INTRODUCTION
Much
has been written about the chronology of Alexandrian literature and
the famous Library, founded by Ptolemy Soter, but the dates of the
chief writers are still matters of conjecture. The birth of
Apollonius Rhodius is placed by scholars at various times between
296
and 260 B.C., while the year of his death is equally uncertain. In
fact, we have very little information on the subject. There are two
"lives" of Apollonius in the Scholia, both derived from an
earlier one which is lost. From these we learn that he was of
Alexandria by birth,
1001
that he lived in the time of the Ptolemies, and was a pupil of
Callimachus; that while still a youth he composed and recited in
public his "Argonautica", and that the poem was condemned,
in consequence of which he retired to Rhodes; that there he revised
his poem, recited it with great applause, and hence called himself
a
Rhodian. The second "life" adds: "Some say that he
returned to Alexandria and again recited his poem with the utmost
success, so that he was honoured with the libraries of the Museum
and
was buried with Callimachus." The last sentence may be
interpreted by the notice of Suidas, who informs us that Apollonius
was a contemporary of Eratosthenes, Euphorion and Timarchus, in the
time of Ptolemy Euergetes, and that he succeeded Eratosthenes in
the
headship of the Alexandrian Library. Suidas also informs us
elsewhere
that Aristophanes at the age of sixty-two succeeded Apollonius in
this office. Many modern scholars deny the "bibliothecariate"
of Apollonius for chronological reasons, and there is considerable
difficulty about it. The date of Callimachus' "Hymn to Apollo",
which closes with some lines (105-113) that are admittedly an
allusion to Apollonius, may be put with much probability at 248 or
247 B.C. Apollonius must at that date have been at least twenty
years
old. Eratosthenes died 196-193 B.C. This would make Apollonius
seventy-two to seventy-five when he succeeded Eratosthenes. This is
not impossible, it is true, but it is difficult. But the difficulty
is taken away if we assume with Ritschl that Eratosthenes resigned
his office some years before his death, which allows us to put the
birth of Apollonius at about 280, and would solve other
difficulties.
For instance, if the Librarians were buried within the precincts,
it
would account for the burial of Apollonius next to
Callimachus—Eratosthenes being still alive. However that may be, it
is rather arbitrary to take away the "bibliothecariate" of
Apollonius, which is clearly asserted by Suidas, on account of
chronological calculations which are themselves uncertain.
Moreover,
it is more probable that the words following "some say" in
the second "life" are a remnant of the original life than a
conjectural addition, because the first "life" is evidently
incomplete, nothing being said about the end of Apollonius'
career.The
principal event in his life, so far as we know, was the quarrel
with
his master Callimachus, which was most probably the cause of his
condemnation at Alexandria and departure to Rhodes. This quarrel
appears to have arisen from differences of literary aims and taste,
but, as literary differences often do, degenerated into the
bitterest
personal strife. There are references to the quarrel in the
writings
of both. Callimachus attacks Apollonius in the passage at the end
of
the "Hymn to Apollo", already mentioned, also probably in
some epigrams, but most of all in his "Ibis", of which we
have an imitation, or perhaps nearly a translation, in Ovid's poem
of
the same name. On the part of Apollonius there is a passage in the
third book of the "Argonautica" (11. 927-947) which is of a
polemical nature and stands out from the context, and the
well-known
savage epigram upon Callimachus.
1002
Various combinations have been attempted by scholars, notably by
Couat, in his "Poesie Alexandrine", to give a connected
account of the quarrel, but we have not data sufficient to
determine
the order of the attacks, and replies, and counter-attacks. The
"Ibis" has been thought to mark the termination of the feud
on the curious ground that it was impossible for abuse to go
further.
