The Argonautica

call by that name, beside the stream of the river Erginus;

there, shrouding her in dark clouds, he forced her to yield.

From the tips of their feet, on either side, dark wings

they shook aloft when rising, a great wonder to behold,

golden scales made each wing gleam; across their backs,

from the high crown of the head and the neck on either side,

blue-black tresses streamed and tossed among gusts of wind.

Nor did Acastus himself, the son of mighty Pelias,

desire to linger there in the halls of his own father,

nor Argus, who worked as helper to the goddess Athena;

but both men too were destined to be chosen for the company.

So many fellow-counsellors gathered for Aeson's son.

Neighbors around them called all of the chiefs Minyans,

all alike, since Minyas' daughters' blood gave birth

to most of the noblest heroes, proud of that descent.

Thus even Jason himself was born of such a mother,

Alcimede herself, sprung from Clymene, Minyas' daughter.

But when the servants had made all the needful gear ready,

all stores held within ships fully appointed,

when need compels men to voyage across the open sea,

then through the city's streets they reached Argo; there the shores

were known as Magnesian Pagasae; all around, the people's

throng ran together in haste; but the heroes themselves, bright

as stars amid clouds, shone conspicuous; so each man