THE ARGONAUTICS OF APOLLONIUS RHODIUS. INVOCATION. BOOK THE FIRST. ARGUMENT. Subject proposed.-Jealousy of Pelias excited by an oracle.-Chance points out Jason, as the object.-Pelias determines to rid himself of Jason, by sending for the golden fleece.-Catalogue of heroes, who engaged in the enterprize.-Procession through the city to the shore.-Reflexions of the people as they pass of the women in particular.-Deplorable state of Jason's father.-Grief of his mother. -He endeavours to comfort them.-Pathetic address of Alcimede his mother.-Jason's reply.-He hastes to join his associates-meets by the way Iphias, priestess of Diana.-They are separated by the crowd.-Acastus, son of Pelias, unexpectedly joins the Argonauts, accompanied by Argus.-Address of Jason to the band. He proposes that they should choose a leader. All cast their eyes on Hercules.— He refuses the honour; and proposes Jason.-He being chosen, commences by directing his followers to propitiate, by sacrifice, Phebus, the adviser of the enterprize. The heroes launch the ship Argo, and assign the different stations at the oars by lot.-An altar erected on the shore to Phebus, who presides over embarkations. - Prayer of Jason.-Sacrifice described. A feast succeeds.-Prediction of Idmon. B -Petulance of Idas. -A quarrel.. The tumult composed by Orpheus.-Adventurers clear out of the bay of Pagasa.-Prodigy.-The Argo speaks.-The Gods look down on the Argonauts and their vessel. -The nymphs appear on the tops of the hills to view this strange object. Chiron appears, with his wife, who bears the young Achilles in her arms, and shows him to Peleus.-The Argonauts arrive at Lemnos.-Episode of the Lemnian women.-Hypsipile, their queen, holds a council. Argonauts invited ashore.-Mantle of Jason described.-Artful speech of Hypsipile.-Hypsipile takes a pathetic leave of Jason. The Argonauts leave Lemnos.-Arrive at the Propontis. They are hospitably received by Cyzicus. Jason, with some of his companions, ascends mount Diudymus.-Hercules, with a small party is left to take care of the ship.-They are attacked by the barbarians, but defeat them.-The Argonauts set sail; but are driven back in the night by adverse winds.-Cyzicus and his people mistake them for enemies.-A violent conflict ensues. - Cyzicus slain. His wife kills herself.-Grief of both parties.-Funeral rites of the prince.-Fason, by the direction of Mopsus, repairs to mount Dindymus, to propitiate Cybele.The winds become favourable. They reach Mysia.-Hercules, plying his oar with too much force breaks it. He goes to look for a new one,-meantime, Hylas, his favourite, is snatched away by the nymphs.Polyphemus hears the cries of the youth, and goes out, in hope of assisting him. He meets Hercules.-They pursue the search together.-Meantime, the vessel sails away. -Argonauts discover their loss in the morning.Their grief and confusion.-Sorrow of Jason. They wish to return and seek for the heroes.-Are prevented by Calais and Zetes.-Rage of Telamon. -He accuses Jason of having left Hercules behind, through envy.-Glaucus appears from the waves, and foretels the fortunes of the Argonauts, and of Hercules and Polyphemus.-Strife appeased.-Hercules and his friend continue their search for Hylas, but in vain. The Argonauts arrive at Bebrycia, the country of Amycus. held; PARENT of sacred song, inform the rhymes, To point suspicions, that had wander'd wide. ΙΟ 20 Tis sung, that Argus, by Minerva taught, Recount the leaders of the daring throng. The massy stones his magic song obey'd. And bids Enipeus join his swelling course, The youthful hero left his native bow'rs, 30 40 50 Where cloath'd in shades the tall Phylleium tow'rs. 60 Then, lur'd by fame to fly where danger calls, Brave Polyphemus quits Larissa's walls. No stranger he to hardy feat of arms; His early youth was giv'n to rude alarms, When Centaurs brav'd the Lapithe to fight; The beauteous offspring of a stealthy flame, Yet scarce he reach'd his father's warlike name, When Centaur hosts that matchless chief assail'd, |