s: And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged


s: Hope vain, and the whole host's destruction sure;


s: Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave


s: With such persuasions occupied, they fought.


s: Then Hector seized the stern of a brave bark


s: Well-built, sharp-keel'd, and of the swiftest sail,


s: But bore him never thence. For that same ship


s: Contending, Greeks and Trojans hand to hand


s: Dealt slaughter mutual. Javelins now no more


s: Might serve them, or the arrow-starting bow,


s: But close conflicting and of one mind all


s: With bill and battle-axe, with ponderous swords,


s: And with long lances double-edged they fought.


s: Many a black-hilted falchion huge of haft


s: Fell to the ground, some from the grasp, and some


s: From shoulders of embattled warriors hewn,


s: And pools of blood soak'd all the sable glebe.


s: Hector that ship once grappled by the stern


s: Left not, but griping fast her upper edge


s: With both hands, to his Trojans call'd aloud.


s: Fire! Bring me fire! Stand fast and shout to heaven!


s: Jove gives us now a day worth all the past;


s: The ships are ours which, in the Gods' despite


s: Have caused, for which our seniors most I blame


s: Who me withheld from battle at the fleet


s: And check'd the people; but if then the hand


s: Of Thunderer Jove our better judgment marr'd,


s: He ceased; they still more violent assail'd


s: Whelm'd under weapons numberless, that storm


s: Down from the decks to an inferior stand,


s: Where still he watch'd, and if a Trojan bore


s: Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear,


s: Roaring continual to the host of Greece.


s: Friends! Grecian heroes! ministers of Mars!


s: Be men, my friends! now summon all your might!


s: Think we that we have thousands at our backs


s: To guard our warriors from the battle's force?


s: None that presents us with a safe retreat


s: Our camp is, where the Trojans arm'd complete


s: Swarm on the plain, and Ocean shuts us in.


s: Our hands must therefore save us, not our heels


s: He said, and furious with his spear again


s: Press'd them, and whatsoever Trojan came,


s: With fire to burn the fleet, on his spear's point


s: Ajax receiving pierced him, till at length


s: Twelve in close fight fell by his single arm.


s: Achilles, at the suit of Patroclus, grants him his own armor, and


s: Such contest for that gallant bark they waged.


s: Meantime Patroclus, standing at the side


s: Fast as a crystal fountain from the height


s: Of some rude rock pours down its rapid stream.


s: Mark'd him, and in wing'd accents thus began.


s: Who, running at her mother's side, entreats


s: Her mantle, checks her haste, and looking up


s: With tearful eyes, pleads earnest to be borne;


s: So fall, Patroclus! thy unceasing tears.


s: Bring'st thou to me or to my people aught


s: Afflictive? Hast thou mournful tidings learn'd


s: Still lives; still lives his Myrmidons among


s: With cause sufficient we should both deplore.


s: Or weep'st thou the Achaians at the ships


s: Perishing, for their outrage done to me?


s: Speak. Name thy trouble. I would learn the cause


s: To whom, deep-sorrowing, thou didst reply,


s: Noblest of all our host! bear with my grief,


s: Since such distress hath on the Grecians fallen.


s: The bravest of their ships disabled lie,


s: Some wounded from afar, some hand to hand.


s: Gall'd by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief,


s: Bears in his thigh. These all, are now the care


s: Of healing hands. Oh thou art pity-proof,


s: From anger such as harbor finds in thine,


s: Scorning all limits! whom, of men unborn,


s: Hereafter wilt thou save, from whom avert


s: Nor Thetis bore, but rugged rocks sublime,


s: And roaring billows blue gave birth to thee,


s: Who bear'st a mind that knows not to relent,


s: If from thy Goddess-mother thou have aught


s: Me send at least, me quickly, and with me


s: Shall thence, it may be, on the Greeks arise.


s: Short respite; it is all that war allows.


s: We, fresh and vigorous, by our shouts alone


s: With labor from the camp, and from the fleet,


s: Such suit he made, alas! all unforewarn'd


s: That his own death should be the bitter fruit,


s: Patroclus, noble friend! what hast thou spoken?


s: Holds in suspense, nor aught that I have learn'd


s: Hence springs, and hence alone, my grief of heart;


s: Save in his office only, should by force


s: Amerce me of my well-earn'd recompense--


s: How then? There lies the grief that stings my soul.


s: Of Greece, my just reward, by my own spear


s: Some alien wretch, unhonor'd and unknown.


s: Of battle should invade my proper barks;


s: But thou put on my glorious arms, lead forth


s: My valiant Myrmidons, since such a cloud,


s: The fleet, and the Achaians, by the waves


s: Hemm'd in, are prison'd now in narrow space.


s: Because the Trojans meet not in the field


s: My dazzling helmet, therefore bolder grown


s: Soon had they fled, and with their bodies chok'd


s: The streams, from whom ourselves now suffer siege


s: From his detested throat, but all around


s: Calling his Trojans on; they loud insult


s: The vanquish'd Greeks, and claim the field their own.


s: Go therefore, my Patroclus; furious fall


s: But hear the sum of all; mark well my word;


s: The Trojans from the fleet expell'd, return.


s: Should Juno's awful spouse give thee to win


s: The Trojans without me, for thou shalt add


s: Still more to the disgrace already mine.


s: Much less, by martial ardor urged, conduct


s: Thy slaughtering legions to the walls of Troy,


s: Descend, for much the Archer of the skies


s: Loves Ilium. No--the fleet once saved, lead back


s: Thy band, and leave the battle to themselves.


s: For oh, by all the powers of heaven I would


s: That not one Trojan might escape of all,


s: Nor yet a Grecian, but that we, from death


s: Ourselves escaping, might survive to spread


s: Troy's sacred bulwarks on the ground, alone.


s: Thus they conferr'd. But Ajax overwhelm'd


s: Meantime with darts, no longer could endure,


s: Quell'd both by Jupiter and by the spears


s: His batter'd helmet bright, stroke after stroke


s: Sustaining on all sides, and his left arm


s: That had so long shifted from side to side


s: His restless shield, now fail'd; yet could not all


s: Displace him with united force, or move.


s: Quick pantings heaved his chest, copious the sweat


s: Trickled from all his limbs, nor found he time,


s: However short, to breathe again, so close


s: With his broad falchion, at the nether end,


s: And lopp'd it sheer. The Telamonian Chief


s: And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote.


s: Shuddering with awe, the interposing power


s: Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms


s: Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain'd to mar


s: And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks.


s: He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark;


s: Through all her length the conflagration ran


s: Incontinent, and wrapp'd her stern in flames.


s: Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said,


s: This moment; I will call, myself, the band.


s: Around his legs his polish'd greaves he clasp'd,


s: With argent studs secured; the hauberk rich


s: Star-spangled to his breast he bound of swift


s: With silver bright emboss'd, and his broad shield


s: Waved dreadful o'er his brows, and last he seized


s: Well fitted to his gripe two sturdy spears.


s: He took not; that huge beam, of bulk and length


s: In all Achaia's host had power to wield.


s: It was that Pelian ash which from the top


s: Of Pelion hewn that it might prove the death


s: Next to Achilles most, as worthiest found


s: Of trust, what time the battle loudest roar'd.


s: Swift as wing'd tempests to the chariot-yoke,


s: To these he added, at their side, a third,


s: Eëtion's city taken, thence had brought,


s: Though mortal, yet a match for steeds divine.


s: Meantime from every tent Achilles call'd


s: And arm'd his Myrmidons. As wolves that gorge


s: The prey yet panting, terrible in force,


s: When on the mountains wild they have devour'd


s: An antler'd stag new-slain, with bloody jaws


s: Troop all at once to some clear fountain, there


s: To lap with slender tongues the brimming wave;


s: No fears have they, but at their ease eject


s: From full maws flatulent the clotted gore;


s: Assembling fast around the valiant friend


s: Warlike Achilles, the well-shielded ranks


s: Exhorting, and the steeds, to glorious war.


s: Commanded, when to Ilium's coast he steer'd,


s: And five, in whom he trusted, o'er the rest


s: He captains named, but ruled, himself, supreme.


s: One band Menestheus swift in battle led,


s: Offspring of Sperchius heaven-descended stream.


s: Enrich'd, and made her openly his bride.


s: Diana, in full choir, with song and dance,


s: Eudorus, swift to run, and bold in fight.


s: Of pangs puerperal, had given him birth,


s: Echechleus, Actor's mighty son, enrich'd


s: With countless dower, and led her to his home;


s: While ancient Phylas, cherishing her boy


s: With fond affection, reared him as his own.


s: The third brave troop warlike Pisander led,


s: In spear-fight every Myrmidon, the friend


s: The fourth band led to battle, and the fifth


s: Thus, all his bands beneath their proper Chiefs


s: Marshall'd, Achilles gave them strict command--


s: Myrmidons! all that vengeance now inflict,


s: Which in this fleet ye ceased not to denounce


s: Against the Trojans while my wrath endured.


s: Thee not with milk thy mother but with bile


s: Suckled, who hold'st thy people here in camp


s: Thus long imprison'd. Unrelenting Chief!


s: Even let us hence in our sea-skimming barks


s: To Phthia, since thou can'st not be appeased--


s: Thus in full council have ye spoken oft.


s: Now, therefore, since a day of glorious toil


s: At last appears, such as ye have desired,


s: There lies the field--go--give your courage proof.


s: So them he roused, and they, their leader's voice


s: With shapely stones upbuilds, cementing close


s: A barrier against all the winds of heaven,


s: So wedged, the helmets and boss'd bucklers stood;


s: Shield, helmet, man, press'd helmet, man, and shield,


s: And every bright-arm'd warrior's bushy crest


s: Its fellow swept, so dense was their array.


s: In front of all, two Chiefs their station took,


s: His bark, and fill'd with tunics, mantles warm,


s: Which never lip touched save his own, and whence


s: That cup producing from the chest, he first


s: With sulphur fumed it, then with water rinsed


s: Pellucid of the running stream, and, last


s: (His hands clean laved) he charged it high with wine.


s: He pour'd libation, and with eyes to heaven


s: Uplifted pray'd, of Jove not unobserved.


s: Dwelling remote, who on Dodona's heights


s: Snow-clad reign'st Sovereign, by thy seers around


s: Compass'd the Selli, prophets vow-constrain'd


s: To unwash'd feet and slumbers on the ground!


s: Plain I behold my former prayer perform'd,


s: Now also grant me, Jove, this my desire!


s: Here, in my fleet, I shall myself abide,


s: My friend to battle. Thunder-rolling Jove,


s: Send glory with him, make his courage firm!


s: The noble frenzy feels that Mars inspires


s: But when he shall have driven the battle-shout


s: Once from the fleet, grant him with all his arms,


s: None lost, himself unhurt, and my whole band


s: Of dauntless warriors with him, safe return!


s: Such prayer Achilles offer'd, and his suit


s: Jove hearing, part confirm'd, and part refused;


s: To chase the dreadful battle from the fleet


s: He gave him, but vouchsafed him no return.


s: Prayer and libation thus perform'd to Jove


s: Return'd, replaced the goblet in his chest,


s: And anxious still that conflict to behold


s: Between the hosts, stood forth before his tent.


s: Then rush'd the bands by brave Patroclus led,


s: Full on the Trojan host. As wasps forsake


s: Their home by the way-side, provoked by boys


s: Not without nuisance sore to all who pass,


s: For if, thenceforth, some traveller unaware


s: Annoy them, issuing one and all they swarm


s: Around him, fearless in their broods' defence,


s: So issued from their fleet the Myrmidons


s: And thus Patroclus loud his host address'd.


s: On Peleus' son, now be ye men, my friends!


