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river is like this； and none sends forth from itself such mighty streams over
the land。 If a man should count every one he would lack but four of a
hundred； but the real spring is only one。 This flows down to the plain
from lofty mountains； which； men say； are called the Amazonian
mountains。 Thence it spreads inland over a hilly country straight forward；
wherefrom its streams go winding on； and they roll on； this way and that
ever more； wherever best they can reach the lower ground； one at a
distance and another near at hand； and many streams are swallowed up in
the sand and are without a name； but； mingled with a few； the main stream
openly bursts with its arching crest of foam into the inhospitable Pontus。
And they would have tarried there and have closed in battle with the
Amazons； and would have fought not without bloodshed for the Amazons
were not gentle foes and regarded not justice； those dwellers on the
Doeantian plain； but grievous insolence and the works of Ares were all
their care； for by race they were the daughters of Ares and the nymph
Harmonia； who bare to Ares war…loving maids； wedded to him in the glens
of the Acmonian wood had not the breezes of Argestes come again from
Zeus； and with the wind they left the rounded beach； where the
Themiscyreian Amazons were arming for war。 For they dwelt not
gathered together in one city； but scattered over the land； parted into three
tribes。 In one part dwelt the Themiscyreians； over whom at that time
Hippolyte reigned； in another the Lycastians； and in another the dart…
throwing Chadesians。 And the next day they sped on and at nightfall
they reached the land of the Chalybes。
（ll。 1002…1008） That folk have no care for ploughing with oxen or for
any planting of honey…sweet fruit； nor yet do they pasture flocks in the
dewy meadow。 But they cleave the hard iron…bearing land and exchange
their wages for daily sustenance； never does the morn rise for them
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without toil； but amid bleak sooty flames and smoke they endure heavy
labour。
（ll。 1009…1014） And straightway thereafter they rounded the
headland of Genetaean Zeus and sped safely past the land of the Tibareni。
Here when wives bring forth children to their husbands； the men lie in bed
and groan with their heads close bound； but the women tend them with
food； and prepare child…birth baths for them。
（ll。 1015…1029） Next they reached the sacred mount and the land
where the Mossynoeci dwell amid high mountains in wooden huts； （7）
from which that people take their name。 And strange are their customs
and laws。 Whatever it is right to do openly before the people or in the
market place； all this they do in their homes； but whatever acts we perform
at home； these they perform out of doors in the midst of the streets；
without blame。 And among them is no reverence for the marriage…bed；
but； like swine that feed in herds； no whit abashed in others' presence； on
the earth they lie with the women。 Their king sits in the loftiest hut and
dispenses upright judgments to the multitude； poor wretch！ For if haply
he err at all in his decrees； for that day they keep him shut up in starvation。
（ll。 1030…1046） They passed them by and cleft their way with oars
over against the island of Ares all day long； for at dusk the light breeze left
them。 At last they spied above them； hurtling through the air； one of the
birds of Ares which haunt that isle。 It shook its wings down over the ship
as she sped on and sent against her a keen feather； and it fell on the left
shoulder of goodly Oileus； and he dropped his oar from his hands at the
sudden blow； and his comrades marvelled at the sight of the winged bolt。
And Eribotes from his seat hard by drew out the feather； and bound up the
wound when he had loosed the strap hanging from his own sword…sheath；
and besides the first； another bird appeared swooping down； but the hero
Clytius； son of Eurytus for he bent his curved bow； and sped a swift
arrow against the birdstruck it； and it whirled round and fell close to the
ship。 And to them spake Amphidamas； son of Aleus：
（ll。 1047…1067） 〃The island of Ares is near us； you know it
yourselves now that ye have seen these birds。 But little will arrows avail
us； I trow； for landing。 But let us contrive some other device to help us；
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if ye intend to land； bearing in mind the injunction of Phineus。 For not
even could Heracles； when he came to Arcadia； drive away with bow and
arrow the birds that swam on the Stymphalian lake。 I saw it myself。
But he shook in his hand a rattle of bronze and made a loud clatter as he
stood upon a lofty peak； and the birds fled far off； screeching in
bewildered fear。 Wherefore now too let us contrive some such device；
and I myself will speak； having pondered the matter beforehand。 Set on
your heads your helmets of lofty crest； then half row by turns； and half
fence the ship about with polished spears and shields。 Then all together
raise a mighty shout so that the birds may be scared by the unwonted din；
the nodding crests； and the uplifted spears on high。 And if we reach the
island itself； then make mighty noise with the clashing of shields。〃
（ll。 1068…1089） Thus he spake； and the helpful device pleased all。
And on their heads they placed helmets of bronze； gleaming terribly； and
the blood…red crests were tossing。 And half of them rowed in turn； and
the rest covered the ship with spears and shields。 And as when a man
roofs over a house with tiles； to be an ornament of his home and a defence
against rain； and one the fits firmly into another； each after each； so they
roofed over the ship with their shields； locking them together。 And as a
din arises from a warrior…host of men sweeping on； when lines of battle
meet； such a s