s: I bring thee tidings. The great prince, ordain'd


s: To rule the Argive race, this day is born,


s: Of Perseus; therefore he derives from thee,


s: Nor shall the throne of Argos shame his birth.


s: She spake; then anguish stung the heart of Jove


s: And the Olympian heights he would permit


s: Then, whirling her around, he cast her down


s: To earth. She, mingling with all works of men,


s: Caused many a pang to Jove, who saw his son


s: Laborious tasks servile, and of his birth


s: With gifts of price immense whom I have wrong'd.


s: Thou, then, arise to battle, and the host


s: On my behalf, but shall be well perform'd.


s: Or if it please thee, though impatient, wait


s: Short season, and my train shall bring the gifts


s: Even now; that thou may'st understand and know


s: That my peace-offerings are indeed sincere.


s: To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.


s: By gifts to make me, or to make me none,


s: That rests with thee. But let us to the fight


s: The game of rhetoric, and to waste the hours


s: In speeches. Much remains yet unperform'd.


s: Once more in front of battle, wasting wide


s: With brazen spear, the crowded ranks of Troy.


s: Mark him--and as he fights, fight also ye.


s: Nay--urge not, valiant as thou art thyself,


s: Godlike Achilles!--For when phalanx once


s: Shall clash with phalanx, and the Gods with rage


s: Both hosts inspire, the contest shall not then


s: Prove short. Bid rather the Achaians take


s: Both food and wine, for they are strength and might.


s: Might foil the best; for though his will be prompt


s: To combat, yet the power must by degrees


s: Forsake him; thirst and hunger he must feel,


s: And his limbs failing him at every step.


s: Fed with due nourishment, although he fight


s: All day, yet feels his courage unimpair'd,


s: Nor weariness perceives till all retire.


s: Come then--dismiss the people with command


s: That each prepare replenishment. Meantime


s: In presence here of the assembled Greeks


s: Produce, that all may view them, and that thou


s: May'st feel thine own heart gladden'd at the sight.


s: Let the King also, standing in the midst,


s: Swear to thee, that he renders back the maid


s: A virgin still, and strange to his embrace,


s: And let thy own composure prove, the while,


s: That thou art satisfied. Last, let him spread


s: A princely banquet for thee in his tent,


s: That thou may'st want no part of just amends.


s: Thou too, Atrides, shalt hereafter prove


s: More just to others; for himself, a King,


s: Stoops not too low, soothing whom he hath wrong'd.


s: Thou hast arranged wisely the whole concern,


s: Thy speech, both words and method with delight.


s: As thou hast said, for by the Gods I can


s: Most truly. Let Achilles, though of pause


s: With all assembled here, till from my tent


s: The gifts arrive, and oaths of peace be sworn.


s: That choosing forth the most illustrious youths


s: from my own ship, all those which yesternight


s: We promised, nor the women leave behind.


s: And let Talthybius throughout all the camp


s: Then thus Achilles matchless in the race.


s: Expedience bids us to these cares attend


s: Hereafter, when some pause, perchance, of fight


s: Shall happen, and the martial rage which fires


s: My bosom now, shall somewhat less be felt.


s: Now strew the field mangled, for him hath Jove


s: Exalted high, and given him great renown.


s: But haste, now take refreshment; though, in truth


s: Might I direct, the host should by all means


s: All sup together, this affront revenged.


s: But as for me, no drop shall pass my lips


s: Or morsel, whose companion lies with feet


s: Turn'd to the vestibule, pierced by the spear,


s: And compass'd by my weeping train around.


s: For carnage, blood, and agonies and groans.


s: Me, in no scanty measure, thou excell'st


s: Wielding the spear, and thee in prudence, I


s: Not less. For I am elder, and have learn'd


s: What thou hast yet to learn. Bid then thine heart


s: Endure with patience to be taught by me.


s: Men, satiate soon with battle, loathe the field


s: On which the most abundant harvest falls,


s: Reap'd by the sword; and when the hand of Jove


s: Turns once the scale, then, farewell every hope


s: Of more than scanty gleanings. Shall the Greeks


s: Abstain from sustenance for all who die?


s: That were indeed severe, since day by day


s: No few expire, and respite could be none.


s: The dead, die whoso may, should be inhumed.


s: One day sufficient for our sighs and tears.


s: Ourselves, all we who still survive the war,


s: Have need of sustenance, that we may bear


s: The lengthen'd conflict with recruited might,


s: Case in enduring brass.--Ye all have heard


s: Your call to battle; let none lingering stand


s: Which if it sound, shall thunder prove to him


s: Who lurks among the ships. No. Rush we all


s: Together forth, for contest sharp prepared,


s: So saying, the sons of Nestor, glorious Chief,


s: He chose, with Meges Phyleus' noble son,


s: They ask'd, and they received. Soon they produced


s: The seven promised tripods from the tent,


s: Twice ten bright caldrons, twelve high-mettled steeds,


s: Seven lovely captives skill'd alike in arts


s: And last, Brisëis with the blooming cheeks.


s: Before them went Ulysses, bearing weigh'd


s: Ten golden talents, whom the chosen Greeks


s: Full in the midst they placed them. Then arose


s: The herald, clear in utterance as a God,


s: Beside him stood, holding the victim boar.


s: Atrides, drawing forth his dagger bright,


s: Appendant ever to his sword's huge sheath,


s: Sever'd the bristly forelock of the boar,


s: A previous offering. Next, with lifted hands


s: To Jove he pray'd, while, all around, the Greeks


s: Sat listening silent to the Sovereign's voice.


s: He look'd to the wide heaven, and thus he pray'd.


s: First, Jove be witness! of all Powers above


s: Best and supreme; Earth next, and next the Sun!


s: And last, who under Earth the guilt avenge


s: Of oaths sworn falsely, let the Furies hear!


s: Untouch'd, immaculate she hath remain'd.


s: And if I falsely swear, then may the Gods


s: The many woes with which they mark the crime


s: So saying, he pierced the victim in his throat


s: And, whirling him around, Talthybius, next,


s: Such anger kindled, never had he seized,


s: Blinded by wrath, and torn my prize away,


s: But that the slaughter of our numerous friends


s: Which thence ensued, thou hadst, thyself, ordained.


s: Now go, ye Grecians, eat, and then to battle.


s: The hasty council, and all flew dispersed


s: To their own ships. Then took the Myrmidons


s: Those splendid gifts which in the tent they lodged


s: Each to a seat, while others of his train


s: Drove forth the steeds to pasture with his herd.


s: Enfolding him around, she shriek'd and tore


s: Her bosom, her smooth neck and beauteous cheeks.


s: Then thus, divinely fair, with tears she said.


s: I left thee living, and now, generous Chief!


s: Restored to it again, here find thee dead.


s: I saw, myself, the valiant prince to whom


s: My parents had betroth'd me, slain before


s: Our city walls; and my three brothers, sons


s: I mourn, fell also in that dreadful field.


s: But when the swift Achilles slew the prince


s: Design'd my spouse, and the fair city sack'd


s: Of tender friendship didst forbid my tears,


s: Promising oft that thou would'st make me bride


s: Of Peleus' godlike son, that thy own ship


s: Should waft me hence to Phthia, and that thyself


s: Would'st furnish forth among the Myrmidons


s: Our nuptial feast. Therefore thy death I mourn


s: Ceaseless, for thou wast ever kind to me.


s: She spake, and all her fellow-captives heaved


s: Responsive sighs, deploring each, in show,


s: The dead Patroclus, but, in truth, herself.


s: Groan'd and still resolute, their suit refused--


s: If I have here a friend on whom by prayers


s: To eat or drink, for till the sun go down


s: So saying, the other princes he dismiss'd


s: With Phoenix, hoary warrior, in his tent


s: Abiding still, with cheerful converse kind


s: Essay'd to soothe him, whose afflicted soul


s: All soothing scorn'd till he should once again


s: Rush on the ravening edge of bloody war.


s: Then, mindful of his friend, groaning he said


s: Time was, unhappiest, dearest of my friends!


s: Thyself, hast spread a table in my tent,


s: The Greeks and warlike Trojans. But there lies


s: Thy body now, gored by the ruthless steel,


s: And for thy sake I neither eat nor drink,


s: Though dearth be none, conscious that other wo


s: Surpassing this I can have none to fear.


s: Should reach me, who, this moment, weeps, perhaps,


s: For such a son; while I, remote from home


s: Nor even were _he_ dead, whom, if he live,


s: For still this hope I cherish'd in my breast


s: Should fall at Ilium, and that thou, restored


s: To Phthia, should'st have wafted o'er the waves


s: That thou might'st show him all his heritage,


s: Through stress of age and expectation sad


s: That tidings of my death shall, next, arrive.


s: The Chiefs all sigh'd, each with remembrance pain'd


s: Of some loved object left at home. Meantime


s: Jove, with compassion moved, their sorrow saw,


s: And in wing'd accents thus to Pallas spake.


s: Daughter! thou hast abandon'd, as it seems,


s: Yon virtuous Chief for ever; shall no care


s: Before his gallant fleet mourning he sits


s: His friend, disconsolate; the other Greeks


s: And sweets ambrosial, that he hunger not.


s: So saying, he urged Minerva prompt before.


s: In form a shrill-voiced Harpy of long wing


s: Through ether down she darted, while the Greeks


s: In all their camp for instant battle arm'd.


s: Ambrosial sweets and nectar she instill'd


s: Into his breast, lest he should suffer loss


s: Of strength through abstinence, then soar'd again


s: And now the Grecians from their gallant fleet


s: All pour'd themselves abroad. As when thick snow


s: From Jove descends, driven by impetuous gusts


s: Of the cloud-scattering North, so frequent shone


s: Issuing from the fleet the dazzling casques,


s: Boss'd bucklers, hauberks strong, and ashen spears.


s: Upwent the flash to heaven; wide all around


s: The champain laugh'd with beamy brass illumed,


s: And tramplings of the warriors on all sides


s: He gnash'd his teeth, fire glimmer'd in his eyes,


s: First, to his legs his polish'd greaves he clasp'd


s: Studded with silver, then his corselet bright


s: Braced to his bosom, his huge sword of brass


s: Athwart his shoulder slung, and his broad shield


s: Of some lone hill; they, driven by stormy winds,


s: Such from Achilles' burning shield divine


s: A lustre struck the skies; his ponderous helm


s: He lifted to his brows; starlike it shone,


s: And shook its curling crest of bushy gold,


s: By Vulcan taught to wave profuse around.


s: If his arms fitted him, and gave free scope


s: To his proportion'd limbs; buoyant they proved


s: As wings, and high upbore his airy tread.


s: He drew his father's spear forth from his case,


s: Heavy and huge and long. That spear, of all


s: Achaia's sons, none else had power to wield;


s: From Pelion's top for slaughter of the brave.


s: The fair caparisons; they thrust the bits


s: Into their mouths, and to the chariot seat


s: Extended and made fast the reins behind.


s: The splendid scourge commodious to the grasp


s: Into his place; behind him, arm'd complete


s: All dazzling, and with awful tone his speech


s: Illustrious! see ye that, the battle done,


s: Ye bring whom now ye bear back to the host


s: Nor leave him, as ye left Patroclus, dead.


s: Him then his steed unconquer'd in the race,


s: But, hanging low his head, and with his mane


s: Dishevell'd all, and streaming to the ground.


s: Him Juno vocal made, Goddess white-arm'd.


s: And doubtless so we will. This day at least


s: We bear thee safe from battle, stormy Chief!


s: But thee the hour of thy destruction swift


s: Approaches, hasten'd by no fault of ours,


s: But by the force of fate and power divine.


s: Aught chargeable, have Ilium's sons thine arms


s: Stript from Patroclus' shoulders, but a God


s: Matchless in battle, offspring of bright-hair'd


s: Slew, for the glory of the Chief of Troy.


s: Swiftest of all the winds of heaven, in speed


s: Could equal, but the Fates thee also doom


s: By human hands to fall, and hands divine.


s: Suppress'd his utterance, and indignant, thus,


s: Achilles, swiftest of the swift, replied.