s: Call now to mind the fury of your might;


s: That we, close-fighting servants of the Chief


s: Most excellent in all the camp of Greece,


s: May glory gain for him, and that the wide-


s: May learn his fault, that he dishonor'd foul


s: So saying he fired their hearts, and on the van


s: Of Troy at once they fell; loud shouted all


s: Then, soon as Ilium's host the valiant son


s: In dazzling armor clad, all courage lost,


s: Their closest ranks gave way, believing sure


s: That, wrath renounced, and terms of friendship chosen,


s: Achilles' self was there; thus thinking, each


s: Look'd every way for refuge from his fate.


s: Patroclus first, where thickest throng he saw


s: At the whole multitude his glittering spear.


s: He smote Pyræchmes; he his horsemen band


s: Broad-flowing Axius. In his shoulder stood


s: The spear, and with loud groans supine he fell.


s: At once fled all his followers, on all sides


s: With consternation fill'd, seeing their Chief


s: And their best warrior, by Patroclus slain.


s: Forth from the fleet he drove them, quench'd the flames,


s: And rescued half the ship. Then scatter'd fled


s: While from between their ships the Danaï


s: Pour'd after them, and hideous rout ensued.


s: As when the king of lightnings, Jove, dispels


s: The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland heights


s: Shine all, illumined from the boundless heaven,


s: Had from their fleet expell'd, awhile they breathed,


s: Yet found short respite, for the battle yet


s: Ceased not, nor fled the Trojans in all parts


s: Alike, but still resisted, from the ships


s: Then, in that scatter'd warfare, every Chief


s: Turn'd on Patroclus, sudden with a lance


s: His thigh he pierced, and urged the weapon through,


s: Shivering the bone; he headlong smote the ground.


s: The breast of Thoas by his slanting shield


s: Unguarded, struck and stretch'd him at his feet.


s: His leg below the knee, where brawny most


s: The muscles swell in man; disparted wide


s: The tendons shrank, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: Right through his flank, and at his feet he fell.


s: With fierce resentment fired Maris beheld


s: His brother's fall, and guarding, spear in hand,


s: The slain, impetuous on the conqueror flew;


s: His upper arm, and with the lance's point


s: Rent off and stript the muscles to the bone.


s: Sounding he fell, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: They thus, two brothers by two brothers slain,


s: Of brave Sarpedon, and spear-practised sons


s: Whom while he toil'd entangled in the crowd,


s: He seized alive, but smote him where he stood


s: With his huge-hafted sword full on the neck;


s: The blood warm'd all his blade, and ruthless fate


s: Benighted dark the dying warrior's eyes.


s: And Lycon. Each had hurl'd his glittering spear,


s: But each in vain, and now with swords they met.


s: He smote Peneleus on the crested casque,


s: But snapp'd his falchion; him Peneleus smote


s: Beneath his ear; the whole blade entering sank


s: Ere yet he could ascend his chariot, thrust


s: In dreary death's eternal darkness whelm'd.


s: Stay'd not, but gliding close beneath the brain,


s: Transpierced his spine, and started forth beyond.


s: It wrench'd his teeth, and fill'd his eyes with blood;


s: Blood also blowing through his open mouth


s: And nostrils, to the realms of death he pass'd.


s: Thus slew these Grecian leaders, each, a foe.


s: Sudden as hungry wolves the kids purloin


s: Or lambs, which haply some unheeding swain


s: Hath left to roam at large the mountains wild;


s: They, seeing, snatch them from beside the dams,


s: Together driven, all hope, all courage lost.


s: Huge Ajax ceaseless sought his spear to cast


s: At Hector brazen-mail'd, who, not untaught


s: The warrior's art, with bull-hide buckler stood


s: Sheltering his ample shoulders, while he mark'd


s: The hiss of flying shafts and crash of spears.


s: Full sure he saw the shifting course of war


s: Now turn'd, but scorning flight, bent all his thoughts


s: To rescue yet the remnant of his friends.


s: As when the Thunderer spreads a sable storm


s: O'er ether, late serene, the cloud that wrapp'd


s: So fled the Trojans from the fleet of Greece


s: Clamoring in their flight, nor pass'd the trench


s: In fair array; the coursers fleet indeed


s: Of Hector, him bore safe with all his arms


s: Right through, but in the foss entangled foul


s: He left his host, and struggling to escape.


s: Then many a chariot-whirling steed, the pole


s: His driver, while Patroclus with the shout


s: Destruction purposed to the powers of Troy.


s: They, once dispersed, with clamor and with flight


s: Fill'd all the ways, the dust beneath the clouds


s: Hung like a tempest, and the steeds firm-hoof'd


s: Whirl'd off at stretch the chariots to the town.


s: He, wheresoe'er most troubled he perceived


s: The routed host, loud-threatening thither drove,


s: Fell prone, and the o'ertumbled chariots rang.


s: Right o'er the hollow foss the coursers leap'd


s: Impatient for the plain, nor less desire


s: Felt he who drove to smite the Trojan Chief,


s: But him his fiery steeds caught swift away.


s: Floats all the fields, what time Jove heaviest pours


s: Against perverters of the laws by force,


s: Who drive forth justice, reckless of the Gods;


s: The rivers and the torrents, where they dwell,


s: And plunge at length, groaning, into the Deep


s: From the hills headlong, leaving where they pass'd


s: So, in their flight, loud groan'd the steeds of Troy.


s: And now, their foremost intercepted all,


s: Permitted them to Troy for which they strove,


s: But in the midway space between the ships


s: Pursued them ardent, slaughtering whom he reached,


s: And vengeance took for many a Grecian slain.


s: First then, with glittering spear the breast he pierced


s: And stretch'd him dead; loud rang his batter'd arms.


s: The son of Enops, Thestor next he smote.


s: Low-cowering sat, a fear-distracted form,


s: And from his palsied grasp the reins had fallen.


s: Then came Patroclus nigh, and through his cheek


s: His teeth transpiercing, drew him by his lance


s: Sheer o'er the chariot front. As when a man


s: On some projecting rock seated, with line


s: And splendid hook draws forth a sea-fish huge,


s: So him wide-gaping from his seat he drew


s: At his spear-point, then shook him to the ground


s: Prone on his face, where gasping he expired.


s: He hurl'd a rock; full on the middle front


s: He smote him, and within the ponderous casque


s: His whole head open'd into equal halves.


s: With deadliest night surrounded, prone he fell.


s: All these he on the champain, corse on corse


s: Promiscuous flung. Sarpedon, when he saw


s: Such havoc made of his uncinctured friends


s: His band of godlike Lycians loud address'd.


s: Shame on you, Lycians! whither would ye fly?


s: Who thus afflicts the Trojan host, of life


s: Bereaving numerous of their warriors bold.


s: He said, and with his arms leap'd to the ground.


s: On the other side, Patroclus at that sight


s: Sprang from his chariot. As two vultures clash


s: Bow-beak'd, crook-talon'd, on some lofty rock


s: With clamors loud; whom when the son observed


s: His sister and his spouse he thus bespake.


s: Sarpedon, vanquished by Patroclus, falls!


s: So will the Fates. Yet, doubtful, much I muse


s: Whether to place him, snatch'd from furious fight


s: To whom his awful spouse, displeased, replied.


s: Wouldst thou again from pangs of death exempt


s: A mortal man, destined long since to die?


s: Do it. But small thy praise shall be in heaven,


s: Mark thou my words, and in thy inmost breast


s: Treasure them. If thou send Sarpedon safe


s: To his own home, how many Gods _their_ sons


s: May also send from battle? Weigh it well.


s: Sprung from Immortals whom thou shalt provoke.


s: But if thou love him, and thine heart his lot


s: Commiserate, leave him by the hands to fall


s: But give command to Death and gentle Sleep


s: That him of life bereft at once they bear


s: To Lycia's ample realm, where, with due rites


s: Funereal, his next kindred and his friends


s: (The dead man's portion) rearing to his name.


s: She said, from whom the Sire of Gods and men


s: Dissented not, but on the earth distill'd


s: Dear to him, whom Patroclus on the field


s: Of fruitful Troy should slay, far from his home.


s: Those heroes stood. Patroclus at his waist


s: Pierced Thrasymelus the illustrious friend


s: Spear'd through the lower bowels, dead he fell.


s: Then hurl'd Sarpedon in his turn a lance,


s: But miss'd Patroclus and the shoulder pierced


s: Of Pedasus the horse; he groaning heaved


s: His spirit forth, and fallen on the field


s: In long loud moanings sorrowful expired.


s: Wide started the immortal pair; the yoke


s: Creak'd, and entanglement of reins ensued


s: To both, their fellow slaughter'd at their side.


s: He rose, and from beside his sturdy thigh


s: Drawing his falchion, with effectual stroke


s: Cut loose the side-horse; then the pair reduced


s: To order, in their traces stood composed,


s: And the two heroes fierce engaged again.


s: Again his radiant spear Sarpedon hurl'd,


s: But miss'd Patroclus; the innocuous point,


s: O'erflying his left shoulder, pass'd beyond.


s: Then with bright lance Patroclus in his turn


s: Assail'd Sarpedon, nor with erring course


s: The weapon sped or vain, but pierced profound


s: His chest, enclosure of the guarded heart.


s: With new-edged axes on the mountains hewn


s: Right through, for structure of some gallant bark,


s: So fell Sarpedon stretch'd his steeds before


s: And gnash'd his teeth and clutch'd the bloody dust,


s: Beneath the lion's jaws groaning he dies;


s: So, leader of the shielded Lycians groan'd


s: Sarpedon, and his friend thus, sad, bespake.


s: Glaucus, my friend, among these warring Chiefs


s: Thyself a Chief illustrious! thou hast need


s: Of all thy valor now; now strenuous fight,


s: And, if thou bear within thee a brave mind,


s: First, marching through the host of Lycia, rouse


s: Our Chiefs to combat for Sarpedon slain,


s: Then haste, thyself, to battle for thy friend.


s: For shame and foul dishonor which no time


s: Shall e'er obliterate, I must prove to thee,


s: Despoil me in full prospect of the fleet.


s: Fight, therefore, thou, and others urge to fight.


s: He said, and cover'd by the night of death,


s: Nor look'd nor breath'd again; for on his chest


s: Implanting firm his heel, Patroclus drew


s: The spear enfolded with his vitals forth,


s: Weapon and life at once. Meantime his steeds


s: Snorted, by Myrmidons detain'd, and, loosed


s: From their own master's chariot, foam'd to fly.


s: Hearing that charge, and troubled was his heart


s: That all power fail'd him to protect the dead.


s: Compressing his own arm he stood, with pain


s: Extreme tormented which the shaft had caused


s: Of Teucer, who while Glaucus climb'd the wall,


s: Had pierced him from it, in the fleet's defence.


s: Then, thus, to Phoebus, King shaft-arm'd, he pray'd.


s: Hear now, O King! For whether in the land


s: Thou hear'st in every place alike the prayer


s: Of the afflicted heart, and such is mine;


s: Behold my wound; it fills my useless hand


s: With anguish, neither can my blood be stay'd,


s: And all my shoulder suffers. I can grasp


s: A spear, or rush to conflict with the Greeks


s: Our noblest Chief, Sarpedon, son of Jove,


s: Who guards not his own son. But thou, O King!


s: Heal me, assuage my anguish, give me strength,


s: To fight, and may, myself, defend the dead!


s: Such prayer he offer'd, whom Apollo heard;


s: He eased at once his pain, the sable blood


s: Staunch'd, and his soul with vigor new inspired.


s: Then Glaucus in his heart that prayer perceived


s: Vouchsafed to him by Phoebus, first the lines


s: To fight for slain Sarpedon; striding next


s: With eager haste into the ranks of Troy,


s: To Hector brazen-mail'd him thus bespake.


s: Now, Hector! now, thou hast indeed resign'd


s: All care of thy allies, who, for thy sake,


s: Lost both to friends and country, on these plains


s: Sarpedon breathless lies, who led to fight


s: Our shielded bands, and from whose just control


s: And courage Lycia drew her chief defence.


s: Him brazen Mars hath by the spear subdued


s: Lest, stripping him of his resplendent arms,


s: His body, through resentment of the deaths


s: Of numerous Grecians slain by spears of ours.


