s: The godlike hero press'd, he strove at once


s: To draw the arrow from his cincture forth.


s: But, drawing, bent the barbs. He therefore loosed


s: His broider'd belt, his hauberk and his quilt,


s: His body where the bitter shaft had plow'd


s: His flesh, he suck'd the wound, then spread it o'er


s: With drugs of balmy power, given on a time


s: For friendship's sake by Chiron to his sire.


s: Of all those Chiefs, the shielded powers of Troy


s: 'Gan move toward them, and the Greeks again


s: Put on their armor, mindful of the fight.


s: Then hadst thou not great Agamemnon seen


s: Slumbering, or trembling, or averse from war,


s: His steeds, and his bright chariot brass-inlaid


s: Detain'd apart; for him he strict enjoin'd


s: Attendance near, lest weariness of limbs


s: Should seize him marshalling his numerous host.


s: So forth he went, and through the files on foot


s: Proceeding, where the warrior Greeks he saw


s: Alert, he roused them by his words the more.


s: Argives! abate no spark of all your fire.


s: Jove will not prosper traitors. Them who first


s: Transgress'd the truce the vultures shall devour,


s: But we (their city taken) shall their wives


s: Lead captive, and their children home to Greece.


s: So cheer'd he them. But whom he saw supine,


s: In terms of anger them he stern rebuked.


s: Oh Greeks! The shame of Argos! Arrow-doom'd!


s: Blush ye not? Wherefore stand ye thus aghast,


s: Like fawns which wearied after scouring wide


s: The champain, gaze and pant, and can no more?


s: Senseless like them ye stand, nor seek the fight.


s: Till Troy invade your vessels on the shore


s: Of the grey deep, that ye may trial make


s: Of Jove, if he will prove, himself, your shield?


s: Thus, in discharge of his high office, pass'd


s: Atrides through the ranks, and now arrived


s: Of his bold Cretans stood, stout as a boar


s: With joyful heart, and thus in courteous terms


s: Thee fighting, feasting, howsoe'er employed,


s: The well-horsed Danäi; for when the Chiefs


s: Of Argos, banqueting, their beakers charge


s: Drink'st not by measure. No--thy goblet stands


s: Replenish'd still, and like myself thou know'st


s: No rule or bound, save what thy choice prescribes.


s: March. Seek the foe. Fight now as heretofore,


s: Atrides! all the friendship and the love


s: Which I have promised will I well perform.


s: For Troy has scatter'd to the winds all faith,


s: All conscience; and for such her treachery foul


s: Shall have large recompence of death and wo.


s: Exulting, pass'd, and in his progress came


s: Where stood each Ajax; them he found prepared


s: With all their cloud of infantry behind.


s: As when the goat-herd on some rocky point


s: Advanced, a cloud sees wafted o'er the deep


s: By western gales, and rolling slow along,


s: To him, who stands remote, pitch-black it seems,


s: And comes with tempest charged; he at the sight


s: Shuddering, his flock compels into a cave;


s: So moved the gloomy phalanx, rough with spears,


s: And dense with shields of youthful warriors bold,


s: Close-following either Ajax to the fight.


s: Them also, pleased, the King of men beheld,


s: And in wing'd accents hail'd them as he pass'd.


s: Brave leaders of the mail-clad host of Greece!


s: Move others, and no lesson need from me.


s: Courageous as yourselves, soon Priam's towers


s: Should totter, and his Ilium storm'd and sack'd


s: By our victorious bands, stoop to the dust.


s: He ceased, and still proceeding, next arrived


s: Marshalling under all their leaders bold


s: Hæmon the prince, and Bias, martial Chief.


s: Chariot and horse he station'd in the front;


s: Right valiant, in the rear; the worst, and those


s: In whom he trusted least, he drove between,


s: That such through mere necessity might act.


s: First to his charioteers he gave in charge


s: Their duty; bade them rein their horses hard,


s: Shunning confusion. Let no warrior, vain


s: And overweening of his strength or skill,


s: Start from his rank to dare the fight alone,


s: Or fall behind it, weakening whom he leaves.


s: And if, dismounted from his own, he climb


s: Perverse the reins, but let him stand, his spear


s: Such was the discipline, in ancient times,


s: Of our forefathers; by these rules they fought


s: Old Chief! ah how I wish, that thy firm heart


s: But time unhinges all. Oh that some youth


s: Had thine old age, and thou wast young again!


s: To whom the valiant Nestor thus replied.


s: Brave Ereuthalion breathless to the ground!


s: But never all their gifts the Gods confer


s: Of youth, I suffer now the effects of age.


s: Still mingling with the charioteers, still prompt


s: To give them counsel; for to counsel youth


s: Is the old warrior's province. Let the green


s: In years, my juniors, unimpaired by time,


s: Push with the lance, for they have strength to boast.


s: And passing thence, the son of Peteos found


s: Menestheus, foremost in equestrian fame,


s: The Cephallenians stood, hardy and bold;


s: Them yet had reach'd, so recent had the stir


s: Arisen in either host; they, therefore, watch'd


s: Marching, should prompt them to begin the fight,


s: Them seeing, sudden and severe reproved.


s: Menestheus, son of Peteos prince renown'd,


s: Appall'd? why wait ye on this distant spot


s: 'Till others move? I might expect from you


s: The banquet, when the Princes feast with me.


s: There ye are prompt; ye find it pleasant there


s: To eat your savory food, and quaff your wine


s: But here you could be well content to stand


s: Spectators only, while ten Grecian troops


s: Should wage before you the wide-wasting war.


s: Dark-frowning, thus replied. What words are these


s: Which have escaped thy lips; and for what cause,


s: Atrides, hast thou call'd me slow to fight?


s: When we of Greece shall in sharp contest clash


s: With you steed-tamer Trojans, mark me then;


s: Then thou shalt see (if the concerns of war


s: So nearly touch thee, and thou so incline)


s: Among the foremost Trojans. But thy speech


s: Was light as is the wind, and rashly made.


s: When him thus moved he saw, the monarch smiled


s: Complacent, and in gentler terms replied.


s: Suffice for thee, nor did I purpose more.


s: For I have known thee long, that thou art one


s: Of kindest nature, and so much my friend


s: That we have both one heart. Go therefore thou,


s: Lead on, and if a word have fallen amiss,


s: We will hereafter mend it, and may heaven


s: Obliterate in thine heart its whole effect!


s: He ceased, and ranging still along the line,


s: Environ'd, and by steeds, at side of whom


s: Ah, son of Tydeus, Chief of dauntless heart


s: And of equestrian fame! why standest thou


s: Appall'd, and peering through the walks of war?


s: So did not Tydeus. In the foremost fight


s: His favorite station was, as they affirm


s: Yet came he once, but not in hostile sort,


s: The host was called together, and the siege


s: Which we had gladly granted, but that Jove


s: So forth they went, and on the reedy banks


s: Ambassador, and enter'd Thebes. He found


s: The sons of Cadmus feasting, among whom,


s: Thy father without fear, and challenged forth


s: Their best to cope with him in manly games.


s: Pallas vouchsafed him. Then the spur-arm'd race


s: Of Cadmus was incensed, and fifty youths


s: Of Hæmon, Chief of godlike stature, led.


s: (Whom, warned from heaven, he spared, and sent him home


s: With tidings of the rest) he slew them all.


s: A son in speech his better, not in arms.


s: He ended, and his sovereign's awful voice


s: Atrides, conscious of the truth, speak truth.


s: We with our sires compared, superior praise


s: Of Jove, and in propitious signs from heaven,


s: Our little host, inferior far to theirs,


s: And took seven-gated Thebes, under whose walls


s: Our fathers by their own imprudence fell.


s: Their glory, then, match never more with ours.


s: He spake, whom with a frowning brow the brave


s: I give thee counsel. Mark it. Hold thy peace.


s: He hath no blame from me. For should the Greeks


s: (Her people vanquished) win imperial Troy,


s: O'erpower'd in battle perish, his the shame.


s: Come, therefore; be it ours to rouse at once


s: He said, and from his chariot to the plain


s: Leap'd ardent; rang the armor on the breast


s: Of the advancing Chief; the boldest heart


s: Had felt emotion, startled at the sound.


s: Crowd fast toward some sounding shore, at first,


s: On the broad bosom of the deep their heads


s: They curl on high, then breaking on the land


s: Thunder, and o'er the rocks that breast the flood


s: Borne turgid, scatter far the showery spray;


s: So moved the Greeks successive, rank by rank,


s: His loud command proclaiming, while the rest,


s: As voice in all those thousands none had been


s: Heard mute; and, in resplendent armor clad,


s: Not so the Trojans came. As sheep, the flock


s: Of some rich man, by thousands in his court


s: Penn'd close at milking time, incessant bleat,


s: Loud answering all their bleating lambs without,


s: Such din from Ilium's wide-spread host arose.


s: Nor was their shout, nor was their accent one,


s: From various climes. These Mars to battle roused,


s: Those Pallas azure-eyed; nor Terror thence


s: Nor Flight was absent, nor insatiate Strife,


s: Who small at first, but swift to grow, from earth


s: Her towering crest lifts gradual to the skies.


s: She, foe alike to both, the brands dispersed


s: Of burning hate between them, and the woes


s: Enhanced of battle wheresoe'er she pass'd.


s: And now the battle join'd. Shield clash'd with shield


s: And spear with spear, conflicting corselets rang,


s: Boss'd bucklers met, and tumult wild arose.


s: Then, many a yell was heard, and many a shout


s: Loud intermix'd, the slayer o'er the maim'd


s: Exulting, and the field was drench'd with blood.


s: As when two winter torrents rolling down


s: The mountains, shoot their floods through gulleys huge


s: The shepherd in the uplands hears the roar;


s: Such was the thunder of the mingling hosts.


s: Him smiting on his crested casque, he drove


s: The brazen lance into his front, and pierced


s: The bones within; night overspread his eyes,


s: And in fierce battle, like a tower, he fell.


s: His armor, drew him from the fight aside.


s: But short was that attempt. Him so employ'd


s: Dauntless Agenor mark'd, and as he stoop'd,


s: Implanted deep; he languid sunk and died.


s: Sharp conflict; Greeks and Trojans mutual flew


s: Like wolves to battle, and man grappled man.


s: His mother bore, when with her parents once


s: She came from Ida down to view the flocks,


s: And thence they named him; but his parents'


s: Slain by the spear of Ajax famed in arms.


s: Wounded; right through his shoulder driven the point


s: Stood forth behind; he fell, and press'd the dust.


s: So in some spacious marsh the poplar falls


s: Smooth-skinn'd, with boughs unladen save aloft;


s: Some chariot-builder with his axe the trunk


s: Of shapely form; meantime exposed it lies


s: To parching airs beside the running stream;


s: Hurl'd through the multitude his pointed spear.


s: He erred from Ajax, but he pierced the groin


s: Apart, but fell beside it, and let fall,


s: Breathless himself, the burthen from his hand.


s: Then burn'd Ulysses' wrath for Leucus slain,


s: And through the foremost combatants, array'd


s: In dazzling arms, he rush'd. Full near he stood,


s: And, looking keen around him, hurl'd a lance.


s: Back fell the Trojans from before the face


s: His weapon flew, but on the field outstretch'd


s: A spurious son of Priam, from the shores


s: Call'd of Abydus famed for fleetest mares,


s: Democoon; him, for Leucus' sake enraged,


s: Ulysses through both temples with his spear


s: Transpierced. The night of death hung on his eyes,


s: And sounding on his batter'd arms he fell.


s: Then Hector and the van of Troy retired;


s: Loud shout the Grecians; these draw off the dead,


s: Those onward march amain, and from the heights


s: Turn, turn, ye Trojans! face your Grecian foes.


s: They, like yourselves, are vulnerable flesh,


s: Fights not, but sullen in his fleet abides.


s: Such from the citadel was heard the voice


s: The Grecians, rousing whom she saw remiss.


s: The force of fate, bruised by a rugged rock


s: At his right heel, which Pirus, Thracian Chief,


s: Bones and both tendons in its fall the mass


s: Enormous crush'd. He, stretch'd in dust supine,


s: With palms outspread toward his warrior friends


s: His bowels forth; then, darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: Nor Pirus long survived; him through the breast


s: And in his lungs set fast the quivering spear.


s: Then Thoas swift approach'd, pluck'd from the wound


s: His stormy spear, and with his falchion bright


s: Gashing his middle belly, stretch'd him dead.


s: Yet stripp'd he not the slain, whom with long spears


s: His Thracians hairy-scalp'd so round about


s: Encompassed, that though bold and large of limb


s: Were Thoas, from before them him they thrust


s: Staggering and reeling in his forced retreat.


s: They therefore in the dust, the Epean Chief


s: Stretch'd side by side, with numerous slain around.


s: Then had Minerva led through all that field


s: Some warrior yet unhurt, him sheltering safe


s: From all annoyance dread of dart or spear,


s: No cause of blame in either had he found


s: That day, so many Greeks and Trojans press'd,


s: And daring courage, that the Argives all


s: He might surpass, and deathless fame achieve.


s: Fires on his helmet and his shield around


s: She kindled, bright and steady as the star


s: Assumes fresh beauty; with such glorious beams


s: His head encircling and his shoulders broad,


s: She urged him forth into the thickest fight.


s: There lived a man in Troy, Dares his name,


s: The priest of Vulcan; rich he was and good,


s: That, Phegeus call'd; accomplish'd warriors both.


s: These, issuing from their phalanx, push'd direct


s: Their steeds at Diomede, who fought on foot.


s: When now small interval was left between,


s: First Phegeus his long-shadow'd spear dismiss'd;


s: The point, innocuous. Then his splendid lance


s: The weapon from his hand, but Phegeus pierced


s: His paps between, and forced him to the ground.


s: At once, his sumptuous chariot left, down leap'd


s: His brother slain; nor had he scaped himself


s: His louring fate, but Vulcan, to preserve


s: His ancient priest from unmixt sorrow, snatch'd


s: Then brave Tydides, driving off the steeds,


s: Consign'd them to his fellow-warriors' care,


s: That they might lead them down into the fleet.


s: The valiant Trojans, when they saw the sons


s: And one by flight preserved, through all their host


s: The hand of fiery Mars, and thus she spake.


s: Gore-tainted homicide, town-battering Mars!


s: Leave we the Trojans and the Greeks to wage


s: Fierce fight alone, Jove prospering whom he will,


s: So shall we not provoke our father's ire.


s: She said, and from the fight conducted forth


s: And now the host of Troy to flight inclined


s: Turn'd foremost, when the monarch in his spine


s: Between the shoulder-bones his spear infixt,


s: And urged it through his breast. Sounding he fell,


s: And loud his batter'd armor rang around.


s: Phæstus, from fruitful Tarne sent to Troy,


s: Through his right shoulder pierced; unwelcome night


s: Involved him; from his chariot down he fell,


s: And the attendant Cretans stripp'd his arms.


s: With his bright spear Scamandrius, Stropius' son,


s: Herself, the slaughter of all savage kinds


s: Had taught, on mountain or in forest bred.


s: But she, shaft-aiming Goddess, in that hour


s: Avail'd him not, nor his own matchless skill;


s: His shoulders, and the spear urged through his breast.


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


s: A well-instructed hand his sire had learn'd,


s: For Pallas dearly loved him. He the fleet,


s: Prime source of harm to Troy and to himself,


s: For Paris built, unskill'd to spell aright


s: Outstripping, deep in his posterior flesh


s: A spear infix'd; sliding beneath the bone


s: It grazed his bladder as it pass'd, and stood


s: Phereclus sank, and with a shriek expired.


s: Pedæus, whom, although his spurious son,


s: Had cherish'd as her own--him Meges slew.


s: Warlike Phylides following close his flight,


s: His keen lance drove into his poll, cut sheer


s: His tongue within, and through his mouth enforced


s: The glittering point. He, prostrate in the dust,


s: The cold steel press'd between his teeth and died.


s: Priest of Scamander, reverenced as a God.


s: He, running, with his falchion lopp'd his arm


s: Fast by the shoulder; on the field his hand


s: Fell blood-distained, and destiny severe


s: With shades of death for ever veil'd his eyes.


s: Thus strenuous they the toilsome battle waged.


s: But where Tydides fought, whether in aid


s: Of Ilium's host, or on the part of Greece,


s: Might none discern. For as a winter-flood


s: Impetuous, mounds and bridges sweeps away;


s: The buttress'd bridge checks not its sudden force,


s: The firm inclosure of vine-planted fields


s: Luxuriant, falls before it; finish'd works


s: Of youthful hinds, once pleasant to the eye,


s: Now levell'd, after ceaseless rain from Jove;


s: Scouring the field, and from before his face


s: The ranks dispersing wide, at once he bent


s: Sure-aim'd; it struck direct the hollow mail


s: Of his right shoulder, with resistless force


s: Transfix'd it, and his hauberk stain'd with blood.


s: Loud shouted then Lycaon's son renown'd.


s: Rush on, ye Trojans, spur your coursers hard.


s: His death not distant far, if me the King


s: Jove's son, indeed, from Lycia sent to Troy.


s: Quell'd not. Retreating, at his coursers' heads


s: His charioteer and faithful friend he said.


s: And from my shoulder draw this bitter shaft.


s: Descending, by its barb the bitter shaft


s: Drew forth; blood spouted through his twisted mail


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


s: Thou hast in furious fight help'd heretofore,


s: Of my swift spear, Oh grant me to strike through


s: The warrior who hath check'd my course, and boasts


s: The sun's bright beams for ever quench'd to me!


s: He prayed, and Pallas heard; she braced his limbs,


s: And, standing at his side, him thus bespake.


s: Now Diomede, be bold! Fight now with Troy.


s: Fearless; shield-shaking Tydeus felt the same.


s: I also from thine eye the darkness purge


s: Which dimm'd thy sight before, that thou may'st know


s: Both Gods and men; should, therefore, other God


s: Approach to try thee, fight not with the powers


s: Her spare not. Wound her with thy glittering spear.


s: Then with the champions in the van again


s: With threefold fury now, nor less enraged


s: Than some gaunt lion whom o'erleaping light


s: The fold, a shepherd hath but gall'd, not kill'd,


s: Him irritating more; thenceforth the swain


s: Lurks unresisting; flies the abandon'd flock;


s: Heaps slain on heaps he leaves, and with a bound


s: Such seem'd the valiant Diomede incensed


s: To fury, mingling with the host of Troy.


s: He pierced, and one with his huge falchion smote


s: Fast by the key-bone, from the neck and spine


s: Them saved not, for by Diomede they died.


s: Both sons of Phænops, sons of his old age,


s: Who other heir had none of all his wealth,


s: Nor hoped another, worn with many years.


s: Tydides slew them both; nor aught remain'd


s: For ever lost, and strangers were his heirs.


s: Echemon next, and Chromius felt his hand


s: Leaping, while they the shrubs and bushes browse,


s: Breaks short the neck of heifer or of steer,


s: So them, though clinging fast and loth to fall,


s: Then stripp'd their splendid armor, and the steeds


s: Consigned and chariot to his soldiers' care.


s: Æneas him discern'd scattering the ranks,


s: And through the battle and the clash of spears


s: He stood before him, and him thus address'd.


s: Thy bow, thy feather'd shafts, and glorious name


s: Where are they, Pandarus? whom none of Troy


s: Come. Lift thine hands to Jove, and at yon Chief


s: Dispatch an arrow, who afflicts the host


s: Of Ilium thus, conquering where'er he flies,


s: And who hath slaughter'd numerous brave in arms,


s: Him answer'd then Lycaon's son renown'd.


s: Brave leader of the Trojans brazen-mail'd,


s: And by his helmet's height, considering, too


s: His steeds, I deem him Diomede the bold;


s: Yet such pronounce him not, who seems a God.


s: Of whom I speak, not without aid from heaven


s: Some God, in clouds enveloped, turns away


s: My shaft hath pierced him through, and him I deem'd


s: Dismiss'd full sure to Pluto ere his time


s: But he survives; whom therefore I at last


s: Steeds have I none or chariot to ascend,


s: O'ermantled, strong, new finish'd, with their steeds


s: In pairs beside them, eating winnow'd grain.


s: Persuaded, that my chariot and my steeds


s: To battle; counsel wise, and ill-refused!


s: But anxious, lest (the host in Troy so long


s: Immew'd) my steeds, fed plenteously at home,


s: Should here want food, I left them, and on foot


s: Ordain'd at last to yield me little good.


s: Twice have I shot, and twice I struck the mark,


s: From each I drew the blood, true, genuine blood,


s: Yet have but more incensed them. In an hour


s: Down from the wall that day, when for the sake


s: Of noble Hector, to these pleasant plains


s: But should I once return, and with these eyes


s: My wife, my stately mansion, may the hand,


s: This bow with which I charged myself in vain,


s: Nay, speak not so. For ere that hour arrive


s: We will, with chariot and with horse, in arms


s: Encounter him, and put his strength to proof.


s: Delay not, mount my chariot. Thou shalt see


s: Pursuing or retreating, scour the field.


s: If after all, Jove purpose still to exalt


s: The son of Tydeus, these shall bear us safe


s: The lash take thou, and the resplendent reins,


s: Receive them, and the steeds shall be my care.


s: Him answer'd then Lycaon's son renown'd.


s: Thy proper steeds. If fly at last we must


s: The son of Tydeus, they will readier draw


s: Else, terrified, and missing thy control,


s: They may refuse to bear us from the fight,


s: Shall slay us both, and drive thy steeds away.


s: Rule therefore thou the chariot, and myself


s: With my sharp spear will his assault receive.


s: So saying, they mounted both, and furious drove


s: His speech to Diomede, him thus address'd.


s: Come rattling on. Lycaon's offspring one,


s: Bow-practised Pandarus; with whom appears


s: Mount--drive we swift away--lest borne so far


s: Beyond the foremost battle, thou be slain.


s: Speak not of flight to me, who am disposed


s: Or tremble, and my strength is still entire;


s: I cannot mount. No. Rather thus, on foot,


s: I will advance against them. Fear and dread


s: Are not for me; Pallas forbids the thought.


s: One falls, be sure; swift as they are, the steeds


s: That whirl them on, shall never rescue both.


s: But hear my bidding, and hold fast the word.


s: Should all-wise Pallas grant me my desire


s: To slay them both, drive not my coursers hence,


s: But hook the reins, and seizing quick the pair


s: That draw Æneas, urge them from the powers


s: For they are sprung from those which Jove to Tros


s: The Sun himself sees not their like below.


s: Obtain'd, his mares submitting to the steeds


s: Of King Laomedon. Six brought him foals;


s: Four to himself reserving, in his stalls


s: He fed them sleek, and two he gave his son:


s: These, might we win them, were a noble prize.


s: Thus mutual they conferr'd; those Chiefs, the while,


s: With swiftest pace approach'd, and first his speech


s: My shaft hath harm'd thee little. I will now


s: Make trial with my spear, if that may speed.


s: He said, and shaking his long-shadow'd spear,


s: Dismiss'd it. Forceful on the shield it struck


s: Of Diomede, transpierced it, and approach'd


s: With threatening point the hauberk on his breast.


s: Home to thy bowels. Die, for die thou must,


s: Undaunted. I am whole. Thy cast was short.


s: Shall sate the God of battles with his blood.


s: He said and threw. Pallas the spear herself


s: Deep-entering, through his ivory teeth it pass'd,


s: His tongue, and started through his chin below.


s: He headlong fell, and with his dazzling arms


s: Smote full the plain. Back flew the fiery steeds


s: With swift recoil, and where he fell he died.


s: Then sprang Æneas forth with spear and shield,


s: That none might drag the body; lion-like


s: He stalk'd around it, oval shield and spear


s: Advancing firm, and with incessant cries


s: Two strongest men of such as now are strong,


s: Yet he, alone, wielded the rock with ease.


s: Full on the hip he smote him, where the thigh


s: Both tendons, and with that rough-angled mass


s: Flay'd all his flesh, The Hero on his knees


s: Sank, on his ample palm his weight upbore


s: Laboring, and darkness overspread his eyes.


s: Had not Jove's daughter Venus quick perceived


s: Herself to Anchises pasturing his herds.


s: Of her bright mantle screening close his breast


s: From mortal harm by some brave Grecian's spear,


s: Stole him with eager swiftness from the fight.


s: Nor then forgat brave Sthenelus his charge


s: Received from Diomede, but his own steeds


s: Detaining distant from the boisterous war,


s: Stretch'd tight the reins, and hook'd them fast behind.


s: Ardent, and them into the host of Greece


s: Driving remote, consign'd them to his care,


s: Congenial. Him he charged to drive them thence


s: Into the fleet, then, mounting swift his own,


s: Lash'd after Diomede; he, fierce in arms,


s: Pursued the Cyprian Goddess, conscious whom,


s: Of cities close-beleaguer'd, none of all


s: Who o'er the battle's bloody course preside,


s: But one of softer kind and prone to fear.


s: When, therefore, her at length, after long chase


s: Through all the warring multitude he reach'd,


s: With his protruded spear her gentle hand


s: He wounded, piercing through her thin attire


s: Ambrosial, by themselves the graces wrought,


s: Her inside wrist, fast by the rosy palm.


s: Blood follow'd, but immortal; ichor pure,


s: May bleed, nectareous; for the Gods eat not


s: Man's food, nor slake as he with sable wine


s: Their thirst, thence bloodless and from death exempt.


s: She, shrieking, from her arms cast down her son,


s: Him hiding, lest the spear of some brave Greek


s: Should pierce his bosom, caught him swift away.


s: Depart, Jove's daughter! fly the bloody field.


s: Is't not enough that thou beguilest the hearts


s: Shall make thee shudder, wheresoever heard.


s: Bewilder'd went; but Iris tempest-wing'd


s: Forth led her through the multitude, oppress'd


s: With anguish, her white wrist to livid changed.


s: They came where Mars far on the left retired


s: In darkness veil'd. Before her brother's knees


s: She fell, and with entreaties urgent sought


s: The succor of his coursers golden-rein'd.


s: Save me, my brother! Pity me! Thy steeds


s: Give me, that they may bear me to the heights


s: Hath done it, Diomede; nor would he fear


s: This day in fight the Sire himself of all.


s: Resign'd to Venus; she, with countenance sad,


s: The chariot climb'd, and Iris at her side


s: The bright reins seizing lash'd the ready steeds.


s: Soon as the Olympian heights, seat of the Gods,


s: They reach'd, wing-footed Iris loosing quick


s: The coursers, gave them large whereon to browse


s: Her daughter, stroked her cheek, and thus inquired.


s: My darling child! who? which of all the Gods


s: Her then the Goddess of love-kindling smiles


s: Nor is it now the war of Greece with Troy,


s: But of the Grecians with the Gods themselves.


s: My child! how hard soe'er thy sufferings seem


s: Endure them patiently. Full many a wrong


s: From human hands profane the Gods endure,


s: And many a painful stroke, mankind from ours.


s: Mars once endured much wrong, when on a time


s: In brazen thraldom held him. There, at length,


s: The fierce blood-nourished Mars had pined away,


s: His step-mother, in happy hour disclosed


s: He stole the prisoner forth, but with his woes


s: Already worn, languid and fetter-gall'd.


s: Nor Juno less endured, when erst the bold


s: Her bosom pierced; she then the misery felt


s: Nor suffer'd Pluto less, of all the Gods


s: Transfix'd and fill'd with anguish; he the house


s: Dejected, torture-stung, for sore the shaft


s: Oppress'd him, into his huge shoulder driven.


s: With unction smooth of salutiferous balms


s: Heal'd soon. Presumptuous, sacrilegious man!


s: Careless what dire enormities he wrought,


s: Who bent his bow against the powers of heaven!


s: By whom thou bleed'st. Infatuate! he forgets


s: That whoso turns against the Gods his arm


s: Lives never long; he never, safe escaped


s: From furious fight, the lisp'd caresses hears


s: Of his own infants prattling at his knees.


s: Let therefore Diomede beware, lest strong


s: Some mightier foe than thou, and lest his wife,


s: Her first-espoused, Achaia's proudest boast,


s: She said, and from her wrist with both hands wiped


s: The trickling ichor; the effectual touch


s: Divine chased all her pains, and she was heal'd.


s: Them Juno mark'd and Pallas, and with speech


s: To vex him, blue-eyed Pallas thus began.


s: And not incense thee, Jove? I can but judge


s: That Venus, while she coax'd some Grecian fair


s: With such extravagance, hath heedless stroked


s: Her golden clasps, and scratch'd her lily hand.


s: So she; then smiled the sire of Gods and men,


s: War and the tented field, my beauteous child,


s: Are not for thee. Thou rather shouldst be found


s: In scenes of matrimonial bliss. The toils


s: Thus they in heaven. But Diomede the while


s: Whose hand o'ershadow'd him, yet even him


s: Regarding lightly; for he burn'd to slay


s: Thrice then he sprang impetuous to the deed,


s: And thrice Apollo with his radiant shield


s: The fourth time he advanced, with thundering-voice


s: Him thus the Archer of the skies rebuked.


s: Our nature is and theirs who tread the ground.


s: Then Phoebus, far from all the warrior throng


s: To his own shrine the sacred dome beneath


s: And glorified within their spacious fane.


s: Grecians and Trojans on each other's breasts


s: The bull-hide buckler batter'd and light targe.


s: Gore-tainted homicide, town-batterer Mars!


s: Wilt thou not meet and from the fight withdraw


s: That he would even cope with Jove himself?


s: First Venus' hand he wounded, and assail'd


s: He ceased, and on the topmost turret sat


s: Ranging the Trojan host, rank after rank


s: The godlike sons of Priam thus harangued.


s: To slay the people?--till the battle rage


s: (Push'd home to Ilium) at her solid gates?


s: Behold--a Chief disabled lies, than whom


s: He said; then every heart for battle glow'd;


s: Upbraiding generous Hector, stern began.


s: Where is thy courage, Hector? for thou once


s: Hadst courage. Is it fled? In other days


s: Thy boast hath been that without native troops


s: Or foreign aids, thy kindred and thyself


s: Alone, were guard sufficient for the town.


s: But none of all thy kindred now appears;


s: Quaking, as dogs that hear the lion's roar.


s: We bear the stress, who are but Troy's allies;


s: Of the deep-eddied Xanthus. There a wife


s: With plenteous wealth, the wish of all who want.


s: Yet urge I still my Lycians, and am prompt


s: Myself to fight, although possessing here


s: Nought that the Greeks can carry or drive hence.


s: But there stand'st thou, neither employed thyself,


s: For all their dearest pledges. Oh beware!


s: At one huge draught the Grecians sweep you all,


s: And desolate at once your populous Troy!


s: By day, by night, thoughts such as these should still


s: Thy conduct influence, and from Chief to Chief


s: Of the allies should send thee, praying each


s: To make firm stand, all bickerings put away.


s: Stung Hector; instant to the ground he leap'd


s: All arm'd, and shaking his bright spears his host


s: Then, rolling back, the powers of Troy opposed


s: Once more the Grecians, whom the Grecians dense


s: As flies the chaff wide scatter'd by the wind


s: O'er all the consecrated floor, what time


s: Ripe Ceres with brisk airs her golden grain


s: Ventilates, whitening with its husk the ground;


s: So grew the Achaians white, a dusty cloud


s: Descending on their arms, which steeds with steeds


s: Again to battle mingling, with their hoofs


s: Up-stamp'd into the brazen vault of heaven;


s: For now the charioteers turn'd all to fight.


s: Host toward host with full collected force


s: They moved direct. Then Mars through all the field


s: Took wide his range, and overhung the war


s: With night, in aid of Troy, at the command


s: Perceiving Pallas from the field withdrawn,


s: Patroness of the Greeks, had Mars enjoin'd


s: Meantime Apollo from his unctuous shrine


s: Sent forth restored and with new force inspired


s: Who him with joy beheld still living, heal'd,


s: And all his strength possessing unimpair'd.


s: Yet no man ask'd him aught. No leisure now


s: For question was; far other thoughts had they;


s: Such toils the archer of the silver bow,


s: Wide-slaughtering Mars, and Discord as at first


s: These roused the Greeks to battle, who themselves


s: The force fear'd nothing, or the shouts of Troy,


s: But steadfast stood, like clouds by Jove amass'd


s: On lofty mountains, while the fury sleeps


s: Shrill-voiced, that chase the vapors when they blow,


s: So stood the Greeks, expecting firm the approach


s: Of Ilium's powers, and neither fled nor fear'd.


s: On all sides ranging, cheer'd them. Now, he cried,


s: Be steadfast, fellow warriors, now be men!


s: Of men who fear disgrace, than fall in fight,


s: He said, and hurl'd his spear. He pierced a friend


s: Not less esteem'd than Priam's sons themselves,


s: Such was his fame in foremost fight acquired.


s: Nor stayed the weapon there, but through his belt


s: His bowels enter'd, and with hideous clang


s: And outcry of his batter'd arms he fell.


s: From broad-stream'd Alpheus, Pylian flood, they drew.


s: Valiant, and skilful in all forms of war.


s: Their boyish prime scarce past, they, with the Greeks


s: Embarking, in their sable ships had sail'd


s: To steed-fam'd Ilium; just revenge they sought


s: For Atreus' sons, but perished first themselves.


s: Of some dark forest on the mountain's brow


s: Late nourished by their dam, forth-issuing, seize


s: The fatted flocks and kine, both folds and stalls


s: Wasting rapacious, till, at length, themselves


s: So they, both vanquish'd by Æneas, fell,


s: With pity moved; radiant in arms he shook


s: His brazen spear, and strode into the van.


s: Mars urged him furious on, conceiving hope


s: But him the son of generous Nestor mark'd


s: Flew also, fearing lest some dire mischance


s: The Prince befalling, at one fatal stroke


s: Should frustrate all the labors of the Greeks.


s: They, hand to hand, and spear to spear opposed,


s: Stood threatening dreadful onset, when beside


s: Stood not, although intrepid. They the dead


s: Thence drawing far into the Grecian host


s: To their associates gave the hapless pair,


s: Then, both returning, fought in front again.


s: Next, fierce as Mars, Pylæmenes they slew,


s: His throat transpiercing while erect he rode.


s: Then, while his charioteer, Mydon the brave,


s: Son of Atymnias, turn'd his steeds to flight,


s: The son of Nestor, dash'd him with a stone.


s: The slack reins, white as ivory, forsook


s: His torpid hand and trail'd the dust. At once


s: Forth sprang Antilochus, and with his sword


s: Hew'd deep his temples. On his head he pitch'd


s: Panting, and on his shoulders in the sand


s: (For in deep sand he fell) stood long erect,


s: Till his own coursers spread him in the dust;


s: The son of Nestor seized, and with his scourge


s: Drove them afar into the host of Greece.


s: Them Hector through the ranks espying, flew


s: With clamor loud to meet them; after whom


s: Advanced in phalanx firm the powers of Troy,


s: She by the maddening tumult of the fight


s: in both hands brandish'd, stalking now in front


s: Wandering he knows not whither, far from home,


s: Borne headlong thwart his course, the foaming flood


s: Obstreperous views awhile, then quick retires,


s: And unappall'd in fight? but still hath he


s: Ye, then, with faces to the Trojans turn'd,


s: Ceaseless retire, and war not with the Gods.


s: He ended; and the Trojans now approach'd.


