The Argonautica

who kissed his right hand, but found no power to speak,

though she longed to speak, while all the crowd swept onward;

but aged Iphias remained behind, off to one side,

among younger folk, while he turned far away and departed.

Then when he had left the city's well-constructed streets,

and reached the Pagasaean shore, where all his waiting companions

welcomed Jason there, assembled by the ship Argo.

Jason stood at the foreland; all gathered facing him.

Then they caught sight of Acastus and Argus, both coming

down from the city; they marveled to see both heroes

hurrying with all speed against the purpose of Pelias.

One wore about his shoulders a bull-hide reaching his feet,

Argus, Arestor's son; its shag was black; but the other

wore a lovely doubled cloak his sister Pelopeia had given.

Yet Jason refrained from questioning both men in detail,

and bade all the others sit together in assembly.

There, on the sails tightly furled, and also the mast

which lay flat, all sat in rows, each one beside the next.

Then Aeson's son, in goodwill, addressed the heroes:

All other gear with which it is fitting to furnish a ship

lies ready for going, all duly arranged in its order.

So these should not long hold back our voyage from starting,

once fresh and favoring breezes rise to drive the ship.

Yet friends, for all of us share one homecoming to Hellas,