Over either shoulder Jason pinned
a double-woven, vivid-purple mantle,
the handwork of Itonian Athena.
Pallas had given it to him when first
975 (723)she propped up trusses for the ship and taught
the men to measure out the beams by rule.
You could more comfortably stare upon
a sunrise than this mantle’s rich resplendence.
The center was a fiery red, a violet
980border ran around it, and embroidered
illustrations, subtly stitched vignettes,
stood side by side along its top and bottom:
The Cyclopes were seated in it, plying
their endless trade. The stunning thunderbolt
985that they were forging for Imperial Zeus
was all but finished, all but one last tip.
Their iron mallets pounded at it, giving
shape to a blast of molten, raging fire.
Antiope’s twin sons were featured, too,
990 (736)Zethus and Amphion, and Thebes was there,
unfortified as yet, but they were raising
the circuit walls. While Zethus seemed to stagger
under the mountain peak upon his back,
Amphion simply strolled along behind him
995and strummed his golden lyre, and a boulder
twice as gigantic followed in his footsteps.
Next appeared thickly braided Cytherea,
the shield of Ares in her hand. Her gown
had come unfastened, tumbled from her shoulder
1000down to her forearm, and exposed a breast,
and in the shield’s polished bronze a mirror
image admired her, a true reflection.
Next, there were cattle on a tufted grange,
and Taphian marauders, Teleboans,
1005 (748)fighting the offspring of Electryon
to win the herd. The latter strove to fend off
the former, who were bent on taking plunder.
Dew dampened the enclosure, dew and blood,
and there were many brigands, few herdsmen.
1010A race came next, a pair of chariots,
and Pelops flicked the reins and held the lead,
Hippodameia standing at his side.
Myrtilus whipped his horses in pursuit.
Beside him Oenomaus rode in state,
1015his long spear pointed forward. But the axle
snapped in his hub just as he lunged to pierce
Pelops’ back, and he went tumbling sideways.
Apollo was embroidered in it, too,
a strong youth, not yet fully grown, and launching
1020 (761)a shaft at giant Tityus, who was rashly
tearing the veil from Apollo’s mother—
Tityus whom divine Elara carried
but Earth brought forth and suckled like a midwife.
Phrixus the Minyan was there as well,
1025depicted as if he were giving ear
to what the ram was saying. Yes, the ram
seemed to be speaking. If you watched the scene
you would be mute with wonder, duped by art,
intent on overhearing something wise.
1030And you would gaze a long time waiting for it.
Such was the gift of the Itonian goddess
Athena. In his right hand Jason gripped
the long-range throwing spear that Atalanta
once gave him as a gift on Maenalus.
1035 (771)She had been pleased to meet him and was eager
to undertake the quest, but he decided
against her in the end, because he feared
the ugly rivalries that lust provokes.
He strode on toward the city like the star
1040young brides who are confined to new-built chambers
watch rising radiantly above their houses.
They stand adazzle as its twinkling crimson
shines through the dark-blue night and charms their eyes.
As it ascends, the virgin, too, delights
1045in longing for a youth, the groom for whom
her parents have preserved her as a bride.
But he is off somewhere, some distant city,
dealing with strangers. Brilliant like that star,
Jason came marching in the envoy’s tracks.
1050 (782)When they had passed the gates into the city,
the females all came swarming up behind him,
admiring a strange new male. He fixed
his gaze steadfastly on the ground until
he reached Hypsipyle’s sunlit abode.
1055At his approach, the serving women parted
a pair of finely chiseled double doors.
Iphinoa then led him through a courtyard
and seated him upon a shining couch
facing her mistress, who, with eyes downcast,
1060released a blush across her maiden cheeks.
For all her modesty, she told him lies:
“Why, stranger, have you sat so long outside
our circuit walls? As you can see, no males
inhabit here. They up and emigrated
1065 (796)and now are furrowing the harvest-bearing
fields of the Thracian mainland. I shall tell you
truthfully all about our whole misfortune
so that you know the facts as well as I.
Back when my father Thoas ruled this city
1070our men would sail abroad and from their ships
pillage the dwellings of the Thracian tribes
who hold the mainland opposite the island.
And when they sailed back home to us, they brought
countless spoils, including captive girls.
1075This was a plot, though, working toward fulfillment,
a vicious plot of Cypris. Yes, she struck them
with heart-corrupting madness. Husbands started
spurning their wedded wives and went so far,
once they had given way to the affliction,
1080 (806)to drive us from our homes and sleep instead
with women captured by their spears. The fiends!
