ARGO. THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND A RGO: OK, THE QUEST OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. AKGO: OR, THE QUEST OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. % Metrical ftale, IN TEN BOOKS. l'.Y ALEXANDER, EARL OF CRAWFORD AND BALCARRES, LORD LINDSAY, etc. LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1876. LONDON : PB vn.l> 1Y WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, NlfORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. ( v , 13 > CONTEN T S. l;i>< IK L- PltOPYL-EUM -Jason II.- —Orpheus III.- — Hypsipyle IV.- —Heracles V.- -Phixeus . VI.- — Lycus . VII.- — Medea . ^IIL- -iEi-iTES . IX- — Absyktus X.- - ClUCE Vll 1 25 59 89 122 152 191 221 251 27G 764878 ( vii ) PR0PYLJ1UM. ' Aye, born a Poet! All my boyhood's dreams, ' My manhood's visions, bright and wild, yet each ' Seal'd at my will with immortality — ' Think ye I know it not ? A child, I read ' In Nature's page my mission, — angels' hymns ' Dwelt in mine ears ; and, 'mid the flow'rs and trees, ' Murmuring alternate verse and prayer, I walk'd ' With God, a Poet in my Paradise. ' Youth hath its anguish, — boys may bleed like men, ' Like men endure, like men subdue themselves, ' And, slaves without, rule o'er the world within :— ' And thus rul'd I, crown'd with no earthly crown, ' My mind my empire ; where I would I roved, ' Flowers as I pleas'd I gather'd ; garlands w r ove ' For Homer's shrine, my sculpture, and for his ' Who sang of Danae, wise Simonides. ' And what car'd I for worldlings ? Could their scoff ' Blight the fair visions, taint the breath of hcav'n ' That robes as with a veil young Poesy ? ' Ah no ! I lov'd not whom I mingled with, ' Kept my own lonely path, conscious within ' Of powers I watch'd with awe, yet immature, ' But struggling into life — in silence watch'd, ' Nor sigh'd for other converse than mine own. ' Then rose thy sun, Italia ! on my soul, ' Revealing beauty, harmony, and power, ' Till then unseen, though not unfelt, nor yet ' Seen fully till my noon of song be nigh, ' When utt'raucc meet no more shall be denied. VUl PROPYL&UM. . Ti ii then— probation ! Yet e'en now I strike • With f< arl< 88 hand the ohords, that then shall answer- • Time as old ( loean's mirror to the flash, •Or Echo to the Btorm '.' Thnfl sang I years — I. Q g years ago, in heal ofyonth; and dream'd of a greal song, 'Jerusalem Destroyed,' Should crown me 'mong the pints of all time,— But, ere such venture, went on pilgrimage To ancient Egypt and the Eastern land, A.,,1 Li arn'd unlook'd for lessons. 'Mong the wreck Of empires, on a broken obelisk In Carnac's temple resting, Thoth unroll'd The map of ages, large, before my eyes ; And BhowM me that Jerusalem, though dower'd With gifts of promise, and her fall the knell Of superstition, doom'd, those gifts mispriz'd, Was hut a part of a vast whole, of God Plann'd, meted out, develop'd, and combin'd; Which, to sing worthily, I must understand — 1 1 imself would teach me. And once more I dream'd Of a great Hist'ry, told how Providence Works out the mighty epos of mankind. But then I ask'd, ' What is the key unlocks ' Such secrets ? What the principle that rules ' Time's evolution, man's progressive march ' Controls and animates, and men with men ' Links through all ages, and mankind with God — ' The past, the present, with the world to come ? ' And, as the evening shadows fell, I cross'd The river, and in Thoth's still chamber pray'd, Before the Tree, for guidance to such truth. And from the Tree the answer came, that not Through mystic ecstasy, hut hy the sweat Of thought's knit brow and toil of the hard hand, Delving among the ruins of the past, Tapping the springs of time, and to both worlds Of Faith and Knowledge free'd by Socrates, PROPYL.PUM. ix And faith-inform'd by those who spake with tongues, Bridging the gulf 'twixt God and man, inspir'd — Such insight must be won. And then I saw- Dwarf 'd in my self-esteem, humbled, and yet In conscience of imparted power elate — Wisdom how noble, Knowledge mean, compar'd ; And knew life worthless that subserves not truth,— Beauty thenceforth less worthily esteem'd : — Erring, for each to each is correlate. Then cried I, ' Thou, Divine Philosophy ! ' Thou, and none else, henceforth shalt be my Queen ! ' And bright Urania came with all ber stars, And swore me vassal, and possess'd my soul. Tims, toiling, pass'd my wealth of life away ; And when with siren voice across the sea The Muse call'd on me, I or stopp'd mine ears, Or answer' d but one instant, then was mute. Like clogs that thrust their noses in the hand, Craving for notice, longing for the life Of sunny skies and uncoop'd liberty — Oh ! how I long'd to join them in the chace ! The bright ideas came ; but brief caress, Or rude rebuff, their sweet advance rcpell'd. Yet oft I said, ' Some time perchance, not now ! ' When but the heat of this long day is done, 1 And I may ask my wages in repose.' Meanwhile I found, or fancied found, the key That loos'd Nile's sluices ; and I sow'd a seed, Which bore fruit upwards, and a harvest reap'd ; And sow'd and reap'd again ; and now have sown One last fond venture — if I see the end. And some have rccognis'd, but more have fed, Unconscious whose the hand that turn'd the soil. And now, the first time during all these years, Came weariness, not of the head, but heart : Weariness at the lagging march of truth Disheartenment, seen rather retrograde. And I betook me to my Southern home, 3 rir treath s be turn through, • •■ And moral suasion unsupported by • - i 'he cannon's logic leads to light e.-tecm • '• What matters while our commerce rings the globe, And neighbours pay mock homage while we preach ? "*L ps fight, and welcome — wc sit still." • I lew chang'd from what it was when, in my youth, • Each Briton walk'd o'er Europe as a king ; • And Turk and Arab yielded me to pass, • Known such, alone, respected and secure, Where now no Christian dares to show his face! Where is the prestige of old England goue ? • And, England failing, who shall take her place, 'Undower'd with all these mercies which we sin, • Beading th' undying war 'gainst Antichrist V • A iv we then near the end, Typhoeus' day, ' When Gods and men shall perish, time no more, • And Argo come in clouds to save the just? • Where is religion, where philosophy ? ' Where is our faith in God and in ourselves ? ' For, as the whole, so each, — nations are but ' The individual on a larger scale. ' What can we hope when old worn fallacies • < rep up as new, the wisdom of the past ' Flouted, God voted a nonentity, ' And man a brute, nay, animated clod, ' That blindly gropes its hour, and perishes ? ' Such are thy teachers now, O Israel ! ' And we applaud, and love to have it so. ( ) pristine Faith, how is thy fine gold dimm'd ! ' O holy licv'rence, where thine honour fled ?' Thus pond'ring, sad, depress'd, I sat and mused In that old garden; and I ask'd, what fruit Of all my toil, of all the toils of those My elders, who have taught since Socrates— Save by myself, I deem'd, scarce understood In fulness 'gainst the dragon's brood once sown PROPYL.PUM. xiii By Father Cadmus, but reviv'd in strength — My arm now weakening, followers few to cheer, Save those, too loving, who my nearest he, — Beyond such, my poor name already rank'cl, Once honour'd a inure dreamer's, past his time : — Why should I struggle more? Why set forth this Last argument for truth ? Best, lay it by, — Small chance to be found gold another day. Philosophy seem'd lovelier less, her stars Pal'd, in that access of discouragement. — Fool ! not rememb'ring this, that Truth is great, And will prevail — that Time truth's harvest sows In every cent'ry for the next to reap — And that we toilers, not for time alone Work, but for all eternity and heaven ; There, on the lines reveal'd to us on earth, To build Truth's perfect pyramid, and know Beauty with Truth consistent, Harmony Resulting thence, true music of the spheres — And from that height sublime adoring hands Stretch upward to the throne of ord'ring Love : — Thoughts long familiar, nor for long obscur'd. For a soft dying breath of autumn's fall Woke as I sat there, and refresh'd my brow ; And the sweet bells swept down from Fiesole. And, long unseen, a presence came, on wings Of beauty, and with smiles that mock'd the dawn ; Young, as in those old days when Linus sang ; Voice sweeter than the melodies of spring ; Her virgin tresses dropping with the dews Castulian, and Apollo's lute in hand, — Truth in her eyes, and love in her accost. I knew her, the bright presence, nor repell'd. '' Thou hast," she whisper'd, " been unfaithful long. " I claim my dues, if only for a time. " Bound to the oar, yet slaves must rest awdiile, " Or little worth their labour. Heracles, " Sever'd from Iole, must weep ; but long xiv PROPYL&UM. '• Endurance brings the maiden I" bis side, "Though but to greet and bid farewell. The hour, •• By me long look'd for, now hath fairs <>n thee. " Not Thoth's dark cell, Parnassus is thy home. •■ I was thy liist love — come to mo again !" Then, as I gaz'd enraptur'd, she went on :— •• Sing the i >ld song of Argo, once in Greece " Sung by Tliymootes — 'tis a tale thou lov'st— " Of Argo, great exemplar of the world, '■ But in sparse fragments ill remeinber'd now, " Distorted from its glory and debas'd. " Tims shall thy early vows, thy debt, be paid." " Belov'd !" I answer'd, " I am weary-worn ; •• Thrice twenty-one long years have plac'd my foot '• On the third trembling stage of human life— " Thou kuow'st how I have toil'd — how can I sing ? .\I y voice is feeble, and the fire burnt low. "Too happy have I liv'd ; nor, suif'ring, learnt •• Those lessons of the heart that teach in song. " Nor would I spin the lighter measures led " By thy mock sisters, slip-shod, that the slopes " Haunt of the new Parnassus of this time — " Bred in a sterner school now out of date. " What audience could I, being such, expect?" " True, thou art old," she said, " the fire is low, — " But debt thou ow'st ; and, if short reckoning found, " 1 am no usurer — pay me what thou canst. " I know thee ever true to me in heart. " Hast suff'red not ? Thou hast. 'Tis not the dregs " Of sated passion that give strength to song ; " But sympathy, large, loving, for mankind ; " And thou hast wept for others bitter tears. " For measure — sing to me as did thy sires "Ere Revolution dwarf d the children's growth. " There are that Chaucer, Drydcn, Pope love still. " Nor those despise that wake a lighter strain,— •• Greece had her Sappho, her Anacrcon. " The firefly shines as brightly as a star. PROPYL.EUM. xv " If pure the fire, unsullied by the touch " Of earth defiling, 'tis the gift of God, " T' enlighten, purify, and cheer the time. " There is no wisdom in exclusiveness. " But doubt not. See this fountain, how it springs, " Touch'd and set free, the stronger, long repress'd ; " How it springs up and sparkles in the sun ! " Doubt not, and trust me — I will sing with thee. " For thou hast liv'd in the old days of Greece, " And convers'd with the fathers of the world, " Friendly, beneath their common patriarch's tent. " Thou know'st their old songs and their mystery, "Nearer Christ's faith than this learn'd age allows — " Old truths, forgotten long ere Homer sung. " So shalt thou breathe a freshness on the brow, " Fever'd with task-work, of this restless age ; " So shalt, thyself refresh'd, to toil return. " And if axight else be needed — if a touch " Confess'd of such fond weakness — look at yon " Fair town, her dome, her tow'rs, where Dante dwelt ; " And think how in this garden, in these halls, " Thine own Boccaccio sang — his tongue is song — " Legends as sweet as the Milesian Tales. " Sing this tale too ; and make thy Tuscan home, " Here singing, doubly famous to all time !" So I obey'd the voice, the fount unseal'd, And the sweet waters sprang up in my soul, — But with less gen'rous freedom than of old. And, as dead Fergus came to Senchan's son By his tomb sitting, journeying to the south — Sent to recover the old tale that told Of Meva's and her husband's rivalry, Lost heritage of Erin — to the tomb Came in his shroud of mist, and the great song Recited to the youth, and disappear' d ; So old Thymcetes from Elysium came. Sent by that fair one, pitying, as I deem, My wreck of fancy ; and inform'd me how, xvi PROPYL. 1AM. Not distant bora from sage iEthalides, Thai herald's soul liv'd on in him, and kept Rememb'rance, Hermes' gift, of all had pass'd In Argo's voyage to M& and return, Transmitted with that son! through all his race, Hence true the record that his verso enshrin'd. And he recited it, from first to last, As sung by him in th' old Pelasgian tongue, Which T had learnt in my long wanderings — Now render'd thus by me in English speech. And I have ended it this Whitsun-eve, On the old garden-terrace sitting, where That presence visited and sooth'd my heart. And hade me of the future not despair. The sun hath set beyond Carrara's hills, And heav'n is all one blaze of purpled gold. Fair Florence lies in loveliness below, Each line of beauty pencill'd soft, distinct, Set like a picture in her frame of hills, With Arno rolling, though unseen, betwixt. Villa, and tower, and cypresses afar Mark the horizon, cut against the sky, All soft'ning as the evening shades come down, Light longest ling'ring on Fiesole. Sweet bells ring distant round — the nightingale Trills from the copse ; the contadino's chant Rises, and dies away in minor fall ; The plashing fountain croons her lullaby ; The orange-blossoms rich their perfume shed,— Each several sense in ecstasy is lapp'd ; Thought's busy visions slumber in repose. My daughters' voices carolling I hear, — And one comes forth, their mother, who hath been My inspiration since her childhood's hour ; The Beatrice of my life renew'd ; My truest monitor 'tween earth and heav'n ; PROPYLMUM. xvii Composing all harsh chords to harmony — Beautiful more than even in her prime, In womanhood's completest grace mature — Comes forth, to crown the hour with sympathy, With steps sedate and brow of heaven's serene. Giotto's full ' ' is rounded in my life. If blessing lack I one, I know it not ; God's hand is bounteous, and my cup is full. And she, that fair one, mistress of my youth, So late a visitant, now pass'd away And lost to view on Lycoreia's height — Will she return ? I know not, nor expect ; For I am old in years, though not in heart ; And I have paid the debt she claim'd of me. I turn me now to life's hard work again, Refresh'd, — more hopeful for the time to come. Villa Palmieri, May, 1875. I— I I— H H — 1 O o o 3 111 5- i a < f f. - - c - ■— z s. 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Chiron on Mount Pelion, vss. 1 sqq. — The Minyse and .ZEoliche, 39.— The family of iEolus ; Cretheus, father of iEson and Pelias ; Athamas, father of Phrixus and Helle, 102. — Usurpation of Pelias, to the exclusion of iEson, the rightful heir, and his son Jason, 118. — Alcirnede, mother of Jason, 123. —Prophecy of Delphi, 137.— Jason saved from the wrath of Pelias, and educated by Chiron on Mount Pelion, 150. — iEson at his farm, 163. — Market-day at Iolcos ; arrival of Jason; meeting with Pelias, 183. — Family council of the house of Cretheus, 281.— The compromise with Pelias, 359.— Summons of the heroes to the quest of the Golden Fleece, 409. — Building of Argo by Jason, 429. — Athena sends Jason to Dodona, 503 ; and engrafts a branch of the sacred oak within Argo, which endows her with speech and immortality, 637. On Pelion's brow the Centaur Chiron stood ; The west'ring sun was sinking in a flood Of cloudless glory to his bourne of rest, Behind the long-drawn wave of Pindus' crest. Below broad-stretch'd the rich iEmonian plain, Thessalia now, the old Pelasgians' reign, — Once one vast lake till through cleft Tempe free Poseidon loos'd its waters to the sea ; Yet still, in mem'ry of that distant day, Marking their track, Peneius keeps his way. 10 Northward, half-hid by Ossa, tower'd on high Snow-crown'd Olympus, kindred with the sky, a B AhlGO: Oh', I'lll'. QUEST [Book I. Throne of the Go Is ; far to the South were seen Parnassus' peaks, with many a range between ; P.iif foga hid Lake Copais and divine Orchomenos, the Graces' early shrine, Where Minyas buill his treasury, to hold The heaps uncounted of his hoarded gold. Slowly his eye the wide horizon swept, And. as he gaz'd, the princely Centaur wept, 20 Rememb'ring days long past, ere crime had birth, When Gods and men in commerce dwelt on earth — Dear friends departed, generations gone — While he, their hoary teacher, stood alone, Bow'd with the weight of immortality, Longing for death, and yet he could not die. A few short hours, and to that height sublime, Fresh still in heart, untainted yet by crime, Had Jason come, to bid the sage farewell, A nd crave his blessing ; and, as his eye fell 30 Down on the shelf ring Pagassean Bay, Where, radiant-glitt'ring, new-built Argo lay, He saw him issue from the woods, and seek His father's house, intent fond words to speak — Words that might soothe his tender mother's sorrow — One last night's converse ere they part the morrow. Long linger'd Chiron o'er the dark'ning scene, Pond'ring on what should be, and what had been. From the far East the wealthy Minyne came ; But they were men, not heroes, — the pure flame 40 Of honour burnt not in their bosoms, — pelf, The lust of gain, idolatry of self, Harden'd their hearts. Not sluggards they in war, But, still, defensive. Gold from near and far Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. Their merchants brought, from Afric and from Ind ; Art's varied gauds and luxury refin'd Adorn'd their ample dwellings ; but — to fight In some great cause for honour or for right, Stake life and fortune on some high emprise, Crown'd at the last by stern self-sacrifice — 50 This lay not in their thought. Scant honour they Paid to the Gods ; but ever, day by day, Wealth to create, and on themselves to spend, Such was their being's object, hope, and end. Still they were not without their better side, — To their engagements staunch — no touch of pride,— Liberal — unless to debtors — now and then ; The women were far kindlier than the men. Not such the race of JSolus, the free, The open-handed ; prompt by land and sea 60 To seek out honour, — somewhat overbold Towards the Gods, but their hearts never cold To duty's call or generous impulse ; still Subduing circumstance to their strong will, Save when they stoop'd, in pride of intellect, To stratagem their purpose to effect — Foolish ! for, just and true, th' immortals love Straightforward paths, nor devious craft approve ; But, though the issue work their counsels, blame The means, and visit all such acts with shame. 70 Monarchs by birthright, haughty but sincere, To all the Gods, most to Poseidon, dear- From age to age, whenever crime grew such That heav'n's forbearing love was tax'd too mud), Off'ring themselves to bear their brothers' load, And by self-sacrifice atone to God — b 2 4 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book I. Such were tlie hero sons of early Greece, — Fame be their guerdon -to their Manes peace ! Men must to heroes yield. 'Twere hard to tell How to tlie Greeks the Minyan empire fell. so Alliance first, then marriage — gifts t' attain Protection, grants immunity to gain From threaten'd vengeance — peace, in fact, did more Thus to subject the weaker race than war. Insensibly, as steals a mist upon A smiling landscape, creeping slowly on Till cadi fair feature disappears from sight, Obscur'd and lost to view, though not by night, So stole th' iEolid influence o'er the power Of these their rivals, deep'ning hour by hour, 90 Till, peaceably, insensibly, the name Of Minyge lived — the same, yet not the same — But in the mingled blood of those whose sires Trac'd up to iEolus their natal fires, — Those fires attemper'd, their rude strain improv'd By the sweet Graces whom the Minyge lov'd ; While all their energy remain'd, though blent "With courtesy and chivalrous intent. — These were, of course, the nobler of the race ; The average man is always common-place ; 100 And mingled breeds oft yield, in Nature's plan, Abnormal births, or more, or less than man. Three sons had iEolus — to name no more ; Cretheus, his first-born ; Athamas, who bore Sway over Thessaly, and there begot Phrixus and Helle,- — Perieres' lot Was Pylos. Cretheus as his share obtain'd Orchomenos, and o'er the Minyge reign'd, — Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 5 Till, as the eagle soars to purer air, Iolcos built, lie fix'd his eyry there. no zEson, young Jason's sire, was Cretheus' son — A true philosopher, if e'er was one — By Tyro, daughter of Salmoneus, — she, Forc'd by Enipeus, river-deity, (Some say Poseidon's was the fond assault, But all agree it was not Tyro's fault,) Bore Pelias, zEson's brother. Cretheus dead, Pelias usurp'd the throne. Disherited, But affluent, easy iEson acquiesc'd, And all contention 'tween them seem'd at rest. 120 He wedded fair Alciraede', and, ere A year was past, Jason was born, his heir. But Pelias much misdoubted of th' event, And messengers forthwith to Delphi sent, Thinking that, though the. sire's cold blood consented, The wife and mother might be less contented, Excluded from her lawful rights as Queen, Her son too Cretheus' heir, or should have been. But she, sweet simple soul ! a Minyan born — Such words as jealousy, resentment, scorn, 130 Were not in her vocabulary, — how Her bees came on, the purchase of a cow, The last new charm to make the butter come, Choice of quaint knickknacks to adorn her home, Fulfill'd her days — a happy round of cares, — She troubled not herself with state affairs. Meanwhile the messengers came back, and brought To Pelias answer other than he sought : — " Thou cuckoo, planted in an eagle's nest ! " Tremble, and mark the Pythia's behest. 140 lA'GO; OR, THE QUEST £Book I. " Thy fate is by iEolid hands to die. ,k Bui most beware when, fall'n as from the sky, " With one fool sandall'd, t'other bare, a man " Shall come to lair Tokos, — then thy span " Dwines to its ending." Cold broke out the sweat On Pelias' brow ; and fierce his heart he set To extirpate all of iEolid blood, Jason the foremost ; but his evil mood I leva reveal'd to iEson and his wife; And they, in terror for the infant's life, 150 Acted for once with common sense ; gave out The child was ill — then dead ; and went about Mourning; and buried — what, I know not — in A stately sepulchre, a grove within ; And on — what truly was a cenotaph — Carv'd, boustrophedon-wise, an epigraph. Meanwhile, their friends bore off the babe, and gave To Chiron's keeping, in his mountain cave High on Mount Pelion ; where he grew to man, A son suppos'd of the Magnesian clan, 160 And there receiv'd a hero's education, Fit for the future ruler of the nation. iEson liv'd on untroubled at his farm, — Pelias despis'd and would not do him harm. He pass'd his days calm and contentedly, Trying experiments in husbandry ; Improv'd the plough, — till then a horse's tail Drew it attach'd ; he bade two oxen trail By straps, tied to a yoke, th' unwieldy mass Of sharpen'd ilex,— but the stubborn, crass 170 Bncolic mind view'd it with strong objection ; It almost rais'd a servile insurrection ; Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. They broke the model — it nigh broke his heart ; But bumpkin nature ever scorns at art. Learn'd on manures he was, and weather-wise. Fast, as the yearly constellations rise, And set, he fix'd the calendar of toil. He wrote a book on various kinds of soil To various plants best suited, — 'tis with praise Cited by Perses in his ' Rustic D;iys.' 180 He liv'd life and enjoy 'd, the Gods rever'd, And, kind to all men, was to all endear'd. Some twenty years were past ; 'twas market-day ; Country and town were met in concourse gay Within Iolcos' many-circling tow'rs, All purpos'd to enjoy the fleeting hours. Bold yeomen from their farms on business bent, Fair maidens, gallant youths, on mirth intent, Throng'd the long market-place. Among them, slow, The elders mov'd, patriarchs with locks of snow, 190 And comely matrons, keeping each an eye On her sweet daughter — not distrustfully, For these were early clays, when simple truth And purity inspir'd the thoughts of youth. A plashing fountain in the midst was seen, Twin'd o'er with creeping plants of emerald green. At one end Pallas' modest temple rose, Benches in front and shady porticoes, Reserv'd for the old folk. Above the pile Pelion tower'd craggy, and yet seem'd to smile. 200 Meanwhile, like gnats that round the traveller swarm At sun-down, when the air is soft and warm, Or motes in noontide's drier sunbeam tost, Fix'd by the eye one moment, the next lost, S ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book I. So swarm'd the mingling multitude 1 1 1 n t day, So glanc'd their sparkling manifold array; While questions, answers, quick responsive given, The buzz of m\ riad voices rose to heaven. 'I'll us. e'en as now, life's motley mask went on In Pair [olcos, 'neath the summer sun. 210 But who is this ? Why parts the crowd asunder ? Why do they gaze, why whisper with such wonder? From the Hill-Gate a single-sandall'd man, Clad in the garh of the Magnesian clan, Comes boldly forward through the scatt'ring throng; A panther's hide upon his shoulders hung, Two jav'lins in his hand; liis locks unshorn Down his back floating, golden as the morn. " 'Tis not Apollo, surely ! nor the hoy " Of Syrian By bios, Aphrodite's joy ? 220 " And Naxos holds rash Ephialtes' dust. " Offspring of Gods, if not a God, he must " Visit these spheres ! " — So doubted they ; but, lo ! Fierce from the Sea-ward street, as bursts the foe On herdsmen all unarru'd, came hurrying on, Drawn by two mules his wicker car upon, Th' usurping son of Cretheus, Pelias stern. What caus'd the haughty monarch's cheek to turn Pale, as he paus'd ? He saw and recognis'd The token, the one sandal ; and, surpris'd 230 From dread to fury, thus address'd the youth : — " Tell me, young Sir! and answer me with truth — " No subterfuge ! what is thy land, thy race ? " And whence, thus single-sandall'd, in this place ? " To whom the youth, — " Old man ! thou do'st me wrong : " No word of falsehood ever sear'd my tongue ; Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 9 " My heart is true as thine. No act of shame " Hath soil'd my conscience or disgrac'd my name. " From Chiron's cave, his cherish'd ward, I come " Not to a foreign, but my native home ; 240 " Come to assert my right to Cretheus' throne, " My father's ravish'd birthright and mine own, " Which Pelias holds. He, cruel, set aside " His weaker brother, and his rights denied, "And would have slain myself; but under night " My friends remov'd me from the tyrant's sight, " And sent to the wise Centaur. Chariclo, "His wife, receiv'd and rear'd me. Would'st thou know " How with one sandal only I stand here ? " This morn, departed from my master dear, 250 "Reaching Anaurus' stream that, swift and deep, " Bursts from the heart of Pelion's woody steep, " An aged woman sought my help to cross ; " I bore her over in my arms, with loss ie Of that my sandal. Scarcely cross'd, no more " A hag's, but heav'n's own lineaments she wore ; " Her brow, her arms, her deeply-bosom'd breast " Proclaim'd the Goddess — Hera stood confess'd ! " She smil'd and said, ' Thou hast begun life well : " ' Go on, and prosper.' — Now, kinsmen ! tell — 260 "Tell me, no stranger among alien men, " But your own blood, your kindly citizen — " Where live my gentle parents ? Be my guide, " Some one, in charity, to where abide " iEson and fair Alcimede ! My name, " Once Diomed, is, by the Gods' acclaim, " Chiron their witness, Jason." — As he spoke, Tears from the eyes of many around outbroke ; io ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [JBook I. And an old man, advancing 'fore the rest, Took by the hand and thus the youth address'd: — 270 " 'I'll- (Jods arc righteous. All things wait their hour. k - .Man hath from God but delegated power. " Lone: have the sons of Cretheus look'd for thee. "I am thine uncle Pheres; come with me." Needs not to say how iEson and the mild Alcimede receiv'd their long-lost child ; For one whole day did iEson lay aside His pen, while she alternate laugh 'd and cried ; They wearied not, beholding him ; nor would Old scores have rak'd up, but the Fates withstood. 280 A meeting now was summon'd of the kin Of Cretheus, — from all quarters they came in. The Feast was spread on ^Eson's threshing-floor. Alcimede brought out her ample store Of food, and iEson broach'd his choicest wine ; For men hold freest converse when they dine. The family council due appointed sat ; One recommended this, another that, As suited each his several temperament. The elder most were on strong measures bent, — 290 " What ! truckle to the tyrant — who was not, " Moreover, by iEolid loins begot ? " Resentful less, the young, in many of whom Their blood ran filter'd through a Minyan womb, In various risks of commerce too engag'd, Urg'd patience, — Pelias was infirm and ag'd, And could not long survive. Time would redress All things, and war was bad for business. Besides, though Jason rightfully complain'd, Pelias had not tyrannically reign'd ; 300 Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 1 1 And young Acastus could be set aside And Jason put in when the old man died. Certes the son oft lags behind the sire, And piping times of peace let down the fire ! Pheres and Amy tliaon, junior born Of Cretheus, such cold counsel held in scorn. Alcestis cried, fire flashing from her eyes, " Who palter with plain duty I despise ! " The right is Jason's — let him the throne take : — ' : But," added, " Spare my father, for my sake ! " 310 A few whose ventures had not thriv'n a cloak Put on of zeal disinterested, spoke Vaguely of kindred claims and natural laws, And vow'd they'd peril all in such a cause, — Hoping, athwart an old world's wreck, to feel Their way to a new turn of fortune's wheel. Melampus, son of Amythaon, said A little bird had whisper'd as he stray'd Near Pylos, " To Iolcos go ; for thence " Shall honour spring and modest competence 320 " For those who hazard " — what, the bird said not ; But nothing hazard, nothing can be got. Admetus, Pheres' son, had fain shunn'd strife ; He lov'd not aught might peril his sweet life : But when Alcestis spoke, his purpose fail'd, And nobler instincts for the time prevail'd. Thus they held counsel ; and 'twas hard to find Which way the balance of their will inclin'd. Meanwhile their hosts kind car'd for every one ; But heartily they wish'd the talk was done. 330 Five days they feasted and deliberated On iEson's threshing-floor, till all were sated 12 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book I. With viands and discourse. The number Five Is sacred to the Gods that counsel give. das. »!i kept silence, cautious 'yond his years, Though bold ; lie lent to all attentive ears; Then, rising- last, propos'd, in modest guise, A thing as yet unknown, a compromise. " Let Pelias yield up to my sire and me " The throne and Cretheus' sceptre peaceably, 340 " Then he may keep — for that will we engage — " The private lands, our righteous heritage, " Assign'd by Zeus of old to iFolus, " But wrongfully by him withheld from us, — " Free, as his own. So shall he end his days, " Honour'd by Zeus, and with all good men's praise." — They were all weary, iEson most of all ; Bandied from one to other round, the ball Of hot dispute had dropp'd. Th' idea was new ; Its various merits crowded on their view, — 350 'Twixt right and wrong, 'twixt black and white, till then No neutral tint, no mean, was known to men ; Policy had no place, — 'twas yea or nay ; The strong hand of the boldest rul'd the day. Admetus in a whisper had suggested Th' idea which Jason thus with form invested : — He for the moment opportune had tarried ; They all approv'd it, and the vote was carried. Then all, consentient, left the threshing-floor, And to Iolcos went, to Pelias' door, 360 Enter'd and took their places in the hall, And bade the trembling slaves their master call. Pelias, due warn'd, came forth in feign'd surprise, Gracious his words, but with suspicious eyes. Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 13 Whom Jason thus address'd : — " thou whose birth " Springs from Poseidon, Shaker of the earth ; " He who in Petra fill'd. the womb of night, " Whence, son o' the morning, Skyphius sprang to light ! " 'Tis not for us, near kinsmen as we are " Through Tyro, daughter of Salmoneus, war 370 " To wage together ; for the Gods not love " Blood-feud betwixt relations, nor approve " Too rigid construing ev'n of right, if so " It work our past'ral charge, the people, woe. " For nations are God's sheepfolds ; their increase " Is His ; and in their welfare He wills peace. " Yield then, we pray thee, to my sire and me " The throne and Cretheus' sceptre peacefully ; " So shalt thou keep — for that will we engage — " The private lands, our righteous heritage, 380 " Assign'd by Zeus of old to iEolus, " But wrongfully withheld by thee from us, — " Free, as thine own ; so shalt thou end thy days " Honour'd by Zeus, and with all good men's praise." He ceas'd, and Pelias spoke : — " As thou hast said, " So let it be. My days are well nigh sped ; " The hand of age is heavy on my brow, — " Would it were with me still as thou art now ! " For thou art young ; Hope lightens in thine eyes ; " Thy bosom pants for gen'rous enterprise ; 390 " Not Orcus can appal nor heav'n elate "One whom a God stamps master of his fate ! " Come then, be this our compact. Phrixus' ghost, " Disquieted, on Ach'ron's whirlwinds tost, " Came to me in a dream, and crav'd my care " That some one to bright M& should repair, 14 ARGO: OR, THE QUEST » [Book I. " Thence back to fair Orchomenos and Greece "To bring the precious spoil, the Grolden Fleece, "Spoil of the Llam thai bore through middle sky " Belle and him from Ino's envious eye. 400 " This, stem, withholds . l^'-tes. And the lip " Of the true Pythia saith 'tis by a ship " The conquest shall be won. Be this thy toil ! " Reclaim, bring home, brave boy ! the precious spoil ; " And by great Zeus I swear, a sacred oath, " Zeus our ancestral Grod, that, nothing loath, " That toil accomplish'd, all shall be restor'd, " Sceptre and crown ; and I will own thee lord." Tli us was the compact set betwixt them twain, And all departed to their homes again. 410 Now sacred heralds speed to every land, By .iEson's and by Pelias' joint command, T' invite the hero demigods of Greece To the high conquest of the glorious Fleece. Throughout broad Thessaly, through vocal Thrace, Through Pelops' isle that the twin seas embrace, Where Zeus' s fane Arcadian tow'rs on high, And sacred Styx falls mist-like from the sky ; Where'er the scatter'd sons of Hellen reign O'er subject tribes, on mountain or on plain, 420 They go, — and Hera with them, to inspire Each hero's youthful heart with sweet desire Of glory, the acclaim that stamps the brave, Rings on men's tongues, and shall outlive the grave. It lighted up each breast, th' immortal flame Of aspiration high and generous shame ; No more would they with their gray sires abide, Or loiter, sucklings, at their mothers' side. Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 1 5 Jason the while, not ign'rant of the aid Of wise Athena, the Tritonian maid, 430 Of every art mother and mistress skill'd, Address 'd himself the fated ship to build. Through Pelion's forest zone he takes his way, Like a young panther seeking for his prey ; Where'er the deeper delf, the richer soil, There is his morning's task, his evening's toil. For ev'ry part the fitting wood he chose ; The far peaks echo to his axe's blows ; Each river-God sits trembling by his urn ; The Oreads shriek, the Hamadryads mourn. 440 For the strong keel a stately oak he slew, Shap'd it in curving length with much ado ; Then, for the timbers, lofty firs and spruce, Straight, aer'd, and drv, time-season'd to his use. Ribs, planks, and ties, disruption to restrain, Shap'd he with adze and smoothen'd with the plane, Limb unto limb adjusting, — each assur'd Its proper place, by nails of brass secur'd. Like a vast flower, expanding as the dew Of morning quickens it, the fabric grew. 450 For the slim mast a lissom pine he sought, Tall, verdant, seemly, like a maid unthought Yet of in marriage. " Spare me, spare ! " she cried ; " I am but young !" — " Sweet sister !" he replied ; " It is God's will. He takes that gave thy breath." She bow'd her head, and meekly welcom'd death. Benches athwart the ribs he nail'd, whereon The rowers should sit ; but parted one by one, For space in rowing. Fifty seats — for so Tritonis bade him, neither fewer nor mo — . 460 1 6 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book I. He fix VI, a score and five on either side : — One hundred arms should thus at once be plied ; The sacred number that infers the dower Of love consummate and supernal power. Tims arm'd, brig-lit Briareus his succour gave To quell Typhosus and Olympus save. The sailyard of close ilex fashion'd he, The oars of poplar, great Alcides' tree. Through rowlock thongs, to tholepins strong fast-made, The fifty oars in equal cadence play'd. 470 A rudder then he shap'd, that should avail To guide the vessel's course ; a fish's tail Supplied the model, — then, with prescient hand, Provided ballast, wood, and stones, and sand. A wicker bulwark next he fram'd, to hide The oarsmen and protect on every side, Well twisted ; over which skins should be bung, Proof against spears and arrows, foes among. In front he rais'd aloft th' indignant prow, With ram's-head beak projecting from below. 480 Foremost, deft carv'd, as ruling o'er the tide, Poseidon's sacred swan appear'd to glide. Behind he rear'd the stern, strong as was meet, Embattled, lofty ; with commodious seat, Whence should the steersman's view at once command Rowers and ship, the broad sky, sea, and land. Above it rose a canopy ; behind The flag-staff, whence the ensign woo'd the wind. Lockers below, within, for meat and drink, And stores of all kinds, fill'd up every chink. 490 Beneath the benches was the cordage stow'd ; A long chest 'midships was the sail's abode. Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. \J The sail, a wondrous work, Athena wove, The cordage skill'd Arachne', for her love ; Not yet had rivalry betwixt them grown ; Each lov'd the art for its sweet sake alone. With purple dye Arachne's sire the sail Tinctur'd, the gayer thus to court the gale. Last, Jason pitch'd the whole, and, joyous, spread With radiant colours, yellow, black, and red. 500 Thus, like a glancing opal, Argo lay On the broad beach of Pagasse's still Bay. Twas eve, and on a rock beside the strand Apart sat Jason, weary foot and hand, But happy, and his conscious heart elate Argo, his finish'd work, to contemplate. 'Twas eve ; and a sweet Zephyr softly stole Down from the uplands, and refresh'd his soul. Dreams of a prosp'rous voyage, and conquest sure, And swift return — all things that youth allure 510 To deeds of daring — cours'd his fancy through ; Was it not his a fated work to do, The Gods subserving him ? Had he not sway'd Men's counsels ? Had not Pelias tribute paid Prospective to his rights ? He felt a power, Inborn, yet unsuspected to that hour ; And pride, the failing of his race, had nigh Surpris'd his heart, lapp'd in complacency, And would have master'd ; but, as thus he mus'd, Beside him sudden, 'tween the light suffus'd 520 Of evening and the ship, stately and fair, A woman stood, in the soft twilight air, — Theano 'twas, or seem'd to be, the child Of vEolus, austere in brow, yet mild ; c 1 8 ARGO: OR, THE QUEST [Book I. The married priestess of Athena's fane, — Her gait, her gesture, all bespoke her plain. The vestments of her office high she wore, And heav'n's commission on her brow she bore. " Jason ! " she said, " thy soaring thought aspires ' To deeds of daring worthy of thy sires ; 530 ' But err not in that soar ; for thoughts of pride 1 Betray'd Typhceus, who the Gods defied. 1 What hadst thou done without Athena's aid ? ' Forget it not. To Heav'n thy thanks be paid, ' Selected to work out the ends of Fate. ' The wise are pious, modest, temperate. ' This thy fair Argo, destin'd to convey ' The sons of heroes on their ocean way, ' How will she stem, frail cockle-shell, the wrath ' Of waves and storm-winds menacing her path ? 540 1 How 'scape Symplegades and Scylla's fangs ' When midway tost 'twixt heav'n and earth she hangs? ' Will Boreas' icy lips her prow caress, ' Or Notus spare her stern's gay comeliness ? ' Fated indeed to immortality, ' But such proud guerdon cometh not from thee. ' Man's weakness felt heralds God's hour, — till then ' He intervenes not for the sons of men. ' What bids the hot blood through thy veins to roll ? ' W 7 hat would thy dry bones be without a soul ? 