t constantly clash against one another to one point, and above a huge
mass of salt water rises in a crest, boiling up, and loudly dashes upon
the hard beach. Wherefore now obey my counsel, if indeed with prudent
mind and reverencing the blessed gods ye pursue your way; and perish not
foolishly by a self-sought death, or rush on following the guidance of
youth. First entrust the attempt to a dove when ye have sent her forth
from the ship. And if she escapes safe with her wings between the rocks
to the open sea, then no more do ye refrain from the path, but grip
your oars well in your hands and cleave the sea's narrow strait, for the
light of safety will be not so much in prayer as in strength of hands.
Wherefore let all else go and labour boldly with might and main, but
ere then implore the gods as ye will, I forbid you not. But if she flies
onward and perishes midway, then do ye turn back; for it is better to
yield to the immortals. For ye could not escape an evil doom from the
rocks, not even if Argo were of iron."

(ll. 341-359) "O hapless ones, dare not to transgress my divine warning,
even though ye think that I am thrice as much hated by the sons of
heaven as I am, and even more than thrice; dare not to sail further
with your ship in despite of the omen. And as these things will fall, so
shall they fall. But if ye shun the clashing rocks and come scatheless
inside Pontus, straightway keep the land of the Bithynians on your right
and sail on, and beware of the breakers, until ye round the swift
river Rhebas and the black beach, and reach the harbour of the Isle of
Thynias. Thence ye must turn back a little space through the sea and
beach your ship on the land of the Mariandyni lying opposite. Here is
a downward path to the abode of Hades, and the headland of Acherusia
stretches aloft, and eddying Acheron cleaves its way at the bottom, even
through the headland, and sends its waters forth from a huge ravine. And
near it ye will sail past many hills of the Paphlagonians, over whom
at the first Eneteian Pelops reigned, and of his blood they boast
themselves to be."

(ll. 360-406) "Now there is a headland opposite Helice the Bear, steep
on all sides, and they call it Carambis, about whose crests the blasts
of the north wind are sundered. So high in the air does it rise turned
towards the sea. And when ye have rounded it broad Aegialus stretches
before you; and at the end of broad Aegialus, at a jutting point of
coast,