THE ILIADS OF HOMER,

ove helping Hector, and his host, thus close to th’ Achive fleet,

He let them then their own strengths try, and season there their sweet

With ceaseless toils and grievances; for now he turn’d his face,

Look’d down, and view’d the far-off land of well-rode men in Thrace,

II.2

5 Of the renown’d milk-nourish’d men, the Hippemolgians,

Long-liv’d, most just, and innocent, and close-fought Mysians.

Nor turn’d he any more to Troy his ever-shining eyes,

Because he thought not any one, of all the Deities,

When his care left th’ indiff’rent field, would aid on either side.

10 But this security in Jove the great Sea-Rector spied,

Who sat aloft on th’ utmost top of shady Samothrace,

And view’d the light. His chosen seat stood in so brave a place,

That Priam’s city, th’ Achive ships, all Ida, did appear

To his full view; who from the sea was therefore seated there.

15 He took much ruth to see the Greeks by Troy sustain such ill,

And, mightily incens’d with Jove, stoop’d straight from that steep hill,

That shook as he flew off, so hard his parting press’d the height.

The woods, and all the great hills near, trembled beneath the weight

Of his immortal moving feet. Three steps he only took,

20 Before he far-off Ægas reach’d, but, with the fourth, it shook

With his dread entry. In the depth of those seas he did hold

His bright and glorious palace, built of never-rusting gold;

And there arriv’d, he put in coach his brazen-footed steeds,

All golden-maned, and pac’d with wings; and all in golden weeds

25 He cloth’d himself. The golden scourge, most elegantly done,

He took, and mounted to his seat; and then the God begun

To drive his chariot through the waves. From whirlpits ev’ry way

The whales exulted under him, and knew their king; the sea

For joy did open; and, his horse so swift and lightly flew,

30 The under axletree of brass no drop of water drew;

And thus these deathless coursers brought their king to th’ Achive ships

’Twixt th’ Imber cliff’s and Tenedos, a certain cavern creeps

Into the deep sea’s gulfy breast, and there th’ Earth-shaker stay’d

His forward steeds, took them from coach, and heav’nly fodder laid

II.3

35 In reach before them; their brass hoves he girt with gyves of gold,

Not to be broken, nor dissolv’d, to make them firmly hold

A fit attendance on their king; who went to th’ Achive host,

Which, like to tempests or wild flames, the clust’ring Trojans tost,

Insatiably valorous, in Hector’s like command,

40 High sounding, and resounding, shouts; for hope cheer’d ev’ry hand,

To make the Greek fleet now their prise, and all the Greeks destroy.

But Neptune, circler of the earth, with fresh heart did employ

The Grecian hands. In strength of voice and body he did take

Calchas’ resemblance, and, of all, th’ Ajaces first bespake,

45 Who of themselves were free enough: “Ajaces, you alone

Sustain the common good of Greece, in ever putting on

The memory of fortitude, and flying shameful flight.

Elsewhere the desp’rate hands of Troy could give me no affright,

The brave Greeks have withstood their worst; but this our mighty wall

50 Being thus transcended by their pow’r, grave fear doth much appall

My careful spirits, lest we feel some fatal mischief here,

Where Hector, raging like a flame, doth in his charge appear,

And boasts himself the best God’s son. Be you conceited so,

And fire so, more than human spirits, that God may seem to do

55 In your deeds, and, with such thoughts cheer’d, others to such exhort,

And such resistance; these great minds will in as great a sort

Strengthen your bodies, and force check to all great Hector’s charge,

Though ne’er so spirit-like, and though Jove still, past himself, enlarge

His sacred actions.” Thus he touched, with his fork’d sceptre’s point,

60 The breasts of both; fill’d both their spirits, and made up ev’ry joint

With pow’r responsive; when, hawk-like, swift, and set sharp to fly,

That fiercely stooping from a rock, inaccessible and high,

Cuts through a field, and sets a fowl (not being of her kind)

Hard, and gets ground still; Neptune so left these two, either’s mind

65 Beyond themselves rais’d. Of both which, Oïleus first discern’d

The masking Deity, and said: “Ajax, some God hath warn’d

II.4

Our pow’rs to fight, and save our fleet. He put on him the hue

Of th’ augur Calchas. By his pace, in leaving us, I knew,

Without all question, ’twas a God; the Gods are eas’ly known;

70 And in my tender breast I feel a greater spirit blown,

To execute affairs of fight; I find my hands so free

To all high motion, and my feet seem feather’d under me.”

This Telamonius thus receiv’d: “So, to my thoughts, my hands

Burn with desire to toss my lance; each foot beneath me stands

75 Bare on bright fire, to use his speed; my heart is rais’d so high

That to encounter Hector’s self, I long insatiately.”

While these thus talk’d, as overjoy’d with study for the fight,

(Which God had stirr’d up in their spirits) the same God did excite

The Greeks that were behind at fleet, refreshing their free hearts

80 And joints, being ev’n dissolv’d with toil; and (seeing the desp’rate parts

Play’d by the Trojans past their wall) grief strook them, and their eyes

Sweat tears from under their sad lids, their instant destinies

Never supposing they could ’scape. But Neptune, stepping in,

With ease stirr’d up the able troops, and did at first begin

85 With Teucer, and Peneleüs, th’ heroë Leitus,

Deipyrus, Meriones, and young Antilochus,

All éxpert in the deeds of arms: “O youths of Greece,” said he,

“What change is this? In your brave fight, I only look’d to see

Our fleet’s whole safety; and, if you neglect the harmful field,

90 Now shines the day when Greece to Troy must all her honours yield.

O grief! So great a miracle, and horrible to sight,

As now I see, I never thought could have profan’d the light!

The Trojans brave us at our ships, that have been heretofore

Like faint and fearful deer in woods, distracted evermore

95 With ev’ry sound, and yet ’scape not, but prove the torn up fare

Of lynces, wolves, and lëopards, as never born to war.

II.5

Nor durst these Trojans at first siege, in any least degree,

Expect your strength, or stand one shock of Grecian chivalry;

Yet now, far from their walls, they dare fight at our fleet maintain,

100 All by our Gen’ral’s cowardice, that doth infect his men

Who, still at odds with him, for that will needs themselves neglect,

And suffer slaughter in their ships. Suppose there was defect

(Beyond all question) in our king, to wrong Æacides,

And he, for his particular wreak, from all assistance cease;

105 We must not cease t’ assist ourselves. Forgive our Gen’ral then,

And quickly too. Apt to forgive are all good-minded men.

Yet you, quite void of their good minds, give good, in you quite lost,

For ill in others, though ye be the worthiest of your host.

As old as I am, I would scorn, to fight with one that flies,

110 Or leaves the fight as you do now. The Gen’ral slothful lies,

And you, though slothful too, maintain with him a fight of spleen.

Out, out, I hate ye from my heart. Ye rotten-minded men,

In this ye add an ill that’s worse than all your sloth’s dislikes.

But as I know to all your hearts my reprehension strikes,

115 So thither let just shame strike too; for while you stand still here

A mighty fight swarms at your fleet, great Hector rageth there,

Hath burst the long bar and the gates.” Thus Neptune rous’d these men.

And round about th’ Ajaces did their phalanxes maintain

Their station firm; whom Mars himself, had he amongst them gone,

120 Could not disparage, nor Jove’s Maid that sets men fiercer on;

For now the best were chosen out, and they receiv’d th’ advance

Of Hector and his men so full, that lance was lin’d with lance,

Shields thicken’d with opposéd shields, targets to targets nail’d,

Helms stuck to helms, and man to man grew, they so close assail’d,

125 Plum’d casques were hang’d in either’s plumes, all join’d so close their stands,

Their lances stood, thrust out so thick by such all-daring hands.

II.6

All bent their firm breasts to the point, and made sad fight their joy

Of both. Troy all in heaps strook first, and Hector first of Troy.

And as a round piece of a rock, which with a winter’s flood

130 Is from his top torn, when a show’r, pour’d from a bursten cloud,

Hath broke the natural bond it held within the rough steep rock,

And, jumping, it flies down the woods, resounding ev’ry shock,

And on, uncheck’d, it headlong leaps, till in a plain it stay,

And then, though never so impell’d, it stirs not any way;

135 So Hector hereto throated threats, to go to sea in blood,

And reach the Grecian ships and tents, without being once withstood.

But when he fell into the strengths the Grecians did maintain,

And that they fought upon the square, he stood as fetter’d then;

And so the adverse sons of Greece laid on with swords and darts,

140 Whose both ends hurt, that they repell’d his worst; and he converts

His threats, by all means, to retreats; yet made as he retir’d,

Only t’ encourage those behind; and thus those men inspir’d:

“Trojans! Dardanians! Lycians! All warlike friends, stand close;

The Greeks can never bear me long, though tow’r-like they oppose.

145 This lance, be sure, will be their spoil; if ev’n the best of Gods,

High thund’ring Juno’s husband, stirs my spirit with true abodes.”

With this all strengths and minds he mov’d; but young Deiphobus,

Old Priam’s son, amongst them all was chiefly virtuous.

