The straining bark in her descent to guide,
And keep her steady in the rolling tide.
Then, deep and spacious, opening from the land,
Before the ship they dig away the sand,
Far as the bark lay distant on the shore,
And near the main it deepen'd more and more,
With gradual slope, and in the trench they laid
Round polish'd rollers, the descent to aid.
Supported thus the ship inclining stood,
Dispos'd with sliding march to gain the flood.
Tied to the banks, th' inverted oars they place,
Projecting o'er the ship a cubit's space.
Marshall'd between alternate stood the band,
Prepar'd with force conjoin'd of breast and hand. 620
Within the vessel station'd, to direct
Combin'd in time, and powerful in effect,
Their joint exertions, Tiphys sate on high;
And gave the signal, with commanding cry.-
All to the task with force incumbent close,
Th' incumbent force the yielding vessel knows.
As each with feet infix'd, and lab'ring breast
His weight applied, and on the vessel přest,
She quits her bedded seat, and moves along,
To shouts symphonious of the rushing throng.
The vast slow-gliding mass the rollers feel,
And loudly creak beneath the ponderous keel.
The dust in sáble volumes rose around,
As trampling footsteps shook the solid ground.
-When now the vessel, with augmenting force,
Had reach'd the sea, they check'd her headlong course,
With backward effort.-Then, their oars they brac❜d,
And each suspended in its station plac'd.-
With masts and stores the vessel they supply,
And canvas destin'd soon to flout the breezy sky. 640
. Now had their active diligence on board
All due provision for a voyage stor❜d.
When perfect readiness confest their carés
Th' impartial lot the rowers plac'd in pairs.
But great Alcides, without lot, possest
A chosen seat distinguish'd from the rest.
Him to the central place the heroes call,
With strong Ancaus, sent from Tegeä's wall.
A kindred impulse in the general mind
To Tiphys hand the guiding helm assign'd.
Now, for an altar they collect the stone Worn by the billows, and with moss o'ergrown. A structure rude was soon to Phebus rear'd, Guardian of mariners, on shores rever'd. Their arid boughs the neighb'ring olives lend, To bid the pyre of sacrifice ascend. From Jason's stalls the herdsmen now arrive; Two chosen steers for sacrifice they drive. These the more youthful of the gallant crew, Reluctant, bellowing, toward the altar drew. Others the bowl and salted cakes prepare.To guardian Phebus, Jason breath'd the pray❜r. "Hear me, bright sov'ran of diurnal flame, "From Pagase, and walls* that bear the name "Of my lov'd sire, thy promis'd aid impart, "Thy sacred oracles sustain my heart, "Assur'd, in perils, of a guide and friend, "Assur'd, in wand'rings, of a glorious end. "Oh thou, whose influence, with prophetic force, "Supreme impels us in this untried course; "Fulfil thy word, and o'er that course preside; "My lov'd companions, and their vessel guide; "In Colchos, let them win the precious fleece; "Then safe return them to the shores of Greece."For ev'ry youth that gains his native land, "A sacred steer shall at thine altar stand.
*Esonis, a city of Magnesia, so called after Eson
"In Delphi shall my votive gifts remain;
"My gifts in Delos grace thine honour'd fane.
"This for the future.-Now, propitious pow'r,
"Receive these off'rings of the parting hour.
"Ere from the shore they loose the stately bark
"These youthful heroes with thy favour mark.
"Let prosp❜rous omens, at thy word, prevail;
"And winds propitious fill the spreading sail.
These pious pray'rs and adorations past,
The salted meal was on the victims cast,
The toilsome part of sacrificial rite,
A task, that needs superior nerves and might,
Was proud Ancaus' and Alcides' care.——
With garb succinct, they for the work prepare.-
His pond'rous club Alcides wields-the blow,
Aim'd at the forehead, laid the victim low,
Collaps'd, and motionless upon the sand
He shows the prowess of that matchless hand.
To thee, Ancaus, his companion bends;
A brazen ax upon his neck descends.
Thro' the strong tendons past the gory wound,
His horns, in falling, plough the solid ground.
Th' attendants slay the beasts, and strip the hide,
The limbs they sever, and the flesh divide;
The thighs, allotted to the heav'nly race,
Involve in fat, and on the altar place.
They light the hallow'd flame; aloft it tow'rs.
The son of Eson the libation pours,
Sweet-smelling stream, unmix'd and sparkling wine.Propitious omen from the pow'rs divine,
The prophet Idmon sees the blaze ascend,
And wreathing smoke it's purple volumes bend.
The destinies came rushing o'er his thought;
And thus he utter'd, what Apollo taught.-
-Exult, my gallant friends, the fates ordain "A safe return, from wand'rings o'er the main.
"Exulting shall ye bear the golden fleece,
"Exulting tread the happy plains of Greece.
"But 'tis decreed, you must your paths explore,
"Thro' toils unnumber'd, 'ere you gain that shore.
"And dangers multiplied, by doom of fate;
"And equal labours your return await.
"Severer lot to me, my fates assign;
"Untimely death on Asia's plain is mine.
"No sudden auguries this warning send,
Long have I learn'd to contemplate my end.
"But, be it so I hail, th' illustrious doom,
"And welcome glory, with th' untimely tomb.
He ceas'd.-Astonishment the hearers fill'd;
And mingled joy and grief their bosoms thrill'd.
While noble Idmon's early fate they mourn,
With joy they feel the promis'd safe return.
His noontide station when the sun had past,
And the tall rocks a lengthen'd shadow cast.
Along the sands, beside the hoary deep
Abundant leaves, a silvan couch, they heap.
There, while from toil, the godlike band repose,
The viands are prepar'd, the goblet flows.
The copious jars of generous wine abound,
And sport, and laugh, and gay discourse go round,
While youth and health expand the gladden'd heart,
The graceful trifling food and wine impart,
Careless effusions of the soul elate,
From bitter taunt remov'd, and loud debate.
But Jason shar'd not in the general mirth.
Gloom seis'd his brow, at deep reflection's birth.
Much he revolv'd the perils of the way,
The doubtful wand'rings, that before him lay.—
Him Idas marking, loudly thus assails.
"What counsel, Jason, in thy mind prevails?
"Why from thy friends the lab'ring purpose hide?
"Does chilling fear within thy breast abide?
"An impulse vile that womankind controlls,
"Or worse than women-men with female souls. 750 "I swear to thee, on this impetuous spear,
By which renown in fields of blood I bear, "Source of my fame, as object of my love, "More sure protection than the pow'r of Jove, "No fatal dangers shall impede thy course, "No labours prove superior to thy force; "Tho' godhead should attempt thine aims to foil, "Since Idas joins thee from Arene's soil.” With radiant eyes the glorious dawn advanc'd, And o'er the crags of lofty Pelion glanc'd. In the smooth swell propitious breezes lave Their sportive wings, and gently curl the wave. Then, Tiphys rousing calls along the shores
"Embark, my gallant friends, and man your
-Loud as he calls, the winding shores resound.
The gulph of Pagasa rebellows round:
But speech portentous soon impell'd the crowd,
The vessel spoke with human voice endow'd;
For Pallas had enclos'd within its frame,
The vocal wood,* that from Dodona came.
The heroes spring on board, and crouding find
The stations at their oars by lot assign'd.
Train'd to the task they lay their arms aside, ́
And all prepare to sweep the sounding tide.
Ancaus occupied the central post,
Alcides near him, in himself an host.
The dread of monsters, and misfortune's aid,
His mighty club was near the hero laid.
* The oaks in the wood of Dodona were gifted with power of speech, and uttered oracles.
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