chilles’ baneful wrath resound, O Goddess, that impos’d

Infinite sorrows on the Greeks, and many brave souls los’d

From breasts heroic; sent them far to that invisible cave

That no light comforts; and their limbs to dogs and vultures gave:

I.2

5 To all which Jove’s will gave effect; from whom first strife begun

Betwixt Atrides, king of men, and Thetis’ godlike son.

What god gave Eris their command, and op’d that fighting vein?

Jove’s and Latona’s son: who fir’d against the king of men,

For contumély shown his priest, infectious sickness sent

10 To plague the army, and to death by troops the soldiers went.

Occasion’d thus: Chryses, the priest, came to the fleet to buy,

For presents of unvalu’d price, his daughter’s liberty;

The golden sceptre and the crown of Phœbus in his hands

Proposing; and made suit to all, but most to the commands

15 Of both th’ Atrides, who most rul’d. “Great Atreus’ sons,” said he,

“And all ye well-greav’d Greeks, the gods, whose habitations be

In heav’nly houses, grace your pow’rs with Priam’s razéd town,

And grant ye happy conduct home! To win which wish’d renown

Of Jove, by honouring his son, far-shooting Phœbus, deign

20 For these fit presents to dissolve the ransomable chain

Of my lov’d daughter’s servitude.” The Greeks entirely gave

Glad acclamatións, for sign that their desires would have

The grave priest reverenc’d, and his gifts of so much price embrac’d.

The Gen’ral yet bore no such mind, but viciously disgrac’d

25 With violent terms the priest, and said:— “Dotard! avoid our fleet,

Where ling’ring be not found by me; nor thy returning feet

Let ever visit us again; lest nor thy godhead’s crown,

Nor sceptre, save thee! Her thou seek’st I still will hold mine own,

Till age deflow’r her. In our court at Argos, far transferr’d

30 From her lov’d country, she shall ply her web, and see prepar’d

I.3

With all fit ornaments my bed. Incense me then no more,

But, if thou wilt be safe, be gone.” This said, the sea-beat shore,

Obeying his high will, the priest trod off with haste and fear;

And, walking silent, till he left far off his enemies’ ear,

35 Phœbus, fair hair’d Latona’s son, he stirr’d up with a vow,

To this stern purpose: “Hear, thou God that bear’st the silver bow,

That Chrysa guard’st, rul’st Tenedos with strong hand, and the round

Of Cilla most divine dost walk! O Sminthëus! if crown’d

With thankful off’rings thy rich fane I ever saw, or fir’d

40 Fat thighs of oxen and of goats to thee, this grace desir’d

Vouchsafe to me: pains for my tears let these rude Greeks repay,

Forc’d with thy arrows.” Thus he pray’d, and Phœbus heard him pray,

And, vex’d at heart, down from the tops of steep heav’n stoop’d; his bow,

And quiver cover’d round, his hands did on his shoulders throw;

45 And of the angry Deity the arrows as he mov’d

Rattled about him. Like the night he rang’d the host, and rov’d

(Apart the fleet set) terribly; with his hard-loosing hand

His silver bow twang’d; and his shafts did first the mules command,

And swift hounds; then the Greeks themselves his deadly arrows shot.

50 The fires of death went never out; nine days his shafts flew hot

About the army; and the tenth, Achilles called a court

Of all the Greeks; heav’n’s white-arm’d Queen (who, ev’rywhere cut short,

Beholding her lov’d Greeks, by death) suggested it; and he

(All met in one) arose, and said: “Atrides, now I see

55 We must be wandering again, flight must be still our stay,

If flight can save us now, at once sickness and battle lay

Such strong hand on us. Let us ask some prophet, priest, or prove

Some dream-interpreter (for dreams are often sent from Jove)

Why Phœbus is so much incens’d; if unperforméd vows

60 He blames in us, or hecatombs; and if these knees he bows

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To death may yield his graves no more, but off’ring all supply

Of savours burnt from lambs and goats, avert his fervent eye,

And turn his temp’rate.” Thus, he sat; and then stood up to them

Calchas, surnam’d Thestorides, of augurs the supreme;

65 He knew things present, past, to come, and rul’d the equipage

Of th’ Argive fleet to Ilion, for his prophetic rage

Giv’n by Apollo; who, well-seen in th’ ill they felt, propos’d

This to Achilles: “Jove’s belov’d, would thy charge see disclos’d

The secret of Apollo’s wrath? then cov’nant and take oath

70 To my discov’ry, that, with words and pow’rful actions both,

Thy strength will guard the truth in me; because I well conceive

That he whose empire governs all, whom all the Grecians give

Confirm’d obedience, will be mov’d; and then you know the state

Of him that moves him. When a king hath once mark’d for his hate

75 A man inferior, though that day his wrath seems to digest

Th’ offence he takes, yet evermore he rakes up in his breast

Brands of quick anger, till revenge hath quench’d to his desire

The fire reservéd. Tell me, then, if, whatsoever ire

Suggests in hurt of me to him, thy valour will prevent?”

80 Achilles answer’d: “All thou know’st speak, and be confident;

For by Apollo, Jove’s belov’d, (to whom performing vows,

O Calchas, for the state of Greece, thy spirit prophetic shows

Skills that direct us) not a man of all these Grecians here,

I living, and enjoy’ng the light shot through this flow’ry sphere,

85 Shall touch thee with offensive hands; though Agamemnon be

The man in question, that doth boast the mightiest empery

Of all our army.” Then took heart the prophet unreprov’d,

And said: “They are not unpaid vows, nor hecatombs, that mov’d

I.5

The God against us; his offence is for his priest impair’d

90 By Agamemnon, that refus’d the present he preferr’d,

And kept his daughter. This is cause why heav’n’s Far-darter darts

These plagues amongst us; and this still will empty in our hearts

His deathful quiver, uncontain’d till to her lovéd sire

The black-eyed damsel be resign’d; no rédemptory hire

95 Took for her freedom,—not a gift, but all the ransom quit,

And she convey’d, with sacrifice, till her enfranchis’d feet

Tread Chrysa under; then the God, so pleas’d, perhaps we may

Move to remission.” Thus, he sate; and up, the great in sway,

Heroic Agamemnon rose, eagérly bearing all;

100 His mind’s seat overcast with fumes; an anger general

Fill’d all his faculties; his eyes sparkled like kindling fire,

Which sternly cast upon the priest, thus vented he his ire:

“Prophet of ill! for never good came from thee towards me

Not to a word’s worth; evermore thou took’st delight to be

105 Offensive in thy auguries, which thou continu’st still,

Now casting thy prophetic gall, and vouching all our ill,

Shot from Apollo, is impos’d since I refus’d the price

Of fair Chryseis’ liberty; which would in no worth rise

To my rate of herself, which moves my vows to have her home,

110 Past Clytemnestra loving her, that grac’d my nuptial room

With her virginity and flow’r. Nor ask her merits less

For person, disposition, wit, and skill in housewif’ries.

And yet, for all this, she shall go, if more conducible

That course be than her holding here. I rather wish the weal

115 Of my lov’d army than the death. Provide yet instantly

Supply for her, that I alone of all our royalty

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Lose not my winnings. ’Tis not fit. Ye see all I lose mine

Forc’d by another, see as well some other may resign

His prise to me.” To this replied the swift-foot, god-like, son

120 Of Thetis, thus: “King of us all, in all ambition

Most covetous of all that breathe, why should the great-soul’d Greeks

Supply thy lost prise out of theirs? Nor what thy av’rice seeks

Our common treasury can find; so little it doth guard

Of what our ras’d towns yielded us; of all which most is shar’d,

125 And giv’n our soldiers; which again to take into our hands

Were ignominious and base. Now then, since God commands,

Part with thy most-lov’d prise to him; not any one of us

Exacts it of thee, yet we all, all loss thou suffer’st thus,

Will treble, quadruple, in gain, when Jupiter bestows

130 The sack of well-wall’d Troy on us; which by his word he owes.”

“Do not deceive yourself with wit,” he answer’d, “god-like man,

Though your good name may colour it; ’tis not your swift foot can

Outrun me here; nor shall the gloss, set on it with the God,

Persuade me to my wrong. Wouldst thou maintain in sure abode

135 Thine own prise, and slight me of mine? Resolve this: if our friends,

As fits in equity my worth, will right me with amends,

So rest it; otherwise, myself will enter personally

On thy prise, that of Ithacus, or Ajax, for supply;

Let him on whom I enter rage. But come, we’ll order these

140 Hereafter, and in other place. Now put to sacred seas

Our black sail; in it rowers put, in it fit sacrifice;

And to these I will make ascend my so much envied prise,

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Bright-cheek’d Chryseis. For condúct of all which, we must choose

A chief out of our counsellors. Thy service we must use,

145 Idomenëus; Ajax, thine; or thine, wise Ithacus;

Or thine, thou terriblest of men, thou son of Peleüs,

Which fittest were, that thou might’st see these holy acts perform’d

For which thy cunning zeal so pleads; and he, whose bow thus storm’d

For our offences, may be calm’d.” Achilles, with a frown,

150 Thus answer’d: “O thou impudent! of no good but thine own

Ever respectful, but of that with all craft covetous,

With what heart can a man attempt a service dangerous,

Or at thy voice be spirited to fly upon a foe,

Thy mind thus wretched? For myself, I was not injur’d so

155 By any Trojan, that my pow’rs should bid them any blows;

In nothing bear they blame of me; Phthia, whose bosom flows

With corn and people, never felt impair of her increase

By their invasion; hills enow, and far-resounding seas,

Pour out their shades and deeps between; but thee, thou frontless man,

160 We follow, and thy triumphs make with bonfires of our bane;

Thine, and thy brother’s, vengeance sought, thou dog’s eyes, of this Troy

By our expos’d lives; whose deserts thou neither dost employ

With honour nor with care. And now, thou threat’st to force from me

The fruit of my sweat, which the Greeks gave all; and though it be,

165 Compar’d with thy part, then snatch’d up, nothing; nor ever is

At any sack’d town; but of fight, the fetcher in of this,

My hands have most share; in whose toils when I have emptied me

Of all my forces, my amends in liberality,

Though it be little, I accept, and turn pleas’d to my tent;

170 And yet that little thou esteem’st too great a continent

In thy incontinent avarice. For Phthia therefore now

My course is; since ’tis better far, than here t’ endure that thou

I.8

Should’st still be ravishing my right, draw my whole treasure dry,

And add dishonour.” He replied: “If thy heart serve thee, fly;

175 Stay not for my cause; others here will aid and honour me;

If not, yet Jove I know is sure; that counsellor is he

That I depend on. As for thee, of all our Jove-kept kings

Thou still art most my enemy; strifes, battles, bloody things,

Make thy blood-feasts still. But if strength, that these moods build upon,

180 Flow in thy nerves, God gave thee it; and so ’tis not thine own,

But in his hánds still. What then lifts thy pride in this so high?

Home with thy fleet, and Myrmidons; use there their empery;

Command not here. I weigh thee not, nor mean to magnify

Thy rough-hewn rages, but, instead, I thus far threaten thee:

185 Since Phœbus needs will force from me Chryseis, she shall go;

My ships and friends shall waft her home; but I will imitate so

His pleasure, that mine own shall take, in person, from thy tent

Bright-cheek’d Briseis; and so tell thy strength how eminent

My pow’r is, being compar’d with thine; all other making fear

190 To vaunt equality with me, or in this proud kind bear

Their beards against me.” Thetis’ son at this stood vex’d, his heart

Bristled his bosom, and two ways drew his discursive part;

If, from his thigh his sharp sword drawn, he should make room about

Atrides’ person, slaught’ring him, or sit his anger out,

195 And curb his spirit. While these thoughts striv’d in his blood and mind,

And he his sword drew, down from heav’n Athenia stoop’d, and shin’d

About his temples, being sent by th’ ivory-wristed Queen,

Saturnia, who out of her heart had ever loving been,

And careful for the good of both. She stood behind, and took

200 Achilles by the yellow curls, and only gave her look

I.9

To him appearance; not a man of all the rest could see.

He turning back his eye, amaze strook every faculty;

Yet straight he knew her by her eyes, so terrible they were,

Sparkling with ardour, and thus spake: “Thou seed of Jupiter,

205 Why com’st thou? To behold his pride, that boasts our empery?

Then witness with it my revenge, and see that insolence die

That lives to wrong me.” She replied: “I come from heav’n to see

Thy anger settled, if thy soul will use her sov’reignty

In fit reflection. I am sent from Juno, whose affects

210 Stand heartily inclin’d to both. Come, give us both respects,

And cease contention; draw no sword; use words, and such as may

Be bitter to his pride, but just; for, trust in what I say,

A time shall come, when, thrice the worth of that he forceth now,

He shall propose for recompense of these wrongs; therefore throw

215 Reins on thy passions, and serve us.” He answer’d: “Though my heart

Burn in just anger, yet my soul must conquer th’ angry part,

And yield you conquest. Who subdues his earthly part for heav’n,

Heav’n to his pray’rs subdues his wish.” This said, her charge was given

Fit honour; in his silver hilt he held his able hand,

220 And forc’d his broad sword up; and up to heav’n did re-ascend

Minerva, who, in Jove’s high roof that bears the rough shield, took

Her place with other deities. She gone, again forsook

Patience his passion, and no more his silence could confine

His wrath, that this broad language gave: “Thou ever steep’d in wine,

225 Dog’s face, with heart but of a hart, that nor in th’ open eye

Of fight dar’st thrust into a prease, nor with our noblest lie

In secret ambush! These works seem too full of death for thee;

’Tis safer far in th’ open host to dare an injury

To any crosser of thy lust. Thou subject-eating king!

230 Base spirits thou govern’st, or this wrong had been the last foul thing

Thou ever author’dst; yet I vow, and by a great oath swear,

Ev’n by this sceptre, that, as this never again shall bear

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Green leaves or branches, nor increase with any growth his size,

Nor did since first it left the hills, and had his faculties

235 And ornaments bereft with iron; which now to other end

Judges of Greece bear, and their laws, receiv’d from Jove, defend;

(For which my oath to thee is great); so, whensoever need

Shall burn with thirst of me thy host, no pray’rs shall ever breed

Affection in me to their aid, though well-deservéd woes

240 Afflict thee for them, when to death man-slaught’ring Hector throws

Whole troops of them, and thou torment’st thy vex’d mind with conceit

Of thy rude rage now, and his wrong that most deserv’d the right

Of all thy army.” Thus, he threw his sceptre ’gainst the ground,

With golden studs stuck, and took seat. Atrides’ breast was drown’d

245 In rising choler. Up to both sweet-spoken Nestor stood,

The cunning Pylian orator, whose tongue pour’d forth a flood

Of more-than-honey-sweet discourse; two ages were increas’d

Of divers-languag’d men, all born in his time and deceas’d,

In sacred Pylos, where he reign’d amongst the third-ag’d men.

250 He, well-seen in the world, advis’d, and thus express’d it then:

“O Gods! Our Greek earth will be drown’d in just tears; rapeful Troy,

Her king, and all his sons, will make as just a mock, and joy,

Of these disjunctions; if of you, that all our host excel

In counsel and in skill of fight, they hear this. Come, repel

255 These young men’s passions. Y’ are not both, put both your years in one,

So old as I. I liv’d long since, and was companion

With men superior to you both, who yet would ever hear

My counsels with respect. My eyes yet never witness were,

Nor ever will be, of such men as then delighted them;

260 Pirithous, Exadius, and god-like Polypheme,

Cæneus, and Dryas prince of men, Ægean Theseüs,

A man like heav’n’s immortals form’d; all, all most vigorous,

I.11

Of all men that ev’n those days bred; most vig’rous men, and fought

With beasts most vig’rous, mountain beasts, (for men in strength were nought

265 Match’d with their forces) fought with them, and bravely fought them down

Yet ev’n with these men I convers’d, being call’d to the renown

Of their societies, by their suits, from Pylos far, to fight

In th’ Apian kingdom; and I fought, to a degree of might

That help’d ev’n their mights, against such as no man now would dare

270 To meet in conflict; yet ev’n these my counsels still would hear,

And with obedience crown my words. Give you such palm to them;

’Tis better than to wreath your wraths. Atrides, give not stream

To all thy pow’r, nor force his prise, but yield her still his own,

As all men else do. Nor do thou encounter with thy crown,

275 Great son of Peleus, since no king that ever Jove allow’d

Grace of a sceptre equals him. Suppose thy nerves endow’d

With strength superior, and thy birth a very goddess gave,

Yet he of force is mightier, since what his own nerves have

Is amplified with just command of many other. King of men,

280 Command thou then thyself; and I with my pray’rs will obtain

Grace of Achilles to subdue his fury; whose parts are

Worth our intreaty, being chief check to all our ill in war.”

“All this, good father,” said the king, “is comely and good right;

But this man breaks all such bounds; he affects, past all men, height;

I.12

285 All would in his pow’r hold, all make his subjects, give to all

His hot will for their temp’rate law; all which he never shall

Persuade at my hands. If the gods have giv’n him the great style

Of ablest soldier, made they that his licence to revile

Men with vile language?” Thetis’ son prevented him, and said:

290 “Fearful and vile I might be thought, if the exactions laid

By all means on me I should bear. Others command to this,

Thou shalt not me; or if thou dost, far my free spirit is

From serving thy command. Beside, this I affirm (afford

Impression of it in thy soul) I will not use my sword

295 On thee or any for a wench, unjustly though thou tak’st

The thing thou gav’st; but all things else, that in my ship thou mak’st

Greedy survey of, do not touch without my leave; or do,—

Add that act’s wrong to this, that these may see that outrage too,

And then comes my part; then be sure, thy blood upon my lance

300 Shall flow in vengeance.” These high terms these two at variance

Us’d to each other; left their seats; and after them arose

The whole court. To his tents and ships, with friends and soldiers, goes

Angry Achilles. Atreus’ son the swift ship launch’d, and put

Within it twenty chosen row’rs, within it likewise shut

305 The hecatomb t’ appease the God; then caus’d to come aboard

Fair-cheek’d Chryseis; for the chief, he in whom Pallas pour’d

Her store of counsels, Ithacus, aboard went last; and then

The moist ways of the sea they sail’d. And now the king of men

Bade all the host to sacrifice. They sacrific’d, and cast

310 The offal of all to the deeps; the angry God they grac’d

With perfect hecatombs; some bulls, some goats, along the shore

Of the unfruitful sea, inflam’d. To heav’n the thick fumes bore

I.13

Enwrappéd savours. Thus, though all the politic king made shew

Respects to heav’n, yet he himself all that time did pursue

315 His own affections; the late jar, in which he thunder’d threats

Against Achilles, still he fed, and his affections’ heats

Thus vented to Talthybius, and grave Eurybates,

Heralds, and ministers of trust, to all his messages.

“Haste to Achilles’ tent; where take Briseis’ hand, and bring

320 Her beauties to us. If he fail to yield her, say your king

Will come himself, with multitudes that shall the horribler

Make both his presence, and your charge, that so he dares defer.”

This said, he sent them with a charge of hard condition.

They went unwillingly, and trod the fruitless sea’s shore; soon

325 They reach’d the navy and the tents, in which the quarter lay

Of all the Myrmidons, and found the chief Chief in their sway

Set at his black bark in his tent. Nor was Achilles glad

To see their presence; nor themselves in any glory had

Their message, but with rev’rence stood, and fear’d th’ offended king,

330 Ask’d not the dame, nor spake a word. He yet, well knowing the thing

That caus’d their coming, grac’d them thus: “Heralds, ye men that bear

The messages of men and gods, y’ are welcome, come ye near.

I nothing blame you, but your king; ’tis he I know doth send

You for Briseis; she is his. Patroclus, honour’d friend,

335 Bring forth the damsel, and these men let lead her to their lord.

But, heralds, be you witnesses, before the most ador’d,

Before us mortals, and before your most ungentle king,

Of what I suffer, that, if war ever hereafter bring

My aid in question, to avert any severest bane

340 It brings on others, I am ’scus’d to keep mine aid in wane,

Since they mine honour. But your king, in tempting mischief, raves,

Nor sees at once by present things the future; how like waves

Ills follow ills; injustices being never so secure

In present times, but after-plagues ev’n then are seen as sure;

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345 Which yet he sees not, and so soothes his present lust, which, check’d,

Would check plagues future; and he might, in succouring right, protect

Such as fight for his right at fleet. They still in safety fight,

That fight still justly.” This speech us’d, Patroclus did the rite

His friend commanded, and brought forth Briseis from her tent,

350 Gave her the heralds, and away to th’ Achive ships they went.

She sad, and scarce for grief could go. Her love all friends forsook,

And wept for anger. To the shore of th’ old sea he betook

Himself alone, and casting forth upon the purple sea

His wet eyes, and his hands to heav’n advancing, this sad plea

355 Made to his mother; “Mother! Since you brought me forth to breathe

So short a life, Olympius had good right to bequeath

My short life honour; yet that right he doth in no degree,

But lets Atrides do me shame, and force that prise from me

That all the Greeks gave.” This with tears he utter’d, and she heard,

360 Set with her old sire in his deeps, and instantly appear’d

Up from the grey sea like a cloud, sate by his side, and said:

“Why weeps my son? What grieves thee? Speak, conceal not what hath laid

Such hard hand on thee, let both know.” He, sighing like a storm,

Replied: “Thou dost know. Why should I things known again inform?

365 We march’d to Thebes, the sacred town of king Eëtion,

Sack’d it, and brought to fleet the spoil, which every valiant son

Of Greece indifferently shar’d. Atrides had for share

Fair cheek’d Chryseis. After which, his priest that shoots so far,

Chryses, the fair Chryseis’ sire, arriv’d at th’ Achive fleet,

370 With infinite ransom, to redeem the dear imprison’d feet

Of his fair daughter. In his hands he held Apollo’s crown,

And golden sceptre; making suit to ev’ry Grecian son,

But most the sons of Atreüs, the others’ orderers,

Yet they least heard him; all the rest receiv’d with rev’rend ears

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375 The motion, both the priest and gifts gracing, and holding worth

His wish’d acceptance. Atreus’ son yet (vex’d) commanded forth

With rude terms Phœbus’ rev’rend priest; who, angry, made retreat,

And pray’d to Phœbus, in whose grace he standing passing great

Got his petitión. The God an ill shaft sent abroad

380 That tumbled down the Greeks in heaps. The host had no abode

That was not visited. We ask’d a prophet that well knew

The cause of all; and from his lips Apollo’s prophecies flew,

Telling his anger. First myself exhorted to appease

The anger’d God; which Atreus’ son did at the heart displease,

385 And up he stood, us’d threats, perform’d. The black-eyed Greeks sent home

Chryseis to her sire, and gave his God a hecatomb.

Then, for Briseis, to my tents Atrides’ heralds came,

And took her that the Greeks gave all. If then thy pow’rs can frame

Wreak for thy son, afford it. Scale Olympus, and implore

390 Jove (if by either word, or fact, thou ever didst restore

Joy to his griev’d heart) now to help. I oft have heard thee vaunt,

In court of Peleus, that alone thy hand was conversant.

In rescue from a cruel spoil the black-cloud-gath’ring Jove,

Whom other Godheads would have bound (the Pow’r whose pace doth move

395 The round earth, heav’n’s great Queen, and Pallas); to whose bands

Thou cam’st with rescue, bringing up him with the hundred hands

To great Olympus, whom the Gods call Briarëus, men

Ægæon, who his sire surpass’d, and was as strong again,

And in that grace sat glad by Jove. Th’ immortals stood dismay’d

400 At his ascensïon, and gave free passage to his aid.

Of all this tell Jove; kneel to him, embrace his knee, and pray,

If Troy’s aid he will ever deign, that now their forces may

I.16

Beat home the Greeks to fleet and sea; embruing their retreat

In slaughter; their pains pay’ng the wreak of their proud sov’reign’s heat;

405 And that far-ruling king may know, from his poor soldier’s harms

His own harm falls; his own and all in mine, his best in arms.”

Her answer she pour’d out in tears: “O me, my son,” said she,

“Why brought I up thy being at all, that brought thee forth to be

Sad subject of so hard a fate? O would to heav’n, that since

410 Thy fate is little, and not long, thou might’st without offence

And tears perform it! But to live, thrall to so stern a fate

As grants thee least life, and that least so most unfortunate,

Grieves me t’ have giv’n thee any life. But what thou wishest now,

If Jove will grant, I’ll up and ask; Olympus crown’d with snow

415 I’ll climb; but sit thou fast at fleet, renounce all war, and feed

Thy heart with wrath, and hope of wreak; till which come, thou shalt need

A little patience. Jupiter went yesterday to feast

Amongst the blameless Æthiops, in th’ ocean’s deepen’d breast,

All Gods attending him; the twelfth, high heav’n again he sees,

420 And then his brass-pav’d court I’ll scale, cling to his pow’rful knees,

And doubt not but to win thy wish.” Thus, made she her remove,

And left wrath tyring on her son, for his enforcèd love.

Ulysses, with the hecatomb, arriv’d at Chrysa’s shore;

And when amidst the hav’n’s deep mouth, they came to use the oar,

425 They straight strook sail, then roll’d them up, and on the hatches threw;

The top-mast to the kelsine then, with halyards down they drew;

Then brought the ship to port with oars; then forkéd anchor cast;

And, ’gainst the violence of storm, for drifting made her fast.

All come ashore, they all expos’d the holy hecatomb

430 To angry Phœbus, and, with it, Chryseis welcom’d home;

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Whom to her sire, wise Ithacus, that did at th’ altar stand,

For honour led, and, spoken thus, resign’d her to his hand:

“Chryses, the mighty king of men, great Agamemnon, sends

Thy lov’d seed by my hands to thine; and to thy God commends

435 A hecatomb, which my charge is to sacrifice, and seek

Our much-sigh-mix’d woe his recure, invok’d by ev’ry Greek.”

Thus he resign’d her, and her sire receiv’d her highly joy’d.

About the well-built altar, then, they orderly employ’d

The sacred off’ring, wash’d their hands, took salt cakes; and the priest,

440 With hands held up to heav’n, thus pray’d: “O thou that all things seest,

Fautour of Chrysa, whose fair hand doth guardfully dispose

Celestial Cilla, governing in all pow’r Tenedos,

O hear thy priest, and as thy hand, in free grace to my pray’rs,

Shot fervent plague-shafts through the Greeks, now hearten their affairs

445 With health renew’d, and quite remove th’ infection from their blood.”

He pray’d; and to his pray’rs again the God propitious stood.

All, after pray’r, cast on salt cakes, drew back, kill’d, flay’d the beeves,

Cut out and dubb’d with fat their thighs, fair dress’d with doubled leaves,

And on them all the sweetbreads prick’d. The priest, with small sere wood,

450 Did sacrifice, pour’d on red wine; by whom the young men stood,

And turn’d, in five ranks, spits; on which (the legs enough) they eat

The inwards; then in giggots cut the other fit for meat,

And put to fire; which, roasted well they drew. The labour done,

They serv’d the feast in, that fed all to satisfaction.

455 Desire of meat and wine thus quench’d, the youths crown’d cups of wine

Drunk off, and fill’d again to all. That day was held divine,

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And spent in pæans to the Sun, who heard with pleaséd ear;

When whose bright chariot stoop’d to sea, and twilight hid the clear,

All soundly on their cables slept, ev’n till the night was worn.

460 And when the lady of the light, the rosy-finger’d Morn,

Rose from the hills, all fresh arose, and to the camp retir’d.

Apollo with a fore-right wind their swelling bark inspir’d.

The top-mast hoisted, milk-white sails on his round breast they put,

The mizens strooted with the gale, the ship her course did cut

465 So swiftly that the parted waves against her ribs did roar;

Which, coming to the camp, they drew aloft the sandy shore,

Where, laid on stocks, each soldier kept his quarter as before.

But Peleus’ son, swift-foot Achilles, at his swift ships sate,

Burning in wrath, nor ever came to councils of estate

470 That make men honour’d, never trod the fierce embattled field,

But kept close, and his lov’d heart pin’d, what fight and cries could yield

Thirsting at all parts to the host. And now, since first he told

His wrongs to Thetis, twelve fair morns their ensigns did unfold,

And then the ever-living gods mounted Olympus, Jove

475 First in ascension. Thetis then, remember’d well to move

Achilles’ motion, rose from sea, and, by the morn’s first light,

The great heav’n and Olympus climb’d; where, in supremest height

Of all that many-headed hill, she saw the far-seen son

Of Saturn, set from all the rest, in his free seat alone.

480 Before whom, on her own knees fall’n, the knees of Jupiter

Her left hand held, her right his chin, and thus she did prefer

Her son’s petition: “Father Jove! If ever I have stood

Aidful to thee in word or work, with this imploréd good

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Requite my aid, renown my son, since in so short a race

485 (Past others) thou confin’st his life. An insolent disgrace

Is done him by the king of men; he forc’d from him a prise

Won with his sword. But thou, O Jove, that art most strong, most wise,

Honour my son for my sake; add strength to the Trojans’ side

By his side’s weakness in his want; and see Troy amplified

490 In conquest, so much, and so long, till Greece may give again

The glory reft him, and the more illustrate the free reign

Of his wrong’d honour.” Jove at this sate silent; not a word

In long space pass’d him. Thetis still hung on his knee, implor’d

The second time his help, and said: “Grant, or deny my suit,

495 Be free in what thou dost; I know, thou canst not sit thus mute

For fear of any; speak, deny, that so I may be sure,

Of all heav’n’s Goddesses ’tis I, that only must endure

Dishonour by thee.” Jupiter, the great cloud-gath’rer, griev’d

With thought of what a world of griefs this suit ask’d, being achiev’d,

500 Swell’d, sigh’d, and answer’d: “Works of death thou urgest. O, at this

Juno will storm, and all my pow’rs inflame with contumelies.

Ever she wrangles, charging me in ear of all the Gods

That I am partial still, that I add the displeasing odds

Of my aid to the Ilians. Begone then, lest she see;

505 Leave thy request to my care; yet, that trust may hearten thee

With thy desire’s grant, and my pow’r to give it act approve

How vain her strife is, to thy pray’r my eminent head shall move;

Which is the great sign of my will with all th’ immortal states;

Irrevocable; never fails; never without the rates

510 Of all pow’rs else; when my head bows, all heads bow with it still

As their first mover; and gives pow’r to any work I will.”

He said; and his black eyebrows bent; above his deathless head

Th’ ambrosian curls flow’d; great heav’n shook: and both were severéd,

Their counsels broken. To the depth of Neptune’s kingdom div’d

515 Thetis from heav’n’s height; Jove arose; and all the Gods receiv’d

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(All rising from their thrones) their Sire, attending to his court.

None sate when he rose, none delay’d the furnishing his port

Till he came near; all met with him, and brought him to his throne.

Nor sate great Juno ignorant, when she beheld alone

520 Old Nereus’ silver-footed seed with Jove, that she had brought

Counsels to heav’n; and straight her tongue had teeth in it, that wrought

This sharp invective: “Who was that (thou craftiest counsellor

Of all the Gods) that so apart some secret did implore?

Ever, apart from me, thou lov’st to counsel and decree

525 Things of more close trust than thou think’st are fit t’ impart to me.

Whatever thou determin’st, I must ever be denied

The knowledge of it by thy will.” To her speech thus replied

The Father both of men and Gods: “Have never hope to know

My whole intentions, though my wife; it fits not, nor would show

530 Well to thine own thoughts; but what fits thy woman’s ear to hear,

Woman, nor man, nor God, shall know before it grace thine ear.

Yet what, apart from men and Gods, I please to know, forbear

T’ examine, or inquire of that.” She with the cow’s fair eyes,

Respected Juno, this return’d: “Austere king of the skies,

535 What hast thou utter’d? When did I before this time inquire,

Or sift thy counsels? Passing close you are still. Your desire

Is serv’d with such care, that I fear you can scarce vouch the deed

That makes it public, being seduc’d by this old sea-god’s seed,

That could so early use her knees, embracing thine. I doubt,

540 The late act of thy bowéd head was for the working out

Of some boon she ask’d; that her son thy partial hand would please

With plaguing others.” “Wretch!” said he, “thy subtle jealousies

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Are still exploring; my designs can never ’scape thine eye,

Which yet thou never canst prevent. Thy curiosity

545 Makes thee less car’d for at my hands, and horrible the end

Shall make thy humour. If it be what thy suspécts intend,

What then? ’Tis my free will it should; to which let way be giv’n

With silence. Curb your tongue in time; lest all the Gods in heav’n

Too few be and too weak to help thy punish’d insolence,

550 When my inaccessible hands shall fall on thee.” The sense

Of this high threat’ning made her fear, and silent she sate down,

Humbling her great heart. All the Gods in court of Jove did frown

At this offence giv’n; amongst whom heav’n’s famous artizan,

Ephaistus, in his mother’s care, this comely speech began:

555 “Believe it, these words will breed wounds, beyond our pow’rs to bear,

If thus for mortals ye fall out. Ye make a tumult here

That spoils our banquet. Evermore worst matters put down best.

But, mother, though yourself be wise, yet let your son request

His wisdom audience. Give good terms to our lov’d father Jove,

560 For fear he take offence again, and our kind banquet prove

A wrathful battle. If he will, the heav’nly Light’ner can

Take you and toss you from your throne; his pow’r Olympian

Is so surpassing. Soften then with gentle speech his spleen,

And drink to him; I know his heart will quickly down again.”

565 This said, arising from his throne, in his lov’d mother’s hand

He put the double-handed cup, and said: “Come, do not stand;

On these cross humours, suffer, bear, though your great bosom grieve,

And lest blows force you; all my aid not able to relieve

Your hard condition, though these eyes behold it, and this heart

570 Sorrow to think it. ’Tis a task too dang’rous to take part

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Against Olympius. I myself the proof of this still feel.

When other Gods would fain have help’d, he took me by the heel,

And hurl’d me out of heav’n. All day I was in falling down;

At length in Lemnos I strook earth. The likewise-falling sun

575 And I, together, set; my life almost set too; yet there

The Sintii cheer’d and took me up.” This did to laughter cheer

White-wristed Juno, who now took the cup of him, and smil’d.

The sweet peace-making draught went round, and lame Ephaistus fill’d

Nectar to all the other Gods. A laughter never left

580 Shook all the blesséd deities, to see the lame so deft

At that cup service. All that day, ev’n till the sun went down,

They banqueted, and had such cheer as did their wishes crown.

Nor had they music less divine; Apollo there did touch

His most sweet harp, to which, with voice, the Muses pleas’d as much.

585 But when the sun’s fair light was set, each Godhead to his house

Address’d for sleep, where ev’ry one, with art most curious,

By heav’n’s great both-foot-halting God a sev’ral roof had built.

Ev’n he to sleep went, by whose hand heav’n is with lightning gilt,

High Jove, where he had us’d to rest when sweet sleep seiz’d his eyes;

590 By him the golden-thron’d Queen slept, the Queen of deities.

he other Gods, and knights at arms, all night slept; only Jove

Sweet slumber seiz’d not; he discours’d how best he might approve

His vow made for Achilles’ grace, and make the Grecians find

His miss in much death. All ways cast, this counsel serv’d his mind

5 With most allowance; to dispatch a harmful Dream to greet

The king of men, and gave this charge: “Go to the Achive fleet,

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Pernicious Dream, and, being arriv’d in Agamemnon’s tent,

Deliver truly all this charge. Command him to convent

His whole host arm’d before these tow’rs; for now Troy’s broad-way’d town

10 He shall take in; the heav’n-hous’d Gods are now indiff’rent grown:

Juno’s request hath won them; Troy now under imminent ills

At all parts labours.” This charge heard, the Vision straight fulfils;

The ships reach’d, and Atrides’ tent, in which he found him laid,

Divine sleep pour’d about his pow’rs. He stood above his head

15 Like Nestor, grac’d of old men most, and this did intimate:

“Sleeps the wise Atreus’ tame-horse son? A councillor of state

Must not the whole night spend in sleep, to whom the people are

For guard committed, and whose life stands bound to so much care.

Now hear me, then, Jove’s messenger, who, though far off from thee,

20 Is near thee yet in ruth and care, and gives command by me

To arm thy whole host. Thy strong hand the broad-way’d town of Troy

Shall now take in; no more the Gods dissentiously employ

Their high-hous’d powérs; Juno’s suit hath won them all to her;

And ill fates overhang these tow’rs, address’d by Jupiter.

25 Fix in thy mind this, nor forget to give it action, when

Sweet sleep shall leave thee.” Thus, he fled; and left the king of men

Repeating in discourse his dream, and dreaming still, awake,

Of pow’r, not ready yet for act. O fool, he thought to take

In that next day old Priam’s town; not knowing what affairs

30 Jove had in purpose, who prepar’d, by strong fight, sighs and cares

For Greeks and Trojans. The Dream gone, his voice still murmuréd

About the king’s ears; who sate up, put on him in his bed

I.30

His silken inner weed, fair, new; and then in haste arose,

Cast on his ample mantle, tied to his soft feet fair shoes,

35 His silver-hilted sword he hung about his shoulders, took

His father’s sceptre never stain’d, which then abroad he shook,

And went to fleet. And now great heav’n Goddess Aurora scal’d,

To Jove, and all Gods, bringing light; when Agamemnon call’d

His heralds, charging them aloud to call to instant court

40 The thick-hair’d Greeks. The heralds call’d; the Greeks made quick resort.

The Council chiefly he compos’d of old great-minded men,

At Nestor’s ships, the Pylian king. All there assembled then,

Thus Atreus’ son begun the court: “Hear, friends: A Dream divine,

Amidst the calm night in my sleep, did through my shut eyes shine,

45 Within my fantasy. His form did passing naturally

Resemble Nestor; such attire, a stature just as high.

He stood above my head, and words thus fashion’d did relate:

‘Sleeps the wise Atreus’ tame-horse son? A councillor of state

Must not the whole night spend in sleep, to whom the people are

50 For guard committed, and whose life stands bound to so much care,

Now hear me then, Jove’s messenger, who, though far off from thee,

Is near thee yet in love and care, and gives command by me

To arm thy whole host. Thy strong hand the broad-way’d town of Troy

Shall now take in; no more the Gods dissentiously employ

55 Their high-hous’d pow’rs; Saturnia’s suit hath won them all to her;

And ill fates over-hang these tow’rs, address’d by Jupiter.

Fix in thy mind this.’ This express’d, he took wing and away,

And sweet sleep left me. Let us then by all our means assay

To arm our army; I will first (as far as fits our right)

60 Try their addictions, and command with full-sail’d ships our flight;

I.31

Which if they yield to, oppose you.” He sate, and up arose

Nestor, of sandy Pylos king, who, willing to dispose

Their counsel to the public good, propos’d this to the state:

“Princes and Councillors of Greece, if any should relate

65 This vision but the king himself, it might be held a tale,

And move the rather our retreat; but since our General

Affirms he saw it, hold it true, and all our best means make

To arm our army.” This speech us’d, he first the Council brake;

The other sceptre-bearing States arose too, and obey’d

70 The people’s Rector. Being abroad, the earth was overlaid

With flockers to them, that came forth, as when of frequent bees

Swarms rise out of a hollow rock, repairing the degrees

Of their egression endlessly, with ever rising new

From forth their sweet nest; as their store, still as it faded, grew,

75 And never would cease sending forth her clusters to the spring,

They still crowd out so; this flock here, that there, belabouring

The loaded flow’rs; so from the ships and tents the army’s store

Troop’d to these princes and the court, along th’ unmeasur’d shore;

Amongst whom, Jove’s ambassadress, Fame, in her virtue shin’d,

80 Exciting greediness to hear. The rabble, thus inclin’d,

Hurried together; uproar seiz’d the high court; earth did groan

Beneath the settling multitude; tumult was there alone.

Thrice-three vocif’rous heralds rose, to check the rout, and get

Ear to their Jove-kept governors; and instantly was set

85 That huge confusion; ev’ry man set fast, the clamour ceas’d.

Then stood divine Atrides up, and in his hand compress’d

His sceptre, th’ elabórate work of fi’ry Mulciber,

Who gave it to Saturnian Jove; Jove to his messenger;

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His messenger, Argicides, to Pelops, skill’d in horse;

90 Pelops to Atreus, chief of men; he, dying, gave it course

To prince Thyestes, rich in herds; Thyestes to the hand

Of Agamemnon render’d it, and with it the command

Of many isles, and Argos all. On this he leaning, said:

“O friends, great sons of Danaus, servants of Mars, Jove laid

95 A heavy curse on me, to vow, and bind it with the bent

Of his high forehead; that, this Troy of all her people spent,

I should return; yet now to mock our hopes built on his vow,

And charge ingloriously my flight, when such an overthrow

Of brave friends I have authoréd. But to his mightiest will

100 We must submit us, that hath raz’d, and will be razing still,

Men’s footsteps from so many towns; because his pow’r is most,

He will destroy most. But how vile such and so great an host

Will show to future times, that, match’d with lesser numbers far,

We fly, not putting on the crown of our so long-held war,

105 Of which there yet appears no end! Yet should our foes and we

Strike truce, and number both our pow’rs; Troy taking all that be

Her arm’d inhabitants, and we, in tens, should all sit down

At our truce banquet, ev’ry ten allow’d one of the town

To fill his feast-cup; many tens would their attendant want;

110 So much I must affirm our pow’r exceeds th’ inhabitant.

But their auxiliáry bands, those brandishers of spears,

From many cities drawn, are they that are our hinderers,

Not suff’ring well-rais’d Troy to fall. Nine years are ended now,

Since Jove our conquest vow’d; and now, our vessels rotten grow,

115 Our tackling fails; our wives, young sons, sit in their doors and long

For our arrival; yet the work, that should have wreak’d our wrong,

I.33

And made us welcome, lies unwrought. Come then, as I bid, all

Obey, and fly to our lov’d home; for now, nor ever, shall

Our utmost take-in broad-way’d Troy.” This said, the multitude

120 Was all for home; and all men else that what this would conclude

Had not discover’d. All the crowd was shov’d about the shore,

In sway, like rude and raging waves, rous’d with the fervent blore

Of th’ east and south winds, when they break from Jove’s clouds, and are borne

On rough backs of th’ Icarian seas: or like a field of corn

125 High grown, that Zephyr’s vehement gusts bring eas’ly underneath,

And make the stiff up-bristled ears do homage to his breath;

For ev’n so eas’ly, with the breath Atrides us’d, was sway’d

The violent multitude. To fleet with shouts, and disarray’d,

All rush’d; and, with a fog of dust, their rude feet dimm’d the day;

130 Each cried to other, ‘Cleanse our ships, come, launch, aboard, away.’

The clamour of the runners home reach’d heav’n; and then, past fate,

The Greeks had left Troy, had not then the Goddess of estate

Thus spoke to Pallas: “O foul shame, thou untam’d seed of Jove,

Shall thus the sea’s broad back be charg’d with these our friends’ remove,

135 Thus leaving Argive Helen here, thus Priam grac’d, thus Troy,

In whose fields, far from their lov’d own, for Helen’s sake, the joy

And life of so much Grecian birth is vanish’d? Take thy way

T’ our brass-arm’d people, speak them fair, let not a man obey

The charge now giv’n, nor launch one ship.” She said, and Pallas did

140 As she commanded; from the tops of heav’n’s steep hill she slid,

And straight the Greeks’ swift ships she reach’d; Ulysses (like to Jove

In gifts of counsel) she found out; who to that base remove

Stirr’d not a foot, nor touch’d a ship, but griev’d at heart to see

That fault in others. To him close the blue-eyed Deity

145 Made way, and said: “Thou wisest Greek, divine Laertes’ son,

Thus fly ye homewards to your ships? Shall all thus headlong run?

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Glory to Priam thus ye leave, glory to all his friends,

If thus ye leave her here, for whom so many violent ends

Have clos’d your Greek eyes, and so far from their so lovéd home.

150 Go to these people, use no stay, with fair terms overcome

Their foul endeavour, not a man a flying sail let hoice.”

Thus spake she; and Ulysses knew ’twas Pallas by her voice,

Ran to the runners, cast from him his mantle, which his man

And herald, grave Eurybates, the Ithacensian

155 That follow’d him, took up. Himself to Agamemnon went,

His incorrupted sceptre took, his sceptre of descent,

And with it went about the fleet. What prince, or man of name,

He found flight-giv’n, he would restrain with words of gentlest blame:

“Good sir, it fits not you to fly, or fare as one afraid,

160 You should not only stay yourself, but see the people staid.

You know not clearly, though you heard the king’s words, yet his mind;

He only tries men’s spirits now, and, whom his trials find

Apt to this course, he will chastise. Nor you, nor I, heard all

He spake in council; nor durst press too near our General,

165 Lest we incens’d him to our hurt. The anger of a king

Is mighty; he is kept of Jove, and from Jove likewise spring

His honours, which, out of the love of wise Jove, he enjoys.”

Thus he the best sort us’d; the worst, whose spirits brake out in noise,

He cudgell’d with his sceptre, chid, and said: “Stay, wretch, be still,

170 And hear thy betters; thou art base, and both in pow’r and skill

Poor and unworthy, without name in council or in war.

We must not all be kings. The rule is most irregular,

Where many rule. One lord, one king, propose to thee; and he,

To whom wise Saturn’s son hath giv’n both law and empery

175 To rule the public, is that king.” Thus ruling, he restrain’d

The host from flight; and then again the Council was maintain’d

With such a concourse, that the shore rung with the tumult made;

I.35

As when the far-resounding sea doth in its rage invade

His sandy confines, whose sides groan with his involvéd wave,

180 And make his own breast echo sighs. All sate, and audience gave,

Thersites only would speak all. A most disorder’d store

Of words he foolishly pour’d out, of which his mind held more

Than it could manage; any thing, with which he could procure

Laughter, he never could contain. He should have yet been sure

185 To touch no kings; t’ oppose their states becomes not jesters’ parts.

But he the filthiest fellow was of all that had deserts

In Troy’s brave siege; he was squint-ey’d, and lame of either foot;

So crook-back’d, that he had no breast; sharp-headed, where did shoot

(Here and there spers’d) thin mossy hair. He most of all envied

190 Ulysses and Æacides, whom still his spleen would chide.

Nor could the sacred King himself avoid his saucy vein;

Against whom since he knew the Greeks did vehement hates sustain,

Being angry for Achilles’ wrong, he cried out, railing thus:

“Atrides, why complain’st thou now? What would’st thou more of us?

195 Thy tents are full of brass; and dames, the choice of all, are thine,

With whom we must present thee first, when any towns resign

To our invasion. Want’st thou then, besides all this, more gold

From Troy’s knights to redeem their sons, whom to be dearly sold

I or some other Greek must take? Or would’st thou yet again

200 Force from some other lord his prise, to soothe the lusts that reign

In thy encroaching appetite? It fits no prince to be

A prince of ill, and govern us, or lead our progeny

By rape to ruin. O base Greeks, deserving infamy,

And ills eternal! Greekish girls, not Greeks, ye are! Come, fly

205 Home with our ships; leave this man here to perish with his preys,

And try if we help’d him or not; he wrong’d a man that weighs

Far more than he himself in worth; he forc’d from Thetis’ son,

And keeps his prise still. Nor think I that mighty man hath won

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The style of wrathful worthily; he’s soft, he’s too remiss;

210 Or else, Atrides, his had been thy last of injuries.”

Thus he the people’s Pastor chid; but straight stood up to him

Divine Ulysses, who, with looks exceeding grave and grim,

This bitter check gave: “Cease, vain fool, to vent thy railing vein

On kings thus, though it serve thee well; nor think thou canst restrain,

215 With that thy railing faculty, their wills in least degree;

For not a worse, of all this host, came with our King than thee,

To Troy’s great siege; then do not take into that mouth of thine

The names of kings, much less revile the dignities that shine

In their supreme states, wresting thus this motion for our home,

220 To soothe thy cowardice; since ourselves yet know not what will come

Of these designments, if it be our good to stay, or go.

Nor is it that thou stand’st on; thou revil’st our Gen’ral so,

Only because he hath so much, not giv’n by such as thou

But our heroës. Therefore this thy rude vein makes me vow

225 (Which shall be curiously observ’d) if ever I shall hear

This madness from thy mouth again, let not Ulysses bear

This head, nor be the father call’d of young Telemachus,

If to thy nakedness I take and strip thee not, and thus

Whip thee to fleet from council; send, with sharp stripes, weeping hence

230 This glory thou affect’st to rail.” This said, his insolence

He settled with his sceptre; strook his back and shoulders so

That bloody wales rose. He shrunk round; and from his eyes did flow

Moist tears, and, looking filthily, he sate, fear’d, smarted, dried

His blubber’d cheeks; and all the prease, though griev’d to be denied

235 Their wish’d retreat for home, yet laugh’d delightsomely, and spake

Either to other: “O ye Gods, how infinitely take

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Ulysses’ virtues in our good! Author of counsels, great

In ord’ring armies, how most well this act became his heat,

To beat from council this rude fool! I think his saucy spirit,

240 Hereafter, will not let his tongue abuse the sov’reign merit,

Exempt from such base tongues as his.” Thus spake the people; then

The city-razer Ithacus stood up to speak again,

Holding his sceptre. Close to him gray-eyed Minerva stood,

And, like a herald, silence caus’d, that all the Achive brood

245 (From first to last) might hear and know the counsel; when, inclin’d

To all their good, Ulysses said: “Atrides, now I find

These men would render thee the shame of all men; nor would pay

Their own vows to thee, when they took their free and honour’d way

From Argos hither, that, till Troy were by their brave hands rac’d,

250 They would not turn home. Yet, like babes, and widows, now they haste

To that base refuge. ’Tis a spite to see men melted so

In womanish changes; though ’tis true, that if a man do go

Only a month to sea, and leave his wife far off, and he,

Tortur’d with winter’s storms, and toss’d with a tumultuous sea,

255 Grows heavy, and would home. Us then, to whom the thrice-three year

Hath fill’d his revoluble orb since our arrival here,

I blame not to wish home much more; yet all this time to stay,

Out of our judgments, for our end; and now to take our way

Without it, were absurd and vile. Sustain then, friends; abide

260 The time set to our object; try if Calchas prophesied

True of the time or not. We know, ye all can witness well,

(Whom these late death-conferring fates have fail’d to send to hell)

That when in Aulis, all our fleet assembled with a freight

Of ills to Ilion and her friends, beneath the fair grown height

265 A platane bore, about a fount, whence crystal water flow’d,

And near our holy altar, we upon the Gods bestow’d

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Accomplish’d hecatombs; and there appear’d a huge portent,

A dragon with a bloody scale, horrid to sight, and sent

To light by great Olympius; which, crawling from beneath

270 The altar, to the platane climb’d, and ruthless crash’d to death

A sparrow’s young, in number eight, that in a top-bough lay

Hid under leaves; the dam the ninth, that hover’d every way,

Mourning her lov’d birth, till at length, the serpent, watching her,

Her wing caught, and devour’d her too. This dragon, Jupiter,

275 That brought him forth, turn’d to a stone, and made a pow’rful mean

To stir our zeals up, that admir’d, when of a fact so clean,

Of all ill as our sacrifice, so fearful an ostent

Should be the issue. Calchas, then, thus prophesied th’ event

‘Why are ye dumb-strook, fair-hair’d Greeks? Wise Jove is he hath shown

280 This strange ostent to us. ’Twas late, and passing lately done,

But that grace it foregoes to us, for suff’ring all the state

Of his appearance (being so slow) nor time shall end, nor fate.

As these eight sparrows, and the dam (that made the ninth) were eat

By this stern serpent; so nine years we are t’ endure the heat

285 Of rav’nous war, and, in the tenth, take-in this broad-way’d town.’

Thus he interpreted this sign; and all things have their crown

As he interpreted, till now. The rest, then, to succeed

Believe as certain. Stay we all, till, that most glorious deed

Of taking this rich town, our hands are honour’d with.” This said,

290 The Greeks gave an unmeasur’d shout; which back the ships repaid

With terrible echoes, in applause of that persuasion

Divine Ulysses us’d; which yet held no comparison

With Nestor’s next speech, which was this: “O shameful thing! Ye talk

Like children all, that know not war. In what air’s region walk

295 Our oaths, and cov’nants? Now, I see the fit respects of men

Are vanish’d quite; our right hands giv’n, our faiths, our counsels vain,

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Our sacrifice with wine, all fled in that profanéd flame

We made to bind all; for thus still we vain persuasions frame,

And strive to work our end with words, not joining stratagemes

300 And hands together, though, thus long, the pow’r of our extremes

Hath urg’d us to them. Atreus’ son, firm as at first hour stand!

Make good thy purpose; talk no more in councils, but command

In active field. Let two or three, that by themselves advise,

Faint in their crowning; they are such as are not truly wise;

305 They will for Argos, ere they know if that which Jove hath said

Be false or true. I tell them all, that high Jove bow’d his head,

As first we went aboard our fleet, for sign we should confer

These Trojans their due fate and death; almighty Jupiter

All that day darting forth his flames, in an unmeasur’d light,

310 On our right hand. Let therefore none once dream of coward flight,

Till (for his own) some wife of Troy he sleeps withal, the rape

Of Helen wreaking, and our sighs enforc’d for her escape.

If any yet dare dote on home, let his dishonour’d haste

His black and well-built bark but touch, that (as he first disgrac’d

315 His country’s spirit) fate, and death, may first his spirit let go.

But be thou wise, king, do not trust thyself, but others. Know

I will not use an abject word. See all thy men array’d

In tribes and nations, that tribes tribes, nations may nations, aid.

Which doing, thou shalt know what chiefs, what soldiers, play the men,

320 And what the cowards; for they all will fight in sev’ral then,

Easy for note. And then shalt thou, if thou destroy’st not Troy,

Know if the prophecy’s defect, or men thou dost employ

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In their approv’d arts want in war, or lack of that brave heat

Fit for the vent’rous spirits of Greece, was cause to thy defeat.”

325 To this the king of men replied: “O father, all the sons

Of Greece thou conquer’st in the strife of consultations.

I would to Jove, Athenia, and Phœbus, I could make,

Of all, but ten such counsellors; then instantly would shake

King Priam’s city, by our hands laid hold on and laid waste.

330 But Jove hath order’d I should grieve, and to that end hath cast

My life into debates past end. Myself, and Thetis’ son,

Like girls, in words fought for a girl, and I th’ offence begun.

But if we ever talk as friends, Troy’s thus deferréd fall

Shall never vex us more one hour. Come then, to victuals all,

335 That strong Mars all may bring to field. Each man his lance’s steel

See sharpen’d well, his shield well lin’d, his horses meated well,

His chariot carefully made strong, that these affairs of death

We all day may hold fiercely out. No man must rest, or breath;

The bosoms of our targeteers must all be steep’d in sweat;

340 The lancer’s arm must fall dissolv’d; our chariot-horse with heat

Must seem to melt. But if I find one soldier take the chace,

Or stir from fight, or fight not still fix’d in his enemy’s face,

Or hid a-ship-board, all the world, for force, nor price, shall save

His hated life, but fowls and dogs be his abhorréd grave.”

345 He said; and such a murmur rose, as on a lofty shore

The waves make, when the south wind comes, and tumbles them before

Against a rock, grown near the strand which diversely beset

Is never free, but, here and there, with varied uproars beat.

All rose then, rushing to the fleet, perfum’d their tents, and eat;

350 Each off’ring to th’ immortal gods, and praying to ’scape the heat

Of war and death. The king of men an ox of five years’ spring

T’ almighty Jove slew, call’d the peers; first Nestor; then the king

Idomenëus; after them th’ Ajaces; and the son

Of Tydeus; Ithacus the sixth, in counsel paragon

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355 To Jove himself. All these he bade; but at-a-martial-cry

Good Menelaus, since he saw his brother busily

Employ’d at that time, would not stand on invitation,

But of himself came. All about the off’ring overthrown

Stood round, took salt-cakes, and the king himself thus pray’d for all:

360 “O Jove, most great, most glorious, that, in that starry hall,

Sitt’st drawing dark clouds up to air, let not the sun go down,

Darkness supplying it, till my hands the palace and the town

Of Priam overthrow and burn; the arms on Hector’s breast

Dividing, spoiling with my sword thousands, in interest

365 Of his bad quarrel, laid by him in dust, and eating earth.”

He pray’d; Jove heard him not, but made more plentiful the birth

Of his sad toils, yet took his gifts. Pray’rs past, cakes on they threw;

The ox then, to the altar drawn, they kill’d, and from him drew

His hide, then cut him up, his thighs, in two hewn, dubb’d with fat,

370 Prick’d on the sweetbreads, and with wood, leaveless, and kindled at

Apposéd fire, they burn the thighs; which done, the inwards, slit,

They broil’d on coals and eat; the rest, in giggots cut, they spit,

Roast cunningly, draw, sit, and feast; nought lack’d to leave allay’d

Each temp’rate appetite; which serv’d, Nestor began and said:

375 “Atrides, most grac’d king of men, now no more words allow,

Nor more defer the deed Jove vows. Let heralds summon now

The brazen-coated Greeks, and us range ev’rywhere the host,

To stir a strong war quickly up.” This speech no syllable lost;

The high-voic’d heralds instantly he charg’d to call to arms

380 The curl’d-head Greeks; they call’d; the Greeks straight answer’d their alarms.

The Jove-kept kings, about the king all gather’d, with their aid

Rang’d all in tribes and nations. With them the gray-eyed Maid

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Great Ægis (Jove’s bright shield) sustain’d, that can be never old,

Never corrupted, fring’d about with serpents forg’d of gold,

385 As many as suffic’d to make an hundred fringes, worth

An hundred oxen, ev’ry snake all sprawling, all set forth

With wondrous spirit. Through the host with this the Goddess ran,

In fury casting round her eyes, and furnish’d ev’ry man

With strength, exciting all to arms, and fight incessant. None

390 Now liked their lov’d homes like the wars. And as a fire upon

A huge wood, on the heights of hills, that far off hurls his light;

So the divine brass shin’d on these, thus thrusting on for fight,

Their splendour through the air reach’d heav’n. And as about the flood

Caïster, in an Asian mead, sflocks of the airy brood,

395 Cranes, geese, or long-neck’d swans, here, there, proud of their pinions fly,

And in their falls lay out such throats, that with their spiritful cry

The meadow shrieks again; so here, these many-nation’d men

Flow’d over the Scamandrian field, from tents and ships; the din

Was dreadful that the feet of men and horse beat out of earth.

400 And in the flourishing mead they stood, thick as the odorous birth

Of flow’rs, or leaves bred in the spring; or thick as swarms of flies

Throng then to sheep-cotes, when each swarm his erring wing applies

To milk dew’d on the milk-maid’s pails; all eagerly dispos’d

To give to ruin th’ Ilians. And as in rude heaps clos’d,

405 Though huge goatherds are at their food, the goatherds eas’ly yet

Sort into sundry herds; so here the chiefs in battle set

Here tribes, here nations, ord’ring all. Amongst whom shin’d the king,

With eyes like lightning-loving Jove, his forehead answering,

In breast like Neptune, Mars in waist. And as a goodly bull

410 Most eminent of all a herd, most wrong, most masterful,

So Agamemnon, Jove that day made overheighten clear

That heav’n-bright army, and preferr’d to all th’ heroes there.

Now tell me, Muses, you that dwell in heav’nly roofs, (for you

Are Goddesses, are present here, are wise, and all things know,

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415 We only trust the voice of fame, know nothing,) who they were

That here were captains of the Greeks, commanding princes here.

The multitude exceed my song, though fitted to my choice

Ten tongues were, harden’d palates ten, a breast of brass, a voice

Infract and trump-like; that great work, unless the seed of Jove,

420 The deathless Muses, undertake, maintains a pitch above

All mortal pow’rs. The princes then, and navy that did bring

Those so inenarrable troops, and all their soils, I sing.

THE CATALOGUE OF THE GRECIAN SHIPS AND CAPTAINS.

Peneleüs, and Leitus, all that Bœotia bred,

Arcesilaus, Clonius, and Prothoenor, led;

425 Th’ inhabitants of Hyria, and stony Aulida,

Schæne, Scole, the hilly Eteon, and holy Thespia,

Of Græa, and great Mycalesse, that hath the ample plain,

Of Harma, and Ilesius, and all that did remain

In Eryth, and in Eleon, in Hylen, Peteona,

430 In fair Ocalea, and, the town well-builded, Medeona,

Copas, Eutresis, Thisbe, that for pigeons doth surpass,

Of Coroneia, Haliart, that hath such store of grass,

All those that in Platæa dwelt, that Glissa did possess,

And Hypothebs, whose well-built walls are rare and fellowless,

435 In rich Onchestus’ famous wood, to wat’ry Neptune vow’d,

And Arne, where the vine-trees are with vigorous bunches bow’d,

With them that dwelt in Midea, and Nissa most divine,

All those whom utmost Anthedon did wealthily confine.

From all these coasts, in general, full fifty sail were sent;

440 And six score strong Bœotian youths in ev’ry burthen went.

But those who in Aspledon dwelt, and Minian Orchomen,

God Mars’s sons did lead (Ascalaphus and Ialmen)

Who in Azidon Actor’s house did of Astyoche come;

The bashful maid, as she went up into the higher room,

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445 The War-god secretly compress’d. In safe condúct of these,

Did thirty hollow-bottom’d barks divide the wavy seas.

Brave Schedius and Epistrophus, the Phocian captains were,

(Naubolida-Iphitus’ sons) all proof ’gainst any fear;

With them the Cyparissians went, and bold Pythonians,

450 Men of religious Chrysa’s soil, and fat Daulidians,

Panopæans, Anemores, and fierce Hyampolists;

And those that dwell where Cephisus casts up his silken mists;

The men that fair Lilæa held, near the Cephisian spring;

All which did forty sable barks to that designment bring.

455 About th’ entoil’d Phocensian fleet had these their sail assign’d;

And near to the sinister wing the arm’d Bœotians shin’d.

Ajax the less, Oïleus’ son, the Locrians led to war;

Not like to Ajax Telamon, but lesser man by far,

Little he was, and ever wore a breastplate made of linne,

460 But for the manage of his lance he gen’ral praise did win.

The dwellers of Caliarus, of Bessa, Opoën,

The youths of Cynus, Scarphis, and Augias, lovely men,

Of Tarphis, and of Thronius, near flood Boagrius’ fall;

Twice-twenty martial barks of these, less Ajax sail’d withal.

465 Who near Eubœa’s blesséd soil their habitations had,

Strength-breathing Abants, who their seats in sweet Eubœa made,

The Histiæans rich in grapes, the men of Chalcida,

The Cerinths bord’ring on the sea, of rich Eretria,

Of Dion’s highly-seated town, Charistus, and of Styre,

470 All these the duke Alphenor led, a flame of Mars’s fire,

Surnam’d Chalcodontiades, the mighty Abants’ guide,

Swift men of foot, whose broad-set backs their trailing hair did hide,

Well-seen in fight, and soon could pierce with far extended darts

The breastplates of their enemies, and reach their dearest hearts.

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475 Forty black men of war did sail in this Alphenor’s charge.

The soldiers that in Athens dwelt, a city builded large,

The people of Eristhius, whom Jove-sprung Pallas fed,

And plenteous-feeding Tellus brought out of her flow’ry bed;

Him Pallas placed in her rich fane, and, ev’ry ended year,

480 Of bulls and lambs th’ Athenian youths please him with off’rings there;

Mighty Menestheus, Peteus’ son, had their divided care;

For horsemen and for targeteers none could with him compare,

Nor put them into better place, to hurt or to defend;

But Nestor (for he elder was) with him did sole contend;

485 With him came fifty sable sail. And out of Salamine

Great Ajax brought twelve sail, that with th’ Athenians did combine.

Who did in fruitful Argos dwell, or strong Tiryntha keep,

Hermion, or in Asinen whose bosom is so deep,

Trœzena, Eïon, Epidaure where Bacchus crowns his head,

490 Ægina, and Maseta’s soil, did follow Diomed,

And Sthenelus, the dear-lov’d son of famous Capaneus,

Together with Euryalus, heir of Mecisteus,

The king of Talæonides; past whom in deeds of war,

The famous soldier Diomed of all was held by far.

495 Four score black ships did follow these. The men fair Mycene held,

The wealthy Corinth, Cleon that for beauteous site excell’d,

Aræthyrea’s lovely seat, and in Ornia’s plain,

And Sicyona, where at first did king Adrastus reign,

High-seated Gonoëssa’s towers, and Hyperisius,

500 That dwelt in fruitful Pellenen, and in divine Ægius,

With all the sea-side borderers, and wide Helice’s friends,

To Agamemnon ev’ry town her native birth commends,

In double-fifty sable barks. With him a world of men

Most strong and full of valour went, and he in triumph then

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505 Put on his most resplendent arms, since he did overshine

The whole heroic host of Greece, in pow’r of that design.

Who did in Lacedæmon’s rule th’ unmeasur’d concave hold,

High Pharis, Sparta, Messe’s tow’rs, for doves so much extoll’d,

Bryseia’s and Augia’s grounds, strong Laa, Oetylon,

510 Amyclas, Helos’ harbour-town, that Neptune beats upon,

All these did Menelaus lead (his brother, that in cries

Of war was famous). Sixty ships convey’d these enemies

To Troy in chief, because their king was chiefly injur’d there,

In Helen’s rape, and did his best to make them buy it dear.

515 Who dwelt in Pylos’ sandy soil, and Arene the fair,

In Thryon, near Alpheus’ flood, and Aepy full of air,

In Cyparisseus, Amphigen, and little Pteleon,

The town where all the Iliots dwelt, and famous Doreon,

Where all the Muses, opposite, in strife of poesy,

520 To ancient Thamyris of Thrace, did use him cruelly,

(He coming from Eurytus’ court, the wise Œchalian king,)

Because he proudly durst affirm he could more sweetly sing

Than that Pierian race of Jove; who, angry with his vaunt,

Bereft his eyesight, and his song, that did the ear enchant,

525 And of his skill to touch his harp disfurnishéd his hand.

All these in ninety hollow keels grave Nestor did command.

The richly-blest inhabitants of the Arcadian land

Below Cyllene’s mount (that by Epytus’ tomb did stand)

Where dwelt the bold near-fighting men, who did in Phæneus live,

530 And Orchomen, where flocks of sheep the shepherds clust’ring drive,

In Ripé, and in Stratié, the fair Mantinean town,

And strong Enispe, that for height is ever weather-blown,

Tegea, and in Stymphalus, Parrhasia strongly wall’d,

All these Alcæus’ son to field (king Agapenor) call’d;

535 In sixty barks he brought them on, and ev’ry bark well-mann’d:

With fierce Arcadians, skill’d to use the utmost of a band.

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King Agamemnon, on these men, did well-built ships bestow

To pass the gulfy purple sea, that did no sea rites know.

They who in Hermin, Buphrasis, and Elis, did remain,

540 What Olen’s cliffs, Alisius, and Myrsin did contain,

Were led to war by twice-two dukes (and each ten ships did bring,

Which many vent’rous Epians did serve for burthening,)

Beneath Amphimachus’s charge, and valiant Thalpius,

(Son of Eurytus-Actor one, the other Cteatus,)

545 Diores Amaryncides the other did employ,

The fourth divine Polixenus (Agasthenes’s joy).

The king of fair Angeiades, who from Dulichius came,

And from Echinaus’ sweet isles, which hold their holy frame

By ample Elis region, Meges Phylides led;

550 Whom duke Phyleus, Jove’s belov’d, begat, and whilome fled

To large Dulichius, for the wrath that fir’d his father’s breast.

Twice-twenty ships with ebon sails were in his charge address’d.

The warlike men of Cephale, and those of Ithaca,

Woody Neritus, and the men of wet Crocylia,

555 Sharp Ægilipa, Samos’ isle, Zacynthus sea inclos’d,

Epirus, and the men that hold the continent oppos’d,

All these did wise Ulysses lead, in counsel peer to Jove;

Twelve ships he brought, which in their course vermilion sterns did move.

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Thoas, Andremon’s well-spoke son, did guide th’ Ætolians well,

560 Those that in Pleuron, Olenon, and strong Pylene dwell,

Great Chalcis, that by sea-side stands, and stony Calydon;

(For now no more of Œneus’ sons surviv’d; they all were gone;

No more his royal self did live, no more his noble son

The golden Meleager now, their glasses all were run)

565 All things were left to him in charge, th’ Ætolians’ chief he was,

And forty ships to Trojan wars the seas with him did pass.

The royal soldier Idomen did lead the Cretans stout,

The men of Gnossus, and the town Gortyna wall’d about,

Of Lictus, and Miletus’ tow’rs, of white Lycastus’ state,

570 Of Phæstus, and of Rhytius, the cities fortunate,

And all the rest inhabiting the hundred towns of Crete;

Whom warlike Idomen did lead, co-partner in the fleet

With kill-man Merion. Eighty ships with them did Troy invade.

Tlepolemus Heraclides, right strong and bigly made,

575 Brought nine tall ships of war from Rhodes, which haughty Rhodians mann’d,

Who dwelt in three dissever’d parts of that most pleasant land,

Which Lyndus and Jalissus were, and bright Camirus, call’d.

Tlepolemus commanded these, in battle unappall’d;

Whom fair Astyoche brought forth, by force of Hercules,

580 Led out of Ephyr with his hand, from river Selleës,

When many towns of princely youths he levell’d with the ground.

Tlepolem, in his father’s house (for building much renown’d)

Brought up to headstrong state of youth, his mother’s brother slew,

The flow’r of arms, Licymnius, that somewhat aged grew;

585 Then straight he gather’d him a fleet, assembling bands of men,

And fled by sea, to shun the threats that were denouncéd then

By other sons and nephews of th’ Alciden fortitude.

He in his exile came to Rhodes, driv’n in with tempests rude.

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The Rhodians were distinct in tribes, and great with Jove did stand,

590 The King of men and Gods, who gave much treasure to their land.

Nirëus out of Syma’s hav’n three well-built barks did bring;

Nirëus, fair Aglaia’s son, and Charopes’ the king;

Nirëus was the fairest man that to fair Ilion came

Of all the Greeks, save Peleus’ son, who pass’d for gen’ral frame;

595 But weak this was, not fit for war, and therefore few did guide.

Who did in Cassus, Nisyrus, and Crapathus, abide,

In Co, Eurypylus’s town, and in Calydna’s soils,

Phidippus and bold Antiphus did guide to Trojan toils,

(The sons of crownéd Thessalus, deriv’d from Hercules)

600 Who went with thirty hollow ships well-order’d to the seas.

Now will I sing the sackful troops Pelasgian Argos held,

That in deep Alus, Alopé, and soft Trechina dwell’d,

In Phthia, and in Hellade where live the lovely dames,

The Myrmidons, Hellenians, and Achives, rob’d of fames;

605 All which the great Æacides in fifty ships did lead.

For these forgat war’s horrid voice, because they lack’d their head

That would have brought them bravely forth; but now at fleet did lie

That wind-like user of his feet, fair Thetis’ progeny,

Wroth for bright-cheek’d Briseis’ loss, whom from Lyrnessus’ spoils

610 (His own exploit) he brought away as trophy of his toils,

When that town was depopulate; he sunk the Theban tow’rs;

Myneta, and Epistrophus, he sent to Pluto’s bow’rs,

Who came of king Evenus’ race, great Helepiades

Yet now he idly lives enrag’d, but soon must leave his ease.

615 Of those that dwelt in Phylace, and flow’ry Pyrason

The wood of Ceres, and the soil that sheep are fed upon

Iton, and Antron built by sea, and Pteleus full of grass,

Protesilaus, while he liv’d, the worthy captain was,

Whom now the sable earth detains; his tear-torn-facéd spouse

620 He woful left in Phylace, and his half-finish’d house;

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A fatal Dardan first his life, of all the Greeks, bereft,

As he was leaping from his ship; yet were his men unleft

Without a chief, for though they wish’d to have no other man

But good Protesilay their guide, Podarces yet began

625 To govern them, (Iphitis’ son, the son of Phylacus)

Most rich in sheep, and brother to short-liv’d Protesilaus,

Of younger birth, less, and less strong, yet serv’d he to direct

The companies, that still did more their ancient duke affect.

Twice-twenty jetty sails with him the swelling stream did take.

630 But those that did in Pheres dwell, at the Bœbeian lake,

In Bœbe, and in Glaphyra, Iaolcus builded fair,

In thrice-six ships to Pergamus did through the seas repair,

With old Admetus’ tender son, Eumelus, whom he bred

Of Alcest, Pelius’ fairest child of all his female seed.

635 The soldiers that before the siege Methone’s vales did hold,

Thaumacie, flow’ry Melibœ, and Olison the cold,

Duke Philoctetes’ governéd, in darts of finest sleight;

Sev’n vessels in his charge convey’d their honourable freight,

By fifty rowers in a bark, most expert in the bow;

640 But he in sacred Lemnos lay, brought miserably low

By torment of an ulcer grown with Hydra’s poison’d blood,

Whose sting was such, Greece left him there in most impatient mood;

Yet thought they on him at his ship, and choos’d, to lead his men,

Medon, Oïleus’ bastard son, brought forth to him by Rhen.

645 From Tricce, bleak Ithomen’s cliffs, and hapless Oechaly,

(Eurytus’ city, rul’d by him in wilful tyranny,)

In charge of Æsculapius’ sons, physician highly prais’d,

Machaon, Podalirius, were thirty vessels rais’d.

Who near Hyperia’s fountain dwelt, and in Ormenius,

650 The snowy tops of Titanus, and in Asterius,

Evemon’s son, Eurypylus, did lead into the field;

Whose towns did forty black-sail’d ships to that encounter yield.

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Who Gyrton, and Argissa, held, Orthen, and Elon’s seat,

And chalky Oloössone, were led by Polypœte,

655 The issue of Pirithous, the son of Jupiter.

Him the Athenian Theseus’ friend Hippodamy did bear,

When he the bristled savages did give Ramnusia,

And drove them out of Pelius, as far as Æthica.

He came not single, but with him Leonteus, Coron’s son,

660 An arm of Mars, and Coron’s life Cenëus’ seed begun.

Twice-twenty ships attended these. Gunëus next did bring

From Cyphus twenty sail and two; the Enians following;

And fierce Peræbi, that about Dodone’s frozen mould

Did plant their houses; and the men that did the meadows hold,

665 Which Titaresius decks with flow’rs, and his sweet current leads

Into the bright Peneïus, that hath the silver heads,

Yet with his admirable stream doth not his waves commix,

But glides aloft on it like oil; for ’tis the flood of Styx,

By which th’ immortal Gods do swear. Teuthredon’s honour’d birth,

670 Prothous, led the Magnets forth, who near the shady earth

Of Pelius, and Peneïon, dwelt; forty revengeful sail

Did follow him. These were the dukes and princes of avail

That came from Greece. But now the man, that overshin’d them all,

Sing, Muse; and their most famous steeds to my recital call,

675 That both th’ Atrides followéd. Fair Pheretiades

The bravest mares did bring by much; Eumelius manag’d these,

Swift of their feet as birds of wings, both of one hair did shine,

Both of an age, both of a height, as measur’d by a line,

Whom silver-bow’d Apollo bred in the Pierian mead,

680 Both slick and dainty, yet were both in war of wondrous dread.

Great Ajax Telamon for strength pass’d all the peers of war,

While vex’d Achilles was away; but he surpass’d him far.

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The horse that bore that faultless man were likewise past compare;

Yet lay he at the crook’d-stern’d ships, and fury was his fare,

685 For Atreus’ son’s ungracious deed; his men yet pleas’d their hearts

With throwing of the holéd stone, with hurling of their darts,

And shooting fairly on the shore; their horse at chariots fed

On greatest parsley, and on sedge that in the fens is bred.

His princes’ tents their chariots held, that richly cover’d were.

690 His princes, amorous of their chief, walk’d storming here and there

About the host, and scorn’d to fight; their breaths as they did pass

Before them flew, as if a fire fed on the trembling grass;

Earth under-groan’d their high-rais’d feet, as when offended Jove,

In Arime, Typhœius with rattling thunder drove

695 Beneath the earth; in Arime, men say, the grave is still,

Where thunder tomb’d Typhœius, and is a monstrous hill;

And as that thunder made earth groan, so groan’d it as they past,

They trod with such hard-set-down steps, and so exceeding fast.

To Troy the rainbow-girded Dame right heavy news relates

700 From Jove, as all to council drew in Priam’s palace-gates,

Resembling Priam’s son in voice, Polites, swift of feet;

In trust whereof, as sentinel, to see when from the fleet

The Grecians sallied, he was set upon the lofty brow

Of aged Æsyetes’ tomb; and this did Iris show:

705 “O Priam, thou art always pleas’d with indiscreet advice,

And fram’st thy life to times of peace, when such a war doth rise

As threats inevitable spoil. I never did behold

Such and so mighty troops of men, who trample on the mould

In number like Autumnus’ leaves, or like the marine sand,

710 All ready round about the walls to use a ruining hand.

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Hector, I therefore charge thee most, this charge to undertake.

A multitude remain in Troy, will fight for Priam’s sake,

Of other lands and languages; let ev’ry leader then

Bring forth well-arm’d into the field his sev’ral bands of men.”

715 Strong Hector knew a Deity gave charge to this assay,

Dismiss’d the council straight; like waves, clusters to arms do sway;

The ports are all wide open set; out rush’d the troops in swarms,

Both horse and foot; the city rung with sudden-cried alarms.

A column stands without the town, that high his head doth raise,

720 A little distant, in a plain trod down with divers ways,

Which men do Batieia call, but the Immortals name

Myrine’s famous sepulchre, the wondrous active dame.

Here were th’ auxiliary bands, that came in Troy’s defence,

Distinguish’d under sev’ral guides of special excellence.

725 The duke of all the Trojan pow’r great helm-deck’d Hector was,

Which stood of many mighty men well-skill’d in darts of brass.

Æneas of commixéd seed (a Goddess with a man,

Anchises with the Queen of love) the troops Dardanian

Led to the field; his lovely sire in Ida’s lower shade

730 Begat him of sweet Cyprides; he solely was not made

Chief leader of the Dardan pow’rs, Antenor’s valiant sons,

Archilochus and Acamas, were join’d companions.

Who in Zelia dwelt beneath the sacred foot of Ide,

That drank of black Æsepus’ stream, and wealth made full of pride,

735 The Aphnii, Lycaon’s son, whom Phœbus gave his bow,

Prince Pandarus did lead to field. Who Adrestinus owe,

Apesus’ city, Pityæ, and mount Tereiës,

Adrestus and stout Amphius led; who did their sire displease,

(Merops Percosius, that excell’d all Troy in heav’nly skill

740 Of futures-searching prophecy) for, much against his will,

His sons were agents in those arms; whom since they disobey’d,

The fates, in letting slip their threads, their hasty valours stay’d.

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Who in Percotes, Practius, Arisba, did abide,

Who Sestus and Abydus bred, Hyrtacides did guide;

745 Prince Asius Hyrtacides, that, through great Selees’ force,

Brought from Arisba to that fight the great and fiery horse.

Pylæus, and Hippothous, the stout Pelasgians led,

Of them Larissa’s fruitful soil before had nourishéd;

These were Pelasgian Pithus’ sons, son of Teutamidas.

750 The Thracian guides were Pirous, and valiant Acamas,

Of all that the impetuous flood of Hellespont enclos’d.

Euphemus, the Ciconian troops, in his command dispos’d,

Who from Trœzenius-Ceades right nobly did descend.

Pyræchmes did the Pæons rule, that crooked bows do bend;

755 From Axius, out of Amydon, he had them in command,

From Axius, whose most beauteous stream still overflows the land.

Pylæmen with the well-arm’d heart, the Paphlagonians led,

From Enes, where the race of mules fit for the plough is bred.

The men that broad Cytorus’ bounds, and Sesamus, enfold,

760 About Parthenius’ lofty flood, in houses much extoll’d,

From Cromna and Ægialus, the men that arms did bear,

And Erythinus situate high, Pylæmen’s soldiers were.

Epistrophus and Dius did the Halizonians guide,

Far-fetch’d from Alybe, where first the silver mines were tried.

765 Chromis, and augur Ennomus, the Mysians did command,

Who could not with his auguries the strength of death withstand,

But suffer’d it beneath the stroke of great Æacides,

In Xanthus; where he made more souls dive to the Stygian seas.

Phorcys, and fair Ascanius, the Phrygians brought to war,

770 Well train’d for battle, and were come out of Ascania far.

With Methles, and with Antiphus, (Pylæmen’s sons) did fight

The men of Meïon, whom the fen Gygæa brought to light,

And those Meionians that beneath the mountain Tmolus sprung.

The rude unletter’d Caribæ, that barbarous were of tongue,

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775 Did under Nastes’ colours march, and young Amphimachus,

(Nomion’s famous sons) to whom, the mountain Phthirorus

That with the famous wood is crown’d, Miletus, Mycales

That hath so many lofty marks for men that love the seas,

The crooked arms Mæander bow’d with his so snaky flood,

780 Resign’d for conduct the choice youth of all their martial brood.

The fool Amphimachus, to field, brought gold to be his wrack,

Proud-girl-like that doth ever bear her dow’r upon her back;

Which wise Achilles mark’d, slew him, and took his gold in strife,

At Xanthus’ flood; so little Death did fear his golden life.

785 Sarpedon led the Lycians, and Glaucus unreprov’d,

From Lycia, and the gulfy flood of Xanthus far remov’d.

hen ev’ry least commander’s will best soldiers had obey’d,

And both the hosts were rang’d for fight, the Trojans would have fray’d

The Greeks with noises, crying out, in coming rudely on;

At all parts like the cranes that fill, with harsh confusion,

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5 Of brutish clangés all the air, and in ridiculous war

(Eschewing the unsuffer’d storms, shot from the winter’s star)

Visit the ocean, and confer the Pygmei soldiers’ death.

The Greeks charg’d silent, and like men, bestow’d their thrifty breath

In strength of far-resounding blows, still entertaining care

10 Of either’s rescue, when their strength did their engagements dare.

And as, upon a hill’s steep tops, the south wind pours a cloud,

To shepherds thankless, but by thieves, that love the night, allow’d,

A darkness letting down, that blinds a stone’s cast off men’s eyes;

Such darkness from the Greeks’ swift feet (made all of dust) did rise.

15 But, ere stern conflict mix’d both strengths, fair Paris stept before

The Trojan host; athwart his back a panther’s hide he wore,

A crookéd bow, and sword, and shook two brazen-headed darts;

With which well-arm’d, his tongue provok’d the best of Grecian hearts

To stand with him in single fight. Whom when the man, wrong’d most

20 Of all the Greeks, so gloriously saw stalk before the host;

As when a lion is rejoic’d, (with hunger half forlorn,)

That finds some sweet prey, as a hart, whose grace lies in his horn,

Or sylvan goat, which he devours, though never so pursu’d

With dogs and men; so Sparta’s king exulted, when he view’d

25 The fair-fac’d Paris so expos’d to his so thirsted wreak,

Whereof his good cause made him sure. The Grecian front did break,

And forth he rush’d, at all parts arm’d, leapt from his chariot,

And royally prepar’d for charge. Which seen, cold terror shot

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The heart of Paris, who retir’d as headlong from the king

30 As in him he had shunn’d his death. And as a hilly spring

Presents a serpent to a man, full underneath his feet,

Her blue neck, swoln with poison, rais’d, and her sting out, to greet

His heedless entry, suddenly his walk he altereth,

Starts back amaz’d, is shook with fear, and looks as pale as death;

35 So Menelaus Paris scar’d; so that divine-fac’d foe

Shrunk in his beauties. Which beheld by Hector, he let go

This bitter check at him: “Accurs’d, made but in beauty’s scorn,

Impostor, woman’s man! O heav’n, that thou hadst ne’er been born,

Or, being so manless, never liv’d to bear man’s noblest state,

40 The nuptial honour! Which I wish, because it were a fate

Much better for thee than this shame. This spectacle doth make

A man a monster. Hark! how loud the Greeks laugh, who did take

Thy fair form for a continent of parts as fair. A rape

Thou mad’st of nature, like their queen. No soul, an empty shape,

45 Takes up thy being; yet how spite to ev’ry shade of good

Tills it with ill! for as thou art, thou couldst collect a brood

Of others like thee, and far hence fetch ill enough to us,

Ev’n to thy father; all these friends make those foes mock them thus

In thee, for whose ridiculous sake so seriously they lay

50 All Greece, and fate, upon their necks. O wretch! Not dare to stay

Weak Menelaus? But ’twas well; for in him thou hadst tried

What strength lost beauty can infuse, and with the more grief died

To feel thou robb’dst a worthier man, to wrong a soldier’s right.

Your harp’s sweet touch, curl’d locks, fine shape, and gifts so exquisite,

55 Giv’n thee by Venus, would have done your fine dames little good,

When blood and dust had ruffled them, and had as little stood

Thyself in stead; but what thy care of all these in thee flies

We should inflict on thee ourselves. Infectious cowardice

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In thee hath terrified our host; for which thou well deserv’st

60 A coat of tombstone, not of steel in which, for form, thou serv’st.”

To this thus Paris spake, (for form, that might inhabit heav’n)

“Hector, because thy sharp reproof is out of justice giv’n,

I take it well; but though thy heart, inur’d to these affrights,

Cuts through them as an axe through oak, that more us’d more excites

65 The workman’s faculty, whose art can make the edge go far,

Yet I, less practis’d than thyself in these extremes of war,

May well be pardon’d, though less bold; in these your worth exceeds,

In others mine. Nor is my mind of less force to the deeds

Requir’d in war, because my form more flows in gifts of peace.

70 Reproach not, therefore, the kind gifts of golden Cyprides.

All heav’n’s gifts have their worthy price; as little to be scorn’d

As to be won with strength, wealth, state; with which to be adorn’d,

Some men would change state, wealth, or strength. But, if your martial heart

Wish me to make my challenge good, and hold it such a part

75 Of shame to give it over thus, cause all the rest to rest,

And, ’twixt both hosts, let Sparta’s king and me perform our best

For Helen and the wealth she brought; and he that overcomes,

Or proves superior any way, in all your equal dooms,

Let him enjoy her utmost wealth, keep her, or take her home;

80 The rest strike leagues of endless date, and hearty friends become;

You dwelling safe in gleby Troy, the Greeks retire their force

T’ Achaia, that breeds fairest dames, and Argos, fairest horse.”

He said, and his amendsful words did Hector highly please,

Who rush’d betwixt the fighting hosts, and made the Trojans cease,

85 By holding up in midst his lance. The Grecians noted not

The signal he for parley used, but at him fiercely shot,

Hurl’d stones, and still were levelling darts. At last the king of men,

Great Agamemnon, cried aloud: “Argives! for shame, contain;

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Youths of Achaia, shoot no more; the fair-helm’d Hector shows

90 As he desir’d to treat with us.” This said, all ceas’d from blows,

And Hector spake to both the hosts: “Trojans, and hardy Greeks,

Hear now what he that stirr’d these wars, for their cessation seeks.

He bids us all, and you, disarm, that he alone may fight

With Menelaus, for us all, for Helen and her right,

95 With all the dow’r she brought to Troy; and he that wins the day,

Or is, in all the art of arms, superior any way,

The queen, and all her sorts of wealth, let him at will enjoy;

The rest strike truce, and let love seal firm leagues ’twixt Greece and Troy.”

The Greek host wonder’d at this brave; silence flew ev’rywhere;

100 At last spake Sparta’s warlike king: “Now also give me ear,

Whom grief gives most cause of reply. I now have hope to free

The Greeks and Trojans of all ills, they have sustain’d for me,

And Alexander, that was cause I stretch’d my spleen so far.

Of both then, which is nearest fate, let his death end the war;

105 The rest immediately retire, and greet all homes in peace.

Go then (to bless your champion, and give his pow’rs success)

Fetch for the Earth, and for the Sun (the Gods on whom ye call)

Two lambs, a black one and a white, a female and a male;

And we another, for ourselves, will fetch, and kill to Jove.

110 To sign which rites bring Priam’s force, because we well approve

His sons perfidious, envious, and (out of practis’d bane

To faith, when she believes in them) Jove’s high truce may profane.

All young men’s hearts are still unstaid; but in those well-weigh’d deeds

An old man will consent to pass things past, and what succeeds

115 He looks into, that he may know, how best to make his way

Through both the fortunes of a fact, and will the worst obey.”

This granted, a delightful hope, both Greeks and Trojans fed,

Of long’d-for rest from those long toils, their tedious war had bred.

Their horses then in rank they set, drawn from their chariots round,

120 Descend themselves, took off their arms, and plac’d them on the ground,

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Near one another; for the space ’twixt both the hosts was small.

Hector two heralds sent to Troy, that they from thence might call

King Priam, and to bring the lambs, to rate the truce they swore.

But Agamemnon to the fleet Talthybius sent before,

125 To fetch their lamb; who nothing slack’d the royal charge was giv’n.

Iris, the rain-bow, then came down, ambassadress from heav’n,

To white-arm’d Helen. She assum’d at ev’ry part the grace

Of Helen’s last love’s sister’s shape, who had the highest place

In Helen’s love, and had to name Laodice, most fair

130 Of all the daughters Priam had, and made the nuptial pair

With Helicaon, royal sprout of old Antenor’s seed.

She found queen Helena at home, at work about a weed,

Wov’n for herself; it shin’d like fire, was rich, and full of size,

The work of both sides being alike; in which she did comprise

135 The many labours warlike Troy and brass-arm’d Greece endur’d

For her fair sake, by cruel Mars and his stern friends procur’d.

Iris came in in joyful haste, and said: “O come with me,

Lov’d nymph, and an admiréd sight of Greeks and Trojans see,

Who first on one another brought a war so full of tears,

140 Ev’n thirsty of contentious war. Now ev’ry man forbears,

And friendly by each other sits, each leaning on his shield,

Their long and shining lances pitch’d fast by them in the field.

Paris, and Sparta’s king, alone must take up all the strife;

And he that conquers only call fair Helena his wife.”

145 Thus spake the thousand-colour’d Dame, and to her mind commends

The joy to see her first espous’d, her native tow’rs, and friends;

Which stirr’d a sweet desire in her; to serve the which she hied,

Shadow’d her graces with white veils, and (though she took a pride

To set her thoughts at gaze, and see, in her clear beauty’s flood,

150 What choice of glory swum to her yet tender womanhood)

Season’d with tears her joys to see more joys the more offence,

And that perfection could not flow from earthly excellence.

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Thus went she forth, and took with her her women most of name,

Æthra, Pitthëus’ lovely birth, and Clymene, whom fame

155 Hath for her fair eyes memoris’d. They reach’d the Scæan tow’rs,

Where Priam sat, to see the fight, with all his counsellors;

Panthous, Lampus, Clytius, and stout Hicetaon,

Thymœtes, wise Antenor, and profound Ucalegon;

All grave old men; and soldiérs they had been, but for age

160 Now left the wars; yet counsellors they were exceeding sage.

And as in well-grown woods, on trees, cold spiny grasshoppers

Sit chirping, and send voices out, that scarce can pierce our ears

For softness, and their weak faint sounds; so, talking on the tow’r,

These seniors of the people sat; who when they saw the pow’r

165 Of beauty, in the queen, ascend, ev’n those cold-spirited peers,

Those wise and almost wither’d men, found this heat in their years,

That they were forc’d (though whispéring) to say: “What man can blame

The Greeks and Trojans to endure, for so admir’d a dame,

So many mis’ries, and so long? In her sweet count’nance shine

170 Looks like the Goddesses. And yet (though never so divine)

Before we boast, unjustly still, of her enforcéd prise,

And justly suffer for her sake, with all our progenies,

Labour and ruin, let her go; the profit of our land

Must pass the beauty.” Thus, though these could bear so fit a hand

175 On their affections, yet, when all their gravest powers were us’d,

They could not choose but welcome her, and rather they accus’d

The Gods than beauty; for thus spake the most-fam’d king of Troy:

“Come, lovéd daughter, sit by me, and take the worthy joy

Of thy first husband’s sight, old friends, and princes near allied,

180 And name me some of these brave Greeks, so manly beautified.

Come, do not think I lay the wars, endur’d by us, on thee,

The Gods have sent them, and the tears in which they swum to me.

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Sit then, and name this goodly Greek, so tall, and broadly spread,

Who than the rest, that stand by him, is higher by the head

185 The bravest man I ever saw, and most majestical,

His only presence makes me think him king amongst them all.”

The fairest of her sex replied: “Most rev’rend father-in-law,

Most lov’d, most fear’d, would some ill death had seiz’d me, when I saw

The first mean why I wrong’d you thus; that I had never lost

190 The sight of these my ancient friends, of him that lov’d me most,

Of my sole daughter, brothers both, with all those kindly mates,

Of one soil, one age, born with me, though under diff’rent fates!

But these boons envious stars deny; the memory of these

In sorrow pines those beauties now, that then did too much please;

195 Nor satisfy they your demand, to which I thus reply:

That’s Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, the great in empery;

A king, whom double royalty doth crown, being great and good,

And one that was my brother-in-law, when I contain’d my blood,

And was more worthy; if at all I might be said to be,

200 My being being lost so soon in all that honour’d me.”

The good old king admir’d, and said: “O Atreus’ blessed son,

Born unto joyful destinies, that hast the empire won

Of such a world of Grecian youths, as I discover here!

I once march’d into Phrygia, that many vines doth bear,

205 Where many Phrygians I beheld, well-skill’d in use of horse,

That of the two men, like two Gods, were the commanded force,

Otrëus, and great Mygdonus, who on Sangarius’ sands

Set down their tents, with whom myself, for my assistant bands,

Was number’d as a man in chief; the cause of war was then

210 Th’ Amazon dames, that in their facts affected to be men.

In all there was a mighty pow’r, which yet did never rise

To equal these Achaian youths, that have the sable eyes.”

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Then (seeing Ulysses next) he said: “Lov’d daughter, what is he

That, lower than great Atreus’ son, seems by the head to me,

215 Yet, in his shoulders and big breast, presents a broader show?

His armour lies upon the earth; he up and down doth go,

To see his soldiers keep their ranks, and ready have their arms,

If, in this truce, they should be tried by any false alarms.

Much like a well-grown bell-wether, or feltred ram, he shows,

220 That walks before a wealthy flock of fair white-fleecéd ewes.”

High Jove and Leda’s fairest seed to Priam thus replies:

“This is the old Laertes’ son, Ulysses, call’d the wise;

Who, though unfruitful Ithaca was made his nursing seat,

Yet knows he ev’ry sort of sleight, and is in counsels great.”

225 The wise Antenor answer’d her: “’Tis true, renowméd dame;

For, some times past, wise Ithacus to Troy a legate came,

With Menelaus, for your cause; to whom I gave receipt

As guests, and welcom’d to my house, with all the love I might.

I learn’d the wisdom of their souls, and humours of their blood;

230 For when the Trojan council met, and these together stood,

By height of his broad shoulders had Atrides eminence,

Yet, set, Ulysses did exceed, and bred more reverence.

And when their counsels and their words they wove in one, the speech

Of Atreus’ son was passing loud, small, fast, yet did not reach

235 To much, being naturally born Laconical; nor would

His humour lie for anything, or was, like th’ other, old;

But when the prudent Ithacus did to his counsels rise,

He stood a little still, and fix’d upon the earth his eyes,

His sceptre moving neither way, but held it formally,

240 Like one that vainly doth affect. Of wrathful quality,

And frantic (rashly judging him) you would have said he was,

But when, out of his ample breast, he gave his great voice pass,

And words that flew about our ears, like drifts of winter’s snow,

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None thenceforth might contend with him, tho’ nought admir’d for show.”

245 The third man, aged Priam mark’d, was Ajax Telamon,

Of whom he ask’d: “What lord is that, so large of limb and bone,

So rais’d in height, that to his breast I see there reacheth none?”

To him the Goddess of her sex, the large-veil’d Helen, said:

“That Lord is Ajax Telamon, a bulwark in their aid.

250 On th’ other side stands Idomen, in Crete of most command,

And round about his royal sides his Cretan captains stand;

Oft hath the warlike Spartan king giv’n hospitable due

To him within our Lacene court, and all his retinue.

And now the other Achive dukes I gen’rally discern;

255 All which I know, and all their names could make thee quickly learn.

Two princes of the people yet, I nowhere can behold,

Castor, the skilful knight on horse, and Pollux, uncontroll’d

For all stand-fights, and force of hand; both at a burthen bred;

My natural brothers; either here they have not followéd

260 From lovely Sparta, or, arriv’d within the sea-born fleet,

In fear of infamy for me, in broad field shame to meet.”

Nor so; for holy Tellus’ womb inclos’d those worthy men

In Sparta, their belovéd soil. The voiceful heralds then

The firm agreement of the Gods through all the city ring;

265 Two lambs, and spirit-refreshing wine (the fruit of earth) they bring,

Within a goat-skin bottle clos’d; Idæus also brought

A massy glitt’ring bowl, and cups, that all of gold were wrought;

Which bearing to the king, they cried: “Son of Laomedon

Rise, for the well-rode peers of Troy, and brass-arm’d Greeks, in one,

270 Send to thee to descend the field, that they firm vows may make;

For Paris, and the Spartan king, must fight for Helen’s sake,

With long arm’d lances; and the man that proves victorious,

The woman, and the wealth she brought, shall follow to his house;

The rest knit friendship, and firm leagues; we safe in Troy shall dwell,

275 In Argos and Achaia they, that do in dames excel.”

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He said; and Priam’s aged joints with chilled fear did shake,

Yet instantly he bade his men his chariot ready make.

Which soon they did, and he ascends. He takes the reins, and guide

Antenor calls; who instantly mounts to his royal side,

280 And, through the Scæan ports to field, the swift-foot horse they drive.

And when at them of Troy and Greece the aged lords arrive,

From horse, on Troy’s well-feeding soil, ’twixt both the hosts they go.

When straight up-rose the king of men, up-rose Ulysses too,

The heralds in their richest coats repeat (as was the guise)

285 The true vows of the Gods (term’d theirs, since made before their eyes)

Then in a cup of gold they mix the wine that each side brings,

And next pour water on the hands of both the kings of kings.

Which done, Atrides drew his knife, that evermore he put

Within the large sheath of his sword; with which away he cut

290 The wool from both fronts of the lambs, which (as a rite in use

Of execration to their heads, that brake the plighted truce)

The heralds of both hosts did give the peers of both; and then,

With hands and voice advanc’d to heav’n, thus pray’d the king of men:

“O Jove, that Ida dost protect, and hast the titles won.

295 Most glorious, most invincible; and thou all-seeing Sun,

All-hearing, all-recomforting; Floods; Earth; and Pow’rs beneath,

That all the perjuries of men chastise ev’n after death!

Be witnesses, and see perform’d the hearty vows we make.—

If Alexander shall the life of Menelaus take,

300 He shall from henceforth Helena, with all her wealth, retain,

And we will to our household Gods, hoise sail, and home again.

If, by my honour’d brother’s hand, be Alexander slain,

The Trojans then shall his forc’d queen, with all her wealth, restore,

And pay convenient fine to us, and ours for evermore.

305 If Priam and his sons deny to pay this, thus agreed,

When Alexander shall be slain; for that perfidious deed,

And for the fine, will I fight here, till dearly they repay,

By death and ruin, the amends, that falsehood keeps away.”

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This said, the throats of both the lambs cut with his royal knife,

310 He laid them panting on the earth, till, quite depriv’d of life,

The steel had robb’d them of their strength; then golden cups they crown’d,

With wine out of a cistern drawn; which pour’d upon the ground,

They fell upon their humble knees to all the Deities,

And thus pray’d one of both the hosts, that might do sacrifice:

315 “O Jupiter, most high, most great, and all the deathless Pow’rs!

Who first shall dare to violate the late sworn oaths of ours,

So let the bloods and brains of them, and all they shall produce,

Flow on the stain’d face of the earth, as now this sacred juice;

And let their wives with bastardice brand all their future race.”

320 Thus pray’d they; but, with wish’d effects, their pray’rs Jove did not grace;

When Priam said: “Lords of both hosts, I can no longer stay

To see my lov’d son try his life, and so must take my way

To wind-exposéd Ilion. Jove yet and heav’n’s high States

Know only, which of these must now pay tribute to the Fates.”

325 Thus, putting in his coach the lambs, he mounts and reins his horse;

Antenor to him; and to Troy, both take their speedy course.

Then Hector, Priam’s martial son, stepp’d forth, and met the ground,

With wise Ulysses, where the blows of combat must resound;

Which done, into a helm they put two lots, to let them know

330 Which of the combatants should first his brass-pil’d jav’lin throw;

When all the people standing by, with hands held up to heav’n,

Pray’d Jove the conquest might not be by force or fortune giv’n,

But that the man, who was in right the author of most wrong,

Might feel his justice, and no more these tedious wars prolong,

335 But, sinking to the house of death, leave them (as long before)

Link’d fast in leagues of amity, that might dissolve no more.

Then Hector shook the helm that held the equal dooms of chance,

Look’d back, and drew; and Paris first had lot to hurl his lance.

The soldiers all sat down enrank’d, each by his arms and horse

340 That then lay down and cool’d their hoofs. And now th’ allotted course

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Bids fair-hair’d Helen’s husband arm; who first makes fast his greaves

With silver buckles to his legs; then on his breast receives

The curets that Lycaon wore (his brother) but made fit

For his fair body; next his sword he took, and fasten’d it,

345 All damask’d, underneath his arm; his shield then grave and great

His shoulders wore and on his head his glorious helm he set,

Topp’d with a plume of horse’s hair, that horribly did dance,

And seem’d to threaten as he mov’d; at last he takes his lance,

Exceeding big, and full of weight, which he with ease could use.

350 In like sort, Sparta’s warlike king himself with arms indues.

Thus arm’d at either army both, they both stood bravely in,

Possessing both hosts with amaze, they came so chin to chin,

And, with such horrible aspécts, each other did salute.

A fair large field was made for them; where wraths, for hugeness mute,

355 And mutual, made them mutually at either shake their darts

Before they threw. Then Paris first with his long jav’lin parts;

It smote Atrides’ orby targe, but ran not through the brass,

For in it (arming well the shield) the head reflected was.

Then did the second combatant apply him to his spear,

360 Which ere he threw, he thus besought almighty Jupiter:

“O Jove! Vouchsafe me now revenge, and that my enemy,

For doing wrong so undeserv’d, may pay deservedly

The pains he forfeited; and let these hands inflict those pains,

By conqu’ring, ay, by conqu’ring dead, him on whom life complains;

365 That any now, or any one of all the brood of men

To live hereafter, may with fear from all offence abstain,

Much more from all such foul offence to him that was his host,

And entertain’d him as the man whom he affected most.”

This said, he shook and threw his lance; which strook through Paris’ shield,

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370 And, with the strength he gave to it, it made the curets yield,

His coat of mail, his breast, and all, and drove his entrails in,

In that low region where the guts in three small parts begin;

Yet he, in bowing of his breast, prevented sable death.

This taint he follow’d with his sword, drawn from a silver sheath,

375 Which lifting high, he strook his helm full where his plume did stand,

On which it piecemeal brake, and fell from his unhappy hand.

At which he sighing stood, and star’d upon the ample sky,

And said: “O Jove, there is no God giv’n more illiberally

To those that serve thee than thyself, why have I pray’d in vain?

380 I hop’d my hand should have reveng’d, the wrongs I still sustain,

On him that did them, and still dares their foul defence pursue;

And now my lance hath miss’d his end, my sword in shivers flew,

And he ’scapes all.” With this, again he rush’d upon his guest,

And caught him by the horse-hair plume, that dangled on his crest,

385 With thought to drag him to the Greeks; which he had surely done,

And so, besides the victory, had wondrous glory won,

(Because the needle-painted lace, with which his helm was tied

Beneath his chin, and so about his dainty throat implied,

Had strangled him;) but that, in time, the Cyprian seed of Jove

390 Did break the string, with which was lin’d that which the needle wove,

And was the tough thong of a steer; and so the victor’s palm

Was, for so full a man-at-arms, only an empty helm.

That then he swung about his head, and cast among his friends,

Who scrambled, and took ’t up with shouts. Again then he intends

395 To force the life-blood of his foe, and ran on him amain,

With shaken jav’lin; when the Queen, that lovers loves, again

Attended, and now ravish’d him from that encounter quite,

With ease, and wondrous suddenly; for she, a Goddess, might.

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She hid him in a cloud of gold, and never made him known,

400 Till in his chamber, fresh and sweet, she gently set him down,

And went for Helen; whom she found in Scæa’s utmost height,

To which whole swarms of city dames had climb’d to see the sight.

To give her errand good success, she took on her the shape

Of beldame Græa, who was brought by Helen, in her rape,

405 From Lacedæmon, and had trust in all her secrets still,

Being old, and had (of all her maids) the main bent of her will,

And spun for her her finest wool. Like her, Love’s Empress came,

Pull’d Helen by the heav’nly veil, and softly said: “Madáme,

My lord calls for you, you must needs make all your kind haste home;

410 He’s in your chamber, stays, and longs; sits by your bed; pray come,

’Tis richly made, and sweet; but he more sweet, and looks so clear,

So fresh, and movingly attir’d, that, seeing, you would swear

He came not from the dusty fight, but from a courtly dance,

Or would to dancing.” This she made a charm for dalliance;

415 Whose virtue Helen felt, and knew, by her so radiant eyes,

White neck, and most enticing breasts, the deified disguise.

At which amaz’d, she answered her: “Unhappy Deity!

Why lov’st thou still in these deceits to wrap my phantasy?

Or whither yet, of all the towns giv’n to their lust beside,

420 In Phrygia, or Mæonia, com’st thou to be my guide,

If there (of divers-languag’d men) thou hast, as here in Troy,

Some other friend to be my shame; since here thy latest joy

By Menelaus now subdu’d, by him shall I be borne

Home to his court, and end my life in triumphs of his scorn?

425 And, to this end, would thy deceits my wanton life allure?

Hence, go thyself to Priam’s son, and all the ways abjure

Of Gods, or godlike-minded dames, nor ever turn again

Thy earth-affecting feet to heav’n, but for his sake sustain

Toils here; guard, grace him endlessly, till he requite thy grace

430 By giving thee my place with him; or take his servant’s place,

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If, all dishonourable ways, your favours seek to serve

His never-pleas’d incontinence; I better will deserve,

Than serve his dotage now. What shame were it for me to feed

This lust in him; all honour’d dames would hate me for the deed!

435 He leaves a woman’s love so sham’d, and shows so base a mind,

To feel nor my shame nor his own; griefs of a greater kind

Wound me than such as can admit such kind delights so soon.”

The Goddess, angry that, past shame, her mere will was not done,

Replied: “Incense me not, you wretch, lest, once incens’d, I leave

440 Thy curs’d life to as strange a hate, as yet it may receive

A love from me; and lest I spread through both hosts such despite,

For those plagues they have felt for thee, that both abjure thee quite,

And setting thee in midst of both, turn all their wraths on thee,

And dart thee dead; that such a death may wreak thy wrong of me.”

445 This strook the fair dame with such fear, it took her speech away,

And, shadow’d in her snowy veil, she durst not but obey;

And yet, to shun the shame she fear’d, she vanish’d undescried

Of all the Trojan ladies there, for Venus was her guide.

Arriv’d at home, her women both fell to their work in haste;

450 When she, that was of all her sex the most divinely grac’d,

Ascended to a higher room, though much against her will,

Where lovely Alexander was, being led by Venus still.

The laughter-loving Dame discern’d her mov’d mind by her grace,

And, for her mirth’ sake, set a stool, full before Paris’ face,

455 Where she would needs have Helen sit; who, though she durst not choose

But sit, yet look’d away for all the Goddess’ pow’r could use,

And used her tongue too, and to chide whom Venus sooth’d so much,

And chid, too, in this bitter kind: “And was thy cowardice such,

So conquer’d, to be seen alive? O would to God, thy life

460 Had perish’d by his worthy hand, to whom I first was wife!

Before this, thou wouldst glorify thy valour and thy lance,

And, past my first love’s, boast them far. Go once more, and advance

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Thy braves against his single pow’r; this foil might fall by chance.

Poor conquer’d man! ’Twas such a chance, as I would not advise

465 Thy valour should provoke again. Shun him, thou most unwise,

Lest next, thy spirit sent to hell, thy body be his prise.”

He answer’d: “Pray thee, woman, cease, to chide and grieve me thus.

Disgraces will not ever last. Look on their end. On us

Will other Gods, at other times, let fall the victor’s wreath,

470 As on him Pallas put it now. Shall our love sink beneath

The hate of fortune? In love’s fire, let all hates vanish. Come,

Love never so inflam’d my heart; no, not when, bringing home

Thy beauty’s so delicious prise, on Cranaë’s blest shore

I long’d for, and enjoy’d thee first.” With this he went before,

475 She after, to the odorous bed. While these to pleasure yield,

Perplex’d Atrides, savage-like, ran up and down the field,

And ev’ry thickest troop of Troy, and of their far-call’d aid,

Search’d for his foe, who could not be by any eye betray’d;

Nor out of friendship (out of doubt) did they conceal his sight,

480 All hated him so like their deaths, and ow’d him such despite.

At last thus spake the king of men: “Hear me, ye men of Troy,

Ye Dardans, and the rest, whose pow’rs you in their aids employ.

The conquest on my brother’s part, ye all discern is clear,

Do you then Argive Helena, with all her treasure here,

485 Restore to us, and pay the mulct, that by your vows is due,

Yield us an honour’d recompense, and, all that should accrue

To our posterities, confirm; that when you render it,

Our acts may here be memoris’d.” This all Greeks else thought fit.

ithin the fair-pav’d court of Jove, he and the Gods conferr’d

About the sad events of Troy; amongst whom minister’d

Bless’d Hebe nectar. As they sat, and did Troy’s tow’rs behold,

They drank, and pledg’d each other round in full-crown’d cups of gold.

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5 The mirth at whose feast was begun by great Saturnides

In urging a begun dislike amongst the Goddesses,

But chiefly in his solemn queen, whose spleen he was dispos’d

To tempt yet further, knowing well what anger it inclos’d,

And how wives’ angers should be us’d. On which, thus pleas’d, he play’d:

10 “Two Goddesses there are that still give Menelaus aid,

And one that Paris loves. The two that sit from us so far

(Which Argive Juno is, and She that rules in deeds of war,)

No doubt are pleas’d to see how well the late-seen fight did frame;

And yet, upon the adverse part, the laughter-loving Dame

15 Made her pow’r good too for her friend; for, though he were so near

The stroke of death in th’ others’ hopes, she took him from them clear.

The conquest yet is questionless the martial Spartan king’s.

We must consult then what events shall crown these future things,

If wars and combats we shall still with even successes strike,

20 Or as impartial friendship plant on both parts. If ye like

The last, and that it will as well delight as merely please

Your happy deities, still let stand old Priam’s town in peace,

And let the Lacedæmon king again his queen enjoy.”

As Pallas and Heav’n’s Queen sat close, complotting ill to Troy,

25 With silent murmurs they receiv’d this ill-lik’d choice from Jove;

’Gainst whom was Pallas much incens’d, because the Queen of Love

Could not, without his leave, relieve in that late point of death

The son of Priam, whom she loath’d; her wrath yet fought beneath

Her supreme wisdom, and was curb’d; but Juno needs must ease

30 Her great heart with her ready tongue, and said; “What words are these,

Austere, and too-much-Saturn’s son? Why wouldst thou render still

My labours idle, and the sweat of my industrious will

Dishonour with so little pow’r? My chariot-horse are tir’d

With posting to and fro for Greece, and bringing banes desir’d

35 To people-must’ring Priamus, and his perfidious sons;

Yet thou protect’st, and join’st with them whom each just Deity shuns.

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Go on, but ever go resolv’d all other Gods have vow’d

To cross thy partial course for Troy, in all that makes it proud.”

At this, the cloud-compelling Jove a far-fetch’d sigh let fly,

40 And said: “Thou fury! What offence of such impiety

Hath Priam or his sons done thee, that, with so high a hate,

Thou shouldst thus ceaselessly desire to raze and ruinate

So well a builded town as Troy? I think, hadst thou the pow’r,

Thou wouldst the ports and far-stretch’d walls fly over, and devour

45 Old Priam and his issue quick, and make all Troy thy feast,

And then at length I hope thy wrath and tiréd spleen would rest;

To which run on thy chariot, that nought be found in me

Of just cause to our future jars. In this yet strengthen thee,

And fix it in thy memory fast, that if I entertain

50 As peremptory a desire to level with the plain

A city where thy lovéd live, stand not betwixt my ire

And what it aims at, but give way, when thou hast thy desire;

Which now I grant thee willingly, although against my will.

For not beneath the ample sun, and heav’n’s star-bearing hill,

55 There is a town of earthly men so honour’d in my mind

As sacred Troy; nor of earth’s kings as Priam and his kind,

Who never let my altars lack rich feast of off’rings slain,

And their sweet savours; for which grace I honour them again.”

Dread Juno, with the cow’s fair eyes, replied: “Three towns there are

60 Of great and eminent respect, both in my love and care;

Mycene, with the broad highways; and Argos, rich in horse;

And Sparta; all which three destroy, when thou envi’st their force,

I will not aid them, nor malign thy free and sov’reign will,

For if I should be envious, and set against their ill,

65 I know my envy were in vain, since thou art mightier far.

But we must give each other leave, and wink at either’s war.

I likewise must have pow’r to crown my works with wishéd end,

Because I am a Deity, and did from thence descend

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Whence thou thyself, and th’ elder born; wise Saturn was our sire;

70 And thus there is a two-fold cause that pleads for my desire,

Being sister, and am call’d thy wife; and more, since thy command

Rules all Gods else, I claim therein a like superior hand.

All wrath before then now remit, and mutually combine

In either’s empire; I, thy rule, and thou, illustrate, mine;

75 So will the other Gods agree, and we shall all be strong.

And first (for this late plot) with speed let Pallas go among

The Trojans, and some one of them entice to break the truce

By off’ring in some treach’rous wound the honour’d Greeks abuse.”

The Father both of men and Gods agreed, and Pallas sent,

80 With these wing’d words, to both the hosts: “Make all haste, and invent

Some mean by which the men of Troy, against the truce agreed,

May stir the glorious Greeks to arms with some inglorious deed.”

Thus charg’d he her with haste that did, before, in haste abound,

Who cast herself from all the heights, with which steep heav’n is crown’d.

85 And as Jove, brandishing a star, which men a comet call,

Hurls out his curled hair abroad, that from his brand exhals

A thousand sparks, to fleets at sea, and ev’ry mighty host,

Of all presages and ill-haps a sign mistrusted most;

So Pallas fell ’twixt both the camps, and suddenly was lost,

90 When through the breasts of all that saw, she strook a strong amaze

With viewing, in her whole descent, her bright and ominous blaze.

When straight one to another turn’d, and said: “Now thund’ring Jove

(Great Arbiter of peace and arms) will either stablish love

Amongst our nations, or renew such war as never was.”

95 Thus either army did presage, when Pallas made her pass

Amongst the multitude of Troy; who now put on the grace

Of brave Laodocus, the flow’r of old Antenor’s race,

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And sought for Lycian Pandarus, a man that, being bred

Out of a faithless family, she thought was fit to shed

100 The blood of any innocent, and break the cov’nant sworn;

He was Lycaon’s son, whom Jove into a wolf did turn

For sacrificing of a child, and yet in arms renown’d

As one that was inculpable. Him Pallas standing found,

And round about him his strong troops that bore the shady shields;

105 He brought them from Æsepus’ flood, let through the Lycian fields;

Whom standing near, she whisper’d thus: “Lycaon’s warlike son,

Shall I despair at thy kind hands to have a favour done?

Nor dar’st thou let an arrow fly upon the Spartan king?

It would be such a grace to Troy, and such a glorious thing,

110 That ev’ry man would give his gift; but Alexander’s hand

Would load thee with them, if he could discover from his stand

His foe’s pride strook down with thy shaft, and he himself ascend

The flaming heap of funeral. Come, shoot him, princely friend;

But first invoke the God of Light, that in thy land was born,

115 And is in archers’ art the best that ever sheaf hath worn,

To whom a hundred first-ew’d lambs vow thou in holy fire,

When safe to sacred Zelia’s tow’rs thy zealous steps retire.”

With this the mad gift-greedy man Minerva did persuade,

Who instantly drew forth a bow, most admirably made

120 Of th’ antler of a jumping goat bred in a steep up-land,

Which archer-like (as long before he took his hidden stand,

The evicke skipping from a rock) into the breast he smote,

And headlong fell’d him from his cliff. The forehead of the goat

Held out a wondrous goodly palm, that sixteen branches brought;

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125 Of all which join’d, an useful bow a skilful bowyer wrought,

Which pick’d and polish’d, both the ends he hid with horns of gold

And this bow, bent, he close laid down, and bad his soldiers hold

Their shields before him, lest the Greeks, discerning him, should rise

In tumults ere the Spartan king could be his arrow’s prise.

130 Mean space, with all his care he choos’d, and from his quiver drew,

An arrow, feather’d best for flight, and yet that never flew,

Strong headed, and most apt to pierce; then took he up his bow,

And nock’d his shaft, the ground whence all their future grief did grow.

When, praying to his God the Sun, that was in Lycia bred,

135 And king of archers, promising that he the blood would shed

Of full an hundred first-fall’n lambs, all offer’d to his name,

When to Zelia’s sacred walls from rescu’d Troy he came,

He took his arrow by the nock, and to his bended breast

The oxy sinew close he drew, ev’n till the pile did rest

140 Upon the bosom of the bow; and as that savage prise

His strength constrain’d into an orb, as if the wind did rise

The coming of it made a noise, the sinew-forgéd string

Did give a mighty twang, and forth the eager shaft did sing,

Affecting speediness of flight, amongst the Achive throng.

145 Nor were the blesséd Heav’nly Pow’rs unmindful of thy wrong,

O Menelaus, but, in chief, Jove’s seed, the Pillager,

Stood close before, and slack’d the force the arrow did confer,

With as much care and little hurt, as doth a mother use,

And keep off from her babe, when sleep doth through his pow’rs diffuse

150 His golden humour, and th’ assaults of rude and busy flies

She still checks with her careful hand; for so the shaft she plies

That on the buttons made of gold, which made his girdle fast,

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And where his curets double were, the fall of it she plac’d.

And thus much proof she put it to: the buckle made of gold;

155 The belt it fast’ned, bravely wrought; his curets’ double fold;

And last, the charméd plate he wore, which help’d him more than all,

And, ’gainst all darts and shafts bestow’d, was to his life a wall;

So, through all these, the upper skin the head did only race;

Yet forth the blood flow’d, which did much his royal person grace,

160 And show’d upon his ivory skin, as doth a purple dye

Laid, by a dame of Caïra, or lovely Mæony,

On ivory, wrought in ornaments to deck the cheeks of horse;

Which in her marriage room must lie; whose beauties have such force

That they are wish’d of many knights, but are such precious things,

165 That they are kept for horse that draw the chariots of kings,

Which horse, so deck’d, the charioteer esteems a grace to him;

Like these, in grace, the blood upon thy solid thighs did swim,

O Menelaus, down thy calves and ankles to the ground.

For nothing decks a soldier so, as doth an honour’d wound.

170 Yet, fearing he had far’d much worse, the hair stood up on end

On Agamemnon, when he saw so much black blood descend.

And stiff’ned with the like dismay was Menelaus too,

But seeing th’ arrow’s stale without, and that the head did go

No further than it might be seen, he call’d his spirits again;

175 Which Agamemnon marking not, but thinking he was slain,

He grip’d his brother by the hand, and sigh’d as he would break,

Which sigh the whole host took from him, who thus at last did speak:

“O dearest brother, is’t for this, that thy death must be wrought,

Wrought I this truce? For this hast thou the single combat fought

180 For all the army of the Greeks? For this hath Ilion sworn,

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And trod all faith beneath their feet? Yet all this hath not worn

The right we challeng’d out of force; this cannot render vain

Our stricken right hands, sacred wine, nor all our off’rings slain;

For though Olympius be not quick in making good our ill,

185 He will be sure as he is slow, and sharplier prove his will.

Their own hands shall be ministers of those plagues they despise,

Which shall their wives and children reach, and all their progenies.

For both in mind and soul I know, that there shall come a day

When Ilion, Priam, all his pow’r, shall quite be worn away,

190 When heav’n-inhabiting Jove shall shake his fiery shield at all,

For this one mischief. This, I know, the world cannot recall.

But be all this, all my grief still for thee will be the same,

Dear brother. If thy life must here put out his royal flame,

I shall to sandy Argos turn with infamy my face;

195 And all the Greeks will call for home; old Priam and his race

Will flame in glory; Helena untouch’d be still their prey;

And thy bones in our enemies’ earth our curséd fates shall lay;

Thy sepulchre be trodden down; the pride of Troy desire

Insulting on it, ‘Thus, O thus, let Agamemnon’s ire

200 In all his acts be expiate, as now he carries home

His idle army, empty ships, and leaves here overcome

Good Menelaus.’ When this brave breaks in their hated breath,

Then let the broad earth swallow me, and take me quick to death.”

“Nor shall this ever chance,” said he, “and therefore be of cheer,

205 Lest all the army, led by you, your passions put in fear.

The arrow fell in no such place as death could enter at,

My girdle, curets doubled here, and my most trusted plate,

Objected all ’twixt me and death, the shaft scarce piercing one.”

“Good brother,” said the king, “I wish it were no further gone,

210 For then our best in med’cines skilled shall ope and search the wound,

Applying balms to ease thy pains, and soon restore thee sound.”

This said, divine Talthybiús he call’d, and bad him haste

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Machaon (Æsculapius’ son, who most of men was grac’d

With physic’s sov’reign remedies) to come and lend his hand

215 To Menelaus, shot by one well-skill’d in the command

Of bow and arrows, one of Troy, or of the Lycian aid,

Who much hath glorified our foe, and us as much dismay’d.

He heard, and hasted instantly, and cast his eyes about

The thickest squadrons of the Greeks, to find Machaon out.

