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orderlies ready for our departure。 Therefore we will make no long
delay in our sailing for these things' sake； when the breezes but blow fair。
But； friends；for common to all is our return to Hellas hereafter； and
common to all is our path to the land of Aeetesnow therefore with
ungrudging heart choose the bravest to be our leader； who shall be careful
for everything； to take upon him our quarrels and covenants with
strangers。〃
（ll。 341…344） Thus he spake； and the young heroes turned their eyes
towards bold Heracles sitting in their midst； and with one shout they all
enjoined upon him to be their leader； but he； from the place where he sat；
stretched forth his right hand and said：
（ll。 345…347） 〃Let no one offer this honour to me。 For I will not
consent； and I will forbid any other to stand up。 Let the hero who
brought us together； himself be the leader of the host。〃
（ll。 348…350） Thus he spake with high thoughts； and they assented； as
Heracles bade； and warlike Jason himself rose up； glad at heart； and thus
addressed the eager throng：
（ll。 351…362） 〃If ye entrust your glory to my care； no longer as before
let our path be hindered。 Now at last let us propitiate Phoebus with
sacrifice and straightway prepare a feast。 And until my thralls come； the
overseers of my steading； whose care it is to choose out oxen from the
herd and drive them hither； we will drag down the ship to the sea； and do
ye place all the tackling within； and draw lots for the benches for rowing。
Meantime let us build upon the beach an altar to Apollo Embasius （1） who
by an oracle promised to point out and show me the paths of the sea； if by
sacrifice to him I should begin my venture for King Pelias。〃
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（ll。 363…393） He spake； and was the first to turn to the work； and they
stood up in obedience to him； and they heaped their garments； one upon
the other； on a smooth stone； which the sea did not strike with its waves；
but the stormy surge had cleansed it long before。 First of all； by the
command of Argus； they strongly girded the ship with a rope well twisted
within； （2） stretching it tight on each side； in order that the planks might be
well compacted by the bolts and might withstand the opposing force of the
surge。 And they quickly dug a trench as wide as the space the ship
covered； and at the prow as far into the sea as it would run when drawn
down by their hands。 And they ever dug deeper in front of the stem； and
in the furrow laid polished rollers； and inclined the ship down upon the
first rollers； that so she might glide and be borne on by them。 And above；
on both sides； reversing the oars； they fastened them round the thole… pins；
so as to project a cubit's space。 And the heroes themselves stood on both
sides at the oars in a row； and pushed forward with chest and hand at once。
And then Tiphys leapt on board to urge the youths to push at the right
moment； and calling on them he shouted loudly； and they at once； leaning
with all their strength； with one push started the ship from her place； and
strained with their feet； forcing her onward； and Pelian Argo followed
swiftly； and they on each side shouted as they rushed on。 And then the
rollers groaned under the sturdy keel as they were chafed； and round them
rose up a dark smoke owing to the weight； and she glided into the sea； but
the heroes stood there and kept dragging her back as she sped onward。
And round the thole…pins they fitted the oars； and in the ship they placed
the mast and the well…made sails and the stores。
（ll。 394…401） Now when they had carefully paid heed to everything；
first they distributed the benches by lot； two men occupying one seat； but
the middle bench they chose for Heracles and Ancaeus apart from the
other heroes； Ancaeus who dwelt in Tegea。 For them alone they left the
middle bench just as it was and not by lot； and with one consent they
entrusted Tiphys with guarding the helm of the well…stemmed ship。
（ll。 402…410） Next； piling up shingle near the sea； they raised there
an altar on the shore to Apollo； under the name of Actius （3） and Embasius；
and quickly spread above it logs of dried olive…wood。 Meantime the
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herdsmen of Aeson's son had driven before them from the herd two steers。
These the younger comrades dragged near the altars； and the others
brought lustral water and barley meal； and Jason prayed； calling on Apollo
the god of his fathers：
（ll。 411…424） 〃Hear； O King； that dwellest in Pagasae and the city
Aesonis； the city called by my father's name； thou who didst promise me；
when I sought thy oracle at Pytho； to show the fulfilment and goal of my
journey； for thou thyself hast been the cause of my venture； now do thou
thyself guide the ship with my comrades safe and sound； thither and back
again to Hellas。 Then in thy honour hereafter we will lay again on thy
altar the bright offerings of bullsall of us who return； and other gifts in
countless numbers I will bring to Pytho and Ortygia。 And now； come；
Far…darter； accept this sacrifice at our hands； which first of all we have
offered thee for this ship on our embarcation； and grant； O King； that with
a prosperous weird I may loose the hawsers； relying on thy counsel； and
may the breeze blow softly with which we shall sail over the sea in fair
weather。〃
（ll。 425…439） He spake； and with his prayer cast the barley meal。
And they two girded themselves to slay the steers； proud Ancaeus and
Heracles。 The latter with his club smote one steer mid…head on the brow；
and falling in a heap on the spot； it sank to the ground； and Ancaeus struck
the broad neck of the other with his axe of bronze； and shore through the
mighty sinews； and it fell prone on both its horns。 Their comrades
quickly severed the victims' throats； and flayed the hides： they sundered
the joints and carved the flesh； then cut out the sacred thigh bones； and
covering them all together clo