第 30 节
作者:
指点迷津 更新:2021-02-19 00:27 字数:9322
and the son of Ampycus rejoiced in their journey; already foreboding how
all would end。
(ll。 927…931) Now by the path along the plain there stands near the
shrine a poplar with its crown of countless leaves; whereon often
chattering crows would roost。 One of them meantime as she clapped her
wings aloft in the branches uttered the counsels of Hera:
(ll。 932…937) 〃What a pitiful seer is this; that has not the wit to
conceive even what children know; how that no maiden will say a word of
sweetness or love to a youth when strangers be near。 Begone; sorry
prophet; witless one; on thee neither Cypris nor the gentle Loves breathe
in their kindness。〃
(ll。 938…946) She spake chiding; and Mopsus smiled to hear the god…
sent voice of the bird; and thus addressed them: 〃Do thou; son of Aeson;
pass on to the temple; where thou wilt find the maiden; and very kind will
her greeting be to thee through the prompting of Cypris; who will be thy
helpmate in the contest; even as Phineus; Agenor's son; foretold。 But we
two; Argus and I; will await thy return; apart in this very spot; do thou all
alone be a suppliant and win her over with prudent words。〃
(ll。 947…974) He spake wisely; and both at once gave approval。 Nor
was Medea's heart turned to other thoughts; for all her singing; and never a
song that she essayed pleased her long in her sport。 But in confusion she
ever faltered; nor did she keep her eyes resting quietly upon the throng of
her handmaids; but to the paths far off she strained her gaze; turning her
face aside。 Oft did her heart sink fainting within her bosom whenever she
fancied she heard passing by the sound of a footfall or of the wind。 But
soon he appeared to her longing eyes; striding along loftily; like Sirius
coming from ocean; which rises fair and clear to see; but brings
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unspeakable mischief to flocks; thus then did Aeson's son come to her; fair
to see; but the sight of him brought love…sick care。 Her heart fell from
out her bosom; and a dark mist came over her eyes; and a hot blush
covered her cheeks。 And she had no strength to lift her knees backwards
or forwards; but her feet beneath were rooted to the ground; and meantime
all her handmaidens had drawn aside。 So they two stood face to face
without a word; without a sound; like oaks or lofty pines; which stand
quietly side by side on the mountains when the wind is still; then again;
when stirred by the breath of the wind; they murmur ceaselessly; so they
two were destined to tell out all their tale; stirred by the breath of Love。
And Aeson's son saw that she had fallen into some heaven…sent calamity;
and with soothing words thus addressed her:
(ll。 975…1007) 〃Why; pray; maiden; dost thou fear me so much; all
alone as I am? Never was I one of these idle boasters such as other men
arenot even aforetime; when I dwelt in my own country。 Wherefore;
maiden; be not too much abashed before me; either to enquire whatever
thou wilt or to speak thy mind。 But since we have met one another with
friendly hearts; in a hallowed spot; where it is wrong to sin; speak openly
and ask questions; and beguile me not with pleasing words; for at the first
thou didst promise thy sister to give me the charms my heart desires。 I
implore thee by Hecate herself; by thy parents; and by Zeus who holds his
guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come here to thee both a
suppliant and a stranger; bending the knee in my sore need。 For without
thee and thy sister never shall I prevail in the grievous contest。 And to
thee will I render thanks hereafter for thy aid; as is right and fitting for
men who dwell far oft; making glorious thy name and fame; and the rest
of the heroes; returning to Hellas; will spread thy renown and so will the
heroes' wives and mothers; who now perhaps are sitting on the shore and
making moan for us; their painful affliction thou mightest scatter to the
winds。 In days past the maiden Ariadne; daughter of Minos; with kindly
intent rescued Theseus from grim conteststhe maiden whom Pasiphae
daughter of Helios bare。 But she; when Minos had lulled his wrath to
rest; went aboard the ship with him and left her fatherland; and her even
the immortal gods loved; and; as a sign in mid…sky; a crown of stars; which
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men call Ariadne's crown; rolls along all night among the heavenly
constellations。 So to thee too shall be thanks from the gods; if thou wilt
save so mighty an array of chieftains。 For surely from thy lovely form
thou art like to excel in gentle courtest。〃
(ll。 1008…1025) Thus he spake; honouring her; and she cast her eyes
down with a smile divinely sweet; and her soul melted within her; uplifted
by his praise; and she gazed upon him face to face; nor did she know what
word to utter first; but was eager to pour out everything at once。 And
forth from her fragrant girdle ungrudgingly she brought out the charm; and
he at once received it in his hands with joy。 And she would even have
drawn out all her soul from her breast and given it to him; exulting in his
desire; so wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame from the golden
head of Aeson's son; and he captivated her gleaming eyes; and her heart
within grew warm; melting away as the dew melts away round roses when
warmed by the morning's light。 And now both were fixing their eyes on
the ground abashed; and again were throwing glances at each other;
smiling with the light of love beneath their radiant brows。 And at last
and scarcely then did the maiden greet him:
(ll。 1026…1062) 〃Take heed now; that I may devise help for thee。
When at thy coming my father has given thee the deadly teeth from the
dragon's jaws for sowing; then watch for the time when the night is parted
in twain; then bathe in the stream of the tireless river; and alone; apart
from others; clad in dusky raiment; dig a rounded pit; and therein slay a
ewe; and sacrifice it whole; heaping high the pyre on the very edge of the
pit。 And propitiate only…begotten Hecate; daughter of Perses; pouring
from a goblet the hive…stored labour of bees。 And then; when thou hast
heedfully sought the grace of the goddess; retreat from the pyre; and let
neither the sound of feet drive thee to turn back; nor the baying of hounds;
lest haply thou shouldst maim all the rites and thyself fail to return duly to
thy comrades。 And at dawn steep this charm in water; strip; and anoint
thy body therewith as with oil; and in it there will be boundless prowess
and mighty strength; and thou wilt deem thyself a match not for men but
for the immortal gods。 And besides; let thy spear and shield and sword
be sprinkled。 Thereupon the spear…heads of the earthborn men shall not
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pierce thee; nor the flame of the deadly bulls as it rushes forth resistless。
But such thou shalt be not for long; but for that one day; still never flinch
from the contest。 And I will tell thee besides of yet another help。 As
soon as thou hast yoked the strong oxen; and with thy might and thy
prowess hast ploughed all the stubborn fallow; and now along the furrows
the Giants are springing up; when the serpent's teeth are sown on the
dusky clods; if thou markest them uprising in throngs from the fallow; cast
unseen among them a massy stone; and they over it; like ravening hounds
over their food; will slay one another; and do thou thyself hasten to rush to
the battle… strife; and the fleece thereupon thou shalt bear far away from
Aea; nevertheless; depart wherever thou wilt; or thy pleasure takes thee;
when thou hast gone hence。〃
(ll。 1063…1068) Thus she spake; and cast her eyes to her feet in
sile