The Argonautica

and stop his bellows' fiery force; Hippotas' son,

Aeolus will bind every swift assault of wind,

save steadfast Zephyr, till the heroes safely reach

Phaeacian harbors; devise their untroubled homeward voyage.

Only the rocks and overwhelming waves cause fear;

With sister band, turn both these threats aside.

Never let helpless heroes blunder into Charybdis,

lest Charybdis gulp them down, sweeping all away,

nor let them sail beside Scylla's loathsome cavern,

murderous Scylla, Ausonia's scourge, born to Phorcys

by roaming Hecate of night, whom mortals call Crataeis,

lest monstrous Scylla rush with savage, snapping jaws

and maim the chosen heroes. Hold the ship fast

where one slight turning offers escape from destruction.

So Hera spoke, and Thetis addressed her with words in this manner:

Should ravening fire lose force, and furious tempests

cease from their fury truly, then I shall speak boldly

and promise Argo safe, though hostile waves oppose,

if Zephyr's breath keeps moving with a piercing whistle.

But now it is time to travel a long, immeasurable pathway,

I must seek out my sisters, pledged as helpers,

and seek the place where the stern cables of Argo are fastened,

at first light the heroes will resolve to journey home.

She spoke and, darting down through the upper air, fell into the eddies