s: Lo! Greece is humbled, not by Troy, but Heaven.


s: Vain are the hopes that haughty mind imparts,


s: To force our fleet: the Greeks have hands and hearts.


s: Your boasted city, and your god-built wall,


s: Shall sink beneath us, smoking on the ground;


s: And spread a long unmeasured ruin round.


s: The time shall come, when, chased along the plain,


s: Even thou shalt call on Jove, and call in vain;


s: Even thou shalt wish, to aid thy desperate course,


s: The wings of falcons for thy flying horse;


s: Shalt run, forgetful of a warrior’s fame,


s: While clouds of friendly dust conceal thy shame."


s: To Jove’s glad omen all the Grecians rise,


s: And hail, with shouts, his progress through the skies:


s: Far-echoing clamours bound from side to side;


s: They ceased; and thus the chief of Troy replied:


s: "From whence this menace, this insulting strain?


s: Enormous boaster! doom’d to vaunt in vain.


s: (Not that short life which mortals lead below,


s: But such as those of Jove’s high lineage born,


s: The blue-eyed maid, or he that gilds the morn,)


s: And thou, imperious! if thy madness wait


s: The lance of Hector, thou shalt meet thy fate:


s: That giant-corse, extended on the shore,


s: Shall largely feast the fowls with fat and gore."


s: With shouts incessant earth and ocean rung,


s: Sent from his following host: the Grecian train


s: With answering thunders fill’d the echoing plain;


s: A shout that tore heaven’s concave, and, above,


s: Shook the fix’d splendours of the throne of Jove.


s: But not the genial feast, nor flowing bowl,


s: Could charm the cares of Nestor’s watchful soul;


s: His startled ears the increasing cries attend;


s: Then thus, impatient, to his wounded friend:


s: What mix’d events attend this mighty day?


s: Hark! how the shouts divide, and how they meet,


s: And now come full, and thicken to the fleet!


s: Here with the cordial draught dispel thy care,


s: Let Hecamede the strengthening bath prepare,


s: Refresh thy wound, and cleanse the clotted gore;


s: While I the adventures of the day explore."


s: He said: and, seizing Thrasymedes’ shield,


s: (His valiant offspring,) hasten’d to the field;


s: (That day the son his father’s buckler bore;)


s: Then snatch’d a lance, and issued from the door.


s: Soon as the prospect open’d to his view,


s: His wounded eyes the scene of sorrow knew;


s: The wall in ruins, and the Greeks in flight.


s: As when old ocean’s silent surface sleeps,


s: The waves just heaving on the purple deeps:


s: While yet the expected tempest hangs on high,


s: Weighs down the cloud, and blackens in the sky,


s: Jove sends one gust, and bids them roll away.


s: While wavering counsels thus his mind engage,


s: Fluctuates in doubtful thought the Pylian sage,


s: To join the host, or to the general haste;


s: Yet, as he moves, the sight his bosom warms,


s: The field rings dreadful with the clang of arms,


s: The gleaming falchions flash, the javelins fly;


s: Blows echo blows, and all or kill or die.


s: Him, in his march, the wounded princes meet,


s: And who to Tydeus owes his noble line.(232)


s: (Their ships at distance from the battle stand,


s: In lines advanced along the shelving strand:


s: At length; beside the margin of the main,


s: Rank above rank, the crowded ships they moor:


s: Who landed first, lay highest on the shore.)


s: Supported on the spears, they took their way,


s: Unfit to fight, but anxious for the day.


s: Nestor’s approach alarm’d each Grecian breast,


s: Whom thus the general of the host address’d:


s: What drives thee, Nestor, from the field of fame?


s: Shall then proud Hector see his boast fulfill’d,


s: Our fleets in ashes, and our heroes kill’d?


s: Such was his threat, ah! now too soon made good,


s: Against your king, nor will one chief engage?


s: And have I lived to see with mournful eyes


s: Gerenian Nestor then: "So fate has will’d;


s: And all-confirming time has fate fulfill’d.


s: Not he that thunders from the aerial bower,


s: Not Jove himself, upon the past has power.


s: And best defence, lies smoking on the ground:


s: Even to the ships their conquering arms extend,


s: And groans of slaughter’d Greeks to heaven ascend.


s: On speedy measures then employ your thought


s: In such distress! if counsel profit aught:


s: Arms cannot much: though Mars our souls incite,


s: These gaping wounds withhold us from the fight."


s: To him the monarch: "That our army bends,


s: That Troy triumphant our high fleet ascends,


s: And that the rampart, late our surest trust


s: And best defence, lies smoking in the dust;


s: All this from Jove’s afflictive hand we bear,


s: Who, far from Argos, wills our ruin here.


s: Past are the days when happier Greece was blest,


s: And all his favour, all his aid confess’d;


s: Now heaven averse, our hands from battle ties,


s: And lifts the Trojan glory to the skies.


s: Cease we at length to waste our blood in vain,


s: And launch what ships lie nearest to the main;


s: Leave these at anchor, till the coming night:


s: Then, if impetuous Troy forbear the fight,


s: Bring all to sea, and hoist each sail for flight.


s: Better from evils, well foreseen, to run,


s: While anger flash’d from his disdainful eyes:


s: "What shameful words (unkingly as thou art)


s: Fall from that trembling tongue and timorous heart?


s: Oh were thy sway the curse of meaner powers,


s: And thou the shame of any host but ours!


s: A host, by Jove endued with martial might,


s: And taught to conquer, or to fall in fight:


s: Adventurous combats and bold wars to wage,


s: Employ’d our youth, and yet employs our age.


s: And wilt thou thus desert the Trojan plain?


s: And have whole streams of blood been spilt in vain?


s: In such base sentence if thou couch thy fear,


s: Speak it in whispers, lest a Greek should hear.


s: Lives there a man so dead to fame, who dares


s: To think such meanness, or the thought declares?


s: And comes it even from him whose sovereign sway


s: Is this a general’s voice that calls to flight,


s: While war hangs doubtful, while his soldiers fight?


s: What more could Troy? What yet their fate denies


s: Thou givest the foe: all Greece becomes their prize.


s: No more the troops (our hoisted sails in view,


s: Themselves abandon’d) shall the fight pursue;


s: But thy ships flying, with despair shall see;


s: And owe destruction to a prince like thee."


s: "Thy just reproofs (Atrides calm replies)


s: Like arrows pierce me, for thy words are wise.


s: I force not Greece to quit this hateful coast;


s: Glad I submit, whoe’er, or young, or old,


s: Aught, more conducive to our weal, unfold."


s: "Such counsel if you seek, behold the man


s: Who boldly gives it, and what he shall say,


s: Young though he be, disdain not to obey:


s: A youth, who from the mighty Tydeus springs,


s: May speak to councils and assembled kings.


s: Whose honoured dust (his race of glory run)


s: Lies whelm’d in ruins of the Theban wall;


s: Brave in his life, and glorious in his fall.


s: With three bold sons was generous Prothous bless’d,


s: Who Pleuron’s walls and Calydon possess’d;


s: Melas and Agrius, but (who far surpass’d


s: The rest in courage) OEneus was the last.


s: From him, my sire. From Calydon expell’d,


s: He pass’d to Argos, and in exile dwell’d;


s: The monarch’s daughter there (so Jove ordain’d)


s: He won, and flourish’d where Adrastus reign’d;


s: There, rich in fortune’s gifts, his acres till’d,


s: Beheld his vines their liquid harvest yield,


s: And numerous flocks that whiten’d all the field.


s: Such Tydeus was, the foremost once in fame!


s: Nor lives in Greece a stranger to his name.


s: Then, what for common good my thoughts inspire,


s: Attend, and in the son respect the sire.


s: Though sore of battle, though with wounds oppress’d,


s: Let each go forth, and animate the rest,


s: Advance the glory which he cannot share,


s: Though not partaker, witness of the war.


s: But lest new wounds on wounds o’erpower us quite,


s: Beyond the missile javelin’s sounding flight,


s: Safe let us stand; and, from the tumult far,


s: Inspire the ranks, and rule the distant war."


s: The god of ocean (to inflame their rage)


s: Appears a warrior furrowed o’er with age;


s: Press’d in his own, the general’s hand he took,


s: Blind, impious man! whose anger is his guide,


s: The wretch relentless, and o’erwhelm with shame!


s: But Heaven forsakes not thee: o’er yonder sands


s: Soon shall thou view the scattered Trojan bands


s: Fly diverse; while proud kings, and chiefs renown’d,


s: Driven heaps on heaps, with clouds involved around


s: Of rolling dust, their winged wheels employ


s: To hide their ignominious heads in Troy."


s: He spoke, then rush’d amid the warrior crew,


s: And sent his voice before him as he flew,


s: Loud, as the shout encountering armies yield


s: When twice ten thousand shake the labouring field;


s: Such was the voice, and such the thundering sound


s: Of him whose trident rends the solid ground.


s: Each Argive bosom beats to meet the fight,


s: And grisly war appears a pleasing sight.


s: High-throned in gold, beheld the fields below;


s: With joy the glorious conflict she survey’d,


s: Where her great brother gave the Grecians aid.


s: She sees her Jove, and trembles at the sight.


s: Jove to deceive, what methods shall she try,


s: What arts, to blind his all-beholding eye?


s: At length she trusts her power; resolved to prove


s: The old, yet still successful, cheat of love;


s: Against his wisdom to oppose her charms,


s: And lull the lord of thunders in her arms.


s: Swift to her bright apartment she repairs,


s: Sacred to dress and beauty’s pleasing cares:


s: With skill divine had Vulcan form’d the bower,


s: Safe from access of each intruding power.


s: Touch’d with her secret key, the doors unfold:


s: Self-closed, behind her shut the valves of gold.


s: Here first she bathes; and round her body pours


s: Soft oils of fragrance, and ambrosial showers:


s: The winds, perfumed, the balmy gale convey


s: Through heaven, through earth, and all the aerial way:


s: The sense of gods with more than mortal sweets.


s: Thus while she breathed of heaven, with decent pride


s: Her artful hands the radiant tresses tied;


s: Part on her head in shining ringlets roll’d,


s: Part o’er her shoulders waved like melted gold.


s: Around her next a heavenly mantle flow’d,


s: That rich with Pallas’ labour’d colours glow’d:


s: Large clasps of gold the foldings gather’d round,


s: Far-beaming pendants tremble in her ear,


s: Then o’er her head she cast a veil more white


s: Than new-fallen snow, and dazzling as the light.


s: Last her fair feet celestial sandals grace.


s: Thus issuing radiant with majestic pace,


s: Forth from the dome the imperial goddess moves,


s: And calls the mother of the smiles and loves.


s: "How long (to Venus thus apart she cried)


s: Shall human strife celestial minds divide?


s: And set aside the cause of Greece and Troy?"


s: "Let heaven’s dread empress (Cytheraea said)


s: Speak her request, and deem her will obey’d."


s: "Then grant me (said the queen) those conquering charms,


s: That power, which mortals and immortals warms,


s: That love, which melts mankind in fierce desires,


s: And burns the sons of heaven with sacred fires!


s: "For lo! I haste to those remote abodes,


s: Where the great parents, (sacred source of gods!)


s: On the last limits of the land and deep.


s: In their kind arms my tender years were past;


s: What time old Saturn, from Olympus cast,


s: Of upper heaven to Jove resign’d the reign,


s: Whelm’d under the huge mass of earth and main.


s: For strife, I hear, has made the union cease,


s: Which held so long that ancient pair in peace.


s: What honour, and what love, shall I obtain,


s: Once more their minds in mutual ties engage,


s: And, what my youth has owed, repay their age!"


s: She said. With awe divine, the queen of love


s: And from her fragrant breast the zone embraced,(233)


s: With various skill and high embroidery graced.


s: To win the wisest, and the coldest warm:


s: Fond love, the gentle vow, the gay desire,


s: The kind deceit, the still-reviving fire,


s: Persuasive speech, and the more persuasive sighs,


s: Silence that spoke, and eloquence of eyes.


s: This on her hand the Cyprian Goddess laid:


s: "Take this, and with it all thy wish;" she said.


s: With smiles she took the charm; and smiling press’d


s: The powerful cestus to her snowy breast.


s: Then Venus to the courts of Jove withdrew;


s: Whilst from Olympus pleased Saturnia flew.


s: O’er high Pieria thence her course she bore,


s: O’er fair Emathia’s ever-pleasing shore,


s: O’er Hemus’ hills with snows eternal crown’d;


s: Nor once her flying foot approach’d the ground.


s: Then taking wing from Athos’ lofty steep,


s: She speeds to Lemnos o’er the rolling deep,


s: And seeks the cave of Death’s half-brother, Sleep.(234)


s: "Sweet pleasing Sleep! (Saturnia thus began)


s: Who spread’st thy empire o’er each god and man;


s: O power of slumbers! hear, and favour still.


s: Shed thy soft dews on Jove’s immortal eyes,


s: While sunk in love’s entrancing joys he lies.


s: A splendid footstool, and a throne, that shine


s: With gold unfading, Somnus, shall be thine;


s: The work of Vulcan; to indulge thy ease,


s: When wine and feasts thy golden humours please."


s: "Imperial dame (the balmy power replies),


s: Great Saturn’s heir, and empress of the skies!


s: The sire of all, old Ocean, owns my reign.


s: And his hush’d waves lie silent on the main.


s: But how, unbidden, shall I dare to steep


s: Jove’s awful temples in the dew of sleep?


s: Long since, too venturous, at thy bold command,


s: What time, deserting Ilion’s wasted plain,


s: His conquering son, Alcides, plough’d the main.


s: When lo! the deeps arise, the tempests roar,


s: Great Jove, awaking, shook the blest abodes


s: With rising wrath, and tumbled gods on gods;


s: Me chief he sought, and from the realms on high


s: But gentle Night, to whom I fled for aid,


s: (The friend of earth and heaven,) her wings display’d;


s: Impower’d the wrath of gods and men to tame,


s: "Vain are thy fears (the queen of heaven replies,


s: And, speaking, rolls her large majestic eyes);


s: Think’st thou that Troy has Jove’s high favour won,


s: Like great Alcides, his all-conquering son?


s: Hear, and obey the mistress of the skies,


s: For know, thy loved-one shall be ever thine,


s: The youngest Grace, Pasithae the divine."(235)


s: "Swear then (he said) by those tremendous floods


s: That roar through hell, and bind the invoking gods:


s: Let the great parent earth one hand sustain,


s: And stretch the other o’er the sacred main:


s: Call the black Titans, that with Chronos dwell,


s: To hear and witness from the depths of hell;


s: That she, my loved-one, shall be ever mine,


s: The youngest Grace, Pasithae the divine."


s: The queen assents, and from the infernal bowers


s: And those who rule the inviolable floods,


s: Whom mortals name the dread Titanian gods.


s: Then swift as wind, o’er Lemnos’ smoky isle


s: They wing their way, and Imbrus’ sea-beat soil;


s: Through air, unseen, involved in darkness glide,


s: And light on Lectos, on the point of Ide:


s: Are heard resounding with a hundred rills:)


s: Hush’d are her mountains, and her forests nod.


s: There on a fir, whose spiry branches rise


s: To join its summit to the neighbouring skies;


s: Dark in embowering shade, conceal’d from sight,


s: Sat Sleep, in likeness of the bird of night.


s: (Chalcis his name by those of heavenly birth,


s: But call’d Cymindis by the race of earth.)


s: Great Jove surveys her with desiring eyes:


s: The god, whose lightning sets the heavens on fire,


s: Through all his bosom feels the fierce desire;


s: Fierce as when first by stealth he seized her charms,


s: Mix’d with her soul, and melted in her arms:


s: Fix’d on her eyes he fed his eager look,


s: Then press’d her hand, and thus with transport spoke:


s: "Why comes my goddess from the ethereal sky,


s: And not her steeds and flaming chariot nigh?"


s: Then she—"I haste to those remote abodes


s: Where the great parents of the deathless gods,


s: The reverend Ocean and gray Tethys, reign,


s: On the last limits of the land and main.


s: For strife, I hear, has made that union cease


s: Which held so long that ancient pair in peace.


s: The steeds, prepared my chariot to convey


s: O’er earth and seas, and through the aerial way,


s: To ask consent, I leave the Olympian bower;


s: Nor seek, unknown to thee, the sacred cells


s: Deep under seas, where hoary Ocean dwells."


s: "For that (said Jove) suffice another day!


s: Let softer cares the present hour employ,


s: Ne’er did my soul so strong a passion prove,


s: Not when I press’d Ixion’s matchless dame,


s: Whence rose Pirithous like the gods in fame:


s: Not when fair Danae felt the shower of gold


s: Stream into life, whence Perseus brave and bold.


s: Not thus I burn’d for either Theban dame:


s: (Bacchus from this, from that Alcides came:)


s: Nor Phoenix’ daughter, beautiful and young,


s: Whence godlike Rhadamanth and Minos sprung.(236)


s: Not thus I burn’d for fair Latona’s face,


s: Nor comelier Ceres’ more majestic grace.


s: Not thus even for thyself I felt desire,


s: As now my veins receive the pleasing fire."


s: He spoke; the goddess with the charming eyes


s: Glows with celestial red, and thus replies:


s: "Is this a scene for love? On Ida’s height,


s: The sport of heaven, and fable of the sky:


s: How shall I e’er review the blest abodes,


s: Shall I not think, that, with disorder’d charms,


s: All heaven beholds me recent from thy arms?


s: With skill divine has Vulcan form’d thy bower,


s: If such thy will, to that recess retire,


s: In secret there indulge thy soft desire."


s: She ceased; and, smiling with superior love,


s: Thus answer’d mild the cloud-compelling Jove:


s: "Nor god nor mortal shall our joys behold,


s: Shaded with clouds, and circumfused in gold;


s: Not even the sun, who darts through heaven his rays,


s: And whose broad eye the extended earth surveys."


s: Gazing he spoke, and, kindling at the view,


s: His eager arms around the goddess threw.


s: Glad Earth perceives, and from her bosom pours


s: Thick new-born violets a soft carpet spread,


s: And clustering lotos swell’d the rising bed,


s: And sudden hyacinths the turf bestrow,(237)


s: There golden clouds conceal the heavenly pair,


s: Steep’d in soft joys and circumfused with air;


s: Celestial dews, descending o’er the ground,


s: Perfume the mount, and breathe ambrosia round:


s: At length, with love and sleep’s soft power oppress’d,


s: The panting thunderer nods, and sinks to rest.


s: To Neptune’s ear soft Sleep his message brings;


s: Beside him sudden, unperceived, he stood,


s: And thus with gentle words address’d the god:


s: "Now, Neptune! now, the important hour employ,


s: To check a while the haughty hopes of Troy:


s: While Jove yet rests, while yet my vapours shed


s: The golden vision round his sacred head;


s: For Juno’s love, and Somnus’ pleasing ties,


s: Have closed those awful and eternal eyes."


s: Thus having said, the power of slumber flew,


s: Neptune, with zeal increased, renews his care,


s: And towering in the foremost ranks of war,


s: Indignant thus—"Oh once of martial fame!


s: O Greeks! if yet ye can deserve the name!


s: This half-recover’d day shall Troy obtain?


s: Shall Hector thunder at your ships again?


s: Lo! still he vaunts, and threats the fleet with fires,


s: While stern Achilles in his wrath retires.


s: Be still yourselves, and ye shall need no more.


s: Brace on your firmest helms, and stand to arms:


s: His strongest spear each valiant Grecian wield,


s: Each valiant Grecian seize his broadest shield;


s: Let to the weak the lighter arms belong,


s: The ponderous targe be wielded by the strong.


s: Thus arm’d, not Hector shall our presence stay;


s: Myself, ye Greeks! myself will lead the way."


s: The troops assent; their martial arms they change:


s: The busy chiefs their banded legions range.


s: The kings, though wounded, and oppress’d with pain,


s: With helpful hands themselves assist the train.


s: The strong and cumbrous arms the valiant wield,


s: The weaker warrior takes a lighter shield.


s: Thus sheath’d in shining brass, in bright array


s: The legions march, and Neptune leads the way:


s: His brandish’d falchion flames before their eyes,


s: Like lightning flashing through the frighted skies.


s: Clad in his might, the earth-shaking power appears;


s: Pale mortals tremble, and confess their fears.


s: Troy’s great defender stands alone unawed,


s: Arms his proud host, and dares oppose a god:


s: And lo! the god, and wondrous man, appear:


s: The sea’s stern ruler there, and Hector here.


s: The roaring main, at her great master’s call,


s: Rose in huge ranks, and form’d a watery wall


s: Around the ships: seas hanging o’er the shores,


s: Both armies join: earth thunders, ocean roars.


s: Not half so loud the bellowing deeps resound,


s: When stormy winds disclose the dark profound;


s: Less loud the winds that from the Æolian hall


s: Roar through the woods, and make whole forests fall;


s: Less loud the woods, when flames in torrents pour,


s: Catch the dry mountain, and its shades devour;


s: With such a rage the meeting hosts are driven,


s: And such a clamour shakes the sounding heaven.


s: The first bold javelin, urged by Hector’s force,


s: Direct at Ajax’ bosom winged its course;


s: But there no pass the crossing belts afford,


s: (One braced his shield, and one sustain’d his sword.)


s: And cursed the lance that unavailing flew:


s: But ’scaped not Ajax; his tempestuous hand


s: A ponderous stone upheaving from the sand,


s: (Where heaps laid loose beneath the warrior’s feet,


s: Or served to ballast, or to prop the fleet,)


s: Toss’d round and round, the missive marble flings;


s: On the razed shield the fallen ruin rings,


s: Full on his breast and throat with force descends;


s: Nor deaden’d there its giddy fury spends,


s: But whirling on, with many a fiery round,


s: Smokes in the dust, and ploughs into the ground.


s: As when the bolt, red-hissing from above,


s: Black from the blow, and smokes of sulphur rise;


s: Stiff with amaze the pale beholders stand,


s: And own the terrors of the almighty hand!


s: So lies great Hector prostrate on the shore;


s: His slacken’d hand deserts the lance it bore;


s: His following shield the fallen chief o’erspread;


s: Beneath his helmet dropp’d his fainting head;


s: His load of armour, sinking to the ground,


s: Clanks on the field, a dead and hollow sound.


s: Loud shouts of triumph fill the crowded plain;


s: Greece sees, in hope, Troy’s great defender slain:


s: All spring to seize him; storms of arrows fly,


s: He lies protected, and without a wound.(238)


s: And each bold leader of the Lycian band,


s: With covering shields (a friendly circle) stand,


s: His mournful followers, with assistant care,


s: His foaming coursers, swifter than the wind,


s: Speed to the town, and leave the war behind.


s: When now they touch’d the mead’s enamell’d side,


s: Where gentle Xanthus rolls his easy tide,


s: With watery drops the chief they sprinkle round,


s: Placed on the margin of the flowery ground.


s: Raised on his knees, he now ejects the gore;


s: Now faints anew, low-sinking on the shore;


s: By fits he breathes, half views the fleeting skies,


s: And seals again, by fits, his swimming eyes.


s: Soon as the Greeks the chief’s retreat beheld,


s: With double fury each invades the field.


s: Pierced by whose point the son of Enops bled;


s: (Satnius the brave, whom beauteous Neis bore


s: Amidst her flocks on Satnio’s silver shore;)


s: Struck through the belly’s rim, the warrior lies


s: Supine, and shades eternal veil his eyes.


s: By turns the Greeks, by turns the Trojans bled.


s: Fired with revenge, Polydamas drew near,


s: And at Prothoenor shook the trembling spear;


s: The driving javelin through his shoulder thrust,


s: He sinks to earth, and grasps the bloody dust.


s: "Lo thus (the victor cries) we rule the field,


s: And thus their arms the race of Panthus wield:


s: From this unerring hand there flies no dart


s: But bathes its point within a Grecian heart.


s: Propp’d on that spear to which thou owest thy fall,


s: Go, guide thy darksome steps to Pluto’s dreary hall."


s: He said, and sorrow touch’d each Argive breast:


s: As by his side the groaning warrior fell,


s: At the fierce foe he launch’d his piercing steel;


s: The foe, reclining, shunn’d the flying death;


s: But fate, Archilochus, demands thy breath:


s: Thy lofty birth no succour could impart,


s: The wings of death o’ertook thee on the dart;


s: Swift to perform heaven’s fatal will, it fled


s: Full on the juncture of the neck and head,


s: And took the joint, and cut the nerves in twain:


s: The dropping head first tumbled on the plain.


s: So just the stroke, that yet the body stood


s: Erect, then roll’d along the sands in blood.


s: "Here, proud Polydamas, here turn thy eyes!


s: (The towering Ajax loud-insulting cries:)


s: Say, is this chief extended on the plain


s: A worthy vengeance for Prothoenor slain?


s: Mark well his port! his figure and his face


s: Nor speak him vulgar, nor of vulgar race;


s: Some lines, methinks, may make his lineage known,


s: He spake, and smiled severe, for well he knew


s: The bleeding youth: Troy sadden’d at the view.


s: As Promachus his slaughtered brother draws,


s: He pierced his heart—"Such fate attends you all,


s: Proud Argives! destined by our arms to fall.


s: Not Troy alone, but haughty Greece, shall share


s: The toils, the sorrows, and the wounds of war.


s: Behold your Promachus deprived of breath,


s: A victim owed to my brave brother’s death.


s: Who leaves a brother to revenge his fate."


s: Heart-piercing anguish struck the Grecian host,


s: But touch’d the breast of bold Peneleus most;


s: At the proud boaster he directs his course;


s: The boaster flies, and shuns superior force.


s: (Phorbas the rich, of all the Trojan train


s: Whom Hermes loved, and taught the arts of gain:)


s: Full in his eye the weapon chanced to fall,


s: And from the fibres scoop’d the rooted ball,


s: Drove through the neck, and hurl’d him to the plain;


s: Swift his broad falchion fierce Peneleus spread,


s: And from the spouting shoulders struck his head;


s: To earth at once the head and helmet fly;


s: The lance, yet sticking through the bleeding eye,


s: The victor seized; and, as aloft he shook


s: Haste, to his father let the tale be told:


s: Let his high roofs resound with frantic woe,


s: Such as the house of Promachus must know;


s: Let doleful tidings greet his mother’s ear,


s: Such as to Promachus’ sad spouse we bear,


s: When we victorious shall to Greece return,


s: And the pale matron in our triumphs mourn."


s: Dreadful he spoke, then toss’d the head on high;


s: The Trojans hear, they tremble, and they fly:


s: Aghast they gaze around the fleet and wall,


s: Daughters of Jove! that on Olympus shine,


s: O say, when Neptune made proud Ilion yield,


s: What chief, what hero first embrued the field?


s: And whose bless’d trophies, will ye raise to fame?


s: Thou first, great Ajax! on the unsanguined plain


s: Laid Hyrtius, leader of the Mysian train.


s: Phalces and Mermer, Nestor’s son o’erthrew,


s: By Teucer’s arrows mingled with the dead,


s: Pierced in the flank by Menelaus’ steel,


s: Eternal darkness wrapp’d the warrior round,


s: And the fierce soul came rushing through the wound.


s: But stretch’d in heaps before Oileus’ son,


s: Fall mighty numbers, mighty numbers run;


s: Skill’d in pursuit, and swiftest in the chase.


s: Now in swift flight they pass the trench profound,


s: And many a chief lay gasping on the ground:


s: Then stopp’d and panted, where the chariots lie


s: Fear on their cheek, and horror in their eye.


s: Meanwhile, awaken’d from his dream of love,


s: Round the wide fields he cast a careful view,


s: There saw the Trojans fly, the Greeks pursue;


s: These proud in arms, those scatter’d o’er the plain


s: And, ’midst the war, the monarch of the main.


s: Not far, great Hector on the dust he spies,


s: (His sad associates round with weeping eyes,)


s: Ejecting blood, and panting yet for breath,


s: His senses wandering to the verge of death.


s: And thus, incensed, to fraudful Juno spoke:


s: "O thou, still adverse to the eternal will,


s: Thy arts have made the godlike Hector yield,


s: And driven his conquering squadrons from the field.


s: Canst thou, unhappy in thy wiles, withstand


s: Our power immense, and brave the almighty hand?


s: Hast thou forgot, when, bound and fix’d on high,


s: From the vast concave of the spangled sky,


s: I hung thee trembling in a golden chain,


s: And all the raging gods opposed in vain?


s: Headlong I hurl’d them from the Olympian hall,


s: Stunn’d in the whirl, and breathless with the fall.


s: For godlike Hercules these deeds were done,


s: Nor seem’d the vengeance worthy such a son:


s: When, by thy wiles induced, fierce Boreas toss’d


s: Him through a thousand forms of death I bore,


s: And sent to Argos, and his native shore.


s: Hear this, remember, and our fury dread,


s: Nor pull the unwilling vengeance on thy head;


s: Lest arts and blandishments successless prove,


s: Thy soft deceits, and well-dissembled love."


s: The Thunderer spoke: imperial Juno mourn’d,


s: And, trembling, these submissive words return’d:


s: "By every oath that powers immortal ties,


s: The foodful earth and all-infolding skies;


s: By thy black waves, tremendous Styx! that flow


s: Through the drear realms of gliding ghosts below;


s: By the dread honours of thy sacred head,


s: Steeps Troy in blood, and ranges round the plain:


s: To help his Greeks, he fought and disobey’d:


s: Else had thy Juno better counsels given,


s: And taught submission to the sire of heaven."


s: "Think’st thou with me? fair empress of the skies!


s: (The immortal father with a smile replies;)


s: Then soon the haughty sea-god shall obey,


s: Nor dare to act but when we point the way.


s: If truth inspires thy tongue, proclaim our will


s: To yon bright synod on the Olympian hill;


s: And call the god that bears the silver bow.


s: Let her descend, and from the embattled plain


s: Command the sea-god to his watery reign:


s: While Phoebus hastes great Hector to prepare


s: To rise afresh, and once more wake the war:


s: His labouring bosom re-inspires with breath,


s: And calls his senses from the verge of death.


s: Greece chased by Troy, even to Achilles’ fleet,


s: Shall fall by thousands at the hero’s feet.


s: He, not untouch’d with pity, to the plain


s: Shall send Patroclus, but shall send in vain.


s: What youths he slaughters under Ilion’s walls!


s: Even my loved son, divine Sarpedon, falls!


s: Vanquish’d at last by Hector’s lance he lies.


s: Then, nor till then, shall great Achilles rise:


s: And lo! that instant, godlike Hector dies.


s: From that great hour the war’s whole fortune turns,


s: Not till that day shall Jove relax his rage,


s: I gave, and seal’d it with the almighty nod,


s: Such was our word, and fate the word obeys."


s: The trembling queen (the almighty order given)


s: Swift from the Idaean summit shot to heaven.


s: In thought a length of lands he trod before,


s: Sends forth his active mind from place to place,


s: Joins hill to dale, and measures space with space:


s: So swift flew Juno to the bless’d abodes,


s: If thought of man can match the speed of gods.


s: There sat the powers in awful synod placed;


s: They bow’d, and made obeisance as she pass’d


s: Through all the brazen dome: with goblets crown’d(239)


s: They hail her queen; the nectar streams around.


s: Fair Themis first presents the golden bowl,


s: And anxious asks what cares disturb her soul?


s: To whom the white-arm’d goddess thus replies:


s: "Enough thou know’st the tyrant of the skies,


s: Unmoved his mind, and unrestrain’d his will.


s: Go thou, the feasts of heaven attend thy call;


s: Bid the crown’d nectar circle round the hall:


s: But Jove shall thunder through the ethereal dome


s: Such stern decrees, such threaten’d woes to come,


s: As soon shall freeze mankind with dire surprise,


s: And damp the eternal banquets of the skies."


s: The goddess said, and sullen took her place;


s: Black horror sadden’d each celestial face.


s: To see the gathering grudge in every breast,


s: Smiles on her lips a spleenful joy express’d;


s: While on her wrinkled front, and eyebrow bent,


s: Sat stedfast care, and lowering discontent.


s: Thus she proceeds—"Attend, ye powers above!


s: But know, ’tis madness to contest with Jove:


s: Supreme he sits; and sees, in pride of sway.


s: Fierce in the majesty of power controls;


s: Shakes all the thrones of heaven, and bends the poles.


s: And thou, great Mars, begin and show the way.


s: But dare not murmur, dare not vent a sigh;


s: Thy own loved boasted offspring lies o’erthrown,


s: If that loved boasted offspring be thy own."


s: Stern Mars, with anguish for his slaughter’d son,


s: Smote his rebelling breast, and fierce begun:


s: "Thus then, immortals! thus shall Mars obey;


s: Forgive me, gods, and yield my vengeance way:


s: Descending first to yon forbidden plain,


s: The god of battles dares avenge the slain;


s: Dares, though the thunder bursting o’er my head


s: Should hurl me blazing on those heaps of dead."


s: With that he gives command to Fear and Flight


s: To join his rapid coursers for the fight:


s: Then grim in arms, with hasty vengeance flies;


s: Arms that reflect a radiance through the skies.


s: And now had Jove, by bold rebellion driven,


s: Discharged his wrath on half the host of heaven;


s: But Pallas, springing through the bright abode,


s: Starts from her azure throne to calm the god.


s: Struck for the immortal race with timely fear,


s: From frantic Mars she snatch’d the shield and spear;


s: Then the huge helmet lifting from his head,


s: Thus to the impetuous homicide she said:


s: "By what wild passion, furious! art thou toss’d?


s: Striv’st thou with Jove? thou art already lost.


s: Shall not the Thunderer’s dread command restrain,


s: Back to the skies wouldst thou with shame be driven,


s: And in thy guilt involve the host of heaven?


s: Ilion and Greece no more should Jove engage,


s: The skies would yield an ampler scene of rage;


s: And one vast ruin whelm the Olympian state.


s: Cease then thy offspring’s death unjust to call;


s: Heroes as great have died, and yet shall fall.


s: Why should heaven’s law with foolish man comply


s: Exempted from the race ordain’d to die?"


s: This menace fix’d the warrior to his throne;


s: Sullen he sat, and curb’d the rising groan.


s: Then Juno call’d (Jove’s orders to obey)


s: "Go wait the Thunderer’s will (Saturnia cried)


s: There in the father’s awful presence stand,


s: Receive, and execute his dread command."


s: She said, and sat; the god that gilds the day,


s: Swift as the wind, to Ida’s hills they came,


s: (Fair nurse of fountains, and of savage game)


s: There sat the eternal; he whose nod controls


s: The trembling world, and shakes the steady poles.


s: Veil’d in a mist of fragrance him they found,


s: With clouds of gold and purple circled round.


s: Well-pleased the Thunderer saw their earnest care,


s: And prompt obedience to the queen of air;


s: Then (while a smile serenes his awful brow)


s: Commands the goddess of the showery bow:


s: "Iris! descend, and what we here ordain,


s: Bid him from fight to his own deeps repair,


s: Or breathe from slaughter in the fields of air.


s: Our elder birthright, and superior sway.


s: How shall his rashness stand the dire alarms,


s: If heaven’s omnipotence descend in arms?


s: Strives he with me, by whom his power was given,


s: And is there equal to the lord of heaven?"


s: The all-mighty spoke; the goddess wing’d her flight


s: Swift as the rattling hail, or fleecy snows,


s: Drive through the skies, when Boreas fiercely blows;


s: So from the clouds descending Iris falls,


s: And to blue Neptune thus the goddess calls:


s: To thine own deeps, or to the fields of air.


s: This if refused, he bids thee timely weigh


s: His elder birthright, and superior sway.


s: How shall thy rashness stand the dire alarms


s: Striv’st thou with him by whom all power is given?


s: And art thou equal to the lord of heaven?"


s: "What means the haughty sovereign of the skies?


s: (The king of ocean thus, incensed, replies;)


s: Rule as he will his portion’d realms on high;


s: And ancient Rhea, earth’s immortal dame:


s: Assign’d by lot, our triple rule we know;


s: O’er the wide clouds, and o’er the starry plain,


s: My court beneath the hoary waves I keep,


s: And hush the roarings of the sacred deep;


s: What claim has here the tyrant of the sky?


s: Far in the distant clouds let him control,


s: And awe the younger brothers of the pole;


s: There to his children his commands be given,


s: The trembling, servile, second race of heaven."


s: "And must I then (said she), O sire of floods!


s: Bear this fierce answer to the king of gods?


s: Correct it yet, and change thy rash intent;


s: To elder brothers guardian fiends are given,


s: To scourge the wretch insulting them and heaven."


s: "Great is the profit (thus the god rejoin’d)


s: When ministers are blest with prudent mind:


s: Warn’d by thy words, to powerful Jove I yield,


s: And quit, though angry, the contended field:


s: Not but his threats with justice I disclaim,


s: The same our honours, and our birth the same.


s: To Hermes, Pallas, and the queen of heaven,


s: He breaks his faith with half the ethereal race;


s: Give him to know, unless the Grecian train


s: Lay yon proud structures level with the plain,


s: Howe’er the offence by other gods be pass’d,


s: The wrath of Neptune shall for ever last."


s: Thus speaking, furious from the field he strode,


s: And plunged into the bosom of the flood.


s: The lord of thunders, from his lofty height


s: Beheld, and thus bespoke the source of light:


s: "Behold! the god whose liquid arms are hurl’d


s: Around the globe, whose earthquakes rock the world,


s: Desists at length his rebel-war to wage,


s: Seeks his own seas, and trembles at our rage;


s: Else had my wrath, heaven’s thrones all shaking round,


s: Burn’d to the bottom of his seas profound;


s: And all the gods that round old Saturn dwell


s: Had heard the thunders to the deeps of hell.


s: Well was the crime, and well the vengeance spared;


s: Even power immense had found such battle hard.


s: Go thou, my son! the trembling Greeks alarm,


s: Swell his bold heart, and urge his strength to war:


s: Let Ilion conquer, till the Achaian train


s: Fly to their ships and Hellespont again:


s: Then Greece shall breathe from toils." The godhead said;


s: Not half so swift the sailing falcon flies,


s: That drives a turtle through the liquid skies,


s: As Phoebus, shooting from the Idaean brow,


s: Glides down the mountain to the plain below.


s: There Hector seated by the stream he sees,


s: His sense returning with the coming breeze;


s: Again his pulses beat, his spirits rise;


s: Again his loved companions meet his eyes;


s: Jove thinking of his pains, they pass’d away,


s: To whom the god who gives the golden day:


s: "Why sits great Hector from the field so far?


s: What grief, what wound, withholds thee from the war?"


s: Stood shining o’er him, half unseal’d his sight:


s: "What blest immortal, with commanding breath,


s: Thus wakens Hector from the sleep of death?


s: Has fame not told, how, while my trusty sword


s: Bathed Greece in slaughter, and her battle gored,


s: Even yet, methinks, the gliding ghosts I spy,


s: And hell’s black horrors swim before my eye."


s: See, and be strong! the Thunderer sends thee aid.


s: Behold! thy Phoebus shall his arms employ,


s: Phoebus, propitious still to thee and Troy.


s: Inspire thy warriors then with manly force,


s: Even I will make thy fiery coursers way,


s: And drive the Grecians headlong to the sea."


s: Thus to bold Hector spoke the son of Jove,


s: And breathed immortal ardour from above.


s: As when the pamper’d steed, with reins unbound,


s: Breaks from his stall, and pours along the ground;


s: With ample strokes he rushes to the flood,


s: To bathe his sides, and cool his fiery blood;


s: His head, now freed, he tosses to the skies;


s: His mane dishevell’d o’er his shoulders flies:


s: He snuffs the females in the well-known plain,


s: And springs, exulting, to his fields again:


s: Urged by the voice divine, thus Hector flew,


s: Full of the god; and all his hosts pursue.


s: As when the force of men and dogs combined


s: Invade the mountain goat, or branching hind;


s: Far from the hunter’s rage secure they lie


s: Close in the rock, (not fated yet to die)


s: They fly: at once the chasers and the prey.


s: So Greece, that late in conquering troops pursued,


s: And mark’d their progress through the ranks in blood,


s: Soon as they see the furious chief appear,


s: Forget to vanquish, and consent to fear.


s: Thoas with grief observed his dreadful course,


s: Thoas, the bravest of the Ætolian force;


s: Skill’d to direct the javelin’s distant flight,


s: And bold to combat in the standing fight,


s: Not more in councils famed for solid sense,


s: Than winning words and heavenly eloquence.


s: "Gods! what portent (he cried) these eyes invades?


s: Lo! Hector rises from the Stygian shades!


s: We saw him, late, by thundering Ajax kill’d:


s: What god restores him to the frighted field;


s: And not content that half of Greece lie slain,


s: Pours new destruction on her sons again?


s: He comes not, Jove! without thy powerful will;


s: Lo! still he lives, pursues, and conquers still!


s: Yet hear my counsel, and his worst withstand:


s: The Greeks’ main body to the fleet command;


s: But let the few whom brisker spirits warm,


s: Stand the first onset, and provoke the storm.


s: Thus point your arms; and when such foes appear,


s: Fierce as he is, let Hector learn to fear."


s: The warrior spoke; the listening Greeks obey,


s: Thickening their ranks, and form a deep array.


s: And Mars-like Meges: these the chiefs excite,


s: Approach the foe, and meet the coming fight.


s: To flank the navy, and the shores defend.


s: Full on the front the pressing Trojans bear,


s: And Hector first came towering to the war.


s: A veil of clouds involved his radiant head:


s: High held before him, Jove’s enormous shield


s: Portentous shone, and shaded all the field;


s: Vulcan to Jove the immortal gift consign’d,


s: The Greeks expect the shock, the clamours rise


s: From different parts, and mingle in the skies.


s: Dire was the hiss of darts, by heroes flung,


s: And arrows leaping from the bow-string sung;


s: These drink the life of generous warriors slain:


s: Those guiltless fall, and thirst for blood in vain.


s: As long as Phoebus bore unmoved the shield,


s: Sat doubtful conquest hovering o’er the field;


s: But when aloft he shakes it in the skies,


s: Shouts in their ears, and lightens in their eyes,


s: Deep horror seizes every Grecian breast,


s: Their force is humbled, and their fear confess’d.


s: So flies a herd of oxen, scatter’d wide,


s: No swain to guard them, and no day to guide,


s: When two fell lions from the mountain come,


s: And spread the carnage through the shady gloom.


s: Impending Phoebus pours around them fear,


s: And Troy and Hector thunder in the rear.


s: Heaps fall on heaps: the slaughter Hector leads,


s: First great Arcesilas, then Stichius bleeds;


s: And one Menestheus’ friend and famed compeer.


s: This sprang from Phelus, and the Athenians led;


s: Him Ajax honour’d with a brother’s name,


s: Though born of lawless love: from home expell’d,


s: Press’d by the vengeance of an angry wife;


s: Troy ends at last his labours and his life.


s: And thee, brave Clonius, great Agenor slew.


s: Pierced through the shoulder as he basely flies.


s: Stretch’d on one heap, the victors spoil the slain.


s: The Greeks dismay’d, confused, disperse or fall,


s: Some seek the trench, some skulk behind the wall.


s: While these fly trembling, others pant for breath,


s: And o’er the slaughter stalks gigantic death.


s: On rush’d bold Hector, gloomy as the night;


s: Points to the fleet: "For, by the gods! who flies,(240)


s: Who dares but linger, by this hand he dies;


s: No weeping sister his cold eye shall close,


s: No friendly hand his funeral pyre compose.


s: Who stops to plunder at this signal hour,


s: The birds shall tear him, and the dogs devour."


s: Furious he said; the smarting scourge resounds;


s: The coursers fly; the smoking chariot bounds;


s: The hosts rush on; loud clamours shake the shore;


s: The horses thunder, earth and ocean roar!


s: Push’d at the bank: down sank the enormous mound:


s: O’er the dread fosse (a late impervious space)


s: Now steeds, and men, and cars tumultuous pass.


s: The wondering crowds the downward level trod;


s: Before them flamed the shield, and march’d the god.


s: Then with his hand he shook the mighty wall;


s: And lo! the turrets nod, the bulwarks fall:


s: The sportive wanton, pleased with some new play,


s: Sweeps the slight works and fashion’d domes away:


s: Thus vanish’d at thy touch, the towers and walls;


s: The toil of thousands in a moment falls.


s: The Grecians gaze around with wild despair,


s: Confused, and weary all the powers with prayer:


s: Exhort their men, with praises, threats, commands;


s: And urge the gods, with voices, eyes, and hands.


s: Experienced Nestor chief obtests the skies,


s: And weeps his country with a father’s eyes.


s: One Greek enrich’d thy shrine with offer’d gore;


s: We paid the fattest firstlings of the fold;


s: If e’er thou sign’st our wishes with thy nod:


s: This day preserve our navies from the flame,


s: And save the relics of the Grecian name."


s: Thus prayed the sage: the eternal gave consent,


s: And peals of thunder shook the firmament.


s: Presumptuous Troy mistook the accepting sign,


s: And catch’d new fury at the voice divine.


s: As, when black tempests mix the seas and skies,


s: The roaring deeps in watery mountains rise,


s: Above the sides of some tall ship ascend,


s: Its womb they deluge, and its ribs they rend:


s: Thus loudly roaring, and o’erpowering all,


s: Mount the thick Trojans up the Grecian wall;


s: Legions on legions from each side arise:


s: Thick sound the keels; the storm of arrows flies.


s: Fierce on the ships above, the cars below,


s: These wield the mace, and those the javelin throw.


s: While thus the thunder of the battle raged,


s: And labouring armies round the works engaged,


s: He sprinkles healing balms, to anguish kind,


s: And adds discourse, the medicine of the mind.


s: But when he saw, ascending up the fleet,


s: Victorious Troy; then, starting from his seat,


s: With bitter groans his sorrows he express’d,


s: He wrings his hands, he beats his manly breast.


s: "Though yet thy state require redress (he cries)


s: Depart I must: what horrors strike my eyes!


s: Charged with Achilles’ high command I go,


s: A mournful witness of this scene of woe;


s: I haste to urge him by his country’s care


s: To rise in arms, and shine again in war.


s: Perhaps some favouring god his soul may bend;


s: The voice is powerful of a faithful friend."


s: He spoke; and, speaking, swifter than the wind


s: Sprung from the tent, and left the war behind.


s: The embodied Greeks the fierce attack sustain,


s: But strive, though numerous, to repulse in vain:


s: Nor could the Trojans, through that firm array,


s: Force to the fleet and tents the impervious way.


s: As when a shipwright, with Palladian art,


s: Smooths the rough wood, and levels every part;


s: With equal hand he guides his whole design,


s: By the just rule, and the directing line:


s: The martial leaders, with like skill and care,


s: Preserved their line, and equal kept the war.


s: Brave deeds of arms through all the ranks were tried,


s: At one proud bark, high-towering o’er the fleet,


s: Ajax the great, and godlike Hector meet;


s: For one bright prize the matchless chiefs contend,


s: Nor this the ships can fire, nor that defend:


s: One kept the shore, and one the vessel trod;


s: That fix’d as fate, this acted by a god.


s: The deck approaching, shakes a flaming brand;


s: But, pierced by Telamon’s huge lance, expires:


s: Thundering he falls, and drops the extinguish’d fires.


s: Great Hector view’d him with a sad survey,


s: As stretch’d in dust before the stern he lay.


s: Stand to your arms, maintain this arduous space:


s: Lo! where the son of royal Clytius lies;


s: Ah, save his arms, secure his obsequies!"


s: This said, his eager javelin sought the foe:


s: Not vainly yet the forceful lance was thrown;


s: An exile long, sustain’d at Ajax’ board,


s: In peace, and war, for ever at his side,


s: Near his loved master, as he lived, he died.


s: From the high poop he tumbles on the sand,


s: And lies a lifeless load along the land.


s: With anguish Ajax views the piercing sight,


s: And thus inflames his brother to the fight:


s: Our friend, our loved companion! now no more!


s: To fight our wars he left his native air.


s: This death deplored, to Hector’s rage we owe;


s: Where are those darts on which the fates attend?


s: And where the bow which Phoebus taught to bend?"


s: Before the chief his ample bow display’d;


s: The well-stored quiver on his shoulders hung:


s: Then hiss’d his arrow, and the bowstring sung.


s: Clytus, Pisenor’s son, renown’d in fame,


s: Drove through the thickest of the embattled plains


s: The startling steeds, and shook his eager reins.


s: The pointed death arrests him from behind:


s: Through his fair neck the thrilling arrow flies;


s: In youth’s first bloom reluctantly he dies.


s: Hurl’d from the lofty seat, at distance far,


s: The headlong coursers spurn his empty car;


s: Till sad Polydamas the steeds restrain’d,


s: And gave, Astynous, to thy careful hand;


s: Then, fired to vengeance, rush’d amidst the foe:


s: Rage edged his sword, and strengthen’d every blow.


s: Once more bold Teucer, in his country’s cause,


s: At Hector’s breast a chosen arrow draws:


s: And had the weapon found the destined way,


s: Thy fall, great Trojan! had renown’d that day.


s: But Hector was not doom’d to perish then:


s: The all-wise disposer of the fates of men


s: (Imperial Jove) his present death withstands;


s: Nor was such glory due to Teucer’s hands.


s: At its full stretch as the tough string he drew,


s: Struck by an arm unseen, it burst in two;


s: Down dropp’d the bow: the shaft with brazen head


s: Fell innocent, and on the dust lay dead.


s: The astonish’d archer to great Ajax cries;


s: "Some god prevents our destined enterprise:


s: Has, from my arm unfailing, struck the bow,


s: And broke the nerve my hands had twined with art,


s: Strong to impel the flight of many a dart."


s: "Since heaven commands it (Ajax made reply)


s: Thy arms no less suffice the lance to wield,


s: And quit the quiver for the ponderous shield.


s: In the first ranks indulge thy thirst of fame,


s: Thy brave example shall the rest inflame.


s: Fierce as they are, by long successes vain;


s: To force our fleet, or even a ship to gain,


s: Asks toil, and sweat, and blood: their utmost might


s: Shall find its match—No more: ’tis ours to fight."


s: Then Teucer laid his faithless bow aside;


s: The fourfold buckler o’er his shoulder tied;


s: On his brave head a crested helm he placed,


s: With nodding horse-hair formidably graced;


s: A dart, whose point with brass refulgent shines,


s: The warrior wields; and his great brother joins.


s: This Hector saw, and thus express’d his joy:


s: "Ye troops of Lycia, Dardanus, and Troy!


s: Be mindful of yourselves, your ancient fame,


s: And spread your glory with the navy’s flame.


s: Jove is with us; I saw his hand, but now,


s: From the proud archer strike his vaunted bow:


s: Indulgent Jove! how plain thy favours shine,


s: When happy nations bear the marks divine!


s: Of realms accursed, deserted, reprobate!


s: Such is the fate of Greece, and such is ours:


s: Behold, ye warriors, and exert your powers.


s: Death is the worst; a fate which all must try;


s: And for our country, ’tis a bliss to die.


s: The gallant man, though slain in fight he be,


s: Yet leaves his nation safe, his children free;


s: Entails a debt on all the grateful state;


s: His own brave friends shall glory in his fate;


s: His wife live honour’d, all his race succeed,


s: This roused the soul in every Trojan breast:


s: The godlike Ajax next his Greeks address’d:


s: "How long, ye warriors of the Argive race,


s: (To generous Argos what a dire disgrace!)


s: How long on these cursed confines will ye lie,


s: What hopes remain, what methods to retire,


s: If once your vessels catch the Trojan fire?


s: Make how the flames approach, how near they fall,


s: How Hector calls, and Troy obeys his call!


s: Not to the dance that dreadful voice invites,


s: It calls to death, and all the rage of fights.


s: To your own hands are trusted all your fates;


s: One day should end our labour or our life,


s: Than keep this hard-got inch of barren sands,


s: Still press’d, and press’d by such inglorious hands."


s: The listening Grecians feel their leader’s flame,


s: And every kindling bosom pants for fame.


s: Then mutual slaughters spread on either side;


s: By Hector here the Phocian Schedius died;


s: Chief of the foot, of old Antenor’s race.


s: The fierce commander of the Epeian band.


s: His lance bold Meges at the victor threw;


s: The victor, stooping, from the death withdrew;


s: (That valued life, O Phoebus! was thy care)


s: But Croesmus’ bosom took the flying spear:


s: His corpse fell bleeding on the slippery shore;


s: And famed for prowess in a well-fought field,


s: He pierced the centre of his sounding shield:


s: But Meges, Phyleus’ ample breastplate wore,


s: (Well-known in fight on Selle’s winding shore;


s: Compact, and firm with many a jointed scale)


s: Which oft, in cities storm’d, and battles won,


s: Had saved the father, and now saves the son.


s: Full at the Trojan’s head he urged his lance,


s: Where the high plumes above the helmet dance,


s: New ting’d with Tyrian dye: in dust below,


s: Shorn from the crest, the purple honours glow.


s: Meantime their fight the Spartan king survey’d,


s: Through Dolops’ shoulder urged his forceful dart,


s: Which held its passage through the panting heart,


s: And issued at his breast. With thundering sound


s: The warrior falls, extended on the ground.


s: In rush the conquering Greeks to spoil the slain:


s: But Hector’s voice excites his kindred train;


s: Fierce Melanippus, gallant, brave, and young.


s: He (ere to Troy the Grecians cross’d the main)


s: But when oppress’d, his country claim’d his care,


s: For this, in Priam’s court, he held his place,


s: Beloved no less than Priam’s royal race.


s: Him Hector singled, as his troops he led,


s: And thus inflamed him, pointing to the dead.


s: O’ermatch’d he falls; to two at once a prey,


s: But hand to hand thy country’s foes engage:


s: Till Greece at once, and all her glory end;


s: Or Ilion from her towery height descend,


s: Heaved from the lowest stone; and bury all


s: Hector (this said) rush’d forward on the foes:


s: Then Ajax thus—"O Greeks! respect your fame,


s: Respect yourselves, and learn an honest shame:


s: Let mutual reverence mutual warmth inspire,


s: And catch from breast to breast the noble fire,


s: On valour’s side the odds of combat lie;


s: The brave live glorious, or lamented die;


s: The wretch that trembles in the field of fame,


s: Meets death, and worse than death, eternal shame."


s: His generous sense he not in vain imparts;


s: It sunk, and rooted in the Grecian hearts:


s: They join, they throng, they thicken at his call,


s: Shields touching shields, in order blaze above,


s: And stop the Trojans, though impell’d by Jove.


s: The fiery Spartan first, with loud applause.


s: Warms the bold son of Nestor in his cause.


s: "Is there (he said) in arms a youth like you,


s: So strong to fight, so active to pursue?


s: Why stand you distant, nor attempt a deed?


s: Lift the bold lance, and make some Trojan bleed."


s: He said; and backward to the lines retired;


s: Forth rush’d the youth with martial fury fired,


s: Beyond the foremost ranks; his lance he threw,


s: And round the black battalions cast his view.


s: The troops of Troy recede with sudden fear,


s: While the swift javelin hiss’d along in air.


s: With his bold breast, and felt it in his heart:


s: Thundering he falls; his falling arms resound,


s: And his broad buckler rings against the ground.


s: The victor leaps upon his prostrate prize:


s: Thus on a roe the well-breath’d beagle flies,


s: And rends his side, fresh-bleeding with the dart


s: So when a savage, ranging o’er the plain,


s: Has torn the shepherd’s dog, or shepherd’s swain,


s: While conscious of the deed, he glares around,


s: And hears the gathering multitude resound,


s: And gains the friendly shelter of the wood:


s: So fears the youth; all Troy with shouts pursue,


s: While stones and darts in mingled tempest flew;


s: But enter’d in the Grecian ranks, he turns


s: His manly breast, and with new fury burns.


s: Now on the fleet the tides of Trojans drove,


s: Fierce to fulfil the stern decrees of Jove:


s: The sire of gods, confirming Thetis’ prayer,


s: The Grecian ardour quench’d in deep despair;


s: But lifts to glory Troy’s prevailing bands,


s: Swells all their hearts, and strengthens all their hands.


s: On Ida’s top he waits with longing eyes,


s: Then, nor till then, the scale of war shall turn,


s: The Trojans fly, and conquer’d Ilion burn.


s: These fates revolved in his almighty mind,


s: Bids him with more than mortal fury glow,


s: And drives him, like a lightning, on the foe.


s: So Mars, when human crimes for vengeance call,


s: Shakes his huge javelin, and whole armies fall.


s: Not with more rage a conflagration rolls,


s: Wraps the vast mountains, and involves the poles.


s: He foams with wrath; beneath his gloomy brow


s: Like fiery meteors his red eye-balls glow:


s: Waves when he nods, and lightens as he turns:


s: For Jove his splendour round the chief had thrown,


s: And cast the blaze of both the hosts on one.


s: Due to stern Pallas, and Pelides’ spear:


s: Yet Jove deferr’d the death he was to pay,


s: And gave what fate allow’d, the honours of a day!


s: Now all on fire for fame, his breast, his eyes


s: Burn at each foe, and single every prize;


s: Still at the closest ranks, the thickest fight,


s: He points his ardour, and exerts his might.


s: The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a tower,


s: On all sides batter’d, yet resists his power:


s: So some tall rock o’erhangs the hoary main,(241)


s: By winds assail’d, by billows beat in vain,


s: Unmoved it hears, above, the tempest blow,


s: And sees the watery mountains break below.


s: Girt in surrounding flames, he seems to fall


s: Like fire from Jove, and bursts upon them all:


s: Bursts as a wave that from the cloud impends,


s: And, swell’d with tempests, on the ship descends;


s: White are the decks with foam; the winds aloud


s: Howl o’er the masts, and sing through every shroud:


s: Pale, trembling, tired, the sailors freeze with fears;


s: And instant death on every wave appears.


s: So pale the Greeks the eyes of Hector meet,


s: The chief so thunders, and so shakes the fleet.


s: Amidst the plain of some wide-water’d fen,


s: (Where numerous oxen, as at ease they feed,


s: At large expatiate o’er the ranker mead)


s: Leaps on the herds before the herdsman’s eyes;


s: The trembling herdsman far to distance flies;


s: Some lordly bull (the rest dispersed and fled)


s: He singles out; arrests, and lays him dead.


s: Thus from the rage of Jove-like Hector flew


s: All Greece in heaps; but one he seized, and slew:


s: In wisdom great, in arms well known to fame;


s: The son redeem’d the honours of the race,


s: O’er all his country’s youth conspicuous far


s: But doom’d to Hector’s stronger force to yield!


s: He struck his hasty foot: his heels up-sprung;


s: On the fallen chief the invading Trojan press’d,


s: And plunged the pointed javelin in his breast.


s: His circling friends, who strove to guard too late


s: The unhappy hero, fled, or shared his fate.


s: Chased from the foremost line, the Grecian train


s: Now man the next, receding toward the main:


s: Wedged in one body at the tents they stand,


s: Wall’d round with sterns, a gloomy, desperate band.


s: Now manly shame forbids the inglorious flight;


s: Now fear itself confines them to the fight:


s: Man courage breathes in man; but Nestor most


s: (The sage preserver of the Grecian host)


s: Exhorts, adjures, to guard these utmost shores;


s: And by their parents, by themselves implores.


s: "Oh friends! be men: your generous breasts inflame


s: With mutual honour, and with mutual shame!


s: Think of your hopes, your fortunes; all the care


s: Your wives, your infants, and your parents share:


s: Think of each living father’s reverend head;


s: Absent, by me they speak, by me they sue,


s: They ask their safety, and their fame, from you:


s: The gods their fates on this one action lay,


s: And all are lost, if you desert the day."


s: He spoke, and round him breathed heroic fires;


s: The mist of darkness Jove around them threw


s: She clear’d, restoring all the war to view;


s: A sudden ray shot beaming o’er the plain,


s: And show’d the shores, the navy, and the main:


s: Hector they saw, and all who fly, or fight,


s: The scene wide-opening to the blaze of light,


s: First of the field great Ajax strikes their eyes,


s: A ponderous mace with studs of iron crown’d,


s: Full twenty cubits long, he swings around;


s: Nor fights, like others, fix’d to certain stands


s: But looks a moving tower above the bands;


s: High on the decks with vast gigantic stride,


s: The godlike hero stalks from side to side.


s: (Skill’d in the manage of the bounding steed)


s: Drives four fair coursers, practised to obey,


s: To some great city through the public way;


s: Safe in his art, as side by side they run,


s: He shifts his seat, and vaults from one to one;


s: And now to this, and now to that he flies;


s: Admiring numbers follow with their eyes.


s: From ship to ship thus Ajax swiftly flew,


s: As furious, Hector thunder’d threats aloud,


s: And rush’d enraged before the Trojan crowd;


s: Then swift invades the ships, whose beaky prores


s: Lay rank’d contiguous on the bending shores;


s: So the strong eagle from his airy height,


s: Who marks the swans’ or cranes’ embodied flight,


s: Stoops down impetuous, while they light for food,


s: And, stooping, darkens with his wings the flood.


s: Jove leads him on with his almighty hand,


s: And breathes fierce spirits in his following band.


s: The warring nations meet, the battle roars,


s: Thick beats the combat on the sounding prores.


s: Thou wouldst have thought, so furious was their fire,


s: No force could tame them, and no toil could tire;


s: As if new vigour from new fights they won,


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


s: Troy in proud hopes already view’d the main


s: Bright with the blaze, and red with heroes slain:


s: Like strength is felt from hope, and from despair,


s: And each contends, as his were all the war.


s: "Twas thou, bold Hector! whose resistless hand


s: First seized a ship on that contested strand;


s: The same which dead Protesilaus bore,(242)


s: The first that touch’d the unhappy Trojan shore:


s: For this in arms the warring nations stood,


s: And bathed their generous breasts with mutual blood.


s: No room to poise the lance or bend the bow;


s: But hand to hand, and man to man, they grow:


s: Wounded, they wound; and seek each other’s hearts


s: With falchions, axes, swords, and shorten’d darts.


s: The falchions ring, shields rattle, axes sound,


s: Swords flash in air, or glitter on the ground;


s: With streaming blood the slippery shores are dyed,


s: And slaughter’d heroes swell the dreadful tide.


s: Still raging, Hector with his ample hand


s: Grasps the high stern, and gives this loud command:


s: "Haste, bring the flames! that toil of ten long years


s: Is finished; and the day desired appears!


s: Bright with destruction of yon hostile fleet.


s: The coward-counsels of a timorous throng


s: Too long Jove lull’d us with lethargic charms,


s: But now in peals of thunder calls to arms:


s: In this great day he crowns our full desires,


s: Wakes all our force, and seconds all our fires."


s: He spoke—the warriors at his fierce command


s: Even Ajax paused, (so thick the javelins fly,)


s: Stepp’d back, and doubted or to live or die.


s: Yet, where the oars are placed, he stands to wait


s: What chief approaching dares attempt his fate:


s: Even to the last his naval charge defends,


s: Now shakes his spear, now lifts, and now protends;


s: Even yet, the Greeks with piercing shouts inspires,


s: Amidst attacks, and deaths, and darts, and fires.


s: "O friends! O heroes! names for ever dear,


s: Once sons of Mars, and thunderbolts of war!


s: Your great forefathers’ virtues and your own.


s: What aids expect you in this utmost strait?


s: What bulwarks rising between you and fate?


s: No aids, no bulwarks your retreat attend,


s: This spot is all you have, to lose or keep;


s: There stand the Trojans, and here rolls the deep.


s: ’Tis hostile ground you tread; your native lands


s: Far, far from hence: your fates are in your hands."


s: Raging he spoke; nor further wastes his breath,


s: But turns his javelin to the work of death.


s: Whate’er bold Trojan arm’d his daring hands,


s: Against the sable ships, with flaming brands,


s: So well the chief his naval weapon sped,


s: The luckless warrior at his stern lay dead:


s: Full twelve, the boldest, in a moment fell,


s: Sent by great Ajax to the shades of hell.


s: So warr’d both armies on the ensanguined shore,


s: While the black vessels smoked with human gore.


s: The streaming tears fall copious from his eyes


s: Not faster, trickling to the plains below,


s: From the tall rock the sable waters flow.


s: Thus spoke, indulgent, to his best beloved:(243)


s: "Patroclus, say, what grief thy bosom bears,


s: That flows so fast in these unmanly tears?


s: No girl, no infant whom the mother keeps


s: From her loved breast, with fonder passion weeps;


s: Not more the mother’s soul, that infant warms,


s: Clung to her knees, and reaching at her arms,


s: Than thou hast mine! Oh tell me, to what end


s: Thy melting sorrows thus pursue thy friend?


s: "Griev’st thou for me, or for, my martial band?


s: Or come sad tidings from our native land?


s: Our fathers live (our first, most tender care),


s: Thy good Menoetius breathes the vital air,


s: Pleased in their age to hear their children’s praise.


s: Or may some meaner cause thy pity claim?


s: Doom’d in their ships to sink by fire and sword,


s: And pay the forfeit of their haughty lord?


s: Whate’er the cause, reveal thy secret care,


s: And speak those sorrows which a friend would share."


s: A sigh that instant from his bosom broke,


s: "Let Greece at length with pity touch thy breast,


s: Thyself a Greek; and, once, of Greeks the best!


s: Lo! every chief that might her fate prevent,


s: Lies pierced with wounds, and bleeding in his tent:


s: More for their country’s wounds than for their own.


s: Their pain soft arts of pharmacy can ease,


s: May never rage like thine my soul enslave,


s: Thy country slighted in her last distress,


s: What friend, what man, from thee shall hope redress?


s: Shall curse that fierce, that unforgiving mind.


s: But sure thou spring’st not from a soft embrace,


s: Nor ever tender goddess brought thee forth:


s: Some rugged rock’s hard entrails gave thee form,


s: And raging seas produced thee in a storm,


s: A soul well suiting that tempestuous kind,


s: So rough thy manners, so untamed thy mind.


s: If aught from Jove, or Thetis, stop thy arm,


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


s: Proud Troy shall tremble, and desert the war;


s: Without thy person Greece shall win the day,


s: Press’d by fresh forces, her o’erlabour’d train


s: Shall quit the ships, and Greece respire again."


s: Thus, blind to fate! with supplicating breath,


s: Thou begg’st his arms, and in his arms thy death.


s: Thy friend return’d; and with it, this reply:


s: "Patroclus! thy Achilles knows no fears;


s: Nor words from Jove nor oracles he hears;


s: Nor aught a mother’s caution can suggest;


s: The tyrant’s pride lies rooted in my breast.


s: My wrongs, my wrongs, my constant thought engage,


s: Those, my sole oracles, inspire my rage:


s: I made him tyrant: gave him power to wrong


s: Even my: I felt it; and shall feel it long.


s: The maid, my black-eyed maid, he forced away,


s: Due to the toils of many a well-fought day;


s: Due to my conquest of her father’s reign;


s: Due to the votes of all the Grecian train.


s: From me he forced her; me, the bold and brave,


s: Disgraced, dishonour’d, like the meanest slave.


s: But bear we this—the wrongs I grieve are past;


s: ’Tis time our fury should relent at last:


s: I fix’d its date; the day I wish’d appears:


s: How Hector to my ships his battle bears,


s: The flames my eyes, the shouts invade my ears.


s: Go then, Patroclus! court fair honour’s charms


s: In Troy’s famed fields, and in Achilles’ arms:


s: Lead forth my martial Myrmidons to fight,


s: Go save the fleets, and conquer in my right.


s: See the thin relics of their baffled band


s: Behold all Ilion on their ships descends;


s: How the cloud blackens, how the storm impends!


s: It was not thus, when, at my sight amazed,


s: Troy saw and trembled, as this helmet blazed:


s: Had not the injurious king our friendship lost,


s: Yon ample trench had buried half her host.


s: No camps, no bulwarks now the Trojans fear,


s: Those are not dreadful, no Achilles there;


s: No longer flames the lance of Tydeus’ son;


s: No more your general calls his heroes on:


s: Hector, alone, I hear; his dreadful breath


s: Commands your slaughter, or proclaims your death.


s: Now save the ships, the rising fires restrain,


s: And give the Greeks to visit Greece again.


s: But heed my words, and mark a friend’s command,


s: Who trusts his fame and honours in thy hand,


s: And from thy deeds expects the Achaian host


s: Shall render back the beauteous maid he lost:


s: Rage uncontroll’d through all the hostile crew,


s: Though Jove in thunder should command the war,


s: The fleet once saved, desist from further chase,


s: Nor lead to Ilion’s walls the Grecian race;


s: Some adverse god thy rashness may destroy;


s: Some god, like Phoebus, ever kind to Troy.


s: Let Greece, redeem’d from this destructive strait,


s: Do her own work; and leave the rest to fate.


s: O! would to all the immortal powers above,


s: That not one Trojan might be left alive,


s: And not a Greek of all the race survive:


s: Might only we the vast destruction shun,


s: Such conference held the chiefs; while on the strand


s: Great Jove with conquest crown’d the Trojan band.


s: Ajax no more the sounding storm sustain’d,


s: So thick the darts an iron tempest rain’d:


s: On his tired arm the weighty buckler hung;


s: His hollow helm with falling javelins rung;


s: His breath, in quick short pantings, comes and goes;


s: And painful sweat from all his members flows.


s: Spent and o’erpower’d, he barely breathes at most;


s: Yet scarce an army stirs him from his post;


s: And toil to toil, and woe succeeds to woe.


s: Say, Muses, throned above the starry frame,


s: How first the navy blazed with Trojan flame?


s: Stern Hector waved his sword, and standing near,


s: Where furious Ajax plied his ashen spear,


s: Full on the lance a stroke so justly sped,


s: That the broad falchion lopp’d its brazen head;


s: His pointless spear the warrior shakes in vain;


s: The brazen head falls sounding on the plain.


s: Great Ajax saw, and own’d the hand divine;


s: Confessing Jove, and trembling at the sign,


s: Warn’d he retreats. Then swift from all sides pour


s: The hissing brands; thick streams the fiery shower;


s: O’er the high stern the curling volumes rise,


s: And sheets of rolling smoke involve the skies.


s: Divine Achilles view’d the rising flames,


s: And smote his thigh, and thus aloud exclaims:


s: "Arm, arm, Patroclus! Lo, the blaze aspires!


s: The glowing ocean reddens with the fires.


s: Arm, ere our vessels catch the spreading flame;


s: Arm, ere the Grecians be no more a name;


s: I haste to bring the troops."—The hero said;


s: The friend with ardour and with joy obey’d.


s: He cased his limbs in brass; and first around


s: His manly legs, with silver buckles bound


s: The clasping greaves; then to his breast applies


s: Emblazed with studs of gold his falchion shone


s: Achilles’ shield his ample shoulders spread,


s: Alone untouch’d, Pelides’ javelin stands,


s: From Pelion’s shady brow the plant entire


s: Old Chiron rent, and shaped it for his sire;


s: Whose son’s great arm alone the weapon wields,


s: The death of heroes, and the dread of fields.


s: The second to his lord in love and fame,


s: In peace his friend, and partner of the war)


s: The winged coursers harness’d to the car;


s: Sprung from the wind, and like the wind in speed.


s: Whom the wing’d harpy, swift Podarge, bore,


s: (Once great Aetion’s, now Achilles’ pride)


s: Who, like in strength, in swiftness, and in grace,


s: A mortal courser match’d the immortal race.


s: Achilles speeds from tent to tent, and warms


s: All breathing death, around the chief they stand,


s: Grim as voracious wolves, that seek the springs(244)


s: When scalding thirst their burning bowels wrings;


s: When some tall stag, fresh-slaughtered in the wood,


s: Has drench’d their wide insatiate throats with blood,


s: To the black fount they rush, a hideous throng,


s: With paunch distended, and with lolling tongue,


s: Fire fills their eye, their black jaws belch the gore,


s: And gorged with slaughter still they thirst for more.


s: Like furious, rush’d the Myrmidonian crew,


s: Such their dread strength, and such their deathful view.


s: High in the midst the great Achilles stands,


s: Directs their order, and the war commands.


s: He, loved of Jove, had launch’d for Ilion’s shores


s: Full fifty vessels, mann’d with fifty oars:


s: Five chosen leaders the fierce bands obey,


s: First march’d Menestheus, of celestial birth,


s: Derived from thee, whose waters wash the earth,


s: Such was Menestheus, but miscall’d by fame


s: The son of Borus, that espoused the dame.


s: Famed in the graceful dance, produced to-day.


s: Her, sly Cellenius loved: on her would gaze,


s: As with swift step she form’d the running maze:


s: The god pursued her, urged, and crown’d his fire.


s: The son confess’d his father’s heavenly race,


s: And heir’d his mother’s swiftness in the chase.


s: Strong Echecleus, bless’d in all those charms


s: That pleased a god, succeeded to her arms;


s: Not conscious of those loves, long hid from fame,


s: With gifts of price he sought and won the dame;


s: Her secret offspring to her sire she bare;


s: Her sire caress’d him with a parent’s care.


s: To wing the spear, or aim the distant dart;


s: No hand so sure of all the Emathian line,


s: The fourth by Phoenix’ grave command was graced,


s: Laerces’ valiant offspring led the last.


s: Had call’d the chiefs, and order’d all the war,


s: This stern remembrance to his troops he gave:


s: "Ye far-famed Myrmidons, ye fierce and brave!


s: Think with what threats you dared the Trojan throng,


s: Think what reproach these ears endured so long;


s: ’Stern son of Peleus, (thus ye used to say,


s: While restless, raging, in your ships you lay)


s: Oh nursed with gall, unknowing how to yield;


s: Whose rage defrauds us of so famed a field:


s: What make we here? Return, ye chiefs, return!’


s: Such were your words—Now, warriors! grieve no more,


s: Lo there the Trojans; bathe your swords in gore!


s: This day shall give you all your soul demands,


s: Glut all your hearts, and weary all your hands!"


s: Thus while he roused the fire in every breast,


s: Close and more close the listening cohorts press’d;


s: Ranks wedged in ranks; of arms a steely ring


s: Still grows, and spreads, and thickens round the king.


s: As when a circling wall the builder forms,


s: Of strength defensive against wind and storms,


s: Compacted stones the thickening work compose,


s: And round him wide the rising structure grows:


s: So helm to helm, and crest to crest they throng,


s: Shield urged on shield, and man drove man along;


s: Thick, undistinguish’d plumes, together join’d,


s: Float in one sea, and wave before the wind.


s: Far o’er the rest in glittering pomp appear,


s: Brothers in arms, with equal fury fired;


s: Two friends, two bodies with one soul inspired.


s: There lay on heaps his various garments roll’d,


s: And costly furs, and carpets stiff with gold,


s: (The presents of the silver-footed dame)


s: From thence he took a bowl, of antique frame,


s: Which never man had stained with ruddy wine,


s: Nor raised in offerings to the power divine,


s: But Peleus’ son; and Peleus’ son to none


s: Had raised in offerings, but to Jove alone.


s: This tinged with sulphur, sacred first to flame,


s: He purged; and wash’d it in the running stream.


s: Then cleansed his hands; and fixing for a space


s: His eyes on heaven, his feet upon the place


s: Of sacrifice, the purple draught he pour’d


s: Forth in the midst; and thus the god implored:


s: "O thou supreme! high-throned all height above!


s: Who ’midst surrounding frosts, and vapours chill,


s: (Whose groves the Selli, race austere! surround,


s: Their feet unwash’d, their slumbers on the ground;


s: Who hear, from rustling oaks, thy dark decrees;


s: And catch the fates, low-whispered in the breeze;)


s: Hear, as of old! Thou gav’st, at Thetis’ prayer,


s: Lo, to the dangers of the fighting field


s: The best, the dearest of my friends, I yield,


s: Though still determined, to my ships confined;


s: Confirm his heart, and string his arm to war:


s: Press’d by his single force let Hector see


s: But when the fleets are saved from foes and fire,


s: Let him with conquest and renown retire;


s: Preserve his arms, preserve his social train,


s: And safe return him to these eyes again!"


s: Great Jove consents to half the chief’s request,


s: But heaven’s eternal doom denies the rest;


s: To free the fleet was granted to his prayer;


s: His safe return, the winds dispersed in air.


s: Back to his tent the stern Achilles flies,


s: And waits the combat with impatient eyes.


s: Meanwhile the troops beneath Patroclus’ care,


s: Invade the Trojans, and commence the war.


s: As wasps, provoked by children in their play,


s: Pour from their mansions by the broad highway,


s: In swarms the guiltless traveller engage,


s: Whet all their stings, and call forth all their rage:


s: All rise in arms, and, with a general cry,


s: Assert their waxen domes, and buzzing progeny.


s: Thus from the tents the fervent legion swarms,


s: So loud their clamours, and so keen their arms:


s: Their rising rage Patroclus’ breath inspires,


s: Who thus inflames them with heroic fires:


s: "O warriors, partners of Achilles’ praise!


s: Be mindful of your deeds in ancient days;


s: Your godlike master let your acts proclaim,


s: Think your Achilles sees you fight: be brave,


s: And humble the proud monarch whom you save."


s: Joyful they heard, and kindling as he spoke,


s: Flew to the fleet, involved in fire and smoke.


s: From shore to shore the doubling shouts resound,


s: The war stood still, and all around them gazed,


s: When great Achilles’ shining armour blazed:


s: Troy saw, and thought the dread Achilles nigh,


s: At once they see, they tremble, and they fly.


s: Then first thy spear, divine Patroclus! flew,


s: Where the war raged, and where the tumult grew.


s: Close to the stern of that famed ship which bore


s: The great Paeonian, bold Pyrechmes stood;


s: (Who led his bands from Axius’ winding flood;)


s: His shoulder-blade receives the fatal wound;


s: The groaning warrior pants upon the ground.


s: His troops, that see their country’s glory slain,


s: Fly diverse, scatter’d o’er the distant plain.


s: Patroclus’ arm forbids the spreading fires,


s: And from the half-burn’d ship proud Troy retires;


s: Clear’d from the smoke the joyful navy lies;


s: In heaps on heaps the foe tumultuous flies;


s: Triumphant Greece her rescued decks ascends,


s: And loud acclaim the starry region rends.


s: So when thick clouds enwrap the mountain’s head,


s: O’er heaven’s expanse like one black ceiling spread;


s: Sudden the Thunderer, with a flashing ray,


s: Bursts through the darkness, and lets down the day:


s: The hills shine out, the rocks in prospect rise,


s: And streams, and vales, and forests, strike the eyes;


s: The smiling scene wide opens to the sight,


s: And all the unmeasured ether flames with light.


s: But Troy repulsed, and scatter’d o’er the plains,


s: Forced from the navy, yet the fight maintains.


s: But still the foremost, bold Patroclus flew:


s: Sharp in his thigh he felt the piercing wound;


s: The brazen-pointed spear, with vigour thrown,


s: The thigh transfix’d, and broke the brittle bone:


s: Headlong he fell. Next, Thoas was thy chance;


s: Thy breast, unarm’d, received the Spartan lance.


s: His blow prevented, and transpierced his thigh,


s: Tore all the brawn, and rent the nerves away;


s: In darkness, and in death, the warrior lay.


s: And two bold brothers of the Lycian band:


s: Pierced in the flank, lamented youth! he lies,


s: Kind Maris, bleeding in his brother’s wound,


s: Defends the breathless carcase on the ground;


s: Furious he flies, his murderer to engage:


s: But godlike Thrasimed prevents his rage,


s: Between his arm and shoulder aims a blow;


s: His arm falls spouting on the dust below:


s: He sinks, with endless darkness cover’d o’er:


s: And vents his soul, effused with gushing gore.


s: Slain by two brothers, thus two brothers bleed,


s: The bane of men, abhorr’d Chimaera bred;


s: Skill’d in the dart in vain, his sons expire,


s: And pay the forfeit of their guilty sire.


s: A living prize not long the Trojan stood;


s: The thirsty falchion drank his reeking blood:


s: Plunged in his throat the smoking weapon lies;


s: Black death, and fate unpitying, seal his eyes.


s: Amid the ranks, with mutual thirst of fame,


s: Lycon the brave, and fierce Peneleus came;


s: In vain their javelins at each other flew,


s: Now, met in arms, their eager swords they drew.


s: The sword broke short; but his, Peneleus sped


s: Full on the juncture of the neck and head:


s: Hung by the skin; the body sunk to dust.


s: Pierced through the shoulder as he mounts his steeds;


s: Back from the car he tumbles to the ground:


s: His swimming eyes eternal shades surround.


s: Next Erymas was doom’d his fate to feel,


s: His open’d mouth received the Cretan steel:


s: Beneath the brain the point a passage tore,


s: Crash’d the thin bones, and drown’d the teeth in gore:


s: His mouth, his eyes, his nostrils, pour a flood;


s: He sobs his soul out in the gush of blood.


s: As when the flocks neglected by the swain,


s: Or kids, or lambs, lie scatter’d o’er the plain,


s: A troop of wolves the unguarded charge survey,


s: And rend the trembling, unresisting prey:


s: Thus on the foe the Greeks impetuous came;


s: Troy fled, unmindful of her former fame.


s: Still, pointed at his breast, his javelin flamed.


s: The Trojan chief, experienced in the field,


s: O’er his broad shoulders spread the massy shield,


s: Observed the storm of darts the Grecians pour,


s: And on his buckler caught the ringing shower:


s: He sees for Greece the scale of conquest rise,


s: Yet stops, and turns, and saves his loved allies.


s: As when the hand of Jove a tempest forms,


s: And rolls the cloud to blacken heaven with storms,


s: Dark o’er the fields the ascending vapour flies,


s: And shades the sun, and blots the golden skies:


s: So from the ships, along the dusky plain,


s: Dire Flight and Terror drove the Trojan train.


s: Even Hector fled; through heads of disarray


s: The fiery coursers forced their lord away:


s: While far behind his Trojans fall confused;


s: Wedged in the trench, in one vast carnage bruised:


s: Chariots on chariots roll: the clashing spokes


s: Shock; while the madding steeds break short their yokes.


s: In vain they labour up the steepy mound;


s: Their charioteers lie foaming on the ground.


s: Fierce on the rear, with shouts Patroclus flies;


s: Tumultuous clamour fills the fields and skies;


s: Thick drifts of dust involve their rapid flight;


s: Clouds rise on clouds, and heaven is snatch’d from sight.


s: The affrighted steeds their dying lords cast down,


s: Scour o’er the fields, and stretch to reach the town.


s: Loud o’er the rout was heard the victor’s cry,


s: Where the war bleeds, and where the thickest die,


s: Where horse and arms, and chariots he o’erthrown,


s: No stop, no check, the steeds of Peleus knew:


s: From bank to bank the immortal coursers flew.


s: High-bounding o’er the fosse, the whirling car


s: Smokes through the ranks, o’ertakes the flying war,


s: And thunders after Hector; Hector flies,


s: Patroclus shakes his lance; but fate denies.


s: Not with less noise, with less impetuous force,


s: The tide of Trojans urge their desperate course,


s: Than when in autumn Jove his fury pours,


s: And earth is loaden with incessant showers;


s: (When guilty mortals break the eternal laws,


s: Or judges, bribed, betray the righteous cause;)


s: From their deep beds he bids the rivers rise,


s: And opens all the flood-gates of the skies:


s: The impetuous torrents from their hills obey,


s: Whole fields are drown’d, and mountains swept away;


s: Loud roars the deluge till it meets the main;


s: And trembling man sees all his labours vain!


s: And now the chief (the foremost troops repell’d)


s: Back to the ships his destined progress held,


s: Bore down half Troy in his resistless way,


s: And forced the routed ranks to stand the day.


s: Between the space where silver Simois flows,


s: Where lay the fleets, and where the rampires rose,


s: All grim in dust and blood Patroclus stands,


s: And turns the slaughter on the conquering bands.


s: First Pronous died beneath his fiery dart,


s: Which pierced below the shield his valiant heart.


s: Thestor was next, who saw the chief appear,


s: Shrunk up he sat, with wild and haggard eye,


s: Nor stood to combat, nor had force to fly;


s: Patroclus mark’d him as he shunn’d the war,


s: And with unmanly tremblings shook the car,


s: And dropp’d the flowing reins. Him ’twixt the jaws,


s: The javelin sticks, and from the chariot draws.


s: An angler, studious of the line and cane,


s: Some mighty fish draws panting to the shore:


s: Not with less ease the barbed javelin bore


s: He fell, and life his heartless breast forsook.


s: Large as a rock, was by his fury thrown:


s: Full on his crown the ponderous fragment flew,


s: And burst the helm, and cleft the head in two:


s: Prone to the ground the breathless warrior fell,


s: And death involved him with the shades of hell.


s: Where’er he moves, the growing slaughters spread


s: When now Sarpedon his brave friends beheld


s: Grovelling in dust, and gasping on the field,


s: With this reproach his flying host he warms:


s: "Oh stain to honour! oh disgrace to arms!


s: Forsake, inglorious, the contended plain;


s: This hand unaided shall the war sustain:


s: The task be mine this hero’s strength to try,


s: Who mows whole troops, and makes an army fly."


s: He spake: and, speaking, leaps from off the car:


s: Patroclus lights, and sternly waits the war.


s: As when two vultures on the mountain’s height


s: Stoop with resounding pinions to the fight;


s: They cuff, they tear, they raise a screaming cry;


s: The warriors thus opposed in arms, engage


s: With equal clamours, and with equal rage.


s: Jove view’d the combat: whose event foreseen,


s: He thus bespoke his sister and his queen:


s: "The hour draws on; the destinies ordain,(245)


s: My godlike son shall press the Phrygian plain:


s: Already on the verge of death he stands,


s: His life is owed to fierce Patroclus’ hands,


s: What passions in a parent’s breast debate!


s: Say, shall I snatch him from impending fate,


s: From all the dangers and the toils of war;


s: Or to his doom my bravest offspring yield,


s: And fatten, with celestial blood, the field?"


s: Then thus the goddess with the radiant eyes:


s: "What words are these, O sovereign of the skies!


s: Short is the date prescribed to mortal man;


s: Shall Jove for one extend the narrow span,


s: Whose bounds were fix’d before his race began?


s: How many sons of gods, foredoom’d to death,


s: Before proud Ilion must resign their breath!


s: Were thine exempt, debate would rise above,


s: And murmuring powers condemn their partial Jove.


s: Give the bold chief a glorious fate in fight;


s: And when the ascending soul has wing’d her flight,


s: Let Sleep and Death convey, by thy command,


s: His friends and people, to his future praise,


s: His fame (’tis all the dead can have) shall live."


s: She said: the cloud-compeller, overcome,


s: Then touch’d with grief, the weeping heavens distill’d


s: A shower of blood o’er all the fatal field:


s: The god, his eyes averting from the plain,


s: Laments his son, predestined to be slain,


s: Far from the Lycian shores, his happy native reign.


s: Each heaved the shield, and poised the lifted spear;


s: From strong Patroclus’ hand the javelin fled,


s: And pass’d the groin of valiant Thrasymed;


s: The nerves unbraced no more his bulk sustain,


s: He falls, and falling bites the bloody plain.


s: Two sounding darts the Lycian leader threw:


s: The next transpierced Achilles’ mortal steed,


s: Fix’d in the shoulder’s joint, he reel’d around,


s: Roll’d in the bloody dust, and paw’d the slippery ground.


s: His sudden fall the entangled harness broke;


s: Each axle crackled, and the chariot shook:


s: The starting coursers, and restrain their rage,


s: Divides the traces with his sword, and freed


s: The encumbered chariot from the dying steed:


s: The car rolls slowly o’er the dusty plain.


s: The towering chiefs to fiercer fight advance:


s: And first Sarpedon whirl’d his weighty lance,


s: Which o’er the warrior’s shoulder took its course,


s: Aim’d at his breast it pierced a mortal part,


s: Where the strong fibres bind the solid heart.


s: Then as the mountain oak, or poplar tall,


s: Or pine (fit mast for some great admiral)


s: Nods to the axe, till with a groaning sound


s: It sinks, and spreads its honours on the ground,


s: Thus fell the king; and laid on earth supine,


s: Before his chariot stretch’d his form divine:


s: He grasp’d the dust distain’d with streaming gore,


s: And, pale in death, lay groaning on the shore.


s: While the grim savage grinds with foamy jaws


s: The trembling limbs, and sucks the smoking blood;


s: Deep groans, and hollow roars, rebellow through the wood.


s: The dying chief address’d his last command;


s: "Glaucus, be bold; thy task be first to dare


s: The glorious dangers of destructive war,


s: To lead my troops, to combat at their head,


s: Tell them, I charged them with my latest breath


s: Not unrevenged to bear Sarpedon’s death.


s: What grief, what shame, must Glaucus undergo,


s: If these spoil’d arms adorn a Grecian foe!


s: Then as a friend, and as a warrior fight;


s: That, taught by great examples, all may try


s: Like thee to vanquish, or like me to die."


s: He ceased; the Fates suppress’d his labouring breath,


s: And his eyes darken’d with the shades of death.


s: The insulting victor with disdain bestrode


s: The prostrate prince, and on his bosom trod;


s: Then drew the weapon from his panting heart,


s: The reeking fibres clinging to the dart;


s: From the wide wound gush’d out a stream of blood,


s: And the soul issued in the purple flood.


s: Unguided now, their mighty master slain.


s: All-impotent of aid, transfix’d with grief,


s: His painful arm, yet useless with the smart


s: To Phoebus then (’twas all he could) he pray’d:


s: "All-seeing monarch! whether Lycia’s coast,


s: Or sacred Ilion, thy bright presence boast,


s: Powerful alike to ease the wretch’s smart;


s: Lo! stiff with clotted blood, and pierced with pain,


s: That thrills my arm, and shoots through every vein,


s: And sigh, at distance from the glorious war.


s: Nor Jove vouchsafed his hapless offspring aid;


s: But thou, O god of health! thy succour lend,


s: To guard the relics of my slaughter’d friend:


s: For thou, though distant, canst restore my might,


s: To head my Lycians, and support the fight."


s: Apollo heard; and, suppliant as he stood,


s: His heavenly hand restrain’d the flux of blood;


s: He drew the dolours from the wounded part,


s: And breathed a spirit in his rising heart.


s: And owns the assistance of immortal hands.


s: First to the fight his native troops he warms,


s: Then loudly calls on Troy’s vindictive arms;


s: With ample strides he stalks from place to place;


s: Inflaming thus the rage of all their hosts.


s: "What thoughts, regardless chief! thy breast employ?


s: Oh too forgetful of the friends of Troy!


s: Those generous friends, who, from their country far,


s: Breathe their brave souls out in another’s war.


s: See! where in dust the great Sarpedon lies,


s: Who guarded right, and kept his people free;


s: To all his Lycians lost, and lost to thee!


s: Stretch’d by Patroclus’ arm on yonder plains,


s: O save from hostile rage his loved remains!


s: Ah let not Greece his conquer’d trophies boast,


s: Nor on his corse revenge her heroes lost!"


s: He spoke: each leader in his grief partook:


s: Troy, at the loss, through all her legions shook.


s: Transfix’d with deep regret, they view o’erthrown


s: At once his country’s pillar, and their own;


s: A chief, who led to Troy’s beleaguer’d wall


s: A host of heroes, and outshined them all.


s: Fired, they rush on; first Hector seeks the foes,


s: And with superior vengeance greatly glows.


s: But o’er the dead the fierce Patroclus stands,


s: And rousing Ajax, roused the listening bands:


s: "Heroes, be men; be what you were before;


s: Or weigh the great occasion, and be more.


s: The chief who taught our lofty walls to yield,


s: Lies pale in death, extended on the field.


s: To guard his body Troy in numbers flies;


s: Tis half the glory to maintain our prize.


s: Haste, strip his arms, the slaughter round him spread,


s: And send the living Lycians to the dead."


s: The heroes kindle at his fierce command;


s: The martial squadrons close on either hand:


s: Here Troy and Lycia charge with loud alarms,


s: Thessalia there, and Greece, oppose their arms.


s: With horrid shouts they circle round the slain;


s: The clash of armour rings o’er all the plain.


s: Great Jove, to swell the horrors of the fight,


s: O’er the fierce armies pours pernicious night,


s: And round his son confounds the warring hosts,


s: His fate ennobling with a crowd of ghosts.


s: Now Greece gives way, and great Epigeus falls;


s: Agacleus’ son, from Budium’s lofty walls;


s: Who chased for murder thence a suppliant came


s: Now sent to Troy, Achilles’ arms to aid,


s: He pays due vengeance to his kinsman’s shade.


s: Soon as his luckless hand had touch’d the dead,


s: A rock’s large fragment thunder’d on his head;


s: Hurl’d by Hectorean force it cleft in twain


s: His shatter’d helm, and stretch’d him o’er the slain.


s: Fierce to the van of fight Patroclus came,


s: Sprung on the Trojan and the Lycian band.


s: What grief thy heart, what fury urged thy hand,


s: O generous Greek! when with full vigour thrown,


s: Which sunk him to the dead: when Troy, too near


s: That arm, drew back; and Hector learn’d to fear.


s: Or at the lists, or at the fighting foe;


s: So far the Trojans from their lines retired;


s: Till Glaucus, turning, all the rest inspired.


s: The only hope of Chalcon’s trembling age;


s: Wide o’er the land was stretch’d his large domain,


s: With stately seats, and riches blest in vain:


s: Him, bold with youth, and eager to pursue


s: The flying Lycians, Glaucus met and slew;


s: Pierced through the bosom with a sudden wound,


s: He fell, and falling made the fields resound.


s: The Achaians sorrow for their heroes slain;


s: With conquering shouts the Trojans shake the plain,


s: And crowd to spoil the dead: the Greeks oppose;


s: Then brave Laogonus resign’d his breath,


s: Despatch’d by Merion to the shades of death:


s: The priest of Jove, and honour’d like his god.


s: Between the jaw and ear the javelin went;


s: Who stooping forward from the death withdrew;


s: The lance hiss’d harmless o’er his covering shield,


s: And trembling struck, and rooted in the field;


s: There yet scarce spent, it quivers on the plain,


s: "Swift as thou art (the raging hero cries)


s: And skill’d in dancing to dispute the prize,


s: My spear, the destined passage had it found,


s: Had fix’d thy active vigour to the ground."


s: (Insulted Merion thus retorts the boast)


s: Strong as you are, ’tis mortal force you trust,


s: An arm as strong may stretch thee in the dust.


s: And if to this my lance thy fate be given,


s: Vain are thy vaunts; success is still from heaven: