 | 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 III.
THE ARGUMENT.
Juno and Pallas intercede with Venus. They request that she would persuade Cupid to inspire Medea with love for Jason. Venus consents; and the shafts of Cupid, at her suit, have their desired effect. Jason, Augeas and Telamon proceed to the court of Æeta, where they are hospitably entertained. But, having heard the occasion of their voyage, Æeta is incensed, and refuses to bestow the Golden Fleece on Jason, unless on such terms, as he presumed he durst not comply with. The passion of Medea for Jason is described with great simplicity and delicacy. Medea early in the morning repairs to the temple of Hecate: thither Jason, at the suggestion of Mopsus, follows her. The poet dwells particularly on their interview and conference. Medea instructs him how to subdue the brazen bulls and armies of giants. With Jason's combat, and the success of it, the book concludes.
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Come, heavenly maid, thy timely succour bring,
And teach thy poet, Erato, to sing,
How Jason, favour'd by the Colchian maid,
To Grecian realms the golden prize convey'd.
Thy songs the rites of Cyprian bliss proclaim,
And in young virgins raise the melting flame;
For the soft passion thy behests approve,
And Erato's the kindred name of love.
And teach thy poet, Erato, to sing,
How Jason, favour'd by the Colchian maid,
To Grecian realms the golden prize convey'd.
Thy songs the rites of Cyprian bliss proclaim,
And in young virgins raise the melting flame;
For the soft passion thy behests approve,
And Erato's the kindred name of love.
Conceal'd in sedges as the herces lie,
Juno and Pallas mark'd them from the sky;
Apart from all the Gods their seats they took
In heaven's high hall, and thus Saturnia spoke:
“Daughter of Jove, thy sage advice impart,
“By what nice fraud, what well-dissembled art,
“These venturous chiefs shall gain the golden fleece,
“And safe convey it to the realms of Greece.
“Say, shall they call entreaties to their aid?
“Will soft address the wayward king persuade,
“So fam'd for fierce barbarity and pride?
“No art, no effort must be left untry'd.”
She said; and Pallas thus: ‘O Queen, I find
‘The same ideas rising in my mind:
‘To lend assistance to the Grecian train
‘My heart is willing, but my counsel vain.’
Juno and Pallas mark'd them from the sky;
Apart from all the Gods their seats they took
In heaven's high hall, and thus Saturnia spoke:
“Daughter of Jove, thy sage advice impart,
“By what nice fraud, what well-dissembled art,
148
“And safe convey it to the realms of Greece.
“Say, shall they call entreaties to their aid?
“Will soft address the wayward king persuade,
“So fam'd for fierce barbarity and pride?
“No art, no effort must be left untry'd.”
She said; and Pallas thus: ‘O Queen, I find
‘The same ideas rising in my mind:
‘To lend assistance to the Grecian train
‘My heart is willing, but my counsel vain.’
This said, their minds on various projects ran,
On earth their eyes were fix'd, when Juno thus began:
On earth their eyes were fix'd, when Juno thus began:
“To Venus instant let us speed our way,
“(Her soft persuasions Cupid will obey)
“Intreat her that the wily God inspire
“Medea's soul with love's unconquer'd fire,
“Love for great Æson's son; applauding Greece
“Will by her aid regain the glorious fleece.”
“(Her soft persuasions Cupid will obey)
“Intreat her that the wily God inspire
“Medea's soul with love's unconquer'd fire,
“Love for great Æson's son; applauding Greece
“Will by her aid regain the glorious fleece.”
She said; Minerva patronis'd the plan,
And thus with mild benevolence began:
And thus with mild benevolence began:
‘I, who arose from Jove's immortal brain,
‘Stranger to love, his pleasure or his pain,
‘Thy sage proposal from my soul approve;
‘Do thou explain it to the queen of love.’
‘Stranger to love, his pleasure or his pain,
‘Thy sage proposal from my soul approve;
‘Do thou explain it to the queen of love.’
149
This said, with speed the two immortals came
To the grand mansion of the Cyprian dame,
Which crippled Vulcan rais'd, when first he led
The Paphian goddess to his nuptial bed.
The gate they pass, and to the dome retire
Where Venus oft regales the God of fire:
(He to his forge had gone at early day,
A floating isle contain'd it on the bay,
Here wondrous works by fire's fierce power he wrought,
And on his anvil to perfection brought.)
Fronting the door, all lovely and alone,
Sat Cytherea on a polish'd throne.
Adown the shoulders of the heavenly fair,
In easy ringlets flow'd her flaxen hair;
And with a golden comb, in matchless grace,
She taught each lock its most becoming place.
She saw the deities approach her dome,
And from her hand dismiss'd the golden comb;
Then rose respectful, all with beauty grac'd,
And on rich thrones the great immortals plac'd;
Resum'd her seat, and with a ready hand
Bound her loose ringlets, and thus question'd bland:
‘What cause, ye visitants from heaven, relate,
‘Has brought such guests to Cytherea's gate?
‘Ye who excel in high Olympus' sphere,
‘Such mighty deities, and strangers here?’
Then thus Saturnia: “Wantonly you jest,
“When pressing grief sits heavy on our breast.
“Now in the Phasis, with his warlike train,
“Great Jason moors, the golden fleece to gain:
“For that fam'd chief, and for his martial host,
“Dire fears alarm us, but for Jason most:
“This potent arm, whate'er our prowess can,
“Shall snatch from misery the gallant man,
“Tho' far as hell he, rash adventurer! go,
“To free Ixion, link'd in chains of woe;
“Lest Pelias proudly heaven's decrees deride,
“Who on my altars sacrifice deny'd.
“Nay more, young Jason claims my love and grace,
“Whom late I met returning from the chace,
“Returning met, as o'er the world I stray'd,
“And human kind, and human works survey'd;
“Hard by Araurus I beheld the man,
“Wide o'er its banks whose rapid currents ran;
“(From snow-clad hills, in torrents loud and strong,
“Roar'd the swoln streams the rugged rocks among.)
“He on his back, though like a crone I stood,
“Securely brought me o'er the foaming flood;
“This won my love, a love for ever true,
“Nor will the haughty-minded Pelias rue
“His flagrant crimes, till you propitious deign
“To speed my Jason to his Greece again.”
She spoke, and Venus stood amaz'd to find
The queen of heaven to humble prayer inclin'd;
Then thus familiar said: ‘O wife of Jove,
‘Basest of beings call the queen of love,
‘Unless her every word and work conspire
‘To give you all the succour you require:
‘All that my hand, my feeble hand can do,
‘Shall unrewarded be perform'd for you.’
Then Juno thus: “Not difficult the task;
“No mighty force, no strength of arm I ask.
“Bid gentle Love the Colchian maid inspire,
“And for my Jason fan the rising fire;
“If kind she prove, he gains the golden fleece,
“And by her subtle aid conducts it safe to Greece.”
Love's queen replied: ‘Cupid, ye powers divine,
‘Will reverence your injunctions more than mine:
‘Your looks will awe him, tho', devoid of shame,
‘Of me the urchin makes eternal game,
‘Oft he provokes my spleen, and then I vow,
‘Enrag'd, I'll break his arrows and his bow:
“Restrain your ire,” exclaims the sneering elf,
“Lest you find reason to upbraid yourself.”
To the grand mansion of the Cyprian dame,
Which crippled Vulcan rais'd, when first he led
The Paphian goddess to his nuptial bed.
The gate they pass, and to the dome retire
Where Venus oft regales the God of fire:
(He to his forge had gone at early day,
A floating isle contain'd it on the bay,
Here wondrous works by fire's fierce power he wrought,
And on his anvil to perfection brought.)
Fronting the door, all lovely and alone,
Sat Cytherea on a polish'd throne.
Adown the shoulders of the heavenly fair,
In easy ringlets flow'd her flaxen hair;
And with a golden comb, in matchless grace,
She taught each lock its most becoming place.
She saw the deities approach her dome,
And from her hand dismiss'd the golden comb;
Then rose respectful, all with beauty grac'd,
And on rich thrones the great immortals plac'd;
Resum'd her seat, and with a ready hand
Bound her loose ringlets, and thus question'd bland:
‘What cause, ye visitants from heaven, relate,
‘Has brought such guests to Cytherea's gate?
150
‘Such mighty deities, and strangers here?’
Then thus Saturnia: “Wantonly you jest,
“When pressing grief sits heavy on our breast.
“Now in the Phasis, with his warlike train,
“Great Jason moors, the golden fleece to gain:
“For that fam'd chief, and for his martial host,
“Dire fears alarm us, but for Jason most:
“This potent arm, whate'er our prowess can,
“Shall snatch from misery the gallant man,
“Tho' far as hell he, rash adventurer! go,
“To free Ixion, link'd in chains of woe;
“Lest Pelias proudly heaven's decrees deride,
“Who on my altars sacrifice deny'd.
“Nay more, young Jason claims my love and grace,
“Whom late I met returning from the chace,
“Returning met, as o'er the world I stray'd,
“And human kind, and human works survey'd;
“Hard by Araurus I beheld the man,
“Wide o'er its banks whose rapid currents ran;
“(From snow-clad hills, in torrents loud and strong,
“Roar'd the swoln streams the rugged rocks among.)
“He on his back, though like a crone I stood,
“Securely brought me o'er the foaming flood;
151
“Nor will the haughty-minded Pelias rue
“His flagrant crimes, till you propitious deign
“To speed my Jason to his Greece again.”
She spoke, and Venus stood amaz'd to find
The queen of heaven to humble prayer inclin'd;
Then thus familiar said: ‘O wife of Jove,
‘Basest of beings call the queen of love,
‘Unless her every word and work conspire
‘To give you all the succour you require:
‘All that my hand, my feeble hand can do,
‘Shall unrewarded be perform'd for you.’
Then Juno thus: “Not difficult the task;
“No mighty force, no strength of arm I ask.
“Bid gentle Love the Colchian maid inspire,
“And for my Jason fan the rising fire;
“If kind she prove, he gains the golden fleece,
“And by her subtle aid conducts it safe to Greece.”
Love's queen replied: ‘Cupid, ye powers divine,
‘Will reverence your injunctions more than mine:
‘Your looks will awe him, tho', devoid of shame,
‘Of me the urchin makes eternal game,
‘Oft he provokes my spleen, and then I vow,
‘Enrag'd, I'll break his arrows and his bow:
152
“Lest you find reason to upbraid yourself.”
At this the Powers with smiles each other view'd,
And Venus thus her woeful tale pursu'd:
‘Others may ridicule the pains I feel,
‘Nor boots it all my sufferings to reveal.
‘But since ye jointly importune my aid,
‘Cupid shall yield, and Venus be obey'd.’
She said; and Juno press'd her hand and smil'd,
Then answered thus, benevolent and mild:
“O grant this boon; do instant as you say;
“Chide not the boy, and he will soon obey.”
And Venus thus her woeful tale pursu'd:
‘Others may ridicule the pains I feel,
‘Nor boots it all my sufferings to reveal.
‘But since ye jointly importune my aid,
‘Cupid shall yield, and Venus be obey'd.’
She said; and Juno press'd her hand and smil'd,
Then answered thus, benevolent and mild:
“O grant this boon; do instant as you say;
“Chide not the boy, and he will soon obey.”
This said, both hasten'd to the realms above,
And left the mansions of the queen of love:
The Cyprian goddess o'er Olympus flies,
To find her son in every dale she pries,
Through heaven's gay meads the queen pursu'd her way,
And found him there with Ganymede at play.
Him Jove translated to the blest abodes,
And, fam'd for beauty, plac'd among the Gods.
With golden dice, like boon compeers they play'd:
Love in his hollow hand some cubes convey'd,
Resolv'd to cheat young Ganymede with those,
While on his cheeks the conscious crimson rose.
The Phrygian boy was vanquish'd to his cost,
Two dice alone remain'd, and those he lost.
Silent he sat in dull dejected state,
Enrag'd that Cupid should deride his fate:
His loss increasing with protracted play,
He went a wretch with empty hands away,
Nor saw he Venus: she her Cupid took
Fast by the cheek, and thus upbraiding spoke:
And left the mansions of the queen of love:
The Cyprian goddess o'er Olympus flies,
To find her son in every dale she pries,
Through heaven's gay meads the queen pursu'd her way,
And found him there with Ganymede at play.
Him Jove translated to the blest abodes,
And, fam'd for beauty, plac'd among the Gods.
With golden dice, like boon compeers they play'd:
Love in his hollow hand some cubes convey'd,
Resolv'd to cheat young Ganymede with those,
While on his cheeks the conscious crimson rose.
153
Two dice alone remain'd, and those he lost.
Silent he sat in dull dejected state,
Enrag'd that Cupid should deride his fate:
His loss increasing with protracted play,
He went a wretch with empty hands away,
Nor saw he Venus: she her Cupid took
Fast by the cheek, and thus upbraiding spoke:
‘And can you laugh, you sly, deceitful elf?
‘Such tricks will bring a scandal on yourself.
‘But haste, my Cupid, my commands obey,
‘And a nice plaything shall your toils repay,
‘What once to Jove dear Adrastæa gave,
‘When Jove was nourish'd in the Cretan cave,
‘A sweet round ball; oh! keep it for my sake,
‘A finer ball not Vulcan's hands can make.
‘Gold are the circles, beauteous to behold,
‘And all the finish'd seams are wrought in gold;
‘But all so close they scarcely can be found:
‘And the pale ivy winds its wreaths around.
‘If high in air you fling this ball afar,
‘It shines and glimmers like a radiant star.
‘This prize I'll give, if you propitious prove,
‘And lure Medea to the toils of love;
‘Fire all her soul for Jason: haste, away;
‘The favour is diminish'd by delay.’
She said, and Cupid listening long'd to hear,
For her sweet words are music to his ear.
He ceas'd his pastime, and with both his hands
Hangs on the Goddess, and the ball demands.
She kiss'd her boy, and press'd him to her cheek,
And fondly smiling thus she answer'd meek:
‘By thee, my son, and by myself I swear,
‘By all that's sacred, and by all that's dear,
‘This ball I'll give thee, if thy fatal dart
‘Thou fix unerring in Medea's heart.’
‘Such tricks will bring a scandal on yourself.
‘But haste, my Cupid, my commands obey,
‘And a nice plaything shall your toils repay,
‘What once to Jove dear Adrastæa gave,
‘When Jove was nourish'd in the Cretan cave,
‘A sweet round ball; oh! keep it for my sake,
‘A finer ball not Vulcan's hands can make.
‘Gold are the circles, beauteous to behold,
‘And all the finish'd seams are wrought in gold;
‘But all so close they scarcely can be found:
‘And the pale ivy winds its wreaths around.
‘If high in air you fling this ball afar,
‘It shines and glimmers like a radiant star.
‘This prize I'll give, if you propitious prove,
‘And lure Medea to the toils of love;
154
‘The favour is diminish'd by delay.’
She said, and Cupid listening long'd to hear,
For her sweet words are music to his ear.
He ceas'd his pastime, and with both his hands
Hangs on the Goddess, and the ball demands.
She kiss'd her boy, and press'd him to her cheek,
And fondly smiling thus she answer'd meek:
‘By thee, my son, and by myself I swear,
‘By all that's sacred, and by all that's dear,
‘This ball I'll give thee, if thy fatal dart
‘Thou fix unerring in Medea's heart.’
This said; he gather'd all his dice with haste,
And in his mother's splendid lap he plac'd.
Then snatch'd his bow and quiver from the ground,
And to his back with golden girdle bound.
From Jove's all-fertile plains he swift withdrew,
And thro' Olympus' golden portals flew.
Thence the descent is easy from the sky,
Where the two poles erect their heads on high,
Where the tall mountains their rough tops display,
And where the sun first gives the radiant day.
Hence you behold the fertile earth below,
The winding streams, the cliffs' aerial brow,
Cities extended on the distant plain,
And thro' the vast expanse the roaring main.
And in his mother's splendid lap he plac'd.
Then snatch'd his bow and quiver from the ground,
And to his back with golden girdle bound.
From Jove's all-fertile plains he swift withdrew,
And thro' Olympus' golden portals flew.
Thence the descent is easy from the sky,
Where the two poles erect their heads on high,
Where the tall mountains their rough tops display,
And where the sun first gives the radiant day.
Hence you behold the fertile earth below,
The winding streams, the cliffs' aerial brow,
155
And thro' the vast expanse the roaring main.
On the broad Phasis, in a sedgy bay,
Stretch'd on the deck the Grecian heroes lay;
Till call'd to council rose each godlike man,
And Jason thus the conference began:
“To you, my comrades, be my counsel known,
“'Tis yours that counsel with success to crown.
“One common cause our great emprise is made;
“The common cause demands the common aid.
“He who unutter'd can his counsel keep,
“Stays our resailing o'er the sounding deep.
“I to Æeta's court will speed my way,
“The rest well-arm'd shall in the vessel stay;
“With me shall go, the palace to explore,
“Phrixus' brave sons, and two associates more.
“First will I prove the power of soft address
“To gain the fleece; complacence wins success.
“If in his arms he sternly should confide,
“And spurn our claims with insolence and pride,
“Consult we whether, when such powers oppress,
“By arms or arts to free us from distress.
“Be force the last alternative we take,
“For soothing speeches deep impressions make;
“And oft, where force and martial prowess fail,
“The milder powers of eloquence prevail.
“Once king Æeta kind reception gave
“To blameless Phrixus, when escap'd the wave
“He fled from Ino's unrelenting hate,
“And the dire altars that denounc'd his fate.
“Savage or social, all alike approve
“The sacred rites of hospitable Jove.”
Stretch'd on the deck the Grecian heroes lay;
Till call'd to council rose each godlike man,
And Jason thus the conference began:
“To you, my comrades, be my counsel known,
“'Tis yours that counsel with success to crown.
“One common cause our great emprise is made;
“The common cause demands the common aid.
“He who unutter'd can his counsel keep,
“Stays our resailing o'er the sounding deep.
“I to Æeta's court will speed my way,
“The rest well-arm'd shall in the vessel stay;
“With me shall go, the palace to explore,
“Phrixus' brave sons, and two associates more.
“First will I prove the power of soft address
“To gain the fleece; complacence wins success.
“If in his arms he sternly should confide,
“And spurn our claims with insolence and pride,
“Consult we whether, when such powers oppress,
“By arms or arts to free us from distress.
“Be force the last alternative we take,
“For soothing speeches deep impressions make;
156
“The milder powers of eloquence prevail.
“Once king Æeta kind reception gave
“To blameless Phrixus, when escap'd the wave
“He fled from Ino's unrelenting hate,
“And the dire altars that denounc'd his fate.
“Savage or social, all alike approve
“The sacred rites of hospitable Jove.”
He said: the Greeks his sage advice rever'd;
No voice dissentient thro' the host was heard:
Augeas then, and Telamon attends,
And with them Phrixus' sons, his faithful friends;
Jason they follow: he thy peaceful wand,
All-sapient Hermes, brandish'd in his hand.
Soon from the ship they gain the rising ground,
Mount every steep, and o'er the marshes bound,
Till Circe's plain they reach; in many a row
Here humble shrubs and lonely willows grow;
On whose tall branches, wavering o'er the fen,
Suspended hang the carcases of men.
At Colchos still this barbarous rite prevails:
They never burn the bodies of the males,
Nor deep in earth their decent limbs compose,
And with sepulchral dust the dead enclose;
But in raw hides they hang them high in air:
And yet, that earth may equal portions share,
Departed females to the grave they doom,
(Such are their rites) and close them in the tomb.
No voice dissentient thro' the host was heard:
Augeas then, and Telamon attends,
And with them Phrixus' sons, his faithful friends;
Jason they follow: he thy peaceful wand,
All-sapient Hermes, brandish'd in his hand.
Soon from the ship they gain the rising ground,
Mount every steep, and o'er the marshes bound,
Till Circe's plain they reach; in many a row
Here humble shrubs and lonely willows grow;
On whose tall branches, wavering o'er the fen,
Suspended hang the carcases of men.
At Colchos still this barbarous rite prevails:
They never burn the bodies of the males,
Nor deep in earth their decent limbs compose,
And with sepulchral dust the dead enclose;
157
And yet, that earth may equal portions share,
Departed females to the grave they doom,
(Such are their rites) and close them in the tomb.
The chiefs advance; but friendly Juno shrouds
Her favourite heroes in a veil of clouds,
That none, too curious, might their steps delay,
While to the regal dome they bent their way:
But when unseen they pass'd the vulgar crowd,
The same kind deity dissolv'd the cloud.
Full in the court they stand with fix'd amaze,
On the proud gates, strong walls and columns gaze,
Which, rear'd in rows, erect their heads on high,
And lift the brazen cornice to the sky.
The portal past, young branching vines appear,
And high in air their verdant honours rear:
Beneath whose boughs, by matchless Vulcan made,
Four copious fountains in four currents play'd;
The first with milk, with wine the second glow'd,
Ambrosial oil the third, the fourth with water flow'd;
This, as by turns the Pleiads set or rose,
Dissolv'd in summer, and in winter froze.
Such were the wonders which the chiefs admire,
All highly finished by the God of fire.
With these were brass-hoof'd bulls, of curious frame,
From brazen nostrils breathing living flame.
And, near, a plough of burnish'd steel was laid,
Which for the God of day great Vulcan made,
When Phœbus brought him in his friendly car,
Sore harrass'd in the fierce Phlegræan war.
The midmost court they reach; on either side
Large folding doors the various rooms divide.
Two painted porticoes salute their eyes,
And high in air transverse two turrets rise;
In this, which far in stately height excels,
Æeta with his royal consort dwells:
Absyrtus that contains, his royal heir,
Descended from Asterode the fair,
A Scythian nymph, ere yet Æeta led
Idya, Ocean's daughter, to his bed.
Him Phaeton the youthful Colchians call,
For he in beauty far surpass'd them all.
The proud apartments that remain'd contain
Chalciope, Medea and their train.
Ordain'd a priestess to the Stygian queen,
She at the palace now was seldom seen:
But artful Juno, on this signal day,
Within the regal court decreed her stay.
Here now, from room to room, the pensive maid,
To find Chalciope her sister, stray'd.
Soon as she spied them in the spacious hall,
Aloud she call'd, her sister heard her call,
And with her maidens sallied from the door;
Their growing webs were scatter'd on the floor.
Well-pleas'd her sons she sees, and raptur'd stands,
While high to heaven she rears her greeting hands;
With equal joy to her embrace they fly.
Then thus Chalciope with plaintive cry:
‘Here tho' you left me, heedless of my cries,
‘See! fate hath frown'd upon your bold emprise;
‘Hath check'd your voyage o'er the distant main,
‘And soon restor'd you to these arms again.
‘Wretch that I was, when by your sire's command,
‘Ye sought in evil hour the Grecian land!
‘Sad was the task your dying sire enjoin'd,
‘Sad and distressful to a mother's mind.
‘Ah! whence the wish Orchomenos to see,
‘His city visit, and abandon me?
‘Yes, Athamas's fancied wealth to gain,
‘Ye left me sorrowing, and ye sought the main.’
Her favourite heroes in a veil of clouds,
That none, too curious, might their steps delay,
While to the regal dome they bent their way:
But when unseen they pass'd the vulgar crowd,
The same kind deity dissolv'd the cloud.
Full in the court they stand with fix'd amaze,
On the proud gates, strong walls and columns gaze,
Which, rear'd in rows, erect their heads on high,
And lift the brazen cornice to the sky.
The portal past, young branching vines appear,
And high in air their verdant honours rear:
Beneath whose boughs, by matchless Vulcan made,
Four copious fountains in four currents play'd;
The first with milk, with wine the second glow'd,
Ambrosial oil the third, the fourth with water flow'd;
This, as by turns the Pleiads set or rose,
Dissolv'd in summer, and in winter froze.
Such were the wonders which the chiefs admire,
All highly finished by the God of fire.
158
From brazen nostrils breathing living flame.
And, near, a plough of burnish'd steel was laid,
Which for the God of day great Vulcan made,
When Phœbus brought him in his friendly car,
Sore harrass'd in the fierce Phlegræan war.
The midmost court they reach; on either side
Large folding doors the various rooms divide.
Two painted porticoes salute their eyes,
And high in air transverse two turrets rise;
In this, which far in stately height excels,
Æeta with his royal consort dwells:
Absyrtus that contains, his royal heir,
Descended from Asterode the fair,
A Scythian nymph, ere yet Æeta led
Idya, Ocean's daughter, to his bed.
Him Phaeton the youthful Colchians call,
For he in beauty far surpass'd them all.
The proud apartments that remain'd contain
Chalciope, Medea and their train.
Ordain'd a priestess to the Stygian queen,
She at the palace now was seldom seen:
But artful Juno, on this signal day,
Within the regal court decreed her stay.
159
To find Chalciope her sister, stray'd.
Soon as she spied them in the spacious hall,
Aloud she call'd, her sister heard her call,
And with her maidens sallied from the door;
Their growing webs were scatter'd on the floor.
Well-pleas'd her sons she sees, and raptur'd stands,
While high to heaven she rears her greeting hands;
With equal joy to her embrace they fly.
Then thus Chalciope with plaintive cry:
‘Here tho' you left me, heedless of my cries,
‘See! fate hath frown'd upon your bold emprise;
‘Hath check'd your voyage o'er the distant main,
‘And soon restor'd you to these arms again.
‘Wretch that I was, when by your sire's command,
‘Ye sought in evil hour the Grecian land!
‘Sad was the task your dying sire enjoin'd,
‘Sad and distressful to a mother's mind.
‘Ah! whence the wish Orchomenos to see,
‘His city visit, and abandon me?
‘Yes, Athamas's fancied wealth to gain,
‘Ye left me sorrowing, and ye sought the main.’
Rous'd by her cries, at length Æeta came,
And to the hall repair'd his royal dame.
With busy crowds the spacious hall is fill'd;
The steer is chosen, and the victim kill'd.
Some heat the baths, some cleave the knotty wood,
And all attentive round their monarch stood.
And to the hall repair'd his royal dame.
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The steer is chosen, and the victim kill'd.
Some heat the baths, some cleave the knotty wood,
And all attentive round their monarch stood.
Cupid mean time, thro' liquid air serene,
Speeds to the Colchian court his flight unseen;
Like that large fly, which breese the shepherds call,
That hastes to sting the heifers in the stall.
The nimble God, unseen, the porch ascends,
And there his bow behind a pillar bends;
A fatal arrow from his quiver took,
And quick advancing with insidious look,
Behind great Æson's son, conceal'd from sight,
He fits the arrow, fatal in its flight;
Bends the tough bow with all his strength and art,
And deep he hides it in Medea's heart.
A sudden transport seiz'd the melting maid:
The God, exulting now, no longer staid.
The glowing shaft the virgin's heart inspires,
And in her bosom kindles amorous fires.
On Jason beam'd the splendor of her eyes;
Her swoln breast heav'd with unremitting sighs:
The frantic maid had all remembrance lost,
And the soft pain her sickening soul engross'd.
As some good housewise, who, to labour born,
Fresh to her loom must rise with early morn;
Studious to gain what human wants require,
In embers heap'd preserves the seeds of fire;
Renew'd by these the brand rekindling burns,
And all the glowing heap to ashes turns:
Thus, kindling slow, love's secret flames invade,
And torture, as they rise, the troubled maid:
Her changeful cheeks the heart-felt anguish show,
Now pale they turn, now like the ruby glow.
Speeds to the Colchian court his flight unseen;
Like that large fly, which breese the shepherds call,
That hastes to sting the heifers in the stall.
The nimble God, unseen, the porch ascends,
And there his bow behind a pillar bends;
A fatal arrow from his quiver took,
And quick advancing with insidious look,
Behind great Æson's son, conceal'd from sight,
He fits the arrow, fatal in its flight;
Bends the tough bow with all his strength and art,
And deep he hides it in Medea's heart.
A sudden transport seiz'd the melting maid:
The God, exulting now, no longer staid.
The glowing shaft the virgin's heart inspires,
And in her bosom kindles amorous fires.
On Jason beam'd the splendor of her eyes;
Her swoln breast heav'd with unremitting sighs:
The frantic maid had all remembrance lost,
And the soft pain her sickening soul engross'd.
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Fresh to her loom must rise with early morn;
Studious to gain what human wants require,
In embers heap'd preserves the seeds of fire;
Renew'd by these the brand rekindling burns,
And all the glowing heap to ashes turns:
Thus, kindling slow, love's secret flames invade,
And torture, as they rise, the troubled maid:
Her changeful cheeks the heart-felt anguish show,
Now pale they turn, now like the ruby glow.
The rich repast by seneschals prepar'd,
Fresh from their baths return'd, the strangers shar'd;
And when the rage of hunger was suppress'd,
His grandsons thus the Colchian king address'd:
Fresh from their baths return'd, the strangers shar'd;
And when the rage of hunger was suppress'd,
His grandsons thus the Colchian king address'd:
‘Sons of my child, and Phrixus, honour'd most
‘Of all the guests that reach'd the Colchian coast,
‘Say, why so soon return'd? what loss constrains
‘This speedy visit to your native plains?
‘In vain, with terrors for your safety fraught,
‘I urg'd the distance of the climes ye sought;
‘Warn'd, since of old my sire's bright chariot bore
‘Me and fair Circe to Hesperia's shore,
‘Where now o'er Tuscan realms my sister reigns,
‘A long, long distance from the Colchian plains.
‘But what of this? come now, the cause declare
‘That brought you back, and who these heroes are.’
‘Of all the guests that reach'd the Colchian coast,
‘Say, why so soon return'd? what loss constrains
‘This speedy visit to your native plains?
‘In vain, with terrors for your safety fraught,
‘I urg'd the distance of the climes ye sought;
‘Warn'd, since of old my sire's bright chariot bore
‘Me and fair Circe to Hesperia's shore,
‘Where now o'er Tuscan realms my sister reigns,
‘A long, long distance from the Colchian plains.
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‘That brought you back, and who these heroes are.’
Then Argus, anxious for the Grecian band,
By birthright eldest, rose and answer'd bland:
By birthright eldest, rose and answer'd bland:
“Our ship, O king, by nightly tempests tost,
“On Mars's isle, a dreary coast, was lost;
“We, on the wreck by furious surges driv'n,
“Were sav'd at last by kind protecting heav'n.
“Nor did those birds then desolate the shore,
“Dire Harpies, that infested it before;
“For these brave warriors, the preceding day,
“Had driven the curst, infernal fiends away.
“Sure to our prayer some God inclin'd his ear;
“For when of Phrixus and your name they hear,
“Food for our wants, and raiment they convey,
“And to your city now they bend their way.
“But would you know, I'll tell their purpos'd plan:
“Lo! sprung from Æolus the godlike man,
“Whom a fierce tyrant's stern decree constrains
“To quit his country and his rich domains:
“Nor can he scape Jove's rage, unless the fleece,
“Base theft of Phrixus, be restor'd to Greece.
“Their ship was fashion'd by Minerva's aid;
“How different are the Colchian vessels made!
“Ours, far the worst that ever rear'd a mast,
“Split with the tempest's desolating blast;
“Theirs, firm-compacted, and of fittest wood;
“Defied each storm that heav'd the troubled flood:
“With equal speed their nimble vessel sails,
“Impell'd by oars alone, or favouring gales.
“In this their chief, with chosen Greeks, explores
“Unnumber'd seas, and towns, and wide-extended shores.
“And now he sues the golden fleece to gain;
“But that as best your princely will ordain—
“Nor hostile comes he; as a friend he brings
“Large gifts proportion'd to the state of kings.
“Inform'd the fierce Sarmatians waste your lands,
“He vows destruction to their barbarous bands.
“On Mars's isle, a dreary coast, was lost;
“We, on the wreck by furious surges driv'n,
“Were sav'd at last by kind protecting heav'n.
“Nor did those birds then desolate the shore,
“Dire Harpies, that infested it before;
“For these brave warriors, the preceding day,
“Had driven the curst, infernal fiends away.
“Sure to our prayer some God inclin'd his ear;
“For when of Phrixus and your name they hear,
“Food for our wants, and raiment they convey,
“And to your city now they bend their way.
“But would you know, I'll tell their purpos'd plan:
“Lo! sprung from Æolus the godlike man,
“Whom a fierce tyrant's stern decree constrains
“To quit his country and his rich domains:
“Nor can he scape Jove's rage, unless the fleece,
“Base theft of Phrixus, be restor'd to Greece.
“Their ship was fashion'd by Minerva's aid;
“How different are the Colchian vessels made!
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“Split with the tempest's desolating blast;
“Theirs, firm-compacted, and of fittest wood;
“Defied each storm that heav'd the troubled flood:
“With equal speed their nimble vessel sails,
“Impell'd by oars alone, or favouring gales.
“In this their chief, with chosen Greeks, explores
“Unnumber'd seas, and towns, and wide-extended shores.
“And now he sues the golden fleece to gain;
“But that as best your princely will ordain—
“Nor hostile comes he; as a friend he brings
“Large gifts proportion'd to the state of kings.
“Inform'd the fierce Sarmatians waste your lands,
“He vows destruction to their barbarous bands.
“Their names and lineage should you wish to hear,
“Lend to my narrative a listening ear.
“He, in whose cause the Grecian chiefs conspire,
“Is valiant Jason, Æson is his sire,
“The son of Cretheus: thus are we ally'd
“By blood, relations on the father's side:
“The sons of Æolus were Cretheus fam'd,
“And Athemas, whose heir was Phrixus nam'd.
“'Mid yon brave chiefs, Augeas you survey,
“Illustrious offspring of the God of day,
“And Telamon, who high his birth can prove,
“His sire is Æacus, his grandsire Jove:
“The rest, that visit your august abodes,
“Are all the sons or grandsons of the Gods.”
“Lend to my narrative a listening ear.
“He, in whose cause the Grecian chiefs conspire,
“Is valiant Jason, Æson is his sire,
“The son of Cretheus: thus are we ally'd
“By blood, relations on the father's side:
“The sons of Æolus were Cretheus fam'd,
“And Athemas, whose heir was Phrixus nam'd.
“'Mid yon brave chiefs, Augeas you survey,
“Illustrious offspring of the God of day,
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“His sire is Æacus, his grandsire Jove:
“The rest, that visit your august abodes,
“Are all the sons or grandsons of the Gods.”
This said, the King with indignation swell'd,
But chief enrag'd his grandsons he beheld;
Thro' them he deem'd the Greeks to Colchos came:
His eye-balls redden'd with avenging flame,
While thus he spoke: ‘Hence from my sight away,
‘Nor longer, traitors, in my kingdom stay:
‘Back, back to Greece your speedy course pursue,
‘Nor idly hope the golden fleece to view.
‘Not for that fleece (vain pretext ye must own)
‘But for my sceptre came ye, and my crown.
‘Had ye not first my feast partook to-day,
‘Your tongues and hands, torn out and lopp'd away,
‘Should for your bold atrocious crimes atone:
‘My just revenge had spar'd your feet alone,
‘To bear you hastily to Greece again,
‘Dreading to visit more my just domain,
‘And with your perjuries the Gods profane.’
But chief enrag'd his grandsons he beheld;
Thro' them he deem'd the Greeks to Colchos came:
His eye-balls redden'd with avenging flame,
While thus he spoke: ‘Hence from my sight away,
‘Nor longer, traitors, in my kingdom stay:
‘Back, back to Greece your speedy course pursue,
‘Nor idly hope the golden fleece to view.
‘Not for that fleece (vain pretext ye must own)
‘But for my sceptre came ye, and my crown.
‘Had ye not first my feast partook to-day,
‘Your tongues and hands, torn out and lopp'd away,
‘Should for your bold atrocious crimes atone:
‘My just revenge had spar'd your feet alone,
‘To bear you hastily to Greece again,
‘Dreading to visit more my just domain,
‘And with your perjuries the Gods profane.’
He said: bold Telamon with fury burn'd,
And to the King stern answer had return'd,
But Jason check'd his warmth, and mild reply'd:
“Let not Æeta falsly thus decide.
“Nor crowns, nor empires come we here to gain;
“Who for such wealth would measure half the main?
“But fate, and Pelias' more severe command,
“Have forc'd the suppliant on your friendly land.
“Aid us, and Greece your praises shall record,
“And thank you, sovereign, with their conquering sword;
“Whether the fierce Sarmatians to inthrall,
“Or realms more barbarous for your vengeance call.”
While Jason thus in gentlest terms reply'd,
The tyrant's breast distracting thoughts divide,
Whether with vengeance on the foe to fly,
Or in the field of Mars his courage try.
On this resolv'd, ‘What need (he thus begun)
‘With tedious tales my harrass'd ears to stun?
‘For whether from immortals ye descend,
‘Or match'd in might ye dare with me contend,
‘Soon will I prove; that proof must thou display;
‘Then, if victorious, bear the fleece away;
‘Nor shall my hand the golden prize withold:
‘Like your proud lord, I envy not the bold.
‘This nervous arm shall now sustain the fight,
‘Which calls to speedy proof thy boasted might.
‘Two bulls in Mars's field your wonder claim,
‘Their hoofs of brass, their nostrils breathing flame,
‘These oft I seize, and to the yoke constrain
‘To plough four acres of the stubborn plain.
‘No seeds I sow, but scatter o'er the land
‘A dragon's teeth; when, lo! an armed band
‘Of chiefs spring up: but soon as they appear,
‘I slay th' embattled squadrons with my spear.
‘Each morn I yoke the bulls, at eve resign:
‘Perform this labour, and the fleece is thine.
‘These are the terms; on these the prize I quit:
‘The weaker to the stronger must submit.’
And to the King stern answer had return'd,
But Jason check'd his warmth, and mild reply'd:
“Let not Æeta falsly thus decide.
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“Who for such wealth would measure half the main?
“But fate, and Pelias' more severe command,
“Have forc'd the suppliant on your friendly land.
“Aid us, and Greece your praises shall record,
“And thank you, sovereign, with their conquering sword;
“Whether the fierce Sarmatians to inthrall,
“Or realms more barbarous for your vengeance call.”
While Jason thus in gentlest terms reply'd,
The tyrant's breast distracting thoughts divide,
Whether with vengeance on the foe to fly,
Or in the field of Mars his courage try.
On this resolv'd, ‘What need (he thus begun)
‘With tedious tales my harrass'd ears to stun?
‘For whether from immortals ye descend,
‘Or match'd in might ye dare with me contend,
‘Soon will I prove; that proof must thou display;
‘Then, if victorious, bear the fleece away;
‘Nor shall my hand the golden prize withold:
‘Like your proud lord, I envy not the bold.
‘This nervous arm shall now sustain the fight,
‘Which calls to speedy proof thy boasted might.
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‘Their hoofs of brass, their nostrils breathing flame,
‘These oft I seize, and to the yoke constrain
‘To plough four acres of the stubborn plain.
‘No seeds I sow, but scatter o'er the land
‘A dragon's teeth; when, lo! an armed band
‘Of chiefs spring up: but soon as they appear,
‘I slay th' embattled squadrons with my spear.
‘Each morn I yoke the bulls, at eve resign:
‘Perform this labour, and the fleece is thine.
‘These are the terms; on these the prize I quit:
‘The weaker to the stronger must submit.’
He said; and Jason, sunk in thought profound,
Sat mute, his eyes fast fix'd upon the ground;
Long time he ponder'd o'er the vast design,
Nor dar'd with confidence the battle join.
So hard the task, he stood embarrass'd long,
At last these words dropp'd cautious from his tongue:
“Cruel thy terms, but just: my strength I'll try
“In this dread conflict, though ordain'd to die.
“For, say, what law so rigorous can there be,
“As the hard law of fix'd necessity?
“That law which forc'd me from my native home,
“And bad me thus in search of dangers roam?”
Sat mute, his eyes fast fix'd upon the ground;
Long time he ponder'd o'er the vast design,
Nor dar'd with confidence the battle join.
So hard the task, he stood embarrass'd long,
At last these words dropp'd cautious from his tongue:
“Cruel thy terms, but just: my strength I'll try
“In this dread conflict, though ordain'd to die.
“For, say, what law so rigorous can there be,
“As the hard law of fix'd necessity?
“That law which forc'd me from my native home,
“And bad me thus in search of dangers roam?”
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Perplex'd he spoke: then thus the king in rage,
‘Rejoin thy comrades, since thou dar'st engage.
‘But if the bulls constrain thy heart to yield,
‘Or the dread dangers of the martial field,
‘Be mine the toil; that hence the coward-slave
‘May dread to combat with the bold and brave.’
‘Rejoin thy comrades, since thou dar'st engage.
‘But if the bulls constrain thy heart to yield,
‘Or the dread dangers of the martial field,
‘Be mine the toil; that hence the coward-slave
‘May dread to combat with the bold and brave.’
Imperious thus the haughty king replies:
And from their seats incens'd the heroes rise.
To warn his brothers here, at home, to wait,
Argus stopp'd short awhile: then rush'd they thro' the gate.
And from their seats incens'd the heroes rise.
To warn his brothers here, at home, to wait,
Argus stopp'd short awhile: then rush'd they thro' the gate.
Far o'er the rest, in grace unmatch'd alone,
And charms superior youthful Jason shone.
Him thro' her veil the love-distracted maid
With melting eyes, and glance oblique survey'd:
Her mind, as in a dream, bewilder'd ran,
And trac'd the footsteps of the godlike man.
Sorrowing they went: to shun the monarch's ire,
With fond Chalciope her sons retire;
Medea follow'd, but with cares oppress'd;
Such cares as love had rais'd within her breast.
His graceful image in her mind she bore,
His gait, his manner, and the robe he wore,
His pointed words: thro' earth's remotest bound
No prince she deem'd with such perfections crown'd.
His tuneful voice still, still she seems to hear,
Still the sweet accents charm her listening ear.
The bulls and wrathful king excite her dread:
She mourns his fate, as if already dead.
From her bright eyes the shower of anguish breaks,
And thus, o'erwhelm'd with woe, Medea speaks:
And charms superior youthful Jason shone.
Him thro' her veil the love-distracted maid
With melting eyes, and glance oblique survey'd:
Her mind, as in a dream, bewilder'd ran,
And trac'd the footsteps of the godlike man.
Sorrowing they went: to shun the monarch's ire,
With fond Chalciope her sons retire;
Medea follow'd, but with cares oppress'd;
Such cares as love had rais'd within her breast.
His graceful image in her mind she bore,
His gait, his manner, and the robe he wore,
His pointed words: thro' earth's remotest bound
No prince she deem'd with such perfections crown'd.
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Still the sweet accents charm her listening ear.
The bulls and wrathful king excite her dread:
She mourns his fate, as if already dead.
From her bright eyes the shower of anguish breaks,
And thus, o'erwhelm'd with woe, Medea speaks:
“Why fall the tears of sorrow from my eyes,
“Tho' he the first or last of heroes dies?
“Perish the man!—no, safely let him sail;
“And may my prayer, kind Hecate, prevail!
“Safe sail he home: but, ah! if doom'd to bleed,
“Teach him, that I rejoice not in the deed.”
“Tho' he the first or last of heroes dies?
“Perish the man!—no, safely let him sail;
“And may my prayer, kind Hecate, prevail!
“Safe sail he home: but, ah! if doom'd to bleed,
“Teach him, that I rejoice not in the deed.”
Thus mourn'd the maid: meantime to join their train,
The chiefs pursue their course along the plain;
Then Argus thus: ‘Though, Jason, you may blame,
‘And spurn the counsel which I now proclaim;
‘Yet sure for us, with threatening dangers press'd,
‘To try some safe expedient must be best.
‘A maid there is whose wondrous art excels,
‘Long taught by Hecate, in magic spells:
‘If she propitious to our wishes yield,
‘Thou com'st victorious from the martial field:
‘But if Chalciope decline her aid,
‘Be mine with tenderest motives to persuade.
‘Instant I'll go, on her for succour call;
‘For lo! one general ruin threatens all.’
Humane he spoke, and Jason thus rejoin'd;
“Much I admire the purpose of thy mind.
“Go, friend, to thy Chalciope repair,
“Sue her with soft entreaty and with pray'r:
“But, ah! vain hopes our vacant minds must fill,
“Who trust for conquest to a woman's skill.”
The chiefs pursue their course along the plain;
Then Argus thus: ‘Though, Jason, you may blame,
‘And spurn the counsel which I now proclaim;
‘Yet sure for us, with threatening dangers press'd,
‘To try some safe expedient must be best.
‘A maid there is whose wondrous art excels,
‘Long taught by Hecate, in magic spells:
‘If she propitious to our wishes yield,
‘Thou com'st victorious from the martial field:
‘But if Chalciope decline her aid,
‘Be mine with tenderest motives to persuade.
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‘For lo! one general ruin threatens all.’
Humane he spoke, and Jason thus rejoin'd;
“Much I admire the purpose of thy mind.
“Go, friend, to thy Chalciope repair,
“Sue her with soft entreaty and with pray'r:
“But, ah! vain hopes our vacant minds must fill,
“Who trust for conquest to a woman's skill.”
He said; and soon they join'd their social train,
Rejoic'd to meet their princely peers again.
Then Jason thus began his mournful tale:
“With proud Æeta soft entreaties fail;
“Our purpos'd end unable to attain,
“Vain are my words, and your enquiries vain.
“Two monstrous bulls the tyrant bids me tame;
“Their hoofs of brass, their nostrils breathing flame;
“These must my prowess to the yoke constrain,
“To plough four acres of the stubborn plain;
“My seed a dragon's teeth, to sow the land;
“When lo! up springs a formidable band
“Of bright-arm'd giants; soon as they appear,
“Poiz'd by this arm, my well-directed spear
“Must pierce the foe: intrepid I accede
“To the hard terms, nor future dangers heed.”
Rejoic'd to meet their princely peers again.
Then Jason thus began his mournful tale:
“With proud Æeta soft entreaties fail;
“Our purpos'd end unable to attain,
“Vain are my words, and your enquiries vain.
“Two monstrous bulls the tyrant bids me tame;
“Their hoofs of brass, their nostrils breathing flame;
“These must my prowess to the yoke constrain,
“To plough four acres of the stubborn plain;
“My seed a dragon's teeth, to sow the land;
“When lo! up springs a formidable band
“Of bright-arm'd giants; soon as they appear,
“Poiz'd by this arm, my well-directed spear
“Must pierce the foe: intrepid I accede
“To the hard terms, nor future dangers heed.”
He said: they deem'd it all a desperate deed;
Silent they stood, with sad dejected look
Each gaz'd on other, till bold Peleus spoke:
‘Time calls for our resolves; our safety stands
‘No more in counsel, but in strength of hands.
‘If, Jason, eager of the honour, thou
‘Wilt yoke these fiery monsters to the plough,
‘Haste to the charge; but if thy soul relent,
‘Sunk in sad bodings of the dire event,
‘Nor dar'st thou go; then go not, nor look round,
‘If haply here some fitter man be found;
‘Myself will go, and risk my dearest breath;
‘No greater evil can befall than death.’
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Each gaz'd on other, till bold Peleus spoke:
‘Time calls for our resolves; our safety stands
‘No more in counsel, but in strength of hands.
‘If, Jason, eager of the honour, thou
‘Wilt yoke these fiery monsters to the plough,
‘Haste to the charge; but if thy soul relent,
‘Sunk in sad bodings of the dire event,
‘Nor dar'st thou go; then go not, nor look round,
‘If haply here some fitter man be found;
‘Myself will go, and risk my dearest breath;
‘No greater evil can befall than death.’
He spoke; and Telamon with rage inspir'd
Starts up, and Idas with like fury fir'd;
Next the twin-race of Tyndarus arise;
Last Oeneus' son, who with the bravest vies;
Tho' o'er his cheeks scarce spreads the callow down,
His heart beats high for honour and renown.
And while the rest in mute attention stand,
Argus bespeaks the emulative band:
“Tho' hard the task, O chiefs, I still portend
“My parent will assist, and prove a friend.
“Still in your ship awhile with patience wait;
“For rashness will accelerate your fate.
“Know, at Æeta's court a maiden dwells,
“Deep skill'd by Hecate in magic spells:
“All plants she knows that grow on mountains steep,
“On vales, or meads, or in the boundless deep;
“By these she quells the fire's relentless force,
“Stops the mad torrent in its headlong course,
“Retards the planets as they roll on high,
“And draws the moon reluctant from the sky.
“As from the palace o'er the plain we came
“We mention'd oft my mother's honour'd name;
“If she perchance her sister could persuade,
“And fix our interest in the magic maid.
“Back, if you bid, my ready steps I bend;
“Fortune may smile, and fair success attend.”
He said; when, lo! this signal of their love,
Was kindly given them by the Powers above;
For, by the falcon chas'd, a trembling dove,
Far from his foe, to Jason's bosom flies;
Stunn'd on the deck the felon falcon lies.
Then Mopsus thus divin'd: ‘The Powers of heav'n,
‘They, they alone this gracious sign have giv'n.
‘Be then the maid in mildest terms address'd;
‘She'll listen friendly to our joint request,
‘I ween she will; if Phineus could foreknow
‘That we to Venus must our safety owe.
‘For, lo! her bird escapes: oh! may we prove
‘With safety crown'd, like her auspicious dove.
‘Entreat we now for Cytherea's aid,
‘And let th' advice of Argus be obey'd.’
Starts up, and Idas with like fury fir'd;
Next the twin-race of Tyndarus arise;
Last Oeneus' son, who with the bravest vies;
Tho' o'er his cheeks scarce spreads the callow down,
His heart beats high for honour and renown.
And while the rest in mute attention stand,
Argus bespeaks the emulative band:
“Tho' hard the task, O chiefs, I still portend
“My parent will assist, and prove a friend.
“Still in your ship awhile with patience wait;
“For rashness will accelerate your fate.
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“Deep skill'd by Hecate in magic spells:
“All plants she knows that grow on mountains steep,
“On vales, or meads, or in the boundless deep;
“By these she quells the fire's relentless force,
“Stops the mad torrent in its headlong course,
“Retards the planets as they roll on high,
“And draws the moon reluctant from the sky.
“As from the palace o'er the plain we came
“We mention'd oft my mother's honour'd name;
“If she perchance her sister could persuade,
“And fix our interest in the magic maid.
“Back, if you bid, my ready steps I bend;
“Fortune may smile, and fair success attend.”
He said; when, lo! this signal of their love,
Was kindly given them by the Powers above;
For, by the falcon chas'd, a trembling dove,
Far from his foe, to Jason's bosom flies;
Stunn'd on the deck the felon falcon lies.
Then Mopsus thus divin'd: ‘The Powers of heav'n,
‘They, they alone this gracious sign have giv'n.
‘Be then the maid in mildest terms address'd;
‘She'll listen friendly to our joint request,
‘I ween she will; if Phineus could foreknow
‘That we to Venus must our safety owe.
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‘With safety crown'd, like her auspicious dove.
‘Entreat we now for Cytherea's aid,
‘And let th' advice of Argus be obey'd.’
Thus he; the chiefs approv'd, remembering well
What Phineus deign'd prophetic to foretell:
Idas alone with indignation burn'd,
And with loud voice thus insolent return'd:
‘Gods! what a crew hath Argo wafted o'er!
‘Women, not heroes throng the hostile shore.
‘Women, who still to Venus' altars fly,
‘Nor dare but only on her aid rely.
‘No warlike deeds your dastard souls inflame:
‘To you is Mars an unregarded name.
‘As doves or falcons but direct your flight,
‘You flinch at danger, and you dread the fight.
‘Go; and all manly, martial toils forbear,
‘Sue to weak women, and deceive the fair.’
What Phineus deign'd prophetic to foretell:
Idas alone with indignation burn'd,
And with loud voice thus insolent return'd:
‘Gods! what a crew hath Argo wafted o'er!
‘Women, not heroes throng the hostile shore.
‘Women, who still to Venus' altars fly,
‘Nor dare but only on her aid rely.
‘No warlike deeds your dastard souls inflame:
‘To you is Mars an unregarded name.
‘As doves or falcons but direct your flight,
‘You flinch at danger, and you dread the fight.
‘Go; and all manly, martial toils forbear,
‘Sue to weak women, and deceive the fair.’
Furious he spoke; a general murmur ran
Thro' the whole train; yet none oppos'd the man:
Indignant then he sat. Of dauntless breast
Thus Æson's son the listening train address'd:
“This instant Argus to the town I send,
“For thus the general suffrages intend:
“Meanwhile approach we nearer to the land,
“And fix, in sight, our halsers to the strand:
“Ill suits us longer thus to lie conceal'd;
“We neither shun, nor dread the fighting field.”
Thro' the whole train; yet none oppos'd the man:
Indignant then he sat. Of dauntless breast
Thus Æson's son the listening train address'd:
“This instant Argus to the town I send,
“For thus the general suffrages intend:
173
“And fix, in sight, our halsers to the strand:
“Ill suits us longer thus to lie conceal'd;
“We neither shun, nor dread the fighting field.”
He said, and Argus went without delay,
And to the city backward sped his way;
At Jason's call they ply the labouring oar,
And land their beds and couches on the shore.
And to the city backward sped his way;
At Jason's call they ply the labouring oar,
And land their beds and couches on the shore.
Meantime the king a council call'd, and sat,
(So were they wont) without the palace-gate.
Assembled there, unceasing toils they plann'd,
And wiles destructive to the Grecian band.
Thus he ordain'd, that when the bulls had slain
And stretch'd this dauntless hero on the plain,
Himself would lay the lofty forest low,
And for the funeral-pile prepare the bough:
Their boasted ship should be consum'd with fire,
And every traitor in the flames expire.
No hospitable rites had Phrixus shar'd,
Though much he wish'd and merited regard,
Had not Jove hasten'd Hermes from above
To win his favour and bespeak his love.
Were these invaders of his native soil
To thrive unpunish'd by rapacious spoil,
Soon would they make his lowing herds a prey,
And drive the shepherds and their flocks away.
But Phrixus' sons, who join'd the lawless crew,
He vow'd with double vengeance to pursue:
Base plunderers! come to spoil him of his crown,
So had the Sun, his sapient sire, foreshown:
Who warn'd him to suspect his faithless race,
And dread from them destruction and disgrace.
Therefore dismiss'd he, by his sire's command,
The youths far distant, ev'n to Grecian land.
His daughters gave him no perplexing care,
Nor young Absyrtus, his adopted heir;
But from Chalciope's detested race
He look'd for injuries, and fear'd disgrace.
Thus stern denouncing, as with rage he swells,
Death on each daring subject that rebels,
His guards he charg'd, and threaten'd vengeance due,
If either 'scap'd, the vessel or the crew.
(So were they wont) without the palace-gate.
Assembled there, unceasing toils they plann'd,
And wiles destructive to the Grecian band.
Thus he ordain'd, that when the bulls had slain
And stretch'd this dauntless hero on the plain,
Himself would lay the lofty forest low,
And for the funeral-pile prepare the bough:
Their boasted ship should be consum'd with fire,
And every traitor in the flames expire.
No hospitable rites had Phrixus shar'd,
Though much he wish'd and merited regard,
Had not Jove hasten'd Hermes from above
To win his favour and bespeak his love.
Were these invaders of his native soil
To thrive unpunish'd by rapacious spoil,
174
And drive the shepherds and their flocks away.
But Phrixus' sons, who join'd the lawless crew,
He vow'd with double vengeance to pursue:
Base plunderers! come to spoil him of his crown,
So had the Sun, his sapient sire, foreshown:
Who warn'd him to suspect his faithless race,
And dread from them destruction and disgrace.
Therefore dismiss'd he, by his sire's command,
The youths far distant, ev'n to Grecian land.
His daughters gave him no perplexing care,
Nor young Absyrtus, his adopted heir;
But from Chalciope's detested race
He look'd for injuries, and fear'd disgrace.
Thus stern denouncing, as with rage he swells,
Death on each daring subject that rebels,
His guards he charg'd, and threaten'd vengeance due,
If either 'scap'd, the vessel or the crew.
Swift to the palace Argus now repairs,
And to his pitying mother pours his pray'rs,
That she might importune Medea's aid;
Nor had the queen her son's request delay'd,
But boding fears her willing mind restrain,
Lest all her fond entreaties should be vain;
And should the project be disclos'd to view,
Her father's ire the magic maid must rue.
As on her couch reclin'd the virgin lay,
Soft slumbers chas'd her anxious cares away;
But frantic dreams, which love-sick minds infest,
Present false terrors, and disturb her rest.
Her hero seem'd the task to undertake,
But not for honour, or the fleece's sake;
For her alone he risk'd the glorious strife,
To gain her love, and win her for his wife.
She then in dreams her utmost succour lends,
And with the bulls herself in fight contends.
Her parents she, in fancied rage, aver'd
False and regardless of their promis'd word,
Who Jason doom'd the brazen bulls to foil,
But made not her a partner of the toil.
Then warm disputes and fierce contentions reign
Between Æeta and the Grecian train:
On her decision both the parties wait,
And deem what she determines to be fate.
In spite of parents, the fond maid express'd
Her choice in favour of her godlike guest.
Rage wrung their souls, and grief, and dire dismay,
Till the loud clamour chas'd her sleep away.
Trembling she starts; pale fears confus'd her look;
Her soul reviv'd, and thus the virgin spoke:
And to his pitying mother pours his pray'rs,
That she might importune Medea's aid;
Nor had the queen her son's request delay'd,
But boding fears her willing mind restrain,
Lest all her fond entreaties should be vain;
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Her father's ire the magic maid must rue.
As on her couch reclin'd the virgin lay,
Soft slumbers chas'd her anxious cares away;
But frantic dreams, which love-sick minds infest,
Present false terrors, and disturb her rest.
Her hero seem'd the task to undertake,
But not for honour, or the fleece's sake;
For her alone he risk'd the glorious strife,
To gain her love, and win her for his wife.
She then in dreams her utmost succour lends,
And with the bulls herself in fight contends.
Her parents she, in fancied rage, aver'd
False and regardless of their promis'd word,
Who Jason doom'd the brazen bulls to foil,
But made not her a partner of the toil.
Then warm disputes and fierce contentions reign
Between Æeta and the Grecian train:
On her decision both the parties wait,
And deem what she determines to be fate.
In spite of parents, the fond maid express'd
Her choice in favour of her godlike guest.
Rage wrung their souls, and grief, and dire dismay,
Till the loud clamour chas'd her sleep away.
176
Her soul reviv'd, and thus the virgin spoke:
‘Alas! what frightful dreams alarm my breast
‘For these fam'd chiefs, but most the royal guest?
‘I fear, some mighty mischief will ensue
‘From this bold leader and his gallant crew.
‘Yes, let him wed far off some Grecian dame;
‘Be mine my parents' house, my virgin's fame.
‘If from my headstrong purpose I refrain,
‘My sister's counsel might relieve my pain:
‘Oh! for her sons would she my aid implore,
‘My griefs would cease, my sorrows be no more!’
She said, and rose, nor longer deign'd to wait,
But past the threshold of her sister's gate,
Barefoot, undrest; long time she there remain'd,
(For modest fears her passing step restrain'd;)
Then back retreats; new courage soon acquires;
Again advances, and again retires:
Passions so various sway'd the virgin's breast,
That when fierce love impell'd her, fear repress'd:
Thrice she essay'd, and thrice retreating fled;
Then on the pillow sunk her drooping head:
‘For these fam'd chiefs, but most the royal guest?
‘I fear, some mighty mischief will ensue
‘From this bold leader and his gallant crew.
‘Yes, let him wed far off some Grecian dame;
‘Be mine my parents' house, my virgin's fame.
‘If from my headstrong purpose I refrain,
‘My sister's counsel might relieve my pain:
‘Oh! for her sons would she my aid implore,
‘My griefs would cease, my sorrows be no more!’
She said, and rose, nor longer deign'd to wait,
But past the threshold of her sister's gate,
Barefoot, undrest; long time she there remain'd,
(For modest fears her passing step restrain'd;)
Then back retreats; new courage soon acquires;
Again advances, and again retires:
Passions so various sway'd the virgin's breast,
That when fierce love impell'd her, fear repress'd:
Thrice she essay'd, and thrice retreating fled;
Then on the pillow sunk her drooping head:
As some young damsel, whom her friends had join'd
In marriage to the darling of her mind,
Conceal'd in secret, mourns her blooming mate
Snatch'd from her arms by some untimely fate,
Ere yet kind heaven indulg'd them to employ
The golden moments in connubial joy:
In silence she, tho' stung with torturing grief,
Seeks on the widow'd bed the wish'd relief;
Looks eager round, then sheds the trembling tear,
Screen'd from the female eye, and tongue severe.
Thus mourn'd Medea, not unseen; her pain
Was mark'd by one, the youngest of her train;
Who told Chalciope Medea's grief;
And the sad tale exceeded her belief:
Her sons consulting, she with them essay'd
To sooth the sorrows of the love-sick maid.
Instant she rose, and trembling with dismay
Came to the chamber where her sister lay;
Torn were her cheeks, the tears her grief confess'd;
And thus Chalciope the maid address'd:
In marriage to the darling of her mind,
177
Snatch'd from her arms by some untimely fate,
Ere yet kind heaven indulg'd them to employ
The golden moments in connubial joy:
In silence she, tho' stung with torturing grief,
Seeks on the widow'd bed the wish'd relief;
Looks eager round, then sheds the trembling tear,
Screen'd from the female eye, and tongue severe.
Thus mourn'd Medea, not unseen; her pain
Was mark'd by one, the youngest of her train;
Who told Chalciope Medea's grief;
And the sad tale exceeded her belief:
Her sons consulting, she with them essay'd
To sooth the sorrows of the love-sick maid.
Instant she rose, and trembling with dismay
Came to the chamber where her sister lay;
Torn were her cheeks, the tears her grief confess'd;
And thus Chalciope the maid address'd:
‘Say, why those tears that thus incessant fall?
‘What mighty ills your feeble mind appal?
‘Say, does some heaven-sent woe your grief inspire?
‘Or in your bosom dwells Æeta's ire,
‘My sons and I the cause? Oh! far from home,
‘On the world's utmost limits may I roam,
‘Nor see my parents, nor my native shore,
‘Nor hear the hated name of Colchos more!’
‘What mighty ills your feeble mind appal?
‘Say, does some heaven-sent woe your grief inspire?
‘Or in your bosom dwells Æeta's ire,
‘My sons and I the cause? Oh! far from home,
‘On the world's utmost limits may I roam,
178
‘Nor hear the hated name of Colchos more!’
She said: Medea's cheeks the crimson stain'd;
She strove to speak, but shame her words restrain'd.
Now on her lips the ready accents hung,
Now stifled in her breast: her faltering tongue
Long time the purpose of her soul witheld,
Artful at length she spoke, by love impell'd:
She strove to speak, but shame her words restrain'd.
Now on her lips the ready accents hung,
Now stifled in her breast: her faltering tongue
Long time the purpose of her soul witheld,
Artful at length she spoke, by love impell'd:
“Dire fears, Chalciope, my soul dismay,
“Lest with these guests my sire thy children slay,
“My frightful dreams such horrid scenes present;
“May some kind deity these woes prevent!
“Lest for thy sons the tears eternal flow:”
Thus spoke the maid, inquisitive in woe,
If haply, for her children's fate afraid,
Chalciope might first solicit aid.
Mix'd grief and terror all the mother shook,
At last, impassion'd, thus she trembling spoke:
“Lest with these guests my sire thy children slay,
“My frightful dreams such horrid scenes present;
“May some kind deity these woes prevent!
“Lest for thy sons the tears eternal flow:”
Thus spoke the maid, inquisitive in woe,
If haply, for her children's fate afraid,
Chalciope might first solicit aid.
Mix'd grief and terror all the mother shook,
At last, impassion'd, thus she trembling spoke:
‘'Tis for their sakes I now before thee stand;
‘Lend me, O lend thy salutary hand!
‘But swear by earth and heaven what I unfold
‘Rests in thy bosom, never to be told:
‘By the great Gods, and all that's dear I call,
‘Swear thou wilt never see my children fall,
‘Lest I too perish, and in fell despight
‘Rise a dread fury from the shades of night.’
‘Lend me, O lend thy salutary hand!
‘But swear by earth and heaven what I unfold
‘Rests in thy bosom, never to be told:
‘By the great Gods, and all that's dear I call,
‘Swear thou wilt never see my children fall,
179
‘Rise a dread fury from the shades of night.’
Earnest she spoke, and tears incessant shed,
Then on her sister's breast reclin'd her head,
And mix'd their mutual sighs; groan answer'd groan,
And the wide palace echo'd to their moan.
Medea thus in mournful terms replies:
Then on her sister's breast reclin'd her head,
And mix'd their mutual sighs; groan answer'd groan,
And the wide palace echo'd to their moan.
Medea thus in mournful terms replies:
“Alas! what succour can my thoughts devise,
“Thus with thy cruel menaces oppress'd?
“Oh, still uninjur'd may thine offspring rest!
“By heaven above I swear, and earth below,
“Earth, the great mother of the Gods, I vow,
“(If aught my power can do, or words persuade)
“To give thee counsel, and to lend my aid.”
Thus spoke the maid; and thus Chalciope;
‘Perhaps, in favour of my sons and me,
‘Thy mind, to save the hero, might impart
‘Some secret counsel, some mysterious art.
‘From Jason Argus comes, imploring aid;
‘They rest their safety on the magic maid.’
“Thus with thy cruel menaces oppress'd?
“Oh, still uninjur'd may thine offspring rest!
“By heaven above I swear, and earth below,
“Earth, the great mother of the Gods, I vow,
“(If aught my power can do, or words persuade)
“To give thee counsel, and to lend my aid.”
Thus spoke the maid; and thus Chalciope;
‘Perhaps, in favour of my sons and me,
‘Thy mind, to save the hero, might impart
‘Some secret counsel, some mysterious art.
‘From Jason Argus comes, imploring aid;
‘They rest their safety on the magic maid.’
Thus she; with joy exults the virgin's heart,
And rising blushes rosy charms impart;
But soon o'ercast with grief she thus reply'd:
“To serve thee, sister, be no art untry'd.
“Ne'er may I see with pleasurable eyes
“In yon bright orient cheerful morning rise,
“If aught on earth be half so dear to me
“As is the welfare of thy sons and thee.
“As brethren they my fond regard engage,
“By blood related, and the same our age.
“My sister, most esteem'd, and ever dear,
“Thee with a daughter's love I still revere.
“For with thy children, nurs'd by thee, I shar'd
“(So fame reports) a mother's fond regard.
“Go then, and from my prying parents hide
“The means of succour which I now provide.
“All-potent spells will I, at dawn of day,
“To Hecate's mysterious shrine convey.”
Pleas'd with the tale, Chalciope departs,
And with the proffer'd aid transports her children's hearts.
Fear mix'd with shame now seiz'd the lonely maid,
Who dare, her sire reluctant, lend her aid.
And rising blushes rosy charms impart;
But soon o'ercast with grief she thus reply'd:
“To serve thee, sister, be no art untry'd.
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“In yon bright orient cheerful morning rise,
“If aught on earth be half so dear to me
“As is the welfare of thy sons and thee.
“As brethren they my fond regard engage,
“By blood related, and the same our age.
“My sister, most esteem'd, and ever dear,
“Thee with a daughter's love I still revere.
“For with thy children, nurs'd by thee, I shar'd
“(So fame reports) a mother's fond regard.
“Go then, and from my prying parents hide
“The means of succour which I now provide.
“All-potent spells will I, at dawn of day,
“To Hecate's mysterious shrine convey.”
Pleas'd with the tale, Chalciope departs,
And with the proffer'd aid transports her children's hearts.
Fear mix'd with shame now seiz'd the lonely maid,
Who dare, her sire reluctant, lend her aid.
Now rising shades a solemn scene display
O'er the wide earth, and o'er th' etherial way;
All night the sailor marks the northern team,
And golden circlet of Orion's beam:
A deep repose the weary watchman shares,
And the faint wanderer sleeps away his cares;
Ev'n the fond maid, while yet all breathless lies
Her child of love, in slumber seals her eyes:
No sound of village-dog, no noise invades
The death-like silence of the midnight shades;
Alone Medea wakes: to love a prey,
Restless she rolls, and groans the night away:
For lovely Jason cares on cares succeed,
Lest vanquish'd by the bulls her hero bleed;
In sad review dire scenes of horrors rise,
Quick beats her heart, from thought to thought she flies:
As from the stream-stor'd vase with dubious ray
The sun-beams dancing from the surface play;
Now here, now there the trembling radiance falls,
Alternate flashing round th' illumin'd walls:
Thus fluttering bounds the trembling virgin's blood,
And from her eyes descends a pearly flood.
Now raving with resistless flames she glows,
Now sick with love she melts with softer woes:
The tyrant God, of every thought possess'd,
Beats in each pulse, and stings and racks her breast:
Now she resolves the magic to betray—
To tame the bulls—now yield him up a prey.
Again the drugs disdaining to supply,
She loaths the light, and meditates to die:
Anon, repelling with a brave disdain
The coward thought, she nourishes the pain.
Then pausing thus: “Ah wretched me! she cries,
“Where'er I turn what varied sorrows rise!
“Tost in a giddy whirl of strong desire,
“I glow, I burn, yet bless the pleasing fire:
“Oh! had this spirit from its prison fled,
“By Dian sent to wander with the dead,
“Ere the proud Grecians view'd the Colchian skies,
“Ere Jason, lovely Jason, met these eyes!
“Hell gave the shining mischief to our coast,
“Medea saw him, and Medea's lost—
“But why these sorrows? if the powers on high
“His death decree,—die, wretched Jason, die!
“Shall I elude my sire? my art betray?
“Ah me! what words shall purge the guilt away!
“But could I yield—O whither must I run
“To find the chief—whom virtue bids me shun?
“Shall I, all lost to shame, to Jason fly?
“And yet I must—if Jason bleeds I die!
“Honour farewell! adieu for ever shame!
“Hail black disgrace! and branded be my fame!
“Live, Jason, live! enjoy the vital air!
“Live thro' my aid! and fly where winds can bear.
“But when he flies, cords, poisons lend your pow'rs:
“That day Medea treads th' infernal shores!
“Yet what reproach will after death be cast?
“The maids of Colchos will my honour blast—
“I hear them cry—the false Medea's dead,
“Thro' guilty passion for a stranger's bed;
“Medea, careless of her virgin fame,
“Preferr'd a stranger to a father's name!
“O may I rather yield this vital breath,
“Than bear that base dishonour worse than death!”
O'er the wide earth, and o'er th' etherial way;
All night the sailor marks the northern team,
And golden circlet of Orion's beam:
A deep repose the weary watchman shares,
And the faint wanderer sleeps away his cares;
181
Her child of love, in slumber seals her eyes:
No sound of village-dog, no noise invades
The death-like silence of the midnight shades;
Alone Medea wakes: to love a prey,
Restless she rolls, and groans the night away:
For lovely Jason cares on cares succeed,
Lest vanquish'd by the bulls her hero bleed;
In sad review dire scenes of horrors rise,
Quick beats her heart, from thought to thought she flies:
As from the stream-stor'd vase with dubious ray
The sun-beams dancing from the surface play;
Now here, now there the trembling radiance falls,
Alternate flashing round th' illumin'd walls:
Thus fluttering bounds the trembling virgin's blood,
And from her eyes descends a pearly flood.
Now raving with resistless flames she glows,
Now sick with love she melts with softer woes:
The tyrant God, of every thought possess'd,
Beats in each pulse, and stings and racks her breast:
Now she resolves the magic to betray—
To tame the bulls—now yield him up a prey.
Again the drugs disdaining to supply,
She loaths the light, and meditates to die:
182
The coward thought, she nourishes the pain.
Then pausing thus: “Ah wretched me! she cries,
“Where'er I turn what varied sorrows rise!
“Tost in a giddy whirl of strong desire,
“I glow, I burn, yet bless the pleasing fire:
“Oh! had this spirit from its prison fled,
“By Dian sent to wander with the dead,
“Ere the proud Grecians view'd the Colchian skies,
“Ere Jason, lovely Jason, met these eyes!
“Hell gave the shining mischief to our coast,
“Medea saw him, and Medea's lost—
“But why these sorrows? if the powers on high
“His death decree,—die, wretched Jason, die!
“Shall I elude my sire? my art betray?
“Ah me! what words shall purge the guilt away!
“But could I yield—O whither must I run
“To find the chief—whom virtue bids me shun?
“Shall I, all lost to shame, to Jason fly?
“And yet I must—if Jason bleeds I die!
“Honour farewell! adieu for ever shame!
“Hail black disgrace! and branded be my fame!
“Live, Jason, live! enjoy the vital air!
“Live thro' my aid! and fly where winds can bear.
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“That day Medea treads th' infernal shores!
“Yet what reproach will after death be cast?
“The maids of Colchos will my honour blast—
“I hear them cry—the false Medea's dead,
“Thro' guilty passion for a stranger's bed;
“Medea, careless of her virgin fame,
“Preferr'd a stranger to a father's name!
“O may I rather yield this vital breath,
“Than bear that base dishonour worse than death!”
Thus wail'd the fair, and seiz'd, with horrid joy,
Drugs foes to life, and potent to destroy;
A magazine of death! again she pours
From her swoln eye-lids tears in shining show'rs.
With grief insatiate, comfortless she stands,
And opes the casket, but with trembling hands.
A sudden fear her labouring soul invades,
Struck with the horrors of th' infernal shades:
She stands deep-musing with a faded brow,
Absorb'd in thought, a monument of woe!
While all the comforts that on life attend,
The cheerful converse, and the faithful friend,
By thought deep-imag'd in her bosom play,
Endearing life, and charm despair away.
Enlivening suns with sweeter light arise,
And every object brightens to her eyes.
Then from her hand the baneful drugs she throws,
Consents to live, recover'd from her woes;
Resolv'd the magic virtue to betray,
She waits the dawn, and calls the lazy day:
Time seems to stand, or backward drive his wheels;
The hours she chides, and eyes the eastern hills:
At length the morn displays her rosy light,
And the whole town stands pictur'd to her sight.
Back to the ship (his brothers left behind
To mark the motions of Medea's mind)
Argus return'd; meanwhile her golden hair,
That flow'd diffusive in the wanton air,
The virgin binds; then wipes the tears away,
And from her eyes bids living lightning play;
On every limb refreshing unguents pours,
Unguents, that breathe of heaven, in copious show'rs.
Her robe she next assumes; bright clasps of gold
Close to the lessening waist the robe infold:
Down from her swelling loins the rest unbound
Floats in rich waves redundant o'er the ground:
Then takes her veil, and stately treads the room
With graceful ease, regardless of her doom.
Drugs foes to life, and potent to destroy;
A magazine of death! again she pours
From her swoln eye-lids tears in shining show'rs.
With grief insatiate, comfortless she stands,
And opes the casket, but with trembling hands.
A sudden fear her labouring soul invades,
Struck with the horrors of th' infernal shades:
She stands deep-musing with a faded brow,
Absorb'd in thought, a monument of woe!
While all the comforts that on life attend,
The cheerful converse, and the faithful friend,
By thought deep-imag'd in her bosom play,
Endearing life, and charm despair away.
184
And every object brightens to her eyes.
Then from her hand the baneful drugs she throws,
Consents to live, recover'd from her woes;
Resolv'd the magic virtue to betray,
She waits the dawn, and calls the lazy day:
Time seems to stand, or backward drive his wheels;
The hours she chides, and eyes the eastern hills:
At length the morn displays her rosy light,
And the whole town stands pictur'd to her sight.
Back to the ship (his brothers left behind
To mark the motions of Medea's mind)
Argus return'd; meanwhile her golden hair,
That flow'd diffusive in the wanton air,
The virgin binds; then wipes the tears away,
And from her eyes bids living lightning play;
On every limb refreshing unguents pours,
Unguents, that breathe of heaven, in copious show'rs.
Her robe she next assumes; bright clasps of gold
Close to the lessening waist the robe infold:
Down from her swelling loins the rest unbound
Floats in rich waves redundant o'er the ground:
Then takes her veil, and stately treads the room
With graceful ease, regardless of her doom.
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Thus forward moves the fairest of her kind,
Blind to the future, to the present blind.
Twelve maids, attendants on her virgin bow'r,
Alike unconscious of the bridal hour,
Join to the car her mules; dire rites to pay,
To Hecate's fair fane she bends her way.
A juice she bears, whose magic virtue tames
(Thro' fell Persephone) the rage of flames;
For one whole day it gives the hero might,
To stand secure of harms in mortal fight;
It mocks the sword; the sword without a wound
Leaps as from marble shiver'd to the ground.
This plant, which rough Caucasean mountains bore,
Sprung from the venom of Prometheus' gore,
(While on the wretch the savage eagle storm'd)
In colour like Corycian crocus form'd:
On two tall stems up-springs the flowery shoot,
A cubit high; like red raw flesh its root.
From this root's juice, as black as that distill'd
From mountain beeches, the fair maid had fill'd
A Caspian conch; but first, as best beseems,
Array'd in black seven times in living streams
She bath'd; and call'd seven times on Brimo's name
At midnight hour, the ghost-compelling dame.
She pluck'd the root, earth murmur'd from below,
And sad Prometheus groan'd with agonizing woe.
This root the Colchian maid selecting plac'd
In the rich zone that bound her slender waist:
Then issuing mounts the car, but not alone,
On either side two lovely damsels shone:
Her hand with skill th' embroider'd rein controuls,
Back fly the streets as swift the chariot rolls.
Along the wheel-worn road they speed their way,
The domes retreat, the sinking towers decay:
Bare to the knee succinct a damsel-train
Close throng behind them, hastening to the plain.
Blind to the future, to the present blind.
Twelve maids, attendants on her virgin bow'r,
Alike unconscious of the bridal hour,
Join to the car her mules; dire rites to pay,
To Hecate's fair fane she bends her way.
A juice she bears, whose magic virtue tames
(Thro' fell Persephone) the rage of flames;
For one whole day it gives the hero might,
To stand secure of harms in mortal fight;
It mocks the sword; the sword without a wound
Leaps as from marble shiver'd to the ground.
This plant, which rough Caucasean mountains bore,
Sprung from the venom of Prometheus' gore,
(While on the wretch the savage eagle storm'd)
In colour like Corycian crocus form'd:
On two tall stems up-springs the flowery shoot,
A cubit high; like red raw flesh its root.
From this root's juice, as black as that distill'd
From mountain beeches, the fair maid had fill'd
A Caspian conch; but first, as best beseems,
Array'd in black seven times in living streams
She bath'd; and call'd seven times on Brimo's name
At midnight hour, the ghost-compelling dame.
186
And sad Prometheus groan'd with agonizing woe.
This root the Colchian maid selecting plac'd
In the rich zone that bound her slender waist:
Then issuing mounts the car, but not alone,
On either side two lovely damsels shone:
Her hand with skill th' embroider'd rein controuls,
Back fly the streets as swift the chariot rolls.
Along the wheel-worn road they speed their way,
The domes retreat, the sinking towers decay:
Bare to the knee succinct a damsel-train
Close throng behind them, hastening to the plain.
As when her limbs divine, Diana laves
In fair Parthenius, or th' Amnesian waves,
Sublime in royal state the bounding roes
Whirl her bright car along the mountain brows:
Swift to some sacred feast the goddess moves,
The nymphs attend that haunt the shady groves;
Th' Amnesian fount, or silver-streaming rills,
Nymphs of the vales, or Oreads of the hills:
The fawning beasts before the goddess play,
Or, trembling, savage adoration pay:
In fair Parthenius, or th' Amnesian waves,
Sublime in royal state the bounding roes
Whirl her bright car along the mountain brows:
Swift to some sacred feast the goddess moves,
The nymphs attend that haunt the shady groves;
Th' Amnesian fount, or silver-streaming rills,
Nymphs of the vales, or Oreads of the hills:
The fawning beasts before the goddess play,
Or, trembling, savage adoration pay:
Thus on her car sublime the nymph appears,
The croud falls back, and, as she moves, reveres:
Swift to the fane aloft her course she bends,
The fane she reaches, and on earth descends;
Then to her train—“Ah me! I fear we stray,
“Misled by folly to this lonely way!
“Alas! should Jason with his Greeks appear,
“Where should we fly? I fear, alas, I fear!
“No more the Colchian youths, and virgin train,
“Haunt the cool shade, or tread in dance the plain.
“But since alone—with sports beguile your hours,
“Collect sweet herbs, and pluck the fairest flow'rs:
“If due attention to my words ye pay,
“With richest spoils ye shall return to-day.
“For Argus and Chalciope require,
“(But sacred keep this secret from my sire)
“That for large presents, for my succour paid,
“To this rash stranger I should lend my aid.
“I pass'd my word, and soon without his train
“The Grecian will attend me at the fane:
“In equal portions we the spoil will share—
“For him a dose more fatal I prepare—
“But when he comes, ye nymphs, retire apart.”
She spoke; the nymphs approv'd the virgin's art.
The croud falls back, and, as she moves, reveres:
187
The fane she reaches, and on earth descends;
Then to her train—“Ah me! I fear we stray,
“Misled by folly to this lonely way!
“Alas! should Jason with his Greeks appear,
“Where should we fly? I fear, alas, I fear!
“No more the Colchian youths, and virgin train,
“Haunt the cool shade, or tread in dance the plain.
“But since alone—with sports beguile your hours,
“Collect sweet herbs, and pluck the fairest flow'rs:
“If due attention to my words ye pay,
“With richest spoils ye shall return to-day.
“For Argus and Chalciope require,
“(But sacred keep this secret from my sire)
“That for large presents, for my succour paid,
“To this rash stranger I should lend my aid.
“I pass'd my word, and soon without his train
“The Grecian will attend me at the fane:
“In equal portions we the spoil will share—
“For him a dose more fatal I prepare—
“But when he comes, ye nymphs, retire apart.”
She spoke; the nymphs approv'd the virgin's art.
When Argus heard the maid with early day
To Hecate's fair fane would speed her way,
He beckon'd Jason from his bold compeers
Apart, and Mopsus most renown'd of seers;
For prescient Mopsus every omen knew
Of birds that parting or approaching flew.
No mortal ever of the first-born race
Display'd like Jason such superior grace,
Whether from demigods he trac'd his line,
Or Jove himself immortal and divine,
As grac'd by Juno, Jove's imperial queen,
With soft address, and dignity of mien.
His comrades gaz'd with wonder as he went;
Mopsus foresaw and hail'd the blest event.
Hard by the path, and near the temple, stands
A poplar tall that wide its arms expands;
Here frequent rooks their airy pastime take,
And on the boughs their spray-form'd mansions make:
One shook its pinions, (louder than the rest)
And croaking, thus Saturnia's mind express'd:
‘Vain seer! whose divinations fail to tell
‘Those plain events which children know so well;
‘That maids will not, with comrades in the train,
‘Tell the soft love-tale to their favour'd swain.
‘False prophet, hence! for thee nor love inspires,
‘Nor Venus gratifies with soft desires.’
Then Mopsus laugh'd, as scoffing thus she spoke,
To hear the bird her dark predictions croak;
And thus: “Hence, Jason, to the fane, and find
“The maiden to thy warmest wishes kind;
“Venus approves, and fortune will ensue,
“If what prophetic Phineus said prove true.
“Myself and Argus here will wait apart,
“Go and unfold the secrets of thy heart;
“Be every mode of soft persuasion try'd.”
He counsel'd wisely, and the chief comply'd.
To Hecate's fair fane would speed her way,
188
Apart, and Mopsus most renown'd of seers;
For prescient Mopsus every omen knew
Of birds that parting or approaching flew.
No mortal ever of the first-born race
Display'd like Jason such superior grace,
Whether from demigods he trac'd his line,
Or Jove himself immortal and divine,
As grac'd by Juno, Jove's imperial queen,
With soft address, and dignity of mien.
His comrades gaz'd with wonder as he went;
Mopsus foresaw and hail'd the blest event.
Hard by the path, and near the temple, stands
A poplar tall that wide its arms expands;
Here frequent rooks their airy pastime take,
And on the boughs their spray-form'd mansions make:
One shook its pinions, (louder than the rest)
And croaking, thus Saturnia's mind express'd:
‘Vain seer! whose divinations fail to tell
‘Those plain events which children know so well;
‘That maids will not, with comrades in the train,
‘Tell the soft love-tale to their favour'd swain.
‘False prophet, hence! for thee nor love inspires,
‘Nor Venus gratifies with soft desires.’
189
To hear the bird her dark predictions croak;
And thus: “Hence, Jason, to the fane, and find
“The maiden to thy warmest wishes kind;
“Venus approves, and fortune will ensue,
“If what prophetic Phineus said prove true.
“Myself and Argus here will wait apart,
“Go and unfold the secrets of thy heart;
“Be every mode of soft persuasion try'd.”
He counsel'd wisely, and the chief comply'd.
Meanwhile the maid her secret thoughts enjoy'd,
And one dear object all her soul employ'd:
Her train's gay sports no pleasure can restore,
Vain was the dance, and music charm'd no more;
She hates each object, every face offends,
In every wish her soul to Jason sends;
With sharpen'd eyes the distant lawn explores,
To find the hero whom her soul adores;
At every whisper of the passing air,
She starts, she turns, and hopes her Jason there;
Again she fondly looks, nor looks in vain,
He comes, her Jason shines along the plain.
As when, emerging from the watery way,
Refulgent Sirius lifts his golden ray,
He shines terrific! for his burning breath
Taints the red air with fevers, plagues and death;
Such to the nymph approaching Jason shows,
Bright author of unutterable woes;
Before her eyes a swimming darkness spread,
Her flush'd cheeks glow'd, her very heart was dead:
No more her knees their wonted office knew,
Fix'd, without motion, as to earth they grew.
Her train recedes—the meeting lovers gaze
In silent wonder, and in still amaze.
As two fair cedars on the mountain's brow,
Pride of the groves! with roots adjoining grow;
Erect and motionless the stately trees
Short time remain, while sleeps each fanning breeze,
Till from th' Æolian caves a blast unbound
Bends their proud tops, and bids their boughs resound:
Thus gazing they; till by the breath of love,
Strongly at last inspir'd, they speak, they move;
With smiles the love-sick virgin he survey'd,
And fondly thus address'd the blooming maid:
And one dear object all her soul employ'd:
Her train's gay sports no pleasure can restore,
Vain was the dance, and music charm'd no more;
She hates each object, every face offends,
In every wish her soul to Jason sends;
With sharpen'd eyes the distant lawn explores,
To find the hero whom her soul adores;
At every whisper of the passing air,
She starts, she turns, and hopes her Jason there;
Again she fondly looks, nor looks in vain,
He comes, her Jason shines along the plain.
As when, emerging from the watery way,
Refulgent Sirius lifts his golden ray,
190
Taints the red air with fevers, plagues and death;
Such to the nymph approaching Jason shows,
Bright author of unutterable woes;
Before her eyes a swimming darkness spread,
Her flush'd cheeks glow'd, her very heart was dead:
No more her knees their wonted office knew,
Fix'd, without motion, as to earth they grew.
Her train recedes—the meeting lovers gaze
In silent wonder, and in still amaze.
As two fair cedars on the mountain's brow,
Pride of the groves! with roots adjoining grow;
Erect and motionless the stately trees
Short time remain, while sleeps each fanning breeze,
Till from th' Æolian caves a blast unbound
Bends their proud tops, and bids their boughs resound:
Thus gazing they; till by the breath of love,
Strongly at last inspir'd, they speak, they move;
With smiles the love-sick virgin he survey'd,
And fondly thus address'd the blooming maid:
‘Dismiss, my fair, my love, thy virgin fear;
‘Tis Jason speaks, no enemy is here!
‘Dread not in me a haughty heart to find,
‘In Greece I bore no proud inhuman mind.
‘Whom would'st thou fly? stay, lovely virgin, stay!
‘Speak every thought! far hence be fears away!
‘Speak! and be truth in every accent found!
‘Scorn to deceive! we tread on hallow'd ground.
‘By the stern power who guards this sacred place,
‘By the fam'd authors of thy royal race;
‘By Jove, to whom the stranger's cause belongs,
‘To whom the suppliant, and who feels their wrongs;
‘O guard me, save me, in the needful hour!
‘Without thy aid thy Jason is no more.
‘To thee a suppliant, in distress I bend,
‘To thee a stranger, one who wants a friend!
‘Then, when between us seas and mountains rise,
‘Medea's name shall sound in distant skies;
‘All Greece to thee shall owe her heroes' fates,
‘And bless Medea thro' her hundred states.
‘The mother and the wife, who now in vain
‘Roll their sad eyes fast-streaming o'er the main,
‘Shall stay their tears: the mother, and the wife,
‘Shall bless thee for a son's or husband's life!
‘Fair Ariadne, sprung from Minos' bed,
‘Sav'd valiant Theseus, and with Theseus fled,
‘Forsook her father, and her native plain,
‘And stem'd the tumults of the surging main;
‘Yet the stern sire relented, and forgave
‘The maid, whose only crime it was to save;
‘Ev'n the just Gods forgave: and now on high
‘A star she shines, and beautifies the sky:
‘What blessings then shall righteous heaven decree
‘For all our heroes sav'd, and sav'd by thee?
‘Heaven gave thee not to kill, so soft an air;
‘And cruelty sure never look'd so fair!’
‘Tis Jason speaks, no enemy is here!
‘Dread not in me a haughty heart to find,
‘In Greece I bore no proud inhuman mind.
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‘Speak every thought! far hence be fears away!
‘Speak! and be truth in every accent found!
‘Scorn to deceive! we tread on hallow'd ground.
‘By the stern power who guards this sacred place,
‘By the fam'd authors of thy royal race;
‘By Jove, to whom the stranger's cause belongs,
‘To whom the suppliant, and who feels their wrongs;
‘O guard me, save me, in the needful hour!
‘Without thy aid thy Jason is no more.
‘To thee a suppliant, in distress I bend,
‘To thee a stranger, one who wants a friend!
‘Then, when between us seas and mountains rise,
‘Medea's name shall sound in distant skies;
‘All Greece to thee shall owe her heroes' fates,
‘And bless Medea thro' her hundred states.
‘The mother and the wife, who now in vain
‘Roll their sad eyes fast-streaming o'er the main,
‘Shall stay their tears: the mother, and the wife,
‘Shall bless thee for a son's or husband's life!
‘Fair Ariadne, sprung from Minos' bed,
‘Sav'd valiant Theseus, and with Theseus fled,
‘Forsook her father, and her native plain,
‘And stem'd the tumults of the surging main;
192
‘The maid, whose only crime it was to save;
‘Ev'n the just Gods forgave: and now on high
‘A star she shines, and beautifies the sky:
‘What blessings then shall righteous heaven decree
‘For all our heroes sav'd, and sav'd by thee?
‘Heaven gave thee not to kill, so soft an air;
‘And cruelty sure never look'd so fair!’
He ceas'd, but left so charming on her ear
His voice, that listening still she seem'd to hear;
Her eyes to earth she bends with modest grace,
And heaven in smiles is open'd on her face.
A look she steals; but rosy blushes spread
O'er her fair cheek, and then she hangs her head.
A thousand words at once to speak she tries;
In vain—but speaks a thousand with her eyes;
Trembling the shining casket she expands,
Then gives the magic virtue to his hands;
And had the power been granted to convey
Her heart—had given her very heart away.
For Jason beam'd in beauty's charms so bright,
The maid admiring languish'd with delight.
Thus, when the rising sun appears in view,
On the fair rose dissolves the radiant dew.
Now on the ground both cast their bashful eyes,
Both view each other now with wild surprize.
The rosy smiles now dimpling on their cheeks,
The fair at length in faltering accents speaks:
His voice, that listening still she seem'd to hear;
Her eyes to earth she bends with modest grace,
And heaven in smiles is open'd on her face.
A look she steals; but rosy blushes spread
O'er her fair cheek, and then she hangs her head.
A thousand words at once to speak she tries;
In vain—but speaks a thousand with her eyes;
Trembling the shining casket she expands,
Then gives the magic virtue to his hands;
And had the power been granted to convey
Her heart—had given her very heart away.
For Jason beam'd in beauty's charms so bright,
The maid admiring languish'd with delight.
Thus, when the rising sun appears in view,
On the fair rose dissolves the radiant dew.
193
Both view each other now with wild surprize.
The rosy smiles now dimpling on their cheeks,
The fair at length in faltering accents speaks:
“Observant thou to my advice attend,
“And hear what succour I propose to lend.
“Soon as my sire Æeta shall bestow
“The dragon's teeth in Mars's field to sow,
“The following night in equal shares divide;
“Bathe well thy limbs in some perennial tide;
“Then all retir'd, thyself in black array,
“Dig the round foss, and there a victim slay,
“A female lamb; the carcase place entire
“Above the foss, then light the sacred pyre,
“And Perseus' daughter, Hecate, appease
“With honey, sweetest labour of the bees;
“This done, retreat, nor, while the relicks burn,
“Let howling dogs provoke thee to return,
“Nor human footsteps; lest thou render vain
“The charm, and with dishonour join thy train.
“Next morn, the whole enchantment to fulfil,
“This magic unguent on thy limbs distil:
“Then thou with ease wilt strong, and graceful move,
“Not like a mortal, but the Gods above.
“Forget not with this unguent to besmear
“Thy sword, thy buckler, and tremendous spear:
“No giant's falchions then can harm thy frame,
“Nor the fell rage of bulls expiring flame.
“One day, nor longer, wilt thou keep the field;
“Nor thou to perils, nor to labour yield.
“But mark my words; when thou, with ceaseless toil,
“Hast yok'd the bulls and plough'd the stubborn soil;
“And seest up-springing on the teeth-sown land
“Of giant foes a formidable band,
“Hurl slily 'midst their ranks a rough hard stone,
“And they, like dogs contending for a bone,
“Will slay each other: thou with speed renew
“The glowing fight, and conquest will ensue.
“Thus shalt thou bear from Æa's realms to Greece,
“If such thy fix'd resolve, the Golden Fleece.”
“And hear what succour I propose to lend.
“Soon as my sire Æeta shall bestow
“The dragon's teeth in Mars's field to sow,
“The following night in equal shares divide;
“Bathe well thy limbs in some perennial tide;
“Then all retir'd, thyself in black array,
“Dig the round foss, and there a victim slay,
“A female lamb; the carcase place entire
“Above the foss, then light the sacred pyre,
“And Perseus' daughter, Hecate, appease
“With honey, sweetest labour of the bees;
“This done, retreat, nor, while the relicks burn,
“Let howling dogs provoke thee to return,
“Nor human footsteps; lest thou render vain
“The charm, and with dishonour join thy train.
“Next morn, the whole enchantment to fulfil,
“This magic unguent on thy limbs distil:
“Then thou with ease wilt strong, and graceful move,
“Not like a mortal, but the Gods above.
194
“Thy sword, thy buckler, and tremendous spear:
“No giant's falchions then can harm thy frame,
“Nor the fell rage of bulls expiring flame.
“One day, nor longer, wilt thou keep the field;
“Nor thou to perils, nor to labour yield.
“But mark my words; when thou, with ceaseless toil,
“Hast yok'd the bulls and plough'd the stubborn soil;
“And seest up-springing on the teeth-sown land
“Of giant foes a formidable band,
“Hurl slily 'midst their ranks a rough hard stone,
“And they, like dogs contending for a bone,
“Will slay each other: thou with speed renew
“The glowing fight, and conquest will ensue.
“Thus shalt thou bear from Æa's realms to Greece,
“If such thy fix'd resolve, the Golden Fleece.”
This said, her eyes were fix'd upon the ground,
And her fair cheeks with streaming sorrows drown'd;
Desponding anguish seiz'd her gentle mind,
Lest he should leave her comfortless behind.
Imbolden'd thus, him by the hand she press'd,
And in the language of her soul address'd;
And her fair cheeks with streaming sorrows drown'd;
Desponding anguish seiz'd her gentle mind,
Lest he should leave her comfortless behind.
Imbolden'd thus, him by the hand she press'd,
And in the language of her soul address'd;
“If safely hence thou sail'st, O, think of me!
“As I for ever shall remember thee!
“And freely tell me, to relieve my pain,
“Where lies thy home beyond the boundless main?
“Say, is Orchomenos thy native soil?
“Or dwell'st thou nearer on th' Ææan isle?
“Let me that far-fam'd virgin's name inquire,
“Who boasts the same high lineage with my sire.”
“As I for ever shall remember thee!
195
“Where lies thy home beyond the boundless main?
“Say, is Orchomenos thy native soil?
“Or dwell'st thou nearer on th' Ææan isle?
“Let me that far-fam'd virgin's name inquire,
“Who boasts the same high lineage with my sire.”
She said; her tears his soft compassion won,
And thus the chief, by Love inspir'd, begun:
‘While on my fancy bright ideas play,
‘Thy image never from my soul shall stray,
‘If safe I sail, preserv'd by thee, to Greece,
‘Nor heavier labours interrupt my peace.
‘But if the distant country where I dwell
‘Thy will demands, my ready tongue shall tell.
‘A land there is which lofty hills surround,
‘For fertile pastures and rich herds renown'd,
‘Where from Prometheus good Deucalion came,
‘His royal heir, Hæmonia is the name.
‘Deucalion here the first foundations laid
‘Of towns, built fanes, and men by empire sway'd;
‘There my Iolcos stands, and many more
‘Fair ample cities, that adorn the shore.
‘What time, as rumour'd by the voice of fame,
‘Æolian Minyas to that country came,
‘He built, close bordering on the Theban ground,
‘Orchomenos, a city far renown'd.
‘But why your wonder should I vainly raise?
‘My birth-place tell, and Ariadne's praise?
‘For this the virgin's name you now inquire,
‘A lovely maid, and Minos is her sire.
‘Oh! may, like hers, your sire propitious prove,
‘Who honour'd Theseus with his daughter's love!’
And thus the chief, by Love inspir'd, begun:
‘While on my fancy bright ideas play,
‘Thy image never from my soul shall stray,
‘If safe I sail, preserv'd by thee, to Greece,
‘Nor heavier labours interrupt my peace.
‘But if the distant country where I dwell
‘Thy will demands, my ready tongue shall tell.
‘A land there is which lofty hills surround,
‘For fertile pastures and rich herds renown'd,
‘Where from Prometheus good Deucalion came,
‘His royal heir, Hæmonia is the name.
‘Deucalion here the first foundations laid
‘Of towns, built fanes, and men by empire sway'd;
‘There my Iolcos stands, and many more
‘Fair ample cities, that adorn the shore.
‘What time, as rumour'd by the voice of fame,
‘Æolian Minyas to that country came,
196
‘Orchomenos, a city far renown'd.
‘But why your wonder should I vainly raise?
‘My birth-place tell, and Ariadne's praise?
‘For this the virgin's name you now inquire,
‘A lovely maid, and Minos is her sire.
‘Oh! may, like hers, your sire propitious prove,
‘Who honour'd Theseus with his daughter's love!’
Complacent thus he sooth'd her sorrowing soul;
Yet anxious cares within her bosom roll.
“Perchance in Greece” (the pensive maid rejoin'd)
“Oaths are rever'd, and solemn compacts bind.
“But Minos greatly differs from my sire,
“Nor I to Ariadne's charms aspire.
“Then mention hospitality no more;
“But, safe conducted to thy native shore,
“Grant this, 'tis all I ask, Oh! think of me,
“As I for ever shall remember thee,
“In my great sire, the Colchian king's despite:
“But if thy pride my ardent passion slight,
“Fame, or some bird the hateful news will bring;
“Then will I chace thee on the tempest's wing,
“Brand thy false heart, thy curs'd familiar be,
“And prove thou ow'st thy life, thy all to me.”
Medea thus, and tears abundant shed;
And mildly thus the son of Æson said:
Yet anxious cares within her bosom roll.
“Perchance in Greece” (the pensive maid rejoin'd)
“Oaths are rever'd, and solemn compacts bind.
“But Minos greatly differs from my sire,
“Nor I to Ariadne's charms aspire.
“Then mention hospitality no more;
“But, safe conducted to thy native shore,
“Grant this, 'tis all I ask, Oh! think of me,
“As I for ever shall remember thee,
“In my great sire, the Colchian king's despite:
“But if thy pride my ardent passion slight,
“Fame, or some bird the hateful news will bring;
“Then will I chace thee on the tempest's wing,
“Brand thy false heart, thy curs'd familiar be,
“And prove thou ow'st thy life, thy all to me.”
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And mildly thus the son of Æson said:
‘In vain, dear nymph, thy missive bird shall soar
‘Thro' air sublime, in vain the tempest roar.
‘But if towards Greece thou deign'st thy course to bear,
‘Immortal honours shall attend thee there;
‘There husbands, brothers, sons, so long deplor'd,
‘Safe to their native land by thee restor'd,
‘Shall as a Goddess reverence thy name,
‘And pay thee rites which only Gods can claim.
‘But would'st thou grace my bed with bridal state,
‘Our love can only be dissolv'd by fate.’
‘Thro' air sublime, in vain the tempest roar.
‘But if towards Greece thou deign'st thy course to bear,
‘Immortal honours shall attend thee there;
‘There husbands, brothers, sons, so long deplor'd,
‘Safe to their native land by thee restor'd,
‘Shall as a Goddess reverence thy name,
‘And pay thee rites which only Gods can claim.
‘But would'st thou grace my bed with bridal state,
‘Our love can only be dissolv'd by fate.’
His words with raptures all her soul subdue;
Yet gloomy objects rise before her view,
Ordain'd, ere long, Thessalia's realms to see;
For such was Juno's absolute decree,
That soon to Greece the Colchian maid should go,
To Pelias source of unremitting woe.
Yet gloomy objects rise before her view,
Ordain'd, ere long, Thessalia's realms to see;
For such was Juno's absolute decree,
That soon to Greece the Colchian maid should go,
To Pelias source of unremitting woe.
Meanwhile apart her anxious handmaids stay,
In silence waiting till the close of day:
Such pleasing transports in her bosom roll,
His form, his words so captivate her soul,
On feather'd feet the hours unheeded fled,
Which warn'd her home: ‘Hence (cautious Jason said)
‘Hence let us hasten unperceiv'd away,
‘And here enraptur'd pass some future day.’
In silence waiting till the close of day:
Such pleasing transports in her bosom roll,
His form, his words so captivate her soul,
On feather'd feet the hours unheeded fled,
Which warn'd her home: ‘Hence (cautious Jason said)
198
‘And here enraptur'd pass some future day.’
Thus the blest hours in converse sweet they spent,
And both unwilling from the temple went;
He to his comrades bordering on the main,
The fair Medea to her virgin train.
Her train approach'd, but stood unnotic'd by;
Her soul sublime expatiates in the sky.
Her rapid car she mounts; this hand sustains
The polish'd thong, and that the flowing reins.
Fleet o'er the plain the nimble mules convey'd
To Æa's walls the love-transported maid.
And both unwilling from the temple went;
He to his comrades bordering on the main,
The fair Medea to her virgin train.
Her train approach'd, but stood unnotic'd by;
Her soul sublime expatiates in the sky.
Her rapid car she mounts; this hand sustains
The polish'd thong, and that the flowing reins.
Fleet o'er the plain the nimble mules convey'd
To Æa's walls the love-transported maid.
Meanwhile Chalciope astonish'd stands,
And instant tidings of her sons demands;
In vain: sad cares had clos'd Medea's ears,
No answers gives she, and no questions hears;
But on a footstool low, beside her bed,
All bath'd in tears she sits; her hand sustains her head.
There sits she pondering, in a pensive state,
What dire distresses on her counsels wait.
But Jason, eager to return, withdrew
With his two friends, and join'd his social crew,
Who throng'd impatient round, while he display'd
The secret counsels of the Colchian maid,
And show'd the potent herbs: Idas apart
Conceal'd the choler rankling in his heart.
Meanwhile the rest, when glimmering day-light clos'd,
Wrapp'd in the mantle of the night repos'd.
Next morn they sent Æthalides the son
Of Mercury, and valiant Telamon,
(For thus in council had the Greeks decreed)
Of fierce Æeta to demand the seed,
The serpent's teeth, whose ever-wakeful sight
Watch'd o'er the fountain of the God of fight.
This baneful monster was by Cadmus slain,
Seeking Europa o'er the Theban plain;
An heifer to his seat of regal sway,
So will'd prophetic Phœbus, led the way.
These teeth Minerva from the monster rent,
And part to Cadmus and Æeta sent:
Sow'd on Bœotia's ample plains, from those
A hardy race of earth-born giants rose.
To Jason these he gave, a precious spoil;
Nor, tho' his matchless arm the bulls might foil,
Deem'd he, that victory would crown his toil.
The sun now sinking with a feeble ray
To distant Ethiopians slop'd his way;
Night yok'd her steeds: the Grecian heroes spread
Around the halsers and the sails their bed.
The northern Bear was sunk beneath the hills,
And all the air a solemn silence fills:
Jason to lonely haunts pursu'd his way;
(All rites adjusted the preceding day.)
'Twas Argus' care a lambkin to provide,
And milk, the rest the ready ship supply'd.
A sweet sequester'd spot the hero found,
Where silence reigns, and welling streams abound;
And here, observant of due rites, he laves,
His limbs immerging in the cleansing waves;
Then o'er his shoulders, pledge of favours past,
The gift of fair Hypsipyla he cast,
A sable robe: a deep round foss he made,
And on the kindling wood the victim laid:
The mix'd libation pouring o'er the flame,
Loud he invok'd infernal Brimo's name;
Then back retires: his call her ears invades,
And up she rises from the land of shades:
Snakes, wreath'd in oaken boughs, curl'd round her hair,
And gleaming torches cast a dismal glare.
To guard their queen the hideous dogs of hell
Rend the dark welkin with incessant yell;
The heaving ground beneath her footsteps shakes;
Loud shriek the Naiads of the neighbouring lakes,
And all the fountain-nymphs astonish'd stood
Where Amaranthine Phasis rolls his flood.
Fear seiz'd the chief, yet backward he withdrew,
Nor, till he join'd his comrades, turn'd his view.
And instant tidings of her sons demands;
In vain: sad cares had clos'd Medea's ears,
No answers gives she, and no questions hears;
But on a footstool low, beside her bed,
All bath'd in tears she sits; her hand sustains her head.
There sits she pondering, in a pensive state,
What dire distresses on her counsels wait.
But Jason, eager to return, withdrew
With his two friends, and join'd his social crew,
Who throng'd impatient round, while he display'd
The secret counsels of the Colchian maid,
199
Conceal'd the choler rankling in his heart.
Meanwhile the rest, when glimmering day-light clos'd,
Wrapp'd in the mantle of the night repos'd.
Next morn they sent Æthalides the son
Of Mercury, and valiant Telamon,
(For thus in council had the Greeks decreed)
Of fierce Æeta to demand the seed,
The serpent's teeth, whose ever-wakeful sight
Watch'd o'er the fountain of the God of fight.
This baneful monster was by Cadmus slain,
Seeking Europa o'er the Theban plain;
An heifer to his seat of regal sway,
So will'd prophetic Phœbus, led the way.
These teeth Minerva from the monster rent,
And part to Cadmus and Æeta sent:
Sow'd on Bœotia's ample plains, from those
A hardy race of earth-born giants rose.
To Jason these he gave, a precious spoil;
Nor, tho' his matchless arm the bulls might foil,
Deem'd he, that victory would crown his toil.
The sun now sinking with a feeble ray
To distant Ethiopians slop'd his way;
Night yok'd her steeds: the Grecian heroes spread
Around the halsers and the sails their bed.
200
And all the air a solemn silence fills:
Jason to lonely haunts pursu'd his way;
(All rites adjusted the preceding day.)
'Twas Argus' care a lambkin to provide,
And milk, the rest the ready ship supply'd.
A sweet sequester'd spot the hero found,
Where silence reigns, and welling streams abound;
And here, observant of due rites, he laves,
His limbs immerging in the cleansing waves;
Then o'er his shoulders, pledge of favours past,
The gift of fair Hypsipyla he cast,
A sable robe: a deep round foss he made,
And on the kindling wood the victim laid:
The mix'd libation pouring o'er the flame,
Loud he invok'd infernal Brimo's name;
Then back retires: his call her ears invades,
And up she rises from the land of shades:
Snakes, wreath'd in oaken boughs, curl'd round her hair,
And gleaming torches cast a dismal glare.
To guard their queen the hideous dogs of hell
Rend the dark welkin with incessant yell;
The heaving ground beneath her footsteps shakes;
Loud shriek the Naiads of the neighbouring lakes,
201
Where Amaranthine Phasis rolls his flood.
Fear seiz'd the chief, yet backward he withdrew,
Nor, till he join'd his comrades, turn'd his view.
And now on Caucasus, with snow o'erspread,
The rising morn her silver radiance shed,
When proud Æeta, earlier than the rest,
The fencing corslet buckled to his breast,
The spoils of Mimas of gigantic race,
Whom Mars had vanquish'd on the plains of Thrace:
His golden helmet to his head he bound,
With four fair crests of glittering plumage crown'd,
Bright as the sun new rising from the main;
His nervous arms a mighty spear sustain:
From his broad shoulder beams his sevenfold shield,
Which not a chief of all the Greeks could wield,
Since great Alcides, of his friend bereft,
Was (sad mischance!) on Mysia's borders left.
His son hard by with ready chariot stands;
The king ascends; the reins adorn his hands;
Fierce to the field he hastes in regal state,
And crouds of Colchians round their monarch wait.
The rising morn her silver radiance shed,
When proud Æeta, earlier than the rest,
The fencing corslet buckled to his breast,
The spoils of Mimas of gigantic race,
Whom Mars had vanquish'd on the plains of Thrace:
His golden helmet to his head he bound,
With four fair crests of glittering plumage crown'd,
Bright as the sun new rising from the main;
His nervous arms a mighty spear sustain:
From his broad shoulder beams his sevenfold shield,
Which not a chief of all the Greeks could wield,
Since great Alcides, of his friend bereft,
Was (sad mischance!) on Mysia's borders left.
His son hard by with ready chariot stands;
The king ascends; the reins adorn his hands;
Fierce to the field he hastes in regal state,
And crouds of Colchians round their monarch wait.
As ocean's god, when drawn by rapid steeds,
To Isthmian games, or Calaureia speeds,
To Tænarus, or rocky Petra roves,
Or where Geræstus boasts her oaken groves,
Onchestus' woods, or Lerna's limpid spring;
So to the combat drives the Colchian king.
To Isthmian games, or Calaureia speeds,
202
Or where Geræstus boasts her oaken groves,
Onchestus' woods, or Lerna's limpid spring;
So to the combat drives the Colchian king.
Meanwhile, instructed by the magic maid,
The chief his shield, his spear and trenchant blade
With unguents smear'd: the Greeks approaching nigh
In vain their efforts on his armour try;
But chief the spear such magic charms attend,
No force can break it, and no onset bend.
Idas enrag'd deals many a furious wound,
But, as hard hammers from an anvil bound,
So from the spear his sword recoiling sprung:
The distant vales with loud applauses rung.
Next, with the potent charm the chief anoints
His well-turn'd limbs, and supples all his joints.
And, lo! new powers invigorate his hands,
And arm'd with strength intrepidly he stands.
The chief his shield, his spear and trenchant blade
With unguents smear'd: the Greeks approaching nigh
In vain their efforts on his armour try;
But chief the spear such magic charms attend,
No force can break it, and no onset bend.
Idas enrag'd deals many a furious wound,
But, as hard hammers from an anvil bound,
So from the spear his sword recoiling sprung:
The distant vales with loud applauses rung.
Next, with the potent charm the chief anoints
His well-turn'd limbs, and supples all his joints.
And, lo! new powers invigorate his hands,
And arm'd with strength intrepidly he stands.
As the proud steed, exulting in his might,
Erects his ears, impatient for the fight,
And pawing snuffs the battle from afar;
So pants the hero for the promis'd war.
Firmly he moves, incapable of fear;
One hand his shield sustains, and one the spear.
Thus, when black clouds obscure the darkening day,
And rains descend, the living lightnings play.
Erects his ears, impatient for the fight,
And pawing snuffs the battle from afar;
So pants the hero for the promis'd war.
Firmly he moves, incapable of fear;
One hand his shield sustains, and one the spear.
203
And rains descend, the living lightnings play.
And now the fight draws near; the Grecian train
Sail up the Phasis to the martial plain;
From which as far the towers of Æa stand,
As when the chieftains, who the games command
For some dead king, the bounding barriers place
For steeds or men contending in the race.
Æeta there they found, of mind elate;
On Phasis' banks his chariot rolls in state.
On the Caucasian summits, that command
The field of Mars, the crowded Colchians stand.
Now Argo moor'd, the prince invades the field,
Arm'd with his magic spear, and ample shield;
With serpents' teeth his brazen helm was stor'd,
And cross his shoulder gleam'd his glittering sword:
Like Mars the chief enormous power display'd,
Or Phœbus brandishing his golden blade.
O'er the rough tilth he cast his eyes around,
And soon the plough of adamant he found,
And yokes of brass: his helm (approaching near)
He plac'd on earth, and upright fix'd his spear.
To find the bulls he farther went afield,
And trac'd their steps, arm'd only with his shield.
In a dark cave which smoky mists surround,
Horrid and huge their safe retreat he found.
With rage impetuous forth the monsters came,
And from their nostrils issued streams of flame.
Fear seiz'd the Greeks, but he their fury braves;
Firm as a rock, defies the roaring waves;
Screen'd by his shield, intrepidly he scorns
The bulls loud-bellowing, and their butting horns;
Collected firm he wards each threatening blow.
As at the forge where melting metals glow,
While now the bellows heave, now sink by turns,
The flame subsides, or with fresh fury burns;
Stirr'd to the bottom roars the raging fire:
So roar the bulls, and living flame respire,
That fierce as lightning round the hero play'd,
In vain, now shelter'd by the magic maid.
One bull he seiz'd, that aim'd a deadly stroke,
Seiz'd by his horns, and dragg'd him to the yoke;
Then hurl'd the roaring monster on the ground;
An equal fate his fellow-captive found.
Loos'd from his arm he flung his shield aside,
And the two monsters manfully he ply'd,
Dragg'd on their knees his fiery foes o'ercame,
And shifting artfully escap'd the flame.
Æeta view'd him with astonish'd eyes;
When lo! the sons of Tyndarus arise,
As erst it was decreed, and from the land
Heav'd the strong yokes and gave them to his hand:
These o'er the bulls' low-bended necks he flung;
The brazen beam by rings suspended hung.
The youths retreating from the burning field,
The chief resum'd his loaded helm, his shield
Behind him thrown; then grasp'd his massy spear,
(Thus arm'd the hinds of Thessaly appear,
With long sharp goads to prick their bullocks' sides)
And the firm plough of adamant he guides.
The restiff bulls with indignation fir'd,
From their broad nostrils living flames expir'd,
Loud as the blasts when wintry winds prevail,
And trembling sailors furl the folding sail.
Urg'd by his spear the bulls their task fulfil,
Prove their own prowess, and the ploughman's skill.
As the sharp coulter cleft the clodded ground,
The roughen'd ridges sent a rattling sound.
Firm oe'r the field undaunted Jason treads,
And scattering wide the serpent's teeth he spreads;
Yet oft looks back, suspecting he should find
A legion rising up in arms behind:
Unwearied still the bulls their toil pursue;
Their brazen hoofs the stubborn soil subdue.
Sail up the Phasis to the martial plain;
From which as far the towers of Æa stand,
As when the chieftains, who the games command
For some dead king, the bounding barriers place
For steeds or men contending in the race.
Æeta there they found, of mind elate;
On Phasis' banks his chariot rolls in state.
On the Caucasian summits, that command
The field of Mars, the crowded Colchians stand.
Now Argo moor'd, the prince invades the field,
Arm'd with his magic spear, and ample shield;
With serpents' teeth his brazen helm was stor'd,
And cross his shoulder gleam'd his glittering sword:
Like Mars the chief enormous power display'd,
Or Phœbus brandishing his golden blade.
O'er the rough tilth he cast his eyes around,
And soon the plough of adamant he found,
And yokes of brass: his helm (approaching near)
He plac'd on earth, and upright fix'd his spear.
To find the bulls he farther went afield,
And trac'd their steps, arm'd only with his shield.
204
Horrid and huge their safe retreat he found.
With rage impetuous forth the monsters came,
And from their nostrils issued streams of flame.
Fear seiz'd the Greeks, but he their fury braves;
Firm as a rock, defies the roaring waves;
Screen'd by his shield, intrepidly he scorns
The bulls loud-bellowing, and their butting horns;
Collected firm he wards each threatening blow.
As at the forge where melting metals glow,
While now the bellows heave, now sink by turns,
The flame subsides, or with fresh fury burns;
Stirr'd to the bottom roars the raging fire:
So roar the bulls, and living flame respire,
That fierce as lightning round the hero play'd,
In vain, now shelter'd by the magic maid.
One bull he seiz'd, that aim'd a deadly stroke,
Seiz'd by his horns, and dragg'd him to the yoke;
Then hurl'd the roaring monster on the ground;
An equal fate his fellow-captive found.
Loos'd from his arm he flung his shield aside,
And the two monsters manfully he ply'd,
Dragg'd on their knees his fiery foes o'ercame,
And shifting artfully escap'd the flame.
205
When lo! the sons of Tyndarus arise,
As erst it was decreed, and from the land
Heav'd the strong yokes and gave them to his hand:
These o'er the bulls' low-bended necks he flung;
The brazen beam by rings suspended hung.
The youths retreating from the burning field,
The chief resum'd his loaded helm, his shield
Behind him thrown; then grasp'd his massy spear,
(Thus arm'd the hinds of Thessaly appear,
With long sharp goads to prick their bullocks' sides)
And the firm plough of adamant he guides.
The restiff bulls with indignation fir'd,
From their broad nostrils living flames expir'd,
Loud as the blasts when wintry winds prevail,
And trembling sailors furl the folding sail.
Urg'd by his spear the bulls their task fulfil,
Prove their own prowess, and the ploughman's skill.
As the sharp coulter cleft the clodded ground,
The roughen'd ridges sent a rattling sound.
Firm oe'r the field undaunted Jason treads,
And scattering wide the serpent's teeth he spreads;
Yet oft looks back, suspecting he should find
A legion rising up in arms behind:
206
Their brazen hoofs the stubborn soil subdue.
When now three portions of the day were spent,
And weary hinds at evening homeward went,
The chief had till'd four acres of the soil;
He then releas'd the monsters from their toil.
Away they scamper'd wildly o'er the plain;
Himself rejoin'd his delegated train,
Till on the field his earth-born foes appear:
The Greeks their animated hero cheer.
He in his helm, replenish'd at the springs,
To slake his burning thirst fresh water brings.
His limbs renew'd with forceful vigour play,
His heart beats boldly and demands the fray.
Thus the fell boar disdains the hunter-bands,
Foams, whets his tusks, and in defiance stands.
Now rose th' embattled squadron in the field,
In glittering helms array'd, with spear and shield,
Bright o'er the Martial plain the splendors rise,
And dart in streams of radiance to the skies.
Thus, when thick snow the face of nature shrouds,
And nightly winds dispel the wintry clouds,
The stars again their splendid beams display;
So shone the warriours in the face of day.
But Jason, mindful of the maid's command,
Seiz'd a vast rock, and rais'd it from the land:
Not four stout youths, for strength of limbs renown'd,
Could lift a weight so ponderous from the ground:
This 'midst his foes, embattled on the field,
He hurl'd, and safe retir'd behind his shield.
The Colchians shout, as when the raging main
Roars round tremendous rocks, but roars in vain.
In silence fix'd, Æeta stands aghast
To see the fragment with such fury cast.
The host, like dogs contending o'er their prey,
With curs'd ferocity their comrades slay,
Then leave on earth their mangled trunks behind,
Like pines or oaks uprooted by the wind.
As shoots a star from heaven's etherial brow,
Portending vengeance to the world below,
Who thro' dark clouds descry its radiant light:
Thus Jason rush'd, in glittering armour bright.
His brandish'd falchion fell'd the rising foes:
Succinct in arms, some half their lengths disclose,
Some scarce their shoulders; other feebly stand,
While others, treading firm, the fight demand.
And weary hinds at evening homeward went,
The chief had till'd four acres of the soil;
He then releas'd the monsters from their toil.
Away they scamper'd wildly o'er the plain;
Himself rejoin'd his delegated train,
Till on the field his earth-born foes appear:
The Greeks their animated hero cheer.
He in his helm, replenish'd at the springs,
To slake his burning thirst fresh water brings.
His limbs renew'd with forceful vigour play,
His heart beats boldly and demands the fray.
Thus the fell boar disdains the hunter-bands,
Foams, whets his tusks, and in defiance stands.
Now rose th' embattled squadron in the field,
In glittering helms array'd, with spear and shield,
Bright o'er the Martial plain the splendors rise,
And dart in streams of radiance to the skies.
Thus, when thick snow the face of nature shrouds,
And nightly winds dispel the wintry clouds,
The stars again their splendid beams display;
So shone the warriours in the face of day.
207
Seiz'd a vast rock, and rais'd it from the land:
Not four stout youths, for strength of limbs renown'd,
Could lift a weight so ponderous from the ground:
This 'midst his foes, embattled on the field,
He hurl'd, and safe retir'd behind his shield.
The Colchians shout, as when the raging main
Roars round tremendous rocks, but roars in vain.
In silence fix'd, Æeta stands aghast
To see the fragment with such fury cast.
The host, like dogs contending o'er their prey,
With curs'd ferocity their comrades slay,
Then leave on earth their mangled trunks behind,
Like pines or oaks uprooted by the wind.
As shoots a star from heaven's etherial brow,
Portending vengeance to the world below,
Who thro' dark clouds descry its radiant light:
Thus Jason rush'd, in glittering armour bright.
His brandish'd falchion fell'd the rising foes:
Succinct in arms, some half their lengths disclose,
Some scarce their shoulders; other feebly stand,
While others, treading firm, the fight demand.
As on the bounds which separate hostile states,
Eternal source of battle and debates,
The cautious hind the cruel spoiler fears,
And reaps his wheat with yet unripen'd ears;
Ere yet the spikes their wonted growth attain,
Ere yet the sun-beams have matur'd the grain:
So Jason's arms the rising squadrons mow'd;
Their blood profusely in the furrows flow'd.
Some sidelong fall on earth, and some supine,
Some prone lie groveling and their lives resign,
Like whales incumbent on the buoyant main:
Some wounded perish ere they tread the plain;
As late in air they held their heads on high,
So lowly humbled in the dust they lie.
Thus tender plants, by copious torrents drown'd,
Strew their fresh leaves, uprooted from the ground;
The tiller views with heart-corroding pain
His fostering care, and all his labours vain.
Æeta thus with wild vexation burn'd,
And with his Colchians to the town return'd,
Some weightier task revolving in his mind:
Thus clos'd the combat, and the day declin'd.
Eternal source of battle and debates,
208
And reaps his wheat with yet unripen'd ears;
Ere yet the spikes their wonted growth attain,
Ere yet the sun-beams have matur'd the grain:
So Jason's arms the rising squadrons mow'd;
Their blood profusely in the furrows flow'd.
Some sidelong fall on earth, and some supine,
Some prone lie groveling and their lives resign,
Like whales incumbent on the buoyant main:
Some wounded perish ere they tread the plain;
As late in air they held their heads on high,
So lowly humbled in the dust they lie.
Thus tender plants, by copious torrents drown'd,
Strew their fresh leaves, uprooted from the ground;
The tiller views with heart-corroding pain
His fostering care, and all his labours vain.
Æeta thus with wild vexation burn'd,
And with his Colchians to the town return'd,
Some weightier task revolving in his mind:
Thus clos'd the combat, and the day declin'd.
END OF THE THIRD BOOK.
| 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 | |