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But a sore task thrusteth me onward still, and I may not rest.’

He spake, and the queen’s right hand hath he touched, and aback to the strand

He hath turned him to go; and around him the maidens on either hand

Danced blithely, a throng unnumbered, till forth of the gates he had strode.

Thereafter the women loaded them wains smooth-running, and rode

Down to the beach, and gifts of greeting they bare good store,

When now to his fellows the hero had told the message o’er,

Which Hypsipylê spake unto him when she sent and bade him come.

And with little ado the maidens drew the heroes home

To their halls; for sweet desire did the Lady of Cyprus awake,{850}

For a grace to Hephaistus the Lord of Craft, that Lemnos might take

New life, and unruined be peopled of men once more for his sake.

Now into Hypsipylê’s royal palace Aison’s son

Hath passed, and the rest, as it happed unto each man, so are they gone,

Save Herakles only; for still with the ship would the hero abide,

For he willed it so, and a few his chosen comrades beside.