 | The Argonautics of Apollonius Rhodius, In Four Books, By Francis Fawkes: The Whole Revised, Corrected, and Completed, By His Coadjutor and Editor; Who Has Annexed A Translation of Coluthus's Greek Poem on The Rape of Helen, or The Origin of The Trojan War; With Notes |  |
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BOOK IV.
THE ARGUMENT.
Jason obtains the Golden Fleece by the assistance of Medea. She embarks with the Argonauts for Greece. Æeta pursues them. Having crossed the Euxine sea, they sail up the Ister; and by an arm of that river enter the Adriatic. Absyrtus is treacherously murdered by Jason. They sail into the Sardinian sea by the way of the Eridanus and the Rhone. The murder of Absyrtus is expiated by Circe, at whose island they land. Thetis and her nymphs conduct the heroes through the straits of Scylla and Charybdis. They sail by the island infested with the Syrens, from whose enchantments Orpheus delivers them. At Corcyra, once called Drepane, they meet with the Colchians that pursued them through the Symplegades; who request Alcinous, king of the island, to deliver up Medea. He agrees to send her back to her father, if unmarried; but if married to Jason, he refuses to separate them. Upon this determination her nuptials are immediately celebrated. They again put to sea, and are driven upon the quicksands of Africa. The tutelary Deities of the country extricate them from their distresses. They bear Argo on their shoulders as far as the lake Tritonis. The Hesperides, who were bewailing the death of the serpent, slain the preceding day by Hercules, give some account of that hero. The death of Canthus and Mopsus, two of their comrades, is related. Triton, whose figure is particularly described, gives them directions about their voyage. They sail near Crete. The story of Talus. At Hippuris they sacrifice to Phœbus, who, standing on the top of an hill, enlightens their way. The clod of earth, given by Triton to Euphemus, becomes an island, called Calliste. They anchor at Ægina; and loosing from thence, arrive without further interruption at Thessaly.
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O Goddess, daughter of th' eternal king,
Medea's various cares and counsels sing:
Far from my mind the sad suspense remove,
Whether to celebrate her lawless love,
Or whether her base flight from Colchis' bay,
Best claims the tribute of my tuneful lay.
Medea's various cares and counsels sing:
Far from my mind the sad suspense remove,
Whether to celebrate her lawless love,
Or whether her base flight from Colchis' bay,
Best claims the tribute of my tuneful lay.
In solemn council to his faithful chiefs
The vengeful king disclos'd his bosom-griefs:
Sore disconcerted at the recent fight,
He spent in long debate the doleful night;
Mistrusting still, these schemes, so deeply laid,
Were all conducted by his daughters' aid.
Meanwhile th' imperial queen of heaven had shed
O'er the fair virgin's breast despondent dread.
She starts, she trembles, as, pursu'd by hounds,
The fawn light skipping o'er the meadow bounds.
She fears the secrets of her soul betray'd,
And her sire's vengeance for her proffer'd aid.
Her handmaids, conscious of her crimes, she fears;
Her eyes fierce flames emit, loud murmurs fill her ears.
Her death she meditates in wild despair,
And, sadly sighing, tears her golden hair.
Now fate imbibing from the poison'd bowl,
Soon had she freed her voluntary soul,
And Juno's projects all been render'd vain,
But, kindly pitying a lover's pain,
The Goddess urg'd with Phrixus' sons her flight,
And eas'd her bosom of its sorrow's weight.
Forth from her casket every drug she pours,
And to her lap consigns the magic stores.
Then with a parting kiss her bed she press'd,
Clung round each door, and ev'n the walls caress'd.
A lock she tore of loosely-flowing hair,
And safe consign'd it to her mother's care,
The sacred relick of her virgin-fame;
And, wailing thus, invok'd Idya's name:
The vengeful king disclos'd his bosom-griefs:
Sore disconcerted at the recent fight,
He spent in long debate the doleful night;
Mistrusting still, these schemes, so deeply laid,
Were all conducted by his daughters' aid.
Meanwhile th' imperial queen of heaven had shed
O'er the fair virgin's breast despondent dread.
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The fawn light skipping o'er the meadow bounds.
She fears the secrets of her soul betray'd,
And her sire's vengeance for her proffer'd aid.
Her handmaids, conscious of her crimes, she fears;
Her eyes fierce flames emit, loud murmurs fill her ears.
Her death she meditates in wild despair,
And, sadly sighing, tears her golden hair.
Now fate imbibing from the poison'd bowl,
Soon had she freed her voluntary soul,
And Juno's projects all been render'd vain,
But, kindly pitying a lover's pain,
The Goddess urg'd with Phrixus' sons her flight,
And eas'd her bosom of its sorrow's weight.
Forth from her casket every drug she pours,
And to her lap consigns the magic stores.
Then with a parting kiss her bed she press'd,
Clung round each door, and ev'n the walls caress'd.
A lock she tore of loosely-flowing hair,
And safe consign'd it to her mother's care,
The sacred relick of her virgin-fame;
And, wailing thus, invok'd Idya's name:
‘This lock, O mother, at my hand receive,
‘Which I, far-distant roaming, with thee leave.
‘Farewell, Chalciope; far hence I roam!
‘And thou farewell, my first, my dearest home!
‘Oh! hadst thou, stranger, in deep ocean drown'd,
‘Perish'd, and never trod on Colchian ground!’
‘Which I, far-distant roaming, with thee leave.
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‘And thou farewell, my first, my dearest home!
‘Oh! hadst thou, stranger, in deep ocean drown'd,
‘Perish'd, and never trod on Colchian ground!’
She spoke, and tears her heart-felt woe betray'd;
Then fled she instant. Thus the captive maid,
When, from her friends and country banish'd far,
She shares the miserable fate of war,
Disus'd to toil beneath a tyrant's sway,
Flies from oppression's rod with speed away.
With speed like her's the weeping fair withdrew:
The doors spontaneous open'd as she flew,
Shook by her magic song; barefoot she strays
Thro' winding paths and unfrequented ways.
Before her face one hand her vesture holds,
And one confines its border's flowing folds.
Beyond the city-walls with trembling haste,
Unseen of all the centinels, she pass'd,
Then by accustom'd paths explor'd the fane,
Where spectres rise, and plants diffuse their bane;
(Thus practise magic maids their mystic art)
Fears ill portending flutter round her heart.
Her frenzy Cynthia, rising bright, survey'd,
And this soliloquy in triumph made:
Then fled she instant. Thus the captive maid,
When, from her friends and country banish'd far,
She shares the miserable fate of war,
Disus'd to toil beneath a tyrant's sway,
Flies from oppression's rod with speed away.
With speed like her's the weeping fair withdrew:
The doors spontaneous open'd as she flew,
Shook by her magic song; barefoot she strays
Thro' winding paths and unfrequented ways.
Before her face one hand her vesture holds,
And one confines its border's flowing folds.
Beyond the city-walls with trembling haste,
Unseen of all the centinels, she pass'd,
Then by accustom'd paths explor'd the fane,
Where spectres rise, and plants diffuse their bane;
(Thus practise magic maids their mystic art)
Fears ill portending flutter round her heart.
Her frenzy Cynthia, rising bright, survey'd,
And this soliloquy in triumph made:
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‘Yes, with Endymion's heavenly charms o'ercome,
‘I to the cave at Latmos once could roam,
‘Of love regardful, when your potent lay
‘Had from the starry spheres seduc'd my ray,
‘That you, protected by the gloom of night,
‘Might celebrate unseen the mystic rite,
‘Your lov'd employ: now Cupid's shafts subdue,
‘Not Cynthia only, but, fair sorceress, you.
‘For you his toils the wily god hath wove,
‘And all your heart inflam'd with Jason's love.
‘Come then, those pangs which love ordains endure,
‘And bear with courage what you cannot cure.’
‘I to the cave at Latmos once could roam,
‘Of love regardful, when your potent lay
‘Had from the starry spheres seduc'd my ray,
‘That you, protected by the gloom of night,
‘Might celebrate unseen the mystic rite,
‘Your lov'd employ: now Cupid's shafts subdue,
‘Not Cynthia only, but, fair sorceress, you.
‘For you his toils the wily god hath wove,
‘And all your heart inflam'd with Jason's love.
‘Come then, those pangs which love ordains endure,
‘And bear with courage what you cannot cure.’
She said: impetuous hastening to the flood,
Soon on its lofty banks Medea stood.
A fire, which midnight's deadly gloom dispell'd,
Signal of conquest gain'd, she here beheld.
Involv'd in shade, the solitary dame
Rais'd her shrill voice, and call'd on Phrontis' name.
Known was her voice to Phrixus' sons, who bear
The grateful tidings to their leader's ear.
The truth discover'd, the confederate host
All silent stood, in wild amazement lost.
Loud call'd she thrice; and with responsive cries,
His friends requesting, Phrontis thrice replies.
Quick at her call they ply the bending oar;
Nor were their halsers fasten'd to the shore,
When Æson's son at one decisive bound
Leaps from the lofty deck upon the ground;
Phrontis and Argus hasten to her aid,
Whose knees embracing, thus Medea pray'd:
Soon on its lofty banks Medea stood.
A fire, which midnight's deadly gloom dispell'd,
Signal of conquest gain'd, she here beheld.
Involv'd in shade, the solitary dame
Rais'd her shrill voice, and call'd on Phrontis' name.
Known was her voice to Phrixus' sons, who bear
The grateful tidings to their leader's ear.
The truth discover'd, the confederate host
All silent stood, in wild amazement lost.
Loud call'd she thrice; and with responsive cries,
His friends requesting, Phrontis thrice replies.
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Nor were their halsers fasten'd to the shore,
When Æson's son at one decisive bound
Leaps from the lofty deck upon the ground;
Phrontis and Argus hasten to her aid,
Whose knees embracing, thus Medea pray'd:
‘Oh! save me, friends, from my offended sire,
‘Oh! save yourselves from dread Æeta's ire.
‘Known are our projects: sail we hence afar,
‘Ere Æa's monarch mounts his rapid car.
‘My magic charms shall close the dragon's eyes,
‘And soon reward you with the golden prize.
‘But thou, lov'd guest, continue faithful still,
‘And swear whate'er thou promis'dst to fulfil:
‘Ah! leave me not to infamy a scorn,
‘By all my friends abandon'd and forlorn.’
‘Oh! save yourselves from dread Æeta's ire.
‘Known are our projects: sail we hence afar,
‘Ere Æa's monarch mounts his rapid car.
‘My magic charms shall close the dragon's eyes,
‘And soon reward you with the golden prize.
‘But thou, lov'd guest, continue faithful still,
‘And swear whate'er thou promis'dst to fulfil:
‘Ah! leave me not to infamy a scorn,
‘By all my friends abandon'd and forlorn.’
Plaintive she spoke: his arms around her waist
Rapturous he threw, then rais'd her and embrac'd,
And solac'd thus in terms of tenderest love:
Rapturous he threw, then rais'd her and embrac'd,
And solac'd thus in terms of tenderest love:
“By heaven's high king I swear, Olympian Jove,
“By Juno, goddess of the nuptial rite,
“Soon as my native land transports my sight,
“Thou, lovely virgin, shalt be duly led,
“Adorn'd with honours, to my bridal bed.”
“By Juno, goddess of the nuptial rite,
“Soon as my native land transports my sight,
“Thou, lovely virgin, shalt be duly led,
“Adorn'd with honours, to my bridal bed.”
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This said, in her's he clos'd his plighted hand:
To Mars's grove Medea gave command,
Spite of her sire, the vessel to convey,
And bear by night the golden fleece away.
Swift at the word they sprung; the Colchian maid
Embark'd, and instant was their anchor weigh'd.
Their crashing oars resound: she oft to land
Reverts her eye, and waves her trembling hand:
But Æson's son his ready aid affords,
And sooths her sorrows with consoling words.
To Mars's grove Medea gave command,
Spite of her sire, the vessel to convey,
And bear by night the golden fleece away.
Swift at the word they sprung; the Colchian maid
Embark'd, and instant was their anchor weigh'd.
Their crashing oars resound: she oft to land
Reverts her eye, and waves her trembling hand:
But Æson's son his ready aid affords,
And sooths her sorrows with consoling words.
Wak'd by their hounds, what time the huntsmen rise,
And shake the balm of slumber from their eyes,
At twilight, ere Aurora's dreaded ray
Efface the tracks, and waft the scent away:
Jason, then landing with the fair, attains,
With flowers diversified, the verdant plains,
Where first the ram, with Phrixus' weight oppress'd,
His wearied knee inclin'd, and sunk to rest.
Hard by, an altar's stately structure stands,
To favouring Jove first rais'd by Phrixus' hands,
Where he the golden monster doom'd to bleed;
So his conductor Hermes had decreed.
Here, as by Argus taught, the chiefs withdrew,
While their lone course the regal pair pursue
Thro' the thick grove, impatient to behold
The spreading beech that bears the fleecy gold.
Suspended here, it darts a beamy blaze,
Like a cloud tipp'd with Phœbus' orient rays.
With high-arch'd neck, in front the dragon lies,
And towards the strangers turns his sleepless eyes;
Aloud he hisses: the wide woods around,
And Phasis' banks return the doleful sound.
Colchians, far distant from Titanus' shore,
Heard ev'n to Lycus' streams the hideous roar;
Lycus, who, sever'd from Araxis' tides,
A boisterous flood, with gentle Phasis glides:
One common course their streams united keep,
And roll united to the Caspian deep.
The mother, starting from her bed of rest,
Fears for her babe reclining on her breast,
And closely clasping to her fondling arms,
Protects her trembling infant from alarms.
And shake the balm of slumber from their eyes,
At twilight, ere Aurora's dreaded ray
Efface the tracks, and waft the scent away:
Jason, then landing with the fair, attains,
With flowers diversified, the verdant plains,
Where first the ram, with Phrixus' weight oppress'd,
His wearied knee inclin'd, and sunk to rest.
Hard by, an altar's stately structure stands,
To favouring Jove first rais'd by Phrixus' hands,
Where he the golden monster doom'd to bleed;
So his conductor Hermes had decreed.
Here, as by Argus taught, the chiefs withdrew,
While their lone course the regal pair pursue
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The spreading beech that bears the fleecy gold.
Suspended here, it darts a beamy blaze,
Like a cloud tipp'd with Phœbus' orient rays.
With high-arch'd neck, in front the dragon lies,
And towards the strangers turns his sleepless eyes;
Aloud he hisses: the wide woods around,
And Phasis' banks return the doleful sound.
Colchians, far distant from Titanus' shore,
Heard ev'n to Lycus' streams the hideous roar;
Lycus, who, sever'd from Araxis' tides,
A boisterous flood, with gentle Phasis glides:
One common course their streams united keep,
And roll united to the Caspian deep.
The mother, starting from her bed of rest,
Fears for her babe reclining on her breast,
And closely clasping to her fondling arms,
Protects her trembling infant from alarms.
As from some wood, involv'd in raging fires,
Clouds following clouds ascend in curling spires:
The smoky wreaths in long succession climb,
And from the bottom rise in air sublime;
The dragon thus his scaly volumes roll'd,
Wreath'd his huge length, and gather'd fold in fold.
Him, winding slow, beheld the magic dame,
And Sleep invok'd the monster's rage to tame.
With potent song the drowsy God she sway'd
To summon all his succour to her aid;
And Hecate from Pluto's coasts she drew,
To lull the dauntless monster, and subdue.
Jason advanc'd with awe, with awe beheld
The dreaded dragon by her magic quell'd.
Lifeless he lay, each languid fold unbound,
And his vast spine extended on the ground.
Thus, when the boisterous wave forbears to roar,
It sinks recumbent on the peaceful shore.
Still strove the monster his huge head to heave,
And in his deadly jaws his foe receive.
A branch of juniper the maid applies,
Steep'd in a baneful potion, to his eyes:
Its odours strong the branch diffus'd around,
And sunk th' enormous beast in sleep profound.
Supine he sunk; his jaws forgot to move,
And his unnumber'd folds are spread o'er half the grove.
Then Jason to the beech his hand applies,
And grasps, at her command, the golden prize.
Still she persists to ply the potent spell,
And the last vigour of the monster quell,
Till he advis'd her to rejoin the crew;
Then from the grove of Mars the maid withdrew.
Clouds following clouds ascend in curling spires:
The smoky wreaths in long succession climb,
And from the bottom rise in air sublime;
The dragon thus his scaly volumes roll'd,
Wreath'd his huge length, and gather'd fold in fold.
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And Sleep invok'd the monster's rage to tame.
With potent song the drowsy God she sway'd
To summon all his succour to her aid;
And Hecate from Pluto's coasts she drew,
To lull the dauntless monster, and subdue.
Jason advanc'd with awe, with awe beheld
The dreaded dragon by her magic quell'd.
Lifeless he lay, each languid fold unbound,
And his vast spine extended on the ground.
Thus, when the boisterous wave forbears to roar,
It sinks recumbent on the peaceful shore.
Still strove the monster his huge head to heave,
And in his deadly jaws his foe receive.
A branch of juniper the maid applies,
Steep'd in a baneful potion, to his eyes:
Its odours strong the branch diffus'd around,
And sunk th' enormous beast in sleep profound.
Supine he sunk; his jaws forgot to move,
And his unnumber'd folds are spread o'er half the grove.
Then Jason to the beech his hand applies,
And grasps, at her command, the golden prize.
Still she persists to ply the potent spell,
And the last vigour of the monster quell,
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Then from the grove of Mars the maid withdrew.
As some fair dame, when Cynthia rises bright,
Beholds the beamy splendors with delight,
Which from her vestment strong-reflected rise;
Thus gloried Jason in the glistering prize.
The flaming rays, that from its surface flow'd,
Beam'd on his cheeks, and on his forehead glow'd.
Large as the heifer's hide, or as the hind's,
Which in Achaia's plains the hunter finds,
Shone the thick, ponderous fleece, whose golden rays
Far o'er the land diffus'd a beamy blaze.
He on his shoulders, now, the spoil suspends,
Low at his feet the flowing train descends;
Collecting, now, within its ponderous folds,
His grasping hand the costly capture holds.
Fearful he moves, with circumspect survey,
Lest men or gods should snatch the prize away.
Beholds the beamy splendors with delight,
Which from her vestment strong-reflected rise;
Thus gloried Jason in the glistering prize.
The flaming rays, that from its surface flow'd,
Beam'd on his cheeks, and on his forehead glow'd.
Large as the heifer's hide, or as the hind's,
Which in Achaia's plains the hunter finds,
Shone the thick, ponderous fleece, whose golden rays
Far o'er the land diffus'd a beamy blaze.
He on his shoulders, now, the spoil suspends,
Low at his feet the flowing train descends;
Collecting, now, within its ponderous folds,
His grasping hand the costly capture holds.
Fearful he moves, with circumspect survey,
Lest men or gods should snatch the prize away.
Now as returning morn illumes the land,
The royal pair rejoin the gallant band.
The gallant band beheld with wondering eyes,
Fierce as Jove's fiery bolt, the radiant prize.
Their hands extending as they flock around,
All wish to heave the trophy from the ground.
But Jason interdicting singly threw
O'er the broad fleece a covering rich and new;
Then in the ship he plac'd the virgin-guest,
And thus the listening demigods address'd:
The royal pair rejoin the gallant band.
The gallant band beheld with wondering eyes,
Fierce as Jove's fiery bolt, the radiant prize.
Their hands extending as they flock around,
All wish to heave the trophy from the ground.
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O'er the broad fleece a covering rich and new;
Then in the ship he plac'd the virgin-guest,
And thus the listening demigods address'd:
‘No longer doubt ye, comrades, to regain
‘Far o'er a length of seas your lov'd domain.
‘For see, the end of all our glorious toil,
‘Won by Medea's aid, this precious spoil!
‘Her, not reluctant, I to Greece will bear,
‘And with connubial honours crown her there.
‘Guard your fair patroness, ye gallant crew,
‘Who sav'd your country when she succour'd you.
‘Soon will Æeta with his Colchian train
‘Preclude, I ween, our passage to the main.
‘Some with your oars resume your destin'd seat;
‘Some with your shields secure your wish'd retreat;
‘This rampire forming, we their darts defy,
‘Nor, home returning, unreveng'd will die.
‘Lo! on our prowess all we love depends,
‘Our children, parents, country and our friends.
‘Greece, as we speed, thro' future times shall boast
‘Her empire fix'd, or wail her glory lost.’
‘Far o'er a length of seas your lov'd domain.
‘For see, the end of all our glorious toil,
‘Won by Medea's aid, this precious spoil!
‘Her, not reluctant, I to Greece will bear,
‘And with connubial honours crown her there.
‘Guard your fair patroness, ye gallant crew,
‘Who sav'd your country when she succour'd you.
‘Soon will Æeta with his Colchian train
‘Preclude, I ween, our passage to the main.
‘Some with your oars resume your destin'd seat;
‘Some with your shields secure your wish'd retreat;
‘This rampire forming, we their darts defy,
‘Nor, home returning, unreveng'd will die.
‘Lo! on our prowess all we love depends,
‘Our children, parents, country and our friends.
‘Greece, as we speed, thro' future times shall boast
‘Her empire fix'd, or wail her glory lost.’
He said, and arm'd; the heroes shout applause:
Then from its pendent sheath his sword he draws,
Severs the halser, and, in arms array'd,
His station fixes near the magic maid,
And where Ancæus' hand the pilot's art display'd.
Keen emulation fir'd the labouring crew,
As down the stream of Phasis Argo flew.
Then from its pendent sheath his sword he draws,
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His station fixes near the magic maid,
And where Ancæus' hand the pilot's art display'd.
Keen emulation fir'd the labouring crew,
As down the stream of Phasis Argo flew.
Medea's flight now reach'd Æeta's ear,
And all her crimes in all their guilt appear.
To council call'd, in arms the Colchian train
Rush thick as billows on the roaring main,
Thick as the leaves that flutter from above,
When blasting autumn strips the faded grove;
So thick the shouting Colchians rush to war,
Led by Æeta in his splendid car,
Glorying in Phœbus' gifts, his rapid steeds,
Whose swiftness far the speed of winds exceeds.
His left a buckler's wide circumference rais'd;
In his extended right a flambeau blaz'd;
His girded belt a mighty spear sustains;
His son Absyrtus grasps the flowing reins.
Now by tough oars impell'd and prosperous tides,
The vessel glibly down the river glides.
Th' indignant king invok'd the powers above,
His parent Phœbus, and almighty Jove,
His wrongs to witness: and to sudden fate
Doom'd in his fury the devoted state.
Who dar'd delay the guilty maid to bring,
From land or ocean, to their injur'd king,
On their rebellious heads his wrath should fall,
And vengeance merited o'ertake them all.
And all her crimes in all their guilt appear.
