the heroes(英雄们)-第21章
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And then they held games at the tomb； after the custom of those times；
and Jason gave prizes to each winner。 To Ancaeus he gave a golden
cup； for he wrestled best of all； and to Heracles a silver one； for he was
the strongest of all； and to Castor； who rode best； a golden crest； and
Polydeuces the boxer had a rich carpet； and to Orpheus for his song a
sandal with golden wings。 But Jason himself was the best of all the
archers； and the Minuai crowned him with an olive crown； and so； the
songs say； the soul of good Cyzicus was appeased and the heroes went
on their way in peace。
But when Cyzicus' wife heard that he was dead she died likewise of
grief； and her tears became a fountain of clear water； which flows the
whole year round。
Then they rowed away； the songs say； along the Mysian shore； and
past the mouth of Rhindacus； till they found a pleasant bay； sheltered by
the long ridges of Arganthus； and by high walls of basalt rock。 And
there they ran the ship ashore upon the yellow sand； and furled the sail；
and took the mast down； and lashed it in its crutch。 And next they let
down the ladder； and went ashore to sport and rest。
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And there Heracles went away into the woods； bow in hand； to hunt
wild deer； and Hylas the fair boy slipt away after him； and followed him
by stealth； until he lost himself among the glens； and sat down weary to
rest himself by the side of a lake； and there the water nymphs came up to
look at him； and loved him； and carried him down under the lake to be
their playfellow； for ever happy and young。 And Heracles sought for
him in vain； shouting his name till all the mountains rang； but Hylas
never heard him； far down under the sparkling lake。 So while Heracles
wandered searching for him； a fair breeze sprang up； and Heracles was
nowhere to be found； and the ARGO sailed away； and Heracles was left
behind； and never saw the noble Phasian stream。
Then the Minuai came to a doleful land； where Amycus the giant
ruled； and cared nothing for the laws of Zeus； but challenged all
strangers to box with him； and those whom he conquered he slew。 But
Polydeuces the boxer struck him a harder blow than he ever felt before；
and slew him； and the Minuai went on up the Bosphorus； till they came
to the city of Phineus； the fierce Bithynian king； for Zetes and Calais
bade Jason land there； because they had a work to do。
And they went up from the shore toward the city； through forests
white with snow； and Phineus came out to meet them with a lean and
woful face； and said； 'Welcome； gallant heroes； to the land of bitter
blasts； the land of cold and misery； yet I will feast you as best I can。'
And he led them in； and set meat before them； but before they could put
their hands to their mouths； down came two fearful monsters； the like
of whom man never saw； for they had the faces and the hair of fair
maidens； but the wings and claws of hawks； and they snatched the meat
from off the table； and flew shrieking out above the roofs。
Then Phineus beat his breast and cried； 'These are the Harpies；
whose names are the Whirlwind and the Swift； the daughters of Wonder
and of the Amber…nymph； and they rob us night and day。 They carried
off the daughters of Pandareus； whom all the Gods had blest； for
Aphrodite fed them on Olympus with honey and milk and wine； and
Hera gave them beauty and wisdom； and Athene skill in all the arts； but
when they came to their wedding； the Harpies snatched them both
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away； and gave them to be slaves to the Erinnues； and live in horror all
their days。 And now they haunt me； and my people； and the Bosphorus；
with fearful storms； and sweep away our food from off our tables； so
that we starve in spite of all our wealth。'
Then up rose Zetes and Calais； the winged sons of the North… wind；
and said； 'Do you not know us； Phineus； and these wings which grow
upon our backs？' And Phineus hid his face in terror； but he answered
not a word。
'Because you have been a traitor； Phineus； the Harpies haunt you
night and day。 Where is Cleopatra our sister； your wife； whom you
keep in prison？ and where are her two children； whom you blinded in
your rage； at the bidding of an evil woman； and cast them out upon the
rocks？ Swear to us that you will right our sister； and cast out that
wicked woman； and then we will free you from your plague； and drive
the whirlwind maidens to the south； but if not； we will put out your eyes；
as you put out the eyes of your own sons。'
Then Phineus swore an oath to them； and drove out the wicked
woman； and Jason took those two poor children； and cured their eyes
with magic herbs。
But Zetes and Calais rose up sadly and said； 'Farewell now； heroes
all； farewell； our dear companions； with whom we played on Pelion in
old times； for a fate is laid upon us； and our day is come at last； in which
we must hunt the whirlwinds over land and sea for ever； and if we catch
them they die； and if not； we die ourselves。'
At that all the heroes wept； but the two young men sprang up； and
aloft into the air after the Harpies； and the battle of the winds began。
The heroes trembled in silence as they heard the shrieking of the
blasts； while the palace rocked and all the city； and great stones were
torn from the crags； and the forest pines were hurled earthward； north
and south and east and west； and the Bosphorus boiled white with foam；
and the clouds were dashed against the cliffs。
But at last the battle ended； and the Harpies fled screaming toward
the south； and the sons of the North…wind rushed after them； and brought
clear sunshine where they passed。 For many a league they followed
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them； over all the isles of the Cyclades； and away to the south…west
across Hellas； till they came to the Ionian Sea； and there they fell upon
the Echinades； at the mouth of the Achelous； and those isles were
called the Whirlwind Isles for many a hundred years。 But what became
of Zetes and Calais I know not； for th
