!% n ~~ rrI C3- ~< ^ 31^ ^ t cxf" ^UK-ANGElfj^ ^ ^ fff'^^ '* ~' ^3AINI1-3\\V^ ^ ^rtE-l'N!VER% ^lOSvVVGElfj> )I fy f i i I ? pu r^- ^\ ^ ^ P SA'tii \ i nv \ K x ^ , ^A pleas'd he join'd his aid. And march'd to meet th' adventurous band from far, Urg'd by affinity and love of war. Nor long Admetus, who at Phene reign'd, Near high Chalcodon's bleating fields remain'd. 60 Echion, Erytus, for wiles renown'd, Left Alope, with golden harvefts crown'd j B The 6 Tbs ARGON AUTICS of Book I, The gainful fons of Mercury : with thefe Their brother came, the bold vEthalides j Whom fair Eupolema, the Phthian, bore 65 Where fmooth Amphryfos rolls his watery ftore : Thofe, Menetus, from thy fair daughter fprung, Antianira, beautiful and young. Coronus came, from Gyrton's wealthy town, Great as his fire in valour and renown, 70 Casneus his fire , who, as old bards relate, Receiv'd from Centaurs his untimely fate. Alone, unaided, with tranfcendent might, Boldly he fac'd, and put his foes to flight. But they, reviving foon, regain'd their ground j 75 Yet faiPd to vanquim, and they could not wound, Unbroke, unmov*d, the chief his breath refigns, O'erwhelm'd beneath a monument of pines, From Titarefus Mopfus bent his way, Infpir'd an augur by the God of day. 8$ Eurydamas, to mare fair honour's crown, Forfook near Xynias' lake his native town, Nam'd Ctimena : Mencetius join'd the band, Difmifs'd from Opuns by his fire's command. Next came Eurytion, Irus* valiant fon, 85 And Eribotes, feed of Teleon. Qileug Book I. APOLLONIUSRHODIUS. ^ O'ileus join'd thefe heroes, fam'd afar For ftratagetns and fortitude in war ; Well fkill'd the hoftile fquadrons to fubdue, Bold in attack, and ardent to purfue. 90 Next, by Canethus, fon of Abans, fcnt, Ambitious Canthus from Eubcea went; Doom'd ne'er again to reach his native IhorCj Nor view the towers of proud Cerinthus more. For thus decreed the deftinies fevere, 95 That he and Mopiiis, venerable feer, After long toils and various wanderings paft, On Afric's dreary coaft mould breathe their laft. How fhort the term affign'd to human woe, Clos'd, as it is, by death's decifive blow ! ice On Afric's dreary coaft their graves were made, From Phafis diftant far their bones were laid -, Far as the eaft and weilern limits run, Far as the rifing from the letting fun. Clytius and Iphitus unite their aid, 105 Who all the country round CEchalia fway'd ; Thefe were the fons of Eurytus the proud, On whom his bow the Gcd of day beftow'd ; But he, devoid of gratitude, defy'd, And challeng'd Phcebus with a rival's pride. j 10 B 4 The 8 The ARGONAUTICS of Book I, The fons of ^acus, intrepid race ! Separate advanced, and from a different place. For when their brother unawares they flew, From fair ^Egina diverfe they withdrew. Fair Salamis king Telamon obey'd, j 15 And valiant Peleus Phthia's fceptre fway'd. Next Butes came from fam'd Cecropia far. Brave Tenon's fon, a chief renown'd in war. To wield the deadly lance Phalerus boafts, Who, by his fire commifilon'd, joins the hods : 120 No fon, fave this, e'er blefs'd the hoary fage, And this heaven gave him in declining age ; Yet him he ferjt, difdaining abjedt fears, To mine confpicuous 'midft his gallant peers, Thefeus, far mord than all his race renown'd, 125 Fall in the cave of Tsenarus was bound With adamantine fetters, (dire abade!) E'er fince he trod th* irremeable road With his belov'd Pirithoiis : had they fail'd, Much had their might, their courage much avail'd. I^Q Bceotian^Tiphyi came, experienc'd well Old ocean's foaming furges to foretell, Experienc'd well the ftormy winds to fhun, And fteer his veflel by the ftars, or fun. Minerva Book I. APOLLONIUSRHODIUS. 9 Minerva urg'd him by her high command, 135 A welcome mate to join the princely band. For me the fhip had form'd with heavenly fkill, Tho* Argus wrought the dictates of her will. Thus plann'd, thus fafhion'd, this fam'd ihip excell'd The nobleft fhips by oar or fail impell'd. 140 From Arathyrea, that near Corinth lay, Phlias, the fon of Bacchus, bent his way : Blefs'd by his fire, his fplendid manfion ftood Faft by the fountains of Afopus* flood. From Argos next the fons of Bias came, 145 Areius, Talaus, candidates for fame, With bold Leodocus, whom Pero bore, Neleus ? fair daughter, on the Argive more ; For whom Melampus various woes fuftain'd, In a deep dungeon by Iphicltis chajn'd. 150 Next Hercules, endued with dauntlefs mind, At Jafon's fummons, ftay'd not long behind. For warn'd of this adventurous band, when laft The chief to Argos from Arcadia paft, (What time in chains he brought the living boar, 155 The dread, the bane of Erymanthia's moor, And at the gate of proud Mycenae's town, From his broad fhoulders hurl'd the monfter down :) Unafk'd 10 The A&dON-AUTics f '. Book I. Unafk'd the ftern Mycenian king's confent, Inftant to join, the Catlike hoft he went. j6o Young Hylas waited with obfequious care, The hero's quiver arid his boVv to bear. Next came, the lift of demigods to grace, He who from Danaiis defiv'd his race, Nauplius ; of whom fanVd Pnetus was the fon, 165 Of Prastus Lernus ; thus the lineage run : From Lernus JsTaubolus his being claim'd, Whofe valiant fon was Clytoneiis nam'd. In navigation's various arts conftfs'd Shone Nauplius' ikill, ftiperior to the reft t 170 Him to the fea's dread lord, in days of yore> Danaiis* fair daughter, Amyrnone bore. Laft of thofe chiefs who left the Grecian ccmft, Prophetic Idmon join'd the gallant hoft ; (Full well he knew what cruel fate ordainM ; 1 7^ But dreaded more than death his honour ftain'd) The fon of Phcebus by fome ftolen embrace, And number'd too with bolus's race, He learn'd his art prophetic from his fire, Omens from birds and prodigies from fire. 18 Illuftrious Pollux, fam'd for martial force, And Caftor, ikill'd to guide the rapid horfe, Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. II vEtoiian Leda fent from Sparta's fhore : Both at one birth in Tyndarus' houfe me bore. No boding fears her generous mind deprefs'd ; 18$ She thought like them whom Jove's embrace had blefs'd. Lynceus and Idas, from Arene's wall, Heard fame's loud fummons, and obey'd her call : The fons of Aphareus, of matchlefs might, But Lynceus flands renown'd for piercing fight : *<)o So keen his beam, that ancient fables tell, lie favv, thro' earth, the wondrous depths of hell. With thefe bold Periclymenus appears, The fon of Neleus, mofb advanc'd in years Of all his race ; his fire's unconquer'd pride : 195 Him with vaft flrength old ocean's lord fupply'd, And gave the power, when hard in battle prefs'd, To take whatever form might fuit him beft. From Tegea's towers, where bore Aphicjas fway, Amphidamas and Cepheus took their way, 2po The fons of Aleus both , and with them went AncjEUS, by his fire Lycurgus fent. Of thofe the brother, and by birth the firft, Was good Lycurgus ; tenderly he nurs'd His fire at home ; but bade his gallant fon 20 ; With the bold chiefs the race of glory run. On 12 ^be ARGONAUT res of Book I, On his broad back a bear's rough fpoils he wore, And in his hand a two-edg'd pole-axe bore, Which, that the youth might in no danger fhare, Were fafe fecreted by his grandfire's care. 1 10 Augeas too, lord of the Elean coaft, Sail'd, brave affbciate, with the warlike hoft. Rich in pofleflions, of his riches proud, Fame fays his being to the Sun he ow'd. Ardent he wifh'd to fee the Colchian fhore, 215 And old TEeta who the fceptre bore. Afterius and Amphion, urg'd by fame, The valiant fons of Hyperafius, came From fair Pellene, built in days of yore By Pelle's grandfire on the lofty more. 220 From Tsenarus, that yawns with gulf profound, Euphemus came, for rapid race renowned. By Neptune forc'd, Europa gave him birth, Daughter to Tityus, hugeft fon of Earth. Whene'er he ficimm'd along the watery plain, 225 With feet unbath'd he fwept the furging main, Scarce brufti'd the furface of the briny dew, And light along the liquid level flew. Two other fons of Neptune join'd the hoft, ^This from Miletus pn th' Ionian coaft, 230 Erginus Book I, APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 13 Erginus nam'd, but that from Samos came, Juno's lov'd ifle, Anoeus was his name ; Illuftrious chiefs, and both renown'd afar For the joint arts of failing and of war. Young Meleager, CEneus' warlike fon, 235 And fage Laocoon march'd from Calydon. From the fame father he and CEneus fprung ; But on the breads of different mothers hung. Him CEneus purpos'd with his fon to fend, A wife companion, and a faithful friend. 240 Thus to the royal chiefs his name he gave, And green in years was number'd with the brave. Had he continu'd but one fummer more A martial pupil on th' ^Etolian more, Firft on the lifts of fame the youth had ihone, 245 Or own'd fuperior Hercules alone. His uncle too, well-fkill'd the dart to throw, And in th' embattled plain refift the foe, Iphiclus, venerable Theftius* fon, Join'd the young chief, and boldly led him on. 250 The fon of Lernus, Palasmonius, came, Olenian Lernus ; but the voice of fame Whifpers, that Vulcan was the hero's fire, And therefore limps he like the God of fire. Of 14 $* A ft. 6 o N A tt T i c s of Book I. Of nobler port or valour none could boaft ; 255 He added grace to Jafon's godlike hoft. From Phocis Iphitus with ardour prefs'd To join the chiefs ; great Jafon was his gueft, When to the Delphic Oracle he went, Confulting fate, and anxious for th* event. 260 Zetes and Calais of royai race, Whom Orithyia bore in wintry Thrace To bluflering Boreas in his airy hall, Heard fame's loud fummons, and obey'd the call. Ereftheus, who th* Athenian fceptre fway'd, 265 Was parent of the violated maid, Whom dancing with her mates rude Boreas Hole, Where the fam'd waters of IlilTus roll ; And to his rock-fenc'd Sarpedonian cave Convey'd her, where Erginus pours his wave: 270 There, circumfus'd in gloom and grateful fhade, The god of tempefts woo'd the gentle maid. They, when on tip-toe rais'd, in act to fly, Like the light-pinion'd vagrants of the fky, Wav'd their dark wings, and, wondrous to behold! 275 Difplay'd each plume diftinfl with drops of gold 5 While down their backs, of bright cerulean hue, Loofe in the winds their wanton trefles flew. Not Book I. A P o L L o N i u 3 R H o D i u s. 15 Not long with Pelias young Acaftqs ftay'd; He left his fire to lend the Grecians aid. 280 Argus, whom Pallas with her gifts infpir'd, Follow'd his friend, with equal glory hYd. Such^he compeers of Jafon highly fam'd -, And all thefe demigods were Minyans nam'd. The moft illuftrious heroes of the hoft 285 Their lineage from the feed of Minyas boaft : For Minyas' daughter, Clymena the fair, Alcimeda, great Jafon's mother, bare. When all was furnifhM by the bufy band Which veflels deftin'd for the main demand ; 290 The heroes from lolcos bent their way To the fam'd port, the Pagafean bay, And deep-environ'd with thick-gathering crowds, They fhone like flars-refplendent thro' the clouds. Then thus among the rout, with wondering look, 295 Some fwain furvey'd the bright-arm'd chiefs and Tpoke : * Say, what can Pelias, mighty Jove, intend, ' Far, far from Greece fo great a force to fend \ ' Sure, mould Meta fpurn the fons of Greece, ' And to their claims refufe the golden Fleece, 300 4 That felf-fame day mall fee his palace, crown'd ! With glictering turrets, levell'd to the ground. ! But i6 . tbe ARGONAUTICS of Book I. * But endlefs toils purfue them as they go, <* And Fate hath mark'd their defperate fteps with woe.* Thus, when he faw the delegated bands, 305 Spoke the rude fwain with heaven- uplifted hands : The gentler females thus the Gods implore ; " Safe may they reach again their native Ihore :" And thus fome matron mild her mind exprefs'd \ (Tears in her eye, and terrors at her bread) 3 1 ' Unfortunate Alcimeda, thy fate * Now frowns malignant, tho* it frowns fo late ; * Nor wills the tenor of thy life to run ' Serene and peaceful, as it firft begun. * On ^Efon too attend unnumber'd woes , 315 * Far, better far, a lingering life to dole, * And bury all his forrows in the tomb, * Uneonfcious of calamities to come. * Oh ! r had both Phrixus and the ram been drown'd, *. When Helle perifh'd in the gulf profound : 320 * But the dire monfter was with voice endu'd, * And human accents from his mouth enfu'd, ' To fad Alcimeda denouncing ftrife, * 4-nd wocs to doud the evening of her life.' Thus fpoke fome matron as the heroes went* 325 Around their k>rds the menial train lament : ,*' Alcimeda Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 17 Alcimeda embrac'd her fon with tears, Each bread was chill'd with fad prefaging fears. Age-drooping ^fon heard the general moan, 329 Wrapp'd in foft robes, and anfwer'd groan For groan. But Jafon fooths their fears, their bofom warms, And bids his fervants bring the burnim'd arms. They, with a downcaft look and lowly bow, Obey their chief with filent fteps and flow. The penfive Queen, while tears bedew her face, 335 Her fon ftill circles with a fond embrace. Thus to her nurfe an infant orphan fprings, And weeps unceafing as fhe clofely clings j Experienc'd infults make her loath to ftay Beneath a ftep-dame's proud, oppreffive fway. 340 Thus in her royal breaft the forrows pent Forc'd fighs and tears, and ftruggled for a vent. Still in her arms fhe held her favourite fon, And comfortlefs with faltering fpeech begun : * Oh had I died on that detefted day, 34^ 1 And with my forrows figh'd my foul away, * When Pelias publifh'd his fevere decree, * Severe and fatal to my fon and me ! ' Thyfelf had then my aged eyelids clos'd, * And thofe dear hands my decent limbs composed -, 350 C This I S The ARGONAUTICS of Book I. 6 This boon alone I wifh'd thee to impart, This wifh alone lay dormant at my heart. * But now, alas ! tho' firlt of Grecian names, ' Admir'd and envy'd by ThefTalian dames, * I, like an hand-maid, now am left behind, 355 ' Bereav'd of all tranquillity of mind. * By thee rever'd, in dignity I fhone, ' And firft and laft for thee unloos'd my zone. * For unrelenting hate Lucina bore, 6 Thee, one lov'd fon, (he gave, but gave no more. 360 ' Alas ! not ev'n the vifions of the night ' Foretold fuch fatal woes from Phrixus' flight.' Thus mourn'd Alcimeda ; her handmaids hear, Sigh back her fighs, and anfwer tear with tear. Then Jafon thefe confoling words addrefs'd, 365 To footh the rifing anguifh of her bread : ** Ceafe, mother, ceafe excefs of grief to mow, " Oh ! ceafe this wild extravagance of woe. " Tears cannot make one dire difafter lefs 5 " They cherim grief, and aggravate diftrefs, 370 " Wifely and juftly have the Gods affign'd " Unthonght-of miferies to all mankind. " The lot they give yon, tho' perchance fevere, " Confiding in Minerva, bravely bear. " Minerva Book I. AP POL'LONI us RHODIUS. 19 " Minerva firft this bold adventure mov'd, 375 " Apollo, and the Oracles approv'd, " Thefe calls of heaven our confidence command, " Join'd with the valour of this princely band. " Hafte, royal mother, to your native tow'rs, " Pafs with your handmaids there the peaceful hours. " Forebode not here calamities to come : 381 * Your female train will re-conduct you home." He fpoke ; and from the palace bent his way, Graceful of port j fo moves the god of day At Delos, from his odour-breathing fanes, 385 Or Claros fituate on Ionian plains, Or Lycia's ample mores, where Xanthus leads His winding waters thro* irriguous meads. Thus Jafon march'd majeftic thro' the crowd, And Fame aufpicious rais'd her voice aloud : 390 When lo ! the prieftefs of Diana came, Their guardian Goddefs, Iphias was her name, Bending with age, and kifs'd the chief's right hand j In vain (he wifh'd to fpeak ; the hafty band With fpeedy footfteps from the dame withdrew, 395 And Jafon mingled with his valiant crew. Then from the tower-fenc'd town he bent his way, And reach'd ere long the Pagafa?an bay ; C 2 There d The ARGONAUTICS of Book I. There join'd his comrades waiting on the toaft, And there faluted his confederate hoft. 400 When from Idicos, lo, the wondering train Obferve Acaftus haftening o'er the plain, And with him Argus, his compeer and friend ; Unknown to Pelias, to the fhip they tend. Argus around his brawny moulders flung 405 A bull's black fpoils that to his ancles hung. Acaftus wore a mantle rich and gay, Wrought by his fitter, lovely Peiopa. Thus rob'd, the chiefs approach'd the crowded (hore -, Illuftrious Jafon ftay'd not to explore 410 What caufe fo long detained them, but commands To council all the delegated bands. On fhrouds and fails that cover'd half the beach, And the tall, tapering maft, in order each, The heroes fat ; then rifing o'er the reft, 415 His bold aflbciates Jafon thus addrefs'd : * Since now the (lores lie ready on the ftrand, * And fmce our chiefs and arms are all at hand, * NO longer let us wafte the golden day, * But the firft fummons of the breeze obey. 420 * And, fmce we all with equal ardour burn * For Colchian fpoils, and hope a fafe return, 4 4^ ' Impartial Book I. APPOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 21 c Impartial choofe fome hero fam'd afar 4 To guide the vefiel, and conduct the war, * Let him, your fovereign chief, with foreign foes 425 * The terms of treaty, and of fight propofe.' He fpoke ; with earneft eyes the youthful band Mark bold Alcides for fupreme command ; On him with voice unanimous they call, Own him their leader, and the lord of all. 430 In the mid circle fat the godlike man, His broad right hand he wav'd, and thus began : " Let none to me this arduous tafk affign, " For I the glory with the charge decline, ' Jafon alone mall lead this valiant band, 435 *' The chief who raised it, let that chief command." Thus briefly fpoke th' unconquerable man ; Loud approbation thro* the circle ran : Then Jafon rofe, (complacence fill'd his bread) And thus the pleas'd, attentive throng addrefs*d : 440 ' Friends and aflfociates, fince your wills decree * This great, this honourable truft to me, * No longer be our enterprize delay'd : ' To Phoebus firft be due oblations paid ; * Let then a fiiort repaft our ftrength renew : 445 ' And, till my herdfirien to our gallant crew C 3 ' With 22 ?be ARGONAUTICS of Book I. ' With beeves return, the beft my ftalls contain, ' * Strive we to launch our veflel in the main. * And when clofe flow'd our military ftores, * Each take his poft, and ply the nimble oars. 450 ' To Phcebus firft, Embafian Phoebus, raife ' The fmoaking altar ; let the victims blaze. * He promis'd, if due rites to him I pay, * -To point thro* ocean's paths our dubious way,' He faid, and inftant to the talk he flew ; 455 Example fir'd his emulative crew. They heap'd their veftments on a rock, that flood Far from the infults of the roaring flood, But, in times paft, when wintry ftorms prevailed, Th' encroaching waves its towering top afTail'd. 460 As Argus counfel'd, with ftrong ropes they bound, Compacting clofe, the veflfel round and round ; Then with flout nails the fturdy planks they join'd, To brave the fury of the waves or wind ; Next delv'd with fpades a channel deep and wide, 465 Thro' which the fhip might launch into the tide. Near to the water deeper was the way, Where wooden cylinders tranfverfely lay ; On thefe they heav'd the veflel from the plain, To roll her, fmoothly-gliding, to the main. 470 Then Book I. APPOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 23 Then to the benches, tapering oars they fix'd ; A cubit's meafure was the fpace betwixt : This was the ftation for the labouring bands, To tug with bending breafts, and out-ftretch'd hands. Firft Tiphys mounted on th' aerial prow 475 To ifiue orders to the train below, That at his word, their ftrength uniting, all Might join together, and together haul. With eager look th' attentive heroes ftand, And wait impatient till he gave command ; 480 Then all at once, with full exerted fway, They move her from the ftation where me lay, And pufhing inftant, as the pilot guides, On fmooth round rollers Pelian Argo glides ; Glibly me glides ; loud fhouts the jovial band; 485 They haul, they pull, they pufh her from the ftrand. Beneath the huge hulk groan the rollers ftrong; Black fmoke arifes as me moves along; With fwift defcent (he rumes to the main : Coercive ropes her rapid race reftrain. 490 Then, next, their fails they hoifted, fix'd their oars, The mail erected, and embark'd the ftores. By lots on benches were the heroes plac'd, And with two heroes every bench was grac'd, C4 On 24 be ARGONAUTICS of Book I. On great Ale ides, formidable name, 495 And on Ancasus, who from Tegea came, With voice unanimous, the martial hoft Beftow'd the centre's honourable pod. To watchful Tiphys was the helm afilgn'd, To ftem the waves, and catch the favouring wind. 500 This done, with ftones befide the fhore which lay, They rear'd=an altar to the God of day, Embafian Phcebus, and the furface round With the dry branches of an olive crown'd. Meanwhile the herdfmen drove two beeves well fed From Jafon's ftalls ; youths to the altar led 506 The victims ; fome brought water from the lake i Some the due offering of the falted cake. Jafon, while thefe the facrifke prepare, Thus to his parent God prefeiw his pray'r : 510 ' Patron of Pagafse, thine "ear we claim, ' Guard of the city grac'd with JEfon's name : 1 When to confult thine oracle I went, * It promis'd to reveal this great event, ' The final iffue of our bold emprife: 515 * On thee, chief author, all our hope relies. * Conduct my comrades to the far-fam'd Fleece, ! Then fafe reftore them to the realms of Greece. * And Book I. APPOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 25 * And here I vow, whatever chiefs return, * So many bulls {hall on thine altar burn , 520 * A facrifice at Delphos is decreed, * And in Ortygia fhall the victims bleed. ' But now thefe humble offerings which we pay, ' Gracious .accept, far-darting God of day. ' Be thou, O father, our aufpicious guide, 525 c When hence we fail acrofs the founding tide. 6 Smooth the rough billows, and let breezes bland * Propitious waft us to the Colchian land.' Thus pray'd he fuppliant, and prepar'd to make The facred offering of the faked cake. 530 Alcides, farn'd for manly ftrength and fway, And bold Ancasus rofe the beeves to flay. Alcides' club imprefs'd a deadly wound On the fleer's front, and fell'd him to the ground. Thy axe, Ancaeus, at one fturdy ftroke, 535 The fleer's fkull fractur'd, and the neck-bone broke, Down fell the* victim, floundering with the blow, Prone on his horns, and ploughed the fand below. The ready train, that round in order flood, Stab the fallen beeves, and fhed the life-warm blood ; Then from the body ftrip the fmoaking hide, 54! The beafts they quarter, and the joints divide ; The Tbe ARGONAUTICS of Book I. The thighs devoted to the Gods they part, On thefe the fat, involv'd in cawls, with art They fpread, and as the lambent flame devours, 545 The Grecian chief the pure libation pours. Joy fill'd the breaft of Idmon to behold, How from the thighs the flame relucent roll'd In purple volumes, and propitious fmoke j And thus the feer, infpir'd by Phcebus, fpoke ; 550 * Tho* various perils your attempt oppofe, t And toils unnumber'd bring unnumber'd woes j ' Yet fhall ye fafe return, ye fons of Greece, ' Adorn'd with conqueft, and the golden Fleece. * Me cruel Fate ordains on Afia's fhore 555. ' To die, nor e'er behold my country more. * And tho' my defliny long fix'd I knew, ' Yet, ftill refolv'd, I join'd the martial crew ; * Jnflam'd with glory to the holt I came, * Of life regardlefs, emulous of fame.' 560 Thus he j the hoft the fate of Idmon mourn, But joy tranfports them for their wifh'd return. The fun, remitting now his fiercer ray, Pours from the weft the faint remains of day : Low as he finks, the lofty rocks expand 565 Their lengthen'd Ihadows o'er the diftant land, On Book I. APPOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 27 On leafy couches now the warlike train Repofe along the beach that fkirts the main. Before the chiefs are favoury viancis plac'd, And generous wines, delicious to the tafte. 570 The hours in mutual converfe they employ, In feftive fongs and unduTembled joy. Thus at the banquet fport the young and gay, When Mirth breaks in, and Envy fkulks away. But not unmark'd was Jafon's penfive look ; 575 Idas beheld him, and licentious fpoke : c What doubts, what fears do ^Efon's fon perplex? * What dangers fright him, and what forrows vex ? ' Proclaim thy thoughts : or is thy dubious mind ' Difmay'd with terrours of the daftard kind ? 580 * NOW by this (tout, unconquer'd lance, I fwear, ' On which in war victorious wreaths I bear, * (Scorning from Jove's afliftance to receive ' Thofe palms, which this refiftlefs lance ,can give) 4 No foes mall brave, no wiles of war withftand, 585 ' Tho' Jove frown adverfe, this impetuous hand. * Such Idas is, for prowefs fam'd afar, ' Arene's boaft, the thunder-bojt of war.' This faid, the boafter feiz'd a goblet, fill'd With racy wine, and to the bottom fwilPd. 590 O'er 2 8 'The ARGONAUTICS of Book I, O'er his black beard and cheeks the liquor flow'd : Th* affembled hoft with indignation glow'd. Then Idmon rofe and boldly thus reply'd i " Vain wretch ! to brand our leader and our guide -, " And more irreverent ftill, thus flufh'd with wine, 595 44 To dare reproach fuperior powers divine. *' Far different fpeech muft cheer the focial train -, " Thy words are brutifh, and thy boafts are vain. ' Thus, fame reports, the Aloidas ftrove u Long fince to irritate the powers above 6co ;< By vile afperfions, infamouily free ; ' Yet they in valour far exceeded thee. " Slain by the (hafts of Phoebus, down they fell, " Tho' high afpiring, to the depths of Hell." He faid ; but Idas, with farcaftic fneer, 605 Laughing, provok'd the venerable feer : ' Declare, wife augur, if the Gods decree, f The fame perdition ihall be hurl*d on me, ' Which fam'd Aloeus' impious fons befell * When flain by Phcebus, and condemn'd to hell. 610 c Meantime efcape, or manfully withftand, 6 Vain feer, the fury of this vengeful hand.' Thus Idas fpoke, impatient of controul, And rifmg rage inflam'd his fiery foul i Nor Book I. APPOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 29 Nor had they here ceas'd fiercely to conteft, 615 But Jafon and his friends their wrath reprefs'd. 'Twas then, the jarring heroes to compofe, Th' enchanting bard, Oeagrian Orpheus rofe, And thus, attuning to the trembling firings . His foothing voice, of harmony he fmg&: 620 " How at the firft, beneath chaotic fway, 930 ' There time will furniih. leifure to relate cc The genius and the manners of our ftate. " But let his comrades rove, as pleafure leads, *' And pitch their tents along the fertile meads - t ' Or to the tower- defended town repair, 925 " AfTur'd of fafety, and our royal care.'* 42 -5T&: ARPQNAUTICS of Book I. Th' aflembly rofe, as thus the princefs fpoke, Then to the regal dome her way fhe took. Iphinoa, mindful of the queen's command, Approached the Minyans fcatter'd o'er the ftraad, 930 Who throng'd around her, eager to explore Wherefore me : came, and what commands me bore. Then thus me faid ; ' Strangers, to you as friends * Hypfipyla, the feed of Thoas, fends * Her faithful herald, with this ftricl command 935 * To find the leader of your martial band - r * Him me invites (of amity a proof) * To lodge beneath her hofpi table roof: \ There time will furnim leifure to relate 6 The genius, and the manners of our flate. 940 f But let his comrades rove, as pleafure leads, ' And pitch their tents along the fertile meads ; * Or to the tower-defended town repair, * AfTur'd of fafety, and the royal care.' ; Thefe words were grateful to the warlike band ; 945 From her they learn'd whofe fceptre rul'd the land ; Inftant they urg'd their chief's afient, and all Prepar'd obfequious to accept the call. A mantle doubly lin'd, of purple hue, The Ton of ^Efon o'er his moulders threw. 950 This Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS.^ 43 This Pallas gave him, when, with wondrous art ? She plann'd his fhip, and meafur'd every part. 'Twere fafer to furvey the radiant globe Of rifmg Phoebns, than this fplendid robe. Full in the middle beam'd a crimfon blaze, 955 The verge furrounding darted purple rays. In every part hiftoric fcenes were wrought j The moving figures feem'd inform'd with thought. Here ? on their work intent, the Cyclops ftrove Eager to forge a thunder-bolt for Jove; 9601 Half- rough, half-form'd the glowing engine lay, And only wanted the fire-darting ray ; And this they hammer'd out on anvils dire ; At each colUfion flam'd the fatal fire. Not diftant far, in lively colours plann'd, 965 Two brothers, Zethus and Amphion ftand, Sons of Antiopa : no turrets crown'd Thy city, Thebes, but walls were rifmg round. A mountain's rocky fummit Zethus bore On his broad back, but feem'd to labour fore, 970 Behind, Amphion tun'd his golden fhell, Amphion, deem'd in mufic to excel : Rocks, ft ill purfu'd him as he mov'd along, Charm'd by the mufic of his magic fong, Crown'd 44 5^ ARGON AU TICS of Book T. Crown'd with foft trefies, in a fairer field, 975 Gay Venus toy*d with Mars's fplendid (hield. Down from her moulder her expanded veft Difplay'd the fwelling beauties of her breaft. She in the brazen buckler, glittering bright, Beheld her lovely image with delight. 980 On a rich plain appear, not diftant far, The Taphians, and Electryon's fons at war ; Fat fleers the prize for which the fwains contend, Tbofe ftrive to plunder, thefe their herds defend ; The meads were moid with blood and rofy dew : 985 The powerful many trinmph'd o'er the few. Two chariots next roll'd lightly o'er the plains, This Pelops drove, and fhook the founding reins ; Jiippodamia at his fide he view'd : In the next chariot, Myrtilus purfu'd, 990 And with him Oenomas ; approaching near, At Pelops' back he aim'd the vengeful fpear; The faithlefs axle, as the wheels whirl'd round, Snapp'd fhort, and left him ftretch'd along the ground. Here young Apollo ftood, in act to throw 995 The whirring arrow from the twanging bow, At mighty Tityus aim'd, who bafely ftrove To force his mother, erft belav'd by Jove : He Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 45 He from fair Elara deriv'd his birth, Tho' fed and nourifh'd by prolific Earth. 