the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第32章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
are my brothers； my dear kinsmen and youthful companions。 So do I
declare myself to be thy sister； and thy daughter too； for thou didst lift me
to thy breast when an infant equally with them； as I ever heard from my
mother in past days。 But go； bury my kindness in silence； so that I may
carry out my promise unknown to my parents； and at dawn I will bring to
Hecate's temple charms to cast a spell upon the bulls。〃 （ll。 740…743）
Thus Chalciope went back from the chamber； and made known to her sons
89
… Page 90…
The Argonautica
the help given by her sister。 And again did shame and hateful fear seize
Medea thus left alone； that she should devise such deeds for a man in her
father's despite。
（ll。 744…771） Then did night draw darkness over the earth； and on the
sea sailors from their ships looked towards the Bear and the stars of Orion；
and now the wayfarer and the warder longed for sleep； and the pall of
slumber wrapped round the mother whose children were dead； nor was
there any more the barking of dogs through the city； nor sound of men's
voices； but silence held the blackening gloom。 But not indeed upon
Medea came sweet sleep。 For in her love for Aeson's son many cares kept
her wakeful； and she dreaded the mighty strength of the bulls； beneath
whose fury he was like to perish by an unseemly fate in the field of Ares。
And fast did her heart throb within her breast； as a sunbeam quivers upon
the walls of a house when flung up from water； which is just poured forth
in a caldron or a pail may be； and hither and thither on the swift eddy does
it dart and dance along； even so the maiden's heart quivered in her breast。
And the tear of pity flowed from her eyes； and ever within anguish
tortured her； a smouldering fire through her frame； and about her fine
nerves and deep down beneath the nape of the neck where the pain enters
keenest； whenever the unwearied Loves direct against the heart their shafts
of agony。 And she thought now that she would give him the charms to
cast a spell on the bulls； now that she would not； and that she herself
would perish； and again that she would not perish and would not give the
charms； but just as she was would endure her fate in silence。 Then sitting
down she wavered in mind and said：
（ll。 772…801） 〃Poor wretch； must I toss hither and thither in woe？
On every side my heart is in despair； nor is there any help for my pain； but
it burneth ever thus。 Would that I had been slain by the swift shafts of
Artemis before I had set eyes on him； before Chalciope's sons reached the
Achaean land。 Some god or some Fury brought them hither for our grief；
a cause of many tears。 Let him perish in the contest if it be his lot to die
in the field。 For how could I prepare the charms without my parents'
knowledge？ What story call I tell them？ What trick； what cunning
device for aid can I find？ If I see him alone； apart from his comrades；
90
… Page 91…
The Argonautica
shall I greet him？ Ill…starred that I am！ I cannot hope that I should rest
from my sorrows even though he perished； then will evil come to me
when he is bereft of life。 Perish all shame； perish all glow； may he； saved
by my effort； go scatheless wherever his heart desires。 But as for me； on
the day when he bides the contest in triumph； may I die either straining my
neck in the noose from the roof…tree or tasting drugs destructive of life。
But even so； when I am dead； they will fling out taunts against me； and
every city far away will ring with my doom； and the Colchian women；
tossing my name on their lips hither and thither； will revile me with
unseemly mocking the maid who cared so much for a stranger that she
died； the maid who disgraced her home and her parents； yielding to a mad
passion。 And what disgrace will not be mine？ Alas for my infatuation！
Far better would it be for me to forsake life this very night in my chamber
by some mysterious fate； escaping all slanderous reproach； before I
complete such nameless dishonour。〃
（ll。 802…824） She spake； and brought a casket wherein lay many
drugs； some for healing； others for killing； and placing it upon her knees
she wept。 And she drenched her bosom with ceaseless tears； which
flowed in torrents as she sat； bitterly bewailing her own fate。 And she
longed to choose a murderous drug to taste it； and now she was loosening
the bands of the casket eager to take it forth； unhappy maid！ But
suddenly a deadly fear of hateful Hades came upon her heart。 And long
she held back in speechless horror； and all around her thronged visions of
the pleasing cares of life。 She thought of all the delightful things that are
among the living； she thought of her joyous playmates； as a maiden will；
and the sun grew sweeter than ever to behold； seeing that in truth her soul
yearned for all。 And she put the casket again from off her knees； all
changed by the prompting of Hera； and no more did she waver in purpose；
but longed for the rising dawn to appear quickly； that she might give him
the charms to work the spell as she had promised； and meet him face to
face。 And often did she loosen the bolts of her door； to watch for the faint
gleam： and welcome to her did the dayspring shed its light； and folk began
to stir throughout the city。
（ll。 825…827） Then Argus bade his brothers remain there to learn the
91
… Page 92…
The Argonautica
maiden's mind and plans； but himself turned back and went to the ship。
（ll。 828…890） Now soon as ever the maiden saw the light of dawn；
with her hands she gathered up her golden tresses which were floating
round her shoulders in careless disarray； and bathed her tear…stained
cheeks； and made her skin shine with ointment sweet as nectar； and she
donned a beautiful robe； fitted with well…bent clasps； and above on her
head； divinely fair； she threw a veil gleaming like silver。 And there；
moving to and fro in the palace； she trod the ground forgetful of the
heaven…sent woes thronging round her and of others that were destined to
follow。 And she called to her maids。 Twelve they were； who lay during
the night in the vestibule of her fragrant chamber； young as herself； not yet
sharing the bridal couch； and she bade them hastily yoke the mules to the
chariot to bear her to the beauteous shrine of Hecate。 Thereupon the
handmaids were making ready the chariot； and Medea meanwhile took
from the hollow casket a charm which men say is called the charm of
Prometheus。 If a man should anoint his body therewithal； having first
appeased the Maiden； the only…begotten； with sacrifice by night； surely
that man could not be wounded by the stroke of bronze nor would he
flinch fro
