The Argonautica

But Zeus has no true will to fulfill our homecoming day

and bring full completion after all of our labors.

So Ancaeus spoke in tears; and all the men agreed with him

every seaman skilled in ships among the whole assembly,

each heart froze over; green pallor spread across their cheeks.

As men who resemble lifeless images slowly wander

through all the city streets, awaiting the final outcome

of war, consuming plague, or vast, unmeasured rain

that drowns the countless works of oxen plowing fields,

or carved statues stream with sweat of their own accord,

with blood, and bellowings appear within the sacred enclosures,

or midday sun brings night across the world

from heaven, while the radiant stars shine through the air,

Thus heroes crawled beside the long, unending shoreline.

At once dark evening closed its shadow round them.

With piteous cries they clasped each other tight in arms

and took tearful farewells, so each, apart from others,

might meet his death alone and fall upon the sands.

They went their separate ways, each choosing a distant resting-place,

there wrapped their bowed heads deep within their cloaks,

without supper, fasting, lay throughout the night

and daylight, waiting upon a death most pitiable. Apart,

the maidens gathered and lamented beside Aeetes' daughter.

As when unfledged young birds, abandoned, fallen outside