s: From Jove I come, and his high mandate bear.


s: While Agamemnon wastes the ranks around,


s: Fights in the front, and bathes with blood the ground,


s: Abstain from fight; yet issue forth commands,


s: And trust the war to less important hands:


s: But when, or wounded by the spear or dart,


s: The chief shall mount his chariot, and depart,


s: Then Jove shall string thy arm, and fire thy breast,


s: Then to her ships shall flying Greece be press’d,


s: Till to the main the burning sun descend,


s: And sacred night her awful shade extend."


s: She said, and vanish’d. Hector, with a bound,


s: Springs from his chariot on the trembling ground,


s: In clanging arms: he grasps in either hand


s: A pointed lance, and speeds from band to band;


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


s: And wakes anew the dying flames of fight.


s: They stand to arms: the Greeks their onset dare,


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


s: New force, new spirit, to each breast returns;


s: The fight renew’d with fiercer fury burns:


s: The king leads on: all fix on him their eye,


s: And learn from him to conquer, or to die.


s: Who faced him first, and by his prowess fell?


s: The great Iphidamas, the bold and young,


s: Whom from his youth his grandsire Cisseus bred,


s: And nursed in Thrace where snowy flocks are fed.


s: Scarce did the down his rosy cheeks invest,


s: And early honour warm his generous breast,


s: When the kind sire consign’d his daughter’s charms


s: But call’d by glory to the wars of Troy,


s: He leaves untasted the first fruits of joy;


s: From his loved bride departs with melting eyes,


s: And swift to aid his dearer country flies.


s: With twelve black ships he reach’d Percope’s strand,


s: Thence took the long laborious march by land.


s: Now fierce for fame, before the ranks he springs,


s: Towering in arms, and braves the king of kings.


s: Atrides first discharged the missive spear;


s: The Trojan stoop’d, the javelin pass’d in air.


s: Then near the corslet, at the monarch’s heart,


s: With all his strength, the youth directs his dart:


s: But the broad belt, with plates of silver bound,


s: The point rebated, and repell’d the wound.


s: Encumber’d with the dart, Atrides stands,


s: Till, grasp’d with force, he wrench’d it from his hands;


s: At once his weighty sword discharged a wound


s: Full on his neck, that fell’d him to the ground.


s: Stretch’d in the dust the unhappy warrior lies,


s: And sleep eternal seals his swimming eyes.


s: Thy country’s friend; and virtuous, though in vain!


s: No more the youth shall join his consort’s side,


s: No more with presents her embraces meet,


s: Or lay the spoils of conquest at her feet,


s: On whom his passion, lavish of his store,


s: Bestow’d so much, and vainly promised more!


s: While the proud victor bore his arms away.


s: Tears, at the sight, came starting from his eye,


s: While pierced with grief the much-loved youth he view’d,


s: And the pale features now deform’d with blood.


s: Then, with his spear, unseen, his time he took,


s: Aim’d at the king, and near his elbow strook.


s: The thrilling steel transpierced the brawny part,


s: And through his arm stood forth the barbed dart.


s: Surprised the monarch feels, yet void of fear


s: His brother’s corpse the pious Trojan draws,


s: And calls his country to assert his cause;


s: Defends him breathless on the sanguine field,


s: And o’er the body spreads his ample shield.


s: Transfix’d the warrior with his brazen dart;


s: Prone on his brother’s bleeding breast he lay,


s: The monarch’s falchion lopp’d his head away:


s: The social shades the same dark journey go,


s: And join each other in the realms below.


s: The vengeful victor rages round the fields,


s: By the long lance, the sword, or ponderous stone,


s: Whole ranks are broken, and whole troops o’erthrown.


s: This, while yet warm distill’d the purple flood;


s: But when the wound grew stiff with clotted blood,


s: Then grinding tortures his strong bosom rend,


s: Less keen those darts the fierce Ilythiae send:


s: (The powers that cause the teeming matron’s throes,


s: Stung with the smart, all-panting with the pain,


s: He mounts the car, and gives his squire the rein;


s: Then with a voice which fury made more strong,


s: And pain augmented, thus exhorts the throng:


s: "O friends! O Greeks! assert your honours won;


s: Proceed, and finish what this arm begun:


s: Lo! angry Jove forbids your chief to stay,


s: And envies half the glories of the day."


s: He said: the driver whirls his lengthful thong;


s: The horses fly; the chariot smokes along.


s: Clouds from their nostrils the fierce coursers blow,


s: And from their sides the foam descends in snow;


s: Shot through the battle in a moment’s space,


s: The wounded monarch at his tent they place.


s: But thus his Trojans and his aids he fired:


s: "Hear, all ye Dardan, all ye Lycian race!


s: Famed in close fight, and dreadful face to face:


s: Now call to mind your ancient trophies won,


s: Your great forefathers’ virtues, and your own.


s: Behold, the general flies! deserts his powers!


s: Lo, Jove himself declares the conquest ours!


s: Now on yon ranks impel your foaming steeds;


s: And, sure of glory, dare immortal deeds."


s: Writh words like these the fiery chief alarms


s: His fainting host, and every bosom warms.


s: As the bold hunter cheers his hounds to tear


s: With voice and hand provokes their doubting heart,


s: And springs the foremost with his lifted dart:


s: So godlike Hector prompts his troops to dare;


s: Nor prompts alone, but leads himself the war.


s: As from the cloud’s deep bosom, swell’d with showers,


s: Drives the wild waves, and tosses all the deeps.


s: Say, Muse! when Jove the Trojan’s glory crown’d,


s: Beneath his arm what heroes bit the ground?


s: Then brave Hipponous, famed in many a fight,


s: The rest were vulgar deaths unknown to fame.


s: As when a western whirlwind, charged with storms,


s: Dispels the gather’d clouds that Notus forms:


s: Rolls sable clouds in heaps on heaps along;


s: Now to the skies the foaming billows rears,


s: Now breaks the surge, and wide the bottom bares:


s: Thus, raging Hector, with resistless hands,


s: O’erturns, confounds, and scatters all their bands.


s: Now the last ruin the whole host appals;


s: Now Greece had trembled in her wooden walls;


s: His soul rekindled, and awaked his worth.


s: "And stand we deedless, O eternal shame!


s: Till Hector’s arm involve the ships in flame?


s: Haste, let us join, and combat side by side."


s: The warrior thus, and thus the friend replied:


s: "No martial toil I shun, no danger fear;


s: But Jove with conquest crowns the Trojan train:


s: And, Jove our foe, all human force is vain."


s: He sigh’d; but, sighing, raised his vengeful steel,


s: And from his car the proud Thymbraeus fell:


s: Molion, the charioteer, pursued his lord,


s: There slain, they left them in eternal night,


s: Then plunged amidst the thickest ranks of fight.


s: So two wild boars outstrip the following hounds,


s: Then swift revert, and wounds return for wounds.


s: Stern Hector’s conquests in the middle plain


s: Stood check’d awhile, and Greece respired again.


s: The sons of Merops shone amidst the war;


s: Towering they rode in one refulgent car:


s: In deep prophetic arts their father skill’d,


s: Had warn’d his children from the Trojan field.


s: Fate urged them on: the father warn’d in vain;


s: They rush’d to fight, and perish’d on the plain;


s: Their breasts no more the vital spirit warms;


s: The stern Tydides strips their shining arms.


s: Great Jove from Ide with slaughter fills his sight,


s: And level hangs the doubtful scale of fight.


s: Wing’d with his fears, on foot he strove to fly,


s: His steeds too distant, and the foe too nigh:


s: Through broken orders, swifter than the wind,


s: He fled, but flying left his life behind.


s: This Hector sees, as his experienced eyes


s: Traverse the files, and to the rescue flies;


s: Shouts, as he pass’d, the crystal regions rend,


s: Great Diomed himself was seized with fear,


s: And thus bespoke his brother of the war:


s: "Mark how this way yon bending squadrons yield!


s: The storm rolls on, and Hector rules the field:


s: Here stand his utmost force."—The warrior said;


s: Swift at the word his ponderous javelin fled;


s: Nor miss’d its aim, but where the plumage danced


s: Razed the smooth cone, and thence obliquely glanced.


s: Safe in his helm (the gift of Phoebus’ hands)


s: But yet so stunn’d, that, staggering on the plain.


s: His arm and knee his sinking bulk sustain;


s: O’er his dim sight the misty vapours rise,


s: And a short darkness shades his swimming eyes.


s: While Hector rose, recover’d from the trance,


s: Remounts his car, and herds amidst the crowd:


s: The Greek pursues him, and exults aloud:


s: "Once more thank Phoebus for thy forfeit breath,


s: Or thank that swiftness which outstrips the death.


s: And oft that partial power has lent his aid.


s: Thou shall not long the death deserved withstand,


s: Fly then, inglorious! but thy flight, this day,


s: Whole hecatombs of Trojan ghosts shall pay,"


s: Him, while he triumph’d, Paris eyed from far,


s: (The spouse of Helen, the fair cause of war;)


s: Around the fields his feather’d shafts he sent,


s: Behind the column placed, he bent his bow,


s: To seize, and drew the corslet from his breast,


s: The bowstring twang’d; nor flew the shaft in vain,


s: But pierced his foot, and nail’d it to the plain.


s: The laughing Trojan, with a joyful spring.


s: Leaps from his ambush, and insults the king.


s: "He bleeds! (he cries) some god has sped my dart!


s: Would the same god had fix’d it in his heart!


s: So Troy, relieved from that wide-wasting hand,


s: Should breathe from slaughter and in combat stand:


s: Whose sons now tremble at his darted spear,


s: As scatter’d lambs the rushing lion fear."


s: He dauntless thus: "Thou conqueror of the fair,


s: Thou woman-warrior with the curling hair;


s: Vain archer! trusting to the distant dart,


s: Thou hast but done what boys or women can;


s: Such hands may wound, but not incense a man.


s: Nor boast the scratch thy feeble arrow gave,


s: A coward’s weapon never hurts the brave.


s: Not so this dart, which thou may’st one day feel;


s: Fate wings its flight, and death is on the steel:


s: Where this but lights, some noble life expires;


s: Its touch makes orphans, bathes the cheeks of sires,


s: Steeps earth in purple, gluts the birds of air,


s: And leaves such objects as distract the fair."


s: Before him steps, and bending draws the dart:


s: Forth flows the blood; an eager pang succeeds;


s: The Greeks all fled, the Trojans pouring on;


s: But stands collected in himself, and whole,


s: And questions thus his own unconquer’d soul:


s: "What further subterfuge, what hopes remain?


s: What shame, inglorious if I quit the plain?


s: What danger, singly if I stand the ground,


s: My friends all scatter’d, all the foes around?


s: Yet wherefore doubtful? let this truth suffice,


s: The brave meets danger, and the coward flies.


s: To die or conquer, proves a hero’s heart;


s: And, knowing this, I know a soldier’s part."


s: Such thoughts revolving in his careful breast,


s: Near, and more near, the shady cohorts press’d;


s: These, in the warrior, their own fate enclose;


s: And round him deep the steely circle grows.


s: So fares a boar whom all the troop surrounds


s: Of shouting huntsmen and of clamorous hounds;


s: He grinds his ivory tusks; he foams with ire;


s: His sanguine eye-balls glare with living fire;


s: By these, by those, on every part is plied;


s: And the red slaughter spreads on every side.


s: Pierced through the shoulder, first Deiopis fell;


s: Falls prone to earth, and grasps the bloody dust.


s: Ulysses reach’d him with the fatal spear;


s: Socus the brave, the generous, and the wise.


s: Near as he drew, the warrior thus began:


s: Not deeper skill’d in every martial sleight,


s: Than worn to toils, and active in the fight!


s: This day two brothers shall thy conquest grace,


s: And end at once the great Hippasian race,


s: Or thou beneath this lance must press the field."


s: He said, and forceful pierced his spacious shield:


s: Through the strong brass the ringing javelin thrown,


s: Plough’d half his side, and bared it to the bone.


