s: Thrice turn’d the chief, and thrice imperial Jove


s: Great Hector heard; he saw the flashing light,


s: (The sign of conquest,) and thus urged the fight:


s: "Hear, every Trojan, Lycian, Dardan band,


s: All famed in war, and dreadful hand to hand.


s: Be mindful of the wreaths your arms have won,


s: Your great forefathers’ glories, and your own.


s: Heard ye the voice of Jove? Success and fame


s: In vain they skulk behind their boasted wall,


s: Weak bulwarks; destined by this arm to fall.


s: High o’er their slighted trench our steeds shall bound,


s: And pass victorious o’er the levell’d mound.


s: Soon as before yon hollow ships we stand,


s: Fight each with flames, and toss the blazing brand;


s: Till, their proud navy wrapt in smoke and fires,


s: All Greece, encompass’d, in one blaze expires."


s: Furious he said; then bending o’er the yoke,


s: Encouraged his proud steeds, while thus he spoke:


s: "Now, Xanthus, Æthon, Lampus, urge the chase,


s: And thou, Podargus! prove thy generous race;


s: Be fleet, be fearless, this important day,


s: And all your master’s well-spent care repay.


s: For this, high-fed, in plenteous stalls ye stand,


s: Served with pure wheat, and by a princess’ hand;


s: For this my spouse, of great Aetion’s line,


s: So oft has steep’d the strengthening grain in wine.


s: Now swift pursue, now thunder uncontroll’d:


s: Give me to seize rich Nestor’s shield of gold;


s: From Tydeus’ shoulders strip the costly load,


s: These if we gain, then victory, ye powers!


s: This night, this glorious night, the fleet is ours!"


s: That heard, deep anguish stung Saturnia’s soul;


s: She shook her throne, that shook the starry pole:


s: And thus to Neptune: "Thou, whose force can make


s: The stedfast earth from her foundations shake,


s: Seest thou the Greeks by fates unjust oppress’d,


s: Nor swells thy heart in that immortal breast?


s: And gifts unceasing on thine altars lay.


s: Would all the deities of Greece combine,


s: In vain the gloomy Thunderer might repine:


s: Sole should he sit, with scarce a god to friend,


s: And see his Trojans to the shades descend:


s: Such be the scene from his Idaean bower;


s: Ungrateful prospect to the sullen power!"


s: Neptune with wrath rejects the rash design:


s: "What rage, what madness, furious queen! is thine?


s: Submit and tremble at the hand of Jove."


s: Now godlike Hector, to whose matchless might


s: Jove gave the glory of the destined fight,


s: Squadrons on squadrons drives, and fills the fields


s: With close-ranged chariots, and with thicken’d shields.


s: Where the deep trench in length extended lay,


s: Compacted troops stand wedged in firm array,


s: A dreadful front! they shake the brands, and threat


s: With long-destroying flames the hostile fleet.


s: The king of men, by Juno’s self inspired,


s: Toil’d through the tents, and all his army fired.


s: Swift as he moved, he lifted in his hand


s: His purple robe, bright ensign of command.


s: High on the midmost bark the king appear’d:


s: There, from Ulysses’ deck, his voice was heard:


s: Whose distant ships the guarded navy bound.


s: "O Argives! shame of human race! (he cried:


s: The hollow vessels to his voice replied,)


s: Where now are all your glorious boasts of yore,


s: Your hasty triumphs on the Lemnian shore?


s: Each fearless hero dares a hundred foes,


s: While the feast lasts, and while the goblet flows;


s: But who to meet one martial man is found,


s: When the fight rages, and the flames surround?


s: O mighty Jove! O sire of the distress’d!


s: Was ever king like me, like me oppress’d?


s: With power immense, with justice arm’d in vain;


s: To thee my vows were breathed from every shore;


s: What altar smoked not with our victims’ gore?


s: With fat of bulls I fed the constant flame,


s: And ask’d destruction to the Trojan name.


s: Now, gracious god! far humbler our demand;


s: Give these at least to ’scape from Hector’s hand,


s: And save the relics of the Grecian land!"


s: Thus pray’d the king, and heaven’s great father heard


s: His vows, in bitterness of soul preferr’d:


s: The wrath appeased, by happy signs declares,


s: And gives the people to their monarch’s prayers.


s: His eagle, sacred bird of heaven! he sent,


s: A fawn his talons truss’d, (divine portent!)


s: High o’er the wondering hosts he soar’d above,


s: Who paid their vows to Panomphaean Jove;


s: Then let the prey before his altar fall;


s: The Greeks beheld, and transport seized on all:


s: Encouraged by the sign, the troops revive,


s: And fierce on Troy with doubled fury drive.


s: Tydides first, of all the Grecian force,


s: O’er the broad ditch impell’d his foaming horse,


s: Pierced the deep ranks, their strongest battle tore,


s: And dyed his javelin red with Trojan gore.


s: With flying coursers shunn’d his dreadful ire;


s: Struck through the back, the Phrygian fell oppress’d;


s: The dart drove on, and issued at his breast:


s: Headlong he quits the car: his arms resound;


s: His ponderous buckler thunders on the ground.


s: Forth rush a tide of Greeks, the passage freed;


s: The Atridae first, the Ajaces next succeed:


s: And godlike Idomen, now passed the mound;


s: And last young Teucer with his bended bow.


s: The skilful archer wide survey’d the field,


s: With every shaft some hostile victim slew,


s: Then close beneath the sevenfold orb withdrew:


s: The conscious infant so, when fear alarms,


s: Retires for safety to the mother’s arms.


s: Thus Ajax guards his brother in the field,


s: Moves as he moves, and turns the shining shield.


s: Who first by Teucer’s mortal arrows bled?


s: The godlike Lycophon next press’d the plain,


s: With Chromius, Daetor, Ophelestes slain:


s: Bold Hamopaon breathless sunk to ground;


s: The bloody pile great Melanippus crown’d.


s: Heaps fell on heaps, sad trophies of his art,


s: The ranks grow thinner as his arrows fly:


s: "O youth forever dear! (the monarch cried)


s: Thus, always thus, thy early worth be tried;


s: Thy brave example shall retrieve our host,


s: Thy country’s saviour, and thy father’s boast!


s: Sprung from an alien’s bed thy sire to grace,


s: The vigorous offspring of a stolen embrace:


s: Proud of his boy, he own’d the generous flame,


s: And the brave son repays his cares with fame.


s: Now hear a monarch’s vow: If heaven’s high powers


s: Give me to raze Troy’s long-defended towers;


s: Whatever treasures Greece for me design,


s: Some golden tripod, or distinguished car,


s: With coursers dreadful in the ranks of war:


s: Or some fair captive, whom thy eyes approve,


s: Shall recompense the warrior’s toils with love."


s: To this the chief: "With praise the rest inspire,


s: Nor urge a soul already fill’d with fire.


s: What strength I have, be now in battle tried,


s: Till every shaft in Phrygian blood be dyed.


s: Since rallying from our wall we forced the foe,


s: Still aim’d at Hector have I bent my bow:


s: Eight forky arrows from this hand have fled,


s: And eight bold heroes by their points lie dead:


s: This fury of the field, this dog of Troy."


s: He said, and twang’d the string. The weapon flies


s: At Hector’s breast, and sings along the skies:


s: He miss’d the mark; but pierced Gorgythio’s heart,


s: And drench’d in royal blood the thirsty dart.


s: This offspring added to king Priam’s line.)


s: As full-blown poppies, overcharged with rain,(196)


s: Decline the head, and drooping kiss the plain;


s: So sinks the youth: his beauteous head, depress’d


s: Beneath his helmet, drops upon his breast.


s: (From Hector, Phoebus turn’d the flying wound,)


s: Yet fell not dry or guiltless to the ground:


s: Thy breast, brave Archeptolemus! it tore,


s: And dipp’d its feathers in no vulgar gore.


s: Headlong he falls: his sudden fall alarms


s: The steeds, that startle at his sounding arms.


s: All pale and breathless on the sanguine field:


s: Quits his bright car, and issues on the plain.


s: Dreadful he shouts: from earth a stone he took,


s: And rush’d on Teucer with the lifted rock.


s: The youth already strain’d the forceful yew;


s: The feather in his hand, just wing’d for flight,


s: Touch’d where the neck and hollow chest unite;


s: There, where the juncture knits the channel bone,


s: The furious chief discharged the craggy stone:


s: The bow-string burst beneath the ponderous blow,


s: And his numb’d hand dismiss’d his useless bow.


s: He fell: but Ajax his broad shield display’d,


s: And screen’d his brother with the mighty shade;


s: Till great Alaster, and Mecistheus, bore


s: The batter’d archer groaning to the shore.


s: Troy yet found grace before the Olympian sire,


s: He arm’d their hands, and fill’d their breasts with fire.


s: The Greeks repulsed, retreat behind their wall,


s: Or in the trench on heaps confusedly fall.


s: First of the foe, great Hector march’d along,


s: With terror clothed, and more than mortal strong.


s: As the bold hound, that gives the lion chase,


s: With beating bosom, and with eager pace,


s: Hangs on his haunch, or fastens on his heels,


s: Guards as he turns, and circles as he wheels;


s: Thus oft the Grecians turn’d, but still they flew;


s: Thus following, Hector still the hindmost slew.


s: When flying they had pass’d the trench profound,


s: And many a chief lay gasping on the ground;


s: Before the ships a desperate stand they made,


s: And fired the troops, and called the gods to aid.


s: Fierce on his rattling chariot Hector came:


s: His eyes like Gorgon shot a sanguine flame


s: That wither’d all their host: like Mars he stood:


s: Dire as the monster, dreadful as the god!


s: Their strong distress the wife of Jove survey’d;


s: Then pensive thus, to war’s triumphant maid:


s: "O daughter of that god, whose arm can wield


s: The avenging bolt, and shake the sable shield!


s: Now, in this moment of her last despair,


s: Shall wretched Greece no more confess our care,


s: Condemn’d to suffer the full force of fate,


s: And drain the dregs of heaven’s relentless hate?


s: Gods! shall one raging hand thus level all?


s: What numbers fell! what numbers yet shall fall!


s: What power divine shall Hector’s wrath assuage?


s: Still swells the slaughter, and still grows the rage!"


s: So spake the imperial regent of the skies;


s: To whom the goddess with the azure eyes:


s: "Long since had Hector stain’d these fields with gore,


s: Stretch’d by some Argive on his native shore:


s: But he above, the sire of heaven, withstands,


s: Mocks our attempts, and slights our just demands;


s: Saved I, for this, his favourite son distress’d,


s: By stern Eurystheus with long labours press’d?


s: He begg’d, with tears he begg’d, in deep dismay;


s: I shot from heaven, and gave his arm the day.


s: When to grim Pluto’s gloomy gates he went;


s: The triple dog had never felt his chain,


s: Nor Styx been cross’d, nor hell explored in vain.


s: At Thetis’ suit the partial Thunderer nods;


s: To grace her gloomy, fierce, resenting son,


s: My hopes are frustrate, and my Greeks undone.


s: Some future day, perhaps, he may be moved


s: To call his blue-eyed maid his best beloved.


s: Haste, launch thy chariot, through yon ranks to ride;


s: Myself will arm, and thunder at thy side.


s: Then, goddess! say, shall Hector glory then?


s: (That terror of the Greeks, that man of men)


s: When Juno’s self, and Pallas shall appear,


s: All dreadful in the crimson walks of war!


s: What mighty Trojan then, on yonder shore,


s: Shall feast the fowls, and glut the dogs with gore?"


s: She ceased, and Juno rein’d the steeds with care:


s: (Heaven’s awful empress, Saturn’s other heir:)


s: Pallas, meanwhile, her various veil unbound,


s: With flowers adorn’d, with art immortal crown’d;


s: The radiant robe her sacred fingers wove


s: Floats in rich waves, and spreads the court of Jove.


