιὰ γαῖαν ἔχοντες.
930
Δαρδανίην δὲ λιπόντες ἐπιπροσέβαλλον Ἀβύδῳ,
Περκώτην δ᾽ ἐπὶ τῇ καὶ Ἀβαρνίδος ἠμαθόεσσαν
ἠιόνα ζαθέην τε παρήμειβον Πιτύειαν.
καὶ δὴ τοίγ᾽ ἐπὶ νυκτὶ διάνδιχα νηὸς ἰούσης
δίνῃ πορφύροντα διήνυσαν Ἑλλήσποντον.
935
Ἔστι δέ τις αἰπεῖα Προποντίδος ἔνδοθι νῆσος
τυτθὸν ἀπὸ Φρυγίης πολυληίου ἠπείροιο
εἰς ἅλα κεκλιμένη, ὅσσον τ᾽ ἐπιμύρεται ἰσθμὸς
χέρσῳ ἐπιπρηνὴς καταειμένος· ἐν δὲ οἱ ἀκταὶ
ἀμφίδυμοι, κεῖνται δ᾽ ὑπὲρ ὕδατος Αἰσήποιο.
940
Ἄρκτων μιν καλέουσιν ὄρος περιναιετάοντες·
καὶ τὸ μὲν ὑβρισταί τε καὶ ἄγριοι ἐνναίουσιν
Γηγενέες, μέγα θαῦμα περικτιόνεσσιν ἰδέσθαι.
ἓξ γὰρ ἑκάστῳ χεῖρες ὑπέρβιοι ἠερέθονται,
αἱ μὲν ἀπὸ στιβαρῶν ὤμων δύο, ταὶ δ᾽ ὑπένερθεν
945
τέσσαρες αἰνοτάτῃσιν ἐπὶ πλευρῆς ἀραρυῖαι.
ἰσθμὸν δ᾽ αὖ πεδίον τε Δολίονες ἀμφενέμοντο
ἀνέρες· ἐν δ᾽ ἥρως Αἰνήιος υἱὸς ἄνασσεν
Κύζικος, ὃν κούρη δίου τέκεν Εὐσώροιο
Αἰνήτη. τοὺς δ᾽ οὔτι καὶ ἔκπαγλοί περ ἐόντες
950
Γηγενέες σίνοντο, Ποσειδάωνος ἀρωγῇ·
τοῦ γὰρ ἔσαν τὰ πρῶτα Δολίονες ἐκγεγαῶτες.
ἔνθ᾽ Ἀργὼ προύτυψεν ἐπειγομένη ἀνέμοισιν
Θρηικίοις, Καλὸς δὲ λιμὴν ὑπέδεκτο θέουσαν.
κεῖσε καὶ εὐναίης ὀλίγον λίθον ἐκλύσαντες
955
Τίφυος ἐννεσίῃσιν ὑπὸ κρήνῃ ἐλίποντο,
κρήνῃ ὑπ᾿ Ἀρτακίῃ· ἕτερον δ᾽ ἕλον, ὅστις ἀρήρει,
βριθύν· ἀτὰρ κεῖνόν γε θεοπροπίαις Ἑκάτοιο
Νηλείδαι μετόπισθεν Ἰάονες ἱδρύσαντο
ἱερόν, ἢ θέμις ἦεν, Ἰησονίης ἐν Ἀθήνης.
960
Τοὺς δ᾽ ἄμυδις φιλότητι Δολίονες ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὸς
Κύζικος ἀντήσαντες ὅτε στόλον ἠδὲ γενέθλην
ἔκλυον, οἵτινες εἶεν, ἐυξείνως ἀρέσαντο,
καί σφεας εἰρεσίῃ πέπιθον προτέρωσε κιόντας
ἄστεος ἐν λιμένι πρυμνήσια νηὸς ἀνάψαι.
965
ἔνθ᾽ οἴγ᾽ Ἐκβασίῳ βωμὸν θέσαν Ἀπόλλωνι
εἱσάμενοι παρὰ θῖνα, θυηπολίης τ᾽ ἐμέλοντο.
δῶκεν δ᾽ αὐτὸς ἄναξ λαρὸν μέθυ δευομένοισιν
μῆλά θ᾽ ὁμοῦ· δὴ γὰρ οἱ ἔην φάτις, εὔτ᾽ ἂν ἵκωνται
ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων θεῖος στόλος, αὐτίκα τόνγε
970
μείλιχον ἀντιάαν, μηδὲ πτολέμοιο μέλεσθαι.
ἰσόν που κἀκείνῳ ἐπισταχύεσκον ἴουλοι,
οὐδέ νύ πω παίδεσσιν ἀγαλλόμενος μεμόρητο·
ἀλλ᾽ ἔτι οἱ κατὰ δώματ᾿ ἀκήρατος ἦεν ἄκοιτις
ὠδίνων, Μέροπος Περκωσίου ἐκγεγαυῖα,
975
Κλείτη ἐυπλόκαμος, τὴν μὲν νέον ἐξέτι πατρὸς
θεσπεσίοις ἕδνοισιν ἀνήγαγεν ἀντιπέρηθεν.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὡς θάλαμόν τε λιπὼν καὶ δέμνια νύμφης
τοῖς μέτα δαῖτ᾽ ἀλέγυνε, βάλεν δ᾽ ἀπὸ δείματα θυμοῦ.
ἀλλήλους δ᾽ ἐρέεινον ἀμοιβαδίς. ἤτοι ὁ μέν σφεων
980
πεύθετο ναυτιλίης ἄνυσιν, Πελίαό τ᾽ ἐφετμάς·
οἱ δὲ περικτιόνων πόλιας καὶ κόλπον ἅπαντα
εὐρείης πεύθοντο Προποντίδος· οὐ μὲν ἐπιπρὸ
ἠείδει καταλέξαι ἐελδομένοισι δαῆναι.
ἠοῖ δ᾽ εἰσανέβαν μέγα Δίνδυμον, ὄφρα καὶ αὐτοὶ
985
θηήσαιντο πόρους κείνης ἁλός· ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα τοίγε
νῆα Χυτὸν λιμένα προτέρου ἐξήλασαν ὅρμου·
ἥδε δ᾽ Ἰησονίη πέφαται ὁδός, ἥνπερ ἔβησαν.
Γηγενέες δ᾽ ἑτέρωθεν ἀπ᾿ οὔρεος ἀίξαντες
φράξαν ἀπειρεσίοιο Χυτοῦ στόμα νειόθι πέτρῃς
990
πόντιον, οἷά τε θῆρα λοχώμενοι ἔνδον ἐόντα.
ἀλλὰ γὰρ αὐθι λέλειπτο σὺν ἀνδράσιν ὁπλοτέροισιν
Ἡρακλέης, ὃς δή σφι παλίντονον αἶψα τανύσσας
τόξον, ἐπασσυτέρους πέλασε χθονί· τοὶ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
πέτρας ἀμφιρρῶγας ἀερτάζοντες ἔβαλλον.
995
δὴ γάρ που κἀκεῖνα θεὰ τρέφεν αἰνὰ πέλωρα
Ἥρη, Ζηνὸς ἄκοιτις, ἀέθλιον Ἡρακλῆι.
σὺν δὲ καὶ ὧλλοι δῆθεν ὑπότροποι ἀντιόωντες,
πρίν περ ἀνελθέμεναι σκοπιήν, ἥπτοντο φόνοιο
Γηγενέων ἥρωες ἀρήιοι, ἠμὲν ὀιστοῖς
1000
ἠδὲ καὶ ἐγχείῃσι δεδεγμένοι, εἰσόκε πάντας
ἀντιβίην ἀσπερχὲς ὀρινομένους ἐδάιξαν.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε δούρατα μακρὰ νέον πελέκεσσι τυπέντα
ὑλοτόμοι στοιχηδὸν ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι βάλωσιν,
ὄφρα νοτισθέντα κρατεροὺς ἀνεχοίατο γόμφους·
1005
ὡς οἱ ἐνὶ ξυνοχῇ λιμένος πολιοῖο τέταντο
ἑξείης, ἄλλοι μὲν ἐς ἁλμυρὸν ἀθρόοι ὕδωρ
δύπτοντες κεφαλὰς καὶ στήθεα, γυῖα δ᾽ ὕπερθεν
χέρσῳ τεινάμενοι· τοὶ δ᾽ ἔμπαλιν, αἰγιαλοῖο
κράατα μὲν ψαμάθοισι, πόδας δ᾽ εἰς βένθος ἔρειδον,
1010
ἄμφω ἅμ᾽ οἰωνοῖσι καὶ ἰχθύσι κύρμα γενέσθαι.
Ἥρωες δ᾽, ὅτε δή σφιν ἀταρβὴς ἔπλετ᾽ ἄεθλος,
δὴ τότε πείσματα νηὸς ἐπὶ πνοιῆς ἀνέμοιο
λυσάμενοι προτέρωσε διὲξ ἁλὸς οἶδμα νέοντο.
ἡ δ᾽ ἔθεεν λαίφεσσι πανήμερος· οὐ μὲν ἰούσης
1015
νυκτὸς ἔτι ῥιπὴ μένεν ἔμπεδον, ἀλλὰ θύελλαι
ἀντίαι ἁρπάγδην ὀπίσω φέρον, ὄφρ᾽ ἐπέλασσαν
αὐτις ἐυξείνοισι Δολίοσιν. ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔβησαν
αὐτονυχί· Ἱερὴ δὲ φατίζεται ἥδ᾽ ἔτι πέτρη,
ᾗ πέρι πείσματα νηὸς ἐπεσσύμενοι ἐβάλοντο.
1020
οὐδέ τις αὐτὴν νῆσον ἐπιφραδέως ἐνόησεν
ἔμμεναι· οὐδ᾽ ὑπὸ νυκτὶ Δολίονες ἂψ ἀνιόντας
ἥρωας νημερτὲς ἐπήισαν· ἀλλά που ἀνδρῶν
Μακριέων εἴσαντο Πελασγικὸν ἄρεα κέλσαι.
τῶ καὶ τεύχεα δύντες ἐπὶ σφίσι χεῖρας ἄειραν.
1025
σὺν δ᾽ ἔλασαν μελίας τε καὶ ἀσπίδας ἀλλήλοισιν
ὀξείῃ ἴκελοι ῥιπῇ πυρός, ἥ τ᾽ ἐνὶ θάμνοις
αὐαλέοισι πεσοῦσα κορύσσεται· ἐν δὲ κυδοιμὸς
δεινός τε ζαμενής τε Δολιονίῳ πέσε δήμῳ.
οὐδ᾽ ὅγε δηιοτῆτος ὑπὲρ μόρον αὐτις ἔμελλεν
1030
οἴκαδε νυμφιδίους θαλάμους καὶ λέκτρον ἱκέσθαι.
ἀλλά μιν Αἰσονίδης τετραμμένον ἰθὺς ἑοῖο
πλῆξεν ἐπαΐξας στῆθος μέσον, ἀμφὶ δὲ δουρὶ
ὀστέον ἐρραίσθη· ὁ δ᾽ ἐνὶ ψαμάθοισιν ἐλυσθεὶς
μοῖραν ἀνέπλησεν. τὴν γὰρ θέμις οὔποτ᾽ ἀλύξαι
1035
θνητοῖσιν· πάντῃ δὲ περὶ μέγα πέπταται ἕρκος.
ὡς τὸν ὀιόμενόν που ἀδευκέος ἔκτοθεν ἄτης
εἶναι ἀριστήων αὐτῇ ὑπὸ νυκτὶ πέδησεν
μαρνάμενον κείνοισι· πολεῖς δ᾽ ἐπαρηγόνες ἄλλοι
ἔκταθεν· Ἡρακλέης μὲν ἐνήρατο Τηλεκλῆα
1040
ἠδὲ Μεγαβρόντην· Σφόδριν δ᾽ ἐνάριξεν Ἄκαστος·
Πηλεὺς δὲ Ζέλυν εἶλεν ἀρηίθοόν τε Γέφυρον.
αὐτὰρ ἐυμμελίης Τελαμὼν Βασιλῆα κατέκτα.
Ἴδας δ᾽ αὖ Προμέα, Κλυτίος δ᾽ Ὑάκινθον ἔπεφνεν,
Τυνδαρίδαι δ᾽ ἄμφω Μεγαλοσσάκεα Φλογίον τε.
1045
Οἰνεΐδης δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἕλεν θρασὺν Ἰτυμονῆα
ἠδὲ καὶ Ἀρτακέα, πρόμον ἀνδρῶν· οὓς ἔτι πάντας
ἐνναέται τιμαῖς ἡρωίσι κυδαίνουσιν.
οἱ δ᾽ ἄλλοι εἴξαντες ὑπέτρεσαν, ἠύτε κίρκους
ὠκυπέτας ἐγεληδὸν ὑποτρέσσωσι πέλειαι.
1050
ἐς δὲ πύλας ὁμάδῳ πέσον ἀθρόοι· αἶψα δ᾽ ἀυτῆς
πλῆτο πόλις στονόεντος ὑποτροπίῃ πολέμοιο.
ἠῶθεν δ᾽ ὀλοὴν καὶ ἀμήχανον εἰσενόησαν
ἀμπλακίην ἄμφω· στυγερὸν δ᾽ ἄχος εἶλεν ἰδόντας
ἥρωας Μινύας Αἰνήιον υΐα πάροιθεν
1055
Κύζικον ἐν κονίῃσι καὶ αἵματι πεπτηῶτα.
ἤματα δὲ τρία πάντα γόων, τίλλοντό τε χαίτας
αὐτοὶ ὁμῶς λαοί τε Δολίονες. αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
τρὶς περὶ χαλκείοις σὺν τεύχεσι δινηθέντες
τύμβῳ ἐνεκτερέιξαν, ἐπειρήσαντό τ᾽ ἀέθλων,
1060
ἢ θέμις, ἂμ πεδίον λειμώνιον, ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ
ἀγκέχυται τόδε σῆμα καὶ ὀψιγόνοισιν ἰδέσθαι.
οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδ᾽ ἄλοχος Κλείτη φθιμένοιο λέλειπτο
οὗ πόσιος μετόπισθε· κακῷ δ᾽ ἐπὶ κύντερον ἄλλο
ἤνυσεν, ἁψαμένη βρόχον αὐχένι. τὴν δὲ καὶ αὐταὶ
1065
νύμφαι ἀποφθιμένην ἀλσηίδες ὠδύραντο·
καί οἱ ἀπὸ βλεφάρων ὅσα δάκρυα χεῦαν ἔραζε,
πάντα τάγε κρήνην τεῦξαν θεαί, ἣν καλέουσιν
Κλείτην, δυστήνοιο περικλεὲς οὔνομα νύμφης.
αἰνότατον δὴ κεῖνο Δολιονίῃσι γυναιξὶν
1070
ἀνδράσι τ᾽ ἐκ Διὸς ἦμαρ ἐπήλυθεν· οὐδὲ γὰρ αὐτῶν
ἔτλη τις πάσσασθαι ἐδητύος, οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ δηρὸν
ἐξ ἀχέων ἔργοιο μυληφάτου ἐμνώοντο·
ἀλλ᾽ αὔτως ἄφλεκτα διαζώεσκον ἔδοντες.
ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν, εὔτ᾽ ἄν σφιν ἐτήσια χύτλα χέωνται
1075
Κύζικον ἐνναίοντες ᾿Ιάονες, ἔμπεδον αἰεὶ
πανδήμοιο μύλης πελάνους ἐπαλετρεύουσιν.
Ἐκ δὲ τόθεν τρηχεῖαι ἀνηέρθησαν ἄελλαι
ἤμαθ᾽ ὁμοῦ νύκτας τε δυώδεκα, τοὺς δὲ καταῦθι
ναυτίλλεσθαι ἔρυκον. ἐπιπλομένῃ δ᾽ ἐνὶ νυκτὶ
1080
ὧλλοι μέν ῥα πάρος δεδμημένοι εὐνάζοντο
ὕπνῳ ἀριστῆες πύματον λάχος· αὐτὰρ Ἄκαστος
Μόψος τ᾿ Ἀμπυκίδης ἀδινὰ κνώσσοντας ἔρυντο.
ἡ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὑπὲρ ξανθοῖο καρήατος Αἰσονίδαο
πωτᾶτ᾽ ἀλκυονὶς λιγυρῇ ὀπὶ θεσπίζουσα
1085
λῆξιν ὀρινομένων ἀνέμων· συνέηκε δὲ Μόψος
ἀκταίης ὄρνιθος ἐναίσιμον ὄσσαν ἀκούσας.
καὶ τὴν μὲν θεὸς αὐτις ἀπέτραπεν, ἶζε δ᾽ ὕπερθεν
νηίου ἀφλάστοιο μετήορος ἀίξασα.
τὸν δ᾽ ὅγε κεκλιμένον μαλακοῖς ἐνὶ κώεσιν οἰῶν
1090
κινήσας ἀνέγειρε παρασχεδόν, ὧδέ τ᾽ ἔειπεν·
Αἰσονίδη, χρειώ σε τόδ' ἱερὸν εἰσανιόντα
Δινδύμου ὀκριόεντος εύθρονον ἱλάξασθαι
μητέρα συμπάντων μακάρων· λήξουσι δ᾽ ἄελλαι
ζαχρηεῖς· τοίην γὰρ ἐγὼ νέον ὄσσαν ἄκουσα
1095
ἀλκυόνος ἁλίης, ἥ τε κνώσσοντος ὕπερθεν
σεῖο πέριξ τὰ ἕκαστα πιφαυσκομένη πεπότηται.
ἐκ γὰρ τῆς ἄνεμοί τε θάλασσά τε νειόθι τε χθὼν
πᾶσα πεπείρηται νιφόεν θ᾽ ἕδος Οὐλύμποιο·
καί οἱ, ὅτ᾽ ἐξ ὀρέων μέγαν οὐρανὸν εἰσαναβαίνῃ,
1100
Ζεὺς αὐτὸς Κρονίδης ὑποχάζεται. ὡς δὲ καὶ ὧλλοι
ἀθάνατοι μάκαρες δεινὴν θεὸν ἀμφιέπουσιν.
Ως φάτο· τῷ δ᾽ ἀσπαστὸν ἔπος γένετ᾽ εἰσαΐοντι.
ὤρνυτο δ᾽ ἐξ εὐνῆς κεχαρημένος· ὧρσε δ᾽ ἑταίρους
πάντας ἐπισπέρχων, καί τέ σφισιν ἐγρομένοισιν
1105
Ἀμπυκίδεω Μόψοιο θεοπροπίας ἀγόρευεν.
αἶψα δὲ κουρότεροι μὲν ἀπὸ σταθμῶν ἐλάσαντες
ἔνθεν ἐς αἰπεινὴν ἄναγον βόας οὔρεος ἄκρην.
οἱ δ᾽ ἄρα λυσάμενοι Ἱερῆς ἐκ πείσματα πέτρης
ἤρεσαν ἐς λιμένα Θρηίκιον· ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
1110
βαῖνον, παυροτέρους ἑτάρων ἐν νηὶ λιπόντες.
τοῖσι δὲ Μακριάδες σκοπιαὶ καὶ πᾶσα περαίη
Θρηικίης ἐνὶ χερσὶν ἑαῖς προυφαίνετ᾿ ἰδέσθαι·
φαίνετο δ᾽ ἠερόεν στόμα Βοσπόρου ἠδὲ κολῶναι
Μυσίαι· ἐκ δ᾽ ἑτέρης ποταμοῦ ῥόος Αἰσήποιο
1115
ἄστυ τε καὶ πεδίον Νηπήιον Ἀδρηστείης.
ἔσκε δέ τι στιβαρὸν στύπος ἀμπέλου ἔντροφον ὕλῃ,
πρόχνυ γεράνδρυον· τὸ μὲν ἔκταμον, ὄφρα πέλοιτο
δαίμονος οὐρείης ἱερὸν βρέτας· ἔξεσε δ᾽ Ἄργος
εὐκόσμως, καὶ δή μιν ἐπ᾿ ὀκριόεντι κολωνῷ
1120
ἵδρυσαν φηγοῖσιν ἐπηρεφὲς ἀκροτάτῃσιν,
αἵ ῥά τε πασάων πανυπέρταται ἐρρίζωνται.
βωμὸν δ᾽ αὖ χέραδος παρενήνεον· ἀμφὶ δὲ φύλλοις
στεψάμενοι δρυΐνοισι θυηπολίης ἐμέλοντο
Μητέρα Δινδυμίην πολυπότνιαν ἀγκαλέοντες,
1125
ἐνναέτιν Φρυγίης, Τιτίην θ᾽ ἅμα Κύλληνόν τε,
οἳ μοῦνοι πολέων μοιρηγέται ἠδὲ πάρεδροι
Μητέρος Ἰδαίης κεκλήαται, ὅσσοι ἔασιν
Δάκτυλοι Ἰδαῖοι Κρηταιέες, οὕς ποτε νύμφη
Ἀγχιάλη Δικταῖον ἀνὰ σπέος ἀμφοτέρῃσιν
1130
δραξαμένη γαίης Οἰαξίδος ἐβλάστησεν.
πολλὰ δὲ τήνγε λιτῇσιν ἀποστρέψαι ἐριώλας
Αἰσονίδης γουνάζετ᾽ ἐπιλλείβων ἱεροῖσιν
αἰθομένοις· ἄμυδις δὲ νέοι Ὀρφῆος ἀνωγῇ
σκαίροντες βηταρμὸν ἐνόπλιον ὠρχήσαντο,
1135
καὶ σάκεα ξιφέεσσιν ἐπέκτυπον, ὥς κεν ἰωὴ
δύσφημος πλάζοιτο δι' ἠέρος, ἣν ἔτι λαοὶ
κηδείῃ βασιλῆος ἀνέστενον. ἔνθεν ἐσαιεὶ
ῥόμβῳ καὶ τυπάνῳ ῾Ῥείην Φρύγες ἱλάσκονται.
ἡ δέ που εὐαγέεσσιν ἐπὶ φρένα θῆκε θυηλαῖς
1140
ἀνταίη δαίμων· τὰ δ᾽ ἐοικότα σήματ᾽ ἔγεντο.
δένδρεα μὲν καρπὸν χέον ἄσπετον, ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὶν
αὐτομάτη φύε γαῖα τερείνης ἄνθεα ποίης.
θῆρες δ᾽ εἰλυούς τε κατὰ ξυλόχους τε λιπόντες
οὐρῇσιν σαίνοντες ἐπήλυθον. ἡ δὲ καὶ ἄλλο
1145
θῆκε τέρας· ἐπεὶ οὔτι παροίτερον ὕδατι νᾶεν
Δίνδυμον· ἀλλά σφιν τότ᾽ ἀνέβραχε διψάδος αὕτως
ἐκ κορυφῆς ἄλληκτον· Ἰησονίην δ᾽ ἐνέπουσιν
κεῖνο ποτὸν κρήνην περιναιέται ἄνδρες ὀπίσσω.
καὶ τότε μὲν δαῖτ᾽ ἀμφὶ θεᾶς θέσαν οὔρεσιν Ἄρκτων,
1150
μέλποντες ῾Ῥείην πολυπότνιαν· αὐτὰρ ἐς ἠὼ
ληξάντων ἀνέμων νῆσον λίπον εἰρεσίῃσιν.
Ἔνθ᾽ ἔρις ἄνδρα ἕκαστον ἀριστήων ὀρόθυνεν,
ὅστις ἀπολλήξειε πανύστατος. ἀμφὶ γὰρ αἰθὴρ
νήνεμος ἐστόρεσεν δίνας, κατὰ δ᾽ εὔνασε πόντον.
1155
οἱ δὲ γαληναίῃ πίσυνοι ἐλάασκον ἐπιπρὸ
νῆα βίῃ· τὴν δ᾽ οὔ κε διὲξ ἁλὸς ἀίσσουσαν
οὐδὲ Ποσειδάωνος ἀελλόποδες κίχον ἵπποι.
ἔμπης δ᾽ ἐγρομένοιο σάλου ζαχρηέσιν αὔραις,
αἳ νέον ἐκ ποταμῶν ὑπὸ δείελον ἠερέθονται,
1160
τειρόμενοι καὶ δὴ μετελώφεον· αὐτὰρ ὁ τούσγε
πασσυδίῃ μογέοντας ἐφέλκετο κάρτεϊ χειρῶν
Ἡρακλέης, ἐτίνασσε δ᾽ ἀρηρότα δούρατα νηός.
ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε δὴ Μυσῶν λελιημένοι ἠπείροιο
Ῥυνδακίδας προχοὰς μέγα τ᾽ ἠρίον Αἰγαίωνος
1165
τυτθὸν ὑπὲκ Φρυγίης παρεμέτρεον εἰσορόωντες,
δὴ τότ᾽ ἀνοχλίζων τετρηχότος οἴδματος ὁλκοὺς
μεσσόθεν ἆξεν ἐρετμόν. ἀτὰρ τρύφος ἄλλο μὲν αὐτὸς
ἄμφω χερσὶν ἔχων πέσε δόχμιος, ἄλλο δὲ πόντος
κλύζε παλιρροθίοισι φέρων. ἀνὰ δ᾽ ἕζετο σιγῇ
1170
παπταίνων· χεῖρες γὰρ ἀήθεον ἠρεμέουσαι.
Ἦμος δ᾽ ἀγρόθεν εἶσι φυτοσκάφος ἤ τις ἀροτρεὺς
ἀσπασίως εἰς αὖλιν ἑήν, δόρποιο χατίζων,
αὐτοῦ δ᾽ ἐν προμολῇ τετρυμένα γούνατ᾽ ἔκαμψεν
αὐσταλέος κονίῃσι, περιτριβέας δέ τε χεῖρας
1175
εἰσορόων κακὰ πολλὰ ἑῇ ἠρήσατο γαστρί·
τῆμος ἄρ᾽ οἵγ᾽ ἀφίκοντο Κιανίδος ἤθεα γαίης
ἀμφ᾽ Ἀργανθώνειον ὄρος προχοάς τε Κίοιο.
τοὺς μὲν ἐυξείνως Μυσοὶ φιλότητι κιόντας
δειδέχατ᾽, ἐνναέται κείνης χθονός, ἤιά τέ σφιν
1180
μηλά τε δευομένοις μέθυ τ᾽ ἄσπετον ἐγγυάλιξαν.
ἔνθα δ᾽ ἔπειθ᾽ οἱ μὲν ξύλα κάγκανα, τοὶ δὲ λεχαίην
φυλλάδα λειμώνων φέρον ἄσπετον ἀμήσαντες,
στόρνυσθαι· τοὶ δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πυρήια δινεύεσκον·
οἱ δ᾽ οἶνον κρητῆρσι κέρων, πονέοντό τε δαῖτα,
1185
Ἐκβασίῳ ῥέξαντες ὑπὸ κνέφας Ἀπόλλωνι.
Αὐτὰρ ὁ δαίνυσθαι ἑτάροις οἷς εὖ ἐπιτείλας
βῆ ῥ᾽ ἴμεν εἰς ὕλην υἱὸς Διός, ὥς κεν ἐρετμὸν
οἱ αὐτῷ φθαίη καταχείριον ἐντύνασθαι.
εὗρεν ἔπειτ᾽ ἐλάτην ἀλαλήμενος, οὔτε τι πολλοῖς
1190
ἀχθομένην ὄζοις, οὐδὲ μέγα τηλεθόωσαν,
ἀλλ᾽ οἷον ταναῆς ἔρνος πέλει αἰγείροιο·
τόσση ὁμῶς μῆκός τε καὶ ἐς πάχος ἦεν ἰδέσθαι.
ῥίμφα δ᾽ ὀιστοδόκην μὲν ἐπὶ χθονὶ θῆκε φαρέτρην
αὐτοῖσιν τόξοισιν, ἔδυ δ᾽ ἀπὸ δέρμα λέοντος.
1195
τὴν δ᾽ ὅγε χαλκοβαρεῖ ῥοπάλῳ δαπέδοιο τινάξας
νειόθεν ἀμφοτέρῃσι περὶ στύπος ἔλλαβε χερσίν,
ἠνορέῃ πίσυνος· ἐν δὲ πλατὺν ὦμον ἔρεισεν
εὖ διαβάς· πεδόθεν δὲ βαθύρριζόν περ ἐοῦσαν
προσφὺς ἐξήειρε σὺν αὐτοῖς ἔχμασι γαίης.
1200
ὡς δ᾽ ὅταν ἀπροφάτως ἱστὸν νεός, εὔτε μάλιστα
χειμερίη ὀλοοῖο δύσις πέλει Ωρίωνος,
ὑψόθεν ἐμπλήξασα θοὴ ἀνέμοιο κατάιξ
αὐτοῖσι σφήνεσσιν ὑπὲκ προτόνων ἐρύσηται·
ὡς ὅγε τὴν ἤειρεν. ὁμοῦ δ᾽ ἀνὰ τόξα καὶ ἰοὺς
1205
δέρμα θ᾽ ἑλὼν ῥόπαλόν τε παλίσσυτος ὧρτο νέεσθαι.
Τόφρα δ᾽ Ὕλας χαλκέῃ σὺν κάλπιδι νόσφιν ὁμίλου
δίζητο κρήνης ἱερὸν ῥόον, ὥς κέ οἱ ὕδωρ
φθαίη ἀφυσσάμενος ποτιδόρπιον, ἄλλα τε πάντα
ὀτραλέως κατὰ κόσμον ἐπαρτίσσειεν ἰόντι.
1210
δὴ γάρ μιν τοίοισιν ἐν ἤθεσιν αὐτὸς ἔφερβεν,
νηπίαχον τὰ πρῶτα δόμων ἐκ πατρὸς ἀπούρας,
δίου Θειοδάμαντος, ὃν ἐν Δρυόπεσσιν ἔπεφνεν
νηλειῶς, βοὸς ἀμφὶ γεωμόρου ἀντιόωντα.
ἤτοι ὁ μὲν νειοῖο γύας τέμνεσκεν ἀρότρῳ
1215
Θειοδάμας ἀνίῃ βεβολημένος· αὐτὰρ ὁ τόνγε
βοῦν ἀρότην ἤνωγε παρασχέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα.
ἵετο γὰρ πρόφασιν πολέμου Δρυόπεσσι βαλέσθαι
λευγαλέην, ἐπεὶ οὔτι δίκης ἀλέγοντες ἔναιον.
ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν τηλοῦ κεν ἀποπλάγξειεν ἀοιδῆς.
1220
αἶψα δ᾽ ὅγε κρήνην μετεκίαθεν, ἣν καλέουσιν
Πηγὰς ἀγχίγυοι περιναιέται. οἱ δέ που ἄρτι
νυμφάων ἵσταντο χοροί· μέλε γάρ σφισι πάσαις,
ὅσσαι κεῖσ᾽ ἐρατὸν νύμφαι ῥίον ἀμφενέμοντο,
Ἄρτεμιν ἐννυχίῃσιν ἀεὶ μέλπεσθαι ἀοιδαῖς.
1225
αἱ μέν, ὅσαι σκοπιὰς ὀρέων λάχον ἢ καὶ ἐναύλους,
αἵγε μὲν ὑλήωροι ἀπόπροθεν ἐστιχόωντο,
ἡ δὲ νέον κρήνης ἀνεδύετο καλλινάοιο
νύμφη ἐφυδατίη· τὸν δὲ σχεδὸν εἰσενόησεν
κάλλεϊ καὶ γλυκερῇσιν ἐρευθόμενον χαρίτεσσιν.
1230
πρὸς γάρ οἱ διχόμηνις ἀπ᾿ αἰθέρος αὐγάζουσα
βάλλε σεληναίη. τὴν δὲ φρένας ἐπτοίησεν
Κύπρις, ἀμηχανίῃ δὲ μόλις συναγείρατο θυμόν.
αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ ὡς τὰ πρῶτα ῥόῳ ἔνι κάλπιν ἔρεισεν
λέχρις ἐπιχριμφθείς, περὶ δ᾽ ἄσπετον ἔβραχεν ὕδωρ
1235
χαλκὸν ἐς ἠχήεντα φορεύμενον, αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἤγε
λαιὸν μὲν καθύπερθεν ἐπ᾿ αὐχένος ἄνθετο πῆχυν
κύσσαι ἐπιθύουσα τέρεν στόμα· δεξιτερῇ δὲ
ἀγκῶν᾽ ἔσπασε χειρί, μέσῃ δ᾽ ἐνικάββαλε δίνῃ.
Τοῦ δ᾽ ἥρως ἰάχοντος ἐπέκλυεν οἷος ἑταίρων
1240
Εἰλατίδης Πολύφημος, ἰὼν προτέρωσε κελεύθου,
δέκτο γὰρ Ἡρακλῆα πελώριον, ὁππόθ᾽ ἵκοιτο.
βῆ δὲ μεταΐξας Πηγέων σχεδόν, ἠύτε τις θὴρ
ἄγριος, ὅν ῥά τε γήρυς ἀπόπροθεν ἵκετο μήλων,
λιμῷ δ᾽ αἰθόμενος μετανίσσεται, οὐδ᾽ ἐπέκυρσεν
1245
ποίμνῃσιν· πρὸ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἐνὶ σταθμοῖσι νομῆες
ἔλσαν· ὁ δὲ στενάχων βρέμει ἄσπετον, ὄφρα κάμῃσιν·
ὣς τότ᾽ ἄρ᾽ Εἰλατίδης μεγάλ᾽ ἔστενεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ χῶρον
φοίτα κεκληγώς· μελέη δέ οἱ ἔπλετο φωνή.
αἶψα δ᾽ ἐρυσσάμενος μέγα φάσγανον ὥρτο δίεσθαι,
1250
μήπως ἢ θήρεσσιν ἕλωρ πέλοι, ἠέ μιν ἄνδρες
μοῦνον ἐόντ᾽ ἐλόχησαν, ἄγουσι δὲ ληίδ᾽ ἑτοίμην.
ἔνθ᾽ αὐτῷ ξύμβλητο κατὰ στίβον Ἡρακλῆι
γυμνὸν ἐπαΐσσων παλάμῃ ξίφος· εὖ δέ μιν ἔγνω
σπερχόμενον μετὰ νῆα διὰ κνέφας. αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἄτην
1255
ἔκφατο λευγαλέην, βεβαρημένος ἄσθματι θυμόν·
Δαιμόνιε, στυγερόν τοι ἄχος πάμπρωτος ἐνίψω.
οὐ γὰρ Ὕλας κρήνηνδε κιὼν σόος αὐτις ἱκάνει.
ἀλλά ὁ ληιστῆρες ἐνιχρίμψαντες ἄγουσιν,
ἢ θῆρες σίνονται· ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἰάχοντος ἄκουσα.”
1260
Ως φάτο· τῷ δ᾽ ἀίοντι· κατὰ κροτάφων ἅλις ἱδρὼς
κήκιεν, ἐν δὲ κελαινὸν ὑπὸ σπλάγχνοις ζέεν αἷμα.
χωόμενος δ᾽ ἐλάτην χαμάδις βάλεν, ἐς δὲ κέλευθον
τὴν θέεν, ᾗ πόδες αὐτὸν ὑπέκφερον ἀίσσοντα.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε τίς τε μύωπι τετυμμένος ἔσσυτο ταῦρος
1265
πίσεά τε προλιπὼν καὶ ἑλεσπίδας, οὐδὲ νομήων,
οὐδ᾽ ἀγέλης ὄθεται, πρήσσει δ᾽ ὁδόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἄπαυστος,
ἄλλοτε δ᾽ ἱστάμενος, καὶ ἀνὰ πλατὺν αὐχέν᾿ ἀείρων
ἵησιν μύκημα, κακῷ βεβολημένος οἴστρῳ·
ὡς ὅγε μαιμώων ὁτὲ μὲν θοὰ γούνατ᾽ ἔπαλλεν
1270
συνεχέως, ὁτὲ δ᾽ αὖτε μεταλλήγων καμάτοιο
τῆλε διαπρύσιον μεγάλῃ βοάασκεν ἀυτῇ.
Αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἀκροτάτας ὑπερέσχεθεν ἄκριας ἀστὴρ
ἠῷος, πνοιαὶ δὲ κατήλυθον· ὦκα δὲ Τίφυς
ἐσβαίνειν ὀρόθυνεν, ἐπαύρεσθαί τ᾽ ἀνέμοιο.
1275
οἱ δ᾽ εἴσβαινον ἄφαρ λελιημένοι· ὕψι δὲ νηὸς
εὐναίας ἐρύσαντες ἀνεκρούσαντο κάλωας.
κυρτώθη δ᾽ ἀνέμῳ λίνα μεσσόθι, τῆλε δ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ἀκτῆς
γηθόσυνοι φορέοντο παραὶ Ποσιδήιον ἄκρην.
ἦμος δ᾽ οὐρανόθεν χαροπὴ ὑπολάμπεται ἠὼς
1280
ἐκ περάτης ἀνιοῦσα, διαγλαύσσουσι δ᾽ ἀταρποί,
καὶ πεδία δροσόεντα φαεινῇ λάμπεται αἴγλῃ,
τῆμος τούσγ᾽ ἐνόησαν ἀιδρείῃσι λιπόντες.
ἐν δέ σφιν κρατερὸν νεῖκος πέσεν, ἐν δὲ κολῳὸς
ἄσπετος, εἰ τὸν ἄριστον ἀποπρολιπόντες ἔβησαν
1285
σφωιτέρων ἑτάρων. ὁ δ᾽ ἀμηχανίῃσιν ἀτυχθεὶς
οὔτε τι τοῖον ἔπος μετεφώνεεν, οὔτε τι τοῖον
Αἰσονίδης· ἀλλ᾽ ἦστο βαρείῃ νειόθεν ἄτῃ
θυμὸν ἔδων· Τελαμῶνα δ᾽ ἕλεν χόλος, ὧδέ τ᾽ ἔειπεν·
Ησ᾽ αὔτως εὔκηλος, ἐπεί νύ τοι ἄρμενον ἦεν
1290
Ἡρακλῆα λιπεῖν· σέο δ᾽ ἔκτοθι μῆτις ὄρωρεν,
ὄφρα τὸ κείνου κῦδος ἀν᾿ Ἑλλάδα μή σε καλύψῃ,
αἴ κε θεοὶ δώωσιν ὑπότροπον οἴκαδε νόστον.
ἀλλὰ τί μύθων ἦδος; ἐπεὶ καὶ νόσφιν ἑταίρων
εἶμι τεῶν, οἳ τόνγε δόλον συνετεκτήναντο.
1295
Ἦ, καὶ ἐς Ἁγνιάδην Τίφυν θόρε· τὼ δὲ οἱ ὄσσε
ὄστλιγγες μαλεροῖο πυρὸς ὡς ἰνδάλλοντο.
καί νύ κεν ἂψ ὀπίσω Μυσῶν ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἵκοντο
λαῖτμα βιησάμενοι ἀνέμου τ᾽ ἄλληκτον ἰωήν,
εἰ μὴ Θρηικίοιο δύω υΐες Βορέαο
1300
Αἰακίδην χαλεποῖσιν ἐρητύεσκον ἔπεσσιν,
σχέτλιοι· ἢ τέ σφιν στυγερὴ τίσις ἔπλετ᾽ ὀπίσσω
χερσὶν ὑφ᾽ Ἡρακλῆος, ὅ μιν δίζεσθαι ἔρυκον.
ἄθλων γὰρ Πελίαο δεδουπότος ἂψ ἀνιόντας
Τήνῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ πέφνεν, καὶ ἀμήσατο γαῖαν
1305
ἀμφ᾽ αὐτοῖς, στήλας τε δύω καθύπερθεν ἔτευξεν,
ὧν ἑτέρη, θάμβος περιώσιον ἀνδράσι λεύσσειν,
κίνυται ἠχήεντος ὑπὸ πνοιῇ βορέαο.
καὶ τὰ μὲν ὣς ἤμελλε μετὰ χρόνον ἐκτελέεσθαι.
τοῖσιν δὲ Γλαύκος βρυχίης ἁλὸς ἐξεφαάνθη,
1310
Νηρῆος θείοιο πολυφράδμων ὑποφήτης·
ὕψι δὲ λαχνῆέν τε κάρη καὶ στήθε᾽ ἀείρας
νειόθεν ἐκ λαγόνων στιβαρῇ ἐπορέξατο χειρὶ
νηίου ὁλκαίοιο, καὶ ἴαχεν ἐσσυμένοισιν·
Τίπτε παρέκ μεγάλοιο Διὸς μενεαίνετε βουλὴν
1315
Αἰήτεω πτολίεθρον ἄγειν θρασὺν Ἡρακλῆα;
Ἄργεΐ οἱ μοῖρ᾽ ἐστὶν ἀτασθάλῳ Εὐρυσθῆι
ἐκπλῆσαι μογέοντα δυώδεκα πάντας ἀέθλους,
ναίειν δ᾽ ἀθανάτοισι συνέστιον, εἴ κ᾿ ἔτι παύρους
ἐξανύσῃ· τῶ μή τι ποθὴ κείνοιο πελέσθω.
1320
αὕτως δ᾽ αὖ Πολύφημον ἐπὶ προχοῇσι Κίοιο
πέπρωται Μυσοῖσι περικλεὲς ἄστυ καμόντα
μοῖραν ἀναπλήσειν Χαλύβων ἐν ἀπείρονι γαίῃ.
αὐτὰρ Ὕλαν φιλότητι θεὰ ποιήσατο νύμφη
ὃν πόσιν, οἷό περ οἵνεκ᾽ ἀποπλαγχθέντες ἔλειφθεν.
1325
Ἦ, καὶ κῦμ᾽ ἀλίαστον ἐφέσσατο νειόθι δύψας·
ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ δίνῃσι κυκώμενον ἄφρεεν ὕδωρ
πορφύρεον, κοίλην δὲ διὲξ ἁλὸς ἔκλυσε νῆα.
γήθησαν δ᾽ ἥρωες· ὁ δ᾽ ἐσσυμένως ἐβεβήκει
Αἰακίδης Τελαμὼν ἐς Ἰήσονα, χεῖρα δὲ χειρὶ
1330
ἄκρην ἀμφιβαλὼν προσπτύξατο, φώνησέν τε·
Αἰσονίδη, μή μοί τι χολώσεαι, ἀφραδίῃσιν
εἴ τί περ ἀασάμην· πέρι γάρ μ᾽ ἄχος εἶλεν ἐνισπεῖν
μῦθον ὑπερφίαλόν τε καὶ ἄσχετον, ἀλλ᾽ ἀνέμοισιν
δώομεν ἀμπλακίην, ὡς καὶ πάρος εὐμενέοντες.
1335
Τὸν δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἐπιφραδέως προσέειπεν·
Ὦ πέπον, ἢ μάλα δή με κακῷ ἐκυδάσσαο μύθῳ,
φὰς ἐνὶ τοῖσιν ἅπασιν ἐνηέος ἀνδρὸς ἀλείτην
ἔμμεναι. ἀλλ᾽ οὐ θήν τοι ἀδευκέα μῆνιν ἀέξω,
πρίν περ ἀνιηθείς· ἐπεὶ οὐ περὶ πώεσι μήλων,
1340
οὐδὲ περὶ κτεάτεσσι χαλεψάμενος μενέηνας,
ἀλλ᾽ ἑτάρου περὶ φωτός. ἔολπα δέ τοι σὲ καὶ ἄλλῳ
ἀμφ᾿ ἐμεῦ, εἰ τοιόνδε πέλοι ποτέ, δηρίσασθαι.
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀρθμηθέντες, ὅπῃ πάρος, ἑδριόωντο.
τὼ δὲ Διὸς βουλῇσιν, ὁ μὲν Μυσοῖσι βαλέσθαι
1345
μέλλεν ἐπώνυμον ἄστυ πολισσάμενος ποταμοῖο
Εἰλατίδης Πολύφημος· ὁ δ᾽ Εὐρυσθῆος ἀέθλους
αὐτις ἰὼν πονέεσθαι. ἐπηπείλησε δὲ γαῖαν
Μυσίδ᾽ ἀναστήσειν αὐτοσχεδόν, ὁππότε μή οἱ
ἢ ζωοῦ εὕροιεν Ὕλα μόρον, ἠὲ θανόντος.
1350
τοῖο δὲ ῥύσι᾽ ὄπασσαν ἀποκρίναντες ἀρίστους
υἱέας ἐκ δήμοιο, καὶ ὅρκια ποιήσαντο,
μήποτε μαστεύοντες ἀπολλήξειν καμάτοιο.
τούνεκεν εἰσέτι νῦν περ Ὕλαν ἐρέουσι Κιανοί,
κοῦρον Θειοδάμαντος, ἐυκτιμένης τε μέλονται
1355
Τρηχῖνος. δὴ γάρ ῥα κατ᾿ αὐτόθι νάσσατο παῖδας,
οὕς οἱ ῥύσια κεῖθεν ἐπιπροέηκαν ἄγεσθαι.
Νηῦν δὲ πανημερίην ἄνεμος φέρε νυκτί τε πάσῃ
λάβρος ἐπιπνείων· ἀτὰρ οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ τυτθὸν ἄητο
ἠοῦς τελλομένης, οἱ δὲ χθονὸς εἰσανέχουσαν
1360
ἀκτὴν ἐκ κόλποιο μάλ᾽ εὐρεῖαν ἐσιδέσθαι
φρασσάμενοι, κώπῃσιν ἅμ᾽ ἠελίῳ ἐπέκελσαν.
Translations (4)
The Argonautica, translated by E. P. Coleridge (OCR draft) Experimental (E. P. Coleridge's English translation of Apollonius Rhodius, published by Harvard University Press in 1912.) — 1 focus
Book 1
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.
1.1-1.4
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.
1.5-1.17
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.
1.18-1.22
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!
1.23-1.34
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.
1.35-1.39
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.
1.40-1.44
1.45-1.48
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.
1.49-1.50
Neither did Admetus, lord of Pheræ, rich in sheep, abide beneath the peak of the Chalcodonian mountain.
1.51-1.56
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.
1.57-1.64
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.
1.65-1.68
1.69-1.70
Moreover Actor sent forth his son Menœtius from Opus, to go with the chieftains.
1.71-1.76
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.
1.77-1.85
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.
1.86-1.89
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.
1.90-1.94
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.
1.95-1.100
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.
1.101-1.104
1.105-1.114
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.
1.115-1.117
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.
1.118-1.121
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.
1.122-1.132
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.
1.133-1.138
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.
1.139-1.145
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.
1.146-1.150
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.
1.151-1.155
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.
1.156-1.160
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.
1.161-1.171
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.
1.172-1.178
1.179-1.179
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.
1.180-1.184
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.
1.185-1.189
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.
1.190-1.201
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.
1.202-1.206
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.
1.207-1.210
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.
1.211-1.223
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.
1.224-1.227
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.
1.228-1.233
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.
1.234-1.246
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."
1.247-1.259
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."
1.260-1.265
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.
1.266-1.294
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."
1.295-1.305
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."
1.306-1.316
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.
1.317-1.340
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."
1.341-1.347
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."
1.348-1.362
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."
1.363-1.393
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.
1.394-1.401
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.
1.402-1.424
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."
1.425-1.439
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.
1.440-1.447
" 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."
1.448-1.471
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."
1.472-1.486
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."
1.487-1.491
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."
1.492-1.511
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.
1.512-1.518
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.
1.519-1.534
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.
1.535-1.546
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.
1.547-1.558
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.
1.559-1.579
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.
1.580-1.591
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
1.592-1.608
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.
1.609-1.652
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.
1.653-1.656
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.
1.657-1.666
" 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."
1.667-1.674
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 :
1.675-1.696
" 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."
1.697-1.699
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:
1.700-1.701
" Why, then, if unto you all this purpose is pleasing, at once will I send forth even a messenger to find their ship."
1.702-1.707
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."
1.708-1.716
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."
1.717-1.720
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.
1.721-1.734
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.
1.735-1.741
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.
1.742-1.751
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.
1.752-1.758
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.
1.759-1.762
1.763-1.767
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.
1.768-1.773
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.
1.774-1.833
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."
1.834-1.841
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."
1.842-1.852
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.
1.853-1.874
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."
1.875-1.898
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."
1.899-1.909
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."
1.910-1.921
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.
1.922-1.935
Hence did they row over the depths of the Black sea, speeding on, with the land of Thrace on the one side, and on the other side to starboard Imbros over against Thrace ; and just at sunset they reached the promontory of Cher .sonese. Then did the swift south-wind blow upon them ; so they set the sails to the breeze and entered the rushing
56
stream
1
of the daughter of Athamas. At dawn the open sea to the north was left behind, and at night were they measuring their way over that which lies within the head land of Rhceteum, keeping the land of Ida on the right. Leaving Dardania they steered for Abydos, and on that night passed by Percote and the sandy beach of Abarnis and sacred Pityeia. Yea, on that night, as the ship sped on with oar and sail,
2
they passed right through the Helles pont with its dark eddies.
1.936-1.960
Now there is within Propontis a hilly isle,
3
a little from the Phrygian mainland with its rich corn-fields, sloping to the sea, and there is an isthmus in front of the mainland stretching across the sea, but the waves just wash over it. And there are there two beaches, and they lie beyond the waters of the Æsepus; and they who dwell around call the hill Arctos. On it a wild and lawless race of earth-born men ever had their home, a great wonder to their neigh bours to behold; for each hath six masterful hands hang ing from him, twain from his strong shoulders, and other four joined below upon his fearsome sides. About the isthmus and the plain the Doliones had their dwelling, and amongst them Cyzicus, son of Æneus, held sway, whom Ænete, daughter of divine Eusorus, bare. But these the earth-born race in no wise harried, for all their fearsome ness, for Poseidon guarded them; for from him were the Doliones first sprung. Thither Argo pressed forward, driven by the winds of Thrace, and a fair haven received the speeding ship. There too by the advice of Tiphys they loosed and left their light anchor-stone below a fountain, even the Artacian fountain; and they chose another, which suited them, a ponderous stone ; but that old one did the
57
58
59
Ionians,
1
sons of Neleus, in the after time, in obedience to the oracle of Hecatus, set up as holy, as was right, in the temple of Athene, who was with Jason.
1.961-1.988
961
Now the Doliones, yea, and Cyzicus himself, came forth to meet them in a body, and treated them with kindness and . hospitality, when they heard of their expedition and knew their lineage, and who they were, and they persuaded them to row on a space and moor the ship in the harbour of the city. There they builded an altar to Apollo, god of em barkation, and set it by the beach and busied themselves with sacrifice. And the king of his own bounty gave them in their need sweet mead and sheep as well; for lo! there came a voice from heaven which said, that when there -should arrive a goodly expedition of heroes, he should straightway meet them graciously, and take no thought for war. Now he was about Jason's age; his beard was just sprouting, nor yet had he gotten children to his joy, but his bride within his house had not yet known travail, the daughter of Percosian Merops, Cleite with the fair tresses, whom he had but lately brought thither from the mainland opposite, with wondrous gifts of wooing to her father. Yet even so he left his bridal bed and chamber, and made ready a banquet amongst them,
2
casting all fear from his heart. And they questioned one another in turn; -and he asked them of the end of their voyage and of the commands of Pelias, while they enquired about the cities of the folk around and about the whole gulf of wide Propontis ; but he knew not how to tell them when they were anxious to know aught far ahead. So at dawn they went up to mighty Dindymus,
3
that they might spy out for themselves the passage of that sea, and they drave forth
60
61
62
the ship from the outer basin of the harbour of Chytus; wherefore this way they went is called Jason's way.
1.989-1.1001
But the earth-born men, rushing from both sides of the. mountain, blocked the sea-ward mouth of boundless Chytus with rocks at the bottom, lying in wait as though for a- wild beast inside. Now Heracles had been left there with the younger men; so quickly he stretched his curved bow against them and brought them to the ground one after- another; and they for their part caught up jagged rocks and hurled them. For lo! Hera, goddess wife of Zeus,. I wis, had raised those fearful monsters too, a labour for Heracles ; and the other warlike heroes turned back anon to meet them, or ever they had mounted to their place of outlook, and joined in the slaughter of the earth-born men, receiving them with arrows and swords till they had slain them all as they rushed to meet them impetuously.
1.1002-1.1011
As when wood-cutters throw down in rows upon the beach long beams just hewn by their axes, that they may soak and so receive the strong bolts; even so those- monsters lay stretched there
1
in the entrance to the gray haven, some with head and chest plunged all at once into the salt water, and their limbs below spread out upon the strand; others again were resting their heads upon the sand of the beach and their feet in the deep water, both alike to be a prey to birds and fishes.
1.1012-1.1038
1012
But the heroes, as soon as there was nought to fear for their enterprise, at once loosed the cables of the ship to the breath of the wind, and voyaged on across the ocean-swell. And the ship sped on the live-long day under canvas; but, as night came on, the rushing wind no longer abode stead fast, but contrary blasts caught and swept them backward, till they drew nigh again to the hospitable Doliones. And they disembarked that self-same night; and that rock is:
63
still called the sacred rock, whereto they bound the cables of the ship in their haste. Nor did any man surely know that it was really the island, nor did the Doliones by night perceive for certain that it was the heroes again coining to them ; but they supposed maybe some band of Pelasgian warriors from the Macrians
1
was landing. Wherefore they did on their harness and stretched forth their hands against them. And they drove their ashen spears and shields against each other, like a swift rush of fire, which falling on a dry thicket rears its head; and withal upon the Dolionian folk fell the din of battle, terrible and furious. Nor was he, their king, to rise above the doom of battle and come again home to his bridal chamber and bed. Nay, him did the son of Æson, with one bound, smite through the middle of the breast as he turned to face him, and the bone splintered about his spear, and he grovelling on the sand wound up his clew of fate. For mortal man may not escape his fate, but on all sides is spread a mighty snare around him. Thus upon that night it caught him in its toils, as he thought, maybe, to avoid the bitter doom dealt out by the chieftains, what time he fought with them ; and many other champions were slain. Heracles slew Telecles and Megabrontes; and Acastus stript Sphodris of his arms ; and Peleus laid Zelys low, and Gephyrus, that fleet warrior. And Telamon of the stout ashen spear killed Basileus. Idas slew Promeus, and Clytius Hyacinthus ; and the two sons of Tyndarus slew Megalossaces and Phlogius.
1.1039-1.1052
Besides these the son of Œneus smote bold Itymoneus, yea, and Artaces, a leader of men ; all these do the inhabi tants still honour with the worship due to heroes.
1.1053-1.1063
But the rest gave way and fled in terror, even as doves
64
in flocks fly cowering from swift hawks, and they rushed headlong to the gates with loud cries ; then straight was the city filled with cries and groans as the battle was turned backward. But at daybreak did both sides per ceive their grievous, cureless error; and bitter anguish seized the Minyan heroes when they saw before them Cyzicus fallen mid the dust and blood. Three whole days they mourned, they and the folk of the Doliones together, tearing out their hair. And then thrice about his tomb they marched in their bronze harness and made his funeral, and instituted trial of games, as was right, on the meadow plain, where to this day is his tomb heaped up for men that shall be hereafter to see.
1.1064-1.1077
Nor could his bride Cleite survive her husband's death, but in her grief she wrought a deed more awful still, what time she fastened the noose about her neck. And the wood nymphs mourned her death, and all the tears they let fall to earth from their eyes for her, of these did the goddesses make a spring, which men call Cleite, the storied name of that poor maid. Yea, that was the direst day that Zeus ever sent upon the men and women of the Doliones; for none of them could bear to taste of food, and for a long time after their trouble they minded them not of the work of grinding; but they dragged on their life, eating the food, as it was, uncooked. There to this day, whenso the Ionians, that dwell in Cyzicus, pour the yearly libation to the dead, they ever grind their meal
1
at the public mill.
1.1078-1.1102
1078
From thenceforth for twelve whole days and nights arose tempestuous winds, which kept them there from their voyage. But on the next night, all the other chiefs, ere this, I ween, o'ercome by sleep, were resting there for
65
the last time, while Acastus and Mopsus, son of Ampycus, guarded their sound slumbers. When lo! above the yellow head of the son of Æson there flew a king-fisher, boding by her shrill note an end of the violent winds; and Mopsus, directly he heard the lucky cry of that bird of the shore, marked it well; and the goddess brought it back again, and it darted aloft and perched above the carved stern ; then did Mopsus stir Jason, where he lay upon the soft fleeces of sheep, and roused him instantly, and thus unto him spake: " Son of Æson, to yonder temple on rugged Dindymus thou must go up and seek the favour of the fair-throned queen,
1
mother of all the blessed gods ; then shall cease the stormy winds. For such was the voice I heard but now of the halcyon, bird of the sea, which flew above about thy sleeping form and told me all. For this goddess hath experience of the winds and the sea and all the earth beneath and the snow-capped seat of Olym pus ; and before her Zeus himself, the son of Cronos, doth somewhat yield, when from her mountains she ascendeth to the wide heaven. And hence it is the other blessed deathless gods do reverence to this dread goddess."
1.1103-1.1152
So spake he, and welcome to Jason's ear was his word. And he roused him from his bed with joy, and hasted to awake all his crew; and, when they were risen, he declared to them the heavenly message of Mopsus, son of Ampycus. Then straight did the young men drive up oxen from the byres there to the steep mountain-top. And the rest meantime loosed the cables from the sacred rock and rowed to the Thracian
2
harbour, and themselves went forth, leav ing but a few of their fellows in the ship. Now upon their
66
67
right hand the Macrian cliffs and all the Thracian main land rose clear in view, and the dim entrance to the Bos porus
1
and the hills of Mysia appeared; while upon their left was the stream of the river Æsepus, and the city and plain of Nepeia, which is called Adresteia. Now there was a sturdy stump of a vine growing in a wood, an exceeding old tree; this they cut out, for to make a sacred image of the mountain goddess, and Argus polished it neatly, and there upon that rugged hill they set it up beneath a canopy of towering oaks, trees that have their roots deepest of all, I trow. Next heaped they an altar of stones, and wreathed it with oak-leaves, and busied themselves with sacrifice, calling on the name of the Dindymian mother, queen re vered, that dwelleth in Phrygia, and on Titias
2
too and Cyllene, who alone are called the dispensers of destiny and assessors of the Idæan mother of all that band, who in Crete are the Dactylian priests of Ida; them on a day the nymph Anchiale brought forth in the Dictæan
3
grotto, clutching with both hands the (Eaxian land. And the son of Æson besought her with many prayers to turn away the hurricane, pouring libations the while on blazing sacrifices; and therewith young men, by the bidding of Orpheus, danced a measured step in full harness,
4
smiting swords and
68
69
70
71
bucklers, that the ill-omened cry might lose itself in wan dering through the air, even the lamentation, which the folk were still raising at the funeral of their king. Whence the Phrygians do ever seek the favour of Rhea with tam bourine and drum. And now, I ween, the goddess turned her ear to hearken to their pious worship ; and signs, that are favourable, did appear. Trees shook down countless fruits, and around their feet the earth of herself brought forth the flowers of tender plants. Wild creatures left their lairs in the thickets and came wagging their tails. And yet another marvel she produced ; for aforetime Din dymus had no running water, but now they saw it gush forth there and cease not from the thirsty hill; wherefore neighbouring folk in after time called that water Jason's spring. Then did they make a feast in honour of the god dess on Mount Arctos, singing the praise of Rhea, august queen; and at dawn the wind ceased and they rowed away from the island.
1.1153-1.1162
1153
Then rivalry stirred each chieftain's heart to be the last to leave his rowing. For around them the still air had laid the tumbling waves and lulled the sea to rest. So they, trusting to the calm, drave on the ship mightily, nor would even Poseidon's steeds, that are swift as wind, have caught her as she sped through the sea. Yet as the salt waves began to rise beneath violent gusts, which toward evening were just beginning to get up from the rivers, then were they for ceasing, foredone with toil; but Heracles with mighty hands pulled those tired rowers along all together, making the joints of the ship's timbers to quiver.
1.1163-1.1171
But when, in their haste past the mainland of the Mysians, they had sighted and sailed by the mouth of the river Rhyndacus
1
and the great cairn of Ægæon, a little away from Phrygia; in that hour did Heracles break his
72
oar in the middle as he heaved aside the furrows of the roughened surge. And backward fell he, grasping in both hands one fragment, while the sea swept the other away on its wash. And there he sat glaring round in silence, for his hands knew not to be idle.
1.1172-1.1186
At the hour when some delver or ploughman cometh from the field joyfully to his cottage, longing for his supper; and there on his threshold, all squalid with dust as he is, lie droops his weary knees, and, gazing on his toil-worn hands, many a bitter curse he flingeth at that belly of his ; in that hour, I trow, came those heroes to the abodes of the land Cianian about the Arganthonian mountain and the mouth of the river Cios. And the Mysians welcomed them with all hospitality and kindness on their coming, for they > dwelt in that land, and they gave them at their need Sheep and mead in plenty. So then some brought dry logs, and others mowed the plenteous herbage of the meadows for beds to strew withal, and others twirled sticks to get fire; and they mixed wine in bowls, and made ready a feast, after sacrificing to Apollo, god of embarkation, as darkness fell.
1.1187-1.1206
Now Heracles bade his comrades give good heed unto the feast, while he went on his way to the wood, that son of Zeus, that he might first fashion for himself an oar to suit him. And in his wandering he found a pine that was not burdened with many branches, nor had much foliage thereon, but it was like some tall poplar sapling to look at both in height and girth. Quickly then upon the ground he laid his quiver, arrows and all, and doffed his lion-skin. And when he with his heavy club of bronze had made it totter from its base, then did he grip it low down about the stump with both hands, trusting to his strength, and plant ing himself firmly he leant his broad shoulder against it, and so clinging to it he dragged it from the ground, deep rooted though it was, clods of earth and all. As when a sudden squall of wind strikes aloft a ship's mast unex pectedly, just at the time of baleful Orion's winter setting, and tears it from its stays,
1
wedges and all; even thus the strong man dragged it out. And at once he caught up his bow and arrows, and his skin and club, and hasted to go back.
1.1207-1.1239
1207
Meantime Hylas with a brazen pitcher went apart from the company, in quest of a sacred running spring, that he might ere his return draw for him water against supper time, and get all else ready and in order for him at his coming. For Heracles had with his own hands brought him up in such habits from his earliest childhood, having robbed him from his father's house, goodly Theiodamas, whom he slew ruthlessly amongst the Dryopes, because he withstood him about a steer for ploughing. Now Theio damas was ploughing up a fallow field, when the curse fell on him; and Heracles bade him give up the steer he was ploughing with, and he would not. For he longed to find some grim pretext for war against the Dryopes, for there they dwelt without regard for justice. But this would send me straying far from my story. Quickly came Hylas. to the spring, which they who dwell around and near call Pegæ. Now it chanced that lately choirs of nymphs had settled there ; their care it was ever to hymn Artemis with midnight song, as many of them as dwelt there round the lovely peak. All those, whose lot it is to watch o'er hill- tops and mountain-streams, and they who guard the woods, were all drawn up apart; but she, the nymph of the water, was just rising from her lovely spring, when she marked him near with the blush of his beauty and sweet grace upon him. For on him the full moon from heaven was shedding her light. And Cypris made the nymph's heart. flutter, and scarce in her confusion could she collect her-
73
self. But he, so soon as lie had dipped his pitcher in the stream, leaning aslant over it, and good store of water was flowing into the sounding brass and bubbling round it, lo! in that instant the nymph from below the water laid her left arm on his neck, longing to kiss his soft lips; while with her right hand she plucked him by the elbow and plunged him amid the ripple.
1.1240-1.1260
And as he cried out, Polyphemus, son of Elatus, alone of his comrades, heard him, as he came on along the path. For he would welcome mighty Heracles, whensoever he might come. Away rushed he towards Pegæ like some wild beast, to whom from afar hath come the bleating of sheep, and furious with hunger he goeth to find them and yet cometh not upon the flocks, for shepherds before have penned them with their own hands within the fold; but he howls and roars unceasingly till he is tired. So then did the son of Elatus cry aloud, and went to and fro about the place shouting, and piteous was his voice. Anon drew lie his mighty sword and started to go forth, for fear that the boy might be a prey to beasts, or men have taken him in ambush as he was alone, and be leading him away, an easy booty. Then did he meet Heracles himself in the way, as he was brandishing his naked sword in his hand, and right well he knew him as he hasted toward the ship through the darkness. At once he told the grievous news, gasping hard for breath, " God help thee!
1257
friend, a bitter grief shall I be the first to tell thee. Hylas went unto the spring, but he cometh not again in safety; but robbers have attacked him and are leading him away, or beasts are tearing him, for I heard his loud cry."
1.1261-1.1272
So spake he; and, as the other listened, there broke out great beads of sweat upon his forehead, and beneath his heart the dark blood surged. Down upon the ground in wrath he cast the pine, and hasted along the path whither his feet carried him in his hurry. As when a bull some where, stung by the gadfly, rushes along, leaving the meadows and marsh-lands, and heedeth not the herdsmen, nor the herd, but passes on his way, at one time without stopping, and again standing still, and lifting up his broad neck he bellows aloud, 'neath the sting of that cursed fly ; even so Heracles in his eagerness now made his swift knees move without a check, and now again, ceasing from his toil, he would make his loud shout peal afar.
1.1273-1.1295
Anon uprose the morning star above the topmost heights, and down came the breeze; quickly then did Tiphys urge them go aboard and take advantage of the wind. So they at once embarked eagerly, and they hauled in the anchor- ropes of the ship and backed her out.
1
And the sails were bellied out by the wind, and they were borne far from the beach past the headland of Posideum, glad at heart. Now when bright-eyed dawn, arising from the east, shed its light from heaven, and the paths stood out clearly, and the dew-spangled plains shone in the bright gleam, then knew they those whom they had left behind in ignorance. And there arose a fierce strife amongst them, and brawl ing unspeakable, to think that they had gone and left the best of all their crew. But he, the son of Æson, mazed and at a loss, had nought to say one way or the other, but there he sat, inly consuming his soul with heavy woe ; but Telamon
2
was seized with wrath and thus spake he, " Sit thee then in silence thus, since it pleased thee well to leave Heracles behind; far from thee is any counsel, that so his fame may not o'ershadow thee in Hellas,
3
if haply the gods
74
75
76
grant a return home again. But what joy is there in words ? for I will go even apart from thy crew, who helped thee to devise this guile."
1.1296-1.1325
He spake, and sprung toward Tiphys, son of Hagnias, and his two eyes were like the flash of glowing fire. And now would they have come back to the Mysian land in spite of the wide sea and the ceaseless roaring blast, had not the two sons of Thracian Boreas held back the SOIl of Æacus with harsh words, poor wights ;
1
verily upon them came a grievous vengeance in the aftertime from the hands of Heracles, for that they stayed the search for him. For he slew them in sea-girt Tenos as they returned from the games after the slaughter of Pelias, and he piled the earth about them, and set up two pillars above them, whereof the one, an exceeding marvel for men to see, is stirred by the breath of the noisy north-wind. Thus were these things to be brought to pass in days to come. But to them appeared Glaucus
2
from the depth of the sea, wise ex pounder of the will of godlike Nereus ; and he raised aloft his shaggy head and chest from the hollow depths, and laid hold upon the ship's keel with his stalwart hand and cried to them as they hastened, "
1315
Why against the will of mighty Zeus are ye eager to take bold Heracles to the city of Æetes ? His lot it is to toil in Argos for insolent
77
78
Eurystheus till he complete twelve labours in all, and then to dwell amongst the deathless gods, if haply he accom plish yet a few. Wherefore let there be no regret for him. Yea, and even thus it is decreed that Polyphemus found a famous town amongst the Mysians at the mouth of the river Cios, and then wind up his clew of fate in the bound less country of the Chalybes.
1
And Hylas hath a goddess nymph taken as her husband for love of him, and this was why they wandered away and were left behind."
