第 11 节
作者:
指点迷津 更新:2021-02-19 00:27 字数:9321
oak leaves and paid heed to sacrifice; invoking the mother of Dindymum;
most venerable; dweller in Phrygia; and Titias and Cyllenus; who alone of
many are called dispensers of doom and assessors of the Idaean mother;
the Idaean Dactyls of Crete; whom once the nymph Anchiale; as she
grasped with both hands the land of Oaxus; bare in the Dictaean cave。
And with many prayers did Aeson's son beseech the goddess to turn aside
the stormy blasts as he poured libations on the blazing sacrifice; and at the
same time by command of Orpheus the youths trod a measure dancing in
full armour; and clashed with their swords on their shields; so that the ill…
omened cry might be lost in the air the wail which the people were still
sending up in grief for their king。 Hence from that time forward the
Phrygians propitiate Rhea with the wheel and the drum。 And the
gracious goddess; I ween; inclined her heart to pious sacrifices; and
favourable signs appeared。 The trees shed abundant fruit; and round their
feet the earth of its own accord put forth flowers from the tender grass。
And the beasts of the wild wood left their lairs and thickets and came up
fawning on them with their tails。 And she caused yet another marvel; for
hitherto there was no flow of water on Dindymum; but then for them an
unceasing stream gushed forth from the thirsty peak just as it was; and the
dwellers around in after times called that stream; the spring of Jason。
34
… Page 35…
The Argonautica
And then they made a feast in honour of the goddess on the Mount of
Bears; singing the praises of Rhea most venerable; but at dawn the winds
had ceased and they rowed away from the island。
(ll。 1153…1171) Thereupon a spirit of contention stirred each chieftain;
who should be the last to leave his oar。 For all around the windless air
smoothed the swirling waves and lulled the sea to rest。 And they; trusting
in the calm; mightily drove the ship forward; and as she sped through the
salt sea; not even the storm…footed steeds of Poseidon would have
overtaken her。 Nevertheless when the sea was stirred by violent blasts
which were just rising from the rivers about evening; forspent with toil;
they ceased。 But Heracles by the might of his arms pulled the weary
rowers along all together; and made the strong…knit timbers of the ship to
quiver。 But when; eager to reach the Mysian mainland; they passed
along in sight of the mouth of Rhyndaeus and the great cairn of Aegaeon;
a little way from Phrygia; then Heracles; as he ploughed up the furrows of
the roughened surge; broke his oar in the middle。 And one half he held in
both his hands as he fell sideways; the other the sea swept away with its
receding wave。 And he sat up in silence glaring round; for his hands
were unaccustomed to he idle。
(ll。 1172…1186) Now at the hour when from the field some delver or
ploughman goes gladly home to his hut; longing for his evening meal; and
there on the threshold; all squalid with dust; bows his wearied knees; and;
beholding his hands worn with toil; with many a curse reviles his belly; at
that hour the heroes reached the homes of the Cianian land near the
Arganthonian mount and the outfall of Cius。 Them as they came in
friendliness; the Mysians; inhabitants of that land; hospitably welcomed;
and gave them in their need provisions and sheep and abundant wine。
Hereupon some brought dried wood; others from the meadows leaves for
beds which they gathered in abundance for strewing; whilst others were
twirling sticks to get fire; others again were mixing wine in the bowl and
making ready the feast; after sacrificing at nightfall to Apollo Ecbasius。
(ll。 1187…1206) But the son of Zeus having duly enjoined on his
comrades to prepare the feast took his way into a wood; that he might first
fashion for himself an oar to fit his hand。 Wandering about he found a
35
… Page 36…
The Argonautica
pine not burdened with many branches; nor too full of leaves; but like to
the shaft of a tall poplar; so great was it both in length and thickness to
look at。 And quickly he laid on the ground his arrow…holding quiver
together with his bow; and took off his lion's skin。 And he loosened the
pine from the ground with his bronze…tipped club and grasped the trunk
with both hands at the bottom; relying on his strength; and he pressed it
against his broad shoulder with legs wide apart; and clinging close he
raised it from the ground deep…rooted though it was; together with clods of
earth。 And as when unexpectedly; just at the time of the stormy setting of
baleful Orion; a swift gust of wind strikes down from above; and wrenches
a ship's mast from its stays; wedges and all; so did Heracles lift the pine。
And at the same time he took up his bow and arrows; his lion skin and
club; and started on his return。
(ll。 1207…1239) Meantime Hylas with pitcher of bronze in hand had
gone apart from the throng; seeking the sacred flow of a fountain; that he
might be quick in drawing water for the evening meal and actively make
all things ready in due order against his lord's return。 For in such ways
did Heracles nurture him from his first childhood when he had carried him
off from the house of his father; goodly Theiodamas; whom the hero
pitilessly slew among the Dryopians because he withstood him about an
ox for the plough。 Theiodamas was cleaving with his plough the soil of
fallow land when he was smitten with the curse; and Heracles bade him
give up the ploughing ox against his will。 For he desired to find some
pretext for war against the Dryopians for their bane; since they dwelt there
reckless of right。 But these tales would lead me far astray from my song。
And quickly Hylas came to the spring which the people who dwell
thereabouts call Pegae。 And the dances of the nymphs were just now
being held there; for it was the care of all the nymphs that haunted that
lovely headland ever to hymn Artemis in songs by night。 All who held
the mountain peaks or glens; all they were ranged far off guarding the
woods; but one; a water…nymph was just rising from the fair…flowing
spring; and the boy she perceived close at hand with the rosy flush of his
beauty and sweet grace。 For the full moon beaming from the sky smote
him。 And Cypris made her heart faint; and in her confusion she could
36
… Page 37…
The Argonautica
scarcely gather her spirit back to her。 But as soon as he dipped the
pitcher in the stream; leaning to one side; and the brimming water rang
loud as it poured against the sounding bronze; straightway she laid her left
arm above upon his neck yearning to kiss his tender mouth; and with her
right hand she drew down his elbow; and plunged him into the midst of the
eddy。
(ll。 1240…1256) Alone of his comrades the hero Polyphemus; son of
Eilatus; as he went forward on the path; heard the boy's cry; for he
expected the return of mighty Heracles。 And he rushed after the cry; near
Pegae; like some beast of the wild wood whom the bleating of sheep has
reached from afar; and burning with hunger he follows; but does not fall in
with the flocks; for the shepherds beforehand have penned them in the fold;
but he groans and roars vehemently until he is weary。 Thus vehemently
at that time did the son of Eilatus groan and wandered shouting round the
spot; and his voice rang piteous。 Then quickly drawing his great sword
he started in pursuit; in fear lest the boy should be the prey of wild beasts;
or men should have lain in ambush for him faring all alone; and be
carrying him off; an easy prey。 Hereupon