按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
loods of rain from Zeus ceased at sunrise； and soon the two bands drew near and met each other； and Argus spoke first：
（ll。 1123…1133） 〃We beseech you； by Zeus the Beholder； whoever ye are； to be kindly and to help us in our need。 For fierce tempests； falling on the sea； have shattered all the timbers of the crazy ship in which we were cleaving our path on business bent。 Wherefore we entreat you； if haply ye will listen； to grant us just a covering for our bodies； and to pity and succour men in misfortune； your equals in age。 Oh； reverence suppliants and strangers for Zeus' sake； the god of strangers and suppliants。 To Zeus belong both suppliants and strangers； and his eye； methinks； beholdeth even us。〃
（ll。 1134…1139） And in reply the son of Aeson prudently questioned him； deeming that the prophecies of Phineus were being fulfilled： 〃All these things will we straightway grant you with right good will。 But come tell me truly in what country ye dwell and what business bids you sail across the sea； and tell me your own glorious names and lineage。〃
（ll。 1140…1156） And him Argus； helpless in his evil plight； addressed： 〃That one Phrixus an Aeolid reached Aea from Hellas you yourselves have clearly heard ere this； I trow； Phrixus； who came to the city of Aeetes； bestriding a ram； which Hermes had made all gold； and the fleece ye may see even now。 The ram； at its own prompting； he then sacrificed to Zeus； son of Cronos； above all； the god of fugitives。 And him did Aeetes receive in his palace； and with gladness of heart gave him his daughter Chalciope in marriage without gifts of wooing。 （8） From those two are we sprung。 But Phrixus died at last； an aged man； in the home of Aeetes； and we； giving heed to our father's behests； are journeying to Orehomenus to take the possessions of Athamas。 And if thou dost desire to learn our names； this is Cytissorus； this Phrontis； and this Melas； and me ye may。 call Argus。〃
（ll。 1157…1159） Thus he spake； and the chieftains rejoiced at the meeting； and tended them； much marvelling。 And Jason again in turn replied； as was fitting； with these words：
（ll。 1160…1178） 〃Surely ye are our kinsmen on my father's side； and ye pray that with kindly hearts we succour your evil plight。 For Cretheus and Athamas were brothers。 I am the grandson of Cretheus； and with these comrades here I am journeying from that same Hellas to the city of Aeetes。 But of these things we will converse hereafter。 And do ye first put clothing upon you。 By heaven's devising； I ween； have ye come to my hands in your sore need。〃
（ll。 1168…1178） He spake； and out of the ship gave them raiment to put on。 Then all together they went to the temple of Ares to offer sacrifice of sheep； and in haste they stood round the altar； which was outside the roofless temple； an altar built of pebbles； within a black stone stood fixed； a sacred thing； to which of yore the Amazons all used to pray。 Nor was it lawful for them； when they came from the opposite coast； to burn on this altar offerings of sheep and oxen； but they used to slay horses which they kept in great herds。 Now when they had sacrificed and eaten the feast prepared； then Aeson's son spake among them and thus began：
（ll。 1179…1195） 〃Zeus' self； I ween； beholds everything； nor do we men escape his eye； we that be god…fearing and just； for as he rescued your father from the hands of a murderous step…dame and gave him measureless wealth besides； even so hath he saved you harmless from the baleful storm。 And on board this ship ye may sail hither and thither； where ye will； whether to Aea or to the wealthy city of divine Orthomenus。 For our ship Athena built and with axe of bronze cut her timbers near the crest of Pelion； and with the goddess wrought Argus。 But yours the fierce surge hath shattered； before ye came nigh to the rocks which all day long clash together in the straits of the sea。 But come； be yourselves our helpers； for we are eager to bring to Hellas the golden fleece； and guide us on our voyage； for I go to atone for the intended sacrifice of Phrixus； the cause of Zeus' wrath against the sons of Aeolus。〃
（ll。 1196…1199） He spake with soothing words； but horror seized them when they heard。 For they deemed that they would not find Aeetes friendly if they desired to take away the ram's fleece。 And Argus spake as follows； vexed that they should busy themselves with such a quest：
（ll。 1200…1215） 〃My friends； our strength； so far as it avails； shall never cease to help you； not one whit； when need shall come。 But Aeetes is terribly armed with deadly ruthlessness； wherefore exceedingly do I dread this voyage。 And he boasts himself to be the son of Helios； and all round dwell countless tribes of Colchians； and he might match himself with Ares in his dread war…cry and giant strength。 Nay； to seize the fleece in spite of Aeetes is no easy task； so huge a serpent keeps guard round and about it； deathless and sleepless； which Earth herself brought forth on the sides of Caucasus； by the rock of Typhaon； where Typhaon； they say； smitten by the bolt of Zeus； son of Cronos； when he lifted against the god his sturdy hands； dropped from his head hot gore； and in such plight he reached the mountains and plain of Nysa； where to this day he lies whelmed beneath the waters of the Serbonian lake。〃
（ll。 1216…1218） Thus he spake； and straightway many a cheek grew pale when they heard of so mighty an adventure。 But quickly Peleus answered with cheering words； and thus spake：
（ll。 1219…1225） 〃Be not so fearful in spirit； my good friend。 For we are not so lacking in prowess as to be no match for Aeetes to try his strength with arms； but I deem that we too are cunning in war； we that go thither； near akin to the blood of the blessed gods。 Wherefore if he will not grant us the fleece of gold for friendship's sake； the tribes of the Colchians will not avail him； I ween。〃
（ll。 1226…1230） Thus they addressed each other in turn； until again； satisfied with their feast； they turned to rest。 And when they rose at dawn a gentle breeze was blowing； and they raised the sails； which strained to the rush of the wind； and quickly they left behind the island of Ares。
（ll。 1231…1241） And at nightfall they came to the island of Philyra； where Cronos； son of Uranus； what time in Olympus he reigned over the Titans； and Zeus was yet being nurtured in a Cretan cave by the Curetes of Ida； lay beside Philyra； when he had deceived Rhea； and the goddess found them in the midst of their dalliance； and Cronos leapt up from the couch with a rush in the form of a steed with flowing mane； but Ocean's daughter； Philyra； in shame left the spot and those haunts； and came to the long Pelasgian ridges； where by her union with the transfigured deity she brought forth huge Cheiron； half like a horse； half like a god。
（ll。 1242…1261） Thence they sailed on； past the Macrones and the far…stretching land of the Becheiri and the overweening Sapeires； and after them the Byzeres； for ever forward they clave their way； quickly borne by the gentle breeze。 And lo； as they sped on； a deep gulf of the sea was opened； and lo； the steep crags of the Caucasian mountains rose up； w