s: His AEgis o'er them, and cast down the wall;


s: In wanton play, with hands and feet o'erthrows


s: The mound of sand, which late in play he rais'd;


s: So, Phoebus, thou, the Grecian toil and pains


s: Confounding, sentest panic through their souls.


s: Thus hemm'd beside the ships they made their stand,


s: While each exhorted each, and all, with hands


s: Outstretch'd, to ev'ry God address'd their pray'r:


s: And chief, Gerenian Nestor, prop of Greece,


s: With hands uplifted tow'rd the starry Heav'n:


s: On corn-clad plains of Argos burnt the fat


s: Of bulls and sheep, and offer'd up his pray'r


s: For safe return; and thine assenting nod


s: His pray'r; stave off the pitiless day of doom,


s: Nor let the Greeks to Trojan arms succumb."


s: Thus Nestor pray'd; loud thunder'd from on high


s: The Lord of counsel, as he heard the pray'r


s: The Trojans, as the mind of Jove they knew,


s: Press'd on the Greeks, with warlike ardour fir'd.


s: As o'er the bulwarks of a ship pour down


s: The mighty billows of the wide-path'd sea,


s: Driv'n by the blast, that tosses high the waves,


s: So down the wall, with shouts, the Trojans pour'd;


s: The cars admitted, by the ships they fought


s: With double-pointed spears, and hand to hand;


s: These on their chariots, on the lofty decks


s: Of their dark vessels those, with pond'rous spars


s: Which on the ships were stor'd for naval war,


s: Compact and strong, their heads encas'd in brass.


s: While yet beyond the ships, about the wall


s: The Greeks and Trojans fought, Patroclus still


s: Remaining, with his converse sooth'd the chief,


s: And healing unguents to his wound applied,


s: Of pow'r to charm away the bitter pains;


s: But when the Trojans pouring o'er the wall,


s: And routed Greeks in panic flight he saw,


s: Deeply he groan'd, and smiting on his thigh


s: With either palm, in anguish thus he spoke:


s: I can no longer stay; so fierce the storm


s: Of battle rages; but th' attendants' care


s: Will all thy wants supply; while I in haste


s: Who knows but Heav'n may grant me to succeed?


s: For great is oft a friend's persuasive pow'r."


s: He said, and quickly on his errand sped.


s: Meanwhile the Greeks, in firm array, endur'd


s: The onset of the Trojans; nor could these


s: The assailants, though in numbers less, repel;


s: Nor those again the Grecian masses break,


s: And force their passage through the ships and tents,


s: As by a rule, in cunning workman's hand,


s: Who all his art by Pallas' aid has learnt,


s: A vessel's plank is smooth and even laid,


s: Others round other ships maintain'd the war,


s: For that one ship they two unwearied toil'd;


s: Nor Hector Ajax from his post could move,


s: And burn the ship with fire; nor he repel


s: Caletor, son of Clytius, through the breast,


s: As tow'rd the ship a blazing torch he bore;


s: Thund'ring he fell, and dropp'd his hand the torch.


s: But Hector, when his eyes his kinsman saw


s: By the dark vessel, prostrate in the dust,


s: "Trojans and Lycians, and ye Dardans, fam'd


s: In close encounter, in this press of war


s: Slack not your efforts; haste to save the son


s: Of Clytius, nor let Greeks his arms possess,


s: Who 'mid their throng of ships has nobly fall'n."


s: At Ajax, as he spoke, his gleaming spear


s: He threw, but miss'd his aim; yet Lycophron,


s: With guilt of bloodshed, near to Ajax dwelt),


s: Standing beside the chief, above the ear


s: He struck, and pierc'd the brain: from the tall prow


s: Backwards he fell, his limbs relax'd in death.


s: Then Ajax, shudd'ring, on his brother call'd:


s: "Good Teucer, we have lost a faithful friend,


s: Lies slain by noble Hector. Where are then


s: Thine arrows, swift-wing'd messengers of fate,


s: And where thy trusty bow, Apollo's gift?"


s: Thus Ajax; Teucer heard, and ran in haste,


s: And stood beside him, with his bended bow,


s: And well-stor'd quiver: on the Trojans fast


s: He pour'd his shafts; and struck Pisenor's son,


s: Held in his hand, and all his care bestow'd


s: To guide his horses; for, where'er the throng


s: Was thickest, there in Hector's cause, and Troy's,


s: He still was found; but o'er him hung the doom


s: Which none might turn aside; for from behind


s: The fateful arrow struck him through the neck;


s: Down from the car he fell; swerving aside,


s: The startled horses whirl'd the empty car.


s: And stay'd their course; to Protiaon's son,


s: Astynous, then he gave them, with command


s: To keep good watch, and still be near at hand;


s: Then 'mid the foremost join'd again the fray.


s: An arrow Teucer aim'd; and had the shaft


s: The life of Hector quench'd in mid career,


s: Not long the fight had rag'd around the ships:


s: But Jove's all-seeing eye beheld, who watch'd


s: O'er Hector's life, and Teucer's hopes deceiv'd.


s: The bow's well-twisted string he snapp'd in twain,


s: As Teucer drew; the brass-tipp'd arrow flew


s: Wide of the mark, and dropp'd his hand the bow.


s: Then to his brother, all aghast, he cried:


s: "O Heav'n, some God our best-laid schemes of war


s: Confounds, who from my hand hath, wrench'd the bow,


s: And snapp'd the newly-twisted string, which I


s: But late attach'd, my swift-wing'd shafts to bear."


s: "O friend, leave there thine arrows and thy bow,


s: Marr'd by some God who grudges our renown;


s: But take in hand thy pond'rous spear, and cast


s: Thy shield about thy shoulders, and thyself


s: Stand forth, and urge the rest, to face the foe.


s: Let us not tamely yield, if yield we must,


s: Our well-built ships, but nobly dare the fight."


s: "Thus Ajax spoke; and Teucer in the tent


s: Bestowed his bow, and o'er his shoulders threw


s: His fourfold shield; and on his firm-set head


s: A helm he plac'd, well-wrought, with horsehair plume,


s: That nodded, fearful, o'er his brow; his hand


s: Grasp'd the firm spear, with sharpen'd point of brass:


s: Then ran, and swiftly stood by Ajax' side.


s: Hector meanwhile, who saw the weapon marr'd,


s: "Trojans and Lycians, and ye Dardans fam'd


s: In close encounter, quit ye now like men;


s: Against the ships your wonted valour show.


s: E'en now, before our eyes, hath Jove destroy'd


s: A chieftain's weapon. Easy 'tis to trace


s: O'er human wars th' o'erruling hand of Jove,


s: As now the Greeks, while we his favour gain.


s: Pour then your force united on the ships;


s: Shall meet his doom, by sword or arrow slain,


s: E'en let him die! a glorious death is his


s: Who for his country falls; and dying, leaves


s: Preserv'd from danger, children, wife, and home,


s: Embarking hence shall take their homeward way."


s: His words fresh courage rous'd in ev'ry breast.


s: Ajax, on th' other side, address'd the Greeks:


s: "Shame on ye, Greeks! this very hour decides


s: If we must perish, or be sav'd, and ward


s: Destruction from our ships; and can ye hope


s: That each, if Hector of the glancing helm


s: Shall burn our ships, on foot can reach his home?


s: Our vessels, Hector cheers his forces on?


s: Not to the dance, but to the fight he calls;


s: Than in close fight with heart and hand to join.


s: 'Twere better far at once to die, than live


s: Hemm'd in and straiten'd thus, in dire distress,


s: Close to our ships, by meaner men beset."


s: The Thracian leader, slew; on th' other side


s: Stooping, the blow evaded; him he miss'd;


s: For Phoebus will'd not Panthous' son should fall


s: In the front rank contending; but the spear


s: Smote Croesmus through the breast; thund'ring he fell,


s: And from his corpse the victor stripp'd his arms.


s: Him Dolops, son of Lampus, spearman skill'd,


s: Well train'd in ev'ry point of war, assail'd


s: (The son of Lampus he, the prince of men,


s: Forward he sprang, and thrust at Meges' shield;


s: But him the solid corslet which he wore,


s: With breast and back-piece fitted, sav'd from harm:*


s: The corslet Phyleus brought from Ephyra,


s: By Selles' stream; Euphetes, King of men,


s: In battle for a guard from hostile spears;


s: Which from destruction now preserv'd his son.


s: Next Meges struck, with keen-edg'd spear, the crown


s: Of Dolops' brass-bound, horsehair-crested helm,


s: Sev'ring the horsehair plume, which, brilliant late


s: With crimson dye, now lay defil'd in dust.


s: Yet fought he on, and still for vict'ry hop'd;


s: He stood, and from behind his shoulder pierc'd;


s: The point, its course pursuing, through his breast


s: Was driv'n, and headlong on his face he fell.


s: Forthwith, advanc'd the two to seize the spoils;


s: But loudly Hector on his kinsmen call'd;


s: Pastur'd his herds; but when the ships of Greece


s: Approach'd the shore, to Ilium back he came;


s: There, 'mid the Trojans eminent, he dwelt


s: In Priam's house, belov'd as Priam's son.


s: Him Hector call'd by name, and thus address'd:


s: Doth not thy slaughter'd kinsmen touch thy heart?


s: See how they rush on Dolops' arms to seize;


s: Then on! no distant war must now be wag'd,


s: But hand to hand, till or the Greeks be slain,


s: Or lofty Troy, with all her children, fall."


s: He said, and led the way; him follow'd straight


s: Meanwhile the Greeks encourag'd to the fight,


s: And cried, "Brave comrades, quit ye now like men;


s: Bear a stout heart; and in the stubborn fight


s: By mutual succour more are sav'd than fall;


s: In timid flight nor fame nor safety lies."


s: He said; and pond'ring well his words, they stood,


s: Firm in defence; as with a wall of brass


s: The ships they guarded; though against them Jove


s: With stirring words Antilochus address'd:


s: "Antilochus, than thou, of all the Greeks


s: Is none more active, or more light of foot;


s: None stronger hurls the spear; then from the crowd


s: Spring forth, and aim to reach some Trojan's life."


s: Thus saying, he withdrew; fir'd by his words,


s: Forth sprang the youth, and pois'd his glitt'ring spear,


s: Glancing around him; back the Trojans drew


s: Before his aim; nor flew the spear in vain;


s: But through the breast it pierc'd, as on he came,


s: Thund'ring he fell, and loud his armour rang.


s: Forth sprang Antilochus, as springs a hound


s: Upon a fawn, which from its lair disturb'd


s: A hunter's shaft has struck, and quell'd its pow'rs;


s: So, Melanippus, sprang to seize thy spoils


s: Of Hector's eye, who, hast'ning through the press,


s: Advanc'd to meet him; waited not th' attack,


s: But trembling fled: as when a beast of prey,


s: The guardian dog or herdsman's self has slain,


s: And flies, ere yet th' avenging crowd collect;


s: So fled the son of Nestor; onward press'd,


s: By Hector led, the Trojans; loud their shouts,


s: As on the Greeks their murd'rous shafts they pour'd:


s: Yet turn'd he, when his comrades' ranks he reach'd.


s: Then on the ships, as rav'ning lions, fell


s: The Trojans: they but work'd the will of Jove,


s: Who still their courage rais'd, and quell'd the Greeks;


s: Of vict'ry these debarr'd, and those inspir'd;


s: For so he will'd, that Hector, Priam's son,


s: Should wrap in fire the beaked ships of Greece,


s: The flames ascending from the blazing ships:


s: For from that hour the Trojans, backward driv'n,


s: Should to the Greeks the final triumph leave.


s: With such design, to seize the ships, he fir'd


s: Th' already burning zeal of Priam's son;


s: With brandish'd spear; or as a raging fire


s: 'Mid the dense thickets on the mountain side.


s: The foam was on his lips; bright flash'd his eyes


s: The helm of Hector; Jove himself from Heav'n.


s: With glory crowning 'mid the host of men;


s: But short his term of glory: for the day


s: Was fast approaching, when, with Pallas' aid,


s: The might of Peleus' son should work his doom.


s: Oft he essay'd to break the ranks, where'er


s: The densest and throng noblest arms he saw;


s: But strenuous though his efforts, all were vain:


s: They, mass'd in close array, his charge withstood;


s: Close by the hoary sea, which meets unmov'd


s: The boist'rous currents of the whistling winds,


s: And the big waves that bellow round its base;


s: So stood unmov'd the Greeks, and undismay'd.


