s: Successful war; in the contentious fight


s: Thine is the richest spoil; while I, forsooth,


s: Must be too well content to bear on board


s: Some paltry prize for all my warlike toil.


s: To steer my homeward course, and leave thee here


s: But little like, I deem, dishonouring me,


s: To fill thy coffers with the spoils of war."


s: "Fly then, if such thy mind! I ask thee not


s: On mine account to stay; others there are


s: Will guard my honour and avenge my cause:


s: And chief of all, the Lord of counsel, Jove!


s: Of all the Heav'n-born Kings, thou art the man


s: I hate the most; for thou delight'st in nought


s: But war and strife: thy prowess I allow;


s: Yet this, remember, is the gift of Heav'n.


s: Return then, with thy vessels, if thou wilt,


s: And with thy followers, home; and lord it there


s: I care not for thy fury! Hear my threat:


s: Since Phoebus wrests Chryseis from my arms,


s: In mine own ship, and with mine own good crew,


s: Her I send forth; and, in her stead, I mean,


s: Ev'n from thy tent, myself, to bear thy prize,


s: The fair Briseis; that henceforth thou know


s: How far I am thy master; and that, taught


s: Thus while he spake, Achilles chaf'd with rage;


s: And in his manly breast his heart was torn


s: With thoughts conflicting--whether from his side


s: To draw his mighty sword, and thrusting by


s: Th' assembled throng, to kill th' insulting King;


s: Or school his soul, and keep his anger down.


s: But while in mind and spirit thus he mus'd,


s: And half unsheath'd his sword, from Heav'n came down


s: Minerva, sent by Juno, white-arm'd Queen,


s: Whose love and care both chiefs alike enjoy'd.


s: She stood behind, and by the yellow hair


s: Achilles, wond'ring, turn'd, and straight he knew


s: The blue-eyed Pallas; awful was her glance;


s: Whom thus the chief with winged words address'd:


s: "Why com'st thou, child of aegis-bearing Jove?


s: But this I say, and will make good my words,


s: This insolence may cost him soon his life."


s: To whom the blue-ey'd Goddess thus replied:


s: "From Heav'n I came, to curb, if thou wilt hear,


s: Thy fury; sent by Juno, white-arm'd Queen,


s: Whose love and care ye both alike enjoy.


s: Cease, then, these broils, and draw not thus thy sword;


s: In words, indeed, assail him as thou wilt.


s: But this I promise, and will make it good,


s: The time shall come, when for this insolence


s: A threefold compensation shall be thine;


s: Only be sway'd by me, and curb thy wrath."


s: Whom answer'd thus Achilles, swift of foot:


s: "Goddess, I needs must yield to your commands,


s: Indignant though I be--for so 'tis best;


s: Who hears the Gods, of them his pray'rs are heard."


s: He said: and on the silver hilt he stay'd


s: His pow'rful hand, and flung his mighty sword


s: Obedient: she her heav'nward course pursued


s: To join th' Immortals in th' abode of Jove.


s: But Peleus' son, with undiminish'd wrath,


s: Atrides thus with bitter words address'd:


s: "Thou sot, with eye of dog, and heart of deer!


s: Th' assembled host, nor with a chosen few


s: To man the secret ambush--for thou fear'st


s: To look on death--no doubt 'tis easier far,


s: Girt with thy troops, to plunder of his right


s: A tyrant King, because thou rul'st o'er slaves!


s: Were it not so, this insult were thy last.


s: But this I say, and with an oath confirm,


s: By this my royal staff, which never more


s: Shall put forth leaf nor spray, since first it left


s: Nor blossom more; since all around the axe


s: Hath lopp'd both leaf and bark, and now 'tis borne


s: Emblem of justice, by the sons of Greece,


s: The time shall come, when all the sons of Greece


s: Shall mourn Achilles' loss; and thou the while,


s: Heart-rent, shalt be all-impotent to aid,


s: When by the warrior-slayer Hector's hand


s: Many shall fall; and then thy soul shall mourn


s: The slight on Grecia's bravest warrior cast."


s: He cast his staff, with golden studs emboss'd,


s: And took his seat; on th' other side, in wrath,


s: The smooth-tongued chief, from whose persuasive lips


s: Sweeter than honey flowed the stream of speech.


s: For him were past and gone, who with himself


s: Were born and bred on Pylos' lovely shore,


s: And o'er the third he now held royal sway.


s: He thus with prudent words the chiefs address'd:


s: "Alas, alas! what grief is this for Greece!


s: What joy for Priam, and for Priam's sons!


s: To hear of feuds 'tween you, of all the Greeks


s: The first in council, and the first in fight!


s: Yet, hear my words, I pray; in years, at least,


s: Ye both must yield to me; and in times past


s: I liv'd with men, and they despis'd me not,


s: Abler in counsel, greater than yourselves.


s: Such men I never saw, and ne'er shall see,


s: And Theseus, AEgeus' more than mortal son.


s: The mightiest they among the sons of men;


s: The mightiest they, and of the forest beasts


s: Strove with the mightiest, and their rage subdued.


s: With them from distant lands, from Pylos' shore


s: I join'd my forces, and their call obey'd;


s: With them I play'd my part; with them, not one


s: Would dare to fight of mortals now on earth.


s: Yet they my counsels heard, my voice obey'd;


s: And hear ye also, for my words are wise.


s: Nor thou, though great thou be, attempt to rob


s: The spoil assign'd him by the sons of Greece;


s: Nor thou, Pelides, with the monarch strive


s: Hath Jove such pow'rs, as to Atrides, giv'n;


s: And valiant though thou art, and Goddess-born,


s: Atrides, curb thy wrath! while I beseech


s: From adverse war their great defender see."


s: "O father, full of wisdom are thy words;


s: But this proud chief o'er all would domineer;


s: O'er all he seeks to rule, o'er all to reign,


s: To all to dictate; which I will not bear.


s: Grant that the Gods have giv'n him warlike might,


s: Gave they unbridled license to his tongue?"


s: "Coward and slave indeed I might be deem'd.


s: But hear me speak, and ponder what I say:


s: For the fair girl I fight not (since you choose


s: To take away the prize yourselves bestow'd)


s: My dark swift ship contains, against my will


s: On nought shalt thou, unpunish'd, lay thy hand.


s: Make trial if thou wilt, that these may know;


s: Thy life-blood soon should reek upon my spear."


s: After this conflict keen of angry speech,


s: The chiefs arose, the assembly was dispers'd.


s: With his own followers, and Menoetius' son,


s: Achilles to his tents and ships withdrew.


s: But Atreus' son launch'd a swift-sailing bark,


s: With twenty rowers mann'd, and plac'd on board


s: Next, proclamation through the camp was made


s: With faultless hecatombs of bulls and goats,


s: And, wreath'd in smoke, the savour rose to Heav'n.


s: The camp thus occupied, the King pursued


s: His threaten'd plan of vengeance; to his side


s: Heralds, and faithful followers, thus he spoke:


s: "Haste to Achilles' tent, and in your hand


s: Back with you thence the fair Briseis bring:


s: With a sufficient force will bear her thence,


s: Which he may find, perchance, the worse for him."


s: So spake the monarch, and with stern command


s: Dismiss'd them; with reluctant steps they pass'd


s: Till to the tents and ships they came, where lay


s: The warlike Myrmidons. Their chief they found


s: Sitting beside his tent and dark-ribb'd ship.


s: Achilles mark'd their coming, not well pleas'd:


s: With troubled mien, and awe-struck by the King,


s: They stood, nor dar'd accost him; but himself


s: Divin'd their errand, and address'd them thus:


s: "Welcome, ye messengers of Gods and men,


s: Heralds! approach in safety; not with you,


s: Who for the fair Briseis sends you here.


s: Go, then, Patroclus, bring the maiden forth,


s: And give her to their hands; but witness ye,


s: When he shall need my arm, from shameful rout


s: To save his followers; blinded by his rage,


s: Nor scans the future, provident how best


s: To guard his fleet and army from the foe."


s: He spoke: obedient to his friend and chief,


s: And gave her to their hands; they to the ships


s: Retrac'd their steps, and with them the fair girl


s: Reluctant went: meanwhile Achilles, plung'd


s: In bitter grief, from all the band apart,


s: And to his Goddess-mother long he pray'd,


s: With outstretch'd hands, "Oh, mother! since thy son


s: I might have hop'd the Thunderer on high,


s: Olympian Jove, with honour would have crown'd


s: My little space; but now disgrace is mine;


s: Hath wrested from me, and still holds, my prize."


s: Weeping, he spoke; his Goddess-mother heard,


s: In the deep ocean-caves: ascending quick


s: Through the dark waves, like to a misty cloud,


s: Beside her son she stood; and as he wept,


s: She gently touch'd him with her hand, and said,


s: "Why weeps my son? and whence his cause of grief?


s: Speak out, that I may hear, and share thy pain."


s: To whom Achilles, swift of foot, replied,


s: Groaning, "Thou know'st; what boots to tell thee all?


s: On Thebes we march'd, Eetion's sacred town,


s: And storm'd the walls, and hither bore the spoil.


s: The spoils were fairly by the sons of Greece


s: The beauteous daughter of old Chryses fell.


s: Chryses, Apollo's priest, to free his child,


s: Came to th' encampment of the brass-clad Greeks,


s: With costly ransom charg'd; and in his hand


s: And golden staff; to all he sued, but chief


s: To Atreus' sons, twin captains of the host.


s: Then through the ranks assenting murmurs ran,


s: The priest to rev'rence, and the ransom take:


s: And bitter words, the trembling sire dismiss'd.


s: The old man turn'd in sorrow; but his pray'r


s: Phoebus Apollo heard, who lov'd him well.


s: Against the Greeks he bent his fatal bow,


s: Throughout the camp the heav'nly arrows flew;


s: A skilful seer at length the cause reveal'd


s: Why thus incens'd the Archer-God; I then,


s: The first, gave counsel to appease his wrath.


s: And utter'd threats, which he hath now fulfill'd.


s: For Chryses' daughter to her native land


s: In a swift-sailing ship the keen-ey'd Greeks


s: Have sent, with costly off'rings to the God:


s: But her, assign'd me by the sons of Greece,


s: Brises' fair daughter, from my tent e'en now


s: The heralds bear away. Then, Goddess, thou,


s: If thou hast pow'r, protect thine injur'd son.


s: And make thy pray'r to him, if on his heart


s: Thou hast in truth, by word or deed, a claim.


s: I oft have heard thee boast, how thou, alone


s: Of all th' Immortals, Saturn's cloud-girt son


s: Didst shield from foul disgrace, when all the rest,


s: With chains to bind him; then, O Goddess, thou


s: He, mightier than his father, took his seat


s: By Saturn's side, in pride of conscious strength:


s: Fear seiz'd on all the Gods, nor did they dare


s: To bind their King: of this remind him now,


s: And clasp his knees, and supplicate his aid


s: For Troy's brave warriors, that the routed Greeks


s: Back to their ships with slaughter may be driv'n;


s: That all may taste the folly of their King,


s: The slight on Grecia's bravest warrior cast."


s: Thus he; and Thetis, weeping, thus replied:


s: "Alas, my child, that e'er I gave thee birth!


s: Would that beside thy ships thou could'st remain


s: From grief exempt, and insult! since by fate


s: Few years are thine, and not a lengthened term;


s: At once to early death and sorrows doom'd


s: I gave thee birth! But to the snow-clad heights


s: Of great Olympus, to the throne of Jove,


s: Who wields the thunder, thy complaints I bear.


s: Thou by thy ships, meanwhile, against the Greeks


s: Thine anger nurse, and from the fight abstain.


s: Since yesternight; and with him all the Gods.


s: On the twelfth day he purpos'd to return


s: And he, I think, will not deny my suit."


s: This said, she disappear'd; and left him there


s: Meantime, Ulysses, with his sacred freight,


s: Arriv'd at Chrysa's strand; and when his bark


s: Had reach'd the shelter of the deep sea bay,


s: Their sails they furl'd, and lower'd to the hold;


s: Slack'd the retaining shrouds, and quickly struck


s: And stow'd away the mast; then with their sweeps


s: Pull'd for the beach, and cast their anchors out,


s: And made her fast with cables to the shore.


