PART IV
_How the Argonauts Sailed to Colchis_
And what happened next, my children, whether it be true or not, stands
written in ancient songs, which you shall read for yourselves some day.
And grand old songs they are, written in grand old rolling verse; and
they call them the Songs of Orpheus, or the Orphics, to this day. And
they tell how the heroes came to Aphetai, across the bay, and waited for
the southwest wind, and chose themselves a captain from their crew: and
how all called for Heracles, because he was the strongest and most huge;
but Heracles refused, and called for Jason, because he was the wisest of
them all. So Jason was chosen captain: and Orpheus heaped a pile of wood
and slew a bull, and offered it to Hera, and called all the heroes to
stand round, each man's head crowned with olive, and to strike their
swords into the bull. Then he filled a golden goblet with the bull's
blood, and with wheaten flour, and honey, and wine, and the bitter salt
sea water, and bade the heroes taste. So each tasted the goblet, and
passed it round, and vowed an awful vow; and they vowed before the sun,
and the night, and the blue-haired sea who shakes the land, to stand by
Jason faithfully, in the adventure of the golden fleece; and whosoever
shrank back, or disobeyed, or turned traitor to his vow, then justice
should witness against him, and the Erinnes who track guilty men.
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