1.1326-1.1335
Therewith he dived below and wrapped the restless wave around him, and the dark water seethed and foamed in eddies about him, and he let the hollow ship go on through the sea. Then were the heroes glad; and he, Telamon, son of Æacus, made haste to come to Jason, and he grasped his hand in his own and embraced him, with these words, " Son of Æson, be not angered with me, if in my folly I was somewhat blinded, for exceeding grief urged me to speak a haughty word I could not stay. Nay, let us give our error to the winds, and be good friends even as before."
1.1336-1.1343
Him in answer the son of Æson cautiously addressed, "Yea, good friend, that was a grievous word enough, I trow, wherewith thou didst revile me, making me to be a sinner against a comrade kind amongst all these. Yet no long time will I nurse bitter wrath against thee, though before distressed, for it was not for flocks of sheep nor for possessions that thou wert angered into fury, but for a man that was thy comrade. Yea, fain would I have thee stand up for me too against another, if ever there come such need."
1.1344-1.1357
He spake, and they sat them down, united as of old; and so by the counsel of Zeus, the one was destined to found and build a city called after the river, namely
79
Polyphemus, son of Elatus, while the other returned and performed the labours of Eurystheus. Now he threatened at once to ravage the Mysian land, since they could not discover for him the fate of Hylas, either alive or dead. But they chose out the noblest sons of the people, and gave them as pledges for him, and took an oath that they would never cease from the toil of seeking him. Where fore to this day the men of Cios ask after Hylas, the son of Theiodamas, and take care of the stablished town of Trachin,
1
for there it was that Heracles did place the boys, whom they sent to him from Cios to take as hostages.
1.1358-1.1362
And all day long and all that night the wind bare on the ship, blowing in its strength ; but as the dawn broke, never a breath stirred. So they, having marked a head land, broad enow to look upon, stretching out from a bend in the land, took to their oars and anchored there at sun rise.
80
The Argonautica, translated by R. C. Seaton (OCR draft) Experimental (R. C. Seaton's English translation of Apollonius Rhodius, published by Harvard University Press in 1912.) — 1 focus
1.1-1.4
1
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.
1.5-1.17
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.
1.18-1.22
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!
1.23-1.34
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.
1.35-1.39
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.
1.40-1.44
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.
1.45-1.48
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.
1.49-1.50
Nor did Admetus, the lord of Pherae rich in sheep, stay behind beneath the peak of the Chalcodonian mount.
1.51-1.56
51
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.
1.57-1.64
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.
1.65-1.68
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.
1.69-1.70
Moreover Actor sent his son Menoetius from Opus that he might accompany the chiefs.
1.71-1.76
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.
1.77-1.85
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.
1.86-1.89
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.
1.90-1.94
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 Phocus. Telamon dwelt in the Attic island; but Peleus departed and made his home in Phthia.
1.95-1.104
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.
1.105-1.114
105
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.
1.115-1.117
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.
1.118-1.121
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.
1.122-1.132
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 readied 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.
1.133-1.138
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.
1.139-1.145
Idmon came last of all them that dwelt at Argos, 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.
1.146-1.150
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.
1.151-1.155
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.
1.156-1.160
156
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.
1.161-1.171
Moreover from Arcadia came Amphidamas and Cepheus, who inhabited Tegea and the allotment of Apheidas, two sons of Aleus; 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. Ancaeus 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.
1.172-1.178
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.
1.179
Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came from Achaean Pellene, which once Pelles their grandsire founded on the brows of Aegialus.
1.180-1.184
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.
1.185-1.189
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 sea-craft and in war.
1.190-1.201
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.
1.202-1.206
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.
1.207-1.210
207
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 halls.
1.211-1.223
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 Ilissus' 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.
1.224-1.227
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.
1.228-1.233
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.
1.234-1.241
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:
1.242-1.246
"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."
1.247-1.250
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:
1.251-1.259
"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."
1.260-1.277
260
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:
1.278-1.294
"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 thee, 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 my dreams did I forebode this, that the flight of Phrixus would bring me woe."
1.295
Thus with moaning she wept, and her handmaidens, standing by, lamented; but Jason spake gently to her with comforting words:
1.296-1.305
"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."
1.306-1.316
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 Lycia 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.
1.317-1.331
317
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 Acastus 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:
1.332-1.340
"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."
1.341-1.344
Thus he spake; and the young heroes turned their eves 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:
1.345-1.347
"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."
1.348-1.350
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:
1.351-1.362
"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
1
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."
1.363-1.393
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,
2
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.
1.394-1.401
394
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.
1.402-1.410
Next, piling up shingle near the sea, they raised there an altar on the shore to Apollo, under the name of Actius
3
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:
1.411-1.424
"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 weird 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."
1.425-1.439
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:
1.440-1.447
"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."
1.448-1.462
448
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:
1.463-1.471
"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."
1.472-1.475
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:
1.476-1.484
"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."
1.485-1.486
Thus he spake, and Aphareian Idas laughed out, loud and long, and eyeing him askance replied with biting words:
1.487-1.491
"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."
1.492-1.495
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.
1.496-1.511
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.
1.512-1.518
512
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.
1.519-1.558
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 Ancaeus 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.
1.559-1.579
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 mast-box, 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 his shrill reed; so these fishes followed; and a chasing breeze ever bore the ship onward.
1.580-1.591
580
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
4
of Argo.
1.592-1.608
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 sea-washed 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.
1.609-1.639
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.
1.640-1.652
640
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.
1.653-1.656
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:
1.657-1.666
"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."
1.667-1.674
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:
1.675-1.696
"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 ploughlands 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."
1.697-1.699
697
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.
1.700-1.701
"If this purpose please you all, now will I even send a messenger to the ship."
1.702-1.707
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."
1.708-1.711
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:
1.712-1.716
"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."
1.717-1.720
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.
1.721-1.729
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.
1.730-1.734
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.
1.735-1.741
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.
1.742-1.746
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.
1.747-1.751
747
And in it there was a well-wooded pasturage of oxen; and about the oxen the Teleboae and the sons of Electryon 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.
1.752-1.758
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.
1.759-1.762
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 Elare bare, but Earth nursed him and gave him second birth.
1.763-1.767
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.
1.768-1.773
Such then were the gifts of the Tritonian goddess Athena. And in his right hand Jason held a far-darting 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.
1.774-1.792
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:
1.793-1.833
"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 them 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 deep-soiled 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."
1.834-1.835
834
She spoke, glozing over the murder that had been wrought upon the men; and Jason addressed her in answer:
1.836-1.841
"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."
1.842-1.852
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.
1.853-1.864
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:
1.865-1.874
"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."
1.875-1.887
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:
1.888-1.898
"
888
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."
1.899-1.909
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."
1.910-1.921
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,
5
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.
1.922-1.935
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.
1.936-1.960
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 Artacie; 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.
1.961-1.988
961
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
6
Apollo 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.
1.989-1.1011
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.
1.1012-1.1077
1012
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 rushed 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 Doliones. 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,
7
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.
8
1.1078-1.1091
1078
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 Ampycus 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:
1.1092-1.1102
"Son of Aeson, thou must climb to this temple on rugged Dindymum and propitiate the mother
9
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 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."
1.1103-1.1152
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.
1.1153-1.1171
1153
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 Rhyndacus 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 lie idle.
1.1172-1.1186
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.
1.1187-1.1206
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.
1.1207-1.1239
1207
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.
1.1240-1.1256
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.
1.1257-1.1260
"
1257
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."
1.1261-1.1272
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 check, 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.
1.1273-1.1289
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:
1.1290-1.1295
"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."
1.1296-1.1314
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:
1.1315-1.1325
"
1315
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."
1.1326-1.1331
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:
1.1332-1.1335
"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."
1.1336-1.1343
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."
1.1344-1.1357
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.
1.1358-1.1362
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.
The Argonautica, translated by F. A. Fawkes (OCR draft) Experimental (F. A. Fawkes's English translation of Apollonius Rhodius.) — 1 focus
1
INSPIR'D by thee, O Phœbus, I reſound
1
The glorious deeds of heroes long renown'd,
Whom Pelias urg'd the Golden Fleece to gain,
And well-built Argo wafted o'er the main,
Through the Cyanean rocks. The voice divine
5
Pronounc'd this ſentence from the ſacred ſhrine;
Erelong, and dreadful woes, foredoom'd by fate,
Thro' that man's counſels ſhall on Pelias wait,
'Whom he, before the altar of his God,
Shall view in public with one ſandal ſhod.
10
And, lo! as by this oracle foretold,
What time adventurous Jaſon, brave and bold,
Anaurus paſt, high fwoln with winter's flood,
He left one ſandal rooted in the mud.
To Pelias, thus, the haſty prince repair'd,
15
And the rich banquet at his altar ſhar'd.
The ſtately altar, with oblations ſtor'd,
Was to his ſire erected, ocean's lord,
And every Power that in Olympus reigns,
Save Juno, regent of Theſſalia's plains.
20
Pelias, whoſe looks his latent fears expreſs'd,
Fir'd with a bold adventure Jaſon's breast;
That, ſunk in ocean, or on ſome rude ſhore
Proſtrate, he ne'er might view his country more.
Old bards affirm this warlike ſhip was made
25
By ſkilful Argus, with Minerva's aid.
'Tis mine to ſing the chiefs, their names and race,
Their tedious wanderings on the main to trace,
And all their great achievements to rehearſe :
Deign, ye propitious Nine, to aid my verſe.
30
Firſt in the liſt, to join the princely bands,
The tuneful bard, enchanting Orpheus, ſtands;
Whom fair Calliope, on Thracia's ſhore,
Near Pimpla's mount, to bold Ίgrus bore.
Hard rocks he ſoften'd with perſuaſive ſong,
35
And ſooth'd the rivers as they roll'd along.
Yon beeches tall, that bloom near Zona, ſtill
Remain memorials of his vocal ſkill:
His lays Pieria's liſtening trees admire,
And move in meaſures to his melting lyre.
40
Thus Orpheus charm'd, who o'er the Biſtons reign'd,
By Chiron's art to Jaſon's intereſt gain'd
Aſterion next; whoſe ſire rejoic'd to till
Pireſian valleys by Phylleion's hill,
Born near Apidanus, who ſportive leads
45
His winding waters thro' the fertile meads;
There where, from far, Enipeus, ſtream divine,
And wide Apidanus their currents join.
The ſon of Elatus, of deathleſs fame,
From fair Lariſſa, Polyphemus came.
50
Long ſince, when in the vigour of his might,
He join'd the hardy Lapithæ in fight
Against the Centaurs; now his ſtrength declin'd
Thro' age, yet young and martial was his mind.
Not long at Phylace Iphiclus ſtaid,
55
Great Jaſon's uncle; pleas'd he join'd his aid,
And march'd to meet th' adventurous band from far,
Urg'd by affinity and love of war.
Nor long Admetus, who at Pheræ reign'd,
Near high Chalcodon's bleating fields remain'd.
60
Echion, Erytus, for wiles renown'd
Left Alope, with golden harveſts crown'd;
The gainful ſons of Mercury: with theſe
Their brother came, the bold Æthalides;
Whom fair Eupolema, the Phthian, bore
65
Where ſmooth Amphryſos rolls his watery ſtore:
Thoſe, Menetus, from thy fair daughter ſprung,
Antianira, beautiful and young.
Coronus came, from Gyrton's wealthy town,
Great as his ſire in valour and renown,
70
Cæneus his ſire; who, as old bards relate,
Receiv'd from Centaurs his untimely fate.
Alone, unaided, with tranſcendent might,
Boldly he fac'd, and put his foes to flight.
But they, reviving ſoon, regain'd their ground;
75
Yet fail'd to vanquiſh, and they could not wound.
Unbroke, unmov'd, the chief his breath reſigns,
O'erwhelm'd beneath a monument of pines.
From Titareſus Mopſus bent his way,
Inſpir'd an augur by the God of day.
80
Eurydamas, to ſhare fair honour's crown,
Forſook near Xynias' lake his native town,
Nam'd Ctimena: Menœtius join'd the band,
Diſmiſs'd from Opuns by his fire's command.
Next came Eurytion, Irus' valiant ſon,
85
And Eribotes, ſeed of Teleon.
Oïleus join'd theſe heroes, fam'd afar
For ſtratagems and fortitude in war;
Well ſkill'd the hostile ſquadrons to ſubdue,
Bold in attack, and ardent to pursue
90
Next, by Canethus, ſon of Abans, ſent,
Ambitious Canthus from Eubœa went
Doom'd ne'er again to reach his native ſhore,
Nor view the towers of proud Cerinthus more.
For thus decreed the deſtinies ſevere,
95
That he and Mopſus, venerable ſeer,
After long toils and various wanderings paſt,
On Afric's dreary coaſt ſhould breathe their laſt,
How ſhort the term aſſign'd to human woe,
Clos'd, as it is, by death's deciſive blow!
100
On Afric's dreary coast their graves were made,
From Phaſis diſtant far their bones were laid;
Far as the east and western limits run,.
Far as the riſing from the ſetting ſun.
Clytius and Iphitus unite their aid,
105
Who all the country round Oechalia ſway'd;
Theſe were the ſons of Eurytus the proud,
On whom his bow the God of day beſtow'd;
But he, devoid of gratitude, defy'd,
And challeng'd Phœbus with a rival's pride.
110
The ſons of Aeacus, intrepid race!
Separate advanc'd, and from a different place.
For when their brother unawares they ſlew,
From fair Ægina diverſe they withdrew.
Fair Salamis king Telamon obey'd,
115
And valiant Peleus Phthia's ſceptre ſway'd.
Next Butes came from fam'd Cecropia far,
Brave Teleon's ſon, a chief renown'd in war.
To wield the deadly lance Phalerus boaſts,
Who, by his ſire commiſſion'd, joins the hoſts:
120
No ſon, ſave this, e'er bleſs'd the hoary ſage,
And this heaven gave him in declining age:
Yet him he ſent, diſdaining abject fears,
To ſhine conſpicuous 'midſt his gallant peers.
Theſeus, far more than all his race renown'd,
125
Faſt in the cave of Tænarus was bound
With adamantine fetters, (dire abode!)
E'er ſince he trod th' irremeable road
With his belov'd Pirithoüs: had they ſail'd,
Much had their might, their courage much avail'd.
130
Bœotian Tiphys came, experienc'd well
Old ocean's foaming ſurges to foretell,
Experienc'd well the ſtormy winds to ſhun,
And ſteer his veſſel by the ſtars, or ſun.
Minerva urg'd him by her high command,
135
A welcome mate to join the princely band.
For ſhe the ſhip had form'd with heavenly ſkill,
Tho' Argus wrought the dictates of her will.
Thus plann'd, thus faſhion'd, this fam'd ſhip excell'd
The nobleſt ſhips by oar or ſail impell'd.
140
From Aræthyrea, that near Corinth lay,
Phlias, the ſon of Bacchus, bent his way :
Bleſs'd by his ſire, his ſplendid manſion ſtood
Faſt by the fountains of Aſopus' flood.
From Argos next the ſons of Bias came,
145
Areius, Talaus, candidates for fame,
With bold Leodocus, whom Pero bore,
Neleus' fair daughter, on the Argive ſhore;
For whom Melampus various woes ſuſtain'd,
In a deep dungeon by Iphiclus chain'd.
150
Next Hercules, endued with dauntleſs mind,
At Jaſon's ſummons, ſtay'd not long behind.
For warn'd of this adventurous band, when laſt
The chief to Argos from Arcadia paſt,
(What time in chains he brought the living boar,
155
The dread, the bane of Erymanthia's moor,
And at the gate of proud Mycenæ's town,
From his broad ſhoulders hurl'd the monster down :)
Unaſk'd the ſtern Mycenian king's confent,
Inſtant to join the warlike hoſt he went.
160
Young Hylas waited with obſequious care,
The hero's quiver and his bow to bear.
Next came, the liſt of demigods to grace,
He who from Danaüs deriv'd his race,
Nauplius; of whom fam'd Prætus was the ſon,
165
Of Prætus Lernus; thus the lineage run:
From Lernus Naubolus his being claim'd,
Whoſe valiant ſon was Clytoneüs nam'd.
In navigation's various arts confeſs'd
Shone Nauplius' ſkill, ſuperior to the reſt:
170
Him to the ſea's dread lord, in days of yore,
Danaüs' fair daughter, Amymone bore.
Laſt of thoſe chiefs who left the Grecian coaſt,
Prophetic Idmon join'd the gallant hoſt;
(Full well he knew what cruel fate ordain'd;
175
But dreaded more than death his honour ſtain'd)
The ſon of Phœbus by ſome ſtolen embrace,
And number'd too with Æolus's race,
He learn'd his art prophetic from his ſire,
Omens from birds and prodigies from fire,
180
Illuſtrious Pollux, fam'd for martial force,
And Caſtor, ſkill'd to guide the rapid horſe,
Ætolian Leda ſent from Sparta's ſhore:
Both at one birth in Tyndarus' houſe ſhe bore.
No boding fears her generous mind depreſs'd;
185
She thought like them whom Jove's embrace had bleſs'd.
Lynceus and Idas, from Arene's wall,
Heard fame's loud ſummons, and obey'd her call:
The ſons of Aphareus, of matchleſs might,
But Lynceus ſtands renown'd for piercing ſight:
190
So keen his beam, that ancient fables tell,
He ſaw, thro' earth, the wondrous depths of hell.
With theſe bold Periclymenus appears,
The ſon of Neleus, moſt advanc'd in years
Of all his race; his fire's unconquer'd pride:
195
Him with vaſt ſtrength old ocean's lord ſupply'd,
And gave the power, when hard in battle preſs'd,
To take whatever form might ſuit him beſt.
From Tegea's towers, where bore Aphidas ſway,
Amphidamas and Cepheus took their way,
200
The ſons of Aleus both; and with them went
Ancæus, by his ſire Lycurgus ſent.
Of thoſe the brother, and by birth the firſt,
Was good Lycurgus; tenderly he nurs'd
His ſire at home; but bade his gallant ſon
205
With the bold chiefs the race of glory run,
On his broad back a bear's rough ſpoils he wore,
And in his hand a two-edg'd pole-axe bore,
Which, that the youth might in no danger ſhare,
Were ſafe ſecreted by his grandſire's care.
210
Augeas too, lord of the Elean coaſt,
Sail'd, brave aſſociate, with the warlike hoſt.
Rich in poſſeſſions, of his riches proud,
Fame ſays his being to the Sun he ow'd.
Ardent he wish'd to see the Colchian ſhore,
215
And old Æeta who the ſceptre bore.
Aſterius and Amphion, urg'd by fame,
The valiant ſons of Hyperaſius, came
From fair Pellene, built in days of yore
By Pelle's grandſire on the lofty ſhore.
220
From Tænarus, that yawns with gulf profound,
Euphemus came, for rapid race renown'd.
By Neptune forc'd, Europa gave him birth,
Daughter to Tityus, hugeſt ſon of Earth.
Whene'er he ſkimm'd along the watery plain,
225
With feet unbath'd he ſwept the ſurging main,
Scarce brush'd the ſurface of the briny dew,
And light along the liquid level flew.
Two other ſons of Neptune join'd the host,
This from Miletus on th' Ionian coaſt,
230
Erginus nam'd, but that from Samos came,
Juno's lov'd iſle, Ancæus was his name;
Illustrious chiefs, and both renown'd afar
For the joint arts of ſailing and of war.
Young Meleager, Œneus' warlike ſon,
235
And ſage Laocoon march'd from Calydon.
From the ſame father he and Eneus ſprung;
But on the breasts of different mothers hung.
Him Œneus purpos'd with his ſon to ſend,
A wiſe companion, and a faithful friend.
240
Thus to the royal chiefs his name he gave,
And green in years was number'd with the brave.
Had he continu'd but one ſummer more
A martial pupil on th' Ætolian ſhore,
Firſt on the lifts of fame the youth had ſhone,
245
Or own'd ſuperior Hercules alone.
His uncle too, well-ſkill'd the dart to throw,
And in th' embattled plain reſiſt the foe,
Iphiclus, venerable Theſtius' ſon,
Join'd the young chief, and boldly led him on.
250
The ſon of Lernus, Palæmonius, came,
Olenian Lernus; but the voice of fame
Whiſpers, that Vulcan was the hero's ſire,
And therefore limps he like the God of fire.
Of nobler port or valour none could boaſt ;
255
He added grace to Jaſon's godlike hoſt.
From Phocis Iphitus with ardour preſs'd
To join the chiefs; great Jaſon was his gueſt,
When to the Delphic Oracle he went,
Conſulting fate, and anxious for th' event.
260
Zetes and Calaïs of royal race,
Whom Orithyïa bore in wintry Thrace
To blustering Boreas in his airy hall,
Heard fame's loud ſummons, and obey'd the call.
Erectheus, who th' Athenian ſceptre ſway'd,
265
Was parent of the violated maid,
Whom dancing with her mates rude Boreas ſtole,
Where the fam'd waters of Iliſſus roll;
And to his rock-fenc'd Sarpedonian cave
Convey'd her, where Erginus pours his wave:
270
There, circumfus'd in gloom and grateful ſhade,
The god of tempeſts woo'd the gentle maid.
They, when on tip-toe rais'd, in act to fly,
Like the light-pinion'd vagrants of the ſky,
Wav'd their dark wings, and, wondrous to behold!
275
Diſplay'd each plume diſtinct with drops of gold;
While down their backs, of bright cerulean hue,
Looſe in the winds their wanton treſſes flew.
Not long with Pelias young Acaſtus ſtay'd;
He left his ſire to lend the Grecians aid.
280
Argus, whom Pallas with her gifts inſpir'd,
Follow'd his friend, with equal glory fir'd.
Such the compeers of Jaſon highly fam'd
And all theſe demigods were Minyans ham'd
The moſt illustrious heroes of the hoſt
285
Their lineage from the ſeed of Minyas boaſt :
For Minyas' daughter, Clymena the fair,
Alcimeda, great Jaſon's mother, bare.
When all was furnish'd by the buſy band
Which veſſels deſtin'd for the main demand;
290
The heroes from Iölcos bent their way
To the fam'd port, the Pagaſæan bay,
And deep-environ'd with thick-gathering crowds,
They ſhone like ſtars reſplendent thro' the clouds.
Some ſwain ſurvey'd the bright-arm'd chiefs and ſpoke:
295
Then thus among the rout, with wondering look,
Say, what can Pelias, mighty Jove, intend,
Far, far from Greece ſo great a force to ſend!
Sure, ſhould Æeta ſpurn the ſons of Greece,
And to their claims refuse the golden Fleece,
300
'That felf-ſame day ſhall ſee his palace, crown'd
With glittering turrets, levell'd to the ground.
