643. 〈σφετέροις:〉
ἀντὶ τοῦ ἑοῖς.
Lg
Scholia on Book 1 of Apollonius' Argonautica. . ed. Carolus Wendel. Berlin. 1935.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Table of Contents
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Current edition
Scholia on Apollonius' Argonautica (Greek) (Scholia in Apollonium Rhodium vetera. Wendel, Carl, editor. Weidmann: Berlin, 1935.)
Editions (3)
Argonautica Perseus (The Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius, Apollonius, Rhodius, creator; Mooney, George W, editor, translator. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1912.) — 3.674 focus
Ὤι μοι ἐγώ, Μήδεια, τί δὴ τάδε δάκρυα λείβεις;
τίπτʼ ἔπαθες; τί τοι αἰνὸν ὑπὸ φρένας ἵκετο πένθος;
675
ἤ νύ σε θευμορίη περιδέδρομεν ἅψεα νοῦσος,
ἦέ τινʼ οὐλομένην ἐδάης ἐκ πατρὸς ἐνιπὴν
ἀμφί τʼ ἐμοὶ καὶ παισίν; ὄφελλέ με μήτε τοκήων
δῶμα τόδʼ εἰσοράαν, μηδὲ πτόλιν, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ γαίης
πείρασι ναιετάειν, ἵνα μηδέ περ οὔνομα Κόλχων.
680
ὧς φάτο· τῆς δʼ ἐρύθηνε παρήια· δὴν δέ μιν αἰδὼς
παρθενίη κατέρυκεν ἀμείψασθαι μεμαυῖαν.
μῦθος δʼ ἄλλοτε μέν οἱ ἐπʼ ἀκροτάτης ἀνέτελλεν
γλώσσης, ἄλλοτʼ ἔνερθε κατὰ στῆθος πεπότητο.
πολλάκι δʼ ἱμερόεν μὲν ἀνὰ στόμα θυῖεν ἐνισπεῖν·
685
φθογγῇ δʼ οὐ προύβαινε παροιτέρω· ὀψὲ δʼ ἔειπεν
τοῖα δόλῳ· θρασέες γὰρ ἐπεκλονέεσκον Ἔρωτες·
Χαλκιόπη, περί μοι παίδων σέο θυμὸς ἄηται,
μή σφε πατὴρ ξείνοισι σὺν ἀνδράσιν αὐτίκʼ ὀλέσσῃ.
τοῖα κατακνώσσουσα μινυνθαδίῳ νέον ὕπνῳ
690
λεύσσω ὀνείρατα λυγρά, τά τις θεὸς ἀκράαντα
θείη, μηδʼ ἀλεγεινὸν ἐφʼ υἱάσι κῆδος ἕλοιο.
φῆ ῥα, κασιγνήτης πειρωμένη, εἴ κέ μιν αὐτὴ
ἀντιάσειε πάροιθεν ἑοῖς τεκέεσσιν ἀμύνειν.
τὴν δʼ αἰνῶς ἄτλητος ἐπέκλυσε θυμὸν ἀνίη
695
δείματι, τοῖʼ ἐσάκουσεν· ἀμείβετο δʼ ὧδʼ ἐπέεσσιν·
καὶ δʼ αὐτὴ τάδε πάντα μετήλυθον ὁρμαίνουσα,
εἴ τινα συμφράσσαιο καὶ ἀρτύνειας ἀρωγήν.
ἀλλʼ ὄμοσον Γαῖάν τε καὶ Οὐρανόν, ὅττι τοι εἴπω
σχήσειν ἐν θυμῷ, σύν τε δρήστειρα πέλεσθαι.
700
λίσσομʼ ὑπὲρ μακάρων σέο τʼ αὐτῆς ἠδὲ τοκήων,
μή σφε κακῇ ὑπὸ κηρὶ διαρραισθέντας ἰδέσθαι
λευγαλέως· ἢ σοίγε φίλοις σὺν παισὶ θανοῦσα
εἴην ἐξ Ἀίδεω στυγερὴ μετόπισθεν Ἐρινύς.
ὧς ἄρʼ ἔφη, τὸ δὲ πολλὸν ὑπεξέχυτʼ αὐτίκα δάκρυ·
705
νειόθι θʼ ἀμφοτέρῃσι περίσχετο γούνατα χερσίν,
σὺν δὲ κάρη κόλποις περικάββαλεν. ἔνθʼ ἐλεεινὸν
ἄμφω ἐπʼ ἀλλήλῃσι θέσαν γόον· ὦρτο δʼ ἰωὴ
λεπταλέη διὰ δώματʼ ὀδυρομένων ἀχέεσσιν.
τὴν δὲ πάρος Μήδεια προσέννεπεν ἀσχαλόωσα·
710
δαιμονίη, τί νύ τοι ῥέξω ἄκος, οἷʼ ἀγορεύεις,
ἀράς τε στυγερὰς καὶ Ἐρινύας; αἲ γὰρ ὄφελλεν
ἔμπεδον εἶναι ἐπʼ ἄμμι τεοὺς υἱῆας ἔρυσθαι.
ἴστω Κόλχων ὅρκος ὑπέρβιος ὅντινʼ ὀμόσσαι
αὐτὴ ἐποτρύνεις, μέγας Οὐρανός, ἥ θʼ ὑπένερθεν
715
Γαῖα, θεῶν μήτηρ, ὅσσον σθένος ἐστὶν ἐμεῖο,
μή σʼ ἐπιδευήσεσθαι, ἀνυστά περ ἀντιόωσαν.
φῆ ἄρα· Χαλκιόπη δʼ ἠμείβετο τοῖσδʼ ἐπέεσσιν·
οὐκ ἂν δὴ ξείνῳ τλαίης χατέοντι καὶ αὐτῷ
ἢ δόλον, ἤ τινα μῆτιν ἐπιφράσσασθαι ἀέθλου,
720
παίδων εἵνεκʼ ἐμεῖο; καὶ ἐκ κείνοιο δʼ ἱκάνει
Ἄργος, ἐποτρύνων με τεῆς πειρῆσαι ἀρωγῆς·
μεσσηγὺς μὲν τόνγε δόμῳ λίπον ἐνθάδʼ ἰοῦσα.
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.) — 3 focus
ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙΟΥ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΝ Γ.
1Εἰδ᾽ ἄγενῦν, Ερατώ, παρά θ᾽ ἵστασο, καί μοι ἔνισπε
1
ἔνθεν ὅπως ἐς Ιωλκὸν ἀνήγαγε κῶας Ιήσων
Μηδείης ὑπ᾽ ἔρωτι. σὺ γὰρ καὶ Κύπριδος αἶσαν
ἔμμορες, ἀδμῆτας δὲ τεοῖς μελεδήμασι θέλγεις
παρθενικάς· τῷ καὶ τοι ἐπήρατον οὔνομ᾽ ἀνῆπται.
5
Ως οἱ μὲν πυκινοῖσιν ἀνωΐστως δονάκεσσι
μίμνον ἀριστῆες λελοχημένοι· αἱ δ᾽ ἐνόησαν
Ηρη Αθηναίη τε, Διὸς δ᾽ αὐτοῖο καὶ ἄλλων
ἀθανάτων ἀπονόσφι θεῶν, θάλαμόνδε κιοῦσαι
βούλευον· πείραζε δ' Αθηναίην πάρος Ηρη.
10
Αὐτὴ νῦν προτέρη, θύγατερ Διὸς, ἄρχεο βουλῆς.
τί χρέος; ἠὲ δόλον τίνα μήσεαι, ᾧ κεν ἑλόντες
χρύσεον Αἰήταο μεθ' Ελλάδα κῶας ἄγοιντο;
ἢ καὶ τόν γ᾽ ἐπέεσσι παραιφάμενοι πεπίθοιεν
μειλιχίοις; ἢ μὲν γὰρ ὑπερφίαλος πέλει αἰνῶς.
15
ἔμπης δ᾽ οὐ τινα πεῖραν ἀποτρωπᾶσθαι ἔοικεν.
Ως φάτος τὴν δὲ παρᾶσσον Αθηναίη προσέειπε·
Καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὴν ἐμὲ τοῖα μετὰ φρεσὶν ἁρμαίνουσαν,
Ηρη, ἀπηλεγέως ἐξείρεαι, ἀλλά ται οὔπω
φράσσασθαι νοέω τοῦτον δόλον, ὅστις ὀνήσει
20
θυμὸν ἀριστήων· πολλὰς δ᾽ ἐπεδοίασα βουλάς.
Η, καὶ ἐπ᾿ οὔδεος αίγε ποδῶν πάρος ὄμματ᾽ ἔπηξαν.
ἄνδιχα πορφύρουσαι ἐνὶ σφίσιν· αὐτίκα δ' Ηρη
τοῖον μητιόωσα παροιτέρη ἔκφατο μῦθον.
Δεῦρ᾽ ἴομεν μετὰ Κύπριν· ἐπιπλόμεναι δέ μιν ἄμφω
25
παιδὶ ἑῷ εἰπεῖν ὀτρύνομεν, αἴ κε πίθηται
κούρην Αἰήτεω πολυφάρμακον οἶσι βέλεσσι
θέλξαι ὀϊστεύσας ἐπ᾿ Ιήσονι. τὸν δ᾽ ἂν οἴω
κείνης ἐννεσίῃσιν ἐς Ελλάδα κῶας ἀνάξειν.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· πυκινὴ δὲ συνεύαδε μῆτις Αθήνη,
30
καί μιν ἔπειτ᾽ ἐξαῦτις ἀμείβετο μειλιχίοισιν·
Ηρη, νήϊδα μέν με πατήρ τέκε τοῖο βολάων,
οὐδέ τινα χρειὼ θελκτήριον οἶδα πόθοιο.
εἰ δὲ σοι αὐτῇ μῦθος ἐφανδάνει, ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ἔγωγε
ἑσποίμην· σὺ δὲ κεν φαίης ἔπος ἀντιόωσα.
35
Η, καὶ ἀναΐξασαι ἐπὶ μέγα, δῶμα νέοντο
Κύπριδος, ὃ ῥά τὲ οἱ δεῖμεν πόσις ἀμφιγυήεις,
ὁππότε μιν ταπρῶτα παραὶ Διὸς ἦγεν ἄκοιτιν.
ἕρκεα δ᾽ εἰσελθοῦσαι ὑπ᾽ αἰθούσῃ θαλάμοιο
ἔσταν, ἵν᾽ ἐντύνεσκε θεὰ λέχος Ηφαίστοιο.
40
αλλ᾽ ὁ μὲν εἰς χαλκεῶνα καὶ ἄκμονας ἦρι βεβήκει
νήσοιο πλαγκτῆς εὐρὺν μυχὸν, ᾧ ἔνι πάντα
δαίδαλα χάλκευε ῥιπῇ πυρός· ἡ δ᾽ ἄρα μούνη
ἦστο δόμῳ δινωτὸν ἀνὰ θρόνον, ἄντα θυράων.
λευκοῖσι δ᾽ ἑκάτερθε κόμας ἐπιειμένη ὤμοις
45
κόσμει χρυσείῃ διὰ κερκίδι, μέλλε δὲ μακροὺς
πλέξασθαι πλοκάμους· τὰς δὲ προπάροιθεν ἰδοῦσα.
ἔσχεθεν, εἴσω τέ σφ᾽ ἐκάλει, καὶ ἀπὸ θρόνου ὧρτο,
εἶσέ τ᾽ ἐνὶ κλισμοῖσιν· ἀτὰρ μετέπειτα καὶ αὐτὴ
ἵζανεν, ἀψήκτους δὲ χεροῖν ἀνεδήσατο χαίτας.
50
τοῖα δὲ μειδιόωσα προσέννεπεν αἱμυλίοισιν.
Ηθεῖαι, τις δεῦρο νόος χρειώ τε κομίζει
δηναιὰς αὕτως; τί δ᾽ ἵκάνετον, οὔ τι πάρος γε
λίην φοιτίζουσαι, ἐπεὶ περίεστε θεάων;
Τὴν δ' Ηρη τοίοισιν ἀμειβομένη προσέειπεν·
55
Κερτομέεις· νῶϊν δὲ κέαρ συνορίνεται ἄτῃ.
ἤδη γὰρ ποταμῷ ἐνὶ Φάσιδι νῆα κατίσχει
Αἰσονίδης, οἱ τ᾽ ἄλλοι ὅσοι μετὰ κῶας ἕπονται.
τῶν ἤτοι πάντων μὲν, ἐπεὶ πέλας ἔργον ὄρωρε,
δείδιμεν ἐκπάγλως, περὶ δ᾽ Αἰσονίδαο μάλιστα.
60
τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν, εἴ κέν περ ἐς Αΐδα ναυτίλληται
λυσόμενος χαλκέων Ιξίονα νειόθι δεσμῶν,
ῥύσομαι, ὅσσον ἐμοῖσιν ἐνὶ σθένος ἔπλετο γυίοις,
ὄφρα μὴ ἐγγελάσῃ Πελίης κακὸν οἶτον ἀλύξας,
ὃς μ᾽ ὑπερηνορέῃ θυέων ἀγέραστον ἔθηκε.
65
καὶ δ᾽ ἄλλως ἔτι καὶ πρὶν ἐμοὶ μέγα φίλατ' Ιήσων,
ἐξότ᾽᾽ ἐπὶ προχοῇσιν ἅλις πλήθοντος Αναύρου
ἀνδρῶν εὐνομίης πειρωμένῃ ἀντεβόλησε
θήρης ἐξανιών· νιφετῷ δ᾽ ἐπαλύνετο πάντα
οὔρεα καὶ σκοπιαὶ περιμήκεες, οἱ δὲ κατ᾿ αὐτῶν·
70
χείμαρροι καναχηδὰ κυλινδόμενοι φορέοντο.
χρηϊ δὲ μ᾽ εἰσαμένην ὀλοφύρατο, καί μ᾿ ἀναείρας
αὐτὸς ἑοῖς ὤμοισι δι᾽ ἐκ προαλὲς φέρεν ὕδωρ.
τῷ νύ μοι ἄλληκτον περιτίεται· οὐδέ κε λώβην
πτίσειεν Πελίης; εἰ μή σύ γε νόστον ὀπάσσοις.
75
Ως ηὔδα· Κύπριν δ᾽ ἐνεοστασίη λάβε μύθων.
ἅζετο δ᾽ ἀντομένην Ηρην ἕθεν εἰσορόωσα,
καί μιν ἔπειτ᾿ ἀγανοῖσι προσέννεπεν ἢ γ᾽ ἐπέεσσι·
Πότνα θεὰ, μήτοι τι κακώτερον ἄλλο πέλοιτο
Κύπριδος, εἰ δὴ σεῖο λιλαιομένης ἀθερίζω
80
ἢ ἔπος, ἠἑ τι ἔργον, ὅ κεν χέρες αίγε κάμοιεν
ἠπεδαναί· καὶ μή τις ἀμοιβαίη χάρις ἔστω.
Ως έφαθ'. Ηρη δ᾽ αὖτις ἐπιφραδέως ἀγόρευσεν·
Οὐ τι βίης χατέουσαι ἱκάνομεν, οὐδὲ τι χειρῶν.
ἀλλ᾽ αὕτως ἀκέουσα τεῷ ἐπικέκλεο παιδί,
85
παρθένον Αἰήτεῳ θέλξαι πόθῳ Αἰσονίδαο.
εἰ γὰρ οἱ κείνη συμφράσσεται εὐμενέουσα,
ῥηϊδίως μιν ἑλόντα δέρος χρύσειον δΐω
νοστήσειν ἐς Ιωλκὸν, ἐπεὶ δολόεσσα τέτυκται.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· Κύπρις δὲ μετ᾿ ἀμφοτέρῄσιν ἔειπεν.
90
Ηρη, Αθηναίη τε, πίθοιτό κεν ὕμμι μάλιστα,
ἢ ἐμοί. ὑμείων γὰρ ἀναιδήτῳ περ ἐόντι
τυτθή γ᾽ αἰδὼς ἔσσετ᾽ ἐν ὄμμασιν· αὐτὰρ ἐμεῖο
οὐκ ὄθεται, μάλα δ᾽ αἰὲν ἐριδμαίνων ἀθερίζει.
καὶ δὴ οἱ μενέηνα, περισχομένη κακότητι,
95
αὐτοῖσι τόξοισι δυσηχέας ἆξαι δϊστοὺς
ἀμφαδίῃ. τοῖον γὰρ ἐπηπείλησε χαλεφθεὶς,
εἰ μὴ τηλόθι χεῖρας, ἕως ἔτι θυμὸν ἐρύκει,
ἕξω ἐμὰς, μετέπειτα γ᾽ ἀτεμβοίμην ἑοῖ αὐτῇ.
Ως φάτο· μείδησαν δὲ θεαὶ, καὶ ἐσέδρακον ἄντην
100
ἀλλήλαις, ἡ δ᾽ αὖτις ἀκηχεμένη μετέειπεν·
Αλλοις ἄλγεα τἀμὰ γέλως πέλει· οὐδέ τί με χρὴ
μυθεῖσθαι πάντεσσιν· ἅλις δ᾽ εἰδυῖα καὶ αὐτή.
νῦν δ᾽ ἐπεὶ ὕμμι φίλον τόδε δὴ πέλει ἀμφοτέρῃσι,
πειρήσω, καί μιν μειλίξομαι, οὐδ᾽ ἀπιθήσει.
105
Ως φάτο· τὴν δ᾽ Ηρη ῥαδινῆς ἐπεμάσσατο χειρὸς,
ἦκα δὲ μειδιόωσα παραβλήδην προσέειπεν·
Οὕτω νῦν, Κυθέρεια, τόδε χρέος, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,
ἔρξον ἄφαρ· καὶ μή τι χαλέπτεο, μηδ᾽ ἐρίδηνον
χωσμένη σῷ παιδί· μεταλήξει γὰρ ὀπίσσω.
110
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἔλλιπε θῶκον· ἐφωμάρτησε δ' Αθήνη.
ἐκ δ᾽ ἴσαν ἄμφω ταίγε παλίσσυτοι. ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
βῆ ὁ᾽ ἴμεν Οὐλύμποιο κατὰ πτύχας, εἴ μιν ἐφεύροι.
εὗρε δὲ τόν γ᾽ ἀπάνευθε, Διὸς θαλερῇ ἐν ἀλωῇ,
οὐκ οἶον, μετὰ καὶ Γανυμήδεα, τὸν ῥα ποτὲ Ζεὺς
115
οὐρανῷ ἐγκατένασσεν ἐφέστιον ἀθανάτοισι,
κάλλεος ἱμερθείς, ἀμφ᾿ ἀστραγάλοισι δὲ τώγε
χρυσείοις, ἅτε κοῦροι ὁμήθεες, έψιόωντο.·
καί ὁ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἤδη πάμπαν ἐνίπλεον ᾧ ἐπὶ μαζῷ
μάργος Έρως λαιῆς ὑποΐσχανε χειρὸς ἀγοστὸν,
120
ὀρθὸς ἐφεστηώς· γλυκερὸν δὲ οἱ ἀμφὶ παρειὰς
χροῇ θάλλεν ἔρευθος. ὁ δ᾽ ἐγγύθεν ὀκλαδὸν ἦστο
σίγα κατηφιόων· δοιὼ δ᾽ ἔχεν, ἄλλον ἔθ᾽ αὕτως
ἄλλῳ ἐπιπροϊεὶς, κεχόλωτο δὲ καγχαλόωντι.
καὶ μὴν τούσγε παρᾶσσον ἐπὶ προτέροισιν ὀλέσσας
125
βῆ κενεαῖς σὺν χερσὶν ἀμήχανος, οὐδ᾽ ἐνόησε
Κύπριν ἐπιπλομένην. ἡ δ᾽ ἀντίη ἵστατο παιδὸς,
καὶ μιν ἄφαρ γναθμοίο κατασχομένη προσέειπε.
Τίπτ᾿ ἐπιμειδιάας, ἄφατον κακόν; ἠἑ μιν αὕτως
ἤπαφες, οὐδὲ δίκῃ περιέπλεο, νῆϊν ἐόντα;
130
εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε μοι πρόφρων τέλεσον χρέος, ὅ ττι κεν εἴπω·
καί κέν τοι ὀπάσαιμι Διὸς περικαλλὲς ἄθύρμα,
,κεῖνο, τὸ οἱ ποίησε φίλη τροφὸς Αδρήστεια,
ἄντρῳ ἐν Ιδαίῳ ἔτι νήπια κουρίζοντι,·
σφαῖραν ἐϋτρόχαλον, τῆς οὐ σύ γε μείλιον ἄλλο
135
χειρών Ηφαίστοιο κατακτεατίσσῃ ἄρειον.
χρύσεα μέν οἱ κύκλα τετεύχαται· ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ἑκάστῳ
διπλόαι ἁψίδες περιηγέες εἰλίσσονται· ·
κρυπταὶ δὲ ῥαφαί εἰσιν· ἕλιξ δ᾽ ἐπιδέδρομε πάσαις
κυανέη. ἀτὰρ, εἴ μιν ἑαῖς ἐνὶ χερσὶ βάλοιο,
140
ἀστὴρ ὣς, φλεγέθοντα δι' ἠέρος ὁλκὸν ἵησι.
τὴν τοι ἐγὼν ὀπάσω· σὺ δὲ παρθένον Αἰήταο
θέλξον, ὀϊστεύσας ἐπ᾿ Ιήσονι· μηδέ τις ἔστω
ἀμβολίη. δὴ γάρ κεν ἀφαυροτέρη χάρις εἴη.
Ως φάτο· τῷ δ᾽ ἀσπαστὸν ἔπος γένετ᾽ εἰσαΐοντι.
145
μείλια δ᾽ ἔκβαλε πάντα, καὶ ἀμφοτέρῃσι χιτῶνος
νωλεμὲς ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα θεᾶς ἔχετ᾽ ἀμφιμεμαρπώς.,
λίσσετο δ' αἶψα πορεῖν αὐτοσχεδόν· ἡ δ᾽ ἀγανοῖσιν
ἀντομένη μύθοισιν, ἐπειρύσσασα παρειάς,
κύσσε ποτισχομένη, καὶ ἀμείβετο μειδιόωσα.
150
Ιστω νῦν τόδε σεῖο φίλον κάρη, ἠδ᾽ ἐμὸν αὐτῆς,
ἢ μέν σοι δῶρόν γε παρέξομαι, οὐδ᾽ ἀπατήσω,
εἴ κεν ἐνισκίμψης κούρῃ βέλος Αἰήταο.
Φῆς ὁ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἀστραγάλους συναμήσατο, καδδὲ φαεινῷ
μητρὸς ἑῆς, εὖ πάντας ἀριθμήσας, βάλε κόλπῳ.
155
αὐτίκα δὲ ἰοδόκην χρυσέῃ περικάτθετο μίτρῃ,
πρέμνῳ κεκλιμένην· ἀνὰ δ᾽ ἀγκύλον είλετο τόξον.
βῆ δὲ δι᾽ ἐκ μεγάροιο Διὸς πάγκαρπον ἀλωήν.
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα πύλας ἐξήλυθεν Οὐλύμποιο
αἰθερίας· ἔνθεν δὲ καταιβάτις ἐστὶ κέλευθος
160
οὐρανίη· δοιὼ δὲ πόλοι ἀνέχουσι κάρηνα
οὐρέων ἠλιβάτων, κορυφαὶ χθονὸς, ἤχί τ' ἀερθεὶς
ἠέλιος πρώτῃσιν ἐρεύθεται ἀκτίνεσσι.
νειόθι δ᾽ ἄλλοτε γαῖα φερέσβιος, ἄστεὰ τ᾿ ἀνδρῶν
φαίνετο, καὶ ποταμῶν ἱεροὶ ῥόσι, ἄλλοτε δ᾽ αὖτε
165
ἄκριες, ἀμφὶ δὲ πόντος ἀν' αἰθέρα πολλὸν ἰόντι.
Ηρωες δ᾽ ἀπάνευθεν ἑῆς ἐπὶ σέλμασι νηὸς
ἐν ποταμῷ καθ᾽ ἕλος λελοχημένοι ἠγορόωντο.
αὐτὸς δ᾽ Αἰσονίδης μετεφώνεεν· οἱ δ᾽ ὑπάκουον
ἠρέμας ᾗ ἐνὶ χώρῃ ἐπισχερὼ ἑδριόωντες.
170
Ω φίλοι, ἤτοι ἐγὼ μὲν ὅ μοι ἐπιανδάνει αὐτῷ
ἐξερέω· τοῦ δ᾽ ὄμμι· τέλος κρῃῆναι· ἔοικε.
ξυνὴ γὰρ χρειὼ, ξυνοὶ δέ τε μῦθοι ἔασι
πᾶσιν ὁμῶς· ὁ δὲ σίγα νόον βουλήν τ᾽ ἀπερύκων,
ἴστω καὶ νόστου τόνδε στόλον οἷος ἀπούρας.
175
ὦλλοι μὲν κατὰ νῆα σὺν ἔντεσι μίμνεθ᾽ ἕκηλοι
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐς δώματ᾽ ἐλεύσομαι Αἰήταο,
υἷας ἑλὼν Φρίξοιο, δύω δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἑταίρους.
πειρήσω δ᾽ ἐπέεσσι παροίτερον ἀντιβολήσας,
εἴ κ᾿ ἐθέλοι φιλότητι δέρος χρύσειον ὀπάσσαι,
180
ἠὲ καὶ οὐ· πίσυνος δὲ βίῃ μετιόντας ἀτίσσει,
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξ αὐτοῖο πάρος κακότητα δαέντες,
φρασσόμεθ᾽ εἴτ᾿ Αρηϊ συνοισόμεθ᾽, εἴτε τις ἄλλη
μῆτις ἐπίροθος ἔσται ἐεργομένοισιν ἀϋτῆς.
μηδ' αὕτως ἀλκῇ, πρὶν ἔπεσσί γε πειρηθῆναι,
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τόνδ᾽ ἀπαμείρωμεν σφέτερον κτέρας, ἀλλὰ πάροιθε
λωΐτερον μύθῳ μιν ἀρέσσασθαι μετιόντας.
πολλάκι του ῥέα μῦθος, ὅ κεν μόγις ἐξανύσειεν
ἠνορέη, τόδ᾽ ἔρεξε κατὰ χρέος, ᾗπερ ἐῴκει
πρηΰνας. ὁ δὲ καί ποτ᾽ ἀμύμονα Φρίξον ἔπεισε,
190
μητρυιῆς φεύγοντα δόλον, πατρός τε θυηλάς,
δέχθαι· ἐπεὶ πάντη καὶ ὅτις μάλα κύντατος ἀνδρῶν
Ξεινίου αἰδεῖται Ζηνὸς θέμιν, ἠδ᾽ ἀλεγίζει.
Ως φάτ᾽· ἐπήνησαν δὲ νέοι ἔπος Αἰσονίδαο
πασσυδίην, οὐδ᾽ ἔσκε παρὲξ ὅτις ἄλλο κελεύοι.
195
καὶ τότ᾽ ἄρ᾽ υἱῆας Φρίξου, Τελαμῶνά θ᾽ ἕπεσθαι
ὧρσε καὶ Αὐγείην· αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἕλεν Ερμείαο.
σκῆπτρον· ἄφαρ δ᾽ ἄρα νηὸς ὑπὲρ δόνακάς τε καὶ ὕδωρ
χέρσονδ᾽ ἐξαπέβησαν ἐπὶ θρωσμοῦ πεδίοιο.
Κιρκαῖον τόδε που κικλήσκεται· ἔνθα δὲ πολλαὶ
200
ἑξείης πρόμαλοί τε καὶ ἰτέαι ἐκπεφύασι,
τῶν καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτων νέκυες σειρῇσι κρέμανται
δέσμιοι. εἰσέτι νῦν γὰρ ἄγος Κόλχοισιν ὄρωρεν
ἀνέρας οἰχομένους πυρὶ καιέμεν· οὐδ᾽ ἐνὶ γαίῃ
ἔστι θέμις στείλαντας ὕπερθ᾽ ἐπὶ σῆμα χέεσθαι,
205
ἀλλ᾽ ἐν ἀδεψήτοισι κατειλύσαντε βοείαις,
δενδρέων ἐξάπτειν ἑκὰς ἄστεος. ἠέρι δ᾽ ἴσην
καὶ χθὼν ἔμμορεν αἶσαν, ἐπεὶ χθονὶ ταρχύουσι
θηλυτέρας· ἢ γάρ τε δίκη θεσμοῖο τέτυκται.
Τοῖσι δὲ νισσομένοις Ηρη φίλα μητιόωσα
210
ἠέρα πουλὺν ἐφῆκε δι᾽ ἄστεος, ὄφρα λάθοιεν
Κόλχων μυρίον ἔθνος ἐς Αἰήταο κιόντες·
ὦκα δ᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἐκ πεδίοιο πόλιν καὶ δώμαθ' ἵκοντο
Αἰήτεω, τότε δ᾽ αὖτις ἀπεσκέδασε νέφος Ηρη.
ἔσταν δ᾽ ἐν προμολῇσι τεθηπότες ἕρκε᾽ ἄνακτος,
215
εὐρείας τε πύλας, καὶ κίονας, οἱ περὶ τοίχους
ἑξείης ἄνεχον· θριγκὸς δ᾽ ἐφύπερθε δόμοιο
λαΐνεος χαλκέῃσιν ἐπὶ γλυφίδεσσιν ἀρήρει.
εὔκηλοι δ᾽ ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἔπειτ᾽ ἔβαν. ἄγχι δὲ τοῖο
ἡμερίδες χλοεραῖσι καταστεφέες πετάλοισιν ·
220
ὑψοῦ ἀειρόμεναι μέγ᾽ ἐθήλεον. αἱ δ᾽ ὑπὸ τῇσιν
ἀέναοι κρῆναι πίσυρες ῥέον, ἃς ἐλάχηνεν
Ηφαιστος. καὶ ῥ᾽ ἡ μὲν ἀναβλύεσκε γάλακτι,
ἡ δ᾽ οἴνῳ, τριτάτη δὲ θυώδεϊ νᾶεν ἀλοιφῇ·
ἡ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὕδωρ προρέεσκε, τὸ μὲν ποτὶ δυομένῃσι
225
θέρμετο Πληϊάδεσσιν, ἀμοιβηδὶς δ᾽ ἀνιούσαις
κρυστάλλῳ ἴκελον κοίλης ἀνεκήκιε πέτρης.
τοῦ ἄρ᾽ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι Κυταιέος Αἰήταο
τεχνήεις Ηφαιστος ἐμήσατο θέσκελα ἔργα.
καί οἱ χαλκόποδας ταύρους κάμε, χάλκεα δὲ σφέων
230
ἦν στόματ᾽, ἐκ δὲ πυρὸς δεινὸν σέλας ἀμπνείεσκον·
πρὸς δὲ καὶ αὐτόγυον στιβαροῦ ἀδάμαντος ἄροτρον
ἤλασεν, Ηελίῳ τίνων χάριν, ὃς ῥά μιν ἵπποις
δέξατο, Φλεγραίῃ κεκμηότα δηϊοτῆτι.
ἐνθάδε καὶ μέσσαυλος ἐλήλατο· τῇ δ᾽ ἔπι πολλαὶ
235
δικλίδες εὐπηχεῖς, θάλαμοί τ᾽ ἔσαν ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα·
δαιδαλέη δ᾽ αἴθουσα παρὲξ ἑκάτερθε τέτυκτο.
λέχρις δ᾽ αἰπύτεροι δόμοι ἕστασαν ἀμφοτέρωθε.
Τῶν ἤτοι ἄλλῳ μὲν, ὅτις καὶ ὑπείροχος ἦε,
κρείων Αἰήτης σὺν ἑῇ ναίεσκε δάμαρτι·
240
ἄλλῳ δ᾽ Αψυρτος ναῖεν πάϊς Αἰήταο.
τὸν μὲν Καυκασίη Νύμφη τέκεν Αστερόδεια,
πρίν περ κουριδίην θέσθαι Εἰδυῖαν ἄκοιτιν,
Τηθύος Ωκεανοῦ τε πανοπλοτάτην γεγαυῖαν.
καὶ μιν Κόλχων υἷες ἐπωνυμίην. Φαέθοντα “
245
ἔκλεον, οΰνεκα πᾶσι μετέπρεπεν ἠϊθέοισι.
τοὺς δ᾽ ἔχον· ἀμφίπολοί τε, καὶ Αἰήταο θύγατρες
ἄμφω, Χαλκιόπη, Μήδειά τε. ἡ μὲν ἄρ᾽ ᾔει
ἐκ θαλάμου θάλαμόνδε κασιγνήτην μετιοῦσα.
Ηρη γάρ μιν ἔρυκε δόμῳ· πρὶν δ᾽ οὐ τι θάμιζεν
250
ἐν μεγάροις, Εκάτης δὲ πανήμερος ἀμφεπονεῖτο
νηὸν, ἐπεί ῥα θεῆς αὐτὴ πέλεν ἀρήτειρα.
·· καὶ σφέας ὡς ἴδεν ἆσσον, ἀνίαχεν· ὀξὺ δ᾽ ἄκουσε
Χαλκιόπη· δμωαὶ δὲ ποδῶν προπάροιθε βαλούσαι
νήματα καὶ κλωστῆρας ἀολλέες ἔκτοθι πᾶσαι
255
ἔδραμον. ἡ δ᾽ ἅμα τῇσιν ἑοὺς υἱῆας ἰδοῦσα
ὑψοῦ χάρματι χεῖρας ἀνέσχεθεν· ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶς
μητέρα δεξιόωντο, καὶ ἀμφαγάπαζον ἰδόντες
γηθόσυνοι· τοῖον δὲ κινυρομένη φάτο μύθον.
Εμπης οὐκ ἄρ᾽ ἐμέλλετ᾽ ἀκηδείῃ με λιπόντες
260
τηλόθι πλάγξασθαι· μετὰ δ᾽ ὑμέας ἔτραπεν αἶσα.
δειλὴ ἐγὼν, οἷον πόθον Ελλάδος ἔκ ποθεν ἄτης
λευγαλέης, Φρίξοιο ἐφημοσύνῃσιν ἕλεσθε
πατρός; ὁ μὲν θνήσκων στυγερὰς ἐπετείλατ᾽ ἀνίας
ἡμετέρη κραδίῃ. τί δέ κεν πόλιν Ορχομενοῖο,
265
ὅστις ὅδ᾽ Ορχομενός, κτεάνων Αθάμαντος ἕκητι,
μητέρ᾽ ἑὴν ἀχέουσαν ἀποπρολιπόντες, ἵκοισθε;
Ως ἔφατ· Αἰήτης δὲ πανύστατος ώρτο θύραζε,
ἐκ δ᾽ αὐτὴ Εἰδυῖα δάμαρ κίεν Αιήταο,
Χαλκιόπης ἀΐουσα· τὸ δ᾽ αὐτίκα πᾶν ὁμάδοιος
270
ἕρκος ἐπεπλήθει, τοὶ μὲν μέγαν ἀμφιπένοντο
ταῦρον ἅλις δμῶες· τοὶ δὲ ξύλα κάγκανα χαλκῷ
κόπτον· τοὶ δὲ λοετρὰ πυρὶ ζέον· οὐδέ τις ἦεν,
ὃς καμάτου μεθίεσκεν, ὑποδρήσσων βασιλήϊ.
Τόφρα δ' Ερως πολιοῖο δι᾽ ἠέρος ἶξεν ἄφαντος,
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τετρηχώς, οἷόν τε νέαις ἐπὶ φορβάσιν οἶστρος
τέλλεται, ὃν τε μύωπα βοῶν κλείουσι νομῆες.
ὦκα δ᾽ ὑπὸ φλιὴν προδόμου ἐνὶ τόξα τανύσσας
ἰοδόκης ἀβλῆτα πολύστονον ἐξέλετ᾿ ἰόν.
ἐκ δ᾽ ὅγε καρπαλίμοισι λαθών ποσὶν οὐδὸν ἄμειψεν,
280
ὀξέα δενδίλλων· αὐτῷ δ᾽ ὑπὸ βαιὸς ἐλυσθεὶς
Αἰσονίδη, γλυφίδας μέσσῃ ἐνικάτθετο νευρῇς
ἰθὺς δ᾽ ἀμφοτέρῃσι· διασχόμενος παλάμησιν
ἦκ᾽ ἐπὶ Μηδείῃ· τὴν δ᾽ ἀμφασίη λάβε θυμόν.
αὐτὸς δ᾽ ὑψορόφοιο παλιμπετὲς ἐκ' μεγάροιο
285
καγχαλόων ἤΐξε· βέλος δ᾽ ἐνεδαίετο κούρῃ
νέρθεν ὑπὸ κραδίη, φλογὶ εἴκελον· ἀντία δ' αἰεὶ
βάλλεν ἐπ᾿ Αἰσονίδην ἀμαρύγματα, καὶ οἱ ἄηντο,
στηθέων ἐκ πυκιναὶ καμάτῳ φρένες, οὐδέ τιν᾿ ἄλλην
μνῆστιν ἔχε, γλυκερῇ δὲ κατείβετο θυμὸν ἀνίῃ.
290
ὡς δὲ γυνὴ μαλερῷ περὶ κάρφεα χεύατο δαλῷ
χερνῆτις, τῇπερ ταλασήϊα ἔργα μέμηλεν,
ὣς κεν ὑπωρόφιον νύκτωρ σέλας ἐντύναιτο, και see
ἄγχι μάλ᾽ ἐγρομένης τὸ δ᾽ ἀθέσφατον ἐξ ὀλίγοιο
δαλοῦ ἀνερχόμενον σὺν κάρφεα πάντ᾽ ἀμαθύνει
295
τοῖος ὑπὸ κραδίῃ εἰλυμένος αἴθετο λάθρη
οὖλος Έρως· ἁπαλὰς δὲ μετετρωπᾶτο παρειάς
ἐς χλόον, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἔρευθος, ἀκηδείῃσι νόοιο.
Αμῶες δ᾽ ὁππότε δή σφιν ἐπαρτέα θῆκαν ἐδωδήν,
αὐτοί τε λιαροῖσιν ἐφαιδρύναντο λοετροῖς,
300
ἀσπασίως δόρπῳ τε ποτῆτί τε θυμὸν ἄρεσσαν.
ἐκ δὲ τοῦ Αἰήτης σφετέρης ἐρέεινε θυγατρὸς
υἱῆας, τοίοισι παρηγορέων ἐπέεσσι.
Παιδὸς ἐμῆς κοῦροι, Φρίξοιό τε, τὸν πέρι πάντων
ξείνων ἡμετέροισιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔτισα,
305
πῶς Αἰάνδε νέεσθε παλίσσυτοι, ἐὲ τις ἄτη
σωομένους μεσσηγὺς ἐνέκλασεν; οὐ μὲν ἐμεῖο
πείθεσθε, προφέροντος ἀπείρονα μέτρα κελεύθου.
ᾔδειν γάρ ποτε πατρὸς ἐν ἅρμασιν Ηελίοιο
δινεύσας, ὅτ᾽ ἐμεῖο κασιγνήτην ἐκόμιζεί.
310
Κίρκην. Εσπερίης εἴσω χθονός, ἐκ δ᾽ ἱκόμεσθα
ἀκτὴν ἠπείρου Τυρσηνίδος, ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ
ναιετάει, μάλα πολλὸν ἀπόπροθι Κολχίδος αἴης.
ἀλλὰ τί μύθων ἦδος; ἃ δ᾽ ἐν ποσὶν ὑμμιν ὄρωρεν
εἴπατ᾿ ἀριφραδέως, ἠδ' οἵτινες οἵδ᾽ ἐφέπονται
315
ἀνέρες, ὅππη τε γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἔβητε
Τοῖά μιν ἐξερέοντα κασιγνήτων προπάροιθεν
Αργος ὑποδείσας ἀμφὶ στόλῳ Αἰσονίδιο
μειλιχίως προσέειπεν, ἐπεὶ προγενέστερος ήεντ
Αἰήτη, κείνην μὲν ἄφαρ διέχευαν ἄελλαι
320
ζαχρηεῖς· αὐτοὺς δ᾽ ὑπὸ δούρασι πεπτηῶτας
νήσου Ενυαλίοιο ποτὶ ξερὸν ἔκβαλε αῦμα
λυγαίῃ ὑπὸ νυκτί θεὸς δὲ τις ἄμμ᾽ ἐσάωσεν.
οὐδὲ γὰρ αἱ τὸ πάροιθεν ἐρημαίην κατὰ νῆσον
ηὐλίζοντ᾿ ὄρνιθες Αρήϊαι, οὐδ᾽ ἔτι κείνας
325
εὕρομεν. ἀλλ᾽ οἵγ᾽ ἄνδρες ἀπήλασαν, ἐξαποβάντες
νηὸς ἑῆς προτέρῳ ἐνὶ ἤματι· καὶ σφ᾿ ἀπέρυκεν
ἡμέας οἰκτείρων Ζηνὸς νόος, ἠε τις αἰσα·
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐπεὶ καὶ βρῶσιν ἅλις καὶ εἵματ᾿ ἔδωκαν,
οὔνομά τε Φρίξοιο περικλεὲς εἰσαΐοντες,
330
ἠδ᾽ αὐτοῖο σέθεν· μετὰ γὰρ τεὸν ἄστυ νέονται.
χρειὼ δ᾽ ἦν ἐθέλῃς ἐξίδμεναι, οὐ σ᾽ ἐπικεύσω.
τόνδε τις ἱέμενος πάτρης ἀπάνευθεν ἐλάσσαι
καὶ κτεάνων βασιλεὺς περιώσιον, οἵνεκεν ἀλκῇ
σφωϊτέρῃ πάντεσσι μετέπρεπεν Αἰολίδῃσι,
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πέμπει δεῦρο νέεσθαι ἀμήχανον· οὐδ᾽ ὑπολύξειν
στεῦται ἀμειλίκτοιο Διὸς θυμαλγέα μῆνιν
καὶ χόλον, οὐδ᾽ ἄτλητον ἄγος, Φρίξοιό τε ποινὰς
Αἰολιδέων γενεὴν, πρὶν ἐς Ελλάδα κῶας ἱκέσθαι.
νῆα δ' Αθηναίη Παλλάς κάμεν, οὐ μάλα τοίην,
340
οἷαί περ Κόλχοισι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσι νῆες ἔασι,
τάων αἰνοτάτης ἐπεκύρσαμεν. ἤλιθα γάρ μιν
λάβρον ὕδωρ πνοιή τε διέτμαγεν· ἡ δ᾽ ἐνὶ γόμφοις
ἴσχεται, ἦν καὶ πᾶσαι ἐπιβρίσωσιν ἄελλαι.
ἶσον δ᾽ ἐξ ἀνέμοιο θέει, καὶ ὅτ᾽ ἀνέρες αὐτοὶ
345
νωλεμέως χείρεσσιν ἐπισπέρχωσιν ἐρετμούς.ώσσα
τῇ δὲ ἐναγειράμενος Παναχαΐδος εἴ τι φέριστον
ἡρώων, τεὸν ἄστυ μετήλυθε, πόλλ᾽ ἐπαληθεὶς
ἄστεὰς καὶ πελάγη στυγερῆς ἁλὸς, εἴ οἱ ἀπάσσοις.
αὐτῷ δ᾽ ὡς κεν ἅδῃ, τῶς ἔσσεται· οὐ γὰρ ἱκάνει
350
χερσὶ βιησόμενος· μέμονε δέ τοι ἄξια τίσεινיי
δωτίνης, ἀΐων ἐμέθεν μέγα δυσμενέοντας τ... **
Σαυρομάτας, τοὺς σοῖσιν ὑπὸ σκήπτροισι δαμάσσει.
εἰ δὲ καὶ οὔνομα δῆθεν ἐπιθύεις γενεήν τειιι
ἴδμεναι, οἵτινες εἰσὶν, ἕκαστὰ κε μυθησαίμην...
355
τόνδε μὲν, οἷό περ οϋνεκ᾽ ἀφ᾿ Ελλάδος ἄλλοι ἄγερθεν,
κλείους Αίσονος υἱὸν Ιήσονα Κρηθείδαο
πεἰ δὲ αὐτοῦ Κρηθῆος ἐτήτυμόν ἐστι γενέθλης,
οὕτω κε γνωτὸς πατρώϊος ἄμμι πέλοιτο. του
ἄμφω γὰρ Κρηθεὺς Αθάμας τ᾽ ἔσαν Αἰόλου υἱε·
360
Φρίξος δ᾽ αὖτ᾿ Αθάμαντος ἔην πάϊς Αἰολίδαο.
τόνδε δ᾽ ἄρ᾽, Ηελίου γόνον ἔμμεναι εἴ τιν' ἀκούεις,
δέρκεαι Αὐγείην· Τελαμών δ᾽ ὅγε, κυδίστοιο
Αἰακοῦ ἐκγεγαώς· Ζεὺς δ᾽ Αἰακὸν αὐτὸς ἔτικτεν.
ὣς δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι πάντες, ὅσοι συνέπονται ἑταῖροι,
365
ἀθανάτων υἱές τε καὶ υἱωνοὶ γεγάασι.
Τοῖα παρέννεπεν Αργος· ἄναξ δ᾽ ἐπεχώσατο μύθοις
εἰσαΐων· ὑψοῦ δὲ χόλῳ φρένες ἠερέθοντο.
φῆ δ᾽ ἐπαλαστήσας· μενέηνε δὲ παισὶ μάλιστα δε
Χαλκιόπης· τῶν γάρ σφε μετελθέμεν οἵνεκ᾽ ἐώλπει·
370
ἐκ δὲ οἱ ὄμματ᾽ ἔλαμψεν ὑπ᾽ ὀφρύσιν ἱεμένοιο.
Οὐκ ἄφαρ᾿ ὀφθαλμῶν μοι ἀπόπροθι, λωβητῆρες, τα
νεῖσθ᾽ αὐτοῖσι δόλοισι παλίσσυτοι ἔκτοθι γαίης,
πρίν τινα λευγαλέον τε δέρος καὶ Φρίξον ἰδέσθαι.
αὐτίχ᾽ ὁμαρτήσαντε ἐφ᾿ Ελλάδα; οὐκ ἐπὶ κῶας,
375
σκῆπτρα δὲ καὶ τιμὴν βασιληΐδα δεῦρο νέεσθε.
εἰ δέ κε μὴ προπάροιθεν ἐμῆς ἥψασθε τραπέζης,
ἦτ᾿ ἂν ἀπὸ γλώσσας τε ταμὼν καὶ χεῖρε κεάσσας
ἀμφοτέρας, οἴοισιν ἐπιπροέηκα πόδεσσιν,
ὡς κεν ἐρητύοισθε καὶ ὕστερον ὁρμηθῆναι,
380
οἷα δὲ καὶ μακάρεσσιν ἐπεψεύσασθε θεοῖσι.
Φῆ ῥα χαλεψάμενος· μέγα δὲ φρένες Αἰακίδαο
νειόθεν οἰδαίνεσκον· ἐέλδετο δ᾽ ἔνδοθι θυμὸς
ἀντιβίην ὀλοὸν φᾶσθαι ἔπος· ἀλλ᾽ ἀπέρυκεν
Αἰσονίδης· πρὸ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἀμείψατο μειλιχίοισιν.
385
Αἰήτη, σχέο μοι τῷδε στόλῳ. οὔ τι γὰρ αὕτως
ἄστυ τεὸν καὶ δώμαθ᾽ ἑκάνομεν, ὡς που ἔολπας,
οὐδὲ μὲν ἱέμενοι. τίς δ᾽ ἂν τόσον οἶδμα περῆσαι
τλαίη ἑκὼν ὀθνεῖον ἐπὶ κτέρας; ἀλλ᾿ ἐμὲ δαίμων
καὶ κρυερὴ βασιλῆος ἀτασθάλου ώρσεν ἐφετμή.
390
δὸς χάριν ἀντομένοισι· σέθεν δ᾽ ἐγὼ Ελλάδι πάση
θεσπεσίην οἴσω κληηδόνα· καὶ δὲ τοι ἤδη
πρόφρονες εἰμὲν Αρηϊ θοὴν ἀποτῖσαι ἀμοιβὴν,
εἴτ᾽ οὖν Σαυρομάτας γε λιλαίεαι, εἴτε τιν᾿ ἄλλου
δῆμον σφωϊτέροισιν ὑπὸ σκήπτροισι δαμάσσαι.
395
Ισκεν ὑποσαίνων ἀγανῇ ὀπί· τοῖο δὲ θυμὸς
διχθαδίην πόρφυρεν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι μενοινὴν,
ἢ σφέας ὁρμηθεὶς αὐτοσχεδὸν ἐξεναρίξοι,
ἢ ὅγε πειρήσαιτο βίης. τὸ οἱ εἴσατ᾿ ἄρειον
φραζομένῳ· καὶ δή μιν ὑποβλήδην προσέειπε.
400
Ξεῖνε, τί κεν τὰ ἕκαστα διηνεκέως ἀγορεύοις;
εἰ γὰρ ἐτήτυμον ἐστὲ θεῶν γένος, ἢὲ καὶ ἄλλως
οὐδὲν ἐμεῖο χέρηες ἐπ᾿ ὀθνείοισιν ἔβητε,
δώσω τοι χρύσειον ἄγειν δέρος, αἴ κ᾽ ἐθέλῃσθα,
πειρηθείς. ἐσθλοῖς γὰρ ἐπ᾿ ἀνδράσιν οὔτι μεγαίρω,
405
ὡς αὐτοὶ μυθεῖσθε τὸν Ἑλλάδι κοιρανέοντα.
πεῖρα δέ τοι μένεός τε καὶ ἀλκῆς ἔσσετ᾽ ἄεθλος
τόν δ᾽ αὐτὸς περίειμι χεροῖν, ὀλούν περ͵ ἐόντα.
δοιώ μοι πεδίον τὸ Αρήϊον ἀμφινέμονται
ταύρω χαλκόποδε, στόματι φλόγα φυσιόωντε·
410
τοὺς ἐλάω ζεύξας στυφελὴν κατὰ νειὸν Αρηος
τετράγυον, τὴν αἶψα ταμὼν ἐπὶ τέλσον ἀρότρῳ,
οὐ σπόρον ὁλκοῖσι Δηοῦς ἐνιβάλλομαι ἀκτὴν,
ἀλλ᾽ ὄφιος δεινοῖο μεταλδήσκοντας ὀδόντας
ἀνδράσι τευχηστῇσι δέμας· τοὺς δ᾽ αὖθι δαΐζων
415
κείρω ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ περισταδὸν ἀντιόωντας.
ἠέριος ζεύγνυμι βόας, καὶ δείελον ὥρην·
παύομαι ἀμήτοιο. σὺ δ᾽, εἰ τάδε τοῖα τελέσσεις,
αὐτῆμαρ τόδε κῶας ἀποίσεαι ἐς βασιλῆος·
πρὶν δέ κεν οὐ δοίην, μηδ᾽ ἔλπεο. δὴ γὰρ ἀεικὲς
420
ἄνδρ᾽ ἀγαθὸν γεγαῶτα κακωτέρῳ ἀνέρι εἶξαι.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· ὁ δὲ σίγα ποδῶν πάρος ὄμματα πήξας:
ἦσθ' αὕτως ἄφθογγος, ἀμηχανέων κακότητι.
βουλὴν δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πολὺν στρώφα χρόνον, οὐδὲ πη εἶχε
θαρσαλέως ὑποδέχθαι, ἐπεὶ μέγα φαίνετο ἔργου:
425
ὀψὲ δ᾽ ἀμειβόμενος προσελέξατο κερδαλέοισιν.
Αἰήτη, μάλα τοί με δίκῃ περιπολλὸν ἐέργεις.
τῷ καὶ ἐγὼ τὸν ἄεθλον, ὑπερφίαλόν περ ἐόντα,
τλήσομαι, εἰ καί μοι θανέειν μόρος. οὐ γὰρ ἔτ᾽ ἄλλο
ῥίγιον ἄνθρωπός γε κακῆς ἐπαμείψετ᾽ ἀνάγκης,
430
ἢ με καὶ ἐνθάδε νεῖσθαι ἐπέχραεν ἐκ βασιλῆος.
Ως φάτ᾽ ἀμηχανίῃ βεβολημένος· αὐτὰρ ὃ τόνγε
σμερδαλέοις ἐπέεσσι προσέννεπεν ἀσχαλόωντα.
Ερχεο νῦν μεθ᾽ ὅμιλον, ἐπεὶ μέμονάς γε πόνοιο·
εἰ δὲ σύ γε ζυγὰ βουσὶν ὑποδείσαις ἐπαεῖραι,
435
ἠὲ καὶ οὐλομένου μεταχάσσεαι ἀμήτοιο,
αὐτῷ κεν τὰ ἕκαστα μέλοιτό μοι, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλος
ἀνὴρ ἐῤῥίγῃσιν ἀρείονα φῶτα μετελθεῖν.
Ισκεν᾿ ἀπηλεγέως· ὁ δ᾽ ἀπὸ θρόνου ὄρνυτ᾽ Ιήσων,
Αὐγείης, Τελαμών τε παρασχεδόν· εἵπετο δ᾽ Αργος
440
οἷος, ἐπεὶ μεσσηγὺς ἔτ᾿ αὐτόθι νεῦσε λιπέσθαι
αὐτοκασιγνήτοις· οἱ δ᾽ ᾔεσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο.
θεσπέσιον δ᾽ ἐν πᾶσι μετέπρεπεν Αἴσονος υἱὸς
κάλλεϊ καὶ χαρίτεσσιν· ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ δ᾽ ὄμματα κούρη
λοξὰ παρὰ λιπαρὴν σχομένη θηεῖτο καλύπτρην,
445
κῆρ᾽ ἄχεϊ σμύχουσα· νόος δέ οἱ, ἠὔτ᾽ ὄνειρος,
ἑρπύζων πεπότητο μετ᾽ ἴχνια νισσομένοιο.
καὶ ρ᾽ οἱ μὲν ῥα δόμων ἐξήλυθον ἀσχαλόωντες.
Χαλκιόπη δὲ χόλον πεφυλαγμένη Αἰήταο
καρπαλίμως θάλαμόνδε σὺν υἱάσιν οἶσι βεβήκει
450
αὕτως δ᾽ αὖ Μήδεια μετέστιχε· πολλὰ δὲ θυμῷ
ὥρμαιν, ὅσσα τ᾿ Ερωτες ἐποτρύνουσι μέλεσθαι.
προπρὸ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὀφθαλμῶν ἔτι οἱ ἰνδάλλετο πάντα·
αὐτός θ' οἷος ἔην, οἵοισί τε φάρεσιν ἕστο,
οἷά τ᾽ ἔειφ᾽, ὡς θ᾽ ἕζετ᾽ ἐπὶ θρόνου, ὡς τε θύραζε
455
ἤϊεν· οὐδέ τιν᾿ ἄλλον οἴσσατο πορφύρουσα
ἔμμεναι ἀνέρα τοῖον· ἐν οὔασι δ᾽ αἰὲν ὀρώρει
αὐδή τε μῦθοί τε μελίφρονες, οὓς ἀγόρευσε.
τάρβει δ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ αὐτῷ, μή μιν βόες, ἠὲ καὶ αὐτὸς
Αἰήτης φθίσειεν· ὀδύρετο δ᾽ ἤΰτε πάμπαν
460
ἤδη τεθνειῶτα, τέρεν δὲ οἱ ἀμφὶ παρειὰς
δάκρυον αἰνοτάτῳ ἐλέῳ ῥέε κηδοσύνῃσιν·
ἦκα δὲ μυρομένη λιγέως ἀνενείκατο μῦθον.
Τίπτ᾿ ἐμὲ δειλαίην τόδ᾽ ἔχει ἄχος; εἴθ᾽ ὅγε πάντων
φθίσεται ἡρώων προφερέστατος, εἴτε χερείων,
465
ἐῤῥέτω. ἢ μὲν ὄφελλεν ἀκήριος ἐξαλέασθαι.
ναὶ δὴ τοῦτό γε, πότνα θεὰ Περσηΐ, πέλοιτο.
οἴκαδε νοστήσειε φυγὼν μόρον· εἰ δὲ μιν αἶσα
δμηθῆναι ὑπὸ βουσὶ, τόδε προπάροιθε δαείη,
οὕνεκεν οὐ οἱ ἔγωγε κακῇ ἐπαγαίομαι ἄτῃ.
470
Η μὲν ἄρ᾽ ὡς ἐόλητο νόον μελεδήμασι κούρη.
οἱ δ᾽ ἐπεὶ οὖν δήμου τε καὶ ἄστεος ἐκτὸς ἔβησαν
τὴν ὁδὸν, ἣν τοπάροιθεν ἀνήλυθον ἐκ πεδίοιο,
δὴ τότ' Ιήσονα τοῖσδε προσέννεπεν Αργος ἔπεσσιν. “
Αἰσονίδη, μῆτιν μὲν ὀνόσσεαι, ἣν τιν᾿ ἐνίψω· :
475
πείρης δ᾽ οὐ μάλ᾽ ἔοικε μεθιέμεν ἐν κακότητι.
κούρην δή τινα πρόσθεν ὑπέκλυες αὐτὸς ἐμεῖο
φαρμάσσειν, Εκάτης Περσηΐδος ἐννεσίῃσι·
τὴν εἴ κεν πεπίθοιμεν, όΐομαι, οὐκέτι τάρβος
ἔσσετ᾽ ἀεθλεύοντι δαμήμεναι· ἀλλὰ μάλ᾽ αἰνῶς
480
δείδω, μή πως οὐ μοι ὑποσταίη τόγε μήτηρ.
ἔμπης δ᾽ ἐξαῦτις μετελεύσομαι, ἀντιβολήσων,
ξυνὸς ἐπεὶ πάντεσσιν ἐπικρέμαθ᾽ ἡμὶν ὄλεθρος.
Ισκεν ἐϋφρονέων· ὁ δ᾽ ἀμείβετο τοῖσδ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν.
Ω πέπον, εἴ νύ τοι αὐτῷ ἐφανδάνει, οὔ τι μεγαίρω.
485
βάσκ᾽ ἴθι, καὶ πυκινοῖσι τεὴν παρὰ μητέρα μύθοις
ὄρνυθι λισσόμενος: μελέη γε μὲν ἡμὶν ὄρωρευτο.
ἐλπωρή, ὅτε νόστον ἐπετραπόμεσθα γυναιξίν.
ὡς ἔφατ᾿· ὧκα δ᾽ ἕλος μετεκίαθον. αὐτὰρ ἑταῖροι
γηθόσυνοι ἐρέεινον, ὅπως παρεόντας ἴδοντο·
490
τοῖσιν δ᾽ Αἰσονίδης τετιημένος ἔκφατο μύθον.
Ω φίλοι, Αἰήταο ἀπηνέος ἄμμι φίλον κῆρ
ἄντικρυς κεχόλωται. ἕκαστα γ᾽ ἄρ᾽ οὐ νύ τι τέκμωρ
οὔτ᾽ ἐμοὶ, οὔτε κεν ὄμμι διειρομένοισι πέλοιτος
φῆ δὲ δύω πεδίον͵ τὸ Αρήϊον ἀμφινέμεσθαι
495
ταύρω χαλκόποδε, στόματι φλόγα φυσιόωντε,
τετράγυον δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἐφίετο νειὸν ἀρόσσαι·
δώσειν δ᾽ ἐξ ὄφιος γενύων σπόρον, ὅς ῥ᾽ ἀνίησι
Γηγενέας χαλκέοις σὺν τεύχεσιν· ἤματι δ᾽ αὐτῷ :
χρειὼ τούσγε δαΐξαι. ὃ δή νύ οἱ (οὔτι γὰρ ἄλλο
500
βέλτερου ἦν φράσσασθαι) ἀπηλεγέως ὑποέστην.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· πάντεσσι δ᾽ ἀνήνυτος εἴσατ᾿ ἄσθλος.
δὴν δ᾽ ἄνεῳ καὶ ἄναυδοι ἐς ἀλλήλους ὁρύωντο,
ἄτῃ ἀμηχανίῃ τε κατηφέες· ὀψὲ δὲ Πηλεὺς
θαρσαλέως μετὰ πᾶσιν ἀριστήεσσιν ἔειπεν·
505
Ωρη μητιάασθαι ὅ κ᾽ ἔρξομεν. οὐ μὲν ἔολπα
βουλῆς εἶναι ὄνειαρ, ὅσον τ᾽ ἐπὶ κάρτεϊ χειρῶν.
εἰ μέν νυν τύνη ζεύξαι βόας Αἰήταο,·
ἥρως Αἰσονίδη, φρονέεις, μέμονάς τε πόνοιο,
ἦ τ᾽ ἂν ὑποσχεσίην πεφυλαγμένος ἐντύναιο·
510
εἰ δ᾽ οὐ του μάλα θυμὸς ἑῇ ἐπὶ πάγχυ πέποιθεν
ἠνορέῃ, μήτ᾽ αὐτὸς ἐπείγεο, μήτε τιν ἄλλον
τῶνδ᾽ ἀνδρῶν πάπταινε παρήμενος. οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγε
σχήσομ᾽, ἐπεὶ θάνατός γε τὸ κύντατον ἔσσεται, ἄλγος.
Ως ἔφατ᾿ Αἰακίδης· Τελαμῶνι δὲ θυμὸς ὀρίνθη·
515
σπερχόμενος δ᾽ ἀνόρουσε θοῶς· ἐπὶ δὲ τρίτος Ιδας
ὧρτο μέγα φρονέων, ἐπὶ δ' υἶες Τυνδαρέοιο
σὺν δὲ καὶ Οἰνεΐδης ἐναρίθμιος αἰζηοῖσιν.
ἀνδράσιν, οὐδέ περ ὅσσον ἐπανθιόωντας ἰούλους
ἀντέλλων· τοίῳ οἱ ἀείρετο κάρτεϊ θυμός.
520
οἱ δ᾽ ἄλλοι εἴξαντες ἀκὴν ἔχον. αὐτίκα δ᾽ Αργος
τοῖον ἔπος μετέειπεν ἐελδομένοισιν ἀέθλου.
Ω φίλοι, ἤτοι μὲν τόδε λοίσθιον, ἀλλά τιν οἴω
μητρὸς ἐμῆς ἔσσεσθαι ἐναίσιμον ύμμιν ἀρωγήν.
τῷ καί περ μεμαώτες, ἐρητύοισθ᾽ ἐνὶ νηϊ
525
τυτθὸν ἔθ᾽, ὡς τοπάροιθεν, ἐπεὶ καὶ ἐπισχέμεν ἔμπης
λώϊον, ἢ κακὸν οἶτον ἀφειδήσαντας ἑλέσθαι.
κούρη τις μεγάροισιν ἐνιτρέφετ᾽ Αἰήταο,
τὴν Εκάτη περίαλλα θεὰ δάε τεχνήσασθαι
φάρμαχ, ὅσ᾽ ἤπειρός τε φύει καὶ νήχυτον ὕδωρ,
530
τοῖσι καὶ ἀκαμάτοιο πυρὸς μειλίσσετ᾽ ἀϋτμὴν,
καὶ ποταμοὺς ἵστησιν ἄφαρ κελαδεινὰ ῥέοντας,
ἄστρα τε, καὶ Μήνης ἱερῆς ἐπέδησε κελεύθους.
τῆς μὲν ἀπὸ μεγάροιο κατὰ στίβον ἐνθάδ' ἰόντες
μνησάμεθ᾽, εἴκε δύναιτο, κασιγνήτη γεγαυῖα,
535
μήτηρ ἡμετέρη πεπιθεῖν ἐπαρῆξαι ἀέθλῳ.
εἰ δὲ καὶ αὐτοῖσι τόδ᾽ ἐφανδάνει, ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ἱκοίμην
ἤματι τῷδ᾽ αὐτῷ πάλιν εἰς δόμον Αἰήταο
πειρήσων· τάχα δ᾽ ἂν σὺν δαίμονι πειρηθείην.
Ως φάτο· τοῖσι δὲ σῆμα θεοὶ δόσαν εὐμενέοντες.
540
τρηρὼν μὲν φεύγουσα βίην κίρκοιο πελειάς
ὑψόθεν Αἰσονίδεω πεφοβημένη ἔμπεσε κόλποις
κίρκος δ᾽ ἀφλάστῳ περικάππεσεν. ὦκα δὲ Μόψος
τοῖον ἔπος μετὰ πᾶσι θεοπροπέων ἀγόρευεν.
Υμμι, φίλοι, τόδε σῆμα θεῶν ἰότητι τέτυκται,
545
οὐδέ πη ἄλλως ἐστὶν ὑποκρίνασθαι ἄρειον,
παρθενικὴν δ᾽ ἐπέεσσι μετελθέμεν ἀμφιέποντας
μήτι παντοίῃ. δοκέω δέ μιν οὐκ ἀθερίξειν,
εἰ ἐτεὸν Φινεύς γε θεῇ ἐνὶ Κύπριδι νόστον
πέφραδεν ἔσσεσθαι. κείνης δ' ὅγε μείλιχος ὄρνις
550
πότμον ὑπεξήλυξε· κέαρ δ᾽ ἐμοὶ ὡς ἐνὶ θυμῷ
τόνδε κατ᾿ οἰωνὸν προτιόσσεται, ὡς γε πέλοιτο.
ἀλλὰ, φίλοι, Κυθέρειαν ἐπικλείοντες ἀμύνειν,
ἤδη νῦν Αργοιο παραιφασίῃσι πίθεσθε.
Ισκεν· ἐπήνησαν δὲ νέοι, Φινῆος ἐφετμὰς
555
μνησάμενοι· μοῦνος δ᾽ Αφαρήϊος ἄνθορεν Ιδας,
δείν᾽ ἐπαλαστήσας μεγάλῃ ὀπὶ, φώνησέν τε.
Ω πόποι, ἡ ῥα γυναιξὶν ὁμόστολοι ἐνθάδ᾽ ἔβημεν,
οἳ Κύπριν καλέουσιν ἐπίροθον ἄμμι πέλεσθαι,
οὐκ ἔτ᾿ Ενυαλίοιο μέγα σθένος· ἐς δὲ πελείας
560
καὶ κίρκους λεύσσοντες ἐρητύεσθε ἀέθλων.
ἔῤῥετε, μηδ' ὄμμιν πολεμήϊα ἔργα μέλοιτο,
παρθενικὰς δὲ λιτῇσιν ἀνάλκιδας ἠπεροπεύειν.
Ως ηὔδα μεμαώς· πολέες δ᾽ ὁμάδησαν ἑταῖροι
ἦκα μάλ, οὐδ᾽ ἄρα τις οἱ ἐναντίον ἔκφατο μύθον.
565
χωόμενος δ᾽ ὅγ᾽ ἔπειτα καθέζετο· τοῖσι δ' Ιήσων
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐποτρύνων τὸν ἑὸν νόον ὧδ᾽ ἀγόρευεν·
Αργος μὲν παρὰ νηὰς, ἐπεὶ τόδε πᾶσιν ἔαδε,.
στελλέσθω· ἀτὰρ αὐτοὶ ἐπὶ χθονὸς ἐκ ποταμοίο
ἀμφαδὸν ἤδη πείσματ᾿ ἀνάψομεν. ἢ γὰρ ἔοικε
570
μηκέτι δὴν κρύπτεσθαι ὑποπτήσσοντας αϋτήν.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· καὶ τὸν μὲν ἄφαρ προΐαλλε νέεσθαι
καρπαλίμως ἐξαῦτις ἀνὰ πτόλιν· οἱ δ᾽ ἐπὶ νηὸς
εὐναίας ἐρύσαντες ἐφετμαῖς Αἰσονίδαο,
τυτθὸν ὑπὲξ ἕλεος χέρσῳ ἐπέκελσαν ἐρετμοῖς.
575
Αὐτίκα δ᾽ Αἰήτης ἀγορὴν ποιήσατο Κόλχων
νόσφιν ἑοῖο δόμου, τόθι περ καὶ πρόσθε κάθιζον,
ἀτλήτους Μινύαισι δόλους καὶ κήδεα τεύχων.
στεῦτο δ᾽, ἐπεί κε πρῶτα βόες διαδηλήσωνται
ἄνδρα τὸν, ὃς ῥ᾽ ὑπέδεκτο βαρὺν καμέεσθαι ἄεθλον,
580
δρυμὸν ἀναρήξας λασίης καθύπερθε κολώνης
αὔτανδρον φλέξειν δόρυ νήϊον, ὄφρ᾽ ἀλεγεινὴν
ὕβριν ἀποφλύξωσιν ὑπέρβια μηχανόωντες.
οὐδὲ γὰρ Αἰολίδην Φρίξον, μάλα περ χατέοντα,
δέχθαι ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἐφέστιον, ὃς πέρι πάντων
585
ξείνων μειλιχίῃ τε θεουδείῃ τ᾽ ἐκέκαστο,
εἰ μή οἱ Ζεὺς αὐτὸς ἀπ᾿ οὐρανοῦ ἄγγελον ἔκεν
Ερμείην, ὡς κε προσκηδέος ἀντιάσειε.
μὴ καὶ ληϊστῆρας ἑὴν ἐς γαῖαν ἰάντας
ἔσσεσθαι δηναιὸν ἀπήμονας, οἶσι μέμηλεν
590
ὀθνείοις ἐπὶ χεῖρα ἑὴν κτεάτεσσιν ἀείρειν,
κρυπταδίους τε δόλους τεκταινέμεν, ἠδὲ βοτήρων
αὔλια δυσκελάδοισιν ἐπιδρομίῃσι δαΐξαι.
νόσφι δὲ οἱ αὐτῷ φάτ᾽ ἐοικότα μείλια τίσειν
νἱῆας Φρίξοιο, κακορέκτησιν ἀπηδοὺς
595
ἀνδράσι νοστήσαντας ὁμιλαδὸν, ὄφρα ἓ τιμῆς
καὶ σκήπτρων ἐλάσειαν ἀκηδέες· ὡς ποτε βάξιν
λευγαλέην οὗ πατρὸς ἐπέκλυεν Ηελίοιο,
χρῆναὶ μιν πυκινὸν τε δόλον, βουλάς τε γενέθλης
σφωϊτέρης ἄτην τε πολύτροπον ἐξαλέασθαι··
600
τῷ καὶ ἐελδομένους πέμπειν ἐς Αχαϊΐδα γαῖαν
πατρὸς ἐφημοσύνῃ, δολιχὴν ὁδόν. οὐδὲ θυγατρῶν
εἶναὶ οἱ τυτθόν γε δέος, μή που τινὰ μῆτιν
φράσσωνται στυγερὴν, οὐδ᾽ υἱέος Αψύρτοιο·
ἀλλ᾽ ἐνὶ Χαλκιόπης γενεῇ τάδε λυγρὰ τετύχθαι.
605
καὶ ῥ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἄσχετα ἔργα πιφαύσκετο δημοτέροισι,
χωόμενος· μέγα δέ σφιν ἀπείλεε νῆὰ τ᾿ ἐρύσθαι,
ἠδ᾽ αὐτοὺς, ἵνα μή τις ὑπ᾿ ἐκ κακότητος ἀλύξῃ.
· Τόφρα δὲ μητέρ᾽ ἑὴν, μετιών δόμον Αἰήτὰο,
Αργος παντοίοϊσι παρηγορέεσκεν ἔπεσσι,
610
Μήδειαν λίσσεσθαι ἀμυνέμεν· ἡ δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
πρόσθεν μητιάασκε· δέος δὲ μιν ἴσχανε θυμόν,
μή πως ἠὲ παρ᾽ αἶσαν ἐτώσια μειλίξαιτο
πατρὸς ἀτυζομένην ὀλοὂν χόλον, ἠὲ λιτῇσιν
ἑσπομένης ἀρίδηλα καὶ ἀμφαδὰ ἔργα πέλοιτο.
