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（ll。 1047…1067） 〃The island of Ares is near us； you know it
yourselves now that ye have seen these birds。 But little will arrows avail
us； I trow； for landing。 But let us contrive some other device to help us；
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if ye intend to land； bearing in mind the injunction of Phineus。 For not
even could Heracles； when he came to Arcadia； drive away with bow and
arrow the birds that swam on the Stymphalian lake。 I saw it myself。
But he shook in his hand a rattle of bronze and made a loud clatter as he
stood upon a lofty peak； and the birds fled far off； screeching in
bewildered fear。 Wherefore now too let us contrive some such device；
and I myself will speak； having pondered the matter beforehand。 Set on
your heads your helmets of lofty crest； then half row by turns； and half
fence the ship about with polished spears and shields。 Then all together
raise a mighty shout so that the birds may be scared by the unwonted din；
the nodding crests； and the uplifted spears on high。 And if we reach the
island itself； then make mighty noise with the clashing of shields。〃
（ll。 1068…1089） Thus he spake； and the helpful device pleased all。
And on their heads they placed helmets of bronze； gleaming terribly； and
the blood…red crests were tossing。 And half of them rowed in turn； and
the rest covered the ship with spears and shields。 And as when a man
roofs over a house with tiles； to be an ornament of his home and a defence
against rain； and one the fits firmly into another； each after each； so they
roofed over the ship with their shields； locking them together。 And as a
din arises from a warrior…host of men sweeping on； when lines of battle
meet； such a shout rose upward from the ship into the air。 Now they saw
none of the birds yet； but when they touched the island and clashed upon
their shields； then the birds in countless numbers rose in flight hither and
thither。 And as when the son of Cronos sends from the clouds a dense
hailstorm on city and houses； and the people who dwell beneath hear the
din above the roof and sit quietly； since the stormy season has not come
upon them unawares； but they have first made strong their roofs； so the
birds sent against the heroes a thick shower of feather… shafts as they
darted over the sea to the mountains of the land opposite。
（ll。 1090…1092） What then was the purpose of Phineus in bidding the
divine band of heroes land there？ Or what kind of help was about to
meet their desire？
（ll。 1093…1122） The sons of Phrixus were faring towards the city of
Orchomenus from Aea； coming from Cytaean Aeetes； on board a Colchian
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ship； to win the boundless wealth of their father； for he； when dying； had
enjoined this journey upon them。 And lo； on that day they were very near
that island。 But Zeus had impelled the north wind's might to blow；
marking by rain the moist path of Arcturus； and all day long he was
stirring the leaves upon the mountains； breathing gently upon the topmost
sprays； but at night he rushed upon the sea with monstrous force； and with
his shrieking blasts uplifted the surge； and a dark mist covered the heavens；
nor did the bright stars anywhere appear from among the clouds； but a
murky gloom brooded all around。 And so the sons of Phrixus； drenched
and trembling in fear of a horrible doom； were borne along by the waves
helplessly。 And the force of the wind had snatched away their sails and
shattered in twain the hull； tossed as it was by the breakers。 And
hereupon by heaven's prompting those four clutched a huge beam； one of
many that were scattered about； held together by sharp bolts； when the
ship broke to pieces。 And on to the island the waves and the blasts of
wind bore the men in their distress； within a little of death。 And
straightway a mighty rain burst forth； and rained upon the sea and the
island； and all the country opposite the island； where the arrogant
Mossynoeci dwelt。 And the sweep of the waves hurled the sons of
Phrixus； together with their massy beam； upon the beach of the island； in
the murky night； and the floods of rain from Zeus ceased at sunrise； and
soon the two bands drew near and met each other； and Argus spoke first：
（ll。 1123…1133） 〃We beseech you； by Zeus the Beholder； whoever ye
are； to be kindly and to help us in our need。 For fierce tempests； falling
on the sea； have shattered all the timbers of the crazy ship in which we
were cleaving our path on business bent。 Wherefore we entreat you； if
haply ye will listen； to grant us just a covering for our bodies； and to pity
and succour men in misfortune； your equals in age。 Oh； reverence
suppliants and strangers for Zeus' sake； the god of strangers and suppliants。
To Zeus belong both suppliants and strangers； and his eye； methinks；
beholdeth even us。〃
（ll。 1134…1139） And in reply the son of Aeson prudently questioned
him； deeming that the prophecies of Phineus were being fulfilled： 〃All
these things will we straightway grant you with right good will。 But
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come tell me truly in what country ye dwell and what business bids you
sail across the sea； and tell me your own glorious names and lineage。〃
（ll。 1140…1156） And him Argus； helpless in his evil plight； addressed：
〃That one Phrixus an Aeolid reached Aea from Hellas you yourselves have
clearly heard ere this； I trow； Phrixus； who came to the city of Aeetes；
bestriding a ram； which Hermes had made all gold； and the fleece ye may
see even now。 The ram； at its own prompting； he then sacrificed to Zeus；
son of Cronos； above all； the god of fugitives。 And him did Aeetes
receive in his palace； and with gladness of heart gave him his daughter
Chalciope in marriage without gifts of wooing。 （8） From those two are
we sprung。 But Phrixus died at last； an aged man； in the home of Aeetes；
and we； giving heed to our father's behests； are journeying to Orehomenus
to take the possessions of Athamas。 And if thou dost desire to learn our
names； this is Cytissorus； this Phrontis； and this Melas； and me ye may。
call Argus。〃
（ll。 1157…1159） Thus he spake； and the chieftains rejoiced at the
meeting； and tended them； much marvelling。 And Jason again in turn
replied； as was fitting； with these words：
（ll。 1160…1178） 〃Surely ye are our kinsmen on my father's side； and
ye pray that with kindly hearts we succour your evil plight。 For Cretheus
and Athamas were brothers。 I am the grandson of Cretheus； and with
these comrades here I am journeying from that same Hellas to the city of
Aeetes。 But of these things we will converse hereafter。 And do ye first
put clothing upon you。 By heaven's devising； I ween； have ye come to
my hands in your sore need。〃
（ll。 1168…1178） He spake； and out of the ship gave them raiment to
put on。 Then all together they went to the temple of Ares to offer
sacrifice of sheep； and in haste they stood round the altar； which was
outside the roofless temple； an altar built of pebbles； within a black stone
stood fixed； a sacred thing； to which of yore the Amazons all used to pray。
Nor was it lawful for them； when they came from the opposite coast； to
burn on this altar offerings of sheep and oxen； but they used to slay horses
which they kept in great herds。 Now when they had sacrificed and eaten
the feast prepared； then Aeson's son spake among them and thus began：
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