The Argonautica by Apollonius Rhodius - HTML preview

horn of Ocean, broad and exceeding deep, that a mer-Apidanean Arcadians alone existed, Arcadians who chant ship may traverse; they call it Ister and have lived even before the moon, it is said, eating acorns on marked it far off; and for a while it cleaves the bound-the hills; nor at that time was the Pelasgian land ruled

*The allusion is to Sesotris. See Herodotus ii. 102 foll.

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less tilth alone in one stream; for beyond the blasts of (ll. 303-337) Now some of the Colchians, in a vain the north wind, far off in the Rhipaean mountains, its search, passed out from Pontus through the Cyanean springs burst forth with a roar. But when it enters the rocks; but the rest went to the river, and them Apsyrtus boundaries of the Thracians and Scythians, here, diled, and, turning aside, he entered the mouth called viding its stream into two, it sends its waters partly into Fair. Wherefore he outstripped the heroes by crossing the Ionian sea,* and partly to the south into a deep a neck of land into the furthest gulf of the Ionian sea.

gulf that bends upwards from the Trinaerian sea, that For a certain island is enclosed by Ister, by name Peuee, sea which lies along your land, if indeed Achelous flows three-cornered, its base stretching along the coast, and forth from your land.”

with a sharp angle towards the river; and round it the outfall is cleft in two. One mouth they call the mouth (ll. 204-302) Thus he spake, and to them the goddess of Narex, and the other, at the lower end, the Fair granted a happy portent, and all at the sight shouted mouth. And through this Apsyrtus and his Colchians approval, that this was their appointed path. For be-rushed with all speed; but the heroes went upwards far fore them appeared a trail of heavenly light, a sign away towards the highest part of the island. in the where they might pass. And gladly they left behind meadows the country shepherds left their countless there the son of Lyeus and with canvas outspread sailed flocks for dread of the ships, for they deemed that they over the sea, with their eyes on the Paphlagonian moun-were beasts coming forth from the monster-teeming tains. But they did not round Carambis, for the winds sea. For never yet before had they seen seafaring ships, and the gleam of the heavenly fire stayed with them neither the Scythians mingled with the Thracians, nor till they reached Ister’s mighty stream.

the Sigynni, nor yet the Graucenii, nor the Sindi that now inhabit the vast desert plain of Laurium. But when

*Or, reading EMETEREN, into our sea. The Euxine is meant in any case and the word Ionian is therefore wrong.

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they had passed near the mount Angurum, and the ised them if they should fulfill the contests, they should cliff of Cauliacus, far from the mount Angurum, round keep it as justly won, whether they carried it off by which Ister, dividing his stream, falls into the sea on craft or even openly in the king’s despite; but as to this side and on that, and the Laurian plain, then in-Medea—for that was the cause of strife—that they should deed the Colchians went forth into the Cronian sea give her in ward to Leto’s daughter apart from the and cut off all the ways, to prevent their foes’ escape.

throng, until some one of the kings that dispense jus-And the heroes came down the river behind and tice should utter his doom, whether she must return to reached the two Brygean isles of Artemis near at hand.

her father’s home or follow the chieftains to the land Now in one of them was a sacred temple; and on the of Hellas.

other they landed, avoiding the host of Apsyrtus; for the Colchians had left these islands out of many within (ll. 350-354) Now when the maiden had mused upon the river, just as they were, through reverence for the all this, sharp anguish shook her heart unceasingly; and daughter of Zeus; but the rest, thronged by the quickly she called forth Jason alone apart from his com-Colchians, barred the ways to the sea. And so on other rades, and led him aside until they were far away, and islands too, close by, Apsyrtus left his host as far as the before his face uttered her speech all broken with sobs: river Salangon and the Nestian land.

(ll. 355-390) “What is this purpose that ye are now (ll. 338-349) There the Minyae would at that time have devising about me, O son of Aeson? Has thy triumph yielded in grim fight, a few to many; but ere then they utterly cast forgetfulness upon thee, and reekest thou made a covenant, shunning a dire quarrel; as to the nothing of all that thou spakest when held fast by ne-golden fleece, that since Aeetes himself had so prom-cessity? Whither are fled the oaths by Zeus the suppli-127

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ants’ god, whither are fled thy honied promises? For what heavy calamity shall I not endure in agony for which in no seemly wise, with shameless will, I have the terrible deeds I have done? And wilt thou win the left my country, the glories of my home and even my return that thy heart desires? Never may Zeus’ bride, parents — things that were dearest to me; and far away the queen of all, in whom thou dost glory, bring that to all alone I am borne over the sea with the plaintive pass. Mayst thou some time remember me when thou kingfishers because of thy trouble, in order that I might art racked with anguish; may the fleece like a dream save thy life in fulfilling the contests with the oxen and vanish into the nether darkness on the wings of the the earthborn men. Last of all the fleece—when the wind! And may my avenging Furies forthwith drive matter became known, it was by my folly thou didst thee from thy country, for all that I have suffered win it; and a foul reproach have I poured on woman-through thy cruelty! These curses will not be allowed kind. Wherefore I say that as thy child, thy bride and to fall unaccomplished to the ground. A mighty oath thy sister, I follow thee to the land of Hellas. Be ready hast thou transgressed, ruthless one; but not long shalt to stand by me to the end, abandon me not left forlorn thou and thy comrades sit at ease casting eyes of mock-of thee when thou dost visit the kings. But only save ery upon me, for all your covenants.” me; let justice and right, to which we have both agreed, stand firm; or else do thou at once shear through this (ll. 391-394) Thus she spake, seething with fierce wrath; neck with the sword, that I may gain the guerdon due and she longed to set fire to the ship and to hew it to my mad passion. Poor wretch! if the king, to whom utterly in pieces, and herself to fall into the raging flame.

you both commit your cruel covenant, doom me to But Jason, half afraid, thus addressed her with gentle belong to my brother. How shall I come to my father’s words:

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(ll. 395-409) “Forbear, lady; me too this pleases not.

evil desires. Do thou in the turmoil shield me from the But we seek some respite from battle, for such a cloud Colchians’ spears; and I will beguile Apsyrtus to come of hostile men, like to a fire, surrounds us, on thy ac-into thy hands—do thou greet him with splendid gifts—

count. For all that inhabit this land are eager to aid if only I could persuade the heralds on their departure Apsyrtus, that they may lead thee back home to thy to bring him alone to hearken to my words. There-father, like some captured maid. And all of us would upon if this deed pleases thee, slay him and raise a perish in hateful destruction, if we closed with them in conflict with the Colchians, I care not.

fight; and bitterer still will be the pain, if we are slain and leave thee to be their prey. But this covenant will (ll. 421-422) So they two agreed and prepared a great weave a web of guile to lead him to ruin. Nor will the web of guile for Apsyrtus, and provided many gifts people of the land for thy sake oppose us, to favour the such as are due to guests, and among them gave a sa-Colchians, when their prince is no longer with them, cred robe of Hypsipyle, of crimson hue. The Graces who is thy champion and thy brother; nor will I shrink with their own hands had wrought it for Dionysus in from matching myself in fight with the Colchians, if sea-girt Dia, and he gave it to his son Thoas thereafter, they bar my way homeward.”

and Thoas left it to Hypsipyle, and she gave that fair-wrought guest-gift with many another marvel to Aeson’s (ll. 410-420) Thus he spake soothing her; and she ut-son to wear. Never couldst thou satisfy thy sweet detered a deadly speech: “Take heed now. For when sorry sire by touching it or gazing on it. And from it a divine deeds are done we must needs devise sorry counsel, fragrance breathed from the time when the king of Nysa since at first I was distraught by my error, and by himself lay to rest thereon, flushed with wine and nec-heaven’s will it was I wrought the accomplishment of tar as he clasped the beauteous breast of the maiden-129

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daughter of Minos, whom once Theseus forsook in the How then by evil doom did she slay Apsyrtus when he island of Dia, when she had followed him from came to meet her? For that must our song tell next.