550 ' Thine Argo is but naught till she receive ' The breath of God inspir'd, to bid her live. ' Speak not ! Thy cheeks that thus ingenuous burn ' Answer me. List ; for thou hast much to learn. " Beyond Mount Pindus lies a sacred land, ' Chaonia, whence thy sires by heav'n's command Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 19 "' Came into Thessaly. Sparse fields of corn, " Fair pastures, grazing flocks, its slopes adorn. " A river waters it, without a break " Descending from the broad and sedgy lake 560 " Pambotis. Higher still, the vale contracts; " The stream pours down in foaming cataracts " From a cleft gorge and single waterfall, • k "Which the Perrhsebian hinds the ' Cow's Mouth* call. " Beyond, once more, the vale expands, and forms " A sweeping circuit, shelter'd from the storms, " Still sloping upwards, fertile, tow'rds the sun, " But virgin as when time his course begun. " This is Dodona ! From on high looks down " Tomarus, mount of God, with awful frown 570 " Reproving crime ; but from its base distils " The river of mercy in one hundred rills " Sparkling like diamonds, fresh that glide between " Dark forest, interspers'd with alps of green ; " Then join and flow in one. The forest trees " Now cluster, now stand singly. All degrees " Of age are theirs, but all spontaneous grow ; " No axe presumes to lay their honours low ; " But, life in each accomplish'd, from the sky " Lightnings fall, cloudless, on them, and they die. 580 " Oaks are they all, the holy oaks of God. " Inmost, a spacious circle, never trod " By mortal foot, was at creation's birth " By mighty Hermes' wand mark'd out from earth. " There, in the midst, one Tree stands hoar, sublime, " Whose date, coeval, knows no peer but Time. " No sire it owns, no children — there is none " Like it on earth — it lives to God, alone. c 2 20 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book " Through the three worlds its roots extend, profound; " Its boughs expand an emerald gloom around; 590 " Its leaves are written o'er with mystic spells; " Beneath each several leaf a spirit dwells, " Vocal with love and praise, consentient song, " As of bees murra'ring Hybla's meads among'. " At the Tree's foot the fount of Wisdom springs, " Limpid ; in oracles of truth it sings. "Three Virgins stand beside it, rev'rend dames; " The Present, Past, and Future are their names. " Around the precinct, on the circling oaks " Are tripods hung, that the rous'd wind provokes, 600 " Clashing and echoing round, in fitful breaks, " As the prophetic breath sleeps or awakes. 11 And by them watch, sole guardians of the place, " The bare-foot Selli, much-enduring race, " Unwash'd, ascetic, sleeping on the ground, " None ever to his trust unfaithful found. " Thus day to day succeeds, and year to year ; " But, when a hero of thy race draws near, " Seeking for counsel, from that mighty Tree, " Echoing from time through vast eternity, 610 " A voice speaks out, the very voice of God ; "For this his temple is, his dread abode, " The house, th' inviolate home, where dwelleth He " Who was, and is, and shall for ever be, — " Dwelleth on earth thus near, yet far apart ; " In heav 'n thus dwells, and in the humble heart. " Thither, my son ! — Speak not! — 'tis thine to go. " I will go with thee. Ere the sun be low lt To-morrow thou shalt greet the guardian band, " The Selli, and before the Presence stand. 620 Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 21 " First, make tliy gift, a tripod, to be hung " The gifts of patriarchs of thy race among. " Then ask the triple Virgins for the draught " Of Wisdom — not mere knowledge, mark ! nor craft, " Nor for the future's insight, ill or well, — " Who seek that lore abuse God's oracle ; " He gives ambiguous answers in such case, " Which lead, misconstrued, to deserv'd disgrace. " But ask for knowledge of thyself, for skill " To probe thy weakness, to discern heav'n's will 630 " In present circumstance from day to day ; " For heart to do it, and for strength to pray. " Then turn to Him who dwelleth in the Tree, " Thy fathers' God, whose shroud is mystery, " One and alone — for, shadows faint and dim, " All others are but ministers of Him, — " Ask him for Power — not to enslave mankind, " But to endure — to rule thy proper mind, " Withstand temptation, and fulfil with might " What conscience' inner voice approves as right ; 640 " For honesty of purpose, singleness " Of eye and tongue ; and, finally, to bless ** Thyself, thy comrades, and the Ship. But few, " Few be thy words — thou hast with God to do. " I will be with thee, to sustain thy prayer, " Thee praying, veil'd thy face and prostrate there ; " A conscious limb will sever from the Tree, " That none may near, that none may touch but me, " Of life and truth ; this within Argo's keel " Will I imbed, that, long as nightly wheel 650 " The Dancers round the polestar, shall impart " A life immortal to her, and the ait ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book I. "S a rn "Prophetic. When thou hesitatest, vex'd "'Tween lawful courses, which to choose perplex'd, "To wits' end driv'n the Gods' high will to tell, " Argo herself shall be thine oracle, "Shall speak heav'n's message with a living voice, " Which when thou hear'st, ensue it and rejoice ; " But, silent, fear, and search thine heart lest guile "Lurk in thy thought or falsehood in thy smile. 660 "Thus, as a child clings to his mother's breast, " Obedient to her lightest word's behest ; " Or, erring, weeps in penitence sincere, " Marking tlT averted gaze, the silent tear ; So look to Argo thou, in doubt, distress, Thy mother, and thy kindly monitress ; ** Xor, if through guilt thy purpose end in shame, " Forew T arn'd, fore-armour'd, tax the Gods with blame. " — Prophetic and immortal ! When thy day, " Thy quest, its joys, its griefs have pass'd away, 670 " Argo shall be translated to the skies, " Reserv'd for a still loftier enterprise. " Then, when the year of years shall come again, " And crush'd Typhceus breaks his Scythian chain, " And Briareus ends the work he once began " Ere the fair earth was purified for man ; " When he who is to come, and watcheth now, " Fire on his sword and Sirius on his brow, " Peace to his friends but to his foes a rod, " In three steps conquers the three worlds to God ; 680 " And earth and heav'n dissolve, and the great Tree, " The presence gone, sinks in eternity, — " Then — even as Chrysomallus Phrixus bore " Through the blue skies to iEa's shelt'ring shore ; Jason.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 23 " Or as this Argo bears the flower of Greece " E'en now, in venture for the Golden Fleece — " So shall she then, transfigured yet the same, " Come from her Southern skies, through seas of flame " Bendiug her course, God-guided, to convey " The sons of God on a predestined way, 690 " Sons of his love, escaping from the strife " Of heav'n's last conflict to a purer life, " To where the fathers have already come, " By brighter paths, and to a happier home ! " Go then !" — and as she spoke, her stature grew Dilated, and the dark gray eyes he knew, — No more Theano, gracious, pure from stain, The married priestess of Athena's fane ; The robe, the helm, the gleaming crest betray'd, And the vast aagis, the Tritonian maid. 700 A cloud of glory shone about her form, Then darken'd as a sea beneath the storm ; Though still, like distant thunder, the far roll Of the deep voice resounded through his soul :— " Now go," she said, " but not in princely guise, " For pomp and pride are hateful in God's eyes. " Go, as thou cam'st, a single-sandall'd man, " Clad in the garb of the Magnesian clan, "Two jav'lins in thine hand, thy locks unshorn, — " For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return ; 710 " And who would at God's gate a suppliant be "Must go, a pilgrim, in humility." The vision pass'd, and Jason was alone, The voice departed, and the glory gone. He rose ; 'twas night. The Zephyr's breath had died, Or stirr'd but 'mong the pines on Pelion's side. 24 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book I. lleav'n's immemorial watch fires gleam' d on high, And not a cloud was seen in all the sky. The little waves came dancing to his feet, As fain their lord, Poseidon's friend, to greet. 720 The world around him, shelter'd, hush'd from harms, Lay like an infant in its mother's arms. One light, most look'd for, steadier than a star, Shone from his mother's upland home afar. A prayer to heav'n, one fervent prayer, he pray'd ; Then on the sand his weary limbs he laid. A pleasing languor o'er his senses crept ; Night sjDread her mantle o'er him, and he slept. Morn broke ; but, ere the sun was ris'n, his rest Ended, his steps were bent unto the West, 730 Dodona-bound ; where all things in accord Were done, obedient to Athena's word. Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 25 Book II. Orpheus. Parting of Jason and his mother, vss. 1 sqq. — Muster of the heroes at Iolcos, 50. — The envoys from the Gods, iEthalides, Orpheus, Tiphys, Mopsus, and Idmon, 59. — The younger heroes, Acastus, Admetus, Melampus, and others of the kin of Cretheus ; Polyphemus and Euphemus, sons of Poseidon ; Oileus and Butes ; Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas ; Idas and Lynceus, great-grandsons of iEolus; and Castor and Polydeuces, the Dioscuri ; 127. — The elder heroes, Telamon and Peleus ; Theseus and Meleager ; Ancaeus the Autochthon, and Heracles ; 262. — Descent to the Pagassean bay, 429. — Jason chosen captain, 479.— Launch of Argo, 497. — Allotment of seats, 663. — The sacrifice to Apollo, 675. — Evening, 757. — The high feast to Apollo, 785. — The after-revel, 825. — The insolence of Idas, 841.— The song of Orpheus, 901.— The pacification, 1070. Now bad the last words of farewell been spoken, The last bread in bis father's bouse been broken, The last sage counsel of the Centaur heard ; All by Athena's care bad been prepar'd, — Farewell to each save one, the saddest, last Heart-break of all. His mother round him cast Her loving arms, and cried, " Jason, stay ! " Thou know'st not what thou rushest on to-day ! " Last night I dream'd a dream. I could not close " Mine eyes for weeping, and the vision rose 10 " Presagic. News had come that thou wert lost, " Wreck'd with thine Argo on some foreign coast. " Pelias straight slew thy sire, and sought for me. " I fled to his own hearth for sanctuary, — 26 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book J I. " Sat down there; but the cruel king pursued " Witb naked Bword, insatiate for my blood. " I saw me plunge a dagger in my breast, " And curse the impious murd'rer of a guest, " Sink at his feet, and stain them with my gore. " Jason, Jason ! what can I say more ? 20 " Go, and thou seal'st thy gentle father's fate ; " Go, and thou leav'st thy mother desolate ! " Would I had died before this evil day ! " I am no heroine — my Jason, stay ! ' " Mother ! " he said, and sooth'd her with his hand, " Dreams are delusive when they countermand " Heav'n's mandates clear express'd. leather rejoice, " Thy son elect by true Athena's voice " Argo to build, her sons perchance to lead — " But that as God wills, so we but succeed ! 30 " Hera hath bid me prosper ; Delphi's shrine " Blesses and owns the enterprise divine. " Then weep not. Tears are idle, — only this, " Trust and be doing, Fate's best omen is. " The heroes wait me. Farewell, dear one ! Trust " In them, in me, in Argo ! Heav'n is just ; " I shall return — and if not, if the sun " Bring thee such sorrow, still, God's will be done ! " Farewell ! But look not out on them, on me, " Or Argo — this behest I lay on thee ; 40 " Lest, inadvertent, thy reluctant eyes " Blight with their glance our brighter auspices." He spoke, and broke away, signing adieu. Obediently Alcimede' withdrew into an inner chamber, screen'd from sight, With her handmaidens, shutting out the light; Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 27 And, kneeling, pour'd her heart out, sobbing, there, — But Fate, though pitying, granted not her prayer. Meanwhile the heroes stood expectant all In groups, conversing gay, in TEson's hall ; 50 When Jason, issuing from his mother's room, Cried, " Now, friends ! the wish'd-for hour is come. " Down to the shore with me, brave sons of Greece ! " Descend, where Argo pants for her release. *' There will we choose our chief, and homage pay " To the kind Gods that bless our work to-day." The chiefs assembled, joyous, shout applause, Grasp iEson's hand, and pledge them to his cause. iEson, as host, their order'd march array 'd, Honour to each by due precedence paid. 60 Foremost of right heav 'n's mission'd envoys pass'd, The young men next, the ripe in years came last ; The envoys singly, for God's work they do ; The rest associate following, two and two ; For friendship stamps the brotherhood of worth, And the Gods Saviours all are twins on earth. First went iEthalides ; his lineage springs From Hermes, — herald he to sceptred kings ; Sacred the office ; round his head he wore The milk-white fillet ; and his right hand bore 70 His sire's caduceus, mindful of the hour When Argeiphontes tam'd the Dragon's power, And great Athena flung the spiry roll Of his huge length to coil around the pole. Him Hermes sends, to herald Argo's path. Undying mem'ry of all things he hath ; Alternate life in heav'n and earth he leads ; Prompt unto war, but more to peaceful deeds. 28 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Hook II. Next Orpheus, the sweet singer, came, — from Thrace, ( )f pure Calliope, his spotless race ; 80 Bis lyre Apollo, but the Muses gave Skill for its use in sweet Pimplaea's cave. Benthesicyme, nurse of pure desire For all things lovely — Amphitrite's choir Own'd her their leader — taught him how the seas Burst into music, ruffled by the breeze, When spirit first effus'd itself on ocean, And the waves danc'd in regulated motion, Poseidon's ritual service, round the queen — Recurrent dash, with many a pause between. 90 Thence modell'd, henceforth, to man's use transferr'd, Are hymns of praise on Thrace's mountains heard ; And the recurrent stamp, the triple round, Have through the world man's perfect worship crown'd. Him sends Apollo. As he walk'd, the lyre Sang low, untouched, stirring with living fire. Ever, alone or his brave peers among, He murmur 'd verse, or broke forth into song. Third, with delib'rate step and look intent, As always on some distant object bent, 100 Went Tiphys, pilot skill'd to read the sea's Secrets, and scan the wild skies' auguries. He knew the rising of each helpful star ; He heard the winds when must'ring from afar, "Within their cave ; firm as a grounded rock, But firmest in the fiercest tempest's shock. The heroes pray'd, Athena sent him, guide For Argo, heav'n-taught, o'er th' uncertain tide. Fourth walk'd gray Mopsus, true Apollo's seer. lie knew the flight of birds, and to his ear no Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 29 Their songs were as man's speech. He drew his birth From Ampyx, nam'd the ' Voice' of heav'n on earth. Fifth, Idmon, of the same CEchalian race, Haruspex sage and reverend, had place. Attendant on each kingly sacrifice, Learn'd in old rites, and prudent in advice, He scann'd the steaming entrails with his rod, And, thus discern'd, proclaim'd the will of God. Each went content, foreknowing he must die Far from Tithseron's vale and Thessaly. 120 These five went first, to herald, cheer, protect From peril, and counsel what the Gods direct. In Delphi's shrine, inscrib'd, the number Five Sets forth th' informing power by which we live. These singly march'd ; then the remaining crew Of Argo came, as said is, two and two. With Jason walk'd Acastus, Pelias' son, — Not yet had thought of rivalry begun 'Tween him and Jason ; much his sire withstood, But unavailingly, for go he would. 130 Admetus and Melampus follow 'd next, Neither much liking, but found no pretext T' evade the quest, — then others of the kin Of iEolus, on fire high fame to win. They march'd with springy step and heads elate, Proud of their glorious blood, defying fate. Next Polyphemus, broad-brow'd, haughty, strode, — Of great Poseidon son, th' Earth-shaking God ; And of like birth Euphemus, slight and tall. Mere youth, the youngest of the heroes all. 140 Him had his mother trusted to the ward Of Heracles, — his ardent spirit soar'd, 30 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. Elating restraint, impatient of the yoke, Like a young bull, or charger yet unbroke. Sclf-will'd, presumptuous, needing discipline, But horn to rule, are all that race divine. Next them, Oileus, dull of intellect, And I>utes, given to act and not reflect; Brave both, and honest, but the one too quick, T'other too slow ; this slim in form, that thick ; 150 Each saw and mourn'd the failing of his friend, But neither his own fault could comprehend. Then, scarcely touching earth, their azure hair Loose on their shoulders, flutt'ring in the air Ev'n when no breeze was stirring, and with wings Of every tint bedropt that Eos brings Ambrosial from her chambers of the East, Come Zetes, Calais, — they the Harpies' feast Shall end for ever ; sons of Aquilo, Whose piercing shafts from icy Scythia blow. 160 While Orytheia by Ilissus stray'd, Boreas beheld and lov'd the Attic maid, Wrapt her in clouds and ravish'd her to Thrace ; And thence do Zetes, Calais, claim their race. Ev'n yet in Tenos ye may see their tomb, — Four pillars rough-shap'd point towards heav'n's dome ; Three stand deep-bas'd in undisturb'd repose ; The fourth rocks softly when the North-wind blows. Idas and Lynceus follow'd. Long before Had Perieres, from Pelasgia's shore, 170 The son of ^Eolus, Messenia won From the old Leleges. His elder son Was Aphareus, the younger (Ebalus, The latter fam'd as sire of Tyndareus ; Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 31 Whence, or from Zeus, the twins of high degree, The Dioscuri, regents of the sea. But Aphareus, surnaiu'cl the Black, begot Idas and Lynceus. Love between was not These and their kinsmen twins ; but each the peace Held sacred, fellow-champions of the Fleece. 180 Strange was the contrast 'twixt the brother pair ; Lynceus was dark-complexion'd, Idas fair ; Idas full-flesh'd, Lynceus attenuate, dry ; Clear, cold was Lynceus', moist was Idas' eye. Lynceus' quick glance, like to the lynx's spring, Flew right and left, — he saw through everything ; Nothing escap'd his ear that pass'd around, — Idas paid little heed to sight or sound ; But, if contention rose his peers among, His was the fiercest gesture, loudest tongue. 190 A sneer perpetual dwelt on Lynceus' lip ; Soft-ton'd his voice ; his words would smoothly slip His teeth betwixt, then leaping reach the quick Of his friend's marrow, like a gnat-sting's prick. Idas was gloomy, Lynceus full of glee ; That dealt in banter, this in repartee. By Hermes, the light-finger'd, Lynceus swore ; Idas by Thracian Ares, God of war, — But what he sought by force, in crafty guise Lynceus would win, and mock at his surprise ; 200 And oft his brother's duller eyes would show, His hand directing, how to deal the blow. Idas, in pride, th' immortal Gods resisted ; Lynceus suggested doubts that they existed. Idas affirm'd that men from mud were born, Lynceus from air; and each held each in scorn. 32 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. On pleasure one, on thought the other bent; Lias voracious, Lvnceus abstinent. One seldom slept, the other frequent dozed. Matter and mind in them were still opposed. 210 But when their wrath awoke, one common flame Inspir'd their weapons and assur'd their aim. As, when a sheet of lightning fills the sky, A white sjDot forms and grows upon the eye, Right in the midst — then, bursting, flings abroad Its arrowy terrors, delegate from God, Not without thunder, roaring through heav'n's halls, And, death-struck, prone some bull majestic falls — So blaz'd their ire, so roar'd ; but Idas' part Was still to thunder, Lynceus wing'd the dart ; 220 And, link'd together, 'twas their portion still, Idas to stupify, but Lynceus kill. A sharpen'd pillar of stone, by way of spear, Torn from his father's grave, did Idas bear ; Lynceus, slight subtle needles, by his breath Shot through a tube, and poison-tipp'd with death, — Brought with him, should be said ; his peers objected : He laugh'd, and said their scruples he respected ; And henceforth carried a stout Parthian bow And shafts, to wound, retreating from the foe. 230 How different these who next appear ! Zeus sheds, Their father, light celestial on their heads ; Light, not as of the sun's but Mene's ray, Robing them all in brightness, night and day. This Castor, that strong Polydeuces is, — Their mother Leda, heav'n-named Nemesis. How light their step, though strong in manhood's prime ! Castor, the one, is bound to death and time ; Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 33 But Polydeuces knows not time or death ; He draws from his great sire immortal breath. 240 A double nature marks their mingled line, Bifold but one, both human and divine. No discord ever mars their perfect love ; They will no purpose save the Gods approve. Holy in heart and living, virgins pure, They shun the gilded baits that youth allure, And, ever prescient of their destin'd skies, Chasten their thoughts that they the higher may rise. Not on their wonted chargers pace they on, As late they match 'd the boar in Calydon, — 250 Foot-soldiers now, and subject to the oar ; Hence each a slender Thracian buckler bore, Each with his symbol blazon'd on the field ; Twin-branches, cross-wise, upon Castor's shield In token of their mutual love combine ; The watchful dog is Poly deuces' sign. Two spears, brass-tipp'd and long, they high uprais'd,- The stars not yet on their broad foreheads blaz'd, Which now, twin fires, through tempests streaming bright, Cheer mariners, and glorify the night. 260 Thus march'd the Dioscuri, such their name. Then, with step slower and graver, others came, Heroes for wisdom and great deeds approv'd ; All of them fear'd 'rnong mortals, many lov'd ; But conscious all of guilt and penance due To stern Oceanus, though lenient too ; Who bears the rod, the stubborn heart to break, But hides from vengeance those his mercy seek, — Hence Uranus in later ages known ; Who dwells in darkness, unapproach'd, alone : — 270 D 34 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. These senior most, but less by years than grief Subdued, grief constant, hopeless of relief; Yet still intent to suffer and atone For crimes, ancestral some, and some their own. First pass'd, their drooping heads bestrewn with dust, The unjust sons of iEacus the Just, Friend of Olympus, — jealous, they had slain Their worthier brother ; purified, again They dar'd the sun ; but evermore remorse Clung to them, like corruption to a corse ; 280 A tombstone rested on their hearts ; and they, "While gay mirth peal'd around, were never gay. Telamon, Peleus these ; in Phthia one, In Salamis the other fix'd his throne. Then Theseus, sorrowing for his father, dead Through his default, returning, safely sped His errand by Crete's daughter, scorn'd — disgrace To manhood, and opprobrium to his race : — And Meleager, in whose aching heart — The hot tears ever welling, prone to start — 290 Smoulder'd the fire-brand half consum'd, and worse, Unjustly though pronoune'd, his mother's curse. Foredoom'd at birth, though guiltless of offence, For others suff'ring, mute in innocence, Like corn, hail-crush'd, but struggling still to rise, Yet fae'd he firm his adverse destinies. Like a tall column, shatter'd, the rude jar Of earthquakes lone surviving, seen from far, In ruin beautiful, ev'n thus his head Held he erect, nor conscious shame betray 'd. 300 Last, mated, came Anceeus, Heracles, — Ancseus, King erst of the Leleges, Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 35 Who rul'd from Samos ere th' Olympian Queen, Born 'neath the willow, earthly light had seen ; An ancient people, that Demeter's breast Gender'd, and the seas nurs'd, — now dispossess'd, And dwindling under Hellen's stronger sway. For nations have their birth, prime, and decay, — Like trees, they spring, they flourish fair, and rot, By Gods forsaken and by men forgot. 316 Priest of his race, and King, he knew each rite Of other days, before th' ascendant might Of Zeus had hurl'd the happy Titan Gods, The Fates decreeing, from their blest abodes. An axe of stone he bore, — the stone was pass'd, Cross-wise, athwart a beam of ilex, vast, Eough-clipp'd, a leathern thong the hand pass'd through ; With this the sacrificial ox he slew, Not severing the throat, but with a dull Contusive rupture breaking in the skull. 320 Such was the weapon, such the rite, and had Mysterious import, but the Fates forbad Divulgence. Him Athena sent to take Part in each sacrifice and duly make Atonement, Heracles alone his peer ; For to the Gods time-honour'd rites are dear. Him in Arcadia Heracles had found Exil'd, and with him strictest friendship bound. Autochthon he, not of Deucalion's blood ; He speaks an ancient tongue, scarce understood. 330 Tall towers he, like a branching oak that fills Heav'n with its glories on the Carian hills ; Past middle age, far-seeing, and sedate, But mournful, musing on his people's fate. n 2 36 A AGO.- OR, THE QUEST [Hook II. Him Tiphys only in the skill excels Of stars, and storms, and ocean's miracles. Less tall, less grand, thus mated, meek content Triumphant on his brow, his step intent Forwards — the longer mark'd, observ'd the more — Pass'd Heracles, the last, from JEson's door. 340 His step not light, nor heavy, but assur'd, As of a man to daily .toils enur'd. Perfect the symmetry in every limb, Strength in repose ; but they who gaz'd on him Saw in his eyes at times a dubious light, Now inwithdrawn, now ominously bright, As searching some far future to descry, Or conscious of a home-felt agony, Which answer'd not, his quiv'ring lips would frame Unspoken words, or syllable a name : — 350 Marks of the frenzy all divine that clings To those whose birth through lunar effluence springs, When, Gods with men engendering, the root Of bitterness pursues the mortal fruit, — Such Hera persecutes, nor without cause ; But these are myst'ries passing nature's laws. Born thus from pure Alcmena, married maid, Herself immaculate, by Zeus betray'd, Such doom bore Heracles, the suffring man, His heart a wilderness, his life a span ; 360 For whom the Gods most love die ever young, — Such doom he bore his mortal kind among, Bore willing, from the cradle to the grave, Toiling the world to lustrate and to save. So pass'd he on. Few words of wont he spoke, But weighty ; and the smile not frequent broke, Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 37 Less on his lip than in his eye ; but when It lighten'd thus, creation laugh'd again. His soul was full of pity for distress, Tender to every thing of feebleness ; ;57 ° The very worm that crawl'd beneath his feet, He turn'd aside, he would not tread on it ; Children he lov'd, and they lov'd him ; the youth Ingenuous lov'd, whose thought and speech were truth ; To women courteous, rev'rent ; for his heart Own'd one soft mem'ry, cherish'd and apart ; Gren'rous in friendship, prov'd in match with hell, As Theseus and Alcestis found full well. Humble, unselfish, grieving but submiss, He work'd out, trustful, heav'n's great Nemesis, 380 Unask'd (the Pythia bade) the how, the why ; But to be crown'd with immortality. Ten works had he perform'd, the number due To justice' full accomplishment ; but two Remain'd, to perfect mercy. He was found Now on the venture to the furthest bound Of earth, where guarded by fell Ladon grow The apples that eternal life bestow, — The place Eurystheus told not ; and he plann'd To sail with Argo to the Colchian land, 390 And, pending the great quest he had in view, Achieve, his toils exceeding, this one too. He ever went on foot, as fits the slave Self -sold to life-long servitude, — the brave Love horses, and he lov'd ; but ask'd no more Than, willing Fate, to labour at the oar. The heroes welcom'd him, but Fate's decrees Sent him ere long on other destinies. 38 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. His armour glitter'd as he walk'd along; The lion's skin, girt with a leathern thong, 400 Fell o'er his shoulders; and the head, with teeth Clench'd, o'er his brow, and fearful, threaten'd death. Lightly he walk'd beneath the pond'rous load ; His mail Hephaestus, but the sword bestow'd Hermes; Apollo gave th' unerring bow And swift-wing'd arrows, messengers of woe ; These carried Hylas, his Dryopian page ; He spar'd him when, his father's heritage, Theiodamas', by treach'ry forfeited, Th' unhappy king in retribution bled. 410 He lov'd the gen'rous youth, and sought to fire His soul with noble impulse and desire Of virtue ; but untimely Clotho's hour Cut short the promise ere he rear'd the flower. The club he carried that none else could wield, — He ever scorn'd the shelter of a shield. One scar, alone, his heel confess'd, the bite Of the foul crab, receiv'd in Lerne"s fight. These were the chosen fifty, from their birth Predestin'd by their valour and their worth, 420 The flower and hope combin'd of early Greece, T' achieve th' adventure of the Golden Fleece, — Not altogether worthily or well, But still achieve, as old traditions tell ; Yet not achieve without th' attendant aid Of Heracles, present or absent, paid. In him, 'bove all, was found the perfect law Of God fulfill'd, the stone without a flaw. Thus marshall'd, iEson watch'd them pass adown The path that leads to fair Iolcos' town, 430 Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 39 Enter the Hill-ward gate, and disappear. Then, fearful lest the hotly rising tear, None of them looking back, should overflow, Offend the Grods, or thus work Argo woe, He sought Alcimede"s dark chamber, where She wept, and wept with her, and join'd her prayer. They meanwhile march'd on thro' the gath'ring crowds Of citizens, like stars among the clouds. The matrons wept, the old men bless'd, and told How this or that one's sire they'd known of old, 440 Nor seem'd the son degen'rate, — maidens strew'd Flowers on their path, with morning's drops bedew'd. The young men, jealous somewhat, still admir'd Their noble port, the blood of Grods that fir'd Their cheeks with ardour of high enterprise, And shot in lightnings from their flashing eyes ; But hush'd their shouts in rev'rence and in awe When, coming last, the sons of grief they saw. Onward they swept, with long and stately stride, As in a ritual dance on Humus' side. 450 The envoys and the seniors never spoke ; But from among the younger laughter broke Incessant, blythe, that could not be repress'd ; For joy and hope were buoyant in each breast, Up-bubbling like the breath of life that springs From some fresh fount to its own self that sings, — Mirth 'mong each other, and in exchange with those That held unequal step and follow'd close, Maidens and younger matrons, pressing near, — Yet jesting none but Artemis might hear. 460 And who shall blame youth's heart-felt merriment, Starting at morn on life's adventure bent, 40 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. The world before tliem, strength in every limb, Their God their guardian, and their trust in him ? Little guess these what suns will scorch their noon, Or how the evening shades come all too soon ; Little their mothers guess'd, when on their knees They cradled them, their mingled destinies, What lands they were to see, what stranger sky, What toils endure, perchance what deaths to die ! 470 Now through the Sea-ward gate, and down they pass The steep descent, rock-hewn, to where the grass Is green 'round Cretheus' hospitable wells ; The pipe of goat-herd and the tinkling bells Of goats make music there on summer eves, — The sea's deep breast the fountains' waste receives. They reach'd the strand broad-stretching of the Bay, And halted where expectant Argo lay. Then Jason spoke : — " All things are ready now, " If but the Gods propitious start allow. 480 " But, first, choose we our captain o'er the seas." The heroes pointed all to Heracles ; But he, advancing, stretch'd his hand, and said, " Not to me, friends ! be such high honour paid ; " To Jason is it due, at whose behest " Each one of us is here, his father's guest." Consentient all what Heracles had voic'd Acclaim'd, and Jason's secret heart rejoic'd. "If so," he said, "let there be no delay, " Lest storms should rise and our set purpose stay ; 490 "First, let us Argo from her bondage free, " And dx"ag her to her moorings by the sea ; " And meanwhile shall my father's slaves with care " For a high sacrifice and feast prepare Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 41 " To King Apollo, that he may befriend " The voyage, and bring it to a {H'osp'rous end." No sooner said, than each his arms, his clothes, Took off, and laid npon a rock that rose Shelf-like, dry, flat, long-stretching, and smooth-wash'd By wintry brine of ages o'er it dash'd, 500 To children dear, within the water-mark, — Dear, for there yawn'd beneath it caverns, dark Like Acheron, and many a little pool Where they would hunt for crabs, escap'd from school. The urchins, dispossess'd, look'd on, or went On errands, here or there by Jason sent. First pass they ropes round Argo, to debar .Rude shocks, and that she should not rush too far, Taking the water. Then they clear a space In front of her, broad as her breadth, and trace 510 A furrow in the midst, and dig it deep, — This to receive the keel, inclining, steep, Towards the sea ; the furrow next they line With smooth-plan'd boards along the slope's incline — A cradle, to transmit the precious life As from the womb to this our world of strife. Then Argo's prow towards its mouth they bend, That smooth, impell'd, she may with ease descend, Drawn by the heroes, — then fix, each, a thong Of undress'd leather to the tholepins strong ; 520 And take their place, alternate, on each side, With equal force the impulse to divide. Tiphys the while his lofty seat ascends, High on the stern, directs and superintends ; And, all things ready, " Now !" he gives the word, " Pull, brothers, long and steady !" and, in accord, 42 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book. II. The heroes pull and each swell'd muscle strain, — But Argo moves not ; all their force is vain ! As, when IIeph;estus, Hera, Pallas strove To drag down Zeus from his high throne above, 530 Resistent, passive, no success they found, So strove they vainly — Argo held her ground. No let or hindrance seemingly was there ; And, baffled, they desisted in despair. Then Mopsus spoke : — " Man's strength is feebleness, — " It rests with heav'n his compass'd ends to bless. " Man sows the grain, and folds his hands in peace; " 'Tis God alone who giveth the increase. " Only the weak are strong in God, — with such, " His humble suppliants, prayer availeth much. 540 " But suppliance needs ere Argo can depart " Not from each single, but our common heart ; " And Argo too must pray with us before " Zeus grants departure from Pelasgia's shore. " Single, ye pray to God, and right ye do ; " But God hath other sons, your brethren, too ; " And highest life not single, corp'rate is, — " Not isolation, unity is bliss ; " And, individual still, to Argo sworn, " Of her as of a tender mother born, 550 " Ye bear a life conjunct, the whole in each, " Each in the whole, by which alone ye reach " Heav 'n's ear in prayer, and may obtain the power " Argo to loose in this her natal hour. " I speak strange things. In earth, in heav'n, in hell, " All spirits have each their proper vehicle, " Each man, each God, each daemon — not of clay — " Transcendant, supersensual ; these obey Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 43 " Each spirit's motions, and thus cloth'd alone " Access we find to the Eternal throne. 560 " Now Argo is your vehicle. So long " As ye conserve clean hearts and purpose strong " To work heav'n's will in this great enterprise, " Your prayers through her to Zeus shall grateful rise, " Hers rising with them ; for Dodona's tree " Is life within her, and will pray with ye. " But who such prayer shall offer, and how pray " Acceptably ? Things ancient pass away ; " New take their place. No more as Priest and King "Let monarchs doubly rule ; but offering 570 " Be made by one, of God elect, and wise, " They to present, he crown the sacrifice : — " The prayer a Hymn — all in accordant voice, " Blended in love ; in such the Gods rejoice. " Such prayers have life, have wings, ascend to heaven, " And bring back messages of sin forgiven. " Your priest be Orpheus, — he is good and wise, " The Muse-taught master of sweet harmonies. " Argo shall pray, — ev'n now she 'gins to feel " The life within her, stirring from her keel." 580 Then spoke Ancceus, — " Ere Deucalion's flood " Thoth thus ordain'd ; for so we understood " The written stones to later days that told, " Bridging th' abyss, the wisdom of the old. " And Onka, from whose staff I hold my name, " Whom ye Athena call, attests the same. " So taught my sires, in hidden lore conceal'd, " But now in these last days to men reveal'd. " Orpheus I own elect of God and wise. " I but serve henceforth in the sacrifice." 590 44 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. Then, Orpheus leading, rose the hymnal strain, Sublime, which never earth shall hear again ; Rose prayerful — that Apollo's light should shine Propitious, and Athena's voice combine With Hera's and Poseidon's to educe A ssent approving from the brows of Zeus ; That Argo might from Ate's bonds be freed, And that the great adventure should succeed. It rose, that mighty Hymn ; each hero sung In unison ; the swelling torrent hung 600 Suspended o'er them like a toppling wave Evok'd by earthquake from dark ocean's cave, — Tn unison ; but deep below them all The voice of Argo, like a waterfall, Thunder'd a diapason low, which fill'd The ear, too deep for hearing, and upthrill'd In permeating streams, cletachedly, Through each voice and through all, in harmony. It rose, a thing of life, that voice combin'd Of prayer and homage, in sweet concert join'd ; 610 The rivers join'd in, and the babbling rills, The forest- voices, and th' eternal hills ; The Nymphs, the Naiads, Dryads, Oreads, sang With them, but low subdued ; and the harsh clang Of war and rapine, rending nature's breast, Wherefore thus lull'd unconscious, sank to rest. The sun shone brighter, mists dissolv'd in showers, And earth, exub'rant, rob'd herself with flowers. It surg'd, that anthem, o'er th' iEmonian plain, Up Pindus rush'd, reverb'rate back again ; 620 Thence round Tymphrestis and dark Othrys roll'd, Woke (Eta and Parnassus' peaks of gold, Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 45 Faint heard on Helicon ; then, sweeping round, Notus and Zephyr fav'ring, echo found In wintry Hcemus, ling'ring meanwhile long On the Camounian Mountains and among The woods Perrhsebian ; then, in tow'ring close, To high Olympus' sacred summit rose, Press'd, like a daughter dear, to Zeus's seat, And sank in suppliant murmurs at his feet. 630 Zeus rais'd the Hymn, and kiss'd, and bent his head, Assenting. Heav'n forthwith was carpeted With amaranth flowers ; and by the Sire's command Iris shone forth, to tell to every land That man had learn'd in ritual song to pray ; And earth and heaven kept all one holiday. Then — at that nod ambrosial — as, amaz'd, The heroes on divinest Argo gaz'd, They saw a tremor pass throughout her form, Her cheeks of crimson flush, as it seem'd, warm ; 640 They saw her move spontaneous, touch the line Of smooth-plan'd boards along the slope's incline — Which enter'd, sparks on every side out-broke From the close friction, mix'd with ruddy smoke — Saw her descend, still without impulse, slow, Into the watery bason clear below ; Pusb forwards, slacken speed, and float at ease, Her moorings scorning, mistress of the seas : — Ev'n as a stately swan is seen to glide Down the slop'd bank of dull Cephissus' tide, 650 Near Lake Copai's, push forth on the stream, In easy motion, like an airy dream ; Then pause and turn, its plumes of snow to dress, Serene, quiescent, in its loveliness. 46 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. Then Jason, — " Eagles soar to lieav'n, but food " Must seek on earth for their dependent brood ; " Nor, though the Gods thus give our Argo wings, " Must we neglect the care of common things. " Quick, then ! the oars, the mast, the sail replace ; " Stow in the stores, the hauling-ropes unbrace, ggo " Put in the sail-yard, fix each hero's seat ; " And thus make Argo's panoply complete." All, as commanded, straight was done. Then rose Mopsus, and a broad-bellied hydria chose ; The heroes' names on wooden tablets wrote With iron style, and through the narrow throat The speaking symbols duly dropp'd ; and shook The urn ; and then, inverting, his rapt look Searching the skies and Hermes' aid to show To which seats, several, should the heroes go, 070 Dropp'd one by one, till all but two were shown, The midmost seats, of highest honour known. Anca3us' lot the hydria next out-cast, And that of Heracles leap'd forth the last. Meanwhile, obedient to their lord's command, Had iEson's slaves an altar on the sand Built of small shingle-stones compact, and strew'd With branches, dry and apt, of olive-wood. Thither the heroes promptly thence repair. Two noble bulls they find already there, 680 Integral, virgin, white as snow, unbroke By discipline, unconscious of the yoke, For King Apollo meet. Each took his place Around the altar, suppliants for his grace. The bulls came forward willingly, unbound, The cords that tied them trailing on the ground. Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 47 Then Orpheus, priest of God, his right hand laid, Devoting, on each sacred head, and pray'd : — " Leto's son, hereditary friend ! " Who, from thy Sire disparted, didst descend .690 " To Delos, earth-born, and shalt yet become " Slave to a mortal by thy Father's doom, " And build up Ilion, holy citadel, " Where men, till wreck'd thro' guilt, shall safely dwell, — " Hear me ! On these thy types, Man ! God ! " I lay our guilt ; in pity spare the rod ! " As thus I cut these hairs and fling, to stray " On the four winds, so cast our sins away ! " Types of thyself, if these may not suffice, " Beggar'd in gifts, be thou our sacrifice ! 700 " Plead with Oceanus to loose our chains, — " Send comfort from the sphere where mercy reigns ; " And bless our Argo, speed to iEa's shore, " And home to Greece ; so henceforth evermore " Shall each seventh day be hallow 'd to thy praise : — " And if, returning, ours be length of days, " Many a rich gift shall decorate thy shrine " At Delphi and Ortygia divine. " Lo ! as I speak, I sprinkle now— and now — " The salted barley on each victim brow, 710 " And thus devote them. Son of Leto, hear ! ' — Then did, incontinent, Ancaeus rear His vast stone-axe, and, crashing in the skull, Fell'd the broad front of each expectant bull. Then Heracles, assum'd the sacred knife, Cutting the throat of each, let loose the life. No groans they gave, but voluntary gaz'd Upwards, the eyes of each submissive rais'd, 48 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. Welcoming death, as conscious that thereby Sin was assur'd forgiv'n, and victory. 720 Then Orpheus with a branch of olive shed The blood of cleansing on each hero's hend. Others, the limbs disrnemb'ring, plac'd the thighs Upon the wood, reserv'd for sacrifice, Fat doubling round them, and the raw flesh laid Above — in all things right observance paid. Then with a torch he woke the slumb'riug fire, And pour'd rich wine upon the kindling pyre. Wise Idmon search'd the entrails with his wand ; Each hero tasted, at the seer's command. 730 The thighs consum'd, the rest in morsell'd bits The younger roasted, skewer'd on five-prong'd spits, Five still the sacred number, — thus was all Done as from old on each high festival. The flames, the while, to the dry boughs applied, Rose and shot out, tongue-fork'd, on every side ; While, like a cloud by frequent lightnings riven, The smoke in purple volumes soar'd to heaven. Idmon the heroes then with joy address'd : — " The omens sanction, Zeus approves, the quest. 740 " Ye shall succeed, return ; but many a scene " Of pain and peril, dark'ning, lies between, " Yourselves in fault, — not all return ; for I " And others must, pending the issue, die. " I mourn not — 'tis God's will ; but time shall trace " My name in story, honour to my race." He ceas'd. They drew reliev'd and grateful breath ; But griev'd for Idmon, thus foredoom'd to death. Now had the heroes toil'd since rise of sun, And glad they were that their day's work was done. 750 Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 49 They dash'd into the waters, sporting free, Like schoolboys fresh let loose to liberty, Splashing each other — for lustration part, Before the feast, partly for joy of heart. Thus play'd Apollo's dolphins, sent to meet His priests, the Hosii, Delphi-bound from Crete. It was the hour when the soft clash of bells, From all sides nearing, of sweet evening tells ; The lazy kine down from their pastures come, And every herdsman thinks of wife and home. 760 The slopes that eastward to the bay clip low, By the hills shaded, lay in darkness now ; But still from Pindus, crimsoning the West, The ling' ring rays shone full on Pelion's crest ; While, creeping higher and higher, the night upspread, And each tall pine-tree glow'd a deeper red. The moon's white crescent, bright 'ning, clear and cold, The wavelets tipp'd with silver and with gold, Rippling ; for, though the breeze had died away, They would not yet, spoilt children, cease from play. 770 The lamp gleam'd steady 'neath Iolcos' gate, Few from the farms, for these were lighted late ; From iEson's one, by fair Alcimede Kindled betimes, hoping her son might see. Fireflies were out, and brown bats flitted round ; Owls whoop'd, but kind Athena will'd the sound Dexter, that no ill omen should be heard, — All else were nested, save sad Procne"s bird, Night's songstress. A tall column still of smoke, Thinning each hour, its skyward journey took 780 Propitious, by no wind disturbing tost, Above the altar hov'ring, like a ghost. B 50 A EGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. Night's dove-like wings, annulling grief and pain, Clos'd o'er Iolcos and th' iEmonian plain. But no soft thought of slumber dream'd the band Of heroes. Seats of leaves on the dry sand, Obedient, had the slaves of iEson strew'd. They sat in order, longing for their food, Half ripe for mirth, half reverential, all ; For this was King Apollo's festival. 790 In a wide circle, horse-shoe-like, they sat, Low tables before each ; a copper vat For wine well-mix'd was in the centre plac'd, The gift of iEson, hospitable, vast. Beside it planted two tall torches shine, From time to time renew'd, of blazing pine. The slaves around it serv'd. Jason sat first, I' th' midmost, as their captain. Frequent burst Of laughter, quick-suppress'd, and merry joke, Nearer the entrance, from the juniors broke ; 800 The elders, next to Jason, were more grave. All ready, Jason bade a blessing crave, Which Orpheus ask'd ; and quick the slaves bring in, On platters heap'd of wood, and bronze, and tin, Figs, cheese, and cakes — the broadly flapping cake, Of furmity ; these for their plates they take ; Then the bulls' flesh, well roasted at the fire, And sodden herbs, — they feast to their desire. One piece each, cutting, to the God devotes, The rest, no morsel spar'd, goes down their throats. 810 Large appetites they had, as we are told, Men, demi-gods, and Gods, in days of old. When all were satisfied, his dexter hand Each wash'd in the near sea ; then, at command Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 51 Of Jason, the young men brought in a cup Of unmix'd wine, that two could scarce hold up, With words inscrib'd, in old time-honour'd phrase ; " Health to the guests, and to Iacchus praise !" Of silver, gift of Pheres, — this they pass'd Around the circle, from the first to last ; 820 Each drank a little, and libation made To the Good Spirit, praying for the aid Of King Apollo ; then the paean sang, While flutes and trumpets, blown in concert, rang. Then, the high feast concluded, Jason bade iEthalides, who place near to him had, His own to take, as ruler of the feast Symposial ; and the hero guests address'd Themselves to drinking — not to drunkenness, But cheerful cups — Apollo hates excess. 830 The slaves serv'd out the wine with water mix'd, Drawn from the vat, a cup each twain betwixt. The health to Zeus the Saviour first went round ; Then each the other pledg'd ; and the gay sound Of mingling voices, laughter, full content, Up ev n to Chiron's cave on Pelion went. Chiron look'd down and Chariclo, and sigh'd That their lov'd boy should sail next morningtide. They meanwhile quaff'd and jested, save the few, Seniors ; but they made mirth, indulgent, too. 840 But Jason silent sat through anxious thought, Forecasting much, nor with his neighbours sought Due fellowship ; when, rudely, naming him, With voice obstrep'rous, sneer malign and grim, Mas thus spoke : — " son of iEson ! why " Doth thy pale face damp our festivity ? E 2 52 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. " Of thv sweet homo and mother thinkest thou ? " Or, like a maiden, tim'rous ? Nay, I vow " By this strong spear, which lielps me in the van " Of battle more than Zens his own self can, 850 " No evil shall befal thee, nor onr quest " Be fruitless, ev'n if God himself, confess'd, " Withstand us — Idas fighting by thy side !" Then, rising, seiVd the cup unmix'd, applied His lips, profane, and drank a mighty draught, And, his cheeks streaming, laid it down, and laugh'd. Fierce, inarticulate, confus'd, a roar Of angry voices burst the circle o'er ; But Idmon rose : — " Art thou inebriate, " Madman ! t' insult the Gods and provoke Fate, 860 " Thus boasting ? To exhort to warrior deeds " Is well ; but this thine insolence exceeds. " Think of Aloeus' sons, who sought to heap " Pelion on Ossa, and Olympus deep " Whelm beneath both, — they by Apollo's bow " Fell, better far than thou. Of such a foe " Beware, nor in thy puny strength rejoice !" But Idas, glancing round, and with a voice Derisive, answ'ring, — " Sayest thou, old man, " That such the fate shall end my earthly span ? 870 " Does true Apollo — some believe, thy sire — " Not I, forsooth ! thy warning words inspire ? " See if thou 'scape mine arm if so betide, " Eeturning safe, I prove that thou hast lied !" And higher the strife had ragfd, and Jason made Motion to speak, but instantly obey'd iEthalides' loud mandate, " Let this cease !" And, festive law prevailing, there was peace. Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 53 But still, as when the bellows cease to blow, The smith's strong hand relaxing, the red glow 880 Continues, though subsiding, slow to cool ; Or, as a generous courser, to the rule Of voice and rein subject in mid career, Halts, panting, duteous to his master dear ; Bat still his will, impatient, forward flies, And the red light still flashes from his eyes ; So they, arrested, curb'd themselves, nor soon Their heat had cool'd ; when, like a breeze in June Waking the leaves, or note of earliest bird, Trilling, the voice of Orpheus' lyre was heard, 890 Spontaneous, ere his hand had touch'd the strings ; And, like the ointment that soft solace brings To fev'ring wound, the sound their wrath allay'd. He join'd his voice, and all attention paid. An ancient lay he sung, of love and strife, Of harmony, the sweet accord of life, Of men of elder days and GTods above, In a new rhythm which after times should love ; But ' 16 Paean ' still recurrent rang At every pause, all joining, as he sang. 900 I. " First over all Oceanus reign'd, the Father, the Hidden, " Eeign'd over worlds not ours, through space extending, eternal, " Infinite. In the midst subsisted the darkness of Chaos, " Earth, and sea, and sky in a dead-lock mix'd of confusion. " Man was not, nor sentient life, nor power to evolve it. " Then, from Oceanus' breath, proceeded the mighty Ophion, " Intervening, each realm from each disparted, dividing " Earth from the sea, and the skies from both, their province assigning " Each to each, and propell'd them to go in the way he ordain'd them. " Thus he started the sun, the moon, and the stars in their courses, 910 • Regents of heaven; Arcturus shone, and Bootes the Warden, 54 AKGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. " All tko Pleiads, the Dog, and Arctos, watching Orion. " Slowly, murm'ringj the seas retir'd ; and the earth rose above them, " Teeming, travailing ; mountains tower'd, and the valleys descended ; " Green life spread o'er the hills and plains ; the musical rivers " Ponr'd from the icy peaks, and the glad earth broke into harvest. " Fishes, first, in the cold sea gender'd — all but the dolphin, " Hyperborean, lover of music, the friend of the minstrel ; " Long thereafter, his envoy, sent by lustral Apollo. " Born from the mud sprang the reptile kind ; the Nymphs and the Naiads " Burst in pellucid fountains forth; the pure Hamadryads 921 " Grew with the trees, and the Oreads roam'd on the slopes of the mountain. " Then the bees first swarm'd, the holy ones ; then did the eagle " Upwards soar and face the sun, and the song of the skylark " Herald creation's birth to the Gotls ; the lion and panther " Leap'd into life ; and man's kindly nurse and strong fellow-worker, " Lordly bull and bountiful cow, came forth with the morning. " All in degree was beautiful then, fresh-born and abundant ; " Each their own law kept, the law impos'd by Ophion. " Long did Ophion reign, and his spouse, on snowy Olympus, 930 " Eurynonio, wide-ruling Queen, the mother of Order ; " Till the new world was ripe for the birth of articulate mortals. " Then, foreseeing evil, their work fulfill'd, they departed, " Passing from earth to dwell evermore with the unseen Father. " — 16' P-ffiAN, VAXAT, IiiP/EVEON' ApOLLON ! II. " Now came the rule of the happy Titans, of Cronos and Ehca, " Long-enduring, while Zeus was nurs'd by the gentle M(dissa3 " In the Dictasan cave, nor the Cyclops yet had the lightnings " Forg'd, whereby, defied, he visits the wicked with vengeance. " All was Order still ; but who may count on the morning ? 940 " Clouds may gather and winds may rise ere the dew hath evanish'd. " Now from the East came, led by the cow, to fam'd Samothrace " Cadmus, the breathing man, our sire, to conquer the dragon, "Build proud Thebes, and people the earth with wide-spreading nations. " Him the Great Gods their worship taught ; and Tritonis Athena " Met him, leading Harmonia fair, the daughter of Ares, " Daughter of chaste Urania, whom men call Aphrodite, " All the Gods in presence, rejoicing, and gave her in marriage. " Naked was she, nor blush'd, a Goddess born, and a virgin. " White as snow were her limbs and neck ; she stood like a statue, 950 Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 55 " Calm-possess'd, austere, nor cunning ornament needed. " Cadmus over her threw a robe, the work of Atheua, " Eichly woven ; it fell in white folds down from her shoulders, " Half concealing aud half betraying her maidenly beauty, — " Then, at the touch, flush'd womanly shame in quick-coming blu.shes " Over her bosom and cheek suffus'd ; and she drew it around her " Close, and press'd to Athena's side ; but she brought her to Cadmus, " Join'd their hands, and he vow'd to cherish and love her for ever. " Thus is modesty ever the veil and the honour of woman ; " Thus was marriage ordain'd of old by the counsel of heaven. 960 " Then he clasp'd round her neck the necklace wrought by Hephaestus, " Fatal, wonderful, parent of joy or grief to the wearer, " All things good and evil within its circle including, " Pure desire, and unholy lust, love, hatred, and madness ; " Life to the pure in heart, but to those impure desolation. *' As is the heart, so is the life of man, and its issues. " Theirs was the Golden Age of mortals ; holy and happy, " Void of care, men work'd with their hands, and the seasons repaid them, " Fruitful, care of the Gods ; and when their days were accomplish^, " Gently, not into death they sank, but peacefulest slumber, 970 " Thence to awaken as haunters of earth, the beneficent daemons. " They twain meanwhile liv'd in love, till, transform'd into dragons, " Watchers, trusted of God, they flew to the Isles of the Blessed " Far in the West, where the sun never sets, and life is unending — " Far in the West, and far in the East, near the sources of Ocean. " This was the Golden Age, — an age of Silver succeeded. " — 16 P.EAN, VAXAT, iKPiEVEON' APOLLON ! III. " Needs not to tell how Pandora frail was brought to Prometheus, " Cloth'd but conscious, blushing, adorn'd, a beautiful evil, " By the wise Titan shunn'd, but his less wise brother embrae'd her, — " How, when the deep broad cask, woe's me ! she curious open'd, 981 " Forth of it, from the abyss, in swarms multitudinous, issued " Rapine, and lust, and disease, and war, and famine, and slaughter, " Light esteem for the Gods, trust-forfeit, and strife between brothers, " Son 'gainst father and man 'gainst God insanely contending, — " Concord fled to heav'n, with Peace, and starry Astraea. " Then the necklace, Harmonia's dower, was hung uj) at Delphi, '• Once a blessing, but now a curse to all who possess'd it. " Sweet herbs turn to poisonous weeds when faith has departed. 56 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book II. " Even in heaven came evil days; and the once happy Titans 9 ( J0 "Rose 'gainst Cronos, and liini dethron'd, and drove into exile, " Zeus still dwelling, a youth, in Crete, with the gentle Melissa;. " Then in the cave of Nysa was born the redeemer Iacchus, " Born from pure Melibodes, by mortals call'd Amaltheia, " Born from Amnion of ancient days. The nymphs of Ceraunus " Nurs'd him there, and Athena taught and the wise Aristaeus. " Broad was the cave and lofty, with crystal pillars, transparent, M Glitt'ring, and through it a fountain ran ; a shadowy ilex " Over it hung ; and odorous plants and each flower of the mountain, " Pendent or tufted, grew on the rocks in perennial fragrance, 1000 " Daphne, clematis, thyme ; and the bees murmur'd ever among them. " There he grew till the time was ripe ; and he fought with the Titans, " Crush'd their power, and captur'd nor slew, but offer'd forgiveness, " Either his friends to be, or to go in peace, at their pleasure. " Gratefully they accepted ; and then a cup in the midmost, " Fill'd with juice of the grape, his gift, he plac'd. and invited " All to drink, and pledge him their faith and peace with each other. " Happy had they but kept that pledge ! But Fate was against them. " Theu the oracle spake : — ' In peace is life everlasting. " 'Do thou good unto all, and become, like me, an immortal.' 1010 " So through the world he travell'd, by all the Graces attended, " Wars composing and love instilling ; and ever the wine-cup u Proffer'd, and bound the nations to serve by oath sacramental, " Zeus to serve, their King acclaim'd, and to love one another — " Greek or barbarian all as one, to love one another. " Hence libations we pour to the Gods, and love one another. " All fulfill'd, descending, he brought his mother, Thyone " Henceforth nam'd, from Hades, and rose up with her to heaven " Thence will he come once more, to save, in the day of Typhosus. " This was the Silver Age, and the Age of Bronzo has succeeded. 1020 " — Io P^EAN, VAXAT, IeP/EVEOn' ArOLLON ! IV. " What remaineth? O sweet Harmonia, return from thine islands ! " Lovely Peace, return, return ! And starry Astra)a ! " Last to leave us, the lov'd and lost, pure daughter of Themis, " Home, come home ! And thou that sleepest, Creator Ophion ! " — Send him, O Father ! binder of sin, but fountain of mercy, " Ever from thy vast caldron-cup descending to mortals ! " Where the Twelve Gods repair each year to feast with the blameless Orpheus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 57 " ^Ethiop race, and East and West are lost in each other — " Wake once more, and intervene for a second creation, 1030 " Ours, thy children, of Argo born, of the wood of Dodona ! " Teach ns that Order is heaven's first law ; that Love begets Order, " Order Strength ; and Strength consisteth in Unity. Bind us " Closer and closer, brethren sworn to the cup of Iacchus, " Peace to ensue and love upon earth ; by self-abnegation, " Each for each content to suffer ; by kindly forgiveness, " Griefs endur'd ; by righting wrong, protecting the widow, " Orphans fost'ring and all things weak ; each loving a maiden, " One, unselfishly ; living in chastity, temp'rate in all things. " Bind us, as here we sit, in the sacred circle of friendship, 1010 " As by Harmonia's ring of old, the symbol of order, " All unto one work vow'd as sons and servants of Argo, " Self-devoted to open the path to the land of iEetes. " Ours be, in fine, the honest heart, the strong resolution " Not to seek good by crooked means, but ever straightforward " Walk in the eye of day, low cunning fearlessly scorning, " Ev'n if a God appear to prompt it, — 'tis but a trial, " Fatal yielded to, and the result will bring us disaster. " Better to fail through good than succeed by evil, — the issue " Lies with God ; 'tis for us to act, for Him to determine. 1050 " This is noble indeed, to suffer for righteous doing. " First and last is Iacchus' law, to love one another. " Phrixus thus, our brother, desir'd to die for his people, " Fate not willing it, — thus hath our Heracles here accepted " Bondage lifelong to free mankind ; and thus did Iacchus " Win an immortal crown by love, and to dwell in Olympus. " So, when the Iron Age shall come — when again in Olympus " Strife shall reign, already in germ, and the Gods who assist us " Now shall arm in mutual hate, and Ilion the Holy, " City of God, shall fall, ah me ! and the wall that Apollo 1060 " Soon shall build, with the Just Man's aid and the strength of Poseidon, " Down shall crash,' and the dragon enter, and all be ruin — " Buin, ruin ! desolate homes, and her children in exile — " Still, even then, shall our fame endure, ever green in remembrance " Ev'n till the end of time, when, the age of ages completed, " Argo shall come from the Southern skies, by the hand of Iacchus " Steer'd, to rescue the sons of men in the clay of Typhccus. " Night comes fast. O happier we, the sons of the morning ! " — Io "P&AN, VAXAT. IeIUOVEOn' ApOLLON !" 5^ AEGOj OE, THE QUEST [Book 11. The master ceas'd, the ling'ring notes expire, 1070 But still, low murm'ring, sings the conscious lyre; The strain no more is heard in Chiron's cave, The list'ning Nereids sink beneath the wave. The fervour spent, he droop'd his head, depress'd, And deep sobs shook the mighty minstrel's breast. The heroes sat in thought, and silence kept \ Some mourn'd life's wasted prime ; the younger wept, Thinking of sisters lov'd and parents dear ; Ev'n mighty Heracles wip'd off a tear, For thought of Iole, his lost one, stole, luso The master singing, and subdued his soul. Some dream'd of doing great things, thinking not How soon their high resolves would be forgot. All soften'd were ; and they arose and clasp'd Each other's hands, — ev'n Idas Jason's grasp'd, With look of deprecation ; then a prayer Each mutter'd, and lay down. The midnight air Refreshed their heated brows. 'Neath Argo's shade, Mother and comforter, themselves they laid. Now clear, now veil'd, the stars shot fitful gleams ; 1090 And, as they slept, thus chequer'd were their dreams. Tiphys, alone, sat watching through the night Apart, expectant of the morning light. Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 59 Book III. Hypsipyle. The start, vss. 1 sqq. — Chiron and Chariclo, with the child Achilles, 35. — Cross the Pelasgic gulf, 47. — Eeach Aphetse, 133.— Rounding Magnesia, strike across, past Pallene and Athos, and reach Myrina, the port of Lemnos, 141, then only inhabited by women. — Remain unchallenged and unwelcomed, 175.— Mission of iEthalides, the herald, 213. — Condition of Lemnos; the Sintians; Poljxo ; perversion of the women; anger of Aphrodite; ' Lemnian deeds,' 219.— Hypsipyle the queen, daughter of Thoas, 521.— Preservation and escape of Thoas, 563.-— Meeting of Hypsipyle and iEthalides, 642.— Council of the Lemnian women, 673. — Conference of Hypsipyle and Jason, 751. — Lapse of Jason and the younger heroes, 865. — Mourning of Argo, 887. — Punishment of Polyxo, 893.— Patience of Zeus, 915. But when the dawn appearing shew'd the trees Distinct on Pelion ; and the fresh'ning breeze Woke the tired wavelets that had slept all night, And they danc'd merrily in the growing light ; Then Tiphys, rising, cried, " Awake, awake ! " Time 'tis that Argo her departure take." They rous'd themselves, and stretch'd, for most were young, And youthful slumbers should be sound and long ; But instantly, fair Argo full in view, Remember' d gladly all they had to do. 10 First, they haul'd in and coil'd the mooring-line ; Then, on the stern standing, with unmix'd wine, Pour'd from a golden goblet, Jason made Libation ; and to all the Gods he pray'd, 60 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. But most to Zeus, to bless their forward track, Reward the quest, and bring them safely back. Quick, a bright flash responsive cross'd the sky, And Mopsus spake, " Good is the augury." Then Tiphys, hoisting, to the breeze outshook The ensign ; and his seat, each hero took 20 Prescribed, his weapons placing by his side, Ready. Ancams, Heracles divide The central bench of honour. 'Neath their feet, With frequent thud, the gurgling waters beat, Washing the keel. The mighty club and axe Tremble, unhandled, new to such attacks. Then, at the word, all stretch'd them to the oar, And, fast receding, left Iolcos' shore. A slow and solemn old tripudial chime The lyre gave forth, and their true stroke kept time. 30 They cleave the waves ; the struggling waters break, And leave a long deep furrow in their wake, A track of silver, as a path is seen In autumn, white, crossing a meadow green. And now they near the spot where Nelia stands, - A verdant nook the sea-ward view commands, Mouth of a gorge, from which descends a ledge, Of shelf and sand, clown to the waters' edge. There see they Chiron standing, from his cave Come down to bless their progress o'er the wave, — 40 Beside him Chariclo. The breakers play Over their feet. The babe Achilles lay In her kind arms. She held him up to view Of his great sire; and Chiron sign'd adieu. Peleus his hands uprais'd to bless the child, Then turn'd and hid his face, to tears beguil'd. Hypsipylk.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 61 Now stretch they forth, quitting the bay, and seek To cross Pelasgia's gulf tow'rds Tisa's peak, — Thence, shunning Cicynethus, round the bold iEantian promontory, in to hold 50 Their course to Aphetge. The path was clear For many an hour, nor shoals nor rocks to fear. The sons of Boreas pray'd, and there arose The wind that southward from bleak Haemus blows. They fix the mast in its appointed place, And firm by double ropes on each side brace ; Then rear the sail-yard and display the sail, And Argo bounds forth joyous to the gale. The sun, topping the heights, now crown'd the day, And Argo, swan-like, glitter'd in the ray. 60 As when the sheep, caring no more to feed, Follow the shepherd, playing on his reed, Homeward at folding-time ; so Nereus' brood, The fishes small and great, her course pursued, Wond'ring and distanc'd. From Olympus' height The Gods look'd down and watch'd her with delight. The heroes, day advancing, 'gan to feel Hunger, and each partook a well-earn'd meal ; Then, resting 'gainst the tholepins, idly sat, In thought subdued, dreaming of this or that, 70 Some of the past, of the dim future more, For griefs as well as joys might be in store ; And after high excitement the bright hue Of life is soberer in reaction's view. Not sad they were but pensive, and suppress'd The gloomier thoughts that waken'd in their breast. Soft plash'd the waters as they onward sped ; The wind play'd whistling in the sail o'er-head ; 62 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. Tlie younger fell asleep. Ancasus sung A low sad chant in his ancestral tongue ; 80 How once, beyond Hesperia's furthest bound, A nation dwelt, for worth and might renown'd, His kinsmen, in an island Aztlan nam'd, Their king Evenor, far for justice fam'd ; Hut, mightier, came Poseidon's sons, and won The empire, sitting on Evenor's throne, Himself thenceforth their vassal, — either race, Submissive one, consenting in embrace. Hence a mix'd kind, pow'rful, but wise and just For ages, till corroding wealth and lust 90 Of conquest brought their galleys to the gate Of Athens — foolish ! thus to tempt their fate ; For the Tyrrhenians fierce and the strong spear Of Pallas crush'd them ere they enter'd there ; And Zeus, by counsel of the Gods, decreed — Ah ! retribution harsh for such a deed — That Aztlan's sea-laid pillars undermin'd Should crumble away, nor leave a trace behind Of the fair island, once the world's delight, — Her sons, her weak, escaping as they might, 100 Perchance yet further in the West to find A refuge, altars, fortunes, less unkind. Still you may see her cities 'neath the waves Gleaming, and Nereids passing from their caves To dwell alternate in her palaces, No mortals near, disporting as they please. So sang he on, they slumb'ring ; and the day, The wind still holding steady, wore away. The hot noon pass'd, and they woke one by one, Each thinking sleep had come on him alone, no Hypsipvi.e.] OF THE -GOLDEN FLEECE. 63 But each affirming he had waking kept, And watch'd with Tiphys while the others slept. Idlcos, long descried, had long been lost In distance. To their right lay Phthia's coast, The pleasant land that Peleus' sceptre owns, Land of th' Acbaeans and the Myrmidons. The shrine of Artemis on Tisa's brow, Where watchfires mark the reefs that lurk below, They fearful see 5 but, touch'd by Tiphys' hand, The rudder speeds them tow'rds the adverse land 120 Of Pteleon. Orpheus meanwhile seiz'd the lyre, And sang of Artemis in words of fire, Arcadian Artemis, who loves to dwell On mountain top, or by wood-shaded well, And roam the wilds with bow and arrows, sure To strike, a huntress and a virgin pure. But now they lower the mast, and tack, — they see The bay that leads to shelt'ring Aphetpe, 'Xeath Tisa's slopes deep-nestled. They the oars Resume once more, and 'tween the narrowing shores 130 Row lustily, till, as the evening sank, Guided by many a house-light on the bank, Beneath the city's modest walls they find Safe harbourage and moorings to their mind. So pass'd their first, and many a day succeeds ; But such, unless proclaim'd by special deeds, Tbe Muse will not record. Well-pleas' d she sings Of deeds sublime, but scorns indifferent things ; Yet still allows the poet's tongue to name Argo's chief landmarks, thus consign'd to fame. 140 Loos'd from screen'd Aphetse, a Zephyr, sent By Zeus, arose. Again the sail they bent ; 64 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. Ami through th' Eubcean strait sped swift between Onus and Tisa, till, approaching, seen Gray Sciathus, they furl the sail, the oar Assume, and Northward skirt Magnesia's shore. The tomb of Dolops, Hermes' son, afar A Bignal rises, like a guiding star I > \ oighl to seamen doubtful of their way, — They land, observance to bis shade to pay ; 150 Then yond Peiresia, Melibcea, pass on, Still rowing, till, rejoic'd, they gaze upon Tempe, and hoar Olympus, tow'ring high, I Ionic of the Gods, commercing with the sky, And, mindful still, set by Poseidon free, IVneius, rolling turbid to the sea, — Thence, Eastward, sailing, tow'rds Pallene cross, Ers1 Phlegra, where the Giants suffer'd loss, Blood-born of Uranus by Ge ; when Zeus Porphyrion slew, and huge Alcyoneus : — 160 Now cornfields wave and the red cattle graze Where Zeus's lightnings rag'd in ancient days. Next, distant, they descry dark Athos' cone, The Holy Mount, high -tow' ring, all alone, Out-post of Thrace, with Zeus's hallow'd fane Above Nymphamm, glitt'ring o'er the main. There, of Zeus shelter'd, shall a remnant long, In accents soft, speak the Pelasgian tongue. They breath'd a prayer ; but, Zephyr fav'ring still, Pursued their course, running to Eastward, till 170 The wind, as wont, fell with the setting sun ; But they row'd on till midnight, and then run Beneath the hills of Lemnos, low and bare, Enter'd the little port, and moor'd them there. Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 65 The morning broke ; the sky was dull and gray, Wind from the East, — they scarce could start that day. A town they saw, high on the neighb'ring rocks, Farmsteads around, scattered, and herds and flocks Going to pasture. Women to the plough The oxen harness'd, clumsily enow, 180 And awkward started. Presently, thrown wide, The city-gates were open'd ; but they 'spied No men, but women passing in and out ; Nor in the fields were lab' ring men about. 'Twas very strange, — and, as the light, more clear, Shew'd Argo in the port, as if with fear Seiz'd, like a flock of sheep discomfited P>y sight of unknown dog, the women fled Into the city. Thence came forth ere long, Upon the half-moon platform, a fierce throng — 190 Or seem'd such— of arm' d warriors ; but they pac'd Heavily, with their breastplates but half-lac' d, Their gait undisciplin'd, greaves fitting ill, — Nor shew'd they purpose to descend the hill, Argo to question, whence she daring came, Her route, her nation, and her captain's name ; But gaz'd abroad with glance incurious, slow Dragging their long swords after, to and fro ; Till, as if weary, they inactive stood, Propp'd on their spears, like statues carv'd in wood. 200 Strange sight ! Like phantoms all unreal, such The vision seem'd. The heroes marvell'd much. The city, Myrina, they knew, —of old Had Thoas been 'mong tEsoii's guests enroll'd, And those of (Eneus, when he urg'd the war 'Gainst Pleuron, after they had slain the boar ; F 66 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. And Thoas' name bad to his grandson been By GEneus given, at instance of his queen — Thai Thoas, wise in speecli. in years a boy, Who led th' ^Etolians at the siege of Troy:— 210 — A shameful thing, that strangers sin mid await Cnwelcom'd, nay, unnoticed at the gate ! They waited long, — no message came ; and then /Ethalides, lie raid of peace to men, At Jason's best, up tow'rds the city went Thoas to see, state whither they were bent, And, if rememb'rance fail'd of days gone by, Crave as mere strangers hospitality. Now must the Muse unheard of tilings record ! The Sintian dames had made themselves abhorr'd 220 Of Aphrodite — Aphrodite bright, Of wise Hephaestus spouse and sole delight. Him, when cast out by Zeus, his power defied, From heav'n for taking his dear mother's side, The Sintians kind receiv'd ; he lov'd their race, And will'd with them his chosen home to place, lie in Mosyclos dwells, — thence smoke and fire Darken the skies; and strokes that never tire, The hammer thund'ring constant night and day, The earth astonish and the seas dismay. 230 She dwells in near Euboea, save when gone To Paphos, or some Syrian voyage upon. Her had the women anger'd, and she wrought Unnumber'd evils, that fair Lemnos brought To desolation — sons and husbands dead, By women, only, now inhabited. But what th' offence ? Like to a noxious flower, It grew not up nor blossom'd in an hour ; Hypsipylk.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 67 And the foul wrong that blighted Lemnos' fame Was sown in error ere 'twas reap'd in shame. 240 As from earth's entrails, grounded, wild-vines climb, So wicked actions have their roots in time ; Each new event, with all its issues, springs, As from its fount, from old forgotten things. As one poor thistle, in a garden sown, Flow'ring, its seed to every quarter blown, Corrupts a hundred fields once cultur'd fair, And the vex'd farmer struggles in despair ; So one crude speculation, loosely cast, Hath power a thousand hearts and lives to blast. 250 As when, beneath the Typhaonian rock, Typhceus stirs in agony, the shock, Through earth and sea propell'd, uplifts a wave, Vast, tow'ring, rushing on, a living grave, Which unexpected bursts on some far shore, And ruin brings where all was joy before ; So from a distant land, upheav'cl, a throe Of thought occult, but big with future woe, Destruction roli'd on Lemnos, wing'd by Fate, And left her fields and homesteads desolate. 260 Fount of such error, author, scourge of wrong, Liv'd gray Polyxo, native not, among The Sintians, Greek by birth. Of fever'd brain, A Mcenad once in Dionysus' train, Daughter of Maoris, of Peneius' race, She to Apollo's sacred loins could trace Though bold Oyrene's womb her parentage — Cyrene, who with lions war would wage, Well-match'd, on Pelion ; hence her heart was stern, Nor easily from purpose fix'd would turn. 270 F 2 68 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. She came with Thoas when he won the heir Of Lenmos, Myrina, the young and fair, Child of the Sintian king. She rear'd their child, Bypsipyle\ Strange fancies, dark and wild, Perverse, distorted mockeries of truth, Her thought had nourish'd from her early youth, Mingling with strangers from the Scythian waste, Where Ares black and Artemis the chaste Are worshipp'd by the Amazons, — from them She learn'd the rite of marriage to contemn, 280 And men to hate as tyrants. Upis taught, .Misunderstood, misgloss'd, the tale how brought Ilarmonia was to Cadmus — higher than Her mate in race, a daemon, he mere man ; She to such spouse, a minister of heaven, A loving consort, mistress, mother given ; One of the class divine, immortal fam'd, Griffins and dogs of Zeus, or watchers, nam'd, — Man vassal thus, sub-order'd, woman queen : — Well, had relation such perpetuate been ; 200 But since those good old times all was revers'd, — And in her teeming visions she rehears'd The wrongs of women, brooding over schemes Such to redress, distemper'd noxious dreams, Shaping them by her Greek brain's subtilty's Reasoning, concluding from false premises, — Deadliest deceiver, who in honest sooth Propounds such specious fallacies as truth ! Her sex exalting, mirror'd in herself, Of influence fond, but caring not for pelf, 300 Sincere in purpose, confident of right, But seeing all things in an oblique light, Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 69 Her ends to compass fear nor sliaine she bad, And means, successful, reck'd not good or bad. A dang'rous couns'llor, an Alecto dire, Should Fate that smould'ring furnace wake to fire ! Experience had she great in little things, In wise men's folly and the craft of kings ; But, less than woman, would without remorse In every question take th' extremest course ; 310 Nor ever lack'd example pat whereby To recommend her views, or justify. Long these her dogmas had she freely flung To germinate the Sintian dames among ; And 'rriong barbarians, knowing Greece, a Greek Great influence carries when he deigns to speak. The Sintians were an old barbarian clan, Whose race from Scythes, Phrygian sire, began ; Hard workers — for their soil was thin and poor ; But rich — for skill in smelting iron ore 320 Hephaestus grateful gave to them, and taught The armourer's craft ; and swords and shields they wrought For men, as he for heroes and for Gods. No thought had they of changing their abodes For kindlier settlements, but held their own, And dwelt in their free island, all alone, — Great smiths, a noble brood ! like Daedalus, Or him of Ares, wise Mamurius. Swart and broad-built their type, — short, curly hair ; Teeth iv'ry-white ; good-humour'd, frank their air ; 330 Kind to their wives, but masters in the house ; The wives meet rev'rence paid, each to her spouse, — Both walking clean, without a thought to hide, In the pure steps of Cadmus and his bride. 70 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. Bard work both sexes did ; and, sooth to say, The women go1 through more in one short day Than all Maeonia's daughters in a week; I Inf. work achiev'd, their blythe hearts would outbreak, Both Bexes mingling free, in mirth and joke, Nor fear'd men's blame, unconscious of a yoke. 340 Such audience hers, Polyxo dropp'd tlie seed Her sex amongst, prompt discontent to breed. (Yedulous, open-mouth'd, they learn'd how great Their birth, how unendurable their fate, Women so far superior to the men, Bu1 to their tyrant rule subjected, — then They heard rejoie'd that argument would give Back their supremacy, their rank retrieve: — " If man's but earth-born, womanhood divine, " Man is as water, womanhood as wine. 350 "Woman should at the least man's equal be, " Nay, owns by right superiority. " But if superior, then the female sex " Should rule the male, should ride upon their necks, " And guide like horses. But alas ! the scales " Unequal pois'd, the due adjustment fails. " Men are the stronger, and can tyrannise. " This to compensate, women should be wise. " Superior minds superior power imply. " Women must win o'er men the mastery. 360 • In argument is woman's strength, the tongue •• Thus panoplied to prove a husband wrong ; •• And, such man's simple nature, though the bit •• 1 le champ awhile, yet, silene'd, he'll submit. •• Lastly, should women train themselves as men •' Atltleticallv. -not indeed to strain HypsipyiA] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 7 1 " Strength against strength, but by the fencer's skill " Make themselves fear'd if wrong'd or cross'd in will ; " Thus both by tongue and sword against the dense " Brute force of man accomplished in defence. 370 " But more," she argued ; " if the case stands thus, "If men, as sex, inferior are to us, " Then marriage is unequal ; we are slaves " That should be masters, — this amendment craves. " 'Tis not so difficult. The remedy " Must, as in all tilings, with your own selves lie. " Either be celibates — by far the best ; " Or married, or if love subdue the breast, " Ye younger ! be your partnership at will, ' l Free to consort or sep'rate — better still ; 380 " Free love, on equal terms, and not by law " Of God or man constrain d, nor under awe " Of penalty ; but each to other hold " No longer than by mutual wish controll'd. " Thus mated, thus alone can marriage be " Ought but subjection to man's tyranny, — " Each woman, doubtless, faithful to her spouse " Pledg'd for the time — but no religious vows : — " If Hera sanction, Aphrodite' claim " Such by their priests, those priests are much to blame. " But in my country we not much appraise 391 " These Goddesses' worn credit now-a-days." Such things she secret preach'd, and they drank in, Mothers and daughters, close, the doors within. Some hints of what she taught the wiser ones Their husbands told, or, widows, to their sons, — These merely laugh'd, nor guess'd what mischief dire A spark might raise when folly fann'd the fire. . / R GO; A\ J HE Q UEST [ Book III. So things wciil (in: and gradually the seed Thus Bcatter'd grew into a baleful weed 400 Unseen beneath the waters, ]><>ison-rife, Tin- stream upclogging of domestic life. Wives, daughters, all endeavour'd, old and young, Husbands to prove or brothers in the wrong By argumenl ; nor counted they the cost : — Victories thus won are worse than battles lost. Still more provoking 'twas when they withdrew Defeated, with superior smile, anew To recommence strife on another tack, Still to the vain contention coming back. 410 No word men utter'd bul occasion gave Woman to prove man's equal, not his slave. Soft wh codlings, coaxings, love's caressing mood, Were now disus'd, badges of servitude. With men in public, not their husbands, they Discuss'd whose province 'twas to rule, t' obey, Woman's or man's, abstractly ; and each spoke Her own an ox submissive to the yoke. AVhile thus the wives, the daughters, not to be Behind-hand, now affected manners free ; 420 Cropp'd their hair close, their robes succinct uptied, Adopted swinging gait and manhood's stride ; Pass'd passengers i' th' street with careless brush, — Swore roundly by men's oaths, and ceas'd to blush ; Bold, not immodest-meaning, though their tongue Would haunt delighted on the verge of wrong ; Yet still, by natural reticence restrain'd, Stopp'd short, and licence on that verge refrain'd, — One thought infirmer, one step further on, And virgin chastity itself were gone. 430 Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 73 Rev'rence for elders, ancient usages, Fear of the Gods, they mock'd as prejudice. Maidens and wives one common impress bore, Their ign'rance, folly, much, presumption more. At last, the husbands, fathers, constant found Tongue-match'd and conquer 'd as each eve came round, When, labour-weary, they'd been wont to find Sweet harmony, home-love, and welcome kind, Prov'd wrong by reas 'ning they could not confute, And taught that woman's heav 'n-born, man a brute, 440 Grew wearied, pain'd, disgusted, sour'd at heart, Abjur'd their firesides, lived a life apart, Long'd, but too manly were, their wives to strike, And view'd thier daughters with confirm'd dislike. These last the young men took without debate As fellows at their own self-estimate ; Ceas'd to defer in courtesies where none Bas'd expectation feebler strength upon ; But, equals, follow'd out their natural bent, And to the wall of course the weaker went. 450 No thought of marriage rose in either case. Antipathy between them grew apace. Meanwhile nor wives nor daughters now would join In grateful prayer at Aphrodite s shrine. Some grudging cult they to Athena paid, And some to Artemis, the Taurian maid ; The other deities neglected quite, And lame Hephaestus ridicul'd outright, His spouse, resenting, shed th' indignant tear, And meditated chastisement severe. 460 So matters stood. A few short years before Had those of Singus, on the Thracian shore, ;i ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. Invaded Lemnos; and the Sint ians now Return'd the visit, rend'ring blow for blow, Surpris'd the town, spoil'd it of treasures rare, And brought bark captive maidens, many and fair. These made tliey concubines; and sweet and kind They found them, — far more grateful to their mind Than their polemic spouses or the youth Of female Lemnos, masculine, uncouth. 470 The men their bastard to their legal brood Preferr'd, and thus fresh bitterness ensued. Now Aphrodite's time was come. She cast Madness among the women, and a blast ( ){' fire on Lemnos, deadlier than the eye Of basilisk, which seeing man must die; Bui most she frenzied ag'd Polyxo's brain, Till, like a courser fierce, unloos'd the rein, Trampling at once on God's and mortals' laws — Or as a fire the forest-bush or straw's 480 Dry stubble kindles in the summer drought — She spoke th' accursed counsel of her thought : — " Daughters !" she cried, "is nothing to be done ? " Shall insult, shall endurance still go on ? •• Ye murmur, No ! Then hearken ! Long years since, tk Ye sent me to bright Delos, from your prince " And you to carry gifts to Phoebus' shrine. " There met I Upis, Arge, nymphs divine, " Sent by the Hyperboreans to convey " Tribute to Eileitlmia, whom to-day 490 " We honour less than formerly. They told " Of a great nation, near their dwellings, bold, " Fear'd far by land and sea, in everything " Law to themselves, slaves nor to priest nor king, Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 75 " All women, worshipping cold Artemis, " Abhorring Aphrodite. Mark ye this ! " Be these your model. Fathers, brothers, sods, '■ They own none — own none ye — be Amazons ! " Let ev r ery male thing in all Lemnos die ! " So shall ye win, so keep your liberty. 500 " Even boy infants spare not — seed of men " That, spar'd, will tyrants propagate again. " I have spoken — and I think the daemon true " That prompts my thought. To act it rests with you." Unsex'd already, with applauding throat All clamour'd ' Aye !' nor put it to the vote. They thought no more of mercy in their wrath Than crushing worms or insects in their path. Short of a God's no power could have prevail' d O'er woman's natural instincts, thus assail'd. 510 'Twas done. That night, when Erebus his pall Spread o'er black Lemnos, they were murder'd all, Fathers, husbands, and sons ; some by the knife, Most by the drugg'd cup, numbing out the life. Only each dam chang'd sucklings with her friend, By alien hands their short sweet lives to end. Each sister, daughter, wife resum'd that eve Old coaxing ways, the better to deceive. Since then we speak in Greece of ' Lemnian deeds ' When treach'rous, shameless cruelty exceeds. 520 One only 'scap'd, the King. A daughter's love Prevail'd a heart harder than stone to move. When Thoas' bride, sweet Myrina, had pass'd Her nine months of probation, and at last Her child was born, the tenth's accomplishment, Her strength, not great, though weary travail spent, ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. Fail'd her; and, A\ ing, to Polyxo's cave She gave the babe, Hypsipyle the fair, With commendation thai she should be true To her, and kind a guardian's duty do. 530 Polyxo Bwore, and thenceforth dwelt with her, Ber nurse, and Thoas' trusted housekeeper. She rear'd her loving to the Gods and kind To all men, taught her truth, and train'd her mind To maiden modesty, nor conscious sought To stain her spotless soul with one bad thought. True to her oath, and guarding uiidefil'd, Such single merit hers, her mistress child, — Bui only, abstractly, bade her take to heart That women were a race, a caste, apart, 540 Holy, divine, but sold to slavery, By men wrong'd, tyrannis'd, and should be free; That marriage seal'd their bonds, but freely given. Freely withdrawn, love, virtuous, was from heaven. This she took in on trust, nor knew it wrong, And no God's voice reprov'd the teacher's tongue. She in the palace lived retir'd ; nor car'd Polyxo her seclusion should be shar'd By such, the maids of Lemnos, as had grown To woman's prime since the new doctrine known. 550 Sixteen sweet springs Hypsipyle had seen, A child in thought, in maiden grace a queen, But such as Artemis — not loveliness, But beauty grave ; frank kindness in address, Controll'd by modesty. Her olive cheek Spoke of her mother, but all else was Greek, Of purest type. The darling of her sire, She lov'd him dearly, but she fear'd his ire, Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 77 Too hasty ; and this fear, alas ! repress'd Her confidence, and lock'd it in her breast ; 560 Else had she learn'd the doctrines false to hate Which, acted on, made Lemnos desolate. Needs not to say how, when Polyxo told The women's counsel, passion, nncontroll'd, Broke down all barriers ; and she strove to reach Her father's presence ; how, repelfd at each Exit by watchers, she her nurse implor'd To spare her sceptred king, her trusted lord : — She drew a dagger from her belt, and swore By Hecate' to shed her proper gore, 570 Polyxo's guilt, and track her steps, a ghost Execrate, on the blasts of Acheron tost, Unless she sav'd her sire : — Polyxo quail'd ; Her nurseling's threat her one weak point assail'd ; Fearless of God, to thought of mercy dead, Thessalian born, spectres she held in dread. And well she knew the maiden's will. A thought Of the dead mother cross'd her too, and brought Bemorse, — then shame that a barbarian brood Should, she their agent, spill the pure Greek blood :- 58.) And then she saw her kneeling, late so proud, Clasping her knees ; and her fell purpose bow'd, Subdued by the child's touch —and she gave way. Brief, secretly that night, when the scar'd day Had fled from guilty Lemnos, all being laid In sleep's exhaustion, she the King convey 'd Through the chill chambers to the shore. He foil ml A little boat there moor'd, the rope unbound, Rais'd the black sail ; and a fresh Eastern breeze Wing'd the frail vessel to the Sporacles ; 590 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. And Pythian Phoebus in Sicynos 1 isle Reci iv'd the royal suppliant with a smile. Henceforward, their child-queen, Hypsipyle llnlM these mods Amazons in sovereignty. All this had chane'd a twelvemonth ere the oars Of Aro-o brought her to the Lemnian shores. Meanwhile the Sintian women found the life Of independence hard, the seasons' strife Worse than their old contentions. The harsh plough They plied, sow'd, hop'd for harvest. On their brow eoo Toil set her mark. The bees forsook the hive ; The cattle mutinied. The dust would drive, Hephaestus' impulse, from Mosyclos' height, And cover the sad fields with drought and blight. Small thought of argument was now — such art Were none to practise on. Worse, qualms of heart, Late waken'd, made themselves at times be felt. Fearful, they labour'd, sword in hand, and belt Chafing their loins, each martial exercise, Watching by night and day against surprise, 610 Cruel, retributive, from those of Thrace, 'Venging their daughters, torn from their embrace. Only Polyxo falter'd not, — she saw But one thing at a time ; her will was law ; And no one dar'd to whisper a weak doubt That they had acted wisely, but a stout Rearing maintain'd, vaunted their liberty, While each in secret mourn 'd that she was free. Not that their hearts were chang'd, their folly seen ; Dews fall no longer where such waste hath been. 620 But in her heart Hypsipyle each thing Ponder'd, and nothing said. Bewildering, Hypsipylk] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 79 Polyxo's teachings dwelt with her ; but still True instinct, loving right, abhorring ill, Grew in her day by day ; and the mists clear'd Partial, though slowly. Constant she rever'd Her Gods ancestral, and in secret pray'd For, 'gainst th' avenging ones, their gracious aid ; ( Certain, her people parricides in crime, Alecto's scourge would find them out in time. 630 Thus when the women, issuing from the farms, Saw Argo in the port, wild with alarms, Like flock of tim'rous sheep discomfited At sight of an unwonted dog, they fled Within the gates just open'd of the town, Fair Myrina, that on the port looks down ; Thence issuing, in their husbands' breastplates, lac'd Perforce but loosely, the front platform pac'd ; Then wearied paus'd, each resting on her spear. They took the Minyan heroes, in their fear, 640 For Thracians. Now ^Ethalides was seen Mounting the hill ; and presently the Queen Join'd them. They crowded round her, like a brood Of chickens round their dam, in troubled mood, A hawk seen over-head, unwelcome guest. But she mov'd calm, anxious though self-possess' cl ; Nor armour wore ; but bade them back, and let Her meet him as such envoys should be met ; Then stood, slightly advanc'd, before the gate. He, wond'ring much, and holding forth elate 650 The wand of peace, drew near with gentle word : — " Fair Queen ! — if Lemnos own no other lord — " But Thoas certes rul'd this land, of yore "The guest of vEson on iEmonia's shore, — 80 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. u Jason, the sou ofjEson 3 with the band " ( If heroes, vow'd to seek the Colchian strand, "And bring back Chrysomallus' golden Fleece, •■ Which stern ZEetes yet withholds from Greece, " Waits in the port; and, if thou daughter art " Of Thoas, claims hereditary part Geo •• As guest in thy fair grace, as from thy sire, " Short shelter in thy port, with food and fire, — " Or, if remembrance fail of days gone by, "Craves, as mere stranger, hospitality." To whom the Queen : — " Doubt not our friendly will, " sacred herald ! nor fear welcome chill "From Thoas' daughter. iEson's son I know " No stranger, nor inhospitable foe. " But grief o'erwhelms this isle ; and I, alone, " New, inexperienc'd, fill my father's throne. 670 " I welcome all. Return, — short while attend ; " And, counsel ta'en, fit answer I will send." Then to the palace went she, at her side Polyxo ; and the women, in a tide, Pour'd after, as where seas contending meet, Confus'd, one babble all. She took her seat On Thoas' great stone chair, and still'd the crowd, And thus address'd, in accents clear, not loud : — " My words are, Welcome, and supply the wants " Of these our guests, great Zeus's suppliants ; 080 " Send to them food and gifts, that they remain " Quietly at the ship, nor knowledge gain " Of how we stand, of what hath been our crime, " Or how th' Erinnys still awaits her time." Then, skinny, her elf-locks 'scaping from the comb, Now by a twelvemonth nearer to the tomb, I, Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 81 it r Leaning upon her staff, and with a croak As of the Phocian bird, Polyxo spoke, — Still resolute her heart ; her eyes gleam'd fire, As doth the Msenad or th' insane inspire : — 690 " I say not ' Send not ' — Send them food and gifts ; " But our emergency needs special shifts. " List to me ! No one can a summer's dav, " 'Cross country, tow'rds a landmark work his way " Direct, uncheck'd, on the horizon seen ; "But if a hostile river roll between, Must build a raft, or ford it. Kept in sight, Thus he may reach the landmark before night. " Free from men are ye and their tyranny, — " But what your chance, what your security, 700 " Should the fierce Thracians, as these guests have come, " Swoop down like eagles on your franchis'd home ? " And when we elders die, how will you live, " Ye younger, growing old ? Will the fields give " Their fruit spontaneous, ye too weak to plough ? " Be this averted ! Do ye ask me how ? " The way now opens. Men, our natural foes, " To circumvent, craft must brute strength oppose. " Use them as instruments our ends to gain. " Ev'n the great Amazons make tools of men, 710 " Else would their race expire. From Upis I " Learn'd what may serve in this emergency. " Once yearly to the Mount Ripha3an, where " Dwell the Sauromatse, their foes, repair " The Amazons, a band select, on truce, " Each for one night a warrior mate to choose, " And each bring home a daughter. Bearing sons, "They slay them. Thus the race of Amazons S2 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. " Recruited lives. Ask from these strangers each " A child, daughter or son, to heal the breach 720 " In our estate. But, granted, then dismiss " The strangers instant; or, refusing, this " Be siffnal of their death, as well ye know " To deal it. These sparse sons will be enow " To till the fields, strong-handed, bred in due " Subservience, and, as needs, our race renew,— " Greeks too their sires, and of the hero race, " Their dread shall guard you 'gainst attacks from Thrace. " This then do ye of these our brave guests crave ; " But keep past counsels secret as the grave." 730 Thus spoke the hag, — adding instruction wise How in report they should their state disguise, Bereft of men. The women, much commov'd, Debated long, but at the last approv'd. Hypsipyle, but partially content, Said, " I will pray, if such be your consent, •' Jason to come up here, unarm'd, alone, " To hear your common counsel and my own." So saying, she the multitude dismiss'd, And young Iphinoe call'd unto her : — " Hist, 740 " Maiden !" and her a special message gave ; And she went down, and near'd the ship ; and, grave, With courteous gest, iEthalides her led To Jason's presence, and she boldly said, — " Hypsipyle' hath sent me here to tell " Thee, Argo's captain, that she greets thee well, " And prays thee to come up, unarm'd, alone, " To hear the city's counsel and her own, — " The rest to keep the port, nor make debate ; "For we are women, and unfortunate." 750 Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 83 Jason much wonder'd, but prepar'd t' obey ; Over his shoulders threw a mantle, gay With purple and with gold, that skilful wove Arachne', and her father dyed, — above His head and o'er him Aphrodite' pour'd Beauty and grace, as of th' Assyrian lord Of Byblos. Thus, unarm'd, alone, he went, Iphinoe with him, up the steep ascent To Myrina. The damsels straight unbar The gate, and curious gaze ; but, like a star, 7150 Unheeding, cold, though glitt'ring, on the ground He bent his eyes, advancing. Up the mound Where stood the palace they proceed, and thro' The sculptur'd door beneath the portico, Into the hall. She on the great stone chair Of Thoas sat, Hypsipyle' the fair. Alone she sat, and at a sign the maid Iphinoe left them. One quick blush betray'd Slight tremor, and her heart more hurried beat, Youthful, unwonted such a peer to meet ; 770 But she compos'd herself; and her eye, clear And pure, met Jason's as the chief drew near ; Then rising, with sweet dignity, address'd, Call'd him by name, and hail'd as friend and guest: — " Son of my father's friend, I greet thee well ! " Now list to me ; and to thy comrades tell " This city's counsel and my own, — thereon " Delib'rate, and resolve what shall be done. " Then come up here and be our guests awhile, " A day, or longer, welcome. Fear no guile, 780 " Eut'ring our walls. No men inhabit here, — " Fathers, sons, husbands, all we once held dear, a 2 84 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. " For Thrace have left us, to return no more, "Reaping the harvests of a kindlier shore, " Forsaking, reckless of our helpless state — " Left ns, our homes and Lemnos, desolate. "Thus stands our grief. Thoas, mine honour'd sire, " [nvaded Thrace, wliose sons with sword and fire •• Had ravag'd Lemnos. He, alas! was slain, — " Bui home the Sintians captive o'er the main 790 "Brought Thracian damsels; and a madness seiz'd, " By Aphrodite sent, at what displeas'd " I know not, the proud victors ; and they lay " With these strange concubines; and day by day "Their wedded wives despis'd. We bore this curse " Patient awhile, hoping a change; but worse " And worse it grew ; for now they held in scorn " Their children erst in lawful wedlock born, " The bastards tend'ring ; and their daughters lived, " Legitimate, uncar'd for and un wived. 800 " At last some God inspir'd us; and, when last " They home return'd, we courage took, and cast " All love and duty from us, and refus'd 11 Access, our trust and weakness thus abus'd. " They, the male children of the Sintian race " Collecting, with their captives, sail'd for Thrace, " There with those fierce barbarians cast their lot, " Ourselves, their country, and their hearths forgot. " These things being so, to you, as friends, not foes, " List what my people by my mouth propose. 810 " We cannot plough, nor sow, nor reap, nor fight, 44 Being women, in protection of our right. " Do ye then, as the proud Sauromataa " To the great Amazons, the chaste, the free, Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 85 " Give each of us a son, the work to do " That is beyond our strength ; and then pursue — " If such your pleasure — your sea-path in peace. " Or, if content to wed this isle with Greece, " The fields are fertile and the women fair ; " Our homes are yours, and I, my father's heir, 820 " Will share with thee the throne, and with firm will "Thee and thy brave companions guard from ill. " Do you, in turn, us cherish and defend, li And we will love ye, faithful, to the end. " But deem not we would burden your free lives " With Hymen's shackles, matrimonial gyves ; '' Nor would we suffer vows, that make a slave " To man of woman, kind soe'er or brave. " We are well taught, franchis'd from slavery — "W e who are born, should live, and will die free — 830 " That marriage seals such bonds ; while, freely given, " Freely withdrawn, love, virtuous, is from heaven. " We women, heirs of pure Harmonia's line, " Were else degraded from our rank divine. " Such then our proffer. Should you wish, in time, " To quit this Lemnos for another clime, " At your own option be it, — not a day " Would sorrow urge us to prolong your stay. " Thus we propose, in self-respect, not pride. " Consult your comrades, ponder, and decide. 840 " If you prefer to start this day, this hour, " All Lemnos owns, all I, is at your power, — " Needful supplies my servants now prepare. " Only, in pity, Jason ! grant this prayer, — " Tell not the Thracians we in Lemnos, few, " Helpless, survive, abandon'd — e'en by you !' 86 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. So speaking-, paus'd Hypsipyle; l>ut mute Stood Jason ; nor his soul could ill impute To her thus urging, little more than child, By si >nie strange madness seemingly beguil'd. 850 At length, recov'ring, her address'd, — " Fair dame! k " I thank thee for thy kindness, but, for shame, " May not accept tin's island and thy throne; " For a fair land i' th' West I call my own, " Nor may forswear; and the Great Gods have will'd " Not without me the Fleece's quest fulfill'd. " But I will back to Argo, and apprise " My comrades of thy kindly courtesies." So saying, he kiss'd her fair hand and withdrew ; And she gaz'd after as he pass'd from view. 860 When he came forth, the women throng'd around, Eager and joyous. Pass'd the gates, he found Carts waiting of supplies, of wine and bread, And fruits, with vine-leaves 'gainst the flies o'erspread, And gifts, rich, various, tokens of good will. These follow'd his slow footsteps down the hill. Jason reported all ; and, with one tongue, The youths acclaim'd consent, nor ask'd if wrong Such dallying, nor of Mopsus' voice requir'd The counsel of the Grods. Their hearts were fir'd 870 By Aphrodite', anxious that again Lemnos should peopled be by living men. Only the Dioscuri dar'd to say Twas sin and shame ; they would not go that day. Euphemus too, revering Heracles, Obey'd, though never eagle for the breeze Of freedom panted more, prison'd in a cage, Than he, in the young fervour of his age. Hypsipyle.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 87 With Jason, all the rest went up ; but none, The elders, follow'd their rash steps upon. 880 Ancseus with his axe, in thought apart, Peleus and Telamon, the sad at heart, Theseus, and Meleager, fire-chastis'd, Mopsus, and Idmon, stern, the Gods despis'd, Orpheus, and Tiphys, and JEthalides, And, youngest 'mong the seniors, Heracles, Like noble steeds of their dead lord bereav'd, Sat by deserted Argo, watch'd, and griev'd. Then, as those truants climb'd the hill, befel A strange and unexpected miracle. 890 The colours, glorious, Argo that array 'd Like a bright bird, slowly began to fade ; Till, the gates enter'd, all was neutral gray, And so continued many a future day. That night in Myrina this came to pass : — Hephaestus sent an earthquake, and a mass Of ruin toppled on Polyxo's head. Forth from her evil heart the spirit fled. But Hypnos and his brother Thanatos, By Hypnos summon'd from dark Tenedos, 900 Lapp'd the foul corpse in lead, and to the gorge Of red Mosyclos, mouth of the God's forge, Bore her and dropp'd her in, — that, as a ghost Unburied, on the blasts of Acheron tost, She should alternate ride, and in the brains Of sophists, godless men, that vicious pains Take to confuse the bounds of right and wrong, And gloze false morals with their serpent tongue. Her still our kinsmen the Tyrrhenians call Mania, whose visions men by night appal ; «»10 88 AKGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book III. She poppy-heads in sacrifice requires, Once children's,- In t eyes gleam with dusky fires; Bui we tell Lamia give lli' accursed name, Mem'ry of Leinuos' and Polyxo's shame. Men 11 while all Myrina rejoie'd, well pleas'd, And Aphrodite and her spouse appeas'd Willi sacrifices. Nor less constant blew From Zeus a fay 'ring Zephyr, to the crew Younger reproachful, dallying day by day, Of duty careless, wasting time away : — 920 Argo, sad, longing to resume her track — Zeus, patient, urging — they alone hung back. Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 89 Book IV. Heracles. The heroes loiter at Lemuos, vss. 1 sqq. — Sleep and Death, 5. — Degradation of the heroes, 33. — Recovery of their lost womanhood by the women, 65 — Heracles expostulates with Jason, but unsuccessfully, 97. — Meditating departure, is reproved and sent by Hera to entreat Hypsipyle to dismiss Jason, 151. — Myrina, its palace, and its garden, 387. — Interview, 478. — Hypsipyle dismisses Jason and the youths, 883. — Departure of the heroes and arrival at Electris, or Samothrace, 983. Now days, and weeks, and months pass on ; and still The truant youths return not down the hill. The Zephyr constant of their duty warns, And Argo for her absent children mourns. There is a pleasing languor in the air Of Lsmnos. Those who to her shores repair, Strangers, perceive it. Drowsy, it inspires Day-dreams and sloth, and high resolve expires. There, but no eye can see them, are the doors Of horn and iv'ry, whence the effluence pours 10 Of nightly visions brooding o'er the head Of sleeping man, with poppy-leaves o'erspread. Through a vast lab'rinth, deep beneath the ground, Of many chambers, where nor light nor sound Terrestrial penetrates, they wand'ring stray Till siunmon'd by their God to upper day. This is the house of Hypnos, God of Sleep. I lis brother, Death, in Tenedos doth keep 90 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. Watch, with his hammer-axe uprais'd to strike, As Ker commands him, rich and poor alike. 20 Watchers of Zeus Ihey are; like dogs, they wait < h\ human life ; and most at childhood's gate. Their keeper Ohimareus, Prometheus' son, I h\ Imbros rude rears his Cimmerian throne. Not ev'n Hephaestus, touching- Lemnos' shore, The king of toil, by night and day at war With sloth and folly, could escape defeat Where Sleep is sov'reign, lam'd in both his feet. Then well may Zeus in pity spare the rod, Nor, fearing Night, reprove the sluggard God. 30 The heroes, conscience-lull'd, make still delay ; And swift the hour of duty slips away. Their days are spent in mirth and making love ; Now in the swimming circling dance they move, Or sing in Lydian mode to the soft lyre, Or looser Lesbian, nurse of sweet desire ; Sometimes in manlier exercise combine, Ball-play or quoits, in which the damsels join, — Complaisant they advantage due to give To each dear partner, nor for vict'ry strive. .40 Then, such their folly, would they tasks perform At which their cheeks erewhile had redden 'd warm, Unworthy of their noble blood, their name Of freemen, and to warrior hands a shame ; Would plough, sow, cattle tend, — nor had refus'd Perchance to milk the cows, if thus abus'd To degradation. Ofttimes might be seen A hero guide the plough, a damsel 'tween The shafts i' th' furrow treading — she the scourge Applying frequent the dull steer to urge ; 50 Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 9 1 Boasting to guide, but guided — fond pretence ! Arcadia's sport without its innocence. Or, single task'd, a youth would stop the team, Dart off, and join a group beside some stream, Cool-shadow'd, dancing — dance a round — and then To his plebeian task return again. But, though invok'd, the Graces absent grieve, Nor will Orchomenos for Lemnos leave. And all this while the mount of fire shoots high Its lightnings, and the thunders shake the sky 60 Of the great hammer which Hephaestus wields ; While, thoughtless they of swords, and spears, and shields. Inglorious, shun the duty of stern toil, From which not Gods themselves, exempt, recoil. Meanwhile, as from beneath Night's sable wings Day leaps to life, so good from evil springs. Plants struggle tow'rds the light. The female youth Of Lemnos, from right purity and truth Perverted, not their seeking, led astray, Find, one by one, false theories melt away, 70 Love guiding back to truth. The youths are kind, Courteous, submiss, to their shortcomings blind, Constant each to his mate, she constant too : — They learn to love the strangers, keep in view Their fancies, curb their own— follow their lead, Nor feel the yoke — cease to command, but plead, Sure of obedience ; hasty-speaking, oft Recall sharp words. Their manners become soft ; They learn to know that influence more avails Than strength, and that, in true affection's scales, 80 Love will outbalance pride ; that liberty Less sweet is than dependence ; that, being free, ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. They would be bondsmen ; fearing now to part, Tin \ own, nor scorn, the shackles of the heart. They would give worlds to know their tie of love Were such as pure Harmonia would approve. No fear of Thracians while the heroes stand Beside them, potent to protect the land ; But great their dread lest they should quit their shore, Pursue the quest, nor think of Lemnos more. 90 Then — let the Thracians, all their myriads, come, T would matter nought — a short step to the tomb ! Thus these recover'd their lost sex, became Women once more; while those, to manhood shame, Dallied effeminate, how lost, how chang'd ! Nor beyond Lemnos their weak wishes rang'd. But now no longer Heracles, enur'd To life's hard toil, this living death endur'd. A feast was set at Aphrodite's shrine ; The women absent at the rites divine, 100 He sent to call the truants, nor could they For very shame the summons disobey. " Kinsmen," he said, " Are we of the high blood " Of Gods and women whom th' immortals woo'd ? " Is it your will, ploughmen, to drive the steer " Through these fat fields of Lemnos, dwelling here ? " Or, concubines in quest of, did we come, " And stranger wives, despising those at home ? " Small credit ours, nay infamous disgrace, " Chamb'ring with wantons of barbaric race ; no " Nor, our swords rusting, will the Gods of Greece " Grant to our empty pray'rs the glorious Fleece. " See ye how Argo, once so gay and bright, " Mourns our suspended march, our waning might? Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 93 " The breeze from Zeus blows steady day by day, " Tow'rds Colchis urging, and we still delay ! " Rather let each of us go home at once — " What better counsel offers for the nonce ? " But this our captain, let him here remain, " An' so he please, in Aphrodite"s chain, 120 " Till he fill Lemnos with male progeny ; u And mighty honour will he reap thereby ! " So spoke he, frowning 'neath his beetling brows ; Hoping their manhood's nobler springs to rouse. All hung their heads abash'd, nor rais'd their eyes ; Each felt, ingenuous, that the words were wise. But Jason spoke, incens'd : — " Alcmena's son ! " Thou hast no right to speak as thou hast done. " If thine arm stronger, thine the weightier voice, " Still thou art here by thine own act and choice ; 130 " The quest is mine and, leader, mine the rule, — " No tutor thou, nor I a child at school. " Natheless thy words are true, though bitter. I " Approve them, and will guide myself thereby, — " But at my own good time, for mine the power ; " Wait thou in patience till I fix the hour." Great Heracles kept silence. But a day, And five, and ten pass'd, nothing done, away ; Nor more was said of quitting Lemnos' isle. Jason, 'twixt pride and love, put off the while 140 Announcement of his purpose form'd to leave The Sintian land ; for much he fear'd to grieve Hypsipyle'. He lov'd her ; but his love, Compar'd with hers, was coldness. Hers, above All thought of self, burn'd with a purer flame, Less dear to her himself than his good name. • 1 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. The youths said nought, their minds made up to go; Hard duty hade it, and it must be so. Bui Jason's was the voice to say 'Depart ! ' Till that was utter'd, haste were none to start. 150 ' Twas night, — the elders all slept sound within The ship; and, stretch'd upon his lion's skin, Leaning against a rock round which were cast The mooring-ropes that held, the vessel fast, Lay Miracles, sole watcher, much perplex'd, The heroes loit'ring, what he should do next ; And had resolv'd, in sorrow and in scorn, Argo to quit with the approaching morn, His search of the fam'd apples to pursue ; When 'tween himself and the dim star-lit view lfiu Of Argo, 'neath no mortal mask conceal'd^ Her glory veil'd, her eyes, her brow reveal'd, Stood Hera, Queen of heav'n ; whom to behold A tide of bitter memories o'er him roll'd, Griefs that, unjust, the soul corroding burn ; He gaz'd upon her, unabash'd and stern. " I pray thee, Heracles ! by thy great heart, " Not yet from Argo or her quest depart. "The Fleece cannot be won, nor the dues paid " That Fate beyond it claims, without thine aid. 170 " It rests with thee whether thy comrades waste " Their life and manhood here in beds unchaste, " Or, thou their rescuer, the great toil resume " That shall bear fruit, like thine, beyond the tomb. ** Not long unequal match' d shall be thy lot " With men thy lesser though they know it not. " Pity their human frailty, thou, the pure ! " And still, as hitherto, great heart ! endure." Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 95 " And why endure ? Why should I slave beyond " My toils' excess, my voluntary bond ? 180 " And at thy bidding ? Thee I venerate, " Queen of Olympus, ruler of my fate ; " But thou hast scanty claim to love from me, " Thou who, remorseless, heap'st with injury " Me, above all men, singled from my birth, " Suffring, accurs'd, a wand'rer upon earth ; " Bow'd, with Prometheus parallel'd alone, " With weight of others' guilt, beside my own. " Think, Goddess ! canst thou ask it ? A great thing " Truly, when seeking the last term to bring 190 " To my long toils — two more, unjust, impos'd " By thy harsh minion, the full reck'ning clos'd — " That I, so late with these soft Minyans found " Associate, nor by love nor cov'nant bound, " Backsliders, should my onward course delay, " Like Sisyphus, to push them on their way — " Now, when through parting clouds, the skies more clear, " T see my promis'd home, Olympus, near ! " To whom the Queen : — " Deem not so light of these " Twin labours, crown of thy high destinies. 200 " Man's ransom paid by thee, these last, in place " First, if thou knew'st it, shall the ten efface. " Mission'd by heav'n, with triumph on their wing, " Immortal life, conquest o'er death, they bring. " Ten is the law complete of life — the debt " Cancell'd, the forfeit by acquittance met, " Due justice satisfied ; but cancell'd sins " Leave room for a new reck'ning, which begins " And ends in love, life's object and intent ; " And Twelve is Delphi's full accomplishment. 210 96 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. "Thus much I speak constrain'd ; and do thou well " Credii me, thine unwilling oracle. " Bui when thou speak'sl ofsuiFring — suff'rings — thine! •• Wli.-ii are thy suff'rings, man ! compar'd to mine? " A slave, thou say'st? But what am F? Thy heart " ( rrasp'd at 1 lie bondage proffer'd thee ; thou art " No slave, but self-devote, a victim free; " But I — blest-ruling once, Eurynome, •• Bonour'd before time was — then Cronos' bride, " Loathing — now doom'd to sleep thy sire beside, 220 " Who heav'n and earth doth and the seas command, •• ( 'lushing us se?iiors with his iron hand — " \\\ me alone this horror Fate allows, " Wife of my brother, mother of my spouse — "Unknowing- why, if just, this awful doom — " Through generations, more perhaps to come, " Of my own bowels, pass'd from bed to bed, " No chance of dying or of beauty fled, "One after one as each usurper falls, " Transmitted as a chattel in their halls — 230 " Great, but how humbled ! — Man ! thy littleness — ' How can it fathom this divine distress ? " Thou talk of smTring, serfdom ! By this line " Grange thine own agony, and think of mine ! '' " I am not yet a god, but simple man," Rejoin'd the hero, " nor presume to scan " The depth sublime of thine immortal woe. " I know not, ask not, why these things are so, — " Why we must struggle in the web of Fate, " Like flies, to grief and toil subordinate. 240 " Yet know I well — the future is all dim, " But God is God, my heart is fix'd in Him ; Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 97 "He will not fail me, — when this arm is dust, " My home shall be with 2Eacus the Just. " — Then thou too suff'rest ! Deem not I compare " My griefs with thine, I of man's crimes the heir ; " But thou art goddess, I but human be ; " Thou hast a strength and will denied to me." " Weak will, scant strength !" the Goddess sad replied ; " But these are counsels the Trimorphi hide 250 " From men and Gods ; all that Gods know is this, " That sufTring works out a great Nemesis, '' Rightly endur'd, till opposition cease, " And, love o'er hate prevailing, all be peace — " Peace save to him, fruit of my pride alone, " Who writhes beneath the Typhaonian stone. " By this faith we too live, work, and endure, " Our expectation, comfort, dim but sure ; " The Shrouded, the Unseen One, dwells afar, " Lord over Fate, and we his servants are. 260 " Yes ! thou say'st rightly, I too suffer, — thou " And I are fellow-victims, hostile now " Oppos'd for working out God's purposes, " But to be friends hereafter. Think then these " Thy suff'rings at my hand as not from me ; " Grant me my boon !" — " Mother, I pity thee !" " — A pretty mother have I been, forsooth ! " But I can bear thy pity, — and, in truth, " Would I could love thee ! For thou noble art, " And brave should brother be to brave man's heart. 270 " Nor hast thou, by thy light, me harshly judg'd, " Nor, sacrifice withheld, my altars grudg'd. " As yet I cannot ! Thy sire did me wrong, " And Fate hath steel'd me. Therefore am I strong 11 98 AKGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. " In purpose 'gainst thee — therefore heap I toil Upon thee sufFring, nor in will recoil — Of griefs inflicted shall increase the score, Ami, till thy count exhausted, heap on more — But, thyself willing ! Recollect the choice, Twice proffer'd, ratified by thine own voice! 280 Yes ! thou endurest nobly — I admire, If love I cannot, bastard of thy sire ! Thus valuing thee, not loving, I have spoke Words to thee such as never yet outbroke The prison of my lips, as to a son, — Thou call'st me mother ! Well, the hours run on, And I shall be thy mother, in the day When all these tears of time are wip'd away. Enough ! thou understandest me. And now, Once more, be gen'rous, and thy proud heart bow 290 To mercy. Intervene, that the great quest Of Argo may go on, nor find arrest Midway, and shame me. Jason's heart is weak, Willing, but feebled from his bonds to break. Thou hast known love thyself, though purer plac'd, — Have pity on him, me nor him disgrac'd ! Froward, I grant, but young, thou elder much, — Be as his elder brother ; act as such ; Go to Hypsipyle thyself, — her soul Is gen'rous as thine own ; a dark cloud stole 300 Between her and the sun, and she has err'd Through ignorance, the voice of truth unheard ; But the cloud lifts apace ; her heart is pure, And she, as thou, is learning to endure. Speak to her kindly, that she may indeed Jason dismiss, and Argo may be freed." Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 99 " Mother !" he said, " thy bidding I will do. " I understand thee, and could love thee too, " As a brave warrior loves an enemy " By whom, his friend, it is his fate to die. 310 " There is a high-born people in the North, " The Celtse, fam'd for valour and for worth, " Nigh Thule', where the earth of mortals ends. " Two men I knew there ; they were ancient friends— " Of kindred nations, but requir'd to fight " As champions in a cause which each deem'd right, " Three days' debate within strict barriers clos'd, " Each as the noblest of his tribe oppos'd. " They fought with swords, alternate wounding each ; " Each in the intervals the deadly breach 320 " Of his foe tended, pierc'd by his own sword ; " And, constant, interchang'd endearing word, " Spoke of their happy childhood, blameless youth, " Walking th' associate path of joy and truth ; " Warn'd each the other of his own weak points, " Brac'd up each other's slacken'd armour-joints ; " While the two nations, wond'ring, watch'd and wept, " And wish'd it ended. Weakness gradual crept " On one, my dearer friend ; and then his foe " Withheld his own, tempted the other's blow, — 330 " But vain ! he totter'd, sank on his friend's breast, " Thence to the ground. Cyculnus closely press'd " His heart to his, receiv'd his dying breath, " And clos'd his eyes, wishing his own the death, — " Yictor ; but lifelong sorrow, not remorse, " Darken'd his days. — Mother ! I think not worse 11 Of thee than Pherdias of Cyculnus did — " T who, by counsel of the Veil'd Ones, hid h 2 ioo ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. "From mortal scrutiny, accept the doom "Thou urgesl unrelenting to the tomb. 340 " Farewell, till that hour come! Meanwhile, with morn " I seek the Queen, and urge the youths' return. "I crave thy pardon for my words, with shame; " In that I suffer thou art not to blame.'* Great Hera answer'd not, but on his brow Her hand laid softly, and her lips spoke low As blessing, but the words he heard not well. The sense of love and peace ineffable Stole o'er him, as he watch'd the Goddess rise, Like to a luminous cloud, and seek the skies, 350 Tending towards the East, less'ning afar Till seen but faintly as a distant star, Then lost to view. But still his eyes remain'd Fix'd, by the constellations' maze enchain'd, Dazzling but comforting, obedient all, Like dancers in some heav'nly festival, Circling around the everlasting pole ; And deep content possess'd the suff'rer's soul. But, when the watches of the night were past, When the air grew more chill, and the dew fast .ioo Dropp'd on the earth — but nothing yet was heard Save earliest twitter of the wak'ning bird ; And the stars pal'd, save sweetest Hesperus ; And from the brink of dark Oceanus Rose-fin ger'd Eos urg'd her steeds, the Hours With equal pace strewing her path with flowers ; And Zephyr, twin with Hesper, came to meet His mother from the West, with airy feet Brushing the clouds aside, — and, broader now, Redden'd the Orient with the coming glow ; 370 Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. . ioi And, last, arose great Helios, glory-clad, And earth and skies and the dark seas were glad, — Then — but allowance made by some delay For night's soft slaves, unworthy of the day, Who, pillowing on dull ease their drowsy heads, Forfeit morn's wholesome freshness, lie-a-beds — Guests such at Lemnos ; nor exempt might be, Perchance, where Hypnos rul'd, Hypsipyle' — Then Heracles his Hon-mantle threw Over his shoulders, and went up unto 380 The gates of Myrina, but without sword, Or mighty club, or rattling quiver, stor'd With shafts, or bow — these latter Hylas' charge ; The hero chose not he should roam, at large From Argo, where such looser rule was kept ; And, wearying of his cage, the poor boy wept. The gates he found unguarded — little dread Now of the Thracians ; up the street he sped, Well-built, devoid of men, — the women gaz'd At him as at some portent strange, amaz'd, 390 Back-shrinking. He ascended thence the mound Where rose the palace, on the highest ground, Closing the street's long vista ; then pass'd thro' The sculptur'd door, beneath the portico, Into the hall, where stood the great stone chair Of Thoas, — but all now was vacant there ; And so proceeded forward through a court With buildings round it, and — the sounds of sport Hearing beyond it, and faint music — pass'd Still further, till his steps emerg'd at last 400 Beneath a spacious pillar 'd loggia, whence The startled eyes a vast magnificence 102 ARGO; OK, THE QUEST [Book IV. Of sea and land, most sea, expanding liail'd : — Eastward, Mosyclos the clos'd view curtail'd ; But to the North high Samothraoe's peak Pierc'd the clear sky; and, like a misty streak, Thasos, pine-crested, on th' horizon low Lav, dim descried. Westward, stern Athos' brow Rose cone-like, crown'd by Zeus's guardian fane, An island seeming, monarch of the main. 410 At summer solstice Athos' shadow falls With eve on Myrina's fair streets and walls. Azure, unruffled, like a landlock'd bay, Mirror for Artemis, the broad sea lay. Below him slop'd a garden, lovely, not Spacious ; four-square, divided into plot And walk, bisected twice ; one plot for flowers, Roses and creepers, forming shadowy bowers, With beds of violet ; two more for trees Fruit-bearing, apples, pears, and figs, the breeze 420 Stirring their branches ; and a fourth for sport Gymnastic — most the Minyan youths' resort. This guarded was by lions, wolves, and bears, Chimoeras dire, and dragons langu'd with spears, Of box-trees clipp'd, pride of the gard'ner's art, Cypresses 'tween them, beast from beast to part ; With a thick 'spalier hedge of ivy green, Sweet bay, and od'rous myrtles, as a screen. Central to all, high tower'd a stately plane ; Six fountains in a row toss'd dewy rain 430 To right and left below the steps that led Down from the loggia, and a coolness spread Through the soft air. A broader walk ran round The garden, and a low wall was its bound. Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 103 At its East end a gentle hillock rose, The wall the square exceeding, to enclose ; Upon its summit stood a pillar-stone, A rustic seat beside — sequester'd, lone, To Consus sacred, who inspires the will Of secret counsel when the heart is still. 440 He paus'd. 'Twas a fair scene, and such he lov'd ; But much he saw to scorn and ire that mov'd. On either hand, beneath the loggia,. sat Groups of the youths at tables, playing at The golden dice, and draughts, and at the game Of Cepballenia ; but they paus'd for shame, Seen Heracles, nor spoke, but gaz'd with awe On his dark-frowning brow. Others he saw Below, playing at quoits, or ball, or hide And seek with their fair mates, — or, one espied, 456 The others ran, and oft was pris'ner caught A hero willing, home in triumph brought. Others were dancing mingled — sans excuse, The eye too wanton, and the zone too loose. Apart, upon the mount, beside the stone, Farthest, he saw Hypsipyle, alone, Seated and musing ; on her hand she leant Her head, and her eye fix'd on ocean bent. Slow he the steps descended, and his way Took through the garden ; and sport, dance, and play 460 Ceas'd at his presence, as when, hush'd, at noon A cloud with thunder charg'd obscures the sun. She heard his foot's approach, firm, strong, unlike Other men's tread, and felt its echo strike Through heart and soul, as of a prophet's doom, — She knew at once the dreaded end was come. 104 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. She glanc'd around, as frighten'd, to escape ; She strove to speak, but words she could not shape ; She rose, sank back; her cheek flusb'd crimson-red, Then pal'd, as to her heart the tumult fled ; 470 Bui clasp'd her hands nor dar'd to scan his face, And would have caught his knees in her embrace, Suing for mercy; but he hasteri'd and Prevented, raising her with gentle hand ; And, looking in his eyes, she saw that there, Which seem'd to give her strength to match despair ; And, gathering her scar'd life convulsive in, Master'd herself, and sign'd him to begin. " Lady !" he said ; " I come to crave a grace "At thy fair hands, that years shall not efface 480 " From mein'ry, granted, — not as judge severe, " But as a suppliant to a sister dear. " I come to bid thy great soul gen'rous be, " For great I know it, sweet Hypsipyle ! " To release Jason, let the youths depart ; " That Argo, care of Gods, once more may start " On the great enterprise for which design'd *' She quests a prize and blessing for mankind. " I know thou lovest Jason, and would'st fain '' Detain him, hoping he may with thee reign, 490 " Thy husband, o'er the Sintians ; that the isle, " Happy, well-peopled, rich, again may smile " As in old times, thy father living — now " Curs'd by the Gods, thee loving. I know how •' To save thy father thou didst intervene, " Pious, when, like a pois 'nous fog between " Earth and the sun, foul teaching wrought a deed " Of blood that Pelops' horror did exceed ; Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 105 " And this the Gods remember to thy praise. " It may be, Jason will in future days 500 " Return triumphant, thy sweet hope to wed, " With Hera's sanction to thy marriage bed ; " But, meanwhile, Argo's is a plighted toil " From which no forfeit may his debt assoil ; " To him alone reserv'd, by Fate's decree, " The task, the travail, aud the victory." — He paus'd, but she replied not, — like a bird Held in strange hand though kind, her pulses, stirr'd By terror, flutter'd still ; but words could none Frame yet, though gaining calm ; and be went on :- — 510 — "Brave art thou, pure in heart, and of the line " Of Zeus not distant, thus of race divine. " 'Tis not to-day thou hast begun to learn " Pleasure should yield to duty, mistress stern " Indeed, but kindly. Be not further woe " Heap'd upon Lemnos — bid the heroes go ! " Jason will Lemnos quit but at thy word, " If thou such grace wilt to my pray'r accord." To whom the Queen : — " I know thou dost not ask " This willingly, nor would'st this heavy task 520 " Impose on my weak shoulders without sure " Warrant from heav'n. Grief henceforth to endure, " Hopeless, must be my portion. My life's dream " Is over, a night-taper's transient gleam ; " My youth's few flow'rs of freshness wither'd all, " Like wreaths at dawn after a festival ! " But thou art right — thou say'st indeed no more " Than what my doubts and fears have urg'd before. " But 'tis more bitter than thou canst conceive ; " For I have giv'n him all, all I could give, 530 106 ARGO; OR THE QUEST [Book IV. "Heart, person, life, with slight return, nor grudg'd, "Fearless of wrong, in ign'rance if wrong-judg'd. u And I had hop'd that here lie might remain " With me, long years, and o'er the Sintians reign, u As thou hast said, and that we might grow old " Together, shedding blessings manifold " On all around us. But, alas ! no tie " Binds us inviolate ; for that did I, " Unknown its sanction, disavow ; and free " He is to cherish or to part with me ; 540 " And well I wot, if now the link I sever, " And thus I lose him, it will be for ever. " friend ! I am but young ; I well may say " I never had a mother. Day by day, " Since childhood, has my life been woven in " With webs of sophistry, that virtue sin, " Sin virtue gloss'd, till, hopelessly enchain'd, " My reason deaden'd, heart (it may be) stain'cl, " I scarce know what is right or what is wrong ; " Yet something in me leads me still along, 553 " I trust, towards the light. It must be so*! " I feel, I know it — I will let him go ; " But not this instant ! Grant me but a few " Last days of respite ere I say adieu ! " But Heracles, — " Alas ! what can I say ? " Bethink thee, Lady ! every hour's delay '* Eivets thy chain. — No ! I dare not disguise " Truth's face, nor screen it from thine aching eyes. " At once ! ' is duty's word ; the present hour " Is thine ; the future lies beyond thy power. 560 " I would not wound thee, sweet one ! save to bless ; " Resolve and act twin-born, the pain is less. Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 107 " And bless'd thou wilt be by the Gods, who prove " Virtue by suffering, and the suff'rer love. " Thou art not of those light ones yonder ; thou " Hast childhood left behind, art woman now "— — " Alas, too true ! " she murmur'd — " and when man " Is weak, woman is strong, to think, to plan, " To execute, all in a moment's space, " Instinctive grasping truth in her embrace. 570 " Lady ! be thus prompt, thus wise, thus strong ! " And thy resolve shall be the minstrel's song " For many an age, — but such thy looks disdain : — " Then ev'n for Jason's sake divorce the chain " That binds him here, inglorious, at thy side ; " Point him to Argo's goal, his honour's guide, " In person absent, but by influence still " Swaying his steps, his heart, to good from ill. " — Nay, check these tears ! Two paths there are, of right " And wrong diverse, that open on our sight 580 " When childhood ends, — thou hast walk'd hitherto " On lines mark'd out by circumstance, thy view " Perverted, — his indeed a cruel heart, " Not mine, that could condemn thee, nor the smart " Feel as his own that heals thee ; but the hour " To each one comes, and with the call the power, " To choose between the guidance of his good " And evil daemon. — Hast thou understood " My purpose, Lady ? For I would not urge " My plea, successful own'd, beyond the verge 590 " Of courteous instance, but would pardon crave." " Go on, go on ! " she answer'd ; " Let me have " Strength at thy hands, thou strong one, and yet kind ! " Open my eyes, for mine, alas ! are blind, — ioS ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. " A ml weak, how weak ! mine heart with grief distraught ; " Help me to know my duty as I ought!'' " Then list ! and I will tell thee what befel '• Myself, and it may point this purpose well. " Not older much than thou, I wander'd out " From Thebes, my home, pond'ring, perplex'd with doubt, " The life that lay before me, fresh in youth, i;oi " Error intent to shun, to follow truth, — " But, passion that way prompting, reason this, " Distracted sore, I fear'd the way to miss ; " When, lo! thought-weary, I beheld a hill, " Spur of Teumissus, on its pinnacle " An ancient obelisk, the sacred sign " Of the Grods Saviours and of strength divine. "Methought I would ascend. Its lower zone " Was verdant, trees and flow'rs ; but craggy, lone, 010 " Precipitous, by torrents split, the mid " And summit tower'd. The mists alternate hid " That obelisk, and then, the shroud unroll'd, " It gleam'd forth in the sun-light as of gold. " Two paths I saw, — this went straight up the mount, " Through rocks and tufted thorn, with small account " Of ledge or torrent, difficult and rude : — " That, starting from the spot whereon I stood, " Broad, mossy, green, with flow'rs besprinkled gav, " Led by a devious but an easier way, 620 " Circling the hill, so seem'd, with scarce-mark'd rise, " Appearing, disappearing, — but the eyes " Lost it, still in the wood ; while this, nncheck'd, " Seen plain throughout, the ob'lisk reach'd direct. a As thus I doubted which to choose, in fear "That might not reach the goal, while this was near, Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 109 " Though rugged, — coming from the mount I saw " Two women tow'rds me near in silence draw, " Taller than woman's stature, and their mien " Importing as of men and Gods between. 630 " One down the rugged path majestic strode ; " The other from the smooth and easy road " Glided, — this last, by sudden impulse press'd, " Quicken' d her step, and in soft voice address'd : — " Her zone relax'd, her eye assur'd and bold, — " Bright colours, tawdry, deck'd each flutt'ring fold " Of her loose garments. On her feet she wore " Rich sandals, and intemp'rance' stamp she bore. " ' My Heracles ! thou doubtest which to choose, " ' The path of roses, that the breath bedews 640 " ' Of softest Zephyr, or the path of thorns, That Boreas courts and youth's enjoyment scorns. Follow me ! I will lead thee by a path " ' Where all is sunshine, and the tempest's wrath " ' Sweeps past unfelt ; where stone thy tender feet " * Shall not offend ; where resting-places sweet " ' The way-side offers, — by a path which leads <; ' To pastures where each sense insatiate feeds, " ' Full gratified ; where pleasure rules alone, — " ' All won by toil of others, not thine own. 650 " ' Such bliss I yield my vot'ries. Come with me ! ' " — I ask'd her name. She answer'd hurriedly, " Her voice a whisper, ' Happiness my name ; " ' But Vice they call me who would do me shame.' " For now beside me stood who from the hill " Of life had come direct, — sedate and still " Her aspect ; her long robe of purest white, " With azure zon'd, studded with starlets bright, a i a 1 no ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. " Flow'd to the ground. Her naked feet were torn, " Bleeding by many a rock, bramble, and thorn ; 660 " Tier form austere, but beautiful ; her eye k ' The throne of light and holy purity. " ' I, too,' she said, ' Heracles ! my hand " ' In friendship offer ; for by sea and land " ' Thy race is fam'd, and mortals count on worth " ' As due of right from those of noble birth. " ' And I have watch'd thee from thy childhood, pure, " ' Gen'rous in impulse, and of purpose sure. " c Such thou then, come with me ; and we will seek " ' Together yon lone land-mark on the peak 670 " ' Of life before thee, — not by the soft road '* ' Of moss and roses, treacherous though broad, " ' That leads bewild'ring but to Lerne's marsh ; " ' But by the path of thorns, repulsive, harsh, " ' Direct that mounts there — if thou heark my voice, — " ' Thy years are ripe ; free, thou must make thy choice. " ' Not pleasure I offer, women not, nor wine, u ' Nor idlesse weak ; but happiness divine, " ' That happiness which Vice can never bring, 679 " ' The heart's pure joys from conscious worth that spring. " ' Know then, the Gods ordain that nothing great, « i Nor good, shall be achiev'd without debate " ' 'Twixt toil and ease encount'ring, conqu'ror toil. " ' Would'st thou earth's harvests ? Cultivate her soil. " ' Would'st cattle ? Tend them. Fame in arms ? Their use " ' Learn and employ defenceful, not abuse " ' Lustful to conquest. Honour from thy king ? " ' Win such by faithful service rendering. " ' Love from thy friends ? Work for them night and day. The Gods' high favour ? Worship and obey. 690 a i U i a i a i. a i Heracles,] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. HI " ' A body match'd such mast'ry to attain ? " ' Keep it thy subject ; passion's fires restrain ; Hard exercise, rough sports, the victor's goal, Pursue ; be reason sov'reign of thy soul ! " ' My name is Virtue — great is my reward.' " ' Thou seest,' Vice broke in, ' the service hard, The toilsome path to which her counsels tend ; Mine is the easier path, the happier end.' 6 ' And what that thou call'st happiness hast thou Worthy the name ? ' return'd, with frowning brow, 700 " That one austere — ' that wilt not take the pains " ' To toil for an' it were but sensual gains ? ' When felt thou hunger, urging thee to eat ? When thirst, to drink ? When, worn by toil and heat, Sleep-weariness ? Satiety's dull'd fire Ever in thee anticipates desire. " ' Thou boast of happiness ! Canst thou bestow " ' That bliss supremest known to man below, " ' That life's song sweeter than Apollo's lays, " ' The heart's low music heard of just self-praise ? .710 " ' When did thy vot'ries show one worthy deed, " ' One word, one thought, born native to thy creed ? Ease-lapp'd as youths, as men with luxury Worn out, untimely, in contempt they die, " ' Infamous thou, their pandress — scorn'd that art " ' By the wise Gods and by the pure of heart ! " ' For me, my dwelling is with God alone, " ' And with good men ; nor ever is aught done Of excellent and great, in earth or heaven, But to my impulse first the praise is given. 720 All praise who know me. I make labour sweet, And relish add to the strong workman's meat ; a u i a i a 1 a i a <. a i u i 112 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. " ' .Toy and security for kings prepare, " 'Nor less the slave, poor bondsman, is my care. " ' Mine are wise counsels in the hour of peace ; " ' In war my arm brings honour's sure increase, " ' None such ally ; nor can man friendship find " ' Associate firm save when the knot I hind. " ' My feast is sweet, though frugal ; my repose " ' Sound, though the ground my pillow, — for it flows 730 " ' From toil, well-earn'd ; and yet, though soft it falls, " ' Cheerful my children rise when duty calls. " ' Lov'd by the Gods, to friends and country dear, " ' Their life pure-guided and their hearts sincere, " ' Youth prais'd by age, age reverenc'd still by youth, " ' Peace in their soul, ungnaw'd by envy's tooth, " ' Such live they ; nor, in death, inglorious shame " ' Find, but an immortality of fame. " ' And now, O Heracles ! ' she ended, ' Choose " ' Betwixt my path and hers — 'tween Virtue's use 740 " ' And Vice's waste of being — worthiest mine ; " ' And happiness, true happiness, is thine ! " ' Yet sterner trials are reserv'd for some " ' Right-choosing, and perchance to thee may come,' " So spoke she ; and I lowly bent my knee, " And ' Goddess ! ' cried ; ' I cast mv lot with thee.' " Thus then my choice was made ; and I have found, " What true she pledg'd, peace, happy and profound, " Under a grievous burden ; but I took " The burden willingly, and steadfast look 750 " To hopes that fail not with this earthly breath, " And Rhadamanthus' judgment after death. " Now unto thee, Hypsipyle ! this choice " By me is offer' d — Oh ! attend my voice ! Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 113 " Not without counsel of the Gods. The Queen " Of Heav'n came to me, night and day between, " On y ester-eve, and bade me seek thee here, " Act as thy Jason's elder brother dear, " And, much reluctant I, these hard things say ; " Praising thee one would listen and obey : — 760 " ' Go to Hypsipyle thyself; her soul " ' Is gen'rous as thine own. A dark cloud stole " ' Between her and the sun, and she has err'd " ' Through ignorance, the voice of truth unheard ; " ' But the cloud lifts apace ; her heart is pure, " ' And she, as thou, is learning to endure. " ' Speak to her kindly, that she may indeed " ' Jason dismiss, and Argo may be freed.' " Alas ! " the Queen replied, " the path is steep, " The choice is hard, and a sad crop to reap 770 " Of sorrow in the choosing ! Easy 'twere " Vice to repel ; but up that perilous stair "Of life, through rocks and thorns that dares the clouds, " Climbing, to cling as sailor 'mong the shrouds " Of tempest-struggling bark, to where it ends " At Virtue's goal, my trembling heart transcends — " Weak, weak as young ! How can I meet this woe ? " Heracles ! how can I bid him go ? " " Lady ! thou call'st me strong ; but I reply, " The weakest maiden is more strong than I ! 780 " Strong in her weakness, virtuous tending ; for " The Gods are tender tow'rds such weakness, nor *' Know'st thou how strong thou art till, virtuous tried, " Thou hast, thy trust in them, thy fate defied. u Not thou or I alone, but every one " Must make this choice that weeps beneath the sun, — - I 114 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. "Less difficult than seeming ; 'tis the first "Step in the climbing thou wilt find the worst. "Only, the ohstacles thy path beset " Willi woman's, not man's weapons, must be met. 790 " In gentleness, persuasion's melting tongue, " Love and endurance, are such weak ones strong. " The bramble man would force through in his pride, " Baffled, the woman softly puts aside. " The rock man fights with that his path would stop, " She wears down, pouring water, drop by drop. " The stream man leaps, or finds the effort vain, " She wades, and the kind Gods her steps sustain. " The doom proud man resents, untaught to bend, " She bows to, meek enduring to the end. 800 " Thus man and woman both climb duty's hill, "How diff'rent! yet alike in purpose still — " Happier who climb together, each his mate " Strength'ning where weak — united, conqu'ring fate. " But, unto this, they must be bound in love, " For life and death, such as the Gods approve, " The path that Cadmus and Harmonia trod, " By holy marriage, ordinance of God. " This thou hast not been taught. To those not bound " Thus, yon steep path more difficult is found. 810 " Now Fate hath laid this load on thee and me — " A solitary path through life ; to be " Cheer'd by no loving voice, no closest tie, " Husband's or wife's, when darkest glooms the sky ; " Or if, in waning years, such bonds be worn, " Not those we sigh'd for in our early morn. " Poor victim ! Thou must climb the hill alone, " Victim of others' errors, not thine own, Heracles. J OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 115 " With bleeding feet and hands, and many a tear ; " But thou wilt reach the obelisk, and there, 820 " Th' Eternal Gates in view, life's trials past, " Safe, the Gods Saviours' care, find peace at last. " But now hath Jason Fate's great work to do, " And thine must be the voice to bid him go. " I know I wound thee, sweetest ! but, again, " Do it at once, I say, and less the pain. " — Nay ! do not wring thy hands and look on me — " I cannot bear it — thus, so piteously ! " My voice and hands are rugged, not my heart ; " And, thus debating, not less mine the smart. 830 " Would I could, bearing, give thy heart relief! " It may not be — I can but share thy grief. " Thou fav'rest Idle, my long-lost love, " Shy as the violet, timid as the dove ; " But she was strong when by Athena told " Zeus will'd our mutual passion to withhold, " Part of my life-long penance, — we shall meet " Once more in face of death, but as friends greet " Who part for ever. Sweet ! I not repine ; " I weep thy sorrow — comfort take from mine !" 840 Thus speaking Heracles, she bow'd her head On her small hands, and, like thick rainfall shed By summer show'r, wept, shiv'ring as the storm Swept like an earthquake through her tender form ; Then, by an effort as for life, subdued Her agony, repress'd the swelling flood, By the seat's arm holding convulsive, took Assur'd resolve, look'd up to him, and spoke : — " noble fruit of pure Alcmena's womb, " My comfort, and of ages yet to come ! 850 1 2 n6 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. " I too have heard thy tale— my childhood's eyes " Wep1 For thy wrongs, thine untold ag-onies, "Lifelong endurance, slaving to make free, " Thy patience, and thy love for Idle. " Yes ! I will do thy bidding, though it break " My heart to do so. and at once will speak " To Jason. Should long years bring home his heart, " True to me, to assume a husband's part — " But no ! he will not come — no vision fond " Will I indulge, nor claim beyond the bond ; 860 " Bond, say I ? — claim ? — mine is the child's alone " Who gives a jewel, thinking it a stone ! "Hath the sun mem'ry of the clouds that roll " Across his orb? But such is Jason's soul. u Yes, better done at once ! And I will leave " This isle, and seek iEtolia's shore, and grieve " Weeping with Iole ; and she shall be " My comforter, and we will talk of thee, " And she shall give me strength. And now, fore well ! " I thank thee for the drops thine eyelids swell 870 " In pity for me. One last boon — but this ; " Give me before we part a brother's kiss ! " Great Heracles bent downward, kiss'd her cheek, And those brimm'd drops they could not but outbreak. She took his strong rough hand between her own, And press'd it to her lips, — one little moan Escap'd, but wept no more. So he the mount Descended, through the garden, little count Taking of those there ; but pursued his'way, The road he'd come by, to where Argo lay. 880 And Hera spread a cloud round him, intent Men should not see him weeping as he went. Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 117 But she, drawing her veil around, to shade Her face and eyes, pass'd to the loggia, bade Iphinoe the heroes call, aud stood Expectant in the midst ; and, like a flood Of sunlight rich outpouring after storm, Beauty as of a Goddess o'er her form Shed Aphrodite'. Grace was in her mien, And dignity as of Olympus' Queen. 890 " friends !" she said, " Like swallows ye have come, " Spring-birds, to make this isle your summer home, " Nestling beneath our eaves ; but autumn's fall " Warns ye to fly where sterner duties call ; " And slight our hope, thus winging o'er the main, " New springs shall bring our cherish'd guests again ! " Yes ! duty calls ye hence ; the glorious Fleece, " Still unrecover'd, is your debt to Greece ; " Argo lies mourning ; Fate will have it so, " And 'tis my voice that now must bid ye go. 900 " — Jason ! if, homeward bound, your love endures, " This sceptre, isle, and my poor hand, are yours, — " But only by the path Harmonia trod, " In sacred marriage, ordinance of God. " You found me ign'rant, — guiltless but for you, " You leave me wiser, ah ! but sadder too !" She bent her look upon him searchingly, But he, embarrass'd, would not meet her eye ; Besentment, thus dismiss'd, o'ermaster'd love, While shame 'gainst better impulse, stronger, strove ; 910 Like conscious hound, that half for pardon begs, Half snarling growls, his tail between his legs. " Lady !" he answer 'd ; " be all this as God " Determines. For myself, no other abode il8 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Hook IV. " To me is pleasant like the slopes that lie " Below Mount Pelion, tow'rds the evening sky. 11 My country claims me. For thy gen'rous part " To us tliy guests 1 thank thee from my heart." She paus'd awhile ; but Jason spoke no more ; Then, driving back a tear that would run o'er, 920 Said, " One thing more remains. — Friends, give us space, " But for a moment — nay, not leave this place ; " One instant only. — Jason ! 'neath my zone " I bear, thou know'st, a son, thy gift, alone " Henceforth to mind me of thee. What thy will " Tell me, that I its purpose may fulfil." " I know not," he replied, " whether return " Be fated me, or that nry friends must mourn " My death, far absent. But if so, command " My son, when grown to man, to seek the land 930 " Of Thessaly, and with my father live, " And with my mother, if they still survive, " Them both protecting, duteous, till they die, " Their son's bequest, from Pelias' treachery." Again she paus'd : — " And nothing more to tell ? " Not one word more ? Then be it so — Tare well ! " — For you, my friends ! may the Grods Saviours keep, " And guide your flight across yon distant deep, " And, swift returning, crown'd with conquest, bear " To happier homes than those ye leave us here !" 940 So saying, with her hand she sign'd adieu ; And, turning, from the loggia quick withdrew, And sought her chamber, lonely, screen'd from sight, From the court op'ning, and shut out the light ; And, kneeling, pour'd her heart out sobbing there ; Nor Hera, pitying, disallow'd her prayer. Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. n9 Then broke from those poor women the wild cry Of ill-prepar'd for, homestruck, agony ; The old sad scene of multiplied farewells When war's harsh signal of departure knells, — 950 But sadder this, for few their hopes, their fears Many of no return in future years, — Parting for ever, in the bloom of youth, Widow'd of love, of innocence, of truth, Unwed, without protectors, mark'd for scorn, Thrace at their gates, forsaken and forlorn — Blood-guilty too — most through their elders' wrong : — Thus, like frail barks the breaker-reefs among, They toss'd and surg'd in mingling passions' roll, The quick bewild'ring tempest of the soul ; 960 And you might see and hear — but close the eyes And stop the ears — their confus'd agonies; The tears o'erflowing, the beseeching face, The passionate last clinging long embrace, Pledges of love undying, tender vows Of sure return to seek out and espouse, Yows soon forgotten — but to be the stay Of each fond heart for many an after day. Then all was over. With instinctive shame At once all parted — for the impulse came 970 From kindly Hera. Jason took the lead ; And through the streets the hero band proceed, With drooping heads, their eyes on the ground bent, And many^ among them sobbing as they went. They walk'd as men going to death, but not For their dear country — that a happier lot ! The women follow' d wailing in the rear, And from the platform watch'd them disappear 120 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book IV. Down the steep path that, winding, hid from view Their parting steps. Then, silent, these withdrew, 980 Each with her heart to commune, and to make Pray'r to great Hera for her lov'd one's sake. But soon as Argo saw the heroes come Back, thus repentant, to their ocean home, Like mother welcoming her truant boy, She flush'd all over, bright, with conscious joy, Then pal'd again. All sat down to the oar, Eager the port to leave and Lemnos' shore. They loos'd the ropes from the great mooring-stone. The Zephyr blew no longer ; wind was none. 990 But soon as clear'd the harbour — like a bird Swift to her nest, her nestlings' clamour heard ; Or holy bee, with honey satiate found, Straight to the hive, from Hybla's pasture-ground ; Or stallion's flight 'cross country, ardour-fir'd, Sudden, by scent of distant mates inspir'd — More swift, more straight, more sudden, more intent, Argo sprang forward with a bound, and bent, The lightning rivalling, spontaneous, forth, Her course across the water-path, due North, 1000 Where Samothrace's peak they could descry, Seat of Poseidon, piercing the blue sky. The ocean seeth'd, the white waves swell'd like clouds. The tortur'd air sang whistling in the shrouds, Sky, sea, else tranquil. Mute they sat in fear — Need none to row, nor Tiphys' hand to steer. Then Mopsus spoke ; — " This marvel is from God ! " He wills our footsteps to the dread abode " Of bright Electra, pure, of Atlas born, " Whom, wed to earth, her starry sisters mourn. 1010 Heracles.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 123 " She dwells in Samothrace, with her son, " Wise Dardanus, belov'd of Zeus, who won " Her virgin love. There Dardanus awaits " Your advent, suppliants, at the Great Gods' gates— "For ye have sinn'd — by penance proof to give " Of heart-contrition, and new birth receive." And, nearing fast, they see aloft, afar, On the high mountain, glitt'ring like a star, The suppliants' refuge sure, within its shrine, The great Palladium, tutelar, diviue, 1020 Landmark of life, but not reveal'd to sight Save of the longing eye and heart contrite. No port yields harbour on that rigid coast ; Ships that approach, not guided thus, are lost. But Argo drives right on, nor slacks her speed, Till close below the rocks ; then, like a steed In mid career check'd, halts ; then, sweeping round, Lies motionless upon the calm profound ; And, winding down, they steps saw, and a ledge, Eock-hewn, forth-jutting to the waters' edge ; 1030 And an old man majestic, who appear 'd Expectant standing, as the vessel near'd. Thus landed they on pure Electra's isle ; And Dardanus receiv'd them with a smile. 122 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Book V. Phineus. Dardanus initiates the heroes (except Heracles and Ancpeus) in the Samothracian Mysteries, vss. 1 sqq.— Joy of Argo, 151. — Departure ; ascent of the Hellespont; enter the Propontis ; storm-driven to the coast of Mysia, L55. — King Cyzicns and his city, 199.— Attack of the giants, 209. — Marriage of Cyzicns, 303. — Departure of the heroes; driven back; friends mistaken for foes; death of Cyzicus, 312. — Anger of Hecate; stunn; propitiation on Mount Dindymnm, 353. — Proceed to the Argan- thonian Mount, 483. — Heracles breaks his oar; loss of Hylas, 503. — Heracles left behind, 573. — Prophecy of Glaucns, 603. — Combat, Polydcnces and Amycus, 641. — Ascend the Bosporus, 671. — Peach the palace and city of Phineus, 769.— The sons of Boreas drive away the Harpies, 869. Alas ! how hard is it, with falt'ring pace, False steps of vice or folly to retrace ! The landmarks lost, the sense of right destroy 'd, The heart's pure fountain left an empty void, The spirit crush'd — although we struggle on, The spring of youth and happiness is gone ; And, though we reach the spot diverging whence Our steps to riot turn'd from innocence, And start afresh, from manhood on to age Life henceforth is a weary pilgrimage ; 10 While, never slumb'ring, following at our back, Th' Erinnys, scourge of wrong, pursues our track. Thus men, so nations ! Eager though to leave Error behind, and their life's loss retrieve, T Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 123 That life disorder'd, prone to each extreme As one scale or the other kicks the beam — 'Tween law and licence oscillating still, Slaves to each impulse, impotent of will — In spite of effort individual, such Their weighting load, too little or too much- 20 They, like a ship, her oars, her rudder lost, Her sail a rag, on ocean's billows tost, Roll on awhile careering, tempest-driven, Then founder, while wild shrieks ascend to heaven,— Honour they may, but more they cannot save ; And sink exhausted to a nameless grave. Such fate befel the Lemnians, such dispraise, Fruit of their early crime, in after days. But happier fortunes follow'd Argo's crew. " Welcome !" the old man cried, inform'd who knew 30 Their story by Athena : — " What ye seek " Of shrift and blessing the kind Gods bespeak, " For Argo's sake, your mother, — yet not all " Who stand before me. In the gloomy hall " At Sai's, where the shrouded image stands, " The key of life was plac'd in thy pure hands, " tried Ancseus ! And thou, Heracles ! " Must not the nine days' myst'ry tempt with these " Thy present friends ; for thee Eumolpus waits, " Adopt of Athens, at Eleusis' gates, 40 " The apples vanquished, to inform thy faith " For thy last conquest o'er the powers of death. " Ye twain must watch with Argo. Prayer from thee, " Autochthon ! avails much, — then pray with me. " Ye others, follow !" — And, he leading, they Mounted the rock-hewn steps to where, half-way 124 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Up the steep cliff, they found a cavern's mouth Which through the mountain by a path uncouth, Dark, broken, led them, stumbling much I ween, But when they slipp'd hands held them up unseen, 50 Till they emerg'd upon a hidden vale Deep-bosom'd in the circling hills, where sail Eagles o'erhead screaming in upper air ; But other sound is never echoed there Save the hoarse voice of many waterfalls That streak with white the dusky mountain-walls, Then down the slopes short course impetuous take, And flow in tribute tow'rds a limpid lake ; Therein twin central pyramids arise Sheer from the water, pointing to the skies ; 60 liound this a belt of gardens, — a thick copse And pines above it reach to the hill-tops ; And over all, with darkly glooming frown, High, Saniothrace's cone-like peak looks down, Veil'd by a thin cloud, bright and glittering, Where sits Poseidon, Samothrace"s King. No access but the cave for mortal men, Nor, faithless found, can such return again ; But, life forsworn and blessings misenjoy'd, Pass, exiles spectral, to the further void. 70 Beyond the lake a narrow avenue Leads to a temple vast, where, two and two, Stand unhewn stones, each by a third stone crown'd, Into a circled space of open ground Grates two and forty forming ; there the shrine Of the Great Gods, — beyond, yet more divine, A place by none approach'd, and hid from day, Where the Great Gods themselves worship and pray. Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 125 Close to the circle stands the modest home Of Dardarms, with cells for those that come, 80 Vot'ries ; the three Cabiri near abide, And Corybantes nine ; on t'other side The circle dwells Electra, with the three Cabirian nymphs, her saintly company. Here Dardanus receiv'd them, gave them food And sympathy, their sorrows understood, Their sense of penitence, their hope of grace ; And pledg'd them comfort from that holy place, — Then pallets 'sign'd to each ; and sweet repose Refresh'd them wearied, till the morning rose. 90 Then, with the dawn, the wondrous rites began By which the life of heav'n is given to man — Man into union with the Gods receiv'd ; A triple process, by three Gods achiev'cl. Examin'd, first, they own'd their guilt-link'd bond To just Oceanus, nor hope beyond — Save that from man, as sinners, debtors, all, He looses his own chains at mercy's call. Next they, as penitents, lustration sought From the Gods Saviours, most from him who brought 100 Styx and her sons .to guard the threaten'd power Of Zeus, when once Typhoeus rul'd the hour ; Whom stern he crush 'd, iEgaeon then, but now Known as Apollo, of the silver bow. By blood and water purified, they thus Stood guilt-absolv'd before Oceanus, — Not all of equal guilt, but all confess'd A debt incurr'd, a burden on the breast. Last, they receiv'd new being, born anew Of the Great Mother of the Gods, and drew 110 126 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Celestial life from the pure seed of heaven Through wise Poseidon's spirit-eflhience given — To each a second self, a vehicle When iu reborn and yet the same to dwell, Working the will of God — but how conferr'd May not unblam'd by ears profane be heard. These are deep myst'ries, only to be learn'd By those whose chasten'd hearts have heav'nward yearn 'd At Imbros, Lemnos, or Eleusis' fount, Or Thracian Samos, or the Phrygian Mount. 120 Meanwhile to each of the Twelve Gods they pray'd, To each devout the due oblations paid — Cabiri, Corybantes, each his day Attendant serving ; nor forgot to pray To the Great Mother — at whose hallow'd feet Electra laid, her priestess, off'rings meet. Thus for nine days, a triad for each stage, They meted out their life's new pilgrimage ; Each day one Corybant, each triad one Cabirus rul'd ; and when the nine were run, 130 The sum was found complete of perfect law, And their new birth's accomplishment they saw. But when the tenth sun rose, and, like a ghost, The shadow touch'd Phoenician Thasos' coast Of Samothraces peak, though from the vale Unseen — then Dardanus, attenuate, pale With fasting, call'd and bless'd them ; and, with hand Trembling, each cinctur'd with a purple band, Sign of adoption through the mysteries, And potent 'gainst the dangers of the seas. 140 So they took leave, and sought the cave again, The Corybantes mingling in their train ; Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 127 While laughter interchang'd and bant'ring joke- Quick 'tween the heroes and their convoy broke, — Strange merriment, such raptures following ! But bows relax'd eager to freedom spring. Through the cave pass'd they — rock nor let was there — Wafted along like light birds through the air ; Then the long steps descended to the ledge Where Argo waited by the water's edge ; 150 And Argo, seeing them, flush'd out once more In the gay colours that at first she wore, Greeting them purified ; and, glad at heart, Gave vocal signal they should instant start. They seat themselves and stretch them to the oars, And fast receded Samothrace's shores. The sun shone brightly ; breeze was none ; but joy Lighten'd their toil, and flash'd from every eye, Fresh, laughing, shouting, eager to decrease Their goal's long distance and redeem the Fleece. 160 Like clouds o' the night driv'n off by morning's wind, They left their past life and its cares behind. The younger shunn'd to look tow'rds Lemnos, name To them associate both with sin and shame ; But Heracles thought oft, amid their glee, Of his sweet sister, lone Hypsipyle. They bend to th' oar, and their sea-pathway trace 'Tween barren Imbros and the shores of Thrace, Where the long Chersonese projecting lay Beyond the azure depth of Melas' bay ; 170 And, night approaching, moor them at the mouth Of the strict Hellespont. But from the South A breeze upsprang at dawn, — they spread the sail, And up the wid'ning channel 'fore the gale 128 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Sped swiftly, between banks with dark wood cloth'd. Around the prow the troubled waters froth'd, And tlie keel left its furrow in their track. Here Helle fell from Chrysomallus' back, Whence Hello's bridge, ill-omen'd, is it nam'd. Ida they saw, the village yet unfam'd 180 Of Ilion, old Dardania, and where near Abydos looks on Sestos. Past they steer Percote and the Pityeian pines, And the dry strand that Lampsacus conjoins, Abarnis surnam'd, where the Paphian queen Dropp'd, but disown'd with shame, her birth obscene. And now the shores receded, and the broad Propontis open'd ; but their onward road Was check'd abruptly ; for, with icy wing, A blast from Hasmus swept, discomfiting, 190 Down on the ship, and drove them from tlieir course To where deep grief and impotent remorse Awaited them — no crime of theirs that brought, But, Fate so will'd it, came to them unsought. There is an island on the Mysian coast — Isle now indeed no more, for sandstorms toss'd By ages have fill'd up the space betwixt Its shore and Mysia. On the mainland fix'd Tlieir seat the brave Doliones ; but plac'd Their city, guarded by the watery waste, 200 On the near isle, where, Northward-looking, rears Its front the hill surnam'd the stellar Bear's. This giants tenanted, a race abhorr'd ; But never with tlieir peaceful neighbours warr'd, For these were of Poseidon's blood. The isle Rose central to a lofty mount, erewhile Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 129 By oakwoods cover'd, now a sacred shrine To the Great Mother, Dindymon divine. Two ports the city had ; one outer, fam'd Less shelter'd, Chytus ; one Panormus nam'd, 210 Inner and safer. By the tempest driven, Chytus her moorings had to Argo given. King Cyzicus was in the bloom of youth, Just Jason's age, for loyalty and truth Flower of his race ; and on the morn should wed Fair Clyte, whom King Merops to his bed Consign'd with a rich dowry. They had felt Each clear to each from childhood. Now she dwelt Secluded in the palace, till the rite Of holy marriage should their hands unite. 