The Argonautica

heads on sand, feet braced downward in the depths,

both kinds alike became prey for birds and fishes.

Once that dread contest ceased to terrify the heroes,

they loosed the ship's strong cables to the breathing wind,

and drove the ship ahead through vast, deep-swelling seas.

All day she ran beneath her sails; but as night came,

the wind fell weak and failed, but tempests gathered,

contrary winds seized hard and bore them backward,

they reached the hospitable Doliones again and landed there

that same night; this rock is still called Sacred,

round which, driven in haste, they cast the ship's cables.

No hero clearly recognized the island as the same;

nor could the Doliones know clearly beneath night's cloak

the heroes had returned; instead they thought a Pelasgian war-host

of Macrian men had landed there to challenge them in battle.

So they put on armor and raised their hands against them.

They drove ash spears and shields together at each other,

keen as a firestorm blazing deep through parched brushwood,

rearing its crest on high; there fierce battle-tumult

fell down, terrible and raging, on the Dolionian people.

The king could never pass his doom and come again

homeward to Cleite's bridal rooms and marriage bed.

But Aeson's son sprang straight against the turning king,

and struck him squarely mid-chest; bone around the spearhead