Cnossus. And when she had worked upon the heralds to induce her brother to come, as soon as she reached (ll. 452-481) When the heroes had left the maiden on the temple of the goddess, according to the agreement, the island of Artemis, according to the covenant, both and the darkness of night surrounded them, that so sides ran their ships to land separately. And Jason went she might devise with him a cunning plan for her to to the ambush to lie in wait for Apsyrtus and then for take the mighty fleece of gold and return to the home his comrades. But he, beguiled by these dire promises, of Aeetes, for, she said, the sons of Phrixus had given swiftly crossed the swell of the sea in his ship, and in her by force to the strangers to carry off; with such dark night set foot on the sacred island; and faring all beguiling words she scattered to the air and the breezes alone to meet her he made trial in speech of his sister, her witching charms, which even from afar would have as a tender child tries a wintry torrent which not even drawn down the savage beast from the steep moun-strong men can pass through, to see if she would detain-height.

vise some guile against the strangers. And so they two agreed together on everything; and straightway Aeson’s (ll. 445-451) Ruthless Love, great bane, great curse to son leapt forth from the thick ambush, lifting his bare mankind, from thee come deadly strifes and lamenta-sword in his hand; and quickly the maiden turned her tions and groans, and countless pains as well have their eyes aside and covered them with her veil that she stormy birth from thee. Arise, thou god, and arm thy-might not see the blood of her brother when he was self against the sons of our foes in such guise as when smitten. And Jason marked him and struck him down, thou didst fill Medea’s heart with accursed madness.

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hard by the temple which the Brygi on the mainland flock of sheep huddled together. Nor did one of them opposite had once built for Artemis. In its vestibule he escape death, but the heroes rushed upon the whole fell on his knees; and at last the hero breathing out his crew, destroying them like a flame; and at last Jason life caught up in both hands the dark blood as it welled met them, and was eager to give aid where none was from the wound; and he dyed with red his sister’s sil-needed; but already they were taking thought for him very veil and robe as she shrank away. And with swift too. Thereupon they sat to devise some) prudent coun-side-glance the irresistible pitiless Fury beheld the sel for their voyage, and the maiden came upon them deadly deed they had done. And the hero, Aeson’s son, as they pondered, but Peleus spake his word first: cut off the extremities of the dead man, and thrice licked up some blood and thrice spat the pollution from his (ll. 495-502) “I now bid you embark while it is still teeth, as it is right for the slayer to do, to atone for a night, and take with your oars the passage opposite to treacherous murder. And the clammy corpse he hid in that which the enemy guards, for at dawn when they the ground where even now those bones lie among see their plight I deem that no word urging to further the Apsyrtians.

pursuit of us will prevail with them; but as people be-reft of their king, they will be scattered in grievous dis-

(ll. 481-494) Now as soon as the heroes saw the blaze sension. And easy, when the people are scattered, will of a torch, which the maiden raised for them as a sign this path be for us on our return.” to pursue, they laid their own ship near the Colchian ship, and they slaughtered the Colchian host, as kites (ll. 503-506) Thus he spake; and the youths assented slay the tribes of wood-pigeons, or as lions of the wold, to the words of Aeacus’ son. And quickly they entered when they have leapt amid the steading, drive a great the ship, and toiled at their oars unceasingly until they 131

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reached the sacred isle of Electra, the highest of them safe for them, fared onward and made their hawsers all, near the river Eridanus.

fast to the land of the Hylleans. For the islands lay thick in the river and made the path dangerous for those (ll. 507-521) But when the Colchians learnt the death who sailed thereby. Nor, as aforetime, did the Hylleans of their prince, verily they were eager to pursue Argo devise their hurt, but of their own accord furthered and the Minyans through all the Cronian sea. But Hera their passage, winning as guerdon a mighty tripod of restrained them by terrible lightnings from the sky. And Apollo. For tripods twain had Phoebus given to Aeson’s at last they loathed their own homes in the Cytaean son to carry afar in the voyage he had to make, at the land, quailing before Aeetes’ fierce wrath; so they time when he went to sacred Pytho to enquire about landed and made abiding homes there, scattered far this very voyage; and it was ordained by fate that in and wide. Some set foot on those very islands where whatever land they should be placed, that land should the heroes had stayed, and they still dwell there, bear-never be ravaged by the attacks of foemen. Therefore ing a name derived from Apsyrtus; and others built a even now this tripod is hidden in that land near the fenced city by the dark deep Illyrian river, where is pleasant city of Hyllus, far beneath the earth, that it the tomb of Harmonia and Cadmus, dwelling among may ever be unseen by mortals. Yet they found not the Encheleans; and others live amid the mountains King Hyllus still alive in the land, whom fair Melite which are called the Thunderers, from the day when bare to Heracles in the land of the Phaeacians. For he the thunders of Zeus, son of Cronos, prevented them came to the abode of Nausithous and to Macris, the from crossing over to the island opposite.

