s: Who thus, alarm’d, to great Tydides cried:


s: "O friend! two chiefs of force immense I see,


s: Dreadful they come, and bend their rage on thee:


s: And great Æneas, sprung from race divine!


s: Enough is given to fame. Ascend thy car!


s: And save a life, the bulwark of our war."


s: Fix’d on the chief with scorn; and thus he spoke:


s: "Me dost thou bid to shun the coming fight?


s: Me wouldst thou move to base, inglorious flight?


s: Know, ’tis not honest in my soul to fear,


s: I hate the cumbrous chariot’s slow advance,


s: And the long distance of the flying lance;


s: But while my nerves are strong, my force entire,


s: Thus front the foe, and emulate my sire.


s: Nor shall yon steeds, that fierce to fight convey


s: Those threatening heroes, bear them both away;


s: One chief at least beneath this arm shall die;


s: But if she dooms, and if no god withstand,


s: That both shall fall by one victorious hand,


s: Then heed my words: my horses here detain,


s: Fix’d to the chariot by the straiten’d rein;


s: And seize the coursers of ethereal breed;


s: The race of those, which once the thundering god(146)


s: The best that e’er on earth’s broad surface run,


s: Hence great Anchises stole a breed unknown,


s: Four of this race his ample stalls contain,


s: These, were the rich immortal prize our own,


s: Through the wide world should make our glory known."


s: Thus while they spoke, the foe came furious on,


s: "Prince, thou art met. Though late in vain assail’d,


s: The spear may enter where the arrow fail’d."


s: He said, then shook the ponderous lance, and flung;


s: On his broad shield the sounding weapon rung,


s: Pierced the tough orb, and in his cuirass hung,


s: "He bleeds! the pride of Greece! (the boaster cries,)


s: Our triumph now, the mighty warrior lies!"


s: Thy dart has erred, and now my spear be tried;


s: Ye ’scape not both; one, headlong from his car,


s: With hostile blood shall glut the god of war."


s: He spoke, and rising hurl’d his forceful dart,


s: Which, driven by Pallas, pierced a vital part;


s: Full in his face it enter’d, and betwixt


s: The nose and eye-ball the proud Lycian fix’d;


s: Crash’d all his jaws, and cleft the tongue within,


s: Till the bright point look’d out beneath the chin.


s: Headlong he falls, his helmet knocks the ground:


s: Earth groans beneath him, and his arms resound;


s: The starting coursers tremble with affright;


s: The soul indignant seeks the realms of night.


s: To guard his slaughter’d friend, Æneas flies,


s: His spear extending where the carcase lies;


s: Watchful he wheels, protects it every way,


s: As the grim lion stalks around his prey.


s: O’er the fall’n trunk his ample shield display’d,


s: He hides the hero with his mighty shade,


s: And threats aloud! the Greeks with longing eyes


s: Behold at distance, but forbear the prize.


s: Then fierce Tydides stoops; and from the fields


s: Heaved with vast force, a rocky fragment wields.


s: Not two strong men the enormous weight could raise,


s: Such men as live in these degenerate days:(147)


s: He swung it round; and, gathering strength to throw,


s: Discharged the ponderous ruin at the foe.


s: Where to the hip the inserted thigh unites,


s: Full on the bone the pointed marble lights;


s: Through both the tendons broke the rugged stone,


s: And stripp’d the skin, and crack’d the solid bone.


s: Sunk on his knees, and staggering with his pains,


s: His falling bulk his bended arm sustains;


s: A sudden cloud comes swimming o’er his eyes.


s: There the brave chief, who mighty numbers sway’d,


s: Oppress’d had sunk to death’s eternal shade,


s: His danger views with anguish and despair,


s: And guards her offspring with a mother’s care.


s: About her much-loved son her arms she throws,


s: Her arms whose whiteness match the falling snows.


s: Screen’d from the foe behind her shining veil,


s: The swords wave harmless, and the javelins fail;


s: Safe through the rushing horse, and feather’d flight


s: Of sounding shafts, she bears him from the fight.


s: Remain’d unheedful of his lord’s commands:


s: His panting steeds, removed from out the war,


s: He fix’d with straiten’d traces to the car,


s: Next, rushing to the Dardan spoil, detains


s: The heavenly coursers with the flowing manes:


s: These in proud triumph to the fleet convey’d,


s: (Whom most he loved, as brave men love the brave,)


s: Then mounting on his car, resumed the rein,


s: And follow’d where Tydides swept the plain.


s: Meanwhile (his conquest ravished from his eyes)


s: The raging chief in chase of Venus flies:


s: No goddess she, commission’d to the field,


s: Like Pallas dreadful with her sable shield,


s: Or fierce Bellona thundering at the wall,


s: While flames ascend, and mighty ruins fall;


s: He knew soft combats suit the tender dame,


s: New to the field, and still a foe to fame.


s: Through breaking ranks his furious course he bends,


s: And at the goddess his broad lance extends;


s: Through her bright veil the daring weapon drove,


s: The ambrosial veil which all the Graces wove;


s: Her snowy hand the razing steel profaned,


s: And the transparent skin with crimson stain’d,


s: From the clear vein a stream immortal flow’d,


s: Such stream as issues from a wounded god;(148)


s: Unlike our gross, diseased, terrestrial blood:


s: (For not the bread of man their life sustains,


s: Nor wine’s inflaming juice supplies their veins:)


s: With tender shrieks the goddess fill’d the place,


s: And dropp’d her offspring from her weak embrace.


s: Him Phoebus took: he casts a cloud around


s: The fainting chief, and wards the mortal wound.


s: Then with a voice that shook the vaulted skies,


s: The king insults the goddess as she flies:


s: "Ill with Jove’s daughter bloody fights agree,


s: The field of combat is no scene for thee:


s: Go, let thy own soft sex employ thy care,


s: Go, lull the coward, or delude the fair.


s: Taught by this stroke renounce the war’s alarms,


s: And learn to tremble at the name of arms."


s: Tydides thus. The goddess, seized with dread,


s: Confused, distracted, from the conflict fled.


s: The queen of love with faded charms she found.


s: Pale was her cheek, and livid look’d the wound.


s: To Mars, who sat remote, they bent their way:


s: Far, on the left, with clouds involved he lay;


s: Beside him stood his lance, distain’d with gore,


s: And, rein’d with gold, his foaming steeds before.


s: Low at his knee, she begg’d with streaming eyes


s: Her brother’s car, to mount the distant skies,


s: And show’d the wound by fierce Tydides given,


s: A mortal man, who dares encounter heaven.


s: Stern Mars attentive hears the queen complain,


s: And to her hand commits the golden rein;


s: She mounts the seat, oppress’d with silent woe,


s: Driven by the goddess of the painted bow.


s: The lash resounds, the rapid chariot flies,


s: They stopp’d the car, and there the coursers stood,


s: Before her mother, love’s bright queen appears,


s: O’erwhelmed with anguish, and dissolved in tears:


s: She raised her in her arms, beheld her bleed,


s: And ask’d what god had wrought this guilty deed?


s: Then she: "This insult from no god I found,


s: An impious mortal gave the daring wound!


s: ’Twas in the son’s defence the mother bled.


s: The war with Troy no more the Grecians wage;


s: But with the gods (the immortal gods) engage."


s: Dione then: "Thy wrongs with patience bear,


s: And share those griefs inferior powers must share:


s: Unnumber’d woes mankind from us sustain,


s: And men with woes afflict the gods again.


s: The mighty Mars in mortal fetters bound,(149)


s: And lodged in brazen dungeons underground,


s: Full thirteen moons imprison’d roar’d in vain;


s: Perhaps had perish’d had not Hermes’ care


s: Great Juno’s self has borne her weight of pain,


s: The imperial partner of the heavenly reign;


s: Amphitryon’s son infix’d the deadly dart,(150)


s: And fill’d with anguish her immortal heart.


s: E’en hell’s grim king Alcides’ power confess’d,


s: The shaft found entrance in his iron breast;


s: To Jove’s high palace for a cure he fled,


s: Pierced in his own dominions of the dead;


s: Where Paeon, sprinkling heavenly balm around,


s: Assuaged the glowing pangs, and closed the wound.


s: Rash, impious man! to stain the bless’d abodes,


s: And drench his arrows in the blood of gods!


s: "But thou (though Pallas urged thy frantic deed),


s: Whose spear ill-fated makes a goddess bleed,


s: Know thou, whoe’er with heavenly power contends,


s: Short is his date, and soon his glory ends;


s: From fields of death when late he shall retire,


s: No infant on his knees shall call him sire.


s: Strong as thou art, some god may yet be found,


s: To stretch thee pale and gasping on the ground;


s: Starting from sleep with a distracted air,


s: Shall rouse thy slaves, and her lost lord deplore,


s: The brave, the great, the glorious now no more!"


s: This said, she wiped from Venus’ wounded palm


s: And thus to Jove began the blue-eyed maid:


s: "Permit thy daughter, gracious Jove! to tell


s: How this mischance the Cyprian queen befell,


s: As late she tried with passion to inflame


s: Allured the fair, with moving thoughts of joy,


s: To quit her country for some youth of Troy;


s: The clasping zone, with golden buckles bound,


s: Razed her soft hand with this lamented wound."


s: The sire of gods and men superior smiled,


s: And, calling Venus, thus address’d his child:


s: "Not these, O daughter are thy proper cares,


s: Thee milder arts befit, and softer wars;


s: Sweet smiles are thine, and kind endearing charms;


s: To Mars and Pallas leave the deeds of arms."


s: Thus they in heaven: while on the plain below


s: The fierce Tydides charged his Dardan foe,


s: Flush’d with celestial blood pursued his way,


s: And fearless dared the threatening god of day;


s: Though screen’d behind Apollo’s mighty shield.


s: Thrice rushing furious, at the chief he strook;


s: His blazing buckler thrice Apollo shook:


s: He tried the fourth: when, breaking from the cloud,


s: A more than mortal voice was heard aloud.


s: "O son of Tydeus, cease! be wise and see


s: How vast the difference of the gods and thee;


s: Distance immense! between the powers that shine


s: And mortal man! a wretch of humble birth,


s: A short-lived reptile in the dust of earth."


s: So spoke the god who darts celestial fires:


s: He dreads his fury, and some steps retires.


s: Then Phoebus bore the chief of Venus’ race


s: To Troy’s high fane, and to his holy place;


s: Latona there and Phoebe heal’d the wound,


s: With vigour arm’d him, and with glory crown’d.


s: A phantom raised, the same in shape and show


s: With great Æneas; such the form he bore,


s: And such in fight the radiant arms he wore.


s: Around the spectre bloody wars are waged,


s: And Greece and Troy with clashing shields engaged.


s: And calling Mars, thus urged the raging god:


s: "Stern power of arms, by whom the mighty fall;


s: Who bathest in blood, and shakest the embattled wall,


s: Rise in thy wrath! to hell’s abhorr’d abodes


s: Despatch yon Greek, and vindicate the gods.


s: Me next he charged, and dares all heaven engage:


s: The wretch would brave high heaven’s immortal sire,


s: His triple thunder, and his bolts of fire."


s: Stirs all the ranks, and fires the Trojan train;


s: In form like Acamas, the Thracian guide,


s: Enraged to Troy’s retiring chiefs he cried:


s: "How long, ye sons of Priam! will ye fly,


s: And stretch the slaughter to the gates of Troy?


s: Lo, brave Æneas sinks beneath his wound,


s: Not godlike Hector more in arms renown’d:


s: Haste all, and take the generous warrior’s part.


s: He said;—new courage swell’d each hero’s heart.


s: Sarpedon first his ardent soul express’d,


s: And, turn’d to Hector, these bold words address’d:


s: "Say, chief, is all thy ancient valour lost?


s: Where are thy threats, and where thy glorious boast,


s: That propp’d alone by Priam’s race should stand


s: Troy’s sacred walls, nor need a foreign hand?


s: Now, now thy country calls her wonted friends,


s: And the proud vaunt in just derision ends.


s: Remote they stand while alien troops engage,


s: Like trembling hounds before the lion’s rage.


s: Far distant hence I held my wide command,


s: Where foaming Xanthus laves the Lycian land;


s: With ample wealth (the wish of mortals) bless’d,


s: A beauteous wife, and infant at her breast;


s: With those I left whatever dear could be:


s: Greece, if she conquers, nothing wins from me;


s: Yet first in fight my Lycian bands I cheer,


s: And long to meet this mighty man ye fear;


s: While Hector idle stands, nor bids the brave


s: Their wives, their infants, and their altars save.


s: Haste, warrior, haste! preserve thy threaten’d state,


s: Full o’er your towers shall fall, and sweep away


s: Sons, sires, and wives, an undistinguish’d prey.


s: Rouse all thy Trojans, urge thy aids to fight;


s: These claim thy thoughts by day, thy watch by night;


s: With force incessant the brave Greeks oppose;


s: Such cares thy friends deserve, and such thy foes."


s: Stung to the heart the generous Hector hears,


s: But just reproof with decent silence bears.


s: From his proud car the prince impetuous springs,


s: On earth he leaps, his brazen armour rings.


s: Two shining spears are brandish’d in his hands;


s: Thus arm’d, he animates his drooping bands,


s: Revives their ardour, turns their steps from flight,


s: And wakes anew the dying flames of fight.


s: They turn, they stand; the Greeks their fury dare,


s: Condense their powers, and wait the growing war.


s: As when, on Ceres’ sacred floor, the swain


s: Spreads the wide fan to clear the golden grain,


s: And the light chaff, before the breezes borne,


s: Ascends in clouds from off the heapy corn;


s: The grey dust, rising with collected winds,


s: Drives o’er the barn, and whitens all the hinds:


s: So white with dust the Grecian host appears.


s: From trampling steeds, and thundering charioteers;


s: The dusky clouds from labour’d earth arise,


s: And roll in smoking volumes to the skies.


s: Mars hovers o’er them with his sable shield,


s: And adds new horrors to the darken’d field:


s: Pleased with his charge, and ardent to fulfil,


s: In Troy’s defence, Apollo’s heavenly will:


s: Soon as from fight the blue-eyed maid retires,


s: Each Trojan bosom with new warmth he fires.


s: And now the god, from forth his sacred fane,


s: Alive, unharm’d, with all his peers around,


s: Erect he stood, and vigorous from his wound:


s: Inquiries none they made; the dreadful day


s: No pause of words admits, no dull delay;


s: Fierce Discord storms, Apollo loud exclaims,


s: Fame calls, Mars thunders, and the field’s in flames.


s: And great Ulysses, bathed in hostile blood.


s: Embodied close, the labouring Grecian train


s: The fiercest shock of charging hosts sustain.


s: Unmoved and silent, the whole war they wait


s: Serenely dreadful, and as fix’d as fate.


s: So when the embattled clouds in dark array,


s: Along the skies their gloomy lines display;


s: When now the North his boisterous rage has spent,


s: The low-hung vapours, motionless and still,


s: Till the mass scatters as the winds arise,


s: Dispersed and broken through the ruffled skies.


s: Nor was the general wanting to his train;


s: From troop to troop he toils through all the plain,


s: "Ye Greeks, be men! the charge of battle bear;


s: Your brave associates and yourselves revere!


s: Let glorious acts more glorious acts inspire,


s: And catch from breast to breast the noble fire!


s: On valour’s side the odds of combat lie,


s: The brave live glorious, or lamented die;


s: The wretch who trembles in the field of fame,


s: Meets death, and worse than death, eternal shame!"


s: These words he seconds with his flying lance,


s: To meet whose point was strong Deicoon’s chance:


s: Honour’d and loved like Priam’s royal race:


s: Long had he fought the foremost in the field,


s: But now the monarch’s lance transpierced his shield:


s: His shield too weak the furious dart to stay,


s: Through his broad belt the weapon forced its way:


s: The grisly wound dismiss’d his soul to hell,


s: Then fierce Æneas, brandishing his blade,


s: Whose sire Diocleus, wealthy, brave and great,


s: In well-built Pherae held his lofty seat:(152)


s: Sprung from Alpheus’ plenteous stream, that yields


s: Increase of harvests to the Pylian fields.


s: And these descended in the third degree.


s: In sable ships they left their native soil,


s: They fell with glory on the Phrygian plain.


s: So two young mountain lions, nursed with blood


s: Rush fearless to the plains, and uncontroll’d


s: Depopulate the stalls and waste the fold:


s: Till pierced at distance from their native den,


s: O’erpowered they fall beneath the force of men.


s: Prostrate on earth their beauteous bodies lay,


s: Like mountain firs, as tall and straight as they.


s: Lifts his bright lance, and at the victor flies;


s: Mars urged him on; yet, ruthless in his hate,


s: The god but urged him to provoke his fate.


s: Shakes for his danger, and neglects his own;


s: Struck with the thought, should Helen’s lord be slain,


s: And all his country’s glorious labours vain.


s: Already met, the threatening heroes stand;


s: The spears already tremble in their hand:


s: And fall or conquer by the Spartan king.


s: These seen, the Dardan backward turn’d his course,


s: Brave as he was, and shunn’d unequal force.


s: The breathless bodies to the Greeks they drew,


s: Then mix in combat, and their toils renew.


s: First, Pylaemenes, great in battle, bled,


s: Who sheathed in brass the Paphlagonians led.


s: Atrides mark’d him where sublime he stood;


s: Fix’d in his throat the javelin drank his blood.


s: The faithful Mydon, as he turn’d from fight


s: His flying coursers, sunk to endless night;


s: A broken rock by Nestor’s son was thrown:


s: His bended arm received the falling stone;


s: From his numb’d hand the ivory-studded reins,


s: Dropp’d in the dust, are trail’d along the plains:


s: Meanwhile his temples feel a deadly wound;


s: He groans in death, and ponderous sinks to ground:


s: Deep drove his helmet in the sands, and there


s: The head stood fix’d, the quivering legs in air,


s: Till trampled flat beneath the coursers’ feet:


s: The youthful victor mounts his empty seat,


s: And bears the prize in triumph to the fleet.


s: Great Hector saw, and, raging at the view,


s: Pours on the Greeks: the Trojan troops pursue:


s: And brings along the furies of the skies,


s: Mars, stern destroyer! and Bellona dread,


s: Flame in the front, and thunder at their head:


s: This swells the tumult and the rage of fight;


s: That shakes a spear that casts a dreadful light.


s: Where Hector march’d, the god of battles shined,


s: Now storm’d before him, and now raged behind.


s: Then first the hero’s manly breast knew fear.


s: As when some simple swain his cot forsakes,


s: And wide through fens an unknown journey takes:


s: If chance a swelling brook his passage stay,


s: And foam impervious ’cross the wanderer’s way,


s: Confused he stops, a length of country pass’d,


s: Eyes the rough waves, and tired, returns at last.


s: Amazed no less the great Tydides stands:


s: He stay’d, and turning thus address’d his bands:


s: "No wonder, Greeks! that all to Hector yield;


s: Secure of favouring gods, he takes the field;


s: His strokes they second, and avert our spears.


s: Behold where Mars in mortal arms appears!


s: Retire then, warriors, but sedate and slow;


s: Trust not too much your unavailing might;


s: ’Tis not with Troy, but with the gods ye fight."


s: Now near the Greeks the black battalions drew;


s: And first two leaders valiant Hector slew:


s: In the same car the chiefs to combat ride,


s: Struck at the sight, the mighty Ajax glows


s: With thirst of vengeance, and assaults the foes.


s: His massy spear with matchless fury sent,


s: Through Amphius’ belt and heaving belly went;


s: With herds abounding, and with treasure bless’d;


s: But fate resistless from his country led


s: The chief, to perish at his people’s head.


s: Shook with his fall his brazen armour rung,


s: And fierce, to seize it, conquering Ajax sprung;


s: A wood of spears his ample shield sustain’d:


s: Beneath one foot the yet warm corpse he press’d,


s: And drew his javelin from the bleeding breast:


s: He could no more; the showering darts denied


s: To spoil his glittering arms, and plumy pride.


s: Now foes on foes came pouring on the fields,


s: With bristling lances, and compacted shields;


s: Till in the steely circle straiten’d round,


s: Forced he gives way, and sternly quits the ground.


s: While thus they strive, Tlepolemus the great,(153)


s: Burns with desire Sarpedon’s strength to prove;


s: Alcides’ offspring meets the son of Jove.


s: Sheathed in bright arms each adverse chief came on.


s: Jove’s great descendant, and his greater son.


s: Prepared for combat, ere the lance he toss’d,


s: The daring Rhodian vents his haughty boast:


s: "What brings this Lycian counsellor so far,


s: Know thy vain self, nor let their flattery move,


s: Who style thee son of cloud-compelling Jove.


s: How far unlike those chiefs of race divine,


s: How vast the difference of their deeds and thine!


s: Jove got such heroes as my sire, whose soul


s: No fear could daunt, nor earth nor hell control.


s: Troy felt his arm, and yon proud ramparts stand


s: Raised on the ruins of his vengeful hand:


s: With six small ships, and but a slender train,


s: lie left the town a wide-deserted plain.


s: But what art thou, who deedless look’st around,


s: While unrevenged thy Lycians bite the ground!


s: Small aid to Troy thy feeble force can be;


s: But wert thou greater, thou must yield to me.


s: Pierced by my spear, to endless darkness go!


s: I make this present to the shades below."


s: Thus haughty spoke. The Lycian king replied:


s: "Thy sire, O prince! o’erturn’d the Trojan state,


s: Whose perjured monarch well deserved his fate;


s: Those heavenly steeds the hero sought so far,


s: False he detain’d, the just reward of war.


s: Nor so content, the generous chief defied,


s: But you, unworthy the high race you boast,


s: Shall raise my glory when thy own is lost:


s: Now meet thy fate, and by Sarpedon slain,


s: Add one more ghost to Pluto’s gloomy reign."


s: He said: both javelins at an instant flew;


s: Both struck, both wounded, but Sarpedon’s slew:


s: Full in the boaster’s neck the weapon stood,


s: Transfix’d his throat, and drank the vital blood;


s: The soul disdainful seeks the caves of night,


s: And his seal’d eyes for ever lose the light.


s: Thy angry lance; which piercing to the bone


s: Sarpedon’s thigh, had robb’d the chief of breath;


s: But Jove was present, and forbade the death.


s: Borne from the conflict by his Lycian throng,


s: The wounded hero dragg’d the lance along.


s: (His friends, each busied in his several part,


s: Through haste, or danger, had not drawn the dart.)


s: The Greeks with slain Tlepolemus retired;


s: Whose fall Ulysses view’d, with fury fired;


s: Doubtful if Jove’s great son he should pursue,


s: Or pour his vengeance on the Lycian crew.


s: But heaven and fate the first design withstand,


s: Nor this great death must grace Ulysses’ hand.


s: Alastor, Cronius, Halius, strew’d the plain,


s: And numbers more his sword had sent to hell,


s: But Hector saw; and, furious at the sight,


s: Rush’d terrible amidst the ranks of fight.


s: With joy Sarpedon view’d the wish’d relief,


s: And, faint, lamenting, thus implored the chief:


s: If I, unbless’d, must see my son no more,


s: My much-loved consort, and my native shore,


s: Troy, in whose cause I fell, shall mourn my fall."


s: He said, nor Hector to the chief replies,


s: But shakes his plume, and fierce to combat flies;


s: Swift as a whirlwind, drives the scattering foes;


s: And dyes the ground with purple as he goes.


s: Beneath a beech, Jove’s consecrated shade,


s: His mournful friends divine Sarpedon laid:


s: Brave Pelagon, his favourite chief, was nigh,


s: Who wrench’d the javelin from his sinewy thigh.


s: The fainting soul stood ready wing’d for flight,


s: And o’er his eye-balls swam the shades of night;


s: But Boreas rising fresh, with gentle breath,


s: Recall’d his spirit from the gates of death.


s: Though Mars and Hector thunder in their face;


s: None turn their backs to mean ignoble flight,


s: Slow they retreat, and even retreating fight.


