The Argonautica

to mark and reveal every route over the broad sea, if

with rites to Phoebus I launch Pelias' royal task.

He spoke, and first turned his hands to the work; they rose

in obedience, and heaped their garments there, piece upon piece

on a smooth ledge of rock that the sea never battered

with waves, though winter brine had washed it clean long before.

First, as Argus directed, with all their might they girdled

the ship with strong well-twisted cable stretched inside,

drawing it tight at both ends, so that timbers were fitted

firm in their dowels, resisting the strong oncoming surge.

Quickly they dug out a trench as broad as the full space

the ship enclosed, extending seaward from the prow as far

as hand-drawn Argo's onward course would need to run.

Always ahead of the stem they cut it deeper and lower,

and in that channel they laid down smooth-polished rollers;

then tipped the ship down onto the first row of rollers,

so gliding Argo traveled smoothly forward over rollers.

Then high on both sides, after turning the oars backward,

they tied them round tholepins, their handles a cubit projecting.

Beside the oars, in alternating ranks, they stood on both sides,

and pressed both their hands and chests hard on the oar-handles.

Tiphys boarded, calling them to pull at the right time;

he called and shouted loudly; the men close by, bearing

down with all their power, jolted her in one concerted heave