The Argonautica

then told of Phineus--his prophecies and bitter anguish--

how they escaped the clashing Cyanean Rocks, then met

Leto's son there on the island. As the tale unfolded

in order, Lycus' heart was charmed by hearing; sorrow seized him

for Heracles left behind; Lycus spoke to all:

“Friends, think what mighty champion's help you have lost

as you cleave your long sea-road to Aeetes. I know him well,

for I saw him here in royal halls of Dascylus, my father,

coming on foot across the broad Asian mainland,

bearing the girdle, prized possession of warlike Hippolyte;

he found me young, the first down sprouting on my cheeks.

There my own brother Priolas met a violent death

at Mysian hands; the grieving people still lament him

from that day onward with mournful elegies of deepest pity.

At funeral games Heracles slew Titias while boxing,

that mighty champion, best and strongest of the young men

for looks and strength; he drove his teeth down hard into earth.

He joined the Mysian warriors, serving my father, and subdued

the Phrygians too, who dwell in fields adjoining ours,

and conquered Bithynian tribes with all their wide land,

for my father's realm, from Rhebas' mouth to Colone's cape;

Afterward Pelopian Paphlagonian armies yielded likewise,

all those the dark water of Billaeus winds around.

But now fierce Bebrycians and Amycus' proud outrage