SELECTIONS IN ENGLISH POETRY
In sight of land, a headland high and blue, 67.5
Which straight Milesian Erginus knew
To be the fateful place which now they sought,
Stormy Malea, so thitherward they brought
The groaning ship, and casting anchor, lay
Beneath that headland's lee, within a bay, 680
Wherefrom the more part landed, and their feet
Once more the happy soil of Greece did meet.
Therewith they failed not to bring ashore
Rich robes of price and of fair arms good store,
And gold and silver, that they there might buy 685
What yet they lacked for their solemnity;
Then, while upon the highest point of land
Some built an altar, Jason with a band
Of all the chiefest of the Minyae,
Turned inland from the murmur of the sea. 690
Not far they went ere by a little stream
Down in a valley they could see the gleam
Of brazen pillars and fair-gilded vanes,
And, dropping down by dank dark-wooded lanes
From off the hill-side, reached a house at last 695
Where in and out men-slaves and women passed,
And guests were streaming fast into the hall
Where now the oaken boards were laid for all.
With these the Minyae went, and soon they were
Within a pillared hall both great and fair, 700
Where folk already sat beside the board,
And on the dais was an ancient Lord.
But when these saw the fearless Minyae
Glittering in arms, they sprang up hastily,
And each man turned about unto the wall 7°5
839 23*