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！
changed to gold； and became one of the most beautiful objects ever seen
on earth。 It was hung upon a tree in a sacred grove； where it had now been
kept I know not how many years； and was the envy of mighty kings； who
had nothing so magnificent in any of their palaces。
If I were to tell you all the adventures of the Argonauts； it would take
me till nightfall； and perhaps a great deal longer。 There was no lack of
145
… Page 146…
TANGLEWOOD TALES
wonderful events； as you may judge from what you have already heard。 At
a certain island； they were hospitably received by King Cyzicus； its
sovereign； who made a feast for them； and treated them like brothers。 But
the Argonauts saw that this good king looked downcast and very much
troubled； and they therefore inquired of him what was the matter。 King
Cyzicus hereupon informed them that he and his subjects were greatly
abused and incommoded by the inhabitants of a neighboring mountain；
who made war upon them； and killed many people； and ravaged the
country。 And while they were talking about it； Cyzicus pointed to the
mountain； and asked Jason and his companions what they saw there。
〃I see some very tall objects；〃 answered Jason； 〃but they are at such a
distance that I cannot distinctly make out what they are。 To tell your
majesty the truth； they look so very strangely that I am inclined to think
them clouds； which have chanced to take something like human shapes。〃
〃I see them very plainly；〃 remarked Lynceus； whose eyes； you know；
were as far…sighted as a telescope。 〃They are a band of enormous giants；
all of whom have six arms apiece； and a club； a sword； or some other
weapon in each of their hands。〃
〃You have excellent eyes；〃 said King Cyzicus。 〃Yes； they are six…
armed giants； as you say； and these are the enemies whom I and my
subjects have to contend with。〃
The next day； when the Argonauts were about setting sail； down came
these terrible giants； stepping a hundred yards at a stride； brandishing their
six arms apiece； and looking formidable； so far aloft in the air。 Each of
these monsters was able to carry on a whole war by himself； for with one
arm he could fling immense stones； and wield a club with another； and a
sword with a third； while the fourth was poking a long spear at the enemy；
and the fifth and sixth were shooting him with a bow and arrow。 But；
luckily； though the giants were so huge； and had so many arms； they had
each but one heart； and that no bigger nor braver than the heart of an
ordinary man。 Besides； if they had been like the hundred…armed Briareus；
the brave Argonauts would have given them their hands full of fight。 Jason
and his friends went boldly to meet them； slew a great many； and made the
rest take to their heels； so that if the giants had had six legs apiece instead
146
… Page 147…
TANGLEWOOD TALES
of six arms； it would have served them better to run away with。
Another strange adventure happened when the voyagers came to
Thrace； where they found a poor blind king； named Phineus； deserted by
his subjects； and living in a very sorrowful way； all by himself： On Jason's
inquiring whether they could do him any service； the king answered that
he was terribly tormented by three great winged creatures； called Harpies；
which had the faces of women； and the wings； bodies； and claws of
vultures。 These ugly wretches were in the habit of snatching away his
dinner； and allowed him no peace of his life。 Upon hearing this； the
Argonauts spread a plentiful feast on the sea…shore； well knowing； from
what the blind king said of their greediness； that the Harpies would snuff
up the scent of the victuals； and quickly come to steal them away。 And so
it turned out； for； hardly was the table set； before the three hideous vulture
women came flapping their wings； seized the food in their talons； and flew
off as fast as they could。 But the two sons of the North Wind drew their
swords； spread their pinions； and set off through the air in pursuit of the
thieves； whom they at last overtook among some islands； after a chase of
hundreds of miles。 The two winged youths blustered terribly at the Harpies
（for they had the rough temper of their father）； and so frightened them
with their drawn swords； that they solemnly promised never to trouble
King Phineus again。
Then the Argonauts sailed onward and met with many other marvelous
incidents； any one of which would make a story by itself。 At one time they
landed on an island； and were reposing on the grass； when they suddenly
found themselves assailed by what seemed a shower of steel…headed
arrows。 Some of them stuck in the ground； while others hit against their
shields； and several penetrated their flesh。 The fifty heroes started up； and
looked about them for the hidden enemy； but could find none； nor see any
spot； on the whole island； where even a single archer could lie concealed。
Still； however； the steel…headed arrows came whizzing among them； and；
at last； happening to look upward； they beheld a large flock of birds；
hovering and wheeling aloft； and shooting their feathers down upon the
Argonauts。 These feathers were the steel…headed arrows that had so
tormented them。 There was no possibility of making any resistance； and
147
… Page 148…
TANGLEWOOD TALES
the fifty heroic Argonauts might all have been killed or wounded by a
flock of troublesome birds； without ever setting eyes on the Golden Fleece；
if Jason had not thought of asking the advice of the oaken image。
So he ran to the galley as fast as his legs would carry him。
〃O； daughter of the Speaking Oak；〃 cried he； all out of breath； 〃we
need your wisdom more than ever before！ We are in great peril from a
flock of birds； who are shooting us with their steel…pointed feathers。 What
can we do to drive them away？〃
〃Make a clatter on your shields；〃 said the image。
On receiving this excellent counsel； Jason hurried back to his
companions （who were far more dismayed than when they fought with the
six…armed giants）； and bade them strike with their swords upon their
brazen shields。 Forthwith the fifty heroes set heartily to work； banging
with might and main； and raised such a terrible clatter； that the birds made
what haste they could to get away； and though they had shot half the
feathers out of their wings； they were soon seen skimming among the
clouds； a long distance off； and looking like a flock of wild geese。 Orpheus
celebrated this victory by playing a triumphant anthem on his harp； and
sang so melodiously that Jason begged him to desist； lest； as the steel…
feathered birds had been driven away by an ugly sound； they might be
enticed back again by a sweet one。
While the Argonauts remained on this island； they saw a small vessel
approaching the shore； in which were two young men of princely
demeanor； and exceedingly handsome； as young princes generally were； in
those days。 Now； who do you imagine these two voyagers turned out to be？
Why； if you will believe me； they were the sons of that very Phrixus； who；
in his childhood； had been carried to Colchis on the back of the golden…
fleeced ram。 Since that time； Phrixus had married the king's daughter； and
the two young princes had been born and brought up at Colchis； and had
spent their play…days in the outskirts of the grove； in the center of which
the Golden Fleece was hanging upon a tree。 They were now on their way
to Greece； in hopes of getting back a kingdom that had been wrongfully
taken from their father。
When the princes understood whither the Argonauts were going； they
148
… Page 149…