s: Who first, who last, by Mars’ and Hector’s hand,


s: Stretch’d in their blood, lay gasping on the sand?


s: Tenthras the great, Orestes the renown’d


s: For managed steeds, and Trechus press’d the ground;,


s: Next OEnomaus and OEnops’ offspring died;


s: Oresbius last fell groaning at their side:


s: Where lakes surround low Hyle’s watery plain;


s: A prince and people studious of their gain.


s: The carnage Juno from the skies survey’d,


s: And touch’d with grief bespoke the blue-eyed maid:


s: "Oh, sight accursed! Shall faithless Troy prevail,


s: And shall our promise to our people fail?


s: By Jove’s great daughter and the queen of heaven,


s: Beneath his arms that Priam’s towers should fall,


s: If warring gods for ever guard the wall!


s: Mars, red with slaughter, aids our hated foes:


s: Haste, let us arm, and force with force oppose!"


s: She spoke; Minerva burns to meet the war:


s: And now heaven’s empress calls her blazing car.


s: At her command rush forth the steeds divine;


s: Rich with immortal gold their trappings shine.


s: The whirling wheels are to the chariot hung.


s: On the bright axle turns the bidden wheel


s: Of sounding brass; the polished axle steel.


s: Eight brazen spokes in radiant order flame;


s: Such as the heavens produce: and round the gold


s: Two brazen rings of work divine were roll’d.


s: Braces of gold suspend the moving throne:


s: The car, behind, an arching figure bore;


s: The bending concave form’d an arch before.


s: Silver the beam, the extended yoke was gold,


s: And golden reins the immortal coursers hold.


s: The coursers joins, and breathes revenge and war.


s: Pallas disrobes; her radiant veil untied,


s: With flowers adorn’d, with art diversified,


s: (The laboured veil her heavenly fingers wove,)


s: Flows on the pavement of the court of Jove.


s: Now heaven’s dread arms her mighty limbs invest,


s: Jove’s cuirass blazes on her ample breast;


s: Deck’d in sad triumph for the mournful field,


s: O’er her broad shoulders hangs his horrid shield,


s: Dire, black, tremendous! Round the margin roll’d,


s: A fringe of serpents hissing guards the gold:


s: Here all the terrors of grim War appear,


s: Here rages Force, here tremble Flight and Fear,


s: Here storm’d Contention, and here Fury frown’d,


s: And the dire orb portentous Gorgon crown’d.


s: That dreadful nods with four o’ershading plumes;


s: So vast, the broad circumference contains


s: The goddess thus the imperial car ascends;


s: Shook by her arm the mighty javelin bends,


s: Ponderous and huge; that when her fury burns,


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


s: Swift at the scourge the ethereal coursers fly,


s: While the smooth chariot cuts the liquid sky.


s: Heaven’s gates spontaneous open to the powers,(155)


s: Heaven’s golden gates, kept by the winged Hours;(156)


s: Commission’d in alternate watch they stand,


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


s: Involve in clouds the eternal gates of day,


s: Or the dark barrier roll with ease away.


s: The gloomy volumes, pierced with light, divide.


s: The chariot mounts, where deep in ambient skies,


s: Where far apart the Thunderer fills his throne,


s: There with her snowy hand the queen restrains


s: The fiery steeds, and thus to Jove complains:


s: "O sire! can no resentment touch thy soul?


s: Can Mars rebel, and does no thunder roll?


s: What lawless rage on yon forbidden plain,


s: What rash destruction! and what heroes slain!


s: Venus, and Phoebus with the dreadful bow,


s: Smile on the slaughter, and enjoy my woe.


s: Mad, furious power! whose unrelenting mind


s: Say, mighty father! shall we scourge this pride,


s: And drive from fight the impetuous homicide?"


s: To whom assenting, thus the Thunderer said:


s: And oft afflicts his brutal breast with woes."


s: Lash’d her white steeds along the aerial way


s: Swift down the steep of heaven the chariot rolls,


s: Between the expanded earth and starry poles


s: Far as a shepherd, from some point on high,(157)


s: O’er the wide main extends his boundless eye,


s: Through such a space of air, with thundering sound,


s: At every leap the immortal coursers bound


s: Troy now they reach’d and touch’d those banks divine,


s: There Juno stopp’d, and (her fair steeds unloosed)


s: For these, impregnate with celestial dew,


s: On Simois, brink ambrosial herbage grew.


s: Thence to relieve the fainting Argive throng,


s: Smooth as the sailing doves they glide along.


s: The best and bravest of the Grecian band


s: Such was their look as lions bathed in blood,


s: Or foaming boars, the terror of the wood


s: Heaven’s empress mingles with the mortal crowd,


s: And shouts, in Stentor’s sounding voice, aloud;


s: Stentor the strong, endued with brazen lungs,(158)


s: Whose throats surpass’d the force of fifty tongues.


s: "Inglorious Argives! to your race a shame,


s: Once from the walls your timorous foes engaged,


s: While fierce in war divine Achilles raged;


s: Now issuing fearless they possess the plain,


s: Now win the shores, and scarce the seas remain."


s: Her speech new fury to their hearts convey’d;


s: While near Tydides stood the Athenian maid;


s: The king beside his panting steeds she found,


s: O’erspent with toil reposing on the ground;


s: (The wound inflicted by the Lycian dart.)


s: Large drops of sweat from all his limbs descend,


s: Beneath his ponderous shield his sinews bend,


s: Whose ample belt, that o’er his shoulder lay,


s: He eased; and wash’d the clotted gore away.


s: The goddess leaning o’er the bending yoke,


s: Beside his coursers, thus her silence broke:


s: "Degenerate prince! and not of Tydeus’ kind,


s: Foremost he press’d in glorious toils to share,


s: And scarce refrain’d when I forbade the war.


s: There braved, and vanquish’d, many a hardy knight;


s: Such nerves I gave him, and such force in fight.


s: Thou too no less hast been my constant care;


s: Thy hands I arm’d, and sent thee forth to war:


s: But thee or fear deters, or sloth detains;


s: No drop of all thy father warms thy veins."


s: The chief thus answered mild: "Immortal maid!


s: I own thy presence, and confess thy aid.


s: Not fear, thou know’st, withholds me from the plains,


s: Nor sloth hath seized me, but thy word restrains:


s: From warring gods thou bad’st me turn my spear,


s: Hence, goddess! heedful of thy high commands,


s: Loth I gave way, and warn’d our Argive bands:


s: For Mars, the homicide, these eyes beheld,


s: With slaughter red, and raging round the field."


s: Then thus Minerva:—"Brave Tydides, hear!


s: Not Mars himself, nor aught immortal, fear.


s: Full on the god impel thy foaming horse:


s: Pallas commands, and Pallas lends thee force.


s: Rash, furious, blind, from these to those he flies,


s: And every side of wavering combat tries;


s: Large promise makes, and breaks the promise made:


s: Now gives the Grecians, now the Trojans aid."(159)


s: She said, and to the steeds approaching near,


s: Drew from his seat the martial charioteer.


s: The vigorous power the trembling car ascends,


s: The groaning axle bent beneath the load;


s: She snatch’d the reins, she lash’d with all her force,


s: And full on Mars impelled the foaming horse:


s: But first, to hide her heavenly visage, spread


s: Black Orcus’ helmet o’er her radiant head.


s: The strongest warrior of the Ætolian train;


s: The god, who slew him, leaves his prostrate prize


s: Stretch’d where he fell, and at Tydides flies.


s: Now rushing fierce, in equal arms appear


s: The daring Greek, the dreadful god of war!


s: Full at the chief, above his courser’s head,


s: From Mars’s arm the enormous weapon fled:


s: Pallas opposed her hand, and caused to glance


s: Far from the car the strong immortal lance.


s: Then threw the force of Tydeus’ warlike son;


s: The javelin hiss’d; the goddess urged it on:


s: Where the broad cincture girt his armour round,


s: It pierced the god: his groin received the wound.


s: From the rent skin the warrior tugs again


s: The smoking steel. Mars bellows with the pain:


s: Loud as the roar encountering armies yield,


s: When shouting millions shake the thundering field.


s: Both armies start, and trembling gaze around;


s: And earth and heaven re-bellow to the sound.


s: As vapours blown by Auster’s sultry breath,


s: Pregnant with plagues, and shedding seeds of death,


s: Beneath the rage of burning Sirius rise,


s: Choke the parch’d earth, and blacken all the skies;


s: In such a cloud the god from combat driven,


s: High o’er the dusky whirlwind scales the heaven.


s: Wild with his pain, he sought the bright abodes,


s: There sullen sat beneath the sire of gods,


s: Show’d the celestial blood, and with a groan


s: Thus pour’d his plaints before the immortal throne:


s: "Can Jove, supine, flagitious facts survey,


s: And brook the furies of this daring day?


s: From thee, O father! all these ills we bear,


s: And thy fell daughter with the shield and spear;


s: Thou gavest that fury to the realms of light,


s: Pernicious, wild, regardless of the right.


s: All heaven beside reveres thy sovereign sway,


s: Thy voice we hear, and thy behests obey:


s: ’Tis hers to offend, and even offending share


s: Thy breast, thy counsels, thy distinguish’d care:


s: So boundless she, and thou so partial grown,


s: Well may we deem the wondrous birth thy own.


s: Against the immortals lifts his raging hand:


s: The heavenly Venus first his fury found,


s: Me next encountering, me he dared to wound;


s: Vanquish’d I fled; even I, the god of fight,


s: From mortal madness scarce was saved by flight.


s: Else hadst thou seen me sink on yonder plain,


s: Heap’d round, and heaving under loads of slain!


s: Or pierced with Grecian darts, for ages lie,


s: Condemn’d to pain, though fated not to die."


s: Him thus upbraiding, with a wrathful look


s: The lord of thunders view’d, and stern bespoke:


s: "To me, perfidious! this lamenting strain?


s: Of lawless force shall lawless Mars complain?


s: Of all the gods who tread the spangled skies,


s: Thou most unjust, most odious in our eyes!


s: The waste of slaughter, and the rage of fight.


s: No bounds, no law, thy fiery temper quells,


s: In vain our threats, in vain our power we use;


s: She gives the example, and her son pursues.


s: Yet long the inflicted pangs thou shall not mourn,


s: Sprung since thou art from Jove, and heavenly-born.


s: Else, singed with lightning, hadst thou hence been thrown,


s: Where chain’d on burning rocks the Titans groan."


s: Thus he who shakes Olympus with his nod;


s: Then gave to Paeon’s care the bleeding god.(160)


s: With gentle hand the balm he pour’d around,


s: And heal’d the immortal flesh, and closed the wound.


s: As when the fig’s press’d juice, infused in cream,


s: Sudden the fluids fix the parts combined;


s: Such, and so soon, the ethereal texture join’d.


s: Cleansed from the dust and gore, fair Hebe dress’d


s: Fast by the throne of heaven’s superior lord.


s: Juno and Pallas mount the bless’d abodes,


s: Their task perform’d, and mix among the gods.


s: Now heaven forsakes the fight: the immortals yield


s: To human force and human skill the field:


s: Dark showers of javelins fly from foes to foes;


s: Now here, now there, the tide of combat flows;


s: While Troy’s famed streams, that bound the deathful plain


s: Great Ajax first to conquest led the way,


s: Broke the thick ranks, and turn’d the doubtful day.


s: And hew’d the enormous giant to the ground;


s: His thundering arm a deadly stroke impress’d


s: Where the black horse-hair nodded o’er his crest;


s: Fix’d in his front the brazen weapon lies,


s: And seals in endless shades his swimming eyes.


s: Next Teuthras’ son distain’d the sands with blood,


s: In fair Arisbe’s walls (his native place)(161)


s: He held his seat! a friend to human race.


s: Obliged the wealthy, and relieved the poor.


s: No friend to guard him in the dreadful day!


s: Breathless the good man fell, and by his side


s: His faithful servant, old Calesius died.


s: And next he laid Opheltius on the plain.


