the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第8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！
forth to the beach like ravening Thyiades： for they deemed that the
Thracians were come； and with them Hypsipyle； daughter of Thoas；
donned her father's harness。 And they streamed down speechless with
dismay； such fear was wafted about them。
（ll。 640…652） Meantime from the ship the chiefs had sent Aethalides
the swift herald； to whose care they entrusted their messages and the wand
of Hermes； his sire； who had granted him a memory of all things； that
never grew dim； and not even now； though he has entered the unspeakable
whirlpools of Acheron； has forgetfulness swept over his soul； but its fixed
doom is to be ever changing its abode； at one time to be numbered among
the dwellers beneath the earth； at another to be in the light of the sun
among living men。 But why need I tell at length tales of Aethalides？
He at that time persuaded Hypsipyle to receive the new…comers as the day
was waning into darkness； nor yet at dawn did they loose the ship's
22
… Page 23…
The Argonautica
hawsers to the breath of the north wind。
（ll。 653…656） Now the Lemnian women fared through the city and sat
down to the assembly； for Hypsipyle herself had so bidden。 And when they
were all gathered together in one great throng straightway she spake
among them with stirring words：
（ll。 657…666） 〃O friends； come let us grant these men gifts to their
hearts' desire； such as it is fitting that they should take on ship…board； food
and sweet wine； in order that they may steadfastly remain outside our
towers； and may not； passing among us for need's sake； get to know us all
too well； and so an evil report be widely spread； for we have wrought a
terrible deed and in nowise will it be to their liking； should they learn it。
Such is our counsel now； but if any of you can devise a better plan let her
rise； for it was on this account that I summoned you hither。〃
（ll。 667…674） Thus she spake and sat upon her father's seat of stone；
and then rose up her dear nurse Polyxo； for very age halting upon her
withered feet； bowed over a staff； and she was eager to address them。
Near her were seated four virgins； unwedded； crowned with white hair。
And she stood in the midst of the assembly and from her bent back she
feebly raised her neck and spake thus：
（ll。 675…696） 〃Gifts； as Hypsipyle herself wishes； let us send to the
strangers； for it is better to give them。 But for you what device have ye
to get profit of your life if the Thracian host fall upon us； or some other
foe； as often happens among men； even as now this company is come
unforeseen？ But if one of the blessed gods should turn this aside yet
countless other woes； worse than battle； remain behind； when the aged
women die off and ye younger ones； without children； reach hateful old
age。 How then will ye live； hapless ones？ Will your oxen of their own
accord yoke themselves for the deep plough…lands and draw the earth…
cleaving share through the fallow； and forthwith； as the year comes round；
reap the harvest？ Assuredly； though the fates till now have shunned me
in horror； I deem that in the coming year I shall put on the garment of
earth； when I have received my meed of burial even so as is right； before
the evil days draw near。 But I bid you who are younger give good heed
to this。 For now at your feet a way of escape lies open； if ye trust to the
23
… Page 24…
The Argonautica
strangers the care of your homes and all your stock and your glorious
city。〃
（ll。 697…699） Thus she spake； and the assembly was filled with
clamour。 For the word pleased them。 And after her straightway
Hypsipyle rose up again； and thus spake in reply。
（ll。 700…701） 〃If this purpose please you all； now will I even send a
messenger to the ship。〃
（ll。 702…707） She spake and addressed Iphinoe close at hand： 〃Go；
Iphinoe； and beg yonder man； whoever it is that leads this array； to come
to our land that I may tell him a word that pleases the heart of my people；
and bid the men themselves； if they wish； boldly enter the land and the city
with friendly intent。〃
（ll。 708…711） She spake； and dismissed the assembly； and thereafter
started to return home。 And so Iphinoe came to the Minyae； and they
asked with what intent she had come among them。 And quickly she
addressed her questioners with all speed in these words：
（ll。 712…716） 〃The maiden Hypsipyle daughter of Thoas； sent me on
my way here to you； to summon the captain of your ship； whoever he be；
that she may tell him a word that pleases the heart of the people； and she
bids yourselves； if ye wish it； straightway enter the land and the city with
friendly intent。〃
（ll。 717…720） Thus she spake and the speech of good omen pleased
all。 And they deemed that Thoas was dead and that his beloved daughter
Hypsipyle was queen； and quickly they sent Jason on his way and
themselves made ready to go。
（ll。 721…729） Now he had buckled round his shoulders a purple
mantle of double fold； the work of the Tritonian goddess； which Pallas had
given him when she first laid the keel…props of the ship Argo and taught
him how to measure timbers with the rule。 More easily wouldst thou cast
thy eyes upon the sun at its rising than behold that blazing splendour。
For indeed in the middle the fashion thereof was red； but at the ends it was
all purple； and on each margin many separate devices had been skilfully
inwoven。
（ll。 730…734） In it were the Cyclops seated at their imperishable work；
24
… Page 25…
The Argonautica
forging a thunderbolt for King Zeus； by now it was almost finished in its
brightness and still it wanted but one ray； which they were beating out
with their iron hammers as it spurted forth a breath of raging flame。
（ll。 735…741） In it too were the twin sons of Antiope； daughter of
Asopus； Amphion and Zethus； and Thebe still ungirt with towers was
lying near； whose foundations they were just then laying in eager haste。
Zethus on his shoulders was lifting the peak of a steep mountain； like a
man toiling hard； and Amphion after him； singing loud and clear on his
golden lyre； moved on； and a rock twice as large followed his footsteps。
（ll。 742…746） Next in order had been wrought Cytherea with
drooping tresses； wielding the swift shield of Ares； and from her shoulder
to her left arm the fastening of her tunic was loosed beneath her breast；
and opposite in the shield of bronze her image appeared clear to view as
she stood。
（ll。 747…751） And in it there was a well…wooded pasturage of oxen；
and about the oxen the Teleboae and the sons of Eleetryon were fighting；
the one party defending themselves； the others
