4 ARGONAUTAE
The song of the axe and the wedge!
The clang of the hammer and chain!
Keen whistle of chisel and edge!
Smooth swish of the sliding plane!
Hail to the honour of toil!
Hail! to the ship flown free!
Hail! to the golden spoil,
And the glamour of all the sea!
HERACLES.
A good stout song, friend Argus, matching well
The mighty blows thou strikest: yet methinks
One blow should serve to drive yon nail well home
Where thou with tenfold stroke
THESEUS.
Good Heracles!
Not all men owe thy strength——
ARGUS.
Nay, let him try!
Take my toy hammer!
HERACLES,
T have split the wood!
THESEUS.
Vexation sits tremendous on his brow.
Beware a hero’s fury! Thou art mad,
Argus, to play so dangerous a trick.