s: Her father’s arms her mighty limbs invest,


s: The vigorous power the trembling car ascends:


s: Shook by her arm, the massy javelin bends:


s: Huge, ponderous, strong! that when her fury burns


s: Proud tyrants humbles, and whole hosts o’erturns.


s: Saturnia lends the lash; the coursers fly;


s: Smooth glides the chariot through the liquid sky.


s: Heaven’s gates spontaneous open to the powers,


s: Heaven’s golden gates, kept by the winged Hours.


s: Commission’d in alternate watch they stand,


s: The sun’s bright portals and the skies command;


s: Close, or unfold, the eternal gates of day


s: Bar heaven with clouds, or roll those clouds away.


s: The sounding hinges ring, the clouds divide.


s: Prone down the steep of heaven their course they guide.


s: But Jove, incensed, from Ida’s top survey’d,


s: And thus enjoin’d the many-colour’d maid.


s: "Thaumantia! mount the winds, and stop their car;


s: Against the highest who shall wage the war?


s: If furious yet they dare the vain debate,


s: Thus have I spoke, and what I speak is fate:


s: Their coursers crush’d beneath the wheels shall lie,


s: Their car in fragments, scatter’d o’er the sky:


s: My lightning these rebellious shall confound,


s: And hurl them flaming, headlong, to the ground,


s: Condemn’d for ten revolving years to weep


s: The wounds impress’d by burning thunder deep.


s: Nor dare to combat hers and nature’s sire.


s: For Juno, headstrong and imperious still,


s: She claims some title to transgress our will."


s: Swift as the wind, the various-colour’d maid


s: From Ida’s top her golden wings display’d;


s: To great Olympus’ shining gate she flies,


s: There meets the chariot rushing down the skies,


s: Restrains their progress from the bright abodes,


s: And speaks the mandate of the sire of gods.


s: "What frenzy goddesses! what rage can move


s: Celestial minds to tempt the wrath of Jove?


s: This is his word; and know his word shall stand:


s: His lightning your rebellion shall confound,


s: And hurl ye headlong, flaming, to the ground;


s: Your horses crush’d beneath the wheels shall lie,


s: Your car in fragments scatter’d o’er the sky;


s: Yourselves condemn’d ten rolling years to weep


s: The wounds impress’d by burning thunder deep.


s: Nor dare to combat hers and nature’s sire.


s: For Juno, headstrong and imperious still,


s: She claims some title to transgress his will:


s: But thee, what desperate insolence has driven


s: To lift thy lance against the king of heaven?"


s: Then, mounting on the pinions of the wind,


s: She flew; and Juno thus her rage resign’d:


s: "O daughter of that god, whose arm can wield


s: The avenging bolt, and shake the dreadful shield


s: Contend with Jove for this low race of earth;


s: They breathe or perish as the fates ordain:


s: But Jove’s high counsels full effect shall find;


s: She spoke, and backward turn’d her steeds of light,


s: Adorn’d with manes of gold, and heavenly bright.


s: The Hours unloosed them, panting as they stood,


s: And heap’d their mangers with ambrosial food.


s: There tied, they rest in high celestial stalls;


s: The chariot propp’d against the crystal walls,


s: The pensive goddesses, abash’d, controll’d,


s: Mix with the gods, and fill their seats of gold.


s: And now the Thunderer meditates his flight


s: From Ida’s summits to the Olympian height.


s: Swifter than thought, the wheels instinctive fly,


s: Flame through the vast of air, and reach the sky.


s: ’Twas Neptune’s charge his coursers to unbrace,


s: There stood the chariot, beaming forth its rays,


s: Till with a snowy veil he screen’d the blaze.


s: He, whose all-conscious eyes the world behold,


s: The eternal Thunderer sat, enthroned in gold.


s: High heaven the footstool of his feet he makes,


s: And wide beneath him all Olympus shakes.


s: Trembling afar the offending powers appear’d,


s: Confused and silent, for his frown they fear’d.


s: He saw their soul, and thus his word imparts:


s: "Pallas and Juno! say, why heave your hearts?


s: Soon was your battle o’er: proud Troy retired


s: Before your face, and in your wrath expired.


s: But know, whoe’er almighty power withstand!


s: Unmatch’d our force, unconquer’d is our hand:


s: Who shall the sovereign of the skies control?


s: Not all the gods that crown the starry pole.


s: Your hearts shall tremble, if our arms we take,


s: And each immortal nerve with horror shake.


s: For thus I speak, and what I speak shall stand;


s: What power soe’er provokes our lifted hand,


s: On this our hill no more shall hold his place;


s: Cut off, and exiled from the ethereal race."


s: But feast their souls on Ilion’s woes to come.


s: Though secret anger swell’d Minerva’s breast,


s: The prudent goddess yet her wrath repress’d;


s: "What hast thou said, O tyrant of the skies!


s: Strength and omnipotence invest thy throne;


s: ’Tis thine to punish; ours to grieve alone.


s: For Greece we grieve, abandon’d by her fate


s: To drink the dregs of thy unmeasured hate.


s: From fields forbidden we submiss refrain,


s: With arms unaiding see our Argives slain;


s: Yet grant our counsels still their breasts may move,


s: Lest all should perish in the rage of Jove."


s: The goddess thus; and thus the god replies,


s: Who swells the clouds, and blackens all the skies:


s: "The morning sun, awaked by loud alarms,


s: Shall see the almighty Thunderer in arms.


s: What heaps of Argives then shall load the plain,


s: Those radiant eyes shall view, and view in vain.


s: Nor shall great Hector cease the rage of fight,


s: The navy flaming, and thy Greeks in flight,


s: Even till the day when certain fates ordain


s: That stern Achilles (his Patroclus slain)


s: Shall rise in vengeance, and lay waste the plain.


s: For such is fate, nor canst thou turn its course


s: With all thy rage, with all thy rebel force.


s: Fly, if thy wilt, to earth’s remotest bound,


s: Where on her utmost verge the seas resound;


s: Fast by the brink, within the streams of hell;


s: No sun e’er gilds the gloomy horrors there;


s: There arm once more the bold Titanian band;


s: And arm in vain; for what I will, shall stand."


s: Now deep in ocean sunk the lamp of light,


s: And drew behind the cloudy veil of night:


s: The conquering Trojans mourn his beams decay’d;


s: The Greeks rejoicing bless the friendly shade.


s: The victors keep the field; and Hector calls


s: Where thinly scatter’d lay the heaps of dead.


s: The assembled chiefs, descending on the ground,


s: Attend his order, and their prince surround.


s: A massy spear he bore of mighty strength,


s: Of full ten cubits was the lance’s length;


s: The point was brass, refulgent to behold,


s: Fix’d to the wood with circling rings of gold:


s: And, bending forward, thus reveal’d his mind:


s: "Ye valiant Trojans, with attention hear!


s: Ye Dardan bands, and generous aids, give ear!


s: This day, we hoped, would wrap in conquering flame


s: Greece with her ships, and crown our toils with fame.


s: But darkness now, to save the cowards, falls,


s: And guards them trembling in their wooden walls.


s: Obey the night, and use her peaceful hours


s: Our steeds to forage, and refresh our powers.


s: Straight from the town be sheep and oxen sought,


s: And strengthening bread and generous wine be brought


s: Wide o’er the field, high blazing to the sky,


s: Let numerous fires the absent sun supply,


s: The flaming piles with plenteous fuel raise,


s: Till the bright morn her purple beam displays;


s: Lest, in the silence and the shades of night,


s: Greece on her sable ships attempt her flight.


s: Their lofty decks, or safely cleave the main;


s: Some hostile wound let every dart bestow,


s: Wounds, that long hence may ask their spouses’ care.


s: And warn their children from a Trojan war.


s: Now through the circuit of our Ilion wall,


s: Let sacred heralds sound the solemn call;


s: To bid the sires with hoary honours crown’d,


s: And beardless youths, our battlements surround.


s: Firm be the guard, while distant lie our powers,


s: And let the matrons hang with lights the towers;


s: Lest, under covert of the midnight shade,


s: The insidious foe the naked town invade.


s: Suffice, to-night, these orders to obey;


s: A nobler charge shall rouse the dawning day.


s: The gods, I trust, shall give to Hector’s hand


s: From these detested foes to free the land,


s: Who plough’d, with fates averse, the watery way:


s: But soon as morning paints the fields of air,


s: Sheathed in bright arms let every troop engage,


s: And the fired fleet behold the battle rage.


s: Then, then shall Hector and Tydides prove


s: Whose fates are heaviest in the scales of Jove.


s: To-morrow’s light (O haste the glorious morn!)


s: Shall see his bloody spoils in triumph borne,


s: With this keen javelin shall his breast be gored,


s: And prostrate heroes bleed around their lord.


s: Certain as this, oh! might my days endure,


s: From age inglorious, and black death secure;


s: So might my life and glory know no bound,


s: Like Pallas worshipp’d, like the sun renown’d!


s: As the next dawn, the last they shall enjoy,


s: Shall crush the Greeks, and end the woes of Troy."


s: The leader spoke. From all his host around


s: Shouts of applause along the shores resound.


s: Each from the yoke the smoking steeds untied,


s: And fix’d their headstalls to his chariot-side.


s: Fat sheep and oxen from the town are led,


s: With generous wine, and all-sustaining bread,


s: Full hecatombs lay burning on the shore:


s: The winds to heaven the curling vapours bore.


s: Ungrateful offering to the immortal powers!(197)


s: Whose wrath hung heavy o’er the Trojan towers:


s: Nor Priam nor his sons obtain’d their grace;


s: Proud Troy they hated, and her guilty race.


s: And beaming fires illumined all the ground.


s: As when the moon, refulgent lamp of night,(198)


s: O’er heaven’s pure azure spreads her sacred light,


s: When not a breath disturbs the deep serene,


s: And not a cloud o’ercasts the solemn scene,


s: Around her throne the vivid planets roll,


s: And stars unnumber’d gild the glowing pole,


s: O’er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed,


s: And tip with silver every mountain’s head:


s: Then shine the vales, the rocks in prospect rise,


s: A flood of glory bursts from all the skies:


s: The conscious swains, rejoicing in the sight,


s: Eye the blue vault, and bless the useful light.


s: So many flames before proud Ilion blaze,


s: And lighten glimmering Xanthus with their rays.


s: The long reflections of the distant fires


s: Gleam on the walls, and tremble on the spires.


s: A thousand piles the dusky horrors gild,


s: And shoot a shady lustre o’er the field.


s: Full fifty guards each flaming pile attend,


s: Whose umber’d arms, by fits, thick flashes send,


s: Loud neigh the coursers o’er their heaps of corn,


s: And ardent warriors wait the rising morn.


s: Thus joyful Troy maintain’d the watch of night;


s: While fear, pale comrade of inglorious flight,(199)


s: And heaven-bred horror, on the Grecian part,


s: Sat on each face, and sadden’d every heart.


s: As from its cloudy dungeon issuing forth,


s: Swells o’er the sea, from Thracia’s frozen shore,


s: Heaps waves on waves, and bids the Ægean roar:


s: This way and that the boiling deeps are toss’d:


s: Such various passions urged the troubled host,


s: Superior sorrows swell’d his royal breast;


s: Himself his orders to the heralds bears,


s: To bid to council all the Grecian peers,


s: But bid in whispers: these surround their chief,


s: The king amidst the mournful circle rose:


s: Down his wan cheek a briny torrent flows.


s: So silent fountains, from a rock’s tall head,


s: In sable streams soft-trickling waters shed.


s: With more than vulgar grief he stood oppress’d;


s: Words, mix’d with sighs, thus bursting from his breast:


s: "Ye sons of Greece! partake your leader’s care;


s: A safe return was promised to our toils,


s: With conquest honour’d and enrich’d with spoils:


s: Now shameful flight alone can save the host;


s: Our wealth, our people, and our glory lost.


s: Jove, at whose nod whole empires rise or fall,


s: Who shakes the feeble props of human trust,


s: And towers and armies humbles to the dust.