s: Why, Xanthus, propheciest thou my death?


s: Appoints me here to die; yet not the more


s: Cease I from feats if arms, till Ilium's host


s: Shall have received, at length, their fill of war.


s: He said, and with a shout drove forth to battle.


s: The Grecians, thus, before their lofty ships


s: Stood arm'd around Achilles, glorious Chief


s: The Trojans on the rising-ground appear'd.


s: Meantime, Jove order'd Themis, from the head


s: Proceeding, bade them to the courts of Jove.


s: Who haunt the pleasant groves, or dwell beside


s: Stream-feeding fountains, or in meadows green.


s: Within the courts of cloud-assembler Jove


s: Arrived, on pillar'd thrones radiant they sat,


s: Thus they within the Thunderer's palace sat


s: The voice of Themis, but (the billows left)


s: Came also; in the midst his seat he took,


s: And ask'd, incontinent, the mind of Jove.


s: King of the lightnings! wherefore hast thou call'd


s: The Gods to council? Hast thou aught at heart


s: Important to the hosts of Greece and Troy?


s: For on the battle's fiery edge they stand.


s: To whom replied Jove, Sovereign of the storms,


s: Thou know'st my council, Shaker of the shores!


s: And wherefore ye are call'd. Although ordain'd


s: Of yon great spectacle; but ye, the rest,


s: Each to assist, as each shall most incline.


s: Find save the Trojans, quickly should they fly


s: They trembled ever at his look, and since


s: Such fury for his friend hath fired his heart,


s: 'Gan move with minds discordant. Juno sought


s: And Pallas, with the earth-encircling Power


s: Neptune, the Grecian fleet, with whom were join'd


s: And Vulcan, rolling on all sides his eyes


s: Tremendous, but on disproportion'd legs,


s: Not without labor hard, halting uncouth.


s: Mars, warrior-God, on Ilium's part appear'd


s: With Phoebus never-shorn, Dian shaft-arm'd,


s: Xanthus, Latona, and the Queen of smiles,


s: Mixed not with either host, Achaia's sons


s: Panting for blood, and bright in arms again.


s: But when the Olympian Powers had enter'd once


s: The multitude, then Discord, at whose voice


s: Then, Pallas at the trench without the wall


s: By turns stood shouting, and by turns a shout


s: Now yell'd aloud, now running o'er the hill


s: Thus the Immortals, ever-blest, impell'd


s: Both hosts to battle, and dire inroad caused


s: Of strife among them. Sudden from on high


s: The Sire of Gods and men thunder'd; meantime,


s: Neptune the earth and the high mountains shook;


s: Through all her base and to her topmost peak


s: Reeling, all Ilium and the fleet of Greece.


s: Upstarted from his throne, appall'd, the King


s: Through hell proclaim'd, lest Neptune, o'er his head


s: Shattering the vaulted earth, should wide disclose


s: Terrible, squalid, to the Gods themselves


s: Opposed to Neptune, King of the vast Deep,


s: Apollo stood with his wing'd arrows arm'd;


s: Rejoicing, with whose shouts the forests ring


s: Scamander call'd, but Xanthus by the Gods.


s: So Gods encounter'd Gods. But most desire


s: Achilles felt, breaking the ranks, to rush


s: Inspiring his bold heart. He feign'd the voice


s: Assuming, thus the Trojan Chief address'd.


s: Thy vaunts, which, banqueting erewhile among


s: Our princes, o'er thy brimming cups thou mad'st,


s: That thou would'st fight, thyself, with Peleus' son?


s: Offspring of Priam! why enjoin'st thou me


s: Not so inclined, that arduous task, to cope


s: With the unmatch'd Achilles? I have proved


s: His force already, when he chased me down


s: From Ida with his spear, what time he made


s: Seizure of all our cattle, and destroy'd


s: Unslain, by Jove himself empower'd to fly,


s: And by the hand of Pallas, who his steps


s: Us and the Leleges. Vain, therefore, proves


s: All mortal force to Peleus' son opposed;


s: For one, at least, of the Immortals stands


s: And, of himself, he hath an arm that sends


s: Yet, would the Gods more equal sway the scales


s: Of battle, not with ease should he subdue


s: Him, then, Apollo answer'd, son of Jove.


s: Thy Prayer, for thee men rumor Venus' son


s: Daughter of Jove; and Peleus' son his birth


s: Thy mother is from Jove; the offspring, his,


s: Go, therefore, and thy conquering spear uplift


s: Against him, nor let aught his sounding words


s: Appal thee, or his threats turn thee away.


s: So saying, with martial force the Chief he fill'd,


s: Who through the foremost combatants advanced


s: Radiant in arms. Nor pass'd Anchises' son


s: Unseen of Juno, through the crowded ranks


s: Seeking Achilles, but the Powers of heaven


s: Convened by her command, she thus address'd.


s: Yon Chief, Æneas, dazzling bright in arms;


s: Be it our task to give him quick repulse,


s: Or, of ourselves, let some propitious Power


s: The mightiest are his friends, with whom compared


s: Who stood her guardians in the bloody strife,


s: Are empty boasters all, and nothing worth.


s: For therefore came we down, that we may share


s: This fight, and that Achilles suffer nought


s: Hereafter, with his thread of life entwined


s: When he shall meet some Deity in the field,


s: Fear then will seize him, for celestial forms


s: To whom replied the Shaker of the shores.


s: Gods, our inferiors. No. Let us, retired


s: To yonder hill, distant from all resort,


s: There sit, while these the battle wage alone.


s: Entering, begin, themselves, to interfere


s: So saying, the God of Ocean azure-hair'd


s: Moved foremost to the lofty mound earth-built


s: What time the monster of the deep pursued


s: The hero from the sea-bank o'er the plain.


s: There Neptune sat, and his confederate Gods,


s: Their shoulders with impenetrable clouds


s: O'ermantled, while the city-spoiler Mars


s: While from his seat sublime Jove urged them on.


s: The champain all was fill'd, and with the blaze


s: Illumined wide of men and steeds brass-arm'd,


s: And the incumber'd earth jarr'd under foot


s: Of the encountering hosts. Then, two, the rest


s: His breast he held the well-conducted orb


s: Of his broad shield, and shook his brazen spear.


s: On the other side, Achilles to the fight


s: Flew like a ravening lion, on whose death


s: Resolved, the peasants from all quarters meet;


s: He, viewing with disdain the foremost, stalks


s: Right on, but smitten by some dauntless youth


s: Writhes himself, and discloses his huge fangs


s: Hung with white foam; then, growling for revenge,


s: Till with a burning eye and a bold heart


s: He springs to slaughter, or himself is slain;


s: Impell'd, renown'd Achilles moved toward


s: Thus spake the hero matchless in the race.


s: Why stand'st thou here, Æneas! thy own band


s: Left at such distance? Is it that thine heart


s: His throne hereafter in Troy steed-renown'd?


s: But shouldst thou slay me, not for that exploit


s: Would Priam such large recompense bestow,


s: For he hath sons, and hath, beside, a mind


s: Or have the Trojans of their richest soil


s: For vineyard apt or plow assign'd thee part


s: If thou shalt slay me? Difficult, I hope,


s: At least, thou shalt experience that emprize.


s: Thee with my spear. Forgettest thou the day


s: When, finding thee alone, I drove thee down


s: Afar, thou didst not dare in all thy flight


s: Turn once, till at Lyrnessus safe arrived,


s: Their women? Thee, indeed, the Gods preserved


s: But they shall not preserve thee, as thou dream'st


s: Hence, I command thee, nor oppose in fight


s: My force, lest evil find thee. To be taught


s: With words to scare me. I have also taunts


s: At my command, and could be sharp as thou.


s: We oft have heard, each other's birth we know


s: Was ne'er thy lot, nor have I thine beheld.


s: Thee men proclaim from noble Peleus sprung


s: And Thetis, bright hair'd Goddess of the Deep;


s: In battle slain thy sire shall mourn, or mine;


s: Like children, satisfied with words alone.


s: But if it please thee more at large to learn


s: My lineage (thousands can attest it true)


s: Know this. Jove, Sovereign of the storms, begat


s: King Ericthonius, wealthiest of mankind.


s: Three thousand mares of his the marish grazed,


s: Each suckling with delight her tender foal.


s: The pasture sought, and cover'd them in form


s: Of a steed azure-maned. They, pregnant thence,


s: Twelve foals produced, and all so light of foot,


s: That when they wanton'd in the fruitful field


s: They swept, and snapp'd it not, the golden ear;


s: And when they wanton'd on the boundless deep,


s: They skimm'd the green wave's frothy ridge, secure.


s: From Ericthonius sprang Tros, King of Troy,


s: And Tros was father of three famous sons,


s: Loveliest of human kind, whom for his charms


s: The Gods caught up to heaven, there to abide


s: Such is my lineage, and such blood I boast;


s: But valor is from Jove; he, as he wills,


s: For he is lord of all. Therefore enough--


s: Too long like children we have stood, the time


s: Consuming here, while battle roars around.


s: Gibes at each other, till a ship that asks


s: A hundred oars should sink beneath the load.


s: The tongue of man is voluble, hath words


s: For every theme, nor wants wide field and long,


s: And as he speaks so shall he hear again.


s: But we--why should we wrangle, and with taunts


s: Of women, who with heart-devouring strife


s: On fire, start forth into the public way


s: To mock each other, uttering, as may chance,


s: Much truth, much falsehood, as their anger bids?


s: For all thy speeches; we must combat first;


s: Now, therefore, without more delay, begin,


s: That we may taste each other's force in arms.


s: Hurl'd with full force against the dreadful shield.


s: Loud roar'd its ample concave at the blow.


s: Thrust farther from him, deeming that the force


s: Of such an arm should pierce his guard with ease.


s: Glorious as his, gifts of the immortal Gods,


s: Yield not so quickly to the force of man.


s: No passage found; the golden plate divine


s: Repress'd its vehemence; two folds it pierced,


s: But three were still behind, for with five folds


s: Vulcan had fortified it; two were brass;


s: The two interior, tin; the midmost, gold;


s: Achilles next, hurl'd his long shadow'd spear,


s: Of his broad shield, where thinnest lay the brass,


s: And thinnest the ox-hide. The Pelian ash


s: Started right through the buckler, and it rang.


s: Æneas crouch'd terrified, and his shield


s: Thrust farther from him; but the rapid beam


s: Bursting both borders of the ample disk,


s: Glanced o'er his back, and plunged into the soil.


s: He 'scaped it, and he stood; but, as he stood,


s: Planted so near him. Then, Achilles drew


s: His falchion keen, and with a deafening shout


s: Two men (such men as are accounted strong


s: Now) but he wielded it with ease, alone.


s: Impetuous on, smitten, although in vain,


s: His helmet or his shield, and Peleus' son


s: Had with his falchion him stretch'd at his feet,


s: But that the God of Ocean quick perceived


s: His peril, and the Immortals thus bespake.


s: Slain by Achilles, see the realms below,


s: But wherefore should the Chief, guiltless himself,


s: His gifts have fail'd, grateful to all in heaven.


s: Come, therefore, and let us from death ourselves


s: This hero perish, Jove himself be wroth;


s: All others loved, his sons of woman born)


s: Shall sway the sceptre o'er the race of Troy.


s: To whom, majestic thus the spouse of Jove.


s: For Pallas and myself ofttimes have sworn


s: Of her distress, not even when the flames


s: Shall climb with fury to her topmost towers.


s: She spake; then Neptune, instant, through the throng


s: Of battle flying, and the clash of spears,


s: At once with shadows dim he blurr'd the sight


s: Of Peleus' son, and from the shield, himself,


s: Retracting, placed it at Achilles' feet.


s: Then, lifting high Æneas from the ground,


s: He heaved him far remote; o'er many a rank


s: Of heroes and of bounding steeds he flew,


s: Launch'd into air from the expanded palm


s: Of all the battle where the Caucons stood.


s: Neptune approach'd him there, and at his side


s: Standing, in accents wing'd, him thus bespake.


