The Argonautica

Anchiale, within the Dictaean cave, gripped earth

of Oeax in both hands and made the Dactyls spring.

With many prayers Aeson's son implored her to turn

the raging hurricanes aside, as he poured libations down

over burnt offerings; youths joined at Orpheus' bidding,

leaping high, they danced the measured dance of arms,

beating hard on shields with swords, so the ill-omened cry

might wander lost through air, the cry the people still

raised in grief for the king. Hence ever afterward

the Phrygian people appease Rhea with bull-roarer and drum.

The answering goddess set her mind upon their pure offerings;

and signs befitting the goddess then came to pass.

The trees poured down an untold abundance of fruit;

around their feet earth of itself raised flowers from tender grass.

The wild beasts left their woodland coverts and their lairs

and came near, fawning with their tails. The goddess fashioned

marvel: before that time no water had flowed

on Dindymum; then sudden water burst forth upward,

and streamed unceasing down from the once-thirsty summit: Jasonian

Spring, as the later dwellers call that drinkable water.

Then on the Mount of Bears they spread a sacred feast for the goddess,

singing Rhea, mighty mistress; but when dawn rose,

the winds had ceased; the heroes rowed away from the island.

Then keen rivalry stirred every one of the chieftains,