He bore before him his round shield, tripp’d lightly through the prease,

150 At all parts cover’d with his shield; and him Meriones

Charg’d with a glitt’ring dart, that took his bull-hide orby shield,

Yet pierc’d it not, but in the top itself did piecemeal yield.

Deiphobus thrust forth his targe, and fear’d the broken ends

Of strong Meriones’s lance, who now turn’d to his friends;

II.7

155 The great heroë scorning much by such a chance to part

With lance and conquest, forth he went to fetch another dart,

Left at his tent. The rest fought on, the clamour heighten’d there

Was most unmeasur’d. Teucer first did flesh the massacre,

And slew a goodly man at arms, the soldier Imbrius,

160 The son of Mentor, rich in horse; he dwelt at Pedasus

Before the sons of Greece sieg’d Troy; from whence he marriéd

Medesicaste, one that sprung of Priam’s bastard-bed;

But when the Greek ships, double-oar’d, arriv’d at Ilion,

To Ilion he return’d, and prov’d beyond comparison

165 Amongst the Trojans; he was lodg’d with Priam, who held dear

His natural sons no more than him; yet him, beneath the ear,

The son of Telamon attain’d, and drew his lance. He fell,

As when an ash on some hill’s top (itself topp’d wondrous well)

The steel hews down, and he presents his young leaves to the soil;

170 So fell he, and his fair arms groan’d, which Teucer long’d to spoil,

And in he ran; and Hector in, who sent a shining lance

At Teucer, who, beholding it, slipp’d by, and gave it chance

On Actor’s son, Amphimachus, whose breast it strook; and in

Flew Hector, at his sounding fall, with full intent to win

175 The tempting helmet from his head; but Ajax with a dart

Reach’d Hector at his rushing in, yet touch’d not any part

About his body; it was hid quite through with horrid brass;

The boss yet of his targe it took, whose firm stuff stay’d the pass,

And he turn’d safe from both the trunks; both which the Grecians bore

180 From off the field. Amphimachus Menestheus did restore,

And Stichius, to th’ Achaian strength. Th’ Agaces (that were pleas’d

Still most with most hot services) on Trojan Imbrius seized.

And as from sharply-bitten hounds, a brace of lions force

A new-slain goat, and through the woods bear in their jaws the corse

185 Aloft, lift up into the air; so, up into the skies,

Bore both th’ Ajaces Imbrius, and made his arms their prise.

II.8

Yet, not content, Oïliades, enrag’d to see there dead

His much-belov’d Amphimachus, he hew’d off Imbrius’ head;

Which, swinging round, bowl-like he toss’d amongst the Trojan prease,

190 And full at Hector’s feet it fell. Amphimachus’ decease,

Being nephew to the God of waves, much vex’d the Deity’s mind,

And to the ships and tents he march’d, yet more to make inclin’d

The Grecians to the Trojan bane. In hasting to which end,

Idomenëus met with him, returning from a friend,

195 Whose ham late hurt, his men brought off; and having giv’n command

To his physicians for his cure, much fir’d to put his hand

To Troy’s repulse, he left his tent. Him (like Andremon’s son,

Prince Thoas, that in Pleuron rul’d, and lofty Calydon,

Th’ Ætolian pow’rs, and like a God was of his subjects lov’d)

200 Neptune encounter’d, and but thus his forward spirit mov’d:

“Idomenëus, prince of Crete! O whither now are fled

Those threats in thee, with which the rest the Trojans menacéd?”

“O Thoas,” he replied, “no one of all our host stands now

In any question of reproof, as I am let to know.

205 And why is my intelligence false? We all know how to fight,

And, (fear disanimating none) all do our knowledge right.

Nor can our harms accuse our sloth, not one from work we miss.

The great God only works our ill, whose pleasure now it is

That, far from home, in hostile fields, and with inglorious fate,

210 Some Greeks should perish. But do thou, O Thoas, that of late

Has prov’d a soldier, and was wont, where thou hast sloth beheld

To chide it, and exhort to pains, now hate to be repell’d,

And set on all men.” He replied, “I would to heav’n, that he,

Whoever this day doth abstain from battle willingly,

215 May never turn his face from Troy, but here become the prey

And scorn of dogs! Come then, take arms, and let our kind assay

Join both our forces. Though but two, yet, being both combin’d,

The work of many single hands we may perform. We find,

That virtue co-augmented thrives in men of little mind,

II.9

220 But we have singly match’d the great.” This said, the God again,

With all his conflicts, visited the vent’rous fight of men.

The king turn’d to his tent; rich arms put on his breast, and took

Two darts in hand, and forth he flew. His haste on made him look

Much like a fi’ry meteor, with which Jove’s sulph’ry hand

225 Opes heav’n, and hurls about the air bright flashes, showing aland

Abodes that ever run before tempest and plagues to men;

So, in his swift pace, show’d his arms. He was encounter’d then

By his good friend Meriones yet near his tent; to whom

Thus spake the pow’r of Idomen: “What reason makes thee come,

230 Thou son of Molus, my most lov’d, thus leaving fight alone?

Is’t for some wound? The jav’lin’s head, still sticking in the bone,

Desir’st thou ease of? Bring’st thou news? Or what is it that brings

Thy presence hither? Be assur’d, my spirit needs no stings

To this hot conflict. Of myself thou seest I come, and loth,

235 For any tent’s love, to deserve the hateful taint of sloth.”

He answer’d: Only for a dart, he that retreat did make,

(Were any left him at his tent) for, that he had, he brake

On proud Deiphobus’s shield. “Is one dart all?” said he,

“Take one and twenty, if thou like, for in my tent they be;

240 They stand there shining by the walls. I took them as my prise

From those false Trojans I have slain. And this is not the guise

Of one that loves his tent, or fights afar off with his foe,

But since I love fight, therefore doth my martial star bestow,

Besides those darts, helms, targets boss’d, and corslets bright as day.”

245 “So I,” said Merion, “at my tent, and sable bark, may say,

I many Trojan spoils retain, but now not near they be,

To serve me for my present use; and therefore ask I thee.

Not that I lack a fortitude to store me with my own,

For ever in the foremost fights, that render men renown,

II.10

250 I fight, when any fight doth stir. And this perhaps may well

Be hid to others, but thou know’st, and I to thee appeal.”

“I know,” replied the king, “how much thou weigh’st in ev’ry worth,

What need’st thou therefore utter this? If we should now choose forth

The worthiest men for ambushes, in all our fleet and host,

255 (For ambushes are services that try men’s virtues most,

Since there the fearful and the firm will, as they are, appear,

The fearful alt’ring still his hue, and rests not anywhere,

Nor is his spirit capable of th’ ambush constancy,

But riseth, changeth still his place, and croucheth curiously

260 On his bent haunches; half his height scarce seen above the ground,

For fear to be seen, yet must see; his heart, with many a bound,

Off’ring to leap out of his breast, and, ever fearing death,

The coldness of it makes him gnash, and half shakes out his teeth;

Where men of valour neither fear, nor ever change their looks,

265 From lodging th’ ambush till it rise, but, since there must be strokes,

Wish to be quickly in their midst) thy strength and hand in these

Who should reprove? For if, far off, or fighting in the prease,

Thou should’st be wounded, I am sure the dart that gave the wound

Should not be drawn out of thy back, or make thy neck the ground,

270 But meet thy belly, or thy breast, in thrusting further yet

When thou art furthest, till the first, and before him, thou get.

But on; like children let not us stand bragging thus, but do;

Lest some hear, and past measure chide, that we stand still and woo.

Go, choose a better dart, and make Mars yield a better chance.”

275 This said, Mars-swift Meriones, with haste, a brazen lance

Took from his tent, and overtook, most careful of the wars,

Idomenëus. And such two, in field, as harmful Mars,

And Terror, his belovéd son, that without terror fights,

And is of such strength that in war the frighter he affrights,

280 When, out of Thrace, they both take arms against th’ Ephyran bands,

Or ’gainst the great-soul’d Phlegians, nor favour their own hands,

II.11

But give the grace to others still; in such sort to the fight,

March’d these two managers of men, in armours full of light.

And first spake Merion: “On which part, son of Deucalion,

285 Serves thy mind to invade the fight? Is’t best to set upon

The Trojans, in our battle’s aid, the right or left-hand wing,

For all parts I suppose employ’d?” To this the Cretan king

Thus answer’d: “In our navy’s midst are others that assist;

The two Ajaces; Teucer too, with shafts the expertest

290 Of all the Grecians, and, though small, is great in fights of stand;

And these (though huge he be of strength) will serve to fill the hand

Of Hector’s self, that Priamist, that studier for blows.

It shall be called a deed of height for him (ev’n suff’ring throes

For knocks still) to outlabour them, and, bett’ring their tough hands,

295 Enflame our fleet. If Jove himself cast not his firebrands

Amongst our navy, that affair no man can bring to field.

Great Ajax Telamonius to none alive will yield

That yields to death, and whose life takes Ceres’ nutritións,

That can be cut with any iron, or pash’d with mighty stones;

300 Not to Æacides himself he yields for combats set,

Though clear he must give place for pace and free swing of his feet.

