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m…winds before them； by which they were caught and borne back to the rocky isle of Electra。 And straightway on a sudden there called to them in the midst of their course； speaking with a human voice； the beam of the hollow ship； which Athena had set in the centre of the stem； made of Dodonian oak。 And deadly fear seized them as they heard the voice that told of the grievous wrath of Zeus。 For it proclaimed that they should not escape the paths of an endless sea nor grievous tempests； unless Circe should purge away the guilt of the ruthless murder of Apsyrtus； and it bade Polydeuces and Castor pray to the immortal gods first to grant a path through the Ausonian sea where they should find Circe； daughter of Perse and Helios。
（ll。 592…626） Thus Argo cried through the darkness； and the sons of Tyndareus uprose； and lifted their hands to the immortals praying for each boon： but dejection held the rest of the Minyan heroes。 And far on sped Argo under sail； and entered deep into the stream of Eridanus； where once； smitten on the breast by the blazing bolt； Phaethon half…consumed fell from the chariot of Helios into the opening of that deep lake； and even now it belcheth up heavy steam clouds from the smouldering wound。 And no bird spreading its light wings can cross that water； but in mid…course it plunges into the flame； fluttering。 And all around the maidens； the daughters of Helios； enclosed in tall poplars； wretchedly wail a piteous plaint； and from their eyes they shed on the ground bright drops of amber。 These are dried by the sun upon the sand； but whenever the waters of the dark lake flow over the strand before the blast of the wailing wind； then they roll on in a mass into Eridanus with swelling tide。 But the Celts have attached this story to them； that these are the tears of Leto's son； Apollo； that are borne along by the eddies； the countless tears that he shed aforetime when he came to the sacred race of the Hyperboreans and left shining heaven at the chiding of his father； being in wrath concerning his son whom divine Coronis bare in bright Lacereia at the mouth of Amyrus。 And such is the story told among these men。 But no desire for food or drink seized the heroes nor were their thoughts turned to joy。 But they were sorely afflicted all day； heavy and faint at heart； with the noisome stench； hard to endure； which the streams of Eridanus sent forth from Phaethon still burning； and at night they heard the piercing lament of the daughters of Helios； wailing with shrill voice； and； as they lamented； their tears were borne on the water like drops of oil。
（ll。 627…658） Thence they entered the deep stream of Rhodanus which flows into Eridanus； and where they meet there is a roar of mingling waters。 Now that river； rising from the ends of the earth； where are the portals and mansions of Night； on one side bursts forth upon the beach of Ocean； at another pours into the Ionian sea； and on the third through seven mouths sends its stream to the Sardinian sea and its limitless bay。 （3） And from Rhodanus they entered stormy lakes； which spread throughout the Celtic mainland of wondrous size； and there they would have met with an inglorious calamity； for a certain branch of the river was bearing them towards a gulf of Ocean which in ignorance they were about to enter； and never would they have returned from there in safety。 But Hera leaping forth from heaven pealed her cry from the Hercynian rock； and all together were shaken with fear of her cry； for terribly crashed the mighty firmament。 And backward they turned by reason of the goddess； and noted the path by which their return was ordained。 And after a long while they came to the beach of the surging sea by the devising of Hera； passing unharmed through countless tribes of the Celts and Ligyans。 For round them the goddess poured a dread mist day by day as they fared on。 And so； sailing through the midmost mouth； they reached the Stoechades islands in safety by the aid of the sons of Zeus； wherefore altars and sacred rites are established in their honour for ever； and not that sea…faring alone did they attend to succour； but Zeus granted to them the ships of future sailors too。 Then leaving the Stoechades they passed on to the island Aethalia； where after their toil they wiped away with pebbles sweat in abundance； and pebbles like skin in colour are strewn on the beach； （4） and there are their quoits and their wondrous armour； and there is the Argoan harbour called after them。
（ll。 659…684） And quickly from there they passed through the sea； beholding the Tyrrhenian shores of Ausonia； and they came to the famous harbour of Aeaea； and from the ship they cast hawsers to the shore near at hand。 And here they found Circe bathing her head in the salt sea…spray； for sorely had she been scared by visions of the night。 With blood her chambers and all the walls of her palace seemed to be running； and flame was devouring all the magic herbs with which she used to bewitch strangers whoever came； and she herself with murderous blood quenched the glowing flame； drawing it up in her hands； and she ceased from deadly fear。 Wherefore when morning came she rose； and with sea…spray was bathing her hair and her garments。 And beasts； not resembling the beasts of the wild； nor yet like men in body； but with a medley of limbs； went in a throng； as sheep from the fold in multitudes follow the shepherd。 Such creatures； compacted of various limbs； did each herself produce from the primeval slime when she had not yet grown solid beneath a rainless sky nor yet had received a drop of moisture from the rays of the scorching sun； but time combined these forms and marshalled them in their ranks； in such wise these monsters shapeless of form followed her。 And exceeding wonder seized the heroes； and at once； as each gazed on the form and face of Circe； they readily guessed that she was the sister of Aeetes。
（ll。 685…717） Now when she had dismissed the fears of her nightly visions； straightway she fared backwards； and in her subtlety she bade the heroes follow； charming them on with her hand。 Thereupon the host remained stedfast at the bidding of Aeson's son； but Jason drew with him the Colchian maid。 And both followed the selfsame path till they reached the hall of Circe； and she in amaze at their coming bade them sit on brightly burnished seats。 And they； quiet and silent； sped to the hearth and sat there； as is the wont of wretched suppliants。 Medea hid her face in both her hands； but Jason fixed in the ground the mighty hilted sword with which he had slain Aeetes' son； nor did they raise their eyes to meet her look。 And straightway Circe became aware of the doom of a suppliant and the guilt of murder。 Wherefore in reverence for the ordinance of Zeus； the god of suppliants； who is a god of wrath yet mightily aids slayers of men； she began to offer the sacrifice with which ruthless suppliants are cleansed from guilt when they approach the altar。 First； to atone for the murder still unexpiated； she held above their heads the young of a sow whose dugs yet swelled from the fruit of the womb； and； severing its neck； sprinkled their hands with the blood； and again she made propi