s: Then two bold warriors in one chariot borne,


s: And one, Anchialus. Them fallen in fight


s: Ajax the vast, touch'd with compassion saw;


s: Within small space he stood, his glittering spear


s: Dismiss'd, and pierced Amphius. Son was he


s: Was led to fight for Priam and his sons.


s: Fix'd his long-shadow'd spear. Sounding he fell.


s: Prepared to strip his arms, but him a shower


s: Of glittering-weapons keen from Trojan hands


s: Assail'd, and numerous his broad shield received.


s: Forth drew the polish'd spear, but his bright arms


s: Took not, by darts thick-flying sore annoy'd,


s: Nor fear'd he little lest his haughty foes,


s: Spear-arm'd and bold, should compass him around;


s: Him, therefore, valiant though he were and huge,


s: They push'd before them. Staggering he retired.


s: Thus toil'd both hosts in that laborious field.


s: Dauntless and huge, against a godlike foe


s: Stood, son and grandson of high-thundering Jove,


s: Thou trembler! thee what cause could hither urge


s: A man unskill'd in arms? They falsely speak


s: So far below their might thou fall'st who sprang


s: From Jove in days of old. What says report


s: With six ships only, and with followers few,


s: Lay'd Troy in dust, and widow'd all her streets.


s: But thou art base, and thy diminish'd powers


s: Perish around thee; think not that thou earnest


s: For Ilium's good, but rather, whatsoe'er


s: Thy force in fight, to find, subdued by me,


s: As thou hast said, but for her monarch's fault


s: Nor would the steeds surrender, seeking which


s: He voyaged from afar. But thou shalt take


s: Thy bloody doom from this victorious arm,


s: And, vanquish'd by my spear, shalt yield thy fame


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


s: Tlepolemus upraised. Both hurl'd at once


s: Their quivering spears. Sarpedon's through the neck


s: Its ruthless point; thick darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: Tlepolemus with his long lance the thigh


s: Pierced of Sarpedon; sheer into his bone


s: He pierced him, but Sarpedon's father, Jove,


s: His noble friends conducted from the field


s: The pendent spear, none thinking to extract


s: For his relief the weapon from his thigh,


s: Through eagerness of haste to bear him thence.


s: On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail'd


s: With earnest thoughts tumultuous them observed,


s: Or to pursue at once the Thunderer's son


s: That praise reserved, that he should slay the son


s: Renown'd of Jove; therefore his wavering mind


s: Noëmon; nor had these sufficed the Chief


s: Had not crest-tossing Hector huge perceived


s: Filling with dread the Grecians; his approach


s: And piteous thus address'd him as he came.


s: To Grecian hands, but in your city, at least,


s: Grant me to die: since hither, doom'd, I came


s: To Lycia, my loved spouse, or infant child.


s: That moment, and to drench his sword in blood.


s: Then, under shelter of a spreading beech


s: Sacred to Jove, his noble followers placed


s: The godlike Chief Sarpedon, where his friend


s: Extracted. Sightless, of all thought bereft,


s: He sank, but soon revived, by breathing airs


s: Refresh'd, that fann'd him gently from the North.


s: Meantime the Argives, although press'd alike


s: By Mars himself and Hector brazen-arm'd,


s: Neither to flight inclined, nor yet advanced


s: To battle, but inform'd that Mars the fight


s: Waged on the side of Ilium, slow retired.


s: Whom first, whom last slew then the mighty son


s: First godlike Teuthras, an equestrian Chief,


s: And brisk in fight Oresbius; rich was he,


s: Boeotian Princes numerous, rich themselves


s: But Juno, such dread slaughter of the Greeks


s: That Troy shall perish, hath been given in vain


s: Urges, and need appears that we ourselves


s: She spake; nor blue-eyed Pallas not complied.


s: Then Juno, Goddess dread, from Saturn sprung,


s: The brazen wheels, and joined them to the smooth


s: Steel axle; twice four spokes divided each


s: Shot from the centre to the verge. The verge


s: Guarded, a dazzling show! The shining naves


s: Were silver; silver cords and cords of gold


s: The seat upbore; two crescents blazed in front.


s: The pole was argent all, to which she bound


s: The golden yoke, and in their place disposed


s: But Juno to the yoke, herself, the steeds


s: Led forth, on fire to reach the dreadful field.


s: Labor of her own hands. She first put on


s: The corselet of the cloud-assembler God,


s: Then arm'd her for the field of wo complete.


s: She charged her shoulder with the dreadful shield


s: With terror; there was Discord, Prowess there,


s: There hot Pursuit, and there the feature grim


s: Oft borne portentous on the arm of Jove.


s: Her golden helm, whose concave had sufficed


s: On her immortal head. Thus arm'd, she rose


s: Seized ponderous, huge, with which the Goddess sprung


s: Of heroes, against whom her anger burns.


s: Juno with lifted lash urged quick the steeds;


s: At her approach, spontaneous roar'd the wide-


s: Unfolding gates of heaven; the heavenly gates


s: Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge


s: And of the boundless ether, back to roll,


s: And to replace the cloudy barrier dense.


s: Spurr'd through the portal flew the rapid steeds;


s: Superior of the cloven mount, they found


s: The Thunderer. Juno the white-arm'd her steeds


s: There stay'd, and thus the Goddess, ere she pass'd,


s: Question'd the son of Saturn, Jove supreme.


s: Jove, Father, seest thou, and art not incensed,


s: Drench'd with what Grecian blood! All rashly spilt,


s: Delighted, and have urged, themselves, to this


s: The frantic Mars within no bounds confined


s: Mars deeply smitten from the field of war?


s: To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.


s: Accustom'd to chastise with pain severe.


s: He spake, nor white-arm'd Juno not obey'd.


s: She lash'd her steeds; they readily their flight


s: Began, the earth and starry vault between.


s: Far as from his high tower the watchman kens


s: Advance the shrill-voiced coursers of the Gods.


s: But when at Troy and at the confluent streams


s: There Juno, white-arm'd Goddess, from the yoke


s: Her steeds releasing, them in gather'd shades


s: Conceal'd opaque, while Simoïs caused to spring


s: Ambrosia from his bank, whereon they browsed.


s: They sought the Grecians, ardent to begin:


s: Arriving where the mightiest and the most


s: Of matchless force, there white-arm'd Juno stood,


s: And in the form of Stentor for his voice


s: Of fifty throats, the Grecians thus harangued.


s: Oh shame, shame, shame! Argives in form alone,


s: While yet divine Achilles ranged the field,


s: No Trojan stepp'd from yon Dardanian gates


s: Abroad; all trembled at his stormy spear;


s: But now they venture forth, now at your ships


s: She ceased, and all caught courage from the sound.


s: She found the Chief cooling his fiery wound


s: Received from Pandarus; for him the sweat


s: Beneath the broad band of his oval shield


s: Exhausted, and his arm fail'd him fatigued;


s: He therefore raised the band and wiped the blood


s: Her arm the Goddess threw, and thus began.


s: From furious fight (what time he enter'd Thebes


s: Feasting, himself the sole Achaian there)


s: He, fired with wonted ardor, challenged forth


s: But thou, whom I encircle with my power,


s: To combat with the Trojans, thou, thy limbs


s: Feel'st wearied with the toils of war, or worse,


s: Henceforth thou art not worthy to be deem'd


s: I know thee well, oh Goddess sprung from Jove!


s: And therefore willing shall, and plain, reply.


s: Restrains, but thine injunctions which impress


s: My memory, still, that I should fear to oppose


s: The blessed Gods in fight, Venus except,


s: Whom in the battle found thou badest me pierce


s: With unrelenting spear; therefore myself


s: That Mars, himself in arms, controls the war.


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


s: Fear not this Mars, nor fear thou other power


s: Arise. Drive forth. Seek Mars; him only seek;


s: Him hand to hand engage; this fiery Mars


s: Respect not aught, base implement of wrong


s: And mischief, shifting still from side to side.


s: That he would fight for Greece, yet now forgets


s: His promise, and gives all his aid to Troy.


s: So saying, she backward by his hand withdrew


s: Leap'd instant; she, impatient to his place


s: Loud groan'd the beechen axle, under weight


s: Quick-seizing lash and reins Minerva drove


s: Direct at Mars. That moment he had slain


s: And huge of bulk; Ochesius was his sire.


s: Him Mars the slaughterer had of life bereft


s: Soon as gore-tainted Mars the approach perceived


s: And flew to cope with Tydeus' valiant son.


s: Full nigh they came, when Mars on fire to slay


s: The hero, foremost with his brazen lance


s: Assail'd him, hurling o'er his horses' heads.


s: The flying weapon caught and turn'd it wide,


s: Rush'd furious in his turn, and Pallas plunged


s: The bright spear deep into his cinctured waist


s: Dire was the wound, and plucking back the spear


s: She tore him. Bellow'd brazen-throated Mars


s: Loud as nine thousand warriors, or as ten


s: Join'd in close combat. Grecians, Trojans shook


s: Such as the dimness is when summer winds


s: Breathe hot, and sultry mist obscures the sky,


s: The Olympian heights, seat of the Gods, he sat


s: Beside Saturnian Jove; wo fill'd his heart;


s: He show'd fast-streaming from the wound his blood


s: Immortal, and impatient thus complain'd.


s: Jove, Father! Seest thou these outrageous acts


s: The dreadful mischiefs by the Gods contrived


s: Against each other, for the sake of man.


s: Thou art thyself the cause. Thou hast produced


s: Who feels not thy control; but she her will


s: Finds none, because, pernicious as she is,


s: She is thy daughter. She hath now the mind


s: Against the immortal Gods; first Venus bled;


s: Her hand he pierced impetuous, then assail'd,


s: But me my feet stole thence, or overwhelm'd


s: What had I not sustain'd? And if at last


s: I lived, had halted crippled by the sword.


s: To whom with dark displeasure Jove replied.


s: Base and side-shifting traitor! vex not me


s: Here sitting querulous; of all who dwell


s: On the Olympian heights, thee most I hate


s: Contentious, whose delight is war alone.


s: Thou hast thy mother's moods, the very spleen


s: Scarce rule by mere commands; I therefore judge


s: Thy sufferings a contrivance all her own.


s: That thou shouldst suffer long. Hadst thou been born


s: What Deity soe'er had brought thee forth,


s: Thou shouldst have found long since a humbler sphere.


s: He ceased, and to the care his son consign'd


s: Of Pæon; he with drugs of lenient powers,


s: From dissolution. As the juice from figs


s: So soon was Mars by Pæon skill restored.


s: Graceful adorn'd; when at the side of Jove


s: Again his glorious seat sublime he took.


s: And mighty Pallas; Mars the plague of man,


s: By their successful force from slaughter driven.


s: Thus was the field forsaken by the Gods.


s: And now success proved various; here the Greeks


s: With their extended spears, the Trojans there


s: Prevail'd alternate, on the champain spread


s: Of the Achaians, broke the Trojan ranks,


s: And kindled for the Greeks a gleam of hope,


s: Slaying the bravest of the Thracian band,


s: Full on the shaggy crest he smote, and urged


s: The spear into his forehead; through his skull


s: The bright point pass'd, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: Made welcome all) respected and beloved.


s: But of his numerous guests none interposed


s: He slew, but with him also to the shades


s: Calesius sent, his friend and charioteer.


s: Brethren and twins. Them Abarbarea bore,


s: But by his mother, at his birth, conceal'd.


s: The lovely nymph; she twins produced, both whom,


s: Brave as they were and beautiful, thy son


s: Mecisteus! slew, and from their shoulders tore


s: Antilochus, with his bright lance, of life


s: On Satnio's banks, smooth-sliding river pure


s: Soon smote. Melanthius at the feet expired


s: A thicket his affrighted steeds detain'd


s: Their feet entangling; they with restive force


s: At its extremity snapp'd short the pole,


s: Fled also. From his chariot headlong hurl'd,


s: Adrastus press'd the plain fast by his wheel.


s: Shook over him; he, life imploring, clasp'd


s: Importunate his knees, and thus exclaim'd.