Since then, the battle (being our place of most care) is made good

By his high valour, let our aid see all pow’rs be withstood

That charge the left wing, and to that let us direct our course,

305 Where quickly feel we this hot foe, or make him feel our force.

This order’d, swift Meriones went, and forewent his king,

Till both arriv’d where one enjoin’d. When, in the Greeks’ left wing,

The Trojans saw the Cretan king, like fire in fortitude,

And his attendant, in bright arms so gloriously indu’d,

310 Both cheering the sinister troops, all at the king address’d,

And so the skirmish at their sterns on both parts were increas’d,

II.12

That, as from hollow bustling winds engender’d storms arise,

When dust doth chiefly clog the ways which up into the skies

The wanton tempest ravisheth, begetting night of day;

315 So came together both the foes, both lusted to assay,

And work with quick steel either’s death. Man’s fierce corruptress, Fight,

Set up her bristles in the field with lances long and light,

Which thick fell foul on either’s face. The splendour of the steel,

In new-scour’d curets, radiant casques, and burnish’d shields, did seel

320 Th’ assailer’s eyes up. He sustain’d a huge spirit, that was glad

To see that labour, or in soul that stood not stricken sad.

Thus these two disagreeing Gods, old Saturn’s mighty sons,

Afflicted these heroic men with huge oppressións.

Jove honouring Æacides (to let the Greeks still try

325 Their want without him) would bestow, yet still, the victory

On Hector, and the Trojan pow’r; yet for Æacides,

And honour of his mother-queen, great Goddess of the seas,

He would not let proud Ilion see the Grecians quite destroy’d,

And therefore from the hoary deep he suffer’d so employ’d

330 Great Neptune in the Grecian aid; who griev’d for them, and storm’d

Extremely at his brother Jove. Yet both one Goddess form’d,

And one soil bred, but Jupiter precedence took in birth,

And had more knowledge; for which cause, the other came not forth

Of his wet kingdom, but with care of not being seen t’ excite

335 The Grecian host, and like a man appear’d, and made the fight.

So these Gods made men’s valours great, but equall’d them with war

As harmful as their hearts were good; and stretch’d those chains as far

II.13

On both sides as their limbs could bear, in which they were involv’d

Past breach, or loosing, that their knees might therefore be dissolv’d.

340 Then, though a half-grey man he were, Crete’s sov’reign did excite

The Greeks to blows, and flew upon the Trojans, ev’n to flight;

For he, in sight of all the host, Othryonëus slew,

That from Cabesus, with the fame of those wars, thither drew

His new-come forces, and requir’d, without respect of dow’r,

345 Cassandra, fair’st of Priam’s race; assuring with his pow’r

A mighty labour, to expell, in their despite, from Troy

The sons of Greece. The king did vow, that done, he should enjoy

His goodliest daughter. He (in trust of that fair purchase) fought;

And at him threw the Cretan king a lance, that singled out

350 This great assumer, whom it strook just in his navel-stead.

His brazen curets helping nought, resign’d him to the dead.

Then did the conqueror exclaim, and thus insulted then:

“Othryonëus, I will praise, beyond all mortal men,

Thy living virtues, if thou wilt now perfect the brave vow

355 Thou mad’st to Priam, for the wife he promis’d to bestow.

And where he should have kept his word, there we assure thee here,

To give thee for thy princely wife the fairest and most dear

Of our great Gen’ral’s female race, which from his Argive hall

We all will wait upon to Troy, if, with our aids, and all,

360 Thou wilt but raze this well-built town. Come, therefore, follow me,

That in our ships we may conclude this royal match with thee.

I’ll be no jot worse than my word.” With that he took his feet,

And dragg’d him through the fervent fight; in which did Asius meet

The victor to inflict revenge. He came on foot before

365 His horse, that on his shoulders breath’d; so closely evermore

His coachman led them to his lord; who held a huge desire

To strike the king, but he strook first, and underneath his chin,

At his throat’s height, through th’ other side, his eager lance drave in;

II.14

And down he bustled like an oak, a poplar, or a pine,

370 Hewn down for shipwood, and so lay. His fall did so decline

The spirit of his charioteer, that, lest he should incense

The victor to impair his spoil, he durst not drive from thence

His horse and chariot; and so pleas’d, with that respective part,

Antilochus, that for his fear he reach’d him with a dart

375 About his belly’s midst, and down his sad corse fell beneath

The richly builded chariot, there labouring out his breath.

The horse Antilochus took off; when, griev’d for this event,

Deiphobus drew passing near, and at the victor sent

A shining jav’lin: which he saw, and shunn’d, with gath’ring round

380 His body in his all-round shield, at whose top, with a sound,

It overflew; yet, seizing there, it did not idly fly

From him that wing’d it, his strong hand still drave it mortally

On prince Hypsenor; it did pierce his liver, underneath

The veins it passeth; his shrunk knees submitted him to death.

385 And then did lov’d Deiphobus miraculously vaunt:

“Now Asius lies not unreveng’d, nor doth his spirit want

The joy I wish it, though it be now ent’ring the strong gate

Of mighty Pluto, since this hand hath sent him down a mate.”

This glory in him griev’d the Greeks, and chiefly the great mind

390 Of martial Antilochus, who though to grief inclin’d,

He left not yet his friend, but ran and hid him with his shield;

And to him came two lovely friends, that freed him from the field,

Mecisteus, son of Echius, and the right nobly born

Alastor, bearing him to fleet, and did extremely mourn.

395 Idomenëus sunk not yet, but held his nerves entire,

His mind much less deficient, being fed with firm desire

To hide more Trojans in dim night, or sink himself in guard

Of his lov’d countrymen. And then Alcathous prepar’d

Work for his valour, off’ring fate his own destructión.

400 A great heroë, and had grace to be the lovéd son

II.15

Of Æsyetes, son-in-law to prince Æneas’ sire,

Hippodamia marrying; who most enflam’d the fire

Of her dear parents’ love, and took precedence in her birth

Of all their daughters, and as much exceeded in her worth

405 (For beauty answer’d with her mind, and both with housewif’ry)

All the fair beauty of young dames that us’d her company,

And therefore, being the worthiest dame, the worthiest man did wed

Of ample Troy. Him Neptune stoop’d beneath the royal force

Of Idomen, his sparkling eyes deluding, and the course

410 Of his illustrious lineaments so out of nature bound,

That back nor forward he could stir, but as he grew to ground,

Stood like a pillar, or high tree, and neither mov’d, nor fear’d;

When straight the royal Cretan’s dart in his mid breast appear’d,

It brake the curets, that were proof to ev’ry other dart,

415 Yet now they cleft and rung; the lance stuck shaking in his heart;

His heart with panting made it shake; but Mars did now remit

The greatness of it, and the king, now quitting the brag fit

Of glory in Deiphobus, thus terribly exclaim’d:

“Deiphobus, now may we think that we are ev’nly fam’d,

420 That three for one have sent to Dis. But come, change blows with me,

Thy vaunts for him thou slew’st were vain. Come, wretch, that thou may’st see

What issue Jove hath. Jove begot Minos, the strength of Crete;

Minos begot Deucalion; Deucalion did beget

Me Idomen, now Creta’s king, that here my ships have brought

425 To bring thyself, thy father, friends, all Ilion’s pomp, to nought.”

Deiphobus at two ways stood, in doubt to call some one,

With some retreat, to be his aid, or try the chance alone.

At last, the first seem’d best to him, and back he went to call

Anchises’ son to friend, who stood in troop the last of all,

430 Where still he serv’d; which made him still incense against the king,

That, being amongst his best their peer, he grac’d not anything

II.16

His wrong’d deserts. Deiphobus spake, to him, standing near:

“Æneas, prince of Troïans, if any touch appear

Of glory in thee, thou must now assist thy sister’s lord,

435 And one that to thy tend’rest youth did careful guard afford,

Alcathous, whom Creta’s king hath chiefly slain to thee,

His right most challenging thy hand. Come, therefore, follow me.”

This much excited his good mind, and set his heart on fire

Against the Cretan, who child-like dissolv’d not in his ire,

440 But stood him firm. As when in hills a strength-relying boar,

Alone, and hearing hunters come, whom tumult flies before,

Up-thrusts his bristles, whets his tusks, sets fire on his red eyes,

And in his brave prepar’d repulse doth dogs and men despise;

So stood the famous-for-his-lance, nor shunn’d the coming charge

445 That resolute Æneas brought. Yet, since the odds was large,

He call’d with good right to his aid war-skill’d Ascalaphus,

Aphareüs, Meriones, the strong Deipyrus,

And Nestor’s honourable son: “Come near, my friends,” said he,

“And add your aids to me alone. Fear taints me worthily,

450 Though firm I stand, and show it not. Æneas great in fight,

And one that bears youth in his flow’r, that bears the greatest might,

Comes on with aim direct at me. Had I his youthful limb

To bear my mind, he should yield fame, or I would yield it him.”

This said, all held, in many souls, one ready helpful mind,

455 Clapp’d shields and shoulders, and stood close. Æneas, not inclin’d

With more presumption than the king, call’d aid as well as he,

Divine Agenor, Helen’s love, who follow’d instantly,

And all their forces following them; as after bell-wethers

The whole flocks follow to their drink, which sight the shepherd cheers.

460 Nor was Æneas’ joy less mov’d to see such troops attend

His honour’d person; and all these fought close about his friend;

But two of them, past all the rest, had strong desire to shed

The blood of either; Idomen, and Cytherea’s seed.

II.17

Æneas first bestow’d his lance, which th’ other seeing shunn’d,

465 And that, thrown from an idle hand, stuck trembling in the ground.

But Idomen’s, discharg’d at him, had no such vain success,

Which Œnomaus’ entrails found, in which it did impress

His sharp pile to his fall; his palms tore his returning earth.

Idomenëus straight stepp’d in, and pluck’d his jav’lin forth,

470 But could not spoil his goodly arms, they press’d him so with darts.

And now the long toil of the fight had spent his vig’rous parts,

And made them less apt to avoid the foe that should advance,

Or, when himself advanc’d again, to run and fetch his lance,

And therefore in stiff fights of stand he spent the cruel day.

475 When, coming softly from the slain, Deiphobus gave way

To his bright jav’lin at the king, whom he could never brook;

But then he lost his envy too. His lance yet deadly took

Ascalaphus, the son of Mars; quite through his shoulder flew

The violent head, and down he fell. Nor yet by all means knew

480 Wide-throated Mars his son was fall’n, but in Olympus’ top

Sat canopied with golden clouds; Jove’s counsel had shut up

Both him and all the other Gods from that time’s equal task,

Which now, about Ascalaphus, strife set. His shining casque

Deiphobus had forc’d from him, but instantly leap’d in

485 Mars-swift Meriones, and strook, with his long javelin,

The right arm of Deiphobus, which made his hand let fall

The sharp-topp’d helmet; the press’d earth resounding therewithall.

When, vulture-like, Meriones rush’d in again and drew,

From out the low part of his arm his jav’lin, and then flew

490 Back to his friends. Deiphobus, faint with the blood’s excess

Fall’n from his wound, was carefully convey’d out of the press

By his kind brother by both sides, Polites, till they gat

His horse and chariot that were still set fit for his retreat,

II.18

And bore him now to Ilion. The rest fought fiercely on,

495 And set a mighty fight on foot. When next, Anchises’ son

Aphareus Caletorides, that ran upon him, strook

Just in the throat with his keen lance; and straight his head forsook

His upright carriage; and his shield, his helm, and all, with him

Fell to the earth; where ruinous death made prise of every limb.

500 Antilochus, discov’ring well that Thoon’s heart took check,

Let fly, and cut the hollow vein, that runs up to his neck,

Along his back part, quite in twain; down in the dust he fell,

Upwards, and, with extended hands, bade all the world farewell.

Antilochus rush’d nimbly in, and, looking round, made prise

505 Of his fair arms: in which affair his round-set enemies

Let fly their lances, thundering on his advancéd targe,

But could not get his flesh. The God that shakes the earth took charge

Of Nestor’s son and kept him safe; who never was away,

But still amongst the thickest foes his busy lance did play,

510 Observing ever when he might, far off, or near, offend;

And watching Asius’ son, in prease he spied him, and did send,

Close coming on, a dart at him, that smote in midst his shield,

In which the sharp head of the lance the blue-hair’d God made yield,

Not pleas’d to yield his pupil’s life; in whose shield half the dart

515 Stuck like a truncheon burn’d with fire; on earth lay th’ other part.

He, seeing no better end of all, retir’d in fear of worse,

But him Meriones pursu’d; and his lance found full course

To th’ other’s life. It wounded him betwixt the privy parts

And navel, where, to wretched men that war’s most violent smarts

520 Must undergo, wounds chiefly vex. His dart Meriones

Pursu’d, and Adamas so striv’d with it, and his mis-ease,

As doth a bullock puff and storm, whom in disdainéd bands

The upland herdsmen strive to cast; so, fall’n beneath the hands

Of his stern foe, Asiades did struggle, pant, and rave.

525 But no long time; for when the lance was pluck’d out, up he gave

II.19

His tortur’d soul. Then Troy’s turn came; when with a Thracian sword

The temples of Deipyrus did Helenus afford

So huge a blow, it strook all light out of his cloudy eyes,

And cleft his helmet; which a Greek, there fighting, made his prise,

530 It fell so full beneath his feet. Atrides griev’d to see

That sight, and, threat’ning, shook a lance at Helenus, and he

A bow half drew at him; at once out flew both shaft and lance.

The shaft Atrides’ curets strook; and far away did glance.

Atrides’ dart of Helenus the thrust out bow-hand strook,

535 And, through the hand, stuck in the bow. Agenor’s hand did pluck

From forth the nailéd prisoner the jav’lin quickly out;

And fairly, with a little wool, enwrapping round about

The wounded hand, within a scarf he bore it, which his squire

Had ready for him. Yet the wound would needs he should retire.

540 Pisander, to revenge his hurt, right on the king ran he.

A bloody fate suggested him to let him run on thee,

O Menelaus, that he might, by thee, in dang’rous war

Be done to death. Both coming on, Atrides’ lance did err.

Pisander strook Atrides’ shield, that brake at point the dart

545 Not running through; yet he rejoic’d as playing a victor’s part.

Atrides, drawing his fair sword, upon Pisander flew;

Pisander, from beneath his shield, his goodly weapon drew,

Two-edg’d, with right sharp steel, and long, the handle olive-tree,

Well-polish’d; and to blows they go. Upon the top strook he

550 Atrides’ horse-hair’d-feather’d helm; Atrides on his brow,

Above th’ extreme part of his nose, laid such a heavy blow

That all the bones crash’d under it, and out his eyes did drop

Before his feet in bloody dust; he after, and shrunk up

His dying body, which the foot of his triumphing foe

555 Open’d, and stood upon his breast, and off his arms did go,

II.20

This insultation us’d the while: “At length forsake our fleet,

Thus ye false Trojans, to whom war never enough is sweet.

Nor want ye more impieties, with which ye have abus’d

Me, ye bold dogs, that your chief friends so honourably us’d.

560 Nor fear you hospitable Jove, that lets such thunders go.

But build upon’t, he will unbuild your tow’rs that clamber so,

For ravishing my goods, and wife, in flow’r of all her years,

And without cause; nay, when that fair and lib’ral hand of hers

Had us’d you so most lovingly. And now again ye would

565 Cast fire into our fleet, and kill our princes if ye could.

Go to, one day you will be curb’d, though never so ye thirst

Rude war, by war. O father Jove, they say thou art the first

In wisdom of all Gods and men, yet all this comes from thee,

And still thou gratifiest these men, how lewd so e’er they be,

570 Though never they be cloy’d with sins, nor can be satiate,

As good men should, with this vile war. Satiety of state,

Satiety of sleep and love, satiety of ease,

Of music, dancing, can find place; yet harsh war still must please

Past all these pleasures, ev’n past these. They will be cloy’d with these

575 Before their war joys. Never war gives Troy satieties.”

This said, the bloody arms were off, and to his soldiers thrown,

He mixing in first fight again. And then Harpalion,

Kind king Pylæmen’s son gave charge; who to those wars of Troy

His lovéd father followéd, nor ever did enjoy

580 His country’s sight again. He strook the targe of Atreus’ son

Full in the midst; his jav’lin’s steel yet had no pow’r to run

The target through; nor had himself the heart to fetch his lance,

But took him to his strength, and cast on ev’ry side a glance,

Lest any his dear sides should dart. But Merion, as he fled,

585 Sent after him a brazen lance, that ran his eager head

Through his right hip, and all along the bladder’s región

Beneath the bone; it settled him, and set his spirit gone

II.21

Amongst the hands of his best friends; and like a worm he lay

Stretch’d on the earth, which his black blood imbru’d, and flow’d away.

590 His corse the Paphlagonians did sadly wait upon,

Repos’d in his rich chariot, to sacred Ilion;

The king his father following, dissolv’d in kindly tears,

And no wreak sought for his slain son. But, at his slaughterers

Incenséd Paris spent a lance, since he had been a guest

595 To many Paphlagonians; and through the prease it press’d.

There was a certain augur’s son, that did for wealth excell,

And yet was honest; he was born, and did at Corinth dwell;

Who, though he knew his harmful fate, would needs his ship ascend.

His father, Polyidus, oft would tell him that his end

600 Would either seize him at his house, upon a sharp disease,

Or else among the Grecian ships by Trojans slain. Both these

Together he desir’d to shun; but the disease, at last,

And ling’ring death in it, he left, and war’s quick stroke embrac’d.

The lance betwixt his ear and cheek ran in, and drave the mind

605 Of both those bitter fortunes out. Night strook his whole pow’rs blind.

Thus fought they, like the spirit of fire; nor Jove-lov’d Hector knew

How in the fleet’s left wing the Greeks his down-put soldiers slew

Almost to victory; the God that shakes the earth so well

Help’d with his own strength, and the Greeks so fiercely did impell.

