implore the fun, and women the moon in their amours. Cicero, fpeaking of three Dianas, obferves, that the first was thought to be the mother of winged Cupid. De Nat. Deor. I. 3. Ver. 1095 Honey was a favourite ingredient with the ancients, in their oblations to the gods, whether of heaven or hell. Homer, in his hymn to Mercury, calls it θεῶν ἡδείαν έδωδήν. Bees and honey are subjects which the Greek poets are particularly fond of introducing; and their country was plentifully fupplied with thefe commodities. Ver. 1115. Apollonius Rhodius, according to the common opinion, fuppofes Deucalion to have been a native of Greece, the fon of Prometheus, the fon of Japetus: but in thefe ancient mythological accounts, all genealogy must be entirely difregarded. He reprefents him as the firft of men, through whom religious rites were renewed, cities built, and civil polity cftablished in the world; none of which circumftances are applicable to any king of Greece. We are affured by Philo, that Deucalion was Noah. Bryant. information of her, fettled in Baotia, where he built the city Thebes. Having fent his affociates into a grove, confecrated to Mars, to fetch water, a ferpent, which guarded the place, devoured them. Cadmus, to revenge their death, flew the monfter; from whofe teeth, which he had fown, a body of armed men fprung up. This is the fabulous account to which Apollonius alludes. No colony, fays Mr. Bryant, could fettle any where, and build an orphite or ferpent temple, but there was supposed to have been a contention betwixt a hero and a dragon. Cadmus was defcribed in conflict with fuch an one at Thebes. Ver. 1247. Пoμales relates properly to divine influence, and is an oracle. An ox or cow was by the Amonians efteemed very facred and oracular. Cadmus was accordingly said to be drected wouen Beds. Bryant. Ver. 1285. This river is fuppofed to have derived its fource from a nation of that name. The poet, in defcribing the effects of this infernal evocation, has heaped together with great judgment, and in the true fpirit of poetry, every circumftance that is capable of exciting terror and afte nishment. Ver. 1245. Upon the report of the rape of Eu- Ver. 1288. Apollonius introduces his heroes on ropa, her father, Agenor, fent every where in the plains of Mars with the utmost pomp and fearch of her, and ordered his fon Cadmus not to magnificence, thus artfully preparing us for the foreturn home till he had found her. Cadmus hav-lemnitics of the enfuing combat, on which the ing traversed a part of Greece without gaining any fate of Jafon depends. BOOK IV. THE ARGUMENT. Jafon obtains the Golden Fleece by the affiftance of Medea. She embarks with the Argonauts for Greece. Eta purfues them. Having crofled the Euxine fea, they fail up the Ifter; and by an arm of that river enter the Adriatic. Abfyrtus is treacherously murdered by Jafon. They fal into the Sardinian fea by the way of Eridanus and the Rhone. The murder of Abfyrtus is a piated by Circe, at whofe ifland they land. Thetis and her nymphs conduct the heroes through the traits of Scylla and Charybdis. They fail by the island infefted with the Syrens, from whose enchantments Orpheus delivers them. At Corcyra, once called Drepane, they meet with the Col chians that pursued them through the Symplegades; who request Alcinous, king of the island, m deliver up Medea. He agrees to fend her back to her father, if unmarried; but if married to Jafon he refufes to feparate them. Upon this determination, her nuptials are immediately cele brated. They again put to fea, and are driven upon the quickfands of Africa. The tutelary deines of the country extricate them from their diftreffes. They bear Argo on their shoulders as far as the lake Tritonis. The Hefperides, who were bewailing the death of the ferpent, flain the preceding day by Hercules, give fome account of that hero. The death of Canthus and Mopfus, two ot their comrades, is related. Triton, whofe figure is particularly defcribed, gives them directio about their voyage. They fail near Crete. The story of Talus. At Hippuris they facrifice to Phœbus, who, ftanding on the top of an hill, enlightens their way. The clod of earth, given by Triton to Euphemus, becomes an inland, called Callifte. They anchor at Egina; and loofing from thence, arrive without further interruption at Theffaly, O GODDESS, daughter of th' eternal King, Or whether her bafe flight from Colchis' bay, In folemn council to his faithful chiefs 10 Some difconcerted at the recent fight, And thou farewell, my firft, my dearest home! Then fled the inftant. Thus the captive maid, 50 The doors fpontaneous open'd as the flew, 6c Yes, with Endymion's heavenly charms o'er 70 Your lov'd employ: now Cupid's fhafts fubdue, 'Not Cynthia only, but, fair forceress you. For you his toils the wily god hath wove, And all your heart inflam'd with Jafon's love. Come then, those pangs which love ordains en'dure, And bear with courage what you cannot cure." She faid: impetuous haftening to the flood, Soon on its lofty banks Medea flood. A fire, which midnight's deadly gloom dispell'd, Signal of conqueft gain'd, the here beheld. Involv'd in shade, the folitary dame Rais'd her fhrill voice, and call'd on Phrontis' 80 name. Known was her voice to Phrixus' fons, who bear Oh! fave me, friends, from my offended fire, ΙΟΙ "By heaven's high king I swear, Olympfan Jove, "By Juno goddess of the nuptial rite, "Soon as my native land tranfports my fight, "Thou, lovely virgin, fhalt be duly led, "Adorn'd with honours to my bridal bed." IIO This faid, in her's he clos'd his plighted hand : To Mars's grove Medea gave command, Spite of her fire, the vellel to convey, And bear by night the golden fleece away. Swift at the word they sprung; the Colchian maid Embark'd, and inftant was their anchor weigh'd, Their crashing oars refound: fhe oft to land Reverts her eye, and waves her trembling hand: But Æson's son his ready aid affords, And foothes her forrows with confoling words. Wak'd by their hounds, what time the huntf men rife, 121 And shake the balm of flumber from their eyes, His wearied knee inclin'd, and funk to rest. Hard by, an altar's stately structure stands, 129 141 150 As from fome wood, involv'd in raging fires, Him, winding flow, beheld the magic dame, 170 A branch of juniper the maid applies, 181 Then Jafon to the beech his hand applies, 191 Shone the thick, ponderous fleece, whofe golle Now as returning morn illumes the land, 2.1 The royal pair rejoin the gallant band. The gallant band beheld with wondering eyes, Fierce as Jove's fiery bolt, the radiant prize. Their hands extending as they flock around, All wish to heave the trophy from the ground. But Jafon, interdicting, fingly threw O'er the broad fleece a covering rich and rew; Then in the fhip he plac'd the virgin-gueft, And thus the listening demigods addrefs'd: : No longer doubt ye, comrades, to regain Far o'er a length of feas your lov'd domain. For fee, the end of all our glorious toil, Won by Medea's aid, this precious foil! Her, not reluctant, I to Greece will bear, And with connubial honours crown her there Guard your fair patronefs, ye gallant crew, 'Who fav'd your country when the fuccour d Soon will Æeta with his Colchian train Preclude, I ween, our paffage to the main Some with your oars refume your deftin'dfrat; Some with your fhields fecure your wit'd re ⚫ treat; This rampire forming, we their darts defy, 'Her empire fix'd, or wail her glory loft.' He faid, and arm'd; the heroes fhout app Keen emulation fir'd the labouring crew, Medea's flight now reach'd Æeta's ear, Who dar'd delay the guilty maid to bring, 259 Thus menac'd he; and, lo! the Colchian train Launch'd on that day their veffels in the main; Swift, on that day, unfurl'd their bellying sails, And all embarking caught the balmy gales. Nor deem ye this a well-train'd naval host; Like flocks of birds they scream around the coast. Juno, propitious to her favourite crew, Infpir'd the breezes that ferenely blew, That foon on Grecian land the fair might tread, And pour deftruction down on Pelia's head. With the third morn, on Paphlagonia's fhore, 270 Where Halys rolls his ftream, the heroes moor, Medea here ordain'd a folemn rite To Hecate, the magic queen of night. 281 } But what, or how the form'd the potent fpell Let none inquire, nor shall my numbers tell : Fear holds me filent. Here the pious band Erect a facred temple on the ftrand, Sacred to Hecate, night's awful queen! And still befide the beech the holy fane is feen. And now the words of Phincus, old and blind, Recurr'd to Jafon, and each hero's mind, From a he advis'd them to pursue A different courfe, a courfe no pilot knew, Which Argus thus delineates to the crew: When towards Orchomenos our course we bent, 'We took that route th' inftructive prophet meant. For in times paft a different road was known, And this thy priests Egyptian Thebes have shown. Before the stars adorn'd the sapphire sphere, Or Danus' race had reach'd th' inquirer's ear: In Greece the bold Arcadians reign'd alone, 291 And ere bright Cynthia deck'd her filver throne, 'On acorns liv'd, the food of favage man; Before Deucalion's fons their reign began; With harvests then was fertile Egypt crown'd, Mother of mighty chiefs, of old renown'd; Then the broad Triton, beauteous to behold, His ftreams prolific o'er the country roll'd. For Jove defcends not there in beauteous rains, 'But inundations fertilize the plains. 