en Pelias spoke of this quest
to me, why did I not turn my head away and refuse to be drawn into it?
Since we came near the dread passage that is before us I have passed
every night in groans. As for you who have come with me, you may take
your ease, for you need care only for your own lives. But I have to
care for you all, and to strive to win for you all a safe return to
Greece. Ah, greatly am I afflicted now, knowing to what a great peril I
have brought you!"

So Jason said, thinking to make trial of the heroes. They, on their
part, were not dismayed, but shouted back cheerful words to him. Then
he said: "O friends of mine, by your spirit my spirit is quickened. Now
if I knew that I was being borne down into the black gulfs of Hades, I
should fear nothing, knowing that you are constant and faithful of
heart."

As he said this they came into water that seethed all around the ship.
Then into the hands of Euphemus, a youth of Iolcus, who was the
keenest-eyed amongst the Argonauts, Jason put the pigeon that Hypsipyle
had given him. He bade him stand by the prow of the Argo, ready to
loose the pigeon as the ship came nigh that dreadful gate of rock.

They saw the spray being dashed around in showers; they saw the sea
spread itself out in foam; they saw the high, black rocks rush
together, sounding thunderously as they met. The caves in the high
rocks rumbled as the sea surged into them, and the foam of the dashing
waves spurted high up the rocks.

Jason shouted to each man to grip hard on the oars. The Argo dashed on
as the rocks rushed toward each other again. Then there was such noise
that no man's voice could be heard above it.

As the rocks met, Euphemus loosed the pigeon. With his keen eyes he
watched her fly through the spray. Would she, not finding an opening to
fly through, turn back? He watched, and meanwhile the Argonauts gripped
hard on the oars to save the ship from being dashed on the rocks. The
pigeon fluttered as though she would sink down and let the spray drown
her. And then Euphemus saw her raise herself and fly forward. Toward
the place where she had flown he pointed. The rowers gave a loud cry,
and Jason called upon them to pull with might and main.

The rocks were parting asunder, and to the right and left broad Pontus
was seen by the heroes. Then suddenly a huge wave rose before them, and
at the sight of it they all uttered a cry and bent their heads. It
seemed to them that it would dash down