It was an age when literary men were more inclined to comment on
writings of the past than to produce original work. Literature was
engaged in taking stock of itself. Homer was, of course,
professedly
admired by all, but more admired than imitated. Epic poetry was out
of fashion and we find many epigrams of this period—some by
Callimachus—directed against the "cyclic" poets, by whom
were meant at that time those who were always dragging in
conventional and commonplace epithets and phrases peculiar to epic
poetry. Callimachus was in accordance with the spirit of the age
when
he proclaimed "a great book" to be "a great evil",
and sought to confine poetical activity within the narrowest limits
both of subject and space. Theocritus agreed with him, both in
principle and practice. The chief characteristics of Alexandrianism
are well summarized by Professor Robinson Ellis as follows:
"Precision in form and metre, refinement in diction, a learning
often degenerating into pedantry and obscurity, a resolute
avoidance
of everything commonplace in subject, sentiment or allusion."
These traits are more prominent in Callimachus than in Apollonius,
but they are certainly to be seen in the latter. He seems to have
written the "Argonautica" out of bravado, to show that he
could write an epic poem. But the influence of the age was too
strong. Instead of the unity of an Epic we have merely a series of
episodes, and it is the great beauty and power of one of these
episodes that gives the poem its permanent value—the episode of the
love of Jason and Medea. This occupies the greater part of the
third
book. The first and second books are taken up with the history of
the
voyage to Colchis, while the fourth book describes the return
voyage.
These portions constitute a metrical guide book, filled no doubt
with
many pleasing episodes, such as the rape of Hylas, the boxing match
between Pollux and Amyeus, the account of Cyzicus, the account of
the
Amazons, the legend of Talos, but there is no unity running through
the poem beyond that of the voyage itself.The
Tale of the Argonauts had been told often before in verse and
prose,
and many authors' names are given in the Scholia to Apollonius, but
their works have perished. The best known earlier account that we
have is that in Pindar's fourth Pythian ode, from which Apollonius
has taken many details. The subject was one for an epic poem, for
its
unity might have been found in the working out of the expiation due
for the crime of Athamas; but this motive is barely mentioned by
our
author.As
we have it, the motive of the voyage is the command of Pelias to
bring back the golden fleece, and this command is based on Pelias'
desire to destroy Jason, while the divine aid given to Jason
results
from the intention of Hera to punish Pelias for his neglect of the
honour due to her. The learning of Apollonius is not deep but it is
curious; his general sentiments are not according to the
Alexandrian
standard, for they are simple and obvious. In the mass of material
from which he had to choose the difficulty was to know what to
omit,
and much skill is shown in fusing into a tolerably harmonious whole
conflicting mythological and historical details. He interweaves
with
his narrative local legends and the founding of cities, accounts of
strange customs, descriptions of works of art, such as that of
Ganymede and Eros playing with knucklebones,
1003 but
prosaically calls himself back to the point from these pleasing
digressions by such an expression as "but this would take me too
far from my song." His business is the straightforward tale and
nothing else. The astonishing geography of the fourth book reminds
us
of the interest of the age in that subject, stimulated no doubt by
the researches of Eratosthenes and others.The
language is that of the conventional epic. Apollonius seems to have
carefully studied Homeric glosses, and gives many examples of
isolated uses, but his choice of words is by no means limited to
Homer. He freely avails himself of Alexandrian words and late uses
of
Homeric words. Among his contemporaries Apollonius suffers from a
comparison with Theocritus, who was a little his senior, but he was
much admired by Roman writers who derived inspiration from the
great
classical writers of Greece by way of Alexandria. In fact
Alexandria
was a useful bridge between Athens and Rome. The "Argonautica"
was translated by Varro Atacinus, copied by Ovid and Virgil, and
minutely studied by Valerius Flaccus in his poem of the same name.
Some of his finest passages have been appropriated and improved
upon
by Virgil by the divine right of superior genius.
1004 The
subject of love had been treated in the romantic spirit before the
time of Apollonius in writings that have perished, for instance, in
those of Antimachus of Colophon, but the "Argonautica" is
perhaps the first poem still extant in which the expression of this
spirit is developed with elaboration. The Medea of Apollonius is
the
direct precursor of the Dido of Virgil, and it is the pathos and
passion of the fourth book of the "Aeneid" that keep alive
many a passage of Apollonius.
BOOK I
(ll. 1-4) Beginning with thee, O
Phoebus, I will recount the famous deeds of men of old, who, at the
behest of King Pelias, down through the mouth of Pontus and between
the Cyanean rocks, sped well-benched Argo in quest of the golden
fleece.(ll. 5-17) Such was the oracle that Pelias heard, that a
hateful doom awaited him to be slain at the prompting of the man
whom he should see coming forth from the people with but one
sandal. And no long time after, in accordance with that true
report, Jason crossed the stream of wintry Anaurus on foot, and
saved one sandal from the mire, but the other he left in the depths
held back by the flood. And straightway he came to Pelias to share
the banquet which the king was offering to his father Poseidon and
the rest of the gods, though he paid no honour to Pelasgian Hera.
Quickly the king saw him and pondered, and devised for him the toil
of a troublous voyage, in order that on the sea or among strangers
he might lose his home-return.(ll. 18-22) The ship, as former bards relate, Argus wrought
by the guidance of Athena. But now I will tell the lineage and the
names of the heroes, and of the long sea-paths and the deeds they
wrought in their wanderings; may the Muses be the inspirers of my
song!(ll. 23-34) First then let us name Orpheus whom once Calliope
bare, it is said, wedded to Thracian Oeagrus, near the Pimpleian
height. Men say that he by the music of his songs charmed the
stubborn rocks upon the mountains and the course of rivers. And the
wild oak-trees to this day, tokens of that magic strain, that grow
at Zone on the Thracian shore, stand in ordered ranks close
together, the same which under the charm of his lyre he led down
from Pieria. Such then was Orpheus whom Aeson's son welcomed to
share his toils, in obedience to the behest of Cheiron, Orpheus
ruler of Bistonian Pieria.(ll. 35-39) Straightway came Asterion, whom Cometes begat by
the waters of eddying Apidanus; he dwelt at Peiresiae near the
Phylleian mount, where mighty Apidanus and bright Enipeus join
their streams, coming together from afar.(ll. 40-44) Next to them from Larisa came Polyphemus, son of
Eilatus, who aforetime among the mighty Lapithae, when they were
arming themselves against the Centaurs, fought in his younger days;
now his limbs were grown heavy with age, but his martial spirit
still remained, even as of old.(ll. 45-48) Nor was Iphiclus long left behind in Phylace, the
uncle of Aeson's son; for Aeson had wedded his sister Alcimede,
daughter of Phylacus: his kinship with her bade him be numbered in
the host.(ll. 49-50) Nor did Admetus, the lord of Pherae rich in
sheep, stay behind beneath the peak of the Chalcodonian
mount.(ll. 51-56) Nor at Alope stayed the sons of Hermes, rich in
corn-land, well skilled in craftiness, Erytus and Echion, and with
them on their departure their kinsman Aethalides went as the third;
him near the streams of Amphrysus Eupolemeia bare, the daughter of
Myrmidon, from Phthia; the two others were sprung from Antianeira,
daughter of Menetes.(ll. 57-64) From rich Gyrton came Coronus, son of Caeneus,
brave, but not braver than his father. For bards relate that
Caeneus though still living perished at the hands of the Centaurs,
when apart from other chiefs he routed them; and they, rallying
against him, could neither bend nor slay him; but unconquered and
unflinching he passed beneath the earth, overwhelmed by the
downrush of massy pines.(ll. 65-68) There came too Titaresian Mopsus, whom above all
men the son of Leto taught the augury of birds; and Eurydamas the
son of Ctimenus; he dwelt at Dolopian Ctimene near the Xynian
lake.(ll. 69-70) Moreover Actor sent his son Menoetius from Opus
that he might accompany the chiefs.(ll. 71-76) Eurytion followed and strong Eribotes, one the
son of Teleon, the other of Irus, Actor's son; the son of Teleon
renowned Eribotes, and of Irus Eurytion. A third with them was
Oileus, peerless in courage and well skilled to attack the flying
foe, when they break their ranks.(ll. 77-85) Now from Euboea came Canthus eager for the quest,
whom Canethus son of Abas sent; but he was not destined to return
to Cerinthus. For fate had ordained that he and Mopsus, skilled in
the seer's art, should wander and perish in the furthest ends of
Libya. For no ill is too remote for mortals to incur, seeing that
they buried them in Libya, as far from the Colchians as is the
space that is seen between the setting and the rising of the
sun.(ll. 86-89) To him Clytius and Iphitus joined themselves, the
warders of Oechalia, sons of Eurytus the ruthless, Eurytus, to whom
the Far-shooting god gave his bow; but he had no joy of the gift;
for of his own choice he strove even with the giver.(ll. 90-94) After them came the sons of Aeacus, not both
together, nor from the same spot; for they settled far from Aegina
in exile, when in their folly they had slain their brother Phoeus.