615
Κούρην δ᾽ ἐξ ἀχέων ἀδινὸς κατελώφεεν ὕπνος
λέκτρῳ ἀνακλινθεῖσαν. ἄφαρ δέ μιν ἠπεροπῆες,
διὰ τ᾿ ἀκηχεμένην, ὀλοοὶ ἐρέθεσκοῦ ὄνειροι.
τὸν ξεῖνον δ᾽ ἐδόκησεν ὑφεστάμεναι τὸν ἄεθλον,
οὐ τι μάλ᾽ ὁρμαίνοντα δέρος κριοῖο κομίσσαι,
620
οὐδὲ τι τοῖό γ᾽ ἕκητι μετὰ πτόλιν Αἰήταο·
ἐλθέμεν, ὄφρα δέ μιν σφέτερον δόμον εἰσαγάγοιτο
κουριδίην παράκοιτιν· οἴετο δ᾽ ἀμφὶ βόεσσιν
αὐτὴ ἀεθλεύουσα μάλ᾽ εὐμαρέως πονέεσθαι·
σφωϊτέρους δὲ τοκῆας ὑποσχεσίης ἀθερίζειν,
625
οΰνεκεν οὐ κούρῃ ζεύξαι βόας, ἀλλὰ οἱ αὐτῷ
προὔθεσαν· ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα τοῦ νεῖκος πέλεν ἀμφήριστον
πατρί τε καὶ ξείνοις· αὐτῇ δ᾽ ἐπιέτρεπον ἄμφω
τὼς ἔμεν, ὡς κεν ἑῇσι μετὰ φρεσὶν ἰθύσειεν.
ἡ δ᾽ ἄφνω τὸν ξεῖνον, ἀφειδήσασα τοκήων,
630
εἶλετο· τοὺς δ᾽ ἀμέγαρτον ἄχος λάβεν, ἐκ διἐβόησαν
χωόμενοι· τὴν δ᾽ ὕπνος ἅμα κλαγγῇ μεθέηκε.
παλλομένη δ᾽ ἀνόρουσε φόβῳ, περί τ᾽ ἀμφί τε τοίχους
πάπτηνε θαλάμοιο· μόλις δ᾽ ἐσαγείρατο θυμὸν,
ὡς πάρος, ἐν στέρνοις, ἀδινὴν δ᾽ ἀνενείκατο φωνήν.
635
Δειλὴ ἐγὼν, οἶὸν με βαρεῖς ἐφόβησαν ὄνειροι.
δείδια, μὴ μέγα δή τι φέρῃ κακὸν ἥδε κέλευθος
ἡρώων. περί μοι ξείνῳ φρένες ἠερέθονται.·
μνάσθω ἑὸν κατὰ δῆμον Αχαϊΐδα τηλόθι κούρην
ἄμμι δὲ παρθενίη τε μέλοι καὶ δῶμα τοκήων.
640
ἔμπα γε μὴν θεμένη κύνεον κέαρ, οὐκ ἔτ᾿ ἄνευθεν
; αὐτοκασιγνήτης πειρήσομαι, εἴ κέ μ᾿ ἀέθλῳ
χραισμεῖν ἀντιάσῃσιν, ἐπὶ σφετέροις ἀχέουσα
παισί· τὸ κέν μοὶ λυγρὸν ἐνὶ κραδίῃ σβέσοι ἄλγος.
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ ὀρθωθεῖσα θύρας ὤίξε δόμοιο,
645
νήλιπος, οἰέανος· καὶ δὴ λελίητο νέεσθαι
αὐτοκασιγνήτηνδε, καὶ ἕρκεος οὐδὸν ἄμειψε.
δὴν δὲ κατ᾿ αὐτόθι μίμνεν ἐπὶ προδόμῳ θαλάμοιο,
αἰδοῖ ἐεργομένη· μετὰ δ᾽ ἐτράπετ᾿ αὐτὶς, ὀπίσσω
στρεφθεῖσ· ἐκ δὲ πάλιν κίεν ἔνδοθεν, ἄψ τ᾽ ἀλέεινεν
650
εἴσω· τηΰσιοι δὲ πόδες φέρον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα.
ἤτοι ὅτ᾿ ἰθύσειεν, ἔρυκέ μιν ἔνδοθεν αἰδώς··
αἰδοῦ δ᾽ εἰργομένην θρασὺς ἵμερος ὀτρύνεσκε.
τρὶς μὲν ἐπειρήθη, τρὶς δ᾽ ἔσχετο, τέτρατον αὖτις
λέκτροισι πρηνὴς ἐνικάππεσεν είλιχθεῖσα.
655
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε τις νύμφη θαλερον πόσιν ἐν θαλάμοισι
μύρεται, ὦ μιν ὄπασσαν ἀδελφεοὶ ἠδὲ τοκῆες,
οὐδέ τί πω πάσαις ἐπιμίσγεται ἀμφιπόλοισιν
αἰδοῦ ἐπιφροσύνῃ τε· μυχῷ δ᾽ ἀκέουσα θαάσσει·
τὸν δὲ τις᾽ ὤλεσε μοῖρα, πάρος ταρπήμεναι ἄμφω
660
δήνεσιν ἀλλήλων· ἡ δ᾽ ἔνδοθι, δαιομένη περ,
σῖγα μάλα κλαίει, χῆρον λέχος εἰσορόωσα,
μή μιν κερτομέουσαι ἐπιστοβέωσι γυναῖκες·
τῇ ἰκέλη Μήδεια κινύρετα. τὴν δὲ τις ἄφνω
μυρομένην μεσσηγὺς ἐπιπρομολοῦσ᾽ ἐνόησε
665
δμωάων, ἡ οἱ ἑπέτις πέλε κουρίζουσα·
Χαλκιόπῃ δ᾽ ἤγγειλε παρασχεδόν· ἡ δ᾽ ἐνὶ παισὶν
ἦστ᾽ ἐπιμητιόωσα κασιγνήτην ἀρέσασθαι,
ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ὡς ἀπίθησεν, ὅτ᾽ ἔκλυεν ἀμφιπόλοιο
μῦθον ἀνώϊστον· διὰ δ᾽ ἔσσυτο θαμβήσασα
670
ἐκ θαλάμου θάλαμόνδε διαμπερὲς, ᾧ ἔνι κούρη
κέκλιτ᾽ ἀκηχεμένη, δρύψε δ᾽ ἑκάτερθε παρειάς·
ὡς δ᾽ ἴδε δάκρυσιν ὄσσε πεφυρμένα, φώνησέν μιν.
Ωι μοι ἐγὼ, Μήδεια, τί δὴ τάδε δάκρυα λείβεις,
τίπτ᾿ ἔπαθες; τί τοι αἰνὸν ὑπὸ φρένας ἵκετο πένθος;
675
ωή νύ σε θευμορίη περιδέδρομεν ἅψεα νοῦσος,
ἠε τιν᾿ οὐλομένην ἐδάης ἐκ πατρὸς ἐνιπὴν
ἀμφί τ᾿ ἐμοὶ καὶ παισίν; ὄφελλέ με, μήτε τοκήων
δώμαθ', ἅγ᾽ εἰσοράαν, μηδὲ πτόλιν, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπὶ γαίης
πείρασι ναιετάειν, ἵνα μηδέ περ οὔνομα Κόλχων,
680
Ως φάτο· τῆς δ᾽ ἐρύθηνε παρήϊα· δὴν δέ μιν αἰδὼς
παρθενίη κατέρυκεν ἀμείψασθαι μεμαυίαν.
μῦθος δ᾽ ἄλλοτε μέν οἱ ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτης ἀνέτελλε
γλώσσης, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἔνερθε κατὰ στῆθος πεπότητο.
πολλάκι δ᾽ ἱμερόεν μὲν ἀνὰ στόμα θῦεν ἐνισπεῖν·
685
φθογγὴ δ᾽ οὐ προὔβαινε παροιτέρω· ὀψὲ δ᾽ ἔειπε.
τοῖα δάλῳ· θρασέες γὰρ ἐπικλονέεσκον Ερωτες.
Χαλκιόπη, περί μοι παίδων σέο θυμὸς ἄηται,
μή σφε πατὴρ ξείνοισι σὺν ἀνδράσιν αὐτίκ᾽ ὀλέσσῃ.
τοῖα κατακνώσασα μινυνθαδίω νέον ὕπνῳ
690
λεῦσσον ὀνείρατα λυγρά, τα τις θεὸς ἀκράαντα
θείη, μηδ᾽ ἀλεγεινὸν ἐφ᾽ υἱάσι κῆδος ἕλοιο.
Φῆ ῥα, κασιγνήτης πειρωμένη, εἴ κέ μιν αὐτὴ
ἀντιάσειε πάροιθεν ἑοῖς τεκέεσσιν ἀμύνειν.
τὴν δ᾽ αἰνῶς ἄτλητος ἐπέκλυσε θυμὸν ἀνίη,
695
δείματι, τοῦ ἐσάκουσεν· ἀμείβετο δ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ἐπέεσσι·
Καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὴ τάδε πάντα μετήλυθον ὁρμαίνουσα,
εἴ τινα συμφράσσαιο καὶ ἀρτύνειας ἀρωγήν.
ἀλλ᾽ ὄμοσον Γαϊάν τε καὶ Οὐρανὸν, ὅ ττι τοι εἴπω
σχήσειν ἐν θυμῷ, σύν τε δρήστειρα πέλεσθαι.
700
λίσσομ᾽ ὑπὲρ μακάρων, σέο τ᾽ αὐτῆς, ἠδὲ τοκήων,
μή σφε κακῇ ὑπὸ κηρὶ διαραισθέντας ἰδέσθαι
λευγαλέως· ἢ σοί γε φίλοις σὺν παισὶ θανοῦσα
εἴην ἐξ Αίδεω στυγερή μετόπισθεν Εριννύς.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, τὸ δὲ πολλὸν ὑπεξέχυτ᾿ αὐτίκα δάκρυς
705
νειόθι δ᾽ ἀμφοτέρησι περίσχετο γούνατα χερσὶ,
σὺν δὲ κάρη κόλποις περικάββαλεν. ἔνθ᾽ ἐλεεινὸν
ἄμφω ἐπ᾿ ἀλλήλῃσι θέσαν γόον· ἆρτο δ᾽ ἴωὴ
λεπταλέη διὰ δώματ᾽ ὀδυρομένων ἀχέεσσι.
τὴν δὲ πάρὸς Μήδεια προσέννεπεν ἀσχαλόωσα.
710
Δαιμονίη, τί νύ του ῥέξω ἄκος, οἱ ἀγορεύεις, οι
ἀράς τε στυγερὰς καὶ Εριννύας; αἱ γὰρ ὄφελλεν
ἔμπεδον εἶναι ἐπ᾿ ἄμμι τεοὺς υἱῆας ἔρυσθαι.
ἴστω, Κόλχων ὅρκος ὑπέρβιος, ὅντιν᾽ ὀμόσσαι
αὐτὴ ἐποτρύνεις, μέγας Οὐρανὸς, ἢ θ᾽ ὑπένερθε
715
Γαῖα, θεῶν μήτηρ, ὅσσον σθένος ἐστὶν ἐμεῖο,
μή σ᾽ ἐπιδευήσεσθαι, ἀνυστά περ ἀντιόωσαν.
Φῆ ἄρα· Χαλκιόπη δ' ἠμείβετο τοῖσδ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν
Οὐκ ἂν δὴ ξείνῳ τλαίης, χατέοντι καὶ αὐτῷ,
ἢ δόλον, ἤ τινα μῆτιν ἐπιφράσσασθαι ἀέθλου,
720
παίδων εἵνεκ᾿ ἐμεῖο; καὶ ἐκ κείνου ὅδ᾽ ἑκάνει
Αργος, ἐποτρύνων με τεῆς πειρῆσαι ἀρωγῆς·
μεσσηγὺς μὲν τόνγε δόμων λίπον ἐνθάδ᾽ ἰοῦσα.
Ως φάτο· τῇ δ᾽ ἔντοσθεν ἀνέπτατο χάρματι θυμός·
φοινίχθη δ᾽ ἄμυδις καλὸν χρόα, καδδέ μιν ἀχλὺς
725
εἶλεν ἰαινομένην, τοῖον δ᾽ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔειπε:
Χαλκιόπη, ως ύμμι φίλον τερπνόν τε τέτυκται,
ὡς ἔρξω. μὴ γάρ μοι ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι φαείνοι
ἠὼς, μηδ' ἐμὲ δηρὸν ἔτι ζώουσαν ἴδοιο,
εἴ τί γὲ σῆς ψυχῆς προφερέστερον, ἠε τι παίδων
730
σῶν θείην, οἳ δή μοι ἀδελφειοὶ γεγάασι,
κηδεμόνες τε φίλοι, καὶ ὁμήλικες. ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
φημὶ κασιγνήτη τε σέθεν κούρη τε πέλεσθαι,
ἶσον ἐπεὶ κείνοις με τεῷ ἐπαείραο μαζῷ·
νηπυτίην, ὡς αἰὲν ἐγώ ποτε μητρὸς ἄκουον.
735
ἀλλ᾽ ἴθι, κεῦθε δ᾽ ἐμὴν σιγῇ χάριν, ὄφρα τοκῆας
λήσομαι ἐντύνουσα ὑπόσχεσιν· ἦρι δὲ νηὸν
εἴσομαι εἰς Εκάτης, θελκτήρια φάρμακα ταύρων
οἰσομένη ξείνῳ, ὑπὲρ οὗ τόδε νεῖκος ὄρωρεν.
Ως ἡ γ᾽ ἐκ θαλάμοιο πάλιν κίε, παισί τ᾽ ἀρωγὴν
740
αὐτοκασιγνήτης διεπέφραδε. τὴν δὲ μὲν αὐτις
αἰδώς τε στυγερόν τε δέος λάβε μουνωθεῖσαν,
τοῖα παρὲξ οὗ πατρὸς ἐπ᾿ ἀνέρι μητιάασθαι.
Νὺξ μὲν ἔπειτ᾽ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἄγε κνέφας· οἱ δ᾽ ἐνὶ πόντω
ναῦται εἰς Ελίκην τε καὶ ἀστέρας Ωρίωνος
745
ἔδρακον ἐκ νηῶν· ὕπνοιο δὲ καί τις ὁδίτης
ἤδη, καὶ πυλαωρὸς, ἐέλδετο· καὶ τινα παίδων
μητέρα τεθνεώτων ἀδινὸν περὶ κῶμ᾽ ἐκάλυπτεν·
οὐδὲ κυνῶν ὑλακὴ ἔτ᾿ ἀνὰ πτόλιν, οὐ θρόος ἦεν
ἠχήεις· σιγὴ δὲ μελαινομένην ἔχεν ὄρφνην.
750
ἀλλὰ μάλ᾽ οὐ Μήδειαν ἐπὶ γλυκερὸς λάβεν ὕπνος.
πολλὰ γὰρ Αἰσονίδαο πόθῳ μελεδήματ᾽ ἔγείρε
δειδυῖαν ταύρων κρατερὸν μένος, οἶσιν ἔμελλε
φθίσθαι ἀεικελίη μοίρῃ κατὰ νειὸν Αρηος.
πυκνὰ δὲ οἱ κραδίη στηθέων ἔντοσθεν ἔθυεν,
755
ἠελίου ὡς τις τε δόμοις ἐνιπάλλεται αίγλη
ὕδατος ἐξανιοῦσα, τὸ δὴ νέον νὲ λέβητι,
ἠἑ που ἐν γαυλῷ κέχυται· ἡ δ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
ὠκείῃ στροφάλιγγὶ τινάσσεταὶ ἀΐσσουσα·
ὡς δὲ καὶ ἐν στήθεσσι κέαῳ ἐλελίζετο κούρης.
760
δάκρυ δ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ὀφθαλμῶν ἐλέῳ ῥέεν· ἔνδοθι δ᾽ αἰεὶ
τεῖρ᾽ ὀδύνη σμύχουσα διὰ χροὸς, ἀμφί τ᾽ ἀραιὰς
ἶνας, καὶ κεφαλῆς ὑπὸ νείατον ἰνίον ἄχρις,
ἔνθ᾽ ἀλεγεινότατον δύνει ἄχος, ὁππότ᾽ ἀνίας
ἀκάματοι πραπίδεσσιν ἐνισκίμψωσιν Ερωτες.
765
φῆ δὲ οἱ ἄλλοτε μὲν θελκτήρια φάρμακα ταύρων
δωσέμεν, ἄλλοτε δ᾽ οὔτι· καταφθίσθαι δὲ καὶ αὐτή·
αὐτίκα δ᾽ οὔτ᾽ αὐτὴ θανέειν, οὐ φάρμακα δώσειν,
ἀλλ᾽ αὕτως εὔκηλος ἑὴν ὀτλησέμεν ἄτην.
ἑζομένη δ᾽ ἤπειτα δοάσσατο, φώνησέν τε.ς
770
Δειλὴ ἐγὼ νῦν, ἔνθα κακῶν, ἢ ἔνθα γένωμαι,
πάντη μοι φρένες εἰσὶν ἀμήχανοι· οὐδέ τις ἀλκὴ
πήματος οἀλλ᾽ αὕτως φλέγει ἔμπεδον, ὡς ὄφελόν γε
Αρτέμιδος κραιπνοῖσι πάρος βελέεσσι δαμῆναι,
πρὶν τόν γ᾽ εἰσιδέειν, πρὶν Αχαϊΐδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι
775
Χαλκιόπης υἷας. τοὺς μὲν θεὸς, ἤ τις Εριννύς
ἄμμι πολυκλαύτους δεῦρ᾽ ἤγαγε κεῖθεν ἀνίας.
φθίσθω ἀεθλεύων, εἴ οἱ κατὰ νειὸν ὀλέσθαι
μοῖρα πέλει. πῶς γάρ κεν ἐμοὺς λελάθοιμι τοκῆας
φάρμακα μησαμένη; ποῖον δ᾽ ἐπὶ μύθον ἐνίψω;
780
τίς δὲ δόλος, τις μῆτις ἐπίκλοπος ἔσσετ᾽ ἀρωγῆς;
ἦ μιν ἄνευθ᾽ ἑτάρων προσπτύξομαι οἷον ἰδοῦσα;
δύσμορος· οὐ μὲν ἔολπα καταφθιμένοιό περ ἔμπης
λωφήσειν ἀχέων· τότε δ᾽ ἂν κακὸν ἄμμι πέλοιτο,
κεῖνος ὅτε ζωῆς ἀπαμείρεται. ἐῤῥέτω αἰδὼς,
785
ἐῤῥέτω ἀγλαΐη· ὁ δ᾽ ἐμῇ ἰότητι σαωθείς
ἀσκηθὴς, ἵνα οἱ θυμῷ φίλον, ἔνθα νέοιτο,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτῆμαρ, ὅτ᾽ ἐξανύσειεν ἄεθλον,
τεθναίην, ἢ λαιμὸν ἀναρτήσασα μελάθρου,
ἢ καὶ πασσαμένη ῥαιστήρια φάρμακα θυμοῦ.::.
790
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὡς φθιμένῃ μοι ἐπιλλίζουσιν ὀπίσσω
κερτομίας; τηλοῦ δὲ πόλις περὶ πᾶσα βοήσει
πότμον ἐμόν· καὶ κέν με διὰ στόματος φορέουσαι
Κολχίδες ἄλλυδις ἄλλαι ἀεικέα μωμήσονταί·
ἥτις κηδομένη τόσον ἀνέρος ἀλλοδαποῖο
795
κάτθανεν, ἥτις δῶμα καὶ οὓς ᾔσχυνε τοκῆας;
μαργοσύνῃ εἴξασα. τί δ᾽ οὐκ ἐμὸν ἔσσεται αἶσχος;
ᾧ μοι ἐμῆς ἄτης. ἦτ᾽ ἂν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη
τῇδ᾽ αὐτῇ ἐν νυκτὶ λιπεῖν βίον ἐν θαλάμοισι
πότμῳ ἀνωΐστῳ, κάκ᾽ ἐλέγχεα πάντα φυγοῦσαν,
800
πρὶν τάδε λωβήεντα καὶ οὐκ ὀνομαστὰ τελέσσαι.
Η, καὶ φωριαμὸν μετεκίαθεν, ᾗ ἔνι πολλὰ
φάρμακά οἱ, τὰ μὲν ἐσθλὰ, τὰ δὲ ῥαιστήρι᾽, ἔκειτο.
ἐνθεμένη δ᾽ ἐπὶ γούνατ᾽ ὀδύρετο. δεῦε δὲ κόλπους
ἄλληκτον δακρύοισι, τὰ δ᾽ ἔῤῥεεν ἀσταγὲς αὕτως,
805
αἴν᾿ ὀλοφυρομένης τὸν ἑὸν μόρον. ἵετο δ᾽ ἤγε
φάρμακα λέξασθαι θυμοφθόρα, ὄφρα πάσαιτο.
ἤδη καὶ δεσμοὺς ἀνελύετο φωριαμοῖο,
ἐξελέειν μεμαυῖα δυσάμμορος. ἀλλά οἱ ἄφνω
δεῖμ᾽ ὀλοὸν στυγεροῖο κατὰ φρένας ἦλθ᾽ Αΐδαο.
810
ἔσχετο δ᾽ ἀμφασίῃ δηρὸν χρόνον, ἀμφὶ δὲ πᾶσαι
θυμηδεῖς βιότοιο μεληδόνες ἰνδάλλοντο.
μνήσατο μὲν τερπνῶν, ὅσ᾽ ἐνὶ ζωοῖσι πέλονται,
μνήσαθ᾽ ὁμηλικίης περιγηθέος, οἷά τε κούρη·
καί τε οἱ ἠέλιος γλυκίων γένετ᾽ εἰσοράασθαι,
815
ἢ πάρος, εἰ ἐτεόν γε νόῳ ἐπεμαίεθ᾽ ἕκαστα.
καὶ τὴν μὲν ῥα πάλιν σφετέρων ἀποκάτθετο γούνων,
Ηρης ἐννεσίῃσι μετάτροπος, οὐδ᾽ ἔτι βουλὰς
ἄλλῃ δοιάζεσκεν· ἐέλδετο δ᾽ αἶψα φανῆναι
ἠῶ τελλομένην, ἵνα οἱ θελατήρια δοίη
820
φάρμακα συνθεσίησι, καὶ ἀντιάσειεν ἐς ἀπήν
πυκνὰ δ᾽ ἀνὰ κληΐδας ἑῶν λύεσκε θυράων,
αἴγλην σκεπτομένη· τῇ δ᾽ ἀσπάσιον βάλε φέγγος
Ηριγενής, κίνυντο δ᾽ ἀνὰ πτολίεθρον ἕκαστοι.
Ενθα κασιγνήτους μὲν ἔτ᾿ αὐτόθι μεῖναι ἀνώγει
825
Αργος, ἵνα φράζοιντο νόον καὶ μήδεα κούρης·
αὐτὸς δ᾽ αὐτ᾽ ἐπὶ νῆα κίε προπάροιθε λιασθείς.
Η δ᾽ ἐπεὶ οὖν ταπρῶτα φαεινομένην ἴδεν ἠῶ
παρθενική, ξανθὰς μὲν ἀνήψατο χερσὶν ἐθείρας,
αἱ οἱ ἀτημελίῃ καταειμέναι ἠερέθοντο,
830
αὐσταλέας, δ᾽ ἔψησε παρηΐδας· αὐτὰρ ἀλοιφῇ
νεκταρέῃ φαιδρύνετ᾽ ἐπὶ χρόα· δῦνε δὲ πέπλον
καλὸν, ἐϋγνάμπτοισιν ἀρηράμενον περόνησιν·
ἀμβροσίῳ δ᾽ ἐφύπερθε καρήατι βάλλε καλύπτρης
ἀργυφέην. αὐτοῦ δὲ δόμοις ἔνι δινεύουσα
835
στεῖβε πέδον, λήθῃ ἀχέων τὰ οἱ ἐν ποσὶν ἦε
θεσπέσι᾽, ἄλλα τ᾽ ἔμελλεν ἀεξήσεσθαι ὀπίσσω.
κέκλετο δ᾽ ἀμφιπόλοισιν, αἱ οἱ δυοκαίδεκα πᾶσαι
ἐν προδόμῳ θαλάμοιο θυώδεος ηὐλίζοντο,
ἥλικες, οὔπω λέκτρα σὺν ἀνδράσι πορσαίνουσαι,
840
ἐσσυμένως οὐρῆας ὑποζεύξασθαι ἀπήνῃ,
οἱ κέ μιν εἰς Εκάτης περικαλλέα νηὸν ἄγοιεν.
ἔνθ᾽ αὖτ᾿ ἀμφίπολοι μὲν ἐφοπλίζεσκον ἀπήνην·
ἡ δὲ τέως γλαφυρῆς ἐξείλετο φωριαμοῖο
φάρμακον, ὅ ῥά τε φασὶ Προμήθειον καλέεσθαι.
845
τῷ εἴ κ᾽ ἐννυχίοις τις ἀρεσσάμενος θυέεσσι
Δαίραν μουνογένειαν, ἑὸν δέμας ἰκμαίνοιτο,
ἦτ᾽ ἂν ὅγ᾽ οὔτε ῥηκτὸς ἔοι χαλκοῖο τυπῇσιν,
οὔτε κεν αἰθομένῳ πυρὶ εἰκάθοι· ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀλκῇ
λωΐτερος κεῖν᾽ ἦμαρ ὁμῶς κάρτει τε πέλοιτο.
850
πρωτοφυὲς τὸ γ᾽ ἀνέσχε, καταστάξαντος ἔραζε
αἰετοῦ ὠμηστέω κνημοῖς ἐνὶ Καυκασίοισιν
αἱματόεντ᾿ ἰχῶρα Προμηθῆος μογεροῖο.
τοῦ δ᾽ ἤτοι ἄνθος μὲν ὅσον πήχυιον ὕπερθε,
χροιῇ Κωρυκίῳ ἴκελον κρόκῳ, ἐξεφαάνθη,
855
καυλοῖσι διδύμοισιν ἐπήορον· ἡ δ᾽ ἐνὶ γαίῃ
σαρκὶ νεοτμήτῳ ἐναλιγκίη ἔπλετο ρίζα.
τῆς, οἵην τ᾽ ἐν ὄρεσσι κελαινὴν ἰκμάδα φηγοῦ,
Κασπίῃ ἐνὶ κόχλῳ ἀμήσατο φαρμάσσεσθαι,
ἑπτὰ μὲν ἀενάοισι λοεσσαμένη ὑδάτεσσιν,
860
ἑπτάκι δὲ Βριμώ κουροτρόφον ἀγκαλέσασα,
Βριμώ νυκτιπόλον, χθονίην, ἐνέροισιν ἄνασσαν,
λυγαίῃ ἐνὶ νυκτὶ, σὺν ὀρφναίοισι φάρεσσι.
μυκηθμῷ δ᾽ ὑπένερθεν ἐρεμνὴ σείετο γαῖα,
ῥίζης τεμνομένης Τιτηνίδος· ἔστενε δ᾽ αὐτὸς
865
Ιαπετοῖο πάϊς ὀδύνῃ πέρι θυμὸν ἀλύων.
τὸ ρ᾽ ἦγ᾽ ἐξανελοῦσα θυώδεϊ κάτθετο μίτρῃ,
ἥ τε οἱ ἀμβροσίοισι περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔερτο.
ἐκ δὲ θύραζε κιοῦσα θοῆς ἐπεβήσατ᾿ ἀπήνης·
σὺν δὲ οἱ ἀμφίπολοι δοιαὶ ἑκάτερθεν ἔβησαν.
870
αὐτὴ δ᾽ ἡνι ἔδεκτο, καὶ εὐποίητον ἱμάσθλην
δεξιτερῇ, ἔλαεν δὲ δι᾽ ἄστεος· αἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλαι
ἀμφίπολοι, πείρινθος ἐφαπτόμεναι μετόπισθε,
τρώχων εὐρεῖαν κατ᾿ ἀμαξιτόν· ἂν δὲ χιτῶνας
λεπταλέους λευκῆς ἐπιγουνίδος ἄχρις ἄειρον.
875
οἵη δὲ λιαροῖσιν ἐφ᾽ ὕδασι Παρθενίοιο,
ἠὲ καὶ Αμνισοῖο λοεσσαμένη ποταμοῖο,
χρυσείοις Λητωὓς ἐφ᾽ ἅρμασιν ἑστηνῖα,
ὠκείαις κεμάδεσσι διεξελάσῃσι κολώνας,
τηλόθεν ἀντιόωσα πολυκνίσσου ἑκατόμβης···
880
τῇ δ᾽ ἅμα Νύμφαι ἕπονται ἀμορβάδες, αἱ μὲν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς
ἀγρόμεναι πηγῆς Αμνισίδος, αἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλαι
ἄλσεα καὶ σκοπιὰς πολυπίδακας· ἀμφὶ δὲ θῆρες
κνυζηθμῷ σαίνουσιν ὑποτρομέοντες ἰοῦσαν·
ὡς αἱ γ᾽ ἐσσεύοντο δι' ἄστεος· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοί
885
εἶκον, ἀλευόμενοι βασιληΐδος ὄμματα κούρης.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόλιος μὲν ἐϋδμήτους λίπ᾿ ἀγυιὰς,
νηὸν δὲ εἰσαφίκανε διὲκ πεδίων ἐλάουσα
δὴ τότ᾽ ἐϋτροχάλοιο κατ᾿ αὐτόθι βήσατ᾿ ἀπήνης
ἱεμένη, καὶ τοῖα μετὰ δμωῇσιν ἔειπεν.
890
Ω φίλαι, ἢ μέγα δή τι παρήλιτον, οὐδ᾽ ἐνόησα
μὴ ἴμεν ἀλλαδαποῖσι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσιν, οἵτ᾿ ἐπὶ γαῖαν
ἡμετέρην στρωφῶσιν, ἀμηχανίῃ βεβόληται
πᾶσα πόλις· τὸ καὶ οὐ τις ἀνήλυθε δεῦρο γυναικῶν
τάων, αἱ τοπάροιθεν ἐπημάτιαι ἀγέροντα.
895
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἱκόμεσθα, καὶ οὐ νύτις ἄλλος ἔπεισιν,
εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε, μολπῇ θυμὸν ἀφειδείως κορέσωμεν
» μειλιχίῃ, τάδε καλὰ τερείνης ἄνθεα ποίης
λεξάμεναι· τότ᾽ ἔπειτ᾿ αὐτὴν ἀπονισόμεθ᾽ ὥρην.
καὶ δὲ κε σὺν πολέεσσιν ὀνείασιν οἴκαδ᾽ ἵκοισθε
900
ἤματι τῷ, εἴ μοι αυκαρέασετε τήνδε μενοινήν.
Αργος γάρ μ' ἐπέεσαι παρατρέπει, ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ.
Χαλκιόπη· τὰ δὲ σἴγα νάω ἔχετ᾽ εἰσαΐουσαι
ἐμέθεν, μὴ πατρὸς ἐς οὔατα μύθος ἵκηται. ικηται
τὸν ξεῖνόν με κέλονται, ὅτις περὶ βουσὶν ὑπέστη,
905
δῶρ᾽ ἀποδεξαμένην, ὀλοῶν ῥύσασθαι αέθλων.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τὸν μύθον ἐπῄνεον, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὸν
» κέκλομαι εἰς ἀπὴν, ἑτάρων ἄπο μοῦνον, ἱκέσθαι,
ὄφρα τὰ μὲν δασόμεσθα μετὰ σφίσιν, εἴ κεν ὀπάσσοι
δῶρα φέρων, τῷ δ᾽ αὖτε κακώτερον ἄλλο πόρωμεν
910
φάρμακον, ἀλλ᾽ ἀπονόσφι πέλεσθ᾽ ἐμοὶ, εὖτ᾽ ἵκηται.
Ως ηὔδα· πάσῃσι δ᾽ ἐπίκλοπος ἥνδανε μῆτις.
αὐτίκα δ᾽ Αἰσονίδην ἑτάρων ἄπο μοῦνον ἐρύσσας
Αργος, ὅτ᾽ ἤδη τήνδε κασιγνήτων ἐσάκουσεν
ἠερίην Εκάτης ἱερὸν μετὰ νηὸν ἰοῦσαν,
915
ἦγε διὲκ πεδίου· ἅμα δὲ σφίσιν εἵπετο Μόψος
Αμπυκίδης, ἐσθλὸς μὲν ἐπιπροφανέντας ἐνίσπεια
οἰωνοὺς, ἐσθλὸς δὲ συνευφράσσασθαι ἰοῦσιν,
Ενθ' οὔπω τὶς τοῖος ἐπὶ προτέρων γένετ᾽ ἀνδρῶν,
οὔθ᾽ ὅσοι ἐξ αὐτοῖο Διὸς γένος, οὔθ᾽ ὅσοι ἄλλων
920
ἀθανάτων ἥρωες ἀφ᾿ αἵματος ἐβλάστησαν, δια
οἷον Ιήσονα θῆκε Διὸς δάμαρ ἤματὸ κείνῳ, «περηρά οι
ἠμὲν ἐσάντα ἰδεῖν, ἠδὲ προτιμυθήσασθαι.
τὸν καὶ παπταίνοντες ἐθάμβεὸν αὐτοὶ ἑταῖροϊ
λαμπόμενον χαρίτεσσιν· ἐγήθησεν δὲ κελεύθῳ
925
Αμπυκίδης, ἤδη που οἴσσάμενος τὰ ἕκαστας
Εστι δέ τις πεδίοιο κατὰ στίβον ἐγγύθι νηοῦτε ό
αἴγειρος φύλλοισὶν ἀπειρεσίοις κομόωσας, τις δωρ
τῇ θαμὰ δὴ λακέρυζαι ἐπηυλίζοντο πορῶναι. Τότε
τάων τις μεσσηγὺς ἀνὰ πτερὰ κινήσασας «γ
930
ὑψοῦ ἐπ᾿ ἀκρεμόνων Ηρης ἠνίπαπε βουλάς.
Ακλειὴς ὅδε μάντις, ὃς οὐδ᾽ ὅσα παῖδες ἴσασινες συ
οἶδε νόῳ φράσσασθαι, · ὅθ' ούνεκεν οὔτε τι λαρόνες
οὔτ᾽ ἐρατὸν κούρη κεν ἔπος ἔπος προτιμυθήσαιτο
ἠϊθέῳ, εὔτ᾽ ἂν σφιν ἐπήλυδες ἄλλοι ἕπωνται.
935
ἔῤῥοις, ὦ κακόμαντι, κακοφραδές· οὐδέ σε Κύπρις,
οὔτ᾽ ἀγανοὶ φιλέοντες ἐπιπνείουσιν Ερωτές:
Ισκεν ἀτεμβομένη· μείδησε δὲ Μόψος ἀκούσας
ὀμφὴν οἰωνοῖο θεήλατον, ὧδε το ἔειπε·
Τύνη μὲν νηόνδε θεᾶς ἴθι, τῷ ἔνι κούρην
940
δήεις, Αἰσονίδη· μάλα δ' ἠπίῃ ἀντιβολήσεις,
Κύπριδος ἐννεσίῃς, ή τοι συνέρὶθος ἀέθλων
ἔσσεταὶ, ὡς δὴ καὶ πρὶν Αγηνορίδης φάτο Φινεύς.
νῶϊ δ᾽, ἐγὼν Αργος τε, δεδεγμένοι εὔτ᾽ ἂν ἵκηαι,
τῷδ᾽ αὐτῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ ἀπεσσόμεθ᾽· οἰόθι δ᾽ αὐτὸς
945
λίσσεό μιν πυκινοῖσι παρατροπέων ἐπέεσσιν.
Ἦ ῥα περιφραδέως, ἐπὶ δὲ σχεδὸν ἤνεον ἄμφω.
οὐδ᾽ ἄρα Μηδείης θυμὸς τράπετ᾽ ἄλλα νοῆσαι,
μελπομένης περ ὅμως· πᾶσαι δὲ οἱ, ἣν τιν᾿ ἀθύροι
μολπὴν, οὐκ ἐπὶ δηρὸν ἐφήνδανον ἑψιάασθαι.
950
ἀλλὰ μεταλήγεσκεν ὠμήχανος, οὐδέ ποτ᾽ ὅσσε
ἀμφιπόλων μεθ᾽ ὅμιλον ἔχ᾿ ἀτρέμας· ἐς δὲ κελεύθους
τηλόσε, παπταίνεσκε, παρακλίνουσα παρειάς.
ἦ θαμὰ δὴ στηθέων ἐάγη κέαρ, ὁππότε δοῦπονε
ἢ ποδὸς ἢ ἀνέμοιο παραθρέξαντα δοάσσαι.
955
αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ οὐ μετὰ δηρὸν ἐελδομένῃ ἐφαάνθη,
ὑψόσ᾽ ἀναθρώσκων, ἅτε Σείριος Ωκεανοῖος
ὃς δή του καλὸς μὲν, ἀρίζηλός τ᾽ ἐσιδέσθαι
ἀντέλλει, μήλοισι δὲ ἐν ἄσπετον ἧκεν ὀϊζύν·
ὡς ἄρα τῇ καλὸς μὲν ἐπήλυθεν εἰσοράασθαι
960
Αἰσονίδης, κάματον δὲ δυσίμερον ώρσε φαανθείς.
ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα οἱ κραδίη στηθέων πέσεν, ὄμματα δ᾽ αὕτως
ἤχλυσαν· θερμὸν δὲ παρηΐδας εἶλεν ἔρευθος,
γούνατα δ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ὀπίσω, οὔτε προπάροιθεν ἀεῖραι
ἔσθενεν, ἀλλ᾽ ὑπένερθε πάγη πόδας. αἱ δ᾽ ἄρα τείως
965
ἀμφίπολοι μάλα πᾶσαι ἀπὸ σφείων ἐλίασθεν.
τὰ δ᾽ ἄνεῳ καὶ ἄναυδοι ἐφέστασὰν ἀλλήλοισὶν,
νικὴ δρυσὶν, ἢ μακρῇσιν ἐειδόμενοι ἐλάτησιν,
αἱ τε παρᾶσσον ἕκηλοι ἐν οὔρεσιν ἐρρίζωνται,
νηνεμίῃ· μετὰ δ᾽ αὖτις ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς ἀνέμοιοιο
970
κινύμεναι ὁμάδησαν ἀπείριτον· ὡς ἄρα τώ γε
μέλλον ἅλις φθέγξασθαι ὑπὸ πνοιῆσιν Έρωτος.
γνῶ δέ μιν Αἰσονίδης ἄτῃ ἐνιπεπτηνϊαν
θευμορίῃ, καὶ τοῖον ὑποσαίνων φάτο μύθους
Τίπτ᾿ ἐμὲ, παρθενική, τόσον ἅζεαι, οἷον ἐόντα;
975
οὔ τι ἐγὼν, οἷοί τε δυσαυχέες ἄλλοι ἔασιν
ἀνέρες, οὐδ᾽, ὅτε περ πάτρῃ ἐνιναιετάασκον,
ἦα πάρος, τῷ μή με λίην ὑπεραίδεο, κούρη,
ἤ τι παρεξερέεσθαι, ὅ τοι φίλον, ἠε τι φάσθαι.
ἀλλ᾿ ἐπεὶ ἀλλήλοισιν ἱκάνομεν εὐμενέοντες
980
χώρῳ ἐν ἠγαθέῳ, ἵνα τ᾽ οὐ θέμις ἔστ᾽ ἀλιτέσθαι,
ἀμφαδίην ἀγόρευε καὶ εἴρεο· μηδ᾽ ἐμὲ τερπνοῖς
φηλώσῃς ἐπέεσσιν, ἐπεὶ τοπρῶτον ὑπέστης
φαὐτοκασιγνήτῃ μενοεικέα φάρμακα δώσειν.
πρός σ'. αὐτῆς Εκάτης μειλίσσομαι, ἠδὲ τοκήων,
985
καὶ τὸς, ὃς ξείνοις ἱκέτῃσί το χεῖρ᾽ ὑπερίσχει
ἀμφότερον δ᾽, ἱκέτης ξεϊνός τε τοι ἐνθάδ' ἱκάνω,
χρειοῖ ἀναγκαίῃ γουνούμενος, οὐ γὰρ ἄνευθεν
ὑμείων στονόεντος ὑπέρτερος. ἔσσαμ᾽ ἀέθλους,
σοὶ δ᾽ ἂν ἐγὼ πίσαιμι χάριν μετόπισθεν ἀρωγῆς,
990
ᾗ θέμις, ὡς ἐπέοικε διάνδιχα ναιετάοντας,
οὔνομα καὶ καλὸν τεύχων κλέος· ὡς δὲ καὶ ὠλλους
ἥρωες κλήσουσιν ἐς Ελλάδα νοστήσαντες,
ἡρώων τ᾿ ἄλαχοι καὶ μητέρες, αἱ κύ πατ᾽ ἤδη
ἡμέας ἠϊόνεσσιν ἐφεζόμεναι γοάουσι,
995
τάων ἀργαλέας κεν ἀποσκεδάσειας ἀνίας
δή ποτε καὶ Θησῆα κακῶν ὑπελύσατ᾽ ἀέθλων,
παρθενική Μινωΐς ἐϋφρονέρυσ᾽ Αριάδνη,
ἣν ῥά το Πασιφάη κούρη τέκεν Ηελίοιας
ἀλλ᾽ ἡ μὲν καὶ νηὸς, ἐπεὶ χόλον εὔνασε Μίνως,
1000
σὺν τῷ ἐφεζομένη, πάτρων λίπε· τὴν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
ἀθάνατοι φίλαντο, μέσῳ δὲ οἱ αἰθέρι τεκμαρ
ἀστερόεις στέφανος, τόν τε κλείουσ' Αριάδνης,
πάννυχος οὐρανίοισιν ἑλίσσεται εἰδώλοισιν, κυρίου
ὡς καὶ σοὶ θεόθεν χάρις ἔσσεται, εἴ με σαώσαις
1005
τόσσον ἀριστήων ἀνδρῶν στόλου, ἡ γὰρ ἔοικας
ἐκ μορφῆς ἀγανῇσιν ἐπητείῃσι κεκάσθαι
Ως φάτο κυδαίνων· ἡ δ᾽ ἐγκλιδὸν ὄσσε βαλοῦσα
νεκτάριον μείδησ᾽ ἐχύθῃ δὲ οἱ ἔνδοθι θυμός
αἴνῳ ἀειρομένης, καὶ ἀνέδρακεν ὄμμασιν ἄντην·
1010
οὐδ᾽ ἔχεν ὅ ττι πάροιθεν ἔπος προτιμυθήσαιτο,
ἀλλ᾽ἄμυδις μενέαινεν ἀολλέα πάντ᾽ ἀγορεύσαι.
προπρὸ δ᾽ ἀφειδήσασα θυώδιος ἔξελε μίτρης
φάρμακου: αὐτὰρ ὅ γ᾽ αἶψα χεροῖν ὑπέδεκταγεγηθώς.
καὶ νὰ κέ οἱ καὶ πᾶσαν ἀπὸ στηθέων ἀρύσασά
1015
ψυχὴν ἐγγυάλιξεν ἀγαλλομένη χατέοντι·
τοῖος ἀπὸ ξανθοῖο καρήατος Αἰσονίδας
στράπτεν Έρως ἡδεῖαν ἀπὸ φλόγα· τῆς δ᾽ ἀμαρυγὰς
ὀφθαλμῶν ἡρπαζεν· ἰαίνετο δὲ φρένας εἴσως
Ιολοτηκομένη, οἷόν τε περὶ ῥοδέεσσιν ἐέρση
1020
τήκεται ἠῴοισιν ἰαινομένη φαέεσσιν.
ἄμφω δ᾽ ἄλλοτε μέν τε κατ᾿ οὔδεος ὄμματ᾽ ἔρειδον
αἰδόμενοι, ὅτὲ δ᾽ αὖτις ἐπὶ σφίσι βάλλον ὀπωπὰς,
ἱμερόεν φαιδρῇσιν ὑπ᾽ ὀφρύσι μειδιόωντες.
ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ τοίοισι μόλις προσπτύξατο κούρη.
1025
Φράζεο νῦν, ὡς κέν τοι ἐγὼ μητίσομ᾽ ἀρωγήν.
εὖτ᾽ ἂν δὴ μετιόντι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐγγυαλίξῃ
ἐξ ἄφιος γενύων ὀλαοὺς σπείρασθαι ὀδόντας,
δὴ τότε μέσσην νύκτα διαμοιρηδὰ φυλάξας,
ἀκαμάτοιο ῥοῇσι λοεσσάμενος ποταμοίο,
1030
οἷος ἄνευθ᾽ ἄλλων ἐνὶ φάρεσι κυανέδισε
βόθρον ὀρύξασθαι περιηγέα· τῷ δ᾽ ἔνε θήλυν
ἀρνειὸν σφάζειν, καὶ ἀδαίετον ὠμοθετῆσαι,
αὐτῷ πυρκαϊὴν εὖ νηήσας ἐπὶ βόθρῳ.
μουνογενῆ δ᾽ Εκάτην Περσηΐδα μειλίσσειο,
1035
λείβων ἐκ δέπαος σιμβλήϊα ἔργα μελισσών.
ἔνθα δ᾽ ἐπεί κε θεὰν μεμνημένος ἱλάσσηαι,
ἂψ ἀπὸ πυρκαϊῆς ἀναχάζεο· μηδέ σε δοῦπος
ἠὲ ποδῶν ὄρσῃσι μεταστρεφθῆναι ὀπίσσω,
ἠὲ κυνῶν ὑλακή, μή πως τὰ ἕκαστα κολούσας
1040
οὐδ᾽ αὐτὸς κατὰ κόσμον ἑοῖς ἑτάροισι πελάσσῃς.
ἦρι δὲ μυδήνας τόδε φάρμακον, ἠὔτ᾽ ἀλαιφῇ,
γυμνωθεὶς φαίδρυνε τεὸν δέμας· ἐν δὲ οἱ ἀλκὴ
ἔσσετ᾽ ἀπειρεσίη, μέγα τε σθένος, οὐδέ κε φαίης
ἀνδράσιν, ἀλλὰ θεοῖσιν ἰσαζέμεν ἀθανάτοισι.
1045
πρὸς δὲ καὶ αὐτῷ δουρὶ σάκος πεπαλαγμένον ἔστω.
καὶ ξίφος, ἔνθ᾽ οὐκ ἂν σε διατμήξειαν ἀκωκαὶ
γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν, οὐδ᾽ ἄσχετος ἀΐσσουσα
φλὸξ ὀλοῶν ταύρων. τοῖός γε μὲν οὐκ ἐπὶ δηρόν
, ἔστεαι, ἀλλ᾿ αὐτῆμαρ· ὅμως σύγε μή ποτ'᾿ ἀέθλουιο5ο
1050
χάζεο, καὶ δέ τοι ἄλλο παρὲξ ὑποθήσομ᾽ ὄνειαρ.
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐπὴν κρατεροὺς ζεύξης βόας, ὦκα δὲ πᾶσαν
χερσὶ καὶ ἠνορέῃ στυφελὴν διὰ νειὸν ἀρόσσῃς,
κοἱ δ᾽ ἤδη κατὰ ὦλκας ἀνασταχύωσι Γίγαντες,
σπειρομένων ὄφιος δνοφερὴν ἐπὶ βῶλον ὀδόντων,
1055
αἴ κεν ὀρινομένους πολέας νειοῖο δοκεύσῃς,
λάθρη λᾶαν ἀφες στιβαρώτερον· οἱ δ᾽ ἂν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ,
καρχαρέοι κύνες ὥστε περὶ βρώμης, ὀλέκοιεν
ἀλλήλους· καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὸς ἐπείχεο δηϊοτῆτος
ἰθῦσαι. τὸ δὲ κῶας ἐς Ελλάδα τοῖό γ᾽ ἕκητι
1060
οἴσεαι ἐξ Αἴης τηλοῦ ποθί· νίσσεο δ᾽ ἔμπης,
ᾗ φίλον, ᾗ τοι ἔαδεν ἀφορμηθέντι νέεσθαι.
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, καὶ σῖγα ποδῶν πάρος ὄσσε βαλοῦσα
θεσπέσιον λιαροῖσι παρηΐδα δάκρυσι δεῦε,
μυρομένη, ὅτ᾽ ἔμελλεν ἀπόπροθι πολλὸν ἑεῖο
1065
πόντον ἐπιπλάγξασθαι· ἀνιηρῷ δὲ μιν ἄντην
ἐξαῦτις μύθῳ προσεφώνεεν, εἶλέ τε χειρὸς
δεξιτερῆς· δὴ γὰρ οἱ ἀπ᾿ ὀφθαλμοὺς λίπεν αἰδώς.
Μνώεο δ᾽, ἢν ἄρα δή ποθ᾽ ὑπότροπος οἴκαδ᾽ ἵκηαι,
οὔνομα Μηδείης· ὡς δ᾽ αὐτ᾽ ἐγὼ ἀμφὶς ἐόντος
1070
μνήσομαι. εἰπὲ δ᾽ ἐμοὶ πρόφρων τόδε, πῆ τοι ἔασι
δώματα, πῆ νῦν ἔνθεν ὑπεὶρ ἅλα νηΐ περήσεις·
ἤ νύ που ἀφνειοῦ σχεδὸν ἵξεαι Ορχομενοῖο,
ἤὲ καὶ Αἰαίης νήσου πέλας; εἰπὲ δὲ κούρην,
ἣν τινα τήνδ᾽ ὀνόμηνας ἀριγνώτην γεγαυῖαν
1075
Πασιφάης, ἢ πατρὸς ὁμόγνιος ἐστὶν ἐμοῖο.
Ως φάτο· τὸν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸν ὑπήϊε δάκρυσι κούρης
οὖλος Ερως, τοῖον δὲ παραβλήδην ἔπος ηὔδα·
Καὶ λίην οὐ νύκτας βίομαι, οὐδέ ποτ᾽ ἦμαρ,
σεῦ ἐπιλήσεσθαι, προφυγών μόρον, εἰ ἐτεόν γε
1080
φεύξομαι ἀσκηθὴς ἐς Αχαΐδα, μηδέ κεν ἄλλον
Αἰήτης προβάλῃσι κακώτερον ἄμμιν ἄεθλον.
εἰ δὲ του ἡμετέρην ἐξίδμεναι εὔαδε πάτρην,
ἐξερέω· μάλα γάρ με καὶ αὐτὸν θυμὸς ἀνώγει.
ἔστι τις αἰπεινοῖσι περίδρομος οὔρεσι γαῖα,
1085
πάμπαν ἐϋρειτός τε καὶ εὔβοτος, ἔνθα Προμηθεὺς
Ιαπετιονίδης ἀγαθὸν τέκε Δευκαλίωνα,
ὃς πρῶτος ποίησε πόλεις καὶ ἐδείματο νηοὺς
ἀθανάτοις, πρῶτος δὲ καὶ ἀνθρώπων βασίλευσεν,
Αἱμονίην δὴ τήνγε περικτίονες καλέουσιν,
1090
ἐν δ᾽ αὐτῇ Ιαωλκὸς, ἐμὴ πόλις, ἐν δὲ καὶ ἄλλαι,
πολλαὶ ναιετάουσιν, ἵν᾿ οὐδέ περ οὔνομ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι
Αἰαίης νήσου· Μινύην γε μὲν ὁρμηθέντα,
Αιολίδην Μινύην, ἔνθεν φάτις Ορχομενοῖο
δή ποτε Καδμείοισιν ὁμούριον ἄστυ πολίσσαι.
1095
ἀλλὰ τίη τάδε τοι μεταμώνια πάντ᾽ ἀγορεύω,
ἡμετέρους τε δόμους, τηλεκλείτην τ' Αριάδνην,
κούρην Μίνωος, τόπερ ἀγλαὸν οὔνομα κείνην
παρθενικὴν καλέεσκον ἐπήρατον, ἣν μ᾽ ἐρεείνεις;
αἴθε γὰρ, ὡς Θησῆϊ τότε ξυναρέσσατο Μίνως
1100
ἀμφ᾿ αὐτῆς, ὡς ἄμμι πατὴρ τεὸς ἄρθμιος εἴη.
Ως φάτο, μειλιχίοισι καταψήχων βάροισι·.
τῆς δ᾽ ἀλεγεινόταται κραδίην ἐρέθεσκον ἀνίαι,
καί μιν ἀκηχεμένη ἀδινῷ προσπτύξατο μύθῳ.
Ελλάδι που τάδε καλά, συνημοσύνας ἀλεγύνειν·
1105
Αἰήτης δ᾽ οὐ τοῖος ἐν ἀνδράσιν, οἷον ἔειπας
Μίνω Πασιφάης πόσιν ἔμμεναι· οὐδ᾽ Αριάδνῃ
ἰσοῦμαι· τῷ μή τι φιλοξενίην ἀγόρευε.
ἀλλ᾽ οἷον τύνη μὲν ἐμεῦ, ὅτ᾽ Ιωλκὸν ἵκησαι,
μνώεο· σεῖο δ᾽ ἐγὼ, καὶ ἐμῶν ἀέκητι τοκήων,
1110
μνήσομαι. ἔλθοι δ᾽ ἡμὶν ἀπόπροθεν ἠε τις ὄσσα,
ἠἑ τις ἄγγελος ὄρνις, ὅτ᾿ ἐλλελάθοιο ἐμεῖο·
ἢ αὐτήν γε ταχεῖαι ὑπὲρ πόντοιο φέροιεν
ἔνθενδ᾽ εἰς Ιαωλκὸν ἀναρπάξασαὶ ἄελλαις
ὄφρα σ᾽, ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἐλεγχείας προφέρουσα,
1115
μνήσω ἐμὴ ἰότητι πεφυγμένον. αἴθε γὰρ εἴην
ἀπροφάτως τότε σε σοῖσιν ἐφέστιος ἐν μεγάροισιν
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, ἐλεεινὰ καταπροχέουσα παρειῶν
δάκρυα· τὴν δ᾽ ὅ γε δῆθεν ὑποβλήδην προσέειπε·
Δαιμονίη, κενεὰς μὲν ἔα πλάζεσθαι ἀέλλας,
1120
ὡς δὲ καὶ ἄγγελον ὄρνιν, ἐπεὶ μεταμώνια βάζεις.
εἰ δὲ κεν ἤθεα κεῖνα καὶ Ελλάδα γαϊαν ἵκηαι,
τιμήεσσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ἀνδράσιν, αἰδοίη τε, μ
ἔσσέαι, ἠδὲ σε πάγχυ θεὸν ὡς πορσανεδύσιν,
ούνεκα τῶν μὲν παῖδες ὑπότροποι οίκαδ' ίκοντο
1125
σῃ βουλῇ, τῶν δ᾽ αὖτε κασίγνητοί τε ἔται τε
καὶ θαλεροὶ κακότητος ἄδὴν ἐσάωθεν ἀκοῖται.
ἡμέτερον δὲ λέχος θαλάμοις ἐνὶ κουριδίοισι
πορσανέεις· οὐδ᾽ ἄμμε διακρινέει φιλότητος
ἄλλο, πάρος θάνατόν γε μεμορμένον ἀμφικαλύψαι.1130
1130
Ως φάτο· τῇ δ᾽ ἔντοσθε κατείβετο θυμὸς ἀκουῇ.
ἔμπης δ᾽ ἔργ᾽ ἀΐδηλα κατεῤῥίγησεν ἰδέσθαι.
σχετλίη· οὐ μὲν δηρὸν ἀπαρνήσεσθαι ἔμελλεν
Ελλάδα ναιετάειν. ὡς γὰρ τόδε μήδετο Ηρη,
ὄφρα κακὸν Πελίῃ ἱερὴν ἐς Ιωλκὸν ἱκοιτο
1135
Αἰαίη Μήδεια, λιποῦσά γε πατρίδα γαϊαν.
Ήδη δ᾽ ἀμφίπολοι μὲν ὀπιπτεύουσαι ἄπωθεν
σιγῇ ἀνιάζεσκον· ἐδεύετο δ᾽ ἤματος ὥρη
ἄψ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι ἑὴν μετὰ μητέρα κούρην.
ἡ δ᾽ οὔπω κομιδῆς μιμνήσκετο, τέρπετο γάρ οἱ
1140
θυμὸς ὁμῶς μορφῇ τε καὶ αἱμυλίοισι λόγοισιν,
εἰ μὴ ἄρ᾽ Αἰσονίδης πεφυλαγμένος ὀψέ περηὔδα
Ωρη ἀποβλώσκειν, μὴ πρὶν φάος ἠελίοιο
δύῃ ὑποφθάμενον, καί τις τὰ ἕκαστα νοήσῃ
ὀθνείων· αὖτις δ᾽ ἀβολήσομεν ἐνθάδ' ἰόντες.
1145
Ως τώ γ᾽ ἀλλήλων ἀγανοῖς ἐπὶ τόσσον ἔπεσσι·
πείρηθεν· μετὰ δ᾽ αὖτε διέτμαγον. ἤτοι Ιήσων
εἰς ἑτάρους καὶ νῆα κεχαρμένος ὧρτο νέεσθαι·
ἡ δὲ μετ᾿ ἀμφιπόλους· αἱ δὲ σχεδὸν ἀντεβόλησαν
πᾶσαι ὁμοῦ· τὰς δ᾽ οὐ τι περιπλομένας ἐνόησε.
1150
ψυχὴ γὰρ νεφέεσσι μεταχθονίη πεπότητο.
αὐτομάτοις δὲ πόδεσσι θοῆς ἐπεβήσατ' ἀπήνης,
καί ρ᾽ ἑτέρῃ μὲν χειρὶ λάβ᾽ ἡνία, τῇ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἱμάσθλην
δαιδαλέην, οὐρῆας ἐλαυνέμεν· οἱ δὲ πόλινδε
θύνον ἐπειγόμενοι ποτὶ δώματα. τὴν δ᾽ ἀνιοῦσαν
1155
Χαλκιόπη περὶ παῖσὶν ἀκηχεμένη ἐρέεινεν·
ἡ δὲ παλιντροπίῃσιν ἀμήχανος οὔτε τι μύθων
ἔκλυεν, οὔτ᾽ αὐδῆσαι ἀνειρομένη λελίητο.
ἶζε δ᾽ ἐπὶ χθαμαλῷ σφέλαϊ κλιντῆρος ἔνερθε,
λέχρις ἐρεισαμένη λαιῇ ἐπὶ χειρὶ παρειήν·
1160
ὑγρὰ δ᾽ ἐνὶ βλεφάροις ἔχεν ὄμματα, πορφύρουσα
οἷον ἑῇ κακὸν ἔργον ἐπιξυνώσατο βουλῇ.
Αἰσονίδης δ᾽ ὅτε δὴ ἑτάροις ἐξαῦτις ἔμικτο
ἐν χώρῃ, ὅθι τούςγε καταπρολιπῶν ἐλιάσθη,
ὦρτ᾿ ἰέναι σὺν τοῖσι, πιφαυσκόμενος τὰ ἕκαστα,
1165
ἡρώων ἐς ὅμίλον· ὁμοῦ δ᾽ ἐπὶ νῆα πέλασσαν.
οἱ δὲ μιν ἀμφαγάπαζον, ὅπως ἴδον, ἔκ τ᾽ ἐρέοντο.
αὐτὰρ ὃ τοῖς πάντεσσι μετέννεπε δήνεα κούρης,
δεῖξὲ τε φάρμακον αἰνόν· ὁ δ᾽ οἰόθεν οἷος ἑταίρων
προἶδας ἦστ᾿ ἀπάνευθε δακὼν χόλον· οἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι
1170
γηθόσυνοι, τῆμος μὲν, ἐπεὶ κνέφας ἔργαθε νυκτὸς,
εὔκηλοι ἐμέλοντο περὶ σφίσιν. αὐτὰρ ἅμ᾽ ἠοῖ
πέμπον ἐς Αιήτην ἰέναι, σπόρον αἰτήσοντας
ἄνδρε δύω, πρὸ μὲν αὐτὸν ἀρηϊφιλον Τελαμῶνα,
σὺν δὲ καὶ Αἰθαλίδην, υἷα κλυτὸν Ερμείαο.
1175
βὰν δ᾽ ἴμεν, οὐδ᾽ ἁλίωσαν ὁδόν· πόρε δέ σφιν ἰοῦσι
κρείων Αἰήτης χαλεποὺς ἐς ἄεθλον ὀδόντας
Αονίοιο δράκοντος, ὃν Ωγυγίῃ ἐνὶ Θήβη
Κάδμος, ὅτ᾽ Εὐρώπην διζήμενος εἰσαφίκανε,
πέφνεν, Αρητιάδι κρήνῃ ἐπίουρον ἐόντα,
1180
ἔνθα καὶ ἐννάσθη, πομπῇ βοὸς, ἣν οἱ Απόλλων
ὤπασε μαντοσύνῃσι προηγήτειραν ὁδοῖο.
τοὺς δὲ θεὰ Τριτωνὶς, ὑπὲκ γενύων ἐλάσασα,
Αἰήτῃ πόρε δῶρον ὁμῶς, αὐτῷ τε φονῆϊ.
καί ρ᾽ ὁ μὲν Αονίοισιν ἐνισπείρας πεδίοισι
1185
Κάδμος Αγηνορίδης ἐπὶ γηγενῆ εἶσατο λαὸν,
Αρεος ἀμώοντος ὅσοι ὑπὸ δουρὶ λίποντο·
τοὺς δὲ τότ᾽ Αἰήτης ἔπορε μετὰ νῆα φέρεσθαι
προφρονέως, ἐπεὶ οὐ μιν οἴσσατο πείρατ᾿ ἀέθλου
ἐξανύσειν, εἰ καί περ ἐπὶ ζυγά βουσὶ βάλοιτο.
1190
Ηέλιος μὲν ἄπωθεν ἐρεμνὴν δύετο γαῖαν
ἑσπέριος, νεάτας ὑπὲρ ἄκριας Αἰθιοπήων·
Νὺξ δ᾽ ἵπποισιν ἔβαλλεν ἔπι ζυγά· τοὶ δὲ χαμεύνας
ἔντυον ἥρωες παρὰ πείσμασιν. αὐτὰρ Ιήσων
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐπεί ρ᾽ Ελίκης ἐϋφεγγέες ἀστέρες ἄρκτου
1195
ἔκλιθεν, οὐρανόθεν δὲ πανεύκηλος γένετ᾽ αἰθὴρ,
βῆ δ᾽ ἐς ἐρημαίην κλωπήϊος, ἠΰτε τις φώρ,
σὺν πᾶσι χρήεσσι· πρὸ γάρ τ᾽ ἀλέγυνεν ἕκαστα
ἠμάτιος· θῆλυν μὲν ὄϊν, γάλα τ᾽ ἔκτοθι ποίμνης
Αργος ἰὼν ἤνεικε· τὰ δ᾽ ἐξ αὐτῆς ἕλε νηός.
1200
ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε δὴ ἴδε χῶρον, ὅτις πάτου ἔκτοθεν ἦεν
ἀνθρώπων, καθαρῆσιν ὑπεύδιος εἱαμενῆσιν,
ἔνθ᾽ ἤτοι πάμπρωτα λοέσσατο μὲν ποταμοῖο
εὐαγέως θείοιο τέρεν δέμας· ἀμφὶ δὲ φᾶρὸς
ἕσσατο κυάνεον, τὸ μὲν οἱ πάρος ἐγγυάλιξε
1205
Λημνιὰς Υψιπύλη, ἀδινῆς μνημήϊον εὐνῆς.
πηχύϊον δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔπειτα πέδῳ ἔνι βόθρον ὀρύξας
νήησε σχίζας, ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἀρνειοῦ τάμε λαιμὸν,
αὐτὸν τ᾽ εὖ καθύπερθε τανύσσατο· δαῖε δὲ φιτροὺς,
πῦρ ὑπένερθεν ἱεὶς, ἐπὶ δὲ μιγάδας χέε λοιβάς,
1210
Βριμώ κικλήσκων Εκάτην ἐπαρωγὸν ἀέθλων.
καὶ ῥ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἀγκαλέσας πάλιν ἔστιχεν· ἡ δ᾽ ἀΐουσα
κευθμῶν ἐξ ὑπάτων δεινὴ θεὸς ἀντεβόλησεν
ἱροῖς Αἰσονίδαο· πέριξ δέ μιν ἐστεφάνωντο
σμερδαλέοι δρυΐνοισι μετὰ πτόρθοισι δράκοντες·
1215
στράπτε δ᾽ ἀπειρέσιον δαΐδων σέλας· ἀμφὶ δὲ τήνγε
ὀξείῃ ὑλακῇ χθόνιοι κύνες ἐφθέγγοντο.
πίσεα δ᾽ ἔτρεμε πάντα κατὰ στίβον· αἱ δ᾽ ὀλόλυξαν
Νύμφαι ἑλειονόμοι ποταμηΐδες, αἱ περὶ κείνην
Φάσιδος είαμενὴν Αμαραντίου εἱλίσσονται.
1220
Αἰσονίδην δ᾽ ἤτοι μὲν ἕλε δέος, ἀλλά μιν οὐδ᾽ ὡς
ἐντροπαλιζόμενον πόδες ἔκφερον, ὄφρ᾽ ἑτάροισι
μίκτο κιών· ἤδη δὲ φόως νιφόεντος ὑπερθε
Καυκάσου ἠριγενής Ηὼς βάλεν ἀντέλλουσα.
Καὶ τότ᾽ ἄρ᾽ Αἰήτης περὶ μὲν στήθεσσιν ἕεστο
1225
θώρηκα στάδιον, τὸν οἱ πόρεν ἐξεναρίξας
σφωϊτέρης Φλεγραῖον Αρης ὑπὸ χερσὶ Μίμαντα·
χρυσείην δ᾽ ἐπὶ κρατὶ κόρυν θέτο τετραφάληρον,
λαμπομένην, οἷόν τε περίτροχον ἔπλετο φέγγος
ἠελίου, ὅτε πρῶτον ἀνέρχεται Ωκεανοῖο.
1230
ἂν δὲ πολύρινον νώμα σάκος, ἂν δὲ καὶ ἔγχος.
δεινὸν, ἀμαιμάκετον· τὸ μὲν οὐ κέ τις ἄλλος ὑπέστη
ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων, ὅτε κάλλιπον Ηρακλῆα
τῆλε παρὲξ, ὅ κεν οἷος ἐναντίβιον πελέμιξε.
τῷ δὲ καὶ ὠκυπόδων ἵππων ἐϋπηγέα· δίφρον
1235
ἔσχε πέλας Φαέθων ἐπιβήμεναι· ἀν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς
βήσατο, ῥυτῆρας δὲ χεροῖν ἔχεν. ἐκ δὲ πόληος
ἤλασεν εὐρεῖαν κατ᾿ ἀμαξιτὸν, ὡς κεν ἀέθλῳ
παρσταίη· σὺν δέ σφιν ἀπείριτος ἔσσυτο λαός.
οἷος δ᾽ Ισθμιον εἶσι Ποσειδάων ἐς ἀγῶνα
1240
ἅρμασιν ἐμβεβαὼς, ἢ Ταίναρον, ἢ ὅγε Λέρνης
ὕδωρ, ἠὲ κατ᾿ ἄλσος Υαντίου Ογχηστοῖο,
καί τε Καλαύρειαν μετὰ δὴ θαμὰ νίσσεται ἵπποις,
πέτρην θ' Αἱμονίην, ἢ δενδρήεντα Γεραιστόν·
τοῖος ἄρ᾽ Αἰήτης Κόλχων ἀγὸς ἦεν ἰδέσθαι.
1245
Τόφρα δὲ Μηδείης ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν Ιήσων
φάρμακα μυδήνας, ἠμὲν σάκος ἀμφεπάλυνεν,
ἠδὲ δόρυ βριαρὸν, περὶ δὲ ξίφος· ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ἑταῖροι·
πείρησαν τευχέων βεβιημένοι, οὐδ᾽ ἐδύναντο
κεῖνο δόρυ γνάμψαι τυτθόν γέ που, ἀλλὰ μάλ᾽ αὕτως1250
1250
ἀαγὲς κρατερῇσιν ἐνεσκλήκει παλάμησιν.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖς ἄμοτον κοτέων Αφαρήϊος Ιδας
κόψε παρ᾽ οὐρίαχον μεγάλῳ ξίφει· ἆλτο δ᾽ ἀκωκή,
ῥαιστὴρ ἄκμονος ὥστε, παλιντυπές· οἱ δ᾽ ὁμάδησαν
γηθόσυνοι ἥρωες ἐπ᾿ ἐλπωρῇσιν ἀέθλου.
1255
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὸς μετέπειτα παλύνετο· δῦ δὲ μιν ἀλκὴ
σμερδαλέη, ἄφατός τε καὶ ἄτρομος· αἱ δὲ ἑκάτερθε
χεῖρες ἐπεῤῥώσαντο περὶ σθένεϊ σφριγόωσαι.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἀρήϊος ἵππος ἐελδόμενος πολέμοιο
σκαρθμῷ ἐπιχρεμέθων κρούει πέδον, αὐτὰρ ὑπερθε1260
1260
κυδιόων ὀρθοῖσιν ἐπ᾿ οὔασιν αὐχέν᾿ ἀείρει·
τοῖος ἄρ᾽ Αἰσονίδης ἐπαγαίετο κάρτεϊ γυίων.
πολλὰ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα μετάρσιον ἴχνος ἔπαλλεν,
ἀσπίδα χαλκείην μελίην τ᾽ ἐνὶ χερσὶ τινάσσων.
φαίης κε ζοφεροῖο κατ' αἰθέρος ἀΐσσουσαν
1265
χειμερίην στεροπὴν θαμινὸν μεταπαιφάσσεσθαι
ἐκ νεφέων, ὅτ᾽ ἔπειτα μελάντατον ὄμβρον ἄγωνται.
καὶ τότ᾽ ἔπειτ᾽ οὐ δηρὸν ἔτι σχήσεσθαι ἀέθλων
μέλλον· ἀτὰρ κληΐσιν ἐπισχερὼ ἱδρυνθέντες
ῥίμφα μάλ᾽ ἐς πεδίον τὸ Αρήϊον ἠπείγοντο.
1270
τόσσον δὲ προτέρω πέλεν ἄστεος ἀντιπέρηθεν,
ὅσσον τ᾽ ἐκ βαλβίδος ἐπήβολος ἅρματι νύσσα
γίγνεται, ὁππότ᾽ ἄεθλα καταφθιμένοιο ἄνακτος
κηδεμόνες πεζοῖσι καὶ ἱππήεσσι τίθενται.
τέτμου δ᾽ Αἰήτην τε καὶ ἄλλων ἔθνεα Κόλχων,
1275
τοὺς μὲν Καυκασίοισιν ἐφεσταότας σκοπέλοισι,
τὸν δ᾽ αὐτοῦ παρὰ χεῖλος ἑλισσόμενον ποταμοῖο.
στε: Αἰσονίδης δε, ὅτε δὴ πρυμνήσια δῆσαν ἑταῖροι,
δή ῥα τότε ξὺν δουρὶ καὶ ἀσπίδι βαῖν ἐς ἄεθλον,
νηὸς ἀποπροθορών· ἄμυδις δ᾽ ἕλε παμφανόωσαν
1280
χαλκείην πήληκα θοῶν ἔμπλειον ὀδόντων,
καὶ ξίφος ἀμφ᾽ ὤμοις, γυμνὸς δέμας, ἄλλα μὲν Αρει
· εἴκελος, ἄλλα δέ που χρυσάορι Απόλλωνι.
παπτήνας δ᾽ ἀνὰ νειὸν, ἴδε ζυγὰ χάλκεα ταύρων,
αὐτόγυόν τ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖς στιβαροῦ ἀδάμαντος ἄροτρον.
1285
χρίμψε δ᾽ ἔπειτα κιὼν, παρὰ δ᾽ ὄβριμον ἔγχος ἔπηξεν
ὀρθὸν ἐπ᾿ οὐριάχῳ, κυνέην δ᾽ ἀποκάτθετ᾽ ἐρείσας.
βῇ δ᾽ αὐτῇ προτέρωσε σὺν ἀσπίδι νήριτα ταύρων
ἴχνια μαστεύων· οἱ δ᾽ ἔκποθεν ἀφράστοιο
κευθμῶνος χθονίου, ἵνα τε σφίσιν ἔσκε βόαυλα
1290
καρτερά, λιγνυόεντι πέριξ εἰλυμένα καπνῷ,
ἄμφω ὁμοῦ προγένοντο, πυρὸς σέλας ἀμπνείοντες.
ἔδδεισαν δ᾽ ἥρωες, ὅπως ἴδον. αὐτὰρ ὁ τούσκες
εὖ διαβὰς, ἐπιόντας, ἅτε σπιλὰς εἰν ἁλὶ πέτρη
μίμνει ἀπειρεσίησι δονεύμενα κύματ᾿ ἀέλλαις,
1295
πρόσθε δὲ οἱ σάκος ἔσχεν ἐναντίον· οἱ δὲ μιν ἄμφω
μυκηθμῷ κρατεροῖσιν ἐνέπληξαν κεράεσσιν·
οὐδ᾽ ἄρα μιν τυτθόν περ ἀνώχλισαν ἀντιόωντες
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἐνὶ τρητοῖσιν εΰρινοι χοάνοισι
φῦσαι χαλκήων ὁτὲ μέν τ᾿ ἀναμορμύρουσι,
1300
πῦρ ὀλοὸν πιμπρᾶσαι, ὁτ᾽ αὖ λήγουσιν αϋτμῆς,
δεινὸς δ᾽ ἐξ αὐτῶν πέλεται βρόμος, ὁππότ᾽ ἀΐξη
νειόθεν· ὡς ἄρα τώγε θοὴν φλόγα φυσιόωντες
ἐκ στομάτων ὁμάδουν; τὸν δ᾽ ἄμφι τε δήϊον αἶθος
βάλλεν ἅτε στεροπή· κούρης δὲ ὁ φάρμακ᾽ ἔρυτο.
1305
καί ὁ᾽ ὅγε δεξιτεροῖο κέρας βοὺς ἄκρον ἐρύσσας
εἶλκεν ἐπικρατέως παντὶ σθένει, ὄφρ᾽ ἐπέλασσε
ζεύγλῃ χαλκείῃ, τὸν δ᾽ ἐν χθονὶ κάββαλεν ὀκλὰξ,
ῥίμφὰ ποδὶ κρούσας πόδα χάλκεον. ὡς δὲ καὶ ἄλλον
ἔσφαλε γνὺξ ἐπιόντα, μιῇ βεβολημένον ὁρμῇ.
1310
εὐρὺ δ᾽ ἀποπροβαλὼν χαμάδις σάκος, ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
τῇ καὶ τῇ βεβαὼς ἄμφω ἔχε πεπτηῶτας
γούνασιν ἐν προτέροισι, διὰ φλογός γὸς εἶθαρ ἐλυσθείς.
θαύμασε δ' Αἰήτης σθένος ἀνέρος. οἱ δ᾽ ἄρα τείως
Τυνδαρίδαι, δὴ γάρ σφι πάλαι προπεφραδμένον ἦεν,1315
1315
ἀγχίμολον ζυγά οἱ πεδόθεν δόσαν ἀμφιβαλέσθαι.
αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ εὐ ἐνέδησε λόφοις· μεσσηγὺ δ᾽ ἀείρας
χάλκεον ἱστοβοῆα, θοῇ συνάρασσε κορώνῃ
ζεύγληθεν. καὶ τὼ μὲν ὑπ᾽ ἐκ πυρὸς ἄψ ἐπὶ τῆα δο
χαζέσθην. ὁ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ αὖτις ἑλὼν σάκος ἄνθετο νώτῳ
1320
ἐξόπιθεν, καὶ γέντο θοῶν ἔμπλειον ὀδόντων
πήληκα βριαρήν, δόρυ τ᾽ ἄσχετον, ᾧ ρ᾽ ὑπὸ μέσσας
ἐργατίνης ὡς τις τε Πελασγίδι νύσσεν ἀκαίνῃ
οὐτάζων λαγόνας· μάλα δ᾽ ἔμπεδον εὖ ἀραρυῖαν
τυκτὴν ἐξ ἀδάμαντος ἐπιθύνεσκεν ἐχέτλην. "
1325
οἱ δὲ τέως μὲν δὴ περιώσια θυμαίνεσκον,
λάβρον ἐπιπνείοντε πυρὸς σέλας· ὧρτο δ᾽ ἀϋτμὴ,
ἠΰτε βυκτάων ἀνέμων βρόμος, οὓς τε μάλιστα
δειδιότες μέγα λαῖφος ἁλίπλοοι ἐστείλαντο.
δηρὸν δ᾽ οὐ μετέπειτα κελευόμενοι ὑπὸ δουρί
1330
ἤϊσαν· ὀκριόεσσα δ᾽ ἐρείκετο νειὸς ὀπίσσω,
σχιζομένη ταύρων τε βίῃ κρατερῷ τ᾽ ἀροτῆρι.
δεινὸν δ᾽ ἐσμαράγουν ἄμυδις κατὰ ὦλκας ἀρότρου
βώλακες ἀγνύμεναι ἀνδραχθέες· εἶπετο δ᾽ αὐτὸς
βαθμὸν ἐπὶ στιβαρῷ πιέσας ποδί· τῆλε δ' δεῖο
1335
βάλλεν ἀρηρομένην αἰεὶ κατὰ βῶλον ὀδόντας,
ἐντροπαλιζόμενος, μή οἱ πάρος ἀντιάσειε
Γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν ὀλοὺς στάχυς· οἱ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐπιπρὸβ
χαλκείῃς χηλῇσιν ἐρειδόμενοι πονέοντο."
ἦμος δὲ τρίτατον λάχος ἤματος ἀνομένοιο, ξ
1340
λείπεται ἐξ' ἠοῦς, καλέουσι δὲ κεκμηῶτες
ἐργατίναι γλυκερόν σφιν ἄφαρ βουλυτὸν ἱκέσθαι,
τῆμος ἀρήροτο νειὸς ὑπ᾽ ἀκαμάτῳ ἀροτῆρι, τη
τετράγυός περ᾽ ἐοῦσα· βοῶν τ᾽ ἀπελύετ᾽ ἄροτρα. ""3
καὶ τοὺς μὲν πεδίονδε διεπτοίησε φέβεσθαι· 60
1345
αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆα πάλιν κίεν, ὄφρ᾽ ἔτο κεινὰς
Γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν ἴδεν αὔλακας. ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ἑταῖροι
·· θάρσυνον μύθοισιν. ὁ δ᾽ ἐκ ποταμοῖο ῥοάων,
αὐτῇ ἀφυσσάμενος κυνέη, σβέσεν ὕδατι δίψαν
γνάμψε δὲ γούνατ᾽ ἐλαφρὰ, μέγαν δ' ἐνεπλήσατο θυμὸν
1350
ἀλκῆς, μαιμώων συῒ εἴκελος, ὃς ῥά τ᾽ ὀδόντας
θήγει θηρευτῇσιν ἐπ᾿ ἀνδράσιν, ἀμφὶ δὲ πολλὸς
ἀφρὸς ἀπὸ στόματος χαμάδις ῥέε χωομένοιο.Τοπ
οἱ δ᾽ ἤδη κατὰ πᾶσαν ἀνασταχύεσκον ἄρουραν
Γηγενέες· φρίξεν δὲ περὶ στιβαροῖς σακέεσσι,
1355
δούρασί τ᾽ ἀμφιγύοις, κορύθεσσί τε λαμπομένῃσιν
Αρηος τέμενος φθισιμβρότου· ἵκετό δ' αἴγλη
νειόθεν Ούλυμπόνδε δι' ἠέρος ἀστράπτουσα.
ὡς δ᾽ ὁπότ᾽ ἐς γαῖαν πολέος νιφετοῖο πεσόντος
ἂν ἀπὸ χειμερίας νεφέλας ἐκέδασσαν ἀῆται
1360
λυγαίῃ ὑπὸ νυκτὶ, τὰ δ᾽ ἀθρόα πάντ᾽ ἐφαάνθη
τείρεα λαμπετόωντα διὰ κνέφας· ὡς ἄρα τοίγε το
λάμπον ἀναλδήσκοντες ὑπὲρ χθονός. αὐτὰρ' Ιήσων
μνήσατο Μηδείης πολυκερδέος ἐννεσιάων·
λάζετο δ᾽ ἐκ πεδίοιο μέγαν περιηγέα πέτρον,
1365
δεινὸν Ενυαλίου σόλον Αρεος· οὔ κέ μιν ἄνδρες
αἰζηοὶ πίσυρες γαίης ὑπὸ τυτθὸν ἄειραν.
τὸν ὁ᾽ ἀνὰ χεῖρα λαβὼν μάλα τηλόθεν ἔμβαλε μέσσοις
ἀΐξας· αὐτὸς δ᾽ ὑφ᾽ ἑὸν σάκος ἕζετο λάθρη
θαρσαλέως. Κόλχοι δὲ μέγ᾽ ἴαχον, ὡς ὅτε πόντος
1370
ἴαχεν ὀξείῃσιν ἐπιβρομέων σπιλάδεσσι·
τὸν δ᾽ ἕλεν ἀμφασίη ῥιπῇ στιβαροῖο σόλοιο
Αἰήτην. οἱ δ᾽, ὥστε θοοὶ κύνες, ἀμφιθορόντες,
ἀλλήλους βρυχηδὸν ἐδήϊον· οἱ δ᾽ ἐπὶ γαῖαν
μητέρα πίπτον ἑοῖς ὑπὸ δούρασιν, ἠὔτε πεῦκαι
1375
ἢ δρύες, ἃς τ᾽ ἀνέμοιο κατάϊκες δονέουσιν.
οἷος δ᾽ οὐρανόθεν πυρόεις ἀναπάλλεται ἀστὴρ,
ὁλκὸν ὑπαυγάζων, τέρας ἀνδράσιν, οἱ μιν ἴδωνται
μαρμαρυγῇ σκοτίοιο δι' ἠέρος ἀΐξαντα·
τοῖος ἄρ᾽ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἐπέσσυτο Γηγενέεσσι
1380
γυμνὸν δ᾽ ἐκ κολεοῖο φέρε ξίφος· οὗτα δὲ μίγδην
ἀμώων, πολέας μὲν ἔτ᾽ ἐς νηδὺν λαγόνας τε
ἡμίσεας ἀνέχοντας ἐς ἠέρα· τοὺς δὲ, καὶ ἄχρις
ὤμων τελλομένους· τοὺς δὲ, νέον ἑστηῶτας·
τοὺς δ᾽, ἤδη καὶ ποσσὶν ἐπειγομένους ἐς ἄρηα.
1385
ὡς δ᾽ ὁπότ᾽, ἀμφ᾽ οὔροισιν ἐγειρομένου πολέμοιο,
δείσας γειομόρος μή οἱ προτάμωνται ἀρούμας,
ἅρπην εὐκαμπῇ νεοθηγέα χερσὶ μεμαρπώς,
ὠμὸν ἐπισπεύδων κείρει στάχυν, οὐδὲ βολῆσι
μίμνει ἐς ὡραίην τερσήμεναι ἠελίοιο·
1390
ὣς τότε Γηγενέων κεῖρε στάχυν· αἵματι δ᾽ ὁλκοὶ
ἠὔτε κρηναῖαι ἀμάραι πλήθοντο ῥοῇσι.
πίπτον δ᾽, οἱ μὲν ὀκλὰξ, τετρηχότα βῶλον ὀδοῦσι
λαζόμενοι πρηνεῖς· οἱ δ᾽, ἔμπαλιν· οἱ δ᾽, ἐπ᾿ ἀγοστῷ
καὶ πλευροῖς, κήτεσσι δομὴν ἀτάλαντοι ἰδέσθαι.
1395
πολλοὶ δ᾽ οὐτάμενοι, πρὶν ὑπὸ χθονὸς ἴχνος ἀεῖραι,
ὅσσον ἄνω προὔτυψαν ἐς ἠέρα, τόσσον ἔραζε
εριθόμενοι πλαδαροῖσι καρήασιν ἠρήρειντο.
ἔρνεά που τοίως, Διὸς ἄσπετον ὀμβρήσαντος,
φυταλιῇ νεόθρεπτα κατημύουσιν ἔραζε,
1400
κλασθέντα ῥίζηθεν, ἀλωήων πόνος ἀνδρῶν·
τὸν δὲ κατηφείη τε καὶ οὐλοὸν ἄλγος ἱκάνει
κλήρου σημαντῆρα φυτοτρόφον· ὡς τότ᾽ ἄνακτος
Αἰήταο βαρεῖαι ὑπὸ φρένας ἦλθον ἀνίαι.
ἤϊε δ᾽ ἐς πτολίεθρον ὑπότροπος ἄμμιγα Κόλχοις,
1405
πορφύρων, ᾗ κέ σφι θοώτερον ἀντιόωτο.
ἦμαρ ἔδυ, καὶ τῷ τετελεσμένος ἦεν ἄεθλος.
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.) — 3 focus
1
1
52
2
106
3
4
167
5
6
7
260
8
9
317
10
11
367
12
422
13
14
475
15
16
540
17
18
609
19
20
674
21
22
724
23
24
25
802
26
27
28
891
29
947
30
31
1008
32
33
1063
34
35
1118
36
37
1191
38
39
1246
40
41
42
43
44
45
Εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε νῦν, Ερατώ, παρά θ᾽ ἵστασο, καί μοι ἔνισπε,
1
ἔνθεν ὅπως ἐς Ἰωλκὸν ἀνήγαγε κῶας Ἰήσων
Μηδείης ὑπ᾽ ἔρωτι. σὺ γὰρ καὶ Κύπριδος αἶσαν
ἔμμορες, ἀδμῆτας δὲ τεοῖς μελεδήμασι θέλγεις
παρθενικάς· τῶ καί τοι ἐπήρατον οὔνομ᾽ ἀνῆπται.
5
Ὡς οἱ μὲν πυκινοῖσιν ἀνωίστως δονάκεσσιν
μίμνον ἀριστῆες λελοχημένοι· αἱ δ᾽ ἐνόησαν
Ἥρη Ἀθηναίη τε, Διὸς δ᾽ αὐτοῖο καὶ ἄλλων
ἀθανάτων ἀπονόσφι θεῶν θάλαμόνδε κιοῦσαι
βούλευον· πείραζε δ᾽ Ἀθηναίην πάρος Ἥρη·
10
Αὐτὴ νῦν προτέρη, θύγατερ Διός, ἄρχεο βουλῆς.
τί χρέος; ἠὲ δόλον τινὰ μήσεαι, ᾧ κεν ἑλόντες
χρύσεον Αἰήταο μεθ' Ελλάδα κῶας ἄγοιντο,
ἢ καὶ τόνγ᾽ ἐπέεσσι παραιφάμενοι πεπίθοιεν
μειλιχίοις; ἦ γὰρ ὅγ᾽ ὑπερφίαλος πέλει αἰνῶς.
15
ἔμπης δ᾽ οὔτινα πεῖραν ἀποτρωπᾶσθαι ἔοικεν.
Ὧς φάτο· τὴν δὲ παρᾶσσον Ἀθηναίη προσέειπεν·
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὴν ἐμὲ τοῖα μετὰ φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνουσαν,
Ηρη, ἀπηλεγέως ἐξείρεαι. ἀλλά τοι οὔπω
φράσσασθαι νοέω τοῦτον δόλον, ὅστις ὀνήσει
20
θυμὸν ἀριστήων· πολέας δ᾽ ἐπεδοίασα βουλάς.
Ἦ, καὶ ἐπ᾿ οὔδεος αἵγε ποδῶν πάρος ὄμματ᾽ ἔπηξαν,
ἄνδιχα πορφύρουσαι ἐνὶ σφίσιν· αὐτίκα δ᾽ Ἥρη
τοῖον μητιόωσα παροιτέρη ἔκφατο μῦθον·
Δεῦρ᾽ ἴομεν μετὰ Κύπριν· ἐπιπλόμεναι δέ μιν ἄμφω
25
παιδὶ ἑῷ εἰπεῖν ὀτρύνομεν, αἴ κε πίθηται
κούρην Αἰήτεω πολυφάρμακον οἶσι βέλεσσιν
θέλξαι ὀιστεύσας ἐπ᾿ Ἰήσονι. τὸν δ᾽ ἂν δίω
κείνης ἐννεσίῃσιν ἐς Ἑλλάδα κῶας ἀνάξειν.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· πυκινὴ δὲ συνεύαδε μῆτις Ἀθήνῃ,
30
καί μιν ἔπειτ᾽ ἐξαῦτις ἀμείβετο μειλιχίοισιν·
Ἥρη, νήιδα μέν με πατὴρ τέκε τοῖο βολάων,
οὐδέ τινα χρειὼ θελκτήριον οἶδα πόθοιο.
εἰ δέ σοι αὐτῇ μῦθος ἐφανδάνει, ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ἔγωγε
ἑσποίμην· σὺ δέ κεν φαίης ἔπος ἀντιόωσα.
35
Ἦ, καὶ ἀναΐξασαι ἐπὶ μέγα δῶμα νέοντο
Κύπριδος, ὅ ῥά τέ οἱ δεῖμεν πόσις ἀμφιγυήεις,
ὁππότε μιν τὰ πρῶτα παραὶ Διὸς ἦγεν ἄκοιτιν.
ἕρκεα δ᾽ εἰσελθοῦσαι ὑπ᾽ αἰθούσῃ θαλάμοιο
ἔσταν, ἵν᾽ ἐντύνεσκε θεὰ λέχος Ἡφαίστοιο.
40
ἀλλ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἐς χαλκεῶνα καὶ ἄκμονας ἦρι βεβήκει,
νήσοιο πλαγκτῆς εὐρὺν μυχόν, ᾧ ἔνι πάντα
δαίδαλα χάλκευεν ῥιπῇ πυρός· ἡ δ᾽ ἄρα μούνη
ἦστο δόμῳ δινωτὸν ἀνὰ θρόνον, ἄντα θυράων.
λευκοῖσιν δ᾽ ἑκάτερθε κόμας ἐπιειμένη ὤμοις
45
κόσμει χρυσείῃ διὰ κερκίδι, μέλλε δὲ μακροὺς
πλέξασθαι πλοκάμους· τὰς δὲ προπάροιθὲν ἰδοῦσα
ἔσχεθεν, εἴσω τέ σφ᾽ ἐκάλει, καὶ ἀπὸ θρόνου ώρτο,
εἰσέ τ᾽ ἐνὶ κλισμοῖσιν· ἀτὰρ μετέπειτα καὶ αὐτὴ
ἵζανεν, ἀψήκτους δὲ χεροῖν ἀνεδήσατο χαίτας.
50
τοῖα δὲ μειδιόωσα προσέννεπεν αἱμυλίοισιν·
Ἠθεῖαι, τίς δεῦρο νόος χρειώ τε κομίζει
δηναιὰς αὕτως; τί δ᾽ ἱκάνετον, οὔτι πάρος γε
λίην φοιτίζουσαι, ἐπεὶ περίεστε θεάων;
Τὴν δ᾽ Ἥρη τοίοισιν ἀμειβομένη προσέειπεν·
55
Κερτομέεις· νῶιν δὲ κέαρ συνορίνεται ἄτῃ.
ἤδη γὰρ ποταμῷ ἐνὶ Φάσιδι νῆα κατίσχει
Αἰσονίδης, ἠδ᾽ ἄλλοι ὅσοι μετὰ κῶας ἕπονται.
τῶν ἤτοι πάντων μέν, ἐπεὶ πέλας ἔργον ὄρωρεν,
δείδιμεν ἐκπάγλως, περὶ δ᾽ Αἰσονίδαο μάλιστα.
60
τὸν μὲν ἐγών, εἰ καί περ ἐς Ἄιδα ναυτίλληται
λυσόμενος χαλκέων Ιξίονα νειόθι δεσμῶν,
ῥύσομαι, ὅσσον ἐμοῖσιν ἐνὶ σθένος ἔπλετο γυίοις,
ὄφρα μὴ ἐγγελάσῃ Πελίης κακὸν οἶτον ἀλύξας,
ὅς μ᾽ ὑπερηνορέῃ θυέων ἀγέραστον ἔθηκεν.
65
καὶ δ᾽ ἄλλως ἔτι καὶ πρὶν ἐμοὶ μέγα φίλατ᾽ Ἰήσων
ἐξότ᾽ ἐπὶ προχοῇσιν ἅλις πλήθοντος Ἀναύρου
ἀνδρῶν εὐνομίης πειρωμένῃ ἀντεβόλησεν
θήρης ἐξανιών· νιφετῷ δ᾽ ἐπαλύνετο πάντα
οὔρεα καὶ σκοπιαὶ περιμήκεες, οἱ δὲ κατ᾿ αὐτῶν
70
χείμαρροι καναχηδὰ κυλινδόμενοι φορέοντο.
γρηὶ δέ μ᾽ εἰσαμένην ὀλοφύρατο, καί μ᾿ ἀναείρας
αὐτὸς ἑοῖς ὤμοισι διέκ προαλὲς φέρεν ὕδωρ.
τῶ νύ μοι ἄλληκτον περιτίεται· οὐδέ κε λώβην
τίσειεν Πελίης, εἰ μή σύ γε νόστον ὀπάσσεις.
75
Ως ηὔδα· Κύπριν δ᾽ ἐνεοστασίη λάβε μύθων.
ἅζετο δ᾽ ἀντομένην Ἥρην ἕθεν εἰσορόωσα,
καί μιν ἔπειτ᾿ ἀγανοῖσι προσέννεπεν ἤγ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν·
Πότνα θεά, μή τοί τι κακώτερον ἄλλο πέλοιτο
Κύπριδος, εἰ δὴ σεῖο λιλαιομένης ἀθερίζω
80
ἢ ἔπος ἠέ τι ἔργον, ὅ κεν χέρες αἵγε κάμοιεν
ἠπεδαναί· καὶ μή τις ἀμοιβαίη χάρις ἔστω.
Ὡς ἔφαθ'· Ἥρη δ᾽ αὖτις ἐπιφραδέως ἀγόρευσεν·
Οὔτι βίης χατέουσαι ἱκάνομεν, οὐδέ τι χειρῶν.
ἀλλ᾽ αὔτως ἀκέουσα τεῷ ἐπικέκλεο παιδὶ
85
παρθένον Αἰήτεω θέλξαι πόθῳ Αἰσονίδαο.
εἰ γάρ οἱ κείνη συμφράσσεται εὐμενέουσα,
ῥηιδίως μιν ἑλόντα δέρος χρύσειον δίω
νοστήσειν ἐς ᾿Ιωλκόν, ἐπεὶ δολόεσσα τέτυκται.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· Κύπρις δὲ μετ᾿ ἀμφοτέρῃσιν ἔειπεν·
90
Ἥρη, Ἀθηναίη τε, πίθοιτό κεν ὄμμι μάλιστα,
ἢ ἐμοί. ὑμείων γὰρ ἀναιδήτῳ περ ἐόντι
τυτθή γ᾽ αἰδὼς ἔσσετ᾽ ἐν ὄμμασιν· αὐτὰρ ἐμεῖο
οὐκ ὄθεται, μάλα δ᾽ αἰὲν ἐριδμαίνων ἀθερίζει.
καὶ δή οἱ μενέηνα, περισχομένη κακότητι,
95
αὐτοῖσιν τόξοισι δυσηχέας ἆξαι ὀιστοὺς
ἀμφαδίην. τοῖον γὰρ ἐπηπείλησε χαλεφθείς,
εἰ μὴ τηλόθι χεῖρας, ἕως ἔτι θυμὸν ἐρύκει,
ἕξω ἐμάς, μετέπειτά γ᾽ ἀτεμβοίμην ἑοῖ αὐτῇ.
Ως φάτο· μείδησαν δὲ θεαί, καὶ ἐσέδρακον ἄντην
100
ἀλλήλαις. ἡ δ᾽ αὖτις ἀκηχεμένη προσέειπεν·
῎Ἄλλοις ἄλγεα τἀμὰ γέλως πέλει· οὐδέ τί με χρὴ
μυθεῖσθαι πάντεσσιν· ἅλις εἰδυῖα καὶ αὐτή.
νῦν δ᾽ ἐπεὶ ὄμμι φίλον τόδε δὴ πέλει ἀμφοτέρῃσιν,
πειρήσω, καί μιν μειλίξομαι, οὐδ᾽ ἀπιθήσει.᾿
105
Ως φάτο· τὴν δ᾽ Ἥρη ῥαδινῆς ἐπεμάσσατο χειρός,
ἦκα δὲ μειδιόωσα παραβλήδην προσέειπεν·
Οὕτω νῦν, Κυθέρεια, τόδε χρέος, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,
ἔρξον ἄφαρ· καὶ μή τι χαλέπτεο, μηδ᾽ ἐρίδαινε
χωομένη σῷ παιδί· μεταλλήξει γὰρ ὀπίσσω.
110
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἔλλιπε θῶκον· ἐφωμάρτησε δ᾽ Ἀθήνη·
ἐκ δ᾽ ἴσαν ἄμφω ταίγε παλίσσυτοι. ἡ δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
βῆ δ᾽ ἴμεν Οὐλύμποιο κατὰ πτύχας, εἴ μιν ἐφεύροι.
εὗρε δὲ τόνγ᾽ ἀπάνευθε Διὸς θαλερῇ ἐν ἀλωῇ,
οὐκ οἶον, μετὰ καὶ Γανυμήδεα, τόν ῥά ποτε Ζεὺς
115
οὐρανῷ ἐγκατένασσεν ἐφέστιον ἀθανάτοισιν,
κάλλεος ἱμερθείς. ἀμφ᾽ ἀστραγάλοισι δὲ τώγε
χρυσείοις, ἅ τε κοῦροι ὁμήθεες, ἑψιόωντο.
καί ῥ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἤδη πάμπαν ἐνίπλεον ᾧ ὑπὸ μαζῷ
μάργος Ἔρως λαιῆς ὑποΐσχανε χειρὸς ἀγοστόν,
120
ὀρθὸς ἐφεστηώς· γλυκερὸν δέ οἱ ἀμφὶ παρειὰς
χροιῇ θάλλεν ἔρευθος. ὁ δ᾽ ἐγγύθεν ὀκλαδὸν ἦστο
σῖγα κατηφιόων· δοιὼ δ᾽ ἔχεν, ἄλλον ἔτ᾽ αὕτως
ἄλλῳ ἐπιπροϊείς, κεχόλωτο δὲ καγχαλόωντι.
καὶ μὴν τούσγε παρᾶσσον ἐπὶ προτέροισιν ὀλέσσας
125
βῆ κενεαῖς σὺν χερσὶν ἀμήχανος, οὐδ᾽ ἐνόησεν
Κύπριν ἐπιπλομένην. ἡ δ᾽ ἀντίη ἵστατο παιδός,
καί μιν ἄφαρ γναθμοῖο κατασχομένη προσέειπεν·
Τίπτ᾽ ἐπιμειδιάᾳς, ἄφατον κακόν; ἦέ μιν αὔτως
ἤπαφες, οὐδὲ δίκῃ περιέπλεο νῆιν ἐόντα;
130
εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε μοι πρόφρων τέλεσον χρέος, ὅττι κεν εἴπω·
καί κέν τοι ὀπάσαιμι Διὸς περικαλλὲς ἄθυρμα
κεῖνο, τό οἱ ποίησε φίλη τροφὸς Ἀδρήστεια
ἄντρῳ ἐν Ἰδαίῳ ἔτι νήπια κουρίζοντι,
σφαῖραν ἐυτρόχαλον, τῆς οὐ σύγε μείλιον ἄλλο
135
χειρῶν Ηφαίστοιο κατακτεατίσσῃ ἄρειον.
χρύσεα μέν οἱ κύκλα τετεύχαται· ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ἑκάστῳ
διπλόαι ἁψίδες περιηγέες εἱλίσσονται·
κρυπταὶ δὲ ῥαφαί εἰσιν· ἕλιξ δ᾽ ἐπιδέδρομε πάσαις
κυανέη. ἀτὰρ εἴ μιν ἑαῖς ἐνὶ χερσὶ βάλοιο,
140
ἀστὴρ ὥς, φλεγέθοντα δι' ἠέρος ὁλκὸν ἵησιν.
τήν τοι ἐγὼν ὀπάσω· σὺ δὲ παρθένον Αἰήταο
θέλξον ὀιστεύσας ἐπ᾿ ᾿Ιήσονι· μηδέ τις ἔστω
ἀμβολίη. δὴ γάρ κεν ἀφαυροτέρη χάρις εἴη.
Ως φάτο· τῷ δ᾽ ἀσπαστὸν ἔπος γένετ᾽ εἰσαίοντι.
145
μείλια δ᾽ ἔκβαλε πάντα, καὶ ἀμφοτέρῃσι χιτῶνος
νωλεμὲς ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα θεᾶς ἔχεν ἀμφιμεμαρπώς.
λίσσετο δ᾽ αἶψα πορεῖν αὐτοσχεδόν· ἡ δ᾽ ἀγανοῖσιν
ἀντομένη μύθοισιν, ἐπειρύσσασα παρειάς,
κύσσε ποτισχομένη, καὶ ἀμείβετο μειδιόωσα·
150
Ἴστω νῦν τόδε σεῖο φίλον κάρη ἠδ᾽ ἐμὸν αὐτῆς,
ἢ μέν τοι δῶρόν γε παρέξομαι, οὐδ᾽ ἀπατήσω,
εἴ κεν ἐνισκίμψῃς κούρῃ βέλος Αἰήταο.
Φῆ· ὁ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἀστραγάλους συναμήσατο, κὰδ δὲ φαεινῷ
μητρὸς ἑῆς εὖ πάντας ἀριθμήσας βάλε κόλπῳ.
155
αὐτίκα δ᾽ ἰοδόκην χρυσέῃ περικάτθετο μίτρῃ
πρέμνῳ κεκλιμένην· ἀνὰ δ᾽ ἀγκύλον εἵλετο τόξον.
βῆ δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο Διὸς πάγκαρπον ἀλωήν.
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα πύλας ἐξήλυθεν Οὐλύμποιο
αἰθερίας· ἔνθεν δὲ καταιβάτις ἐστὶ κέλευθος
160
οὐρανίη· δοιὼ δὲ πόλοι ἀνέχουσι κάρηνα
οὐρέων ἠλιβάτων, κορυφαὶ χθονός, ᾑχί τ᾽ ἀερθεὶς
ἠέλιος πρώτῃσιν ἐρεύθεται ἀκτίνεσσιν.
νειόθι δ᾽ ἄλλοτε γαῖα φερέσβιος ἄστεά τ᾽ ἀνδρῶν
φαίνετο καὶ ποταμῶν ἱεροὶ ῥόοι, ἄλλοτε δ᾽ αὖτε
165
ἄκριες, ἀμφὶ δὲ πόντος ἀν᾿ αἰθέρα πολλὸν ἰόντι.
Ἥρωες δ᾽ ἀπάνευθεν ἑῆς ἐπὶ σέλμασι νηὸς
ἐν ποταμῷ καθ᾽ ἕλος λελοχημένοι ἠγορόωντο.
αὐτὸς δ᾽ Αἰσονίδης μετεφώνεεν· οἱ δ᾽ ὑπάκουον
ἠρέμας ᾗ ἐνὶ χώρῃ ἐπισχερὼ ἑδριόωντες·
170
Ὦ φίλοι, ἤτοι ἐγὼ μὲν ὅ μοι ἐπιανδάνει αὐτῷ
ἐξερέω· τοῦ δ᾽ ὄμμι τέλος κρηῆναι ἔοικεν.
ξυνὴ γὰρ χρειώ, ξυνοὶ δέ τε μῦθοι ἔασιν
πᾶσιν ὁμῶς ὁ δὲ τίνα κόον βουλήν τ᾽ ἀπερύκων
ἴστω καὶ νόστου τόνδε στόλον οἶος ἀπούρας.
175
ὧλλοι μὲν κατὰ νῆα σὺν ἔντεσι μίμνεθ᾽ ἕκηλοι·
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐς δώματ᾽ ἐλεύσομαι Αἰήταο,
υἷας ἑλὼν Φρίξοιο δύω δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἑταίρους.
πειρήσω δ᾽ ἐπέεσσι παροίτερον ἀντιβολήσας,
εἴ κ᾿ ἐθέλοι φιλότητι δέρος χρύσειον ὀπάσσαι,
180
ἦε καὶ οὔ, πίσυνος δὲ βίῃ μετιόντας ἀτίσσει.
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξ αὐτοῖο πάρος κακότητα δαέντες
φρασσόμεθ᾽, εἴτ᾽ ἄρηι συνοισόμεθ', εἴτε τις ἄλλη
μῆτις ἐπίρροθος ἔσται ἐεργομένοισιν ἀυτῆς.
μηδ᾽ αὔτως ἀλκῇ, πρὶν ἔπεσσί γε πειρηθῆναι,
185
τόνδ᾽ ἀπαμείρωμεν σφέτερον κτέρας. ἀλλὰ πάροιθεν
λωίτερον μύθῳ μιν ἀρέσσασθαι μετιόντας.
πολλάκι τοι ῥέα μῦθος, ὅ κεν μόλις ἐξανύσειεν
ἠνορέη, τόδ᾽ ἔρεξε κατὰ χρέος, ἧπερ ἐῴκει
πρηΰνας. ὁ δὲ καί ποτ᾽ ἀμύμονα Φρίξον ἔδεκτο
190
μητρυιῆς φεύγοντα δόλον πατρός τε θυηλάς.
πάντες ἐπεὶ πάντῃ καὶ ὅτις μάλα κύντατος ἀνδρῶν,
Ξεινίου αἰδεῖται Ζηνὸς θέμιν ἠδ᾽ ἀλεγίζει."
Ως φάτ᾽· ἐπῄνησαν δὲ νέοι ἔπος Αἰσονίδαο
πασσυδίῃ, οὐδ᾽ ἔσκε παρὲξ ὅτις ἄλλο κελεύοι.
195
καὶ τότ᾽ ἄρ᾽ υἱῆας Φρίξου Τελαμῶνά θ᾽ ἕπεσθαι
ὧρσε καὶ Αὐγείην· αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἕλεν Ἑρμείαο
σκῆπτρον· ἄφαρ δ᾽ ἄρα νηὸς ὑπὲρ δόνακάς τε καὶ ὕδωρ
χέρσονδ᾽ ἐξαπέβησαν ἐπὶ θρωσμοῦ πεδίοιο.
Κιρκαῖον τόδε που κικλήσκεται· ἔνθα δὲ πολλαὶ
200
ἑξείης πρόμαλοί τε καὶ ἰτέαι ἐκπεφύασιν,
τῶν καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτων νέκυες σειρῇσι κρέμανται
δέσμιοι. εἰσέτι νῦν γὰρ ἄγος Κόλχοισιν ὄρωρεν
ἀνέρας οἰχομένους πυρὶ καιέμεν· οὐδ᾽ ἐνὶ γαίῃ
ἔστι θέμις στείλαντας ὕπερθ᾽ ἐπὶ σῆμα χέεσθαι,
205
ἀλλ᾽ ἐν ἀδεψήτοισι κατειλύσαντε βοείαις
δενδρέων ἐξάπτειν ἑκὰς ἄστεος. ἠέρι δ᾽ ἴσην
καὶ χθὼν ἔμμορεν αἶσαν, ἐπεὶ χθονὶ ταρχύουσιν
θηλυτέρας· ἡ γάρ τε δίκη θεσμοῖο τέτυκται.
Τοῖσι δὲ νισσομένοις Ἥρη φίλα μητιόωσα
210
ἠέρα πουλὺν ἐφῆκε δι' ἄστεος, ὄφρα λάθοιεν
Κόλχων μυρίον ἔθνος ἐς Αἰήταο κιόντες.
ὦκα δ᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἐκ πεδίοιο πόλιν καὶ δώμαθ᾽ ἵκοντο
Αἰήτεω, τότε δ᾽ αὖτις ἀπεσκέδασεν νέφος Ἥρη.
ἔσταν δ᾽ ἐν προμολῇσι τεθηπότες ἔρκε᾽ ἄνακτος
215
εὐρείας τε πύλας καὶ κίονας, οἱ περὶ τοίχους
ἑξείης ἄνεχον· θριγκὸς δ᾽ ἐφύπερθε δόμοιο
λαΐνεος χαλκέῃσιν ἐπὶ γλυφίδεσσιν ἀρήρει.
εὔκηλοι δ᾽ ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἔπειτ᾽ ἔβαν. ἄγχι δὲ τοῖο
ἡμερίδες χλοεροῖσι καταστεφέες πετάλοισιν
220
ὑψοῦ ἀειρόμεναι μέγ᾽ ἐθήλεον. αἱ δ᾽ ὑπὸ τῇσιν
ἀέναοι κρῆναι πίσυρες ῥέον, ἃς ἐλάχηνεν
Ἥφαιστος. καί ῥ᾽ ἡ μὲν ἀναβλύεσκε γάλακτι,
ἡ δ᾽ οἴνῳ, τριτάτη δὲ θυώδεϊ νᾶεν ἀλοιφῇ·
ἡ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὕδωρ προρέεσκε, τὸ μέν ποθι δυομένῃσιν
225
θέρμετο Πληιάδεσσιν, ἀμοιβηδὶς δ᾽ ἀνιούσαις
κρυστάλλῳ ἴκελον κοίλης ἀνεκήκιε πέτρης.
τοῦ ἄρ᾽ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι Κυταιέος Αἰήταο
τεχνήεις Ἥφαιστος ἐμήσατο θέσκελα ἔργα.
καί οἱ χαλκόποδας ταύρους κάμε, χάλκεα δέ σφεων
230
ἦν στόματ᾽, ἐκ δὲ πυρὸς δεινὸν σέλας ἀμπνείεσκον·
πρὸς δὲ καὶ αὐτόγυον στιβαροῦ ἀδάμαντος ἄροτρον
ἤλασεν, Ἠελίῳ τίνων χάριν, ὅς ῥά μιν ἵπποις
δέξατο, Φλεγραίῃ κεκμηότα δηιοτῆτι.
ἔνθα δὲ καὶ μέσσαυλος ἐλήλατο· τῇ δ᾽ ἐπὶ πολλαὶ
235
δικλίδες εὐπηγεῖς θάλαμοί τ᾽ ἔσαν ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα·
δαιδαλέη δ᾽ αἴθουσα παρὲξ ἑκάτερθε τέτυκτο.
λέχρις δ᾽ αἰπύτεροι δόμοι ἕστασαν ἀμφοτέρωθεν.
τῶν ἤτοι ἄλλῳ μέν, ὅτις καὶ ὑπείροχος ἦεν,
κρείων Αἰήτης σὺν ἑῇ ναίεσκε δάμαρτι·
240
ἄλλῳ δ᾽ Ἄψυρτος ναῖεν πάις Αἰήταο.
τὸν μὲν Καυκασίη νύμφη τέκεν Ἀστερόδεια
πρίν περ κουριδίην θέσθαι Εἰδυῖαν ἄκοιτιν,
Τηθύος ᾿Ὠκεανοῦ τε πανοπλοτάτην γεγαυῖαν.
καί μιν Κόλχων υῖες ἐπωνυμίην Φαέθοντα
245
ἔκλεον, οἵνεκα πᾶσι μετέπρεπεν ἠιθέοισιν.
τοὺς δ᾽ ἔχον ἀμφίπολοί τε καὶ Αἰήταο θύγατρες
ἄμφω, Χαλκιόπη Μήδειά τε. τὴν μὲν ἄρ᾽ οἵγε
ἐκ θαλάμου θάλαμόνδε κασιγνήτην μετιοῦσαν
Ἥρη γάρ μιν ἔρυκε δόμῳ· πρὶν δ᾽ οὔτι θάμιζεν
250
ἐν μεγάροις, Ἑκάτης δὲ πανήμερος ἀμφεπονεῖτο
νηόν, ἐπεί ῥα θεᾶς αὐτὴ πέλεν ἀρήτειρα
καί σφεας ὡς ἴδεν ἆσσον, ἀνίαχεν· ὀξὺ δ᾽ ἄκουσεν
Χαλκιόπη· δμωαὶ δὲ ποδῶν προπάροιθε βαλοῦσαι
νήματα καὶ κλωστῆρας ἀολλέες ἔκτοθι πᾶσαι
255
ἔδραμον. ἡ δ᾽ ἅμα τοῖσιν ἑοὺς υἱῆας ἰδοῦσα
ὑψοῦ χάρματι χεῖρας ἀνέσχεθεν· ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
μητέρα δεξιόωντο, καὶ ἀμφαγάπαζον ἰδόντες
γηθόσυνοι· τοῖον δὲ κινυρομένη φάτο μῦθον·
Ἔμπης οὐκ ἄρ᾽ ἐμέλλετ᾽ ἀκηδείῃ με λιπόντες
260
τηλόθι πλάγξασθαι· μετὰ δ᾽ ὑμέας ἔτραπεν αἶσα.
δειλὴ ἐγώ, οἷον πόθον Ἑλλάδος ἔκποθεν ἄτης
λευγαλέης Φρίξοιο ἐφημοσύνῃσιν ἕλεσθε
πατρός. ὁ μὲν θνῄσκων στυγερὰς ἐπετείλατ᾽ ἀνίας
ἡμετέρῃ κραδίῃ. τί δέ κεν πόλιν Ὀρχομενοῖο,
265
ὅστις ὅδ᾽ Ὀρχομενός, κτεάνων Ἀθάμαντος ἕκητι
μητέρ᾽ ἑὴν ἀχέουσαν ἀποπρολιπόντες, ἵκοισθε;᾽
Ως έφατ'· Αἰήτης δὲ πανύστατος ὥρτο θύραζε,
ἐκ δ᾽ αὐτὴ Εἰδυῖα δάμαρ κίεν Αἰήταο,
Χαλκιόπης ἀίουσα· τὸ δ᾽ αὐτίκα πᾶν ὁμάδοιο
270
ἕρκος ἐπεπλήθει. τοὶ μὲν μέγαν ἀμφιπένοντο
ταῦρον ἅλις δμῶες· τοὶ δὲ ξύλα κάγκανα χαλκῷ
κόπτον· τοὶ δὲ λοετρὰ πυρὶ ζέον· οὐδέ τις ἦεν,
ὃς καμάτου μεθίεσκεν, ὑποδρήσσων βασιλῆι.
Τόφρα δ᾽ Ἔρως πολιοῖο δι' ἠέρος ἶξεν ἄφαντος,
275
τετρηχώς, οἷόν τε νέαις ἐπὶ φορβάσιν οἶστρος
τέλλεται, ὅν τε μύωπα βοῶν κλείουσι νομῆες.
ὦκα δ᾽ ὑπὸ φλιὴν προδόμῳ ἔνι τόξα τανύσσας
ἰοδόκης ἀβλῆτα πολύστονον ἐξέλετ᾿ ἰόν.
ἐκ δ᾽ ὅγε καρπαλίμοισι λαθὼν ποσὶν οὐδὸν ἄμειψεν
280
ὀξέα δενδίλλων· αὐτῷ δ᾽ ὑπὸ βαιὸς ἐλυσθεὶς
Αἰσονίδῃ γλυφίδας μέσσῃ ἐνικάτθετο νευρῇ,
ἰθὺς δ᾽ ἀμφοτέρῃσι διασχόμενος παλάμησιν
ἧκ᾽ ἐπὶ Μηδείῃ· τὴν δ᾽ ἀμφασίη λάβε θυμόν.
αὐτὸς δ᾽ ὑψορόφοιο παλιμπετὲς ἐκ μεγάροιο
285
καγχαλόων ἤιξε· βέλος δ᾽ ἐνεδαίετο κούρῃ
νέρθεν ὑπὸ κραδίῃ, φλογὶ εἴκελον· ἀντία δ᾽ αἰεὶ
βάλλεν ὑπ᾿ Αἰσονίδην ἀμαρύγματα, καί οἱ ἄηντο
στηθέων ἐκ πυκιναὶ καμάτῳ φρένες, οὐδέ τιν᾽ ἄλλην
μνῆστιν ἔχεν, γλυκερῇ δὲ κατείβετο θυμὸν ἀνίῃ.
290
ὡς δὲ γυνὴ μαλερῷ περὶ κάρφεα χεύατο δαλῷ
χερνῆτις, τῇπερ ταλασήια ἔργα μέμηλεν,
ὥς κεν ὑπωρόφιον νύκτωρ σέλας ἐντύναιτο,
ἄγχι μάλ᾽ ἐγρομένη· τὸ δ᾽ ἀθέσφατον ἐξ ὀλίγοιο
δαλοῦ ἀνεγρόμενον σὺν κάρφεα πάντ᾽ ἀμαθύνει·
295
τοῖος ὑπὸ κραδίῃ εἰλυμένος αἴθετο λάθρῃ
οὖλος Ἔρως· ἁπαλὰς δὲ μετετρωπᾶτο παρειὰς
ἐς χλόον, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἔρευθος, ἀκηδείῃσι νόοιο.
Δμῶες δ᾽ ὁππότε δή σφιν ἐπαρτέα θῆκαν ἐδωδήν,
αὐτοί τε λιαροῖσιν ἐφαιδρύναντο λοετροῖς,
300
ἀσπασίως δόρπῳ τε ποτῆτί τε θυμὸν ἄρεσσαν.
ἐκ δὲ τοῦ Αἰήτης σφετέρης ἐρέεινε θυγατρὸς
υἱῆας τοίοισι παρηγορέων ἐπέεσσιν·
Παιδὸς ἐμῆς κοῦροι Φρίξοιό τε, τὸν περὶ πάντων
ξείνων ἡμετέροισιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔτισα,
305
πῶς Αἰάνδε νέεσθε παλίσσυτοι; ἧε τίς ἄτη
σωομένους μεσσηγὺς ἐνέκλασεν; οὐ μὲν ἐμεῖο
πείθεσθε προφέροντος ἀπείρονα μέτρα κελεύθου.
ᾔδειν γάρ ποτε πατρὸς ἐν ἅρμασιν Ηελίοιο
δινεύσας, ὅτ᾽ ἐμεῖο κασιγνήτην ἐκόμιζεν
310
Κίρκην ἑσπερίης εἴσω χθονός, ἐκ δ᾽ ἱκόμεσθα
ἀκτὴν ἠπείρου Τυρσηνίδος, ἔνθ᾽ ἔτι νῦν περ
ναιετάει, μάλα πολλὸν ἀπόπροθι Κολχίδος αἴης.
ἀλλὰ τί μύθων ἦδος; ἃ δ᾽ ἐν ποσὶν ὑμιν ὄρωρεν,
εἴπατ᾿ ἀριφραδέως, ἠδ᾽ οἵτινες οἵδ᾽ ἐφέπονται
315
ἀνέρες, ὅππῃ τε γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἔβητε.
Τοῖά μιν ἐξερέοντα κασιγνήτων προπάροιθεν
Ἄργος ὑποδδείσας ἀμφὶ στόλῳ Αἰσονίδαο
μειλιχίως προσέειπεν, ἐπεὶ προγενέστερος ἦεν·
Αἰήτη, κείνην μὲν ἄφαρ διέχευαν ἄελλαι
320
ζαχρηεῖς· αὐτοὺς δ᾽ ὑπὸ δούρασι πεπτηῶτας
νήσου Ενυαλίοιο ποτὶ ξερὸν ἔκβαλε κῦμα
λυγαίῃ ὑπὸ νυκτί· θεὸς δέ τις ἄμμ᾽ ἐσάωσεν.
οὐδὲ γὰρ αἳ τὸ πάροιθεν ἐρημαίην κατὰ νῆσον
ηὐλίζοντ᾽ ὄρνιθες Ἀρήιαι, οὐδ᾽ ἔτι κείνας
325
εὕρομεν. ἀλλ᾽ οἵγ᾽ ἄνδρες ἀπήλασαν, ἐξαποβάντες
νηὸς ἑῆς προτέρῳ ἐνὶ ἤματι· καί σφ᾽ ἀπέρυκεν
ἡμέας οἰκτείρων Ζηνὸς νόος, ἠέ τις αΐσα,
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐπεὶ καὶ βρῶσιν ἅλις καὶ εἵματ᾽ ἔδωκαν,
οὔνομά τε Φρίξοιο περικλεές εἰσαΐοντες
330
ἠδ᾽ αὐτοῖο σέθεν· μετὰ γὰρ τεὸν ἄστυ νέονται.
χρειὼ δ᾽ ἣν ἐθέλῃς ἐξίδμεναι, οὔ σ᾽ ἐπικεύσω.
τόνδε τις ἱέμενος πάτρης ἀπάνευθεν ἐλάσσαι
καὶ κτεάνων βασιλεὺς περιώσιον, οἵνεκεν ἀλκῇ
σφωιτέρῃ πάντεσσι μετέπρεπεν Αἰολίδῃσιν,
335
πέμπει δεῦρο νέεσθαι ἀμήχανον· οὐδ᾽ ὑπαλύξειν
στεῦται ἀμειλίκτοιο Διὸς θυμαλγέα μῆνιν
καὶ χόλον, οὐδ᾽ ἄτλητον ἄγος Φρίξοιό τε ποινὰς
Αἰολιδέων γενεήν, πρὶν ἐς ῾Ἑλλάδα κῶας ἱκέσθαι.
νῆα δ᾽ Ἀθηναίη Παλλὰς κάμεν, οὐ μάλα τοίην,
340
οἷαί περ Κόλχοισι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσι νῆες ἔασιν,
τάων αἰνοτάτης ἐπεκύρσαμεν. ἤλιθα γάρ μιν
λάβρον ὕδωρ πνοιή τε διέτμαγεν· ἡ δ᾽ ἐνὶ γόμφοις
ἴσχεται, ἣν καὶ πᾶσαι ἐπιβρίσωσιν ἄελλαι.
ἶσον δ᾽ ἐξ ἀνέμοιο θέει καὶ ὅτ᾽ ἀνέρες αὐτοὶ
345
νωλεμέως χείρεσσιν ἐπισπέρχωσιν ἐρετμοῖς.
τῇ δ᾽ ἐναγειράμενος Παναχαιίδος εἴ τι φέριστον
ἡρώων, τεὸν ἄστυ μετήλυθε, πόλλ᾽ ἐπαληθεὶς
ἄστεα καὶ πελάγη στυγερῆς ἁλός, εἴ οἱ ὀπάσσαις.
αὐτῷ δ᾽ ὡς κεν ἅδῃ, τὼς ἔσσεται· οὐ γὰρ ἱκάνει
350
χερσὶ βιησόμενος· μέμονεν δέ τοι ἄξια τίσειν
δωτίνης, ἀίων ἐμέθεν μέγα δυσμενέοντας
Σαυρομάτας, τοὺς σοῖσιν ὑπὸ σκήπτροισι δαμάσσει.
εἰ δὲ καὶ οὔνομα δῆθεν ἐπιθύεις γενεήν τε
ἴδμεναι, οἵτινές εἰσιν, ἕκαστά γε μυθησαίμην.
355
τόνδε μέν, οἷό περ οἵνεκ᾽ ἀφ᾽ Ἑλλάδος ὧλλοι ἄγερθεν,
κλείουσ᾽ Αἴσονος υἱὸν Ἰήσονα Κρηθεΐδαο.
εἰ δ᾽ αὐτοῦ Κρηθῆος ἐτήτυμόν ἐστι γενέθλης,
οὕτω κεν γνωτὸς πατρώιος ἄμμι πέλοιτο.
ἄμφω γὰρ Κρηθεὺς Ἀθάμας τ᾽ ἔσαν Αἰόλου υΐες·
360
Φρίξος δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ Ἀθάμαντος ἔην πάις Αἰολίδαο.
τόνδε δ᾽ ἄρ᾽, Ἠελίου γόνον ἔμμεναι εἴ τιν᾿ ἀκούεις,
δέρκεαι Αὐγείην· Τελαμὼν δ᾽ ὅγε, κυδίστοιο
Αἰακοῦ ἐκγεγαώς· Ζεὺς δ᾽ Αἰακὸν αὐτὸς ἔτικτεν.
ὡς δὲ καὶ ὧλλοι πάντες, ὅσοι συνέπονται ἑταῖροι,
365
ἀθανάτων υἱές τε καὶ υἱωνοὶ γεγάασιν.᾿
Τοῖα παρέννεπεν Ἄργος· ἄναξ δ᾽ ἐπεχώσατο μύθοις
εἰσαΐων· ὑψοῦ δὲ χόλῳ φρένες ἠερέθοντο.
φῆ δ᾽ ἐπαλαστήσας· μενέαινε δὲ παισὶ μάλιστα
Χαλκιόπης· τῶν γάρ σφε μετελθέμεν οἵνεκ᾽ ἐώλπει·
370
ἐκ δέ οἱ ὄμματ᾽ ἔλαμψεν ὑπ᾽ ὀφρύσιν ἱεμένοιο·
Οὐκ ἄφαρ ὀφθαλμῶν μοι ἀπόπροθι, λωβητῆρες,
νεῖσθ᾽ αὐτοῖσι δόλοισι παλίσσυτοι ἔκτοθι γαίης,
πρίν τινα λευγαλέον τε δέρος καὶ Φρίξον ἰδέσθαι;
αὐτίχ᾽ ὁμαρτήσαντες ἀφ᾽ Ἑλλάδος, οὐκ ἐπὶ κῶας,
375
σκῆπτρα δὲ καὶ τιμὴν βασιληίδα δεύρο νέεσθε.
εἰ δέ κε μὴ προπάροιθεν ἐμῆς ἥψασθε τραπέζης,
ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ἀπὸ γλώσσας τε ταμὼν καὶ χεῖρε κεάσσας
ἀμφοτέρας, οἴοισιν ἐπιπροέηκα πόδεσσιν,
ὥς κεν ἐρητύοισθε καὶ ὕστερον ὁρμηθῆναι,
380
οἷα δὲ καὶ μακάρεσσιν ἐπεψεύσασθε θεοῖσιν.᾿
Φῆ ῥα χαλεψάμενος· μέγα δὲ φρένες Αἰακίδαο
νειόθεν οἰδαίνεσκον· ἐέλδετο δ᾽ ἔνδοθι θυμὸς
ἀντιβίην ὀλοὸν φάσθαι ἔπος· ἀλλ᾽ ἀπέρυκεν
Αἰσονίδης· πρὸ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἀμείψατο μειλιχίοισιν·
385
Αἰήτη, σχέο μοι τῷδε στόλῳ. οὔτι γὰρ αὕτως
ἄστυ τεὸν καὶ δώμαθ᾽ ἱκάνομεν, ὥς που ἔολπας,
οὐδὲ μὲν ἱέμενοι. τίς δ᾽ ἂν τόσον οἶδμα περῆσαι
τλαίη ἑκὼν ὀθνεῖον ἐπὶ κτέρας; ἀλλά με δαίμων
καὶ κρυερὴ βασιλῆος ἀτασθάλου ὧρσεν ἐφετμή.
390
δὸς χάριν ἀντομένοισι· σέθεν δ᾽ ἐγὼ Ἑλλάδι πάσῃ
θεσπεσίην οἴσω κληηδόνα· καὶ δέ τοι ἤδη
πρόφρονές εἰμεν ἄρηι θοὴν ἀποτῖσαι ἀμοιβήν,
εἴτ᾽ οὖν Σαυρομάτας γε λιλαίεαι, εἴτε τιν᾿ ἄλλον
δῆμον σφωιτέροισιν ὑπὸ σκήπτροισι δαμάσσαι.
395
Ἴσκεν ὑποσσαίνων ἀγανῇ ὀπί· τοῖο δὲ θυμὸς
διχθαδίην πόρφυρεν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι μενοινήν,
ἤ σφεας ὁρμηθεὶς αὐτοσχεδὸν ἐξεναρίζοι,
ἢ ὅγε πειρήσαιτο βίης. τό οἱ εἴσατ᾽ ἄρειον
φραζομένῳ· καὶ δή μιν ὑποβλήδην προσέειπεν·
400
Ξεῖνε, τί κεν τὰ ἕκαστα διηνεκέως ἀγορεύοις;
εἰ γὰρ ἐτήτυμόν ἐστε θεῶν γένος, ἠὲ καὶ ἄλλως
οὐδὲν ἐμεῖο χέρηες ἐπ᾽ ὀθνείοισιν ἔβητε,
δώσω τοι χρύσειον ἄγειν δέρος, αἴ κ᾿ ἐθέλῃσθα,
πειρηθείς. ἐσθλοῖς γὰρ ἐπ᾿ ἀνδράσιν οὔτι μεγαίρω,
405
ὡς αὐτοὶ μυθεῖσθε τὸν Ἑλλάδι κοιρανέοντα.
πεῖρα δέ τοι μένεός τε καὶ ἀλκῆς ἔσσετ᾽ ἄεθλος,
τόν ῥ᾽ αὐτὸς περίειμι χεροῖν ὀλούν περ ἐόντα.
δοιώ μοι πεδίον τὸ Ἀρήιον ἀμφινέμονται
ταύρω χαλκόποδε, στόματι φλόγα φυσιόωντες·
410
τοὺς ἐλάω ζεύξας στυφελὴν κατὰ νειὸν Ἀρηος
τετράγυον, τὴν αἶψα ταμὼν ἐπὶ τέλσον ἀρότρῳ
οὐ σπόρον ὁλκοῖσιν Δηοῦς ἐνιβάλλομαι ἀκτήν,
ἀλλ᾽ ὄφιος δεινοῖο μεταλδήσκοντας ὀδόντας
ἀνδράσι τευχηστῇσι δέμας· τοὺς δ᾽ αὖθι δαΐζων
415
κείρω ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ περισταδὸν ἀντιόωντας.
ἠέριος ζεύγνυμι βόας, καὶ δείελον ὥρην
παύομαι ἀμήτοιο. σύ δ', εἰ τάδε τοῖα τελέσσεις,
αὐτῆμαρ τόδε κῶας ἀποίσεαι εἰς βασιλῆος·
πρὶν δέ κεν οὐ δοίην, μηδ᾽ ἔλπεο. δὴ γὰρ ἀεικὲς
420
ἄνδρ᾽ ἀγαθὸν γεγαῶτα κακωτέρῳ ἀνέρι εἶξαι. (
Ως ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· ὁ δὲ σῖγα ποδῶν πάρος ὄμματα πήξας
ἦστ᾽ αὔτως ἄφθογγος, ἀμηχανέων κακότητι.
βουλὴν δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πολὺν στρώφα χρόνον, οὐδέ πῃ εἶχεν
θαρσαλέως ὑποδέχθαι, ἐπεὶ μέγα φαίνετο ἔργον·
425
ὀψὲ δ᾽ ἀμειβόμενος προσελέξατο κερδαλέοισιν·
Αἰήτη, μάλα τοί με δίκῃ περιπολλὸν ἐέργεις.
τῶ καὶ ἐγὼ τὸν ἄεθλον ὑπερφίαλόν περ ἐόντα
τλήσομαι, εἰ καί μοι θανέειν μόρος. οὐ γὰρ ἔτ᾽ ἄλλο
ῥίγιον ἀνθρώποισι κακῆς ἐπικείσετ᾽ ἀνάγκης,
430
ἤ με καὶ ἐνθάδε νεῖσθαι ἐπέχραεν ἐκ βασιλῆος.
Ως φάτ᾽ ἀμηχανίῃ βεβολημένος· αὐτὰρ ὁ τόνγε
σμερδαλέοις ἐπέεσσι προσέννεπεν ἀσχαλόωντα·
Ἔρχεο νῦν μεθ᾽ ὅμιλον, ἐπεὶ μέμονάς γε πόνοιο·
εἰ δὲ σύγε ζυγὰ βουσὶν ὑποδδείσαις ἐπαεῖραι,
435
ἠὲ καὶ οὐλομένου μεταχάσσεαι ἀμήτοιο,
αὐτῷ κεν τὰ ἕκαστα μέλοιτό μοι, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλος
ἀνὴρ ἐρρίγῃσιν ἀρείονα φῶτα μετελθεῖν.
Ἴσκεν ἀπηλεγέως· ὁ δ᾽ ἀπὸ θρόνου ὤρνυτ᾽ ᾿Ιήσων,
Αὐγείης Τελαμών τε παρασχεδόν· εἵπετο δ᾽ Ἄργος
440
οἷος, ἐπεὶ μεσσηγὺς ἔτ᾽ αὐτόθι νεῦσε λιπέσθαι
αὐτοκασιγνήτοις· οἱ δ᾽ ἤισαν ἐκ μεγάροιο.
θεσπέσιον δ᾽ ἐν πᾶσι μετέπρεπεν Αἴσονος υἱὸς
κάλλεϊ καὶ χαρίτεσσιν· ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ δ᾽ ὄμματα κούρη
λοξὰ παρὰ λιπαρὴν σχομένη θηεῖτο καλύπτρην,
445
κῆρ ἄχεϊ σμύχουσα· νόος δέ οἱ ἠύτ᾽ ὄνειρος
ἑρπύζων πεπότητο μετ᾽ ἴχνια νισσομένοιο.
καί ῥ᾽ οἱ μέν ῥα δόμων ἐξήλυθον ἀσχαλόωντες.
Χαλκιόπη δὲ χόλον πεφυλαγμένη Αἰήταο
καρπαλίμως θάλαμόνδε σὺν υἱάσιν οἶσι βεβήκει.
450
αὔτως δ᾽ αὖ Μήδεια μετέστιχε· πολλὰ δὲ θυμῷ
ὥρμαιν᾽, ὅσσα τ᾽ Ἔρωτες ἐποτρύνουσι μέλεσθαι.
προπρὸ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὀφθαλμῶν ἔτι οἱ ἰνδάλλετο πάντα,
αὐτός θ᾽ οἷος ἔην, οἵοισί τε φάρεσιν ἕστο,
οἷά τ᾽ ἔειφ᾽, ὥς θ᾽ ἔζετ᾽ ἐπὶ θρόνου, ὥς τε θύραζε
455
ἤιεν· οὐδέ τιν᾿ ἄλλον ὀίσσατο πορφύρουσα
ἔμμεναι ἀνέρα τοῖον· ἐν οὔασι δ᾽ αἰὲν ὀρώρει
αὐδή τε μῦθοί τε μελίφρονες, οὓς ἀγόρευσεν.
τάρβει δ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ αὐτῷ, μή μιν βόες ἠὲ καὶ αὐτὸς
Αἰήτης φθίσειεν· ὀδύρετο δ᾽ ἠύτε πάμπαν
460
ἤδη τεθνειῶτα, τέρεν δέ οἱ ἀμφὶ παρειὰς
δάκρυον αἰνοτάτῳ ἐλέῳ ῥέε κηδοσύνῃσιν·
ἦκα δὲ μυρομένη λιγέως ἀνενείκατο μῦθον·
Τίπτε με δειλαίην τόδ᾽ ἔχει ἄχος; εἴθ᾽ ὅγε πάντων
φθίσεται ἡρώων προφερέστατος, εἴτε χερείων,
465
ἐρρέτω. ἢ μὲν ὄφελλεν ἀκήριος ἐξαλέασθαι.
ναὶ δὴ τοῦτό γε, πότνα θεὰ Περσηί, πέλοιτο,
οἴκαδε νοστήσειε φυγὼν μόρον· εἰ δέ μιν αἶσα
δμηθῆναι ὑπὸ βουσί, τόδε προπάροιθε δαείη,
οὖνεκεν οὗ οἱ ἔγωγε κακῇ ἐπαγαίομαι ἄτῃ.
470
Ἡ μὲν ἄρ᾽ ὡς ἐόλητο νόον μελεδήμασι κούρη.
οἱ δ᾽ ἐπεὶ οὖν δήμου τε καὶ ἄστεος ἐκτὸς ἔβησαν
τὴν ὁδόν, ἣν τὸ πάροιθεν ἀνήλυθον ἐκ πεδίοιο,
δὴ τότ᾽ Ἰήσονα τοῖσδε προσέννεπεν Ἄργος ἔπεσσιν·
Αἰσονίδη, μῆτιν μὲν ὀνόσσεαι, ἥντιν᾽ ἐνίψω·
475
πείρης δ᾽ οὐ μάλ᾽ ἔοικε μεθιέμεν ἐν κακότητι.
κούρην δή τινα πρόσθεν ὑπέκλυες αὐτὸς ἐμεῖο
φαρμάσσειν Ἑκάτης Περσηίδος ἐννεσίῃσιν.
τὴν εἴ κεν πεπίθοιμεν, δίομαι, οὐκέτι τάρβος
ἔσσετ᾽ ἀεθλεύοντι δαμήμεναι· ἀλλὰ μάλ᾽ αἰνῶς
480
δείδω, μή πως οὔ μοι ὑποσταίη τόγε μήτηρ.
ἔμπης δ᾽ ἐξαῦτις μετελεύσομαι ἀντιβολήσων,
ξυνὸς ἐπεὶ πάντεσσιν ἐπικρέμαθ᾽ ἡμιν ὄλεθρος.
Ἴσκεν ἐυφρονέων· ὁ δ᾽ ἀμείβετο τοῖσδ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν·
Ὦ πέπον, εἴ νύ τοι αὐτῷ ἐφανδάνει, οὔτι μεγαίρω.
485
βάσκ᾽ ἴθι καὶ πυκινοῖσι τεὴν παρὰ μητέρα μύθοις
ὄρνυθι λισσόμενος· μελέη γε μὲν ἡμιν ὄρωρεν
ἐλπωρή, ὅτε νόστον ἐπετραπόμεσθα γυναιξίν.
ὡς ἔφατ᾿· ὦκα δ᾽ ἕλος μετεκίαθον. αὐτὰρ ἑταῖροι
γηθόσυνοι ἐρέεινον, ὅπως παρεόντας ἴδοντο·
490
τοῖσιν δ᾽ Αἰσονίδης τετιημένος ἔκφατο μῦθον·
Ω φίλοι, Αἰήταο ἀπηνέος ἄμμι φίλον κῆρ
ἀντικρὺ κεχόλωται, ἕκαστα γὰρ οὔ νύ τι τέκμωρ
οὔτ᾽ ἐμοί, οὔτε κεν ὄμμι διειρομένοισι πέλοιτο.
φῆ δὲ δύω πεδίον τὸ Ἀρήιον ἀμφινέμεσθαι
495
ταύρω χαλκόποδε, στόματι φλόγα φυσιόωντας.
τετράγυον δ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖσιν ἐφίετο νειὸν ἀρόσσαι·
δώσειν δ᾽ ἐξ ὄφιος γενύων σπόρον, ὅς ῥ᾽ ἀνίῃσιν
γηγενέας χαλκέοις σὺν τεύχεσιν· ἤματι δ᾽ αὐτῷ
χρειὼ τούσγε δαΐξαι. ὁ δή νύ οἱ οὔτι γὰρ ἄλλο
500
βέλτερον ἦν φράσσασθαι-ἀπηλεγέως ὑποέστην.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· πάντεσσι δ᾽ ἀνήνυτος εἴσατ᾿ ἄεθλος,
δὴν δ᾽ ἄνεῳ καὶ ἄναυδοι ἐς ἀλλήλους ὁρόωντο,
ἄτῃ ἀμηχανίῃ τε κατηφέες· ὀψὲ δὲ Πηλεὺς
θαρσαλέως μετὰ πᾶσιν ἀριστήεσσιν ἔειπεν·
505
“Ωρη μητιάασθαι ὅ κ᾽ ἔρξομεν. οὐ μὲν ἔολπα
βουλῆς εἶναι ὄνειαρ, ὅσον τ᾽ ἐπὶ κάρτεϊ χειρῶν.
εἰ μέν νυν τύνη ζεύξαι βόας Αἰήταο,
ἥρως Αἰσονίδη, φρονέεις, μέμονάς τε πόνοιο,
ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ὑποσχεσίην πεφυλαγμένος ἐντύναιο·
510
εἰ δ᾽ οὗ τοι μάλα θυμὸς ἑῇ ἐπὶ πάγχυ πέποιθεν
ἠνορέῃ, μήτ᾽ αὐτὸς ἐπείγεο, μήτε τιν᾿ ἄλλον
τῶνδ᾽ ἀνδρῶν πάπταινε παρήμενος. οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγε
σχήσομ᾽, ἐπεὶ θάνατός γε τὸ κύντατον ἔσσεται ἄλγος.᾿
Ως ἔφατ᾿ Αἰακίδης· Τελαμῶνι δὲ θυμὸς ὀρίνθη·
515
σπερχόμενος δ᾽ ἀνόρουσε θοῶς· ἐπὶ δὲ τρίτος Ἴδας
ὣρτο μέγα φρονέων, ἐπὶ δ᾽ υἱέε Τυνδαρέοιο·
σὺν δὲ καὶ Οἰνεΐδης ἐναρίθμιος αἰζηοῖσιν
ἀνδράσιν, οὐδέ περ ὅσσον ἐπανθιόωντας ἰούλους
ἀντέλλων· τοίῳ οἱ ἀείρετο κάρτεϊ θυμός.
520
οἱ δ᾽ ἄλλοι εἴξαντες ἀκὴν ἔχον. αὐτίκα δ᾽ Ἄργος
τοῖον ἔπος μετέειπεν ἐελδομένοισιν ἀέθλου·
Ὦ φίλοι, ἤτοι μὲν τόδε λοίσθιον. ἀλλά τιν' οἴω
μητρὸς ἐμῆς ἔσσεσθαι ἐναίσιμον ὄμμιν ἀρωγήν.
τῶ καί περ μεμαῶτες, ἐρητύοισθ᾽ ἐνὶ νηὶ
525
τυτθὸν ἔθ᾽, ὡς τὸ πάροιθεν, ἐπεὶ καὶ ἐπισχέμεν ἔμπης
λώιον, ἢ κακὸν οἶτον ἀφειδήσαντας ἑλέσθαι.
κούρη τις μεγάροισιν ἐνιτρέφετ᾽ Αἰήταο,
τὴν Ἑκάτη περίαλλα θεὰ δάε τεχνήσασθαι
φάρμαχ᾽, ὅσ᾽ ἤπειρός τε φύει καὶ νήχυτον ὕδωρ,
530
τοῖσι καὶ ἀκαμάτοιο πυρὸς μειλίσσετ᾽ ἀυτμή,
καὶ ποταμοὺς ἵστησιν ἄφαρ κελαδεινὰ ῥέοντας,
ἄστρα τε καὶ μήνης ἱερῆς ἐπέδησε κελεύθους.
τῆς μὲν ἀπὸ μεγάροιο κατὰ στίβον ἐνθάδ᾽ ἰόντες
μνησάμεθ᾽, εἴ κε δύναιτο, κασιγνήτη γεγαυῖα,
535
μήτηρ ὑμετέρη πεπιθεῖν ἐπαρῆξαι ἀέθλῳ.
εἰ δὲ καὶ αὐτοῖσιν τόδ᾽ ἐφανδάνει, ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ἱκοίμην
ἤματι τῷδ᾽ αὐτῷ πάλιν εἰς δόμον Αἰήτασ
πειρήσων· τάχα δ᾽ ἂν σὺν δαίμονι πειρηθείην.
Ως φάτο· τοῖσι δὲ σῆμα θεοὶ δόσαν εὐμενέοντες.
540
τρηρὼν μὲν φεύγουσα βίην κίρκοιο πελειὰς
ὑψόθεν Αἰσονίδεω πεφοβημένη ἔμπεσε κόλποις·
κίρκος δ᾽ ἀφλάστῳ περικάππεσεν. ὣκα δὲ Μόψος
τοῖον ἔπος μετὰ πᾶσι θεοπροπέων ἀγόρευσεν·
Ὕμμι, φίλοι, τόδε σῆμα θεῶν ἰότητι τέτυκται·
545
οὐδέ πῃ ἄλλως ἐστὶν ὑποκρίνασθαι ἄρειον,
παρθενικὴν δ᾽ ἐπέεσσι μετελθέμεν ἀμφιέποντας
μήτι παντοίῃ. δοκέω δέ μιν οὐκ ἀθερίζειν,
εἰ ἐτεὸν Φινεύς γε θεᾷ ἐνὶ Κύπριδι νόστον
πέφραδεν ἔσσεσθαι. κείνης δ᾽ ὅγε μείλιχος ὄρνις
550
πότμον ὑπεξήλυξε· κέαρ δέ μοι ὡς ἐνὶ θυμῷ
τόνδε κατ᾿ οἰωνὸν προτιόσσεται, ὡς δὲ πέλοιτο.
ἀλλά, φίλοι, Κυθέρειαν ἐπικλείοντες ἀμύνειν,
ἤδη νῦν Ἄργοιο παραιφασίῃσι πίθεσθε.
Ἴσκεν· ἐπῄνησαν δὲ νέοι, Φινῆος ἐφετμὰς
555
μνησάμενοι· μοῦνος δ᾽ Ἀφαρήιος ἄνθορεν Ἴδας,
δείν᾽ ἐπαλαστήσας μεγάλῃ ὀπί, φώνησέν τε·
Ὦ πόποι, ἦ ῥα γυναιξὶν ὁμόστολοι ἐνθάδ᾽ ἔβημεν,
οἳ Κύπριν καλέουσιν ἐπίρροθον ἄμμι πέλεσθαι,
οὐκέτ᾽ Ἐνυαλίοιο μέγα σθένος; ἐς δὲ πελείας
560
καὶ κίρκους λεύσσοντες ἐρητύεσθε ἀέθλων;
ἔρρετε, μηδ᾽ ὄμμιν πολεμήια ἔργα μέλοιτο,
παρθενικὰς δὲ λιτῇσιν ἀνάλκιδας ἠπεροπεύειν.
Ως ηὔδα μεμαώς· πολέες δ᾽ ὁμάδησαν ἑταῖροι
ἦκα μάλ᾽, οὐδ᾽ ἄρα τις οἱ ἐναντίον ἔκφατο μῦθον.
565
χωόμενος δ᾽ ὅγ᾽ ἔπειτα καθέζετο· τοῖσι δ᾽ Ἰήσων
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐποτρύνων τὸν ἑὸν νόον ὧδ᾽ ἀγόρευεν·
Ἄργος μὲν παρὰ νηός, ἐπεὶ τόδε πᾶσιν ἔαδεν,
στελλέσθω· ἀτὰρ αὐτοὶ ἐπὶ χθονὸς ἐκ ποταμοῖο
ἀμφαδὸν ἤδη πείσματ᾿ ἀνάψομεν. ἦ γὰρ ἔοικεν
570
μηκέτι δὴν κρύπτεσθαι ὑποπτήσσοντας ἀυτήν.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη· καὶ τὸν μὲν ἄφαρ προΐαλλε νέεσθαι
καρπαλίμως ἐξαῦτις ἀνὰ πτόλιν· οἱ δ᾽ ἐπὶ νηὸς
εὐναίας ἐρύσαντες ἐφετμαῖς Αἰσονίδαο
τυτθὸν ὑπὲξ ἕλεος χέρσῳ ἐπέκελσαν ἐρετμοῖς.
575
Αὐτίκα δ᾽ Αἰήτης ἀγορὴν ποιήσατο Κόλχων
νόσφιν ἑοῖο δόμου, τόθι περ καὶ πρόσθε κάθιζον,
ἀτλήτους Μινύῃσι δόλους καὶ κήδεα τεύχων.
στεῦτο δ᾽, ἐπεί κεν πρῶτα βόες διαδηλήσωνται
ἄνδρα τόν, ὅς ῥ᾽ ὑπέδεκτο βαρὺν καμέεσθαι ἄεθλον,
580
δρυμὸν ἀναρρήξας λασίης καθύπερθε κολώνης
αὔτανδρον φλέξειν δόρυ νήιον, ὄφρ᾽ ἀλεγεινὴν
ὕβριν ἀποφλύξωσιν ὑπέρβια μηχανόωντες.
οὐδὲ γὰρ Αἰολίδην Φρίξον μάλα περ χατέοντα
δέχθαι ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἐφέστιον, ὃς περὶ πάντων
585
ξείνων μειλιχίῃ τε θεουδείῃ τ᾽ ἐκέκαστο,
εἰ μή οἱ Ζεὺς αὐτὸς ἀπ᾿ οὐρανοῦ ἄγγελον ἧκεν
Ἑρμείαν, ὥς κεν προσκηδέος ἀντιάσειεν·
μὴ καὶ ληιστῆρας ἑὴν ἐς γαῖαν ἰόντας
ἔσσεσθαι δηναιὸν ἀπήμονας, οἶσι μέμηλεν
590
ὀθνείοις ἐπὶ χεῖρα ἑὴν κτεάτεσσιν ἀείρειν,
κρυπταδίους τε δόλους τεκταινέμεν, ἠδὲ βοτήρων
αὔλια δυσκελάδοισιν ἐπιδρομίῃσι δαΐξαι.
νόσφι δὲ οἱ αὐτῷ φάτ᾽ ἐοικότα μείλια τίσειν
υἱῆας Φρίξοιο, κακορρέκτῃσιν ὀπηδοὺς
595
ἀνδράσι νοστήσαντας ὁμιλαδόν, ὄφρα ἑ τιμῆς
καὶ σκήπτρων ἐλάσειαν ἀκηδέες· ὥς ποτε βάξιν
λευγαλέην οὗ πατρὸς ἐπέκλυεν ᾿Ηελίοιο,
χρειώ μιν πυκινόν τε δόλον βουλάς τε γενέθλης
σφωιτέρης ἄτην τε πολύτροπον ἐξαλέασθαι·
600
τῶ καὶ ἐελδομένους πέμπειν ἐς Ἀχαιίδα γαῖαν
πατρὸς ἐφημοσύνῃ, δολιχὴν ὁδόν. οὐδὲ θυγατρῶν
εἶναί οἱ τυτθόν γε δέος, μή πού τινα μῆτιν
φράσσωνται στυγερήν, οὐδ᾽ υἱέος Ἀψύρτοιο·
ἀλλ᾽ ἐνὶ Χαλκιόπης γενεῇ τάδε λυγρὰ τετύχθαι.
605
καί ῥ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἄσχετα ἔργα πιφαύσκετο δημοτέροισιν
χωόμενος· μέγα δέ σφιν ἀπείλεε νῆά τ᾽ ἐρύσθαι
ἠδ᾽ αὐτούς, ἵνα μήτις ὑπὲκ κακότητος ἀλύξῃ.
Τόφρα δὲ μητέρ᾽ ἑήν, μετιὼν δόμον Αἰήταο,
Ἄργος παντοίοισι παρηγορέεσκ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν,
610
Μήδειαν λίσσεσθαι ἀμυνέμεν· ἡ δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
πρόσθεν μητιάασκε· δέος δέ μιν ἴσχανε θυμόν,
μή πως ἠὲ παρ' αἶσαν ἐτώσια μειλίξαιτο
πατρὸς ἀτυζομένην ὀλοὸν χόλον, ἠὲ λιτῇσιν
ἑσπομένης ἀρίδηλα καὶ ἀμφαδὰ ἔργα πέλοιτο.
615
Κούρην δ᾽ ἐξ ἀχέων ἀδινὸς κατελώφεεν ὕπνος
λέκτρῳ ἀνακλινθεῖσαν. ἄφαρ δέ μιν ἠπεροπῆες,
οἷά τ᾽ ἀκηχεμένην, ὀλοοὶ ἐρέθεσκον ὄνειροι.
τὸν ξεῖνον δ᾽ ἐδόκησεν ὑφεστάμεναι τὸν ἄεθλον,
οὔτι μάλ᾽ ὁρμαίνοντα δέρος κριοῖο κομίσσαι,
620
οὐδέ τι τοῖο ἕκητι μετὰ πτόλιν Αἰήταο
ἐλθέμεν, ὄφρα δέ μιν σφέτερον δόμον εἰσαγάγοιτο
κουριδίην παράκοιτιν· δίετο δ᾽ ἀμφὶ βόεσσιν
αὐτὴ ἀεθλεύουσα˙ μάλ᾽ εὐμαρέως πονέεσθαι·
σφωιτέρους δὲ τοκῆας ὑποσχεσίης ἀθερίζειν,
625
οὕνεκεν οὐ κούρῃ ζεύξαι βόας, ἀλλά οἱ αὐτῷ
προύθεσαν· ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα τοῦ νεῖκος πέλεν ἀμφήριστον
πατρί τε καὶ ξείνοις· αὐτῇ δ᾽ ἐπιέτρεπον ἄμφω
τὼς ἔμεν, ὥς κεν ἑῇσι μετὰ φρεσὶν ἰθύσειεν.
ἡ δ᾽ ἄφνω τὸν ξεῖνον, ἀφειδήσασα τοκήων,
630
εἵλετο· τοὺς δ᾽ ἀμέγαρτον ἄχος λάβεν, ἐκ δ᾽ ἐβόησαν
χωόμενοι· τὴν δ᾽ ὕπνος ἅμα κλαγγῇ μεθέηκεν.
παλλομένη δ᾽ ἀνόρουσε φόβῳ, περί τ᾿ ἀμφί τε τοίχους
πάπτηνεν θαλάμοιο· μόλις δ᾽ ἐσαγείρατο θυμὸν
ὡς πάρος ἐν στέρνοις, ἀδινὴν δ᾽ ἀνενείκατο φωνήν·
635
Δειλὴ ἐγών, οἷόν με βαρεῖς ἐφόβησαν ὄνειροι.
δείδια, μὴ μέγα δή τι φέρῃ κακὸν ἥδε κέλευθος
ἡρώων. περί μοι ξείνῳ φρένες ἠερέθονται.
μνάσθω ἑὸν κατὰ δῆμον Ἀχαιίδα τηλόθι κούρην·
ἄμμι δὲ παρθενίη τε μέλοι καὶ δῶμα τοκήων.
640
ἔμπα γε μὴν θεμένη κύνεον κέαρ, οὐκέτ᾽ ἄνευθεν
αὐτοκασιγνήτης πειρήσομαι, εἴ κέ μ᾿ ἀέθλῳ
χραισμεῖν ἀντιάσῃσιν, ἐπὶ σφετέροις ἀχέουσα
παισί· τό κέν μοι λυγρὸν ἐνὶ κραδίῃ σβέσαι ἄλγος.
Ἦ ῥα, καὶ ὀρθωθεῖσα θύρας ὤιξε δόμοιο,
645
νήλιπος, οἰέανος· καὶ δὴ λελίητο νέεσθαι
αὐτοκασιγνήτηνδε, καὶ ἕρκεος οὐδὸν ἄμειψεν.
δὴν δὲ καταυτόθι μίμνεν ἐνὶ προδόμῳ θαλάμοιο,
αἰδοῖ ἐεργομένη· μετὰ δ᾽ ἐτράπετ᾽ αὖτις ὀπίσσω
στρεφθεῖσ᾽· ἐκ δὲ πάλιν κίεν ἔνδοθεν, ἄψ τ᾽ ἀλέεινεν
650
εἴσω· τηΰσιοι δὲ πόδες φέρον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα·
ἤτοι ὅτ᾿ ἰθύσειεν, ἔρυκέ μιν ἔνδοθεν αἰδώς·
αἰδοῖ δ᾽ ἐργομένην θρασὺς ἵμερος ὀτρύνεσκεν.
τρὶς μὲν ἐπειρήθη, τρὶς δ᾽ ἔσχετο, τέτρατον αὖτις
λέκτροισιν πρηνὴς ἐνικάππεσεν εἱλιχθεῖσα.
655
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτε τις νύμφη θαλερὸν πόσιν ἐν θαλάμοισιν
μύρεται, ᾧ μιν ὄπασσαν ἀδελφεοὶ ἠδὲ τοκῆες,
οὐδέ τί πω πάσαις ἐπιμίσγεται ἀμφιπόλοισιν
αἰδοῖ ἐπιφροσύνῃ τε· μυχῷ δ᾽ ἀχέουσα θαάσσει·
τὸν δέ τις ὤλεσε μοῖρα, πάρος ταρπήμεναι ἄμφω
660
δήνεσιν ἀλλήλων· ἡ δ᾽ ἔνδοθι δαιομένη περ
σῖγα μάλα κλαίει χῆρον λέχος εἰσορόωσα,
μή μιν κερτομέουσαι ἐπιστοβέωσι γυναῖκες·
τῇ ἰκέλη Μήδεια κινύρετο. τὴν δέ τις ἄφνω
μυρομένην μεσσηγὺς ἐπιπρομολοῦσ᾽ ἐνόησεν
665
δμωάων, ἥ οἱ ἑπέτις πέλε κουρίζουσα·
Χαλκιόπῃ δ᾽ ἤγγειλε παρασχεδόν· ἡ δ᾽ ἐνὶ παισὶν
ἧστ᾽ ἐπιμητιόωσα κασιγνήτην ἀρέσασθαι.
ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ὡς ἀπίθησεν, ὅτ᾽ ἔκλυεν ἀμφιπόλοιο
μῦθον ἀνώιστον· διὰ δ᾽ ἔσσυτο θαμβήσασα
670
ἐκ θαλάμου θάλαμόνδε διαμπερές, ᾧ ἔνι κούρη
κέκλιτ᾽ ἀκηχεμένη, δρύψεν δ᾽ ἑκάτερθε παρειάς·
ὡς δ᾽ ἴδε δάκρυσιν ὄσσε πεφυρμένα, φώνησέν μιν·
Ωι μοι ἐγώ, Μήδεια, τί δὴ τάδε δάκρυα λείβεις;
τίπτ᾽ ἔπαθες; τί τοι αἰνὸν ὑπὸ φρένας ἵκετο πένθος;
675
ἤ νύ σε θευμορίη περιδέδρομεν ἅψεα νοῦσος,
ἦέ τιν᾿ οὐλομένην ἐδάης ἐκ πατρὸς ἐνιπὴν
ἀμφί τ᾿ ἐμοὶ καὶ παισίν; ὄφελλέ με μήτε τοκήων
δῶμα τόδ᾽ εἰσοράαν, μηδὲ πτόλιν, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπὶ γαίης
πείρασι ναιετάειν, ἵνα μηδέ περ οὔνομα Κόλχων.
680
Ως φάτο· τῆς δ᾽ ἐρύθηνε παρήια· δὴν δέ μιν αἰδὼς
παρθενίη κατέρυκεν ἀμείψασθαι μεμαυῖαν.
μῦθος δ᾽ ἄλλοτε μέν οἱ ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτάτης ἀνέτελλεν
γλώσσης, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἔνερθε κατὰ στῆθος πεπότητο.
πολλάκι δ᾽ ἱμερόεν μὲν ἀνὰ στόμα θυῖεν ἐνισπεῖν·
685
φθογγῇ δ᾽ οὐ προύβαινε παροιτέρω· ὀψὲ δ᾽ ἔειπεν
τοῖα δόλῳ· θρασέες γὰρ ἐπεκλονέεσκον Ἔρωτες·
Χαλκιόπη, περί μοι παίδων σέο θυμὸς ἄηται,
μή σφε πατὴρ ξείνοισι σὺν ἀνδράσιν αὐτίκ᾽ ὀλέσσῃ.
τοῖα κατακνώσσουσα μινυνθαδίῳ νέον ὕπνῳ
690
λεύσσω ὀνείρατα λυγρά, τά τις θεὸς ἀκράαντα
θείη, μηδ᾽ ἀλεγεινὸν ἐφ᾽ υἱάσι κῆδος ἕλοιο.
Φῆ ῥα, κασιγνήτης πειρωμένη, εἴ κέ μιν αὐτὴ
ἀντιάσειε πάροιθεν ἑοῖς τεκέεσσιν ἀμύνειν.
τὴν δ᾽ αἰνῶς ἄτλητος ἐπέκλυσε θυμὸν ἀνίη
695
δείματι, τοῖ᾽ ἐσάκουσεν· ἀμείβετο δ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν·
Καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὴ τάδε πάντα μετήλυθον ὁρμαίνουσα,
εἴ τινα συμφράσσαιο καὶ ἀρτύνειας ἀρωγήν.
ἀλλ᾽ ὄμοσον Γαῖάν τε καὶ Οὐρανόν, ὅττι τοι εἴπω
σχήσειν ἐν θυμῷ, σύν τε δρήστειρα πέλεσθαι.
700
λίσσομ᾽ ὑπὲρ μακάρων σέο τ᾽ αὐτῆς ἠδὲ τοκήων,
μή σφε κακῇ ὑπὸ κηρὶ διαρραισθέντας ἰδέσθαι
λευγαλέως· ἢ σοίγε φίλοις σὺν παισὶ θανοῦσα
εἴην ἐξ Ἀίδεω στυγερὴ μετόπισθεν Ἐρινύς.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, τὸ δὲ πολλὸν ὑπεξέχυτ᾽ αὐτίκα δάκρυ·
705
νειόθι θ᾽ ἀμφοτέρησι περίσχετο γούνατα χερσίν,
σὺν δὲ κάρη κόλποις περικάββαλεν. ἔνθ᾽ ἐλεεινὸν
ἄμφω ἐπ᾿ ἀλλήλῃσι θέσαν γόον· ὥρτο δ᾽ ἰωὴ
λεπταλέη διὰ δώματ᾽ ὀδυρομένων ἀχέεσσιν.
τὴν δὲ πάρος Μήδεια προσέννεπεν ἀσχαλόωσα·
710
Δαιμονίη, τί νύ τοι ῥέξω ἄκος, οἳ᾽ ἀγορεύεις,
ἀράς τε στυγερὰς καὶ Ἐρινύας; αἰ γὰρ ὄφελλεν
ἔμπεδον εἶναι ἐπ᾿ ἄμμι τεοὺς υἱῆας ἔρυσθαι.
ἴστω Κόλχων ὅρκος ὑπέρβιος ὅντιν᾽ ὀμόσσαι
αὐτὴ ἐποτρύνεις, μέγας Οὐρανός, ἥ θ᾽ ὑπένερθεν
715
Γαῖα, θεῶν μήτηρ, ὅσσον σθένος ἐστὶν ἐμεῖο,
μή σ᾽ ἐπιδευήσεσθαι, ἀνυστά περ ἀντιόωσαν.
Φῆ ἄρα· Χαλκιόπη δ᾽ ἠμείβετο τοῖσδ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν·
Οὐκ ἂν δὴ ξείνῳ τλαίης χατέοντι καὶ αὐτῷ
ἢ δόλον, ἤ τινα μῆτιν ἐπιφράσσασθαι ἀέθλου,·
720
παίδων εἵνεκ᾿ ἐμεῖο; καὶ ἐκ κείνοιο δ᾽ ἱκάνει
Ἄργος, ἐποτρύνων με τεῆς πειρῆσαι ἀρωγῆς·
μεσσηγὺς μὲν τόνγε δόμῳ λίπον ἐνθάδ᾽ ἰοῦσα.
Ως φάτο· τῇ δ᾽ ἔντοσθεν ἀνέπτατο χάρματι θυμός,
φοινίχθη δ᾽ ἄμυδις καλὸν χρόα, κὰδ δέ μιν ἀχλὺς
725
εἶλεν ἰαινομένην, τοῖον δ᾽ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔειπεν·
Χαλκιόπη, ὡς ὄμμι φίλον τερπνόν τε τέτυκται,
ὡς ἔρξω. μὴ γάρ μοι ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι φαείνοι
ἠώς, μηδέ με δηρὸν ἔτι ζώουσαν ἴδοιο,
εἴ γέ τι σῆς ψυχῆς προφερέστερον, ἠέ τι παίδων
730
σῶν θείην, οἳ δή μοι ἀδελφειοὶ γεγάασιν,
κηδεμόνες τε φίλοι καὶ ὁμήλικες. ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
φημὶ κασιγνήτη τε σέθεν κούρη τε πέλεσθαι,
ἶσον ἐπεὶ κείνοις με τεῷ ἐπαείραο μαζῷ
νηπυτίην, ὡς αἰὲν ἐγώ ποτε μητρὸς ἄκουον.
735
ἀλλ᾽ ἴθι, κεῦθε δ᾽ ἐμὴν σιγῇ χάριν, ὄφρα τοκῆας
λήσομαι ἐντύνουσα ὑπόσχεσιν· ἦρι δὲ νηὸν
οἴσομαι εἰς Ἑκάτης θελκτήρια φάρμακα ταύρων.
οἰσομένη ξείνῳ ὑπὲρ οὗ τόδε νεῖκος ὄρωρε
Ως ἥγ᾽ ἐκ θαλάμοιο πάλιν κίε, παισί τ᾽ ἀρωγὴν
740
αὐτοκασιγνήτης διεπέφραδε. Ττὴν δέ μιν† αὖτις
αἰδώς τε στυγερόν τε δέος λάβε μουνωθεῖσαν,
τοῖα παρὲξ οὗ πατρὸς ἐπ᾿ ἀνέρι μητιάασθαι.
Νὺξ μὲν ἔπειτ᾽ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἄγεν κνέφας· οἱ δ᾽ ἐνὶ πόντῳ
ναῦται εἰς Ἑλίκην τε καὶ ἀστέρας Ωρίωνος
745
ἔδρακον ἐκ νηῶν· ὕπνοιο δὲ καί τις ὁδίτης
ἤδη καὶ πυλαωρὸς ἐέλδετο· καί τινα παίδων
μητέρα τεθνεώτων ἀδινὸν περὶ κῶμ᾽ ἐκάλυπτεν·
οὐδὲ κυνῶν ὑλακὴ ἔτ᾽ ἀνὰ πτόλιν, οὐ θρόος ἦεν
ἠχήεις· σιγὴ δὲ μελαινομένην ἔχεν ὄρφνην.
750
ἀλλὰ μάλ᾽ οὐ Μήδειαν ἐπὶ γλυκερὸς λάβεν ὕπνος.
πολλὰ γὰρ Αἰσονίδαο πόθῳ μελεδήματ᾽ ἔγειρεν
δειδυῖαν ταύρων κρατερὸν μένος, οἶσιν ἔμελλεν
φθίσθαι ἀεικελίῃ μοίρῃ κατὰ νειὸν Ἄρηος.
πυκνὰ δέ οἱ κραδίη στηθέων ἔντοσθεν ἔθυιεν,
755
ἠελίου ὥς τίς τε δόμοις ἐνιπάλλεται αἴγλη
ὕδατος ἐξανιοῦσα, τὸ δὴ νέον ἠὲ λέβητι
ἠέ που ἐν γαυλῷ κέχυται· ἡ δ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
ὠκείῃ στροφάλιγγι τινάσσεται ἀίσσουσα·
ὡς δὲ καὶ ἐν στήθεσσι κέαρ ἐλελίζετο κούρης.
760
δάκρυ δ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ὀφθαλμῶν ἐλέῳ ῥέεν· ἔνδοθι δ᾽ αἰεὶ
τεῖρ᾽ ὀδύνη σμύχουσα διὰ χροός, ἀμφί τ᾽ ἀραιὰς
ἶνας καὶ κεφαλῆς ὑπὸ νείατον ἰνίον ἄχρις,
ἔνθ᾽ ἀλεγεινότατον δύνει ἄχος, ὁππότ᾽ ἀνίας
ἀκάματοι πραπίδεσσιν ἐνισκίμψωσιν Ἔρωτες.
765
φῆ δέ οἱ ἄλλοτε μὲν θελκτήρια φάρμακα ταύρων
δωσέμεν, ἄλλοτε δ᾽ οὔτι· καταφθίσθαι δὲ καὶ αὐτή·
αὐτίκα δ᾽ οὔτ᾽ αὐτὴ θανέειν, οὐ φάρμακα δώσειν,
ἀλλ᾽ αὕτως εὔκηλος ἑὴν ὀτλησέμεν ἄτην.
ἑζομένη δἤπειτα δοάσσατο, φώνησέν τε·
770
Δειλὴ ἐγώ, νῦν ἔνθα κακῶν ἢ ἔνθα γένωμαι;
πάντῃ μοι φρένες εἰσὶν ἀμήχανοι· οὐδέ τις ἀλκὴ
πήματος· ἀλλ᾽ αὕτως φλέγει ἔμπεδον. ὡς ὄφελόν γε
Ἀρτέμιδος κραιπνοῖσι πάρος βελέεσσι δαμῆναι,
πρὶν τόνγ᾽ εἰσιδέειν, πρὶν Ἀχαιίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι
775
Χαλκιόπης υΐας. τοὺς μὲν θεὸς ἤ τις Ἐρινὺς
ἄμμι πολυκλαύτους δεῦρ᾽ ἤγαγε κεῖθεν ἀνίας.
φθίσθω ἀεθλεύων, εἴ οἱ κατὰ νειὸν ὀλέσθαι
μοῖρα πέλει. πῶς γάρ κεν ἐμοὺς λελάθοιμι τοκῆας
φάρμακα μησαμένη; ποῖον δ᾽ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἐνίψω;
780
τίς δὲ δόλος, τίς μῆτις ἐπίκλοπος ἔσσετ᾽ ἀρωγῆς;
ἢ μιν ἄνευθ᾽ ἑτάρων προσπτύξομαι οἷον ἰδοῦσα;
δύσμορος· οὐ μὲν ἔολπα καταφθιμένοιό περ ἔμπης
λωφήσειν ἀχέων· τότε δ᾽ ἂν κακὸν ἄμμι πέλοιτο,
κεῖνος ὅτε ζωῆς ἀπαμείρεται. ἐρρέτω αἰδώς,
785
ἐρρέτω ἀγλαΐη· ὁ δ᾽ ἐμῇ ἰότητι σαωθεὶς
ἀσκηθής, ἵνα οἱ θυμῷ φίλον, ἔνθα νέοιτο.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτῆμαρ, ὅτ᾽ ἐξανύσειεν ἄεθλον,
τεθναίην, ἢ λαιμὸν ἀναρτήσασα μελάθρῳ,
ἢ καὶ πασσαμένη ῥαιστήρια φάρμακα θυμοῦ.
790
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὡς φθιμένῃ μοι ἐπιλλίξουσιν ὀπίσσω
κερτομίας· τηλοῦ δὲ πόλις περὶ πᾶσα βοήσει
πότμον ἐμόν· καί κέν με διὰ στόματος φορέουσαι
Κολχίδες ἄλλυδις ἄλλαι ἀεικέα μωμήσονται·
ἥτις κηδομένη τόσον ἀνέρος ἀλλοδαποῖο
795
κάτθανεν, ἥτις δῶμα καὶ οὓς ᾔσχυνε τοκῆας,
μαργοσύνῃ εἴξασα. τί δ᾽ οὐκ ἐμὸν ἔσσεται αἶσχος;
ᾧ μοι ἐμῆς ἄτης. ἢ τ᾽ ἂν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη
τῇδ᾽ αὐτῇ ἐν νυκτὶ λιπεῖν βίον ἐν θαλάμοισιν
πότμῳ ἀνωίστῳ, κάκ᾽ ἐλέγχεα πάντα φυγοῦσαν,
800
πρὶν τάδε λωβήεντα καὶ οὐκ ὀνομαστὰ τελέσσαι.
Ἦ, καὶ φωριαμὸν μετεκίαθεν, ᾗ ἔνι πολλὰ
φάρμακά οἱ, τὰ μὲν ἐσθλά, τὰ δὲ ῥαιστήρι᾽, ἔκειτο.
ἐνθεμένη δ᾽ ἐπὶ γούνατ᾽ ὀδύρετο. δεῦε δὲ κόλπους
ἄλληκτον δακρύοισι, τὰ δ᾽ ἔρρεεν ἀσταγὲς αὕτως,
805
αἴν᾽ ὀλοφυρομένης τὸν ἑὸν μόρον. ἵετο δ᾽ ἤγε
φάρμακα λέξασθαι θυμοφθόρα, τόφρα πάσαιτο.
ἤδη καὶ δεσμοὺς ἀνελύετο φωριαμοῖο,
ἐξελέειν μεμαυῖα, δυσάμμορος. ἀλλά οἱ ἄφνω
δεῖμ᾽ ὀλοὸν στυγεροῖο κατὰ φρένας ἦλθ᾽ Ἀίδαο.
810
ἔσχετο δ᾽ ἀμφασίῃ δηρὸν χρόνον, ἀμφὶ δὲ πᾶσαι
θυμηδεῖς βιότοιο μεληδόνες ἰνδάλλοντο.
μνήσατο μὲν τερπνῶν, ὅσ᾽ ἐνὶ ζωοῖσι πέλονται,
μνήσαθ᾽ ὁμηλικίης περιγηθέος, οἷά τε κούρη·
καί τέ οἱ ἠέλιος γλυκίων γένετ᾽ εἰσοράασθαι,
815
ἢ πάρος, εἰ ἐτεόν γε νόῳ ἐπεμαίεθ᾽ ἕκαστα.
καὶ τὴν μέν ῥα πάλιν σφετέρων ἀποκάτθετο γούνων,
Ἥρης ἐννεσίῃσι μετάτροπος, οὐδ᾽ ἔτι βουλὰς
ἄλλῃ δοιάζεσκεν· ἐέλδετο δ᾽ αἶψα φανῆναι
ἠῶ τελλομένην, ἵνα οἱ θελκτήρια δοίη
820
φάρμακα συνθεσίῃσι, καὶ ἀντήσειεν ἐς ὠπήν.
πυκνὰ δ᾽ ἀνὰ κληῖδας ἑῶν λύεσκε θυράων,
αἴγλην σκεπτομένη· τῇ δ᾽ ἀσπάσιον βάλε φέγγος
Ἠριγενής, κίνυντο δ᾽ ἀνὰ πτολίεθρον ἕκαστοι.
Ἔνθα κασιγνήτους μὲν ἔτ᾽ αὐτόθι μεῖναι ἀνώγει
825
Ἄργος, ἵνα φράζοιντο νόον καὶ μήδεα κούρης·
αὐτὸς δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐπὶ νῆα κίεν προπάροιθε λιασθείς.
Ἡ δ᾽ ἐπεὶ οὖν τὰ πρῶτα φαεινομένην ἴδεν ἠῶ
παρθενική, ξανθὰς μὲν ἀνήψατο χερσὶν ἐθείρας,
αἱ οἱ ἀτημελίῃ καταειμέναι ἠερέθοντο,
830
αὐσταλέας δ᾽ ἔψησε παρηίδας· αὐτὰρ ἀλοιφῇ
νεκταρέῃ φαιδρύνετ᾽ ἐπὶ χρόα· δῦνε δὲ πέπλον
καλόν, ἐυγνάμπτοισιν ἀρηρέμενον περόνῃσιν·
ἀμβροσίῳ δ᾽ ἐφύπερθε καρήατι βάλλε καλύπτρην
ἀργυφέην. αὐτοῦ δὲ δόμοις ἔνι δινεύουσα
835
στεῖβε πέδον λήθῃ ἀχέων, τὰ οἱ ἐν ποσὶν ἦεν
θεσπέσι᾽, ἄλλα τ᾽ ἔμελλεν ἀεξήσεσθαι ὀπίσσω.
κέκλετο δ᾽ ἀμφιπόλοις, αἵ οἱ δυοκαίδεκα πᾶσαι
ἐν προδόμῳ θαλάμοιο θυώδεος ηὐλίζοντο
ἥλικες, οὔπω λέκτρα σὺν ἀνδράσι πορσύνουσαι,
840
ἐσσυμένως οὐρῆας ὑποζεύξασθαι ἀπήνῃ,
οἵ κέ μιν εἰς ῾Εκάτης περικαλλέα νηὸν ἄγοιεν.
ἔνθ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἀμφίπολοι μὲν ἐφοπλίζεσκον ἀπήνην·
ἡ δὲ τέως γλαφυρῆς ἐξείλετο φωριαμοῖο
φάρμακον, ὅ ῥά τέ φασι Προμήθειον καλέεσθαι.
845
τῷ εἴ κ᾽ ἐννυχίοισιν ἀρεσσάμενος θυέεσσιν
Κούρην μουνογένειαν ἑὸν δέμας ἰκμαίνοιτο,
ἢ τ᾽ ἂν ὅγ᾽ οὔτε ῥηκτὸς ἔοι χαλκοῖο τυπῇσιν,
οὔτε κεν αἰθομένῳ πυρὶ εἰκάθοι· ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀλκῇ
λωίτερος κεῖν᾽ ἦμαρ ὁμῶς κάρτει τε πέλοιτο.
850
πρωτοφυὲς τόγ᾽ ἀνέσχε καταστάξαντος ἔραζε
αἰετοῦ ὠμηστέω κνημοῖς ἔνι Καυκασίοισιν
αἱματόεντ᾿ ἰχῶρα Προμηθῆος μογεροῖο.
τοῦ δ᾽ ἤτοι ἄνθος μὲν ὅσον πήχυιον ὕπερθεν
χροιῇ Κωρυκίῳ ἴκελον κρόκῳ ἐξεφαάνθη,
855
καυλοῖσιν διδύμοισιν ἐπήορον· ἡ δ᾽ ἐνὶ γαίῃ
σαρκὶ νεοτμήτῳ ἐναλιγκίη ἔπλετο ῥίζα.
τῆς οἵην τ᾽ ἐν ὄρεσσι κελαινὴν ἰκμάδα φηγοῦ
Κασπίῃ ἐν κόχλῳ ἀμήσατο φαρμάσσεσθαι,
ἑπτὰ μὲν ἀενάοισι λοεσσαμένη ὑδάτεσσιν,
860
ἑπτάκι δὲ Βριμὼ κουροτρόφον ἀγκαλέσασα,
Βριμὼ νυκτιπόλον, χθονίην, ἐνέροισιν ἄνασσαν,
λυγαίῃ ἐνὶ νυκτί, σὺν ὀρφναίοις φαρέεσσιν.
μυκηθμῷ δ᾽ ὑπένερθεν ἐρεμνὴ σείετο γαῖα,
ῥίζης τεμνομένης Τιτηνίδος· ἔστενε δ᾽ αὐτὸς
865
Ἰαπετοῖο πάις ὀδύνῃ πέρι θυμὸν ἀλύων.
τό ῥ᾽ ἤγ᾽ ἐξανελοῦσα θυώδεϊ κάτθετο μίτρῃ,
ἥ τέ οἱ ἀμβροσίοισι περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔερτο.
ἐκ δὲ θύραζε κιοῦσα θοῆς ἐπεβήσατ᾽ ἀπήνης·
σὺν δέ οἱ ἀμφίπολοι δοιαὶ ἑκάτερθεν ἔβησαν.
870
αὐτὴ δ᾽ ἡνί᾽ ἔδεκτο καὶ εὐποίητον ἱμάσθλην
δεξιτερῇ, ἔλαεν δὲ δι᾽ ἄστεος· αἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλαι
ἀμφίπολοι, πείρινθος ἐφαπτόμεναι μετόπισθεν,
τρώχων εὐρεῖαν κατ᾿ ἀμαξιτόν· ἂν δὲ χιτῶνας
λεπταλέους λευκῆς ἐπιγουνίδος ἄχρις ἄειρον.
875
οἵη δὲ λιαροῖσιν ἐφ᾽ ὕδασι Παρθενίοιο,
ἠὲ καὶ Ἀμνισοῖο λοεσσαμένη ποταμοῖο
χρυσείοις Λητωὶς ἐφ᾽ ἅρμασιν ἑστηυῖα
ὠκείαις κεμάδεσσι διεξελάσῃσι κολώνας,
τηλόθεν ἀντιόωσα πολυκνίσου ἑκατόμβης·
880
τῇ δ᾽ ἅμα νύμφαι ἕπονται ἀμορβάδες, αἱ μὲν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς
ἀγρόμεναι πηγῆς Ἀμνισίδος, ἂν δὲ δὴ ἄλλαι
ἄλσεα καὶ σκοπιὰς πολυπίδακας· ἀμφὶ δὲ θῆρες
κνυζηθμῷ σαίνουσιν ὑποτρομέοντες ἰοῦσαν·
ὣς αἵγ᾽ ἐσσεύοντο δι᾽ ἄστεος· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶ
885
εἶκον, ἀλευάμενοι βασιληίδος ὄμματα κούρης.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόλιος μὲν ἐυδμήτους λίπ᾿ ἀγυιάς,
νηὸν δ᾽ εἰσαφίκανε διὲκ πεδίων ἐλάουσα,
δὴ τότ᾽ ἐυτροχάλοιο κατ᾿ αὐτόθι βήσατ᾿ ἀπήνης
ἱεμένη, καὶ τοῖα μετὰ δμωῇσιν ἔειπεν·
890
Ὦ φίλαι, ἢ μέγα δή τι παρήλιτον, οὐδ᾽ ἐνόησα
†μὴ ἴμεν† ἀλλοδαποῖσι μετ᾿ ἀνδράσιν, οἵ τ᾽ ἐπὶ γαῖαν
ἡμετέρην στρωφῶσιν. ἀμηχανίῃ βεβόληται
πᾶσα πόλις· τὸ καὶ οὔτις ἀνήλυθε δεῦρο γυναικῶν
τάων, αἱ τὸ πάροιθεν ἐπημάτιαι ἀγέρονται.
895
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἱκόμεσθα, καὶ οὔ νύ τις ἄλλος ἔπεισιν,
εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε μολπῇ θυμὸν ἀφειδείως κορέσωμεν
μειλιχίῃ, τὰ δὲ καλὰ τερείνης ἄνθεα ποίης
λεξάμεναι τότ᾽ ἔπειτ᾿ αὐτὴν ἀπονισσόμεθ᾽ ὥρην.
καὶ δέ κε σὺν πολέεσσιν ὀνείασιν οἴκαδ᾽ ἵκοισθε
900
ἤματι τῷ, εἴ μοι συναρέσσετε τήνδε μενοινήν.
Ἄργος γάρ μ᾽ ἐπέεσσι παρατρέπει, ὡς δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ
Χαλκιόπη· τὰ δὲ σῖγα νόῳ ἔχετ᾽ εἰσαΐουσαι
ἐξ ἐμέθεν, μὴ πατρὸς ἐς οὔατα μῦθος ἵκηται.
τὸν ξεῖνόν με κέλονται, ὅτις περὶ βουσὶν ὑπέστη,
905
δῶρ᾽ ἀποδεξαμένην ὀλοῶν ῥύσασθαι ἀέθλων.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τὸν μῦθον ἐπῄνεον, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτὸν
κέκλομαι εἰς ἀπὴν ἑτάρων ἄπο μοῦνον ἱκέσθαι,
ὄφρα τὰ μὲν δασόμεσθα μετὰ σφίσιν, εἴ κεν ὀπάσσῃ
δῶρα φέρων, τῷ δ᾽ αὖτε κακώτερον ἄλλο πόρωμεν
910
φάρμακον. ἀλλ᾽ ἀπονόσφι πέλεσθέ μοι, εὔτ᾽ ἂν ἵκηται.᾿
Ὡς ηὔδα· πάσῃσι δ᾽ ἐπίκλοπος ἥνδανε μῆτις.
αὐτίκα δ᾽ Αἰσονίδην ἑτάρων ἄπο μοῦνον ἐρύσσας
Ἄργος, ὅτ᾽ ἤδη τήνδε κασιγνήτων ἐσάκουσεν
ἠερίην Εκάτης ἱερὸν μετὰ νηὸν ἰοῦσαν,
915
ἦγε διὲκ πεδίου· ἅμα δέ σφισιν εἵπετο Μόψος
Ἀμπυκίδης, ἐσθλὸς μὲν ἐπιπροφανέντας ἐνισπεῖν
οἰωνούς, ἐσθλὸς δὲ σὺν εὖ φράσσασθαι ἰοῦσιν.
Ἔνθ᾽ οὔπω τις τοῖος ἐπὶ προτέρων γένετ᾽ ἀνδρῶν,
οὔθ᾽ ὅσοι ἐξ αὐτοῖο Διὸς γένος, οὔθ᾽ ὅσοι ἄλλων
920
ἀθανάτων ἥρωες ἀφ᾽ αἷματος ἐβλάστησαν,
οἷον Ἰήσονα θῆκε Διὸς δάμαρ ἤματι κείνῳ
ἠμὲν ἐσάντα ἰδεῖν, ἠδὲ προτιμυθήσασθαι.
τὸν καὶ παπταίνοντες ἐθάμβεον αὐτοὶ ἑταῖροι
λαμπόμενον χαρίτεσσιν· ἐγήθησεν δὲ κελεύθῳ
925
Ἀμπυκίδης, ἤδη που δισσάμενος τὰ ἕκαστα.
Ἔστι δέ τις πεδίοιο κατὰ στίβον ἐγγύθι νηοῦ
αἴγειρος φύλλοισιν ἀπειρεσίοις κομόωσα,
τῇ θαμὰ δὴ λακέρυζαι ἐπηυλίζοντο κορῶναι.
τάων τις μεσσηγὺς ἀνὰ πτερὰ κινήσασα
930
ὑψοῦ ἐπ᾿ ἀκρεμόνων Ἥρης ἠνίπαπε βουλάς·
Ἀκλειὴς ὅδε μάντις, ὃς οὐδ᾽ ὅσα παῖδες ἴσασιν
οἶδε νόῳ φράσσασθαι, ὁθούνεκεν οὔτε τι λαρὸν
οὔτ᾽ ἐρατὸν κούρη κεν ἔπος προτιμυθήσαιτο
ἠιθέῳ, εὔτ᾽ ἄν σφιν ἐπήλυδες ἄλλοι ἕπωνται.
935
ἔρροις, ὦ κακόμαντι, κακοφραδές· οὔτε σε Κύπρις,
οὔτ᾽ ἀγανοὶ φιλέοντες ἐπιπνείουσιν Ἔρωτες.᾿
Ἴσκεν ἀτεμβομένη· μείδησε δὲ Μόψος ἀκούσας
ὀμφὴν οἰωνοῖο θεήλατον, ὧδέ τ᾽ ἔειπεν·
Τύνη μὲν νηόνδε θεᾶς ἴθι, τῷ ἔνι κούρην
940
δήεις, Αἰσονίδη· μάλα δ᾽ ἠπίῃ ἀντιβολήσεις
Κύπριδος ἐννεσίῃς, ἥ τοι συνέριθος ἀέθλων
ἔσσεται, ὡς δὴ καὶ πρὶν Ἀγηνορίδης φάτο Φινεύς.
νῶι δ᾽, ἐγὼν Ἄργος τε, δεδεγμένοι, εὔτ᾽ ἂν ἵκηαι,
τῷδ᾽ αὐτῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ ἀπεσσόμεθ᾽· οἰόθι δ᾽ αὐτὸς
945
λίσσεό μιν πυκινοῖσι παρατροπέων ἐπέεσσιν.
Ἦ ῥα περιφραδέως, ἐπὶ δὲ σχεδὸν ᾔνεον ἄμφω.
οὐδ᾽ ἄρα Μηδείης θυμὸς τράπετ᾽ ἄλλα νοῆσαι,
μελπομένης περ ὅμως· πᾶσαι δέ οἱ, ἥντιν᾿ ἀθύροι
μολπήν, οὐκ ἐπὶ δηρὸν ἐφήνδανεν ἑψιάασθαι.
950
ἀλλὰ μεταλλήγεσκεν ἀμήχανος, οὐδέ ποτ᾽ ὄσσε
ἀμφιπόλων μεθ᾽ ὅμιλον ἔχ᾽ ἀτρέμας· ἐς δὲ κελεύθους
τηλόσε παπταίνεσκε, παρακλίνουσα παρειάς.
ἢ θαμὰ δὴ στηθέων ἐάγη κέαρ, ὁππότε δοῦπον
ἢ ποδὸς ἢ ἀνέμοιο παραθρέξαντα δοάσσαι.
955
αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ οὐ μετὰ δηρὸν ἐελδομένῃ ἐφαάνθη
ὑψόσ᾽ ἀναθρώσκων ἅ τε Σείριος ᾿Ὠκεανοῖο,
ὃς δή τοι καλὸς μὲν ἀρίζηλός τ᾽ ἐσιδέσθαι
ἀντέλλει, μήλοισι δ᾽ ἐν ἄσπετον ἧκεν διζύν·
ὡς ἄρα τῇ καλὸς μὲν ἐπήλυθεν εἰσοράασθαι
960
Αἰσονίδης, κάματον δὲ δυσίμερον ὥρσε φαανθείς.
ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα οἱ κραδίη στηθέων πέσεν, ὄμματα δ᾽ αὔτως
ἤχλυσαν· θερμὸν δὲ παρηίδας εἶλεν ἔρευθος.
γούνατα δ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ὀπίσω οὔτε προπάροιθεν ἀεῖραι
ἔσθενεν, ἀλλ᾽ ὑπένερθε πάγη πόδας. αἱ δ᾽ ἄρα τείως
965
ἀμφίπολοι μάλα πᾶσαι ἀπὸ σφείων ἐλίασθεν.
τὼ δ᾽ ἄνεῳ καὶ ἄναυδοι ἐφέστασαν ἀλλήλοισιν,
ἢ δρυσίν, ἢ μακρῇσιν ἐειδόμενοι ἐλάτῃσιν,
αἵ τε παρᾶσσον ἕκηλοι ἐν οὔρεσιν ἐρρίζωνται,
νηνεμίῃ· μετὰ δ᾽ αὖτις ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς ἀνέμοιο
970
κινύμεναι ὁμάδησαν ἀπείριτον· ὡς ἄρα τώγε
μέλλον ἅλις φθέγξασθαι ὑπὸ πνοιῇσιν ῎Ἔρωτος.
γνῶ δέ μιν Αἰσονίδης ἄτῃ ἐνιπεπτηυῖαν
θευμορίῃ, καὶ τοῖον ὑποσσαίνων φάτο μῦθον·
Τίπτε με, παρθενική, τόσον ἅζεαι, οἷον ἐόντα;
975
οὔ τοι ἐγών, οἷοί τε δυσαυχέες ἄλλοι ἔασιν
ἀνέρες, οὐδ᾽ ὅτε περ πάτρῃ ἔνι ναιετάασκον,
ἦα πάρος. τῶ μή με λίην ὑπεραίδεο, κούρη,
ἤ τι παρεξερέεσθαι, ὅ τοι φίλον, ἠέ τι φάσθαι.
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ ἀλλήλοισιν ἱκάνομεν εὐμενέοντες,
980
χώρῳ ἐν ἠγαθέῳ, ἵνα τ᾽ οὐ θέμις ἔστ᾽ ἀλιτέσθαι,
ἀμφαδίην ἀγόρευε καὶ εἴρεο· μηδέ με τερπνοῖς
φηλώσῃς ἐπέεσσιν, ἐπεὶ τὸ πρῶτον ὑπέστης
αὐτοκασιγνήτῃ μενοεικέα φάρμακα δώσειν.
πρός σ᾽ αὐτῆς Ἑκάτης μειλίσσομαι ἠδὲ τοκήων
985
καὶ Διός, ὃς ξείνοις ἱκέτῃσί τε χεῖρ᾽ ὑπερίσχει
ἀμφότερον δ᾽, ἱκέτης ξεῖνός τέ τοι ἐνθάδ᾽ ἱκάνω,
χρειοῖ ἀναγκαίῃ γουνούμενος. οὐ γὰρ ἄνευθεν
ὑμείων στονόεντος ὑπέρτερος ἔσσομ᾽ ἀέθλου.
σοὶ δ᾽ ἂν ἐγὼ τίσαιμι χάριν μετόπισθεν ἀρωγῆς,
990
ἢ θέμις, ὡς ἐπέοικε διάνδιχα ναιετάοντας,
οὔνομα καὶ καλὸν τεύχων κλέος· ὡς δὲ καὶ ὧλλοι
ἥρωες κλῄσουσιν ἐς Ἑλλάδα νοστήσαντες
ἡρώων τ᾽ ἄλοχοι καὶ μητέρες, αἵ νύ που ἤδη
ἡμέας ἠιόνεσσιν ἐφεζόμεναι γοάουσιν·
995
τάων ἀργαλέας κεν ἀποσκεδάσειας ἀνίας.
δή ποτε καὶ Θησῆα κακῶν ὑπελύσατ᾽ ἀέθλων
παρθενικὴ Μινωὶς ἐυφρονέουσ᾽ Ἀριάδνη,
ἥν ῥά τε Πασιφάη κούρη τέκεν Ἠελίοιο.
ἀλλ᾽ ἡ μὲν καὶ νηός, ἐπεὶ χόλον εὔνασε Μίνως,
1000
σὺν τῷ ἐφεζομένη πάτρην λίπε· τὴν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
ἀθάνατοι φίλαντο, μέσῳ δέ οἱ αἰθέρι τέκμαρ
ἀστερόεις στέφανος, τόν τε κλείουσ᾽ Ἀριάδνης,
πάννυχος οὐρανίοισιν ἑλίσσεται εἰδώλοισιν.
ὡς καὶ σοὶ θεόθεν χάρις ἔσσεται, εἴ κε σαώσῃς
1005
τόσσον ἀριστήων ἀνδρῶν στόλον. ἦ γὰρ ἔοικας
ἐκ μορφῆς ἀγανῇσιν ἐπητείῃσι κεκάσθαι.
Ως φάτο κυδαίνων· ἡ δ᾽ ἐγκλιδὸν ὄσσε βαλοῦσα
νεκτάρεον μείδησ᾽· ἐχύθη δέ οἱ ἔνδοθι θυμὸς
αἴνῳ ἀειρομένης, καὶ ἀνέδρακεν ὄμμασιν ἄντην·
1010
οὐδ᾽ ἔχεν ὅττι πάροιθεν ἔπος προτιμυθήσαιτο,
ἀλλ᾽ ἄμυδις μενέαινεν ἀολλέα πάντ᾽ ἀγορεῦσαι.
προπρὸ δ᾽ ἀφειδήσασα θυώδεος ἔξελε μίτρης
φάρμακον· αὐτὰρ ὅγ᾽ αἶψα χεροῖν ὑπέδεκτο γεγηθώς.
καί νύ κέ οἱ καὶ πᾶσαν ἀπὸ στηθέων ἀρύσασα
1015
ψυχὴν ἐγγυάλιξεν ἀγαιομένη χατέοντι·
τοῖος ἀπὸ ξανθοῖο καρήατος Αἰσονίδαο
στράπτεν Ἔρως ἡδεῖαν ἀπὸ φλόγα· τῆς δ᾽ ἀμαρυγὰς
ὀφθαλμῶν ἥρπαζεν· ἰαίνετο δὲ φρένας εἴσω
τηκομένη, οἷόν τε περὶ ῥοδέῃσιν ἐέρση
1020
τήκεται ἠῴοισιν ἰαινομένη φαέεσσιν.
ἄμφω δ᾽ ἄλλοτε μέν τε κατ' οὔδεος ὄμματ᾽ ἔρειδον
αἰδόμενοι, ὁτὲ δ᾽ αὖτις ἐπὶ σφίσι βάλλον ὀπωπάς,
ἱμερόεν φαιδρῇσιν ὑπ᾽ ὀφρύσι μειδιόωντες.
ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ τοίοισι μόλις προσπτύξατο κούρη·
1025
Φράζεο νῦν, ὥς κέν τοι ἐγὼ μητίσομ᾽ ἀρωγήν.
εὔτ᾽ ἂν δὴ μετιόντι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐγγυαλίξῃ
ἐξ ὄφιος γενύων ὀλοοὺς σπείρασθαι ὀδόντας,
δὴ τότε μέσσην νύκτα διαμμοιρηδὰ φυλάξας,
ἀκαμάτοιο ῥοῇσι λοεσσάμενος ποταμοῖο,
1030
οἷος ἄνευθ᾽ ἄλλων ἐνὶ φάρεσι κυανέοισιν
βόθρον ὀρύξασθαι περιηγέα· τῷ δ᾽ ἔνι θῆλυν
ἀρνειὸν σφάζειν, καὶ ἀδαίετον ὠμοθετῆσαι,
αὐτῷ πυρκαϊὴν εὖ νηήσας ἐπὶ βόθρῳ.
μουνογενῆ δ᾽ Εκάτην Περσηίδα μειλίσσοιο,
1035
λείβων ἐκ δέπαος σιμβλήια ἔργα μελισσέων.
ἔνθα δ᾽ ἐπεί κε θεὰν μεμνημένος ἱλάσσηαι,
ἂψ ἀπὸ πυρκαϊῆς ἀναχάζεο· μηδέ σε δοῦπος
ἠὲ ποδῶν ὄρσῃσι μεταστρεφθῆναι ὀπίσσω,
ἠὲ κυνῶν ὑλακή, μή πως τὰ ἕκαστα κολούσας
1040
οὐδ᾽ αὐτὸς κατὰ κόσμον ἑοῖς ἑτάροισι πελάσσῃς.
ἦρι δὲ μυδήνας τόδε φάρμακον, ἠύτ᾽ ἀλοιφῇ
γυμνωθεὶς φαίδρυνε τεὸν δέμας· ἐν δέ οἱ ἀλκὴ
ἔσσετ᾽ ἀπειρεσίη μέγα τε σθένος, οὐδέ κε φαίης
ἀνδράσιν, ἀλλὰ θεοῖσιν ἰσαζέμεν ἀθανάτοισιν.
1045
πρὸς δὲ καὶ αὐτῷ δουρὶ σάκος πεπαλαγμένον ἔστω
καὶ ξίφος. ἔνθ᾽ οὐκ ἄν σε διατμήξειαν ἀκωκαὶ
γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν, οὐδ᾽ ἄσχετος ἀίσσουσα
φλὸξ ὀλοῶν ταύρων. τοῖός γε μὲν οὐκ ἐπὶ δηρὸν
ἔσσεαι, ἀλλ᾽ αὐτῆμαρ· ὅμως σύγε μή ποτ᾽ ἀέθλου
1050
χάζεο. καὶ δέ τοι ἄλλο παρὲξ ὑποθήσομ᾽ ὄνειαρ.
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐπὴν κρατεροὺς ζεύξῃς βόας, ὦκα δὲ πᾶσαν
χερσὶ καὶ ἠνορέῃ στυφελὴν διὰ νειὸν ἀρόσσῃς,
οἱ δ᾽ ἤδη κατὰ ὦλκας ἀνασταχύωσι Γίγαντες
σπειρομένων ὄφιος δνοφερὴν ἐπὶ βῶλον ὀδόντων,
1055
αἴ κεν ὀρινομένους πολέας νειοῖο δοκεύσῃς,
λάθρῃ λᾶαν ἄφες στιβαρώτερον· οἱ δ᾽ ἂν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ,
καρχαλέοι κύνες ὥστε περὶ βρώμης, ὀλέκοιεν
ἀλλήλους· καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὸς ἐπείγεο δηιοτῆτος
ἰθῦσαι. τὸ δὲ κῶας ἐς ῾Ἑλλάδα τοῖό γ᾽ ἕκητι
1060
οἴσεαι ἐξ Αἴης τηλοῦ ποθί· νίσσεο δ᾽ ἔμπης,
ᾗ φίλον, ἤ τοι ἔαδεν ἀφορμηθέντι νέεσθαι.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, καὶ σῖγα ποδῶν πάρος ὄσσε βαλοῦσα
θεσπέσιον λιαροῖσι παρηίδα δάκρυσι δεῦεν
μυρομένη, ὅ τ᾽ ἔμελλεν ἀπόπροθι πολλὸν ἑοῖο
1065
πόντον ἐπιπλάγξεσθαι· ἀνιηρῷ δέ μιν ἄντην
ἐξαῦτις μύθῳ προσεφώνεεν, εἶλέ τε χειρὸς
δεξιτερῆς· δὴ γάρ οἱ ἀπ᾿ ὀφθαλμοὺς λίπεν αἰδώς·
Μνώεο δ᾽, ἣν ἄρα δή ποθ᾽ ὑπότροπος οἴκαδ᾽ ἵκηαι,
οὔνομα Μηδείης· ὡς δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐγὼ ἀμφὶς ἐόντος
1070
μνήσομαι. εἰπὲ δέ μοι πρόφρων τόδε, πῇ τοι ἔασιν
δώματα, πῇ νῦν ἔνθεν ὑπεὶρ ἅλα νηὶ περήσεις·
ἤ νύ που ἀφνειοῦ σχεδὸν ἵξεαι Ὀρχομενοῖο,
ἦε καὶ Αἰαίης νήσου πέλας; εἰπὲ δὲ κούρην,
ἥντινα τήνδ᾽ ὀνόμηνας ἀριγνώτην γεγαυῖαν
1075
Πασιφάης, ἢ πατρὸς ὁμόγνιός ἐστιν ἐμεῖο.
Ως φάτο· τὸν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸν ὑπήιε δάκρυσι κούρης
οὖλος Ἔρως, τοῖον δὲ παραβλήδην ἔπος ηὔδα·
Καὶ λίην οὐ νύκτας δίομαι, οὐδέ ποτ᾽ ἦμαρ
σεῦ ἐπιλήσεσθαι, προφυγὼν μόρον, εἰ ἐτεόν γε
1080
φεύξομαι ἀσκηθὴς ἐς Ἀχαιίδα, μηδέ τιν᾿ ἄλλον
Αἰήτης προβάλῃσι κακώτερον ἄμμιν ἄεθλον.
εἰ δέ τοι ἡμετέρην ἐξίδμεναι εὔαδε πάτρην
ἐξερέω· μάλα γάρ με καὶ αὐτὸν θυμὸς ἀνώγει.
ἔστι τις αἰπεινοῖσι περίδρομος οὔρεσι γαῖα,
1085
πάμπαν εύρρηνός τε καὶ εὔβοτος, ἔνθα Προμηθεὺς
Ἰαπετιονίδης ἀγαθὸν τέκε Δευκαλίωνα,
ὃς πρῶτος ποίησε πόλεις καὶ ἐδείματο νηοὺς
ἀθανάτοις, πρῶτος δὲ καὶ ἀνθρώπων βασίλευσεν.
Αἱμονίην δὴ τήνγε περικτίονες καλέουσιν.
1090
ἐν δ᾽ αὐτῇ Ἰαωλκός, ἐμὴ πόλις, ἐν δὲ καὶ ἄλλαι
πολλαὶ ναιετάουσιν, ἵν᾽ οὐδέ περ οὔνομ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι
Αἰαίης νήσου· Μινύην γε μὲν ὁρμηθέντα,
αὐολίδην Μινύην ἔνθεν φάτις Ὀρχομενοῖο
μά ποτε Καδμείοισιν ὁμούριον ἄστυ πολίσσαι.
1095
λαλὰ τίη τάδε τοι μεταμώνια πάντ᾽ ἀγορεύω,
ἔ μετέρους τε δόμους τηλεκλείτην τ᾽ Ἀριάδνην,
κούρην Μίνωος, τόπερ ἀγλαὸν οὔνομα κείνην
παρθενικὴν καλέεσκον ἐπήρατον, ἥν μ᾽ ἐρεείνεις;
αἴθε γάρ, ὡς Θησῆι τότε ξυναρέσσατο Μίνως
1100
ἀμφ᾿ αὐτῆς, ὡς ἄμμι πατὴρ τεὸς ἄρθμιος εἴη.
Ως φάτο, μειλιχίοισι καταψήχων ὀάροισιν.
τῆς δ᾽ ἀλεγεινόταται κραδίην ἐρέθεσκον ἀνῖαι,
καί μιν ἀκηχεμένη ἀδινῷ προσπτύξατο μύθῳ·
῾Ελλάδι που τάδε καλά, συνημοσύνας ἀλεγύνειν·
1105
Αἰήτης δ᾽ οὐ τοῖος ἐν ἀνδράσιν, οἷον ἔειπας
Μίνω Πασιφάης πόσιν ἔμμεναι· οὐδ᾽ Ἀριάδνῃ
ἰσοῦμαι· τῶ μήτι φιλοξενίην ἀγόρευε.
ἀλλ᾽ οἷον τύνη μὲν ἐμεῦ, ὅτ᾽ Ἰωλκὸν ἵκηαι,
μνώεο· σεῖο δ᾽ ἐγὼ καὶ ἐμῶν ἀέκητι τοκήων
1110
μνήσομαι. ἔλθοι δ᾽ ἡμιν ἀπόπροθεν ἠέ τις ὄσσα,
ἠέ τις ἄγγελος ὄρνις, ὅτ᾽ ἐκλελάθοιο ἐμεῖο·
ἢ αὐτήν με ταχεῖαι ὑπὲρ πόντοιο φέροιεν
ἐνθένδ᾽ εἰς Ἰαωλκὸν ἀναρπάξασαι ἄελλαι,
ὄφρα σ᾽, ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἐλεγχείας προφέρουσα,
1115
μνήσω ἐμῇ ἰότητι πεφυγμένον. αἴθε γὰρ εἴην
ἀπροφάτως τότε σοῖσιν ἐφέστιος ἐν μεγάροισιν.
Ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, ἐλεεινὰ καταπροχέουσα παρειών
δάκρυα· τὴν δ᾽ ὅγε δῆθεν ὑποβλήδην προσέειπεν·
Δαιμονίη, κενεὰς μὲν ἔα πλάζεσθαι ἀέλλας,
1120
ὡς δὲ καὶ ἄγγελον ὄρνιν, ἐπεὶ μεταμώνια βάζεις.
εἰ δέ κεν ἤθεα κεῖνα καὶ Ἑλλάδα γαῖαν ἵκηαι,
τιμήεσσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ἀνδράσιν αἰδοίη τε
ἔσσεαι· οἱ δέ σε πάγχυ θεὸν ὡς πορσανέουσιν,
οὖνεκα τῶν μὲν παῖδες ὑπότροποι οἴκαδ᾽ ἵκοντο
1125
σῇ βουλῇ, τῶν δ᾽ αὖτε κασίγνητοί τε ἔται τε
καὶ θαλεροὶ κακότητος ἄδην ἐσάωθεν ἀκοῖται.
ἡμέτερον δὲ λέχος θαλάμοις ἔνι κουριδίοισιν
πορσυνέεις· οὐδ᾽ ἄμμε διακρινέει φιλότητος
ἄλλο, πάρος θάνατόν γε μεμορμένον ἀμφικαλύψαι.
1130
Ως φάτο· τῇ δ᾽ ἔντοσθε κατείβετο θυμὸς ἀκουῇ,
ἔμπης δ᾽ ἔργ᾽ ἀίδηλα κατερρίγησεν ἰδέσθαι.
σχετλίη· οὐ μὲν δηρὸν ἀπαρνήσεσθαι ἔμελλεν
Ἑλλάδα ναιετάειν. ὡς γὰρ τόδε μήδετο Ἥρη,
ὄφρα κακὸν Πελίῃ ἱερὴν ἐς Ἰωλκὸν ἵκοιτο
1135
Αἰαίη Μήδεια, λιποῦσ᾽ ἄπο πατρίδα γαῖαν.
Ἤδη δ᾽ ἀμφίπολοι μὲν ὀπιπτεύουσαι ἄπωθεν
σιγῇ ἀνιάζεσκον· ἐδεύετο δ᾽ ἤματος ὥρη
ἂψ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι ἑὴν μετὰ μητέρα κούρην.
ἡ δ᾽ οὔπω κομιδῆς μιμνήσκετο, τέρπετο γάρ οἱ
1140
θυμὸς ὁμῶς μορφῇ τε καὶ αἱμυλίοισι λόγοισιν,
εἰ μὴ ἄρ᾽ Αἰσονίδης πεφυλαγμένος ὀψέ περ ηὔδα·
Ὥρη ἀποβλώσκειν, μὴ πρὶν φάος ἠελίοιο
δύῃ ὑποφθάμενον, καί τις τὰ ἕκαστα νοήσῃ
ὀθνείων· αΰτις δ᾽ ἀβολήσομεν ἐνθάδ᾿ ἰόντες.
1145
Ως τώγ᾽ ἀλλήλων ἀγανοῖς ἐπὶ τόσσον ἔπεσσιν
πείρηθεν· μετὰ δ᾽ αὖτε διέτμαγεν. ἤτοι Ἰήσων
εἰς ἑτάρους καὶ νῆα κεχαρμένος ὥρτο νέεσθαι·
ἡ δὲ μετ᾿ ἀμφιπόλους· αἱ δὲ σχεδὸν ἀντεβόλησαν
πᾶσαι ὁμοῦ· τὰς δ᾽ οὔτι περιπλομένας ἐνόησεν.
1150
ψυχὴ γὰρ νεφέεσσι μεταχρονίη πεπότητο.
αὐτομάτοις δὲ πόδεσσι θοῆς ἐπεβήσατ᾽ ἀπήνης,
καί ῥ᾽ ἑτέρῃ μὲν χειρὶ λάβ᾽ ἡνία, τῇ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἱμάσθλην
δαιδαλέην, οὐρῆας ἐλαυνέμεν· οἱ δὲ πόλινδε
θῦνον ἐπειγόμενοι ποτὶ δώματα. τὴν δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἰοῦσαν
1155
Χαλκιόπη περὶ παισὶν ἀκηχεμένη ἐρέεινεν·
ἡ δὲ παλιντροπίῃσιν ἀμήχανος οὔτε τι μύθων
ἔκλυεν, οὔτ᾽ αὐδῆσαι ἀνειρομένῃ λελίητο.
ἶζε δ᾽ ἐπὶ χθαμαλῷ σφέλαϊ κλιντῆρος ἔνερθεν
λέχρις ἐρεισαμένη λαιῇ ἐπὶ χειρὶ παρειήν·
1160
ὑγρὰ δ᾽ ἐνὶ βλεφάροις ἔχεν ὄμματα, πορφύρουσα
οἷον ἑῇ κακὸν ἔργον ἐπιξυνώσατο βουλῇ.
Αἰσονίδης δ᾽ ὅτε δὴ ἑτάροις ἐξαῦτις ἔμικτο
ἐν χώρῃ, ὅθι τούσγε καταπρολιπὼν ἐλιάσθη,
ὣρτ᾿ ἰέναι σὺν τοῖσι, πιφαυσκόμενος τὰ ἕκαστα,
1165
ἡρώων ἐς ὅμιλον· ὁμοῦ δ᾽ ἐπὶ νῆα πέλασσαν.
οἱ δέ μιν ἀμφαγάπαζον, ὅπως ἴδον, ἔκ τ᾽ ἐρέοντο.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖς πάντεσσι μετέννεπε δήνεα κούρης,
δεῖξέ τε φάρμακον αἰνόν· ὁ δ᾽ οἰόθεν οἷος ἑταίρων
Ἴδας ἦστ᾽ ἀπάνευθε δακὼν χόλον· οἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι
1170
γηθόσυνοι τῆμος μέν, ἐπεὶ κνέφας ἔργαθε νυκτός,
εὔκηλοι ἐμέλοντο περὶ σφίσιν. αὐτὰρ ἅμ᾽ ἠοῖ
πέμπον ἐς Αἰήτην ἰέναι σπόρον αἰτήσοντας
ἄνδρε δύω, πρὸ μὲν αὐτὸν ἀρηίφιλον Τελαμῶνα,
σὺν δὲ καὶ Αἰθαλίδην, υἷα κλυτὸν Ἑρμείαο.
1175
βὰν δ᾽ ἴμεν, οὐδ᾽ ἁλίωσαν ὁδόν· πόρε δέ σφιν ἰοῦσιν
κρείων Αἰήτης χαλεποὺς ἐς ἄεθλον ὀδόντας
Ἀονίοιο δράκοντος, ὃν Ωγυγίῃ ἐνὶ Θήβῃ
Κάδμος, ὅτ᾽ Εὐρώπην διζήμενος εἰσαφίκανεν,
πέφνεν Ἀρητιάδι κρήνῃ ἐπίουρον ἐόντα·
1180
ἔνθα καὶ ἐννάσθη πομπῇ βοός, ἥν οἱ Ἀπόλλων
ὤπασε μαντοσύνῃσι προηγήτειραν ὁδοῖο.
τοὺς δὲ θεὰ Τριτωνὶς ὑπὲκ γενύων ἐλάσασα
Αἰήτῃ πόρε δῶρον ὁμῶς αὐτῷ τε φονῆι.
καί ῥ᾽ ὁ μὲν Ἀονίοισιν ἐνισπείρας πεδίοισιν
1185
Κάδμος Ἀγηνορίδης γαιηγενῆ εἵσατο λαόν,
Ἄρεος ἀμώοντος ὅσοι ὑπὸ δουρὶ λίποντο·
τοὺς δὲ τότ᾽ Αἰήτης ἔπορεν μετὰ νῆα φέρεσθαι
προφρονέως, ἐπεὶ οὔ μιν ὀίσσατο πείρατ᾿ ἀέθλου
ἐξανύσειν, εἰ καί περ ἐπὶ ζυγὰ βουσὶ βάλοιτο.
1190
Ἠέλιος μὲν ἄπωθεν ἐρεμνὴν δύετο γαῖαν
ἑσπέριος, νεάτας ὑπὲρ ἄκριας Αἰθιοπήων·
Νὺξ δ᾽ ἵπποισιν ἔβαλλεν ἔπι ζυγά· τοὶ δὲ χαμεύνας
ἔντυον ἥρωες παρὰ πείσμασιν. αὐτὰρ Ἰήσων
αὐτίκ᾽ ἐπεί ῥ᾽ Ἑλίκης εὐφεγγέος ἀστέρες Ἄρκτου
1195
ἔκλιθεν, οὐρανόθεν δὲ πανεύκηλος γένετ᾽ αἰθήρ,
βῆ ῥ᾽ ἐς ἐρημαίην, κλωπήιος ἠύτε τις φώρ,·
σὺν πᾶσιν χρήεσσι· πρὸ γάρ τ᾽ ἀλέγυνεν ἕκαστα
ἠμάτιος· θῆλυν μὲν ὄιν, γάλα τ᾽ ἔκτοθι ποίμνης
Ἄργος ἰὼν ἤνεικε· τὰ δ᾽ ἐξ αὐτῆς ἔλε νηός.
1200
ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε δὴ ἴδε χῶρον, ὅτις πάτου ἔκτοθεν ἦεν
ἀνθρώπων, καθαρῇσιν ὑπεύδιος εἱαμενῇσιν,
ἔνθ᾽ ἤτοι πάμπρωτα λοέσσατο μὲν ποταμοῖο
εὐαγέως θείοιο τέρεν δέμας· ἀμφὶ δὲ φᾶρος
ἕσσατο κυάνεον, τό ῥά οἱ πάρος ἐγγυάλιξεν
1205
Λημνιὰς Ὑψιπύλη, ἀδινῆς μνημήιον εὐνῆς.
πήχυιον δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔπειτα πέδῳ ἔνι βόθρον ὀρύξας
ιήησε σχίζας, ἐπὶ δ᾽ ἀρνειοῦ τάμε λαιμόν,
αὐτόν τ᾽ εὖ καθύπερθε τανύσσατο· δαῖε δὲ φιτροὺς
πῦρ ὑπένερθεν ἱείς, ἐπὶ δὲ μιγάδας χέε λοιβάς,
1210
Βριμὼ κικλήσκων Ἑκάτην ἐπαρωγὸν ἀέθλων.
