The Argonautica

call it chthonian Deo's sharp, grain-reaping sickle.

For Deo once made that very island her home

and taught the Titans to reap the rich, life-giving grain,

for love of Macris. From this the place is called Drepane

by name, the Phaeacians' sacred nurse; and so they themselves,

a Phaeacian race, trace their descent from Uranus' blood.

Argo, exhausted by long labors, reached their land

from the Thrinacian sea, borne onward by soft breezes;

King Alcinous and his people, with gentle rites of sacrifice,

received the men with joy; the whole city laughed around them,

They seemed to greet with joy their own returning sons.

The heroes themselves took joy as they moved through the multitude,

like men who had already set foot in the heart of

Haemonia; soon battle din would summon them to arms,

so very near had a limitless army appeared,

the Colchians, through Pontus' roaring mouth and dark Cyanean

Rocks had crossed, still searching keenly for the heroes.

They sought to take Medea, singled out, back home

to her father's halls at once, or threatened dire war

with loud and groaning cries and harsh, unbending force,

both now and afterward, obeying Aeetes' command.

But King Alcinous held them back as they pressed toward battle,

for he desired to settle both sides' bitter quarrel

far from deadly violence and war's overbearing strife.