Book 1
Beginning with you, Phoebus, I will recount the famous deeds of
men of old, who, at the behest of King Pelias, down through the
mouth of Pontus and between the Cyanean rocks, sped well-benched
Argo in quest of the golden fleece.
Such was the oracle that Pelias heard, that a hateful doom
awaited him to be slain at the prompting of the man whom he
should see coming forth from the people with but one sandal. And
no long time after, in accordance with that true report, Jason
crossed the stream of wintry Anaurus on foot, and saved one
sandal from the mire, but the other he left in the depths held
back by the flood. And straightway he came to Pelias to share
the banquet that the king was offering to his father Poseidon
and the rest of the gods, though he paid no honour to Pelasgian
Hera. Quickly the king saw him and pondered, and devised for him
the toil of a troublous voyage, in order that on the sea or
among strangers he might lose his home-return.
The ship, as former bards relate, Argus wrought by the
guidance of Athena. But now I will tell the lineage and the
names of the heroes, and of the long sea-paths and the deeds
they wrought in their wanderings; may the Muses be the inspirers
of my song!
First then let us name Orpheus whom once Calliope bare, it is
said, wedded to Thracian Oeagrus, near the Pimpleian height. Men
say that he by the music of his songs charmed the stubborn rocks
on the mountains and the course of rivers. And the wild
oak-trees to this day, tokens of that magic strain, that grow at
Zone on the Thracian shore, stand in ordered ranks close
together, the same which under the charm of his lyre he led down
from Pieria. Such then was Orpheus whom Aeson's son welcomed to
share his toils, in obedience to the behest of Cheiron, Orpheus
ruler of Bistonian Pieria.
Straightway came Asterion, whom Cometes begat by the waters
of eddying Apidanus; he dwelt at Peiresiae near the Phylleian
mount, where mighty Apidanus and bright Enipeus join their
streams, coming together from afar.
Next to them from Larisa came Polyphemus, son of Eilatus, who
aforetime among the mighty Lapithae, when they were arming
themselves against the Centaurs, fought in his younger days; now
his limbs were grown heavy with age, but his martial spirit
still remained, even as of old.
Nor was Iphiclus long left behind in Phylace, the uncle of
Aeson's son; for Aeson had wedded his sister Alcimede, daughter
of Phylacus: his kinship with her bade him be numbered in the
host.
Nor did Admetus, the lord of Pherae rich in sheep, stay
behind beneath the peak of the Chalcodonian mount.
Nor at Alope stayed the sons of Hermes, rich in corn-land,
well skilled in craftiness, Erytus and Echion, and with them on
their departure their kinsman Aethalides went as the third; him
near the streams of Amphrysus Eupolemeia bare, the daughter of
Myrmidon, from Phthia; the two others were sprung from
Antianeira, daughter of Menetes.
From rich Gyrton came Coronus, son of Caeneus, brave, but not
braver than his father. For bards relate that Caeneus though
still living perished at the hands of the Centaurs, when apart
from other chiefs he routed them; and they, rallying against
him, could neither bend nor slay him; but unconquered and
unflinching he passed beneath the earth, overwhelmed by the
downrush of massy pines.
There came too Titaresian Mopsus, whom above all men the son
of Leto taught the augury of birds; and Eurydamas the son of
Ctimenus; he dwelt at Dolopian Ctimene near the Xynian lake.
Moreover Actor sent his son Menoetius from Opus that he might
accompany the chiefs.
Eurytion followed and strong Eribotes, one the son of Teleon,
the other of Irus, Actor's son; the son of Teleon renowned
Eribotes, and of Irus Eurytion. A third with them was Oileus,
peerless in courage and well skilled to attack the flying foe,
when they break their ranks.
Now from Euboea came Canthus eager for the quest, whom
Canethus son of Abas sent; but he was not destined to return to
Cerinthus. For fate had ordained that he and Mopsus, skilled in
the seer's art, should wander and perish in the furthest ends of
Libya. For no ill is too remote for mortals to incur, seeing
that they buried them in Libya, as far from the Colchians as is
the space that is seen between the setting and the rising of the
sun.
To him Clytius and Iphitus joined themselves, the warders of
Oechalia, sons of Eurytus the ruthless, Eurytus, to whom the
Far-shooting god gave his bow; but he had no joy of the gift;
for of his own choice he strove even with the giver.
After them came the sons of Aeacus, not both together, nor
from the same spot; for they settled far from Aegina in exile,
when in their folly they had slain their brother Phoeus. Telamon
dwelt in the Attic island; but Peleus departed and made his home
in Phthia.
After them from Cecropia came warlike Butes, son of brave
Teleon, and Phalerus of the ashen spear. Alcon his father sent
him forth; yet no other sons had he to care for his old age and
livelihood. But him, his well-beloved and only son, he sent
forth that amid bold heroes he might shine conspicuous. But
Theseus, who surpassed all the sons of Erechtheus, an unseen
bond kept beneath the land of Taenarus, for he had followed that
path with Peirithous; assuredly both would have lightened for
all the fulfilment of their toil.
Tiphys, son of Hagnias, left the Siphaean people of the
Thespians, well skilled to foretell the rising wave on the broad
sea, and well skilled to infer from sun and star the stormy
winds and the time for sailing. Tritonian Athena herself urged
him to join the band of chiefs, and he came among them a welcome
comrade. She herself too fashioned the swift ship; and with her
Argus, son of Arestor, wrought it by her counsels. Wherefore it
proved the most excellent of all ships that have made trial of
the sea with oars.
After them came Phlias from Araethyrea, where he dwelt in
affluence by the favour of his father Dionysus, in his home by
the springs of Asopus.
From Argos came Talaus and Areius, sons of Bias, and mighty
Leodocus, all of whom Pero daughter of Neleus bare; on her
account the Aeolid Melampus endured sore affliction in the
steading of Iphiclus.
Nor do we learn that Heracles of the mighty heart disregarded
the eager summons of Aeson's son. But when he heard a report of
the heroes' gathering and had reached Lyrceian Argos from
Arcadia by the road along which he carried the boar alive that
fed in the thickets of Lampeia, near the vast Erymanthian swamp,
the boar bound with chains he put down from his huge shoulders
at the entrance to the market-place of Mycenae; and himself of
his own will set out against the purpose of Eurystheus; and with
him went Hylas, a brave comrade, in the flower of youth, to bear
his arrows and to guard his bow.
Next to him came a scion of the race of divine Danaus,
Nauplius. He was the son of Clytonaeus son of Naubolus; Naubolus
was son of Lernus; Lernus we know was the son of Proetus son of
Nauplius; and once Amymone daughter of Danaus, wedded to
Poseidon, bare Nauplius, who surpassed all men in naval skill.
Idmon came last of all them that dwelt at Argos, for though
he had learnt his own fate by augury, he came, that the people
might not grudge him fair renown. He was not in truth the son of
Abas, but Leto's son himself begat him to be numbered among the
illustrious Aeolids; and himself taught him the art of prophecy
— to pay heed to birds and to observe the signs of the burning
sacrifice.
Moreover Aetolian Leda sent from Sparta strong Polydeuces and
Castor, skilled to guide swift-footed steeds; these her
dearly-loved sons she bare at one birth in the house of
Tyndareus; nor did she forbid their departure; for she had
thoughts worthy of the bride of Zeus.
The sons of Aphareus, Lynceus and proud Idas, came from Arene,
both exulting in their great strength; and Lynceus too excelled
in keenest sight, if the report is true that that hero could
easily direct his sight even beneath the earth.
And with them Neleian Periclymenus set out to come, eldest of
all the sons of godlike Neleus who were born at Pylos; Poseidon
had given him boundless strength and granted him that whatever
shape he should crave during the fight, that he should take in
the stress of battle.
Moreover from Arcadia came Amphidamas and Cepheus, who
inhabited Tegea and the allotment of Apheidas, two sons of
Aldus; and Ancaeus followed them as the third, whom his father
Lycurgus sent, the brother older than both. But he was left in
the city to care for Aleus now growing old, while he gave his
son to join his brothers. Antaeus went clad in the skin of a
Maenalian bear, and wielding in his right hand a huge two-edged
battleaxe. For his armour his grandsire had hidden in the
house's innermost recess, to see if he might by some means still
stay his departure.
