Читать книгу The Tale of the Argonauts онлайн

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The story of Aithalides that all men know full well?

Of him was Hypsipylê won to receive that sea-borne array{650}

As waned the day to the gloaming: yet not with the new-born day

Unmoored they the ship for the North-wind’s breathing to waft away.

Through the city the daughters of Lemnos into the folkmote pressed,

And there sat down, as Hypsipylê’s self sent forth her behest.

So when they were gathered in one great throng to the market-stead,

For their counselling straightway she rose in the midst of them all, and she said:

‘Friends, now, an ye will, good store of gifts to the men give we,

Even such as is meet that the farers a-shipboard should bear oversea,

Even meats and the sweet strong wine, that without our towers so

They may bide, nor for need’s sake passing amidst of us to and fro{660}

May know of us all too well, and our evil report shall go

Afar, for a terrible deed have we wrought, and in no wise, I trow,

Good in their sight shall it seem, if they haply shall hear the tale.

Lo, this is our counsel, and this, meseemeth, best shall avail.