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they dwelt with the Phaeacians； until in the course of years； the
Bacchiadae； a race sprung from Ephyra； （10） settled among them； and the
Colchians passed to an island opposite； and thence they were destined to
reach the Ceraunian hills of the Abantes； and the Nestaeans and Oricum；
but all this was fulfilled after long ages had passed。 And still the altars
which Medea built on the spot sacred to Apollo； god of shepherds； receive
yearly sacrifices in honour of the Fates and the Nymphs。 And when the
Minyae departed many gifts of friendship did Alcinous bestow； and many
Arete； moreover she gave Medea twelve Phaeacian handmaids from the
palace； to bear her company。 And on the seventh day they left Drepane；
and at dawn came a fresh breeze from Zeus。 And onward they sped
borne along by the wind's breath。 Howbeit not yet was it ordained for the
heroes to set foot on Achaea； until they had toiled even in the furthest
bounds of Libya。
（ll。 1228…1250） Now had they left behind the gulf named after the
Ambracians； now with sails wide spread the land of the Curetes； and next
in order the narrow islands with the Echinades； and the land of Pelops was
just descried； even then a baleful blast of the north wind seized them in
mid…course and swept them towards the Libyan sea nine nights and as
many days； until they came far within Syrtis； wherefrom is no return for
ships； when they are once forced into that gulf。 For on every hand are
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shoals； on every hand masses of seaweed from the depths； and over them
the light foam of the wave washes without noise； and there is a stretch of
sand to the dim horizon； and there moveth nothing that creeps or flies。
Here accordingly the flood…tidefor this tide often retreats from the land
and bursts back again over the beach coming on with a rush and roar
thrust them suddenly on to the innermost shore； and but little of the keel
was left in the water。 And they leapt forth from the ship； and sorrow
seized them when they gazed on the mist and the levels of vast land
stretching far like a mist and continuous into the distance； no spot for
water； no path； no steading of herdsmen did they descry afar off； but all
the scene was possessed by a dead calm。 And thus did one hero； vexed in
spirit； ask another：
（ll。 1251…1258） 〃What land is this？ Whither has the tempest hurled
us？ Would that； reckless of deadly fear； we had dared to rush on by that
same path between the clashing rocks！ Better were it to have overleapt
the will of Zeus and perished in venturing some mighty deed。 But now
what should we do； held back by the winds to stay here； if ever so short a
time？ How desolate looms before us the edge of the limitless land！〃
（ll。 1259…1276） Thus one spake； and among them Ancaeus the
helmsman； in despair at their evil case； spoke with grieving heart： 〃Verily
we are undone by a terrible doom； there is no escape from ruin； we must
suffer the cruellest woes； having fallen on this desolation； even though
breezes should blow from the land； for； as I gaze far around； on every side
do I behold a sea of shoals； and masses of water； fretted line upon line； run
over the hoary sand。 And miserably long ago would our sacred ship have
been shattered far from the shore； but the tide itself bore her high on to the
land from the deep sea。 But now the tide rushes back to the sea； and only
the foam； whereon no ship can sail； rolls round us； just covering the land。
Wherefore I deem that all hope of our voyage and of our return is cut off。
Let someone else show his skill； let him sit at the helm the man that is
eager for our deliverance。 But Zeus has no will to fulfil our day of return
after all our toils。〃
（ll。 1277…1317） Thus he spake with tears； and all of them that had
knowledge of ships agreed thereto； but the hearts of all grew numb； and
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pallor overspread their cheeks。 And as； like lifeless spectres； men roam
through a city awaiting the issue of war or of pestilence； or some mighty
storm which overwhelms the countless labours of oxen； when the images
of their own accord sweat and run down with blood； and bellowings are
heard in temples； or when at mid…day the sun draws on night from heaven；
and the stars shine clear through the mist； so at that time along the endless
strand the chieftains wandered； groping their way。 Then straightway dark
evening came upon them； and piteously did they embrace each other and
say farewell with tears； that they might； each one apart from his fellow；
fall on the sand and die。 And this way and that they went further to
choose a resting…place； and they wrapped their heads in their cloaks and；
fasting and unfed； lay down all that night and the day； awaiting a piteous
death。 But apart the maidens huddled together lamented beside the
daughter of Aeetes。 And as when； forsaken by their mother； unfledged
birds that have fallen from a cleft in the rock chirp shrilly； or when by the
banks of fair…flowing Pactolus； swans raise their song； and all around the
dewy meadow echoes and the river's fair stream； so these maidens； laying
in the dust their golden hair； all through the night wailed their piteous
lament。 And there all would have parted from life without a name and
unknown to mortal men； those bravest of heroes； with their task unfulfilled；
but as they pined in despair； the heroine…nymphs； warders of Libya； had
pity on them； they who once found Athena； what time she leapt in
gleaming armour from her father's head； and bathed her by Trito's waters。
It was noon…tide and the fiercest rays of the sun were scorching Libya；
they stood near Aeson's son； and lightly drew the cloak from his head。
And the hero cast down his eyes and looked aside； in reverence for the
goddesses； and as he lay bewildered all alone they addressed him openly
with gentle words：
（ll。 1318…1329） 〃Ill…starred one； why art thou so smitten with despair？
We know how ye went in quest of the golden fleece； we know each toil of
yours； all the mighty deeds ye wrought in your wanderings over land and
sea。 We are the solitary ones； goddesses of the land； speaking with
human voice； the heroines； Libya's warders and daughters。 Up then； be
not thus afflicted in thy misery； and rouse thy comrades。 And when
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Amphitrite has straightway loosed Poseidon's swift…wheeled car； then do
ye pay to your mother a recompense for all her travail when she bare you
so long in her womb； and so ye may return to the divine land of Achaea。〃
（ll。 1330…1332） Thus they spake； and with the voice vanished at once；
where they stood。 But Jason sat upon the earth as he gazed around； and
thus cried：
（ll。 1333…1336） 〃Be gracious； noble goddesses of the desert； yet the
saying about our return I understand not clearly。 Surely I will gather
together my comrades and tell them； if haply we can find some token of
our escape； for the counsel of many is better。〃
（ll。 1337…1346） He spake； and leapt to his feet； and shouted afar to
his comrades； all squalid with dust； like a lion when he roars through the
woodland seeking his mate； and far off in the mountains the glens tremble
at the thunder of his voice； and the oxen of the field and the herdsmen
shudder with fear； yet to them Jason's voice was no whit terrible the voice
of a comrade calling to his friends。 And with looks downcast they
gathered near； and hard by where the ship lay he made them sit down in
their grief and the women with them； and addressed them and told them
everything：
（ll。 1347…1362） 〃Listen； friends； a