The Argonautica

have robbed me of Heracles, who dwells far away,

cutting away great reaches of my country for long years,

until they set their bounds at deep Hypius' marsh-meadows.

Yet by your hands they paid; surely I do not believe

the Tyndarid brought war this day against the gods' will

against Bebrycian fighters, killing their champion Amycus.

Therefore whatever return for kindness I am able to make,

I shall repay with zeal; for it is sacred law for weaker

men to respond when better men begin by giving aid.

I urge my son Dascylus to sail with all of you;

with him beside you, sharing all your seaward journey,

across the sea you'll surely meet warm-hearted men,

all the way onward to the Thermodon's broad mouth.

Apart from this, high on Acherusian Cape, for the Tyndarids

I shall establish a lofty sanctuary; from very far

all sailors on the sea shall see it and propitiate the twins,

and afterward, outside the city, following godlike custom,

I shall cut rich acres from the well-plowed plain for them.”

So then they spent the whole day feasting at the banquet.

But at first light they hurried quickly down toward Argo;

Lycus himself came with them, bestowing countless gifts

to carry; he sent forth his son from home as shipmate.

There his allotted fate struck down the son of Abas,

Idmon, distinguished among men for divination; yet