s: He ceased; then sorrow every Trojan heart


s: All bounds, for that, although a stranger born,


s: And of that host by none in fight excell'd.


s: Ardent for battle all, and at their head


s: Enraged for slain Sarpedon, Hector came.


s: Meantime, stout-hearted Chief, Patroclus roused


s: The Grecians, and exhorting first (themselves


s: To chase the Trojan host, and such to prove


s: The Chief lies breathless who ascended first


s: Our wall, Sarpedon. Let us bear him hence,


s: Strip and dishonor him, and in the blood


s: Of his protectors drench the ruthless spear.


s: Themselves courageous. Then the Lycian host


s: And Trojan here, and there the Myrmidons


s: With all the host of Greece, closing the ranks


s: Rush'd into furious contest for the dead,


s: Shouting tremendous; clang'd their brazen arms,


s: And Jove with Night's pernicious shades o'erhung


s: The bloody field, so to enhance the more


s: Their toilsome strife for his own son. First then


s: The Trojans from their place and order shock'd


s: The bright-eyed Grecians, slaying not the least


s: Nor worst among the Myrmidons, the brave


s: Whom there he slew, had thence to Peleus fled


s: Who with Achilles, phalanx-breaker Chief,


s: Sent him to fight beneath the walls of Troy.


s: Illustrious Hector smote full on the front,


s: And his whole skull within the ponderous casque


s: Split sheer; he prostrate on the body fell


s: In shades of soul-divorcing death involved.


s: Patroclus, grieving for his slaughter'd friend,


s: Rush'd through the foremost warriors. As the hawk


s: Swift-wing'd before him starlings drives or daws,


s: Full on the Lycian ranks and Trojan drov'st,


s: He smote and burst the tendons; then the van


s: Of Ilium's host, with Hector, all retired.


s: Hurl'd with collected force, or in the games,


s: So far the Greeks repulsed the host of Troy.


s: Then Glaucus first, Chief of the shielded bands


s: Of Calchon; Hellas was his home, and far


s: Him chasing Glaucus whom he now attain'd,


s: The Lycian, turning sudden, with his lance


s: Pierced through the breast, and, sounding, down he fell


s: Grief fill'd Achaia's sons for such a Chief


s: So slain, but joy the Trojans; thick they throng'd


s: The conqueror around, nor yet the Greeks


s: Forgat their force, but resolute advanced.


s: Between, he pierced him with a mortal force;


s: Swift flew the life, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: To pierce him, while, with nimble steps and short


s: Behind his buckler made, he paced the field;


s: Bow'd low his head, shunning it, and the spear


s: Behind him pierced the soil; there quivering stood


s: The weapon, vain, though from a vigorous arm,


s: Till spent by slow degrees its fury slept.


s: As reaching thee, should have for ever marr'd


s: Thy step, accomplish'd dancer as thou art.


s: How great soe'er thy might, to quell the force


s: Thyself to die; and may but spear of mine


s: Well-aim'd once strike thee full, what strength soe'er


s: To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown'd.


s: He said, but him Patroclus sharp reproved.


s: Approved, thus proudly? Nay, my gallant friend!


s: The Trojans will not for reproach of ours


s: Renounce the body. Blood must first be spilt.


s: Tongues in debate, but hands in war decide;


s: Deeds therefore now, not wordy vaunts, we need.


s: So saying he led the way, whom follow'd close


s: Of some lone wood that clothes the mountain's side


s: The fellers at their toil are heard remote,


s: So, from the face of Ilium's ample plain


s: And of tough targets heard by falchions huge


s: Hard-smitten, and by spears of double-edge.


s: None then, no, not the quickest to discern,


s: Had known divine Sarpedon, from his head


s: To his foot-sole with mingled blood and dust


s: Polluted, and o'erwhelm'd with weapons. They


s: In spring-time buzz around the brimming pails


s: With milk bedew'd, so they around the dead.


s: From that dread contest, but with watchful note


s: Marked all, the future death in battle deep


s: Or he should still that arduous strife prolong.


s: At length his preference: that the valiant friend


s: The Trojan host with Hector brazen-mail'd


s: To Ilium, slaughtering numerous by the way.


s: First then, with fears unmanly he possess'd


s: The heart of Hector; mounting to his seat


s: He turn'd to flight himself, and bade his host


s: Fly also; for he knew Jove's purpose changed.


s: Thenceforth, no longer even Lycia's host


s: Endured, but all fled scatter'd, seeing pierced


s: Their sovereign through his heart, and heap'd with dead;


s: For numerous, while Saturnian Jove the fight


s: Held in suspense, had on his body fallen.


s: At once the Grecians of his dazzling arms


s: Bore thence into the fleet. Meantime his will


s: Phoebus, my son, delay not; from beneath


s: Yon hill of weapons drawn cleanse from his blood


s: Sarpedon's corse; then, bearing him remote,


s: Lave him in waters of the running stream,


s: Immortal clothe him. Last, to Death and Sleep,


s: Swift bearers both, twin-born, deliver him;


s: They shall transport him quickly, where, with rites


s: Funereal, his next kindred and his friends


s: (The dead man's portion) rearing to his name.


s: His father's will, but, from the Idæan heights


s: Descending swift into the dreadful field,


s: The hill of weapons drew, which, borne remote,


s: He laved in waters of the running stream,


s: With oils ambrosial bathed, and clothed in robes


s: Immortal. Then to Death and gentle Sleep,


s: Swift-bearers both, twin-born, he gave the charge,


s: Who placed it soon in Lycia's wealthy realm.


s: Meantime Patroclus, calling to his steeds,


s: And Lycians, on his own destruction bent


s: Infatuate; heedless of his charge received


s: From Peleus' son, which, well perform'd, had saved


s: But Jove's high purpose evermore prevails


s: Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight


s: The bravest, and the victory takes with ease


s: E'en from the Chief whom he impels himself


s: To battle, as he now this Chief impell'd.


s: Who, then, Patroclus! first, who last by thee


s: Fell slain, what time thyself was call'd to die?


s: He slew, and from the field chased all beside.


s: Then, doubtless, had Achaia's sons prevail'd


s: To take proud-gated Troy, such havoc made


s: He with his spear, but that the son of Jove


s: Station'd, devoted him for Ilium's sake.


s: Patroclus mounted, and him thrice the God


s: With hands immortal his resplendent shield


s: Smiting, struck down again; but when he rush'd


s: A fourth time, demon-like, to the assault,


s: The King of radiant shafts him, stern, rebuked.


s: Stoop to thy spear, nor to the spear itself


s: Of Peleus' son, though mightier far than thou.


s: Of shaft-arm'd Phoebus shunning, far retired.


s: Detain'd, uncertain whether thence to drive


s: Or, loud commandment issuing, to collect


s: His host within the walls. Him musing long


s: Youthful and valiant, join'd. Asius he seem'd


s: Who on the Sangar's banks in Phrygia dwelt.


s: Why, Hector, hast thou left the fight? this sloth


s: Thee pass'd in force as thou transcendest me,


s: Then, not unpunish'd long, should'st thou retire;


s: But haste, and with thy coursers solid-hoof'd


s: Seek out Patroclus, him perchance to slay,


s: Should Phoebus have decreed that glory thine.


s: So saying, Apollo join'd the host again.


s: And glory on Hector and the host of Troy.


s: Furious impell'd his coursers solid-hoof'd


s: Patroclus from his chariot to the ground


s: Leap'd ardent; in his left a spear he bore,


s: And in his right a marble fragment rough,


s: Large as his grasp. With full collected might


s: He hurl'd it; neither was the weapon slow


s: Full on the forehead, while he sway'd the reins.


s: The bone that force withstood not, but the rock


s: With ragged points beset dash'd both his brows


s: In pieces, and his eyes fell at his feet.


s: Behind the steeds pitch'd headlong, and expired;


s: O'er whom, Patroclus of equestrian fame!


s: Thou didst exult with taunting speech severe.


s: With oysters satisfy, although the waves


s: Were churlish, plunging headlong from his bark


s: So then--in Troy, it seems, are divers too!


s: With all a lion's force, who, while the folds


s: And, victim of his own fierce courage, dies.


s: So didst thou spring, Patroclus! to despoil


s: Leap'd also to the ground. Then contest such


s: New-slain, both hunger-pinch'd and haughty both.


s: Expert, brave Hector and Patroclus strove


s: To pierce each other with the ruthless spear.


s: First, Hector seized his head, nor loosed his hold,


s: Patroclus, next, his feet, while all beside


s: Of either host in furious battle join'd.


s: As when the East wind and the South contend


s: To shake some deep wood on the mountain's side,


s: Smite and snap short each other, crashing loud;


s: So, Trojans and Achaians, mingling, slew


s: Mutual, while neither felt a wish to fly.


s: And many a shaft sent smartly from the nerve


s: Implanted deep, and many a stone of grasp


s: Enormous sounded on their batter'd shields


s: Who fought to gain him. He, in eddies lost


s: Of sable dust, with his huge trunk huge space


s: O'erspread, nor steeds nor chariots heeded more.


s: While yet the sun ascending climb'd the heavens,


s: Their darts flew equal, and the people fell;


s: But when he westward journey'd, by a change


s: Surpassing hope the Grecians then prevail'd.


s: From all those weapons, and his armor stripp'd


s: At leisure, distant from the battle's roar.


s: Then sprang Patroclus on the Trojan host;


s: Thrice, like another Mars, he sprang with shouts


s: Tremendous, and nine warriors thrice he slew.


s: But when the fourth time, demon-like, he rush'd


s: Against them, then, oh then, too manifest


s: Through all that multitude knew not, such gloom


s: Behind him close he stood, and with his palms


s: Expanded on the spine and shoulders broad


s: Smote him; his eyes swam dizzy at the stroke.


s: Then Phoebus from his head his helmet dash'd


s: To earth; sonorous at the feet it roll'd


s: Of many a prancing steed, and all the crest


s: Defilement gather'd gross of dust and blood,


s: Then first; till then, impossible; for how


s: Should dust the tresses of that helmet shame


s: With which Achilles fighting fenced his head


s: Illustrious, and his graceful brows divine?


s: But Jove now made it Hector's; he awhile


s: Bore it, himself to swift perdition doom'd


s: His spear brass-mounted, ponderous, huge and long,


s: Fell shiver'd from his grasp. His shield that swept


s: His ancle, with its belt dropp'd from his arm,


s: And Phoebus loosed the corselet from his breast.


s: Confusion seized his brain; his noble limbs


s: Quaked under him, and panic-stunn'd he stood.


s: Then came a Dardan Chief, who from behind


s: Between the shoulders; Panthus' son was he,


s: (Although a learner yet of martial feats,


s: And by his steeds then first to battle borne)


s: Dismounted. He, Patroclus, mighty Chief!


s: First threw a lance at thee, which yet life


s: Quell'd not; then snatching hasty from the wound


s: Nor dared confront in fight even the unarm'd


s: Subdued, fell back toward his ranks again.


s: Then, soon as Hector the retreat perceived


s: Of brave Patroclus wounded, issuing forth


s: From his own phalanx, he approach'd and drove


s: A spear right through his body at the waist.


s: Sounding he fell. Loud groan'd Achaia's host.


s: For some scant rivulet, thirst-parch'd alike,


s: Ere long the lion quells the panting boar;


s: Of multitudes, and thus in accents wing'd,


s: With fierce delight exulted in his fall.


s: It was thy thought, Patroclus, to have laid


s: Our city waste, and to have wafted hence


s: Our wives and daughters to thy native land,


s: Fool! for their sakes the feet of Hector's steeds


s: For their sakes, all our bravest of the spear,


s: That I may turn from them that evil hour


s: Necessitous. But thou art vulture's food,


s: Who when he sent the forth whither himself


s: Would not, thus doubtless gave thee oft in charge:


s: Ah, well beware, Patroclus, glorious Chief!


