s: O why should the spirit of mortal be proud?


s: Much have I travelled in the realms of gold,


s: And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;


s: That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne:


s: Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:


s: Then felt I like some watcher of the skies


s: Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes


s: He stared at the Pacific--and all his men


s: Look'd at each other with a wild surmise--


s: On the sea and at the Hogue, sixteen hundred ninety-two,


s: Did the English fight the French--woe to France!


s: And, the thirty-first of May, helter-skelter through the blue,


s: Like a crowd of frightened porpoises a shoal of sharks pursue,


s: Came crowding ship on ship to St. Malo on the Rance,


s: 'Twas the squadron that escaped, with the victor in full chase,


s: First and foremost of the drove, in his great ship, Damfreville;


s: Then the pilots of the place put out brisk and leaped on board:


s: "Why, what hope or chance have ships like these to pass?"


s: "Rocks to starboard, rocks to port, all the passage scarred


s: Shall the _Formidable_ here, with her twelve and eighty guns,


s: Think to make the river-mouth by the single narrow way,


s: Trust to enter where 'tis ticklish for a craft of twenty tons.


s: "Here's the English at our heels; would you have them take in tow


s: Shove ashore, then blow up, burn the vessels on the beach!


s: For up stood, for out stepped, for in struck amid all these--


s: A captain? A lieutenant? A mate--first, second, third?


s: But a simple Breton sailor pressed by Tourville for the fleet--


s: A poor coasting pilot he, Hervé Riel, the Croisiekese.


s: And "What mockery or malice have we here?" cries Hervé Riel:


s: "Are you mad, you Malouins? Are you cowards, fools, or rogues?


s: Talk to me of rocks and shoals, me who took the soundings, tell


s: On my fingers every bank, every shallow, every swell,


s: 'Twixt the offing here and Grève where the river disembogues?


s: Are you bought by English gold? Is it love the lying's for?


s: Entered free and anchored fast at the foot of Solidor.


s: And I lead them, most and least, by a passage I know well,


s: Not a ship that misbehaves, not a keel that grates the ground,


s: And just as Hervé Riel hollas "Anchor!"--sure as fate,


s: Hearts that bled are stanched with balm,


s: 'Neath rampired Solidor pleasant riding on the Rance!"


s: How hope succeeds despair on each Captain's countenance!


s: Ask to heart's content and have! or my name's not Damfreville."


s: And from Malo Roads to Croisic Point, what is it but a run?--


s: Leave to go and see my wife, whom I call the Belle Aurore!"


s: That he asked and that he got,--nothing more.


s: In his Croisic keeps alive the feat as it befell;


s: In memory of the man but for whom had gone to wrack


s: You shall look long enough ere you come to Hervé Riel.


s: In my verse, Hervé Riel, do thou once more


s: Save the squadron, honour France, love thy wife the Belle Aurore!


s: Fall like sweet strains, or pensive smiles:


s: And groined the aisles of Christian Rome


s: Knowst thou what wove yon woodbird's nest


s: And the same power that reared the shrine


s: Girds with one flame the countless host,


s: Trances the heart through chanting choirs,


s: And through the priest the mind inspires.


s: 'Tis a proud free people calling loud to a people proud and free.


s: Now let us have done with a worn-out tale--


s: And our friendship last long as our love doth and be stronger


s: Answer them, sons of the self-same race,


s: Let us speak with each other face to face


s: And loyally love and trust each other as none but free men can.


s: And the Star-spangled Banner unfurl with these--


s: The throne of the tyrant shall rock and quake,


s: For you are lords of a strong land and we are lords of the main.


s: Yes, this is the voice of the bluff March gale;


s: But now we have done with a worn-out tale--


s: And our friendship last long as love doth last and stronger


s: Winds of the World, give answer? They are whimpering to and fro--


s: The poor little street-bred people that vapour and fume and brag,


s: Must we borrow a clout from the Boer--to plaster anew with dirt?


s: An Irish liar's bandage, or an English coward's shirt?


s: We may not speak of England; her Flag's to sell or share.


s: What is the Flag of England? Winds of the World, declare!


s: The North Wind blew:--"From Bergen my steel-shod van-guards go;


s: I chase your lazy whalers home from the Disko floe;


s: By the great North Lights above me I work the will of God,


s: "I barred my gates with iron, I shuttered my doors with flame,


s: Because to force my ramparts your nutshell navies came;


s: "The lean white bear hath seen it in the long, long Arctic night,


s: What is the Flag of England? Ye have but my bergs to dare,


s: Ye have but my drifts to conquer. Go forth, for it is there!"


s: Where the sea-egg flames on the coral and the long-backed


s: Their endless ocean legends to the lazy, locked lagoon.


s: "Strayed amid lonely islets, mazed amid outer keys,


s: I waked the palms to laughter--I tossed the scud in the breeze--


s: Never was isle so little, never was sea so lone,


s: But over the scud and the palm-trees an English flag was flown.


s: "I have wrenched it free from the halliard to hang for a wisp


s: "My basking sunfish know it, and wheeling albatross,


s: Where the lone wave fills with fire beneath the Southern Cross.


s: What is the Flag of England? Ye have but my reefs to dare,


s: Ye have but my seas to furrow. Go forth, for it is there!"


s: Look--look well to your shipping! By the breath of my mad typhoon


s: "The reeling junks behind me and the racing seas before,


s: I raped your richest roadstead--I plundered Singapore!


s: I set my hand on the Hoogli; as a hooded snake she rose,


s: "Never the lotos closes, never the wild-fowl wake,


s: Because on the bones of the English the English Flag is stayed.


s: "The desert-dust hath dimmed it, the flying wild-ass knows.


s: The scared white leopard winds it across the taintless snows.


s: What is the Flag of England? Ye have but my sun to dare,


s: Ye have but my sands to travel. Go forth, for it is there!"


s: The West Wind called:--"In squadrons the thoughtless galleons fly


s: They make my might their porter, they make my house their path,


s: "I draw the gliding fog-bank as a snake is drawn from the hole;


s: They bellow one to the other, the frightened ship-bells toll,


s: "But whether in calm or wrack-wreath, whether by dark or day,


s: I heave them whole to the conger or rip their plates away,


s: First of the scattered legions, under a shrieking sky,


s: Dipping between the rollers, the English Flag goes by.


s: What is the Flag of England? Ye have but my breath to dare,


s: Ye have but my waves to conquer. Go forth, for it is there!"


s: "The Man With the Hoe" is purely an American product, and every


s: God made man in His own image, in the image of God made He


s: Bowed by the weight of centuries he leans


s: And on his back the burden of the world.


s: Who made him dead to rapture and despair,


s: A thing that grieves not and that never hopes,


s: Stolid and stunned, a brother to the ox?


s: Who loosened and let down this brutal jaw?


s: Whose was the hand that slanted back this brow?


s: Whose breath blew out the light within this brain?


s: Is this the Thing the Lord God made and gave


s: To trace the stars and search the heavens for power;


s: Is this the Dream He dreamed who shaped the suns


s: And marked their ways upon the ancient deep?


s: Down all the stretch of Hell to its last gulf


s: There is no shape more terrible than this--


s: More tongued with censure of the world's blind greed--


s: More filled with signs and portents for the soul--


s: More fraught with menace to the universe.


s: What gulfs between him and the seraphim!


s: Slave of the wheel of labour, what to him


s: What the long reaches of the peaks of song,


s: The rift of dawn, the reddening of the rose?


s: Through this dread shape the suffering ages look;


s: Through this dread shape humanity betrayed,


s: Cries protest to the Judges of the World,


s: O masters, lords, and rulers in all lands,


s: This monstrous thing distorted and soul-quenched?


s: How will you ever straighten up this shape;


s: Give back the upward looking and the light;


s: How will the future reckon with this Man?


s: How answer his brute question in that hour


s: When whirlwinds of rebellion shake the world?


s: How will it be with kingdoms and with kings--


s: With those who shaped him to the thing he is--


s: "The Song of Myself" is one of Walt Whitman's (1819-92) most


s: For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.


s: I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.


s: I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,


s: I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard,


s: Nature without check with original energy.


s: Have you reckoned a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the


s: Have you practised so long to learn to read?


s: Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?


s: Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin


s: You shall possess the good of the earth and sun (there are


s: You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look


s: Or, I guess it is the handkerchief of the Lord,


s: A scented gift and remembrance designedly dropt,


s: Bearing the owner's name some way in the corners,


s: Alone far in the wilds and mountains I hunt,


s: Wandering amazed at my own lightness and glee,


s: In the late afternoon choosing a safe spot to pass the night,


s: Kindling a fire and broiling the fresh-kill'd game,


s: The boatman and clam-diggers arose early and stopt for me,


s: The runaway slave came to my house and stopt outside,


s: I heard his motions crackling the twigs of the woodpile,


s: And brought water and fill'd a tub for his sweated body and


s: And gave him a room that entered from my own, and gave him some


s: I am the poet of the woman the same as the man,


s: And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a man,


s: And I say there is nothing greater than the mother of men.


s: I understand the large hearts of heroes,


s: The courage of present times and all times,


s: How he saved the drifting company at last,


s: How the lank loose-gown'd women looked when boated from the side


s: How the silent old-faced infants and the lifted sick, and the


s: I am the hounded slave, I wince at the bite of the dogs,


s: Hell and despair are upon me, crack and again crack the marksmen,


s: The riders spur their unwilling horses, haul close,


s: Taunt my dizzy ears and beat me violently over the head with


s: See ever so far, there is limitless space outside of that,


s: Count ever so much, there is limitless time around that.


s: My rendezvous is appointed, it is certain,


s: The Lord will be there and wait till I come on perfect terms.


s: The great Camerado, the lover true for whom I pine will be there.


s: And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own


s: And to glance with an eye or show a bean in its pod confounds


s: And there is no trade or employment but the young man following


s: And there is no object so soft but it makes a hub for the wheel'd


s: I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each


s: In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in


s: I find letters from God dropt in the street, and every one is


s: Listener up there! What have you to confide in me?


s: Look in my face while I snuff the sidle of evening.


s: (Talk honestly, no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute


s: Who has done his day's work? Who will soonest be through with


s: I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,


s: I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.


s: Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849,


s: in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the


s: I have no contest with my predecessor. None is supposable between


s: Accustomed always to rhyme, he had formed to himself an ear which


s: There is indisputably a wide difference between the case of an


s: surrender it willingly even to the plea of necessity. Fidelity is


s: woman, give her more or fewer features than belong to her, and a


s: alleviation of judgment to add, that my limping lines are not


s: Having mentioned Milton, I cannot but add an observation on the


s: therefore, to throw five balls into the air and to catch them in


s: composer with most expense of study and contrivance. I feel it


s: unpleasant to appeal to my own experience, but, having no other


s: My chief boast is that I have adhered closely to my original,


s: In the affair of style, I have endeavored neither to creep nor to


s: variety of solutions, I have ever exercised my best judgment, and


s: rings, staples, and even the tying of the knots that kept all


s: But in what degree I have succeeded in my version either of these


s: truth, were it possible that mere man could entitle himself by


s: I have obligations likewise to many friends, whose names, were it


s: innocent luxury that I have enjoyed, as a translator of HOMER.


s: should yet have no cause to account myself in a singular degree


s: Similar to this is the objection which proscribes absolutely the


s: harshness, and the open vowel a vacuity equally inconvenient.


s: moments of my life, it might be that which introduced me to the


s: L. 429.                               that the nave


s: Of thy neat wheel seem e'en to grind upon it.


s: L. 865.   As when (the north wind freshening) near the bank


s: Up springs a fish in air, then falls again


s: L. 1018.  Thenceforth Tydides o'er his ample shield


s: Aim'd and still aim'd to pierce him in the neck.