1000 There Phryxus ftoop'd to liften to the ram, On whofe broad back the Hellefpont he fwam. The bead look'd fpeaking ; earned could you gaze, The lively piece would charmingly amaze. Long might you feaft your eye, and lend an ear, With pleafing hope the conference to hear. 1006 Such was the prefent of the blue-ey'd maid- In his right hand a mifiile lance he fway'd, Which Atalanta, to reward the brave, Sure pledge of friendfhip, to the hero gave, 1010 When on the breezy Masnalus fhe rov'd, , And wifh'd the company of him fhe lov'd j But he, of fuitors' amorous ftrife afraid, Reprefs'd the fond intention of the maid. Thus rob'd, thus arm'd, he to the city went, 1015 Bright as a ftar that gilds the firmament, Which maids aflembled view with eager eyes High o'er their roof in orient beauty rife. On the bright fignal, as it darts its rays, Attentive they with filent tranfporf gaze. 1020 Each, with this omen charm'd, expects, tho' late, Return'd from diftant climes fyer deftin'd mate. 9 - Thus 46 The ARGONA^-TICS of Book 1, Thus Ihone the chief, for high achievements known, Majeftic as he mov'd to Lemnos' town. The noble heroines his footfteps meet, 1025 With courteous joy the Grecian gueft to greet, Whofe downcaft eye ne'er wander'd, till he came To the proud palace of the rcyal dame ; Obfequious- damfels at the portal wait, And quick unbar the double-folding gate : 10301 Then thro' the various courts extending wide, And (lately roorris^ Iphinoa was his guide ; On a bright throne; with rich embroidery grac'd, Fronting her fovereign me the hero plac'd. Th' embarrafs'd queen, her face with blufties fpread; In courteous terms addrefs'd the prince, and faid: * Why, gentle ftranger, mould your warlike train * At diftance far, without the walls remain ? * The men who till* d thefe ample fields before, " Now turn rich furrows on the Thracian fhore. 1040 * But hear, while I our matchlefs woes relate j * So mail you know the ftory of our fate. ' When o'er this realm my father Thoas reign'd, * The Lemnian' youth, to fraud and rapine train'd, c On Thracian borders feiz'd the trembling prey, * And brought whole flocks, and lovely maids away. ' This Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS.' 47 * This Venus plann'd, with mifchievous intent, ' And fierce among them fatal difcord fent. ' Their wives they loath'd, and vainly impious led * War's fpoils, fair captives, to the lawlels bed. 1050 ' Long we endur'd, forgiving infults paft, ' And hop'd the faithlefs would reform at laft. ' In vain ; each day but doubled our difgrace, ' Our children yielded to a fpurious race. ' The widow'd mother, the difcarded maid, 1055 * Forlorn, neglected thro' the city ftray'd. ' No tender pity touch'd the parent's breaft, * To fee his darling child abus'd, opprefs'd 4 Beneath a ftep- dame's proud, imperious fvvay : a * No fons would then maternal duty pay, 1060 ' Nor, as before, their mother's caufe defend ; * No filter then to fifter prov'd a friend : 4 But the gay troops of Thracian captives fair * Inthrall'd the men, and challeng'd all their care ; * At home, abroad, the firft, at pleafure's call, 1065 6 To fhare the banquet, and conduct the ball. * At length, but ftrange! fome favouring power divine * la female minds infpir'd this bold defign, * That, when return'd from Thracia's hateful fhore, * Our roofs thefe traitors might protect no more ; 3 ! That,- 48 The ARGONAUTICS of Book I. That, thus conflrain'd, they might forego their crimes, 1071 * Or with their captives flee to diftant climes. " They fail, return, the few remaining males 4 Demand, then quit us with aufpicious gales-, ' And now the frigid fields of Thrace they plough, * And countries whiten'd with Sithonian fnow. 1076 c Hade then, conduct your comrades to the town : ' Here fix your feat, and Lemnos is your own. ' And if to high dominion you afpire, * Reign here, and wield the fceptre of my fire. 1080 * You muft approve , for not fo fair a coaft, 4 Or ifle fo fertile can the .flEgean boaft. * Hafte to your friends, and make my pleafure known, * Nor let them longer lodge without rhe town.* Artful me fpoke, forbearing to relate 1085- How in one night each woman flew her mate. Then Jafon thus : " Whate'er your bounty grants, " Stores for our voyage, or our prefent wants, " Pleas'd we accept : I to my valiant bands ** Will fpeed to fignify your kind commands, 1090 " Then foon conduct my comrades to the town : " But ftill, O Queen, ftill wear your father's crown. - " Not from difdain I Ihun imperial fway, " But great achievements pall me hence away." He Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIL'S. 49 He fpoke, and gently prefs'd her fair right hand, Then fought his comrades fcatterM o'er the itrand. Unnumber'd damfels round the hero wait, Gazing with joy, and follow to the gate ; Then grateful prefents in fwift cars convey ' / To the land's margin, where the warriours lay. nod When Jafon now to his adventurous bands Had fignified Hypfipyla's commands, With eager joy the Minyans hade to mare Her friendly roofs, and hofpi table fare. The Queen of Love Thefialia's chiefs infpires^ 1105 For Vulcan's fake, with amorous defires ; That Lemnos, Vulcan's facred ifle, agen May flourim, peopled with a race of men. Great Jafon haftens to the regal walls ; The reft proceed where chance or pleafure calls^ 1 1 16 Save great Alcides $ with a chofen train* Ambitious he in Argo to remain. Eager with joy the jolly crowds advance To mare the genial feaft, or lead the dance ; To Venus' and to Vulcan's fane they throng, 1 1 ifjj And crown the day with victims and with fohg. Sunk in foft eafe th' enamour'd heroes lay, (Their voyage dill deferr'd from day to day) E And 50 Fbe ARGONAUTICS of Book I. And longer ftill, and longer had declin'd, Full loath to leave the lovely place behind, 1120 Had not Alcides, the fair dames apart, Thus fpoke incens'd the language of his heart : ' Miftaken comrades, does our kindred, fay, * From our own country drive us far away ? * Or are we fondly thus enamour'd grown 1125 * Of foreign damfcls, and defpife our own ? ' Here mail we ftay to till the Lemnian fields ? 4 Small fame to heroes this bale commerce yields. ' No God, propitious to the fons of Greece, c Without pur toil, will grant the golden Fleece. ' Our courfe purfue we-, for the breeze invites; 1131 c And let him revel in Love's foft delights, 4 Who here but ftays to propagate his kind, * And leave a memorable name behind.* Alcides thus : none dar'd to lift his eye, 1135 To breathe a murmur, or to make reply ; But keenly flung with this farcaftic ftile, They hafte to kave the lov'd Vulcanian ifle. Soon as the damfels their fix'd purpofe knew, Around the chiefs in bufy crowds they flew. 1140 As bees from fome deep-cavern'd rock proceed, Buzz o'er the lilies of the laughing mead, 2 The Book I. A POLL ON i us R HOD i us. t The fweets of all ambrofial herbs devour, And fuck the foul of every fragrant flow'r ; Thus they in fwarms the parting Greeks addrefs, 1 145 "With hands falute, with foothing words carefs ; Then to the Powers above with fervour pray, Safe to their arms the heroes to convey. Hypfipyla the hand of Jafon prefs'd, And thus with tears the parting chief addrefs'd : 1150 " Adieu ! and may you with the fons of Greece " Return triumphant with the golden Fleece. " Here mall you then my father's fceptre fway, " And his domains your fovereign will obey. " The neighbouring dates will furnifh large fupplies, 1 " And -a vaft empire by your wifdom rife, 1156 " But if on nobler plans your thoughts are bent, " And vainly I prefage the wim'd event ; ,* e Abfent or prefent, to my memory kind, " Still let Hypfipyla pofTefs your mind. 1160 " And if with offspring heaven mould blefs me, fay, " How mail I then my Jafon's will obey ?" The prince beheld the queen with rapturous look, And thus with mild benevolence befpoke : ' May thefe events, foredoom'd by heaven's decree, * Succefsful prove, Hypfipyla, to thee. 1166 E2 'But 52 T'he ARGONAUTICS of Book!. ' But ftill of Jafon nobler thoughts retain : * Enough for me o'er my own realms to reign ; ' May but the powers of heaven (I alk no more) c Safe reconvey me to my native more. 1170 ' If that's denied, and you, my fource of joy, ' Bear, the ibft token of our loves, a boy ; * Him, when mature, in kindnefs to your friend, ' My parents' folace, to Idlcos fend ; ' If then perchance the venerable pair H75 * Survive their woes, and breathe this vital air. * There may he live, from Pelias far remov'd, * By Grecians honour'd, who his father lov'd. He, fpoke his lad farewell : then firft afcends The fhip, and with him his illuftrious friends. 1180 In their due ftations plac'd, each feiz'd an oar, "While Argus loos'd the cable from the more. With active ftrokes the vigorous heroes fweep The founding bofom of the billowy deep. As Orpheus counfel'd, and mild evening near, 118$ To Samothrace, Eledra's ifle, they fleer j That there initiated in rites divine, Safe might they fail the navigable brine. But, Mufe, prefume not of thefe rites to tell : Farewell, dread ifle ! dire deities, farewell ! ugo Let Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIITS. 53 Let not my verfe thefe myfteries explain , 7"o name is impious, to reveal profane. Thence the black main they lafh'd with all their might, Thrace on their left, and Imbros on the right ; And fafely, with the now-declining fun, 1195 To far-projecting Cherfonefus run. Then ftemm'd they, aided by the fouthern gales, The ftormy Hellefpont with fwelling fails, Left the high-furging fea with morning light, And reach'd Sigasum with approaching night. 1200 Dardania paft, and high exalted Ide, They faw Abydos on the ftormy tide. Thence fail'd they by Percote's pafture lands, Pityea's meadows, and Abarnis' fands : And nightly, favour'd by the friendly blaft, 1205 The purple-foaming Hellefpont they paft. An ancient ifland in Propontis lies, That towering lifts its fummit to the fkies ; Near Phrygia's corn-abounding coaft it ftands, And far-projecting all the main commands ; 1210 An ifland this, fave where the ifthmus' chain Connects both lands, and curbs the boifterous main. Round its rough fides the thundering tempefts roar, And a fafe bay is form'd on either fhore. E 3 ^fepus. J - 54 3lfo ARGONAUTICS of Book I. /Efepus' waters near this ifthmus fall : 1215 And bordering tribes the mountain Arcton call. On this rough mountain, barbarous, fierce and bold, Dwell mighty giants, hideous to behold ; And, wonderful to tell ! each monfter ftands With fix huge arms, and fix rapacious hands ; 1220 Two pendent on their fhaggy moulders grow, And four deform their horrid fides below. The lowland ifthmus, verging to the main, The Dolions till'd, and all the fertile plain. O'er thefe reign'd Cyzicus the brave, the young, 1225 Who from the gallant warriour, ^Eneus, fprung. The daughter of Euforus, firft in fame, Bore Cyzicus, JEneta was her name. Secure they liv'd, and free from war's alarms, Tho' Earth's huge fons were terrible in arms. 1230 Sprung from the monarch of the hoary tide, On Neptune's aid the Dolian race rely'd. To this fair port, with gentle- breathing gales, This friendly fhore, Theffalian Argo fails. Here the rope-faften'd ftone they heave on fhore, 1235 Which ferv'd as anchor to the fhip before, But now too light, fo Typhis bids, they bring, And leave it at the pure Artacian fpring j Then Book I. APOLI. ONIUS RHODIUS. 5.5 Then choofe another on the rocky bay, More ponderous far, the rolling fhip to ftay. 1240 There the firft ftone unnumber'd years remain'd, . Till, as Apollo's oracle ordain'd, Th' lonians found, with rites myfterious grac'd, And facred to Jafonian Pallas plac'ci. Soon as the Dolians, near approaching, knew 1245 TheiTalian Argo, and the godlike crew, Led on by Cyzicus they hafte to meet The princely band, and amicably greet ; Invite them down the winding bay to fall, And fix their cable near the city-wall. 1250 Thus friendly treated, the Pelafgic train Strive with their oars th' interiour port to gain. Then firft Ecbafian Phcebus they adore, And rear an altar on the founding more. To them the king difpatch'd, with heart benign, 1255 Fat fheep, and ftrong, exhilarating wine. For thus the facred oracle foretold, 4 \^ T hen here arrives a band of heroes bold, 4 With kind complacence treat the godlike crew, 4 Meet not in arms, but pay them honours due !' 1 260 Scarce had the down the monarch's cheeks o'erfpread ^ No children yet had bkfs'd the nuptial bed. , E 4. Clita, 56 tfhe ARGONAUTICS of Book I. Clita, his lovely queen, the young, the fair, Renown'd for beauty, and her golden hair,/ Sprung from Percofian Merops, ftill remains 126$ A ftranger to Lucina's cruel pains. Late from her fathers court the king convey'd, With ample dower enrich'd, the blamelefs maid ; Yet he neglects the genial bed, and feafts, All fears far baniming, with foreign guefts. 1270 Oft he enquires of Pelias ? ftern command, And why the heroes left their native land. As oft they afk'd what cities neighbouring lay, And in Propontis which the fafeft bay. But fcanty knowledge could the king beftow, 1275 Tho' it behov'd them much thefe truths to know. When morning rofe, the Dindymean fteep Some mount, to view the navigable deep, And all its winding bays ; the road they came They honoured with illuftrious Jafon's name. 128 The chiefs, who chofe aboard the Ihip to flay, Remov'd her from the moorings where me lay. Mean while the fons of Earth, a numerous train, From their bleak mountains rum into the plain, Befiege the pervious bay, and ftrive to block 1285 Its mouth with m^fiy fragments from the rock ; Intending Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIITS. 37 Intending there Theflalia's pine to keep Hemm'd up, like fome huge monfter of the deep. But Hercules remain'd ; his bow he drew, And heaps of giants with his arrows Qew. 1290 The reft enrag'd, rough, rocky fragments tore, Hurl'd high in air, and thunder'd from the fhore. (This labour ftill for Hercules remain'd, By Juno, Jove's imperial queen, ordain'd) And fiercely now the glowing battle burn'd, 1295 i When lo ! the chiefs from Dindymus return'd, Attack'd the defperate giants in the rear, And dealt deftrudtion with the dart and ipear-, Till Earth's fierce fons, defiPd with wounds and gore, Dropp'd dead j their bodies cover'd half the fhore. 1300 As near the fea's broad brink, with flurdy ftrokes, Afiiduous woodmen fell afpiring oaks; Then draw them in due order from the flood, And thus well drench'd they cleave with eafe the Wood ; Thus at the entrance of the hoary bay, *3 O 5 The frequent corfe of many a giant lay ; Some, tumbled headlong, made the fea their grave. While their legs rofe above the briny wave ; Some o'er the fands their horrid vifage (how, Their feet deep- rooted in the mud below, 1310 5$ The ARGONAUTICS of Book I, Thus their huge trunks afford abundant fare To Neptune's fifties, and the birds of air. Soon as concluded was the bloody fray, And favouring breezes call'd the chiefs away, They loos'd ; o'er fwelling ocean fouthern gales 1315 Breath'd all day long, and fill'd their bellying fails. Night rofe, the favouring gales no longer laft, The fhip drives backward with the ftormy blaft. Again they harbour on the friendly coaftj Where late the Dolians entertain'd the hoft ; 1320 And round the rock the fteady cable bind, The rock ev'n now to facred fame confign'd. Here thro' the gloom of night again they came, And knew not that the country was the fame. Nor knew the Dolians, fo dark night prevail'd, 1325 That back to Cyzicum the Greeks had fail'd ; But deem'd the chiefs a band of Macrian foes : To arms they call, and force to force cppofe. A gleamy luilre glanc'd along the field, While fpear met fpear, and fhield encounter'd fliield. ' In fun-fcorch'd bufnes thus the bickering blaze 1331 Flames forth, and crackling on the branches preys. Dire was the conflict ; on the Their prince, alas ! was number' His queen and bridal bed beheld he ne'er again. For \Jll tilX* LVl tiiiV-Al^J U/1VTO* e fatal plain "7 nber'd with the (lain, > rheld he ne'er again. J Book I. A P o L L o N i u s R H o D i u s. 59 For Jafon fpy'd the prince advancing near, 1336 And thro' his bofom plung'd the furious fpear ; The ribs it broke, and circumfcrib'd his date, Wing'd with th' inevitable will of Fate. Fate, like a wall, devoted man furrounds, 1340 And faft confines him in its circling bounds. Himfelf he deem'd, in that diforder'd fight, Vainly he deem'd ! protected by the night : The favouring night, alas ! produced his bane, And chiefs unnumber'd with their prince were (lain. For Hercules, with his all-conquering bow, 1346 Difpatch'd Telecles to the (hades below, And Megabrontes : by Acaitus' hand Pale Sphodris lay extended on the ftrand. Peleus to Pluto's dark dominions gave 1350 Zelys the hardy, and Gephyrus brave. Bold Telamon, well-fkill'd the lance to wield, Left Balileus expiring on the field. Next Idas vanqtiilh'd Promeus by his fide; By warlike Clytius Hyacinthus died. 1355- Fair Leda's fons, in bloody combat fkill'd, Fierce MegalofTacus and Phlogius kill'd. And Meleager added two to thefe, Jtymoneus and valiant Artaces, Thefe &> tfhc AR.CONAUTICS of Book I. Thefe all were chiefs in fighting fields approv'd, 1360 Deplor'd as heroes, and as brothers lov'd. The reft for fafety on their flight rely ; (As trembling doves before the falcon fly) Then to the city-gates tumultuous prefs, And raife the piercing cry of deep diftrefs ; 1365 The city mourn'd : they deem'd, return'd from far, That hoftile Macrians had renewed the war. But when the rofy morn began to wake, j All found their irretrievable miftake. Heart-rending grief opprefs'd the Grecian train, 1370 To fee the hpfpitable monarch flain, A clay-cold corfe, extended on the fhore, Deform'd with duft, and all befmear'd with gore. The Greeks and Dolians, funk in deep defpair, Mourn three Idng days, and rend their graceful hair. A tomb they rear upon the rifing ground, 1376 And clad in brazen arms thrice march around ; Then for the monarch, on Limonia's plain, Of rites obfervant, funeral-games ordain. There ftands the tomb, adorn'd with honours due, Which diftantages will with forrow view. 1381 When the fad news at Clita's ear arriv'd, Not long the queen her monarch's fate furviv'd j But Book I. APOLLONIUS R&ODIUS. 61 But woe augmenting, round her neck fhe tied The noofe difhoneft, and unfeemly died. 1 3$5 Her mournful dirge the weeping Dryads fung, While Dindymus with lamentations rung ; And all the tears that from their eye-lids fell, The Gods transform'd, in pity, to a well ; In cryftal ftreams it murmurs {till, and weeps, 1390 And (till the name of wretched Clita keeps. A day fo difmal, fo replete with woes, Till this fad day, to Dolians never rofe. Deep, deep immers'd in forrow they remain'd, And all from life-fupporting food abftain'd ; 1395 Save fuch poor pittance as man's needs require, Of corn unground, or unprepar'd by fire. And annual, on this day, the Dolians ftill Sift coarfeit meal, and at the public mill. Thenceforth twelve days and nights dire ftorms prevail, 1400 Nor could the chiefs unfurl the fwelling fail. The following night, by fleep's foft power opprefs'd, Qnce more in Cyzicum the heroes reft ; Mopfus alone and brave Acaftus keep The watch nocturnal, while their comrades fleep ; When, lo ! a Halcyon, of cerulean hue, 1406- O'er the fair head of numbering Ja.fon flew, In 6z 'The A'RGONAUTICS of Book I. In airy. circles, wondrous to behold, And, {creaming loud, the ceafing florm foretold. The grateful found attentive Mopfus heard, 1410 And mark'd the meaning of the fea-bred bird ; (Which gently rifing from the deck below, Perch'd on the fummit of th' aerial prow) Then rous'd he Jafon from his fleecy bed, Of Iheeps' foft fkins compos'd, and thus he faid ; 1415 4 O fon of ^fon, hear ! be this thy care, ' Hade, to the fane of Dindymus repair; c There Cybele with facrifice implore, * So will the winds tempeftuous ceafe to roar. * For this proclaim'd the boding Halcyon true, 1420 c As round thee, funk in deep rcpofe, fhe flew. ' By Cybele's dread power the vaft profound, ' And all the winds in harmony are bound. * By her fubfifts prolific earth below, * And high Olympus, ever crown'd with fnow. 1425 * Jove yields, when Ihe afcends the courts of day, * And all the powers immortal own her fway.' To Jafon thus the venerable feer ; And welcome came the tidings to his ear. Inftant the chief, exulting with a bound, 1430 Sprung from the bed, and wak'd his comrades round. Elare .Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 63 Elate with joy his looks, his words unfold The glad prefage which Mopfus had foretold. Then from the ftalls the youths appointed drove Selected oxen to the heights above. 1435 Some from the rock unloos'd the corded flay, And with fleet oars approach'd the Thracian bay. From thence the top of Dindymus they gain'd ; Few were the heroes that aboard reTnain'd : By thofe the Macrian rocks, and Thracian land 1440 Directly oppofite, appear'd at hand ; The Thracian Bofphorus here, invclv'd in made, And Myfia's rifmg mountains were furvey'd ; There, where his waters black .^Efepus pours, Nepea's plain, and Adrafteia's tow'rs. 1445 A vine's vaft trunk adorn'd with branches flood, - Though old, yet found, and long had grac'd the wood : This trunk they hew'd, and made, by Argus' fkill, An image of the Goddefs of the hill ; Which on the rocky eminence they plac'd, 1450 With the thick boughs of circling beeches grac'd. They rear an altar, then, on rifmg ground, Of {tones that readieft lay, and wide around Difpofe the- branches of the facred oak, And Dindymus's deity invoke, 1455 The $4- Vto ARGONAUTICS of Book tr The guardian power of Phrygia's hills and woods, The venerable mother of the Gods. On Tityas and Cyllenus too they call, . Of all her priefts moft lov'd, and honour'd mod of all: For fldll prophetic they alone are fam'd ; 1460 Ideah Dadtyli thefe priefts are nam'd ; Both whom Anchiala in Dicte's cave Brought forth, where chill Oaxis rolls his wave. "While on the burning victims Jafon pours Libations due, the Goddefs he implores 146^ To fmile propitious on the Grecian train, And ftill the tempefts of the roaring main. Then Orpheus call'd, and youthful chiefs advance* All clad in arms, to lead the martial dance ; With claming fwords they clatter'd on their fhields, And fill'd with feftive founds th* aerial fields. 147* Loft in thefc founds was every doleful ftrain, And their loud wailings for their monarch (lain. The Phrygians ftill their Goddefs' favour win By the revolving wheel and timbrel din. H75 Of thefe pure rites the mighty mother fhow'd Her mind approving, by thefe figns beftow'd ; Boughs bend with fruit, Earth from her bofom pours Herbs ever green, and voluntary flow'rs.. Fierce- Book I. APOLLO N jus Rn6Ditfs* 6$ Fierce foreft-beafts forfake the lonely den, 1480 Approach with gentlenefs,, and fawn on men. A pleafing omen, and more wondrous ftill The Goddefs gave : the Dindymean hil! 4 That ne'er knew water on its airy brow, Burfts into ilreams, and founts perennial flow. 1485 This wonder Hill the Phrygian fhepherds fmg, And give the name of Jafon to the fpring. Then on the mount the chiefs the feaft prolong. And praife the venerable queen in fong. But when the morning rofe, they plied their oars, 1490 And, the wind ceafmg, left the Phrygian fhores. Then fair contention fir'd the princely train, ,/ Who beft the toil of rowing could fuftain. For now the howling ftorm was lull'd to fleep ; Etherial mildnefs had composed the deep* *49 On the calm fea the labouring chiefs rely'd j Fleet flew the fhip along the yielding tidej Not Neptune's deeds fo fwift, with loofen'd reins, Skim the light level of the liquid plains. But when with even-tide the bluttering breeze 1500 Brufh'd the broad bofom of the fwelling feas, The wearied chiefs their toilfome courfe reprefs'd, And all, fave great Aicides, funk, to reft. F Swift 6 The ARGON AUTICS of Book I. Swift thro* the waves his arm unaided drew The fliip, deep-laden with the drowfy crew. 1505 Thro* all her planks the well-compacted pine Shook, as his oar dispers'd the foamy brine. But foon the heroes view'd the Myfian more, As by the mouth of Rhyndacus they bore. On PhrygiaY fields a wilhful look they caft, 15 IQ And huge ^gaeon's promontory pafs'd, When great Alcides, at one lucklefs ftroke, His oar, hard ftraining, near the middle broke, One part was fwallow'd in the whelming main, One, though he fell, his grafping hands retain ; 1515 Backward he fell, but foon his feat regained, And, loathing reft, in mute amaze remain'd. What time the weary labourer, wanting reft, Hies to his cot with pining faft opprefs'd ; Ev'n in the entrance of his rural door 1520 His tottering knees he bends, and moves no more; His dufty limbs he views, and callous hands, And curfes hunger's iniolent demands : Then, nor till then, the chiefs to Chins row, Chius, whofe ftreams around Arganthon flow. 15*5 The friendly Myfians on their peaceful coaft Receive with hofpicality the hoft j J 9 Abundant Book I. A p o L L o x i tr s R H o D i u s. -67 Abundant ftores they fend) with hearts benign, Fat fheep, and ftrong exhilarating wine. Some bring dry wood, and fome in order fpread 1530 Soft leaves and herbage for a fpacious bed ; Some from the flint elicit living fire; Some mix the wines that generous deeds infpire : The feaft they crown, and rites to Phcebus pay, Ecbafian Phoebus, at the clofe of day. 1535 But Hercules the genial feaft declin'd, And fought the wood, a fitting oar to find. Nor long he fought before a fir he found ; Few leaves adorn'd it, and few branches crown'd ; Yet as the poplar's ftem afpires on high, 1540 This fir, fo flout and tall, attracts his eye. On the green grafs his bow he laid afide, His arrowy quiver, and the lion's hide. Firft with his club the folid foil he fhook, Then in both arms, aflur'd, the fir-tree took; 1545 Finn on his feet he ftood, with bended knee ; His big broad Ihoulder lean'd againft the tree ; Then heav'd it up, deep-rooted in the ground, Clogg'd with the foil's impediments around. As when, beneath Orion's wintry reign, I55<> The fudden temped ruihes from the main, F 2 Some 68 tfbe ARGONAUTICS of Book I. Some tall fhip's maft it tears, and every ftay, \ And all the cordage, all the fails away : Thus he the trunk , then took, in hafte to go, The hide, the. club, his arrows and his bow. *555 Meanwhile, preparing for his friend's return A ready fupper, with his brazen urn Alone rov'd Hylas o'er the fields, to bring The pureft water from the facred fpring. For to fuch tafks Alcides train'd his fquire, 1560 Whom firft he took an infant from his fire Theodamas i but him with fword fevere He flew, who churlilh had refus'd a fteer. For when Theodamas, opprefs'd with care, Turn'd the frefh furrow with his fhining fhare, 1565 He difobey'd, ah wretch ? the chief's command, Who claim'd the labouring ox that till'd the land. But know, Alcides fought for caufe to bring War on Dryopia's kingdom and the king, For barbarous acts, and rights neglected long. 1570 But rove not, Mufe, digrefiive from the fong. Soon faithful Hylas to the fountain came, W T hich Myfian fhepherds cryftal Pegac name ; It chanc'd the nymphs, in neighbouring ftreams that dwell, Then kept a concert at the facred well. 4575 Jn Book I. A P o L L o NT i u s R H o D i u s. 6f In Dian's praife they rais'd the nightly fong, All who to high, aerial hills belong ; All who in caverns hide, or devious rove The rnountain-foreft, or the fhady grove. When from her fpring, unfullied with a (lain, 1580 Rofe Ephydatia, to attend the train, The form of Hylas rufh'd upon her fight, In every grace of blulhing beauty bright: For the full moon a beamy luftre (bed, And heighten'd all the honours of his head. 1585 Fir'd with love's fudden flame, by Venus rais'd, The frantic naiad languim'd as Ihe gaz'd : And foon as, {looping to receive the tide, He to the ftream his brazen urn apply'd, In gufh'd the foaming waves ; the nymph with joy Sprung from the deep to kifs the charming boy. 1 591 Her left arm round his lovely neck me threw, And with her right hand to the bottom drew,. Firft Polyphemus heard, as wandering nigh > This fatal fount, the youth's diftrefsful cry, i95 (In fearch of Hercules he rov'd the wood) And hied with hafty footfleps to the flood. As when a lion from his cavern'd rock, At diftance hears the bleatings of the flock, F 3 To #o The ARGONAUTICS of Book I. To feize his prey he fprings, with hunger bold, 16*0 But faithful ihepherds had fecur'd the fold ; Defeated of his prize, he roars amain, Rends his hoarfe throat, and terrifies the fwain : Thas Polyphemus call'd with voice profound, And vainly anxious rov'd the forefl round. 1605 At length retreating, he the path explor'd Thro* which he came, and drew his trufty fword, Left favage beafts mould feize him for their prey, Or nightly robbers intercept his way. And as he brandim'd the bright burnifh'd blade, 1610 He met Alcides in the gloomy made, Unknown at firft, but as he nearer drew, His friend returning to the fhip he knew. Though his breath falters, and his fpirits fail, He thus reveals the melancholy tale : 1615 * Hard is my lot, and much averfe my will, :' To be the firft fad meffenger of ill ; * Young Hylas went to fetch frefli water late, * Not yet returned ; I tremble for his fate : * By robbers feiz'd or beafts, 'tis hard to guefs ; 1620 * I heard his cry, the fignal of diftrefs :' Thus he : the fweat from great Alcides fiow'd, And the black blood thro'' all his body glow'd : Enrag'd, Bo;)k I. APOLLO NIUS RHODIUS. 71 Enrag'd, the fir-tree on the ground he threw, And, where his feet or frenzy hurried, flew. 1625 As when a bull, whom galling gadflies wound, Forfakes the meadows, and the marmy ground, The flowery food, the herd and herdfmen fliuns, Now ftands ftock-ftill, and reftlefs now he runs ; Stung by the breefe, he maddens with the pain, 1630 TofTes aloft his head, and roars amain :^ Thus.ran the raging chief with matchlefs force. Then fudden ftopp'd he, wearied with the courfe. Anxious in vain, he rov'd the foreft round, The diftant hills and vales his voice rebound. 