But endless toils pursue them as they go,
And Fate hath mark'd their deſperate ſteps with woe.
Thus, when he saw the delegated bands,
305
Spoke the rude ſwain with heaven-uplifted hands:
The gentler females thus the Gods implore;
"Safe may they reach again their native ſhore:"
And thus ſome matron mild her mind expreſs'd;
(Tears in her eye, and terrors at her breast)
310
'Unfortunate Alcimeda, thy fate
Now frowns malignant, tho' it frowns ſo late;
Nor wills the tenor of thy life to run
Serene and peaceful, as it firſt begun.
On Æſon too attend unnumber'd woes;
315
Far, better far, a lingering life to cloſe,
'And bury all his ſorrows in the tomb,
Unconscious of calamities to come.
Oh! had both Phrixus and the ram been drown'd,
When Helle periſh'd in the gulf profound:
320
But the dire monſter was with voice endu'd,
And human accents from his mouth enſu'd,
'To ſad Alcimeda denouncing ſtrife,
And woes to cloud the evening of her life."
Thus ſpoke ſome matron as the heroes went;
325
Around their lords the menial train lament :
Alcimeda embrac'd her ſon with tears,
Each breaſt was chill'd with ſad preſaging fears.
Age-drooping Æſon heard the general moan,
Wrapp'd in ſoft robes, and anſwer'd groan for groan.
330
But Jaſon fooths their fears, their boſom warms,
And bids his ſervants bring the burniſh'd arms.
They, with a downcaſt look and lowly bow,
Obey their chief with ſilent ſteps and ſlow.
The penſive Queen, while tears bedew her face,
335
Her ſon ſtill circles with a fond embrace.
Thus to her nurſe an infant orphan ſprings,
And weeps unceaſing as the cloſely clings;
Experienc'd inſults make her loath to ſtay
Beneath a ſtep-dame's proud, oppreſſive ſway.
340
Thus in her royal breast the ſorrows pent
Forc'd ſighs and tears, and ſtruggled for a vent.
Still in her arms ſhe held her favourite ſon,
And comfortless with faltering ſpeech begun :
Oh had I died on that deteſted day,
345
And with my ſorrows ſigh'd my ſoul away,
When Pelias publiſh'd his ſevere decree,
'Severe and fatal to my ſon and me!
Thyſelf had then my aged eyelids clos'd,
And thoſe dear hands my decent limbs compos'd;
350
This boon alone I wiſh'd thee to impart,
This wiſh alone lay dormant at my heart.
'But now, alas! tho' firſt of Grecian names,
Admir'd and envy'd by Theſſalian dames,
I, like an hand-maid, now am left behind,
355
Bereav'd of all tranquillity of mind.
'By thee rever'd, in dignity I ſhone,
And firſt and laſt for thee unloos'd my zone.
'For unrelenting hate Lucina bore,
Thee, one lov'd ſon, ſhe gave, but gave no more.
360
'Alas! not ev'n the viſions of the night,
'Foretold ſuch fatal woes from Phrixus' flight.'
Thus mourn'd Alcimeda; her handmaids hear,
Sigh back her ſighs, and answer tear with tear.
Then Jaſon theſe conſoling words addreſs'd,
365
To ſooth the riſing anguish of her breast :
Ceaſe, mother, ceaſe exceſs of grief to ſhow,
"Oh! cease this wild extravagance of woe.
"Tears cannot make one dire diſaſter leſs;
They cherish grief, and aggravate diſtreſs.
370
"Wiſely and juſtly have the Gods affign'df w
Unthought-of miſeries to all mankind.
The lot they give you, tho' perchance ſevere,
Confiding in Minerva, bravely bearer.
Minerva firſt this bold adventure mov'd,
375
Apollo, and the Oracles approv'd.
Theſe calls of heaven our confidence command,
Join'd with the valour of this princely band.
"Haſte, royal mother, to your native tow'rs,
"Paſs with your handmaids there the peaceful hours.
380
Forebode not here calamities to come:
Your female train will re-conduct you home."
He ſpoke; and from the palace bent his way,
Graceful of port; ſo moves the god of day
At Delos, from his odour-breathing fanes,
385
Or Claros ſituate on Ionian plains,
Or Lycia's ample ſhores, where Xanthus leads
His winding waters thro' irriguous meads.
Thus Jaſon march'd majestic thro' the crowd,
And Fame auſpicious rais'd her voice aloud :
390
When lo! the prieſteſs of Diana came,
Their guardian Goddess, Iphias was her name,
Bending with age, and kiſs'd the chief's right hand;
In vain ſhe wiſh'd to ſpeak; the haſty band
With ſpeedy footsteps from the dame withdrew,
395
And Jaſon mingled with his valiant crew.
Then from the tower-fenc'd town he bent his way,
And reach'd ere long the Pagafæan bay
There join'd his comrades waiting on the coaſt,qni
And there ſaluted his confederate hoſt.
400
When from Iölcos, lo, the wondering train.
Obſerve Acaſtus haſtening o'er the plain,
And with him Argus, his compeer and friend;
Unknown to Pelias, to the ſhip they tend.
Argus around his brawny ſhoulders flung
405
A bull's black ſpoils that to his ancles hung.
Acaſtus wore a mantle rich and gay,
Wrought by his ſiſter, lovely Pelopa.
Thus rob'd, the chiefs approach'd the crowded ſhore;
Illustrious Jaſon ſtay'd not to explore
410
What cauſe ſo long detain'd them, but commands
To council all the delegated bands.
On ſhrouds and ſails that cover'd half the beach,
And the tall, tapering maſt, in order each,
The heroes ſat; then riſing o'er the reſt,
415
His bold aſſociates Jaſon thus addreſs'd:
Since now the ſtores lie ready on the ſtrand,
And ſince our chiefs and arms are all at hand,
'No longer let us waste the golden day,
But the firſt ſummons of the breeze obey
420
And, ſince we all with equal ardour burn
For Colchian ſpoils, and hope a ſafe return,
'Impartial chooſe ſome hero fam'd afar
To guide the veſſel, and conduct the war,
'Let him, your ſovereign chief, with foreign foes
425
'The terms of treaty, and of fight propoſe.'
He ſpoke; with earnest eyes the youthful band
Mark bold Alcides for ſupreme command;
On him with voice unanimous they call,
Own him their leader, and the lord of all.
430
In the mid circle ſat the godlike man,
His broad right hand he wav'd, and thus began :
Let none to me this arduous taſk aſſign,
" For I the glory with the charge decline.
Jaſon alone ſhall lead this valiant band,
435
"The chief who rais'd it, let that chief command."
Thus briefly ſpoke th' unconquerable man;
Loud approbation thro' the circle ran :
Then Jaſon roſe, (complacence fill'd his breaſt)
And thus the pleas'd, attentive throng addreſs'd :
440
Friends and aſſociates, ſince your wills decree
'This great, this honourable trust to me,
'No longer be our enterprize delay'd :
To Phœbus firſt be due oblations paid;
'Let then a ſhort repaſt our ſtrength renew:
445
And, till my herdſmen to our gallant crew
With beeves return, the beſt my ſtalls contain,
Strive we to launch our veſſel in the main
And when cloſe ſtow'd our military ſtores,
Each take his poſt, and ply the nimble oars.
450
'To Phœbus firſt, Embaſian Phœbus, raiſe
The ſmoaking altar; let the victims blaze.
He promis'd, if due rites to him I pay,
To point thro' ocean's paths our dubious way."
He said, and inſtant to the taſk he flew;
455
Example fir'd his emulative crew.
They heap'd their veſtments on a rock, that ſtood,
Far from the inſults of the roaring flood,
But, in times past, when wintry ſtorms prevail'd,
Th' encroaching waves its towering top aſſail'd.
460
A's Argus counſel'd, with strong ropes they bound,
Compacting cloſe, the veſſel round and round;
Then with ſtout nails the ſturdy planks they join'd,
To brave the fury of the waves or wind:
Next delv'd with ſpades a channel deep and wide,
465
Thro' which the ſhip might launch into the tide,
Near to the water deeper was the way,
Where wooden cylinders tranſverſely lay;
On theſe they heav'd the veſſel from the plain,
To roll her, ſmoothly-gliding, to the main
470
Then to the benches, tapering oars they fix'd;
A cubit's meaſure was the ſpace betwixt:
This was the ſtation for the labouring bands,
To tug with bending breasts, and out-stretch'd hands.
First Tiphys mounted on th' aerial prow
475
To iſſue orders to the train below,
That at his word, their ſtrength uniting, all
Might join together, and together haul.
With eager look th' attentive heroes ſtand,
And wait impatient till he gave command;
480
Then all at once, with full exerted ſway,
They move her from the ſtation where ſhe lay,
And pushing inſtant, as the pilot guides,
On ſmooth round rollers Pelian Argo glides;
Glibly ſhe glides; loud ſhouts the jovial band;
485
They haul, they pull, they push her from the ſtrand,
Beneath the huge hulk groan the rollers ſtrong;
Black ſmoke ariſes as she moves along;
With ſwift deſcent ſhe rushes to the main:
Coercive ropes her rapid race reſtrain.
490
Then, next, their ſails they hoiſted, fix'd their oars,
The maſt erected, and embark'd the ſtores.
By lots on benches were the heroes plac'd,
And with two heroes every bench was grac'd,
On great Alcides, formidable name,
495
And on Ancæus, who from Tegea came,
With voice unanimous, the martial hoſt
Beſtow'd the centre's honourable poſt.
To watchful Tiphys was the helm aſſign'd,
To ſtem the waves, and catch the favouring wind.
500
This done, with stones beſide the ſhore which lay,
They rear'd an altar to the God of day,
Embaſian Phœbus, and the ſurface round
With the dry branches of an olive crown'd.
Meanwhile the herdſmen drove two beeves well fed
505
From Jaſon's ſtalls; youths to the altar led
The victims; ſome brought water from the lake;
Some the due offering of the ſalted cake.
Jaſon, while theſe the ſacrifice prepare,
Thus to his parent God prefers his pray'r:
510
'Patron of Pagaſæ, thine ear we claim,
Guard of the city grac'd with Æſon's name:
'When to conſult thine oracle I went,
'It promis'd to reveal this great event,
The final iſſue of our bold empriſe:
515
On thee, chief author, all our hope relies.
'Conduct my comrades to the far-fam'd Fleece,
Then ſafe restore them to the realms of Greece.
'And here I vow, whatever chiefs return,
So many bulls ſhall on thine altar burn;
520
'A ſacrifice at Delphos is decreed,
'And in Ortygia ſhall the victims bleed.
But now theſe humble offerings which we pay,
'Gracious accept, far-darting God of day.
'Be thou, O father, our auspicious guide,
525
'When hence we ſail acroſs the ſounding tide.
'Smooth the rough billows, and let breezes bland.
Propitious waft us to the Colchian land,"
Thus pray'd he ſuppliant, and prepar'd to make
The ſacred offering of the ſalted cake.
530
Alcides, fam'd for manly ſtrength and ſway,
And bold Ancæus roſe the beeves to ſlay.
Alcides' club impreſs'd a deadly wound
On the ſteer's front, and fell'd him to the ground.
Thy axe, Ancæus, at one ſturdy ſtroke,
535
The ſteer's ſkull fractur'd, and the neck-bone broke,
Down fell the victim, floundering with the blow,
Prone on his horns, and plough'd the ſand below.
The ready train, that round in order ſtood,
Stab the fallen beeves, and ſhed the life-warm blood;
540
Then from the body ſtrip the ſmoaking hide,
The beasts they quarter, and the joints divide;
The thighs devoted to the Gods they part,
On theſe the fat, involv'd in cawls, with art
They ſpread, and as the lambent flame devours,
545
The Grecian chief the pure libation pours.
Joy fill'd the breast of Idmon to behold,
How from the thighs the flame relucent roll'd
In purple volumes, and propitious ſmoke;
And thus the ſeer, inſpir'd by Phœbus, ſpoke:
550
Tho' various perils your attempt oppoſe,
'And toils unnumber'd bring unnumber'd woes;
Yet ſhall ye ſafe return, ye ſons of Greece,
'Adorn'd with conqueſt, and the golden Fleece.
'Me cruel Fate ordains on Aſia's ſhore
555
'To die, nor e'er behold my country more.
'And tho' my destiny long fix'd I knew,
Yet, ſtill reſolv'd, I join'd the martial crew;
Inflam'd with glory to the hoſt I came,
Of life regardless, emulous of fame,'
560
Thus he; the host the fate of Idmon mourn,
But joy tranſports them for their wish'd return.
The ſun, remitting now his fiercer ray,
Pours from the west the faint remains of day:
Low as he ſinks, the lofty rocks expand
565
Their lengthen'd ſhadows o'er the diſtant land.
On leafy couches now the warlike train
Repoſe along the beach that ſkirts the main.
Before the chiefs are ſavoury viands plac'd,
And generous wines, delicious to the taſte.
570
The hours in mutual converſe they employ,
In feſtive ſongs and undiſſembled joy.
Thus at the banquet ſport the young and gay,
When Mirth breaks in, and Envy ſkulks away.
But not unmark'd was Jaſon's penſive look;
575
Idas beheld him, and licentious ſpoke:
'What doubts, what fears do Æſon's ſon perplex?
'What dangers fright him, and what ſorrows vex?
'Proclaim thy thoughts: or is thy dubious mind
'Diſmay'd with terrours of the daftard kind?
580
'Now by this ſtout, unconquer'd lance, I ſwear,
On which in war victorious wreaths I bear,
(Scorning from Jove's aſſiſtance to receive
Thoſe palms, which this reſiſtleſs lance can give)
'No foes ſhall brave, no wiles of war withſtand,
585
'Tho' Jove frown adverſe, this impetuous hand.
Such Idas is, for prowess fam'd afar,
'Arene's boaſt, the thunder-bolt of war.'
This ſaid, the boaſter ſeiz'd a goblet, fill'd
With racy wine, and to the bottom ſwill'd.
590
O'er his black beard and cheeks the liquor flow'd:
Th' aſſembled host with indignation glow'd.
Then Idmon roſe and boldly thus reply'd::
"Vain wretch! to brand our leader and our guide;
And more irreverent ſtill, thus flush'd with wine,
595
"To dare reproach ſuperior powers divine.
Far different ſpeech must cheer the ſocial train
Thy words are brutiſh, and thy boasts are vain.
Thus, fame reports, the Aloïdæ ſtrove
Long ſince to irritate the powers above
600
"By vile aſperſions, infamouſly free;
Yet they in valour far exceeded thee.
Slain by the ſhafts of Phœbus, down they fell,
Thơ' high aſpiring, to the depths of Hell."
He ſaid; but Idas, with ſarcaſtic ſneer,
605
Laughing, provok'd the venerable ſeer:
Declare, wiſe augur, if the Gods decree,
The ſame perdition ſhall be hurl'd on me,
'Which fam'd Aloëus' impious ſons befell
'When ſlain by Phœbus, and condemn'd to hell.
610
Meantime eſcape, or manfully withſtand,
Vain ſeer, the fury of this vengeful hand.'
Thus Idas ſpoke, impatient of control,
And riſing rage inflam'd his fiery ſoul;
Nor had they here ceas'd fiercely to conteſt,
615
But Jaſon and his friends their wrath repreſs'd.
'Twas then, the jarring heroes to compoſe,
Th' enchanting bard, Oeagrian Orpheus roſe,
And thus, attuning to the trembling ſtrings:
His ſoothing voice, of harmony he ſings
620
"How at the firſt, beneath chaotic ſway,
Heaven, earth and ſea in wild disorder lay;
"Till nature parted the conflicting foes,
"And beauteous order from confuſion roſe.
How in yon bright etherial fields above
625
The lucid ſtars in conſtant orbits move;
How the pale queen of night and golden ſun,
Thro' months, and years their radiant journeys run :
"Whence roſe the mountains, clad with waving woods,
The crystal founts, and hoarse-resounding floods,
630
With all their nymphs; from what celestial ſeed
Springs the vaſt ſpecies of the ſerpent breed :
How o'er the new-created world below,
"On high Olympus' ſummits crown'd with ſnow,
Ophion, and, from ocean ſprung of old,
635
The fair Eurynome reign'd uncontroll'd:
"How haughty Saturn, with ſuperior ſway
" Exil'd Ophion from the realms of day;
Eurynome before proud Rhea fled,
And how both ſunk in ocean's billowy bed.
640
"Long time they rul'd the bleſt Titanian Gods,
While infant Jove poſſeſs'd the dark abodes
"Of Dictè's cave; yet uninform'd his mind
"With heavenly wisdom, and his hand confin'd.
Forg'd by earth's giant ſons, with livid rays
645
"Flam'd not as yet the lightning's piercing blaze;
"Nor roar'd the thunder thro' the realms above,
"The ſtrength and glory of almighty Jove."
Here the ſweet bard his tuneful lyre unſtrung,
And ceas'd the heavenly muſic of his tongue;
650
But, with the ſound entranc'd, the listening ear
Still thought him ſinging, and ſtill ſeem'd to hear:
In ſilent rapture every chief remains,
And feels within his heart the thrilling ſtrains.
Forthwith the bowl they crown with roſy wine,
655
And pay due honours to the powers divine;
Then on the flaming tongues libations pour,
And wait ſalubrious ſleep's compoſing hour.
Soon as the bright-ey'd morning's ſplendid ray
On Pelion's ſummit pour'd the welcome day,
660
Light ſkimm'd the breezes o'er the liquid plain,
And gently ſwell'd the fluctuating main;
Then Tiphys roſe, and, ſummon'd by his care,
Embark the heroes, and their oars prepare.
Portentous now along the winding ſhores
665
Hoarſe ſounding Pagaſæan Neptune roars:
From Pelian Argo's keel loud murmurs broke,
Urgent to ſail; the keel of ſacred oak,
Endu'd with voice, and marvellously wrought,
Itonian Pallas from Dodona brought.
670
Now on their deſtin'd poſts, arrang'd along,
In ſeemly order ſat the princely throng;
Faſt by each chief his glittering armour flames :
The midmoſt ſtation bold Ancæus claims,
With great Alcides, (whoſe enormous might
675
Arm'd with a maſſy club provokes the fight,)
Cloſe plac'd beſide him: in the yielding flood
The keel deep-ſinking owns the demigod.
Their hauſers now they looſe, and on the brine
To Neptune pour the conſecrated wine:
680
Then from his native ſhore ſad Jaſon turns
His oft-reverted eye, and ſilent mourns.
As in Ortygia, or the Delphic fane,
Or where Iſmenus laves Boeotia's plain,
Apollo's altar round, the youthful quire,
685
The dance according with the ſounding lyre,
The hallow'd ground with equal cadence beat,
And move in meaſure their alternate feet;
Together ſo Theſſalia's princes ſweep
With well-tim'd oars the ſilver-curling deep :
690
While, raiſing high the Thracian harp, preſides
Melodious Orpheus, and the movement guides.
Daſh'd by their oars the foaming billows broke,
And loud remurmur'd to each mighty ſtroke.
Swift ſail'd the ſhip, the ſun refulgent beam'd,
695
And bright as flame their glittering armour gleam'd.
While to their outſtretch'd oars the heroes bow,
The parted ocean whitening foams below.
So ſhines the path, along ſome graſſy plain,
Worn by the footsteps of the village-ſwain.
700
Th' immortal powers that Jove's proud palace crown,
All on that memorable day look'd down,
The godlike chiefs and Argo to ſurvey,
As thro' the deep they urg'd their daring way.
Then too on Pelion's cloud-capt ſummit ſtood
705
The Nymphs that wander in that ſacred wood;
Wondering they view'd below the ſailing pine,
(Itonian Pallas fram'd the work divine)
And bold Theffalia's labouring heroes ſweep
With ſtretching oars the navigable deep.
710
Lo! from the mountain's topmost cliff deſcends
The Centaur Chiron; to the ſhore he bends
His haſty footsteps: on the beach he stood,
And dipp'd his fetlocks in the hoary flood.
He hail'd the heroes with his big, broad hand,
715
And wiſh'd them ſafe to gain their native land.
With Chiron came Chariclo to the ſhore;
The young Achilles in her arms ſhe bore.
Peleus, his ſire, with ſecret pleaſure ſmil'd,
As high in air ſhe rais'd the royal child.
720
And now the winding bay's ſafe precincts paſt,
Theſſalian Argo plough'd the watery waſte;
On Tiphys' care the valiant chiefs rely'd,
To ſteer the veſſel o'er the foaming tide,
The ſmooth well-modell'd rudder to command,
725
Obſequious to the movement of his hand.
And next inſerting in the keel below
The maſt tall-tapering, to the ſtern and prow,
With ropes that thro' the rolling pulleys glide,
They rear upright, and firm on every ſide,
730
Then high in air the ſwelling ſails they raiſe,
While on their boſoms buxom Zephyr plays.
With favouring gales their ſteady courſe they keep
To where Tiſæum frowns upon the deep.
Meanwhile ſweet Orpheus, as they ſail'd along,
735
Rais'd to Diana the melodious ſong, -
Who ſav'd them, where her guardian power preſides,
From treacherous rocks that lurk beneath the tides.
The fiſh in ſhoals, attentive to his lay,
Purſu'd the poet o'er the watery way;
740
And oft emerging from their liquid ſphere,
Strove more diſtinct his heavenly notes to hear.
As sheep in flocks thick-paſturing on the plain
"Attend the footsteps of the ſhepherd-ſwain,
His well-known call they hear, and fully fed,
745
Pace ſlowly on, their leader at their head;
Who pipes melodious, as he moves along,
On ſprightly reeds his modulated ſong:
Thus charm'd with tuneful ſounds, the ſcaly train
Purſu'd the flying veſſel o'er the main.
750
And now the winds with favouring breezes blew,
Corn-crown'd Theffalia leſſen'd to the view,
The Grecian heroes paſs by Pelion's ſteep,
Whoſe rocky ſummit nodded o'er the deep.
Now Sepias' cliffs beneath the waves ſubſide,
755
And ſea-girt Sciathos ſurmounts the tide.
Next, but far diſtant, was Pireſiæ ſeen,
(Built on Magneſia's continent ſerene)
And Dolops' tomb, for this pacific ſhore,
Bleſt with mild evening's ſoften'd gales, they bore.
760
To him with victims was an altar crown'd,
While night prevail'd, and ocean roar'd around.
Two days they tarried, till propitious gales
Roſe with the third, and bellied all their ſails.
Aſſiduous then, the well-known ſhore they fill,
765
The ſhore call'd Aphetæ of Argo ſtill.
Next Melibœa, on Theſſalia's fſhore,
They paſs, where winds and thundering tempeſts roar.
At early dawn, incumbent o'er the deep,
They view high Omole's aſpiring ſteep.