To council call'd, in arms the Colchian train
Rush thick as billows on the roaring main,
Thick as the leaves that flutter from above,
When blasting autumn strips the faded grove;
So thick the shouting Colchians rush to war,
Led by Æeta in his splendid car,
Glorying in Phœbus' gifts, his rapid steeds,
Whose swiftness far the speed of winds exceeds.
His left a buckler's wide circumference rais'd;
In his extended right a flambeau blaz'd;
His girded belt a mighty spear sustains;
His son Absyrtus grasps the flowing reins.
Now by tough oars impell'd and prosperous tides,
The vessel glibly down the river glides.
Th' indignant king invok'd the powers above,
His parent Phœbus, and almighty Jove,
His wrongs to witness: and to sudden fate
Doom'd in his fury the devoted state.
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From land or ocean, to their injur'd king,
On their rebellious heads his wrath should fall,
And vengeance merited o'ertake them all.
Thus menac'd he; and, lo! the Colchian train
Launch'd on that day their vessels in the main;
Swift, on that day, unfurl'd their bellying sails,
And all embarking caught the balmy gales.
Nor deem ye this a well-train'd naval host;
Like flocks of birds they scream around the coast.
Juno, propitious to her favourite-crew,
Inspir'd the breezes that serenely blew,
That soon on Grecian land the fair might tread,
And pour destruction down on Pelias' head.
With the third morn, on Paphlagonia's shore,
Where Halys rolls his stream, the heroes moor.
Medea here ordain'd a solemn rite
To Hecate, the magic queen of night.
But what, or how she form'd the potent spell,
Let none enquire, nor shall my numbers tell:
Fear holds me silent. Here the pious band
Erect a sacred temple on the strand,
Sacred to Hecate, night's awful queen;
And still beside the beach the holy fane is seen.
And now the words of Phineus, old and blind,
Recurr'd to Jason, and each hero's mind.
From Æa he advis'd them to pursue
A different course, a course no pilot knew,
Which Argos thus delineates to the crew:
‘When towards Orchomenos our course we bent,
‘We took that route th' instructive prophet meant.
‘For in times past a different road was known,
‘And this thy priests, Ægyptian Thebes, have shewn.
‘Before the stars adorn'd the saphire-sphere,
‘Or Danaus' race had reach'd th' enquirer's ear;
‘In Greece the bold Arcadians reign'd alone,
‘And, ere bright Cynthia deck'd her silver throne,
‘On acorns liv'd, the food of savage man;
‘Before Deucalion's sons their reign began;
‘With harvests, then, was fertile Ægypt crown'd,
‘Mother of mighty chiefs, of old renown'd;
‘Then the broad Triton, beauteous to behold,
‘His streams prolific o'er the country roll'd.
‘For Jove descends not there in bounteous rains,
‘But inundations fertilize the plains.
‘Hence rose the matchless chief (if same says true)
‘Who conquer'd Europe's realms and Asia's too;
‘His hardy troops embattled at his side,
‘He on his valour and those troops rely'd.
‘He built and peopled with superior skill
‘Unnumber'd cities, some remaining still.
‘Though many ages now have pass'd away,
‘Yet Æa stands, nor hastens to decay;
‘Peopled at first by his adventurous train,
‘Whose long-continued race ev'n now remain.
‘With care they still recording tablets keep
‘Of all the limits of the land and deep,
‘Wherever rivers flow, or storms prevail,
‘Wherever men can march, or ships can sail.
‘A river, stately-winding, deep and wide,
‘From far, far distant mountains rolls its tide;
‘Where ships of burden sure protection claim:
‘Long is its course and Ister is its name.
‘Far, o'er Riphæan hills, where Boreas reigns,
‘He undivided flows thro' various plains;
‘But when thro' Thrace and Scythian climes he glides,
‘In two broad streams his rapid flood divides:
‘This to th' Ionian sea its circuit sweeps,
‘That wider stretches to Trinacria's deeps,
‘Whose lofty shores your Grecian coast command,
‘If Achelöus flow through Grecian land.’
Launch'd on that day their vessels in the main;
Swift, on that day, unfurl'd their bellying sails,
And all embarking caught the balmy gales.
Nor deem ye this a well-train'd naval host;
Like flocks of birds they scream around the coast.
Juno, propitious to her favourite-crew,
Inspir'd the breezes that serenely blew,
That soon on Grecian land the fair might tread,
And pour destruction down on Pelias' head.
With the third morn, on Paphlagonia's shore,
Where Halys rolls his stream, the heroes moor.
Medea here ordain'd a solemn rite
To Hecate, the magic queen of night.
But what, or how she form'd the potent spell,
Let none enquire, nor shall my numbers tell:
Fear holds me silent. Here the pious band
Erect a sacred temple on the strand,
Sacred to Hecate, night's awful queen;
And still beside the beach the holy fane is seen.
223
Recurr'd to Jason, and each hero's mind.
From Æa he advis'd them to pursue
A different course, a course no pilot knew,
Which Argos thus delineates to the crew:
‘When towards Orchomenos our course we bent,
‘We took that route th' instructive prophet meant.
‘For in times past a different road was known,
‘And this thy priests, Ægyptian Thebes, have shewn.
‘Before the stars adorn'd the saphire-sphere,
‘Or Danaus' race had reach'd th' enquirer's ear;
‘In Greece the bold Arcadians reign'd alone,
‘And, ere bright Cynthia deck'd her silver throne,
‘On acorns liv'd, the food of savage man;
‘Before Deucalion's sons their reign began;
‘With harvests, then, was fertile Ægypt crown'd,
‘Mother of mighty chiefs, of old renown'd;
‘Then the broad Triton, beauteous to behold,
‘His streams prolific o'er the country roll'd.
‘For Jove descends not there in bounteous rains,
‘But inundations fertilize the plains.
‘Hence rose the matchless chief (if same says true)
‘Who conquer'd Europe's realms and Asia's too;
‘His hardy troops embattled at his side,
‘He on his valour and those troops rely'd.
224
‘Unnumber'd cities, some remaining still.
‘Though many ages now have pass'd away,
‘Yet Æa stands, nor hastens to decay;
‘Peopled at first by his adventurous train,
‘Whose long-continued race ev'n now remain.
‘With care they still recording tablets keep
‘Of all the limits of the land and deep,
‘Wherever rivers flow, or storms prevail,
‘Wherever men can march, or ships can sail.
‘A river, stately-winding, deep and wide,
‘From far, far distant mountains rolls its tide;
‘Where ships of burden sure protection claim:
‘Long is its course and Ister is its name.
‘Far, o'er Riphæan hills, where Boreas reigns,
‘He undivided flows thro' various plains;
‘But when thro' Thrace and Scythian climes he glides,
‘In two broad streams his rapid flood divides:
‘This to th' Ionian sea its circuit sweeps,
‘That wider stretches to Trinacria's deeps,
‘Whose lofty shores your Grecian coast command,
‘If Achelöus flow through Grecian land.’
He said: a favouring sign the Goddess gave,
Which with new courage animates the brave.
Celestial fires emit a living ray,
And beams of glory point the certain way.
Here, leaving Lycus' valiant son behind,
They spread with joy their canvass to the wind.
Afar the Paphlagonian hills appear;
And from Carambis' cape remote they steer,
Led by the heavenly light and kindly gales,
Till in broad Ister's flood the vessel sails.
Which with new courage animates the brave.
225
And beams of glory point the certain way.
Here, leaving Lycus' valiant son behind,
They spread with joy their canvass to the wind.
Afar the Paphlagonian hills appear;
And from Carambis' cape remote they steer,
Led by the heavenly light and kindly gales,
Till in broad Ister's flood the vessel sails.
Where the Cyanean rocks o'erlook the main,
Part of the Colchians steer their course in vain;
While they, whose counsels sage Absyrtus guides,
Cut through the mouth call'd Calon Ister's tides.
Outsailing thus yon' tardy ships, they sweep
With skilful oars the wide Ionian deep.
An isle, which Ister's branching streams comprise,
Peuce, triangular, before them lies:
Wide o'er the beach its ample base extends,
And in the flood its pointed angle ends.
The two broad streams, that round the island flow,
They by Arecos' name and Calon know.
Below this isle Absyrtus and his crew
Through the wide Calon their swift course pursue:
Above it sailing Jason's comrades stray,
And through Arecos wind their distant way.
Such naval force dismay'd the neighbouring swains;
They left their fleecy flocks and verdant plains:
The ships in view, with terrour struck they stood,
And deem'd them monsters rising from the flood:
Never beheld they from their native shore
Ships proudly sailing on the seas before.
For the fierce Scythians and Sigynnian race
Maintain'd no commerce with the sons of Thrace:
Nor Sindians e'er, who roam the desert plain,
Nor e'er Graucenians cross'd the seas for gain.
When Argo's crew the mount Angurus pass'd,
And reach'd the rock Cauliacus at last,
(Ister near which his stately stream divides
And mingles with the deep his sever'd tides;)
And distant left the wide Talaurian plain,
Then had the Colchians plough'd the Chronian main.
Here, lest the vessel scape, they cautious stay,
And strive to intercept her in her way.
At length appears to their expecting view
On Ister's flood the enterprising crew.
Two lovely sea-girt isles their notice claim'd,
Dear to Diana, and the Brugi nam'd.
Superb in one a sacred temple rose,
And one secur'd them from their Colchian foes.
Her power revering whom these isles obey,
The foe had quitted them without delay.
Each isle beside was throng'd with Colchian hosts,
Who, guarding every pass, protect the coasts.
For troops of enemies embattled stood,
Far ev'n as Nestis and Salango's flood.
Part of the Colchians steer their course in vain;
While they, whose counsels sage Absyrtus guides,
Cut through the mouth call'd Calon Ister's tides.
Outsailing thus yon' tardy ships, they sweep
With skilful oars the wide Ionian deep.
An isle, which Ister's branching streams comprise,
Peuce, triangular, before them lies:
Wide o'er the beach its ample base extends,
And in the flood its pointed angle ends.
The two broad streams, that round the island flow,
They by Arecos' name and Calon know.
Below this isle Absyrtus and his crew
Through the wide Calon their swift course pursue:
Above it sailing Jason's comrades stray,
And through Arecos wind their distant way.
226
They left their fleecy flocks and verdant plains:
The ships in view, with terrour struck they stood,
And deem'd them monsters rising from the flood:
Never beheld they from their native shore
Ships proudly sailing on the seas before.
For the fierce Scythians and Sigynnian race
Maintain'd no commerce with the sons of Thrace:
Nor Sindians e'er, who roam the desert plain,
Nor e'er Graucenians cross'd the seas for gain.
When Argo's crew the mount Angurus pass'd,
And reach'd the rock Cauliacus at last,
(Ister near which his stately stream divides
And mingles with the deep his sever'd tides;)
And distant left the wide Talaurian plain,
Then had the Colchians plough'd the Chronian main.
Here, lest the vessel scape, they cautious stay,
And strive to intercept her in her way.
At length appears to their expecting view
On Ister's flood the enterprising crew.
Two lovely sea-girt isles their notice claim'd,
Dear to Diana, and the Brugi nam'd.
Superb in one a sacred temple rose,
And one secur'd them from their Colchian foes.
227
The foe had quitted them without delay.
Each isle beside was throng'd with Colchian hosts,
Who, guarding every pass, protect the coasts.
For troops of enemies embattled stood,
Far ev'n as Nestis and Salango's flood.
Their numbers few, the Mynian chiefs forbear
To wage with numerous foes unequal war.
Preventive of debate, this truce was seal'd;
That, since the king propos'd the Fleece to yield,
Whether by open force, or arts unknown,
Conquest the daring combatant might crown,
He, though reluctant, must resign his right,
And the contested prize the victor's toil requite.
That, from the crowd with secrecy convey'd,
Diana's fane should guard the magic maid,
Till mid' the sceptred princes one arose
To fix their vague opinions, and propose,
Or to restore her to her sire's embrace,
Or in Orchomenos's city place,
Or freely grant her to embark in peace,
And with the Grecian heroes visit Greece.
To wage with numerous foes unequal war.
Preventive of debate, this truce was seal'd;
That, since the king propos'd the Fleece to yield,
Whether by open force, or arts unknown,
Conquest the daring combatant might crown,
He, though reluctant, must resign his right,
And the contested prize the victor's toil requite.
That, from the crowd with secrecy convey'd,
Diana's fane should guard the magic maid,
Till mid' the sceptred princes one arose
To fix their vague opinions, and propose,
Or to restore her to her sire's embrace,
Or in Orchomenos's city place,
Or freely grant her to embark in peace,
And with the Grecian heroes visit Greece.
When now, long pondering, the suspicious maid
Had learn'd, and all their secret counsels weigh'd,
Tormenting cares disturb'd her mind's repose,
And keen reflection added woes to woes.
Aside she then, from all th' assembled crew,
With cautious secrecy her Jason drew:
Him, thus withdrawn, th' impassion'd maid address'd,
And told the secret sorrows of her breast:
Had learn'd, and all their secret counsels weigh'd,
228
And keen reflection added woes to woes.
Aside she then, from all th' assembled crew,
With cautious secrecy her Jason drew:
Him, thus withdrawn, th' impassion'd maid address'd,
And told the secret sorrows of her breast:
‘Say, what the cause that hostile hosts are join'd,
‘And leagues, destructive of my peace, combin'd?
‘Say, have these charms, with rapture once explor'd,
‘Lull'd to forgetfulness my faithless lord?
‘Hath time effac'd the promises he made,
‘When in the needful hour he ask'd mine aid?
‘Where now thine oaths, prefer'd to mighty Jove?
‘Where now thy tenders of unalter'd love?
‘Curs'd oaths! which bade me all I love disclaim,
‘Friends, parents, country, every honour'd name!
‘Forlorn and vex'd lest thou should'st toil in vain,
‘I with the plaintive halcyon sought the main.
‘I follow'd but to shield thee from alarms,
‘When bulls breath'd fire, and giants rose in arms.
‘Now is the Fleece, for which ye sail'd, possess'd,
‘And by my foolish fondness thou art bless'd.
‘Bless'd thou; but me what secret sorrows vex,
‘Whose deeds reflect dishonour on my sex!
‘Me as thy daughter, sister, wife they brand,
‘Who dare attend thee to a distant land.
‘But stay, protect me, ease my weight of woe,
‘Nor to my royal sire without me go.
‘Oh! think on justice, and revere thine oath,
‘Which both consented to, which bound us both:
‘Or instant, should'st thou every tie evade,
‘In this frail bosom plunge the pointed blade.
‘Thus frantic love its due desert shall see,
‘And death come grateful to a wretch like me.
‘Think, should the king exert his sovereign sway,
‘And with my brother destine me to stay,
‘(That king with whom ye both with treacherous aim
‘Have form'd a league, subversive of my fame;)
‘Oh! how shall I behold my father's face?
‘With courage I! not shrinking at disgrace!
‘No; stung by conscience, I forestall my fate,
‘And feel the horrours which my crimes create.
‘Back o'er the seas, mid' raging tempests borne,
‘Long may'st thou wander joyless and forlorn.
‘Ne'er may thy boasted patroness and friend,
‘Juno, to thee her wonted aid extend.
‘Stern fate may still severer toils ordain,
‘And thou, false wretch, remember me in vain.
‘Oh! may the Fleece deceive thy ravish'd sight,
‘And, like a vision, vanish into night.
‘Rise may my Furies, vengeance to demand,
‘And distant drive thee from thy native land.
‘From thee, their guilty source, my sorrows flow:
‘Share now thy part, and suffer woe for woe.
‘Thine oaths no more a slighted maid shall wrong,
‘Nor this perfidious truce protect thee long.’
‘And leagues, destructive of my peace, combin'd?
‘Say, have these charms, with rapture once explor'd,
‘Lull'd to forgetfulness my faithless lord?
‘Hath time effac'd the promises he made,
‘When in the needful hour he ask'd mine aid?
‘Where now thine oaths, prefer'd to mighty Jove?
‘Where now thy tenders of unalter'd love?
‘Curs'd oaths! which bade me all I love disclaim,
‘Friends, parents, country, every honour'd name!
‘Forlorn and vex'd lest thou should'st toil in vain,
‘I with the plaintive halcyon sought the main.
‘I follow'd but to shield thee from alarms,
‘When bulls breath'd fire, and giants rose in arms.
‘Now is the Fleece, for which ye sail'd, possess'd,
‘And by my foolish fondness thou art bless'd.
‘Bless'd thou; but me what secret sorrows vex,
‘Whose deeds reflect dishonour on my sex!
229
‘Who dare attend thee to a distant land.
‘But stay, protect me, ease my weight of woe,
‘Nor to my royal sire without me go.
‘Oh! think on justice, and revere thine oath,
‘Which both consented to, which bound us both:
‘Or instant, should'st thou every tie evade,
‘In this frail bosom plunge the pointed blade.
‘Thus frantic love its due desert shall see,
‘And death come grateful to a wretch like me.
‘Think, should the king exert his sovereign sway,
‘And with my brother destine me to stay,
‘(That king with whom ye both with treacherous aim
‘Have form'd a league, subversive of my fame;)
‘Oh! how shall I behold my father's face?
‘With courage I! not shrinking at disgrace!
‘No; stung by conscience, I forestall my fate,
‘And feel the horrours which my crimes create.
‘Back o'er the seas, mid' raging tempests borne,
‘Long may'st thou wander joyless and forlorn.
‘Ne'er may thy boasted patroness and friend,
‘Juno, to thee her wonted aid extend.
‘Stern fate may still severer toils ordain,
‘And thou, false wretch, remember me in vain.
230
‘And, like a vision, vanish into night.
‘Rise may my Furies, vengeance to demand,
‘And distant drive thee from thy native land.
‘From thee, their guilty source, my sorrows flow:
‘Share now thy part, and suffer woe for woe.
‘Thine oaths no more a slighted maid shall wrong,
‘Nor this perfidious truce protect thee long.’
Stung with despair, she utter'd thus her grief,
Thus to her angry spirit gave relief.
To burn the ship forth rush'd th' impetuous dame,
And wrap its heaven-built sides in sudden flame;
Resolv'd in thought, as now the vessel blaz'd,
To perish dauntless in the flame she rais'd:
But Jason thus, with boding fears impress'd,
Sooth'd the mad tumults of Medea's breast:
Thus to her angry spirit gave relief.
To burn the ship forth rush'd th' impetuous dame,
And wrap its heaven-built sides in sudden flame;
Resolv'd in thought, as now the vessel blaz'd,
To perish dauntless in the flame she rais'd:
But Jason thus, with boding fears impress'd,
Sooth'd the mad tumults of Medea's breast:
“Cease, heavenly maid, nor wound a lover's ear
“With words unwelcome, and unfit to hear.
“The common safety bids us all unite
“To gain a timely respite from the fight.
“See, fair protectress, to restore thee lost,
“What clouds of enemies surround the coast.
“The country arms thy brother's cause to aid,
“And bear thee to thy sire a captive maid.
“Against such force should we our arms oppose,
“Perish might all our host, o'erpower'd by foes:
“Then, sad to think! if, every hero slain,
“In long captivity must thou remain.
“Our arts perfidious will this truce conceal,
“Whose baneful influence must thy brother feel.
“Bereav'd of him, the Colchians' cause to aid,
“And to recover thee, a captive maid,
“No more the neighbouring forces will unite:
“Instant will I renew the desperate fight,
“Secure my wish'd return, and vindicate my right.”
“With words unwelcome, and unfit to hear.
“The common safety bids us all unite
“To gain a timely respite from the fight.
“See, fair protectress, to restore thee lost,
“What clouds of enemies surround the coast.
“The country arms thy brother's cause to aid,
“And bear thee to thy sire a captive maid.
231
“Perish might all our host, o'erpower'd by foes:
“Then, sad to think! if, every hero slain,
“In long captivity must thou remain.
“Our arts perfidious will this truce conceal,
“Whose baneful influence must thy brother feel.
“Bereav'd of him, the Colchians' cause to aid,
“And to recover thee, a captive maid,
“No more the neighbouring forces will unite:
“Instant will I renew the desperate fight,
“Secure my wish'd return, and vindicate my right.”
Thus spoke he mild: the mischief-brooding maid
Told her dark purpose, and, ‘O think,’ she said,
‘Think, Jason, now: oppose we, as beseems,
‘To their destructive deeds destructive schemes.
‘Urg'd first by Love, in errour's maze I stray'd,
‘And through that God is every lust obey'd.
‘Decline the fight, till I the youth betray,
‘And to your hands consign, an easy prey.
‘With presents be the heedless stripling lur'd:
‘Heralds, of faith approv'd, by me procur'd,
‘Ere long a secret audience shall obtain,
‘And to my purposes Absyrtus gain.
‘My plan (I reck not) if it please, pursue:
‘Go, slay my brother, and the fight renew.’
Told her dark purpose, and, ‘O think,’ she said,
‘Think, Jason, now: oppose we, as beseems,
‘To their destructive deeds destructive schemes.
‘Urg'd first by Love, in errour's maze I stray'd,
‘And through that God is every lust obey'd.
‘Decline the fight, till I the youth betray,
‘And to your hands consign, an easy prey.
‘With presents be the heedless stripling lur'd:
‘Heralds, of faith approv'd, by me procur'd,
‘Ere long a secret audience shall obtain,
‘And to my purposes Absyrtus gain.
‘My plan (I reck not) if it please, pursue:
‘Go, slay my brother, and the fight renew.’
232
Such were the snares the treacherous lovers laid;
And by large presents was the prince betray'd.
The heralds with these specious presents bore
The veil Hypsipyle so lately wore.
Each Grace in Naxos' isle, with art divine,
Wrought the rich raiment for the God of wine;
He gave it Thoas, his illustrious heir,
And Thoas to Hypsipyle the fair;
She gave it Jason: wondering you behold,
And with new transport trace th' embroider'd gold.
What time with large nectareous draughts oppress'd,
On the soft vesture Bacchus sunk to rest,
Close by his side the Cretan maid reclin'd,
At Naxos' isle whom Theseus left behind;
From that bless'd hour the robe, with odours fill'd,
Ambrosial fragrance wide around distill'd.
And by large presents was the prince betray'd.
The heralds with these specious presents bore
The veil Hypsipyle so lately wore.
Each Grace in Naxos' isle, with art divine,
Wrought the rich raiment for the God of wine;
He gave it Thoas, his illustrious heir,
And Thoas to Hypsipyle the fair;
She gave it Jason: wondering you behold,
And with new transport trace th' embroider'd gold.
What time with large nectareous draughts oppress'd,
On the soft vesture Bacchus sunk to rest,
Close by his side the Cretan maid reclin'd,
At Naxos' isle whom Theseus left behind;
From that bless'd hour the robe, with odours fill'd,
Ambrosial fragrance wide around distill'd.
