The Argonautica

far off, the birds shrieking, bewildered by fear.

So now let us devise some stratagem of that kind;

I myself planned all beforehand; now hear my counsel.

Set your helmets, their lofty crests, firm on your heads;

let half the crew row by turns, and let the other half

guard Argo with polished spears and sturdy shields.

Then all together raise a deafening cry of battle,

crowding as one, so the birds fear the unfamiliar clamor,

the nodding crests and spears held high above the ship.

And if we reach the island itself, then in due course

raise a gigantic crash from shields amid the shouting.

He spoke; the helpful stratagem pleased every hero.

They fitted bronze helmets closely round the warriors' heads,

fearfully gleaming, while crimson crests shook above them.

One half of the heroes rowed by turns; the other half

their spears and shields formed solid roofing over Argo.

As when some man lays roofing tiles across his dwelling,

to give his house beauty and stout guard from rain,

and each tile, following another, is fitted firmly;

so joined shields made solid roofing over Argo.

Fierce battle clamor rises from a hostile host

of marching men whenever hostile armies clash,

so from high over the ship their shout spread through the air.

They saw no bird again; but drawing toward the island