The Argonautica quotes

Polyphemus forsook Larissa, and unto Jason he sought; Eilatus’ son: in his youth mid the Lapithan heroes he fought. When the Lapithans armed them for fight, when the Centaur host they quelled, Their youngest he was; but now were his limbs sore burdened with eld.

Yet even as of old his heart with the spirit of battle swelled.

Nor in Phylakê Iphiklus tarried to waste an inglorious life, Uncle of Aison’s child, for that Aison had taken to wife His sister the Phylakid maiden Alkimêdê: wherefore strong Was the love of his kin to constrain him to join that hero-throng.

’Twas Athênê Tritônis herself that made him eager-souled To join that muster of heroes that longed his face to behold; For she fashioned the sea-swift ship, and Argus but wrought as she planned, Arestor’s son, for the Goddess’s counsels guided his hand:

Therefore amongst all ships unmatched was the ship that he made, Even all that with swinging oars the paths of the sea have essayed.

Came Phlias withal from Araithyriae to essay the Quest, From a wealthy home, for the toil of his hands had the Wine-god blessed, His father, where welleth Asôpus up from the green hill’s breast.

such wondrous glamour the song hath cast over all. And a little thereafter they mingled, even as is meet and right, The wine, and poured on the tongues where the altar-fires blazed bright.

Then turned they to sleep, and around them were folded the wings of the night.

But when radiant Dawn with her flashing eyes on the steeps looked down Of Pelion’s crests, and, washed by the wind, the forelands that frown Over the tossing sea rose sharp and clear to view, Then Tiphys awoke, and he hasted the Argo’s hero-crew To …

And before them at dawn on-speeding the pillar of Athos rose, The Thracian mountain: its topmost peak’s dark shadow it throws Far as a merchantman goodly-rigged in a day might win, Even to Lemnos’ isle, and the city Myrinê therein.

And the wind blew all that day till the folds of the darkness fell, Blew ever fresh, and the sail strained over the broad sea-swell.

Howbeit the wind’s breath failed them at going down of the sun: So to Lemnos the craggy, the Sintian isle, by rowing they won.

Doth it please you to toil Here dwelling, and driving the plough through the soft smooth Lemnian soil? Good sooth, but little renown shall we win of our tarrying Here long time with the stranger women!

No God will bring That Fleece unto us, nor wrest from its warder, for our request!

Forth let us go each man to his place—him leave ye to rest All day on Hypsipylê’s couch, till he people from shore to shore Lemnos with menfolk: great his renown shall be therefor!”

thou wouldst verily say, “They cannot escape grim doom, for that full o’er the galley’s side Swingeth its madding crest like a cloud!”

Yet a bark may ride Safe even o’er such, if she have but a helmsman good at need.

And by Tiphys’ steering-craft even so did the heroes speed Through the peril unscathed, yet sore dismayed. So the wild day passed, And the night; and with dawn on Bithynia’s shore the anchor they cast.

and the flame, upleaping in wondrous wise From the one little torch, ever waxing consumeth all that heap;

So, burning in secret, about her heart did he coil and creep, Love the destroyer: her soft cheeks’ colour went and came, Pale now, and anon, through her soul’s confusion, with crimson aflame.

Now when ready-dight was the banquet by labour of handmaid and thrall, And by steaming baths’ refreshment their faces were lightened withal, Gladly they feasted and drank till their souls were satisfied. Thereafter unto the sons of his daughter Aiêtes cried:

“Oh hapless I, whether this way or that into ruin I fall!

On every hand is despair for my soul: no help is at all From woe, but it burneth, a furnace unquenchèd!

—would God it had been Mine to be slain ere this by the shafts of the Huntress-queen, Or ever I saw him, or came to Achaia-land the sons Of Chalkiopê, whom a God, or the awful Avenging Ones Hither, for sorrow to us, and for …

And the eager fingers now of the hapless maid ’gan part The bands of the casket, to take it forth—but, with sudden start, With an awful fear of Hades the hateful shuddered her heart.

Long spellbound sat she in speechless horror: around her thronged Visions of all sweet things for the which through life she had longed.

She thought of the hours delightsome the lot of the living that fill, And she thought of her merry playmates, even as a maiden will.

around her thronged Visions of all sweet things for the which through life she had longed. She thought of the hours delightsome the lot of the living that fill, And she thought of her merry playmates, even as a maiden will.

And sweeter than ever was grown the sun unto her to behold⁠— No marvel, seeing she yearned for all so passionate-souled!

So she put from her knees the casket, and laid it down again All changed by the promptings of Hêrê: no more did she waver then In her purpose;

But ever she faltered amidst them, her eyes ever wandered askance Away from the throng of her maidens unresting; and over the ways, Turning aside her cheeks, far off ever strained she her gaze.

O the heart in her breast oft fainted, whenever in fancy she heard Fleet past her the sound of a footfall, the breath of a breeze as it stirred.

But it was not long ere the hero appeared to her yearning eyes Stately striding, as out of the ocean doth Sirius uprise, Who climbeth the sky most glorious and clear to discern from afar, But unto the flocks for measureless mischief a baleful star:

And the sun down under the dark earth far away in the west, Beyond the uttermost hills of the Aethiops, sank to his rest;

And the Night was laying her yoke on the necks of her steeds.

Then spread On the shore by the hawsers of Argo the heroes each his bed.

Even so she beguiled them; and wide through the air and afar on the breeze Cast she her witchery-spells, of might to draw from his lair On the trackless mountain the wild beast, lurk he how distant soe’er.

Ah, ruthless Love, great grief, great curse to the sons of earth! Of thee fell feuds, and anguish-moans, and laments have birth; From thee therewithal unnumbered woes as a flood forth burst.

’Gainst the sons of our foes, thou god, array thee battle-athirst, As when thou didst thrill the heart of Medea with madness accurst!

And so long speed ye onward your course, close-hugging the land, Till ye come to an inland-trending gulf; and then shall ye stand Boldly across to the ness where endeth the sweep of the shore Beyond. Therefrom shall your course be perplexity-troubled no more.

Now pass on your way rejoicing: let no man grieve the while That your limbs must labour, while yet ye have strength of your youth for toil.

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