Acheron, has forgetfulness swept over his soul, but its fixed doom is to
be ever changing its abode; at one time to be numbered among the
dwellers beneath the earth, at another to be in the light of the sun
among living men. But why need I tell at length tales of Aethalides? He
at that time persuaded Hypsipyle to receive the new-comers as the day
was waning into darkness; nor yet at dawn did they loose the ship's
hawsers to the breath of the north wind.

Now the Lemnian women fared through the city and sat down to the
assembly, for Hypsipyle herself had so bidden. And when they were all
gathered together in one great throng straightway she spake among them
with stirring words:

"O friends, come let us grant these men gifts to their hearts' desire,
such as it is fitting that they should take on ship-board, food and
sweet wine, in order that they may steadfastly remain outside our
towers, and may not, passing among us for need's sake, get to know us
all too well, and so an evil report be widely spread; for we have
wrought a terrible deed and in nowise will it be to their liking, should
they learn it. Such is our counsel now, but if any of you can devise a
better plan let her rise, for it was on this account that I summoned you
hither."

Thus she spake and sat upon her father's seat of stone, and then rose up
her dear nurse Polyxo, for very age halting upon her withered feet,
bowed over a staff, and she was eager to address them. Near her were
seated four virgins, unwedded, crowned with white hair. And she stood in
the midst of the assembly and from her bent back she feebly raised her
neck and spake thus: