the heroes-第16章
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After that they rowed on steadily for many a weary day; till they saw a long high island; and beyond it a mountain land。 And they searched till they found a harbour; and there rowed boldly in。 But after awhile they stopped; and wondered; for there stood a great city on the shore; and temples and walls and gardens; and castles high in air upon the cliffs。 And on either side they saw a harbour; with a narrow mouth; but wide within; and black ships without number; high and dry upon the shore。
Then Ancaios; the wise helmsman; spoke; 'What new wonder is this? I know all isles; and harbours; and the windings of all seas; and this should be Corcyra; where a few wild goat… herds dwell。 But whence come these new harbours and vast works of polished stone?'
But Jason said; 'They can be no savage people。 We will go in and take our chance。'
So they rowed into the harbour; among a thousand black…beaked ships; each larger far than ARGO; toward a quay of polished stone。 And they wondered at that mighty city; with its roofs of burnished brass; and long and lofty walls of marble; with strong palisades above。 And the quays were full of people; merchants; and mariners; and slaves; going to and fro with merchandise among the crowd of ships。 And the heroes' hearts were humbled; and they looked at each other and said; 'We thought ourselves a gallant crew when we sailed from Iolcos by the sea; but how small we look before this city; like an ant before a hive of bees。'
Then the sailors hailed them roughly from the quay; 'What men are you? … we want no strangers here; nor pirates。 We keep our business to ourselves。'
But Jason answered gently; with many a flattering word; and praised their city and their harbour; and their fleet of gallant ships。 'Surely you are the children of Poseidon; and the masters of the sea; and we are but poor wandering mariners; worn out with thirst and toil。 Give us but food and water; and we will go on our voyage in peace。'
Then the sailors laughed; and answered; 'Stranger; you are no fool; you talk like an honest man; and you shall find us honest too。 We are the children of Poseidon; and the masters of the sea; but come ashore to us; and you shall have the best that we can give。'
So they limped ashore; all stiff and weary; with long ragged beards and sunburnt cheeks; and garments torn and weather… stained; and weapons rusted with the spray; while the sailors laughed at them (for they were rough…tongued; though their hearts were frank and kind)。 And one said; 'These fellows are but raw sailors; they look as if they had been sea…sick all the day。' And another; 'Their legs have grown crooked with much rowing; till they waddle in their walk like ducks。'
At that Idas the rash would have struck them; but Jason held him back; till one of the merchant kings spoke to them; a tall and stately man。
'Do not be angry; strangers; the sailor boys must have their jest。 But we will treat you justly and kindly; for strangers and poor men come from God; and you seem no common sailors by your strength; and height; and weapons。 Come up with me to the palace of Alcinous; the rich sea…going king; and we will feast you well and heartily; and after that you shall tell us your name。'
But Medeia hung back; and trembled; and whispered in Jason's ear; 'We are betrayed; and are going to our ruin; for I see my countrymen among the crowd; dark…eyed Colchi in steel mail…shirts; such as they wear in my father's land。'
'It is too late to turn;' said Jason。 And he spoke to the merchant king; 'What country is this; good sir; and what is this new…built town?'
'This is the land of the Phaeaces; beloved by all the Immortals; for they come hither and feast like friends with us; and sit by our side in the hall。 Hither we came from Liburnia to escape the unrighteous Cyclopes; for they robbed us; peaceful merchants; of our hard…earned wares and wealth。 So Nausithous; the son of Poseidon; brought us hither; and died in peace; and now his son Alcinous rules us; and Arete the wisest of queens。'
So they went up across the square; and wondered still more as they went; for along the quays lay in order great cables; and yards; and masts; before the fair temple of Poseidon; the blue…haired king of the seas。 And round the square worked the ship…wrights; as many in number as ants; twining ropes; and hewing timber; and smoothing long yards and oars。 And the Minuai went on in silence through clean white marble streets; till they came to the hall of Alcinous; and they wondered then still more。 For the lofty palace shone aloft in the sun; with walls of plated brass; from the threshold to the innermost chamber; and the doors were of silver and gold。 And on each side of the doorway sat living dogs of gold; who never grew old or died; so well Hephaistos had made them in his forges in smoking Lemnos; and gave them to Alcinous to guard his gates by night。 And within; against the walls; stood thrones on either side; down the whole length of the hall; strewn with rich glossy shawls; and on them the merchant kings of those crafty sea…roving Phaeaces sat eating and drinking in pride; and feasting there all the year round。 And boys of molten gold stood each on a polished altar; and held torches in their hands; to give light all night to the guests。 And round the house sat fifty maid…servants; some grinding the meal in the mill; some turning the spindle; some weaving at the loom; while their hands twinkled as they passed the shuttle; like quivering aspen leaves。
And outside before the palace a great garden was walled round; filled full of stately fruit…trees; gray olives and sweet figs; and pomegranates; pears; and apples; which bore the whole year round。 For the rich south…west wind fed them; till pear grew ripe on pear; fig on fig; and grape on grape; all the winter and the spring。 And at the farther end gay flower…beds bloomed through all seasons of the year; and two fair fountains rose; and ran; one through the garden grounds; and one beneath the palace gate; to water all the town。 Such noble gifts the heavens had given to Alcinous the wise。
So they went in; and saw him sitting; like Poseidon; on his throne; with his golden sceptre by him; in garments stiff with gold; and in his hand a sculptured goblet; as he pledged the merchant kings; and beside him stood Arete; his wise and lovely queen; and leaned against a pillar as she spun her golden threads。
Then Alcinous rose; and welcomed them; and bade them sit and eat; and the servants brought them tables; and bread; and meat; and wine。
But Medeia went on trembling toward Arete the fair queen; and fell at her knees; and clasped them; and cried; weeping; as she knelt …
'I am your guest; fair queen; and I entreat you by Zeus; from whom prayers come。 Do not send me back to my father to die some dreadful death; but let me go my way; and bear my burden。 Have I not had enough of punishment and shame?'
'Who are you; strange maiden? and what is the meaning of your prayer?'
'I am Medeia; daughter of Aietes; and I saw my countrymen here to…day; and I know that they are come to find me; and take me home to die some dreadful death。'
Then Arete frowned; and said; 'Lead this girl in; my maidens; and let the kings decide; not I。'
And Alcinous leapt up from his throne; and cried; 'Speak; strangers; who are you? And who is this maiden?'
'We are the heroes of the Minuai;' said Jason; 'and this maiden has spoken truth。 We are the men who took the golden fleece; the men whose fame has run round every shore。 We came hither out of the ocean; after sorrows such as man never saw before。 We went out many; and come back few; for many a noble comrade have we lost。 So let us go; as you should let your guests go; in peace; that the world may say; 〃Alcinous is a just king。〃'
But Alcinous frowned; and stood deep in thought; and at last he spoke …
'Had not the deed been done which is done; I should have said this day to myself; 〃It is an honour to Alcinous; and to his children after him; that the far…famed Argonauts are his guests。〃 But these Colchi are my guests; as you are; and for this month they have waited here with all their fleet; for they have hunted all the seas of Hellas; and could not find you; and dared neither go farther; nor go home。'
'Let them choose out their champions; and we will fight them; man for man。'
'No guests of ours shall fight upon our island; and if you go outside they will outnumber you。 I will do justice between you; for I know and do what is right。'
Then he turned to his kings; and said; 'This may stand over till to…morrow。 To…night we will feast our guests; and hear the story of all their wanderings; and how they came hither out of the ocean。'
So Alcinous bade the servants take the heroes in; and bathe them; and give them clothes。 And they were glad when they saw the warm water; for it was long since they had bathed。 And they washed off the sea…salt from their limbs; and anointed themselves from head to foot with oil; and combed out their golden hair。 Then they came back again into the hall; while the merchant kings rose up to do them honour。 And each man said to his neighbour; 'No wonder that these men won fame。 How they stand now like Giants; or Titans; or Immortals come down from Olympus; though many a winter has worn them; and many a fearful storm。 What must they have been when they sailed from Iolcos; in the bloom of their youth; long ago?'
Then they went out to the garden; and the merchant princes said; 'Heroes; run races with us。 Let us see whose feet are nimblest。'
'We cannot race against you; for our limbs are stiff from sea; and we have lost our two swift comrades; the sons of the north wind。 But do not think us cowards: if you wish to try our strength; we will shoot; and box; and wrestle; against any men on earth。'
And Alcinous smiled; and answered; 'I believe you; gallant guests; with your long limbs and broad shoulders; we could never match you here。 For we care nothing here for boxing; or for shooting with the bow; but for feasts; and songs; and harping; and dancing; and running races; to stretch our limbs on shore。'
So they danced there and ran races; the jolly merchant kings; till the night fell; and all went in。
And then they ate and drank; and comforted their weary souls; till Alcinous called a herald; and bade him go and fetch the harper。
The herald went out; and fetched the harper; and led him in by the hand; and Alcinous cut him a piece of meat; from the fattest of the haunch; and sent it to him; and said; 'Sing to us; noble harper; and rejoice the heroes' hearts。'
So the harper played and sang; while the dancers danced strange figures; and after that the tumblers showed their tricks; till the heroes laughed again。
Then; 'Tell me; heroes;' asked Alcinous; 'you who have sailed the ocean round; and seen the manners of all nations; have you seen such dancers as ours here; or heard such music and such singing? We hold ours to be the best on earth。'
'Such dancing we have never seen;' said Orpheus; 'and your singer is a ha