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When the rest of the wanderers lay for the last time bowed by the might

Of slumber on that drear shore, while watch and ward was kept

Of Akastus and Mopsus Ampykus’ son over them that slept,—

Then over the golden head of Aison’s son did there fly

A kingfisher: clear through the hush his happy-boding cry

Rang for the lulling of winds; and Mopsus hearkening caught

The shore-bird’s note, and he knew it with happy omen fraught.

And a God’s hand guided its wing, that it wheeled and shot to the height

Of the Argo’s stern, and thereon hath it stayed its arrowy flight.

And the seer touched Jason, there on the fleeces soft as he lay{1090}

Of the sheep, and from slumber he roused him with haste, and thus did he say:

‘Aison’s son, thou must climb to the temple that standeth there

On Dindymus’ rugged height, and make to the Mother thy prayer,

The fair-throned Mother of all the Blest: and the stormy blast

Shall be stilled. For but now hath a cry by mine ears on the night-wind passed,

The weird sea-kingfisher’s cry; and around thy slumbering head