the argonautica-第21章

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oned　her；　but　Medea；　distraught　by　swiftly…changing　thoughts；　neither　heard　her　words　nor　was　eager　to　speak　in　answer　to　her　questions。　　But　she　sat　upon　a　low　stool　at　the　foot　of　her　couch；　bending　down；　her　cheek　leaning　on　her　left　hand；　and　her　eyes　were　wet　with　tears　as　she　pondered　what　an　evil　deed　she　had　taken　part　in　by　her　counsels。

（ll。　1163…1190）　　Now　when　Aeson's　son　had　joined　his　comrades　again　in　the　spot　where　he　had　left　them　when　he　departed；　he　set　out　to　go　with　them；　telling　them　all　the　story；　to　the　gathering　of　the　heroes；　and　together　they　approached　the　ship。　　And　when　they　saw　Jason　they　embraced　him　and　questioned　him。　　And　he　told　to　all　the　counsels　of　the　maiden　and　showed　the　dread　charm；　but　Idas　alone　of　his　comrades　sat　apart　biting　down　his　wrath；　and　the　rest　joyous　in　heart；　at　the　hour　when　the　darkness　of　night　stayed　them；　peacefully　took　thought　for　themselves。　　But　at　daybreak　they　sent　two　men　to　go　to　Aeetes　and　ask　for　the　seed；　first　Telamon　himself；　dear　to　Ares；　and　with　him　Aethalides；　Hermes'　famous　son。　　So　they　went　and　made　no　vain　journey；　but　when　they　came；　lordly　Aeetes　gave　them　for　the　contest　the　fell　teeth　of　the　Aonian　dragon　which　Cadmus　found　in　Ogygian　Thebes　when　he　came　seeking　for　Europa　and　there　slew　thewarder　of　the　spring　of　Ares。　　There　he　settled　by　the　guidance　of　the　heifer　whom　Apollo　by　his　prophetic　word　granted　him　to　lead　him　on　his　way。　　But　the　teeth　the　Tritonian　goddess　tore　away　from　the　dragon's　jaws　and　bestowed　as　a　gift　upon　Aeetes　and　the　slayer。　　And　Agenor's　son；　Cadmus；　sowed　them　on　the　Aonian　plains　and　founded　an　earthborn　people　of　all　who　were　left　from　the　spear　when　Ares　did　the　reaping；　and　the　teeth　Aeetes　then　readily　gave　to　be　borne　to　the　ship；　for　he　deemed　not　that　Jason　would　bring　the　contest　to　an　end；　even　though　he　should　cast　the　yoke　upon　the　oxen。

（ll。　1191…1224）　　Far　away　in　the　west　the　sun　was　sailing　beneath　the　dark　earth；　beyond　the　furthest　hills　of　the　Aethiopians；　and　Night　was　laying　the　yoke　upon　her　steeds；　and　the　heroes　were　preparing　their　beds　by　the　hawsers。　　But　Jason；　as　soon　as　the　stars　of　Heliee；　the　bright…gleaming　bear；　had　set；　and　the　air　had　all　grown　still　under　heaven；　went　to　a　desert　spot；　like　some　stealthy　thief；　with　all　that　was　needful；　for　beforehand　in　the　daytime　had　he　taken　thought　for　everything；　and　Argus　came　bringing　a　ewe　and　milk　from　the　flock；　and　them　he　took　from　the　ship。　　But　when　the　hero　saw　a　place　which　was　far　away　from　the　tread　of　men；　in　a　clear　meadow　beneath　the　open　sky；　there　first　of　all　he　bathed　his　tender　body　reverently　in　the　sacred　river；　and　round　him　he　placed　a　dark　robe；　which　Hypsipyle　of　Lemnos　had　given　him　aforetime；　a　memorial　of　many　a　loving　embrace。　Then　he　dug　a　pit　in　the　ground　of　a　cubit's　depth　and　heaped　up　billets　of　wood；　and　over　it　he　cut　the　throat　of　the　sheep；　and　duly　placed　the　carcase　above；　and　he　kindled　the　logs　placing　fire　beneath；　and　poured　over　them　mingled　libations；　calling　on　Hecate　Brimo　to　aid　him　in　the　contests。　　And　when　he　had　called　on　her　he　drew　back；　and　she　heard　him；　the　dread　goddess；　from　the　uttermost　depths　and　came　to　the　sacrifice　of　Aeson's　son；　and　round　her　horrible　serpents　twined　themselves　among　the　oak　boughs；　and　there　was　a　gleam　of　countless　torches；　and　sharply　howled　around　her　the　hounds　of　hell。　　All　the　meadows　trembled　at　her　step；　and　the　nymphs　that　haunt　the　marsh　and　the　river　shrieked；　all　who　dance　round　that　mead　of　Amarantian　Phasis。　　And　fear　seized　Aeson's　son；　but　not　even　so　did　he　turn　round　as　his　feet　bore　him　forth；　till　he　came　back　to　his　comrades；　and　now　early　dawn　arose　and　shed　her　light　above　snowy　Caucasus。

（ll。　1225…1245）　　Then　Aeetes　arrayed　his　breast　in　the　stiff　corslet　which　Ares　gave　him　when　he　had　slain　Phlegraean　Mimas　with　his　own　hands；　and　upon　his　head　he　placed　a　golden　helmet　with　four　plumes；　gleaming　like　the　sun's　round　light　when　he　first　rises　from　Ocean。　　And　he　wielded　his　shield　of　many　hides；　and　his　spear；　terrible；　resistless；　none　of　the　heroes　could　have　withstood　its　shock　now　that　they　had　left　behind　Heracles　far　away；　who　alone　could　have　met　it　in　battle。　　For　the　king　his　well…fashioned　chariot　of　swift　steeds　was　held　near　at　hand　by　Phaethon；　for　him　to　mount；　and　he　mounted；　and　held　the　reins　in　his　hands。　　Then　from　the　city　he　drove　along　the　broad　highway；　that　he　might　be　present　at　the　contest；　and　with　him　a　countless　multitude　rushed　forth。　　And　as　Poseidon　rides；　mounted　in　his　chariot；　to　the　Isthmian　contest　or　to　Taenarus；　or　to　Lerna's　water；　or　through　the　grove　of　Hyantian　Onchestus；　and　thereafter　passes　even　to　Calaureia　with　his　steeds；　and　the　Haemonian　rock；　or　well…wooded　Geraestus；　even　so　was　Aeetes；　lord　of　the　Colchians；　to　behold。

（ll。　1246…1277）　　Meanwhile；　prompted　by　Medea；　Jason　steeped　the　charm　in　water　and　sprinkled　with　it　his　shield　and　sturdy　spear；　and　sword；　and　his　comrades　round　him　made　proof　of　his　weapons　with　might　and　main；　but　could　not　bend　that　spear　even　a　little；　but　it　remained　firm　in　their　stalwart　hands　unbroken　as　before。　But　in　furious　rage　with　them　Idas；　Aphareus'　son；　with　his　great　sword　hewed　at　the　spear　near　the　butt；　and　the　edge　leapt　back　repelled　by　the　shock；　like　a　hammer　from　the　anvil；　and　the　heroes　shouted　with　joy　for　their　hope　in　the　contest。　　And　then　he　sprinkled　his　body；　and　terrible　prowess　entered　into　him；　unspeakable；　dauntless；　and　his　hands　on　both　sides　thrilled　vigorously　as　they　swelled　with　strength。　　And　as　when　a　warlike　steed　eager　for　the　fight　neighs　and　beats　the　ground　with　his　hoof；　while　rejoicing　he　lifts　his　neck　on　high　with　ears　erect；　in　such　wise　did　Aeson's　son　rejoice　in　the　strength　of　his　limbs。　　And　often　hither　and　thither　did　he　leap　high　in　air　tossing　in　his　hands　his　shield　of　bronze　and　ashen　spear。　　Thou　wouldst　say　that　wintry　lightning　flashing　from　the　gloomy　sky　kept　on　darting　forth　from　the　clouds　what　time　they　bring　with　them　their　blackest　rainstorm。　　Not　long　after　that　were　the　heroes　to　hold　back　from　the　contests；　but　sitting　in　rows　on　their　benches　they　sped　swiftly　on　to　the　plain　of　Ares。　　And　it　lay　in　front　of　them　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　city；　as　far　off　as　is　the　turning…post　that　a　chariot　must　reach　from　the　starting…point；　when　the　kinsmen　of　a　dead　king　appoint　funeral　games　for　footmen　and　horsemen。　　And　they　found　Aeetes　and　the　tribes　of　the　Colchians；　these　were　stationed　on　the　Caucasian　heights；　but　the　king　by　the　winding　brink　of　the　river。