s: By Pallas’ care, the spear, though deep infix’d,


s: Stopp’d short of life, nor with his entrails mix’d.


s: Then furious thus (but first some steps withdrew):


s: "Unhappy man! whose death our hands shall grace,


s: Fate calls thee hence and finish’d is thy race.


s: Nor longer check my conquests on the foe;


s: But, pierced by this, to endless darkness go,


s: And add one spectre to the realms below!"


s: He spoke, while Socus, seized with sudden fright,


s: Trembling gave way, and turn’d his back to flight;


s: Between his shoulders pierced the following dart,


s: And held its passage through the panting heart:


s: Wide in his breast appear’d the grisly wound;


s: He falls; his armour rings against the ground.


s: "Famed son of Hippasus! there press the plain;


s: There ends thy narrow span assign’d by fate,


s: Ah, wretch! no father shall thy corpse compose;


s: But hungry birds shall tear those balls away,


s: And hovering vultures scream around their prey.


s: Me Greece shall honour, when I meet my doom,


s: With solemn funerals and a lasting tomb."


s: He writhes his body, and extracts the dart.


s: The dart a tide of spouting gore pursued,


s: And gladden’d Troy with sight of hostile blood.


s: Now troops on troops the fainting chief invade,


s: Forced he recedes, and loudly calls for aid.


s: Thrice to its pitch his lofty voice he rears;


s: The well-known voice thrice Menelaus hears:


s: Who shares his labours, and defends his side:


s: "O friend! Ulysses’ shouts invade my ear;


s: Distressed he seems, and no assistance near;


s: Strong as he is, yet one opposed to all,


s: Oppress’d by multitudes, the best may fall.


s: Greece robb’d of him must bid her host despair,


s: Then, where the cry directs, his course he bends;


s: Great Ajax, like the god of war, attends,


s: The prudent chief in sore distress they found,


s: With bands of furious Trojans compass’d round.(223)


s: As when some huntsman, with a flying spear,


s: From the blind thicket wounds a stately deer;


s: Down his cleft side, while fresh the blood distils,


s: He bounds aloft, and scuds from hills to hills,


s: Till life’s warm vapour issuing through the wound,


s: Wild mountain-wolves the fainting beast surround:


s: Just as their jaws his prostrate limbs invade,


s: The lion rushes through the woodland shade,


s: The wolves, though hungry, scour dispersed away;


s: But soon as Ajax leaves his tower-like shield,


s: The scattered crowds fly frighted o’er the field;


s: And, saved from numbers, to his car conveys.


s: And first Doryclus, Priam’s son, he slew,


s: On strong Pandocus next inflicts a wound,


s: And lays Lysander bleeding on the ground.


s: As when a torrent, swell’d with wintry rains,


s: Pours from the mountains o’er the deluged plains,


s: And pines and oaks, from their foundations torn,


s: A country’s ruins! to the seas are borne:


s: Fierce Ajax thus o’erwhelms the yielding throng;


s: Men, steeds, and chariots, roll in heaps along.


s: But Hector, from this scene of slaughter far,


s: Raged on the left, and ruled the tide of war:


s: Loud groans proclaim his progress through the plain,


s: And deep Scamander swells with heaps of slain.


s: The warrior’s fury; there the battle glows;


s: There fierce on foot, or from the chariot’s height,


s: His sword deforms the beauteous ranks of fight.


s: The spouse of Helen, dealing darts around,


s: Had pierced Machaon with a distant wound:


s: In his right shoulder the broad shaft appear’d,


s: And trembling Greece for her physician fear’d.


s: "Glory of Greece, old Neleus’ valiant son!


s: Ascend thy chariot, haste with speed away,


s: A wise physician skill’d our wounds to heal,


s: Is more than armies to the public weal."


s: Old Nestor mounts the seat; beside him rode


s: The wounded offspring of the healing god.


s: He lends the lash; the steeds with sounding feet


s: Shake the dry field, and thunder toward the fleet.


s: Survey’d the various fortune of the war:


s: "While here (he cried) the flying Greeks are slain,


s: Trojans on Trojans yonder load the plain.


s: Before great Ajax see the mingled throng


s: Of men and chariots driven in heaps along!


s: I know him well, distinguish’d o’er the field


s: By the broad glittering of the sevenfold shield.


s: Thither, O Hector, thither urge thy steeds,


s: There danger calls, and there the combat bleeds;


s: There horse and foot in mingled deaths unite,


s: And groans of slaughter mix with shouts of fight."


s: Thus having spoke, the driver’s lash resounds;


s: Swift through the ranks the rapid chariot bounds;


s: Stung by the stroke, the coursers scour the fields,


s: O’er heaps of carcases, and hills of shields.


s: The horses’ hoofs are bathed in heroes’ gore,


s: And, dashing, purple all the car before;


s: And mangled carnage clogs the rapid wheels.


s: Here Hector, plunging through the thickest fight,


s: Broke the dark phalanx, and let in the light:


s: (By the long lance, the sword, or ponderous stone.


s: The ranks he scatter’d and the troops o’erthrown:)


s: Ajax he shuns, through all the dire debate,


s: And fears that arm whose force he felt so late.


s: But partial Jove, espousing Hector’s part,


s: Shot heaven-bred horror through the Grecian’s heart;


s: Confused, unnerved in Hector’s presence grown,


s: Amazed he stood, with terrors not his own.


s: O’er his broad back his moony shield he threw,


s: Thus the grim lion his retreat maintains,


s: Beset with watchful dogs, and shouting swains;


s: Repulsed by numbers from the nightly stalls,


s: Though rage impels him, and though hunger calls,


s: Long stands the showering darts, and missile fires;


s: Then sourly slow the indignant beast retires:


s: So turn’d stern Ajax, by whole hosts repell’d,


s: While his swoln heart at every step rebell’d.


s: As the slow beast, with heavy strength endued,


s: In some wide field by troops of boys pursued,


s: Though round his sides a wooden tempest rain,


s: Crops the tall harvest, and lays waste the plain;


s: Thick on his hide the hollow blows resound,


s: The patient animal maintains his ground,


s: Scarce from the field with all their efforts chased,


s: And stirs but slowly when he stirs at last:


s: The strokes redoubled on his buckler rung;


s: Confiding now in bulky strength he stands,


s: Now turns, and backward bears the yielding bands;


s: Now stiff recedes, yet hardly seems to fly,


s: And threats his followers with retorted eye.


s: Fix’d as the bar between two warring powers,


s: While hissing darts descend in iron showers:


s: In his broad buckler many a weapon stood,


s: Its surface bristled with a quivering wood;


s: And many a javelin, guiltless on the plain,


s: Marks the dry dust, and thirsts for blood in vain.


s: And dauntless springs beneath a cloud of darts;


s: Whose eager javelin launch’d against the foe,


s: From his torn liver the red current flow’d,


s: And his slack knees desert their dying load.


s: Fix’d in his nervous thigh the weapon stood,


s: Fix’d was the point, but broken was the wood.


s: Back to the lines the wounded Greek retired,


s: Yet thus retreating, his associates fired:


s: "What god, O Grecians! has your hearts dismay’d?


s: Oh, turn to arms; ’tis Ajax claims your aid.


s: This hour he stands the mark of hostile rage,


s: And this the last brave battle he shall wage:


s: Haste, join your forces; from the gloomy grave


s: The warrior rescue, and your country save."


s: Thus urged the chief: a generous troop appears,


s: Who spread their bucklers, and advance their spears,


s: To guard their wounded friend: while thus they stand


s: With pious care, great Ajax joins the band:


s: Each takes new courage at the hero’s sight;


s: Thus raged both armies like conflicting fires,


s: While Nestor’s chariot far from fight retires:


s: His coursers steep’d in sweat, and stain’d with gore,


s: The Greeks’ preserver, great Machaon, bore.


s: That hour Achilles, from the topmost height


s: Of his proud fleet, o’erlook’d the fields of fight;


s: His feasted eyes beheld around the plain


s: The Grecian rout, the slaying, and the slain.


s: His friend Machaon singled from the rest,


s: A transient pity touch’d his vengeful breast.


s: Straight to Menoetius’ much-loved son he sent:


s: Graceful as Mars, Patroclus quits his tent;


s: In evil hour! Then fate decreed his doom,


s: And fix’d the date of all his woes to come.


s: "Why calls my friend? thy loved injunctions lay;


s: Whate’er thy will, Patroclus shall obey."


s: "O first of friends! (Pelides thus replied)


s: The time is come, when yon despairing host


s: Shall learn the value of the man they lost:


s: Now at my knees the Greeks shall pour their moan,


s: And proud Atrides tremble on his throne.


s: Go now to Nestor, and from him be taught


s: What wounded warrior late his chariot brought:


s: For, seen at distance, and but seen behind,


s: Nor could I, through yon cloud, discern his face,


s: The coursers pass’d me with so swift a pace."


s: The hero said. His friend obey’d with haste,


s: Through intermingled ships and tents he pass’d;


s: The chiefs descending from their car he found:


s: The warriors standing on the breezy shore,


s: To dry their sweat, and wash away the gore,


s: Here paused a moment, while the gentle gale


s: Convey’d that freshness the cool seas exhale;


s: Then to consult on farther methods went,


s: And took their seats beneath the shady tent.


s: The draught prescribed, fair Hecamede prepares,


s: Arsinous’ daughter, graced with golden hairs:


s: Greece, as the prize of Nestor’s wisdom gave:)


s: A table first with azure feet she placed;


s: Whose ample orb a brazen charger graced;


s: Honey new-press’d, the sacred flour of wheat,


s: And wholesome garlic, crown’d the savoury treat,


s: Next her white hand an antique goblet brings,


s: From eldest times: emboss’d with studs of gold,


s: Two feet support it, and four handles hold;


s: On each bright handle, bending o’er the brink,


s: In sculptured gold, two turtles seem to drink:


s: A massy weight, yet heaved with ease by him,


s: When the brisk nectar overlook’d the brim.


s: Temper’d in this, the nymph of form divine


s: Pours a large portion of the Pramnian wine;


s: With goat’s-milk cheese a flavourous taste bestows,


s: And last with flour the smiling surface strows:


s: This for the wounded prince the dame prepares:


s: The cordial beverage reverend Nestor shares:


s: Salubrious draughts the warriors’ thirst allay,


s: And pleasing conference beguiles the day.


s: Unheard approached, and stood before the tent.


s: To his high seat: the chief refused and said:


s: "’Tis now no season for these kind delays;


s: The great Achilles with impatience stays.


s: Who asks, what hero, wounded by the foe,


s: Was borne from combat by thy foaming steeds?


s: With grief I see the great Machaon bleeds.


s: Thou know’st the fiery temper of my friend."


s: "Can then the sons of Greece (the sage rejoin’d)


s: Seeks he the sorrows of our host to know?


s: Tell him, not great Machaon bleeds alone,


s: But, ah! what flattering hopes I entertain!


s: Achilles heeds not, but derides our pain:


s: Even till the flames consume our fleet he stays,


s: And waits the rising of the fatal blaze.


s: Chief after chief the raging foe destroys;


s: Calm he looks on, and every death enjoys.


s: Now the slow course of all-impairing time


s: Unstrings my nerves, and ends my manly prime;


s: Oh! had I still that strength my youth possess’d,


s: When this bold arm the Epeian powers oppress’d,


s: And stretch’d the great Itymonaeus dead!


s: Then from my fury fled the trembling swains,


s: And ours was all the plunder of the plains:


s: Fifty white flocks, full fifty herds of swine,


s: And thrice the number of unrivall’d steeds,


s: All teeming females, and of generous breeds.


s: These, as my first essay of arms, I won;


s: Old Neleus gloried in his conquering son.


s: Thus Elis forced, her long arrears restored,


s: And shares were parted to each Pylian lord.


s: The state of Pyle was sunk to last despair,


s: When the proud Elians first commenced the war:


s: For Neleus’ sons Alcides’ rage had slain;


s: Of twelve bold brothers, I alone remain!


s: Oppress’d, we arm’d; and now this conquest gain’d,


s: My sire three hundred chosen sheep obtain’d.


s: (That large reprisal he might justly claim,


s: When Elis’ monarch, at the public course,


s: Detain’d his chariot, and victorious horse.)


s: The rest the people shared; myself survey’d


s: The just partition, and due victims paid.


s: Three days were past, when Elis rose to war,


s: With many a courser, and with many a car;


s: (Young as they were) the vengeful squadrons led.


s: Our utmost frontier on the Pylian lands:


s: Not far the streams of famed Alphaeus flow:


s: The stream they pass’d, and pitch’d their tents below.


s: Pallas, descending in the shades of night,


s: Alarms the Pylians and commands the fight.


s: Each burns for fame, and swells with martial pride,


s: Myself the foremost; but my sire denied;


s: Fear’d for my youth, exposed to stern alarms;


s: And stopp’d my chariot, and detain’d my arms.


s: Amidst our chariots; for the goddess led.


s: Soft Minyas rolls his waters to the main:


s: There, horse and foot, the Pylian troops unite,


s: And sheathed in arms, expect the dawning light.


s: Thence, ere the sun advanced his noon-day flame,


s: To great Alphaeus’ sacred source we came.


s: There first to Jove our solemn rites were paid;


s: An untamed heifer pleased the blue-eyed maid;


s: In arms we slept, beside the winding flood,


s: While round the town the fierce Epeians stood.


s: Soon as the sun, with all-revealing ray,


s: Flamed in the front of Heaven, and gave the day.


s: Bright scenes of arms, and works of war appear;


s: The nations meet; there Pylos, Elis here.


s: The first who fell, beneath my javelin bled;


s: King Augias’ son, and spouse of Agamede:


s: (She that all simples’ healing virtues knew,


s: And every herb that drinks the morning dew:)


s: I seized his car, the van of battle led;


s: The Epeians saw, they trembled, and they fled.


s: The foe dispersed, their bravest warrior kill’d,


s: Fierce as the whirlwind now I swept the field:


s: Full fifty captive chariots graced my train;


s: Two chiefs from each fell breathless to the plain.


s: Then Actor’s sons had died, but Neptune shrouds


s: The youthful heroes in a veil of clouds.


s: O’er heapy shields, and o’er the prostrate throng,


s: Collecting spoils, and slaughtering all along,


s: Through wide Buprasian fields we forced the foes,


s: Where o’er the vales the Olenian rocks arose;


s: Till Pallas stopp’d us where Alisium flows.


s: Even there the hindmost of the rear I slay,


s: And the same arm that led concludes the day;


s: Then back to Pyle triumphant take my way.


s: There to high Jove were public thanks assign’d,


s: As first of gods; to Nestor, of mankind.


s: Such then I was, impell’d by youthful blood;


s: So proved my valour for my country’s good.


s: And gives to passion what to Greece he owes.


s: How shall he grieve, when to the eternal shade


s: Her hosts shall sink, nor his the power to aid!


s: When, gathering aids along the Grecian sea,


s: I, and Ulysses, touch’d at Phthia’s port,


s: And pour’d libations on the flaming thighs.


s: Thyself, Achilles, and thy reverend sire


s: Menoetius, turn’d the fragments on the fire.


s: Social we sit, and share the genial rites.


s: We then explained the cause on which we came,


s: Urged you to arms, and found you fierce for fame.


s: Your ancient fathers generous precepts gave;


s: Peleus said only this:—’My son! be brave.’


s: Menoetius thus: ’Though great Achilles shine


s: In strength superior, and of race divine,


s: Yet cooler thoughts thy elder years attend;


s: Let thy just counsels aid, and rule thy friend.’


s: Thus spoke your father at Thessalia’s court:


s: Words now forgot, though now of vast import.


s: Ah! try the utmost that a friend can say:


s: Such gentle force the fiercest minds obey;


s: Some favouring god Achilles’ heart may move;


s: Though deaf to glory, he may yield to love.


s: If aught from Heaven withhold his saving arm,


s: Some beam of comfort yet on Greece may shine,


s: Proud Troy may tremble, and desist from war;


s: Press’d by fresh forces, her o’er-labour’d train


s: Shall seek their walls, and Greece respire again."


s: This touch’d his generous heart, and from the tent


s: Along the shore with hasty strides he went;


s: Soon as he came, where, on the crowded strand,


s: The public mart and courts of justice stand,


s: Where the tall fleet of great Ulysses lies,


s: There, sad, he met the brave Euaemon’s son,


s: Large painful drops from all his members run;


s: An arrow’s head yet rooted in his wound,


s: The sable blood in circles mark’d the ground.


s: As faintly reeling he confess’d the smart,


s: Weak was his pace, but dauntless was his heart.


s: Divine compassion touch’d Patroclus’ breast,


s: Who, sighing, thus his bleeding friend address’d:


s: "Ah, hapless leaders of the Grecian host!


s: Thus must ye perish on a barbarous coast?


s: Is this your fate, to glut the dogs with gore,


s: Far from your friends, and from your native shore?


s: Say, great Eurypylus! shall Greece yet stand?


s: Resists she yet the raging Hector’s hand?


s: Or are her heroes doom’d to die with shame,


s: And this the period of our wars and fame?"


s: Greece is no more! this day her glories end;


s: Even to the ships victorious Troy pursues,


s: Her force increasing as her toil renews.


s: Those chiefs, that used her utmost rage to meet,


s: Lie pierced with wounds, and bleeding in the fleet.


s: But, thou, Patroclus! act a friendly part,


s: Lead to my ships, and draw this deadly dart;


s: With healing balms the raging smart allay,


s: Once taught Achilles, and Achilles thee.


s: Of two famed surgeons, Podalirius stands


s: This hour surrounded by the Trojan bands;


s: Now wants that succour which so oft he lent."


s: To him the chief: "What then remains to do?


s: The event of things the gods alone can view.


s: Charged by Achilles’ great command I fly,


s: And bear with haste the Pylian king’s reply:


s: But thy distress this instant claims relief."


s: He said, and in his arms upheld the chief.


s: The slaves their master’s slow approach survey’d,


s: And hides of oxen on the floor display’d:


s: There stretch’d at length the wounded hero lay;


s: Then in his hands a bitter root he bruised;


s: The wound he wash’d, the styptic juice infused.


s: The closing flesh that instant ceased to glow,


s: The wound to torture, and the blood to flow.


s: While thus the hero’s pious cares attend


s: The cure and safety of his wounded friend,


s: Trojans and Greeks with clashing shields engage,


s: And mutual deaths are dealt with mutual rage.


s: Nor long the trench or lofty walls oppose;


s: With gods averse the ill-fated works arose;


s: Their powers neglected, and no victim slain,


s: The walls were raised, the trenches sunk in vain.


s: Without the gods, how short a period stands


s: This stood while Hector and Achilles raged.


s: While sacred Troy the warring hosts engaged;


s: But when her sons were slain, her city burn’d,


s: And what survived of Greece to Greece return’d;


s: Then Neptune and Apollo shook the shore,


s: Then Ida’s summits pour’d their watery store;


s: Rhesus and Rhodius then unite their rills,


s: And Xanthus foaming from his fruitful source;


s: And gulfy Simois, rolling to the main(224)


s: Helmets, and shields, and godlike heroes slain:


s: These, turn’d by Phoebus from their wonted ways,


s: Deluged the rampire nine continual days;


s: The weight of waters saps the yielding wall,


s: And to the sea the floating bulwarks fall.


s: Incessant cataracts the Thunderer pours,


s: And half the skies descend in sluicy showers.


s: The god of ocean, marching stern before,


s: With his huge trident wounds the trembling shore,


s: Vast stones and piles from their foundation heaves,


s: Now smooth’d with sand, and levell’d by the flood,


s: No fragment tells where once the wonder stood;


s: In their old bounds the rivers roll again,


s: Shine ’twixt the hills, or wander o’er the plain.(225)


s: But this the gods in later times perform;


s: As yet the bulwark stood, and braved the storm;


s: The strokes yet echoed of contending powers;


s: War thunder’d at the gates, and blood distain’d the towers.


s: Smote by the arm of Jove with dire dismay,


s: Close by their hollow ships the Grecians lay:


s: Hector’s approach in every wind they hear,


s: He, like a whirlwind, toss’d the scattering throng,


s: Mingled the troops, and drove the field along.


s: So ’midst the dogs and hunters’ daring bands,


s: Fierce of his might, a boar or lion stands;


s: Arm’d foes around a dreadful circle form,


s: And hissing javelins rain an iron storm:


s: His powers untamed, their bold assault defy,


s: And where he turns the rout disperse or die:


s: He foams, he glares, he bounds against them all,


s: And if he falls, his courage makes him fall.


s: With equal rage encompass’d Hector glows;


s: Exhorts his armies, and the trenches shows.


s: The panting steeds impatient fury breathe,


s: And snort and tremble at the gulf beneath;


s: Just at the brink they neigh, and paw the ground,


s: And the turf trembles, and the skies resound.


s: Eager they view’d the prospect dark and deep,


s: Vast was the leap, and headlong hung the steep;


s: And bristled thick with sharpen’d stakes below.


s: The foot alone this strong defence could force,


s: And try the pass impervious to the horse.


s: Restrain’d great Hector, and this counsel gave:


s: "O thou, bold leader of the Trojan bands!


s: And you, confederate chiefs from foreign lands!


s: What entrance here can cumbrous chariots find,


s: The stakes beneath, the Grecian walls behind?


s: No pass through those, without a thousand wounds,


s: No space for combat in yon narrow bounds.


s: Proud of the favours mighty Jove has shown,


s: Oh may this instant end the Grecian name!


s: Here, far from Argos, let their heroes fall,


s: But should they turn, and here oppress our train,


s: What hopes, what methods of retreat remain?


s: Wedged in the trench, by our own troops confused,


s: In one promiscuous carnage crush’d and bruised,


s: All Troy must perish, if their arms prevail,


s: Nor shall a Trojan live to tell the tale.


s: Hear then, ye warriors! and obey with speed;


s: Back from the trenches let your steeds be led;


s: Then all alighting, wedged in firm array,


s: Proceed on foot, and Hector lead the way.


s: So Greece shall stoop before our conquering power,


s: And this (if Jove consent) her fatal hour."


s: This counsel pleased: the godlike Hector sprung


s: Swift from his seat; his clanging armour rung.


s: The chief’s example follow’d by his train,


s: Each quits his car, and issues on the plain,


s: By orders strict the charioteers enjoin’d


s: Compel the coursers to their ranks behind.


s: The forces part in five distinguish’d bands,


s: And all obey their several chiefs’ commands.


s: The best and bravest in the first conspire,


s: Pant for the fight, and threat the fleet with fire:


s: Great Hector glorious in the van of these,


s: Before the next the graceful Paris shines,


s: The sons of Priam with the third appear,


s: In arms with these the mighty Asius stood,


s: The coursers fed on Selle’s winding shore.


s: Antenor’s sons the fourth battalion guide,


s: Next him, the bravest, at their army’s head,


s: But he more brave than all the hosts he led.


s: Now with compacted shields in close array,


s: The moving legions speed their headlong way:


s: Already in their hopes they fire the fleet,


s: And see the Grecians gasping at their feet.


s: His vaunted coursers urged to meet the war.


s: Those wheels returning ne’er shall mark the plain;


s: No more those coursers with triumphant joy


s: Restore their master to the gates of Troy!


s: Black death attends behind the Grecian wall,


s: And great Idomeneus shall boast thy fall!


s: Fierce to the left he drives, where from the plain


s: The flying Grecians strove their ships to gain;


s: Swift through the wall their horse and chariots pass’d,


s: The gates half-open’d to receive the last.