s: Then on the shingly breakwater themselves


s: The wise in counsel; in her father's hand


s: He plac'd the maiden, and address'd him thus:


s: To thee I come, thy daughter to restore;


s: And to thy God, upon the Greeks' behalf,


s: We may appease his wrath, who now incens'd


s: With grievous suff'ring visits all our host."


s: Then to her sire he gave her; he with joy


s: In order due they plac'd; their hands then washed,


s: And the salt cake prepar'd, before them all


s: With hands uplifted Chryses pray'd aloud:


s: "Hear me, God of the silver bow! whose care


s: Chrysa surrounds, and Cilla's lovely vale,


s: Whose sov'reign sway o'er Tenedos extends!


s: Once hast thou heard my pray'r, aveng'd my cause,


s: And pour'd thy fury on the Grecian host.


s: Hear yet again, and grant what now I ask;


s: Withdraw thy chast'ning hand, and stay the plague."


s: Thus, as he pray'd, his pray'r Apollo heard.


s: Their pray'rs concluded, and the salt cake strew'd


s: Upon the victims' heads, they drew them back,


s: And slew, and flay'd; then cutting from the thighs


s: The choicest pieces, and in double layers


s: O'erspreading them with fat, above them plac'd


s: The due meat-off'rings; then the aged priest


s: The cleft wood kindled, and libations pour'd


s: Of ruddy wine; arm'd with the five-fork'd prongs


s: Th' attendant ministers beside him stood.


s: The thighs consum'd with fire, the inward parts


s: They tasted first; the rest upon the spits


s: Roasted with care, and from the fire withdrew.


s: Their labours ended, and the feast prepar'd,


s: They shared the social meal, nor lacked there aught.


s: The rage of thirst and hunger satisfied,


s: Th' attendant youths the flowing goblets crown'd,


s: And in fit order serv'd the cups to all.


s: All day they sought the favour of the God,


s: The glorious paeans chanting, and the praise


s: Of Phoebus: he, well pleas'd, the strain receiv'd


s: But when the sun was set, and shades of night


s: O'erspread the sky, upon the sandy beach


s: Close to their ship they laid them down to rest.


s: And when the rosy-finger'd morn appear'd,


s: Back to the camp they took their homeward way


s: A fav'ring breeze the Far-destroyer sent:


s: They stepp'd the mast, and spread the snowy sail:


s: Full in the midst the bellying sail receiv'd


s: The gallant breeze; and round the vessel's prow


s: The dark waves loudly roar'd, as on she rush'd


s: Skimming the seas, and cut her wat'ry way.


s: Arriv'd where lay the wide-spread host of Greece,


s: Their dark-ribb'd vessel on the beach they drew


s: High on the sand, and strongly shor'd her up;


s: Then through the camp they took their sev'ral ways.


s: Meantime, beside the ships Achilles sat,


s: The Heav'n-born son of Peleus, swift of foot,


s: Chafing with rage repress'd; no more he sought


s: The honour'd council, nor the battle-field;


s: For the fierce joy and tumult of the fight.


s: But when the twelfth revolving day was come,


s: Back to Olympus' heights th' immortal Gods,


s: Jove at their head, together all return'd.


s: Then Thetis, mindful of her son's request,


s: Rose from the ocean wave, and sped in haste


s: To high Olympus, and the courts of Heav'n.


s: Th' all-seeing son of Saturn there she found


s: She sat, and while her left hand clasp'd his knees,


s: Her right approached his beard, and suppliant thus


s: She made her pray'r to Saturn's royal son:


s: By word or deed I did thee service true,


s: Hear now my pray'r! Avenge my hapless son,


s: And plunder'd of his lawful spoils of war.


s: But Jove, Olympian, Lord of counsel, Thou


s: Avenge his cause; and give to Trojan arms


s: Such strength and pow'r, that Greeks may learn how much


s: They need my son, and give him honour due."


s: She said: the Cloud-compeller answer'd not,


s: But silent sat; then Thetis clasp'd his knees,


s: And hung about him, and her suit renew'd:


s: "Give me thy promise sure, thy gracious nod,


s: Or else refuse (for thou hast none to fear),


s: That I may learn, of all th' immortal Gods,


s: How far I stand the lowest in thine eyes."


s: Then, much disturb'd, the Cloud-compeller spoke:


s: "Sad work thou mak'st, in bidding me oppose


s: My will to Juno's, when her bitter words


s: She taunts me, that I aid the Trojan cause.


s: But thou return, that Juno see thee not,


s: And leave to me the furth'rance of thy suit.


s: Lo, to confirm thy faith, I nod my head;


s: And well among th' immortal Gods is known


s: The solemn import of that pledge from me:


s: For ne'er my promise shall deceive, or fail,


s: Or be recall'd, if with a nod confirm'd."


s: He said, and nodded with his shadowy brows;


s: Wav'd on th' immortal head th' ambrosial locks,


s: They parted thus: from bright Olympus' heights


s: Rose from their seats at once; not one presum'd


s: To wait his coming, but advanc'd to meet.


s: Then on his throne he sat; but not unmark'd


s: And with sharp words she thus addressed her Lord:


s: "Tell me, deceiver, who was she with whom


s: Thou late held'st council? ever 'tis thy way


s: Apart from me to weave thy secret schemes,


s: Nor dost thou freely share with me thy mind."


s: To whom the Sire of Gods and men replied:


s: My wife thou art, yet would such knowledge be


s: Too much for thee; whate'er I deem it fit


s: That thou shouldst know, nor God nor man shall hear


s: Seek not to know, nor curiously inquire."


s: Whom answer'd thus the stag-ey'd Queen of Heav'n:


s: "What words, dread son of Saturn, dost thou speak?


s: Ne'er have I sought, or now, or heretofore,


s: Thy secret thoughts to know; what thou think'st fit


s: To tell, I wait thy gracious will to hear.


s: By wiles of Thetis, silver-footed Queen,


s: For she was with thee early, and embrac'd


s: Thy knees, and has, I think, thy promise sure,


s: Thou wilt avenge Achilles' cause, and bring


s: Destructive slaughter on the Grecian host."


s: To whom the Cloud-compeller thus replied:


s: "Presumptuous, to thy busy thoughts thou giv'st


s: Too free a range, and watchest all I do;


s: Yet shalt thou not prevail, but rather thus


s: Be alien'd from my heart--the worse for thee!


s: But now, keep silence, and my words obey,


s: Lest all th' Immortals fail, if I be wroth,


s: To rescue thee from my resistless hand."


s: He said, and terror seiz'd the stag-ey'd Queen:


s: Silent she sat, curbing her spirit down,


s: And all the Gods in pitying sorrow mourn'd.


s: Vulcan, the skill'd artificer, then first


s: Broke silence, and with soothing words address'd


s: His mother, Juno, white-arm'd Queen of Heav'n:


s: "Sad were't, indeed, and grievous to be borne,


s: And kindle broils in Heav'n; so should our feast


s: By evil influence all its sweetness lack.


s: That her own reason will my words approve)


s: For Jove, the lightning's Lord, if such his will,


s: Might hurl us from our seats (so great his pow'r),


s: But thou address him still with gentle words;


s: So shall his favour soon again be ours."


s: This said, he rose, and in his mother's hand


s: A double goblet plac'd, as thus he spoke:


s: "Have patience, mother mine! though much enforc'd,


s: Restrain thy spirit, lest perchance these eyes,


s: Dear as thou art, behold thee brought to shame;


s: And I, though griev'd in heart, be impotent


s: To save thee; for 'tis hard to strive with Jove.


s: He seiz'd me by the foot, and hurl'd me down


s: From Heav'n's high threshold; all the day I fell,


s: And with the setting sun, on Lemnos' isle


s: Lighted, scarce half alive; there was I found,


s: And by the Sintian people kindly nurs'd."


s: Thus as he spoke, the white-armed Goddess smil'd,


s: And, smiling, from, his hand receiv'd the cup,


s: Then to th' Immortals all, in order due,


s: He minister'd, and from the flagon pour'd


s: The luscious nectar; while among the Gods


s: Of Vulcan hobbling round the spacious hall.


s: Thus they till sunset pass'd the festive hours;


s: Nor lack'd the banquet aught to please the sense,


s: Nor sound of tuneful lyre, by Phoebus touch'd,


s: Nor Muses' voice, who in alternate strains


s: Responsive sang: but when the sun had set,


s: Each to his home departed, where for each


s: The crippled Vulcan, matchless architect,


s: With wondrous skill a noble house had rear'd.


s: To his own couch, where he was wont of old,


s: And, by his side, the golden-throned Queen.


s: Jupiter, in pursuance of the request of Thetis, sends a deceitful


s: All night in sleep repos'd the other Gods,


s: And helmed warriors; but the eyes of Jove


s: Sweet slumber held not, pondering in his mind


s: Destructive slaughter on the Grecian host.


s: Thus as he mus'd, the wisest course appear'd


s: The son of Atreus; and with winged words


s: And ships of Greece, to Agamemnon's tent;


s: There, changing nought, as I command thee, speak.


s: Bid that he arm in haste the long-hair'd Greeks


s: To combat; for the wide-built streets of Troy


s: He now may capture; since th' immortal Gods


s: Watch over her no longer; all are gain'd


s: By Juno's pray'rs; and woes impend o'er Troy."


s: He said: the Vision heard, and straight obey'd:


s: Swiftly he sped, and reached the Grecian ships,


s: And sought the son of Atreus; him he found


s: Within his tent, wrapped in ambrosial sleep;


s: Above his head he stood, like Neleus' son,


s: Of all the Elders; in his likeness cloth'd


s: Thus spoke the heav'nly Vision; "Sleep'st thou, son


s: Of Atreus, valiant warrior, horseman bold?


s: To sleep all night but ill becomes a chief,


s: Charg'd with the public weal, and cares of state.


s: Hear now the words I bear; to thee I come


s: Looks down on thee with eyes of pitying love.


s: He bids thee arm in haste the long-hair'd Greeks


s: To combat; since the wide-built streets of Troy


s: Thou now mayst capture; for th' immortal Gods


s: Watch over her no longer; all are gain'd


s: By Juno's pray'rs; and woes impend o'er Troy.


s: Bear this in mind; and when from sleep arous'd


s: Let not my words from thy remembrance fade."


s: This said, he vanish'd; and the monarch left,


s: Inspir'd with thoughts which ne'er should come to pass.


s: Design'd in secret, or what woes, what groans,


s: What lengthen'd labours in the stubborn fight,


s: Were yet for Trojans and for Greeks in store.


s: He woke from sleep; but o'er his senses spread


s: Dwelt still the heavenly voice; he sat upright;


s: He donn'd his vest of texture fine, new-wrought,


s: Then o'er it threw his ample robe, and bound


s: His sandals fair around his well-turn'd feet;


s: And o'er his shoulders flung his sword, adorn'd


s: With silver studs; and bearing in his hand


s: His royal staff, ancestral, to the ships


s: Where lay the brass-clad warriors, bent his way.


s: The clear-voic'd heralds to th' Assembly call


s: The gen'ral host; they gave the word, and straight


s: From ev'ry quarter throng'd the eager crowd.


s: But first, of all the Elders, by the side


s: Of Nestor's ship, the aged Pylian chief,


s: And, prudent, thus the chosen few address'd:


s: "Hear me, my friends! In the still hours of night


s: Most like it seemed in stature, form, and face


s: To rev'rend Nestor; at my head it stood,


s: And with these words address'd me--'Sleep'st thou, son


s: Of Atreus, valiant warrior, horseman bold?


s: To sleep all night but ill becomes a chief,


s: Charg'd with the public weal, and cares of state.


s: Hear now the words I bear: to thee I come


s: Looks down on thee with eyes of pitying love.


s: He bids thee arm in haste the long-hair'd Greeks


s: To combat: since the wide-built streets of Troy


s: Thou now may'st capture; for th' immortal Gods


s: Watch over her no longer: all are gain'd


s: By Juno's pray'rs, and woes impend o'er Troy.


s: Bear thou my words in mind.' Thus as he spoke


s: He vanish'd; and sweet sleep forsook mine eyes.


s: Seek we then straight to arm the sons of Greece:


s: But first, as is our wont, myself will prove


s: Their homeward voyage; ye, throughout the camp


s: Restore their courage, and restrain from flight."


s: Thus having said, he sat; and next arose


s: Nestor, the chief of Pylos' sandy shore.


