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THE ARGONAUTICA, BOOK IV


wanders by night, daughter of Perses. Not willingly
did I haste fon my “home with men of an alien
race ; but a horrible fear wrought on me to bethink
me of flight when I sinned; other device was there
none. Still my maiden’s girdle remains, as in the
halls of my father, unstained, untouched. Pity me,
lady, and turn thy lord to merey; and may the
immortals grant thee a perfect life, and joy, and
children, and the glory of a city unravaged!”

Thus dia she implore Arete, shedding tears, and
thus each of the chieftains in turn:

“Qn your account, ye tnen of peerless might, and
on account of my toils in your ventures am I sorely
afflicted ; even I, by whose help ye yoked the bulls,
and reaped the deadly harvest of the earthborn men ;
even I, through whom on your homeward path ye
shall bear to Haemonia the golden fleece. Lo,
here am I, who have lost my country and my
parents, he have lost my home and all the
delights of life; to you have I restored your
country and your homes ; with eyes of gladness
ye will see again your parents; but from me a
heavy-handed god ‘has reft all joy; and with
strangers I wander, an accursed thing. Fear your
covenant and your oaths, fear the Fury that avenges
suppliants and the retribution of heaven, if I fall
into Aeetes’ hands and am slain with grievous
outrage. To no shrines, no tower of defence, no
other refuge do I pay heed, but only to you. Hard
and pitiless in your cruelty! No reverence have ye
for me in your heart though ye see me _ helpless,
stretching my hands towards the knees of a stranger
queen ; yet, when ye longed to seize the fleece,


395


APOLLONIUS RHODIUS


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NVOpPENS, OTE LOdVOL ATTOTUNYEVTES EAT.”
“Os dato Maocopévn? TOV 8 dvTiLWa youvatorTo,
0s pv Oapavvecker epntv@rv axéovoar.