s: Two twins were near, bold, beautiful, and young,


s: That monarch’s first-born by a foreign bed;


s: In secret woods he won the naiad’s grace,


s: And two fair infants crown’d his strong embrace:)


s: Here dead they lay in all their youthful charms;


s: The ruthless victor stripp’d their shining arms.


s: And Nestor’s son laid stern Ablerus dead;


s: Who held in Pedasus his proud abode,(162)


s: And till’d the banks where silver Satnio flow’d.


s: Beneath the Spartan spear, a living prize.


s: Scared with the din and tumult of the fight,


s: His headlong steeds, precipitate in flight,


s: Rush’d on a tamarisk’s strong trunk, and broke


s: The shatter’d chariot from the crooked yoke;


s: Wide o’er the field, resistless as the wind,


s: For Troy they fly, and leave their lord behind.


s: Prone on his face he sinks beside the wheel:


s: Atrides o’er him shakes his vengeful steel;


s: The fallen chief in suppliant posture press’d


s: The victor’s knees, and thus his prayer address’d:


s: "O spare my youth, and for the life I owe


s: Large gifts of price my father shall bestow.


s: When fame shall tell, that, not in battle slain,


s: Thy hollow ships his captive son detain:


s: Rich heaps of brass shall in thy tent be told,(163)


s: And steel well-temper’d, and persuasive gold."


s: He said: compassion touch’d the hero’s heart


s: He stood, suspended with the lifted dart:


s: As pity pleaded for his vanquish’d prize,


s: Stern Agamemnon swift to vengeance flies,


s: And, furious, thus: "Oh impotent of mind!(164)


s: Shall these, shall these Atrides’ mercy find?


s: Well hast thou known proud Troy’s perfidious land,


s: Not one of all the race, nor sex, nor age,


s: Shall save a Trojan from our boundless rage:


s: Her babes, her infants at the breast, shall fall;(165)


s: To warn the nations, and to curb the great!"


s: The monarch spoke; the words, with warmth address’d,


s: To rigid justice steel’d his brother’s breast


s: Fierce from his knees the hapless chief he thrust;


s: The monarch’s javelin stretch’d him in the dust,


s: Then pressing with his foot his panting heart,


s: Forth from the slain he tugg’d the reeking dart.


s: Old Nestor saw, and roused the warrior’s rage;


s: "Thus, heroes! thus the vigorous combat wage;


s: No son of Mars descend, for servile gains,


s: To touch the booty, while a foe remains.


s: Behold yon glittering host, your future spoil!


s: First gain the conquest, then reward the toil."


s: And now had Greece eternal fame acquired,


s: And frighted Troy within her walls, retired,


s: Had not sage Helenus her state redress’d,


s: Taught by the gods that moved his sacred breast.


s: Where Hector stood, with great Æneas join’d,


s: The seer reveal’d the counsels of his mind:


s: "Ye generous chiefs! on whom the immortals lay


s: The cares and glories of this doubtful day;


s: On whom your aids, your country’s hopes depend;


s: Here, at our gates, your brave efforts unite,


s: Turn back the routed, and forbid the flight,


s: Ere yet their wives’ soft arms the cowards gain,


s: The sport and insult of the hostile train.


s: When your commands have hearten’d every band,


s: Ourselves, here fix’d, will make the dangerous stand;


s: Press’d as we are, and sore of former fight,


s: These straits demand our last remains of might.


s: Meanwhile thou, Hector, to the town retire,


s: And teach our mother what the gods require:


s: Direct the queen to lead the assembled train


s: Of Troy’s chief matrons to Minerva’s fane;(166)


s: Unbar the sacred gates, and seek the power,


s: With offer’d vows, in Ilion’s topmost tower.


s: The largest mantle her rich wardrobes hold,


s: Most prized for art, and labour’d o’er with gold,


s: Before the goddess’ honour’d knees be spread,


s: And twelve young heifers to her altars led:


s: If so the power, atoned by fervent prayer,


s: Our wives, our infants, and our city spare,


s: That mows whole troops, and makes all Troy retire;


s: Not thus Achilles taught our hosts to dread,


s: Sprung though he was from more than mortal bed;


s: Not thus resistless ruled the stream of fight,


s: In rage unbounded, and unmatch’d in might."


s: Hector obedient heard: and, with a bound,


s: Leap’d from his trembling chariot to the ground;


s: Through all his host inspiring force he flies,


s: And bids the thunder of the battle rise.


s: With rage recruited the bold Trojans glow,


s: And turn the tide of conflict on the foe:


s: Fierce in the front he shakes two dazzling spears;


s: All Greece recedes, and ’midst her triumphs fears;


s: Some god, they thought, who ruled the fate of wars,


s: Shot down avenging from the vault of stars.


s: Then thus aloud: "Ye dauntless Dardans, hear!


s: And you whom distant nations send to war!


s: Be mindful of the strength your fathers bore;


s: Be still yourselves, and Hector asks no more.


s: To bid our altars flame, and victims fall:


s: Nor shall, I trust, the matrons’ holy train,


s: And reverend elders, seek the gods in vain."


s: This said, with ample strides the hero pass’d;


s: The shield’s large orb behind his shoulder cast,


s: His neck o’ershading, to his ankle hung;


s: And as he march’d the brazen buckler rung.


s: Now paused the battle (godlike Hector gone),(167)


s: Where daring Glaucus and great Tydeus’ son


s: Between both armies met: the chiefs from far


s: Observed each other, and had mark’d for war.


s: "What art thou, boldest of the race of man?


s: Our eyes till now that aspect ne’er beheld,


s: Where fame is reap’d amid the embattled field;


s: Yet far before the troops thou dar’st appear,


s: And meet a lance the fiercest heroes fear.


s: Unhappy they, and born of luckless sires,


s: But if from heaven, celestial, thou descend,


s: Not long Lycurgus view’d the golden light,


s: That daring man who mix’d with gods in fight.


s: Bacchus, and Bacchus’ votaries, he drove,


s: With brandish’d steel, from Nyssa’s sacred grove:


s: Their consecrated spears lay scatter’d round,


s: With curling vines and twisted ivy bound;


s: While Bacchus headlong sought the briny flood,


s: And Thetis’ arms received the trembling god.


s: Nor fail’d the crime the immortals’ wrath to move;


s: (The immortals bless’d with endless ease above;)


s: Deprived of sight by their avenging doom,


s: Cheerless he breathed, and wander’d in the gloom,


s: A wretch accursed, and hated by the gods!


s: I brave not heaven: but if the fruits of earth


s: Sustain thy life, and human be thy birth,


s: Bold as thou art, too prodigal of breath,


s: Approach, and enter the dark gates of death."


s: "What, or from whence I am, or who my sire,


s: (Replied the chief,) can Tydeus’ son inquire?


s: Like leaves on trees the race of man is found,


s: Now green in youth, now withering on the ground;


s: Another race the following spring supplies;


s: They fall successive, and successive rise:


s: So flourish these, when those are pass’d away.


s: But if thou still persist to search my birth,


s: Then hear a tale that fills the spacious earth.


s: (Argos the fair, for warlike steeds renown’d,)


s: In ancient time the happy wall possess’d,


s: Then call’d Ephyre: Glaucus was his son;


s: Who o’er the sons of men in beauty shined,


s: Loved for that valour which preserves mankind.


s: Then mighty Praetus Argos’ sceptre sway’d,


s: With direful jealousy the monarch raged,


s: And the brave prince in numerous toils engaged.


s: For him Antaea burn’d with lawless flame,


s: And strove to tempt him from the paths of fame:


s: In vain she tempted the relentless youth,


s: Endued with wisdom, sacred fear, and truth.


s: Fired at his scorn the queen to Praetus fled,


s: And begg’d revenge for her insulted bed:


s: Incensed he heard, resolving on his fate;


s: But hospitable laws restrain’d his hate:


s: With tablets seal’d, that told his dire intent.(168)


s: Now bless’d by every power who guards the good,


s: The chief arrived at Xanthus’ silver flood:


s: There Lycia’s monarch paid him honours due,


s: Nine days he feasted, and nine bulls he slew.


s: But when the tenth bright morning orient glow’d,


s: The faithful youth his monarch’s mandate show’d:


s: The fatal tablets, till that instant seal’d,


s: The deathful secret to the king reveal’d.


s: First, dire Chimaera’s conquest was enjoin’d;


s: Behind, a dragon’s fiery tail was spread;


s: Her pitchy nostrils flaky flames expire;


s: "This pest he slaughter’d, (for he read the skies,


s: And trusted heaven’s informing prodigies,)


s: Then met in arms the Solymaean crew,(169)


s: (Fiercest of men,) and those the warrior slew;


s: Next the bold Amazons’ whole force defied;


s: And conquer’d still, for heaven was on his side.


s: "Nor ended here his toils: his Lycian foes,


s: At his return, a treacherous ambush rose,


s: With levell’d spears along the winding shore:


s: There fell they breathless, and return’d no more.


s: "At length the monarch, with repentant grief,


s: Confess’d the gods, and god-descended chief;


s: His daughter gave, the stranger to detain,


s: With half the honours of his ample reign:


s: The Lycians grant a chosen space of ground,


s: With woods, with vineyards, and with harvests crown’d.


s: There long the chief his happy lot possess’d,


s: With two brave sons and one fair daughter bless’d;


s: (Fair e’en in heavenly eyes: her fruitful love


s: Crown’d with Sarpedon’s birth the embrace of Jove;)


s: But when at last, distracted in his mind,


s: Wide o’er the Aleian field he chose to stray,


s: A long, forlorn, uncomfortable way!(170)


s: Woes heap’d on woes consumed his wasted heart:


s: His beauteous daughter fell by Phoebe’s dart;


s: His eldest born by raging Mars was slain,


s: The honour’d author of my birth and name;


s: By his instructions learn to win renown,


s: To stand the first in worth as in command,


s: Before my eyes my mighty sires to place,


s: He spoke, and transport fill’d Tydides’ heart;


s: In earth the generous warrior fix’d his dart,


s: Then friendly, thus the Lycian prince address’d:


s: Thus ever let us meet, with kind embrace,


s: Nor stain the sacred friendship of our race.


s: Know, chief, our grandsires have been guests of old;


s: OEneus the strong, Bellerophon the bold:


s: Our ancient seat his honour’d presence graced,


s: Where twenty days in genial rites he pass’d.


s: The parting heroes mutual presents left;


s: A golden goblet was thy grandsire’s gift;


s: OEneus a belt of matchless work bestowed,


s: That rich with Tyrian dye refulgent glow’d.


s: (This from his pledge I learn’d, which, safely stored


s: Among my treasures, still adorns my board:


s: For Tydeus left me young, when Thebe’s wall


s: Beheld the sons of Greece untimely fall.)


s: Mindful of this, in friendship let us join;


s: If heaven our steps to foreign lands incline,


s: My guest in Argos thou, and I in Lycia thine.


s: Enough of Trojans to this lance shall yield,


s: Enough of Greeks shall dye thy spear with gore;


s: Now change we arms, and prove to either host


s: We guard the friendship of the line we boast."


s: Thus having said, the gallant chiefs alight,


s: Their hands they join, their mutual faith they plight;


s: Brave Glaucus then each narrow thought resign’d,


s: (Jove warm’d his bosom, and enlarged his mind,)


s: For Diomed’s brass arms, of mean device,


s: For which nine oxen paid, (a vulgar price,)


s: He gave his own, of gold divinely wrought,(171)


s: A hundred beeves the shining purchase bought.


s: Meantime the guardian of the Trojan state,


s: Great Hector, enter’d at the Scaean gate.(172)


s: Beneath the beech-tree’s consecrated shades,


s: Around him flock’d, all press’d with pious care


s: For husbands, brothers, sons, engaged in war.


s: He bids the train in long procession go,


s: And seek the gods, to avert the impending woe.


s: And now to Priam’s stately courts he came,


s: Rais’d on arch’d columns of stupendous frame;


s: O’er these a range of marble structure runs,


s: In fifty chambers lodged: and rooms of state,(173)


s: Opposed to those, where Priam’s daughters sate.


s: Twelve domes for them and their loved spouses shone,


s: Hither great Hector pass’d, nor pass’d unseen


s: Surpass’d the nymphs of Troy’s illustrious race.)


s: Long in a strict embrace she held her son,


s: And press’d his hand, and tender thus begun:


s: "O Hector! say, what great occasion calls


s: My son from fight, when Greece surrounds our walls;


s: Com’st thou to supplicate the almighty power


s: With lifted hands, from Ilion’s lofty tower?


s: Stay, till I bring the cup with Bacchus crown’d,


s: In Jove’s high name, to sprinkle on the ground,


s: And pay due vows to all the gods around.


s: Then with a plenteous draught refresh thy soul,


s: And draw new spirits from the generous bowl;


s: Spent as thou art with long laborious fight,


s: The brave defender of thy country’s right."


s: "Far hence be Bacchus’ gifts; (the chief rejoin’d;)


s: Unnerves the limbs, and dulls the noble mind.


s: Let chiefs abstain, and spare the sacred juice


s: To sprinkle to the gods, its better use.


s: Ill fits it me, with human gore distain’d,


s: To the pure skies these horrid hands to raise,


s: Or offer heaven’s great Sire polluted praise.


s: You, with your matrons, go! a spotless train,


s: The largest mantle your full wardrobes hold,


s: Most prized for art, and labour’d o’er with gold,


s: Before the goddess’ honour’d knees be spread,


s: And twelve young heifers to her altar led.


s: So may the power, atoned by fervent prayer,


s: Our wives, our infants, and our city spare;


s: Who mows whole troops, and makes all Troy retire.


s: If yet not lost to all the sense of shame,


s: The recreant warrior hear the voice of fame.


s: Oh, would kind earth the hateful wretch embrace,


s: That pest of Troy, that ruin of our race!(174)


s: Deep to the dark abyss might he descend,


s: Troy yet should flourish, and my sorrows end."


s: This heard, she gave command: and summon’d came


s: The Phrygian queen to her rich wardrobe went,


s: Where treasured odours breathed a costly scent.


s: There lay the vestures of no vulgar art,


s: Whom from soft Sidon youthful Paris bore,


s: With Helen touching on the Tyrian shore.


s: Here, as the queen revolved with careful eyes


s: The various textures and the various dyes,


s: She chose a veil that shone superior far,


s: And glow’d refulgent as the morning star.


s: Herself with this the long procession leads;


s: Soon as to Ilion’s topmost tower they come,


s: And awful reach the high Palladian dome,


s: As Pallas’ priestess, and unbars the gates.


s: They fill the dome with supplicating cries.


s: The priestess then the shining veil displays,


s: Placed on Minerva’s knees, and thus she prays:


s: Troy’s strong defence, unconquer’d Pallas, aid!


s: Break thou Tydides’ spear, and let him fall


s: Prone on the dust before the Trojan wall!


s: So twelve young heifers, guiltless of the yoke,


s: Shall fill thy temple with a grateful smoke.


s: But thou, atoned by penitence and prayer,


s: Ourselves, our infants, and our city spare!"


s: So pray’d the priestess in her holy fane;


s: So vow’d the matrons, but they vow’d in vain.


s: While these appear before the power with prayers,


s: Hector to Paris’ lofty dome repairs.(175)


s: Himself the mansion raised, from every part


s: Near Priam’s court and Hector’s palace stands


s: The pompous structure, and the town commands.


s: A spear the hero bore of wondrous strength,


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


s: The steely point with golden ringlets join’d,


s: Before him brandish’d, at each motion shined


s: Thus entering, in the glittering rooms he found


s: His brother-chief, whose useless arms lay round,


s: His eyes delighting with their splendid show,


s: Brightening the shield, and polishing the bow.


s: Beside him Helen with her virgins stands,


s: Guides their rich labours, and instructs their hands.


s: The prince beheld, and high-resenting spoke.


s: "Thy hate to Troy, is this the time to show?


s: (O wretch ill-fated, and thy country’s foe!)


s: Paris and Greece against us both conspire,


s: Thy close resentment, and their vengeful ire.


s: For thee great Ilion’s guardian heroes fall,


s: Till heaps of dead alone defend her wall,


s: For thee the soldier bleeds, the matron mourns,


s: Ungrateful man! deserves not this thy care,


s: Our troops to hearten, and our toils to share?


s: Rise, or behold the conquering flames ascend,


s: And all the Phrygian glories at an end."


s: "Brother, ’tis just, (replied the beauteous youth,)


s: Thy free remonstrance proves thy worth and truth:


s: Yet charge my absence less, O generous chief!


s: On hate to Troy, than conscious shame and grief:


s: Here, hid from human eyes, thy brother sate,


s: And mourn’d, in secret, his and Ilion’s fate.


s: ’Tis now enough; now glory spreads her charms,


s: And beauteous Helen calls her chief to arms.


s: Conquest to-day my happier sword may bless,


s: ’Tis man’s to fight, but heaven’s to give success.


s: But while I arm, contain thy ardent mind;


s: He said, nor answer’d Priam’s warlike son;


s: "Oh, generous brother! (if the guilty dame


s: That caused these woes deserve a sister’s name!)


s: Would heaven, ere all these dreadful deeds were done,


s: The day that show’d me to the golden sun


s: Had seen my death! why did not whirlwinds bear


s: Why sunk I not beneath the whelming tide,


s: And midst the roarings of the waters died?


s: Heaven fill’d up all my ills, and I accursed


s: Bore all, and Paris of those ills the worst.


s: Helen at least a braver spouse might claim,


s: Warm’d with some virtue, some regard of fame!


s: Now tired with toils, thy fainting limbs recline,


s: With toils, sustain’d for Paris’ sake and mine


s: The gods have link’d our miserable doom,


s: Wide shall it spread, and last through ages long,


s: The chief replied: "This time forbids to rest;


s: The Trojan bands, by hostile fury press’d,


s: Demand their Hector, and his arm require;


s: The combat urges, and my soul’s on fire.


s: Urge thou thy knight to march where glory calls,


s: And timely join me, ere I leave the walls.


s: My wife, my infant, claim a moment’s stay;


s: This day (perhaps the last that sees me here)


s: This day, some god who hates our Trojan land


s: He said, and pass’d with sad presaging heart


s: To seek his spouse, his soul’s far dearer part;


s: At home he sought her, but he sought in vain;


s: She, with one maid of all her menial train,


s: Had hence retired; and with her second joy,


s: Pensive she stood on Ilion’s towery height,


s: Beheld the war, and sicken’d at the sight;


s: There her sad eyes in vain her lord explore,


s: Or weep the wounds her bleeding country bore.


s: But he who found not whom his soul desired,


s: Whose virtue charm’d him as her beauty fired,


s: Stood in the gates, and ask’d "what way she bent


s: Her parting step? If to the fane she went,


s: Where late the mourning matrons made resort;


s: Or sought her sisters in the Trojan court?"


s: "Not to the court, (replied the attendant train,)


s: Nor mix’d with matrons to Minerva’s fane:


s: To Ilion’s steepy tower she bent her way,


s: To mark the fortunes of the doubtful day.


s: Troy fled, she heard, before the Grecian sword;


s: She heard, and trembled for her absent lord:


s: Distracted with surprise, she seem’d to fly,


s: Fear on her cheek, and sorrow m her eye.


s: Hector this heard, return’d without delay;


s: Swift through the town he trod his former way,


s: Through streets of palaces, and walks of state;


s: With haste to meet him sprung the joyful fair.


s: His blameless wife, Aetion’s wealthy heir:


s: The nurse stood near, in whose embraces press’d,


s: His only hope hung smiling at her breast,


s: Whom each soft charm and early grace adorn,


s: Fair as the new-born star that gilds the morn.


s: To this loved infant Hector gave the name


s: Scamandrius, from Scamander’s honour’d stream;


s: From his great father, the defence of Troy.


s: Silent the warrior smiled, and pleased resign’d


s: His beauteous princess cast a mournful look,


s: Hung on his hand, and then dejected spoke;


s: And the big tear stood trembling in her eye.


s: "Too daring prince! ah, whither dost thou run?


s: And think’st thou not how wretched we shall be,


s: For sure such courage length of life denies,


s: And thou must fall, thy virtue’s sacrifice.


s: Greece in her single heroes strove in vain;


s: Now hosts oppose thee, and thou must be slain.


s: O grant me, gods, ere Hector meets his doom,


s: And end with sorrows as they first begun.


s: No parent now remains my griefs to share,


s: No father’s aid, no mother’s tender care.


s: The fierce Achilles wrapt our walls in fire,


s: Laid Thebe waste, and slew my warlike sire!


s: Stern as he was, he yet revered the dead,


s: His radiant arms preserved from hostile spoil,


s: And laid him decent on the funeral pile;


s: Then raised a mountain where his bones were burn’d,


s: The mountain-nymphs the rural tomb adorn’d,


s: Jove’s sylvan daughters bade their elms bestow


s: "By the same arm my seven brave brothers fell;


s: In one sad day beheld the gates of hell;


s: While the fat herds and snowy flocks they fed,


s: Amid their fields the hapless heroes bled!


s: My mother lived to wear the victor’s bands,


s: The queen of Hippoplacia’s sylvan lands:


s: Redeem’d too late, she scarce beheld again


s: Her pleasing empire and her native plain,


s: When ah! oppress’d by life-consuming woe,


s: "Yet while my Hector still survives, I see


s: My father, mother, brethren, all, in thee:


s: Alas! my parents, brothers, kindred, all


s: Once more will perish, if my Hector fall,


s: Thy wife, thy infant, in thy danger share:


s: Oh, prove a husband’s and a father’s care!


s: That quarter most the skilful Greeks annoy,


s: Where yon wild fig-trees join the wall of Troy;


s: Thou, from this tower defend the important post;


s: There Agamemnon points his dreadful host,


s: That pass Tydides, Ajax, strive to gain,


s: And there the vengeful Spartan fires his train.


s: Thrice our bold foes the fierce attack have given,


s: Or led by hopes, or dictated from heaven.


s: Let others in the field their arms employ,


s: But stay my Hector here, and guard his Troy."


s: The chief replied: "That post shall be my care,


s: Not that alone, but all the works of war.


s: How would the sons of Troy, in arms renown’d,


s: And Troy’s proud dames, whose garments sweep the ground


s: Should Hector basely quit the field of fame?


s: My early youth was bred to martial pains,


s: My soul impels me to the embattled plains!


s: Let me be foremost to defend the throne,


s: And guard my father’s glories, and my own.


s: "Yet come it will, the day decreed by fates!


s: (How my heart trembles while my tongue relates!)


s: The day when thou, imperial Troy! must bend,


s: And see thy warriors fall, thy glories end.


s: And yet no dire presage so wounds my mind,


s: Not Priam’s hoary hairs defiled with gore,


s: Not all my brothers gasping on the shore;


s: As thine, Andromache! Thy griefs I dread:


s: I see thee trembling, weeping, captive led!


s: And woes, of which so large a part was thine!


s: To bear the victor’s hard commands, or bring


s: The weight of waters from Hyperia’s spring.


s: There while you groan beneath the load of life,


s: They cry, ’Behold the mighty Hector’s wife!’


s: Some haughty Greek, who lives thy tears to see,


s: The thoughts of glory past, and present shame,


s: A thousand griefs shall waken at the name!


s: May I lie cold before that dreadful day,


s: Shall neither hear thee sigh, nor see thee weep."


s: Thus having spoke, the illustrious chief of Troy


s: Stretch’d his fond arms to clasp the lovely boy.


s: The babe clung crying to his nurse’s breast,


s: Scared at the dazzling helm, and nodding crest.


s: With secret pleasure each fond parent smiled,


s: The glittering terrors from his brows unbound,


s: And placed the beaming helmet on the ground;


s: Then kiss’d the child, and, lifting high in air,


s: Thus to the gods preferr’d a father’s prayer:


s: "O thou! whose glory fills the ethereal throne,


s: And all ye deathless powers! protect my son!


s: Grant him, like me, to purchase just renown,


s: To guard the Trojans, to defend the crown,


s: Against his country’s foes the war to wage,


s: So when triumphant from successful toils


s: Of heroes slain he bears the reeking spoils,


s: Whole hosts may hail him with deserved acclaim,


s: And say, ’This chief transcends his father’s fame:’


s: While pleased amidst the general shouts of Troy,


s: His mother’s conscious heart o’erflows with joy."


s: He spoke, and fondly gazing on her charms,


s: Restored the pleasing burden to her arms;


s: Soft on her fragrant breast the babe she laid,


s: Hush’d to repose, and with a smile survey’d.


s: The troubled pleasure soon chastised by fear,


s: The soften’d chief with kind compassion view’d,


s: And dried the falling drops, and thus pursued:


s: Why with untimely sorrows heaves thy heart?


s: Till fate condemns me to the silent tomb.


s: Fix’d is the term to all the race of earth;


s: And such the hard condition of our birth:


s: No force can then resist, no flight can save,


s: All sink alike, the fearful and the brave.


s: No more—but hasten to thy tasks at home,


s: There guide the spindle, and direct the loom:


s: The field of combat is the sphere for men.


s: Where heroes war, the foremost place I claim,


s: The first in danger as the first in fame."


s: Thus having said, the glorious chief resumes


s: His towery helmet, black with shading plumes.


s: His princess parts with a prophetic sigh,


s: Unwilling parts, and oft reverts her eye


s: That stream’d at every look; then, moving slow,


s: Sought her own palace, and indulged her woe.


s: There, while her tears deplored the godlike man,


s: Through all her train the soft infection ran;


s: The pious maids their mingled sorrows shed,


s: And mourn the living Hector, as the dead.


s: But now, no longer deaf to honour’s call,


s: Forth issues Paris from the palace wall.


s: Swift through the town the warrior bends his way.


s: The wanton courser thus with reins unbound(176)


s: Breaks from his stall, and beats the trembling ground;


s: Pamper’d and proud, he seeks the wonted tides,


s: And laves, in height of blood his shining sides;


s: His head now freed, he tosses to the skies;


s: His mane dishevell’d o’er his shoulders flies;


s: He snuffs the females in the distant plain,


s: And springs, exulting, to his fields again.


s: With equal triumph, sprightly, bold, and gay,


s: The son of Priam, glorying in his might,


s: Rush’d forth with Hector to the fields of fight.


s: And now, the warriors passing on the way,


s: The graceful Paris first excused his stay.


s: "O chief! in blood, and now in arms, allied!


s: Thy power in war with justice none contest;


s: Known is thy courage, and thy strength confess’d.


s: What pity sloth should seize a soul so brave,


s: My heart weeps blood at what the Trojans say,


s: And hopes thy deeds shall wipe the stain away.


s: Haste then, in all their glorious labours share,


s: For much they suffer, for thy sake, in war.


s: These ills shall cease, whene’er by Jove’s decree


s: We crown the bowl to heaven and liberty:


s: While the proud foe his frustrate triumphs mourns,


s: And Greece indignant through her seas returns."


s: So spoke the guardian of the Trojan state,


s: Then rush’d impetuous through the Scaean gate.


s: Both breathing slaughter, both resolved in arms.


s: As when to sailors labouring through the main,


s: That long have heaved the weary oar in vain,


s: Jove bids at length the expected gales arise;


s: The gales blow grateful, and the vessel flies.


s: So welcome these to Troy’s desiring train,


s: The bands are cheer’d, the war awakes again.


s: Bold Paris first the work of death begun


s: Sprung from the fair Philomeda’s embrace,


s: Beneath his steely casque he felt the blow(177)


s: Full on his neck, from Hector’s weighty hand;


s: And roll’d, with limbs relax’d, along the land.


s: By Glaucus’ spear the bold Iphmous bleeds,


s: Fix’d in the shoulder as he mounts his steeds;


s: Headlong he tumbles: his slack nerves unbound,


s: Drop the cold useless members on the ground.


s: Fierce she descends: Apollo marked her flight,


s: Nor shot less swift from Ilion’s towery height.


s: Radiant they met, beneath the beechen shade;


s: "What cause, O daughter of Almighty Jove!


s: Thus wings thy progress from the realms above?


s: Once more impetuous dost thou bend thy way,


s: Too much has Troy already felt thy hate,


s: Now breathe thy rage, and hush the stern debate;


s: This day, the business of the field suspend;


s: War soon shall kindle, and great Ilion bend;


s: Since vengeful goddesses confederate join


s: To raze her walls, though built by hands divine."


s: "I left, for this, the council of the skies:


s: But who shall bid conflicting hosts forbear,


s: What art shall calm the furious sons of war?"


s: To her the god: "Great Hector’s soul incite


s: To dare the boldest Greek to single fight,


s: Till Greece, provoked, from all her numbers show


s: At this agreed, the heavenly powers withdrew;


s: Sage Helenus their secret counsels knew;


s: Hector, inspired, he sought: to him address’d,


s: Thus told the dictates of his sacred breast:


s: Receive my words: thy friend and brother hear!


s: The warring nations to suspend their rage;


s: Then dare the boldest of the hostile train


s: For not this day shall end thy glorious date;


s: The gods have spoke it, and their voice is fate."


s: He said: the warrior heard the word with joy;


s: Then with his spear restrain’d the youth of Troy,


s: Held by the midst athwart. On either hand


s: The squadrons part; the expecting Trojans stand;


s: Great Agamemnon bids the Greeks forbear:


s: They breathe, and hush the tumult of the war.


s: The Athenian maid, and glorious god of day,(178)


s: With silent joy the settling hosts survey:


s: In form of vultures, on the beech’s height


s: They sit conceal’d, and wait the future fight.


s: The thronging troops obscure the dusky fields,


s: Horrid with bristling spears, and gleaming shields.


s: As when a general darkness veils the main,


s: (Soft Zephyr curling the wide wat’ry plain,)


s: The waves scarce heave, the face of ocean sleeps,


s: And a still horror saddens all the deeps;


s: Thus in thick orders settling wide around,


s: At length composed they sit, and shade the ground.


s: Great Hector first amidst both armies broke


s: The solemn silence, and their powers bespoke:


s: "Hear, all ye Trojan, all ye Grecian bands,


s: What my soul prompts, and what some god commands.


s: Great Jove, averse our warfare to compose,


s: O’erwhelms the nations with new toils and woes;


s: War with a fiercer tide once more returns,


s: Till Ilion falls, or till yon navy burns.


s: You then, O princes of the Greeks! appear;


s: ’Tis Hector speaks, and calls the gods to hear:


s: From all your troops select the boldest knight,


s: And him, the boldest, Hector dares to fight.


s: Here if I fall, by chance of battle slain,


s: Be his my spoil, and his these arms remain;


s: But let my body, to my friends return’d,


s: By Trojan hands and Trojan flames be burn’d.


s: Shall stretch your daring champion in the dust;


s: On Phoebus’ temple I’ll his arms bestow:


s: The breathless carcase to your navy sent,


s: Greece on the shore shall raise a monument;


s: Wash’d by broad Hellespont’s resounding seas,


s: Thus shall he say, ’A valiant Greek lies there,


s: By Hector slain, the mighty man of war,’


s: The stone shall tell your vanquish’d hero’s name.


s: And distant ages learn the victor’s fame."


s: This fierce defiance Greece astonish’d heard,


s: Blush’d to refuse, and to accept it fear’d.


s: And, inly groaning, thus opprobrious spoke:


s: "Women of Greece! O scandal of your race,


s: Whose coward souls your manly form disgrace,


s: How great the shame, when every age shall know


s: Go then! resolve to earth, from whence ye grew,


s: A heartless, spiritless, inglorious crew!


s: ’Tis man’s bold task the generous strife to try,


s: These words scarce spoke, with generous ardour press’d,


s: His manly limbs in azure arms he dress’d.


s: Had stretch’d thee breathless on the hostile strand;


s: The kings of Greece, an awful band, arose;


s: Even he their chief, great Agamemnon, press’d


s: Thy daring hand, and this advice address’d:


s: And tempt a fate which prudence bids thee shun?


s: Grieved though thou art, forbear the rash design;


s: Great Hectors arm is mightier far than thine:


s: Even fierce Achilles learn’d its force to fear,


s: And trembling met this dreadful son of war.


s: Sit thou secure, amidst thy social band;


s: Greece in our cause shall arm some powerful hand.


s: The mightiest warrior of the Achaian name,


s: Though bold and burning with desire of fame,


s: Content the doubtful honour might forego,


s: So great the danger, and so brave the foe."


s: He said, and turn’d his brother’s vengeful mind;


s: He stoop’d to reason, and his rage resign’d,


s: No longer bent to rush on certain harms;


s: His joyful friends unbrace his azure arms.


s: He from whose lips divine persuasion flows,


s: Grave Nestor, then, in graceful act arose;


s: Thus to the kings he spoke: "What grief, what shame


s: Attend on Greece, and all the Grecian name!


s: Their sons degenerate, and their race a scorn!


s: What tears shall down thy silvery beard be roll’d,


s: Once with what joy the generous prince would hear


s: Of every chief who fought this glorious war,


s: Participate their fame, and pleased inquire


s: Each name, each action, and each hero’s sire!


s: Gods! should he see our warriors trembling stand,


s: And trembling all before one hostile hand;


s: How would he lift his aged arms on high,


s: Lament inglorious Greece, and beg to die!


s: Oh! would to all the immortal powers above,


s: Years might again roll back, my youth renew,


s: And give this arm the spring which once it knew


s: When fierce in war, where Jardan’s waters fall,


s: I led my troops to Phea’s trembling wall,


s: And with the Arcadian spears my prowess tried,


s: Where Celadon rolls down his rapid tide.(179)


s: There Ereuthalion braved us in the field,


s: Proud Areithous’ dreadful arms to wield;


s: Great Areithous, known from shore to shore


s: By the huge, knotted, iron mace he bore;


s: No lance he shook, nor bent the twanging bow,


s: But broke, with this, the battle of the foe.


s: Whose guileful javelin from the thicket flew,


s: Deep in a winding way his breast assailed,


s: Nor aught the warrior’s thundering mace avail’d.


s: Supine he fell: those arms which Mars before


s: Had given the vanquish’d, now the victor bore:


s: But when old age had dimm’d Lycurgus’ eyes,


s: Furious with this he crush’d our levell’d bands,


s: And dared the trial of the strongest hands;


s: Nor could the strongest hands his fury stay:


s: All saw, and fear’d, his huge tempestuous sway


s: Till I, the youngest of the host, appear’d,


s: And, youngest, met whom all our army fear’d.


s: I fought the chief: my arms Minerva crown’d:


s: Prone fell the giant o’er a length of ground.


s: What then I was, O were your Nestor now!


s: Not Hector’s self should want an equal foe.


s: But, warriors, you that youthful vigour boast,


s: The flower of Greece, the examples of our host,


s: Sprung from such fathers, who such numbers sway,


s: Can you stand trembling, and desert the day?"


s: His warm reproofs the listening kings inflame;


s: And nine, the noblest of the Grecian name,


s: Up-started fierce: but far before the rest


s: The king of men advanced his dauntless breast:


s: Then bold Tydides, great in arms, appear’d;


s: And wise Ulysses closed the daring band.


s: All these, alike inspired with noble rage,


s: Demand the fight. To whom the Pylian sage:


s: "Lest thirst of glory your brave souls divide,


s: What chief shall combat, let the gods decide.


s: Whom heaven shall choose, be his the chance to raise


s: His country’s fame, his own immortal praise."


s: The lots produced, each hero signs his own:


s: Then in the general’s helm the fates are thrown,(181)


s: The people pray, with lifted eyes and hands,


s: And vows like these ascend from all the bands:


s: "Grant, thou Almighty! in whose hand is fate,


s: A worthy champion for the Grecian state:


s: Or he, the king of kings, beloved by Jove."


s: Old Nestor shook the casque. By heaven inspired,


s: Leap’d forth the lot, of every Greek desired.


s: This from the right to left the herald bears,


s: Each to his rival yields the mark unknown,


s: Till godlike Ajax finds the lot his own;


s: Surveys the inscription with rejoicing eyes,


s: Then casts before him, and with transport cries:


s: "Warriors! I claim the lot, and arm with joy;


s: Be mine the conquest of this chief of Troy.


s: Now while my brightest arms my limbs invest,


s: To Saturn’s son be all your vows address’d:


s: But pray in secret, lest the foes should hear,


s: And deem your prayers the mean effect of fear.


s: In such a voice as fills the earth and air,


s: Lives there a chief whom Ajax ought to dread?


s: And, born to combats, fear no force on earth."


s: Implore the god whose thunder rends the skies:


s: Who in the highest heaven hast fix’d thy throne,


s: The praise and conquest of this doubtful day;


s: That both may claim it, and that both may share."


s: Sheathed in bright steel the giant-warrior shone:


s: So stalks in arms the grisly god of Thrace,(182)


s: When Jove to punish faithless men prepares,


s: And gives whole nations to the waste of wars,


s: Thus march’d the chief, tremendous as a god;


s: Grimly he smiled; earth trembled as he strode:(183)


s: His massy javelin quivering in his hand,


s: He stood, the bulwark of the Grecian band.


s: Through every Argive heart new transport ran;


s: All Troy stood trembling at the mighty man:


s: Even Hector paused; and with new doubt oppress’d,


s: Felt his great heart suspended in his breast:


s: ’Twas vain to seek retreat, and vain to fear;


s: Himself had challenged, and the foe drew near.


s: As from a brazen tower, o’erlook’d the field.


s: Huge was its orb, with seven thick folds o’ercast,


s: Of tough bull-hides; of solid brass the last,


s: (The work of Tychius, who in Hyle dwell’d


s: And, threatening, thus his adverse chief address’d:


s: "Hector! approach my arm, and singly know


s: What strength thou hast, and what the Grecian foe.


s: Achilles shuns the fight; yet some there are,


s: Not void of soul, and not unskill’d in war:


s: Let him, unactive on the sea-beat shore,


s: Indulge his wrath, and aid our arms no more;


s: Whole troops of heroes Greece has yet to boast,


s: And sends thee one, a sample of her host,


s: Such as I am, I come to prove thy might;


s: No more—be sudden, and begin the fight."


s: (To Ajax thus the Trojan prince replied)


s: Me, as a boy, or woman, wouldst thou fright,


s: New to the field, and trembling at the fight?


s: Thou meet’st a chief deserving of thy arms,


s: I know to shift my ground, remount the car,


s: Turn, charge, and answer every call of war;


s: To right, to left, the dexterous lance I wield,


s: And bear thick battle on my sounding shield


s: But open be our fight, and bold each blow;


s: He said, and rising, high above the field


s: Whirl’d the long lance against the sevenfold shield.


s: Through six bull-hides the furious weapon drove,


s: Till in the seventh it fix’d. Then Ajax threw;


s: Through Hector’s shield the forceful javelin flew,


s: His corslet enters, and his garment rends,


s: And glancing downwards, near his flank descends.


s: The wary Trojan shrinks, and bending low


s: Beneath his buckler, disappoints the blow.


s: From their bored shields the chiefs their javelins drew,


s: Then close impetuous, and the charge renew;


s: Fierce as the mountain-lions bathed in blood,


s: Or foaming boars, the terror of the wood.


s: The blunted point against the buckler bends;


s: But Ajax, watchful as his foe drew near,


s: Drove through the Trojan targe the knotty spear;


s: It reach’d his neck, with matchless strength impell’d!


s: Spouts the black gore, and dims his shining shield.


s: Yet ceased not Hector thus; but stooping down,


s: In his strong hand up-heaved a flinty stone,


s: Black, craggy, vast: to this his force he bends;


s: Full on the brazen boss the stone descends;


s: The hollow brass resounded with the shock:


s: Then Ajax seized the fragment of a rock,


s: Applied each nerve, and swinging round on high,


s: With force tempestuous, let the ruin fly;


s: The huge stone thundering through his buckler broke:


s: His slacken’d knees received the numbing stroke;


s: Great Hector falls extended on the field,


s: His bulk supporting on the shatter’d shield:


s: Confirm’d his sinews, and restored to fight.


s: And now both heroes their broad falchions drew


s: In flaming circles round their heads they flew;


s: But then by heralds’ voice the word was given.


s: The sacred ministers of earth and heaven:


s: Divine Talthybius, whom the Greeks employ.


s: Between the swords their peaceful sceptres rear’d;


s: And first Idaeus’ awful voice was heard:


s: "Forbear, my sons! your further force to prove,


s: Both dear to men, and both beloved of Jove.


s: To either host your matchless worth is known,


s: Each sounds your praise, and war is all your own.


s: But now the Night extends her awful shade;


s: The goddess parts you; be the night obey’d."(184)


s: To whom great Ajax his high soul express’d:


s: "O sage! to Hector be these words address’d.


s: Let him, who first provoked our chiefs to fight,


s: Let him demand the sanction of the night;


s: And cease the strife when Hector shows the way."


s: "O first of Greeks! (his noble foe rejoin’d)


s: Whom heaven adorns, superior to thy kind,


s: With strength of body, and with worth of mind!


s: Hereafter we shall meet in glorious war,


s: Some future day shall lengthen out the strife,


s: And let the gods decide of death or life!


s: Since, then, the night extends her gloomy shade,


s: And heaven enjoins it, be the night obey’d.


s: Return, brave Ajax, to thy Grecian friends,


s: And joy the nations whom thy arm defends;


s: As I shall glad each chief, and Trojan wife,


s: Who wearies heaven with vows for Hector’s life.


s: Exchange some gift: that Greece and Troy may say,


s: ’Not hate, but glory, made these chiefs contend;


s: And each brave foe was in his soul a friend.’"


s: With that, a sword with stars of silver graced,


s: The baldric studded, and the sheath enchased,


s: He gave the Greek. The generous Greek bestow’d


s: A radiant belt that rich with purple glow’d.


s: Then with majestic grace they quit the plain;


s: This seeks the Grecian, that the Phrygian train.


s: And hail with joy the Champion of their state;


s: Escaped great Ajax, they survey him round,


s: Alive, unarm’d, and vigorous from his wound;


s: To Troy’s high gates the godlike man they bear


s: Their present triumph, as their late despair.


s: The well-arm’d Greeks to Agamemnon lead.


s: A steer for sacrifice the king design’d,


s: Of full five years, and of the nobler kind.


s: The victim falls; they strip the smoking hide,


s: The beast they quarter, and the joints divide;


s: Then spread the tables, the repast prepare,


s: Each takes his seat, and each receives his share.


s: Before great Ajax placed the mighty chine.(185)


s: When now the rage of hunger was removed,


s: Nestor, in each persuasive art approved,


s: The sage whose counsels long had sway’d the rest,


s: In words like these his prudent thought express’d:


s: "How dear, O kings! this fatal day has cost,


s: What Greeks are perish’d! what a people lost!


s: What tides of blood have drench’d Scamander’s shore!


s: What crowds of heroes sunk to rise no more!


s: Then hear me, chief! nor let the morrow’s light


s: Awake thy squadrons to new toils of fight:


s: Some space at least permit the war to breathe,


s: While we to flames our slaughter’d friends bequeath,


s: From the red field their scatter’d bodies bear,


s: And nigh the fleet a funeral structure rear;


s: So decent urns their snowy bones may keep,


s: And pious children o’er their ashes weep.


s: Here, where on one promiscuous pile they blazed,


s: High o’er them all a general tomb be raised;


s: Next, to secure our camp and naval powers,


s: Raise an embattled wall, with lofty towers;


s: From space to space be ample gates around,


s: For passing chariots; and a trench profound.


s: Nor fear the fierce incursions of the foe."


s: ’Twas thus the sage his wholesome counsel moved;


s: The sceptred kings of Greece his words approved.


s: Meanwhile, convened at Priam’s palace-gate,


s: The Trojan peers in nightly council sate;


s: Their hearts were fearful, and confused their voice.


s: Antenor, rising, thus demands their ear:


s: "Ye Trojans, Dardans, and auxiliars, hear!


s: ’Tis heaven the counsel of my breast inspires,


s: Let Sparta’s treasures be this hour restored,


s: The ties of faith, the sworn alliance, broke,


s: Our impious battles the just gods provoke.


s: So hope success, or dread the dire effect."


s: The senior spoke and sate. To whom replied


s: The graceful husband of the Spartan bride:


s: "Cold counsels, Trojan, may become thy years


s: But sound ungrateful in a warrior’s ears:


s: Thy words express the purpose of thy heart,


s: Thou, in thy time, more sound advice hast given;


s: But wisdom has its date, assign’d by heaven.


s: Then hear me, princes of the Trojan name!


s: Their treasures I’ll restore, but not the dame;


s: My treasures too, for peace, I will resign;


s: But be this bright possession ever mine."


s: ’Twas then, the growing discord to compose,


s: Slow from his seat the reverend Priam rose:


s: He paused, and these pacific words ensue:


s: "Ye Trojans, Dardans, and auxiliar bands!


s: Now take refreshment as the hour demands;


s: Guard well the walls, relieve the watch of night.


s: Till the new sun restores the cheerful light.


s: Then shall our herald, to the Atrides sent,


s: Before their ships proclaim my son’s intent.


s: Next let a truce be ask’d, that Troy may burn


s: Her slaughter’d heroes, and their bones inurn;


s: That done, once more the fate of war be tried,


s: And whose the conquest, mighty Jove decide!"


s: The monarch spoke: the warriors snatch’d with haste


s: (Each at his post in arms) a short repast.


s: Soon as the rosy morn had waked the day,


s: There, to the sons of Mars, in council found,


s: He raised his voice: the host stood listening round.


s: "Ye sons of Atreus, and ye Greeks, give ear!


s: The words of Troy, and Troy’s great monarch, hear.


s: Pleased may ye hear (so heaven succeed my prayers)


s: What Paris, author of the war, declares.


s: The spoils and treasures he to Ilion bore


s: (Oh had he perish’d ere they touch’d our shore!)


s: He proffers injured Greece: with large increase


s: Of added Trojan wealth to buy the peace.


s: But to restore the beauteous bride again,


s: This Greece demands, and Troy requests in vain.


s: Next, O ye chiefs! we ask a truce to burn


s: Our slaughter’d heroes, and their bones inurn.


s: That done, once more the fate of war be tried,


s: And whose the conquest, mighty Jove decide!"


s: The Greeks gave ear, but none the silence broke;


s: At length Tydides rose, and rising spoke:


s: "Oh, take not, friends! defrauded of your fame,


s: Their proffer’d wealth, nor even the Spartan dame.


s: Let conquest make them ours: fate shakes their wall,


s: The admiring chiefs, and all the Grecian name,


s: With general shouts return’d him loud acclaim.


s: Then thus the king of kings rejects the peace:


s: "Herald! in him thou hear’st the voice of Greece


s: For what remains; let funeral flames be fed


s: With heroes’ corps: I war not with the dead:


s: Go search your slaughtered chiefs on yonder plain,


s: Be witness, Jove, whose thunder rolls on high!"


s: He said, and rear’d his sceptre to the sky.


s: To sacred Troy, where all her princes lay


s: To wait the event, the herald bent his way.


s: He came, and standing in the midst, explain’d


s: The peace rejected, but the truce obtain’d.


s: Straight to their several cares the Trojans move,


s: Some search the plains, some fell the sounding grove:


s: Nor less the Greeks, descending on the shore,


s: Hew’d the green forests, and the bodies bore.


s: And now from forth the chambers of the main,


s: To shed his sacred light on earth again,


s: And tipp’d the mountains with a purple ray.


s: In mingled throngs the Greek and Trojan train


s: Through heaps of carnage search’d the mournful plain.


s: Scarce could the friend his slaughter’d friend explore,


s: With dust dishonour’d, and deformed with gore.


s: The wounds they wash’d, their pious tears they shed,


s: And, laid along their cars, deplored the dead.