s: Than thou, and more the favorite of the skies?


s: But when Achilles shall have once fulfill'd


s: His destiny, in battle slain, then fight


s: Fearless, for thou canst fall by none beside.


s: So saying, he left the well-admonish'd Chief,


s: And from Achilles' eyes scatter'd the gloom


s: Clearly, and with his noble heart incensed


s: By disappointment, thus conferring, said.


s: The weapon with such deadly force, is gone!


s: I deem'd his boast of their protection vain.


s: I reck not. Let him go. So gladly 'scaped


s: From slaughter now, he shall not soon again


s: The force in fight of many a Trojan more.


s: He said, and sprang to battle with loud voice,


s: Calling the Grecians after him.--Ye sons


s: My noble friends! but foot to foot let each


s: Fall on courageous, and desire the fight.


s: So numerous, and to combat with them all.


s: Not Mars himself, immortal though he be,


s: Nor Pallas, could with all the ranks contend


s: Of this vast multitude, and drive the whole.


s: With hands, with feet, with spirit and with might,


s: All that I can I will; right through I go,


s: And not a Trojan who shall chance within


s: Spear's reach of me, shall, as I judge, rejoice.


s: Meantime, illustrious Hector to his host


s: Fear not, ye valiant men of Troy! fear not


s: I could, myself, cope even with the Gods;


s: But not with spears; there they excel us all.


s: Nor shall Achilles full performance give


s: To all his vaunts, but, if he some fulfil,


s: Shall others leave mutilate in the midst.


s: I will encounter him, though his hands be fire,


s: Though fire his hands, and his heart hammer'd steel.


s: Uprose the Trojan spears, thick intermixt


s: The battle join'd, and clamor loud began.


s: Then thus, approaching Hector, Phoebus spake.


s: Henceforth, advance not Hector! in the front


s: Lest his spear reach thee, or his glittering sword.


s: Withdrew, admonish'd by the voice divine.


s: Then, shouting terrible, and clothed with might,


s: Achilles sprang to battle. First, he slew


s: Numerous obey'd. Otrynteus was his sire.


s: As he advanced, Achilles drove his spear,


s: And rived his skull; with thundering sound he fell,


s: And thus the conqueror gloried in his fall.


s: Ah Otryntides! thou art slain. Here lies


s: The broad Gygæan lake, where Hyllus flows


s: And Hermus, call'd the fertile soil his own.


s: Thus gloried he. Meantime the shades of death


s: Into his temples through his brazen casque


s: He thrust the Pelian ash, nor could the brass


s: Such force resist, but the huge weapon drove


s: The shatter'd bone into his inmost brain,


s: And his fierce onset at a stroke repress'd.


s: Within his spine, while with a leap he left


s: His steeds and fled. He, panting forth his life,


s: Moan'd like a bull, by consecrated youths


s: Dragg'd round the Heliconian King, who views


s: That victim with delight. So, with loud moans


s: Then, spear in hand, against the godlike son


s: A warrior's place, for that of all his sons


s: He was the youngest-born, his hoary sire's


s: Chief darling, and in speed surpass'd them all.


s: Achilles with a javelin reach'd; he struck


s: His belt behind him, where the golden clasps


s: The point transpierced his bowels, and sprang through


s: His navel; screaming, on his knees he fell,


s: Death-shadows dimm'd his eyes, and with both hands,


s: Stooping, he press'd his gather'd bowels back.


s: Inclined, and with his bowels in his hands,


s: Sightless well-nigh with anguish could endure


s: He burst abroad, and shaking his sharp spear,


s: Advanced to meet Achilles, whose approach


s: Ah! he approaches, who hath stung my soul


s: Deepest, the slayer of whom most I loved!


s: He ceased, and with a brow knit into frowns,


s: Call'd to illustrious Hector. Haste, approach,


s: That I may quick dispatch thee to the shades.


s: Whom answer'd warlike Hector, nought appall'd.


s: With words to scare me. I have also taunts


s: At my command, and can be sharp as thou.


s: Inferior far; yet, whether thou shalt slay


s: He said, and, brandishing it, hurl'd his spear,


s: Which Pallas, breathing softly, wafted back


s: Successless at illustrious Hector's feet.


s: Then, all on fire to slay him, with a shout


s: Toward him; but him wrapt in clouds opaque


s: Thrice, swift Achilles sprang to the assault


s: Impetuous, thrice the pitchy cloud he smote,


s: And at his fourth assault, godlike in act,


s: And terrible in utterance, thus exclaim'd.


s: Dog! thou art safe, and hast escaped again;


s: Of Phoebus, without previous suit to whom


s: Thou venturest never where the javelin sings.


s: But when we next encounter, then expect,


s: To close thy proud career. Meantime I seek


s: So saying, he pierced the neck of Dryops through,


s: And at his feet he fell. Him there he left,


s: Pierced, and detain'd him by the planted spear,


s: Till with his sword he smote him, and he died.


s: Dismounting both, one with his spear he slew,


s: Tros too, Alastor's son--he suppliant clasp'd


s: That he would spare, and send him thence alive.


s: That suit he urged; for not of milky mind,


s: To whom he sued, but fiery. With both hands


s: His knees he clasp'd importunate, and he


s: Fast by the liver gash'd him with his sword.


s: His liver falling forth, with sable blood


s: His bosom fill'd, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: Then, drawing close to Mulius, in his ear


s: He set the pointed brass, and at a thrust


s: Sent it, next moment, through his ear beyond.


s: Then, through the forehead of Agenor's son


s: Echechlus, his huge-hafted blade he drove,


s: And death and fate forever veil'd his eyes.


s: Next, where the tendons of the elbow meet,


s: Striking Deucalion, through his wrist he urged


s: The brazen point; he all defenceless stood,


s: Expecting death; down came Achilles' blade


s: Full on his neck; away went head and casque


s: Together; from his spine the marrow sprang,


s: And at his length outstretch'd he press'd the plain.


s: He flew, a warrior from the fields of Thrace.


s: Him through the loins he pierced, and with the beam


s: Fixt in his bowels, to the earth he fell;


s: Then piercing, as he turn'd to flight, the spine


s: He thrust him from his seat; wild with dismay


s: Back flew the fiery coursers at his fall.


s: While, blown around, the flames roll to all sides,


s: Of Ilium, and the champain ran with blood.


s: As when the peasant his yoked steers employs


s: To tread his barley, the broad-fronted pair


s: With ponderous hoofs trample it out with ease,


s: His coursers solid-hoof'd stamp'd as they ran


s: The shields, at once, and bodies of the slain;


s: Blood spatter'd all his axle, and with blood


s: From the horse-hoofs and from the fellied wheels


s: His chariot redden'd, while himself, athirst


s: Defiled with mingled carnage, sweat, and dust.


s: But when they came, at length, where Xanthus winds


s: His stream vortiginous from Jove derived,


s: There, separating Ilium's host, he drove


s: Part o'er the plain to Troy in the same road


s: By which the Grecians had so lately fled


s: That way they fled pouring themselves along


s: Darkness as night before them. Other part,


s: Push'd down the sides of Xanthus, headlong plunged


s: With dashing sound into his dizzy stream,


s: And all his banks re-echoed loud the roar.


s: They, struggling, shriek'd in silver eddies whirl'd.


s: To some broad river, swift the sudden blaze


s: Pursues them, they, astonish'd, strew the flood,


s: So, by Achilles driven, a mingled throng


s: Xanthus, and glutted all his sounding course


s: He, chief of heroes, leaving on the bank


s: Plunged like a God, with falchion arm'd alone


s: But fill'd with thoughts of havoc. On all sides


s: Down came his edge; groans follow'd dread to hear


s: Of warriors smitten by the sword, and all


s: The waters as they ran redden'd with blood.


s: Of some huge dolphin, terrified, the creeks


s: For none of all that he can seize he spares,


s: So lurk'd the trembling Trojans in the caves


s: Of Xanthus' awful flood. But he (his hands


s: Wearied at length with slaughter) from the rest


s: Twelve youths selected whom to death he doom'd,


s: In vengeance for his loved Patroclus slain.


s: Them stupified with dread like fawns he drove


s: Forth from the river, manacling their hands


s: Behind them fast with their own tunic-strings,


s: And gave them to his warrior train in charge.


s: Then, ardent still for blood, rushing again


s: Toward the stream, Dardanian Priam's son


s: Him erst by night, in his own father's field


s: Lycaon was employ'd cutting green shoots


s: Of the wild-fig for chariot-rings, when lo!


s: The guest of Jason, thence redeeming him,


s: Thence also and regain'd his father's house.


s: And on the twelfth his fate cast him again


s: Nor shield nor helmet, but, when he emerged,


s: The valiant Trojans whom my self have slain


s: The self-same warrior whom I lately sold


s: At Lemnos, free, and in the field again.


s: For most, but not for him. Now shall he taste


s: The point of this my spear, that I may learn


s: That holds the strongest fast, can him detain,


s: While musing thus he stood, stunn'd with dismay


s: The youth approach'd, eager to clasp his knees,


s: The weapon, missing him, implanted stood


s: Close at his back, when, seizing with one hand


s: Achilles' knees, he with the other grasp'd


s: The dreadful beam, resolute through despair,


s: And in wing'd accents suppliant thus began.


s: Thy knees, Achilles! Ah, illustrious Chief!


s: Reject not with disdain a suppliant's prayer.


s: I am thy guest also, who at thy own board


s: Have eaten bread, and did partake the gift


s: When thou didst send me in yon field surprised


s: And for my price receiv'dst a hundred beeves.


s: Loose me, and I will yield thee now that sum


s: Thrice told. Alas! this morn is but the twelfth


s: Since, after numerous hardships, I arrived


s: Once more in Troy, and now my ruthless lot


s: Jove cannot less than hate me, who hath twice


s: Made me thy prisoner, and my doom was death,


s: Death in my prime, the day when I was born


s: His daughter to his other numerous wives


s: Of Ilium's infantry, by thy bright spear,


s: Shall now be mine, for I despair to escape


s: Thine hands, to which the Gods yield me again.


s: But hear and mark me well. My birth was not


s: From the same womb as Hector's, who hath slain


s: Thy valiant friend for clemency renown'd.


s: Of Priam made, but answer harsh received.


s: Fool! speak'st of ransom? Name it not to me.


s: Accomplish'd, I was somewhat given to spare,


s: And numerous, whom I seized alive, I sold.


s: But now, of all the Trojans whom the Gods


s: Die therefore, even thou, my friend! What mean


s: Died not Patroclus. braver far than thou?


s: And look on me--see'st not to what a height


s: My stature towers, and what a bulk I boast?


s: Shall reach me, or the arrow from the nerve.


s: He ceased, and where the suppliant kneel'd, he died.


s: Quitting the spear, with both hands spread abroad


s: He sat, but swift Achilles with his sword


s: 'Twixt neck and key-bone smote him, and his blade


s: Bedewing with his sable blood the glebe,


s: Till, by the foot, Achilles cast him far


s: Into the stream, and, as he floated down,


s: Thus in wing'd accents, glorying, exclaim'd.


s: Lie there, and feed the fishes, which shall lick


s: Thy blood secure. Thy mother ne'er shall place


s: Shall bear thee to the bosom of the sea.


s: There, many a fish shall through the crystal flood


s: Die Trojans! till we reach your city, you


s: Fleeing, and slaughtering, I. This pleasant stream


s: With victim bulls, and sate with living steeds


s: His rapid whirlpools, shall avail you nought,


s: But ye shall die, die terribly, till all


s: Slain at the ships while I declined the war.


s: He ended, at those words still more incensed


s: Scamander means devised, thenceforth to check


s: Meantime the son of Peleus, his huge spear


s: To broad-stream'd Axius, who had clasp'd the nymph


s: Xanthus embolden'd, at the deaths incensed


s: Of many a youth, whom, mercy none vouchsafed,


s: And now small distance interposed, they faced


s: Who art and whence, who dar'st encounter me?


s: Hapless the sires whose sons my force defy.