s: That thou revisit not these ships again,


s: Till first on hero-slaughterer Hector's breast


s: Thou cleave his bloody corselet. So he spake,


s: And with vain words thee credulous beguiled.


s: To whom Patroclus, mighty Chief, with breath


s: Drawn faintly, and dying, thou didst thus reply.


s: Now, Hector, boast! now glory! for the son


s: Vanquishing, whom they had themselves disarm'd,


s: Have made the victory thine; else, twenty such


s: As thou, had fallen by my victorious spear.


s: Me Phoebus and my ruthless fate combined


s: To slay; these foremost; but of mortal men


s: Euphorbus, and thy praise is only third.


s: Repose it deep--thou shalt not long survive;


s: But, even now, fate, and a violent death


s: So saying, the shades of death him wrapp'd around.


s: Down into Ades from his limbs dismiss'd,


s: His spirit fled sorrowful, of youth's prime


s: Then, him though dead, Hector again bespake.


s: Patroclus! these prophetic strains of death


s: At hand, and fate, why hast thou sung to me?


s: Achilles, perish first by spear of mine?


s: He said; then pressing with his heel the trunk


s: Supine, and backward thursting it, he drew


s: His glittering weapon from the wound, nor stay'd,


s: But lance in hand, the godlike charioteer


s: (A glorious gift) on Peleus, snatch'd away.


s: together with Meriones, bears Patroclus off the field, while the


s: By Trojan hands in battle; forth he rush'd


s: All bright in burnish'd armor through his van,


s: Her young one murmuring, with tender moan,


s: Advancing and broad shield, he death denounced


s: To slain Patroclus, but approach'd the dead,


s: Yield. Leave the body and these gory spoils;


s: None sooner made Patroclus bleed than I.


s: Seek not to rob me, therefore, of my praise


s: To whom, indignant, Atreus' son replied.


s: Self-praise, the Gods do know, is little worth.


s: Nor panther, nor the savage boar whose heart's


s: High temper flashes in his eyes, with these


s: The spear accomplish'd youths of Panthus' house.


s: And call'd me most contemptible in fight


s: His feet bore never hence to cheer at home


s: His wife and parents with his glad return.


s: So also shall thy courage fierce be tamed,


s: Mix with the multitude; withstand not me,


s: By sufferings only, is the part of fools.


s: He said, but him sway'd not, who thus replied.


s: My brother's blood which thou hast shed, and mak'st


s: His death thy boast. Thou hast his blooming bride


s: Widow'd, and thou hast fill'd his parents' hearts


s: But bearing hence thy armor and thy head


s: To Troy, and casting them at Panthus' feet,


s: And at the feet of Phrontis, his espoused,


s: Longer, nor will I fail through want of force,


s: He ceased, and smote his shield, nor pierced the disk,


s: But bent his point against the stubborn brass.


s: To Jove, assail'd Euphorbus in his turn,


s: Whom pacing backward in the throat he struck,


s: And both hands and his full force the spear


s: Impelled, urged it through his neck behind.


s: Sounding he fell; loud rang his batter'd arms.


s: His locks, which even the Graces might have own'd,


s: Blood-sullied, and his ringlets wound about


s: With twine of gold and silver, swept the dust.


s: Rear'd in some solitude where rills abound,


s: Puts forth her buds, and fann'd by genial airs


s: On all sides, hangs her boughs with whitest flowers,


s: But by a sudden whirlwind from its trench


s: Such, Panthus' warlike son Euphorbus seem'd,


s: Suddenly, and of all his arms despoil'd.


s: Glorious in strength, when he hath seized the best


s: And fairest of the herd, with savage fangs


s: First breaks her neck, then laps the bloody paunch


s: Torn wide; meantime, around him, but remote,


s: Dogs stand and swains clamoring, yet by fear


s: Repress'd, annoy him not nor dare approach;


s: Denied him, who in semblance of the Chief


s: Of the Ciconians, Mentes, prompted forth


s: Whose spirit thus in accents wing'd he roused.


s: Hector! the chase is vain; here thou pursuest


s: Which thou shalt never win, for they are steeds


s: Of highest note, Euphorbus, Panthus' son,


s: And hath his might in arms for ever quell'd.


s: So spake the God and to the fight return'd.


s: Seized Hector; darting through the ranks his eye,


s: He knew at once who stripp'd Euphorbus' arms,


s: And from his wide wound bleeding copious still.


s: Then dazzling bright in arms, through all the van


s: He flew, shrill-shouting, fierce as Vulcan's fire


s: Unquenchable; nor were his shouts unheard


s: Alas! if I forsake these gorgeous spoils,


s: Incensed, reproach me; and if, urged by shame,


s: I fight with Hector and his host, alone,


s: Lest, hemm'd around by multitudes, I fall;


s: For Hector, by his whole embattled force


s: Attended, comes. But whither tend my thoughts?


s: By power divine and whom the Gods exalt,


s: But he must draw down wo on his own head.


s: Me, therefore, none of all Achaia's host


s: From Hector, whom themselves the Gods assist.


s: Reach me, with force united we would strive,


s: To rescue for Achilles' sake, his friend.


s: Task arduous! but less arduous than this.


s: The Trojan ranks, with Hector at their head.


s: He then, retiring slow, and turning oft,


s: With clamors loud and spears driven from the stalls


s: Abhors retreat, and slow he quits the prey;


s: Patroclus, and arrived in front, at length,


s: Of his own phalanx, stood, with sharpen'd eyes


s: Him leftward, soon, of all the field he mark'd


s: Encouraging aloud his band, whose hearts


s: Phoebus had fill'd. He ran, and at his side


s: My gallant Ajax, haste--come quickly--strive


s: His friend, though bare, for Hector hath his arms.


s: He said, and by his words the noble mind


s: Stript of his arms, with falchion keen erelong


s: Purposing to strike off his head, and cast


s: His trunk, drawn distant, to the dogs of Troy.


s: But Ajax, with broad shield tower-like, approach'd.


s: Then Hector, to his bands retreating, sprang


s: The splendid arms in charge, who into Troy


s: Should bear the destined trophy of his praise,


s: But Ajax with his broad shield guarding stood


s: The lion stands; him through some forest drear


s: Leading his little ones, the hunters meet;


s: Fire glimmers in his looks, and down he draws


s: His whole brow into frowns, covering his eyes;


s: So, guarding slain Patroclus, Ajax lour'd.


s: On the other side, with tender grief oppress'd


s: Ah, Hector, Chieftain of excelling form,


s: But all unfurnish'd with a warrior's heart!


s: Who art to flight addicted. Think, henceforth,


s: Thou and thy people born in Troy, alone.


s: No Lycian shall, at least, in your defence


s: Fight with the Grecians, for our ceaseless toil


s: In arms, hath ever been a thankless task.


s: Inglorious Chief! how wilt thou save a worse


s: From warring crowds, who hast Sarpedon left


s: Thy guest, thy friend, to be a spoil, a prey


s: To yonder Argives? While he lived he much


s: Thou fear'st to rescue even from the dogs.


s: Now, therefore, may but my advice prevail,


s: Back to your country, Lycians! so, at once,


s: Of laborers in their country's dear behalf,


s: We soon should drag Patroclus into Troy;


s: And were his body, from the battle drawn,


s: As soon, the Argives would in ransom give


s: For when Patroclus fell, the friend was slain


s: For valor, and his bands are dauntless all.


s: But thou, at the first glimpse of Ajax' eye


s: Confounded, hast not dared in arms to face


s: That warrior bold, superior far to thee.


s: To whom brave Hector, frowning stern, replied,


s: Why, Glaucus! should a Chief like thee his tongue


s: Presume to employ thus haughtily? My friend!


s: Who dwell in fruitful Lycia, but thy speech


s: In which thou tell'st me that I fear to stand


s: Against vast Ajax. Know that I from fight


s: Shrink not, nor yet from sound of prancing steeds;


s: But Jove's high purpose evermore prevails


s: Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight


s: The bravest, and the victory takes with ease


s: Even from those whom once he favor'd most.


s: But hither, friend! stand with me; mark my deed;


s: Prove me, if I be found, as thou hast said,


s: Patroclus, even the boldest of them all.


s: He ceased, and to his host exclaim'd aloud.


s: Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons


s: From the renown'd Patroclus slain by me.


s: So saying, illustrious Hector from the clash


s: Of spears withdrew, and with his swiftest pace


s: Standing, he changed his armor; gave his own


s: To Peleüs given, put on. Those arms the Sire,


s: Now old himself, had on his son conferr'd


s: But in those arms his son grew never old.


s: Him, therefore, soon as cloud-assembler Jove


s: Saw glittering in divine Achilles' arms,


s: Contemplative he shook his brows, and said,


s: Ah hapless Chief! thy death, although at hand,


s: Nought troubles thee. Thou wear'st his heavenly


s: His friend, though bold yet gentle, thou hast slain


s: And hast the brows and bosom of the dead


s: Unseemly bared: yet, bright success awhile


s: From whom Andromache shall ne'er receive


s: Those glorious arms, for thou shalt ne'er return.


s: So spake the Thunderer, and his sable brows


s: Shaking, confirm'd the word. But Hector found


s: With fury fill'd, he felt his limbs afresh


s: To them he seem'd, clad in those radiant arms,


s: Himself Achilles; rank by rank he pass'd


s: Through all the host, exhorting every Chief,


s: Chromius, Hippothoüs; all these he roused


s: Hear me, ye myriads, neighbors and allies!


s: For not through fond desire to fill the plain


s: With multitudes, have I convened you here


s: Each from his city, but that well-inclined


s: To Ilium, ye might help to guard our wives


s: And little ones against the host of Greece.


s: Therefore it is that forage large and gifts


s: Of Troy, and drain our people for your sake.


s: Turn then direct against them, and his life


s: Save each, or lose; it is the course of war.


s: Him who shall drag, though dead, Patroclus home


s: Into the host of Troy, and shall repulse


s: Ajax, I will reward with half the spoils


s: And half shall be my own; glory and praise


s: He ended; they compact with lifted spears


s: Vain hope! he many a lifeless Trojan heap'd


s: On slain Patroclus, but at length his speech


s: No longer, now, that even we shall 'scape


s: Ourselves from fight; nor fear I so the loss


s: Of dead Patroclus, who shall soon the dogs


s: Of Ilium, and the fowls sate with his flesh,


s: That cloud of battle, Hector, such a gloom


s: Sheds all around; death manifest impends.


s: Haste--call our best, if even they can hear.


s: But call'd aloud on all the Chiefs of Greece.


s: Friends, senators, and leaders of the powers


s: Each bearing rule o'er many, by the will


s: Chief after Chief by name amid the blaze


s: Of such contention; but oh, come yourselves


s: Indignant forth, nor let the dogs of Troy


s: Patroclus rend, and gambol with his bones!


s: The whole vast multitude who, following these


s: Renew'd the battle on the part of Greece.


s: The Trojans first, with Hector at their head,


s: Wedged in close phalanx, rush'd to the assault


s: The billows and stream clash, on either shore


s: Loud sounds the roar of waves ejected wide,


s: Such seem'd the clamors of the Trojan host.


s: Patroclus stood, bulwark'd with shields of brass


s: And over all their glittering helmets Jove


s: Darkness diffused, for he had loved Patroclus


s: And now, abhorring that the dogs of Troy


s: Should eat him, urged the Greeks to his defence,


s: The host of Troy first shook the Grecian host;


s: The body left, they fled; yet of them all,


s: The Trojan powers, determined as they were,


s: Slew none, but dragg'd the body. Neither stood


s: The Greeks long time aloof, soon as repulsed


s: And in exploits all others far excell'd.


s: Right through the foremost combatants he rush'd,


s: In force resembling most some savage boar


s: That in the mountains bursting through the brakes,


s: The swains disperses and their hounds with ease;


s: With ease the close imbattled ranks who fought


s: To achieve it, and to make the glory theirs.


s: Around his ancle cast dragg'd through the fight


s: Reached suddenly, by none of all his friends


s: (Though numerous wish'd to save him) turn'd aside.


