was making for Pherae, when to them out of the clouds showed forth the
steep ridge of Ithaca, and Dulichium, and Same, and wooded Zacynthus.
Anon when she had passed beyond all Peloponnesus, there straightway, off
Crisa, appeared the wide sound, that bounds rich Peloponnesus. Then came
on the west wind, clear and strong, by the counsel of Zeus, blowing hard
out of heaven, that the running ship might swiftest accomplish her course
over the salt water of the sea.

Backward then they sailed towards the Dawn and the sun, and the Prince
was their guide, Apollo, son of Zeus. Then came they to far-seen Crisa,
the land of vines, into the haven, while the sea-faring ship beached
herself on the shingle. Then from the ship leaped the Prince,
far-darting Apollo, like a star at high noon, while the gledes of fire
flew from him, and the splendour flashed to the heavens. Into his inmost
Holy Place he went through the precious tripods, and in the midst he
kindled a flame showering forth his shafts, and the splendour filled all
Crisa, {127} and the wives of the Crisaeans, and their fair-girdled
daughters raised a wail at the rushing flight of Phoebus, for great fear
fell upon all. Thence again to the galley he set forth and flew, fleet
as a thought, in shape a man lusty and strong, in his first youth, his
locks swathing his wide shoulders. Anon he spake to the seamen winged
words:

"Strangers, who are ye, whence sail ye the wet ways? Is it after
merchandise, or do ye wander at adventure, over the salt sea, as
sea-robbers use, that roam staking their own lives, and bearing bane to
men of strange speech? Why sit ye thus adread, not faring forth on the
land, nor slackening the gear of your black ship? Sure this is the wont
of toilsome mariners, when they come from the deep to the land in their
black ship, foredone with labour, and anon a longing for sweet food