The Argonautica

by cupbearers; then turn after turn they talked with each other,

telling the many tales young men tell over feasting and wine,

pleasantly talking, when insatiate arrogance stays far away.

There Aeson's son, quite helpless within his own spirit,

brooded on all things, like one bowed low under sorrow.

Idas observed him and taunted him loudly in full voice:

Son of Aeson, what counsel is this you coil in your spirit?

Declare your intent to us all. Or is terror mastering you

as it comes upon you, the fear that dazes cowardly men?

Now let my headlong spear bear witness, by which above all men

I raise my battle-glory; Zeus himself does not aid me

so much as my own spear: no deadly disaster shall ever

come, and no contest remain without fulfillment,

while Idas follows you, even should some god oppose.

Such is the helper you carry away with you from Arene.

He spoke, then raised the brimming cup in both his hands,

he drank the strong, unmixed sweet wine; it overflowed

his lips and blue-black beard; and all the heroes shouted

as one; then Idmon in turn spoke openly against him:

Poor fool, you are plotting ruin for yourself before the time.

Or has the neat wine swollen your bold heart toward blindness

deep in your breast, and driven you on to dishonor the gods?

Other words bring comfort, the kind by which a man may

give heart to a comrade; you spoke with utter recklessness.