s: Who thus with prudent speech replied, and said:


s: "O friends, the chiefs and councillors of Greece,


s: We should have deem'd it false, and laugh'd to scorn


s: The idle tale; but now it hath appear'd,


s: Seek we then straight to arm the sons of Greece."


s: He said, and from the council led the way.


s: Uprose the sceptred monarchs, and obey'd


s: Their leader's call, and round them throng'd the crowd.


s: As swarms of bees, that pour in ceaseless stream


s: From out the crevice of some hollow rock,


s: Now clust'ring, and anon 'mid vernal flow'rs,


s: Some here, some there, in busy numbers fly;


s: So to th' Assembly from their tents and ships


s: The countless tribes came thronging; in their midst,


s: By Jove enkindled, Rumour urged them on.


s: Great was the din; and as the mighty mass


s: Sat down, the solid earth beneath them groan'd;


s: Nine heralds rais'd their voices loud, to quell


s: The storm of tongues, and bade the noisy crowd


s: Be still, and listen to the Heav'n-born Kings.


s: At length they all were seated, and awhile


s: Their clamours sank to silence; then uprose


s: His royal staff, the work of Vulcan's art;


s: O'er all the Argive coast, and neighbouring isles.


s: On this the monarch leant, as thus he spoke:


s: Grievous, and all unlook'd for, is the blow


s: Which Jove hath dealt me; by his promise led


s: I hop'd to raze the strong-built walls of Troy,


s: Dishonour'd, and with grievous loss of men.


s: Such now appears th' o'er-ruling sov'reign will


s: Of Saturn's son; who oft hath sunk the heads


s: And yet will sink; for mighty is his hand.


s: 'Tis shame indeed that future days should hear


s: How such a force as ours, so great, so brave,


s: Hath thus been baffled, fighting, as we do,


s: 'Gainst numbers far inferior to our own,


s: For should we choose, on terms of plighted truce,


s: Trojans and Greeks, to number our array;


s: Of Trojans, all that dwell within the town,


s: To crown our cups, one Trojan should assign,


s: Full many a ten no cupbearer would find:


s: That dwell within the town; but to their aid


s: Bold warriors come from all the cities round,


s: My hope to storm the strong-built walls of Troy.


s: Already now nine weary years have pass'd;


s: The timbers of our ships are all decay'd,


s: The cordage rotted; in our homes the while


s: Our wives and helpless children sit, in vain


s: Expecting our return; and still the work,


s: For which we hither came, remains undone.


s: Home to direct our course, since here in vain


s: We strive to take the well-built walls of Troy."


s: Thus as he spoke, the crowd, that had not heard


s: The secret council, by his words was mov'd;


s: So sway'd and heav'd the multitude, as when


s: O'er the vast billows of th' Icarian sea


s: Eurus and Notus from the clouds of Heav'n


s: Pour forth their fury; or as some deep field


s: Of wavy corn, when sweeping o'er the plain


s: The ruffling west wind sways the bending ears;


s: So was th' Assembly stirr'd; and tow'rd the ships


s: With clam'rous joy they rush'd; beneath, their feet


s: Rose clouds of dust, while one to other call'd


s: To seize the ships and drag them to the main.


s: They clear'd the channels, and with shouts of "home"


s: That rose to Heav'n, they knock'd the shores away.


s: Then had the Greeks in shameful flight withdrawn,


s: "Oh Heav'n! brave child of aegis-bearing Jove,


s: Shall thus the Greeks, in ignominious flight,


s: O'er the wide sea their homeward course pursue,


s: The Argive Helen leave, on whose account,


s: Far from their home, so many valiant Greeks


s: Have cast their lives away? Go quickly thou


s: Amid the brass-clad Greeks, and man by man


s: Address with words persuasive, nor permit


s: To launch their well-trimm'd vessels on the deep."


s: But swift descending from Olympus' heights


s: With rapid flight she reach'd the Grecian ships.


s: There found she standing; he no hand had laid


s: On his dark vessel, for with bitter grief


s: His heart was filled; the blue-ey'd Maid approach'd,


s: And thus address'd him: "Great Laertes' son,


s: That you, the men of Greece, embarking thus


s: On your swift ships, in ignominious flight,


s: O'er the wide sea will take your homeward way,


s: The Argive Helen leave, on whose account


s: Far from their homes so many valiant Greeks


s: She said; the heav'nly voice Ulysses knew;


s: Straight, springing to the course, he cast aside,


s: His herald and attendant, threw his robe;


s: Arm'd with his royal staff ancestral, pass'd


s: With rapid step amid the ships of Greece.


s: Each King or leader whom he found he thus


s: With cheering words encourag'd and restrain'd:


s: "O gallant friend, 'tis not for thee to yield,


s: Sit quiet, and the common herd restrain.


s: Thou know'st not yet Atrides' secret mind:


s: He tries us now, and may reprove us soon.


s: His words in council reach'd not all our ears:


s: See that he work us not some ill; for fierce


s: His anger; and the Lord of counsel, Jove,


s: From whom proceeds all honour, loves him well."


s: But of the common herd whome'er he found


s: Clam'ring, he check'd with staff and threat'ning words:


s: "Good friend, keep still, and hear what others say,


s: Thy betters far: for thou art good for nought,


s: Of small account in council or in fight.


s: All are not sovereigns here: ill fares the state


s: Where many masters rule; let one be Lord,


s: One King supreme; to whom wise Saturn's son


s: In token of his sov'reign power hath giv'n


s: The sceptre's sway and ministry of law."


s: Such were his words, as through the ranks he pass'd:


s: They from the vessels and the tents again


s: Throng'd to th' Assembly, with such rush of sound,


s: Breaks on the shore, and foams the frothing sea.


s: The others all were settled in their seats:


s: Of which he had good store, to rate the chiefs,


s: Not over-seemly, but wherewith he thought


s: To move the crowd to laughter, brawl'd aloud.


s: The ugliest man was he who came to Troy:


s: With squinting eyes, and one distorted foot,


s: His shoulders round, and buried in his breast


s: His narrow head, with scanty growth of hair.


s: His hate was turn'd; on them his venom pour'd;


s: His loud-tongued ribaldry; 'gainst him he knew


s: Incensed the public mind; and bawling loud,


s: With scurril words, he thus address'd the King:


s: "What more, thou son of Atreus, would'st thou have?


s: Thy tents are full of brass; and in those tents


s: Many fair women, whom, from all the spoil,


s: We Greeks, whene'er some wealthy town we take,


s: Choose first of all, and set apart for thee.


s: Or dost thou thirst for gold, which here perchance


s: Some Trojan brings, the ransom of his son


s: Shouldst not to evil lead the sons of Greece.


s: Ye slaves! ye coward souls! Women of Greece!


s: Home with our ships, and leave this mighty chief


s: To gloat upon his treasures, and find out


s: Whether in truth he need our aid, or no;


s: Foul scorn hath cast, and robb'd him of his prize,


s: Which for himself he keeps? Achilles, sure,


s: Else, Atreus' son, this insult were thy last."


s: With words like these Thersites pour'd his hate;


s: But straight Ulysses at his side appear'd,


s: And spoke, with scornful glance, in stern rebuke:


s: "Thou babbling fool, Thersites, prompt of speech,


s: Restrain thy tongue, nor singly thus presume


s: The Kings to slander; thou, the meanest far


s: Of all that with the Atridae came to Troy.


s: Ill it beseems, that such an one as thou


s: Should lift thy voice against the Kings, and rail


s: With scurril ribaldry, and prate of home.


s: How these affairs may end, we know not yet;


s: Cease then against Atrides, King of men,


s: To pour thy spite, for that the valiant Greeks


s: To him, despite thy railing, as of right


s: But this I tell thee, and will make it good,


s: If e'er I find thee play the fool, as now,


s: Then may these shoulders cease this head to bear,


s: Thy mantle and thy garments, aye, expose


s: Thy nakedness, and flog thee to the ships


s: Howling, and scourg'd with ignominious stripes."


s: And back came down his heavy staff; the wretch


s: Shrank from the blow, and scalding tears let fall.


s: Where struck the golden-studded staff, appear'd


s: A bloody weal: Thersites quail'd, and down,


s: Quiv'ring with pain, he sat, and wip'd away.


s: With horrible grimace, the trickling tears.


s: The Greeks, despite their anger, laugh'd aloud,


s: And one to other said, "Good faith, of all


s: Wise in the council, foremost in the fight,


s: He ne'er hath done a better, than when now


s: He makes this scurril babbler hold his peace.


s: Methinks his headstrong spirit will not soon


s: Thus spoke the gen'ral voice: but, staff in hand,


s: Keep silence, that the Greeks, from first to last,


s: Might hear his words, and ponder his advice.


s: He thus with prudent phrase his speech began:


s: "Great son of Atreus, on thy name, O King,


s: Throughout the world will foul reproach be cast,


s: If Greeks forget their promise, nor make good


s: The vow they took to thee, when hitherward


s: We sailed from Argos' grassy plains, to raze,


s: Ere our return, the well-built walls of Troy.


s: But now, like helpless widows, or like babes,


s: They mourn their cruel fate, and pine for home.


s: The seaman murmurs, if from wife and home,


s: Ev'n for one month, his well-found bark be stay'd,


s: Toss'd by the wint'ry blasts and stormy sea;


s: Still ling'ring here: I cannot therefore blame


s: Our valiant Greeks, if by the ships I hear


s: Their murmurs; yet 'twere surely worst of all


s: Bear up, my friends, remain awhile, and see


s: For this ye all have seen, and can yourselves


s: Bear witness, all who yet are spar'd by fate,


s: Not long ago, when ships of Greece were met


s: At Aulis, charg'd with evil freight for Troy,


s: Our altars rear'd, with faultless hecatombs,


s: Near a fair plane-tree, where bright water flow'd,


s: Sent forth to light, a snake, with burnish'd scales,


s: The altars, glided to the plane-tree straight.


s: There, on the topmost bough, beneath the leaves


s: Cow'ring, a sparrow's callow nestlings lay;


s: Eight fledglings, and the parent bird the ninth.


s: All the eight nestlings, utt'ring piercing cries,


s: The snake devour'd; and as the mother flew,


s: Lamenting o'er her offspring, round and round,


s: Uncoiling, caught her, shrieking, by the wing.


s: Then, when the sparrow's nestlings and herself


s: The snake had swallowed, by the God, who first


s: Sent him to light, a miracle was wrought:


s: For Jove, the deep-designing Saturn's son,


s: Turn'd him to stone; we stood, and wond'ring gaz'd.


s: Calchas, inspir'd of Heaven, took up his speech:


s: 'Ye long-haired sons of Greece, why stand ye thus


s: To whom be endless praise, vouchsafes this sign,


s: Late sent, of late fulfilment: as ye saw


s: The snake devour the sparrow and her young,


s: Eight nestlings, and the parent bird the ninth:


s: To wage a fruitless war; but in the tenth


s: The wide-built city shall at last be ours.'


s: Thus he foretold, and now the time is come.


s: Here then, ye well-greav'd Greeks, let all remain,


s: He said, and loudly cheer'd the Greeks--and loud


s: From all the hollow ships came back the cheers--


s: "Like children, Grecian warriors, ye debate;


s: Like babes to whom unknown are feats of arms.


s: Where then are now our solemn covenants,


s: Our plighted oaths? Go, cast we to the fire


s: Our councils held, our warriors' plans matur'd,


s: Our absolute pledges, and our hand-plight giv'n,


s: In which our trust was placed; since thus in vain


s: In words we wrangle, and how long soe'er


s: Unchang'd thy counsel; for the stubborn fight


s: Array the Greeks; and let perdition seize


s: Those few, those two or three among the host,


s: Who hold their separate counsel--(not on them


s: For well I ween, that on the day when first


s: We Grecians hitherward our course address'd,


s: To Troy the messengers of blood and death,


s: Th' o'er-ruling son of Saturn, on our right


s: His lightning flashing, with auspicious sign


s: The thoughts of home be breath'd, ere Trojan wives


s: For wrongs by us, in Helen's cause, sustain'd.


s: But whoso longs, if such an one there be,


s: To make his homeward voyage, let him take


s: His well-rigg'd bark, and go; before the rest


s: To meet the doom of death! But thou, O King!


s: Be well advis'd thyself, and others lead


s: By wholesome counsel; for the words I speak


s: Are not to be despis'd; by tribes and clans,


s: Tribe may to tribe give aid, and clan to clan.


s: If thus thou do, and Greeks thy words obey,


s: Then shalt thou see, of chiefs and troops alike,


s: The good and bad; for on their own behoof


s: They all shall fight; and if thou fail, shalt know


s: Whether thy failure be of Heav'n's decree,


s: "Father, in council, of the sons of Greece,


s: None can compare with thee; and would to Jove


s: Then soon should royal Priam's city fall,


s: Tak'n and destroy'd by our victorious hands.


s: The son of Saturn, fruitless toil impos'd,


s: Could we be friends again, delay were none,


s: How short soe'er, of Ilium's final doom.


s: But now to breakfast, ere we wage the fight.


s: Each sharpen well his spear, his shield prepare,


s: Each to his fiery steeds their forage give,


s: Each look his chariot o'er, that through the day


s: For respite none, how short soe'er, shall be


s: Till night shall bid the storm of battle cease.


s: With sweat shall reek upon each warrior's breast


s: The leathern belt beneath the cov'ring shield;


s: And hands shall ache that wield the pond'rous spear:


s: With sweat shall reek the fiery steeds that draw


s: Each warrior's car; but whomsoe'er I find


s: Loit'ring beside the beaked ships, for him


s: 'Twere hard to'scape the vultures and the dogs."


s: He said; and from th' applauding ranks of Greece


s: Rose a loud sound, as when the ocean wave,


s: Driv'n by the south wind on some lofty beach,


s: Dashes against a prominent crag, expos'd


s: To blasts from every storm that roars around.


s: Uprising then, and through the camp dispers'd


s: They took their sev'ral ways, and by their tents


s: The fires they lighted, and the meal prepar'd;


s: And each to some one of the Immortal Gods


s: His off'ring made, that in the coming fight


s: He might escape the bitter doom of death.


s: But to the o'erruling son of Saturn, Jove,


s: A sturdy ox, well-fatten'd, five years old,


s: The aged chiefs and councillors of Greece;


s: Knowing what cares upon his brother press'd.


s: Around the ox they stood, and on his head


s: The salt cake sprinkled; then amid them all


s: "Most great, most glorious Jove! who dwell'st on high,


s: In clouds and darkness veil'd, grant Thou that ere


s: This sun shall set, and night o'erspread the earth,


s: I may the haughty walls of Priam's house


s: Lay prostrate in the dust; and burn with fire


s: His lofty gates; and strip from Hector's breast


s: His sword-rent tunic, while around his corpse


s: Many brave comrades, prostrate, bite the dust."


s: Thus he; but Saturn's son his pray'r denied;


s: Receiv'd his off'rings, but his toils increas'd.


s: Their pray'rs concluded, and the salt cake strewed


s: Upon the victim's head, they drew him back,


s: And slew, and flay'd; then cutting from the thighs


s: The choicest pieces, and in double layers


s: O'erspreading them with fat, above them plac'd


s: The due meat-off'rings; these they burnt with logs


s: Of leafless timber; and the inward parts,


s: First to be tasted, o'er the fire they held.


s: The thighs consum'd with fire, the inward parts


s: They tasted first; the rest upon the spits


s: Roasted with care, and from the fire withdrew.


s: Their labours ended, and the feast prepar'd,


s: They shared the social meal, nor lacked there aught.


s: The rage of thirst and hunger satisfied,


s: Great Atreus' son, no longer let us pause,


s: The work delaying which the pow'rs of Heav'n


s: Have trusted to our hands; do thou forthwith


s: And summon through the camp the brass-clad Greeks;


s: While, in a body, through the wide-spread ranks


s: We pass, and stimulate their warlike zeal."


s: That to the war the clear-voic'd heralds call


s: The long-hair'd Greeks: they gave the word, and straight


s: From ev'ry quarter throng'd the eager crowd.


s: The Heav'n-born Kings, encircling Atreus' son,


s: The troops inspected: Pallas, blue-ey'd Maid,


s: Before the chiefs her glorious aegis bore,


s: A hundred tassels hung, rare works of art,


s: All gold, each one a hundred oxen's price.


s: With this the Goddess pass'd along the ranks,


s: And dearer to their hearts than thoughts of home


s: Or wish'd return, became the battle-field.


s: As when a wasting fire, on mountain tops,


s: Hath seized the blazing woods, afar is seen


s: The glaring light; so, as they mov'd, to Heav'n


s: Flash'd the bright glitter of their burnish'd arms.


s: As when a num'rous flock of birds, or geese,


s: Or cranes, or long-neck'd swans, on Asian mead,


s: Beside Cayster's stream, now here, now there,


s: Disporting, ply their wings; then settle down


s: With clam'rous noise, that all the mead resounds;


s: So to Scamander's plain, from tents and ships,


s: Pour'd forth the countless tribes; the firm earth groan'd


s: Beneath the tramp of steeds and armed men.


s: Upon Scamander's flow'ry mead they stood,


s: Unnumber'd as the vernal leaves and flow'rs.


s: Or as the multitudinous swarms of flies,


s: That round the cattle-sheds in spring-tide pour,


s: While the warm milk is frothing in the pail:


s: For Troy's destruction, stood the long-hair'd Greeks.


s: And as experienced goat-herds, when their flocks


s: Their sev'ral charges, so the chiefs array'd


s: Their squadrons for the fight; while in the midst


s: His eye, and lofty brow, the counterpart


s: Of Jove, the Lord of thunder; in his girth


s: Another Mars, with Neptune's ample chest.


s: Stands, proudly eminent, the lordly bull;


s: So, by Jove's will, stood eminent that day,


s: Were present, and know all things: we ourselves


s: But hear from Rumour's voice, and nothing know),


s: Who were the chiefs and mighty Lords of Greece.


s: But should I seek the multitude to name,


s: Not if ten tongues were mine, ten mouths to speak,


s: Voice inexhaustible, and heart of brass,


s: Should I succeed, unless, Olympian maids,


s: Ye should their names record, who came to Troy.


s: The chiefs, and all the ships, I now rehearse.


s: Scoenus, and Scolus, and the highland range


s: Graia, and Mycalessus' wide-spread plains:


s: In Copae, and in Medeon's well-built fort,


s: Eutresis, Thisbe's dove-frequented woods,


s: In Glissa, and the foot of Lower Thebes,


s: And in Anchestus, Neptune's sacred grove;


s: With these came fifty vessels; and in each


s: Were six score youths, Boeotia's noblest flow'r.


s: Who in Aspledon dwelt, and in Minyas' realm


s: In Actor's house, the son of Azeus, born


s: Till in the upper chamber, where she slept,


s: Stout Mars by stealth her virgin bed assail'd:


s: Of these came thirty ships in order due.


s: Were led the Phocian forces; these were they


s: Of Python, and on Crissa's lovely plain;


s: In their command came forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: These were the leaders of the Phocian bands,


s: And on Boeotia's left their camp was pitch'd.


s: Of stature low, with linen breastplate arm'd:


s: But skill'd to throw the spear o'er all who dwell


s: Tarpha, and Thronium, by Boagrius' stream.


s: Of Locrians follow'd forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: Breathing firm courage high, th' Abantian host,


s: These Elephenor led, true plant of Mars,


s: Chalcodon's son, the brave Abantian chief.


s: Him, all conspicuous with their long black hair,


s: The bold Abantians follow'd: spearmen skill'd,


s: Who through the foemen's breastplates knew full well,


s: Held in firm grasp, to drive the ashen spear.


s: In his command came forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: Those who in Athens' well-built city dwelt,


s: Child of the fertile soil, by Pallas rear'd,


s: Daughter of Jove, who him in Athens plac'd


s: In her own wealthy temple; there with blood


s: Of bulls and lambs, at each revolving year,


s: These by Menestheus, Peteus' son, were led.


s: With him might none of mortal men compare,


s: Chariots and buckler'd men; Nestor alone


s: Perchance might rival him, his elder far.


s: In his command came fifty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: Twelve ships from Salamis with Ajax came,


s: And they beside th' Athenian troops were rang'd.


s: Those who from Argos, and the well-wall'd town


s: Held rule; and Sthenelus, th' illustrious son


s: Of far-fam'd Capaneus; with these, the third,


s: In their command came eighty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: Who in Mycenae's well-built fortress dwelt,


s: And Sicyon, where Adrastus reign'd of old,


s: In AEgium, and the scatter'd towns that he


s: Along the beach, and wide-spread Helice;


s: Of these a hundred ships obey'd the rule


s: The largest and the bravest host was his;


s: And he himself, in dazzling armour clad,


s: Lord of the largest host, and chief of chiefs.


s: Those who in Lacedaemon's lowland plains,


s: And who on Messa's dove-frequented cliffs,


s: With sixty ships; but ranged apart they lay.


s: Their chief, himself in martial ardour bold,


s: Inspiring others, fill'd with fierce desire


s: The rape of Helen and his wrongs to avenge.


s: And Thyrum, by the ford of Alpheus' stream,


s: Pteleon, and lofty OEpus' well-built fort,


s: Ev'n though the daughters of Olympian Jove,


s: The Muses, were his rivals: they in wrath


s: Him of his sight at once and powr'r of song


s: Amerc'd, and bade his hand forget the lyre.


s: In fourscore ships and ten in order due.


s: They of Arcadia, and the realm that lies


s: Stymphalus and Parrhasia; these were led


s: Of stout Arcadian youths, to war inur'd.


s: The ships, wherewith they crossed the dark-blue sea,


s: The son of Atreus; for th' Arcadian youth


s: Had ne'er to maritime pursuits been train'd.


s: Far as Hyrmine, and th' extremest bounds


s: Of Myrsinus; and all the realm that lies


s: These by four chiefs were led; and ten swift ships,


s: By bold Epeians mann'd, each chief obey'd.


s: Amphimachus and Thalpius were the first,


s: They of Dulichium, and the sacred isles,


s: Th' Echinades, which face, from o'er the sea,


s: The son of Phyleus, dear to Jove, in arms


s: Valiant as Mars; who, with his sire at feud,


s: Had left his home, and to Dulichium come:


s: In his command were forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: Of the mainland with its opposing isles;


s: These in twelve ships, with scarlet-painted bows,


s: Thoas, Andraemon's son, th' AEtolians led;


s: The race of OEneus was no more; himself,


s: And fair-hair'd Meleager, both were dead:


s: Whence all AEtolia's rule on him was laid.


s: In his command came forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: From Cnossus, and Gortyna's well-wall'd town,


s: Miletus, and Lycastus' white-stone cliffs,


s: Lyctus, and Phaestus, Rhytium, and the rest


s: Whom Crete from all her hundred cities sent:


s: These all Idomeneus, a spearman skill'd,


s: In battle terrible as blood-stain'd Mars.


s: In their command came fourscore dark-ribb'd ships.


s: Tlepolemus, nine vessels brought from Rhodes,


s: By gallant Rhodians mann'd, who tripartite


s: In Lindus, and Cameirus' white-stone hills.


s: When many a goodly town his arms had raz'd,


s: Was brought from Ephyra, by Selles' stream.


s: In early youth, his father's uncle slew,


s: A warrior once, but now in life's decline,


s: Lycimnius; then in haste a fleet he built,


s: Muster'd a num'rous host; and fled, by sea,


s: The threaten'd vengeance of the other sons


s: Long wand'rings past, and toils and perils borne,


s: To Rhodes he came; his followers, by their tribes,


s: Three districts form'd; and so divided, dwelt,


s: Belov'd of Jove, the King of Gods and men,


s: Who show'r'd upon them boundless store of wealth.


s: Nireus three well-trimm'd ships from Syme brought;


s: Nireus, the goodliest man of all the Greeks,


s: Who came to Troy, save Peleus' matchless son:


s: But scant his fame, and few the troops he led.


s: With them came thirty ships in order due.


s: Next those who in Pelasgian Argos dwelt,


s: Trachys, and Phthia, and in Hellas fam'd


s: For women fair; of these, by various names,


s: But from the battle-strife these all abstain'd,


s: Since none there was to marshal their array.


s: For Peleus' godlike son, the swift of foot,


s: Lay idly in his tent, the loss resenting


s: Of Brises' fair-hair'd daughter; whom himself


s: Had chosen, prize of all his warlike toil,


s: When he Lyrnessus and the walls of Thebes


s: Struck down, bold warriors both, Evenus' sons,


s: He held aloof, but soon again to appear.


s: Those in the flow'ry plain of Pyrrhasus,


s: In Iton, rich in flocks, and, by the sea,


s: In Antron, and in Pteleon's grass-clad meads;


s: While yet he liv'd; now laid beneath the sod.


s: And half-built house; him, springing to the shore,


s: First of the Greeks, a Dardan warrior slew.


s: Nor were his troops, their leader though they mourn'd,


s: Left leaderless; the post of high command


s: Podarces claim'd of right, true plant of Mars,


s: Though much they mourn'd their valiant leader slain.


s: In his command came forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: Those who from Pherae came, beside the lake


s: Whom Pelias' daughter, fairest of her race,


s: Sev'n ships were theirs, and ev'ry ship was mann'd


s: But he, their chief, was lying, rack'd with pain,


s: On Lemnos' sacred isle; there left perforce


s: In torture from a venomous serpent's wound:


s: There he in anguish lay: nor long, ere Greeks


s: Yet were his troops, their leader though they mourn'd,


s: Medon, of Rhene born, their ranks array'd.


s: Of these came thirty ships in order due.


s: Of Titanum's white peaks, of these was chief


s: Him to Pirithous bore, what time he slew


s: The shaggy Centaurs, and from Pelion's heights


s: For refuge 'mid the rude AEthices drove.


s: Nor he alone; with him to Troy there came


s: In their command came forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: With two and twenty vessels Gouneus came


s: And the Peraebians' warlike tribes, and those


s: Who dwelt around Dodona's wintry heights,


s: Or till'd the soil upon the lovely banks


s: The tribute of his clearly-flowing stream;


s: Yet mingles not with Peneus' silver waves,


s: But on the surface floats like oil, his source


s: Both Gods and men by holiest oaths are bound.


s: Magnesia's troops, who dwelt by Peneus' stream,


s: Or beneath Pelion's leafy-quiv'ring shades,


s: Swift-footed Prothous led, Tenthredon's son;


s: In his command came forty dark-ribb'd ships.


s: These were the leaders and the chiefs of Greece:


s: Say, Muse, of these, who with th' Atridae came,


s: Horses and men, who claim'd the highest praise.


s: Of steeds, the bravest and the noblest far


s: Both swift as birds, in age and colour match'd,


s: Alike in height, as measur'd o'er the back;


s: Both mares, by Phoebus of the silver bow


s: Of men, while yet Achilles held his wrath,


s: For with Achilles, and the steeds that bore


s: The matchless son of Peleus, none might vie:


s: Indignant; while his troops upon the beach


s: With quoits and jav'lins whil'd away the day,


s: And feats of archery; their steeds the while


s: The lotus-grass and marsh-grown parsley cropp'd,


s: Each standing near their car; the well-wrought cars


s: Lay all unheeded in the warriors' tents;


s: They, inly pining for their godlike chief,


s: Roam'd listless up and down, nor join'd the fray.


s: Such was the host, which, like devouring fire,


s: O'erspread the land; the earth beneath them groan'd:


s: As when the Lord of thunder, in his wrath,


s: The earth's foundations shakes, in Arimi,


s: Where, buried deep, 'tis said, Typhoeus lies;


s: So at their coming, groan'd beneath their feet


s: The earth, as quickly o'er the plain they spread.


s: To Troy, sent down by aegis-bearing Jove,


s: With direful tidings storm-swift Iris came.


s: At Priam's gate, in solemn conclave met,


s: Were gather'd all the Trojans, young and old:


s: Swift Iris stood amidst them, and, the voice


s: The Trojan scout, who, trusting to his speed,


s: Till from their ships the Grecian troops should march;


s: His voice assuming, thus the Goddess spoke:


s: "Old man, as erst in peace, so still thou lov'st


s: The strife of words; but fearful war is nigh.


s: Full many a host in line of battle rang'd


s: My eyes have seen; but such a force as this,


s: In number as the leaves, or as the sand,


s: Against the city o'er the plain they come.


s: Then, Hector, for to thee I chiefly speak,


s: This do; thou know'st how various our allies,


s: Of diff'rent nations and discordant tongues:


s: Let each then those command o'er whom he reigns,


s: She said; and Hector knew the voice divine,


s: And all, dissolv'd the council, flew to arms,


s: The gates were open'd wide; forth pour'd the crowd,


s: Both foot and horse; and loud the tumult rose.


s: In the mid plain, by open space enclos'd;


s: The tomb of swift Myrinna; muster'd there


s: The Trojans and Allies their troops array'd.


s: The largest and the bravest band were they,


s: Bold spearmen all, who follow'd him in arms.


s: The Dardans; him, 'mid Ida's jutting peaks,


s: With him, well skill'd in war, Archilochus


s: Of Trojan race, a wealthy tribe, who drank


s: Taught by Apollo's self to draw the bow.


s: Would fain have kept his sons; but they, by fate,


s: Doom'd to impending death, his caution scorn'd.


s: Those who from Practium and Percote came,


s: Of matchless size and strength, from Selles' stream.


s: Hippothous led the bold Pelasgian tribes,


s: Who dwell in rich Larissa's fertile soil,


s: The Thracians, by fast-flowing Hellespont


s: The Paeon archers from broad Axius' banks;


s: Axius, the brightest stream on earth that flows.


s: (Whence first appear'd the stubborn race of mules),


s: And round Parthenius' waters had their home;


s: From gloomy death to save him nought avail'd;


s: Slain by the son of Peleus, in the stream,


s: From far Ascania's lake, with Phorcys join'd,


s: The godlike presence of Ascanius brought


s: The Phrygians, dauntless in the standing fight.


s: And Mesthles; these Maeonia's forces led,


s: Who dwelt around the foot of Tmolus' hill.


s: In charge of Nastes came the Carian troops,


s: Of barbarous speech; who in Miletus dwelt,


s: Of Phthira's hill, and on the lofty ridge


s: Laden with store of gold; yet nought avail'd


s: His gold to save him from the doom of death;


s: Slain by the son of Peleus in the stream;


s: The Lycian bands, from distant Lycia's shore,


s: Beside the banks of Xanthus' eddying stream.


s: The armies being ready to engage, a single combat is agreed upon,


s: WHEN by their sev'ral chiefs the troops were rang'd,


s: With noise and clamour, as a flight of birds,


s: The men of Troy advanc'd; as when the cranes,


s: Flying the wintry storms, send forth on high


s: Their dissonant clamours, while o'er the ocean stream


s: They steer their course, and on their pinions bear


s: On th' other side the Greeks in silence mov'd,


s: Breathing firm courage, bent on mutual aid.


s: As when the south wind o'er the mountain tops


s: Spreads a thick veil of mist, the shepherd's bane,


s: And friendly to the nightly thief alone,


s: That a stone's throw the range of vision bounds;


s: So rose the dust-cloud, as in serried ranks


s: With rapid step they mov'd across the plain.


s: But when th' opposing forces near were met,


s: A panther's skin across his shoulders flung,


s: Arm'd with his bow and sword, in front of all


s: He pois'd two brass-tipp'd jav'lins, and defied


s: To mortal combat all the chiefs of Greece.


s: With haughty strides advancing from the crowd;


s: Some mighty beast of chase, or antler'd stag,


s: Or mountain goat, and with exulting spring


s: Strikes down his prey, and on the carcase feeds,


s: Unscar'd by baying hounds and eager youths:


s: The godlike Paris; for he deem'd that now


s: His vengeance was at hand; and from his car,


s: Arm'd as he was, he leap'd upon the plain.


s: But when the godlike Paris saw him spring


s: Defiant from the ranks, with quailing heart,


s: Back to his comrades' shelt'ring crowd he sprang,


s: In fear of death; as when some trav'ller spies,


s: Coil'd in his path upon the mountain side,


s: A deadly snake, back he recoils in haste,


s: His limbs all trembling, and his cheek all pale;


s: So back recoil'd, in fear of Atreus' son,


s: To whom in stern rebuke thus Hector spoke:


s: "Thou wretched Paris, though in form so fair,


s: Thou slave of woman, manhood's counterfeit!


s: Would thou hadst ne'er been born, or died at least


s: Than thus to live a scandal and reproach.


s: Well may the long-hair'd Greeks triumphant boast,


s: Who think thee, from thine outward show, a chief


s: Among our warriors; but thou hast in truth


s: Nor strength of mind, nor courage in the fight.


s: How was't that such as thou could e'er induce


s: To cross the main, with men of other lands


s: Bound to a race of warriors; to thy sire,


s: Thy state, thy people, cause of endless grief,


s: Of triumph to thy foes, contempt to thee!


s: Thou to thy cost shouldst learn the might of him


s: Whose bride thou didst not fear to bear away:


s: Then shouldst thou find of small avail thy lyre,


s: Or, trampled in the dust, thy flowing hair.


s: Else for the ills that thou hast wrought the state,


s: Ere now thy body had in stone been cas'd."


s: "Hector, I needs must own thy censure just,


s: Nor without cause; thy dauntless courage knows


s: That in a strong man's hand, who fashions out


s: Cleaves the firm wood, and aids the striker's force;


s: Yet blame not me for golden Venus' gifts:


s: The gifts of Heav'n are not to be despis'd,


s: Which Heav'n may give, but man could not command.


s: But if thou wilt that I should dare the fight,


s: Bid that the Trojans and the Grecians all


s: Be seated on the ground; and in the midst


s: Stand front to front, for Helen and the spoils


s: Of war to combat; and whoe'er shall prove


s: The better man in conflict, let him bear


s: The woman and the spoils in triumph home;


s: While ye, the rest, in peace and friendship sworn,


s: Shall still possess the fertile plains of Troy;


s: For noble steeds and lovely women fam'd."


s: He said, and Hector joy'd to hear his words:


s: Forth in the midst he stepp'd, and with his spear


s: Grasp'd by the middle, stay'd the Trojan ranks.


s: At him the long-haired Grecians bent their bows,


s: Prompt to assail with arrows and with stones;


s: Was heard; "Hold, Argives, hold! ye sons of Greece,


s: Shoot not! for Hector of the glancing helm


s: Hath, as it seems, some message to impart."


s: He said; they held their hands, and silent stood


s: Expectant, till to both thus Hector spoke:


s: "Hear now, ye Trojans, and ye well-greav'd Greeks,


s: The words of Paris, cause of all this war.


s: He asks through me that all the host of Troy


s: And Grecian warriors shall upon the ground


s: Lay down their glitt'ring arms; while in the midst


s: Stand front to front, for Helen and the spoils


s: Of war to combat; and whoe'er shall prove


s: The better man in conflict, let him bear


s: The woman and the spoils in triumph home,


s: While we, the rest, firm peace and friendship swear."


s: Thus Hector spoke; the rest in silence heard;


s: May claim the chiefest share; and now I hope


s: Trojans and Greeks may see the final close


s: Of all the labours ye so long have borne


s: T' avenge my wrong, at Paris' hand sustain'd.


s: And of us two whiche'er is doom'd to death,


s: So let him die! the rest, depart in peace.


s: Bring then two lambs, one white, the other black,


s: Appear, himself to consecrate our oaths,


s: (For reckless are his sons, and void of faith,)


s: That none Jove's oath may dare to violate.


s: For young men's spirits are too quickly stirr'd;


s: But in the councils check'd by rev'rend age,


s: Alike are weigh'd the future and the past,


s: And for all int'rests due provision made."


s: He said, and Greeks and Trojans gladly heard,


s: They rang'd the cars in ranks; and they themselves


s: Descending doff'd their arms, and laid them down


s: Close each by each, with narrow space between.


s: To bring the lambs, and aged Priam call;


s: Their lamb to bring, in haste Talthybius sent:


s: He heard, and straight the monarch's voice obey'd.


s: Meantime to white-arm'd Helen Iris sped,


s: The heav'nly messenger: in form she seem'd


s: Her husband's sister, whom Antenor's son,


s: Loveliest of face: she in her chamber found


s: Her whom she sought: a mighty web she wove,


s: Of double woof and brilliant hues; whereon


s: Of Trojan warriors and of brass-clad Greeks,


s: For her encounter'd at the hand of Mars.


s: Beside her Iris stood, and thus she spoke:


s: "Come, sister dear, and see the glorious deeds


s: Of Trojan warriors and of brass-clad Greeks.


s: They who erewhile, impatient for the fight,


s: Roll'd o'er the plain the woful tide of war,


s: Now silent sit, the storm of battle hush'd,


s: Reclining on their shields, their lances bright


s: Beside them reared; while Paris in the midst


s: With the long spear for thee to fight; thyself


s: The prize of conquest and the victor's wife."


s: Thus as she spoke, in Helen's breast arose


s: Her home, and parents; o'er her head she threw


s: For with her went fair AEthra, Pittheus' child,


s: And stag-ey'd Clymene, her maidens twain.


s: They quickly at the Scaean gate arriv'd.


s: With sage Antenor, wise in council both:


s: All these were gather'd at the Scaean gate;


s: By age exempt from war, but in discourse


s: From topmost boughs of forest tree sends forth


s: His delicate music; so on Ilium's tow'rs


s: Sat the sage chiefs and councillors of Troy.


s: Helen they saw, as to the tow'r she came;


s: And "'tis no marvel," one to other said,


s: "The valiant Trojans and the well-greav'd Greeks


s: For beauty such as this should long endure


s: The toils of war; for goddess-like she seems;


s: And yet, despite her beauty, let her go,


s: Nor bring on us and on our sons a curse."


s: "Come here, my child, and sitting by my side,


s: From whence thou canst discern thy former Lord,


s: His kindred, and thy friends (not thee I blame,


s: Among the Greeks a warrior brave and strong:


s: Others in height surpass him; but my eyes


s: Nor so august; he moves, a King indeed!"


s: To whom in answer, Helen, heav'nly fair:


s: "With rev'rence, dearest father, and with shame


s: I look on thee: oh would that I had died


s: That day when hither with thy son I came,


s: And left my husband, friends, and darling child,


s: And all the lov'd companions of my youth:


s: That I died not, with grief I pine away.


s: But to thy question; I will tell thee true;


s: Wide-reigning, mighty monarch, ruler good,


s: And valiant warrior; in my husband's name,


s: Lost as I am, I call'd him brother once."


s: She spoke: th' old man admiring gaz'd, and cried,


s: "Oh bless'd Atrides, child of happy fate,


s: Favour'd of Heav'n! how many noble Greeks


s: Obey thy rule! In vine-clad Phrygia once


s: I saw the hosts of Phrygian warriors wheel


s: Their rapid steeds; and with them, all the bands


s: Who lay encamp'd beside Sangarius' stream:


s: I too with them was number'd, in the day


s: The woman-warriors; but their forces all


s: Reach'd not the number of the keen-ey'd Greeks."


s: Ulysses next the old man saw, and ask'd,


s: "Tell me again, dear child, who this may be,


s: But broader-shoulder'd, and of ampler chest.


s: His arms are laid upon the fertile plain,


s: But he himself is moving through the ranks,


s: Inspecting, like a full-fleec'd ram, that moves


s: Majestic through a flock of snow-white ewes."


s: To whom Jove's offspring, Helen, thus replied:


s: Though bred in rugged Ithaca, yet vers'd


s: "Of these thy words I can the truth avouch;


s: For hither when on thine account to treat,


s: I lodg'd them in my house, and lov'd them both,


s: And studied well the form and mind of each.


s: As they with Trojans mix'd in social guise,


s: When both were standing, o'er his comrade high


s: With broad-set shoulders Menelaus stood;


s: Then, in the great Assembly, when to all


s: Their public speech and argument they fram'd,


s: In words though few, yet clear; though young in years,


s: No wordy babbler, wasteful of his speech:


s: But when the skill'd Ulysses rose to speak,


s: With down-cast visage would he stand, his eyes


s: Bent on the ground; the staff he bore, nor back


s: He wav'd, nor forward, but like one untaught,


s: Would say that he was mad, or void of sense;


s: But when his chest its deep-ton'd voice sent forth,


s: With words that fell like flakes of wintry snow,


s: Then little reck'd we of his outward show."


s: At sight of Ajax next th' old man enquir'd;


s: "Who is yon other warrior, brave and strong,


s: Tow'ring o'er all with head and shoulders broad?"


s: To whom, in answer, Helen, heav'nly fair:


s: "Gigantic Ajax that, the prop of Greece;


s: Stands godlike, circled round by Cretan chiefs.


s: Oft in our palace, when from Crete he came.


s: Now all the other keen-ey'd Greeks I see,


s: Whom once I knew, and now could call by name;


s: But two I miss, two captains of the host,


s: My own two brethren, and my mother's sons,


s: That they have come indeed, but shun to join


s: The fight of warriors, fearful of the shame,


s: And deep disgrace that on my name attend?"


s: Thus she; but they beneath the teeming earth


s: Meanwhile the heralds through the city bore


s: The treaty off'rings to the Gods; the lambs,


s: And genial wine, the produce of the soil,


s: In goat-skin flasks: therewith a flagon bright,


s: And cups of gold, Idaeus brought, and stood


s: Of Trojan warriors and of brass-clad Greeks


s: Call for thy presence on the battle-plain


s: To swear a truce; where Paris in the midst


s: With the long spear for Helen and the spoils


s: Of war to combat, that whoe'er may prove


s: The woman and the spoils in triumph home;


s: While we, the rest, in peace and friendship sworn,


s: Shall still possess the fertile plains of Troy;


s: For noble steeds and lovely women fam'd."


s: He said; the old man shuddered at his words:


s: But to his comrades gave command forthwith.


s: To yoke his car; and they his word obey'd.


s: Priam, ascending, gather'd up the reins,


s: Drove through the Scaean gate their flying steeds.


s: But when between th' opposing ranks they came,


s: Alighting from the car, they mov'd on foot


s: Between the Trojan and the Grecian hosts.


s: The heralds brought the off'rings to the Gods,


s: And in the flagon mix'd the wine, and pour'd


s: The hallowing water on the monarchs' hands.


s: Of his great sword; and from the victim's head


s: He cut the sacred lock, which to the chiefs


s: Of Troy and Greece the heralds portion'd out.


s: Then with uplifted hands he pray'd aloud:


s: "O Father Jove! who rul'st from Ida's height,


s: Most great! most glorious! and thou Sun, who see'st


s: And hearest all things! Rivers! and thou Earth!


s: And ye, who after death beneath the earth


s: Your vengeance wreak on souls of men forsworn,


s: Be witness ye, and this our cov'nant guard.


s: Let him retain both Helen and the spoil,


s: While in our ships we take our homeward way;


s: Troy shall surrender Helen and the spoil,


s: With compensation due to Greece, that so


s: The promis'd compensation shall withhold,


s: Then here, my rights in battle to assert,


s: Thus as he spoke, across the victims' throats


s: He drew the pitiless blade, and on the ground


s: He laid them gasping, as the stream of life


s: Pour'd forth, their vigour by the blade subdued.


s: Then, from the flagon drawn, from out the cups


s: The wine they pour'd; and to th' eternal Gods


s: They pray'd; and thus from Trojans and from Greeks


s: Arose the joint petition; "Grant, O Jove!


s: Most great! most glorious! grant, ye heav'nly pow'rs,


s: That whosoe'er this solemn truce shall break,


s: Ev'n as this wine we pour, their hearts' best blood,


s: Theirs and their children's, on the earth be pour'd,


s: And strangers in subjection take their wives!"


s: Thus they; but Jove, unyielding, heard their pray'r.


s: The rites perform'd, then aged Priam spoke:


s: "Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye well-greav'd Greeks!


s: To Ilium's breezy heights I now withdraw,


s: For that mine eyes will not endure the sight


s: Which may be doom'd to death, is only known


s: To Jove, and to th' immortal pow'rs of Heav'n."


s: Thus spoke the godlike King; and on the car


s: He plac'd the consecrated lambs; himself


s: Ascending then, he gather'd up the reins,


s: To Ilium's walls retrac'd their homeward way.


s: Then Hector, son of Priam, measur'd out,


s: With sage Ulysses join'd, th' allotted space;


s: Next, in the brass-bound helmet cast the lots,


s: Which of the two the first should throw the spear.


s: The crowd, with hands uplifted, to the Gods,


s: Trojans and Greeks alike, address'd their pray'r:


s: "O Father Jove! who rul'st from Ida's height,


s: Most great! most glorious! grant that whosoe'er


s: On both our armies hath this turmoil brought


s: The rest, firm peace and lasting friendship swear."


s: Thus they; great Hector of the glancing helm,


s: With eyes averted, shook the casque; and forth


s: Was cast the lot of Paris; on the ground


s: The rest lay down by ranks, where near to each


s: Were rang'd his active steeds, and glitt'ring arms.


s: Then o'er his shoulders fair-hair'd Helen's Lord,


s: The godlike Paris, donn'd his armour bright:


s: First on his legs the well-wrought greaves he fix'd,


s: Fasten'd with silver clasps; his ample chest


s: His brother, but which fitted well his form.


s: Around his shoulders slung, his sword he bore,


s: Brass-bladed, silver-studded; then his shield


s: Weighty and strong; and on his firm-set head


s: A helm he wore, well wrought, with horsehair plume


s: That nodded, fearful, o'er his brow; his hand


s: Grasp'd the firm spear, familiar to his hold.


s: Prepar'd alike the adverse warrior stood.


s: They, from the crowd apart their armour donn'd,


s: Came forth: and each, with eyes of mutual hate,


s: The Trojan warriors and the well-greav'd Greeks,


s: They stood oppos'd, and pois'd their quiv'ring spears.


s: First Paris threw his weighty spear, and struck


s: Fair in the midst Atrides' buckler round,


s: But broke not through; upon the stubborn targe


s: Was bent the lance's point; then thus to Jove,


s: "Great King, on him who wrought me causeless wrong,


s: My arm may bring; that men in days to come


s: May fear their host to injure, and repay


s: With treach'rous wile his hospitable cares."


s: He said, and poising, hurl'd his weighty spear:


s: Full in the midst it struck the buckler round;


s: Right through the buckler pass'd the sturdy spear,


s: And through the gorgeous breastplate, and within


s: Cut through the linen vest; but Paris, back


s: Inclining, stoop'd, and shunn'd the doom of death.


s: On Paris' helm; but shiv'ring in his hand


s: In countless fragments new the faithless blade.


s: Then thus to Jove, with eyes uplift to Heav'n,


s: Of all the Gods, the most unfriendly thou!


s: On Paris' head I hop'd for all his crimes


s: To wreak my vengeance due; but in my grasp


s: My faithless sword is shatter'd, and my spear


s: Hath bootless left my hand, nor reached my foe."


s: Then onward rushing, by the horsehair plume


s: He seiz'd his foeman's helm, and wrenching round


s: Dragg'd by main force amid the well-greav'd Greeks.


s: The broider'd strap, that, pass'd beneath his beard,


s: The helmet held, the warrior's throat compress'd:


s: Then had Atrides dragg'd him from the field,


s: And endless fame acquir'd; but Venus, child


s: Of Jove, her fav'rite's peril quickly saw.


s: And broke the throttling strap of tough bull's hide.


s: In the broad hand the empty helm remained.


s: The trophy, by their champion whirl'd amid


s: The well-greav'd Greeks, his eager comrades seiz'd;


s: While he, infuriate, rush'd with murd'rous aim


s: On Priam's son; but him, the Queen of Love


s: (As Gods can only) from the field convey'd,


s: Sweet perfumes breathing, gently laid him down;


s: Then went in search of Helen; her she found,


s: Circled with Trojan dames, on Ilium's tow'r:


s: Who oft for her, in Sparta when she dwelt,


s: Many a fair fleece had wrought, and lov'd her well,


s: Address'd her thus: "Come, Helen, to thy house;


s: Come, Paris calls thee; in his chamber he


s: Expects thee, resting on luxurious couch,


s: In costly garb, with manly beauty grac'd:


s: Not from the fight of warriors wouldst thou deem


s: He late had come, but for the dance prepar'd,


s: Or resting from the dance's pleasing toil."


s: She said, and Helen's spirit within her mov'd;


s: And when she saw the Goddess' beauteous neck,


s: She gaz'd in wonder, and address'd her thus:


s: "Oh why, great Goddess, make me thus thy sport?