1635' Now o'er the lofty mountains rofe in view The morning-ftar, and mildeft breezes blew : That inftant Tiphys bade the heroes fail, Afcend the veffel, and enjoy the gale. The ready crew obey the pilot's word, 1640 Their anchor weigh, and haul the cords aboard , Then give the ftretching canvafs to the wind, And leave the Pofidean rocks behind. When from the rofy orient, beaming bright, Aurora tipp'd the foot- worn paths with light j 1645 And o'er moid meads the glittering dewxirops fhin'd, They raifs'd thole friends their folly left behind. F 4 Then 72 The ARGONAUTICS of Book I. Then rofe contention keen, and pungent grief, For thus abandoning their braveft chief. In filence Jafon fat, and long fupprefs'd, 1650 Though griev'd, the labouring anguilh of his brealt. Brave Telamon, with anger kindling, fpoke : ' Mute is thy tongue, and unconcern'd thy look : * To leave uncpnquer'd Hercules behind * Was a bafe project, and by thee defign'dj. 1655 ' Left, when to Greece we fleer the failing pine, * His brighter glories Ihould out-dazzle thine, e But word's avail not^-~- 1 renounce the band, ?- Whofe felnfh. wiles this ftratagem have plann'd :' Thus fpoke JJSacides, infiani'd with ire, 1660 His eye-balls fparkling like the burning fire; On Tiphys then, by rage impell'd, he flew : And once more Myfia had receiv'd the crew j Again the heroes the fame courfe had fail'd, Though roaring winds and raging waves prevail'd, Had not bold Boreas' fons the chief addrefs'd, 1666 And, nobly daring, his rough rage reprefs'd. . (Ill fated youths.! for that heroic deed Doorn'd by the hands of Hercules to bleed. For when returning home their courfe they fped, 1670 From funeral games perform'^! for Pelias dead, la Book I. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 73 In fea-girt Tenos he the brothers flew, And o'er their graves in heapy hillocks threw The crumblingmouldi then with two columns crown'd, Erected high the death-devoted ground ; 1675 And one ftill moves, how marvellous the tale ! With every motion of the Northern gale- But thefe are facts referv'd for future years) ;C Q 3f | ^ Lo! fudden, Glaucus to their fight appears, Prophet of Nereus, riling from the main, 1680 Moft IkilPd of all his fate-foretelling train. High o'er the waves he rear'd his ihaggy head, With his ftrong hand the rudder feiz'd, and faid : * Why ftrive ye thus, tho' Jove's high will with- ftands, * To bear Alcides to the Colchian lands ? 16$$ * He muft at Argos, fo the fates ordain, * And fo Euryftheus has decreed, fuftain * Twelve mighty labour?, thence be rais'd above, *' To high Olympus, and the court of Jove. ' Ceafe for Amphytrion's fon, your murmurs ceafe, 6 And lull the forrows of your fouls to peace. 1691 ' In Myfia, where meandering Chius ftrays, ' Mud Polyphemus a proud city raife : * Then, mid' the Calybes, a defperate clan, ' Expires on Scythian plains the gallant man. 1695 'But ^4 ffa ARGON AU tics of- Book I. * But ftrange is Hylas* fate : his youthful charms 4 Enticed a nymph, who clafp'd him in her arms. 4 Now the bleft pair the bands of Hymen bind - y Vln fearch of him the chiefs are left behind.* This faid, he plung'd into the gulf profound, 1 700 The purple ocean foam'd in eddies round. The God defcending with refiftlefs fway, ImpellM the hollow veflel on her way. The chiefs rejoic'd this prodigy to view, And inftarit Telamon to Jafon flew 1705 In friendly fort, and in his right he took The prince's hand; and thus embracing fpoke : * IHuftrious chief, let not thine anger rife. * At aught I faid impetuous and unwife. * Grief for my friend has made me indifcreet, 1710 '% And utter words for Jafon's ear unmeet ; , * Thofe to the winds wide- Scattering let us give, ' And, as before, in friendly concord live. 1 Then Jafon thus -, a Thy cenfures wound my mind, " Which fay, I left the braveft Greek behind. 1715 '* Yet though thy words reproachful guilt fuggeil, " Rage dwells not long in Jafon's generous bread , " Since not for flocks or riches we contend, *' But a bold hero, and a faithful friend. " And -a J > Book I. AT>O.L LONIUS HHODIUS. 7$ * c And thou, I truft, if reafon calls, wilt be 1720 " As firm and warm an advocate for me." He fpoke ; and now, the hateful conteft o'er, The chiefs refum'd the feats they held before. But forthofe heroes, whom they left behind, By Jove's decree are various cares defign'd. 1725 Nam'd from its ftream, the boaft of future days, Muft one on Myfian plains a city raife : One (great Alcides) other toils muft mare, And learn Euriftheus' ftern commands to bear. Long time he threaten'd, for his Hylas loft, Inftant deftrudtion to the Myfian coaft, Unlefs the Myfians to his arms reftor'd, Alive or dead, the partner of his board. Of all their bands the choiceft youths they chofe, And them as pledges of their faith propofe ; Then fwore they all, their fearch mould never end, Till haply they had found the hero's friend. Still to this day the fond Cianians feek (All who at Trachin dwell) the lovely Greek. For beauteous youths, to Trachin's walls convey'd, Were there as pledges to Alcides paid. 1741 Meanwhile all day and night briflc breezes blew, Fleet o'er the foaming flood the vefTel flew ; But y6 The A R G O.N A u T i c s of, &c. Book I. But when the dawn gave promife of the day, The winds expiring gently died away. 1745 A land proje&ing o'er the bay belov/ The chiefs difcover'd, and to this they row; This peaceful port awhile the Minyans chofe, AncJ, as they reach'd it^ grateful morning rofe. f zv*;h -jit/art lo ilcod ^h : t t\>.>- : ^ffi v ! y3h 6 amitfq iififtv ' t o-^r r : fir/m siioa -rjjjo (zibhl A JJ .ir.'Jf N, D ,O:F THE FIRST BOP K. t;^I .. .;j- '. ;'.: . ' .!mx . ( jtA 'i: l.frtofft HiyindYi: .?*; . vfc.sq esbi: .^!)M !<:*n >H ( 77 ) THE SECOND BOOK. THE ARGUMENT. This Book contains the combat between Amyous and Pol- lux ; the former of whom is Jlain. A battle enfues bc~ tween the Argonauts and Bebrycians, in which the Argonauts come off conquerors. They fail to Salmy- dejfus, a city of Thrace, where they confult Phineus, a foothfayer, on the fuccefs of their expedition. He pro- mifes, if they would deliver him from the Harpies, to dire ft them fafely to Cokbos* His requejl is granted, and he gives them inftruttions. The ftory of Par*e- bius, Cyrene and AriftT"^ENTS o'er the beach Bebrycia's king had fpread, * And ftalls erefted where fat oxen fed. To genial Neptune a Bithynian dame Bore the fierce tyrant, Amycus his name, Proudeft of men ; who this hard law decreed, 5 That'from his realm no ftranger mould recede, Till firft with him compell'd in fight to wield The dreadful gauntlet in the lifted field. Unnumber'd guefts his matchlefs prowefs flew : Stern he accofts fwifc Argo's valiant crew, 10 Curious the reafon of their courfe to fcan, Who, whence they were ; and fcornful thus began : * Learn what 'tis meet ye knew, ye vagrant hoft j * None that e'er touches on Bebrycia's coaft, 76 he ARGON AU TICS of Book II. ' Is thence by law permitted to depart, 15 * Till match'd with me he prove the boxer's art. ' Choofe then a chief who can the gauntlet wield, * And let him try the fortune of the field : * Should ye contemptuous fcorn my fix'd decree, * Know, your proud hearts mail yield to fate and me/ Thus fpoke the chief with infolent difdain, 21 And rous'd refentment in the martial train ; But Pollux moil his vaunting words provoke, Who thus, a champion for his fellows, fpoke : " Threat not, whoe'er thou art, the bloody fray ; 25 " Lo, we obfequious thy decrees obey ! " Unforc'd, this inftant, to the lifts I go, " Thy rival I, thy voluntary foe." Stung to the heart with this fevere reply, On him he turn'd his fury-flaming eye : 30 As the grim lion, pierc'd by fome keen wound, Whom hunters on the mountain-top furround ; Though clofe hemm'd in, his glaring eye-balls glance On him alone who threw the pointed lance. The Greek ftript off his mantle richly wrought, 35 Late from the Lemnian territory brought, Which fome fair nymph, who had her flame avow'd, The pledge of hofpitable love beftow'd : His Book II. AOLLONIUS RnoDitis. 81 His double cloak, with clafps of fable hue, Bebrycia's ruler on the greenfword threvv, 4Q And his rough fheep-hook of wild olive made, Which lately flourifh'd in the woodland fhade. Then fought the heroes for a place at hand Commodious for the fight, and on the ftrand They plac'd their friends, who faw, with wondering eyes, 45 The chiefs how different, both in make and fize 5 For like Typhceus' race the tyrant flood Enormous, or that mifcreated brood Of mighty monfters, which parturient Earth, . Incens'd at Jove, brought forth, a hideous birth. 50 But Pollux fhone like that mild ftar on high, Whbfe rifing ray illumes fair Evening's fky. Down fpread his cheek, ripe manhood's early fign, } And in his eye-balls beam'd the glance divine. But like a lion, glorying in his might, 55 Stood Jove's puiiTant fon, prepar'd for fight. His arms he poiz'd, advancing in the ring, To try if ftill they kept their priftine fpririg ; If pliant ftill, and vigorous as before, Nor rigid grown with labouring at the oar. 6& Trial like this the haughty king difdain'd : Aloof and filent Amycus remain'd. G Full 82 Vbe ARGONAUT i Cs of Book II. Full on his foe his vengeful eyes he turn'd, For blood he thirfted, and for conqueft burn'd. With that his fquire Lycoreus, full in view, 65 Two pair of gauntlets- in the circle threw, Of barbarous fafhion, harden'd, rough and dry'd. Then thus the king, with infolence and pride : * Lo, two ftout pair ; the choice I leave to thee -, ' (No lot appoints them) choofe, and blame not me. * Bind them fecure, and after trial tell, 71 c How greatly I in either art excel, ' Whether to form the ceftus firm and good, c Or flam the cheeks of mighty men with blood.' He fpoke : brave Pollux nothing deign'd to fay, .75 But fmiling chofe the pair which neareft lay. To cheer their champion, Caftor, honoured name ! And Talaiis, the fon of Bias, came ; Firm round his arms the gloves of death they bind, And animate the vigour of his mind. 80 Aratus, and bold Ornytus his friend, To Amycus their kind afiiftance lend : Fools ! for they knew not, this one conflict o'er, Thofe gauntlets never mould be buckled more. Accoutred thus each ardent hero (lands, 85 And raifes-high in air his iron hands -, 2 With- Book II. APOLLON^IUS RHODIUS. 83 With clafhing gauntlets fiercely now they clofe, And mutual meditate death-dealing blows. Firft Amycus a furious onfet gave, Like the rude infult of the battering wave, go That, heap'd on high by driving wind and tide, Burfts thundering on fome gallant veflePs fide ; The wary pilot, by fuperior (kill, Forefees the florm, and fhuns the menac'd ill. Thus threatening Amycus on Pollux prefs'd, 95 Nor fuffer'd his antagonift to reft : But Jove's brave fon obferves each coming blow, Quick leaps afide, and difappoints the foe; And where a weak unguarded part he fpies, There all the thunder of his arms he plies. 100 As bufy mipwrights ftoutly labouring ftrive Through fturdy planks the piercing fpikes to drive, From head to ftern repeated blows go round, And ceafelefs hammers lend a various found ; Thus from their batter'd cheeks loud echoes fprung, Their dafh'd teeth crackled, and their jaw-bones rung: Nor ceas'd they from the ftrokes that threaten'd death, Till tir'd with toil they faintly gafp'd for breath : Awhile they then remit the bloody fray, And panting wipe the copious fweat away. 1 10 G 2 But 84 W>e ARGON AU TICS of Book II, But adverfe foon they meet, with rage they glow, Like bulls fierce fighting for fome favourite cow. Then Amycus, collecting all his might, Rofe to the ftroke, refolv'd his foe to fmite, And by one blow the dubious war conclude : 115 The wary prince, his ruin to elude, Bent back his head ; defeated of its aim, The blow impetuous on his moulder came. Then Pollux with firm fteps approaching near, Vindictive ftruck his adverfary's ear , 1 20 Th* interior bones his ponderous gauntlet broke ; Flat fell the chief beneath his dreadful ftroke : The Grecians fhouted, with wild rapture fir'd, And, deeply groaning, Amycus expir'd. The griev'd Bebrycians faw their monarch (lain, 125 And big with vengeance rufh'd into the plain ; With feafon'd clubs and javelins arm'd they ran, And aim'd their fury at the conquering man. Their keen-edg*d fwords the friends of Pollux drew. And to the fuccour of their comrade flew. j 30 Firft Caftor flaughter'd, with victorious hand, A hero of the bold Bebrycian band, The griding fword at once his head divides, And on his moulders hang the parted fides. 3 Mimans, Book II. A P OLLONIUS RHODIUS. 85 Mimans, Itymoneus of giant- fize, 135 Each by the arm of conquering Pollux dies. On this his foot imprefs'd a deadly wound Full on his fide, and ftretch'd him on the ground : His right hand dalh'd, with unrefifled fway, Mimans' left eye, and tore the ball away. 140 Orcides, Amycus's proud compeer, Then launch'd at Talau's his brazen fpear ; Juft near his flank the point he lightly felt, That ras'd the fkin beneath his broider'd belt. Aratus, with his club of harden'd oak, 145 Aim'd at brave Iphitus a deadly flroke : Vain thought ! too foon, alas ! it is decreed, The hero by his brother's fword muft bleed. Then rufli'd, to fuccour the ThefTalian band, Ancseus, with his pole-axe in his hand ; 150 O'er his broad back a bear's dark fpoils he threw, And boldly mingled with the hoflile crew. The fons of ^Eacus, renown'd for might, And Jafon join'd them in the fields of fight. As when, what time both dogs and fhepherds keep 155 Clofe in warm cots, negleftful of their fheep, Wolves, pinch'd with hunger and bleak winter's cold, o'er the fence, and terrify the fold, 03 With 86 'the ARGONAUTICS of Book II. With ravening eyes the crowded fheep furvey, And doubt where firft to rend the trembling prey; 160 Thus the bold Greeks, as near their foes they drew, Intimidate the congregated crew. As fwains with fmoke, of honey ftudious, ftrive From fome rock's cleft the fwarming bees to drive ; Alarm'd and trembling, with a murmuring found, 165 They crowd to all their waxen rooms around ^ But if the fumes prevail, their wings they ply, And rove uncertain thro' the various Iky : pifperfing thus, the wild Bebrycians fled, And loud proclaim'd that Amycus was dead. 170 Ah, haplefs race of men ! they little knew, That, foon, far greater evils muft enfue: Soon muft they fee, their monarch now no more, Their Jands a drear, depopulated more ; Their vineyards fpoil'd, and wafted all their coaft 175 By Lycus, and the Mariandine hoft : For 'twas their fate, with fpear and fteely brand, Hard lot ! to battle for an iron land. The Greeks then feiz'd their herds, an eafy prey, And from the fheep-folds drove the flocks away ; 1 80 The live provifion to their fhip they fent : Then thus fome failor gave his boafting vent ; ! What Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 87 ' What had thefe mifcreants done, with fears dif- may'd, * Had heaven indulg'd us with Alcides* aid ? * No fierce contention then, I judge, had been, 185 ' No bloody boxing on the lifted green : 6 The chief's ftout club had tam'd the tyrant's pride, * And fet his execrable laws afide. ' But now, impell'd by fwelling waves and wind, ' We leave at land the matchlefs chief behind ; i go * Whofe lofs diftrefs to every Greek will prove.' He faid ; but all things own the will of Jove. AH night the heroes on the coaft remain, To heal the bruifes of the wounded train. Firft to the gods they give the honours due, 195 And next, a banquet for the princely crew. Nor can night's fhades the chiefs to fleep incline, Or o'er the facrifice, or o'er the wine ; Mirthful they fit, their brows with laurel crown'd : To a green laurel was the cable bound. 200 While Orpheus ftrikes the lyre, the hymn they raife, And Jove's fam'd offspring, mighty Pollux, praife : Soft breathes the breeze, the billows ceafe to roar, And feftive joy exhilarates the fhore. But when the fun illum'd the hills and plains, 205 Datik with the dew, and rous'd the fhepherd-fwains G 4 They 88 {The ARGONAUTICS of Bcok II. They fent abundant flocks and herds aboard, And from the laurel-ftem unloosed the cord ; And while the favourable winds prevail'd, Thro' the rough-rolling Bofphorus they fail'd. 210 When, lo ! a wave by gathering furges driv'n, Swoln big for burfting, is up-heav'd to heav'n 9 Still rifes higher, and ftill wider fpreads, And hangs a watery mountain o'er their heads ; Like a black cloud it frowns, prepaid to fall, 215 And threatens quick deftru&ion to them ajl. Yet the jrain'd pilot, by fuperior (kill, Well knows to 'fcape. this laft impending ill : Safe through the ftorm the veflel Tiphys fteer'd, jf^nd fav'd the heroes from the fate they fear'd. 220 Fronting Bithynia's coaft, next morn, they reach New land, and fix their halfers on the beach. There on the margin of the beating flood The mournful manfion$ of fad Phineus flood, Agenor's fon , whom heaven ordain'd to bear 225 The grievous burden of unequall'd care. For, taught by wife Apollo to defcry Unborn events of dark futurity, Vain of his fcience, the prefumptuous feer Dsign'd not Jove's awful fecrets to reveres 250 Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. $9 But wantonly divulg'd to frail mankind The facred purpofe of th' omnifcient mind : Hence Jove indignant gave him length of days, But dimm'd in endlefs night his vifual pays. Nor would the vengeful God indulge his tafle 235 With the fweet bleffings of a pure repafl, Tho' (for they learn'd his fate) the country round Their prophet's board with every dainty crown'd. For, lo ! defcending fudden from the fky, Round the pil'd banquet mriekmg Harpies fly, 240 "YVhofe beaks rapacious, and whofe talons tear Quick from his famifh'd lips th' untafted fare. Yet would fome (lender pittance oft remain, Life to fupport, and to perpetuate pain. Such odours flill the naufeous fcraps exhal'd, 245 That with the flench the loathing ftomach fail'd. Aloof the guefts amaz'd and hungry flood, While their fick hearts abhorr'd the putrid foqd. But now the princely crew approaching near, The welcome found invades the prophet's ear ; 250 Taught by almighty Jove, that now .was come The long-wifli'd period of heaven's vengeful doom; When, by thefe heroes' deilin'd aid reftor'd, feace Jhould hereafter blefs his feaflful board. .Then go *The ARGONAUTICS of Book II. Then heaves he from the couch his haggard head, 255 (Like fome pale, lifelefs, vifionary fhade) Propp'd on his ftaff his way explores, and crawls With lingering ftep along the lonely walls : Difeas'd, enfeebled, and by age unbrac'd, Thro' every limb he trembled as he pafs'd ; 260 Shrunk was his form, with want aduft and thin, The pointed bones feem'd burfling thro' his fkin : But faint and breathlefs as he reach'd the gate, Down on the threfhold, tir'd with toil, he fat. In dizzy fumes involv'd, his brain runs round, 265 And fwims beneath his feet the folid ground ; No more their functions the frail fenfes keep, But fpeechlefs finks he in a death-like fleep. This faw the chiefs amaz'd, and gather'd round ; When from his labouring lungs a hollow found 27 (His breath and utterance fcarce recover'd) broke, And thus th' enlighten'd feer prophetic fpoke : ' Princes of Greece, attend , if ye be they * Whom o'er the main ThefTalia's pines convey, * And Jafon leads to Colchos' magic land ; 275 1 Such is your cruel tyrant's ftern command, * Yes, ye are they -, for yet my mental eye * Undimm'd, paft, prefent, future can defcry : ! Thanks Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 91 c Thanks to thy fon, Latona, who beftows ' This grace, this only folace of my woes, 280 4 By Jove, to whom the fuppliant's caufe belongs, ' Who hates the cruel, and avenges wrongs; * By Phcebus, and by Juno, from on high * "Who marlls your progrefs with companion's eye, * Aid me, and, oh ! a fufferer's pangs affuage, 285 * And bid corrofive famine ceafe to rage : ? Leave me not thus, unpitied and unblefs'd ; ' But ere you fail, ah ! pity the diftrefs'd. e For not thefe orbs alone, depriv'd of fight, ' Vindictive Heaven hath veil'd in doleful night; 290 * But to extreme old age his cruel law c Dooms me th* unwafting thread of life to draw. ' Still weightier woes from forrow's lengthen'd chain ' Depend, and pain is ever link'd to pain. * From fecret haunts, aerial, unexplor'd, 295 4 Flights of devouring Harpies vex my board i ' Swift, inftantaneous, fudden they defcend, ' And from my mouth the tafteful moriel rend. 4 Meanwhile my troubled foul, with woe opprefs'd, 4 No me^ans of aid, no comfort can fuggeft. 300 * For when the feaft I purpofe to prepare, * They fee that purpofe, and prevent my care : ! But; 9? The ARGONAUTICS of Book II. ' But cloy'4, and glutted with the lufcious fpoil, * With noifome ordure parting they defile * Whate'er remains, if aught perchance remain, 305 * That none approaching may the flench fuflain, e Tho' his ftrong heart were wrapp'd in plated mail, * The filthy fragments fuch dire fleams dxhale. ' Yet me fell hunger's all-fubduing pain c Compels reludlant, loathjng to remain ; 310 * Compels the deadly odours to endure, * And gorge my craving maw with food impure, ' From thefe invaders (fo hath Fate decreed) * By Boreas' offspring fhall my board be freed. * Nor on a flranger to your houfe and blood, 315 ' O fons of Boreas, is your aid beftow'd. * Phineus behold. Agenor's haplefs fon, * Onperfor prophetic fkill and riches known ; * Who, while I fway'd the Thracian fceptre, led 6 Your portion'd fifter to my fpoufal bed.' 320 Here Phineus ceas'd, ? and touch'd each pitying chief: But Boreas' fons were pierc'd with double grief; CompafTion kind was kindled in their breafl : Their tears abating, friendly Zetes prefs'd His trembling hand, and thus the feer addrefs'd : " Q mofi; Book II. ApOLL6Nius R HOD i us." 93 " O mod difaftrous of all human kind, 326 ' Whence fpring thefe evils that o'erwhelm thy mind? " Haft thou, intrufted with the book of Fate, ** By folly merited celeftial hate ? " Hence falls this indignation on thy head ? 330 " Fain would the fons of Boreas grant thee aid ; " Fain would they execute what heaven ordains, " But awful dread their willing hands reftrains. " To frighted mortals well thy fufferings prove " How fierce the vengeance of the Gods above. 335 tc Swear, or we dare not, as we wilh, eflay To drive thefe hateful Harpies far away : '* Swear that the fuccours, which our arms intend, " Shall no fuperior deity offend." He fpoke , and ftraight to heaven difclofing wide His fightlefs eye-balls, thus the feer reply'd : 341 * My fon, th' injuftice of thy tongue reftrain, * Nor let fuch thoughts thy pious foul profane. ' By Phcebus, heavenly augur, who infpires ' My confcious bofom with prophetic fires ; 345 c By every woe fate deftines me to bear, ' And by thefe eyes, involv'd in night, I fwear - y * By the fell demons of the realms below, * (Whom ever unpropitious may I know, * From 94 $be ARGONAUTICS of Book ll. ' From their refentment not in death fecure, 350 ' If falfly their dread godheads I adjure j) c That, fhould a captive by your arms be freed, * No God vindictive will avenge the deed.' Then acquiefcing in the folemn pray'r, To aid the prophet Boreas' fons prepare. 355 The youthful train a banquet fpread ; the laft Which thofe fell Harpies were decreed to tafte. Nigh ftand the brothers, ardent to oppofe With glittering falchions their invading foes. But fcarce the firft fweet morfel Phineus took, 360 When from the clouds with fwift prevention broke, (Swift as the lightning's glance, or ftormy blaft, Whofe rapid fury lays the foreft wafte) Shrill- clamouring for their prey, the birds obfcene ; The watchful heroes fhouting rufh'd between -, 365 But they with fpeedieft rage the cates devour'd, And round intolerable odours pour'd ; Then o'er th* ^Egean far away they flew ; The fons of Boreas arm'd with fwords purfue ; Clofe they purfue -, for Jove, that fignal day, 370 Their ftrength proportion'd to the defperate fray ; The ftrength he gave had Jove, that day, deny'd, In vain their pinions had the brothers plied. For Book II. A P o L L o N i u s R H b D itr s. 95 For when to Phineus furious they repair, Or quitting Phineus feek the fields of air, 375 The light-wing'd monfters, fleeter than the wind, Leave the careering Zephyrs far behind. As when fwift hounds, experienc'd in the chace, Through fome wide foreft, o'er the fcented grafs The bounding hind, or horned goat pnrfue, 380 Near, and more near their panting prey they view ; And eager ftretching, the fhort fpace to gain, They fnap, and grind their gnafhing fangs in vain.: Thus ever near, the rapid chiefs purfu'd, The Harpies thus their grafping hands elude. 385 But now far off in the Sicilian main, By the wing'd brothers, fons of Boreas, (lain, The Harpy-race, tho' every God withftood, Had ftain'd the Plotian ides with facred blood -, Their fore diftrefs had Iris not furvey'd, 390 And darting from the fkies the heroes (laid : ' O fons of Boreas, the dread laws above ' Permit you not to wound the dogs of Jove : ' And, lo! my oath I pledge, that never more ' Shall thefe fell dogs approach the Thracian more.' This faid, adjuring the tremendous floods, 396 Moft fear'd, moft honour'd by immortal Gods j By 96 The ARGONAUTICS of Book II. By the flow-dripping urn of Styx Ihe fwore ; The prophet's peaceful manfions on the Ihore For ever from thofe fpoilers mould be free ; 400 Such was the fatal fifters' fix'd decree. The Goddefs fwore, the brothers ftraight obeyj And back to Argo wing their airy way : The Strophades from thence derive their name, The Plotian iflands ftyl'd by ancient fame. 405 Difparting then, to different regions flew The maid celeftial and the monfter-crew. Thofe to the grots retir'd, the dark retreat Of Dicte's caverns in Minoian Crete ; While the gay Goddefs of the watery bow 410 Soar'd on fleet pinions to Olympus' brow. Mean-while the princes, with unwearied pains, Warn from their feer the Harpies' filthy ftains : Next from the fpoils, which on Bebfycia's ihore From vanquifh'd Amycus brave Pollux bore, 415 The fleecy victims they felect with care ; And footh the Gods with facrifice and pray'r. Then in the palace each heroic gueft Partakes the pleafures of the fumptuous feaft : "With them fat Phineus, and refrefh'd his foul 420 With favoury viands, and the cheering bowl : While Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. '# While yet he feafts, infatiate ftill he feems, And fhares a bills beyond the blifs of dreams. Tho' now the rage of hunger was reprefs'd, And generous wine had open'd every bread; 425 Yet ftill the chiefs prolong the banquet late, And for the feather'd fons of Boreas wait. Plac'd in the midft, before the cheerful fire, Thus of their voyage Ipoke the facred fire : 4 Hear what the Gods permit me to relate ; 430 " For 'tis profane to publifh all your fate. ' Unnumber'd woes I felt, and feel them ftill, * For erft divulging Jove's almighty will : * To man he gives Fate's dark events to fcan c In part, but always leaves dependent man. 435 * When hence your deftin'd voyage ye purfue, * Two rocks will rife, tremendous to the view, * Juft in the entrance of the watery wafte, ' Which never mortal yet in fafety paft : * Not firmly fix'd ; for oft with hideous mock 440 Adverfe they meet, and rock encounters rock : c The boiling billows dam their airy brow, Loud thundering round the ragged fhore below. ' Safe if ye hope to pafs, my counfel hear, * Be rul'd by prudence, and the Gods revere ; 445 H ' Nor 9.8 5F& A R G o N A u T i c s of Book II. ' Nor on your unexperiene'd youth depend, 4 The want of caution brings you to your end. 4 Firft from your mip a nimble dove let fly, * And on the fure prognoftic bird rely ; 4 Safe thro* the rocks if me purfue her way, 450 ' No longer ye the deitin'd courie delay , ' Steer for the flrait, and let the rowers fweep ' With ftretching oars the clofe-contracted deep : ' For not in prayers alone your fafety (lands ; 4 But nervous vigour, and the ftrength of hands. 455 * Ply then your oars, and drain at every ftroke ; 4 But firft with prayer the Deities invoke. 4 The dove's fad fate Ihould you defponding view, * Crufh'd by the clofing fragments as ftie flew, * Steer back, left you againft thofe rocks be driv'n, 4 Steer back ; 'tis fafeft to fubmit to Heay'n. 461 ' 'Twere death thro' them to force the foaming keel, ' Tho* heaven-built Argo were compos'd of fteeh * O friends, be warn'd by me, nor rafhly dare ' To venture farther than my words declare , 465 4 Me though ye cteem the righteous Gcds purfue * With direful vengeance, threefold more than due i ' Tempt not without the dove this dangerous ftrait, ' For man muft fufFer what's ordain'd by Fate. 'But Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS.' 99 * But if with aftive oars ye fafely gain, 470 4 Through thefe tremendous rocks, the diftant main j 4 Clofe to Bithynia let your vefTel run, * And on the left the dangerous mallows fliun -, 4 Till Rhebas, rapid-rolling ftream, ye reach, ' The gloomy more, and Thynia's flickering beach. 4 Thence o'er the billows fronting Thynia's ftrand, 4 Soon will ye gain the Mariandine land. * Here lies the path to Pluto's dreary cav 7 es, * Here Acherufia frowns above the waves, 4 Whofe fkirts the gulfy Acheron divides, 480 ' And from deep whirlpools difembogues his tides. 4 Thence, not far diftant, with the weftern gale, * Near Paphlagonia's towering heights ye fail, 4 The hardy fons of which inclement coaft * Enetean Pelops for their founder boaft. 485 4 Full to the north a promontory fam'd * Lifts the high head in air, Carambis nam'd ; 4 The northern winds below its fummit fweep, * So loftily it rifes o'er the deep. 4 This point once doubled, a new coaft expands 490 * Its ample plains, and on the limit (lands * A cape far-jutting, from whofe rocky Ihores ! The rapid Halys in old ocean roars,. H 2 ! Near ioo ?be ARGONAUTICS of Book II, ' Near him clear Iris draws his humbler train, * In filver torrents foaming to the main. 495 Beyond projects an headland tall and fleep, And forms a peaceful harbour in the deep. 5 Here o'er extenfive fields Thermodon pours, ' Near Themifcyria's heights, his watery ftores. * Next lie the fpacious Dcean plains, and near 500 * Three cities of the Amazons appear: c And next the Chalybes, inur'd to toil, ' Work at the forge, and turn the flubborn foil. * Near thefe the wealthy Tiberenians till, ' Sacred to Jove, the Genetrean hill. 505 * The MolTyncecians, next, the country round 6 PofTefs, with mountains and with forefts crown'd. 4 In towers they live of folid timber fram'd, * Moflynes call'd, and thence the nation nam'd. * When thefe are paft, an ifland bleak and bare 510 ' Lies full in view, there guide your fhip with care, c And thence with care thofe noxious birds expel, * Which on the defert more unnumber'd dwell. 