610 Yet Hector made the first place good, where both the ports and wall

(The thick rank of the Greek shields broke) he enter’d, and did skall,

Where on the gray sea’s shore were drawn (the wall being there but slight)

Protesilaus’ ships, and those of Ajax, where the fight

Of men and horse where sharpest set. There the Bœotian bands,

615 Long-rob’d Iaons, Locrians, and, brave men of their hands,

The Phthian and Epeian troops did spritefully assail

The god-like Hector rushing in; and yet could not prevail

II.22

To his repulse, though choicest men of Athens there made head;

Amongst whom was Menestheus’ chief, whom Phidias followéd,

620 Stichius and Bias, huge in strength. Th’ Epeian troops were led

By Meges’ and Phylides’ cares, Amphion, Dracius.

Before the Phthians Medon march’d, and Meneptolemus;

And these, with the Bœotian pow’rs, bore up the fleet’s defence.

Oïleus by his brother’s side stood close, and would not thence

625 For any moment of that time. But, as through fallow fields

Black oxen draw a well-join’d plough, and either ev’nly yields

His thrifty labour, all heads couch’d so close to earth they plow

The fallow with their horns, till out the sweat begins to flow,

The stretch’d yokes crack, and yet at last the furrow forth is driven;

630 So toughly stood these to their task, and made their work as even.

But Ajax Telamonius had many helpful men

That, when sweat ran about his knees, and labour flow’d, would then

Help bear his mighty sev’n-fold shield; when swift Oïliades

The Locrians left, and would not make those murth’rous rights of prease,

635 Because they wore no bright steel casques, nor bristled plumes for show,

Bound shields, nor darts of solid ash, but with the trusty bow,

And jacks well-quilted with soft wool, they came to Troy, and were,

In their fit place, as confident as those that fought so near,

And reach’d their foes so thick with shafts, that these were they that brake

640 The Trojan orders first; and then, the brave arm’d men did make

Good work with their close fights before. Behind whom, having shot,

The Locrians hid still; and their foes all thought of fight forgot

With shows of those far-striking shafts, their eyes were troubled so.

And then, assur’dly, from the ships, and tents, th’ insulting foe

645 Had miserably fled to Troy, had not Polydamas

Thus spake to Hector: “Hector, still impossible ’tis to pass

Good counsel upon you. But say some God prefers thy deeds,

In counsels wouldst thou pass us too? In all things none exceeds.

II.23

To some God gives the pow’r of war, to some the sleight to dance,

650 To some the art of instruments, some doth for voice advance;

And that far-seeing God grants some, the wisdom of the mind,

Which no man can keep to himself, that, though but few can find,

Doth profit many, that preserves the public weal and state,

And that, who hath, he best can prize. But, for me, I’ll relate

655 Only my censure what’s our best. The very crown of war

Doth burn about thee; yet our men, when they have reach’d thus far,

Suppose their valours crown’d, and cease. A few still stir their feet,

And so a few with many fight, sperst thinly through the fleet.

Retire then, leave speech to the rout, and all thy princes call,

660 That, here, in counsels of most weight, we may resolve of all,

If having likelihood to believe that God will conquest give,

We shall charge through; or with this grace, make our retreat, and live.

For, I must needs affirm, I fear, the debt of yesterday

(Since war is such a God of change) the Grecians now will pay.

665 And since th’ insatiate man of war remains at fleet, if there

We tempt his safety, no hour more his hot soul can forbear.”

This sound stuff Hector lik’d, approv’d, jump’d from his chariot,

And said: “Polydamas make good this place, and suffer not

One prince to pass it; I myself will there go, where you see

670 Those friends in skirmish, and return (when they have heard from me

Command that your advice obeys) with utmost speed.” This said,

With day-bright arms, white plume, white scarf, his goodly limbs array’d,

He parted from them, like a hill, removing, all of snow,

And to the Trojan peers and chiefs he flew, to let them know

675 The counsel of Polydamas. All turn’d, and did rejoice,

To haste to Panthus’ gentle son, being call’d by Hector’s voice;

II.24

Who, through the forefights making way, look’d for Deiphobus,

King Helenus, Asiades, Hyrtasian Asius,

Of whom, some were not to be found unhurt, or undeceas’d,

680 Some only hurt, and gone from field. As further he address’d,

He found within the fight’s left wing the fair-hair’d Helen’s love

By all means moving men to blows; which could by no means move

Hector’s forbearance, his friends’ miss so put his pow’rs in storm,

But thus in wonted terms he chid: “You with the finest form,

685 Impostor, woman’s man! where are, in your care mark’d, all these,

Deiphobus, King Helenus, Asius Hyrtacides,

Othryonëus Acamas? Now haughty Ilion

Shakes to his lowest groundwork. Now just ruin falls upon

Thy head past rescue.” He replied: “Hector, why chid’st thou now,

690 When I am guiltless? Other times, there are for ease, I know,

Than these, for she that brought thee forth, not utterly left me

Without some portion of thy spirit, to make me brother thee.

But since thou first brought’st in thy force, to this our naval fight,

I and my friends have ceaseless fought, to do thy service right.

695 But all those friends thou seek’st are slain; excepting Helenus,

Who parted wounded in his hand, and so Deiphobus;

Jove yet averted death from them. And now lead thou as far

As thy great heart affects, all we will second any war

That thou endurest; and I hope, my own strength is not lost;

700 Though least, I’ll fight it to his best; nor further fights the most.”

This calmed hot Hector’s spleen; and both turn’d where they saw the face

Of war most fierce, and that was where their friends made good the place

About renowm’d Polydamas, and god-like Polypæt,

Palmus, Ascanius, Moras that Hippotion did beget,

705 And from Ascania’s wealthy fields but ev’n the day before

Arriv’d at Troy, that with their aid they kindly might restore

Some kindness they receiv’d from thence. And in fierce fight with these,

Phalces and tall Orthæus stood, and bold Cebriones.

II.25

And then the doubt that in advice Polydamas disclos’d,

710 To fight or fly, Jove took away, and all to fight dispos’d.

And as the floods of troubled air to pitchy storms increase

That after thunder sweeps the fields, and ravish up the seas,

Encount’ring with abhorréd roars, when the engrosséd waves

Boil into foam, and endlessly one after other raves;

715 So rank’d and guarded th’ Ilians march’d; some now, more now, and then

More upon more, in shining steel; now captains, then their men.

And Hector, like man-killing Mars, advanc’d before them all,

His huge round target before him, through thicken’d, like a wall,

With hides well-couch’d with store of brass; and on his temples shin’d

720 His bright helm, on which danc’d his plume; and in this horrid kind,

(All hid within his world-like shield) he ev’ry troop assay’d

For entry, that in his despite stood firm and undismay’d.

Which when he saw, and kept more off, Ajax came stalking then,

And thus provok’d him: “O good man, why fright’st thou thus our men?

725 Come nearer. Not art’s want in war makes us thus navy-bound,

But Jove’s direct scourge; his arm’d hand makes our hands give you ground.

Yet thou hop’st, of thyself, our spoil. But we have likewise hands

To hold our own, as you to spoil; and ere thy countermands

Stand good against our ransack’d fleet, your hugely-peopled town

730 Our hands shall take in, and her tow’rs from all their heights pull down.

And I must tell thee, time draws on, when, flying, thou shalt cry

To Jove and all the Gods to make thy fair-man’d horses fly

More swift than falcons, that their hoofs may rouse the dust, and bear

Thy body, hid, to Ilion.” This said, his bold words were

735 Confirm’d as soon as spoke. Jove’s bird, the high-flown eagle, took

The right hand of their host; whose wings high acclamations strook

II.26

From forth the glad breasts of the Greeks. Then Hector made reply:

“Vain-spoken man, and glorious, what hast thou said? Would I

As surely were the son of Jove, and of great Juno born,

740 Adorn’d like Pallas, and the God that lifts to earth the morn,

As this day shall bring harmful light to all your host, and thou,

If thou dar’st stand this lance, the earth before the ships shall strow,

Thy bosom turn up, and the dogs, with all the fowl of Troy,

Be satiate with thy fat and flesh.” This said, with shouting joy

745 His first troops follow’d, and the last their shouts with shouts repell’d.

Greece answer’d all, nor could her spirits from all show rest conceal’d.

