works of Ares were all their care； for by race they were the daughters of Ares and the nymph Harmonia； who bare to Ares war…loving maids； wedded to him in the glens of the Acmonian wood had not the breezes of Argestes come again from Zeus； and with the wind they left the rounded beach； where the Themiscyreian Amazons were arming for war。 For they dwelt not gathered together in one city； but scattered over the land； parted into three tribes。 In one part dwelt the Themiscyreians； over whom at that time Hippolyte reigned； in another the Lycastians； and in another the dart…throwing Chadesians。 And the next day they sped on and at nightfall they reached the land of the Chalybes。
（ll。 1002…1008） That folk have no care for ploughing with oxen or for any planting of honey…sweet fruit； nor yet do they pasture flocks in the dewy meadow。 But they cleave the hard iron…bearing land and exchange their wages for daily sustenance； never does the morn rise for them without toil； but amid bleak sooty flames and smoke they endure heavy labour。
（ll。 1009…1014） And straightway thereafter they rounded the headland of Genetaean Zeus and sped safely past the land of the Tibareni。 Here when wives bring forth children to their husbands； the men lie in bed and groan with their heads close bound； but the women tend them with food； and prepare child…birth baths for them。
（ll。 1015…1029） Next they reached the sacred mount and the land where the Mossynoeci dwell amid high mountains in wooden huts； （7） from which that people take their name。 And strange are their customs and laws。 Whatever it is right to do openly before the people or in the market place； all this they do in their homes； but whatever acts we perform at home； these they perform out of doors in the midst of the streets； without blame。 And among them is no reverence for the marriage…bed； but； like swine that feed in herds； no whit abashed in others' presence； on the earth they lie with the women。 Their king sits in the loftiest hut and dispenses upright judgments to the multitude； poor wretch！ For if haply he err at all in his decrees； for that day they keep him shut up in starvation。
（ll。 1030…1046） They passed them by and cleft their way with oars over against the island of Ares all day long； for at dusk the light breeze left them。 At last they spied above them； hurtling through the air； one of the birds of Ares which haunt that isle。 It shook its wings down over the ship as she sped on and sent against her a keen feather； and it fell on the left shoulder of goodly Oileus； and he dropped his oar from his hands at the sudden blow； and his comrades marvelled at the sight of the winged bolt。 And Eribotes from his seat hard by drew out the feather； and bound up the wound when he had loosed the strap hanging from his own sword…sheath； and besides the first； another bird appeared swooping down； but the hero Clytius； son of Eurytus for he bent his curved bow； and sped a swift arrow against the birdstruck it； and it whirled round and fell close to the ship。 And to them spake Amphidamas； son of Aleus：
（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； 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 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 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