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where the Titan swam across upon the bull； and thence into the lazy
waters of the still Maeotid lake。 （4） And thence they went northward
ever； up the Tanais； which we call Don； past the Geloni and Sauromatai；
and many a wandering shepherd…tribe； and the one…eyed Arimaspi； of
whom old Greek poets tell； who steal the gold from the Griffins； in the
cold Riphaian hills。 （5）
And they passed the Scythian archers； and the Tauri who eat men；
and the wandering Hyperboreai； who feed their flocks beneath the pole…
star； until they came into the northern ocean； the dull dead Cronian Sea。
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（6） And there ARGO would move on no longer； and each man clasped
his elbow； and leaned his head upon his hand； heart…broken with toil and
hunger； and gave himself up to death。 But brave Ancaios the helmsman
cheered up their hearts once more； and bade them leap on land； and haul
the ship with ropes and rollers for many a weary day； whether over land；
or mud； or ice； I know not； for the song is mixed and broken like a
dream。 And it says next； how they came to the rich nation of the
famous long…lived men； and to the coast of the Cimmerians； who never
saw the sun； buried deep in the glens of the snow mountains； and to
the fair land of Hermione； where dwelt the most righteous of all nations；
and to the gates of the world below； and to the dwelling…place of dreams。
And at last Ancaios shouted； 'Endure a little while； brave friends； the
worst is surely past； for I can see the pure west wind ruffle the water；
and hear the roar of ocean on the sands。 So raise up the mast； and set
the sail； and face what comes like men。'
Then out spoke the magic bough； 'Ah； would that I had perished long
ago； and been whelmed by the dread blue rocks； beneath the fierce swell
of the Euxine！ Better so； than to wander for ever； disgraced by the guilt
of my princes； for the blood of Absyrtus still tracks me； and woe follows
hard upon woe。 And now some dark horror will clutch me； if I come
near the Isle of Ierne。 （7） Unless you will cling to the land； and sail
southward and southward for ever； I shall wander beyond the Atlantic； to
the ocean which has no shore。'
Then they blest the magic bough； and sailed southward along the
land。 But ere they could pass Ierne； the land of mists and storms； the
wild wind came down； dark and roaring； and caught the sail； and
strained the ropes。 And away they drove twelve nights； on the wide
wild western sea； through the foam； and over the rollers； while they saw
neither sun nor stars。 And they cried again； 'We shall perish； for we
know not where we are。 We are lost in the dreary damp darkness；
and cannot tell north from south。'
But Lynceus the long…sighted called gaily from the bows； 'Take heart
again； brave sailors； for I see a pine…clad isle； and the halls of the kind
Earth…mother； with a crown of clouds around them。'
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The Heroes
But Orpheus said； 'Turn from them； for no living man can land there：
there is no harbour on the coast； but steep…walled cliffs all round。'
So Ancaios turned the ship away； and for three days more they sailed
on； till they came to Aiaia； Circe's home； and the fairy island of the West。
（8）
And there Jason bid them land； and seek about for any sign of living
man。 And as they went inland Circe met them； coming down toward
the ship； and they trembled when they saw her； for her hair； and face；
and robes shone like flame。
And she came and looked at Medeia； and Medeia hid her face
beneath her veil。
And Circe cried； 'Ah； wretched girl； have you forgotten all your sins；
that you come hither to my island； where the flowers bloom all the year
round？ Where is your aged father； and the brother whom you killed？
Little do I expect you to return in safety with these strangers whom you
love。 I will send you food and wine： but your ship must not stay here；
for it is foul with sin； and foul with sin its crew。'
And the heroes prayed her； but in vain； and cried； 'Cleanse us from
our guilt！' But she sent them away； and said； 'Go on to Malea； and there
you may be cleansed； and return home。'
Then a fair wind rose； and they sailed eastward by Tartessus on the
Iberian shore； till they came to the Pillars of Hercules； and the
Mediterranean Sea。 And thence they sailed on through the deeps of
Sardinia； and past the Ausonian islands； and the capes of the Tyrrhenian
shore； till they came to a flowery island； upon a still bright summer's eve。
And as they neared it； slowly and wearily； they heard sweet songs upon
the shore。 But when Medeia heard it； she started； and cried； 'Beware；
all heroes； for these are the rocks of the Sirens。 You must pass close by
them； for there is no other channel； but those who listen to that song are
lost。'
Then Orpheus spoke； the king of all minstrels； 'Let them match their
song against mine。 I have charmed stones； and trees； and dragons； how
much more the hearts of men！' So he caught up his lyre； and stood
upon the poop； and began his magic song。
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And now they could see the Sirens on Anthemousa； the flowery isle；
three fair maidens sitting on the beach； beneath a red rock in the setting
sun； among beds of crimson poppies and golden asphodel。 Slowly they
sung and sleepily； with silver voices； mild and clear； which stole over the
golden waters； and into the hearts of all the heroes； in spite of Orpheus'
song。
And all things stayed around and listened； the gulls sat in white lines
along the rocks； on the beach great seals lay basking； and kept time with
lazy heads； while silver shoals of fish came up to hearken； and
whispered as they broke the shining calm。 The Wind overhead hushed
his whistling； as he shepherded his clouds toward the west； and the
clouds stood in mid blue； and listened dreaming； like a flock of golden
sheep。
And as the heroes listened； the oars fell from their hands； and their
heads drooped on their breasts； and they closed their heavy eyes； and
they dreamed of bright still gardens； and of slumbers under murmuring
pines； till all their toil seemed foolishness； and they thought of their
renown no more。
Then one lifted his head suddenly； and cried； 'What use in wandering
for ever？ Let us stay here and rest awhile。' And another； 'Let us row
to the shore； and hear the words they sing。' And another； 'I care not for
the words； but for the music。 They shall sing me to sleep； that I may
rest。'
And Butes； the son of Pandion； the fairest of all mortal men； leapt
out and swam toward the shore； crying； 'I come； I come； fair maidens； to
live and die here； listening to your song。'
Then Medeia clapped her hands together； and cried； 'Sing louder；
Orpheus； sing a bolder strain； wake up these hapless sluggards； or none
of them will see the land of Hellas more。'
Then Orpheus lifted his harp； and crashed his cunning hand across
the strings； and his music and his voice rose like a trumpet through the