the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第40章
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lived even before the moon； it is said； eating acorns on the hills； nor at that
time was the Pelasgian land ruled by the glorious sons of Deucalion； in the
days when Egypt； mother of men of an older time； was called the fertile
Morning…land； and the river fair…flowing Triton； by which all the Morning…
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land is watered； and never does the rain from Zeus moisten the earth； but
from the flooding of the river abundant crops spring up。 From this land；
it is said； a king （1） made his way all round through the whole of Europe
and Asia； trusting in the might and strength and courage of his people； and
countless cities did he found wherever he came； whereof some are still
inhabited and some not； many an age hath passed since then。 But Aea
abides unshaken even now and the sons of those men whom that king
settled to dwell in Aea。 They preserve the writings of their fathers；
graven on pillars； whereon are marked all the ways and the limits of sea
and land as ye journey on all sides round。 There is a river； the uttermost
horn of Ocean； broad and exceeding deep； that a merchant ship may
traverse； they call it Ister and have marked it far off； and for a while it
cleaves the boundless tilth alone in one stream； for beyond the blasts of
the north wind； far off in the Rhipaean mountains； its springs burst forth
with a roar。 But when it enters the boundaries of the Thracians and
Scythians； here； dividing its stream into two； it sends its waters partly into
the Ionian sea； （2） and partly to the south into a deep gulf that bends
upwards from the Trinaerian sea； that sea which lies along your land； if
indeed Achelous flows forth from your land。〃
（ll。 204…302） Thus he spake； and to them the goddess granted a
happy portent； and all at the sight shouted approval； that this was their
appointed path。 For before them appeared a trail of heavenly light； a sign
where they might pass。 And gladly they left behind there the son of
Lyeus and with canvas outspread sailed over the sea； with their eyes on the
Paphlagonian mountains。 But they did not round Carambis； for the
winds and the gleam of the heavenly fire stayed with them till they
reached Ister's mighty stream。
（ll。 303…337） Now some of the Colchians； in a vain search； passed
out from Pontus through the Cyanean rocks； but the rest went to the river；
and them Apsyrtus led； and； turning aside； he entered the mouth called
Fair。 Wherefore he outstripped the heroes by crossing a neck of land into
the furthest gulf of the Ionian sea。 For a certain island is enclosed by
Ister； by name Peuee； three…cornered； its base stretching along the coast；
and with a sharp angle towards the river； and round it the outfall is cleft in
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two。 One mouth they call the mouth of Narex； and the other； at the lower
end； the Fair mouth。 And through this Apsyrtus and his Colchians rushed
with all speed； but the heroes went upwards far away towards the highest
part of the island。 And in the meadows the country shepherds left their
countless flocks for dread of the ships； for they deemed that they were
beasts coming forth from the monster…teeming sea。 For never yet before
had they seen seafaring ships； neither the Scythians mingled with the
Thracians； nor the Sigynni； nor yet the Graucenii； nor the Sindi that now
inhabit the vast desert plain of Laurium。 But when they had passed near
the mount Angurum； and the cliff of Cauliacus； far from the mount
Angurum； round which Ister； dividing his stream； falls into the sea on this
side and on that； and the Laurian plain； then indeed the Colchians went
forth into the Cronian sea and cut off all the ways； to prevent their foes'
escape。 And the heroes came down the river behind and reached the two
Brygean isles of Artemis near at hand。 Now in one of them was a sacred
temple； and on the other they landed； avoiding the host of Apsyrtus； for
the Colchians had left these islands out of many within the river； just as
they were； through reverence for the daughter of Zeus； but the rest；
thronged by the Colchians； barred the ways to the sea。 And so on other
islands too； close by； Apsyrtus left his host as far as the river Salangon and
the Nestian land。
（ll。 338…349） There the Minyae would at that time have yielded in
grim fight； a few to many； but ere then they made a covenant； shunning a
dire quarrel； as to the golden fleece； that since Aeetes himself had so
promised them if they should fulfill the contests； they should keep it as
justly won； whether they carried it off by craft or even openly in the king's
despite； but as to Medeafor that was the cause of strifethat they should
give her in ward to Leto's daughter apart from the throng； until some one
of the kings that dispense justice should utter his doom； whether she must
return to her father's home or follow the chieftains to the land of Hellas。
（ll。 350…354） Now when the maiden had mused upon all this； sharp
anguish shook her heart unceasingly； and quickly she called forth Jason
alone apart from his comrades； and led him aside until they were far away；
and before his face uttered her speech all broken with sobs：
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（ll。 355…390） 〃What is this purpose that ye are now devising about
me； O son of Aeson？ Has thy triumph utterly cast forgetfulness upon
thee； and reekest thou nothing of all that thou spakest when held fast by
necessity？ Whither are fled the oaths by Zeus the suppliants' god；
whither are fled thy honied promises？ For which in no seemly wise； with
shameless will； I have left my country； the glories of my home and even
my parents things that were dearest to me； and far away all alone I am
borne over the sea with the plaintive kingfishers because of thy trouble； in
order that I might save thy life in fulfilling the contests with the oxen and
the earthborn men。 Last of all the fleecewhen the matter became
known； it was by my folly thou didst win it； and a foul reproach have I
poured on womankind。 Wherefore I say that as thy child； thy bride and thy
sister； I follow thee to the land of Hellas。 Be ready to stand by me to the
end； abandon me not left forlorn of thee when thou dost visit the kings。
But only save me； let justice and right； to which we have both agreed；
stand firm； or else do thou at once shear through this neck with the sword；
that I may gain the guerdon due to my mad passion。 Poor wretch！ if
the king； to whom you both commit your cruel covenant； doom me to
belong to my brother。 How shall I come to my father's sight？ Will it be
with a good name？ What