770
Next by the ſtreams of Amyrus they ſteer,
And where thy vales, Eurymena, appear,
And Oſſa and Olympus' ſhady brow;
Loud from deep caverns guſh the waves below.
By night beſide Pallene's heights they ſail,
775
And rough Canaſtra frowning o'er the vale.
But when the morn diſplay'd her orient light,
Tall Athos roſe conſpicuous to the ſight;
Which tho' from Lemnos far remov'd it lay,
As far as ſhips can ſail till noon of day,
780
Yet the proud mountain's high-exalted head,
A gloom umbrageous o'er Myrina ſpread.
All day till eve the ſoft, indulgent gales
Their ſuccour lent, and fill'd the ſwelling ſails.
But when with eve the breezes ceas'd to blow,
785
The mariners to Sintian Lemnos row,
Ill-fated iſland! where the female train
Had all the males, the year preceding, ſlain.
For, deep-enamour'd with the nymphs of Thrace,
The men declin'd the conjugal embrace;
790
Their wives they ſlighted, and unwary led
War's pleaſing ſpoils, fair captives, to their bed.
For angry Venus robb'd of love's delights
The Lemnian females, for neglected rites.
Ah miſerable train! with envy curs'd
795
And jealouſy, of paſſions far the worſt!
One fatal night this unrelenting crew
Their mates, and all the lovely captives, ſlew,
And every male; left in the course of time
Should riſe ſome hero to revenge the crime.
800
Hypſipyla alone, illustrious maid,
Spar'd her ſire Thoas, who the ſceptre ſway'd.
With pious care, in reverence to his age,
In a capacious ark ſhe plac'd the ſage,
Confiding in the mercy of the wave
805
The monarch from the maſſacre to ſave.
Some faithful fiſhers, to their mandate juſt,
Convey'd with care the delegated truſt
Safe to a neighbouring, ſea-ſurrounded ſhore,
Oenoea nam'd, ſo nam'd in days of yore,
810
Now Sicinum; from Sicinus it takes
Its title, whom a naiad of the lakes,
The nymph Oenoea, beautiful and fair,
Compreſs'd by Thoas, to the monarch bore.
The widow'd Lemnians, tho' by waves ſecur'd,
815
Oft ſhone in arms, to martial toils inur'd.
To feed their cattle was their daily care,
Or cleave the furrow with the crooked ſhare:
Expert at theſe, Minerva's arts they ſcorn'd,
Which once employ'd them, and which once adorn'd.
820
Oft to the main, oppreſs'd with dire alarms,
They look'd; for much they fear'd the Thracian arms.
And when Theſſalian Argo caught their view,
Quick from Myrina to the ſhore they flew.
All clad in glittering arms they preſs'd the ſtrand,
825
Impetuous; (like the Bacchanalian band,
When with raw fleſh their horrid feasts they cloſe ;)
They deem'd the veſſel ſtor'd with Thracian foes.
Hypſipyla advanc'd among the reſt,
In the bright armour of her father dress'd;
830
Anxious, aſtoniſh'd all the dames appear,
And by their ſilence teſtified their fear.
Meanwhile Æthalides the heroes ſend;
To him their peaceful mandates they commend.
Inveſted with the office of the God,
835
They grace their herald too with Hermes' rod,
Hermes his ſire; who bleſs'd his favourite heir
With memory nor time, nor place impair.
In vain around him Acheron's waters roll;
They pour no dull oblivion o'er his ſoul.
840
To him the fates this privilege beſtow,
By turns to wander with the ſhades below;
By turns with men to view the golden day,
And feel the ſun's invigorating ray.
But why expatiate on ſuch themes as theſe ?
845
Why tell the fame of great Æthalides ?
The herald to Hypſipyla addreſs'd,
With mild benevolence, this joint request;
That now, at evening-cloſe, the friendly land
Might hoſpitably treat this gallant band,
850
Who fear'd at morn to hoiſt their ſwelling ſails,
For Boreas blew with unpropitious gales.
The queen had ſummon'd to the council-hall
The Lemnian dames, the dames obey'd her call :
Who mildly, with perſuaſion in her look,
855
In order rang'd, the heroines bespoke :
Let us, my mates, and ye my words attend,
'Commodious preſents to theſe ſtrangers ſend;
'Such as their friends to mariners conſign,
'Salubrious viands, and delicious wine;
860
'So will they peaceful on our borders ſtay,
'Nor need compel them to the town to ſtray.
Here will they learn the ſtory of our guilt,
'The vows we broke, the kindred blood we ſpilt;
'And ſure a tale, thus horrid, muſt appear
865
Cruel and impious to a foreign ear.
'These are the counſels of your faithful friend,
Prompt to adviſe, and ſteady to defend.
She who can furnish counſel more diſcreet,
Now let her offer for this cauſe we meet.'
870
Thus ſpoke the queen, and preſs'd her father's
A royal ſeat, compos'd of ſolid stone.
Then roſe Polyxo, venerable dame,
Once the queen's nurſe, oppreſs'd with age, and lame;
A ſtaff ſuſtain'd her (for her limbs were weak)
875
Tottering with age, yet vehement to ſpeak.
Near her four damſels, blooming, freſh and fair,
Sat crown'd with ringlets of the whiteſt hair.
Full in the midſt ſhe ſtood, then rais'd her head,
Her back was bent with years, and thus ſhe ſaid:
880
The queen's advice I greatly must commend,
Commodious preſents to our guests to fend.
'And what more ſaving counſel ſhall I give
'To thoſe my friends who ſhall hereafter live;
Whene'er the ſons of Thrace, or hoſtile hoſts
885
From other kingdoms ſhall infeſt our coaſts;
'Which well may happen, we must all allow,
As this invaſion that alarms us now?
But ſhould ſome God avert th' impending ill,
Yet greater evils may befall, and will.
890
For when the oldeſt die, as die they muſt,
And our wiſe matrons be transform'd to duſt,
And you, now young, oppreſs'd at last with age,
Shall unprolific tread life's irkſome ſtage:
What wretched mortals ye, who then ſurvive!
895
Who to their labour, then, the ſteers ſhall drive?
Will oxen then their necks ſpontaneous bow
'Beneath the yoke, and drag the ponderous plough?
'Or will they reap the harvest on the plain,
And every autumn houſe the golden grain ?
900
I, tho' preſerv'd to this important day,
(For death from me abhorrent turns away,)
'Yet, ere the ſun compleats his annual round,
'If right I judge, ſhall mingle with the ground,
'Lodg'd in the lap of Earth, at Nature's call,
905
' And 'ſcape the ruin that involves you all.
'Hear then, young damſels, what my years adviſe;
'Before you now the fair occaſion lies:
'Commit your city to theſe ſtrangers' care,
Let them your manſions and poſſeſſions ſhare.'
910
She ſpoke, pleas'd murmurs fill'd the ſpacious hall;
Polyxo's counſel was approv'd by all.
From her fire's throne Hypſipyla aroſe,
Thus in few words the conference to cloſe :
My mates, ſince all this ſage advice commend,
915
An inſtant meſſage to the ſhip I ſend."
She ſaid, and to Iphinoa gave command;
Haſte, find the leader of yon martial band,
"Invite him (of our amity a proof)
To lodge beneath my hoſpitable roof;
920
"There time will furniſh leiſure to relate
"The genius and the manners of our ſtate.
But let his comrades rove, as pleaſure leads,
"And pitch their tents along the fertile meads;
"Or to the tower-defended town repair,
925
"Aſſur'd of ſafety, and our royal care."
Th' aſſembly roſe, as thus the princeſs ſpoke,
Then to the regal dome her way ſhe took.
Iphinoa, mindful of the queen's command,
Approach'd the Minyans ſcatter'd o'er the ſtrand,
930
Who throng'd around her, eager to explore
Wherefore ſhe came, and what commands ſhe bore.
Then thus ſhe ſaid; 'Strangers, to you as friends
Hypſipyla, the ſeed of Thoas, fends
Her faithful herald, with this ſtrict command
935
To find the leader of your martial band;
'Him ſhe invites (of amity a proof)
To lodge beneath her hoſpitable roof:
There time will furnish leisure to relate
The genius, and the manners of our ſtate.
940
But let his comrades rove, as pleaſure leads,
And pitch their tents along the fertile meads;
Or to the tower-defended town repair,
Aſſur'd of ſafety, and the royal care.'
Theſe words were grateful to the warlike band;
945
From her they learn'd whoſe ſceptre rul'd the land;
Inſtant they urg'd their chief's aſſent, and all
Prepar'd obſequious to accept the call.
A mantle doubly lin'd, of purple hue,
The ſon of Eſon o'er his ſhoulders threw.
950
This Pallas gave him, when, with wondrous art,
She plann'd his ſhip, and meaſur'd every part.
'Twere ſafer to ſurvey the radiant globe
Of riſing Phœbus, than this ſplendid robe.
Full in the middle beam'd a crimſon blaze,
955
The verge ſurrounding darted purple rays.
In every part hiſtoric ſcenes were wrought;
The moving figures ſeem'd inform'd with thought.
Here, on their work intent, the Cyclops ſtrove
Eager to forge a thunder-bolt for Jove;
960
Half-rough, half-form'd the glowing engine lay,
And only wanted the fire-darting ray;
And this they hammer'd out on anvils dire;
At each colliſion flaſh'd the fatal fire.
Not diſtant far, in lively colours plann'd,
965
Two brothers, Zethus and Amphion ſtand,
Sons of Antiopa: no turrets crown'd
Thy city, Thebes, but walls were riſing round.
A mountain's rocky ſummit Zethus bore
On his broad back, but ſeem'd to labour ſore.
970
Behind, Amphion tun'd his golden ſhell,
Amphion, deem'd in muſic to excel :
Rocks ſtill purſu'd him as he mov'd along,
Charm'd by the muſic of his magic ſong.
Crown'd with ſoft treſſes, in a fairer field,
975
Gay Venus toy'd with Mars's ſplendid ſhield.
Down from her ſhoulder her expanded veſt
Diſplay'd the ſwelling beauties of her breast.
She in the brazen buckler, glittering bright,
Beheld her lovely image with delight.
980
On a rich plain appear, not diſtant far,
The Taphians, and Electryon's ſons at war;
Fat ſteers the prize for which the ſwains contend,
Thoſe ſtrive to plunder, theſe their herds defend;
The meads were moiſt with blood and roſy dew:
985
The powerful many triumph'd o'er the few.
Two chariots next roll'd lightly o'er the plains,
This Pelops drove, and ſhook the ſounding reins;
Hippodamia at his ſide he view'd:
In the next chariot, Myrtilus purſu'd,
990
And with him Oenomas; approaching near,
At Pelops' back he aim'd the vengeful ſpear;
The faithless axle, as the wheels whirl'd round,
Snapp'd ſhort, and left him ſtretch'd along the ground.
Here young Apollo ſtood, in act to throw
995
The whirring arrow from the twanging bow,
At mighty Tityus aim'd, who baſely ſtrove
To force his mother, erſt belov'd by Jove:
He from fair Elara deriv'd his birth,
Tho' fed and nouriſh'd by prolific Earth.
1000
There Phryxus ſtoop'd to listen to the ram,
On whoſe broad back the Helleſpont he ſwam.
The beast look'd ſpeaking; earnest could you gaze,
The lively piece would charmingly amaze.
Long might you feaſt your eye, and lend an ear,
1005
With pleaſing hope the conference to hear.
Such was the preſent of the blue-ey'd maid-
In his right hand a miſſile lance he ſway'd,
Which Atalanta, to reward the brave,
Sure pledge of friendſhip, to the hero gave,
1010
When on the breezy Mænalus ſhe rov'd,
And wiſh'd the company of him the lov'd;
But he, of ſuitors' amorous ſtrife afraid,
Repreſs'd the fond intention of the maid.
Thus rob'd, thus arm'd, he to the city went,
1015
Bright as a ſtar that gilds the firmament,
Which maids aſſembled view with eager eyes
High o'er their roof in orient beauty riſe.
On the bright ſignal, as it darts its rays,
Attentive they with ſilent tranſport gaze.
1020
Each, with this omen charm'd, expects, tho' late,
Return'd from diſtant climes her deſtin'd mate.
Thus ſhone the chief, for high achievements known,
Majestic as he mov'd to Lemnos' town.
The noble heroines his footſteps meet,
1025
With courteous joy the Grecian gueſt to greet,
Whoſe downcaſt eye ne'er wander'd, till he came
To the proud palace of the royal dame;
Obſequious damſels at the portal wait,
And quick unbar the double-folding gate:
1030
Then thro' the various courts extending wide,
And ſtately rooms, Iphinoa was his guide;
On a bright throne, with rich embroidery grac'd,
Fronting her ſovereign ſhe the hero plac'd.
Th' embarraſs'd queen, her face with blushes ſpread;
1035
In courteous terms addreſs'd the prince, and ſaid:
Why, gentle ſtranger, ſhould your warlike train
At diſtance far, without the walls remain ?
The men who till'd theſe ample fields before,
Now turn rich furrows on the Thracian ſhore.
1040
But hear, while I our matchless woes relate;
So ſhall you know the ſtory of our fate.
When o'er this realm my father Thoas reign'd,
The Lemnian youth, to fraud and rapine train'd,
On Thracian borders ſeiz'd the trembling prey,
1045
And brought whole flocks, and lovely maids away.
This Venus plann'd, with mischievous intent,
'And fierce among them fatal diſcord ſent.
'Their wives they loath'd, and vainly impious led
'War's ſpoils, fair captives, to the lawleſs bed.
1050
'Long we endur'd, forgiving inſults paſt,
'And hop'd the faithleſs would reform at last.
'In vain; each day but doubled our diſgrace,
Our children yielded to a ſpurious race.
'The widow'd mother, the diſfcarded maid,
1055
'Forlorn, neglected thro' the city ſtray'd.
'No tender pity touch'd the parent's breaſt,
To ſee his darling child abus'd, oppreſs'd
Beneath a ſtep-dame's proud, imperious ſway :
'No ſons would then maternal duty pay,
1060
Nor, as before, their mother's cauſe defend;
'No ſiſter then to ſiſter prov'd a friend:
'But the gay troops of Thracian captives fair
'Inthrall'd the men, and challeng'd all their care;
At home, abroad, the firſt, at pleaſure's call,
1065
To ſhare the banquet, and conduct the ball.
'At length, but ſtrange! ſome favouring power divine
In female minds inſpir'd this bold deſign,
'That, when return'd from Thracia's hateful ſhore,
Our roofs theſe traitors might protect no more;
1070
That, thus conſtrain'd, they might forego their
'Or with their captives flee to diſtant climes.
They ſail, return, the few remaining males
'Demand, then quit us with auspicious gales;
And now the frigid fields of Thrace they plough,
1075
'And countries whiten'd with Sithonian ſnow.
'Haſte then, conduct your comrades to the town::
'Here fix your ſeat, and Lemnos is your own.
'And if to high dominion you aſpire,
Reign here, and wield the ſceptre of my ſire.
1080
'You must approve; for not ſo fair a coaſt,
Or iſle ſo fertile can the Ægean boaſt.
Haſte to your friends, and make my pleaſure known,
Nor let them longer lodge without the town.'
Artful ſhe ſpoke, forbearing to relate
1085
How in one night each woman ſlew her mate.
Then Jaſon thus: "Whate'er your bounty grants,
Stores for our voyage, or our preſent wants,
Pleas'd we accept: I to my valiant bands
"Will ſpeed to ſignify your kind commands,
1090
"Then ſoon conduct my comrades to the town:
"But still, Queen, ſtill wear your father's crown.
"Not from diſdain I ſhun imperial ſway, n
"But great achievements call me hence away."
He ſpoke, and gently preſs'd her fair right hand,
1095
Then ſought his comrades ſcatter'd o'er the ſtrand.
Unnumber'd damſels round the hero wait,
Gazing with joy, and follow to the gate;
Then grateful preſents in ſwift cars convey
To the land's margin, where the warriours lay.
1100
When Jaſon now to his adventurous bands
Had ſignified Hypſipyla's commands,
With eager joy the Minyans haſte to ſhare
Her friendly roofs, and hoſpitable fare.
The Queen of Love Theſſalia's chiefs inſpires,
1105
For Vulcan's fake, with amorous deſires;
That Lemnos, Vulcan's ſacred iſle, agen
May flourish, peopled with a race of men.
Great Jaſon haſtens to the regal walls;
The reſt proceed where chance or pleaſure calls,
1110
Save great Alcides; with a choſen train,
Ambitious he in Argo to remain.
Eager with joy the jolly crowds advance
To ſhare the genial feast, or lead the dance;
To Venus' and to Vulcan's fane they throng,
1115
And crown the day with victims and with ſong.
Sunk in ſoft eaſe th' enamour'd heroes lay,
(Their voyage ſtill deferr'd from day to day)
And longer ſtill, and longer had declin'd,
Full loath to leave the lovely place behind,
1120
Had not Alcides, the fair dames apart,
Thus ſpoke incens'd the language of his heart:
'Miſtaken comrades, does our kindred, ſay,
From our own country drive us far away?
Or are we fondly thus enamour'd grown
1125
Of foreign damſels, and deſpiſe our own?
'Here ſhall we ſtay to till the Lemnian fields ?
Small fame to heroes this baſe commerce yields,
No God, propitious to the ſons of Greece,
Without our toil, will grant the golden Fleece.
1130
Our courſe purſue we; for the breeze invites;
And let him revel in Love's ſoft delights,
Who here but ſtays to propagate his kind,
And leave a memorable name behind."
Alcides thus: none dar'd to lift his eye,
1135
To breathe a murmur, or to make reply;
But keenly ſtung with this ſarcaſtic ſtile,
They haſte to leave the lov'd Vulcanian iſſe.
Soon as the damſels their fix'd purpoſe knew,
Around the chiefs in busy crowds they flew.
1140
As bees from ſome deep-cavern'd rock proceed,
Buzz o'er the lilies of the laughing mead,
The ſweets of all ambroſial herbs devour,
And ſuck the ſoul of every fragrant flow'r;
Thus they in ſwarms the parting Greeks addreſs,
1145
With hands ſalute, with ſoothing words careſs;
Then to the Powers above with fervour pray,
Safe to their arms the heroes to convey.
Hypſipyla the hand of Jaſon preſs'd,
And thus with tears the parting chief addreſs'd:
1150
"Adieu! and may you with the ſons of Greece
"Return triumphant with the golden Fleece.
"Here ſhall you then my father's ſceptre ſway,
"And his domains your ſovereign will obey.
"The neighbouring ſtates will furniſh large ſupplies,
1155
"And a vaſt empire by your wisdom riſe.
"But if on nobler plans your thoughts are bent,
"And vainly I preſage the wiſh'd event;
"Abſent or preſent, to my memory kind,
"Still let Hypſipyla poſſeſs your mind.
1160
"And if with offspring heaven ſhould bleſs me, ſay,
"How ſhall I then my Jaſon's will obey?"
The prince beheld the queen with rapturous look,
And thus with mild benevolence beſpoke:
'May theſe events, foredoom'd by heaven's decree,
1165
Succeſsful prove, Hypſipyla, to thee.
But ſtill of Jaſon nobler thoughts retain :
Enough for me o'er my own realms to reign;
May but the powers of heaven (I aſk no more)
Safe reconvey me to my native ſhore.
1170
'If that's denied, and you, my ſource of joy,
Bear, the ſoft token of our loves, a boy;
Him, when mature, in kindness to your friend,
'My parents' ſolace, to Iölcos ſend;
If then perchance the venerable pair
1175
'Survive their woes, and breathe this vital air.
There may he live, from Pelias far remov'd,
By Grecians honour'd, who his father lov'd.
He spoke his last farewell: then firſt aſcends
The ſhip, and with him his illustrious friends.
1180
In their due ſtations plac'd, each ſeiz'd an oar,
While Argus loos'd the cable from the ſhore.
With active ſtrokes the vigorous heroes ſweep
The ſounding boſom of the billowy deep.
As Orpheus counſel'd, and mild evening near,
1185
To Samothrace, Electra's iſle, they ſteer;
That there initiated in rites divine,
Safe might they ſail the navigable brine.
But, Muſe, preſume not of theſe rites to tell :
Farewell, dread iſle! dire deities, farewell!
1190
Let not my verſe theſe myſteries explain;
To name is impious, to reveal profane.
Thence the black main they laſh'd with all their might,
Thrace on their left, and Imbros on the right;
And ſafely, with the now-declining ſun,
1195
To far-projecting Cherſoneſus run.
Then ſtemm'd they, aided by the ſouthern gales,
The ſtormy Helleſpont with swelling ſails,
Left the high-ſurging ſea with morning light,
And reach'd Sigæum with approaching night.
1200
Dardania paſt, and high exalted Ide,
They ſaw Abydos on the ſtormy tide.
Thence ſail'd they by Percote's paſture lands,
Pityëa's meadows, and Abarnis' ſands :
And nightly, favour'd by the friendly blaſt,
1205
The purple-foaming Helleſpont they paſt.
An ancient iſland in Propontis lies,
That towering lifts its ſummit to the ſkies;
Near Phrygia's corn-abounding coaſt it ſtands,
And far-projecting all the main commands;
1210
An iſland this, ſave where the iſthmus chain
Connects both lands, and curbs the boisterous main.
Round its rough ſides the thundering tempeſts roar,
And a ſafe bay is form'd on either ſhore.
Æſepus' waters near this iſthmus fall:
1215
And bordering tribes the mountain Arcton call.
On this rough mountain, barbarous, fierce and bold,
Dwell mighty giants, hideous to behold;
And, wonderful to tell! each monſter ſtands
With ſix huge arms, and ſix rapacious hands;
1220
Two pendent on their ſhaggy ſhoulders grow,
And four deform their horrid ſides below.
The lowland isthmus, verging to the main,
The Dolions till'd, and all the fertile plain.
O'er theſe reign'd Cyzicus the brave, the young,
1225
Who from the gallant warriour, Æneus, ſprung.
The daughter of Euſorus, firſt in fame,
Bore Cyzicus, Æneta was her name.
Secure they liv'd, and free from war's alarms,
Tho' Earth's huge ſons were terrible in arms.
1230
Sprung from the monarch of the hoary tide,
On Neptune's aid the Dolian race rely'd.
To this fair port, with gentle-breathing gales,
This friendly ſhore, Theſſalian Argo ſails.
Here the rope-faſten'd stone they heave on ſhore,
1235
Which ſerv'd as anchor to the ſhip before,e
But now too light, ſo Typhis bids, they bring,
And leave it at the pure Artacian ſpringb
Then chooſe another on the rocky bay,
More ponderous far, the rolling ſhip to ſtay.
1240
There the firſt ſtone unnumber'd years remain'd,
Till, as Apollo's oracle ordain'd,
Th' Ionians found, with rites mysterious grac'd,
And ſacred to Jaſonian Pallas plac'd.
