友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!阅读过程发现任何错误请告诉我们,谢谢!! 报告错误
九色书籍 返回本书目录 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 进入书吧 加入书签

the heroes-第19章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



ng light; till she stooped to the  Isle of the Sirens; and snatched their prey from their claws。   And she lifted Butes as he lay sleeping; and wrapt him in  golden mist; and she bore him to the peak of Lilybaeum; and  he slept there many a pleasant year。

But when the Sirens saw that they were conquered; they  shrieked for envy and rage; and leapt from the beach into the  sea; and were changed into rocks until this day。

Then they came to the straits by Lilybaeum; and saw Sicily;  the three…cornered island; under which Enceladus the giant  lies groaning day and night; and when he turns the earth  quakes; and his breath bursts out in roaring flames from the  highest cone of AEtna; above the chestnut woods。  And there  Charybdis caught them in its fearful coils of wave; and  rolled mast…high about them; and spun them round and round;  and they could go neither back nor forward; while the  whirlpool sucked them in。

And while they struggled they saw near them; on the other  side the strait; a rock stand in the water; with its peak  wrapt round in clouds … a rock which no man could climb;  though he had twenty hands and feet; for the stone was smooth  and slippery; as if polished by man's hand; and halfway up a  misty cave looked out toward the west。

And when Orpheus saw it he groaned; and struck his hands  together。  And 'Little will it help us;' he cried; 'to escape  the jaws of the whirlpool; for in that cave lives Scylla; the  sea…hag with a young whelp's voice; my mother warned me of  her ere we sailed away from Hellas; she has six heads; and  six long necks; and hides in that dark cleft。  And from her  cave she fishes for all things which pass by … for sharks;  and seals; and dolphins; and all the herds of Amphitrite。   And never ship's crew boasted that they came safe by her  rock; for she bends her long necks down to them; and every  mouth takes up a man。  And who will help us now?  For Hera  and Zeus hate us; and our ship is foul with guilt; so we must  die; whatever befalls。'

Then out of the depths came Thetis; Peleus' silver…footed  bride; for love of her gallant husband; and all her nymphs  around her; and they played like snow…white dolphins; diving  on from wave to wave; before the ship; and in her wake; and  beside her; as dolphins play。  And they caught the ship; and  guided her; and passed her on from hand to hand; and tossed  her through the billows; as maidens toss the ball。  And when  Scylla stooped to seize her; they struck back her ravening  heads; and foul Scylla whined; as a whelp whines; at the  touch of their gentle hands。  But she shrank into her cave  affrighted … for all bad things shrink from good … and ARGO  leapt safe past her; while a fair breeze rose behind。  Then  Thetis and her nymphs sank down to their coral caves beneath  the sea; and their gardens of green and purple; where live  flowers bloom all the year round; while the heroes went on  rejoicing; yet dreading what might come next。

After that they rowed on steadily for many a weary day; till  they saw a long high island; and beyond it a mountain land。   And they searched till they found a harbour; and there rowed  boldly in。  But after awhile they stopped; and wondered; for  there stood a great city on the shore; and temples and walls  and gardens; and castles high in air upon the cliffs。  And on  either side they saw a harbour; with a narrow mouth; but wide  within; and black ships without number; high and dry upon the  shore。

Then Ancaios; the wise helmsman; spoke; 'What new wonder is  this?  I know all isles; and harbours; and the windings of  all seas; and this should be Corcyra; where a few wild goat… herds dwell。  But whence come these new harbours and vast  works of polished stone?'

But Jason said; 'They can be no savage people。  We will go in  and take our chance。'

So they rowed into the harbour; among a thousand black…beaked  ships; each larger far than ARGO; toward a quay of polished  stone。  And they wondered at that mighty city; with its roofs  of burnished brass; and long and lofty walls of marble; with  strong palisades above。  And the quays were full of people;  merchants; and mariners; and slaves; going to and fro with  merchandise among the crowd of ships。  And the heroes' hearts  were humbled; and they looked at each other and said; 'We  thought ourselves a gallant crew when we sailed from Iolcos  by the sea; but how small we look before this city; like an  ant before a hive of bees。'

Then the sailors hailed them roughly from the quay; 'What men  are you? … we want no strangers here; nor pirates。  We keep  our business to ourselves。'

But Jason answered gently; with many a flattering word; and  praised their city and their harbour; and their fleet of  gallant ships。  'Surely you are the children of Poseidon; and  the masters of the sea; and we are but poor wandering  mariners; worn out with thirst and toil。  Give us but food  and water; and we will go on our voyage in peace。'

Then the sailors laughed; and answered; 'Stranger; you are no  fool; you talk like an honest man; and you shall find us  honest too。  We are the children of Poseidon; and the masters  of the sea; but come ashore to us; and you shall have the  best that we can give。'

So they limped ashore; all stiff and weary; with long ragged  beards and sunburnt cheeks; and garments torn and weather… stained; and weapons rusted with the spray; while the sailors  laughed at them (for they were rough…tongued; though their  hearts were frank and kind)。  And one said; 'These fellows  are but raw sailors; they look as if they had been sea…sick  all the day。'  And another; 'Their legs have grown crooked  with much rowing; till they waddle in their walk like ducks。'

At that Idas the rash would have struck them; but Jason held  him back; till one of the merchant kings spoke to them; a  tall and stately man。

'Do not be angry; strangers; the sailor boys must have their  jest。  But we will treat you justly and kindly; for strangers  and poor men come from God; and you seem no common sailors by  your strength; and height; and weapons。  Come up with me to  the palace of Alcinous; the rich sea…going king; and we will  feast you well and heartily; and after that you shall tell us  your name。'

But Medeia hung back; and trembled; and whispered in Jason's  ear; 'We are betrayed; and are going to our ruin; for I see  my countrymen among the crowd; dark…eyed Colchi in steel  mail…shirts; such as they wear in my father's land。'

'It is too late to turn;' said Jason。  And he spoke to the  merchant king; 'What country is this; good sir; and what is  this new…built town?'

'This is the land of the Phaeaces; beloved by all the  Immortals; for they come hither and feast like friends with  us; and sit by our side in the hall。  Hither we came from  Liburnia to escape the unrighteous Cyclopes; for they robbed  us; peaceful merchants; of our hard…earned wares and wealth。   So Nausithous; the son of Poseidon; brought us hither; and  died in peace; and now his son Alcinous rules us; and Arete  the wisest of queens。'

So they went up across the square; and wondered still more as  they went; for along the quays lay in order great cables; and  yards; and masts; before the fair temple of Poseidon; the  blue…haired king of the seas。  And round the square worked  the ship…wrights; as many in number as ants; twining ropes;  and hewing timber; and smoothing long yards and oars。  And  the Minuai went on in silence through clean white marble  streets; till they came to the hall of Alcinous; and they  wondered then still more。  For the lofty palace shone aloft  in the sun; with walls of plated brass; from the threshold to  the innermost chamber; and the doors were of silver and gold。   And on each side of the doorway sat living dogs of gold; who  never grew old or died; so well Hephaistos had made them in  his forges in smoking Lemnos; and gave them to Alcinous to  guard his gates by night。  And within; against the walls;  stood thrones on either side; down the whole length of the  hall; strewn with rich glossy shawls; and on them the  merchant kings of those crafty sea…roving Phaeaces sat eating  and drinking in pride; and feasting there all the year round。   And boys of molten gold stood each on a polished altar; and  held torches in their hands; to give light all night to the  guests。  And round the house sat fifty maid…servants; some  grinding the meal in the mill; some turning the spindle; some  weaving at the loom; while their hands twinkled as they  passed the shuttle; like quivering aspen leaves。

And outside before the palace a great garden was walled  round; filled full of stately fruit…trees; gray olives and  sweet figs; and pomegranates; pears; and apples; which bore  the whole year round。  For the rich south…west wind fed them;  till pear grew ripe on pear; fig on fig; and grape on grape;  all the winter and the spring。  And at the farther end gay  flower…beds bloomed through all seasons of the year; and two  fair fountains rose; and ran; one through the garden grounds;  and one beneath the palace gate; to water all the town。  Such  noble gifts the heavens had given to Alcinous the wise。

So they went in; and saw him sitting; like Poseidon; on his  thron
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0
未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!