s: Seek'st thou to bear me far away from hence


s: If there some mortal have thy favour gain'd?


s: Hath vanquish'd Paris, and is willing yet


s: That I, his bane, should to his home return;


s: Here art thou found, to weave again thy wiles!


s: Make thee his wife--at least his paramour!


s: But thither go not I! foul shame it were


s: Again to share his bed; the dames of Troy


s: My soul with endless sorrow is possess'd."


s: "Incense me not, poor fool! lest I in wrath


s: Have lov'd, so make thee object of my hate;


s: And kindle, 'twixt the Trojans and the Greeks,


s: Such bitter feuds, as both shall wreak on thee."


s: She said; and trembled Helen, child of Jove;


s: She rose in silence; in a snow-white veil


s: All glitt'ring, shrouded; by the Goddess led


s: She pass'd, unnotic'd by the Trojan dames.


s: But when to Paris' splendid house they came,


s: Thronging around her, her attendants gave


s: Their duteous service; through the lofty hall


s: With queenly grace the godlike woman pass'd.


s: A seat the laughter-loving Goddess plac'd


s: By Paris' side; there Helen sat, the child


s: Of aegis-bearing Jove, with downcast eyes,


s: Yet with sharp words she thus address'd her Lord:


s: "Back from the battle? would thou there hadst died


s: Beneath a warrior's arm, whom once I call'd


s: My husband! vainly didst thou boast erewhile


s: Thine arm, thy dauntless courage, and thy spear


s: Go now again, and challenge to the fight


s: I warn thee, pause, ere madly thou presume


s: Soon shouldst thou fall beneath his conqu'ring spear."


s: To whom thus Paris: "Wring not thus my soul


s: With keen reproaches: now, with Pallas' aid,


s: Will come: I too can boast my guardian Gods.


s: But turn we now to love, and love's delights;


s: My sense; not when from Lacedaemon first


s: And revell'd in thy love on Cranae's isle,


s: As now it fills my soul with fond desire."


s: He said, and led her to the nuptial couch;


s: Her Lord she follow'd; and while there reclin'd


s: The Trojans and their brave allies could aid


s: Not that, for love, would any one that knew


s: Have screen'd him from his anger, for they all


s: Abhorr'd him as the shade of death: then thus


s: With warlike Menelaus rests, 'tis plain,


s: With compensation due to Greece, that so


s: Thus he; the Greeks, assenting, cheer'd his words.


s: On golden pavement, round the board of Jove,


s: The Gods were gather'd; Hebe in the midst


s: Pour'd the sweet nectar; they, in golden cups,


s: Each other pledg'd, as down they look'd on Troy.


s: Then Jove, with cutting words and taunting tone,


s: Thou, Juno, Queen of Argos, and with thee


s: Sitting aloof, well-pleased it seems, look on;


s: While laughter-loving Venus, at the side


s: Of Paris standing, still averts his fate,


s: And rescues, when, as now, expecting death.


s: Of right, the vict'ry; but consult we now


s: What may the issue be; if we shall light


s: Again the name of war and discord fierce,


s: Or the two sides in peace and friendship join.


s: For me, if thus your gen'ral voice incline,


s: So spoke the God; but seated side by side,


s: Sat silent; and, though inly wroth with Jove,


s: Yet answer'd not a word; but Juno's breast


s: Could not contain her rage, and thus she spoke:


s: "What words, dread son of Saturn, dost thou speak?


s: How wouldst thou render vain, and void of fruit,


s: To stir the people, and on Priam's self,


s: And Priam's offspring, bring disastrous fate?


s: Do as thou wilt! yet not with our consent."


s: To whom, in wrath, the Cloud-compeller thus:


s: "Revengeful! how have Priam and his sons


s: So deeply injur'd thee, that thus thou seek'st


s: Till thou o'erthrow, the strong-built walls of Troy?


s: Couldst thou but force the gates, and entering in


s: On Priam's mangled flesh, and Priam's sons,


s: Perchance thy fury might at length be stayed.


s: But have thy will, lest this in future times


s: 'Twixt me and thee be cause of strife renew'd.


s: Yet hear my words, and ponder what I say:


s: If e'er, in times to come, my will should be


s: By men beloved of thee, seek not to turn


s: Consenting, but with heart that ill consents;


s: And starry Heaven, the abode of mortal men,


s: None to my soul was dear as sacred Troy,


s: And Priam's self, and Priam's warrior race.


s: For with drink-off'rings due, and fat of lambs,


s: My altar still hath at their hands been fed;


s: To whom the stag-ey'd Juno thus replied:


s: "Three cities are there, dearest to my heart;


s: Argos, and Sparta, and the ample streets


s: Destroy them, if thine anger they incur;


s: Mourn them I shall; reluctant see their fall,


s: But not resist; for sovereign is thy will.


s: Yet should my labours not be fruitless all;


s: Thine, who o'er all th' Immortals reign'st supreme.


s: That to the battle-field of Greece and Troy


s: She haste, and so contrive that Trojans first


s: May break the treaty, and the Greeks assail."


s: She said: the Sire of Gods and men complied,


s: And thus with winged words to Pallas spoke:


s: "Go to the battle-field of Greece and Troy


s: In haste, and so contrive that Trojans first


s: His words fresh impulse gave to Pallas' zeal,


s: And from Olympus' heights in haste she sped;


s: Like to a meteor, that, of grave portent


s: Bright-flashing, scatt'ring fiery sparks around,


s: The blue-ey'd Goddess darted down to earth,


s: And lighted in the midst; amazement held


s: The Trojan warriors and the well-greav'd Greeks;


s: And one to other look'd and said, "What means


s: This sign? Must fearful battle rage again,


s: Or may we hope for gentle peace from Jove,


s: Who to mankind dispenses peace and war?"


s: Such was the converse Greeks and Trojans held.


s: Search'd here and there, if haply she might find


s: She found, of noble birth and stalwart form,


s: Of bucklered followers from AEsepus' stream,


s: She stood beside him, and address'd him thus:


s: "Wilt thou by me be ruled, Lycaon's son?


s: Thy winged arrow, great would be thy fame,


s: And great thy favour with the men of Troy,


s: Thou shalt receive rich guerdon, when he hears


s: Bend then thy bow at Atreus' glorious son,


s: Vowing to Phoebus, Lycia's guardian God,


s: The Archer-King, to pay of firstling lambs


s: Thus she; and, fool, he listen'd to her words.


s: Straight he uncas'd his polish'd bow, his spoil


s: Won from a mountain ibex, which himself,


s: In ambush lurking, through the breast had shot,


s: He came in sight; prone on the rock he fell;


s: With horns of sixteen palms his head was crown'd;


s: These deftly wrought a skilful workman's hand,


s: And polish'd smooth, and tipp'd the ends with gold.


s: He bent, and resting on the ground his bow,


s: Strung it anew; his faithful comrades held


s: Their shields before him, lest the sons of Greece


s: Should make their onset ere his shaft could reach


s: His quiver then withdrawing from its case,


s: With care a shaft he chose, ne'er shot before,


s: Well-feather'd, messenger of pangs and death;


s: The stinging arrow fitted to the string,


s: And vow'd to Phoebus, Lycia's guardian God,


s: The Archer-King, to pay of firstling lambs


s: At once the sinew and the notch he drew;


s: The iron head; then, when the mighty bow


s: Was to a circle strain'd, sharp rang the horn,


s: And loud the sinew twang'd, as tow'rd the crowd


s: With deadly speed the eager arrow sprang.


s: Uncar'd for of the Gods; Jove's daughter first,


s: Pallas, before thee stood, and turn'd aside


s: As when a mother from her infant's cheek,


s: Wrapt in sweet slumbers, brushes off a fly;


s: Its course she so directed that it struck


s: Just where the golden clasps the belt restrain'd,


s: And where the breastplate, doubled, check'd its force.


s: On the close-fitting belt the arrow struck;


s: Right through the belt of curious workmanship


s: It drove, and through the breastplate richly wrought,


s: And through the coat of mail he wore beneath,


s: His inmost guard and best defence to check


s: The hostile weapons' force; yet onward still


s: The arrow drove, and graz'd the hero's flesh.


s: Forth issued from the wound the crimson blood.


s: With crimson dye the ivory stains, designed


s: To be the cheek-piece of a warrior's steed,


s: As in the house it lies, a monarch's boast,


s: The horse adorning, and the horseman's pride:


s: And knees, and ancles, with thy blood were dy'd.


s: The crimson drops out-welling from the wound;


s: The barb and sinew, back his spirit came.


s: And with him groan'd his comrades: "Brother dear,


s: I wrought thy death when late, on compact sworn,


s: I sent thee forth alone for Greece to fight;


s: Wounded by Trojans, who their plighted faith


s: Have trodden under foot; but not in vain


s: Are solemn cov'nants and the blood of lambs,


s: The treaty wine outpoured, and hand-plight given,


s: Wherein men place their trust; if not at once,


s: Yet soon or late will Jove assert their claim;


s: With their own blood, their children's, and their wives'.


s: The day shall come when this imperial Troy,


s: And Priam's race, and Priam's royal self,


s: And Saturn's son himself, high-throned Jove,


s: Who dwells in Heav'n, shall in their faces flash


s: His aegis dark and dread, this treach'rous deed


s: Avenging; this shall surely come to pass.


s: If thou shouldst perish, meeting thus thy fate.


s: By foul disgrace o'erwhelm'd; for, with thy fall,


s: The Greeks will mind them of their native land;


s: The Argive Helen leave; thy bones meanwhile


s: Shall moulder here beneath a foreign soil.


s: Thy work undone; and with insulting scorn


s: Some vaunting Trojan, leaping on the tomb


s: His wrath accomplish, who hath hither led


s: And bootless home with empty ships hath gone,


s: Thus when men speak, gape, earth, and hide my shame."


s: With, cheering words: "Fear not thyself, nor cause


s: The troops to fear: the arrow hath not touch'd


s: A vital part: the sparkling belt hath first


s: Turn'd it aside, the doublet next beneath,


s: And coat of mail, the work of arm'rer's hands."


s: The leech shall tend thy wound, and spread it o'er


s: With healing ointments to assuage the pain."


s: He said, and to the sacred herald call'd:


s: "Haste thee, Talthybius! summon with all speed


s: Who by an arrow from some practis'd hand,


s: Trojan or Lycian, hath receiv'd a wound;


s: A cause of boast to them, to us of grief."


s: But through the brass-clad ranks of Greece he pass'd,


s: In search of brave Machaon; him he found


s: Standing, by buckler'd warriors bold begirt,


s: Who follow'd him from Trica's grassy plains.


s: He stood beside him, and address'd him thus:


s: They thro' the crowd, and thro' the wide-spread host,


s: Together took their way; but when they came


s: Where fair-hair'd Menelaus, wounded, stood,


s: Around him in a ring the best of Greece,


s: And in the midst the godlike chief himself,


s: From the close-fitting belt the shaft he drew,


s: Breaking the pointed barbs; the sparkling belt


s: He loosen'd, and the doublet underneath,


s: And coat of mail, the work of arm'rer's hand.


s: But when the wound appear'd in sight, where struck


s: The stinging arrow, from the clotted blood


s: He cleans'd it, and applied with skilful hand


s: The herbs of healing power, which Chiron erst


s: In friendly guise upon his sire bestowed.


s: Were thus engag'd, advanc'd the Trojan hosts:


s: They donn'd their arms, and for the fight prepar'd.


s: Of laggard sloth, no shrinking from the fight,


s: But full of ardour to the field he rush'd.


s: He left his horses and brass-mounted car


s: Were held aloof), but with repeated charge


s: Still to be near at hand, when faint with toil


s: His limbs should fail him marshalling his host.


s: Himself on foot the warrior ranks array'd;


s: With cheering words addressing whom he found


s: With zeal preparing for the battle-field:


s: "Relax not, valiant friends, your warlike toil;


s: For Jove to falsehood ne'er will give his aid;


s: And they who first, regardless of their oaths,


s: Have broken truce, shall with their flesh themselves


s: The vultures feed, while we, their city raz'd,


s: Their wives and helpless children bear away."