s: Thither, exulting in his force, he flies:


s: His following host with clamours rend the skies:


s: To plunge the Grecians headlong in the main,


s: Such their proud hopes; but all their hopes were vain!


s: To guard the gates, two mighty chiefs attend,


s: Who from the Lapiths’ warlike race descend;


s: As two tall oaks, before the wall they rise;


s: Their roots in earth, their heads amidst the skies:


s: Whose spreading arms with leafy honours crown’d,


s: Forbid the tempest, and protect the ground;


s: High on the hills appears their stately form,


s: And their deep roots for ever brave the storm.


s: So graceful these, and so the shock they stand


s: In vain their clamours shake the ambient fields,


s: In vain around them beat their hollow shields;


s: The fearless brothers on the Grecians call,


s: To guard their navies, and defend the wall.


s: Even when they saw Troy’s sable troops impend,


s: And Greece tumultuous from her towers descend,


s: Forth from the portals rush’d the intrepid pair,


s: Opposed their breasts, and stood themselves the war.


s: So two wild boars spring furious from their den,


s: Roused with the cries of dogs and voice of men;


s: On every side the crackling trees they tear,


s: And root the shrubs, and lay the forest bare;


s: They gnash their tusks, with fire their eye-balls roll,


s: Till some wide wound lets out their mighty soul.


s: Around their heads the whistling javelins sung,


s: With sounding strokes their brazen targets rung;


s: Fierce was the fight, while yet the Grecian powers


s: Maintain’d the walls, and mann’d the lofty towers:


s: To save their fleet their last efforts they try,


s: And stones and darts in mingled tempests fly.


s: As when sharp Boreas blows abroad, and brings


s: Beneath the low-hung clouds the sheets of snow


s: Descend, and whiten all the fields below:


s: So down the rampires rolls the rocky shower:


s: Heavy, and thick, resound the batter’d shields,


s: And the deaf echo rattles round the fields.


s: With shame repulsed, with grief and fury driven,


s: "In powers immortal who shall now believe?


s: Can those too flatter, and can Jove deceive?


s: What man could doubt but Troy’s victorious power


s: Should humble Greece, and this her fatal hour?


s: But like when wasps from hollow crannies drive,


s: To guard the entrance of their common hive,


s: Darkening the rock, while with unwearied wings


s: They strike the assailants, and infix their stings;


s: A race determined, that to death contend:


s: So fierce these Greeks their last retreats defend.


s: Gods! shall two warriors only guard their gates,


s: These empty accents mingled with the wind,


s: Nor moved great Jove’s unalterable mind;


s: To godlike Hector and his matchless might


s: Was owed the glory of the destined fight.


s: Like deeds of arms through all the forts were tried,


s: And all the gates sustain’d an equal tide;


s: Through the long walls the stony showers were heard,


s: The blaze of flames, the flash of arms appear’d.


s: To raise each act to life, and sing with fire!


s: While Greece unconquer’d kept alive the war,


s: And all her guardian gods, in deep dismay,


s: Even yet the dauntless Lapithae maintain


s: The dreadful pass, and round them heap the slain.


s: Pierced through his helmet’s brazen visor, fell;


s: The weapon drank the mingled brains and gore!


s: The warrior sinks, tremendous now no more!


s: Next Ormenus and Pylon yield their breath:


s: Nor less Leonteus strews the field with death;


s: First through the belt Hippomachus he gored,


s: Antiphates, as through the ranks he broke,


s: The falchion struck, and fate pursued the stroke:


s: Meantime, the bravest of the Trojan crew,


s: Fierce with impatience on the works to fall,


s: And wrap in rolling flames the fleet and wall.


s: These on the farther bank now stood and gazed,


s: Their martial fury in their wonder lost.


s: Jove’s bird on sounding pinions beat the skies;


s: His talons truss’d; alive, and curling round,


s: He stung the bird, whose throat received the wound:


s: Mad with the smart, he drops the fatal prey,


s: Floats on the winds, and rends the heaven with cries:


s: Amidst the host the fallen serpent lies.


s: They, pale with terror, mark its spires unroll’d,


s: And Jove’s portent with beating hearts behold.


s: Long weigh’d the signal, and to Hector spoke:


s: "How oft, my brother, thy reproach I bear,


s: For words well meant, and sentiments sincere?


s: True to those counsels which I judge the best,


s: I tell the faithful dictates of my breast.


s: To speak his thoughts is every freeman’s right,


s: In peace, in war, in council, and in fight;


s: But tends to raise that power which I obey.


s: Then hear my words, nor may my words be vain!


s: Seek not this day the Grecian ships to gain;


s: For sure, to warn us, Jove his omen sent,


s: And thus my mind explains its clear event:


s: Dismiss’d his conquest in the middle skies,


s: Allow’d to seize, but not possess the prize;


s: Thus, though we gird with fires the Grecian fleet,


s: Though these proud bulwalks tumble at our feet,


s: Toils unforeseen, and fiercer, are decreed;


s: More woes shall follow, and more heroes bleed.


s: So bodes my soul, and bids me thus advise;


s: For thus a skilful seer would read the skies."


s: To him then Hector with disdain return’d:


s: (Fierce as he spoke, his eyes with fury burn’d:)


s: "Are these the faithful counsels of thy tongue?


s: Thy will is partial, not thy reason wrong:


s: Or if the purpose of thy heart thou vent,


s: Sure heaven resumes the little sense it lent.


s: What coward counsels would thy madness move


s: Against the word, the will reveal’d of Jove?


s: And happy thunders of the favouring god,


s: These shall I slight, and guide my wavering mind


s: By wandering birds that flit with every wind?


s: Ye vagrants of the sky! your wings extend,


s: Or where the suns arise, or where descend;


s: To right, to left, unheeded take your way,


s: While I the dictates of high heaven obey.


s: Without a sign his sword the brave man draws,


s: And asks no omen but his country’s cause.


s: But why should’st thou suspect the war’s success?


s: None fears it more, as none promotes it less:


s: Though all our chiefs amidst yon ships expire,


s: Trust thy own cowardice to escape their fire.


s: Troy and her sons may find a general grave,


s: But thou canst live, for thou canst be a slave.


s: Yet should the fears that wary mind suggests


s: Spread their cold poison through our soldiers’ breasts,


s: And free the soul that quivers in thy heart."


s: Furious he spoke, and, rushing to the wall,


s: Calls on his host; his host obey the call;


s: With ardour follow where their leader flies:


s: Redoubling clamours thunder in the skies.


s: Jove breathes a whirlwind from the hills of Ide,


s: And drifts of dust the clouded navy hide;


s: He fills the Greeks with terror and dismay,


s: And gives great Hector the predestined day.


s: Strong in themselves, but stronger in his aid,


s: Close to the works their rigid siege they laid.


s: In vain the mounds and massy beams defend,


s: While these they undermine, and those they rend;


s: Upheaved the piles that prop the solid wall;


s: And heaps on heaps the smoky ruins fall.


s: Greece on her ramparts stands the fierce alarms;


s: The crowded bulwarks blaze with waving arms,


s: Shield touching shield, a long refulgent row;


s: Whence hissing darts, incessant, rain below.


s: The bold Ajaces fly from tower to tower,


s: And rouse, with flame divine, the Grecian power.


s: Threats urge the fearful; and the valiant, praise.


s: "Fellows in arms! whose deeds are known to fame,


s: And you, whose ardour hopes an equal name!


s: Since not alike endued with force or art;


s: Behold a day when each may act his part!


s: A day to fire the brave, and warm the cold,


s: To gain new glories, or augment the old.


s: Urge those who stand, and those who faint, excite;


s: Drown Hector’s vaunts in loud exhorts of fight;


s: Conquest, not safety, fill the thoughts of all;


s: Seek not your fleet, but sally from the wall;


s: So Jove once more may drive their routed train,


s: And Troy lie trembling in her walls again."


s: Their ardour kindles all the Grecian powers;


s: And now the stones descend in heavier showers.


s: As when high Jove his sharp artillery forms,


s: He stills the winds, and bids the skies to sleep;


s: Then pours the silent tempest thick and deep;


s: And first the mountain-tops are cover’d o’er,


s: Then the green fields, and then the sandy shore;


s: Bent with the weight, the nodding woods are seen,


s: And one bright waste hides all the works of men:


s: Drink the dissolving fleeces as they fall:


s: So from each side increased the stony rain,


s: And the white ruin rises o’er the plain.


s: Thus godlike Hector and his troops contend


s: To force the ramparts, and the gates to rend:


s: Nor Troy could conquer, nor the Greeks would yield,


s: Till great Sarpedon tower’d amid the field;


s: For mighty Jove inspired with martial flame


s: His matchless son, and urged him on to fame.


s: In arms he shines, conspicuous from afar,


s: And bears aloft his ample shield in air;


s: Within whose orb the thick bull-hides were roll’d,


s: Ponderous with brass, and bound with ductile gold:


s: And while two pointed javelins arm his hands,


s: Majestic moves along, and leads his Lycian bands.


s: So press’d with hunger, from the mountain’s brow


s: So stalks the lordly savage o’er the plain,


s: In vain loud mastiffs bay him from afar,


s: And shepherds gall him with an iron war;


s: Regardless, furious, he pursues his way;


s: He foams, he roars, he rends the panting prey.


s: With generous rage that drives him on the foes.


s: He views the towers, and meditates their fall,


s: To sure destruction dooms the aspiring wall;


s: Then casting on his friend an ardent look,


s: Fired with the thirst of glory, thus he spoke:


s: "Why boast we, Glaucus! our extended reign,(226)


s: Where Xanthus’ streams enrich the Lycian plain,


s: Our numerous herds that range the fruitful field,


s: And hills where vines their purple harvest yield,


s: Our foaming bowls with purer nectar crown’d,


s: Our feasts enhanced with music’s sprightly sound?


s: Why on those shores are we with joy survey’d,


s: And vindicate the bounteous powers above?


s: ’Tis ours, the dignity they give to grace;


s: The first in valour, as the first in place;


s: That when with wondering eyes our martial bands


s: Behold our deeds transcending our commands,


s: Such, they may cry, deserve the sovereign state,


s: Could all our care elude the gloomy grave,


s: Which claims no less the fearful and the brave,


s: For lust of fame I should not vainly dare


s: In fighting fields, nor urge thy soul to war.


s: The life, which others pay, let us bestow,


s: Brave though we fall, and honour’d if we live,


s: He said; his words the listening chief inspire


s: With equal warmth, and rouse the warrior’s fire;


s: The troops pursue their leaders with delight,


s: Rush to the foe, and claim the promised fight.


s: Menestheus from on high the storm beheld


s: Threatening the fort, and blackening in the field:


s: Around the walls he gazed, to view from far


s: What aid appear’d to avert the approaching war,


s: And saw where Teucer with the Ajaces stood,


s: In vain he calls; the din of helms and shields


s: Rings to the skies, and echoes through the fields,


s: The brazen hinges fly, the walls resound,


s: Heaven trembles, roar the mountains, thunders all the ground


s: Then thus to Thoos: "Hence with speed (he said),


s: Their strength, united, best may help to bear


s: Hither the Lycian princes bend their course,


s: The best and bravest of the hostile force.


s: But if too fiercely there the foes contend,


s: Let Telamon, at least, our towers defend,


s: To share the danger, and repel the foe."


s: Swift, at the word, the herald speeds along


s: The lofty ramparts, through the martial throng,


s: And finds the heroes bathed in sweat and gore,


s: "Ye valiant leaders of our warlike bands!


s: Your aid (said Thoos) Peteus’ son demands;


s: Your strength, united, best may help to bear


s: Thither the Lycian princes bend their course,


s: But if too fiercely, here, the foes contend,


s: At least, let Telamon those towers defend,


s: Straight to the fort great Ajax turn’d his care,


s: And thus bespoke his brothers of the war:


s: "Now, valiant Lycomede! exert your might,


s: And, brave Oileus, prove your force in fight;


s: To you I trust the fortune of the field,


s: Till by this arm the foe shall be repell’d:


s: That done, expect me to complete the day


s: Then with his sevenfold shield he strode away.


