Читать книгу The Tale of the Argonauts онлайн

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Let our voyaging tarry no more; suffice the delays overpast.

But now, even now, let us offer to Phœbus the sacrifice meet,

And prepare us a feast even here; and, while yet tarry the feet

Of my thralls, overseers of my steading, which bear in charge my command

Fitly to choose for us beasts from the herd, and to drive to the strand,

We will launch on the sea our ship, we will set up her tackling therein,

And thwart by thwart cast lots for the place each oarsman shall win.

To Apollo, the Seafarers’ Saviour, uppile we then on the beach

An altar; for whatso I needs must do hath he promised to teach,{360}

And to show us the paths of the sea, if first with sacrifice

I seek unto him, or ever I strive with the king for the prize.’

So spake he, and turned him first to the work; and, his call to obey,

The heroes arose, and their garments row upon row heaped they

On a smooth rock-shelf: the waves of the sea beat not thereon;

But the dash of the stormy brine had cleansed it long agone.

Then, giving heed to the counsels of Argus, stoutly they braced