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cave of Hades overarched by wood and rocks。 From here an icy breath； unceasingly issuing from the chill recess； ever forms a glistening rime which melts again beneath the midday sun。 And never does silence hold that grim headland； but there is a continual murmur from the sounding sea and the leaves that quiver in the winds from the cave。 And here is the outfall of the river Acheron which bursts its way through the headland and falls into the Eastern sea； and a hollow ravine brings it down from above。 In after times the Nisaean Megarians named it Soonautes （2） when they were about to settle in the land of the Mariandyni。 For indeed the river saved them with their ships when they were caught in a violent tempest。 By this way the heroes took the ship through （3） the Acherusian headland and came to land over against it as the wind had just ceased。
（ll。 752…773） Not long had they come unmarked by Lycus； the lord of that land； and the Mariandynithey； the slayers of Amycus； according to the report which the people heard before； but for that very deed they even made a league with the heroes。 And Polydeuces himself they welcomed as a god； flocking from every side； since for a long time had they been warring against the arrogant Bebrycians。 And so they went up all together into the city； and all that day with friendly feelings made ready a feast within the palace of Lycus and gladdened their souls with converse。 Aeson's son told him the lineage and name of each of his comrades and the behests of Pelias； and how they were welcomed by the Lemnian women； and all that they did at Dolionian Cyzieus； and how they reached the Mysian land and Cius； where； sore against their will； they left behind the hero Heracles； and he told the saying of Glaucus； and how they slew the Bebrycians and Amycus； and he told of the prophecies and affliction of Phineus； and how they escaped the Cyanean rocks； and how they met with Leto's son at the island。 And as he told all； Lycus was charmed in soul with listening； and he grieved for Heracles left behind； and spake as follows among them all：
（ll。 774…810） 〃O friends； what a man he was from whose help ye have fallen away； as ye cleave your long path to Aeetes； for well do I know that I saw him here in the halls of Dascylus my father； when he came hither on foot through the land of Asia bringing the girdle of warlike Hippolyte； and me he found with the down just growing on my cheeks。 And here； when my brother Priolas was slain by the Mysiansmy brother； whom ever since the people lament with most piteous dirgeshe entered the lists with Titias in boxing and slew him； mighty Titias； who surpassed all the youths in beauty and strength； and he dashed his teeth to the ground。 Together with the Mysians he subdued beneath my father's sway the Phrygians also； who inhabit the lands next to us； and he made his own the tribes of the Bithynians and their land； as far as the mouth of Rhebas and the peak of Colone； and besides them the Paphlagonians of Pelops yielded just as they were； even all those round whom the dark water of Billaeus breaks。 But now the Bebrycians and the insolence of Amycus have robbed me； since Heracles dwells far away； for they have long been cutting off huge pieces of my land until they have set their bounds at the meadows of deep…flowing Hypius。 Nevertheless； by your hands have they paid the penalty； and it was not without the will of heaven； I trow； that he brought war on the Bebrycians this dayhe； the son of Tyndareus； when he slew that champion。 Wherefore whatever requital I am now able to pay； gladly will I pay it； for that is the rule for weaker men when the stronger begin to help them。 So with you all； and in your company； I bid Dascylus my son follow； and if he goes； you will find all men friendly that ye meet on your way through the sea even to the mouth of the river Thermodon。 And besides that； to the sons of Tyndareus will I raise a lofty temple on the Acherusian height； which all sailors shall mark far across the sea and shall reverence； and hereafter for them will I set apart outside the city； as for gods； some fertile fields of the well…tilled plain。〃
（ll。 811…814） Thus all day long they revelled at the banquet。 But at dawn they hied down to the ship in haste； and with them went Lycus himself； when he had given them countless gifts to bear away； and with them he sent forth his son from his home。
（ll。 815…834） And here his destined fate smote Idmon； son of Abas； skilled in soothsaying； but not at all did his soothsaying save him； for necessity drew him on to death。 For in the mead of the reedy river there lay； cooling his flanks and huge belly in the mud； a white…tusked boar； a deadly monster； whom even the nymphs of the marsh dreaded； and no man knew it； but all alone he was feeding in the wide fell。 But the son of Abas was passing along the raised banks of the muddy river； and the boar from some unseen lair leapt out of the reed…bed； and charging gashed his thigh and severed in twain the sinews and the bone。 And with a sharp cry the hero fell to the ground； and as he was struck his comrades flocked together with answering cry。 And quickly Peleus with his hunting spear aimed at the murderous boar as he fled back into the fen； and again he turned and charged； but Idas wounded him； and with a roar he fell impaled upon the sharp spear。 And the boar they left on the ground just as he had fallen there； but Idmon； now at the last gasp； his comrades bore to the ship in sorrow of heart； and he died in his comrades' arms。
（ll。 835…850） And here they stayed from taking thought for their voyaging and abode in grief for the burial of their dead friend。 And for three whole days they lamented； and on the next they buried him with full honours； and the people and King Lycus himself took part in the funeral rites； and； as is the due of the departed； they slaughtered countless sheep at his tomb。 And so a barrow to this hero was raised in that land； and there stands a token for men of later days to see； the trunk of a wild olive tree； such as ships are built of； and it flourishes with its green leaves a little below the Acherusian headland。 And if at the bidding of the Muses I must tell this tale outright； Phoebus strictly commanded the Boeotians and Nisaeans to worship him as guardian of their city； and to build their city round the trunk of the ancient wild olive； but they； instead of the god…fearing Aeolid Idmon； at this day honour Agamestor。
（ll。 851…868） Who was the next that died？ For then a second time the heroes heaped up a barrow for a comrade dead。 For still are to be seen two monuments of those heroes。 The tale goes that Tiphys son of Hagnias died； nor was it his destiny thereafter to sail any further。 But him there on the spot a short sickness laid to rest far from his native land； when the company had paid due honours to the dead son of Abas。 And at the cruel woe they were seized with unbearable grief。 For when with due honours they had buried him also hard by the seer； they cast themselves down in helplessness on the sea…shore silently； closely wrapped up； and took no thought for meat or drink； and their spirit drooped in grief； for all hope of return was gone。 And in their sorrow they would have stayed from going further had not Hera kindled exceeding courage in Ancaeus； whom near the waters of Imbrasus Astypalaea bore to Poseidon； for especially was he skilled in steering and eagerly did he address Peleus：
（ll。 869…877） 〃Son of Aeacus； is it well for us to give up our toils and linger on in a strange land？ Not so much for my prowess in war did Jason take me with him in quest of the fleece； far from Parthenia； as for my knowledge of ships。 Wherefore； I pray； let there be no fear for the ship。 And so there are here other men of skill； of whom none will harm our voyaging； whomsoever we set at the helm。 But quickly tell forth all this and boldly urge them to call to mind their task。〃
（ll。 878…884） Thus he spake； and Peleus' soul was stirred with gladness； and straightway he spake in the midst of all： 〃My friends； why do we thus cherish a bootless grief like this？ For those two have perished by the fate they have met with； but among our host are steersmen yet； and many a one。 Wherefore let us not delay our attempt； but rouse yourselves to the work and cast away your griefs。〃
（ll。 885…893） And him in reply Aeson's son addressed with helpless words： 〃Son of Aeacus； where are these steersmen of thine？ For those whom we once deemed to be men of skill； they even more than I are bowed with vexation of heart。 Wherefore I forebode an evil doom for us even as for the dead； if it shall be our lot neither to reach the city of fell Aeetes； nor ever again to pass beyond the rocks to the land of Hellas； but a wretched fate will enshroud us here ingloriously till we grow old for naught。〃
（ll。 894…898） Thus he spake； but Ancaeus quickly undertook to guide the swift ship； for he was stirred by the impulse of the goddess。 And after him Erginus and Nauplius and Euphemus started up； eager to steer。 But the others held them back； and many of his comrades granted it to Ancaeus。
（ll。 899…910） So on the twelfth day they went aboard at dawn； for a str