the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第38部分
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his heart was softened； and thus he spake：
（ll。 1098…1109） 〃Arete； with arms I could drive forth the Colchians；
showing grace to the heroes for the maiden's sake。 But I fear to set at
nought the righteous judgment of Zeus。 Nor is it well to take no thought
of Aeetes； as thou sayest： for none is more lordly than Aeetes。 And； if he
willed； he might bring war upon Hellas； though he dwell afar。 Wherefore
it is right for me to deliver the judgement that in all men's eyes shall be
best； and I will not hide it from thee。 If she be yet a maid I decree that
they carry her back to her father； but if she shares a husband's bed； I will
not separate her from her lord； nor； if she bear a child beneath her breast；
will I give it up to an enemy。〃
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（ll。 1110…1120） Thus he spake； and at once sleep laid him to rest。
And she stored up in her heart the word of wisdom； and straightway rose
from her couch and went through the palace； and her handmaids came
hasting together； eagerly tending their mistress。 But quietly she
summoned her herald and addressed him； in her prudence urging Aeson's
son to wed the maiden； and not to implore Alcinous； for he himself； she
said； will decree to the Colchians that if she is still a maid he will deliver
her up to be borne to her father's house； but that if she shares a husband's
bed he will not sever her from wedded love。
（ll。 1121…1127） Thus she spake； and quickly from the hall his feet
bore him； that he might declare to Jason the fair…omened speech of Arete
and the counsel of godfearing Alcinous。 And he found the heroes
watching in full armour in the haven of Hyllus； near the city； and out he
spake the whole message； and each hero's heart rejoiced； for the word that
he spake was welcome。
（ll。 1128…1169） And straightway they mingled a bowl to the blessed
ones； as is right； and reverently led sheep to the altar； and for that very
night prepared for the maiden the bridal couch in the sacred cave； where
once dwelt Macris； the daughter of Aristaeus； lord of honey； who
discovered the works of bees and the fatness of the olive； the fruit of
labour。 She it was that first received in her bosom the Nysean son of
Zeus in Abantian Euboea； and with honey moistened his parched lips
when Hermes bore him out of the flame。 And Hera beheld it； and in
wrath drove her from the whole island。 And she accordingly came to
dwell far off； in the sacred cave of the Phaeacians； and granted boundless
wealth to the inhabitants。 There at that time did they spread a mighty
couch； and thereon they laid the glittering fleece of gold； that so the
marriage might be made honoured and the theme of song。 And for them
nymphs gathered flowers of varied hue and bore them thither in their
white bosoms； and a splendour as of flame played round them all； such a
light gleamed from the golden tufts。 And in their eyes it kindled a sweet
longing； yet for all her desire； awe withheld each one from laying her hand
thereon。 Some were called daughters of the river Aegaeus； others dwelt
round the crests of the Meliteian mount； and others were woodland
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nymphs from the plains。 For Hera herself； the spouse of Zeus； had sent
them to do honour to Jason。 That cave is to this day called the sacred cave
of Medea； where they spread the fine and fragrant linen and brought these
two together。 And the heroes in their hands wielded their spears for war；
lest first a host of foes should burst upon them for battle unawares； and；
their heads enwreathed with leafy sprays； all in harmony； while Orpheus'
harp rang clear； sang the marriage song at the entrance to the bridal
chamber。 Yet not in the house of Alcinous was the hero； Aeson's son；
minded to complete his marriage； but in his father's hall when he had
returned home to Ioleus； and such was the mind of Medea herself； but
necessity led them to wed at this time。 For never in truth do we tribes of
woe…stricken mortals tread the path of delight with sure foot； but still some
bitter affliction keeps pace with our joy。 Wherefore they too； though their
souls were melted with sweet love； were held by fear； whether the
sentence of Alcinous would be fulfilled。
（ll。 1170…1227） Now dawn returning with her beams divine scattered
the gloomy night through the sky； and the island beaches laughed out and
the paths over the plains far off； drenched with dew； and there was a din in
the streets； the people were astir throughout the city； and far away the
Colchians were astir at the bounds of the isle of Macris。 And straightway
to them went Alcinous； by reason of his covenant； to declare his purpose
concerning the maiden； and in his hand he held a golden staff； his staff of
justice； whereby the people had righteous judgments meted out to them
throughout the city。 And with him in order due and arrayed in their
harness of war went marching； band by band； the chiefs of the Phaeacians。
And from the towers came forth the women in crowds to gaze upon the
heroes； and the country folk came to meet them when they heard the news；
for Hera had sent forth a true report。 And one led the chosen ram of his
flock； and another a heifer that had never toiled； and others set hard by jars
of wine for mixing； and the smoke of sacrifice leapt up far away。 And
women bore fine linen； the fruit of much toil； as women will； and gifts of
gold and varied ornaments as well； such as are brought to newly…wedded
brides； and they marvelled when they saw the shapely forms and beauty of
the gallant heroes； and among them the son of Oeagrus； oft beating the
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ground with gleaming sandal； to the time of his loud…ringing lyre and song。
And all the nymphs together； whenever he recalled the marriage； uplifted
the lovely bridal…chant； and at times again they sang alone as they circled
in the dance； Hera； in thy honour； for it was thou that didst put it into the
heart of Arete to proclaim the wise word of Alcinous。 And as soon as he
had uttered the decree of his righteous judgement； and the completion of
the marriage had been proclaimed； he took care that thus it should abide
fixed； and no deadly fear touched him nor Aeetes' grievous wrath； but he
kept his judgement fast bound by unbroken oaths。 So when the
Colchians learnt that they were beseeching in vain and he bade them either
observe his judgements or hold their ships away from his harbours and
land； then they began to dread the threats of their own king and besought
Alcinous to receive them as comrades； and there in the island long time
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
