(ll.793-833) "Stranger, why stay ye so long outside our towers? for the city is not inhabited by the men, but they, as sojourners, plough the wheat-bearing fields of the Thracian mainland.And I will tell out truly all our evil plight, that ye yourselves too may know it well.When my father Thoas reigned over the citizens, then our folk starting from their homes used to plunder from their ships the dwellings of the Thracians who live opposite, and they brought back hither measureless booty and maidens too.But the counsel of the baneful goddess Cypris was working out its accomplishment, who brought upon them soul destroying infatuation.For they hated their lawful wives, and, yielding to their own mad folly, drove them from their homes; and they took to their beds the captives of their spear, cruel ones.Long in truth we endured it, if haply again, though late, they might change their purpose, but ever the bitter woe grew, twofold.And the lawful children were being dishonoured intheir halls, and a bastard race was rising.And thus unmarried maidens and widowed mothers too wandered uncared for through the city; no father heeded his daughter ever so little even though he should see her done to death before his eyes at the hands of an insolent step-dame, nor did sons, as before, defend their mother against unseemly outrage; nor did brothers care at heart for their sister.But in their homes, in the dance, in the assembly and the banquet all their thought was only for their captive maidens; until some god put desperate courage in our hearts no more to receive our lords on their return from Thrace within our towers so that they might either heed the right or might depart and begone elsewhither, they and their captives.So they begged of us all the male children that were left in the city and went back to where even now they dwell on the snowy tilths of Thrace.Do ye therefore stay and settle with us; and shouldst thou desire to dwell here, and this finds favour with thee, assuredly thou shalt have the prerogative of my father Thoas; and I deem that thou wilt not scorn our land at all; for it is deepsoiled beyond all other islands that lie in the Aegaean sea.But come now, return to the ship and relate my words to thy comrades, and stay not outside our city."(ll.834-835) She spoke, glozing over the murder that had been wrought upon the men; and Jason addressed her in answer:
(ll.836-841) "Hypsipyle, very dear to our hearts is the help we shall meet with, which thou grantest to us who need thee.And I will return again to the city when I have told everything in order due.But let the sovereignty of the island be thine; it is not in scorn I yield it up, but grievous trials urge me on."(ll.842-852) He spake, and touched her right hand; and quickly he turned to go back: and round him the young maids on every side danced in countless numbers in their joy till he passed through the gates.And then they came to the shore in smooth-running wains, bearing with them many gifts, when now he had related from beginning to end the speech which Hypsipyle had spoken when she summoned them; and the maids readily led the men back to their homes for entertainment.For Cypris stirred in them a sweet desire, for the sake of Hephaestus of many counsels, in order that Lemnos might be again inhabited by men and not be ruined.
(ll.853-864) Thereupon Aeson's son started to go to the royal home of Hypsipyle; and the rest went each his way as chance took them, all but Heracles; for he of his own will was left behind by the ship and a few chosen comrades with him.And straightway the city rejoiced with dances and banquets, being filled with the steam of sacrifice; and above all the immortals they propitiated with songs and sacrifices the illustrious son of Hera and Cypris herself.And the sailing was ever delayed from one day to another; and long would they have lingered there, had not Heracles, gathering together his comrades apart from the women, thus addressed them with reproachful words:
(ll.865-874) "Wretched men, does the murder of kindred keep us from our native land? Or is it in want of marriage that we have come hither from thence, in scorn of our countrywomen? Does it please us to dwell here and plough the rich soil of Lemnos? No fair renown shall we win by thus tarrying so long with stranger women; nor will some god seize and give us at our prayer a fleece that moves of itself.Let us then return each to his own; but him leave ye to rest all day long in the embrace of Hypsipyle until he has peopled Lemnos with men-children, and so there come to him great glory."(ll.875-887) Thus did he chide the band; but no one dared to meet his eye or to utter a word in answer.But just as they were in the assembly they made ready their departure in all haste, and the women came running towards them, when they knew their intent.And as when bees hum round fair lilies pouring forth from their hive in the rock, and all around the dewy meadow rejoices, and they gather the sweet fruit, flitting from one to another; even so the women eagerly poured forth clustering round the men with loud lament, and greeted each one with hands and voice, praying the blessed gods to grant him a safe return.And so Hypsipyle too prayed, seizing the hands of Aeson's son, and her tears flowed for the loss of her lover:
