So did he question; and answered him Argus before the rest—

But his heart misgave him concerning the son of Aison’s quest;—

With soft words spake he, seeing that he was the elder-born:

‘Aiêtes, that our ship full quickly asunder was torn {320}

By stormy blasts, and we, unto beams of the wreck as we clung,

On the beach of the War-god’s Isle by the sweep of the surges were flung

In the murky night. Some God from destruction redeemed us, I trow;

For even the birds of Ares, that wont to haunt ere now

That desolate isle of the sea, even these we found no more;

But these men drave them away when they landed the day before