s: At length, all blazing in his arms, he sprang


s: Upon the mass; so plunging down, as when


s: On some tall vessel, from beneath the clouds


s: A giant billow, tempest-nurs'd, descends;


s: The deck is drench'd in foam; the stormy wind


s: Howls in the shrouds; th' affrighted seamen quail


s: In fear, but little way from death remov'd;


s: So quail'd the spirit in ev'ry Grecian breast.


s: Of heifers falls, which on some marshy mead


s: Feed numberless, beneath the care of one,


s: Unskill'd from beasts of prey to guard his charge;


s: And while beside the front or rear he walks,


s: The lion on th' unguarded centre springs,


s: Seizes on one, and scatters all the rest;


s: Scatter'd the Grecians all; but one alone,


s: The son of Copreus, whom Eurystheus sent


s: In speed of foot, in warlike might, in mind,


s: Who now on Hector fresh renown conferr'd;


s: For, backward as he stepp'd, against the rim


s: Of the broad shield which for defence he bore,


s: Down reaching to his feet, he tripp'd, and thus


s: Entangled, backward fell; and as he fell,


s: Around his temples clatter'd loud his helm.


s: Hector beheld, and o'er him stood in haste,


s: And with his spear transfix'd his breast, and slew


s: Before his comrades' eyes; yet dar'd not one,


s: Though grieving for their comrade's loss, advance


s: To rescue; such of Hector was their awe.


s: They fronted now the ships; the leading prows


s: Which first were drawn on shore, still barr'd their way;


s: Yet on they stream'd; and from the foremost ships,


s: Now hardly press'd, the Greeks perforce retir'd;


s: But closely mass'd before the tents they stood,


s: Not scatter'd o'er the camp; by shame restrain'd,


s: And fear; and loudly each exhorted each.


s: Gerenian Nestor chief, the prop of Greece,


s: Thus by their fathers singly each adjur'd:


s: "Quit ye like men, dear friends; and think it shame


s: Let each man now his children and his wife,


s: His fortunes and his parents, bear in mind;


s: For them, the absent, I, your suppliant, pray,


s: That firm ye stand, and scorn disgraceful flight."


s: His words fresh courage rous'd in ev'ry breast;


s: And from their eyeballs Pallas purg'd away


s: The film of darkness; and on ev'ry side,


s: Both tow'rd the ships and tow'rd the level fight,


s: Clear light diffus'd; there Hector they discern'd,


s: And all his comrades, those who stood aloof,


s: And those who near the ships maintain'd the war.


s: To stand where stood the other sons of Greece;


s: With haughty stride; a pond'rous boarding-pike,


s: Well polish'd, and with rivets well secur'd,


s: Of two and twenty cubits' length, he bore,


s: As one well-skill'd in feats of horsemanship,


s: Has parted four, and down the crowded road,


s: Drives tow'rd the city; and with force untir'd


s: From one to other springs, as on they fly;


s: O'er many a vessel's deck so Ajax pass'd


s: With lofty stride, and voice that reach'd to Heav'n,


s: As loudly shouting on the Greeks he call'd


s: To save their ships and tents: nor Hector stay'd


s: Amid the closely buckler'd Trojan ranks;


s: But, as upon a flock of birds, that feed


s: Beside a river's bank, or geese, or cranes,


s: Or long-neck'd swans, a fiery eagle swoops;


s: So on the dark-prow'd ship with furious rush


s: Swept Hector down; him Jove with mighty hand


s: Sustain'd, and with him forward urg'd the crowd.


s: Fierce round the ships again the battle rag'd;


s: Well might ye deem no previous toil had worn


s: Their strength, who in that dread encounter met;


s: With edge so keen, and stubborn will they fought.


s: But varying far their hopes and fears: the Greeks


s: Of safety and escape from death despair'd;


s: While high the hopes in ev'ry Trojan's breast,


s: To burn the ships, and slay the warlike Greeks;


s: So minded each, oppos'd in arms they stood.


s: On a swift-sailing vessel's stern, that bore


s: But to his native country bore not thence,


s: Hector had laid his hand; around that ship


s: Trojans and Greeks in mutual slaughter join'd.


s: The arrow's or the jav'lin's distant flight


s: They waited not, but, fir'd with equal rage,


s: Fought hand to hand, with axe and hatchet keen,


s: And mighty swords, and double-pointed spears.


s: Many a fair-hilted blade, with iron bound,


s: Dropp'd from the hands, or from the sever'd arms,


s: Of warrior chiefs; the dark earth ran with blood:


s: Yet loos'd not Hector of the stern his hold,


s: But grasp'd the poop, and on the Trojans call'd;


s: "Bring fire, and all together loud and clear


s: Your war-cry raise; this day will Jove repay


s: Our labours all, with capture of those ships,


s: Which hither came, against the will of Heav'n,


s: And which on us unnumber'd ills have brought,


s: By our own Elders' fault, who me, desiring


s: Ev'n at their vessels' sterns to urge the war,


s: Withheld, and to the town the troops confin'd.


s: But Jove all-seeing, if he then o'errul'd


s: Our better mind, himself is now our aid."


s: Thus he: they onward press'd with added zeal;


s: Now sorely gall'd; yet but a little space,


s: Back to the helmsman's sev'n-foot board he mov'd,


s: Expecting death; and left the lofty deck,


s: Where long he stood on guard; but still his spear


s: Amid the ships to launch th' unwearied flames;


s: And, loudly shouting, to the Greeks he call'd:


s: "Friends, Grecian heroes, ministers of Mars,


s: Quit ye like men! dear friends, remember now


s: Your wonted valour! think ye in your rear


s: Whose walls may give you refuge from your foe?


s: No city is nigh, whose well-appointed tow'rs,


s: Mann'd by a friendly race, may give us aid;


s: But here, upon the well-arm'd Trojans' soil,


s: Far from our country; not in faint retreat,


s: But in our own good arms, our safety lies."


s: He said; and with his sharp-edg'd spear his words


s: By Hector's call inspir'd, with fiery brand


s: To assail the ships, him with his ponderous spear


s: Would Ajax meet; and thus before the ships


s: Twelve warriors, hand to hand, his prowess felt.


s: Thus round the well-mann'd ship they wag'd the war:


s: Meanwhile by Peleus' son Patroclus stood,


s: Weeping hot tears; as some dark-water'd fount


s: Pours o'er a craggy rock its gloomy stream;


s: And to his friend these winged words address'd:


s: "Why weeps Patroclus, like an infant girl,


s: That prays her mother, by whose side she runs,


s: To take her up; and, clinging to her gown,


s: Impedes her way, and still with tearful eyes


s: Looks in her face, until she take her up?


s: Ev'n as that girl, Patroclus, such art thou,


s: Shedding soft tears: hast thou some tidings brought


s: Or have some evil news from Phthia come,


s: Known but to thee? Menoetius, Actor's son,


s: Yet surely lives; and 'mid his Myrmidons


s: Their deaths indeed might well demand our tears:


s: Or weep'st thou for the Greeks, who round their ships


s: Speak out, that I may know thy cause of grief."


s: To whom, with bitter groans, Patroclus thus:


s: "O son of Peleus, noblest of the Greeks,


s: Achilles, be not wroth! such weight of woe


s: The Grecian camp oppresses; in their ships


s: They who were late their bravest and their best,


s: By a sharp arrow through the thigh transfix'd;


s: For these, the large resources of their art


s: The leeches ply, and on their wounds attend;


s: While thou, Achilles, still remain'st unmov'd.


s: Who e'er may hope in future days by thee


s: The Greeks from shame and loss? Unfeeling man!


s: Sure Peleus, horseman brave, was ne'er thy sire,


s: Nor Thetis bore thee; from the cold grey sea


s: And craggy rocks thou hadst thy birth; so hard


s: And stubborn is thy soul. But if the fear


s: Or message by thy Goddess-mother brought


s: From Jove, yet send me forth with all thy force


s: Of Greece; and let me to the battle bear


s: Thy glitt'ring arms, if so the men of Troy,


s: Scar'd by thy likeness, may forsake the field,


s: And breathing-time afford the sons of Greece,


s: Toil-worn; for little pause has yet been theirs.


s: Fresh and unwearied, we may drive with ease


s: To their own city, from our ships and tents,


s: The Trojans, worn and battle-wearied men."


s: Thus pray'd he, all unwisely; for the pray'r


s: He utter'd, to himself was fraught with death;


s: To whom, much griev'd, Achilles, swift of foot:


s: "Heav'n-born Patroclus, oh, what words are these!


s: Nor message hath my mother brought from Jove;


s: That basely robs his equal of his prize,


s: His lawful prize, by highest valour won;


s: Such grief is mine, such wrong have I sustain'd.


s: Her, whom the sons of Greece on me bestow'd,


s: Prize of my spear, the well-wall'd city storm'd,


s: Hath borne by force away, as from the hands


s: Of some dishonour'd, houseless vagabond.


s: My wrath should have no end; yet had not thought


s: Should hear the war-cry, and the battle bear,


s: But go, and in my well-known armour clad,


s: Lead forth the valiant Myrmidons to war,


s: Since the dark cloud of Trojans circles round


s: The ships in force; and on the shingly beach,


s: Pent up in narrow limits, lie the Greeks;


s: And all the city hath pour'd its numbers forth


s: In hope undoubting; for they see no more


s: My helm among them flashing; else in flight


s: Their dead would choke the streams, if but to me


s: But round the camp the battle now is wag'd.


s: The Greeks protecting, hurl his fiery spear;


s: Is heard the warrior-slayer Hector's voice,


s: Cheering his Trojans; with triumphant cries


s: They, from the vanquish'd Greeks, hold all the plain.


s: Fall boldly on, lest they with blazing fire


s: Our ships destroy, and hinder our retreat.


s: But hear, and ponder well the end of all


s: And that the beauteous maiden to my arms


s: They may restore, with costly gifts to boot.


s: The ships reliev'd, return forthwith; and though


s: The Thund'rer, Juno's Lord, should crown thine arms


s: With triumph, be not rash, apart from me,


s: In combat with the warlike sons of Troy;


s: (So should my name in less repute be held;)


s: Nor, in the keen excitement of the fight


s: And slaughter of the Trojans, lead thy troops


s: On tow'rd the city, lest thou find thyself


s: By some one of th' immortal Gods oppos'd;


s: For the far-darting Phoebus loves them well;


s: But when in safety thou hast plac'd the ships,


s: To battle on the plain: for would to Jove,


s: Or Greek or Trojan, might escape from death,


s: Alone might raze the sacred tow'rs of Troy."


s: Such converse held they; while by hostile spears


s: Hard press'd, no longer Ajax might endure;


s: At once by Jove's high will and Trojan foes


s: O'ermaster'd; loud beneath repeated blows


s: Clatter'd around his brow the glitt'ring helm,


s: As on the well-wrought crest the weapons fell;


s: And his left arm grew faint, that long had borne


s: The burthen of his shield; yet nought avail'd


s: The press of spears to drive him from his post;


s: Lab'ring he drew his breath, his ev'ry limb


s: With sweat was reeking; breathing space was none;


s: Blow follow'd blow; and ills were heap'd on ill.


s: How first the fire assail'd the Grecian ships.


s: Hector approach'd, and on the ashen spear


s: Of Ajax, close behind the head, let fall


s: His mighty sword; right through he clove the wood;


s: The headless shaft held bootless; far away,


s: Loud ringing, fell to earth the brazen point.


s: Ajax, dismayed, perceived the hand of Heaven,


s: And knew that Jove the Thunderer had decreed


s: To thwart his hopes, and victory give to Troy.


s: The blazing torch applied; high rose the flame


s: Unquenchable, and wrapp'd the poop in fire.


s: The son of Peleus saw, and with his palm


s: Smote on his thigh, and to Patroclus call'd:


s: "Up, nobly born Patroclus, car-borne chief!


s: The hostile fires; and lest they seize the ships,


s: And hinder our retreat, do thou in haste


s: Thine armour don, while I arouse the troops."


s: He said: his dazzling arms Patroclus donn'd:


s: First on his legs the well-wrought greaves he fix'd,


s: Fasten'd with silver clasps; his ample chest


s: The breastplate of Achilles, swift of foot,


s: Star-spangled, richly wrought, defended well;


s: Around his shoulders slung, his sword he bore,


s: Brass-bladed, silver-studded; next his shield


s: Weighty and strong; and on his firm-set head


s: A helm he wore, well-wrought, with horsehair plume


s: That nodded, fearful, o'er his brow; his hand


s: Grasp'd two stout spears, familiar to his hold.