s: Sage Priam check’d their grief: with silent haste


s: The bodies decent on the piles were placed:


s: With melting hearts the cold remains they burn’d,


s: And, sadly slow, to sacred Troy return’d.


s: Nor less the Greeks their pious sorrows shed,


s: And decent on the pile dispose the dead;


s: The cold remains consume with equal care;


s: And slowly, sadly, to their fleet repair.


s: Now, ere the morn had streak’d with reddening light


s: The doubtful confines of the day and night,


s: About the dying flames the Greeks appear’d,


s: And round the pile a general tomb they rear’d.


s: Then, to secure the camp and naval powers,


s: They raised embattled walls with lofty towers:(186)


s: From space to space were ample gates around,


s: For passing chariots, and a trench profound


s: Of large extent; and deep in earth below,


s: Strong piles infix’d stood adverse to the foe.


s: So toil’d the Greeks: meanwhile the gods above,


s: In shining circle round their father Jove,


s: Amazed beheld the wondrous works of man:


s: Then he, whose trident shakes the earth, began:


s: "What mortals henceforth shall our power adore,


s: Our fanes frequent, our oracles implore,


s: If the proud Grecians thus successful boast


s: Their rising bulwarks on the sea-beat coast?


s: See the long walls extending to the main,


s: Their fame shall fill the world’s remotest ends,


s: Wide as the morn her golden beam extends;


s: Those radiant structures raised by labouring gods,


s: Shall, razed and lost, in long oblivion sleep."


s: Thus spoke the hoary monarch of the deep.


s: The almighty Thunderer with a frown replies,


s: That clouds the world, and blackens half the skies:


s: "Strong god of ocean! thou, whose rage can make


s: What cause of fear from mortal works could move(187)


s: The meanest subject of our realms above?


s: Where’er the sun’s refulgent rays are cast,


s: Thy power is honour’d, and thy fame shall last.


s: But yon proud work no future age shall view,


s: No trace remain where once the glory grew.


s: The sapp’d foundations by thy force shall fall,


s: And, whelm’d beneath the waves, drop the huge wall:


s: Vast drifts of sand shall change the former shore:


s: The ruin vanish’d, and the name no more."


s: Thus they in heaven: while, o’er the Grecian train,


s: Beheld the finish’d work. Their bulls they slew;


s: Back from the tents the savoury vapour flew.


s: And now the fleet, arrived from Lemnos’ strands,


s: With Bacchus’ blessings cheered the generous bands.


s: To Jason, shepherd of his people, bore,)


s: The rest they purchased at their proper cost,


s: And well the plenteous freight supplied the host:


s: Each, in exchange, proportion’d treasures gave;(188)


s: Some, brass or iron; some, an ox, or slave.


s: All night they feast, the Greek and Trojan powers:


s: Those on the fields, and these within their towers.


s: But Jove averse the signs of wrath display’d,


s: And shot red lightnings through the gloomy shade:


s: Humbled they stood; pale horror seized on all,


s: While the deep thunder shook the aerial hall.


s: Each pour’d to Jove before the bowl was crown’d;


s: And large libations drench’d the thirsty ground:


s: Then late, refresh’d with sleep from toils of fight,


s: Enjoy’d the balmy blessings of the night.


s: Sprinkled with rosy light the dewy lawn;


s: When Jove convened the senate of the skies,


s: The sire of gods his awful silence broke;


s: The heavens attentive trembled as he spoke:


s: "Celestial states! immortal gods! give ear,


s: Hear our decree, and reverence what ye hear;


s: The fix’d decree which not all heaven can move;


s: Thou, fate! fulfil it! and, ye powers, approve!


s: What god but enters yon forbidden field,


s: Who yields assistance, or but wills to yield,


s: Back to the skies with shame he shall be driven,


s: Gash’d with dishonest wounds, the scorn of heaven;


s: Or far, oh far, from steep Olympus thrown,


s: Low in the dark Tartarean gulf shall groan,


s: With burning chains fix’d to the brazen floors,


s: As deep beneath the infernal centre hurl’d,(190)


s: As from that centre to the ethereal world.


s: Let him who tempts me, dread those dire abodes:


s: And know, the Almighty is the god of gods.


s: League all your forces, then, ye powers above,


s: Join all, and try the omnipotence of Jove.


s: Let down our golden everlasting chain(191)


s: Whose strong embrace holds heaven, and earth, and main


s: Strive all, of mortal and immortal birth,


s: To drag, by this, the Thunderer down to earth


s: Ye strive in vain! if I but stretch this hand,


s: I heave the gods, the ocean, and the land;


s: I fix the chain to great Olympus’ height,


s: And the vast world hangs trembling in my sight!


s: And such are men, and gods, compared to Jove."


s: The all-mighty spoke, nor durst the powers reply:


s: Trembling they stood before their sovereign’s look;


s: At length his best-beloved, the power of wisdom, spoke:


s: "O first and greatest! God, by gods adored


s: We own thy might, our father and our lord!


s: If not to help, at least lament their fate.


s: From fields forbidden we submiss refrain,


s: With arms unaiding mourn our Argives slain;


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


s: Or all must perish in the wrath of Jove."


s: The cloud-compelling god her suit approved,


s: And smiled superior on his best beloved;


s: Then call’d his coursers, and his chariot took;


s: The stedfast firmament beneath them shook:


s: Rapt by the ethereal steeds the chariot roll’d;


s: Brass were their hoofs, their curling manes of gold:


s: Of heaven’s undrossy gold the gods array,


s: High on the throne he shines: his coursers fly


s: Between the extended earth and starry sky.


s: But when to Ida’s topmost height he came,


s: (Fair nurse of fountains, and of savage game,)


s: Where o’er her pointed summits proudly raised,


s: His fane breathed odours, and his altar blazed:


s: There, from his radiant car, the sacred sire


s: Of gods and men released the steeds of fire:


s: Blue ambient mists the immortal steeds embraced;


s: High on the cloudy point his seat he placed;


s: Thence his broad eye the subject world surveys,


s: The town, and tents, and navigable seas.


s: Now had the Grecians snatch’d a short repast,


s: And buckled on their shining arms with haste.


s: Troy roused as soon; for on this dreadful day


s: The fate of fathers, wives, and infants lay.


s: The gates unfolding pour forth all their train;


s: Squadrons on squadrons cloud the dusky plain:


s: Men, steeds, and chariots shake the trembling ground,


s: The tumult thickens, and the skies resound;


s: And now with shouts the shocking armies closed,


s: To lances lances, shields to shields opposed,


s: Host against host with shadowy legends drew,


s: The sounding darts in iron tempests flew;


s: Victors and vanquish’d join promiscuous cries,


s: Triumphant shouts and dying groans arise;


s: With streaming blood the slippery fields are dyed,


s: And slaughter’d heroes swell the dreadful tide.


s: Long as the morning beams, increasing bright,


s: O’er heaven’s clear azure spread the sacred light,


s: Commutual death the fate of war confounds,


s: Each adverse battle gored with equal wounds.


s: But when the sun the height of heaven ascends,


s: The sire of gods his golden scales suspends,(192)


s: With equal hand: in these explored the fate


s: Of Greece and Troy, and poised the mighty weight:


s: Press’d with its load, the Grecian balance lies


s: Low sunk on earth, the Trojan strikes the skies.


s: Then Jove from Ida’s top his horrors spreads;


s: The clouds burst dreadful o’er the Grecian heads;


s: Thick lightnings flash; the muttering thunder rolls;


s: Their strength he withers, and unmans their souls.


s: Before his wrath the trembling hosts retire;


s: The gods in terrors, and the skies on fire.


s: Nor great Idomeneus that sight could bear,


s: Nor each stern Ajax, thunderbolts of war:


s: Nor he, the king of war, the alarm sustain’d


s: Nestor alone, amidst the storm remain’d.


s: Had pierced his courser in a mortal part;


s: Fix’d in the forehead, where the springing man


s: Curl’d o’er the brow, it stung him to the brain;


s: Mad with his anguish, he begins to rear,


s: Paw with his hoofs aloft, and lash the air.


s: Scarce had his falchion cut the reins, and freed


s: The encumber’d chariot from the dying steed,


s: When dreadful Hector, thundering through the war,


s: Pour’d to the tumult on his whirling car.


s: That day had stretch’d beneath his matchless hand


s: Mix’d with the vulgar shall thy fate be found,


s: Pierced in the back, a vile, dishonest wound?


s: Oh turn and save from Hector’s direful rage


s: The glory of the Greeks, the Pylian sage."


s: His fruitless words are lost unheard in air,


s: Ulysses seeks the ships, and shelters there.


s: Before the coursers with a sudden spring


s: He leap’d, and anxious thus bespoke the king:


s: "Great perils, father! wait the unequal fight;


s: These younger champions will oppress thy might.


s: Thy veins no more with ancient vigour glow,


s: Weak is thy servant, and thy coursers slow.


s: Then haste, ascend my seat, and from the car


s: Observe the steeds of Tros, renown’d in war.


s: Practised alike to turn, to stop, to chase,


s: To dare the fight, or urge the rapid race:


s: Leave thou thy chariot to our faithful train;


s: With these against yon Trojans will we go,


s: Nor shall great Hector want an equal foe;


s: Fierce as he is, even he may learn to fear


s: Thus said the chief; and Nestor, skill’d in war,


s: Approves his counsel, and ascends the car:


s: The steeds he left, their trusty servants hold;


s: The reverend charioteer directs the course,


s: And strains his aged arm to lash the horse.


s: Hector they face; unknowing how to fear,


s: Fierce he drove on; Tydides whirl’d his spear.


s: The spear with erring haste mistook its way,


s: His opening hand in death forsakes the rein;


s: The steeds fly back: he falls, and spurns the plain.


s: Great Hector sorrows for his servant kill’d,


s: Yet unrevenged permits to press the field;


s: Till, to supply his place and rule the car,


s: And now had death and horror cover’d all;(193)


s: Like timorous flocks the Trojans in their wall


s: Inclosed had bled: but Jove with awful sound


s: Roll’d the big thunder o’er the vast profound:


s: Full in Tydides’ face the lightning flew;


s: The ground before him flamed with sulphur blue;


s: The quivering steeds fell prostrate at the sight;


s: And Nestor’s trembling hand confess’d his fright:


s: He dropp’d the reins: and, shook with sacred dread,


s: Thus, turning, warn’d the intrepid Diomed:


s: "O chief! too daring in thy friend’s defence


s: Retire advised, and urge the chariot hence.


s: This day, averse, the sovereign of the skies


s: Assists great Hector, and our palm denies.


s: Some other sun may see the happier hour,


s: When Greece shall conquer by his heavenly power.


s: ’Tis not in man his fix’d decree to move:


s: The great will glory to submit to Jove."


s: "O reverend prince! (Tydides thus replies)


s: Thy years are awful, and thy words are wise.


s: But ah, what grief! should haughty Hector boast


s: Before that dire disgrace shall blast my fame,


s: O’erwhelm me, earth; and hide a warrior’s shame!"


s: To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied:(194)


s: "Gods! can thy courage fear the Phrygian’s pride?


s: Hector may vaunt, but who shall heed the boast?


s: Not those who felt thy arm, the Dardan host,


s: Nor Troy, yet bleeding in her heroes lost;


s: Not even a Phrygian dame, who dreads the sword


s: That laid in dust her loved, lamented lord."


s: He said, and, hasty, o’er the gasping throng


s: Drives the swift steeds: the chariot smokes along;


s: The shouts of Trojans thicken in the wind;


s: The storm of hissing javelins pours behind.


s: Then with a voice that shakes the solid skies,


s: Pleased, Hector braves the warrior as he flies.


s: In seats of council and the sumptuous feast:


s: Now hope no more those honours from thy train;


s: To scale our walls, to wrap our towers in flames,


s: To lead in exile the fair Phrygian dames,


s: Thy once proud hopes, presumptuous prince! are fled;


s: This arm shall reach thy heart, and stretch thee dead."


s: Now fears dissuade him, and now hopes invite.


s: To stop his coursers, and to stand the fight;