s: Pelides, mighty Chief? Why hast thou ask'd


s: Chief leader of Poenia's host spear-arm'd;


s: Since I at Troy arrived. For my descent,


s: From Axius, fairest stream that waters earth,


s: My sire. Let this suffice. Now fight, Achilles!


s: So spake he threatening, and Achilles raised


s: Dauntless the Pelian ash. At once two spears


s: With both hands apt for battle. One his shield


s: Struck but pierced not, impeded by the gold,


s: Grazed at his right elbow; sprang the sable blood;


s: Stood planted deep, still hungering for the prey.


s: Hurl'd forth his weapon with unsparing force


s: But vain; he struck the sloping river bank,


s: And mid-length deep stood plunged the ashen beam.


s: Then, with his falchion drawn, Achilles flew


s: To smite him; he in vain, meantime, essay'd


s: To pluck the rooted spear forth from the bank;


s: Thrice with full force he shook the beam, and thrice,


s: Although reluctant, left it; at his fourth


s: Last effort, bending it he sought to break


s: But perish'd by his keen-edged falchion first;


s: He smote him; to the ground effused fell all


s: His bowels, death's dim shadows veil'd his eyes.


s: His foot, despoil'd him, and exulting cried.


s: Lie there; though River-sprung, thou find'st it hard


s: Thou said'st, a mighty River is my sire--


s: But my descent from mightier Jove I boast;


s: As Jove all streams excels that seek the sea,


s: So, Jove's descendants nobler are than theirs.


s: Afford thee, if he can, some succor--No--


s: He may not fight against Saturnian Jove.


s: Nor yet the strength of Ocean's vast profound,


s: Although from him all rivers and all seas,


s: All fountains and all wells proceed, may boast


s: And his dread thunders rattling in the sky.


s: He said, and drawing from the bank his spear


s: Where, while the clear wave dash'd him, eels his flanks


s: And ravening fishes numerous nibbled bare.


s: The horsed Poeonians next he fierce assail'd,


s: Who seeing their brave Chief slain by the sword


s: The eddy-whirling stream fled all dispersed.


s: Ænius and Mnesus; nor had these sufficed


s: Achilles, but Poeonians more had fallen,


s: His circling gulfs in semblance, of a man


s: Call'd to him, interrupting thus his rage.


s: Unmatch'd, Achilles! whom themselves the Gods


s: Cease not to aid, if Saturn's son have doom'd


s: All Ilium's race to perish by thine arm,


s: Expel them, first, from me, ere thou achieve


s: That dread exploit; for, cumber'd as I am


s: With bodies, I can pour my pleasant stream


s: All vanish where thou comest. But oh desist


s: Dread Chief! Amazement fills me at thy deeds.


s: To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.


s: But not from slaughter of this faithless host


s: I cease, till I shall shut them fast in Troy


s: In single fight shall strongest prove, or mine


s: Assail'd the Trojans; then the circling flood


s: To Phoebus thus his loud complaint address'd.


s: Hast thou perform'd, who, earnest, bade thee aid


s: The Trojans, till (the sun sunk in the West)


s: Night's shadow dim should veil the fruitful field.


s: Plunged from the bank into the middle stream.


s: Stirr'd from the bottom, landward heaving off


s: The numerous bodies that his current chok'd


s: Slain by Achilles; them, as with the roar


s: Of bulls, he cast aground, but deep within


s: His oozy gulfs the living safe conceal'd.


s: The curling wave, then, falling on his shield


s: Dash'd him, nor found his footsteps where to rest.


s: An elm of massy trunk he seized and branch


s: Luxuriant, but it fell torn from the root


s: And drew the whole bank after it; immersed


s: It damm'd the current with its ample boughs,


s: And join'd as with a bridge the distant shores,


s: Upsprang Achilles from the gulf and turn'd


s: His feet, now wing'd for flight, into the plain


s: Astonish'd; but the God, not so appeased,


s: That he might quell him and deliver Troy.


s: Back flew Achilles with a bound, the length


s: Of a spear's cast, for such a spring he own'd


s: As bears the black-plumed eagle on her prey


s: Strongest and swiftest of the fowls of air.


s: Like her he sprang, and dreadful on his chest


s: Clang'd his bright armor. Then, with course oblique


s: He fled his fierce pursuer, but the flood,


s: Fly where he might, came thundering in his rear.


s: Conducts from some pure fountain through his grove


s: Or garden, clearing the obstructed course,


s: The pebbles, as it runs, all ring beneath,


s: And, as the slope still deepens, swifter still


s: It runs, and, murmuring, outstrips the guide,


s: So him, though swift, the river always reach'd


s: Still swifter; who can cope with power divine?


s: Oft as the noble Chief, turning, essay'd


s: Resistance, and to learn if all the Gods


s: Alike rush'd after him, so oft the flood,


s: Jove's offspring, laved his shoulders. Upward then


s: He sprang distress'd, but with a sidelong sweep


s: Assailing him, and from beneath his steps


s: Wasting the soil, the Stream his force subdued.


s: Then looking to the skies, aloud he mourn'd.


s: I sink, none deigns to save me from the flood,


s: From which once saved, I would no death decline.


s: Yet blame I none of all the Powers of heaven


s: As Thetis; she with falsehood sooth'd my soul,


s: She promised me a death by Phoebus' shafts


s: Swift-wing'd, beneath the battlements of Troy.


s: I would that Hector, noblest of his race,


s: Had slain me, I had then bravely expired


s: And a brave man had stripp'd me of my arms.


s: But fate now dooms me to a death abhorr'd


s: Whelm'd in deep waters, like a swine-herd's boy


s: Drown'd in wet weather while he fords a brook.


s: Each seized his hand confirming him, and thus


s: Achilles! moderate thy dismay, fear nought.


s: Effectual aids, and with consent of Jove;


s: Is not thy doom. This foe shall soon be quell'd;


s: Thine eyes shall see it. Let our counsel rule


s: Thy deed, and all is well. Cease not from war


s: Till fast within proud Ilium's walls her host


s: Again be prison'd, all who shall escape;


s: Then (Hector slain) to the Achaian fleet


s: Return; we make the glorious victory thine.


s: So they, and both departing sought the skies.


s: He moved toward the plain now all o'erspread


s: By the vast flood on which the bodies swam


s: And shields of many a youth in battle slain.


s: He leap'd, he waded, and the current stemm'd


s: Right onward, by the flood in vain opposed,


s: With such might Pallas fill'd him. Nor his rage


s: Scamander aught repress'd, but still the more


s: Check, if we may, this warrior; he shall else


s: Whose host appall'd, defend them now no more.


s: Haste--succor me--thy channel fill with streams


s: From all thy fountains; call thy torrents down;


s: Lift high the waters; mingle trees and stones


s: With uproar wild, that we may quell the force


s: Of this dread Chief triumphant now, and fill'd


s: With projects that might more beseem a God.


s: But vain shall be his strength, his beauty nought


s: Shall profit him or his resplendent arms,


s: Sands heaping o'er him and around him sands


s: Infinite, that no Greek shall find his bones


s: There shall his tomb be piled, nor other earth,


s: At his last rites, his friends shall need for him.


s: He said, and lifting high his angry tide


s: Roaring, the foam, the bodies, and the blood;


s: Shriek'd Juno at that sight, terrified lest


s: Should perish, and to Vulcan quick exclaim'd.


s: Give instant succor; show forth all thy fires.


s: Myself will haste to call the rapid South


s: And Zephyrus, that tempests from the sea


s: Blowing, thou may'st both arms and dead consume


s: The banks of Xanthus, fire his trees and him


s: Seize also. Let him by no specious guile


s: Of flattery soothe thee, or by threats appall,


s: Nor slack thy furious fires 'till with a shout


s: I give command, then bid them cease to blaze.


s: She spake, and Vulcan at her word his fires


s: Shot dreadful forth; first, kindling on the field,


s: He burn'd the bodies strew'd numerous around


s: And the flood ceased. As when a sprightly breeze


s: Autumnal blowing from the North, at once


s: Dries the new-water'd garden, gladdening him


s: Who tills the soil, so was the champain dried;


s: The dead consumed, against the River, next,


s: He turn'd the fierceness of his glittering fires.


s: Willows and tamarisks and elms he burn'd,


s: Burn'd lotus, rushes, reeds; all plants and herbs


s: That clothed profuse the margin of his flood.


s: His eels and fishes, whether wont to dwell


s: In gulfs beneath, or tumble in the stream,


s: All languish'd while the artist of the skies


s: Breath'd on them; even Xanthus lost, himself,


s: All force, and, suppliant, Vulcan thus address'd.


s: Oh Vulcan! none in heaven itself may cope


s: With thee. I yield to thy consuming fires.


s: Cease, cease. I reck not if Achilles drive


s: Her citizens, this moment, forth from Troy,


s: For what are war and war's concerns to me?


s: So spake he scorch'd, and all his waters boil'd.


s: As some huge caldron hisses urged by force


s: Of circling fires and fill'd with melted lard,


s: On all sides, while the dry wood flames beneath,


s: So Xanthus bubbled and his pleasant flood


s: Hiss'd in the fire, nor could he longer flow


s: But check'd his current, with hot steams annoy'd


s: By Vulcan raised. His supplication, then,


s: Ah Juno! why assails thy son my streams,


s: Of Greece shall set all Ilium in a blaze.


s: Peace, glorious son! we may not in behalf


s: Then Vulcan his tremendous fires repress'd,


s: The refluent flood; for when the force was once


s: Although incensed, herself to quell the strife.


s: Now waged, each breathing discord; loud they rush'd


s: And fierce to battle, while the boundless earth


s: Quaked under them, and, all around, the heavens


s: Sang them together with a trumpet's voice.


s: Jove listening, on the Olympian summit sat


s: Well-pleased, and, in his heart laughing for joy,


s: Beheld the Powers of heaven in battle join'd.


s: Not long aloof they stood. Shield-piercer Mars,


s: His brazen spear grasp'd, and began the fight


s: Rushing on Pallas, whom he thus reproach'd.


s: Wasp! front of impudence, and past all bounds


s: To fight? Thy own proud spirit is the cause.


s: Remember'st not, how, urged by thee, the son


s: When thou, the radiant spear with thy own hand


s: Guiding, didst rend my body? Now, I ween,


s: Vengeance for all thy malice shown to me.


s: So saying, her shield he smote tassell'd around


s: Terrific, proof against the bolts of Jove;


s: That shield gore-tainted Mars with fury smote.


s: But she, retiring, with strong grasp upheaved


s: A rugged stone, black, ponderous, from the plain,


s: A land-mark fixt by men of ancient times,


s: Which hurling at the neck of stormy Mars


s: She smote him. Down he fell. Seven acres, stretch'd,


s: Polluted lay, and dreadful rang his arms.


s: The Goddess laugh'd, and thus in accents wing'd


s: Fool! Art thou still to learn how far my force


s: Surpasses thine, and darest thou cope with me?


s: Who hates thee for thy treachery to the Greeks,


s: And for thy succor given to faithless Troy.


s: She said, and turn'd from Mars her glorious eyes.


s: But him deep-groaning and his torpid powers


s: Daughter of Jove, whom soon as Juno mark'd,


s: In accents wing'd to Pallas thus she spake.


s: Haste--follow her--Ah shameless! how she leads


s: Gore-tainted Mars through all the host of heaven.


s: So she, whom Pallas with delight obey'd;


s: To Venus swift she flew, and on the breast


s: With such force smote her that of sense bereft


s: The fainting Goddess fell. There Venus lay


s: And Mars extended on the fruitful glebe,


s: And Pallas thus in accents wing'd exclaim'd.


s: I would that all who on the part of Troy


s: Of Mars, for whom she dared my power defy!


s: And desolated) ceased long since in heaven.


s: Thus to Apollo. Phoebus! wherefore stand


s: _We_ thus aloof? Since others have begun,


s: Should we, no combat waged, ascend again


s: Olympus and the brass-built hall of Jove.