And to so infinite a height all acclamations strove,

They reach’d the splendours stuck about the unreach’d throne of Jove.

ot wine, nor feasts, could lay their soft chains on old Nestor’s ear

To this high clamour, who requir’d Machaon’s thoughts to bear

His care in part, about the cause; “For, methink, still,” said he,

“The cry increases. I must needs the watchtow’r mount, to see

II.34

5 Which way the flood of war doth drive. Still drink thou wine, and eat,

Till fair-hair’d Hecamed hath giv’n a little water heat

To cleanse the quitture from thy wound.” This said, the goodly shield

Of warlike Thrasymed, his son, who had his own in field,

He took, snatch’d up a mighty lance, and so stept forth to view

10 Cause of that clamour. Instantly th’ unworthy cause he knew,

The Grecians wholly put in rout, the Trojans routing still,

Close at the Greeks’ backs, their wall raz’d. The old man mourn’d this ill;

And, as when with unwieldy waves the great sea forefeels winds

That both ways murmur, and no way her certain current finds,

15 But pants and swells confusedly, here goes, and there will stay,

Till on it air casts one firm wind, and then it rolls away;

So stood old Nestor in debate, two thoughts at once on wing

In his discourse, if first to take direct course to the king,

Or to the multitude in fight. At last he did conclude

20 To visit Agamemnon first. Mean time both hosts imbrued

Their steel in one another’s blood, nought wrought their healths but harms,

Swords, huge stones, double-headed darts, still thumping on their arms.

And now the Jove-kept kings, whose wounds were yet in cure, did meet

Old Nestor, Diomed, Ithacus, and Atreus’ son, from fleet

25 Bent for the fight which was far off, the ships being drawn to shore

On heaps at first, till all their sterns a wall was rais’d before,

Which, though not great, it yet suffic’d to hide them, though their men

Were something straited; for whose scope, in form of battle then,

They drew them through the spacious shore, one by another still,

30 Till all the bosom of the strand their sable bulks did fill,

Ev’n till they took up all the space ’twixt both the promont’ries.

These kings, like Nestor, in desire to know for what those cries

Became so violent, came along, all leaning on their darts,

To see, though not of pow’r to fight, sad and suspicious hearts

II.35

35 Distemp’ring them; and, meeting now Nestor, the king in fear

Cried out: “O Nestor our renown! Why shows thy presence here,

The harmful fight abandonéd? Now Hector will make good

The threat’ning vow he made, I fear, that, till he had our blood,

And fir’d our fleet, he never more would turn to Ilion.

40 Nor is it long, I see, before his whole will will be done.

O Gods! I now see all the Greeks put on Achilles’ ire

Against my honour; no mean left to keep our fleet from fire.”

He answer’d: “’Tis an evident truth, not Jove himself can now,

With all the thunder in his hands, prevent our overthrow.

45 The wall we thought invincible, and trusted more than Jove,

Is scal’d, raz’d, enter’d; and our pow’rs (driv’n up) past breathing, prove

A most inevitable fight; both slaughters so commix’d,

That for your life you cannot put your diligent’st thought betwixt

The Greeks and Trojans, and as close their throats cleave to the sky.

50 Consult we then, if that will serve. For fight advise not I;

It fits not wounded men to fight.” Atrides answer’d him:

“If such a wall as cost the Greeks so many a tiréd limb,

And such a dike be pass’d, and raz’d, that, as yourself said well,

We all esteem’d invincible, and would past doubt repell

55 The world from both our fleet and us; it doth directly show

That here Jove vows our shames and deaths. I evermore did know

His hand from ours when he help’d us, and now I see as clear

That, like the blessèd Gods, he holds our hated enemies dear,

Supports their arms, and pinions ours. Conclude then, ’tis in vain

60 To strive with him. Our ships drawn up, now let us launch again,

And keep at anchor till calm night, that then, perhaps, our foes

May calm their storms, and in that time our scape we may dispose.

‘It is not any shame to fly from ill, although by night.

Known ill he better does that flies, than he it takes in fight.’”

65 Ulysses frown’d on him, and said: “Accurs’d, why talk’st thou thus?

Would thou hadst led some barb’rous host, and not commanded us

II.36

Whom Jove made soldiers from our youth, that age might scorn to fly

From any charge it undertakes, and ev’ry dazzled eye

The honour’d hand of war might close. Thus wouldst thou leave this town,

70 For which our many mis’ries felt entitle it our own?

Peace, let some other Greek give ear, and hear a sentence such

As no man’s palate should profane; at least that knew how much

His own right weigh’d, and being a prince, and such a prince as bears

Rule of so many Greeks as thou. This counsel loathes mine ears,

75 Let others toil in fight and cries, and we so light of heels

Upon their very noise, and groans, to hoise away our keels.

Thus we should fit the wish of Troy, that, being something near

The victory, we give it clear; and we were sure to bear

A slaughter to the utmost man, for no man will sustain

80 A stroke, the fleet gone, but at that, look still, and wish him slain.

And therefore, prince of men, be sure, thy censure is unfit.”

“O Ithacus,” replied the king, “thy bitter terms have smit

My heart in sunder. At no hand, ’gainst any prince’s will

Do I command this. Would to God, that any man of skill

85 To give a better counsel would, or old, or younger man!

My voice should gladly go with his.” Then Diomed began:

“The man not far is, nor shall ask much labour to bring in,

That willingly would speak his thoughts, if spoken they might win

Fit ear, and suffer no impair, that I discover them,

90 Being youngest of you; since my sire, that heir’d a diadem,

May make my speech to diadems decent enough, though he

Lies in his sepulchre at Thebes. I boast this pedigree:

Portheus three famous sons begot, that in high Calydon

And Pleuron kept, with state of kings, their habitatión;

95 Agrius, Melas, and the third the horseman Oeneus,

My father’s father, that excell’d in actions generous

II.37

The other two. But these kept home, my father being driv’n

With wand’ring and advent’rous spirits, for so the King of heav’n

And th’ other Gods set down their wills, and he to Argos came,

100 Where he begun the world, and dwelt. There marrying a dame,

One of Adrastus’ female race, he kept a royal house,

For he had great demesnes, good land, and, being industrious,

He planted many orchard-grounds about his house, and bred

Great store of sheep. Besides all this, he was well qualitied,

105 And pass’d all Argives, for his spear. And these digressive things

Are such as you may well endure, since (being deriv’d from kings,

And kings not poor nor virtueless) you cannot hold me base,

Nor scorn my words, which oft, though true, in mean men meet disgrace.

However, they are these in short: Let us be seen at fight,

110 And yield to strong necessity, though wounded, that our sight

May set those men on that, of late, have to Achilles’ spleen

Been too indulgent, and left blows; but be we only seen,

Not come within the reach of darts, lest wound on wound we lay;

Which rev’rend Nestor’s speech implied, and so far him obey.”

115 This counsel gladly all observ’d, went on, Atrides led.

Nor Neptune this advantage lost, but closely followéd,

And like an aged man appear’d t’ Atrides; whose right hand

He seiz’d, and said: “Atrides, this doth passing fitly stand

With stern Achilles’ wreakful spirit, that he can stand astern

120 His ship, and both in fight and death the Grecian bane discern,

Since not in his breast glows one spark of any human mind.

But be that his own bane. Let God by that loss make him find

How vile a thing he is. For know, the blest Gods have not giv’n

Thee ever over, but perhaps the Trojans may from heav’n

125 Receive that justice. Nay, ’tis sure, and thou shalt see their falls,

Your fleet soon freed, and for fights here they glad to take their walls.”

II.38

This said, he made known who he was, and parted with a cry

As if ten thousand men had join’d in battle then, so high

His throat flew through the host; and so this great Earth-shaking God

130 Cheer’d up the Greek hearts, that they wish their pains no period.

Saturnia from Olympus’ top saw her great brother there,

And her great husband’s brother too, exciting ev’rywhere

The glorious spirits of the Greeks; which as she joy’d to see,

So, on the fountful Ida’s top, Jove’s sight did disagree

135 With her contentment, since she fear’d that his hand would descend,

And check the Sea-god’s practices. And this she did contend

How to prevent, which thus seem’d best: To deck her curiously,

And visit the Idalian hill, that so the Lightner’s eye

She might enamour with her looks, and his high temples steep,

140 Ev’n to his wisdom, in the kind and golden juice of sleep.

So took she chamber, which her son, the God of ferrary,

With firm doors made, being joinèd close, and with a privy key

That no God could command but Jove; where, enter’d, she made fast

The shining gates, and then upon her lovely body cast

145 Ambrosia, that first made it clear, and after laid on it

An od’rous, rich, and sacred oil, that was so wondrous sweet

That ever, when it was but touch’d, it sweeten’d heav’n and earth.

Her body being cleans’d with this, her tresses she let forth,

And comb’d, her comb dipp’d in the oil, then wrapp’d them up in curls;

150 And, thus her deathless head adorn’d, a heav’nly veil she hurls

On her white shoulders, wrought by Her that rules in housewif’ries,

Who wove it full of antique works, of most divine device;

And this with goodly clasps of gold she fasten’d to her breast.

Then with a girdle, whose rich sphere a hundred studs impress’d,

155 She girt her small waist. In her ears, tenderly pierc’d, she wore

Pearls, great and orient. On her head, a wreath not worn before

Cast beams out like the sun. At last, she to her feet did tie

Fair shoes. And thus entire attir’d, she shin’d in open sky,

II.39

Call’d the fair Paphian Queen apart from th’ other Gods, and said:

160 “Lov’d daughter! Should I ask a grace, should I, or be obey’d?

Or wouldst thou cross me, being incens’d, since I cross thee and take

The Greeks’ part, thy hand helping Troy?” She answer’d, “That shall make

No diff’rence in a diff’rent cause. Ask, ancient Deity,

What most contents thee. My mind stands inclin’d as liberally

165 To grant it as thine own to ask; provided that it be

A favour fit and in my pow’r.” She, giv’n deceitfully,

Thus said: “Then give me those two pow’rs, with which both men and Gods

Thou vanquishest, Love and Desire; for now the periods

Of all the many-feeding earth, and the original

170 Of all the Gods, Oceanus, and Thetis whom we call

Our Mother, I am going to greet. They nurst me in their court,

And brought me up, receiving me in most respectful sort

From Phæa, when Jove under earth and the unfruitful seas

Cast Saturn. These I go to see, intending to appease

175 Jars grown betwixt them, having long abstain’d from speech and bed;

Which jars, could I so reconcile, that in their anger’s stead

I could place love, and so renew their first society,

I should their best lov’d be esteem’d, and honour’d endlessly.”

She answer’d: “’Tis not fit, nor just, thy will should be denied,

180 Whom Jove in his embraces holds.” This spoken, she untied,

And from her od’rous bosom took, her Ceston, in whose sphere

Were all enticements to delight, all loves, all longings were,

Kind conference, fair speech, whose pow’r the wisest doth inflame.

This she resigning to her hands, thus urg’d her by her name:

185 “Receive this bridle, thus fair-wrought, and put it ’twixt thy breasts,

Where all things to be done are done; and whatsoever rests

In thy desire return with it.” The great-ey’d Juno smil’d,

And put it ’twixt her breasts. Love’s Queen, thus cunningly beguil’d,

To Jove’s court flew. Saturnia, straight stooping from heav’n’s height,

190 Pieria and Emathia, those countries of delight,

II.40

Soon reach’d, and to the snowy mounts, where Thracian soldiers dwell,

Approaching, pass’d their tops untouch’d. From Athos then she fell,

Pass’d all the broad sea, and arriv’d in Lemnos, at the tow’rs

Of godlike Thoas, where she met the Prince of all men’s pow’rs,

195 Death’s brother, Sleep; whose hand she took, and said: “Thou king of men,

Prince of the Gods too, if before thou heard’st my suits, again

Give helpful ear, and through all times I’ll offer thanks to thee.

Lay slumber on Jove’s fi’ry eyes, that I may comfort me

With his embraces; for which grace I’ll grace thee with a throne

200 Incorruptible, all of gold, and elegantly done

By Mulciber, to which he forg’d a footstool for the ease

Of thy soft feet, when wine and feasts thy gulden humours please.”

Sweet Sleep replied: “Saturnia, there lives not any God,

Besides Jove, but I would becalm; aye if it were the Flood,

205 That fathers all the Deities, the great Oceanus;

But Jove we dare not come more near, than he commandeth us.

Now you command me as you did, when Jove’s great-minded son,

Alcides, having sack’d the town of stubborn Ilion,

Took sail from thence; when by your charge I pour’d about Jove’s mind

210 A pleasing slumber, calming him, till thou drav’st up the wind,

In all his cruelties, to sea, that set his son ashore

In Cous, far from all his friends. Which, waking, vex’d so sore

The supreme Godhead, that he cast the Gods about the sky,

And me, above them all, he sought, whom he had utterly

215 Hurl’d from the sparkling firmament, if all-gods-taming Night

(Whom, flying, I besought for aid) had suffer’d his despite,

And not preserv’d me; but his wrath with my offence dispens’d,

For fear t’ offend her, and so ceas’d, though never so incens’d.

And now another such escape, you wish I should prepare.”

220 She answer’d: “What hath thy deep rest to do with his deep care?

As though Jove’s love to Ilion in all degrees were such

As ’twas to Hercules his son, and so would storm as much

II.41

For their displeasure as for his? Away, I will remove

Thy fear with giving thee the dame, that thou didst ever love,

225 One of the fair young Graces born, divine Pasithae.”

This started Somnus into joy, who answer’d: “Swear to me,

By those inviolable springs, that feed the Stygian lake,

With one hand touch the nourishing earth, and in the other take

The marble sea, that all the Gods, of the infernal state,

230 Which circle Saturn, may to us be witnesses, and rate

What thou hast vow’d; That with all truth, thou wilt bestow on me,

The dame I grant I ever lov’d, divine Pasithae.”

She swore, as he enjoin’d, in all, and strengthen’d all his joys

By naming all th’ infernal Gods, surnam’d the Titanois.

235 The oath thus taken, both took way, and made their quick repair

To Ida from the town, and isle, all hid in liquid air.

At Lecton first they left the sea, and there the land they trod;

The fountful nurse of savages, with all her woods, did nod

Beneath their feet; there Somnus stay’d, lest Jove’s bright eye should see,

240 And yet, that he might see to Jove, he climbed the goodliest tree

That all th’ Idalian mountain bred, and crown’d her progeny,

A fir it was, that shot past air, and kiss’d the burning sky;

There sate he hid in his dark arms, and in the shape withall

Of that continual prating bird, whom all the Deities call

245 Chalcis, but men Cymmindis name. Saturnia tripp’d apace,

Up to the top of Gargarus, and show’d her heav’nly face

To Jupiter, who saw, and lov’d, and with as hot a fire,

Being curious in her tempting view, as when with first desire

(The pleasure of it being stol’n) they mix’d in love and bed;

250 And, gazing on her still, he said: “Saturnia, what hath bred

This haste in thee from our high cant, and whither tends thy gait,

That void of horse and chariot, fit for thy sov’reign state,

Thou lackiest here?” Her studied fraud replied: “My journey now

Leaves state and labours to do good; and where in right I owe

II.42

255 All kindness to the Sire of Gods, and our good Mother Queen

That nurst and kept me curiously in court (since both have been

Long time at discord) my desire is to atone their hearts;

And therefore go I now to see those earth’s extremest parts.

For whose far-seat I spar’d my horse the scaling of this hill,

260 And left them at the foot of it; for they must taste their fill

Of travail with me, and must draw my coach through earth and seas.

Whose far-intended reach, respect, and care not to displease

Thy graces, made me not attempt, without thy gracious leave.”

The cloud-compelling God her guile in this sort did receive:

265 “Juno, thou shalt have after leave, but, ere so far thou stray,

Convert we our kind thoughts to love, that now doth ev’ry way

Circle with victory my pow’rs, nor yet with any dame,

Woman, or Goddess, did his fires my bosom so inflame

As now with thee. Not when it lov’d the parts so generous

270 Ixion’s wife had, that brought forth the wise Pirithous;

Nor when the lovely dame Acrisius’ daughter stirr’d

My amorous pow’rs, that Perseus bore to all men else preferr’d;

Nor when the dame, that Phenix got, surpris’d me with her sight,

Who the divine-soul’d Rhadamanth and Minos brought to light;

275 Nor Semele, that bore to me the joy of mortal men,

The sprightly Bacchus; nor the dame that Thebes renownéd then,

Alcmena, that bore Hercules; Latona, so renown’d:

Queen Ceres, with the golden hair; nor thy fair eyes did wound

My entrails to such depth as now with thirst of amorous ease.”

280 The cunning Dame seem’d much incens’d, and said: “What words are these,

Insufferable Saturn’s son? What! Here! In Ida’s height!

Desir’st thou this? How fits it us? Or what if in the sight

Of any God thy will were pleas’d, that he the rest might bring

To witness thy incontinence? ’Twere a dishonour’d thing.

II.43

285 I would not show my face in heav’n, and rise from such a bed.

But, if love be so dear to thee, thou hast a chamber-stead,

Which Vulcan purposely contriv’d with all fit secrecy;

There sleep at pleasure.” He replied: “I fear not if the eye

Of either God or man observe, so thick a cloud of gold

290 I’ll cast about us that the sun, who furthest can behold,

Shall never find us.” This resolv’d, into his kind embrace

He took his wife. Beneath them both fair Tellus strew’d the place

With fresh-sprung herbs, so soft and thick that up aloft it bore

Their heav’nly bodies; with his leaves, did dewy lotus store

295 Th’ Elysian mountain; saffron flow’rs and hyacinths help’d make

The sacred bed; and there they slept. When suddenly there brake

A golden vapour out of air, whence shining dews did fall,

In which they wrapt them close, and slept, till Jove was tam’d withall.

Mean space flew Somnus to the ships, found Neptune out, and said:

300 “Now cheerfully assist the Greeks, and give them glorious head,

At least a little, while Jove sleeps; of whom through ev’ry limb

I pour’d dark sleep, Saturnia’s love hath so illuded him.”

This news made Neptune more secure in giving Grecians heart,

And through the first lights thus he stirr’d the men of most desert:

305 “Yet, Grecians, shall we put our ships, and conquest, in the hands

Of Priam’s Hector by our sloth? He thinks so, and commands

With pride according; all because, Achilles keeps away.