Her guileful purposes the magic maid
In order thus before the heralds laid:
That, soon as night her sable shade had spread,
And to the temple was Medea led,
Thither Absyrtus should repair, and hear
A project pleasing to a brother's ear:
How she, the Golden Fleece in triumph borne,
Would to Æeta speed her wish'd return;
How Phrixus' treacherous sons prolong'd her stay;
And her to cruel foes consign'd a prey.
Then far she flung her potent spells in air,
Which lur'd the distant savage from his lair.
Curse of mankind! from thee contentions flow,
Disastrous Love! and every heart-felt woe:
Thy darts the children of thy foes infest,
As now they rankle in Medea's breast.
How, vanquish'd by her wiles, Absyrtus fell,
In seemly order now my Muse must tell.
In order thus before the heralds laid:
That, soon as night her sable shade had spread,
And to the temple was Medea led,
Thither Absyrtus should repair, and hear
A project pleasing to a brother's ear:
How she, the Golden Fleece in triumph borne,
Would to Æeta speed her wish'd return;
233
And her to cruel foes consign'd a prey.
Then far she flung her potent spells in air,
Which lur'd the distant savage from his lair.
Curse of mankind! from thee contentions flow,
Disastrous Love! and every heart-felt woe:
Thy darts the children of thy foes infest,
As now they rankle in Medea's breast.
How, vanquish'd by her wiles, Absyrtus fell,
In seemly order now my Muse must tell.
Medea now secur'd in Dian's fane,
The Colchians hasten to their ships again.
Jason meanwhile lies in close ambush, bent
Absyrtus and his friends to circumvent.
Him, yet unpractis'd in his sister's guile,
His ready ship had wafted to the isle:
Conceal'd in night they tugg'd their toilsome oars,
Till in the bay secure the vessel moors.
Alone, in confidence, the stripling came,
And at Diana's porch approach'd the dame,
(She like a torrent look'd, when swoln with rain,
Which foaming terrifies the village-swain;)
To learn what snare her wily art could lay,
To drive these bold adventurers away.
And all was plann'd; when from his ambuscade
Sprung Æson's son, and shook his lifted blade.
The conscious sister, stung with secret dread,
Lest her own eyes should view Absyrtus dead,
Turn'd from the murderous scene aside distress'd,
And veil'd her guilty face beneath her vest.
As falls an ox beneath the striker's blow,
So was Absyrtus laid by Jason low.
Near that bright fane the neighbouring Brugi built,
He eyes his victim, and completes his guilt.
Here sunk he low; and to his bleeding side,
Compressing both his hands, the hero died.
Medea's veil receiv'd the purple flood,
And her fair vesture blush'd with brother's blood.
Hell's blackest Fury the dire scene survey'd,
And mark'd with sidelong eye the reeking blade.
The pious rite for blood in secret spilt,
Jason fulfils, and expiates his guilt.
The skin he rases from the body slain,
Thrice licks the blood, thrice spits it out again.
Then with collected earth the corse he press'd;
And still his bones with Absyrteans rest.
The Colchians hasten to their ships again.
Jason meanwhile lies in close ambush, bent
Absyrtus and his friends to circumvent.
Him, yet unpractis'd in his sister's guile,
His ready ship had wafted to the isle:
Conceal'd in night they tugg'd their toilsome oars,
Till in the bay secure the vessel moors.
Alone, in confidence, the stripling came,
And at Diana's porch approach'd the dame,
(She like a torrent look'd, when swoln with rain,
Which foaming terrifies the village-swain;)
To learn what snare her wily art could lay,
To drive these bold adventurers away.
234
Sprung Æson's son, and shook his lifted blade.
The conscious sister, stung with secret dread,
Lest her own eyes should view Absyrtus dead,
Turn'd from the murderous scene aside distress'd,
And veil'd her guilty face beneath her vest.
As falls an ox beneath the striker's blow,
So was Absyrtus laid by Jason low.
Near that bright fane the neighbouring Brugi built,
He eyes his victim, and completes his guilt.
Here sunk he low; and to his bleeding side,
Compressing both his hands, the hero died.
Medea's veil receiv'd the purple flood,
And her fair vesture blush'd with brother's blood.
Hell's blackest Fury the dire scene survey'd,
And mark'd with sidelong eye the reeking blade.
The pious rite for blood in secret spilt,
Jason fulfils, and expiates his guilt.
The skin he rases from the body slain,
Thrice licks the blood, thrice spits it out again.
Then with collected earth the corse he press'd;
And still his bones with Absyrteans rest.
When in full prospect the bright flambeau blaz'd,
Which to conduct the chiefs Medea rais'd,
Elate with hope the radiant guide they view,
And near the Colchian vessel Argo drew.
As lions fierce the timorous flocks dismay,
Leap o'er the folds, and drive them far away;
As trembling doves before the kite retreat,
So before Argo flies the Colchian fleet.
Furious as flame, on all the host they prey'd,
And low in death was each assailant laid.
Jason at length, to aid his valiant crew,
Who little need his aid, appear'd in view.
For not a fear their gallant hearts oppress'd,
Save what their Jason's safety might suggest.
The chiefs assembled with Medea sat,
And on their future voyage thus debate;
Peleus began: ‘Now, ere Aurora rise,
‘A speedy embarkation I advise:
‘A different course with caution let us choose,
‘From that far different which the foe pursues.
‘For (such my sanguine hope) when morning-light
‘Yon slaughter'd heaps discloses to their sight,
‘No words will win them to pursue us far,
‘No tongue entice them to renew the war.
‘Sedition soon, their prince Absyrtus dead,
‘Will, like a pest, o'er all their navy spread:
‘Secure and free shall we recross the main,
‘Their forces scatter'd, and their sovereign slain.’
Which to conduct the chiefs Medea rais'd,
235
And near the Colchian vessel Argo drew.
As lions fierce the timorous flocks dismay,
Leap o'er the folds, and drive them far away;
As trembling doves before the kite retreat,
So before Argo flies the Colchian fleet.
Furious as flame, on all the host they prey'd,
And low in death was each assailant laid.
Jason at length, to aid his valiant crew,
Who little need his aid, appear'd in view.
For not a fear their gallant hearts oppress'd,
Save what their Jason's safety might suggest.
The chiefs assembled with Medea sat,
And on their future voyage thus debate;
Peleus began: ‘Now, ere Aurora rise,
‘A speedy embarkation I advise:
‘A different course with caution let us choose,
‘From that far different which the foe pursues.
‘For (such my sanguine hope) when morning-light
‘Yon slaughter'd heaps discloses to their sight,
‘No words will win them to pursue us far,
‘No tongue entice them to renew the war.
‘Sedition soon, their prince Absyrtus dead,
‘Will, like a pest, o'er all their navy spread:
236
‘Their forces scatter'd, and their sovereign slain.’
He said; the chiefs consented, and with haste
Re-enter'd Argo, and their oars embrac'd.
Hard by Electris, last of isles, they row,
Near which, Eridanus, thy waters flow.
Re-enter'd Argo, and their oars embrac'd.
Hard by Electris, last of isles, they row,
Near which, Eridanus, thy waters flow.
Soon as their leader's fate the Colchians knew,
They vow'd destruction to the Grecian crew;
And, eager to o'ertake the Mynian train,
Had travers'd in their wrath the boundless main,
But Juno, as her thunder awful roll'd,
Presag'd her vengeance, and their pride control'd.
Dreading Æeta's ire, the vanquish'd host
Far distant voyag'd from the Colchian coast.
Unnumber'd ports the scatter'd fleet explor'd:
Some to those isles repair'd where Jason moor'd,
Nam'd from Absyrtus: some, where stately flows
The flood Illyricum, expect repose;
Beside whose bank a lofty tower they rear'd,
Where Cadmus' and Harmonia's tomb appear'd;
Here with the natives dwell they. Others roam
Till midst Ceraunian rocks they find a home;
Ceraunian nam'd, since Jove's red thunder tore
Their ships that anchor'd on the neighbouring shore.
They vow'd destruction to the Grecian crew;
And, eager to o'ertake the Mynian train,
Had travers'd in their wrath the boundless main,
But Juno, as her thunder awful roll'd,
Presag'd her vengeance, and their pride control'd.
Dreading Æeta's ire, the vanquish'd host
Far distant voyag'd from the Colchian coast.
Unnumber'd ports the scatter'd fleet explor'd:
Some to those isles repair'd where Jason moor'd,
Nam'd from Absyrtus: some, where stately flows
The flood Illyricum, expect repose;
Beside whose bank a lofty tower they rear'd,
Where Cadmus' and Harmonia's tomb appear'd;
Here with the natives dwell they. Others roam
Till midst Ceraunian rocks they find a home;
Ceraunian nam'd, since Jove's red thunder tore
Their ships that anchor'd on the neighbouring shore.
237
But towards th' Hyllean port the heroes bear,
And, fortune smiling, fix their halsers there.
For many an isle projected o'er the tide,
Near which no vessel could with safety ride.
No hostile arts th' Hylleans now devise:
They teach the Mynians where their voyage lies;
And for their friendly intercourse obtain
The largest tripod from Apollo's fane.
For, doubtful of the Fleece, when Jason came
To hear responses from the Pythian dame,
Enrich'd, and honour'd from the shrine he trod
With two bright tripods, given by Delphi's God.
'Twas doom'd no power should lay the country waste,
Within whose confines were these tripods plac'd.
Hid, for this cause, in earth the sumptuous prize
Hard by the fair Hyllean city lies;
Deep, deep it lies, with ponderous earth oppress'd,
That there unseen it might for ever rest.
King Hyllus, whom in fam'd Phœacia's shore
Fair Melite to great Alcides bore,
To mortal view was manifest no more.
Nausithoüs, to youthful Hyllus kind,
The heedless stripling in his courts confin'd;
(For, when to Macris' isle Alcides fled,
That far-fam'd isle, which infant Bacchus fed,
To expiate his guilt, and wash the stain
Of blood yet streaming from his children slain,
Here, as beside his favourite-beach he rov'd,
The naiad Melite he saw and lov'd,
The daughter of Ægëus, fair and young,
From whose caresses hopeful Hyllus sprung.)
But he, to manhood ripening, wish'd to roam
Far from his sovereign's eye and regal home:
The native islanders augment his train,
And with their leader tempt the Chronian main.
Nausithoüs complied with each demand,
And Hyllus settled on th' Illyric strand:
But, as he strove his scatter'd herd to shield,
A boor's rude weapon stretch'd him on the field.
And, fortune smiling, fix their halsers there.
For many an isle projected o'er the tide,
Near which no vessel could with safety ride.
No hostile arts th' Hylleans now devise:
They teach the Mynians where their voyage lies;
And for their friendly intercourse obtain
The largest tripod from Apollo's fane.
For, doubtful of the Fleece, when Jason came
To hear responses from the Pythian dame,
Enrich'd, and honour'd from the shrine he trod
With two bright tripods, given by Delphi's God.
'Twas doom'd no power should lay the country waste,
Within whose confines were these tripods plac'd.
Hid, for this cause, in earth the sumptuous prize
Hard by the fair Hyllean city lies;
Deep, deep it lies, with ponderous earth oppress'd,
That there unseen it might for ever rest.
King Hyllus, whom in fam'd Phœacia's shore
Fair Melite to great Alcides bore,
To mortal view was manifest no more.
Nausithoüs, to youthful Hyllus kind,
The heedless stripling in his courts confin'd;
(For, when to Macris' isle Alcides fled,
That far-fam'd isle, which infant Bacchus fed,
238
Of blood yet streaming from his children slain,
Here, as beside his favourite-beach he rov'd,
The naiad Melite he saw and lov'd,
The daughter of Ægëus, fair and young,
From whose caresses hopeful Hyllus sprung.)
But he, to manhood ripening, wish'd to roam
Far from his sovereign's eye and regal home:
The native islanders augment his train,
And with their leader tempt the Chronian main.
Nausithoüs complied with each demand,
And Hyllus settled on th' Illyric strand:
But, as he strove his scatter'd herd to shield,
A boor's rude weapon stretch'd him on the field.
How cross these seas, how round th' Ausonian shores,
And the Ligurian isles they plied their oars,
Ye Muses, tell: what tokens still remain
Of Argo's voyage, what her feats, explain:
Say, to what end, by what impelling gales
She o'er remotest seas unfurl'd her sails.
And the Ligurian isles they plied their oars,
Ye Muses, tell: what tokens still remain
Of Argo's voyage, what her feats, explain:
Say, to what end, by what impelling gales
She o'er remotest seas unfurl'd her sails.
All-seeing Jove their perfidy discern'd,
And for Absyrtus slain with anger burn'd.
By Circe's mystic rites heaven's sire decreed
The guilt to expiate of so base a deed.
To sufferings dire, but what no mortal knew,
He, ere they safe return'd, foredoom'd the crew.
And for Absyrtus slain with anger burn'd.
By Circe's mystic rites heaven's sire decreed
The guilt to expiate of so base a deed.
239
He, ere they safe return'd, foredoom'd the crew.
Beyond th' Hyllean land their course they steer'd:
Remote the vast Liburnian isles appear'd,
Late fill'd with Colchians; Pityëa fair,
And rocky Issa, are the names they bear.
These islands past, Cercyra's cliffs they greet,
Where dwelt (for here had Neptune chose her seat)
Cercyra: he, by tender passions sway'd,
From distant Phliuns fetch'd the black-ey'd maid:
Melaine her admiring sailors name,
As through dark groves they view the swarthy dame.
Fleet as the vessel sails before the wind,
Cerossus, Melite they leave behind.
Soon on Nymphæa, though remote, she gains,
Where Atlas' daughter, queen Calypso, reigns.
The crew conjectur'd, through far distant skies
They saw the tall Ceraunian mountains rise.
And now Jove's purposes and vengeful rage
Propitious Juno's anxious thoughts engage.
That every toil with glory might be crown'd,
And no disastrous rocks their ship surround,
She wak'd the brisker gales in Argo's aid,
Till in Electris' isle she rode embay'd.
Sudden, the vessel, as she sail'd along,
Spoke, wondrous portent! as with human tongue:
Her sturdy keel of Dodonean oak,
By Pallas vocal made, prophetic spoke.
This solemn voice shook every heart with fear:
They deem'd the Thunderer's threaten'd vengeance near.
Remote the vast Liburnian isles appear'd,
Late fill'd with Colchians; Pityëa fair,
And rocky Issa, are the names they bear.
These islands past, Cercyra's cliffs they greet,
Where dwelt (for here had Neptune chose her seat)
Cercyra: he, by tender passions sway'd,
From distant Phliuns fetch'd the black-ey'd maid:
Melaine her admiring sailors name,
As through dark groves they view the swarthy dame.
Fleet as the vessel sails before the wind,
Cerossus, Melite they leave behind.
Soon on Nymphæa, though remote, she gains,
Where Atlas' daughter, queen Calypso, reigns.
The crew conjectur'd, through far distant skies
They saw the tall Ceraunian mountains rise.
And now Jove's purposes and vengeful rage
Propitious Juno's anxious thoughts engage.
That every toil with glory might be crown'd,
And no disastrous rocks their ship surround,
She wak'd the brisker gales in Argo's aid,
Till in Electris' isle she rode embay'd.
240
Spoke, wondrous portent! as with human tongue:
Her sturdy keel of Dodonean oak,
By Pallas vocal made, prophetic spoke.
This solemn voice shook every heart with fear:
They deem'd the Thunderer's threaten'd vengeance near.
‘Expect,’ says Argo, ‘storms and wintry seas,
‘'Till Circe's rites the wrath of Jove appease.
‘Ye guardian twins, who aid our great design,
‘By humble prayer the heavenly powers incline
‘To steer me safe to each Ausonian bay,
‘And to the haunts of Circe point my way.’
‘'Till Circe's rites the wrath of Jove appease.
‘Ye guardian twins, who aid our great design,
‘By humble prayer the heavenly powers incline
‘To steer me safe to each Ausonian bay,
‘And to the haunts of Circe point my way.’
Thus Argo spoke, as night her shades display'd:
The sons of Leda listen'd and obey'd.
Before th' immortal Powers their hands they spread;
All, save these chiefs, were struck with silent dread.
The canvass wide-distended by the gales,
Swift down Eridanus the galley sails.
Here Jove's dread bolt transfix'd the stripling's side,
Who greatly dar'd the car of Phœbus guide.
This flood receiv'd him; and the flaming wound
Still steams, and spreads offensive vapours round.
The feathery race, as o'er the flood they fly,
Wrapp'd in sulphureous exhalations die.
The poplar's winding bark around them spread,
Apollo's daughters wail their brother dead.
Down their fair cheeks bright tears of amber run,
Sink in the sand, and harden by the sun.
When boisterous winds the troubled waters urge,
And o'er its bank ascends the swelling surge,
These amber gems, swept by the tide away,
Their pearly tribute to the river pay.
But, down the stream, as Celtic legends tell,
The tears of Phœbus floated as they fell
In amber drops, what time from angry Jove
The God withdrew, and left the realms above:
To the far Hyperborean race he fled;
Griev'd for his favourite Æsculapius dead.
From fair Coronis sprung this godlike son,
Where Amyros' streams near Lacerea run.
The sons of Leda listen'd and obey'd.
Before th' immortal Powers their hands they spread;
All, save these chiefs, were struck with silent dread.
The canvass wide-distended by the gales,
Swift down Eridanus the galley sails.
Here Jove's dread bolt transfix'd the stripling's side,
Who greatly dar'd the car of Phœbus guide.
This flood receiv'd him; and the flaming wound
Still steams, and spreads offensive vapours round.
The feathery race, as o'er the flood they fly,
Wrapp'd in sulphureous exhalations die.
241
Apollo's daughters wail their brother dead.
Down their fair cheeks bright tears of amber run,
Sink in the sand, and harden by the sun.
When boisterous winds the troubled waters urge,
And o'er its bank ascends the swelling surge,
These amber gems, swept by the tide away,
Their pearly tribute to the river pay.
But, down the stream, as Celtic legends tell,
The tears of Phœbus floated as they fell
In amber drops, what time from angry Jove
The God withdrew, and left the realms above:
To the far Hyperborean race he fled;
Griev'd for his favourite Æsculapius dead.
From fair Coronis sprung this godlike son,
Where Amyros' streams near Lacerea run.
Strangers to mirth, the pensive Mynians muse
On their hard lot, and strengthening food refuse.
Loathing the stench these putrid streams emit,
Sickening and spiritless whole days they sit;
Whole nights they hear the sorrowing sisters tell,
How by the bolts of Jove their brother fell.
Their mingled tears, as o'er the stream they weep,
Like drops of oil float down the rapid deep.
The Rhone's broad channel Argo's keel divides,
Which mingles with Eridanus its tides:
There, where the confluent floods unite their force,
Boisterous they foam. The Rhone derives its source
From caverns deep, which, far from mortal sight,
Lead to the portals, and the realms of night.
One stream its tribute to th' Ionian pays,
One to the wide Sardinian ocean strays;
Thro' seven wide mouths it disembogues its tides,
Where foaming to the sea its stream divides.
This winding stream transmits th' adventurous train
To lakes that delug'd all the Celtic plain.
Disastrous fate had here their labour foil'd,
And of her boasted prowess Argo spoil'd,
(For through a creek to ocean's depths convey'd,
To sure destruction had the heroes stray'd;)
But Juno hasten'd from on high, and stood
On a tall rock, and shouted o'er the flood.
All heard, and all with sudden terrour shook;
For loud around them bursts of thunder broke.
Admonish'd thus, submissive they return,
And steering back their better course discern.
Mid' Celtæ and Ligurians long they stray'd,
But reach'd the sea-beat shore by Juno's aid:
O'er them each day her cloudy veil she drew,
And thus from human sight conceal'd the crew;
Whose ship had now the broad, mid channel pass'd,
And rode amidst the Stœchades at last:
For Jove's twin sons had pray'd, nor pray'd in vain.
Hence rear they altars, and due rites ordain
To these kind Powers, whose influential aid
Not only Argo's bold adventurers sway'd;
But later voyagers, by Jove's decree,
Have own'd their happy influence o'er the sea.
On their hard lot, and strengthening food refuse.
Loathing the stench these putrid streams emit,
Sickening and spiritless whole days they sit;
Whole nights they hear the sorrowing sisters tell,
How by the bolts of Jove their brother fell.
Their mingled tears, as o'er the stream they weep,
Like drops of oil float down the rapid deep.
242
Which mingles with Eridanus its tides:
There, where the confluent floods unite their force,
Boisterous they foam. The Rhone derives its source
From caverns deep, which, far from mortal sight,
Lead to the portals, and the realms of night.
One stream its tribute to th' Ionian pays,
One to the wide Sardinian ocean strays;
Thro' seven wide mouths it disembogues its tides,
Where foaming to the sea its stream divides.
This winding stream transmits th' adventurous train
To lakes that delug'd all the Celtic plain.
Disastrous fate had here their labour foil'd,
And of her boasted prowess Argo spoil'd,
(For through a creek to ocean's depths convey'd,
To sure destruction had the heroes stray'd;)
But Juno hasten'd from on high, and stood
On a tall rock, and shouted o'er the flood.
All heard, and all with sudden terrour shook;
For loud around them bursts of thunder broke.
Admonish'd thus, submissive they return,
And steering back their better course discern.
Mid' Celtæ and Ligurians long they stray'd,
But reach'd the sea-beat shore by Juno's aid:
243
And thus from human sight conceal'd the crew;
Whose ship had now the broad, mid channel pass'd,
And rode amidst the Stœchades at last:
For Jove's twin sons had pray'd, nor pray'd in vain.
Hence rear they altars, and due rites ordain
To these kind Powers, whose influential aid
Not only Argo's bold adventurers sway'd;
But later voyagers, by Jove's decree,
Have own'd their happy influence o'er the sea.
The Stœchades now lessening from their view,
Swift to Æthalia's isle the vessel flew.
With chalks, that, as they cover'd, ting'd the shore,
The heroes rubb'd their wearied bodies o'er.
Here are their quoits and wondrous armour fram'd,
Here is their port display'd, Argoüs nam'd.
Hence sailing, they the Tyrrhene shores survey,
As through Ausonia's deeps they cleave their liquid way.
Æea's celebrated port they reach,
And fasten here their halsers to the beach.
Here saw they Circe, as in ocean's bed,
Dismay'd with nightly dreams, she plung'd her head.
For thus the sorceress dream'd; that blood and gore
Had smear'd her walls, and flow'd around her floor:
That all her treasur'd stores were wrapp'd in flame,
With which she lur'd each passenger that came:
That copious streams of blood her hand apply'd,
And her fears vanish'd as the flames subside.
For this the magic dame, as morning rose,
Wash'd in the cleansing wave her locks and clothes.
Monsters, unlike the savage, bestial race,
Unlike to humankind in gait or face,
Limbs not their own support whose hideous frame,
As sheep their shepherd follow, these their dame.
Such monsters once the pregnant earth disclos'd,
Of heterogeneous shapes and limbs compos'd:
No drying winds had then the soil condens'd,
No solar rays their genial warmth dispens'd;
But time perfection to each creature gave:
Monsters like these were seen in Circe's cave.
All, stedfast gazing on her form and face,
Pronounc'd the sorceress of Æeta's race.
Those terrors vanish'd, which her dream inspir'd,
Back to her gloomy cell the dame retir'd.
Close in her guileful hand she grasp'd each guest,
And bade them follow where her footsteps press'd.
The crowd aloof at Jason's mandate stay'd,
While he accompanied the Colchian maid.
Together thus they Circe's steps pursue,
Till her enchanting cave arose in view.
Swift to Æthalia's isle the vessel flew.
With chalks, that, as they cover'd, ting'd the shore,
The heroes rubb'd their wearied bodies o'er.
Here are their quoits and wondrous armour fram'd,
Here is their port display'd, Argoüs nam'd.
Hence sailing, they the Tyrrhene shores survey,
As through Ausonia's deeps they cleave their liquid way.
Æea's celebrated port they reach,
And fasten here their halsers to the beach.
Here saw they Circe, as in ocean's bed,
Dismay'd with nightly dreams, she plung'd her head.
For thus the sorceress dream'd; that blood and gore
Had smear'd her walls, and flow'd around her floor:
244
With which she lur'd each passenger that came:
That copious streams of blood her hand apply'd,
And her fears vanish'd as the flames subside.
For this the magic dame, as morning rose,
Wash'd in the cleansing wave her locks and clothes.
Monsters, unlike the savage, bestial race,
Unlike to humankind in gait or face,
Limbs not their own support whose hideous frame,
As sheep their shepherd follow, these their dame.
Such monsters once the pregnant earth disclos'd,
Of heterogeneous shapes and limbs compos'd:
No drying winds had then the soil condens'd,
No solar rays their genial warmth dispens'd;
But time perfection to each creature gave:
Monsters like these were seen in Circe's cave.
All, stedfast gazing on her form and face,
Pronounc'd the sorceress of Æeta's race.
Those terrors vanish'd, which her dream inspir'd,
Back to her gloomy cell the dame retir'd.
Close in her guileful hand she grasp'd each guest,
And bade them follow where her footsteps press'd.
The crowd aloof at Jason's mandate stay'd,
While he accompanied the Colchian maid.
245
Till her enchanting cave arose in view.
Their visit's cause her troubled mind distress'd;
On downy seats she plac'd each princely guest.
They round her hearth sat motionless and mute:
(With plaintive suppliants such manners suit)
Her folded hands her blushing face conceal;
Deep in the ground he fix'd the murderous steel;
Nor dare they once, in equal sorrow drown'd,
Lift their dejected eyelids from the ground.
Circe beheld their guilt: she saw they fled
From vengeance hanging o'er the murderer's head.
The holy rites, approv'd of Jove, she pays:
(Jove, thus appeas'd, his hasty vengeance stays)
These rites from guilty stains the culprits clear,
Who lowly suppliant at her cell appear.
To expiate their crime in order due,
First to her shrine a sucking pig she drew,
Whose nipples from its birth distended stood:
Its neck she struck, and bath'd their hands in blood.
Next with libations meet and prayer she ply'd
Jove, who acquits the suppliant homicide.
Without her door a train of Naiads stand,
Administering whate'er her rites demand;
Within, the flames, that round the hearth arise,
Waste, as she prays, the kneaded sacrifice:
That thus the Furies' vengeful wrath might cease,
And Jove appeas'd dismiss them both in peace,
Whether they came to expiate the guilt
Of friends' or strangers' blood by treachery spilt.
On downy seats she plac'd each princely guest.
They round her hearth sat motionless and mute:
(With plaintive suppliants such manners suit)
Her folded hands her blushing face conceal;
Deep in the ground he fix'd the murderous steel;
Nor dare they once, in equal sorrow drown'd,
Lift their dejected eyelids from the ground.
Circe beheld their guilt: she saw they fled
From vengeance hanging o'er the murderer's head.
The holy rites, approv'd of Jove, she pays:
(Jove, thus appeas'd, his hasty vengeance stays)
These rites from guilty stains the culprits clear,
Who lowly suppliant at her cell appear.
To expiate their crime in order due,
First to her shrine a sucking pig she drew,
Whose nipples from its birth distended stood:
Its neck she struck, and bath'd their hands in blood.
Next with libations meet and prayer she ply'd
Jove, who acquits the suppliant homicide.
Without her door a train of Naiads stand,
Administering whate'er her rites demand;
246
Waste, as she prays, the kneaded sacrifice:
That thus the Furies' vengeful wrath might cease,
And Jove appeas'd dismiss them both in peace,
Whether they came to expiate the guilt
Of friends' or strangers' blood by treachery spilt.
Circe arose, her mystic rites complete,
And plac'd the princes on a splendid seat.
Near them she sat, and urg'd them to explain
Their plan and progress o'er the dangerous main:
Whence rose the wish to visit Circe's isle,
And thus beneath her roof converse awhile.
For still on every thought the vision press'd,
And its remembrance still disturb'd her rest.
Soon as the sorceress saw Medea raise
From earth those eyes which shot a beamy blaze,
Anxious she wish'd to hear her native tongue,
Conjecturing from her features whence she sprung.
For all Sol's race are beauteous as their sire;
Their radiant eyes emit celestial fire.
The willing maid complied with each demand,
And in the language of her native land
Her story told; each strange event declar'd,
What countries they had seen, what dangers shar'd;
Her sister's counsels how they sway'd her breast,
How with the sons of Phrixus she transgress'd;
How from her father fled, his threats disdain'd:
But still untold her brother's fate remain'd.
His fate th' enchantress knew; no arts could hide
The murderous deed: she pitied and reply'd:
And plac'd the princes on a splendid seat.
Near them she sat, and urg'd them to explain
Their plan and progress o'er the dangerous main:
Whence rose the wish to visit Circe's isle,
And thus beneath her roof converse awhile.
For still on every thought the vision press'd,
And its remembrance still disturb'd her rest.
Soon as the sorceress saw Medea raise
From earth those eyes which shot a beamy blaze,
Anxious she wish'd to hear her native tongue,
Conjecturing from her features whence she sprung.
For all Sol's race are beauteous as their sire;
Their radiant eyes emit celestial fire.
The willing maid complied with each demand,
And in the language of her native land
Her story told; each strange event declar'd,
What countries they had seen, what dangers shar'd;
247
How with the sons of Phrixus she transgress'd;
How from her father fled, his threats disdain'd:
But still untold her brother's fate remain'd.
His fate th' enchantress knew; no arts could hide
The murderous deed: she pitied and reply'd:
‘Ah! wretch, dire mischiefs thy return await.
‘Hope not to shun thy father's vengeful hate;
‘Resolv'd on right, he to the realms of Greece
‘Will close pursue thee, nor his fury cease,
‘Till he avenge the murder of his son:
‘For deeds of blackest darkness hast thou done.
‘But go, at once my kin and suppliant, free,
‘Nor fear additional distress from me.
‘Thy lover hence, far hence thyself remove,
‘Who scorn'dst a father's for a vagrant's love.
‘Here supplicate no more: my heart disclaims
‘Thy guilty wanderings and sinister aims.’
‘Hope not to shun thy father's vengeful hate;
‘Resolv'd on right, he to the realms of Greece
‘Will close pursue thee, nor his fury cease,
‘Till he avenge the murder of his son:
‘For deeds of blackest darkness hast thou done.
‘But go, at once my kin and suppliant, free,
‘Nor fear additional distress from me.
‘Thy lover hence, far hence thyself remove,
‘Who scorn'dst a father's for a vagrant's love.
‘Here supplicate no more: my heart disclaims
‘Thy guilty wanderings and sinister aims.’
She spoke: the maid lamented; o'er her head
Her veil she cast, and many a tear she shed.
Her trembling hand the hero rais'd with speed,
And from the cave of Circe both recede.
Her veil she cast, and many a tear she shed.
Her trembling hand the hero rais'd with speed,
And from the cave of Circe both recede.
By watchful Iris taught, Saturnia knew
What time from Circe's cave they both withdrew.
To mark their steps commission'd Iris staid,
On whom these fresh injunctions Juno laid:
‘Haste, Iris, now; thy pinions wide expand,
‘And bear once more Saturnia's dread command.
‘Go, Thetis rouze from ocean's dark retreat;
‘Her potent aid my projects will complete.
‘Spread then towards Vulcan's shores thy speedy wing,
‘Where round his anvils ceaseless hammers ring.
‘Bid him no more his boisterous bellows ply,
‘Till heaven-built Argo sail securely by.
‘Then to the Deity, whose sovereign sway
‘Controls the winds, whom raging storms obey,
‘Haste; and request that every rising gale
‘Be hush'd, and silence o'er the seas prevail:
‘That round the waves serenest zephyrs play,
‘Till Argo anchors in Phæacia's bay.’
What time from Circe's cave they both withdrew.
248
On whom these fresh injunctions Juno laid:
‘Haste, Iris, now; thy pinions wide expand,
‘And bear once more Saturnia's dread command.
‘Go, Thetis rouze from ocean's dark retreat;
‘Her potent aid my projects will complete.
‘Spread then towards Vulcan's shores thy speedy wing,
‘Where round his anvils ceaseless hammers ring.
‘Bid him no more his boisterous bellows ply,
‘Till heaven-built Argo sail securely by.
‘Then to the Deity, whose sovereign sway
‘Controls the winds, whom raging storms obey,
‘Haste; and request that every rising gale
‘Be hush'd, and silence o'er the seas prevail:
‘That round the waves serenest zephyrs play,
‘Till Argo anchors in Phæacia's bay.’
She said: and Iris, poiz'd on airy wings,
From the bright summit of Olympus springs:
Descends impetuous down th' Ægean deeps,
Where in his watery caverns Nereus sleeps.
To Thetis first repairs the winged maid;
Solicits and obtains her potent aid.
Vulcan she next in humble prayer address'd;
The God of fire complied with her request:
His bellows heave their windy sides no more,
Nor his shrill anvils shake the distant shore.
Her wants to Æolus she next disclos'd:
And while her wearied limbs she here repos'd,
Thetis from all her Naiad-train withdrew,
And from her Nereus to Olympus flew.
Juno with transport hail'd her sea-born guest,
Whom near her throne she seated, and address'd:
From the bright summit of Olympus springs:
Descends impetuous down th' Ægean deeps,
Where in his watery caverns Nereus sleeps.
To Thetis first repairs the winged maid;
Solicits and obtains her potent aid.
Vulcan she next in humble prayer address'd;
The God of fire complied with her request:
249
Nor his shrill anvils shake the distant shore.
Her wants to Æolus she next disclos'd:
And while her wearied limbs she here repos'd,
Thetis from all her Naiad-train withdrew,
And from her Nereus to Olympus flew.
Juno with transport hail'd her sea-born guest,
Whom near her throne she seated, and address'd:
‘O, hear my tale, bright Goddess of the main:
‘Thou know'st my care for Jason and his train;
‘Thou know'st how Juno's arm alone upheld,
‘And through the jutting rocks their ship impell'd:
‘Around whose sides fierce, fiery tempests rave,
‘And the huge crag is whiten'd by the wave.
‘Now must they sail near Scylla's awful height,
‘And where the rock Charybdis forms a streight.
‘Thee yet an infant in my arms I press'd,
‘And more than all thy sister-nymphs caress'd.
‘Revering me, the wife of sovereign Jove,
‘Thou scorn'dst the tenders of his lawless love.
‘(For him a mortal beauty now inflames,
‘And now he revels with celestial dames.)
‘And Jove, in vengeance for his slighted bed,
‘Swore, not a Deity should Thetis wed.
‘Nor could the fervour of his love abate,
‘Till Themis thus disclos'd the will of fate;
‘That from thy womb in future times should spring,
‘Superior to his sire, an infant-king.
‘Dreading th' event, lest in some future day
‘This infant-king should claim celestial sway,
‘Thee Jove abandon'd to secure his throne,
‘And reign unrival'd ever and alone.
‘But, lo! I gave, thy bridal bed to grace,
‘A mortal husband worthy thy embrace;
‘I made thee mother of a happy line,
‘And to thy nuptials call'd the Powers divine.
‘Myself, in honour to the godlike pair,
‘Deign'd on that day the bridal torch to bear.
‘Soon as thy son (believe the truths you hear)
‘Shall in Elysium's blissful plains appear,
‘Whom kindly now the fostering Naiads guard
‘In Chiron's mansion, of thy milk debarr'd,
‘In Hymen's silken chains the hero led,
‘Must share the honours of Medea's bed.
‘Oh! be a mother's tenderest care display'd,
‘Succour thy Peleus, and thy daughter aid.
‘Hath he transgress'd? thy rising wrath subdue;
‘For Ate's dire effects th' immortals rue.
‘Vulcan, I ween, obsequious to my will,
‘His fires will stifle, and his bellows still;
‘His boisterous waves will Æolus restrain,
‘And zephyrs only fan the curling main,
‘Till Argo anchors in Phæacia's bay.
‘But shelves and stormy seas obstruct her way;
‘These, these I dread: but, with thy train expert,
‘Be thine the care these mischiefs to avert.
‘Safe from Charybdis' gulf the vessel guide,
‘Safe from loud Scylla's all-absorbing tide;
‘Scylla, the terrour of Ausonia's shore,
‘Whom Phorcuns to infernal Hecat bore,
‘Cratæis nam'd. Oh! summon all thy pow'r,
‘Lest her voracious jaws my chiefs devour.
‘Hope's cheerly dawn if haply thou discern,
‘Snatch from the watery grave the sinking stern.’
‘Thou know'st my care for Jason and his train;
‘Thou know'st how Juno's arm alone upheld,
‘And through the jutting rocks their ship impell'd:
‘Around whose sides fierce, fiery tempests rave,
‘And the huge crag is whiten'd by the wave.
‘Now must they sail near Scylla's awful height,
‘And where the rock Charybdis forms a streight.
‘Thee yet an infant in my arms I press'd,
‘And more than all thy sister-nymphs caress'd.
‘Revering me, the wife of sovereign Jove,
‘Thou scorn'dst the tenders of his lawless love.
‘(For him a mortal beauty now inflames,
‘And now he revels with celestial dames.)
‘And Jove, in vengeance for his slighted bed,
‘Swore, not a Deity should Thetis wed.
250
‘Till Themis thus disclos'd the will of fate;
‘That from thy womb in future times should spring,
‘Superior to his sire, an infant-king.
‘Dreading th' event, lest in some future day
‘This infant-king should claim celestial sway,
‘Thee Jove abandon'd to secure his throne,
‘And reign unrival'd ever and alone.
‘But, lo! I gave, thy bridal bed to grace,
‘A mortal husband worthy thy embrace;
‘I made thee mother of a happy line,
‘And to thy nuptials call'd the Powers divine.
‘Myself, in honour to the godlike pair,
‘Deign'd on that day the bridal torch to bear.
‘Soon as thy son (believe the truths you hear)
‘Shall in Elysium's blissful plains appear,
‘Whom kindly now the fostering Naiads guard
‘In Chiron's mansion, of thy milk debarr'd,
‘In Hymen's silken chains the hero led,
‘Must share the honours of Medea's bed.
‘Oh! be a mother's tenderest care display'd,
‘Succour thy Peleus, and thy daughter aid.
‘Hath he transgress'd? thy rising wrath subdue;
‘For Ate's dire effects th' immortals rue.
251
‘His fires will stifle, and his bellows still;
‘His boisterous waves will Æolus restrain,
‘And zephyrs only fan the curling main,
‘Till Argo anchors in Phæacia's bay.
‘But shelves and stormy seas obstruct her way;
‘These, these I dread: but, with thy train expert,
‘Be thine the care these mischiefs to avert.
‘Safe from Charybdis' gulf the vessel guide,
‘Safe from loud Scylla's all-absorbing tide;
‘Scylla, the terrour of Ausonia's shore,
‘Whom Phorcuns to infernal Hecat bore,
‘Cratæis nam'd. Oh! summon all thy pow'r,
‘Lest her voracious jaws my chiefs devour.
‘Hope's cheerly dawn if haply thou discern,
‘Snatch from the watery grave the sinking stern.’
“If 'tis resolv'd,” replies th' assenting queen,
“Tempests to curb, and oceans to serene,
“Fear not; but in my proffer'd aid confide:
“This arm shall convoy Argo o'er the tide.
“The surge subsiding shall confess my sway,
“While harmless zephyrs round the canvass play.
“Now must I traverse the wide fields of air,
“And to my sisters' crystal grots repair;
“Request their aid, and hasten to the shores,
“Where anchor'd Argo unmolested moors:
“That each brave comrade, at the dawn of day,
“With heart elate may cleave the liquid way.”
“Tempests to curb, and oceans to serene,
“Fear not; but in my proffer'd aid confide:
“This arm shall convoy Argo o'er the tide.
“The surge subsiding shall confess my sway,
“While harmless zephyrs round the canvass play.
“Now must I traverse the wide fields of air,
“And to my sisters' crystal grots repair;
252
“Where anchor'd Argo unmolested moors:
“That each brave comrade, at the dawn of day,
“With heart elate may cleave the liquid way.”
She spoke, and through th' aërial regions sped,
Then in the pools of ocean plung'd her head.
At Thetis' call the sister Nereids came,
And flock'd obedient round their oozy dame.
Juno's commands she bade the sisters heed,
And to th' Ausonian deep descend with speed.
Then in the pools of ocean plung'd her head.
At Thetis' call the sister Nereids came,
And flock'd obedient round their oozy dame.
Juno's commands she bade the sisters heed,
And to th' Ausonian deep descend with speed.
Swifter than lightning, or than Phœbus' beams,
The Goddess darted thro' the yielding streams;
Till, gliding smooth beside the Tyrrhene strand,
Her speedy footstep press'd th' Ææan land.
Along the winding beach the Mynians stray,
And while with quoits and darts their hours away.
Here Thetis singled from the gallant band
Peleus her spouse, and press'd the hero's hand:
Unseen by all the host, his hand she press'd;
By all, save Peleus, whom she thus address'd:
The Goddess darted thro' the yielding streams;
Till, gliding smooth beside the Tyrrhene strand,
Her speedy footstep press'd th' Ææan land.
Along the winding beach the Mynians stray,
And while with quoits and darts their hours away.
Here Thetis singled from the gallant band
Peleus her spouse, and press'd the hero's hand:
Unseen by all the host, his hand she press'd;
By all, save Peleus, whom she thus address'd:
‘Loiter not here; but with returning light
‘Unfurl your sails, nor Juno's counsels slight.
‘Safe thro' th' Erratic rocks your ship to guide,
‘Which frown tremendous o'er the tossing tide,
‘For this the sea-green sisters join their force,
‘And smooth through dangerous seas your destin'd course.
‘My form, what time we urge the foaming keel,
‘By you not unobserv'd, to none reveal;
‘Lest, as before, your folly I chastise,
‘And to more desperate heights my vengeance rise.’
‘Unfurl your sails, nor Juno's counsels slight.
‘Safe thro' th' Erratic rocks your ship to guide,
‘Which frown tremendous o'er the tossing tide,
253
‘And smooth through dangerous seas your destin'd course.
‘My form, what time we urge the foaming keel,
‘By you not unobserv'd, to none reveal;
‘Lest, as before, your folly I chastise,
‘And to more desperate heights my vengeance rise.’
She said, and vanish'd to the deeps below.
The wondering chief was pierc'd with keenest woe.
For since the dame, with indignation fir'd,
Had from her Peleus' hated bed retir'd,
Unseen till now she lurk'd: the strife begun
From this unweeting cause, her infant-son.
For, soon as night diffus'd its darkest shade,
Her young Achilles o'er the flame she laid,
And, at return of day, with ceaseless toil
Applied to all his limbs ambrosial oil,
That youth might triumph o'er th' attacks of time,
Nor creeping age impair his vigorous prime,
The father saw, as from his bed he rose,
Fierce, ambient flames his infant's limbs enclose;
And, as he gaz'd; his rueful cries confess'd
The boding sorrows of a parent's breast.
Fool! for his queen, who heard her lord deplore,
Dash'd in a rage her infant on the floor.
Then fleet as air, or like a dream of night,
She vanish'd sudden from his odious sight;
Plung'd in her fury down the whelming main,
Nor e'er emerg'd she from the waves again.
For this he sorrow'd: but each sage command
Which Thetis gave, he told his gallant band.
They heard, and from their sports retir'd in haste;
Then shar'd, recumbent, in a short repast.
Sated, they catch the comforts of repose,
Till, every toil renewing, morn arose.
The wondering chief was pierc'd with keenest woe.
For since the dame, with indignation fir'd,
Had from her Peleus' hated bed retir'd,
Unseen till now she lurk'd: the strife begun
From this unweeting cause, her infant-son.
For, soon as night diffus'd its darkest shade,
Her young Achilles o'er the flame she laid,
And, at return of day, with ceaseless toil
Applied to all his limbs ambrosial oil,
That youth might triumph o'er th' attacks of time,
Nor creeping age impair his vigorous prime,
The father saw, as from his bed he rose,
Fierce, ambient flames his infant's limbs enclose;
And, as he gaz'd; his rueful cries confess'd
The boding sorrows of a parent's breast.
Fool! for his queen, who heard her lord deplore,
Dash'd in a rage her infant on the floor.
254
She vanish'd sudden from his odious sight;
Plung'd in her fury down the whelming main,
Nor e'er emerg'd she from the waves again.
For this he sorrow'd: but each sage command
Which Thetis gave, he told his gallant band.
They heard, and from their sports retir'd in haste;
Then shar'd, recumbent, in a short repast.
Sated, they catch the comforts of repose,
Till, every toil renewing, morn arose.
Soon as her radiant light illumin'd heav'n,
And to their wish were breezy zephyrs giv'n,
Quitting the land, they climb with nimble feet
The lofty decks, and reassume their seat.
Each to his toil returns alert and bold:
They tear the griping anchor from its hold;
They hoist the yard, their bracing ropes unbind,
And give the flapping canvass to the wind.
Swift sails the ship: soon to th' expecting crew
Anthemoessa's isle arose in view.
The Syrens here, from Acheloüs sprung,
Allure the loitering sailors with their tongue,
Who, fastening to the beach the corded stay,
Neglect their voyage, and attend the lay.
What time to Acheloüs' longing arms
The Muse Terpsichore resign'd her charms,
Their mutual love these wily songsters crown'd;
Who lur'd, in times remote, with tempting sound
Ceres' fair daughter, and fallacious shew
A virgin-face, while wing'd like fowls they flew.
On a bright eminence the charmers stand,
And watch the vessels as they tug to land.
Full many a mariner their songs betray,
Who lists and lingers till he pines away.
As Argo sail'd they rais'd their tuneful tongue;
And here their halsers had the heroes hung,
But Thracian Orpheus wak'd his wonted fire,
And sung responsive to his heavenly lyre;
That each resounding chord might pierce their ear,
And none the music of the Syrens hear.
Yet still they sung: still briskly, with the breeze,
The vessel tilted o'er the curling seas.
Butes alone became an easy prey,
Who all enraptur'd listen'd to their lay.
Erect, above the rowing chiefs, he stood,
And frantic sprung into the faithless flood.
His helpless hands he rais'd, the ship to gain,
And, but for Venus' aid, had rais'd in vain:
She, Eryx' honour'd queen, the wretch descry'd,
And snatch'd him floundering from the foaming tide,
His kind protectress, as her course she bends
Where Lilybœum's ample cape extends.
This dire mishap dishearten'd all the band,
Who row with vigour from the traiterous strand.
And to their wish were breezy zephyrs giv'n,
Quitting the land, they climb with nimble feet
The lofty decks, and reassume their seat.
Each to his toil returns alert and bold:
They tear the griping anchor from its hold;
They hoist the yard, their bracing ropes unbind,
And give the flapping canvass to the wind.
Swift sails the ship: soon to th' expecting crew
Anthemoessa's isle arose in view.
The Syrens here, from Acheloüs sprung,
Allure the loitering sailors with their tongue,
Who, fastening to the beach the corded stay,
Neglect their voyage, and attend the lay.
255
The Muse Terpsichore resign'd her charms,
Their mutual love these wily songsters crown'd;
Who lur'd, in times remote, with tempting sound
Ceres' fair daughter, and fallacious shew
A virgin-face, while wing'd like fowls they flew.
On a bright eminence the charmers stand,
And watch the vessels as they tug to land.
Full many a mariner their songs betray,
Who lists and lingers till he pines away.
As Argo sail'd they rais'd their tuneful tongue;
And here their halsers had the heroes hung,
But Thracian Orpheus wak'd his wonted fire,
And sung responsive to his heavenly lyre;
That each resounding chord might pierce their ear,
And none the music of the Syrens hear.
Yet still they sung: still briskly, with the breeze,
The vessel tilted o'er the curling seas.
Butes alone became an easy prey,
Who all enraptur'd listen'd to their lay.
Erect, above the rowing chiefs, he stood,
And frantic sprung into the faithless flood.
His helpless hands he rais'd, the ship to gain,
And, but for Venus' aid, had rais'd in vain:
256
And snatch'd him floundering from the foaming tide,
His kind protectress, as her course she bends
Where Lilybœum's ample cape extends.
This dire mishap dishearten'd all the band,
Who row with vigour from the traiterous strand.
But other pests, more fatal to their freight,
Threaten their progress to that dangerous streight,
Where Scylla's rock projects its wave-worn side,
And where Charybdis' gulf absorbs the tide.
Dash'd by the driven waves the Planctæ roar'd,
From whose cleft summits flames sulphureous pour'd.
Thick, dusky clouds involve the darken'd skies,
And hid are Phœbus' splendours from their eyes.
Though Vulcan ceas'd from his assiduous toils,
The fires flash thick, and fervid ocean boils.
Here o'er the sailing pine the nymphs preside,
While Thetis' forceful hands the rudder guide.
As oft in shoals the sportive dolphins throng,
Circling the vessel as she sails along,
Whose playful gambols round the prow and stern
The much-delighted mariners discern;
Round Argo thus the toiling nymphs attend,
And, led by Thetis, their assistance lend.
O'erhanging black th' rocks' bleak brow they see,
And gird their azure vestures to their knee.
Now here, now there, as danger warns, they glide,
And stem mid' crushing crags the troubled tide.
Pendent on mountain-waves the vessel hung,
That pierc'd her solid planks, and foam'd the rocks among.
Above these rocks, here now the Nereids rise,
And float on billows hid amidst the skies;
Descending now to ocean's secret bed,
They in his gulphy deeps conceal their head.
Threaten their progress to that dangerous streight,
Where Scylla's rock projects its wave-worn side,
And where Charybdis' gulf absorbs the tide.
Dash'd by the driven waves the Planctæ roar'd,
From whose cleft summits flames sulphureous pour'd.
Thick, dusky clouds involve the darken'd skies,
And hid are Phœbus' splendours from their eyes.
Though Vulcan ceas'd from his assiduous toils,
The fires flash thick, and fervid ocean boils.
Here o'er the sailing pine the nymphs preside,
While Thetis' forceful hands the rudder guide.
As oft in shoals the sportive dolphins throng,
Circling the vessel as she sails along,
Whose playful gambols round the prow and stern
The much-delighted mariners discern;
Round Argo thus the toiling nymphs attend,
And, led by Thetis, their assistance lend.
257
And gird their azure vestures to their knee.
Now here, now there, as danger warns, they glide,
And stem mid' crushing crags the troubled tide.
Pendent on mountain-waves the vessel hung,
That pierc'd her solid planks, and foam'd the rocks among.
Above these rocks, here now the Nereids rise,
And float on billows hid amidst the skies;
Descending now to ocean's secret bed,
They in his gulphy deeps conceal their head.
As when along the beach, succinct for play,
To toss the flying ball the Nereids stray,
From hand to hand the sphere unerring flies,
Nor ever on the ground inglorious lies;
The sisters thus, with coadjutant force,
High o'er the surge impel the vessel's course:
From secret shelves her wave-dash'd sides they shove,
Tho' sturdy billows strong against them strove.
On a tall fragment that o'erlook'd the flood,
His shoulder resting on his hammer, stood
The sooty God: and from her starry skies
Juno beheld the scene with stedfast eyes.
Her hand around Minerva's neck she threw;
For much Saturnia trembled at the view.
To toss the flying ball the Nereids stray,
From hand to hand the sphere unerring flies,
Nor ever on the ground inglorious lies;
The sisters thus, with coadjutant force,
High o'er the surge impel the vessel's course:
From secret shelves her wave-dash'd sides they shove,
Tho' sturdy billows strong against them strove.
On a tall fragment that o'erlook'd the flood,
His shoulder resting on his hammer, stood
The sooty God: and from her starry skies
Juno beheld the scene with stedfast eyes.
Her hand around Minerva's neck she threw;
For much Saturnia trembled at the view.
258
Long as the vernal suns protract the light,
So long in Argo's cause the nymphs unite.
Propitious to their labours sprung the breeze,
And the free vessel shot across the seas.
Trinacria's verdant meads they soon survey,
Where graze thy herds, illustrious God of day.
Juno's commands obey'd, the watery train,
Like diving mews, explore the deeps again.
Coasting along, the bleating flocks they hear,
And herds loud bellowing strike their listening ear.
Sol's youngest daughter, Phaëthusa, leads
The bleating flocks along the dewy meads;
Propp'd on her silver crook the maid reclin'd:
A stouter staff, with brazen ringlets join'd,
Lampetie takes; whose herds the heroes fee
Slunk to the brook, or browsing on the lea.
Of sable hue no cattle you behold;
Milkwhite are all, and tipp'd their horns with gold.
They pass'd these meads by day; at day's decline
They brush'd with pliant oars the yielding brine.
At length Aurora's all-reviving ray
Redden'd the waves, and shew their certain way.
So long in Argo's cause the nymphs unite.
Propitious to their labours sprung the breeze,
And the free vessel shot across the seas.
Trinacria's verdant meads they soon survey,
Where graze thy herds, illustrious God of day.
Juno's commands obey'd, the watery train,
Like diving mews, explore the deeps again.
Coasting along, the bleating flocks they hear,
And herds loud bellowing strike their listening ear.
Sol's youngest daughter, Phaëthusa, leads
The bleating flocks along the dewy meads;
Propp'd on her silver crook the maid reclin'd:
A stouter staff, with brazen ringlets join'd,
Lampetie takes; whose herds the heroes fee
Slunk to the brook, or browsing on the lea.
Of sable hue no cattle you behold;
Milkwhite are all, and tipp'd their horns with gold.
They pass'd these meads by day; at day's decline
They brush'd with pliant oars the yielding brine.
At length Aurora's all-reviving ray
Redden'd the waves, and shew their certain way.
A fertile isle towers o'er th' Ionian tide,
Ceraunia nam'd; the land two bays divide.
Fame says, (forgive me, Muse, while I unveil,
Reluctant too, a legendary tale;)
A sickle lies conceal'd within this land,
With which rash Saturn's mutilating hand
His father castrated: for Ceres' aid
Others assert this rural sickle made.
For Ceres once, with love of Macris fir'd,
To this fam'd isle, her favourite seat, retir'd.
The Titans here she taught her arms to wield,
And crop the bearded harvest of the field.
This island hence, nurse of Phœacian swains,
Th' expressive name of Drepane obtains.
From mangled Uranus's blood they trace
The source inglorious of Phœacia's race.
Ceraunia nam'd; the land two bays divide.
259
Reluctant too, a legendary tale;)
A sickle lies conceal'd within this land,
With which rash Saturn's mutilating hand
His father castrated: for Ceres' aid
Others assert this rural sickle made.
For Ceres once, with love of Macris fir'd,
To this fam'd isle, her favourite seat, retir'd.
The Titans here she taught her arms to wield,
And crop the bearded harvest of the field.
This island hence, nurse of Phœacian swains,
Th' expressive name of Drepane obtains.
From mangled Uranus's blood they trace
The source inglorious of Phœacia's race.
Trinacria left, and numerous perils past,
Here heaven-protected Argo moors at last.
The heroes disembark'd Alcinoüs hails,
And at their festive sacrifice regales.
Mirth unremitted through the city runs,
As though they welcom'd home their darling sons.
The godlike guests their social part sustain,
Joyous as though they press'd Hæmonia's plain:
But ere that distant plain delights their view,
The chiefs must buckle on their arms anew.
For, lo! those Colchians who adventurous stray'd
Through deeps unknown, and enter'd undismay'd
The dire Cyanean rocks, here throng the coast,
And wait th' arrival of the Grecian host.
The forfeit maid should Argo's crew refuse,
War in each sad, disastrous shape ensues.
Arm'd and resolv'd they threaten instant fight,
And future fleets t' assert their monarch's right.
But king Alcinoüs interpos'd his aid,
And, ere they rush'd to fight, their wrath allay'd.
Arete's knee the suppliant virgin press'd,
And thus th' associate band and queen address'd:
Here heaven-protected Argo moors at last.
The heroes disembark'd Alcinoüs hails,
And at their festive sacrifice regales.
Mirth unremitted through the city runs,
As though they welcom'd home their darling sons.
The godlike guests their social part sustain,
Joyous as though they press'd Hæmonia's plain:
But ere that distant plain delights their view,
The chiefs must buckle on their arms anew.
260
Through deeps unknown, and enter'd undismay'd
The dire Cyanean rocks, here throng the coast,
And wait th' arrival of the Grecian host.
The forfeit maid should Argo's crew refuse,
War in each sad, disastrous shape ensues.
Arm'd and resolv'd they threaten instant fight,
And future fleets t' assert their monarch's right.
But king Alcinoüs interpos'd his aid,
And, ere they rush'd to fight, their wrath allay'd.
Arete's knee the suppliant virgin press'd,
And thus th' associate band and queen address'd:
‘O queen,’ exclaim'd she, ‘lend thy timely aid
‘To save from Colchian hands a suffering maid.
‘With russian rage to bear me hence they come,
‘And to my wrathful sire conduct me home.
‘Thou know'st, if one, like me, of humankind,
‘How prone to err is man's unstable mind.
‘Deem me no slave to lust's usurping pow'r;
‘Prudence forsook me in the needful hour.
‘Be witness, Sun, and thou, whose every rite
‘Is wrapp'd, dire Hecate, in sable night,
‘How I reluctant left my native home,
‘And with rude foreigners abhor'd to roam.
‘Fear wing'd my flight; and, having once transgress'd,
‘To flee I judg'd my last resource and best.
‘Still have I liv'd, as with my father, chaste,
‘My spotless zone fast girded to my waist.
‘Oh! may my tale, fair princess, claim thy tears;
‘Oh! teach thy lord compassion as he hears.
‘On thee may all th' immortal Gods bestow
‘Beauty and life, exempt from age and woe;
‘Cities, that need no bold invaders dread,
‘And a fair progeny to crown thy bed.’
‘To save from Colchian hands a suffering maid.
‘With russian rage to bear me hence they come,
‘And to my wrathful sire conduct me home.
‘Thou know'st, if one, like me, of humankind,
‘How prone to err is man's unstable mind.
‘Deem me no slave to lust's usurping pow'r;
‘Prudence forsook me in the needful hour.
‘Be witness, Sun, and thou, whose every rite
‘Is wrapp'd, dire Hecate, in sable night,
‘How I reluctant left my native home,
‘And with rude foreigners abhor'd to roam.
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‘To flee I judg'd my last resource and best.
‘Still have I liv'd, as with my father, chaste,
‘My spotless zone fast girded to my waist.
‘Oh! may my tale, fair princess, claim thy tears;
‘Oh! teach thy lord compassion as he hears.
‘On thee may all th' immortal Gods bestow
‘Beauty and life, exempt from age and woe;
‘Cities, that need no bold invaders dread,
‘And a fair progeny to crown thy bed.’
In tears she spoke: then to each gallant chief
Told in these plaintive strains her tale of grief:
Told in these plaintive strains her tale of grief:
‘Low at your feet, ye warriours, suppliant view
‘A princess doom'd to wretchedness for you.
‘Yok'd were the bulls, and, desperate as they rose,
‘Crush'd by my aid were hosts of giant-foes.
‘Yes, soon Hæmonia the rich prize will see,
‘And boast of conquests which she owes to me.
‘My country I, my parents, palace left,
‘To pine through life, of all its joys berest;
‘But gave to you, a base, ungrateful train,
‘To see your country and your friends again.
‘Spoil'd of my beauty's bloom by fate severe,
‘In endless exile must I languish here.
‘Revere your oaths; Erynnis' vengeance dread,
‘Who heaps her curses on the perjur'd head:
‘Dread heaven's sure wrath, if, to my sire restor'd,
‘My shame or ruin wait his desperate word.
‘No sheltering shrine, no fortress near, I fly
‘To you alone, on your defence rely.
‘Yet why on you? who, merciless and mute,
‘Have heard my cries, nor seconded my suit;
‘Unmov'd have seen me lift my suppliant hand
‘To the kind princess of this foreign land.
‘Elate with hope the Golden Fleece to gain,
‘Colchos oppos'd you, and her king in vain:
‘But fearful now the battle to renew,
‘Ye dread detachments, nor will fight with few.’
‘A princess doom'd to wretchedness for you.
‘Yok'd were the bulls, and, desperate as they rose,
‘Crush'd by my aid were hosts of giant-foes.
‘Yes, soon Hæmonia the rich prize will see,
‘And boast of conquests which she owes to me.
‘My country I, my parents, palace left,
‘To pine through life, of all its joys berest;
‘But gave to you, a base, ungrateful train,
‘To see your country and your friends again.
‘Spoil'd of my beauty's bloom by fate severe,
‘In endless exile must I languish here.
262
‘Who heaps her curses on the perjur'd head:
‘Dread heaven's sure wrath, if, to my sire restor'd,
‘My shame or ruin wait his desperate word.
‘No sheltering shrine, no fortress near, I fly
‘To you alone, on your defence rely.
‘Yet why on you? who, merciless and mute,
‘Have heard my cries, nor seconded my suit;
‘Unmov'd have seen me lift my suppliant hand
‘To the kind princess of this foreign land.
‘Elate with hope the Golden Fleece to gain,
‘Colchos oppos'd you, and her king in vain:
‘But fearful now the battle to renew,
‘Ye dread detachments, nor will fight with few.’
She said; and all, who heard her suppliant moan,
Cheer'd her sad heart, and check'd the rising groan.
Each gallant man his brandish'd spear display'd,
And vow'd assistance to the suffering maid,
Shook his drawn sword, a prelude to the fight,
Resolv'd on vengeance, and resolv'd on right.
Cheer'd her sad heart, and check'd the rising groan.
Each gallant man his brandish'd spear display'd,
And vow'd assistance to the suffering maid,
Shook his drawn sword, a prelude to the fight,
Resolv'd on vengeance, and resolv'd on right.
Night now dispers'd the faint remains of day,
And all the slumbering world confess'd its sway:
Grateful its gloom to men with toils oppress'd;
Grateful to all but her, with sleep unbless'd.
She, hapless fair, her painful vigils kept;
Revolving still her griefs, she watch'd and wept.
And all the slumbering world confess'd its sway:
Grateful its gloom to men with toils oppress'd;
Grateful to all but her, with sleep unbless'd.
263
Revolving still her griefs, she watch'd and wept.
As at the distaff toils th' industrious dame,
Whose frequent tears her orphan children claim.
All night she toils, while clinging round they stand,
Wail their lost sire, and his return demand.
Swift down her cheek descends the silent tear:
So hard the lot fate destines her to bear!
Like her's Medea's copious tears descend,
Such agonizing griefs her tortur'd bosom rend.
The royal pair retir'd with wonted state
From the throng'd city to their palace-gate.
On their soft couch reclin'd, at evening's close,
Long conference held they on Medea's woes.
Thus to Alcinöus the queen express'd
The kind suggestions of her pitying breast:
Whose frequent tears her orphan children claim.
All night she toils, while clinging round they stand,
Wail their lost sire, and his return demand.
Swift down her cheek descends the silent tear:
So hard the lot fate destines her to bear!
Like her's Medea's copious tears descend,
Such agonizing griefs her tortur'd bosom rend.
The royal pair retir'd with wonted state
From the throng'd city to their palace-gate.
On their soft couch reclin'd, at evening's close,
Long conference held they on Medea's woes.
Thus to Alcinöus the queen express'd
The kind suggestions of her pitying breast:
‘Oh! may the Minyans, prince, thy favours share:
‘Oh! shield from Colchian foes an injur'd fair.
‘Not distant far Hæmonia's plains extend,
‘And near our island Argo's frontiers end.
‘But far remote Æeta reigns; his name
‘Unknown to us, or faintly known by fame.
‘She, in whose sorrows now I bear a part,
‘Hath, to redress them, open'd all my heart.
‘Let no rude Colchian bear her hence away,
‘To her sire's vengeance a devoted prey.
‘Her error this: the fiery bulls to quell,
‘Fond and officious she prepar'd the spell.
‘Augmenting then (as oft offenders will)
‘Her first with future errors, ill with ill,
‘Far from her native home, impress'd with dread,
‘Far from her angry sire the damsel fled.
‘But bound is Jason by strong ties, says fame,
‘To wed the wanderer, and retrieve from shame,
‘Urge him not then, with many an added threat,
‘His faith to violate, his oaths forget;
‘Nor stimulate Æeta's wrath to rise:
‘Their daughters parents rigorously chastise.
‘Thus Pycteus, with parental zeal o'ercome,
‘Compell'd his child Antiope to roam.
‘Thus Danaë, by her wrathful sire secur'd,
‘Toss'd in the troubled deep distress endur'd.
‘Nor long since Eehetus, a wretch accurs'd,
‘With brazen pins his daughter's eye-balls pierc'd:
‘Pent in a dungeon's awful gloom she pin'd,
‘Doom'd by her savage sire obdurate brass to grind.’
‘Oh! shield from Colchian foes an injur'd fair.
‘Not distant far Hæmonia's plains extend,
‘And near our island Argo's frontiers end.
‘But far remote Æeta reigns; his name
‘Unknown to us, or faintly known by fame.
‘She, in whose sorrows now I bear a part,
‘Hath, to redress them, open'd all my heart.
264
‘To her sire's vengeance a devoted prey.
‘Her error this: the fiery bulls to quell,
‘Fond and officious she prepar'd the spell.
‘Augmenting then (as oft offenders will)
‘Her first with future errors, ill with ill,
‘Far from her native home, impress'd with dread,
‘Far from her angry sire the damsel fled.
‘But bound is Jason by strong ties, says fame,
‘To wed the wanderer, and retrieve from shame,
‘Urge him not then, with many an added threat,
‘His faith to violate, his oaths forget;
‘Nor stimulate Æeta's wrath to rise:
‘Their daughters parents rigorously chastise.
‘Thus Pycteus, with parental zeal o'ercome,
‘Compell'd his child Antiope to roam.
‘Thus Danaë, by her wrathful sire secur'd,
‘Toss'd in the troubled deep distress endur'd.
‘Nor long since Eehetus, a wretch accurs'd,
‘With brazen pins his daughter's eye-balls pierc'd:
‘Pent in a dungeon's awful gloom she pin'd,
‘Doom'd by her savage sire obdurate brass to grind.’
She said: soft pity touch'd the sovereign's breast,
Who thus his supplicating queen address'd:
Who thus his supplicating queen address'd:
265
“In me, O queen, these heroes should descry,
“For the fair sufferer's sake, a firm ally;
“Soon should my arms the Colchian foes remove,
“But I revere the just decrees of Jove.
“Unsafe I deem Æeta to deride,
“Who sways the sceptre with a monarch's pride;
“Able, though distant, if averse from peace,
“To scatter discord through the realms of Greece.
“Hear my proposal then; which you, I trust,
“And all who hear it, will applaud as just:
“If still a virgin's spotless name she bear,
“Safe to her sire's domains conduct the fair:
“But if one bed the wedded pair contain,
“I will not sever Hymen's silken chain.
“Forbid it, heaven! that I in wrath expose
“Her sinless offspring to insulting foes.”
“For the fair sufferer's sake, a firm ally;
“Soon should my arms the Colchian foes remove,
“But I revere the just decrees of Jove.
“Unsafe I deem Æeta to deride,
“Who sways the sceptre with a monarch's pride;
“Able, though distant, if averse from peace,
“To scatter discord through the realms of Greece.
“Hear my proposal then; which you, I trust,
“And all who hear it, will applaud as just:
“If still a virgin's spotless name she bear,
“Safe to her sire's domains conduct the fair:
“But if one bed the wedded pair contain,
“I will not sever Hymen's silken chain.
“Forbid it, heaven! that I in wrath expose
“Her sinless offspring to insulting foes.”
He said, and sunk to rest: his sage resolves
Anxious and oft the wakeful queen revolves.
She rose: their princess' footstep heard, arise
Her female train, and each her wants supplies.
Anxious and oft the wakeful queen revolves.
She rose: their princess' footstep heard, arise
Her female train, and each her wants supplies.
‘Go,’ to her page apart Arete said,
‘Bid Æson's valiant son the virgin wed.
‘Bid him no more Alcinoüs' ears assail
‘With long entreaties and a well-known tale.
‘Himself, unask'd, his advocate will go,
‘And tender these conditions to the foe:
‘If still the fair a spotless maid remain,
‘Soon shall she view her father's courts again;
‘But, if a matron's honour'd name she bear,
‘He will not separate the wedded pair.’
‘Bid Æson's valiant son the virgin wed.
‘Bid him no more Alcinoüs' ears assail
‘With long entreaties and a well-known tale.
266
‘And tender these conditions to the foe:
‘If still the fair a spotless maid remain,
‘Soon shall she view her father's courts again;
‘But, if a matron's honour'd name she bear,
‘He will not separate the wedded pair.’
She said: her herald, eager to convey
The royal message, sped without delay;
To Æson's son he told Arete's word,
And the kind counsels of her sovereign lord.
Hard by their ship, in glistering arms array'd,
Deep in the port of Hyllicus embay'd,
He spies the chiefs, his embassy repeats,
And every gallant heart with transport beats.
They crown the goblets to the Powers divine,
And drag th' accustom'd victims to the shrine:
Then for the pensive fair officious spread
In a sequester'd grot the bridal bed.
Hither, in days of yore, fair Macris came,
Daughter of Aristæus, honour'd name!
He taught mankind the virtues and the use
Of the bee's labours, and the olive's juice.
For, know, when Hermes infant-Bacchus bore,
Snatch'd from the flames, to fair Eubœa's shore,
Macris embrac'd him with a mother's love,
And there, awhile, she nurs'd the seed of Jove,
And there with honey fed; till Juno's spite
Far from Eubœa's isle compell'd her flight.
At length, of this Phœacian grot possess'd,
She with vast opulence the natives bless'd.
The royal message, sped without delay;
To Æson's son he told Arete's word,
And the kind counsels of her sovereign lord.
Hard by their ship, in glistering arms array'd,
Deep in the port of Hyllicus embay'd,
He spies the chiefs, his embassy repeats,
And every gallant heart with transport beats.
They crown the goblets to the Powers divine,
And drag th' accustom'd victims to the shrine:
Then for the pensive fair officious spread
In a sequester'd grot the bridal bed.
Hither, in days of yore, fair Macris came,
Daughter of Aristæus, honour'd name!
He taught mankind the virtues and the use
Of the bee's labours, and the olive's juice.
For, know, when Hermes infant-Bacchus bore,
Snatch'd from the flames, to fair Eubœa's shore,
267
And there, awhile, she nurs'd the seed of Jove,
And there with honey fed; till Juno's spite
Far from Eubœa's isle compell'd her flight.
At length, of this Phœacian grot possess'd,
She with vast opulence the natives bless'd.
To deck with honours due the bridal bed,
Around it wide the Golden Fleece was spread.
With sweetest flowers, that deck or dale or hill,
Th' assiduous nymphs their snowy bosoms fill.
The Golden Fleece emits so bright a ray,
They shone all radiant as the star of day,
Inspiring love: the prize though strong desire
Prompts them to touch, with reverence they retire.
These are the daughters of the Ægeän flood,
Those, Meletæum, haunt thy lofty wood.
From groves, from streams, at Juno's call they ran,
To grace the nuptials of this godlike man.
The sacred grot, recorded still by fame,
Bears to this day Medea's honour'd name.
For here the nymphs, their veils around them spread,
To nuptial joys the happy lovers led:
And every chief, to guard the blissful spot,
Clad in bright armour, stood before the grot,
Lest hostile troops, with rude tumultuous noise,
Should force an entrance, and distract their joys.
Thus station'd, they protect the hallow'd ground,
Their festive brows with leafy chaplets crown'd.
As Orpheus struck his tuneful lyre, they sung,
And Hymeneals round the grotto rung.
But in Alcinoüs' court the fair to wed,
O'er Jason's anxious mind disquiet spread:
Full oft he wish'd Iolcos' coast to gain,
And wed the virgin in his sire's domain;
Such too Medea's wish: but fate severe
Forc'd him to celebrate his nuptials here.
For pleasure unalloy'd we look in vain;
Pleasure to suffering man is mix'd with pain.
Whether the Colchian foe had scorn'd or clos'd
With the just terms Phœacia's prince propos'd,
Of this they doubted: mid' the mirthful scene
Fears, which these doubts suggested, intervene.
Around it wide the Golden Fleece was spread.
With sweetest flowers, that deck or dale or hill,
Th' assiduous nymphs their snowy bosoms fill.
The Golden Fleece emits so bright a ray,
They shone all radiant as the star of day,
Inspiring love: the prize though strong desire
Prompts them to touch, with reverence they retire.
These are the daughters of the Ægeän flood,
Those, Meletæum, haunt thy lofty wood.
From groves, from streams, at Juno's call they ran,
To grace the nuptials of this godlike man.
The sacred grot, recorded still by fame,
Bears to this day Medea's honour'd name.
For here the nymphs, their veils around them spread,
To nuptial joys the happy lovers led:
And every chief, to guard the blissful spot,
Clad in bright armour, stood before the grot,
268
Should force an entrance, and distract their joys.
Thus station'd, they protect the hallow'd ground,
Their festive brows with leafy chaplets crown'd.
As Orpheus struck his tuneful lyre, they sung,
And Hymeneals round the grotto rung.
But in Alcinoüs' court the fair to wed,
O'er Jason's anxious mind disquiet spread:
Full oft he wish'd Iolcos' coast to gain,
And wed the virgin in his sire's domain;
Such too Medea's wish: but fate severe
Forc'd him to celebrate his nuptials here.
For pleasure unalloy'd we look in vain;
Pleasure to suffering man is mix'd with pain.
Whether the Colchian foe had scorn'd or clos'd
With the just terms Phœacia's prince propos'd,
Of this they doubted: mid' the mirthful scene
Fears, which these doubts suggested, intervene.
Aurora now her orient beams display'd,
And pierc'd the sullen night's surrounding shade.
The circling shores and dew-bespangled ground
Reflect her rays: the streets with noise resound.
The citizens and Colchians, who possess'd
The distant coast, awake from balmy rest.
Impatient now his purpose to disclose,
To plead Medea's cause the monarch rose.
His hand sustain'd a sceptre's massy gold,
Which kings, deciding right, were wont to hold.
Around their prince, in glistering arms array'd,
Phœacia's peers a seemly pomp display'd.
Eager on each adventurous chief to gaze,
A female troop beyond the city strays.
In festive bands the distant swains unite:
(For Juno had divulg'd the nuptial rite)
One from his fold a ram selected brought,
An heifer one, to feel the yoke untaught;
Flagons of wine some for libation bear:
The smoke of victims blacken'd all the air.
As women wont, the female train select
Their costly veils, with gay embroidery deck'd:
Such golden toys, such trinkets they provide,
As on a nuptial day adorn the bride.
The comely chiefs their admiration won;
But more than all Æager's tuneful son,
As lightly to the lyre's melodious sound
Tripp'd the brisk dancer o'er the measur'd ground.
In concert full the virgin-choir prolong
The happy day with Hymeneal song.
Here a fair band, collected in a ring,
Praises to thee, auspicious Juno, sing.
By thee inspir'd, disclos'd the royal dame
The friendly terms her prince was pleas'd to name.
Nor are the terms Alcinoüs nam'd disown'd:
(For now their faithful loves hath Hymen crown'd)
True to his oath, he heard with fix'd disdain
And deem'd Æeta's vengeful fury vain.
And pierc'd the sullen night's surrounding shade.
The circling shores and dew-bespangled ground
Reflect her rays: the streets with noise resound.
The citizens and Colchians, who possess'd
The distant coast, awake from balmy rest.
269
To plead Medea's cause the monarch rose.
His hand sustain'd a sceptre's massy gold,
Which kings, deciding right, were wont to hold.
Around their prince, in glistering arms array'd,
Phœacia's peers a seemly pomp display'd.
Eager on each adventurous chief to gaze,
A female troop beyond the city strays.
In festive bands the distant swains unite:
(For Juno had divulg'd the nuptial rite)
One from his fold a ram selected brought,
An heifer one, to feel the yoke untaught;
Flagons of wine some for libation bear:
The smoke of victims blacken'd all the air.
As women wont, the female train select
Their costly veils, with gay embroidery deck'd:
Such golden toys, such trinkets they provide,
As on a nuptial day adorn the bride.
The comely chiefs their admiration won;
But more than all Æager's tuneful son,
As lightly to the lyre's melodious sound
Tripp'd the brisk dancer o'er the measur'd ground.
In concert full the virgin-choir prolong
The happy day with Hymeneal song.
270
Praises to thee, auspicious Juno, sing.
By thee inspir'd, disclos'd the royal dame
The friendly terms her prince was pleas'd to name.
Nor are the terms Alcinoüs nam'd disown'd:
(For now their faithful loves hath Hymen crown'd)
True to his oath, he heard with fix'd disdain
And deem'd Æeta's vengeful fury vain.
Soon as the Colchians saw their purpose cross'd,
Defeated all their schemes, their labour lost;
That to the sovereign's terms they must accede,
Or quit his ports, and sail away with speed;
Dreading the monarch's wrath, submiss they try
To win his friendship, and commence ally.
Settling at last, long time the Colchian host
Dwelt with the natives on Phœacia's coast:
Till Bacchus' hated race from Corinth fled,
Exil'd these Colchians, and the isle o'erspread.
They sought the neighbouring shores: in times to come
Their sons emigrating explor'd a home,
Where far and wide extends th' Illyric coast,
And the Ceraunian hills in clouds are lost.
But these events, which now my Muse engage,
Were late fulfill'd in some succeeding age.
Yet still, in Phœbus' fane, uninjur'd stand
The altars rais'd by fair Medea's hand:
Some to the fates are pil'd with victims due,
Some to the nymphs their annual rites renew.
Towards the parting train the royal pair
Their generous love by costly gifts declare.
Twelve fair Phœacians, at the queen's command,
Conduct Medea to the sea-beat strand.
Defeated all their schemes, their labour lost;
That to the sovereign's terms they must accede,
Or quit his ports, and sail away with speed;
Dreading the monarch's wrath, submiss they try
To win his friendship, and commence ally.
Settling at last, long time the Colchian host
Dwelt with the natives on Phœacia's coast:
Till Bacchus' hated race from Corinth fled,
Exil'd these Colchians, and the isle o'erspread.
They sought the neighbouring shores: in times to come
Their sons emigrating explor'd a home,
Where far and wide extends th' Illyric coast,
And the Ceraunian hills in clouds are lost.
But these events, which now my Muse engage,
Were late fulfill'd in some succeeding age.
271
The altars rais'd by fair Medea's hand:
Some to the fates are pil'd with victims due,
Some to the nymphs their annual rites renew.
Towards the parting train the royal pair
Their generous love by costly gifts declare.
Twelve fair Phœacians, at the queen's command,
Conduct Medea to the sea-beat strand.
On the seventh morn with gently-breathing gales
Propitious Jove expanded Argo's sails;
Argo, decreed fresh dangers to sustain,
Ere Greece beholds her gallant sons again.
Ambracia's bay had open'd to their view,
Beside Curetes' land the galley flew,
The clustering isles, Echidanes, they pass'd,
And Pelops' distant realm beheld at last.
Nine tedious nights and days the vessel sweeps
The troubled surface of the Libyan deeps;
Till, driven by rapid tides and storms astray,
She near the Syrtes' quicksands plough'd her way:
Whirl'd in whose gulphy pools, their destin'd grave,
Nor sails nor oars the sinking galleys save.
Burst from its black abyss, the boiling flood
Up-heaves its shaggy weeds, involv'd in shelves of mud.
With the far-spreading spray the sands arise;
But nought discern they here that creeps or flies.
The tide (which now retreats into the main,
And now returns upon the beach again;)
Far o'er the shore, impell'd with fury, shew
All Argo's slimy keel expos'd to view.
They disembark, and gaze with aching eyes
On ridgy mountains lost amid the skies.
No grateful streams, no beaten paths appear,
No rural cot discern they, far or near;
A death-like silence reign'd around: dismay'd
His comrade each interrogating said:
Propitious Jove expanded Argo's sails;
Argo, decreed fresh dangers to sustain,
Ere Greece beholds her gallant sons again.
Ambracia's bay had open'd to their view,
Beside Curetes' land the galley flew,
The clustering isles, Echidanes, they pass'd,
And Pelops' distant realm beheld at last.
Nine tedious nights and days the vessel sweeps
The troubled surface of the Libyan deeps;
Till, driven by rapid tides and storms astray,
She near the Syrtes' quicksands plough'd her way:
Whirl'd in whose gulphy pools, their destin'd grave,
Nor sails nor oars the sinking galleys save.
Burst from its black abyss, the boiling flood
Up-heaves its shaggy weeds, involv'd in shelves of mud.
272
But nought discern they here that creeps or flies.
The tide (which now retreats into the main,
And now returns upon the beach again;)
Far o'er the shore, impell'd with fury, shew
All Argo's slimy keel expos'd to view.
They disembark, and gaze with aching eyes
On ridgy mountains lost amid the skies.
No grateful streams, no beaten paths appear,
No rural cot discern they, far or near;
A death-like silence reign'd around: dismay'd
His comrade each interrogating said:
‘What country this? on what bleak clime at last
‘Have the rude tempests heaven-built Argo cast?
‘Oh! had we dar'd, devoid of vulgar fear,
‘Our course undaunted through those fragments steer,
‘Like heroes then (though Jove success deny'd)
‘We in the bold attempt had bravely died.
‘What can our skill devise? the least delay
‘Is fatal here; the winds forbid our stay.
‘How bleak and barren is the coast we tread!
‘And what a desert waste is wide around us spread!
‘Have the rude tempests heaven-built Argo cast?
‘Oh! had we dar'd, devoid of vulgar fear,
‘Our course undaunted through those fragments steer,
‘Like heroes then (though Jove success deny'd)
‘We in the bold attempt had bravely died.
‘What can our skill devise? the least delay
‘Is fatal here; the winds forbid our stay.
‘How bleak and barren is the coast we tread!
‘And what a desert waste is wide around us spread!
He said; and, joining in the loud lament,
Ancæus thus foreboded the event:
Ancæus thus foreboded the event:
273
‘What dire mishaps our gallant host befall!
‘Thus by stern fate's decree we perish all!
‘What woes await us, on this desert cast,
‘If from the land awakes the furious blast!
‘For slimy seas my sight far off commands,
‘And whitening billows bursting o'er the sands.
‘And dreadfully had Argo's yawning sides,
‘Remote from shore, receiv'd the gushing tides,
‘Had not the surge, which lifted her to heav'n,
‘Full on the pebbly beach the vessel driv'n.
‘But now the tide retiring quits the strand,
‘And waves unfaithful skim the levell'd sand.
‘Our projects baffled, and hope's cheerly dawn
‘From our expecting sight thus soon withdrawn,
‘Let other hands the pilot's art display,
‘And they who fear not danger steer the way.
‘But our joint labours Jove decrees to foil,
‘Nor will our native home reward our toil.’
‘Thus by stern fate's decree we perish all!
‘What woes await us, on this desert cast,
‘If from the land awakes the furious blast!
‘For slimy seas my sight far off commands,
‘And whitening billows bursting o'er the sands.
‘And dreadfully had Argo's yawning sides,
‘Remote from shore, receiv'd the gushing tides,
‘Had not the surge, which lifted her to heav'n,
‘Full on the pebbly beach the vessel driv'n.
‘But now the tide retiring quits the strand,
‘And waves unfaithful skim the levell'd sand.
‘Our projects baffled, and hope's cheerly dawn
‘From our expecting sight thus soon withdrawn,
‘Let other hands the pilot's art display,
‘And they who fear not danger steer the way.
‘But our joint labours Jove decrees to foil,
‘Nor will our native home reward our toil.’
He said; and all, renown'd for naval skill,
Close with his words, and wait th' impending ill.
From every heart the vital motion fled,
O'er every face a deadly paleness spread.
Close with his words, and wait th' impending ill.
From every heart the vital motion fled,
O'er every face a deadly paleness spread.
As when from street to street, in wild dismay,
Affrighted mortals, like pale spectres, stray;
Expecting wars, or plagues, or bursting rains,
That deluge all the harvest of the plains:
Or, as when statues drops of blood distil,
And fancied bellowings the temples fill;
The noon-day sun eclips'd involves in night
Th' astonish'd world, and stars emit their light:
Thus on the beach they stalk'd, a heartless clan!
Like sweating statues, or like spectres wan.
His feeble arm each round his comrade cast,
Then sunk into the sand to breathe his last,
Resolv'd, as now the star of Hesper rose,
To share the solace of united woes.
Some here, some there select their clay-cold bed,
And round their shivering limbs their garments spread:
Resign'd to death, in midnight's sullen shade
And at mid-day, here languishing they laid.
Remote, Medea's fair attendants moan,
Cling round their queen, and groan return for groan.
Affrighted mortals, like pale spectres, stray;
274
That deluge all the harvest of the plains:
Or, as when statues drops of blood distil,
And fancied bellowings the temples fill;
The noon-day sun eclips'd involves in night
Th' astonish'd world, and stars emit their light:
Thus on the beach they stalk'd, a heartless clan!
Like sweating statues, or like spectres wan.
His feeble arm each round his comrade cast,
Then sunk into the sand to breathe his last,
Resolv'd, as now the star of Hesper rose,
To share the solace of united woes.
Some here, some there select their clay-cold bed,
And round their shivering limbs their garments spread:
Resign'd to death, in midnight's sullen shade
And at mid-day, here languishing they laid.
Remote, Medea's fair attendants moan,
Cling round their queen, and groan return for groan.
As when a nest, surcharg'd with callow young,
Falls from the lofty cliff to which it clung,
Th' unfeather'd brood by shrillest cries attest
Their far-flown mother, and their ruin'd nest:
As on the banks Pactolus' streams bedew,
Melodious swans their dying notes renew;
The rivers, gliding the rich vales among,
Bear on their silver streams the soothing song:
Thus they, their golden locks besmear'd with gore,
All night in plaintive elegies deplore.
Their toils yet incomplete, the godlike band
Had now ignobly perish'd on the sand,
But the bold heroines, who guard the coast,
Beheld with pitying eye the drooping host:
Those nymphs, who, when in glistering arms array'd,
Rush'd from the Thunderer's brain the martial maid,
In needful hour their kind assistance gave,
And cleans'd her infant-limbs in Triton's wave.
Falls from the lofty cliff to which it clung,
Th' unfeather'd brood by shrillest cries attest
Their far-flown mother, and their ruin'd nest:
As on the banks Pactolus' streams bedew,
Melodious swans their dying notes renew;
275
Bear on their silver streams the soothing song:
Thus they, their golden locks besmear'd with gore,
All night in plaintive elegies deplore.
Their toils yet incomplete, the godlike band
Had now ignobly perish'd on the sand,
But the bold heroines, who guard the coast,
Beheld with pitying eye the drooping host:
Those nymphs, who, when in glistering arms array'd,
Rush'd from the Thunderer's brain the martial maid,
In needful hour their kind assistance gave,
And cleans'd her infant-limbs in Triton's wave.
'Twas noon: o'er Libya's sands the God of day
Darted the splendours of his fiercest ray.
Full before Jason stood the nymphs confess'd,
And gently from his head withdrew the vest.
Sudden he starts, impress'd with silent dread,
And from his fair protectors turns his head.
They in compassion's mild address began
To free from terrours vain the hopeless man:
Darted the splendours of his fiercest ray.
Full before Jason stood the nymphs confess'd,
And gently from his head withdrew the vest.
Sudden he starts, impress'd with silent dread,
And from his fair protectors turns his head.
They in compassion's mild address began
To free from terrours vain the hopeless man:
‘Why griev'st thou thus? Oh! bid thy sorrows cease:
‘We know thy coming's cause, the Golden Fleece.
‘We know the various toils by land you bore;
‘How toss'd on ocean, how distress'd on shore.
‘Terrestrial Powers, for acts of friendship known,
‘We make the shepherd's rural cares our own.
‘We, Libya's daughters and avengers, boast
‘Our sway extended o'er the Libyan coast.
‘Arise, nor sink beneath thy sorrow's weight;
‘But rouze thy fellows from their drooping state.
‘When Amphitrite with officious speed
‘Unreins from Neptune's car the fiery steed,
‘Thy mother then with duteous care repay,
‘Whose womb hath borne thee many a toilsome day.
‘Discharge this duty, and resail to Greece,
‘Safe and triumphant with the Golden Fleece.’
‘We know thy coming's cause, the Golden Fleece.
‘We know the various toils by land you bore;
‘How toss'd on ocean, how distress'd on shore.
276
‘We make the shepherd's rural cares our own.
‘We, Libya's daughters and avengers, boast
‘Our sway extended o'er the Libyan coast.
‘Arise, nor sink beneath thy sorrow's weight;
‘But rouze thy fellows from their drooping state.
‘When Amphitrite with officious speed
‘Unreins from Neptune's car the fiery steed,
‘Thy mother then with duteous care repay,
‘Whose womb hath borne thee many a toilsome day.
‘Discharge this duty, and resail to Greece,
‘Safe and triumphant with the Golden Fleece.’
They spoke, and vanish'd: from his sandy bed
Jason arose, and looking round he said;
Jason arose, and looking round he said;
‘Ye godlike Powers, the desert plains who rove,
‘Ye fair, who tend the flocks, propitious prove.
‘Those dark mysterious truths your tongues foretold,
‘I go, if haply can my friends unfold.
‘Conven'd, may they some prudent scheme devise,
‘For in th' advice of numbers safety lies.’
‘Ye fair, who tend the flocks, propitious prove.
‘Those dark mysterious truths your tongues foretold,
‘I go, if haply can my friends unfold.
‘Conven'd, may they some prudent scheme devise,
‘For in th' advice of numbers safety lies.’
He said: and, wading thro' the driven sand,
Rouz'd with loud voice the sad, desponding band.
Thus, while the lion his lost mate explores,
The forests ring, earth trembles as he roars:
Herdsmen and herds, o'erwhelm'd with equal fear,
All mute and trembling deem destruction near.
But grateful to the host was Jason's call;
No fears it cherish'd, but gave hope to all.
Yet with dejected looks the heroes meet.
Beside the female train to each his seat
He, near the shore, assign'd; in order due
His wondrous tale relates, and cheers the pensive crew:
Rouz'd with loud voice the sad, desponding band.
Thus, while the lion his lost mate explores,
The forests ring, earth trembles as he roars:
277
All mute and trembling deem destruction near.
But grateful to the host was Jason's call;
No fears it cherish'd, but gave hope to all.
Yet with dejected looks the heroes meet.
Beside the female train to each his seat
He, near the shore, assign'd; in order due
His wondrous tale relates, and cheers the pensive crew:
‘Attend, my friends: three virgin-forms, who claim
‘From heaven their race, to sooth my sorrows came.
‘Their shoulders round were shaggy goat-skins cast,
‘Which, low descending, girt their slender waist.
‘High o'er my head they stood; with gentle hand
‘My vesture rais'd, and gave this dread command:
‘That I with speed my piteous bed forsake,
‘And, risen, haste my comrades to awake.
‘That mindful we our mother's cares repay,
‘Whose womb sustain'd us many a toilsome day,
‘When Amphitrite with officious speed
‘Unreins from Neptune's car the fiery steed.
‘Long have I sought this wonder to explain,
‘And, still revolving, I revolve in vain.
‘In the bold name of heroines they boast,
‘Daughters and guardians they of Libya's coast.
‘Known to these nymphs are all the toils we bore
‘On the rough ocean, and the faithless shore.
‘Nor staid they long; but, sudden, from my view
‘Their radiant forms an ambient cloud withdrew.’
He said: on every face sat boding fears;
When, lo! a portent, greater far, appears.
Fierce from the foamy deep, of wondrous size,
Springs an huge horse; his mane expanded flies.
From his strong sides he shakes th' adherent spray,
Then towards the coast directs his rapid way.
Skill'd in whate'er this prodigy portends,
With pleasure Peleus thus consoles his friends:
‘From heaven their race, to sooth my sorrows came.
‘Their shoulders round were shaggy goat-skins cast,
‘Which, low descending, girt their slender waist.
‘High o'er my head they stood; with gentle hand
‘My vesture rais'd, and gave this dread command:
‘That I with speed my piteous bed forsake,
‘And, risen, haste my comrades to awake.
‘That mindful we our mother's cares repay,
‘Whose womb sustain'd us many a toilsome day,
‘When Amphitrite with officious speed
‘Unreins from Neptune's car the fiery steed.
‘Long have I sought this wonder to explain,
‘And, still revolving, I revolve in vain.
278
‘Daughters and guardians they of Libya's coast.
‘Known to these nymphs are all the toils we bore
‘On the rough ocean, and the faithless shore.
‘Nor staid they long; but, sudden, from my view
‘Their radiant forms an ambient cloud withdrew.’
He said: on every face sat boding fears;
When, lo! a portent, greater far, appears.
Fierce from the foamy deep, of wondrous size,
Springs an huge horse; his mane expanded flies.
From his strong sides he shakes th' adherent spray,
Then towards the coast directs his rapid way.
Skill'd in whate'er this prodigy portends,
With pleasure Peleus thus consoles his friends:
‘Now by his consort's hand releas'd I see
‘The car of Neptune, and his horses free.
‘A mother's name (or I predict in vain)
‘Argo may boast; she feels a mother's pain.
‘Her pregnant womb a troop of heroes bears,
‘And endless perils for their safety shares.
‘Come, let us now our boasted strength display,
‘And on our shoulders bear our ship away.
‘Steer we through depths of sand our dangerous course,
‘Led by the steps of this portentous horse.
‘His steps reluctant press the dusty plain,
‘But rapid bear him to his kindred main;
‘Thither attend his flight.’ Thus spoke the seer:
His pleasing counsels gratified their ear.
‘The car of Neptune, and his horses free.
‘A mother's name (or I predict in vain)
‘Argo may boast; she feels a mother's pain.
‘Her pregnant womb a troop of heroes bears,
‘And endless perils for their safety shares.
‘Come, let us now our boasted strength display,
‘And on our shoulders bear our ship away.
‘Steer we through depths of sand our dangerous course,
‘Led by the steps of this portentous horse.
279
‘But rapid bear him to his kindred main;
‘Thither attend his flight.’ Thus spoke the seer:
His pleasing counsels gratified their ear.
This wondrous tale the tuneful Nine recite,
And as the Muses dictate must I write.
This have I heard, and this as truth proclaim,
That you, O princely peers, of deathless fame,
By the joint efforts of united hands,
Twelve days and nights, through Libya's burning sands,
High on your shoulders rais'd the vessel's weight,
All that its womb contain'd, a mighty freight!
What woes o'ertook them, and what toils befell,
No verse can celebrate, no tongue can tell.
Such brave exploits proclaim'd their godlike line,
For, as their lineage, were their deeds, divine.
But when Tritonis' lake the chiefs attain,
They eas'd their shoulders, and embark'd again.
Doom'd to acuter griefs they now are curs'd
With all the miseries of burning thirst;
Like dogs they run its fury to assuage,
And at a fountain's head suppress its rage.
Nor wander'd they in vain; but soon explor'd
The sacred spot with golden apples stor'd,
In Atlas' realm: the serpent's wakeful eyes
Watch'd, till but yesterday, the golden prize.
The fair Hesperides with kind survey
Tended the serpent as they tun'd their lay.
But, lo! the monster, by Alcides slain,
Beneath a branching pear-tree press'd the plain.
His tail still vibrates, though his ghastly head
And spine immense lie motionless and dead.
Flies in thick swarms his gory sides surround,
Drink his black blood, and dry the dripping wound,
Made by the darts, whose poison'd tips detain
The deadly venom of the Hydra slain.
As Ladon's fate the pensive maids deplore,
Their hands they wrung, their golden locks they tore;
But, sudden, as the heroes hasten'd near,
They to the dust descend, and disappear.
Struck with the prodigy his eyes survey'd,
Thus to the nymphs observant Orpheus pray'd:
And as the Muses dictate must I write.
This have I heard, and this as truth proclaim,
That you, O princely peers, of deathless fame,
By the joint efforts of united hands,
Twelve days and nights, through Libya's burning sands,
High on your shoulders rais'd the vessel's weight,
All that its womb contain'd, a mighty freight!
What woes o'ertook them, and what toils befell,
No verse can celebrate, no tongue can tell.
Such brave exploits proclaim'd their godlike line,
For, as their lineage, were their deeds, divine.
But when Tritonis' lake the chiefs attain,
They eas'd their shoulders, and embark'd again.
Doom'd to acuter griefs they now are curs'd
With all the miseries of burning thirst;
Like dogs they run its fury to assuage,
And at a fountain's head suppress its rage.
Nor wander'd they in vain; but soon explor'd
The sacred spot with golden apples stor'd,
280
Watch'd, till but yesterday, the golden prize.
The fair Hesperides with kind survey
Tended the serpent as they tun'd their lay.
But, lo! the monster, by Alcides slain,
Beneath a branching pear-tree press'd the plain.
His tail still vibrates, though his ghastly head
And spine immense lie motionless and dead.
Flies in thick swarms his gory sides surround,
Drink his black blood, and dry the dripping wound,
Made by the darts, whose poison'd tips detain
The deadly venom of the Hydra slain.
As Ladon's fate the pensive maids deplore,
Their hands they wrung, their golden locks they tore;
But, sudden, as the heroes hasten'd near,
They to the dust descend, and disappear.
Struck with the prodigy his eyes survey'd,
Thus to the nymphs observant Orpheus pray'd:
‘Ye Goddesses, with blooming beauty bless'd,
‘Look with benevolence on men distress'd.
‘Whether ye grace the splendid courts of Jove,
‘Or on this humbler earth auspicious move;
‘Whether to flowery pastures ye repair,
‘And the lov'd name of shepherdesses bear;
‘Illustrious nymphs, from Ocean sprung, arise,
‘Bless with a recent view our longing eyes.
‘Bid from the thirsty soil a torrent burst,
‘Or open some hard rock to slake our thirst.
‘Should we again our tatter'd sails expand,
‘And greet at last the dear Achaian land,
‘Grateful we then these favours will repay,
‘And choicest offerings on your altars lay:
‘No Goddess, who frequents the courts of Jove,
‘Shall greater honour share, or greater love.’
‘Look with benevolence on men distress'd.
‘Whether ye grace the splendid courts of Jove,
‘Or on this humbler earth auspicious move;
‘Whether to flowery pastures ye repair,
‘And the lov'd name of shepherdesses bear;
281
‘Bless with a recent view our longing eyes.
‘Bid from the thirsty soil a torrent burst,
‘Or open some hard rock to slake our thirst.
‘Should we again our tatter'd sails expand,
‘And greet at last the dear Achaian land,
‘Grateful we then these favours will repay,
‘And choicest offerings on your altars lay:
‘No Goddess, who frequents the courts of Jove,
‘Shall greater honour share, or greater love.’
Thus Orpheus pray'd, with feeble voice and low:
The listening nymphs commiserate their woe.
First tender grass they bade the soil disclose;
Then high above it verdant branches rose.
Erect and strong, the spreading boughs display'd
Wide o'er the barren soil an ample shade.
A poplar's trunk fair Hespera receives,
And in a weeping willow Ægle grieves.
But Erytheïs in an elm remains:
Each in her tree her proper shape retains;
Stupendous sight! first Ægle silence broke,
And kindly thus the suppliant band bespoke:
The listening nymphs commiserate their woe.
First tender grass they bade the soil disclose;
Then high above it verdant branches rose.
Erect and strong, the spreading boughs display'd
Wide o'er the barren soil an ample shade.
A poplar's trunk fair Hespera receives,
And in a weeping willow Ægle grieves.
But Erytheïs in an elm remains:
Each in her tree her proper shape retains;
Stupendous sight! first Ægle silence broke,
And kindly thus the suppliant band bespoke:
‘Hither some lawless plunderer came of late,
‘Who will reverse the colour of your fate.
‘Yon beast he slew, for whom we sorrow now,
‘And tore the golden apples from their bough.
‘But yesterday the desperate giant came;
‘From his black eye-brows flash'd the livid flame:
‘A lion's shaggy skin, besmear'd with gore,
‘Wide o'er his shoulders spread, the monster wore.
‘On his stout staff his fearless step rely'd,
‘And by his deadly dart the serpent died.
‘He, like a sturdy traveller, stalk'd along,
‘Seeking some fount to cool his fiery tongue.
‘With eager haste he trod the dusty plain,
‘And still for water look'd, but look'd in vain.
‘To this tall rock, hard by Tritonis' lake,
‘Some God conducted him, his thirst to slake.
‘Struck by his heel, its deep foundations shook,
‘And from the yawning clefts a torrent broke.
‘Prone on the ground the limpid streams he swills,
‘And, groveling like a beast, his belly fills.’
‘Who will reverse the colour of your fate.
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‘And tore the golden apples from their bough.
‘But yesterday the desperate giant came;
‘From his black eye-brows flash'd the livid flame:
‘A lion's shaggy skin, besmear'd with gore,
‘Wide o'er his shoulders spread, the monster wore.
‘On his stout staff his fearless step rely'd,
‘And by his deadly dart the serpent died.
‘He, like a sturdy traveller, stalk'd along,
‘Seeking some fount to cool his fiery tongue.
‘With eager haste he trod the dusty plain,
‘And still for water look'd, but look'd in vain.
‘To this tall rock, hard by Tritonis' lake,
‘Some God conducted him, his thirst to slake.
‘Struck by his heel, its deep foundations shook,
‘And from the yawning clefts a torrent broke.
‘Prone on the ground the limpid streams he swills,
‘And, groveling like a beast, his belly fills.’
Elated with the tale, they speed their course,
To find, as Ægle told, the fountain's source.
To find, as Ægle told, the fountain's source.
As when assembled ants with joint essay
Strive in some chink their lifted grain to lay:
Or as when flies some liquid sweet explore,
They hang in clusters round the honied store;
Like them the Mynians: such their numbers seem,
And such their haste to gather round the stream.
Conjecturing thus some grateful hero said,
As from the rill refresh'd he rais'd his head:
Strive in some chink their lifted grain to lay:
Or as when flies some liquid sweet explore,
They hang in clusters round the honied store;
283
And such their haste to gather round the stream.
Conjecturing thus some grateful hero said,
As from the rill refresh'd he rais'd his head:
‘Ye Gods! though absent, great Alcides gives
‘These limpid streams; by him each hero lives.
‘Come, haste we now the country to explore,
‘And the lost wanderer to our host restore.’
‘These limpid streams; by him each hero lives.
‘Come, haste we now the country to explore,
‘And the lost wanderer to our host restore.’
Instant to council rose th' associate band,
Selecting heroes to explore the land.
For nightly winds dispersing o'er the plains
The light, loose sands, no step impress'd remains.
Boreas' fleet sons, who wing their airy flight,
Sagacious Lynceus bless'd with keenest sight,
Euphemus swift of foot, and Cantheus speed:
Him his brave spirit urg'd and heaven decreed
To ask Alcides, on what fatal coast
He left his comrade, Polyphemus lost.
When this bold chief had rear'd on Mysian ground,
And fenc'd with circling walls a city round,
Wide o'er the country, Argo's fate to learn,
He roam'd, with Argo anxious to return.
Scarce had his feet Calybian frontiers press'd,
Ere fate consign'd him to eternal rest.
Along the beach, with stately poplars spread,
They rear'd a tomb in honour of the dead.
But Lynceus deems, that, o'er the distant lands
His sight the long-lost Hercules commands.
Thus sees the clown, or thinks he can descry
The new moon breaking through a cloudy sky.
Back to his comrades hastes the joyous chief,
Precludes their further search, and gives their mind relief.
Euphemus soon, and Boreas' sons, his friends,
Whose search in empty expectation ends,
Rejoin'd the host: but thee, brave Canthus, slain
Stern fate foredoom'd to press the Libyan plain.
To feast his comrades with the grateful prey,
He forc'd through scatter'd flocks his desperate way.
Sudden, his flock to guard, the shepherd flew,
And with a rock's huge fragment Canthus slew.
This sturdy villager, Caphaurus nam'd,
His lofty lineage from Apollo claim'd,
And Acacallis: conscious of his might,
He fear'd no rival, nor declin'd the fight.
Minos, her sire, to Libya's coast remov'd
Fair Acacallis, by the God belov'd.
To Phœbus here a hopeful son she gave,
Amphithemis or Garamans the brave.
Thy love, Amphithemis, Tritonis crown'd,
And grac'd thy bed with Nasamon renown'd,
And bold Caphaurus; whose decisive blow
Transmitted Canthus to the shades below.
The bloody deed divulg'd to all the host,
Not long his conquest could Caphaurus boast.
They to its sepulchre the corse convey,
Weeping; and make the shepherd's flocks their prey.
Selecting heroes to explore the land.
For nightly winds dispersing o'er the plains
The light, loose sands, no step impress'd remains.
Boreas' fleet sons, who wing their airy flight,
Sagacious Lynceus bless'd with keenest sight,
Euphemus swift of foot, and Cantheus speed:
Him his brave spirit urg'd and heaven decreed
To ask Alcides, on what fatal coast
He left his comrade, Polyphemus lost.
When this bold chief had rear'd on Mysian ground,
And fenc'd with circling walls a city round,
Wide o'er the country, Argo's fate to learn,
He roam'd, with Argo anxious to return.
Scarce had his feet Calybian frontiers press'd,
Ere fate consign'd him to eternal rest.
284
They rear'd a tomb in honour of the dead.
But Lynceus deems, that, o'er the distant lands
His sight the long-lost Hercules commands.
Thus sees the clown, or thinks he can descry
The new moon breaking through a cloudy sky.
Back to his comrades hastes the joyous chief,
Precludes their further search, and gives their mind relief.
Euphemus soon, and Boreas' sons, his friends,
Whose search in empty expectation ends,
Rejoin'd the host: but thee, brave Canthus, slain
Stern fate foredoom'd to press the Libyan plain.
To feast his comrades with the grateful prey,
He forc'd through scatter'd flocks his desperate way.
Sudden, his flock to guard, the shepherd flew,
And with a rock's huge fragment Canthus slew.
This sturdy villager, Caphaurus nam'd,
His lofty lineage from Apollo claim'd,
And Acacallis: conscious of his might,
He fear'd no rival, nor declin'd the fight.
Minos, her sire, to Libya's coast remov'd
Fair Acacallis, by the God belov'd.
To Phœbus here a hopeful son she gave,
Amphithemis or Garamans the brave.
285
And grac'd thy bed with Nasamon renown'd,
And bold Caphaurus; whose decisive blow
Transmitted Canthus to the shades below.
The bloody deed divulg'd to all the host,
Not long his conquest could Caphaurus boast.
They to its sepulchre the corse convey,
Weeping; and make the shepherd's flocks their prey.
To Pluto's realms prophetic Mopsus fled,
And join'd, on that sad day, the mighty dead.
With fate's decrees must mortal man comply,
And the wise seer, in spite of prescience, die.
For, shelter'd from the fierce meridian ray,
Beneath a sandy bank a serpent lay.
Innoxious till incens'd, he ne'er annoy'd,
But strove th' affrighted traveller to avoid.
But all, whome'er the foodful earth contains,
Who feel his darted venom in their veins,
Nor long, nor distant deem the dreary road,
That leads direct to Pluto's dark abode.
His fangs infix'd when once the wretches feel,
In vain would medicine's God attempt to heal.
For when brave Perseus (this her godlike son
His mother oftener nam'd Eurymedon)
O'er Libya flew, the Gorgon's head to bring,
Fresh-slain and dripping, to th' expecting king,
From every drop, that dyed the soil with blood,
A serpent sprung, and thus encreas'd the brood.
The monster's spiry tail rash Mopsus press'd
With his unheeding foot: his tortur'd breast
Upward he turn'd, and writh'd his spires around,
Then with his venom'd fang infix'd a deadly wound.
Medea trembled and her female train:
Fearless he bathes the wound, nor heeds the pain.
But now, lost wretch! each sense is clos'd and dead,
And o'er his sinking eyes death's gloomy shade is spread.
Prone to the dust he falls: his cold remains
Press with unwieldy weight the desert plains.
His faithful friends, and Jason with the rest,
Weep o'er the corse, with heart-felt grief impress'd.
His flesh all putrid from the taint within,
And hanging round him loose his flabby skin,
The burning sun unable long to bear,
His busy comrades, with officious care,
Deep in the soil conceal their delving spade,
And soon a decent sepulchre was made.
Men, matrons, all, as round the grave they flock,
Lamenting loud select the sacred lock:
His corse the bright-arm'd heroes thrice surround,
And raise in seemly form the hallow'd mound,
Then hasten to their ship: the southern breeze
Curl'd, as it blew, the surface of the seas.
And join'd, on that sad day, the mighty dead.
With fate's decrees must mortal man comply,
And the wise seer, in spite of prescience, die.
For, shelter'd from the fierce meridian ray,
Beneath a sandy bank a serpent lay.
Innoxious till incens'd, he ne'er annoy'd,
But strove th' affrighted traveller to avoid.
But all, whome'er the foodful earth contains,
Who feel his darted venom in their veins,
Nor long, nor distant deem the dreary road,
That leads direct to Pluto's dark abode.
His fangs infix'd when once the wretches feel,
In vain would medicine's God attempt to heal.
For when brave Perseus (this her godlike son
His mother oftener nam'd Eurymedon)
286
Fresh-slain and dripping, to th' expecting king,
From every drop, that dyed the soil with blood,
A serpent sprung, and thus encreas'd the brood.
The monster's spiry tail rash Mopsus press'd
With his unheeding foot: his tortur'd breast
Upward he turn'd, and writh'd his spires around,
Then with his venom'd fang infix'd a deadly wound.
Medea trembled and her female train:
Fearless he bathes the wound, nor heeds the pain.
But now, lost wretch! each sense is clos'd and dead,
And o'er his sinking eyes death's gloomy shade is spread.
Prone to the dust he falls: his cold remains
Press with unwieldy weight the desert plains.
His faithful friends, and Jason with the rest,
Weep o'er the corse, with heart-felt grief impress'd.
His flesh all putrid from the taint within,
And hanging round him loose his flabby skin,
The burning sun unable long to bear,
His busy comrades, with officious care,
Deep in the soil conceal their delving spade,
And soon a decent sepulchre was made.
Men, matrons, all, as round the grave they flock,
Lamenting loud select the sacred lock:
287
And raise in seemly form the hallow'd mound,
Then hasten to their ship: the southern breeze
Curl'd, as it blew, the surface of the seas.
In sad suspense, still wishing to forsake,
And cross with favouring gales Tritonis' lake,
They loiter long, and waste the useful day
In idle contest and in vain delay.
And cross with favouring gales Tritonis' lake,
They loiter long, and waste the useful day
In idle contest and in vain delay.
A serpent thus, long scorch'd with summer's heat,
Winds to some secret chink, his cool retreat.
Enrag'd he hisses, rears his crest on high,
And furious darts his fire-emitting eye,
Till haply he the wish'd-for chink pervade,
And in its cool recess secure a shade.
Uncertain thus, the ship explor'd in vain
The lake's wide mouth that open'd to the main.
With pious care, as Orpheus gives command,
They place Apollo's tripod on the strand;
That those auspicious Powers the coast who guard,
Pleas'd with th' oblation, may their toils reward.
Clad like a youth, before them stood confess'd
The mighty Triton: in his hands he press'd
The gather'd soil; this amicable sign
He to the heroes held, and spoke benign:
Winds to some secret chink, his cool retreat.
Enrag'd he hisses, rears his crest on high,
And furious darts his fire-emitting eye,
Till haply he the wish'd-for chink pervade,
And in its cool recess secure a shade.
Uncertain thus, the ship explor'd in vain
The lake's wide mouth that open'd to the main.
With pious care, as Orpheus gives command,
They place Apollo's tripod on the strand;
That those auspicious Powers the coast who guard,
Pleas'd with th' oblation, may their toils reward.
Clad like a youth, before them stood confess'd
The mighty Triton: in his hands he press'd
The gather'd soil; this amicable sign
He to the heroes held, and spoke benign:
288
‘The hospitable pledge my hand extends,
‘The best I now can give, accept, my friends.
‘Would you o'er ocean's paths your course discern,
‘And learn the tracks, which strangers wish to learn,
‘Hear: from my sire, the monarch of the main,
‘I boast my science; o'er these seas I reign.
‘Perchance ev'n you, though distant far you came,
‘May recognise Eurypylus's name,
‘In Libya born.’ He said: Euphemus took
The proffer'd soil, and thus responsive spoke,
‘The best I now can give, accept, my friends.
‘Would you o'er ocean's paths your course discern,
‘And learn the tracks, which strangers wish to learn,
‘Hear: from my sire, the monarch of the main,
‘I boast my science; o'er these seas I reign.
‘Perchance ev'n you, though distant far you came,
‘May recognise Eurypylus's name,
‘In Libya born.’ He said: Euphemus took
The proffer'd soil, and thus responsive spoke,
“If such thy knowledge, friendly chief, explain
“Where Atthis lies, where rolls the Cretan main.
“Reluctant sail'd we towards the Libyan coast,
“By angry heaven and adverse tempests tost:
“By land, with Argo o'er our shoulders cast,
“We toil'd, and launch'd her in this lake at last.
“Nor can we yet our certain course devise,
“Where full in prospect Pelops' realms will rise.”
“Where Atthis lies, where rolls the Cretan main.
“Reluctant sail'd we towards the Libyan coast,
“By angry heaven and adverse tempests tost:
“By land, with Argo o'er our shoulders cast,
“We toil'd, and launch'd her in this lake at last.
“Nor can we yet our certain course devise,
“Where full in prospect Pelops' realms will rise.”
He said: his hand out-stretching, Triton shew
The lake's wide mouth, and sea expos'd to view.
The lake's wide mouth, and sea expos'd to view.
‘Where the lake blackens, and its waters sleep,
‘Expect,’ he cries, ‘a passage to the deep.
‘Observe the cliffs high towering on each side,
‘And through the streight they form your vessel guide.
‘There, above Crete, where, mingling with the skies,
‘Yon ocean spreads, the land of Pelops lies.
‘When to the right th' expanded lake ye leave,
‘And the safe seas your mighty freight receive,
‘Still cautious coast along the winding strand,
‘Till you the cape's projecting sides command:
‘Your course, that cape once doubled, safe pursue,
‘Your ship uninjur'd, and undaunted you.
‘Thus gladden'd go; nor let your vigorous arms
‘Droop with fatigue, and shake with vain alarms.’
‘Expect,’ he cries, ‘a passage to the deep.
‘Observe the cliffs high towering on each side,
‘And through the streight they form your vessel guide.
289
‘Yon ocean spreads, the land of Pelops lies.
‘When to the right th' expanded lake ye leave,
‘And the safe seas your mighty freight receive,
‘Still cautious coast along the winding strand,
‘Till you the cape's projecting sides command:
‘Your course, that cape once doubled, safe pursue,
‘Your ship uninjur'd, and undaunted you.
‘Thus gladden'd go; nor let your vigorous arms
‘Droop with fatigue, and shake with vain alarms.’
Heartening he spoke: the decks they re-ascend,
And, rowing brisk, to cross the lake contend.
The proffer'd tripod friendly Triton takes,
And hides his head beneath the dimpling lakes.
Thus with the costly prize the God withdrew,
Instant invisible to mortal view.
Inspir'd with joy, that some superior guest
Had comfort given them, and with counsel bless'd,
The choicest sheep they bade their leader slay,
And to the Power benign due honours pay.
He to the galley's poop with speed convey'd
The choicest sheep, and, as he offer'd, pray'd:
And, rowing brisk, to cross the lake contend.
The proffer'd tripod friendly Triton takes,
And hides his head beneath the dimpling lakes.
Thus with the costly prize the God withdrew,
Instant invisible to mortal view.
Inspir'd with joy, that some superior guest
Had comfort given them, and with counsel bless'd,
The choicest sheep they bade their leader slay,
And to the Power benign due honours pay.
He to the galley's poop with speed convey'd
The choicest sheep, and, as he offer'd, pray'd:
‘Dread Deity, who late conspicuous stood
‘On the clear margin of this rolling flood,
‘Whether great Triton's name delight thine ear,
‘Triton, whom all the watery Gods revere;
‘Or ocean's daughters, as they sound thy fame,
‘Thee mighty Nereus, or thee Phorcuns name,
‘Be bounteous still: bid all our labours cease,
‘And reinstate us in our native Greece.’
‘On the clear margin of this rolling flood,
290
‘Triton, whom all the watery Gods revere;
‘Or ocean's daughters, as they sound thy fame,
‘Thee mighty Nereus, or thee Phorcuns name,
‘Be bounteous still: bid all our labours cease,
‘And reinstate us in our native Greece.’
Thus pray'd the chief, as on the poop he stood,
And sunk the slaughter'd victim in the flood.
His head above the billows Triton rear'd,
And in his proper shape the God appear'd.
And sunk the slaughter'd victim in the flood.
His head above the billows Triton rear'd,
And in his proper shape the God appear'd.
As when, intent his fiery steed to train,
The horseman leads him to the dusty plain,
His floating mane firm twisted in his hand,
He runs, yet holds him subject to command:
Superb he paces, by his master led,
Curvetting still, and tossing high his head.
His bits, all white with gather'd foam around,
Craunch'd by his restless jaw, aloud resound:
Thus Triton's hands the vessel's head sustain,
And safely guide her to the seas again.
His every limb, down to his swelling loin,
Proclaims his likeness to the Powers divine.
Below his loin his tapering tail extends;
Arch'd like a whale's on either side it bends.
Two pointed fins, projecting from his side,
Cleave, as he scuds along th' opposing tide.
Acute and tapering, these indented thorns
A semblance bear to Phœbe's budding horns.
His arm conducts her, till, from danger free,
She rides imbosom'd in the open sea.
This prodigy the shouting warriours saw,
Impress'd at once with gratitude and awe.
Here shatter'd ships Argous' port receives,
Here tokens of her voyage Argo leaves:
To Triton here, high-towering o'er the strand,
And here to Neptune stately altars stand.
For here they linger'd out one useless day;
But with fresh breezes sail'd, at morn, away.
Far to the right they leave the desert land,
And the stretch'd canvass to the winds expand.
Gaining mid ocean with returning light,
The doubled cape diminish'd from their sight.
The zephyrs ceasing, rose the southern gale,
And cheer'd the shouting heroes as they sail.
The horseman leads him to the dusty plain,
His floating mane firm twisted in his hand,
He runs, yet holds him subject to command:
Superb he paces, by his master led,
Curvetting still, and tossing high his head.
His bits, all white with gather'd foam around,
Craunch'd by his restless jaw, aloud resound:
Thus Triton's hands the vessel's head sustain,
And safely guide her to the seas again.
His every limb, down to his swelling loin,
Proclaims his likeness to the Powers divine.
Below his loin his tapering tail extends;
Arch'd like a whale's on either side it bends.
291
Cleave, as he scuds along th' opposing tide.
Acute and tapering, these indented thorns
A semblance bear to Phœbe's budding horns.
His arm conducts her, till, from danger free,
She rides imbosom'd in the open sea.
This prodigy the shouting warriours saw,
Impress'd at once with gratitude and awe.
Here shatter'd ships Argous' port receives,
Here tokens of her voyage Argo leaves:
To Triton here, high-towering o'er the strand,
And here to Neptune stately altars stand.
For here they linger'd out one useless day;
But with fresh breezes sail'd, at morn, away.
Far to the right they leave the desert land,
And the stretch'd canvass to the winds expand.
Gaining mid ocean with returning light,
The doubled cape diminish'd from their sight.
The zephyrs ceasing, rose the southern gale,
And cheer'd the shouting heroes as they sail.
The evening-star now lifts, as day-light fades,
His golden circlet in the deepening shades;
Stretch'd at his ease the weary labourer shares
A sweet forgetfulness of human cares:
At once in silence sleep the sinking gales,
The mast they drop, and furl the flagging sails;
All night, all day, they ply their bending oars
Towards Carpathus, and reach the rocky shores;
Thence Crete they view, emerging from the main,
The queen of isles; but Crete they view in vain.
There Tagus mountains hurls with all their woods;
Whole seas roll back, and tossing swell in floods.
Amaz'd the towering monster they survey,
And trembling view the interdicted bay.
His birth he drew from giants sprung from oak,
Or the hard entrails of the stubborn rock:
Fierce guard of Crete! who thrice each year explores
The trembling isle, and strides from shores to shores,
A form of living brass! one part beneath
Alone he bears, a part to let in death,
Where o'er the ankle swells the turgid vein,
Soft to the stroke, and sensible of pain.
Pining with want, and sunk in deep dismay,
From Crete far distant had they sail'd away,
But the fair sorceress their speed repress'd,
And thus the crew disconsolate address'd:
His golden circlet in the deepening shades;
292
A sweet forgetfulness of human cares:
At once in silence sleep the sinking gales,
The mast they drop, and furl the flagging sails;
All night, all day, they ply their bending oars
Towards Carpathus, and reach the rocky shores;
Thence Crete they view, emerging from the main,
The queen of isles; but Crete they view in vain.
There Tagus mountains hurls with all their woods;
Whole seas roll back, and tossing swell in floods.
Amaz'd the towering monster they survey,
And trembling view the interdicted bay.
His birth he drew from giants sprung from oak,
Or the hard entrails of the stubborn rock:
Fierce guard of Crete! who thrice each year explores
The trembling isle, and strides from shores to shores,
A form of living brass! one part beneath
Alone he bears, a part to let in death,
Where o'er the ankle swells the turgid vein,
Soft to the stroke, and sensible of pain.
Pining with want, and sunk in deep dismay,
From Crete far distant had they sail'd away,
But the fair sorceress their speed repress'd,
And thus the crew disconsolate address'd:
293
‘Attend. This monster, ribb'd with brass around,
‘My art, I ween, will level to the ground.
‘Whate'er his name, his strength however great,
‘Still, not immortal, must he yield to fate.
‘But from the far-thrown fragments safe retreat,
‘Till prostrate fall the giant at my feet.’
‘My art, I ween, will level to the ground.
‘Whate'er his name, his strength however great,
‘Still, not immortal, must he yield to fate.
‘But from the far-thrown fragments safe retreat,
‘Till prostrate fall the giant at my feet.’
She said: retiring at her sage command,
They wait the movement of her magic hand.
Wide o'er her face her purple veil she spread,
And climb'd the lofty decks, by Jason led.
And now her magic arts Medea tries;
Bids the red Furies, dogs of Orcus, rise,
That starting dreadful from th' infernal shade,
Ride heaven in storms, and all that breathes invade.
Thrice she applies the power of magic pray'r,
Thrice, hellward bending, mutters charms in air;
Then, turning towards the foe, bids mischief fly,
And looks destruction, as she points her eye.
Then spectres, rising from Tartarean bow'rs,
Howl round in air, or grin along the shores.
Father supreme! what fears my breast annoy,
Since not disease alone can life destroy,
Or wounds inflicted fate's decrees fulfil,
But magic's secret arts have power to kill!
For, by Medea's incantations plied,
Enfeebled soon the brazen monster died.
While rending up the earth in wrath he throws
Rock after rock against th' aerial foes,
Lo! frantic as he strides, a sudden wound
Bursts the life-vein, and blood o'erspreads the ground.
As from a furnace, in a burning flood
Pours melting lead, so pours in streams his blood:
And now he staggers, as the spirit flies,
He faints, he sinks, he tumbles, and he dies.
As some huge cedar on a mountain's brow,
Pierc'd by the steel, expects a final blow,
Awhile it totters with alternate sway,
Till freshening breezes through the branches play;
Then tumbling downward with a thundering sound,
Headlong it falls, and spreads a length of ground:
So, as the giant falls, the ocean roars,
Outstretch'd he lies, and covers half the shores.
They wait the movement of her magic hand.
Wide o'er her face her purple veil she spread,
And climb'd the lofty decks, by Jason led.
And now her magic arts Medea tries;
Bids the red Furies, dogs of Orcus, rise,
That starting dreadful from th' infernal shade,
Ride heaven in storms, and all that breathes invade.
Thrice she applies the power of magic pray'r,
Thrice, hellward bending, mutters charms in air;
Then, turning towards the foe, bids mischief fly,
And looks destruction, as she points her eye.
Then spectres, rising from Tartarean bow'rs,
Howl round in air, or grin along the shores.
Father supreme! what fears my breast annoy,
Since not disease alone can life destroy,
Or wounds inflicted fate's decrees fulfil,
But magic's secret arts have power to kill!
294
Enfeebled soon the brazen monster died.
While rending up the earth in wrath he throws
Rock after rock against th' aerial foes,
Lo! frantic as he strides, a sudden wound
Bursts the life-vein, and blood o'erspreads the ground.
As from a furnace, in a burning flood
Pours melting lead, so pours in streams his blood:
And now he staggers, as the spirit flies,
He faints, he sinks, he tumbles, and he dies.
As some huge cedar on a mountain's brow,
Pierc'd by the steel, expects a final blow,
Awhile it totters with alternate sway,
Till freshening breezes through the branches play;
Then tumbling downward with a thundering sound,
Headlong it falls, and spreads a length of ground:
So, as the giant falls, the ocean roars,
Outstretch'd he lies, and covers half the shores.
Crete thus deliver'd from this baneful pest,
The Mynians unmolested sunk to rest.
Soon as Aurora's orient beams appear,
A temple they to Cretan Pallas rear.
With water stor'd, once more the busy train
Embark, and lash the foamy brine again.
Assiduous all with equal ardour glow
Distant to leave Salmonis' lofty brow.
As o'er the Cretan deep the galley flew,
Around them night her sable mantle threw;
Pernicious night, whose all-investing shade
Nor stars, nor Phœbe's brighter rays pervade.
Thick darkness, or from heaven, or hell profound,
Spread, as it rose, its rueful shades around.
Uncertain whether, on huge billows tost,
Sublime they sail, or sink to Pluto's coast,
Uncertain where the bursting wave may throw,
They to the sea commit their weal or woe.
Jason aloud, with lifted hands, address'd
The God of day to succour the distress'd.
The tears fast trickling down his sorrowing face,
He vow'd with gifts the Delphic shrine to grace,
He vow'd with choicest gifts, an ample store,
To load Amyclæ, and Ortygia's shore.
Attentive to his tears and meek request,
Phœbus from heaven descends, and stands confess'd,
Where, frowning hideous o'er the deeps below,
The rocks of Melans lift their shaggy brow.
Awhile on one of these he takes his stand,
His golden bow high lifting in his hand;
Assisted by whose far-reflected light,
An isle of small extent attracts their sight,
Amid the Sporades; against it stood
Hippuris, circled by the rolling flood.
Their anchors here they drop. Aurora's ray
Glimmer'd, and sunk before the light of day.
A temple here o'er-arch'd with woods they raise,
And bid an altar to Apollo blaze,
On whom the name Æglete they bestow;
For here the God display'd his beamy bow.
Here, since on Argo's crew all bright he shone,
By the name Anaphe the isle is known.
The scanty produce of this barren isle
To Phœbus they on humble altars pile.
Each fair Phæacian in Medea's train,
Who oft had seen the fatted oxen slain
In king Alcinoüs' court, in laughter joins
At sight of water pour'd on burning pines.
With well-dissembled wrath the chiefs reprove
The laughing damsels, and the mirth they love.
A wordy altercation soon began,
And pleasant raillery through the circle ran.
Hence, to Æglete, on this festive day,
All who in Anaphe due honours pay,
Maidens and men, a mix'd assembly, join
In friendly contests and debates benign.
The Mynians unmolested sunk to rest.
Soon as Aurora's orient beams appear,
A temple they to Cretan Pallas rear.
295
Embark, and lash the foamy brine again.
Assiduous all with equal ardour glow
Distant to leave Salmonis' lofty brow.
As o'er the Cretan deep the galley flew,
Around them night her sable mantle threw;
Pernicious night, whose all-investing shade
Nor stars, nor Phœbe's brighter rays pervade.
Thick darkness, or from heaven, or hell profound,
Spread, as it rose, its rueful shades around.
Uncertain whether, on huge billows tost,
Sublime they sail, or sink to Pluto's coast,
Uncertain where the bursting wave may throw,
They to the sea commit their weal or woe.
Jason aloud, with lifted hands, address'd
The God of day to succour the distress'd.
The tears fast trickling down his sorrowing face,
He vow'd with gifts the Delphic shrine to grace,
He vow'd with choicest gifts, an ample store,
To load Amyclæ, and Ortygia's shore.
Attentive to his tears and meek request,
Phœbus from heaven descends, and stands confess'd,
Where, frowning hideous o'er the deeps below,
The rocks of Melans lift their shaggy brow.
296
His golden bow high lifting in his hand;
Assisted by whose far-reflected light,
An isle of small extent attracts their sight,
Amid the Sporades; against it stood
Hippuris, circled by the rolling flood.
Their anchors here they drop. Aurora's ray
Glimmer'd, and sunk before the light of day.
A temple here o'er-arch'd with woods they raise,
And bid an altar to Apollo blaze,
On whom the name Æglete they bestow;
For here the God display'd his beamy bow.
Here, since on Argo's crew all bright he shone,
By the name Anaphe the isle is known.
The scanty produce of this barren isle
To Phœbus they on humble altars pile.
Each fair Phæacian in Medea's train,
Who oft had seen the fatted oxen slain
In king Alcinoüs' court, in laughter joins
At sight of water pour'd on burning pines.
With well-dissembled wrath the chiefs reprove
The laughing damsels, and the mirth they love.
A wordy altercation soon began,
And pleasant raillery through the circle ran.
297
All who in Anaphe due honours pay,
Maidens and men, a mix'd assembly, join
In friendly contests and debates benign.
The halsers now were loosen'd from their hold,
And unrestrain'd in ocean Argo roll'd,
When thus the dream of night, yet uneffac'd,
Revering Maia's son, Euphemus trac'd.
How, with close grasp the sacred clod compress'd,
Stream'd with a milky current at his breast.
And from this clod, though small, his wondering eyes
Beheld a lovely, female form arise.
Charm'd with the beauteous fair, he soon resign'd
To nuptial joys his love-devoted mind,
Lamenting still that he the maid should wed,
Whom at his fostering breast with milk he fed.
And unrestrain'd in ocean Argo roll'd,
When thus the dream of night, yet uneffac'd,
Revering Maia's son, Euphemus trac'd.
How, with close grasp the sacred clod compress'd,
Stream'd with a milky current at his breast.
And from this clod, though small, his wondering eyes
Beheld a lovely, female form arise.
Charm'd with the beauteous fair, he soon resign'd
To nuptial joys his love-devoted mind,
Lamenting still that he the maid should wed,
Whom at his fostering breast with milk he fed.
“Thy children's nurse am I,” (the fair began,
Accosting mild the disconcerted man;)
“But not thy daughter: I from Triton came;
“(Triton and Libya my parents' name)
“He fix'd near Anaphe my watery cell,
“And bade me here with Nereus' daughters dwell.
“But now I hasten towards the sun's bright ray,
“And to thy race the choicest boon convey.”
Accosting mild the disconcerted man;)
“But not thy daughter: I from Triton came;
“(Triton and Libya my parents' name)
“He fix'd near Anaphe my watery cell,
“And bade me here with Nereus' daughters dwell.
“But now I hasten towards the sun's bright ray,
“And to thy race the choicest boon convey.”
298
This dream recurring to his mind again,
He told the leader of the gallant train,
Who, long revolving, thus at length reveal'd
Those mystic truths the Pythic shrine conceal'd:
He told the leader of the gallant train,
Who, long revolving, thus at length reveal'd
Those mystic truths the Pythic shrine conceal'd:
‘Ye Gods! what glory waits thy valorous deeds,
‘What fame, Euphemus, to thy toil succeeds!
‘For, when in ocean's bed this earth you fling,
‘Thence (so the Gods ordain) an isle shall spring;
‘Here shall thy children's children late repose.
‘Triton this hospitable gift bestows:
‘He tore from Afric's coast the treasur'd soil;
‘To him, of all the Gods, ascribe the isle.’
‘What fame, Euphemus, to thy toil succeeds!
‘For, when in ocean's bed this earth you fling,
‘Thence (so the Gods ordain) an isle shall spring;
‘Here shall thy children's children late repose.
‘Triton this hospitable gift bestows:
‘He tore from Afric's coast the treasur'd soil;
‘To him, of all the Gods, ascribe the isle.’
Thus spoke he prescient, nor in vain divin'd:
Euphemus heard him with attentive mind;
Transported with the presage, forth he sprung,
And the mysterious clod in ocean flung.
Instant emerging from the refluent tides,
Calliste's isle display'd its wave-wash'd sides,
Nurse of Euphemus' race: in days of yore,
They dwelt on Sintian Lemnos' sooty shore.
Exil'd from Lemnos by Etrurian force,
To Sparta's friendly walls they bent their course:
Ejected thence, Theras, Autesion's heir,
Bade him to fam'd Calliste's isle repair;
His name it took: th' events we now display
Were unaccomplish'd in Euphemus' day.
Euphemus heard him with attentive mind;
Transported with the presage, forth he sprung,
And the mysterious clod in ocean flung.
Instant emerging from the refluent tides,
Calliste's isle display'd its wave-wash'd sides,
Nurse of Euphemus' race: in days of yore,
They dwelt on Sintian Lemnos' sooty shore.
Exil'd from Lemnos by Etrurian force,
To Sparta's friendly walls they bent their course:
Ejected thence, Theras, Autesion's heir,
Bade him to fam'd Calliste's isle repair;
299
Were unaccomplish'd in Euphemus' day.
Vast tracts of ocean pass'd, the joyous host
Steer'd towards, and anchor'd on Ægina's coast.
They here propose a trial of their skill;
What chief can first the weighty bucket fill,
And, ere his fellows intercept his way,
First to the ship the watery store convey.
For parching thirst, and winds that briskly blew,
To the fleet course inclin'd the gallant crew.
His bucket now, replenish'd at the springs,
Each stout Thessalian on his shoulder brings;
Intent the palm of conquest to obtain,
He scours with speedy foot across the plain.
Steer'd towards, and anchor'd on Ægina's coast.
They here propose a trial of their skill;
What chief can first the weighty bucket fill,
And, ere his fellows intercept his way,
First to the ship the watery store convey.
For parching thirst, and winds that briskly blew,
To the fleet course inclin'd the gallant crew.
His bucket now, replenish'd at the springs,
Each stout Thessalian on his shoulder brings;
Intent the palm of conquest to obtain,
He scours with speedy foot across the plain.
Hail, happy race of heroes, and repay
With tributary praise my tuneful lay!
With pleasure still may distant times rehearse
And added years on years exalt my verse!
For here I fix the period of your woes,
And with your glorious toils my numbers close.
Your galley loosen'd from Ægina's shore,
Waves discompos'd, and winds detain'd no more.
Serene ye sail'd beside th' Achaian strand,
Where Cecrops' towers the subject main command,
Where opposite Eubœa Aulis lies,
And where the Locrian cities lofty rise,
Till Pagasæ her friendly port display'd,
Where rode triumphant Argo safe embay'd.
With tributary praise my tuneful lay!
With pleasure still may distant times rehearse
And added years on years exalt my verse!
For here I fix the period of your woes,
And with your glorious toils my numbers close.
Your galley loosen'd from Ægina's shore,
Waves discompos'd, and winds detain'd no more.
Serene ye sail'd beside th' Achaian strand,
Where Cecrops' towers the subject main command,
300
And where the Locrian cities lofty rise,
Till Pagasæ her friendly port display'd,
Where rode triumphant Argo safe embay'd.
END OF THE ARGONAUTICS.
| The Argonautics of Apollonius Rhodius, In Four Books, By Francis Fawkes: The Whole Revised, Corrected, and Completed, By His Coadjutor and Editor; Who Has Annexed A Translation of Coluthus's Greek Poem on The Rape of Helen, or The Origin of The Trojan War; With Notes | |