s: For swift advancing on him through the crowd


s: The son of Telamon pierced, spear in hand,


s: His helmet brazen-cheek'd; the crested casque,


s: So smitten, open'd wide, for huge the hand


s: And ponderous was the spear that gave the blow


s: And all around its neck, mingled with blood


s: Gush'd forth the brain. There, lifeless, down he sank,


s: Let fall the hero's foot, and fell himself


s: Their kind solicitudes who gave him birth,


s: In bloom of life by dauntless Ajax slain.


s: Then Hector hurl'd at Ajax his bright spear,


s: But he, forewarn'd of its approach, escaped


s: Narrowly, and it pierced Schedius instead,


s: Right through his shoulder's summit pass'd behind,


s: And on his loud-resounding arms he fell.


s: Of Phoenops, valiant Phorcys, while he stood


s: Guarding Hippothöus; through his hollow mail


s: Enforced the weapon drank his inmost life,


s: And in his palm, supine, he clench'd the dust.


s: Then, Hector with the foremost Chiefs of Troy


s: Fell back; the Argives sent a shout to heaven,


s: And dragging Phorcys and Hippothöus thence


s: Stripp'd both. In that bright moment Ilium's host


s: Fear-quell'd before Achaia's warlike sons


s: Had Troy re-enter'd, and the host of Greece


s: By matchless might and fortitude their own


s: Had snatch'd a victory from the grasp of fate,


s: But that, himself, the King of radiant shafts


s: As I have others seen, warriors who would,


s: Men fill'd with might and valor, firm themselves


s: And Chiefs of multitudes disdaining fear.


s: Than to the Grecians wills; therefore the fault


s: Is yours, who tremble and refuse the fight.


s: At once the glorious Archer of the skies,


s: And thus to distant Hector call'd aloud.


s: And of her brave confederates! Shame it were


s: Should we re-enter Ilium, driven to flight


s: Supreme in battle, gives his aid to Troy.


s: Nor let them, safe at least and unannoy'd,


s: Bear hence Patroclus' body to the fleet.


s: Stood foremost forth; they, wheeling, faced the Greeks.


s: Then, spear in hand, Æneas smote the friend


s: Compassionate his death, and drawing nigh


s: First stood, then hurling his resplendent lance,


s: Offspring of Hippasus, his chest beneath,


s: And, lifeless, instant, on the field he fell.


s: Sprang forth for furious combat well prepared,


s: But room for fight found none, so thick a fence


s: Of shields and ported spears fronted secure


s: Admonish'd them that no man yielding ground


s: Should leave Patroclus, or advance before


s: The rest, but all alike fight and stand fast.


s: Drench'd all the ground; in slaughter'd heaps they fell


s: Trojans and Trojan aids of dauntless hearts


s: And Grecians; for not even they the fight


s: Waged bloodless, though with far less cost of blood,


s: Each mindful to avert his fellow's fate.


s: Thus burn'd the battle; neither hadst thou deem'd


s: The sun himself in heaven unquench'd, or moon,


s: Beneath a cope so dense of darkness strove


s: Wherever else, the bright-arm'd Grecians waged


s: On them his radiance darted; not a cloud,


s: From mountain or from vale rising, allay'd


s: His fervor; there at distance due they fought


s: And paused by turns, and shunn'd the cruel dart.


s: They suffer'd, but night also; ruthless raged


s: The iron storm, and all the mightiest bled.


s: Two glorious Chiefs, the while, Antilochus


s: Of brave Patroclus slain, but deem'd him still


s: Living, and troubling still the host of Troy;


s: Or slaughter of their fellow-warriors, they


s: Maintain'd a distant station, so enjoin'd


s: By Nestor when he sent them to the field.


s: The rest all day continual; knees and legs,


s: Feet, hands, and eyes of those who fought to guard


s: Sweat gather'd foul and dust. As when a man


s: A huge ox-hide drunken with slippery lard


s: Gives to be stretch'd, his servants all around


s: Disposed, just intervals between, the task


s: Ply strenuous, and while many straining hard


s: The moisture out, and drinks the unction in,


s: So they, in narrow space struggling, the dead


s: Dragg'd every way, warm hope conceiving, these


s: To drag him thence to Troy, those, to the ships.


s: Wild tumult raged around him; neither Mars,


s: Gatherer of hosts to battle, nor herself


s: That conflict with disdain, Jove to such length


s: Heard of Patroclus slain, for from the ships


s: Remote they fought, beneath the walls of Troy.


s: He, therefore, fear'd not for his death, but hope


s: Indulged much rather, that, the battle push'd


s: To Ilium's gates, he should return alive.


s: Troy waste, he nought supposed; by Thetis warn'd


s: In secret conference oft, he better knew


s: Jove's purpose; yet not even she had borne


s: Those dreadful tidings to his ear, the loss


s: They all around the dead fought spear in hand


s: With mutual slaughter ceaseless, and amid


s: Achaia's host thus spake a Chief mail-arm'd.


s: Shame were it, Grecians! should we seek by flight


s: Our galleys now; yawn earth our feet beneath


s: Than to permit the steed-famed host of Troy


s: And make the glory of this conflict theirs.


s: Thus also of the dauntless Trojans spake


s: A certain warrior. Oh, my friends! although


s: The Fates ordain us, one and all, to die


s: Around this body, stand! quit not the field.


s: The courage of his friends, and such they strove


s: On both sides; high into the vault of heaven


s: The iron din pass'd through the desart air.


s: From fight withdrawn, soon as they understood


s: Their charioteer fallen in the dust beneath


s: He stroked them gently, and as oft he chode;


s: Yet neither to the fleet ranged on the shore


s: Of spacious Hellespont would they return,


s: Nor with the Grecians seek the fight, but stood


s: Between their traces; to the earth they hung


s: Their heads, with plenteous tears their driver mourn'd,


s: And mingled their dishevell'd manes with dust.


s: Jove saw their grief with pity, and his brows


s: Shaking, within himself thus, pensive, said.


s: Ah hapless pair! Wherefore by gift divine


s: Yourselves immortal and from age exempt?


s: Was it that ye might share in human woes?


s: For, of all things that breathe or creep the earth,


s: No creature lives so mere a wretch as man.


s: Triumphant, drawn by you. Myself forbid.


s: Suffice it that he boasts vain-gloriously


s: Those arms his own. Your spirit and your limbs


s: For I ordain the Trojans still to spread


s: Carnage around victorious, till they reach


s: The gallant barks, and till the sun at length


s: He said, and with new might the steeds inspired.


s: They, shaking from their hair profuse the dust,


s: The rapid chariot. Fighting as he pass'd,


s: Though fill'd with sorrow for his slaughter'd friend,


s: Impetuous as a vulture scattering geese;


s: Now would he vanish, and now, turn'd again,


s: Chase through a multitude his trembling foe;


s: But whomsoe'er he follow'd, none he slew,


s: The spear aright and guide the fiery steeds.


s: At length Alcimedon, his friend in arms,


s: Observing, from behind the chariot hail'd


s: The flying warrior, whom he thus bespake.


s: Thy better judgment, and thy breast inspired


s: The Trojan van? Thy partner in the fight


s: Is slain, and Hector on his shoulders bears,


s: To rule the fire of these immortal steeds,


s: Save only while he lived, peer of the Gods


s: In that great art, Patroclus, now no more?


s: Thou, therefore, the resplendent reins receive


s: And scourge, while I, dismounting, wage the fight.


s: The battle-chariot mounting, seized at once


s: The lash and reins, and from his seat down leap'd


s: Illustrious Chief of Trojans brazen-mail'd


s: That we might seize them, wert thou so inclined;


s: For never would those two dare to oppose


s: Of season'd hide brass-plated thrown athwart


s: Their shoulders, both advanced direct, with whom


s: And Chromius. Ardent hope they all conceived


s: To slay those Chiefs, and from the field to drive


s: Achilles' lofty steeds. Vain hope! for them


s: No bloodless strife awaited with the force


s: First offering, felt his angry soul with might


s: Heroic fill'd, and thus his faithful friend


s: Shall limit know, or pause, till, slaying us,


s: He shall himself the coursers ample-maned


s: With either Ajax. Oh, illustrious Chiefs


s: With Ilium's powers and to protect the dead,


s: From friends still living ward the bitter day.


s: For hither borne, two Chiefs, bravest of all


s: Right through the battle. The events of war


s: Heaven orders; therefore even I will give


s: My spear its flight, and Jove dispose the rest!


s: He said, and brandishing his massy spear


s: His ample shield, nor stay'd the pointed brass,


s: But penetrating sheer the disk, his belt


s: Pierced also, and stood planted in his waist.


s: As when some vigorous youth with sharpen'd axe


s: A pastured bullock smites behind the horns


s: And hews the muscle through; he, at the stroke


s: Springs forth and falls, so sprang Aretus forth,


s: Then fell supine, and in his bowels stood


s: The keen-edged lance still quivering till he died.


s: Then Hector, in return, his radiant spear


s: Forewarn'd his body bowing prone, the stroke


s: Till, spent by slow degrees, its fury slept.


s: And now, with hand to hilt, for closer war


s: Both stood prepared, when through the multitude


s: Advancing at their fellow-warrior's call,


s: Prevented. Awed at once by their approach


s: Also and godlike Chromius, leaving there


s: Aretus with his vitals torn, whose arms,


s: Stripp'd off, and thus exulted o'er the slain.


s: My soul some portion of her grief resigns


s: Consoled, although by slaughter of a worse,


s: So saying, within his chariot he disposed


s: The gory spoils, then mounted it himself


s: With hands and feet purpled, as from a bull


s: His bloody prey, some lion newly-gorged.


s: Dread strife deplorable! for from the skies


s: Whose purpose now was to assist the Greeks,


s: As when from heaven, in view of mortals, Jove


s: Exhibits bright his bow, a sign ordain'd


s: Of war, or numbing frost which all the works


s: Suspends of man and saddens all the flocks;


s: So she, all mantled with a radiant cloud


s: Entering Achaia's host, fired every breast.


s: Of Atreus, in the form and with the voice


s: Robust of Phoenix, him she thus bespake.


s: For ever, and reproach, should dogs devour


s: The faithful friend of Peleus' noble son


s: Under Troy's battlements; but stand, thyself,


s: Ah, Phoenix, friend revered, ancient and sage!


s: Would Pallas give me might and from the dint


s: Shield me of dart and spear, with willing mind


s: Hath touch'd me deep. But Hector with the rage


s: Burns of consuming fire, nor to his spear


s: Gives pause, for him Jove leads to victory.


s: He ceased, whom Pallas, Goddess azure-eyed


s: Hearing, rejoiced that of the heavenly powers


s: He had invoked _her_ foremost to his aid.


s: His shoulders with new might, and limbs she fill'd,


s: Imparted, such as prompts the fly, which oft


s: From flesh of man repulsed, her purpose yet


s: To bite holds fast, resolved on human blood.


s: His stormy bosom with such courage fill'd


s: And hurl'd, incontinent, his glittering spear.


s: There was a Trojan Chief, Podes by name,


s: His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight,


s: Struck with full force and sent the weapon through.


s: Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks


s: And in the form of Phoenops, Asius' son,


s: Of all the foreign guests at Hector's board


s: His favorite most, the hero thus address'd.


s: What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth


s: Once deem'd effeminate, but dragging now


s: Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eëtion's son?


s: He spake, and at his words grief like a cloud


s: Involved the mind of Hector dark around;


s: Right through the foremost combatants he rush'd


s: All clad in dazzling brass. Then, lifting high


s: His tassel'd Ægis radiant, Jove with storms


s: Enveloped Ida; flash'd his lightnings, roar'd


s: His thunders, and the mountain shook throughout.


s: Troy's host he prosper'd, and the Greeks dispersed.


s: First fled Peneleus, the Boeotian Chief,


s: Struck on his shoulder's summit with a lance


s: Hurl'd nigh at hand, which slight inscribed the bone.


