s: In this deep foss, I judge that not a man,


s: 'Scaping the rallied Grecians, should survive


s: To bear the tidings of our fate to Troy.


s: Fast-rein'd beside the foss, while we on foot,


s: With order undisturb'd and arms in hand,


s: Shall follow Hector. If destruction borne


s: The Grecians, they will fly our first assault.


s: Pleased Hector; from his chariot to the ground


s: All arm'd he leap'd, nor would a Trojan there


s: (When once they saw the Hero on his feet)


s: Descending with a leap, all trod the plain.


s: Each gave command that at the trench his steeds


s: Five bands, each following its appointed chief.


s: The bravest and most numerous, and whose hearts


s: Wish'd most to burst the barrier and to wage


s: The battle at the ships, with Hector march'd


s: And with Polydamas, whom follow'd, third,


s: The second band, and, sons of Priam both,


s: With them was seen partner of their command;


s: From the Selleïs banks by martial steeds


s: Hair'd fiery-red and of the noblest size.


s: The fourth, Anchises' mighty son controll'd,


s: Last came the glorious powers in league with Troy


s: His high control, and with the warlike Chief


s: Them bravest he esteem'd, himself except


s: And now (their shields adjusted each to each)


s: With dauntless courage fired, right on they moved


s: Than that beside their sable ships, the host


s: Should self-abandon'd fall an easy prey.


s: The Trojans, thus with their confederate powers,


s: The counsel of the accomplish'd Prince pursued,


s: His charioteer and coursers at the trench,


s: And drove toward the fleet. Ah, madly brave!


s: With horse and chariot and triumphant shout


s: Deucalion's offspring, first, into the shades


s: Leftward he drove furious, along the road


s: By which the steeds and chariots of the Greeks


s: Return'd from battle; in that track he flew,


s: Thither he drove direct, and in his rear


s: His band shrill-shouting follow'd, for they judged


s: Their foes, but sure to perish in the camp.


s: Vain hope! for in the gate two Chiefs they found


s: Sprung from Pirithöus; that, the warrior bold


s: Leonteus, terrible as gore-tainted Mars.


s: These two, defenders of the lofty gates,


s: Stood firm before them. As when two tall oaks


s: Rough wind and rain, by deep-descending roots


s: Of hugest growth fast-founded in the soil;


s: So they, sustain'd by conscious valor, saw,


s: Unmoved, high towering Asius on his way,


s: Nor fear'd him aught, nor shrank from his approach


s: Right on toward the barrier, lifting high


s: Their season'd bucklers and with clamor loud


s: The band advanced, King Asius at their head,


s: Till now, the warlike pair, exhorting loud


s: The Grecians to defend the fleet, had stood


s: Within the gates; but soon as they perceived


s: The Trojans swift advancing to the wall,


s: And heard a cry from all the flying Greeks,


s: Both sallying, before the gates they fought


s: Like forest-boars, which hearing in the hills


s: The crash of hounds and huntsmen nigh at hand,


s: With start oblique lay many a sapling flat


s: Short-broken by the root, nor cease to grind


s: Their sounding tusks, till by the spear they die;


s: So sounded on the breasts of those brave two


s: The smitten brass; for resolute they fought,


s: Embolden'd by their might who kept the wall,


s: And trusting in their own; they, in defence


s: Of camp and fleet and life, thick battery hurl'd


s: Frequent as snows they fell, which stormy winds,


s: Driving the gloomy clouds, shake to the ground,


s: Till all the fertile earth lies cover'd deep.


s: Such volley pour'd the Greeks, and such return'd


s: The Trojans; casques of hide, arid and tough,


s: And bossy shields rattled, by such a storm


s: Assail'd of millstone masses from above.


s: Indignant utter'd; on both thighs he smote


s: With disappointment furious, and exclaim'd,


s: And lo! as wasps ring-streaked, or bees that build


s: Their dwellings in the highway's craggy side


s: Leave not their hollow home, but fearless wait


s: The hunter's coming, in their brood's defence,


s: So these, although two only, from the gates


s: Move not, nor will, till either seized or slain.


s: So Asius spake, but speaking so, changed not


s: The mind of Jove on Hector's glory bent.


s: Such deeds perform'd, that to enumerate all


s: For fierce the hail of stones from end to end


s: Smote on the barrier; anguish fill'd the Greeks.


s: Yet, by necessity constrain'd, their ships


s: They guarded still; nor less the Gods themselves,


s: Patrons of Greece, all sorrow'd at the sight.


s: Brave Polypoetes through his helmet pierced


s: Damasus; his resplendent point the brass


s: Sufficed not to withstand; entering, it crush'd


s: The bone within, and mingling all his brain


s: With his own blood, his onset fierce repress'd.


s: Meantime Leonteus, branch of Mars, his spear


s: Hurl'd at Hippomachus, whom through his belt


s: He pierced; then drawing forth his falchion keen,


s: Through all the multitude he flew to smite


s: He slew, with brave Orestes, whom he heap'd,


s: All three together, on the fertile glebe.


s: While them the Lapithæ of their bright arms


s: (With all the bravest youths and most resolved


s: To burst the barrier and to fire the fleet)


s: For, while they press'd to pass, they spied a bird


s: Both hosts he soar'd (the Trojan on his left)


s: A serpent bearing in his pounces clutch'd


s: Enormous, dripping blood, but lively still


s: And mindful of revenge; for from beneath


s: The eagle's breast, updarting fierce his head,


s: Fast by the throat he struck him; anguish-sick


s: Between the hosts, and, clanging loud his plumes


s: Shudder'd the Trojans viewing at their feet


s: Ofttimes in council, Hector, thou art wont


s: Nor ought the private citizen, I confess,


s: The Grecian fleet. For if in truth the sign


s: Respect the host of Troy ardent to pass,


s: Then, as the eagle soar'd both hosts between,


s: With Ilium's on his left, and clutch'd a snake


s: Enormous, dripping blood, but still alive,


s: Which yet he dropp'd suddenly, ere he reach'd


s: His eyry, or could give it to his young,


s: So we, although with mighty force we burst


s: Both gates and barrier, and although the Greeks


s: Should all retire, shall never yet the way


s: Slain by the Grecians in their fleet's defence.


s: This omen thus, and faith would win from all.


s: To whom, dark-louring, Hector thus replied.


s: Thou couldst have framed far better; but if this


s: Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods


s: Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth,


s: Who bidd'st me disregard the Thunderer's firm


s: Which I alike despise, speed they their course


s: With right-hand flight toward the ruddy East,


s: Or leftward down into the shades of eve.


s: Sovereign of heaven and earth. Omens abound,


s: But the best omen is our country's cause.


s: Wherefore should fiery war _thy_ soul alarm?


s: For were we slaughter'd, one and all, around


s: The fleet of Greece, _thou_ need'st not fear to die,


s: But if thou shrink thyself, or by smooth speech


s: Pierced by this spear incontinent thou diest.


s: So saying he led them, who with deafening roar


s: Follow'd him. Then, from the Idæan hills


s: Jove hurl'd a storm which wafted right the dust


s: Into the fleet; the spirits too he quell'd


s: To Hector and his host; they, trusting firm


s: In signs from Jove, and in their proper force,


s: Assay'd the barrier; from the towers they tore


s: The galleries, cast the battlements to ground,


s: To strengthen the vast work, with bars upheaved.


s: All these, with expectation fierce to break


s: The rampart, down they drew; nor yet the Greeks


s: Gave back, but fencing close with shields the wall,


s: Smote from behind them many a foe beneath.


s: Meantime from tower to tower the Ajaces moved


s: Exhorting all; with mildness some, and some


s: With harsh rebuke, whom they observed through fear


s: Friends! Argives! warriors of whatever rank!


s: And ye the last and least! (for such there are,


s: Now have we work for all, as all perceive.


s: Turn not, retreat not to your ships, appall'd


s: Exhort each other, and e'en now perchance


s: Olympian Jove, by whom the lightnings burn,


s: Shall grant us to repulse them, and to chase


s: The routed Trojans to their gates again.


s: Stirr'd them to battle. As the feathery snows


s: Fall frequent, on some wintry day, when Jove


s: Hath risen to shed them on the race of man,


s: And show his arrowy stores; he lulls the winds,


s: Then shakes them down continual, covering thick


s: Mountain tops, promontories, flowery meads,


s: And cultured valleys rich; the ports and shores


s: But there the waves bound it, while all beside


s: Lies whelm'd beneath Jove's fast-descending shower,


s: So thick, from side to side, by Trojans hurl'd


s: Against the Greeks, and by the Greeks return'd


s: Through all its length the battered rampart roar'd.


s: Nor yet had Hector and his host prevail'd


s: To burst the gates, and break the massy bar,


s: His son, against the Greeks, furious as falls


s: At once his polish'd buckler he advanced


s: With leafy brass o'erlaid; for with smooth brass


s: Had plated, and with thickest hides throughout


s: Had lined it, stitch'd with circling wires of gold.


s: That shield he bore before him; firmly grasp'd


s: He shook two spears, and with determined strides


s: March'd forward. As the lion mountain-bred,


s: After long fast, by impulse of his heart


s: Undaunted urged, seeks resolute the flock


s: Even in the shelter of their guarded home;


s: He finds, perchance, the shepherds arm'd with spears,


s: And all their dogs awake, yet can not leave


s: Untried the fence, but either leaps it light,


s: And entering tears the prey, or in the attempt


s: Pierced by some dexterous peasant, bleeds himself;


s: So high his courage to the assault impell'd


s: Godlike Sarpedon, and him fired with hope


s: To break the barrier; when to Glaucus thus,


s: Son of Hippolochus, his speech he turn'd.


s: Why, Glaucus, is the seat of honor ours,


s: Why drink we brimming cups, and feast in state?


s: In Lycia, and why share we pleasant fields


s: And spacious vineyards, where the Xanthus winds?


s: Distinguished thus in Lycia, we are call'd


s: The burning battle, that our fair report


s: Among the Lycians may be blazon'd thus--


s: The bright-arm'd Lycians; on the fatted flock


s: They banquet, and they drink the richest wines;


s: But they are also valiant, and the fight


s: Wage dauntless in the vanward of us all.


s: That threats us here, we also could escape


s: To tempt the perils of the glorious field.


s: Pursue us close, and man is born to die--


s: E'en let us on; the prize of glory yield,


s: If yield we must, or wrest it from the foe.


s: Received from Glaucus, but toward the wall


s: Their numerous Lycian host both led direct.


s: Their dread approach, for to his tower they bent;


s: Their threatening march. An eager look he cast,


s: On the embodied Greeks, seeking some Chief


s: Whose aid might turn the battle from his van:


s: Of war, each Ajax fought, near whom his eye


s: Kenn'd Teucer also, newly from his tent;


s: But vain his efforts were with loudest call


s: To reach their ears, such was the deafening din


s: Upsent to heaven, of shields and crested helms,


s: And of the batter'd gates; for at each gate


s: They thundering' stood, and urged alike at each


s: Their fierce attempt by force to burst the bars.


s: My noble friend, Thöotes! with all speed


s: Tempestuous, bend their force against this tower


s: Laborious conflict pressing them severe,


s: And Teucer with his death-dispensing bow.


s: Beside the rampart of the mail-clad Greeks


s: Rapid he flew, and, at their side arrived,


s: Ye leaders of the well-appointed Greeks,


s: With instant suit, that ye would share his toils,


s: However short your stay; the aid of both


s: Will serve him best, for havoc threatens there


s: Tempestuous, bend their force toward the tower


s: He spake, nor his request the towering son


s: To aid our friends, which service once perform'd


s: So saying, the Telamonian Chief withdrew


s: With whom went Teucer, son of the same sire,


s: To the bold Chief Menestheus, and the wall


s: Entering, they found their friends all sharply tried.


s: Buttress and tower, while opposite the Greeks


s: Withstood them, and the battle-shout began.


s: That crown'd the battlement's interior side,


s: Although in prime of youth, had with both hands


s: That weight sustain'd; but he the cumberous mass


s: Uplifted high, and hurl'd it on his head.


s: It burst his helmet, and his batter'd skull


s: Dash'd from all form. He from the lofty tower


s: Dropp'd downright, with a diver's plunge, and died.


s: His arm, which Teucer, marking, from the wall


s: Transfix'd it, and his onset fierce repress'd;


s: For with a backward leap Glaucus withdrew


s: Sudden and silent, cautious lest the Greeks


s: Seeing him wounded should insult his pain.


s: Grief seized, at sight of his retiring friend,


s: But piercing with his lance Alcmaon, son


s: Fell prone, with clangor of his brazen arms.


s: Sarpedon, then, strenuous with both hands


s: Tugg'd, and down fell the battlement entire;


s: The wall, dismantled at the summit, stood


s: A ruin, and wide chasm was open'd through.


s: Struck both; an arrow struck from Teucer's bow


s: The belt that cross'd his bosom, by which hung


s: His ample shield; yet lest his son should fall


s: Among the ships, Jove turn'd the death aside.


s: But Ajax, springing to his thrust, a spear


s: Drove through his shield. Sarpedon at the shock


s: With backward step short interval recoil'd,


s: The hope of glory still, and, looking back


s: On all his godlike Lycians, he exclaim'd,


s: Brave as I boast myself, I feel the task


s: Arduous, through the breach made by myself


s: Follow me all--Most laborers, most dispatch.


s: The embattled host to closer conflict moved,


s: On the other side the Greeks within the wall


s: Made firm the phalanx, seeing urgent need;


s: Nor could the valiant Lycians through the breach


s: Nor since they first approach'd it, had the Greeks


s: With all their efforts, thrust the Lycians back.


s: But as two claimants of one common field,


s: Each with his rod of measurement in hand,


s: Their right in some small portion of the soil,


s: With hostile rage the bull-hide bucklers round,


s: And the light targets on each other's breast.


s: Then many a wound the ruthless weapons made.


s: Pierced through the unarm'd back, if any turn'd,


s: He died, and numerous even through the shield.


s: The battlements from end to end with blood


s: Of Grecians and of Trojans on both sides


s: Were sprinkled; yet no violence could move


s: The stubborn Greeks, or turn their powers to flight.


s: So hung the war in balance, as the scales


s: A spinner; wool and weight she poises nice,


s: Hard-earning slender pittance for her babes,


s: Such was the poise in which the battle hung


s: Till Jove himself superior fame, at length,


s: First through the wall. In lofty sounds that reach'd


s: Their utmost ranks, he call'd on all his host.


s: Now press them, now ye Trojans steed-renown'd


s: Rush on! break through the Grecian rampart, hurl


s: At once devouring flames into the fleet.


s: Such was his exhortation; they his voice


s: All hearing, with close-order'd ranks direct


s: Bore on the barrier, and up-swarming show'd


s: On the high battlement their glittering spears.


s: But Hector seized a stone; of ample base


s: But tapering to a point, before the gate


s: It stood. No two men, mightiest of a land


s: (Such men as now are mighty) could with ease


s: Have heaved it from the earth up to a wain;


s: As in one hand with ease the shepherd bears


s: A ram's fleece home, nor toils beneath the weight,


s: So Hector, right toward the planks of those


s: Majestic folding-gates, close-jointed, firm


s: And solid, bore the stone. Two bars within


s: Their corresponding force combined transvere


s: To guard them, and one bolt secured the bars.


s: He stood fast by them, parting wide his feet


s: For 'vantage sake, and smote them in the midst.


s: He burst both hinges; inward fell the rock


s: Ponderous, and the portals roar'd; the bars


s: Endured not, and the planks, riven by the force


s: Of that huge mass, flew scatter'd on all sides.


s: In leap'd the godlike Hero at the breach,


s: All-dazzling, and he grasp'd two quivering spears.


s: Him entering with a leap the gates, no force


s: Save of the Gods alone. Fire fill'd his eyes;


s: Ascend the rampart; they his voice obey'd;


s: Part climb'd the wall, part pour'd into the gate;


s: The Grecians to their hollow galleys flew


s: Neptune engages on the part of the Grecians. The battle proceeds.


s: Idomeneus accommodates Meriones with a spear, and they proceed to


s: When Jove to Hector and his host had given


s: Such entrance to the fleet, to all the woes


s: He them abandon'd, and his glorious eyes


s: Averting, on the land look'd down remote


s: Of the horse-breeding Thracians, of the bold


s: Close-fighting Mysian race, and where abide


s: On milk sustain'd, and blest with length of days,


s: No longer now on Troy his eyes he turn'd,


s: Survived, that God or Goddess would the Greeks


s: Approach with succor, or the Trojans more.


s: Nor Neptune, sovereign of the boundless Deep,


s: Look'd forth in vain; he on the summit sat


s: Admiring thence and tempest of the field;


s: For thence appear'd all Ida, thence the towers


s: Of lofty Ilium, and the fleet of Greece.


s: There sitting from the deeps uprisen, he mourn'd


s: The vanquished Grecians, and resentment fierce


s: Conceived and wrath against all-ruling Jove.


s: With rapid strides he came; the mountains huge


s: Trembled of Ocean's Sovereign as he strode.


s: Three strides he made, the fourth convey'd him home


s: There stands magnificent his golden fane,


s: Arrived, he to his chariot join'd his steeds


s: Swift, brazen-hoof'd, and maned with wavy gold;


s: Himself attiring next in gold, he seized


s: His golden scourge, and to his seat sublime


s: Ascending, o'er the billows drove; the whales


s: Leaving their caverns, gambol'd on all sides


s: Around him, not unconscious of their King;


s: He swept the surge that tinged not as he pass'd


s: His bounding coursers to the Grecian fleet


s: Convey'd him swift. There is a spacious cave


s: Deep in the bottom of the flood, the rocks


s: There Neptune, Shaker of the Shores, his steeds


s: Station'd secure; he loosed them from the yoke,


s: Gave them ambrosial food, and bound their feet


s: Or broken, that unwandering they might wait


s: Their Lord's return, then sought the Grecian host.


s: The Trojans, tempest-like or like a flame,


s: Came furious on and shouting to the skies.


s: Their hope was to possess the fleet, and leave


s: But earth-encircler Neptune from the gulf


s: Emerging, in the form and with the voice


s: Loud-toned of Calchas, roused the Argive ranks


s: To either Ajax turn'd, themselves prepared.


s: Exert, oh! think not of disastrous flight,


s: And ye shall save the people. Nought I fear


s: Fatal elsewhere, although Troy's haughty sons


s: Have pass'd the barrier with so fierce a throng


s: Tumultuous; for the Grecians brazen-greaved


s: Will check them there. Here only I expect


s: And with much dread some dire event forebode,


s: Where Hector, terrible as fire, and loud


s: Leads on the Trojans. Oh that from on high


s: Some God would form the purpose in your hearts


s: To stand yourselves firmly, and to exhort


s: The rest to stand! so should ye chase him hence


s: So Neptune spake, compasser of the earth,


s: And, with his sceptre smiting both, their hearts


s: Fill'd with fresh fortitude; their limbs the touch


s: Made agile, wing'd their feet and nerved their arms.


s: Then, swift as stoops a falcon from the point


s: Of some rude rock sublime, when he would chase


s: So started Neptune thence, and disappear'd.


s: First recognized, and, instant, thus his speech


s: Exhorts us, in the prophet's form to fight


s: (For prophet none or augur we have seen;


s: This was not Calchas; as he went I mark'd


s: His steps and knew him; Gods are known with ease)


s: Afresh for battle; lightness in my limbs,


s: More firmly grasp my spear; my courage mounts,


s: To cope with Priam's furious son, alone.


s: Thus they, with martial transport to their souls


s: Meantime the King of Ocean roused the Greeks,


s: Who in the rear, beside their gallant barks


s: Some respite sought. They, spent with arduous toil,


s: To battle, but their hearts with grief oppress'd,


s: Within the mighty barrier; sad they view'd


s: That sight, and bathed their cheeks with many a tear,


s: Entering among them, soon the spirit stirr'd


s: Oh shame, ye Grecians! vigorous as ye are


s: And in life's prime, to your exertions most


s: If _ye_ renounce the labors of the field,


s: Fled once like fleetest hinds the destined prey


s: Of lynxes, leopards, wolves; feeble and slight


s: They rove uncertain; so the Trojans erst


s: The hindrance of a moment's strife oppose.


s: But now, Troy left afar, even at our ships


s: They give us battle, through our leader's fault


s: And through the people's negligence, who fill'd


s: With fierce displeasure against _him_, prefer


s: Death at their ships, to war in their defence.


s: Blame-worthy, and with no sufficient plea.


s: But heal we speedily the breach; brave minds


s: That thus your fury slumbers, for the host


s: Hath none illustrious as yourselves in arms.


s: But am incensed at _you_. My friends, beware!


s: Of some worse evil. Let the dread of shame


s: Affect your hearts; oh tremble at the thought


s: Loud shouting Hector combats at the ships


s: Nobly, hath forced the gates and burst the bar.


s: With such encouragement those Grecian chiefs


s: The King of Ocean roused. Then, circled soon


s: Had praised, or Pallas, patroness of arms.


s: For there the flower of all expected firm


s: Bold Hector and his host; spear crowded spear,


s: Shield, helmet, man, press'd helmet, man and shield;


s: The hairy crests of their resplendent casques


s: Kiss'd close at every nod, so wedged they stood;


s: No spear was seen but in the manly grasp


s: It quiver'd, and their every wish was war.


s: The powers of Ilium gave the first assault


s: Embattled close; them Hector led himself


s: From its old lodgment on the mountain's brow,


s: It bounds, it shoots away; the crashing wood


s: None stays its fury, till the level found,


s: There, settling by degrees, it rolls no more;


s: So after many a threat that he would pass


s: Easily through the Grecian camp and fleet


s: And slay to the sea-brink, when Hector once


s: Had fallen on those firm ranks, standing, he bore


s: Urged and bright falchion, soon, reeling, retired,


s: And call'd vociferous on the host of Troy.


s: Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons


s: Of Dardanus, oh stand! not long the Greeks


s: Will me confront, although embodied close


s: In solid phalanx; doubt it not; my spear


s: Shall chase and scatter them, if Jove, in truth,


s: High-thundering mate of Juno, bid me on.


s: So saying he roused the courage of them all


s: Foremost of whom advanced, of Priam's race


s: Tripping he came with shorten'd steps, his feet


s: Sheltering behind his buckler; but at him


s: Dismiss'd, nor err'd; his bull-hide targe he struck


s: Receives the inserted brass, the quivering beam


s: Snapp'd; then, Deiphobus his shield afar


s: Advanced before him, trembling at a spear


s: At first retired, but soon set forth again


s: In prowess through the Achaian camp, to fetch


s: Its fellow-spear within his tent reserved.


s: The rest all fought, and dread the shouts arose


s: Slew valiant Imbrius, son of Mentor, rich


s: In herds of sprightly steeds. He ere the Greeks


s: And Priam's spurious daughter had espoused


s: Of Greece arriving, he return'd to Troy,


s: Where he excell'd the noblest, and abode


s: With Priam, loved and honor'd as his own.


s: Him Teucer pierced beneath his ear, and pluck'd


s: His weapon home; he fell as falls an ash


s: Hewn from its bottom by the woodman's axe,


s: With all its tender foliage meets the ground


s: So Imbrius fell; loud rang his armor bright


s: To seize his arms, whom hasting to the spoil


s: Hector with his resplendent spear assail'd;


s: Declined it narrowly and it pierced the breast,


s: Amphimachus; he, sounding, smote the plain,


s: Then Hector swift approaching, would have torn


s: The well-forged helmet from the brows away


s: Right forth at Hector hasting to the spoil


s: His radiant spear; no wound the spear impress'd,


s: For he was arm'd complete in burnish'd brass


s: Of Hector's shield, and with enormous force


s: So shock'd him, that retiring he resign'd


s: Both bodies, which the Grecians dragg'd away.


s: Bore off Amphimachus, and, fierce in arms


s: Through thick entanglement of boughs and brakes


s: A goat snatch'd newly from the peasants' cogs,


s: Upholding high their prey above the ground,


s: From his smooth neck dissevering in revenge


s: For slain Amphimachus, through all the host


s: Sent it with swift rotation like a globe,


s: Till in the dust at Hector's feet it fell.


s: Then anger fill'd the heart of Ocean's King,


s: His grandson slain in battle; forth he pass'd


s: Through the Achaian camp and fleet, the Greeks


s: It chanced that brave Idomeneus return'd


s: His friends had borne him off, and when the Chief


s: Had given him into skilful hands, he sought


s: Him therefore, meeting him on his return,


s: Neptune bespake, but with the borrow'd voice


s: Oh counsellor of Crete! our threats denounced


s: Against the towers of Troy, where are they now?


s: To whom the leader of the Cretans, thus,


s: None yields by fear oppress'd, none lull'd by sloth


s: From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems


s: Of Jove himself, that we should perish here


s: But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm


s: In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse


s: Whom thou observ'st remiss) now also fight


s: As erst, and urge each leader of the host.


s: Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep.


s: Return that Grecian never from the shores


s: Feast on him, who shall this day intermit


s: Through wilful negligence his force in fight!


s: But haste, take arms and come; we must exert


s: We yet may yield some service. Union much


s: Emboldens even the weakest, and our might


s: Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown.


s: So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again


s: His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand,


s: Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove


s: From bright Olympus shakes into the air,


s: A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes;


s: But him not yet far distant from his tent


s: For he had left the fight, seeking a spear,


s: Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear!


s: Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field


s: Abandon'd? Art thou wounded? Bring'st thou home


s: Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt?


s: Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself


s: The still tent covet not, but feats of arms?


s: Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail'd


s: Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke


s: The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought,


s: Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return'd,


s: Within my tent, leaning against the wall,


s: Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy,


s: Which from the slain I took; for distant fight


s: Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I


s: Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques


s: And corselets bright that smile against the sun.


s: Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence


s: Far distant. I not less myself than thou


s: And when the din of glorious arms is heard,


s: Fight in the van. If other Greeks my deeds


s: Know not, at least I judge them known to thee.


s: Why speakest thus to me? Choose we this day


s: An ambush forth of all the bravest Greeks,


s: (For in the ambush is distinguish'd best


s: The courage; there the timorous and the bold


s: And shifts from place to place, nor can he calm


s: The fears that shake his trembling limbs, but sits


s: Low-crouching on his hams, while in his breast


s: Quick palpitates his death-foreboding heart,


s: And his teeth chatter; but the valiant man


s: His posture shifts not; no excessive fears


s: Feels he, but seated once in ambush, deems


s: Time tedious till the bloody fight begin;)


s: Even there, thy courage should no blame incur.


s: For should'st thou, toiling in the fight, by spear


s: Or falchion bleed, not on thy neck behind


s: Would fall the weapon, or thy back annoy,


s: But it would meet thy bowels or thy chest


s: While thou didst rush into the clamorous van.


s: But haste--we may not longer loiter here


s: As children prating, lest some sharp rebuke


s: My tent provide thee with a noble spear.


s: By Terror follow'd, his own dauntless son


s: Who quells the boldest heart, to battle moves;


s: From Thrace against the Ephyri they arm,


s: Or hardy Phlegyans, and by both invoked,


s: Hear and grant victory to which they please;


s: Son of Deucalion! where inclinest thou most


s: Of all the host? or through the central ranks?


s: The Greeks so destitute of force as there.


s: Chief of the Cretans. Others stand to guard


s: The middle fleet; there either Ajax wars,


s: And Teucer, noblest archer of the Greeks,


s: And urge to proof sufficiently the force


s: How fierce soever, he shall find it hard,


s: With all his thirst of victory, to quell


s: Their firm resistance, and to fire the fleet,


s: Let not Saturnian Jove cast down from heaven


s: Sustain'd of Ceres, and whose flesh the spear


s: Can penetrate, or rocky fragment bruise;


s: Achilles, although far less swift than he.


s: But turn we to the left, that we may learn


s: At once, if glorious death, or life be ours.


s: Then, rapid as the God of war, his course


s: From rank to rank each other, on they came


s: To the assault combined. Then soon arose


s: Sharp contest on the left of all the fleet.


s: As when shrill winds blow vehement, what time


s: Dust deepest spreads the ways, by warring blasts


s: Upborne a sable cloud stands in the air,


s: Such was the sudden conflict; equal rage


s: To stain with gore the lance ruled every breast.


s: Horrent with quivering spears the fatal field


s: Frown'd on all sides; the brazen flashes dread


s: Of numerous helmets, corselets furbish'd bright,


s: And shields refulgent meeting, dull'd the eye,


s: And turn'd it dark away. Stranger indeed


s: Were he to fear, who could that strife have view'd


s: With heart elate, or spirit unperturb'd.


s: To many a valiant Chief sorrow and pain.


s: Not for complete destruction of the Greeks


s: To Thetis thence, and to her dauntless son.


s: On the other side, the King of Ocean risen


s: Of Greece encouraged, whom he grieved to see


s: Vanquish'd by Trojans, and with anger fierce


s: Against the Thunderer burn'd on their behalf.


s: Sprang they, but Jove was elder, and surpass'd


s: In various knowledge; therefore when he roused


s: Their courage, Neptune traversed still the ranks


s: Clandestine, and in human form disguised.


s: Thus, these Immortal Two, straining the cord


s: And loosed the joints of many a warrior bold.


s: Then, loud exhorting (though himself with age


s: Half grey) the Achaians, into battle sprang


s: Idomeneus, and scatter'd, first, the foe,


s: Of martial glory drawn, had left of late


s: Cassandra, but no nuptial gift vouchsafed


s: Assured to him his wish, and in the faith


s: Well-aim'd dismissing, struck the haughty Chief.


s: Endured not; through his bowels pierced, with clang


s: Of all his arms he fell, and thus with joy


s: Thy whole big promise to the Dardan king,


s: Who promised thee his daughter. Now, behold,


s: Of Agamemnon's daughters, whom ourselves


s: Will hither bring from Argos, if thy force


s: With ours uniting, thou wilt rase the walls


s: Of populous Troy. Come--follow me; that here


s: Of marriage, for we take not scanty dower.


s: So saying, the Hero dragg'd him by his heel


s: Through all the furious fight. His death to avenge


s: Asius on foot before his steeds advanced,


s: For them, where'er he moved, his charioteer


s: With fierce desire the heart of Asius burn'd


s: Him reaching first, pierced him beneath the chin


s: Into his throat, and urged the weapon through.


s: He fell, as some green poplar falls, or oak,


s: With new-edged axes on the mountain's side.


s: So, his teeth grinding, and the bloody dust


s: Clenching, before his chariot and his steeds


s: (All recollection lost) sat panic-stunn'd,


s: Nor dared for safety turn his steeds to flight.


s: Him bold Antilochus right through the waist


s: Transpierced; his mail sufficed not, but the spear


s: Panting, and young Antilochus the steeds


s: Drove captive thence into the host of Greece.


s: Hurl'd at Idomeneus his glittering lance;


s: But he, foreseeing its approach, the point


s: Eluded, cover'd whole by his round shield


s: Of hides and brass by double belt sustain'd,


s: Yet left it not in vain his vigorous grasp,


s: Not unavenged lies Asius; though he seek


s: Hell's iron portals, yet shall he rejoice,


s: So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard!


s: Antilochus, who yet his breathless friend


s: Left not, but hasting, fenced him with his shield,


s: Deep-groaning both, for of their band was he.


s: Either to plunge some Trojan in the shades,


s: Or fall himself, guarding the fleet of Greece.


s: The eldest-born of all his daughters fair,


s: By both her parents in her virgin state,


s: For that in beauty she surpass'd, in works


s: All her coëvals; wherefore she was deem'd


s: Well worthy of the noblest prince of Troy.


s: Dimming, and fettering his proportion'd limbs.


s: All power of flight or to elude the stroke


s: Forsook him, and while motionless he stood


s: As stands a pillar tall or towering oak,


s: Transfix'd his middle chest. He split the mail


s: Erewhile his bosom's faithful guard; shrill rang


s: The shiver'd brass; sounding he fell; the beam


s: Shook to its topmost point, but, its force spent,


s: At last, quiescent, stood. Then loud exclaim'd


s: Vain boaster, that, three warriors slain for one,


s: We yield thee just amends? else, stand thyself


s: Crete's guardian, Minos, from which Minos sprang


s: I, sovereign of the numerous race of Crete's


s: Extensive isle, and whom my galleys brought


s: To these your shores at last, that I might prove


s: Thy curse, thy father's, and a curse to Troy.


s: At length, as his discreeter course, he chose


s: Station'd, remotest of the host of Troy,


s: Approaching him, in accents wing'd he said.


s: Æneas! Trojan Chief! If e'er thou lov'dst


s: Thy sister's husband, duty calls thee now


s: To prove it. Haste--defend with me the dead


s: Alcathoüs, guardian of thy tender years,


s: So saying, he roused his spirit, and on fire


s: To combat with the Cretan, forth he sprang.


s: May seize a nursling boy; resolved he stood


s: As in the mountains, conscious of his force,


s: Of boisterous hunters to his lone retreat;


s: Arching his bristly spine he stands, his eyes


s: Beam fire, and whetting his bright tusks, he burns


s: To drive, not dogs alone, but men to flight;


s: So stood the royal Cretan, and fled not,


s: In battle, and in accents wing'd exclaim'd.


s: Haste ye, my friends! to aid me, for I stand


s: Of swift Æneas, nor less brave than swift,


s: And who possesses fresh his flower of youth,


s: Man's prime advantage; were we match'd in years


s: As in our spirits, either he should earn


s: At once the meed of deathless fame, or I.


s: Sloping their shields, and stood. On the other side


s: His fellow-warriors bold; them follow'd all


s: Their people as the pastured flock the ram


s: To water, by the shepherd seen with joy;


s: That numerous host attendant at his call.


s: Arm'd with long spears they rush'd; on every breast


s: Dread rang the brazen corselet, each his foe


s: Panted to pierce each other with the spear.


s: But, warn'd, he shunn'd the weapon, and it pass'd.


s: Stood, hurl'd in vain, though by a forceful arm.


s: Not so the Cretan; at his waist he pierced


s: And in his midmost bowels drench'd the spear;


s: Down fell the Chief, and dying, clench'd the dust.


s: Instant, his massy spear the King of Crete


s: Pluck'd from the dead, but of his radiant arms


s: Despoil'd him not, by numerous weapons urged;


s: For now, time-worn, he could no longer make


s: Brisk sally, spring to follow his own spear,


s: At him retiring, therefore, step by step


s: Long time pursued him, hurl'd his splendid lance,


s: Right through his shoulder flew the spear; he fell


s: Incontinent, and dying, clench'd the dust.