s: Tydides, in return, with spear high-poised


s: O'er the broad shield, aim'd ever at his neck,


s: Then Tydeus' son, with spear high-poised above


s: The ample shield, stood aiming at his neck.


s: published by the Editor above mentioned, with illustrative and


s: Such was the prelude to the last revisal, which, in the month of


s: As the spring that succeeded was a happier spring, so it led to a


s: O'er the green summit of the" cliffs, "whose base


s: inscribed himself, with some little variation, on a bust of his


s: {Ôs te patêr ô paidi, kai oupote lêsomai aute.}


s: B.C.V. are respectively found in the editions of Homer by Barnes,


s: life,--ought not to be superseded by a revisal, or rather


s: reconstruction, which was undertaken three years before his


s: death,--not like the first translation as "a pleasant work, an


s: In the addition of notes I have availed myself of the learning of


s: His wrath pernicious, who ten thousand woes


s: Caused to Achaia's host, sent many a soul


s: And Heroes gave (so stood the will of Jove)


s: To dogs and to all ravening fowls a prey,


s: Who them to strife impell'd? What power divine?


s: Latona's son and Jove's. For he, incensed


s: Against the King, a foul contagion raised


s: In all the host, and multitudes destroy'd,


s: For that the son of Atreus had his priest


s: Dishonored, Chryses. To the fleet he came


s: His daughter, and his hands charged with the wreath


s: And golden sceptre of the God shaft-arm'd.


s: The host of Greece, but most of all to two,


s: Ye gallant Chiefs, and ye their gallant host,


s: Give Priam's treasures to you for a spoil


s: The priest, and to accept the bounteous price;


s: But so it pleased not Atreus' mighty son,


s: Who with rude threatenings stern him thence dismiss'd.


s: Beware, old man! that at these hollow barks


s: I find thee not now lingering, or henceforth


s: And his bright sceptre should avail thee nought.


s: I will not loose thy daughter, till old age


s: Steal on her. From her native country far,


s: The loom, and shall be partner of my bed.


s: Move me no more. Begone; hence while thou may'st.


s: He spake, the old priest trembled and obey'd.


s: Forlorn he roamed the ocean's sounding shore,


s: And, solitary, with much prayer his King


s: Bright-hair'd Latona's son, Phoebus, implored.


s: God of the silver bow, who with thy power


s: Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign'st supreme


s: Thy beauteous fane, or on the altar burn'd


s: Grant my petition. With thy shafts avenge


s: On the Achaian host thy servant's tears.


s: Such prayer he made, and it was heard. The God,


s: And his full quiver o'er his shoulder slung,


s: Marched in his anger; shaken as he moved


s: His rattling arrows told of his approach.


s: Gloomy he came as night; sat from the ships


s: Apart, and sent an arrow. Clang'd the cord


s: Dread-sounding, bounding on the silver bow.


s: Mules first and dogs he struck, but at themselves


s: Dispatching soon his bitter arrows keen,


s: Smote them. Death-piles on all sides always blazed.


s: Nine days throughout the camp his arrows flew;


s: The tenth, Achilles from all parts convened


s: The host in council. Juno the white-armed


s: Moved at the sight of Grecians all around


s: Dying, imparted to his mind the thought.


s: The full assembly, therefore, now convened,


s: Atrides! Now, it seems, no course remains


s: For us, but that the seas roaming again,


s: We hence return; at least if we survive;


s: But haste, consult we quick some prophet here


s: Or priest, or even interpreter of dreams,


s: (For dreams are also of Jove,) that we may learn


s: By what crime we have thus incensed Apollo,


s: He charges on us, and if soothed with steam


s: Of lambs or goats unblemish'd, he may yet


s: Be won to spare us, and avert the plague.


s: He spake and sat, when Thestor's son arose


s: Who all things, present, past, and future knew,


s: Conferred by Phoebus on him, had advanced


s: Jove-loved Achilles! Wouldst thou learn from me


s: What cause hath moved Apollo to this wrath,


s: The shaft-arm'd King? I shall divulge the cause.


s: But thou, swear first and covenant on thy part


s: That speaking, acting, thou wilt stand prepared


s: Or he who rules the Argives, the supreme


s: O'er all Achaia's host, will be incensed.


s: Wo to the man who shall provoke the King


s: For if, to-day, he smother close his wrath,


s: He harbors still the vengeance, and in time


s: Performs it. Answer, therefore, wilt thou save me?


s: To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.


s: What thou hast learn'd in secret from the God


s: That speak, and boldly. By the son of Jove,


s: Apollo, whom thou, Calchas, seek'st in prayer


s: The Grecian lives not, who while I shall breathe,


s: And see the light of day, shall in this camp


s: Then was the seer embolden'd, and he spake.


s: He charges, but the wrong done to his priest


s: His daughter's freedom, and his gifts refused.


s: Afflicts and will afflict us, neither end


s: Granting, 'till unredeem'd, no price required,


s: The black-eyed maid be to her father sent,


s: Then, not before, the God may be appeased.


s: He spake and sat; when Atreus' son arose,


s: Tempests of black resentment overcharged


s: His heart, and indignation fired his eyes.


s: On Calchas lowering, him he first address'd.


s: Prophet of mischief! from whose tongue no note


s: Of grateful sound to me, was ever heard;


s: Ill tidings are thy joy, and tidings glad


s: Thou tell'st not, or thy words come not to pass.


s: Divulging, thou pretend'st the Archer-God


s: For his priest's sake, our enemy, because


s: I scorn'd his offer'd ransom of the maid


s: Her to my home, for that she charms me more


s: Than Clytemnestra, my own first espoused,


s: With whom, in disposition, feature, form,


s: Accomplishments, she may be well compared.


s: Yet, being such, I will return her hence


s: But let the people of my charge be saved


s: And seek it instant. It were much unmeet


s: Should want due recompense, whose former prize


s: Is elsewhere destined, as ye all perceive.


s: To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.


s: And as intent on gain as thou art great,


s: Whence shall the Grecians give a prize to thee?


s: The general stock is poor; the spoil of towns


s: Which we have taken, hath already passed


s: But send thou back this Virgin to her God,


s: And when Jove's favor shall have given us Troy,


s: A threefold, fourfold share shall then be thine.


s: To whom the Sovereign of the host replied.


s: Wouldst thou be subtle too? But me no fraud


s: Shall overreach, or art persuade, of thine.


s: Wouldst thou, that thou be recompensed, and I


s: And didst thou bid me yield her? Let the bold


s: Such as may please me, and it shall be well.


s: Else, if they give me none, I will command


s: Thy prize, the prize of Ajax, or the prize


s: And let the loser chafe. But this concern


s: Come--launch we now into the sacred deep


s: Then put on board Chrysëis, and with her


s: And seek by rites of sacrifice and prayer


s: Achilles eyed him with a frown, and spake.


s: Ah! clothed with impudence as with a cloak,


s: And full of subtlety, who, thinkest thou--


s: What Grecian here will serve thee, or for thee


s: Wage covert war, or open? Me thou know'st,


s: Troy never wronged; I came not to avenge


s: My pastures, steeds or oxen took of mine,


s: Or plunder'd of their fruits the golden fields


s: Of Phthia the deep-soil'd. She lies remote,


s: Vale-darkening mountains, and the dashing sea.


s: No, Shameless Wolf! For thy good pleasure's sake


s: We came, and, Face of flint! to avenge the wrongs


s: And now--What now? Thy threatening is to seize


s: My prize hard-earn'd, by common suffrage mine.


s: We ransack, half thy booty. The swift march


s: And furious onset--these I largely reap,


s: Mine far; while I, with any pittance pleased,


s: (My wiser course) to Phthia, and I judge,


s: Scorn'd as I am, that thou shalt hardly glean


s: Without me, more than thou shalt soon consume.


s: Fly, and fly now; if in thy soul thou feel


s: I woo thee not to stay; stay not an hour


s: All-judging Jove. There is not in the host


s: For all thy pleasure is in strife and blood,


s: And at all times; yet valor is no ground


s: Whereon to boast, it is the gift of Heaven


s: Go, get ye back to Phthia, thou and thine!


s: There rule thy Myrmidons. I need not thee,


s: Nor heed thy wrath a jot. But this I say,


s: In mine own bark, and with my proper crew,


s: So shalt thou well be taught, how high in power


s: I soar above thy pitch, and none shall dare


s: Attempt, thenceforth, comparison with me.


s: Throbbed of Achilles; racking doubt ensued


s: And sore perplex'd him, whether forcing wide


s: A passage through them, with his blade unsheathed


s: Stood drawing forth his falchion huge; when lo!


s: Were dear, and who alike watched over both,


s: And seized his golden locks. Startled, he turned,


s: And instant knew Minerva. Flashed her eyes


s: Of haste, incontinent he questioned thus.


s: Daughter of Jove, why comest thou? that thyself


s: May'st witness these affronts which I endure


s: This moment, for his arrogance, he dies.


s: To whom the blue-eyed Deity. From heaven


s: Mine errand is, to sooth, if thou wilt hear,


s: To him and thee propitious, bade me down:


s: Restrain thy wrath. Draw not thy falchion forth.


s: Retort, and sharply, and let that suffice.


s: For I foretell thee true. Thou shalt receive,


s: Some future day, thrice told, thy present loss


s: For this day's wrong. Cease, therefore, and be still.


s: To whom Achilles. Goddess, although much


s: Who hears the Gods, the Gods hear also him.


s: He said; and on his silver hilt the force


s: Of his broad hand impressing, sent the blade


s: Home to its rest, nor would the counsel scorn


s: Of Pallas. She to heaven well-pleased return'd,


s: Arriving, mingled with her kindred Gods.


s: But though from violence, yet not from words


s: Abstained Achilles, but with bitter taunt


s: Oh charged with wine, in steadfastness of face


s: Thou never, when the troops have taken arms,


s: Hast dared to take thine also; never thou


s: Doubtless the course is safer far, to range


s: Our numerous host, and if a man have dared


s: Dispute thy will, to rob him of his prize.


s: Whom therefore thou devourest; else themselves


s: Would stop that mouth that it should scoff no more.


s: But hearken. I shall swear a solemn oath.


s: By this same sceptre, which shall never bud,


s: Nor boughs bring forth as once, which having left


s: Its stock on the high mountains, at what time


s: The woodman's axe lopped off its foliage green,


s: And stript its bark, shall never grow again;


s: Who under Jove, stand guardians of the laws,


s: By this I swear (mark thou the sacred oath)


s: Time shall be, when Achilles shall be missed;


s: When all shall want him, and thyself the power


s: To help the Achaians, whatsoe'er thy will;


s: When Hector at your heels shall mow you down:


s: The Hero-slaughtering Hector! Then thy soul,


s: Vexation-stung, shall tear thee with remorse,


s: That thou hast scorn'd, as he were nothing worth,


s: A Chief, the soul and bulwark of your cause.


s: So saying, he cast his sceptre on the ground


s: Studded with gold, and sat. On the other side


s: The son of Atreus all impassion'd stood,


s: Dropped eloquence--the honey not so sweet.


s: He govern'd now the third--amid them all


s: Ah! what calamity hath fall'n on Greece!


s: Now all in Ilium shall have joy of heart


s: Abundant, hearing of this broil, the prime


s: Of Greece between, in council and in arms.


s: With Princes your superiors, yet from them


s: Brave Chiefs they were, and with brave foes they fought,


s: With the rude dwellers on the mountain-heights


s: The Centaurs, whom with havoc such as fame


s: Shall never cease to celebrate, they slew.


s: With these men I consorted erst, what time


s: From Pylus, though a land from theirs remote,


s: They called me forth, and such as was my strength,


s: With all that strength I served them. Who is he?