There came also Augeias, whom fame declared to be the son of
Helios; he reigned over the Eleans, glorying in his wealth; and
greatly he desired to behold the Colchian land and Aeetes
himself the ruler of the Colchians.
Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came from Achaean
Pellene, which once Pelles their grandsire founded on the brows
of Aegialus.
After them from Taenarus came Euphemus whom, most
swift-footed of men, Europe, daughter of mighty Tityos, bare to
Poseidon. He was wont to skim the swell of the grey sea, and did
not wet his swift feet, but just dipping the tips of his toes
was borne on the watery path.
Yea, and two other sons of Poseidon came; one Erginus, who
left the citadel of glorious Miletus, the other proud Ancaeus,
who left Parthenia, the seat of Imbrasion Hera; both boasted
their skill in seacraft and in war.
After them from Calydon came the son of Oeneus, strong
Meleagrus, and Laocoon — Laocoon the brother of Oeneus, though
not by the same mother, for a serving-woman bare him; him, now
growing old, Oeneus sent to guard his son: thus Meleagrus, still
a youth, entered the bold band of heroes. No other had come
superior to him, I ween, except Heracles, if for one year more
he had tarried and been nurtured among the Aetolians. Yea, and
his uncle, well skilled to fight whether with the javelin or
hand to hand, Iphiclus son of Thestius, bare him company on his
way.
With him came Palaemonius, son of Olenian Lernus, of Lernus
by repute, but his birth was from Hephaestus; and so he was
crippled in his feet, but his bodily frame and his valour no one
would dare to scorn. Wherefore he was numbered among all the
chiefs, winning fame for Jason.
From the Phocians came Iphitus sprung from Naubolus son of
Ornytus; once he had been his host when Jason went to Pytho to
ask for a response concerning his voyage; for there he welcomed
him in his own hails.
Next came Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas, whom once
Oreithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, bare to Boreas on the verge
of wintry Thrace; there it was that Thracian Boreas snatched her
away from Cecropia as she was whirling in the dance, hard by
Hissus' stream. And, carrying her far off, to the spot that men
called the rock of Sarpedon, near the river Erginus, he wrapped
her in dark clouds and forced her to his will. There they were
making their dusky wings quiver on their ankles on both sides as
they rose, a great wonder to behold, wings that gleamed with
golden scales: and round their backs from the top of the head
and neck, here and there, their dark tresses were being shaken
by the wind.
No, nor had Acastus son of mighty Pelias himself any will to
stay behind in the palace of his brave sire, nor Argus, helper
of the goddess Athena; but they too were ready to be numbered in
the host.
So many then were the helpers who assembled to join the son
of Aeson. All the chiefs the dwellers thereabout called Minyae,
for the most and the bravest avowed that they were sprung from
the blood of the daughters of Minyas; thus Jason himself was the
son of Alcimede who was born of Clymene the daughter of Minyas.
Now when all things had been made ready by the thralls, all
things that fully-equipped ships are furnished withal when men's
business leads them to voyage across the sea, then the heroes
took their way through the city to the ship where it lay on the
strand that men call Magnesian Pagasae; and a crowd of people
hastening rushed together; but the heroes shone like gleaming
stars among the clouds; and each man as he saw them speeding
along with their armour would say:
"King Zeus, what is the purpose of Pelias? Where is he
driving forth from the Panachaean land so great a host of
heroes? On one day they would waste the palace of Aeetes with
baleful fire, if he should not yield them the fleece of his own
goodwill. But the path is not to be shunned, the toil is hard
for those who venture."
Thus they spoke here and there throughout the city; but the
women often raised their hands to the sky in prayer to the
immortals to grant a return, their hearts' desire. And one with
tears thus lamented to her fellow:
"Wretched Alcimede, evil has come to you at last though late,
you have not ended with splendour of life. Aeson too, ill-fated
man! Surely better had it been for him, if he were lying beneath
the earth, enveloped in his shroud, still unconscious of bitter
toils. Would that the dark wave, when the maiden Helle perished,
had overwhelmed Phrixus too with the ram; but the dire portent
even sent forth a human voice, that it might cause to Alcimede
sorrows and countless pains hereafter."
Thus the women spoke at the departure of the heroes. And now
many thralls, men and women, were gathered together, and his
mother, smitten with grief for Jason. And a bitter pang seized
every woman's heart; and with them groaned the father in baleful
old age, lying on his bed, closely wrapped round. But the hero
straightway soothed their pain, encouraging them, and bade the
thralls take up his weapons for war; and they in silence with
downcast looks took them up. And even as the mother had thrown
her arms about her son, so she clung, weeping without stint, as
a maiden all alone weeps, falling fondly on the neck of her
hoary nurse, a maid who has now no others to care for her, but
she drags on a weary life under a stepmother, who maltreats her
continually with ever fresh insults, and as she weeps, her heart
within her is bound fast with misery, nor can she sob forth all
the groans that struggle for utterance; so without stint wept
Alcimede straining her son in her arms, and in her yearning
grief spoke as follows:
"Would that on that day when, wretched woman that I am, I
heard King Pelias proclaim his evil behest, I had straightway
given up my life and forgotten my cares, so that you yourself,
my son, with thine own hands, might have buried me; for that was
the only wish left me still to be fulfilled by time, all the
other rewards for your nurture have I long enjoyed. Now I, once
so admired among Achaean women, shall be left behind like a
bondwoman in my empty halls, pining away, ill-fated one, for
love of you, you on whose account I had aforetime so much
splendour and renown, my only son for whom I loosed my virgin
zone first and last. For to me beyond others the goddess
Eileithyia grudged abundant offspring. Alas for my folly! Not
once, not even in my dreams did I forebode this, that the flight
of Phrixus would bring me woe."
Thus with moaning she wept, and her handmaidens, standing by,
lamented; but Jason spoke gently to her with comforting words:
"Do not, I pray you, mother, store up bitter sorrows
overmuch, for you will not redeem me from evil by tears, but
will still add grief to grief. For unseen are the woes that the
gods mete out to mortals; be strong to endure your share of them
though with grief in your heart; take courage from the promises
of Athena, and from the answers of the gods (for very favourable
oracles has Phoebus given), and then from the help of the
chieftains. But remain here, quiet among your handmaids, and do
not be a bird of ill omen to the ship; and there my clansmen and
thralls will follow me."
He spoke, and started forth to leave the house. And as Apollo
goes forth from some fragrant shrine to divine Delos or Claros
or Pytho or to broad Lyeia near the stream of Xanthus, in such
beauty moved Jason through the throng of people; and a cry arose
as they shouted together. And there met him aged Iphias,
priestess of Artemis guardian of the city, and kissed his right
hand, but she had not strength to say a word, for all her
eagerness, as the crowd rushed on, but she was left there by the
wayside, as the old are left by the young, and he passed on and
was gone afar.
Now when he had left the well-built streets of the city, he
came to the beach of Pagasae, where his comrades greeted him as
they stayed together near the ship Argo. And he stood at the
entering in, and they were gathered to meet him. And they
perceived Aeastus and Argus coming from the city, and they
marvelled when they saw them hasting with all speed, despite the
will of Pelias. The one, Argus, son of Arestor, had cast round
his shoulders the hide of a bull reaching to his feet, with the
black hair on it, the other, a fair mantle of double fold, which
his sister Pelopeia had given him. Still Jason forebore from
asking them about each point but bade all be seated for an
assembly. And there, on the folded sails and the mast as it lay
on the ground, they all took their seats in order. And among
them with goodwill spoke Aeson's son:
"All the equipment that a ship needs for all is in due order
— lies ready for our departure. Therefore we will make no long
delay in our sailing for these things' sake, when the breezes
but blow fair. But, friends, — for common to all is our return
to Hellas hereafter, and common to all is our path to the land
of Aeetes — now therefore with ungrudging heart choose the
bravest to be our leader, who shall be careful for everything,
to take on him our quarrels and covenants with strangers."
Thus he spoke; and the young heroes turned their eyes towards
bold Heracles sitting in their midst, and with one shout they
all enjoined on him to be their leader; but he, from the place
where he sat, stretched forth his right hand and said:
"Let no one offer this honour to me. For I will not consent,
and I will forbid any other to stand up. Let the hero who
brought us together, himself be the leader of the host."
