the argonautica-第3章

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！


y　on　the　strand　that　men　call　Magnesian　Pagasae；　and　a　crowd　of　people　hastening　rushed　together；　but　the　heroes　shone　like　gleaming　stars　among　the　clouds；　and　each　man　as　he　saw　them　speeding　along　with　their　armour　would　say：

（ll。　242…246）　　〃King　Zeus；　what　is　the　purpose　of　Pelias？　　Whither　is　he　driving　forth　from　the　Panachaean　land　so　great　a　host　of　heroes？　　On　one　day　they　would　waste　the　palace　of　Aeetes　with　baleful　fire；　should　he　not　yield　them　the　fleece　of　his　own　goodwill。　　But　the　path　is　not　to　be　shunned；　the　toil　is　hard　for　those　who　venture。〃

（ll。　247…250）　　Thus　they　spake　here　and　there　throughout　the　city；　but　the　women　often　raised　their　hands　to　the　sky　in　prayer　to　the　immortals　to　grant　a　return；　their　hearts'　desire。　　And　one　with　tears　thus　lamented　to　her　fellow：

（ll。　251…260）　　〃Wretched　Alcimede；　evil　has　come　to　thee　at　last　though　late；　thou　hast　not　ended　with　splendour　of　life。　　Aeson　too；　ill…fated　man！　　Surely　better　had　it　been　for　him；　if　he　were　lying　beneath　the　earth；　enveloped　in　his　shroud；　still　unconscious　of　bitter　toils。　　Would　that　the　dark　wave；　when　the　maiden　Helle　perished；　had　overwhelmed　Phrixus　too　with　the　ram；　but　the　dire　portent　even　sent　forth　a　human　voice；　that　it　might　cause　to　Alcimede　sorrows　and　countless　pains　hereafter。〃

（ll。　261…277）　　Thus　the　women　spake　at　the　departure　of　the　heroes。　　And　now　many　thralls；　men　and　women；　were　gathered　together；　and　his　mother；　smitten　with　grief　for　Jason。　　And　a　bitter　pang　seized　every　woman's　heart；　and　with　them　groaned　the　father　in　baleful　old　age；　lying　on　his　bed；　closely　wrapped　round。　　But　the　hero　straightway　soothed　their　pain；　encouraging　them；　and　bade　the　thralls　take　up　his　weapons　for　war；　and　they　in　silence　with　downcast　looks　took　them　up。　　And　even　as　the　mother　had　thrown　her　arms　about　her　son；　so　she　clung；　weeping　without　stint；　as　a　maiden　all　alone　weeps；　falling　fondly　on　the　neck　of　her　hoary　nurse；　a　maid　who　has　now　no　others　to　care　for　her；　but　she　drags　on　a　weary　life　under　a　stepmother；　who　maltreats　her　continually　with　ever　fresh　insults；　and　as　she　weeps；　her　heart　within　her　is　bound　fast　with　misery；　nor　can　she　sob　forth　all　the　groans　that　struggle　for　utterance；　so　without　stint　wept　Alcimede　straining　her　son　in　her　arms；　and　in　her　yearning　grief　spake　as　follows：

（ll。　278…291）　　〃Would　that　on　that　day　when；　wretched　woman　that　I　am；　I　heard　King　Pelias　proclaim　his　evil　behest；　I　had　straightway　given　up　my　life　and　forgotten　my　cares；　so　that　thou　thyself；　my　son；　with　thine　own　hands；　mightest　have　buried　me；　for　that　was　the　only　wish　left　me　still　to　be　fulfilled　by　time；　all　the　other　rewards　for　thy　nurture　have　I　long　enjoyed。　　Now　I；　once　so　admired　among　Achaean　women；　shall　be　left　behind　like　a　bondwoman　in　my　empty　halls；　pining　away；　ill…fated　one；　for　love　of　thee；　thee　on　whose　account　I　had　aforetime　so　much　splendour　and　renown；　my　only　son　for　whom　I　loosed　my　virgin　zone　first　and　last。　　For　to　me　beyond　others　the　goddess　Eileithyia　grudged　abundant　offspring。　　Alas　for　my　folly！　　Not　once；　not　even　in　nay　dreams　did　I　forebode　this；　that　the　flight　of　Phrixus　would　bring　me　woe。〃

（ll。　292…294）　　Thus　with　moaning　she　wept；　and　her　handmaidens；　standing　by；　lamented；　but　Jason　spake　gently　to　her　with　comforting　words：

（ll。　295…305）　　〃Do　not；　I　pray　thee；　mother；　store　up　bitter　sorrows　overmuch；　for　thou　wilt　not　redeem　me　from　evil　by　tears；　but　wilt　still　add　grief　to　grief。　　For　unseen　are　the　woes　that　the　gods　mete　out　to　mortals；　be　strong　to　endure　thy　share　of　them　though　with　grief　in　thy　heart；　take　courage　from　the　promises　of　Athena；　and　from　the　answers　of　the　gods　（for　very　favourable　oracles　has　Phoebus　given）；　and　then　from　the　help　of　the　chieftains。　　But　do　thou　remain　here；　quiet　among　thy　handmaids；　and　be　not　a　bird　of　ill　omen　to　the　ship；　and　thither　my　clansmen　and　thralls　will　follow　me。〃