s: What Prince or Chief of the degenerate race


s: Now seen on earth who might with these compare?


s: Which hear ye also; for compliance proves


s: Oft times the safer and the manlier course.


s: Seize not the maid, his portion from the Greeks,


s: But leave her his; nor thou, Achilles, strive


s: Say thou art stronger, and art Goddess-born,


s: And he is Lord of thousands more than thou.


s: Cease, therefore, Agamemnon; calm thy wrath;


s: To whom the sovereign of the Greeks replied,


s: The son of Atreus. Thou hast spoken well,


s: Old Chief, and wisely. But this wrangler here--


s: Nought will suffice him but the highest place:


s: Dictate to all; but he shall find at least


s: One here, disposed to question his commands.


s: If the eternal Gods have made him brave,


s: Well might they call me coward through the camp,


s: Give law to others. Think not to control


s: Me, subject to thy proud commands no more.


s: Hear yet again! And weigh what thou shalt hear.


s: I will not strive with thee in such a cause,


s: For her, whom having given, ye take away.


s: But I have other precious things on board;


s: Of those take none away without my leave.


s: Or if it please thee, put me to the proof


s: Before this whole assembly, and my spear


s: Shall stream that moment, purpled with thy blood.


s: Thus they long time in opposition fierce


s: Maintained the war of words; and now, at length,


s: (The grand consult dissolved,) Achilles walked


s: Attending) to his camp and to his fleet.


s: A swift one, manned with twice ten lusty rowers;


s: He sent on board the Hecatomb: he placed


s: Chrysëis with the blooming cheeks, himself,


s: And to Ulysses gave the freight in charge.


s: So all embarked, and plow'd their watery way.


s: Whole Hecatombs of bulls and goats, whose steam


s: Slowly in smoky volumes climbed the skies.


s: Thus was the camp employed; nor ceased the while


s: The son of Atreus from his threats denounced


s: Haste--Seek ye both the tent of Peleus' son


s: Achilles. Thence lead hither by the hand


s: Will take in person--He shall rue the hour.


s: With such harsh message charged he them dismissed


s: They, sad and slow, beside the barren waste


s: Moved of the Myrmidons. Him there they found


s: Beneath the shadow of his bark reclined,


s: Nor glad at their approach. Trembling they stood,


s: In presence of the royal Chief, awe-struck,


s: Nor questioned him or spake. He not the less


s: Knew well their embassy, and thus began.


s: Hail, and draw near! I bid you welcome both.


s: Who sends you to conduct the damsel hence


s: Brisëis. Go, Patroclus, generous friend!


s: Lead forth, and to their guidance give the maid.


s: The blessed Gods, before mankind, before


s: The ruthless king, should want of me be felt


s: To save the host from havoc--Oh, his thoughts


s: Forecast or retrospect, how best the camp


s: May be secured from inroad, none hath he.


s: Into their guidance gave her; loth she went


s: From whom she loved, and looking oft behind.


s: And arms outstretch'd, his mother suppliant sought.


s: Since, mother, though ordain'd so soon to die,


s: Some honor at the Thunderer's hands, but none


s: Of the Achaians, hath himself disgraced,


s: So prayed he weeping, whom his mother heard


s: Beside her ancient sire. From the gray flood


s: Sat down before him, stroked his face, and said.


s: Why weeps my son? and what is thy distress?


s: To whom Achilles, sighing deep, replied.


s: Why tell thee woes to thee already known?


s: Smote, sack'd it, and brought all the spoil away.


s: Just distribution made among the Greeks,


s: That he might loose his daughter. Ransom rich


s: He brought, and in his hands the hallow'd wreath


s: Apollo, bore; to the whole Grecian host,


s: He sued, the sons of Atreus; then, the rest


s: And prompt acceptance of his costly gifts.


s: Who gave him rude dismission; he in wrath


s: Returning, prayed, whose prayer Apollo heard,


s: For much he loved him. A pestiferous shaft


s: And heap'd the people died. His arrows swept


s: The whole wide camp of Greece, 'till at the last


s: A Seer, by Phoebus taught, explain'd the cause.


s: Vengeance, and hath fulfilled it. She, in truth,


s: Shaft-arm'd Apollo. But my beauteous prize


s: But thou, wherein thou canst, aid thy own son!


s: Haste hence to Heaven, and if thy word or deed


s: With earnest suit press him on my behalf.


s: Have heard thee boasting, how when once the Gods,


s: With Juno, Neptune, Pallas at their head,


s: Conspired to bind the Thunderer, thou didst loose


s: His bands, O Goddess! calling to his aid


s: For he in prowess and in might surpassed


s: His father Neptune, who, enthroned sublime,


s: Elate with glory and joy. Him all the Gods


s: Fearing from that bold enterprise abstained.


s: Now, therefore, of these things reminding Jove,


s: Embrace his knees; entreat him that he give


s: The host of Troy his succor, and shut fast


s: The routed Grecians, prisoners in the fleet,


s: That all may find much solace in their King,


s: And that the mighty sovereign o'er them all,


s: His rashness, who hath thus dishonor'd foul


s: The life itself, and bulwark of his cause.


s: To him, with streaming eyes, Thetis replied.


s: Born as thou wast to sorrow, ah, my son!


s: Why have I rear'd thee! Would that without tears,


s: Or cause for tears (transient as is thy life,


s: A little span) thy days might pass at Troy!


s: But short and sorrowful the fates ordain


s: Thy life, peculiar trouble must be thine,


s: Whom, therefore, oh that I had never borne!


s: But seeking the Olympian hill snow-crown'd,


s: Of Jove, the Thunderer. Meantime at thy fleet


s: Abiding, let thy wrath against the Greeks


s: Still burn, and altogether cease from war.


s: He journey'd yesterday, with whom the Gods


s: Went also, and the twelfth day brings them home.


s: Then will I to his brazen-floor'd abode,


s: That I may clasp his knees, and much misdeem


s: Of my endeavor, or my prayer shall speed.


s: So saying, she went; but him she left enraged


s: For fair Brisëis' sake, forced from his arms


s: By stress of power. Meantime Ulysses came


s: Arrived within the haven deep, their sails


s: Furling, they stowed them in the bark below.


s: Then by its tackle lowering swift the mast


s: Into its crutch, they briskly push'd to land,


s: Heaved anchors out, and moor'd the vessel fast.


s: Forth came the mariners, and trod the beach;


s: Of her own father, and him thus address'd.


s: Hath sent thy daughter home, with whom we bring


s: By whose dread shafts the Argives now expire.


s: So saying, he gave her to him, who with joy


s: Received his daughter. Then, before the shrine


s: The noble Hecatomb. Each laved his hands


s: And took the salted meal, and Chryses made


s: His fervent prayer with hands upraised on high.


s: God of the silver bow, who with thy power


s: Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign'st supreme


s: Thou prov'dst propitious to my first request,


s: Hast honor'd me, and punish'd sore the Greeks;


s: Hear yet thy servant's prayer; take from their host


s: So Chryses prayed, whom Phoebus heard well-pleased;


s: Then prayed the Grecians also, and with meal


s: Sprinkling the victims, their retracted necks


s: First pierced, then flay'd them; the disjointed thighs


s: They, next, invested with the double caul,


s: Which with crude slices thin they overspread.


s: The priest burned incense, and libation poured


s: Large on the hissing brands, while, him beside,


s: Busy with spit and prong, stood many a youth


s: Trained to the task. The thighs with fire consumed,


s: They gave to each his portion of the maw,


s: Then slashed the remnant, pierced it with the spits,


s: The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.


s: Their whole task thus accomplish'd, and the board


s: Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed.


s: When neither hunger more nor thirst remained


s: Unsatisfied, boys crown'd the beakers high


s: With wine delicious, and from right to left


s: Distributing the cups, served every guest.


s: Thenceforth the youths of the Achaian race


s: Chaunting melodious. Pleased, Apollo heard.


s: But, when, the sun descending, darkness fell,


s: They on the beach beside their hawsers slept;


s: And, when the day-spring's daughter rosy-palm'd


s: Aurora look'd abroad, then back they steer'd


s: To the vast camp. Fair wind, and blowing fresh,


s: Apollo sent them; quick they rear'd the mast,


s: Then spread the unsullied canvas to the gale,


s: And the wind filled it. Roared the sable flood


s: Dash'd wide the brine, and scudded swift away.


s: Thus reaching soon the spacious camp of Greece,


s: Their galley they updrew sheer o'er the sands


s: From the rude surge remote, then propp'd her sides


s: With scantlings long, and sought their several tents.


s: But Peleus' noble son, the speed-renown'd


s: Achilles, he, his well-built bark beside,


s: Consumed his hours, nor would in council more,


s: Where wise men win distinction, or in fight


s: Appear, to sorrow and heart-withering wo


s: Abandon'd; though for battle, ardent, still


s: He panted, and the shout-resounding field.


s: But when the twelfth fair morrow streak'd the East,


s: Resorted, with the Thunderer at their head,


s: Prom the salt flood emerged, seeking betimes


s: Olympus and the boundless fields of heaven.


s: Of the deep-fork'd Olympian she perceived


s: The Thunderer seated, from the Gods apart.


s: She sat before him, clasp'd with her left hand


s: His knees, her right beneath his chin she placed,


s: And thus the King, Saturnian Jove, implored.


s: Or said that ever pleased thee, grant my suit.


s: Beyond the lot of others. Him with shame


s: The King of men hath overwhelm'd, by force


s: Usurping his just meed; thou, therefore, Jove,


s: Shall yield him honor more than he hath lost!


s: She spake, to whom the Thunderer nought replied,


s: But silent sat long time. She, as her hand


s: Had grown there, still importunate, his knees


s: Clasp'd as at first, and thus her suit renew'd.


s: Or grant my prayer, and ratify the grant,


s: Or send me hence (for thou hast none to fear)


s: Plainly refused; that I may know and feel


s: By how much I am least of all in heaven.


s: Spake, deep-distress'd. Hard task and full of strife


s: Thou hast enjoined me; Juno will not spare


s: For gibe and taunt injurious, whose complaint


s: Sounds daily in the ears of all the Gods,


s: Lest she observe thee; my concern shall be


s: And to assure thee more, I give the sign


s: At once from heavenly minds. Nought, so confirmed,


s: May, after, be reversed or render'd vain.


s: He ceased, and under his dark brows the nod


s: The Sovereign's everlasting head his curls


s: Ambrosial shook, and the huge mountain reeled.


s: Their conference closed, they parted. She, at once,


s: From bright Olympus plunged into the flood


s: Profound, and Jove to his own courts withdrew.


s: Uprose; none sat expectant till he came,


s: But all advanced to meet the Eternal Sire.


s: Not understood; she, watchful, had observed,


s: Thetis, bright-footed daughter of the deep,


s: And keen the son of Saturn thus reproved.


s: Shrewd as thou art, who now hath had thine ear?


s: To plan and plot clandestine, and thy thoughts,


s: Think what thou may'st, are always barred to me.


s: To whom the father, thus, of heaven and earth.


s: Expect not, Juno, that thou shalt partake


s: My counsels at all times, which oft in height


s: And depth, thy comprehension far exceed,


s: Jove's consort as thou art. When aught occurs


s: Meet for thine ear, to none will I impart


s: Of Gods or men more free than to thyself.


s: But for my secret thoughts, which I withhold


s: From all in heaven beside, them search not thou


s: Him answer'd then the Goddess ample-eyed.


s: What word hath passed thy lips, Saturnian Jove,


s: Thou most severe! I never search thy thoughts,


s: Intentions trouble; they are safe from me:


s: But now there seems a cause. Deeply I dread


s: Lest Thetis, silver-footed daughter fair


s: Of Ocean's hoary Sovereign, here arrived


s: At early dawn to practise on thee, Jove!


s: And much misdeem or promise-bound thou stand'st


s: To Thetis past recall, to exalt her son,


s: And Greeks to slaughter thousands at the ships.


s: To whom the cloud-assembler God, incensed.


s: Thy toil is vain, or (which is worse for thee,)


s: Shall but estrange thee from mine heart the more.


s: And be it as thou sayest,--I am well pleased


s: That so it should be. Be advised, desist,


s: Hold thou thy peace. Else, if my glorious hands


s: Once reach thee, the Olympian Powers combined


s: To rescue thee, shall interfere in vain.


s: He said,--whom Juno, awful Goddess, heard


s: Appall'd, and mute submitted to his will.


s: But through the courts of Jove the heavenly Powers


s: All felt displeasure; when to them arose


s: Vulcan, illustrious artist, who with speech


s: His white-armed mother Juno, Goddess dread.


s: Hard doom is ours, and not to be endured,


s: If feast and merriment must pause in heaven


s: While ye such clamor raise tumultuous here


s: For man's unworthy sake: yet thus we speed


s: To Jove our father, lest our father chide


s: More roughly, and confusion mar the feast.


s: For the Olympian Thunderer could with ease


s: He reigns to all superior. Seek to assuage


s: His anger therefore; so shall he with smiles


s: Cheer thee, nor thee alone, but all in heaven.


s: So Vulcan, and, upstarting, placed a cup


s: Full-charged between his mother's hands, and said,


s: My mother, be advised, and, though aggrieved,


s: Yet patient; lest I see thee whom I love


s: So dear, with stripes chastised before my face,


s: Who can resist the Thunderer? Me, when once


s: I flew to save thee, by the foot he seized


s: And hurl'd me through the portal of the skies.


s: "From morn to eve I fell, a summer's day,"


s: And dropped, at last, in Lemnos. There half-dead


s: The Sintians found me, and with succor prompt


s: So He; then Juno smiled, Goddess white-arm'd,


s: And smiling still, from his unwonted hand


s: Received the goblet. He from right to left


s: Rich nectar from the beaker drawn, alert


s: Heaven rang with laughter inextinguishable


s: Peal after peal, such pleasure all conceived


s: And all were cheered; nor was Apollo's harp


s: But when the sun's bright orb had now declined,


s: By the lame matchless Architect, withdrew.


s: Jove also, kindler of the fires of heaven,


s: When gentle sleep approach'd him, slept serene,


s: The first book contains the preliminaries to the commencement of


s: Jupiter, in pursuance of his purpose to distress the Grecians in


s: All night both Gods and Chiefs equestrian slept,


s: But not the Sire of all. He, waking soon,


s: Mused how to exalt Achilles, and destroy


s: This counsel, at the last, as best he chose


s: And likeliest; to dispatch an evil Dream


s: The phantom summoning, him thus addressed.


s: Haste, evil Dream! Fly to the Grecian fleet,


s: His ear possess thou thus, omitting nought


s: When the Achaians shall at length possess


s: Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above


s: No longer dwell at variance. The request


s: Of Juno hath prevail'd; now, wo to Troy!


s: So charged, the Dream departed. At the ships


s: Him sleeping in his tent he found, immersed


s: Of Nestor, son of Neleus; sage, with whom


s: In Agamemnon's thought might none compare.


s: His form assumed, the sacred Dream began.


s: And in the race! Sleep'st thou? It ill behoves


s: To sleep all night the man of high employ,


s: And charged, as thou art, with a people's care.


s: Now, therefore, mark me well, who, sent from Jove,


s: Inform thee, that although so far remote,


s: He yet compassionates and thinks on thee


s: No longer dwell at variance. The requests


s: From Jove himself! Her fate is on the wing.


s: In firm remembrance all that thou hast heard.


s: So spake the Dream, and vanishing, him left


s: In false hopes occupied and musings vain.


s: Full sure he thought, ignorant of the plan


s: By Jove design'd, that day the last of Troy.


s: Fond thought! For toils and agonies to Greeks


s: And Trojans both, in many a bloody field


s: To be endured, the Thunderer yet ordain'd.


s: Starting he woke, and seeming still to hear


s: The warning voice divine, with hasty leap


s: Sprang from his bed, and sat. His fleecy vest


s: He braced, and slung his argent-studded sword.


s: The sceptre of his sires he took, with which


s: He issued forth into the camp of Greece.


s: Proclaiming stood new day to all in heaven,


s: When he his clear-voiced heralds bade convene


s: The Greeks in council. Went the summons forth


s: Into all quarters, and the throng began.


s: First, at the ship of Nestor, Pylian King,


s: The senior Chiefs for high exploits renown'd


s: He gather'd, whom he prudent thus address'd.


s: My fellow warriors, hear! A dream from heaven,


s: Approach'd me, semblance close in stature, bulk,


s: The shadow took his stand, and thus he spake.


s: And in the race, sleep'st thou? It ill behoves


s: To sleep all night the man of high employ,


s: And charged as thou art with a people's care.


s: Now, therefore, mark me well, who, sent from Jove,


s: Inform thee, that although so far remote,


s: He yet compassionates and thinks on thee


s: When the Achaians shall at length possess


s: Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above


s: No longer dwell at variance. The requests


s: From Jove himself! Her fate is on the wing.


s: Charge this on thy remembrance. Thus he spake,


s: Haste therefore, let us arm, if arm we may,


s: The warlike sons of Greece; but first, myself


s: Will prove them, recommending instant flight


s: With all our ships, and ye throughout the host


s: Dispersed, shall, next, encourage all to stay.


s: He ceased, and sat; when in the midst arose


s: Of highest fame for wisdom, Nestor, King


s: We had pronounced it false, and should the more


s: Have shrunk from battle; but the dream is his


s: Who boasts himself our highest in command.


s: Haste, arm we, if we may, the sons of Greece.


s: So saying, he left the council; him, at once


s: The sceptred Chiefs, obedient to his voice,


s: Arising, follow'd; and the throng began.


s: As from the hollow rock bees stream abroad,


s: And in succession endless seek the fields,


s: Now clustering, and now scattered far and near,


s: In spring-time, among all the new-blown flowers,


s: So they to council swarm'd, troop after troop,


s: Grecians of every tribe, from camp and fleet


s: Impell'd them, and they went. Loud was the din


s: Of the assembling thousands; groan'd the earth


s: When down they sat, and murmurs ran around.


s: Nine heralds cried aloud--Will ye restrain


s: Your clamors, that your heaven-taught Kings may speak?


s: Scarce were they settled, and the clang had ceased,


s: When Agamemnon, sovereign o'er them all,


s: Sceptre in hand, arose. (That sceptre erst


s: Vulcan with labor forged, and to the hand


s: Consign'd it of the King, Saturnian Jove;


s: Bequeath'd it to Thyestes rich in flocks,


s: On that he lean'd, and rapid, thus began.


s: Friends, Grecian Heroes, ministers of Mars!


s: And with a nod confirm'd it, that with spoils


s: But now, devising ill, he sends me shamed,


s: And with diminished numbers, home to Greece.


s: So stands his sovereign pleasure, who hath laid


s: And more shall level, matchless in his might.


s: That such a numerous host of Greeks as we,


s: Warring with fewer than ourselves, should find


s: No fruit of all our toil, (and none appears)


s: Will make us vile with ages yet to come.


s: For should we now strike truce, till Greece and Troy


s: Might number each her own, and were the Greeks


s: Distributed in bands, ten Greeks in each,


s: Their units, that all Troy could not supply


s: So far the Achaians, in my thought, surpass


s: The native Trojans. But in Troy are those


s: Who baffle much my purpose; aids derived


s: From other states, spear-arm'd auxiliars, firm


s: Nine years have passed us over, nine long years;


s: Our ships are rotted, and our tackle marr'd,


s: And all our wives and little-ones at home


s: Sit watching our return, while this attempt


s: Hangs still in doubt, for which that home we left.


s: With all our fleet back to our native land,


s: Hopeless of Troy, not yet to be subdued.


s: So spake the King, whom all the concourse heard


s: With minds in tumult toss'd; all, save the few,


s: The whole assembly, such as heaves the flood


s: Of the Icarian Deep, when South and East


s: Burst forth together from the clouds of Jove.


s: And as when vehement the West-wind falls


s: On standing corn mature, the loaded ears


s: All flew toward the ships; uprais'd, the dust


s: "Now clear the passages, strike down the props,


s: Set every vessel free, launch, and away!"


s: Heaven rang with exclamation of the host


s: All homeward bent, and launching glad the fleet.


s: Unconquer'd daughter of Jove Ægis-arm'd!


s: Shall seek again their country, leaving here,


s: Helen of Argos, in whose cause the Greeks


s: Have numerous perish'd from their home remote?


s: Haste! Seek the mail-arm'd multitude, by force


s: Detain them of thy soothing speech, ere yet


s: All launch their oary barks into the flood.


s: But darting swift from the Olympian heights,


s: Reach'd soon Achaia's fleet. There, she perceived


s: He stood; he touch'd not even with his hand


s: His sable bark, for sorrow whelm'd his soul.


s: Beside him stood, and thus the Chief bespake.


s: Why seek ye, thus precipitate, your ships?


s: Intend ye flight? And is it thus at last,


s: Delay not. Rush into the throng; by force


s: She ceased, whom by her voice Ulysses knew,


s: Casting his mantle from him, which his friend


s: He ran; and in his course meeting the son


s: Which bearing, through Achaia's fleet he pass'd.


s: What King soever, or distinguish'd Greek


s: He found, approaching to his side, in terms


s: Of gentle sort he stay'd him. Sir, he cried,


s: As thou, should tremble. Go--Resume the seat


s: Which thou hast left, and bid the people sit.


s: Thou know'st not clearly yet the monarch's mind.


s: He proves us now, but soon he will chastize.


s: All were not present; few of us have heard


s: His speech this day in council. Oh, beware,


s: By Jove's own ordinance, and is dear to Jove,


s: Stretching his throat to swell the general cry,


s: He laid the sceptre smartly on his back,


s: Sit still; hear others; thy superiors hear.


s: The sceptre, and inforcement of the laws,


s: He sway'd; they, quitting camp and fleet again


s: Rush'd back to council; deafening was the sound


s: Some broad beach dashes, and the Ocean roars.


s: The host all seated, and the benches fill'd,


s: Of utterance prompt, but in coarse phrase obscene


s: Deep learn'd alone, with which to slander Kings.


s: He cared not with what jest; of all from Greece


s: To Ilium sent, his country's chief reproach.


s: Cross-eyed he was, and halting moved on legs


s: Ill-pair'd; his gibbous shoulders o'er his breast


s: Contracted, pinch'd it; to a peak his head


s: Was moulded sharp, and sprinkled thin with hair


s: Of starveling length, flimsy and soft as down.


s: Most his aversion; them he never spared;


s: In piercing accents stridulous he charged


s: With foul reproach. The Grecians with contempt


s: Listen'd, and indignation, while with voice


s: At highest pitch, he thus the monarch mock'd.


s: What wouldst thou now? Whereof is thy complaint


s: Now, Agamemnon? Thou hast fill'd thy tents


s: With treasure, and the Grecians, when they take


s: A city, choose the loveliest girls for thee.


s: Is gold thy wish? More gold? A ransom brought


s: By some chief Trojan for his son's release


s: Whom I, or other valiant Greek may bind?


s: Or wouldst thou yet a virgin, one, by right


s: Another's claim, but made by force thine own?


s: It was not well, great Sir, that thou shouldst bring


s: But come, my Grecian sisters, soldiers named


s: Come, let us homeward: let him here digest


s: What he shall gorge, alone; that he may learn


s: For when he shamed Achilles, he disgraced


s: A Chief far worthier than himself, whose prize


s: He now withholds. But tush,--Achilles lacks


s: Hath he within him, or his hand long since


s: Had stopp'd that mouth, that it should scoff no more.


s: Thersites. Instant starting to his side,


s: Survey'd him, and him thus reproved severe.


s: Thersites! Railer!--peace. Think not thyself,


s: I deem thee most contemptible, the worst


s: Presume not then to take the names revered


s: Of Sovereigns on thy sordid lips, to asperse


s: The Greeks a time when they shall voyage home.


s: How soon, how late, with what success at last


s: We shall return, we know not: but because


s: Thou therefore from thy seat revilest the King.


s: But mark me. If I find thee, as even now,


s: On these my shoulders more, and may my son


s: If I not strip thee to that hide of thine


s: As bare as thou wast born, and whip thee hence


s: Home to thy galley, sniveling like a boy.


s: He ceased, and with his sceptre on the back


s: And shoulders smote him. Writhing to and fro,


s: He wept profuse, while many a bloody whelk


s: Awe-quell'd he sat, and from his visage mean,


s: Deep-sighing, wiped the rheums. It was no time


s: For mirth, yet mirth illumined every face,


s: And laughing, thus they spake. A thousand acts


s: Illustrious, both by well-concerted plans


s: Transcends his former praise, that he hath quell'd


s: The valiant talker shall not soon, we judge,


s: So spake the multitude. Then, stretching forth


s: To all, that all Achaia's sons might hear,


s: Foremost and rearmost, and might weigh his words.


s: He then his counsel, prudent, thus proposed.


s: In sight of all mankind. None recollects


s: His promise more in steed-famed Argos pledged,


s: Here to abide till Ilium wall'd to heaven


s: Should vanquish'd sink, and all her wealth be ours.


s: No--now, like widow'd women, or weak boys,


s: They whimper to each other, wishing home.


s: And home, I grant, to the afflicted soul


s: Seems pleasant. The poor seaman from his wife


s: One month detain'd, cheerless his ship and sad


s: Possesses, by the force of wintry blasts,


s: Fast lock'd in port. But us the ninth long year


s: Revolving, finds camp'd under Ilium still.


s: I therefore blame not, if they mourn beside


s: Their sable barks, the Grecians. Yet the shame


s: Be patient, friends! wait only till we learn


s: Whom Fate hath not already snatch'd away,


s: A day or two before) that when the ships


s: Wo-fraught for Priam, and the race of Troy,


s: Beneath the plane-tree, from whose root a stream


s: Ran crystal-clear, there we beheld a sign


s: Tremendous spectacle! with crimson spots


s: Himself protruded, from the altar's foot


s: Slipp'd into light, and glided to the tree.


s: There on the topmost bough, close-cover'd sat


s: With foliage broad, eight sparrows, younglings all,


s: Then newly feather'd, with their dam, the ninth.


s: The little ones lamenting shrill he gorged,


s: While, wheeling o'er his head, with screams the dam


s: Bewail'd her darling brood. Her also next,


s: Within his spiry folds drew, and devoured.


s: All eaten thus, the nestlings and the dam,


s: The God who sent him, signalized him too,


s: For him Saturnian Jove transform'd to stone.


s: We wondering stood, to see that strange portent


s: When Calchas, instant, thus the sign explain'd.


s: Why stand ye, Greeks, astonish'd? Ye behold


s: Is distant, but whose fame shall never die.


s: E'en as this serpent in your sight devour'd


s: Eight youngling sparrows, with their dam, the ninth,


s: So we nine years must war on yonder plain,


s: And in the tenth, wide-bulwark'd Troy is ours.


s: So spake the seer, and as he spake, is done.


s: Wait, therefore, brave Achaians! go not hence


s: Till Priam's spacious city be your prize.


s: He ceased, and such a shout ensued, that all


s: The hollow ships the deafening roar return'd


s: Arising, spake; and, by the Gods, he said,


s: In war, than disciplined and prudent men.


s: Where now are all your promises and vows,


s: Councils, libations, right-hand covenants?


s: Burn them, since all our occupation here


s: Or fruit though long we wait, shall none be found.


s: But, Sovereign, be not thou appall'd. Be firm.


s: Relax not aught of thine accustomed sway,


s: But set the battle forth as thou art wont.


s: And if there be a Grecian, here and there,


s: One, adverse to the general voice, let such


s: To Argos, ere events shall yet have proved


s: Jove's promise false or true. For when we climb'd


s: Our gallant barks full-charged with Ilium's fate,


s: (Omen propitious!) thunder'd on the right.


s: Let no man therefore pant for home, till each


s: Possess a Trojan spouse, and from her lips


s: Take sweet revenge for Helen's pangs of heart.


s: Who then? What soldier languishes and sighs


s: To leave us? Let him dare to lay his hand


s: On his own vessel, and he dies the first.


s: But hear, O King! I shall suggest a course


s: By districts and by tribes, that tribe may tribe


s: Support, and each his fellow. This performed,


s: And with consent of all, thou shalt discern


s: With ease what Chief, what private man deserts,


s: And who performs his part. The base, the brave,


s: Such disposition made, shall both appear;


s: And thou shalt also know, if heaven or we,


s: The Gods, or our supineness, succor Troy.


s: Old Chief! Thou passest all Achaia's sons


s: In consultation; would to Jove our Sire,


s: Of Priam, with her wealth, should all be ours.


s: Himself afflicts, who in contentious broils


s: Thence all that wordy tempest for a girl


s: The fierce aggressor. Be that breach but heal'd!


s: And Troy's reprieve thenceforth is at an end.


s: Go--take refreshment now that we may march


s: Forth to our enemies. Let each whet well


s: His spear, brace well his shield, well feed his brisk


s: High-mettled horses, well survey and search


s: His chariot on all sides, that no defect


s: So will we give the day from morn to eve


s: To dreadful battle. Pause there shall be none


s: Till night divide us. Every buckler's thong


s: Shall sweat on the toil'd bosom, every hand


s: That shakes the spear shall ache, and every steed


s: Shall smoke that whirls the chariot o'er the plain.


s: Loitering among the tents; let him escape


s: My vengeance if he can. The vulture's maw


s: Shall have his carcase, and the dogs his bones.


s: He spake; whom all applauded with a shout


s: Loud as against some headland cliff the waves


s: Roll'd by the stormy South o'er rocks that shoot


s: The flood still overspreads, blow whence they may.


s: Arising, forth they rush'd, among the ships


s: All scatter'd; smoke from every tent arose,


s: The host their food preparing; next, his God


s: Whom he preferr'd) with sacrifice and prayer


s: For safe escape from danger and from death.


s: Full-flesh'd devoted, and the Princes call'd


s: Noblest of all the Grecians to his feast.


s: His brother's mind with weight of care oppress'd.


s: The ox encircling, and their hands with meal


s: Of consecration fill'd, the assembly stood,


s: When Agamemnon thus his prayer preferred.


s: Cloud-girt, who dwell'st in heaven thy throne sublime,


s: Let not the sun go down, till Priam's roof


s: Fall flat into the flames; till I shall burn


s: His gates with fire; till I shall hew away


s: His hack'd and riven corslet from the breast


s: Of Hector, and till numerous Chiefs, his friends,


s: Around him, prone in dust, shall bite the ground.


s: So prayed he, but with none effect, The God


s: Received his offering, but to double toil


s: Doom'd them, and sorrow more than all the past.


s: First duly sprinkling, the sharp steel infix'd


s: Deep in the victim's neck reversed, then stripp'd


s: The thighs, which in the double caul involved


s: They spread with slices crude, and burn'd with fire


s: Ascending fierce from billets sere and dry.


s: The spitted entrails next they o'er the coals


s: Suspended held. The thighs with fire consumed,


s: They gave to each his portion of the maw,


s: Then slash'd the remnant, pierced it with the spits,


s: The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.


s: Thus, all their task accomplished, and the board


s: Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed.


s: When neither hunger more nor thirst remain'd


s: No longer waste we time in useless words,


s: To which heaven calls thee. Send thine heralds forth.


s: Who shall convene the Achaians at the fleet,


s: That we, the Chiefs assembled here, may range,


s: And edge their spirits for immediate fight.


s: At once he bade his clear-voiced heralds call


s: The Greeks to battle. They the summons loud


s: Gave forth, and at the sound the people throng'd.


s: A hundred braids, close twisted, all of gold,


s: Dependent fringed it. She from side to side


s: Her eyes cerulean rolled, infusing thirst


s: War won them now, war sweeter now to each


s: Than gales to waft them over ocean home.


s: As when devouring flames some forest seize


s: On the high mountains, splendid from afar


s: The blaze appears, so, moving on the plain,


s: The steel-clad host innumerous flash'd to heaven.


s: Assembled various, geese, or cranes, or swans


s: Lithe-neck'd, long hovering o'er Caÿster's banks


s: On wanton plumes, successive on the mead


s: Alight at last, and with a clang so loud


s: That all the hollow vale of Asius rings;


s: In number such from ships and tents effused,


s: They cover'd the Scamandrian plain; the earth


s: Rebellow'd to the feet of steeds and men.


s: They overspread Scamander's grassy vale,


s: Myriads, as leaves, or as the flowers of spring.


s: His kine in spring-time, when his pails are fill'd,


s: Thick clouds of humming insects on the wing


s: Swarm all around him, so the Grecians swarm'd


s: An unsumm'd multitude o'er all the plain,


s: Bright arm'd, high crested, and athirst for war.


s: As goat-herds separate their numerous flocks


s: With ease, though fed promiscuous, with like ease


s: Their leaders them on every side reduced


s: Stood Agamemnon "with an eye like Jove's,


s: To threaten or command," like Mars in girth,


s: And with the port of Neptune. As the bull


s: For he surpasses all, such Jove ordain'd


s: That day the son of Atreus, in the midst


s: Tell me, (for ye are are heavenly, and beheld


s: Hath reached our ears, remote and ill-informed,)


s: Stood forth the embattled Greeks? The host at large;


s: Than with ten tongues, and with ten mouths, each mouth


s: Made vocal with a trumpet's throat of brass


s: I might declare, unless the Olympian nine,


s: Jove's daughters, would the chronicle themselves


s: I will rehearse the Captains and their fleets.


s: And Clonius. Them the dwellers on the rocks


s: Of Hyrie, Schoenos, Scholos, and the hills


s: Marched, with Eutresis and the mighty men


s: Of Thisbe famed for doves; nor pass unnamed


s: Though last, Anthedon, a forgotten name.


s: These in Boeotia's fair and gallant fleet


s: Of fifty ships, each bearing o'er the waves


s: Thrice forty warriors, had arrived at Troy.


s: In thirty ships deep-laden with the brave,


s: Their chosen youth; them ruled a noble pair,


s: Received by stealth, on Actor's stately roof,


s: Twins like himself, Ascalaphus the bold,


s: Their destined station on Boeotia's left,


s: The brave Phocensians; they in forty ships


s: From Cyparissus came, and from the rocks


s: Of the Cephissus, sacred stream, and from


s: In forty ships conveyed, stood forth well armed


s: And Cynus those; from Bessa came the rest,


s: From Tarpha, Thronius, and from the brink


s: From Telamon, big-boned and lofty built,


s: But small of limb, and of an humbler crest;


s: The Grecians of what land soe'er, for skill


s: In ushering to its mark the rapid lance.


s: Elphenor brought (Calchodon's mighty son)


s: The Euboeans to the field. In forty ships


s: From Chalcis, from Iretria, from the gates


s: Their locks profuse, and they were eager all


s: To split the hauberk with the pointed spear.


s: Nor Athens had withheld her generous sons,


s: The teeming glebe produced, a wondrous birth!


s: And Pallas rear'd him: her own unctuous fane


s: She made his habitation, where with bulls


s: The youth of Athens, and with slaughter'd lambs


s: Menestheus, whom, (sage Nestor's self except,


s: Thrice school'd in all events of human life,)


s: Black-prowed, had borne them to the distant war.


s: Ajax from Salamis twelve vessels brought,


s: And where the Athenian band in phalanx stood


s: Marshall'd compact, there station'd he his powers.


s: Of Epidaurus, crown'd with purple vines,


s: Of deathless fame, his second in command,


s: Of King Mecisteus, Talaüs' son, his third.


s: But Diomede controll'd them all, and him


s: Twice forty sable ships their leader own'd.


s: Exulting in his powers; more numerous they,


s: And more illustrious far than other Chief


s: Could boast, whoever. Clad in burnish'd brass,


s: And conscious of pre-eminence, he stood.


s: He drew his host from cities far renown'd,


s: His seat of royal power held at the first


s: That sprinkle all that far-extended coast,


s: With all their shores, were number'd in his train.


s: From Phare, Sparta, and from Messa, still


s: Resounding with the ring-dove's amorous moan,


s: From Brysia, from Augeia, from the rocks


s: And from the towers of Helos, at whose foot


s: The surf of Ocean falls, came sixty barks


s: and panted for revenge of Helen's wrongs,


s: And of her sighs and tears. From rank to rank,


s: Conscious of dauntless might he pass'd, and sent


s: Had brought his warriors; they from Pylus came,


s: From blithe Arene, and from Thryos, built


s: Fast by the fords of Alpheus, and from steep


s: And stately Æpy. Their confederate powers


s: With broad redundance of funereal shades,


s: Pteleos and Helos, and of deathless fame


s: From Eurytus, Oechalian Chief, and hush'd


s: His song for ever; for he dared to vaunt


s: That he would pass in song even themselves


s: The Muses, daughters of Jove Ægis-arm'd.


s: They therefore, by his boast incensed, the bard


s: Struck blind, and from his memory dash'd severe


s: All traces of his once celestial strains.


s: Arcadia's sons, the dwellers at the foot


s: And warriors hand to hand; the valiant men


s: Grazed numberless, of Ripe, Stratia, bleak


s: To Troy conducted; numerous was the crew,


s: And skilled in arms, which every vessel brought,


s: Supplied them, for, of inland realms possessed,


s: The dwellers in Buprasium, on the shores


s: Myrsinus and the Hyrminian plain between,


s: The rock Olenian, and the Alysian fount;


s: These all obey'd four Chiefs, and galleys ten


s: Each Chief commanded, with Epeans filled.


s: Amphimachus and Thalpius govern'd these,


s: From Eurytus, and both of Actor's house.


s: Led on, and, for his godlike form renown'd,


s: Looks toward Elis o'er the curling waves,


s: Sent forth their powers with Meges at their head,


s: Brave son of Phyleus, warrior dear to Jove.


s: Phyleus in wrath, his father's house renounced,


s: And to Dulichium wandering, there abode.


s: Twice twenty ships had follow'd Meges forth.


s: Of Neritus they came, and from the rocks


s: And these Zacynthus own'd; nor yet a few


s: From Samos, from Epirus join'd their aid,


s: In twelve fair ships, with crimson prows adorn'd.


s: From forty ships, Thoas, Andræmon's son,


s: Of Oeneus all, nor Oeneus self survived;


s: With Pleuro, and the rock-bound Calydon.


s: The numerous Cretans. In twice forty ships


s: He brought his powers to Troy. The warlike bands


s: Of Rhytius him obey'd; nor these were all,


s: But others from her hundred cities Crete


s: Sent forth, all whom Idomeneus the brave


s: Dread as the God of battles blood-imbrued.


s: For courage famed and for superior size,


s: Fill'd with his haughty Rhodians. They, in tribes


s: Divided, dwelt distinct. Jelyssus these,


s: Those Lindus, and the rest the shining soil


s: To Hercules, (what time he led the nymph


s: Had scarce up-grown to manhood's lusty prime


s: Lycimnius, branch of Mars. Then built he ships,


s: And, pushing forth to sea, fled from the threats


s: Of the whole house of Hercules. Huge toil


s: And many woes he suffer'd, till at length


s: At Rhodes arriving, in three separate bands


s: He spread himself abroad, Much was he loved


s: Of all-commanding Jove, who bless'd him there,


s: And shower'd abundant riches on them all.


s: Nireus of Syma, with three vessels came;


s: Nireus, Aglæa's offspring, whom she bore


s: (The faultless son of Peleus sole except,)


s: Loveliest of all the Grecians call'd to Troy.


s: But he was heartless and his men were few.


s: Where reign'd Eurypylus, with all the isles


s: Their troops disposed; Phidippus one, and one,


s: In thirty ships they sought the shores of Troy.


s: Distinguish'd, Hellas; known by various names


s: In fifty ships embark'd, Achilles ruled.


s: But these were deaf to the hoarse-throated war,


s: For there was none to draw their battle forth,


s: And give them just array. Close in his ships


s: Achilles, after loss of the bright-hair'd


s: Of Thebes and of Lyrnessus, where he slew


s: And for her sake self-prison'd in his fleet


s: And idle lay, though soon to rise again.


s: From Phylace, and from the flowery fields


s: Mother of flocks; from Antron by the sea,


s: And from the grassy meads of Pteleus, came


s: A people, whom while yet he lived, the brave


s: Now cover'd dark and drear. A wife he left,


s: And an unfinish'd mansion. First he died


s: Of all the Greeks; for as he leap'd to land


s: Foremost by far, a Dardan struck him dead.


s: Nor had his troops, though filled with deep regret,


s: Like Mars in battle, brother of the slain,


s: But younger born, and from Iphiclus sprung


s: Who sprang from Phylacus the rich in flocks.


s: Heroic, whom his host, although they saw


s: Podarces at their head, still justly mourn'd;


s: For he was fierce in battle, and at Troy


s: Seven ships; their rowers were good archers all,


s: Her fifty oars. Them Philoctetes, skill'd


s: To draw with sinewy arm the stubborn bow,


s: Commanded; but he suffering anguish keen


s: Lay sick in Lemnos; him the Grecians there


s: Had left sore-wounded, but were destined soon


s: To call to dear remembrance whom they left.


s: Meantime, though sorrowing for his sake, his troops


s: Yet wanted not a chief; them Medon ruled,


s: Whom Rhena to the far-famed conqueror bore


s: Oïleus, fruit of their unsanction'd loves.


s: With rocks and glens, and from Oechalia, town


s: Of all disease, and thirty ships were theirs.


s: Illustrious, whom twice twenty ships obeyed.


s: Him, to Pirithoüs, (on the self-same day


s: When he the Centaurs punish'd and pursued


s: Sheer to Æthicæ driven from Pelion's heights


s: Nor he alone them led. With him was join'd


s: Leonteus dauntless warrior, from the bold


s: Coronus sprung, who Cæneus call'd his sire.


s: Twice twenty ships awaited their command.


s: To these were join'd who till the pleasant fields


s: Where Titaresius winds; the gentle flood


s: Pours into Peneus all his limpid stores,


s: Unmixt as oil; for Stygian is his stream,


s: Last with his forty ships, Tenthredon's son,


s: The active Prothoüs came. From the green banks


s: He gather'd, and from Pelion forest-crown'd.


s: These were the princes and the Chiefs of Greece.


s: Excell'd, and whose were the most warlike steeds


s: And of the noblest strain. Their hue, their age,


s: Their height the same, swift as the winds of heaven


s: And passing far all others, were the mares


s: Apollo, bred them. But of men, the chief


s: And more illustrious were the steeds which bore


s: Was all his thought, while in his gallant ships


s: Sharp-keel'd to cut the foaming flood, he lay.


s: His soldiers hurled the disk, or bent the bow.


s: Or to its mark dispatch'd the quivering lance.


s: Beside the chariots stood the unharness'd steeds


s: Cropping the lotus, or at leisure browsed


s: On celery wild, from watery freshes gleaned.


s: Beneath the shadow of the sheltering tent


s: The chariot stood, while they, the charioteers


s: Roam'd here and there the camp, their warlike lord


s: As if a fire had burnt along the ground,


s: Such seem'd their march; earth groan'd their steps beneath;


s: Typhoëus stretch'd, the fires of angry Jove


s: Down darted, lash the ground, so groan'd the earth


s: Beneath them, for they traversed swift the plain.


s: And now from Jove, with heavy tidings charged,


s: It was the time of council, when the throng


s: At Priam's gate assembled, young and old:


s: Them, standing nigh, the messenger of heaven


s: When the Achaian host should leave the fleet.


s: The Goddess in his form thus them address'd.


s: Speaking, debating, as if all were peace;


s: I have seen many a bright-embattled field,


s: But never one so throng'd as this to-day.


s: For like the leaves, or like the sands they come


s: Swept by the winds, to gird the city round.


s: But Hector! chiefly thee I shall exhort.


s: Let every Chief his proper troop command,


s: She ceased; her Hector heard intelligent,


s: And quick dissolved the council. All took arms.


s: Wide flew the gates; forth rush'd the multitude,


s: Horsemen and foot, and boisterous stir arose.


s: In front of Ilium, distant on the plain,


s: Clear all around from all obstruction, stands


s: Have named it of Myrinna swift in fight.


s: Troy and her aids there set the battle forth.


s: Led on the Trojans; with whom march'd the most


s: And the most valiant, dexterous at the spear.


s: Stood forth, the offspring of Antenor, each,


s: And well instructed in all forms of war.


s: Fast by the foot of Ida, where they drank


s: Whom Phoebus self graced with the bow he bore.


s: In mail thick-woven, and Adrastus, ruled.


s: They were the sons of the Percosian seer


s: Still sought it, for their destiny prevailed.


s: Strong-built and tall, from Sellcentes' bank


s: Both sons of Lethus the Pelasgian, they,


s: Far-famed, the spear-expert Pelasgians brought.


s: The Thracians (all whom Hellespont includes


s: Within the banks of his swift-racing tide)


s: Whom the spear-arm'd Ciconian band obey'd.


s: Were drawn, where Axius winds; broad Axius, stream


s: From the Eneti for forest-mules renowned


s: March'd with his Paphlagonians; dwellers they


s: And by the stream Parthenius; Cromna these


s: Sent forth, and those Ægialus on the lip


s: And margin of the land, and some, the heights


s: Where veins of silver wind, led to the field


s: Chromis their Chief, and Ennomus; him skill'd


s: With others in the Xanthus slain, he died.


s: Ascanius, lovely youth, and Phorcis, led


s: (All those who at the foot of Tmolus dwelt,)


s: The Carians, people of a barbarous speech,


s: With the Milesians, and the mountain-race


s: Of wood-crown'd Phthira, and who dwelt beside


s: Came forth Amphimachus with gold bedight,


s: But him his trappings from a woful death


s: Saved not, when whirled beneath the bloody tide


s: To Peleus' stormy son his spoils he left.


s: Their warriors forth from farthest Lycia, where


s: Xanthus deep-dimpled rolls his oozy tide.


s: Now marshall'd all beneath their several chiefs,


s: With deafening shouts, and with the clang of arms,


s: The host of Troy advanced. Such clang is heard


s: Along the skies, when from incessant showers


s: Escaping, and from winter's cold, the cranes


s: Wo to the land of dwarfs! prepared they fly


s: For slaughter of the small Pygmæan race.


s: Not so the Greeks; they breathing valor came,


s: But silent all, and all with faithful hearts


s: As when the south wind wraps the mountain top


s: In mist the shepherd's dread, but to the thief


s: Than night itself more welcome, and the eye


s: Is bounded in its ken to a stone's cast,


s: Such from beneath their footsteps dun and dense


s: Uprose the dust, for swift they cross the plain.


s: When, host to host opposed, full nigh they stood,


s: Advanced was seen, all beauteous as a God;


s: His leopard's skin, his falchion and his bow


s: Hung from his shoulder; bright with heads of brass


s: He shook two spears, and challenged to the fight


s: As hunger-pinch'd the lion feels, by chance


s: Conducted to some carcase huge, wild goat,


s: Or antler'd stag; huntsmen and baying hounds


s: Disturb not _him_, he gorges in their sight.


s: His punishment at hand. At once, all armed,


s: Down from his chariot to the ground he leap'd


s: Conspicuous, his heart smote him, and his fate


s: Avoiding, far within the lines he shrank.


s: As one, who in some woodland height descrying


s: A serpent huge, with sudden start recoils,


s: His limbs shake under him; with cautious step


s: He slow retires; fear blanches cold his cheeks;


s: Of Atreus' son dishearten'd sore, the ranks


s: Him Hector eyed, and thus rebuked severe.


s: I would to all in heaven that thou hadst died


s: Than here to have incurr'd this public shame!


s: Well may the Grecians taunt, and laughing loud,


s: Applaud the champion, slow indeed to fight


s: Wast thou as timid, tell me, when with those


s: Thy loved companions in that famed exploit,


s: Thou didst consort with strangers, and convey


s: From distant lands a warrior's beauteous bride


s: To be thy father's and his people's curse,


s: Joy to our foes, but to thyself reproach?


s: Behold her husband! Darest thou not to face


s: The warlike prince? Now learn how brave a Chief


s: Thou hast defrauded of his blooming spouse.


s: Thy lyre, thy locks, thy person, specious gifts


s: Of partial Venus, will avail thee nought,


s: For all thy numerous mischiefs, thou hadst slept


s: Which in the shipwright's hand the naval plank


s: Divides resistless, doubling all his force,


s: Such is thy dauntless spirit whose reproach


s: Perforce I own, nor causeless nor unjust.


s: Yet let the gracious gifts uncensured pass


s: The glorious bounty by the Gods bestow'd,


s: Nor follows their beneficence our choice.


s: Of desperate combat bid the host of Troy


s: And bid the Grecians sit; then face to face


s: To fight for Helen and for all her wealth.


s: Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her


s: And hers possess'd shall bear them safe away;


s: While ye (peace sworn and firm accord) shall dwell


s: At Troy, and these to Argos shall return


s: He ceased, whom Hector heard with joy; he moved


s: Into the middle space, and with his spear


s: Advanced athwart push'd back the Trojan van,


s: And all stood fast. Meantime at him the Greeks


s: Discharged full volley, showering thick around


s: From bow and sling; when with a mighty voice


s: Argives! Be still--shoot not, ye sons of Greece!


s: Hector bespeaks attention. Hear the Chief!


s: He said, at once the Grecians ceased to shoot,


s: Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye Greeks mail-arm'd,


s: While I shall publish in your ears the words


s: Trojans, he bids, and Grecians on the field


s: Their arms dispose; while he, the hosts between,


s: Contend for Helen, and for all her wealth.


s: Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her


s: And hers possess'd, shall bear them safe away,


s: He ceased, and all deep silence held, amazed;


s: These woes have heaviest fallen. At last I hope


s: Decision near, Trojans and Greeks between,


s: For ye have suffer'd in my quarrel much,


s: Die he who must, and peace be to the rest.


s: But ye shall hither bring two lambs, one white,


s: The other black; this to the Earth devote,


s: That to the Sun. We shall ourselves supply


s: A third for Jove. Then bring ye Priam forth,


s: Himself to swear the covenant, (for his sons


s: Are faithless) lest the oath of Jove be scorn'd.


s: The compact, to both parties, uninfringed.


s: Awaken'd joyful hope that there should end


s: And drew his steeds into the lines. The field


s: Glitter'd with arms put off, and side by side,


s: Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war


s: Stood front to front, small interval between.


s: Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite


s: Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss'd


s: For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice


s: Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while,


s: Loveliest of all the daughters of the house


s: Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake


s: Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks


s: Mail-arm'd, and Trojans of equestrian fame.


s: Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address'd.


s: Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold!


s: Greeks brazen-mail'd, and Trojans steed-renown'd.


s: Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield


s: Each leans, his long spear planted at his side.


s: With quivering lances shall contend for thee,


s: And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.


s: So saying, the Goddess into Helen's soul


s: Her former Lord, her parents, and her home.


s: She started forth, and as she went let fall


s: She went, but by two maidens of her train


s: Attended, Æthra, Pittheus' daughter fair,


s: And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps


s: Convey'd them quickly to the Scæan gate.


s: There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat,


s: All, elders of the people; warriors erst,


s: But idle now through age, yet of a voice


s: Which perch'd among the boughs sends forth at noon


s: Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet.


s: Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower,


s: Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw,


s: In accents quick, but whisper'd, thus remark'd.


s: Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse,


s: Long war for so much beauty. Oh, how like


s: Nor leave a curse to us, and to our sons.


s: So they among themselves; but Priam call'd


s: Fair Helen to his side. My daughter dear!


s: Come, sit beside me. Thou shalt hence discern


s: Thy former Lord, thy kindred and thy friends.


s: I charge no blame on thee. The Gods have caused,


s: Conspicuous, and for port. Taller indeed


s: I may perceive than he; but with these eyes


s: Declare his name. Some royal Chief he seems.


s: To whom thus Helen, loveliest of her sex,


s: In reverence, and with filial fear beloved!


s: Oh that some cruel death had been my choice,


s: Brethren, dear daughter, and companions dear,


s: Died not, and therefore now, live but to weep.


s: But I resolve thee. Thou behold'st the son


s: And, (though it shame me now to call him such,)


s: Then him the ancient King-admiring, said.


s: And thy lot glorious, whom this gallant host


s: So numerous, of the sons of Greece obey!


s: To vine-famed Phrygia, in my days of youth,


s: I journey'd; many Phrygians there I saw,


s: Brave horsemen, and expert; they were the powers


s: And on the banks of Sangar's stream encamp'd.


s: I march'd among them, chosen in that war


s: Thy bright-eyed Greeks, I saw not even there.


s: Ulysses, thus inquired. My child, declare


s: But shoulder'd broader, and of ampler chest;


s: He hath disposed his armor on the plain,


s: But like a ram, himself the warrior ranks


s: Ranges majestic; like a ram full-fleeced


s: By numerous sheep encompass'd snowy-white.


s: To whom Jove's daughter Helen thus replied.


s: Then answer thus, Antenor sage return'd.


s: Princess thou hast described him: hither once


s: Friendly I entertained them. Seeing then


s: The genius and the talents of the Chiefs,


s: And this I noted well; that when they stood


s: Who by the shoulders overtopp'd his friend.


s: Few words, but to the matter, fitly ranged,


s: And with much sweetness utter'd; for in loose


s: He dealt not, though he were the younger man.


s: Had once arisen, he would his downcast eyes


s: That seem'd untutor'd in its use, so hold


s: His sceptre, swaying it to neither side,


s: That hadst thou seen him, thou hadst thought him, sure,


s: Yet, when at length, the clear and mellow base


s: Of his deep voice brake forth, and he let fall


s: His chosen words like flakes of feather'd snow,


s: None then might match Ulysses; leisure, then,


s: Whose head and shoulders tower above the rest,


s: Him answer'd Helen, loveliest of her sex.


s: A bulwark of the Greeks. In him thou seest


s: The Cretans, and among the Chiefs of Crete


s: And give to each his name; but two brave youths


s: One famed, and one a boxer never foiled;


s: My brothers; born of Leda; sons of Jove;


s: In lovely Sparta still, or if they came,


s: Decline the fight, by my disgrace abash'd


s: And the reproaches which have fallen on me.


s: She said; but they already slept inhumed


s: And now the heralds, through the streets of Troy


s: Charged with the lambs, and with a goat-skin filled


s: Resplendent, with its fellow cups of gold,


s: And thus he summon'd ancient Priam forth.


s: Call thee, the Chiefs of Ilium and of Greece.


s: Descend into the plain. We strike a truce,


s: And need thine oath to bind it. Paris fights


s: Their spears decide the strife. The conqueror wins


s: Helen and all her treasures. We, thenceforth,


s: (Peace sworn and amity) shall dwell secure


s: In Troy, while they to Argos shall return


s: He spake, and Priam, shuddering, bade his train


s: Prepare his steeds; they sedulous obey'd.


s: First, Priam mounting, backward stretch'd the reins;


s: Antenor, next, beside him sat, and through


s: The Scæan gate they drove into the plain.


s: Arriving at the hosts of Greece and Troy


s: They left the chariot, and proceeded both


s: All-wise Ulysses. Next, the heralds came


s: With wine, and to the hands of all the kings


s: Appendant to his heavy falchion's sheath,


s: Cut off the forelocks of the lambs, of which


s: A portion, and to all the Chiefs of Troy.


s: Then Agamemnon raised his hands, and pray'd.


s: Jove, Father, who from Ida stretchest forth


s: And thou, all-seeing and all-hearing Sun,


s: Ye Rivers, and thou conscious Earth, and ye


s: Should Paris slay the hero amber-hair'd,


s: And Helen's self are his, and all our host


s: Shall home return to Greece; but should it chance


s: Then Troy shall render back what she detains,


s: Not pay, though Paris fall, then here in arms


s: My due, till, satisfied, I close the war.


s: He said, and with his ruthless steel the lambs


s: Stretch'd panting all, but soon they ceased to pant,


s: For mortal was the stroke. Then drawing forth


s: Wine from the beaker, they with brimming cups


s: Hail'd the immortal Gods, and pray'd again,


s: And many a Grecian thus and Trojan spake.


s: All-glorious Jove, and ye the powers of heaven,


s: Whoso shall violate this contract first,


s: So be the brains of them and of their sons


s: Pour'd out, as we this wine pour on the earth,


s: And may their wives bring forth to other men!


s: So they: but them Jove heard not. Then arose


s: Hear me, ye Trojans and ye Greeks well-arm'd.


s: Hence back to wind-swept Ilium I return,


s: Jove knows, and the immortal Gods, to whom


s: Of both, this day is preordain'd the last.


s: So spake the godlike monarch, and disposed


s: Then, mounting, check'd the reins; Antenor next


s: Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof


s: Who of the combatants should foremost hurl


s: His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque;


s: Meantime the people raised their hands on high,


s: And many a Grecian thus and Trojan prayed.


s: And rulest all below, glorious in power!


s: Of these two champions, to the drear abodes


s: The cause of strife between them, and let peace


s: So spake the hosts; then Hector shook the lots,


s: Forth sprang the lot of Paris. They in ranks


s: Sat all, where stood the fiery steeds of each,


s: And where his radiant arms lay on the field.


s: Put on, fair Helen's paramour. He clasp'd


s: His polish'd greaves with silver studs secured;


s: His brother's corselet to his breast he bound,


s: Lycaon's, apt to his own shape and size,


s: And slung athwart his shoulders, bright emboss'd,


s: His brazen sword; his massy buckler broad


s: He took, and to his graceful head his casque


s: Its bushy crest waved dreadful; last he seized,


s: Well fitted to his gripe, his ponderous spear.


s: When thus, from all the multitude apart,


s: Both combatants had arm'd, with eyes that flash'd


s: Defiance, to the middle space they strode,


s: Trojans and Greeks between. Astonishment


s: Seized all beholders. On the measured ground


s: Full near they stood, each brandishing on high


s: His massy spear, and each was fiery wroth.


s: First, Alexander his long-shadow'd spear


s: Sent forth, and on his smooth shield's surface struck


s: Pierced not, for at the disk, with blunted point


s: Impetuous, after prayer offer'd to Jove.


s: May shudder at the thought of faith abused,


s: He said, and brandishing his massy spear,


s: Dismiss'd it. Through the burnish'd buckler broad


s: Transpierced his costly hauberk, and the vest


s: Ripp'd on his flank; but with a sideward bend


s: He baffled it, and baulk'd the dreadful death.


s: Smote him; but shiver'd into fragments small


s: The falchion at the stroke fell from his hand.


s: Vexation fill'd him; to the spacious heavens


s: He look'd, and with a voice of wo exclaim'd--


s: Revenge for Paris' treason, but my sword


s: Is shivered, and I sped my spear in vain.


s: So saying, he sprang on him, and his long crest


s: Seized fast; then, turning, drew him by that hold


s: Toward the Grecian host. The broider'd band


s: That underbraced his helmet at the chin,


s: Strain'd to his smooth neck with a ceaseless force,


s: Deathless renown, dragging him off the field,


s: But Venus, foam-sprung Goddess, feeling quick


s: His peril imminent, snapp'd short the brace


s: Though stubborn, by a slaughter'd ox supplied,


s: And the void helmet follow'd as he pull'd.


s: Threw to his Greeks, who caught it and secured,


s: Then with vindictive strides he rush'd again


s: On Paris, spear in hand; but him involved


s: Snatch'd thence, and in his chamber placed him, fill'd


s: With scents odorous, spirit-soothing sweets.


s: Nor stay'd the Goddess, but at once in quest


s: She found, where many a damsel stood of Troy,


s: And twitch'd her fragrant robe. In form she seem'd


s: An ancient matron, who, while Helen dwelt


s: Dress'd for her, faithfullest of all her train.


s: Like her disguised the Goddess thus began.


s: Haste--Paris calls thee--on his sculptured couch,


s: (Sparkling alike his looks and his attire)


s: He waits thy wish'd return. Thou wouldst not dream


s: That he had fought; he rather seems prepared


s: For dance, or after dance, for soft repose.


s: So saying, she tumult raised in Helen's mind.


s: By her love-kindling breasts and luminous eyes


s: She knew the Goddess, her she thus bespake.


s: Now to ensnare me? Wouldst thou lure me, say,


s: Or Phrygian, more remote from Sparta still?


s: Hast thou some human favorite also there?


s: To vanquish Paris, and would bear me home


s: Beside him--for his sake renounce the skies;


s: Watch him, weep for him; till at length his wife


s: He deign to make thee, or perchance his slave.


s: To dress his couch; nor will I be the jest


s: To whom, the foam-sprung Goddess, thus incensed.


s: Ah wretch! provoke not me; lest in my wrath


s: Grecian and Trojan, that thou die abhorr'd.


s: The Goddess ceased. Jove's daughter, Helen, fear'd,


s: And, in her lucid veil close wrapt around,


s: Silent retired, of all those Trojan dames


s: Unseen, and Venus led, herself, the way.


s: They reach'd, her maidens quick their tasks resumed,


s: She sat before him, and him keen reproach'd.


s: Thou hast escaped.--Ah would that thou hadst died


s: By that heroic arm, mine husband's erst!


s: Thou once didst vaunt thee in address and strength


s: Provoke no more so rashly, lest the point


s: Of his victorious spear soon stretch thee dead.


s: Ah Helen, wound me not with taunt severe!


s: Hath vanquish'd now, who may hereafter, him.


s: For never since the day when thee I bore


s: To Cranäe's fair isle, and first enjoy'd


s: Or felt such sweetness of intense desire.


s: He spake, and sought his bed, whom follow'd soon


s: Jove's daughter, reconciled to his embrace.


s: Nor friend of Troy could show, whom, else, through love


s: None had conceal'd, for him as death itself


s: Amidst them all then spake the King of men.


s: Trojans, and Dardans, and allies of Troy!


s: As is most plain. Now therefore bring ye forth


s: Helen with all her treasures, also bring


s: With loud applause confirm'd the monarch's claim.


s: encouragement of his host to battle. The battle begins.


s: Now, on the golden floor of Jove's abode


s: Graceful, with nectar served; they pledging each


s: His next, alternate quaff'd from cups of gold,


s: And at their ease reclined, look'd down on Troy,


s: When, sudden, Jove essay'd by piercing speech


s: Sequester'd sit, look on, and are amused.


s: Her champion station'd, saves him from his fate,


s: And at this moment, by her aid, he lives.


s: But now, since victory hath proved the lot


s: The matter; shall we yet the ruinous strife


s: To give them peace? should peace your preference win,


s: Low-murmuring deep disgust; for side by side


s: Minerva through displeasure against Jove


s: Nought utter'd, for with rage her bosom boil'd;


s: But Juno check'd not hers, who thus replied.


s: What word hath pass'd thy lips, Jove most severe!


s: How? wouldst thou render fruitless all my pains?


s: The sweat that I have pour'd? my steeds themselves


s: Have fainted while I gather'd Greece in arms


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


s: Then her the Thunderer answer'd sore displeased.


s: Ah shameless! how have Priam and his sons


s: So much transgress'd against thee, that thou burn'st


s: With ceaseless rage to ruin populous Troy?


s: Go, make thine entrance at her lofty gates,


s: Priam and all his house, and all his host


s: Alive devour; then, haply, thou wilt rest;


s: For ever. But attend; mark well the word.


s: As I give way to thine, not pleased myself,


s: Yet not unsatisfied, so thou be pleased.


s: And which the sun and stars from heaven behold,


s: Most, and the people of the warrior King.


s: Nor without cause. They feed mine altar well;


s: Libation there, and steam of savory scent


s: Fail not, the tribute which by lot is ours.


s: Him answer'd, then, the Goddess ample-eyed,


s: Of all the earth, most interest and engage,


s: Argos, and Sparta. Them, when next thy wrath


s: Shall be inflamed against them, lay thou waste;


s: Thou shalt not hear me murmur; what avail


s: Complaint or force against thy matchless arm?


s: Should toil in vain; I also boast a birth


s: Celestial; Saturn deeply wise, thy Sire,


s: Thee I acknowledge Sovereign, yet account


s: The daughter of Jove's sire, and spouse of Jove.


s: Concession mutual therefore both thyself


s: Befits and me, whom when the Gods perceive


s: Disposed to peace, they also shall accord.


s: Come then.--To yon dread field dispatch in haste


s: By some fresh insult on the exulting Greeks.


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


s: Begone; swift fly to yonder field; incite


s: The Goddess heard, and what she wish'd, enjoin'd,


s: Down-darted swift from the Olympian heights,


s: Not seldom Jove dismisses, beaming bright


s: Such Pallas seem'd, and swift descending, dropp'd


s: Full in the midst between them. They with awe


s: That sign portentous and with wonder view'd,


s: The soldier thus bespake. Now either war


s: Or Jove now gives us peace. Both are from Jove.


s: Of old Antenor, throughout all the ranks


s: Sought godlike Pandarus. Ere long she found


s: Standing encompass'd by his dauntless troops,


s: Broad-shielded warriors, from Æsepus' stream


s: His followers; to his side the Goddess came,


s: And in wing'd accents ardent him bespake.


s: Brave offspring of Lycaon, is there hope


s: That thou wilt hear my counsel? darest thou slip


s: Thou shalt and thanks from all the Trojans win,


s: But most of all, from Paris, prince of Troy.


s: From him illustrious gifts thou shalt receive


s: Subdued of thine, placed on his funeral pile.


s: Come. Shoot at Menelaus, glorious Chief!


s: A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock,


s: To fair Zeleia's walls once safe restored.


s: Listening, uncased at once his polished bow.


s: That bow, the laden brows of a wild goat


s: Forth-issuing from his cave, in ambush placed


s: Dispatch'd, and on the rock supine he fell.


s: Each horn had from his head tall growth attain'd,


s: Full sixteen palms; them shaven smooth the smith


s: Had aptly join'd, and tipt their points with gold.


s: That bow he strung, then, stooping, planted firm


s: The nether horn, his comrades bold the while


s: Screening him close with shields, lest ere the prince


s: The Greeks with fierce assault should interpose.


s: He raised his quiver's lid; he chose a dart


s: Unflown, full-fledged, and barb'd with pangs of death.


s: He lodged in haste the arrow on the string,


s: And vow'd to Lycian Phoebus bow-renown'd


s: A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock,


s: To fair Zeleia's walls once safe restored.


s: Compressing next nerve and notch'd arrow-head


s: Drew home the nerve, the barb home to his bow,


s: And when the horn was curved to a wide arch,


s: He twang'd it. Whizz'd the bowstring, and the reed


s: Leap'd off, impatient for the distant throng.


s: Forgat not; Pallas huntress of the spoil,


s: Thy guardian then, baffled the cruel dart.


s: That haunts her slumbering babe, so far she drove


s: Against the golden clasps that join'd his belt;


s: For there the doubled hauberk interposed.


s: It pierced his broider'd belt, stood fixt within


s: His twisted hauberk, nor the interior quilt,


s: And his best guard, withheld it, but it pass'd


s: That also, and the Hero's skin inscribed.


s: Quick flowed a sable current from the wound.


s: The cheek of martial steed; safe stored it lies,


s: By many a Chief desired, but proves at last


s: The stately trapping of some prince, the pride


s: Of his high pamper'd steed, nor less his own;


s: Such, Menelaus, seem'd thy shapely thighs,


s: Thy legs, thy feet, stained with thy trickling blood.


s: The blood fast trickling from the wound, nor less


s: Shudder'd himself the bleeding warrior bold.


s: But neck and barb observing from the flesh


s: Extant, he gather'd heart, and lived again.


s: Their followers sigh'd around them, thus began.


s: I swore thy death, my brother, when I swore


s: This truce, and set thee forth in sight of Greeks


s: And Trojans, our sole champion; for the foe


s: And stained it with thy blood. But not in vain,


s: The truce was ratified, the blood of lambs


s: Poured forth, libation made, and right hands join'd


s: May sleep, but will not always; they shall pay


s: Shall be the mulct, their children and their wives.


s: For this I know, know surely; that a day


s: Shall come, when Ilium, when the warlike King


s: Saturnian Jove high-throned, dwelling in heaven,


s: Resentful of this outrage, then shall shake


s: I speak no fable. Time shall prove me true.


s: Awaits me, if thy close of life be come,


s: Shall hunt me back to Argos long-desired;


s: For then all here will recollect their home,


s: So shall our toils be vain, and while thy bones


s: Shall waste these clods beneath, Troy's haughty sons


s: His anger still as he performed it here,


s: Whence he hath sail'd again without the spoils,


s: And where he left his brother's bones to rot.


s: So shall the Trojan speak; then open earth


s: Her mouth, and hide me in her deepest gulfs!


s: Thus cheer'd. My brother, fear not, nor infect


s: With fear the Grecians; the sharp-pointed reed


s: Hath touch'd no vital part. The broider'd zone,


s: The hauberk, and the tough interior quilt,


s: Work of the armorer, its force repress'd.


s: Skilful to heal shall visit and shall dress


s: The wound with drugs of pain-assuaging power.


s: Bespake, Talthybius. Haste, call hither quick


s: The prince Machaon. Bid him fly to attend


s: A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft


s: But through the Greeks bright-arm'd his course began


s: Machaon. Him, ere long, he station'd saw


s: Amid the shielded-ranks of his brave band


s: From steed-famed Tricca drawn, and at his side


s: With accents ardor-wing'd, him thus address'd.


s: Calls thee. Delay not. Thou must visit quick


s: So saying, he roused Machaon, who his course


s: Through the wide host began. Arriving soon