第 9 节
作者:博搏      更新:2021-02-20 14:52      字数:9322
  hed with their swords on their shields; so that the ill…omened cry might be lost in the air the wail which the people were still sending up in grief for their king。  Hence from that time forward the Phrygians propitiate Rhea with the wheel and the drum。  And the gracious goddess; I ween; inclined her heart to pious sacrifices; and favourable signs appeared。  The trees shed abundant fruit; and round their feet the earth of its own accord put forth flowers from the tender grass。  And the beasts of the wild wood left their lairs and thickets and came up fawning on them with their tails。  And she caused yet another marvel; for hitherto there was no flow of water on Dindymum; but then for them an unceasing stream gushed forth from the thirsty peak just as it was; and the dwellers around in after times called that stream; the spring of Jason。  And then they made a feast in honour of the goddess on the Mount of Bears; singing the praises of Rhea most venerable; but at dawn the winds had ceased and they rowed away from the island。
  (ll。 1153…1171)  Thereupon a spirit of contention stirred each chieftain; who should be the last to leave his oar。  For all around the windless air smoothed the swirling waves and lulled the sea to rest。  And they; trusting in the calm; mightily drove the ship forward; and as she sped through the salt sea; not even the storm…footed steeds of Poseidon would have overtaken her。  Nevertheless when the sea was stirred by violent blasts which were just rising from the rivers about evening; forspent with toil; they ceased。  But Heracles by the might of his arms pulled the weary rowers along all together; and made the strong…knit timbers of the ship to quiver。  But when; eager to reach the Mysian mainland; they passed along in sight of the mouth of Rhyndaeus and the great cairn of Aegaeon; a little way from Phrygia; then Heracles; as he ploughed up the furrows of the roughened surge; broke his oar in the middle。  And one half he held in both his hands as he fell sideways; the other the sea swept away with its receding wave。  And he sat up in silence glaring round; for his hands were unaccustomed to he idle。
  (ll。 1172…1186)  Now at the hour when from the field some delver or ploughman goes gladly home to his hut; longing for his evening meal; and there on the threshold; all squalid with dust; bows his wearied knees; and; beholding his hands worn with toil; with many a curse reviles his belly; at that hour the heroes reached the homes of the Cianian land near the Arganthonian mount and the outfall of Cius。  Them as they came in friendliness; the Mysians; inhabitants of that land; hospitably welcomed; and gave them in their need provisions and sheep and abundant wine。  Hereupon some brought dried wood; others from the meadows leaves for beds which they gathered in abundance for strewing; whilst others were twirling sticks to get fire; others again were mixing wine in the bowl and making ready the feast; after sacrificing at nightfall to Apollo Ecbasius。
  (ll。 1187…1206)  But the son of Zeus having duly enjoined on his comrades to prepare the feast took his way into a wood; that he might first fashion for himself an oar to fit his hand。  Wandering about he found a pine not burdened with many branches; nor too full of leaves; but like to the shaft of a tall poplar; so great was it both in length and thickness to look at。  And quickly he laid on the ground his arrow…holding quiver together with his bow; and took off his lion's skin。  And he loosened the pine from the ground with his bronze…tipped club and grasped the trunk with both hands at the bottom; relying on his strength; and he pressed it against his broad shoulder with legs wide apart; and clinging close he raised it from the ground deep…rooted though it was; together with clods of earth。  And as when unexpectedly; just at the time of the stormy setting of baleful Orion; a swift gust of wind strikes down from above; and wrenches a ship's mast from its stays; wedges and all; so did Heracles lift the pine。  And at the same time he took up his bow and arrows; his lion skin and club; and started on his return。
  (ll。 1207…1239)  Meantime Hylas with pitcher of bronze in hand had gone apart from the throng; seeking the sacred flow of a fountain; that he might be quick in drawing water for the evening meal and actively make all things ready in due order against his lord's return。  For in such ways did Heracles nurture him from his first childhood when he had carried him off from the house of his father; goodly Theiodamas; whom the hero pitilessly slew among the Dryopians because he withstood him about an ox for the plough。  Theiodamas was cleaving with his plough the soil of fallow land when he was smitten with the curse; and Heracles bade him give up the ploughing ox against his will。  For he desired to find some pretext for war against the Dryopians for their bane; since they dwelt there reckless of right。  But these tales would lead me far astray from my song。  And quickly Hylas came to the spring which the people who dwell thereabouts call Pegae。  And the dances of the nymphs were just now being held there; for it was the care of all the nymphs that haunted that lovely headland ever to hymn Artemis in songs by night。  All who held the mountain peaks or glens; all they were ranged far off guarding the woods; but one; a water…nymph was just rising from the fair…flowing spring; and the boy she perceived close at hand with the rosy flush of his beauty and sweet grace。  For the full moon beaming from the sky smote him。  And Cypris made her heart faint; and in her confusion she could scarcely gather her spirit back to her。  But as soon as he dipped the pitcher in the stream; leaning to one side; and the brimming water rang loud as it poured against the sounding bronze; straightway she laid her left arm above upon his neck yearning to kiss his tender mouth; and with her right hand she drew down his elbow; and plunged him into the midst of the eddy。
  (ll。 1240…1256)  Alone of his comrades the hero Polyphemus; son of Eilatus; as he went forward on the path; heard the boy's cry; for he expected the return of mighty Heracles。  And he rushed after the cry; near Pegae; like some beast of the wild wood whom the bleating of sheep has reached from afar; and burning with hunger he follows; but does not fall in with the flocks; for the shepherds beforehand have penned them in the fold; but he groans and roars vehemently until he is weary。  Thus vehemently at that time did the son of Eilatus groan and wandered shouting round the spot; and his voice rang piteous。  Then quickly drawing his great sword he started in pursuit; in fear lest the boy should be the prey of wild beasts; or men should have lain in ambush for him faring all alone; and be carrying him off; an easy prey。  Hereupon as he brandished his bare sword in his hand he met Heracles himself on the path; and well he knew him as he hastened to the ship through the darkness。  And straightway he told the wretched calamity while his heart laboured with his panting breath。
  (ll。 1257…1260)  〃My poor friend; I shall be the first to bring thee tidings of bitter woe。  Hylas has gone to the well and has not returned safe; but robbers have attacked and are carrying him off; or beasts are tearing him to pieces; I heard his cry。〃
  (ll。 1261…1272)  Thus he spake; and when Heracles heard his words; sweat in abundance poured down from his temples and the black blood boiled beneath his heart。  And in wrath he hurled the pine to the ground and hurried along the path whither his feet bore on his impetuous soul。  And as when a bull stung by a gadfly tears along; leaving the meadows and the marsh land; and recks not of herdsmen or herd; but presses on; now without cheek; now standing still; and raising his broad neck he bellows loudly; stung by the maddening fly; so he in his frenzy now would ply his swift knees unresting; now again would cease from toil and shout afar with loud pealing cry。
  (ll。 1273…1289)  But straightway the morning star rose above the topmost peaks and the breeze swept down; and quickly did Tiphys urge them to go aboard and avail themselves of the wind。  And they embarked eagerly forthwith; and they drew up the ship's anchors and hauled the ropes astern。  And the sails were bellied out by the wind; and far from the coast were they joyfully borne past the Posideian headland。  But at the hour when gladsome dawn shines from heaven; rising from the east; and the paths stand out clearly; and the dewy plains shine with a bright gleam; then at length they were aware that unwittingly they had abandoned those men。  And a fierce quarrel fell upon them; and violent tumult; for that they had sailed and left behind the bravest of their comrades。  And Aeson's son; bewildered by their hapless plight; said never a word; good or bad; but sat with his heavy load of grief; eating out his heart。  And wrath seized Telamon; and thus he spake:
  (ll。 1290…1295)  〃Sit there at thy ease; for it was fitting for thee to leave Heracles behind; from thee the project arose; so that his glory throughout Hellas should not overshadow thee; if so be that heaven grants us a return home。  But what pleasure is there in words?  For I will go; I only; with