the argonautica-第5章
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the plough…share the wheat…bearing fields； was easier than the works of Athena； with which they were busied aforetime。 Yet for all that did they often gaze over the broad sea； in grievous fear against the Thracians' coming。 So when they saw Argo being rowed near the island； straightway crowding in multitude from the gates of Myrine and clad in their harness of war； they poured forth to the beach like ravening Thyiades： for they deemed that the Thracians were come； and with them Hypsipyle； daughter of Thoas； donned her father's harness。 And they streamed down speechless with dismay； such fear was wafted about them。
（ll。 640…652） Meantime from the ship the chiefs had sent Aethalides the swift herald； to whose care they entrusted their messages and the wand of Hermes； his sire； who had granted him a memory of all things； that never grew dim； and not even now； though he has entered the unspeakable whirlpools of Acheron； has forgetfulness swept over his soul； but its fixed doom is to be ever changing its abode； at one time to be numbered among the dwellers beneath the earth； at another to be in the light of the sun among living men。 But why need I tell at length tales of Aethalides？ He at that time persuaded Hypsipyle to receive the new…comers as the day was waning into darkness； nor yet at dawn did they loose the ship's hawsers to the breath of the north wind。
（ll。 653…656） Now the Lemnian women fared through the city and sat down to the assembly； for Hypsipyle herself had so bidden。 And when they were all gathered together in one great throng straightway she spake among them with stirring words：
（ll。 657…666） 〃O friends； come let us grant these men gifts to their hearts' desire； such as it is fitting that they should take on ship…board； food and sweet wine； in order that they may steadfastly remain outside our towers； and may not； passing among us for need's sake； get to know us all too well； and so an evil report be widely spread； for we have wrought a terrible deed and in nowise will it be to their liking； should they learn it。 Such is our counsel now； but if any of you can devise a better plan let her rise； for it was on this account that I summoned you hither。〃
（ll。 667…674） Thus she spake and sat upon her father's seat of stone； and then rose up her dear nurse Polyxo； for very age halting upon her withered feet； bowed over a staff； and she was eager to address them。 Near her were seated four virgins； unwedded； crowned with white hair。 And she stood in the midst of the assembly and from her bent back she feebly raised her neck and spake thus：
（ll。 675…696） 〃Gifts； as Hypsipyle herself wishes； let us send to the strangers； for it is better to give them。 But for you what device have ye to get profit of your life if the Thracian host fall upon us； or some other foe； as often happens among men； even as now this company is come unforeseen？ But if one of the blessed gods should turn this aside yet countless other woes； worse than battle； remain behind； when the aged women die off and ye younger ones； without children； reach hateful old age。 How then will ye live； hapless ones？ Will your oxen of their own accord yoke themselves for the deep plough…lands and draw the earth…cleaving share through the fallow； and forthwith； as the year comes round； reap the harvest？ Assuredly； though the fates till now have shunned me in horror； I deem that in the coming year I shall put on the garment of earth； when I have received my meed of burial even so as is right； before the evil days draw near。 But I bid you who are younger give good heed to this。 For now at your feet a way of escape lies open； if ye trust to the strangers the care of your homes and all your stock and your glorious city。〃
（ll。 697…699） Thus she spake； and the assembly was filled with clamour。 For the word pleased them。 And after her straightway Hypsipyle rose up again； and thus spake in reply。
（ll。 700…701） 〃If this purpose please you all； now will I even send a messenger to the ship。〃
（ll。 702…707） She spake and addressed Iphinoe close at hand： 〃Go； Iphinoe； and beg yonder man； whoever it is that leads this array； to come to our land that I may tell him a word that pleases the heart of my people； and bid the men themselves； if they wish； boldly enter the land and the city with friendly intent。〃
（ll。 708…711） She spake； and dismissed the assembly； and thereafter started to return home。 And so Iphinoe came to the Minyae； and they asked with what intent she had come among them。 And quickly she addressed her questioners with all speed in these words：
（ll。 712…716） 〃The maiden Hypsipyle daughter of Thoas； sent me on my way here to you； to summon the captain of your ship； whoever he be； that she may tell him a word that pleases the heart of the people； and she bids yourselves； if ye wish it； straightway enter the land and the city with friendly intent。〃
（ll。 717…720） Thus she spake and the speech of good omen pleased all。 And they deemed that Thoas was dead and that his beloved daughter Hypsipyle was queen； and quickly they sent Jason on his way and themselves made ready to go。
（ll。 721…729） Now he had buckled round his shoulders a purple mantle of double fold； the work of the Tritonian goddess； which Pallas had given him when she first laid the keel…props of the ship Argo and taught him how to measure timbers with the rule。 More easily wouldst thou cast thy eyes upon the sun at its rising than behold that blazing splendour。 For indeed in the middle the fashion thereof was red； but at the ends it was all purple； and on each margin many separate devices had been skilfully inwoven。
