The Argonautica

until they reached the holy island called Electris,

the uppermost of all, lying near the river Eridanus.

But when the Colchians learned Prince Apsyrtus' grim fate,

they were eager to seek through all the sea's inner reaches

for Argo and the Minyans in Cronian waters; goddess Hera

restrained the search with dread bolts flashing down from heaven.

At last they came to hate the familiar homes of Cytaea,

in dread, trembling before the savage anger of Aeetes,

and scattered in separate bands to settle in distant places.

Some went to the very islands where the heroes had stopped,

and dwell there, bearing to this day the name of Apsyrtus;

others settled by Illyria's deep and darkened river,

where Harmonia and Cadmus lie entombed, built a stronghold,

making their homes among Enchelean men; others in the mountains

still dwell on heights now called the Ceraunian Mountains,

named from the day when thunderbolts of Cronus' great son

drove the Colchians far back from the opposing island.

When at last a homecoming without harm seemed theirs, the heroes

came forward then and tied their cables upon the country

of Hylleans; many islands, densely crowded, jutted

outward, making the passage between them hard for sailors.

Unlike before, the Hylleans planned no hostile action;

of their own will they themselves contrived the travelers' route,

and took as payment mighty Apollo's sacred tripod.