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And as Orpheus sang； they dashed their oars into the sea； and kept time to his music； as they fled fast away； and the Sirens' voices died behind them； in the hissing of the foam along their wake。
But Butes swam to the shore； and knelt down before the Sirens； and cried； 'Sing on！ sing on！' But he could say no more； for a charmed sleep came over him； and a pleasant humming in his ears； and he sank all along upon the pebbles； and forgot all heaven and earth； and never looked at that sad beach around him； all strewn with the bones of men。
Then slowly rose up those three fair sisters； with a cruel smile upon their lips； and slowly they crept down towards him； like leopards who creep upon their prey； and their hands were like the talons of eagles as they stept across the bones of their victims to enjoy their cruel feast。
But fairest Aphrodite saw him from the highest Idalian peak； and she pitied his youth and his beauty； and leapt up from her golden throne； and like a falling star she cleft the sky； and left a trail of glittering light； till she stooped to the Isle of the Sirens； and snatched their prey from their claws。 And she lifted Butes as he lay sleeping； and wrapt him in golden mist； and she bore him to the peak of Lilybaeum； and he slept there many a pleasant year。
But when the Sirens saw that they were conquered； they shrieked for envy and rage； and leapt from the beach into the sea； and were changed into rocks until this day。
Then they came to the straits by Lilybaeum； and saw Sicily； the three…cornered island； under which Enceladus the giant lies groaning day and night； and when he turns the earth quakes； and his breath bursts out in roaring flames from the highest cone of AEtna； above the chestnut woods。 And there Charybdis caught them in its fearful coils of wave； and rolled mast…high about them； and spun them round and round； and they could go neither back nor forward； while the whirlpool sucked them in。
And while they struggled they saw near them； on the other side the strait； a rock stand in the water； with its peak wrapt round in clouds … a rock which no man could climb； though he had twenty hands and feet； for the stone was smooth and slippery； as if polished by man's hand； and halfway up a misty cave looked out toward the west。
And when Orpheus saw it he groaned； and struck his hands together。 And 'Little will it help us；' he cried； 'to escape the jaws of the whirlpool； for in that cave lives Scylla； the sea…hag with a young whelp's voice； my mother warned me of her ere we sailed away from Hellas； she has six heads； and six long necks； and hides in that dark cleft。 And from her cave she fishes for all things which pass by … for sharks； and seals； and dolphins； and all the herds of Amphitrite。 And never ship's crew boasted that they came safe by her rock； for she bends her long necks down to them； and every mouth takes up a man。 And who will help us now？ For Hera and Zeus hate us； and our ship is foul with guilt； so we must die； whatever befalls。'
Then out of the depths came Thetis； Peleus' silver…footed bride； for love of her gallant husband； and all her nymphs around her； and they played like snow…white dolphins； diving on from wave to wave； before the ship； and in her wake； and beside her； as dolphins play。 And they caught the ship； and guided her； and passed her on from hand to hand； and tossed her through the billows； as maidens toss the ball。 And when Scylla stooped to seize her； they struck back her ravening heads； and foul Scylla whined； as a whelp whines； at the touch of their gentle hands。 But she shrank into her cave affrighted … for all bad things shrink from good … and ARGO leapt safe past her； while a fair breeze rose behind。 Then Thetis and her nymphs sank down to their coral caves beneath the sea； and their gardens of green and purple； where live flowers bloom all the year round； while the heroes went on rejoicing； yet dreading what might come next。
After that they rowed on steadily for many a weary day； till they saw a long high island； and beyond it a mountain land。 And they searched till they found a harbour； and there rowed boldly in。 But after awhile they stopped； and wondered； for there stood a great city on the shore； and temples and walls and gardens； and castles high in air upon the cliffs。 And on either side they saw a harbour； with a narrow mouth； but wide within； and black ships without number； high and dry upon the shore。
Then Ancaios； the wise helmsman； spoke； 'What new wonder is this？ I know all isles； and harbours； and the windings of all seas； and this should be Corcyra； where a few wild goat… herds dwell。 But whence come these new harbours and vast works of polished stone？'
But Jason said； 'They can be no savage people。 We will go in and take our chance。'
So they rowed into the harbour； among a thousand black…beaked ships； each larger far than ARGO； toward a quay of polished stone。 And they wondered at that mighty city； with its roofs of burnished brass； and long and lofty walls of marble； with strong palisades above。 And the quays were full of people； merchants； and mariners； and slaves； going to and fro with merchandise among the crowd of ships。 And the heroes' hearts were humbled； and they looked at each other and said； 'We thought ourselves a gallant crew when we sailed from Iolcos by the sea； but how small we look before this city； like an ant before a hive of bees。'
Then the sailors hailed them roughly from the quay； 'What men are you？ … we want no strangers here； nor pirates。 We keep our business to ourselves。'
But Jason answered gently； with many a flattering word； and praised their city and their harbour； and their fleet of gallant ships。 'Surely you are the children of Poseidon； and the masters of the sea； and we are but poor wandering mariners； worn out with thirst and toil。 Give us but food and water； and we will go on our voyage in peace。'
Then the sailors laughed； and answered； 'Stranger； you are no fool； you talk like an honest man； and you shall find us honest too。 We are the children of Poseidon； and the masters of the sea； but come ashore to us； and you shall have the best that we can give。'
So they limped ashore； all stiff and weary； with long ragged beards and sunburnt cheeks； and garments torn and weather… stained； and weapons rusted with the spray； while the sailors laughed at them （for they were rough…tongued； though their hearts were frank and kind）。 And one said； 'These fellows are but raw sailors； they look as if they had been sea…sick all the day。' And another； 'Their legs have grown crooked with much rowing； till they waddle in their walk like ducks。'
At that Idas the rash would have struck them； but Jason held him back； till one of the merchant kings spoke to them； a tall and stately man。
'Do not be angry； strangers； the sailor boys must have their jest。 But we will treat you justly and kindly； for strangers and poor men come from God； and you seem no common sailors by your strength； and height； and weapons。 Come up with me to the palace of Alcinous； the rich sea…going