the argonautica-第13章
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the voice and the tramp of the band he knew that they were the men passing by； at whose coming Zeus' oracle had declared to him that he should have joy of his food。 And he rose from his couch； like a lifeless dream； bowed over his staff； and crept to the door on his withered feet； feeling the walls； and as he moved； his limbs trembled for weakness and age； and his parched skin was caked with dirt； and naught but the skill held his bones together。 And he came forth from the hall with wearied knees and sat on the threshold of the courtyard； and a dark stupor covered him； and it seemed that the earth reeled round beneath his feet； and he lay in a strengthless trance； speechless。 But when they saw him they gathered round and marvelled。 And he at last drew laboured breath from the depths of his chest and spoke among them with prophetic utterance：
（ll。 209…239） 〃Listen； bravest of all the Hellenes； if it be truly ye； whom by a king's ruthless command Jason is leading on the ship Argo in quest of the fleece。 It is ye truly。 Even yet my soul by its divination knows everything。 Thanks I render to thee； O king； son of Leto； plunged in bitter affliction though I be。 I beseech you by Zeus the god of suppliants； the sternest foe to sinful men； and for the sake of Phoebus and Hera herself； under whose especial care ye have come hither； help me； save an ill…fated man from misery； and depart not uncaring and leaving me thus as ye see。 For not only has the Fury set her foot on my eyes and I drag on to the end a weary old age； but besides my other woes a woe hangs over me the bitterest of all。 The Harpies； swooping down from some unseen den of destruction； ever snatch the food from my mouth。 And I have no device to aid me。 But it were easier； when I long for a meal； to escape my own thoughts than them； so swiftly do they fly through the air。 But if haply they do leave me a morsel of food it reeks of decay and the stench is unendurable； nor could any mortal bear to draw near even for a moment； no； not if his heart were wrought of adamant。 But necessity； bitter and insatiate； compels me to abide and abiding to put food in my cursed belly。 These pests； the oracle declares； the sons of Boreas shall restrain。 And no strangers are they that shall ward them off if indeed I am Phineus who was once renowned among men for wealth and the gift of prophecy； and if I am the son of my father Agenor； and； when I ruled among the Thracians； by my bridal gifts I brought home their sister Cleopatra to be my wife。〃
（ll。 240…243） So spake Agenor's son； and deep sorrow seized each of the heroes； and especially the two sons of Boreas。 And brushing away a tear they drew nigh； and Zetes spake as follows； taking in his own the hand of the grief…worn sire：
（ll。 244…253） 〃Unhappy one； none other of men is more wretched than thou； methinks。 Why upon thee is laid the burden of so many sorrows？ Hast thou with baneful folly sinned against the gods through thy skill in prophecy？ For this are they greatly wroth with thee？ Yet our spirit is dismayed within us for all our desire to aid thee； if indeed the god has granted this privilege to us two。 For plain to discern to men of earth are the reproofs of the immortals。 And we will never check the Harpies when they come； for all our desire； until thou hast sworn that for this we shall not lose the favour of heaven。〃
（ll。 254…255） Thus he spake； and towards him the aged sire opened his sightless eyes； and lifted them up and replied with these words：
（ll。 256…261） 〃Be silent； store not up such thoughts in thy heart； my child。 Let the son of Leto be my witness； he who of his gracious will taught me the lore of prophecy； and be witness the ill…starred doom which possesses me and this dark cloud upon my eyes； and the gods of the underworldand may their curse be upon me if I die perjured thusno wrath from heaven will fall upon you two for your help to me。〃
（ll。 262…287） Then were those two eager to help him because of the oath。 And quickly the younger heroes prepared a feast for the aged man； a last prey for the Harpies； and both stood near him； to smite with the sword those pests when they swooped down。 Scarcely had the aged man touched the food when they forthwith； like bitter blasts or flashes of lightning； suddenly darted from the clouds； and swooped down with a yell； fiercely craving for food； and the heroes beheld them and shouted in the midst of their onrush； but they at the cry devoured everything and sped away over the sea after； and an intolerable stench remained。 And behind them the two sons of Boreas raising their swords rushed in pursuit。 For Zeus imparted to them tireless strength； but without Zeus they could not have followed； for the Harpies used ever to outstrip the blasts of the west wind when they came to Phineus and when they left him。 And as when； upon the mountain… side； hounds； cunning in the chase； run in the track of horned goats or deer； and as they strain a little behind gnash their teeth upon the edge of their jaws in vain； so Zetes and Calais rushing very near just grazed the Harpies in vain with their finger…tips。 And assuredly they would have torn them to pieces； despite heaven's will； when they had overtaken them far off at the Floating Islands； had not swift Iris seen them and leapt down from the sky from heaven above； and cheeked them with these words：
（ll。 288…290） 〃It is not lawful； O sons of Boreas； to strike with your swords the Harpies； the hounds of mighty Zeus； but I myself will give you a pledge； that hereafter they shall not draw near to Phineus。〃
（ll。 291…300） With these words she took an oath by the waters of Styx； which to all the gods is most dread and most awful； that the Harpies would never thereafter again approach the home of Phineus； son of Agenor； for so it was fated。 And the heroes yielding to the oath； turned back their flight to the ship。 And on account of this men call them the Islands of Turning though aforetime they called them the Floating Islands。 And the Harpies and Iris parted。 They entered their den in Minoan Crete； but she sped up to Olympus； soaring aloft on her swift wings。
（ll。 301…310） Meanwhile the chiefs carefully cleansed the old man's squalid skin and with due selection sacrificed sheep which they had borne away from the spoil of Amycus。 And when they had laid a huge supper in the hall； they sat down and feasted； and with them feasted Phineus ravenously； delighting his soul； as in a dream。 And there； when they had taken their fill of food and drink； they kept awake all night waiting for the sons of Boreas。 And the aged sire himself sat in the midst； near the hearth； telling of the end of their voyage and the completion of their journey：
（ll。 311…315） 〃Listen then。 Not everything is it lawful for you to know clearly； but whatever is heaven's will； I will not hide。 I was infatuated aforetime； when in my folly I declared the will of Zeus in order and to the end。 For he himself wishes to deliver to men the utterances of the prophetic art incomplete； in order that they may still have some need to know the will of heaven。
（ll。 316…340） 〃First of all； after leaving me； ye will see the twin Cyanean rocks where the two seas meet。 No one； I ween； has won his escape between them。 For they are not firmly fixed with roots beneath； but constantly clash against one another to one point； and above a huge mass of salt water rises in a crest； boiling up； and loudly dashes upon the hard beach。 Wherefore now obey my counsel； if indeed with prudent mind and reverencing the blessed gods ye pursue your way； and perish not foolishly by a self…sought death； or rush on following the guidance of youth。 First entrust the attempt to a dove when ye have sent her forth from the ship。 And if she escapes safe with her wings between the rocks to the open sea； then no more do ye refrain from the path； but grip your oars well in your hands and cleave the sea's narrow strait； for the light of safety will be not so much in prayer as in strength of hands。 Wherefore let all else go and labour boldly with might and main； but ere then implore the gods as ye will； I forbid you not。 But if she flies onward and perishes midway； then do