s: Begin, for thou art younger; me, whose years


s: Alike and knowledge thine surpass so far,


s: Art thou and senseless! Are no traces left


s: In thy remembrance of our numerous wrongs


s: Sustain'd at Ilium, when, of all the Gods


s: Ourselves alone, by Jove's commandment, served


s: Myself a bulwark'd town, spacious, secure


s: Against assault, and beautiful as strong


s: Built for the Trojans, and thine office was


s: But when the gladsome hours the season brought


s: Of payment, then the unjust King of Troy


s: Dismiss'd us of our whole reward amerced


s: Thee into distant isles, bound hand and foot,


s: The ears of both; we, therefore, hasted thence


s: Resenting deep our promised hire withheld.


s: Aid'st thou for this the Trojans? Canst thou less


s: Than seek, with us, to exterminate the whole


s: Perfidious race, wives, children, husbands, all?


s: To whom the King of radiant shafts Apollo.


s: Me, Neptune, thou wouldst deem, thyself, unwise


s: With thee; a wretched race, who like the leaves


s: Now flourish rank, by fruits of earth sustain'd,


s: Now sapless fall. Here, therefore, us between


s: Let all strife cease, far better left to them.


s: He said, and turn'd away, fearing to lift


s: His hand against the brother of his sire.


s: Rebuke, his huntress sister, thus reproved.


s: Fly'st thou, Apollo! and to Neptune yield'st


s: Fool! wherefore bearest thou the bow in vain?


s: Hear thee among the immortals vaunting more


s: That thou wouldst Neptune's self confront in arms.


s: But thus the consort of the Thunderer, fired


s: With wrath, reproved the Archeress of heaven.


s: How hast thou dared, impudent, to oppose


s: My will? Bow-practised as thou art, the task


s: To match my force were difficult to thee.


s: Killing them at thy pleasure? Ah beware--


s: Far easier is it, on the mountain-heights


s: To slay wild beasts and chase the roving hind,


s: Than to conflict with mightier than ourselves.


s: But, if thou wish a lesson on that theme,


s: Approach--thou shalt be taught with good effect


s: How far my force in combat passes thine.


s: She said, and with her left hand seizing both


s: Diana's wrists, snatch'd suddenly the bow


s: Suspended on her shoulder with the right,


s: And, smiling, smote her with it on the ears.


s: She, writhing oft and struggling, to the ground


s: Shook forth her rapid shafts, then, weeping, fled


s: The dove, not destined to his talons, flies


s: The hawk's pursuit, and left her arms behind.


s: Address'd Latona. Combat none with thee,


s: To cope in battle with a spouse of Jove.


s: Go, therefore, loudly as thou wilt, proclaim


s: To all the Gods that thou hast vanquish'd me.


s: Collecting, then, the bow and arrows fallen


s: Following her daughter; she, in the abode


s: Sat on his knees, weeping till all her robe


s: Ambrosial shook. The mighty Father smiled,


s: And to his bosom straining her, inquired.


s: Daughter beloved! who, which of all the Gods


s: Hath raised his hand, presumptuous, against thee,


s: To whom the clear-voiced Huntress crescent-crown'd.


s: My sorrow caused, from whom dispute and strife


s: Perpetual, threaten the immortal Powers.


s: Thus they in heaven mutual conferr'd. Meantime


s: Mindful to guard her bulwarks, lest the Greeks


s: Too soon for Fate should desolate the town.


s: With victory, the Olympian heights regain'd,


s: And sat beside the Thunderer. But the son


s: Of Peleus--He both Trojans slew and steeds.


s: As when in volumes slow smoke climbs the skies


s: From some great city which the Gods have fired


s: Vindictive, sorrow thence to many ensues


s: Severe, and mischief to the men of Troy.


s: Stood looking forth, whence soon he noticed vast


s: All courage lost. Descending from the tower


s: With mournful cries and hasting to the wall


s: He thus enjoin'd the keepers of the gates.


s: Hold wide the portals till the flying host


s: Achilles drives them home. Now, wo to Troy!


s: But soon as safe within the walls received


s: They breathe again, shut fast the ponderous gates


s: He said; they, shooting back the bars, threw wide


s: The gates and saved the people, whom to aid


s: They, parch'd with drought and whiten'd all with dust,


s: Flew right toward the town, while, spear in hand,


s: Achilles press'd them, vengeance in his heart


s: And all on fire for glory. Then, full sure,


s: Ilium, the city of lofty gates, had fallen


s: Won by the Grecians, had not Phoebus roused


s: Agenor; him with dauntless might he fill'd,


s: And shielding him against the stroke of fate


s: Beside him stood himself, by the broad beech


s: Cover'd and wrapt in clouds. Agenor then,


s: Achilles, stood, but standing, felt his mind


s: Troubled with doubts; he groan'd, and thus he mused.


s: Alas! if following the tumultuous flight


s: But if, these leaving to be thus dispersed


s: Across the plain of Troy into the groves


s: Bathed and refresh'd. But whither tend my thoughts?


s: Should he my flight into the plain observe


s: And swift pursuing seize me, then, farewell


s: For he hath strength passing the strength of man.


s: How then--shall I withstand him here before


s: So saying, he turn'd and stood, his dauntless heart


s: Beating for battle. As the pard springs forth


s: To meet the hunter from her gloomy lair,


s: Nor, hearing loud the hounds, fears or retires,


s: He pierce her first, although transfixt, the fight


s: Still tries, and combats desperate till she fall,


s: So, brave Antenor's son fled not, or shrank,


s: Till he had proved Achilles, but his breast


s: O'ershadowing with his buckler and his spear


s: Aiming well-poised against him, loud exclaim'd.


s: Renown'd Achilles! Thou art high in hope


s: Doubtless, that thou shalt this day overthrow


s: And we will guard her for our parents' sake


s: Our wives and little ones. But here thou diest


s: Terrible Chief and dauntless as thou art.


s: He said, and with full force hurling his lance


s: Smote, and err'd not, his greave beneath his knee


s: The glittering tin, forged newly, at the stroke


s: Tremendous rang, but quick recoil'd and vain


s: The weapon, weak against that guard divine.


s: Then sprang Achilles in his turn to assail


s: That glory from him, snatching wrapt in clouds


s: Then Phoebus from pursuit of Ilium's host


s: While him Apollo thus lured to the chase


s: Wide o'er the fruitful plain, inclining still


s: Toward Scamander's dizzy stream his course


s: Nor flying far before, but with false hope


s: Always beguiling him, the scatter'd host


s: Meantime, in joyful throngs, regain'd the town.


s: They fill'd and shut it fast, nor dared to wait


s: Who lived and who had fallen, but all, whom flight


s: Had rescued, like a flood pour'd into Troy.


s: latter. This part of the story is managed with singular skill. It


s: Thus they, throughout all Troy, like hunted fawns


s: Dispersed, their trickling limbs at leisure cool'd,


s: And, drinking, slaked their fiery thirst, reclined


s: Against the battlements. Meantime, the Greeks


s: Sloping their shields, approach'd the walls of Troy,


s: And Hector, by his adverse fate ensnared,


s: Still stood exposed before the Scæan gate.


s: Wherefore, thyself mortal, pursuest thou me


s: Thou know'st not yet, that thou pursuest a God.


s: The flying Trojans, thou hast hither turn'd


s: Devious, and they are all now safe in Troy;


s: To me most adverse, Archer of the skies!


s: From Ilium far, whence intercepted, else,


s: No few had at this moment gnaw'd the glebe.


s: And, safe thyself, hast rescued _them_ with ease.


s: Ah--had I power, I would requite thee well.


s: So saying, incensed he turned toward the town


s: His rapid course, like some victorious steed


s: That whirls, at stretch, a chariot to the goal.


s: Such seem'd Achilles, coursing light the field.


s: Him, first, the ancient King of Troy perceived


s: Scouring the plain, resplendent as the star


s: Brightest it shines, but ominous, and dire


s: Loud wail'd the hoary King; with lifted hands


s: His head he smote, and, uttering doleful cries


s: He, fixt before the gate, desirous stood


s: With arms outstretch'd toward him, thus began.


s: My Hector! wait not, oh my son! the approach


s: Of this dread Chief, alone, lest premature


s: Thou die, this moment by Achilles slain,


s: For he is strongest far. Oh that the Gods


s: Him loved as I! then, soon should vultures rend


s: And dogs his carcase, and my grief should cease.


s: All valiant youths, whom he hath slain or sold


s: Two sons, whom since the shutting of the gates


s: If they survive prisoners in yonder camp,


s: Large store, and still reserved. But should they both,


s: Already slain, have journey'd to the shades,


s: We, then, from whom they sprang have cause to mourn


s: And mourn them long, but shorter shall the grief


s: Of Ilium prove, if thou escape and live.


s: That thou may'st save us all, nor in thy bloom


s: Of life cut off, enhance Achilles' fame.


s: Sons slaughter'd, daughters ravish'd, torn and stripp'd


s: And matrons dragg'd by ruthless Grecian hands.


s: Me, haply, last of all, dogs shall devour


s: In my own vestibule, when once the spear


s: Or falchion of some Greek hath laid me low.


s: My portal-guards, drinking their master's blood


s: To drunkenness, shall wallow in my courts.


s: Fair falls the warlike youth in battle slain,


s: And when he lies torn by the pointed steel,


s: His death becomes him well; he is secure,


s: Though dead, from shame, whatever next befalls:


s: But when the silver locks and silver beard


s: Of an old man slain by the sword, from dogs


s: So spake the ancient King, and his grey hairs


s: Pluck'd with both hands, but Hector firm endured.


s: On the other side all tears his mother stood,


s: And lamentation; with one hand she bared,


s: And with the other hand produced her breast,


s: Then in wing'd accents, weeping, him bespake.


s: If ever, drawing forth this breast, thy griefs


s: Acknowledge it, and from within the walls


s: To cope with _him_, for he is savage-fierce,


s: And should he slay thee, neither shall myself


s: Who bore thee, nor thy noble spouse weep o'er


s: Dogs shall devour it in the fleet of Greece.


s: So they with prayers importuned, and with tears


s: Their son, but him sway'd not; unmoved he stood,


s: As some fell serpent in his cave expects


s: The traveller's approach, batten'd with herbs


s: Of baneful juice to fury, forth he looks


s: Hideous, and lies coil'd all around his den,


s: So Hector, fill'd with confidence untamed,


s: Fled not, but placing his bright shield against


s: A buttress, with his noble heart conferr'd.


s: The Trojans back this last calamitous night


s: But I refused, although to have complied,


s: Had proved more profitable far; since then


s: By rash resolves of mine I have destroy'd


s: Of all in Troy? The meanest there will say--


s: By his self-will he hath destroy'd us all.


s: So shall they speak, and then shall I regret


s: That I return'd ere I had slain in fight


s: But shall I thus? Lay down my bossy shield,


s: Promise him Helen, for whose sake we strive


s: With all the wealth that Paris in his fleet


s: Brought home, to be restored to Atreus' sons,


s: And to distribute to the Greeks at large


s: All hidden treasures of the town, an oath


s: That he will nought conceal, but will produce


s: Will he vouchsafe me, or my suit respect.


s: But, seeing me unarm'd, will sate at once


s: His rage, and womanlike I shall be slain.


s: With him to parley, as a nymph and swain,


s: A nymph and swain soft parley mutual hold,


s: Whom Jove will make victorious, him or me.


s: Thus pondering he stood; meantime approach'd


s: Crest-tossing God, and brandish'd as he came


s: O'er his right shoulder high the Pelian spear.


s: Like lightning, or like flame, or like the sun


s: Ascending, beam'd his armor. At that sight


s: Trembled the Trojan Chief, nor dared expect


s: His nearer step, but flying left the gates


s: Far distant, and Achilles swift pursued.


s: As in the mountains, fleetest fowl of air,


s: The hawk darts eager at the dove; she scuds


s: Aslant, he screaming, springs and springs again


s: To seize her, all impatient for the prey,


s: Of Hector, who with dreadful haste beneath


s: The Trojan bulwarks plied his agile limbs.


