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guile to lead him to ruin。 Nor will the people of the land for thy sake
oppose us； to favour the Colchians； when their prince is no longer with
them； who is thy champion and thy brother； nor will I shrink from
matching myself in fight with the Colchians； if they bar my way
homeward。〃
（ll。 410…420） Thus he spake soothing her； and she uttered a deadly
speech： 〃Take heed now。 For when sorry deeds are done we must needs
devise sorry counsel； since at first I was distraught by my error； and by
heaven's will it was I wrought the accomplishment of evil desires。 Do
thou in the turmoil shield me from the Colchians' spears； and I will beguile
Apsyrtus to come into thy handsdo thou greet him with splendid giftsif
only I could persuade the heralds on their departure to bring him alone to
hearken to my words。 Thereupon if this deed pleases thee； slay him and
raise a conflict with the Colchians； I care not。
（ll。 421…422） So they two agreed and prepared a great web of guile
for Apsyrtus； and provided many gifts such as are due to guests； and
among them gave a sacred robe of Hypsipyle； of crimson hue。 The
Graces with their own hands had wrought it for Dionysus in sea…girt Dia；
and he gave it to his son Thoas thereafter； and Thoas left it to Hypsipyle；
and she gave that fair…wrought guest…gift with many another marvel to
Aeson's son to wear。 Never couldst thou satisfy thy sweet desire by
touching it or gazing on it。 And from it a divine fragrance breathed from
the time when the king of Nysa himself lay to rest thereon； flushed with
wine and nectar as he clasped the beauteous breast of the maiden…daughter
of Minos； whom once Theseus forsook in the island of Dia； when she had
followed him from Cnossus。 And when she had worked upon the heralds
to induce her brother to come； as soon as she reached the temple of the
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goddess； according to the agreement； and the darkness of night surrounded
them； that so she might devise with him a cunning plan for her to take the
mighty fleece of gold and return to the home of Aeetes； for； she said； the
sons of Phrixus had given her by force to the strangers to carry off； with
such beguiling words she scattered to the air and the breezes her witching
charms； which even from afar would have drawn down the savage beast
from the steep mountain…height。
（ll。 445…451） Ruthless Love； great bane； great curse to mankind；
from thee come deadly strifes and lamentations and groans； and countless
pains as well have their stormy birth from thee。 Arise； thou god； and arm
thyself against the sons of our foes in such guise as when thou didst fill
Medea's heart with accursed madness。 How then by evil doom did she
slay Apsyrtus when he came to meet her？ For that must our song tell
next。
（ll。 452…481） When the heroes had left the maiden on the island of
Artemis； according to the covenant； both sides ran their ships to land
separately。 And Jason went to the ambush to lie in wait for Apsyrtus and
then for his comrades。 But he； beguiled by these dire promises； swiftly
crossed the swell of the sea in his ship； and in dark night set foot on the
sacred island； and faring all alone to meet her he made trial in speech of
his sister； as a tender child tries a wintry torrent which not even strong
men can pass through； to see if she would devise some guile against the
strangers。 And so they two agreed together on everything； and
straightway Aeson's son leapt forth from the thick ambush； lifting his bare
sword in his hand； and quickly the maiden turned her eyes aside and
covered them with her veil that she might not see the blood of her brother
when he was smitten。 And Jason marked him and struck him down； as a
butcher strikes down a mighty strong…horned bull； hard by the temple
which the Brygi on the mainland opposite had once built for Artemis。 In
its vestibule he fell on his knees； and at last the hero breathing out his life
caught up in both hands the dark blood as it welled from the wound； and
he dyed with red his sister's silvery veil and robe as she shrank away。
And with swift side…glance the irresistible pitiless Fury beheld the deadly
deed they had done。 And the hero； Aeson's son； cut off the extremities of
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the dead man； and thrice licked up some blood and thrice spat the
pollution from his teeth； as it is right for the slayer to do； to atone for a
treacherous murder。 And the clammy corpse he hid in the ground where
even now those bones lie among the Apsyrtians。
（ll。 481…494） Now as soon as the heroes saw the blaze of a torch；
which the maiden raised for them as a sign to pursue； they laid their own
ship near the Colchian ship； and they slaughtered the Colchian host； as
kites slay the tribes of wood…pigeons； or as lions of the wold； when they
have leapt amid the steading； drive a great flock of sheep huddled together。
Nor did one of them escape death； but the heroes rushed upon the whole
crew； destroying them like a flame； and at last Jason met them； and was
eager to give aid where none was needed； but already they were taking
thought for him too。 Thereupon they sat to devise some） prudent counsel
for their voyage； and the maiden came upon them as they pondered； but
Peleus spake his word first：
（ll。 495…502） 〃I now bid you embark while it is still night； and take
with your oars the passage opposite to that which the enemy guards； for at
dawn when they see their plight I deem that no word urging to further
pursuit of us will prevail with them； but as people bereft of their king； they
will be scattered in grievous dissension。 And easy； when the people are
scattered； will this path be for us on our return。〃
（ll。 503…506） Thus he spake； and the youths assented to the words of
Aeacus' son。 And quickly they entered the ship； and toiled at their oars
unceasingly until they reached the sacred isle of Electra； the highest of
them all； near the river Eridanus。