Soon as the Dolians, near approaching, knew
1245
Theſſalian Argo, and the godlike crew,
Led on by Cyzicus they haſte to meet
The princely band, and amicably greet;
Invite them down the winding bay to fall,
And fix their cable near the city-wall.
1250
Thus friendly treated, the Pelaſgic train
Strive with their oars th' interiour port to gain.
Then firſt Ecbaſian Phœbus they adore,
And rear an altar on the ſounding ſhore.
To them the king diſpatch'd, with heart benign,
1255
Fat ſheep, and ſtrong, exhilarating wine.
For thus the ſacred oracle foretold,
'When here arrives a band of heroes bold,
'With kind complacence treat the godlike crew,
'Meet not in arms, but pay them honours due!'
1260
Scarce had the down the monarch's cheeks o'erſpread;
No children yet had bleſs'd the nuptial bed.
Clita, his lovely queen, the young, the fair, brea
Renown'd for beauty, and her golden hair,
Sprung from Percoſian Merops, ſtill remains:
1265
A ſtranger to Lucina's cruel pains.
Late from her father's court the king convey'd,
With ample dower enrich'd, the blameless maid;
Yet he neglects the genial bed, and feaſts,
All fears far baniſhing, with foreign gueſts.
1270
Oft he enquires of Pelias' ſtern command,
And why the heroes left their native land.
As oft they aſk'd what cities neighbouring lay,
And in Propontis which the ſafeſt bay.
But ſcanty knowledge could the king beſtow,
1275
Tho' it behov'd them much theſe truths to know,
When morning rose, the Dindymean ſteep
Some mount, to view the navigable deep,
And all its winding bays; the road they came
They honour'd with illustrious Jaſon's name.
1280
The chiefs, who choſe aboard the ſhip to ſtay,
Remov'd her from the moorings where ſhe lay.
Mean while the ſons of Earth, a numerous train,
From their bleak mountains rush into the plain,
Beſiege the pervious bay, and ſtrive to block
1285
Its mouth with maſſy fragments from the rock;
Intending there Theffalia's pine to keep
Hemm'd up, like ſome huge monster of the deep.
But Hercules remain'd; his bow he drew, mom
And heaps of giants with his arrows ſlew.
1290
The reſt enrag'd, rough, rocky fragments tore,
Hurl'd high in air, and thunder'd from the ſhore.
(This labour ſtill for Hercules remain'd,
By Juno, Jove's imperial queen, ordain'd)
And fiercely now the glowing battle burn'd,
1295
When lo! the chiefs from Dindymus return'd,
Attack'd the deſperate giants in the rear,
And dealt deſtruction with the dart and ſpear;
Till Earth's fierce ſons, defil'd with wounds and gore,
Dropp'd dead; their bodies cover'd half the ſhore.
1300
As near the ſea's broad brink, with sturdy ſtrokes,
Aſſiduous woodmen fell aſpiring oaks;
Then draw them in due order from the flood,
And thus well drench'd they cleave with eaſe the wood:
Thus at the entrance of the hoary bay,
1305
The frequent corſe of many a giant lay;
Some, tumbled headlong, made the sea their grave,
While their legs roſe above the briny wave;
Some o'er the ſands their horrid viſage ſhow,
Their feet deep-rooted in the mud below.
1310
Thus their huge trunks afford abundant fare
To Neptune's fiſhes, and the birds of air.
Soon as concluded was the bloody fray,
And favouring breezes call'd the chiefs away,
They loos'd; o'er ſwelling ocean ſouthern gales
1315
Breath'd all day long, and fill'd their bellying ſails. A
Night roſe, the favouring gales no longer laſt,
The ſhip drives backward with the ſtormy blaſt. V
Again they harbour on the friendly coaſt,
Where late the Dolians entertain'd the host;
1320
And round the rock the ſteady cable bind,
The rock ev'n now to ſacred fame conſign'd.
Here thro' the gloom of night again they came,
And knew not that the country was the ſame.
Nor knew the Dolians, ſo dark night prevail'd,
1325
That back to Cyzicum the Greeks had ſail'd;.
But deem'd the chiefs a band of Macrian foes:
To arms they call, and force to force oppoſe.
A gleamy luſtre glanc'd along the field,
While ſpear met ſpear, and shield encounter'd ſhield.
1330
In ſun-ſcorch'd bushes thus the bickering blaze
Flames forth, and crackling on the branches preys.
Dire was the conflict; on the fatal plain
Their prince, alas ! was number'd with the ſlain,
His queen and bridal bed beheld he ne'er again.
1335
For Jaſon ſpy'd the prince advancing near,
And thro' his boſom plung'd the furious ſpear;"
The ribs it broke, and circumſcrib'd his date,
Wing'd with th' inevitable will of Fate.
Fate, like a wall, devoted man ſurrounds,
1340
And faſt confines him in its circling bounds.
Himſelf he deem'd, in that diſorder'd fight,.
Vainly he deem'd! protected by the night:
The favouring night, alas! produc'd his bane,
And chiefs unnumber'd with their prince were ſlain.
1345
For Hercules, with his all-conquering bow,
Diſpatch'd Telecles to the ſhades below,
And Megabrontes: by Acaſtus' hand
Pale Sphodris lay extended on the ſtrand.
Peleus to Pluto's dark dominions gave
1350
Zelys the hardy, and Gephyrus brave.
Bold Telamon, well-ſkill'd the lance to wield,
Left Baſileus expiring on the field.
Next Idas vanquiſh'd Promeus by his ſide;
By warlike Clytius Hyacinthus died.
1355
Fair Leda's ſons, in bloody combat ſkill'd,
Fierce Megaloſſacus and Phlogius kill'd.
And Meleager added two to theſe,
Itymoneus and valiant Artaces.
Theſe all were chiefs in fighting fields approv'd,
1360
Deplor'd as heroes, and as brothers lov'd.
The reſt for ſafety on their flight rely;
(As trembling doves before the falcon fly)
Then to the city-gates tumultuous preſs,
And raiſe the piercing cry of deep diſtreſs;
1365
The city mourn'd: they deem'd, return'd from far,
That hoſtile Macrians had renew'd the war.
But when the roſy morn began to wake,
All found their irretrievable miſtake.
Heart-rending grief oppreſs'd the Grecian train,
1370
To ſee the hoſpitable monarch ſlain,
A clay-cold corſe, extended on the ſhore,
Deform'd with dust, and all beſmear'd with gore.
The Greeks and Dolians, ſunk in deep deſpair,
Mourn three long days, and rend their graceful hair.
1375
A tomb they rear upon the riſing ground,
And clad in brazen arms thrice march around;
Then for the monarch, on Limonia's plain,
Of rites obſervant, funeral-games ordain.
There ſtands the tomb, adorn'd with honours due,
1380
Which diſtant ages will with ſorrow view.
When the ſad news at Clita's ear arriv'd,
Not long the queen her monarch's fate ſurviv'd;
But woe augmenting, round her neck ſhe tied
The nooſe diſhoneſt, and unſeemly died.
1385
Her mournful dirge the weeping Dryads ſung,
While Dindymus with lamentations rung;
And all the tears that from their eye-lids fell,
The Gods transform'd, in pity, to a well;
In cryſtal ſtreams it murmurs ſtill, and weeps,
1390
And ſtill the name of wretched Clita keeps.
A day ſo difinal, ſo replete with woes,
Till this ſad day, to Dolians never roſe.
Deep, deep immers'd in ſorrow they remain'd,
And all from life-ſupporting food abſtain'd;
1395
Save ſuch poor pittance as man's needs require,
Of corn unground, or unprepar'd by fire.
And annual, on this day, the Dolians ſtill
Sift coarſeſt meal, and at the public mill.
Thenceforth twelve days and nights dire ſtorms
1400
Nor could the chiefs unfurl the ſwelling ſail.
The following night, by ſleep's ſoft power oppreſs'd,
Once more in Cyzicum the heroes reſt;
Mopſus alone and brave Acaſtus keep
The watch nocturnal, while their comrades ſleep;
1405
When, lo! a Halcyon, of cerulean hue,
O'er the fair head of ſlumbering Jaſon flew,
In airy circles, wondrous to behold,
And, ſcreaming loud, the ceaſing ſtorm foretold.
The grateful ſound attentive Mopſus heard,
1410
And mark'd the meaning of the ſea-bred bird;
(Which gently riſing from the deck below,
Perch'd on the ſummit of th' aerial prow)
Then rous'd he Jaſon from his fleecy bed,
Of sheeps' ſoft ſkins compos'd, and thus he ſaid;
1415
O ſon of Æſon, hear! be this thy care,
'Haſte, to the fane of Dindymus repair;
There Cybele with ſacrifice implore,
So will the winds tempestuous ceaſe to roar.
For this proclaim'd the boding Halcyon true,
1420
As round thee, ſunk in deep repoſe, ſhe flew.
By Cybele's dread power the vaſt profound,
And all the winds in harmony are bound.
By her ſubſiſts prolific earth below,
And high Olympus, ever crown'd with snow.
1425
'Jove yields, when the aſcends the courts of day,
'And all the powers immortal own her ſway."
To Jaſon thus the venerable ſeer;
And welcome came the tidings to his ear.
Inſtant the chief, exulting with a bound,
1430
Sprung from the bed, and wak'd his comrades round.
Elate with joy his looks, his words unfold
The glad preſage which Mopſus had foretold,
Then from the ſtalls the youths appointed drove
Selected oxen to the heights above.
1435
Some from the rock unloos'd the corded ſtay,
And with fleet oars approach'd the Thracian bay.
From thence the top of Dindymus they gain'd;
Few were the heroes that aboard remain'd:
By thoſe the Macrian rocks, and Thracian land
1440
Directly oppoſite, appear'd at hand;
The Thracian Bosphorus here, involv'd in ſhade,
And Myſia's riſing mountains were ſurvey'd;
There, where his waters black Æſepus pours,
Nepea's plain, and Adraſteia's tow'rs.
1445
A vine's vaſt trunk adorn'd with branches ſtood,
Though old, yet ſound, and long had grac'd the wood:
This trunk they hew'd, and made, by Argus' ſkill,
An image of the Goddess of the hill;
Which on the rocky eminence they plac'd,
1450
With the thick boughs of circling beeches grac'd.
They rear an altar, then, on riſing ground,
Of stones that readieſt lay, and wide around
Diſpoſe the branches of the ſacred oak,
And Dindymus's deity invoke,
1455
The guardian power of Phrygia's hills and woods,
The venerable mother of the Gods.
On Tityas and Cyllenus too they call,
Of all her priests moſt lov'd, and honour'd most of all:
For ſkill prophetic they alone are fam'd;
1460
Idean Dactyli theſe priests are nam'd;
Both whom Anchiala in Dicte's cave
Brought forth, where chill Oaxis rolls his wave.
While on the burning victims Jaſon pours
Libations due, the Goddess he implores
1465
To ſmile propitious on the Grecian train,
And ſtill the tempeſts of the roaring main.
Then Orpheus call'd, and youthful chiefs advance,
All clad in arms, to lead the martial dance;
With claſhing ſwords they clatter'd on their ſhields,
1470
And fill'd with feſtive ſounds th' aerial fields.
Loſt in theſe ſounds was every doleful ſtrain,
And their loud wailings for their monarch ſlain.
The Phrygians ſtill their Goddess' favour win
By the revolving wheel and timbrel's din.-
1475
Of theſe pure rites the mighty mother ſhow'd
Her mind approving, by theſe ſigns beſtow'd;
Boughs bend with fruit, Earth from her boſom pours
Herbs ever green, and voluntary flow'rs.
Fierce foreſt-beasts forſake the lonely den,
1480
Approach with gentleneſs, and fawn on men.
A pleaſing omen, and more wondrous ſtill
The Goddess gave: the Dindymean hill,
That ne'er knew water on its airy brow,
Burſts into ſtreams, and founts perennial flow.
1485
This wonder ſtill the Phrygian ſhepherds ſing,
And give the name of Jaſon to the ſpring.
Then on the mount the chiefs the feaſt prolong,
And praiſe the venerable queen in ſong.
But when the morning roſe, they plied their oars,
1490
- And, the wind ceaſing, left the Phrygian ſhores.
Then fair contention fir'd the princely train,
Who beſt the toil of rowing could ſuſtain.
For now the howling ſtorm was lull'd to ſleep;
Etherial mildneſs had compos'd the deep.
1495
On the calm ſea the labouring chiefs rely'd;
Fleet flew the ſhip along the yielding tide;
Not Neptune's ſteeds ſo ſwift, with looſen'd reins,
Skim the light level of the liquid plains.
But when with even-tide the bluſtering breeze
1500
Brush'd the broad boſom of the ſwelling ſeas,
The wearied chiefs their toilſome courſe repreſs'd,
And all, ſave great Alcides, ſunk to reſt.
Swift thro' the waves his arm unaided drew
The ſhip, deep-laden with the drowſy crew.
1505
Thro' all her planks the well-compacted pine
Shook, as his oar dispers'd the foamy brine.
But ſoon the heroes view'd the Myſian ſhore,
As by the mouth of Rhyndacus they bore.
On Phrygia's fields a wiſhful look they caſt,
1510
And huge Ægæon's promontory paſs'd,
When great Alcides, at one luckleſs ſtroke,
His oar, hard ſtraining, near the middle broke.
One part was ſwallow'd in the whelming main,
One, though he fell, his grasping hands retain;
1515
Backward he fell, but ſoon his ſeat regain'd,
And, loathing reſt, in mute amaże remain'd.
What time the weary labourer, wanting reſt,
Hies to his cot with pining fast oppreſs'd;
Ev'n in the entrance of his rural door
1520
His tottering knees he bends, and moves no more;
His duſty limbs he views, and callous hands,
And curſes hunger's inſolent demands:
Then, nor till then, the chiefs to Chius row,
Chius, whoſe ſtreams around Arganthon flow.
1525
The friendly Myſians on their peaceful coaſt
Receive with hospitality the host,
Abundant ſtores they ſend, with hearts benign,
Fat ſheep, and ſtrong exhilarating wine.
Some bring dry wood, and ſome in order ſpread
1530
Soft leaves and herbage for a ſpacious bed;
Some from the flint elicit living fire;
Some mix the wines that generous deeds inſpire:
The feast they crown, and rites to Phœbus pay,
Ecbaſian Phœbus, at the cloſe of day.
1535
But Hercules the genial feaſt declin'd,
And ſought the wood, a fitting oar to find.
Nor long he ſought before a fir he found;
Few leaves adorn'd it, and few branches crown'd;
Yet as the poplar's ſtem aſpires on high,
1540
This fir, ſo ſtout and tall, attracts his eye.
On the green graſs his bow he laid aſide,
His arrowy quiver, and the lion's hide.
Firſt with his club the ſolid ſoil he ſhook,
Then in both arms, aſſur'd, the fir-tree took;
1545
Firm on his feet he stood, with bended knee;
His big broad ſhoulder lean'd against the tree;
Then heav'd it up, deep-rooted in the ground,
Clogg'd with the foil's impediments around.
As when, beneath Orion's wintry reign,
1550
The ſudden tempeſt ruſhes from the main,
Some tall ſhip's maſt it tears, and every ſtay,
And all the cordage, all the ſails away :
Thus he the trunk; then took, in haſte to go,
The hide, the club, his arrows and his bow.
1555
Meanwhile, preparing for his friend's return
A ready ſupper, with his brazen urn
Alone rov'd Hylas o'er the fields, to bring
The pureſt water from the ſacred ſpring.
For to ſuch taſks Alcides train'd his ſquire,
1560
Whom firſt he took an infant from his ſire
Theodamas; but him with ſword ſevere
He ſlew, who churliſh had refus'd a ſteer.
For when Theodamas, oppreſs'd with care,
Turn'd the freſh furrow with his ſhining ſhare,
1565
He diſobey'd, ah wretch! the chief's command,
Who claim'd the labouring ox that till'd the land.
But know, Alcides ſought for cauſe to bring
War on Dryopia's kingdom and the king,
For barbarous acts, and rights neglected long.
1570
But rove not, Muſe, digreſſive from the ſong.
Soon faithful Hylas to the fountain came,
Which Myſian ſhepherds cryſtal Pegæ name;
It chanc'd the nymphs, in neighbouring ſtreams that
Then kept a concert at the ſacred well.
1575
In Dian's praiſe they rais'd the nightly ſong,
All who to high, aerial hills belong;
All who in caverns hide, or devious rove
The mountain-foreſt, or the ſhady grove.
When from her ſpring, unſullied with a ſtain,
1580
Roſe F.phydatia, to attend the train,
The form of Hylas rush'd upon her ſight,
In every grace of blushing beauty bright:
For the full moon a beamy luſtre ſhed,
And heighten'd all the honours of his head.
1585
Fir'd with love's ſudden flame, by Venus rais'd,
The frantic naiad languiſh'd as ſhe gaz'd :
And ſoon as, ſtooping to receive the tide,
He to the ſtream his brazen urn apply'd,
In guſh'd the foaming waves; the nymph with joy
1590
Sprung from the deep to kiss the charming boy.
Her left arm round his lovely neck ſhe threw,
And with her right hand to the bottom drew,
Firſt Polyphemus heard, as wandering nigh
This fatal fount, the youth's diſtreſsful cry,
1595
(In ſearch of Hercules he rov'd the wood)
And hied with haſty footsteps to the flood.
As when a lion from his cavern'd rock,
At diſtance hears the bleatings of the flock,
To ſeize his prey he ſprings, with hunger bold,
1600
But faithful ſhepherds had ſecur'd the fold;
Defeated of his prize, he roars amain,
Rends his hoarſe throat, and terrifies the ſwain:
Thus Polyphemus call'd with voice profound,
And vainly anxious rov'd the foreſt round.
1605
At length retreating, he the path explor'd
Thro' which he came, and drew his truſty ſword,
Leſt ſavage beaſts ſhould ſeize him for their prey,
Or nightly robbers intercept his way.
And as he brandiſh'd the bright burnish'd blade,
1610
He met Alcides in the gloomy ſhade,
Unknown at first, but as he nearer drew,
His friend returning to the ſhip he knew.
Though his breath falters, and his ſpirits fail,
He thus reveals the melancholy tale:
1615
Hard is my lot, and much averſe my will,
To be the firſt ſad meſſenger of ill;
Young Hylas went to fetch freſh water late,
Not yet return'd, I tremble for his fate :
By robbers ſeiz'd or beaſts, 'tis hard to gueſs;
1620
'I heard his cry, the ſignal of diſtreſs :'
Thus he: the ſweat from great Alcides flow'd,
And the black blood thro' all his body glow'd:
Enrag'd, the fir-tree on the ground he threw,
And, where his feet or frenzy hurried, flew.
1625
As when a bull, whom galling gadflies wound,
Forſakes the meadows, and the marſhy ground,
The flowery food, the herd and herdſmen ſhuns,
Now ſtands ſtock-ſtill, and reſtleſs now he runs;
Stung by the breeſe, he maddens with the pain,
1630
Toſſes aloft his head, and roars amain :
Thus ran the raging chief with matchless force,
Then ſudden ſtopp'd he, wearied with the courſe.
Anxious in vain, he rov'd the forest round,
The diſtant hills and vales his voice rebound.
1635
Now o'er the lofty mountains roſe in view
The morning-ſtar, and mildeſt breezes blew :
That inſtant Tiphys bade the heroes ſail,
Aſcend the veſſel, and enjoy the gale.
The ready crew obey the pilot's word,
1640
Their anchor weigh, and haul the cords aboard;
Then give the ſtretching canvaſs to the wind,
And leave the Poſidean rocks behind,
When from the roſy orient, beaming bright,
Aurora tipp'd the foot-worn paths with light;
1645
And o'er moiſt meads the glittering dew-drops ſhin'd,
They miſs'd those friends their folly left behind.
Then roſe contention keen, and pungent grief,
For thus abandoning their braveſt chief.
In ſilence Jaſon ſat, and long ſuppreſs'd,
1650
Though griev'd, the labouring anguiſh of his breaſt.
Brave Telamon, with anger kindling, ſpoke;
'Mute is thy tongue, and unconcern'd thy look:
To leave unconquer'd Hercules behind
Was a baſe project, and by thee deſign'd;
1655
Left, when to Greece we ſteer the ſailing pine,
'His brighter glories ſhould out-dazzle thine,
But words avail not-I renounce the band,
Whoſe ſelfiſh wiles this ſtratagem have plann'd;'
Thus ſpoke Æacides, inflam'd with ire,
1660
His eye-balls ſparkling like the burning fire;
On Tiphys then, by rage impell'd, he flew :
And once more Myſia had receiv'd the crew;
Again the heroes the ſame courſe had ſail'd,
Though roaring winds and raging waves prevail'd,
1665
Had not bold Boreas' ſons the chief address'd,
And, nobly daring, his rough rage repreſs'd.
(Ill fated youths! for that heroic deed
Doom'd by the hands of Hercules to bleed.
For when returning home their course they ſped,
1670
From funeral games perform'd for Pelias dead,
In ſea-girt Tenos he the brothers ſlew,
And o'er their graves in heapy hillocks threw
The crumbling mould; then with two columns crown'd,
Erected high the death-devoted ground;
1675
And one ſtill moves, how marvellous the tale !
With every motion of the Northern gale-
But theſe are facts reſerv'd for future years)
Lo! ſudden, Glaucus to their ſight appears,
Prophet of Nereus, riſing from the main,
1680
Moſt ſkill'd of all his fate-foretelling train.
High o'er the waves he rear'd his ſhaggy head,
With his ſtrong hand the rudder ſeiz'd, and ſaid:
'Why ſtrive ye thus, tho' Jove's high will withſtands,
To bear Alcides to the Colchian lands?
1685
'He muſt at Argos, ſo the fates ordain,
'And ſo Eurystheus has decreed, ſuſtain
'Twelve mighty labours, thence be rais'd above,
'To high Olympus, and the court of Jove,
'Ceaſe for Amphytrion's ſon, your murmurs ceaſe,
1690
'And lull the ſorrows of your fouls to peace.
'In Myſia, where meandering Chius ſtrays,
'Muſt Polyphemus a proud city raiſe;
Then, mid' the Calybes, a deſperate clan,
Expires on Scythian plains the gallant man.
1695
But ſtrange is Hylas' fate: his youthful charms
'Entic'd a nymph, who claſp'd him in her arms.
'Now the bleſt pair the bands of Hymen bind;
In ſearch of him the chiefs are left behind.'
This ſaid, he plung'd into the gulf profound,
1700
The purple ocean foam'd in eddies round,
The God deſcending with reſiſtleſs ſway,
Impell'd the hollow veſſel on her way.