s: Passing the prospect-mount where high in air


s: The wild-fig waved, they rush'd along the road,


s: And now they reach'd the running rivulets clear,


s: Where from Scamander's dizzy flood arise


s: Two fountains, tepid one, from which a smoke


s: The other, even in summer heats, like hail


s: For cold, or snow, or crystal-stream frost-bound.


s: Beside them may be seen the broad canals


s: Of marble scoop'd, in which the wives of Troy


s: And all her daughters fair were wont to lave


s: Their costly raiment, while the land had rest,


s: And ere the warlike sons of Greece arrived.


s: By these they ran, one fleeing, one in chase.


s: Valiant was he who fled, but valiant far


s: Beyond him he who urged the swift pursuit;


s: Nor ran they for a vulgar prize, a beast


s: But for the noble Hector's life they ran.


s: As when two steeds, oft conquerors, trim the goal


s: For some illustrious prize, a tripod bright


s: So they with nimble feet the city thrice


s: Of Priam compass'd. All the Gods look'd on,


s: And thus the Sire of Gods and men began.


s: Around the walls of Ilium driven, and grieve


s: For Hector, who the thighs of fatted bulls


s: Burn'd oft to me, and in the heights of Troy:


s: But him Achilles, glorious Chief, around


s: Consider this, ye Gods! weigh the event.


s: Shall we from death save Hector? or, at length,


s: Leave him, although in battle high renown'd,


s: Whom answer'd thus Pallas cerulean-eyed.


s: Dread Sovereign of the storms! what hast thou said?


s: Wouldst thou deliver from the stroke of fate


s: A mortal man death-destined from of old?


s: Do it; but small thy praise shall be in heaven.


s: Then answer thus, cloud-gatherer Jove return'd.


s: Fear not, Tritonia, daughter dear! that word


s: Spake not my purpose; me thou shalt perceive


s: Always to thee indulgent. What thou wilt


s: So roused he Pallas of herself prepared,


s: And from the heights Olympian down she flew.


s: Urged Hector. As among the mountain-height


s: The hound pursues, roused newly from her lair


s: The flying fawn through many a vale and grove;


s: And though she trembling skulk the shrubs beneath,


s: Tracks her continual, till he find the prey,


s: So 'scaped not Hector Peleus' rapid son.


s: Oft as toward the Dardan gates he sprang


s: Direct, and to the bulwarks firm of Troy,


s: Hoping some aid by volleys from the wall,


s: So oft, outstripping him, Achilles thence


s: Enforced him to the field, who, as he might,


s: Still ever stretch'd toward the walls again.


s: This hath no power to fly, that to pursue,


s: So these--one fled, and one pursued in vain.


s: How, then, had Hector his impending fate


s: Last effort meeting him, his strength restored,


s: And wing'd for flight his agile limbs anew?


s: Piercing him, should usurp the foremost praise.


s: But when the fourth time to those rivulets.


s: They came, then lifting high his golden scales,


s: Grasping it in the midst, he raised the beam.


s: Then blue-eyed Pallas hasting to the son


s: Of Peleus, in wing'd accents him address'd.


s: Now, dear to Jove, Achilles famed in arms!


s: I hope that, fierce in combat though he be,


s: We shall, at last, slay Hector, and return


s: Crown'd with great glory to the fleet of Greece.


s: Not even should the King of radiant shafts,


s: And roll'd again before the Thunderer's feet.


s: But stand, recover breath; myself, the while,


s: Shall urge him to oppose thee face to face.


s: And on his spear brass-pointed lean'd. But she,


s: And in the form, and with the voice loud-toned


s: The walls of Troy by swift Achilles driven;


s: But stand, that we may chase him in his turn.


s: To whom crest-tossing Hector huge replied.


s: Thee most, but more than ever love thee now,


s: Who hast not fear'd, seeing me, for my sake


s: To quit the town, where others rest content.


s: To whom the Goddess, thus, cerulean-eyed.


s: Brother! our parents with much earnest suit


s: Clasping my knees, and all my friends implored me


s: To stay in Troy, (such fear hath seized on all)


s: But grief for thee prey'd on my inmost soul.


s: Come--fight we bravely--spare we now our spears


s: Slaying us both, shall bear into the fleet


s: Our arms gore-stain'd, or perish slain by thee.


s: So saying, the wily Goddess led the way.


s: They soon, approaching each the other, stood


s: Thrice I have compass'd Priam's spacious walls


s: Thy onset, but my heart now bids me stand


s: Dauntless, and I will slay, or will be slain.


s: But come. We will attest the Gods; for they


s: Are fittest both to witness and to guard


s: The hard-earn'd victory, and to take thy life,


s: Thy body, but, thine armor stripp'd, will give


s: Thee to thy friends, as thou shalt me to mine.


s: To whom Achilles, lowering dark, replied.


s: Hector! my bitterest foe! speak not to me


s: Lions and men between, nor wolves and lambs


s: Thee and myself; nor league make I with thee


s: Or compact, till thy blood in battle shed


s: Rouse all thy virtue; thou hast utmost need


s: Escape me more thou canst not; Pallas' hand


s: He said, and, brandishing the Pelian ash,


s: Dismiss'd it; but illustrious Hector warn'd,


s: Crouched low, and, overflying him, it pierced


s: The soil beyond, whence Pallas plucking it


s: Godlike Achilles! thou hast err'd, nor know'st


s: At all my doom from Jove, as thou pretend'st,


s: But seek'st, by subtlety and wind of words,


s: All empty sounds, to rob me of my might.


s: Yet stand I firm. Think not to pierce my back.


s: Meet me advancing, and transpierce me there.


s: Meantime avoid my glittering spear, but oh


s: May'st thou receive it all! since lighter far


s: To Ilium should the toils of battle prove,


s: Wert thou once slain, the fiercest of her foes.


s: He said, and hurling his long spear with aim


s: Unerring, smote the centre of the shield


s: Of Peleus' son, but his spear glanced away.


s: He, angry to have sent it forth in vain,


s: (For he had other none) with eyes downcast


s: Stood motionless awhile, then with loud voice


s: Sought from Deiphobus, white-shielded Chief,


s: Then Hector understood his doom, and said.


s: Ah, it is plain; this is mine hour to die.


s: Pallas beguiled, and he is still in Troy.


s: A bitter death threatens me, it is nigh,


s: And there is no escape; Jove, and Jove's son


s: My prompt deliverers, chose this lot for me,


s: And now it finds me. But I will not fall


s: Inglorious; I will act some great exploit


s: So saying, his keen falchion from his side


s: He drew, well-temper'd, ponderous, and rush'd


s: Right downward through a sullen cloud to seize


s: Weak lamb or timorous hare, so brandishing


s: His splendid falchion, Hector rush'd to fight.


s: Full-fraught came on; his shield with various art


s: Celestial form'd, o'erspread his ample chest,


s: And on his radiant casque terrific waved


s: The bushy gold of his resplendent crest,


s: By Vulcan spun, and pour'd profuse around.


s: Bright as, among the stars, the star of all


s: Most radiant, Hesperus, at midnight moves,


s: So, in the right hand of Achilles beam'd


s: His brandish'd spear, while, meditating wo


s: From brave Patroclus' body, well secured,


s: Save where the circling key-bone from the neck


s: Disjoins the shoulder; there his throat appear'd,


s: Whence injured life with swiftest flight escapes;


s: Achilles, plunging in that part his spear,


s: Impell'd it through the yielding flesh beyond.


s: The ashen beam his power of utterance left


s: Still unimpair'd, but in the dust he fell,


s: But Hector! thou hadst once far other hopes,


s: And, stripping slain Patroclus, thought'st thee safe,


s: Nor caredst for absent me. Fond dream and vain!


s: And he hath slain thee. Thee the dogs shall rend


s: To whom the Trojan Chief languid replied.


s: By thy own life, by theirs who gave thee birth,


s: And by thy knees, oh let not Grecian dogs


s: And brass a ransom at my father's hands,


s: And at my mother's an illustrious price;


s: Send home my body, grant me burial rites


s: Among the daughters and the sons of Troy.


s: To whom with aspect stern Achilles thus.


s: Dog! neither knees nor parents name to me.


s: I would my fierceness of revenge were such,


s: That I could carve and eat thee, to whose arms


s: Such griefs I owe; so true it is and sure,


s: That none shall save thy carcase from the dogs.


s: No, trust me, would thy parents bring me weigh'd


s: To add still more; would thy Dardanian Sire


s: Priam, redeem thee with thy weight in gold,


s: That she who bare should place thee on thy bier


s: With lamentation; dogs and ravening fowls


s: Shall rend thy body while a scrap remains.


s: Then, dying, warlike Hector thus replied.


s: Full well I knew before, how suit of mine


s: Should speed preferr'd to thee. Thy heart is steel.


s: But oh, while yet thou livest, think, lest the Gods


s: Requite thee on that day, when pierced thyself


s: Brave as thou art, before the Scæan gate.


s: He ceased, and death involved him dark around.


s: His spirit, from his limbs dismiss'd, the house


s: Youth's prime and vigor lost, disastrous doom!


s: But him though dead, Achilles thus bespake.


s: Die thou. My death shall find me at what hour


s: Jove gives commandment, and the Gods above.


s: He spake, and from the dead drawing away


s: His brazen spear, placed it apart, then stripp'd


s: His arms gore-stain'd. Meantime the other sons


s: The bulk admired, and the proportion just


s: Of Hector; neither stood a Grecian there


s: Who pierced him not, and thus the soldier spake.


s: Ye Gods! how far more patient of the touch


s: Is Hector now, than when he fired the fleet!


s: Thus would they speak, then give him each a stab.


s: And now, the body stripp'd, their noble Chief


s: The swift Achilles standing in the midst,


s: The Grecians in wing'd accents thus address'd.


s: Friends, Chiefs and Senators of Argos' host!


s: Since, by the will of heaven, this man is slain


s: Who harm'd us more than all our foes beside,


s: The Trojan purpose, whether (Hector slain)


s: But wherefore speak I thus? still undeplored,


s: With living men and move, will I forget.


s: Return we to the fleet with this our prize;


s: We have achieved great glory, we have slain


s: Illustrious Hector, him whom Ilium praised


s: From heel to ancle, and, inserting thongs,


s: Them tied behind his chariot, but his head


s: Left unsustain'd to trail along the ground.


s: He placed, then lash'd the steeds; they willing flew


s: Thick dust around the body dragg'd arose,


s: His sable locks all swept the plain, and all


s: His head, so graceful once, now track'd the dust,


s: For Jove had given it into hostile hands


s: That they might shame it in his native soil.


s: Thus, whelm'd in dust, it went. The mother Queen


s: Her son beholding, pluck'd her hair away,


s: Cast far aside her lucid veil, and fill'd


s: With shrieks the air. His father wept aloud,


s: And, all around, long, long complaints were heard


s: And lamentations in the streets of Troy,


s: Not fewer or less piercing, than if flames


s: Had wrapt all Ilium to her topmost towers.


s: His people scarce detain'd the ancient King


s: Grief-stung, and resolute to issue forth


s: Through the Dardanian gates; to all he kneel'd


s: In turn, then roll'd himself in dust, and each


s: Stand off, my fellow mourners! I would pass


s: The gates, would seek, alone, the Grecian fleet.


s: Peleus, who rear'd him for a curse to Troy,


s: But chiefly rear'd him to myself a curse,


s: So numerous have my sons in prime of youth


s: Fall'n by his hand, all whom I less deplore


s: (Though mourning all) than one; my agonies


s: For Hector soon shall send me to the shades.


s: Oh had he but within these arms expired,


s: The hapless Queen who bore him, and myself


s: Had wept him, then, till sorrow could no more!


s: Amid the women, thus, her sad complaint.


s: Ah wherefore, oh my son! wretch that I am,


s: Breathe I forlorn of thee? Thou, night and day,


s: And daughters, both, hail'd as their guardian God,


s: Conscious of benefits from thee received,


s: Whose life prolong'd should have advanced them all


s: To high renown. Vain boast! thou art no more.