（ll。　306…316）　　He　spake；　and　started　forth　to　leave　the　house。　And　as　Apollo　goes　forth　from　some　fragrant　shrine　to　divine　Delos　or　Claros　or　Pytho　or　to　broad　Lyeia　near　the　stream　of　Xanthus；　in　such　beauty　moved　Jason　through　the　throng　of　people；　and　a　cry　arose　as　they　shouted　together。　　And　there　met　him　aged　Iphias；　priestess　of　Artemis　guardian　of　the　city；　and　kissed　his　right　hand；　but　she　had　not　strength　to　say　a　word；　for　all　her　eagerness；　as　the　crowd　rushed　on；　but　she　was　left　there　by　the　wayside；　as　the　old　are　left　by　the　young；　and　he　passed　on　and　was　gone　afar。

（ll。　317…331）　　Now　when　he　had　left　the　well…built　streets　of　the　city；　he　came　to　the　beach　of　Pagasae；　where　his　comrades　greeted　him　as　they　stayed　together　near　the　ship　Argo。　　And　he　stood　at　the　entering　in；　and　they　were　gathered　to　meet　him。　　And　they　perceived　Aeastus　and　Argus　coming　from　the　city；　and　they　marvelled　when　they　saw　them　hasting　with　all　speed；　despite　the　will　of　Pelias。　　The　one；　Argus；　son　of　Arestor；　had　cast　round　his　shoulders　the　hide　of　a　bull　reaching　to　his　feet；　with　the　black　hair　upon　it；　the　other；　a　fair　mantle　of　double　fold；　which　his　sister　Pelopeia　had　given　him。　　Still　Jason　forebore　from　asking　them　about　each　point　but　bade　all　be　seated　for　an　assembly。　　And　there；　upon　the　folded　sails　and　the　mast　as　it　lay　on　the　ground；　they　all　took　their　seats　in　order。　　And　among　them　with　goodwill　spake　Aeson's　son：

（ll。　332…340）　　〃All　the　equipment　that　a　ship　needs　for　all　is　in　due　orderlies　ready　for　our　departure。　　Therefore　we　will　make　no　long　delay　in　our　sailing　for　these　things'　sake；　when　the　breezes　but　blow　fair。　　But；　friends；for　common　to　all　is　our　return　to　Hellas　hereafter；　and　common　to　all　is　our　path　to　the　land　of　Aeetesnow　therefore　with　ungrudging　heart　choose　the　bravest　to　be　our　leader；　who　shall　be　careful　for　everything；　to　take　upon　him　our　quarrels　and　covenants　with　strangers。〃

（ll。　341…344）　　Thus　he　spake；　and　the　young　heroes　turned　their　eyes　towards　bold　Heracles　sitting　in　their　midst；　and　with　one　shout　they　all　enjoined　upon　him　to　be　their　leader；　but　he；　from　the　place　where　he　sat；　stretched　forth　his　right　hand　and　said：

（ll。　345…347）　　〃Let　no　one　offer　this　honour　to　me。　　For　I　will　not　consent；　and　I　will　forbid　any　other　to　stand　up。　　Let　the　hero　who　brought　us　together；　himself　be　the　leader　of　the　host。〃

（ll。　348…350）　　Thus　he　spake　with　high　thoughts；　and　they　assented；　as　Heracles　bade；　and　warlike　Jason　himself　rose　up；　glad　at　heart；　and　thus　addressed　the　eager　throng：

（ll。　351…362）　　〃If　ye　entrust　your　glory　to　my　care；　no　longer　as　before　let　our　path　be　hindered。　　Now　at　last　let　us　propitiate　Phoebus　with　sacrifice　and　straightway　prepare　a　feast。　　And　until　my　thralls　come；　the　overseers　of　my　steading；　whose　care　it　is　to　choose　out　oxen　from　the　herd　and　drive　them　hither；　we　will　drag　down　the　ship　to　the　sea；　and　do　ye　place　all　the　tackling　within；　and　draw　lots　for　the　benches　for　rowing。　Meantime　let　us　build　upon　the　beach　an　altar　to　Apollo　Embasius　（1）　who　by　an　oracle　promised　to　point　out　and　show　me　the　paths　of　the　sea；　if　by　sacrifice　to　him　I　should　begin　my　venture　for　King　Pelias。〃

（ll。　363…393）　　He　spake；　and　was　the　first　to　turn　to　the　work；　and　they　stood　up　in　obedience　to　him；　and　they　heaped　their　garments；　one　upon　the　other；　on　a　smooth　stone；　which　the　sea　did　not　strike　with　its　waves；　but　the　stormy　surge　had　cleansed　it　long　before。　　First　of　all；　by　the　command　of　Argus；　they　strongly　girded　the　ship　with　a　rope　well　twisted　within；　（2）　stretching　it　tight　on　each　side；　in　order　that　the　planks　might　be　well　compacted　by　the　bolts　and　might　withstand　the　opposing　force　of　the　surge。　　And　they　quickly　dug　a　trench　as　wide　as　the　space　the　ship　covered；　and　at　the　prow　as　far　into　the　sea　as　it　would　run　when　drawn　down　by　their　hands。　　And　they　ever　dug　deeper　in　front　of　the　stem；　and　in　the　furrow　laid　polished　rollers；　and　inclined　the　ship　down　upon　the　first　rollers；　that　so　she　might　glide　and　be　borne　on　by　them。　　And　above；　on　both　sides；　reversing　the　oars；　they　fastened　them　round　the　thole…　pins；　so　as　to　project　a　cubit's　space。　　And　the　heroes　themselves　stood　on　both　sides　at　the　oars　in　a　row；　and　pushed　forward　with　chest　and　hand　at　once。　　And　then　Tiphys　leapt　on　board　to　urge　the　youths　to　push　at　the　right　moment；　and　calling　on　them　he　shouted　loudly；　and　they　at　once；　leaning　with　all　their　strength；　with　one　push　started　the　ship　from　her　place；　and　strained　with　their　feet；　forcing　her　onward；　and　Pelian　Argo　followed　swiftly；　and　they　on　each　side　shouted　as　they　rushed　on。　　And　then　the　rollers　groaned　under　the　sturdy　keel　as　they　were　chafed；　and　round　them　rose　up　a　dark　smoke　owing　to　the　weight；　and　she　glided　into　the　sea；　but　the　heroes　stood　there　and　kept　dragging　her　back　as　she　sped　onward。　　And　round　the　thole…pins　they　fitted　the　oars；　and　in　the　ship　they　placed　the　mast　and　the　well…made　sails　and　the　stores。

（ll。　394…401）　　Now　when　they　had　carefully　paid　heed　to　everything；　first　they　distributed　the　benches　by　lot；　two　men　occupying　one　seat；　but　the　middle　bench　they　chose　for　Heracles　and　Ancaeus　apart　from　the　other　heroes；　Ancaeus　who　dwelt　in　Tegea。　　For　them　alone　they　left　the　middle　bench　just　as　it　was　and　not　by　lot；　and　with　one　consent　they　entrusted　Tiphys　with　guarding　the　helm　of　the　well…stemmed　ship。

（ll。　402…410）　　Next；　piling　up　shingle　near　the　sea；　they　raised　there　an　altar　on　the　shore　to　Apollo；　under　the　name　of　Actius　（3）　and　Embasius；　and　quickly　spread　above　it　logs　of　dried　olive…wood。　　Meantime　the　herdsmen　of　Aeson's　son　had　driven　before　them　from　the　herd　two　steers。　　These　the　younger　comrades　dragged　near　the　altars；　and　the　others　brought　lustral　water　and　barley　meal；　and　Jason　prayed；　calling　on　Apollo　the　god　of　his　fathers：

（ll。　411…424）　　〃Hear；　O　King；　that　dwellest　in　Pagasae　and　the　city　Aesonis；　the　city　called　by　my　father's　name；　thou　who　didst　promise　me；　when　I　sought　thy　oracle　at　Pytho；　to　show　the　fulfilment　and　goal　of　my　journey；　for　thou　thyself　hast　been　the　cause　of　my　venture；　now　do　thou　thyself　guide　the　ship　with　my　comrades　safe　and　sound；　thither　and　back　again　to　Hellas。　　Then　in　thy　honour　hereafter　we　will　lay　again　on　thy　altar　the　bright　offerings　of　bullsall　of　us　who　return；　and　other　gifts　in　countless　numbers　I　will　bring　to　Pytho　and　Ortygia。　　And　now；　come；　Far…darter；　accept　this　sacrifice　at　our　hands；　which　first　of　all　we　have　offered　thee　for　this　ship　on　our　embarcation；　and　grant；　O　King；　that　with　a　prosperous　weird　I　may　loose　the　hawsers；　relying　on　thy　counsel；　and　may　the　breeze　blow　softly　with　which　we　shall　sail　over　the　sea　in　fair　weather。〃

（ll。　425…439）　　He　spake；　and　with　his　prayer　cast　the　barley　meal。　　And　they　two　girded　themselves　to　slay　the　steers；　proud　Ancaeus　and　Heracles。　　The　latter　with　his　club　smote　one　steer　mid…head　on　the　brow；　and　falling　in　a　heap　on　the　spot；　it　sank　to　the　ground；　and　Ancaeus　struck　the　broad　neck　of　the　other　with　his　axe　of　bronze；　and　shore　through　the　mighty　sinews；　and　it　fell　prone　on　both　its　horns。　　Their　comrades　quickly　severed　the　victims'　throats；　and　flayed　the　hides：　they　sundered　the　joints　and　carved　the　flesh；　then