and the altar itself shall be Delphian[1] and ever an object to be seen. And afterwards take repast near the swift dark ship, and make a libation to the blessed gods, who possess Olympus. But when ye have dismissed the desire of sweet food, come together with me, and sing Io-Pæan, until ye come to the place where ye shall keep [my] rich temple."
Thus he spoke, but they willingly heard him, and obeyed. They first let down the sails, and loosed the [cables of] bulls' hides, and let down the mast to its receptacle, lowering it by the main-stays. And they themselves got out upon the shore of the sea, and from the sea drew up the swift ship upon the mainland, high upon the sands, and by it stretched out the long props.[2] And they made an altar upon the shore of the sea, and kindling fire upon it, and sacrificing white wheat, they prayed as he bade them, standing by, around the altar. They then took repast near the swift dark ship, and made libations to the blessed gods, who possess Olympus. But when they had dismissed the desire of drink and food, they set out to go, and king Apollo, the son of Jove, led the way, having his lyre in his hands, playing wondrously, taking stately and lofty steps. But the Cretans, with reverential dread, followed [him] to Pytho, and chanted Io-Pæan, like as the Pæans of the Cretans, and [of them], into whose breasts the goddess Muse has implanted sweet-voiced song. And untired they reached the hill with their feet, and quickly reached Parnassus and the pleasant country, where he was about to dwell, honoured by many men. And leading [them] here, he pointed out his enclosed plain, and rich temple. But the mind in their breasts was aroused, and him the leader of the Cretans, questioning, addressed:
"O king, since thou hast led [us] far away from our friends and father-land, (for thus it somehow seemed good to thy mind,) how shall we now live—this we exhort thee to consider. This [country] is neither pleasant[3] in bearing vines,
- ↑ But Ilgen and Hermann elegantly read αὐτίκ' ἄρ' ἀφνειὸς καὶ ἐπ.
- ↑ Matthiæ reads ὑπὸ δ' ἕρματα. Hermann says, "videntur trabes vel lapides ab utraque parte navibus suppositi fuisse, ut naves sola carina, non latere arenam contingerent."
- ↑ But Hermann reads ἥδε γ' ἔπι ῥάχις, "adjacet jugum montis Parnassi, nec fragum neque herbarum ferax." This seems to me very unpoetical.