s: Illustrious ransom! In my father's house


s: Is wealth abundant, gold, and brass, and steel


s: Till he have gratified thine utmost wish,


s: Inform'd that I am captive in your fleet.


s: Vanquish'd, him soon had to the fleet dismiss'd


s: Given to his train in charge, but swift and stern


s: Now, brother, whence this milkiness of mind,


s: These scruples about blood? Thy Trojan friends


s: Have doubtless much obliged thee. Die the race!


s: May none escape us! neither he who flies,


s: Nor even the infant in his mother's womb


s: Unpitied, till her place be found no more!


s: So saying, his brother's mind the Hero turn'd,


s: Thrust back Adrastus, and himself, the King,


s: His bowels pierced. Supine Adrastus fell,


s: Impressing firm, pluck'd forth his ashen spear.


s: Then Nestor, raising high his voice, exclaim'd.


s: Friends, Heroes, Grecians, ministers of Mars!


s: Let none, desirous of the spoil, his time


s: Devote to plunder now; now slay your foes,


s: And strip them when the field shall be your own.


s: He said, and all took courage at his word.


s: So was their spirit daunted, but the son


s: Excelling all, at Hector's side his speech


s: The Lycians chiefly and ourselves depend,


s: Most courage; give best counsel; stand yourselves,


s: And, visiting all quarters, cause to stand


s: Before the city-gates our scatter'd troops,


s: Be slaughter'd of their wives, the scorn of Greece.


s: When thus ye shall have rallied every band


s: And roused their courage, weary though we be,


s: Will we give battle to the host of Greece.


s: There charge our mother, that she go direct,


s: Opening her chambers' sacred doors, of all


s: Her treasured mantles there, let her select


s: And which she values most; _that_ let her spread


s: Twelve heifers of the year yet never touch'd


s: With puncture of the goad, let her alike


s: Our wives and little ones, and will avert


s: The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,


s: That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host,


s: Bravest, in my account, of all the Greeks.


s: So taught our people fear, although esteemed


s: Son of a Goddess. But this warrior's rage


s: Is boundless, and his strength past all compare.


s: Down from his chariot instant to the ground


s: All arm'd he leap'd, and, shaking his sharp spears,


s: Through every phalanx pass'd, rousing again


s: Their courage, and rekindling horrid war.


s: They, turning, faced the Greeks; the Greeks repulsed,


s: Ceased from all carnage, nor supposed they less


s: Forsaken, help'd their foes, so firm they stood.


s: Ye dauntless Trojans and confederate powers


s: Call'd from afar! now be ye men, my friends,


s: That they address the Gods with prayers and vows


s: So saying the Hero went, and as he strode


s: The sable hide that lined his bossy shield


s: Smote on his neck and on his ancle-bone.


s: Both hosts, the son of Tydeus and the son


s: On furious combat; face to face they stood,


s: Art thou, whom in the man-ennobling fight


s: I now encounter first? Past all thy peers


s: I must esteem thee valiant, who hast dared


s: Who dare my might; but if a God from heaven


s: Thou come, behold! I fight not with the Gods.


s: Of brain-disturbing Bacchus down the steep


s: Pursued of sacred Nyssa; they their wands


s: Vine-wreathed cast all away, with an ox-goad


s: Chastised by fell Lycurgus. Bacchus plunged


s: Meantime dismay'd into the deep, where him


s: Trembling, and at the Hero's haughty threats


s: Thus by Lycurgus were the blessed powers


s: Of sight bereaved him, who not long that loss


s: Survived, for he was curst by all above.


s: I, therefore, wage no contest with the Gods;


s: But if thou be of men, and feed on bread


s: Of earthly growth, draw nigh, that with a stroke


s: Well-aim'd, I may at once cut short thy days.


s: To whom the illustrious Lycian Chief replied.


s: For, as the leaves, such is the race of man.


s: The wind shakes down the leaves, the budding grove


s: Soon teems with others, and in spring they grow.


s: Its destined period, and a new succeeds.


s: But since thou seem'st desirous to be taught


s: Of Argos, for her steed-grazed meadows famed,


s: Shrewdest of human kind; Sisyphus, named


s: The Gods both manly force and beauty gave.


s: Proetus was sovereign, to whose sceptre Jove


s: Had subjected the land) plotting his death,


s: Contrived to banish from his native home.


s: Through love of young Bellerophon, him oft


s: But she prevail'd not o'er the virtuous mind


s: Discrete of whom she wooed; therefore a lie


s: Framing, she royal Proetus thus bespake.


s: Die thou, or slay Bellerophon, who sought


s: Of late to force me to his lewd embrace.


s: So saying, the anger of the King she roused.


s: Slay him himself he would not, for his heart


s: Forbad the deed; him therefore he dismiss'd


s: To Lycia, charged with tales of dire import


s: Written in tablets, which he bade him show,


s: He went, and on the shores of Xanthus found


s: Of Lycia's potent King. Nine days complete


s: He feasted him, and slew each day an ox.


s: But when the tenth day's ruddy morn appear'd,


s: He asked him then his errand, and to see


s: Those written tablets from his son-in-law.


s: The letters seen, he bade him, first, destroy


s: And in the midst a she-goat breathing forth


s: Her, confident in signs from heaven, he slew.


s: Brave warriors far renown'd, with whom he waged,


s: In his account, the fiercest of his wars.


s: Devised against him, placing close-conceal'd


s: An ambush for him from the bravest chosen


s: In Lycia; but they saw their homes no more;


s: The monarch hence collecting, at the last,


s: His heavenly origin, him there detain'd,


s: And gave him his own daughter, with the half


s: Large lot assigned him of their richest soil,


s: Commodious for the vine, or for the plow.


s: And now his consort fair three children bore


s: Had anger'd all the Gods, feeding on grief


s: He roam'd alone the Aleian field, exiled,


s: By choice, from every cheerful haunt of man.


s: Mars, thirsty still for blood, his son destroy'd


s: Isandrus, warring with the host renown'd


s: Sprung from Hippolochus; he sent me forth


s: To fight for Troy, charging me much and oft


s: That I should outstrip always all mankind


s: In worth and valor, nor the house disgrace


s: Such is my lineage; such the blood I boast.


s: He ceased. Then valiant Diomede rejoiced.


s: He pitch'd his spear, and to the Lycian Prince


s: Whose noble grandsire was the guest of mine.


s: A child was I when Tydeus went to Thebes,


s: Hold no remembrance; but henceforth, my friend,


s: In Lycia, should I chance to sojourn there.


s: We will not clash. Trojans or aids of Troy


s: No few the Gods shall furnish to my spear,


s: Whom I may slaughter; and no want of Greeks


s: On whom to prove thy prowess, thou shalt find.


s: But it were well that an exchange ensued


s: Between us; take mine armor, give me thine,


s: So they, and each alighting, hand in hand


s: Stood lock'd, faith promising and firm accord.


s: He barter'd gold for brass, an hundred beeves


s: Meantime arrived, to whose approach the wives


s: And daughters flock'd of Troy, inquiring each


s: The fate of husband, brother, son, or friend.


s: He bade them all with solemn prayer the Gods


s: Seek fervent, for that wo was on the wing.


s: But when he enter'd Priam's palace, built


s: With splendid porticoes, and which within


s: Had fifty chambers lined with polish'd stone,


s: Contiguous all, where Priam's sons reposed


s: And his sons' wives, and where, on the other side.


s: In twelve magnificent chambers also lined


s: With polish'd marble and contiguous all,


s: His spotless daughters, there the mother queen


s: Loveliest of all her children, as she went


s: Met Hector. On his hand she hung and said:


s: Why leavest thou, O my son! the dangerous field?


s: I fear that the Achaians (hateful name!)


s: Compass the walls so closely, that thou seek'st


s: Thine hands in prayer to Jove? But pause awhile


s: Till I shall bring thee wine, that having pour'd


s: Immortal, thou may'st drink and be refresh'd.


s: For wine is mighty to renew the strength


s: Thyself, thus long defending us and ours.


s: My mother, whom I reverence! cheering wine


s: Bring none to me, lest I forget my might.


s: I fear, beside, with unwash'd hands to pour


s: And dare on none account, thus blood-defiled,


s: Approach the tempest-stirring God in prayer.


s: Thou, therefore, gathering all our matrons, seek


s: The fane of Pallas, huntress of the spoil,


s: Bearing sweet incense; but from the attire


s: Treasured within thy chamber, first select


s: The amplest robe, most exquisitely wrought,


s: And which thou prizest most--then spread the gift


s: Twelve heifers also of the year, untouch'd


s: With puncture of the goad, promise to slay


s: Our wives and little ones, and will avert


s: The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,


s: That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host.


s: Go then, my mother, seek the hallowed fane


s: Of the spoil-huntress Deity. I, the while,


s: Shall call him forth. But oh that earth would yawn


s: And swallow him, whom Jove hath made a curse


s: To Troy, to Priam, and to all his house;


s: Methinks, to see him plunged into the shades


s: He ceased; the Queen, her palace entering, charged


s: Her maidens; they, incontinent, throughout


s: All Troy convened the matrons, as she bade.


s: Meantime into her wardrobe incense-fumed,


s: Herself descended; there her treasures lay,


s: The godlike Paris, when he cross'd the seas


s: With Jove-begotten Helen, brought to Troy.


s: With colors radiant, from the rest she chose


s: And lowest lay of all. Then forth she went,


s: The Trojan matrons all following her steps.


s: But when the long procession reach'd the fane


s: Of Pallas in the heights of Troy, to them


s: Daughter of Cisseus, brave Antenor's spouse,


s: And by appointment public, at that time,


s: Priestess of Pallas. All with lifted hands


s: Then spread the robe, and to the daughter fair


s: Goddess of Goddesses, our city's shield,


s: Adored Minerva, hear! oh! break the lance


s: Prone in the dust before the Scæan gate.


s: This day twelve heifers of the year, untouch'd


s: To Troy, and save our children and our wives.


s: Such prayer the priestess offer'd, and such prayer


s: Illustrious then in Troy. Chamber it had,


s: Wide hall, proud dome, and on the heights of Troy


s: Near-neighboring Hector's house and Priam's stood.


s: There enter'd Hector, Jove-beloved, a spear


s: Its glittering head bound with a ring of gold.


s: He found within his chamber whom he sought,


s: Resplendent, shield and hauberk fingering o'er


s: With curious touch, and tampering with his bow.


s: Sat occupied, the while, to each in turn


s: Some splendid task assigning. Hector fix'd


s: His eyes on Paris, and him stern rebuked.


s: Thy sullen humors, Paris, are ill-timed.


s: The flames of war have compass'd Troy around


s: And thou hast kindled them; who yet thyself


s: That slackness show'st which in another seen


s: Thou would'st resent to death. Haste, seek the field


s: This moment, lest, the next, all Ilium blaze.


s: Since, Hector, thou hast charged me with a fault,


s: And give thou special heed. That here I sit,


s: The cause is sorrow, which I wish'd to soothe


s: Was urgent with me in most soothing terms


s: That I would forth to battle; and myself,


s: That course prefer. Wait, therefore, thou awhile,


s: 'Till I shall dress me for the fight, or go


s: Thou first, and I will overtake thee soon.


s: He ceased, to whom brave Hector answer none


s: Return'd, when Helen him with lenient speech


s: Oh that the winds, the day when I was born,


s: Had swept me out of sight, whirl'd me aloft


s: Or plunged me in the deep; there I had sunk


s: O'erwhelm'd, and all these ills had never been.


s: But since the Gods would bring these ills to pass,


s: I should, at least, some worthier mate have chosen,


s: But this, oh this, nor hath nor will acquire


s: Hereafter, aught which like discretion shows


s: Or reason, and shall find his just reward.


s: But enter; take this seat; for who as thou


s: Labors, or who hath cause like thee to rue


s: The crime, my brother, for which Heaven hath doom'd


s: To whom the warlike Hector huge replied.


s: Thou wish my stay, for thou must not prevail.