s: So mourn'd the Queen. But fair Andromache


s: Nought yet had heard, nor knew by sure report


s: With sprinkled flowers inwrought of various hues,


s: And to her maidens had commandment given


s: Through all her house, that compassing with fire


s: An ample tripod, they should warm a bath


s: For noble Hector from the fight return'd.


s: Tenderness ill-inform'd! she little knew


s: That in the field, from such refreshments far,


s: She heard a cry of sorrow from the tower;


s: Her limbs shook under her, her shuttle fell,


s: And to her bright-hair'd train, alarm'd, she cried.


s: What hath befallen. I have heard the voice


s: Of the Queen-mother; my rebounding heart


s: Chokes me, and I seem fetter'd by a frost.


s: Some mischief sure o'er Priam's sons impends.


s: My dauntless Hector from the gates alone,


s: Enforce him to the field, and quell perhaps


s: The might, this moment, of that dreadful arm


s: His hinderance long; for Hector ne'er was wont


s: To seek his safety in the ranks, but flew


s: First into battle, yielding place to none.


s: So saying, she rush'd with palpitating heart


s: And frantic air abroad, by her two maids


s: And at the throng of men, awhile she stood


s: Down-looking wistful from the city-wall,


s: And, seeing him in front of Ilium, dragg'd


s: O'erwhelm'd with sudden darkness at the view


s: Fell backward, with a sigh heard all around.


s: Far distant flew dispersed her head-attire,


s: Twist, frontlet, diadem, and even the veil


s: Enrich'd with nuptial presents to his home.


s: Around her throng'd her sisters of the house


s: Of Priam, numerous, who within their arms


s: Fast held her loathing life; but she, her breath


s: At length and sense recovering, her complaint


s: To misery, thou in Priam's house in Troy,


s: And I in Hypoplacian Thebes wood-crown'd


s: Beneath Eëtion's roof. He, doom'd himself


s: That he had ne'er begotten! thou descend'st


s: To Pluto's subterraneous dwelling drear,


s: Fruit of our hapless loves, an infant yet,


s: Nor love of thine to share or kindness more.


s: For should he safe survive this cruel war,


s: Must be his lot, since strangers will remove


s: At will his landmarks, and possess his fields.


s: Thee lost, he loses all, of father, both,


s: To sad looks doom'd, and never-ceasing-tears.


s: He seeks, necessitous his father's friends,


s: One by his mantle pulls, one by his vest,


s: Whose utmost pity yields to his parch'd lips


s: A thirst-provoking drop, and grudges more;


s: Some happier child, as yet untaught to mourn


s: A parent's loss, shoves rudely from the board


s: My son, and, smiting him, reproachful cries--


s: Then, weeping, to his widow'd mother comes


s: Ate marrow only, once, and fat of lambs,


s: And when sleep took him, and his crying fit


s: Had ceased, slept ever on the softest bed,


s: Warm in his nurse's arms, fed to his fill


s: For thy sake, guardian of her gates and towers)


s: His father lost, must many a pang endure.


s: Yon galleys, where no parent's eye of thine


s: Shall find thee, when the dogs have torn thee once


s: Till they are sated, worms shall eat thee next.


s: Meantime, thy graceful raiment rich, prepared


s: But I will burn it, burn it all, because


s: Shalt slumber more; yet every eye in Troy


s: Shall see, how glorious once was thy attire.


s: Of Trojan dames responsive sigh'd around.


s: The body of Patroclus is burned, and the funeral games ensue.


s: Such mourning was in Troy; meantime the Greeks


s: Their galleys and the shores of Hellespont


s: Regaining, each to his own ship retired.


s: Close rank'd in martial order still detain'd,


s: And thus his fellow-warriors brave address'd.


s: Ye swift-horsed Myrmidons, associates dear!


s: Release not from your chariots yet your steeds


s: Firm-hoof'd, but steeds and chariots driving near,


s: Of burial; then, satiate with grief and tears,


s: We will release our steeds, and take repast.


s: His numerous band all mourn'd at once the dead.


s: Around the body thrice their glossy steeds,


s: Mourning they drove, while Thetis in their hearts


s: The thirst of sorrow kindled; they with tears


s: The sands bedew'd, with tears their radiant arms,


s: Such deep regret of one so brave they felt.


s: Then, placing on the bosom of his friend


s: The shade of his Patroclus, sad, bespake.


s: My promise pledged to thee, that I would give


s: Hector dragg'd hither to be torn by dogs


s: Piecemeal, and would before thy funeral pile


s: The necks dissever of twelve Trojan youths


s: Of noblest rank, resentful of thy death.


s: To noble Hector, stretch'd him prone in dust


s: Then all the Myrmidons their radiant arms


s: Put off, and their shrill-neighing steeds released.


s: A numerous band beside the bark they sat


s: Many a white ox under the ruthless steel


s: Lay bleeding, many a sheep and blatant goat,


s: With many a saginated boar bright-tusk'd,


s: Amid fierce flames Vulcanian stretch'd to roast.


s: Copious the blood ran all around the dead.


s: And now the Kings of Greece conducted thence


s: And deep resentment of his slaughter'd friend.


s: Soon then as Agamemnon's tent they reach'd,


s: The sovereign bade his heralds kindle fire


s: Moving Achilles from his limbs to cleanse


s: The stains of battle; but he firm refused


s: That suit, and bound refusal with an oath--


s: That brazen bath approach this head of mine,


s: To his last fires, till I shall pile his tomb,


s: And sheer my locks in honor of my friend;


s: For, like to this, no second wo shall e'er


s: My heart invade, while vital breath I draw.


s: Give thou command that at the dawn they bring


s: Wood hither, such large portion as beseems


s: The dead, descending to the shades, to share,


s: That hungry flames consuming out of sight


s: He spake; they, hearing, readily obey'd.


s: Then, each his food preparing with dispatch,


s: Due portion, and their appetites sufficed


s: To food and wine, all to their tents repair'd


s: Amidst his Myrmidons, where space he found


s: With blood unstain'd beside the dashing wave.


s: There, soon as sleep, deliverer of the mind,


s: Wrapp'd him around (for much his noble limbs


s: With chase of Hector round the battlements


s: Of wind-swept Ilium wearied were and spent)


s: The soul came to him of his hapless friend,


s: Him, hovering o'er his head, the form address'd.


s: Sleep'st thou, Achilles! of thy friend become


s: Heedless? Him living thou didst not neglect


s: Whom thou neglectest dead. Give me a tomb


s: Instant, that I may pass the infernal gates.


s: For now, the shades and spirits of the dead


s: To mingle with them on the farthest shore,


s: Give me thine hand, I pray thee, for the earth


s: I visit never more, once burnt with fire;


s: Mine even from my birth, hath deep absorb'd.


s: Thou too predestined art beneath the wall


s: But hear my last injunction! ah, my friend!


s: My bones sepulchre not from thine apart,


s: Although a child, yet fugitive for blood,


s: Which, in a quarrel at the dice, I spilt,


s: Received and cherish'd me, and call'd me thine)


s: So, let one vase inclose, at last, our bones,


s: The golden vase, thy Goddess mother's gift.


s: To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.


s: Ah, loved and honor'd! wherefore hast thou come!


s: Why thus enjoin'd me? I will all perform


s: With diligence that thou hast now desired.


s: But nearer stand, that we may mutual clasp


s: Each other, though but with a short embrace,


s: He said, and stretch'd his arms toward the shade,


s: But him seized not; shrill-clamoring and light


s: As smoke, the spirit pass'd into the earth.


s: Amazed, upsprang Achilles, clash'd aloud


s: His palms together, and thus, sad, exclaim'd.


s: Ah then, ye Gods! there doubtless are below


s: The soul and semblance both, but empty forms;


s: For all night long, mourning, disconsolate,


s: The soul of my Patroclus, hapless friend!


s: Hath hover'd o'er me, giving me in charge


s: His last requests, just image of himself.


s: So saying, he call'd anew their sorrow forth,


s: Mules and mule-drivers from the tents in haste


s: They, bearing each in hand his sharpen'd axe


s: And twisted cord, thence journey'd forth, the mules


s: They measured, hill and dale, right onward now,


s: Their keen-edged axes to the towering oaks


s: Dispatchful they applied; down fell the trees


s: With crash sonorous. Splitting, next, the trunks,


s: They bound them on the mules; they, with firm hoofs


s: The hill-side stamping, through the thickets rush'd


s: Bore after them, and each his burthen cast


s: Patroclus had, and for himself, design'd.


s: There down they sat, and his command at once


s: That all should gird their armor, and the steeds


s: Complied, and in bright arms stood soon array'd.


s: Then mounted combatants and charioteers.


s: First, moved the chariots, next, the infantry


s: Proceeded numerous, amid whom his friends,


s: They poll'd their heads, and cover'd him with hair


s: Shower'd over all his body, while behind


s: And now, arriving on the ground erewhile


s: Mark'd by Achilles, setting down the dead,


s: They heap'd the fuel quick, a lofty pile.


s: But Peleus' son, on other thoughts intent,


s: Retiring from the funeral pile, shore off


s: His amber ringlets, whose exuberant growth


s: Sacred to Sperchius he had kept unshorn,


s: And looking o'er the gloomy deep, he said.


s: Sperchius! in vain Peleus my father vow'd


s: That, hence returning to my native land,


s: These ringlets shorn I should present to thee


s: With a whole hecatomb, and should, beside,


s: In thy own field, at thy own fragrant shrine.


s: So vow'd the hoary Chief, whose wishes thou


s: Leavest unperform'd. Since, therefore, never more


s: Patroclus takes down with him to the shades.


s: He said, and filling with his hair the hand


s: Of his dead friend, the sorrows of his train


s: Westering apace, had left them still in tears,


s: Will readiest execute) we may with grief


s: Satiate ourselves hereafter; but, the host


s: Dispersing from the pile, now give command


s: That they prepare repast; ourselves, to whom


s: Will finish them; but bid the Chiefs abide.


s: He scatter'd instant to their several ships


s: The people; but the burial-dressers thence


s: Went not; they, still abiding, heap'd the pile.


s: A hundred feet of breadth from side to side


s: They gave to it, and on the summit placed


s: With sorrowing hearts the body of the dead.


s: Many a fat sheep, with many an ox full-horn'd


s: They flay'd before the pile, busy their task


s: Patroclus, and the flay'd beasts heap'd around.


s: Then, placing flagons on the pile, replete


s: With oil and honey, he inclined their mouths


s: Toward the bier, and slew and added next,


s: Deep-groaning and in haste, four martial steeds.


s: He added also. Last, twelve gallant sons


s: Teem'd with great vengeance) he applied the force


s: Of hungry flames that should devour the whole,


s: Then, mourning loud, by name his friend invoked.


s: Behold my promise to thee all fulfill'd!


s: Twelve gallant sons of Trojans famed in arms,


s: Food for these fires: but fire shall never feed


s: So threaten'd he; but him no dogs devour'd;


s: Them, day and night, Jove's daughter Venus chased


s: Afar, and smooth'd the hero o'er with oils


s: Of rosy scent ambrosial, lest his corse,


s: So rudely, should be torn; and Phoebus hung


s: A veil of sable clouds from heaven to earth,


s: O'ershadowing broad the space where Hector lay,


s: Lest parching suns intense should stiffen him.


s: But the pile kindled not. Then, Peleus' son


s: Seeking a place apart, two Winds in prayer


s: Vowing large sacrifice. With earnest suit


s: Their coming he implored, that so the flames


s: Kindling, incontinent might burn the dead.


s: Convey'd them to the Winds; they, in the hall


s: Appear'd; they, at the sight upstarting all,


s: But she refused a seat and thus she spake.


s: I sit not here. Borne over Ocean's stream


s: Where hecatombs are offer'd to the Gods,


s: Which, with the rest, I also wish to share.


s: But Peleus' son, earnest, the aid implores


s: Briskly the pile on which Patroclus lies


s: The Winds, and, roaring, swept the clouds along.