s: But tidings none the brazen-throated Mars


s: Tempestuous yet received, that his own son


s: In bloody fight had fallen, for on the heights


s: Olympian over-arch'd with clouds of gold


s: He sat, where sat the other Powers divine,


s: Resplendent seized, but swift as fiery Mars


s: Pierced with a spear, and from his idle hand


s: Fallen, the casque sonorous struck the ground.


s: Again, as darts the vulture on his prey,


s: Pluck'd from his arm, and to his band retired.


s: From the hoarse battle to his rapid steeds


s: And his bright chariot in the distant rear,


s: Which bore him back to Troy, languid and loud-


s: Groaning, and bleeding from his recent wound.


s: Instant the hero's pointed lance received.


s: With head reclined, and bearing to the ground


s: Buckler and helmet with him, in dark shades


s: Of soul-divorcing death involved, he fell.


s: To flight, that moment pierced him; from his back


s: He ripp'd the vein which through the trunk its course


s: Winds upward to the neck; that vein he ripp'd


s: All forth; supine he fell, and with both hands


s: Forth sprang Antilochus to strip his arms,


s: But watch'd, meantime, the Trojans, who in crowds


s: Encircling him, his splendid buckler broad


s: Smote oft, but none with ruthless point prevail'd


s: Even to inscribe the skin of Nestor's son,


s: Whom Neptune, shaker of the shores, amid


s: Yet never from his foes he shrank, but faced


s: From side to side, nor idle slept his spear,


s: But with rotation ceaseless turn'd and turn'd


s: Far-distant, at a foe, now, near at hand.


s: Advancing, struck the centre of his shield.


s: The weapon; part within his disk remain'd


s: Like a seer'd stake, and part fell at his feet.


s: Him reaching with his lance, the shame between


s: And navel pierced him, where the stroke of Mars


s: There enter'd deep the weapon; down he fell,


s: Among the mountains pants by peasants held


s: In twisted bands, and dragg'd perforce along;


s: Ceased, for Meriones, approaching, pluck'd


s: The weapon forth, and darkness veil'd his eyes.


s: Dash'd off his helmet; from his brows remote


s: It fell, and wandering roll'd, till at his feet


s: Some warrior found it, and secured; meantime


s: The sightless shades of death him wrapp'd around.


s: Grief at that spectacle the bosom fill'd


s: His radiant spear, and threatening him, advanced


s: With his bow bent. They met; impatient, one,


s: To give his pointed lance its rapid course,


s: And one, to start his arrow from the nerve.


s: Glanced wide. As vetches or as swarthy beans


s: Leap from the van and fly athwart the floor,


s: By sharp winds driven, and by the winnower's force,


s: So from the corselet of the glorious Greek


s: Wide-wandering flew the bitter shaft away.


s: Fasten'd it to his bow; shunning a stroke


s: And trailing, as he went, the ashen beam;


s: There, bold Agenor from his hand the lance


s: Drew forth, then folded it with softest wool


s: Around, sling-wool, and borrow'd from the sling


s: Then sprang Pisander on the glorious Chief


s: Beckon'd him to his death in conflict fierce,


s: And now they met, small interval between.


s: Atrides hurl'd his weapon, and it err'd.


s: Pisander with his spear struck full the shield


s: Fail'd to transpierce it, and the weapon fell


s: Snapp'd at the neck. Yet, when he struck, the heart


s: Sprang on him, while Pisander from behind


s: By its long haft of polish'd olive-wood,


s: And both Chiefs struck together. He the crest


s: That crown'd the shaggy casque of Atreus' son


s: In his swift onset smote full on the front


s: Above his nose; sounded the shatter'd bone,


s: And his eyes both fell bloody at his feet.


s: Convolved with pain he lay; then, on his breast


s: So shall ye leave at length the Grecian fleet,


s: Nor want ye other guilt, dogs and profane!


s: The hot displeasure of high-thundering Jove


s: The hospitable, who shall waste in time,


s: And level with the dust your lofty Troy.


s: My youthful bride who welcomed you, and stole


s: To burn Achaia's gallant fleet with fire


s: And slay her heroes; but your furious thirst


s: In heaven or earth, yet from thyself proceed


s: To this flagitious race the Trojans, strong


s: In war and bloodshed never can be cloy'd.


s: All pleasures breed satiety, sweet sleep,


s: Soft dalliance, music, and the graceful dance,


s: Though sought with keener appetite by most


s: Than bloody war; but Troy still covets blood.


s: So spake the royal Chief, and to his friends


s: Him, next, Harpalion, offspring of the King


s: Following his sire, but never thence return'd.


s: He, from small distance, smote the central boss


s: But wanting power to pierce it, with an eye


s: Of cautious circumspection, lest perchance


s: Some spear should reach him, to his band retired.


s: To his right buttock, slipp'd beneath the bone,


s: His bladder grazed, and started through before.


s: And like a worm lay on the ground, his life


s: And with his sable blood soaking the plain.


s: Around him flock'd his Paphlagonians bold,


s: And in his chariot placed drove him to Troy,


s: With whom his father went, mourning with tears


s: A son, whose death he never saw avenged.


s: Him slain with indignation Paris view'd,


s: For he, with numerous Paphlagonians more


s: His guest had been; he, therefore, in the thirst


s: Of vengeance, sent a brazen arrow forth.


s: There was a certain Greek, Euchenor, son


s: And brave in fight, and who in Corinth dwelt


s: He, knowing well his fate, yet sail'd to Troy


s: Had prophecied that he should either die


s: By Trojan hands, amid the fleet of Greece.


s: He, therefore, shunning the reproach alike


s: Had join'd the Grecian host; him Paris pierced


s: The ear and jaw beneath; life at the stroke


s: Left him, and darkness overspread his eyes.


s: So raged the battle like devouring fire.


s: But Hector dear to Jove not yet had learn'd,


s: Nor aught surmised the havoc of his host


s: Made on the left, where victory crown'd well-nigh


s: By Neptune seconding himself their arms.


s: He, where he first had started through the gate


s: Compact, still persevered. The galleys there


s: Was there of humblest structure, and the steeds


s: And warriors there conflicted furious most.


s: Prolix, the Phthians, Locrians, and the bold


s: Of Hector, noble Chief, ardent as flame,


s: Yet not repulsed him. Chosen Athenians form'd


s: The van, by Peteos' son, Menestheus, led,


s: Whose high command undaunted Bias shared,


s: Podarces brave in arms the Phthians ruled,


s: And for his uncle's death, whom he had slain,


s: Podarces;) these, all station'd in the front


s: With the Boeotians for the fleet's defence.


s: Ajax the swift swerved never from the side


s: But as in some deep fallow two black steers


s: Labor combined, dragging the ponderous plow,


s: The briny sweat around their rooted horns


s: Oozes profuse; they, parted as they toil


s: Cleave to its bottom sheer the stubborn glebe,


s: So, side by side, they, persevering fought.


s: Numerous and bold, who, when his bulky limbs


s: Fail'd overlabor'd, eased him of his shield.


s: Oïleus' valiant son; pitch'd battle them


s: Suited not, unprovided with bright casques


s: Of hairy crest, with ashen spears, and shields


s: And twisted sling alone, they came to Troy,


s: And broke with shafts and volley'd stones the ranks.


s: The van, these two with Hector and his host


s: Conflicted, while the Locrians from behind


s: Vex'd them with shafts, secure; nor could the men


s: Of Ilium stand, by such a shower confused.


s: Then, driven with dreadful havoc thence, the foe


s: Standing, the dauntless hero thus address'd.


s: Hector! Thou ne'er canst listen to advice;


s: But think'st thou, that if heaven in feats of arms


s: To one, superior force in arms is given,


s: Sweet song and powers of music to a third,


s: And to a fourth loud-thundering Jove imparts


s: Wisdom, which profits many, and which saves


s: Whole cities oft, though reverenced but by few.


s: Yet hear; I speak as wisest seems to me.


s: Environs thee; the Trojans, since they pass'd


s: The bulwark, either hold themselves aloof,


s: Or, wide-dispersed among the galleys, cope


s: Retiring, therefore, summon all our Chiefs


s: Whether (should heaven so prosper us) to rush


s: Impetuous on the gallant barks of Greece,


s: All yesterday's arrear, since yonder Chief


s: Within the fleet, nor longer, as I judge,


s: Will rest a mere spectator of the field.


s: Pleased Hector; from his chariot down he leap'd


s: All arm'd, and in wing'd accents thus replied.


s: Of some snow-crested mountain, shouting ranged


s: Of Panthus, at the voice of Hector, ran.


s: Himself with hasty strides the front, meantime,


s: Of battle roam'd, seeking from rank to rank


s: He found, nor living all. Beneath the sterns


s: Of the Achaian ships some slaughter'd lay


s: By Grecian hands; some stricken by the spear


s: Within the rampart sat, some by the sword.


s: But leftward of the woful field he found,


s: Ere long, bright Helen's paramour his band


s: Exhorting to the fight. Hector approach'd,


s: And him, in fierce displeasure, thus bespake.


s: Curst Paris, specious, fraudulent and lewd!


s: Offspring of Asius, and where Asius, son


s: Falls headlong, now is thy own ruin sure!


s: Since Hector! thou art pleased with no just cause


s: To censure me, I may decline, perchance,


s: Much more the battle on some future day,


s: Witness our constant conflict with the Greeks


s: Here, on this spot, since first led on by thee


s: The host of Troy waged battle at the ships.


s: But those our friends of whom thou hast inquired


s: Bear each a wound inflicted by the spear,


s: And have retired; but Jove their life preserved.


s: Come now--conduct us whither most thine heart


s: Prompts thee, and thou shalt find us ardent all


s: To face like danger; what we can, we will,


s: The best and most determined can no more.


s: So saying, the hero soothed his brother's mind.


s: Then moved they both toward the hottest war


s: Erewhile to Phrygia, and, by Jove impell'd,


s: Now waged the furious battle side by side.


s: The march of these at once, was as the sound


s: Of mighty winds from deep-hung thunder-clouds


s: Descending; clamorous the blast and wild


s: With ocean mingles; many a billow, then,


s: Upridged rides turbulent the sounding flood,


s: Foam-crested billow after billow driven,


s: So moved the host of Troy, rank after rank


s: Behind their Chiefs, all dazzling bright in arms.


s: Fierce as gore-tainted Mars, and his broad shield


s: Advancing came, heavy with hides, and thick-


s: Plated with brass; his helmet on his brows


s: Refulgent shook, and in its turn he tried


s: The force of every phalanx, if perchance


s: Behind his broad shield pacing he might shake


s: Their steadfast order; but he bore not down


s: Then Ajax striding forth, him, first, defied.


s: Approach. Why temptest thou the Greeks to fear?


s: No babes are we in aught that appertains


s: To arms, though humbled by the scourge of Jove.


s: Thou cherishest the foolish hope to burn


s: Our fleet with fire; but even we have hearts


s: Prepared to guard it, and your populous Troy,


s: Shall perish sooner far. Know this thyself


s: Also; the hour is nigh when thou shalt ask


s: In prayer to Jove and all the Gods of heaven,


s: That speed more rapid than the falcon's flight


s: May wing thy coursers, while, exciting dense


s: The dusty plain, they whirl thee back to Troy.


s: While thus he spake, sublime on the right-hand


s: The whole Achaian host with loud acclaim


s: Hail'd it. Then glorious Hector thus replied.


s: Brainless and big, what means this boast of thine,


s: Earth-cumberer Ajax? Would I were the son


s: Fraught for the Grecians, among whom thyself


s: My massy spear, which shall thy pamper'd flesh


s: Falling, thou shalt the vultures with thy bulk


s: He spake, and led his host; with clamor loud


s: They follow'd him, and all the distant rear


s: Came shouting on. On the other side the Greeks


s: Re-echoed shout for shout, all undismay'd,


s: And waiting firm the bravest of their foes.