s: But whom remiss and shrinking from the war


s: He found, with keen rebuke lie thus assail'd;


s: "Ye wretched Greeks, your country's foul reproach,


s: Have ye no sense of shame? Why stand ye thus


s: Like timid fawns, that in the chase run down,


s: Stand all bewildered, spiritless and tame?


s: So stand ye now, nor dare to face the fight.


s: What! will ye wait the Trojans' near approach,


s: Where on the beach, beside the hoary deep,


s: Our goodly ships are drawn, and see if Jove


s: Will o'er you his protecting hand extend?"


s: As thus the King the serried ranks review'd,


s: He came where thronging round their skilful chief


s: The rearmost squadrons had in charge; with joy


s: And in the banquet, where the noblest mix


s: The ruddy wine for chiefs alone reserved,


s: Though others drink their share, yet by thy side


s: Thy cup, like mine, still new replenished stands


s: To drink at pleasure. Up then to the fight,


s: And show thyself the warrior that thou art."


s: As at the first I promis'd, comrade true;


s: But go, and stir the other long-haired Greeks


s: The truce have broken; and defeat and death


s: Must wait on those who have their oaths forsworn."


s: Rejoicing; through the crowd he pass'd, and came


s: Where stood th' Ajaces; them, in act to arm,


s: And as a goat-herd from his watch-tow'r crag


s: By Zephyr's breath impell'd; as from afar


s: He gazes, black as pitch, it sweeps along


s: O'er the dark ocean's face, and with it brings


s: A hurricane of rain; he, shudd'ring, sees,


s: And drives his flock beneath the shelt'ring cave:


s: So thick and dark, about th' Ajaces stirr'd,


s: Impatient for the war, the stalwart youths,


s: Black masses, bristling close with spear and shield.


s: Well pleas'd, the monarch Agamemnon saw,


s: And thus address'd them: "Valiant chiefs, to you,


s: The leaders of the brass-clad Greeks, I give


s: ('Twere needless and unseemly) no commands;


s: For well ye understand your troops to rouse


s: To deeds of dauntless courage; would to Jove,


s: As is in you, in all the camp were found;


s: Then soon should Priam's lofty city fall,


s: Tak'n and destroy'd by our victorious hands."


s: Thus saying, them he left, and onward mov'd.


s: Nestor, the smooth-tongu'd Pylian chief, he found


s: The troops arraying, and to valiant deeds


s: Alastor, Chromius, Haemon, warlike Prince,


s: And Bias bold, his people's sure defence.


s: In the front rank, with chariot and with horse,


s: He plac'd the car-borne warriors; in the rear,


s: Num'rous and brave, a cloud of infantry,


s: Compactly mass'd, to stem the tide of war,


s: Between the two he plac'd th' inferior troops,


s: That e'en against their will they needs must fight.


s: The horsemen first he charg'd, and bade them keep


s: Their horses well in hand, nor wildly rush


s: Amid the tumult: "See," he said, "that none,


s: Retire; for so your lines were easier forc'd;


s: Thrust with your spears; for such the better way;


s: Were lofty walls and fenced towns destroy'd."


s: Thus he, experienc'd in the wars of old;


s: Well pleas'd, the monarch Agamemnon saw,


s: And thus address'd him; "Would to Heav'n, old man,


s: That, as thy spirit, such too were thy strength


s: And vigour of thy limbs; but now old age,


s: The common lot of mortals, weighs thee down;


s: Would I could see some others in thy place,


s: And thou couldst still be numbered with the young!"


s: The strength I once possess'd, what time I slew


s: On man bestow not all their gifts at once;


s: I then was young, and now am bow'd with age,


s: Yet with the chariots can I still go forth,


s: And aid with sage advice: for such the right


s: Were born, who boast their vigour unimpair'd."


s: Him found he, circled by th' Athenian bands,


s: The raisers of the war-cry; close beside


s: The sage Ulysses stood, around him rang'd,


s: The sound of battle had not reach'd their ears;


s: For but of late the Greek and Trojan hosts


s: Were set in motion; they expecting stood,


s: Till other Grecian columns should advance,


s: Atrides saw, and thus, reproachful, spoke:


s: "O son of Peteus, Heav'n-descended King!


s: And thou too, master of all tricky arts,


s: Why, ling'ring, stand ye thus aloof, and wait


s: For others coming? ye should be the first


s: Whene'er the honour'd banquet we prepare:


s: And well ye like to eat the sav'ry meat,


s: And, at your will, the luscious wine-cups drain:


s: Now stand ye here, and unconcern'd would see


s: Ten columns pass before you to the fight."


s: To whom, with stern regard, Ulysses thus:


s: "What words have pass'd the barrier of thy lips,


s: Canst thou reproach us? when the Greeks again


s: The furious war shall waken, thou shalt see


s: (If that thou care to see) amid the ranks


s: In the fore-front: thy words are empty wind."


s: Atrides saw him chafed, and smiling, thus


s: Recalled his former words: "Ulysses sage,


s: I give thee blame, or orders; for I know


s: Thy mind to gentle counsels is inclin'd;


s: Thy thoughts are one with mine; then come, henceforth


s: Have pass'd, may Heaven regard it as unsaid."


s: Thus saying, them he left, and onward mov'd.


s: Standing he found amid his warlike steeds


s: And well-built cars; beside him, Sthenelus,


s: And thus address'd him with reproachful words:


s: "Alas! thou son of Tydeus, wise and bold,


s: Why crouch with fear? why thus appall'd survey


s: The pass of war? not so had Tydeus crouch'd;


s: To guard his comrades; so, at least, they say


s: Nor met him e'er, nor saw; but, by report,


s: But seeking succour for the troops that lay


s: Encamp'd before the sacred walls of Thebes;


s: The boon they ask'd was granted them, but Jove


s: With unpropitious omens turn'd them back.


s: Advancing on their journey, when they reach'd


s: He went; and many Thebans there he found


s: He stood unterrified, and challeng'd all


s: To wrestle with him, and with ease o'erthrew:


s: Two were their leaders; Haemon's godlike son,


s: But ill at Tydeus' hand; he slew them all:


s: He spar'd, and bade him bear the tidings home.


s: Such Tydeus was: though greater in debate,


s: Submissive to the monarch's stern rebuke;


s: "Atrides, speak not falsely: well thou know'st


s: The truth, that we our fathers far surpass.


s: With smaller force beneath the wall of Mars,


s: Trusting to heav'nly signs, and fav'ring Jove,


s: Where they by blind, presumptuous folly fail'd;


s: Then equal not our fathers' deeds with ours."


s: "Father, be silent; hearken to my words:


s: Who thus to battle stirs the well-greav'd Greeks:


s: The valiant Trojans, and their city take;


s: Great too his loss if they o'er us prevail:


s: Then come, let us too for the fight prepare."


s: He said; and from the car leap'd down in arms:


s: Fierce rang the armour on the warrior's breast,


s: That ev'n the stoutest heart might quail with fear.


s: As by the west wind driv'n, the ocean waves


s: Dash forward on the far-resounding shore,


s: Wave upon wave; first curls the ruffled sea


s: With whit'ning crests; anon with thund'ring roar


s: It breaks upon the beach, and from the crags


s: Recoiling flings in giant curves its head


s: Aloft, and tosses high the wild sea-spray:


s: Column on column, so the hosts of Greece


s: Pour'd, ceaseless, to the war; to each the chiefs


s: Their orders gave; the rest in silence mov'd:


s: Nor would ye deem that mighty mass endued


s: With power of speech, so silently they moved


s: In awe of their great captains: far around


s: Flashed the bright armour they were girt withal.


s: On th' other hand, the Trojans, as the flocks


s: That in the court-yard of some wealthy Lord


s: In countless numbers stand, at milking-time,


s: Incessant bleating, as their lambs they hear;


s: So rose their mingled clamours through the camp;


s: For not one language nor one speech was there,


s: But many nations call'd from distant lands:


s: These Mars inspir'd, and those the blue-ey'd Maid;


s: And Fear, and Flight, and Discord unappeas'd,


s: Of blood-stain'd Mars the sister and the friend:


s: "With humble crest at first, anon her head,


s: "While yet she treads the earth, affronts the skies.


s: The gage of battle in the midst she threw,


s: Strode through the crowd, and woe to mortals wrought.


s: When to the midst they came, together rush'd


s: Bucklers and lances, and the furious might


s: Of mail-clad warriors; bossy shield on shield


s: Clatter'd in conflict; loud the clamour rose.


s: Then rose too mingled shouts and groans of men


s: Slaying and slain; the earth ran red with blood.


s: As when, descending from the mountain's brow,


s: Two wintry torrents, from their copious source


s: Pour downward to the narrow pass, where meet


s: Their mingled waters in some deep ravine,


s: Their weight of flood; on the far mountain's side


s: The shepherd hears the roar; so loud arose


s: The shouts and yells of those commingling hosts.


s: First 'mid the foremost ranks Antilochus


s: Beneath his horsehair-plumed helmet's peak


s: The sharp spear struck; deep in his forehead fix'd


s: It pierc'd the bone; then darkness veil'd his eyes,


s: And, like a tow'r, amid the press he fell.


s: Dragg'd from beneath the darts, in haste to strip


s: His armour off; but short-liv'd was th' attempt;


s: The corpse aside, and with his brass-tipp'd spear


s: Thrust through his flank, unguarded, as he stoop'd,


s: Beside his shield; and slack'd his limbs in death.


s: The spirit was fled; but hotly o'er him rag'd


s: The war of Greeks and Trojans; fierce as wolves


s: They fought, man struggling hand to hand with man.


s: Whose mother gave him birth on Simois' banks,


s: When with her parents down from Ida's heights


s: She drove her flock; thence Simoisius nam'd:


s: Their early care; for short his term of life,


s: Him, to the front advancing, in the breast,


s: By the right nipple, Ajax struck; right through,


s: From front to back, the brass-tipp'd spear was driv'n,


s: Out through the shoulder; prone in dust he fell;


s: As some tall poplar, grown in marshy mead,


s: Smooth-stemm'd, with branches tapering tow'rd the head;


s: Which with the biting axe the wheelwright fells,


s: To bend the felloes of his well-built car;


s: Sapless, beside the river, lies the tree;


s: His jav'lin threw; his mark, indeed, he miss'd;


s: But through the groin Ulysses' faithful friend,


s: The youthful dead; down on the corpse he fell,


s: And, dying, of the dead relax'd his grasp.


s: Fierce anger, at his comrade's slaughter, filled


s: Ulysses' breast; in burnished armour clad


s: Forward he rush'd; and standing near, around


s: He look'd, and pois'd on high his glitt'ring lance:


s: Beneath his aim the Trojans back recoil'd;


s: He from Abydos came, his high-bred mares


s: There left to pasture; him Ulysses, fill'd


s: With fury at his lov'd companion's death,


s: Smote on the head; through either temple pass'd


s: The pointed spear, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: Thund'ring he fell, and loud his armour rang.


s: At this the Trojan chiefs, and Hector's self,


s: 'Gan to give ground: the Greeks with joyful shouts


s: Seiz'd on the dead, and forward urg'd their course.


s: From Ilium's heights Apollo, filled with wrath,


s: Look'd down, and to the Trojans shouted loud:


s: "Uprouse ye, valiant Trojans! give not way


s: Before the Greeks; their bodies are not stone,


s: Nor iron, to defy your trenchant swords;


s: And great Achilles, fair-hair'd Thetis' son,


s: Fights not, but o'er his anger broods apart."


s: So from the city call'd the heav'nly voice;


s: The Greeks, meanwhile, all-glorious Pallas fir'd,


s: Mov'd 'mid the tumult, and the laggards rous'd.


s: His ancle and right leg; from AEnon came


s: The Thracian chief who hurl'd it, Peirous, son


s: Of Imbrasus; the tendons both, and bones,


s: The huge mass shatter'd; backward in the dust


s: He fell, both hands extending to his friends,


s: Gasping his life away; then quick up-ran


s: He who the blow had dealt, and with his spear


s: Thrust through him, by the navel; from the wound


s: His bowels gush'd, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: But he, advancing, through the breast was struck


s: Above the nipple, by th' AEtolian chief.


s: Thoas; and through his lungs the spear was driv'n.


s: Thoas approach'd, and from his breast withdrew


s: The sturdy spear, and with his sharp-edg'd sword


s: Across his waistband gave the mortal stroke:


s: Yet could not touch his arms; for all around