300 Hence rofe the matchlefs chief(if fame fays true), 309 Peopled at firft by his adventurous train, Whofe long-continued race ev'n now remain. With care they still recording tablets keep Of all the limits of the land and deep, 'Wherever rivers flow, or forms prevail, Wherever men can march, or fhips can fail. A river, ftately-winding, deep and wide, From far far diftant mountains rolls its tide; Where fhips of burden fure protection claim: Long is its courfe, and Ifter is its name. Far o'er Riphæan hills where Boreas reigns, * He undivided flows through various plains; 320 But when through Thrace and Scythian clime he glides, In two broad ftreams his rapid flood divides: He faid; a favouring sign the goddess gave, And beams of glory point the certain way. 330 Where the Cyanean rocks o'erlook the main, Part of the Colchians fteer their course in vain; While they, whofe counfels fage, Abfyrtus guides, Cut through the mouth call'd Calon ifter's tides. Outfailing thus yon tardy fhips, they fweep 34 With fkilful oars the wide Ionian deep. An ifle, which Ifter's branching ftreams comprife, Peuce, triangular, before them lies: The two broad streams, that round the island Each ifle beside was throng'd with Colchian hofts, Their numbers few, the Mynian chiefs forbear To wage with numerous foes unequal war, Or freely grant her to embark in peace, When now long pondering, the fufpicious Say, what the cause that hoftile hosts are join'd, And leagues, deftructive of my peace combin'd? Say, have these charms, with rapture once explor'd, · Lull'd to forgetfulness my faithless lord? 410 Hath time effac'd the promises he made, • When in the needful hour he afk'd mine aid? • Where now thine oaths, preferr'd to mighty 'Jove? Where now thy tenders of unalter'd love? • Curs'd oaths! which bade me all I love dif ' claim, [name! Friends, parents, country, every honour'd • Forlorn and vex'd left thou should'st toil in vain, I with the plaintive halcyon fought the main, I follow'd but to fhield thee from alarms, When bulls breath'd fire, and giants role in Have form'd a league, fubverfive of my fanie); Oh! how fhall I behold my father's face? 439 With courage I not fhrinking at difgrace? 'No; ftung by confcience, I foreftall my fate, And feel the horrors which my crimes create. Back o'er the feas, mid' raging tempefts borne, 'Long may'ft thou wander joyless and forlorn. 'Ne'er may thy boafted patroness and friend, Juno, to thee her wonted aid extend. Stern fate may fill feverer toils ordain, And thou, false wretch, remember me in vain. Oh! may the fleece deceive thy ravish'd fight, And, like a vifion, vanish into night. Rife may my furies, vengeance to demand, And diftant drive thee from thy native land. 'From thee, their guilty fource, my forrows flow: Share now thy part, and suffer woe for woe. Thine oaths no more a flighted maid fhail wrong, 450 And wrap its heaven-built fides in fudden flame; "Cease, heavenly maid, nor wound a lover's "With words unwelcome, and unfit to hear. "The common safety bids us all unite "To gain a timely refpite from the fight. "See, fair protectress, to restore thee loft, 469 "What clouds of enemies furround the coast. |“The country arms thy brother's cause to aid, "And bear thee to thy fire a captive maid. "Against fuch force fhould we our arms oppofe, "Perifh might all our hoft, o'erpower'd by "foes: "Then, fad to think! if, every hero flain, "In long captivity must thou remain. "Our arts perfidious will this truce conceal, "Whose baneful influence must thy brother feel, "Berav'd of him, the Colchians' cause to aid, "And to recover thee, a captive maid, 483 "Inftant will I renew the defperate fight, "Secure my wifh'd return, and vindicate my " right." Now is the fleece, for which ye fail'd, poffefs'd," No more the neighbouring forces will unite: And by my foolish fondnefs thou art blefs'd. Blefs'd thou; but me what fecret forrows vex, Whofe deeds refle& dishonour on my fex! Me as thy daughter, fifter, wife they brand, • Who dare attend thee to a diftant land. Thus fpoke he mild: the mischief-brooding maid Told her dark purpose, and, O think,' the faid, |