καί ῥ᾽ ὁ μὲν ἀγκαλέσας πάλιν ἔστιχεν· ἡ δ᾽ ἀίουσα
κευθμῶν ἐξ ὑπάτων δεινὴ θεὸς ἀντεβόλησεν
ἱροῖς Αἰσονίδαο· πέριξ δέ μιν ἐστεφάνωντο
σμερδαλέοι δρυΐνοισι μετὰ πτόρθοισι δράκοντες
1215
στράπτε δ᾽ ἀπειρέσιον δαΐδων σέλας· ἀμφὶ δὲ τήνγε
ὀξείῃ ὑλακῇ χθόνιοι κύνες ἐφθέγγοντο.
πίσεα δ᾽ ἔτρεμε πάντα κατὰ στίβον· αἱ δ᾽ ὀλόλυξαν
νύμφαι ἑλειονόμοι ποταμηίδες, αἱ περὶ κείνην
Φάσιδος εἱαμενὴν Ἀμαραντίου εἱλίσσονται.
1220
Αἰσονίδην δ᾽ ἤτοι μὲν ἕλεν δέος, ἀλλά μιν οὐδ᾽ ὡς
ἐντροπαλιζόμενον πόδες ἔκφερον, ὄφρ᾽ ἑτάροισιν
μίκτο κιών· ἤδη δὲ φόως νιφόεντος ὕπερθεν
Καυκάσου ἠριγενὴς ᾿Ηὼς βάλεν ἀντέλλουσα.
Καὶ τότ᾽ ἄρ᾽ Αἰήτης περὶ μὲν στήθεσσιν ἕεστο
1225
θώρηκα στάδιον, τόν οἱ πόρεν ἐξεναρίξας
σφωιτέραις Φλεγραῖον Ἄρης ὑπὸ χερσὶ Μίμαντα·
χρυσείην δ᾽ ἐπὶ κρατὶ κόρυν θέτο τετραφάληρον,
λαμπομένην οἷόν τε περίτροχον ἔπλετο φέγγος
ἠελίου, ὅτε πρῶτον ἀνέρχεται Ωκεανοῖο.
1230
ἂν δὲ πολύρρινον νώμα σάκος, ἂν δὲ καὶ ἔγχος
δεινόν, ἀμαιμάκετον· τὸ μὲν οὔ κέ τις ἄλλος ὑπέστη
ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων, ὅτε κάλλιπον Ἡρακλῆα
τῆλε παρέξ, ὅ κεν οἶος ἐναντίβιον πολέμιξεν.
τῷ δὲ καὶ ὠκυπόδων ἵππων εὐπηγέα δίφρον
1235
ἔσχε πέλας Φαέθων ἐπιβήμεναι· ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς
βήσατο, ῥυτῆρας δὲ χεροῖν ἔχεν. ἐκ δὲ πόληος
ἤλασεν εὐρεῖαν κατ᾿ ἀμαξιτόν, ὥς κεν ἀέθλῳ
παρσταίη· σὺν δέ σφιν ἀπείριτος ἔσσυτο λαός.
οἷος δ᾽ Ἴσθμιον εἶσι Ποσειδάων ἐς ἀγῶνα
1240
ἅρμασιν ἐμβεβαώς, ἢ Ταίναρον, ἢ ὅγε Λέρνης
ὕδωρ, ἠὲ κατ᾿ ἄλσος Ὑαντίου Ὀγχηστοῖο,
καί τε Καλαύρειαν μετὰ δῆθ᾽ ἅμα νίσσεται ἵπποις,
πέτρην θ᾽ Αἱμονίην, ἢ δενδρήεντα Γεραιστόν·
τοῖος ἄρ᾽ Αἰήτης Κόλχων ἀγὸς ἦεν ἰδέσθαι.
1245
Τόφρα δὲ Μηδείης ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν ᾿Ιήσων
φάρμακα μυδήνας ἠμὲν σάκος ἀμφεπάλυνεν
ἠδὲ δόρυ βριαρόν, περὶ δὲ ξίφος· ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ἑταῖροι
πείρησαν τευχέων βεβιημένοι, οὐδ᾽ ἐδύναντο
κεῖνο δόρυ γνάμψαι τυτθόν γέ περ, ἀλλὰ μάλ᾽ αὔτως
1250
ἀαγὲς κρατερῇσιν ἐνεσκλήκει παλάμησιν.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖς ἄμοτον κοτέων Ἀφαρήιος Ἴδας
κόψε παρ᾽ οὐρίαχον μεγάλῳ ξίφει· ἆλτο δ᾽ ἀκωκὴ
ῥαιστὴρ ἄκμονος ὥστε, παλιντυπές· οἱ δ᾽ ὁμάδησαν
γηθόσυνοι ἥρωες ἐπ᾿ ἐλπωρῇσιν ἀέθλου.
1255
καὶ δ᾽ αὐτὸς μετέπειτα παλύνετο· δῦ δέ μιν ἀλκὴ
σμερδαλέη ἄφατός τε καὶ ἄτρομος· αἱ δ᾽ ἑκάτερθεν
χεῖρες ἐπερρώσαντο περὶ σθένεϊ σφριγόωσαι.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἀρήιος ἵππος ἐελδόμενος πολέμοιο
σκαρθμῷ ἐπιχρεμέθων κρούει πέδον, αὐτὰρ ὕπερθεν
1260
κυδιόων ὀρθοῖσιν ἐπ᾿ οὔασιν αὐχέν᾿ ἀείρει·
τοῖος ἄρ᾽ Αἰσονίδης ἐπαγαίετο κάρτεϊ γυίων.
πολλὰ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα μετάρσιον ἴχνος ἔπαλλεν,
ἀσπίδα χαλκείην μελίην τ᾽ ἐν χερσὶ τινάσσων.
φαίης κε ζοφεροῖο κατ' αἰθέρος ἀίσσουσαν
1265
χειμερίην στεροπὴν θαμινὸν μεταπαιφάσσεσθαι
ἐκ νεφέων, ὅτ᾽ ἔπειτα μελάντατον ὄμβρον ἄγωνται.
καὶ τότ᾽ ἔπειτ᾽ οὐ δηρὸν ἔτι σχήσεσθαι ἀέθλων
μέλλον· ἀτὰρ κληῖσιν ἐπισχερὼ ἱδρυνθέντες
ῥίμφα μάλ᾽ ἐς πεδίον τὸ Ἀρήιον ἠπείγοντο.
1270
τόσσον δὲ προτέρω πέλεν ἄστεος ἀντιπέρηθεν,
ὅσσον τ᾽ ἐκ βαλβίδος ἐπήβολος ἅρματι νύσσα
γίγνεται, ὁππότ᾽ ἄεθλα καταφθιμένοιο ἄνακτος
κηδεμόνες πεζοῖσι καὶ ἱππήεσσι τίθενται.
τέτμον δ᾽ Αἰήτην τε καὶ ἄλλων ἔθνεα Κόλχων,
1275
τοὺς μὲν Καυκασίοισιν ἐφεσταότας σκοπέλοισιν,
τὸν δ᾽ αὐτοῦ παρὰ χεῖλος ἑλισσόμενον ποταμοῖο.
Αἰσονίδης δ᾽, ὅτε δὴ πρυμνήσια δῆσαν ἑταῖροι,
δή ῥα τότε ξὺν δουρὶ καὶ ἀσπίδι βαῖν᾽ ἐς ἄεθλον,
νηὸς ἀποπροθορών· ἄμυδις δ᾽ ἕλε παμφανόωσαν
1280
χαλκείην πήληκα θοῶν ἔμπλειον ὀδόντων
καὶ ξίφος ἀμφ᾽ ὤμοις, γυμνὸς δέμας, ἄλλα μὲν Ἄρει
εἴκελος, ἄλλα δέ που χρυσαόρῳ Ἀπόλλωνι.
παπτήνας δ᾽ ἀνὰ νειὸν ἴδε ζυγὰ χάλκεα ταύρων
αὐτόγυόν τ᾽ ἐπὶ τοῖς στιβαροῦ ἀδάμαντος ἄροτρον.
1285
χρίμψε δ᾽ ἔπειτα κιών, παρὰ δ᾽ ὄβριμον ἔγχος ἔπηξεν
ὀρθὸν ἐπ᾽ οὐριάχῳ, κυνέην δ᾽ ἀποκάτθετ᾽ ἐρείσας.
βῆ δ᾽ αὐτῇ προτέρωσε σὺν ἀσπίδι νήριτα ταύρων
ἴχνια μαστεύων· οἱ δ᾽ ἔκποθεν ἀφράστοιο
κευθμῶνος χθονίου, ἵνα τέ σφισιν ἔσκε βόαυλα
1290
καρτερὰ λιγνυόεντι πέριξ εἰλυμένα καπνῷ,
ἄμφω ὁμοῦ προγένοντο πυρὸς σέλας ἀμπνείοντες.
ἔδδεισαν δ᾽ ἥρωες, ὅπως ἴδον. αὐτὰρ ὁ τούσγε,
εὖ διαβάς, ἐπιόντας, ἅ τε σπιλὰς εἰν ἁλὶ πέτρη
μίμνει ἀπειρεσίῃσι δονεύμενα κύματ᾿ ἀέλλαις.
1295
πρόσθε δέ οἱ σάκος ἔσχεν ἐναντίον· οἱ δέ μιν ἄμφω
μυκηθμῷ κρατεροῖσιν ἐνέπληξαν κεράεσσιν·
οὐδ᾽ ἄρα μιν τυτθόν περ ἀνώχλισαν ἀντιόωντες.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἐνὶ τρητοῖσιν εύρρινοι χοάνοισιν
φῦσαι χαλκήων ὁτὲ μέν τ᾽ ἀναμαρμαίρουσιν,
1300
πῦρ ὀλοὸν πιμπρᾶσαι, ὅτ᾽ αὖ λήγουσιν ἀυτμῆς,
δεινὸς δ᾽ ἐξ αὐτοῦ πέλεται βρόμος, ὁππότ᾽ ἀίξῃ
νειόθεν· ὡς ἄρα τώγε θοὴν φλόγα φυσιόωντες
ἐκ στομάτων ὁμάδευν, τὸν δ᾽ ἄμφεπε δήιον αἶθος
βάλλον ἅ τε στεροπή· κούρης δέ ἑ φάρμακ᾽ ἔρυτο.
1305
καί ῥ᾽ ὅγε δεξιτεροῖο βοὸς κέρας ἄκρον ἐρύσσας
εἶλκεν ἐπικρατέως παντὶ σθένει, ὄφρα πελάσσῃ
ζεύγλῃ χαλκείῃ, τὸν δ᾽ ἐν χθονὶ κάββαλεν ὀκλάξ,
ῥίμφα ποδὶ κρούσας πόδα χάλκεον. ὡς δὲ καὶ ἄλλον
σφῆλεν γνὺξ ἐπιόντα, μιῇ βεβολημένον ὁρμῇ.
1310
εὐρὺ δ᾽ ἀποπροβαλὼν χαμάδις σάκος, ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
τῇ καὶ τῇ βεβαὼς ἄμφω ἔχε πεπτηῶτας
γούνασιν ἐν προτέροισι, διὰ φλογὸς εἶθαρ ἐλυσθείς.
θαύμασε δ᾽ Αἰήτης σθένος ἀνέρος. οἱ δ᾽ ἄρα τείως
Τυνδαρίδαι-δὴ γάρ σφι πάλαι προπεφραδμένον ἦεν-
1315
ἀγχίμολον ζυγά οἱ πεδόθεν δόσαν ἀμφιβαλέσθαι.
αὐτὰρ ὁ εὖ ἐνέδησε λόφους· μεσσηγὺ δ᾽ ἀείρας
χάλκεον ἱστοβοῆα, θοῇ συνάρασσε κορώνῃ
ζεύγληθεν. καὶ τὼ μὲν ὑπὲκ πυρὸς ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆα
χαζέσθην. ὁ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ αὖτις ἑλὼν σάκος ἔνθετο νώτῳ
1320
ἐξόπιθεν, καὶ γέντο θοῶν ἔμπλειον ὀδόντων
πήληκα βριαρὴν δόρυ τ᾽ ἄσχετον, ᾧ ῥ᾽ ὑπὸ μέσσας
ἐργατίνης ὥς τίς τε Πελασγίδι νύσσεν ἀκαίνῃ
οὐτάζων λαγόνας· μάλα δ᾽ ἔμπεδον εὖ ἀραρυῖαν
τυκτὴν ἐξ ἀδάμαντος ἐπιθύνεσκεν ἐχέτλην.
1325
οἱ δ᾽ εἴως μὲν δὴ περιώσια θυμαίνεσκον,
λάβρον ἐπιπνείοντε πυρὸς σέλας· ὧρτο δ᾽ ἀυτμὴ
ἠύτε βυκτάων ἀνέμων βρόμος, οὕς τε μάλιστα
δειδιότες μέγα λαῖφος ἁλίπλοοι ἐστείλαντο.
δηρὸν δ᾽ οὐ μετέπειτα κελευόμενοι ὑπὸ δουρὶ
1330
ἤισαν· ὀκριόεσσα δ᾽ ἐρείκετο νειὸς ὀπίσσω,
σχιζομένη ταύρων τε βίῃ κρατερῷ τ᾽ ἀροτῆρι.
δεινὸν δ᾽ ἐσμαράγευν ἄμυδις κατὰ ὦλκας ἀρότρου
βώλακες ἀγνύμεναι ἀνδραχθέες· εἶπετο δ᾽ αὐτὸς
λαῖον ἐπὶ στιβαρῷ πιέσας ποδί· τῆλε δ᾽ ἑοῖο
1335
βάλλεν ἀρηρομένην αἰεὶ κατὰ βῶλον ὀδόντας
ἐντροπαλιζόμενος, μή οἱ πάρος ἀντιάσειεν
γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν ὀλοὸς στάχυς· οἱ δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐπιπρὸ
χαλκείῃς χηλῇσιν ἐρειδόμενοι πονέοντο.
ἦμος δὲ τρίτατον λάχος ἤματος ἀνομένοιο
1340
λείπεται ἐξ ἠοῦς, καλέουσι δὲ κεκμηώτες
ἐργατίναι γλυκερόν σφιν ἄφαρ βουλυτὸν ἱκέσθαι,
τῆμος ἀρήροτο νειὸς ὑπ᾽ ἀκαμάτῳ ἀροτῆρι,
τετράγυός περ ἐοῦσα· βοῶν τ᾽ ἀπελύετ᾽ ἄροτρα.
καὶ τοὺς μὲν πεδίονδε διεπτοίησε φέβεσθαι·
1345
αὐτὰρ ὁ ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆα πάλιν κίεν, ὄφρ᾽ ἔτι κεινὰς
γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν ἴδεν αὔλακας. ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ἑταῖροι
θάρσυνον μύθοισιν. ὁ δ᾽ ἐκ ποταμοῖο ῥοάων
αὐτῇ ἀφυσσάμενος κυνέῃ σβέσεν ὕδατι δίψαν·
γνάμψε δὲ γούνατ᾽ ἐλαφρά, μέγαν δ᾽ ἐμπλήσατο θυμὸν
1350
ἀλκῆς, μαιμώων συὶ εἴκελος, ὅς ῥά τ᾽ ὀδόντας
θήγει θηρευτῇσιν ἐπ᾿ ἀνδράσιν, ἀμφὶ δὲ πολλὸς
ἀφρὸς ἀπὸ στόματος χαμάδις ῥέε χωομένοιο.
οἱ δ᾽ ἤδη κατὰ πᾶσαν ἀνασταχύεσκον ἄρουραν
γηγενέες· φρίξεν δὲ περὶ στιβαροῖς σακέεσσιν
1355
δούρασί τ᾽ ἀμφιγύοις κορύθεσσί τε λαμπομένῃσιν
Ἄρηος τέμενος φθισιμβρότου· ἵκετο δ᾽ αἴγλη
νειόθεν Οὔλυμπόνδε δι' ἠέρος ἀστράπτουσα.
ὡς δ᾽ ὁπότ᾽ ἐς γαῖαν πολέος νιφετοῖο πεσόντος
ἂψ ἀπὸ χειμερίας νεφέλας ἐκέδασσαν ἄελλαι
1360
λυγαίῃ ὑπὸ νυκτί, τὰ δ᾽ ἀθρόα πάντ᾽ ἐφαάνθη
τείρεα λαμπετόωντα διὰ κνέφας· ὡς ἄρα τοίγε
λάμπον ἀναλδήσκοντες ὑπὲρ χθονός. αὐτὰρ Ἰήσων
μνήσατο Μηδείης πολυκερδέος ἐννεσιάων,
λάζετο δ᾽ ἐκ πεδίοιο μέγαν περιηγέα πέτρον,
1365
δεινὸν Ἐνυαλίου σόλον Ἄρεος· οὔ κέ μιν ἄνδρες
αἰζηοὶ πίσυρες γαίης ἄπο τυτθὸν ἄειραν.
τόν ῥ᾽ ἀνὰ χεῖρα λαβὼν μάλα τηλόθεν ἔμβαλε μέσσοις
ἀίξας· αὐτὸς δ᾽ ὑφ᾽ ἑὸν σάκος ἕζετο λάθρῃ
θαρσαλέως. Κόλχοι δὲ μέγ᾽ ἴαχον, ὡς ὅτε πόντος
1370
ἴαχεν ὀξείῃσιν ἐπιβρομέων σπιλάδεσσιν·
τὸν δ᾽ ἕλεν ἀμφασίη ῥιπῇ στιβαροῖο σόλοιο
Αἰήτην. οἱ δ᾽ ὥστε θοοὶ κύνες ἀμφιθορόντες
ἀλλήλους βρυχηδὸν ἐδήιον· οἱ δ᾽ ἐπὶ γαῖαν
μητέρα πίπτον ἑοῖς ὑπὸ δούρασιν, ἠύτε πεῦκαι
1375
ἢ δρύες, ἃς τ᾽ ἀνέμοιο κατάικες δονέουσιν.
οἷος δ᾽ οὐρανόθεν πυρόεις ἀναπάλλεται ἀστὴρ
ὁλκὸν ὑπαυγάζων, τέρας ἀνδράσιν, οἵ μιν ἴδωνται
μαρμαρυγῇ σκοτίοιο δι' ἠέρος ἀίξαντα·
τοῖος ἄρ᾽ Αἴσονος υἱὸς ἐπέσσυτο γηγενέεσσιν,
1380
γυμνὸν δ᾽ ἐκ κολεοῖο φέρε ξίφος, οὗτα δὲ μίγδην
ἀμώων, πολέας μὲν ἔτ᾽ ἐς νηδὺν λαγόνας τε
ἡμίσεας ἀνέχοντας ἐς ἠέρα· τοὺς δὲ καὶ ἄχρις
†ὤμων† τελλομένους· τοὺς δὲ νέον ἑστηῶτας,
τοὺς δ᾽ ἤδη καὶ ποσσὶν ἐπειγομένους ἐς ἄρηα.
1385
ὡς δ᾽ ὁπότ᾽, ἀμφ᾽ οὔροισιν ἐγειρομένου πολέμοιο,
δείσας γειομόρος, μή οἱ προτάμωνται ἀρούρας,
ἅρπην εὐκαμπῆ νεοθηγέα χερσὶ μεμαρπὼς
ὠμὸν ἐπισπεύδων κείρει στάχυν, οὐδὲ βολῇσιν
μίμνει ἐς ὡραίην τερσήμεναι ἠελίοιο·
1390
ὣς τότε γηγενέων κεῖρε στάχυν· αἵματι δ᾽ ὁλκοὶ
ἠύτε κρηναῖαι ἀμάραι πλήθοντο ῥοῇσιν.
πῖπτον δ᾽, οἱ μὲν ὀδὰξ τετρηχότα βῶλον †ὀδοῦσιν†
λαζόμενοι πρηνεῖς, οἱ δ᾽ ἔμπαλιν, οἱ δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἀγοστῷ
καὶ πλευροῖς, κήτεσσι δομὴν ἀτάλαντοι ἰδέσθαι.
1395
πολλοὶ δ᾽ οὐτάμενοι, πρὶν ὑπὸ χθονὸς ἴχνος ἀεῖραι,
ὅσσον ἄνω προύτυψαν ἐς ἠέρα, τόσσον ἔραζε
βριθόμενοι πλαδαροῖσι καρήασιν ἠρήρειντο.
ἔρνεά που τοίως, Διὸς ἄσπετον ὀμβρήσαντος,
φυταλιῇ νεόθρεπτα κατημύουσιν ἔραζε
1400
κλασθέντα ῥίζηθεν, ἀλωήων πόνος ἀνδρῶν·
τὸν δὲ κατηφείη τε καὶ οὐλοὸν ἄλγος ἱκάνει
κλήρου σημαντῆρα φυτοτρόφον· ὡς τότ᾽ ἄνακτος
Αἰήταο βαρεῖαι ὑπὸ φρένας ἦλθον ἀνῖαι.
ἤιε δ᾽ ἐς πτολίεθρον ὑπότροπος ἄμμιγα Κόλχοις,
1405
πορφύρων, ἢ κέ σφι θοώτερον ἀντιόῳτο.
ἦμαρ ἔδυ, καὶ τῷ τετελεσμένος ἦεν ἄεθλος.
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.) — 3 focus
Book 3
Hera and Athene persuade Aphrodite to send Eros to Medea. Mean time Jason comes to Æetes, king of Colchis, and begs the fleece; but the king was exceeding wroth, and set him great labours to perform, namely, to yoke two fire-breathing bulls, and sow the dragon's teeth upon Ares' acre, and then to slay the earth-born giants who should rise o'er the lea.
But Medea is in love with Jason, and gives him drugs to tame those bulls, telling him how to accomplish all. Wherefore Jason finished the appointed task, to the grief and wonder of Æetes.
3.1-3.5
1
COME now, Erato,
1
stand at my side and tell, how Jason brought the fleece hence to Iolchos by the love of Medea. For thou too hast a share in all that the Cyprian queen decrees, and by thy cares dost charm maidens yet unwed; wherefore is joined to thee a name that tells of love.
3.6-3.16
Thus those chieftains abode in their ambush, unseen among the thick reeds, and the goddesses, Hera and Athene, were ware of them; so they came unto a chamber, apart from Zeus himself and the other immortal gods, and took counsel together ; and first did Hera make trial of Athene : " Do thou now first begin with thy plan, daughter of Zeus. What is to be done ? wilt thou devise some crafty wile, whereby they shall take the golden fleece from Æetes and carry it to Hellas, or shall they haply persuade him with gentle words and so prevail? For surely he is terribly haughty. And yet it is not right that any attempt of ours should be turned aside."
3.17-3.21
So spake she; and Athene answered her at once : " I was even pondering these very things myself, Hera, when thou didst question me outright; but not yet, methinks, have I
1
devised a plan to help those chieftains brave, though many are the schemes my mind revolves."
3.22-3.30
Therewith those goddesses fixed their eyes upon the ground before them, pondering separately in their hearts. Anon, when she had thought thus awhile, Hera broke the silence: " Let us hence to Cypris ; and, when we are come, let us both urge her to speak unto her boy, if haply he can be persuaded to shoot an arrow at the daughter of Aeetes, mighty sorceress, and bewitch her with love of Jason. For, methinks, he would by her helping counsel bear the fleece to Hellas."
3.31-3.35
So spake she; and her sage plan pleased Athene, and once more she answered her with winning words: " Ah! Hera, my sire begat me to know nought of the darts of love, nor wot I of any magic spell of desire. But if this word pleaseth thee thyself, surely I will follow; but thou must speak when thou comest before her."
3.36-3.54
Therewith went they darting to the great house of Cypris, the house which her lord of the strong arms had builded for her, when first he brought her from Zeus to be his bride. So they entered the courtyard and stood beneath the corridor that led to her chamber, where the goddess used to make ready the couch of Hephaestus. But he had gone to his smithy
1
and anvils at dawn, a cavern vast within a floating island, wherein he would forge all manner of cunning work with the blast of fire; so she was sit ting alone in her house on her rounded chair, facing the door, and she was combing her hair with a golden comb, letting it cover her white shoulders on either side, and she was in the act of plaiting her long tresses when she saw them before her, and stopped; and she bade them enter, and arose from her throne and made them sit on seats; then sat she down herself and bound up her uncombed hair
2
with her two hands. And thus with a smile she spake to them in wheedling words, "
52
Fair ladies, what purpose or business doth bring you hither after so long a time ? and why are ye twain come that came not very often aforetime to visit me ? for ye are far above all other goddesses."
3.55-3.75
Thus then did Hera answer her in turn: " Thou dost mock us ; but the heart of us twain is stirred by sore mis chance. For even now in the river Phasis the son of Æson stays his ship, and those others who come with him to fetch the fleece. Verily for them all do we fear exceedingly, since their work is nigh, but most of all for the son of Æson. Him will I save, though he sail even to Hades, to free Ixion
1
there below from his fetters of brass, so far as there is any strength in my limbs, that Pelias may not mock if he escape his evil doom; he who in his haughtiness left me without my meed of sacrifice. Yea, and, beyond all that, Jason was ever dear to me aforetime, from that day when he met me at the mouth of the swollen Anaurus, as he came up from hunting, and I did test the righteousness of men; and all the hills and towering crags were coated with snow, and their torrents came rushing down from them with loud roar. But he had compassion on me in the likeness of an old bag, and took me up upon his shoulders and bore me through the headlong flood. Where fore he hath honour of me unceasingly, nor shall Pelias work outrage upon him, even though thou grant him not his return."
3.76-3.82
So spake she; but speechlessness seized Cypris. For she
3
was awe-struck at seeing Hera ask a favour of her, and she answered her with kindly words, " Dread goddess, may nought worse than Cypris
1
ever come to thee, if I neglect thy desire in word or deed, so far as these weak hands can effect aught; and let me have no thanks in return."
3.83-3.89
So spake she ; and Hera once again made prudent speech: " We come not to thee through lack of might or strength at all. But, as thou eanst, softly bid thy boy bewitch the daughter of Æetes
2
with passion for the son of Æson. For if she do help him with friendly counsel, lightly, I trow, will he take the golden fleece and return to Iolehos ; for she is very crafty."
3.90-3.99
So spake she; and Cypris said unto them both, " Hera, and Athene, he will obey you rather than me. For shame less as he is, haply will he have some little reverence at sight of you, but me he regardeth not, but ever and aye he slighteth me, and striveth with me. And lo! overcome by his naughtiness, I have a mind to break his bow and ill sounding arrows before his eyes ; for in a burst of anger he threatened me on this wise, that if I would not keep my hands off him, whilst he was mastering his temper, I would have only myself to blame hereafter."
3.100-3.105
So spake she ; and the goddesses smiled, and looked at one another; but Cypris answered with a sigh, Others can laugh at my sorrows, nor ought I to tell them to every one; enough that my own heart knows them. But now since this is the will of both of you, I will try and coax him, nor will he disobey."
3.106-3.110
106
So spake she; and Hera stroked her dainty hand, and with a soft smile spake to her in answer, " Yes, even so accomplish this business now at once, as thou sayest, 0
4
5
Cytherea, and distress not thyself at all, nor wrathfully strive with thy child, for he shall cease tormenting thee hereafter."
3.111-3.144
Therewith she left her seat, and Athene went with her. So they twain went back again, and Cypris too went on her way through the wolds of Olympus, to see if she could find her son. And she found him far away in a blooming orchard of Zeus, not alone, but Ganymede was with him; he it was whom Zeus on a day brought to dwell in heaven with the immortals, eager for his beauty. And those twain were sporting with golden dice, as youths alike in habits will. Now the one, even greedy Eros, held the palm of his left hand quite full already beneath his breast as he stood there upright; and a sweet blush was mantling. on the skin of his cheeks ; but the other sat crouching near in moody silence, and he held two dice, casting one forth upon the other, where he sat, and he was angered at the loud laughter of Eros. Now when he had lost these at once as well as the first, away he went with empty hands, helpless, and he was not ware of Cypris as she drew nigh ; so she stood facing her child, and at once, laying her hand upon his mouth, she spake to him: " Thou monstrous rogue, why laughest thou ? surely thou didst cheat him, poor dupe, at that game, and thou didst not fairly get the better of him But come now, accomplish readily the business I shall tell thee of, and verily I will give thee that fair plaything, which his fond nurse, Adresteia, made for Zeus, in the cave of Ida, while he was yet a little child, a ball well rounded, than which thou canst get no fairer toy from the hands of Hephæstus. Of gold are his circles fashioned,
1
6
and round each runneth a double fastening, holding them together, but the seams thereof are hidden, for a blue spiral runneth over them all. And if thou toss it in thy hands, it sends a track of flame through the air, like a star. Yea, this will I give thee, but do thou shoot at the daughter of Æetes and bewitch her with love for Jason, and let there be no delay, for then would the gratitude be fainter."
3.145-3.153
So spake she; and 'twas a welcome word to him when he heard. Down he threw all his toys, and caught hold of the goddess's robe with both hands eagerly on either side. And he besought her instantly to give it him at once; but she met him with gentle words, and drew his cheek to hers and put her arms round him and kissed him, answering : " Be witness
1
now thine own darling head and mine, that I will surely give it thee, and will not deceive thee, if thou fix thy shaft in the heart of the daughter of Æetes.”
3.154-3.166
Thus she ; and he gathered his dice together, and, after counting them all carefully, cast them into the fold of his mother's bright robe. Next he slung about him with a belt of gold his quiver, which was hanging on a tree trunk, and he took up his bended bow, and went on his way from the halls of Zeus through the fruitful orchard. Then came he forth from the heavenly gates of Olympus, where is a path down from heaven; for the world's two poles, the highest points on earth, whereon the sun at his rising rests with his earliest rays, uphold steep mountain- tops ; while below, on the one side, Earth, the life-giver, and the cities of men, and sacred river-streams, and, on the other, hills and sea all round appeared to him, as he passed through the wide upper air.
3.167-3.193
167
Now the heroes sat in council on the ship's benches, in their ambush apart, in a backwater of the river. And
7
amongst them the soil of Æson himself was speaking, while they, sitting quietly in their place in order, did listen: " My friends, surely I will tell you what seems good to me myself; but 'tis for you to bring it to pass. For all alike share this quest, and all alike can speak; and he who silently withholds his purpose and counsel, let him know, that 'tis he and he alone who robbeth this expedition of its return. Do ye others abide here quietly in the ship with your arms ; but I will go to the halls of Æetes, taking the sons of Phrixus and two comrades as well. And when I meet him, I will first see what words may do, whether he be willing to give us the golden fleece for love, or, if
1
he will not, but, trusting to his might, will not heed our quest. For thus of himself shall we learn his ill-will afore and devise, whether to meet him in the field, or whether there shall be some other plan to help us, if we restrain our battle-cry. But let us not deprive him of his possession thus by force, till we have tried what words can do. Nay, 'twere better first to go and conciliate him with words. Full oft, I wis, hath a word easily accomplished at need, what might would scarce have won, in that it seemed soothing. Yea, and this man too once welcomed gallant
2
.Phrixus as he fled from the wiles of a step-mother and the sacrifice
3
his father had prepared. For all men in all lands, even the most shameless, do reverence and regard the ordinance of Zeus, the god of strangers."
3.194-3.209
So spake he; and forthwith the young men agreed to the word of the son of Æson, and there was not one who could bid him do otherwise. So then he roused the sons of
8
9
10
Phrixus and Telamon and Augeas to go with him; and in his hand he took the wand of Hermes;
1
and anon forth they went from the ship, beyond the reeds and water, toward the country over a rising plain. This, they say, is called the plain of Circe, and on it were growing in rows many willows and osiers,
2
on whose branches hang dead men, bound with cords. For to this day 'tis an abomina tion to Colchians to burn the corpses of men with fire; nor is it lawful to lay them in the earth, and heap a cairn above them; but two
3
men must roll them up in hides un tanned, and fasten them to trees afar from the town. And yet the earth getteth an equal share with the air, for they bury their women folk in the ground; for such is the custom they have ordained.
3.210-3.233
Now as the heroes went through the city, Hera, with friendly intent, shed a thick mist on them, that they might reach the house of Æetes, unseen by the countless Colchian folk; but straight when they were come from the plain to the city and house of Æetes, then again did Hera disperse the cloud. And they stood at the entrance, astonied at the king's fenced walls and wide gates and columns, which stood in rows upholding the walls ; and above the house
11
12
13
was a coping of stone resting upon triglyplis
1
of bronze. Then went they quietly over the threshold. And nigh thereto were garden-vines in full blossom, shooting on high, and covered with green young foliage. Beneath them flowed those four eternal springs, which Hephæstus digged, whereof the one did gush with milk, another with wine, while a third flowed with fragrant unguents, and the last gave a stream of water, which was warm at the setting of the Pleiads, and in turn at their rising spouted up cold as ice from the hollow rock. These were the wondrous works that crafty Hephæstus did devise in the halls of Cytæan Æetes. And he fashioned for him bulls with brazen feet, and mouths of brass, wherefrom they breathed the fearful blaze of fire; yea, and he forged for him besides a plough of stout adamant, all of one piece, in re turn for the kindness of Helios,
2
for he had taken him up in his chariot, when he was weary at the battle on Phlegra's plain.
3.234-3.267
Next was builded the inner court; and in the walls thereof on either side were close-folding doors and rooms ; and all along both walls ran a corridor of carved work; and across at either end stood higher buildings ; in one of these, which towered over all, dwelt king Æetes with his wife, and in the other lived Absyrtus,
3
son of Æetes, whom Asterodia, nymph of Caucasus, bare, ere that Eidyia be came his wedded wife, last-born child of Tethys and Oceanus ; him the sons of the Colchians did call by the name of Phaethon, for he outshone all the young men.
14
15
16
But the servants and the two daughters of Æetes, Chal ciope
1
and Medea, had the other rooms. Now they found Medea going from chamber to chamber in quest of her sister; for Hera had kept her at home, though aforetime she came not very often into the house, but all day long was busied at the temple of Hecate, for 'twas she that was priestess of the goddess. And when she saw them near, she cried out, and quickly did Chalciope hear, and the maid-servants threw down at their feet their yarn and thread, and came running out all together. But Chalciope, when she saw her sons with those others, lifted up her hands for joy, and so too did they greet their mother, and embraced her for joy when they saw her. And thus spake she through her sobs :
260
" So then, after all, ye were not to wander very far, leaving me in my anguish
2
; but fate hath turned you back. Ah! woe is me ! what a desire for Hellas did ye feel, prompted by some pitiful infatuation, at the bidding of your father Phrixus! who dying did ordain bitter sorrow for my heart. Why should ye go to the city of Orchomenus, whoever this Orchomenus is,
3
for the sake of the goods of Athamas, leaving your mother behind in her sorrow ? "
3.268-3.274
So spake she; and last of all came Æetes forth to the door, and forth came Eidyia in person, wife of Æetes, when she heard Chalciope ; and anon that whole courtyard was filled with a throng. Thralls in crowds were busy now,
17
18
19
some about a mighty bull, while others were cleaving dry wood with the axe, and others
2
were heating at the fire water for baths, and there was none who ceased from toil, in obedience to the king.
3.275-3.298
Meantime Eros went through the clear air unseen, con fusing them, as when the gad-fly ariseth against grazing heifers, the fly which herdsmen call the goad of cattle. Quickly within the porch, beneath the lintel, he stretched his bow and drew from his quiver a shaft of sorrow never yet used. Then did he pass unseen across the threshold with hasty steps, glancing quickly round, and gliding close past the son of Æson himself, he laid the notch of the arrow on the middle of the bow-string, and drawing
1
it to the head with both hands he let it fly straight against Medea; and speechless amaze took hold upon her. But lie sped away again from the high-roofed hall, laughing loudly. And the shaft burnt beneath the maiden's heart, like a flame, and ever she kept darting glances toward the son of Æson, and her heart was wildly beating in her breast in distress, and she remembered nought but him, and her soul was melting with sweet sorrow. As when some poor workwoman hath strewn dry chips about a blazing brand-one whose business is to spin wool-that she may make a blaze at night beneath her roof, waking exceeding early; which darting up wondrously from the tiny brand doth consume all the chips with itself ; even so love in his mighty couched beneath her heart, was burning secretly; and her soft cheeks would pale and blush by turns, in the anguish of her soul.
3.299-3.316
Now when the thralls had made ready food for them,
20
21
and they had washed themselves in warm baths, gladly did they take their fill of food and drink. Then did Æetes question the sons of his daughter, addressing them with these words: " Sons of my daughter and of Phrixus, whom I honoured above all strangers in our halls, how came ye back again to Æa ? did some misfortune come be twixt you and your safety, preventing you ? Ye hearkened not to me when I set before you the measure of the voyage. For I knew it that day I whirled along in the car of Helios, my father, when he was bringing my sister Circe into the land of the west,
1
and we came to a headland of the Tyr senian mainland, where she dwelleth even now, very far from the Colchian land. What pleasure, though, have I in telling hereof ? Come tell me plainly what befell you, or who these are who bear you company, and whence ye have come from your hollow ship."
3.317-3.366
317
Somewhat afeard was Argus for the expedition of the son of Æson when he questioned so straitly, but he before his brethren made a gentle answer, for he was the eldest: " Æetes, that ship of ours did raging winds soon wreck; but the wave cast us up, as we crouched on timbers, on the dry land of the isle of Enyalius, in the dead of night, for some god saved us. For not even were the birds of Ares roosting on that desert isle, which were there aforetime, nor did we find them any more. But these men had driven them away, when they came forth from their ship on the previous day, and the mind of Zeus or some chance kept them there, in pity for us ; for at once they gave us food and raiment in plenty, after hearing the famous name of Phrixus and of thee thyself, for to thy city were they faring. If thou wouldst surely know their business, I will not hide it from thee. A certain king, eager to drive yonder man far from his
22
country and his goods, for that he excelled very greatly in his might all the sons of Æolus, is sending him hither on a difficult voyage; for it is ordained that the race of Æolus shall not escape the grievous wrath and fury of implacable Zeus, nor the awful pollution and the punish ment for the sake of Phrixus, until the fleece come to Hellas. And Pallas Athene hath builded his ship, in no wise like the ships amongst the Colchian folk, whereof we chanced upon the vilest;
1
for furious winds and waves tore it in pieces enow. But that other holds fast unto her bolts, even though all the winds fall heavy on her. And swift as the wind she speeds, whenso her crew bend to their oars with a will. And Jason hath gathered together in her the chosen heroes from all Achæa, and is come to thy city, after wandering to many towns, and over the face of the loathly sea, to see if thou wilt give him the fleece. And as it is pleasing to thee, so shall it be; for he is not come to use violence, but 'tis his desire to pay thee fair quittance for the gift; for he heareth from me that the Sauromatæ are thy grievous foes ; so he will subdue these to thy rule. And if, as thou sayest, thou art anxious to know too their name and lineage, who they be, verily let me tell thee all. Him, for sake of whom the rest mustered from Hellas, men call Jason, son of Æson, whom Cretheus begat. Now if he is really of the stock of Cretheus himself, so must he be a kinsman on his father's side to us. For both Cretheus and Athamas were sons of Æolus; and Phrixus again was son of Athamas, who was son of Æolus. Lo! here dost thou see Augeas, if ever thou dost hear of this son of Helios, and this is Telamon, sprung from famous Æacus, whom Zeus himself begat. So too all the rest, who follow in his crew, are sons or scions of immortal gods."
3.367-3.381
367
This was the tale that Argus told. And the king was
23
angered at his word, as he listened. And his heart swelled high with rage, and he spake with a troubled mind, but most of all was he wroth with the sons of Chalciope, for he thought that Jason had come on this quest by reason of them ; and his eyes flashed beneath his brows in his fury : " Away, ye caitiff wretches, at once from my sight; depart from my land with your trickery, ere some of you see the fleece and Phrixus to your sorrow. 'Twas not to fetch the fleece, but to take my sceptre and my kingly power, that ye banded together and came hither at once from Hellas. But if ye had not tasted first of my board, of a truth I would have cut out your tongues and chopped off both your hands and sent you forth with feet alone, that ye might be stayed from setting forth there after ; what lies too have ye told about the blessed gods!”
3.382-3.395
So spake he in his fury; and mightily was the heart of the son of Æacus swelling in his breast; and his spirit within him longed to give him back a fatal answer,
1
but the son of Æson checked him; and, before he could speak, himself made gentle answer: " Æetes, bear with me anent this my coming. For we are in no wise come unto thy town and home, as thou belike dost think, nor with any such desire. For who would willingly venture to cross so wide a gulf for the goods of another ? Nay, 'twas a god and the chilling best of a presumptuous king that sent us forth. Grant thy favour to our prayer; and I will carry throughout Hellas a wondrous report of thee; yea, and we are ready even now to make thee quick recompense in thy wars, if haply thou desirest to bring beneath thy sway even the Sauromatæ or some other folk."
3.396-3.400
So spake he, trying to win him with gentle speech. But that other's heart was pondering a double design, either to set upon them and slay them out of hand, or, strong king as
24
he was, to make trial of their might. And as he thought thereon, this seemed the better plan ; and so he caught him up and said, " Stranger, why shouldst thou tell me all to the end ? For if ye are really of the race of gods, or have set foot upon a foreign shore no ways my inferiors, I will give thee the golden fleece to carry hence, if so thou wilt, after trying thee. For in the case of good men I grudge it noways, as yourselves declare he doth who is king in Hellas. But to test your spirit and strength there shall be a task, which I myself can compass with my hands, hard though it be. Two bulls with brazen hoofs, breathing flame from their mouths, do browse upon yon plain of Ares ; these do I yoke and drive over the rough fallow of Ares of four plough-gates, and when I have speedily turned it up with the plough to the end I sow for seed in the furrows, not the corn of Demeter, but the teeth of a dread serpent, which grow into the form
1
of armed men. These do I next utterly destroy with my spear as they stand round to meet me. At early dawn I yoke my oxen, and at eventide I cease from my harvesting.
3.401-3.421
" Now, if thou wilt accomplish the like, thou shalt bear away to the king's palace the fleece upon the self-same day. Ere that I will not give it thee; so hope not so. For it were shameful indeed for a good man born to yield unto a worse."
3.422-3.431
422
So spake he ; but Jason fixed his eyes in front of him and sat speechless, as he was, at a sore loss. Long time turned he the plan over, and no way could he find to accept the challenge courageously, for the task seemed a great one; but at last he made answer with crafty words : " ްÆetes, very straitly dost thou shut me up within thy right. Wherefore I will even endure that toil, passing hard though it be; yea, though it be my lot to die. For there is nothing worse that cometh on men than dire neces-
25
sity, and 'twas it that forced me to come hither at the king’s command."
3.432-3.438
So spake he, smitten with dismay; and the other answered him in his distress with grim words: " Come now unto the gathering,
1
since thou art even eager for the toil; but if thou art afraid to put the yoke upon the oxen's neck, or if haply thou shrink from the deadly harvesting, these things severally shall be my care, that so any other may fear to come to a man that is better than he."
2
3.439-3.470
So spake he bluntly; but the other, even Jason, leapt up from his seat, and Augeas and Telamon by his side, but only Argus
3
went with him, for he signed to his brothers, whilst they were yet there, that they should stay behind. But they went forth from the hall. And the son of Æson shone out wondrously amongst them all for beauty and grace, and the maiden cast shy glances at him, holding her bright veil aside, consuming her heart with woe ; and her thoughts stole after him like a dream,
4
and flitted in his footsteps as he went. So they went forth from the house, sore at heart. And Chalciope, avoiding the wrath of Æetes, had gone swiftly to her chamber with her sons. And in like manner came Medea after her; and much she brooded in her heart, even all the cares that love doth
26
27
28
29
urge. For before her eyes everything yet seemed to be, her lover's very form, the raiment that he wore, the words he said, the way he sat upon his seat, and how he went unto the door; and, as she thought thereon, she dreamed there never was such another man ; and ever in her ears his voice was ringing and the sweet words he spake. And she feared for him, that the oxen or haply Æetes with his own hands might slay him ; and she mourned for him as though he were already slain outright, and the tears ran softly down her cheeks in her affliction from her exceeding pity; and, softly weeping, she uttered her voice aloud:- Why doth this sorrow come o'er me to my grief? Whether he be the best or worst of heroes that is now to perish, let him die. Ah ! would that he might escape unhurt. Yea, let that even come to pass, 0 dread goddess, daughter of Perses
1
; let him escape death and return home. But if 'tis fated that he be slain by the oxen, let him learn ere his doom, that I at least exult not in his cruel fate."
3.471-3.483
Even thus was that maiden weighed down with care. Now when those others had gone outside the crowd and the city along the path, which aforetime they had taken from the plain; in that hour did Argus speak to Jason with these words, "
475
Son of Æson, thou wilt scorn the counsel I shall tell thee
2
; and yet it is not right at all to desist from any attempt in trouble. Haply thou too hast somewhat heard before that one of my sisters useth sorcery by the prompting of Hecate, daughter of Perses ; if we can persuade her, no longer, methinks, shall there be any fear
30
31
that thou be foiled in thy emprise ; but terribly I fear,
1
that my mother will not undertake this for me. Yet will I go to her again to entreat her ; for o'er the heads of all of us hangeth joint destruction."
3.484-3.486
So spake he in kindliness, and the other thus made answer: " Good friend, if now this finds favour in thine own eyes, I have nought against it. Speed thee then and hasten to implore thy mother with words of wisdom. Yet wretched indeed is our hope, when we have entrusted our return to women."
3.487-3.501
So spake he ; and quickly they came unto the backwater. And their comrades questioned them with joy when they saw them drawing near. But sorrowfully did the son of Æson tell out his tale to them, " Friends, the heart of cruel Æetes is angered at us outright. For never will the goal be reached by me, nor yet by you who question me on every point. Now he saith there are two bulls, with hoofs of bronze, that range the plain of Ares, breathing flame from their mouths. And he bath bidden me plough with these a fallow-field of four plough-gates; then, he says he will give me seed of the jaws of a serpent, which maketh earth-born men to rise in their bronze harness, and on that very day must I slay them. Which thing I did promise him outright, for no better plan could I devise."
3.502-3.514
So spake he, and it seemed to them all a toil not to be accomplished; long time looked they on one another in speechless silence, bowed down with anguish and dismay but at the last spake Peleus bravely amongst all the chief tains : " 'Tis time to devise what we are to do. I deem there is not so much help in counsel as in strong arms. If then, hero son of Æson, thou art minded thyself to yoke
32
the oxen of Æetes, and art eager for the labour, lo ! keep now thy promise and make thee ready; but if thy spirit hath no sure trust in thy valiancy, hasten not thyself, nor sitting here look round for some other amongst these men. For I myself will not hold back, for the worst grief that can come will be but death."
3.515-3.539
So spake the son of Æacus ; and the spirit of Telamon was stirred ; and he sprang up in hot haste, and with him uprose Idas in his pride, and the two sons of Tyndarus as well; and with them the son of (Eneus, ranked among men of prowess,
1
albeit the soft down scarce showed upon his face; so high rose the courage of his heart. But those others gave way and kept silence. And anon spake Argus this word to them in their eagerness for the enterprise, " My friends, lo! this is left us at the last.
2
But, methinks, there shall come to us from my mother a very present help. Wherefore, for all your eagerness, restrain your selves a little space in the ship, as heretofore ; for 'tis better to hold back withal than recklessly to choose an evil doom. There dwells a maid in Æetes’ halls, whom Hecate hath taught exceeding skill in all simples, that the land and flowing water do produce. By them is quenched even the blast of tireless flame ; and in a moment she stays the rush of roaring streams, and she can bind the stars and the courses of the holy moon. Of her we bethought us as we came hither along the path from the house, if haply our mother, own sister to her, can persuade her to aid our labour. Now if this finds favour in your sight too,
33
34
verily I will go this very day back to the house of Æetes to make essay; and perhaps some god will be with me in my attempt."
3.540-3.554
540
So spake he ; and the gods of their good will gave unto them a sign. A trembling dove, flying from a strong hawk, came down and settled in her terror in the bosom of the son of Æson ; but the hawk transfixed
1
himself upon the pointed stern. At once Mopsus took up his parable and spake this word amongst them all, " My friends, here is a sign for you by the will of the gods ; no otherwise could they more clearly bid us go speak with the maiden and seek to her with all our skill. And methinks she will not slight us, if, that is, Phineus said truly, that our return should depend on the Cyprian goddess. Yon gentle bird just ’scaped her fate ; and even as my heart within me foresees according to this omen, so shall it surely be. But come, friends, call on Cytherea to help you, and in this very hour hearken to the persuasion of Argus."
3.555-3.563
So spake he ; and the young men approved his words, for they remembered the bidding of Phineus ; only Idas, son of Aphareus, sprang up ; sore troubled was he, and he cried aloud, " How now, pray, did we come hither in com pany with women, that our men call on Cypris to come and help us, and no longer on the great War-god ? Will ye, for the sight of doves and hawks, stay you from your enter prise ? get you gone, and take no thought for deeds of war, but how to cajole weak girls by prayers."
3.564-3.571
So cried he in his hot anger; and many of his comrades muttered low, but there was none, I trow, that gave him answer back. So down he sat much in wrath; but Jason forthwith cheered them, and declared his mind thus, " Let Argus go forth from the ship, since this finds favour with
35
all, while we will now fasten our cables openly ashore out from the river. For assuredly 'tis well to lie hid no longer, crouching in fear from the battle-cry."
3.572-3.575
Therewith, sent he Argus forth at once to go swiftly a second time unto the city ; but they hauled their anchors aboard at the bidding of the son of Æson, and rowed the ship a little space from out the backwater, and moored her to the shore.
3.576-3.608
Anon Æetes held a gathering of the Colchians apart from his house, where they sat aforetime, devising against the Minyæ treachery intolerable and troubles. For he threatened
1
that, so soon as the oxen should have torn that fellow in pieces, who had taken upon him the performance of the grievous labour, he would then cut down an oak thicket upon the wooded hill-top and burn their ship, men and all, that they, with their over-weening schemes, may splutter out
2
their grievous insolence. For he would never have received Phrixus, son of Æolus, as a guest within his halls, for all his craving,—Phrixus who exceeded all strangers in gentleness and holiness,-had not Zeus sent to him his own messenger Hermes, that so Phrixus might meet with a kindly host. Verily were pirates to come to his land, they would not long be without sorrows of their own, folk who make it their business to stretch out their hand upon the goods of strangers, and to weave secret
36
37
plots, and to harry the steadings of herdsmen in forays, heralded by their dreaded shout. Moreover he said that the sons of Phrixus, apart from this, should pay him a proper penalty
1
for returning in the company of evil-doers as their guides, that they might drive him from his honour and his kingdom heedlessly ; for once on a time he had heard a dismal warning from his father Helios, that he must avoid the deep guile and plotting and the wily mis chief of his own race. Wherefore he sent them, according to their father's bidding, eager as they were, to the land of Achæa, a long journey. But small fear had he of his daughters, or of his son Absyrtus, that they would ever devise any baleful plan ; but he thought these fell deeds were to be accomplished among the race of Chalciope; and so it was that terrible things did he pronounce
2
in his wrath against those other folk; and he made a mighty threat that he would keep them from the ship and their comrades, that none might escape destruction.
3.609-3.615
609
Meantime Argus came unto the house of Æetes, and strove to win his mother with every argument he knew, that she might entreat Medea's aid; but she pondered the matter first herself. For fear held her back, lest haply he should win her over in vain, and contrary to fate; so fear ful was she of her father's deadly anger, or lest, if she con sented to his prayer, her deed might get abroad and be clearly known.
3.616-3.644
Now deep sleep relieved the maid Medea from her trou bles, as she lay upon her bed. But anon fearsome cheating
38
39
dreams assailed her, as they will a maiden in her woe. She thought yon stranger had taken that toil upon him, not because he greatly desired to carry off the ram's fleece, nor at all, for its sake, had he come to the city of Æetes, but that he might lead her to his home to be his own true wife ; and she dreamed that she herself strove with the oxen, and did the toil right easily; but her parents made light of their promise ; for they had set the yoking of the oxen, not before their daughter, but before the stranger. Then arose a strife of doubtful issue betwixt her father and the strangers; and both did entrust it unto her to be even as she should direct. At once she chose that stranger, and forgat her parents, and grievous was their anguish, and they cried out in anger; then did sleep forsake her, and she awoke with a cry. And she arose quivering with terror, and peered all round the walls of her chamber, and scarce could she regain her courage as before in her breast, and she uttered her voice aloud, " Ah ! woe is me ! how have fearful dreams affrighted me ! I fear that this voyage of the heroes is bringing some awful calamity. My heart is in suspense
1
for the stranger. Let him woo some Achæan maiden, far away among his own people, and let my virgin state and my parents' home be my care. Verily, though I have cast shame out of my heart, I will not yet make any attempt without the advice of my sister, if haply she en treat me to help their enterprise, in sorrow for her sons ; that would assuage the bitter grief in my heart."
3.645-3.680
Therewith she rose and opened the door of her chamber, barefoot, in her shift alone; and lo! she longed to go to her sister, and she passed over the threshold of her room. And long time she waited there at the entrance of her chamber, held back by shame, and she turned her back once more; and yet again she went from her room, and
40
again stole back; for her feet bore her in vain this way and that; yea, and oft as she was going straight on, modesty kept her within; then would bold desire urge her against the curb of modesty. Thrice she tried, and thrice she held back ; the fourth time she turned and threw herself face down upon the bed. As when a bride doth mourn within her chamber a strong young husband, to whom her brethren and parents have given her, and she holds no converse with all her attendants for very shame and thinking of him; but sitteth in a corner lamenting, but him hath some doom destroyed, ere they twain have had any joy each of the other's counsels ; while she, with burning heart, looks on her widowed bed and sheds the silent tear, that the women may not mock and scoff at her ; like to her was Medea in her lamentation. Now on a sudden, while she wept, a maid-servant coming forth did hear her, one that had waited on her in her girlhood; and forthwith she told Chalciope; now she was sitting amongst her sons, devising how to win her sister to their side. Yet not even so did she make light of it, when she heard the maid's strange story, but she hasted in amaze from room to room throughout the house to the chamber wherein the maiden lay in her anguish, and tore her cheeks;. and when she saw her eyes all dimmed with tears, she said to her, " Ah, woe is me!
674
Medea, and wherefore dost thou shed these tears ? What has happened to thee ? what awful grief hath come into thy heart? Has some disease of heaven's sending fastened on thy limbs, or hast thou learnt some deadly threat of my father concerning me and my sons? Would that I no longer beheld this house of my parents, nor their city, but dwelt in the utter most parts of the earth, where is not so much as heard the name of Colchians."
3.681-3.692
So spake she, but a blush rose to her sister's cheeks, and long time maiden modesty stayed her from answering, fain as she was. At one moment the word would rise to the tip of her tongue, at another it would speed back deep within her breast. Oft her eager lips yearned to tell their tale, but the words came no farther. At the last she made this subtle speech, for love's bold hand was heavy on her, " Chalciope, my heart is in sore suspense for thy sons, for fear lest our father slay them outright with the strangers. For as I fell asleep just now and slumbered for a little space, I saw a fearful vision. May some god make it of none effect, and mayest thou get no bitter grief for thy sons !"
3.693-3.704
So spake she, making trial of her sister; and the other thus answered : " Lo! I came to thee myself bent upon this business entirely, to see if thou couldst help me with counsel and devise some aid. Come, swear by heaven and earth that thou wilt keep in thy heart what I shall say to thee, and will help me in the work. I pray thee by the blessed gods, by thyself, and by our parents, do not see them piteously destroyed by some evil fate; or else will I die with my dear sons and be to thee hereafter a fearful spirit of vengeance from Hades."
3.705-3.710
So spake she, and forthwith her tears gushed forth in streams, and she clasped her hands below her knees, and let her head sink on her bosom. Then did the two sisters make piteous lament over each other, and there arose through the house a faint
1
sound of women weeping in their sorrow.
3.711-3.717
But Medea first addressed the other, sore distressed: " God help us, sister! what cure can I work for thee ? what a word is thine, with thy dread curses and spirits of vengeance! Would that it were surely in my power to save thy sons! Witness now that awful oath of the Colchians,
41
which thyself wouldst have me swear; great heaven and earth beneath, mother of gods! as far as in me lies I will not fail thee, so thou ask aught I can perform."
3.718-3.723
So spake she, and Chalciope thus made answer: " Canst thou then devise no trick, no help for the enterprise of the stranger, even if his own lips ask it, for the sake of my children? lo! Argus is come from him, urging me to try and gain thy help; him did I leave within the house the while I came hither."
3.724-3.739
724
So she; and the other's heart within her leapt for joy, and a deep blush withal mantled o'er her fair skin, and a mist came o'er her eyes as her heart melted, and thus she answered: " Chalciope, I will do even as is dear and pleas ing to you. May the dawn shine no more upon mine eyes ; mayst thou no longer see me in the land of the living, if I hold aught before thy soul, or before thy sons, who verily are my cousins, my kinsmen dear, and of mine own age. Even so I do declare I am thy sister and thy daughter too, for thou didst hold me to thy breast while yet a babe, equally with those thy sons, as ever I heard in days gone by from my mother. But go now, hide my service in silence that I may make good my promise without the knowledge of my parents, and at dawn will I carry to the temple of Hecate drugs to charm the bulls."
3.740-3.743
So Chalciope went back again from the chamber; while she set to devising some help for her sister's sons. But once more did shame and an horrible dread seize her when she was alone, to think that she was devising such things for a man, without her father's knowledge.
3.744-3.801
Then did night spread darkness o'er the earth, and they who were at sea, the mariners, looked forth from their ships toward the Bear and the stars of Orion ; and now did every wayfarer and gatekeeper long for sleep; and o'er every mother, weeping for children dead, fell the pall of deep slumber; no more did dogs howl through the town; no more was heard the noise of men, but silence wrapped. the darkling gloom. Yet not at all did sleep shed its sweet ness o'er Medea; for in her love for the son of Æson many a care kept her awake, terrified at the mighty strength of the bulls, before whom he was to die a shameful death on Ares' acre. And her heart was wildly stirred within her breast; as when a sun-beam reflected from water plays upon the wall of a house, water just poured into a basin or a pail maybe ; hither and thither it darts and dances on the quick eddy; even so the maiden's heart was fluttering in her breast, and tears of pity flowed from her eyes ; and, ever within, the pain was wasting her, smouldering through her body, and about her weakened nerves, and right be neath the back of her head,
1
where the keenest pain doth enter in, when the tireless love-god lets loose
2
his tortures on the heart. At one time she thought she would give him drugs to charm the bulls, at another she thought nay, but that she would die herself; anon she would not die herself, nor would she give him the drugs, but quietly even so would endure her sorrow. So she sat halting between two opinions, then spake, " Ah, woe is me! am I now to toss hither and thither in woe ? my mind is wholly at a, loss ; there is no help for my suffering, but it burneth ever thus. Oh ! would that I had died by the swift arrows of Artemis, or ever I had seen him, or ever the sons of Chal ciope started for the Achæan land; some god or some spirit of vengeance hath brought them hither from thence to cause us tears and woe enow. Well, let him perish in his attempt, if 'tis his lot to die upon the fallow. For how can I contrive the drugs, and my parents know it not ? what tale am I to tell about them ? What cunning, what crafty scheme shall there be for their aid ? Shall I greet him kindly if I see him alone apart from his comrades ?
42
43
Unhappy maid am I; methinks I would not be quit of sor row even though he were dead and gone. For sorrow will come upon me in the hour that he is bereft of life. Away with shame, perish beauty! he shall be saved, unhurt, and by my help ; then let him go whithersoever his heart listeth. But may I die the self-same day that he fulfilleth his enterprise, either hanging by my neck from the roof-tree, or tasting of drugs that rive body and soul asunder. But, if I die thus, every eye will wink
1
and mock at me, and every city far away will ring with the tale of my death, and the Colchian women will make a byword of me for their unseemly gibes ; the maid who cared so dearly for a stranger that she died for him, who shamed her home and parents by yielding to her mad passion. What dis grace is there that will not be mine ? All me! for my infatuation! Far better will it be this very night to leave life behind in my chamber by an unseen fate, avoiding all ill reproaches, or ever I complete this infamous dis grace !"
3.802-3.824
802
Therewith she went to fetch a casket, wherein were laid many drugs for her use, some healing, others very deadly. And she laid it on her lap, and wept. And her bosom was wet with her ceaseless weeping, for the tears flowed in streams as she sat there, making piteous lament for her fate. Then she hasted to choose a deadly drug, that she might taste thereof. And lo! she was just loosing the fastenings of the casket, eager to draw them forth, poor unhappy lady, when in an instant passed across her mind an awful horror of loathly Hades; and long time she stayed her hand in speechless fear, and life with all its cares seemed sweet to her. For she thought of all the joyous things there are amongst the living, and of her happy band of companions, as a maiden will; and the sun
44
grew sweeter to her than before to look upon, just to see
1
if really in her heart of hearts she longed for each of them. So she laid the casket down again f rom off her knees, changing her mind by the prompting of Hera, and no more did her purpose waver otherwhither ; but she longed for the dawn to rise and come at once, that she might give Jason her magic drugs as she had covenanted,
2
and meet him face to face. And oft would she loose the bolts of her door, as she watched for the daylight; and welcome to her was the light, when Dawn sent it forth, and each man went on his way through the city.
3.825-3.827
Now Argus bade his brethren abide there yet, that they might learn the mind and plans of the maiden, but himself went forth and came unto the ship again.
3.828-3.911
But the maid Medea, soon as ever she saw the light of dawn, caught up her golden tresses in her hands, which she had let hang about her in careless disarray, and wiped clean her tear-stained cheeks; and she cleansed her skin with ointment of heavenly fragrance, and put on a fair robe, fastened with brooches deftly turned ; and upon her head, divinely fair, she cast a shining veil. Then she passed forth from her chamber there, treading the ground firmly, in forgetfulness of her sorrows, which were close upon her in their countless legions, while others were yet to follow afterward. And she bade her handmaids, who passed the night in the entering in of her fragrant bower, -twelve maids in all of her own age who had not yet found a mate,-quickly to yoke mules to the wain, to bear her to the lovely shrine of Hecate. Then did the maidens make ready the wain; but she, the while, chose from the depth of her casket a drug, which men say is called the
45
46
drug of Prometheus. If a man should anoint his body therewith, after appeasing Persephone, that maiden only- begotten, with midnight sacrifice ; verily that man could not be wounded by the blows of bronze weapons, nor would he yield to blazing fire, but on that day
1
should his valiancy and might master theirs. This first had its birth, when the ravening eagle let drip to earth upon the wolds of Caucasus the bleeding life-stream
2
of hapless Prometheus. The flower thereof, as it were a cubit high, appeareth in colour like the saffron of Corycus, growing upon a double stalk, but its root within the ground resembleth flesh just cut. Now she had gathered for her drugs the dark juice thereof, like to the sap of a mountain oak, in a Caspian shell, after she had washed herself in seven eternal springs, and seven times had called on Brimo,
3
good nursing-mother, who roams by night, goddess of the nether world, and queen of the dead, in the murk of night, in sable raiment clad. And, from beneath, the dark earth quaked and bellowed, as the Titan root
4
was cut, and the son of Impetus too did groan, frantic with pain. That simple drew she forth and placed within her fragrant girdle, that was fastened about her fair waist. And forth to the door she came and mounted the swift car, and with her on either side went two handmaids; so she took the reins and the shapely whip in her right hand, and drove through the town; while those others, her handmaids, holding to the body of the wain behind, ran along the broad high-road, having kilted their fine robes up to their white knees. Fair as the daughter of Leto,
5
when she mounts her golden car, and drives her fleet fawns o'er the downs across the
47
48
49
50
51
calm waters of Parthenius, or haply from her bath in Amnisus' stream, as she cometh from far to the rich steam of a hetacomb ; and with her come the nymphs, that bear her company, some gathering by the brink of the Amnisian spring, others about the groves and rocks with their countless rills ; and around her wild creatures fawn and whimper, trembling at her approach. Even so the maidens hasted through the city, and the people made way on either side, shunning the eye of the princess. Now when she had left the streets of the town, with their fair buildings, and had come in her driving across the plain unto the temple, then she lighted down quickly from the smooth-running wain and spake thus amongst her maidens:
891
" Friends, verily I have sinned an awful sin, for I find no cause to be wroth with yon strangers, who are roaming about our land. The whole city is smitten with dismay ; wherefore also none of the women hath come hither, who afore time did gather here day by day. Yet since we are here, and none other comes forth against us, let us with soothing song and dance satisfy our souls without stint, and after we have plucked these fair blossoms of the tender field, then in that very hour will we return. Yea, and ye this day shall go unto your homes with many a rich gift, an ye will grant me this my desire; for Argus is urgent
1
with me, and so too is Chalciope ;-keep what ye hear of me silent in your hearts, lest my words come to my father's ears ;—lo ! they bid me take yon stranger's gifts, who hath taken on him to strive with the oxen, and save him from his fell emprise. So I agreed unto their words, and I bade him meet me here alone, apart from his comrades, that we may divide amongst ourselves those gifts, if haply he bring them with him, and we may give him in return a drug
52
more baleful
1
than he knows. But do ye stand aloof from me against his coming."
3.912-3.918
So spake she, and her cunning counsel pleased them all. Anon Argus drew the son of Æson apart from the crew, as soon as he heard from his brothers, that she had gone at daybreak to the holy temple of Hecate, and across the plain he led him; and with them went Mopsus, son of Ampycus, skilled in interpreting omens from birds when they appeared, and skilled in giving the right advice when they were gone.
3.919-3.926
Never was there such a man amongst the men of bygone days, neither among all the heroes who sprang from Zeus himself, nor among those who were of the blood of other immortal gods, as the wife of Zeus made Jason on that day, either to see face to face or to talk with.
2
Even his comrades marvelled, as they gazed at him resplendent with grace; and the son of Ampycus was glad as they went, for already, I trow, he boded, how each thing would be.
3.927-3.937
Now there is by the path along the plain, nigh to the temple, a black poplar with a crown of countless leaves, whereon, full oft, chattering crows would roost. And one of these, as she flapped her wings aloft on the branches, declared the will of Hera: " Here is a sorry seer, that hath not so much knowing as children have; for no sweet word of love will the maid speak to yon youth, so long as there be other strangers with him. Begone, thou sorry prophet, dull-witted seer, for 'tis not thou, whom Cypris and her gentle Loves inspire, in their kindness.”
3.938-3.946
So spake the chiding crow, and Mopsus smiled to hear the bird's inspired utterance, and thus spake he: " Son of Æson, get thee now to the temple of the goddess, wherein thou wilt find the maiden; very kindly shall her greeting
53
54
be to thee, thanks to Cypris, who will help thee in thy labours, even as Phineus, son of Agenor, did say before. But we twain, Argus and I, will stand in this very spot aloof, awaiting thy coming ; and do thou thyself alone entreat her, turning her heart by words of wisdom."
3.947-3.1007
947
' So spake he very sagely ; and nigh at hand they both agreed to wait. Nor, I trow, had Medea any thought but this, for all her play ; for none of all the games she played would serve for her amusement long. But she kept changing them in confusion, nor could she keep her eyes at rest towards her group of maids, but earnestly she would gaze o'er the paths afar, turning her cheeks aside. Oft her heart sank broken within her breast, whenever she fancied a footfall or a breath of wind was hurrying by. But very soon came Jason in sight before her longing eyes, striding high o'er the plain, like Sirius when he rises from ocean, very fair and clear to see, but bringing woe unspeak able to flocks; so fair was the son of Æson to see as he came nigh, but the sight of him brought hateful faintness upon her. Her heart sank within her breast, and her eyes grew dim withal, and o'er her cheeks rushed the hot blush; and her knees had no strength to move backward or for ward, but her feet were rooted to the ground under her. Now her handmaids, the while, had withdrawn from them, one and all; so they twain stood facing one another without word or sound, like oaks or lofty pines, which stand rooted side by side in peace upon the mountains, when winds are still; but lo ! there comes a breath of wind to rustle them, and sighs, that none can number, steal therefrom; even so those twain were soon to tell out all their tale before the breath of Love. But the son of Æson perceived that she was scared by some bewilderment from heaven, and with a kindly smile he thus hailed her, " Why, maiden, art thou so fearful of me when I come alone ? . Verily I was never aforetime, not even when I dwelt in mine own country, one of those braggart fellows. Wherefore fear not ex ceedingly, maiden, either to question me or say what is in thine heart. Nay, but since we are met together as friends in this most holy place, where to sin were wrong, speak openly and tell me all; and deceive me not with comfort able words,
1
for at first thou didst promise thine own sister to give me the drugs my heart desired. By Hecate herself, by thy parents, and by Zeus, whose hand is over strangers and suppliants, I entreat thee. As stranger and as sup pliant both, am I come hither to thee to implore thee in my sore need. For without thee never shall I achieve my dismal task. And I will make thee recompense hereafter for thy help, as is right, making thy name and fame glorious, as becometh those who dwell apart
2
; yea, and in like manner shall the other heroes spread thy fame through Hellas on their return ; and so shall the heroes' wives and mothers, who now belike are sitting on the shore and mourning for us, whose grievous sufferings thou wilt scatter to the winds. In days gone by, Ariadne,
3
daughter of Minos, did, of her good heart, free Theseus from his evil task; she it was whom Pasiphae, daughter of the Sun-god, bore. Yea,
4
and she went aboard his ship with him and left
55
56
57
58
her country, since Minos did lull his rage; and the im mortal gods showed their love as well, for there in mid sky is her sign, a crown of stars, which men call Ariadne's crown, wheeling by night amid the heavenly constellations. Such thanks shalt thou too have from the gods, if thou wilt save this famous host of chieftains. For surely from thy form, methinks, thou shouldst excel in gentle acts of kindness."
3.1008-3.1025
1008
So spake he praising her; and she cast down her eyes with a sweet smile,
1
and her heart within her melted, as he extolled her. And she looked straight into his eyes, and had no word to answer him withal at first, but longed to tell him all at once together. And forth from her fragrant girdle she drew the drug ungrudgingly, and he with joy took it in his hands at once. And now would she have drawn her whole soul forth from her breast and given it him at his desire eagerly; so mightily did love light up his sweet torch from the son of Æson’s yellow locks, and snatched bright glances from her eyes; and her heart wasted and melted within her, as the dew upon roses melts and wastes away in the sun's beams at morn. But they would fix their eyes one time upon the ground in modesty, and then again would cast a glance at each other, with a smile of love in their glad eyes. At the last, and scarcely then, the maiden thus did greet him:
3.1026-3.1062
" Take heed now, that I may devise some help for thee. When my father hath given thee, at thy coming for them,
59
the fell teeth from the snake's jaws to sow withal, then watch for the hour when the night is evenly divided in twain, and after washing thyself in the stream of the tire less river, dig a round hole, alone apart from the others, in sable garb ; there slay a ewe and sacrifice her whole, having heaped high the fire above the hole itself. And propitiate Hecate, daughter of Perses, the only-begotten, pouring liba tions of honey from a chalice. Then when thou hast taken heed to appease the goddess, draw back again from the fire; and let no sound of feet or howling of dogs drive thee to turn round, lest haply thou cut all short and come not thyself back duly to thy companions. At dawn soak this drug; then strip and with it anoint thy body as it were with oil; and there shall be in it boundless valiancy and great strength, and thou wilt think thyself a match for deathless gods, not for men. Moreover, let thy shield and sword and spear be sprinkled therewith. Then shall not the keen swords of the earth-born men cut thee, nor shall the flame of those deadly bulls dart forth resistlessly against thee. Yet shalt thou not be thus mighty for a. long space, but for that day only; yet never shrink thou from thy enterprise. And I will supply thee yet another help. So soon as thou hast yoked the strong oxen, and by thy might and manhood hast quickly ploughed the hard fallow, and they, the giants, at once spring up along the furrows when the teeth of the snake are sown over the dark soil, if thou but watch them rising in crowds from the lea, then cast secretly at them a heavy rock ; and they will destroy one another upon it, like fierce dogs about their food ; but be not thyself eager for the fray. Hereby shalt thou carry yon fleece to Hellas, far from Æa, I trow. Yet go, whither thou listest, when thou art gone hence."
3.1063-3.1077
1063
So spake she, and dropping her eyes in silence before her did wet her cheek, divinely fair, with warm tears, mourning the day when he would wander far from her across the main. And once again she spake to him with sad words, taking hold on his right hand, for lo! shame had left her gaze: " Remember the name of Medea, if haply thou return one day to thy home; so will I remem ber thee when thou art gone. And tell me this in kind ness, where is thy home, where wilt thou fare from hence in thy ship across the sea ? Wilt thou go haply nigh to rich Orchomenus, or may-be toward the Ææan isle ? And tell me of the maid thou didst speak of, the far-famed daughter of Pasiphae
1
,l who is of my father's kindred."
3.1078-3.1101
So spake she, and, as the maiden wept, love in his might stole o'er him as well, and thus he answered her, " Yea, verily, if I escape my fate, methinks I will never forget thee by night, nor yet by day, if indeed I shall escape scatheless to Achæa, and Æetes set not before us some other toil yet worse than this. But if it please thee to learn of my country, I will tell thee, for much doth my heart bid me myself as well. There is a land, ringed round with steep hills, rich withal in sheep and pasture, where Prometheus, son of Iapetus, begat goodly Deuca lion,
2
who was the first to found cities and build temples for the immortal gods, and the first too to lord it over men. Hæmonia, the folk who dwell around, do call that land. Therein is Iolchos itself, my city, and in it too are many other cities, where men have not so much as heard the name of the Ææan isle
3
; there is, indeed a legend that Minyas, of the race of Æolus, once started from thence and founded the town of Orchomenus, that borders on
60
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62
the Cadmeans. But why do I tell thee all these idle tales, and of our home and of famous Ariadne, daughter of Minos, for that was the glorious name men gave the lovely maiden, of whom thou askest me ? Would that, as Minos was then well pleased with Theseus for her sake, so too thy father might be at one with us! "
3.1102-3.1117
So spake he, caressing her with fond and tender words. But grief, most bitter, stirred her heart, and in her distress she hailed him with earnest speech: " It may be that in Hellas these things are fair, to heed the ties of kin ; but Æetes is not such another amongst men, as thou sayest Minos, the husband of Pasiphae, was; nor can I compare with Ariadne; wherefore tell me nought of hospitality. Only do thou, when thou comest to Iolchos, remember me; and I will remember thee even in spite of my parents. And may there come to me from a far-off land some voice, or some bird with tidings, when thou hast forgotten me; or may the swift winds catch me up and bear me hence across the sea to Iolchos, that I may remind thee that thou didst escape by my aid, reproaching thee to thy face! Would I might then sit me down openly
1
in thy halls!" .
3.1118-3.1130
1118
So spake she, shedding piteous tears adown her cheeks, but Jason caught her up
2
there and said: " God help thee, lady! leave the winds to wander emptily, and that bird too to bring thee tidings, for thy words are light as wind. For if thou ever come to those abodes and the land of Hellas, thou shalt have honour and respect amongst men and women, and they shall reverence thee even as a goddess, since their sons did return home again by thy counsel, yea, and many a brother of theirs and kinsman, and strong young husband was saved. And in our bridal
63
64
bower shalt thou make ready our couch, and nought shall come 'twixt love and us, ere the doom of death o'er shadow us."
3.1131-3.1145
So spake he, and her heart within her melted as she heard, and yet she shuddered at the thought of that dark
1
enterprise, poor maiden ; but she was not long to refuse a home in Hellas. For such was the mind of Hera, that Ææan Medea should come to sacred Iolchos, to the bane of Pelias, leaving her own country. But now were her handmaidens looking about for her silently at a distance, much distressed, for the time of day demanded the maiden's return home to her mother. But she thought not yet of going, for her heart rejoiced both in his beauty and his flattering words; but the son of Æson, seeing that it was now late, did say, " 'Tis time to depart, lest the sun sink before we know it, and some stranger get to know all; yet will we meet again at this tryst."
3.1146-3.1162
Thus far those twain made trial of each other with gentle words; and then again they paired; Jason hasting back in joy to his comrades and the ship, and she to her handmaids ; and they came nigh to meet her in a body, but she heeded them not as they gathered about her, for her soul had winged its flight to soar amid the clouds. With random steps she mounted the swift wain, and in one hand took the reins and in the other the carven whip to drive the mules withal, and they dashed swiftly city ward to her home. Now when she was come thither, Chalciope, in agony for her sons, did question her; but she, at a loss through fear and doubt, heard never a word, and made no haste to answer her questions. But she sat her down on a low stool at the foot of the couch, leaning her cheek on her left hand, and her eyes were wet with tears, as she darkly pondered what an evil work she was sharing by her counsels.
65
3.1163-3.1190
But when the son of Æson was again come among his comrades in the place where he had left them when he went away, he started to go with them unto the gathering of the heroes, telling them each thing; and together they drew nigh the ship. And the others did warmly greet him, when they saw him, and questioned him. And he amongst them all did tell the maiden's counsels, showing them the awful drug; only one sat alone apart from his comrades, nursing his rage, even Idas; but the rest in gladness, with peaceful hearts, were busying themselves the while about their beds, for dark night had stayed their hands. But at dawn sent they to Æetes two men, to ask him for the seed, first of all Telamon, great warrior, and with him Æthalides, Hermes' famous child. Forth on their way went they, nor was their journey in vain, for Aeetes, the prince, gave them, at their coming, the fell teeth for the task of that Aonian
1
dragon, which Cadmus slew in Ogygian Thebes at its post by the Aretian spring, what time he came thither in quest of Europa; there he dwelt, guided thither by a cow,
2
which Apollo vouchsafed to go before him on his way according to his oracle. These teeth the goddess Tritonis
3
had drawn from the serpent's jaws, and given equally to Æetes and to Cadmus, who himself slew the monster. Now he, even Cadmus, son of Agenor, sowed his share upon the plains of Bœotia, and founded a race of earth-born men from the remnant left after the harvesting of Ares' spear; but the rest Æetes at that time readily gave them to bear unto the ship, for he
66
67
68
never thought that Jason would make an end of his toil, even if he should cast the yoke upon the oxen.
3.1191-3.1224
1191
Far in the west the sun was sinking beneath the dark earth, beyond the farthest hills of the Ethiopians; and night was yoking his steeds ; so those heroes made ready their beds upon the ground by the hawsers. But Jason, soon as ever the stars of Helice, the bright Bear, did set, and all the firmament of heaven grew still, gat him to the wilderness, like some stealthy thief, with all that was needful, for by day had he taken thought for everything ; and Argus went with him bringing a ewe and milk from the flock, which things he took from the ship itself. But when he saw a spot, far from the tread of man, in a clear
1
water-mead beneath the open sky, then first of all he washed his tender body devoutly in the sacred river, and then put on a sable robe, which Hypsipyle of Lemnos erst gave him, in memory of many a night of love. Next he dug a hole in the ground, a cubit deep, and piled therein cleft wood, and cut the throat of the sheep and laid it carefully thereupon ; then did he kindle the logs by putting fire under, and he poured upon the sacrifice mixed libations, calling Hecate by her name Brimo to help him in his toil. So then he called upon her and then stept back, and she, that awful goddess, heard him and came to the sacrifice of the son of Æson from the nethermost hell, and about her on the branches of the oaks twined gruesome snakes, and there was the flash of countless torches, and the dogs of hell howled loudly round her. About her path all the meadows quaked, and those nymphs, that haunt marshes and rivers, and flit about that water-meadow of the Ama rantian Phasis,
2
cried out. Yea, and fear took hold upon the son of Eson, but his feet brought him for all that
69
70
without one glance backward, till he was amongst his comrades; and already Dawn, the child of morning, was rising above snow-capped Caucasus and shedding his light abroad.
3.1225-3.1245
' In that hour Æetes
2
buckled on his stiff
1
breast-plate, which Ares gave him, after he had slain with his own hand Phlegræan Mimas; and on his head he put a golden helmet, with four plumes, blazing like the sun's round ball of light, when he first rises from ocean. In one hand he wielded, a buckler of many hides, in the other a sword, dreadful, irresistible ; that blade could none of the heroes have withstood, now that they had left Heracles far behind; he alone could have stood up to battle against it. And Phaethon' held his shapely chariot with the fleet steeds nigh for him to mount; so he went up thereon and took the reins in his hands. Forth from the town he drave along the broad high-road, to take his station in the lists, and with him a countless throng hasted forth. Like as when Poseidon, mounted on his car, goeth to the Isthmian games, or to Tænarus,
3
or cometh in his might to the waters of Lerna
4
or through the grove of Hyantian Onchestus, and with his steeds he cometh even to Calaurea, and the Hæmonian rock, or to wooded Geræstum; such was Æetes, captain of the Colchians, for to behold.
3.1246-3.1340
1246
Meantime Jason, by the advice of Medea, soaked the
71
72
73
74
drug, and sprinkled his shield and weighty spear and his sword all over; and his comrades around him tested his harness with might and main ; but they were not able to bend that spear ever so little, but it remained hard and unbroken as before in their stalwart hands. Then did Idas, that son of Aphareus, in furious anger, hack the butt end thereof with his mighty sword, but the edge leapt from it like a hammer from an anvil, beaten back, and the others, the heroes, cheered in their joy, with good hope for his emprise. Next did he sprinkle himself as well, and into him there entered fearful valiancy, mar vellous, dauntless, and his hands on either side grew stronger, swelling
1
with might. As when a war-horse, eager for the battle, leaps and neighs and paws the ground, and in his pride pricks up his ears and rears his neck; in like manner the son of Æson exulted in the strength of his limbs. And oft he sprang into the air, hither and thither, brandishing his shield of bronze and his ashen spear in his hands. Thou wouldst have thought 'twas lightning in winter-time, darting from the gloomy sky, and leaping, flash on flash, from out the clouds, what time they hurry in their wake the blackest storm.
3.1341-3.1350
Now would they hold back no longer from their enter prise, but, sitting them in rows upon the benches, very quickly they rowed to yon plain of Ares. Now it lay over against the entrance to the town, as far therefrom as is the turning-post, which a chariot must win, from the starting- place, when at a prince's death
2
his friends appoint contests
75
76
for footmen and horsemen. There found they Æetes and hosts of other Colchians ; these were stationed on the Caucasian rocks, but he beside the river's winding bank.
3.1351-3.1373
Forth leapt the son of Æson from the ship, with spear and shield, unto his task, so soon as his crew had fastened the cables; and with him he took a gleaming bronze helmet, full of the sharp teeth, and his sword slung about his shoulders, with naked
1
body, somewhat resembling Ares, and haply somewhat Apollo with his sword of gold. One glance he took along the lea, and saw the bulls' brazen yoke and the plough, made of one piece of ponderous adamant, upon it. So he drew nigh, and fixed his strong sword upright to the hilt
2
hard by, and set the helmet down resting against it. Then he set forward with shield alone, tracking the countless traces of the bulls, and they from some unseen den beneath the ground, where were their strong stalls, all wrapt in smoke and flame, rushed forth together, breathing flaming fire. Sore afraid were the heroes at that sight; but he, firmly planting himself,
3
awaited their onset, as a reef of rock awaits the billows driven against it by the countless blasts. And in front he held his shield to meet them ; and they together bellowing, smote thereon with their strong horns ; yet they heft him up never a jot by their attack. As when the good leathern
77
78
79
bellows of braziers now send forth a jet of flame through the holes in the smelting pot,
1
kindling a consuming fire, and now again do cease their blast, while an awful roar goeth up therefrom, when it darts up from below; even so those two bulls did bellow as they breathed from their mouths the rushing fire, and all about Jason ran the consuming flame, striking him like lightning; but the maiden's spells protected him. Then did he catch the ox on his right hand by the top of his horn, and dragged him with all his might and main, till he was near the brazen yoke, and then he threw him down upon the ground on his knees with one quick kick
2
against his brazen hoof. In like manner he tripped the other on his knees as he charged, smitten with one stroke. And he cast from him his broad shield on the earth, and kept those oxen twain where they were fallen on their knees, stepping from side to side, now here, now there, rushing headlong through the flame. But Æetes marvelled at the might of the man. Meantime those sons of Tyndarus,—for so had it been long before ordained for them,--came near, and gave him the yoke from off the ground to cast about them. And he bound it carefully upon their necks, and lifting the brazen pole between them, made fast its pointed tip unto the yoke. Then those twain started back from the fire toward the ship; but he once more took up his shield, and slung it on his back behind, and grasped the weighty helmet, full of sharp teeth, and his resistless spear, wherewith, like some labourer with a Pelasgian goad, he pricked them, thrusting beneath their flanks; and with a firm hand he guided the shapely plough- handle, fashioned of adamant. But the bulls, the while,
80
81
were exceeding wroth, breathing against him furious flaming fire ; and their breath was as the roar of bluster ing winds, in fear of which sea-faring folk do mostly furl their wide sail.
3.1374-3.1398
But yet a little while, and they started in obedience to the spear, and the grim fallow was cleft behind them, broken up by the might of the bulls and the strong plough man. Terribly groaned the clods withal along the furrows of the plough as they were broken, each a man's burden; and he followed, pressing down the left stilt with heavy tread, while far from him he was casting the teeth along the clods as each was tilled, with many a backward glance, lest the fell crop of earth-born men should rise against him ere he was done ; and on toiled those oxen, treading with their brazen hoofs. Now when the third part of day, as it waned from dawn, was still left, when swinked labourers call the sweet unyoking hour to come to them at once, in that hour the lea was finished ploughing by the tireless ploughman, for all it was four plough-gates; and he loosed the plough from the oxen, and scared them in flight o'er the plain. Then went he again unto the ship, while yet he saw the furrows free of the earth-born men. And he drew of the river's stream in his helmet, and quenched his thirst with water; and he bent his knees to supple
1
them, and filled his mighty soul with courage, eager as a wild boar, that whets his tusks against the hunters, while from his angry mouth the foam runs in great flakes to the ground. Lo! now were those earth-born men spring ing up o'er all the tilth, and the acre of Axes the death dealer was all bristling with mighty shields and twy pointed
2
spears and gleaming helmets; and the sheen thereof went flashing through the air from earth beneath
82
83
to Olympus. As when, in the murk of night. after a heavy storm of snow hath fallen on the earth, the winds do scatter the wintry clouds once more, and all the heavenly signs at once are seen shining through the gloom ; even so those warriors shone as they grew up above the earth. But Jason remembered the counsel of crafty Medea, and caught up from the plain a great round rock, a fearful quoit for Ares I the War-god ; four strong men could not have stirred it ever so little from the ground. This did he take in his hand, and threw it very far into their midst with one swing, while himself did boldly couch beneath his shield. And the Colchians gave a mighty cry, like the cry of the sea when it roars on jagged rocks, but on the king Æetes came dumb dismay at the hurtling of that mighty quoit
1
. Then did they like sharp-toothed
2
dogs leap upon it, and with loud yells did rend each other; and they were falling on their mother earth 'neath their own spears, like pines or oaks, which sudden gusts of wind do shake. Like as when a fiery meteor shoots from heaven, with a trail of light behind, a marvel to mankind, whoso see it dart and flash through the darkling air ; in such wise rushed the son of Æson on. the earth-born men. and he bared his sword from the scabbard, and smote them, mowing them down one upon another, many in the belly and flanks as they were but half risen to the air, and some in the legs as they were rising, others just standing upright, and some as they were even now hastening to the fray. As when some yeo man, when a war hath broken out upon his boundaries, fearful lest men will ravage his fields, seizes in his hand a curved sickle, newly-sharpened, and hastes to cut his crop
84
85
unripe, nor waiteth for it to ripen in its season by the beams of the sun; even so did he then cut the crop of earth-born men, and the furrows were filled with blood, as the channels of a spring are filled with water. There they fell; some on their faces, biting with their teeth the rough clods ; some upon their backs ; others on the palms of their hands and sides ; like sea-monsters in shape to behold. And many wounded, or ever they had stept forth from the earth, bowed their damp brows to the ground and rested there, as much of them as had emerged to the air above. Even so shoots newly-planted in an orchard do droop to the ground, snapped from their roots, when Zeus sendeth a torrent of rain, a toil to gardening folk; and heavy grief and bitter sorrow cometh on him who owns the plot of ground and tends the plants. So then o'er the heart of king Æetes stole heavy grief. And he gat him homeward to his town. together with his Colchians, musing darkly how he might most quickly meet them.
1
3.1399-3.1407
And daylight died, and Jason's toil was ended.
86
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.) — 3 focus
3.1-3.5
1
Come now, Erato, stand by my side, and say next how Jason brought back the fleece to Iolcus aided by the love of Medea. For thou sharest the power of Cypris, and by thy love-cares dost charm unwedded maidens; wherefore to thee too is attached a name that tells of love.
3.6-3.10
Thus the heroes, unobserved, were waiting in ambush amid the thick reed-beds; but Hera and Athena took note of them, and, apart from Zeus and the other immortals, entered a chamber and took counsel together; and Hera first made trial of Athena:
3.11-3.16
"Do thou now first, daughter of Zeus, give advice. What must be done? Wilt thou devise some scheme whereby they may seize the golden fleece of Aeetes and bear it to Hellas, or can they deceive the king with soft words and so work persuasion? Of a truth he is terribly overweening. Still it is right to shrink from no endeavour."
3.17-3.21
Thus she spake, and at once Athena addressed her: "I too was pondering such thoughts in my heart, Hera, when thou didst ask me outright. But not yet do I think that I have conceived a scheme to aid the courage of the heroes, though I have balanced many plans."
3.22-3.29
She ended, and the goddesses fixed their eyes on the ground at their feet, brooding apart; and straightway Hera was the first to speak her thought: "Come, let us go to Cypris; let both of us accost her and urge her to bid her son (if only he will obey) speed his shaft at the daughter of Aeetes, the enchantress, and charm her with love for Jason. And I deem that by her device he will bring back the fleece to Hellas."
3.30
Thus she spake, and the prudent plan pleased Athena, and she addressed her in reply with gentle words:
3.31-3.35
"Hera, my father begat me to be a stranger to the darts of love, nor do I know any charm to work desire. But if the word pleases thee, surely I will follow; but thou must speak when we meet her."
3.36-3.51
So she said, and starting forth they came to the mighty palace of Cypris, which her husband, the halt-footed god, had built for her when first he brought her from Zeus to be his wife. And entering the court they stood beneath the gallery of the chamber where the goddess prepared the couch of Hephaestus. But he had gone early to his forge and anvils to a broad cavern in a floating island where with the blast of flame he wrought all manner of curious work; and she all alone was sitting within, on an inlaid seat facing the door. And her white shoulders on each side were covered with the mantle of her hair and she was parting it with a golden comb and about to braid up the long tresses; but when she saw the goddesses before her, she stayed and called them within, and rose from her seat and placed them on couches. Then she herself sat down, and with her hands gathered up the locks still uncombed. And smiling she addressed them with crafty words:
3.52-3.54
"
52
Good friends, what intent, what occasion brings you here after so long? Why have ye come, not too frequent visitors before, chief among goddesses that ye are?"
3.55-3.75
And to her Hera replied: "Thou dost mock us, but our hearts are stirred with calamity. For already on the river Phasis the son of Aeson moors his ship, he and his comrades in quest of the fleece. For all their sakes we fear terribly (for the task is nigh at hand) but most for Aeson's son. Him will I deliver, though he sail even to Hades to free Ixion below from his brazen chains, as far as strength lies in my limbs, so that Pelias may not mock at having escaped an evil doom--Pelias who left me unhonoured with sacrifice. Moreover Jason was greatly loved by me before, ever since at the mouth of Anaurus in flood, as I was making trial of men's righteousness, he met me on his return from the chase; and all the mountains and long ridged peaks were sprinkled with snow, and from them the torrents rolling down were rushing with a roar. And he took pity on me in the likeness of an old crone, and raising me on his shoulders himself bore me through the headlong tide. So he is honoured by me unceasingly; nor will Pelias pay the penalty of his outrage, unless thou wilt grant Jason his return."
3.76-3.82
Thus she spake, and speechlessness seized Cypris. And beholding Hera supplicating her she felt awe, and then addressed her with friendly words: "Dread goddess, may no viler thing than Cypris ever be found, if I disregard thy eager desire in word or deed, whatever my weak arms can effect; and let there be no favour in return."
3.83-3.89
She spake, and Hera again addressed her with prudence: "It is not in need of might or of strength that we have come. But just quietly bid thy boy charm Aeetes' daughter with love for Jason. For if she will aid him with her kindly counsel, easily do I think he will win the fleece of gold and return to Iolcus, for she is full of wiles."
3.90-3.99
Thus she spake, and Cypris addressed them both: "Hera and Athena, he will obey you rather than me. For unabashed though he is, there will be some slight shame in his eyes before you: but he has no respect for me, but ever slights me in contentious mood. And, overborne by his naughtiness, I purpose to break his ill-sounding arrows and his bow in his very sight. For in his anger he has threatened that if I shall not keep my hands off him while he still masters his temper, I shall have cause to blame myself thereafter."
3.100-3.105
So she spake, and the goddesses smiled and looked at each other. But Cypris again spoke, vexed at heart: "To others my sorrows are a jest; nor ought I to tell them to all; I know them too well myself. But now, since this pleases you both, I will make the attempt and coax him, and he will not say me nay."
3.106-3.110
106
Thus she spake, and Hera took her slender hand and gently smiling, replied: "Perform this task, Cytherea, straightway, as thou sayest; and be not angry or contend with thy boy; he will cease hereafter to vex thee."
3.111-3.128
She spake, and left her seat, and Athena accompanied her and they went forth both hastening back. And Cypris went on her way through the glens of Olympus to find her boy. And she found him apart, in the blooming orchard of Zeus, not alone, but with him Ganymedes, whom once Zeus had set to dwell among the immortal gods, being enamoured of his beauty. And they were playing for golden dice, as boys in one house are wont to do. And already greedy Eros was holding the palm of his left hand quite full of them under his breast, standing upright; and on the bloom of his cheeks a sweet blush was glowing. But the other sat crouching hard by, silent and downcast, and he had two dice left which he threw one after the other, and was angered by the loud laughter of Eros. And lo, losing them straightway with the former, he went off empty-handed, helpless, and noticed not the approach of Cypris. And she stood before her boy, and laying her hand on his lips, addressed him:
3.129-3.144
"Why dost thou smile in triumph, unutterable rogue? Hast thou cheated him thus, and unjustly overcome the innocent child? Come, be ready to perform for me the task I will tell thee of, and I will give thee Zeus' all-beauteous plaything--the one which his dear nurse Adrasteia made for him, while he still lived a child, with childish ways, in the Idaean cave--a well-rounded ball; no better toy wilt thou get from the hands of Hephaestus. All of gold are its zones, and round each double seams run in a circle; but the stitches are hidden, and a dark blue spiral overlays them all. But if thou shouldst cast it with thy hands, lo, like a star, it sends a flaming track through the sky. This I will give thee; and do thou strike with thy shaft and charm the daughter of Aeetes with love for Jason; and let there be no loitering. For then my thanks would be the slighter."
3.145-3.150
Thus she spake, and welcome were her words to the listening boy. And he threw down all his toys, and eagerly seizing her robe on this side and on that, clung to the goddess. And he implored her to bestow the gift at once; but she, facing him with kindly words, touched his cheeks, kissed him and drew him to her, and replied with a smile:
3.151-3.153
"Be witness now thy dear head and mine, that surely I will give thee the gift and deceive thee not, if thou wilt strike with thy shaft Aeetes' daughter."
3.154-3.166
She spoke, and he gathered up his dice, and having well counted them all threw them into his mother's gleaming lap. And straightway with golden baldric he slung round him his quiver from where it leant against a tree-trunk, and took up his curved bow. And he fared forth through the fruitful orchard of the palace of Zeus. Then he passed through the gates of Olympus high in air; hence is a downward path from heaven; and the twin poles rear aloft steep mountain tops--the highest crests of earth, where the risen sun grows ruddy with his first beams. And beneath him there appeared now the life-giving earth and cities of men and sacred streams of rivers, and now in turn mountain peaks and the ocean all around, as he swept through the vast expanse of air.
3.167-3.193
167
Now the heroes apart in ambush, in a back-water of the river, were met in council, sitting on the benches of their ship. And Aeson's son himself was speaking among them; and they were listening silently in their places sitting row upon row: "My friends, what pleases myself that will I say out; it is for you to bring about its fulfilment. For in common is our task, and common to all alike is the right of speech; and he who in silence withholds his thought and his counsel, let him know that it is he alone that bereaves this band of its home-return. Do ye others rest here in the ship quietly with your arms; but I will go to the palace of Aeetes, taking with me the sons of Phrixus and two comrades as well. And when I meet him I will first make trial with words to see if he will be willing to give up the golden fleece for friendship's sake or not, but trusting to his might will set at nought our quest. For so, learning his frowardness first from himself, we will consider whether we shall meet him in battle, or some other plan shall avail us, if we refrain from the war-cry. And let us not merely by force, before putting words to the test, deprive him of his own possession. But first it is better to go to him and win his favour by speech. Oftentimes, I ween, does speech accomplish at need what prowess could hardly carry through, smoothing the path in manner befitting. And he once welcomed noble Phrixus, a fugitive from his stepmother's wiles and the sacrifice prepared by his father. For all men everywhere, even the most shameless, reverence the ordinance of Zeus, god of strangers, and regard it."
3.194-3.209
Thus he spake, and the youths approved the words of Aeson's son with one accord, nor was there one to counsel otherwise. And then he summoned to go with him the sons of Phrixus, and Telamon and Augeias; and himself took Hermes' wand; and at once they passed forth from the ship beyond the reeds and the water to dry land, towards the rising ground of the plain. The plain, I wis, is called Circe's; and here in line grow many willows and osiers, on whose topmost branches hang corpses bound with cords. For even now it is an abomination with the Colchians to burn dead men with fire; nor is it lawful to place them in the earth and raise a mound above, but to wrap them in untanned oxhides and suspend them from trees far from the city. And so earth has an equal portion with air, seeing that they bury the women; for that is the custom of their land.
3.210-3.259
And as they went Hera with friendly thought spread a thick mist through the city, that they might fare to the palace of Aeetes unseen by the countless hosts of the Colchians. But soon when from the plain they came to the city and Aeetes' palace, then again Hera dispersed the mist. And they stood at the entrance, marvelling at the king's courts and the wide gates and columns which rose in ordered lines round the walls; and high up on the palace a coping of stone rested on brazen triglyphs. And silently they crossed the threshold. And close by garden vines covered with green foliage were in full bloom, lifted high in air. And beneath them ran four fountains, ever-flowing, which Hephaestus had delved out. One was gushing with milk, one with wine, while the third flowed with fragrant oil; and the fourth ran with water, which grew warm at the setting of the Pleiads, and in turn at their rising bubbled forth from the hollow rock, cold as crystal. Such then were the wondrous works that the craftsman-god Hephaestus had fashioned in the palace of Cytaean Aeetes. And he wrought for him bulls with feet of bronze, and their mouths were of bronze, and from them they breathed out a terrible flame of fire; moreover he forged a plough of unbending adamant, all in one piece, in payment of thanks to Helios, who had taken the god up in his chariot when faint from the Phlegraean fight.
1
And here an inner-court was built, and round it were many well-fitted doors and chambers here and there, and all along on each side was a richly-wrought gallery. And on both sides loftier buildings stood obliquely. In one, which was the loftiest, lordly Aeetes dwelt with his queen; and in another dwelt Apsyrtus, son of Aeetes, whom a Caucasian nymph, Asterodeia, bare before he made Eidyia his wedded wife, the youngest daughter of Tethys and Oceanus. And the sons of the Colchians called him by the new name of Phaëthon,
2
because he outshone all the youths. The other buildings the handmaidens had, and the two daughters of Aeetes, Chalciope and Medea. Medea then [they found] going from chamber to chamber in search of her sister, for Hera detained her within that day; but beforetime she was not wont to haunt the palace, but all day long was busied in Hecate's temple, since she herself was the priestess of the goddess. And when she saw them she cried aloud, and quickly Chalciope caught the sound; and her maids, throwing down at their feet their yarn and their thread, rushed forth all in a throng. And she, beholding her sons among them, raised her hands aloft through joy; and so they likewise greeted their mother, and when they saw her embraced her in their gladness; and she with many sobs spoke thus:
3.260-3.267
"
260
After all then, ye were not destined to leave me in your heedlessness and to wander far; but fate has turned you back. Poor wretch that I am! What a yearning for Hellas from some woeful madness seized you at the behest of your father Phrixus. Bitter sorrows for my heart did he ordain when dying. And why should ye go to the city of Orchomenus, whoever this Orchomenus is, for the sake of Athamas' wealth, leaving your mother alone to bear her grief?"
3.268-3.274
Such were her words; and Aeetes came forth last of all and Eidyia herself came, the queen of Aeetes, on hearing the voice of Chalciope; and straightway all the court was filled with a throng. Some of the thralls were busied with a mighty bull, others with the axe were cleaving dry billets, and others heating with fire water for the baths; nor was there one who relaxed his toil, serving the king.
3.275-3.298
Meantime Eros passed unseen through the grey mist, causing confusion, as when against grazing heifers rises the gadfly, which oxherds call the breese. And quickly beneath the lintel in the porch he strung his bow and took from the quiver an arrow unshot before, messenger of pain. And with swift feet unmarked he passed the threshold and keenly glanced around; and gliding close by Aeson's son he laid the arrow-notch on the cord in the centre, and drawing wide apart with both hands he shot at Medea; and speechless amazement seized her soul. But the god himself flashed back again from the high-roofed hall, laughing loud; and the bolt burnt deep down in the maiden's heart, like a flame; and ever she kept darting bright glances straight up at Aeson's son, and within her breast her heart panted fast through anguish, all remembrance left her, and her soul melted with the sweet pain. And as a poor woman heaps dry twigs round a blazing brand--a daughter of toil, whose task is the spinning of wool, that she may kindle a blaze at night beneath her roof, when she has waked very early--and the flame waxing wondrous great from the small brand consumes all the twigs together; so, coiling round her heart, burnt secretly Love the destroyer; and the hue of her soft cheeks went and came, now pale, now red, in her soul's distraction.
3.299-3.303
Now when the thralls had laid a banquet ready before them, and they had refreshed themselves with warm baths, gladly did they please their souls with meat and drink. And thereafter Aeetes questioned the sons of his daughter, addressing them with these words:
3.304-3.316
"Sons of my daughter and of Phrixus, whom beyond all strangers I honoured in my halls, how have ye come returning back to Aea? Did some calamity cut short your escape in the midst? Ye did not listen when I set before you the boundless length of the way. For I marked it once, whirled along in the chariot of my father Helios, when he was bringing my sister Circe to the western land and we came to the shore of the Tyrrhenian mainland, where even now she abides, exceeding far from Colchis. But what pleasure is there in words? Do ye tell me plainly what has been your fortune, and who these men are, your companions, and where from your hollow ship ye came ashore."
3.317-3.319
317
Such were his questions, and Argus, before all his brethren, being fearful for the mission of Aeson's son, gently replied, for he was the elder-born:
3.320-3.366
"Aeetes, that ship forthwith stormy blasts tore asunder, and ourselves, crouching on the beams, a wave drove on to the beach of the isle of Enyalius
3
in the murky night; and some god preserved us. For even the birds of Ares that haunted the desert isle beforetime, not even them did we find. But these men had driven them off, having landed from their ship on the day before; and the will of Zeus taking pity on us, or some fate, detained them there, since they straightway gave us both food and clothing in abundance, when they heard the illustrious name of Phrixus and thine own; for to thy city are they faring. And if thou dost wish to know their errand, I will not hide it from thee. A certain king, vehemently longing to drive this man far from his fatherland and possessions, because in might he outshone all the sons of Aeolus, sends him to voyage hither on a bootless venture; and asserts that the stock of Aeolus will not escape the heart-grieving wrath and rage of implacable Zeus, nor the unbearable curse and vengeance due for Phrixus, until the fleece comes back to Hellas. And their ship was fashioned by Pallas Athena, not such a one as are the ships among the Colchians, on the vilest of which we chanced. For the fierce waves and wind broke her utterly to pieces; but the other holds firm with her bolts, even though all the blasts should buffet her. And with equal swiftness she speedeth before the wind and when the crew ply the oar with unresting hands. And he hath gathered in her the mightiest heroes of all Achaea, and hath come to thy city from wandering far through cities and gulfs of the dread ocean, in the hope that thou wilt grant him the fleece. But as thou dost please, so shall it be, for he cometh not to use force, but is eager to pay thee a recompense for the gift. He has heard from me of thy bitter foes the Sauromatae, and he will subdue them to thy sway. And if thou desirest to know their names and lineage I will tell thee all. This man on whose account the rest were gathered from Hellas, they call Jason, son of Aeson, whom Cretheus begat. And if in truth he is of the stock of Cretheus himself, thus he would be our kinsman on the father's side. For Cretheus and Athamas were both sons of Aeolus; and Phrixus was the son of Athamas, son of Aeolus. And here, if thou hast heard at all of the seed of Helios, thou dost behold Augeias; and this is Telamon sprung from famous Aeacus; and Zeus himself begat Aeacus. And so all the rest, all the comrades that follow him, are the sons or grandsons of the immortals."
3.367-3.371
367
Such was the tale of Argus; but the king at his words was filled with rage as he heard; and his heart was lifted high in wrath. And he spake in heavy displeasure; and was angered most of all with the son of Chalciope; for he deemed that on their account the strangers had come; and in his fury his eyes flashed forth beneath his brows:
3.372-3.381
"Begone from my sight, felons, straightway, ye and your tricks, from the land, ere someone see a fleece and a Phrixus to his sorrow. Banded together with your friends from Hellas, not for the fleece, but to seize my sceptre and royal power have ye come hither. Had ye not first tasted of my table, surely would I have cut out your tongues and hewn off both hands and sent you forth with your feet alone, so that ye might be stayed from starting hereafter. And what lies have ye uttered against the blessed gods!"
3.382-3.385
Thus he spake in his wrath; and mightily from its depths swelled the heart of Aeacus' son, and his soul within longed to speak a deadly word in defiance, but Aeson's son checked him, for he himself first made gentle answer:
3.386-3.395
"Aeetes, bear with this armed band, I pray. For not in the way thou deemest have we come to thy city and palace, no, nor yet with such desires. For who would of his own will dare to cross so wide a sea for the goods of a stranger? But fate and the ruthless command of a presumptuous king urged me. Grant a favour to thy suppliants, and to all Hellas will I publish a glorious fame of thee; yea, we are ready now to pay thee a swift recompense in war, whether it be the Sauromatae or some other people that thou art eager to subdue to thy sway."
3.396-3.400
He spake, flattering him with gentle utterance; but the king's soul brooded a twofold purpose within him, whether he should attack and slay them on the spot or should make trial of their might. And this, as he pondered, seemed the better way, and he addressed Jason in answer:
3.401-3.421
"Stranger, why needest thou go through thy tale to the end? For if ye are in truth of heavenly race, or have come in no wise inferior to me, to win the goods of strangers, I will give thee the fleece to bear away, if thou dost wish, when I have tried thee. For against brave men I bear no grudge, such as ye yourselves tell me of him who bears sway in Hellas. And the trial of your courage and might shall be a contest which I myself can compass with my hands, deadly though it be. Two bulls with feet of bronze I have that pasture on the plain of Ares, breathing forth flame from their jaws; them do I yoke and drive over the stubborn field of Ares, four plough-gates; and quickly cleaving it with the share up to the headland, I cast into the furrows for seed, not the corn of Demeter, but the teeth of a dread serpent that grow up into the fashion of armed men; them I slay at once, cutting them down beneath my spear as they rise against me on all sides. In the morning do I yoke the oxen, and at eventide I cease from the harvesting. And thou, if thou wilt accomplish such deeds as these, on that very day shalt carry off the fleece to the king's palace; ere that time comes I will not give it, expect it not. For indeed it is unseemly that a brave man should yield to a coward."
3.422-3.426
422
Thus he spake; and Jason, fixing his eyes on the ground, sat just as he was, speechless, helpless in his evil plight. For a long time he turned the matter this way and that, and could in no way take on him the task with courage, for a mighty task it seemed; and at last he made reply with crafty words:
3.427-3.431
"With thy plea of right, Aeetes, thou dost shut me in overmuch. Wherefore also I will dare that contest, monstrous as it is, though it be my doom to die. For nothing will fall upon men more dread than dire necessity, which indeed constrained me to come hither at a king's command."
3.432-3.438
Thus he spake, smitten by his helpless plight; and the king with grim words addressed him, sore troubled as he was: "Go forth now to the gathering, since thou art eager for the toil; but if thou shouldst fear to lift the yoke upon the oxen or shrink from the deadly harvesting, then all this shall be my care, so that another too may shudder to come to a man that is better than he."
3.439-3.463
He spake outright; and Jason rose from his seat, and Augeias and Telamon at once; and Argus followed alone, for he signed to his brothers to stay there on the spot meantime; and so they went forth from the hall. And wonderfully among them all shone the son of Aeson for beauty and grace; and the maiden looked at him with stealthy glance, holding her bright veil aside, her heart smouldering with pain; and her soul creeping like a dream flitted in his track as he went. So they passed forth from the palace sorely troubled. And Chalciope, shielding herself from the wrath of Aeetes, had gone quickly to her chamber with her sons. And Medea likewise followed, and much she brooded in her soul all the cares that the Loves awaken. And before her eyes the vision still appeared--himself what like he was, with what vesture he was clad, what things he spake, how he sat on his seat, how he moved forth to the door--and as she pondered she deemed there never was such another man; and ever in her ears rung his voice and the honey-sweet words which he uttered. And she feared for him, lest the oxen or Aeetes with his own hand should slay him; and she mourned him as though already slain outright, and in her affliction a round tear through very grievous pity coursed down her cheek: and gently weeping she lifted up her voice aloud:
3.464-3.470
"Why does this grief come upon me, poor wretch? Whether he be the best of heroes now about to perish, or the worst, let him go to his doom. Yet I would that he had escaped unharmed; yea, may this be so, revered goddess, daughter of Perses, may he avoid death and return home; but if it be his lot to be o'ermastered by the oxen, may he first learn this that I at least do not rejoice in his cruel calamity."
3.471-3.474
Thus then was the maiden's heart racked by love-cares. But when the others had gone forth from the people and the city, along the path by which at the first they had come from the plain, then Argus addressed Jason with these words:
3.475-3.483
"
475
Son of Aeson, thou wilt despise the counsel which I will tell thee, but, though in evil plight, it is not fitting to forbear from the trial. Ere now thou hast heard me tell of a maiden that uses sorcery under the guidance of Hecate, Perses' daughter. If we could win her aid there will be no dread, methinks, of thy defeat in the contest; but terribly do I fear that my mother will not take this task upon her. Nevertheless I will go back again to entreat her, for a common destruction overhangs us all."
3.484-3.491
He spake with goodwill, and Jason answered with these words: "Good friend, if this is good in thy sight, I say not nay. Go and move thy mother, beseeching her aid with prudent words; pitiful indeed is our hope when we have put our return in the keeping of women." So he spake, and quickly they reached the back-water. And their comrades joyfully questioned them, when they saw them close at hand; and to them spoke Aeson's son grieved at heart:
3.492-3.501
"My friends, the heart of ruthless Aeetes is utterly filled with wrath against us, for not at all can the goal be reached either by me or by you who question me. He said that two bulls with feet of bronze pasture on the plain of Ares, breathing forth flame from their jaws. And with these he bade me plough the field, four plough-gates; and said that he would give me from a serpent's jaws seed which will raise up earthborn men in armour of bronze; and on the same day I must slay them. This task--for there was nothing better to devise--I took on myself outright."
3.502-3.514
Thus he spake; and to all the contest seemed one that none could accomplish, and long, quiet and silent, they looked at one another, bowed down with the calamity and their despair; but at last Peleus spake with courageous words among all the chiefs: "It is time to be counselling what we shall do. Yet there is not so much profit, I trow, in counsel as in the might of our hands. If thou then, hero son of Aeson, art minded to yoke Aeetes' oxen, and art eager for the toil, surely thou wilt keep thy promise and make thyself ready. But if thy soul trusts not her prowess utterly, then neither bestir thyself nor sit still and look round for some one else of these men. For it is not I who will flinch, since the bitterest pain will be but death."
3.515-3.522
So spake the son of Aeacus; and Telamon's soul was stirred, and quickly he started up in eagerness; and Idas rose up the third in his pride; and the twin sons of Tyndareus; and with them Oeneus' son who was numbered among strong men, though even the soft down on his cheek showed not yet; with such courage was his soul uplifted. But the others gave way to these in silence. And straightway Argus spake these words to those that longed for the contest:
3.523-3.539
"My friends, this indeed is left us at the last. But I deem that there will come to you some timely aid from my mother. Wherefore, eager though ye be, refrain and abide in your ship a little longer as before, for it is better to forbear than recklessly to choose an evil fate. There is a maiden, nurtured in the halls of Aeetes, whom the goddess Hecate taught to handle magic herbs with exceeding skill--all that the land and flowing waters produce. With them is quenched the blast of unwearied flame, and at once she stays the course of rivers as they rush roaring on, and checks the stars and the paths of the sacred moon. Of her we bethought us as we came hither along the path from the palace, if haply my mother, her own sister, might persuade her to aid us in the venture. And if this is pleasing to you as well, surely on this very day will I return to the palace of Aeetes to make trial; and perchance with some god's help shall I make the trial."
3.540-3.544
540
Thus he spake, and the gods in their goodwill gave them a sign. A trembling dove in her flight from a mighty hawk fell from on high, terrified, into the lap of Aeson's son, and the hawk fell impaled on the stern-ornament. And quickly Mopsus with prophetic words spake among them all:
3.545-3.554
"For you, friends, this sign has been wrought by the will of heaven; in no other way is it possible to interpret its meaning better, than to seek out the maiden and entreat her with manifold skill. And I think she will not reject our prayer, if in truth Phineus said that our return should be with the help of the Cyprian goddess. It was her gentle bird that escaped death; and as my heart within me foresees according to this omen, so may it prove! But, my friends, let us call on Cytherea to aid us, and now at once obey the counsels of Argus."
3.555-3.563
He spake, and the warriors approved, remembering the injunctions of Phineus; but all alone leapt up Aphareian Idas and shouted loudly in terrible wrath: "Shame on us, have we come here fellow-voyagers with women, calling on Cypris for help and not on the mighty strength of Enyalius? And do ye look to doves and hawks to save yourselves from contests? Away with you, take thought not for deeds of war, but by supplication to beguile weakling girls."
3.564-3.571
Such were his eager words; and of his comrades many murmured low, but none uttered a word of answer back. And he sat down in wrath; and at once Jason roused them and uttered his own thought: "Let Argus set forth from the ship, since this pleases all; but we will now move from the river and openly fasten our hawsers to the shore. For surely it is not fitting for us to hide any longer cowering from the battle-cry."
3.572-3.575
So he spake, and straightway sent Argus to return in haste to the city; and they drew the anchors on board at the command of Aeson's son, and rowed the ship close to the shore, a little away from the back-water.
3.576-3.608
But straightway Aeetes held an assembly of the Colchians far aloof from his palace at a spot where they sat in times before, to devise against the Minyae grim treachery and troubles. And he threatened that when first the oxen should have torn in pieces the man who had taken upon him to perform the heavy task, he would hew down the oak grove above the wooded hill, and burn the ship and her crew, that so they might vent forth in ruin their grievous insolence, for all their haughty schemes. For never would he have welcomed the Aeolid Phrixus as a guest in his halls, in spite of his sore need, Phrixus, who surpassed all strangers in gentleness and fear of the gods, had not Zeus himself sent Hermes his messenger down from heaven, so that he might meet with a friendly host; much less would pirates coming to his land be let go scatheless for long, men whose care it was to lift their hands and seize the goods of others, and to weave secret webs of guile, and harry the steadings of herdsmen with ill-sounding forays. And he said that besides all that the sons of Phrixus should pay a fitting penalty to himself for returning in consort with evil-doers, that they might recklessly drive him from his honour and his throne; for once he had heard a baleful prophecy from his father Helios, that he must avoid the secret treachery and schemes of his own offspring and their crafty mischief. Wherefore he was sending them, as they desired, to the Achaean land at the bidding of their father--a long journey. Nor had he ever so slight a fear of his daughters, that they would form some hateful scheme, nor of his son Apsyrtus; but this curse was being fulfilled in the children of Chalciope. And he proclaimed terrible things in his rage against the strangers, and loudly threatened to keep watch over the ship and its crew, so that no one might escape calamity.
3.609-3.615
609
Meantime Argus, going to Aeetes' palace, with manifold pleading besought his mother to pray Medea's aid; and Chalciope herself already had the same thoughts, but fear checked her soul lest haply either fate should withstand and she should entreat her in vain, all distraught as she would be at her father's deadly wrath, or, if Medea yielded to her prayers, her deeds should be laid bare and open to view.
3.616-3.635
Now a deep slumber had relieved the maiden from her love-pains as she lay upon her couch. But straightway fearful dreams, deceitful, such as trouble one in grief, assailed her. And she thought that the stranger had taken on him the contest, not because he longed to win the ram's fleece, and that he had not come on that account to Aeetes' city, but to lead her away, his wedded wife, to his own home; and she dreamed that herself contended with the oxen and wrought the task with exceeding ease; and that her own parents set at naught their promise, for it was not the maiden they had challenged to yoke the oxen but the stranger himself; from that arose a contention of doubtful issue between her father and the strangers; and both laid the decision upon her, to be as she should direct in her mind. But she suddenly, neglecting her parents, chose the stranger. And measureless anguish seized them and they shouted out in their wrath; and with the cry sleep released its hold upon her. Quivering with fear she started up, and stared round the walls of her chamber, and with difficulty did she gather her spirit within her as before, and lifted her voice aloud:
3.636-3.644
"Poor wretch, how have gloomy dreams affrighted me! I fear that this voyage of the heroes will bring some great evil. My heart is trembling for the stranger. Let him woo some Achaean girl fair away among his own folk; let maidenhood be mine and the home of my parents. Yet, taking to myself a reckless heart, I will no more keep aloof but will make trial of my sister to see if she will entreat me to aid in the contest, through grief for her own sons; this would quench the bitter pain in my heart."
3.645-3.673
She spake, and rising from her bed opened the door of her chamber, bare-footed, clad in one robe; and verily she desired to go to her sister, and crossed the threshold. And for long she stayed there at the entrance of her chamber, held back by shame; and she turned back once more; and again she came forth from within, and again stole back; and idly did her feet bear her this way and that; yea, as oft as she went straight on, shame held her within the chamber, and though held back by shame, bold desire kept urging her on. Thrice she made the attempt and thrice she checked herself, the fourth time she fell on her bed face downward writhing in pain. And as when a bride in her chamber bewails her youthful husband, to whom her brothers and parents have given her, nor yet does she hold converse with all her attendants for shame and for thinking of him; but she sits apart in her grief; and some doom has destroyed him, before they have had pleasure of each other's charms; and she with heart on fire silently weeps, beholding her widowed couch, in fear lest the women should mock and revile her: like, to her did Medea lament. And suddenly as she was in the midst of her tears, one of the handmaids came forth and noticed her, one who was her youthful attendant; and straightway she told Chalciope, who sat in the midst of her sons devising how to win over her sister. And when Chalciope heard the strange tale from the handmaid, not even so did she disregard it. And she rushed in dismay from her chamber right on to the chamber where the maiden lay in her anguish, having torn her cheeks on each side; and when Chalciope saw her eyes all dimmed with tears, she thus addressed her:
3.674-3.680
"
674
Ah me, Medea, why dost thou weep so? What hath befallen thee? What terrible grief has entered thy heart? Has some heaven-sent disease enwrapt thy frame, or hast thou heard from our father some deadly threat concerning me and my sons? Would that I did not behold this home of my parents, or the city, but dwelt at the ends of the earth, where not even the name of Colchians is known!"
3.681-3.687
Thus she spake, and her sister's cheeks flushed; and though she was eager to reply, long did maiden shame restrain her. At one moment the word rose on the end of her tongue, at another it fluttered back deep within her breast. And often through her lovely lips it strove for utterance; but no sound came forth; till at last she spoke with guileful words; for the bold Loves were pressing her hard:
3.688-3.692
"Chalciope, my heart is all trembling for thy sons, lest my father forthwith destroy them together with the strangers. Slumbering just now in a short-lived sleep such a ghastly dream did I see--may some god forbid its fulfilment and never mayst thou win for thyself bitter care on thy sons' account."
3.693-3.704
She spake, making trial of her sister to see if she first would entreat help for her sons. And utterly unbearable grief surged over Chalciope's soul for fear at what she heard; and then she replied: "Yea, I myself too have come to thee in eager furtherance of this purpose, if thou wouldst haply devise with me and prepare some help. But swear by Earth and Heaven that thou wilt keep secret in thy heart what I shall tell thee, and be fellow-worker with me. I implore thee by the blessed gods, by thyself and by thy parents, not to see them destroyed by an evil doom piteously; or else may I die with my dear sons and come back hereafter from Hades an avenging Fury to haunt thee."
3.705-3.710
Thus she spake, and straightway a torrent of tears gushed forth, and low down she clasped her sister's knees with both hands and let her head sink on to her breast. Then they both made piteous lamentation over each other, and through the halls rose the faint sound of women weeping in anguish. Medea, sore troubled, first addressed her sister:
3.711-3.717
"God help thee, what healing can I bring thee for what thou speakest of, horrible curses and Furies? Would that it were firmly in my power to save thy sons! Be witness that mighty oath of the Colchians by which thou urgest me to swear, the great Heaven, and Earth beneath, mother of the gods, that as far as strength lies in me, never shalt thou fail of help, if only thy prayers can be accomplished."
3.718-3.723
She spake, and Chalciope thus replied: "Couldst thou not then, for the stranger--who himself craves thy aid--devise some trick or some wise thought to win the contest, for the sake of my sons? And from him has come Argus urging me to try to win thy help; I left him in the palace meantime while I came hither."
3.724-3.739
724
Thus she spake, and Medea's heart bounded with joy within her, and at once her fair cheeks flushed, and a mist swam before her melting eyes, and she spake as follows: "Chalciope, as is dear and delightful to thee and thy sons, even so will I do. Never may the dawn appear again to my eyes, never mayst thou see me living any longer, if I should take thought for anything before thy life or thy sons' lives, for they are my brothers, my dear kinsmen and youthful companions. So do I declare myself to be thy sister, and thy daughter too, for thou didst lift me to thy breast when an infant equally with them, as I ever heard from my mother in past days. But go, bury my kindness in silence, so that I may carry out my promise unknown to my parents; and at dawn I will bring to Hecate's temple charms to cast a spell upon the bulls."
3.740-3.743
Thus Chalciope went back from the chamber, and made known to her sons the help given by her sister. And again did shame and hateful fear seize Medea thus left alone, that she should devise such deeds for a man in her father's despite.
3.744-3.770
Then did night draw darkness over the earth; and on the sea sailors from their ships looked towards the Bear and the stars of Orion; and now the wayfarer and the warder longed for sleep, and the pall of slumber wrapped round the mother whose children were dead; nor was there any more the barking of dogs through the city, nor sound of men's voices; but silence held the blackening gloom. But not indeed upon Medea came sweet sleep. For in her love for Aeson's son many cares kept her wakeful, and she dreaded the mighty strength of the bulls, beneath whose fury he was like to perish by an unseemly fate in the field of Ares. And fast did her heart throb within her breast, as a sunbeam quivers upon the walls of a house when flung up from water, which is just poured forth in a caldron or a pail may be; and hither and thither on the swift eddy does it dart and dance along; even so the maiden's heart quivered in her breast. And the tear of pity flowed from her eyes, and ever within anguish tortured her, a smouldering fire through her frame, and about her fine nerves and deep down beneath the nape of the neck where the pain enters keenest, whenever the unwearied Loves direct against the heart their shafts of agony. And she thought now that she would give him the charms to cast a spell on the bulls, now that she would not, and that she herself would perish; and again that she would not perish and would not give the charms, but just as she was would endure her fate in silence. Then sitting down she wavered in mind and said:
3.771-3.801
"Poor wretch, must I toss hither and thither in woe? On every side my heart is in despair; nor is there any help for my pain; but it burneth ever thus. Would that I had been slain by the swift shafts of Artemis before I had set eyes on him, before Chalciope's sons reached the Achaean land. Some god or some Fury brought them hither for our grief, a cause of many tears. Let him perish in the contest if it be his lot to die in the field. For how could I prepare the charms without my parents' knowledge? What story can I tell them? What trick, what cunning device for aid can I find? If I see him alone, apart from his comrades, shall I greet him? Ill-starred that I am! I cannot hope that I should rest from my sorrows even though he perished; then will evil come to me when he is bereft of life. Perish all shame, perish all glory; may he, saved by my effort, go scatheless wherever his heart desires. But as for me, on the day when he bides the contest in triumph, may I die either straining my neck in the noose from the roof-tree or tasting drugs destructive of life. But even so, when I am dead, they will fling out taunts against me; and every city far away will ring with my doom, and the Colchian women, tossing my name on their lips hither and thither, will revile me with unseemly mocking--the maid who cared so much for a stranger that she died, the maid who disgraced her home and her parents, yielding to a mad passion. And what disgrace will not be mine? Alas for my infatuation! Far better would it be for me to forsake life this very night in my chamber by some mysterious fate, escaping all slanderous reproach, before I complete such nameless dishonour."
3.802-3.824
802
She spake, and brought a casket wherein lay many drugs, some for healing, others for killing, and placing it upon her knees she wept. And she drenched her bosom with ceaseless tears, which flowed in torrents as she sat, bitterly bewailing her own fate. And she longed to choose a murderous drug to taste it, and now she was loosening the bands of the casket eager to take it forth, unhappy maid! But suddenly a deadly fear of hateful Hades came upon her heart. And long she held back in speechless horror, and all around her thronged visions of the pleasing cares of life. She thought of all the delightful things that are among the living, she thought of her joyous playmates, as a maiden will; and the sun grew sweeter than ever to behold, seeing that in truth her soul yearned for all. And she put the casket again from off her knees, all changed by the prompting of Hera, and no more did she waver in purpose; but longed for the rising dawn to appear quickly, that she might give him the charms to work the spell as she had promised, and meet him face to face. And often did she loosen the bolts of her door, to watch for the faint gleam: and welcome to her did the dayspring shed its light, and folk began to stir throughout the city.
3.825-3.827
Then Argus bade his brothers remain there to learn the maiden's mind and plans, but himself turned back and went to the ship.
3.828-3.890
Now soon as ever the maiden saw the light of dawn, with her hands she gathered up her golden tresses which were floating round her shoulders in careless disarray, and bathed her tear-stained cheeks, and made her skin shine with ointment sweet as nectar; and she donned a beautiful robe, fitted with well-bent clasps, and above on her head, divinely fair, she threw a veil gleaming like silver. And there, moving to and fro in the palace, she trod the ground forgetful of the heaven-sent woes thronging round her and of others that were destined to follow. And she called to her maids. Twelve they were, who lay during the night in the vestibule of her fragrant chamber, young as herself, not yet sharing the bridal couch, and she bade them hastily yoke the mules to the chariot to bear her to the beauteous shrine of Hecate. Thereupon the handmaids were making ready the chariot; and Medea meanwhile took from the hollow casket a charm which men say is called the charm of Prometheus. If a man should anoint his body therewithal, having first appeased the Maiden, the only-begotten, with sacrifice by night, surely that man could not be wounded by the stroke of bronze nor would he flinch from blazing fire; but for that day he would prove superior both in prowess and in might. It shot up first-born when the ravening eagle on the rugged flanks of Caucasus let drip to the earth the blood-like ichor
4
of tortured Prometheus. And its flower appeared a cubit above ground in colour like the Corycian crocus, rising on twin stalks; but in the earth the root was like newly-cut flesh. The dark juice of it, like the sap of a mountain-oak, she had gathered in a Caspian shell to make the charm withal, when she had first bathed in seven ever-flowing streams, and had called seven times on Brimo, nurse of youth, night-wandering Brimo, of the underworld, queen among the dead,--in the gloom of night, clad in dusky garments. And beneath, the dark earth shook and bellowed when the Titanian root was cut; and the son of Iapetus himself groaned, his soul distraught with pain. And she brought the charm forth and placed it in the fragrant band which engirdled her, just beneath her bosom, divinely fair. And going forth she mounted the swift chariot, and with her went two handmaidens on each side. And she herself took the reins and in her right hand the well-fashioned whip, and drove through the city; and the rest, the handmaids, laid their hands on the chariot behind and ran along the broad highway; and they kilted up their light robes above their white knees. And even as by the mild waters of Parthenius, or after bathing in the river Amnisus, Leto's daughter stands upon her golden chariot and courses over the hills with her swift-footed roes, to greet from afar some richly-steaming hecatomb; and with her come the nymphs in attendance, gathering, some at the spring of Amnisus itself, others by the glens and many-fountained peaks; and round her whine and fawn the beasts cowering as she moves along: thus they sped through the city; and on both sides the people gave way shunning the eyes of the royal maiden. But when she had left the city's well paved streets, and was approaching the shrine as she drove over the plains, then she alighted eagerly from the smooth-running chariot and spake as follows among her maidens:
3.891-3.911
"
891
Friends, verily have I sinned greatly and took no heed not to go among the stranger-folk
5
who roam over our land. The whole city is smitten with dismay; wherefore no one of the women who formerly gathered here day by day has now come hither. But since we have come and no one else draws near, come, let us satisfy our souls without stint with soothing song, and when we have plucked the fair flowers amid the tender grass, that very hour will we return. And with many a gift shall ye reach home this very day, if ye will gladden me with this desire of mine. For Argus pleads with me, also Chalciope herself; but this that ye hear from me keep silently in your hearts, lest the tale reach my father's ears. As for yon stranger who took on him the task with the oxen, they bid me receive his gifts and rescue him from the deadly contest. And I approved their counsel, and I have summoned him to come to my presence apart from his comrades, so that we may divide the gifts among ourselves if he bring them in his hands, and in return may give him a baleful charm. But when he comes, do ye stand aloof."
3.912-3.918
So she spake, and the crafty counsel pleased them all. And straightway Argus drew Aeson's son apart from his comrades as soon as he heard from his brothers that Medea had gone at daybreak to the holy shrine of Hecate, and led him over the plain; and with them went Mopsus, son of Ampycus, skilled to utter oracles from the appearance of birds, and skilled to give good counsel to those who set out on a journey.
3.919-3.926
Never yet had there been such a man in the days of old, neither of all the heroes of the lineage of Zeus himself, nor of those who sprung from the blood of the other gods, as on that day the bride of Zeus made Jason, both to look upon and to hold converse with. Even his comrades wondered as they gazed upon him, radiant with manifold graces; and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in their journey, already foreboding how all would end.
3.927-3.931
Now by the path along the plain there stands near the shrine a poplar with its crown of countless leaves, whereon often chattering crows would roost. One of them meantime as she clapped her wings aloft in the brandies uttered the counsels of Hera:
3.932-3.937
"What a pitiful seer is this, that has not the wit to conceive even what children know, how that no maiden will say a word of sweetness or love to a youth when strangers be near. Begone, sorry prophet, witless one; on thee neither Cypris nor the gentle Loves breathe in their kindness."
3.938-3.946
She spake chiding, and Mopsus smiled to hear the god-sent voice of the bird, and thus addressed them: "Do thou, son of Aeson, pass on to the temple, where thou wilt find the maiden; and very kind will her greeting be to thee through the prompting of Cypris, who will be thy helpmate in the contest, even as Phineus, Agenor's son, foretold. But we two, Argus and I, will await thy return, apart in this very spot do thou all alone be a suppliant and win her over with prudent words."
3.947-3.974
947
He spake wisely, and both at once gave approval. Nor was Medea's heart turned to other thoughts, for all her singing, and never a song that she essayed pleased her long in her sport. But in confusion she ever faltered, nor did she keep her eyes resting quietly upon the throng of her handmaids; but to the paths far off she strained her gaze, turning her face aside. Oft did her heart sink fainting within Tier bosom whenever she fancied she heard passing by the sound of a footfall or of the wind. But soon he appeared to her longing eyes, striding along loftily, like Sirius coming from ocean, which rises fair and clear to see, but brings unspeakable mischief to flocks; thus then did Aeson's son come to her, fair to see, but the sight of him brought love-sick care. Her heart fell from out her bosom, and a dark mist came over her eyes, and a hot blush covered her cheeks. And she had no strength to lift her knees backwards or forwards, but her feet beneath were rooted to the ground; and meantime all her handmaidens had drawn aside. So they two stood face to face without a word, without a sound, like oaks or lofty pines, which stand quietly side by side on the mountains when the wind is still; then again, when stirred by the breath of the wind, they murmur ceaselessly; so they two were destined to tell out all their tale, stirred by the breath of Love. And Aeson's son saw that she had fallen into some heaven-sent calamity, and with soothing words thus addressed her:
3.975-3.1007
"Why, pray, maiden, dost thou fear me so much, all alone as I am? Never was I one of these idle boasters such as other men are--not even aforetime, when I dwelt in my own country. Wherefore, maiden, be not too much abashed before me, either to enquire whatever thou wilt or to speak thy mind. But since we have met one another with friendly hearts, in a hallowed spot, where it is wrong to sin, speak openly and ask questions, and beguile me not with pleasing words, for at the first thou didst promise thy sister to give me the charms my heart desires. I implore thee by Hecate herself, by thy parents, and by Zeus who holds his guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come here to thee both a suppliant and a stranger, bending the knee in my sore need. For without thee and thy sister never shall I prevail in the grievous contest. And to thee will I render thanks hereafter for thy aid, as is right and fitting for men who dwell far off, making glorious thy name and fame; and the rest of the heroes, returning to Hellas, will spread thy renown and so will the heroes' wives and mothers, who now perhaps are sitting on the shore and making moan for us; their painful affliction thou mightest scatter to the winds. In days past the maiden Ariadne, daughter of Minos, with kindly intent rescued Theseus from grim contests--the maiden whom Pasiphae daughter of Helios bare. But she, when Minos had lulled his wrath to rest, went aboard the ship with him and left her fatherland; and her even the immortal gods loved, and, as a sign in mid-sky, a crown of stars, which men call Ariadne's crown, rolls along all night among the heavenly constellations. So to thee too shall be thanks from the gods, if thou wilt save so mighty an array of chieftains. For surely from thy lovely form thou art like to excel in gentle courtesy."
3.1008-3.1025
1008
Thus he spake, honouring her; and she cast her eyes down with a smile divinely sweet; and her soul melted within her, uplifted by his praise, and she gazed upon him face to face; nor did she know what word to utter first, but was eager to pour out everything at once. And forth from her fragrant girdle ungrudgingly she brought out the charm; and he at once received it in his hands with joy. And she would even have drawn out all her soul from her breast and given it to him, exulting in his desire; so wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame from the golden head of Aeson's son; and he captivated her gleaming eyes; and her heart within grew warm, melting away as the dew melts away round roses when warmed by the morning's light. And now both were fixing their eyes on the ground abashed, and again were throwing glances at each other, smiling with the light of love beneath their radiant brows. And at last and scarcely then did the maiden greet him:
3.1026-3.1062
"Take heed now, that I may devise help for thee. When at thy coming my father has given thee the deadly teeth from the dragon's jaws for sowing, then watch for the time when the night is parted in twain, then bathe in the stream of the tireless river, and alone, apart from others, clad in dusky raiment, dig a rounded pit; and therein slay a ewe, and sacrifice it whole, heaping high the pyre on the very edge of the pit. And propitiate only-begotten Hecate, daughter of Perses, pouring from a goblet the hive-stored labour of bees. And then, when thou hast heedfully sought the grace of the goddess, retreat from the pyre; and let neither the sound of feet drive thee to turn back, nor the baying of hounds, lest haply thou shouldst maim all the rites and thyself fail to return duly to thy comrades. And at dawn steep this charm in water, strip, and anoint thy body therewith as with oil; and in it there will be boundless prowess and mighty strength, and thou wilt deem thyself a match not for men but for the immortal gods. And besides, let thy spear and shield and sword be sprinkled. Thereupon the spear-heads of the earthborn men shall not pierce thee, nor the flame of the deadly bulls as it rushes forth resistless. But such thou shalt be not for long, but for that one day; still never flinch from the contest. And I will tell thee besides of yet another help. As soon as thou hast yoked the strong oxen, and with thy might and thy prowess hast ploughed all the stubborn fallow, and now along the furrows the Giants are springing up, when the serpent's teeth are sown on the dusky clods, if thou markest them uprising in throngs from the fallow, cast unseen among them a massy stone; and they over it, like ravening hounds over their food, will slay one another; and do thou thyself hasten to rush to the battle-strife, and the fleece thereupon thou shalt bear far away from Aea; nevertheless, depart wherever thou wilt, or thy pleasure takes thee, when thou hast gone hence."
3.1063-3.1068
1063
Thus she spake, and cast her eyes to her feet in silence, and her cheek, divinely fair, was wet with warm tears as she sorrowed for that he was about to wander far from her side over the wide sea: and once again she addressed him face to face with mournful words, and took his right hand; for now shame had left her eyes:
3.1069-3.1076
"Remember, if haply thou returnest to thy home, Medea's name; and so will I remember thine, though thou be far away. And of thy kindness tell me this, where is thy home, whither wilt thou sail hence in thy ship over the sea; wilt thou come near wealthy Orchomenus, or near the Aeaean isle? And tell me of the maiden, whosoever she be that thou hast named, the far-renowned daughter of Pasiphae, who is kinswoman to my father."
3.1077
Thus she spake; and over him too, at the tears of the maiden, stole Love the destroyer, and he thus answered her:
3.1078-3.1101
"All too surely do I deem that never by night and never by day will I forget thee if I escape death and indeed make my way in safety to the Achaean land, and Aeetes set not before us some other contest worse than this. And if it pleases thee to know about my fatherland, I will tell it out; for indeed my own heart bids me do that. There is a land encircled by lofty mountains, rich in sheep and in pasture, where Prometheus, son of Iapetus, begat goodly Deucalion, who first founded cities and reared temples to the immortal gods, and first ruled Over men. This land the neighbours who dwell around call Haemonia. And in it stands Iolcus, my city, and in it many others, where they have not so much as heard the name of the Aeaean isle; yet there is a story that Minyas starting thence, Minyas son of Aeolus, built long ago the city of Orchomenus that borders on the Cadmeians. But why do I tell thee all this vain talk, of our home and of Minos' daughter, far-famed Ariadne, by which glorious name they called that lovely maiden of whom thou askest me? Would that, as Minos then was well inclined to Theseus for her sake, so may thy father be joined to us in friendship!"
3.1102-3.1104
Thus he spake, soothing her with gentle converse. But pangs most bitter stirred her heart and in grief did she address him with vehement words:
3.1105-3.1117
"In Hellas, I ween, this is fair--to pay heed to covenants; but Aeetes is not such a man among men as thou sayest was Pasiphae's husband, Minos; nor can I liken myself to Ariadne; wherefore speak not of guest-love. But only do thou, when thou hast reached Iolcus, remember me, and thee even in my parents' despite, will I remember. And from far off may a rumour come to me or some messenger-bird, when thou forgettest me; or me, even me, may swift blasts catch up and bear over the sea hence to Iolcus, that so I may cast reproaches in thy face and remind thee that it was by my good will thou didst escape. May I then be seated in thy halls, an unexpected guest!"
3.1118-3.1130
1118
Thus she spake with piteous tears falling down her cheeks, and to her Jason replied: "Let the empty blasts wander at will, lady, and the messenger-bird, for vain is thy talk. But if thou comest to those abodes and to the land of Hellas, honoured and reverenced shalt thou be by women and men; and they shall worship thee even as a goddess, for that by thy counsel their sons came home again, their brothers and kinsmen, and stalwart husbands were saved from calamity. And in our bridal chamber shalt thou prepare our couch; and nothing shall come between our love till the doom of death fold us round."
3.1131-3.1136
Thus he spake; and her soul melted within her to hear his words; nevertheless she shuddered to behold the deeds of destruction to come. Poor wretch! Not long was she destined to refuse a home in Hellas. For thus Hera devised it, that Aeaean Medea might come to Iolcus for a bane to Pelias, forsaking her native land.
3.1137-3.1145
And now her handmaids, glancing at them from a distance, were grieving in silence; and the time of day required that the maiden should return home to her mother's side. But she thought not yet of departing, for her soul delighted both in his beauty and in his winsome words, but Aeson's son took heed, and spake at last, though late: "It is time to depart, lest the sunlight sink before we know it, and some stranger notice all; but again will we come and meet here."
3.1146-3.1162
So did they two make trial of one another thus far with gentle words; and thereafter parted. Jason hastened to return in joyous mood to his comrades and the ship, she to her handmaids; and they all together came near to meet her, but she marked them not at all as they thronged around. For her soul had soared aloft amid the clouds. And her feet of their own accord mounted the swift chariot, and with one hand she took the reins, and with the other the whip of cunning workmanship, to drive the mules; and they rushed hasting to the city and the palace. And when she was come Chalciope in grief for her sons questioned her; but Medea, distraught by swiftly-changing thoughts, neither heard her words nor was eager to speak in answer to her questions. But she sat upon a low stool at the foot of her couch, bending down, her cheek leaning on her left hand, and her eyes were wet with tears as she pondered what an evil deed she had taken part in by her counsels.
3.1163-3.1190
Now when Aeson's son had joined his comrades again in the spot where he had left them when he departed, he set out to go with them, telling them all the story, to the gathering of the heroes; and together they approached the ship. And when they saw Jason they embraced him and questioned him. And he told to all the counsels of the maiden and showed the dread charm; but Idas alone of his comrades sat apart biting down his wrath; and the rest joyous in heart, at the hour when the darkness of night stayed them, peacefully took thought for themselves. But at daybreak they sent two men to go to Aeetes and ask for the seed, first Telamon himself, dear to Ares, and with him Aethalides, Hermes' famous son. So they went and made no vain journey; but when they came, lordly Aeetes gave them for the contest the fell teeth of the Aonian dragon which Cadmus found in Ogygian Thebes when he came seeking for Europa and there slew--the warder of the spring of Ares. There he settled by the guidance of the heifer whom Apollo by his prophetic word granted him to lead him on his way. But the teeth the Tritonian goddess tore away from the dragon's jaws and bestowed as a gift upon Aeetes and the slayer. And Agenor's son, Cadmus, sowed them on the Aonian plains and founded an earthborn people of all who were left from the spear when Ares did the reaping; and the teeth Aeetes then readily gave to be borne to the ship, for he deemed not that Jason would bring the contest to an end, even though he should cast the yoke upon the oxen.
3.1191-3.1224
1191
Far away in the west the sun was sailing beneath the dark earth, beyond the furthest hills of the Aethiopians; and Night was laying the yoke upon her steeds; and the heroes were preparing their beds by the hawsers. But Jason, as soon as the stars of Helice, the bright-gleaming bear, had set, and the air had all grown still under heaven, went to a desert spot, like some stealthy thief, with all that was needful; for beforehand in the daytime had he taken thought for everything; and Argus came bringing a ewe and milk from the flock; and them he took from the ship. But when the hero saw a place which was far away from the tread of men, in a clear meadow beneath the open sky, there first of all he bathed his tender body reverently in the sacred river; and round him he placed a dark robe, which Hypsipyle of Lemnos had given him aforetime, a memorial of many a loving embrace. Then he dug a pit in the ground of a cubit's depth and heaped up billets of wood, and over it he cut the throat of the sheep, and duly placed the carcase above; and he kindled the logs placing fire beneath, and poured over them mingled libations, calling on Hecate Brimo to aid him in the contests. And when he had called on her he drew back; and she heard him, the dread goddess, from the uttermost depths and came to the sacrifice of Aeson's son; and round her horrible serpents twined themselves among the oak boughs; and there was a gleam of countless torches; and sharply howled around her the hounds of hell. All the meadows trembled at her step; and the nymphs that haunt the marsh and the river shrieked, all who dance round that mead of Amarantian Phasis. And fear seized Aeson's son, but not even so did he turn round as his feet bore him forth, till he came back to his comrades; and now early dawn arose and shed her light above snowy Caucasus.
3.1225-3.1245
Then Aeetes arrayed his breast in the stiff corslet which Ares gave him when he had slain Phlegraean Mimas with his own hands; and upon his head he placed a golden helmet with four plumes, gleaming like the sun's round light when he first rises from Ocean. And he wielded his shield of many hides, and his spear, terrible, resistless; none of the heroes could have withstood its shock now that they had left behind Heracles far away, who alone could have met it in battle. For the king his well-fashioned chariot of swift steeds was held near at hand by Phaethon, for him to mount; and he mounted, and held the reins in his hands. Then from the city he drove along the broad highway, that he might be present at the contest; and with him countless multitude rushed forth. And as Poseidon rides, mounted in his chariot, to the Isthmian contest or to Taenarus, or to Lerna's water, or through the grove of Hyantian Onchestus, and thereafter passes even to Calaureia with his steeds, and the Haemonian rock or well-wooded Geraestus; even so was Aeetes, lord of the Colchians, to behold.
3.1246-3.1277
1246
Meanwhile, prompted by Medea, Jason steeped the charm in water and sprinkled with it his shield and sturdy spear, and sword; and his comrades round him made proof of his weapons with might and main, but could not bend that spear even a little, but it remained firm in their stalwart hands unbroken as before. But in furious rage with them Idas, Aphareus' son, with his great sword hewed at the spear near the butt, and the edge leapt back repelled by the shock, like a hammer from the anvil; and the heroes shouted with joy for their hope in the contest. And then he sprinkled his body, and terrible prowess entered into him, unspeakable, dauntless; and his hands on both sides thrilled vigorously as they swelled with strength. And as when a warlike steed eager for the fight neighs and beats the ground with his hoof, while rejoicing he lifts his neck on high with ears erect; in such wise did Aeson's son rejoice in the strength of his limbs. And often hither and thither did he leap high in air tossing in his hands his shield of bronze and ashen spear. Thou wouldst say that wintry lightning flashing from the gloomy sky kept on darting forth from the clouds what time they bring with them their blackest rainstorm. Not long after that were the heroes to hold back from the contests; but sitting in rows on their benches they sped swiftly on to the plain of Ares. And it lay in front of them on the opposite side of the city, as far off as is the turning-post that a chariot must reach from the starting-point, when the kinsmen of a dead king appoint funeral games for footmen and horsemen. And they found Aeetes and the tribes of the Colchians; these were stationed on the Caucasian heights, but the king by the winding brink of the river.
3.1278-3.1326
Now Aeson's son, as soon as his comrades had made the hawsers fast, leapt from the ship, and with spear and shield came forth to the contest; and at the same time he took the gleaming helmet of bronze filled with sharp teeth, and his sword girt round his shoulders, his body stripped, in somewise resembling Ares and in somewise Apollo of the golden sword. And gazing over the field he saw the bulls' yoke of bronze and near it the plough, all of one piece, of stubborn adamant. Then he came near, and fixed his sturdy spear upright on its butt, and taking his helmet off leant it against the spear. And he went forward with shield alone to examine the countless tracks of the bulls, and they from some unseen lair beneath the earth, where was their strong steading, wrapt in murky smoke, both rushed out together, breathing forth flaming fire. And sore afraid were the heroes at the sight. But Jason, setting wide his feet, withstood their onset, as in the sea a rocky reef withstands the waves tossed by the countless blasts. Then in front of him he held his shield; and both the bulls with loud bellowing attacked him with their mighty horns; nor did they stir him a jot by their onset. And as when through the holes of the furnace the armourers' bellows anon gleam brightly, kindling the ravening flame, and anon cease from blowing, and a terrible roar rises from the fire when it darts up from below; so the bulls roared, breathing forth swift flame from their mouths, while the consuming heat played round him, smiting like lightning; but the maiden's charms protected him. Then grasping the tip of the horn of the right-hand bull, he dragged it mightily with all his strength to bring it near the yoke of bronze, and forced it down on to its knees, suddenly striking with his foot the foot of bronze. So also he threw the other bull on to its knees as it rushed upon him, and smote it down with one blow. And throwing to the ground his broad shield, he held them both down where they had fallen on their fore-knees, as he strode from side to side, now here, now there, and rushed swiftly through the flame. But Aeetes marvelled at the hero's might. And meantime the sons of Tyndareus--for long since had it been thus ordained for them--near at hand gave him the yoke from the ground to cast round them. Then tightly did he bind their necks; and lifting the pole of bronze between them, he fastened it to the yoke by its golden tip. So the twin heroes started back from the fire to the ship. But Jason took up again his shield and cast it on his back behind him, and grasped the strong helmet filled with sharp teeth, and his resistless spear, wherewith, like some ploughman with a Pelasgian goad, he pricked the bulls beneath, striking their flanks; and very firmly did he guide the well fitted plough handle, fashioned of adamant.
3.1327-3.1340
The bulls meantime raged exceedingly, breathing forth furious flame of fire; and their breath rose up like the roar of blustering winds, in fear of which above all seafaring men furl their large sail. But not long after that they moved on at the bidding of the spear; and behind them the rugged fallow was broken up, cloven by the might of the bulls and the sturdy ploughman. Then terribly groaned the clods withal along the furrows of the plough as they were rent, each a man's burden; and Jason followed, pressing down the cornfield with firm foot; and far from him he ever sowed the teeth along the clods as each was ploughed, turning his head back for fear lest the deadly crop of earthborn men should rise against him first; and the bulls toiled onwards treading with their hoofs of bronze.
3.1341-3.1407
But when the third part of the day was still left as it wanes from dawn, and wearied labourers call for the sweet hour of unyoking to come to them straightway, then the fallow was ploughed by the tireless ploughman, four plough-gates though it was; and he loosed the plough from the oxen. Them he scared in flight towards the plain; but he went back again to the ship, while he still saw the furrows free of the earthborn men. And all round his comrades heartened him with their shouts. And in the helmet he drew from the river's stream and quenched his thirst with the water. Then he bent his knees till they grew supple, and filled his mighty heart with courage, raging like a boar, when it sharpens its teeth against the hunters, while from its wrathful mouth plenteous foam drips to the ground. By now the earthborn men were springing up over all the field; and the plot of Ares, the death-dealer, bristled with sturdy shields and double-pointed spears and shining helmets; and the gleam reached Olympus from beneath, flashing through the air. And as when abundant snow has fallen on the earth and the storm blasts have dispersed the wintry clouds under the murky night, and all the hosts of the stars appear shining through the gloom; so did those warriors shine springing up above the earth. But Jason bethought him of the counsels of Medea full of craft, and seized from the plain a huge round boulder, a terrible quoit of Ares Enyalius; four stalwart youths could not have raised it from the ground even a little. Taking it in his hands he threw it with a rush far away into their midst; and himself crouched unseen behind his shield, with full confidence. And the Colchians gave a loud cry, like the roar of the sea when it beats upon sharp crags; and speechless amazement seized Aeetes at the rush of the sturdy quoit. And the Earthborn, like fleet-footed hounds, leaped upon one another and slew with loud yells; and on earth their mother they fell beneath their own spears, likes pines or oaks, which storms of wind beat down. And even as a fiery star leaps from heaven, trailing a furrow of light, a portent to men, whoever see it darting with a gleam through the dusky sky; in such wise did Aeson's son rush upon the earthborn men, and he drew from the sheath his bare sword, and smote here and there, mowing them down, many on the belly and side, half risen to the air--and some that had risen as far as the shoulders--and some just standing upright, and others even now rushing to battle. And as when a fight is stirred up concerning boundaries, and a husbandman, in fear lest they should ravage his fields, seizes in his hand a curved sickle, newly sharpened, and hastily cuts the unripe crop, and waits not for it to be parched in due season by the beams of the sun; so at that time did Jason cut down the crop of the Earthborn; and the furrows were filled with blood, as the channels of a spring with water. And they fell, some on their faces biting the rough clod of earth with their teeth, some on their backs, and others on their hands and sides, like to sea-monsters to behold. And many, smitten before raising their feet from the earth, bowed down as far to the ground as they had risen to the air, and rested there with the damp of death on their brows. Even so, I ween, when Zeus has sent a measureless rain, new planted orchard-shoots droop to the ground, cut off by the root--the toil of gardening men; but heaviness of heart and deadly anguish come to the owner of the farm, who planted them; so at that time did bitter grief come upon the heart of King Aeetes. And he went back to the city among the Colchians, pondering how he might most quickly oppose the heroes. And the day died, and Jason's contest was ended.
The Argonautica, translated by F. A. Fawkes (OCR draft) Experimental (F. A. Fawkes's English translation of Apollonius Rhodius.) — 3 focus
1
COME, heavenly maid, thy timely ſuccour bring,
1
And teach thy poet, Erato, to ſing,
How Jaſon, favour'd by the Colchian maid,
To Grecian realms the golden prize convey'd.
Thy ſongs the rites of Cyprian bliſs proclaim,
5
And in young virgins raiſe the melting flame;
For the ſoft paſſion thy beheſts approve,
And Erato's the kindred name of love.
Conceal'd in ſedges as the herces lie,
Juno and Pallas mark'd them from the ſky;
10
Apart from all the Gods their ſeats they took
In heaven's high hall, and thus Saturnia ſpoke:
Daughter of Jove, thy ſage advice impart,
"By what nice fraud, what well-diſſembled art,
Theſe venturous chiefs ſhall gain the golden fleece,
15
"And ſafe convey it to the realms of Greece.
Say, ſhall they call entreaties to their aid?
"Will ſoft addreſs the wayward king perſuade,
So fam'd for fierce barbarity and pride ?
No art, no effort must be left untry'd."
20
She said; and Pallas thus: 'O Queen, I find
'The ſame ideas riſing in my mind:
To lend aſſiſtance to the Grecian train
My heart is willing, but my counſel vain.'
This ſaid, their minds on various projects ran,
25
On earth their eyes were fix'd, when Juno thus began:
To Venus inſtant let us ſpeed our way,
(Her ſoft perſuaſions Cupid will obey)
"Intreat her that the wily God inſpire
Medea's ſoul with love's unconquer'd fire,
30
Love for great Æſon's ſon; applauding Greece
Will by her aid regain the glorious fleece."
She ſaid; Minerva patronis'd the plan,
And thus with mild benevolence began:
'I, who aroſe from Jove's immortal brain,
35
Stranger to love, his pleaſure or his pain,
Thy ſage propoſal from my ſoul approve;
Do thou explain it to the queen of love.'
This ſaid, with ſpeed the two immortals came
To the grand manſion of the Cyprian dame,
40
Which crippled Vulcan rais'd, when firſt he led
The Paphian goddess to his nuptial bed.
The gate they paſs, and to the dome retire
Where Venus oft regales the God of fire:
(He to his forge had gone at early day,
45
A floating iſle contain'd it on the bay,
Here wondrous works by fire's fierce power he wrought,
And on his anvil to perfection brought.)
Fronting the door, all lovely and alone,
Sat Cytherea on a poliſh'd throne.
50
Adown the ſhoulders of the heavenly fair,
In eaſy ringlets flow'd her flaxen hair;
And with a golden comb, in matchleſs grace,
She taught each lock its moſt becoming place.
She saw the deities approach her dome,
55
And from her hand diſmiſs'd the golden comb;
Then roſe reſpectful, all with beauty grac'd,
And on rich thrones the great immortals plac'd;
Reſum'd her ſeat, and with a ready hand
Bound her looſe ringlets, and thus queſtion'd bland:
60
'What cauſe, ye viſitants from heaven, relate,
Has brought ſuch guests to Cytherea's gate ?
Ye who excel in high Olympus' ſphere,
'Such mighty deities, and ſtrangers here ?"
Then thus Saturnia : Wantonly you jeſt,
65
When preſſing grief ſits heavy on our breast.
"Now in the Phaſis, with his warlike train,
Great Jaſon moors, the golden fleece to gain :
"For that fam'd chief, and for his martial hoſt,
" Dire fears alarm us, but for Jaſon moſt :
70
" This potent arm, whate'er our proweſs can,
"Shall ſnatch from miſery the gallant man,
"Tho' far as hell he, raſh adventurer! go,
"To free Ixion, link'd in chains of woe;
" Left Pelias proudly heaven's decrees deride,
75
"Who on my altars ſacrifice deny'd.
Nay more, young Jaſon claims my love and grace,
Whom late I met returning from the chace,
Returning met, as o'er the world I ſtray'd,
"And human kind, and human works ſurvey'd;
80
Hard by Araurus I beheld the man,
Wide o'er its banks whoſe rapid currents ran;
(From ſnow-clad hills, in torrents loud and ſtrong,
"Roar'd the ſwoln ſtreams the rugged rocks among.)
"He on his back, though like a crone I stood,
85
"Securely brought me o'er the foaming flood;
"This won my love, a love for ever true,
"Nor will the haughty-minded Pelias rue
"His flagrant crimes, till you propitious deign
"To ſpeed my Jaſon to his Greece again."
90
She ſpoke, and Venus ſtood amaz'd to find
The queen of heaven to humble prayer inclin'd;
Then thus familiar said: 'O wife of Jove,
'Baſeſt of beings call the queen of love,
'Unleſs her every word and work conſpire
95
'To give you all the ſuccour you require :
All that my hand, my feeble hand can do,
'Shall unrewarded be perform'd for you.'
Then Juno thus: "Not difficult the taſk;
"No mighty force, no ſtrength of arm I aſk.
100
" Bid gentle Love the Colchian maid inſpire,
And for my Jaſon fan the riſing fire;
If kind ſhe prove, he gains the golden fleece,
And by her ſubtle aid conducts it safe to Greece."
Love's queen replied: 'Cupid, ye powers divine,
105
Will reverence your injunctions more than mine:
Your looks will awe him, tho', devoid of shame,
Of me the urchin makes eternal game,
' Oft he provokes my spleen, and then I vow,
Enrag'd, I'll break his arrows and his bow :
110
"Reſtrain your ire," exclaims the ſneering elf,
"Left you find reaſon to upbraid yourſelf."
At this the Powers with ſmiles each other view'd,
And Venus thus her woeful tale purſu'd :
' Others may ridicule the pains I feel,
115
' Nor boots it all my sufferings to reveal.
But ſince ye jointly importune my aid,
Cupid ſhall yield, and Venus be obey'd.'
She said; and Juno preſs'd her hand and ſmil'd,
Then answered thus, benevolent and mild:
120
"O grant this boon; do inſtant as you ſay;
"Chide not the boy, and he will ſoon obey."
This ſaid, both haſten'd to the realms above,
And left the manſions of the queen of love:
The Cyprian goddess o'er Olympus flies,
125
To find her ſon in every dale ſhe pries,
Through heaven's gay meads the queen purſu'd her
And found him there with Ganymede at play.
Him Jove tranſlated to the bleſt abodes,
And, fam'd for beauty, plac'd among the Gods.
130
With golden dice, like boon compeers they play'd;
Love in his hollow hand ſome cubes convey'd,
Reſolv'd to cheat young Ganymede with thoſe,
While on his cheeks the conſcious crimſon roſe.
The Phrygian boy was vanquiſh'd to his coſt,
135
Two dice alone remain'd, and thoſe he lost.
Silent he ſat in dull dejected ſtate,
Enrag'd that Cupid ſhould deride his fate:
His loſs increaſing with protracted play,
He went a wretch with empty hands away,
140
Nor ſaw he Venus: the her Cupid took
Faſt by the cheek, and thus upbraiding ſpoke;
'And can you laugh, you ſly, deceitful elf?
'Such tricks will bring a ſcandal on yourself.
But haſte, my Cupid, my commands obey,
145
'And a nice plaything ſhall your toils repay,
'What once to Jove dear Adraſtæa gave,
'When Jove was nourish'd in the Cretan cave,
'A ſweet round ball; oh! keep it for my fake,
'A finer ball not Vulcan's hands can make.
150
'Gold are the circles, beauteous to behold,
'And all the finiſh'd ſeams are wrought in gold;
'But all ſo cloſe they ſcarcely can be found :
And the pale ivy winds its wreaths around.
If high in air you fling this ball afar,
155
'It ſhines and glimmers like a radiant ſtar.
'This prize I'll give, if you propitious prove,
And lure Medea to the toils of love;
'Fire all her ſoul for Jaſon: haſte, away;
'The favour is diminiſh'd by delay.'
160
She ſaid, and Cupid listening long'd to hear,
For her sweet words are muſic to his ear.
He ceas'd, his paſtime, and with both his hands
Hangs on the Goddess, and the ball demands.
She kiſs'd her boy, and preſs'd him to her cheek,
165
And fondly ſmiling thus ſhe anſwer'd meek :
'By thee, my ſon, and by myself I ſwear,
By all that's ſacred, and by all that's dear,
This ball I'll give thee, if thy fatal dart
'Thou fix unerring in Medea's heart.'
170
This ſaid; he gather'd all his dice with haſte,
And in his mother's ſplendid lap he plac'd.
Then ſnatch'd his bow and quiver from the ground,
And to his back with golden girdle bound.
From Jove's all-fertile plains he ſwift withdrew,
175
And thro' Olympus' golden portals flew.
Thence the deſcent is eaſy from the ſky,
Where the two poles erect their heads on high,
Where the tall mountains their rough tops diſplay,
And where the ſun firſt gives the radiant day.
180
Hence you behold the fertile earth below,
The winding streams, the cliffs' aerial brow,
Cities extended on the diſtant plain,
And thro' the vaſt expanſe the roaring main.
On the broad Phaſis, in a ſedgy bay,
185
Stretch'd on the deck the Grecian heroes lay;
Till call'd to council roſe each godlike man,
And Jaſon thus the conference began:
To you, my comrades, be my counſel known,
"'Tis yours that counſel with ſucceſs to crown.
190
"One common cauſe our great empriſe is made;
The common cauſe demands the common aid.
He who unutter'd can his counſel keep,
Stays our refailing o'er the ſounding deep.
I to Æeta's court will ſpeed my way,
195
"The reſt well-arm'd ſhall in the veſſel ſtay;
With me ſhall go, the palace to explore,
"Phrixus' brave ſons, and two aſſociates more.
Firſt will I prove the power of ſoft addreſs
"To gain the fleece; complacence wins ſucceſs.
200
" If in his arms he ſternly ſhould confide,
And ſpurn our claims with inſolence and pride,
"Conſult we whether, when ſuch powers oppreſs,
By arms or arts to free us from diſtreſs.
Be force the laſt alternative we take,
205
" For ſoothing ſpeeches deep impreſſions make:
And oft, where force and martial prowess fail,
The milder powers of eloquence prevail.
Once king Æeta kind reception gave
To blameless Phrixus, when eſcap'd the wave
210
"He fled from Ino's unrelenting hate,
And the dire altars that denounc'd his fate.
Savage or ſocial, all alike approve
"The ſacred rites of hospitable Jove."
He ſaid: the Greeks his ſage advice rever'd;
215
No voice diſſentient thro' the host was heard:
Augeas then, and Telamon attends,
And with them Phrixus' ſons, his faithful friends;
Jaſon they follow: he thy peaceful wand,
All-ſapient Hermes, brandiſh'd in his hand.
220
Soon from the ſhip they gain the riſing ground,
Mount every ſteep, and o'er the marſhes bound,
Till Circe's plain they reach; in many a row
Here humble ſhrubs and lonely willows grow;
On whoſe tall branches, wavering o'er the fen,
225
Suſpended hang the carcases of men,
At Colchos ſtill this barbarous rite prevails:
They never burn the bodies of the males,
Nor deep in earth their decent limbs compoſe,
And with ſepulchral duſt the dead encloſe;
230
But in raw hides they hang them high in air:
And yet, that earth may equal portions ſhare,
Departed females to the grave they doom,50
(Such are their rites) and cloſe them in the tomb.
The chiefs advance; but friendly Juno ſhrouds
235
Her favourite heroes in a veil of clouds, de na
That none, too curious, might their ſteps delay,
While to the regal dome they bent their way: T
But when unſeen they paſs'd the vulgar crowd,
The ſame kind deity diſſolv'd the cloud.
240
Full in the court they ſtand with fix'd amaze,
On the proud gates, ſtrong walls and columns gaze,
Which, rear'd in rows, erect their heads on high,
And lift the brazen cornice to the ſky.
The portal paſt, young branching vines appear,
245
And high in air their verdant honours rear:
Beneath whoſe boughs, by matchless Vulcan made, T
Four copious fountains in four currents play'd;
The firſt with milk, with wine the ſecond glow'd,
Ambrofial oil the third, the fourth with water flow'd;
250
This, as by turns the Pleiads ſet or roſe,
Diſſolv'd in ſummer, and in winter froze.
Such were the wonders which the chiefs admire,
All highly finiſhed by the God of fire.
With these were braſs-hoof'd bulls, of curious frame,
255
From brazen noſtrils breathing living flame.
And, near, a plough of burnish'd ſteel was laid,
Which for the God of day great Vulcan made,
When Phœbus brought him in his friendly car,
Sore harraſs'd in the fierce Phlegræan war.
260
The midmoſt court they reach; on either ſide
Large folding doors the various rooms divide.
Two painted porticoes ſalute their eyes,
And high in air tranſverſe two turrets riſe;
In this, which far in ſtately height excels,
265
Æeta with his royal conſort dwells:
Abſyrtus that contains, his royal heir,
Deſcended from Afterode the fair,
A Scythian nymph, ere yet Æeta led
Idya, Ocean's daughter, to his bed
270
Him Phaeton the youthful Colchians call
For he in beauty far ſurpaſs'd them all
The proud apartments that remain'd contain
Chalciope, Medea and their train.
Ordain'd a prieſteſs to the Stygian queens
275
She at the palace now was ſeldom ſeen
But artful Juno, on this ſignal day, sou yd blood
Within the regal court decreed her ſtay.
Here now, from room to room, the penſive maid,
To find Chalciope her ſiſter, ſtray'd.
280
Soon as ſhe ſpied them in the ſpacious halle
Aloud ſhe call'd, her ſiſter heard her call,
And with her maidens ſallied from the door
Their growing webs were ſcatter'd on the floor.
Well-pleas'd her ſons ſhe ſees, and raptur'd ſtands,
285
While high to heaven ſhe rears her greeting hands
With equal joy to her embrace they fly, beraieq
Then thus Chalciope with plaintive cry:
'Here tho' you left me, heedleſs of my cries
'See! fate hath frown'd upon your bold empriſe;
290
'Hath check'd your voyage o'er the diſtant main,
'And ſoon reſtor'd you to theſe arms again.
'Wretch that I was, when by your fire's command,
'Ye ſought in evil hour the Grecian land
'Sad was the taſk your dying ſire enjoin'd,
295
Sad and diſtreſsful to a mother's mind.
'Ah! whence the wiſh Orchomenos to ſee, bordT
'His city viſit, and abandon me?agpoled
'Yes, Athamas's fancied wealth to gain,
Ye left me ſorrowing, and ye ſought the main.'
300
Rous'd by her cries, at length Æeta cameluma
And to the hall repair'd his royal damaradi diw
With buſy crowds the ſpacious hall is fill'd;
The ſteer is choſen, and the victim killd.
Some heat the baths, ſome cleave the knotty wood,
305
And all attentive round their monarch ſtood
Cupid mean time, thro' liquid air ſerene,
Speeds to the Colchian court his flight unſeen's A
Like that large fly, which breeſe the ſhepherds call,
That haſtes to ſting the heifers in the ſtall.
310
The nimble God, unſeen, the porch aſcends,
And there his bow behind a pillar bends;
A fatal arrow from his quiver took,
And quick advancing with inſidious look,
Behind great Æſon's ſon, conceal'd from ſight,
315
He fits the arrow, fatal in its flight;
Bends the tough bow with all his ſtrength and art,
And deep he hides it in Medea's heart.
A ſudden tranſport ſeiz'd the melting maid:
The God, exulting now, no longer ſtaid.
320
The glowing ſhaft the virgin's heart inſpires,
And in her boſom kindles amorous fires.
On Jaſon beam'd the ſplendor of her eyes,
Her ſwoln breast heav'd with unremitting ſighs:
The frantic maid had all remembrance loſt,
325
And the ſoft pain her ſickening ſoul engrofs'dan A
As ſome good housewife, who, to labour born,
Freſh to her loom muſt riſe with early morn;
Studious to gain what human wants require,
In embers heap'd preſerves the feeds of fire,
330
Renew'd by theſe the brand rekindling burns,
And all the glowing heap to aſhes turns:
Thus, kindling ſlow, love's ſecret flames invade,
And torture, as they riſe, the troubled maid:
Her changeful cheeks the heart-felt anguiſh ſhow,
335
Now pale they turn, now like the ruby glow.
The rich repaſt by ſeneſchals prepar'd,
Freſh from their baths return'd, the ſtrangers ſhar'd;
And when the rage of hunger was ſuppreſs'd,
His grandſons thus the Colchian king addreſs'd:
340
Sons of my child, and Phrixus, honour'd moſt
Of all the guests that reach'd the Colchian coaſt,
Say, why ſo ſoon return'd? what loſs conſtrains
This ſpeedy viſit to your native plains ?
'In vain, with terrors for your ſafety fraught,
345
I urg'd the diſtance of the climes ye ſought;
Warn'd, ſince of old my fire's bright chariot bore
Me and fair Circe to Heſperia's ſhore,
Where now o'er Tuſcan realms my ſiſter reigns,
A long, long distance from the Colchian plains.
350
But what of this? come now, the cauſe declare
That brought you back, and who theſe heroes are.'
Then Argus, anxious for the Grecian band,
By birthright eldest, roſe and answer'd bland:
Our ſhip, O king, by nightly tempests toft,
355
"On Mars's iſle, a dreary coaſt, was loſt;l
We, on the wreck by furious ſurges driv'n,
"Were ſav'd at last by kind protecting heav'n.
"Nor did thoſe birds then deſolate the ſhore,
Dire Harpies, that infested it before;
360
For theſe brave warriors, the preceding day,
"Had driven the curſt, infernal fiends away.
"Sure to our prayer ſome God inclin'd his ear;
"For when of Phrixus and your name they hear,
"Food for our wants, and raiment they convey,
365
"And to your city now they bend their way.
"But would you know, I'll tell their purpos'd plan:
Lo! ſprung from Æolus the godlike man, 3.1
"Whom a fierce tyrant's ſtern decree conſtrains
To quit his country and his rich domains:
370
"Nor can he ſcape Jove's rage, unless the fleece,
"Baſe theft of Phrixus, be reſtor'd to Greece.T
"Their ſhip was faſhion'd by Minerva's aid po
"How different are the Colchian veſſels made V
"Ours, far the worſt that ever rear'd a maſt,
375
"Split with the tempeſt's defolating blaſt;
Theirs, firm-compacted, and of fitteſt wood,
"Defied each ſtorm that heav'd the troubled flood
"With equal ſpeed their nimble veſſel ſails,
Impell'd by oars alone, or favouring gales.
380
"In this their chief, with choſen Greeks, explores
Unnumber'd ſeas, and towns, and wide-extended ſhores.
" And now he ſues the golden fleece to gain;
"But that as best your princely will ordain-
Nor hoſtile comes he; as a friend he brings
385
Large gifts proportion'd to the ſtate of kings.
Inform'd the fierce Sarmatians waste your lands,
"He vows deſtruction to their barbarous bands.
"Their names and lineage ſhould you wish to hear,
"Lend to my narrative a liſtening ear.
390
He, in whoſe cauſe the Grecian chiefs conſpire,
"Is valiant Jaſon, Æſon is his ſire,
"The ſon of Cretheus: thus are we ally'd
"By blood, relations on the father's ſide :
"The ſons of Æolus were Cretheus fam'd,
395
And Athemas, whoſe heir was Phrixus nam'd.
'Mid yon brave chiefs, Augeas you ſurvey,
"Illuſtrious offspring of the God of day,
And Telamon, who high his birth can prove,
His ſire is Æacus, his grandſire Jove:
400
"The reſt, that viſit your auguſt abodes,
"Are all the ſons or grandſons of the Gods."
This ſaid, the King with indignation ſwell'd,
But chief enrag'd his grandſons he beheld;
Thro' them he deem'd the Greeks to Colchos came:
405
His eye-balls redden'd with avenging flame,
While thus he ſpoke: 'Hence from my ſight away,
Nor longer, traitors, in my kingdom ſtay:
Back, back to Greece your ſpeedy courſe purſue,
Nor idly hope the golden fleece to view.
410
Not for that fleece (vain pretext ye muſt own)
But for my ſceptre came ye, and my crown.
'Had ye not firſt my feast partook to-day,
Your tongues and hands, torn out and lopp'd away,
Should for your bold atrocious crimes atone:
415
My just revenge had ſpar'd your feet alone,
To bear you hastily to Greece again,
Dreading to viſit more my juſt domain,
And with your perjuries the Gods profane.'
He ſaid: bold Telamon with fury burn'd,
420
And to the King ſtern anſwer had return'd,
But Jaſon check'd his warmth, and mild reply'd:
Let not Æeta falſly thus decide.
Nor crowns, Inor empires come we here to gain;
Who for ſuch wealth would meaſure half the
425
"But fate, and Pelias' more ſevere command,
Have forc'd the ſuppliant on your friendly land.
"Aid us, and Greece your praiſes ſhall record,
And thank you, ſovereign, with their conquering
"Whether the fierce Sarmatians to inthrall,
430
Or realms more barbarous for your vengeance call."
While Jaſon thus in gentleſt terms reply'd,
The tyrant's breaſt diſtracting thoughts divide,
Whether with vengeance on the foe to fly,
Or in the field of Mars his courage try.
435
On this reſolv'd, 'What need (he thus begun)
With tedious tales my harraſs'd ears to ſtun?
For whether from immortals ye deſcend,
Or match'd in might ye dare with me contend,
Soon will I prove; that proof muſt thou diſplay;
440
Then, ifovictorious, bear the fleece away;
Nor ſhall my hand the golden prize withold:
Like your proud lord, I envy not the bold.
This nervous arm ſhall now ſuſtain the fight,
Which calls to ſpeedy proof thy boasted might.
445
Two bulls in Mars's field your wonder claim,
Their hoofs of braſs, their noſtrils breathing flame,
Theſe oft I ſeize, and to the yoke conſtrain
To plough four acres of the ſtubborn plain.
No feeds I ſow, but ſcatter o'er the land
450
'A dragon's teeth; when, lo! an armed band
Of chiefs ſpring up: but ſoon as they appear,
I ſlay th' embattled ſquadrons with my ſpear.
"Each morn I yoke the bulls, at eve reſign:
Perform this labour, and the fleece is thine.
455
Theſe are the terms; on theſe the prize I quit:
The weaker to the ſtronger muſt ſubmit.'
He said; and Jaſon, ſunk in thought profound,
Sat mute, his eyes faſt fix'd upon the ground;
Long time he ponder'd o'er the vaſt deſign,
460
Nor dar'd with confidence the battle join.
So hard the taſk, he stood embarrass'd long,
At last theſe words dropp'd cautious from his tongue:
" Cruel thy terms, but juſt: my ſtrength I'll try
In this dread conflict, though ordain'd to die.
465
For, ſay, what law ſo rigorous can there be,
"As the hard law of fix'd neceſſity?
" That law which forc'd me from my native home,
"And bad me thus in ſearch of dangers roam ?"
Perplex'd he ſpoke: then thus the king in rage,
470
Rejoin thy comrades, ſince thou dar'ſt engage.
But if the bulls conſtrain thy heart to yield,
Or the dread dangers of the martial field,
'Be mine the toil; that hence the coward-ſlave
'May dread to combat with the bold and brave.'
475
Imperious thus the haughty king replies :
And from their ſeats incens'd the heroes riſe.
To warn his brothers here, at home, to wait,
Argus ſtopp'd ſhort awhile: then ruſh'd they thro'
Far o'er the reſt, in grace unmatch'd alone,
480
And charms ſuperior youthful Jaſon ſhone.
Him thro' her veil the love-diſtracted maid
With melting eyes, and glance oblique ſurvey'd :
Her mind, as in a dream, bewilder'd ran,
And trac'd the footsteps of the godlike man.
485
Sorrowing they went: to ſhun the monarch's ire,
With fond Chalciope her ſons retire;
Medea follow'd, but with cares oppreſs'd;
Such cares as love had rais'd within her breaſt.
His graceful image in her mind ſhe bore,
490
His gait, his manner, and the robe he wore,
His pointed words: thro' earth's remoteſt bound
No prince ſhe deem'd with ſuch perfections crown'd.
His tuneful voice ſtill, ſtill ſhe ſeems to hear,
Still the ſweet accents charm her liſtening ear.
495
The bulls and wrathful king excite her dread :
She mourns his fate, as if already dead.
From her bright eyes the ſhower of anguiſh breaks,
And thus, o'erwhelm'd with woe, Medea ſpeaks :
Why fall the tears of ſorrow from my eyes,
500
Tho' he the first or last of heroes dies ?
Periſh the man!-no, ſafely let him ſail;
"And may my prayer, kind Hecate, prevail!
Safe ſail he home: but, ah! if doom'd to bleed,
"Teach him, that I rejoice not in the deed."
505
Thus mourn'd the maid: meantime to join their
The chiefs pursue their courſe along the plain;
Then Argus thus: 'Though, Jaſon, you may blame,
And ſpurn the counſel which I now proclaim;
Yet ſure for us, with threatening dangers preſs'd,
510
To try ſome ſafe expedient must be beſt.
A maid there is whoſe wondrous art excels,
Long taught by Hecate, in magic ſpells:
If ſhe propitious to our wishes yield,
Thou com'ſt victorious from the martial field:
515
But if Chalciope decline her aid,
Be mine with tendereſt motives to perſuade.
Inſtant I'll go, on her for ſuccour call;
For lo! one general ruin threatens all.'
Humane he ſpoke, and Jaſon thus rejoin'd;
520
Much I admire the purpose of thy mind.
Go, friend, to thy Chalciope repair,
Sue her with ſoft entreaty and with pray'r:
But, ah! vain hopes our vacant minds muſt fill,
Who truſt for conquest to a woman's ſkill."
525
He ſaid; and ſoon they join'd their ſocial train,
Rejoic'd to meet their princely peers again.
Then Jaſon thus began his mournful tale:
"With proud Æeta ſoft entreaties fail;
Our purpos'd end unable to attain,
530
Vain are my words, and your enquiries vain.
Two monstrous bulls the tyrant bids me tame;
Their hoofs of braſs, their noſtrils breathing flame;
Theſe muſt my prowess to the yoke conſtrain,
To plough four acres of the ſtubborn plain;
535
My feed a dragon's teeth, to ſow the land;
When lo! up ſprings a formidable band
Of bright-arm'd giants; ſoon as they appear,
Poiz'd by this arm, my well-directed ſpear
Muſt pierce the foe: intrepid I accede
540
"To the hard terms, nor future dangers heed."
He said: they deem'd it all a deſperate deed;
Silent they stood, with ſad dejected look
Each gaz'd on other, till bold Peleus ſpoke:
'Time calls for our reſolves; our ſafety ſtands
545
'No more in counſel, but in ſtrength of hands.
If, Jaſon, eager of the honour, thou
Wilt yoke theſe fiery monsters to the plough,
Haſte to the charge; but if thy ſoul relent,
Sunk in ſad bodings of the dire event,'
550
Nor dar'ſt thou go; then go not, nor look round,
If haply here ſome fitter man be found;
Myself will go, and riſk my dearest breath;
No greater evil can befall than death.'
He ſpoke; and Telamon with rage inſpir'd
555
Starts up, and Idas with like fury fir'd;
Next the twin-race of Tyndarus ariſe;
Laſt Oeneus' ſon, who with the braveſt vies;
Tho' o'er his cheeks ſcarce ſpreads the callow down,
His heart beats high for honour and renown.
560
And while the reſt in mute attention ſtand,
Argus beſpeaks the emulative band :
"Tho' hard the task, O chiefs, I ſtill portend
My parent will aſſiſt, and prove a friend.
"Still in your ſhip awhile with patience wait;
565
"For raſhneſs will accelerate your fate.
"Know, at Æeta's court a maiden dwells,
"Deep ſkill'd by Hecate in magic ſpells :
"All plants ſhe knows that grow on mountains ſteep,
"On vales, or meads, or in the boundless deep;
570
"By theſe ſhe quells the fire's relentless force,
" Stops the mad torrent in its headlong courſe,
"Retards the planets as they roll on high,
"And draws the moon reluctant from the ſky.
"As from the palace o'er the plain we came
575
"We mention'd oft my mother's honour'd name;
"If ſhe perchance her ſiſter could perſuade,
"And fix our intereſt in the magic maid.
"Back, if you bid, my ready ſteps I bend;
"Fortune may ſmile, and fair ſucceſs attend."
580
He said; when, lo! this ſignal of their love,
Was kindly given them by the Powers above;
For, by the falcon chas'd, a trembling dove,
Far from his foe, to Jaſon's boſom flies;
Stunn'd on the deck the felon falcon lies.
585
Then Mopſus thus divin'd: 'The Powers of heav'n,
They, they alone this gracious ſign have giv'n.
'Be then the maid in mildeſt terms addreſs'd;
'She'll liſten friendly to our joint requeſt,
I ween ſhe will; if Phineus could foreknow
590
That we to Venus muſt our ſafety owe.
For, lo! her bird eſcapes oh! may we prove
With ſafety crown'd, like her auſpicious dove. A
'Entreat we now for Cytherea's aideia
And let th' advice of Argus be obey'd
595
Thus he; the chiefs approv'd, remembering well
What Phineus deign'd prophetic to foretell
Idas alone with indignation burn'd,
And with loud voice thus inſolent return'd:
Gods! what a crew hath Argo wafted o'er!
600
'Women, not heroes throng the hostile ſhore.
Women, who ſtill to Venus' altars fly,
'Nor dare but only on her aid rely.
No warlike deeds your daftard fouls inflame :
'To you is Mars an unregarded-name.5605
605
As doves or falcons but direct your flight,
You flinch at danger, and you dread the fight.A
Go; and all manly, martial toils forbear
Sue to weak women, and deceive the fairfova b.A
Furious he ſpoke; a general murmur rangion bro
610
Thro' the whole train; yet none oppos'd the man:
Indignant then he ſfat. Of dauntless breast corali
Thus Æſon's ſon the listening train address'dw T
This inſtant Argus to the town I fend, sted
"For thus the general fuffrages intend
615
Meanwhile approach we nearer to the land,
"And fix, in fight, our halfers to the ſtrand:
Ill ſuits us longer thus to lie conceal'd;
We neither ſhun, nor dread the fighting field."
He ſaid, and Argus went without delay,
620
And to the city backward ſped his way;
At Jaſon's call they ply the labouring oar,
And land their beds and couches on the ſhore.
Meantime the king a council call'd, and ſat,
(So were they wont) without the palace-gate.
625
Aſſembled there, unceaſing toils they plann'd,
And wiles deſtructive to the Grecian band.
Thus he ordain'd, that when the bulls had ſlain
And ſtretch'd this dauntleſs hero on the plain,
Himself would lay the lofty foreſt low,
630
And for the funeral-pile prepare the bough:
Their boaſted ſhip ſhould be conſum'd with fire,
And every traitor in the flames expire.
No hoſpitable rites had Phrixus ſhar'd,
Though much he wiſh'd and merited regard,
635
Had not Jove haſten'd Hermes from above
To win his favour and beſpeak his love.
Were theſe invaders of his native ſoil
To thrive unpuniſh'd by rapacious ſpoil,
Soon would they make his lowing herds a prey,
640
And drive the ſhepherds and their flocks away.
But Phrixus' ſons, who join'd the lawless crews A
He vow'd with double vengeance to purſuer
Baſe plunderers! come to ſpoil him of his crown,
So had the Sun, his ſapient ſire, foreſhown:
645
Who warn'd him to ſuſpect his faithless race,
And dread from them deſtruction and diſgrace.
Therefore diſmiſs'd he, by his fire's command,
The youths far diſtant, ev'n to Grecian land.
His daughters gave him no perplexing care,
650
Nor young Abſyrtus, his adopted heir;
But from Chalciope's deteſted race
He look'd for injuries, and fear'd diſgrace.
Thus ſtern denouncing, as with rage he ſwells,
Death on each daring ſubject that rebels,
655
His guards he charg'd, and threaten'd vengeance due,
If either 'ſcap'd, the veſſel or the crew.
Swift to the palace Argus now repairs,
And to his pitying mother pours his prayers:
That she might importune Medea's aid
660
Nor had the queen her ſon's requeſt delay'd,
But boding fears her willing mind restrain,
Left all her fond entreaties ſhould be vain
And should the project be diſclos'd to view
Her father's ire the magic maid muſt rue.
665
As on her couch reclin'd the virgin lay,
Soft ſlumbers chas'd her anxious cares away;
But frantic dreams, which love-ſick minds infeſt,
Preſent falſe terrors, and disturb her reſt.
Her hero ſeem'd the taſk to undertake,
670
But not for honour, or the fleece's fake;
For her alone he riſk'd the glorious ſtrife,
To gain her love, and win her for his wife.
She then in dreams her utmost ſuccour lends,
And with the bulls herself in fight contends.
675
Her parents ſhe, in fancied rage, aver'd
Falſe and regardless of their promis'd word,
Who Jaſon doom'd the brazen bulls to foil,
But made not her a partner of the toil.
Then warm diſputes and fierce contentions reign
680
Between Æeta and the Grecian train
On her deciſion both the parties wait,
And deem what ſhe determines to be fate.
In ſpite of parents, the fond maid expreſs'd
Her choice in favour of her godlike gueſt.
685
Rage wrung their fouls, and grief, and dire diſmay,
Till the loud clamour chas'd her ſleep away.
Trembling ſhe ſtarts; pale fears confus'd her look;
Her ſoul reviv'd, and thus the virgin ſpoke:
Alas! what frightful dreams alarm my breast
690
For theſe fam'd chiefs, but moſt the royal guest?
I fear, ſome mighty mischief will ensue
From this bold leader and his gallant crew.
Yes, let him wed far off ſome Grecian dame;
Be mine my parents' houſe, my virgin's fame.
695
If from my headſtrong purpoſe I refrain,
My ſiſter's counſel might relieve my pain:
Oh! for her ſons would the my aid implore,
My griefs would ceaſe, my ſorrows be no more!"
She said, and roſe, nor longer deign'd to wait,
700
But paſt the threshold of her ſiſter's gate,
Barefoot, undrest; long time ſhe there remain'd,
(For modeſt fears her paſſing ſtep reſtrain'd;)
Then back retreats; new courage ſoon acquires;
Again advances, and again retires:
705
Paſſions ſo various ſway'd the virgin's breaſt,
That when fierce love impell'd her, fear repreſs'd:
Thrice ſhe eſſay'd, and thrice retreating fled;
Then on the pillow ſunk her drooping head:
As ſome young damſel, whom her friends had join'd
710
In marriage to the darling of her mind,
Conceal'd in ſecret, mourns her blooming mate
Snatch'd from her arms by ſome untimely fate,
Ere yet kind heaven indulg'd them to employ
The golden moments in connubial joy :
715
In ſilence ſhe, tho' ſtung with torturing grief,
Seeks on the widow'd bed the wish'd relief;
Looks eager round, then ſheds the trembling tear,
Screen'd from the female eye, and tongue ſevere.
Thus mourn'd Medea, not unſeen; her pain
720
Was mark'd by one, the youngest of her train;
Who told Chalciope Medea's grief;
And the ſad tale exceeded her belief:
Her ſons conſulting, ſhe with them eſſay'd
To ſooth the ſorrows of the love-ſick maid.
725
Inſtant ſhe roſe, and trembling with diſmay
Came to the chamber where her ſiſter lay;
Torn were her cheeks, the tears her grief confeſs'd;
And thus Chalciope the maid addreſs'd:
Say, why thoſe tears that thus inceſſant fall?
730
What mighty ills your feeble mind appal?
Say, does ſome heaven-ſent woe your grief inſpire?
Or in your boſom dwells Æeta's
My ſons and I the cauſe? Oh! far from home,
On the world's utmoſt limits may I roam,
735
Nor ſee my parents, nor my native ſhore,
Nor hear the hated name of Colchos more!"
She said: Medea's cheeks the crimſon ſtain'd;
She ſtrove to ſpeak, but ſhame her words reſtrain'd.
Now on her lips the ready accents hung,
740
Now ſtified in her breast: her faltering tongue
Long time the purpoſe of her ſoul witheld,
Artful at length ſhe ſpoke, by love impell'd:
"Dire fears, Chalciope, my ſoul diſmay,
"Left with theſe gueſts my ſire thy children ſlay,
745
My frightful dreams ſuch horrid ſcenes preſent;
May ſome kind deity theſe woes prevent!
"Left for thy ſons the tears eternal flow :"
Thus ſpoke the maid, inquiſitive in woe,
If haply, for her children's fate afraid,
750
Chalciope might firſt ſolicit aid.
Mix'd grief and terror all the mother ſhook,
At last, impaſſion'd, thus ſhe trembling ſpoke:
''Tis for their fakes I now before thee ſtand;
'Lend me, O lend thy ſalutary hand!
755
But ſwear by earth and heaven what I unfold
Reſts in thy boſom, never to be told :
By the great Gods, and all that's dear I call,
Swear thou wilt never see my children fall,
Leſt I too periſh, and in fell deſpight
760
Riſe a dread fury from the ſhades of night."
Earneſt ſhe ſpoke, and tears inceſſant ſhed,
Then on her ſiſter's breast reclin'd her head,
And mix'd their mutual ſighs; groan anſwer'd groan,
And the wide palace echo'd to their moan.
765
Medea thus in mournful terms replies :
Alas! what ſuccour can my thoughts deviſe,
Thus with thy cruel menaces oppreſs'd?
Oh, ſtill uninjur'd may thine offspring reſt!
By heaven above I ſwear, and earth below,
770
Earth, the great mother of the Gods, I vow,
(If aught my power can do, or words perſuade)
To give thee counſel, and to lend my aid."
Thus ſpoke the maid; and thus Chalciope;
Perhaps, in favour of my ſons and me,
775
Thy mind, to ſave the hero, might impart
Some ſecret counſel, ſome mysterious art.
From Jaſon Argus comes, imploring aid;
They reſt their ſafety on the magic maid."
Thus the; with joy exults the virgin's heart,
780
And riſing bluſhes roſy charms impart;
But ſoon o'ercaft with grief the thus reply'd :
To ſerve thee, ſiſter, be no art untry'd.
"Ne'er may I ſee with pleaſurable eyes
In yon bright orient cheerful morning riſe,
785
If aught on earth be half ſo dear to me
As is the welfare of thy ſons and thee.
"As brethren they my fond regard engage,
" By blood related, and the ſame our age.
My ſiſter, moſt eſteem'd, and ever dear,
790
Thee with a daughter's love I ſtill revere.
For with thy children, nurs'd by thee, I ſhar'd
(So fame reports) a mother's fond regard.
"Go then, and from my prying parents hide
"The means of ſuccour which I now provide.
795
All-potent ſpells will I, at dawn of day,
To Hecate's mysterious ſhrine convey."
Pleas'd with the tale, Chalciope departs,
And with the proffer'd aid tranſports her children's
Fear mix'd with ſhame now ſeiz'd the lonely maid,
800
Who dare, her ſire reluctant, lend her aid.
Now riſing ſhades a ſolemn ſcene diſplay
O'er the wide earth, and o'er th' etherial way;
All night the ſailor marks the northern team,
And golden circlet of Orion's beam :
805
A deep repoſe the weary watchman ſhares,
And the faint wanderer ſleeps away his cares;
Ev'n the fond maid, while yet all breathless lies
Her child of love, in ſlumber ſeals her eyes :
No ſound of village-dog, no noiſe invades
810
The death-like ſilence of the midnight ſhades;
Alone Medea wakes: to love a prey,
Reſtleſs ſhe rolls, and groans the night away:
For lovely Jaſon cares on cares ſucceed,
Leſt vanquiſh'd by the bulls her hero bleed;
815
In ſad review dire ſcenes of horrors riſe,
Quick beats her heart, from thought to thought the
As from the ſtream-ſtor'd vaſe with dubious ray
The ſun-beams dancing from the ſurface play;
Now here, now there the trembling radiance falls,
820
Alternate flaſhing round th' illumin'd walls :
Thus fluttering bounds the trembling virgin's blood,
And from her eyes deſcends a pearly flood.
Now raving with reſiſtleſs flames ſhe glows,
Now ſick with love ſhe melts with ſofter woes:
825
The tyrant God, of every thought poſſeſs'd,
Beats in each pulſe, and ſtings and racks her breaſt:
Now ſhe reſolves the magic to betray-
To tame the bulls-now yield him up a prey.
Again the drugs diſdaining to ſupply,
830
She loaths the light, and meditates to die:
Anon, repelling with a brave diſdain
The coward thought, ſhe nourishes the pain.
Then pauſing thus: "Ah wretched me! ſhe cries,
Where'er I turn what varied ſorrows riſe!
835
Toſt in a giddy whirl of strong deſire,
"I glow, I burn, yet bleſs the pleaſing fire:
"Oh! had this ſpirit from its priſon fled,
"By Dian ſent to wander with the dead,
"Ere the proud Grecians view'd the Colchian ſkies,
840
"Ere Jaſon, lovely Jaſon, met theſe eyes!
"Hell gave the ſhining mischief to our coaſt,
Medea ſaw him, and Medea's loſt---
"But why theſe ſorrows? if the powers on high
"His death decree,---die, wretched Jaſon, die!
845
"Shall I elude my ſire? my art betray ?
"Ah me! what words ſhall purge the guilt away!
But could I yield------O whither muſt I run
"To find the chief---whom virtue bids me shun?
"Shall I, all loſt to ſhame, to Jaſon fly ?
850
"And yet I must------if Jaſon bleeds I die!
"Honour farewell! adieu for ever ſhame !
"Hail black diſgrace! and branded be my fame!
Live, Jaſon, live! enjoy the vital air!
Live thro' my aid! and fly where winds can bear.
855
"But when he flies, cords, poiſons lend your pow'rs:
"That day Medea treads th' infernal ſhores!
Yet what reproach will after death be caſt?
"The maids of Colchos will my honour blaſt---
" I hear them cry---the falſe Medea's dead,
860
"Thro' guilty paſſion for a ſtranger's bed;
Medea, careleſs of her virgin fame,
"Preferr'd a stranger to a father's name!
O may I rather yield this vital breath,
Than bear that baſe diſhonour worse than death!"
865
Thus wail'd the fair, and ſeiz'd, with horrid joy,
Drugs foes to life, and potent to destroy;
A magazine of death! again ſhe pours
From her ſwoln eye-lids tears in ſhining ſhow'rs.
With grief infatiate, comfortleſs ſhe ſtands,
870
And opes the caſket, but with trembling hands.
A ſudden fear her labouring ſoul invades,
Struck with the horrors of th' infernal ſhades:
She ſtands deep-muſing with a faded brow,
Abſorb'd in thought, a monument of woe!
875
While all the comforts that on life attend,
The cheerful converſe, and the faithful friend,
By thought deep-imag'd in her boſom play,
Endearing life, and charm deſpair away.
Enlivening ſuns with ſweeter light ariſe,
880
And every object brightens to her eyes.
Then from her hand the baneful drugs ſhe throws,
Conſents to live, recover'd from her woes;
Reſolv'd the magic virtue to betray,
She waits the dawn, and calls the lazy day :
885
Time ſeems to ſtand, or backward drive his wheels;
The hours ſhe chides, and eyes the eastern hills :
At length the morn diſplays her roſy light,
And the whole town ſtands pictur'd to her ſight.
Back to the ſhip (his brothers left behind
890
To mark the motions of Medea's mind)
Argus return'd; meanwhile her golden hair,
That flow'd diffuſive in the wanton air,
The virgin binds; then wipes the tears away,
'And from her eyes bids living lightning play;
895
On every limb refreshing unguents pours,
Unguents, that breathe of heaven, in copious ſhow'rs.
Her robe ſhe next aſſumes; bright claſps of gold
Cloſe to the leſſening waiſt the robe infold :
Down from her swelling loins the reſt unbound
900
Floats in rich waves redundant o'er the ground :
Then takes her veil, and ſtately treads the room
With graceful eaſe, regardless of her doom.
Thus forward moves the faireſt of her kind,
Blind to the future, to the preſent blind.'
905
Twelve maids, attendants on her virgin bow'r,
Alike unconscious of the bridal hour,
Join to the car her mules; dire rites to pay,
To Hecate's fair fane ſhe bends her way.
A juice ſhe bears, whoſe magic virtue tames
910
(Thro' fell Perſephone) the rage of flames;
For one whole day it gives the hero might,
To ſtand ſecure of harms in mortal fight;
It mocks the ſword; the ſword without a wound
Leaps as from marble ſhiver'd to the ground.
915
This plant, which rough Caucaſean mountains bore,
Sprung from the venom of Prometheus' gore,
(While on the wretch the ſavage eagle ſtorm'd)
In colour like Corycian crocus form'd :
On two tall ſtems up-ſprings the flowery ſhoot,
920
A cubit high; like red raw fleſh its root.
From this root's juice, as black as that diſtill'd
From mountain beeches, the fair maid had fill'd
A Caspian conch; but first, as beſt beſeems,
Array'd in black ſeven times in living ſtreams
925
She bath'd; and call'd ſeven times on Brimo's name,
At midnight hour, the ghoſt-compelling dame.
She pluck'd the root, earth murmur'd from below,
And ſad Prometheus groan'd with agonizing woe.
This root the Colchian maid ſelecting plac'd
930
In the rich zone that bound her ſlender waist :
Then iſſuing mounts the car, but not alone,
On either ſide two lovely damſels ſhone:
Her hand with ſkill th' embroider'd rein controuls,
Back fly the ſtreets as ſwift the chariot rolls.
935
Along the wheel-worn road they ſpeed their way,
The domes retreat, the ſinking towers decay:
Bare to the knee ſuccinct a damſel-train
Cloſe throng behind them, haſtening to the plain.
As when her limbs divine, Diana laves
940
In fair Parthenius, or th' Amneſian waves,
Sublime in royal ſtate the bounding roes
Whirl her bright car along the mountain brows;
Swift to ſome ſacred feast the goddess moves,
The nymphs attend that haunt the ſhady groves;
945
Th' Amneſian fount, or ſilver-ſtreaming rills,
Nymphs of the vales, or Oreads of the hills:
The fawning beaſts before the goddess play,
Or, trembling, ſavage adoration pay:
Thus on her car ſublime the nymph appears,
950
The croud falls back, and, as she moves, reveres :
Swift to the fane aloft her courſe ſhe bends,
The fane ſhe reaches, and on earth deſcends;
Then to her train------ "Ah me! I fear we ſtray,
"Miſled by folly to this lonely way !
955
"Alas! ſhould Jaſon with his Greeks appear,
"Where ſhould we fly? I fear, alas, I fear!
"No more the Colchian youths, and virgin train,
"Haunt the cool ſhade, or tread in dance the plain.
"But ſince alone---with ſports beguile your hours,
960
"Collect ſweet herbs, and pluck the faireſt flow'rs:
"If due attention to my words ye pay,
"With richeſt ſpoils ye ſhall return to-day.
" For Argus and Chalciope require,
(But ſacred keep this ſecret from my ſire)
965
"That for large preſents, for my ſuccour paid,
"To this raſh ſtranger I ſhould lend my aid.
I paſs'd my word, and ſoon without his train
"The Grecian will attend me at the fane:
" In equal portions we the ſpoil will ſhare---
970
" For him a doſe more fatal I prepare---
"But when he comes, ye nymphs, retire apart."
She ſpoke; the nymphs approv'd the virgin's art.
When Argus heard the maid with early day
To Hecate's fair fane would ſpeed her way,
975
He beckon'd Jaſon from his bold compeers
Apart, and Mopſus moſt renown'd of ſeers;
For preſcient Mopſus every omen knew
Of birds that parting or approaching flew.
No mortal ever of the firſt-born race
980
Diſplay'd like Jaſon ſuch ſuperior grace,
Whether from demigods he trac'd his line,
Or Jove himself immortal and divine,
As grac'd' by Juno, Jove's imperial queen,
With ſoft addreſs, and dignity of mien.
985
His comradeş gaz'd with wonder as he went;
Mopſus foreſaw and hail'd the bleſt event.
Hard by the path, and near the temple, ſtands
A poplar tall that wide its arms expands;
Here frequent rooks their airy paſtime take,
990
And on the boughs their ſpray-form'd manſions make:
One shook its pinions, (louder than the reſt)
And croaking, thus Saturnia's mind expreſs'd;
Vain ſeer! whoſe divinations fail to tell
Thoſe plain events which children know ſo well;
995
'That maids will not, with comrades in the train,
Tell the ſoft love-tale to their favour'd ſwain.
'Falſe prophet, hence! for thee nor love inſpires,
Nor Venus gratifies with ſoft deſires.'
947
Then Mopſus laugh'd, as ſcoffing thus ſhe ſpoke,
1000
To hear the bird her dark predictions croak;
And thus: "Hence, Jaſon, to the fane, and find
"The maiden to thy warmeſt wishes kind;
" Venus approves, and fortune will enſue, it
"If what prophetic Phineus ſaid prove true.
1005
Myself and Argus here will wait apart,
"Go and unfold the ſecrets of thy heart;
"Be every mode of ſoft perſuaſion try'd."
He counſel'd wifely, and the chief comply'd.
Meanwhile the maid her ſecret thoughts enjoy'd,
1010
And one dear object all her ſoul employ'd :
Her train's gay ſports no pleaſure can reſtore,
Vain was the dance, and muſic charm'd no more; da
She hates each object, every face offends,
In every wiſh her ſoul to Jaſon ſends;
1015
With ſharpen'd eyes the diſtant lawn explores,
To find the hero whom her ſoul adores;
At every whiſper of the paſſing air,
She ſtarts, ſhe turns, and hopes her Jaſon there;
Again ſhe fondly looks, nor looks in vain,
1020
He comes, her Jaſon ſhines along the plain.
As when, emerging from the watery way,
Refulgent Sirius lifts his golden ray,
He ſhines terrific! for his burning breath
Taints the red air with fevers, plagues and death;
1025
Such to the nymph approaching Jaſon ſhows,
Bright author of unutterable woes;
Before her eyes a ſwimming darkneſs ſpread,
Her flush'd cheeks glow'd, her very heart was dead:
No more her knees their wonted office knew,
1030
Fix'd, without motion, as to earth they grew.
Her train recedes---the meeting lovers gaze
In ſilent wonder, and in ſtill amaze.
As two fair cedars on the mountain's brow,
Pride of the groves! with roots adjoining grow;
1035
Erect and motionleſs the ſtately trees
Short time remain, while ſleeps each fanning breeze,
Till from th' Æolian caves a blaſt unbound
Bends their proud tops, and bids their boughs reſound:
Thus gazing they; till by the breath of love,
1040
Strongly at laſt inſpir'd, they ſpeak, they move;
With ſmiles the love-ſick virgin he ſurvey'd,
And fondly thus addreſs'd the blooming maid:
'Diſmiſs, my fair, my love, thy virgin fear;
'Tis Jaſon ſpeaks, no enemy is here!
1045
Dread not in me a haughty heart to find,
In Greece I bore no proud inhuman mind.
Whom would'ſt thou fly? ſtay, lovely virgin, ſtay!
Speak every thought! far hence be fears away !
Speak! and be truth in every accent found!
1050
Scorn to deceive! we tread on hallow'd ground.
By the ſtern power who guards this ſacred place,
By the fam'd authors of thy royal race;
By Jove, to whom the ſtranger's cauſe belongs,
'To whom the ſuppliant, and who feels their wrongs;
1055
O guard me, ſave me, in the needful hour!
Without thy aid thy Jaſon is no more.
'To thee a ſuppliant, in diſtreſs I bend,
To thee a ſtranger, one who wants a friend!
Then, when between us ſeas and mountains riſe,
1060
'Medea's name ſhall ſound in diſtant ſkies;
'All Greece to thee ſhall owe her heroes' fates,
And bleſs Medea thro' her hundred ſtates.
The mother and the wife, who now in vain
'Roll their ſad eyes faſt-ſtreaming o'er the main,
1065
'Shall ſtay their tears: the mother, and the wife,
Shall bleſs thee for a ſon's or husband's life!
'Fair Ariadne, ſprung from Minos' bed,
Sav'd valiant Theseus, and with Theseus fled,
'Forſook her father, and her native plain,
1070
And ſtem'd the tumults of the ſurging main;
Yet the ſtern ſire relented, and forgave
'The maid, whoſe only crime it was to ſave;
'Ev'n the juſt Gods forgave: and now on high
A ſtar ſhe ſhines, and beautifies the ſky:
1075
What bleſſings then ſhall righteous heaven decree
'For all our heroes ſav'd, and ſav'd by thee?
Heaven gave thee not to kill, ſo ſoft an air,
And cruelty ſure never look'd ſo fair!'
He ceas'd, but left ſo charming on her ear
1080
His voice, that liſtening ſtill ſhe ſeem'd to hear;
Her eyes to earth ſhe bends with modeſt grace,
And heaven in ſmiles is open'd on her face.
A look ſhe ſteals; but roſy blushes ſpread
O'er her fair cheek, and then ſhe hangs her head.
1085
A thousand words at once to ſpeak ſhe tries;
In vain---but ſpeaks a thouſand with her eyes
Trembling the ſhining caſket ſhe expands,
Then gives the magic virtue to his hands;
And had the power been granted to convey
1090
Her heart---had given her very heart away.
For Jaſon beam'd in beauty's charms ſo bright,
The maid admiring languiſh'd with delight.
Thus, when the riſing ſun appears in view,
On the fair roſe diſſolves the radiant dew.
1095
1063
Now on the ground both caſt their bashful eyes,
Both view each other now with wild furprize.
The roſy ſmiles now dimpling on their cheeks,
The fair at length in faltering accents ſpeaks :
"Obſervant thou to my advice attend,
1100
"And hear what ſuccour I propoſe to lend.
" Soon as my ſire Æeta ſhall beſtow
"The dragon's teeth in Mars's field to ſow,
"The following night in equal ſhares divide;
"Bathe well thy limbs in ſome perennial tide;
1105
" Then all retir'd, thyſelf in black array,
Dig the round foſs, and there a victim ſlay,
A female lamb; the carcaſe place entire
Above the foſs, then light the ſacred pyre,
" And Perſeus' daughter, Hecate, appeaſe
1110
"With honey, ſweetest labour of the bees;
This done, retreat, nor, while the relicks burn,
Let howling dogs provoke thee to return,
Nor human footsteps; left thou render vain
"The charm, and with dishonour join thy train.
1115
"Next morn, the whole enchantment to fulfil,
This magic unguent on thy limbs diſtil :
"Then thou with eaſe wilt ſtrong, and graceful move;
Not like a mortal, but the Gods above.
Forget not with this unguent to beſmear
1120
Thy ſword, thy buckler, and tremendous ſpear:
"No giant's falchions then can harm thy frame,
Nor the fell rage of bulls expiring flame.
"One day, nor longer, wilt thou keep the field;
"Nor thou to perils, nor to labour yield.
1125
But mark my words; when thou, with ceaſeleſs toil,
Haſt yok'd the bulls and plough'd the ſtubborn foily
And ſeeſt up-ſpringing on the teeth-ſown land
"Of giant foes a formidable band, uni ya
Hurl flily 'midſt their ranks a rough hard stone,
1130
"And they, like dogs contending for a bone,
"Will ſlay each other: thou with ſpeed renew
The glowing fight, and conquest will enſue.!
"Thus ſhalt thou bear from Æa's realms to Greece,
If ſuch thy fix'd reſolve, the Golden Fleece."
1135
This ſaid, her eyes were fix'd upon the ground,
And her fair cheeks with ſtreaming ſorrows drown'd;
Deſponding anguiſh ſeiz'd her gentle mind
Left he should leave her comfortless behind
Imbolden'd thus, him by the hand ſhe preſsid,
1140
And in the language of her ſoul addreſs d
If ſafely hence thou ſail'ft, O, think of me!
As I forever ſhall remember thee iM nailo T
And freely tell me, to relieve my pain,
"Where lies thy home beyond the boundleſs main ?
1145
Say, is Orchomenos thy native ſoil?
Or dwell'st thou nearer on th' Ææan ile?
"Let me that far-fam'd virgin's name inquire,
"Who boasts the ſame high lineage with my ſire."
She said; her tears his ſoft compaſſion won,
1150
And thus the chief, by Love inſpir'd, begun.: I
'While on my fancy bright ideas playstool buA
Thy image never from my ſoul ſhall ſtray,
Ifo ſafe I ſail, preſerv'd by thee, to Greece,
Nor heavier labours interrupt my peace.
1155
'But if the diſtant country where I dwell
'Thy will demands, my ready tongue ſhall tell.
A land there is which lofty hills ſurround,
For fertile paſtures and rich herds renown'd,
Where from Prometheus good Deucalion came,
1160
His royal heir, Hæmonia is the name.
Deucalion here the firſt foundations laid
Of towns, built fanes, and men by empire ſway'd;
There my Iolcos ſtands, and many more
Fair ample cities, that adorn the ſhore.
1165
'What time, as rumour'd by the voice of fame,
Eolian Minyas to that country came,nol
'He built, cloſe bordering on the Theban ground,
Orchomenos, a city far renown'd.
But why your wonder ſhould I vainly raiſe?
1170
My birth-place tell, and Ariadne's praiſe?
For this the virgin's name you now inquire,
' A lovely maid, and Minos is her ſire.
Oh! may, like hers, your ſire propitious prove,
Who honour'd Theſeus with his daughter's love!
1175
Complacent thus he ſooth'd her ſorrowing ſoul;
Yet anxious cares within her boſom roll.
"Perchance in Greece" (the penſive maid rejoin'd)
"Oaths are rever'd, and ſolemn compacts bind.
But Minos greatly differs from my ſire,
1180
"Nor I to Ariadne's charms aſpire.
Then mention hoſpitality no more;
But, ſafe conducted to thy native ſhore,
Grant this, 'tis all I aſk, Oh! think of me,
"As I for ever ſhall remember thee,
1185
In my great ſire, the Colchian king's deſpite :
But if thy pride my ardent paſſion ſlight,
Fame, or ſome bird the hateful news will bring;
"Then will I chace thee on the tempeſt's wing,
Brand thy falſe heart, thy curs'd familiar be,
1190
And prove thou ow'ſt thy life, thy all to me."
1063
Medea thus, and tears abundant ſhed;
And mildly thus the son of Æſon ſaid:
'In vain, dear nymph, thy miſſive bird ſhall ſoar
Thro air ſublime, in vain the tempeſt roar.
1195
But if towards Greece thou deign'ſt thy courſe to
'Immortal honours ſhall attend thee there
There huſbands, brothers, ſons, ſo long deplor'd,
Safe to their native land by thee reſtor'd,
Shall as a Goddess reverence thy name,
1200
And pay thee rites which only Gods can claim.
'But would'ſt thou grace my bed with bridal ſtate,
Our love can only be diſſolv'd by fate,'
His words with raptures all her ſoul ſubdue;
Yet gloomy objects riſe before her view,
1205
Ordain'd, ere long, Theſſalia's realms to ſee;
For ſuch was Juno's abſolute decree,
That ſoon to Greece the Colchian maid ſhould go,
To Pelias ſource of unremitting woe.
Meanwhile apart her anxious handmaids ſtay,
1210
In ſilence waiting till the cloſe of day:
Such pleaſing tranſports in her boſom roll,
His form, his words ſo captivate her ſoul,
On feather'd feet the hours unheeded fle
Which warn'd her home: 'Hence (cautious Jaſon ſaid)
1215
us haſten unperceived away,
And here enraptur'd paſs ſome future day."
Thus the bleſt hours in converſe ſweet they ſpent,
And both unwilling from the temple went;
He to his comrades bordering on the main,
1220
The fair Medea to her virgin train.
Her train approach'd, but ſtood unnotic'а буртон
Her ſoul ſublime expatiates in the ſky.ht
Her rapid car ſhe mounts; this hand furtains
The polish'd thong, and that the flowing reins.
1225
Fleet o'er the plain the nimble mules convey'd
To Ea's walls the love-tranſported maid.
Meanwhile Chalciope aſtoniſh'd ſtands,
And inſtant tidings of her ſons demands;
In vain: ſad cares had clos'd Medea's ears,
1230
No anſwers gives ſhe, and no queſtions hears;
But on a footſtool low, beſide her bed,
All bath'd in tears ſhe ſits; her hand ſuſtains her head.
There ſits the pondering, in a penſive ſtate,
What dire diſtreſſes on her counſels wait.
1235
But Jaſon, eager to return, withdrew
With his two friends, and join'd his ſocial crew,
Who throng'd impatient round, while he diſplay'd
The ſecret counſels of the Colchian maid,
And show'd the potent herbs; Idas apart
1240
Conceal'd the choler rankling rankling in his heart.
Meanwhile the reſt, when glimmering day-light clos'd,
Wrapp'd in the mantle of the night repos'd.
Next morn they ſent Æthalides the ſon
Of Mercury, and valiant Telamon, sobom ist
1245
(For thus in council had the Greeks decreed)
Of fierce Eeta to demand the ſeed, ut 19H
The ſerpent's teeth, whoſe ever-wakeful ſight
Watch'd o'er the fountain of the God of ſight,
This baneful monster was by Cadmus ſlain,
1250
Seeking Europa o'er the Theban plain;
An heifer to his ſeat of regal ſway,
So will'd prophetic Phœbus, led the way. ERA
Theſe teeth Minerva from the monster rent,
And part to Cadmus and Æeta ſent:
1255
Sow'd on Boeotia's ample plains, from thoſe
A hardy race of earth-born giants roſe.
To Jaſon theſe he gave, a precious ſpoil;
Nor, tho' his matchless arm the bulls might foil,
Deem'd he, that victory would crown his toil.
1260
The ſun now ſinking with a feeble ray
To diſtant Ethiopians ſlop'd his way;
Night yok'd her ſteeds: the Grecian heroes ſpread
Around the halfers and the ſails their bed.
The northern Bear was ſunk beneath the hills,
1265
And all the air a ſolemn ſilence fills:
Jaſon to lonely haunts purſu'd his way;
(All rites adjusted the preceding day.)
'Twas Argus' care a lambkin to provide,
And milk, the reſt the ready ſhip ſupply'd.
1270
A ſweet ſequeſter'd ſpot the hero found,
Where ſilence reigns, and welling ſtreams abound;
And here, obſervant of due rites, he laves,
His limbs immerging in the cleanſing waves;
Then o'er his ſhoulders, pledge of favours paſt,
1275
The gift of fair Hypſipyla he caſt,
A ſable robe; a deep round foſs he made,
And on the kindling wood the victim laid:
The mix'd libation pouring o'er the flame,
Loud he invok'd infernal Brimo's name;
1280
Then back retires: his call her ears invades,
And up ſhe riſes from the land of ſhades:
Snakes, wreath'd in oaken boughs, curl'd round her
And gleaming torches caſt a diſmal glare.
To guard their queen the hideous dogs of hell
1285
Rend the dark welkin with inceſſant yell;
The heaving ground beneath her footsteps ſhakes;
Loud ſhriek the Naiads of the neighbouring lakes,
And all the fountain-nymphs astonish'd ſtood
Where Amaranthine Phaſis rolls his flood.