220 The night preceding, as the young King slept, Dreaming of Clyte, Death and Sleep watch kept Beside him, pitying. They had made debate Which should possess him, but the will of Fate Gave Death the early conquest. " He is young ! ' : Sleep murmur'd. " Aye, but," answer'd Death, " 'twere " Brother, to stay him whom lewd vice's touch [wrong, " Hath never sullied ; and the Gods love such." Then Sleep, " Cyzicus ! to-morrow's eve " Will bring thee guests whom thou must glad receive, 230 " The sons of Argo, questing JEa's strand " On high adventure. 'Tis the Gods' command " Thou treat them kindly." Joyful he awoke, Thinking Apollo or some God had spoke In pledge of a fair future ; but the dream Had other import than it did beseem. Thus, when the ship arriv'd, at fall of dark, The chiefs he welcom'd, press'd to disembark, 130 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. And share his hearth, and sleep beneath his roof; Nor should, lie urg'd llieni, Argo keep aloof 240 F fir outer port, hut to Panormus come With morning's dawn, as to her kindly home. Thus feasted they — due service on the shore First to Apollo paid. An ample store Of gifts gave Cyzicus. And, when the thirst Of food and drink was sated, they rehears'd Thus far their venture, told him everything, And what they sought for from the Colchian King. They ask'd him of their onward route, but he Knew little ; for adventure on the sea 250 His people card not ; within walls they stay'd, And the Tyrrhenian pirates held in dread. Next morn the elder heroes climb'd the Mount Of Dindymon, from thence to take account Of the sea-prospect, how the landmarks lay. They saw the twin shores narrowing melt away Eastward, till lost in mists That veil'd the strait Where Io cross'd, sad wanderer, the hate Of Hera driving on her pilgrimage ; Hence ' Cow's Ford ' known in this our later age. 260 Northward, 'yond Proconnesus, arching wide Like a vast bow new-strung, they Thrace espied ; While from their feet forth stretch'd Mygdonia's strand, Their destin'd course ; and, jutting from the land, Poseidon's Promontory. Nearer seen Ran Rhyndacus, sluggish, through banks of green, But strong to push his waters' yellow stain, The blue o'erpow'ring, far into the main. Meanwhile the younger, led by Heracles, Sought to the inner hav'n, for greater ease, 270 Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 131 Argo to lead from Chytus ; but they found Unlook'd for let, preoccupied the ground. The giants, fierce, that dwelt on Arctos' hill, Descending, had, all night, with evil will Lab'ring, in part the inner passage block'd, Hoping to trap and stay her, thus landlock'd ; Forgetting, foolish, as all giants are, They could not outward her free passage bar. Surpris'd but unappall'd the giants stood, And fiercely gaz'd, a grim and grisly brood. 280 Six hairy arms, two from the shoulders, four Springing from each thick flauk, the monsters bore, — ' Tall like the Aldeidas ; twenty-two Their number, twin elevens ; and each could do Six heroes' work and more within the space Of the sun's circle. Hera had their race Nurtur'd, as foes for Heracles. But now Their hour was come. The hero bent his bow, Restrain'd his friends, his quiver emptying shook, From Hylas arrow after arrow took, 290 And shot, each time one striking. They vast rocks Flung blund'ring, wide ; earth reel'd beneath the shocks. Eleven had fallen when, with shout and cheer, From Dindymon returning, in their rear The elder heroes took them, and astound, Bewilder'd, stupified, cut to the ground. They lay upon the strand like fallen trees, Half on the earth's breast cradled, half the sea's, Half in, half out the water. Birds, I wis, And fish devour'd them — fitting Nemesis ! .hoo Breed vile and hateful, — some survive, 'tis said ; But most by Theseus were extirpated. K 2 132 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Such things thus passing, had the marriage-rite Between those two heen ended, and t" invite The heroes to the nuptial feast, the King ( 1 anie courteous, the morn's greeting proffering. But Mopsus now announc'd a fav'ring gale, And bade departure. They uprais'd the sail, And started, bidding their kind host adieu, Who watch'd them till they disappear'd from view ; 310 Then to his young wife's timid arms return'd, Who still her father's home, her mother, mourn'd, Cheer'd her and comforted. Meanwhile they steer'd North-Eastward, dashing on ; but, ere they near'd Poseidon's Promont'ry, with nightfall came From Hremus a rude tempest, sheets of flame Rending the heav'ns, and driving hail, and blast Of Boreas which back drove them, scar'd, aghast, Whither they knew not, but to reach, alas ! The self-same spot their last night's shelter was, 320 Ev'n Cyzicus ! They touch'd the friendly shore ; The night was dark, the lightnings blaz'd no more ; News quickly spread that a Tyrrhenian host Unfriendly-will'd had landed on the coast ; The young King, waken'd by the prompt alarm, Leap'd from his bed, and call'd on all to arm, — Himself was foremost. Fierce they rush'd to quell The so- thought pirates, question'd not, but fell Sudden upon them — time none to inquire, One side or t'other. Like a raging fire 330 Dry autumn's grass devouring, the war rag'd. Neither thus witting, Jason fierce engag'd With Cyzicus, and through the breast his spear Drove, the bone breaking. Senseless he fell there, Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 133 Like a fair hyacinth, the flower of woe, By unintending hand in death laid low. The hest men fallen, the remainder fled Back to the city-gates discomfited, Bleeding and mourning. Dawn awoke, and then, grief! all knew their error, ne'er again 340 To joy together, but to weep. Hot tears Pour'd from the heroes' eyes, as on the biers They bore their victims and the youthful might Of Cyzicus, quench'd like a star in night. Three days they mourn'd for him ; and on the third Under a stately mound his corpse interr'd, Thrice circling it in arms, in double rank, Tripudial marching, to the measur'd clank Of sword and shield. But Clite to the hill Adjacent fled, and slew herself ; and still, 350 Herself transmuted, so old men aver, A fountain springs up there, nam'd after her. Now for twelve days, twelve nights, a furious gale Incessant blew, forbidding them to sail ; But the night following, while the others slept, And Mopsus watch with young Acastus kept, O'er Jason's slumb'ring head a halcyon flew, Shrill prophesying calm ; and Mopsus knew The friendly message. Jason he awoke, Stretch'd on his sheepskin, and quick urging spoke :-— 360 " Ye must ascend the mountain and appease " The Mighty Mother, so the storm shall cease. " For Cyzicus' youth blighted she is wrath, " Though not your crime, and binds your forward path. " Thus saith a certain envov. See'st thou von " Bright sea-bird there, the flagstaff sitting on ? 134 ARGO . OH, THE QUEST [Book V. "She was thy grandsire's sister, Geyx' bride. "Too happy pair! they call'd themselves in pride "Hera and Zeus, exulting in a love " Blissful, they thought, as that of Gods above ; 370 " Hence chang'd to wand'rers o'er the ocean-wave, ■• But, kindly warning, potent still to save. "Tims warns she now. Great Rhea rules as queen " Over the regions, life and death between, " Which now we draw near, ent'ring day by day " Within their influence, by an untried way, " The Gods our guides. But theirs is lesser power, " Ruling our life, than in the coming- hour '' Of deathly conflict. If they aid us still, " 'Tis by allowance of her sovereign will. 380 " Great God, kind mother ! — hers beneath these skies, " Barbarian, strange, our trembling destinies." Then Jason leap'd up, and his comrades all. Oxen some drove, that from the young King's stall Had, gifts, been sent them, up the mountain-side, The easiest path ; others the quick oars plied Of Argo to a nearer creek, and bent Their knees and hands to conquer the ascent Steep to the summit. There a wild-vine, gray With age, thick, rugged, half in the ground lay, 3 C J0 Half root-expos'd, expecting death, nor sought For respite, knowing death but honour brought. This, slaying, Jason fashion'd in the form Of the Great Goddess, sender of the storm, And rais'd it on a pedestal where high Vast oaks o'ershadowing screen'd it from the sky ; Then built an altar of small stones, with sod And oakleaves strewing, sacred to the God ; Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 135 The oxen offer'd, all observance paid ; And thus as King, and Priest, and Saviour pray'd : — 400 " Goddess ! by whatever title known, " Rhea or Cybele — that dwell'st alone, " The Mighty Mother — Berecynthia ! Queen " Of heav'n, and earth, and sea, and what between " Lies interlunar ; or, more dear to thee, " Antsea prais'd and kindly Hecate ! " — Henceforth, it may be, not of us asham'd " Nor of our homage, Dindymene named ! " Thou whom the winds, the storms, the waves obey ! " Thou, of Olympus' floor the prop and stay ; 410 "Which when thou visitest, each God his face " In rev'rence veils, and Zeus himself gives place ! " All earth thy dwelling, but thy loving eyes " Most seek the Asian land that fairest lies " 'Tween the East sea and Cyprian, and afar " To the world's end, where Ocean's sources are : — " Dread Titan ! present help to those that school " Their hearts to truth and live by wisdom's rule, " Seeking thy smile by prayer and hallow'd rites " Time-honour'd, such in which thy heart delights : 420 " But dark as Erebus thv frown to those " Who, conscious, sin, and hate to love oppose : — " Thine is the power when wildest billows rage, " The good man praying, promptly to assuage ; " Earth's harvests reap'd, the teeming ewes, are thine, " The garden's produce, and the clust'ring vine ; " Yict'ry in war, and honour, match' d in skill " When heroes combat, flow but from thy will ; " Thou standest by kings' thrones, assessor true, " Dispensing justice, yes ! and mercy too, — 430 136 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. " Or, justice hoodwink' J, temperest the scale, " And biddest truth be mighty and prevail. ''Nor less to generous youth thy cares extend, "Their kindly muse, protector, guide, and friend, " Ev'n as to him we mourn for — by a blow "Unwitting, else we were not here, laid low ! " Him have we laid in earth, and honour done " Befitting, as our brother and thy son ; " Our hearts are sore, with tears our eyes are dim — "Not one of us but would have died for him ! 440 " — Then hear us, Mother ! us thy children hear, " Adjur'd, propitious, by that title dear, — " Hear me, thy son, young too, who speak for these " My betters else, and clasp thy pitying knees ! " Not now through Orpheus, priest of Saviour Gods " That own in distant Hellas their abodes, " But in my own right, Argo's chosen chief, " I, Jason nam'd, demand of thee relief, " Thus privileg'd beneath a stranger sky, " Now nearing this our earth's extremity : — 450 " To thee, then, thus I dedicate this shrine, " Plant thus this image of thyself divine ; " And in requital pray : — As thou art strong, " So calm this tempest, speed our course along ! " As thou art just, so bend iEetes' heart " Our suit to rev'rence and the Fleece impart ! "As thou art nurse and mother, be to us " Tender and mild as erst to Cyzicus ! " Guide us throughout the peril and the strife " That waits on this our path 'tween death and life ; 4G0 " And bring us home, protecting, safe to Greece, "Thy boon the treasure of the Golden Fleece! i Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 137 " Be our sure comfort still in hour of need, — " So sable lambs shall on thine altars bleed ; "And triple dogs and honey of the bee, " Where highways cross, be consecrate to Thee !" So Jason pleaded — not without the aid, Inspiring known, of the Tritonian maid ; Then due libations pour'd. Thereafter round The altar march'd the heroes, with the sound 470 Of shields and swords clashing, the wail to drown Uprising from those mourners in the town, Unpleasing to the Goddess. She the prayer Accepted. Music came, sweet, on the air. Before their eyes, astonish'd, trees took root, Bourgeon'd, put leaves forth, flourish'd, and bare fruit. Flow'rs sprang up round their feet. The lion came Forth from his cave, and fawn'd upon them tame. And, lasting portent, a clear spring, hard by The new-built shrine, where all before was dry, 480 Gush'd forth, bright, joyous singing, down the mount Flowing perennial, since nam'd Jason's Fount. Thus the storms ceas'd ; and, when the earliest ray Of Eos warn'd them of approaching day, They left the shore, less sorrowing now, behind. The sea was calm, no breath was there of wind. They, bending to the oars, drove Argo on With sweeping strokes the tranquil sea upon, That not the horses wing'd who urge the car OF dark Poseidon, and immortal are, 490 Could match their speed. But when the west'ring sun Gave token that his course was nearly run, And the wind, rising counter, cropp'd the crest White of each billow, they relax'd, distrest, 138 AKGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Their effects, save the mighty Heracles: — He, his whole strength exerting, forp'd with ease The good ship on, while, as each wave she broke, The timbers groan'd as by an earthquake shook. Ancaeus and a few on t'other side, The rowlocks urging, match'd his oar's long stride 500 So toil'd the seniors, the youths resting-, till They saw now near the Arganthonian hill, Beech-wooded, their night's landmark. Sudden then, With crash like thunder bursting before rain, Tlif oar of Heracles snapp'd right across, O'erstrain'd, thus useless. Half-vex'd at the loss, Half-smiling, he sat silent, looking round, His hands first then in life inactive found. Then all the youths, refresh'd, resum'd the oar, Their bourne at hand, and soon attain'd the shore 510 Of the great promontory. Weary, worn, Like ploughmen that at evening hour return With sweat bedrench'd, and glad their homes to reach, They landed, and moor'd Argo on the beach. Whom, kind, the natives, pious peaceful brood, Welcom'd, and gave them comfort, fire, and food. They rais'd an altar, sacred to the Lord Of Delphi, and with grateful rites ador'd. Then, the due feast preparing, Heracles Went to the forest from among the trees 520 One for an oar to choose. He chose a pine, Well suited, tall, nigh branchless, like the line To the dropp'd plummet straight — his legs apart, With both hands grasp'd, he tore it from the heart Of mother earth — and on his shoulders threw. Meanwhile his page, young Hylas, by the crew Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 139 Deputed, sought for water in the wood, Where they were told a rustic altar stood, Not distant ; but he miss'd it, further went, Still on the quest for the cool draught intent, 530 Till, the trees op'ning as he walk'd, he found A circled space of green and mossy ground, — I' th' midst a broad clear fount, that sprang with glee To life, and thence ran murm'ring to the sea, In devious course. This was the lov'd resort Of Nymphs and Dryads for their midnight sport, And prayer to Artemis. 'Twas early still, And their songs wak'd not forest yet, nor hill. The full moon shone on Hylas as he near'd The fountain's brink, — he like a God appear'd ; 540 And, when the brazen vase he stooping sank, And the wave gurgled round it as it drank, Eudatia, virgin Naiad of the stream, Saw his bright face refulgent in the beam, Lov'd him, and o'er his neck her white arm threw, Seeking to kiss his mouth, and gently drew Him down to join her. One sharp cry he gave ; Then all was silent o'er him as the grave. That cry heard Polyphemus, son of dread Poseidon, watching friendly for the tread 550 Of Heracles returning. To the fount He ran ; but sign was none to give account Of the lost Hylas. Heracles too caught That cry despairing, and his quick stride brought Those twain together. Terror's clammy sweat Broke o'er his brow ; and anger, as they met, Scarce gave him utt'rance. Rapid words exchang'd, Each counter quarters of the forest rang'd, i-io ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Seeking the youth, lest by some wild beast slain He suffer'd, op by robbers captive ta'en. 500 Like bulls by gadflies goaded in the hour Of Sirras, they the sylvan coverts scour; Their shouts ihe Arganthonian echoes wake; Beasts to their caverns, scar'd, for refuge take; The Nymphs and Oreads tremble and lie still, Nymph in her fount and Oread on her hill. Only Eudatia, conscious, quiet lies, And gazes on the youth with raptur'd eyes. He, life-transform'd, to a new nature born, Earth's ties forgetting, loves her in return. 570 Hour after hour those seek, but not to save, — He hears nor heeds them 'neath that siren wave. Meanwhile the moon calm travell'd on her track, But neither hero to the ship came back. They miss'd them not. The moon went down — the star Of Hesper rose — and Zephyr from afar Came, fresh, to greet the morning. Quick, to start Tiphys commanded, and they straight depart, Loosing the ropes, raising the sail, and round The promontory rapid passage found, 580 Poseidon's swan, carv'd, skimming on before, So seem'd it, — the wind fresh ning more and more. But when the sun was up, dismay'd they find The twain were left — worst, Heracles — behind ; How chane'd so, none could guess ; and rose debate Whether to turn or leave them to their fate. But Jason sat uncertain, griev'd, nor spoke, Dubious, — then Telamon's quick ire outbroke, And " Well may'st thou sit silent," fierce he said, " Thou to whom Heracles were, absent, dead, 590 Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 141 " More grateful far than living, lest alone " His glory, present, should eclipse thine own. " But words avail not — I myself return ! " — With that, while like twin watch-fires his eyes burn, He springs on Tiphys — nor the rest say nav — Seizing the helm ; and had retrac'd their way, But the two sons of Boreas rais'd their voice Return forbidding — wretched ones ! That choice 'Tween gen'rous and cold counsel cost them dear ! Them by the hero's arrows death austere 600 O'ertook in Tenos ; but he pitying gave Due rites, and rais'd a mound above their grave. Then to them, doubting, Grlaucus o'er the brine, The ancient fisherman, prophet divine Of Xereus, rais'd his head, with sea-weed crown 'd, And seiz'd the keel and righted, half swung round, Veering from zEa ; and in stern arrest Reprov'd the purpose, and the youths addrest : — " TVhv seek to bear the hero to the strand " Of JEa 'gainst th' o'erruling Fates' command ? 610 " His doom ye know, ten labours to fulfil, " Obedient slave to a proud tyrant's will. " These toils well ended now, two more achiev'd " See him a God in yon blue skies receiv'd. " Fate too hath Polyphemus mark'd, to build " On Cius' banks a city, and to yield " Life in the vast land of the Chalvbes. " Hylas sleeps with the water-nymph." With these Brief words he sank, submerging, to the grot Of truthful Xereus ; and they doubted not 620 The word, but as at first held on their course. But gen'rous Telamon felt swift remorse 142 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. For his harsh words to Jason ; and lie left His place", and seeking Jason's, " Ire bereft " My tongue of wisdom, brother! and to live, " Wrong unredress'd, I cannot brook. Forgive!' To whom the chief: — " Certe's, thou didsi offend; " But harsh words weigh not, spoken for a friend, " Flocks, plunder, not in question. But do thou " Take my strong part, as I forgive thee now, 630 " Should future cause arise to me of war." So they sat down in friendship as before. Thus they sail'd on, the elders anxious, less The younger — soon forgotten their distress. Lightly they parted with the hero — fond As is youth's heart to leap nor look beyond The gulf before it ! Thoughtless, their excuse. Men never value blessings till they lose. Little thought they, scarce missing him, that he Must, soon or later, still their saviour be. 640 Now right across the Astacenian bay Bounds Argo forth before the breeze all day, All night, till daybreak ; they the oars resume, The wind abating, and by sunrise come To the Bebrycian land of Amycus, Close to th' emerging rush of Bosporus. Amycus, known most arrogant of men, Guests on his coast thrown would not suffer again Departing till they match'd themselves in might, The cestus wielding, with himself to fight. 650 Thus he to Argo's heroes. But to catch And keep are diverse ; and he met his match. Strong Polydeuces slew him with one blow. Like two fierce bulls debating for a cow, Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 143 Like two smiths hamm'ring on an anvil, they Doubled and tripled strokes for half the day, Till, planting that strong blow behind the ear, He fell'd him lifeless like a butcher' d steer. Madman ! Upon his tomb a laurel grows, Which whoso, plucking, weareth comes to blows 660 With his best friend. A ship's crew have been known, Madden'd, to fight till forth the branch was thrown. There feasted they all night on the sea-shore ; And Orpheus sang, amid the billows' roar, That hush'd to listen, of the glorious deeds Of him who with the cestus most exceeds, Twiu-leader, one with Castor — while the heart Of Idas envious swell'd, sitting apart — The son of Zeus, Therapnse's Spartan King ; And the long shores rejoic'd to hear him sing. 670 But when the sun aris'n dispell'd the night, And clad the dewy hills with roseate light, Such spoil embark'd as needed, they set sail, And, driv'n swift onward by the fav'ring gale, Enter'd the dreaded jaws that pour the tide Of waters press'd, which North and South divide, Scythia and Asia, from the further sea. There Io cross'd, from Hera's cruelty Seeking a home, hence Bosporus its fame ; But Thracian Path, the Strait, its ancient name. 680 Approaching, a vast billow, mountain-high, Roll'd up against them, blotting out the sky, Like a huge rain-cloud toppling o'er the mast ; But Tiphys pierc'd it, and unhurt they pass'd, Though not unterrified. The mouth pass'd through, On the right shore a forest came in view, 144 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. An ancient world of hoary cypresses, Ill-omen'd presence, black, funereal trees; A white rock gleams there, rooted in the deep, — The scar'd fish eye it, and at distance keep. 690 On their left hand, deep-op'ning, a calm bay, Untroubled, shining like a mirror lay, By a curv'd land-spit guarded, like the horn Of Chrysomallus. Smiling as the morn, Untravell'd, crime-unstain'd, nor by the plough Nor lab'ring oxen till'd, it seem'd, till now. Lawns slop'ddown, verdant, — none that drew life's breath Harbour'd in those days near that path of death. Seven hills, thick-wooded, each 'yond each arose Along the bay, the prospect fair to close. 700 Here a great portent show'd, a sign from heaven. By a quick flash of light the North was riven ; A mass of fire blaz'd forth, that scatter'd rays Fiercely around ; but, when the eye could gaze Steadier, it seem'd to take a dragon's form, Watcher of God ; then, sovereign of the storm, Zeus's great eagle ; then, Athena's bird ; Shape changing constant — but, as dying heard The home-bound peasant's song, with soft'ning light, The blaze abating, lovelier though less bright : — 710 Next like the dogstar, last like Mene"s beam, Pale and yet beauteous, crescent, it did seem ; And so abided, hovering o'er the hill That topp'd the bay — a lovely miracle. And Mopsus spoke : — " Not only from the East " Good omens spring, but from the North, confess'd " Home of the Gods. Yon is the kindly star " Of Hecate ; of her once more ye are Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 145 " Children accepted by her sign, your stay " And Argo's through this dark and perilous way." 720 So on they far'd ; the wind the ropes among And in the sail made music, and with long Strokes too they row'd, and Argo eager press'd, Swan-like, against the swelling tide her breast. For now the stream came swifter. From the world Of upper waters, through the channel hurl'd Contracted, struggling with the rival shores, The stream of Io cat'ract-like down-pours ; From Asia's shore to Scythia's, like a ball, Bandied ; and thence recoiling, from the wall 730 Of Asia back rebounds. Seven counterthrows, Suchlike, their slow progressive course oppose, Lab'ring ; while lat'ral currents, swinging round, Rough, retrogressive, Tiphys' hand confound. The vex'd waves dash despairing on the shore, — Like Bacchanals' in Thrace the mingling roar. It is a perilous road forsooth to tread, That transit 'tween the living world and dead ! As a man fever'd tosses to and fro On his rack'd couch — the spirit seeks to go 740 Forth to the void, but nature holds her own, Not yet to part — so, while her timbers groan, By the wild fever of the currents toss'd, The vantage gain'd one instant the next lost, Argo in agony convulsive toils, Fights with the surging hell that round her boils, Flung thither, hither back ; yet, constant still, Her helm obedient owns the steersman's skill, Defies despair and death, and points the prow Triumphant tow'rds the goal she nears e'en now. 750 [46 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Such grief surmounting, joyful they perceive The calmer wave, the closc-press'd strait they leave ; And sudden, inhospitable, black in hue, Broad the vast Euxine bursts upon their view, A sight of terror ; prayer broke forth from each Senior, the young gaz'd impotent of speech ; The oars in their slack'd hands suspended hung ; Ev'n Tiphys' arm relax'd, the rudder swung Loose at that prospect ; and the sight seem'd worse Promise to pledge than all their previous course. 760 Still danger past is pleasant though we see Threats in the future, — they, content to be Friends with the present, singing, the long oar Urg'd strongly onwards, till the Thracian shore Shcw'd them a port and town, the first they'd seen Since ent'ring those strict perilous jaws between. They joy'd to mark such tokens of their kind, Earth's joys and sorrows not yet left behind. This was the home of Phineus, ancient seer. On the last stage of human life, and near 770 Its exit, dwelt he, but constrain'd to wait — Not calm reposing, after life's debate, On verge of the great void, escap'd the blast ; One only storm to weather still, the last — But grief-bow'd down, in penitence and shame, Waiting a morn's relief that never came. Him did Apollo, God of light, impart, Brother of Cadmus, the diviner's art, Skill'd as Tiresias ; but he too betray 'd The counsels of the Gods, and Zeus the shade 780 Of night perpetual cast upon his eyes ; Old age undying, famine's agonies, Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 147 He added ; and bis dogs, the Harpies, sent Him to deprive of needful nutriment, — This doom to last till, woe's deep measure full, The sons of Argo should his grief annul. For of all crimes trust-forfeit is the worst, And who betrays heav'n's counsels most accurst. For crime 'gainst man man may atone and live ; 'Gainst God, not man, God only can forgive ; 790 But still tbe penalty remains to pay, And claims the debtor's forfeit day by day. Long had he borne such penance, nor repin'd, Patient and prayerful, seeking not t' unbind The chain that bound him, waiting for the power Of Fate to loose it at the fitting hour, — Hence Phineus, ' Holy,' nam'd of Zeus, who more Of prescience gave him than he own'd before ; While wise Apollo taught the healing art, Knowledge of simples — these did he impart 800 To all around, who came for remedies Through counsel, and for check against disease. These brought him casual food, wherefrom to snatch A meagre meal, 'scaping the Harpies' watch. But now his hope drew nigh. 'Twas midnight deep ; Pbineus lay stretch'd apart, in broken sleep, When Hypnos, Lemnian God, above his bed, His brother Death not distant, stood and said, — " Phineus ! thy penance nears its close. The morn " Argo ascends the Strait, and ere return 810 " Of sacred night her sons thy guests shall be. " The sons of Boreas shall deliver thee " From thy chief plague, the Harpies. For the rest, " Endure as hitherto, patient and blest. l 2 148 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. " Teacli Aran's sons t lie myst'ry of the path " That yet awaits them ; but, for fear of wrath " Thou know'st of, pause within the warrant — not " A word beyond. Be not this best forgot. " Death will not tarry long. Zeus sends me here." PI linens awoke, shedding the grateful tear ; 820 And, " Righteous," said, " Thou that impos'd the rod ; " But, merciful, I thank thee, my God !" Thus, when the ship approach 'd, Phineus who knew Her advent rose, and his thick mantle drew Close round his wither'd form, to guard from cold ; And, groping, felt his way, with staif and hold Taken of wall and pillar, to his seat Beneath the portico, prepar'd to greet The coining heroes, — famish'd, he did seem Th' incarnate image of a lifeless dream, — 830 Giddy sank down ; the earth appear'd to swim Round him ; and, weak, relax'd each wasted limb, Dropp'd into slumber. His long beard hung down, White, rev'rend, like the snow on Haamus' crown. But when he heard their feet draw near, he woke, And rais'd his sightless eyes, and feebly spoke, Suppliant ; while they, pausing, upon him gaz'd, With looks inquiring, silent and amaz'd : — " Hear me, best of the Greeks ! for ve I know " By a sure witness Argo's sons, who go 840 " Glorious to win the Golden Fleece — ye ! " Care of Athena, kindly Hecate', " But most of gracious Hera ! By the power " Of Zeus, the friend of suppliants, in this hour " Of my extremest ill, I ye adjure, — " Pity, relieve the suff'rings I endure ! Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 149 " I Phineus am — what Greek but knows my tale ? " The Harpies' victim ; may my prayer prevail ! " By a true dream last night forewarn'd, I claim " Your friendly aid to end my grief and shame — 850 " Yours chief, ye sons of Boreas ! Present now, " I feel the breeze that flutters from your brow " Ambrosial — I your father's daughter wed ; " But she, alas ! and all I lov'd are dead. " Ye are my destin'd saviours." — As he spoke, Soft pity in the heroes' hearts awoke ; And those twin brethren wept, and Zetes press'd The old man's hand, and tenderly address'd : — " Such be our care ; nor dearer charge we ask, " If but the powers divine approve the task ; 860 " Else may we not, though eager, intervene " Thee and the righteous doom of Fate between." To whom the seer, raising again his eyes, — " Apollo's word, the Shrouded Destinies, " The Gods of Orcus, this dark cloud that dims " My sight, this palsy of my aged limbs, " The Harpies' rapine, my presumption's meed, " Witness the task as lawful, nay, decreed." Then instantly the youths a meal prepare For Phineus — last those monsters dire should share. 870 Zetes and Calais, with their drawn swords, stood Guarding ; but when the old man touch'd the food, Like fire from heav'n, that menace heeding not, Unseen till then, sudden the Harpies shot Down from a cloud — like women, fair to see ; Aello one, her mate Ocypete', Else nam'd Podarge — fair, but with the cheek Emaciate, hunger-pale, and eyes with streak 150 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book V. Bloody suffas'd, and gleaming with the fire Of appetite's unsatisfied desire. 880 Their sinewy hands were arm'd with brazen claws ; Strength absolute dwelt in their close-knit jaws. Wings, one as of the vulture, one the bird Of Zeus, had they. The heroes gaz'd, nor stirr'd, Stupified, while the fearful monsters fed ; Then, sudden ending, spread their wings and fled Over the seas. The Boreads straight pursued, Urging their wings and thirsting for their blood. Zeus gave them force untiring, and with need — For those e'en Eurus' blast excell'd in speed. 890 As dogs pursue the fleet stag o'er the plain, Gnashing their teeth, seeking to bite, in vain, So these two brothers, pressing on the rear Of the foul maidens, strove in vain to near, And strike, and kill them with their outstretch'd hands ; Nor had desisted, — but by Zeus' commands Iris from heav'n descended to arrest The well-match' d race, and utter his behest : — All paus'd, her seeing. " Those, youths !" she said, " Are dogs of Zeus, with honour credited, 900 " God's instruments to punish human crime ; " Ye may not injure them. But, Phineus' time " Of penance ended, ye, dread Harpies ! both " Must swear by Styx, the Gods' most solemn oath, " Henceforth to leave the blind old man in peace." Then, instantly, in the great isle of Greece, Arcadia's central realm, where falls the river Of Styx from heav'n, through mists that hovering ever Veil the cliff's brow from mortal eye, they stood ; And, the cup dipping in the sacred flood, 910 Phineus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 151 And placing in the hands of those twin maids The axe flint-headed that controls the shades, She pledg'd them on that quest to go no more ; And Earth, which heard it, trembled as they swore. Thus, happy 'scap'd, the Harpies flew to Crete ; Iris Olympus sought again ; and, fleet, Zetes and Calais glad retrac'd their way, And reach'd their starting-point near break of day. 152 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. Book VI. Lycus. The youths care for Phincus, vss. 1 sqq. — Evening ; Phineus descrihes the course of Argo through the Euxhie to Colchis, 29. — Daybreak, return of the Boreadse, 357. — The heroes detained by the Etesian winds ; sacrifice to the Twelve Gods, Poseidon, and the Gods of Greece, 379. — Start afresh, and passage between the Symplegades, or gates of death, 423; which become thenceforth fixed for ever, 509. — Vision of Apollo at Thynias, 543. — Pledge of brotherhood, 565. — Peach the land of Lycus and the Maryandyni, phantoms, 571. — The feast of Lycus, 623. — His converse with Jason, 643. — Celamo, the concubine, and Euphemus, 773. — Meat and drink supplied henceforth by Zeus and Iacchus, 809. — Death of the haruspex Idmon and the pilot Tiphys, 837. — Ancreus assumes the helm, 850. — Pass the Acherusian promontory and the mouth of Hades, 879. — Appease the shade of Sthenelus, 901. — Land of the Amazons, 952 ; protected by Zeus and Hecate, 976. — Approaching Aretias, O'ileus wounded by a feather, 992. — Find Argus and his brothers, the sons of Phrixus, on the island, 1009. — Discourse of Argus, 1083. — Discouragement of Jason and the younger heroes, 1109. — Cross the sea towards Colchis, 1119. — The vulture of Prometheus, 1150. — Creep into the river Phasis, by night, and anchor, 1171.— Jason adjures the elder Gods and the Dii Indigetes, 1193. Meanwhile the heroes, those twin brethren gone, Waited with care the age'd seer upon, Like duteous sons that a lost father find ; Wash'd him, and fitter cloth'd, and spoke him kind. Of the fat sheep they sacrifie'd the best, The spoil of Amjcus ; and spread the feast In Phineus' hall, on platters, boil'd and roast; And he sat with them, rather guest than host.' Eager he eat, nigh famish'd ; and it seem'd, Friendless, uncar'd for long, as if he dream'd. 10 Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 153 Wine still he had in store, and the rich draught Warm'd him and them ; and soon they talk'd and laugh'd Cheerily, like old friends that after years Of absence meet — but mirth that into tears Is apt to melt, not bitter, when the thought Dwells on the changes fleeting time has wrought. He had their sires, grandsons, and elders known, Had mem'ries old to tell of every one ; And in the sons' their voices hearing plain, He almost thought he heard them speak again. 20 The tables drawn, they watch'd the livelong night, Conversing round the fire that crackled bright In mid the hall, expecting the return Of the twin Boreads, the event to learn Of their strange chace. I' th' midst the old man bent Over the blaze, warming his hands, content ; And much he spoke, as by the dream's command, Of what awaited them by sea and land. " I know," he said, " your Argo's birth, the Tree " That gives her virtue, and her destiny ; 30 " Your quest too, and your fortunes hitherto, " And the events that wait ye where ye go. " Ye sinn'd in Lemnos, but were wash'd from sin, " Reborn, and seal'd, the Hall of Truth within ; " Ye pass'd o'er Helle"s bridge, the entrance-gate " Of the long path that through this Thracian Strait " Leads life's sad pilgrims to the shores of death : — " There Helle fell, weak soul, through lack of faith " In Chrysomallus, strong albeit to save. "Midway that trembling narrow path ye have 40 " The Mighty Mother made your friend — thus far " Happy ; but, losing Heracles, a star 154 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. " Of guidance sure have quencli'd — your negligence — " To him a gain, but to yourselves offence. " Fate will*d it. Honours higher on him attend ; " But ye unconscious will he still befriend. " Now, through the jaws of Bosporus safe-pass'd, " Ye stand with me, ag'd ling'rer, on the last « Yerge of this world's horizon — in brief space " On Argo's wings accomplishing life's race ; 50 " But not, like me, dying, to hail the bourne, " But pass beyond it living, and return. "I speak strange things, but by Apollo's word. *' Beyond this shore th' articulate voice is heard " No more of kindly men — if claim'd as guest, " Beware your host — strange races, unconfess'd " Of like conditions with our own, adore " Gods we scarce know in Hellas, that have o'er " Those regions power, Ours thither rarely come, " Save when as sons to their ancestral home 60 " Near Ocean's sources they each year rej^air ; " Or 'light on journeys, crossing through the air. " First, when ye leave me, ye the living gates "Of Death must enter, if the Triform Fates " Allow the passage. Twin, huge, floating rocks " Are they, that constant with alternate shocks " Together clash, alternate back recoil, "Eager, like panthers leaping on their spoil. " No man, no vessel ever pass'd between " Those awful gates and lived. They are the keen 70 " Watchdogs of Zeus, 'gainst mortal flesh employ 'd " To guard the passage to the further void. " These the Symplegades — in times long gone " Planctse, Cyanean Rocks, to mortals known. Lvcus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 155 " They are alive, the ministers of wrath, — "This the great peril that obstructs your path. M Ye must make trial first. Let loose a dove ; " If she pass through unhurt, then bend above " The oars, strong-urging — force your onward way — " Pray'rs less than effort will avail ; but pray. 80 " But if she perish, fly back ere too late ; " It is not wisdom to contend with Fate. " Once pass'd, their life expires ; and, by Death's chain " Themselves arrested, fix'd they shall remain " Through endless ages, op'ning up the road " For mercy's freedmen to the throne of God. " Escap'cl the rocks, a world before you lies " Strange and untried — new earth, new sea, new skies ; " Yet neither earth, nor sea, nor sky as we "Esteem such, but partaking of all three, 90 " Not yet distinguish'd, in crude nature blent. " Upstretching Eastward, all is thence ascent " Through th' interlunar space, the second sphere, "And the third heav'n, till the Bright Hills appear — " Yet, rising, not perceiv'd. A vast abyss " Yawns first before you like an ocean ; this " Is what, seen yonder, men shall henceforth call " — Not Axine — Euxine, friendly path for all. " Tis bounded by the pillars which sustain " The vault of heav'n, rising like steps, twin chain 100 " Of mighty mountains, to the further height " Of Caucasus. There ent'ring, day nor night, " But twilight reigns. The void is filled with what " Seems water, realm of Nereus, but is not " Water or cloud, — to its own denizens " Substantial, but illusive, vain, to men's 156 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. " Perception, and to breathe, mortal, were death, — " But ye, in Argo, draw immortal breath. " No vessels traverse that mysterious void, " Save those by iEa's king or Dis employ 'd, no " Like those of King Nausithous in the West, " That move spontaneous at their lord's behest. " This is the home of genii — not the kind " Daemons of earth, but fierce, difform, and blind, " Warring in conflict rude, confusion wild, " Matter and spirit not yet reconcil'd : — "They the mid channel haunt, — destruction 'twere " Were ye to tempt the powers that harbour there. "Beyond the gates Noithward and Southward trend " Twin shores that, wid'ning, arching, narrowing, end 120 " Whither ye tend to. To your left, but lost " Distant to sight, the land of Ice, a coast " Barb'rous and rough, where streams congeal'd of snow " Into th' abyss beneath perpetual flow. " There giants live and frost-born tribes, the seed " Of loftier growths that shall yourselves succeed, " Rulers of men. Thence Boreas from the pole " Sends blasts on eagles' wings to chill the soul. " Beyond him all is temperate, a zone "Where speak a speech rich, subtle as your own, 130 " And worship your own Gods, the sacred race " Of Hyperboreans. Human griefs no place " Have in that happy sphere,— they dwell in love, " Nor think a thought that not the Grods approve. " Them favours great Apollo— all their care " Him to observe with sacrifice and prayer. " But dexter, Southward, stretches forth the land " Of Clouds, where awful Hades hath command, Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 157 " Land of the dead. There Acheron ponrs down " His turbid waves, and mist-clad mountains frown uo " Over the mouth of hell. Yet such there are " That harbour near, nor dread th' infernal war ; " Tribes of strange character, abnormal birth, " Uncertain own'd whether of hell or earth. " Be-South that region lies a burnt up world, " With ashes foul and black rocks over-hurl'd, " Cones burning, lakes of salt, deep sunken pits, " Which, ghastly, each a sulph'rous stream emits, — " For Tart'rus' caverns lie deep under there, " And their pent vapours thus seek upper air. 150 " Ye tremble, yet take courage ! Not by path " Straight 'cross the void to iEa, — for the wrath " Of the mid genii were too terrible ; k ' Nor Northward, where the frost-born giants dwell — " But by the dexter shores your pathway lies. " Nor fear the nearer dead. Their destinies " And yours are kindred. Hug that friendlier strand, " But land not save where the Great Gods command. " First, pausing, touch at Thy mas' desert isle ; " There heav'n will stoop your terrors to beguile. 