The Argonautica

lustral water and whole barley-grains; but Jason then

prayed aloud, invoking Apollo, god of his fathers:

Hear, O lord, dwelling in Pagasae and in the city Aesonis,

named for my own father; you once gave me your promise

at Pytho, when I sought you, to show my journey's fulfillment and end

for you yourself became the cause of all these labors;

now guide the ship yourself with all my companions unharmed

there, and home again to Hellas. Then afterward to you,

for each man who returns, one splendid bull

we shall again lay on your altar; further gifts at Pytho,

other gifts beyond all measure I shall bear to Ortygia.

Come now, Far-shooter, accept our present sacrifice,

the gift we set before you now for Argo's embarkation,

first of all; may I, O lord, beneath a fate free from harm

loose the hawsers by your counsel; bid the wind rise

gentle, to carry Argo over seas in fair weather.

He spoke, and cast barley-grains as he prayed; then over the oxen

both girded themselves for the work, mighty Ancaeus and Heracles.

Heracles struck one mid-head, across the brow, with his club,

and down in a heap it fell, braced hard against the earth;

Ancaeus struck at the broad neck of the other ox

with his bronze axe and severed all the powerful sinews;

it toppled headlong, falling hard on both its horns.

Their companions swiftly slit throats and stripped away ox-hides,