s: Haste then, for ever quit these fatal fields,


s: Haste to the joys our native country yields;


s: Spread all your canvas, all your oars employ,


s: Nor hope the fall of heaven-defended Troy."


s: He said: deep silence held the Grecian band;


s: Silent, unmov’d in dire dismay they stand;


s: A pensive scene! till Tydeus’ warlike son


s: Roll’d on the king his eyes, and thus begun:


s: "When kings advise us to renounce our fame,


s: First let him speak who first has suffer’d shame.


s: If I oppose thee, prince! thy wrath withhold,


s: The laws of council bid my tongue be bold.


s: Thou first, and thou alone, in fields of fight,


s: Durst brand my courage, and defame my might:


s: Nor from a friend the unkind reproach appear’d,


s: The Greeks stood witness, all our army heard.


s: The gods, O chief! from whom our honours spring,


s: The gods have made thee but by halves a king:


s: They gave thee sceptres, and a wide command;


s: They gave dominion o’er the seas and land;


s: The noblest power that might the world control


s: They gave thee not—a brave and virtuous soul.


s: Is this a general’s voice, that would suggest


s: Fears like his own to every Grecian breast?


s: Confiding in our want of worth, he stands;


s: And if we fly, ’tis what our king commands.


s: Go thou, inglorious! from the embattled plain;


s: Ships thou hast store, and nearest to the main;


s: Here Greece shall stay; or, if all Greece retire,


s: Myself shall stay, till Troy or I expire;


s: Myself, and Sthenelus, will fight for fame;


s: God bade us fight, and ’twas with God we came."


s: He ceased; the Greeks loud acclamations raise,


s: And voice to voice resounds Tydides’ praise.


s: Wise Nestor then his reverend figure rear’d;


s: He spoke: the host in still attention heard:(200)


s: "O truly great! in whom the gods have join’d


s: Such strength of body with such force of mind:


s: Still first to act what you advise so well.


s: These wholesome counsels which thy wisdom moves,


s: Applauding Greece with common voice approves.


s: Kings thou canst blame; a bold but prudent youth:


s: And blame even kings with praise, because with truth.


s: And yet those years that since thy birth have run


s: Would hardly style thee Nestor’s youngest son.


s: Then let me add what yet remains behind,


s: A thought unfinish’d in that generous mind;


s: Age bids me speak! nor shall the advice I bring


s: Distaste the people, or offend the king:


s: "Cursed is the man, and void of law and right,


s: That wretch, that monster, who delights in war;


s: Whose lust is murder, and whose horrid joy,


s: To tear his country, and his kind destroy!


s: This night, refresh and fortify thy train;


s: Between the trench and wall let guards remain:


s: But thou, O king, to council call the old;


s: Great is thy sway, and weighty are thy cares;


s: Thy high commands must spirit all our wars.


s: With Thracian wines recruit thy honour’d guests,


s: For happy counsels flow from sober feasts.


s: Wise, weighty counsels aid a state distress’d,


s: And such a monarch as can choose the best.


s: See what a blaze from hostile tents aspires,


s: How near our fleet approach the Trojan fires!


s: Who can, unmoved, behold the dreadful light?


s: What eye beholds them, and can close to-night?


s: To-morrow, Troy must flame, or Greece must fall."


s: Thus spoke the hoary sage: the rest obey;


s: Swift through the gates the guards direct their way.


s: His son was first to pass the lofty mound,


s: The generous Thrasymed, in arms renown’d:


s: The double offspring of the warrior-god:


s: Seven were the leaders of the nightly bands,


s: And each bold chief a hundred spears commands.


s: The fires they light, to short repasts they fall,


s: Some line the trench, and others man the wall.


s: The king of men, on public counsels bent,


s: Each seized a portion of the kingly feast,


s: But stay’d his hand when thirst and hunger ceased.


s: Then Nestor spoke, for wisdom long approved,


s: And slowly rising, thus the council moved.


s: "Monarch of nations! whose superior sway


s: Assembled states, and lords of earth obey,


s: The laws and sceptres to thy hand are given,


s: And millions own the care of thee and Heaven.


s: With thee my cares begin, with thee must end.


s: Thee, prince! it fits alike to speak and hear,


s: Pronounce with judgment, with regard give ear,


s: To see no wholesome motion be withstood,


s: Nor, though a meaner give advice, repine,


s: But follow it, and make the wisdom thine.


s: Hear then a thought, not now conceived in haste,


s: At once my present judgment and my past.


s: When from Pelides’ tent you forced the maid,


s: I first opposed, and faithful, durst dissuade;


s: But bold of soul, when headlong fury fired,


s: You wronged the man, by men and gods admired:


s: Now seek some means his fatal wrath to end,


s: With prayers to move him, or with gifts to bend."


s: To whom the king. "With justice hast thou shown


s: A prince’s faults, and I with reason own.


s: That happy man, whom Jove still honours most,


s: Is more than armies, and himself a host.


s: Bless’d in his love, this wondrous hero stands;


s: Heaven fights his war, and humbles all our bands.


s: Fain would my heart, which err’d through frantic rage,


s: The wrathful chief and angry gods assuage.


s: If gifts immense his mighty soul can bow,(201)


s: Hear, all ye Greeks, and witness what I vow.


s: Seven sacred tripods, whose unsullied frame


s: Yet knows no office, nor has felt the flame;


s: Twelve steeds unmatch’d in fleetness and in force,


s: And still victorious in the dusty course;


s: (Rich were the man whose ample stores exceed


s: The prizes purchased by their winged speed;)


s: Seven lovely captives of the Lesbian line,


s: Skill’d in each art, unmatch’d in form divine,


s: The same I chose for more than vulgar charms,


s: All these, to buy his friendship, shall be paid,


s: And join’d with these the long-contested maid;


s: And solemn swear those charms were never mine;


s: Untouch’d she stay’d, uninjured she removes,


s: Pure from my arms, and guiltless of my loves,(202)


s: These instant shall be his; and if the powers


s: Give to our arms proud Ilion’s hostile towers,


s: Then shall he store (when Greece the spoil divides)


s: With gold and brass his loaded navy’s sides:


s: Besides, full twenty nymphs of Trojan race


s: With copious love shall crown his warm embrace,


s: Such as himself will choose; who yield to none,


s: Or yield to Helen’s heavenly charms alone.


s: Yet hear me further: when our wars are o’er,


s: If safe we land on Argos’ fruitful shore,


s: There shall he live my son, our honours share,


s: Yet more—three daughters in my court are bred,


s: And bright Chrysothemis with golden hair;


s: Her let him choose whom most his eyes approve,


s: Myself will give the dower; so vast a store


s: Seven ample cities shall confess his sway,


s: And rich Antheia with her flowery fields:(204)


s: There heifers graze, and labouring oxen toil;


s: Bold are the men, and generous is the soil;


s: There shall he reign, with power and justice crown’d,


s: All this I give, his vengeance to control,


s: And sure all this may move his mighty soul.


s: Pluto, the grisly god, who never spares,


s: Who feels no mercy, and who hears no prayers,


s: Lives dark and dreadful in deep hell’s abodes,


s: And mortals hate him, as the worst of gods


s: Great though he be, it fits him to obey,


s: Since more than his my years, and more my sway."


s: The monarch thus. The reverend Nestor then:


s: Such are thy offers as a prince may take,


s: And such as fits a generous king to make.


s: (Myself will name them) to Pelides’ tent.


s: Let Phoenix lead, revered for hoary age,


s: Now pray to Jove to grant what Greece demands;


s: Pray in deep silence,(205) and with purest hands."(206)


s: He said; and all approved. The heralds bring


s: The cleansing water from the living spring.


s: The youth with wine the sacred goblets crown’d,


s: And large libations drench’d the sands around.


s: The rite perform’d, the chiefs their thirst allay,


s: Then from the royal tent they take their way;


s: Wise Nestor turns on each his careful eye,


s: Forbids to offend, instructs them to apply;


s: To deprecate the chief, and save the host.


s: Through the still night they march, and hear the roar


s: Of murmuring billows on the sounding shore.


s: Whose liquid arms the mighty globe surround,


s: They pour forth vows, their embassy to bless,


s: And now, arrived, where on the sandy bay


s: Amused at ease, the godlike man they found,


s: Pleased with the solemn harp’s harmonious sound.


s: (The well wrought harp from conquered Thebae came;


s: Of polish’d silver was its costly frame.)


s: With this he soothes his angry soul, and sings


s: The immortal deeds of heroes and of kings.


s: Placed in his tent, attends the lofty strain:


s: Full opposite he sat, and listen’d long,


s: In silence waiting till he ceased the song.


s: To his high tent; the great Ulysses leads.


s: Achilles starting, as the chiefs he spied,


s: Leap’d from his seat, and laid the harp aside.


s: With like surprise arose Menoetius’ son:


s: Pelides grasp’d their hands, and thus begun:


s: "Princes, all hail! whatever brought you here.


s: Welcome, though Greeks! for not as foes ye came;


s: To me more dear than all that bear the name."


s: With that, the chiefs beneath his roof he led,


s: And placed in seats with purple carpets spread.


s: Then thus—"Patroclus, crown a larger bowl,


s: Of all the warriors yonder host can send,


s: Thy friend most honours these, and these thy friend."


s: He said: Patroclus o’er the blazing fire


s: Heaps in a brazen vase three chines entire:


s: Which flesh of porker, sheep, and goat contains.


s: The parts transfixes, and with skill divides.


s: Meanwhile Patroclus sweats, the fire to raise;


s: The tent is brighten’d with the rising blaze:


s: Then, when the languid flames at length subside,


s: Above the coals the smoking fragments turns


s: And sprinkles sacred salt from lifted urns;


s: With bread the glittering canisters they load,


s: Which round the board Menoetius’ son bestow’d;


s: Himself, opposed to Ulysses full in sight,


s: Each portion parts, and orders every rite.


s: The first fat offering to the immortals due,


s: Amidst the greedy flames Patroclus threw;


s: Then each, indulging in the social feast,


s: His thirst and hunger soberly repress’d.


s: That done, to Phoenix Ajax gave the sign:


s: Not unperceived; Ulysses crown’d with wine


s: The foaming bowl, and instant thus began,


s: His speech addressing to the godlike man.


s: "Health to Achilles! happy are thy guests!


s: Not those more honour’d whom Atrides feasts:


s: Though generous plenty crown thy loaded boards,


s: But greater cares sit heavy on our souls,


s: Nor eased by banquets or by flowing bowls.


s: What scenes of slaughter in yon fields appear!


s: The dead we mourn, and for the living fear;


s: Greece on the brink of fate all doubtful stands,


s: And owns no help but from thy saving hands:


s: Troy and her aids for ready vengeance call;


s: Their threatening tents already shade our wall:


s: Hear how with shouts their conquest they proclaim,


s: And point at every ship their vengeful flame!


s: For them the father of the gods declares,


s: Theirs are his omens, and his thunder theirs.


s: See, full of Jove, avenging Hector rise!


s: See! heaven and earth the raging chief defies;


s: What fury in his breast, what lightning in his eyes!


s: He waits but for the morn, to sink in flame


s: The ships, the Greeks, and all the Grecian name.


s: Heavens! how my country’s woes distract my mind,


s: Lest Fate accomplish all his rage design’d!


s: And must we, gods! our heads inglorious lay


s: Return, Achilles: oh return, though late,


s: To save thy Greeks, and stop the course of Fate;


s: If in that heart or grief or courage lies,


s: Rise to redeem; ah, yet to conquer, rise!


s: The day may come, when, all our warriors slain,


s: That heart shall melt, that courage rise in vain:


s: Regard in time, O prince divinely brave!


s: Those wholesome counsels which thy father gave.


s: His parting son, these accents were his last:


s: "’My child! with strength, with glory, and success,


s: Trust that to Heaven: but thou, thy cares engage


s: To calm thy passions, and subdue thy rage:


s: From gentler manners let thy glory grow,


s: And shun contention, the sure source of woe;


s: That young and old may in thy praise combine,


s: This now-despised advice thy father gave;


s: Ah! check thy anger; and be truly brave.


s: If thou wilt yield to great Atrides’ prayers,


s: Gifts worthy thee his royal hand prepares;


s: The proffer’d presents, an exhaustless store.


s: Seven sacred tripods, whose unsullied frame


s: Yet knows no office, nor has felt the flame;


s: Twelve steeds unmatched in fleetness and in force,


s: And still victorious in the dusty course;


s: (Rich were the man, whose ample stores exceed


s: The prizes purchased by their winged speed;)


s: Seven lovely captives of the Lesbian line,


s: Skill’d in each art, unmatch’d in form divine,


s: The same he chose for more than vulgar charms,


s: All these, to buy thy friendship shall be paid,


s: And, join’d with these, the long-contested maid;


s: With all her charms, Briseis he’ll resign,


s: And solemn swear those charms were only thine;


s: Untouch’d she stay’d, uninjured she removes,


s: Pure from his arms, and guiltless of his loves.


s: These instant shall be thine; and if the powers


s: Give to our arms proud Ilion’s hostile towers,


s: Then shalt thou store (when Greece the spoil divides)


s: With gold and brass thy loaded navy’s sides.


s: Besides, full twenty nymphs of Trojan race


s: With copious love shall crown thy warm embrace;


s: Such as thyself shall chose; who yield to none,


s: Or yield to Helen’s heavenly charms alone.


s: Yet hear me further: when our wars are o’er,


s: If safe we land on Argos’ fruitful shore,


s: There shalt thou live his son, his honour share,


s: Yet more—three daughters in his court are bred,


s: And bright Chrysothemis with golden hair:


s: Her shalt thou wed whom most thy eyes approve;


s: He asks no presents, no reward for love:


s: Himself will give the dower; so vast a store


s: Seven ample cities shall confess thy sway,


s: And rich Antheia with her flowery fields;


s: There heifers graze, and labouring oxen toil;


s: Bold are the men, and generous is the soil.


s: There shalt thou reign, with power and justice crown’d,


s: Such are the proffers which this day we bring,


s: Such the repentance of a suppliant king.


s: But if all this, relentless, thou disdain,


s: If honour and if interest plead in vain,


s: Yet some redress to suppliant Greece afford,


s: And be, amongst her guardian gods, adored.


s: If no regard thy suffering country claim,


s: Hear thy own glory, and the voice of fame:


s: For now that chief, whose unresisted ire


s: Made nations tremble, and whole hosts retire,


s: Proud Hector, now, the unequal fight demands,


s: And only triumphs to deserve thy hands."


s: Then thus the goddess-born: "Ulysses, hear


s: A faithful speech, that knows nor art nor fear;


s: My tongue shall utter, and my deeds make good.


s: Let Greece then know, my purpose I retain:


s: Nor with new treaties vex my peace in vain.


s: Who dares think one thing, and another tell,


s: My heart detests him as the gates of hell.


s: "Then thus in short my fix’d resolves attend,


s: Which nor Atrides nor his Greeks can bend;


s: Long toils, long perils in their cause I bore,


s: But now the unfruitful glories charm no more.


s: Fight or not fight, a like reward we claim,


s: The wretch and hero find their prize the same.


s: Who yields ignobly, or who bravely dies.


s: Of all my dangers, all my glorious pains,


s: A life of labours, lo! what fruit remains?


s: As the bold bird her helpless young attends,


s: From danger guards them, and from want defends;


s: In search of prey she wings the spacious air,


s: And with the untasted food supplies her care:


s: For thankless Greece such hardships have I braved,


s: Her wives, her infants, by my labours saved;


s: Long sleepless nights in heavy arms I stood,


s: And sweat laborious days in dust and blood.


s: I sack’d twelve ample cities on the main,(207)


s: And twelve lay smoking on the Trojan plain:


s: The wealth I gathered, and the spoils I made.


s: Your mighty monarch these in peace possess’d;


s: Some few my soldiers had, himself the rest.


s: Some present, too, to every prince was paid;


s: And every prince enjoys the gift he made:


s: My spoil alone his greedy soul delights:


s: My spouse alone must bless his lustful nights:


s: But what’s the quarrel, then, of Greece to Troy?


s: What to these shores the assembled nations draws,


s: What calls for vengeance but a woman’s cause?


s: Are fair endowments and a beauteous face


s: Beloved by none but those of Atreus’ race?


s: The wife whom choice and passion doth approve,


s: Sure every wise and worthy man will love.


s: Nor did my fair one less distinction claim;


s: Slave as she was, my soul adored the dame.


s: Wrong’d in my love, all proffers I disdain;


s: Deceived for once, I trust not kings again.


s: Your king, Ulysses, may consult with you.


s: What needs he the defence this arm can make?


s: Has he not walls no human force can shake?


s: Has he not fenced his guarded navy round


s: With piles, with ramparts, and a trench profound?


s: And will not these (the wonders he has done)


s: There was a time (’twas when for Greece I fought)


s: When Hector’s prowess no such wonders wrought;


s: He kept the verge of Troy, nor dared to wait


s: He tried it once, and scarce was saved by fate.


s: But now those ancient enmities are o’er;


s: To-morrow we the favouring gods implore;


s: Then shall you see our parting vessels crown’d,


s: And hear with oars the Hellespont resound.


s: The third day hence shall Pthia greet our sails,(208)


s: If mighty Neptune send propitious gales;


s: The wealth he left for this detested shore:


s: Thither the spoils of this long war shall pass,


s: The ruddy gold, the steel, and shining brass:


s: My beauteous captives thither I’ll convey,


s: And all that rests of my unravish’d prey.


s: And that resumed—the fair Lyrnessian slave.


s: Then tell him: loud, that all the Greeks may hear,


s: And learn to scorn the wretch they basely fear;


s: (For arm’d in impudence, mankind he braves,


s: And meditates new cheats on all his slaves;


s: Though shameless as he is, to face these eyes


s: Is what he dares not: if he dares he dies;)


s: Tell him, all terms, all commerce I decline,


s: Nor share his council, nor his battle join;


s: For once deceiv’d, was his; but twice were mine,


s: No—let the stupid prince, whom Jove deprives


s: Of sense and justice, run where frenzy drives;


s: His gifts are hateful: kings of such a kind


s: Stand but as slaves before a noble mind,


s: Not though he proffer’d all himself possess’d,


s: And all his rapine could from others wrest:


s: Not all the golden tides of wealth that crown


s: Not all proud Thebes’ unrivall’d walls contain,


s: (That spreads her conquests o’er a thousand states,


s: And pours her heroes through a hundred gates,


s: Two hundred horsemen and two hundred cars


s: From each wide portal issuing to the wars);(210)


s: Though bribes were heap’d on bribes, in number more


s: Than dust in fields, or sands along the shore;


s: Should all these offers for my friendship call,


s: ’Tis he that offers, and I scorn them all.


s: (An ill-match’d consort) to Achilles’ bed;


s: Like golden Venus though she charm’d the heart,


s: And vied with Pallas in the works of art;


s: Some greater Greek let those high nuptials grace,


s: If heaven restore me to my realms with life,


s: The reverend Peleus shall elect my wife;


s: Thessalian nymphs there are of form divine,


s: And kings that sue to mix their blood with mine.


s: Bless’d in kind love, my years shall glide away,


s: There, deaf for ever to the martial strife,


s: Life is not to be bought with heaps of gold.


s: Not all Apollo’s Pythian treasures hold,


s: Or Troy once held, in peace and pride of sway,


s: Lost herds and treasures we by arms regain,


s: And steeds unrivall’d on the dusty plain:


s: But from our lips the vital spirit fled,


s: Returns no more to wake the silent dead.


s: My fates long since by Thetis were disclosed,


s: And each alternate, life or fame, proposed;


s: Here, if I stay, before the Trojan town,


s: Short is my date, but deathless my renown:


s: For years on years, and long-extended days.


s: Convinced, though late, I find my fond mistake,


s: And warn the Greeks the wiser choice to make;


s: To quit these shores, their native seats enjoy,


s: Nor hope the fall of heaven-defended Troy.


s: Jove’s arm display’d asserts her from the skies!


s: Her hearts are strengthen’d, and her glories rise.


s: Go then to Greece, report our fix’d design;


s: Bid all your counsels, all your armies join,


s: Let all your forces, all your arts conspire,


s: To save the ships, the troops, the chiefs, from fire.


s: One stratagem has fail’d, and others will:


s: But here this night let reverend Phoenix stay:


s: His tedious toils and hoary hairs demand


s: A peaceful death in Pthia’s friendly land.


s: His age be sacred, and his will be free."


s: The son of Peleus ceased: the chiefs around


s: In silence wrapt, in consternation drown’d,


s: Attend the stern reply. Then Phoenix rose;


s: (Down his white beard a stream of sorrow flows;)


s: And while the fate of suffering Greece he mourn’d,


s: With accent weak these tender words return’d.


s: "Divine Achilles! wilt thou then retire,


s: And leave our hosts in blood, our fleets on fire?


s: If wrath so dreadful fill thy ruthless mind,


s: How shall thy friend, thy Phoenix, stay behind?


s: The royal Peleus, when from Pthia’s coast


s: Thy youth as then in sage debates unskill’d,


s: He bade me teach thee all the ways of war,


s: To shine in councils, and in camps to dare.


s: No time shall part us, and no fate divide,


s: Not though the god, that breathed my life, restore


s: The bloom I boasted, and the port I bore,


s: When Greece of old beheld my youthful flames


s: (Delightful Greece, the land of lovely dames),


s: My father faithless to my mother’s arms,


s: Old as he was, adored a stranger’s charms.


s: I tried what youth could do (at her desire)


s: My sire with curses loads my hated head,


s: And cries, ’Ye furies! barren be his bed.’


s: Infernal Jove, the vengeful fiends below,


s: And ruthless Proserpine, confirm’d his vow.


s: Despair and grief distract my labouring mind!


s: Gods! what a crime my impious heart design’d!


s: I thought (but some kind god that thought suppress’d)


s: To plunge the poniard in my father’s breast;


s: Then meditate my flight: my friends in vain


s: With prayers entreat me, and with force detain.


s: On fat of rams, black bulls, and brawny swine,


s: They daily feast, with draughts of fragrant wine;


s: Strong guards they placed, and watch’d nine nights entire;


s: The roofs and porches flamed with constant fire.


s: The tenth, I forced the gates, unseen of all:


s: And, favour’d by the night, o’erleap’d the wall,


s: My travels thence through spacious Greece extend;


s: In Phthia’s court at last my labours end.


s: Your sire received me, as his son caress’d,


s: With gifts enrich’d, and with possessions bless’d.


s: The strong Dolopians thenceforth own’d my reign,


s: And all the coast that runs along the main.


s: Great as thou art, my lessons made thee brave:


s: Thy infant breast a like affection show’d;


s: Still in my arms (an ever-pleasing load)


s: Or at my knee, by Phoenix wouldst thou stand;


s: No food was grateful but from Phoenix’ hand.(211)


s: I pass my watchings o’er thy helpless years,


s: The tender labours, the compliant cares,


s: The gods (I thought) reversed their hard decree,


s: And Phoenix felt a father’s joys in thee:


s: And promised comfort to my silver hairs.


s: Now be thy rage, thy fatal rage, resign’d;


s: The gods (the only great, and only wise)


s: Are moved by offerings, vows, and sacrifice;


s: Offending man their high compassion wins,


s: Prayers are Jove’s daughters, of celestial race,


s: Lame are their feet, and wrinkled is their face;


s: With humble mien, and with dejected eyes,


s: Constant they follow, where injustice flies.


s: Sweeps the wide earth, and tramples o’er mankind,


s: While Prayers, to heal her wrongs, move slow behind.