We let it go for quite some time indeed,
thinking they would come to change their minds,
but their diseased condition only worsened
1085and soon was twice as shameless as before.
Legitimate descendants were compelled
to yield pride of place in their own homes.
A bastard populace was rising up.
Maidens and widowed housewives were abandoned
1090to walk the streets just as they were, disowned.
A father never showed the least concern
for his own daughter, even if he saw her
brutalized by a merciless stepmother
before his very eyes, and sons no longer
1095 (816)avenged disgraceful slander of their mothers,
and brothers cut the sisters from their hearts.
At home, at dances, feasts, and the assembly
the captive girls held sway, and so it went—
until a god inspired us to vengeance
1100and we barred the gates against our husbands
when they returned from pillaging the Thracians.
We told them they must change their ways or pack up
their concubines and settle somewhere else.
After demanding all the children—all
1105the boys, that is—within our walls, they left
and settled on the snowy plains of Thrace,
where they are living still. And that is why
you and your men should settle down with us.
If you are willing and would find it pleasant
1110 (829)to stay with us, you could assume the kingship
and honors of my father Thoas. You
will not be disappointed in our soil,
I think. Ours is the richest, t
he most fruitful
of all the islands riding the Aegean.
1115Go now and tell your friends what I propose—
and please do not remain outside the city.”
So she proposed, with half-truths glossing over
the massacre that had been perpetrated
against the Lemnian males. Jason replied:
1120“Hypsipyle, we gratefully accept
the heartfelt aid that you are offering
to ease our desperate need. After reporting
the details to my men, I will return here.
But let the royal scepter and the island
1125 (840)remain in your possession. I am not
refusing them from scorn, no, but because
pressing adventures speed me on my way.”
With this he clasped her right hand and at once
went back the way he came. Around him maidens
1130from all directions gathered in excitement,
a swarm of them, until he passed the gate.
Later, once Jason had reported all
Hypsipyle had told him at the palace,
another company of girls arrived
1135in smooth-wheeled wagons, bearing countless tokens
of friendship to the heroes on the shore.
Eagerly, then, the females led the males
into their homes for entertainment. Cypris,
you see, had roused them all with sweet desire—
1140 (851)she did this as a favor for Hephaestus,
so that the isle of Lemnos might again
fill up with men and rest secure thereafter.
The son of Aeson sought Hypsipyle’s
royal estate, and his companions each
1145landed wherever chance received them—all
but Heracles. He of his own free will
remained beside the Argo with a few
select companions. Soon the city turned
to dancing, banqueting, and pleasure. Incense
1150of offerings suffused the atmosphere,
and all their songs and prayers celebrated,
before the other gods, famous Hephaestus
Hera’s son and Cypris Queen of Love.
And so from day to day the journey languished.
1155 (863)The heroes would have idled there still longer
had Heracles not called them all together,
without the women, and reproached them thus:
“Fools, what prevents us from returning home—
what, have we shed our kinsmen’s blood? Have we
1160set sail to seek fiancées in contempt
of ladies on the mainland? Are we planning
to divvy up the fertile fields of Lemnos
and settle here for good? We won’t accrue
glory while cooped up here with foreign girls
1165for years on end. No deity is going
to nab the fleece in answer to our prayers
and send it flying back to us. Come, then,
let’s each go off and tend his own affairs.
And as for that one—leave him to enjoy
1170 (873)Hypsipyle’s bedchamber day and night
until he peoples Lemnos with his sons,
and deathless glory catches up with him.”
So he condemned his comrades. None of them
dared meet his gaze or make excuses, no,
1175they hurried as they were from the assembly
to get the Argo ready for departure.
The women ran to find them when they heard.
As bees swarm from a rocky hive and buzz
about the handsome lilies, and the dewy
1180meadow itself rejoices as they flit
from bloom to bloom collecting sweet fruition,
so did the women press around the men
and weep as they embraced them one last time,
entreating all the blessed gods to grant them
1185 (886)safe passage home. So, too, Hypsipyle
took Jason’s hands in hers and prayed, and tears
were tumbling for her lover’s loss:
“Go now,
and may the gods protect you and your comrades
from harm, so that you live to give your king
1190the golden fleece. That is your heart’s desire.
This island and my father’s royal scepter
will still be yours if, after you are home,
you ever wish to come back here again.
How easily you could amass a vast
1195following out of the surrounding cities!
But you will not desire this future, no,
my heart foresees that it will not be so.