s: This loiterer forth; yea, let him urge himself


s: For I must home in haste, that I may see


s: So spake the dauntless hero, and withdrew.


s: But reaching soon his own well-built abode


s: Lamenting Hector, with the nurse who bore


s: He then, not finding his chaste spouse within,


s: Thus from the portal, of her train inquired.


s: Tell me, ye maidens, whither went from home


s: Her female kindred of my father's house,


s: The bright-hair'd matrons of the city seek


s: To soothe the awful Goddess? Tell me true.


s: To whom his household's governess discreet.


s: Since, Hector, truth is thy demand, receive


s: True answer. Neither went she forth to see


s: Her female kindred of thy father's house,


s: The bright-haired matrons of the city seek


s: To soothe the awful Goddess; but she went


s: Hence to the tower of Troy: for she had heard


s: That the Achaians had prevail'd, and driven


s: The Trojans to the walls; she, therefore, wild


s: With grief, flew thither, and the nurse her steps


s: So spake the prudent governess; whose words


s: When Hector heard, issuing from his door


s: He backward trod with hasty steps the streets


s: The spacious city, when he now approach'd


s: The Scæan gate, whence he must seek the field,


s: There, hasting home again his noble wife


s: Umbrageous dwelt, Cilicia's mighty lord--


s: His daughter valiant Hector had espoused.


s: There she encounter'd him, and with herself


s: The nurse came also, bearing in her arms


s: In Ilium named him, for that Hector's arm


s: Alone was the defence and strength of Troy.


s: The father, silent, eyed his babe, and smiled.


s: With streaming cheeks, hung on his hand, and said.


s: Thy own great courage will cut short thy days,


s: Thy helpless infant, or my hapless self,


s: Whose widowhood is near; for thou wilt fall


s: Ere long, assail'd by the whole host of Greece.


s: Then let me to the tomb, my best retreat


s: When thou art slain. For comfort none or joy


s: But thenceforth, sorrow. Father I have none;


s: He slew my father; yet his gorgeous arms


s: Stripp'd not through reverence of him, but consumed,


s: Jove's daughters, had with elms inclosed around.


s: For brave Achilles, while they fed their herds


s: And snowy flocks together, slew them all.


s: My mother, Queen of the well-wooded realm


s: Of Hypoplacian Thebes, her hither brought


s: Find parents, brothers, all that I have lost.


s: Come! have compassion on us. Go not hence,


s: But guard this turret, lest of me thou make


s: At yonder fig-tree; station there thy powers;


s: For whether by a prophet warn'd, or taught


s: Of Tydeus, have now thrice assail'd the town.


s: These cares, Andromache, which thee engage,


s: The scorn of male and female tongues in Troy,


s: Nor feel I such a wish. No. I have learn'd


s: For that the day shall come when sacred Troy,


s: Spear-practised King shall perish, well I know.


s: Nor yet for Priam, nor for all the brave


s: Of my own brothers who shall kiss the dust,


s: Shall have convey'd thee weeping hence, thy sun


s: Then shalt thou toil in Argos at the loom


s: For a task-mistress, and constrain'd shalt draw


s: From Hypereïa's fount, or from the fount


s: Some Grecian then, seeing thy tears, shall say--


s: "This was the wife of Hector, who excell'd


s: All Troy in fight when Ilium was besieged."


s: Such he shall speak thee, and thy heart, the while,


s: Shall bleed afresh through want of such a friend


s: Or ere that day arrive! I would not live


s: To hear thy cries, and see thee torn away.


s: So saying, illustrious Hector stretch'd his arms


s: Forth to his son, but with a scream, the child


s: His father's aspect dreading, whose bright arms


s: He had attentive mark'd and shaggy crest


s: Playing tremendous o'er his helmet's height.


s: His father and his gentle mother laugh'd,


s: His dazzling helmet, placed it on the ground,


s: Then kiss'd his boy and dandled him, and thus


s: In earnest prayer the heavenly powers implored.


s: Hear all ye Gods! as ye have given to me,


s: And be his record this, in time to come,


s: When he returns from battle. Lo! how far


s: With spoils blood-stain'd to his dear mother's joy.


s: He said, and gave his infant to the arms


s: With sweet smiles mingling; he with pity moved


s: That sight observed, soft touch'd her cheek, and said,


s: Too much; no man shall send me to the shades


s: By heaven assign'd him, be he base or brave.


s: The woman's province; ply the distaff, spin


s: And weave, and task thy maidens. War belongs


s: To man; to all men; and of all who first


s: He ceased, and from the ground his helmet raised


s: Turn'd as she went, and, turning, wept afresh.


s: Her numerous maidens found within, she raised


s: In his own house, his whole domestic train


s: Mourn'd Hector, yet alive; for none the hope


s: Conceived of his escape from Grecian hands,


s: Delay'd, but, arm'd resplendent, traversed swift


s: As some stall'd horse high-fed, his stable-cord


s: Snapt short, beats under foot the sounding plain,


s: Accustomed in smooth-sliding streams to lave


s: Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane


s: Undulates o'er his shoulders, pleased he eyes


s: His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees


s: Shoots to the meadow where his fellows graze;


s: So Paris, son of Priam, from the heights


s: All dazzling as the sun, descended, flush'd


s: With martial pride, and bounding in his course.


s: At once he came where noble Hector stood


s: Now turning, after conference with his spouse,


s: My long delay most irksome. More dispatch


s: Had pleased thee more, for such was thy command.


s: To whom the warlike Hector thus replied.


s: Intelligent, would pour contempt on thee


s: (For thou art valiant) wert thou not remiss


s: But let us on. All such complaints shall cease


s: Hereafter, and thy faults be touch'd no more,


s: Let Jove but once afford us riddance clear


s: So saying, illustrious Hector through the gates


s: To battle rush'd, with Paris at his side,


s: And both were bent on deeds of high renown.


s: As when the Gods vouchsafe propitious gales


s: To longing mariners, who with smooth oars


s: Threshing the waves have all their strength consumed,


s: So them the longing Trojans glad received.


s: But Hector wounded with his glittering spear


s: His brazen morion's verge, and dead he fell.


s: Then Glaucus, leader of the Lycian host,


s: Mounting his rapid mares, and with his lance


s: His shoulder pierced; unhorsed he fell and died.


s: Such slaughter of the Grecians in fierce fight


s: Flew down to sacred Ilium; whose approach


s: To meet her, ardent on the part of Troy.


s: Beneath the beech they join'd, when first the King,


s: Daughter of Jove supreme! why hast thou left


s: Thou feel'st for Trojans, perish as they may


s: But if advice of mine can influence thee


s: To that which shall be best, let us compose


s: This day the furious fight which shall again


s: Hereafter rage, till Ilium be destroy'd.


s: Since such is Juno's pleasure and thy own.


s: From the Olympian heights. But by what means


s: Wilt thou induce the warriors to a pause?


s: To whom the King, the son of Jove, replied.


s: Let us excite, that he may challenge forth


s: So spake Apollo, and his counsel pleased


s: Perceived, approaching Hector, thus he spake.


s: Jove's peer in wisdom, Hector, Priam's son!


s: Bid cease the battle. Bid both armies sit.


s: Call first, thyself, the mightiest of the Greeks


s: To single conflict. I have heard the voice


s: Foretell thee that thy death not now impends.


s: He spake, whom Hector heard with joy elate.


s: Both hosts between, he with his spear transverse


s: Press'd back the Trojans, and they sat. Down sat


s: The well-greaved Grecians also at command


s: They view'd the peopled plain horrent around


s: With shields and helms and glittering spears erect.


s: As when fresh-blowing Zephyrus the flood


s: Sweeps first, the ocean blackens at the blast,


s: Such seem'd the plain whereon the Achaians sat


s: And Trojans, whom between thus Hector spake.


s: Attend while I shall speak! Jove high-enthroned


s: Hath not fulfill'd the truce, but evil plans


s: Against both hosts, till either ye shall take


s: Troy's lofty towers, or shall yourselves in flight


s: Fall vanquish'd at your billow-cleaving barks.


s: With you is all the flower of Greece. Let him


s: Whose heart shall move him to encounter sole


s: Stand forth, and Jove be witness to us both.


s: If he, with his long-pointed lance, of life


s: Shall me bereave, my armor is his prize,


s: Which he shall hence into your fleet convey;


s: For burial to the men and wives of Troy.


s: And he fall vanquish'd, him will I despoil,


s: His arms, will in the temple hang them high


s: His body to the fleet, that him the Greeks


s: May grace with rights funereal. On the banks


s: Of wide-spread Hellespont ye shall upraise


s: His tomb, and as they cleave with oary barks


s: "It is a warrior's tomb; in ancient days


s: The Hero died; him warlike Hector slew."


s: So men shall speak hereafter, and my fame


s: Who slew him, and my praise, shall never die.


s: He ceased, and all sat mute. His challenge bold


s: None dared accept, which yet they blush'd to shun,


s: Groaning profound, and thus reproach'd the Greeks.


s: Ah boasters! henceforth women--men no more--


s: If none of all the Grecians dares contend


s: Rot where ye sit! I will myself take arms


s: Against him, for the gods alone dispose,


s: At their own pleasure, the events of war.


s: Thy death approaching by the dreadful hands


s: Of Hector, mightier far in arms than thou,


s: Upstarting stay'd thee, and himself the King,


s: Seizing affectionate, thee thus address'd.


s: Thou ravest, my royal brother! and art seized


s: With needless frenzy. But, however chafed,


s: Restrain thy wrath, nor covet to contend


s: Not even Achilles, in the glorious field


s: (Though stronger far than thou) this hero meets


s: In thy own band; the Achaians shall for him,


s: Doubtless, some fitter champion furnish forth.


s: Brave though he be, and with the toils of war


s: Seated on his bent knees, to breathe a while,


s: Should he escape the arduous brunt severe.


s: His brother's purpose alter'd; he complied,


s: And his glad servants eased him of his arms.


s: Then Nestor thus the Argive host bespake.


s: Great wo, ye Gods! hath on Achaia fallen.


s: Now may the warlike Pelaus, hoary Chief,


s: Who both with eloquence and wisdom rules


s: The Myrmidons, our foul disgrace deplore.


s: With him discoursing, erst, of ancient times,


s: When all your pedigrees I traced, I made


s: His heart bound in him at the proud report.


s: But now, when he shall learn how here we sat


s: Cowering at the foot of Hector, he shall oft


s: Praying a swift release into the shades.


s: Jove! Pallas! Phoebus! Oh that I were young


s: As when the Pylians in fierce fight engaged


s: The Arcadians spear-expert, beside the stream


s: We fought of Pheia, where the Jardan rolls.


s: There Ereuthalion, Chief of godlike form,


s: Stood forth before his van, and with loud voice


s: Defied the Pylians. Arm'd he was in steel


s: By every tongue; for that in bow and spear


s: Nought trusted he, but with an iron mace


s: The close-embattled phalanx shatter'd wide.


s: Where him his iron whirl-bat nought avail'd.


s: Lycurgus stealing on him, with his lance


s: Transpierced and fix'd him to the soil supine.


s: Him of his arms, bright gift of brazen Mars,


s: He stripp'd, which after, in the embattled field


s: Lycurgus wore himself, but, growing old,


s: When he defied our best. All hung their heads


s: And trembled; none dared meet him; till at last


s: With inborn courage warm'd, and nought dismayed,


s: Though youngest of them all, I undertook


s: That contest, and, by Pallas' aid, prevail'd.


s: I slew the man in height and bulk all men


s: Surpassing, and much soil he cover'd slain.


s: Then should not Hector want a champion long,


s: Whose call to combat, ye, although the prime


s: And pride of all our land, seem slow to hear.


s: He spake reproachful, when at once arose


s: Foremost arose; then Tydeus' mighty son,


s: With either Ajax in fierce prowess clad;


s: Thoas; and last, Ulysses, glorious Chief.


s: With warlike Hector, when the ancient King,


s: Gerenian Nestor, thus his speech resumed.


