The Argonautica | Page 7

his own fate by augury, he came, that the people

might not grudge him fair renown. He was not in truth the son of Abas,
but Leto's son himself begat him to be numbered among the illustrious
Aeolids; and himself taught him the art of prophecy--to pay heed to
birds and to observe the signs of the burning sacrifice.
(ll. 146-150) Moreover Aetolian Leda sent from Sparta strong
Polydeuces and Castor, skilled to guide swift-footed steeds; these her
dearly-loved sons she bare at one birth in the house of Tyndareus; nor
did she forbid their departure; for she had thoughts worthy of the bride
of Zeus.
(ll. 151-155) The sons of Aphareus, Lynceus and proud Idas, came
from Arene, both exulting in their great strength; and Lynceus too
excelled in keenest sight, if the report is true that that hero could easily
direct his sight even beneath the earth.
(ll. 156-160) And with them Neleian Periclymenus set out to come,
eldest of all the sons of godlike Neleus who were born at Pylos;
Poseidon had given him boundless strength and granted him that
whatever shape he should crave during the fight, that he should take in
the stress of battle.
(ll. 161-171) Moreover from Arcadia came Amphidamas and Cepheus,
who inhabited Tegea and the allotment of Apheidas, two sons of Aldus;
and Ancaeus followed them as the third, whom his father Lycurgus sent,
the brother older than both. But he was left in the city to care for Aleus
now growing old, while he gave his son to join his brothers. Antaeus
went clad in the skin of a Maenalian bear, and wielding in his right
hand a huge two-edged battleaxe. For his armour his grandsire had
hidden in the house's innermost recess, to see if he might by some
means still stay his departure.
(ll. 172-175) There came also Augeias, whom fame declared to be the
son of Helios; he reigned over the Eleans, glorying in his wealth; and
greatly he desired to behold the Colchian land and Aeetes himself the
ruler of the Colchians.
(ll. 176-178) Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came from

Achaean Pellene, which once Pelles their grandsire founded on the
brows of Aegialus.
(ll. 179-184) After them from Taenarus came Euphemus whom, most
swift-footed of men, Europe, daughter of mighty Tityos, bare to
Poseidon. He was wont to skim the swell of the grey sea, and wetted
not his swift feet, but just dipping the tips of his toes was borne on the
watery path.
(ll. 185-189) Yea, and two other sons of Poseidon came; one Erginus,
who left the citadel of glorious Miletus, the other proud Ancaeus, who
left Parthenia, the seat of Imbrasion Hera; both boasted their skill in
seacraft and in war.
(ll. 190-201) After them from Calydon came the son of Oeneus, strong
Meleagrus, and Laocoon--Laocoon the brother of Oeneus, though not
by the same mother, for a serving-woman bare him; him, now growing
old, Oeneus sent to guard his son: thus Meleagrus, still a youth, entered
the bold band of heroes. No other had come superior to him, I ween,
except Heracles, if for one year more he had tarried and been nurtured
among the Aetolians. Yea, and his uncle, well skilled to fight whether
with the javelin or hand to hand, Iphiclus son of Thestius, bare him
company on his way.
(ll. 202-206) With him came Palaemonius, son of Olenian Lernus, of
Lernus by repute, but his birth was from Hephaestus; and so he was
crippled in his feet, but his bodily frame and his valour no one would
dare to scorn. Wherefore he was numbered among all the chiefs,
winning fame for Jason.
(ll. 207-210) From the Phocians came Iphitus sprung from Naubolus
son of Ornytus; once he had been his host when Jason went to Pytho to
ask for a response concerning his voyage; for there he welcomed him in
his own hails.
(ll. 211-223) Next came Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas, whom once
Oreithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, bare to Boreas on the verge of
wintry Thrace; thither it was that Thracian Boreas snatched her away

from Cecropia as she was whirling in the dance, hard by Hissus' stream.
And, carrying her far off, to the spot that men called the rock of
Sarpedon, near the river Erginus, he wrapped her in dark clouds and
forced her to his will. There they were making their dusky wings quiver
upon their ankles on both sides as they rose, a great wonder to behold,
wings that gleamed with golden scales: and round their backs from the
top of the head and neck, hither and thither, their dark tresses were
being shaken by the wind.
(ll. 224-227) No, nor had Acastus son of mighty Pelias himself any will
to stay behind