（ll。　1278…1325）　　Now　Aeson's　son；　as　soon　as　his　comrades　had　made　the　hawsers　fast；　leapt　from　the　ship；　and　with　spear　and　shield　came　forth　to　the　contest；　and　at　the　same　time　he　took　the　gleaming　helmet　of　bronze　filled　with　sharp　teeth；　and　his　sword　girt　round　his　shoulders；　his　body　stripped；　in　somewise　resembling　Ares　and　in　somewise　Apollo　of　the　golden　sword。　　And　gazing　over　the　field　he　saw　the　bulls'　yoke　of　bronze　and　near　it　the　plough；　all　of　one　piece；　of　stubborn　adamant。　　Then　he　came　near；　and　fixed　his　sturdy　spear　upright　on　its　butt；　and　taking　his　helmet；　off　leant　it　against　the　spear。　　And　he　went　forward　with　shield　alone　to　examine　the　countless　tracks　of　the　bulls；　and　they　from　some　unseen　lair　beneath　the　earth；　where　was　their　strong　steading；　wrapt　in　murky　smoke；　both　rushed　out　together；　breathing　forth　flaming　fire。　　And　sore　afraid　were　the　heroes　at　the　sight。　　But　Jason；　setting　wide　his　feet；　withstood　their　onset；　as　in　the　sea　a　rocky　reef　withstands　the　waves　tossed　by　the　countless　blasts。　　Then　in　front　of　him　he　held　his　shield；　and　both　the　bulls　with　loud　bellowing　attacked　him　with　their　mighty　horns；　nor　did　they　stir　him　a　jot　by　their　onset。　And　as　when　through　the　holes　of　the　furnace　the　armourers'　bellows　anon　gleam　brightly；　kindling　the　ravening　flame；　and　anon　cease　from　blowing；　and　a　terrible　roar　rises　from　the　fire　when　it　darts　up　from　below；　so　the　bulls　roared；　breathing　forth　swift　flame　from　their　mouths；　while　the　consuming　heat　played　round　him；　smiting　like　lightning；　but　the　maiden's　charms　protected　him。　　Then　grasping　the　tip　of　the　horn　of　the　right…　hand　bull；　he　dragged　it　mightily　with　all　his　strength　to　bring　it　near　the　yoke　of　bronze；　and　forced　it　down　on　to　its　knees；　suddenly　striking　with　his　foot　the　foot　of　bronze。　　So　also　he　threw　the　other　bull　on　to　its　knees　as　it　rushed　upon　him；　and　smote　it　down　with　one　blow。　　And　throwing　to　the　ground　his　broad　shield；　he　held　them　both　down　where　they　had　fallen　on　their　fore…knees；　as　he　strode　from　side　to　side；　now　here；　now　there；　and　rushed　swiftly　through　the　flame。　　But　Aeetes　marvelled　at　the　hero's　might。　　And　meantime　the　sons　of　Tyndareus　　　for　long　since　had　it　been　thus　ordained　for　them　　near　at　hand　gave　him　the　yoke　from　the　ground　to　cast　round　them。　　Then　tightly　did　he　bind　their　necks；　and　lifting　the　pole　of　bronze　between　them；　he　fastened　it　to　the　yoke　by　its　golden　tip。　　So　the　twin　heroes　started　back　from　the　fire　to　the　ship。　But　Jason　took　up　again　his　shield　and　cast　it　on　his　back　behind　him；　and　grasped　the　strong　helmet　filled　with　sharp　teeth；　and　his　resistless　spear；　wherewith；　like　some　ploughman　with　a　Pelasgian　goad；　he　pricked　the　bulls　beneath；　striking　their　flanks；　and　very　firmly　did　he　guide　the　well　fitted　plough　handle；　fashioned　of　adamant。

（ll。　1326…1339）　　The　bulls　meantime　raged　exceedingly；　breathing　forth　furious　flame　of　fire；　and　their　breath　rose　up　like　the　roar　of　blustering　winds；　in　fear　of　which　above　all　seafaring　men　furl　their　large　sail。　　But　not　long　after　that　they　moved　on　at　the　bidding　of　the　spear；　and　behind　them　the　rugged　fallow　was　broken　up；　cloven　by　the　might　of　the　bulls　and　the　sturdy　ploughman。　　Then　terribly　groaned　the　clods　withal　along　the　furrows　of　the　plough　as　they　were　rent；　each　a　man's　burden；　and　Jason　followed；　pressing　down　the　cornfield　with　firm　foot；　and　far　from　him　he　ever　sowed　the　teeth　along　the　clods　as　each　was　ploughed；　turning　his　head　back　for　fear　lest　the　deadly　crop　of　earthborn　men　should　rise　against　him　first；　and　the　bulls　toiled　onwards　treading　with　their　hoofs　of　bronze。

（ll。　1340…1407）　　But　when　the　third　part　of　the　day　was　still　left　as　it　wanes　from　dawn；　and　wearied　labourers　call　for　the　sweet　hour　of　unyoking　to　come　to　them　straightway；　then　the　fallow　was　ploughed　by　the　tireless　ploughman；　four　plough…gates　though　it　was；　and　he　loosed　the　plough　from　the　oxen。　　Them　he　scared　in　flight　towards　the　plain；　but　he　went　back　again　to　the　ship；　while　he　still　saw　the　furrows　free　of　the　earthborn　men。　And　all　round　his　comrades　heartened　him　with　their　shouts。　　And　in　the　helmet　he　drew　from　the　river's　stream　and　quenched　his　thirst　with　the　water。　　Then　he　bent　his　knees　till　they　grew　supple；　and　filled　his　mighty　heart　with　courage；　raging　like　a　boar；　when　it　sharpens　its　teeth　against　the　hunters；　while　from　its　wrathful　mouth　plenteous　foam　drips　to　the　ground。　　By　now　the　earthborn　men　were　springing　up　over　all　the　field；　and　the　plot　of　Ares；　the　death…dealer；　bristled　with　sturdy　shields　and　double…pointed　spears　and　shining　helmets；　and　the　gleam　re