s: Who hears these daughters of almighty Jove,


s: For him they mediate to the throne above


s: When man rejects the humble suit they make,


s: The sire revenges for the daughters’ sake;


s: From Jove commission’d, fierce injustice then


s: O let not headlong passion bear the sway


s: Due honours calm the fierce, and bend the strong.


s: Were these not paid thee by the terms we bring,


s: Were rage still harbour’d in the haughty king;


s: Nor Greece nor all her fortunes should engage


s: Thy friend to plead against so just a rage.


s: But since what honour asks the general sends,


s: And sends by those whom most thy heart commends;


s: The best and noblest of the Grecian train;


s: Permit not these to sue, and sue in vain!


s: A great example drawn from times of old;


s: Hear what our fathers were, and what their praise,


s: Who conquer’d their revenge in former days.


s: "Where Calydon on rocky mountains stands(212)


s: Once fought the Ætolian and Curetian bands;


s: To guard it those; to conquer, these advance;


s: And mutual deaths were dealt with mutual chance.


s: The silver Cynthia bade contention rise,


s: On OEneus fields she sent a monstrous boar,


s: That levell’d harvests, and whole forests tore:


s: This beast (when many a chief his tusks had slain)


s: Great Meleager stretch’d along the plain,


s: Then, for his spoils, a new debate arose,


s: The neighbour nations thence commencing foes.


s: Strong as they were, the bold Curetes fail’d,


s: While Meleager’s thundering arm prevail’d:


s: Till rage at length inflamed his lofty breast


s: (For rage invades the wisest and the best).


s: "Cursed by Althaea, to his wrath he yields,


s: And in his wife’s embrace forgets the fields.


s: (She from Marpessa sprung, divinely fair,


s: And matchless Idas, more than man in war:


s: The god of day adored the mother’s charms;


s: Against the god the father bent his arms:


s: The afflicted pair, their sorrows to proclaim,


s: From Cleopatra changed their daughter’s name,


s: The father’s grief, the mourning mother’s woe.)


s: To her the chief retired from stern debate,


s: But found no peace from fierce Althaea’s hate:


s: Althaea’s hate the unhappy warrior drew,


s: Whose luckless hand his royal uncle slew;


s: She beat the ground, and call’d the powers beneath


s: On her own son to wreak her brother’s death;


s: Hell heard her curses from the realms profound,


s: And the red fiends that walk the nightly round.


s: War shakes her walls, and thunders at her gates.


s: Priests of the gods, and elders of the land;


s: Besought the chief to save the sinking state:


s: Their prayers were urgent, and their proffers great:


s: (Full fifty acres of the richest ground,


s: Half pasture green, and half with vineyards crown’d:)


s: His suppliant father, aged OEneus, came;


s: His sisters follow’d; even the vengeful dame,


s: Althaea, sues; his friends before him fall:


s: He stands relentless, and rejects them all.


s: Meanwhile the victor’s shouts ascend the skies;


s: The walls are scaled; the rolling flames arise;


s: At length his wife (a form divine) appears,


s: With piercing cries, and supplicating tears;


s: She paints the horrors of a conquer’d town,


s: The heroes slain, the palaces o’erthrown,


s: The matrons ravish’d, the whole race enslaved:


s: The warrior heard, he vanquish’d, and he saved.


s: The Ætolians, long disdain’d, now took their turn,


s: And left the chief their broken faith to mourn.


s: Learn hence, betimes to curb pernicious ire,


s: Nor stay till yonder fleets ascend in fire;


s: Accept the presents; draw thy conquering sword;


s: And be amongst our guardian gods adored."


s: Thus he: the stern Achilles thus replied:


s: "My second father, and my reverend guide:


s: Thy friend, believe me, no such gifts demands,


s: And asks no honours from a mortal’s hands;


s: Jove honours me, and favours my designs;


s: His pleasure guides me, and his will confines;


s: And here I stay (if such his high behest)


s: While life’s warm spirit beats within my breast.


s: Yet hear one word, and lodge it in thy heart:


s: Is it for him these tears are taught to flow,


s: For him these sorrows? for my mortal foe?


s: A generous friendship no cold medium knows,


s: Burns with one love, with one resentment glows;


s: One should our interests and our passions be;


s: My friend must hate the man that injures me.


s: Do this, my Phoenix, ’tis a generous part;


s: And share my realms, my honours, and my heart.


s: Let these return: our voyage, or our stay,


s: Rest undetermined till the dawning day."


s: He ceased; then order’d for the sage’s bed


s: A warmer couch with numerous carpets spread.


s: With that, stern Ajax his long silence broke,


s: "Hence let us go—why waste we time in vain?


s: See what effect our low submissions gain!


s: Liked or not liked, his words we must relate,


s: The Greeks expect them, and our heroes wait.


s: Its stubborn purpose, and his friends disdains.


s: Stern and unpitying! if a brother bleed,


s: A sire the slaughter of his son forgives;


s: The price of blood discharged, the murderer lives:


s: The haughtiest hearts at length their rage resign,


s: And gifts can conquer every soul but thine.(213)


s: The gods that unrelenting breast have steel’d,


s: And cursed thee with a mind that cannot yield.


s: One woman-slave was ravish’d from thy arms:


s: Lo, seven are offer’d, and of equal charms.


s: Revere thy roof, and to thy guests be kind;


s: And know the men of all the Grecian host,


s: Who honour worth, and prize thy valour most."


s: "O soul of battles, and thy people’s guide!


s: (To Ajax thus the first of Greeks replied)


s: Well hast thou spoke; but at the tyrant’s name


s: My rage rekindles, and my soul’s on flame:


s: ’Tis just resentment, and becomes the brave:


s: Disgraced, dishonour’d, like the vilest slave!


s: Return, then, heroes! and our answer bear,


s: Not till, amidst yon sinking navy slain,


s: The blood of Greeks shall dye the sable main;


s: Not till the flames, by Hector’s fury thrown,


s: Consume your vessels, and approach my own;


s: Just there, the impetuous homicide shall stand,


s: There cease his battle, and there feel our hand."


s: This said, each prince a double goblet crown’d,


s: And cast a large libation on the ground;


s: Then to their vessels, through the gloomy shades,


s: The chiefs return; divine Ulysses leads.


s: Meantime Achilles’ slaves prepared a bed,


s: With fleeces, carpets, and soft linen spread:


s: There, till the sacred morn restored the day,


s: In slumber sweet the reverend Phoenix lay.


s: Last, for Patroclus was the couch prepared,


s: Whose nightly joys the beauteous Iphis shared;


s: Achilles to his friend consign’d her charms


s: When Scyros fell before his conquering arms.


s: And now the elected chiefs whom Greece had sent,


s: Pass’d through the hosts, and reach’d the royal tent.


s: Then rising all, with goblets in their hands,


s: The peers and leaders of the Achaian bands


s: Hail’d their return: Atrides first begun:


s: "Returns the chief, or must our navy fall?"


s: "Great king of nations! (Ithacus replied)


s: Fix’d is his wrath, unconquer’d is his pride;


s: He slights thy friendship, thy proposals scorns,


s: And, thus implored, with fiercer fury burns.


s: To save our army, and our fleets to free,


s: Is not his care; but left to Greece and thee.


s: Your eyes shall view, when morning paints the sky,


s: Beneath his oars the whitening billows fly;


s: Us too he bids our oars and sails employ,


s: Nor hope the fall of heaven-protected Troy;


s: For Jove o’ershades her with his arm divine,


s: Inspires her war, and bids her glory shine.


s: Such was his word: what further he declared,


s: These sacred heralds and great Ajax heard.


s: But Phoenix in his tent the chief retains,


s: Safe to transport him to his native plains


s: His age is sacred, and his choice is free."


s: With sorrow seized, in consternation lost,


s: The general silence, and undaunted spoke.


s: "Why should we gifts to proud Achilles send,


s: Or strive with prayers his haughty soul to bend?


s: His country’s woes he glories to deride,


s: And prayers will burst that swelling heart with pride.


s: Be the fierce impulse of his rage obey’d,


s: Then let him arm when Jove or he think fit:


s: That, to his madness, or to Heaven commit:


s: What for ourselves we can, is always ours;


s: This night, let due repast refresh our powers;


s: (For strength consists in spirits and in blood,


s: And those are owed to generous wine and food;)


s: Strikes the blue mountains with her golden ray,


s: Ranged at the ships, let all our squadrons shine


s: In the dread front let great Atrides stand,


s: The first in danger, as in high command."


s: Shouts of acclaim the listening heroes raise,


s: Then each to Heaven the due libations pays;


s: Till sleep, descending o’er the tents, bestows


s: The grateful blessings of desired repose."(214)


s: The same night continues; the scene lies in the two camps.


s: All night the chiefs before their vessels lay,


s: And lost in sleep the labours of the day:


s: All but the king: with various thoughts oppress’d,(215)


s: His country’s cares lay rolling in his breast.


s: As when by lightnings Jove’s ethereal power


s: Foretels the rattling hail, or weighty shower,


s: Or sends soft snows to whiten all the shore,


s: Or bids the brazen throat of war to roar;


s: By fits one flash succeeds as one expires,


s: And heaven flames thick with momentary fires:


s: So bursting frequent from Atrides’ breast,


s: Sighs following sighs his inward fears confess’d.


s: Now o’er the fields, dejected, he surveys


s: From thousand Trojan fires the mounting blaze;


s: Hears in the passing wind their music blow,


s: And marks distinct the voices of the foe.


s: Now looking backwards to the fleet and coast,


s: Anxious he sorrows for the endangered host.


s: He rends his hair, in sacrifice to Jove,


s: Divide his heart, and wage a double war.


s: A thousand cares his labouring breast revolves;


s: To seek sage Nestor now the chief resolves,


s: With him, in wholesome counsels, to debate


s: What yet remains to save the afflicted state.


s: He rose, and first he cast his mantle round,


s: Next on his feet the shining sandals bound;


s: A lion’s yellow spoils his back conceal’d;


s: His warlike hand a pointed javelin held.


s: Meanwhile his brother, press’d with equal woes,


s: Laments for Greece, that in his cause before


s: So much had suffer’d and must suffer more.


s: A leopard’s spotted hide his shoulders spread:


s: Thus (with a javelin in his hand) he went


s: His armour buckling at his vessel’s side.


s: Joyful they met; the Spartan thus begun:


s: "Why puts my brother his bright armour on?


s: Sends he some spy, amidst these silent hours,


s: To try yon camp, and watch the Trojan powers?


s: But say, what hero shall sustain that task?


s: Such bold exploits uncommon courage ask;


s: Guideless, alone, through night’s dark shade to go,


s: And midst a hostile camp explore the foe."


s: To whom the king: "In such distress we stand,


s: Greece to preserve, is now no easy part,


s: But asks high wisdom, deep design, and art.


s: For Jove, averse, our humble prayer denies,


s: And bows his head to Hector’s sacrifice.


s: What eye has witness’d, or what ear believed,


s: In one great day, by one great arm achieved,


s: Such wondrous deeds as Hector’s hand has done,


s: Sprung from no god, and of no goddess born;


s: Yet such his acts, as Greeks unborn shall tell,


s: And curse the battle where their fathers fell.


s: "Now speed thy hasty course along the fleet,


s: There call great Ajax, and the prince of Crete;


s: (For Nestor’s influence best that quarter guides,


s: Whose son with Merion, o’er the watch presides.")


s: To whom the Spartan: "These thy orders borne,


s: Say, shall I stay, or with despatch return?"


s: "There shall thou stay, (the king of men replied,)


s: Else may we miss to meet, without a guide,


s: The paths so many, and the camp so wide.


s: Still, with your voice the slothful soldiers raise,


s: Urge by their fathers’ fame their future praise.


s: Forget we now our state and lofty birth;


s: Not titles here, but works, must prove our worth.


s: And when Jove gave us life, he gave us woe."


