n they saw the shapely forms and beauty of the gallant heroes； and among them the son of Oeagrus； oft beating the 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 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 roarthrust 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 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 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； as I lay in my grief； three goddesses girded with goat…skins from the neck downwards round the back and waist； like maidens； stood over my head nigh at hand； and they uncovered me； drawing my cloak away with light hand； and they bade me rise up myself and go and rouse you； and pay to our mother a bounteous recompense for all her travail when she bare us so long in her womb； when Amphitrite shall have loosed Poseidon's swift…wheeled car。 But I cannot fully understand concerning this divine message。 They said indeed that they were heroines； Libya's warders and daughters； and all the toils that we endured aforetime by land and sea； all these they declared that they knew full well。 Then I saw them no more in their place； but a mist or cloud came between and hid them from my sight。〃
（ll。 1363…1369） Thus he spake； and all marvelled as they heard。 Then was wrought for the Minyae the strangest of portents。 From the sea to the land leapt forth a monstrous horse； of vast size； with golden mane tossing round his neck； and quickly from his limbs he shook off abundant spray and started on his course； with feet like the wind。 And at once Peleus rejoiced and spake among the throng of his comrades：
（ll。 1370…1379） 〃I deem that Poseidon's ear has even now been loosed by the hands of his dear wife； and I divine that our mother is none else than our ship herself； for surely she bare us in her womb and groans unceasingly with grievous travailing。 But with unshaken strength and untiring shoulders will we lift her up and bear her within this country of sandy wastes； where yon swift…footed steed has sped before。 For he will not plunge beneath the earth； and his hoof…prints； I ween； will point us to some bay above the sea。〃
（ll。 1380…1392） Thus he sp