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brought us together； himself be the leader of the host。〃
（ll。 348…350） Thus he spake with high thoughts； and they assented； as
Heracles bade； and warlike Jason himself rose up； glad at heart； and thus
addressed the eager throng：
（ll。 351…362） 〃If ye entrust your glory to my care； no longer as before
let our path be hindered。 Now at last let us propitiate Phoebus with
sacrifice and straightway prepare a feast。 And until my thralls come； the
overseers of my steading； whose care it is to choose out oxen from the
herd and drive them hither； we will drag down the ship to the sea； and do
ye place all the tackling within； and draw lots for the benches for rowing。
Meantime let us build upon the beach an altar to Apollo Embasius （1） who
by an oracle promised to point out and show me the paths of the sea； if by
sacrifice to him I should begin my venture for King Pelias。〃
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（ll。 363…393） He spake； and was the first to turn to the work； and they
stood up in obedience to him； and they heaped their garments； one upon
the other； on a smooth stone； which the sea did not strike with its waves；
but the stormy surge had cleansed it long before。 First of all； by the
command of Argus； they strongly girded the ship with a rope well twisted
within； （2） stretching it tight on each side； in order that the planks might be
well compacted by the bolts and might withstand the opposing force of the
surge。 And they quickly dug a trench as wide as the space the ship
covered； and at the prow as far into the sea as it would run when drawn
down by their hands。 And they ever dug deeper in front of the stem； and
in the furrow laid polished rollers； and inclined the ship down upon the
first rollers； that so she might glide and be borne on by them。 And above；
on both sides； reversing the oars； they fastened them round the thole… pins；
so as to project a cubit's space。 And the heroes themselves stood on both
sides at the oars in a row； and pushed forward with chest and hand at once。
And then Tiphys leapt on board to urge the youths to push at the right
moment； and calling on them he shouted loudly； and they at once； leaning
with all their strength； with one push started the ship from her place； and
strained with their feet； forcing her onward； and Pelian Argo followed
swiftly； and they on each side shouted as they rushed on。 And then the
rollers groaned under the sturdy keel as they were chafed； and round them
rose up a dark smoke owing to the weight； and she glided into the sea； but
the heroes stood there and kept dragging her back as she sped onward。
And round the thole…pins they fitted the oars； and in the ship they placed
the mast and the well…made sails and the stores。
（ll。 394…401） Now when they had carefully paid heed to everything；
first they distributed the benches by lot； two men occupying one seat； but
the middle bench they chose for Heracles and Ancaeus apart from the
other heroes； Ancaeus who dwelt in Tegea。 For them alone they left the
middle bench just as it was and not by lot； and with one consent they
entrusted Tiphys with guarding the helm of the well…stemmed ship。
（ll。 402…410） Next； piling up shingle near the sea； they raised there
an altar on the shore to Apollo； under the name of Actius （3） and Embasius；
and quickly spread above it logs of dried olive…wood。 Meantime the
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herdsmen of Aeson's son had driven before them from the herd two steers。
These the younger comrades dragged near the altars； and the others
brought lustral water and barley meal； and Jason prayed； calling on Apollo
the god of his fathers：
（ll。 411…424） 〃Hear； O King； that dwellest in Pagasae and the city
Aesonis； the city called by my father's name； thou who didst promise me；
when I sought thy oracle at Pytho； to show the fulfilment and goal of my
journey； for thou thyself hast been the cause of my venture； now do thou
thyself guide the ship with my comrades safe and sound； thither and back
again to Hellas。 Then in thy honour hereafter we will lay again on thy
altar the bright offerings of bullsall of us who return； and other gifts in
countless numbers I will bring to Pytho and Ortygia。 And now； come；
Far…darter； accept this sacrifice at our hands； which first of all we have
offered thee for this ship on our embarcation； and grant； O King； that with
a prosperous weird I may loose the hawsers； relying on thy counsel； and
may the breeze blow softly with which we shall sail over the sea in fair
weather。〃
（ll。 425…439） He spake； and with his prayer cast the barley meal。
And they two girded themselves to slay the steers； proud Ancaeus and
Heracles。 The latter with his club smote one steer mid…head on the brow；
and falling in a heap on the spot； it sank to the ground； and Ancaeus struck
the broad neck of the other with his axe of bronze； and shore through the
mighty sinews； and it fell prone on both its horns。 Their comrades
quickly severed the victims' throats； and flayed the hides： they sundered
the joints and carved the flesh； then cut out the sacred thigh bones； and
covering them all together closely with fat burnt them upon cloven wood。
And Aeson's son poured out pure libations； and Idmon rejoiced beholding
the flame as it gleamed on every side from the sacrifice； and the smoke of
it mounting up with good omen in dark spiral columns； and quickly he
spake outright the will of Leto's son：
（ll。 440…447） 〃For you it is the will of heaven and destiny that ye
shall return here with the fleece； but meanwhile both going and returning；
countless trials await you。 But it is my lot； by the hateful decree of a god；
to die somewhere afar off on the mainland of Asia。 Thus； though I learnt
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my fate from evil omens even before now； I have left my fatherland to
embark on the ship； that so after my embarking fair fame may be left me
in my house。〃
（ll。 448…462） Thus he spake； and the youths hearing the divine
utterance rejoiced at their return； but grief seized them for the fate of
Idmon。 Now at the hour when the sun passes his noon…tide halt and the
ploughlands are just being shadowed by the rocks； as the sun slopes
towards the evening dusk； at that hour all the heroes spread leaves thickly
upon the sand and lay down in rows in front of the hoary surf…line； and
near them were spread vast stores of viands and sweet wine； which the
cupbearers had drawn off in pitchers； afterwards they told tales one to
another in turn； such as youths often tell when at the feast and the bowl
they take delightful pastime； and insatiable insolence is far away。 But
here the son of Aeson； all helpless； was brooding over each event in his
mind； like one oppressed with thought。 And Idas noted him and assailed
him with loud voice：
（ll。 463…471） 〃Son of Aeson； what is this plan thou art turning over in
mind。 Speak out thy thought in the midst。 Does fear come on and
master thee； fear； that confounds cowards？ Be witness now my
impetuous spear； wherewith in wars I win renown beyond all others （nor
does Zeus aid me so much as my own spear）； that no woe will be fatal； no
venture will be unachieved； while Idas follows； even though a god should
oppose thee。 Such a helpmeet am I that thou bringest from Arene。〃
（ll。 472…475） He spake； and holding a brimming goblet in both hands
drank off the unmixed sweet wine； and his lips and dark cheeks were
drenched with it； and all the heroes clamoured together and Idmon spoke
out openly：
（ll。 480…484） 〃Vain wretch； thou art devising destruction for thyself
before the time。 Does