s: Now cast the lot for all. Who wins the chance


s: So Nestor. They, inscribing each his lot,


s: Pray'd all, their hands uplifting, and with eyes


s: To the wide heavens directed, many said--


s: Of Tydeus, or the King himself who sways


s: Such prayer the people made; then Nestor shook


s: The helmet, and forth leaped, whose most they wished,


s: The lot of Ajax. Throughout all the host


s: From right to left the herald bore the lot


s: By all disown'd; but when at length he reach'd


s: The inscriber of the lot, who cast it in,


s: The herald placed it, standing at his side.


s: Cast at his foot, and thus exclaim'd aloud.


s: My friends! the lot is mine, and my own heart


s: That noble Hector shall be foil'd by me.


s: Lest, while ye pray, the Trojans overhear.


s: Or pray aloud, for whom have we to dread?


s: No man shall my firm standing by his strength


s: Me vanquish, who, I hope, brought forth and train'd


s: In Salamis, have, now, not much to learn.


s: He ended. They with heaven-directed eyes


s: The King in prayer address'd, Saturnian Jove.


s: Jove! glorious father! who from Ida's height


s: Thy love and thy regard, divide the prize


s: And, arm'd complete, rush'd forward. As huge Mars


s: Whom Jove with heart-devouring thirst inspires


s: Of war, so moved huge Ajax to the fight,


s: Tower of the Greeks, dilating with a smile


s: Stride after stride, and shook his quivering spear.


s: Beat double, but escape for him remain'd


s: Again, from whom himself had challenged forth.


s: Sevenfold, approach'd. It was the labor'd work


s: Who dwelt in Hyla; coated with the hides


s: Of seven high-pamper'd bulls that shield he framed


s: For Ajax, and the disk plated with brass.


s: And face to face, him threatening, thus began.


s: Now, Hector, prove, by me alone opposed,


s: He, in his billow-cleaving barks incensed


s: But warriors of my measure, who may serve


s: To cope with thee, we want not; numerous such


s: Are found amongst us. But begin the fight.


s: The blood of many a warrior, and have learn'd,


s: From hand to hand shifting my shield, to fight


s: In standing fight adjusting all my steps


s: To martial measures sweet, or vaulting light


s: Into my chariot, thence can urge the foe.


s: Yet in contention with a Chief like thee


s: To smite thee privily, but with a stroke


s: So saying, he shook, then hurl'd his massy spear


s: On its eighth surface of resplendent brass


s: Smote full; six hides the unblunted weapon pierced,


s: But in the seventh stood rooted. Ajax, next,


s: Heroic Chief, hurl'd his long shadow'd spear


s: And struck the oval shield of Priam's son.


s: Through his bright disk the weapon tempest-driven


s: At his soft flank, ripp'd wide his vest within.


s: Inclined oblique he 'scaped the dreadful doom


s: Then each from other's shield his massy spear


s: Recovering quick, like lions hunger-pinch'd


s: They fell to close encounter. Priam's son


s: But fail'd to pierce it, for he bent his point.


s: Sprang Ajax then, and meeting full the targe


s: Of Hector, shock'd him; through it and beyond


s: He urged the weapon with its sliding edge


s: Athwart his neck, and blood was seen to start.


s: But still, for no such cause, from battle ceased


s: Crest-tossing Hector, but retiring, seized


s: A huge stone angled sharp and black with age


s: That on the champain lay. The bull-hide guard


s: Sevenfold of Ajax with that stone he smote


s: Full on its centre; sang the circling brass.


s: He whirled it, and with might immeasurable


s: Dismiss'd the mass, which with a mill-stone weight


s: Sank through the shield of Hector, and his knees


s: Disabled; with his shield supine he fell,


s: And now, with swords they had each other hewn,


s: Between them held, and thus Idæus spake.


s: My children, cease! prolong not still the fight.


s: Ye both are dear to cloud-assembler Jove,


s: Both valiant, and all know it. But the Night


s: Hath fallen, and Night's command must be obeyed.


s: He is the challenger. If such his choice,


s: Since, Ajax, the immortal powers on thee


s: Have bulk pre-eminent and strength bestow'd,


s: With such address in battle, that the host


s: Of Greece hath not thine equal at the spear,


s: Now let the combat cease. We shall not want


s: We will not part till all-disposing heaven


s: Shall give thee victory, or shall make her mine.


s: But Night hath fallen, and Night must be obey'd,


s: That them may'st gratify with thy return


s: The Achaians, and especially thy friends


s: Men and robed matrons, who shall seek the Gods


s: But come. We will exchange, or ere we part,


s: Some princely gift, that Greece and Troy may say


s: Hereafter, with soul-wasting rage they fought,


s: But parted with the gentleness of friends.


s: So saying, he with his sheath and belt a sword


s: Presented bright-emboss'd, and a bright belt


s: Thus separated, one the Grecians sought,


s: And one the Trojans; they when him they saw


s: From the unconquer'd hands return'd alive


s: Of Ajax, with delight their Chief received,


s: On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail'd


s: Him flaying first, they carved him next and spread


s: The whole abroad, then, scoring deep the flesh,


s: They pierced it with the spits, and from the spits


s: (Once roasted well) withdrew it all again.


s: Their labor thus accomplish'd, and the board


s: Furnish'd with plenteous cheer, they feasted all


s: Till all were satisfied; nor Ajax miss'd


s: The conqueror's meed, to whom the hero-king


s: Perpetual, his distinguish'd portion due.


s: The calls of hunger and of thirst at length


s: Both well sufficed, thus, foremost of them all


s: The ancient Nestor, whose advice had oft


s: Chiefs of Achaia, and thou, chief of all,


s: Lie slain, whose blood sprinkles, in battle shed,


s: The banks of smooth Scamander, and their souls


s: Have journey'd down into the realms of death.


s: To-morrow, therefore, let the battle pause


s: As need requires, and at the peep of day


s: With mules and oxen, wheel ye from all parts


s: The dead, that we may burn them near the fleet.


s: So, home to Greece returning, will we give


s: The fathers' ashes to the children's care.


s: One common tomb for all, with brisk dispatch


s: Of us and of our fleet, strong towers and tall


s: Shall have its ponderous gate, commodious pass


s: And last, without those towers and at their foot,


s: Dig we a trench, which compassing around


s: Our camp, both steeds and warriors shall exclude,


s: And all fierce inroad of the haughty foe.


s: So counsell'd he, whom every Chief approved.


s: In Troy meantime, at Priam's gate beside


s: The assembled senators between, confused,


s: Clamorous, and with furious heat pursued,


s: When them Antenor, prudent, thus bespake.


s: Ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies of Troy,


s: My counsel hear! Delay not. Instant yield


s: Helen of Greece with all that is her own.


s: For charged with violated oaths we fight,


s: And hope I none conceive that aught by us


s: Design'd shall prosper, unless so be done.


s: He spake and sat; when from his seat arose


s: Who thus with speech impassion'd quick replied.


s: Antenor! me thy counsel hath not pleased;


s: Thou could'st have framed far better; but if this


s: Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods


s: Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth.


s: But I will speak myself. Ye Chiefs of Troy,


s: I tell you plain. I will not yield my spouse.


s: But all her treasures to our house convey'd


s: From Argos, those will I resign, and add


s: Thus Paris said and sat; when like the Gods


s: Themselves in wisdom, from his seat uprose


s: Dardanian Priam, who them thus address'd.


s: Trojans, Dardanians, and allies of Troy!


s: I shall declare my sentence; hear ye me.


s: Take due refreshment; let the watch be set,


s: And keep ye vigilant guard. At early dawn


s: Who shall inform the Atridæ of this last


s: From war's dread clamor, while we burn the dead.


s: Then will we clash again, till heaven at length


s: Shall part us, and the doubtful strife decide.


s: He ceased, whose voice the assembly pleased, obey'd.


s: Then, troop by troop, the army took repast,


s: Consulting; and amid the assembled Chiefs


s: Arrived, with utterance clear them thus address'd.


s: Ye sons of Atreus, and ye Chiefs, the flower


s: (If chance such embassy might please your ear)


s: The treasures which on board his ships he brought


s: From Argos home (oh, had he perish'd first!)


s: He yields them with addition from his own.


s: Not so the consort of the glorious prince


s: All counsel otherwise) he still detains.


s: Thus too I have in charge. Are ye inclined


s: That the dread sounding clamors of the field


s: Be caused to cease till we shall burn the dead?


s: Then will we clash again, 'till heaven at length


s: No. We will none of Paris' treasures now,


s: Destruction winging swift her course to Troy.


s: He said. The admiring Greeks with loud applause


s: All praised the speech of warlike Diomede,


s: And answer thus the King of men return'd.


s: Of the Achaian Chiefs, whose choice is mine.


s: But for the slain, I shall not envy them


s: Suits not. Last rites can not too soon be paid.


s: Burn them. And let high-thundering Jove attest


s: Himself mine oath, that war shall cease the while.


s: Distinct his errand, when, at once dissolved,


s: The whole assembly rose, these to collect


s: The scatter'd bodies, those to gather wood;


s: While on the other side, the Greeks arose


s: As sudden, and all issuing from the fleet


s: Sought fuel, some, and some, the scatter'd dead.


s: Now from the gently-swelling flood profound


s: In his ascent to heaven smote on the fields.


s: When Greeks and Trojans met. Scarce could the slain


s: Be clear distinguish'd, but they cleansed from each


s: His clotted gore with water, and warm tears


s: Distilling copious, heaved them to the wains.


s: But wailing none was heard, for such command


s: Had Priam issued; therefore heaping high


s: The bodies, silent and with sorrowing hearts


s: They burn'd them, and to sacred Troy return'd.


s: The bodies heaping sad, burn'd them with fire


s: Then, ere the peep of dawn, and while the veil


s: Of night, though thinner, still o'erhung the earth,


s: Achaians, chosen from the rest, the pile


s: Encompass'd. With a tomb (one tomb for all)


s: They crown'd the spot adust, and to the tomb


s: (For safety of their fleet and of themselves)


s: Strong fortress added of high wall and tower,


s: With solid gates affording egress thence


s: Deep foss and broad they also dug without,


s: And planted it with piles. So toil'd the Greeks.


s: The Gods, that mighty labor, from beside


s: The Thunderer's throne with admiration view'd,


s: When Neptune, shaker of the shores, began.


s: Of all the boundless earth one mortal man


s: Who will, in times to come, consult with heaven?


s: See'st thou yon height of wall, and yon deep trench


s: With which the Grecians have their fleet inclosed,


s: Far as the day-spring shoots herself abroad,


s: So far the glory of this work shall spread,


s: While Phoebus and myself, who, toiling hard,


s: Built walls for king Laomedon, shall see


s: To whom, indignant, thus high-thundering Jove.


s: Oh thou, who shakest the solid earth at will,


s: What hast thou spoken? An inferior power,


s: Might be allowed some fear from such a cause.


s: Fear not. Where'er the morning shoots her beams,


s: Thy glory shall be known; and when the Greeks


s: Shall seek their country through the waves again,


s: Then break this bulwark down, submerge it whole,


s: And spreading deep with sand the spacious shore


s: As at the first, leave not a trace behind.


s: Such conference held the Gods; and now the sun


s: Went down, and, that great work perform'd, the Greeks


s: From tent to tent slaughter'd the fatted ox


s: And ate their evening cheer. Meantime arrived


s: Large fleet with Lemnian wine; Euneus, son


s: From Lemnos freighted, and had stow'd on board


s: By traffic were supplied; some barter'd brass,


s: Others bright steel; some purchased wine with hides,


s: These with their cattle, with their captives those,


s: And the whole host prepared a glad regale.


s: All night the Grecians feasted, and the host


s: Of Ilium, and all night deep-planning Jove


s: Thundering tremendous!--Pale was every cheek;


s: Each pour'd his goblet on the ground, nor dared


s: The hardiest drink, 'till he had first perform'd


s: Their couches, and partook the gift of sleep.


