the argonautica(阿尔戈)-第7节
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and it was by the oars that they reached Lemnos； the Sintian isle。
（ll。 609…639） Here the whole of the men of the people together had
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been ruthlessly slain through the transgressions of the women in the year
gone by。 For the men had rejected their lawful wives； loathing them； and
had conceived a fierce passion for captive maids whom they themselves
brought across the sea from their forays in Thrace； for the terrible wrath of
Cypris came upon them； because for a long time they had grudged her the
honours due。 O hapless women； and insatiate in jealousy to their own
ruin！ Not their husbands alone with the captives did they slay on account
of the marriage…bed； but all the males at the same time； that they might
thereafter pay no retribution for the grim murder。 And of all the women；
Hypsipyle alone spared her aged father Thoas； who was king over the
people； and she sent him in a hollow chest； to drift over the sea； if haply he
should escape。 And fishermen dragged him to shore at the island of
Oenoe； formerly Oenoe； but afterwards called Sicinus from Sicinus； whom
the water…nymph Oenoe bore to Thoas。 Now for all the women to tend
kine； to don armour of bronze； and to cleave with the plough…share the
wheat…bearing fields； was easier than the works of Athena； with which
they were busied aforetime。 Yet for all that did they often gaze over the
broad sea； in grievous fear against the Thracians' coming。 So when they
saw Argo being rowed near the island； straightway crowding in multitude
from the gates of Myrine and clad in their harness of war； they poured
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
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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
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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；
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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； da
