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Then gave he the word with a mighty shout, and the youths forthright

Drave her with one rush down, as they thrust with their uttermost might,

From her berth in the sand, as with feet hard-straining strongly they stept

Forcing her forward, and Pelian Argo seaward swept

Full swiftly, and shouted they all, as to right and to left they leapt.

And under the massy keel’s heavy grinding groaned aloud

The rollers, and spirted about them the smoke in a dusky cloud

’Neath the crushing weight: and into the sea she slid, and her crew{390}

Back with the hawsers warped her, and stayed her as onward she flew.

Then the oars to the tholes they fitted on either side, and the mast

And the well-fashioned sails, and the tackling withal, therein they cast.

But soon as with diligent heed they had ordered all things so,

First cast they the lots for the thwarts whereat each man should row,

Allotting one unto two men still; but the midmost thwart

For Herakles chose they first, from the rest of the heroes apart;