s: One spear Achilles had, long, pond'rous, tough;


s: But this he touch'd not; none of all the Greeks,


s: None, save Achilles' self, that spear could poise;


s: The far-fam'd Pelian ash, which to his sire,


s: On Pelion's summit fell'd, to be the bane


s: Of mightiest chiefs, the Centaur Chiron gave.


s: To yoke the horses: him he honour'd most,


s: Next to Achilles' self; the trustiest he


s: The flying steeds he harness'd to the car,


s: Xanthus and Balius, fleeter than the winds;


s: Whom, grazing in the marsh by ocean's stream,


s: And by their side the matchless Pedasus,


s: Meantime Achilles, through their several tents,


s: They all, like rav'ning wolves, of courage high,


s: That on the mountain side have hunted down


s: An antler'd stag, and batten'd on his flesh:


s: Their chaps all dyed with blood, in troops they go,


s: With their lean tongues from some black-water'd fount


s: To lap the surface of the dark cool wave,


s: Their jaws with blood yet reeking, unsubdued


s: Their courage, and their bellies gorg'd with flesh;


s: So round Pelides' valiant follower throng'd


s: And buckler'd warriors issued his commands.


s: Fifty swift ships Achilles, dear to Jove,


s: Led to the coast of Troy; and rang'd in each


s: Fifty brave comrades mann'd the rowers' seats.


s: O'er these five chiefs, on whom he most relied,


s: He plac'd, himself the Sov'reign Lord of all.


s: One band Menestheus led, with glancing mail,


s: Son of Sperchius, Heav'n-descended stream;


s: To stout Sperchius bore; but, by repute,


s: In public, and with ample dow'r, espous'd.


s: To Hermes bore; the maid he saw, and lov'd,


s: He to her chamber access found, and gain'd


s: By stealth her bed; a valiant son she bore,


s: Eudorus, swift of foot, in battle strong.


s: Was brought to light, and saw the face of day,


s: Her to his home, with ample dow'r enrich'd,


s: While him the aged Phylas kept, and nurs'd


s: With tender care, and cherish'd--as his own.


s: Next to Pelides' friend, the noblest spear.


s: The fourth, the aged warrior Phoenix led;


s: Array'd, and next with stirring words address'd:


s: "Ye Myrmidons, forget not now the vaunts


s: Which, while my wrath endur'd, ye largely pour'd


s: 'Ill-omen'd son of Peleus, sure in wrath


s: Thou wast conceiv'd, implacable, who here


s: In idleness enforc'd thy comrades keep'st!


s: 'Twere better far our homeward way to take,


s: If such pernicious rancour fill thy soul!'


s: Thus ye reproach'd me oft! Lo! now ye have


s: The great occasion which your souls desir'd!


s: Then on, and with brave hearts the Trojans meet!"


s: His words fresh courage rous'd in ev'ry breast,


s: And more compact, beneath their monarch's eye,


s: Their ranks were form'd; as when the builder lays


s: The closely-fitting stones, to form the wall


s: Of some great house, and brave the winds of Heav'n;


s: So close were fitted helm and bossy shield;


s: Buckler on buckler press'd, and helm on helm,


s: And man on man; the horsehair plumes above,


s: That nodded, fearful, from the warriors' brows,


s: Each other touch'd; so closely mass'd they stood.


s: Both with one thought possess'd, to lead the fight


s: And of a gorgeous coffer rais'd the lid,


s: Well-wrought, by silver-footed Thetis plac'd


s: On board his ship, and fill'd with rich attire,


s: With store of wind-proof cloaks, and carpets soft.


s: There lay a goblet, richly chas'd, whence none,


s: But he alone, might drink the ruddy wine,


s: Nor might libations thence to other Gods


s: Be made, save only Jove: this brought he forth,


s: And first with sulphur purified, and next


s: Wash'd with pure water; then his hands he wash'd,


s: And drew the ruddy wine; then standing forth


s: Made in the centre of the court his pray'r,


s: And as he pour'd the wine, look'd up to Heav'n,


s: Not unbeheld of Jove, the lightning's Lord:


s: "Great King, Dodona's Lord, Pelasgian Jove,


s: Who dwell'st on high, and rul'st with sov'reign sway


s: Dodona's wintry heights; where dwell around


s: Thy Sellian priests, men of unwashen feet,


s: That on the bare ground sleep; thou once before


s: Hast heard my pray'r, and me with honour crown'd,


s: And on the Greeks inflicted all thy plagues;


s: Hear yet again, and this my boon accord.


s: I 'mid the throng of ships myself remain;


s: On him, all-seeing Jove, thy favour pour;


s: Strengthen his heart, that Hector's self may learn


s: If, e'en alone, my follower knows to fight,


s: And from our vessels when the foe is driv'n,


s: Grant that with all his arms and comrades true


s: Thus pray'd he; Jove, the Lord of counsel, heard,


s: And half his pray'r he granted, half denied:


s: His pray'rs and off'rings ended, to the tent


s: Replac'd the cup; then issuing forth, he stood


s: Before the tent; for much he long'd to see


s: The Greeks and Trojans join in battle strife.


s: They who in arms round brave Patroclus stood


s: Their line of battle form'd, with courage high


s: That have their nest beside the public road,


s: In wanton play, but to the gen'ral harm;


s: Disturb, with angry courage forth they rush


s: In one continuous swarm, to guard their nest:


s: E'en with such courage pour'd the Myrmidons


s: Forth from the ships; then uproar wild arose,


s: And loud Patroclus on his comrades call'd:


s: "Ye valiant Myrmidons, who boast yourselves


s: Achilles' comrades, quit ye now like men;


s: Your ancient valour prove; to Peleus' son,


s: Of all the Greeks the noblest, so shall we,


s: His faithful followers, highest honour give;


s: And Agamemnon's haughty self shall mourn


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


s: His words fresh courage rous'd in ev'ry breast.


s: Thick on the Trojan host their masses fell;


s: While loud the fleet re-echoed to the sound


s: Of Grecian cheers; but when the Trojans saw,


s: Blazing in arms, Menoetius' godlike son,


s: Himself, and follower; quail'd the spirits of all;


s: Their firm-set ranks were shaken; for they deem'd


s: His wrath for friendship; and each sev'ral man


s: Look'd round, to find his own escape from death.


s: Then first Patroclus aim'd his glitt'ring spear


s: Amid the crowd, where thickest round the ships


s: From the wide-flowing stream of Axius, led


s: The horsehair-crested Paeons; him he struck


s: Through the right shoulder; backwards in the dust


s: Groaning, he fell; around him quail'd with fear


s: His Paeons all, such terror in their ranks


s: Patroclus threw, their bravest leader slain,


s: The foremost in the fight; the crowd he drove


s: Far from the ships, and quench'd the blazing fire.


s: There lay the half-burnt ship; with shouts confus'd


s: The Trojans fled; and from amid the ships


s: Forth pour'd the Greeks; and loud the clamour rose.


s: The lightning's Lord dispels a mass of cloud,


s: Is plainly seen, and ev'ry forest glade;


s: And the deep vault of Heav'n is open'd wide;


s: So when the Greeks had clear'd the ships of fire,


s: They breath'd awhile; yet ceas'd not so the strife;


s: For not in headlong panic from the ships


s: The Trojans by the valiant Greeks were driv'n,


s: But, though perforce retiring, still made head.


s: Then of the chiefs, as wider spread the fight,


s: First threw his pointed spear, and on the thigh


s: Right through the point was driv'n; the weighty spear


s: Shatter'd the bone, and prone to earth he fell.


s: Where Thoas' breast, unguarded by his shield,


s: Was left expos'd; and slack'd his limbs in death.


s: Phyleus' brave son, as rush'd Amphiclus on,


s: Stood firm, with eye observant; then th' attack


s: Preventing, through his thigh, high up, where lie


s: The strongest muscles, smote; the weapon's point


s: Sever'd the tendons; darkness clos'd his eyes.


s: Of Nestor's sons, Antilochus, the first,


s: Atymnius wounded, driving through his flank


s: He brazen spear; prone on his face he fell.


s: Then, burning to avenge his brother's death,


s: Stood Maris o'er the corpse, and hand to hand


s: Was struck, the godlike Thrasymedes drove


s: Through his right shoulder, with unerring aim,


s: His glitt'ring spear; the point his upper arm


s: Tore from the muscles, shatt'ring all the bone:


s: Thund'ring he fell, and darkness clos'd his eyes.


s: So to the shades, by those two brethren's hands


s: Subdued, Sarpedon's comrades brave were sent,


s: His hilted sword, and quench'd the fire of life.


s: The hot blood dyed the sword; the darkling shades


s: Of death, and rig'rous fate, his eyes o'erspread.


s: Engag'd in combat; both had miss'd their aim,


s: And bootless hurl'd their weapons; then with swords


s: They met; first Lycon on the crested helm


s: Dealt a fierce blow; but in his hand the blade


s: Up to the hilt was shiver'd; then the sword


s: Dissever'd; deeply in his throat the blade


s: Was plung'd, and by the skin alone was stay'd;


s: Down droop'd his head, his limbs relax'd in death.


s: Though the right shoulder pierc'd; down from the car


s: He fell; the shades of death his eyes o'erspread.


s: The white bones crashing, pass'd the brazen spear


s: Below the brain; his teeth were shatter'd all;


s: With blood, which with convulsive sobs he blew


s: From mouth and nostril, both his eyes were fill'd;


s: And death's dark cloud encompass'd him around.


s: Thus slew the Grecian leaders each his man.


s: As rav'ning wolves, that lambs or kids assail,


s: Stray'd from their dams, by careless shepherds left


s: Upon the mountain scatter'd; these they see,


s: And tear at once their unresisting prey;


s: So on the Trojans fell the Greeks; in rout


s: Disastrous they, unmann'd by terror, fled.


s: Great Ajax still, unwearied, long'd to hurl


s: But he, well skill'd in war, his shoulders broad


s: Protected by his shield of tough bull's hide,


s: Watch'd for the whizzing shafts, and jav'lins' whirr.


s: Full well he knew the tide of battle turn'd,


s: Yet held his ground, his trusty friends to save.


s: As from Olympus, o'er the clear blue sky


s: Pour the dark clouds, when Jove the vault of Heav'n


s: O'erspreads with storm and tempest, from the ships


s: So pour'd with panic cries the flying host,


s: And in disorder'd rout recross'd the trench.


s: Then Hector's flying coursers bore him safe


s: Far from the struggling masses, whom the ditch


s: Detain'd perforce; there many a royal car


s: With broken pole th' unharness'd horses left.


s: On, shouting to the Greeks, Patroclus press'd


s: The flying Trojans; they, with panic cries,


s: Dispers'd, the roads encumber'd; high uprose


s: The storms of dust, as from the tents and ships


s: Back to the city stretch'd the flying steeds;


s: And ever where the densest throng appear'd


s: With furious threats Patroclus urg'd his course;


s: His glowing axle trac'd by prostrate men


s: Hurl'd from their cars, and chariots overthrown.


s: Flew o'er the deep-sunk trench th' immortal steeds,


s: The noble prize the Gods to Peleus gave,


s: Still onward straining; for he long'd to reach,


s: And hurl his spear at Hector; him meanwhile


s: As in th' autumnal season, when the earth


s: With weight of rain is saturate; when Jove


s: Pours down his fiercest storms in wrath to men,


s: Who in their courts unrighteous judgments pass,


s: The wrath of Heav'n despising; ev'ry stream


s: Is brimming o'er: the hills in gullies deep


s: Are by the torrents seam'd, which, rushing down


s: From the high mountains to the dark-blue sea,


s: With groans and tumult urge their headlong course,


s: Wasting the works of man; so urg'd their flight,


s: So, as they fled, the Trojan horses groan'd.


s: The foremost ranks cut off, back tow'rd the ships


s: Patroclus drove them, baffling their attempts


s: Between the ships, the stream, and lofty wall,


s: Dealt slaughter round him, and of many a chief


s: Then Pronous with his glitt'ring spear he struck,


s: Where by the shield his breast was left expos'd,


s: And slack'd his limbs in death; thund'ring he fell.


s: Next Thestor, son of OEnops, he assail'd;


s: He on his polish'd car, down-crouching, sat,


s: His mind by fear disorder'd; from his hands


s: The reins had dropp'd; him, thrusting with the spear,


s: Through the right cheek and through the teeth he smote,


s: Then dragg'd him, by the weapon, o'er the rail.


s: Drags from the sea to shore with hook and line


s: A weighty fish; so him Patroclus dragg'd,


s: Gaping, from off the car; and dash'd him down


s: Upon his face; and life forsook his limbs.


s: He struck; beneath the pond'rous helmet's weight


s: The skull was split in twain; prostrate he fell,


s: By life-consuming death encompass'd round.


s: In quick succession to the ground he brought.


s: And to the Lycians call'd in loud reproof:


s: "Shame, Lycians! whither fly ye? why this haste?


s: I will myself this chief confront, and learn


s: Who this may be of bearing proud and high,


s: Who on the Trojans grievous harm hath wrought,


s: And many a warrior's limbs relax'd in death."


s: He said, and from his car, accoutred, sprang;


s: Patroclus saw, and he too leap'd to earth.


s: Hook-beak'd, with talons curv'd, two vultures fight;


s: So with loud shouts these two to battle rush'd.


s: "Woe, woe! that fate decrees my best-belov'd,


s: E'en now conflicting thoughts my soul divide,


s: To bear him from the fatal strife unhurt,


s: And set him down on Lycia's fertile plains,


s: Or leave him by Patroclus' hand to fall."