nurse of Dionysus, to cleanse himself from the deadly murder of his children; here he loved and overcame (ll. 522-551) Now the heroes, when their return seemed the water nymph Melite, the daughter of the river 132

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Aegaeus, and she bare mighty Hyllus. But when he knew this; but far onward they sped starting from the had grown up he desired not to dwell in that island Hyllean land, and they left behind all the islands that under the rule of Nausithous the king; but he collected were beforetime thronged by the Colchians—the a host of native Phaeacians and came to the Cronian Liburnian isles, isle after isle, Issa, Dysceladus, and sea; for the hero King Nausithous aided his journey, lovely Pityeia. Next after them they came to Corcyra, and there he settled, and the Mentores slew him as he where Poseidon settled the daughter of Asopus, fairwas fighting for the oxen of his field.

haired Corcyra, far from the land of Phlius, whence he had carried her off through love; and sailors behold-

(ll. 552-556) Now, goddesses, say how it is that being it from the sea, all black with its sombre woods, yond this sea, near the land of Ausonia and the call it Corcyra the Black. And next they passed Melite, Ligystian isles, which are called Stoechades, the mighty rejoicing in the soft-blowing breeze, and steep Cerossus, tracks of the ship Argo are clearly sung of? What great and Nymphaea at a distance, where lady Calypso, constraint and need brought the heroes so far? What daughter of Atlas, dwelt; and they deemed they saw breezes wafted them?

the misty mountains of Thunder. And then Hera bethought her of the counsels and wrath of Zeus con-

(ll. 557-591) When Apsyrtus had fallen in mighty over-cerning them. And she devised an ending of their voy-throw Zeus himself, king of gods, was seized with wrath age and stirred up storm-winds before them, by which at what they had done. And he ordained that by the they were caught and borne back to the rocky isle of counsels of Aeaean Circe they should cleanse them-Electra. And straightway on a sudden there called to selves from the terrible stain of blood and suffer count-them in the midst of their course, speaking with a hu-less woes before their return. Yet none of the chieftains man voice, the beam of the hollow ship, which Athena 133

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had set in the centre of the stem, made of Dodonian into the flame, fluttering. And all around the maidens, oak. And deadly fear seized them as they heard the the daughters of Helios, enclosed in tall poplars, wretch-voice that told of the grievous wrath of Zeus. For it edly wail a piteous plaint; and from their eyes they proclaimed that they should not escape the paths of an shed on the ground bright drops of amber. These are endless sea nor grievous tempests, unless Circe should dried by the sun upon the sand; but whenever the wa-purge away the guilt of the ruthless murder of Apsyrtus; ters of the dark lake flow over the strand before the and it bade Polydeuces and Castor pray to the immor-blast of the wailing wind, then they roll on in a mass tal gods first to grant a path through the Ausonian sea into Eridanus with swelling tide. But the Celts have where they should find Circe, daughter of Perse and attached this story to them, that these are the tears of Helios.

Leto’s son, Apollo, that are borne along by the eddies, (ll. 592-626) Thus Argo cried through the darkness; the countless tears that he shed aforetime when he came and the sons of Tyndareus uprose, and lifted their hands to the sacred race of the Hyperboreans and left shin-to the immortals praying for each boon: but dejection ing heaven at the chiding of his father, being in wrath held the rest of the Minyan heroes. And far on sped concerning his son whom divine Coronis bare in bright Argo under sail, and entered deep into the stream of Lacereia at the mouth of Amyrus. And such is the story Eridanus; where once, smitten on the breast by the told among these men. But no desire for food or drink blazing bolt, Phaethon half-consumed fell from the seized the heroes nor were their thoughts turned to chariot of Helios into the opening of that deep lake; joy. But they were sorely afflicted all day, heavy and and even now it belcheth up heavy steam clouds from faint at heart, with the noisome stench, hard to endure, the smouldering wound. And no bird spreading its light which the streams of Eridanus sent forth from Phaethon wings can cross that water; but in mid-course it plunges still burning; and at night they heard the piercing la-134

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ment of the daughters of Helios, wailing with shrill and all together were shaken with fear of her cry; for voice; and, as they lamented, their tears were borne terribly crashed the mighty firmament. And backward on the water like drops of oil.

they turned by reason of the goddess, and noted the path by which their return was ordained. And after a (ll. 627-658) Thence they entered the deep stream of long while they came to the beach of the surging sea Rhodanus which flows into Eridanus; and where they by the devising of Hera, passing unharmed through meet there is a roar of mingling waters. Now that river, countless tribes of the Celts and Ligyans. For round rising from the ends of the earth, where are the portals them the goddess poured a dread mist day by day as and mansions of Night, on one side bursts forth upon they fared on. And so, sailing through the midmost the beach of Ocean, at another pours into the Ionian mouth, they reached the Stoechades islands in safety sea, and on the third through seven mouths sends its by the aid of the sons of Zeus; wherefore altars and stream to the Sardinian sea and its limitless bay.* And sacred rites are established in their honour for ever; from Rhodanus they entered stormy lakes, which and not that sea-faring alone did they attend to succour; spread throughout the Celtic mainland of wondrous but Zeus granted to them the ships of future sailors size; and there they would have met with an inglori-too. Then leaving the Stoechades they passed on to ous calamity; for a certain branch of the river was bear-the island Aethalia, where after their toil they wiped ing them towards a gulf of Ocean which in ignorance away with pebbles sweat in abundance; and pebbles they were about to enter, and never would they have like skin in colour are strewn on the beach;* and there returned from there in safety. But Hera leaping forth are their quoits and their wondrous armour; and there from heaven pealed her cry from the Hercynian rock; is the Argoan harbour called after them.

*Apollonius seems to have thought that the Po, the Rhone,

*i.e. like the scrapings from skin, APOSTLEGGISMATA; see Strabo and the Rhine are all connected together.

p. 224 for this adventure.

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(ll. 659-684) And quickly from there they passed moisture from the rays of the scorching sun; but time through the sea, beholding the Tyrrhenian shores of combined these forms and marshalled them in their Ausonia; and they came to the famous harbour of ranks; in such wise these monsters shapeless of form Aeaea, and from the ship they cast hawsers to the shore followed her. And exceeding wonder seized the he-near at hand. And here they found Circe bathing her roes, and at once, as each gazed on the form and face head in the salt sea-spray, for sorely had she been scared of Circe, they readily guessed that she was the sister of by visions of the night. With blood her chambers and Aeetes.

all the walls of her palace seemed to be running, and flame was devouring all the magic herbs with which (ll. 685-717) Now when she had dismissed the fears of she used to bewitch strangers whoever came; and she her nightly visions, straightway she fared backwards, herself with murderous blood quenched the glowing and in her subtlety she bade the heroes follow, charm-flame, drawing it up in her hands; and she ceased from ing them on with her hand. Thereupon the host re-deadly fear. Wherefore when morning came she rose, mained stedfast at the bidding of Aeson’s son, but Ja-and with sea-spray was bathing her hair and her gar-son drew with him the Colchian maid. And both fol-ments. And beasts, not resembling the beasts of the lowed the selfsame path till they reached the hall of wild, nor yet like men in body, but with a medley of Circe, and she in amaze at their coming bade them sit limbs, went in a throng, as sheep from the fold in mul-on brightly burnished seats. And they, quiet and si-titudes follow the shepherd. Such creatures, compacted lent, sped to the hearth and sat there, as is the wont of of various limbs, did each herself produce from the wretched suppliants. Medea hid her face in both her primeval slime when she had not yet grown solid be-hands, but Jason fixed in the ground the mighty hilted neath a rainless sky nor yet had received a drop of sword with which he had slain Aeetes’ son; nor did 136

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they raise their eyes to meet her look. And straightway or, as kinsfolk, by the blood of a kinsman, they should Circe became aware of the doom of a suppliant and implore his grace.

the guilt of murder. Wherefore in reverence for the ordinance of Zeus, the god of suppliants, who is a god (ll. 718-738) But when she had wrought all her task, of wrath yet mightily aids slayers of men, she began to then she raised them up and seated them on well pol-offer the sacrifice with which ruthless suppliants are ished seats, and herself sat near, face to face with them.