4 Here form'd of folid ftone, and feen from far, * Stands the rough temple of the God of war. 515 Two Amazonian queens, renown'd for arms, * Had rais'd the fane, when ftunn'd with war's alarms; ! Sccer Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 101 Steer to this ifland through the ftormy main, * And, all that mariners can wifh, ye gain. * But why fliould I each circumftance difclofe, 520 * And make again the powers of heaven my foes ? * Beyond that ifle, but on the fronting fliores, * The Philyreans feed their fleecy ftores : The brave Macronians till the neighbouring coaft ; Next thefe the numerous Bechirian hoft : 525 * Near them Sapirians and Byzerians dwell, ' And next the Colchians, who in arms excel. 4 But ye, your fteady courfe in Argo keep, 4 Shun the falfe fhores, and plough fee u re the deep, * Till that rich coaft ye reach, where Phafis leads 530 * From Amarantine hills o'er Colchian meads * His liquid ftores, and through fam'd Circe's plain , * Then rolls his widening current to the main. *' To this fam'd ftream purfue your watery way, ' Soon will your eyes beta's towers furvey, 535 * And Mars's grove, where, wondrous to behold ! ' Hangs on a fpreading oak the fleecy gold. ' A hideous dragon of enormous fi?e ' Turns all around his circumfpe&ive eyes : * O'er the bright fpoil the ftri&eft watch he keeps ; 540 4 He never (lumbers, and he never fleeps.' H 3 He iO2 fbe ARGONAUTICS of Book IT. He fpoke, and terror curdled all their blood j Deep fix'd in filence long the warriors ftood. At length thus Jafon, though pofTefs'd with fear : " Tell us, O tell us, venerable feer, 545 " Th' event of all our toils ; the fign explain " How fafely we may pafs into the main " Thro' thofe dire rocks : and, O ! indulgent, fay, ** Shall we once more our native land furvey ? " Unfldll'd am I, unfkill'd our martial train j 550 " How fliall I act, how meafure back the main ? " For far as ever flying fails were furPd 41 Lies Colchos, on the limits of the world." Thus Jafon fpoke , and thus the prophet old : ' Thofe dangerous rocks once pafs'd, my fon, be bold. 555 * Some God from JE& fliall thro* feas untry'd, * Skirted by others coafts, your veflel guidf, ' But you, to JEa, failing, on your crew confide. ' But, friends, to Venus be due honours paid ; * Still in remembrance keep her fecret aid. 560 * On all your toils Ihe kindly will beflow * A glorious end expect no more to know.' Scarce had he fpoke, when fpeeding back repair The fons of Boreas through the fields of air, At ; j \ Book II. A P o L i. o N i L- & R H o D i u s. 103 At the leer's door with nimble feet they light i 565 Up role the chiefs rejoicing at the fight. When Zetes trembling, and with toils oppreis'd, While thick Ihort fobs inceffant heav'd his cheil, Tells how they drove the Harpies far away, How Iris fcreen'd them, and forbad to flay, 570 And pledg'd her folemn oath : while they retreat To the huge caves of mountain-cover'd Crete. Thefe joyful tidings chccr'd the hearts of all, But moft the prophet's, in the feaftful hall ; Whom Jalbn thus : " Sure from his heavenly ftate 575 " Some God look'cl down, and wail'd thy woeful fate, " And fore-decreed from far our bands to fend, ' That Boreas' fons might their aiTiitance lend. " Should the fame God reftore thy long-loft fight, " My pladden'd foul would feel as great delight, 580 " As ev'n my native country could beftow." Then thus fage Phineus with dejected brow : s My eyes, alas ! ftull ne'er behold the day ; f Shrunk are thele balls, and quench'd the vifual ray : c Heaven round rne foon death's gloomy lhade fhall fpread, 585 * And every honour will await me dead.' With converie thus the fleeting hours they cheer'd, When rofy morning beaming bright appear'd. H 4 The 104 5T& ARCONAUTICS OLLONius RHODIUS. n So toil'd the Greeks ; nor yet the morning-light Had pafs'd the doubtful confines of the night, But, faintly glimmering on this earthly ball, 855 Pfoduc'd what mortals morning-twilight call. To Thyriia's neighbouring ifle their courfe they bore. And fafely landed on the defert fhore 4 When bright Apollo fliew his radiant face^ From Lycia haftening to the Scythian race. 860 His golden locks, that flow'd with grace divine, Hung cluttering like the branches of the vine : In his left hand, his bow unbent he bore, His quiver pendent at his back he wore : The confcious ifland trembled as he trod, 865 And the big rolling waves confefs'd the God. Nor dar'd the heroes, leiz'd with dire difmay, The fplendors of his countenance furvey. But on the ground iheir downward eyes they cafr: Meanwhile Apollo o'er the watery wafte, 870 And through thin ether on his journey flew. Then thus fpoke Orpheus to the martial crew : ; ' L-et us, my honour'd chiefs, with joint acclaim This ifland facred to bright Phcebus name, 1 Who early here to all this hod appear'd j 875 " Here let an altar on the more be rear'd, ' I 2 " And ii The ARGON AU TICS df Book II. " And paid the rites divine : and if he deign That fafe we reach our native land again, e Young horned goats fhall on his altars bleed, fc And the choice thighs to Phcebus be decreed. 880 " Now, comrades, due libations let us pay : " Be gracious, O be gracious, God of day !" Thus he : and fome the ftony altar raife, And fome explore the foreft's devious maze ; Haply within its lone retreats to find 885 A kid wild wandering, or a bounding hind : Latona's fon foon led them to the prey ; Then on the altar, blazing bright, they lay The choiceft parts involv'd in facred fmoke, And fair Apollo, early God, invoke. 890 Around the flame in fprightly dance they fpring, And 16 Paean, 16 Psean fing. Then on the Thracian harp Oeager's fon In foothing ftrains his tuneful tale begun : How once beneath Parnafifiis' rocky brow 89$ He lanch'd an arrow from his deadly bow, And the fell ferpent flew , though young and fair And beardlefs yet, but grac'd with golden hair : (O prove propitious, thou whofe radiant head Is deck'd with curls unclip'd, that never fhed, 900 Worthy Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 117 Worthy thyfelf ! Latona only knows With niceft art thofe ringlets to difpofe) Corycian nymphs their joys in rapture fhow'd, And 16, 16 Pasan call'd aloud : Encomium grateful to the God of day. 905 Thus having prajs'd him in the folemn lay, They fwear devoutly, due libations made, To league for ever, and lend mutual aid ; Then touch the hallow'd altar with their hands Concordant; and ev'n now a temple ftands 910 Sacred to Concord, by the Grecians rais'd, When here that mighty Deity they prais'd. Now the third morn began on earth to fmile, When with frefh gales they left the lofty ifle. The foaming Sangar at a diftance feen, 915 The Mariandine meads for ever green, And Lycus' winding waters they forfake All on the right, and Anthemoifia's lake. So faft before the wind the vefTel went, Crack'd was the cordage, and the canvafs rent : 920 But the gale ceafing with the dawning day, Joyful they reach the Acherufian bay, Begirt with rocks fo towering tall and fteep, They frown tremendous on Bithynia's deep j I 3 And iif *fbe ARGONAUTICS of Book IT, And yet fo firmly founded in the main, 925 The raging billows round them roar in vain : Above, upon the promontory's brow, Umbrageous planes in beauteous order grow. . Thence, downward, thro* a deep and dreary dell, Defcends the path-way to the cave of hell, 930 With woods and fhaggy rocks obfcure ; from whence Exhaling vapours, chilly, damp and denfe, Scatter hoar froft along the whitening way, Which melts before the fun's meridian ray. On thefe rough cliffs, which many a ftorm molefts, 9135 The pleafing power of filence never refts. From hollow caverns through the leafy boughs, Above, the whittling wind for ever blows; And while mad billows lam the founding mores, Below, the raging main for ever roars. 940 There, burfting from the promontory's fides, Sad Acheron along the valley glides j Deep-hollow'd beds his turbid ftreams convey, As eaflward to the main he winds his way. This fable, flood, in ancient ftory fam'd, 94^ The Megarenfians Soonautes nam'd In after ages, when their courfe they bore Py ocean to the Mariandine more : For Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 119 For when the deep in deathful billows heav'd, This peaceful port their fhatter'd fliips receiv'd. 950 To this the labouring Grecians bent their way, Row'd round the cape, and anchor'd in the bay. When Lycus and his Mariandine hoft, Lycus, the mighty monarch of the coaft, Knew thefe brave Greeks who Amycus had (lain, 955 They welcom'd Jafon and his conquering train : But moft on Pollux fix'd their wondering eyes, And view'd him as a hero from the fkies : For long the fierce Bebrycians* rude alarms Had rouz'd the Mariandyni to arms. 96 That day, the Grecian band with one confent To the king's hofpitable palace went : Cheerful they there on choiceft dainties din'd, And there with converfe fweet regal'd the mind. Then Jafon to the king recounts the name, 965 And race of all thefe chofen fons of fame, Who lent their aid at Pelias' dire command ; Their ftrange adventures on the Lemnian land ; What griefs, what woes at Cyzicus they bore j And how they landed on the Myfian fhore, 970 Where Hercules, diftrefs'd his friend to find,, They left at land, unwillingly, behind. 1 4 What I2O The ARGON AU TICS if Book II, What Glaucus fpoke prophetic from the main, How with his fubjects Amycus was flain, The prince relates : what Phineus poor and old, 975 Worn out with fufferings to the chiefs foretold ; How thro' Cyanean rocks they fafely fteer'd, And in what ifle the God of day appear'd. The king rejoic'd his guefts ib well had fped, But griev'd that Hercules was left, and faid : 980 ' Think how, my friends, this hero's aid deny'd, * Ralhly ye tempt a length of feas untry'd, * Full well I knew that valiant fon of fame, * When here on foot thro* Lydia's coaft he came 8 (For here my hofpitable father dwelt) 985 * To fetch Hippolita's embroider'd belt. * The hero found me then a beardlefs fwain, ' Mourning my brother by the Myfians flain ; c (The nation dearly lov*d the blooming chief, * And ftill lament in elegies of grief) 990 ' Then at the funeral games he prov'd his might, * And vanquifh'd Titias in the gauntlet- fight ; ' Tho' young and ftout, and eager for the fray, * From his bruis'd jaws he d^m'd the teeth away. * The Myfian country, and the Phrygian plains 995 * The conqueror added to my fire's domains ; ' And Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. i2i * And the rude nations that Bithynia till, c To foaming Rhebas and Colona's hill ; ' And Paphlagonia to its utmoft bounds, * Which fable Billis with his waves furrounds. 1000 ' But now proud Amyous, and all his hoft, * Since Hercules has left the neighbouring coaft, ' Have fpoil'd my realms, and fpread their hoftilc bands ' Wide as where Hipias* dreams enrich the lands. * At length their lawlefs infolence they rue, 1005 f And by your hands have fuffer'd vengeance due. ' And fure fome God afforded his relief ' When Pollux (lew that proud Bebrycian chief. ' I for this deed my due regard will mow ; * 'Tis what the meaneft to the mighty owe. 1010 My fon, your comrade, (hall at my command ' Attend o'er diflant feas your gallant band : O'er diftant-feas, with Dafcylus your guide, You ftill with faithful friends (hall be fupply'd, e Far as Thermodon rolls his foaming tide. 1015 c Meanwhile on yon bold cape that mates the (kies ' To Leda's fons a facred fane (hall rife, * Admir'd by all that crofs the boundlefs main, f For all (hall venerate the facred fane : 'To i 122 The ARGONAUTICS of Book II. * To them will I, as to the powers divine, 1020 * Some fruitful acres near the town affign.' Converfing thus, the genial feaft they fhare, 'And to the ftiip at early day repair : With his brave fon the friendly Lycus went, Who ftore of viands to the fhip had fent. 1025 'Twas here the cruel deftinies decreed That Idmon, fam'd for augury, mould bleed : The fate of others he had oft forefhown, But fail'd, unhappy ! to prevent his own. Here, in a covert near the reedy flood, 1030 A fell wild boar lay deep immers'd in mud. With horrid tufks fo dreadful he appear'd, The fountain-nymphs the favage monfter fear'd : No living wight in miry marfh or moor E'er faw fo fierce, fo horrible a boar. 1035 On the lake's verge as lucklefs Idmon flood, From his clofe covert, m the reedy mud, Up fprung the furious beaft with might and main, Tore the chief's thigh, and fnapp'd the bone in twain \ He groans, he falls, and on the bank he lies, 1040 His griev'd companions anfwer to his cries ; When Peleus inflantly approaching near, Lanch'd at the boar his unavailing fpear : 3 But II. A POLL ONI US R HOD I US. J2J But Idas aim'd his pointed dart fo well, Low in the marfh the dying monfter fell. $045 The chiefs with Idmon to the fhip retir'd, Who deeply groaning in their arms expir'd. Immers'd in grief, they now neglect to fail ; For three whole days their comrade they bewail ; But on the fourth, with penfive forrow, paid 1050 The laft fad honours due to Idmon's fhade. The king, the people join'd the mournful crew, And, loud-lamenting, numerous victims flew : They dug the grave, and on the greenfword raife A tomb on which pofterity will gaze : *55 For near the tomb a tall wild olive grows, Beneath the cape, and beautifully blows. Me would the Nine commiffion to unfold This truth, which Phoebus had long fmce foretold, This, this is he, the tutelary lord, 1060 Henceforth to be by mighty ftates ador'd : For here Basotians and Megarians join'd, Near the wild olive wavering in the wind, To build a city ; though due honours they To Agameftor, not to Idmon, pay. 1065 Who fell befide ? for, lo ! the chiefs intend Another tomb for fome lamented friend. Ev'n 124 We ARGOJJAUTICS ef Book II. Ev'n now two mournful monuments appear : Tiphys, Fame fays, was ftretch'd upon the bier. Him cruel fate ordain'd no more to roam ; 1070 He died far diftant from his native home. For while to Idmon funeral rites they pay, Untimely ficknefs fnatch'd the chief away. Thejn heart-felt fadnefs feiz'd the penfive train, Who, proftrate on the margin of the main, 1075 Forgetful of their necefiary food, Mourn'4 in fad filence to the roaring flood. For they, now fkilful Tiphys is no more, Defpair'd returning to their native fhore ; And here had ftaid, with bitter grief opprefs'd, icSo Had not Saturnia in Ancaeus' breaft Breath'd courage : him Aftypahea bore, Near winding Imbrafus on Samos* more, To ocean's God ; a chief expert to guide The flying veffel o'er the foaming tide. 1085 Then thus to Peleus, Neptune's valiant fon, By heaven inipir'd, in cheering terms begun : 4 111 fuits the brave in foreign climes to ftay, * A(nd wafle, O Peleus, precious time away. * I left not Samos lefs for failing Ikill'd 1090 ! Than fierce contention in the fighting field. 9 ! For Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 125 ' For Argo cherifh not one abject fear, * Since many fkill'd, befides myfelf, are here. * And he, to whom the fteerage we ordain, * Will fafely guide the veflel o'er the main. , 1095 c J Tis thine to ftimulate the fainting crew 6 With ready oars their voyage to purfue,' He fpoke, and tranfport touch'd the Phthian's bread, Inftant he rofe, and thus the hoft addrefs'd : " Why are we here by fruitlefs grief detain'd ? 1 100 " Two friends are dead, and this the fates ordain'd - r " Yet many pilots in this hoft remain, " To (leer firm Argo o'er the watery plain. 6 To forrows unavailing bid adieu ! " Let us, bold peers, our deftin'd courfe purfue." 1 105 He faid, and Jafon anxious thus reply'd ; * Where are thofe pilots, fay, our courfe to guide? * For thofe whom late we boafted as the belt ' And ableft chiefs, are moft with grief opprefs'd. " I therefore deem a like fad fate attends 1119 On us, as on our late departed friends, If neither in beta's ports we moor, * Nor thro* thofe rocks regain our native more, ' But here inactive and inglorious (lay, ! Years following years, and linger life away.' 1115. He ii6 ?be A R o fc AU T 1 c s of- Book & He fpoke ; Ancseus feizM the fteerage, driv'n By power inftindlive from the queen of heav'n; ^rginus next the glorious charge defir'd ; Euphemus, Nauplius to the helm aipir'd.. But thefe the congregated chiefs declined, 1 129 And bold Anoeus to the pdft affign'd. With the twelfth rifing morn the heroes fail $ Favonius breath'd a favourable gale 1 ; And foon they leave fad Acheron behind, Then give the fwelling canvafs to the wind : 1 125 On the fmooth fea the fhip ferenely rides, And light along the liquid level glides. Ere long with ftretching fails the coaft they gain, Where broad Callichorus augments the main. To Thebes returning from his Indian rights, 1130 Here Bacchus folemniz'd myfterrous rites, The dance before the facred cave ordain'd, And here full many a doleful night remarn'd. This name the country to the river gave, Callichorus ; and Aulion to the cave. 1 1^5- Still as their courfe the daring Greeks purfuc, The monument of Sthenelus they view. With honours grac'd, obtain'd in realms afar, Returning from the Amazonian war, On Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 127 On the bleak -fhore (Alcides at his fide) 1140 Pierc'd by a fatal dart the hero died. Slow fail'd they on, for, eager to furvey His kindred warriours on the watery way, At his requeft, from her infernal coaft Pluto's grim queen released the penfive ghoft. 1 145 The penfive ghoft beheld with eager ken From the tall monument the fhip and men. As arm'd for war the martial phantom feem'd ; Four crefts high-towering on his helmet beam*d, With purple rays intolerably bright , 1150 'Then foon it funk beneath the fhades of night. In mute amazement ftood the Grecian hoft , But Mopfus counfel'd to appeafe the ghoft With offerings due ; the chiefs approach the ftrand, And round the tomb of Sthenelus they ftand. 1 155 'ThsSy pour libations, and the victims flay, And on the fire the deftin'd offerings lay. Apart, to guardian Phcebus next they raife An altar meet, and bid the victims blaze. riere Orpheus plac'd his lyre for mufic fam*dj 1160 Apollo's altar hence was Lyra nam'd. And now, invited by the favouring gales, They climb the (hip and fpread their fwelling fails -, Swift 128 -Vbe ARGON AU TICS of Book II. Swift o'er the deep the winged veflel flics, Swift as the rapid hawk that cleaves the fkies, 1 1 65 And lightly thro' the liquid ether fprings, Nor moves, felf-poiz'd, his wide-expanded wings. Thence by Parthenius faiPd the focial train, The gentleft ftream that mingles with the- main. Fatigued with traverfmg the mazy grove, 1 1 70 Here, ere me re-afcends the courts of Jove, The chafle Diana, huntrefs of the wood, Bathes her fair limbs, and gambols in the flood. Then during night by Sefamus they fail, And Erythinus rifing o'er the vale; 1 17 g By Cromna and Crobrialus, and where Thy groves, Cyto p us, ever green appear. Thence with the rifing fun they floutly row Near where Carambis lifts his rocky brow. All day, all night with unremitted oar j i SQ They coaft along JEgialus's fhore. Then to the Syrian clime the heroes fped, Where Jove, by hafty promifes mifled, Sinope plac'd, and, all fhe wifh'd to claim, Gave her the honours of a virgin's name. 1185 For, know, the God, by Love's flrong power opprefs'd, Promis'd to grant whate'er Ihe might requeft ; And Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 129 And this requeft th' infidious damfel made, That her virginity might never fade. Hence Phoebus foil'd could no one wifh obtain ; 1 190 Hence winding Alys wooed the maid in vain. No mortal force iuch virtue could o'ercome, Defeat Jove's promife, and impair her bloom. Here dwelt Deimachus's offspring fam'd, Deileon, Autolycus and Phlogius nam'd, XI 95 What time they ceas'd with Hercules to roam, And at Sinope found a fettled home. They, when they faw the bold Theffalian band, Met them on more and welcom'd them to land ; And, loathing longer in thefe climes to flay, 1200 Join'd the brave crew, and with them fail'd away. Blefs'd with the zephyr's breeze that brifkly blew, Near Halys' ftream and Ins' fail'd the crew ; Near Syria's coaft, and, ere night's fhades abound, Near th' Amazonian cape, for many a bay renown'd. Where Hercules furpriz'd, in days of yore, 1206 Bold Menalippe wandering on the more : A belt Hippolyta her fitter paid, And for this ranfom he reftor'd the maid. Here in Thermodon's bay firm Argo moor'd ; 1210 For lafh'd with tempefts the vex'd ocean roar'd. K No 1 30 Fbe ARGONAUTICS of Book II. No river like the farn'd Thermodon leads Such numerous currents o'er the fertile meads : A hundred ftreams to him their waters owe -, Yet from one iburce, one only fource they flow. 1215 On Amazonian hills, that reach the fkies, The great Thermodon firft begins to rife ; Hence foon emerging many a courfe he takes, Sinks but to mount, and various channels makes. The different ftreams from different founts diftil, 1220 In foft meanders wandering down the hill ; Some public notice and fair titles claim, Some flow obfcurely, and without a name ; Rut confluent foon, along the winding plain, He rolls his waves, and foams o'er half the main. 1225 Had the Greeks landed on this hoftile coaft, War would have foon purfu'd the gallant hoft : (For the fierce Amazons regard not right, Strife is their fport, and battles their delight : From Mars and Harmony thefe warlike maids 1230 Sprung where Acmonius fpreads its bowery {hades) But favour'd with the foft Favonian wind, *The heroes left the crooked more behind, Where the bold Amazons, perceiv'd from far, Stood fheath'd in arms, prepar'd for fpeedy war. 1235 Not Book II. A P L L O N I U S R H D I U S. 1 3 1, Not in one city dwelt this martial band, But in three parties fcatter'd o'er the land : The firft tribe at Themifcyra remain'd, O'er this Hippolyta, their emprefs, reign'd; There dwelt the fair Lycaftian dames apart, 1240 Here the Chadefians, fkill'd to lance the dart. Th' enfuing day the delegated band Approach'd with oars the rough Chalybian land ; Whofe fons ne'er yoke their oxen to the plough, Nor healing plants, nor fruits delicious know: 1245 Nor aught delight they in th' irriguous mead, Retir'd and ftill, their fleecy flocks to feed ; But they dig iron from the mountain's fide, And by this ore are nature's wants fupply'd. Devoid of toil ne'er beam'd Aurora's ray, 125* And duft and fmoke obfcur'd the difrnal day* From thence they pafs where Tibarenians tillj Sacred to Jove, the Genetrean hill. Here, when the teeming wives are brought to bed, Their groaning hufbands hang the drooping head ; Equal attendance with their wives they claim ; 1256 The fame their diet, and their baths the fame* Next by the facred hill their oars impel Firm Argo, where the Mofiyncecians dwell. K2 la 132 fbe ARGONAUTICS of Book I L In towers they live, of folid timber fram*d, 1260 MofTynes call'd, and thence the nation nam'd : Of manners ftrange ; for they with care conceal Thofe deeds which others openly reveal , And actions, that in fecret mould be done, Perform in public and before the fun : 1265 For, like the monfters of the briftly drove, In public they perform the feats of love. Exalted in his tower that mates the fky, The monarch here difpenfes law from high : But if his judgment err, this rigid ftate 1270 Condemns their chief, and ftarving is his fate. Thefe nations paft, with unremitting oar They reach, Aretias, thy fea-girt fhore. Then funk the breezes with the clofing day, ovsC When down the fky defcending they furvey 1275 A winged monfter of enormous might, Whjch toward the Ihip precipitates her flight. Her wings me fhook, and from her pinions flung A dart-like quill, which on O'ileus hung ; Down his left moulder fwift it fell : no more, 1280 Faint and enfeebled, could he hold his oar. In filence long the Grecian heroes gaze, And view the feathery javelin with amaze. But Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 133 But Erybotes, foon approaching near, Extracted from the chief the winged fpear; 1285 Then from his fide his pendent belt unbound, And wrapp'd that bandage o'er the gaping wound. When, lo ! a fecond bird appear'd in view, But ready Clytius firft had bent his yew ; By his keen fhaft the feather'd monfter (lain 1290 Faft by the fhip fell headlong in the main. Then thus Amphidamas : ' My friends, ye know, 4 And thefe obfcene voracious fiends forefliow * Aretias near : then lift to what I fay, Fruitlefs are fhafts to drive thefe pefts away; 129,5 * But, would you here a fit reception find, * Recall th' advice of Phineus to your mind. * For when Alcides to Arcadia went 4 Well arm'd with arrows, on his toils intent, 4 From the Stymphalian lake he fail'd to fright 1300 4 Thefe ravenous Harpies (I beheld the fight) ' But when he rung a cymbal with his fpear 5 4 The clanging cymbal fill'd the birds with fear : * In wild confufion far away they fly, ' And with (hrill clamours pierce the diftant fky. 1 305 6 'Tis ours to practife this expulfive art ; * But hear ye firft the counfel I impart ; K 3 ' Let 134- fbe ARGONAUTICS of Book II. 6 Let half our crew, In glittering armour drefs'd, * Nod, as by turns they row, the high-plum'd creft ; * The reft bright fpears and fwords and ihields pro- vide, 1310 'And meet difpofe them round the vcflePs fide. * Then all atpnee your voices raife on high, ' And with loud pealing fhouts aflail the fky ; ' The deafening clamours, the protended fpears, 6 And nodding crefts will fill the birds with fears. 1315 ' And when Arenas' barren ifle ye gain, * Ring your broad bucklers, and all fhout amain.* He fpoke, the chiefs approv'd the wife defign ; High on their heads the brazen helmets fhine, Whofe purple crefts wav'd dreadful in the wind j 1320 To thefe alternate were flout oars afiign'd ; The reft with care their vefiel's fide conceal'd With glittering fpears, and many a mining fhield. As when induftrious builders cover o'er With tiles the walls their hands had rais'd beforej 1325 In chequer'd fquares they decorate the roof, And make it fair to view, and tern pefc-p roof : Thus they with fhields, difpos'd in order due, Shdter'd thqir veffel, and adorn'd it too. As when embattled hofts their foes affail, 1330 Tumultuous (houts, and martial founds prevail ; * 9o Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 135 % So from the flilp loud clamours pierc'd the fky , No more the Greeks their feather'd foes defcry : Rattling their bucklers, near the land they drew, And far away the winged furies flew. 1 335 So when great Jove on clofe-throng'd cities pours From hyperborean clouds his haily fhow'rs ; Within, the dwellers fit in peace profound, Nor heed the rattling ftorms that rage around , In vain the hail defcends, the tempefts roar, 1340 Their roofs from harm were well fecur'd before : Thus on their fhields the furies ftiot their quills, Then clamouring vanim'd to far diftant hills. Say, Mufe, why Phineus counfei'd here to land, On Mars's ifle, this delegated band ? 1345 And what advantage could the Grecians gain From all the toils and perils of the main ? To fam'd Orchomenos, with favouring gale, From JEsCs walls the fons of Phrixus fail, Their grandfire's vaft inheritance to lhare, *35O Who dying left this voyage to their care. Near Mars's ifland on this fignal day The fons of Phrixus plongh'd the liquid way. But Jove ordain'd that Boreas' blafls fliould blow, While moift Arfturus foak'd the vales below. 1355 K 4 Firft 1 36 5T& AERONAUTICS of Book II, Firft on the mountains, riling by degrees, All day rough Boreas fhook the trembling trees ; Then, night approaching, he with hideous found Roll'd the big wave, and heav'd the vaft profound. No ftars appear tranflucent thro' the clouds, 136.0 But gloomy darknefs every objedl fhrouds. The fons of Phrixus, toft by whelming Wuves, With horror fhudder'd at the watery graves ; For the fierce blaft, impell'd with might and main, Tore all their canvafs, fplit the fliip in twain 1 365 And dafh'd to pieces ; but by heaven's kind aid On a large fragment of the wreck convey'd, The winds and waves the trembling brothers bore Aghaft, and half expiring to the fhore. Inftant in floods defcended copious rain, 1 370 Drench'd the whole ifland, and increas'd the main ; (Thefe fhores, the neighbouring coaft, and facred hill The rude, the barbarous Moflynoecians till) Borne on a broken plank, the forceful blaft The fons of Phrixus on this ifland caft, 1375 Who met the Grecians with the rifing fun ; Ceas'd was the rain, and Argus thus begun : 6 Adjur'd by Jove, whofe circumfpe<5tive ken ! Surveys the conduct and the cares of men, ! Whatc'er Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 137 * Whate'er your name or race, our tale attend, 1 380 * And to the wretched your affiflance lend, * The raging ftorms that Neptune's empire fweep, * Have wreck'd our lucklefs veflel in the deep j ' To you we pray, if pity touch your heart, ' Some fcanty raiment for our wants impart; 1385 ' The fons of mifery for mercy call ; ' To one low level forrow finks us all. ' They who to proftrate fuppliants lend an ear, The laws of hofpitable Jove revere. All-prefent he hath liften'd to our pray'r, 1390 ' And finking fav'd us with a parent's care.' Then ^Efon's fon (fulfilling Phineus' plan) Thus queftion'd mild the miferable man -, " But firft, of truth obfervarit, frankly tell, " In what far region of the world ye dwell ; 1395 " What bufmefs call'd you from your native coaft, *' What race ye fprung from, and what names ye boaft." Then Argus thus : ' Ye, fure, have heard the fame * Of Phrixus, who from Greece to JEa. came. ' To great beta's citadel he fwam 1400 ' Supported on the moulders of the ram, ' Whofe fleece now high-fufpended ye behold, * By Hermes metamorphos'd into gold. 138 The ARC ONAUT I'cs of Book II. ' On the tall oak's high top it hangs in view, * The ram to Jove, propitious, Phrixus flew. 1405 c The generous king receiv'd him as his gueft, * And with undower'd Chalciope he blefs'd. " From thefewe fprung-, but Phrixus breathes no more, ' His bones lie buried on the Colchian more. * We now to fam'd Orchomenos repair, 1410 * The wide domains cf Athamas to (hare -, ' Such were the laft injun&ions of our fire : 6 Our bufinefs this if ye our names require, ' This Cytiforus y that will Phrontis claim, ' He furnam'd Melas, Argus is my name.' 1415 He fpoke : the Argonauts with ftill amaze, And fecrtt tranfport on the ftrangers gaze. Then Jafon mark'd the much-enduring man, And thus with mild benevolence began : " Friends as ye are, and near relations too, 1420 ' To us for fuccour not in vain ye fue. " Cretheus and Athamas their fire the fame ; " And Cretheus was my honour'd grandfire's name : With thefe companions join'd, I fail from Greece To Colchos, famous for the golden fleece - 1425 " Some diftant day, at cafe may we relate *; Thefe ftrange events, and all our various fate. v Now Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 139 *' Now lhall warm robes to clothe your limbs be giv'n, 1 " We meet conduced by the hand of heav'n." ' He faid, and from the fliip rich veftments fent; 1430 Then to the facred fane of Mars they went. From fleecy flocks they drain'd the life-warm blood, And all devoutly round the altar flood , This, of fmall ftones compos'd, was plac'd before The lofty temple's double-folding door : 1435 (Within the fane a ftone of fable hue Stood where the Amazons their victims flew ; Who held it lawlefs, when they fojourn'd here, To flay the meep, or facrifice the fleer ; Inflead of thefe the full-fed, pamper'd fleed 1440 Was doom'd, a victim at this fane, to bleed.) Thefe rites difpatch'd, and hunger's rage reprefs'd, Thus Eton's fon the liftening hod addrefs'd : " Impartial Jove the race of man regards j " The bad he punimes, the juft rewards: 1445 *' As from a bloody flepdame's rage of yore 44 He fav'd your fire, and bled with ample flore, " So he preferv'd you from the whelming deep, tl And in this veffcl will fecurely keep j " Whether for ^a in our fhip ye fail, 1450 * Or ito far Phthia court the favouring gale. 140 he ARGON AUTICS of Book If. c< For this fam'd fhip of Pelion's pines was made, et And form'd by Argus, with Minerva's aid ; 11 But ftorms had lalh'd her, ere, with hideous (hock, !C She reach'd thofe ftraits, where rock encounters rock. 1455 " Then lend your aid to gau the golden fleece, tc And be our guides to bring it back to Greece. " Jove feems incens'd, and we this voyage take, To footh his anger, and for Phrixus* fake." Ardent he fpoke , but they defpair'd to find, 1460 JEeta c?f fo traclable a mind, To yield the fleece: then Argus thus replies, Alarm'd and troubled at their bold emprife 5 4 Whate'er our powers can grant, or wifhes gain, c The fons of Greece fhall never afk in vain. 146^ * But proud ^Eeta, cruel and fevere, * I loath the tyrant, and his power I fear ; * The Sun his fire, fo fame relates, he boafts ; * Unnumber'd fubjects guard his ample coafts ; * For mighty ftrength he ftands renown'd afar, 1470 ' And voice terrific as the God of war. ' The golden prize a monftrous dragon keeps ; * Hard talk to feize it, for he never deeps. * Earth on rough Caucafus a being gave ! To this fierce beaft near Typhaonia's cave, 1475 5 ! Where Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS.' 141 * Where huge Typhceus, as old (lories prove, 4 Was ftruck by lightning from almighty Jove, ' When fierce in arms againft heaven's king he flood ; ' From his head ifiVd warm corrupted blood ; * To Nyfa's hills, to Nyfa's plains he flies, 1480 c And now beneath Serbonian marfhes lies. He faid ; diftrefs'd To fad a tale to hear, On every countenance fat pallid fear; When Peleus thus with confidence reply'd, And gave that courage which their fears deny'd : 1485 *' Defpair not, friend ; for we difdain to yield, " Nor dread to meet ^Eeta in the field. " We too are fkill'd in war, and draw our line cc From godlike chiefs, and origin divine. " Incens'd fhould he the fleecy gold detain, 1490 ** He'll afk, I truft, the Colchians' aid in vain." Converfmg thus the chiefs their thoughts exprefs'd, And fated with repair, reclin'd to reft. With rifing morn the gently-breathing gales Play'd round the pine, and fill'd thefwelling fails; 1495 The fwelling fails expanded by the wind Soon left Aretias' barren fhore behind ; And fwiftly fkimming o'er the watery vaft, The Philyrean ifle at eve they pad ; Where 142 W* ARGONAUTICS of Book II. Where Saturn firft fair Philyra furvey'd, 1500 When on Olympus he the Titans fway'd, (Nurs'd by the fierce Curetes, yet a child, Young Jove was hid in Cretan caverns wild) Unknown to Rhea he the maid comprefs'd ; But foon to Rhea was the crime confefs'd ; I 55 Detected Saturp left his bed with fpeed, And fprung all-vigorous as a mane-crown'd fteed. Swift fled fair Philyra, abafh'd with ihame, And to the hills of Theffaly fhe came : Fam'd Chiron fprung from this embrace fo odd, 1510 Ambiguous, half a horfe, and half a God. From thence they fail by long Macronian ftrands, And where Bechira's ample coaft expands ; Shores where Byzerians wander far and wide, And fierce Sapirians, ftigmatiz'd for pride ; 1515 And favour'd by the foft impelling wind, Leave numerous coafts and lands unnam'd behind : And, failing fwiftly o'er the waves, furvey, Far on the Pontic main, an opening bay , Then, Caucafus, thy hills were feen on high, 1520 That rear their rocky fummits in the fky j Fix'd to thefe rocks Prometheus dill remains, For ever bound in adamantine chains : Ojv Book II. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 143 On the rude cliffs a ravenous eagle breeds, That on the wretch's entrails ever feeds. *52 : > The Grecians faw him, ere th' approach of night, Soar high in air, loud hifiing'in his flight : Around the fhip he flew in airy rings, The fails all fhivering as he fhook his wings : Not as a light aerial bird he foars, *53^ But moves his pinions like well-polilh'd oars. The ravenous bird now ru filing from the fkies, Sudden, they heard Prometheus' piercing cries : The heavens re-echoed to the doleful found, While the fell eagle gnaw'd the recent wound. 1535 Till gorg'd with flefh the bird of Jove they fpy'd Again defcending from the mountain's fide. Night now approaching, near the land they drew, And Argus well his native country knew -, For, Phafis, thy'wide-fpreading flood they gain, 1540 And the laft limits of the Pontic main. At length arriv'd, fo many dangers paft, They furl the mainfail, and they lower the maft : Their bending oars the mighty ftream divide ; The ftream receives them on his foaming tide. 1545 All on the left, in ancient rolls renown'd, Rife /Ea's walls with glittering turrets crown'd ; And i 144 3^* ARGONAUTICS of Book If. And on the right the field, not diftant far, And grove, both facred to the God of war -, Where on an oak the fleece, fufpende'd high, 1550 A dragon guards with ever-watchful eye. Then Jafon haftes, impatient to confign To the pure ftream the unpolluted wine, And from a golden vafe fulfils the rite divine, Sacred to earth, to Gods that guard the coafts, 1555 And ancient heroes' long-departed ghofts : For their protection he preferr'd his pray'r, To keep the fhip with tutelary care. Then thus Ancseus : ' Numerous perils paft, c Colchos and Phafis we behold at laft; 1560 c Behoves you now your fage advice to lend, ' Whether to treat JEeta as a friend, c With fpeech accordant, and compliance bland, * Or in rough terms the golden prize demand.' Thus he; but Jafon urg'd, at Argus' call, 1565 High up the fedgy ftream the mip to haul ; Which, undifturb'd, might there at anchor ride In the calm bofom of the peaceful tide : There fought the chiefs the blefllngs of repofe, And flept fecure till grateful morning rofe. 1570 END OF THE SECOND BOOK. THE THIRD BOOK, THE ARGUMENT. Juno and, Pallas intercede with Venus. 'They requeft that Jhe would perfuade Cupid to infpire Medea with love for Jafon. Venus confents ; and the Jhafts of Cupid, at her fait, have their deftred e/etl. Jafon, Augeas and Telamon proceed to the court of jEeta, where they are hofpitably entertained. But, having beard the occafion of their voyage, Meta is incenfed t and refufes to beftow tbe Golden Fleece on Jafon, unlefs on fuch terms, as he prefumed he dnrft not comply with. *The pajfion of Medea for Jafon is defcribed with great Jjmplicity and delicacy. Medea early in the morning repairs to the temple of Hecate : thither Jafon, at the fuggeftion of Mopfus, follows her. The poet dwells particularly on their interview and conference. Medea inftrufts him how to fubdue the brazen bulls and ar- mies of giants. With Jafon's combat > and the fuccefs cf it, the book concludes. THE ( 147 ) THE ARGONAUTICS O F APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. BOOK III. ^"^OME, heavenly maid, thy timely fuccour bring, ^^ And teach thy poet, Erato, to fmg, How Jafon, favour'd by the Colchian maid, To Grecian realms the golden prize convey'd. Thy fongs the rites of Cyprian blifs proclaim, And in young virgins raife the melting flame j For the foft paffion thy behefls approve, And Erato's the kindred name of love. Conceal'd in fedges as the heroes lie, Juno and Pallas mark'd them from the fky ; 10 Apart from all the Gods their feats they took In heaven's high hall, and thus Saturnia fpoke : " Daughter of Jove, thy fage advice impart, " By what nice fraud, what well-diflembled art, L * _" Thefe 148 tfke ARGONAUTICS of Book III. 4 Thefe venturous chiefs fhall gain the golden fleece, " And fafe convey it to the realms of Greece. 16 " Say, fhall they call entreaties to their aid ? " Will foft addrefs the wayward king perfuade, *' So fam'd for fierce barbarity and pride ? " No art, no effort muft be left untry'd." 2 She faid ; and Pallas thus : ' O Queen, I find ; The fame ideas rifing in my mind : c To lend affiftance to the Grecian train ' My heart is willing, but my counfel vain.' This faid, their minds on various projects ran, 25 On earth their eyes were fix'd, when Juno thus began: " To Venus inftant let us fpeed our way, " (Her foft perfuafions Cupid will obey) " Intreat her that the wily God infpire 44 Medea's foul with love's unconquer'd fire, 30 ic Love for great ^Efon's fon j applauding Greece " Will by her aid regain the glorious fleece." She faid ; Minerva patronis'd the plan, And thus with mild benevolence began : c I, who arofe from Jove's immortal brain, 35 * 'Stranger to love, his pleafure or his pain, ' Thy fage propofal from my foul approve ; * Do thou explain it to the queen of love.' This Book III. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 149 This faid, with fpeed the two immortals came To the grand manfion of the Cyprian dame, 40 Which crippled Vulcan rais'd, when firft he led The^Paphian goddefs to his nuptial bed. The gate they pafs, and to the dome retire Where Venus oft regales the God of fire : (He to his forge had gone at early day, 45 A floating ifle contain'd it on the bay, Here wondrous works by fire's fierce power he wrought, And on his anvil to perfection brought.) Fronting the door, all lovely and alone. Sat Cytherea on a polim'd throne, 50 Adown the moulders of the heavenly fair, In eafy ringlets flow'd her flaxen hair ; And with a golden comb, in matchlefs grace, She taught each lock its moft becoming place. She faw the deities approach her dome, 55 And from her hand difmifs'd the golden comb ; Then rofe refpectful, all with beauty grac'd, And on rich thrones the great immortals plac'd i Refum'd her feat, and with a ready hand Bound her loofe ringlets, and thus queftion'd bland : * What caufe, ye vifitants from heaven, relate, 61 ! Has brought fuch guefts to Cytherea 's gate ? 150 Me ARGONAUTICS of Book III. * Ye who excel in high Olympus' fphere, ' Such mighty deities, and ftrangers here ?' Then thus Saturnia : " Wantonly you j eft, 65 " When preffing grief fits heavy on our breaft. " Now in the Phafis, with his warlike train, " Great Jafon moors, the golden fleece to gain : " For that fam'd chief, and for his martial hoft, "' Dire fears alarm us, but for Jafon moft : 70 " This potent arm, whate'er our prowefs can, " Shall fnatch from mifery the gallant man, " Tho' far as hell he, rafh adventurer ! go, " To free Ixion, link'd in chains of woe j " Left Pelias proudly heaven's decrees deride, 75 " Who on my altars facrifice deny'd. " Nay more, young Jafon claims my love and grace, " Whom late I met returning from the chace, " Returning met, as o'er the world I ftray'd, '* And human kind, and human works furvey'd ; 80 " Hard by Araurus I beheld the man, ' Wide o'er its banks whofe rapid currents ran ; 14 (From fnow-clad hills, in torrents loud and ftrong, Roar'd the fwoln ftreams the rugged rocks among.) He on his back, though like a crone I flood, 85 !* Securely brought me o'er the foaming flood ; * " Thi* Book III. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 151 This won my love, a love for ever true, " Nor will the haughty-minded Pelias rue " His flagrant crimes, till you propitious deign ' To fpeed my Jafon to his Greece again." 90 She fpoke, and Venus flood amaz'd to find The queen of heaven to humble prayer inclin'd ; Then thus familiar faid : * O wife of Jove, 4 Bafeft of beings call the queen of love, * Unlefs her every word and work confpire 95 ' To give you all the fuccour you require : * All that my hand, my feeble hand can do, * Shall unrewarded be perform'd for you.' Then Juno thus : " Not difficult the talk ; 44 No mighty force, no flrength of arm I afk. 100 " Bid gentle Love the Colcl^ian maid infpire, " And for my Jafon fan the rifmg fire ; " If kind me prove, he gains the golden fleece, " And by her fubtle aid conduces it fafe to Greece." Love's queen replied : * Cupid, ye powers divine, 105 4 Will reverence your injunctions more than mine : 4 Your looks will awe him, tho', devoid of mame, * Of me the urchin makes eternal game, * Oft he provokes my fpleen, and then I vow, 4 Enrag'd, I'll break his arrows and his bow : no L 4 " Reftrain 1556 ttc ARGONAUTICS of Book III. " Reftrain your ire," exclaims the fneering elf, * e Left you find reafon to upbraid yourfelf." At this the Powers with fmiles each other view'd, And Venus thus her woeful tale purfu'd : * Others may ridicule the pains I feel, ij * Nor boots it all my fuflferings to reveal. c But fince ye jointly importune my aid, * Cupid mall yield, and Venus be obey'd.' She faid ; and Juno prefs'd her hand and foiil'd, Then anfwered thus, benevolent and mild ; 120 " O grant this boon-, do inftant as you fay ; 46 Chide not the boy, and he will foon obey." This faid, both haften'd to the realms above, And left the inanfions of the queen of love : The Cyprian goddefs o'er Olympus flies, 125 To find her fon in every dale me pries, Through heaven's gay meads the queen purfu'd her way, And found him there with Ganymede at play. Him Jove tranflated to the bleft abodes, And, fam'd for beauty, plac'd among the Gods. 130 With golden dice, like boon compeers they play'd : Love in his hollow hancl fome cubes convey'd, RefolvM to cheat young Ganymede with thofe, While on his cheeks the confcious crimfon rofe. The Book III. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS, 153 The Phrygian boy was vanquifh'd to his coft, 135 Two dice alone remain'd, and thofe he loft. Silent he fat in dull dejected ftate, Enrag'd that Cupid fhould deride his fate : His lofs increafmg with protracted play, He went a wretch with empty hands away, 140 Nor faw he Venus : fhe her Cupid took Faft by the cheek, and thus upbraiding fpoke ; * And can you laugh, you fly, deceitful elf? 1 Such tricks will bring a fcandal on yourfelf. ' But hafte, my Cupid, my commands obey, 145 4 And a nice plaything ihall your toils repay, * What once to Jove dear Adraftasa gave, * When Jove was nourifh'd in the Cretan cave, * A fweet round ball ; oh ! keep it for my fake, * A finer ball not Vulcan's hands can make. 150 ' Gold are the circles, beauteous to behold, ' And all the finifh'd feams are wrought in gold ; ' But all fo clofe they fcarcely can be found : * And the pale ivy winds its wreaths around. * If high in air you fling this ball afar, 155 ' Jt fhines and glimmers like a radiant ftar. * This prize I'll give, if you propitious prove, J And lure Medea to the toils of love ; * Fire 154 Vfa ARGON AW TICS df Book III. * Fire all her foul for Jafon : hafte, away ; * The favour is diminifli'd by delay.' 160 She faid, and Cupid liftening long'd to hear, For her fweet words are mufic to his ear. He ceas'd his paftime, and with both his hands Hangs on the Goddefs, and the ball demands. She kifs'd her boy, and prefs'd him to her cheek, 165 And fondly fmiling thus fhe anfwer'd meek : * By thee, my fon, and by myfelf I fwear, * By all that's facred, and by all that's dear, * This ball I'll give thee, if thy fatal dart * Thou fix unerring in Medea's heart.' 170 This faid ; he gather'd all his dice with hafte, And in his mother's fplendid lap he plac'd. Then fnatch'd his bow and quiver from the ground, And to his back with golden girdle bound. From Jove's all-fertile plains he fwift withdrew, 175 And thro' Olympus' golden portals flew. Thence the defcent is eafy from the Iky, Where the two poles erect their heads on high, Where the tall mountains their rough tops difplay, And where the fun firft gives the radiant day. 180 Hence you behold the fertile earth below, The winding ftreams^ the cliffs' aerial brow, Citie? Book III. APOLLONIUS RHODITTS. 155 Cities extended on the diftant plain, And thro' the vail expanfe the roaring main. On the broad Phafis, in a fedgy bay, 185 Stretch'd on the deck the Grecian heroes lay -, Till call'd to council rofe each godlike man, And Jafon thus the conference began : " To yon, my comrades, be my counfel known, " *Tis yours that counfel with fuccefs to crown. 190 " One common caufe our great emprife is made ; " The common caufe demands the common aid. " He who unutter'd can his counfel keep, " Stays our refailing o'er the founding deep. " I to /Eeta's court will fpeed my way, 195 " The reft well-arm'd (hall in the veflel Hay ; " With me (hall go, the palace to explore, " Phrixus' brave ions, and two afibciates more. " Firft will I prove the power of foft addrefs " To gain the fleece ; complacence wins fuccefs. 200 " If in his arms he fternly mould confide, *' And fpurn our claims with infolence and pride, " Confult we whether, when fuch powers opprefs, '* By arms or arts to free us from diftrefs. ** Be force the lad alternative we take, 205 ** For foothing fpeeches deep imprefiions make ; " And 156 bt ARGONAUTICS of Book III. " And oft, where force and martial prowefs fail, 4 The milder powers of eloquence prevail. " Once king ^Eeta kind reception gave To blamelefs Phrixus, when efcap'd the wave 210 " He fled from Ino's unrelenting hate, " And the dire altars that denounc'd his fate. c Farewell, Chalciope -, far hence I roam ! c And thou farewell, my firft, my deareft home! 40 Oh ! hadft thou, ftranger, in deep ocean drown'd,- c Perim'd, and never trod on Colchian ground !' ' She fpoke, and tears her heart-felt woe betray'd ; Then fled (he inftant. Thus the captive maid, ; > When, from her friends and country banifh'd far, 45 She (hares the miferable fate of war, Difus'd to toil beneath a tyrant's fvvay, Flies from oppreffion's rod with fpeed away. With fpeed like her's the weeping fair withdrew : The doors fpontaneous open'd as me flew, 50 Shook by her magic fong - 3 barefoot me ftrays Thro' winding paths and unfrequented ways. Before her face one hand her vefture holds, And one confines its border's flowing folds. Beyond the city-walls with trembling hafte, 55 Unfeen of all the centinels, fhe pafs'd, Then by accuftom'd paths explor'd the fane, Where fpeftres rife, and plants diffufe their bane 5 (Thus practife magic maids their myftic art) Fears ill portending flutter round her heart. 60 Her frenzy Cynthia, rifing bright, furvey'd, And this foliloquy in triumph made ; 214 y<&* ARC ONAU TICS of Book IV. Yes, with Endymion's heavenly charms o'ercome, * I to the cave at Latmos once could roam, ' Of love regardful, when your potent lay 65 ' Had from the ftarry fpheres feduc'd my ray, ' That you, protected by the gloom of night, ' Might celebrate unfeen the myflic rite, * Your lov'd employ : now Cupid's mafts fubdue, * Not Cynthia only, but, fair forcerefs, you. 70 * For you his toils the wily god hath wove, * And all your heart inflam'd with Jafon's love. ' Come then, thofe pangs which love ordains endure, * And bear with courage what you cannot cure.* She faid : impetuous haftening to the flood, 75 Soon on its lofty banks Medea flood. A fire, which midnight's deadly gloom difpell'd, Signal of conqueft gain'd, (he here beheld. Involved in (hade, the folitary dame Rais'd her flirill voice, and calPd onPhrontis' name. 80 Known was her voice to Phrixus' fons, who bear The grateful tidings to their leader's ear. The truth diicover'd, the confederate hoft AH filent flood, in wild amazement loft. Loud call'd me thrice - y and with refpon five cries, 85 His friends requefting, Phromis thrice replies. Quick Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 215 Quick at her call they ply the bending oar; Nor were their halfers faften'd to the fhore, When jEfon's fon at one decifive bound Leaps from the lofty deck upon the ground ; 90 Phrontis and Argus haften to her aid, Whole knees embracing, thus Medea pray'd : ' Oh ! fave me, friends, from my offended fire, ' Oh ! fave yourfelves from dread beta's ire. ' Known are our projects : fail we hence afar, 95 ' Ere JEa's monarch mounts his rapid car. ' My magic charms fliall clofe the dragon's eyes, * And foon reward you with the golden prize. e But thou, lov'd gueft, continue faithful ftill, ' And fwear whate'er thou promis'dft to fulfil : 100 ' Ah ! leave me not to infamy a fcorn, * By all my friends abandon'd and forlorn.' Plaintive me fpoke : his arms around her waift Rapturous he threw, then rais'd her and embrac'd, And folac'd thus in terms of tendered love : 105 " By heaven's high king I fwear, Olympian Jove, " By Juno, goddefs of the nuptial rite, " Soon as my native land tranfports my fight, " Thou, lovely virgin, fhalt be duly led, " Adorn'd with honours, to my bridal bed." no P 4 This 216 ^he ARGON AU TICS of Book IV, This faid, in her's he clos'd his plighted hand : To Mars's grove Medea gave command, Spite of her fire, the veflel to convey, And bear by night the golden fleece away. Swift at the word they fprung ; the Colchian maid 1 15 Embark'd, and inftant was their anchor weigh'd. Their craftiing oars refound : me oft to land Reverts her eye, and waves her trembling hand; But ^Efon's fon his ready aid affords, And fooths her forrows with confoling words. 120 Wak'd by their hounds, what time the huntfmen rife, 'And {bake the balm of (lumber from their eyes, At twilight, ere Aurora's dreaded ray Efface the tracks, and waft the fcent away : Jafon, then landing with the fair, attains, 125 With flowers diverfified, the verdant plains, Where firft the ram, with Phrixus' weight opprefs'd, His wearied knee inclin'd, and funk to reft. Hard by, an altar's {lately ftructure {lands, To favouring Jove firft rais'd by Phrixus' hands, 130 Where he the golden monfter doom'd to bleed ; So his conductor Hermes had decreed. Here, as by Argus taught, the chiefs withdrew, While their lone courfe the regal pair purftie 2 Thro 1 Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 217 Thro 5 the thick grove, impatient to behold 135 The fpreading beech that bears the fleecy gold. Sufpended here, it darts a beamy blaze, Like a cloud tipp'd with Phoebus' orient rays. With high-arch'd neck, in front the dragon lies, And towards the fttangers turns his fleeplefs eyes j 140 Aloud he hifTes : the wide woods around, And PhanY banks return the doleful found. Colchians, far diftant from Titanus' more, Heard ev'n to Lycus' ftreams the hideous roar ; Lycus, who, fever'd from Araxis' tides, 145 A boifterous flood, with gentle Phafis glides : One common courfe their ftreams united keep, And roll united to the Cafpian deep. The mother, ftarting from her bed of reft, Fears for her babe reclining on her bread, 150 And clofely clafping to her fondling arms, Protects her trembling infant from alarms. As from fome wood, involv'cl in raging fires, Clouds following clouds aicend in curling fpires : The fmoky wreaths in long fucceffion climb, 155 And from the bottom rife in air fublime ; The dragon thus his fcaly volumes roll'd, Wreath'd his huge length, and gather'd fold in fold. Him. 2i8 The ARGOI^AUTICS of Book IV. Him, winding flow, beheld the magic dame, And Sleep invok'd the monfter's rage to tame. 160 With potent fong the drowfy God me fway'd To fummon all his fuccour to her aid ; And Hecate from Pluto's coafls (lie drew, To lull the dauntlefs monfter, and fubdue. Jafon advanc'd with awe, with awe beheld 165 The dreaded dragon by her magic quell'd. Lifelefs he lay, each languid fold unbound, And his vafl fpine extended on the ground. Thus, when the boifterous wave forbears to roar, It finks recumbent on the peaceful more. 170 Still ftrove the monfter his huge head to heave, And in his deadly jaws his 'foe receive. A branch of juniper the maid applies, Steep'd in a baneful potion, to his eyes : Its odours ftrons; the branch diffusM around, 175 And funk th' enormous beaft in fleep profound. Supine he funk ; his jaws forgot to move, And his unnumber'd folds are fpread o'er half the grove. Then Jafon to the beech his hand applies, And grafps, at her command, the golden prize. iSo Still flie perfifts to ply the potent fpcll, And the laft vigour of the monfter quell, Till Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 219 Till he advis'd her to rejoin the crew ; Then from the grove of Mars the maid withdrew. As fome fair dame, when Cynthia rifes bright, 185 Beholds the beamy fplendors with delight, Which from her veftment ftrong-reflected rife ; Thus gloried Jafon in the glittering prize. The flaming rays, that from its furface flow'd, Beam'd on his cheeks, and on his forehead glow'd. 190 Large as the heifer's hide, or as the hind's, Which in Achaia's plains the hunter finds, Shone the thick, ponderous fleece, whofe golden rays Far o'er the land diffus'd a beamy blaze. He on his moulders, now, the fpoil fufpends, 195 Low at his feet the flowing train defcends ; Collecting, now, within its ponderous folds, His grafping hand the coftly capture holds/ Fearful he moves, with circumfpect furvey, Left men or gods mould fnatch the prize away. 200 Now as returning mom illumes the land, The royal pair rejoin the gallant band. The gallant band beheld with wondering eyes, Fierce as Jove's fiery bolt, the radiant prize. Their hands extending as they flock around, 205 All wilh to heave the trophy from the ground. i But 22p Vie ARGONAUTICS of Book IV, But Jafon interdicting fmgly threw O'er the broad fleece a covering rich and new ; Then in the fhip he plac'd the virgin-gueft, And thus the liftening demigods addrefs'd: 2IO ' No longer doubt ye, comrades, to regain * Far o'er a length of feas your lov'd domain. * For fee, the end of all our glorious toil, f-Yf'on.by Medea's aid, this precious fpoil!> bY * Her, not reluctant, I to Greece will bear, 215 ' And with connubial honours crown her there, ' Guard your fair patronefs, ye gallant crew, ' Who fav'd your country when me fuccour'd you. * Soon will ^Eeta with his Colchian train * Preclude, I ween, our paiTage to the main. 220 * Some with your oars refume your deilin'd feat ; . * Some with your fhields fecure your wifh'd retreat j 6 This rampire forming, we their darts defy, * Nor, home returning, unreveng'd will die. * Lo ! on our prowefs all we love depends, 225 Our children, parents, country and our friends. ' Greece, as we fpeed, thro' future times fliall boaft * Her empire fix'd, or wail her glory loft.' He faid, and arm'd ; the heroes ihout applaufe : Then from its pendent fheath his fword he draws, 230 Severs ,i Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 221 Severs the halfer, and, in arms array'd, His ftation fixes near the magic maid, And where Ancseus' hand the pilot's art difplay'd. Keen emulation fir'd the labouring crew, As down the ftream of Phafis Argo flew. 235 Medea's flight now reach'd beta's ear, And all her crimes in all their guilt appear. To council call'd, in arms the Colchian train Rufh thick as billows on the roaring main, Thick as the leaves that flutter from above, 240 When blafting autumn ftrips the faded grove ; So thick the mouting Colchians rum to war, Led by JEeta. in his fplendid car, Glorying in Phoebus' gifts, his rapid fleeds, Whofe fwiftnefs far the fpeed of winds exceeds. 245 His left a buckler's wide circumference rais'd ; In his extended right a flambeau blaz'd ; His girded belt; a mighty fpear fuftains -, His fon Abfyrtus grafps the flowing reins. Now by tough oars impell'd and profperous tides, 2501 The veffel. glibly down the river glides. Th* indignant king invo.k'd the powers above, His parent Phoebus, and almighty Jove, His wrongs to vvimefs : and to fudden fate Doom'd in his fury the devoted ftate. 55 Who 222 The ARCONAUTICS of Book IV, Who dar'd delay the guilty maid to bring, From land or ocean, to their injur'd king, On their rebellious heads his wrath Ihould fall, And vengeance merited o'ertake them all. Thus menac'd he; and, lo! the Colchian train 260 Launch'd on that day their vefiels in the main ; Swift, on that day, unfurl'd their bellying fails, And all embarking caught the balmy gales. Nor deem ye this a well-train'd naval hoft; Like flocks of birds they fcream around the coaft. 265 Juno, propitious to her favourite-crew, Irifpir'd the breezes that ferenely blew, That foon on Grecian land the fair might tread, And pour dcftruction down on Pelias' head. With the third morn, on Paphlagonia's more, 270 Where Halys rolls his ftream, the heroes moor. Medea here ordain'd a folemn rite To Hecate, the magic queen of night. But what, or how Ihe form'd the potent fpell, Let none enquire, nor mail my numbers tell : 275 Fear holds me filent. Here the pious band Erect a facred temple on the flrand, Sacred to Hecate, night's awful queen -, And ftill befide the beach the holy fane is feen. And Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 223 And now the words of Phineus, old and blind, 280 Recurr'd to Jafon, and each hero's mind. From JEz he advis'd them to purfue A different courfe, a courfe no pilot knew, Which Argos thus delineates to the crew : 4 When towards Orchomenos our courfe we bent, 285 4 We took that route th' inftruclive prophet meant. 4 For in times paft a different road was known, 4 And this thy priefts, Egyptian Thebes, have fhewn. 4 Before the flars adorn'd the faphire-fphere, * Or Danaus' race had reach'd th' enquirer's ear; 290 4 In Greece the bold Arcadians reign'd alone, 4 And, ere bright Cynthia deck'd her filver throne, 4 On acorns liv'd, the food of favage man ; 4 Before Deucalion's ions their reign began ; 1 With harvefts, then, was fertile ./Egypt crown'd, 295 * Mother of mighty chiefs, of old renown'd ; 4 Then the broad Triton, beauteous to behold, * His ftreams prolific o'er the country roll'd. 4 For Jove defcends not there in bounteous rains, 4 But inundations fertilize the plains. 