第 17 节
作者:
指点迷津 更新:2021-02-19 00:27 字数:9322
people who are of the lineage of Lycaon; and he built a great altar to Zeus
Icmaeus; and duly offered sacrifices upon the mountains to that star Sirius;
and to Zeus son of Cronos himself。 And on this account it is that Etesian
winds from Zeus cool the land for forty days; and in Ceos even now the
priests offer sacrifices before the rising of the Dog…star。
(ll。 528…536) So the tale is told; but the chieftains stayed there by
constraint; and every day the Thynians; doing pleasure to Phineus; sent
them gifts beyond measure。 And afterwards they raised an altar to the
blessed twelve on the sea…beach opposite and laid offerings thereon and
then entered their swift ship to row; nor did they forget to bear with them a
trembling dove; but Euphemus seized her and brought her all quivering
with fear; and they loosed the twin hawsers from the land。
(ll。 537…548) Nor did they start unmarked by Athena; but straightway
swiftly she set her feel on a light cloud; which would waft her on; mighty
though she was; and she swept on to the sea with friendly thoughts to the
oarsmen。 And as when one roveth far from his native land; as we men
often wander with enduring heart; nor is any land too distant but all ways
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are clear to his view; and he sees in mind his own home; and at once the
way over sea and land seems slain; and swiftly thinking; now this way;
now that; he strains with eager eyes; so swiftly the daughter of Zeus darted
down and set her foot on the cheerless shore of Thynia。
(ll。 549…567) Now when they reached the narrow strait of the
winding passage; hemmed in on both sides by rugged cliffs; while an
eddying current from below was washing against the ship as she moved on;
they went forward sorely in dread; and now the thud of the crashing rocks
ceaselessly struck their ears; and the sea…washed shores resounded; and
then Euphemus grasped the dove in his hand and started to mount the
prow; and they; at the bidding of Tiphys; son of Hagnias; rowed with good
will to drive Argo between the rocks; trusting to their strength。 And as
they rounded a bend they saw the rocks opening for the last time of all。
Their spirit melted within them; and Euphemus sent forth the dove to dart
forward in flight; and they all together raised their heads to look; but she
flew between them; and the rocks again rushed together and crashed as
they met face to face。 And the foam leapt up in a mass like a cloud;
awful was the thunder of the sea; and all round them the mighty welkin
roared。
(ll。 568…592) The hollow caves beneath the rugged cliffs rumbled as
the sea came surging in; and the white foam of the dashing wave spurted
high above the cliff。 Next the current whirled the ship round。 And the
rocks shore away the end of the dove's tail… feathers; but away she flew
unscathed。 And the rowers gave a loud cry; and Tiphys himself called to
them to row with might and main。 For the rocks were again parting
asunder。 But as they rowed they trembled; until the tide returning drove
them back within the rocks。 Then most awful fear seized upon all; for
over their head was destruction without escape。 And now to right and
left broad Pontus was seen; when suddenly a huge wave rose up before
them; arched; like a steep rock; and at the sight they bowed with bended
heads。 For it seemed about to leap down upon the ship's whole length
and to overwhelm them。 But Tiphys was quick to ease the ship as she
laboured with the oars; and in all its mass the wave rolled away beneath
the keel; and at the stern it raised Argo herself and drew her far away from
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the rocks; and high in air was she borne。 But Euphemus strode among all
his comrades and cried to them to bend to their oars with all their might;
and they with a shout smote the water。 And as far as the ship yielded to
the rowers; twice as far did she leap back; and the oar; were bent like
curved bows as the heroes used their strength。
(ll。 593…610) Then a vaulted billow rushed upon them; and the ship
like a cylinder ran on the furious wave plunging through the hollow sea。
And the eddying current held her between the clashing rocks; and on each
side they shook and thundered; and the ship's timbers were held fast。
Then Athena with her left hand thrust back one mighty rock and with her
right pushed the ship through; and she; like a winged arrow; sped through
the air。 Nevertheless the rocks; ceaselessly clashing; shore off as she
passed the extreme end of the stern…ornament。 But Athena soared up to
Olympus; when they had escaped unscathed。 And the rocks in one spot
at that moment were rooted fast for ever to each other; which thing had
been destined by the blessed gods; when a man in his ship should have
passed between them alive。 And the heroes breathed again after their
chilling fear; beholding at the same time the sky and the expanse of sea
spreading far and wide。 For they deemed that they were saved from
Hades; and Tiphys first of all began to speak:
(ll。 611…618) 〃It is my hope that we have safely escaped this perilwe;
and the ship; and none other is the cause so much as Athena; who breathed
into Argo divine strength when Argus knitted her together with bolts; and
she may not be caught。 Son of Aeson; no longer fear thou so much the
hest of thy king; since a god hath granted us escape between the rocks; for
Phineus; Agenor's son; said that our toils hereafter would be lightly
accomplished。〃
(ll。 619…637) He spake; and at once he sped the ship onward through
the midst of the sea past the Bithynian coast。 But Jason with gentle
words addressed him in reply: 〃Tiphys; why dost thou comfort thus my
grieving heart? I have erred and am distraught in wretched and helpless
ruin。 For I ought; when Pelias gave the command; to have straightway
refused this quest to his face; yea; though I were doomed to die pitilessly;
torn limb from limb; but now I am wrapped in excessive fear and cares
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unbearable; dreading to sail through the chilling paths of the sea; and
dreading when we shall set foot on the mainland。 For on every side are
unkindly men。 And ever when day is done I pass a night of groans from
the time when ye first gathered together for my sake; while I take thought
for all things; but thou talkest at thine ease; eating only for thine own life;
while for myself I am dismayed not a whit; but I fear for this man and for
that equally; and for thee; and for my other comrades; if I shall not bring
you back safe to the land of Hellas。〃
(ll。 638…640) Thus he spake; making trial of the chiefs; but they
shouted loud with cheerful words。 And his heart was warmed within him
at their cry and again he spake outright among them:
(ll。 641…647) 〃My friends; in your valour my courage is quickened。
Wherefore now; even though I should take my way through the gulfs of
Hades; no more shall I let fear seize upon me; since ye are steadfast amid
cruel terrors。 But now that we have sailed out from the striking rocks; I
trow that never hereafter will there be another such fearful thing; if indeed
we go on our way following the counsel of Phineus。〃
(ll。 648…668) Thus he spake; and straightway they ceased from such
words and gave unwearying labour to the oar; and quickly they passed by
the swiftly flowing river Rhebas and the peak of Colone; and soon
thereafter the black headland; and near it the mouth of the river Phyllis;
where aforetime Dipsaeus received in his home the son of Athamas; when
with his ram he was flying from the city of Orchomenus; and Dipsacus
was