s: Though drinking, who in words wing'd with surprise


s: Divine Machaon! think what this may bode.


s: The cry of our young warriors at the ships


s: Grows louder; sitting here, the sable wine


s: Quaff thou, while bright-hair'd Hecamede warms


s: A bath, to cleanse thy crimson stains away.


s: I from yon eminence will learn the cause.


s: So saying, he took a shield radiant with brass


s: There lying in the tent, the shield well-forged


s: (For he had borne to fight his father's shield)


s: And arming next his hand with a keen lance


s: Stood forth before the tent. Thence soon he saw


s: Foul deeds and strange, the Grecian host confused,


s: Their broken ranks flying before the host


s: Its silent flood, forebodes shrill winds to blow,


s: The doubtful waves roll yet to neither side,


s: Till swept at length by a decisive gale;


s: So stood the senior, with distressful doubts


s: Conflicting anxious, whether first to seek


s: The sovereign, and at length that course preferr'd.


s: Meantime with mutual carnage they the field


s: Spread far and wide, and by spears double-edged


s: Smitten, and by the sword their corselets rang.


s: The royal Chiefs ascending from the fleet,


s: For from the war remote they had updrawn


s: Their galleys on the shore of the gray Deep,


s: The foremost to the plain, and at the sterns


s: Of that exterior line had built the wall.


s: For, spacious though it were, the shore alone


s: That fleet sufficed not, incommoding much


s: The people; wherefore they had ranged the ships


s: Between both promontories, all was fill'd.


s: They, therefore, curious to survey the fight,


s: Came forth together, leaning on the spear,


s: When Nestor met them; heavy were their hearts,


s: And at the sight of him still more alarm'd,


s: What moved thee to forsake yon bloody field,


s: And urged thee hither? Cause I see of fear,


s: Till he had burn'd our fleet, and slain ourselves.


s: So threaten'd Hector, and shall now perform.


s: Resentful, and decline their fleet's defence.


s: Those threats are verified; nor Jove himself


s: For our chief strength in which we trusted most


s: Our navy and ourselves, the wall hath fallen.


s: Hence all this conflict by our host sustain'd


s: Among the ships; nor could thy keenest sight


s: Confusion most prevails, such deaths are dealt


s: Promiscuous, and the cry ascends to heaven.


s: To seek the fight; the wounded have excuse.


s: The battle rage, if neither trench nor wall


s: Constructed with such labor, and supposed


s: That the Achaian host should perish here


s: Inglorious, from their country far remote.


s: When he vouchsafed assistance to the Greeks,


s: I knew it well; and now, not less I know


s: Haste therefore all, and act as I advise.


s: Our ships--all those that nearest skirt the Deep,


s: Launch we into the sacred flood, and moor


s: With anchors safely, till o'ershadowing night


s: (If night itself may save us) shall arrive.


s: Then may we launch the rest; for I no shame


s: Account it, even by 'vantage of the night


s: Who 'scapes his foe, than whom his foe enthralls.


s: But him Ulysses, frowning stern, reproved.


s: What word, Atrides, now hath pass'd thy lips?


s: Counsellor of despair! thou should'st command


s: (And would to heaven thou didst) a different host,


s: From youth to hoary age to weave the web


s: Of toilsome warfare, till we perish all.


s: Wilt thou the spacious city thus renounce


s: For which such numerous woes we have endured?


s: Hush! lest some other hear; it is a word


s: To speak discreetly, no man bearing rule


s: I from my soul condemn thee, and condemn


s: Thy counsel, who persuad'st us in the heat


s: Our fleet into the waves, that we may give


s: Our too successful foes their full desire,


s: May plunge us past all hope; for while they draw


s: Their galleys down, the Grecians shall but ill


s: Sustain the fight, seaward will cast their eyes


s: And shun the battle, bent on flight alone.


s: Then, shall they rue thy counsel, King of men!


s: To whom the imperial leader of the Greeks.


s: Thy sharp reproof, Ulysses, hath my soul


s: Pierced deeply. Yet I gave no such command


s: That the Achaians should their galleys launch,


s: Would they, or would they not. No. I desire


s: That young or old, some other may advice


s: More prudent give, and he shall please me well.


s: That man is near, and may ye but be found


s: Be patient each, nor chide me nor reproach


s: For I am sprung from an illustrious Sire,


s: From Tydeus, who beneath his hill of earth


s: Lies now entomb'd at Thebes. Three noble sons


s: Were born to Portheus, who in Pleuro dwelt,


s: And on the heights of Calydon; the first


s: Brave Oeneus, father of my father, famed


s: Oeneus still dwelt at home; but wandering thence


s: There he espoused the daughter of the King


s: In all abundance; many a field possess'd


s: Of wheat, well-planted gardens, numerous flocks,


s: Past all the Grecians. I esteem'd it right


s: That ye should hear these things, for they are true.


s: Ye will not, therefore, as I were obscure


s: What I shall well advise. Expedience bids


s: That, wounded as we are, we join the host.


s: We will preserve due distance from the range


s: Of spears and arrows, lest already gall'd,


s: We suffer worse; but we will others urge


s: To combat, who have stood too long aloof,


s: He spake, whom all approved, and forth they went,


s: Nor watch'd the glorious Shaker of the shores


s: In vain, but like a man time-worn approach'd,


s: In accents wing'd the monarch thus address'd.


s: The flight and slaughter of Achaia's host;


s: And may his portion from the Gods be shame!


s: But as for thee, not yet the powers of heaven


s: Thee hate implacable; the Chiefs of Troy


s: Shall cover yet with cloudy dust the breadth


s: Of all the plain, and backward from the camp


s: To Ilium's gates thyself shalt see them driven.


s: He ceased, and shouting traversed swift the field.


s: Loud as nine thousand or ten thousand shout


s: And thirst of battle not to be assuaged.


s: But Juno of the golden throne stood forth


s: The field, where clear distinguishing the God


s: Hatred against him, and thenceforth began


s: The Thunderer, and thus at last resolved;


s: Then closing fast in balmy sleep profound


s: His eyes, to elude his vigilance, secure.


s: She sought her chamber; Vulcan her own son


s: That chamber built. He framed the solid doors,


s: And to the posts fast closed them with a key


s: Mysterious, which, herself except, in heaven


s: The splendid portal. First, she laved all o'er


s: Her beauteous body with ambrosial lymph,


s: Then polish'd it with richest oil divine


s: Of boundless fragrance; oil that in the courts


s: Breathed odors, and through all the distant earth.


s: Her whole fair body with those sweets bedew'd,


s: She passed the comb through her ambrosial hair,


s: And braided her bright locks streaming profuse


s: From her immortal brows; with golden studs


s: She made her gorgeous mantle fast before,


s: And braced it with a zone fringed all around


s: A hundred fold; her pendants triple-gemm'd


s: Luminous, graceful, in her ears she hung,


s: And covering all her glories with a veil


s: Sun-bright, new-woven, bound to her fair feet


s: And beckoning Venus from the other powers


s: Of heaven apart, the Goddess thus bespake.


s: Daughter beloved! shall I obtain my suit,


s: Or wilt thou thwart me, angry that I aid


s: The Grecians, while thine aid is given to Troy?


s: To whom Jove's daughter Venus thus replied.


s: What would majestic Juno, daughter dread


s: Then thus with wiles veiling her deep design


s: That love-enkindling power by which thou sway'st


s: For to the green earth's utmost bounds I go,


s: Mother of all. They kindly from the hands


s: Sustain'd and cherish'd me, what time from heaven


s: The Thunderer hurled down Saturn, and beneath


s: The earth fast bound him and the barren Deep.


s: They have from conjugal embrace abstain'd


s: Through mutual wrath, whom by persuasive speech


s: Her, foam-born Venus then, Goddess of smiles,


s: Thus answer'd. Thy request, who in the arms


s: So saying, the cincture from her breast she loosed


s: Embroider'd, various, her all-charming zone.


s: It was an ambush of sweet snares, replete


s: With love, desire, soft intercourse of hearts,


s: And music of resistless whisper'd sounds


s: That from the wisest steal their best resolves;


s: She placed it in her hands and thus she said.


s: Take this--this girdle fraught with every charm.


s: Whate'er thy purpose, mistress of it all.


s: She spake; imperial Juno smiled, and still


s: Smiling complacent, bosom'd safe the zone.


s: Then Venus to her father's court return'd,


s: And Juno, starting from the Olympian height,


s: Of broad Emathia; soaring thence she swept


s: The snow-clad summits of the Thracian hills


s: Steed-famed, nor printed, as she passed, the soil.


s: From Athos o'er the foaming billows borne


s: Of noble Thoas, and there meeting Sleep,


s: Brother of Death, she press'd his hand, and said,


s: Sleep, over all, both Gods and men, supreme!


s: Seal for me fast the radiant eyes of Jove


s: Thy recompense shall be a throne of gold,


s: Vulcan, shall fashion it himself with art


s: Laborious, and, beneath, shall place a stool


s: For thy fair feet, at the convivial board.


s: Then answer thus the tranquil Sleep returned


s: Great Saturn's daughter, awe-inspiring Queen!


s: I could with ease make slumber, even the streams


s: Give me command, I dare not lull to rest,


s: Or even approach him, taught as I have been


s: When, Troy laid waste, that valiant son of his


s: Sail'd homeward: then my influence I diffused


s: Soft o'er the sovereign intellect of Jove;


s: While thou, against the Hero plotting harm,


s: Didst rouse the billows with tempestuous blasts,


s: Brought'st him to populous Cos. Then Jove awoke,


s: And, hurling in his wrath the Gods about,


s: Sought chiefly me, whom far below all ken


s: He had from heaven cast down into the Deep,


s: But Night, resistless vanquisher of all,


s: Both Gods and men, preserved me; for to her


s: I fled for refuge. So the Thunderer cool'd,


s: Though sore displeased, and spared me through a fear


s: And thou wouldst now embroil me yet again!


s: Ah, wherefore, Sleep! shouldst thou indulge a fear


s: So groundless?  Chase it from thy mind afar.


s: Think'st thou the Thunderer as intent to serve


s: The Trojans, and as jealous in their cause


s: Come then, and I will bless thee with a bride;


s: One of the younger Graces shall be thine,


s: She spake; Sleep heard delighted, and replied.


s: Swear to me; lay thy right hand on the glebe


s: Of the flat sea, that all the Immortal Powers


s: May witness, that thou givest me for a bride


s: The younger Grace whom thou hast named, divine


s: He said, nor beauteous Juno not complied,


s: But sware, by name invoking all the powers


s: Together forth they went; Lemnos they left


s: And Imbrus, city of Thrace, and in dark clouds


s: Mantled, with gliding ease swam through the air


s: To Ida's mount with rilling waters vein'd,


s: Parent of savage beasts; at Lectos first


s: The dry land, while beneath their feet the woods


s: Their spiry summits waved. There, unperceived


s: By Jove, Sleep mounted Ida's loftiest pine


s: Of growth that pierced the sky, and hidden sat


s: Shrill-voiced resembling in the mountains seen,


s: Chalcis in heaven, on earth Cymindis named.


s: Of Ida, soar'd, and there Jove saw his spouse.


s: --Saw her--and in his breast the same love felt


s: Join'd them, when, by their parents unperceived,


s: They stole aside, and snatch'd their first embrace.


s: Soon he accosted her, and thus inquired.


s: Juno! what region seeking hast thou left


s: The Olympian summit, and hast here arrived


s: With neither steed nor chariot in thy train?


s: Dissembling. To the green earth's end I go,


s: Mother of all. They kindly from the hands


s: Sustain'd and cherish'd me; to them I haste


s: Long time, from conjugal embrace abstain.


s: My steeds, that lightly over dank and dry


s: Shall bear me, at the rooted base I left


s: Entreated first, I should, perchance, offend.


s: To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.


s: Hereafter. Let us turn to dalliance now.


s: Who bore Pirithoüs, wise as we in heaven;


s: Sprang Perseus, noblest of the race of man;


s: Nor Phoenix' daughter fair, of whom were born


s: Minos unmatch'd but by the powers above,


s: Nor Ceres golden-hair'd, nor high-enthroned


s: As now I love thee, and my soul perceive


s: O'erwhelm'd with sweetness of intense desire.


s: What speaks the Thunderer? If on Ida's heights.


s: Thou wilt that we embrace, what must betide,


s: Thou hast a chamber; it is Vulcan's work,


s: Our son's; he framed and fitted to its posts


s: And there repose, since such thy pleasure seems.


s: Fear thou not, Juno, lest the eye of man


s: That not the Sun himself shall through that veil


s: Discover aught, though keenest-eyed of all.


s: So spake the son of Saturn, and his spouse


s: Fast lock'd within his arms. Beneath them earth


s: With sudden herbage teem'd; at once upsprang


s: The crocus soft, the lotus bathed in dew,


s: And the crisp hyacinth with clustering bells;


s: Thick was their growth, and high above the ground


s: Upbore them. On that flowery couch they lay,


s: Bright dew-drops all around. His heart at ease,


s: There lay the Sire of all, by Sleep and Love


s: Vanquish'd on lofty Gargarus, his spouse


s: Constraining still with amorous embrace.


s: Sped swift away, with tidings for the ear


s: Of earth-encircler Neptune charged; him soon


s: He found, and in wing'd accents thus began.


s: Now Neptune, yield the Greeks effectual aid,


s: And, while the moment lasts of Jove's repose,


s: Make victory theirs; for him in slumbers soft


s: Prevailing, lured him with the bait of love.


s: Among the nations; but his tidings urged


s: Our ships, and make the glory all his own?


s: For that Achilles leaves not yet his camp,


s: Resentful; but of him small need, I judge,


s: Should here be felt, could once the rest be roused


s: The best and broadest bucklers of the host,


s: And brightest helmets put we on, and arm'd


s: With longest spears, advance; myself will lead;


s: And trust me, furious though he be, the son


s: Of Priam flies. Ye then who feel your hearts


s: Undaunted, but are arm'd with smaller shields,


s: Them give to those who fear, and in exchange


s: Their stronger shields and broader take yourselves.


s: Then, wounded as they were, themselves the Kings,


s: Marshall'd the warriors, and from rank to rank


s: Made just exchange of arms, giving the best


s: To the best warriors, to the worse, the worst.


s: With firm hand grasping his long-bladed sword


s: Keen as Jove's bolt; with him may none contend


s: In dreadful fight; but fear chains every arm.


s: His Trojans; then they stretch'd the bloody cord


s: Of conflict tight, Neptune coerulean-hair'd,


s: And Hector, pride of Ilium; one, the Greeks


s: Supporting firm, and one, the powers of Troy;


s: A sea-flood dash'd the galleys, and the hosts


s: Join'd clamorous. Not so the billows roar


s: The shores among, when Boreas' roughest blast


s: Sweeps landward from the main the towering surge;


s: That clothe the mountain, when the sheeted flames


s: Nor howl the winds through leafy boughs of oaks


s: Upgrown aloft (though loudest there they rave)


s: With sounds so awful as were heard of Greeks


s: And Trojans shouting when the clash began.


s: At Ajax, first (for face to face they stood)


s: Illustrious Hector threw a spear well-aim'd,


s: But smote him where the belts that bore his shield


s: And falchion cross'd each other on his breast.


s: The double guard preserved him unannoy'd.


s: Indignant that his spear had bootless flown,


s: Yet fearing death at hand, the Trojan Chief


s: Toward the phalanx of his friends retired.


s: Of those which propp'd the ships (for numerous such


s: Lay rolling at the feet of those who fought)


s: Assail'd him. Twirling like a top it pass'd


s: The shield of Hector, near the neck his breast


s: Struck full, then plough'd circuitous the dust.


s: Prostrates uprooted on the plain, a fume


s: And if, perchance, some traveller nigh at hand


s: See it, he trembles at the bolt of Jove,


s: So fell the might of Hector, to the earth


s: Smitten at once. Down dropp'd his idle spear,


s: And with his helmet and his shield himself


s: Also; loud thunder'd all his gorgeous arms.


s: Swift flew the Grecians shouting to the skies,


s: And showering darts, to drag his body thence,


s: But neither spear of theirs nor shaft could harm


s: The fallen leader, with such instant aid


s: His princely friends encircled him around,


s: Sarpedon, Lycian Chief, Glaucus the brave,


s: But with round shields all shelter'd Hector fallen.


s: Him soon uplifted from the plain his friends


s: Bore thence, till where his fiery coursers stood,


s: And splendid chariot in the rear, they came,


s: Then Troy-ward drove him groaning as he went.


s: Ere long arriving at the pleasant stream


s: They laid him on the bank, and on his face


s: Pour'd water; he, reviving, upward gazed,


s: And seated on his hams black blood disgorged


s: Supine, his eyes with pitchy darkness veil'd,


s: And all his powers still torpid by the blow.


s: Then, seeing Hector borne away, the Greeks


s: Rush'd fiercer on, all mindful of the fight,


s: And far before the rest, Ajax the swift,


s: On Satnius springing, pierced him. Him a nymph


s: Feeding, on Satnio's grassy verge he stray'd.


s: Approaching, pierced his flank; supine he fell,


s: In vengeance of his fall, spear-shaking Chief


s: Through his right shoulder sheer the stormy lance.


s: He, prostrate, clench'd the dust, and with loud voice


s: Yon spear, methinks, hurl'd from the warlike hand


s: Of Panthus' noble son, flew not in vain,


s: But some Greek hath it, purposing, I judge,


s: So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard.


s: But most indignant, Ajax, offspring bold


s: He, quick, at the retiring conqueror cast


s: Shunn'd, starting sideward; but Antenor's son


s: Death-destined by the Gods; where neck and spine


s: And, ere his knees, his nostrils met the ground.


s: Speak now the truth, Polydamas, and weigh


s: My question well. His life whom I have slain


s: Nor base himself; nor yet of base descent,


s: Or else perchance his son; for in my eyes


s: So he, well knowing him, and sorrow seized


s: His brother stalking, wounded with his spear


s: Dragg'd off the slain. Acamas in his fall


s: Vain-glorious Argives, archers inexpert!


s: War's toil and trouble are not ours alone,


s: But ye shall perish also; mark the man--


s: How sound he sleeps tamed by my conquering arm,


s: Of vengeance on my brother's dear behalf


s: Demanded quick discharge; well may the wish


s: He ended, whom the Greeks indignant heard,


s: But chiefly brave Peneleus; swift he rush'd


s: Offspring of Phorbas, rich in flocks; and blest


s: Him close beneath the brow to his eye-roots


s: Piercing, he push'd the pupil from its seat,


s: And through his eye and through his poll the spear


s: Urged furious. He down-sitting on the earth


s: Both hands extended; but, his glittering blade


s: Forth-drawn, Peneleus through his middle neck


s: Enforced it; head and helmet to the ground


s: He lopp'd together, with the lance infixt


s: Still in his eye; then like a poppy's head


s: He vaunted loud of Ilium's host, and cried.


s: That they may mourn their son through all their house,


s: Nor shall she welcome his return with smiles


s: Of joy affectionate, when from the shores


s: Of Troy the fleet shall bear us Grecians home.


s: He said; fear whiten'd every Trojan cheek,


s: Of the Olympian realms! what Grecian first


s: Fill'd his victorious hand with armor stript


s: From slaughter'd Trojans, after Ocean's God


s: Had, interposing, changed the battle's course?


s: Phalces and Mermerus their arms resign'd


s: Right-aim'd of Teucer to the shades dismiss'd


s: Pierced Hyperenor; on his entrails prey'd


s: The hungry steel, and, through the gaping wound


s: Expell'd, his spirit flew; night veil'd his eyes.


s: Slew most; him none could equal in pursuit


s: Of tremblers scatter'd by the frown of Jove.


s: But when the flying Trojans had o'erpass'd


s: Both stakes and trench, and numerous slaughtered lay


s: By Grecian hands, the remnant halted all


s: Beside their chariots, pale, discomfited.


s: At Juno's side awoke; starting, he stood


s: At once erect; Trojans and Greeks he saw,


s: Encircled by his friends, and on the plain


s: Senseless, ejecting blood, bruised by a blow


s: From not the feeblest of the sons of Greece.


s: Touch'd with compassion at that sight, the Sire


s: Of Gods and men, frowning terrific, fix'd


s: No place for doubt remains. Oh, versed in wiles,


s: Juno! thy mischief-teeming mind perverse


s: Hath plotted this; thou hast contrived the hurt


s: Of Hector, and hast driven his host to flight.


s: I know not but thyself mayst chance to reap


s: The first-fruits of thy cunning, scourged by me.


s: Suspended thee, with anvils at thy feet,


s: And both thy wrists bound with a golden cord


s: I hung thee, while from the Olympian heights


s: The Gods look'd mournful on, but of them all


s: None could deliver thee, for whom I seized,


s: Hurl'd through the gates of heaven on earth he fell,


s: Half-breathless. Neither so did I resign


s: Call'd from the North, with mischievous intent


s: Hadst driven far distant o'er the barren Deep


s: To populous Cos. Thence I deliver'd him,


s: And after numerous woes severe, he reach'd


s: The shores of fruitful Argos, saved by me.


s: I thus remind thee now, that thou mayst cease


s: Henceforth from artifice, and mayst be taught


s: How little all the dalliance and the love


s: Which, stealing down from heaven, thou hast by fraud


s: Obtain'd from me, shall profit thee at last.


s: Shuddering, and in wing'd accents thus replied.


s: Be witness Earth, the boundless Heaven above,


s: And Styx beneath, whose stream the blessed Gods


s: Which by a false oath I will never wrong,


s: Neptune, the Shaker of the shores, inflicts


s: These harms on Hector and the Trojan host


s: By his own heart with pity moved at sight


s: But even him, oh Sovereign of the storms!


s: The battle, and retire where thou command'st.


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


s: And in wing'd accents answer thus return'd.


s: Juno! wouldst thou on thy celestial throne


s: He differ now, Neptune should soon his will


s: Submissive bend to thy desires and mine.


s: And truth, repairing to the blest abodes


s: Renounce the fight, and seek his proper home.


s: Afresh with courage, and all memory thence


s: To banish of the pangs which now he feels.


s: Achaia's host, which with base panic fill'd,


s: Shall even to Achilles' ships be driven.


s: Achilles shall his valiant friend exhort


s: Patroclus forth; him under Ilium's walls


s: Shall glorious Hector slay; but many a youth


s: Shall perish by Patroclus first, with whom,


s: Resentful of Patroclus' death, shall slay


s: Hector, and I will urge ceaseless, myself,


s: Thenceforth the routed Trojans back again,


s: Till by Minerva's aid the Greeks shall take


s: Ilium's proud city; till that day arrive


s: My wrath shall burn, nor will I one permit


s: Of all the Immortals to assist the Greeks,


s: But will perform Achilles' whole desire.


s: Such was my promise to him at the first,


s: When Thetis clasp'd my knees, begging revenge


s: He ended; nor his spouse white-arm'd refused


s: Departing, to the Olympian summit soar'd.


s: Swift as the traveller's thought, who, many a land


s: Traversed, deliberates on his future course


s: Uncertain, and his mind sends every way,


s: Arrived on the Olympian heights, she found


s: The Gods assembled; they, at once, their seats


s: At her approach forsaking, with full cups


s: Her coming hail'd; heedless of all beside,


s: She took the cup from blooming Themis' hand,


s: For she first flew to welcome her, and thus


s: In accents wing'd of her return inquired.


s: Thou seem'st dismay'd; hath Saturn's son, thy spouse,


s: Driven thee affrighted to the skies again?


s: To whom the white-arm'd Goddess thus replied.


s: Themis divine, ask not. Full well thou know'st


s: How harshly temper'd is the mind of Jove,


s: The banquet calls thee; at our board preside,


s: Thou shalt be told, and all in heaven shall hear


s: What ills he threatens; such as shall not leave


s: All minds at ease, I judge, here or on earth,


s: So spake the awful spouse of Jove, and sat.


s: Then, all alike, the Gods displeasure felt


s: Throughout the courts of Jove, but she, her lips


s: Gracing with smiles from which her sable brows


s: Dissented, thus indignant them address'd.


s: Alas! how vain against the Thunderer's will


s: At our resentment, and himself proclaims


s: Mightiest and most to be revered in heaven.


s: Be patient, therefore, and let each endure


s: Such ills as Jove may send him. Mars, I ween,


s: His most beloved, and whom he calls his own.


s: She spake, and with expanded palms his thighs


s: Smiling, thus, sorrowful, the God exclaim'd.


s: Be thunder-bolts from Jove, and with the dead


s: Outstretch'd to lie in carnage and in dust.


s: Lead to the yoke his rapid steeds, put on


s: More dreadful, some strange vengeance on the Gods


s: From Jove befallen, had not Minerva, touch'd


s: With timely fears for all, upstarting sprung


s: From where she sat, right through the vestibule.


s: She snatch'd the helmet from his brows, the shield


s: From his broad shoulder, and the brazen spear


s: Forced from his grasp into its place restored.


s: Frantic, delirious! thou art lost for ever!


s: Is it in vain that thou hast ears to hear,


s: And hast thou neither shame nor reason left?


s: How? hear'st thou not the Goddess? the report


s: Return'd this moment? or perfer'st thou rather,


s: Plagued with a thousand woes, and under force


s: For He at once Grecians and Trojans both


s: To tempest us in heaven, whom he will seize,


s: The guilty and the guiltless, all alike.


s: I bid thee, therefore, patient bear the death


s: And abler have, ere now, in battle fallen,


s: And shall hereafter; arduous were the task


s: To rescue from the stroke of fate the race


s: So saying, Minerva on his throne replaced


s: With Iris, swift ambassadress of heaven,


s: Them in wing'd accents Juno thus bespake.


s: Jove bids you hence with undelaying speed


s: So saying, the awful Goddess to her throne


s: Return'd and sat. They, cleaving swift the air,


s: Parent of savage kinds. High on the point


s: With fragrant clouds, they found Saturnian Jove


s: The Thunderer, and in his presence stood.


s: He, nought displeased that they his high command


s: Had with such readiness obey'd, his speech


s: To Iris, first, in accents wing'd address'd


s: Swift Iris, haste--to royal Neptune bear


s: Bid him, relinquishing the fight, withdraw


s: Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep.


s: But should he disobedient prove, and scorn


s: My message, let him, next, consider well


s: In force, and elder-born; yet deems he slight


s: He spake, nor storm-wing'd Iris disobey'd,


s: Flies drifted by the cloud-dispelling North,


s: So swiftly, wing'd with readiness of will,


s: She shot the gulf between, and standing soon


s: At glorious Neptune's side, him thus address'd.


s: With tidings charged from Ægis-bearing Jove.


s: He bids thee cease from battle, and retire


s: But shouldst thou, disobedient, set at nought


s: His words, he threatens that himself will haste


s: To fight against thee; but he bids thee shun


s: That strife with one superior far to thee,


s: And elder-born; yet deem'st thou slight, he saith,


s: Although the terror of all heaven beside.


s: Her then the mighty Shaker of the shores


s: Answer'd indignant. Great as is his power,


s: Yet he hath spoken proudly, threatening me


s: With force, high-born and glorious as himself.


s: We are three brothers; Saturn is our sire,


s: And Rhea brought us forth; first, Jove she bore;


s: Me next; then, Pluto, Sovereign of the shades.


s: Made Ruler of the hoary floods, and there


s: The regions took of darkness; and the heavens,


s: The clouds, and boundless æther, fell to Jove.


s: The Earth and the Olympian heights alike


s: Are common to the three. My life and being


s: I hold not, therefore, at his will, whose best


s: And safest course, with all his boasted power,


s: Were to possess in peace his proper third.


s: His own-begotten; with big-sounding words


s: His sons and daughters govern, who perforce


s: Obey his voice, and shrink at his commands.


s: To whom thus Iris tempest-wing'd replied,


s: Coerulean-tress'd Sovereign of the Deep!


s: Thy speech, or wilt thou soften it? The wise


s: Erynnis, with her vengeful sisters, waits.


s: Her answer'd then the Shaker of the shores.


s: At all times. But the cause that fires me thus,


s: And with resentment my whole heart and mind


s: Possesses, is the license that he claims


s: Illustrious as himself; yet, though incensed,


s: And with just cause, I will not now persist.


s: But hear--for it is treasured in my heart


s: The threat that my lips utter. If he still


s: Of me, of Pallas, Goddess of the spoils,


s: Then tell him thus--hostility shall burn,


s: And wrath between us never to be quench'd.


s: So saying, the Shaker of the shores forsook


s: The Grecian host, and plunged into the deep,


s: Miss'd by Achaia's heroes. Then, the cloud-Assembler


s: Hector; for earth-encircler Neptune, awed


s: Hath sought the sacred Deep. Else, all the Gods


s: Who compass Saturn in the nether realms,


s: Had even there our contest heard, I ween,


s: And heard it loudly. But that he retreats


s: Although at first incensed, shunning my wrath,


s: Whose difference else had not been healed with ease.


s: Take thou my shaggy Ægis, and with force


s: Smiting it, terrify the Chiefs of Greece.


s: His fiercest courage, till he push the Greeks


s: To Hellespont, and to their ships again;


s: Thenceforth to yield to their afflicted host


s: Some pause from toil, shall be my own concern.


s: His father's voice; from the Idæan heights,


s: Swift as the swiftest of the fowls of air,


s: The dove-destroyer falcon, down he flew.


s: He found, not now extended on the plain,


s: But seated; newly, as from death, awaked,


s: And conscious of his friends; freely he breathed


s: Nor sweated more, by Jove himself revived.


s: Say, Hector, Priam's son! why sittest here


s: Feeble and spiritless, and from thy host


s: The warlike Chief.--But tell me who art Thou,


s: Know'st not that dauntless Ajax me his friends


s: Slaughtering at yonder ships, hath with a stone


s: Surceased from fight, smiting me on the breast?


s: I thought to have beheld, this day, the dead


s: In Ades, every breath so seem'd my last.


s: Then answer thus the Archer-God return'd.


s: Whose guardian aid both thee and lofty Troy


s: Hath succor'd many a time. Therefore arise!


s: Instant bid drive thy numerous charioteers


s: Their rapid steeds full on the Grecian fleet;


s: I, marching at their head, will smooth, myself,


s: The way before them, and will turn again


s: To flight the heroes of the host of Greece.


s: He said and with new strength the Chief inspired.


s: As some stall'd horse high pamper'd, snapping short


s: His cord, beats under foot the sounding soil,


s: Accustom'd in smooth-sliding streams to lave


s: Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane


s: Wantons around his shoulders; pleased, he eyes


s: His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees


s: Soon finds the haunts where all his fellows graze;


s: Plied lightly, quicken'd by the voice divine,


s: And gather'd fast his charioteers to battle.


s: But as when hounds and hunters through the woods


s: Rush in pursuit of stag or of wild goat,


s: He, in some cave with tangled boughs o'erhung,


s: Lies safe conceal'd, no destined prey of theirs,


s: Till by their clamors roused, a lion grim


s: Starts forth to meet them; then, the boldest fly;


s: And spears of double edge long time maintain'd.


s: Occupied, felt at once their courage fall'n.


s: Then, Thoas them, Andræmon's son, address'd,


s: And when the sons of Greece held in dispute


s: The prize of eloquence, excell'd by few.


s: Hath Hector, 'scaping death, risen again?


s: To rescue and save Hector, who the joints


s: Hath stiffen'd of full many a valiant Greek,


s: As surely now he shall; for, not without


s: The Thunderer's aid, he flames in front again.


s: But take ye all my counsel. Send we back


s: Let us, who boast ourselves bravest in fight,


s: Stand, that encountering him with lifted spears,


s: We may attempt to give his rage a check.


s: Will, doubtless, even in Hector move a fear.


s: He ceased, with whose advice all, glad, complied.


s: To Hector and his host their bands prepared,


s: While others all into the fleet retired.


s: Troy's crowded host struck first. With awful strides


s: His shoulders wrapt in clouds, and, on his arm,


s: Tempestuous, dazzling-bright; it was a gift


s: To Jove from Vulcan, and design'd to appall,


s: And drive to flight the armies of the earth.


s: Arm'd with that shield Apollo led them on.


s: Firm stood the embodied Greeks; from either host


s: Shrill cries arose; the arrows from the nerve


s: Leap'd, and, by vigorous arms dismiss'd, the spears


s: Flew frequent; in the flesh some stood infixt


s: Of warlike youths, but many, ere they reach'd


s: Between the hosts, and rested in the soil.


s: The dreadful disk, so long the vollied darts


s: Made mutual slaughter, and the people fell;


s: But when he look'd the Grecian charioteers


s: Full in the face and shook it, raising high


s: Himself the shout of battle, then he quell'd


s: Their spirits, then he struck from every mind


s: At once all memory of their might in arms.


s: As when two lions in the still, dark night


s: A herd of beeves scatter or numerous flock


s: So fled the heartless Greeks, for Phoebus sent


s: Terrors among them, but renown conferr'd


s: And triumph proud on Hector and his host.


s: Then, in that foul disorder of the field,


s: By Hector's arm, and Stichius; one, a Chief


s: Of the Boeotians brazen-mail'd, and one,


s: Menestheus' faithful follower to the fight.


s: Turn'd with the routed van, pierced him beneath


s: His shoulder-blade, and urged the weapon through.


s: While them the Trojans spoil'd, meantime the Greeks,


s: Entangled in the piles of the deep foss,


s: Repass'd the wall. Then Hector with a voice


s: From spoil, and rush impetuous on the fleet.


s: And whom I find far lingering from the ships


s: Wherever, there he dies; no funeral fires


s: Brother on him, or sister, shall bestow,


s: But dogs shall rend him in the sight of Troy.


s: So saying, he lash'd the shoulders of his steeds,


s: And through the ranks vociferating, call'd


s: All lash'd their steeds, and menacing, advanced.


s: The banks into the foss, bridging the gulf


s: With pass commodious, both in length and breadth


s: A lance's flight, for proof of vigor hurl'd.


s: There, phalanx after phalanx, they their host


s: Pour'd dense along, while Phoebus in the van


s: Levell'd with ease divine. As, on the shore


s: Some wanton boy with sand builds plaything walls,


s: Then, sportive spreads them with his feet abroad,


s: So thou, shaft-arm'd Apollo! that huge work


s: Laborious of the Greeks didst turn with ease


s: To ruin, and themselves drovest all to flight.


s: They, thus enforced into the fleet, again


s: Stood fast, with mutual exhortation each


s: His friend encouraging, and all the Gods


s: But, more than all, Gerenian Nestor pray'd


s: Fervent, Achaia's guardian, and with arms


s: Outstretch'd toward the starry skies, exclaim'd.


s: Jove, Father! if in corn-clad Argos, one,


s: One Greek hath ever, burning at thy shrine


s: Fat thighs of sheep or oxen, ask'd from thee


s: A safe return, whom thou hast gracious heard,


s: Olympian King! and promised what he sought,


s: Their Trojan foes to tread the Grecians down!


s: So Nestor pray'd, and Jove thunder'd aloud


s: But when that voice of Ægis-bearing Jove


s: The Trojans heard, more furious on the Greeks


s: They sprang, all mindful of the fight. As when


s: While the wind blow that heaves its highest, borne


s: Sheer o'er the vessel's side, rolls into her,


s: With such loud roar the Trojans pass'd the wall;


s: In rush'd the steeds, and at the ships they waged


s: Fierce battle hand to hand, from chariots, these,


s: With spears of double edge, those, from the decks


s: Long, ponderous, shod with steel; for every ship


s: Had such, for conflict maritime prepared.


s: The wall, and from the ships apart, so long


s: Consoling with sweet converse, and his wound


s: Sprinkling with drugs assuasive of his pains.


s: But soon as through the broken rampart borne


s: He saw the Trojans, and the clamor heard


s: And tumult of the flying Greeks, a voice


s: Of loud lament uttering, with open palms


s: His thighs he smote, and, sorrowful, exclaim'd.


s: Such contest hath arisen; thy servant's voice


s: Must soothe thee now, for I will to the tent


s: Haste of Achilles, and exhort him forth;


s: Who knows? if such the pleasure of the Gods,


s: I may prevail; friends rarely plead in vain.


s: So saying, he went. Meantime the Greeks endured


s: The Trojan onset, firm, yet from the ships


s: Repulsed them not, though fewer than themselves,


s: Nor could the host of Troy, breaking the ranks


s: Of Greece, mix either with the camp or fleet;


s: But as the line divides the plank aright,


s: Stretch'd by some naval architect, whose hand


s: So stretch'd on them the cord of battle lay.


s: Others at other ships the conflict waged,


s: Of glorious Ajax; for one ship they strove;


s: Nor Hector, him dislodging thence, could fire


s: The fleet, nor Ajax from the fleet repulse


s: Then, noble Ajax with a spear the breast


s: Pierced of Caletor, son of Clytius, arm'd


s: With fire to burn his bark; sounding he fell,


s: And from his loosen'd grasp down dropp'd the brand.


s: But Hector seeing his own kinsman fallen


s: Beneath the sable bark, with mighty voice


s: Call'd on the hosts of Lycia and of Troy.


s: Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons


s: Stand firm, retreat not, but redeem the son


s: Of Clytius, lest the Grecians of his arms


s: Despoil him slain in battle at the ships.


s: So saying, at Ajax his bright spear he cast


s: Him pierced he not, but Lycophron the son


s: He pierced above his ear; down from the stern


s: Supine he fell, and in the dust expired.


s: Then, shuddering, Ajax to his brother spake.


s: Alas, my Teucer! we have lost our friend;


s: By Hector pierced, he dies. Where are thy shafts


s: Death-wing'd, and bow, by gift from Phoebus thine?


s: He said, whom Teucer hearing, instant ran


s: With bow and well-stored quiver to his side,


s: Whence soon his arrows sought the Trojan host.


s: He struck Pisenor's son Clytus, the friend


s: Offspring of Panthus, toiling with both hands


s: To rule his fiery steeds; for more to please


s: The Trojans and their Chief, where stormy most


s: He saw the battle, thither he had driven.


s: Found him, and such as none could waft aside,


s: For right into his neck the arrow plunged,


s: And down he fell; his startled coursers shook


s: Their trappings, and the empty chariot rang.


s: That sound alarm'd Polydamas; he turn'd,


s: And flying to their heads, consign'd them o'er


s: Whom he enjoin'd to keep them in his view;


s: Then, turning, mingled with the van again.


s: Design'd for valiant Hector, whose exploits


s: (Had that shaft reach'd him) at the ships of Greece


s: Had ceased for ever. But the eye of Jove,


s: Guardian of Hector's life, slept not; he took


s: And while he stood straining the twisted nerve


s: Against the Trojan, snapp'd it. Devious flew


s: The steel-charged arrow, and he dropp'd his bow.


s: Then shuddering, to his brother thus he spake.


s: Makes fruitless all our efforts, who hath struck


s: My bow out of my hand, and snapt the cord


s: With which I strung it new at dawn of day,


s: That it might bear the bound of many a shaft.


s: Leave then thy bow, and let thine arrows rest,


s: Which, envious of the Greeks, some God confounds,


s: That thou may'st fight with spear and buckler arm'd,


s: That, should they conquer us, our foes may find


s: Our ships, at least a prize not lightly won.


s: The bow replacing, slung his fourfold shield,


s: Settled on his illustrious brows his casque


s: With hair high-crested, waving, as he moved,


s: Tough-grain'd, acuminated sharp with brass,


s: Hector perceived the change, and of the cause


s: Conscious, with echoing voice call'd to his host.


s: Trojans and Lycians and close-fighting sons


s: Of Dardanus, oh now, my friends, be men;


s: Now, wheresoever through the fleet dispersed,


s: For I have seen, myself, Jove rendering vain


s: The arrows of their mightiest. Man may know


s: He weakens and aids not; so now he leaves


s: The Grecians, but propitious smiles on us.


s: Therefore stand fast, and whosoever gall'd


s: By arrow or by spear, dies--let him die;


s: It shall not shame him that he died to serve


s: His country, but his children, wife and home,


s: Drive but the Grecians from the shores of Troy.


s: Ajax his fellow-warriors thus address'd.


s: Shame on you all! Now, Grecians, either die,


s: Or save at once your galley and yourselves.


s: Hope ye, that should your ships become the prize


s: His own heart's wish to burn your fleet with fire?


s: Not to a dance, believe me, but to fight


s: He calls them; therefore wiser course for us


s: Is none, than that we mingle hands with hands


s: In contest obstinate, and force with force.


s: To rescue life, than to consume the time


s: Hour after hour in lingering conflict vain


s: Here at the ships, with an inferior foe.


s: He said, and by his words into all hearts


s: Fresh confidence infused. Then Hector smote


s: Schedius, a Chief of the Phocensian powers


s: Viewing indignant on the conqueror sprang,


s: Saved by Apollo, and his spear transpierced


s: The breast of Cræsmus; on his sounding shield


s: Prostrate he fell, and Meges stripp'd his arms.


s: Him so employ'd Dolops assail'd, brave son


s: Of Lampus, best of men and bold in fight,


s: Full near, and through his middle buckler struck


s: The son of Phyleus, but his corselet thick


s: With plates of scaly brass his life secured.


s: That corselet Phyleus on a time brought home


s: And it was given him for his life's defence


s: Unharm'd the sire, and now it saved the son.


s: Then Meges, rising, with his pointed lance


s: Sheer from its base; new-tinged with purple bright


s: Entire it fell and mingled with the dust.


s: While thus they strove, each hoping victory,


s: By Dolops unperceived, through his back drove


s: And through his breast the spear, and far beyond.


s: And down fell Dolops, forehead to the ground.


s: At once both flew to strip his radiant arms,


s: Then, Hector summoning his kindred, call'd


s: Came thither, then returning, he outshone


s: The noblest Trojans, and at Priam's side


s: Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks


s: How busy there with Dolops and his arms?


s: Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain.


s: So saying he went, whose steps the godlike Chief


s: Oh friends, be men! Deep treasure in your hearts


s: An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear


s: So moved he them, themselves already bent


s: To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore


s: Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass


s: Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell'd the foe.


s: Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach'd


s: Antilochus, and thus his courage roused.


s: Younger, or swifter, or of stronger limb


s: Than thou. Make trial, therefore, of thy might,


s: Spring forth and prove it on some Chief of Troy.


s: He ended and retired, but him his praise


s: And hurl'd his glittering spear; back fell the ranks


s: Of Troy appall'd; nor vain his weapon flew,


s: Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound


s: Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound


s: Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair


s: The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead,


s: Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye


s: Of noble Hector, who through all the war


s: Ran to encounter him; his dread approach


s: Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds,


s: Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog,


s: Darts numberless; but at the front arrived


s: Of his own phalanx, there he turn'd and stood.


s: The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind


s: Continual, calling all their courage forth,


s: While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took


s: Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium's host.


s: For Jove's unalter'd purpose was to give


s: That he might cast into the fleet of Greece


s: Devouring flames, and that no part might fail


s: Of Thetis' ruthless prayer; that sight alone


s: He watch'd to see, one galley in a blaze,


s: Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight


s: To Ilium's host, but glory to the Greeks.


s: Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved


s: To that assault Hector, himself prepared


s: And ardent for the task; nor less he raged


s: Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize


s: Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam


s: Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front


s: His keen eyes glisten'd, and his helmet mark'd


s: The agitation wild with which he fought.


s: For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven


s: With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach


s: The heights of glory, for that now his life


s: Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on, his hour


s: To die by Peleus' mighty son approach'd.


s: And thickest throng, the warrior-ranks essay'd


s: To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved,


s: In even square compact so firm they stood.


s: The stress endures of many a hollow wind,


s: And the huge billows tumbling at his base,


s: So stood the Danaï, nor fled nor fear'd.


s: But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host


s: Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved


s: Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam


s: Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm,


s: Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes,


s: Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks.


s: On beeves that graze some marshy meadow's breadth,


s: A countless herd, tended by one unskill'd


s: To cope with savage beasts in their defence,


s: Beside the foremost kine or with the last


s: And scatters all the rest, so fled the Greeks,


s: Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove.


s: A son far worthier, with all virtue graced,


s: Swift-footed, valiant, and by none excell'd


s: Yet all but served to ennoble Hector more.


s: Which swept his heels; so check'd, he fell supine,


s: And dreadful rang the helmet on his brows.


s: Hasted, and, planting in his breast a spear,


s: Slew him before the phalanx of his friends.


s: But they, although their fellow-warrior's fate


s: They mourn'd, no succor interposed, or could,


s: Themselves by noble Hector sore appall'd.


s: And now behind the ships (all that updrawn


s: Above the shore, stood foremost of the fleet)


s: The Greeks retired; in rush'd a flood of foes;


s: Then, through necessity, the ships in front


s: Compact, not disarray'd, for shame and fear


s: Aloud, call'd ceaseless on the rest to stand.


s: But earnest more than all, guardian of all,


s: Implored them, falling at the knees of each.


s: Oh friends! be men. Now dearly prize your place


s: Now call to memory your children, wives,


s: Possessions, parents; ye whose parents live,


s: And ye whose parents are not, all alike!


s: That ye stand fast--oh be not turn'd to flight!


s: So saying he roused the courage of the Greeks;


s: Then, Pallas chased the cloud fall'n from above


s: On every eye; great light the plain illumed


s: On all sides, both toward the fleet, and where


s: Then might be seen Hector and Hector's host


s: Distinct, as well the rearmost who the fight


s: Shared not, as those who waged it at the ships.


s: To stand aloof where other Grecians stood


s: Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides


s: As one expert to spring from horse to horse,


s: Some noble city drives them from the plain


s: Along the populous road; him many a youth


s: And many a maiden eyes, while still secure


s: From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly;


s: So Ajax o'er the decks of numerous ships


s: Stalk'd striding large, and sent his voice to heaven.


s: Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks


s: Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself


s: Assails the feather'd nations, geese or cranes


s: Or swans lithe-neck'd grazing the river's verge,


s: Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on


s: With mighty hand, and his host after him.


s: Grew furious; thou hadst deem'd them of a kind


s: By toil untameable, so fierce they strove,