300 4 Hence role the matchlefs chief (if fame fays true) 4 Who conquer'd Europe's realms and Afia's too ; * His hardy troops embattled at his fide, * He on his valour and thofe troops rely'd, ' Who 224 22* ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. ' He built and peopled with fuperior (kill 305 ' Unnumber'd cities, fome remaining dill. * Though many ages now have pafs'd away, * Yet JEa Hands, nor haftens to decay j 4 Peopled at firft by his adventurous train, * Whofe long- continued race ev'n now remain. 310 6 With care they ilill recording tablets keep c Of all the limits of the land and deep, *' Wherever rivers flow, or ftorms prevail, 1 Wherever men can march, or mips can fail. c A river, (lately-winding, deep and wide, 315 c From far, far diftant mountains rolls its tide ; ' Where mips of burden fure protection claim : ' Long is its courfe and Ifter is its name. e Far, o'er Riphsean hills, where Boreas reigns, ' He undivided flows thro* various plains ; 320 * But when thro' Thrace and Scythian climes he glides, * In two broad flreams his rapid flood divides : * This to th' Ionian fea its circuit fweeps, * That wider ftretches to Trinacria's deeps, " Whofe lofty mores your Grecian coaft command, * If Achelous flow through Grecian land.' 326 He faid : a favouring fign the Goddefs gave, Which with new courage animates the brave. Celeftial Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 225 Celeftial fires emit a living ray, And beams of glory point the certain way. 330 Here, leaving Lycus* valiant Ton behind, They fpread with joy their canvafs to the wind. Afar the Paphlagonian hills appear j And from Carambis* cape remote they fleer, Led by the heavenly light and kindly gales, 395 Till in broad Ifter's flood the veflel fails. Where the Cyanean rocks o*erlook the^nain, Part of the Colchians fteer their courfe in vain ; While they, whofe counfels fage Abfyrtus guides, Cut through the mouth call'd Calon Ifter's tides. 340 Outfailing thus yon' tardy fhips, they fweep With fkilful oars the wide Ionian deep. An ifle, which Ifter's branching dreams comprife, Pence, triangular, before them lies : Wide o'er the beach its ample bafe extendst 345 And in the flood its pointed angle ends. The two broad ftreams, that round the ifland flow, They by Arecos' name and Calon know. Below this ifle Abfyrtus and his crew Through the wide Calon their fwift courfe purfue : 350 Above it failing Jafon's comrades ftray, And through Arecos wind their diftant way. Q^ Such 226 c Bereav'd of him, the Colchians* caufe to aid, :t And to recover thee, a captive maid, 480 '' No more the neighbouring forces will unite : 14 Inftant will I renew the defperate fight, " Secure my wifli'd return, and vindicate my right. Thus fpoke he mild : the mifchief- brood ing maid Told her dark purpofe, and, * O think,' (he faid, 485 ' Think, Jafon, now: oppofc we, as befeems, * To their deftructive deeds deftrufbive fchemes. * Urg'd firft by Love, in errour's maze I ftray'd, * And through that God is every luft obey'd. 4 Decline the fight, till I the youth betray, 490 4 And to your hands confign, an eafy prey. "* With prefents be the heecjlefs flripling lur'd : * Heralds, of faith approv'd, by me procur'd, 4 Ere long a fecret audience fhall obtain, ' And to "my purpofes Abfyrtus gain. 495 4 My plan (I reck not) if it pleafe, purfue : 4 Go, flay my brother, and the fight renew.' Such 232 The ARC QN AU T ics of Book IV, Such were the fnares the treacherous lovers laid ; And by large prefents was the prince betray'd. The heralds with thefe fpecious prefents bore 500 The veil Hypfipyle fo lately wore. Each Grace in Naxos' ifle, with art divine, Wrought the rich raiment for the God of wine j He gave it Thoas, his illuftrious heir, And Thoas to Hypfipyle the fair j 505 She gave it Jafon : wondering you behold, And with new tranfport trace th' embroider'd gold. What time with large neclareous draughts opprefs'd, On the foft vefture Bacchus funk to reft, Clofe by his fide the Cretan maid reclin'd, 510 At Naxos' ifle whom Thefeus left behind j From that blefs'd hour the robe, with odours fill'd, Ambrofial fragrance wide around diftill'd. Her guileful purpofes the magic maid In order thus before the heralds laid : 515 That, foon as night her fable lhade had fpread, And to the temple was Medea led, Thither Abfyrtus mould repair, and hear A project pleafing to a brother's ear : How me, the Golden Fleece in triumph borne, 520 Would to ./Eeta fpeed her wilh'd return ; How Book IV. APOLLO NIUS RHODIUS. 233 How Phrixus* treacherous fons prolong'd her flay, And her to cruel foes confign'd a prey. Then far me flung her potent fpells in air, Which lur'd the diftant favage from his lair. 535 Curfe of mankind ! from thee contentions flow, Difaftrous Love ! and every heart-felt woe : Thy darts the children of thy foes infeft, As now they rankle in Medea's breaft. How, vanquifh'd by her wiles, Abfyrtus fell, 530 In leemly order now my Mufe muft tell. Medea now fccur'd in Dian's fane, The Colchians haften to their mips again. Jalbn meanwhile lies in clofe ambufh, bent Abfyrtus and his friends to circumvent. 535 Hjm, yet unpraflis'd in his filter's guile, His ready Ihip had wafted to the ifle : Conceal'd in night they tugg'd their toilfome oars, Till in the bay fee u re the veflel moors. Alone, in confidence, the (tripling came, 54.0 And at Diana's porch approach'd the dame, (She like a torrent look'd, when fwoln with rain, Which foaming terrifies the village- fwain ;) To learn what fnare her wily art could lay, To drive thefe bold adventurers away, 545 And 234 be ARGON AU TICS of Book IV. And all was plann'd ; when from his ambufcade Sprung JEfon's fon, and fhook his lifted blade. The confcious fitter, (lung with fecret dread, Left her own eyes fhould view Abfyrtus dead, Turn'd from the murderous fcene afide diftrefs'd, 550 .And veil'd her guilty face beneath her veft. As falls an ox beneath the ftriker's blow, So was Abfyrtus laid by Jafon low. Near that bright fane the neighbouring Brugi built, He eyes his victim, and completes his guilt. 555 Here funk he low j and to his bleeding fide, Comprefiing both his hands, the hero died. Medea's veil receiv'd the purple flood, And her fair vefture blufh'd with brother's blood. Hell's blackeft Fury the dire fcene furvey'd, 560 And mark'd with fidelong eye the reeking blade. The pious rite for blood in fecret fpilt, Jafon fulfils, and expiates his guilt. The fkin he rafes from the body flain, Thrice licks the blood, thrice fpits it out again. 565 Then with collected earth the corfe he prefs'd j And itill his bones with Abfyrteans reft. When in full profped the bright flambeau blaz'd, Which to conduct the chiefs Medea rais'd, Elate Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 235 Elate with hope the radiant guide they view, 5/0 And near the Colchian veiTel Argo drew. As lions fierce the timorous flocks difmay, Leap o'er the folds, and drive them far away ; As trembling doves before the kite retreat, So before Argo flies the Colchian fleet. 575 Furious as flame, on all the hoft they prey'd, And low in death was each affailant laid. Jafon at length, to aid his valiant crew, Who little need his aid, appear'd in view. For not a fear their gallant hearts opprefs'd, 580 Save what their Jafon's fafety might fuggeft. The chiefs aflembled with Medea fat, And on their future voyage thus debate ; Peleus began : * Now, ere Aurora rife, ' A fpeedy embarkation I advife: 585 . * A different courfe with caution let us choofe, ' From that far different which the foe purfues. * For (fqch my fanguine hope) when morning-light ' Yon flaughter'd heaps difclofes to their fight, * No words will win them to purfue us far, 590 ' No tongue entice them to renew the war. * Sedition foon, their prince Abfyrtus dead, I Will, like a peft, o'er all their navy fpread : ' Secure 236 Me ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. Secure and free fnall we recrofs the main, Their forces fcatter'd, and their fovereisn flain.' 595 He faid ; the chiefs confented, and with hafte Re-enter'd Argo, and their oars embrac'd. Hard by Eleclris, laft of ifles, they row, Near which, Eridanus, thy waters flow. Soon as their leader's fate the Colchians knew, 600 They vow'd deftruction to the Grecian crew ; And, eager to o'ertake the Mynian train, Had traversal in their, wrath the boundlefs main, But Juno, as her thunder awful roll'd, Prefag'd her vengeance, and their pride control'd. 605 Dreading JEeta's ire, the vanquim'd hoft Far diftant voyag'd from the Colchian coaft. Unnumber'd ports the fcatter'd fleet explor'd : Some to thofe ifles repair'd where Jafon moor'd, Nam'd from Abfyrtus: fome, where (lately flows 610 The flood Illyricum, expecl repofe -, Befide whofe bank a lofty tower they rear*d, Where Cadmus' and Harmonia's tomb appear'd ; Here with the natives dwell they. Others roam Till midft Ceraunian rocks they find a home ; 615 Cerannian nam'd, fince Jove's red thunder tore Their Ihips that anchor'd on the neighbouring fliore. But Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 237 But towards th* Hyllean port the heroes bear, And, fortune fmiling, fix their halfers there. For many an ifle projected o'er the tide, 620 Near which no vefiel could with fafety ride. No hoftile arts th' Hylleans now devife : They teach the Mynians where their voyage lies ; And for their friendly intercourfe obtain The largeft tripod from Apollo's fane. 625 For, doubtful of the Fleece, when Jafon came To hear refponfes from the Pythian dame, Enrich'd, and honour'd from the fhrine he trod With two bright tripods, given by Delphi's God. 'Twas doom'd no power Ihould lay the country wafte, Within whofe confines were thefe tripods plac'd. 63? Hid, for this caufe, in earth the fumptuous prize Hard by the fair Hyllean city lies ; Deep, deep it lies, with ponderous earth opprefs'd, That there unieen it might for ever reft. 635 King Hyllus, whom in fam'd Phceacia's fhore Fair Melite to great Alcides bore, To mortal view was manifeft no more. Naufithou's, to youthful Hyllus kind, The heedlefs ftripling in his courts confin'd ; 640 (For, when to Macris' ifle Alcides fled, That far-fam'd ifle, which infant Bacchus fed, To 23? ^le ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. To expiate his guilt, and wafh the ftain Of blood yet ftreaming from his children (lain, Here, as befide his favourite-beach he rov'd, 645 The naiad Melite he faw and lov'd, The daughter of JEgeus, fair and young, From whofe carefTes hopeful Hyllus fprung.) But he, to manhood ripening, wifh'd to roam Far from his fovereign's eye and regal home : 650 The native iflanders augment his train, And with their leader tempt the Chronian main. Naufithoiis complied with each demand, And Hyllus fettled on th* Illyric ftrand: But, as he flrove his fcatter'd herd to fhield, 655 A boor's rude weapon ftretch'd him on the field. How crofs thefe feas, how round th* Aufonian fliorea, And the Ligurian ifles they plied their oars, Ye Mufes, tell : what tokens ftill remain Of Argo's voyage, what her feats, explain : 660 Say, to what end, by what impelling gales She o'er remoteft feas nnfurl'd her fails. All-feeing Jove their perfidy difcern'd, And for Abfyrtus (lain with anger burn'd. By Circe's myftic rites heaven's fire decreed 66$ The guilt to expiate of fo bafe a deed. Ta Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 239 To fufferings dire, but what no mortal knew, He, ere they fate return'd, foredoom'd the crew. Beyond th* Hyllean land their courfe they fleer'd : Remote the vaft Liburnian ifles appear'd, 670 Late fill'd with Colchians , Pityea fair, And rocky Iffa, are the names they bear. Thefe iflands pad, Cercyra's cliffs they greet, Where dwelt (for here had Neptune chofe her feat) Cercyra : he, by tender paflions fway'd, 675 From diftant Phliuns fetch'd the black-ey'd maid; Melaine her admiring failors name, As through dark groves they view the fwarthy dame. Fleet as the veffel fails before the wind, Ceroffus, Melite they leave behind. 680 Soon on Nymphsea, though remote, (he gains, Where Atlas' daughter, queen Calypfo, reigns. The crew conjedur'd, through far diftant fkics They faw the tall Ceraunian mountains rife. And now Jove's purpofes and vengeful rage 685 Propitious Juno's anxious thoughts engage. That every toil with glory might be crown'd, And no difaftrous rocks their fhip furround, She wak'd the brifker gales in Argo's aid, Till in Eleftris' iile (he rode embay'd; 690 Sudden, 240 fke ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. Sudden, the veffel, as flie fail'd along, Spoke, wondrous portent ! as with human tongue : Her fturdy keel of Dodonean oak, By Pallas vocal made, prophetic fpoke. This folemn voice ihook every heart with fear : 695 They deem'd the Thunderer's threaten'd vengeance near. Expect,' fays Argo, ftorms and wintry Teas, 'Till Circe's rites the wrath of Jove appeafe. Ye guardian twins, who aid our great defign, * By humble prayer the heavenly powers incline 700 To.fteer me fafe to each Auibnian bay, And to the haunts of Circe point my way.' Thus Argo fpoke, as night her fhades difplay'd : The fons of Leda liften'd and obey'd. Before th' immortal Powers their hands they fpread ; 705 All, fave thefe chiefs, were ftruck with filent dread. The canvafs wide-diftended by the gales, Swift down Eridanus the galley fails. Here Jove's dread bolt transfix'd the ftripling's fide, Who greatly dar'd the car of Phoebus guide. 710 This flood receiv'd him j and the flaming wound Still fteams, and fpreads offehfive vapours round. The feathery race, as o'er the flood they fly, \Y>app'd in fulphureous exhalations die. The Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 241 The poplar's winding bark around them fpread, 7 1 5 Apollo's daughters wail their brother dead. Down their fair cheeks bright tears of amber run, Sink in the fand, and harden by the fun. When boifterous winds the troubled waters urge, And o'er its bank afcends the fwelling furge, 720 Thefe amber gems, fwept by the tide away, Their pearly tribute to the river pay. But, down the ftream, as Celtic legends tell, The tears of Phoebus floated as they fell In amber dropSj what time from angry Jove 725 The God withdrew, and left the realms above : To the far Hyperborean race he fled, Griev'd for his favourite iEfculapius dead. From fair Coronis fprung this godlike fon, Where Amyros' dreams near Lacerea run. 730 Strangers to mirth^ the penfive Mynians mufe On their hard lot, and ftrengthening food refufe. Loathing the ftench thefe putrid dreams emit, Sickening and fpiritlefs whole days they fit 3 Whole nights they hear the forrowing fillers tell, 735 How by the bolts of Jove their brother fell. Their mingled tears, as o'er the ftream they weep, Like drops of oil float down the rapid deep. R 142 fbe A R G o N A u T i c s of Book IV. The Rhone's broad channel Argo's keel divides, Which mingles with Eridanus its tides : 740 There, where the confluent floods unite their force, Boifterous they foam. The Rhone derives its fource From caverns deep, which, far from mortal fight, Lead to the portals, and the realms of night. One ftream its tribute to th' Ionian pays, 745 One to the wide Sardinian ocean ftrays ; Thro* feven wide mouths it difembogues its tides, Where foaming to the fea its ftream divides. This winding ftream tranfmits th' adventurous train To lakes that delug'd all the Celtic plain. 750 Pifaftrous fate had here their labour foil'd, And of her boafted prowefs Argo fpoil'd, (For through a creek to ocean's depths convey'd, To fure deftrucYion had the heroes ftray'dj) But Juno haften'd from on high, and flood 755 On a tall rock, and fhouted o'er the flood. All heard, and ail with fudden terrour fhook ; For loud around them burfts of thunder broke. Admonim'd thus, fubmifTive they return, And ftecring back their better courfe difcern. 760 Mid* Celtse and Ligurians long they ftray'd, But reach'd the fea-beat Ihore by Juno's aid : 9 O'er Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 243 O'er them each day her cloudy veil {he drew, And thus from human fight conceal'd the crew; Whofe fhip had now the broad, mid channel pafs'd, 765 And rode amidft the Stcechades at iaft : For Jove's twin Tons had pray'd, nor pray'd in vain. Hence rear they altars, and due rites ordain To thefe kind Powers, whofc influential aid Not only Argo's bold adventurers fway'd ; 770 But later voyagers, by Jove's decree, Have own'd their happy influence o'er the fea. The Stcechades now leflening from their view, Swift to ^Ethalia's ifle the veffel flew. With chalks, that, as they cover'd, ting'd the fhore, 775 The heroes rubb'd their wearied bodies o'er. Here are their quoits and wondrous armour fram'd, Here is their port difplay'd, Argoiis nam'd. Hence failing, they the Tyrrhene fnores furvey, As through Aufonia's deeps they cleave their liquid way. 780 ^Eea's celebrated port they reach, And faften here their halfers to the beach. Here faw they Circe, as in ocean's bed, Difmay'd with nightly dreams, fhe plung'd her head. For thus the forcerefs dream'd ; that blood and gore Had fmear'd her walls, and flow'd around her floor: 786 R i That 244 We ARC ON AU TICS of Book IV That all her treafur'd ftores were wrapp'd in flame, With which flie lur'd each paffenger that came : That copious dreams of blood her hand apply'd, And her fears vanifh'd as the flames fubfide. 790 For this the magic dame, as morning rofe, Wafh'd in the cleanfing wave her locks and clothes, Monfters, unlike the favage> beftial race, Unlike to humankind in gait or face* Limbs not their own fupport whofe hideous frame, 795 As fheep their fhepherd follow, thefe their dame. Such monfters once the pregnant earth difclos'd, Of heterogeneous fhapes and limbs compos'd : No drying winds had then the foil condens'd, No folar rays their genial warmth difpens'd ; 800 But time perfection o each creature gave j jyionfters like thefe were fee-n in Circe's cav.e. All, fteclfaft gazing on her form and face, tPronpu,nc'd the Jorcerefs of Beta's race. Thofe terrors vanifh'd, which her dream infpir'd, 805 Back to her gloomy celji tlje dan>e retir'd. Clofe in her guileful hand (he grafp'd each gueft, And bade them follow where her footfteps prefs'd. The crowd aloof at Jafon's mandate ftay'd, "While he accompanied the Colchian maid. 810 Together Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 245 Together thus they Circe's fteps purfue, Till her enchanting cave arofe in view. Their vifit's caufe her troubled mind diftrefs'd ; On downy feats me plac'd each princely gueft. They round her hearth fat motionlefs and mute : 815 (With plaintive fuppliants fuch manners fuit) Pier folded hands her blufhing face conceal ; Deep in the ground he fix'd the murderous (leel ; Nor dare they once, in equal forrow drown'd, Lift their dejefted eyelids from the ground. 820 Circe beheld their guilt : fhe faw they fled From vengeance hanging o'er the murderer's head. The holy rites, approv'd of Jove, fhe pays : (Jove, thus appeas'd, his hafty vengeance flays) Thefe rites from guilty flains the culprits clear, 825 Who lowly fuppliant at her cell appear. To expiate their crime in order due, Firfl to her fhrine a fucking pig me drew, Whofe nipples from its birth diftended flood : Its neck (he flruck, and bath'd their hands in blood. Next with libations meet and prayer fhe ply'd 831 Jove, who acquits the fuppliant homicide. Without her door a train of Naiads fhnd, Adminiftering whatever her rites demand - t R 3 Within, 246 The ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. Within, the flames, that round the hearth arife, 835 Wafte, as me prays*, the kneaded facrifice : That thus the Furies' vengeful wrath might ceafe, And Jove appeas'd difmifs them both in peace, Whether they came to expiate the guilt Of friends' or ftrangers' blood by treachery fpilt. 840 Circe arofe, her myftic rites complete, 'And plac'd the princes on a fplendid feat. Near them (he fat, and urg'd them to explain .Their plan and progrefs o'er the dangerous main : Whence rofe the wilh to vifit Circe's ifle, 845 'And thus beneath her roof converfe awhile. For ftill on every thought the vifion prefs'd, r And its remembrance ftill difturb'd her reft. Soon as the forcerefs faw Medea raife From earth thofe eyes which mot a beamy blaze, 850 Anxious me wifh'd to hear her native tongue, Conjecturing from her features whence fhe fprung. For all Sol's race are beauteous as their fire -, Their radiant eyes emit celeftial fire. The willing maid complied with each -demand, 855 'And in the language of her native land Her ftory told j each ftrange event declared, .What countries they had feen, what dangers fhar'd; Hep Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 247 Her fitter's counfels how they fway'd her bread, How with the Tons of Phrixus fhe tranfgrefs'd j 860 How from her father fled, his threats difdain'd : But flill untold her brother's fate remain'd. His fate th' enchantrefs knew ; no arts could hide The murderous deed : fhe pitied and reply 'd : y , *, Ah! wretch, dire miichieis thy return await. 865 ' Hope not to fhun thy father's vengeful hate; c Refolv'd on .right, he to the realms of Greece Will clofe purfue thee, nor his fury ceafe, 4 Till he avenge the murder of his fon : ' For deeds of blacked darknefs haft thou done. 870 ' But go, at once my kin and fuppliant, free, 6 Nor fear additional diftrefs from me. ' Thy lover hence, far hence thyfelf remove, ' Who fcorn'dft a father's for a vagrant's love. ' Here fupplicate no more : my heart difblaims 875 ' Thy guilty wanderings and finifter aims.' She fpoke : the maid lamented ; .o'er her head Her veil fhe caft, and many a tear fhe fhed. Her trembling hand the hero rais'd with fpeed, And from the cave of Circe both recede. 880 By watchful Iris taught, Saturnia knew What time from Circe's cave they both withdrew. R4 To 248 The ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. To mark their ileps commifiion'd Iris (laid, On whom thefe frem injunctions Juno laid : * Hafte, Iris, now-, thy pinions wide expand, 885 * And bear once more Saturnia's dread command. ' Qo, Thetis rouze from ocean's dark retreat \ c Her potent aid my projects will complete. ? Spread then towards Vulcan's mores thy fpeedy wing, * Where round his anvils ceafelefs hammers ring. 890 * Bid him no more his boifterous bellows ply, c Till heaven-built Argo fail fecurely by. * Then to the Deity, whofe fovereign fway ' Controls the winds, whom raging ftorms obey, * Hafte ; and requeft that every rifing gale 895 * Be hufh'd, and filence o'er the feas prevail : * That round the waves fereneft zephyrs play, * Till Argo anchors in Phceacia-s bay.' She faid : and Iris, poiz'd on airy wings, From the bright fummit of Olympus fprings : 900 Defcends impetuous down th' .fligean deeps, Where in his watery caverns Nereus fleeps, To Thetis firft repairs the winged maid ; Solicits and obtains her potent aid. Vulcan Ihe next in humble prayer addrefs'd ; 905 7'he God of fire complied with her requeft : 7 His Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 249 His bellows heave their windy fides no more, Nor his fhrill anvils ihake the diftant fhore. Her wants to ^lolus fhe next difclos'd : And while her wearied limbs fhe here repos'd, gio Thetis from all her Naiad- train withdrew, And from her Nereus to Olympus flew. Juno with tranfport hail'd her fea-born gueft, Whom near her throne fhe feated, and addrefs'd : ' O, hear my tale, bright Goddefs of the main 1915 f Thou know'ft my care for Jafon and his train ; * Thou know'ft: how Juno's arm alone upheld, ' And through the jutting rocks their fhip impelPd: '"Around whofe fides fierce, fiery tempefts rave, ' And the huge crag is whiten'd by the wave. 920 * Now muft they fail near Scylla's awful height, * And where the rock Charybdis forms a ftreight. * Thee yet an infant in my arms I prefs'd, * And more than all thy fifter-nymphs carefs'd. 4 Revering me, the wife of Ibvereign Jove, 925 * Thou fcorn-dil the tenders of his lawlefs love. * (For him a mortal beauty now inflames, ' And now he revels with celeftial dames.) ' And Jove, in vengeance for his flighted bed, f Swore, not a Deity fhould Thetis wed. 933 ' Nor 250 5T& ARCONAUTICS of Book IV. 4 Nor could the fervour of his love abate, * Till Themis thus difclos'd the will of fate , * That from thy womb in future times mould fpring, ' Superior to his fire, an infant-king. c Dreading th' event, left in fome future day 935 * This infant-Jung mould claim celeftial fway, fc Thee Jove abandon'd to fecure his throne, * And reign unrival'd ever and alone. * But, lo! I gave, thy bridal bed to grace, * A mortal huiband worthy thy embrace i 940 ' I made thee mother of a happy line, 1 And to thy nuptials call'd the Powers divine. * Myfelf, in honour to the godlike pair, * Deign'd on that day the bridal torch to bear. ' Soon as thy fon (believe the truths you hear) 945 * Shall in Elyfium's blifsful plains appear, ' Whom kindly now the foftering Naiads guard ' In Chiron's manfion, of thy milk debarred, ' In Hymen*s filken chains the hero led,, ^air. c Muft mare the hopours of Medea's bed. 950 * Oh ! be a mother's tendered car? difplay'd, * Succour thy Peleus, and thy daughter aid. * Hath he tranfgrefs'd ? thy rifmg wrath fubdue ; ' For Ate's dire effects th' immortals rue. ! Vulcan, Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 251 Vulcan, I ween, obfequious to my will, 955 * His fires will ftifle, and his bellows ftill 5 His boifterous waves will ^Eolus reftrain, * And zephyrs only fan the curling main, Till Argo anchors in Phaeacia's bay. * But (helves and ftormy feas obftrudt her way; 960 c Thefe, thefe I dread : but, with thy train expert, e Be thine the care thefe mifchiefs to avert. ' Safe from Charybdis' gulf the veflcl guide, c Safe from loud Scylla's all-abforbing tide j * Scylla, the terrour of Aufonia's more, 965 ' Whom Phorcuns to infernal Hecat bore, * Cratasis nam'd. Oh ! fummon all thy pow'r, ' Left her voracious jaws my chiefs devour. ' Hope's cheerly dawn if haply thou difcern, * Snatch from the watery grave the finking ftern.' 970 " If 'tis refolv'd," replies th' aflenting queen, " Tempefts to curb, and oceans to ferene, " Fear not ; but in my profFer'd aid confide : 294 ^he ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. For, by Medea's incantations plied, Enfeebled foon the brazen monfter died. * While rending up the earth in wrath he throws 1985 * Rock after rock againft th* aerial foes, * Lo ! frantic as he ftrides, a fudden wound * Burfts the life-vein, and blood o'erfpreads the ground. * As from a furnace, in a burning flood * Pours melting lead, fo pours 'in ftreams his blood : * And now he ftaggers, as the fpirit flies, 1991 * He faints, he finks, he tumbles, and he dies. * As fome huge cedar on a mountain's brow, * Pierc'd by the fteel, expects a final blow, * Awhile it totters with alternate fway, *995 * Till frefhening breezes through the branches play"; * Then tumbling downward with a thundering found, * Headlong it falls, and fpreads a length of ground : * So, as the giant falls, the ocean roars, * Outftretch'd he lies, and covers half the mores.* Crete thus deliver'd from this baneful peft, 2001 The Mynians unmolefted funk to reft. Soon as Aurora's orient beams appear, A temple they to Cretan Pallas rear. With "Book IV. APOLLONIUS- RHODIUS. 295 With water" ftor'ci, once more the bufy train 200^ Embark, and lam the foamy brine again, Ailiduous all with equal ardour glow Diftant to leave Salmonis' lofty brow. As o'er the Cretan deep the galley flew, Around them night her fable mantle threw; 2010 Pernicious night, whofe all-invefting made Nor ftars, nor Phoebe's brighter rays pervade. Thick darknefs, or from heaven, or hell profound, Spread, as it rofe, its rueful fhades around. Uncertain whether, on huge billows toft, 2015 -Sublime they fail, or fink to Pluto's coaft, Uncertain where the burfting wave may throw, They to the fea commit their weal or woe. Jafon aloud, with lifted hands, addrefs'd The God of day to fuccour the diftrefs'cj. 2020 The tears faft trickling down his forrowing face, He vow'd with gifts the Delphic fhrine to grace, He vow'd with choiceft gifts, an ample {lore, To load Amyclas, and Ortygia's fhore. Attentive to his tears and meek requeft, 2025 Phoebus from heaven defcends, and Hands confefs'd, Where, frowning hideous o'er the deeps below, The rocks of Melans lift their Ihaggy brow. U 4 Awhile 296" The ARGONAUTICS of Book IV. Awhile on one of thefe he takes his ftand, His golden bow high lifting in his hand ; 2030 Afiifted by whofe far-reflefted light, An ifle of fmall extent attracts their fight, Amid the Sporades j againft it flood Hippuris, circled by the rolling flood. Their anchors here they drop. Aurora's ray 2035 Glimmer'd, and funk before the light of day. A temple here o'er-arch'd with woods they raife, And bid an altar to Apollo bjaze, On whom the name ^Eglete they beftow ; For here the God difplay'd his beamy bow. 2040 Here, fmce on Argo's crew all bright he fhone, By the name Anaphe the ifle is known. The fcanty produce of this barren ifle To Phoebus they on humble altars pile. Each fair Phaeacian in Medea's train, 2045 Who oft had feen the fatted oxen flain In king AleinouY court, in laughter joins At fight of water pour'd on burning pines. With well-diflembled wrath the chiefs reprove The laughing damlels, and the mirth they love. 2050 A wordy altercation foon began, And pleafant raillery through the circle ran. Book IV. APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. 297 Hence, to ^glete, on this feftive day, All who in Anaphe due honours pay, Maidens and men, a mix'd aflembly, join 2055 In friendly contefts and debates benign. The halfers now were loofen'd from their hold, And unreftrain'd in ocean Argo roll'd, When thus the dream of night, yet uneffac'd, Revering Maia's fon, Euphemus trac'd. 2060 How, with clofe grafp the facred clod comprefs'd, Stream'd with a milky current at his breafr. And from this clod, though fmall, his wondering eyes Beheld a lovely, female form arife. Charm'd with the beauteous fair, he foon refign'd 2065 To nuptial joys his love-devoted mind, Lamenting ftill that he the maid fliould wed, Whom at his foftering breaft with milk he fed. " Thy children's nurfe am I," (the fair began, Accofting mild the difconcerted man j) 2070 tc But not thy daughter : I from Triton came ; " (Triton and Libya my parents' name) " He fix'd near Anaphe my watery cell, *' And bade me here with Kerens' daughters dwell.1 *' But now I haften towards the fun's bright ray, 2075 " And to thy race the choiceft boon convey." This 2gS the A ft. c o N A u T i c s of , Book IV. This dream recurring to his mind again, He told the leader of the gallant train, Who, long revolving, thus at length reveal'd Thofe myftic truths the Pythic fhrine conceal'd: 2080 * Ye Gods ! what glory waits thy valorous deeds, * What fame, Euphemus, to thy toil fucceeds ! * For, when in ocean's bed this earth you fling, * Thence (fo the Gods ordain) an ifle mail fpring ; * Here mail thy children's children late repofe. 2085 * Triton this hofpitable gift beftows : . ' He tore from Afric's coaft the treafur'd foil ; ' To him, of all the Gods, afcribe the ifle.' Thus fpoke he prefcient, nor in vain divin'd : Euphemus heard him with attentive mind ; 2090 Tranfported with the prefage, forth he fprung, And the myfterious clod in ocean flung. Inftant emerging from the refluent tides, >)Callifte's ifle difplay'd its wave-wafh'd fides, Nurfe of Euphemus' race : in days of yore, 2095 They dwelt on Sintian Lemnos' footy fliore. Exil'd from Lemnos by Etrurian force, To Sparta's friendly walls they bent their courfe : ; Ejected thence, Theras, Autefion's heir, Bade him to fam'd Callifte's ifle repair ; 2100 His Book IV. APOLLQNIUS RHODIUM a 99 His name it took i th j events we now difplay Were unaccomplifh'd in Euphemus* day. Vaft tracts of ocean pafs'd, the joyous hoft Steer'd towards, and anchor'd on ^gina's coaft. They here propofe a trial of their fldll j 2105 What chief can firft the weighty bucket fill, And, ere his fellows intercept his way, Firft to the fhip the watery ftore convey. For parching thirft, and winds that brifldy blew, To the fleet courfe inclin'd the gallant crew. 2110 His bucket now, replenifh'd at the fprings, Each flout TheiTalian on his fhoulder brings j Intent the palm of conqueft to obtain, He fcours with fpeedy foot acrofs the plain. Hail, happy race of heroes, and repay 2115 With tributary praife my tuneful lay ! With pleafure ftill may diftant times rehearfe And added years on years exalt my verfe ! For here I fix the period of your woes, And with your glorious toils my numbers clofe. 2120 Your galley loofen'd from ^gina's fhore, Waves diicompos'd, and winds detain'd no more. Serene ye fail'd befide th* Achaian ftrand, Where Cecrops' towers the fubject main command, Where ?be A R G o N A u T i c s, &<:. Book IV. Where oppofite Eubcea Aulis lies, 2125 And where the Locrian cities lofty rife, Till Pagafas her friendly port difplay'd, Where rode triumphant Argo fafe embay*d. IND OF THE A RGONAU T I CS. T H B RAPE OF HELEN; OR, The Origin of ihzTrojan War : A GREEK POEM, BY COLUTHUS. M3J: . .A* v And to their judge the Deities convey'd. Each anxious fair her charms to heighten tries, And dart new luftre from her fparkling eyes. 95 Her veil afide infidious Venus flung ; Loofe from the clafp her fragrant ringlets hung ; She then in golden cauls each curl comprefs-'d, Snmmon'd her little Loves, and thus addrefs'd : ' Behold, my fons, the hour of trial near i 100 * Embrace, my Loves, and bid me banifh fear. ' This day's decifion v/ill enhance my fame, ' Crown beauty's queen, or fink in endlefs mame. * Doubting I ftand, to whom the fwain may fay, ' Bear thou, moft fair, the golden prize away. 105 * Nurs'd was each Grace by Juno's foflering hand ; * And crowns and fceptres Ihift at her command. ' Minerva dictates in th' embattled field , * And heroes tremble when fhe makes her fhield. c Of all the Goddefles that rule above, uo ' Far moft defencelefs is the queen of Love. X 2 Without 308 'The RAPE or HELEN, &V. ' Without or fpcar or fhield muft Venus live ; And crowns and fceptres fhe has none to give. * Yet why defpair? though with no falchion grac'd, * Love's filken chain furrounds my (lender waift. 115 * My bow this Ceftus, this the dart I fling, ' And with this Ceftus I infix my fting. . My fting infix'd renews the lover's pain, * And virgins languifh, but revive again.' Thus to her Loves the rofy-finger'd queen 120 Told all her fears, and vented all her fpleen : To every word they lent a willing ear, ' Round their fond mother clung, and ftrove to cheer. And now they reach mount Ida's grafiy fteep, Where youthful Paris feeds his father's fheep : 125 What time he tends them in the plains below, Through which the waters of Anaurus flow, 'Apart he counts his cattle's numerous ftock, Apart he numbers all his fleecy flock. A wild gpat's Ikin, around his moulders caft, 130 Loofe fell and flow'd below his girded waift. A paftoral ftaff, which fwains delight to hold, His roving herds protected and controll'd. Accoutred thus, and warbling o'er his fong, He to his pspe melodious pac'd along. 135 Unnoted fe R A P'E OF HELEN, fcfc 309 Unnoted oft, while he renews his lay, His flocks defert him, and his oxen ftray." Swift to his bower retires the tuneful man, To pipe the praife of Hermes and of Pan. Sunk is each animal in dead repofe ; 140 No dog around him barks, no heifer lows : Echo alone rebounds through Ida's hills, And all the air with founds imperfect fills. The cattle, flunk upon their verdant bed, Clofe by their piping lord repofe their head. 145 Beneath the fhades which flickering thickets blend, When Paris' eye approaching Hermes ken'd, Back he retires, with fudden fear imprefs'd, And fhuns the prefence of the heavenly gucft; To the thick fhrubs his tuneful reed conveys, 150 And all unfmim'd leaves his warbled lays. Thus winged Hermes to the fliepherd faid, Who mark'd the God's approach with filent dread : * Difmifs thy fears, nor with thy flocks abide; * A mighty conteft Paris muft decide. 155 ' Hade, judge announc'd ; for whofe decifion wait * Three lovely females, of celeftial ftate. ' Hafte, and the triumph of that face declare, ' Which fweeteft looks, and faireft midft the fair : X 3 '? Let 3 io 7#2 RAPE OF HELEN, &c. ' Let her, whofe form thy, critic eye prefers, - j6o * Claim beauty's prize, and be this apple hers.' Thus Hermes fpoke ; the ready Twain obey'd, And to decide the mighty caufe efiay'd. With keeneft look he mark'd the heavenly dames ; Their eyes, quick flaming as the lightning's flames, T 65 Their fnowy necks, their garments fring'd with gold, And rich embroidery wrought in every fold ; Their gait he mark'd, as gracefully they mov'd, And round their feet his eye fagacious rov'd. But, ere the fmiling fwain his thoughts exprefs'd, 170 Grafping his hand him Pallas thus addrefs'd : * Regard not, Phrygian youth, the wife of Jove, * Nor Venus heed, the queen of wedded love : ' But martial prowefs if thy wifdom prize, Know, I poflfefs it; praife me to the fkies, 175 * Thee, fame reports, puiflant ftates obey, * And Troy's proud city owns thy fovereign fway. ' Her fuffering fons thy conquering arm fnall fhield, * And ftern Bellona mail to Paris yield. * Comply; her fuccour will Minerva lend, i8q * Teach thee war's fcience, and in fight defend.* Thus Pallas ftrove to influence the fwain, Whofe favour Juno thus attempts to gain ; ^ Should'ft The RAPE OF HELEN, &c. 311 e Should'ft thou wifh beauty's prize my charms reward, * All Afia's realms mall own thee for their lord. 185 * Say, what from battles but contention fprings ? . ' Such contefts fhun ; for what are wars to kings ? * But him, whofe hands the rod of empire fway, 4 Cowards revere, and conquerors obey. 4 Minerva's friends are oft Bellona's flaves, 190 4 And the fiend {laughters whom the Goddefs faves." Proffers of boundlefs fway thus Juno made ; And Venus thus, contemptuous fmiling, faid : But firft her floating veil aloft me threw, And all her graces to the fhepherd (hew j 195 Loofen'd her little Loves' attractive chain, And tried each art to captivate the fwain. 6 Accept my boon,' (thus fpoke the fmiling dame) 4 Battles forget, and dread Bellona's name. 6 Beauty's rich meed at Venus' hand receive, 206 4 And Afia's wide domain to tyrants leave. * The deathful fight, the din of arms I fear ; 4 Can Venus' hand direct the martial fpear? 4 Women with beauty ftouteft hearts aflail, * Beauty, their beft defence, their ftrongeft mail, 205 * Prefer domeftic eafe to martial ftrtfe,- * And to exploits of war a pleafing wife. X ' To 312 tfbe RAPE OF HELEN, &? and thus exprefs'd The boding forrows of her troubled bread : 1 Where, fair attendants, is my mother fled, Who left me fleeping in her lonely bed ? 405 * For yefternight me took her trufty key, * Turn'd the ftrong bolt, and flept fecure with me.* Her haplefs fate the penfive train deplore, And in thick circles gather round the door j Here all contend to moderate her grief, 410 And by their kind condolence give relief: ' Unhappy princefs, check the rifing tear ; c Thy mother, abfent now, will foon appear. * Soon as thy forrow's bitter fource me knows, * Her fpeedy prefence will difpel thy woes. 415 * The virgin-cheek, with forrow's weight o'ercome, * Sinks languid down and lofes half its bloom* * Deep in the head the tearful eye retires, 4 There fullen fits, nor darts its wonted fires* ' Eager, perchance, the band of nymphs to meet, 420 * She faunters devious from her favourite- feat, * And, of fome flowery mead at length poflefs'd, ' Sinks on the dew-befpangled lawn to reft. ' Or fbe RAPE OF HELEN, &c. 321. * Or to fome kindred flream perchance fhe flrays, ' Bathes in Eurotas' ftreams, and round its margin plays.' 425 ' Why talk ye thus ?' (the penfive maid replies, The tears of anguifh trickling from her eyes) ' She knows each rofeate bower, each vale and hill, * She knows the courfe of every winding rill. * The ftars are fet ; on rugged rocks fhe lies : 430 ' The ftars are up ; nor does my mother rife. ' What hills, what dales thy devious fleps detain ? * Hath fome relentlefs beaft my mother flain ? * But beafts, which lawlefs round the foreft rove, ' Revere the facred progeny of Jove. 435 : ' Or art thou fallen from fome fleep mountain's brow ' Thy corfe conceal'd in dreary dells below ? * But through the groves, with thicken: foliage crown'd, ' Beneath each fhrivel'd leaf that ftrews the ground, * Affiduous have I fought thy corfe in vain : 440 ' Why fhould we then the guiltlefs grove arraign ? * But have Eurotas' flreams, which rapid flow, * O'erwhelm'd thee bathing in its deeps below ? ' Yet in the deeps below the Naiads live, * jVnd they to womankind protection give.* 445 Y Thus OF PTELEN, &. Thus fpoke fhe forrowing, and reclin'd her head 5 fleeping feem'd to mingle with the dead; For fieep his elder brother's afpeft wears -, Lies' mute like him, and undifturb'd by cares. Hence the fwoln eyes of females, deep diftrefs'd, 450 Oft, when the tear is trickling, fink to reft. In this deluflve dream the fleeping maid Her mother faw, or thought me faw, portray'd. Aloud fhe (Kriek'd, diftracled and amaz'd, And'utter'd thus her anguifli as me gaz'd : 455 e Laft' night, far diftant from your daughter fled, c You left me {lumbering in my father's bed. * What dangerous fteeps have not I ftrove to gain ? * And ftroll'd o'er hills and dales for thee in vain ?' . Anaurus paft, ] A river in ThefTaly, ac- cording to Apollonius, Callimachus, and others. But fome.are of opinion, that Anaurus, as its etymology implies, is thelgeneral name of any torrent. Vale- rius Flaccus, relating the fame itory, mentions the river Enipeus. V. 33. Whom fair Calliope, on Thr aria's Jbore] The Pseonians of Thrace lived upon the Hebrusj and all the people of that region were at one time great in fcience. The Grecians acknowledged they were great- ly indebted to them , and the Mufes were laid to have come from thofe parts. The Pierians were as famed for poetry and mufic, as the Pseonians were for phy- fic. Thamyras, Eumolpus, Linus, Thymsetes and Mufasus, were fcppofed to have been of this country. Orpheus alfo is afcribed to Thrace; who is laid to have foothed the favage rage, and to .have animated the very rocks to harmony. Bryant's Myth. Y->~35* Hdrdrccks, &c. ] Mulcentem tigres & agentem carmine quercus. Firg. Gear. iv. 510. 42. -By Cbir-oifs art to Jaforfs inter eft gaind.] eus, in the Argonautic poem afcribed to him, the fame account of himiclf. i/e*a, TO fAihTTitiv Ef'Q'Xfu fAEAiyvj^uv aoior/t, ^' TS Sijga; l^ y IfTTSTo, x.ou VutTirivii, Orph. Arg. 71. V. 71. Cceneus - ] It is fabled that this perion was a TheiTalian virgin, the daughter of Elarus, one of the-Lapithas , who, having been violated by Neptune, obtained of him, as the reward of her proftitution, that fhe might be transformed into a man, and ren- dered invulnerable. Thus changing her lex, fhe chan- ged her name into Cceneus, being before called Cce- iiic. See Ovid's Met. zrd Virg. ^En. vi. 44$. NOTES to the A R GON AU T ics. 327 V. 79. From Titarefus ] Mopfus was furnamed the Titarefian, from Titarefus,' the name of a place and river in Theffaly. Thus Hefiod in Scut. Here. L. 181. Moif/oT ' Ap.TTV)ilor,]i TtTKg^inoy V. 125. The/ens ] Thefeus, by the help of his' friend Pirithoiis, had ilolen Helen from the temple of Diana, and carried her off: in return for this lervice, he aflifted Pirithoiis in the rape of Proferpine. In order to accomplish this dcfign, they went down to the infernal regions together : but Pluto, having dif- covered their intentions, expofecl Pirithous to the dog Cerberus, who devoured him, and chained Thefeus to the mountain Tasnarus. Plutarch's life of 'Thefeus. V. 138. ybo' Argus wrought ] Apollonius calls him "Apyos dgefogi&iSi the fon of Areftor. But Banier remarks that we ought to read (as Meziriac has re- commended) tiXsKiaptfyt) the fon of Aleftor. For Ar- gus, the fon of Areftor, preceded the time of the Argonauts eight or nine generations : but moft of the ancients agree, that the fhip Argo was built by Argus, the fon of Aleclor, who lived in the time of the Ar- gonauts. Banier 's Myth. vol. iv. V. 147. Pero ---] Iphiclus had feized upon the oxen of Tyro, the mother of Neleus. Thefe Neleus demands, but is denied by Iphiclus. Pero, the daugh- ter of Neleus, was promised in marriage to him who recovered thefe oxen from Iphiclus. Melampus un- dertakes the recovery ; but being vanquiihed is thrown into prifon.- See Homer's Od. B. xi. 290. V. 174. Prophetic Idmon ] He is mentioned in the fame manner by Orpheus and Valerius Flaccus : Tov 'A|W. T Orph. Arg. iSr. y 4 . Phcbcitti NOTES to ths ARGONAUTICS," Phebeius Idmon, Cui genitor tribuit monita prxnofcere Divum Omina, feu flammas, feu lubrica cominus exta, Scu plenum certis interroget aera pennis. y a L Flac. B. I. 22?. . V. 1 80. Omens from birds, end prodigies from fire.~\ There were two grand divifions of the religious cere- monies of the ancients, viz. into tfs.Trupa. and ajpiyat, i. e. thofe where fire was heaped upon the altar, and thofe which were not accompanied with fire. The c-tytara f[*.7rupa. were obfervations made from the victims at the time they were burning ; which was the province of the Harufpices : the crij/uara a-Trvpct refer- red to the flight of birds, and fuch obfervations as the augurs collected from them. Thus Euripides m Bacchas, v. 257. V. 197. And gave the power ] Thus Ovid : . cui pofTe figuras Suraere quas vellet, rurfufque reponere fumpta3 > Neptunus dederat, Nelei fanguinis au&or. Met. xii. 555. .And Seneca: Sumere innumeras folitum figuras. Mtd. 635. V. 222. Euphemus ] The text has Polyphemus -, which is undoubtedly a falfe reading, as Valerius Flac- cus and Paufanias feem to confirm. The annotator ro 'Mr. Pope's Odyfley, not fufpecling this, was led into -ii pleafant miftake. ' If Polyphemus (fays he, Od. ix. 569.) had really this quality of running upon the waves, he might have deitroyed Ulyffes without - throwing this mountain : but Apollonius is undoubt- edly guilty of an abfurdity, and one might rather be- lieve that he would fink the earth at every flep, than run upon, the waters with fuch lightnefs as not to wet his feet." As this defcription of the fwiftnefs of Euphe- is originally taken from Homer's accaunt of the 9. mares NOTES to tie ARGONAUTICS. 329 mares of Eri&honius, fo Virgil's defcription of Ca- milla's fwiftnefs feems copied from thefe beautiful lines of Apollonius. See Pope's II. B. xx. 270. Thefe lightly fkimtning, when they fwept the plain, Nor ply'd the grafs, nor bent the tender grain : And when along the level feas they flew, Scarce on the furface curl'd the briny dew. Ilia vel intadia: fegetis per fumma volaret Gramina, nee teneres curfu IsefifTet ariftas : Vel mare per medium, fluflu fufpenfa tumenti, Ferret iter, celeres nee tingeret squore plantas. V. 251. - Paltemonius ] Our poet in his ac- count of this hero follows Orpheus very clofely: Valerius Flaccus makes no mention of him. V. 273. TQ Nfefl. U T I C 5. of the' andents at theirfolemn feftivals, be- fore they went to reft, to facrifice the tongues of the victims to Mercury, the God of 'eloquence, pouring on them a- .libation of -.wine.- This was done, either with a' dcfign to make an expiation for any indecent language that had been fpoken (as Was the cafe about fifty- lines above) or to fignify, that what had been tkereo. fpoken, ought not to be divulged or remem- bered i after ward. : V. 669.- Endttd with voice^ ] Tlie ancient writ- fe wdl hiftariansras-: poets, are full'of thefe won- cFhe fpeech of AchiHes's horfe to his mafter is known. Among-the many prodigies, which are feid ^rvhave appeared- at the death of Julius Cas'far, this, Virgil informs ,U5 > . was ofle, pecudefqus locuta. Appianf-eOipreftly-fayB that an ox-fpoke with an hu- man voice. Livy has f 'given us the ipeech of otte of thefe animals c^Vcerf^oecafioh : Qgod maxime terrebat Confulem Ch. 'Doinitiufti, bovcm Ibe^tum, " Roma tibi cave." Lib. xxxv. ^fm'S Hiip was-indecd'built out of fome facred tim- ber fxom the grove of Dodona, which was facred to Jupiter Tomarias': and on this account it was faid to have been oracular, and to have given verbal re- fponfes. V. 670. Itorr.an --] Minerva was fo called from Itonis, a city of ThefTaly, where me was wormipped. V. 698. The parted ocean whitening - ] The poets are fond of exprefiing the aftivity of the rowers, and the velocity of the (hip, by theeffed: which the ftroke of their oars, and the track of the keel produce on the waters. ' XJKO v}p -|rf? fra.Tya$ T' trfytotvti x. T. X. Id. 22* On the dry beach they rais'd the leafy bed, The fires they kindled, and the tables fpread. \*. 1556. Meanwhile^ preparing-] This (lory is told with great fimplicity and elegance by our poet's rival and contemporary Theocritus; Id. 13. Nor has his faithful imitator, Valerius Flaccus, neglected to embellifh his poem with the fame (lory. The learned editor of Theocritus, publifhed in 2 vol. at Oxford, portions. out to each poet his (hare of merit in the following words : Egregie quidem Valerius Flaccus Herculis vehementcm &; repentinam pertur- bationem depingit : qui, veiperi reverfus, Hylam ad fociorum menfas, in littore conftruclas, non deprehen- dit. Nihil nifi didionem Virgilianam, caflam, tere- tem, fimplicem, pro turgidula ilia, &c duriufcula, de- fidero. Conferatur & Hercules Apollonii Rhodii : quern credibile eft omnes intendifle nervos, ut in fimili materia poetam coasvum fuperaret. Pulchrum pro- fe6to illud Herculis, a manu abietem abjicientis. At Z 4 fortaffis, 344 NOTES to the .A R G o N A u T i c s. fortafiis, ad fummum, fimpliciora Theocriti & lucu- lentiora fateberc, & minus frequentata circumilantiis & elaborata. Not. adV. lv. Id. 13. V. 1568. But know, Alcides 1 Hercules, arriving at the country of the Dryopians, a people of Epirus, applied to their prince Theodamas for refrefhment. Upon his refufal, he unyoked one of the oxen with which he was plowing, and facrificed it. Theoda- mas, attempting to redrefs this grievance by force of arms, was killed, and his fon Hylas was carried off by the conqueror. Some attribute this exploit to the rapacity of Hercules, others to his defire of civilizing an inhofpitable people. Callimachus, fpeaking of the rapacity of Hercules, fays, Ov y&p sy $>{vy'w 'crsp viro ogi\' yvta, -ytuQil^ Tlavffcn' ^)^fltyi)$* irl o md^a. n^vi; ixi'mi) Tn 'WoT agorgwuAt ffvwtrno G>eitoa.pT 'Ay^oOi iwyciuv. In Bian. 170. V. 1598. As when a lion ] Virgil has clofely imitated this fimile in the following lines, where, fpeaking of the impetuofity of Turnus, he thus com- pares him , Ac veluti pleno lupus infidiatus ovili, Cum fremit ad caulas, ventos perpeffus & imbres, Nofte fuper media ; tHti fub matribus agni^ Balatum exercent : ille afper & improhus ira, Saevit in abfentes : collefta fatigat edendi Ex longo Babies, & ficca? fanguine fauces. JEn. B. ix. 59, V f 1626. 4s ivfyn a buH> wkcm galling gadflies wound^"] Apollqnius, NOTES to tie A & G o N A u T i c s. 345 Apollonius, within the compafs of a very few lines, makes ufe of two different words to exprefs the fame animal, /mvca^ and o5 arflMy tu wrtva. Ariftoph. in vefp. V. 17^. an iron-land.} The land of the Cha- lybes, which bordered upon that of theMariandyni. V. 199. tbeir brews with laurel crowrfd.} Crowns and garlands were thought fo neccflary to recommend to the Gods, and were io anciently ufcd, that fome 348 NOTES t9 Use A R fe o M A u T i c s. fome have derived the cuftom of putting them on at feafts^froni the primitive entertainments, at which the Gods were thought to be prefent. Potter. V. 22 1. Fronting Rithynia's coaft,'] The dorm drove them to Salmydeflus, a city on the coaft of Thrace oppofite to Bithynia. The Scholiaft fpeaks of more than one Bithynia. There is a country of that name, he tells us, both on the coaft of Europe and of Afia. The ftorm drove the Argonauts to Salmydeflus, which is oppofite to the Afiatic Bithynia. V. 224. fad Phineus ] Phineus was a king of Thrace, or, as fome fay, of Arcadia. He ordered the eyes of his two fons to be torn out, to fatisfy their mother-in-law. The Gods punifhed his cruelty : they ftruck him with blindnefs, and fent the Harpies to him, who took the meat from his mouth ; fo that foe would have perifhed with hunger, if Zetes and Calais had not delivered him from them, and purfued them to the Strophades, where they gave over the chace. Thefe Harpies were called out of hell, and leem to be of the number of the furies. A permif- fion was given them to dwell upon earth to puniih the wicked : by which the poets would reprefertt to us the remorfe of a bad confcience. Catrou. V. 237. For, to! def c ending ~\ Apollonius has furniOied Virgil with many hints on this fubjeft of the Harpies.. See JEn. B. iii. 225. At fubitae horrifo lapfu de montibus adfimt Harpyiae ; WV . When from the mountains, terrible to riew, On founding wings the monfter-harpies flew. Pitt. The Harpies were a kind of birds which had the faces of women, and foul, long claws. When the table was fqrnUhed for Phineus, they flew in, and either NOTES to the A R c o N A u T i c s. 349 cither devoured or carried away the greater part of his repaft, or polluted what they left. Raleigh. V. 256. Like fome pale ^ lifelefs^ vijtonary Jhade.1 The perfon and diftrefTes of this old man are reprefented to us in a manner the mofl ftriking and pathetic. Virgil had this defcription in view, when, fpeaking of Achemenides, he fays, Cum fubito e filvis, macie confela fuprema, Ignoti nova forma viri, miferandaque cultu Procedit, fupplexque manus ad Htora tendit, Refpicimus : dira illuvies, immiflque barba, Confertum tegmen fpinis jEn, iii. 590. V. 346, 347. By every woe And by thefe eyes ] Thus Telemachus fwears, not only by Jupiter, but by the forrows of his father. By great Ulvfles, and his woes I fwear. See Pope's Odyjf. xx. 406. Adjurations of this fort are frequently to be met with in the Greek Tragedians. V. 377. As when fwift bounds, ] Virgil has clofely copied the conclufion of this comparifon : the eager hound, fays he, Hseret hians, jam jamque tenet, fimilifque tenenti Jncrepuit mails, morfuque elufus inani eft. sEn. xii. 754. They fnap, and grind their gnafhing teeth in vain. V. 393. the dogs of Jove : ] The ancient name of a prieft was Cahc.i, rendered miftakenly xyv, and cams. Hence the Harpies, who were priefts of Ur, are ftiled by Apollonius tke-dqgj of Jove. Iris, accofting Calais and Zetes, tells them, it would be a profanation to offer any injury to thole perfonages. The Sirens and Harpies were of the fame vocation. Bryant's Myth, vol, ii. V, 404- 35 .NOTES to tfo A R c o N A u T i c s. V, 404. 'The Strophades ] The word Stropbades is derived from a Greek verb that fignifies to turn. Thefe iflands therefore were named Strophades,. be- caufe near them the fons of Boreas left off purfuing the Harpies, and turned back to the houfe of Phineus. V. 437. 'Two rocks ] This is very fimilar to a pafiage in the Odyffey, B. xii. v. 71. High o'er the main two rocks exalt their brow, The boiling billows thundering roll below ; Thro' the vaft waves the dreadful wonders move, Hence nam'd erratic by the Gods above. Scarce the fam'd Argo pafs'd thefe rapid floods, The facred Argo, fill'd with demigods ! Ev'n flie had funk, but Joire's imperial bride Wing'd her fleet fail, and 'pufh'd her o'er the tide. Pope. It is obferved in the note on this patfage, " that Homer, to render his poety more marvellous; joins what has been related of the Symplegades to the de- fcription of Scylla and Charybdis. The ftory of the dove being reported of the Symplegades might give him the hint of applying the cruihing of the doves to Scylla and Charybdis." But we muft remember that Argo paffed, in her return, through Scylla and Charybdis, and that Apollonius, as well as Homer, has mentioned thefe rocks by the name s7Aa>xTa), erratic, which is fappofed to be more ftrixflly applicable to the Symplegades. If the Cyaiican; rocks were called Symplegades from their juftling together, and that ap- pearance was occafioned by the different views in which they v/ere feen, fometimes in a direct line, and fome- tirnes obliquely, why might not Scylla and Charyb- dis, for the fame reafon, be faid to juftle together, and confequently without impropriety be called zzrAa^xcJ or erratic ? Minerva, according to Apollonius, guided Argo through the Symplegades; but her courfe through Scylla and Charybdis was directed by Thetis NOTES to the ARGO'N AUTIC s. 351 Thetis, at tfhe interceffion of Juno, agreeable to what Homer here mentions. V. 448. a nimble dove let fly ,\ The dove which returned to Noah with a leaf of olive, and brought the firft tidings that the waters of the deep were al- fuaged, was held in many nations as particularly fa- cred : it was looked upon as a peculiar mefienger of the Deity, an emblem of peace and good fortune. Among mariners it was thought to be particularly auipicious ; who as they failed ufed to let a dove fly from their fhips, to judge of the fuccefs of their voyage. The moil favourable feafon for fetting fail was at the Heliacal rifing of the feven (tars, near the head of Taurus ; and they are, in confequence of it, called Pleiades. It was at their appearance that the Argonauts fat out upon their expedition. "Aw.cs fuvreteovlt trstelttfK. Theoc. Id. xiii. 25. When firil the pleafing Pleiades appear. And this was thought a fortunate time for navigation in general. The Argonauts, in a time of difficulty and danger, made the experiment of letting a dove fly, and form- ed from it a fortunate prefage. Bwanfs Myth. vol. ii. 285. It is indeed the opinion of many learned men, that the fcience of augury, or of predicting future events by the flight of birds, arofe from the difmifiion of the raven and the dove from Noah's ark at the time of the deluge. This fpecies of divination is undoubt- edly very ancient : it is mentiond in many places of the Old Teftament, and made a confidcrable part of the religion of the heathen world. V. 479. Acberufia j Is a cave, through which, according to the fable, is a pafiage to the re- gions below. Hercules is fa id to have defcended through it to bring up Cerberus. Tokens of which exploit they fhew, fays Xenophon, even to this day. Near 352 NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS. Near this fpot ftands the principal city of the Ma- riandyni, named from Hercules, Heraclea. Here, as our poet informs us, runs the river Acheron, fo called from the abovementioned lake. V. 493. Halys ] This river, which rifes in Cappadocia, and empties itfelf into the Euxine, took its name from the beds of fait through which it runs. Strabo. Tornefort fays, this .country is fo full of fofiil-falt, that it is to be found in the 4iigh roads and plowed lands. V. 498. tfhermodon ] This river, fays Strabo, after having received many others, runs through The- mifcyra, formerly inhabited by the Amazons, and then falls into the Euxine fea. V. 502. the Chalybes ] It is commonly be- lieved, that the ancient Chalybes were the defcendents of Tub.al ; for they are celebrated by the ancients for their extraordinaty fkill in working of iron, and mak- ing of fteel-armour ; whence they are faid to have had their name. Univ. Hift. Strabo is of opinion, that they are the fame whom Homer mentions by the name of oAu. For he joins them with the^Paphlegonians, and characterizes them thus, oftev fefirtgft *ri yevifan. Chalybes nudi ferrum - Pirg. Georg. V. 505. --- the Genevan hill.] A promontory, fo named from Genetes, a neighbouring river, which ran through the country of the Chalybes. A temple was creeled here to Jupiter the hofpitable. V. 530. Phafts ] Pliny informs us, that the bird called the Pheafant, derives its name from this river, whofe banks they frequented in great abun- dance j and that they were firft brought over into Greece by the Argonauts. Argiva NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS^' Argiva primum futit trdnfpbrtata carina ; Ante mihi notum nil nifi nomen erat. Mart. 353 V. 535. A hideous dragon ^] Tarchon, which, ac- cording to the learned and ingenious Mr. Bryant, fig- nifies a hill with a tower, or temple on it, was in later times rendered Trachon ; from whence the region Tra- chonitis received its name. This word, it feemSj was ftill further fophifticated by the Greeks, and exprefled A^axwj', Dragon : from whence in a great meafure arofe the notion of treafurc^ being guarded by Dra- gons. The Gardens of the Hefperides, and the Gol- den Fleece at Colchis were entrufted to a fleeplefs fet^ v/ The dragons are reprefented as fleeplefs ; becaufe in towers there were commonly lamps burn- ing, and a watch maintained. The eyes of the dra- gon were windows in the uppermoft part of the build- ing, through which the fire appeared. Bryant's Myth. V. 553. Lies Colcbos, ] All the countries which lie on the north and north-cad parts of the Euxine, the region of Colchos, and the country at the foot of Caucafus, were of old efteemed Scythia, and thefe the Greeks looked upon to be the boundaries, north- ward, of the habitable world. V. 556. ALa ] The region termed A/a, above Colchis, was a name peculiarly given by the Amonians to the places where they refided. Among the Greeks the word grew general ; and Aid was made to fignify any land. But among the Egyptians, as well as among thofe of Colchis Pontica, it was ufed for a proper name of their country. It was owing to this, that the name given to the chief pcrfon of the country was dates. Bryant's Myth. V. 626. coeval tree, ] It was the common A a opinion 354 NOTES to iht ARGON AUTICS* opinion of the -ancients, that the Hamadryads lived and died together with their trees, and therefore were extremely grateful to thofe, who at any time preferv- ed them. The Scholiaft tells a remarkable ftory to this purpofe : A perfon called Rhoecus, obferving a beautiful oak ready to fall, ordered it to be fet up- right and fupported. The nymph of the tree appeared to him, and bade him, in return, afk whatever he pleafed. She being exceedingly handfome, Rhsscus defired he might be entertained as her lover : which fhe promifed, and accordingly fent a bee to fummon him. But the young man, happening to be playing at dice when the bee came, was fo offended with its bnz^ zing, that he drove it from him. The nymph, . .0- voked at this uncivil treatment of her embaffkdor, HI revenge deprived Rhcecus of the ufe of his limbs. He alfo fpeaks of another nymph, who was grateful to the man that preferved her oak. 11 ' rofs S^t's? wxot tvnQa.it Call. Hymn, in Del. v. 83^ V. 662. The names of Agrew and of Nonius] Thus, Callimachus : *E|oT* ITT 'HVOt's iiir* efUTi KOMVfjt.fi>o$ ' Hymn, ad Ap. 47, 'Aypeui and NqAo5 were undoubtedly the names of Apollo i but they were alfo beftowed on his fon Arif- taeus, on account of his fondnefs for a country-life^. and his many ufeful difcoveries. oveiotot pfau* t *Ay(>ict xat Nofnov Pynd. Pyth. ix. 115 V. 671. fo him they gave their numerous flocks to feed,] Almoft all the principal perfons, whole names occur NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS" 355 occur in the mythology of Greece and Italy, are re- prefented as fhepherds. It is reported of the Mufes, that they were of fnepherd-extraction, and tended flocks, which they entrufted to their favourite Arif- tasus ; the fame whom Virgil ftiles Paftor Ariftseus. Bryant. V. 685. Jhowery Jove,] Jupiter is frequently reprefented under the character of pluvius, or the dif- penfer of rain, both by poets, painters, and ftatuaries. For it was his province, as chief ruler of the air, to direct not only the thunders and lightnings, but the rain. Virgil has given us a noble defcription of th^ Jupiter pluvius in the following defcription : cum Jupiter, horridus auftris, Torquet aquofam hiamem, & caelo cava nubila rumpit. jn. ix. 670. Sfeace's Polym* V. 693. and by thefe winds detained,] For thele Etefian winds, the hiftory of which the poet has juft given us, blew north-call, and confequently in a di- rection the mod unfavourable for them who were failing up the Euxine. V. 735- Old ocean thunder* d {] This ftorm feems to have been copied by Virgil, ./En. i. by Lucan, Ovid, and Valerius Flaccus. V. 813. With cold indifference ] The great out- lines of Jafon's character are piety, humanity, and valour. The fentiment before us is replete with philanthropy, and prejudices us highly in favour of the hero of the poem. V. 86 1. His golden locks 9 ] Milton thus der fcribes Adam's hair : hyacinthine locks Round from his parted forelock manly hung C/uJTring. B. iv, 303. A a $ The 356 NOTES ts the A R o o K A u T i c s. . The circumftance of the hair hanging like bunches of grapes has been juftly admired. But it is literally tranflated from the defcription of Apollo's hair in the Greek poet. l BOTPYO'ENTES ivsu The word ^orgAAs could hardly be rendered into Englilh by any other word than by duftering. War- fan's Obferv. V. 867. Nor dar'd the heroes, ] Thus Hefiod in Scuto, fpeaking of Hercules, W& Tf V TOW .__ J _ x lju> & an y . There was probably, in the old pictures of Apollo, a certain brightnefs beaming from his eyes, and per- haps diffufed all over his face ; in the fame manner, as the body of the principal figure is all luminous and refplendent in the famous nativity of Correggio, of the Transfiguration by Raphael. What made me then-fufpecl: this, was the ancient poets fpeaking fo often of the brightneis of Apollo's face, and the beaming fplendours of his eyes. Virgil does not only compare his ./Eneas (under whom is generally fuppofed to be meant Auguftus) to Apollo for beau- ty ; but, in another place, he feems to call Auguftus himlelf (who was really very beautiful) by the name of this God. Spends Polym. V. 771. fben like an arrow ] Virgil has adopted this cdmparifon, where he reprefents Cloanthus's fhip as moved forward by Portunus : . - - Et pater ipfe manu Portunus euntem Impulit : ilia noto citius volucrique fagitta Ad terrain fiigit, & portu fe condidit alto. JEn. v. 241. V. 900. NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS. 357 V. 900. with curls unclipfd^ Nothing was deemed by the ancients more efTential to the beauty of a young perfon (and Apollo was always reprefented a youth) than fine, long hair. Hence the epithets crinitus and intonfus are ib often given to Apollo. . i.ji- ' . crinitus Apollo, Nube fedens. Virg. jn. ix. 63 ?. fic tibi fmt intonfi, Phcebe, capilli. Yibull. V. 946. The Megarenfians Soonautes nam'd] They are called by our poet in this place, and by Theocri- tus, Id. xii. 27. N/tra?o/ MeyoLpnes , from Niia, which, as the Scholiaft informs us, was the name of their dock. It was fo named frorrj Nifus, Ion of Pandion, and king of this people. The Megarenfians, going out to plant a colony in Heraclea, were driven by difbrefs of weather into the river Acheron, which, from the protection it afforded them, they called Soonautes. V. 1028. But fail' tf, unhappy! ] Sed non augurio potuit depellare peftem. sn. ix. 328. The fate of others he had oft forefliewn, But fail'd, unhappy ! to prevent his own. Pitt. V. 1029. Here, in a covert ] This defcription of a boar hid among the ru flies, and the terror of the neighbourhood, reminds us of the following beauti- ful lines of Ovid, who is defcribing the Caledonian boar: Concava vallis erat, quo fe dimittere rivi Affuerant pluvialis aquas : tenet ima lacun/; And Homer, in the words of Mr. Pope; Od. B. ix. The poor and ftranger are Jove's conftant care ; To Jove their caufe and their revenge belongs, He wanders with them, and he fgels their wrongs. V. 1430. round the altar flood;'] The tombs, of which frequent mention is made by the ancient writers, were in reality high altars or pillars, and not, as has been fuppofed, monuments erected in honour of the dead. Such an one the Argonauts are laid to have found in the terrtple of Mars, when they landed upon the coaft of Pontus. This was the exprefs ob- ject to which the Amazonians paid their adoration , as they lived in an age when ftatues were not known. Bryant's Myth* V. 1472. Typhaoma's cave,"] Apollonius men- tions an ancient Typhonian Petra in the hollows of the mountain. It was an Ophite temple, where the Deity was probably worfhipped under the figure of a ferpent. Hence the poet fuppofes the ferpent, with which Jafon engages, to have been produced in thofe parts. Bryant's Myth. V. 1497. Where Saturn firjl fair Philyra ] Sa- turn, to avoid being discovered by his wife Ops, while he was engaged with Philyra his miflrefs, turned himfelf into a beautiful horfe. Chiron, the famous Centaur, was the fon of this nymph Philyra. V. 1547. Where on an oak ] The Greek here, and y. v. 1399, is fyuos; but at v. 534 the word is ynyoio, a beech : both which trees bearing maft, they may perhaps be indifcriminately ufed. NOTES NOTES to the ARCONAUTICS. NOTES TO BOOK III. V. 2. dND teach thy poet, Erato, ] Apollonius with great propriety invokes Erato, the Mufe who prefided over love-affairs. For this book contains the loves of Medea and Jafon, and abounds with the moft beautiful fentiments defcriptive of the tender paffion. Virgil's invocation of Erato, Nunc age, c[ui reges, Erato, &c. is a tranfcript of Apollonius, Ei ave yw, 'Eparw, &c. Virgil feems to have co- pied our poet in this inftance, at the expence of his judgment: for it is difficult to affign a reafon for his invocation of this Mufe, when he was about to fing, as he informs us, reges & tempora rerum. The fourth book of Virgil, Servius tells us, Is borrowed from this of Apollonius Rhodius. Virgil's /Eneid, fays Hoelzlinus, would not have been en- riched with the epifode of Dido, had not the amours of Hypfipyla and Medea been worked up ready to his hand by Apollonius. V. 10. Juno and Pallas ] Having conducted his heroes to the banks of the Phafis, our poet fhifts the fcene, and takes occafion to introduce the two God- defles, Juno and Pallas, confulting for the fafety of Jafpn. There is a neceffity for fuch machinery, in order to preferve the dignity of Epic poetry. And the propriety of its introduction in this place will be acknowledged, if we recoiled, that on the fuccefsful application of thefe Goddefies to Venus the future fortunes of Jafon depend. There needs no greater proof of the beauty of this paflage, than that it has been imitated by Virgil in that part of his firft book, where Cupid is commifiioned by his mother to kindle in Dido's breaft a paffion for S to tht ARGONAUTICS. V. 46.^ floating i/le ] The Greek is sS Homer has a fimilar expreffion, OdyfT. x. 3. A floating ifle ! high-rais'd by toil divine. Pope. V.,50. Sat Cytberea on a p&lijtfd throne.'] This whole paflage is imitated by Claudian, who, fpeaking of Venus, fays, Caefariem tune fort* Venus fubnixa corufco ittViYiFingebat folis : dextra laevaque forores Stabant Idalias : largos hec neflaris imbres Irrigat ; haec mori'u numerofi dentis eburno Multifidum difcrimen arat; fed tertia retro Dat varios nexus, & jufto dividit orbes Ordine, negleftam pattern ftudiofa relinquens. ' V. 74. To fn& Ixion* ] He, for making love to J$no, and boaft ing afterwards that he had dishonoured J qpiter, was hurled headlong by him into Tartarus, and bound to a wheel, which he was doomed to turn without intermifllon. V. 79. as o'er ibt world I Jlray'd,'] It was the opinion of the ancients, that the Gods frequently af- fumed the human Jhape. Thus Homer, Odyff. xvii. v. 485. They (curious oft of mortal aftions) deign ] forms like thefe to round the earth and main, Juft and unjuft recording in their mind, And with fure eyes infpedting all mankind. Pofe. fummo delabor Olympo, Et Deus hnmana luftro fub imagine terras. 0. Hymn, ad Jov. v. 47. V. 149. A fwcet round ball; ] It is partly from the wanton and playful character of thefe little Cu- pids, that they are almoft always given us under the figures of children. Thus Ovid ; Et puer es, nee te quicquam nifi ludere oportet : Lude, decent annos mollia regna tuos. Os to tfa A K G o tf A tr T i c s, 7 were unburied to wandef ain hundred years. Virgil applies to her the epithet of ier geminam^ and Horace that of triformis. She was called in heaven Luna, or the Moon, on earth Diana, and in hell Proferpina, Hecate, and Brimo from her terrifying appearance. It feems extraordinary that Diana, who is the goddefs of chaftity, fhould be reprefented as difpenf- ing hef favourable influence in illicit amours. But the mythologifts inform us, that Diana and Venus are but one and the fame divinity. The Sc hoi i aft on Theocritus, Id. ii. fays, that it was cuftomary, among the ancients, for the men to implore the fun, and women the moon in their amours. Gicero, fpeaking of three Dianas, obferves, that the firft was thought to be the mother of winged Cupid. De Nat. Dear. L. 3 . V. 1095. With honey , fweeteft labour of the bees.~\ Ho- ney was a favourite ingredient with the ancients in their oblations to the gods, whether of heaven or hell. Homer, in his hymn to Mercury, calls it 1 i jtuv yoei&v towoijr. Bees and honey are fubje&s which the Greek poets are particularly fond of introducing; and their country was plentifully fupplied with thefe commo- dities. V. 1 155. WTyere from Prometheus good Deucalion came,] Apollonius Rhodius, according to the common opi- nion, fuppofes Deucalion to have been a native of Greece, the fon of Prometheus, the fon of Japetus ; but in thefe ancient mythological accounts all ge- nealogy muft be entirely difregarded. He reprefents him as the firft of men, through whom religious rites were renewed, cities built, and civil polity eftablifhed in the world ; none of which circum- 5 ftances N b T E 3 to the A R c o \ Y A u T i c s." 369 ftances are applicable to any king of Greece. We are allured by Philo, that Deucalion was Noah. Bryant* V. 1245. ?his baneful monjler was by Cadmus Jlain^ Upon the report of the rape of Europa, her father, Agenor, fent every where in fearch of her, and or- dered his ion Cadmus not to return home till he had found her. Cadmus having traverfed a part of Greece without gaining any information of her, fettled in Bceotia,. where he built the city Thebes. Having fent his afibciates into a grove, confecrated to Mars, to fetch water, a fcrpent, which guarded the place, devoured them. Cadmus, to revenge their death, flew the monfter ; from whole teeth, which he had fown, a body of armed men fprung up. This is the fabulous account to which Apollonius alludes. No colony, fays Mr. Bryant, could fettle any where, ' and build an Orphite or ferpent temple, but there was fuppofed to have been a contention betwixt a hero and a dragon. Cadmus was defcribed in con- flict with fuch an one at Thebes. V. 1247. An heifer to his feat ] ^O^TTCUC^ re- lates properly to divine influence, and wop.Tr'n is an oracle. An ox or cow was by the Amonians efteemed very facred and oracular. Cadmus was accordingly faid to be directed sro^w.Tr*? 00=. Bryant. V. 1285. Amaranthine Pbajis ] This river is fuppofed to have derived its fouvce from a nation of that name. The poet, in describing the effects of this infernal evocation, has heaped together with great judgment, and in the true fpint of poetry, every cir- cumftance that is capable of exciting terror and aftonifhmcnt. V. 1288. And now on Caucafus, ] Apollonius introduces his heroes on the plains of Mars with the B b utmoft 370 NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS.' utmoft pomp and magnificence, thus artfully prepar- ing us for the folemnities of the enfuing combat, on which the fate of Jafon depends. NOTES TO BOOK IV. V. i. Q Goddcfi,'] The firft and fecond books contain, as we have feen, the voyage of the Argonauts to Colchis. In the book we are now entering upon, the poet has given us an account of the route they took on their return. And, in order to throw the utmoft variety into his poem, he has conducted them to Greece by a way altogether new and unknown. He makes them fail up the Ifter, and by an arm of that river, to the Eridanus, and from thence to the Rhone. Apollonius's geo- graphy is, in many inftances, very exceptionable. The licence which poets are allowed, quidlibet au- dendi^ is his beft excufe for inaccuracies of this kind. Scaliger, who feldom fpares our author, does not fcruple to aflert, that, ' quod attinet ad fituin * orbis terrarum, fane imperitus regionum fuit Apol- * lonius. De Iftro, dii boni ! quas nugas.' But let it be remembered, that not only poets have trifled in their defcriptions of this river, but that hifto- rians and geographers, who have attempted to ex- plain its courfe, have given very different and incon- fiftent accounts of it. Many curious traditions, and entertaining pieces of ancient Greek hiftory are in- terfperfed NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS.' 371 terfperfcd throughout this book. The fpeeches of Medea can never be enough admired. Her fenti- ments are admirably fuited to her condition ; they are fimple, unaffected, and calculated to raife our pity. Our poet has difplayed a luxuriant fancy in his defcription of the nuptials of Jafon and Medea ; and he has painted the diftreffes of his Ar- gonauts, on the coaft of Africa, in the moft glow- ing colours. This book appears indeed, in every view of it, equal, if not fuperior to any of the fore- going. We meet with fome obfcurities. The tranf- lator confeffes his inability to afcertain the true fenfe of every intricate paffage. Let it, however, be fome alleviation of his errors, that his guides have been but few, and they not always the moft intelli- gent ; and that no part of this book, except only the ilory of Talus, has appeared in an Englifb, drefs, before the prefent verfion was publimed. V. 32. Clung round each door, ] The cuftcm of kifling beds, columns, and doors, before they were obliged to quit them, occurs frequently in the Greek tragedians. V. 33. A lock Jbe fore ] It was cuftomary for young women, before the nuptial ceremony was per- formed, to prefent their hair to fome deity, to whom they had particular obligations. Medea, therefore, previous to her departure and marriage with Jafon, prefents a lock of hair to her mother, to be depo- fited by her in the temple of fome deity to whom it was confecrated. V. 64. I to the cave atLatmos'} Latmos was a mountain in Caria, in whole cave the moon was faid by the poets to vifit Endymion. Thus, in Valerius Flaccus, who feems to have had this paflage in his eye, we read \ B b 3 % JUtmius 372 NOTES to the ARGON Latmius seftiva refidet venator in umbra, Dignus amore deae : velatis cornibus et jam Luna venit. Lib. viii. 29. V. 92. Whofe knees embracing,'] Several parts of the body were confidered by the ancients as the ' feats of virtues and vices, of good and bad qualities. Modefty was afligned to the eyes, fagacity and derifion to the nofe, pride and difdain to the eye-brows, and pity to the knees ; which, it was cuftomary for fup- pliants, when they made their requefts, to touch and embrace with reverence. : ' ; V/i23. & twilight, ere I Xenophon, de Vena- tionc, makes the fame obfervation, l^von -/r^/!', exire diluculo. The fame remark is made by Oppian and others. V. 143. Colcbians^ far diftant ] This noble hy- perbole has been copied by Virgil, Book vii. v. 515, .where, fpeaking of Alec~bo, he fays, 3"!t\"With her full force a mighty horn ihe winds ; Th' infernal ftrain alarms the gathering hinds. The dreadful fummons the deep foreft took j The woods all thunder'd, and the mountains fhook. The lake of Trivia heard the note profound j -t^C The Veline fountains trembled at the found : The thick fulphureous floods of hoary Nar Shook at the blaft that blew the flames of war : Pale at the piercing call, the mothers preft With fhrieks their ftarting infants to the breaft. Pitt, This circumftance of the mothers clafping their infants to their breafts, is a very tender and affecting one. The poets feem particularly fond of it. We meet with it in the Troades of Euripides ; and Camoens, in his imitation of thefe linking paffages in Apollonius and Virgil, was too fenfible of its beauty to omit it : NOTES to the ARGON AUTICS. 373 Such was the tempeft of the dread alarms, The babes that prattled in their nurfes' arms Shriek'd at the found: with fudden cold impreft, The mothers ftrain'd their infants to the breaft, And fhook with horror. The Lujiad, B. iv. p. 124, V. 203. The gtillant land beheld with wondering eyesi] Mr. Warton is of opinion, that Virgil had this beau- tiful paffage in his eye in the following lines : Expleri nequit, atque oculos per fingula voluit, Miraturque, interque manus et brachia ve'rfat... JEn. viii. v. 618. And thus Spenfer, in his Fairy Queen : But Triflram then defpoiling that dead knight Of all thofe goodly ornaments of praife, Long fed his greedy eyes with the fair light Of the bright metal, fhining like fun-rays ; Handling and turning them a thoufand ways. B. vi. c. 2. ft. 39. V. 292. And, ere bright Cynthia ] By Selene, and Selenaia, is meant the ark, of which the moon was only an emblem .; and from thence the Arcades, or Arkites, had the appellation of Selenitas. When therefore it is faid, that the Arcades were prior to the moon, it means only, that they were coniticuted into a nation before the worfhip of the ark prevail- ed, and before the firft war upon earth commenced. Bryant. This boaft of the Arcadians, that they were a nation before the moon gave light to the world', is alfo thus accounted for by fome ingenious writers: the Greeks generally ordered their affairs according to the appearances of the moon, efpecially thofe two of the new and full moon. The Spartans held it criminal to begin any great defign till after they had confidered the moon, as me appeared when new and at the full. The Arcadians, contrary to this general^ cuftom of the Greeks, tranfafted all their bufmefs of B b 3 importance 374 NOTES to the ARGON AUTICS! importance before the appearance of the new moon, or that of the full ; and were therefore called in de- rifion, 'sr/)oo-gAvot, for their neglect of this religious ceremony. Which term of reproach the Arcadians applied to their commendation, and fhrewuly affirm- ed, that they were entitled to this epithet, becaufe their nation was more ancient than the moon. V. 301. Hence rofe the matchlefs chief ] Seibftris not only overran the countries which Alexan- der afterward invaded , but crofled both the Indus and the Ganges ; and thence penetrated into the eaftern ocean. He then turned to the north, and attacked the nations. of Scythia; till he at laft arrived at the Tanais, which divides Europe and Afia. Here he founded a colony , leaving behind him fome of his people, as he had juft before done at Colchis. He fubdued Afia Minor, and all the regions of Europe -, where he creeled pillars with hieroglyphical infcriptions, denoting, that thefe parts of the world had been fubdued by the great Sefoftris or Sefoofis. Diodorus Sic. L. i. p. 49. Apollonius Rhodius, who is thought to have been a native of Egypt, fpeaks of the exploits of this prince, but mentions no name ; not knowing, perhaps, by which properly to diftinguifh him, as he was reprefented under fo many. He reprefents him as conquering all Afia and Eu- rope ; and this in times fo remote, that many of the cities which he built, were in ruins before the sera of the Argonauts. Bryant. V. 31 1. recording tablets keep] The Colchians, fays the Scholiaft, ftill retain the laws and cuftoms of their forefathers ; and they have pillars of ftone, upon which are engraved maps of the continent and of the ocean. The poet calls thefe pillars x.vpeis : which, we are told, were of a fquare figure, like obelifks, Thefe delineations had been made of old, and NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS. 375 and tranfmitted to the Colchians by their forefathers ; which forefathers were from Egypt. The Egyp- tians were very famous for geometrical knowledge. All the flat part of this country being overflowed, it is reafonable to fuppofe, that they made ufe of this fcience to determine their lands, and to make out their feveral claims, at the retreat of the waters. Bryant. V. 451. Rife may my Furies, ] Thus Dido, in a fit of defpondency and rage, threatens Et cum frigida more anima feduxerit artus, Omnibus umbra locis adero. JEn. iv. 385. V. 526. Curfe of mankind! ] Our poet, when- ever he introduces moral fentences, which is but feldom, takes care to do it with the utmoft propriety ; at a time when the occafion warrants the ufe of them, and gives additional force and luflre to the truths which they convey. Virgil has adopted this fentiment of Apollonius on a fimilar occafion : Improbe amor, quid non mortalia pectora cogis ! J5n. iv. 412. V. 412. From the Greek word Epws, in the ori- ginal, Mr. Bryant has taken occafion to give us the following curious account of Cupid and his emblems: Iris, the Rainbow, feems to have been expreficd Eiras by the Egyptians. Out of Eiras the Greeks formed Eros, a God of Love ; whom they annexed to Venus, and made her fon. And finding that the bow was his fymbol, inftead of the Iris, they gave him a material bow, with the addition of a quiver and arrows. Being furnimed with theie implements of mifchicf, he was fuppofed to be the bane of the world. B b 4 V. 550. NOTES, .to the ARGONAUTICS; . V.'55O. I'urn'-d frvm the murderous fcene } The remorfe and concern of Medea are very ftrongly ex- prefled by this fimple action, of turning afide and concealing her face from, the fcene of barbarity. Signs are fometimes more fignifican.t than words, however eloquent and pathetic , and filence is often the fureft indication of heart-felt forrow. V. 613. Wiser e Cadmus' 1 and Harmonics tomb ] Cadmus fettling in Bceotia, married Harmonia, or Hermione, the daughter of Venus by Mars. A con- fpiracy being formed againft him, he was obliged to quit Bceotia, and retire with his wife into Illyricum. The-y are faid by the poets to have been transformed into ferpents. Of this transformation, and of the tomb, which the people of Illyricum creeled to their memory, Dionyfius thus fpeaks : "GTTTTOT' a,it 'lapwov Xi7rov ^v V. 644. Of blood yet ftr earning from his children Jlain,] By Megara, the daughter of Creon king of Thebes, Hercules had leveral fons, whom he flew in a, fit of madnefs. Soon after this {laughter he left Thebes, and received expiation for the murder at Athens, according to fome ; but according to our poet, at Macris. V. 689. WaKd the brisker gales in Argons aid.] In the original, *Amx. 5 ~v- Juno, anxious for the fafety of her crew, and knowing they muft vint Circe's ifle, Tailed a ftorm for that purpofe ; which drove them back, up the Chronian fea, as far as the ifland Ele6lris. By thus changing NOTES to the A R c o N A u T i c s. 377 changing their direction, fhe ftiortened their voyage, and haftened their approach to the ifland of Circe. V. 727. 'To the far Hyperborean race ---] There are fo many inconfiftent fables among the ancients, re- fpecting the country and fituation of the Hyperbo- reans, that modern geographers have not been able to reconcile them. See Gefner de Navigaticnibus extra tolumnas Herculis, Pr^eL 2. Callimachus, in his hymn to Delos, fpeaks of them as a people of high antiquity. Pindar places them near the ides of the Bleft, which were fuppofed to have been oppofite to Mauritania, and celebrates their rites. See Olymp. Od. iii. and Pytb. x. V. 728. Grieved for his favourite ALfculapius] Ju- piter, incenfed that ./Efculapius had reftored Hippo- litus to life, deftroyed him with his thunder. Apollo, willing to revenge the death of his fon, directed his darts againft the Cyclops, by whofe hands the thun- der of Jupiter was formed. The god, for this of- fence, banilhed him from heaven.- See Virg* ./En. vii. v. 764. V. 775. With chalks ] In the original, The firft line is obfcure ; for it may either mean, that they made ufe of the -^rityoi as ^X^yyia^ccrcL^ or ftrigiles, for rubbing ; or that, in rubbing, the fweat dropped on the ftones, fytqfiaiv^ and difcoloured them. If this fenfe be the true one, the following lines may, perhaps, be fomewhat lefs exceptionable than thofe already given : To cleanfe their fides from copious fweat they toil, Which, trickling down, diltain'd (he chalky foil. This 378 NOTES to the ARGONAUTICS. This paffa^e will receive fome illuftration from' Ariftotle, Tzregi Sra.vfjLa.cri(t)v aVar / wcjT&)y ; who afierts, that among other monuments of the Argonautic ex- pedition this was one, TO ITTI ruv ^fy TOP atytcthov tyqious q,y.c\v g'i' ot 'EAA#i>e 5 01 TW VTKTQV e/xfcWes, v Aag;t> aVo TWV q'^.eLff.y.Tur ojv V, 783. Here faw they Circe, ] We have the fulleft defcription of Circe and her habitation in the joth Odyff. of Homer: from which book fucceeding poets have been fupplied with ample materials, to afiift them in drefiing out this entertaining fiction. It is entertaining to obferve, how different poets have written on the fame or fimilar fubjefts. And according as they have acquitted themfelves in work- ing them up, we may form a judgment of their tafte and genius. V. 932. Till Themis thus ] Others afcribe this difcovery to Prometheus, for which Jupiter promiied to releaie him from his chains. V. 946. Shall in Elyfiunis blifsful plains ] Theftory, here alluded to, is mentioned by leveral of the ancient mythologifts. Medea, when in Elyfium, or the For- tunate iflands, gained the affections of Achilles, who then dwelt in thofe regions, and married her. The ancients are by no means confiflent in their accounts of thefe Elyfian fields. Some affirm them to be in the moon, others in the milky way. But it is more generally fuppofed, that they are fituated in fome fertile and pleafant region on earth. See Homers Odyff, B. iv. and the note to v. 765 of Pope's Tranf. and Gefner de Infulis beat. Pr ,V. 448. For Jleep his elder brother's afyett wears,] yifgij, i^Kn. .vi. 278. calls Sleep confanguineus lethi. y. 450. Hence the fwoln eyes of females, ---] Hence, i. e. by reafon of the likenefs there is betwixt thefe two affections. .,464. At Cytherea's ] The line in the original is qbfgure, and ufually mifplaced. It is given to Her- mione, but without the leaft reafon. It is here re- ftored to its proper place ; and is an obfervation which comes naturally .enough from the mouth of Helen. See Lcnmfs note on the pafTage. V. 482. N O T E S tO tie R A P E O F H E L E N. 39 I V. 482. Caffandm from her tower ] CafTandra was the daughter of Priam, and prieftefs of Apollo. Apollo gave her the gift of prophecy ; but, on her refuting to comply with the conditions on which it was given her, he rendered it ineffectual, by ordaining that her predictions fhouldnever be believed. Hence it was, that, when Paris let fail for Greece in purfuit of Helen, her prophecy, that he Ihould bring home a flame, which mould confume his country, was not re- garded. Her appearance therefore on the prelent occafion is quite in character , and our poet has (hewn his judgment by the representation he has given of hen END OF THE NOTES, *66i Dt , - ISt?^- REQUEST Subject: SRl-r . UCSD CENTRAL Shelving * The ^ 3316391MC . information 6S Unit : UNKNOWN ^AOS ANGELA fc i i -x. NY-SI A 000000279 o i y ^^-^ - ^ ^