Jason and the Argonauts by Apollonius of Rhodes Read Free Book Online

up with men and rest secure thereafter.
    The son of Aeson sought Hypsipyle’s
    royal estate, and his companions each
    1145 landed wherever chance received them—all
    but Heracles. He of his own free will
    remained beside the
Argo
with a few
    select companions. Soon the city turned
    to dancing, banqueting, and pleasure. Incense
    1150 of offerings suffused the atmosphere,
    and all their songs and prayers celebrated,
    before the other gods, famous Hephaestus
    Hera’s son andCypris Queen of Love.
    And so from day to day the journey languished.
    1155 (863) The heroes would have idled there still longer
    had Heracles not called them all together,
    without the women, and reproached them thus:
    â€œFools, what prevents us from returning home—
    what, have we shed our kinsmen’s blood? Have we
    1160 set sail to seek fiancées in contempt
    of ladies on the mainland? Are we planning
    to divvy up the fertile fields of Lemnos
    and settle here for good? We won’t accrue
    glory while cooped up here with foreign girls
    1165 for years on end. No deity is going
    to nab the fleece in answer to our prayers
    and send it flying back to us. Come, then,
    let’s each go off and tend his own affairs.
    And as for
that
one—leave him to enjoy
    1170 (873) Hypsipyle’s bedchamber day and night
    until he peoples Lemnos with his sons,
    and deathless glory catches up with him.”
    So he condemned his comrades. None of them
    dared meet his gaze or make excuses, no,
    1175 they hurried as they were from the assembly
    to get the
Argo
ready for departure.
    The women ran to find them when they heard.
    As bees swarm from a rocky hive and buzz
    about the handsome lilies, and the dewy
    1180 meadow itself rejoices as they flit
    from bloom to bloom collecting sweet fruition,
    so did the women press around the men
    and weep as they embraced them one last time,
    entreating all the blessed gods to grant them
    1185 (886) safe passage home. So, too, Hypsipyle
    took Jason’s hands in hers and prayed, and tears
    were tumbling for her lover’s loss:
    â€œGo now,
    and may the gods protect you and your comrades
    from harm, so that you live to give your king
    1190 the golden fleece. That is your heart’s desire.
    This island and my father’s royal scepter
    will still be yours if, after you are home,
    you ever wish to come back here again.
    How easily you could amass a vast
    1195 following out of the surrounding cities!
    But you will not desire this future, no,
    my heart foresees that it will not be so.
    Promise that, both abroad and safe at home,
    you will remember me from time to time—
    1200 (898) Hypsipyle. But, please, what should I do
    if the immortals grace me with a child?
    I shall obey your will with all my heart.”
    Stirred to esteem, the son of Aeson answered:
    â€œHypsipyle, I pray the blessed gods
    1205 accomplish everything as you desire it.
    Still, you must check your wild expectations
    where I’m concerned, since it will be enough
    for me to live again in my own land
    at Pelias’ mercy. All I ask
    1210 is that the gods preserve me on my quest.
    But if my fate forbid that I return,
    after a lengthy journey, home to Greece,
    and you have borne a son, hold on to him
    until he comes of age and send him then
    1215 (906) to Iolcus in Pelasgia to ease
    my parents’ grief (if they are still alive),
    so that they may be safe in their own home,
    comfortable and far from Pelias.”
    He spoke these final words and was the first
    1220 to board the ship. The other heroes followed,
    took up their oars, and manned the benches. Argus
    loosed the hawser from a sea-washed rock,
    and soon the heroes were exuberantly
    slapping the water with their lengthy oars.
    1225 At Orpheus’ bidding they debarked
    that evening on the island of Electra,
    Atlas’ daughter, so that they might suffer
    gentle induction, learn her secret rites,
    and cruise more safely through the chilling sea.
    1230 (919) But I