Promise that, both abroad and safe at home,
you will remember me from time to time—
1200 (898)Hypsipyle. But, please, what should I do
if the immortals grace me with a child?
I shall obey your will with all my heart.”
Stirred to esteem, the son of Aeson answered:
“Hypsipyle, I pray the blessed gods
1205accomplish everything as you desire it.
Still, you must check your wild expectations
where I’m concerned, since it will be enough
for me to live again in my own land
at Pelias’ mercy. All I ask
1210is that the gods preserve me on my quest.
But if my fate forbid that I return,
after a lengthy journey, home to Greece,
and you have borne a son, hold on to him
until he comes of age and send him then
1215 (906)to Iolcus in Pelasgia to ease
my parents’ grief (if they are still alive),
so that they may be safe in their own home,
comfortable and far from Pelias.”
He spoke these final words and was the first
1220to board the ship. The other heroes followed,
took up their oars, and manned the benches. Argus
loosed the hawser from a sea-washed rock,
and soon the heroes were exuberantly
slapping the water with their lengthy oars.
1225At Orpheus’ bidding they debarked
that evening on the island of Electra,
Atlas’ daughter, so that they might suffer
gentle induction, learn her secret rites,
and cruise more safely through the chilling sea.
1230 (919)But I shall speak no further of such matters.
Farewell, Electra, and farewell, you powers
whose task it is to guard and keep the secrets
of which it is forbidden me to sing.
Off Samothrace they briskly pulled their oars
1235over the Black Gulf’s depths. The land of Thrace
was larboard, and the isle of Imbros starboard
there on the seaward side, and just at sunset
they reached a finger of the Chersonese.
A stiff south wind was blowing for them there,
1240so they unfurled the canvas to the gale’s
beneficence and soon approached the roiling
narrows of Helle daughter of Athamas.
By morning they had left the sea astern.
(They had, in fact, been sailing all night long
1245 (929)within a farther sea between the headlands
of Rhoeteum.) The land of Ida starboard,
Dardania abaft, they passed Abydos,
Percota, sandy beaches in Abarnis,
and holy Pityeia. Thus they crossed
1250by oar and sail before the next sunrise
the whole length of the Hellespont and all
its dark whirlpools.
There is a lofty island
that slopes on all sides down to the Propontis.
A steep and sea-washed spit of land connects it
1255to mainland Phrygia and a wealth of grain.
Two of its shores are welcoming to ships,
both of them north of the Asepus River.
The island had the name of Black Bear Mountain,
and there were savage Earthborn Giants on it,
1260 (943)great wonders for the locals to behold:
six rippling arms grew out of each of them—
two sprouting out of their colossal shoulders,
four farther down along their frightening flanks.
The Doliones dwelled there, all the same,
1265along the spit and island’s rim. Their king was
Cyzicus son of Aeneus. Aeneta,
daughter of divine Eusorus, bore him.
Though wild and violent, the Earthborn Giants
never attacked the Dolionan people
1270because they were descended from Poseidon—
he guarded them.
A Thracian gale impelled
the Argo toward this island, and the heroes
moored in a harbor called the “Handsome Port.”
Here it was that, at Tiphys’ suggestion,
1275 (957)they cut the stone that served as anchor loose,
dropped it into the stream Artacia,
and chose a larger one to suit their needs.
Years later, to fulfill Apollo’s plan,
the sons of Neleus (that is, the ones
1280that settled Asia Minor) set apart
the very stone abandoned by the heroes
as sacred in the temple of Athena,
Helper of Jason, and the gift, of course,
was quite appropriate.
The Doliones
1285and Cyzicus their king received the heroes
and, after finding out their names and mission,
warmly invited them to stay as guests.
Cyzicus urged them please to row in farther
and make their mooring in the city harbor,
1290 (965)and so they did and, after raising there
an altar to Apollo God of Landings,
busied themselves preparing sacrifices.
The king himself supplied what they required—
some sweet wine and a flock of sheep. You see,
1295Cyzicus had received a prophecy
that claimed a godlike crew would land one day,
and he should rush warmly to welcome them
and take no thought of war. His beard was downy,
like Jason’s, and had only lately sprouted,
1300and fate had not yet graced him with a child.
Cleite, his plush-tressed, newly wedded wife,
daughter of Merops of Percota, shared
a chamber with him in the royal palace,
but labor pains were still unknown to her.
1305 (978)Cyzicus only recently had led her
out of her home on the opposing coast,
and he had paid her father many gifts
Jason and the Argonauts (Penguin Classics) Page 6
