the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第16章
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reverenced not a whit even Zeus himself； for he foretold unerringly to men
his sacred will。 Wherefore Zeus sent upon him a lingering old age； and
took from his eyes the pleasant light； and suffered him not to have joy of
the dainties untold that the dwellers around ever brought to his house；
when they came to enquire the will of heaven。 But on a sudden；
swooping through the clouds； the Harpies with their crooked beaks
incessantly snatched the food away from his mouth and hands。 And at
times not a morsel of food was left； at others but a little； in order that he
might live and be tormented。 And they poured forth over all a loathsome
stench； and no one dared not merely to carry food to his mouth but even to
stand at a distance； so foully reeked the remnants of the meal。 But
straightway when he heard the voice and the tramp of the band he knew
that they were the men passing by； at whose coming Zeus' oracle had
declared to him that he should have joy of his food。 And he rose from his
couch； like a lifeless dream； bowed over his staff； and crept to the door on
his withered feet； feeling the walls； and as he moved； his limbs trembled
for weakness and age； and his parched skin was caked with dirt； and
naught but the skill held his bones together。 And he came forth from the
hall with wearied knees and sat on the threshold of the courtyard； and a
dark stupor covered him； and it seemed that the earth reeled round beneath
his feet； and he lay in a strengthless trance； speechless。 But when they
saw him they gathered round and marvelled。 And he at last drew
laboured breath from the depths of his chest and spoke among them with
prophetic utterance：
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（ll。 209…239） 〃Listen； bravest of all the Hellenes； if it be truly ye；
whom by a king's ruthless command Jason is leading on the ship Argo in
quest of the fleece。 It is ye truly。 Even yet my soul by its divination
knows everything。 Thanks I render to thee； O king； son of Leto； plunged
in bitter affliction though I be。 I beseech you by Zeus the god of
suppliants； the sternest foe to sinful men； and for the sake of Phoebus and
Hera herself； under whose especial care ye have come hither； help me；
save an ill…fated man from misery； and depart not uncaring and leaving me
thus as ye see。 For not only has the Fury set her foot on my eyes and I
drag on to the end a weary old age； but besides my other woes a woe
hangs over me the bitterest of all。 The Harpies； swooping down from
some unseen den of destruction； ever snatch the food from my mouth。
And I have no device to aid me。 But it were easier； when I long for a meal；
to escape my own thoughts than them； so swiftly do they fly through the
air。 But if haply they do leave me a morsel of food it reeks of decay and
the stench is unendurable； nor could any mortal bear to draw near even for
a moment； no； not if his heart were wrought of adamant。 But necessity；
bitter and insatiate； compels me to abide and abiding to put food in my
cursed belly。 These pests； the oracle declares； the sons of Boreas shall
restrain。 And no strangers are they that shall ward them off if indeed I
am Phineus who was once renowned among men for wealth and the gift of
prophecy； and if I am the son of my father Agenor； and； when I ruled
among the Thracians； by my bridal gifts I brought home their sister
Cleopatra to be my wife。〃
（ll。 240…243） So spake Agenor's son； and deep sorrow seized each of
the heroes； and especially the two sons of Boreas。 And brushing away a
tear they drew nigh； and Zetes spake as follows； taking in his own the
hand of the grief…worn sire：
（ll。 244…253） 〃Unhappy one； none other of men is more wretched
than thou； methinks。 Why upon thee is laid the burden of so many
sorrows？ Hast thou with baneful folly sinned against the gods through
thy skill in prophecy？ For this are they greatly wroth with thee？ Yet
our spirit is dismayed within us for all our desire to aid thee； if indeed the
god has granted this privilege to us two。 For plain to discern to men of
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earth are the reproofs of the immortals。 And we will never check the
Harpies when they come； for all our desire； until thou hast sworn that for
this we shall not lose the favour of heaven。〃
（ll。 254…255） Thus he spake； and towards him the aged sire opened
his sightless eyes； and lifted them up and replied with these words：
（ll。 256…261） 〃Be silent； store not up such thoughts in thy heart； my
child。 Let the son of Leto be my witness； he who of his gracious will
taught me the lore of prophecy； and be witness the ill…starred doom which
possesses me and this dark cloud upon my eyes； and the gods of the
underworldand may their curse be upon me if I die perjured thusno
wrath from heaven will fall upon you two for your help to me。〃
（ll。 262…287） Then were those two eager to help him because of the
oath。 And quickly the younger heroes prepared a feast for the aged man；
a last prey for the Harpies； and both stood near him； to smite with the
sword those pests when they swooped down。 Scarcely had the aged man
touched the food when they forthwith； like bitter blasts or flashes of
lightning； suddenly darted from the clouds； and swooped down with a yell；
fiercely craving for food； and the heroes beheld them and shouted in the
midst of their onrush； but they at the cry devoured everything and sped
away over the sea after； and an intolerable stench remained。 And behind
them the two sons of Boreas raising their swords rushed in pursuit。 For
Zeus imparted to them tireless strength； but without Zeus they could not
have followed； for the Harpies used ever to outstrip the blasts of the west
wind when they came to Phineus and when they left him。 And as when；
upon the mountain… side； hounds； cunning in the chase； run in the track of
horned goats or deer； and as they strain a little behind gnash their teeth
upon the edge of their jaws in vain； so Zetes and Calais rushing very near
just grazed the Harpies in vain with their finger…tips。 And assuredly they
would have torn them to pieces； despite heaven's will； when they had
overtaken them far off at the Floating Islands； had not swift Iris seen them
and leapt down from the sky from heaven above； and cheeked them with
these words：
（ll。 288…290） 〃It is not lawful； O sons of Boreas； to strike with your
swords the Harpies； the hounds of mighty Zeus； but I myself will give you
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a pledge； that hereafter they shall not draw near to Phineus。〃
（ll。 291…