cleansed from guilt when they approach the altar. First, And at once she asked them clearly of their business to atone for the murder still unexpiated, she held above and their voyaging, and whence they had come to her their heads the young of a sow whose dugs yet swelled land and palace, and had thus seated themselves as from the fruit of the womb, and, severing its neck, suppliants at her hearth. For in truth the hideous re-sprinkled their hands with the blood; and again she membrance of her dreams entered her mind as she made propitiation with other drink offerings, calling pondered; and she longed to hear the voice of the on Zeus the Cleanser, the protector of murder-stained maiden, her kinswoman, as soon as she saw that she suppliants. And all the defilements in a mass her atten-had raised her eyes from the ground. For all those of dants bore forth from the palace—the Naiad nymphs the race of Helios were plain to discern, since by the who ministered all things to her. And within, Circe, far flashing of their eyes they shot in front of them a standing by the hearth, kept burning atonement-cakes gleam as of gold. So Medea told her all she asked—the without wine, praying the while that she might stay daughter of Aeetes of the gloomy heart, speaking gen-from their wrath the terrible Furies, and that Zeus him-tly in the Colchian tongue, both of the quest and the self might be propitious and gentle to them both, journeyings of the heroes, and of their toils in the swift whether with hands stained by the blood of a stranger contests, and how she had sinned through the coun-137

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sels of her much-sorrowing sister, and how with the and poured forth a lamentation, until the hero took sons of Phrixus she had fled afar from the tyrannous her by the hand and led her forth from the hall quiver-horrors of her father; but she shrank from telling of ing with fear. So they left the home of Circe.

the murder of Apsyrtus. Yet she escaped not Circe’s ken; nevertheless, in spite of all, she pitied the weep-

(ll. 753-756) But they were not unmarked by the spouse ing maiden, and spake thus:

of Zeus, son of Cronos; but Iris told her when she saw them faring from the hall. For Hera had bidden her (ll. 739-748) “Poor wretch, an evil and shameful return watch what time they should come to the ship; so again hast thou planned. Not for long, I ween, wilt thou es-she urged her and spake:

cape the heavy wrath of Aeetes; but soon will he go even to the dwellings of Hellas to avenge the blood of his son, (ll. 757-769) “Dear Iris, now come, if ever thou hast for intolerable are the deeds thou hast done. But since fulfilled my bidding, hie thee away on light pinions, thou art my suppliant and my kinswoman, no further ill and bid Thetis arise from the sea and come hither. For shall I devise against thee at thy coming; but begone from need of her is come upon me. Then go to the sea-my halls, companioning the stranger, whosoever he be, beaches where the bronze anvils of Hephaestus are this unknown one that thou hast taken in thy father’s de-smitten by sturdy hammers, and tell him to still the spite; and kneel not to me at my hearth, for never will I blasts of fire until Argo pass by them. Then go to Aeolus approve thy counsels and thy shameful flight.” too, Aeolus who rules the winds, children of the clear sky; and to him also tell my purpose so that he may (ll. 749-752) Thus she spake, and measureless anguish make all winds cease under heaven and no breeze may seized the maid; and over her eyes she cast her robe ruffle the sea; yet let the breath of the west wind blow 138

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until the heroes have reached the Phaeacian isle of heart is the hero, Aeson’s son, and the others that have Alcinous.”

helped him in the contest, and how I saved them when they passed between the Wandering rocks,* where roar (ll. 770-782) So she spake, and straightway Iris leapt terrible storms of fire and the waves foam round the down from Olympus and cleft her way, with light wings rugged reefs. And now past the mighty rock of Scylla outspread. And she plunged into the Aegean Sea, where and Charybdis horribly belching, a course awaits them.

is the dwelling of Nereus. And she came to Thetis first But thee indeed from thy infancy did I tend with my and, by the promptings of Hera, told her tale and roused own hands and love beyond all others that dwell in her to go to the goddess. Next she came to Hephaestus, the salt sea because thou didst refuse to share the couch and quickly made him cease from the clang of his iron of Zeus, for all his desire. For to him such deeds are hammers; and the smoke-grimed bellows were stayed ever dear, to embrace either goddesses or mortal from their blast. And thirdly she came to Aeolus, the women. But in reverence for me and with fear in thy famous son of Hippotas. And when she had given her heart thou didst shrink from his love; and he then swore message to him also and rested her swift knees from a mighty oath that thou shouldst never be called the her course, then Thetis leaving Nereus and her sisters bride of an immortal god. Yet he ceased not from spy-had come from the sea to Olympus to the goddess ing thee against thy will, until reverend Themis de-Hera; and the goddess made her sit by her side and clared to him the whole truth, how that it was thy fate uttered her word:

to bear a son mightier than his sire; wherefore he gave (ll. 783-832) “Hearken now, lady Thetis, to what I am

*The Symplegades are referred to, where help was given by