The Argonautica

Canthus rushed beside them, fifth among the searchers.

The gods' fate and his own courage stirred Canthus

to go and learn the whole truth from Heracles with certainty

where he left Polyphemus, son of Eilatus; for Canthus

was eager to ask every detail concerning his lost companion.

But Polyphemus had founded a city renowned among Mysians

and, deeply yearning for homecoming, undertook the search for Argo

far across the mainland; in time he reached the country

among maritime Chalybes; there Fate subdued the wanderer.

Beneath a tall white poplar, a tomb has been built for him,

near the sea. That day Lynceus alone believed

he saw Heracles far across the boundless land,

as at the new month's dawn one glimpses the rising moon,

either sees, or thinks he sees it through the gathering mist.

Returning to his companions, Lynceus told them no other

searcher would meet Heracles on his way; and they themselves

returned, Euphemus, swift in his feet, and the two sons

of Thracian Boreas, worn by utterly fruitless labor.

Canthus, in Libya murderous death-spirits seized your life.

You met the grazing flocks; their strong fold-keeper followed,

and while you tried to bring his sheep back to needy comrades,

he killed you with a stone while guarding his own flocks,

for that strong shepherd proved no weak, defenseless man.

Caphaurus was a mighty grandson of Lycoreian lord Phoebus