s: First, on the sea they blew; big rose the waves


s: Beneath the blast. At fruitful Troy arrived


s: Vehement on the pile they fell, and dread


s: On all sides soon a crackling blaze ensued.


s: All night, together blowing shrill, they drove


s: The sheeted flames wide from the funeral pile,


s: And all night long, a goblet in his hand


s: From golden beakers fill'd, Achilles stood


s: With large libations soaking deep the soil,


s: And calling on the spirit of his friend.


s: As some fond father mourns, burning the bones


s: Of his glad nuptials, hath his parents left


s: So mourn'd Achilles, his companion's bones


s: Burning, and pacing to and fro the field


s: Beside the pile with many a sigh profound.


s: But when the star, day's harbinger, arose,


s: Soon after whom, in saffron vest attired


s: The morn her beams diffuses o'er the sea,


s: The pile, then wasted, ceased to flame, and then


s: Back flew the Winds over the Thracian deep


s: Rolling the flood before them as they pass'd.


s: From the funereal pile, slept, but not long,


s: Though weary; waken'd by the stir and din


s: And thus the leaders of the host address'd.


s: The whole Achaian host! first quench the pile


s: Throughout with generous wine, where'er the fire


s: Hath seized it. We will then the bones collect


s: Be known, though many bones lie scatter'd near,


s: But wide apart and on its verge we burn'd


s: The steeds and Trojans, a promiscuous heap.


s: We will dispose, lined with a double cawl,


s: I wish not now a tomb of amplest bounds,


s: But such as may suffice, which yet in height


s: The Grecians and in breadth shall much augment


s: Shall still remain in the Achaian fleet.


s: So spake Pelides, and the Chiefs complied.


s: Where'er the pile had blazed, with generous wine


s: They quench'd it, and the hills of ashes sank.


s: Then, weeping, to a golden vase, with lard


s: Twice lined, they gave their gentle comrade's bones


s: Fire-bleach'd, and lodging safely in his tent


s: The relics, overspread them with a veil.


s: Designing, next, the compass of the tomb,


s: They mark'd its boundary with stones, then fill'd


s: And, having heap'd it to its height, return'd.


s: Detain'd, there sitting, form'd a spacious ring,


s: And he the destined prizes from his fleet


s: Produced, capacious caldrons, tripods bright,


s: Steeds, mules, tall oxen, women at the breast


s: Close-cinctured, elegant, and unwrought iron.


s: First, to the chariot-drivers he proposed


s: A noble prize; a beauteous maiden versed


s: Of twenty and two measures. These he made


s: The conqueror's meed. The second should a mare


s: Obtain, unbroken yet, six years her age,


s: Pregnant, and bearing in her womb a mule.


s: A caldron of four measures, never smirch'd


s: By smoke or flame, but fresh as from the forge


s: The third awaited; to the fourth he gave


s: By use, a twin-ear'd phial to the fifth.


s: He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.


s: These prizes, in the circus placed, attend


s: The charioteers. Held we the present games


s: I would myself bear hence the foremost prize;


s: Peleus conferr'd them, and my sire on me.


s: But neither I this contest share myself,


s: Nor shall my steeds; for they would miss the force


s: As they have lost, who many a time hath cleansed


s: Their manes with water of the crystal brook,


s: And made them sleek, himself, with limpid oil.


s: Him, therefore, mourning, motionless they stand


s: With hair dishevell'd, streaming to the ground.


s: Superior skill, and glory in your steeds


s: And well-built chariots, for the strife prepare!


s: For speed renown'd arose. Long ere the rest


s: Next, Tydeus' son, brave Diomede, arose;


s: Apollo saved their master. Third, upstood


s: The son of Atreus with the golden locks,


s: At which he purchased leave to dwell at home


s: For, by the gift of Jove, he had acquired


s: Great riches, and in wide-spread Sicyon dwelt.


s: Bright-maned prepared, son of the valiant King


s: Of Pylian breed were they, and thus his sire,


s: With kind intent approaching to his side,


s: By Jove and Neptune both, from whom, though young


s: Thou hast received knowledge of every art


s: Equestrian, and hast little need to learn.


s: Thou know'st already how to trim the goal


s: With nicest skill, yet wondrous slow of foot


s: Thy coursers are, whence evil may ensue.


s: But though their steeds be swifter, I account


s: Thee wise, at least, as they. Now is the time


s: For counsel, furnish now thy mind with all


s: Precaution, that the prize escape thee not.


s: The feller of huge trees by skill prevails


s: More than by strength; by skill the pilot guides


s: His flying bark rock'd by tempestuous winds,


s: And more by skill than speed the race is won.


s: But he who in his chariot and his steeds


s: Trusts only, wanders here and wanders there


s: Unsteady, while his coursers loosely rein'd


s: Roam wide the field; not so the charioteer


s: Of sound intelligence; he though he drive


s: Which close he clips, not ignorant to check


s: His coursers at the first but with tight rein


s: Ruling his own, and watching those before.


s: Now mark; I will describe so plain the goal


s: That thou shalt know it surely. A dry stump


s: Extant above the ground an ell in height


s: Stands yonder; either oak it is, or pine


s: More likely, which the weather least impairs.


s: Two stones, both white, flank it on either hand.


s: The way is narrow there, but smooth the course


s: On both sides. It is either, as I think,


s: Or was, perchance, in ancient days design'd,


s: That mark in view, thy steeds and chariot push


s: Near to it as thou may'st; then, in thy seat


s: Inclining gently to the left, prick smart


s: Thy right-hand horse challenging him aloud,


s: And give him rein; but let thy left-hand horse


s: Bear on the goal so closely, that the nave


s: And felly of thy wheel may seem to meet.


s: Yet fear to strike the stone, lest foul disgrace


s: Of broken chariot and of crippled steeds


s: My boy beloved! use caution; for if once


s: Thou turn the goal at speed, no man thenceforth


s: Shall reach, or if he reach, shall pass thee by,


s: Or those, Troy's boast, bred by Laomedon.


s: On his son's mind these lessons in the art,


s: Made ready last. Then to his chariot-seat


s: Each mounted, and the lots were thrown; himself


s: Achilles shook them. First, forth leap'd the lot


s: The King Eumelus took his destined place.


s: The son of Tydeus took his lot to drive.


s: So ranged they stood; Achilles show'd the goal


s: Far on the champain, nigh to which he placed


s: The godlike Phoenix servant of his sire,


s: To mark the race and make a true report.


s: All raised the lash at once, and with the reins


s: At once all smote their steeds, urging them on


s: Vociferous; they, sudden, left the fleet


s: Far, far behind them, scouring swift the plain.


s: Dark, like a stormy cloud, uprose the dust


s: Their chests beneath, and scatter'd in the wind


s: Their manes all floated; now the chariots swept


s: Beat double; each encouraged loud his steeds;


s: They, flying, fill'd with dust the darken'd air.


s: They ran their last career, then each display'd


s: Brightest his charioteership, and the race


s: Lay stretch'd, at once, into its utmost speed.


s: Pass'd all, but Diomede behind him came,


s: But close pursued him; and at every pace


s: Seem'd entering both; the chariot at their head,


s: Behind, and on his shoulders broad, they went,


s: And their chins rested on him as they flew.


s: Then had Tydides pass'd him, or had made


s: Resentful, from his hand the glittering scourge.


s: Fast roll'd the tears indignant down his cheeks,


s: For he beheld the mares with double speed,


s: Flying, and of the spur deprived, his own


s: The son of Tydeus, whom with winged haste


s: Following, she gave to him his scourge again,


s: And with new force his lagging steeds inspired.


s: Pursuing, snapt his yoke; wide flew the mares


s: Asunder, and the pole fell to the ground.


s: Himself, roll'd from his seat, fast by the wheel


s: And batter'd brows lay prone; sorrow his eyes


s: Deluged, and disappointment chok'd his voice.


s: Then, far outstripping all, Tydides push'd


s: His steeds beyond, which Pallas fill'd with power


s: That she might make the glorious prize his own.


s: The son of Atreus, and his father's steeds


s: Away--now stretch ye forward to the goal.


s: Quickens that he may conquer, and the Chief


s: But reach the son of Atreus, fly to reach


s: His steeds, incontinent; ah, be not shamed


s: Why fall ye thus behind, my noblest steeds?


s: I tell you both, and ye shall prove me true,


s: No favor shall ye find at Nestor's hands,


s: My valiant sire, but he will thrust his spear


s: Right through you, should we lose, for sloth of yours,


s: Or by your negligence, the nobler prize.


s: Haste then--pursue him--reach the royal Chief--


s: Shall be my care, and not my care in vain.


s: He ended; they, awhile, awed by his voice,


s: With more exertion ran, and Nestor's son


s: Now saw the hollow strait mark'd by his sire.


s: It was a chasm abrupt, where winter-floods,


s: Wearing the soil, had gullied deep the way.


s: A clash of chariots drove, and thither drove


s: Also, but somewhat devious from his track,


s: And with loud voice the son of Nestor hail'd.


s: Drivest thou! stop--check thy steeds--the way is here


s: Too strait, but widening soon, will give thee scope


s: To pass me by; beware, lest chariot close


s: To chariot driven, thou maim thyself and me.


s: He said; but still more rapid and the scourge


s: By some broad-shoulder'd youth for trial hurl'd


s: Shot forward; but the coursers fell behind


s: By choice his driving, lest the steeds of both


s: Jostling, should overturn with sudden shock


s: Both chariots, and themselves in dust be roll'd,


s: Through hot ambition of the foremost prize.


s: Him then the hero golden-hair'd reproved.


s: Like thee for love of mischief. Go, extoll'd


s: For wisdom falsely by the sons of Greece.


s: Yet, trust me, not without an oath, the prize


s: Thus foully sought shall even now be thine.


s: He said, and to his coursers call'd aloud.


s: Their feet will fail them sooner far than yours,


s: For years have pass'd since they had youth to boast.


s: So he; and springing at his voice, his steeds


s: Regain'd apace the vantage lost. Meantime


s: The Grecians, in full circus seated, mark'd


s: The steeds; they flying, fill'd with dust the air.


s: The foremost pair; for, on a rising ground


s: And hearing, though remote, the driver's voice


s: Chiding his steeds, knew it, and knew beside


s: The leader horse distinguish'd by his hue,


s: Chestnut throughout, save that his forehead bore


s: A splendid blazon white, round as the moon.


s: He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.


s: Friends! Chiefs and senators of Argos' host!


s: A different charioteer; the mares of late


s: Victorious, somewhere distant in the race


s: Are hurt; I plainly saw them at the first


s: Turning the goal, but see them now no more;


s: From side to side the whole broad plain of Troy.


s: Either the charioteer hath slipp'd the reins,


s: Through want of guidance. Thrown, as it should seem,


s: Forth from his seat, he hath his chariot maim'd,


s: And his ungovern'd steeds have roam'd away.


s: Arise and look ye forth yourselves, for I


s: With doubtful ken behold him; yet the man


s: Him sharp reproved. Why art thou always given


s: To prate, Idomeneus? thou seest the mares,


s: Thou art not youngest of the Argives here


s: So much, nor from beneath thy brows look forth


s: Quick-sighted more than ours, thine eyes abroad.


s: Yet still thou pratest, although silence more


s: Should suit thee, among wiser far than thou.


s: The mares which led, lead still, and he who drives


s: To whom the Cretan Chief, angry, replied.


s: Or rudeness, though in all beside thou fall


s: Whose horses lead, that, losing, thou may'st learn.


s: He said; then sudden from his seat upsprang


s: For harsh retort, nor had the contest ceased


s: Between them, but had grown from ill to worse,


s: From bitter speech offensive, and such terms


s: As ill become you. Ye would feel, yourselves,


s: Survey the course, peaceable, from your seats;


s: Will soon themselves arrive, then shall ye know


s: Distinctly, both who follows and who leads.


s: He scarce had said, when nigh at hand appear'd


s: Tydides, lashing, as he came, his steeds


s: Continual; they with hoofs uplifted high


s: Their yet remaining ground shorten'd apace,