s: Alectryon, pierced by Hector in the wrist,


s: Disabled left the fight; trembling he fled


s: To lift a spear against the Trojans more.


s: Full on his chest; but in his mail the lance


s: Snapp'd, and the Trojans shouted to the skies.


s: He, in his turn, cast at Deucalion's son


s: A chariot-seat; but him the erring spear


s: From wealthy Lyctus, and his charioteer.


s: For when he left, that day, the gallant barks


s: And triumph proud, full sure, to Ilium's host


s: Had yielded now, but that with rapid haste


s: The fate averting which himself incurr'd


s: Push'd from their sockets with the lance's point


s: His firm-set teeth, and sever'd sheer his tongue.


s: Dismounted down he fell, and from his hand


s: Let slide the flowing reins, which, to the earth


s: Now drive, and cease not, to the fleet of Greece!


s: Seized also, with his lash plying severe


s: The coursers ample-maned, flew to the fleet.


s: Nor Ajax, dauntless hero, not perceived,


s: The eternal Father, now, with his own hand


s: Whose every spear flies, instant, to the mark


s: Sent forth by brave or base? Jove guides them all,


s: While, ineffectual, ours fall to the ground.


s: But haste, devise we of ourselves the means


s: How likeliest we may bear Patroclus hence,


s: And gladden, safe returning, all our friends,


s: Who, hither looking anxious, hope have none


s: That we shall longer check the unconquer'd force


s: To see him soon amid the fleet of Greece.


s: Of his Patroclus slain! but no such Greek


s: Both men and steeds envelops all around.


s: Father of heaven and earth! deliver thou


s: Achaia's host from darkness; clear the skies;


s: Give day; and (since thy sovereign will is such)


s: Destruction with it--but oh give us day!


s: He spake, whose tears Jove saw with pity moved,


s: And chased the untimely shades; bright beam'd the sun


s: And the whole battle was display'd. Then spake


s: Whom most he loved, of his Patroclus slain.


s: He ceased, nor Menelaus, dauntless Chief,


s: That task refused, but went; yet neither swift


s: Nor willing. As a lion leaves the stalls


s: Wearied himself with harassing the guard,


s: Who, interdicting him his purposed prey,


s: Watch all the night; he famish'd, yet again


s: Comes furious on, but speeds not, kept aloof


s: By spears from daring hands dismissed, but more


s: By flash of torches which, though fierce, he dreads,


s: Till at the dawn, sullen he stalks away;


s: Lest the Achaians should resign the dead,


s: Through consternation, to the host of Troy.


s: Ye two brave leaders of the Argive host,


s: Well understood, while yet he lived, to engage


s: All hearts, through prisoner now of death and fate.


s: So saying, the hero amber-hair'd his steps


s: Turn'd thence, the field exploring with an eye


s: Sharp as the eagle's, of all fowls beneath


s: The azure heavens for keenest sight renown'd,


s: Whom, though he soar sublime, the leveret


s: By broadest leaves conceal'd 'scapes not, but swift


s: In search of Nestor's son, if still he lived.


s: Him, soon, encouraging his band to fight,


s: He noticed on the left of all the field,


s: And thou shalt learn tidings of such a deed


s: As best had never been. Thou know'st, I judge,


s: Distress on ours; but ah! Patroclus lies,


s: Our chief Achaian, slain, whose loss the Greeks


s: Fills with regret. Haste, therefore, to the fleet,


s: He can no more, for Hector hath his arms.


s: Those tidings; mute long time he stood, his eyes


s: Swam tearful, and his voice, sonorous erst,


s: Found utterance none. Yet even so distress'd,


s: Laodocus, who thither turn'd his steeds,


s: He goes. I have dispatch'd him to the fleet


s: Expect I now, although with rage he burn


s: Against illustrious Hector; for what fight


s: Can he, unarm'd, against the Trojans wage?


s: How best to save Patroclus, and to 'scape


s: Ourselves unslain from this disastrous field.


s: Which thou hast spoken. Lift ye from the earth


s: The dead Patroclus from the bloody field.


s: To cope meantime with Hector and his host


s: Shall be our task, who, one in name, nor less


s: Of much sharp conflict, side by side, sustain'd.


s: The dead, upbore him high above the ground


s: Follow'd them. As the hounds, urged from behind


s: By youthful hunters, on the wounded boar


s: Make fierce assault; awhile at utmost speed


s: They stretch toward him hungering, for the prey,


s: But oft as, turning sudden, the stout brawn


s: Faces them, scatter'd on all sides escape;


s: The Trojans so, thick thronging in the rear,


s: Ceaseless with falchions and spears double-edged


s: Annoy'd them sore, but oft as in retreat


s: To face them, deadly wan grew every cheek,


s: Molest them more in conflict for the dead.


s: Thus they, laborious, forth from battle bore


s: Their steps attending, rapid as the flames


s: Which, kindled suddenly, some city waste;


s: Consumed amid the blaze house after house


s: Sinks, and the wind, meantime, roars through the fire;


s: Pursued, of horses and of men spear-arm'd.


s: And as two mules with strength for toil endued,


s: Draw through rough ways down from the distant hills


s: Huge timber, beam or mast; sweating they go,


s: So they the body bore, while, turning oft,


s: The Ajaces check'd the Trojans. As a mound


s: Planted with trees and stretch'd athwart the mead


s: Baffling, it sends them far away to float


s: The level land, nor can they with the force


s: Of all their waters burst a passage through;


s: Repress'd the Trojans; but the Trojans them


s: Troubled them, and the glorious Chief of Troy.


s: Fly screaming shrill, warn'd timely of the kite


s: Or hawk, devourers of the smaller kinds,


s: So they shrill-clamoring toward the fleet,


s: Lay scatter'd, and no pause of war they found.


s: Thus burn'd the battle like devouring fire.


s: With boding fears of all that had befall'n.


s: He groan'd, and to his noble self he said.


s: With such disorder foul, back on the fleet?


s: I tremble lest the Gods my anxious thoughts


s: Accomplish and my mother's words, who erst


s: Hath warn'd me, that the bravest and the best


s: Slain under Troy, must view the sun no more.


s: Unhappy friend! I bade thee oft, our barks


s: Deliver'd once from hostile fires, not seek


s: To cope in arms with Hector, but return.


s: While musing thus he stood, the son approach'd


s: Of noble Nestor, and with tears his cheeks


s: Oh son of warlike Peleus! thou shalt hear


s: Tidings of deeds which best had never been.


s: Patroclus is no more. The Grecians fight


s: For his bare corse, and Hector hath his arms.


s: Then clouds of sorrow fell on Peleus' son,


s: And, grasping with both hands the ashes, down


s: He pour'd them on his head, his graceful brows


s: Descending settled on his fragrant vest.


s: Then, stretch'd in ashes, at the vast extent


s: Of his whole length he lay, disordering wild


s: With his own hands, and rending off his hair.


s: And by Patroclus, shrieking from the tent


s: Ran forth, and hemm'd the glorious Chief around.


s: All smote their bosoms, and all, fainting, fell.


s: Held of Achilles, mourning and deep groans


s: Uttering from his noble heart, through fear


s: Lest Peleus' son should perish self-destroy'd.


s: Loud groan'd the hero, whose loud groans within


s: The gulfs of ocean, where she sat beside


s: Her ancient sire, his Goddess-mother heard,


s: And hearing shriek'd; around her at the voice


s: Protuberant beauteous Halia; came with these


s: For matchless form divine; Nemertes pure


s: Came also, with Apseudes crystal-bright,


s: Came these, but every ocean-nymph beside,


s: The silver cave was fill'd; each smote her breast,


s: Ye sister Nereids, hear! that ye may all


s: From my own lips my boundless sorrow learn.


s: Of an illustrious birth! who, having borne


s: Of heroes, saw him like a thriving plant


s: Embark'd, to combat with the sons of Troy.


s: But him from fight return'd I shall receive


s: And while he lives, and on the sun his eyes


s: Opens, he mourns, nor, going, can I aught


s: My darling son, and from his lips be taught


s: What grief hath now befallen him, who close


s: So saying she left the cave, whom all her nymphs


s: Attended weeping, and where'er they pass'd


s: They climb'd the beach, where by his numerous barks


s: Encompass'd, swift Achilles sighing lay.


s: Then, drawing nigh to her afflicted son,


s: The Goddess-mother press'd between her palms


s: His temples, and in accents wing'd inquired.


s: Why weeps my son? what sorrow wrings thy soul?


s: Speak, hide it not. Jove hath fulfill'd the prayer


s: Which erst with lifted hands thou didst prefer,


s: That all Achaia's host, wanting thy aid,


s: Might be compell'd into the fleet, and foul


s: Disgrace incur, there prison'd for thy sake.


s: To whom Achilles, groaning deep, replied.


s: That prayer fulfils; but thence, what joy to me,


s: Patroclus slain? the friend of all my friends


s: Whom most I loved, dear to me as my life--


s: Him I have lost. Slain and despoil'd he lies


s: The wonder of all eyes, a matchless gift


s: When thee they doom'd into a mortal's arms.


s: Oh that with these thy deathless ocean-nymphs


s: Dwelling content, thou hadst my father left


s: To espouse a mortal bride, so hadst thou 'scaped


s: Pangs numberless which thou must now endure


s: For thy son's death, whom thou shalt never meet


s: From Troy return'd, in Peleus' mansion more!


s: To whom, with streaming tears, Thetis replied.


s: Swift comes thy destiny as thou hast said,


s: For after Hector's death thine next ensues.


s: Then answer, thus, indignant he return'd.


s: Death, seize me now! since when my friend was slain,


s: From home remote, and wanting me to save him.


s: Now, therefore, since I neither visit more


s: My native land, nor, present here, have aught


s: Earth's burden, though of such heroic note,


s: That prize to others) yet in feats of arms,


s: May fierce contention from among the Gods


s: With wrath, which sets the wisest hearts on fire;


s: Sweeter than dropping honey to the taste,


s: Such was my wrath which Agamemnon roused,


s: The king of men. But since the past is fled


s: Renounce we now vain musings on the past,


s: In quest of noble Hector, who hath slain


s: My loved Patroclus, and such death will take


s: As Jove ordains me and the Powers of Heaven


s: At their own season, send it when they may.


s: For neither might the force of Hercules,


s: Although high-favored of Saturnian Jove,


s: From death escape, but Fate and the revenge


s: Await me, shall, like him, find rest in death;


s: Some Trojan wife or Dardan with both hands


s: Wipe her soft cheeks, and utter many a groan.


s: Long time have I been absent from the field,


s: And they shall know it. Love me as thou may'st,


s: Whom Thetis answer'd, Goddess of the Deep.


s: Thou hast well said, my son! it is no blame


s: To save from threaten'd death our suffering friends.


s: Are now in Trojan hands; them Hector wears


s: Exulting, but ordain'd not long to exult,


s: To-morrow, and will bring thee glorious arms,


s: By Vulcan forged himself, the King of fire.


s: She said, and turning from her son aside,


s: And to the hoary Sovereign of the floods


s: Report as ye have heard. I to the heights


s: From Vulcan, glorious artist of the skies,


s: She said; they plunged into the waves again,


s: And silver-footed Thetis, to the heights


s: Arms for renown'd Achilles, disappear'd.


s: Meantime, with infinite uproar the Greeks


s: Home to their galleys station'd on the banks


s: From flight of darts away, but still again


s: Rapid as fire. Thrice noble Hector seized


s: Patroclus, calling to his host the while;


s: But thrice, the two Ajaces, clothed with might,


s: Shock'd and repulsed him reeling. He with force


s: Issuing, by turns assail'd them, and by turns


s: Stood clamoring, yet not a step retired;


s: But as the hinds deter not from his prey


s: So would not both Ajaces, warriors bold,


s: Hector; and he had dragg'd him thence and won


s: Unseen by Jove and by the powers of heaven,


s: That he should show himself. Full near she drew,


s: And in wing'd accents thus the Chief address'd.


s: protect Patroclus, for whose sake the war


s: Stands at the fleet of Greece. Mutual prevails


s: The slaughter, these the dead defending, those


s: Of wind-swept Ilium. But beyond them all


s: Thou then arise, nor longer on the ground


s: Lie stretch'd inactive; let the thought with shame


s: Touch thee, of thy Patroclus made the sport


s: Of Trojan dogs, whose corse, if it return


s: Dishonored home, brings with it thy reproach.


s: Iris divine! of all the Gods, who sent thee?


s: Then, thus, the swift ambassadress of heaven.


s: Nor knows Saturnian Jove high-throned, himself,


s: My flight, nor any of the Immortal Powers,


s: Tenants of the Olympian heights snow-crown'd.


s: Her answer'd then Pelides, glorious Chief.


s: How shall I seek the fight? they have my arms.


s: From battle, till she bring me armor new


s: Which she hath promised me from Vulcan's hand.


s: Meantime, whose armor else might serve my need


s: I know not, save perhaps alone the shield


s: Slaying the Trojans in my friend's defence.


s: To whom the swift-wing'd messenger of heaven,


s: Full well we know thine armor Hector's prize


s: Show thyself only. Panic-seized, perchance,


s: The Trojans shall from fight desist, and yield


s: To the o'ertoil'd though dauntless sons of Greece


s: Short respite; it is all that war allows.


s: So saying, the storm-wing'd Iris disappear'd.


s: Then rose at once Achilles dear to Jove,


s: Athwart whose shoulders broad Minerva cast


s: Her Ægis fringed terrific, and his brows


s: By cruel foes from their own city pour'd,


s: Upsends a smoke to heaven, and torches shows


s: Which flash against the clouds, kindled in hope


s: So from Achilles' head light flash'd to heaven.


s: Issuing through the wall, beside the foss


s: He stood, but mix'd not with Achaia's host,


s: He stood and shouted; Pallas also raised


s: Excited throughout all the host of Troy.


s: Clear as the trumpet's note when it proclaims


s: Some city close around, so clear the voice


s: Was every soul that heard the brazen tone.


s: With swift recoil the long-maned coursers thrust


s: The chariots back, all boding wo at hand,


s: Fires that fail'd not, illumining the brows


s: Of Peleus' son, by Pallas kindled there.


s: Thrice o'er the trench Achilles sent his voice


s: Thrice seized the Trojans, and their famed allies.


s: Twelve in that moment of their noblest died


s: By their own spears and chariots, and with joy


s: The Grecians from beneath a hill of darts


s: Dragging Patroclus, placed him on his bier.


s: Around him throng'd his fellow-warriors bold,


s: Extended, gash'd with many a mortal wound,


s: Whom he had sent into the fight with steeds


s: And chariot, but received him thence no more.


s: So the sun sank, and the Achaians ceased


s: On the other side, the Trojans, from the fight


s: Retiring, loosed their steeds, but ere they took


s: Thought of refreshment, in full council met.


s: Or dared; all stood; such terror had on all


s: After long pause from battle's arduous toil.


s: Of Panthus, above all the Trojans skill'd


s: He was the friend of Hector, and one night


s: Gave birth to both. In council one excell'd


s: And one still more in feats of high renown.


s: My friends! weigh well the occasion. Back to Troy


s: Here, on the plain, from Ilium's walls remote


s: We found the Greeks less formidable foes,


s: And I rejoiced, myself, spending the night


s: Beside their oary barks, for that I hoped


s: To seize them; but I now tremble at thought


s: A spirit proud as his will scorn to fight


s: Here, on the plain, where Greeks and Trojans take


s: Their common share of danger and of toil,


s: And will at once strike at your citadel,


s: Impatient till he make your wives his prey.


s: Haste--let us home--else thus shall it befall;


s: Night's balmy influence in his tent detains


s: To-morrow, should he find us lingering here,


s: None shall mistake him then; happy the man


s: Who soonest, then, shall 'scape to sacred Troy!


s: Then, dogs shall make and vultures on our flesh


s: Plenteous repast. Oh spare mine ears the tale!


s: But if, though troubled, ye can yet receive


s: Strict guard to-night; meantime, her gates and towers


s: With all their mass of solid timbers, smooth


s: And cramp'd with bolts of steel, will keep the town.


s: All arm'd on Ilium's towers. Then, if he choose,


s: His galleys left, to compass Troy about,


s: He shall be task'd enough; his lofty steeds


s: Shall have their fill of coursing to and fro


s: Beneath, and gladly shall to camp return.


s: But waste the town he shall not, nor attempt


s: With all the utmost valor that he boasts


s: To force a pass; dogs shall devour him first.


s: To whom brave Hector louring, and in wrath.


s: Imprison'd there. Are ye not yet content?


s: Wish ye for durance still in your own towers?


s: Time was, when in all regions under heaven


s: Men praised the wealth of Priam's city stored


s: With gold and brass; but all our houses now


s: Stand emptied of their hidden treasures rare.


s: Jove in his wrath hath scatter'd them; our wealth


s: Purchased, and part Mæonia's lovely land.


s: The Grecians in their fleet hemm'd by the sea,


s: Fool! taint not with such talk the public mind.


s: Follow, or shall; it hath not my consent.


s: But thus I counsel. Let us, band by band,


s: Throughout the host take supper, and let each,


s: Guarded against nocturnal danger, watch.


s: Lest his possessions perish, let him cast


s: Far better so consumed than by the Greeks.


s: Then, with the morrow's dawn, all fair array'd


s: In battle, we will give them at their fleet


s: Have risen indeed to conflict for the ships,


s: The worse for him. I shall not for his sake


s: Avoid the deep-toned battle, but will firm


s: Or I, great glory. Mars his favors deals


s: So counsell'd Hector, whom with shouts of praise


s: The Trojans answer'd:--fools, and by the power


s: Whose counsel was discreet and wholesome none.


s: So then they took repast. But all night long


s: While, standing in the midst, Pelides led


s: And on the bosom of his breathless friend


s: As the grim lion, from whose gloomy lair


s: Among thick trees the hunter hath his whelps


s: Purloin'd, too late returning mourns his loss,


s: Then, up and down, the length of many a vale


s: Courses, exploring fierce the robber's foot,


s: Incensed as he, and with a sigh deep-drawn


s: At random, when to soothe the hero's fears


s: Menoetius, then our guest, I promised him


s: Living and laden with the spoils of Troy!


s: But Jove performs not all the thoughts of man,


s: For we were both destined to tinge the soil


s: Of Ilium with our blood, nor I shall see,


s: Or Thetis, but must find my burial here.


s: Yet, my Patroclus! since the earth expects


s: Finish, till I shall bring both head and arms


s: Of that bold Chief who slew thee, to my tent.


s: The heads of twelve illustrious sons of Troy,


s: My lofty galleys thou shalt lie, with tears


s: Mourn'd day and night by Trojan captives fair


s: Whom we, at price of labor hard, ourselves


s: With massy spears toiling in battle took


s: So saying, he bade his train surround with fire


s: A tripod huge, that they might quickly cleanse


s: Patroclus from all stain of clotted gore.


s: They on the blazing hearth a tripod placed


s: Capacious, fill'd with water its wide womb,


s: And thrust dry wood beneath, till, fierce, the flames


s: Embraced it round, and warm'd the flood within.


s: Simmer'd, they bathed him, and with limpid oil


s: Anointed; filling, next, his ruddy wounds


s: With unguent mellow'd by nine circling years,


s: They stretch'd him on his bed, then cover'd him


s: From head to feet with linen texture light,


s: All night the Myrmidons around the swift


s: Achilles stood, deploring loud his friend,


s: And Jove his spouse and sister thus bespake.


s: Thou hast the swift Achilles sought to rouse


s: Are thy own children, thou hast borne them all.


s: What word hath pass'd thy lips, Jove, most severe?


s: Not by birth only, but as thine espoused,


s: Who art thyself sovereign of all the Gods,


s: Of Priam, and want means of just revenge?


s: Thus they in heaven their mutual conference


s: Meantime, the silver-footed Thetis reach'd


s: The starr'd abode eternal, brazen wall'd


s: She found him sweating, at his bellows huge


s: Toiling industrious; tripods bright he form'd


s: Twenty at once, his palace-wall to grace


s: Two golden wheels he set, on which (a sight


s: Marvellous!) into council they should roll


s: Self-moved, and to his house, self-moved, return.


s: Thus far the work was finish'd, but not yet


s: For them he stood fashioning, and prepared


s: The rivets. While he thus his matchless skill


s: Whom Charis, Vulcan's well-attired spouse,


s: To seize the Goddess' hand, and thus inquired.


s: And of all love, comest thou to our abode,


s: Led her with argent studs border'd around


s: And foot-stool'd sumptuously; then, calling forth


s: Her spouse, the glorious artist, thus she said.


s: Haste, Vulcan! Thetis wants thee; linger not.


s: To whom the artist of the skies replied.


s: A Goddess then, whom with much cause I love


s: Saved me, what time my shameless mother sought


s: To cast me, because lame, out of all sight;


s: And Thetis in their laps received me fallen.


s: Nine years with them residing, for their use


s: I form'd nice trinkets, clasps, rings, pipes, and chains,


s: While loud around our hollow cavern roar'd


s: The surge of the vast deep, nor God nor man,


s: Preservers, knew where I was kept conceal'd.


s: Since, therefore, she is come, I cannot less


s: With readiness the boon of life preserved.


s: Haste, then, and hospitably spread the board


s: For her regale, while with my best dispatch


s: He spake, and vast in bulk and hot with toil


s: Rose limping from beside his anvil-stock


s: Upborne, with pain on legs tortuous and weak.


s: First, from the forge dislodged he thrust apart


s: His bellows, and his tools collecting all


s: Bestow'd them, careful, in a silver chest,


s: Then all around with a wet sponge he wiped


s: His visage, and his arms and brawny neck


s: Purified, and his shaggy breast from smutch;


s: Last, putting on his vest, he took in hand


s: His sturdy staff, and shuffled through the door.


s: Beside the King of fire two golden forms


s: Majestic moved, that served him in the place


s: Of handmaids; young they seem'd, and seem'd alive,


s: Nor want they intellect, or speech, or force,


s: Or prompt dexterity by the Gods inspired.


s: These his supporters were, and at his side


s: Uncouth, approaching Thetis where she sat


s: On a bright throne, seized fast her hand and said,


s: And of all reverence, hast thou arrived,


s: Unfrequent here? Speak--tell me thy desire,


s: Then Thetis, weeping plenteously, replied.


s: Oh Vulcan! Is there on Olympius' heights


s: A Goddess with such load of sorrow press'd


s: Whose bed, although reluctant and perforce,


s: I yet endured to share. He now, the prey


s: Of cheerless age, decrepid lies, and Jove


s: Still other woes heaps on my wretched head.


s: He gave me to bring forth, gave me to rear


s: A son illustrious, valiant, and the chief


s: Upran to manhood, while his lusty growth


s: Set in a fruitful field, and being grown


s: Embark'd, to combat with the sons of Troy;


s: But him from fight return'd I shall receive,


s: And while he lives and on the sun his eyes


s: The virgin, his own portion of the spoils,


s: Atrides, King of men, resumed, and grief


s: Meantime, the Trojans shutting close within


s: Their camp the Grecians, have forbidden them


s: Have sought with splendid gifts to soothe my son.


s: From ruin, sent, instead, Patroclus forth,


s: Clad in his own resplendent armor, Chief


s: The Scæan gate from morn to eve they fought,


s: And on that self-same day had Ilium fallen,


s: Full-flush'd with victory. Therefore at thy knees


s: Suppliant I fall, imploring from thine art


s: A shield and helmet, greaves of shapely form


s: With clasps secured, and corselet for my son.


s: For those, once his, his faithful friend hath lost,


s: Slain by the Trojans, and Achilles lies,


s: Himself, extended mournful on the ground.