s: With equal steps bold Teucer press’d the shore,


s: Whose fatal bow the strong Pandion bore.


s: High on the walls appear’d the Lycian powers,


s: Like some black tempest gathering round the towers:


s: The Greeks, oppress’d, their utmost force unite,


s: Prepared to labour in the unequal fight:


s: The war renews, mix’d shouts and groans arise;


s: Tumultuous clamour mounts, and thickens in the skies.


s: Fierce Ajax first the advancing host invades,


s: And sends the brave Epicles to the shades,


s: Sarpedon’s friend. Across the warrior’s way,


s: Rent from the walls, a rocky fragment lay;


s: Could heave the unwieldy burden from the plain:


s: He poised, and swung it round; then toss’d on high,


s: It flew with force, and labour’d up the sky;


s: Full on the Lycian’s helmet thundering down,


s: The ponderous ruin crush’d his batter’d crown.


s: Headlong descend, and shoot into the deep,


s: So falls Epicles; then in groans expires,


s: And murmuring to the shades the soul retires.


s: While to the ramparts daring Glaucus drew,


s: The bearded shaft the destined passage found,


s: The chief, who fear’d some foe’s insulting boast


s: Might stop the progress of his warlike host,


s: Conceal’d the wound, and, leaping from his height


s: Retired reluctant from the unfinish’d fight.


s: His beating breast with generous ardour glows,


s: He springs to fight, and flies upon the foes.


s: Alcmaon first was doom’d his force to feel;


s: Deep in his breast he plunged the pointed steel;


s: Then from the yawning wound with fury tore


s: The spear, pursued by gushing streams of gore:


s: Down sinks the warrior with a thundering sound,


s: His brazen armour rings against the ground.


s: Swift to the battlement the victor flies,


s: Tugs with full force, and every nerve applies:


s: It shakes; the ponderous stones disjointed yield;


s: The rolling ruins smoke along the field.


s: A mighty breach appears; the walls lie bare;


s: At once bold Teucer draws the twanging bow,


s: Fix’d in his belt the feather’d weapon stood,


s: And through his buckler drove the trembling wood;


s: But Jove was present in the dire debate,


s: To shield his offspring, and avert his fate.


s: The prince gave back, not meditating flight,


s: But urging vengeance, and severer fight;


s: Then raised with hope, and fired with glory’s charms,


s: His fainting squadrons to new fury warms.


s: "O where, ye Lycians, is the strength you boast?


s: Your former fame and ancient virtue lost!


s: The breach lies open, but your chief in vain


s: Attempts alone the guarded pass to gain:


s: Unite, and soon that hostile fleet shall fall:


s: The force of powerful union conquers all."


s: This just rebuke inflamed the Lycian crew;


s: They join, they thicken, and the assault renew:


s: Unmoved the embodied Greeks their fury dare,


s: And fix’d support the weight of all the war;


s: Nor could the Greeks repel the Lycian powers,


s: Nor the bold Lycians force the Grecian towers.


s: As on the confines of adjoining grounds,


s: Two stubborn swains with blows dispute their bounds;


s: They tug, they sweat; but neither gain, nor yield,


s: One foot, one inch, of the contended field;


s: Thus obstinate to death, they fight, they fall;


s: Nor these can keep, nor those can win the wall.


s: Their manly breasts are pierced with many a wound,


s: Loud strokes are heard, and rattling arms resound;


s: The copious slaughter covers all the shore,


s: And the high ramparts drip with human gore.


s: As when two scales are charged with doubtful loads,


s: From side to side the trembling balance nods,


s: (While some laborious matron, just and poor,


s: With nice exactness weighs her woolly store,)


s: Till poised aloft, the resting beam suspends


s: Each equal weight; nor this, nor that, descends:(227)


s: So stood the war, till Hector’s matchless might,


s: With fates prevailing, turn’d the scale of fight.


s: Fierce as a whirlwind up the walls he flies,


s: And fires his host with loud repeated cries.


s: "Advance, ye Trojans! lend your valiant hands,


s: Haste to the fleet, and toss the blazing brands!"


s: They hear, they run; and, gathering at his call,


s: Raise scaling engines, and ascend the wall:


s: Around the works a wood of glittering spears


s: Shoots up, and all the rising host appears.


s: A ponderous stone bold Hector heaved to throw,


s: Pointed above, and rough and gross below:


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


s: Such men as live in these degenerate days:


s: The snowy fleece, he toss’d, and shook in air;


s: For Jove upheld, and lighten’d of its load


s: Thus arm’d, before the folded gates he came,


s: Of massy substance, and stupendous frame;


s: With iron bars and brazen hinges strong,


s: Then thundering through the planks with forceful sway,


s: Drives the sharp rock; the solid beams give way,


s: The folds are shatter’d; from the crackling door


s: Leap the resounding bars, the flying hinges roar.


s: Now rushing in, the furious chief appears,


s: Gloomy as night! and shakes two shining spears:(228)


s: A dreadful gleam from his bright armour came,


s: And from his eye-balls flash’d the living flame.


s: He moves a god, resistless in his course,


s: And seems a match for more than mortal force.


s: Then pouring after, through the gaping space,


s: A tide of Trojans flows, and fills the place;


s: The Greeks behold, they tremble, and they fly;


s: The shore is heap’d with death, and tumult rends the sky.


s: Neptune, concerned for the loss of the Grecians, upon seeing the


s: When now the Thunderer on the sea-beat coast


s: Had fix’d great Hector and his conquering host,


s: He left them to the fates, in bloody fray


s: To toil and struggle through the well-fought day.


s: Then turn’d to Thracia from the field of fight


s: Those eyes that shed insufferable light,


s: To where the Mysians prove their martial force,


s: And hardy Thracians tame the savage horse;


s: And where the far-famed Hippomolgian strays,


s: Renown’d for justice and for length of days;(229)


s: Thrice happy race! that, innocent of blood,


s: From milk, innoxious, seek their simple food:


s: Jove sees delighted; and avoids the scene


s: No aid, he deems, to either host is given,


s: While his high law suspends the powers of Heaven.


s: Observed the Thunderer, nor observed in vain.


s: Whose waving woods o’erhung the deeps below,


s: He sat; and round him cast his azure eyes


s: Below, fair Ilion’s glittering spires were seen;


s: The crowded ships and sable seas between.


s: There, from the crystal chambers of the main


s: Emerged, he sat, and mourn’d his Argives slain.


s: At Jove incensed, with grief and fury stung,


s: Prone down the rocky steep he rush’d along;


s: Fierce as he pass’d, the lofty mountains nod,


s: The forest shakes; earth trembled as he trod,


s: And felt the footsteps of the immortal god.


s: From realm to realm three ample strides he took,


s: And, at the fourth, the distant Ægae shook.


s: Far in the bay his shining palace stands,


s: Eternal frame! not raised by mortal hands:


s: This having reach’d, his brass-hoof’d steeds he reins,


s: Fleet as the winds, and deck’d with golden manes.


s: He mounts the car, the golden scourge applies,


s: He sits superior, and the chariot flies:


s: His whirling wheels the glassy surface sweep;


s: The enormous monsters rolling o’er the deep


s: And heavy whales in awkward measures play;


s: The sea subsiding spreads a level plain,


s: Exults, and owns the monarch of the main;


s: The parting waves before his coursers fly;


s: The wondering waters leave his axle dry.


s: And rocky Imbrus breaks the rolling wave:


s: There the great ruler of the azure round


s: Stopp’d his swift chariot, and his steeds unbound,


s: Fed with ambrosial herbage from his hand,


s: And link’d their fetlocks with a golden band,


s: The father of the floods pursues his way:


s: Where, like a tempest, darkening heaven around,


s: Or fiery deluge that devours the ground,


s: The impatient Trojans, in a gloomy throng,


s: Embattled roll’d, as Hector rush’d along:


s: To the loud tumult and the barbarous cry


s: The heavens re-echo, and the shores reply:


s: They vow destruction to the Grecian name,


s: And in their hopes the fleets already flame.


s: But Neptune, rising from the seas profound,


s: The god whose earthquakes rock the solid ground,


s: Now wears a mortal form; like Calchas seen,


s: Such his loud voice, and such his manly mien;


s: His shouts incessant every Greek inspire,


s: But most the Ajaces, adding fire to fire.


s: "’Tis yours, O warriors, all our hopes to raise:


s: Oh recollect your ancient worth and praise!


s: ’Tis yours to save us, if you cease to fear;


s: Flight, more than shameful, is destructive here.


s: On other works though Troy with fury fall,


s: And pour her armies o’er our batter’d wall:


s: There Greece has strength: but this, this part o’erthrown,


s: Her strength were vain; I dread for you alone:


s: Here Hector rages like the force of fire,


s: Vaunts of his gods, and calls high Jove his sire:


s: If yet some heavenly power your breast excite,


s: Breathe in your hearts, and string your arms to fight,


s: Greece yet may live, her threaten’d fleet maintain:


s: And Hector’s force, and Jove’s own aid, be vain."


s: Then with his sceptre, that the deep controls,


s: He touch’d the chiefs, and steel’d their manly souls:


s: Strength, not their own, the touch divine imparts,


s: Prompts their light limbs, and swells their daring hearts.


s: Then, as a falcon from the rocky height,


s: Her quarry seen, impetuous at the sight,


s: Forth-springing instant, darts herself from high,


s: Shoots on the wing, and skims along the sky:


s: Such, and so swift, the power of ocean flew;


s: The wide horizon shut him from their view.


s: Perceived the first, and thus to Telamon:


s: "Some god, my friend, some god in human form


s: Favouring descends, and wills to stand the storm.


s: Short as he turned, I saw the power appear:


s: I mark’d his parting, and the steps he trod;


s: And seem to walk on wings, and tread in air!"


s: Lift each impatient limb, and brace my arm.


s: This ready arm, unthinking, shakes the dart;


s: The blood pours back, and fortifies my heart:


s: Singly, methinks, yon towering chief I meet,


s: And stretch the dreadful Hector at my feet."


s: Full of the god that urged their burning breast,


s: The heroes thus their mutual warmth express’d.


s: Neptune meanwhile the routed Greeks inspired;


s: Who, breathless, pale, with length of labours tired,


s: Pant in the ships; while Troy to conquest calls,


s: And swarms victorious o’er their yielding walls:


s: Trembling before the impending storm they lie,


s: While tears of rage stand burning in their eye.


s: Greece sunk they thought, and this their fatal hour;


s: But breathe new courage as they feel the power.


s: Teucer and Leitus first his words excite;


s: And Merion next, the impulsive fury found;


s: Last Nestor’s son the same bold ardour takes,


s: While thus the god the martial fire awakes:


s: To chiefs of vigorous youth, and manly race!


s: Brave Greece victorious, and her navy free:


s: Ah, no—the glorious combat you disclaim,


s: And one black day clouds all her former fame.


s: Heavens! what a prodigy these eyes survey,


s: Unseen, unthought, till this amazing day!


s: Fly we at length from Troy’s oft-conquer’d bands?


s: And falls our fleet by such inglorious hands?


s: A rout undisciplined, a straggling train,


s: Like frighted fawns from hill to hill pursued,


s: Shall these, so late who trembled at your name,


s: Invade your camps, involve your ships in flame?


s: A change so shameful, say, what cause has wrought?


s: The soldiers’ baseness, or the general’s fault?


s: Fools! will ye perish for your leader’s vice;


s: The purchase infamy, and life the price?


s: ’Tis not your cause, Achilles’ injured fame:


s: Another’s is the crime, but yours the shame.


s: Grant that our chief offend through rage or lust,


s: Must you be cowards, if your king’s unjust?


s: Prevent this evil, and your country save:


s: Small thought retrieves the spirits of the brave.