Thus he spoke with high thoughts, and they assented, as
Heracles bade; and warlike Jason himself rose up, glad at heart,
and thus addressed the eager throng:
"If you entrust your glory to my care, no longer as before
let our path be hindered. Now at last let us propitiate Phoebus
with sacrifice and straightway prepare a feast. And till my
thralls come, the overseers of my steading, whose care it is to
choose out oxen from the herd and drive them here, we will drag
down the ship to the sea, and do you place all the tackling
within, and draw lots for the benches for rowing. Meantime let
us build on the beach an altar to Apollo Embasius (1) who by an
oracle promised to point out and show me the paths of the sea,
if by sacrifice to him I should begin my venture for King Pelias."
He spoke, and was the first to turn to the work, and they
stood up in obedience to him; and they heaped their garments,
one on the other, on a smooth stone, which the sea did not
strike with its waves, but the stormy surge had cleansed it long
before. First of all, by the command of Argus, they strongly
girded the ship with a rope well twisted within, (2) stretching
it tight on each side, in order that the planks might be well
compacted by the bolts and might withstand the opposing force of
the surge. And they quickly dug a trench as wide as the space
the ship covered, and at the prow as far into the sea as it
would run when drawn down by their hands. And they ever dug
deeper in front of the stem, and in the furrow laid polished
rollers; and inclined the ship down on the first rollers, that
so she might glide and be borne on by them. And above, on both
sides, reversing the oars, they fastened them round the thole-pins,
so as to project a cubit's space. And the heroes themselves
stood on both sides at the oars in a row, and pushed forward
with chest and hand at once. And then Tiphys leapt on board to
urge the youths to push at the right moment; and calling on them
he shouted loudly; and they at once, leaning with all their
strength, with one push started the ship from her place, and
strained with their feet, forcing her onward; and Pelian Argo
followed swiftly; and they on each side shouted as they rushed
on. And then the rollers groaned under the sturdy keel as they
were chafed, and round them rose up a dark smoke owing to the
weight, and she glided into the sea; but the heroes stood there
and kept dragging her back as she sped onward. And round the
thole-pins they fitted the oars, and in the ship they placed the
mast and the well-made sails and the stores.
Now when they had carefully paid heed to everything, first
they distributed the benches by lot, two men occupying one seat;
but the middle bench they chose for Heracles and Ancaeus apart
from the other heroes, Ancaeus who dwelt in Tegea. For them
alone they left the middle bench just as it was and not by lot;
and with one consent they entrusted Tiphys with guarding the
helm of the well-stemmed ship.
Next, piling up shingle near the sea, they raised there an
altar on the shore to Apollo, under the name of Actius (3) and
Embasius, and quickly spread above it logs of dried olive-wood.
Meantime the herdsmen of Aeson's son had driven before them from
the herd two steers. These the younger comrades dragged near the
altars, and the others brought lustral water and barley meal,
and Jason prayed, calling on Apollo the god of his fathers:
"Hear, King, that dwell in Pagasae and the city Aesonis, the
city called by my father's name, you who did promise me, when I
sought your oracle at Pytho, to show the fulfilment and goal of
my journey, for you yourself have been the cause of my venture;
now do you yourself guide the ship with my comrades safe and
sound, there and back again to Hellas. Then in your honour
hereafter we will lay again on your altar the bright offerings
of bulls — all of us who return; and other gifts in countless
numbers I will bring to Pytho and Ortygia. And now, come,
Far-darter, accept this sacrifice at our hands, which first of
all we have offered you for this ship on our embarcation; and
grant, King, that with a prosperous weird I may loose the
hawsers, relying on your counsel, and may the breeze blow softly
with which we shall sail over the sea in fair weather."
He spoke, and with his prayer cast the barley meal. And they
two girded themselves to slay the steers, proud Ancaeus and
Heracles. The latter with his club smote one steer mid-head on
the brow, and falling in a heap on the spot, it sank to the
ground; and Ancaeus struck the broad neck of the other with his
axe of bronze, and shore through the mighty sinews; and it fell
prone on both its horns. Their comrades quickly severed the
victims' throats, and flayed the hides: they sundered the joints
and carved the flesh, then cut out the sacred thigh bones, and
covering them all together closely with fat burnt them on cloven
wood. And Aeson's son poured out pure libations, and Idmon
rejoiced beholding the flame as it gleamed on every side from
the sacrifice, and the smoke of it mounting up with good omen in
dark spiral columns; and quickly he spoke outright the will of
Leto's son:
"For you it is the will of heaven and destiny that you shall
return here with the fleece; but meanwhile both going and
returning, countless trials await you. But it is my lot, by the
hateful decree of a god, to die somewhere afar off on the
mainland of Asia. Thus, though I learnt my fate from evil omens
even before now, I have left my fatherland to embark on the
ship, that so after my embarking fair fame may be left me in my
house."
Thus he spoke; and the youths hearing the divine utterance
rejoiced at their return, but grief seized them for the fate of
Idmon. Now at the hour when the sun passes his noon-tide halt
and the ploughlands are just being shadowed by the rocks, as the
sun slopes towards the evening dusk, at that hour all the heroes
spread leaves thickly on the sand and lay down in rows in front
of the hoary surf-line; and near them were spread vast stores of
viands and sweet wine, which the cupbearers had drawn off in
pitchers; afterwards they told tales one to another in turn,
such as youths often tell when at the feast and the bowl they
take delightful pastime, and insatiable insolence is far away.
But here the son of Aeson, all helpless, was brooding over each
event in his mind, like one oppressed with thought. And Idas
noted him and assailed him with loud voice:
"Son of Aeson, what is this plan you are turning over in
mind. Speak out your thought in the midst. Does fear come on and
master you, fear, that confounds cowards? Be witness now my
impetuous spear, wherewith in wars I win renown beyond all
others (nor does Zeus aid me so much as my own spear), that no
woe will be fatal, no venture will be unachieved, while Idas
follows, even though a god should oppose you. Such a helpmeet am
I that you bring from Arene."
He spoke, and holding a brimming goblet in both hands drank
off the unmixed sweet wine; and his lips and dark cheeks were
drenched with it; and all the heroes clamoured together and
Idmon spoke out openly:
"Vain wretch, you are devising destruction for yourself
before the time. Does the pure wine cause your bold heart to
swell in your breast to your ruin, and has it set you on to
dishonour the gods? Other words of comfort there are with which
a man might encourage his comrade; but you have spoken with
utter recklessness. Such taunts, the tale goes, did the sons of
Aloeus once blurt out against the blessed gods, and in no way
you equal them in valour; nevertheless they were both slain by
the swift arrows of Leto's son, mighty though they were."
Thus he spoke, and Aphareian Iclas laughed out, loud and
long, and eyeing him askance replied with biting words:
"Come now, tell me this by your prophetic art, whether for me
too the gods will bring to pass such doom as your father
promised for the sons of Aloeus. And bethink you how you will
escape from my hands alive, if you are caught making a prophecy
vain as the idle wind."
Thus in wrath Idas reviled him, and the strife would have
gone further had not their comrades and Aeson's son himself with
indignant cry restrained the contending chiefs; and Orpheus
lifted his lyre in his left hand and made essay to sing.
He sang how the earth, the heaven and the sea, once mingled
together in one form, after deadly strife were separated each
from other; and how the stars and the moon and the paths of the
sun ever keep their fixed place in the sky; and how the
mountains rose, and how the resounding rivers with their nymphs
came into being and all creeping things. And he sang how first
of all Ophion and Eurynome, daughter of Ocean, held the sway of
snowy Olympus, and how through strength of arm one yielded his
prerogative to Cronos and the other to Rhea, and how they fell
into the waves of Ocean; but the other two meanwhile ruled over
the blessed Titan-gods, while Zeus, still a child and with the
thoughts of a child, dwelt in the Dictaean cave; and the
earthborn Cyclopes had not yet armed him with the bolt, with
thunder and lightning; for these things give renown to Zeus.
He ended, and stayed his lyre and divine voice. But though he
had ceased they still bent forward with eagerness all hushed to
quiet, with ears intent on the enchanting strain; such a charm
of song had he left behind in their hearts. Not long after they
mixed libations in honour of Zeus, with pious rites as is
customary, and poured them on the burning tongues, and bethought
them of sleep in the darkness.
Now when gleaming dawn with bright eyes saw the lofty peaks
of Pelion, and the calm headlands were being drenched as the sea
was ruffled by the winds, then Tiphys awoke from sleep; and at
once he roused his comrades to go on board and make ready the
oars. And a strange cry did the harbour of Pagasae utter, yea
and Pelian Argo herself, urging them to set forth. For in her a
beam divine had been laid which Athena had brought from an oak
of Dodona and fitted in the middle of the stem. And the heroes
went to the benches one after the other, as they had previously
assigned for each to row in his place, and took their seats in
due order near their fighting gear. In the middle sat Antaeus
and mighty Heracles, and near him he laid his club, and beneath
his tread the ship's keel sank deep. And now the hawsers were
being slipped and they poured wine on the sea. But Jason with
tears held his eyes away from his fatherland. And just as youths
set up a dance in honour of Phoebus either in Pytho or haply in
Ortygia, or by the waters of Ismenus, and to the sound of the
lyre round his altar all together in time beat the earth with
swiftly-moving feet; so they to the sound of Orpheus' lyre smote
with their oars the rushing sea-water, and the surge broke over
the blades; and on this side and on that the dark brine seethed
with foam, boiling terribly through the might of the sturdy
heroes. And their arms shone in the sun like flame as the ship
sped on; and ever their wake gleamed white far behind, like a
path seen over a green plain. On that day all the gods looked
down from heaven on the ship and the might of the heroes,
half-divine, the bravest of men then sailing the sea; and on the
topmost heights the nymphs of Pelion wondered as they saw the
work of Itonian Athena, and the heroes themselves wielding the
oars. And there came down from the mountain-top to the sea
Chiron, son of Philyra, and where the white surf broke he dipped
his feet, and, often waving with his broad hand, cried out to
them at their departure, "Good speed and a sorrowless
home-return!" And with him his wife, bearing Peleus' son
Achilles on her arm, showed the child to his dear father.
Now when they had left the curving shore of the harbour
through the cunning and counsel of prudent Tiphys son of Hagnias,
who skilfully handled the well-polished helm that he might guide
them steadfastly, then at length they set up the tall mast in
the mastbox, and secured it with forestays, drawing them taut on
each side, and from it they let down the sail when they had
hauled it to the top-mast. And a breeze came down piping
shrilly; and on the deck they fastened the ropes separately
round the well-polished pins, and ran quietly past the long
Tisaean headland. And for them the son of Oeagrus touched his
lyre and sang in rhythmical song of Artemis, saviour of ships,
child of a glorious sire, who has in her keeping those peaks by
the sea, and the land of Iolcos; and the fishes came darting
through the deep sea, great mixed with small, and followed
gambolling along the watery paths. And as when in the track of
the shepherd, their master, countless sheep follow to the fold
that have fed to the full of grass, and he goes before gaily
piping a shepherd's strain on Iris shrill reed; so these fishes
followed; and a chasing breeze ever bore the ship onward.
And straightway the misty land of the Pelasgians, rich in
cornfields, sank out of sight, and ever speeding onward they
passed the rugged sides of Pelion; and the Sepian headland sank
away, and Sciathus appeared in the sea, and far off appeared
Piresiae and the calm shore of Magnesia on the mainland and the
tomb of Dolops; here then in the evening, as the wind blew
against them, they put to land, and paying honour to him at
nightfall burnt sheep as victims, while the sea was tossed by
the swell: and for two days they lingered on the shore, but on
the third day they put forth the ship, spreading on high the
broad sail. And even now men call that beach Aphetae (4) of
Argo.
Thence going forward they ran past Meliboea, escaping a
stormy beach and surf-line. And in the morning they saw Homole
close at hand leaning on the sea, and skirted it, and not long
after they were about to pass by the outfall of the river Amyrus.
From there they saw Eurymenae and the sea-washed ravines of Ossa
and Olympus; next they reached the slopes of Pallene, beyond the
headland of Canastra, running all night with the wind. And at
dawn before them as they journeyed rose Athos, the Thracian
mountain, which with its topmost peak overshadows Lemnos, even
as far as Myrine, though it lies as far off as the space that a
well-trimmed merchantship would traverse up to mid-day. For them
on that day, till darkness fell, the breeze blew exceedingly
fresh, and the sails of the ship strained to it. But with the
setting of the sun the wind left them, and it was by the oars
that they reached Lemnos, the Sintian isle.
Here the whole of the men of the people together had been
ruthlessly slain through the transgressions of the women in the
year gone by. For the men had rejected their lawful wives,
loathing them, and had conceived a fierce passion for captive
maids whom they themselves brought across the sea from their
forays in Thrace; for the terrible wrath of Cypris came on them,
because for a long time they had grudged her the honours due.
Hapless women, and insatiate in jealousy to their own ruin! Not
their husbands alone with the captives did they slay on account
of the marriage-bed, but all the males at the same time, that
they might thereafter pay no retribution for the grim murder.
And of all the women, Hypsipyle alone spared her aged father
Thoas, who was king over the people; and she sent him in a
hollow chest, to drift over the sea, if haply he should escape.
And fishermen dragged him to shore at the island of Oenoe,
formerly Oenoe, but afterwards called Sicinus from Sicinus, whom
the water-nymph Oenoe bore to Thoas. Now for all the women to
tend kine, to don armour of bronze, and to cleave with the
plough-share the wheat-bearing fields, was easier than the works
of Athena, with which they were busied aforetime. Yet for all
that did they often gaze over the broad sea, in grievous fear
against the Thracians' coming. So when they saw Argo being rowed
near the island, straightway crowding in multitude from the
gates of Myrine and clad in their harness of war, they poured
forth to the beach like ravening Thyiades: for they deemed that
the Thracians were come; and with them Hypsipyle, daughter of
Thoas, donned her father's harness. And they streamed down
speechless with dismay; such fear was wafted about them.
Meantime from the ship the chiefs had sent Aethalides the
swift herald, to whose care they entrusted their messages and
the wand of Hermes, his sire, who had granted him a memory of
all things, that never grew dim; and not even now, though he has
entered the unspeakable whirlpools of Acheron, has forgetfulness
swept over his soul, but its fixed doom is to be ever changing
its abode; at one time to be numbered among the dwellers beneath
the earth, at another to be in the light of the sun among living
men. But why need I tell at length tales of Aethalides? He at
that time persuaded Hypsipyle to receive the new-comers as the
day was waning into darkness; nor yet at dawn did they loose the
ship's hawsers to the breath of the north wind.
Now the Lemnian women fared through the city and sat down to
the assembly, for Hypsipyle herself had so bidden. And when they
were all gathered together in one great throng straightway she
spoke among them with stirring words:
"O friends, come let us grant these men gifts to their
hearts' desire, such as it is fitting that they should take on
ship-board, food and sweet wine, in order that they may
steadfastly remain outside our towers, and may not, passing
among us for need's sake, get to know us all too well, and so an
evil report be widely spread; for we have wrought a terrible
deed and in nowise will it be to their liking, should they learn
it. Such is our counsel now, but if any of you can devise a
better plan let her rise, for it was on this account that I
summoned you here."
Thus she spoke and sat on her father's seat of stone, and
then rose up her dear nurse Polyxo, for very age halting on her
withered feet, bowed over a staff, and she was eager to address
them. Near her were seated four virgins, unwedded, crowned with
white hair. And she stood in the midst of the assembly and from
her bent back she feebly raised her neck and spoke thus:
"Gifts, as Hypsipyle herself wishes, let us send to the
strangers, for it is better to give them. But for you what
device have you to get profit of your life if the Thracian host
fall on us, or some other foe, as often happens among men, even
as now this company is come unforeseen? But if one of the
blessed gods should turn this aside yet countless other woes,
worse than battle, remain behind, when the aged women die off
and you younger ones, without children, reach hateful old age.
How then will you live, hapless ones? Will your oxen of their
own accord yoke themselves for the deep plough-lands and draw
the earth-cleaving share through the fallow, and forthwith, as
the year comes round, reap the harvest? Assuredly, though the
fates till now have shunned me in horror, I deem that in the
coming year I shall put on the garment of earth, when I have
received my meed of burial even so as is right, before the evil
days draw near. But I bid you who are younger give good heed to
this. For now a way of escape lies open at your feet, if you
trust to the strangers the care of your homes and all your stock
and your glorious city."
Thus she spoke, and the assembly was filled with clamour. For
the word pleased them. And after her straightway Hypsipyle rose
up again, and thus spoke in reply.
"If this purpose please all of you, I will now send a
messenger to the ship."
She spoke and addressed Iphinoe close at hand: "Go, Iphinoe,
and beg the man over there, whoever it is that leads this array,
to come to our land that I may tell him a word that pleases the
heart of my people, and bid the men themselves, if they wish,
boldly enter the land and the city with friendly intent."
She spoke, and dismissed the assembly, and thereafter started
to return home. And so Iphinoe came to the Minyae; and they
asked with what intent she had come among them. And quickly she
addressed her questioners with all speed in these words:
"The maiden Hypsipyle daughter of Thoas, sent me on my way
here to you, to summon the captain of your ship, whoever he be,
that she may tell him a word that pleases the heart of the
people, and she bids yourselves, if you wish it, straightway
enter the land and the city with friendly intent."
Thus she spoke and the speech of good omen pleased all. And
they deemed that Thoas was dead and that his beloved daughter
Hypsipyle was queen, and quickly they sent Jason on his way and
themselves made ready to go.
Now he had buckled round his shoulders a purple mantle of
double fold, the work of the Tritonian goddess, which Pallas had
given him when she first laid the keel-props of the ship Argo
and taught him how to measure timbers with the rule. More easily
you would cast your eyes on the sun at its rising than behold
that blazing splendour. For indeed in the middle the fashion
thereof was red, but at the ends it was all purple, and on each
margin many separate devices had been skilfully inwoven.
In it were the Cyclops seated at their imperishable work,
forging a thunderbolt for King Zeus; by now it was almost
finished in its brightness and still it wanted but one ray,
which they were beating out with their iron hammers as it
spurted forth a breath of raging flame.
In it too were the twin sons of Antiope, daughter of Asopus,
Amphion and Zethus, and Thebe still ungirt with towers was lying
near, whose foundations they were just then laying in eager
haste. Zethus on his shoulders was lifting the peak of a steep
mountain, like a man toiling hard, and Amphion after him,
singing loud and clear on his golden lyre, moved on, and a rock
twice as large followed his footsteps.
Next in order had been wrought Cytherea with drooping
tresses, wielding the swift shield of Ares; and from her
shoulder to her left arm the fastening of her tunic was loosed
beneath her breast; and opposite in the shield of bronze her
image appeared clear to view as she stood.
And in it there was a well-wooded pasturage of oxen; and
about the oxen the Teleboae and the sons of Eleetryon were
fighting; the one party defending themselves, the others, the
Taphian raiders, longing to rob them; and the dewy meadow was
drenched with their blood, and the many were overmastering the
few herdsmen.
And therein were fashioned two chariots, racing, and the one
in front Pelops was guiding, as he shook the reins, and with him
was Hippodameia at his side, and in pursuit Myrtilus urged his
steeds, and with him Oenomaus had grasped his couched spear, but
fell as the axle swerved and broke in the nave, while he was
eager to pierce the back of Pelops.
And in it was wrought Phoebus Apollo, a stripling not yet
grown up, in the act of shooting at mighty Tityos who was boldly
dragging his mother by her veil, Tityos whom glorious Elate
bare, but Earth nursed him and gave him second birth.
And in it was Phrixus the Minyan as though he were in very
deed listening to the ram, while it was like one speaking.
Beholding them you would be silent and would cheat your soul
with the hope of hearing some wise speech from them, and long
would you gaze with that hope.
Such then were the gifts of the Tritonian goddess Athena. And
in his right hand Jason held a fardarting spear, which Atalanta
gave him once as a gift of hospitality in Maenalus as she met
him gladly; for she eagerly desired to follow on that quest; but
he himself of his own accord prevented the maid, for he feared
bitter strife on account of her love.
And he went on his way to the city like to a bright star,
which maidens, pent up in new-built chambers, behold as it rises
above their homes, and through the dark air it charms their eyes
with its fair red gleam and the maid rejoices, love-sick for the
youth who is far away amid strangers, for whom her parents are
keeping her to be his bride; like to that star the hero trod the
way to the city. And when they had passed within the gates and
the city, the women of the people surged behind them, delighting
in the stranger, but he with his eyes fixed on the ground fared
straight on, till he reached the glorious palace of Hypsipyle;
and when he appeared the maids opened the folding doors, fitted
with well-fashioned panels. Here Iphinoe leading him quickly
through a fair porch set him on a shining seat opposite her
mistress, but Hypsipyle turned her eyes aside and a blush
covered her maiden cheeks, yet for all her modesty she addressed
him with crafty words:
"Stranger, why stay you so long outside our towers? for the
city is not inhabited by the men, but they, as sojourners,
plough the wheat-bearing fields of the Thracian mainland. And I
will tell out truly all our evil plight, that you yourselves too
may know it well. When my father Thoas reigned over the
citizens, then our folk starting from their homes used to
plunder from their ships the dwellings of the Thracians who live
opposite, and they brought back here measureless booty and
maidens too. But the counsel of the baneful goddess Cypris was
working out its accomplishment, who brought on them soul
destroying infatuation. For they hated their lawful wives, and,
yielding to their own mad folly, drove them from their homes;
and they took to their beds the captives of their spear, cruel
ones. Long in truth we endured it, if haply again, though late,
they might change their purpose, but ever the bitter woe grew,
twofold. And the lawful children were being dishonoured in their
halls, and a bastard race was rising. And thus unmarried maidens
and widowed mothers too wandered uncared for through the city;
no father heeded his daughter ever so little even though he
should see her done to death before his eyes at the hands of an
insolent step-dame, nor did sons, as before, defend their mother
against unseemly outrage; nor did brothers care at heart for
their sister. But in their homes, in the dance, in the assembly
and the banquet all their thought was only for their captive
maidens; till some god put desperate courage in our hearts no
more to receive our lords on their return from Thrace within our
towers so that they might either heed the right or might depart
and begone elsewhither, they and their captives. So they begged
of us all the male children that were left in the city and went
back to where even now they dwell on the snowy tilths of Thrace.
Do you therefore stay and settle with us; and should you desire
to dwell here, and this finds favour with you, assuredly you
shall have the prerogative of my father Thoas; and I deem that
you will not scorn our land at all; for it is deep-soiled beyond
all other islands that lie in the Aegaean sea. But come now,
return to the ship and relate my words to your comrades, and
stay not outside our city."
She spoke, glozing over the murder that had been wrought on
the men; and Jason addressed her in answer:
"Hypsipyle, very dear to our hearts is the help we shall meet
with, which you grant to us who need you. And I will return
again to the city when I have told everything in order due. But
let the sovereignty of the island be thine; it is not in scorn I
yield it up, but grievous trials urge me on."
He spoke, and touched her right hand; and quickly he turned
to go back: and round him the young maids on every side danced
in countless numbers in their joy till he passed through the
gates. And then they came to the shore in smooth-running wains,
bearing with them many gifts, when now he had related from
beginning to end the speech which Hypsipyle had spoken when she
summoned them; and the maids readily led the men back to their
homes for entertainment. For Cypris stirred in them a sweet
desire, for the sake of Hephaestus of many counsels, in order
that Lemnos might be again inhabited by men and not be ruined.
Thereupon Aeson's son started to go to the royal home of
Hypsipyle; and the rest went each his way as chance took them,
all but Heracles; for he of his own will was left behind by the
ship and a few chosen comrades with him. And straightway the
city rejoiced with dances and banquets, being filled with the
steam of sacrifice; and above all the immortals they propitiated
with songs and sacrifices the illustrious son of Hera and Cypris
herself. And the sailing was ever delayed from one day to
another; and long would they have lingered there, had not
Heracles, gathering together his comrades apart from the women,
thus addressed them with reproachful words:
"Wretched men, does the murder of kindred keep us from our
native land? Or is it in want of marriage that we have come here
from thence, in scorn of our countrywomen? Does it please us to
dwell here and plough the rich soil of Lemnos? No fair renown
shall we win by thus tarrying so long with stranger women; nor
will some god seize and give us at our prayer a fleece that
moves of itself. Let us then return each to his own; but him
leave you to rest all day long in the embrace of Hypsipyle till
he has peopled Lemnos with men-children, and so there come to
him great glory."
Thus did he chide the band; but no one dared to meet his eye
or to utter a word in answer. But just as they were in the
assembly they made ready their departure in all haste, and the
women came running towards them, when they knew their intent.
And as when bees hum round fair lilies pouring forth from their
hive in the rock, and all around the dewy meadow rejoices, and
they gather the sweet fruit, flitting from one to another; even
so the women eagerly poured forth clustering round the men with
loud lament, and greeted each one with hands and voice, praying
the blessed gods to grant him a safe return. And so Hypsipyle
too prayed, seizing the hands of Aeson's son, and her tears
flowed for the loss of her lover:
"Go, and may heaven bring you back again with your comrades
unharmed, bearing to the king the golden fleece, even as you
will and your heart desireth; and this island and my father's
sceptre will be awaiting you, if on your return hereafter you
should choose to come here again; and easily you could gather a
countless host of men from other cities. But you will not have
this desire, nor do I myself forbode that so it will be. Still
remember Hypsipyle when you are far away and when you have
returned; and leave me some word of bidding, which I will gladly
accomplish, if haply heaven shall grant me to be a mother."
And Aeson's son in admiration thus replied: "Hypsipyle, so
may all these things prove propitious by the favour of the
blessed gods. But do you hold a nobler thought of me, since by
the grace of Pelias it is enough for me to dwell in my native
land; may the gods only release me from my toils. But if it is
not my destiny to sail afar and return to the land of Hellas,
and if you should bear a male child, send him when grown up to
Pelasgian Iolcus, to heal the grief of my father and mother if
so be that he find them still living, in order that, far away
from the king, they may be cared for by their own hearth in
their home."
He spoke, and mounted the ship first of all; and so the rest
of the chiefs followed, and, sitting in order, seized the oars;
and Argus loosed for them the hawsers from under the sea-beaten
rock. Whereupon they mightily smote the water with their long
oars, and in the evening by the injunctions of Orpheus they
touched at the island of Electra, (5) daughter of Atlas, in
order that by gentle initiation they might learn the rites that
may not be uttered, and so with greater safety sail over the
chilling sea. Of these I will make no further mention; but I bid
farewell to the island itself and the indwelling deities, to
whom belong those mysteries, which it is not lawful for me to
sing.
Thence did they row with eagerness over the depths of the
black Sea, having on the one side the land of the Thracians, on
the other Imbros on the south; and as the sun was just setting
they reached the foreland of the Chersonesus. There a strong
south wind blew for them; and raising the sails to the breeze
they entered the swift stream of the maiden daughter of Athamas;
and at dawn the sea to the north was left behind and at night
they were coasting inside the Rhoeteian shore, with the land of
Ida on their right. And leaving Dardania they directed their
course to Abydus, and after it they sailed past Percote and the
sandy beach of Abarnis and divine Pityeia. And in that night, as
the ship sped on by sail and oar, they passed right through the
Hellespont dark-gleaming with eddies.
There is a lofty island inside the Propontis, a short
distance from the Phrygian mainland with its rich cornfields,
sloping to the sea, where an isthmus in front of the mainland is
flooded by the waves, so low does it lie. And the isthmus has
double shores, and they lie beyond the river Aesepus, and the
inhabitants round about call the island the Mount of Bears. And
insolent and fierce men dwell there, Earthborn, a great marvel
to the neighbours to behold; for each one has six mighty hands
to lift up, two from his sturdy shoulders, and four below,
fitting close to his terrible sides. And about the isthmus and
the plain the Doliones had their dwelling, and over them Cyzicus
son of Aeneus was king, whom Aenete the daughter of goodly
Eusorus bare. But these men the Earthborn monsters, fearful
though they were, in nowise harried, owing to the protection of
Poseidon; for from him had the Doliones first sprung. There Argo
pressed on, driven by the winds of Thrace, and the Fair haven
received her as she sped. There they cast away their small
anchorstone by the advice of Tiphys and left it beneath a
fountain, the fountain of Artaeie; and they took another meet
for their purpose, a heavy one; but the first, according to the
oracle of the Far-Darter, the Ionians, sons of Neleus, in after
days laid to be a sacred stone, as was right, in the temple of
Jasonian Athena.
Now the Doliones and Cyzicus himself all came together to
meet them with friendliness, and when they knew of the quest and
their lineage welcomed them with hospitality, and persuaded them
to row further and to fasten their ship's hawsers at the city
harbour. Here they built an altar to Ecbasian Apollo (6) and set
it up on the beach, and gave heed to sacrifices. And the king of
his own bounty gave them sweet wine and sheep in their need; for
he had heard a report that whenever a godlike band of heroes
should come, straightway he should meet it with gentle words and
should have no thought of war. As with Jason, the soft down was
just blooming on his chin, nor yet had it been his lot to
rejoice in children, but still in his palace his wife was
untouched by the pangs of child-birth, the daughter of Percosian
Merops, fair-haired Cleite, whom lately by priceless gifts he
had brought from her father's home from the mainland opposite.
But even so he left his chamber and bridal bed and prepared a
banquet among the strangers, casting all fears from his heart.
And they questioned one another in turn. Of them would he learn
the end of their voyage and the injunctions of Pelias; while
they enquired about the cities of the people round and all the
gulf of the wide Propontis; but further he could not tell them
for all their desire to learn. In the morning they climbed
mighty Dindymum that they might themselves behold the various
paths of that sea; and they brought their ship from its former
anchorage to the harbour, Chytus; and the path they trod is
named the path of Jason.
But the Earthborn men on the other side rushed down from the
mountain and with crags below blocked up the mouth of vast
Chytus towards the sea, like men lying in wait for a wild beast
within. But there Heracles had been left behind with the younger
heroes and he quickly bent his back-springing bow against the
monsters and brought them to earth one after another; and they
in their turn raised huge ragged rocks and hurled them. For
these dread monsters too, I ween, the goddess Hera, bride of
Zeus, had nurtured to be a trial for Heracles. And therewithal
came the rest of the martial heroes returning to meet the foe
before they reached the height of outlook, and they fell to the
slaughter of the Earthborn, receiving them with arrows and
spears till they slew them all as they rushed fiercely to
battle. And as when woodcutters cast in rows on the beach long
trees just hewn down by their axes, in order that, once sodden
with brine, they may receive the strong bolts; so these monsters
at the entrance of the foam-fringed harbour lay stretched one
after another, some in heaps bending their heads and breasts
into the salt waves with their limbs spread out above on the
land; others again were resting their heads on the sand of the
shore and their feet in the deep water, both alike a prey to
birds and fishes at once.
But the heroes, when the contest was ended without fear,
loosed the ship's hawsers to the breath of the wind and pressed
on through the sea-swell. And the ship sped on under sail all
day; but when night came the rushing wind did not hold
steadfast, but contrary blasts caught them and held them back
till they again approached the hospitable Doliones. And they
stepped ashore that same night; and the rock is still called the
Sacred Rock round which they threw the ship's hawsers in their
haste. Nor did anyone note with care that it was the same
island; nor in the night did the Doliones clearly perceive that
the heroes were returning; but they deemed that Pelasgian
war-men of the Macrians had landed. Therefore they donned their
armour and raised their hands against them. And with clashing of
ashen spears and shields they fell on each other, like the swift
rush of fire which falls on dry brushwood and rears its crest;
and the din of battle, terrible and furious, fell on the people
of the Doliones. Nor was the king to escape his fate and return
home from battle to his bridal chamber and bed. But Aeson's son
leapt on him as he turned to face him, and smote him in the
middle of the breast, and the bone was shattered round the
spear; he rolled forward in the sand and filled up the measure
of his fate. For that no mortal may escape; but on every side a
wide snare encompasses us. And so, when he thought that he had
escaped bitter death from the chiefs, fate entangled him that
very night in her toils while battling with them; and many
champions withal were slain; Heracles killed Telecles and
Megabrontes, and Acastus slew Sphodris; and Peleus slew Zelus
and Gephyrus swift in war. Telamon of the strong spear slew
Basileus. And Idas slew Promeus, and Clytius Hyacinthus, and the
two sons of Tyndareus slew Megalossaces and Phlogius. And after
them the son of Oeneus slew bold Itomeneus, and Artaceus, leader
of men; all of whom the inhabitants still honour with the
worship due to heroes. And the rest gave way and fled in terror
just as doves fly in terror before swift-winged hawks. And with
a din they rustled in a body to the gates; and quickly the city
was filled with loud cries at the turning of the dolorous fight.
But at dawn both sides perceived the fatal and cureless error;
and bitter grief seized the Minyan heroes when they saw before
them Cyzicus son of Aeneus fallen in the midst of dust and
blood. And for three whole days they lamented and rent their
hair, they and the Dollones. Then three times round his tomb
they paced in armour of bronze and performed funeral rites and
celebrated games, as was meet, on the meadow-plain, where even
now rises the mound of his grave to be seen by men of a later
day. No, nor was his bride Cleite left behind her dead husband,
but to crown the ill she wrought an ill yet more awful, when she
clasped a noose round her neck. Her death even the nymphs of the
grove bewailed; and of all the tears for her that they shed to
earth from their eyes the goddesses made a fountain, which they
call Cleite, (7) the illustrious name of the hapless maid. Most
terrible came that day from Zeus on the Doliones, women and men;
for no one of them dared even to taste food, nor for a long time
by reason of grief did they take thought for the toil of the
cornmill, but they dragged on their lives eating their food as
it was, untouched by fire. Here even now, when the Ionians that
dwell in Cyzicus pour their yearly libations for the dead, they
ever grind the meal for the sacrificial cakes at the common
mill. (8)
After this, fierce tempests arose for twelve days and nights
together and kept them there from sailing. But in the next night
the rest of the chieftains, overcome by sleep, were resting
during the latest period of the night, while Acastus and Mopsus
the son of Ampyeus kept guard over their deep slumbers. And
above the golden head of Aeson's son there hovered a halcyon
prophesying with shrill voice the ceasing of the stormy winds;
and Mopsus heard and understood the cry of the bird of the
shore, fraught with good omen. And some god made it turn aside,
and flying aloft it settled on the stern-ornament of the ship.
And the seer touched Jason as he lay wrapped in soft sheepskins
and woke him at once, and thus spoke:
"Son of Aeson, you must climb to this temple on rugged
Dindymum and propitiate the mother (9) of all the blessed gods
on her fair throne, and the stormy blasts shall cease. For such
was the voice I heard but now from the halcyon, bird of the sea,
which, as it flew above you in your slumber, told me all. For by
her power the winds and the sea and all the earth below and the
snowy seat of Olympus are complete; and to her, when from the
mountains she ascends the mighty heaven, Zeus himself, the son
of Cronos, gives place. In like manner the rest of the immortal
blessed ones reverence the dread goddess."
Thus he spoke, and his words were welcome to Jason's ear. And
he arose from his bed with joy and woke all his comrades
hurriedly and told them the prophecy of Mopsus the son of
Ampycus. And quickly the younger men drove oxen from their
stalls and began to lead them to the mountain's lofty summit.
And they loosed the hawsers from the sacred rock and rowed to
the Thracian harbour; and the heroes climbed the mountain,
leaving a few of their comrades in the ship. And to them the
Macrian heights and all the coast of Thrace opposite appeared to
view close at hand. And there appeared the misty mouth of
Bosporus and the Mysian hills; and on the other side the stream
of the river Aesepus and the city and Nepeian plain of Adrasteia.
Now there was a sturdy stump of vine that grew in the forest, a
tree exceeding old; this they cut down, to be the sacred image
of the mountain goddess; and Argus smoothed it skilfully, and
they set it on that rugged hill beneath a canopy of lofty oaks,
which of all trees have their roots deepest. And near it they
heaped an altar of small stones, and wreathed their brows with
oak leaves and paid heed to sacrifice, invoking the mother of
Dindymum, most venerable, dweller in Phrygia, and Titias and
Cyllenus, who alone of many are called dispensers of doom and
assessors of the Idaean mother, — the Idaean Dactyls of Crete,
whom once the nymph Anchiale, as she grasped with both hands the
land of Oaxus, bare in the Dictaean cave. And with many prayers
did Aeson's son beseech the goddess to turn aside the stormy
blasts as he poured libations on the blazing sacrifice; and at
the same time by command of Orpheus the youths trod a measure
dancing in full armour, and clashed with their swords on their
shields, so that the ill-omened cry might be lost in the air the
wail which the people were still sending up in grief for their
king. Hence from that time forward the Phrygians propitiate Rhea
with the wheel and the drum. And the gracious goddess, I ween,
inclined her heart to pious sacrifices; and favourable signs
appeared. The trees shed abundant fruit, and round their feet
the earth of its own accord put forth flowers from the tender
grass. And the beasts of the wild wood left their lairs and
thickets and came up fawning on them with their tails. And she
caused yet another marvel; for hitherto there was no flow of
water on Dindymum, but then for them an unceasing stream gushed
forth from the thirsty peak just as it was, and the dwellers
around in after times called that stream, the spring of Jason.
And then they made a feast in honour of the goddess on the Mount
of Bears, singing the praises of Rhea most venerable; but at
dawn the winds had ceased and they rowed away from the island.
Thereupon a spirit of contention stirred each chieftain, who
should be the last to leave his oar. For all around the windless
air smoothed the swirling waves and lulled the sea to rest. And
they, trusting in the calm, mightily drove the ship forward; and
as she sped through the salt sea, not even the storm-footed
steeds of Poseidon would have overtaken her. Nevertheless when
the sea was stirred by violent blasts which were just rising
from the rivers about evening, forspent with toil, they ceased.
But Heracles by the might of his arms pulled the weary rowers
along all together, and made the strong-knit timbers of the ship
to quiver. But when, eager to reach the Mysian mainland, they
passed along in sight of the mouth of Rhyndaeus and the great
cairn of Aegaeon, a little way from Phrygia, then Heracles, as
he ploughed up the furrows of the roughened surge, broke his oar
in the middle. And one half he held in both his hands as he fell
sideways, the other the sea swept away with its receding wave.
And he sat up in silence glaring round; for his hands were
unaccustomed to he idle.
Now at the hour when from the field some delver or ploughman
goes gladly home to his hut, longing for his evening meal, and
there on the threshold, all squalid with dust, bows his wearied
knees, and, beholding his hands worn with toil, with many a
curse reviles his belly; at that hour the heroes reached the
homes of the Cianian land near the Arganthonian mount and the
outfall of Cius. Them as they came in friendliness, the Mysians,
inhabitants of that land, hospitably welcomed, and gave them in
their need provisions and sheep and abundant wine. Hereupon some
brought dried wood, others from the meadows leaves for beds
which they gathered in abundance for strewing, whilst others
were twirling sticks to get fire; others again were mixing wine
in the bowl and making ready the feast, after sacrificing at
nightfall to Apollo Ecbasius.
But the son of Zeus having duly enjoined on his comrades to
prepare the feast took his way into a wood, that he might first
fashion for himself an oar to fit his hand. Wandering about he
found a pine not burdened with many branches, nor too full of
leaves, but like to the shaft of a tall poplar; so great was it
both in length and thickness to look at. And quickly he laid on
the ground his arrow-holding quiver together with his bow, and
took off his lion's skin. And he loosened the pine from the
ground with his bronze-tipped club and grasped the trunk with
both hands at the bottom, relying on his strength; and he
pressed it against his broad shoulder with legs wide apart; and
clinging close he raised it from the ground deep-rooted though
it was, together with clods of earth. And as when unexpectedly,
just at the time of the stormy setting of baleful Orion, a swift
gust of wind strikes down from above, and wrenches a ship's mast
from its stays, wedges and all; so did Heracles lift the pine.
And at the same time he took up his bow and arrows, his lion
skin and club, and started on his return.
Meantime Hylas with pitcher of bronze in hand had gone apart
from the throng, seeking the sacred flow of a fountain, that he
might be quick in drawing water for the evening meal and
actively make all things ready in due order against his lord's
return. For in such ways did Heracles nurture him from his first
childhood when he had carried him off from the house of his
father, goodly Theiodamas, whom the hero pitilessly slew among
the Dryopians because he withstood him about an ox for the
plough. Theiodamas was cleaving with his plough the soil of
fallow land when he was smitten with the curse; and Heracles
bade him give up the ploughing ox against his will. For he
desired to find some pretext for war against the Dryopians for
their bane, since they dwelt there reckless of right. But these
tales would lead me far astray from my song. And quickly Hylas
came to the spring which the people who dwell thereabouts call
Pegae. And the dances of the nymphs were just now being held
there; for it was the care of all the nymphs that haunted that
lovely headland ever to hymn Artemis in songs by night. All who
held the mountain peaks or glens, all they were ranged far off
guarding the woods; but one, a water-nymph was just rising from
the fair-flowing spring; and the boy she perceived close at hand
with the rosy flush of his beauty and sweet grace. For the full
moon beaming from the sky smote him. And Cypris made her heart
faint, and in her confusion she could scarcely gather her spirit
back to her. But as soon as he dipped the pitcher in the stream,
leaning to one side, and the brimming water rang loud as it
poured against the sounding bronze, straightway she laid her
left arm above on his neck yearning to kiss his tender mouth;
and with her right hand she drew down his elbow, and plunged him
into the midst of the eddy.
Alone of his comrades the hero Polyphemus, son of Eilatus, as
he went forward on the path, heard the boy's cry, for he
expected the return of mighty Heracles. And he rushed after the
cry, near Pegae, like some beast of the wild wood whom the
bleating of sheep has reached from afar, and burning with hunger
he follows, but does not fall in with the flocks; for the
shepherds beforehand have penned them in the fold, but he groans
and roars vehemently till he is weary. Thus vehemently at that
time did the son of Eilatus groan and wandered shouting round
the spot; and his voice rang piteous. Then quickly drawing his
great sword he started in pursuit, in fear lest the boy should
be the prey of wild beasts, or men should have lain in ambush
for him faring all alone, and be carrying him off, an easy prey.
Hereupon as he brandished his bare sword in his hand he met
Heracles himself on the path, and well he knew him as he
hastened to the ship through the darkness. And straightway he
told the wretched calamity while his heart laboured with his
panting breath.
"My poor friend, I shall be the first to bring you tidings of
bitter woe. Hylas has gone to the well and has not returned
safe, but robbers have attacked and are carrying him off, or
beasts are tearing him to pieces; I heard his cry."
Thus he spoke; and when Heracles heard his words, sweat in
abundance poured down from his temples and the black blood
boiled beneath his heart. And in wrath he hurled the pine to the
ground and hurried along the path where his feet bore on his
impetuous soul. And as when a bull stung by a gadfly tears
along, leaving the meadows and the marsh land, and recks not of
herdsmen or herd, but presses on, now without cheek, now
standing still, and raising his broad neck he bellows loudly,
stung by the maddening fly; so he in his frenzy now would ply
his swift knees unresting, now again would cease from toil and
shout afar with loud pealing cry.
But straightway the morning star rose above the topmost peaks
and the breeze swept down; and quickly did Tiphys urge them to
go aboard and avail themselves of the wind. And they embarked
eagerly forthwith; and they drew up the ship's anchors and
hauled the ropes astern. And the sails were bellied out by the
wind, and far from the coast were they joyfully borne past the
Posideian headland. But at the hour when gladsome dawn shines
from heaven, rising from the east, and the paths stand out
clearly, and the dewy plains shine with a bright gleam, then at
length they were aware that unwittingly they had abandoned those
men. And a fierce quarrel fell on them, and violent tumult, for
that they had sailed and left behind the bravest of their
comrades. And Aeson's son, bewildered by their hapless plight,
said never a word, good or bad; but sat with his heavy load of
grief, eating out his heart. And wrath seized Telamon, and thus
he spoke:
"Sit there at your ease, for it was fitting for you to leave
Heracles behind; from you the project arose, so that his glory
throughout Hellas should not overshadow you, if so be that
heaven grants us a return home. But what pleasure is there in
words? For I will go, I only, with none of your comrades, who
have helped you to plan this treachery."
He spoke, and rushed on Tiphys son of Hagnias; and his eyes
sparkled like flashes of ravening flame. And they would quickly
have turned back to the land of the Mysians, forcing their way
through the deep sea and the unceasing blasts of the wind, had
not the two sons of Thracian Boreas held back the son of Aeacus
with harsh words. Hapless ones, assuredly a bitter vengeance
came on them thereafter at the hands of Heracles, because they
stayed the search for him. For when they were returning from the
games over Pelias dead he slew them in sea-girt Tenos and heaped
the earth round them, and placed two columns above, one of
which, a great marvel for men to see, moves at the breath of the
blustering north wind. These things were thus to be accomplished
in after times. But to them appeared Glaucus from the depths of
the sea, the wise interpreter of divine Nereus, and raising
aloft his shaggy head and chest from his waist below, with
sturdy hand he seized the ship's keel, and then cried to the
eager crew:
"Why against the counsel of mighty Zeus do you purpose to
lead bold Heracles to the city of Aeetes? At Argos it is his
fate to labour for insolent Eurystheus and to accomplish full
twelve toils and dwell with the immortals, if so be that he
bring to fulfilment a few more yet; wherefore let there be no
vain regret for him. Likewise it is destined for Polyphemus to
found a glorious city at the mouth of Cius among the Mysians and
to fill up the measure of his fate in the vast land of the
Chalybes. But a goddess-nymph through love has made Hylas her
husband, on whose account those two wandered and were left
behind."
He spoke, and with a plunge wrapped him about with the
restless wave; and round him the dark water foamed in seething
eddies and dashed against the hollow ship as it moved through
the sea. And the heroes rejoiced, and Telamon son of Aeacus came
in haste to Jason, and grasping his hand in his own embraced him
with these words:
"Son of Aeson, do not be angry with me, if in my folly I have
erred, for grief wrought on me to utter a word arrogant and
intolerable. But let me give my fault to the winds and let our
hearts be joined as before."
Him the son of Aeson with prudence addressed: "Good friend,
assuredly with an evil word did you revile me, saying before
them all that I was the wronger of a kindly man. But not for
long will I nurse bitter wrath, though indeed before I was
grieved. For it was not for flocks of sheep, no, nor for
possessions that you were angered to fury, but for a man, your
comrade. And I were fain you would even champion me against
another man if a like thing should ever befall me."
He spoke, and they sat down, united as of old. But of those
two, by the counsel of Zeus, one, Polyphemus son of Eilatus, was
destined to found and build a city among the Mysians bearing the
river's name, and the other, Heracles, to return and toil at the
labours of Eurystheus. And he threatened to lay waste the Mysian
land at once, should they not discover for him the doom of Hylas,
whether living or dead. And for him they gave pledges choosing
out the noblest sons of the people and took an oath that they
would never cease from their labour of search. Therefore to this
day the people of Cius enquire for Hylas the son of Theiodamas,
and take thought for the well-built Trachis. For there did
Heracles settle the youths whom they sent from Cius as pledges.
And all day long and all night the wind bore the ship on,
blowing fresh and strong; but when dawn rose there was not even
a breath of air. And they marked a beach jutting forth from a
bend of the coast, very broad to behold, and by dint of rowing
came to land at sunrise.
ENDNOTES:
(1) i.e. God of embarcation.
(2) Or, reading EKTOTHEN, "they strongly girded the ship
outside with a well-twisted rope." In either case there is
probably no allusion to YPOZOMATA (ropes for undergirding) which
were carried loose and only used in stormy weather.
(3) i.e. God of the shore.
(4) i.e. The Starting.
(5) Samothrace.
(6) i.e. god of disembarcation.
(7) Cleite means illustrious.
(8) i.e. to avoid grinding it at home.
(9) Rhea.