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


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


s: Wouldst thou a mortal man from death withdraw


s: Long since by fate decreed? Do what thou wilt;


s: Yet cannot we, the rest, applaud thine act.


s: This too I say, and turn it in thy mind:


s: Alive, bethink thee, will not other Gods


s: Their sons too from the stubborn fight withdraw?


s: For in the field around the walls of Troy


s: This act of thine will angry feelings rouse.


s: But if thou love him, and thy soul deplore


s: His coming doom, yet in the stubborn fight


s: Leave him beneath Patroclus' hand to fall:


s: Then, when his spirit hath fled, the charge assign


s: To Death and gentle Sleep, that in their arms


s: They bear him safe to Lycia's wide-spread plains:


s: There shall his brethren and his friends perform


s: His fun'ral rites, and mound and column raise,


s: The fitting tribute to the mighty dead."


s: Thus she; the Sire of Gods and men complied:


s: But to the ground some drops of blood let fall,


s: In honour of his son, whom fate decreed,


s: Far from his country, on the fertile plains


s: As near the champions drew, Patroclus first


s: His weapon hurl'd, and Thrasymedes brave,


s: The faithful follower of Sarpedon, struck


s: Below the waist, and slack'd his limbs in death.


s: Thrown in his turn, Sarpedon's glitt'ring spear


s: Flew wide; and Pedasus, the gallant horse,


s: Through the right shoulder wounded; with a scream


s: He fell, and in the dust breath'd forth his life,


s: As, shrieking loud, his noble spirit fled.


s: This way and that his two companions swerv'd;


s: Creak'd the strong yoke, and tangled were the reins,


s: As in the dust the prostrate courser lay.


s: And drawing from beside his brawny thigh


s: His keen-edg'd sword, with no uncertain blow


s: Cut loose the fallen horse; again set straight,


s: The two, extended, stretch'd the tightened rein.


s: Again in mortal strife the warriors clos'd:


s: Once more Sarpedon hurl'd his glitt'ring spear


s: The point, innocuous; from his hand in turn


s: The spear not vainly thrown, Sarpedon struck


s: Where lies the diaphragm, below the heart.


s: He fell; as falls an oak, or poplar tall,


s: Or lofty pine, which on the mountain top


s: For some proud ship the woodman's axe hath hewn:


s: So he, with death-cry sharp, before his car


s: Extended lay, and clutch'd the blood-stain'd soil.


s: And, 'mid the heifers seiz'd, the lordly bull


s: Lies bellowing, crush'd between the lion's jaws;


s: So by Patroclus slain, the Lycian chief,


s: Undaunted still, his faithful comrade call'd:


s: "Good Glaucus, warrior tried, behoves thee now


s: Thy spearmanship to prove, and warlike might.


s: Welcome the fray; put forth thine utmost speed;


s: Call on the Lycian chiefs, on ev'ry side,


s: To press around, and for Sarpedon fight;


s: Thou too thine arms for my protection wield;


s: For I to thee, through all thy future days,


s: Shall be a ceaseless scandal and reproach,


s: If me, thus slain before the Grecian ships,


s: The Greeks be suffer'd of my arms to spoil:


s: But stand thou fast, and others' courage raise."


s: Thus as he spoke, the shades of death o'erspread


s: His eyes and nostrils; then with foot firm-set


s: Upon his chest, Patroclus from the corpse


s: Drew, by main force, the fast-adhering spear;


s: The life forth issuing with the weapon's point.


s: Loos'd from the royal car, the snorting steeds,


s: Eager for flight, the Myrmidons detain'd.


s: Deep-grieving, Glaucus heard his voice: and chafed


s: His spirit within him, that he lacked the power


s: To aid his comrade; with his hand he grasp'd


s: His wounded arm, in torture from the shaft


s: By Teucer shot, to save the Greeks from death,


s: As on he pressed to scale the lofty wall:


s: Then to Apollo thus address'd his pray'r:


s: "Hear me, great King, who, as on Lycia's plains,


s: Art here in Troy; and hear'st in ev'ry place


s: Their voice who suffer, as I suffer now.


s: A grievous wound I bear, and sharpest pangs


s: My arm assail, nor may the blood he stanch'd:


s: The pain weighs down my shoulder; and my hand


s: Hath lost its pow'r to fight, or grasp my spear.


s: Sarpedon, bravest of the brave, is slain,


s: The son of Jove; yet Jove preserv'd him not.


s: But thou, O King, this grievous wound relieve;


s: Assuage the pain, and give me strength to urge


s: And fight myself to guard the noble dead."


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


s: Assuag'd his pains, and from the grievous wound


s: Stanch' d the dark blood, and fill'd his soul with strength.


s: Glaucus within himself perceiv'd, and knew,


s: Rejoicing, that the God had heard his pray'r.


s: He urg'd to hasten for their King to fight:


s: Then 'mid the Trojans went with lofty step,


s: Approaching, thus with winged words address'd:


s: "Hector, forgett'st thou quite thy brave allies,


s: Who freely in thy cause pour forth their lives,


s: Far from their home and friends? but they from thee


s: The leader of the buckler'd Lycian bands,


s: Whose justice and whose pow'r were Lycia's shield;


s: Him by Patroclus' hand hath Mars subdued.


s: But, friends, stand by me now! with just revenge


s: Shall not, how griev'd soe'er for all the Greeks


s: Who by our spears beside the ships have fall'n,


s: Our dead dishonour, and his arms obtain."


s: He said; and through the Trojans thrill'd the sense


s: For he, though stranger-born, was of the State


s: A num'rous host; and he himself in fight


s: Among the foremost; so, against the Greeks,


s: With fiery zeal they rush'd, by Hector led,


s: Griev'd for Sarpedon's loss; on th' other side


s: Patroclus' manly heart the Greeks arous'd,


s: And to th' Ajaces first, themselves inflamed


s: With warlike zeal, he thus address'd his speech:


s: The man hath fall'n, who first o'erleap'd our wall,


s: Sarpedon; now remains, that, having slain,


s: We should his corpse dishonour, and his arms


s: Strip off; and should some comrade dare attempt


s: His rescue, him too with our spears subdue."


s: He said; and they, with martial ardour fir'd,


s: Rush'd to the conflict. When on either side


s: With fearful shouts; and loud their armour rang.


s: Then, to enhance the horror of the strife


s: Around his son, with darkness Jove o'erspread


s: The stubborn fight: the Trojans first drove back


s: The keen-ey'd Greeks; for first a warrior fell,


s: Who in Budaeum's thriving state bore rule


s: Erewhile; but flying for a kinsman slain,


s: He came a suppliant; with Achilles thence


s: Him, as he stretch'd his hand to seize the dead,


s: Full on the forehead with a massive stone


s: Great Hector smote; within the pond'rous helm


s: The skull was split in twain; prone on the corpse


s: He fell, by life-destroying death subdued.


s: Griev'd was Patroclus for his comrade slain;


s: Forward he darted, as a swift-wing'd hawk,


s: That swoops amid the starlings and the daws;


s: So swift didst thou, Patroclus, car-borne chief,


s: Upon the Trojans and the Lycians spring,


s: Thy soul with anger for thy comrade fill'd.


s: A pond'rous stone he hurl'd at Sthenelas,


s: Fell on his neck, and all the muscles crush'd.


s: Back drew great Hector and the chiefs of Troy;


s: Far as a jav'lin's flight, in sportive strife,


s: His utmost strength exerting; back so far


s: The Trojans drew, so far the Greeks pursued.


s: Glaucus, the leader of the Lycian spears,


s: First turning, slew the mighty Bathycles,


s: Quick turning, Glaucus through the breast transfix'd;


s: Thund'ring he fell; deep grief possess'd the Greeks


s: At loss of one so valiant; fiercely joy'd


s: The Trojans, and around him crowded thick;


s: Nor of their wonted valour were the Greeks


s: Oblivious, but still onward held their course.


s: Below the ear he struck him; from his limbs


s: The spirit fled, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: His brazen spear, in hopes beneath his shield


s: And downward stooping, shunn'd the brazen death;


s: Behind him far, deep in the soil infix'd,


s: The weapon stood; there Mars its impulse stay'd;


s: So, bootless hurl'd, though by no feeble hand,


s: AEneas' spear stood quiv'ring in the ground;


s: Had it but struck thee, nimble as thou art,


s: My spear had brought thy dancing to a close."


s: "Brave as thou art, AEneas, 'tis too much


s: For thee to hope the might of all to quell,


s: Who dare confront thee; thou art mortal too!


s: And if my aim be true, and should my spear


s: But strike thee fair, all valiant as thou art,


s: And confident, yet me thy fall shall crown


s: With triumph, and thy soul to Hades send."


s: Brave warrior, why thus waste the time in words?


s: Trust me, good friend, 'tis not by vaunting speech,


s: To scare away the Trojans from the slain:


s: Hands are for battle, words for council meet;


s: Boots it not now to wrangle, but to fight."


s: He said, and led the way; him follow'd straight


s: The godlike chief; forthwith, as loudly rings,


s: The woodman's axe, and far is heard the sound;


s: So from the wide-spread earth their clamour rose,


s: As brazen arms, and shields, and tough bull's-hide


s: Encounter'd swords and double-pointed spears.


s: Nor might the sharpest sight Sarpedon know,


s: From head to foot with wounds and blood and dust


s: Disfigur'd; thickly round the dead they swarm'd.


s: As when at spring-tide in the cattle-sheds


s: Around the milk-cans swarm the buzzing flies,


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


s: So swarm'd they round the dead; nor Jove the while


s: Turn'd from the stubborn fight his piercing glance;


s: But still look'd down with gaze intent, and mus'd


s: Should perish by illustrious Hector's hand,


s: Spoil'd of his arms; or yet be spared awhile


s: To swell the labours of the battle-field.


s: He judg'd it best at length, that once again


s: Should tow'rd the town with fearful slaughter drive


s: The Trojans, and their brazen-helmed chief.


s: First Hector's soul with panic fear he fill'd;


s: Mounting his car, he fled, and urg'd to flight


s: The Trojans; for he saw the scales of Jove.


s: Then nor the valiant Lycians held their ground;


s: All fled in terror, as they saw their King


s: Pierc'd through the heart, amid a pile of dead;


s: When Saturn's son the conflict fierce inflam'd.


s: Then from Sarpedon's breast they stripp'd his arms,


s: Of brass refulgent; these Menoetius' son


s: Sent by his comrades to the ships of Greece.


s: To Phoebus then the Cloud-compeller thus:


s: "Hie thee, good Phoebus, from amid the spears


s: Withdraw Sarpedon, and from all his wounds


s: Cleanse the dark gore; then bear him far away,


s: And lave his body in the flowing stream;


s: Anointing, clothe him in immortal robes.


s: To two swift bearers give him then in charge,


s: To Sleep and Death, twin brothers, in their arms


s: To bear him safe to Lycia's wide-spread plains:


s: There shall his brethren and his friends perform


s: His fun'ral rites, and mound and column raise,


s: The fitting tribute to the mighty dead."