s: Her answer'd then the artist of the skies.


s: Courage! Perplex not with these cares thy soul.


s: I would that when his fatal hour shall come,


s: I could as sure secrete him from the stroke


s: Illustrious, such as each particular man


s: Of thousands, seeing them, shall wish his own.


s: He said, and to his bellows quick repair'd,


s: Which turning to the fire he bade them heave.


s: Breathed on the furnace, blowing easy and free


s: The managed winds, now forcible, as best


s: Suited dispatch, now gentle, if the will


s: He cast into the forge, then, settling firm


s: His ponderous anvil on the block, one hand


s: With his huge hammer fill'd, one with the tongs.


s: He fashion'd first a shield massy and broad


s: A triple border beauteous, dazzling bright,


s: And loop'd it with a silver brace behind.


s: The shield itself with five strong folds he forged,


s: Capacious charged, toiling with skill divine.


s: There he described the earth, the heaven, the sea,


s: The sun that rests not, and the moon full-orb'd.


s: There also, all the stars which round about


s: As with a radiant frontlet bind the skies,


s: The Pleiads and the Hyads, and the might


s: Known also by his popular name, the Wain,


s: That spins around the pole looking toward


s: To slake his beams in ocean's briny baths.


s: Two splendid cities also there he form'd


s: Such as men build. In one were to be seen


s: Of sumptuous banquets; from their chambers forth


s: Leading the brides they usher'd them along


s: With torches through the streets, and sweet was heard


s: Here striplings danced in circles to the sound


s: Of pipe and harp, while in the portals stood


s: The close-throng'd multitude. There strife arose.


s: The price of blood. This man affirm'd the fine


s: All paid, haranguing vehement the crowd,


s: That man denied that he had aught received,


s: Eager for their award. Meantime the people,


s: As favor sway'd them, clamor'd loud for each.


s: The heralds quell'd the tumult; reverend sat


s: On polish'd stones the elders in a ring,


s: Each with a herald's sceptre in his hand,


s: Which holding they arose, and all in turn


s: Gave sentence. In the midst two talents lay


s: Of gold, his destined recompense whose voice


s: Decisive should pronounce the best award.


s: Between the hosts, whether to burn the town


s: And lay all waste, or to divide the spoil.


s: Meantime, the citizens, still undismay'd,


s: Surrender'd not the town, but taking arms


s: And on the walls their wives and children kept


s: Vigilant guard, with all the ancient men.


s: They sallied; at their head Pallas and Mars


s: Advanced, proportion each showing divine,


s: Large, prominent, and such as Gods beseem'd.


s: Not such the people, but of humbler size.


s: A river's side, where cattle of each kind


s: Drank, down they sat, all arm'd in dazzling brass.


s: Two spies, both looking for the flocks and herds.


s: Soon they appear'd, and at their side were seen


s: Two shepherd swains, each playing on his pipe


s: Careless, and of the danger nought apprized,


s: Swift ran the spies, perceiving their approach,


s: And flocks of silver fleece, slew also those


s: Who fed them. The besiegers, at that time


s: In council, by the sound alarm'd, their steeds


s: Mounted, and hasted, instant, to the place;


s: Then, standing on the river's brink they fought


s: And push'd each other with the brazen lance.


s: There Discord raged, there Tumult, and the force


s: Seized newly wounded, and now captive held


s: Dragg'd breathless through the battle by his feet


s: And all her garb was dappled thick with blood


s: Like living men they traversed and they strove,


s: And dragg'd by turns the bodies of the slain.


s: Rich, spacious, and well-till'd. Plowers not few,


s: There driving to and fro their sturdy teams,


s: Labor'd the land; and oft as in their course


s: They came to the field's bourn, so oft a man


s: Met them, who in their hands a goblet placed


s: Charged with delicious wine. They, turning, wrought


s: Each his own furrow, and impatient seem'd


s: To reach the border of the tilth, which black


s: Appear'd behind them as a glebe new-turn'd,


s: Though golden. Sight to be admired by all!


s: There too he form'd the likeness of a field


s: Crowded with corn, in which the reapers toil'd


s: Each with a sharp-tooth'd sickle in his hand.


s: In frequent handfuls, there, they bound the sheaves.


s: Three binders of the sheaves their sultry task


s: All plied industrious, and behind them boys


s: Attended, filling with the corn their arms


s: And offering still their bundles to be bound.


s: Amid them, staff in hand, the master stood


s: New slain, and the attendant maidens mix'd


s: Large supper for the hinds of whitest flour.


s: There also, laden with its fruit he form'd


s: The clusters, and the vines supported stood


s: Fenced it with tin. One only path it show'd


s: By which the gatherers when they stripp'd the vines


s: Pass'd and repass'd. There, youths and maidens blithe


s: In frails of wicker bore the luscious fruit,


s: While, in the midst, a boy on his shrill harp


s: Harmonious play'd, still as he struck the chord


s: They smote the ground together, and with song


s: And sprightly reed came dancing on behind.


s: There too a herd he fashion'd of tall beeves


s: Part gold, part tin. They, lowing, from the stalls


s: Rapid, sonorous, fringed with whispering reeds.


s: Four golden herdsmen drove the kine a-field


s: By nine swift dogs attended. Dreadful sprang


s: Two lions forth, and of the foremost herd


s: Seized fast a bull. Him bellowing they dragg'd,


s: While dogs and peasants all flew to his aid.


s: The lions tore the hide of the huge prey


s: And lapp'd his entrails and his blood. Meantime


s: The herdsmen, troubling them in vain, their hounds


s: Encouraged; but no tooth for lions' flesh


s: Found they, and therefore stood aside and bark'd.


s: There also, the illustrious smith divine


s: Amidst a pleasant grove a pasture form'd


s: Spacious, and sprinkled o'er with silver sheep


s: Numerous, and stalls and huts and shepherds' tents.


s: To these the glorious artist added next,


s: A labyrinth for the dance, such as of old


s: In Crete's broad island Dædalus composed


s: For bright-hair'd Ariadne. There the youths


s: And youth-alluring maidens, hand in hand,


s: Danced jocund, every maiden neat-attired


s: In finest linen, and the youths in vests


s: These all wore garlands, and bright falchions, those,


s: Of burnish'd gold in silver trappings hung:--


s: They with well-tutor'd step, now nimbly ran


s: The circle, swift, as when, before his wheel


s: Seated, the potter twirls it with both hands


s: For trial of its speed, now, crossing quick


s: They pass'd at once into each other's place.


s: On either side spectators numerous stood


s: Delighted, and two tumblers roll'd themselves


s: Between the dancers, singing as they roll'd.


s: Last, with the might of ocean's boundless flood


s: He fill'd the border of the wondrous shield.


s: He forged, more ardent than the blaze of fire,


s: A corselet; then, a ponderous helmet bright


s: Well fitted to his brows, crested with gold,


s: The whole, he set it down at Thetis' feet.


s: Stoop'd of Olympus, bearing to the earth


s: The dazzling wonder, fresh from Vulcan's hand.


s: Now rose the morn in saffron vest attired


s: From ocean, with new day for Gods and men,


s: When Thetis at the fleet of Greece arrived,


s: Bearing that gift divine. She found her son


s: All tears, and close enfolding in his arms


s: Wept also; she amid them, graceful, stood,


s: And seizing fast his hand, him thus bespake.


s: Although our loss be great, yet, oh my son!


s: To which the Gods ordain'd him from the first.


s: Receive from Vulcan's hands these glorious arms,


s: So saying, she placed the armor on the ground


s: Before him, and the whole bright treasure rang.


s: A tremor shook the Myrmidons; none dared


s: Look on it, but all fled. Not so himself.


s: In him fresh vengeance kindled at the view,


s: And, while he gazed, a splendor as of fire


s: Flash'd from his eyes. Delighted, in his hand


s: And, wondering at those strokes of art divine,


s: His eager speech thus to his mother turn'd.


s: The God, my mother! hath bestow'd in truth


s: Like his, surpassing far all power of man.


s: Now, therefore, I will arm. But anxious fears


s: Trouble me, lest intrusive flies, meantime,


s: Breed worms within the spear-inflicted wounds


s: Of putrefaction his whole breathless form.


s: Thus answer'd. Oh, my son! chase from thy mind


s: To drive the noisome swarms which on the slain


s: The year complete, his flesh shall yet be found


s: Untainted, and, it may be, fragrant too.


s: Convening, in their ears thy wrath renounce


s: Against the King of men, then, instant, arm


s: For battle, and put on thy glorious might.


s: So saying, the Goddess raised his courage high.


s: Then, through the nostrils of the dead she pour'd


s: Constant abode, helmsmen and those who held


s: In stewardship the food and public stores,


s: All flock'd to council, for that now at length


s: After long abstinence from dread exploits


s: Of war, Achilles had once more appear'd.


s: Two went together, halting on the spear,


s: (For still they felt the anguish of their wounds)


s: And took an early seat; whom follow'd last


s: The Grecians all assembled, in the midst


s: Both thou and I, thus doing, when at first


s: With cruel rage we burn'd, a girl the cause.


s: I would that Dian's shaft had in the fleet


s: Slain her that self-same day when I destroy'd


s: Lyrnessus, and by conquest made her mine!


s: Then had not many a Grecian, lifeless now,


s: Clench'd with his teeth the ground, victim, alas!


s: Of my revenge; whence triumph hath accrued


s: To Hector and his host, while ours have cause


s: For long remembrance of our mutual strife.


s: But evils past let pass, yielding perforce


s: Now; I resign it; it hath burn'd too long.


s: Thou therefore summon forth the host to fight,


s: That I may learn meeting them in the field,


s: If still the Trojans purpose at our fleet


s: To watch us this night also. But I judge


s: That driven by my spear to rapid flight,


s: They shall escape with weary limbs at least.


s: He ended, and the Grecians brazen-greaved


s: Rejoiced that Peleus' mighty son had cast


s: His wrath aside. Then not into the midst


s: Proceeding, but at his own seat, upstood


s: Friends! Grecian heroes! Ministers of Mars!


s: Arise who may to speak, he claims your ear;


s: All interruption wrongs him, and distracts,


s: Howe'er expert the speaker. Who can hear


s: The clearest voice, best utterance, both are vain


s: I shall address Achilles. Hear my speech


s: Ye Argives, and with understanding mark.


s: I hear not now the voice of your reproach


s: First; ye have oft condemn'd me. Yet the blame


s: Rests not with me; Jove, Destiny, and she


s: Who roams the shades, Erynnis, caused the offence.


s: She fill'd my soul with fury on that day


s: In council, when I seized Achilles' prize.


s: For what could I? All things obey the Gods.


s: Ate, pernicious Power, daughter of Jove,


s: Reverence and fear. Delicate are her feet


s: Which scorn the ground, and over human heads


s: She glides, injurious to the race of man,


s: Of two who strive, at least entangling one.


s: She injured, on a day, dread Jove himself


s: Most excellent of all in earth or heaven,


s: When Juno, although female, him deceived,


s: What time Alcmena should have brought to light


s: In bulwark'd Thebes the force of Hercules.


s: Then Jove, among the gods glorying, spake.


s: Hear all! both Gods and Goddesses, attend!


s: That I may make my purpose known. This day


s: An hero forth to light, who, sprung from those


s: That sprang from me, his empire shall extend


s: Thou wilt be found false, and this word of thine


s: Shall want performance. But Olympian Jove!


s: Who shall, this day, fall from between the feet


s: Of woman, drawing his descent from thee,


s: Shall rule all kingdoms bordering on his own.


s: She said, and Jove, suspecting nought her wiles,


s: The great oath swore, to his own grief and wrong.


s: There sought the noble wife of Sthenelus,


s: Offspring of Perseus. Pregnant with a son


s: Six months, she now the seventh saw at hand,


s: And check'd Alcmena's pangs already due.


s: Then joyful to have so prevail'd, she bore


s: Lord of the candent lightnings! Sire of all!