Page:The Poems of John Dyer (1903).djvu/80

Threaten approach ; but they, unterrify'd,
Thro' the sharp-pointed cliffs and thund'ring floods
Cleave their bold passage ; nathless by the crags.
And torrents sorely shatter'd : as the strong 265
Eagle or vulture, in th' entangling net
Involv'd, breaks thro', yet leaves his plumes behind,
Thus thro' the wide waves their slow way they force
To Thynia's hospitable isle. The brave
Pass many perils, and to fame by such 270
Experience rise. Refresh'd, again they speed
From cape to cape, and view unnumber'd streams,
Halys, with hoary Lycus, and the mouths
Of Apsarus and Glaucus, rolling swift
To the broad deep their tributary waves, 275
Till in the long-sought harbour they arrive
Of golden Phasis. Foremost on the strand
Jason advanc'd : the deep capacious bay,
The crumbling terrace of the marble port,
Wond'ring he view'd, and stately palace-domes, 280
Pavilions proud of Luxury : around,
In every glitt'ring hall, within, without,
O'er all the timbrel-sounding squares and streets
Nothing appear'd but luxury, and crowds
Sunk deep in riot. To the public weal 285
Attentive none he found ; for he, their chief
Of shepherds, proud Aee'tes, by the name
Sometimes of King distinguished, 'gan to slight
The shepherd's trade, and turn to song and dance :
Ev'n Hydrus ceas'd to watch ; Medea's songs 290
Of joy, and rosy youth, and beauty's charms,
With magic sweetness lull'd his cares asleep,
Till the bold heroes grasp'd the Golden Fleece.
Nimbly they wing'd the bark, surrounded soon
By Neptune's friendly waves : secure they speed 295
O'er the known seas, by ev'ry guiding cape,