Telamon dwelt in the Attic island; but Peleus departed and made his
home in Phthia.(ll. 95-104) After them from Cecropia came warlike Butes, son
of brave Teleon, and Phalerus of the ashen spear. Alcon his father
sent him forth; yet no other sons had he to care for his old age
and livelihood. But him, his well-beloved and only son, he sent
forth that amid bold heroes he might shine conspicuous. But
Theseus, who surpassed all the sons of Erechtheus, an unseen bond
kept beneath the land of Taenarus, for he had followed that path
with Peirithous; assuredly both would have lightened for all the
fulfilment of their toil.(ll. 105-114) Tiphys, son of Hagnias, left the Siphaean
people of the Thespians, well skilled to foretell the rising wave
on the broad sea, and well skilled to infer from sun and star the
stormy winds and the time for sailing. Tritonian Athena herself
urged him to join the band of chiefs, and he came among them a
welcome comrade. She herself too fashioned the swift ship; and with
her Argus, son of Arestor, wrought it by her counsels. Wherefore it
proved the most excellent of all ships that have made trial of the
sea with oars.(ll. 115-117) After them came Phlias from Araethyrea, where
he dwelt in affluence by the favour of his father Dionysus, in his
home by the springs of Asopus.(ll. 118-121) From Argos came Talaus and Areius, sons of
Bias, and mighty Leodocus, all of whom Pero daughter of Neleus
bare; on her account the Aeolid Melampus endured sore affliction in
the steading of Iphiclus.(ll. 122-132) Nor do we learn that Heracles of the mighty
heart disregarded the eager summons of Aeson's son. But when he
heard a report of the heroes' gathering and had reached Lyrceian
Argos from Arcadia by the road along which he carried the boar
alive that fed in the thickets of Lampeia, near the vast
Erymanthian swamp, the boar bound with chains he put down from his
huge shoulders at the entrance to the market-place of Mycenae; and
himself of his own will set out against the purpose of Eurystheus;
and with him went Hylas, a brave comrade, in the flower of youth,
to bear his arrows and to guard his bow.(ll. 133-138) Next to him came a scion of the race of divine
Danaus, Nauplius. He was the son of Clytonaeus son of Naubolus;
Naubolus was son of Lernus; Lernus we know was the son of Proetus
son of Nauplius; and once Amymone daughter of Danaus, wedded to
Poseidon, bare Nauplius, who surpassed all men in naval
skill.(ll. 139-145) Idmon came last of all them that dwelt at
Argos, for though he had learnt his own fate by augury, he came,
that the people might not grudge him fair renown. He was not in
truth the son of Abas, but Leto's son himself begat him to be
numbered among the illustrious Aeolids; and himself taught him the
art of prophecy—to pay heed to birds and to observe the signs of
the burning sacrifice.(ll. 146-150) Moreover Aetolian Leda sent from Sparta strong
Polydeuces and Castor, skilled to guide swift-footed steeds; these
her dearly-loved sons she bare at one birth in the house of
Tyndareus; nor did she forbid their departure; for she had thoughts
worthy of the bride of Zeus.(ll. 151-155) The sons of Aphareus, Lynceus and proud Idas,
came from Arene, both exulting in their great strength; and Lynceus
too excelled in keenest sight, if the report is true that that hero
could easily direct his sight even beneath the earth.(ll. 156-160) And with them Neleian Periclymenus set out to
come, eldest of all the sons of godlike Neleus who were born at
Pylos; Poseidon had given him boundless strength and granted him
that whatever shape he should crave during the fight, that he
should take in the stress of battle.(ll. 161-171) Moreover from Arcadia came Amphidamas and
Cepheus, who inhabited Tegea and the allotment of Apheidas, two
sons of Aldus; and Ancaeus followed them as the third, whom his
father Lycurgus sent, the brother older than both. But he was left
in the city to care for Aleus now growing old, while he gave his
son to join his brothers. Antaeus went clad in the skin of a
Maenalian bear, and wielding in his right hand a huge two-edged
battleaxe. For his armour his grandsire had hidden in the house's
