and above all
the immortals they propitiated with songs and sacrifices the illustrious
son of Hera and Cypris herself. And the sailing was ever delayed from
one day to another; and long would they have lingered there, had not
Heracles, gathering together his comrades apart from the women, thus
addressed them with reproachful words:

(ll. 865-874) "Wretched men, does the murder of kindred keep us from our
native land? Or is it in want of marriage that we have come hither from
thence, in scorn of our countrywomen? Does it please us to dwell here
and plough the rich soil of Lemnos? No fair renown shall we win by thus
tarrying so long with stranger women; nor will some god seize and give
us at our prayer a fleece that moves of itself. Let us then return each
to his own; but him leave ye to rest all day long in the embrace of
Hypsipyle until he has peopled Lemnos with men-children, and so there
come to him great glory."

(ll. 875-887) Thus did he chide the band; but no one dared to meet his
eye or to utter a word in answer. But just as they were in the assembly
they made ready their departure in all haste, and the women came running
towards them, when they knew their intent. And as when bees hum round
fair lilies pouring forth from their hive in the rock, and all around
the dewy meadow rejoices, and they gather the sweet fruit, flitting from
one to another; even so the women eagerly poured forth clustering round
the men with loud lament, and greeted each one with hands and voice,
praying the blessed gods to grant him a safe return. And so Hypsipyle
too prayed, seizing the hands of Aeson's son, and her tears flowed for
the loss of her lover:

(ll. 888-898) "Go, and may heaven bring thee back again with thy
comrades unharmed, bearing to the king the golden fleece, even as thou
wilt and thy heart desireth; and this island and my father's sceptre
will be awaiting thee, if on thy return hereafter thou shouldst choose
to come hither again; and easily couldst thou gather a countless host
of men from other cities. But thou wilt not have this desire, nor do I
myself forbode that so it will be. Still remember Hypsipyle when thou
art far away and when thou hast returned; and leave me some word of
bidding, which I will gladly accomplish, if haply heaven shall grant me
to be a mother."

(ll. 899-909) And Aeson's son in admiration thus replied: "Hypsipyle, so
may all these things prove propitious by the favour of the blessed gods.
B