the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第47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！
with sharp pain。
130
… Page 131…
The Argonautica
（ll。 1068…1072） Now within the palace in the city； as aforetime； lay
lordly Alcinous and Arete； the revered wife of Alcinous； and on their
couch through the night they were devising plans about the maiden； and
him； as her wedded husband； the wife addressed with loving words：
（ll。 1073…1095） 〃Yea； my friend； come； save the woe…stricken maid
from the Colchians and show grace to the Minyae。 Argos is near our isle
and the men of Haemonia； but Aeetes dwells not near； nor do we know of
Aeetes one whit： we hear but his name； but this maiden of dread suffering
hath broken my heart by her prayers。 O king； give her not up to the
Colchians to be borne back to her father's home。 She was distraught
when first she gave him the drugs to charm the oxen； and next； to cure one
ill by another； as in our sinning we do often； she fled from her haughty
sire's heavy wrath。 But Jason； as I hear； is bound to her by mighty oaths
that he will make her his wedded wife within his halls。 Wherefore； my
friend； make not； of thy will； Aeson's son to be forsworn； nor let the father；
if thou canst help； work with angry heart some intolerable mischief on his
child。 For fathers are all too jealous against their children； what wrong
did Nycteus devise against Antiope； fair of face！ What woes did Danae
endure on the wide sea through her sire's mad rage！ Of late； and not far
away； Echetus in wanton cruelty thrust spikes of bronze in his daughter's
eyes； and by a grievous fate is she wasting away； grinding grains of bronze
in a dungeon's gloom。〃
（ll。 1096…1097） Thus she spake； beseeching； and by his wife's words
his heart was softened； and thus he spake：
（ll。 1098…1109） 〃Arete； with arms I could drive forth the Colchians；
showing grace to the heroes for the maiden's sake。 But I fear to set at
nought the righteous judgment of Zeus。 Nor is it well to take no thought
of Aeetes； as thou sayest： for none is more lordly than Aeetes。 And； if he
willed； he might bring war upon Hellas； though he dwell afar。 Wherefore
it is right for me to deliver the judgement that in all men's eyes shall be
best； and I will not hide it from thee。 If she be yet a maid I decree that
they carry her back to her father； but if she shares a husband's bed； I will
not separate her from her lord； nor； if she bear a child beneath her breast；
will I give it up to an enemy。〃
131
… Page 132…
The Argonautica
（ll。 1110…1120） Thus he spake； and at once sleep laid him to rest。
And she stored up in her heart the word of wisdom； and straightway rose
from her couch and went through the palace； and her handmaids came
hasting together； eagerly tending their mistress。 But quietly she
summoned her herald and addressed him； in her prudence urging Aeson's
son to wed the maiden； and not to implore Alcinous； for he himself； she
said； will decree to the Colchians that if she is still a maid he will deliver
her up to be borne to her father's house； but that if she shares a husband's
bed he will not sever her from wedded love。
（ll。 1121…1127） Thus she spake； and quickly from the hall his feet
bore him； that he might declare to Jason the fair…omened speech of Arete
and the counsel of godfearing Alcinous。 And he found the heroes
watching in full armour in the haven of Hyllus； near the city； and out he
spake the whole message； and each hero's heart rejoiced； for the word that
he spake was welcome。
（ll。 1128…1169） And straightway they mingled a bowl to the blessed
ones； as is right； and reverently led sheep to the altar； and for that very
night prepared for the maiden the bridal couch in the sacred cave； where
once dwelt Macris； the daughter of Aristaeus； lord of honey； who
discovered the works of bees and the fatness of the olive； the fruit of
labour。 She it was that first received in her bosom the Nysean son of
Zeus in Abantian Euboea； and with honey moistened his parched lips
when Hermes bore him out of the flame。 And Hera beheld it； and in
wrath drove her from the whole island。 And she accordingly came to
dwell far off； in the sacred cave of the Phaeacians； and granted boundless
wealth to the inhabitants。 There at that time did they spread a mighty
couch； and thereon they laid the glittering fleece of gold； that so the
marriage might be made honoured and the theme of song。 And for them
nymphs gathered flowers of varied hue and bore them thither in their
white bosoms； and a splendour as of flame played round them all； such a
light gleamed from the golden tufts。 And in their eyes it kindled a sweet
longing； yet for all her desire； awe withheld each one from laying her hand
thereon。 Some were called daughters of the river Aegaeus； others dwelt
round the crests of the Meliteian mount； and others were woodland
132
… Page 133…
The Argonautica
nymphs from the plains。 For Hera herself； the spouse of Zeus； had sent
them to do honour to Jason。 That cave is to this day called the sacred cave
of Medea； where they spread the fine and fragrant linen and brought these
two together。 And the heroes in their hands wielded their spears for war；
lest first a host of foes should burst upon them for battle unawares； and；
their heads enwreathed with leafy sprays； all in harmony； while Orpheus'
harp rang clear； sang the marriage song at the entrance to the bridal
chamber。 Yet not in the house of Alcinous was the hero； Aeson's son；
minded to complete his marriage； but in his father's hall when he had
returned home to Ioleus； and such was the mind of Medea herself； but
necessity led them to wed at this time。 For never in truth do we tribes of
woe…stricken mortals tread the path of delight with sure foot； but still some
bitter affliction keeps pace with our joy。 Wherefore they too； though their
souls were melted with sweet love； were held by fear； whether the
sentence of Alcinous would be fulfilled。
（ll。 1170…1227） Now dawn returning with her beams divine scattered
the gloomy night through the sky； and the island beaches laughed out and
the paths over the plains far off； drenched with dew； and there was a din in
the streets； the people were astir throughout the city； and far away the
Colchians were astir at the bounds of the isle of Macris。 And straightway
to them went Alcinous； by reason of his covenant； to declare his purpose
concerning the maiden； and in his hand he held a golden staff； his staff of
justice； whereby the people had righteous judgments meted out to them
throughout the city。 And with him in order due and arrayed in their
harness of war went marching； band by band； the chiefs of the Phaeacians。
An