s: This said, each parted to his several cares:


s: The king to Nestor’s sable ship repairs;


s: The sage protector of the Greeks he found


s: Stretch’d in his bed with all his arms around


s: The various-colour’d scarf, the shield he rears,


s: The shining helmet, and the pointed spears;


s: The dreadful weapons of the warrior’s rage,


s: That, old in arms, disdain’d the peace of age.


s: Then, leaning on his hand his watchful head,


s: The hoary monarch raised his eyes and said:


s: "What art thou, speak, that on designs unknown,


s: While others sleep, thus range the camp alone;


s: Seek’st thou some friend or nightly sentinel?


s: Stand off, approach not, but thy purpose tell."


s: "O son of Neleus, (thus the king rejoin’d,)


s: Pride of the Greeks, and glory of thy kind!


s: The unhappy general of the Grecian bands,


s: Whom Jove decrees with daily cares to bend,


s: And woes, that only with his life shall end!


s: Scarce can my knees these trembling limbs sustain,


s: And scarce my heart support its load of pain.


s: No taste of sleep these heavy eyes have known,


s: With fears distracted, with no fix’d design;


s: If aught of use thy waking thoughts suggest,


s: (Since cares, like mine, deprive thy soul of rest,)


s: Impart thy counsel, and assist thy friend;


s: Now let us jointly to the trench descend,


s: At every gate the fainting guard excite,


s: Tired with the toils of day and watch of night;


s: Else may the sudden foe our works invade,


s: So near, and favour’d by the gloomy shade."


s: To him thus Nestor: "Trust the powers above,


s: Nor think proud Hector’s hopes confirm’d by Jove:


s: How ill agree the views of vain mankind,


s: And the wise counsels of the eternal mind!


s: That great Achilles rise and rage again,


s: What toils attend thee, and what woes remain!


s: The care is next our other chiefs to raise:


s: Meges for strength, Oileus famed for speed.


s: Some other be despatch’d of nimbler feet,


s: To those tall ships, remotest of the fleet,


s: Where lie great Ajax and the king of Crete.(216)


s: Yet must I tax his sloth, that claims no share


s: With his great brother in his martial care:


s: Claims all our hearts, and urges all our hands."


s: To whom the king: "With reverence we allow


s: Thy just rebukes, yet learn to spare them now:


s: He seems remiss, but bears a valiant mind;


s: Through too much deference to our sovereign sway,


s: But now, our ills industrious to prevent,


s: Long ere the rest he rose, and sought my tent.


s: The chiefs you named, already at his call,


s: Assembling there, between the trench and gates,


s: Near the night-guards, our chosen council waits."


s: "Then none (said Nestor) shall his rule withstand,


s: The shining greaves his manly legs enclose;


s: His purple mantle golden buckles join’d,


s: Warm with the softest wool, and doubly lined.


s: Then rushing from his tent, he snatch’d in haste


s: His steely lance, that lighten’d as he pass’d.


s: The camp he traversed through the sleeping crowd,


s: Stopp’d at Ulysses’ tent, and call’d aloud.


s: Awakes, starts up, and issues from his tent.


s: "What new distress, what sudden cause of fright,


s: Thus leads you wandering in the silent night?"


s: "O prudent chief! (the Pylian sage replied)


s: Wise as thou art, be now thy wisdom tried:


s: Whatever counsels can inspire our thought,


s: All, all depend on this important night!"


s: He heard, return’d, and took his painted shield;


s: Then join’d the chiefs, and follow’d through the field.


s: Without his tent, bold Diomed they found,


s: All sheathed in arms, his brave companions round:


s: Each sunk in sleep, extended on the field,


s: A wood of spears stood by, that, fix’d upright,


s: Shot from their flashing points a quivering light.


s: A bull’s black hide composed the hero’s bed;


s: A splendid carpet roll’d beneath his head.


s: Then, with his foot, old Nestor gently shakes


s: The slumbering chief, and in these words awakes:


s: "Rise, son of Tydeus! to the brave and strong


s: Rest seems inglorious, and the night too long.


s: But sleep’st thou now, when from yon hill the foe


s: Hangs o’er the fleet, and shades our walls below?"


s: At this, soft slumber from his eyelids fled;


s: The warrior saw the hoary chief, and said:


s: "Wondrous old man! whose soul no respite knows,


s: Though years and honours bid thee seek repose,


s: Let younger Greeks our sleeping warriors wake;


s: Ill fits thy age these toils to undertake."


s: "My friend, (he answered,) generous is thy care;


s: These toils, my subjects and my sons might bear;


s: Their loyal thoughts and pious love conspire


s: But now the last despair surrounds our host;


s: No hour must pass, no moment must be lost;


s: Each single Greek, in this conclusive strife,


s: Stands on the sharpest edge of death or life:


s: Yet, if my years thy kind regard engage,


s: Succeed to these my cares, and rouse the rest;


s: He serves me most, who serves his country best."


s: This said, the hero o’er his shoulders flung


s: A lion’s spoils, that to his ankles hung;


s: Then seized his ponderous lance, and strode along.


s: Meges the bold, with Ajax famed for speed,


s: The warrior roused, and to the entrenchments lead.


s: And now the chiefs approach the nightly guard;


s: A wakeful squadron, each in arms prepared:


s: The unwearied watch their listening leaders keep,


s: And, couching close, repel invading sleep.


s: So faithful dogs their fleecy charge maintain,


s: With toil protected from the prowling train;


s: When the gaunt lioness, with hunger bold,


s: Springs from the mountains toward the guarded fold:


s: Through breaking woods her rustling course they hear;


s: Loud, and more loud, the clamours strike their ear


s: Of hounds and men: they start, they gaze around,


s: Watch every side, and turn to every sound.


s: Thus watch’d the Grecians, cautious of surprise,


s: Each voice, each motion, drew their ears and eyes:


s: Each step of passing feet increased the affright;


s: And hostile Troy was ever full in sight.


s: Nestor with joy the wakeful band survey’d,


s: And thus accosted through the gloomy shade.


s: "’Tis well, my sons! your nightly cares employ;


s: Else must our host become the scorn of Troy.


s: Watch thus, and Greece shall live." The hero said;


s: Then o’er the trench the following chieftains led.


s: His son, and godlike Merion, march’d behind


s: (For these the princes to their council join’d).


s: The trenches pass’d, the assembled kings around


s: A place there was, yet undefiled with gore,


s: The spot where Hector stopp’d his rage before;


s: When night descending, from his vengeful hand


s: Reprieved the relics of the Grecian band:


s: (The plain beside with mangled corps was spread,


s: And all his progress mark’d by heaps of dead:)


s: There sat the mournful kings: when Neleus’ son,


s: The council opening, in these words begun:


s: "Is there (said he) a chief so greatly brave,


s: His life to hazard, and his country save?


s: Lives there a man, who singly dares to go


s: To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?


s: Or favour’d by the night approach so near,


s: Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?


s: Or Troy once more must be the seat of war?


s: This could he learn, and to our peers recite,


s: And pass unharm’d the dangers of the night;


s: What fame were his through all succeeding days,


s: While Phoebus shines, or men have tongues to praise!


s: What gifts his grateful country would bestow!


s: What must not Greece to her deliverer owe?


s: At every rite his share should be increased,


s: And his the foremost honours of the feast."


s: Fear held them mute: alone, untaught to fear,


s: Tydides spoke—"The man you seek is here.


s: Through yon black camps to bend my dangerous way,


s: To raise my hopes, and second my design.


s: Great deeds are done, and great discoveries made;


s: The wise new prudence from the wise acquire,


s: And one brave hero fans another’s fire."


s: Each generous breast with emulation glows;


s: So brave a task each Ajax strove to share,


s: Bold Merion strove, and Nestor’s valiant heir;


s: The Spartan wish’d the second place to gain,


s: And great Ulysses wish’d, nor wish’d in vain.


s: Then thus the king of men the contest ends:


s: "Thou first of warriors, and thou best of friends,


s: In this great enterprise, is only thine.


s: Just be thy choice, without affection made;


s: To birth, or office, no respect be paid;


s: Let worth determine here." The monarch spake,


s: And inly trembled for his brother’s sake.


s: "Then thus (the godlike Diomed rejoin’d)


s: My choice declares the impulse of my mind.


s: How can I doubt, while great Ulysses stands


s: To lend his counsels and assist our hands?


s: A chief, whose safety is Minerva’s care;


s: So famed, so dreadful, in the works of war:


s: Bless’d in his conduct, I no aid require;


s: Wisdom like his might pass through flames of fire."


s: "It fits thee not, before these chiefs of fame,


s: (Replied the sage,) to praise me, or to blame:


s: Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,


s: Are lost on hearers that our merits know.


s: But let us haste—Night rolls the hours away,


s: The reddening orient shows the coming day,


s: The stars shine fainter on the ethereal plains,


s: And of night’s empire but a third remains."


s: Thus having spoke, with generous ardour press’d,


s: In arms terrific their huge limbs they dress’d.


s: A two-edged falchion Thrasymed the brave,


s: Then in a leathern helm he cased his head,


s: Short of its crest, and with no plume o’erspread:


s: (Such as by youths unused to arms are worn:)


s: No spoils enrich it, and no studs adorn.


s: A bow and quiver, with bright arrows stored:


s: A well-proved casque, with leather braces bound,


s: (Thy gift, Meriones,) his temples crown’d;


s: Soft wool within; without, in order spread,(217)


s: A boar’s white teeth grinn’d horrid o’er his head.


s: Molus received, the pledge of social ties;


s: The helmet next by Merion was possess’d,


s: And now Ulysses’ thoughtful temples press’d.


s: Thus sheathed in arms, the council they forsake,


s: And dark through paths oblique their progress take.


s: Just then, in sign she favour’d their intent,


s: This, though surrounding shades obscured their view.


s: By the shrill clang and whistling wings they knew.


s: As from the right she soar’d, Ulysses pray’d,


s: Hail’d the glad omen, and address’d the maid:


s: "O daughter of that god whose arm can wield


s: The avenging bolt, and shake the dreadful shield!


s: Who all my motions, all my toils survey!


s: Safe may we pass beneath the gloomy shade,


s: Safe by thy succour to our ships convey’d,


s: And let some deed this signal night adorn,


s: To claim the tears of Trojans yet unborn."


s: Then godlike Diomed preferr’d his prayer:


s: "Daughter of Jove, unconquer’d Pallas! hear.


s: Great queen of arms, whose favour Tydeus won,


s: As thou defend’st the sire, defend the son.


s: Of Greece he left, and sought the Theban towers,


s: Peace was his charge; received with peaceful show,


s: Then help’d by thee, and cover’d by thy shield,


s: He fought with numbers, and made numbers yield.


s: So still continue to the race thine aid!


s: A youthful steer shall fall beneath the stroke,


s: Untamed, unconscious of the galling yoke,


s: With ample forehead, and with spreading horns,


s: Whose taper tops refulgent gold adorns."


s: The heroes pray’d, and Pallas from the skies


s: Accords their vow, succeeds their enterprise.


s: Now, like two lions panting for the prey,


s: With dreadful thoughts they trace the dreary way,


s: Through the black horrors of the ensanguined plain,


s: Through dust, through blood, o’er arms, and hills of slain.


s: Nor less bold Hector, and the sons of Troy,


s: On high designs the wakeful hours employ;


s: The assembled peers their lofty chief enclosed;


s: Who thus the counsels of his breast proposed:


s: "What glorious man, for high attempts prepared,


s: Dares greatly venture for a rich reward?


s: What watch they keep, and what resolves they take?


s: If now subdued they meditate their flight,


s: And, spent with toil, neglect the watch of night?


s: His be the chariot that shall please him most,


s: Of all the plunder of the vanquish’d host;


s: His the fair steeds that all the rest excel,


s: And his the glory to have served so well."


s: A youth there was among the tribes of Troy,


s: (Five girls beside the reverend herald told.)


s: Rich was the son in brass, and rich in gold;


s: Not bless’d by nature with the charms of face,


s: But swift of foot, and matchless in the race.


s: "Hector! (he said) my courage bids me meet


s: This high achievement, and explore the fleet:


s: But first exalt thy sceptre to the skies,


s: And swear to grant me the demanded prize;


s: The immortal coursers, and the glittering car,


s: That bear Pelides through the ranks of war.


s: Fulfil thy wish, their whole intention know,


s: And all their counsels, all their aims betray."


s: The chief then heaved the golden sceptre high,


s: Whose thunder shakes the dark aerial hall:


s: By none but Dolon shall this prize be borne,


s: And him alone the immortal steeds adorn."


s: Thus Hector swore: the gods were call’d in vain,


s: But the rash youth prepares to scour the plain:


s: Across his back the bended bow he flung,


s: A wolf’s grey hide around his shoulders hung,


s: And in his hand a pointed javelin shined.


s: Then (never to return) he sought the shore,


s: And trod the path his feet must tread no more.


s: Scarce had he pass’d the steeds and Trojan throng,


s: (Still bending forward as he coursed along,)


s: When, on the hollow way, the approaching tread


s: "O friend! I hear some step of hostile feet,


s: Moving this way, or hastening to the fleet;


s: Some spy, perhaps, to lurk beside the main;


s: Or nightly pillager that strips the slain.


s: Yet let him pass, and win a little space;


s: Then rush behind him, and prevent his pace.


s: But if too swift of foot he flies before,


s: Confine his course along the fleet and shore,


s: Betwixt the camp and him our spears employ,


s: And intercept his hoped return to Troy."


s: With that they stepp’d aside, and stoop’d their head,


s: (As Dolon pass’d,) behind a heap of dead:


s: Soft, at just distance, both the chiefs pursue.


s: So distant they, and such the space between,


s: As when two teams of mules divide the green,


s: (To whom the hind like shares of land allows,)


s: When now new furrows part the approaching ploughs.


s: Now Dolon, listening, heard them as they pass’d;


s: Hector (he thought) had sent, and check’d his haste,


s: Till scarce at distance of a javelin’s throw,


s: No voice succeeding, he perceived the foe.


s: As when two skilful hounds the leveret wind;


s: Or chase through woods obscure the trembling hind;


s: Now lost, now seen, they intercept his way,


s: And from the herd still turn the flying prey:


s: So fast, and with such fears, the Trojan flew;


s: So close, so constant, the bold Greeks pursue.


s: And mingles with the guards that watch the walls;


s: When brave Tydides stopp’d; a gen’rous thought


s: (Inspired by Pallas) in his bosom wrought,


s: Lest on the foe some forward Greek advance,


s: And snatch the glory from his lifted lance.


s: Then thus aloud: "Whoe’er thou art, remain;


s: This javelin else shall fix thee to the plain."


s: He said, and high in air the weapon cast,


s: Which wilful err’d, and o’er his shoulder pass’d;


s: Then fix’d in earth. Against the trembling wood


s: The wretch stood propp’d, and quiver’d as he stood;


s: His loose teeth chatter’d, and his colour fled;


s: The panting warriors seize him as he stands,


s: And with unmanly tears his life demands.


s: "O spare my youth, and for the breath I owe,


s: Large gifts of price my father shall bestow:


s: Vast heaps of brass shall in your ships be told,


s: And steel well-temper’d and refulgent gold."


s: "Whoe’er thou art, be bold, nor fear to die.


s: What moves thee, say, when sleep has closed the sight,


s: To roam the silent fields in dead of night?


s: Cam’st thou the secrets of our camp to find,


s: Or art some wretch by hopes of plunder led,


s: Through heaps of carnage, to despoil the dead?"


s: Then thus pale Dolon, with a fearful look:


s: (Still, as he spoke, his limbs with horror shook:)


s: "Hither I came, by Hector’s words deceived;


s: No less a bribe than great Achilles’ car,


s: And those swift steeds that sweep the ranks of war,


s: Urged me, unwilling, this attempt to make;


s: To learn what counsels, what resolves you take:


s: If now subdued, you fix your hopes on flight,


s: And, tired with toils, neglect the watch of night."


s: "Bold was thy aim, and glorious was the prize,


s: (Ulysses, with a scornful smile, replies,)


s: Far other rulers those proud steeds demand,


s: And scorn the guidance of a vulgar hand;


s: Even great Achilles scarce their rage can tame,


s: But say, be faithful, and the truth recite!


s: Where lies encamp’d the Trojan chief to-night?


s: Where stand his coursers? in what quarter sleep


s: Their other princes? tell what watch they keep:


s: Say, since this conquest, what their counsels are;


s: Or back to Ilion’s walls transfer the war?"


s: "What Dolon knows, his faithful tongue shall own.


s: Hector, the peers assembling in his tent,


s: No certain guards the nightly watch partake;


s: Where’er yon fires ascend, the Trojans wake:


s: Anxious for Troy, the guard the natives keep;


s: Safe in their cares, the auxiliar forces sleep,


s: Whose wives and infants, from the danger far,


s: Discharge their souls of half the fears of war."


s: "Then sleep those aids among the Trojan train,


s: (Inquired the chief,) or scattered o’er the plain?"


s: To whom the spy: "Their powers they thus dispose


s: The Paeons, dreadful with their bended bows,


s: The Carians, Caucons, the Pelasgian host,


s: And Phrygia’s horse, by Thymbras’ ancient wall;


s: The Thracians utmost, and apart from all.


s: These Troy but lately to her succour won,


s: Swift as the wind, and white as winter-snow;


s: Rich silver plates his shining car infold;


s: His solid arms, refulgent, flame with gold;


s: No mortal shoulders suit the glorious load,


s: Let me, unhappy, to your fleet be borne,


s: Or leave me here, a captive’s fate to mourn,


s: In cruel chains, till your return reveal


s: The truth or falsehood of the news I tell."


s: "Think not to live, though all the truth be shown:


s: Shall we dismiss thee, in some future strife


s: To risk more bravely thy now forfeit life?


s: Or that again our camps thou may’st explore?


s: No—once a traitor, thou betray’st no more."


s: Sternly he spoke, and as the wretch prepared


s: With humble blandishment to stroke his beard,


s: Like lightning swift the wrathful falchion flew,


s: Divides the neck, and cuts the nerves in two;


s: One instant snatch’d his trembling soul to hell,


s: The head, yet speaking, mutter’d as it fell.


s: The furry helmet from his brow they tear,


s: The wolf’s grey hide, the unbended bow and spear;


s: These great Ulysses lifting to the skies,


s: To favouring Pallas dedicates the prize:


s: "Great queen of arms, receive this hostile spoil,


s: And let the Thracian steeds reward our toil;


s: Thee, first of all the heavenly host, we praise;


s: O speed our labours, and direct our ways!"


s: This said, the spoils, with dropping gore defaced,


s: Then heap’d with reeds and gathered boughs the plain,


s: To guide their footsteps to the place again.


s: Through the still night they cross the devious fields,


s: Slippery with blood, o’er arms and heaps of shields,


s: Arriving where the Thracian squadrons lay,


s: And eased in sleep the labours of the day.


s: Ranged in three lines they view the prostrate band:


s: The horses yoked beside each warrior stand.


s: Their arms in order on the ground reclined,


s: Through the brown shade the fulgid weapons shined:


s: Amidst lay Rhesus, stretch’d in sleep profound,


s: And the white steeds behind his chariot bound.


s: The welcome sight Ulysses first descries,


s: And points to Diomed the tempting prize.


s: "The man, the coursers, and the car behold!


s: Described by Dolon, with the arms of gold.


s: Now, brave Tydides! now thy courage try,


s: Approach the chariot, and the steeds untie;


s: Urge thou the slaughter, while I seize the steeds."


s: Pallas (this said) her hero’s bosom warms,


s: Breathed in his heart, and strung his nervous arms;


s: Where’er he pass’d, a purple stream pursued


s: His thirsty falchion, fat with hostile blood,


s: Bathed all his footsteps, dyed the fields with gore,


s: And a low groan remurmur’d through the shore.


s: O’erleaps the fences, and invades the pen,


s: On sheep or goats, resistless in his way,


s: He falls, and foaming rends the guardless prey;


s: Nor stopp’d the fury of his vengeful hand,


s: Till twelve lay breathless of the Thracian band.


s: Back by the foot each slaughter’d warrior drew;


s: The milk-white coursers studious to convey


s: Safe to the ships, he wisely cleared the way:


s: Lest the fierce steeds, not yet to battles bred,


s: Should start, and tremble at the heaps of dead.


s: Now twelve despatch’d, the monarch last they found;


s: Tydides’ falchion fix’d him to the ground.


s: Just then a deathful dream Minerva sent,


s: A warlike form appear’d before his tent,


s: So dream’d the monarch, and awaked no more.(218)


s: And leads them, fasten’d by the silver reins;


s: These, with his bow unbent, he lash’d along;


s: (The scourge forgot, on Rhesus’ chariot hung;)


s: Then gave his friend the signal to retire;


s: But him, new dangers, new achievements fire;


s: Doubtful he stood, or with his reeking blade


s: To send more heroes to the infernal shade,


s: Drag off the car where Rhesus’ armour lay,


s: Or heave with manly force, and lift away.


s: While unresolved the son of Tydeus stands,


s: Pallas appears, and thus her chief commands:


s: "Enough, my son; from further slaughter cease,


s: Haste to the ships, the gotten spoils enjoy,


s: Nor tempt too far the hostile gods of Troy."


s: The voice divine confess’d the martial maid;


s: In haste he mounted, and her word obey’d;


s: Swift as the wind, and white as winter-snow.


s: Not unobserved they pass’d: the god of light


s: Had watch’d his Troy, and mark’d Minerva’s flight,


s: Saw Tydeus’ son with heavenly succour bless’d,


s: And vengeful anger fill’d his sacred breast.


s: Swift to the Trojan camp descends the power,


s: And wakes Hippocoon in the morning-hour;


s: A faithful kinsman, and instructive friend;)


s: He rose, and saw the field deform’d with blood,


s: An empty space where late the coursers stood,


s: The yet-warm Thracians panting on the coast;


s: For each he wept, but for his Rhesus most:


s: Now while on Rhesus’ name he calls in vain,


s: The gathering tumult spreads o’er all the plain;


s: On heaps the Trojans rush, with wild affright,


s: And wondering view the slaughters of the night.


s: Meanwhile the chiefs, arriving at the shade


s: Where late the spoils of Hector’s spy were laid,


s: The trophy, dropping yet with Dolon’s gore:


s: Then mounts again; again their nimbler feet


s: The coursers ply, and thunder towards the fleet.


s: Old Nestor first perceived the approaching sound,


s: Bespeaking thus the Grecian peers around:


s: "Methinks the noise of trampling steeds I hear,


s: Thickening this way, and gathering on my ear;


s: (So may, ye gods! my pious hopes succeed)


s: Return’d triumphant with this prize of war.


s: Yet much I fear (ah, may that fear be vain!)


s: The chiefs outnumber’d by the Trojan train;


s: Perhaps, even now pursued, they seek the shore;


s: Or, oh! perhaps those heroes are no more."


s: Scarce had he spoke, when, lo! the chiefs appear,


s: And spring to earth; the Greeks dismiss their fear:


s: With words of friendship and extended hands


s: They greet the kings; and Nestor first demands:


s: "Say thou, whose praises all our host proclaim,


s: Say whence these coursers? by what chance bestow’d,


s: Not those fair steeds, so radiant and so gay,


s: That draw the burning chariot of the day.


s: But sure till now no coursers struck my sight


s: Like these, conspicuous through the ranks of fight.


s: Some god, I deem, conferred the glorious prize,


s: Bless’d as ye are, and favourites of the skies;


s: The care of him who bids the thunder roar,


s: And her, whose fury bathes the world with gore."


s: "Father! not so, (sage Ithacus rejoin’d,)


s: The gifts of heaven are of a nobler kind.


