the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第17章
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were not gentle foes and regarded not justice； those dwellers on the
Doeantian plain； but grievous insolence and the 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
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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；
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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
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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
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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） Fr