s: He said; obedient to his father's words,


s: From Ida's height; and from amid the spears


s: And lav'd his body in the flowing stream;


s: Anointing, cloth'd him in immortal robes;


s: To two swift bearers gave him then in charge,


s: To Sleep and Death, twin brothers; in their arms


s: They bore him safe to Lycia's wide-spread plains.


s: But borne in mind the words of Peleus' son,


s: He might have 'scap'd the bitter doom of death.


s: But still Jove's will the will of man o'errules:


s: Who strikes with panic, and of vict'ry robs


s: Who now Patroclus' breast with fury fill'd.


s: Whom then, Patroclus, first, whom slew'st thou last,


s: When summon'd by the Gods to meet thy doom?


s: And Mulius, and Pylartes; these he slew;


s: The others all in flight their safety found.


s: Then had the Greeks the lofty-gated town


s: So forward and so fierce he bore his spear;


s: But on the well-built tow'r Apollo stood,


s: On his destruction bent, and Troy's defence


s: Patroclus thrice assail'd; his onset thrice


s: Repelling, backward thrust his glitt'ring shield.


s: But when again, with more than mortal force


s: He made his fourth attempt, with awful mien


s: And threat'ning voice the Far-destroyer spoke:


s: "Back, Heav'n-born chief, Patroclus! not to thee


s: Hath fate decreed the triumph to destroy


s: To great Achilles, mightier far than thou."


s: Thus as he spoke, Patroclus backward stepp'd,


s: Shrinking before the Far-destroyer's wrath.


s: Still Hector kept before the Scaean gates


s: His coursers; doubtful, if again to dare


s: The battle-throng, or summon all the host


s: To seek the friendly shelter of the wall.


s: Thus as he mus'd, beside him Phoebus stood,


s: In likeness of a warrior stout and brave,


s: Who dwelt in Phrygia, by Saugarius' stream;


s: "Hector, why shrink'st thou from the battle thus?


s: It ill beseems thee! Would to Heav'n that I


s: So far thy greater were, as thou art mine;


s: Then sorely shouldst thou rue this abstinence.


s: But, forward thou! against Patroclus urge


s: Apollo thee with endless fame may crown."


s: This said, the God rejoin'd the strife of men;


s: Drive 'mid the fight his car; before him mov'd


s: Apollo, scatt'ring terror 'mid the Greeks,


s: Nor stay'd to slay; Patroclus was the mark


s: At which his coursers' clatt'ring hoofs he drove.


s: On th' other side, Patroclus from his car


s: Leap'd to the ground: his left hand held his spear;


s: And in the right a pond'rous mass he bore


s: Of rugged stone, that fill'd his ample grasp:


s: The stone he hurl'd; not far it miss'd its mark,


s: Nor bootless flew; but Hector's charioteer


s: Full on his temples fell the jagged mass,


s: Drove both his eyebrows in, and crush'd the bone;


s: Before him in the dust his eyeballs fell;


s: And, like a diver, from the well-wrought car


s: Headlong he plung'd; and life forsook his limbs.


s: O'er whom Patroclus thus with bitter jest:


s: "Heav'n! what agility! how deftly thrown


s: Such feats he wrought, with him might few compete,


s: Diving for oysters, if with such a plunge


s: He left his boat, how rough soe'er the waves,


s: As from his car he plunges to the ground:


s: Troy can, it seems, accomplish'd tumblers boast."


s: As springs a lion, through the breast transfix'd,


s: In act the sheepfold to despoil, and dies


s: The victim of his courage; so didst thou


s: Down from his car too Hector leap'd to earth.


s: As on the mountain, o'er a slaughter'd stag,


s: Both hunger-pinch'd, two lions fiercely fight,


s: Menoetius' son and noble Hector, strove,


s: Each in the other bent to plunge his spear.


s: The head, with grasp unyielding, Hector held;


s: Patroclus seiz'd the foot; and, crowding round,


s: Trojans and Greeks in stubborn conflict clos'd.


s: As when, encount'ring in some mountain-glen,


s: Whose tap'ring branches are together thrown,


s: With fearful din, and crash of broke a boughs;


s: So mix'd confus'dly, Greeks and Trojans fought,


s: No thought of flight by either entertain'd.


s: And feather'd arrows, bounding from the string;


s: And pond'rous stones that on the bucklers rang,


s: As round the dead they fought; amid the dust


s: That eddying rose, his art forgotten all,


s: While in mid Heav'n the sun pursued his course,


s: Thick flew the shafts, and fast the people fell


s: Brought on the hour that sees the loosen'd steers,


s: The Greeks were stronger far; and from the darts


s: They drew, and from his breast his armour stripp'd.


s: Thrice he assail'd them, terrible as Mars,


s: With fearful shouts; and thrice nine foes he slew:


s: But when again, with more than mortal force


s: His fourth assault he made, thy term of life,


s: Patroclus, then approach'd its final close;


s: For Phoebus' awful self encounter'd thee,


s: For thickest darkness shrouded all his form:


s: Dealt on Patroclus' neck and shoulders broad


s: And from his head Apollo snatch'd the helm;


s: Clank'd, as it roll'd beneath the horses' feet,


s: The visor'd helm; the horsehair plume with blood


s: Was that proud helmet so with dust defil'd,


s: That wont to deck a godlike chief, and guard


s: Achilles' noble head, and graceful brow:


s: Now by the will of Jove to Hector giv'n.


s: Now death was near at hand; and in his grasp


s: His spear was shiver'd, pond'rous, long, and tough,


s: Brass-pointed; with its belt, the ample shield


s: Fell from his shoulders; and Apollo's hand,


s: The royal son of Jove, his corslet loos'd.


s: Then was his mind bewilder'd; and his limbs


s: Gave way beneath him; all aghast he stood:


s: Him, from behind, a Dardan, Panthous' son,


s: Euphorbus, peerless 'mid the Trojan youth,


s: To hurl the spear, to run, to drive the car,


s: Approaching close, between the shoulders stabb'd;


s: He, train'd to warfare, from his car, ere this


s: A score of Greeks had from their chariots hurl'd:


s: Such was the man who thee, Patroclus, first


s: Wounded, but not subdued; the ashen spear


s: He, in all haste, withdrew; nor dar'd confront


s: Patroclus, though disarm'd, in deadly strife.


s: Back to his comrades' shelt'ring ranks retir'd,


s: From certain death, Patroclus: by the stroke


s: Of Phoebus vanquish'd, and Euphorbus' spear:


s: But Hector, when Patroclus from the fight


s: He saw retreating, wounded, through the ranks


s: Advancing, smote him through the flank; right through


s: The brazen spear was driv'n; thund'ring he fell;


s: And deeply mourn'd his fall the Grecian host.


s: They two have met, in all their pride of strength,


s: Both parch'd with thirst, around a scanty spring;


s: And vanquish'd by the lion's force, the boar


s: Hath yielded, gasping; so Menoetius' son,


s: Great deeds achiev'd, at length beneath the spear


s: Who o'er the vanquish'd, thus exulting, spoke:


s: "Patroclus, but of late thou mad'st thy boast


s: To raze our city walls, and in your ships


s: Their days of freedom lost, our Trojan dames:


s: Fool that thou wast! nor knew'st, in their defence,


s: That Hector's flying coursers scour'd the plain;


s: From them, the bravest of the Trojans, I


s: Avert the day of doom; while on our shores


s: Thy flesh shall glut the carrion birds of Troy.


s: Poor wretch! though brave he be, yet Peleus' son


s: Avail'd thee nought, when, hanging back himself,


s: With sage advice he sent thee forth to fight:


s: 'Come not to me, Patroclus, car-borne chief,


s: Nor to the ships return, until thou bear


s: The warrior-slayer Hector's bloody spoils,


s: Torn from his body;' such were, I suppose,


s: His counsels; thou, poor fool, becam'st his dupe."


s: To whom Patroclus thus in accents faint:


s: "Hector, thou boastest loudly now, that Jove,


s: With Phoebus join'd, hath thee with vict'ry crown'd:


s: They wrought my death, who stripp'd me of my arms.


s: They all should perish, vanquish'd by my spear:


s: Me fate hath slain, and Phoebus; and, of men,


s: Euphorbus; thou wast but the third to strike.


s: This too I say, and bear it in thy mind;


s: Not long shalt thou survive me; death e'en now


s: And final doom hangs o'er thee, by the hand


s: Of great Achilles, Peleus' matchless son."


s: Thus as he spoke, the gloom of death his eyes


s: O'erspread, and to the shades his spirit fled,


s: Mourning his fate, his youth and strength cut off.


s: To whom, though dead, the noble Hector thus:


s: Or who can say but fair-hair'd Thetis' son,


s: Achilles, by my spear may first be slain?"


s: He said, and planting firm his foot, withdrew


s: The brazen spear, and backward drove the dead


s: From off the weapon's point; then, spear in hand,


s: But him in safety bore th' immortal steeds,


s: The noble prize the Gods to Peleus gave.


s: Nor was Patroclus' fall, by Trojans slain,


s: Forward he sprang, in dazzling arms array'd,


s: And round him mov'd, as round her new-dropp'd calf


s: Her first, a heifer moves with plaintive moan:


s: His shield's broad orb and spear before him held,


s: To all who might oppose him threat'ning death.


s: Nor, on his side, was Panthous' noble son


s: Unmindful of the slain; but, standing near,


s: "Illustrious son of Atreus, Heav'n-born chief,


s: Quit thou the dead; yield up the bloody spoils:


s: For, of the Trojans and their fam'd Allies,


s: Mine was the hand that in the stubborn fight


s: First struck Patroclus; leave me then to wear


s: Lest by my spear thou lose thy cherish'd life."


s: "O Father Jove, how ill this vaunting tone


s: Beseems this braggart! In their own esteem,


s: "With Panthous' sons for courage none may vie;


s: Nor pard, nor lion, nor the forest boar,


s: Fiercest of beasts, and proudest of his strength.


s: His youthful vigour, when he held me cheap,


s: And my encounter dar'd; of all the Greeks


s: He deem'd my prowess least; yet he, I ween,


s: On his own feet return'd not, to rejoice


s: His tender wife's and honour'd parents' sight.


s: So shall thy pride be quell'd, if me thou dare


s: Encounter; but I warn thee, while 'tis time,


s: Ere ill betide thee, 'mid the gen'ral throng


s: That thou withdraw, nor stand to me oppos'd.


s: After th' event may e'en a fool be wise."


s: He spoke in vain; Euphorbus thus replied:


s: "Now, Heav'n-born Menelaus, shalt thou pay


s: The forfeit for my brother's life, o'er whom,


s: Slain by thy hand, thou mak'st thy boasting speech.


s: Thou in the chambers of her new-found home


s: Hast made his bride a weeping widow; thou


s: Hast fill'd with bitt'rest grief his parents' hearts:


s: Some solace might those hapless mourners find,


s: Could I thy head and armour in the hands


s: Of Panthous and of honour'd Phrontis place;


s: Nor long deferr'd, of vict'ry or defeat."


s: He said, and struck the centre of the shield,


s: But broke not through; against the stubborn brass


s: The point was bent; then with a pray'r to Jove


s: And, backward as he stepp'd, below his throat


s: Took aim, and pressing hard with stalwart hand


s: Drove through the yielding neck the pond'rous spear:


s: Thund'ring he fell, and loud his armour rang.


s: Those locks, that with the Graces' hair might vie,


s: Those tresses bright, with gold and silver bound,


s: Were dabbled all with blood. As when a man


s: Hath rear'd a fair and vig'rous olive plant,


s: In some lone spot, by copious-gushing springs,


s: And seen expanding, nurs'd by ev'ry breeze,


s: Its whit'ning blossoms; till with sudden gust


s: Uproots it from its bed, and prostrate lays;


s: So lay the youthful son of Panthous, slain


s: By Atreus' son, and of his arms despoil'd.


s: In pride of strength, amid the pasturing herd


s: The choicest; and, her neck first broken, rends,


s: And, on her entrails gorging, laps the blood;


s: Though with loud clamour dogs and herdsmen round


s: To meet his rage, for fear is on them all;


s: So none was there so bold, with dauntless breast


s: The spoils of Panthous' son; but Phoebus grudg'd


s: His prize of vict'ry, and against him launch'd


s: To whom his winged words, in Mentes' form,


s: Chief of the Cicones, he thus address'd:


s: "Hector, thy labour all is vain, pursuing


s: Pelides' flying steeds; and hard are they


s: Save for Achilles' self, the Goddess-born.


s: Defends meanwhile Patroclus; and e'en now


s: Hath slain a noble Trojan, Panthous' son,


s: Euphorbus, and his youthful vigour quell'd."


s: He said, and join'd again the strife of men:


s: Hector's dark soul with bitter grief was fill'd;


s: He look'd amid the ranks, and saw the two,


s: One slain, the other stripping off his arms,


s: The blood outpouring from the gaping wound.


s: Forward he sprang, in dazzling arms array'd,


s: Loud shouting, blazing like the quenchless flames


s: And, troubled, commun'd with his valiant heart:


s: "Oh, woe is me! for should I now the spoils


s: And in my cause lies slain, of any Greek


s: Who saw me, I might well incur the blame:


s: With Hector and his Trojans, much I fear,


s: For Hector all the Trojans hither brings.


s: But wherefore entertain such thoughts, my soul?


s: Who strives, against the will divine, with one


s: Belov'd of Heav'n, a bitter doom must meet.


s: Then none may blame me, though I should retreat


s: From Hector, who with Heav'n's assistance wars.


s: Yet could I hear brave Ajax' battle cry,


s: We two, returning, would the encounter dare,


s: E'en against Heav'n, if so for Peleus' son


s: We might regain, and bear away the dead:


s: Some solace of our loss might then be ours."


s: While in his mind and spirit thus he mus'd,


s: By Hector led, the Trojan ranks advanc'd:


s: But turning oft, as when by men and dogs


s: With shouts and spears; yet grieves his mighty heart,


s: And with reluctant step he quits the yard:


s: Yet when he reach'd his comrades' ranks, he turn'd,


s: And look'd around, if haply he might find


s: Him on the battle's farthest left he spied,


s: Cheering his friends and urging to the fight,


s: For sorely Phoebus had their courage tried;


s: And hast'ning to his side, address'd him thus:


s: Are prize to Hector of the glancing helm."


s: He said, and Ajax' spirit within him stirr'd;


s: Forward he sprang, and with him Atreus' son.


s: Hector was dragging now Patroclus' corpse,


s: Stripped of its glitt'ring armour, and intent


s: The head to sever with his sword, and give


s: The mangled carcase to the dogs of Troy:


s: But Ajax, with his tow'r-like shield, approach'd;


s: Then Hector to his comrades' ranks withdrew,


s: Rush'd to his car, and bade the Trojans bear


s: The glitt'ring arms, his glorious prize, to Troy:


s: While Ajax with his mighty shield o'erspread


s: Menoetius' son; and stood, as for his cubs


s: Have with his offspring met amid the woods.


s: Proud in his strength he stands; and down are drawn,


s: Cov'ring his eyes, the wrinkles of his brow:


s: And by his side, his heart with grief oppress'd,


s: Then Glaucus, leader of the Lycian host,


s: To Hector thus, with scornful glance, address'd


s: His keen reproaches: "Hector, fair of form,


s: How art thou wanting in the fight! thy fame,


s: Bethink thee now, if thou alone canst save


s: Henceforth no Lycian will go forth for Troy


s: To fight with Greeks; since favour none we gain


s: Who basely to the Greeks a prize and spoil


s: Sarpedon leav'st, thy comrade and thy guest?


s: While yet he liv'd; and now thou dar'st not save


s: If Lycians will be rul'd, we take at once


s: Our homeward way, and Troy may meet her doom.


s: The daring, dauntless courage, meet for men


s: Who in their country's cause against the foe


s: Endure both toil and war, we soon should see


s: Patroclus brought within the walls of Troy;


s: And, lifeless, bring to royal Priam's town,


s: Soon would the Greeks Sarpedon's arms release,


s: And we to Ilium's heights himself might bear:


s: For with his valiant comrades there lies slain


s: The follower of the bravest chief of Greece.


s: But thou before the mighty Ajax stood'st


s: With downcast eyes, nor durst in manly fight


s: Contend with one thy better far confess'd."


s: To whom thus Hector of the glancing helm,


s: With stern regard, replied: "Why, Glaucus, speak,


s: Brave as thou art, in this o'erbearing strain?


s: Good friend, I heretofore have held thee wise


s: O'er all who dwell in Lycia's fertile soil;


s: But now I change, and hold thy judgment cheap,


s: Who chargest me with flying from the might


s: From the stern fight, and clatter of the cars;


s: Who strikes with panic, and of vict'ry robs


s: Stand by me now, and see if through the day


s: I prove myself the coward that thou say'st,


s: Or suffer that a Greek, how brave soe'er,


s: Shall rescue from my hands Patroclus' corpse."


s: He said, and loudly on the Trojans call'd:


s: "Trojans and Lycians, and ye Dardans, fam'd


s: In close encounter, quit ye now like men;


s: Maintain awhile the stubborn fight, while I


s: My glorious prize from slain Patroclus torn."


s: Withdrawing from the field, with rapid steps


s: His comrades follow'd, and ere long o'ertook,


s: Who tow'rd the town Achilles' armour bore;


s: Then standing from the bloody fight aloof


s: The armour he exchang'd; his own he bade


s: While he, of Peleus' son, Achilles, donn'd


s: The heav'nly armour, which th' immortal Gods


s: Gave to his sire; he to his son convey'd;


s: Yet in that armour grew not old that son.


s: Girt with the arms of Peleus' godlike son,


s: He shook his head, and inly thus he mus'd:


s: "Ah hapless! little deem'st thou of thy fate,


s: Though now so nigh! Thou of the prime of men,


s: The dread of all, hast donn'd th' immortal arms,


s: Whose comrade, brave and good, thy hand hath slain;


s: And sham'd him, stripping from his head and breast


s: Helmet and cuirass; yet thy latest hours


s: Will I with glory crown; since ne'er from thee,


s: Receive the spoils of Peleus' godlike son."


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


s: Then with the armour, fitted to his form


s: By Jove himself, was Hector girt by Mars


s: The fierce and terrible; with vig'rous strength


s: His limbs were strung, as 'mid his brave allies


s: He sprang, loud-shouting; glitt'ring in his arms,


s: To all he seem'd Achilles' godlike self.


s: To each and all in cheering tones he spoke,


s: His winged words he cheeringly address'd:


s: "Hear me, ye countless tribes, that dwelling round


s: Assist our cause! You from your sev'ral homes


s: Not for display of numbers have I call'd,


s: But that with willing hearts ye should defend


s: Our wives and infants from the warlike Greeks:


s: For this I drain my people's stores, for food


s: And gifts for you, exalting your estate;


s: Then, who will boldly onward, he may fall,


s: Or safe escape, such is the chance of war;


s: But who within our valiant Trojans' ranks


s: Despite the might of Ajax; half the spoils


s: Retaining; and his praise shall equal mine."


s: He said; and onward, with uplifted spears,


s: They march'd upon the Greeks; high rose their hopes


s: Vain hopes, which cost them many a life! Then thus


s: Not for Patroclus' corpse so much I fear,


s: Which soon will glut the dogs and birds of Troy,


s: For, like a war-cloud, Hector's might I see


s: O'ershadowing all around; now is our doom


s: On all the chiefs, if haply they may hear."


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


s: With Atreus' sons, and o'er your sev'ral states


s: 'Twere hard to call by name each single man,


s: So fierce the combat rages; but let each


s: And all their aid afford, and deem, it shame


s: Patroclus' corpse should glut the dogs of Troy."


s: He said: first heard Oileus' active son,


s: And hast'ning through the fray, beside him stood.


s: Next him Idomeneus, with whom there came,


s: But who can know or tell the names of all,


s: Who, following, swell'd the battle of the Greeks?


s: Onward the Trojans press'd, by Hector led:


s: With such a sound, as when the ocean wave


s: Meets on the beach th' outpouring of a stream,


s: Swoll'n by the rains of Heav'n: the lofty cliffs


s: Resound, and bellows the big sea without;


s: With such a sound advanc'd the Trojan host:


s: While round Patroclus, with one heart and mind,


s: The Greeks a fence of brass-clad bucklers rais'd.


s: O'er their bright helms the son of Saturn shed


s: Achilles' faithful friend, while yet he liv'd


s: Jove hated not, nor would that now his corpse


s: Should to the dogs of Troy remain a prey,


s: But to the rescue all his comrades stirr'd.


s: At first the Trojans drove the keen-ey'd Greeks;


s: Leaving the corpse, they fled; nor with their spears


s: The valiant Trojans reach'd a single Greek;


s: But on the dead they seiz'd; yet not for long


s: Endur'd their flight; them Ajax rallied soon,


s: O'er all the Greeks, save Peleus' matchless son.


s: Onward he sprang, as springs a mountain boar,


s: Which, turning in the forest glade to bay,


s: Scatters with ease both dogs and stalwart youths;


s: So Ajax scatter'd soon the Trojan ranks,


s: That round Patroclus closing, hop'd to bear,


s: With glory to themselves, his corpse to Troy.


s: Was dragging by the feet the noble dead,


s: A leathern belt around his ancles bound,


s: But on himself he brought destruction down,


s: Which none might turn aside; for from the crowd


s: Outsprang the son of Telamon, and struck,


s: In close encounter, on the brass-cheek'd helm;


s: The plumed helm was shiver'd by the blow,


s: Dealt by a weighty spear and stalwart hand;


s: Gush'd from the wound the mingled blood and brain,


s: His vital spirit quench'd; and on the ground


s: Fell from his pow'rless grasp Patroclus' foot;


s: While he himself lay stretch'd beside the dead,


s: Far from his own Larissa's teeming soil:


s: Their early care; for short his term of life,


s: At Ajax Hector threw his glitt'ring spear:


s: (The bravest of the Phocian chiefs, who dwelt


s: Of num'rous hosts,) below the collar-bone


s: It struck, and passing through, the brazen point


s: Came forth again beneath his shoulder-blade:


s: Thund'ring he fell, and loud his armour rang.


s: As Phorcys, son of Phaenops, kept his watch


s: Below the waist; the weighty spear broke through


s: The hollow breastplate, and th' intestines tore;


s: Prone in the dust he fell, and clutch'd the ground.


s: At this the Trojan chiefs and Hector's self


s: 'Gan to give way; the Greeks, with joyful shouts,


s: Seiz'd both the dead, and stripp'd their armour off.


s: To Ilium now, before the warlike Greeks,


s: O'ercome by panic, had the Trojans fled;


s: And now had Greeks, despite the will of Jove,


s: By their own strength and courage, won the day,


s: A man of kindliest soul: his form assum'd


s: "AEneas, how, against the will of Heav'n,


s: Could ye defend your city, as others now


s: In their own strength and courage confident,


s: Their numbers, and their troops' undaunted hearts,


s: I see their cause maintaining; if when Jove


s: Rather to us than them the vict'ry wills,


s: With fear unspeakable ye shun the fight?"


s: "Hector, and all ye other chiefs of Troy,


s: And brave Allies, foul shame it were that we,


s: In flight be driv'n before the warlike Greeks;


s: And by my side, but now, some God there stood,


s: And told how Jove, the sov'reign arbiter


s: Of battle, on our side bestow'd his aid;


s: On then! nor undisturbed allow the Greeks


s: To bear Patroclus' body to their ships."


s: He said, and far before the ranks advanc'd;


s: They rallying turn'd, and fac'd again the Greeks.


s: Then first AEneas' spear the comrade brave


s: With pitying eyes his gallant comrade's fall;


s: And standing near, his glitt'ring spear he threw,


s: His people's guardian chief, the valiant son


s: Of Hippasus, and slack'd his limbs in death.


s: He from Paeonia's fertile fields had come,


s: And forward sprang to battle with the Greeks;


s: Yet could not force his way; for all around


s: Patroclus rose a fence of serried shields,


s: And spears projecting: such the orders giv'n


s: By Ajax, and with earnest care enforc'd;


s: That from around the dead should none retire,


s: Before his fellows; but their steady guard


s: Maintain, and hand to hand the battle wage.


s: So order'd Ajax; then with crimson blood


s: The earth was wet; and hand to hand they fell,


s: Trojans alike, and brave Allies, and Greeks;


s: For neither these a bloodless fight sustain'd,


s: Though fewer far their losses; for they stood


s: Thus, furious as the rage of fire, they fought;


s: Nor might ye deem the glorious sun himself


s: Nor moon was safe; for darkest clouds of night


s: O'erspread the warriors, who the battle wag'd


s: Elsewhere the Trojans and the well-greav'd Greeks


s: Fought, undisturb'd, in the clear light of day;


s: The sun's bright beams were shed abroad; no cloud


s: Lay on the face of earth or mountain tops;


s: The hostile missiles, fought; but in the midst


s: The bravest all, in darkness and in strife


s: Sore press'd, toil'd on beneath their armour's weight.


s: Had reach'd two valiant chiefs, Antilochus


s: And Thrasymedes; but they deem'd him still


s: Alive, and fighting in the foremost ranks.


s: They, witnessing their comrades' flight and death,


s: When from the ships he bade them join the fray.


s: Great was meanwhile their labour, who sustain'd,


s: Throughout the livelong day, that weary fight;


s: Reek'd with continuous toil and sweat, the knees,


s: And legs and feet, the arms, and eyes, of all


s: Who round Achilles' faithful comrade fought.


s: As when a chief his people bids to stretch


s: A huge bull's hide, all drench'd and soak'd with grease;


s: They in a circle rang'd, this way and that,


s: Pull the tough hide, till ent'ring in, the grease


s: Is all absorb'd; and dragg'd by num'rous hands


s: The supple skin to th' utmost length is stretch'd;


s: So these in narrow space this way and that


s: The body dragg'd; and high the hopes of each


s: To bear it off in triumph; to their ships


s: The Greeks, to Troy the Trojans; fiercely rag'd


s: The struggle; spirit-stirring Mars himself,


s: Had not that struggle with contempt beheld:


s: Such grievous labour o'er Patroclus' corpse


s: Had reach'd Achilles; for the war was wag'd


s: Far from the ships, beneath the walls of Troy;


s: Nor look'd he of his death to hear, but deem'd


s: That when the Trojans to their gates were driv'n,


s: With, or without, his aid; for oft apart


s: His Goddess-mother had his doom, foretold,


s: Yet ne'er had warn'd him of such grief as this,


s: Which now befell, his dearest comrade's loss.


s: Still round the dead they held their pointed spears,


s: Fought hand to hand, and mutual slaughter dealt;


s: And thus perchance some brass-clad Greek would say:


s: "O friends, 'twere shameful should we to the ships


s: Ingloriously return; ere that should be,


s: Than let these Trojans to their city bear


s: Our dead, and boast them of their triumph gain'd."


s: On th' other hand some valiant Trojan thus


s: Would shout: "O friends, tho' fate decreed that here


s: We all should die, yet let not one give way."


s: Thus, cheering each his comrades, would they speak,


s: And thus they fought; the iron clangour pierc'd


s: The empty air, and brazen vault of Heav'n.


s: But, from the fight withdrawn, Achilles' steeds


s: Wept, as they heard how in the dust was laid


s: Their charioteer, by Hector's murd'rous hand.


s: Essay'd in vain to rouse them with the lash,


s: In vain with honey'd words, in vain with threats;


s: Nor to the ships would they return again


s: By the broad Hellespont, nor join the fray;


s: But as a column stands, which marks the tomb


s: Beneath the splendid car they stood, their heads


s: Down-drooping to the ground, while scalding tears


s: Dropp'd earthward from their eyelids, as they mourn'd


s: Their charioteer; and o'er the yoke-band shed


s: Down stream'd their ample manes, with dust defil'd.


s: The son of Saturn pitying saw their grief,


s: And sorrowing shook his head, as thus he mus'd:


s: "Ah, hapless horses! wherefore gave we you


s: You that from age and death are both exempt!


s: Was it that you the miseries might share


s: Of wretched mortals? for of all that breathe,


s: And walk upon the earth, or creep, is nought


s: More wretched than th' unhappy race of man.


s: Yet shall not ye, nor shall your well-wrought car,


s: To hold, with vaunting boast, Achilles' arms;


s: But to your limbs and spirits will I impart


s: Such strength, that from the battle to the ships


s: For yet I will the Trojans shall prevail,


s: And slay, until they reach the well-mann'd ships,


s: Till sets the sun, and darkness shrouds the earth."


s: He said, and in their breasts fresh spirit infus'd;


s: They, shaking from their manes the dust, the car


s: Amid the Greeks and Trojans lightly bore.


s: Then, as a vulture 'mid a flock of geese,


s: His horses' course directing, and their speed


s: Exciting, though he mourn'd his comrade slain.


s: Swiftly he fled from out the Trojan host;


s: Yet, speedy to pursue, he could not slay;


s: Nor, in the car alone, had pow'r at once


s: To guide the flying steeds, and hurl the spear.


s: "Automedon, what God has fill'd thy mind


s: With counsels vain, and thee of sense bereft?


s: That with the Trojans, in the foremost ranks,


s: Thou fain wouldst fight alone, thy comrade slain,


s: While Hector proudly on his breast displays


s: "Alcimedon, since none of all the Greeks


s: May vie with thee, the mettle to control


s: While yet he liv'd, Patroclus, godlike chief;


s: But him stern death and fate have overta'en;


s: Take thon the whip and shining reins, while I,


s: Descending from the car, engage in fight."


s: He said; and, mounting on the war-car straight,


s: Down leap'd Automedon; great Hector saw,


s: These we may hope to take, if such thy will;


s: For they, methinks, will scarcely stand oppos'd,


s: Or dare th' encounter of our joint assault."


s: He said; Anchises' valiant son complied;


s: Forward they went, their shoulders cover'd o'er


s: With stout bull's-hide, thick overlaid with brass.


s: With them both Chromius and Aretus went;


s: And high their hopes were rais'd, the warriors both


s: To slay, and make the strong-neck'd steeds their prize:


s: Blind fools! nor destin'd scatheless to escape


s: To Jove address'd, and straight with added strength


s: His trusty friend and comrade, thus he spoke:


s: For Hector's might will not, I deem, be stay'd,


s: Ere us he slay, and mount Achilles' car,


s: Or in the foremost ranks himself be slain."


s: To guard him, and stave off the hostile ranks;


s: But haste, and us, the living, save from death;


s: With weight o'erpow'ring, through the bloody press,


s: The bravest of the Trojans, force their way:


s: Yet is the issue in the hands of Heav'n;


s: I hurl the spear, but Jove directs the blow."


s: He said, and, poising, hurl'd the pond'rous spear;


s: Full on Aretus' broad-orb'd shield it struck;


s: Nor stay'd the shield its course; the brazen point


s: Drove through the belt, and in his body lodg'd.


s: As with sharp axe in hand a stalwart man,


s: Striking behind the horns a sturdy bull,


s: Severs the neck; he, forward, plunging, falls;


s: So forward first he sprang, then backwards fell:


s: And quiv'ring, in his vitals deep infix'd,


s: The sharp spear soon relax'd his limbs in death.


s: His glitt'ring spear; he saw, and forward stoop'd,


s: And shunn'd the brazen death; behind him far


s: Deep in the soil infix'd, with quiv'ring shaft


s: The weapon stood; there Mars its impulse stay'd.


s: And now with swords, and hand to hand, the fight


s: Had been renew'd; but at their comrade's call


s: The two Ajaces, pressing through the throng,


s: Between the warriors interpos'd in haste.


s: And godlike Chromius, in alarm recoil'd;


s: Pierc'd through the heart, Aretus there they left;


s: Stripp'd off his arms, and thus exulting cried:


s: "Of some small portion of its load of grief,


s: For slain Patroclus, is my heart reliev'd,


s: In slaying thee, all worthless as thou art."


s: Then, throwing on the car the bloody spoils,


s: He mounted, hands and feet imbrued with blood,


s: The stubborn conflict, direful, sorrow-fraught:


s: From Heav'n descending, Pallas stirr'd the strife,


s: The warlike Greeks; so changed was now his will.


s: As o'er the face of Heav'n when Jove extends


s: His bright-hued bow, a sign to mortal men


s: Of war, or wintry storms, which bid surcease


s: The rural works of man, and pinch the flocks;


s: So Pallas, in a bright-hued cloud array'd,


s: Pass'd through the ranks, and rous'd each sev'ral man.


s: Who close beside her stood, the Goddess first,


s: The form of Phoenix and his pow'rful voice


s: Assuming, thus her stirring words address'd:


s: Will fasten, if Achilles' faithful friend


s: The dogs devour beneath the walls of Troy;


s: Then hold thou firm, and all the host inspire."


s: "O Phoenix, aged warrior, honour'd sire,


s: If Pallas would the needful pow'r impart,


s: And o'er me spread her aegis, then would I


s: For deeply by his death my heart is touch'd;


s: But valiant Hector, with the strength of fire


s: Still rages, and destruction deals around:


s: For Jove is with him, and his triumph wills."


s: He said: the blue-ey'd Goddess heard with joy


s: That, chief of all the Gods, her aid he sought.


s: She gave fresh vigour to his arms and knees,


s: And to his breast the boldness of the fly,


s: Which, oft repell'd by man, renews th' assault


s: Incessant, lur'd by taste of human blood;


s: Pallas inspir'd: beside Patroclus' corpse


s: Again he stood, and pois'd his glitt'ring spear.


s: There was one Podes in the Trojan ranks,


s: Him, as he turn'd to fly, beneath the waist


s: Atrides struck; right through the spear was driv'n;


s: Thund'ring he fell; and Atreus' son the corpse


s: Dragg'd from the Trojans 'mid the ranks of Greece.


s: Then close at Hector's side Apollo stood,


s: Clad in the form of Phaenops, Asius' son,


s: Honour'd of Hector most, and best belov'd;


s: Clad in his form, the Far-destroyer spoke:


s: "Hector, what other Greek will scare thee next?


s: Alone, he robs our Trojans of their dead;


s: And in the foremost ranks e'en now hath slain


s: Podes, thine own good friend, Eetion's son."


s: He said; dark grief o'erclouded Hector's brow,


s: As to the front in dazzling arms he sprang.


s: Then Saturn's son his tassell'd aegis wav'd,


s: All glitt'ring bright; and Ida's lofty head


s: In clouds and darkness shrouded; then he bade


s: His lightning flash, his volleying thunder roar,


s: That shook the mountain; and with vict'ry crown'd


s: The Trojan arms, and panic-struck the Greeks.


s: The first who turn'd to fly was Peneleus,


s: Boeotian chief; him, facing still the foe,


s: A spear had slightly on the shoulder struck,


s: Who close before him stood, the spear was thrown.


s: Thrust thro' the wrist, and quell'd his warlike might;


s: Trembling, he look'd around, nor hop'd again


s: The Trojans, spear in hand, to meet in fight;


s: Full on his breast it struck; but near the head


s: The sturdy shaft was on the breastplate snapp'd:


s: Loud was the Trojans' shout; and he in turn


s: Upstanding on his car; his mark he miss'd,


s: Who with him came from Lyctus' thriving town:


s: The chief had left on foot the well-trimm'd ships;


s: Driv'n to the rescue, by his fall had giv'n


s: A Trojan triumph; to his Lord he brought


s: Safety, and rescue from unsparing death;


s: But fell, himself, by Hector's murd'rous hand.


s: Him Hector struck between the cheek and ear,


s: Crashing the teeth, and cutting through the tongue.


s: Headlong he fell to earth, and dropp'd the reins:


s: Caught up, and thus Idomeneus address'd:


s: "Ply now the lash, until thou reach the ships:


s: Thyself must see how crush'd the strength of Greece."


s: Urg'd his fleet steeds; for fear was on his soul.


s: The wav'ring scale of vict'ry turn'd; and thus


s: "O Heav'n! the veriest child might plainly see


s: That Jove the Trojans' triumph has decreed:


s: Their weapons all, by whomsoever thrown,


s: Or weak, or strong, attain their mark; for Jove


s: Directs their course; while ours upon the plain


s: How from the fray to bear away our dead,


s: And by our own return rejoice those friends


s: Who look with sorrow on our plight, and deem


s: That we, all pow'rless to resist the might


s: Of Hector's arm, beside the ships must fall.


s: Would that some comrade were at hand, to bear


s: As yet the mournful tidings have not reach'd,


s: That on the field his dearest friend lies dead.


s: O'er men and horses all around is spread.


s: O Father Jove, from, o'er the sons of Greece


s: Remove this cloudy darkness; clear the sky,


s: That we may see our fate, and die at least,


s: If such thy will, in th' open light of day."


s: He said, and, pitying, Jove beheld his tears;


s: The clouds he scatter'd, and the mist dispers'd;


s: The sun shone forth, and all the field was clear;


s: The tidings, that his dearest friend lies dead."


s: Which dogs and youths with ceaseless toil hath worn,


s: Who all night long have kept their watch, to guard


s: From his assault the choicest of the herd;


s: He, hunger-pinch'd, hath oft th' attempt renew'd,


s: But nought prevail'd; by spears on ev'ry side,


s: And jav'lins met, wielded by stalwart hands,


s: And blazing torches, which his courage daunt;


s: Till with the morn he sullenly withdraws;


s: Atrides mov'd; for much he fear'd the Greeks


s: Might to the Trojans, panic-struck, the dead


s: How kind and genial was his soul to all,


s: While yet he liv'd--now sunk, alas! in death."


s: Casting his glance around on ev'ry side,


s: Like to an eagle, fam'd of sharpest sight


s: Of all that fly beneath the vault of Heav'n;


s: Whom, soaring in the clouds, the crouching hare


s: Eludes not, though in leafiest covert hid;


s: But swooping down, he rends her life away:


s: Thy piercing glances ev'ry way were turn'd,


s: If Nestor's son, alive, thou mightst descry;


s: Him on the field's extremest left he found,


s: Cheering his friends, and urging to the fight;


s: He stood beside him, and address'd him thus:


s: "Antilochus, come hither, godlike friend,


s: And woful tidings hear, which would to Heav'n


s: How Jove hath heap'd disaster on the Greeks,


s: And vict'ry giv'n to Troy; but one has fallen,


s: Our bravest, best! Patroclus lies in death;


s: And deeply must the Greeks his loss deplore.


s: But haste thee to the ships, to Peleus' son


s: The prize of Hector of the glancing helm."


s: Astounded stood; long time his tongue in vain


s: For utt'rance strove; his eyes were fill'd with tears,


s: His cheerful voice was mute; yet not the less


s: His comrade brave, who waited with his car


s: In close attendance, first consign'd his arms;


s: Then from the field with active limbs he flew,


s: Weeping, with mournful news, to Peleus' son.


s: Incline thee to remain, and aid thy friends,


s: Where from their war-worn ranks the Pylian troops


s: But these in godlike Thrasymedes' charge


s: He left; and to Patroclus hast'ning back,


s: Beside th' Ajaces stood, as thus he spoke:


s: "Him to Achilles, to the ships, in haste


s: I have despatch'd; yet fiercely as his wrath


s: May burn tow'rd Hector, I can scarce expect


s: His presence here; for how could he, unarm'd,


s: With Trojans fight? But take we counsel now


s: How from the field to bear away our dead,


s: And 'scape ourselves from death by Trojan hands."


s: Are just and true; then from amid the press,


s: Who side by side have still been wont to fight,


s: Will Hector and his Trojans hold at bay."


s: He said; they, lifting in their arms the corpse,


s: Uprais'd it high in air; then from behind


s: Loud yell'd the Trojans, as they saw the Greeks


s: Retiring with their dead; and on they rush'd,


s: As dogs that in advance of hunter youths


s: Eager for blood; but when, in pride of strength,


s: He turns upon them, backward they recoil,


s: This way and that in fear of death dispers'd:


s: So onward press'd awhile the Trojan crowd,


s: With thrust of swords, and double-pointed spears;


s: Their colour chang'd to pale, not one so bold


s: As, dashing on, to battle for the corpse.


s: Thus they, with anxious care, from off the field


s: Bore tow'rd the ships their dead; but on their track


s: Came sweeping on the storm of battle, fierce,


s: As, on a sudden breaking forth, the fire


s: House after house amid the glare and blaze,


s: While roar the flames before the gusty wind;


s: So fiercely pressed upon the Greeks' retreat


s: The clatt'ring tramp of steeds and armed men.


s: But as the mules, with stubborn strength endued,


s: That down the mountain through the trackless waste


s: Drag some huge log, or timber for the ships;


s: And spent with toil and sweat, still labour on


s: Unflinching; so the Greeks with patient toil


s: Bore on their dead; th' Ajaces in their rear


s: Stemming the war, as stems the torrent's force


s: Some wooded cliff, far stretching o'er the plain;


s: Checking the mighty river's rushing stream,


s: Itself unbroken by the strength of flood:


s: So firmly, in the rear, th' Ajaces stemm'd


s: The Trojan force; yet these still onward press'd,


s: And, 'mid their comrades proudly eminent,


s: And glorious Hector, in the van were seen.


s: Then, as a cloud of starlings or of daws


s: Fly screaming, as they see the hawk approach,


s: Screaming, forgetful of their warlike fame,


s: The sons of Greece; and scatter'd here and there


s: Around the ditch lay store of goodly arms,


s: By Greeks abandon'd in their hasty flight.


s: Yet still, unintermitted, rag'd the war.


s: The news of the death of Patroclus is brought to Achilles by


s: Thus, furious as the rage of fire, they fought.


s: Swift-footed messenger, his tidings bore.


s: Him by the high-beak'd ships he found, his mind


s: Th' event presaging, fill'd with anxious thoughts,


s: As thus he commun'd with his mighty heart:


s: "Alas! what means it, that the long-hair'd Greeks,


s: Chas'd from the plain, are thronging round the ships?


s: Let me not now, ye Gods, endure the grief


s: My mother once foretold, that I should live


s: Cut off by Trojans from the light of day.


s: Foolhardy! yet I warn'd him, and besought,


s: Soon as the ships from hostile fires were safe,


s: Back to return, nor Hector's onset meet."


s: While in his mind and spirit thus he mus'd,


s: Beside him stood the noble Nestor's son,


s: And weeping, thus his mournful message gave:


s: Which would to Heav'n I had not to impart,


s: To thee I bring; Patroclus lies in death;


s: The prize of Hector of the glancing helm."


s: He said; and darkest clouds of grief o'erspread


s: Achilles' brow; with both his hands he seiz'd


s: And pour'd upon his head the grimy dust,


s: Marring his graceful visage; and defil'd


s: With black'ning ashes all his costly robes.


s: Stretch'd in the dust his lofty stature lay,


s: As with his hands his flowing locks he tore;


s: Loud was the wailing of the female band,


s: As round Achilles, rushing out of doors,


s: Beating their breasts, with tott'ring limbs they press'd.


s: Groaning in spirit, fearful lest for grief


s: In his own bosom he should sheathe his sword.


s: Loud were his moans; his Goddess-mother heard,


s: In the deep ocean caves; she heard, and wept:


s: The Nereids all, in ocean's depths who dwell,


s: They beat their breasts, as Thetis led the wail:


s: "Give ear, my sister Nereids all, and learn


s: How deep the grief that in my breast I bear.


s: My brave, my beautiful, of heroes chief!


s: Like a young tree he throve: I tended him,


s: In a rich vineyard as the choicest plant;


s: Till in the beaked ships I sent him forth


s: To war with Troy; him ne'er shall I behold,


s: E'en while he lives, and sees the light of day,


s: He lives in sorrow; nor, to soothe his grief,


s: That I may see my dearest child, and learn


s: What grief hath reach'd him, from the war withdrawn."


s: She said, and left the cave; with her they went,


s: Weeping; before them parted th' ocean wave.


s: But when they reach'd the fertile shore of Troy,


s: Where frequent, round Achilles swift of foot,


s: Were moor'd the vessels of the Myrmidons.


s: There, as he groan'd aloud, beside him stood


s: His Goddess-mother; weeping, in her hands


s: She held his head, while pitying thus she spoke:


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


s: Speak out, and nought conceal; for all thy pray'r


s: Which with uplifted hands thou mad'st to Jove,


s: He hath fulfill'd, that, flying to their ships,


s: The routed sons of Greece should feel how much


s: They need thine aid, and mourn their insult past."


s: To whom Achilles, deeply groaning, thus:


s: "Mother, all this indeed hath Jove fulfill'd;


s: Yet what avails it, since my dearest friend


s: Is slain, Patroclus? whom I honour'd most


s: Of all my comrades, lov'd him as my soul.


s: Him have I lost: and Hector from his corpse


s: Hath stripp'd those arms, those weighty, beauteous arms,


s: Peleus receiv'd, a glorious gift, that day


s: When they consign'd thee to a mortal's bed.


s: For now is bitter grief for thee in store,


s: Mourning thy son; whom to his home return'd


s: Thou never more shalt see; nor would I wish


s: Unless that Hector, vanquish'd by my spear,


s: May lose his forfeit life, and pay the price


s: To whom, her tears o'erflowing, Thetis thus:


s: "E'en as thou sayst, my son, thy term is short;


s: Nor long shall Hector's fate precede thine own."


s: Achilles, answ'ring, spoke in passionate grief:


s: "Would I might die this hour, who fail'd to save


s: My comrade slain! far from his native land


s: He died, sore needing my protecting arm;


s: And I, who ne'er again must see my home,


s: Whom Hector's hand hath slain, have render'd aid;


s: But idly here I sit, cumb'ring the ground:


s: In fight; to others, in debate, I yield.


s: Accurs'd of Gods and men be hateful strife


s: E'en temp'rate souls: though sweeter be its taste


s: Than dropping honey, in the heart of man


s: Swelling, like smoke; such anger in my soul


s: But pass we that; though still my heart be sore,


s: In search of Hector now, of him who slew


s: My friend, I go; prepar'd to meet my death,


s: When Jove shall will it, and th' Immortals all.


s: From death not e'en the might of Hercules,


s: Though best belov'd of Saturn's son, could fly,


s: By fate and Juno's bitter wrath subdued.


s: I too, since such my doom, must lie in death;


s: And from their delicate cheeks, deep-bosom'd dames,


s: Dardan and Trojan, bitter tears shall wipe,


s: And groan in anguish; then shall all men know


s: How long I have been absent from the field;


s: Then, though thou love me, seek not from the war


s: To stay my steps; for bootless were thy speech."


s: Whom answer'd thus the silver-footed Queen:


s: "True are thy words, my son; and good it is,


s: And commendable, from the stroke of death


s: To save a worsted comrade; but thine arms,


s: Thy brazen, flashing arms, the Trojans hold:


s: Them Hector of the glancing helm himself


s: Bears on his breast, exulting; yet not long


s: Shall be his triumph, for his doom is nigh.


s: But thou, engage not in the toils of war,


s: With arms of heav'nly mould, by Vulcan wrought."


s: Thus saying, from her son she turn'd away,


s: And turning, to her sister Nereids spoke:


s: Retire ye now; and to my father's house,


s: At Vulcan's hand, the skill'd artificer,


s: She said; and they beneath the ocean wave


s: The silver-footed Goddess, thence in hope


s: She to Olympus sped; the Greeks meanwhile


s: With wild, tumultuous uproar, till they reach'd


s: Their vessels and the shore of Hellespont.


s: Nor had the well-greav'd Greets Achilles' friend,


s: Patroclus, from amid the fray withdrawn;


s: For close upon him follow'd horse and man,


s: And Hector, son of Priam, fierce as flame;


s: Thrice noble Hector, seizing from behind,


s: Sought by the feet to drag away the dead,


s: Cheering his friends; thrice, clad in warlike might,


s: Yet, fearless in his strength, now rushing on


s: He dash'd amid the fray; now, shouting loud,


s: Stood firm; but backward not a step retir'd.


s: As from a carcase herdsmen strive in vain


s: E'en so th' Ajaces, mail-clad warriors, fail'd


s: The son of Priam from the corpse to scare.


s: With endless fame; but from Olympus' height


s: Came storm-swift Iris down to Peleus' son,


s: And bade him don his arms; by Juno sent,


s: Unknown to Jove, and to th' Immortals all.


s: She stood beside him, and address'd him thus:


s: "Up, son of Peleus! up, thou prince of men!


s: Haste to Patroclus' rescue; whom, around,


s: Before the ships, is wag'd a fearful war,


s: With mutual slaughter; these the dead defending,


s: And those to Ilium's breezy heights intent


s: Who longs to sever from the tender neck,


s: And fix upon the spikes, thy comrade's head.


s: Patroclus' corpse should glut the dogs of Troy,


s: Dishon'ring thee, if aught dishonour him."


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


s: "Say, heav'nly Iris, of th' immortal Gods


s: Who bade thee seek me, and this message bring?"