The Argonautica

Distant, rough Carpathus received the approaching heroes.

From there they planned the long sea crossing farther onward

to Crete, which stands out beyond other isles in the sea.

But bronze Talos, breaking rocks from a sturdy lookout,

kept all their mooring-cables far from reaching land

as Argo neared the sheltering berth of a Dictaean harbor,

the sole survivor left of bronze-rooted mortal men,

of ash-born stock, still dwelling among the demigod heroes;

Cronus' son gave him to Europa, mighty guardian

of Crete; he circled the island three times on bronze feet.

All other parts, his frame and limbs, had been fashioned

of bronze, unbreakable; beneath one ankle's sinew

a blood-filled vein ran down his ankle, and enclosing it

a thin membrane held the boundary of life and death.

Though worn down utterly by hardship, the heroes swiftly

backed Argo from the land with oars, in utter fear.

Argo would carry them miserably far away from Crete,

struggling alike with thirst, with pain and grievous hardship,

had Medea not spoken as they swiftly began withdrawing:

Hear me. I alone possess sure power to conquer

that man, whoever he is, even if he keeps a body

made wholly of bronze, unless his life itself is eternal.

But hold Argo calmly here beyond his hurtling rocks,

until his stubborn strength yields fully to my sovereign power.