（ll。 730…734） In it were the Cyclops seated at their imperishable work； forging a thunderbolt for King Zeus； by now it was almost finished in its brightness and still it wanted but one ray； which they were beating out with their iron hammers as it spurted forth a breath of raging flame。
（ll。 735…741） In it too were the twin sons of Antiope； daughter of Asopus； Amphion and Zethus； and Thebe still ungirt with towers was lying near； whose foundations they were just then laying in eager haste。 Zethus on his shoulders was lifting the peak of a steep mountain； like a man toiling hard； and Amphion after him； singing loud and clear on his golden lyre； moved on； and a rock twice as large followed his footsteps。
（ll。 742…746） Next in order had been wrought Cytherea with drooping tresses； wielding the swift shield of Ares； and from her shoulder to her left arm the fastening of her tunic was loosed beneath her breast； and opposite in the shield of bronze her image appeared clear to view as she stood。
（ll。 747…751） And in it there was a well…wooded pasturage of oxen； and about the oxen the Teleboae and the sons of Eleetryon were fighting； the one party defending themselves； the others； the Taphian raiders； longing to rob them； and the dewy meadow was drenched with their blood； and the many were overmastering the few herdsmen。
（ll。 752…758） And therein were fashioned two chariots； racing； and the one in front Pelops was guiding； as he shook the reins； and with him was Hippodameia at his side； and in pursuit Myrtilus urged his steeds； and with him Oenomaus had grasped his couched spear； but fell as the axle swerved and broke in the nave； while he was eager to pierce the back of Pelops。
（ll。 759…762） And in it was wrought Phoebus Apollo； a stripling not yet grown up； in the act of shooting at mighty Tityos who was boldly dragging his mother by her veil； Tityos whom glorious Elate bare； but Earth nursed him and gave him second birth。
（ll。 763…767） And in it was Phrixus the Minyan as though he were in very deed listening to the ram； while it was like one speaking。 Beholding them thou wouldst be silent and wouldst cheat thy soul with the hope of hearing some wise speech from them； and long wouldst thou gaze with that hope。
（ll。 768…773） Such then were the gifts of the Tritonian goddess Athena。 And in his right hand Jason held a fardarting spear； which Atalanta gave him once as a gift of hospitality in Maenalus as she met him gladly； for she eagerly desired to follow on that quest； but he himself of his own accord prevented the maid； for he feared bitter strife on account of her love。
（ll。 774…792） And he went on his way to the city like to a bright star； which maidens； pent up in new…built chambers； behold as it rises above their homes； and through the dark air it charms their eyes with its fair red gleam and the maid rejoices； love…sick for the youth who is far away amid strangers； for whom her parents are keeping her to be his bride； like to that star the hero trod the way to the city。 And when they had passed within the gates and the city； the women of the people surged behind them； delighting in the stranger； but he with his eyes fixed on the ground fared straight on； till he reached the glorious palace of Hypsipyle； and when he appeared the maids opened the folding doors； fitted with well…fashioned panels。 Here Iphinoe leading him quickly through a fair porch set him upon a shining seat opposite her mistress； but Hypsipyle turned her eyes aside and a blush covered her maiden cheeks； yet for all her modesty she addressed him with crafty words：
（ll。 793…833） 〃Stranger； why stay ye so long outside our towers？ for the city is not inhabited by the men； but they； as sojourners； plough the wheat…bearing fields of the Thracian mainland。 And I will tell out truly all our evil plight； that ye yourselves too may know it well。 When my father Thoas reigned over the citizens； then our folk starting from their homes used to plunder from their ships the dwellings of the Thracians who live opposite； and they brought back hither measureless booty and maidens too。 But the counsel of the baneful goddess Cypris was working out its accomplishment； who brought upon them soul destroying infatuation。 For they hated their lawful wives； and； yielding to their own mad folly； drove them from their homes； and they took to their beds the captives of their spear； cruel ones。 Long in truth we endured it； if haply again； though late； they might change their purpose； but ever the bitter woe grew； twofold。 And the lawful children were being dishonoured in their halls； and a bastard race was rising。 And thus unmarried maidens and widowed mothers too wandered uncared for through the city； no father heeded his daughter ever so little even though he should see her done to death before his eyes at the hands of an insolent step…dame； nor did sons； as before； defend their mother against unseemly outrage； nor did brothers care at heart for their sister。 But in their homes； in the dance； in the assembly and the banquet all their thought was only for their captive maidens； until some god put desperate courage in our hearts no more to receive our lords on their return from Thrace within our towers so that they might either heed the right or might depart and begone elsewhither； they and their captives。 So they begged of us all the male children that were left in the city and went back to where even now they dwell on the snowy tilths of Thrace。 Do ye therefore stay and settle with us； and shouldst thou desire to dwell here； and this finds favour with thee； assuredly tho
