the argonautica-第29节
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ter； 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：
（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 revenge； what heavy calamity shall I not endure in agony for the terrible deeds I have done？ And wilt thou win the return that thy heart desires？ Never may Zeus' bride； the queen of all； in whom thou dost glory； bring that to pass。 Mayst thou some time remember me when thou art racked with anguish； may the fleece like a dream vanish into the nether darkness on the wings of the wind！ And may my avenging Furies forthwith drive thee from thy country； for all that I have suffered through thy cruelty！ These curses will not be allowed to fall unaccomplished to the ground。 A mighty oath hast thou transgressed； ruthless one； but not long shalt thou and thy comrades sit at ease casting eyes of mockery upon me； for all your covenants。〃
（ll。 391…394） Thus she spake； seething with fierce wrath； and she longed to set fire to the ship and to hew it utterly in pieces； and herself to fall into the raging flame。 But Jason； half afraid； thus addressed her with gentle words：
（ll。 395…409） 〃Forbear； lady； me too this pleases not。 But we seek some respite from battle； for such a cloud of hostile men； like to a fire； surrounds us； on thy account。 For all that inhabit this land are eager to aid Apsyrtus； that they may lead thee back home to thy father； like some captured maid。 And all of us would perish in hateful destruction； if we closed with them in fight； and bitterer still will be the pain； if we are slain and leave thee to be their prey。 But this covenant will weave a web of guile to lead him to ruin。 Nor will the people of the land for thy sake oppose us； to favour the Colchians； when their prince is no longer with them； who is thy champion and thy brother； nor will I shrink from matching myself in fight with the Colchians； if they bar my way homeward。〃
（ll。 410…420） Thus he spake soothing her； and she uttered a deadly speech： 〃Take heed now。 For when sorry deeds are done we must needs devise sorry counsel； since at first I was distraught by my error； and by heaven's will it was I wrought the accomplishment of evil desires。 Do thou in the turmoil shield me from the Colchians' spears； and I will beguile Apsyrtus to come into thy handsdo thou greet him with splendid giftsif only I could persuade the heralds on their departure to bring him alone to hearken to my words。 Thereupon if this deed pleases thee； slay him and raise a conflict with the Colchians； I care not。
（ll。 421…422） So they two agreed and prepared a great web of guile for Apsyrtus； and provided many gifts such as are due to guests； and among them gave a sacred robe of Hypsipyle； of crimson hue。 The Graces with their own hands had wrought it for Dionysus in sea…girt Dia； and he gave it to his son Thoas thereafter； and Thoas left it to Hypsipyle； and she gave that fair…wrought guest…gift with many another marvel to Aeson's son to wear。 Never couldst thou satisfy thy sweet desire by touching it or gazing on it。 And from it a divine fragrance breathed from the time when the king of Nysa himself lay to rest thereon； flushed with wine and nectar as he clasped the beauteous breast of the maiden…daughter of Minos； whom once Theseus forsook in the island of Dia； when she had followed him from Cnossus。 And when she had worked upon the heralds to induce her brother to come； as soon as she reached the temple of the goddess； according to the agreement； and the darkness of night surrounded them； that so she might devise with him a cunning plan for her to take the mighty fleece of gold and return to the home of Aeetes； for； she said； the sons of Phrixus had given her by force to the strangers to carry off； with such beguiling words she scattered to the air and the breezes her witching charms； which even from afar would have drawn down the savage beast from the steep mountain…height。
（ll。 445…451） Ruthless Love； great bane； great curse to mankind； from thee come deadly strifes and lamentations and groans； and countless pains as well have their stormy birth from thee。 Arise； thou god； and arm thyself against the sons of our foes in such guise as when thou didst fill Medea's heart with accursed madness。 How then by evil doom did she slay Apsyrtus when he came to meet her？ For that must our song tell next。
（ll。 452…481） When the heroes had left the maiden on the island of Artemis； according to the covenant； both sides ran their ships to land separately。 And Jason went to the ambush to lie in wait for Apsyrtus and then for his comrades。 But he； beguiled by these dire promises； swiftly crossed the swell of the sea in his ship； and in dark night set foot on the sacred island； and faring all alone to meet her he made trial in speech of his sister； as a tender child tries a wintry torrent which not even strong men can pass through； to see if she would devise some guile against the strangers。 And so they two agreed together on everything； and straightway Aeson's son leapt forth from the thick ambush； lifting his bare sword in his hand； and quickly the maiden turned her eyes aside and covered them with her veil that she might not see the blood of her brother when he was smitten。 And Jason marked him and struck him down； as a butcher strikes down a mighty strong…horned bull； hard by the temple which the Brygi on the mainland opposite had once built for Artemis。 In its vestibule he fell on his knees； and at last the hero breathing out his life caught up in both hands the dark blood as it welled from the wound； and he dyed with red his sister's silvery veil and robe as she shrank away。 And with swift side…glance the irresistible pitiless Fury beheld the deadly deed they had done。 And the hero； Aeson's son； cut off the extremities of the dead man； and thrice licked up some blood and thrice spat the pollution from his teeth； as it is right for the slayer to do； to atone for a treacherous murder。 And the clammy corpse he hid in the ground where even now those bones lie among the Apsyrtians。
（ll。 481…494） Now as soon as the heroes saw the blaze of a torch； which the maiden raised for them as a sign to pursue； they laid their own ship near the Colchian ship； and they slaughtered the Colchian host； as kites slay the tribes of wood…pigeons； or as lions of the wold；