220 He found him standing guarded well with well-arm’d men of Thrace;

With whom he quickly join’d, and said: “Man of Apollo’s race,

Haste, for the king of men commands, to see a wound impress’d

In Menelaus, great in arms, by one instructed best

In th’ art of archery, of Troy, or of the Lycian bands,

225 That them with much renown adorns, us with dishonour brands.”

Machaon much was mov’d with this, who with the herald flew

From troop to troop alongst the host; and soon they came in view

Of hurt Atrides, circled round with all the Grecian kings;

Who all gave way, and straight he draws the shaft, which forth he brings

230 Without the forks; the girdle then, plate, curets, off he plucks,

And views the wound; when first from it the clotter’d blood he sucks,

Then med’cines, wondrously compos’d, the skilful leech applied,

Which loving Chiron taught his sire, he from his sire had tried.

While these were thus employ’d to ease the Atrean martialist,

235 The Trojans arm’d, and charg’d the Greeks; the Greeks arm and resist.

Then not asleep, nor maz’d with fear, nor shifting off the blows,

You could behold the king of men, but in full speed he goes

To set a glorious fight on foot and he examples this,

With toiling, like the worst, on foot; who therefore did dismiss

240 His brass-arm’d chariot, and his steeds, with Ptolemëus’ son,

Son of Piraides, their guide, the good Eurymedon;

“Yet,” said the king, “attend with them, lest weariness should seize

My limbs, surcharg’d with ord’ring troops so thick and vast as these.”

Eurymedon then rein’d his horse, that trotted neighing by;

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245 The king a footman, and so scours the squadrons orderly.

Those of his swiftly-mounted Greeks, that in their arms were fit,

Those he put on with cheerful words, and bad them not remit

The least spark of their forward spirits, because the Trojans durst

Take these abhorr’d advantages, but let them do their worst;

250 For they might be assur’d that Jove would patronise no lies,

And that who, with the breach of truce, would hurt their enemies,

With vultures should be torn themselves; that they should raze their town,

Their wives, and children at their breast, led vassals to their own.

But such as he beheld hang off from that increasing fight,

255 Such would he bitterly rebuke, and with disgrace excite:

“Base Argives, blush ye not to stand as made for butts to darts?

Why are ye thus discomfited, like hinds that have no hearts,

Who, wearied with a long-run field, are instantly emboss’d,

Stand still, and in their beastly breasts is all their courage lost?

260 And so stand you strook with amaze, nor dare to strike a stroke.

Would ye the foe should nearer yet your dastard spleens provoke,

Ev’n where on Neptune’s foamy shore our navies lie in sight,

To see if Jove will hold your hands, and teach ye how to fight?”

Thus he, commanding, rang’d the host, and, passing many a band,

265 He came to the Cretensian troops, where all did arméd stand

About the martial Idomen; who bravely stood before

In vanguard of his troops, and match’d for strength a savage boar;

Meriones, his charioteer, the rearguard bringing on.

Which seen to Atreus’ son, to him it was a sight alone,

270 And Idomen’s confirméd mind with these kind words he seeks:

“O Idomen! I ever lov’d thy self past all the Greeks,

In war, or any work of peace, at table, ev’rywhere;

For when the best of Greece besides mix ever, at our cheer,

My good old ardent wine with small, and our inferior mates

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275 Drink ev’n that mix’d wine measur’d too, them drink’st, without those rates,

Our old wine neat, and evermore thy bowl stands full like mine,

To drink still when and what thou wilt. Then rouse that heart of thine,

And, whatsoever heretofore thou hast assum’d to be,

This day be greater.” To the king in this sort answer’d he:

280 “Atrides, what I ever seem’d, the same at ev’ry part

This day shall show me at the full, and I will fit thy heart.

But thou shouldst rather cheer the rest, and tell them they in right

Of all good war must offer blows, and should begin the fight,

(Since Troy first brake the holy truce) and not endure these braves,

285 To take wrong first, and then be dar’d to the revenge it craves;

Assuring them that Troy in fate must have the worst at last,

Since first, and ’gainst a truce, they hurt, where they should have embrac’d.”

This comfort and advice did fit Atrides’ heart indeed

Who still through new-rais’d swarms of men held his laborious speed,

290 And came where both th’ Ajaces stood; whom like the last he found

Arm’d, casqu’d, and ready for the fight. Behind them, hid the ground

A cloud of foot, that seem’d to smoke. And as a goatherd spies,

On some hill’s top, out of the sea, a rainy vapour rise,

Driv’n by the breath of Zephyrus, which, though far off he rest,

295 Comes on as black as pitch, and brings a tempest in his breast,

Whereat he frighted, drives his herds apace into a den;

So dark’ning earth with darts and shields show’d these with all their men.

This sight with like joy fir’d the king, who thus let forth the flame

In crying out to both the dukes: “O you of equal name,

300 I must not cheer, nay, I disclaim all my command of you,

Yourselves command with such free minds, and make your soldiers show

As you nor I led, but themselves. O would our father Jove,

Minerva, and the God of Light, would all our bodies move

With such brave spirits as breathe in you, then Priam’s lofty town

305 Should soon be taken by our hands, for ever overthrown!”

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Then held he on to other troops, and Nestor next beheld,

The subtle Pylian orator, range up and down the field

Embattelling his men at arms, and stirring all to blows,

Points ev’ry legion out his chief, and ev’ry chief he shows

310 The forms and discipline of war, yet his commanders were

All éxpert, and renowméd men. Great Pelagon was there,

Alastor, manly Chromius, and Hæmon worth a throne,

And Bias that could armies lead. With these he first put on

His horse troops with their chariots; his foot (of which he choos’d

315 Many, the best and ablest men, and which he ever us’d

As rampire to his gen’ral pow’r) he in the rear dispos’d.

The slothful, and the least of spirit, he in the midst inclos’d,

That, such as wanted noble wills, base need might force to stand.

His horse troops, that the vanguard had, he strictly did command

320 To ride their horses temp’rately, to keep their ranks, and shun

Confusion, lest their horsemanship and courage made them run

(Too much presum’d on) much too far, and, charging so alone,

Engage themselves in th’ enemy’s strength, where many fight with one.

“Who his own chariot leaves to range, let him not freely go,

325 But straight unhorse him with a lance; for ’tis much better so.

And with this discipline,” said he, “this form, these minds, this trust,

Our ancestors have walls and towns laid level with the dust.”

Thus prompt, and long inur’d to arms, this old man did exhort;

And this Atrides likewise took in wondrous cheerful sort,

330 And said: “O father, would to heav’n, that as thy mind remains

In wonted vigour, so thy knees could undergo our pains!

But age, that all men overcomes, hath made his prise on thee;

Yet still I wish that some young man, grown old in mind, might be

Put in proportion with thy years, and thy mind, young in age,

335 Be fitly answer’d with his youth; that still where conflicts rage,

And young men us’d to thirst for fame, thy brave exampling hand

Might double our young Grecian spirits, and grace our whole command.”

The old knight answer’d: “I myself could wish, O Atreus’ son,

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I were as young as when I slew brave Ereuthalion,

340 But Gods at all times give not all their gifts to mortal men.

If then I had the strength of youth, I miss’d the counsels then

That years now give me; and now years want that main strength of youth;

Yet still my mind retains her strength (as you now said the sooth)

And would be where that strength is us’d, affording counsel sage

345 To stir youth’s minds up; ’tis the grace and office of our age;

Let younger sinews, men sprung up whole ages after me,

And such as have strength, use it, and as strong in honour be.”

The king, all this while comforted, arriv’d next where he found

Well-rode Menestheus (Peteus’ son) stand still, inviron’d round

350 With his well-train’d Athenian troops; and next to him he spied

The wise Ulysses, deedless too, and all his bands beside

Of strong Cephalians; for as yet th’ alarm had not been heard

In all their quarters, Greece and Troy were then so newly stirr’d,

And then first mov’d, as they conceiv’d; and they so look’d about

355 To see both hosts give proof of that they yet had cause to doubt.

Atrides seeing them stand so still, and spend their eyes at gaze,

Began to chide: “And why,” said he, “dissolv’d thus in amaze,

Thou son of Peteus, Jove-nurs’d king, and thou in wicked sleight

A cunning soldier, stand ye off? Expect ye that the fight

360 Should be by other men begun? ’Tis fit the foremost band

Should show you there; you first should front who first lifts up his hand.

First you can hear, when I invite the princes to a feast,

When first, most friendly, and at will, ye eat and drink the best,

Yet in the fight, most willingly, ten troops ye can behold

365 Take place before ye.” Ithacus at this his brows did fold,

And said: “How hath thy violent tongue broke through thy set of teeth,

To say that we are slack in fight, and to the field of death

Look others should enforce our way, when we were busied then,

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Ev’n when thou spak’st, against the foe to cheer and lead our men?

370 But thy eyes shall be witnesses, if it content thy will,

And that (as thou pretend’st) these cares do so affect thee still,

The father of Telemachus (whom I esteem so dear,

And to whom, as a legacy, I’ll leave my deeds done here)

Ev’n with the foremost band of Troy hath his encounter dar’d,

375 And therefore are thy speeches vain, and had been better spar’d.”

He, smiling, since he saw him mov’d, recall’d his words, and said:

“Most generous Laertes’ son, most wise of all our aid,

I neither do accuse thy worth, more than thyself may hold

Fit, (that inferiors think not much, being slack, to be controll’d)

380 Nor take I on me thy command; for well I know thy mind

Knows how sweet gentle counsels are, and that thou stand’st inclin’d,

As I myself, for all our good. On then; if now we spake

What hath displeas’d, another time we full amends will make;

And Gods grant that thy virtue here may prove so free and brave,

385 That my reproofs may still be vain, and thy deservings grave.”

Thus parted they; and forth he went, when he did leaning find,

Against his chariot, near his horse, him with the mighty mind,

Great Diomedes, Tydeus’ son, and Sthenelus, the seed

Of Capaneius; whom the king seeing likewise out of deed,

390 Thus cried he out on Diomed: “O me! In what a fear

The wise great warrior, Tydeus’ son, stands gazing ev’rywhere

For others to begin the fight! It was not Tydeus’ use

To be so daunted, whom his spirit would evermore produce

Before the foremost of his friends in these affairs of fright,

395 As they report that have beheld him labour in a fight.

For me, I never knew the man, nor in his presence came,

But excellent, above the rest, he was in gen’ral fame;

And one renowm’d exploit of his, I am assur’d, is true.

He came to the Mycenian court, without arms, and did sue,

400 At godlike Polynices’ hands, to have some worthy aid

To their designs that ’gainst the walls of sacred Thebes were laid.

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He was great Polynices’ guest, and nobly entertain’d,

And of the kind Mycenian state what he requested gain’d,

In mere consent; but when they should the same in act approve,

405 By some sinister prodigies, held out to them by Jove,

They were discourag’d. Thence he went, and safely had his pass

Back to Asopus’ flood, renowm’d for bulrushes and grass.

Yet, once more, their ambassador, the Grecian peers address

Lord Tydeus to Eteocles; to whom being giv’n access,

410 He found him feasting with a crew of Cadmeans in his hall;

Amongst whom, though an enemy, and only one to all;

To all yet he his challenge made at ev’ry martial feat,

And eas’ly foil’d all, since with him Minerva was so great.

The rank-rode Cadmeans, much incens’d with their so foul disgrace,

415 Lodg’d ambuscadoes for their foe, in some well-chosen place

By which he was to make return. Twice five-and-twenty men,

And two of them great captains too, the ambush did contain.

The names of those two men of rule were Mæon, Hæmon’s son,

And Lycophontes, Keep-field call’d, the heir of Autophon,

420 By all men honour’d like the Gods; yet these and all their friends

Were sent to hell by Tydeus’ hand, and had untimely ends.

He trusting to the aid of Gods, reveal’d by augury,

Obeying which, one chief he sav’d, and did his life apply

To be the heavy messenger of all the others’ deaths;

425 And that sad message, with his life, to Mæon he bequeaths.

So brave a knight was Tydeüs: of whom a son is sprung,

Inferior far in martial deeds, though higher in his tongue.”

All this Tydides silent heard, aw’d by the rev’rend king;

Which stung hot Sthenelus with wrath, who thus put forth his sting:

430 “Atrides, when thou know’st the truth, speak what thy knowledge is,

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And do not lie so; for I know, and I will brag in this,

That we are far more able men than both our fathers were.

We took the sev’n-fold ported Thebes, when yet we had not there

So great help as our fathers had; and fought beneath a wall,

435 Sacred to Mars, by help of Jove, and trusting to the fall

Of happy signs from other Gods, by whom we took the town

Untouch’d; our fathers perishing there by follies of their own;

And therefore never more compare our fathers’ worth with ours.”

Tydides frown’d at this, and said: “Suppress thine anger’s pow’rs,

440 Good friend, and hear why I refrain’d. Thou seest I am not mov’d

Against our gen’ral, since he did but what his place behov’d,

Admonishing all Greeks to fight; for, if Troy prove our prise,

The honour and the joy is his; if here our ruin lies,

The shame and grief for that as much is his in greatest kinds.

445 As he then his charge, weigh we ours; which is our dauntless minds.”

Thus, from his chariot, amply arm’d, he jump’d down to the ground;

The armour of the angry king so horribly did sound,

It might have made his bravest foe let fear take down his braves.

And as when with the west-wind flaws, the sea thrusts up her waves,

450 One after other, thick and high, upon the groaning shores,

First in herself loud, but oppos’d with banks and rocks she roars,

And, all her back in bristles set, spits ev’ry way her foam;

So, after Diomed, instantly the field was overcome

With thick impressions of the Greeks; and all the noise that grew

455 (Ord’ring and cheering up their men) from only leaders flew.

The rest went silently away, you could not hear a voice,

Nor would have thought, in all their breasts, they had one in their choice,

Their silence uttering their awe of them that them controll’d,

Which made each man keep bright his arms, march, fight still where he should.

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460 The Trojans (like a sort of ewes, penn’d in a rich man’s fold,

Close at his door, till all be milk’d, and never baaing hold

Hearing the bleating of their lambs) did all their wide host fill

With shouts and clamours, nor observ’d one voice, one baaing still,

But show’d mix’d tongues from many a land of men call’d to their aid.

465 Rude Mars had th’ ordering of their spirits; of Greeks, the learned Maid.

But Terror follow’d both the hosts, and Flight, and furious Strife

The sister, and the mate, of Mars, that spoil of human life;

And never is her rage at rest, at first she is but small,

Yet after, but a little fed, she grows so vast and tall

470 That, while her feet move here in earth, her forehead is in heav’n;

And this was she that made ev’n then both hosts so deadly giv’n.

Through ev’ry troop she stalk’d, and stirr’d rough sighs up as she went;

But when in one field both the foes her fury did content,

And both came under reach of darts, then darts and shields oppos’d

475 To darts and shields; strength answer’d strength; then swords and targets clos’d

With swords and targets; both with pikes; and then did tumult rise

Up to her height; then conqu’rors’ boasts mix’d with the conquer’d’s cries;

Earth flow’d with blood. And as from hills rain-waters headlong fall,

That all ways eat huge ruts, which, met in one bed, fill a vall

480 With such a confluence of streams, that on the mountain grounds

Far off, in frighted shepherds’ ears, the bustling noise rebounds:

So grew their conflicts, and so show’d their scuffling to the ear,

With flight and clamour still commix’d, and all effects of fear.

And first renowm’d Antilochus slew (fighting, in the face

485 Of all Achaia’s foremost bands, with an undaunted grace)

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Echepolus Thalysiades; he was an arméd man;

Whom on his hair-plum’d helmet’s crest the dart first smote, then ran

Into his forehead, and there stuck; the steel pile making way

Quite through his skull; a hasty night shut up his latest day.

490 His fall was like a fight-rac’d tow’r; like which lying there dispread,

King Elephenor (who was son to Chalcodon, and led

The valiant Abants) covetous that he might first possess

His arms, laid hands upon his feet, and hal’d him from the press

Of darts and jav’lins hurl’d at him. The action of the king

495 When great-in-heart Agenor saw, he made his jav’lin sing

To th’ others’ labour; and along as he the trunk did wrest,

His side (at which he bore his shield) in bowing of his breast

Lay naked, and receiv’d the lance, that made him lose his hold

And life together; which, in hope of that he lost, he sold.

500 But for his sake the fight grew fierce, the Trojans and their foes

Like wolves on one another rush’d, and man for man it goes.

The next of name, that serv’d his fate, great Ajax Telamon

Preferr’d so sadly. He was heir to old Anthemion,

And deck’d with all the flow’r of youth; the fruit of which yet fled,

505 Before the honour’d nuptial torch could light him to his bed.

His name was Simoisius; for, some few years before,

His mother walking down the hill of Ida, by the shore

Of silver Simois, to see her parents’ flocks, with them

She, feeling suddenly the pains of child-birth, by the stream

510 Of that bright river brought him forth; and so (of Simois)

They call’d him Simoisius. Sweet was that birth of his

To his kind parents, and his growth did all their care employ;

And yet those rites of piety, that should have been his joy

To pay their honour’d years again in as affectionate sort,

515 He could not graciously perform, his sweet life was so short,

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Cut off with mighty Ajax’ lance; for, as his spirit put on,

He strook him at his breast’s right pap, quite through his shoulder-bone,

And in the dust of earth he fell, that was the fruitful soil

Of his friends’ hopes; but where he sow’d he buried all his toil.

520 And as a poplar shot aloft, set by a river side,

In moist edge of a mighty fen, his head in curls implied,

But all his body plain and smooth, to which a wheelwright puts

The sharp edge of his shining axe, and his soft timber cuts

From his innative root, in hope to hew out of his bole

525 The fell’ffs, or out-parts of a wheel, that compass in the whole,

To serve some goodly chariot; but, being big and sad,

And to be hal’d home through the bogs, the useful hope he had

Sticks there, and there the goodly plant lies with’ring out his grace:

So lay, by Jove-bred Ajax’ hand, Anthemion’s forward race,

530 Nor could through that vast fen of toils be drawn to serve the ends

Intended by his body’s pow’rs, nor cheer his aged friends.

But now the gay-arm’d Antiphus, a son of Priam, threw

His lance at Ajax through the prease; which went by him, and flew

On Leucus, wise Ulysses’ friend; his groin it smote, as fain

535 He would have drawn into his spoil the carcass of the slain,

By which he fell, and that by him; it vex’d Ulysses’ heart,

Who thrust into the face of fight, well-arm’d at ev’ry part,

Came close, and look’d about to find an object worth his lance;

Which when the Trojans saw him shake, and he so near advance,

540 All shrunk; he threw, and forth it shin’d, nor fell but where it fell’d;

His friend’s grief gave it angry pow’r, and deadly way it held

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Upon Democoon, who was sprung of Priam’s wanton force,

Came from Abydus, and was made the master of his horse.

Through both his temples strook the dart, the wood of one side shew’d,

545 The pile out of the other look’d, and so the earth he strew’d

With much sound of his weighty arms. Then back the foremost went;

Ev’n Hector yielded; then the Greeks gave worthy clamours vent,

Effecting then their first-dumb pow’rs; some drew the dead, and spoil’d,

Some follow’d, that, in open flight, Troy might confess it foil’d.

550 Apollo, angry at the sight, from top of Ilion cried:

“Turn head, ye well-rode peers of Troy, feed not the Grecians’ pride,

They are not charm’d against your points, of steel, nor iron, fram’d;

Nor fights the fair-hair’d Thetis’ son, but sits at fleet inflam’d.”

So spake the dreadful God from Troy. The Greeks, Jove’s noblest Seed

555 Encourag’d to keep on the chace; and, where fit spirit did need,

She gave it, marching in the midst. Then flew the fatal hour.

Back on Diores, in return of Ilion’s sun-burn’d pow’r;

Diores Amaryncides, whose right leg’s ankle-bone,

And both the sinews, with a sharp and handful-charging stone

560 Pirus Imbrasides did break, that led the Thracian bands

And came from Ænos; down he fell, and up he held his hands

To his lov’d friends; his spirit wing’d to fly out of his breast;

With which not satisfied, again Imbrasides address’d

His jav’lin at him, and so ripp’d his navel, that the wound,

665 As endlessly it shut his eyes, so, open’d, on the ground

It pour’d his entrails. As his foe went then suffic’d away,

Thoas Ætolius threw a dart, that did his pile convey,

Above his nipple, through his lungs; when, quitting his stern part,

He clos’d with him, and, from his breast first drawing out his dart,

570 His sword flew in, and by the midst it wip’d his belly out;

So took his life, but left his arms; his friends so flock’d about,

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And thrust forth lances of such length before their slaughter’d king,

Which, though their foe were big and strong, and often brake the ring

Forg’d of their lances, yet (enforc’d) he left th’ affected prise.

575 The Thracian and Epeian dukes, laid close with closéd eyes

By either other, drown’d in dust; and round about the plain,

All hid with slaughter’d carcases, yet still did hotly reign

The martial planet; whose effects had any eye beheld,

Free and unwounded (and were led by Pallas through the field,

580 To keep off jav’lins, and suggest the least fault could be found)

He could not reprehend the fight, so many strew’d the ground.

hen Pallas breath’d in Tydeus’ son; to render whom supreme

To all the Greeks, at all his parts, she cast a hotter beam

On his high mind, his body fill’d with much superior might,

And made his cómplete armour cast a far more cómplete light.

5 From his bright helm and shield did burn a most unwearied fire,

Like rich Autumnus’ golden lamp, whose brightness men admire

Past all the other host of stars, when, with his cheerful face

Fresh wash’d in lofty Ocean waves, he doth the skies enchase.

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To let whose glory lose no sight, still Pallas made him turn

10 Where tumult most express’d his pow’r, and where the fight did burn.

An honest and a wealthy man inhabited in Troy,

Dares, the priest of Mulciber, who two sons did enjoy,

Idæus, and bold Phegeüs, well-seen in ev’ry fight.

These (singled from their troops, and hors’d) assail’d Minerva’s knight,

15 Who rang’d from fight to fight on foot. All hasting mutual charge,

And now drawn near, first Phegeus threw a jav’lin swift and large,

Whose head the king’s left shoulder took, but did no harm at all;

Then rush’d he out a lance at him, that had no idle fall,

But in his breast stuck ’twixt the paps, and strook him from his horse.

20 Which stern sight when Idæus saw, distrustful of his force

To save his slaughter’d brother’s spoil, it made him headlong leap

From his fair chariot, and leave all; yet had not ’scap’d the heap

Of heavy fun’ral, if the God, great President of fire,

Had not in sudden clouds of smoke, and pity of his sire

25 To leave him utterly unheir’d, giv’n safe pass to his feet.

He gone, Tydides sent the horse and chariot to the fleet.

The Trojans seeing Dares’ sons, one slain, the other fled,

Were strook amaz’d. The blue-ey’d Maid (to grace her Diomed

In giving free way to his pow’r) made this so ruthful fact

30 A fit advantage to remove the War-god out of act,

Who rag’d so on the Ilion side. She grip’d his hand, and said:

“Mars, Mars, thou ruiner of men, that in the dust hast laid

So many cities, and with blood thy godhead dost distain,

Now shall we cease to show our breasts as passionate as men,

35 And leave the mixture of our hands, resigning Jove his right,

As Rector of the Gods, to give the glory of the fight

Where he affecteth, lest he force what we should freely yield?”

He held it fit, and went with her from the tumultuous field,

Who set him in an herby seat on broad Scamander’s shore.

40 He gone, all Troy was gone with him, the Greeks drave all before,

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And ev’ry leader slew a man; but first the king of men

Deserv’d the honour of his name, and led the slaughter then,

And slew a leader, one more huge than any man he led,

Great Odius, duke of Halizons; quite from his chariot’s head

45 He strook him with a lance to earth, as first he flight address’d;

It took his forward-turnéd back, and look’d out of his breast;

His huge trunk sounded, and his arms did echo the resound.

Idomenæus to the death did noble Phæstus wound,

The son of Meon-Borus, that from cloddy Terna came;

50 Who, taking chariot, took his wound, and tumbled with the same

From his attempted seat: the lance through his right shoulder strook,

And horrid darkness strook through him; the spoil his soldiers took.

Atrides-Menelaus slew, as he before him fled,

Scamandrius, son of Strophius, that was a huntsman bred;

55 A skilful huntsman, for his skill Diana’s self did teach,

And made him able with his dart infallibly to reach

All sorts of subtlest savages, which many a woody hill

Bred for him, and he much preserv’d, and all to show his skill.

Yet not the dart-delighting Queen taught him to shun this dart,

60 Nor all his hitting so far off, the mast’ry of his art;

His back receiv’d it, and he fell upon his breast withal;

His body’s ruin, and his arms, so sounded in his fall,

That his affrighted horse flew off, and left him, like his life.

Meriones slew Phereclus, whom she that ne’er was wife,

65 Yet Goddess of good housewives, held in excellent respect

For knowing all the witty things that grace an architect,

And having pow’r to give it all the cunning use of hand.

Harmonides, his sire, built ships, and made him understand,

With all the practice it requir’d, the frame of all that skill.

70 He built all Alexander’s ships, that author’d all the ill

Of all the Trojans and his own, because he did not know

The oracles advising Troy (for fear of overthrow)

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To meddle with no sea affair, but live by tilling land.

This man Meriones surpris’d, and drave his deadly hand

75 Through his right hip; the lance’s head ran through the región

About the bladder, underneath th’ in-muscles and the bone;

He, sighing, bow’d his knees to death, and sacrific’d to earth.

Phylides stay’d Pedæus’ flight, Antenor’s bastard birth,

Whom virtuous Theano his wife, to please her husband, kept

80 As tenderly as those she lov’d. Phylides near him stept,

And in the fountain of the nerves did drench his fervent lance,

At his head’s back-part; and so far the sharp head did advance,

It cleft the organ of his speech, and th’ iron, cold as death,

He took betwixt his grinning teeth, and gave the air his breath.

85 Eurypylus, the much renowm’d, and great Evemon’s son,

Divine Hypsenor slew, begot by stout Dolopion,

And consecrate Scamander’s priest; he had a God’s regard

Amongst the people; his hard flight the Grecian follow’d hard,

Rush’d in so close, that with his sword he on his shoulder laid

90 A blow that his arm’s brawn cut off; nor there his vigour stay’d,

But drave down, and from off his wrist it hew’d his holy hand

That gush’d out blood, and down it dropp’d upon the blushing sand;

Death, with his purple finger, shut, and violent fate, his eyes.

Thus fought these, but distinguish’d well. Tydides so implies

95 His fury that you could not know whose side had interest

In his free labours, Greece or Troy; but as a flood, increas’d

By violent and sudden show’rs, let down from hills, like hills

Melted in fury, swells and foams, and so he overfills

His natural channel; that besides both hedge and bridge resigns

100 To his rough confluence, far spread; and lusty flourishing vines

Drown’d in his outrage; Tydeus’ son so overran the field,

Strew’d such as flourish’d in his way, and made whole squadrons yield.

When Pandarus, Lycaon’s son, beheld his ruining hand,

With such resistless insolence, make lanes through ev’ry band,

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105 He bent his gold-tipp’d bow of horn, and shot him rushing in,

At his right shoulder, where his arms were hollow; forth did spin

The blood, and down his curets ran; then Pandarus cried out:

“Rank-riding Trojans, now rush in. Now, now, I make no doubt

Our bravest foe is mark’d for death; he cannot long sustain

110 My violent shaft, if Jove’s fair Son did worthily constrain

My foot from Lycia.” Thus he brav’d, and yet his violent shaft

Strook short with all his violence, Tydides’ life was saft;

Who yet withdrew himself behind his chariot and steeds,

And call’d to Sthenelus: “Come friend, my wounded shoulder needs

115 Thy hand to ease it of this shaft.” He hasted from his seat

Before the coach, and drew the shaft; the purple wound did sweat,

And drown his shirt of mail in blood, and as it bled he pray’d:

“Hear me, of Jove-Ægiochus thou most unconquer’d Maid!

If ever in the cruel field thou hast assistful stood

120 Or to my father, or myself, now love, and do me good.

Give him into my lance’s reach, that thus hath giv’n a wound

To him thou guard’st, preventing me, and brags that never more

I shall behold the cheerful sun.” Thus did the king implore.

The Goddess heard, came near, and took the weariness of fight

125 From all his nerves and lineaments, and made them fresh and light,

And said: “Be bold, O Diomed, in ev’ry combat shine,

The great shield-shaker Tydeus’ strength (that knight, that sire of thine)

By my infusion breathes in thee; and from thy knowing mind

I have remov’d those erring mists that made it lately blind,

130 That thou may’st diff’rence Gods from men, and therefore use thy skill

Against the tempting Deities, if any have a will

To try if thou presum’st of that, as thine, that flows from them,

And so assum’st above thy right. Where thou discern’st a beam

Of any other Heav’nly Pow’r than She that rules in love,

135 That calls thee to the change of blows, resist not, but remove;

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But if that Goddess be so bold (since she first stirr’d this war)

Assault and mark her from the rest with some infámous scar.”

The blue-eyed Goddess vanishéd, and he was seen again

Amongst the foremost, who before though he were prompt and fain

140 To fight against the Trojans’ pow’rs, now, on his spirits were call’d

With thrice the vigour; lion-like, that hath been lately gall’d

By some bold shepherd in a field, where his curl’d flocks were laid,

Who took him as he leap’d the fold, not slain yet, but appaid

With greater spirit, comes again, and then the shepherd hides,

145 (The rather for the desolate place) and in his cote abides,

His flocks left guardless; which, amaz’d, shake and shrink up in heaps;

He, ruthless, freely takes his prey, and out again he leaps;

So sprightly, fierce, victorious, the great heroë flew

Upon the Trojans, and, at once, he two commanders slew,

150 Hypenor and Astynous; in one his lance he fix’d

Full at the nipple of his breast; the other smote betwixt

The neck and shoulder with his sword, which was so well laid on

It swept his arm and shoulder off. These left, he rush’d upon

Abas and Polyëidus, of old Eurydamas

155 The hapless sons; who could by dreams tell what would come to pass,

Yet, when his sons set forth to Troy, the old man could not read

By their dreams what would chance to them, for both were stricken dead

By great Tydides. After these, he takes into his rage

Xanthus and Thoön, Phænops’ sons, born to him in his age;

160 The good old man ev’n pin’d with years, and had not one son more

To heir his goods; yet Diomed took both, and left him store

Of tears and sorrows in their steads, since he could never see

His sons leave those hot wars alive; so this the end must be

Of all his labours; what he heap’d, to make his issue great,

165 Authority heir’d, and with her seed fill’d his forgotten seat.

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Then snatch’d he up two Priamists, that in one chariot stood,

Echemon, and fair Chromius. As feeding in a wood

Oxen or steers are, one of which a lion leaps upon,

Tears down, and wrings in two his neck; so, sternly, Tydeus’ son

170 Threw from their chariot both these hopes of old Dardanides,

Then took their arms, and sent their horse to those that ride the seas.

Æneas, seeing the troops thus toss’d, brake through the heat of fight,

And all the whizzing of the darts, to find the Lycian knight,

Lycaon’s son; whom having found, he thus bespake the peer:

175 “O Pandarus, where’s now thy bow, thy deathful arrows where,

In which no one in all our host but gives the palm to thee,

Nor in the sun-lov’d Lycian greens, that breed our archery,

Lives any that exceeds thyself? Come, lift thy hands to Jove,

And send an arrow at this man, if but a man he prove,

180 That wins such god-like victories, and now affects our host

With so much sorrow, since so much of our best blood is lost

By his high valour. I have fear some God in him doth threat,

Incens’d for want of sacrifice; the wrath of God is great.”

Lycaon’s famous son replied: “Great counsellor of Troy,

185 This man, so excellent in arms, I think is Tydeus’ joy;

I know him by his fi’ry shield, by his bright three-plum’d casque,

And by his horse; nor can I say, if or some God doth mask

In his appearance, or he be whom I nam’d Tydeus’ son,

But without God the things he does for certain are not done.

190 Some great Immortal, that conveys his shoulders in a cloud,

Goes by and puts by ev’ry dart at his bold breast bestow’d,

Or lets it take with little hurt; for I myself let fly

A shaft that shot him through his arms, but had as good gone by,

Yet which I gloriously affirm’d had driv’n him down to hell.

195 Some God is angry, and with me; for far hence, where I dwell,

My horse and chariots idle stand, with which some other way

I might repair this shameful miss. Elev’n fair chariots stay

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In old Lycaon’s court, new made, new trimm’d to have been gone,

Curtain’d, and arrast under foot; two horse to ev’ry one,

200 That eat white barley and black oats, and do no good at all;

And these Lycaon (that well knew how these affairs would fall)

Charg’d, when I set down this design, I should command with here,

And gave me many lessons more, all which much better were

Than any I took forth myself. The reason I laid down

205 Was but the sparing of my horse, since in a siegéd town

I thought our horse-meat would be scant, when they were us’d to have

Their manger full; so I left them, and like a lackey slave

Am come to Ilion, confident in nothing but my bow

That nothing profits me. Two shafts I vainly did bestow

210 At two great princes, but of both my arrows neither slew,

Nor this, nor Atreus’ younger son; a little blood I drew,

That serv’d but to incense them more. In an unhappy star

I therefore from my armoury have drawn those tools of war

That day, when, for great Hector’s sake, to amiable Troy

215 I came to lead the Trojan bands. But if I ever joy,

In safe return, my country’s sight, my wife’s, my lofty tow’rs,

Let any stranger take this head, if to the fi’ry Pow’rs

This bow, these shafts, in pieces burst, by these hands be not thrown;

Idle companions that they are to me and my renown.”

220 Æneas said: “Use no such words; for, any other way

Than this, they shall not now be us’d. We first will both assay

This man with horse and chariot. Come then, ascend to me,

That thou mayst try our Trojan horse, how skill’d in field they be,

And in pursuing those that fly, or flying, being pursued,

225 How excellent they are of foot; and these, if Jove conclude

The ’scape of Tydeüs again, and grace him with our flight,

Shall serve to bring us safely off. Come, I’ll be first shall fight,

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Take thou these fair reins and this scourge; or, if thou wilt, fight thou,

And leave the horses’ care to me.” He answer’d: “I will now

230 Descend to fight, keep thou the reins, and guide thyself thy horse,

Who with their wonted manager will better wield the force

Of the impulsive chariot, if we be driv’n to fly,

Than with a stranger; under whom they will be much more shy,

And, fearing my voice, wishing thine, grow resty, nor go on

235 To bear us off, but leave engag’d for mighty Tydeus’ son

Themselves and us. Then be thy part thy one-hoof’d horses’ guide,

I’ll make the fight, and with a dart receive his utmost pride.”

With this the gorgeous chariot both, thus prepar’d, ascend

And make full way at Diomed; which noted by his friend,

240 “Mine own most-lovéd mind,” said he, “two mighty men of war

I see come with a purpos’d charge; one’s he that hits so far

With bow and shaft, Lycaon’s son; the other fames the brood

Of great Anchises and the Queen that rules in amorous blood,

Æneas, excellent in arms. Come up, and use your steeds,

245 And look not war so in the face, lest that desire that feeds

Thy great mind be the bane of it.” This did with anger sting

The blood of Diomed, to see his friend, that chid the king

Before the fight, and then preferr’d his ablesse and his mind

To all his ancestors in fight, now come so far behind;

250 Whom thus he answer’d: “Urge no flight, you cannot please me so;

Nor is it honest in my mind to fear a coming foe,

Or make a flight good, though with fight. My pow’rs are yet entire,

And scorn the help-tire of a horse. I will not blow the fire

Of their hot valours with my flight, but cast upon the blaze

255 This body borne upon my knees. I entertain amaze?

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Minerva will not see that shame. And since they have begun,

They shall not both elect their ends; and he that ’scapes shall run,

Or stay and take the other’s fate. And this I leave for thee;—

If amply-wise Athenia give both their lives to me,

260 Rein our horse to their chariot hard, and have a special heed

To seize upon Æneas’ steeds, that we may change their breed,

And make a Grecian race of them that have been long of Troy.

For these are bred of those brave beasts which, for the lovely boy

That waits now on the cup of Jove, Jove, that far-seeing God,

265 Gave Tros the king in recompense; the best that ever trod

The sounding centre, underneath the morning and the sun.

Anchises stole the breed of them; for, where their sires did run,

He closely put his mares to them, and never made it known

To him that heir’d them, who was then the king Laomedon.

270 Six horses had he of that race, of which himself kept four,

And gave the other two his son; and these are they that scour

The field so bravely towards us, expert in charge and flight.

If these we have the pow’r to take, our prise is exquisite,

And our renown will far exceed.” While these were talking thus,

275 The fir’d horse brought th’ assailants near, and thus spake Pandarus:

“Most suff’ring-minded Tydeus’ son, that hast of war the art,

My shaft, that strook thee, slew thee not, I now will prove a dart.”

This said, he shook, and then he threw, a lance, aloft and large,

That in Tydides’ curets stuck, quite driving through his targe;

280 Then bray’d he out so wild a voice that all the field might hear:

“Now have I reach’d thy root of life, and by thy death shall bear

Our praise’s chief prise from the field.” Tydides undismay’d

Replied: “Thou err’st, I am not touch’d; but more charge will be laid

To both your lives before you part; at least the life of one

285 Shall satiate the throat of Mars.” This said, his lance was gone,

Minerva led it to his face, which at his eye ran in,

And, as he stoop’d, strook through his jaws, his tongue’s root, and his chin.

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Down from the chariot he fell, his gay arms shin’d and rung,

The swift horse trembled, and his soul for ever charm’d his tongue.

290 Æneas with his shield, and lance, leapt swiftly to his friend,

Afraid the Greeks would force his trunk; and that he did defend,

Bold as a lion of his strength; he hid him with his shield,

Shook round his lance, and horribly did threaten all the field

With death, if any durst make in. Tydides rais’d a stone

295 With his one hand, of wondrous weight, and pour’d it mainly on

The hip of Anchisiades, wherein the joint doth move

The thigh (’tis call’d the huckle-bone) which all in sherds it drove,

Brake both the nerves, and with the edge cut all the flesh away.

It stagger’d him upon his knees, and made th’ heroë stay

300 His strook-blind temples on his hand, his elbow on the earth;

And there this prince of men had died, if She that gave him birth,

(Kiss’d by Anchises on the green, where his fair oxen fed)

Jove’s loving daughter, instantly had not about him spread

Her soft embraces, and convey’d within her heav’nly veil

305 (Us’d as a rampire ’gainst all darts that did so hot assail)

Her dear-lov’d issue from the field. Then Sthenelus in haste,

Rememb’ring what his friend advis’d, from forth the prease made fast

His own horse to their chariot, and presently laid hand

Upon the lovely-coated horse Æneas did command.

310 Which bringing to the wond’ring Greeks, he did their guard commend

To his belov’d Deipylus, who was his inward friend,

And, of his equals, one to whom he had most honour shown,

That he might see them safe at fleet; then stept he to his own.

With which he cheerfully made in to Tydeus’ mighty race.

315 He, mad with his great enemy’s rape, was hot in desp’rate chace

Of her that made it, with his lance, arm’d less with steel than spite,

Well knowing her no Deity that had to do in fight,

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Minerva his great patroness, nor, She that raceth towns,

Bellona, but a Goddess weak, and foe to men’s renowns.

320 Her, through a world of fight pursu’d, at last he overtook,

And, thrusting up his ruthless lance, her heav’nly veil he strook

(That ev’n the Graces wrought themselves, at her divine command)

Quite through, and hurt the tender back of her delicious hand.

The rude point piercing through her palm, forth flow’d th’ immortal blood;

325 Blood, such as flows in blesséd Gods, that eat no human food,

Nor drink of our inflaming wine, and therefore bloodless are,

And call’d Immortals; out she cried, and could no longer bear

Her lov’d son; whom she cast from her, and in a sable cloud

Phœbus, receiving, hid him close from all the Grecian crowd,

330 Lest some of them should find his death. Away flew Venus then,

And after her cried Diomed: “Away, thou spoil of men,

Though sprung from all-preserving Jove, these hot encounters leave.

Is’t not enough that silly dames thy sorc’ries should deceive,

Unless thou thrust into the war, and rob a soldier’s right?

335 I think a few of these assaults will make thee fear the fight,

Wherever thou shalt hear it nam’d.” She, sighing, went her way

Extremely griev’d, and with her griefs her beauties did decay,

And black her ivory body grew. Then from a dewy mist

Brake swift-foot Iris to her aid, from all the darts that hiss’d

340 At her quick rapture; and to Mars they took their plaintive course,

And found him on the fight’s left hand, by him his speedy horse,

And huge lance, lying in a fog. The Queen of all things fair

Her lovéd brother, on her knees, besought, with instant pray’r,

His golden-riband-bound-man’d horse to lend her up to heav’n,

345 For she was much griev’d with a wound a mortal man had giv’n,

Tydides, that ’gainst Jove himself durst now advance his arm.

He granted, and his chariot (perplex’d with her late harm)

She mounted, and her waggoness was She that paints the air.

The horse she rein’d, and with a scourge importun’d their repair,

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350 That of themselves out-flew the wind, and quickly they ascend

Olympus, high seat of the Gods. Th’ horse knew their journey’s end,

Stood still, and from their chariot the windy-footed dame

Dissolv’d, and gave them heav’nly food; and to Dione came

Her wounded daughter, bent her knees. She kindly bade her stand,

355 With sweet embraces help’d her up, strok’d her with her soft hand,

Call’d kindly by her name, and ask’d: “What God hath been so rude,

Sweet daughter, to chastise thee thus, as if thou wert pursu’d

Ev’n to the act of some light sin, and deprehended so?

For otherwise, each close escape is in the great let go.”

360 She answer’d: “Haughty Tydeus’ son hath been so insolent,

Since, him whom most my heart esteems of all my lov’d descent,

I rescu’d from his bloody hand. Now battle is not giv’n

To any Trojans by the Greeks, but by the Greeks to heav’n.”

She answer’d: “Daughter, think not much, though much it grieve thee; use

365 The patience, whereof many Gods examples may produce,

In many bitter ills receiv’d, as well that men sustain

By their inflictions as by men repaid to them again.

Mars suffer’d much more than thyself by Ephialtes’ pow’r,

And Otus’, Aloëus’ sons; who in a brazen tow’r,

370 And in inextricable chains, cast that war-greedy God,

Where twice-six months and one he liv’d, and there the period

Of his sad life perhaps had clos’d, if his kind stepdame’s eye,

Fair Erebæa, had not seen; who told it Mercury,

And he by stealth enfranchis’d him; though he could scarce enjoy

375 The benefit of franchisement, the chains did so destroy

His vital forces with their weight. So Juno suffer’d more

When, with a three-fork’d arrow’s head, Amphitryo’s son did gore

Her right breast, past all hope of cure. Pluto sustain’d no less

By that self man, and by a shaft of equal bitterness

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380 Shot through his shoulder at hell gates; and there, amongst the dead,

Were he not deathless, he had died; but up to heav’n he fled,

Extremely tortur’d, for recure, which instantly he won

At Pæon’s hand, with sov’reign balm; and this did Jove’s great son,

Unblest, great-high-deed-daring man, that car’d not doing ill,

385 That with his bow durst wound the Gods! But, by Minerva’s will,

Thy wound the foolish Diomed was so profane to give;

Not knowing he that fights with Heav’n hath never long to live,

And for this deed, he never shall have child about his knee

To call him father, coming home. Besides, hear this from me,

390 Strength-trusting man, though thou be strong, and art in strength a tow’r,

Take heed a stronger meet thee not, and that a woman’s pow’r

Contains not that superior strength, and lest that woman be

Adrastus’ daughter, and thy wife, the wise Ægiale;

When, from this hour not far, she wakes, ev’n sighing with desire

395 To kindle our revenge on thee, with her enamouring fire,

In choosing her some fresh young friend, and so drown all thy fame,

Won here in war, in her court-piece, and in an opener shame.”

This said, with both her hands she cleans’d the tender back and palm

Of all the sacred blood they lost; and, never using balm,

400 The pain ceas’d, and the wound was cur’d of this kind Queen of love.

Juno and Pallas, seeing this, assay’d to anger Jove,

And quit his late-made mirth with them, about the loving Dame,

With some sharp jest, in like sort, built upon her present shame.

Grey-ey’d Athenia began, and ask’d the Thunderer,

405 If, nothing moving him to wrath, she boldly might prefer,

What she conceiv’d, to his conceit; and, staying no reply,

She bade him view the Cyprian fruit he lov’d so tenderly,

Whom she thought hurt, and by this means; intending to suborn

Some other lady of the Greeks (whom lovely veils adorn)

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410 To gratify some other friend of her much-lovéd Troy,

As she embrac’d and stirr’d her blood to the Venerean joy,

The golden clasp, those Grecian dames upon their girdles wear,

Took hold of her delicious hand, and hurt it, she had fear.

The Thund’rer smil’d, and call’d to him love’s golden Arbitress,

415 And told her those rough works of war were not for her access;

She should be making marriages, embracings, kisses, charms,

Stern Mars and Pallas had the charge of those affairs in arms.

While these thus talk’d, Tydides’ rage still thirsted to achieve

His prise upon Anchises’ son, though well he did perceive

420 The Sun himself protected him; but his desires (inflam’d

With that great Trojan prince’s blood, and arms so highly fam’d)

Not that great God did reverence. Thrice rush’d he rudely on,

And thrice, betwixt his darts and death, the Sun’s bright target shone;

But when upon the fourth assault, much like a spirit, he flew,

425 The far-off-working Deity exceeding wrathful grew,

And ask’d him: “What! Not yield to gods? Thy equals learn to know.

The race of Gods is far above men creeping here below.”

This drave him to some small retreat; he would not tempt more near

The wrath of him that strook so far; whose pow’r had now set clear

430 Æneas from the stormy field within the holy place

Of Pergamus, where, to the hope of his so sov’reign grace,

A goodly temple was advanc’d; in whose large inmost part

He left him, and to his supply inclin’d his mother’s heart,

Latona, and the dart-pleas’d Queen; who cur’d, and made him strong.

435 The silver-bow’d fair God then threw in the tumultuous throng

An image, that in stature, look, and arms, he did create

Like Venus’ son; for which the Greeks and Trojans made debate,

Laid loud strokes on their ox-hide shields, and bucklers eas’ly borne;

Which error Phœbus pleas’d to urge on Mars himself in scorn:

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440 “Mars, Mars,” said he, “thou plague of men, smear’d with the dust and blood

Of humans, and their ruin’d walls, yet thinks thy Godhead good

To fright this fury from the field, who next will fight with Jove?

First in a bold approach he hurt, the moist palm of thy love,

And next, as if he did affect to have a Deity’s pow’r,

445 He held out his assault on me.” This said, the lofty tow’r

Of Pergamus he made his seat; and Mars did now excite

The Trojan forces, in the form of him that led to fight

The Thracian troops, swift Acamas. “O Priam’s sons,” said he,

“How long the slaughter of your men can ye sustain to see?

450 Ev’n till they brave you at your gates? Ye suffer beaten down

Æneas, great Anchises’ son, whose prowess we renown

As much as Hector’s; fetch him off from this contentious prease.”

With this, the strength and spirits of all his courage did increase;

And yet Sarpedon seconds him, with this particular taunt

455 Of noble Hector: “Hector, where is thy unthankful vaunt,

And that huge strength on which it built, that thou, and thy allies,

With all thy brothers (without aid of us or our supplies,

And troubling not a citizen) the city safe would hold?

In all which friends’ and brothers’ helps I see not, nor am told

460 Of any one of their exploits, but (all held in dismay

Of Diomed, like a sort of dogs, that at a lion bay,

And entertain no spirit to pinch) we, your assistants here,

Fight for the town as you help’d us; and I, an aiding peer,

No citizen, ev’n out of care, that doth become a man

465 For men and children’s liberties, add all the aid I can;

Not out of my particular cause; far hence my profit grows,

For far hence Asian Lycia lies, where gulfy Xanthus flows,

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And where my lov’d wife, infant son, and treasure nothing scant,

I left behind me, which I see those men would have that want,

470 And therefore they that have would keep. Yet I, as I would lose

Their sure fruition, cheer my troops, and with their lives propose

Mine own life, both to gen’ral fight, and to particular cope

With this great soldier; though, I say, I entertain no hope

To have such gettings as the Greeks, nor fear to lose like Troy.

475 Yet thou, ev’n Hector, deedless stand’st, and car’st not to employ

Thy town-born friends, to bid them stand, to fight and save their wives,

Lest as a fowler casts his nets upon the silly lives

Of birds of all sorts, so the foe your walls and houses hales,

One with another, on all heads; or such as ’scape their falls,

480 Be made the prey and prise of them (as willing overthrown)

That hope not for you with their force; and so this brave-built town

Will prove a chaos. That deserves in thee so hot a care,

As should consume thy days and nights, to hearten and prepare

Th’ assistant princes; pray their minds to bear their far-brought toils;

485 To give them worth with worthy fight; in victories and foils

Still to be equal; and thyself, exampling them in all,

Need no reproofs nor spurs. All this in thy free choice should fall.”

This stung great Hector’s heart; and yet, as ev’ry gen’rous mind

Should silent bear a just reproof, and show what good they find

490 In worthy counsels, by their ends put into present deeds,

Not stomach nor be vainly sham’d; so Hector’s spirit proceeds,

And from his chariot, wholly arm’d, he jump’d upon the sand,

On foot so toiling through the host, a dart in either hand,

And all hands turn’d against the Greeks. The Greeks despis’d their worst,

495 And, thick’ning their instructed pow’rs, expected all they durst.

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Then with the feet of horse and foot, the dust in clouds did rise.

And as, in sacred floors of barns, upon corn-winnow’rs flies

The chaff, driv’n with an opposite wind, when yellow Ceres dites,

Which all the diters’ feet, legs, arms, their heads and shoulders whites;

500 So look’d the Grecians grey with dust, that strook the solid heav’n,

Rais’d from returning chariots, and troops together driv’n.

Each side stood to their labours firm. Fierce Mars flew through the air,

And gather’d darkness from the fight, and, with his best affair,

Obey’d the pleasure of the Sun, that wears the golden sword,

505 Who bade him raise the spirits of Troy, when Pallas ceas’d t’ afford

Her helping office to the Greeks; and then his own hands wrought,

Which, from his fane’s rich chancel, cur’d, the true Æneas brought,

And plac’d him by his peers in field; who did with joy admire

To see him both alive and safe, and all his pow’rs entire,

510 Yet stood not sifting how it chanc’d; another sort of task,

Then stirring th’ idle sieve of news, did all their forces ask,

Inflam’d by Phœbus, harmful Mars, and Eris eag’rer far.

The Greeks had none to hearten them; their hearts rose with the war;

But chiefly Diomed, Ithacus, and both th’ Ajaces us’d

515 Stirring examples and good words; their own fames had infus’d

Spirit enough into their bloods, to make them neither fear

The Trojans’ force, nor Fate itself, but still expecting were,

When most was done, what would be more; their ground they still made good,

And in their silence, and set pow’rs, like fair still clouds, they stood,

520 With which Jove crowns the tops of hills, in any quiet day,

When Boreas and the ruder winds (that use to drive away

Air’s dusky vapours, being loose, in many a whistling gale)

Are pleasingly bound up, and calm, and not a breath exhale;

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So firmly stood the Greeks, nor fled for all the Ilion’s aid.

525 Atrides yet coasts through the troops, confirming men so staid:

“O friends,” said he, “hold up your minds; strength is but strength of will;

Rev’rence each other’s good in fight, and shame at things done ill.

Where soldiers show an honest shame, and love of honour lives,

That ranks men with the first in fight, death fewer liveries gives

530 Than life, or than where Fame’s neglect makes cowards fight at length.

Flight neither doth the body grace, nor shows the mind hath strength.”

He said, and swiftly through the troops a mortal lance did send,

That reft a standard-bearer’s life, renown’d Æneas’ friend,

Deïcoön Pergasides, whom all the Trojans lov’d

535 As he were one of Priam’s sons, his mind was so approv’d

In always fighting with the first. The lance his target took,

Which could not interrupt the blow, that through it clearly strook,

And in his belly’s rim was sheath’d, beneath his girdle-stead.

He sounded falling, and his arms with him resounded, dead.

540 Then fell two princes of the Greeks by great Æneas’ ire,

Diocleus’ sons (Orsilochus and Crethon), whose kind sire

In bravely-builded Phæra dwelt, rich, and of sacred blood.

He was descended lineally from great Alphæus’ flood,

That broadly flows through Pylos’ fields; Alphæus did beget

545 Orsilochus, who in the rule of many men was set;

And that Orsilochus begat the rich Diocleüs;

Diocleus sire to Crethon was, and this Orsilochus.

Both these, arriv’d at man’s estate, with both th’ Atrides went,

To honour them in th’ Ilion wars; and both were one day sent,

550 To death as well as Troy, for death hid both in one black hour.

As two young lions (with their dam, sustain’d but to devour)

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Bred on the tops of some steep hill, and in the gloomy deep

Of an inaccessible wood, rush out, and prey on sheep,

Steers, oxen, and destroy men’s stalls, so long that they come short,

555 And by the owner’s steel are slain; in such unhappy sort

Fell these beneath Æneas’ pow’r. When Menelaus view’d

Like two tall fir-trees these two fall, their timeless falls he rued,

And to the first fight, where they lay, a vengeful force he took;

His arms beat back the sun in flames, a dreadful lance he shook;

560 Mars put the fury in his mind, that by Æneas’ hands,

Who was to make the slaughter good, he might have strew’d the sands.

Antilochus, old Nestor’s son, observing he was bent

To urge a combat of such odds, and knowing, the event

Being ill on his part, all their pains (alone sustain’d for him)

565 Err’d from their end, made after hard, and took them in the trim

Of an encounter. Both their hands and darts advanc’d, and shook,

And both pitch’d in full stand of charge; when suddenly the look

Of Anchisiades took note of Nestor’s valiant son,

In full charge too; which, two to one, made Venus’ issue shun

570 The hot adventure, though he were a soldier well-approv’d.

Then drew they off their slaughter’d friends; who giv’n to their belov’d,

They turn’d where fight show’d deadliest hate; and there mix’d with the dead

Pylæmen, that the targeteers of Paphlagonia led,

A man like Mars; and with him fell good Mydon that did guide

575 His chariot, Atymnus’ son. The prince Pylæmen died

By Menelaus; Nestor’s joy slew Mydon; one before

The other in the chariot. Atrides’ lance did gore

Pylæmen’s shoulder, in the blade. Antilochus did force

A mighty stone up from the earth, and, as he turn’d his horse,

580 Strook Mydon’s elbow in the midst; the reins of ivory

Fell from his hands into the dust; Antilochus let fly

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His sword withal, and, rushing in, a blow so deadly laid

Upon his temples, that he groan’d, tumbled to earth, and stay’d

A mighty while preposterously (because the dust was deep)

585 Upon his neck and shoulders there, ev’n till his foe took keep

Of his pris’d horse, and made them stir; and then he prostrate fell.

His horse Antilochus took home. When Hector had heard tell,

Amongst the uproar, of their deaths, he laid out all his voice,

And ran upon the Greeks. Behind came many men of choice,

590 Before him march’d great Mars himself, match’d with his female mate,

The dread Bellona. She brought on, to fight for mutual fate,

A tumult that was wild and mad. He shook a horrid lance,

And now led Hector, and anon behind would make the chance.

This sight when great Tydides saw, his hair stood up on end;

595 And him, whom all the skill and pow’r of arms did late attend,

Now like a man in counsel poor, that, travelling, goes amiss,

And having pass’d a boundless plain, not knowing where he is,

Comes on the sudden where he sees a river rough, and raves

With his own billows ravishéd into the king of waves,

600 Murmurs with foam, and frights him back; so he, amaz’d, retir’d,

And thus would make good his amaze: “O friends, we all admir’d

Great Hector, as one of himself, well-darting, bold in war,

When some God guards him still from death, and makes him dare so far.

Now Mars himself, form’d like a man, is present in his rage,

605 And therefore, whatsoever cause importunes you to wage

War with these Trojans, never strive, but gently take your rod,

Lest in your bosoms, for a man, ye ever find a God.”

As Greece retir’d, the pow’r of Troy did much more forward prease,

And Hector two brave men of war sent to the fields of peace;

610 Menesthes, and Anchialus; one chariot bare them both.

Their falls made Ajax Telamon ruthful of heart, and wroth,

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Who lighten’d out a lance that smote Amphius Selages,

That dwelt in Pæsos, rich in lands, and did huge goods possess,

But Fate, to Priam and his sons, conducted his supply.

615 The jav’lin on his girdle strook, and piercéd mortally

His belly’s lower part; he fell: his arms had looks so trim,

That Ajax needs would prove their spoil; the Trojans pour’d on him

Whole storms of lances, large, and sharp, of which a number stuck

In his rough shield; yet from the slain he did his jav’lin pluck,

620 But could not from his shoulders force the arms he did affect,

The Trojans with such drifts of darts the body did protect;

And wisely Telamonius fear’d their valorous defence,

So many, and so strong of hand, stood in with such expense

Of deadly prowess; who repell’d, though big, strong, bold, he were,

625 The famous Ajax, and their friend did from his rapture bear.

Thus this place fill’d with strength of fight; in th’ army’s other prease,

Tlepolemus, a tall big man, the son of Hercules,

A cruel destiny inspir’d, with strong desire to prove

Encounter with Sarpedon’s strength, the son of cloudy Jove;

630 Who, coming on to that stern end, had chosen him his foe.

Thus Jove’s great nephew, and his son, ’gainst one another go.

Tlepolemus, to make his end more worth the will of fate,

Began as if he had her pow’r, and show’d the mortal state

Of too much confidence in man, with this superfluous brave:

635 “Sarpedon, what necessity or needless humour drave

Thy form to these wars, which in heart I know thou dost abhor,

A man not seen in deeds of arms, a Lycian counsellor?

They lie that call thee son to Jove, since Jove bred none so late;

The men of elder times were they, that his high pow’r begat,

640 Such men as had Herculean force. My father Hercules

Was Jove’s true issue; he was bold; his deeds did well express

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They sprung out of a lion’s heart. He whilome came to Troy,

(For horse that Jupiter gave Tros, for Ganymed, his boy)

With six ships only, and few men, and tore the city down,

645 Left all her broad ways desolate, and made the horse his own.

For thee, thy mind is ill dispos’d, thy body’s pow’rs are poor,

And therefore are thy troops so weak; the soldier evermore

Follows the temper of his chief; and thou pull’st down a side.

But say thou art the son of Jove, and hast thy means supplied

650 With forces fitting his descent, the pow’rs that I compell

Shall throw thee hence, and make thy head run ope the gates of hell.”

Jove’s Lycian issue answer’d him: “Tlepolemus, ’tis true

Thy father holy Ilion in that sort overthrew;

Th’ injustice of the king was cause, that, where thy father had

655 Us’d good deservings to his state, he quitted him with bad.

Hesione, the joy and grace of king Laomedon,

Thy father rescu’d from a whale, and gave to Telamon

In honour’d nuptials (Telamon, from whom your strongest Greek

Boasts to have issu’d) and this grace might well expect the like;

660 Yet he gave taunts for thanks, and kept, against his oath, his horse,

And therefore both thy father’s strength, and justice, might enforce

The wreak he took on Troy; but this and thy cause differ far.

Sons seldom heir their fathers’ worths. Thou canst not make his war.

What thou assum’st for him, is mine, to be on thee impos’d.”

665 With this, he threw an ashen dart; and then Tlepolemus los’d

Another from his glorious hand. Both at one instant flew,

Both strook, both wounded. From his neck Sarpedon’s jav’lin drew

The life blood of Tlepolemus; full in the midst it fell;

And what he threaten’d, th’ other gave, that darkness, and that hell.

670 Sarpedon’s left thigh took the lance; it pierc’d the solid bone,

And with his raging head ran through; but Jove preserv’d his son.

The dart yet vex’d him bitterly, which should have been pull’d out,

But none consider’d then so much, so thick came on the rout,

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And fill’d each hand so full of cause to ply his own defence;

675 ’Twas held enough, both fall’n, that both were nobly carried thence.

Ulysses knew th’ events of both, and took it much to heart

That his friend’s enemy should ’scape; and in a twofold part

His thoughts contended, if he should pursue Sarpedon’s life,

Or take his friend’s wreak on his men. Fate did conclude this strife,

680 By whom ’twas otherwise decreed than that Ulysses’ steel

Should end Sarpedon. In this doubt Minerva took the wheel

From fickle Chance, and made his mind resolve to right his friend

With that blood he could surest draw. Then did Revenge extend

Her full pow’r on the multitude; then did he never miss;

685 Alastor, Halius, Chromius, Noemon, Prytanis,

Alcander, and a number more, he slew, and more had slain,

If Hector had not understood; whose pow’r made in amain,

And strook fear through the Grecian troops, but to Sarpedon gave

Hope of full rescue, who thus cried: “O Hector! Help and save

690 My body from the spoil of Greece, that to your lovéd town

My friends may see me borne, and then let earth possess her own

In this soil, for whose sake I left my country’s; for no day

Shall ever show me that again, nor to my wife display,

And young hope of my name, the joy of my much thirsted sight;

695 All which I left for Troy, for them let Troy then do this right.”

To all this Hector gives no word, but greedily he strives

With all speed to repell the Greeks, and shed in floods their lives,

And left Sarpedon; but what face soever he put on

Of following the common cause, he left this prince alone

700 For his particular grudge, because, so late, he was so plain

In his reproof before the host, and that did he retain;

However, for example sake, he would not show it then,

And for his shame too, since ’twas just. But good Sarpedon’s men

Ventur’d themselves, and forc’d him off, and set him underneath

705 The goodly beech of Jupiter, where now they did unsheath

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The ashen lance; strong Pelagon, his friend, most lov’d, most true,

Enforc’d it from his maiméd thigh; with which his spirit flew,

And darkness over-flew his eyes; yet with a gentle gale,

That round about the dying prince cool Boreas did exhale,

710 He was reviv’d, recomforted, that else had griev’d and died.

All this time flight drave to the fleet the Argives, who applied

No weapon ’gainst the proud pursuit, nor ever turn’d a head,

They knew so well that Mars pursu’d, and dreadful Hector led.

Then who was first, who last, whose lives the iron Mars did seize,

715 And Priam’s Hector? Helenus, surnam’d Œnopides;

Good Teuthras; and Orestes, skill’d in managing of horse;

Bold Œnomaus; and a man renown’d for martial force,

Trechus, the great Ætolian chief; Oresbius, that did wear

The gaudy mitre, studied wealth extremely, and dwelt near

720 Th’ Atlantic lake Cephisides, in Hyla, by whose seat

The good men of Bœotia dwelt. This slaughter grew so great,

It flew to heav’n; Saturnia discern’d it, and cried out

To Pallas: “O unworthy sight! To see a field so fought,

And break our words to Sparta’s king, that Ilion should be rac’d,

725 And he return reveng’d; when thus we see his Greeks disgrac’d,

And bear the harmful rage of Mars! Come, let us use our care,

That we dishonour not our pow’rs.” Minerva was as yare

As she at the despite of Troy. Her golden-bridled steeds

Then Saturn’s daughter brought abroad; and Hebe, she proceeds

730 T’ address her chariot; instantly she gives it either wheel,

Beam’d with eight spokes of sounding brass; the axle-tree was steel;

The fell’ffs incorruptible gold, their upper bands of brass,

Their matter most unvaluéd, their work of wondrous grace;

The naves, in which the spokes were driv’n, were all with silver bound;

735 The chariot’s seat two hoops of gold and silver strengthen’d round,

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Edg’d with a gold and silver fringe; the beam, that look’d before,

Was massy silver; on whose top, gears all of gold it wore,

And golden poitrils. Juno mounts, and her hot horses rein’d,

That thirsted for contentión, and still of peace complain’d.

740 Minerva wrapt her in the robe, that curiously she wove,

With glorious colours, as she sate on th’ azure floor of Jove,

And wore the arms that he puts on, bent to the tearful field.

About her broad-spread shoulders hung his huge and horrid shield,

Fring’d round with ever-fighting snakes; through it was drawn to life

745 The miseries and deaths of fight; in it frown’d bloody Strife,

In it shin’d sacred Fortitude, in it fell Púrsuit flew,

In it the monster Gorgon’s head, in which held out to view

Were all the dire ostents of Jove on her big head she plac’d

His four-plum’d glitt’ring casque of gold, so admirably vast

750 It would an hundred garrisons of soldiers comprehend.

Then to her shining chariot her vig’rous feet ascend;

And in her violent hand she takes his grave, huge, solid lance,

With which the conquests of her wrath she useth to advance,

And overturn whole fields of men, to show she was the Seed

755 Of him that thunders. Then heav’n’s Queen, to urge her horses’ speed,

Takes up the scourge, and forth they fly. The ample gates of heav’n

Rung, and flew open of themselves; the charge whereof is giv’n,

With all Olympus, and the sky, to the distinguish’d Hours,

That clear, or hide it all in clouds, or pour it down in show’rs.

760 This way their scourge-obeying horse made haste, and soon they won

The top of all the topful heav’ns, where agéd Saturn’s son

Sat sever’d from the other Gods; then stay’d the white-arm’d Queen

Her steeds, and ask’d of Jove, if Mars did not incense his spleen

With his foul deeds, in ruining so many and so great

765 In the command and grace of Greece, and in so rude a heat?

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At which, she said, Apollo laugh’d, and Venus, who still sue

To that mad God, for violence that never justice knew;

For whose impiety, she ask’d, if, with his wishéd love,

Herself might free the field of him? He bade her rather move

770 Athenia to the charge she sought, who us’d of old to be

The bane of Mars, and had as well the gift of spoil as he.

This grace she slack’d not, but her horse scourg’d, that in nature flew

Betwixt the cope of stars and earth; and how far at a view

A man into the purple sea may from a hill descry,

775 So far a high-neighing horse of heav’n at ev’ry jump would fly.

Arriv’d at Troy, where, broke in curls, the two floods mix their force,

Scamander and bright Simois, Saturnia stay’d her horse,

Took them from chariot, and a cloud of mighty depth diffus’d

About them; and the verdant banks of Simois produc’d

780 In nature what they eat in heav’n. Then both the Goddesses

March’d, like a pair of tim’rous doves, in hasting their access

To th’ Argive succour. Being arriv’d, where both the most and best

Were heap’d together (showing all, like lions at a feast

Of new-slain carcasses, or boars, beyond encounter strong)

785 There found they Diomed; and there, ’midst all th’ admiring throng,

Saturnia put on Stentor’s shape, that had a brazen voice,

And spake as loud as fifty men; like whom she made a noise,

And chid the Argives: “O ye Greeks, in name and outward rite

But princes only, not in act, what scandal, what despite,

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790 Use ye to honour! All the time the great Æacides

Was conversant in arms, your foes durst not a foot address

Without their ports, so much they fear’d his lance that all controll’d,

And now they outray to your fleet.” This did with shame make bold

The gen’ral spirit and pow’r of Greece; when, with particular note

795 Of their disgrace, Athenia made Tydeus’ issue hot.

She found him at his chariot, refreshing of his wound

Inflicted by slain Pandarus; his sweat did so abound,

It much annoy’d him, underneath the broad belt of his shield;

With which, and tiréd with his toil, his soul could hardly yield

800 His body motion. With his hand he lifted up the belt,

And wip’d away that clotter’d blood the fervent wound did melt.

Minerva lean’d against his horse, and near their withers laid

Her sacred hand, then spake to him: “Believe me, Diomed,

Tydeus exampled not himself in thee his son; not great,

805 But yet he was a soldier; a man of so much heat,

That in his ambassy for Thebes, when I forbad his mind

To be too vent’rous, and when feasts his heart might have declin’d,

With which they welcom’d him, he made a challenge to the best,

And foil’d the best; I gave him aid, because the rust of rest,

810 That would have seiz’d another mind, he suffer’d not, but us’d

The trial I made like a man, and their soft feasts refus’d.

Yet, when I set thee on, thou faint’st; I guard thee, charge, exhort

That, I abetting thee, thou shouldst be to the Greeks a fort,

And a dismay to Ilion, yet thou obey’st in nought,

815 Afraid, or slothful, or else both; henceforth renounce all thought

That ever thou wert Tydeus’ son.” He answer’d her: “I know

Thou art Jove’s daughter, and, for that, in all just duty owe

Thy speeches rev’rence, yet affirm ingenuously that fear

Doth neither hold me spiritless, nor sloth. I only bear

820 Thy charge in zealous memory, that I should never war

With any blessed Deity, unless (exceeding far

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The limits of her rule) the Queen, that governs chamber sport,

Should press to field; and her thy will enjoin’d my lance to hurt.

But, He whose pow’r hath right in arms, I knew in person here,

825 Besides the Cyprian Deity; and therefore did forbear,

And here have gather’d in retreat these other Greeks you see,

With note and rev’rence of your charge.” “My dearest mind,” said she,

“What then was fit is chang’d. ’Tis true, Mars hath just rule in war,

But just war; otherwise he raves, not fights. He’s alter’d far.

830 He vow’d to Juno, and myself, that his aid should be us’d

Against the Trojans, whom it guards; and therein he abus’d

His rule in arms, infring’d his word, and made his war unjust.

He is inconstant, impious, mad. Resolve then; firmly trust

My aid of thee against his worst, or any Deity;

835 Add scourge to thy free horse, charge home; he fights perfidiously.”

This said; as that brave king, her knight, with his horse-guiding friend,

Were set before the chariot, for sign he should descend,

That she might serve for waggoness, she pluck’d the wagg’ner back,

And up into his seat she mounts; the beechen tree did crack

840 Beneath the burthen; and good cause, it bore so huge a thing,

A Goddess so replete with pow’r, and such a puissant king.

She snatch’d the scourge up and the reins, and shut her heav’nly look

In Hell’s vast helm from Mars’s eyes; and full career she took

At him, who then had newly slain the mighty Periphas,

845 Renown’d son to Ochesius, and far the strongest was

Of all th’ Ætolians; to whose spoil the bloody God was run.

But when this man-plague saw th’ approach of god-like Tydeus’ son,

He let his mighty Periphas lie, and in full charge he ran

At Diomed; and he at him. Both near; the God began,

850 And, thirsty of his blood, he throws a brazen lance that bears

Full on the breast of Diomed, above the reins and gears;

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But Pallas took it on her hand, and strook the eager lance

Beneath the chariot. Then the knight of Pallas doth advance,

And cast a jav’lin off at Mars, Minerva sent it on,

855 That, where his arming girdle girt, his belly graz’d upon,

Just at the rim, and ranch’d the flesh; the lance again he got,

But left the wound, that stung him so, he laid out such a throat

As if nine or ten thousand men had bray’d out all their breaths

In one confusion, having felt as many sudden deaths.

860 The roar made both the hosts amaz’d. Up flew the God to heav’n;

And with him was through all the air as black a tincture driv’n

To Diomed’s eyes, as when the earth half-chok’d with smoking heat

Of gloomy clouds, that stifle men, and pitchy tempests threat,

Usher’d with horrid gusts of wind; with such black vapours plum’d,

865 Mars flew t’ Olympus, and broad heav’n, and there his place resum’d.

Sadly he went and sat by Jove, show’d his immortal blood,

That from a mortal-man-made wound pour’d such an impious flood,

And weeping pour’d out these complaints: “O Father, storm’st thou not

To see us take these wrongs from men? Extreme griefs we have got

870 Ev’n by our own deep councils, held for gratifying them;

And thou, our council’s president, conclud’st in this extreme

Of fighting ever; being rul’d by one that thou hast bred;

One never well, but doing ill; a girl so full of head

That, though all other Gods obey, her mad moods must command,

875 By thy indulgence, nor by word, nor any touch of hand,

Correcting her; thy reason is, she is a spark of thee,

And therefore she may kindle rage in men ’gainst Gods, and she

May make men hurt Gods, and those Gods that are besides thy seed.

First in the palm ’s hit Cyprides; then runs the impious deed

880 On my hurt person; and, could life give way to death in me,

Or had my feet not fetch’d me off, heaps of mortality

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Had kept me consort.” Jupiter, with a contracted brow,

Thus answer’d Mars: “Thou many minds, inconstant changeling thou,

Sit not complaining thus by me, whom most of all the Gods,

885 Inhabiting the starry hill, I hate; no periods

Being set to thy contentions, brawls, fights, and pitching fields;

Just of thy mother Juno’s moods, stiff-neck’d, and never yields,

Though I correct her still, and chide, nor can forbear offence,

Though to her son; this wound I know tastes of her insolence;

890 But I will prove more natural; thou shalt be cur’d, because

Thou com’st of me, but hadst thou been so cross to sacred laws,

Being born to any other God, thou hadst been thrown from heav’n

Long since, as low as Tartarus, beneath the giants driv’n.”

This said, he gave his wound in charge to Pæon, who applied

895 Such sov’reign med’cines, that as soon the pain was qualified,

And he recur’d; as nourishing milk, when runnet is put in,

Runs all in heaps of tough thick curd, though in his nature thin,

Ev’n so soon his wound’s parted sides ran close in his recure;

For he, all deathless, could not long the parts of death endure.

900 Then Hebe bath’d, and put on him fresh garments, and he sate

Exulting by his sire again, in top of all his state.

So, having, from the spoils of men, made his desir’d remove,

Juno and Pallas re-ascend the starry court of Jove.