But Lynceus the long sighted called gayly from the bows:  “Take heart again, brave sailors; for I see a pine-clad isle, and the halls of the kind Earth mother, with a crown of clouds around them.”

[Footnote A:  Britain.]

But Orpheus said:  “Turn from them, for no living man can land there:  there is no harbour on the coast, but steep-walled cliffs all round.”

So Ancaios turned the ship away; and for three days more they sailed on, till they came to Aiaia, Circe’s home, and the fairy island of the West.

And there Jason bid them land, and seek about for any sign of living man.  And as they went inland, Circe met them, coming down toward the ship; and they trembled when they saw her; for her hair, and face, and robes, shone like flame.

And she came and looked at Medeia; and Medeia hid her face beneath her veil.

And Circe cried, “Ah, wretched girl, have you forgotten all your sins, that you come hither to my island, where the flowers bloom all the year round?  Where is your aged father, and the brother whom you killed?  Little do I expect you to return in safety with these strangers whom you love.  I will send you food and wine:  but your ship must not stay here, for it is foul with sin, and foul with sin its crew.”

And the heroes prayed her, but in vain, and cried, “Cleanse us from our guilt!” But she sent them away and said, “Go on to Malea, and there you may be cleansed, and return home.”

Then a fair wind rose, and they sailed eastward, by Tartessus on the Iberian shore, till they came to the Pillars of Hercules, and the Mediterranean Sea.  And thence they sailed on through the deeps of Sardinia, and past the Ausonian Islands, and the capes of the Tyrrhenian shore, till they came to a flowery island, upon a still, bright summer’s eve.  And as they neared it, slowly and wearily, they heard sweet songs upon the shore.  But when Medeia heard it, she started, and cried:  “Beware, all heroes, for these are the rocks of the Sirens.  You must pass close by them, for there is no other channel; but those who listen to that song are lost.”

Then Orpheus spoke, the king of all minstrels:  “Let them match their song against mine.  I have charmed stones, and trees, and dragons, how much more the hearts of man!” So he caught up his lyre, and stood upon the poop, and began his magic song.

And now they could see the Sirens, on Anthemousa, the flowery isle; three fair maidens sitting on the beach, beneath a red rock in the setting sun, among beds of crimson poppies and golden asphodel.  Slowly they sung and sleepily, with silver voices, mild and clear, which stole over the golden waters, and into the hearts of all the heroes, in spite of Orpheus’s song.

And all things stayed around and listened; the gulls sat in white lines along the rocks; on the beach great seals lay basking, and kept time with lazy heads; while silver shoals of fish came up to hearken, and whispered as they broke the shining calm.  The Wind overhead hushed his whistling, as he shepherded his clouds toward the west; and the clouds stood in mid blue, and listened dreaming, like a flock of golden sheep.