s: Of Thracian lineage are the steeds ye view,


s: Whose hostile king the brave Tydides slew;


s: Sleeping he died, with all his guards around,


s: And twelve beside lay gasping on the ground.


s: These other spoils from conquer’d Dolon came,


s: A wretch, whose swiftness was his only fame;


s: He now lies headless on the sandy shore."


s: Then o’er the trench the bounding coursers flew;


s: The joyful Greeks with loud acclaim pursue.


s: Straight to Tydides’ high pavilion borne,


s: The matchless steeds his ample stalls adorn:


s: The neighing coursers their new fellows greet,


s: And the full racks are heap’d with generous wheat.


s: But Dolon’s armour, to his ships convey’d,


s: A trophy destin’d to the blue-eyed maid.


s: Now from nocturnal sweat and sanguine stain


s: They cleanse their bodies in the neighb’ring main:


s: Then in the polished bath, refresh’d from toil,


s: Their joints they supple with dissolving oil,


s: And the crown’d goblet foams with floods of wine.


s: The saffron morn, with early blushes spread,(219)


s: With new-born day to gladden mortal sight,


s: And gild the courts of heaven with sacred light:


s: When baleful Eris, sent by Jove’s command,


s: The torch of discord blazing in her hand,


s: Through the red skies her bloody sign extends,


s: And, wrapt in tempests, o’er the fleet descends.


s: She took, and thunder’d through the seas and land.


s: Whose ships, remote, the guarded navy bound,


s: Thence the black fury through the Grecian throng


s: With horror sounds the loud Orthian song:


s: Each bosom boils, each warrior starts to arms.


s: No more they sigh, inglorious to return,


s: But breathe revenge, and for the combat burn.


s: With loud command, with great example fires!


s: Himself first rose, himself before the rest


s: His mighty limbs in radiant armour dress’d,


s: And first he cased his manly legs around


s: In shining greaves with silver buckles bound;


s: The beaming cuirass next adorn’d his breast,


s: The same which once king Cinyras possess’d:


s: (The fame of Greece and her assembled host


s: Had reach’d that monarch on the Cyprian coast;


s: ’Twas then, the friendship of the chief to gain,


s: This glorious gift he sent, nor sent in vain:)


s: Ten rows of azure steel the work infold,


s: Twice ten of tin, and twelve of ductile gold;


s: Three glittering dragons to the gorget rise,


s: Reflected various light, and arching bow’d,


s: Like colour’d rainbows o’er a showery cloud


s: (Jove’s wondrous bow, of three celestial dies,


s: Placed as a sign to man amidst the skies).


s: A radiant baldric, o’er his shoulder tied,


s: Sustain’d the sword that glitter’d at his side:


s: Gold was the hilt, a silver sheath encased


s: The shining blade, and golden hangers graced.


s: His buckler’s mighty orb was next display’d,


s: That round the warrior cast a dreadful shade;


s: Ten zones of brass its ample brim surround,


s: And twice ten bosses the bright convex crown’d:


s: Tremendous Gorgon frown’d upon its field,


s: And circling terrors fill’d the expressive shield:


s: Till in three heads the embroider’d monster ends.


s: Last o’er his brows his fourfold helm he placed,


s: With nodding horse-hair formidably graced;


s: And in his hands two steely javelins wields,


s: That blaze to heaven, and lighten all the fields.


s: That instant Juno, and the martial maid,


s: In happy thunders promised Greece their aid;


s: High o’er the chief they clash’d their arms in air,


s: And, leaning from the clouds, expect the war.


s: Close to the limits of the trench and mound,


s: The fiery coursers to their chariots bound


s: The squires restrain’d: the foot, with those who wield


s: The lighter arms, rush forward to the field.


s: To second these, in close array combined,


s: The squadrons spread their sable wings behind.


s: As with the light the warriors’ toils begun.


s: Even Jove, whose thunder spoke his wrath, distill’d


s: Red drops of blood o’er all the fatal field;(220)


s: And all the slaughters that must stain the day.


s: Near Ilus’ tomb, in order ranged around,


s: The Trojan lines possess’d the rising ground:


s: With youthful Acamas, whose beauteous face


s: And fair proportion match’d the ethereal race.


s: Great Hector, cover’d with his spacious shield,


s: Plies all the troops, and orders all the field.


s: As the red star now shows his sanguine fires


s: Through the dark clouds, and now in night retires,


s: Thus through the ranks appear’d the godlike man,


s: Plunged in the rear, or blazing in the van;


s: While streamy sparkles, restless as he flies,


s: Flash from his arms, as lightning from the skies.


s: As sweating reapers in some wealthy field,


s: Ranged in two bands, their crooked weapons wield,


s: Bear down the furrows, till their labours meet;


s: Thick fall the heapy harvests at their feet:


s: So Greece and Troy the field of war divide,


s: And falling ranks are strow’d on every side.


s: None stoop’d a thought to base inglorious flight;(221)


s: But horse to horse, and man to man they fight,


s: Not rabid wolves more fierce contest their prey;


s: Each wounds, each bleeds, but none resign the day.


s: Discord with joy the scene of death descries,


s: And drinks large slaughter at her sanguine eyes:


s: Discord alone, of all the immortal train,


s: Swells the red horrors of this direful plain:


s: The gods in peace their golden mansions fill,


s: Ranged in bright order on the Olympian hill:


s: But general murmurs told their griefs above,


s: And each accused the partial will of Jove.


s: The eternal Monarch, on his awful throne,


s: Wrapt in the blaze of boundless glory sate;


s: And fix’d, fulfill’d the just decrees of fate.


s: On earth he turn’d his all-considering eyes,


s: And mark’d the spot where Ilion’s towers arise;


s: The sea with ships, the fields with armies spread,


s: The victor’s rage, the dying, and the dead.


s: Thus while the morning-beams, increasing bright,


s: O’er heaven’s pure azure spread the glowing light,


s: Commutual death the fate of war confounds,


s: Each adverse battle gored with equal wounds.


s: But now (what time in some sequester’d vale


s: The weary woodman spreads his sparing meal,


s: When his tired arms refuse the axe to rear,


s: And claim a respite from the sylvan war;


s: But not till half the prostrate forests lay


s: Stretch’d in long ruin, and exposed to day)


s: Then, nor till then, the Greeks’ impulsive might


s: Pierced the black phalanx, and let in the light.


s: Whose squire Oileus, with a sudden spring,


s: Leap’d from the chariot to revenge his king;


s: But in his front he felt the fatal wound,


s: Which pierced his brain, and stretch’d him on the ground.


s: Atrides spoil’d, and left them on the plain:


s: Vain was their youth, their glittering armour vain:


s: Now soil’d with dust, and naked to the sky,


s: Their snowy limbs and beauteous bodies lie.


s: The product, one of marriage, one of love:(222)


s: In the same car the brother-warriors ride;


s: This took the charge to combat, that to guide:


s: Far other task, than when they wont to keep,


s: On Ida’s tops, their father’s fleecy sheep.


s: These on the mountains once Achilles found,


s: And captive led, with pliant osiers bound;


s: Then to their sire for ample sums restored;


s: Pierced in the breast the base-born Isus bleeds:


s: Cleft through the head his brother’s fate succeeds,


s: Swift to the spoil the hasty victor falls,


s: And, stript, their features to his mind recalls.


s: The Trojans see the youths untimely die,


s: But helpless tremble for themselves, and fly.


s: Finds, on some grassy lair, the couching fawns,


s: Their bones he cracks, their reeking vitals draws,


s: And grinds the quivering flesh with bloody jaws;


s: The frighted hind beholds, and dares not stay,


s: But swift through rustling thickets bursts her way;


s: All drown’d in sweat, the panting mother flies,


s: And the big tears roll trickling from her eyes.


s: The sons of false Antimachus were slain;


s: He who for bribes his faithless counsels sold,


s: Atrides mark’d, as these their safety sought,


s: And slew the children for the father’s fault;


s: Their headstrong horse unable to restrain,


s: They shook with fear, and dropp’d the silken rein;


s: Then in the chariot on their knees they fall,


s: And thus with lifted hands for mercy call:


s: "O spare our youth, and for the life we owe,


s: Soon as he hears, that, not in battle slain,


s: The Grecian ships his captive sons detain,


s: Large heaps of brass in ransom shall be told,


s: And steel well-tempered, and persuasive gold."


s: These words, attended with the flood of tears,


s: The youths address’d to unrelenting ears:


s: The vengeful monarch gave this stern reply:


s: The daring wretch who once in council stood


s: To shed Ulysses’ and my brother’s blood,


s: For proffer’d peace! and sues his seed for grace?


s: No, die, and pay the forfeit of your race."


s: This said, Pisander from the car he cast,


s: And pierced his breast: supine he breathed his last.


s: His brother leap’d to earth; but, as he lay,


s: The trenchant falchion lopp’d his hands away;


s: His sever’d head was toss’d among the throng,


s: And, rolling, drew a bloody train along.


s: Then, where the thickest fought, the victor flew;


s: The king’s example all his Greeks pursue.


s: Now by the foot the flying foot were slain,


s: Horse trod by horse, lay foaming on the plain.


s: From the dry fields thick clouds of dust arise,


s: Shade the black host, and intercept the skies.


s: The brass-hoof’d steeds tumultuous plunge and bound,


s: And the thick thunder beats the labouring ground,


s: Still slaughtering on, the king of men proceeds;


s: The distanced army wonders at his deeds,


s: As when the winds with raging flames conspire,


s: And o’er the forests roll the flood of fire,


s: In blazing heaps the grove’s old honours fall,


s: Whole squadrons vanish, and proud heads lie low.


s: The steeds fly trembling from his waving sword,


s: And many a car, now lighted of its lord,


s: Wide o’er the field with guideless fury rolls,


s: Breaking their ranks, and crushing out their souls;


s: While his keen falchion drinks the warriors’ lives;


s: More grateful, now, to vultures than their wives!


s: Perhaps great Hector then had found his fate,


s: But Jove and destiny prolong’d his date.


s: Safe from the darts, the care of heaven he stood,


s: Amidst alarms, and death, and dust, and blood.


s: Now past the tomb where ancient Ilus lay,


s: Through the mid field the routed urge their way:


s: Where the wild figs the adjoining summit crown,


s: The path they take, and speed to reach the town.


s: As swift, Atrides with loud shouts pursued,


s: Hot with his toil, and bathed in hostile blood.


s: Now near the beech-tree, and the Scaean gates,


s: The hero halts, and his associates waits.


s: Meanwhile on every side around the plain,


s: Dispersed, disorder’d, fly the Trojan train.


s: So flies a herd of beeves, that hear dismay’d


s: The lion’s roaring through the midnight shade;


s: On heaps they tumble with successless haste;


s: The savage seizes, draws, and rends the last.


s: Still press’d the rout, and still the hindmost slew;


s: Hurl’d from their cars the bravest chiefs are kill’d,


s: And rage, and death, and carnage load the field.


s: Now storms the victor at the Trojan wall;


s: Surveys the towers, and meditates their fall.


s: But Jove descending shook the Idaean hills,


s: And down their summits pour’d a hundred rills:


s: The unkindled lightning in his hand he took,


s: And thus the many-coloured maid bespoke:


s: "Iris, with haste thy golden wings display,


s: While Agamemnon wastes the ranks around,


s: Fights in the front, and bathes with blood the ground,


s: Bid him give way; but issue forth commands,


s: And trust the war to less important hands:


s: But when, or wounded by the spear or dart,


s: That chief shall mount his chariot, and depart,


s: Then Jove shall string his arm, and fire his breast,


s: Then to her ships shall flying Greece be press’d,


s: Till to the main the burning sun descend,


s: And sacred night her awful shade extend."


s: On wings of winds descends the various maid.


s: The chief she found amidst the ranks of war,


s: Close to the bulwarks, on his glittering car.


s: The goddess then: "O son of Priam, hear!