The sons of Phrixus were faring towards the city of Orchomenus from Aea,
coming from Cytaean Aeetes, on board a Colchian ship, to win the
boundless wealth of their father; for he, when dying, had enjoined this
journey upon them. And lo, on that day they were very near that island.
But Zeus had impelled the north wind's might to blow, marking by rain
the moist path of Arcturus; and all day long he was stirring the leaves
upon the mountains, breathing gently upon the topmost sprays; but at
night he rushed upon the sea with monstrous force, and with his
shrieking blasts uplifted the surge; and a dark mist covered the
heavens, nor did the bright stars anywhere appear from among the clouds,
but a murky gloom brooded all around. And so the sons of Phrixus,
drenched and trembling in fear of a horrible doom, were borne along by
the waves helplessly. And the force of the wind had snatched away their
sails and shattered in twain the hull, tossed as it was by the breakers.
And hereupon by heaven's prompting those four clutched a huge beam, one
of many that were scattered about, held together by sharp bolts, when
the ship broke to pieces. And on to the island the waves and the blasts
of wind bore the men in their distress, within a little of death. And
straightway a mighty rain burst forth, and rained upon the sea and the
island, and all the country opposite the island, where the arrogant
Mossynoeci dwelt. And the sweep of the waves hurled the sons of Phrixus,
together with their massy beam, upon the beach of the island, in the
murky night; and the floods of rain from Zeus ceased at sunrise, and
soon the two bands drew near and met each other, and Argus spoke first:

"We beseech you, by Zeus the Beholder, whoever ye are, to be kindly and
to help us in our need. For fierce tempests, falling on the sea, have
shattered all the timbers of the crazy ship in which we were cleaving
our path on business bent. Wherefore we entreat you, if haply ye will
listen, to grant us just a covering for our bodies, and to pity and