innermost recess, to see if he might by some means still stay his
departure.(ll. 172-175) There came also Augeias, whom fame declared to
be the son of Helios; he reigned over the Eleans, glorying in his
wealth; and greatly he desired to behold the Colchian land and
Aeetes himself the ruler of the Colchians.(ll. 176-178) Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came
from Achaean Pellene, which once Pelles their grandsire founded on
the brows of Aegialus.(ll. 179-184) After them from Taenarus came Euphemus whom,
most swift-footed of men, Europe, daughter of mighty Tityos, bare
to Poseidon. He was wont to skim the swell of the grey sea, and
wetted not his swift feet, but just dipping the tips of his toes
was borne on the watery path.(ll. 185-189) Yea, and two other sons of Poseidon came; one
Erginus, who left the citadel of glorious Miletus, the other proud
Ancaeus, who left Parthenia, the seat of Imbrasion Hera; both
boasted their skill in seacraft and in war.(ll. 190-201) After them from Calydon came the son of Oeneus,
strong Meleagrus, and Laocoon—Laocoon the brother of Oeneus, though
not by the same mother, for a serving-woman bare him; him, now
growing old, Oeneus sent to guard his son: thus Meleagrus, still a
youth, entered the bold band of heroes. No other had come superior
to him, I ween, except Heracles, if for one year more he had
tarried and been nurtured among the Aetolians. Yea, and his uncle,
well skilled to fight whether with the javelin or hand to hand,
Iphiclus son of Thestius, bare him company on his way.(ll. 202-206) With him came Palaemonius, son of Olenian
Lernus, of Lernus by repute, but his birth was from Hephaestus; and
so he was crippled in his feet, but his bodily frame and his valour
no one would dare to scorn. Wherefore he was numbered among all the
chiefs, winning fame for Jason.(ll. 207-210) From the Phocians came Iphitus sprung from
Naubolus son of Ornytus; once he had been his host when Jason went
to Pytho to ask for a response concerning his voyage; for there he
welcomed him in his own hails.(ll. 211-223) Next came Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas,
whom once Oreithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, bare to Boreas on the
verge of wintry Thrace; thither it was that Thracian Boreas
snatched her away from Cecropia as she was whirling in the dance,
hard by Hissus' stream. And, carrying her far off, to the spot that
men called the rock of Sarpedon, near the river Erginus, he wrapped
her in dark clouds and forced her to his will. There they were
making their dusky wings quiver upon their ankles on both sides as
they rose, a great wonder to behold, wings that gleamed with golden
scales: and round their backs from the top of the head and neck,
hither and thither, their dark tresses were being shaken by the
wind.(ll. 224-227) No, nor had Acastus son of mighty Pelias
himself any will to stay behind in the palace of his brave sire,
nor Argus, helper of the goddess Athena; but they too were ready to
be numbered in the host.(ll. 228-233) So many then were the helpers who assembled to
join the son of Aeson. All the chiefs the dwellers thereabout
called Minyae, for the most and the bravest avowed that they were
sprung from the blood of the daughters of Minyas; thus Jason
himself was the son of Alcimede who was born of Clymene the
daughter of Minyas.(ll. 234-241) Now when all things had been made ready by the
thralls, all things that fully-equipped ships are furnished withal
when men's business leads them to voyage across the sea, then the
heroes took their way through the city to the ship where it lay 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 order—lies 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 Aeetes—now 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 Embasius1101who 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,1102stretching 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
Actius1103and 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 bulls—all 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 wind 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 [...]