1290
Fear ſeiz'd the chief, yet backward he withdrew
Nor, till he join'd his comrades, turn'd his view.
And now on Caucasus, with ſnow o'erſpread
The riſing morn her ſilver radiance ſhedallion -
When proud Eeta, earlier than the reſt,
1295
The fencing corſlet buckled to his breast,
The ſpoils of Mimas of gigantic race,
Whom Mars had vanquiſh'd on the plains of Thrace:
His golden helmet to his head he bound,
With four fair creſts of glittering plumage crown'd,
1300
Bright as the ſun new riſing from the main;
His nervous arms a mighty ſpear ſuſtain:
From his broad ſhoulder beams his ſevenfold ſhield,
Which not a chief of all the Greeks could wield,
Since great Alcides, of his friend bereft,
1305
Was (ſad miſchance!) on Myſia's borders left.
His ſon hard by with ready chariot ſtands;
The king aſcends; the reins adorn his hands;
Fierce to the field he haſtes in regal ſtate,
And crouds of Colchians round their monarch wait.
1310
As ocean's god, when drawn by rapid ſteeds,
To Iſthmian games, or Calaureia ſpeeds,
To Tænarus, or rocky Petra roves,
Or where Geræſtus boasts her oaken groves,
Oncheſtus' woods, or Lerna's limpid ſpring;
1315
So to the combat drives the Colchian king.
Meanwhile, inſtructed by the magic maid,
The chief his shield, his ſpear and trenchant blade
With unguents ſmear'd: the Greeks approaching nigh
In vain their efforts on his armour try;
1320
But chief the ſpear ſuch magic charms attend,
No force can break it, and no onſet bend.
Idas enrag'd deals many a furious wound,
But, as hard hammers from an anvil bound,
So from the ſpear his ſword recoiling ſprung: :
1325
The distant vales with loud applauſes rung.
Next, with the potent charm the chief anoints
His well-turn'd limbs, and ſupples all his joints.
And, lo! new powers invigorate his hands,
And arm'd with ſtrength intrepidly he stands.
1330
As the proud ſteed, exulting in his might,
Erects his ears, impatient for the fight,
And pawing ſnuffs the battle from afar;
So pants the hero for the promis'd war,
Firmly he moves, incapable of fear;
1335
One hand his ſhield ſuſtains, and one the ſpear.
Thus, when black clouds obſcure the darkening day,
And rains deſcend, the living lightnings playedw
And now the fight draws near; the Grecian train
Sail up the Phaſis to the martial plain; on are
1340
From which as far the towers of Ea ſtand woesM
As when the chieftains, who the games commandT
For ſome dead king, the bounding barriers place w
For ſteeds or men contending in the race!
Æeta there they found, of mind elate;
1345
On Phaſis' banks his chariot rolls in ſtate. 9010 о
On the Caucasian ſummits, that command
The field of Mars, the crowded Colchians ſtand.
Now Argo moor'd, the prince invades the field, od
Arm'd with his magic ſpear, and ample ſhield;
1350
With ſerpents' teeth his brazen helm was ſtor'd,
And croſs his ſhoulder gleam'd his glittering ſword!
Like Mars the chief enormous power diſplay'd,
Or Phœbus brandiſhing his golden blade. bA
O'er the rough tilth he cast his eyes around,
1355
And ſoon the plough of adamant he found,
And yokes of braſs: his helm (approaching near)
He plac'd on earth, and upright fix'd his ſpear.
To find the bulls he farther went afield,
And trac'd their ſteps, arm'd only with his shield.
1360
In a dark cave which ſmoky miſts ſurround,
Horrid and huge their ſafe retreat he found.
With rage impetuous forth the monsters came,
And from their noſtrils iſſued ſtreams of flame.
Fear ſeiz'd the Greeks, but he their fury braves;
1365
Firm as a rock, defies the roaring waves;
Screen'd by his shield, intrepidly he ſcorns
The bulls loud-bellowing, and their butting horns;
Collected firm he wards each threatening blow.
As at the forge where melting metals glow,
1370
While now the bellows heave, now ſink by turns,
The flame ſubſides, or with fresh fury burns;
Stirr'd to the bottom roars the raging fire:
So roar the bulls, and living flame reſpire,
That fierce as lightning round the hero play'd,
1375
In vain, now ſhelter'd by the magic maid,
One bull he ſeiz'd, that aim'd a deadly ſtroke,
Seiz'd by his horns, and dragg'd him to the yoke;
Then hurl'd the roaring monster on the ground;
An equal fate his fellow-captive found.
1380
Loos'd from his arm he flung his ſhield aſide,
And the two monsters manfully he ply'd,
Dragg'd on their knees his fiery foes o'ercame,
And shifting artfully eſcap'd the flame.
Æeta view'd him with astonish'd eyes385
1385
When lo! the ſons of Tyndarus ariſe,
As erſt it was decreed, and from the land
Heav'd the ſtrong yokes and gave them to his hand:
Theſe o'er the bulls' low-bended necks he flung;
The brazen beam by rings ſuſpended hung.
1390
The youths retreating from the burning field,me
The chief reſum'd his loaded helm, his shield
Behind him thrown; then graſp'd his maſſy ſpear,
(Thus arm'd the hinds of Theſſaly appear,
With long sharp goads to prick their bullocks' ſides)
1395
And the firm plough of adamant he guides.
The reſtiff bulls with indignation fir'd,
From their broad noſtrils living flames expir'd,
Loud as the blaſts when wintry winds prevail,
And trembling ſailors furl the folding ſail.
1400
Urg'd by his ſpear the bulls their taſk fulfil,
Prove their own prowess, and the ploughman's ſkill.
As the ſharp coulter cleft the clodded ground,
The roughen'd ridges ſent a rattling ſound.
Firm oe'r the field undaunted Jaſon treads,
1405
And ſcattering wide the ſerpent's teeth he ſpreads;"
Yet oft looks back, ſuſpecting he ſhould find **
A legion riſing up in arms behind: التي
Unwearied ſtill the bulls their toil purſue;
Their brazen hoofs the ſtubborn ſoil ſubdue.
1410
When now three portions of the day were ſpent,
And weary hinds at evening homeward went,
The chief had till'd four acres of the ſoil;
He then releas'd the monsters from their toil.
Away they ſcamper'd wildly o'er the plain;
1415
Himſelf rejoin'd his delegated train,
Till on the field his earth-born foes appear :
The Greeks their animated hero cheer.
He in his helm, replenish'd at the ſprings,
To flake his burning thirſt freſh water brings.
1420
His limbs renew'd with forceful vigoun play,
His heart beats boldly and demands the frayd
Thus the fell boar diſdains the hunter-bands, A
Foams, whets his tuſks, and in defiance ſtands.01
Now roſe th' embattled ſquadron in the fields of
1425
In glittering helms array'd, with ſpear and shield, T
Bright o'er the Martial plain the fplendors rifend a
And dart in ſtreams of radiance to the ſkies.i Baion
Thus, when thick ſnow the face of nature ſhrouds,p2
And nightly winds diſpel the wintry clouds to hid
1430
The ſtars again their ſplendid beams diſplay sno A.
So ſhone the warriours in the face of dayswot lan
But Jaſon, mindful of the maid's commandgirownU
Seiz'd a vaſt rock, and raised it from the dandd
Not four ſtout youths, for ſtrength of limbs renown'd,
1435
Could lift a weight ſo ponderous from the ground:A
This 'midſt his foes, embattled on the field, eido d
He hurl'd, and ſafe retir'd behind his shielda neda SH
The Colchians ſhout, as when the raging main YAWA
Roars round tremendous rocks, but roars in vain.
1440
In ſilence fix'd, Eeta ſtands aghaſt
To ſee the fragment with ſuch fury caſt.DT
The hoſt, like dogs contending o'er their prey,
With curs'd ferocity their comrades lay,
Then leave on earth their mangled trunks behind,
1445
Like pines or oaks uprooted by the wind.
As ſhoots a ſtar from heaven's etherial brow,
Portending vengeance to the world below,
Who thro' dark clouds deſcry its radiant light: wo
Thus Jaſon rush'd, in glittering armour bright.
1450
His brandiſh'd falchion fell'd the rising foes:
Succinct in arms, ſome half their lengths diſcloſe,
Some ſcarce their ſhoulders; other feebly ſtand,
While others, treading firm, the fight demand,
As on the bounds which ſeparate hoſtile ſtates,
1455
Eternal ſource of battle and debates it not o
The cautious hind the cruel ſpoiler fears,
And reaps his wheat with yet unripen'd ears;
Ere yet the ſpikes their wonted growth attain,
Ere yet the ſun-beams have matur'd the grain :
1460
So Jaſon's arms the riſing ſquadrons mow'd;
Their blood profuſely in the furrows flow'd.
Some ſidelong fall on earth, and ſome ſupine,
Some prone lie groveling and their lives reſign,
Like whales incumbent on the buoyant main :
1465
Some wounded periſh ere they tread the plain;
As late in air they held their heads on high,
So lowly humbled in the dust they lie.
Thus tender plants, by copious torrents drown'd,
Strew their freſh leaves, uprooted from the ground;
1470
The tiller views with heart-corroding pain
His foſtering care, and all his labours vain.
Æeta thus with wild vexation burn'd,
And with his Colchians to the town return'd,
Some weightier taſk revolving in his mind :
1475
Thus clos'd the combat, and the day declin'd.
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.) — 3 focus
3.1-3.5
1
Come now, Erato, stand beside me and tell how Jason brought the fleece back to Iolcus with the help of Medea’s love. You share the power of Cypris and use the force of love to charm unmarried young women; that is why your own name is associated with love.
3.6-3.10
Thus the heroes, unobserved, were waiting in ambush amid the thick reed-beds; but Hera and Athena took note of them, and, apart from Zeus and the other immortals, entered a chamber and took counsel together; and Hera first asked Athena for her opinion:
3.11-3.16
"You speak first, daughter of Zeus, and give your advice. What must be done? Will you devise some scheme by which they may seize the golden fleece of Aeetes and bear it to Hellas, or can they deceive the king with soft words and so persuade him? He is certainly extremely arrogant. Even so, we must not shrink from the attempt."
3.17-3.21
Thus she spoke, and Athena immediately replied: "I too was pondering such thoughts in my heart, Hera, when you asked me outright. But I do not yet think I have devised a scheme to aid the courage of the heroes, although I have considered many plans."
3.22-3.29
She ended, and the goddesses fixed their eyes on the ground at their feet, brooding apart; and immediately Hera was the first to speak her thought: "Come, let us go to Cypris; let both of us accost her and urge her to bid her son (if only he will obey) speed his shaft at the daughter of Aeetes, the enchantress, and charm her with love for Jason. And I think that by her device he will bring back the fleece to Hellas."
3.30
Thus she spoke, and the prudent plan pleased Athena, and she addressed her in reply with gentle words:
3.31-3.35
"Hera, my father fathered me to be a stranger to the darts of love, nor do I know any charm to work desire. But if the word pleases you, surely I will follow; but you must speak when we meet her."
3.36-3.51
So she said, and starting forth they came to the mighty palace of Cypris, which her husband, the halt-footed god, had built for her when first he brought her from Zeus to be his wife. And entering the court they stood beneath the gallery of the chamber where the goddess prepared the bed of Hephaestus. But he had gone early to his forge and anvils to a broad cavern in a floating island where with the blast of flame he created all kinds of curious work; and she all alone was sitting within, on an inlaid seat facing the door. And her white shoulders on each side were covered with the mantle of her hair and she was parting it with a golden comb and about to braid up the long tresses; but when she saw the goddesses before her, she stayed and called them within, and rose from her seat and placed them on couches. Then she herself sat down, and with her hands gathered up the locks still uncombed. And smiling she addressed them with crafty words:
3.52-3.54
"
52
Good friends, what intent, what occasion brings you here after so long? Why have you come, not too frequent visitors before, chief among goddesses that you are?"
3.55-3.75
And to her Hera replied: "You are mocking us, but our hearts are stirred with calamity. For already on the river Phasis the son of Aeson moors his ship, he and his comrades in quest of the fleece. For all their sakes we fear terribly (for the task is near at hand) but most for Aeson's son. Him will I deliver, though he sail even to Hades to free Ixion below from his brazen chains, as far as strength lies in my limbs, so that Pelias may not mock at having escaped an evil fate—Pelias who left me unhonoured with sacrifice. Moreover Jason was greatly loved by me before, ever since at the mouth of Anaurus in flood, as I was making trial of men's righteousness, he met me on his return from the chase; and all the mountains and long ridged peaks were sprinkled with snow, and from them the torrents rolling down were rushing with a roar. And he took pity on me in the likeness of an old crone, and raising me on his shoulders himself bore me through the headlong tide. So he is honoured by me unceasingly; nor will Pelias pay the penalty of his outrage, unless you will grant Jason his return."
3.76-3.82
Thus she spoke, and speechlessness seized Cypris. And beholding Hera supplicating her she felt awe, and then addressed her with friendly words: "Dread goddess, may no viler thing than Cypris ever be found, if I disregard your eager desire in word or deed, whatever my weak arms can effect; and let there be no favour in return."
3.83-3.89
She spoke, and Hera again addressed her with prudence: "It is not in need of might or of strength that we have come. But just quietly bid your boy charm Aeetes' daughter with love for Jason. For if she will aid him with her kindly counsel, easily do I think he will win the fleece of gold and return to Iolcus, for she is full of wiles."
3.90-3.99
Thus she spoke, and Cypris addressed them both: "Hera and Athena, he will obey you rather than me. For unabashed though he is, there will be some slight shame in his eyes before you: but he has no respect for me, but ever slights me in contentious mood. And, overborne by his naughtiness, I purpose to break his ill-sounding arrows and his bow in his very sight. For in his anger he has threatened that if I will not keep my hands off him while he still masters his temper, I will have cause to blame myself afterward."
3.100-3.105
So she spoke, and the goddesses smiled and looked at each other. But Cypris again spoke, vexed at heart: "To others my sorrows are a jest; nor ought I to tell them to all; I know them too well myself. But now, since this pleases you both, I will make the attempt and coax him, and he will not say me no."
3.106-3.110
106
Thus she spoke, and Hera took her slender hand and gently smiling, replied: "Perform this task, Cytherea, immediately, as you say; and be not angry or contend with your boy; he will cease hereafter to vex you."
3.111-3.128
She spoke, and left her seat, and Athena accompanied her and they went forth both hastening back. And Cypris went on her way through the glens of Olympus to find her boy. And she found him apart, in the blooming orchard of Zeus, not alone, but with him Ganymedes, whom once Zeus had set to dwell among the immortal gods, being enamoured of his beauty. And they were playing for golden dice, as boys in one house usually do. And already greedy Eros was holding the palm of his left hand quite full of them under his breast, standing upright; and on the bloom of his cheeks a sweet blush was glowing. But the other sat crouching hard by, silent and downcast, and he had two dice left which he threw one after the other, and was angered by the loud laughter of Eros. And lo, losing them immediately with the former, he went off empty-handed, helpless, and noticed not the approach of Cypris. And she stood before her boy, and laying her hand on his lips, addressed him:
3.129-3.144
"Why do you smile in triumph, unutterable rogue? Have you cheated him thus, and unjustly overcome the innocent child? Come, be ready to perform for me the task I will tell you of, and I will give you Zeus' all-beauteous plaything—the one which his dear nurse Adrasteia made for him, while he still lived a child, with childish ways, in the Idaean cave—a well-rounded ball; no better toy will you get from the hands of Hephaestus. All of gold are its zones, and round each double seams run in a circle; but the stitches are hidden, and a dark blue spiral overlays them all. But if you should cast it with your hands, lo, like a star, it sends a flaming track through the sky. This I will give you; and you strike with your shaft and charm the daughter of Aeetes with love for Jason; and let there be no loitering. For then my thanks would be the slighter."
3.145-3.150
Thus she spoke, and welcome were her words to the listening boy. And he threw down all his toys, and eagerly seizing her robe on this side and on that, clung to the goddess. And he implored her to bestow the gift at once; but she, facing him with kindly words, touched his cheeks, kissed him and drew him to her, and replied with a smile:
3.151-3.153
"Be witness now your dear head and mine, that surely I will give you the gift and deceive you not, if you strike with your shaft Aeetes' daughter."
3.154-3.166
She spoke, and he gathered up his dice, and having well counted them all threw them into his mother's gleaming lap. And immediately with golden baldric he slung round him his quiver from where it leant against a tree-trunk, and took up his curved bow. And he fared forth through the fruitful orchard of the palace of Zeus. Then he passed through the gates of Olympus high in air; from here is a downward path from heaven; and the twin poles rear aloft steep mountain tops—the highest crests of earth, where the risen sun grows ruddy with his first beams. And beneath him there appeared now the life-giving earth and cities of men and sacred streams of rivers, and now in turn mountain peaks and the ocean all around, as he swept through the vast expanse of air.
3.167-3.193
167
Now the heroes apart in ambush, in a back-water of the river, were met in council, sitting on the benches of their ship. And Aeson's son himself was speaking among them; and they were listening silently in their places sitting row upon row: "My friends, what pleases myself that will I say out; it is for you to bring about its fulfilment. For in common is our task, and common to all alike is the right of speech; and he who in silence withholds his thought and his counsel, let him know that it is he alone that bereaves this band of its return home. Do you others rest here in the ship quietly with your arms; but I will go to the palace of Aeetes, taking with me the sons of Phrixus and two comrades as well. And when I meet him I will first make trial with words to see if he will be willing to give up the golden fleece for friendship's sake or not, but trusting to his might will set at nought our quest. For so, learning his frowardness first from himself, we will consider whether we shall meet him in battle, or some other plan shall avail us, if we refrain from the war-cry. And let us not merely by force, before putting words to the test, deprive him of his own possession. But first it is better to go to him and win his favour by speech. Oftentimes, I think, does speech accomplish at need what prowess could hardly carry through, smoothing the path in manner befitting. And he once welcomed noble Phrixus, a fugitive from his stepmother's wiles and the sacrifice prepared by his father. For all men everywhere, even the most shameless, reverence the ordinance of Zeus, god of strangers, and regard it."
3.194-3.209
Thus he spoke, and the youths approved the words of Aeson's son with one accord, nor was there one to counsel otherwise. And then he summoned to go with him the sons of Phrixus, and Telamon and Augeias; and himself took Hermes' wand; and at once they passed forth from the ship beyond the reeds and the water to dry land, towards the rising ground of the plain. The plain, I wis, is called Circe's; and here in line grow many willows and osiers, on whose topmost branches hang corpses bound with cords. For even now it is an abomination with the Colchians to burn dead men with fire; nor is it lawful to place them in the earth and raise a mound above, but to wrap them in untanned oxhides and suspend them from trees far from the city. And so earth has an equal portion with air, seeing that they bury the women; for that is the custom of their land.
3.210-3.259
And as they went Hera with friendly thought spread a thick mist through the city, that they might fare to the palace of Aeetes unseen by the countless hosts of the Colchians. But soon when from the plain they came to the city and Aeetes' palace, then again Hera dispersed the mist. And they stood at the entrance, marvelling at the king's courts and the wide gates and columns which rose in ordered lines round the walls; and high up on the palace a coping of stone rested on brazen triglyphs. And silently they crossed the threshold. And close by garden vines covered with green foliage were in full bloom, lifted high in air. And beneath them ran four fountains, ever-flowing, which Hephaestus had delved out. One was gushing with milk, one with wine, while the third flowed with fragrant oil; and the fourth ran with water, which grew warm at the setting of the Pleiads, and in turn at their rising bubbled forth from the hollow rock, cold as crystal. Such then were the extraordinary works that the craftsman-god Hephaestus had fashioned in the palace of Cytaean Aeetes. And he made bulls for him with feet of bronze, and their mouths were of bronze, and from them they breathed out a terrible flame of fire; moreover he forged a plough of unbending adamant, all in one piece, in payment of thanks to Helios, who had taken the god up in his chariot when faint from the Phlegraean fight.
1
And here an inner-court was built, and round it were many well-fitted doors and chambers here and there, and all along on each side was a richly-made gallery. And on both sides loftier buildings stood obliquely. In one, which was the loftiest, lordly Aeetes lived with his queen; and in another lived Apsyrtus, son of Aeetes, whom a Caucasian nymph, Asterodeia, bore before he made Eidyia his wedded wife, the youngest daughter of Tethys and Oceanus. And the sons of the Colchians called him by the new name of Phaëthon,
2
because he outshone all the youths. The other buildings the handmaidens had, and the two daughters of Aeetes, Chalciope and Medea. Medea then [they found] going from chamber to chamber in search of her sister, for Hera detained her within that day; but beforetime she was not accustomed to haunt the palace, but all day long was busied in Hecate's temple, since she herself was the priestess of the goddess. And when she saw them she cried aloud, and quickly Chalciope caught the sound; and her maids, throwing down at their feet their yarn and their thread, rushed forth all in a throng. And she, beholding her sons among them, raised her hands aloft through joy; and so they likewise greeted their mother, and when they saw her embraced her in their gladness; and she with many sobs spoke thus:
3.260-3.267
"
260
After all then, you were not destined to leave me in your heedlessness and to wander far; but fate has turned you back. Poor wretch that I am! What a yearning for Hellas from some woeful madness seized you at the command of your father Phrixus. Bitter sorrows for my heart did he ordain when dying. And why should you go to the city of Orchomenus, whoever this Orchomenus is, for the sake of Athamas' wealth, leaving your mother alone to bear her grief?"
3.268-3.274
Such were her words; and Aeetes came forth last of all and Eidyia herself came, the queen of Aeetes, on hearing the voice of Chalciope; and immediately all the court was filled with a throng. Some of the servants were busied with a mighty bull, others with the axe were cleaving dry billets, and others heating with fire water for the baths; nor was there one who relaxed his toil, serving the king.
3.275-3.298
Meantime Eros passed unseen through the grey mist, causing confusion, as when against grazing heifers rises the gadfly, which oxherds call the breese. And quickly beneath the lintel in the porch he strung his bow and took from the quiver an arrow unshot before, messenger of pain. And with swift feet unmarked he passed the threshold and keenly glanced around; and gliding close by Aeson's son he laid the arrow-notch on the cord in the centre, and drawing wide apart with both hands he shot at Medea; and speechless amazement seized her soul. But the god himself flashed back again from the high-roofed hall, laughing loud; and the bolt burnt deep down in the young woman's heart, like a flame; and ever she kept darting bright glances straight up at Aeson's son, and within her breast her heart panted fast through anguish, all remembrance left her, and her soul melted with the sweet pain. And as a poor woman heaps dry twigs round a blazing brand—a daughter of toil, whose task is the spinning of wool, that she may kindle a blaze at night beneath her roof, when she has waked very early—and the flame waxing extraordinary great from the small brand consumes all the twigs together; so, coiling round her heart, burnt secretly Love the destroyer; and the hue of her soft cheeks went and came, now pale, now red, in her soul's distraction.
3.299-3.303
Now when the servants had laid a banquet ready before them, and they had refreshed themselves with warm baths, they gladly pleased their souls with meat and drink. And afterward Aeetes questioned the sons of his daughter, addressing them with these words:
3.304-3.316
"Sons of my daughter and of Phrixus, whom beyond all strangers I honoured in my halls, how have you come returning back to Aea? Did some calamity cut short your escape in the midst? You did not listen when I set before you the boundless length of the way. For I marked it once, whirled along in the chariot of my father Helios, when he was bringing my sister Circe to the western land and we came to the shore of the Tyrrhenian mainland, where even now she abides, exceeding far from Colchis. But why say more? Do you tell me plainly what has been your fortune, and who these men are, your companions, and where from your hollow ship you came ashore."
3.317-3.319
317
Such were his questions, and Argus, before all his brethren, being fearful for the mission of Aeson's son, gently replied, for he was the elder-born:
3.320-3.366
"Aeetes, that ship immediately stormy blasts tore asunder, and ourselves, crouching on the beams, a wave drove on to the beach of the isle of Enyalius
3
in the murky night; and some god preserved us. For even the birds of Ares that haunted the desert isle beforetime, not even them did we find. But these men had driven them off, having landed from their ship on the day before; and the will of Zeus taking pity on us, or some fate, detained them there, since they immediately gave us both food and clothing in abundance, when they heard the illustrious name of Phrixus and your own; for to your city are they faring. And if you wish to know their errand, I will not hide it from you. A certain king, vehemently longing to drive this man far from his fatherland and possessions, because in might he outshone all the sons of Aeolus, sends him to voyage here on a bootless venture; and asserts that the stock of Aeolus will not escape the heart-grieving anger and rage of implacable Zeus, nor the unbearable curse and vengeance due for Phrixus, until the fleece comes back to Hellas. And their ship was fashioned by Pallas Athena, not such a one as are the ships among the Colchians, on the vilest of which we chanced. For the fierce waves and wind broke her utterly to pieces; but the other holds firm with her bolts, even though all the blasts should buffet her. And with equal swiftness she speeds before the wind and when the crew ply the oar with unresting hands. And he has gathered in her the mightiest heroes of all Achaea, and has come to your city from wandering far through cities and gulfs of the dread ocean, in the hope that You will grant him the fleece. But as you please, so shall it be, for he has not come to use force, but is eager to pay you a recompense for the gift. He has heard from me of your bitter foes the Sauromatae, and he will subdue them to your sway. And if you desire to know their names and lineage I will tell you all. This man on whose account the rest were gathered from Hellas, they call Jason, son of Aeson, whom Cretheus fathered. And if in truth he is of the stock of Cretheus himself, thus he would be our relative on the father's side. For Cretheus and Athamas were both sons of Aeolus; and Phrixus was the son of Athamas, son of Aeolus. And here, if you have heard at all of the seed of Helios, you see Augeias; and this is Telamon sprung from famous Aeacus; and Zeus himself fathered Aeacus. And so all the rest, all the comrades that follow him, are the sons or grandsons of the immortals."
3.367-3.371
367
Such was the tale of Argus; but the king at his words was filled with rage as he heard; and his heart was lifted high in anger. And he spoke in heavy displeasure; and was angered most of all with the son of Chalciope; for he thought that on their account the strangers had come; and in his fury his eyes flashed forth beneath his brows:
3.372-3.381
"Begone from my sight, felons, immediately, you and your tricks, from the land, before someone see a fleece and a Phrixus to his sorrow. Banded together with your friends from Hellas, not for the fleece, but to seize my sceptre and royal power have you come here. Had you not first tasted of my table, surely would I have cut out your tongues and hewn off both hands and sent you forth with your feet alone, so that you might be stayed from starting hereafter. And what lies have you uttered against the blessed gods!"
3.382-3.385
Thus he spoke in his anger; and mightily from its depths swelled the heart of Aeacus' son, and his soul within longed to speak a deadly word in defiance, but Aeson's son checked him, for he himself first made gentle answer:
3.386-3.395
"Aeetes, bear with this armed band, I pray. For not in the way you think have we come to your city and palace, no, nor yet with such desires. For who would of his own will dare to cross so wide a sea for the goods of a stranger? But fate and the ruthless command of a presumptuous king urged me. Grant a favour to your suppliants, and to all Hellas will I publish a glorious fame of you; yes, we are ready now to pay you a swift recompense in war, whether it be the Sauromatae or some other people that you are eager to subdue to your sway."
3.396-3.400
He spoke, flattering him with gentle utterance; but the king's soul brooded a twofold purpose within him, whether he should attack and slay them on the spot or should make trial of their might. And this, as he pondered, seemed the better way, and he addressed Jason in answer:
3.401-3.421
"Stranger, why need you go through your tale to the end? For if you are in truth of heavenly race, or have come in in no way inferior to me, to win the goods of strangers, I will give you the fleece to bear away, if you wish, when I have tried you. For against brave men I bear no grudge, such as you yourselves tell me of him who bears sway in Hellas. And the trial of your courage and might will be a contest which I myself can compass with my hands, deadly though it be. Two bulls with feet of bronze I have that pasture on the plain of Ares, breathing forth flame from their jaws; them do I yoke and drive over the stubborn field of Ares, four plough-gates; and quickly cleaving it with the share up to the headland, I cast into the furrows for seed, not the corn of Demeter, but the teeth of a dread serpent that grow up into the fashion of armed men; them I slay at once, cutting them down beneath my spear as they rise against me on all sides. In the morning do I yoke the oxen, and at eventide I cease from the harvesting. And you, if you will accomplish such deeds as these, on that very day will carry off the fleece to the king's palace; before that time comes I will not give it, expect it not. For indeed it is unseemly that a brave man should yield to a coward."
3.422-3.426
422
Thus he spoke; and Jason, fixing his eyes on the ground, sat just as he was, speechless, helpless in his evil plight. For a long time he turned the matter this way and that, and could in no way take on him the task with courage, for a mighty task it seemed; and at last he made reply with crafty words:
3.427-3.431
"With your plea of right, Aeetes, you constrain me too much. Therefore also I will dare that contest, monstrous as it is, though it be my fate to die. For nothing will fall upon men more dread than dire necessity, which indeed constrained me to come here at a king's command."
3.432-3.438
Thus he spoke, smitten by his helpless plight; and the king with grim words addressed him, great troubled as he was: "Go forth now to the gathering, since you are eager for the toil; but if you should fear to lift the yoke upon the oxen or shrink from the deadly harvesting, then all this will be my care, so that another too may shudder to come to a man that is better than he."
3.439-3.463
He spoke outright; and Jason rose from his seat, and Augeias and Telamon at once; and Argus followed alone, for he signed to his brothers to stay there on the spot meantime; and so they went forth from the hall. And wonderfully among them all shone the son of Aeson for beauty and grace; and the young woman looked at him with stealthy glance, holding her bright veil aside, her heart smouldering with pain; and her soul creeping like a dream flitted in his track as he went. So they passed forth from the palace deeply troubled. And Chalciope, shielding herself from the anger of Aeetes, had gone quickly to her chamber with her sons. And Medea likewise followed, and much she brooded in her soul all the cares that the Loves awaken. And before her eyes the vision still appeared—himself what like he was, with what vesture he was clad, what things he spoke, how he sat on his seat, how he moved forth to the door—and as she pondered she thought there never was such another man; and ever in her ears rung his voice and the honey-sweet words which he uttered. And she feared for him, lest the oxen or Aeetes with his own hand should slay him; and she mourned him as though already killed outright, and in her affliction a round tear through very terrible pity coursed down her cheek: and gently weeping she lifted up her voice aloud:
3.464-3.470
"Why does this grief come upon me, poor wretch? Whether he be the best of heroes now about to perish, or the worst, let him go to his fate. Yet I would that he had escaped unharmed; yes, may this be so, revered goddess, daughter of Perses, may he avoid death and return home; but if it be his lot to be o'ermastered by the oxen, may he first learn this that I at least do not rejoice in his cruel calamity."
3.471-3.474
Thus then was the young woman's heart racked by love-cares. But when the others had gone forth from the people and the city, along the path by which at the first they had come from the plain, then Argus addressed Jason with these words:
3.475-3.483
"
475
Son of Aeson, you will despise the counsel which I will tell you, but, though in evil plight, it is not fitting to forbear from the trial. Before now you have heard me tell of a young woman that uses sorcery under the guidance of Hecate, Perses' daughter. If we could win her aid there will be no dread, I think, of your defeat in the contest; but terribly do I fear that my mother will not take this task upon her. Nevertheless I will go back again to entreat her, for a common destruction overhangs us all."
3.484-3.491
He spoke with goodwill, and Jason answered with these words: "Good friend, if this is good in your sight, I say not no. Go and move your mother, beseeching her aid with prudent words; pitiful indeed is our hope when we have put our return in the keeping of women." So he spoke, and quickly they reached the back-water. And their comrades joyfully questioned them, when they saw them close at hand; and to them spoke Aeson's son grieved at heart:
3.492-3.501
"My friends, the heart of ruthless Aeetes is utterly filled with anger against us, for not at all can the goal be reached either by me or by you who question me. He said that two bulls with feet of bronze pasture on the plain of Ares, breathing forth flame from their jaws. And with these he told me to plough the field, four plough-gates; and said that he would give me from a serpent's jaws seed which will raise up earthborn men in armour of bronze; and on the same day I must slay them. This task—for there was nothing better to devise—I took on myself outright."
3.502-3.514
Thus he spoke; and to all the contest seemed one that none could accomplish, and long, quiet and silent, they looked at one another, bowed down with the calamity and their despair; but at last Peleus spoke with courageous words among all the chiefs: "It is time to be counselling what we shall do. Yet there is not so much profit, I trow, in counsel as in the might of our hands. If you then, hero son of Aeson, are minded to yoke Aeetes' oxen, and are eager for the toil, surely you will keep your promise and make yourself ready. But if your soul trusts not her prowess utterly, then neither bestir yourself nor sit still and look round for some one else of these men. For it is not I who will flinch, since the bitterest pain will be but death."
3.515-3.522
So spoke the son of Aeacus; and Telamon's soul was stirred, and quickly he started up in eagerness; and Idas rose up the third in his pride; and the twin sons of Tyndareus; and with them Oeneus' son who was numbered among strong men, though even the soft down on his cheek showed not yet; with such courage was his soul uplifted. But the others gave way to these in silence. And immediately Argus spoke these words to those that longed for the contest:
3.523-3.539
"My friends, this indeed is left us at the last. But I think that there will come to you some timely aid from my mother. Therefore, eager though you be, refrain and abide in your ship a little longer as before, for it is better to forbear than recklessly to choose an evil fate. There is a young woman, nurtured in the halls of Aeetes, whom the goddess Hecate taught to handle magic herbs with exceeding skill—all that the land and flowing waters produce. With them is quenched the blast of unwearied flame, and at once she stays the course of rivers as they rush roaring on, and checks the stars and the paths of the sacred moon. Of her we thought us as we came here along the path from the palace, if perhaps my mother, her own sister, might persuade her to aid us in the venture. And if this is pleasing to you as well, surely on this very day will I return to the palace of Aeetes to make trial; and perhaps with some god's help should I make the trial."
3.540-3.544
540
Thus he spoke, and the gods in their goodwill gave them a sign. A trembling dove in her flight from a mighty hawk fell from on high, terrified, into the lap of Aeson's son, and the hawk fell impaled on the stern-ornament. And quickly Mopsus with prophetic words spoke among them all:
3.545-3.554
"For you, friends, this sign has been produced by the will of heaven; in no other way is it possible to interpret its meaning better, than to seek out the young woman and entreat her with manifold skill. And I think she will not reject our prayer, if in truth Phineus said that our return should be with the help of the Cyprian goddess. It was her gentle bird that escaped death; and as my heart within me foresees according to this omen, so may it prove! But, my friends, let us call on Cytherea to aid us, and now at once obey the counsels of Argus."
3.555-3.563
He spoke, and the warriors approved, remembering the injunctions of Phineus; but all alone leapt up Aphareian Idas and shouted loudly in terrible anger: "Shame on us, have we come here fellow-voyagers with women, calling on Cypris for help and not on the mighty strength of Enyalius? And do you look to doves and hawks to save yourselves from contests? Away with you, take thought not for deeds of war, but by supplication to beguile weakling girls."
3.564-3.571
Such were his eager words; and of his comrades many murmured low, but none uttered a word of answer back. And he sat down in anger; and at once Jason roused them and uttered his own thought: "Let Argus set forth from the ship, since this pleases all; but we will now move from the river and openly fasten our hawsers to the shore. For surely it is not fitting for us to hide any longer cowering from the battle-cry."
3.572-3.575
So he spoke, and immediately sent Argus to return in haste to the city; and they drew the anchors on board at the command of Aeson's son, and rowed the ship close to the shore, a little away from the back-water.
3.576-3.608
But immediately Aeetes held an assembly of the Colchians far aloof from his palace at a spot where they sat in times before, to devise against the Minyae grim treachery and troubles. And he threatened that when first the oxen should have torn in pieces the man who had taken upon him to perform the heavy task, he would hew down the oak grove above the wooded hill, and burn the ship and her crew, that so they might vent forth in ruin their terrible insolence, for all their arrogant schemes. For never would he have welcomed the Aeolid Phrixus as a guest in his halls, in spite of his desperate need, Phrixus, who surpassed all strangers in gentleness and fear of the gods, had not Zeus himself sent Hermes his messenger down from heaven, so that he might meet with a friendly host; much less would pirates coming to his land be let go scatheless for long, men whose care it was to lift their hands and seize the goods of others, and to weave secret webs of deceit, and harry the steadings of herdsmen with ill-sounding forays. And he said that besides all that the sons of Phrixus should pay a fitting penalty to himself for returning in consort with evil-doers, that they might recklessly drive him from his honour and his throne; for once he had heard a deadly prophecy from his father Helios, that he must avoid the secret treachery and schemes of his own offspring and their crafty mischief. Therefore he was sending them, as they desired, to the Achaean land at the bidding of their father—a long journey. Nor had he ever so slight a fear of his daughters, that they would form some hateful scheme, nor of his son Apsyrtus; but this curse was being fulfilled in the children of Chalciope. And he proclaimed terrible things in his rage against the strangers, and loudly threatened to keep watch over the ship and its crew, so that no one might escape calamity.
3.609-3.615
609
Meantime Argus, going to Aeetes' palace, with manifold pleading besought his mother to pray Medea's aid; and Chalciope herself already had the same thoughts, but fear checked her soul lest perhaps either fate should withstand and she should entreat her in vain, all distraught as she would be at her father's deadly anger, or, if Medea yielded to her prayers, her deeds should be laid bare and open to view.
3.616-3.635
Now a deep slumber had relieved the young woman from her love-pains as she lay upon her bed. But immediately fearful dreams, deceitful, such as trouble one in grief, assailed her. And she thought that the stranger had taken on him the contest, not because he longed to win the ram's fleece, and that he had not come on that account to Aeetes' city, but to lead her away, his wedded wife, to his own home; and she dreamed that herself contended with the oxen and completed the task with exceeding ease; and that her own parents set at nothing their promise, for it was not the young woman they had challenged to yoke the oxen but the stranger himself; from that arose a contention of doubtful issue between her father and the strangers; and both laid the decision upon her, to be as she should direct in her mind. But she suddenly, neglecting her parents, chose the stranger. And measureless anguish seized them and they shouted out in their anger; and with the cry sleep released its hold upon her. Quivering with fear she started up, and stared round the walls of her chamber, and with difficulty did she gather her spirit within her as before, and lifted her voice aloud:
3.636-3.644
"Poor wretch, how have gloomy dreams affrighted me! I fear that this voyage of the heroes will bring some great evil. My heart is trembling for the stranger. Let him woo some Achaean girl fair away among his own people; let maidenhood be mine and the home of my parents. Yet, taking to myself a reckless heart, I will no more keep aloof but will make trial of my sister to see if she will entreat me to aid in the contest, through grief for her own sons; this would quench the bitter pain in my heart."
3.645-3.673
She spoke, and rising from her bed opened the door of her chamber, bare-footed, clad in one robe; and truly she desired to go to her sister, and crossed the threshold. And for long she stayed there at the entrance of her chamber, held back by shame; and she turned back once more; and again she came forth from within, and again stole back; and idly did her feet bear her this way and that; yes, as often as she went straight on, shame held her within the chamber, and though held back by shame, bold desire kept urging her on. Thrice she made the attempt and thrice she checked herself, the fourth time she fell on her bed face downward writhing in pain. And as when a bride in her chamber bewails her youthful husband, to whom her brothers and parents have given her, nor yet does she hold converse with all her attendants for shame and for thinking of him; but she sits apart in her grief; and some fate has destroyed him, before they have had pleasure of each other's charms; and she with heart on fire silently weeps, beholding her widowed bed, in fear lest the women should mock and revile her: like, to her did Medea lament. And suddenly as she was in the midst of her tears, one of the attendants came forth and noticed her, one who was her youthful attendant; and immediately she told Chalciope, who sat in the midst of her sons devising how to win over her sister. And when Chalciope heard the strange tale from the attendant, not even so did she disregard it. And she rushed in dismay from her chamber right on to the chamber where the young woman lay in her anguish, having torn her cheeks on each side; and when Chalciope saw her eyes all dimmed with tears, she thus addressed her:
3.674-3.680
"
674
Ah me, Medea, why do you weep so? What has befallen you? What terrible grief has entered your heart? Has some heaven-sent disease enwrapt your frame, or have you heard from our father some deadly threat concerning me and my sons? Would that I did not behold this home of my parents, or the city, but lived at the ends of the earth, where not even the name of Colchians is known!"
3.681-3.687
Thus she spoke, and her sister's cheeks flushed; and though she was eager to reply, long did young woman shame restrain her. At one moment the word rose on the end of her tongue, at another it fluttered back deep within her breast. And often through her lovely lips it strove for utterance; but no sound came forth; until at last she spoke with guileful words; for the bold Loves were pressing her hard:
3.688-3.692
"Chalciope, my heart is all trembling for your sons, lest my father immediately destroy them together with the strangers. Slumbering just now in a short-lived sleep such a ghastly dream did I see—may some god forbid its fulfilment and never may you win for yourself bitter care on your sons' account."
3.693-3.704
She spoke, making trial of her sister to see if she first would entreat help for her sons. And utterly unbearable grief surged over Chalciope's soul for fear at what she heard; and then she replied: "Yes, I myself too have come to you in eager furtherance of this purpose, if you would perhaps devise with me and prepare some help. But swear by Earth and Heaven that you will keep secret in your heart what I will tell you, and be fellow-worker with me. I implore you by the blessed gods, by yourself and by your parents, not to see them destroyed by an evil fate pitifully; or else may I die with my dear sons and come back hereafter from Hades an avenging Fury to haunt you."
3.705-3.710
Thus she spoke, and immediately a torrent of tears gushed forth, and low down she clasped her sister's knees with both hands and let her head sink on to her breast. Then they both made pitiful lamentation over each other, and through the halls rose the faint sound of women weeping in anguish. Medea, great troubled, first addressed her sister:
3.711-3.717
"God help you, what healing can I bring you for what you speak of, horrible curses and Furies? Would that it were firmly in my power to save your sons! Be witness that mighty oath of the Colchians by which you urge me to swear, the great Heaven, and Earth beneath, mother of the gods, that as far as strength lies in me, never will you fail of help, if only your prayers can be accomplished."
3.718-3.723
She spoke, and Chalciope thus replied: "Could you not then, for the stranger—who himself craves your aid—devise some trick or some wise thought to win the contest, for the sake of my sons? And from him has come Argus urging me to try to win your help; I left him in the palace meantime while I came here."
3.724-3.739
724
Thus she spoke, and Medea's heart bounded with joy within her, and at once her fair cheeks flushed, and a mist swam before her melting eyes, and she spoke as follows: "Chalciope, as is dear and delightful to you and your sons, even so will I do. Never may the dawn appear again to my eyes, never may you see me living any longer, if I should take thought for anything before your life or your sons' lives, for they are my brothers, my dear relatives and youthful companions. So do I declare myself to be your sister, and your daughter too, for you lifted me to your breast when an infant equally with them, as I ever heard from my mother in past days. But go, bury my kindness in silence, so that I may carry out my promise unknown to my parents; and at dawn I will bring to Hecate's temple charms to cast a spell upon the bulls."
3.740-3.743
Thus Chalciope went back from the chamber, and made known to her sons the help given by her sister. And again did shame and hateful fear seize Medea thus left alone, that she should devise such deeds for a man in her father's despite.
3.744-3.770
Then did night draw darkness over the earth; and on the sea sailors from their ships looked towards the Bear and the stars of Orion; and now the wayfarer and the guard longed for sleep, and the pall of slumber wrapped round the mother whose children were dead; nor was there any more the barking of dogs through the city, nor sound of men's voices; but silence held the blackening gloom. But not indeed upon Medea came sweet sleep. For in her love for Aeson's son many cares kept her wakeful, and she dreaded the mighty strength of the bulls, beneath whose fury he was like to perish by an unseemly fate in the field of Ares. And fast did her heart throb within her breast, as a sunbeam quivers upon the walls of a house when flung up from water, which is just poured forth in a caldron or a pail may be; and here and there on the swift eddy does it dart and dance along; even so the young woman's heart quivered in her breast. And the tear of pity flowed from her eyes, and ever within anguish tortured her, a smouldering fire through her frame, and about her fine nerves and deep down beneath the nape of the neck where the pain enters keenest, whenever the unwearied Loves direct against the heart their shafts of agony. And she thought now that she would give him the charms to cast a spell on the bulls, now that she would not, and that she herself would perish; and again that she would not perish and would not give the charms, but just as she was would endure her fate in silence. Then sitting down she wavered in mind and said:
3.771-3.801
"Poor wretch, must I toss here and there in sorrow? On every side my heart is in despair; nor is there any help for my pain; but it burns ever thus. Would that I had been killed by the swift shafts of Artemis before I had set eyes on him, before Chalciope's sons reached the Achaean land. Some god or some Fury brought them here for our grief, a cause of many tears. Let him perish in the contest if it be his lot to die in the field. For how could I prepare the charms without my parents' knowledge? What story can I tell them? What trick, what cunning device for aid can I find? If I see him alone, apart from his comrades, should I greet him? Ill-starred that I am! I cannot hope that I should rest from my sorrows even though he perished; then will evil come to me when he is bereft of life. Perish all shame, perish all glory; may he, saved by my effort, go scatheless wherever his heart desires. But as for me, on the day when he bides the contest in triumph, may I die either straining my neck in the noose from the roof-tree or tasting drugs destructive of life. But even so, when I am dead, they will fling out taunts against me; and every city far away will ring with my fate, and the Colchian women, tossing my name on their lips here and there, will revile me with unseemly mocking—the maid who cared so much for a stranger that she died, the maid who disgraced her home and her parents, yielding to a mad passion. And what disgrace will not be mine? Alas for my infatuation! Far better would it be for me to forsake life this very night in my chamber by some mysterious fate, escaping all slanderous reproach, before I complete such nameless dishonour."
3.802-3.824
802
She spoke, and brought a casket in which lay many drugs, some for healing, others for killing, and placing it upon her knees she wept. And she drenched her bosom with ceaseless tears, which flowed in torrents as she sat, bitterly bewailing her own fate. And she longed to choose a murderous drug to taste it, and now she was loosening the bands of the casket eager to take it forth, unhappy maid! But suddenly a deadly fear of hateful Hades came upon her heart. And long she held back in speechless horror, and all around her thronged visions of the pleasing cares of life. She thought of all the delightful things that are among the living, she thought of her joyous playmates, as a young woman will; and the sun grew sweeter than ever to behold, seeing that in truth her soul yearned for all. And she put the casket again from off her knees, all changed by the prompting of Hera, and no more did she waver in purpose; but longed for the rising dawn to appear quickly, that she might give him the charms to work the spell as she had promised, and meet him face to face. And often did she loosen the bolts of her door, to watch for the faint gleam: and welcome to her did the dayspring shed its light, and people began to stir throughout the city.
3.825-3.827
Then Argus told his brothers to remain there to learn the young woman's mind and plans, but himself turned back and went to the ship.
3.828-3.890
Now soon as ever the young woman saw the light of dawn, with her hands she gathered up her golden tresses which were floating round her shoulders in careless disarray, and bathed her tear-stained cheeks, and made her skin shine with ointment sweet as nectar; and she donned a beautiful robe, fitted with well-bent clasps, and above on her head, divinely fair, she threw a veil gleaming like silver. And there, moving to and fro in the palace, she trod the ground forgetful of the heaven-sent woes thronging round her and of others that were destined to follow. And she called to her maids. Twelve they were, who lay during the night in the vestibule of her fragrant chamber, young as herself, not yet sharing the marriage bed, and she told them to yoke the mules to the chariot to bear her to the beauteous shrine of Hecate. Then the attendants were making ready the chariot; and Medea meanwhile took from the hollow casket a charm which men say is called the charm of Prometheus. If a man should anoint his body therewithal, having first appeased the Young woman, the only-begotten, with sacrifice by night, surely that man could not be wounded by the stroke of bronze nor would he flinch from blazing fire; but for that day he would prove superior both in prowess and in might. It shot up first-born when the ravening eagle on the rugged flanks of Caucasus let drip to the earth the blood-like ichor
4
of tortured Prometheus. And its flower appeared a cubit above ground in colour like the Corycian crocus, rising on twin stalks; but in the earth the root was like newly-cut flesh. The dark juice of it, like the sap of a mountain-oak, she had gathered in a Caspian shell to make the charm as well, when she had first bathed in seven ever-flowing streams, and had called seven times on Brimo, nurse of youth, night-wandering Brimo, of the underworld, queen among the dead,—in the gloom of night, clad in dusky garments. And beneath, the dark earth shook and bellowed when the Titanian root was cut; and the son of Iapetus himself groaned, his soul distraught with pain. And she brought the charm forth and placed it in the fragrant band which engirdled her, just beneath her bosom, divinely fair. And going forth she mounted the swift chariot, and with her went two handmaidens on each side. And she herself took the reins and in her right hand the well-fashioned whip, and drove through the city; and the rest, the attendants, laid their hands on the chariot behind and ran along the broad highway; and they kilted up their light robes above their white knees. And even as by the mild waters of Parthenius, or after bathing in the river Amnisus, Leto's daughter stands upon her golden chariot and courses over the hills with her swift-footed roes, to greet from afar some richly-steaming hecatomb; and with her come the nymphs in attendance, gathering, some at the spring of Amnisus itself, others by the glens and many-fountained peaks; and round her whine and fawn the beasts cowering as she moves along: thus they hurried through the city; and on both sides the people gave way shunning the eyes of the royal young woman. But when she had left the city's well paved streets, and was approaching the shrine as she drove over the plains, then she alighted eagerly from the smooth-running chariot and spoke as follows among her young women:
3.891-3.911
"
891
Friends, truly have I sinned greatly and took no heed not to go among the stranger-people
5
who roam over our land. The whole city is smitten with dismay; therefore no one of the women who formerly gathered here day by day has now come here. But since we have come and no one else draws near, come, let us satisfy our souls without stint with soothing song, and when we have plucked the fair flowers amid the tender grass, that very hour will we return. And with many a gift shall you reach home this very day, if you will gladden me with this desire of mine. For Argus pleads with me, also Chalciope herself; but this that you hear from me keep silently in your hearts, lest the tale reach my father's ears. As for that stranger who took on him the task with the oxen, they bid me receive his gifts and rescue him from the deadly contest. And I approved their counsel, and I have summoned him to come to my presence apart from his comrades, so that we may divide the gifts among ourselves if he bring them in his hands, and in return may give him a deadly charm. But when he comes, stand back."
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So she spoke, and the crafty counsel pleased them all. And immediately Argus drew Aeson's son apart from his comrades as soon as he heard from his brothers that Medea had gone at daybreak to the holy shrine of Hecate, and led him over the plain; and with them went Mopsus, son of Ampycus, skilled to utter oracles from the appearance of birds, and skilled to give good counsel to those who set out on a journey.
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Never yet had there been such a man in the days of old, neither of all the heroes of the lineage of Zeus himself, nor of those who sprung from the blood of the other gods, as on that day the bride of Zeus made Jason, both to look upon and to hold converse with. Even his comrades wondered as they gazed upon him, radiant with manifold graces; and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in their journey, already foreboding how all would end.
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Now by the path along the plain there stands near the shrine a poplar with its crown of countless leaves, on which often chattering crows would roost. One of them meantime as she clapped her wings aloft in the brandies uttered the counsels of Hera:
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"What a pitiful seer is this, that has not the wit to conceive even what children know, how that no young woman will say a word of sweetness or love to a youth when strangers be near. Begone, sorry prophet, witless one; on you neither Cypris nor the gentle Loves breathe in their kindness."
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She spoke chiding, and Mopsus smiled to hear the god-sent voice of the bird, and thus addressed them: "You, son of Aeson, pass on to the temple, where you will find the young woman; and very kind will her greeting be to you through the prompting of Cypris, who will be your helpmate in the contest, even as Phineus, Agenor's son, foretold. But we two, Argus and I, will await your return, apart in this very spot you all alone be a suppliant and win her over with prudent words."
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947
He spoke wisely, and both at once gave approval. Nor was Medea's heart turned to other thoughts, for all her singing, and never a song that she essayed pleased her long in her sport. But in confusion she ever faltered, nor did she keep her eyes resting quietly upon the throng of her attendants; but to the paths far off she strained her gaze, turning her face aside. Often did her heart sink fainting within Tier bosom whenever she fancied she heard passing by the sound of a footfall or of the wind. But soon he appeared to her longing eyes, striding along loftily, like Sirius coming from ocean, which rises fair and clear to see, but brings unspeakable mischief to flocks; thus then did Aeson's son come to her, fair to see, but the sight of him brought love-sick care. Her heart fell from out her bosom, and a dark mist came over her eyes, and a hot blush covered her cheeks. And she had no strength to lift her knees backwards or forwards, but her feet beneath were rooted to the ground; and meantime all her handmaidens had drawn aside. So they two stood face to face without a word, without a sound, like oaks or lofty pines, which stand quietly side by side on the mountains when the wind is still; then again, when stirred by the breath of the wind, they murmur ceaselessly; so they two were destined to tell out all their tale, stirred by the breath of Love. And Aeson's son saw that she had fallen into some heaven-sent calamity, and with soothing words thus addressed her:
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"Why, pray, young woman, do you fear me so much, all alone as I am? Never was I one of these idle boasters such as other men are—not even formerly, when I lived in my own country. Therefore, young woman, be not too much abashed before me, either to enquire whatever you will or to speak your mind. But since we have met one another with friendly hearts, in a hallowed spot, where it is wrong to sin, speak openly and ask questions, and beguile me not with pleasing words, for at the first you promised your sister to give me the charms my heart desires. I implore you by Hecate herself, by your parents, and by Zeus who holds his guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come here to you both a suppliant and a stranger, bending the knee in my desperate need. For without you and your sister never should I prevail in the terrible contest. And I will thank you hereafter for your aid, as is right and fitting for men who dwell far off, making glorious your name and fame; and the rest of the heroes, returning to Hellas, will spread your renown and so will the heroes' wives and mothers, who now perhaps are sitting on the shore and making moan for us; their painful affliction you might scatter to the winds. In days past the young woman Ariadne, daughter of Minos, with kindly intent rescued Theseus from grim contests—the young woman whom Pasiphae daughter of Helios bore. But she, when Minos had lulled his anger to rest, went aboard the ship with him and left her fatherland; and her even the immortal gods loved, and, as a sign in mid-sky, a crown of stars, which men call Ariadne's crown, rolls along all night among the heavenly constellations. So to you too will be thanks from the gods, if you will save so mighty an array of heroes. For surely from your lovely form you are like to excel in gentle courtesy."
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1008
Thus he spoke, honouring her; and she cast her eyes down with a smile divinely sweet; and her soul melted within her, uplifted by his praise, and she gazed upon him face to face; nor did she know what word to utter first, but was eager to pour out everything at once. And forth from her fragrant girdle ungrudgingly she brought out the charm; and he at once received it in his hands with joy. And she would even have drawn out all her soul from her breast and given it to him, exulting in his desire; so wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame from the golden head of Aeson's son; and he captivated her gleaming eyes; and her heart within grew warm, melting away as the dew melts away round roses when warmed by the morning's light. And now both were fixing their eyes on the ground abashed, and again were throwing glances at each other, smiling with the light of love beneath their radiant brows. And at last and scarcely then did the young woman greet him:
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"Take heed now, that I may devise help for you. When at your coming my father has given you the deadly teeth from the dragon's jaws for sowing, then watch for the time when the night is parted in twain, then bathe in the stream of the tireless river, and alone, apart from others, clad in dusky clothing, dig a rounded pit; and in it slay a ewe, and sacrifice it whole, heaping high the pyre on the very edge of the pit. And propitiate only-begotten Hecate, daughter of Perses, pouring from a goblet the hive-stored labour of bees. And then, when you have heedfully sought the grace of the goddess, retreat from the pyre; and let neither the sound of feet drive you to turn back, nor the baying of hounds, lest perhaps you should maim all the rites and yourself fail to return duly to your comrades. And at dawn steep this charm in water, strip, and anoint your body with it as with oil; and in it there will be boundless prowess and mighty strength, and you will think yourself a match not for men but for the immortal gods. And besides, let your spear and shield and sword be sprinkled. Then the spear-heads of the earthborn men will not pierce you, nor the flame of the deadly bulls as it rushes forth resistless. But such you will be not for long, but for that one day; still never flinch from the contest. And I will tell you besides of yet another help. As soon as you have yoked the strong oxen, and with your might and your prowess have ploughed all the stubborn fallow, and now along the furrows the Giants are springing up, when the serpent's teeth are sown on the dusky clods, if you notice them uprising in throngs from the fallow, cast unseen among them a massy stone; and they over it, like ravening hounds over their food, will slay one another; and you yourself hasten to rush to the battle-strife, and the fleece then you will bear far away from Aea; nevertheless, depart wherever you will, or your pleasure takes you, when you have gone from here."
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1063
Thus she spoke, and cast her eyes to her feet in silence, and her cheek, divinely fair, was wet with warm tears as she sorrowed because he was about to wander far from her side over the wide sea: and once again she addressed him face to face with mournful words, and took his right hand; for now shame had left her eyes:
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"Remember, if perhaps you return to your home, Medea's name; and so will I remember yours, though you be far away. And of your kindness tell me this, where is your home, where will you sail from here in your ship over the sea; will you come near wealthy Orchomenus, or near the Aeaean isle? And tell me of the young woman, whosoever she be that you have named, the far-renowned daughter of Pasiphae, who is kinswoman to my father."
3.1077
Thus she spoke; and over him too, at the tears of the young woman, stole Love the destroyer, and he thus answered her:
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"All too surely do I think that never by night and never by day will I forget you if I escape death and indeed make my way in safety to the Achaean land, and Aeetes set not before us some other contest worse than this. And if it pleases you to know about my fatherland, I will tell it out; for indeed my own heart bids me do that. There is a land encircled by lofty mountains, rich in sheep and in pasture, where Prometheus, son of Iapetus, fathered noble Deucalion, who first founded cities and reared temples to the immortal gods, and first ruled Over men. This land the neighbours who dwell around call Haemonia. And in it stands Iolcus, my city, and in it many others, where they have not so much as heard the name of the Aeaean isle; yet there is a story that Minyas starting from there, Minyas son of Aeolus, built long ago the city of Orchomenus that borders on the Cadmeians. But why do I tell you all this vain talk, of our home and of Minos' daughter, far-famed Ariadne, by which glorious name they called that lovely young woman of whom you ask me? Would that, as Minos then was well inclined to Theseus for her sake, so may your father be joined to us in friendship!"
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Thus he spoke, soothing her with gentle converse. But pangs most bitter stirred her heart and in grief did she address him with vehement words:
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"In Hellas, I think, this is fair—to pay heed to covenants; but Aeetes is not such a man among men as you say was Pasiphae's husband, Minos; nor can I liken myself to Ariadne; therefore speak not of guest-love. But only you, when you have reached Iolcus, remember me, and you even in my parents' despite, will I remember. And from far off may a rumour come to me or some messenger-bird, when you forget me; or me, even me, may swift blasts catch up and bear over the sea from here to Iolcus, that so I may cast reproaches in your face and remind you that it was by my good will you escaped. May I then be seated in your halls, an unexpected guest!"
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1118
Thus she spoke with pitiful tears falling down her cheeks, and to her Jason replied: "Let the empty blasts wander at will, lady, and the messenger-bird, for vain is your talk. But if you come to those abodes and to the land of Hellas, honoured and reverenced will you be by women and men; and they shall worship you even as a goddess, because through your counsel their sons came home again, their brothers and relatives, and stalwart husbands were saved from calamity. And in our bridal chamber will you prepare our bed; and nothing will come between our love until the fate of death fold us round."
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Thus he spoke; and her soul melted within her to hear his words; nevertheless she shuddered to behold the deeds of destruction to come. Poor wretch! Not long was she destined to refuse a home in Hellas. For thus Hera devised it, that Aeaean Medea might come to Iolcus for a bane to Pelias, forsaking her native land.
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And now her attendants, glancing at them from a distance, were grieving in silence; and the time of day required that the young woman should return home to her mother's side. But she thought not yet of departing, for her soul delighted both in his beauty and in his winsome words, but Aeson's son took heed, and spoke at last, though late: "It is time to depart, lest the sunlight sink before we know it, and some stranger notice all; but again will we come and meet here."
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So did they two make trial of one another thus far with gentle words; and afterward parted. Jason hastened to return in joyous mood to his comrades and the ship, she to her attendants; and they all together came near to meet her, but she marked them not at all as they thronged around. For her soul had soared aloft amid the clouds. And her feet of their own accord mounted the swift chariot, and with one hand she took the reins, and with the other the whip of cunning workmanship, to drive the mules; and they rushed hasting to the city and the palace. And when she was come Chalciope in grief for her sons questioned her; but Medea, distraught by swiftly-changing thoughts, neither heard her words nor was eager to speak in answer to her questions. But she sat upon a low stool at the foot of her bed, bending down, her cheek leaning on her left hand, and her eyes were wet with tears as she pondered what an evil deed she had taken part in by her counsels.
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Now when Aeson's son had joined his comrades again in the spot where he had left them when he departed, he set out to go with them, telling them all the story, to the gathering of the heroes; and together they approached the ship. And when they saw Jason they embraced him and questioned him. And he told everyone about the plans of the young woman and showed the dread charm; but Idas alone of his comrades sat apart biting down his anger; and the rest joyous in heart, at the hour when the darkness of night stayed them, peacefully took thought for themselves. But at daybreak they sent two men to go to Aeetes and ask for the seed, first Telamon himself, dear to Ares, and with him Aethalides, Hermes' famous son. So they went and made no vain journey; but when they came, lordly Aeetes gave them for the contest the fell teeth of the Aonian dragon which Cadmus found in Ogygian Thebes when he came seeking for Europa and there killed—the guard of the spring of Ares. There he settled by the guidance of the heifer whom Apollo by his prophetic word granted him to lead him on his way. But the teeth the Tritonian goddess tore away from the dragon's jaws and bestowed as a gift upon Aeetes and the slayer. And Agenor's son, Cadmus, sowed them on the Aonian plains and founded an earthborn people of all who were left from the spear when Ares did the reaping; and the teeth Aeetes then readily gave to be borne to the ship, for he thought not that Jason would bring the contest to an end, even though he should cast the yoke upon the oxen.
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1191
Far away in the west the sun was sailing beneath the dark earth, beyond the furthest hills of the Aethiopians; and Night was laying the yoke upon her steeds; and the heroes were preparing their beds by the hawsers. But Jason, as soon as the stars of Helice, the bright-gleaming bear, had set, and the air had all grown still under heaven, went to a desert spot, like some stealthy thief, with all that was needful; for beforehand in the daytime had he taken thought for everything; and Argus came bringing a ewe and milk from the flock; and them he took from the ship. But when the hero saw a place which was far away from the tread of men, in a clear meadow beneath the open sky, there first of all he bathed his tender body reverently in the sacred river; and round him he placed a dark robe, which Hypsipyle of Lemnos had given him formerly, a memorial of many a loving embrace. Then he dug a pit in the ground of a cubit's depth and heaped up billets of wood, and over it he cut the throat of the sheep, and duly placed the carcase above; and he kindled the logs placing fire beneath, and poured over them mingled libations, calling on Hecate Brimo to aid him in the contests. And when he had called on her he drew back; and she heard him, the dread goddess, from the uttermost depths and came to the sacrifice of Aeson's son; and round her horrible serpents twined themselves among the oak boughs; and there was a gleam of countless torches; and sharply howled around her the hounds of hell. All the meadows trembled at her step; and the nymphs that haunt the marsh and the river shrieked, all who dance round that mead of Amarantian Phasis. And fear seized Aeson's son, but not even so did he turn round as his feet bore him forth, until he came back to his comrades; and now early dawn arose and shed her light above snowy Caucasus.
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Then Aeetes arrayed his breast in the stiff corslet which Ares gave him when he had killed Phlegraean Mimas with his own hands; and upon his head he placed a golden helmet with four plumes, gleaming like the sun's round light when he first rises from Ocean. And he wielded his shield of many hides, and his spear, terrible, resistless; none of the heroes could have withstood its shock now that they had left behind Heracles far away, who alone could have met it in battle. For the king his well-fashioned chariot of swift steeds was held near at hand by Phaethon, for him to mount; and he mounted, and held the reins in his hands. Then from the city he drove along the broad highway, that he might be present at the contest; and with him countless multitude rushed forth. And as Poseidon rides, mounted in his chariot, to the Isthmian contest or to Taenarus, or to Lerna's water, or through the grove of Hyantian Onchestus, and afterward passes even to Calaureia with his steeds, and the Haemonian rock or well-wooded Geraestus; even so was Aeetes, lord of the Colchians, to behold.
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1246
Meanwhile, prompted by Medea, Jason steeped the charm in water and sprinkled with it his shield and sturdy spear, and sword; and his comrades round him made proof of his weapons with all your strength, but could not bend that spear even a little, but it remained firm in their stalwart hands unbroken as before. But in furious rage with them Idas, Aphareus' son, with his great sword hewed at the spear near the butt, and the edge leapt back repelled by the shock, like a hammer from the anvil; and the heroes shouted with joy for their hope in the contest. And then he sprinkled his body, and terrible prowess entered into him, unspeakable, dauntless; and his hands on both sides thrilled vigorously as they swelled with strength. And as when a warlike steed eager for the fight neighs and beats the ground with his hoof, while rejoicing he lifts his neck on high with ears erect; in such wise did Aeson's son rejoice in the strength of his limbs. And often here and there did he leap high in air tossing in his hands his shield of bronze and ashen spear. You would say that wintry lightning flashing from the gloomy sky kept on darting forth from the clouds what time they bring with them their blackest rainstorm. Not long after that were the heroes to hold back from the contests; but sitting in rows on their benches they hurried swiftly on to the plain of Ares. And it lay in front of them on the opposite side of the city, as far off as is the turning-post that a chariot must reach from the starting-point, when the relatives of a dead king appoint funeral games for footmen and horsemen. And they found Aeetes and the tribes of the Colchians; these were stationed on the Caucasian heights, but the king by the winding brink of the river.
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Now Aeson's son, as soon as his comrades had made the hawsers fast, leapt from the ship, and with spear and shield came forth to the contest; and at the same time he took the gleaming helmet of bronze filled with sharp teeth, and his sword girt round his shoulders, his body stripped, in somewise resembling Ares and in somewise Apollo of the golden sword. And gazing over the field he saw the bulls' yoke of bronze and near it the plough, all of one piece, of stubborn adamant. Then he came near, and fixed his sturdy spear upright on its butt, and taking his helmet off leant it against the spear. And he went forward with shield alone to examine the countless tracks of the bulls, and they from some unseen lair beneath the earth, where was their strong farm, wrapt in murky smoke, both rushed out together, breathing forth flaming fire. And great afraid were the heroes at the sight. But Jason, setting wide his feet, withstood their onset, as in the sea a rocky reef withstands the waves tossed by the countless blasts. Then in front of him he held his shield; and both the bulls with loud bellowing attacked him with their mighty horns; nor did they stir him a jot by their onset. And as when through the holes of the furnace the armourers' bellows soon gleam brightly, kindling the ravening flame, and soon cease from blowing, and a terrible roar rises from the fire when it darts up from below; so the bulls roared, breathing forth swift flame from their mouths, while the consuming heat played round him, smiting like lightning; but the young woman's charms protected him. Then grasping the tip of the horn of the right-hand bull, he dragged it mightily with all his strength to bring it near the yoke of bronze, and forced it down on to its knees, suddenly striking with his foot the foot of bronze. So also he threw the other bull on to its knees as it rushed upon him, and struck it down with one blow. And throwing to the ground his broad shield, he held them both down where they had fallen on their fore-knees, as he strode from side to side, now here, now there, and rushed swiftly through the flame. But Aeetes marvelled at the hero's might. And meantime the sons of Tyndareus—for long since had it been thus ordained for them—near at hand gave him the yoke from the ground to cast round them. Then he bound tightly their necks; and lifting the pole of bronze between them, he fastened it to the yoke by its golden tip. So the twin heroes started back from the fire to the ship. But Jason took up again his shield and cast it on his back behind him, and grasped the strong helmet filled with sharp teeth, and his resistless spear, with which, like some ploughman with a Pelasgian goad, he pricked the bulls beneath, striking their flanks; and very he guided firmly the well fitted plough handle, fashioned of adamant.
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The bulls meantime raged exceedingly, breathing forth furious flame of fire; and their breath rose up like the roar of blustering winds, in fear of which above all seafaring men furl their large sail. But not long after that they moved on at the bidding of the spear; and behind them the rugged fallow was broken up, cloven by the might of the bulls and the sturdy ploughman. Then terribly groaned the clods as well along the furrows of the plough as they were rent, each a man's burden; and Jason followed, pressing down the cornfield with firm foot; and far from him he ever sowed the teeth along the clods as each was ploughed, turning his head back for fear lest the deadly crop of earthborn men should rise against him first; and the bulls toiled onwards treading with their hoofs of bronze.
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But when the third part of the day was still left as it wanes from dawn, and wearied labourers call for the sweet hour of unyoking to come to them immediately, then the fallow was ploughed by the tireless ploughman, four plough-gates though it was; and he loosed the plough from the oxen. Them he scared in flight towards the plain; but he went back again to the ship, while he still saw the furrows free of the earthborn men. And all round his comrades heartened him with their shouts. And in the helmet he drew from the river's stream and quenched his thirst with the water. Then he bent his knees until they grew supple, and filled his mighty heart with courage, raging like a boar, when it sharpens its teeth against the hunters, while from its wrathful mouth plenteous foam drips to the ground. By now the earthborn men were springing up over all the field; and the plot of Ares, the death-dealer, bristled with sturdy shields and double-pointed spears and shining helmets; and the gleam reached Olympus from beneath, flashing through the air. And as when abundant snow has fallen on the earth and the storm blasts have dispersed the wintry clouds under the murky night, and all the hosts of the stars appear shining through the gloom; so did those warriors shine springing up above the earth. But Jason thought him of the counsels of Medea full of craft, and seized from the plain a huge round boulder, a terrible quoit of Ares Enyalius; four stalwart youths could not have raised it from the ground even a little. Taking it in his hands he threw it with a rush far away into their midst; and himself crouched unseen behind his shield, with full confidence. And the Colchians gave a loud cry, like the roar of the sea when it beats upon sharp crags; and speechless amazement seized Aeetes at the rush of the sturdy quoit. And the Earthborn, like fleet-footed hounds, leaped upon one another and killed with loud yells; and on earth their mother they fell beneath their own spears, likes pines or oaks, which storms of wind beat down. And even as a fiery star leaps from heaven, trailing a furrow of light, a portent to men, whoever see it darting with a gleam through the dusky sky; in such wise did Aeson's son rush upon the earthborn men, and he drew from the sheath his bare sword, and struck here and there, mowing them down, many on the belly and side, half risen to the air—and some that had risen as far as the shoulders—and some just standing upright, and others even now rushing to battle. And as when a fight is stirred up concerning boundaries, and a husbandman, in fear lest they should ravage his fields, seizes in his hand a curved sickle, newly sharpened, and hastily cuts the unripe crop, and waits not for it to be parched in due season by the beams of the sun; so at that time did Jason cut down the crop of the Earthborn; and the furrows were filled with blood, as the channels of a spring with water. And they fell, some on their faces biting the rough clod of earth with their teeth, some on their backs, and others on their hands and sides, like to sea-monsters to behold. And many, smitten before raising their feet from the earth, bowed down as far to the ground as they had risen to the air, and rested there with the damp of death on their brows. Even so, I think, when Zeus has sent a measureless rain, new planted orchard-shoots droop to the ground, cut off by the root—the toil of gardening men; but heaviness of heart and deadly anguish come to the owner of the farm, who planted them; so at that time did bitter grief come upon the heart of King Aeetes. And he went back to the city among the Colchians, pondering how he might most quickly oppose the heroes. And the day died, and Jason's contest was ended.