160 " Ere passing Acherusia's Mount beyond, " Quittance of guests' hereditary bond " Lycus the king will claim, — there, old in years, " Two friends departing shall ye mourn with tears. " Thence sailing, touch — not linger — on the shore " Of the fell Amazons — the God of War, " Ares, their parent — female born, but male " By arms, by purpose — lest their might prevail. " These masculine though women ; further found, " The joyous Tibareni till the ground, 170 158 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. " Born males; but, sex in those as these revers'd, " The rites of childbirth arc by men rehears'd : — " An infant born, the father binds his head, " Limps with feign'd weakness, and retires to bed ; " The while the mother, rising, serves the house, " And bathes and feeds with pap her curtain'd spouse. " Beyond these dwell the Mosynceci rude, " In childhood ev'n obese, their skins tattoo'd ; " Like apes they live in trees, like swine they do " In public all that men conceal from view. 180 " These dwell along the coasts, but in their rear " The Chalybes, race to Hephaestus dear, " Dig from the soil, and charcoal burn, to melt " Ore into metal, for his forge to smelt. " These tenant, brave, the Amazonian Mount, " Holding those unsex'd tribes in small account. " Age after age, changeless, content, by sweat " Of their knit brows they their scant living get. " These all pass'd by, next on the dry isle touch " Of Ares, so shall ye gain vantage much 190 " Through knowledge from the quarter whence ye least *'■ Expect it, but with error's risk increas'd. " Beware soft counsels ; take not dross for gold. " By-paths are dogg'd by dangers manifold. " Thence, Philyra pass'd, strike out with sail and oar, " Like eagles' flight, across to iEa's shore. " Warmer, more genial breezes, brighter glow " Of day, will greet you as ye forward go ; " For there is Colchis, there the upper land " Of light and ether. On that Eastern strand, 200 " Enthron'd supreme ere mortal time begun, " JEe'tes rules the children of the sun. Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 159 " Rules with his son Absyrtus, — kind and true " The son, the sire severe and treach'rous too. " There lies your goal. Thither through middle air " Did Phrixus fly. The Golden Fleece is there, " Upon an oak within the sacred grove " Of Ares hung, the dragon's head above. " All these, and Hecate's dark temple, ye " Approaching, and bright iEa's walls, will see. 210 " Past iEa rolls the Phasis, river of light; " And beyond iEa tow'rs the sov'reign height " Of th' Amaranthine Mount, that nears the sky, " "Wearing the crown of immortality, — *' Men call it Caucasus. On either side " Two peaks soar upward, and the Mount divide " By a deep cleft, through which from Ocean pours " The stream of Phasis down to iEa's shores. " High on the Northern peak, a prey to pangs " Immortal as himself, Prometheus hangs, 220 " SufFring for man, but hid by a thick cloud, " That summit and his agony to shroud. " But on the Southern peak perpetual rays " Of sunshine rest, so that no eye can gaze " On it unquench'd, — who dwells there is unknown ; " On it the Gods alight, as on a throne, " Footstool of heav'n, when journeying to the East, " With their great sire Oceanus to feast. " These are th' Eternal Gates, of Life, sublime, "As the Symplegades of Death and Time. 230 " Beyond all this rolls Ocean's boundless tide. " Oceanus there dwells. With him abide " Ophion and Eurynome'. That river " Ten sources hath, — holiest the tenth, that ever 160 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. " Distils to mother earth, and guards the oath " Compact 'twixt men and Gods, rever'd by both. " Along that river's bank, of Gods lov'd well, " Pious, the blameless Ethiopians dwell, " And share the feast when from his caldron vast " Oceanus serves out the Gods' repast. 240 " Now a great myst'ry learn. The living seed " Whence trees, and brutes, and humankind proceed, " All spiritual effluence that with matter blends, " Dwells in the Ocean-stream, and thence descends " Through Phasis, through mid Euxine, through the twin " Symplegades, where lives end and begin, " Thence through this Thracian Strait and Hellespont — " Where Sleep with milder, Death with sterner front " Nigh Imbros watch, threat'ning our morning's birth — " Thence through unnumber'd springs diffus'd o'er earth, — " Reserv'd in Samothrace', and reveal'd 251 " In those by the Great Mother's myst'ries seal'd ; " Who, like yourselves, their Eos overcast " By youthful sin and retribution's blast, " Those sins confess'd, by water wash'd and blood, " Receive a second life, their first renew'd. " Up this same river of light ye now ascend ; " All spirits do — where they began they end. " But life embodied cannot tread the way " 'Yond the Symplegades save, when men pray, 260 " Their prayers, daughters of Zeus, have power to rise " And seek their native home beyond the skies. " And, as the serpent shelters her young brood " Living within her, so within the wood " Of Argo born and shelter'd, and with fresh " Life from Electris, ye, though in the flesh, Lvcus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 161 " Shall op'n a path where none is, but shall be, — " For, by your act, yon sea, which is not sea, " Shall by a victim, yours, ordain'd by Fate, " But willing-, render' d be consolidate, — 270 " Pathway for ships and men return to find " To Ocean's sources, long since left behind. " Then shall the genii, that their drear abode " Have in the void, be reconcil'd to God ; " Then on its shores shall men, our kinsmen, dwell, " And tales of distant Greece their children tell. " I may not say who that great victim is, " Nor how accomplish 'd such our Nemesis. " Hidden as yet the Gods these secrets keep ; " But ye will know hereafter, and will weep." 280 He ceas'd. The heroes sat in silence round, Their hearts with doubt oppress'd and grief profound, Hearing such things, contemplating a doom Worse than of passage speedy to the tomb. Then Jason spoke. " We have had much to learn ! " But say yet further, — should the Fates return " Grant us, the Fleece attain'd, how lies our way " Homeward — new paths, or those we tread to-day ? " For iEa lies beyond the furthest ken " Of mortal eye, and we are ign'rant men." 290 " My son," the sage replied, " if ye pass through " The rocks, and trustful win — as he would do, " Your comrade late — fear not what may betide ; " For God himself shall be your strength and guide. " But if less worthily attain'd your end, " Much on Anca?us' knowledge will depend." " Alas ! " said Jason ; " we are weak, and hard " The task ! What kindest God shall be our guard, M 162 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. " Our guide athwart such perils? Whom address, " Propitiate whom, in thai our worst distress?" 300 To whom the seer, — " Athena hitherto " Hath been your guardian, and will still be so; " And mighty Hera, —but beyond this shore " Of mortal life, re-ent'ring by the door " Of worlds supernal, other Gods have power " More than co-equal, of superior dower, — " Ares ; Laphaestius, who requir'd the blood " Of Phrixus, self-devote, but Fate withstood " And Chrysomallus ; Hecate, severe, " But kindly ; and the dame to Paphos dear, 310 "White Goddess, Black, alternate yet the same, " Whom ye adore by Aphrodite's name. " She, born from Ocean, whom the Zephyrs bore, "On the crisp billow wafting, to the shore, " In heav'n Urania, Queen of love below, " Most will your venture further ; this I know, "But how know not. Yet know I, she is light "To the clean heart, but to the unclean, night. "Seek good by worthy means — she grants and crowns " With honour ; by unworthy compass'd, frowns, 320 " Dishonouring while she grants — your penance great " Ev'n though your weakness work the ends of Fate. " She tempts for trial, — yours the choice to test, "Proffer'd ambiguous, and embrace the best. " Credit me, 'tis not favour, not applause " Of Gods or men, that wins in virtue's cause ; " Gods ye may change, this for another sky, " But your own selves control your destiny. " Yet deem not your belove'd Gods and kind " Of Hellas ye forsake, leaving behind ; 330 Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 163 " Rather ye bear them with ye. They shall own " Part in your struggle ; lands till now unknown " Shall learn to love them ; altars ye shall raise, " Their advent echoing to far distant days ; " And, long as hero worth or fame endures, " Their praise shall live throughout the world, and yours." Then broke in Idas, — ' : I approve thy word, " Thou worthy prophet ! 'Tis in the good sword " Heroes should trust, not Zeus, not Hecate' ; " I ask no other guide or guarantee." 340 — Therewith around a pillar outside the hall, Within the heroes' sight, a lizard small Darted, by a black serpent swift pursued, Intent to seize it for its young ones' food ; Whom a thin, arrowy, lightning-flash struck dead, From the unclouded sky ; the lizard fled, And under Phineus' mantle shelter sought. Then Mopsus spoke, — " Scoifer ! thy words have brought " This instant omen. Fear the Gods and live. " Not to man's strength or craft the Shrouded give 350 " Ungrudging conquest. Won in faith's defect, " The Fleece may 'scape us when we least expect." To whom the sage, — " Blame not o'er much. The youth " Sees half, but half is not the sum, of truth. " Fight as thine arm were all in all ; but pray " As prayer were all, — such concert wins the day." So speaking, Eos woke, and a fresh breeze Rush'd through the hall ; and the Boreades, Borne on its blast, descended, glitt'ring bright, Their long hair streaming with their rapid flight, 360 Panting but joyous. Up the heroes sprang ; And they, folding their wings, amid the clang M 2 1 64 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. Of eager questions, through the midway pass'd, Saluted Phineus, and his knees embrac'd : — " Father !" said Zetes, " Hai) ! The Harpies both, " Sworn upon Styx, the Gods' most solemn oath, " By Zeus' command have sought the Cretan shore, u Thine age and frailty to molest no more. " Give us thy blessing !" And the blind seer laid His hands upon them, bless'd, and grateful pray'd. 370 Thus all rejoic'd ; and Jason, — " Good old man, " Would Zeus but grant tbine eyesight too, thy span " Of life to comfort !" But he bent his head, Humble. " My son, such may not be," he said. " God's mercies measur'd are. We may not seek " Beyond allowance, nor excess bespeak " Save in the prayer for death, — when that he grant, " I of all bliss shall be participant." And now the sun was ris'n, and from around The country-folk came in, and Phineus found 380 Clotb'd and rejoicing, from the Harpies freed. They food bad brought, and he supplied their need Of counsel, wise divining. On that day Had Jason plann'd to prosecute their way ; But with the Dog-star, strong opposing, rose The blast for forty days from Thrace that blows, Earth to refresh and the JEgean main. Thus, like keen horses whom their bits refrain, Eager but curb'd, impatient, they sat still. But, forty days accomplish 'd, on a hill 390 Across the Strait, they rear'd an altar high To the Twelve Gods, perpetual memory Of that their venture, and red Thracian bulls Slew to Poseidon, who the wild wave lulls Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 165 And rouses at his pleasure ; and to all The Gods of Greece made solemn festival, Praying* clear passage 'tween the rocks, their bourne To reach unharm'd, and victors to return. Nor were the elder Gods less nam'd, — but here, On this side still of the dread rocks, were fear 400 Lest the Olympian Gods, of impotence Suspect beyond, might slighted take offence. Then, all being ready, with an anxious heart They enter Argo, loose the ropes, and start. The dove was not forgotten, — in his breast Euphemus held it, flutt'ring, ill at rest. Nor less Athena knew the desp'rate strife The heroes rush'd upon, for death or life. On Thynias' desert isle descending, she Stood watching, aid to give if need should be. 410 They through the narrows of the tortuous track, Where the swift central current show'd most black, 'Tween labyrinths of rocks, sharp, net-like, close, Whence thousand eddying whirls their path oppose, Urge with the oar ; while Tiphys guides the helm, The floods evading that would else o'er whelm, With steady eye. They hear the nearer roar, The clashing rocks, and the resounding shore ; Till, sudden emerging, burst upon their sight, While each bronz'd cheek grows pallid with affright, 420 Those living gates that guard that unknown sea, Op'ning and shutting in their agony, Like the twin jaws of some tremendous birth Foul gender'd from the womb of nether earth — The very mouth, it seem'd to them, of Hell, Yawning t' engulf, dread, unavoidable. 1 66 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. Tlieir oars suspended, eyes and heart upraised To heav'n appealing, stupified they gaz'd. As in the morning, ere the sun is high, Two bearded goats contend for mastery, — 430 The conscious fair one, prize of their debate, Rear'd 'gainst the rock the while, her head elate, Crops the spring-shoots, — they simultaneous rise, Dash brow 'gainst brow ; the dull thud shakes the skies, — Recoil ; then, back returning, blow with blow Persistent meet, nor pause for rest allow : — The lazy goat-herd watches, slumbers, — noon Creeps on, he wakes ; nor yet the fight is done ; The ev'ning shadows lengthen — still the same Recurrent blows — neither will yield the game : — 440 So the Symplegades, the living rocks, Propell'd, persistent, with alternate shocks Together clash, alternate back recoil ; While sea, earth, sky, echo the wild turmoil. Suspended thus the oars, they gaze, until Mopsus commands to test the oracle Prescrib'd by Phineus. Young Euphemus stands On Argo's prow, the white dove in his hands, Th' Idalian bird to Aphrodite dear. He waits the moment due with hope, yet fear :— 450 Now the rocks part, but space too brief will bring Their forward rush, — may Fate inspire her wing ! He looses tow'rds the op'ning, — they their heads Stretch, their eyes strain, to witness how she speeds. Straight, steady, tow'rds the gap she takes her way, Contemptuous seeming of the rude affray, Poising when half-way through, — why not more swift, Foolish ! distrustful of that jealous shrift ? Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 167 Back come the monsters ; the rebounding waves Rush to the shore, and in the hollow caves 460 Fight, gurgling, chuckling, as in fiendish sport ; The white foam blinds the sight — and ill report Seems of th' event, — but no ! kind Grods prevail — She passes safe — bereft but of her tail, The last soft feathers, tribute paid to death ! Reliev'd, the heroes draw exultant breath ; And shout their thanks to Aphrodite', warm, Heartfelt in transport, louder than the storm. Then Tiphys cries each muscle's strength to strain The rocks to pass through ere they close again ; 470 And from the shore the surf's returning race Drives the good ship into the middle space Betwixt those watch-dogs. Shudderingly they see Reach'd their full tether's far extremity, Return commenc'd. In front the main lav clear ; But in their teeth an adverse wave rose near, Like a huge mountain ; and with heads oblique They cow'ring sat, expecting it to strike ; But Tiphys eas'd the helm — the timbers reel, But harmless rolls the death 'neath Argo's keel. 480 They row — the strong oars bend like archers' bows — But small way gain compar'd with what they lose ; Rather suspended, like a cork, she hangs, Motionless. Nearer now the monsters' fan^s Press forward, — they in fancy felt their breath, Their teeth sharp clenching in the gripe of death ; When, by a rearward surge propell'd, she msh'd Down like an arrow, — yet the rocks had crush'd, Had not Athena, as the ruin clos'd, To the near rock her strong right armopposM, 490 1 68 ARGO; OK, THE QUEST [Book VI. ('lucking; but, with the right the stern above, The panting ship beyond their clasp she drove, Shot forward like an eagle on the wind ; Nor lost they save the ensign, crush'd behind. AH drew deep breath, achiev'd the victory, The rocks behind, in front the open sea. She heav'nward rose, mutt'ring in under tone, " Less Aphrodite's succour than mine own !" They meanwhile whence the succour came guess'd not. Old friends for newer are too oft forgot. 500 But Mopsus taught to give the Goddess praise : — " Brothers," he said, " behoves our hearts to raise *' In grateful thanks most for Athena's aid ; " For she hath sav'd us, the Tritonian maid. " I saw her arm outstretch'd, the rocks withheld, " And our safe exit, by her thrust impell'd. " Now we may hope what else we have to do " Well to achieve, this first worst grief pass'd through." The rocks the while, astonied, in their course Arrested, trembling — like the Isthmian horse 510 That Taraxippus sees, or 'neath the glare Of the fix'd eyes of Gorgo's dead despair, Fast'ning upon their victim — back recoil'd, Then rooted stood, of life and dread despoil'd, — No more the living gates of Death, but given Of God a door of Life from earth to heaven. But sad the hearts now of the heroes grew, Their old familiar world shut out from view ; Betreat cut off, the step decisive ta'en, Before them the vast Euxine's dreary plain. 520 The waters darker gloom'd, and overhead A twilight dim the sunless .sky o'erspread ; Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 169 Their faces each to other stranger seem'd ; All things unreal look'd, as if they dream'd. They row'd on, silent, avv'd ; but noble race Is never slack chang'd circumstance to face ; And soon, as the black waste they travell'd o'er, They laugh'd and jested as they did before. So on they row'd, following the Southern coast, Past Rheba's stream and Phylla's, where as host 530 Dipsacus welcom'd Phrixus when he fled On the wing'd ram — past thirsty Psilis sped, And Calpe"s rocks. As oxen toil all day, Their hoofs firm planting in the deep strong clay ; The sweat pours from their brows ; their eyes askance Up from the yoke look with beseeching glance, Panting, longing for rest, nor rest to find, For the keen goad still urges them behind ; So toil'd the heroes, nor in sleep repos'd When, the day ended, darkness o'er them clos'd ; 540 But urg'd on Argo, till at morning-tide The desert isle of Thynias they espied. There saw they joyful a propitious sight. Apollo, God of Delos, on his flight From Lycia to the Hyperborean land, Stoop'd from his course to greet the hero band, To cheer with memory of their Grecian home, To strengthen them for trials soon to come. The golden locks, unshorn, at once they know ; In his left hand he held the silver bow, — 550 The island trembled as it felt his feet. They gaz'd mute on the ground, fearing to meet Those eyes of glory that like Helios glow'd. But he went on, rejoicing, on his road, 170 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. Northwards, across the sea. Landing, they built An altar of small stones, and the blood spilt Of the wild he-goats; and they danc'd around. Singing the Pasan — how, arriv'd, he found At Delphi the great serpent, how assail'd And slew — nor Grsea's mother-love avail'd — 560 As th' old song tells, all in the early morn, — " Hail Pa3an, Hail Eous ! pure, unshorn ; " Only thy mother's loving hands may dare " To part the tresses of thy golden hair !" Then Orpheus took, ended the festival, A cup of wine unmix' d in name of all ; Each, his arm piercing, a red drop of blood Commingled with the consecrated flood ; Each touch 'd, and drank, and pour'd on earth ; and swore True friends to be and brethren ever-more. 570 Two days then pass'd, the wind adverse ; the third, It dropp'd ; and Zephyr came at Zeus's word, Helpful ; and they the sail rear'd, and, their heart Of love and grateful rev'rence full, depart. They pass Sangarius, River of Hunger nam'd, As Psilis, late, of Thirst, — the marsh ill-fam'd Anthemois, and Ekeus. Rivers nine Flow Nortlrward, sons of Acheron divine, On dark Celaeno genderYl. Zephyr blew Fresher and fresher, driving them unto 580 The Acherusian Promont'ry, but short To halt of it, at rapid Lycus' port, Where dwelt the Mariandyni and their King, Lycus. They land. The natives quickly bring News of their advent, and the King came down At once, t' invite them courteous to the town, Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 171 As guests ancestral — none could reckon how ; But sou ir lit not the fair claim to disallow. 'Twas a strange land, strange race that there they found, A land of visions, race of phantasms, bound 590 To life, yet not of life, to death, but free Of death's dominion — being, that not be. All contradictions odd were gather'd here ; For this th' ambiguous interlunar sphere, The middle term 'tween light and dark, the home Where Larvae, Lemures, and spectres roam, That visit earth and converse in the brains Of men where folly, vice, or madness reigns. The land Bithynia, but the people hight The Dead- Alive, in twilight that delight. GOO These stand half-way between the tribes whose birth The great void owns and us of nether earth. A white pall o'er the land, as of the moon, Hung constant, — hard and chilly ev'n at noon The sharp-cut outlines ; but, the clouds between That flitted past, the moon was never seen. Strange aspect wore the natives, pallid, thin, Like corpses beautiful in death ; within The sockets their dull eyes seem'd plates of horn, Thro' which light as of lamps glow'd pulsing, born 610 Of flick'ring thoughts that now arose, now fell, Fitful, like music's varying fall or swell. They bore no weapons ; wild and fast they talk'd ; Laugh'd much ; and rather glided they than walk'd. But warm they greeted their new friends ; and these, Expecting such, return'd their courtesies. The feast preparing, Lycus a torch-race Proclaim'd, in Greece once known, the starting-place 172 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. Prometheus' altar. Each youth, running, sought His rival's torch t' extinguish ; and who brought 620 His own in first, still burning, won the prize, — Mem'ry of him who stole fire from the skies. And now, the feast set, meats were serv'd like those Of earth, but tasteless, scanty-fed where flows Sangarius; much they eat, unsatisfied, Much drank, from Psilis' grudging stream supplied ; But drink nor meat their thirst nor hunger tam'd, And they desisted, being Greeks, asham'd. Meanwhile their hosts' shrill laughter shook the hall, Measureless, senseless, but with grave face all ; G30 Uprising oft, oft they sat down again ; Now rock'd themselves, now groan'd as if in pain ; Now arms and legs, here, there, at random sent, Toss'd as if jointless, in their merriment ; Like Tyrrhene jesters, or Manducus' jaws Chatt'ring, or puppets dancing, without pause. Nor, though the guests could no connection find 'Twixt act and thought, could they refrain ; but joinM. These were the younger guests ; the elder near Lycus sat graver ; but sensation queer 640 Of unreality each to his seat Glued acquiescent, as if fascinate. Lycus alone sat cold and uncompell'd By such vagaries, and low converse held With Jason. Much he ask'd of Argo's tale, How 'gainst the living rocks did she prevail, What ventures gone through, whither they were bound, And what their object, in these strange seas found ? Much he bemoan'd their loss in Heracles ; Much joy'd that Amycus, the Bebryces' 650 Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 173 Fell tyrant, Polydeuces' hand had slain ; And full cups call'd for, to his health to drain. " Heracles," said he, " help'd me when on foot " He with the Amazon's girdle came, and put " Bithynia's breadth beneath me. Amycus "All 'yond the Rheba since reft back from us, — " Faith-breakers, liars, the Bebrycian race ! " I joy thy brave friend brought on them disgrace." But Jason, " Whence thine own high blood, and how " Ancestral host ? Why do these mop and mow, 660 " Gibbering, around us ? Thy own face appears " Now as my equal, now as old in years ; " Now as a man's, now as a wolf's thine eye, " Now a cold serpent's — whence thy mystery ? " Mine eye is steady — do I see or dream ? " To whom the King, — " Things are not as they seem, " sage young Sir ! — and few, I think, have eyes " Keener than thine to see through fallacies. " Thou ask'st my race ? I am, like thee, a Greek ; " These shapes confess'd their barb'rous kind bespeak. 670 " Ancestral host ? I am that Lvcus, son " Of wise Prometheus who Deucalion " Begat, and through him thine iEolid strain. " I and Deucalion thus were brothers twain, " And all Deucalion's race is kin to me — " And tied besides by hospitality. " Each generation have I visited " Once in their lives at least, and compacts made " Solemn for sport — nor found we pastime dull, " 'Specially when the moon was at the full. 680 " From my advances none can stand aloof, — " Is not this wild chase of thine own a proof? 174 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. "Third query, whence my myst'fy? Hearken then. " Thou know'st how he, tlie craftiest born of men, "Prometheus, at Mecone slew the ox, " Ami parting, in observance orthodox, "Hid the white bones beneath the fat, the thighs " Beneath the belly, which the Gods despise, " And bade Zeus choose. Deceiv'd, the bones he chose. " Laughter from Gods and men immortal rose. 690 " But man comes ill off playing tricks with Zeus. " Myself and my twin-brother Chimareus " Slaughter'd were found, by some strange issue chang'd, " In place o' the ox — thus was the God aveng'd. " My sire the worst, Zeus had the best of it ; " And hence your proverb stands, ' the biter bit.' " Prometheus tore his beard, in turn deceiv'd, " Of both his sons by his own act bereav'd. " But Chimareus and I had been reborn, " Like you, in Samos. I, indeed, in scorn 700 " Such mumm'ries held, for from my childhood I " With Hermes had convers'd, the sleek, the sly— " He with Apollo — he believ'd them all ; " Therefore I hated him. I still recall " How standing, like two fools, of flesh bereft " Botli of us, but our reborn being left, " He, disconcerted, wine'd beneath my scoff, " Eyeing his fleshly garment thus cast off. " For, after all, old Dardanus spoke truth, " And each of us had blossom'd into youth. 710 " Our destiny henceforward diff'rent, him " The Gods in Imbros plac'd, to guard the dim " Entrance of life ; but me they station'd here, " King of these interlunar regions drear, Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 175 " Ruling o'er phantoms, immaterial things, " Substantial less than the winds' whisperings, " Real to minds, like these thy friends', of clay — " A joke to you and me, who watch the play. " More wouldest know ? Thine eye prevents thy speech. " Thine ear — while I a deeper myst'ry teach. 720 " Think not true life consists, reborn, in this " Thy fleshly tissue — independent 'tis " Of finite being, no confinement owns — " Can pass at will — feel me ! I have no bones— " What once were mine, aha ! are relics, stor'd " A famine-fuge in Sparta, and ador'd " Throughout all Greece — can pass at will, no bar " Impeding, matter through, and from afar " Control, and over animals hath power, " Least then resistent, at the midnight hour — 730 " Possess'd can enter, fashion to its use " Each kind, and be wolf, serpent — what we choose ; " Condition'd merely that we free elect " With Zeus the dry bones and the thighs reject. " Thus am I what thou too, reborn, may'st be, " Native to two worlds, death and life, like me. " Thus am I old at once and young — and thou " Both young and old appearest to me now. " Thus can I roam a wolf the forest wide, " Thus as a serpent through the coverts glide, 740 " Tasting, else bodiless, of sense denude, " Crafty or fierce alternate, mortal food ; " But otherwise enfranchis'd, free to roam, " And through creation make myself at borne. "Why should'st not thou too thus true life enjoy, "Freed, disconnected from the dull alloy 176 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. " Of human flesh ? Ev'n now I could by art " Thy newer being from the old dispart, — " Say but the word, and we as wolves will go, " Or serpents, as thou wilt, my kingdom through, 750 " And make a night on't? Or if better please, " Hell's mouth is near, and I have sure pass-keys ; " I, as a wolf, am friends with Cerberus, " And Orthrus too will welcome both of us. " Rare sport to see the waters flee the touch " Of Tantalus, the fruit evade his clutch ! " What say'st thou? Come!'' And now the laughter yell'd Wild and more wild; and Jason him beheld Glorious, dilated, like a demi-God, — Fierce, with red flames, the horny eyeballs glow'd. 7G0 His senses reel'd, while through his veins desire Ran riot for the venture ; but the fire He by one gripe of desp'rate will repress'd, And thus, recovering, cool, his host address'd : — " Lycus ! I thank thee ; let me but achieve " The task before me, and I will not grieve " Myself or thee, returning here, unshar'd "The merry sport of which I now have heard. " Till then, excuse me." — " Be it so," replied The King. But Jason, loudly, " Time we hied 770 " Home to our ship for slumber. Ho ! my friends ! " And each, rous'd as from sleep, the word attends. Then Lycus, " Of our damsels, young and bright, " Take each one a companion for the night." But Jason cried, " Remember Lemnos ! " and All answer'd " Nay " — save, youngest of the band, Euphemus, amorous and elate of heart, The dove's purveyor, Aphrodite's part ; Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 17 7 He would not be gainsaid by fear or shame ; The rest departed ; and a mate, by name, 780 Lycus bestow'd, Celaano. " She," he said, " Of Thirst and Hunger, twins, was brought to bed , " Her name is Sin — some as my mother give her — " What matter ? Sin is young and fresh for ever." They at the ship continuous vigil keep, In such strange neighbourhood distrusting sleep ; But young Euphemus woke, half through the night, Bristling his hair, and panting with affright ; And found — for the new life subserv'd him still — A lean hag on his breast, sucking her fill 790 Of his heart's blood — 'twas red upon her lip. He fled, pursued by phantoms, to the ship, Chasing and mocking, — eyes bloodshot and dim, He swoon'd as, dragging in, they rescued him. Then Orpheus pray'r to the Gods Saviours rais'd, And Hecate, weak children's patron, prais'd ; And Mopsus spoke : — " These things have been decreed " To test your truth in thought, in word, in deed ; " 'Gainst life's illusions ye have held it fast ; " Faith in God's power remains for proof, the last. 800 " For thee, boy ! fear not, truant 'scap'd from school ; " Pardon'd though guilty, vow'd to sterner rule. " But think not light, convict of such offence, " Nor shun th' Erinnys of lost innocence. " That scar upon thy breast is hight Remorse ; " Sleeping or waking thou wilt feel its force ; " Its smart will haunt thee to thy dying day, — " Meanwhile, thy lapse repenting, fast and pray ! ' Morn rose. Lycus supplies of meat and wine Had sent o'ernight, with grapes too of the vine ; 810 N 178 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. But wolfs flesh their eyes saw, unseal'd, the food; The grapes were nightshade and the wine was Mood. And Mopsus, " Five goats, spoil of Amyous, " Two skins of Phineus' wine, remain to us; " These shall our needs suffice till we return ; " Night after night consum'd, renew'd at morn, — " The gift of Zens and of Iacchus this, kk While wand'ring, pilgrims, through the dread abyss, " Meanwhile these spectres' close approach repel ; " For they too surely are the spawn of hell." 820 So, the shapes friendly nearing, Lynceus shot Arrows, which pass'd them through, Lut harm'd them not ; And Lyons cried, " If these be hypocrites, " Zeus made them so, mere masks; but thou, thy wits " Keen-edg'd about thee, wolf in a sheep's hide, " Slaying them, an' thou could'st, 'twere fratricide ! ' All hurrying now to start, they heard the cry Of Idmon, bathing in the marsh hard by ; Idas and Pelens rush'd there — 'twas too late ! From a vast boar the sage had met his fate. 830 Lurking, disturb'd, it from the bank above Attack'd, and through his thigh the keen tusks drove. His life-blood drain'd, relax'd each quiv'ring limb, He died as to the ship they carried him. Some say a grisly wolf the monster seem'd, Escaping through the reeds, — perchance they dream'd. Three days they mourn'd ; but on the fourth befel Like fate to Tiphys, — who the truth can tell ? Most say, a fever, some a serpent, stirr'd By his foot, smote him, — but perchance these err'd. 84^ What can 1 say ? God gives, God takes our breath ; God's time, God's will, is best, in life and death. Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 179 Idmon his own and Phineus' words had not — But Tiphys and the others had — forgot. Two lofty mounds record their memory there. Now on the heroes settled chill despair. But more for Tiphys than the sage they griev'cl. Of their sure pilot and the helm bereav'd ; And would have linger'd hopeless on that strand, Had not Ancaeus urg'd them, — " Thus unmann'd, 850 " Thus faithless, how shall we achieve the Fleece ? " Bethink ye ! no return remains to Greece : — " Forward our course ; no other choice is given — " If worsted, why ! we can retreat on heaven ! " Tiphys is lost, — granted ! — no surer guide " Could e'er have led us o'er this treach'rous tide ; " But pilots still, inferior scarce, are left, " Worthy of Argo's helm, of him bereft. " My words are few, I seldom care to speak ; " Self-praise hath ne'er uncall'd for sham'd my cheek ; 860 " But I, youth-cradled by barbaric seas " Unknown to Greece, am match'd to cope with these, — " Mid perils train'd, by wilder tempests tost " Than those that rage within th' JEgean coast. " Such, I my service offer." — Peleus said, " Th' Autochthon's claim is just, long credited " For skill ; perchance too more acceptable " To the strange Gods that in these regions dwell." But Jason, " Where these pilots ? Who shall steer " Argo to iEa safe, and back ? I fear 870 " Nothing remains but, mute, our hands to fold, " And wear out life here, hopeless, growing old." Then sprung Ancaeus to the helm, and seiz'd, Indignant; others sprung too; but it pleas'd x 2 I So ARGO : OR. THE QUEST | Hook VI. The heroes; and a halcyon from the brine Flew o'er his head, and Mopsus own'd the sign. Thus they took heart, encourag'd ; and now more Griev'd for sage Mmon than they did before. Next day, being the twelfth, the Zephyr blew, And to that sorrowful strand they bade adieu. 880 Rowing, the better the smooth rocks to shun That, shelving, seaward from its steep base run, They round the dreaded Acherusian height, Gazing with wonder mingled with affright. Its terrors shading, green, above, below, The birth of ages, hoary plane-trees grow ; Deep, in a hollow, yawns a cavern vast, The mouth of Hades, whence an ice-cold blast, Perpetual, breathing death, a veil of frost Flings o'er the trees. The branches, wildly tost, 890 Shriek in their agony ; while from the shore The surf's swell mingles with the cavern's roar. Never by night or day doth silence win One hour of respite from that hideous din. Rounded, a valley from the Mount descends, Whence Ach'ron, rushing, with the sea contends. The current drove them Northwards ; but, the sail Raising, they thus against its force prevail. And soon they pass Callichorus, the cave Of Aulion, that Iacchus shelter gave 900 From the far East returning; and behold The tomb of Sthenelus, of Actor bold The strong-arm'd son. Him the sweet breath of life Forsook, returning from Thermodon's strife, With Heracles ; an Amazon's fierce hand By a swift arrow slew him on the strand. Lvcus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 181 He, meanwhile, stood up, weeping, at the knee Suppliant of Hades' queen, Persephone' ; And pray'd that he might look upon once more Men of his kindred as they pass'd the shore ; 910 And, granted, standing on the tomb, with awe The hero gazing on the ship they saw, Arm'd as in life, sword, shield, and spear, and zone, And glitt'ring helmet with its purple cone, His sad eyes' watching with a stony glare, But sign nor motion might of life declare, — Then, slowly sinking, disappear'd from sight Into the darkness of eternal night. Furling the sail, and rowing to the beach, They rites perform'd, appeasing, tribute each 920 Off' ring of wine •, and, love's accost repaid, Within his tomb rejoic'd the mighty shade. But they, the Zephyr fresh'ning, reembark, Hoping to pass Parthenia's stream ere dark. Zeus fills the sail ; and, as an eagle springs Forth through the ether thin, nor moves his wings, But like an arrow forward sailing glides Borne on the blast, so Argo through the tide's Clear azure shoots. They pass the Virgin river, Where Artemis, her bow aside and quiver 9^0 Laid on the tranquil bank, her zone unlac'd, Naked as earliest morning and as chaste, Bathes her lithe limbs at eve, her lov'd resort, Wearied, among the Amazons, of sport ; Then springs up heav'nward through the pure serene, Her seat to take near the Olympian queen. Thence, without pause, they onward through the night Along the still shores skim, with, faint in sight, [82 ARGO; OK, THE QUEST [BookVL Cytorus, by perennial box-trees crown'd; And, as the morn broke, rowing, struggle round 940 Carambis, that the Tauric Chersonese Baughty confronts, — then once more 'fore the breeze Pass where the nymph Sinope, fearing shame, Stak'd her virginity, and won the game. Night once more day succeeding, Halys' red Waters they pass'd, through many mouths disspread ; And Iris, that her tide white-eddying rolls; And, the sea rongh'ning, fearing the sunk shoals Form'd by Thermodon's river, that distils Through many founts from th' Amazonian hills, 950 But broad, united, seaward finds her way, Earth-charg'd, — they anchor'd in the quiet bay Where Heracles by stratagem betray 'd Fair Melanippe', Amazonian maid, Questing the girdle, trapp'd her ; and the Queen Eansom'd her sister, rend'ring it, between Anger and love — grateful, unharm'd that he Eestor'd her, rev'rent of her purity. A pleasant spot it was around them ; grain Slop'd up the hills, rich orchards cloth'd the plain ; 900 Horses and oxen graz'd ; 'mong shadowy bowers Birds nestling sang, bees humm'd among the flowers ; And lighter day, though but scant sun, appear'd, — Life was more genial as its source they near'd. Perchance it all seem'd fairer than it was, — Contrast oft makes things worse for better pass ; But they esteem'd it lovely ; and their hearts Drank the sweet solace welcome rest imparts. Still it was dang'rous ground, — they joy'd with fear, for the fierce Amazons rul'd far and near 970 Lvcus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 183 Around the bay. Three gallant tribes they are, But scatter' d, not prepar'd for sudden war. Perchance they knew, perchance had gather'd round The little band that there had shelter found, — Attack'd, had these reap'd glow's large increase, But the Gods watch'd, and the night pass'd in peace. Kind Zeus ! that present sent the fav'ring gale ; Kind Hecate' ! whose mercies never foil Those who her love maternal not distrust — The triple-fac'd, the pitiful, the just ! 980 Away ! away ! Argo herself gives forth The word for starting ere the pinions swarth Of Night are folded. Hurrying up the masl , The sail wings Argo faster and more fast. Swift gliding, they the jagged coast-lines view'd Where the soft Tibareni dwell, and rude The Mosynceci. Evening came, and while The heroes watch'd, expecting Ares' isle Soon to descry, a bird of those that haunt That desolate rock and those approaching daunt 990 By their fierce aspect, soaring over, dropp'd A feather, sharper than a lance brass-topp'd, Which struck Oi'leus' shoulder ; and the oar Fell from his hand. His strokesman Idas tore The sharp shaft forth. The wound his wond'ring eyes Examin'd, less in pain than dull surprise. Lynceus and Butes, who behind him sat, Laugh'd softly, this in mirth, sarcastic that. Then spoke Ancaeus,— " When with Heracles, " Nearing Stymphalia's lake, we birds like these 1000 " Encount'red ; ye must frighten them away, " Or they will work us mischief while we stay." 1 84 ARGO; 0A\ THE QUEST [Book VI. Scarcely was said when they wore at the shore Of that rude throne of Ares. Prompt for war, The birds rush'd down; lait they with sword and spear .Made clangour, hideous clashing ; and in fear Those monsters fled, and from their shouts ; nor car'd Attempt return while there the heroes far'd. Landing, there met them straightway, with accost Humble, as strangers sujypliant to a host, 1010 Four naked youths, but of a gentle kind, With eyes that glow'd as if from fire behind. " Brethren ! for such ye seem, of kindred blood," Began the foremost; "give us clothes and food ! " Yourselves, as Gods, to us as men extend " The hand of helpful Zeus, the suppliants' friend !" To whom the chief, rememb'ring Phineus' word, — " This to your prayer we willingly accord ; " But what your country, what your name, your race ? " And why, thus wretched, naked, in this place ?" 1020 Whom Argus answer'd : — " We are born of one " By two descents of iEolus the son, " Phrixus, who fled to -ZEa on the ram ' ' From Ino's wrath. Well known the tale. I am " His eldest born, — my brothers these. To fame " As yet unknown, yet, since ye ask, my name " Is Argus. This is Cytisorus, that " Melas, and Phrontes fourth. Arriving at " Colchis, Hermes commanding it, my sire " Slew that, his kind preserver; and the fire jo;jo " Of dark Laphystius' altar fierce consum'cl. " The fleece hangs in the grove of Ares, doom'd a To rest there till a destined champion come ""To win the fated spoil and bear it home. Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 185 " iEetes to his daughter Phrixus wed, " Chalciope. But now my sire is dead ; " And we, the king commanding to repair " To Greece, to claim the riches — I the heir — " Of Athamas— our duteous purpose cross'd, " Storm-driven and shipwreck' d men, to this rude coast " Escap'd, with life but nothing more, are thus 1041 " Naked and starving. Kind, then, succour us." Whom Jason, marvelling, answer' d ; while, each breast Swelling with joy, the heroes forward press'd : — " The storm was sent by Zeus ; the Gods bespeak " The succour ye of us as suppliants seek. " No strangers ye, but kinsmen. Athamas " Brother of Cretheus, sire of iEson, was, — " iEson my sire. We, by the Gods' command, " Are on our journey to the Colchian land, 1050 " Where dwells iEetes ; and, our ends to speed, " Your aid in guidance is by heaven decreed. " Of this hereafter. All things that ye crave, " Clothes, food, and cheerful comfort ye shall have." So saying, he gave them clothing from his store. There is a modest temple on the shore, Built by Otrera, queen and Amazon, To Ares. Hid within is a black stone, The Amazons' vow'd worship,— horses they, Moi'selfd in pieces, sacrificial, slay ; 1060 In front an altar of small pebbles,— sheep Jason slew there, peace with the God to keep. The feast concluded and the social reign Of cups beginning, Jason spoke again : — " Zeus all things sees ; he guards the pure, the just, " Your sire he rescued, from the tempest's gust 186 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Hook VI. " Yourselves protected, and this ship hath given " Your refuge, and ourselves as friends from heaven. "Athena built this Argo by my arm, " And, shelter'd in her, ye need fear no harm, 1070 " Max visit Greece, land of your father's birth, " Orchomenos, or where ye will on earth. " Friends we will be, and carry your ends through, " Now hearken what in turn we ask of you. " iEa we seek, to win the Golden Fleece, " And bring the prize in triumph back to Greece ; " But we the people know not, nor the place :— " Ye native are, own part in iEa's race ; " Return then with us, counsel for the best, " Not fight — our swords shall, needed, do the rest. 1080 " Then home in Argo come with us, and we " Will claim and yield your heirship) loyally." " Alas !" said Argus, " desp'rate is your plan. " iEetes beard ? Ye little know the man ! "Return we will, and counsel — choice is none— " But much I doubt. He prides himself upon " His race from Helios, and the Colchians dwell " Devoted round him, swartb, innumerable. " Like Ares' is his voice, his strength ; his eyes " Strike terror. Nor the risks should you despise 1090 " That guard the Fleece. A dragon 'neatli the oak " Watches, all-seeing, sleepless, that awoke " To life immortal from the gore distill'd " From crush'd Typhosus, when his fierce cry fill'd "Three worlds Math terror. Who shall face that eye? u Who wrest the treasure from such custody ?" He paus'd. The heroes trembled, but replied Peleus, — " Nay, fear not ! Have we not defied Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 187 " Symplegades, Gods aiding us, and death ? " And who shall daunt us drawing mortal breath ? 1100 " iEetes ? No ! We of the blood divine " Of Grods and heroes boast a prouder line. " Yielding the Fleece, contented home we sail ; " Refusing, little will his hosts avail, — " For Fate is with 11 s, and we must succeed " If but our faith be sure and bold our deed." So too AncEeus and the elders all, But languish'd ne'ertheless the festival. Ev'n Jason's cheek by Argus' words was blanch'd. Each felt himself by the grim monster cranch'd. 1110 Their strength so few, iEe'tes' countless s war ins, The thousand vague indefinite alarms Unthought of till we peril face to face Scant means, hope-gilded, with forecast disgrace — They, on such doubts and terrors tempest-tost, Counted their lives, their honour, all but lost. Each youth, asham'd, his fears kept out of sight ; But Jason w T aking lay, long into night. Morn rose. Their prospects brighter seem'd by day, Lighter the load that on their bosoms lay. 1120 They start, still coasting — pass the island bed Of Chiron's mother ; but she blushing fled To Pelion, by the scornful Rhea found With Cronos — further sail, nor labour round The Sacred Mount; for thence the great bay's sweep Trends off, curv'd like a bow, round-arching, deep, — But from that landmark stern, with sail and oar, Dart off, as Phineus bade, for iEa's shore — Straight as the cord that binds the well-strung bow, Swift as, well-notch M and loos'd, its arrows go. H30 [88 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI. Warmer and warmer now the sun is fell ; Their frost. v fears under its influence melt. I hit courage on sensation that depends Can ill supply ambition's nobler ends. As day wore on, more and more silent grew, Thoughtful, the } 7 ounger and more num'rous crew ; The Minyan blood, commingled with the Greek, Began in secret to their hearts to speak, Alloying, not less firm, their purpose high, With thoughts, in God's distrust, of policy. ll-io Jason scarce spoke to any save compell'd, But frequent converse low with Argus held. Long had the eye since morn of Lynceus keen Discern'd the outline, but more plainly seen The Amaranth Mountains now broad propp'd the skies, Furrowing th' horizon. North and South arise Distinct the parted peaks, the one with cloud, Pale terror's veil, Prometheus' living shroud ; Footstool of heav'n the other, tow'ring bright, Clad in eternal robes of liquid light, 1150 The cloud their beacon, evening's sunnier glow Redden'd it hourly ; when, behind them, low, Far, but like thunder loud'ning, near, more near, Continuous sound of rushing plumes they hear; And o'er them passing high, his wings like oars Sweeping the heav'n, direct tow'rds iEa's shores, They saw th' immortal vulture bend his course Straight to that awful height, where nor remorse Spares one keen pang, nor firm endurance quails, But love for man sublime o'er hate prevails. 1 n;o Then, as they trembling sat, they distant heard The suff'rer's groans, and mingled, softly stirr'd Lycus.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 189 By pity, the faint accents, sorrow's tide, Of Ocean's daughter, weeping at his side ; Then, the groans ceasing, saw the monster back Returning, satiate, by the self-same track ; Heard, shudd'ring, pass the sweep, the rush, the roar, Till, lost in distance, all was still once more. No one for many a league the silence broke, And afterwards they still in whispers spoke. 1170 Now nearing land, and evening sinking, they On their still'd oars, Argus advising, lay, — Not to approach the shore till fall of dark. The distant city and black grove they mark Of Ares, the Fleece glitt'ring through the trees. Their terror quicken'd, lying thus at ease. The words of Peleus and the seniors all, Urging a bold advance, unheeded fall On Jason's ears. Good Phineus' mandate true Less weigh'd than the cold caution of his new nso Adviser, Argus. Night come, tow'rds the reeds That Phasis' soil-beladen torrent feeds On the North bank, they push their stealthy way, Like midnight thieves slow creeping on their prey, Not fearless to attack while watch he keeps, But circumvent and rob him while he sleeps. Through the tall reeds they push, putting aside, The reeds closing behind as on they glide, Argus directing, to fit lurking-place, — Approach unworthy, forecast of disgrace ! 1190 Faith, once bright ! that at the first assault Should' st dimm'd, inglorious, make such base default ! Moor'd to the bank, safe hid, they wade to land ; And Jason, while the Minyse round him stand, 190 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Rook VI. Of wine unmix' d a golden goblet takes, And, falt'ring, to the Gods libation makes Of land and heaven that be prepotent there, In ancienl chant preferring - thus his prayer: — " O Zeus Laphystius, Shaper, Master, I >en, — one, to claim the Fleece " As Hera's envoys and a debt to Greece ; " T'other to beg it of the King, and seek " His favour by fair words and bearing meek ; " Or 'tween these two a mean perchance may be "Expedient found, through wary policy. " I fain would hear your counsel."- -Mopsus rose : — " Thus much in warning would I interpose, 20 " Speaking from God. Unlock 'd the gates of Death " And Lycus quell'd, the trial-proof of faith " Awaits ye now — faith in the power of God. " Who walks with Him must the straightforward road " Of right pursue and devious craft abhor, " Ev'n if heav'n's hand appear to ope the door, "Tempting, to sure success — the penance great, " Ev'n though your weakness work the ends of Fate. " These too were Phineus' words. The path of right " Now lies before you — choose it, God will fight 30 " Along with you ; rejecting, free your choice, " Forewarn'd, his wrath will follow ye. My voice " Must silent be from henceforth. Light from heaven " Was at Electra's isle to guide ye given." " My voice," cried Idas, " is at once to claim " The Fleece in Argo's and in Greece's name, " As debt withheld, in strength of deeds, not words. " I ask no other help than our good swords." " Hear me ! " said Peleus. " Tis not yet too late " To quit this thief's hole, seek iEetes' gate, 40 " Boldly, as sceptred kings, ambassadors " Accredited by Gods to these far shores,— " Rather by Him who, above all Gods God, " Hath nor in Greece nor Asia his abode, Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE 193 " Of whom all other powers but vassals are, " Known at Dodona King, dwelling afar, — " Strong in His strength, and with all courtesy, " To claim the Fleece ; and, if he will grant free, " Proffer such friendship and alliance close, "As equal may to equal, match'd, propose : — 50 " But — beg as suppliants, flatter, bear us meek ! " Such counsels like I not — they burn my cheek/' Thus too the sons of Leda, ever among The -youth found faithful ; but with weightier tongue Ancseus spoke : — " I say too, claim as right, " Courteous but firm ; refus'd, defy and fight. " Why seek to covert ere the tempest come ? " Is God's power here less mighty than at home ? " Your fears are phantoms that but substance ape, " Mere masks of Lycus in another shape. 60 " Face such, in God your trust, they disappear. " Thus Heracles — would that he were but here ! " Thus Hera, thus Athena, strong as wise — " Thus should your own brave hearts and wills advise ; " And Argo's voice, if rais'd, would urge the like. " There is a time to parley, time to strike." While these were speaking, Argo trembled, flush'd, Like Orpheus' lyre by his light fingers brush'd, Murm'ring approval ; but at this appeal, As fire from flint sharp-stricken by the steel, 70 She broke forth into utt'rance, voicing " Claim ! " The elders recognis'd ; the rest, shame ! Ears seal'd through lack of faith in truth divine, Said it but thunder'd, and ignor'd the sign. Then Argus spoke, the man of glosing speech, Tongue-silver'd, fond low ends by guile to reach, — 194 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. His brow unwrinkled, but the eye betray' d Craft that had older men than Jason sway'd : — " — Young* still, nor in such counsels meet my lot, " Yet have I knowledge here which ye have not — 80 " Perchance not useless — proffer' d as your guest — " But yours to judge, deciding for the best. " What ye determine on, e'en through the worst " Me-seeming, I will speed ; but ponder first : — " No more in Greece, but in a stranger land, " Where life, race, Gods are diff'rent all, ye stand ; " ""Mid those will hold ye cheap, and of ye deem " As to yourselves the tribes barbarian seem — " Untaught ! but they are numerous as the sands, " And proud vEetes all their hosts commands. 90 " Born of the sun, their veins with subtle fire " Burn fierce in wrath, or melt in soft desire ; " Cruel if thwarted, kindly if appeas'd " By deferent speech, nor in accost displeas'd. " None fiercer than iEetes. Claim as right " The Fleece ye quest, not deadlier is the bite " Of the fell dragon than his wrath will fall " On me, my brethren, Argo, one and all. " Ask'd as a boon, it may be he will grant " As to a kindly Zeus-sent suppliant, 100 " Thus gaining by an easy road your ends, " Not making foes but, rather, gaining friends. " Eefus'd, ye are not worse off than before ; " And win ye must, so say ye, ev'n by war. " But no-wise need is, so it doth me seem, " In this our case to come to such extreme ; " For water dropp'd, we know, will soften rocks " Proof 'gainst the rudest sea's intemperate shocks. Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 195 " Two daughters hath the King, Chalciope, " And young Medea, of dread Hecate 110 " Priestess, accomplish'd in all magic art, " But pure, and pitiful, and kind of heart. " Queen o'er the elements, her spells have force "T' extinguish fire, stop rivers in their course, " Bridle the hateful moon to impotence, " Control ev'n Sirius to beneficence ; " But, pow'rful thus, untouch'd by passion, mild, " Self-diffident, and humble as a child ; " Ever for good exerting, not for ill, " Her tongue's seduction and her magic skill. 120 " Her most iEetes loves, child of his age, — " Her voice can soothe him in his wildest rage. " Chalciope', my mother, was as hers " In infancy ; she much to her defers ; " And I will urge my mother to obtain " Her int'rest that }^our suit be not in vain. " For we too are in danger, as she knows. " But that strong Hermes did the wish oppose, " He would have Phrixus slain. 'Twas Hermes led " My mother, 'gainst his will, to Phrixus' bed. 130 " He loves her not, because she lov'd him well. " Us too he dreads, warn'd by an oracle " Our star his adverse ; hence to Greece he sent, " Hoping that years in the adventure spent " Might rid him of us, or by tempests' chance, " Or hate engender'd when we should advance " Our claim to the rich stores of Athamas. " Much need then for Medea, in this our pass, " Returning, unexpected, and with you, " Strangers, all strangers hateful in his view, 140 o 2 196 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. " To intervene, if haply she may soothe " His rising fury, and a pathway smoothe, " Ours to his pardon, yours to win your quest. " For all our sakes, this, credit me, is best." He ended, and the youths murmur'd applause. But Jason hasty rose, precluding pause For counter counsel in the claims of truth : — — " Greeks are we, not barbarians, as in sooth " These Colchians are. Heroes and sons of Zeus, " Who could withstand us, or our rights refuse ? 150 " But force, brute force, befits not, such our race, — " Not ours the sword of Ares, God of Thrace ; " Not to such madness should we have recourse. " Greeks know that wisdom stronger is than force ; " And wisdom speeds by matching means to ends, " Nor, reckless, making foes that else were friends. " 'Twas Metis bore Athena, by the will " Of Zeus ; we need no surer oracle. " My sentence is, that we should ask the Fleece " As a boon first, — so we return to Greece, 160 " Granted, successful ; if the King deny, " Or make conditions, then 'twere time to trv " 'Tween such, or, threat'ning war, as right demand, — " Nor mine, thus claim'd, shall be the weakest hand. " Still, we are few — ill-match'd 'gainst hosts like these ; " The dragon too — mate but for Heracles. u Not vain I therefore Argus' word approve, " That he should aid us through the virgin's love " Our quest t' achieve, — and Phineus' voice was clear " That Aphrodite most would aid us here." 170 Ev'n as he spoke, a milkwhite dove, pursued By a fierce hawk, her pinions ruffled rude, Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 197 Rush'd down, and refuge sought in Jason's breast. The hawk sat on the flag-staff. Thanks address'd They to the Goddess, grateful for the sign. But Idas shouted, " } 7 e powers divine ! " Is't come to this ? that we, to Argo pledg'd, " Like sucking babes, like nestlings yet unfledg'd, " Like tender maidens — poltroons as we are — " Court Aphrodite" s smile, hang back from war, 180 " Take note of doves and hawks, but types that be " Of woman's trust and manhood's treachery ! '' Jason ! thou ne'er wilt win a nobler prize "Than Aphrodite's by such stratagies ! ' The youths blush'd scarlet, half with ire, half shame; But Jason pass'd it by. " The Paphian dame," He said, " decides it thus. At once I go "With Phrixus' sons to greet the King, and know "The issue. Either way, I straight return. " They will remain, — and, if ^Eetes burn 190 " With anger, or conditions hard impose, " Engage Medea's aid. Ere evening close " Argus will send us word." So saying, he sign'd The council ended. — Heady, self-will'd, blind, Self-deeming wise, too little self-afraid, Himself most trusting, by himself betray'd, Jealous of counsel from his equals, but All ears to whisper'd hints, adroitly put ; Intriguer born, but still in craft at school, Guide, as he thought, of Argus, but his tool, — 200 Brave as the bravest, but delighting more In subtilty of act and wordy war ; Proud of his rule o'er heroes and the choice Of Gods that gave him the potential voice; 198 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. Cold, well nigh passionless, nor wise, nor great — He work'd out ne'ertheless the ends of Fate. Meanwhile, such things resolv'd on, Argo groan'd ; And the bright colours faded she had donn'd Once more since Samothrace — pale to sight Thenceforth, till rob'd ere long in deeper night. 210 But Hera and Athena sat apart In high Olympus, anxious, sad at heart. " Alas ! " said Pallas ; " bitter is my grief ! " Manhood at fault — in-creeping like a thief — " Plotting with Argus, all my words forgot — " How hath this youth made shipwreck ! I would not " Save him, thus dastard. But his elder crew, "And Argo, mine own ship — I loathe to do " What still, I fear, must be." — "Thou sayest sooth ;" Hera replied. " 'Tis fated that the youth 220 " Win the bright Fleece by Aphrodite"s smile. " Thereto must we her vanity beguile, " Already willing, urging by our prayers. kk I know thou lik'st her not, her beauty's airs, " Her soft seductions, and her fond caprice. " But we must stoop to this, to win the Fleece. " Good points she hath, too, — nor did me refuse " The cestus more than once when cross'd by Zeus." " Gro then," said Pallas ; " better urg'd by thee. " I love her not, and, virgin, she hates me." 230 " Nay ! thou must come ; for not by me alone " Persuaded will she grant, and send her son " To fire Medea^s soul with Jason's love. " To this thy presence flatt'ring must her move, " Woo'd by Athena. Nay ! whate'er the cost — " Curl not thy lip — the Fleece must not be lost ! " Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 199 " Nothing," said Pallas, yielding, " do I know " Of such soft wheedlings,— natheless, I will go." So saying, they went together to the fair Palace of Aphrodite, and stood there, 240 In front of her bed-chamber. She, alone, Within was sitting on an ivory throne, Combing the locks that o'er her shoulders flow'd In rippled waves that all around her glow'd. These had she plaited next, but sudden seen That guest unwonted and th' Olympian Queen, She rose, and eager greeting, welcome made, — Quick coil'cl those radiant masses round her head, And then, with smile malicious-sweet, address'd : — — " Hail, reverend matrons, — now, at last, my guest, 250 " I greet thee, Pallas ! — Hera, if thou seek " Aught I can please thee in, I pray thee, speak ! " To whom great Hera, — " Laugh you may to see " Such vot'ries here ; but sore calamity " Impels our suit. The heroes bonne from Greece " T' achieve th' adventure of the Golden Fleece — " Most Jason clear to me — the will of Fate u Bent to accomplish, are in evil strait " On iEa's shore, JEetes' cruel heart " Steel'd and the dragon 'gainst them. ! take part 260 " In my great sorrow, suppliant, and befriend ! " To whom that fair one, sham'd that thus should bend Those haughty heads, in rev'rence thus replied : — " Dear Hera ! great Athena ! 'twere my pride, " Yea, joy, thus to befriend, so far as may " These hands unwarlike your behest obey." " Nought from these hands, unwarlike, sooth ! we ask," Rejoin'd the Queen, "but a more genial task, — 200 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. "To send iliy son Medea's heart to fire " With love for Jason; for, if she conspire 270 •• With him 1 hereto, the Fleece will soon be won." " Promise I might ; but easier said than done," Eeplied she, her eyes clouding, — " Rather ye " Should ask this of him ; he cares not for me, •• Ingrate ! but grave respect pretends for such " As light esteem me. T' other day, I, much " Anger'd, to break his bow and shafts had sworn : " But the young rebel held the threat in scorn, " And vow'd to shoot me with the selfsame bow, " Myself, his mother ! if I spoke him so. 280 " Both threats and blandishments he doth despise ; " And I am nothing — nothing — in his eyes ! " Thereat did those two Goddesses askance Seek each the other's eye with merry glance; But, " Nay ! " continued she, " my griefs may seem " Trifles to you, yet not, methinks, a theme " For mocking mirth. I should have spar'd me this ; " Sufficient to myself my heart-break is. " But since ye urge it, I will seek my boy, " Caress and coax, — I know he will be coy — 290 " And, after all, perchance he may refuse. " We cannot guide such issues as we choose." Then Hera took her slender hand, and, soft Stroking it, smil'd : — " Don't be dishearten'd ! Oft " Will he refuse perchance, but persevere ; " Thee intervening, I have no more fear. " And Phineus true hath said that victory, " In Asia potent, must proceed from thee. " Do thy best only — do it — and at once." Pleas'd Aphrodite' smil'd, but no response yoo Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 201 Made farther, and led Hera to the door ; And Pallas follow'd, friendlier than before. Some say she kiss'd that siren, as without Great Hera stately stepp'd — but this I doubt- Then Oythereia, plaiting first her hair, Sought through th' Olympian valleys, here and there, Her son to find, and found him, not alone, But playing for dice with Ganymed, the son OfTros. The youth was losing ; two remain'd, Golden, — the rest had greedy Eros gain'd ; 310 Who rudely scoff'd as, standing on the grass, He view'd his rival near the bankrupt's pass. Once more the youth, kneeling, for conquest toss'd, But those two last, beggar'd, he likewise lost. He went his way disconsolate, aggriev'd, Nor Aphrodite's soft approach perceiv'd. She kiss'd her boy, and clasp'd her arm about His neck ; but he hung back with frown and pout : — " Why did'st thou laugh, thou mischief? Cheating? What ! " Hast thou not yet these naughty tricks forgot ? 320 " But come, I pray thee, do this thing for me ; " And in requital I will give to thee " A plaything Cretan Adrasteia gave, " His nurse, to Zeus in the Ida^an cave, — " A wondrous work, once to Harmonia given, " When trick'd out by the Gods with gauds from heaven. " She flouted, scorning — foolish ! without art " Nature is impotent to bind man's heart. " 'Tis a fair sphere, a circling wheel, of gold, " Nave, axle, spokes ; with bright stones manifold 330 " Studded, and ivy-tendrils twining through, " Around, within, without. A bird, of hue 202 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. " Bright-brindled, lies transfix'd against the spokes, k - Wiii^-s, legs, coherent, that desire provokes, " By mortals seen. That wheel hath power to draw " Hearts in obedience, charm'd by magic law ; " ( 'an make the coldest vestal am'rous burn, " And truant loves to their first vows return. " Tin-own at your will, a furrowing track, afar " Shooting, it makes, as of a falling star ; 840 " But quick comes back into your hands again. " This pretty toy shall yours be, for the pain " Of one slight service. Send a burning dart " Of love for Jason through Medea's heart, " The maid of iEa, — do it saws "delay, " If thou would'st win the Wheel of Love to-day." Plcas'd Eros listen'd, and her white robe caught With both his hands, and eagerly besought To give him instant ; but she pinch' d his cheek, Smiling, and answer'd, — " Love's own God must seek 350 " Favour by wooing, grace by service done. " Do this ; and, the maid's heart for Jason won, " I swear to thee, by this dear hand and mine, " The bauble and my thanks shall both be thine." So said, the dice he gather'd, counting lest One should be miss'd, and in his mother's breast Threw them, and seiz'd his bow, that lay among The flowers, and quiver, on a myrtle hung Hard by ; and through the vale, the palace, ran, And Zeus's field, and through the gates that span 360 Olympus' entrance — pausing to survey Earth's seas, realms, deserts that beneath him lay ; Paus'd but one instant ; thence a path shoots down To that twin peak Caucasian, silv'ry, crown Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 203 Of earth, lieav'n's footstool, which the earliest sun Illumines, — that path taking, lighted on Dull earth, which shot forth verdure as he trod ; And to iEetes' palace took his road. Meanwhile, the council ended at the ship, Jason, success triumphant on his lip, 370 With Phrixus' sons and Telamon, whom most He trusted, pardon'd late that rough accost — But he, the purpose disapproving, went To guard, if need, his captain's life intent — Set forth for stately iEa, Hermes' wand Of peace and friendship taking in his hand. Hera around them cast a cloud, to hide Their steps, approaching from the river's side. They through the plain, of Circe nam'd, proceed Through broken ground, where every deadly weed 380 Rank flourish'd ; hoary alders their arms spread , Twisted like ghastly skeletons, o'erhead, Thin-foliag'd, their moss'd roots half hid i' th' mud, — To right and left dank tombstones thick were strew'd Of women buried ; but suspended hung Corpses of males, by chains in raw hides slung From those branch'd arms, expos'd to birds of prey, Which, scar'd from their feast hideous, fled away — Such custom 'mong the Colchians. From the plain Emerging, to the left they see the fane 390 Of Hecate', which sable poplars screen. This passing, and the town at right hand seen, They mounted tow'rds the palace, that on high Seem'd, lofty-tow'ring, to approach the sky, — PausYl and admir'd. On a vast platform, square, The palace stood i' th' midst ; a broad steep stair 204 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. Led up to it; fair terraces all round Left space for concourse ; on a rising mound A pyramid at each fourth angle rose. Two vast bulls, human-headed, watchful, close 400 To the great portal stood. A central dome Soar'd high o'er all, glitt'ring, as 'twere the home Of Gods etherial ; -spiral pinnacles Rose from its ring-like base, whence merry bells Kept up continual concert, endless change, — To their Greek eyes barbarian all, and strange. Now, Argus leading, enter'd they the hall, Where all was laid as for high festival, Beneath that dome. The arching roof displayed The stellar vault, in colours bright array'd ; — 410 Orion and Bootes pictur'd were, And the great Wain, which others call the Bear ; The Ocean-stream round serpent-like was roll'd, Half veil'd in darkness, gorgeous half in gold ; While in his crystal bark through signs eleven The God of light pursued his path through heaven, — Through day's bright hoars they saw the vessel sail Exulting, buoyant, bounding 'fore the gale ; Through night's dark shadows tardier seek her road, Ascending then the stream, by Hermes tow'd. 420 All was in motion, wondrous; Helios light Gave from that dome by day, the stars by night. Thence, passing through a gate, themselves they found In a vast atrium, columns ranging round. Four fountains in the angles music made, With milk and wine, water and oil that play'd, — An owl's beak oil, water a lion's maw, Milk a cow's mouth, wine a fierce tiger's jaw Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 205 Forth pouring ; but a central fount on high Flung up a jet of ocean to the sky. 430 Three flights of stairs, breaking the columns, led By steps of marble, yellow, blue, and red, To three fair dwellings, terrac'd high, apart. The heroes gaz'd around with beating heart, And Phrontes whisper'd, — " In yon furthest house " iEetes lives, Iduia too, his spouse, " My mother's mother. Nearer, to the right, " His son Absyrtus, borne to him by bright " Asteroda3a, Syrian maid, — the youth " Is loving, generous, and the soul of truth ; 440 " But his sire loves him not. There, to the left, " My mother dwells, who mourns, of us bereft, "Her mansion desolate. And, chamber'd nigh, " Medea sleeps when not attendant by " The shrine of Hecate." — But then the cloud Hera withdrew. They stood reveal'd. A crow r d Of women pour'd out, like a river-tide. "Behold herself, Medea !" Argus cried, — Who, glancing but, to call her sister ran, Chalciope'. She rush'cl forth, pale and wan 450 With weeping, and her sons in her embrace Lock'd, and with tears bedew'd each long'd for face ; And question quick and quick response ensued. Meanwhile iEetes, in no placid mood At the loud tumult, enter'd stern, and saw Ill-pleas' d his grandsons and their friends ; but, law Of host constraining, welcomed, — those, austere ; These, keen regarding, with less stinted cheer ; Bade the slave-women wash them ; and, with fair Words, to the hall invited, to feast there. 460 206 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Rook VII. Thus Jason feasted 'neath that wondrous dome, Guest, leasi expecting-, in iEetes' home. /lv : tes sat upon his marble throne, Medea beside, a lower seat upon ; For he would ever have the maiden by, Pride of his heart and apple of his eye. Her dusky robe down to her ankles flow'd ; Above her brow a silver crescent glow'd ; Her brow, broad, lofty, seem'd the hallow'd seat Of knowledge fathomless and purpose great ; 470 Her eyes shone with a lustre pure and keen, Temper'd, howe'er, as night and clay between ; But his, the son of Helios, terrible, Cast shadows from the forms on which they fell. They feasted on the flesh of beeves that feed In rich Trinacria, of celestial breed ; They drank the wine from that deep fountain first Unseal'd by Dionysus, and. which burst In torrents from the tiger's jaw within The central court, its neighbours with its din 480 Joyous o'erpow'ring — Jason sparingly, Cautious, — less guarded Telamon than he. But when desire was sated, then, with voice Unsteady, while his eyes with no fix'd choice Rov'd o'er his guests, with jealous ire that burn'd, — " How," ask'd the King, " my grandsons ! how return'd " So soon, your quest accomplished ? Well I know " The distance great, my sister long ago, " Circe, conveying in my father's car " To the Tyrrhene Hesperia, yet more far 490 " Remote than Greece : — Link'd too by what new fate " With these your friends, and where your ship, relate." Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 207 Argus replied : — " gracious King and sire ! Our ship a storm destroy'd, and we in dire Extremity escap'd to Ares' isle. There had we perish'd on that desert soil, Prey to the birds ; but, thither sent by Zeus, These to our prayers, thy guests, did not refuse, Thy name with rev'rence heard, comfort and aid. Themselves to 2Ea journeying, as they said, 500 To crave a boon, thus have they brought us here. Their names, their purpose these : — Th' iEolids fear Most Pelias, this man's uncle, — he excels In arms and wealth, and at Iolcos dwells. Warn'd by an oracle, in fear of wrath Of Zeus impending, he, constraining, hath Sent Jason here, to ask the Golden Fleece At thy hands, fav'ring, as a boon to Greece. For this hath wise Athena built for him A ship that Nereus rough and Boreas grim 510 Defies invulnerable — that, like the wind, Baffles the sight, and leaves mischance behind. In this embark'd, the flower of Greece, from each Island and realm, lie waiting, off the beach, Thy good will seeking — Heracles, of late Their partner, absent, but may join them yet — So may'st thou grant. No thought have they of force ; They come constrain'd thereto, without resource ; Nor ask without fair proffer — to subdue The Sauromats ; for they are Greeks, though few. 520 This know thou Jason, iEson's son, the son Of Cretheus, near our kin, — that, Telamon, Son of just iEacus. What further ? All Father or grandsire each a God they call." 2o8 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. Argus thus speaking, lightly, on tiptoe, Glancing - round merrily, with his bended bow Came Eros ent'ring — a sweet breeze of spring Waited, advancing, from each folding wing — Unmark'd, like ray that woos the morning dew. From his stor'd quiver forth a shaft he drew, 530 Slight, glossy-feather'd, barb'd, with poison-groove ; 'Twas wing'd by pity, sharpen'd 'twas by love, With juice of fond Narcissus deadly tipp'd, — Withal had been in Lethe's waters dipp'd, That strong affection, sleep-bound, former ties Forgetting, should make perfect sacrifice. This, by the notch adjusting to the string, He loos'd at that bright maid who by the King Sat, doom'd, Medea. She perceiv'd the smart, But knew not what the sting, nor whence the dart. 540 Then, softly laughing, turn'd upon his heel, And sought Olympus. But the subtle steel Burnt in her heart, unconscious ; her cheek burn'd, From red to pale, from pale to red return 'd ; Her heart beat quicker as she look'd upon Jason, but save of pity thought was none — Fear for her father's anger, known so fell ; But pity leads to love, as all know well. She drew her veil around her face, to hide, Instinctive, her emotion's swelling tide. 550 Henceforth the light effulgent of her eyes Was soft-subdued by human sympathies, Unless when mov'd to scorn, and then her ire Wak'd in those sunny orbs the slumb'ring fire. But the King frown'd, hearing what Argus spoke, Doubting the sons of Phrixus ; and he broke Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 209 Silence, indignant : — " Wretches, and ingrate ! " How dare ye seek my presence with such prate "Of storms and strangers, fallen from the sky ? " Better had been mine eyes and wrath to fly, 560 " Timely, than tempt me thus. What ! see I not Your scheme, your cunning ? with these Greeks in plot, " Not the Fleece only, but my crown to gain, " And ye yourselves over the Colchians reign ? " But that as guests, not grandsons, ye this day " Have eat my bread, I would your guile repay, " Your tongues cut out, forth from my presence driven : — 4 ' How have ye lied before the Gods of heaven ! " Then Telamon, wine-heated, fierce up-sprung; But Jason curb'd him, and with gentle tongue 570 Answer'd, his own stirr'd anger strong refrain'd. And Hera o'er his person beauty rain'd, And grace, and dignity ; and 'tween her veil Medea watch'd him, list'ning to his tale. " iEetes ! be not angry with the youth, " Nor these his brethren, — they have spoken truth. " All is as they have said. They met with us, " Suppliants, as we to thee, of sacred Zeus ; " And we are here with no intent of ill, " But seeking, as thou hear'st, of thy good will 580 " The fleece of Chrysomallus, kind that bore " Phrixus, their father, sav'd,.to iEa's shore ; " Here sacrific'd, and the Fleece hung above " The dragon's head in Ares' hallow'd grove. " This would I beg of thee, a friendly boon, " In name of Greece, — nor, sooth, of Greece alone : — " Gods have commanded me to seek thy face ; " Gods claim for Hellas, for themselves, this grace, p 210 ARGO; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. " The Fleece kind yielding. Mission'd such, I come " In all good faith, a guest, unto thy home,- 590 " Else had we not as suppliants sought thy gate. "Be connsell'd then; nor, weaker, strive with Fate. " This grant, and through all Greece thy name shall ring " In songs sublime, that fame immortal bring. " This grant, and Sauromat and Celt, compell'd, " Shall kiss thy footstool, by our valour quell'd." Thus ending Jason, his averted eyes, Blazing, the King turn'd on him, blank surprise Master'd by fury ; but Medea laid Her hand on his, and the fierce outburst stay'd, 600 Calming. He doubting sat, whether at once To slay them there, or, wiser, for the nonce, Put their assnm'd pretensions to the test Bv some stern trial ; and this seem'd the best ; So answer'd : — " Women, Amazons, enow " Allies have we the Sauromats to cow ; ' ' Gramercy for your offer ! But if ye, " Sons of the Gods, nor of less high degree " Than we of iEa, come from distant Greece " On such sole errand, I will yield the Fleece, — 610 " But on such tried conditions as shall prove " Your worth a warrant for my answering love. " For, when a bold brave man with iron hand " Rules, strong in will, supreme, a subject land — " Thy master Pelias such, as well I judge — " To such would I, his friend and equal, grudge " Nothing, not e'en the Fleece. This then your proof: — " Two bulls, with iron horn and brazen hoof, " And breathing fire — Hephaastus' gift to me, " When in my father's car I bore him free G20 Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 211 " Escap'd from Phlegra and the Gri ants' war — " Range in the field of Ares, — fierce they are, " Untam'd, save by my hand. These, day by day, " Yok'd to an iron plough my goad obey, " Ploughing four acres of the fallow land. " Such plough'd, I sow — not with Demeter's hand, " Seed-scatt'ring — but with dragon's teeth that, spar'd " By Cadmus, he with me in friendship shar'd. " These spring up armour'd giants, and attack, " From all sides rushing, me, my breast, my back, 630 " Senseless ! whom mow I down, like flow'rs, for sport. " What say you now ? The morrow's mom, my court " And I spectators, you shall yoke these twain, " Plough the four acres, sow the dragon grain, " And mow the harvest — boaster ! if you can : — " For strong 'twere shame to yield to weaker man, " As me to you, not equall'd in such game. " Ha ! cloth the pastime like you ? — Speak, for shame ! " For Jason, as he spoke, bent down his e'en, Speechless, much troubled hope and dread between ; 640 Nor spoke at once ; but then, with words astute, — " The test, King ! is hard ; nor I impute " Injustice, thus imposing. Be it so. " I can but die if need be — if the blow " Fall fatal, debt of dire necessity : — " But G-od's hand rules such issues, — we shall see," " Then get ye gone," rejoin 'd the King, and rose ; " The prompt event will prove ye friends or foes. " But, fail to plough the field, the harvest shun — " B}^ yon bright orb ! your mortal race is run ! 650 " Warning to stripling braggarts, over-bold " That match themselves with men of stronger mould. '" p 2 212 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book VI I. So spoke iEetes, with scant courtesy ; And Jason took curt leave. But, sad, the eye And heart of that fair virgin, doubting, seem'd His parting steps to follow, as if she dream'd. Argus remain'd behind, as was agreed, To win his mother's voice to intercede — And Phrontes too, the younger, whom the maid Lov'd sister-like, and he the love repaid, 060 Warm, trustful — that she should her power exert To smoothe the trial, in such arts expert ; And Argus, sending, should by Phrontes' lip Report th' event to Jason at the ship. But in her chamber sat Medea, pale And troubled, questioning her heart : — " What gale " Of unknown passion is't disturbs my soul ? " Why do my pulses beat, my senses roll " Oonfus'dly thus ? — That youth too, why so bright " Stands his sole image still before my sight ? 670 " Open or shut mine eyes, or here or there, " Where'er I turn, the form is everywhere ! " Am I bewiteh'd ? Is there some subtler spell " Than mine that masters me ? Incredible ! "Yet, not so master'd, what avails my skill " That cannot rule my sight, my thought, my will ? " Present, he fascinates my thought, my sense ; " Absent, the presence is the more intense. " I've heard of love — creeping weak mortals o'er ; " But this is pity, pity — nothing more. 680 " Love, and for such as him — love ! a mere Greek ? " A son of clay ? The thought on't shames my cheek. " Tis pity — and well may pity dim my eye, " So fair, so graceful, and so young to die ! Medea.] OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. 213 " For die he must — who could those monsters tame, ''Bend their proud necks, endure their throats of flame ? " Or, bending, 'scape from the fierce giants' death, " Or draw unscath'd the watchful dragon's breath ? " — So young ! not much my elder — yet how wise " His speech, how temp'rate, reverent his replies ! G90 " I saw red anger flush his cheek, yet not " One word resenting, nor respect forgot. " Hardly entreated, certcs ! How harsh my sire ! " Not his the crime if jealousy and ire " Of his own Gods have driv'n him to this pass : — " And I must see him die, and he, alas ! " Deem me consenting— see that noble crest " Abas'd, unduly match'd — and he a guest, " Stranger, and suppliant— surely true advis'd " Son of a God, if not a God disguis'd. 700 " Perchance a mother, sister, wife — but no ! " For such too young — to share with me the woe. " How they will mourn him — how the thick dust spread " In mortal anguish on each drooping head ! " — 'Twere impious ! Will not Zeus, the suppliants' friend, " Grace to such suppliant, stranger, guest extend ? " What punishment perchance attends my sire, " Thus trampling love and justice 'neath his ire ? "Would I could intervene — but see not how, — " How gladly, would but maiden shame allow ! 710 " — How hot this air! how my brain burns! my tongue, " Parch'd, I scarce recognise ! " — With that she flung Her sandals off, and robe, and on her bed Threw herself, fever'd \ Hypnos o'er her head Soft hover 'd ; and she dream'd that he had come Upon that venture from his distanl home — 214 ARGO ; OR, THE QUEST [Book VII. Not for the Fleece's, but her own sweet sake, Her to his father's house his wife to take, — Thai she had