The chiefs rejoic'd this prodigy to view,
And inſtant Telamon to Jaſon flew
1705
In friendly fort, and in his right he took
The prince's hand, and thus embracing ſpoke :
Illuſtrious chief, let not thine anger riſe
'At aught I ſaid impetuous and unwiſe.
'Grief for my friend has made me indiſcreet,
1710
And utter words for Jaſon's ear unmeet;
'Thoſe to the winds wide-ſcattering let us give,
And, as before, in friendly concord live.'
Then Jaſon thus; "Thy cenſures wound my mind,
"Which ſay, I left the braveſt Greek behind.
1715
Yet though thy words reproachful guilt ſuggeſt,
Rage dwells not long in Jaſon's generous breast;
"Since not for flocks or riches we contend,
"But a bold hero, and a faithful friend.
And thou, I trust, if reaſon calls, wilt be
1720
"As firm and warm an advocate for me."
He ſpoke; and now, the hateful conteſt o'er,
The chiefs reſum'd the ſeats they held before.
But for thoſe heroes, whom they left behind,
By Jove's decree are various cares deſign'd.
1725
Nam'd from its ſtream, the boast of future days,
Muſt one on Myſian plains a city raiſe :
One (great Alcides) other toils muſt ſhare,
And learn Euriſtheus' ſtern commands to bear.
Long time he threaten'd, for his Hylas loſt,
1730
Inſtant deſtruction to the Myſian coaſt,
Unleſs the Myſians to his arms reſtor'd,
Alive or dead, the partner of his board.
Of all their bands the choiceſt youths they choſe,
And them as pledges of their faith propoſe;
1735
Then ſwore they all, their ſearch ſhould never end,
Till haply they had found the hero's friend.
Still to this day the fond Cianians ſeek
(All who at Trachin dwell) the lovely Greek.
For beauteous youths, to Trachin's walls convey'd,
1740
Were there as pledges to Alcides paid.
Meanwhile all day and night briſk breezes blew,
Fleet o'er the foaming flood the veſſel flew;
But when the dawn gave promiſe of the day,
The winds expiring gently died away.
1745
A land projecting o'er the bay below
The chiefs diſcover'd, and to this they row;
This peaceful port awhile the Minyans choſe,
And, as they reach'd it, grateful morning roſe.
The Argonautica, translated by R. C. Seaton and modernized by OpenAI 5.6 Sol (OCR draft) Experimental (R. C. Seaton's English translation of Apollonius Rhodius, published by Harvard University Press in 1912 and modernized by OpenAI 5.6 Sol in 2026.) — 1 focus
1.1-1.4
1
Beginning with you, Phoebus, I will recount the famous deeds of ancient heroes who, at King Pelias’s command, sailed the well-benched Argo down through the mouth of Pontus and between the Cyanean rocks in quest of the golden fleece.
1.5-1.17
Such was the oracle that Pelias heard, that a hateful fate awaited him—to be killed at the prompting of the man whom he should see coming forth from the people wearing only one sandal. And not long afterward, 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 immediately 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 any chance of returning home.
1.18-1.22
As earlier poets relate, Argus built the ship under Athena’s guidance. But now I will tell the lineage and the names of the heroes, and of the long sea-paths and the deeds they performed in their wanderings; may the Muses be the inspirers of my song!
1.23-1.34
First then let us name Orpheus whom once Calliope bore, 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 command of Cheiron, Orpheus ruler of Bistonian Pieria.
1.35-1.39
Immediately came Asterion, whom Cometes fathered by the waters of eddying Apidanus; he lived at Peiresiae near the Phylleian mount, where mighty Apidanus and bright Enipeus join their streams, coming together from afar.
1.40-1.44
Next to them from Larisa came Polyphemus, son of Eilatus, who formerly 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.
1.45-1.48
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 led him to join in the host.
1.49-1.50
Nor did Admetus, the lord of Pherae rich in sheep, stay behind beneath the peak of the Chalcodonian mount.
1.51-1.56
51
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 relative Aethalides went as the third; him near the streams of Amphrysus Eupolemeia bore, the daughter of Myrmidon, from Phthia; the two others were sprung from Antianeira, daughter of Menetes.
1.57-1.64
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.
1.65-1.68
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 lived at Dolopian Ctimene near the Xynian lake.
1.69-1.70
Moreover Actor sent his son Menoetius from Opus that he might accompany the chiefs.
1.71-1.76
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.
1.77-1.85
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 are, 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.
1.86-1.89
To him Clytius and Iphitus joined themselves, the guards 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.
1.90-1.94
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 killed their brother Phocus. Telamon lived in the Attic island; but Peleus departed and made his home in Phthia.
1.95-1.104
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.
1.105-1.114
105
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, made it by her counsels. Therefore it proved the most excellent of all ships that have made trial of the sea with oars.
1.115-1.117
After them came Phlias from Araethyrea, where he lived in affluence by the favour of his father Dionysus, in his home by the springs of Asopus.
1.118-1.121
From Argos came Talaus and Areius, sons of Bias, and mighty Leodocus, all of whom Pero daughter of Neleus bore; on her account the Aeolid Melampus endured great suffering in the farm of Iphiclus.
1.122-1.132
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 readied 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.
1.133-1.138
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, bore Nauplius, who surpassed all men in naval skill.
1.139-1.145
Idmon came last of all them that lived at Argos, 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 fathered him to be numbered among the illustrious Aeolids; and himself taught him the are of prophecy—to pay heed to birds and to observe the signs of the burning sacrifice.
1.146-1.150
Moreover Aetolian Leda sent from Sparta strong Polydeuces and Castor, skilled to guide swift-footed steeds; these her dearly-loved sons she bore at one birth in the house of Tyndareus; nor did she forbid their departure; for she had thoughts worthy of the bride of Zeus.
1.151-1.155
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.
1.156-1.160
156
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.
1.161-1.171
Moreover from Arcadia came Amphidamas and Cepheus, who inhabited Tegea and the allotment of Apheidas, two sons of Aleus; 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. Ancaeus 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.
1.172-1.178
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.
1.179
Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came from Achaean Pellene, which once Pelles their grandsire founded on the brows of Aegialus.
1.180-1.184
After them from Taenarus came Euphemus whom, most swift-footed of men, Europe, daughter of mighty Tityos, bore to Poseidon. He used 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.
1.185-1.189
Yes, 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 sea-craft and in war.
1.190-1.201
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 bore 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 think, except Heracles, if for one year more he had stayed and been nurtured among the Aetolians. Yes, and his uncle, well skilled to fight whether with the javelin or hand to hand, Iphiclus son of Thestius, accompanied him on his way.
1.202-1.206
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. Therefore he was numbered among all the chiefs, winning fame for Jason.
1.207-1.210
207
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 halls.
1.211-1.223
Next came Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas, whom once Oreithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, bore to Boreas on the verge of wintry Thrace; there it was that Thracian Boreas snatched her away from Cecropia as she was whirling in the dance, hard by Ilissus' 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, here and there, their dark tresses were being shaken by the wind.
1.224-1.227
No, nor had Acastus son of mighty Pelias himself any will to stay behind in the palace of his brave father, nor Argus, helper of the goddess Athena; but they too were ready to be numbered in the host.
1.228-1.233
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.
1.234-1.241
Now when all things had been made ready by the servants, all things that fully-equipped ships are furnished as well 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:
1.242-1.246
"King Zeus, what is the purpose of Pelias? Where 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 deadly 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."
1.247-1.250
Thus they spoke 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:
1.251-1.259
"Wretched Alcimede, evil has come to you at last though late, you have 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 young woman 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."
1.260-1.277
260
Thus the women spoke at the departure of the heroes. And now many servants, 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 deadly old age, lying on his bed, closely wrapped round. But the hero immediately soothed their pain, encouraging them, and told the servants to 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 young woman all alone weeps, falling fondly on the neck of her gray 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 spoke as follows:
1.278-1.294
"Would that on that day when, wretched woman that I am, I heard King Pelias proclaim his evil command, I had immediately given up my life and forgotten my cares, so that you yourself, my son, with your own hands, might have buried me; for that was the only wish left me still to be fulfilled by you, all the other rewards for your nurture have I long enjoyed. Now I, once so admired among Achaean women, will be left behind like a bondwoman in my empty halls, pining away, ill-fated one, for love of you, you on whose account I had formerly 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 my dreams did I foresee this, that the flight of Phrixus would bring me sorrow."
1.295
Thus with moaning she wept, and her handmaidens, standing by, lamented; but Jason spoke gently to her with comforting words:
1.296-1.305
"Do not, please, mother, store up bitter sorrows too much, for you will not redeem me from evil by tears, but will still add grief to grief. For unseen are the woes that the gods mete out to mortals; be strong to endure your share of them though with grief in your 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 heroes. But you remain here, quiet among your attendants, and be not a bird of ill omen to the ship; and there my clansmen and servants will follow me."
1.306-1.316
He spoke, 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 Lycia 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.
1.317-1.331
317
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 Acastus 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 told everyone to sit 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 spoke Aeson's son:
1.332-1.340
"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."
1.341-1.344
Thus he spoke; and the young heroes turned their eves 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:
1.345-1.347
"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."
1.348-1.350
Thus he spoke with high thoughts, and they assented, as Heracles had instructed; and warlike Jason himself rose up, glad at heart, and thus addressed the eager throng:
1.351-1.362
"If you 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 immediately prepare a feast. And until my servants come, the overseers of my farm, whose care it is to choose out oxen from the herd and drive them here, we will drag down the ship to the sea, and 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
1
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."
1.363-1.393
He spoke, 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,
2
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 hurried 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.
1.394-1.401
394
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 lived 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.
1.402-1.410
Next, piling up shingle near the sea, they raised there an altar on the shore to Apollo, under the name of Actius
3
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:
1.411-1.424
"Hear, King, that dwellest in Pagasae and the city Aesonis, the city called by my father's name, you who did promise me, when I sought your oracle at Pytho, to show the fulfilment and goal of my journey, for you yourself have been the cause of my venture; now you yourself guide the ship with my comrades safe and sound, there and back again to Hellas. Then in your honour hereafter we will lay again on your 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 You for this ship on our embarcation; and grant, King, that with a prosperous fate I may loose the hawsers, relying on your counsel, and may the breeze blow softly with which we will sail over the sea in fair weather."
1.425-1.439
He spoke, 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 struck 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 spoke outright the will of Leto's son:
1.440-1.447
"For you it is the will of heaven and destiny that you will 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."
1.448-1.462
448
Thus he spoke; 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 gray 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:
1.463-1.471
"Son of Aeson, what is this plan you are turning over in mind. Speak out your thought in the midst. Does fear come on and master you, fear, that confounds cowards? Be witness now my impetuous spear, with which in wars I win renown beyond all others (nor does Zeus aid me so much as my own spear), that no sorrow will be fatal, no venture will be unachieved, while Idas follows, even though a god should oppose you. Such a helpmeet am I that you bring from Arene."
1.472-1.475
He spoke, 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:
1.476-1.484
"Vain wretch, you are devising destruction for yourself before the time. Does the pure wine cause your bold heart to swell in your breast to your ruin, and has it set you on to dishonour the gods? Other words of comfort there are with which a man might encourage his comrade; but you have spoken with utter recklessness. Such taunts, the tale goes, did the sons of Aloeus once blurt out against the blessed gods, and you in no way equal them in valour; nevertheless they were both killed by the swift arrows of Leto's son, mighty though they were."
1.485-1.486
Thus he spoke, and Aphareian Idas laughed out, loud and long, and eyeing him askance replied with biting words:
1.487-1.491
"Come now, tell me this by your prophetic are, whether for me too the gods will bring to pass such fate as your father promised for the sons of Aloeus. And bethink you how you will escape from my hands alive, if you are caught making a prophecy vain as the idle wind."
1.492-1.495
Thus in anger 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.
1.496-1.511
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, lived 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.
1.512-1.518
512
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 thought them of sleep in the darkness.
1.519-1.558
Now when gleaming dawn with bright eyes saw 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, yes 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 Ancaeus 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 perhaps 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 struck 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 sailed 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 saw 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 return home!" And with him his wife, bearing Peleus' son Achilles on her arm, showed the child to his dear father.
1.559-1.579
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 mast-box, 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 father, who has 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 his shrill reed; so these fishes followed; and a chasing breeze ever bore the ship onward.
1.580-1.591
580
And immediately 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
4
of Argo.
1.592-1.608
From there 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 saw Eurymenae and the sea-washed 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, until 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.
1.609-1.639
Here the whole of the men of the people together had been ruthlessly killed 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 anger of Cypris came upon them, because for a long time they had grudged her the honours due. unfortunate 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 afterward 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 perhaps 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 formerly. Yet for all that did they often gaze over the broad sea, in terrible fear against the Thracians' coming. So when they saw Argo being rowed near the island, immediately 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 thought 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.
1.640-1.652
640
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 father, 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 fate 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.
1.653-1.656
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 immediately she spoke among them with stirring words:
1.657-1.666
"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 committed a terrible deed and in no way 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 here."
1.667-1.674
Thus she spoke 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, unmarried, crowned with white hair. And she stood in the midst of the assembly and from her bent back she feebly raised her neck and spoke thus:
1.675-1.696
"Gifts, as Hypsipyle herself wishes, let us send to the strangers, for it is better to give them. But for you what device have you 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 you younger ones, without children, reach hateful old age. How then will you live, unfortunate ones? Will your oxen of their own accord yoke themselves for the deep ploughlands and draw the earth-cleaving share through the fallow, and immediately, as the year comes round, reap the harvest? Assuredly, though the fates until now have shunned me in horror, I think 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 you trust to the strangers the care of your homes and all your stock and your glorious city."
1.697-1.699
697
Thus she spoke, and the assembly was filled with clamour. For the word pleased them. And after her immediately Hypsipyle rose up again, and thus spoke in reply.
1.700-1.701
"If this purpose please you all, now will I even send a messenger to the ship."
1.702-1.707
She spoke and addressed Iphinoe close at hand: "Go, Iphinoe, and beg over there 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."
1.708-1.711
She spoke, and dismissed the assembly, and afterward 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:
1.712-1.716
"The young woman 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 you wish it, immediately enter the land and the city with friendly intent."
1.717-1.720
Thus she spoke and the speech of good omen pleased all. And they thought 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.
1.721-1.729
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 would you cast your eyes upon the sun at its rising than behold that blazing splendour. For indeed in the middle the fashion of it was red, but at the ends it was all purple, and on each margin many separate devices had been skilfully inwoven.
1.730-1.734
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.
1.735-1.741
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.
1.742-1.746
Next in order had been made 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.
1.747-1.751
747
And in it there was a well-wooded pasturage of oxen; and about the oxen the Teleboae and the sons of Electryon 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.
1.752-1.758
And in it 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.
1.759-1.762
And in it was made 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 Elare bore, but Earth nursed him and gave him second birth.
1.763-1.767
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 you would be silent and would cheat your soul with the hope of hearing some wise speech from them, and long would you gaze with that hope.
1.768-1.773
Such then were the gifts of the Tritonian goddess Athena. And in his right hand Jason held a far-darting 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.
1.774-1.792
And he went on his way to the city like to a bright star, which young women, 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, until 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 young woman cheeks, yet for all her modesty she addressed him with crafty words:
1.793-1.833
"Stranger, why stay you 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 you yourselves too may know it well. When my father Thoas reigned over the citizens, then our people starting from their homes used to plunder from their ships the dwellings of the Thracians who live opposite, and they brought back here measureless booty and young women 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 perhaps again, though late, they might change their purpose, but ever the bitter sorrow grew, twofold. And the lawful children were being dishonoured in their halls, and a bastard race was rising. And thus unmarried young women 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 young women; 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. therefore stay and settle with us; and should them desire to dwell here, and this finds favour with you, assuredly you will have the prerogative of my father Thoas; and I think that you will not scorn our land at all; for it is deep-soiled beyond all other islands that lie in the Aegaean sea. But come now, return to the ship and relate my words to your comrades, and stay not outside our city."
1.834-1.835
834
She spoke, glossing over the murder that had been committed against the men; and Jason addressed her in answer:
1.836-1.841
"Hypsipyle, very dear to our hearts is the help we shall meet with, which you grant to us who need you. And I will return again to the city when I have told everything in order due. But let the sovereignty of the island be yours; it is not in scorn I yield it up, but terrible trials urge me on."
1.842-1.852
He spoke, 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 until 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.
1.853-1.864
Then 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 immediately 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:
1.865-1.874
"Wretched men, does the murder of kindred keep us from our native land? Or is it in want of marriage that we have come here from from there, 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 you 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."
1.875-1.887
Thus he rebuked 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:
1.888-1.898
"
888
Go, and may heaven bring you back again with your comrades unharmed, bearing to the king the golden fleece, even as you will and your heart desires; and this island and my father's sceptre will be awaiting you, if on your return hereafter you should choose to come here again; and easily could you gather a countless host of men from other cities. But you will not have this desire, nor do I myself forbode that so it will be. Still remember Hypsipyle when you are far away and when you have returned; and leave me some word of bidding, which I will gladly accomplish, if perhaps heaven shall grant me to be a mother."
1.899-1.909
And Aeson's son in admiration thus replied: "Hypsipyle, so may all these things prove propitious by the favour of the blessed gods. But you 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 you should bear a male child, send him when grown up to Pelasgian Iolcus, to heal the grief of my father and mother if 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."
1.910-1.921
He spoke, 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. After which they mightily struck the water with their long oars, and in the evening by the injunctions of Orpheus they touched at the island of Electra,
5
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.
1.922-1.935
From there 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 young woman 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 sailed on by sail and oar, they passed right through the Hellespont dark-gleaming with eddies.
1.936-1.960
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 noble Eusorus bore. But these men the Earthborn monsters, fearful though they were, in no way harried, owing to the protection of Poseidon; for from him had the Doliones first sprung. There Argo pressed on, driven by the winds of Thrace, and the Fair haven received her as she hurried. There they cast away their small anchorstone by the advice of Tiphys and left it beneath a fountain, the fountain of Artacie; 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.
1.961-1.988
961
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
6
Apollo 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, immediately 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 marriage 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.
1.989-1.1011
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 think, 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 killed 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.
1.1012-1.1077
1012
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 sailed 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 until 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 thought 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 struck 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 no mortal can escape that; 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 as well were killed; Heracles killed Telecles and Megabrontes, and Acastus killed Sphodris; and Peleus killed Zelus and Gephyrus swift in war. Telamon of the strong spear killed Basileus. And Idas killed Promeus, and Clytius Hyacinthus, and the two sons of Tyndareus killed Megalossaces and Phlogius. And after them the son of Oeneus killed 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 rushed 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 Doliones. 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 did something still more terrible, 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,
7
the illustrious name of the unfortunate 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.
8
1.1078-1.1091
1078
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 heroes, overcome by sleep, were resting during the latest period of the night, while Acastus and Mopsus the son of Ampycus 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 spoke:
1.1092-1.1102
"Son of Aeson, you must climb to this temple on rugged Dindymum and propitiate the mother
9
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 you in your 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."
1.1103-1.1152
Thus he spoke, 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 fate 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, bore in the Dictaean cave. And with many prayers did Aeson's son beg 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. From here from that time forward the Phrygians propitiate Rhea with the wheel and the drum. And the gracious goddess, I think, 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.
1.1153-1.1171
1153
Then a spirit of contention stirred each hero, 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 hurried 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 Rhyndacus 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 lie idle.
1.1172-1.1186
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. At this 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.
1.1187-1.1206
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 deadly 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.
1.1207-1.1239
1207
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, noble Theiodamas, whom the hero pitilessly killed 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 told him to 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 lived 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 struck 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, immediately 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.
1.1240-1.1256
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 pitiful. 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. At this 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 immediately he told the wretched calamity while his heart laboured with his panting breath.
1.1257-1.1260
"
1257
My poor friend, I will be the first to bring you tidings of bitter sorrow. 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."
1.1261-1.1272
Thus he spoke; and when Heracles heard his words, sweat in abundance poured down from his temples and the black blood boiled beneath his heart. And in anger he hurled the pine to the ground and hurried along the path where 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 check, 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.
1.1273-1.1289
But immediately 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 immediately; 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, because they had sailed and left behind the bravest of their comrades. And Aeson's son, bewildered by their unfortunate plight, said never a word, good or bad; but sat with his heavy load of grief, eating out his heart. And anger seized Telamon, and thus he spoke:
1.1290-1.1295
"Sit there at your ease, for it was fitting for you to leave Heracles behind; from you the project arose, so that his glory throughout Hellas should not overshadow you, if heaven grants us a return home. But why say more? For I will go, I only, with none of your comrades, who have helped you to plan this treachery."
1.1296-1.1314
He spoke, 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. Unfortunate ones, assuredly a bitter vengeance came upon them afterward at the hands of Heracles, because they stayed the search for him. For when they were returning from the games over Pelias dead he killed 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:
1.1315-1.1325
"
1315
Why against the counsel of mighty Zeus do you 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 he bring to fulfilment a few more yet; therefore 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."
1.1326-1.1331
He spoke, 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:
1.1332-1.1335
"Son of Aeson, do not be angry with me, if in my folly I have erred, for grief drove 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."
1.1336-1.1343
Him the son of Aeson with prudence addressed: "Good friend, assuredly with an evil word did you revile me, saying before them all that I was the wronger of a kindly man. But not for long will I nurse bitter anger, though indeed before I was grieved. For it was not for flocks of sheep, no, nor for possessions that you were angered to fury, but for a man, your comrade. And I were gladly you would even champion me against another man if a like thing should ever befall me."
1.1344-1.1357
He spoke, 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 fate 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.
1.1358-1.1362
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.
Notes on the current edition
Scholia on Book 1 of Apollonius' Argonautica
1.
20 sch. AT N 302 sch. λ 260. 262. 264 Paus. IX 5, 6sq. Prob. Verg. Ecl. II 23 Apoll. Bibl. III 44 Palaeph. 41
2.
21 Et. Gen. (AB) Ζῆθος: ὁ ἥρως. οὗτος (A, Ζῆθος B) γάρ καὶ Ἀμφίων ἐτείχισαν τὰς θήβας ὡς παρὰ Ἀπολλωνίῳ I 735—738. εἴρηται παρὰ τὸν (τὸ A) ζήτω μέλλοντα Ζῆθος ὡς ἐρίσω ἔριθος. ἢ ὅτι ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ ἐζήτησεν εὐμαρῶς τεκεῖν αὐτόν. Εὐριπίδης (fg 181 N.²):
‘τὸν μὲν κίκλησκε Ζῆθον· ἐζήτησε γὰρ τόκοισιν εὐμάρειαν ἡ τεκοῦσά νιν’
. — Et. Gud. 230, 54. 57 Sturz
3.
20 de scholiis 735/37a et 740/41a v. Radtke Herm. 36, 1901, 66