s: The saffron-mantled morning now was spread


s: O'er all the nations, when the Thunderer Jove


s: On the deep-fork'd Olympian topmost height


s: He spake himself; they all attentive heard.


s: My counsel to rescind, but with one heart


s: Approve it, that it reach, at once, its end.


s: Withdrawn, that he may Greeks or Trojans aid,


s: Disgrace shall find him; shamefully chastised


s: He shall return to the Olympian heights,


s: Of gloomy Tartarus, where Hell shuts fast


s: Her iron gates, and spreads her brazen floor,


s: As far below the shades, as earth from heaven.


s: There shall he learn how far I pass in might


s: All others; which if ye incline to doubt,


s: Now prove me. Let ye down the golden chain


s: From heaven, and at its nether links pull all,


s: Both Goddesses and Gods. But me your King,


s: To earth from heaven, toil adverse as ye may.


s: Yet I, when once I shall be pleased to pull,


s: The earth itself, itself the sea, and you


s: Will lift with ease together, and will wind


s: Of the Olympian, that all things upheaved


s: Shall hang in the mid heaven. So far do I,


s: Compared with all who live, transcend them all.


s: Sat silent, for with awful tone he spake:


s: Father! Saturnian Jove! of Kings supreme!


s: We know thy force resistless; but our hearts


s: Feel not the less, when we behold the Greeks


s: Exhausting all the sorrows of their lot.


s: If thou command, we, doubtless, will abstain


s: From battle, yet such counsel to the Greeks


s: Their safety, lest thy wrath consume them all.


s: To whom with smiles answer'd cloud-gatherer Jove.


s: Fear not, my child! stern as mine accent was,


s: I forced a frown--no more. For in mine heart


s: He said, and to his chariot join'd his steeds


s: Swift, brazen-hoof'd, and mailed with wavy gold;


s: He put on golden raiment, his bright scourge


s: And lash'd his steeds; they not unwilling flew


s: Midway the earth between and starry heaven.


s: To spring-fed Ida, mother of wild beasts,


s: He came, where stands in Gargarus his shrine


s: Breathing fresh incense! there the Sire of all


s: Arriving, loosed his coursers, and around


s: Involving them in gather'd clouds opaque,


s: Sat on the mountain's head, in his own might


s: Beneath his eye, and the whole fleet of Greece.


s: In all their tents, meantime, Achaia's sons


s: Took short refreshment, and for fight prepared.


s: On the other side, though fewer, yet constrain'd


s: By strong necessity, throughout all Troy,


s: Ardent, the Trojans panted for the field.


s: Wide flew the city gates: forth rush'd to war


s: Horsemen and foot, and tumult wild arose.


s: They met, they clash'd; loud was the din of spears


s: And bucklers on their bosoms brazen-mail'd


s: Encountering, shields in opposition from


s: Met bossy shields, and tumult wild arose.


s: There many a shout and many a dying groan


s: Were heard, the slayer and the maim'd aloud


s: Clamoring, and the earth was drench'd with blood.


s: 'Till sacred morn had brighten'd into noon,


s: The vollied weapons on both sides their task


s: Perform'd effectual, and the people fell.


s: But when the sun had climb'd the middle skies,


s: The Sire of all then took his golden scales;


s: Doom against doom he weigh'd, the eternal fates


s: In counterpoise, of Trojans and of Greeks.


s: He rais'd the beam; low sank the heavier lot


s: Subsided, and the Trojan struck the skies.


s: Then roar'd the thunders from the summit hurl'd


s: Astonish'd stood; fear whiten'd every cheek.


s: That shock, nor Agamemnon stood, nor stood


s: Gerenian Nestor, guardian of the Greeks,


s: Alone fled not, nor he by choice remain'd,


s: Had stricken where the forelock grows, a part


s: Of all most mortal. Tortured by the wound


s: And writhing furious, scared his fellow-steeds.


s: Meantime, while, strenuous, with his falchion's edge


s: The hoary warrior stood slashing the reins,


s: Through multitudes of fierce pursuers borne


s: On rapid wheels, the dauntless charioteer


s: Approach'd him, Hector. Then, past hope, had died


s: Like thunder, called Ulysses to his aid.


s: Art thou too fugitive, and turn'st thy back


s: Like the base multitude? Ah! fear a lance


s: Stop--Nestor dies. Fell Hector is at hand.


s: Ulysses yet heard not, but, passing, flew


s: With headlong haste to the Achaian fleet.


s: Rush'd ardent to the vanward, and before


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


s: Old Chief! these youthful warriors are too brisk


s: For thee, press'd also by encroaching age,


s: Thy servant too is feeble, and thy steeds


s: Pursuing or retreating, scour the field.


s: I took them from that terror of his foes,


s: While these against the warlike powers of Troy


s: We push direct; that Hector's self may know


s: If my spear rage not furious as his own.


s: He said, nor the Gerenian Chief refused.


s: Thenceforth their servants, Sthenelus and good


s: Eurymedon, took charge of Nestor's steeds,


s: Ascended; Nestor seized the reins, plied well


s: The scourge, and soon they met. Tydides hurl'd


s: At Hector first, while rapid he advanced;


s: But missing Hector, wounded in the breast


s: He fell; his fiery coursers at the sound


s: Startled, recoil'd, and where he fell he died.


s: Deep sorrow for his charioteer o'erwhelm'd


s: The mind of Hector; yet, although he mourn'd


s: He left him, and another sought as brave.


s: Nor wanted long his steeds a charioteer,


s: His chariot, and the reins gave to his hand.


s: Then deeds of bloodiest note should have ensued,


s: Penn'd had the Trojans been, as lambs, in Troy,


s: But for quick succor of the sire of all.


s: Thundering, he downward hurled his candent bolt


s: To the horse-feet of Diomede; dire fumed


s: The flaming sulphur, and both horses drove


s: Forth flew the splendid reins from Nestor's hand,


s: And thus to Diomede, appall'd, he spake.


s: Back to the fleet, Tydides! Can'st not see


s: That Jove ordains not, now, the victory thine?


s: This Trojan, and, if such his will, can make


s: The morrow ours; but vain it is to thwart


s: The mind of Jove, for he is Lord of all.


s: Thou hast well said, old warrior! but the pang


s: That wrings my soul, is this. The public ear


s: In Ilium shall from Hector's lips be told--


s: So shall he vaunt, and may the earth her jaws


s: What saith the son of Tydeus, glorious Chief?


s: Should Hector so traduce thee as to call


s: Nor Dardan would believe, nor yet the wives


s: Of numerous shielded warriors brave of Troy,


s: So saying, he through the fugitives his steeds


s: Turn'd swift to flight. Then Hector and his host


s: With clamor infinite their darts wo-wing'd


s: Shower'd after them, and Hector, mighty Chief


s: Were wont to grace with a superior seat,


s: The mess of honor, and the brimming cup,


s: But now will mock thee. Thou art woman now.


s: Go, timorous girl! Thou never shalt behold


s: Me flying, climb our battlements, or lead


s: Our women captive. I will slay thee first.


s: He ceased. Then Diomede in dread suspense


s: Thrice purposed, turning, to withstand the foe,


s: And thrice in thunder from the mountain-top


s: Jove gave the signal of success to Troy.


s: When Hector thus the Trojans hail'd aloud.


s: Trojans and Lycians, and close-warring sons


s: Now, now be men! I know that from his heart


s: For me prepares, but havoc for the Greeks.


s: Fools! they shall find this wall which they have raised


s: Too weak to check my course, a feeble guard


s: My steeds shall slight it with an easy leap.


s: But when ye see me in their fleet arrived,


s: Remember fire. Then bring me flaming brands


s: That I may burn their galleys and themselves


s: Slaughter beside them, struggling in the smoke.


s: He spake, and thus encouraged next his steeds.


s: Far-famed Eëtion's daughter; she your bowl


s: With corn fresh-flavor'd and with wine full oft


s: Hath mingled, your refreshment seeking first


s: Ere mine, who have a youthful husband's claim.


s: Now follow! now be swift; that we may seize


s: The shield of Nestor, bruited to the skies


s: As golden all, trappings and disk alike.


s: Now from the shoulders of the equestrian Chief


s: The work of Vulcan. May we take but these,


s: I have good hope that, ere this night be spent,


s: The Greeks shall climb their galleys and away.


s: His proud boast heard, and shuddering in her throne,


s: Rock'd the Olympian; turning then toward


s: The Ocean's mighty sovereign, thus she spake.


s: Alas! earth-shaking sovereign of the waves,


s: Feel'st thou no pity of the perishing Greeks?


s: Yet Greece, in Helice, with gifts nor few


s: Whom therefore thou shouldst prosper. Would we all


s: The Trojans, and to check loud-thundering Jove,


s: To whom the Sovereign, Shaker of the Shores,


s: Indignant. Juno! rash in speech! what word


s: Hath 'scaped thy lips? never, with my consent,


s: Shall we, the powers subordinate, in arms


s: With Jove contend. He far excels us all.


s: So they. Meantime, the trench and wall between,


s: The narrow interval with steeds was fill'd


s: Close throng'd and shielded warriors. There immew'd


s: They stood, for Hector had the help of Jove.


s: And now with blazing fire their gallant barks


s: He had consumed, but Juno moved the mind


s: Through camp and fleet the monarch took his way,


s: And, his wide robe imperial in his hand,


s: High on Ulysses' huge black galley stood,


s: The central ship conspicuous; thence his voice


s: Might reach the most remote of all the line


s: At each extreme, where Ajax had his tent


s: Pitch'd, and Achilles, fearless of surprise.


s: Thence, with loud voice, the Grecians thus he hail'd.


s: Oh shame to Greece! Warriors in show alone!


s: Where is your boasted prowess? Ye profess'd


s: Vain-glorious erst in Lemnos, while ye fed


s: Plenteously on the flesh of beeves full-grown,


s: And crown'd your beakers high, that ye would face


s: Each man a hundred Trojans in the field--


s: Ay, twice a hundred--yet are all too few


s: To face one Hector now; nor doubt I aught


s: But he shall soon fire the whole fleet of Greece.


s: Jove! Father! what great sovereign ever felt


s: Thy frowns as I? Whom hast thou shamed as me?


s: Yet I neglected not, through all the course


s: That we should vanquish Troy) thy sacred rites,


s: But where I found thine altar, piled it high


s: With fat and flesh of bulls, on every shore.


s: But oh, vouchsafe to us, that we at least


s: Ourselves, deliver'd, may escape the sword,


s: Nor let their foes thus tread the Grecians down!


s: His tears, and for the monarch's sake preserved


s: The people. Instant, surest of all signs,


s: He sent his eagle; in his pounces strong


s: A fawn he bore, fruit of the nimble hind,


s: Which fast beside the beauteous altar raised


s: They, conscious, soon, that sent from Jove he came,


s: More ardent sprang to fight. Then none of all


s: Those numerous Chiefs could boast that he outstripp'd


s: His rapid steeds, and rushing to the war.


s: He, foremost far, a Trojan slew, the son


s: His steeds to flight, him turning with his spear


s: Through back and bosom Diomede transpierced.


s: And with loud clangor of his arms he fell.


s: Clad with fresh prowess both; them follow'd, next,


s: Teucer, wide-straining his impatient bow.


s: He under covert fought of the broad shield


s: Upraised his shield; the hero from beneath


s: Took aim, and whom his arrow struck, he fell;


s: Then close as to his mother's side a child


s: Whom then slew Teucer first, illustrious Chief?


s: All fell by Teucer on the plain of Troy.


s: The Trojan ranks thinn'd by his mighty bow


s: Well-pleased, and him approaching, thus began.


s: Thus shoot, that light may visit once again


s: Rear'd although spurious; mount him, in return,


s: Although remote, on glory's heights again.


s: I tell thee, and the effect shall follow sure,


s: The pillage of fair Ilium to the Greeks,


s: Or some fair captive to partake thy bed.


s: To whom the generous Teucer thus replied.