s: I waste no anger, for they feel no shame:


s: But you, the pride, the flower of all our host,


s: My heart weeps blood to see your glory lost!


s: Nor deem this day, this battle, all you lose;


s: A day more black, a fate more vile, ensues.


s: Let each reflect, who prizes fame or breath,


s: For, lo! the fated time, the appointed shore:


s: Hark! the gates burst, the brazen barriers roar!


s: The hour, the spot, to conquer, or to fall."


s: These words the Grecians’ fainting hearts inspire,


s: And listening armies catch the godlike fire.


s: Fix’d at his post was each bold Ajax found,


s: With well-ranged squadrons strongly circled round:


s: So close their order, so disposed their fight,


s: As Pallas’ self might view with fix’d delight;


s: Or had the god of war inclined his eyes,


s: The god of war had own’d a just surprise.


s: A chosen phalanx, firm, resolved as fate,


s: An iron scene gleams dreadful o’er the fields,


s: Armour in armour lock’d, and shields in shields,


s: Spears lean on spears, on targets targets throng,


s: Helms stuck to helms, and man drove man along.


s: The floating plumes unnumber’d wave above,


s: As when an earthquake stirs the nodding grove;


s: And levell’d at the skies with pointing rays,


s: Their brandish’d lances at each motion blaze.


s: Thus breathing death, in terrible array,


s: The close compacted legions urged their way:


s: Fierce they drove on, impatient to destroy;


s: Troy charged the first, and Hector first of Troy.


s: As from some mountain’s craggy forehead torn,


s: A rock’s round fragment flies, with fury borne,


s: (Which from the stubborn stone a torrent rends,)


s: Precipitate the ponderous mass descends:


s: From steep to steep the rolling ruin bounds;


s: At every shock the crackling wood resounds;


s: Still gathering force, it smokes; and urged amain,


s: Whirls, leaps, and thunders down, impetuous to the plain:


s: There stops—so Hector. Their whole force he proved,(230)


s: Resistless when he raged, and, when he stopp’d, unmoved.


s: On him the war is bent, the darts are shed,


s: And all their falchions wave around his head:


s: Repulsed he stands, nor from his stand retires;


s: But with repeated shouts his army fires.


s: "Trojans! be firm; this arm shall make your way


s: Through yon square body, and that black array:


s: Stand, and my spear shall rout their scattering power,


s: Strong as they seem, embattled like a tower;


s: For he that Juno’s heavenly bosom warms,


s: The first of gods, this day inspires our arms."


s: He said; and roused the soul in every breast:


s: Urged with desire of fame, beyond the rest,


s: Forth march’d Deiphobus; but, marching, held


s: Bold Merion aim’d a stroke (nor aim’d it wide);


s: The glittering javelin pierced the tough bull-hide;


s: But pierced not through: unfaithful to his hand,


s: The point broke short, and sparkled in the sand.


s: The Trojan warrior, touch’d with timely fear,


s: On the raised orb to distance bore the spear.


s: The Greek, retreating, mourn’d his frustrate blow,


s: And cursed the treacherous lance that spared a foe;


s: Then to the ships with surly speed he went,


s: Meanwhile with rising rage the battle glows,


s: The tumult thickens, and the clamour grows.


s: By Teucer’s arm the warlike Imbrius bleeds,


s: The son of Mentor, rich in generous steeds.


s: Ere yet to Troy the sons of Greece were led,


s: The youth had dwelt, remote from war’s alarms,


s: (This nymph, the fruit of Priam’s ravish’d joy,


s: Allied the warrior to the house of Troy:)


s: To Troy, when glory call’d his arms, he came,


s: And match’d the bravest of her chiefs in fame:


s: With Priam’s sons, a guardian of the throne,


s: He lived, beloved and honour’d as his own.


s: Him Teucer pierced between the throat and ear:


s: As from some far-seen mountain’s airy crown,


s: Subdued by steel, a tall ash tumbles down,


s: And soils its verdant tresses on the ground;


s: So falls the youth; his arms the fall resound.


s: Then Teucer rushing to despoil the dead,


s: From Hector’s hand a shining javelin fled:


s: He saw, and shunn’d the death; the forceful dart


s: Sung on, and pierced Amphimachus’s heart,


s: Cteatus’ son, of Neptune’s forceful line;


s: Vain was his courage, and his race divine!


s: Prostrate he falls; his clanging arms resound,


s: And his broad buckler thunders on the ground.


s: To seize his beamy helm the victor flies,


s: And just had fastened on the dazzling prize,


s: Full on the shield’s round boss the weapon rung;


s: He felt the shock, nor more was doom’d to feel,


s: Secure in mail, and sheath’d in shining steel.


s: Repulsed he yields; the victor Greeks obtain


s: The spoils contested, and bear off the slain.


s: Between the leaders of the Athenian line,


s: (Stichius the brave, Menestheus the divine,)


s: Imbrius remains the fierce Ajaces’ prize.


s: Snatch’d from devouring hounds, a slaughter’d fawn.


s: In their fell jaws high-lifting through the wood,


s: And sprinkling all the shrubs with drops of blood;


s: So these, the chief: great Ajax from the dead


s: Strips his bright arms; Oileus lops his head:


s: Toss’d like a ball, and whirl’d in air away,


s: The god of ocean, fired with stern disdain,


s: And pierced with sorrow for his grandson slain,


s: Inspires the Grecian hearts, confirms their hands,


s: And breathes destruction on the Trojan bands.


s: Swift as a whirlwind rushing to the fleet,


s: He finds the lance-famed Idomen of Crete,


s: His pensive brow the generous care express’d


s: With which a wounded soldier touch’d his breast,


s: Whom in the chance of war a javelin tore,


s: And his sad comrades from the battle bore;


s: Him to the surgeons of the camp he sent:


s: That office paid, he issued from his tent


s: Fierce for the fight: to whom the god begun,


s: In Thoas’ voice, Andraemon’s valiant son,


s: Who ruled where Calydon’s white rocks arise,


s: And Pleuron’s chalky cliffs emblaze the skies:


s: "Where’s now the imperious vaunt, the daring boast,


s: Of Greece victorious, and proud Ilion lost?"


s: To whom the king: "On Greece no blame be thrown;


s: Arms are her trade, and war is all her own.


s: Her hardy heroes from the well-fought plains


s: Nor fear withholds, nor shameful sloth detains:


s: ’Tis heaven, alas! and Jove’s all-powerful doom,


s: That far, far distant from our native home


s: Wills us to fall inglorious! Oh, my friend!


s: Once foremost in the fight, still prone to lend


s: Or arms or counsels, now perform thy best,


s: And what thou canst not singly, urge the rest."


s: Thus he: and thus the god whose force can make


s: But feed the vultures on this hateful strand,


s: For this, behold! in horrid arms I shine,


s: And urge thy soul to rival acts with mine.


s: Two, not the worst; nor even this succour vain:


s: Not vain the weakest, if their force unite;


s: But ours, the bravest have confess’d in fight."


s: This said, he rushes where the combat burns;


s: Swift to his tent the Cretan king returns:


s: From thence, two javelins glittering in his hand,


s: And clad in arms that lighten’d all the strand,


s: Fierce on the foe the impetuous hero drove,


s: Like lightning bursting from the arm of Jove,


s: Which to pale man the wrath of heaven declares,


s: Or terrifies the offending world with wars;


s: In streamy sparkles, kindling all the skies,


s: From pole to pole the trail of glory flies:


s: Thus his bright armour o’er the dazzled throng


s: Gleam’d dreadful, as the monarch flash’d along.


s: Whom thus he questions: "Ever best of friends!


s: What holds thy courage from so brave a field?


s: On some important message art thou bound,


s: Or bleeds my friend by some unhappy wound?


s: Inglorious here, my soul abhors to stay,


s: And glows with prospects of th’ approaching day."


s: "O prince! (Meriones replies) whose care


s: Leads forth the embattled sons of Crete to war;


s: This speaks my grief: this headless lance I wield;


s: The rest lies rooted in a Trojan shield."


s: The wonted weapons; those my tent can give;


s: Spears I have store, (and Trojan lances all,)


s: That shed a lustre round the illumined wall,


s: Though I, disdainful of the distant war,


s: Nor trust the dart, nor aim the uncertain spear,


s: Yet hand to hand I fight, and spoil the slain;


s: And thence these trophies, and these arms I gain.


s: Enter, and see on heaps the helmets roll’d,


s: And high-hung spears, and shields that flame with gold."


s: "Nor vain (said Merion) are our martial toils;


s: But those my ship contains; whence distant far,


s: Who knows not Merion, I appeal to thee."


s: To this, Idomeneus: "The fields of fight


s: Have proved thy valour, and unconquer’d might:


s: And were some ambush for the foes design’d,


s: Even there thy courage would not lag behind:


s: In that sharp service, singled from the rest,


s: The fear of each, or valour, stands confess’d.


s: No force, no firmness, the pale coward shows;


s: He shifts his place: his colour comes and goes:


s: A dropping sweat creeps cold on every part;


s: Against his bosom beats his quivering heart;


s: Terror and death in his wild eye-balls stare;


s: With chattering teeth he stands, and stiffening hair,


s: Not so the brave—still dauntless, still the same,


s: Unchanged his colour, and unmoved his frame:


s: Composed his thought, determined is his eye,


s: And fix’d his soul, to conquer or to die:


s: If aught disturb the tenour of his breast,


s: ’Tis but the wish to strike before the rest.


s: "In such assays thy blameless worth is known,


s: By chance of fight whatever wounds you bore,


s: Those wounds were glorious all, and all before;


s: Such as may teach, ’twas still thy brave delight


s: T’oppose thy bosom where thy foremost fight.


s: But why, like infants, cold to honour’s charms,


s: Stand we to talk, when glory calls to arms?


s: Go—from my conquer’d spears the choicest take,


s: And to their owners send them nobly back."


s: Swift at the word bold Merion snatch’d a spear


s: And, breathing slaughter, follow’d to the war.


s: (The wide destroyer of the race of man,)


s: Terror, his best-beloved son, attends his course,


s: Arm’d with stern boldness, and enormous force;


s: The pride of haughty warriors to confound,


s: And lay the strength of tyrants on the ground:


s: From Thrace they fly, call’d to the dire alarms


s: Of warring Phlegyans, and Ephyrian arms;


s: Invoked by both, relentless they dispose,


s: To these glad conquest, murderous rout to those.


s: So march’d the leaders of the Cretan train,


s: And their bright arms shot horror o’er the plain.


s: Then first spake Merion: "Shall we join the right,


s: Hazard and fame all parts alike attend."


s: Our ablest chieftains the main battle guide;


s: Each godlike Ajax makes that post his care,


s: And gallant Teucer deals destruction there,


s: Skill’d or with shafts to gall the distant field,


s: Or bear close battle on the sounding shield.


s: These can the rage of haughty Hector tame:


s: Safe in their arms, the navy fears no flame,


s: Till Jove himself descends, his bolts to shed,


s: Great must he be, of more than human birth,


s: Nor feed like mortals on the fruits of earth.


s: Him neither rocks can crush, nor steel can wound,


s: Whom Ajax fells not on the ensanguined ground.


s: In standing fight he mates Achilles’ force,


s: Excell’d alone in swiftness in the course.


s: And live with glory, or with glory die."


s: He said: and Merion to th’ appointed place,


s: Fierce as the god of battles, urged his pace.


s: Soon as the foe the shining chiefs beheld


s: Rush like a fiery torrent o’er the field,


s: Their force embodied in a tide they pour;


s: The rising combat sounds along the shore.


s: As warring winds, in Sirius’ sultry reign,


s: From different quarters sweep the sandy plain;


s: On every side the dusty whirlwinds rise,


s: And the dry fields are lifted to the skies:


s: Thus by despair, hope, rage, together driven,


s: Met the black hosts, and, meeting, darken’d heaven.


s: All dreadful glared the iron face of war,


s: Bristled with upright spears, that flash’d afar;


s: Dire was the gleam of breastplates, helms, and shields,


s: And polish’d arms emblazed the flaming fields:


s: Tremendous scene! that general horror gave,


s: But touch’d with joy the bosoms of the brave.


s: Saturn’s great sons in fierce contention vied,


s: And crowds of heroes in their anger died.


s: The sire of earth and heaven, by Thetis won


s: To crown with glory Peleus’ godlike son,


s: Will’d not destruction to the Grecian powers,


s: But spared awhile the destined Trojan towers;


s: While Neptune, rising from his azure main,


s: Warr’d on the king of heaven with stern disdain,


s: And breathed revenge, and fired the Grecian train.


s: Gods of one source, of one ethereal race,


s: Alike divine, and heaven their native place;


s: But Jove the greater; first-born of the skies,


s: And more than men, or gods, supremely wise.


s: For this, of Jove’s superior might afraid,


s: Neptune in human form conceal’d his aid.


s: These powers enfold the Greek and Trojan train


s: Is stretch’d on both, and close compell’d they die.


s: Dreadful in arms, and grown in combats grey,


s: Swell’d with false hopes, with mad ambition vain;


s: Call’d by the voice of war to martial fame,


s: From high Cabesus’ distant walls he came;


s: Cassandra’s love he sought, with boasts of power,


s: And promised conquest was the proffer’d dower.


s: The king consented, by his vaunts abused;


s: The king consented, but the fates refused.


s: Proud of himself, and of the imagined bride,


s: The field he measured with a larger stride.


s: Him as he stalk’d, the Cretan javelin found;


s: Vain was his breastplate to repel the wound:


s: His dream of glory lost, he plunged to hell;


s: "And thus (he cries) behold thy promise sped!


s: Such is the help thy arms to Ilion bring,


s: And such the contract of the Phrygian king!


s: Our offers now, illustrious prince! receive;


s: For such an aid what will not Argos give?


s: To conquer Troy, with ours thy forces join,


s: And count Atrides’ fairest daughter thine.


s: Come, follow to the fleet thy new allies;


s: There hear what Greece has on her part to say."


s: He spoke, and dragg’d the gory corse away.


s: Before his chariot warring on the plain:


s: (His crowded coursers, to his squire consign’d,


s: To vengeance rising with a sudden spring,


s: He hoped the conquest of the Cretan king.


s: Full on his throat discharged the forceful spear:


s: Beneath the chin the point was seen to glide,


s: And glitter’d, extant at the further side.


s: As when the mountain-oak, or poplar tall,


s: Or pine, fit mast for some great admiral,


s: Groans to the oft-heaved axe, with many a wound,


s: Then spreads a length of ruin o’er the ground:


s: So sunk proud Asius in that dreadful day,


s: And stretch’d before his much-loved coursers lay.


s: He grinds the dust distain’d with streaming gore,


s: And, fierce in death, lies foaming on the shore.


s: Deprived of motion, stiff with stupid fear,


s: Stands all aghast his trembling charioteer,


s: Nor shuns the foe, nor turns the steeds away,


s: But falls transfix’d, an unresisting prey:


s: The stately car, and labours out his breath.


s: Thus Asius’ steeds (their mighty master gone)


s: Remain the prize of Nestor’s youthful son.


s: Stabb’d at the sight, Deiphobus drew nigh,


s: And made, with force, the vengeful weapon fly.


s: The Cretan saw; and, stooping, caused to glance


s: From his slope shield the disappointed lance.


s: Beneath the spacious targe, (a blazing round,


s: Thick with bull-hides and brazen orbits bound,


s: On his raised arm by two strong braces stay’d,)


s: O’er his safe head the javelin idly sung,


s: And on the tinkling verge more faintly rung.


s: Even then the spear the vigorous arm confess’d,


s: And pierced, obliquely, king Hypsenor’s breast:


s: Warm’d in his liver, to the ground it bore


s: The chief, his people’s guardian now no more!


s: "Not unattended (the proud Trojan cries)


s: For thee, through hell’s black portals stand display’d,


s: This mate shall joy thy melancholy shade."


s: Heart-piercing anguish, at the haughty boast,


s: Touch’d every Greek, but Nestor’s son the most.


s: Grieved as he was, his pious arms attend,


s: And his broad buckler shields his slaughter’d friend:


s: Resolved to perish in his country’s cause,


s: Or find some foe, whom heaven and he shall doom


s: To wail his fate in death’s eternal gloom.


s: Anchises’ eldest hope, and darling care:


s: Who charm’d her parents’ and her husband’s heart


s: With beauty, sense, and every work of art:


s: He once of Ilion’s youth the loveliest boy,


s: The fairest she of all the fair of Troy.


s: Who covers with a cloud those beauteous eyes,


s: And fetters every limb: yet bent to meet


s: His fate he stands; nor shuns the lance of Crete.


s: Fix’d as some column, or deep-rooted oak,


s: While the winds sleep; his breast received the stroke.


s: Before the ponderous stroke his corslet yields,


s: Long used to ward the death in fighting fields.


s: His labouring heart heaves with so strong a bound,


s: The long lance shakes, and vibrates in the wound;


s: Fast flowing from its source, as prone he lay,


s: Life’s purple tide impetuous gush’d away.


s: See! on one Greek three Trojan ghosts attend;


s: This, my third victim, to the shades I send.


s: Approaching now thy boasted might approve,


s: And try the prowess of the seed of Jove.


s: Great Minos, guardian of his country, came:


s: Deucalion, blameless prince, was Minos’ heir;


s: His first-born I, the third from Jupiter:


s: O’er spacious Crete, and her bold sons, I reign,


s: And thence my ships transport me through the main:


s: Lord of a host, o’er all my host I shine,


s: A scourge to thee, thy father, and thy line."


s: Alone, with venturous arms the king of Crete,


s: Or seek auxiliar force; at length decreed


s: For him in Troy’s remotest lines he sought,


s: Where he, incensed at partial Priam, stands,


s: And sees superior posts in meaner hands.


s: The bold Deiphobus approach’d, and said:


s: "Now, Trojan prince, employ thy pious arms,


s: If e’er thy bosom felt fair honour’s charms.


s: Alcathous dies, thy brother and thy friend;


s: Come, and the warrior’s loved remains defend.


s: Beneath his cares thy early youth was train’d,


s: One table fed you, and one roof contain’d.


s: Haste, and revenge it on th’ insulting foe."


s: Then rising in his rage, he burns to fight:


s: The Greek awaits him with collected might.


s: As the fell boar, on some rough mountain’s head,


s: Arm’d with wild terrors, and to slaughter bred,


s: When the loud rustics rise, and shout from far,


s: Attends the tumult, and expects the war;


s: O’er his bent back the bristly horrors rise;


s: Fires stream in lightning from his sanguine eyes,


s: His foaming tusks both dogs and men engage;


s: But most his hunters rouse his mighty rage:


s: And met the Trojan with a lowering look.


s: The youthful offspring of the god of war,


s: Merion, and Aphareus, in field renown’d:


s: To these the warrior sent his voice around.


s: "Fellows in arms! your timely aid unite;


s: Sprung from a god, and more than mortal bold;


s: He fresh in youth, and I in arms grown old.


s: Else should this hand, this hour decide the strife,


s: The great dispute, of glory, or of life."


s: He spoke, and all, as with one soul, obey’d;


s: Their lifted bucklers cast a dreadful shade


s: Th’ assisting forces of his native bands;


s: (Co-aids and captains of the Trojan line;)


s: Like Ida’s flocks proceeding o’er the plain;


s: Stalks the proud ram, the father of the bold.


s: With joy the swain surveys them, as he leads


s: To the cool fountains, through the well-known meads:


s: Moves on in rank, and stretches o’er the land.


s: Round dread Alcathous now the battle rose;


s: Now batter’d breast-plates and hack’d helmets ring,


s: And o’er their heads unheeded javelins sing.


s: Above the rest, two towering chiefs appear,


s: Like gods of war, dispensing fate, they stood,


s: And burn’d to drench the ground with mutual blood.


s: The Cretan saw, and shunn’d the brazen spear:


s: Sent from an arm so strong, the missive wood


s: Stuck deep in earth, and quiver’d where it stood.


s: But OEnomas received the Cretan’s stroke;


s: The forceful spear his hollow corslet broke,


s: It ripp’d his belly with a ghastly wound,


s: And roll’d the smoking entrails on the ground.


s: Stretch’d on the plain, he sobs away his breath,


s: And, furious, grasps the bloody dust in death.


s: The victor from his breast the weapon tears;


s: His spoils he could not, for the shower of spears.


s: Heavy with cumbrous arms, stiff with cold age,


s: His listless limbs unable for the course,


s: In standing fight he yet maintains his force;


s: Till faint with labour, and by foes repell’d,


s: His tired slow steps he drags from off the field.


s: And, fired with hate, a parting javelin cast:


s: The javelin err’d, but held its course along,


s: And pierced Ascalaphus, the brave and young:


s: The son of Mars fell gasping on the ground,


s: And gnash’d the dust, all bloody with his wound.


s: Nor knew the furious father of his fall;


s: High-throned amidst the great Olympian hall,


s: On golden clouds th’ immortal synod sate;


s: Detain’d from bloody war by Jove and Fate.


s: Now, where in dust the breathless hero lay,


s: For slain Ascalaphus commenced the fray,


s: And from his temples rends the glittering prize;


s: And on his loaded arm discharged his spear:


s: He drops the weight, disabled with the pain;


s: The hollow helmet rings against the plain.


s: The reeking javelin, and rejoin’d his friends.


s: Around his waist his pious arms he threw,


s: And from the rage of battle gently drew:


s: Him his swift coursers, on his splendid car,


s: Rapt from the lessening thunder of the war;


s: To Troy they drove him, groaning from the shore,


s: And sprinkling, as he pass’d, the sands with gore.


s: Meanwhile fresh slaughter bathes the sanguine ground,


s: Heaps fall on heaps, and heaven and earth resound.


s: As toward the chief he turn’d his daring head,


s: He pierced his throat; the bending head, depress’d


s: Beneath his helmet, nods upon his breast;


s: His shield reversed o’er the fallen warrior lies,


s: Transpierced his back with a dishonest wound:


s: The hollow vein, that to the neck extends


s: Along the chine, his eager javelin rends:


s: Supine he falls, and to his social train


s: Spreads his imploring arms, but spreads in vain.


s: Th’ exulting victor, leaping where he lay,


s: From his broad shoulders tore the spoils away;


s: His time observed; for closed by foes around,


s: On all sides thick the peals of arms resound.


s: His shield emboss’d the ringing storm sustains,


s: But he impervious and untouch’d remains.


s: (Great Neptune’s care preserved from hostile rage


s: This youth, the joy of Nestor’s glorious age.)


s: In arms intrepid, with the first he fought,


s: Faced every foe, and every danger sought;


s: His winged lance, resistless as the wind,


s: Restless it flies, impatient to be free,


s: And struck his target with the brazen spear


s: Fierce in his front: but Neptune wards the blow,


s: And blunts the javelin of th’ eluded foe:


s: In the broad buckler half the weapon stood,


s: Splinter’d on earth flew half the broken wood.


s: Disarm’d, he mingled in the Trojan crew;


s: But Merion’s spear o’ertook him as he flew,


s: Deep in the belly’s rim an entrance found,


s: Where sharp the pang, and mortal is the wound.


s: Bending he fell, and doubled to the ground,


s: Lay panting. Thus an ox in fetters tied,


s: While death’s strong pangs distend his labouring side,


s: His bulk enormous on the field displays;


s: His heaving heart beats thick as ebbing life decays.


s: The spear the conqueror from his body drew,


s: And death’s dim shadows swarm before his view.


s: King Helenus waved high the Thracian blade,


s: And smote his temples with an arm so strong,


s: The helm fell off, and roll’d amid the throng:


s: There for some luckier Greek it rests a prize;


s: For dark in death the godlike owner lies!


s: Raging with grief, great Menelaus burns,


s: And fraught with vengeance, to the victor turns:


s: That shook the ponderous lance, in act to throw;


s: And this stood adverse with the bended bow:


s: Full on his breast the Trojan arrow fell,


s: But harmless bounded from the plated steel.


s: As on some ample barn’s well harden’d floor,


s: (The winds collected at each open door,)


s: While the broad fan with force is whirl’d around,


s: Light leaps the golden grain, resulting from the ground:


s: So from the steel that guards Atrides’ heart,


s: Repell’d to distance flies the bounding dart.


s: Pierced with his lance the hand that grasp’d the bow.


s: And nailed it to the yew: the wounded hand


s: Trail’d the long lance that mark’d with blood the sand:


s: The spear solicits, and the bandage bound;


s: A sling’s soft wool, snatch’d from a soldier’s side,


s: Behold! Pisander, urged by fate’s decree,


s: Springs through the ranks to fall, and fall by thee,


s: High-towering in the front, the warrior came.


s: First the sharp lance was by Atrides thrown;


s: The lance far distant by the winds was blown.


s: Nor pierced Pisander through Atrides’ shield:


s: Pisander’s spear fell shiver’d on the field.


s: Not so discouraged, to the future blind,


s: Vain dreams of conquest swell his haughty mind;


s: Dauntless he rushes where the Spartan lord


s: Like lightning brandish’d his far beaming sword.


s: His left arm high opposed the shining shield:


s: His right beneath, the cover’d pole-axe held;


s: (An olive’s cloudy grain the handle made,


s: Distinct with studs, and brazen was the blade;)


s: This on the helm discharged a noble blow;


s: The plume dropp’d nodding to the plain below,


s: Shorn from the crest. Atrides waved his steel:


s: Deep through his front the weighty falchion fell;


s: The crashing bones before its force gave way;


s: In dust and blood the groaning hero lay:


s: Forced from their ghastly orbs, and spouting gore,


s: The clotted eye-balls tumble on the shore.


s: And fierce Atrides spurn’d him as he bled,


s: Tore off his arms, and, loud-exulting, said:


s: "Thus, Trojans, thus, at length be taught to fear;


s: A princess raped transcends a navy storm’d:


s: In such bold feats your impious might approve,


s: Without th’ assistance, or the fear of Jove.


s: Our heroes slaughter’d and our ships on flame,


s: Crimes heap’d on crimes, shall bend your glory down,


s: O thou, great father! lord of earth and skies,


s: Above the thought of man, supremely wise!


s: If from thy hand the fates of mortals flow,


s: From whence this favour to an impious foe?


s: Still breathing rapine, violence, and lust?


s: The best of things, beyond their measure, cloy;


s: Sleep’s balmy blessing, love’s endearing joy;


s: The feast, the dance; whate’er mankind desire,


s: Even the sweet charms of sacred numbers tire.


s: In thirst of slaughter, and in lust of fight."


s: This said, he seized (while yet the carcase heaved)


s: The bloody armour, which his train received:


s: Then sudden mix’d among the warring crew,


s: Harpalion had through Asia travell’d far,


s: Following his martial father to the war:


s: Through filial love he left his native shore,


s: His unsuccessful spear he chanced to fling


s: Thus of his lance disarm’d, from death he flies,


s: Him, through the hip transpiercing as he fled,


s: The shaft of Merion mingled with the dead.


s: Beneath the bone the glancing point descends,


s: And, driving down, the swelling bladder rends:


s: Sunk in his sad companions’ arms he lay,


s: And in short pantings sobb’d his soul away;


s: (Like some vile worm extended on the ground;)


s: While life’s red torrent gush’d from out the wound.


s: In slow procession bore from off the plain.


s: Attends the mournful pomp along the shore;


s: And, unrevenged, deplored his offspring dead.


s: With pity soften’d and with fury swell’d:


s: His honour’d host, a youth of matchless grace,


s: With his full strength he bent his angry bow,


s: And wing’d the feather’d vengeance at the foe.


s: A chief there was, the brave Euchenor named,


s: For riches much, and more for virtue famed.


s: Who held his seat in Corinth’s stately town;


s: By arms abroad, or slow disease at home:


s: He climb’d his vessel, prodigal of breath,


s: And chose the certain glorious path to death.


s: The soul came issuing at the narrow vent:


s: His limbs, unnerved, drop useless on the ground,


s: And everlasting darkness shades him round.


s: Nor knew great Hector how his legions yield,


s: (Wrapp’d in the cloud and tumult of the field:)


s: Wide on the left the force of Greece commands,


s: And conquest hovers o’er th’ Achaian bands;


s: With such a tide superior virtue sway’d,


s: And he that shakes the solid earth gave aid.


s: But in the centre Hector fix’d remain’d,


s: Where first the gates were forced, and bulwarks gain’d;


s: (Their naval station where the Ajaces keep.


s: And where low walls confine the beating tides,


s: Whose humble barrier scarce the foe divides;


s: Where late in fight both foot and horse engaged,


s: And all the thunder of the battle raged,)


s: There join’d, the whole Boeotian strength remains,


s: The proud Iaonians with their sweeping trains,


s: Locrians and Phthians, and th’ Epaean force;


s: But join’d, repel not Hector’s fiery course.


s: The flower of Athens, Stichius, Phidas, led;


s: Bias and great Menestheus at their head:


s: Meges the strong the Epaean bands controll’d,


s: The Phthians, Medon, famed for martial might,


s: And brave Podarces, active in the fight.


s: (Young Ajax’ brother, by a stolen embrace;


s: He dwelt far distant from his native place,


s: By his fierce step-dame from his father’s reign


s: Expell’d and exiled for her brother slain:)


s: These rule the Phthians, and their arms employ,


s: Mix’d with Boeotians, on the shores of Troy.


s: Now side by side, with like unwearied care,


s: Each Ajax laboured through the field of war:


s: So when two lordly bulls, with equal toil,


s: Force the bright ploughshare through the fallow soil,


s: Join’d to one yoke, the stubborn earth they tear,


s: And trace large furrows with the shining share;


s: O’er their huge limbs the foam descends in snow,


s: And streams of sweat down their sour foreheads flow.


s: A train of heroes followed through the field,


s: Who bore by turns great Ajax’ sevenfold shield;


s: Whene’er he breathed, remissive of his might,


s: Tired with the incessant slaughters of the fight.


s: No following troops his brave associate grace:


s: In close engagement an unpractised race,


s: The Locrian squadrons nor the javelin wield,


s: Nor bear the helm, nor lift the moony shield;


s: But skill’d from far the flying shaft to wing,


s: Or whirl the sounding pebble from the sling,


s: Dexterous with these they aim a certain wound,


s: Or fell the distant warrior to the ground.


s: Throng’d in bright arms, a pressing fight maintain:


s: Far in the rear the Locrian archers lie,


s: Whose stones and arrows intercept the sky,


s: The mingled tempest on the foes they pour;


s: Troy’s scattering orders open to the shower.


s: Now had the Greeks eternal fame acquired,


s: And the gall’d Ilians to their walls retired;


s: Address’d great Hector, and this counsel gave:


s: "Though great in all, thou seem’st averse to lend


s: Impartial audience to a faithful friend;


s: To gods and men thy matchless worth is known,


s: But in cool thought and counsel to excel,


s: How widely differs this from warring well!


s: Content with what the bounteous gods have given,


s: Seek not alone to engross the gifts of Heaven.


s: To some the powers of bloody war belong,


s: To some sweet music and the charm of song;


s: To few, and wondrous few, has Jove assign’d


s: A wise, extensive, all-considering mind;


s: Their guardians these, the nations round confess,


s: And towns and empires for their safety bless.


s: If Heaven have lodged this virtue in my breast,


s: Attend, O Hector! what I judge the best,


s: See, as thou mov’st, on dangers dangers spread,


s: And war’s whole fury burns around thy head.


s: Behold! distress’d within yon hostile wall,


s: How many Trojans yield, disperse, or fall!


s: What troops, out-number’d, scarce the war maintain!


s: And what brave heroes at the ships lie slain!


s: Here cease thy fury: and, the chiefs and kings


s: Convoked to council, weigh the sum of things.


s: Whether (the gods succeeding our desires)


s: To yon tall ships to bear the Trojan fires;


s: Or quit the fleet, and pass unhurt away,


s: I fear, I fear, lest Greece, not yet undone,


s: Pay the large debt of last revolving sun;


s: On yonder decks, and yet o’erlooks the plains!"


s: The counsel pleased; and Hector, with a bound,


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


s: Swift as he leap’d his clanging arms resound.


s: "To guard this post (he cried) thy art employ,


s: And here detain the scatter’d youth of Troy;


s: Where yonder heroes faint, I bend my way,


s: And hasten back to end the doubtful day."


s: This said, the towering chief prepares to go,


s: Shakes his white plumes that to the breezes flow,


s: And seems a moving mountain topp’d with snow.


s: Through all his host, inspiring force, he flies,


s: To Panthus’ son, at Hector’s high command


s: Haste the bold leaders of the Trojan band:


s: But round the battlements, and round the plain,


s: For many a chief he look’d, but look’d in vain;


s: For these were pierced with many a ghastly wound,


s: Some cold in death, some groaning on the ground;


s: Some low in dust, (a mournful object) lay;


s: High on the wall some breathed their souls away.


s: Far on the left, amid the throng he found


s: (Cheering the troops, and dealing deaths around)


s: The graceful Paris; whom, with fury moved,


s: Opprobrious thus, th’ impatient chief reproved:


s: As smooth of face as fraudulent of mind!


s: The godlike father, and th’ intrepid son?


s: And great Othryoneus, so fear’d of late?


s: Black fate hang’s o’er thee from th’ avenging gods,


s: Imperial Troy from her foundations nods;


s: Whelm’d in thy country’s ruin shalt thou fall,


s: And one devouring vengeance swallow all."


s: When Paris thus: "My brother and my friend,


s: Thy warm impatience makes thy tongue offend,


s: Though then not deedless, nor unknown to fame:


s: But since yon rampart by thy arms lay low,


s: I scatter’d slaughter from my fatal bow.


s: The chiefs you seek on yonder shore lie slain;


s: Go then, successful, where thy soul inspires:


s: This heart and hand shall second all thy fires:


s: What with this arm I can, prepare to know,


s: Till death for death be paid, and blow for blow.


s: But ’tis not ours, with forces not our own


s: To combat: strength is of the gods alone."


s: These words the hero’s angry mind assuage:


s: Then fierce they mingle where the thickest rage.


s: And two bold brothers of Hippotion’s line


s: (Who reach’d fair Ilion, from Ascania far,


s: The former day; the next engaged in war).


s: As when from gloomy clouds a whirlwind springs,


s: That bears Jove’s thunder on its dreadful wings,


s: Wide o’er the blasted fields the tempest sweeps;


s: Then, gather’d, settles on the hoary deeps;


s: The afflicted deeps tumultuous mix and roar;


s: The waves behind impel the waves before,


s: Wide rolling, foaming high, and tumbling to the shore:


s: Thus rank on rank, the thick battalions throng,


s: Chief urged on chief, and man drove man along.


s: Far o’er the plains, in dreadful order bright,


s: Full in the blazing van great Hector shined,


s: Like Mars commission’d to confound mankind.


s: Like the broad sun, illumined all the field;


s: His piercing eyes through all the battle stray,


s: And, while beneath his targe he flash’d along,


s: Shot terrors round, that wither’d e’en the strong.


s: Thus stalk’d he, dreadful; death was in his look:


s: Whole nations fear’d; but not an Argive shook.


s: The towering Ajax, with an ample stride,


s: Advanced the first, and thus the chief defied:


s: "Hector! come on; thy empty threats forbear;


s: ’Tis not thy arm, ’tis thundering Jove we fear: