The Argonautica

when Argus heard from his brothers that the maiden herself was going

at dawn, making her way to Hecate's sacred temple,

and led him across the plain; Mopsus followed beside them,

Ampycus' son, well skilled to interpret birds when they appeared,

and skilled to give good counsel to men who went on their journey.

Never among men of old had such a one arisen,

neither those who traced their lineage back to Zeus himself,

nor heroes ever sprung from blood of the other immortals,

as Zeus' own wife made Jason upon that singular day,

both to see him face-to-face and hold a conversation.

Even his comrades themselves, as they gazed, stood astonished

as he shone with every grace; Mopsus rejoiced in the journey,

Ampycus' son, foreseeing already how all things would happen.

There beside the path across the plain, near Hecate's temple,

stands a poplar crowned by a limitless wealth of leaves,

where loudly cawing crows would often settle to roost.

One crow from their midst stirred and lifted up her wings,

and high in the branches cried out, moved by Hera's counsel:

This prophet has no glory; not even what children know

can grasp in his mind--that no word either sweet

or lovely will ever be spoken by maiden to young man

while other foreign men come following behind them.

Begone, evil prophet, foolish-minded; neither does Cypris

nor the gentle, loving Loves breathe favor upon you.