Alas, as we were nought but him! We little need to stay

On his assistance, if we would our own strengths call to field,

310 And mutually maintain repulse. Come on then, all men yield

To what I order. We that bear best arms in all our host,

Whose heads sustain the brightest helms, whose hands are bristled most

With longest lances, let us on. But stay, I’ll lead you all;

Nor think I but great Hector’s spirits will suffer some appall,

315 Though they be never so inspir’d. The ablest of us then,

That on our shoulders worst shields bear, exchange with worser men

II.44

That fight with better.” This propos’d, all heard it, and obey’d.

The kings, ev’n those that suffer’d wounds, Ulysses, Diomed,

And Agamemnon, helpt t’ instruct the cómplete army thus:

320 To good gave good arms, worse to worse, yet none were mutinous.

Thus, arm’d with order, forth they flew; the great Earth-shaker led,

A long sword in his sinewy hand, which when he brandishéd

It lighten’d still, there was no law for him and it, poor men

Must quake before them. These thus mann’d, illustrious Hector then

325 His host brought up. The blue-hair’d God and he stretch’d through the prease

A grievous fight; when to the ships and tents of Greece the seas

Brake loose, and rag’d. But when they join’d, the dreadful clamour rose

To such a height, as not the sea, when up the North-spirit blows

Her raging billows, bellows so against the beaten shore;

330 Nor such a rustling keeps a fire, driven with violent blore

Through woods that grow against a hill; nor so the fervent strokes

Of almost-bursting winds resound against a grove of oaks;

As did the clamour of these hosts, when both the battles clos’d.

Of all which noble Hector first at Ajax’ breast dispos’d

335 His jav’lin, since so right on him the great-soul’d soldier bore;

Nor miss’d it, but the bawdricks both that his broad bosom wore,

To hang his shield and sword, it strook; both which his flesh preserv’d.

Hector, disdaining that his lance had thus as good as swerv’d,

Trode to his strength; but, going off, great Ajax with a stone,

340 One of the many props for ships, that there lay trampled on,

Strook his broad breast above his shield, just underneath his throat,

And shook him piecemeal; when the stone sprung back again, and smote

Earth, like a whirlwind, gath’ring dust with whirring fiercely round,

For fervour of his unspent strength, in settling on the ground.

345 And as when Jove’s bolt by the roots rends from the earth an oak,

His sulphur casting with the blow a strong unsavoury smoke,

II.45

And on the fall’n plant none dare look but with amazéd eyes,

(Jove’s thunder being no laughing game) so bow’d strong Hector’s thighs,

And so with tost-up heels he fell, away his lance he flung,

350 His round shield follow’d, then his helm, and out his armour rung.

The Greeks then shouted, and ran in, and hop’d to hale him off,

And therefore pour’d on darts in storms, to keep his aid aloof;

But none could hurt the people’s Guide, nor stir him from his ground;

Sarpedon, prince of Lycia, and Glaucus so renown’d,

355 Divine Agenor, Venus’ son, and wise Polydamas,

Rush’d to his rescue, and the rest. No one neglective was

Of Hector’s safety. All their shields, they couch’d about him close,

Rais’d him from earth, and (giving him, in their kind arms, repose)

From off the labour carried him, to his rich chariot,

360 And bore him mourning towards Troy. But when the flood they got

Of gulfy Xanthus, that was got by deathless Jupiter,

There took they him from chariot, and all besprinkled there

His temples with the stream. He breath’d, look’d up, assay’d to rise,

And on his knees stay’d spitting blood. Again then clos’d his eyes,

365 And back again his body fell. The main blow had not done

Yet with his spirit. When the Greeks saw worthy Hector gone,

Then thought they of their work, then charg’d with much more cheer the foe,

And then, far first, Oïliades began the overthrow.

He darted Satnius Enops’ son, whom famous Nais bore

370 As she was keeping Enops’ flocks on Satnius’ river’s shore,

And strook him in his belly’s rim, who upwards fell, and rais’d

A mighty skirmish with his fall. And then Panthœdes seiz’d

Prothenor Areilycides, with his revengeful spear,

On his right shoulder, strook it through, and laid him breathless there;

375 For which he insolently bragg’d, and cried out: “Not a dart

From great-soul’d Panthus’ son, I think, shall ever vainlier part,

But some Greek’s bosom it shall take, and make him give his ghost.”

This brag the Grecians stomach’d much; but Telamonius most,

II.46

Who stood most near Prothenor’s fall, and out he sent a lance,

380 Which Panthus’ son, declining, ’scap’d, yet took it to sad chance

Archilochus, Antenor’s son, whom heav’n did destinate

To that stern end; ’twixt neck and head the jav’lin wrought his fate,

And ran in at the upper joint of all the back long bone,

Cut both the nerves; and such a load of strength laid Ajax on,

385 As that small part he seiz’d outweigh’d all th’ under limbs, and strook

His heels up, so that head and face the earth’s possessions took,

When all the low parts sprung in air; and thus did Ajax quit

Panthœdes’ brave: “Now, Panthus’ son, let thy prophetic wit

Consider, and disclose a truth, if this man do not weigh

390 Ev’n with Prothenor. I conceive, no one of you will say

That either he was base himself, or sprung of any base;

Antenor’s brother, or his son, he should be by his face;

One of his race, past question, his likeness shows he is.”

This spake he, knowing it well enough. The Trojans storm’d at this,

395 And then slew Acamas, to save his brother yet engag’d,

Bœotius, dragging him to spoil; and thus the Greeks enrag’d:

“O Greeks, ev’n born to bear our darts, yet ever breathing threats,

Not always under tears and toils ye see our fortune sweats,

But sometimes you drop under death. See now your quick among

400 Our dead, intranc’d with my weak lance, to prove I have ere long

Reveng’d my brother. ’Tis the wish of ev’ry honest man

His brother, slain in Mars’s field, may rest wreak’d in his fane.”

This stirr’d fresh envy in the Greeks, but urg’d Peneleus most,

Who hurl’d his lance at Acamas; he ’scap’d; nor yet it lost

405 The force he gave it, for it found the flock-rich Phorbas’ son,

Ilionëus, whose dear sire, past all in Ilion,

Was lov’d of Hermes, and enrich’d, and to him only bore

His mother this now slaughtered man. The dart did undergore

His eye-lid, by his eye’s dear roots, and out the apple fell,

410 The eye pierc’d through. Nor could the nerve that stays the neck repell

II.47

His strong-wing’d lance, but neck and all gave way, and down he dropp’d.

Peneleus then unsheath’d his sword, and from the shoulders chopp’d

His luckless head; which down he threw, the helm still sticking on,

And still the lance fix’d in his eye; which not to see alone

415 Contented him, but up again he snatch’d, and show’d it all,

With this stern brave: “Ilians, relate brave Ilionëus’ fall

To his kind parents, that their roofs their tears may overrun;

For so the house of Promachus, and Alegenor’s son,

Must with his wife’s eyes overflow, she never seeing more

420 Her dear lord, though we tell his death, when to our native shore

We bring from ruin’d Troy our fleet, and men so long forgone.”

This said, and seen, pale fear possess’d all those of Ilion,

And ev’ry man cast round his eye to see where death was not,

That he might fly him. Let not then his grac’d hand be forgot,

425 O Muses, you that dwell in heav’n, that first imbru’d the field

With Trojan spoil, when Neptune thus had made their irons yield.

First Ajax Telamonius the Mysian captain slew,

Great Hyrtius Gyrtiades. Antilochus o’erthrew

Phalces and Mermer, to their spoil. Meriones gave end

430 To Morys and Hippotion. Teucer to fate did send

Prothoon and Periphetes. Atrides’ jav’lin chac’d

Duke Hyperenor, wounding him in that part that is plac’d

Betwixt the short ribs and the bones, that to the triple gut

Have pertinence; the jav’lin’s head did out his entrails cut,

435 His forc’d soul breaking through the wound; night’s black hand clos’d his eyes.

Then Ajax, great Oïleus’ son, had divers victories,

For when Saturnius suffer’d flight, of all the Grecian race

Not one with swiftness of his feet could so enrich a chace.

he Trojans, beat past pale and dike, and numbers prostrate laid,

All got to chariot, fear-driv’n all, and fear’d as men dismay’d.

Then Jove on Ida’s top awak’d, rose from Saturnia’s side,

Stood up, and look’d upon the war; and all inverted spied

5 Since he had seen it; th’ Ilians now in rout, the Greeks in fight;

King Neptune, with his long sword, chief; great Hector put down quite,

II.52

Laid flat in field, and with a crown of princes compasséd.

So stopp’d up that he scarce could breathe, his mind’s sound habit fled,

And he still spitting blood. Indeed, his hurt was not set on

10 By one that was the weakest Greek. But him Jove look’d upon

With eyes of pity; on his wife with horrible aspéct,

To whom he said: “O thou in ill most cunning architect,

All arts and comments that exceed’st! not only to enforce

Hector from fight, but, with his men, to show the Greeks a course.

15 I fear, as formerly, so now, these ills have with thy hands

Their first fruits sown, and therefore could load all thy limbs with bands.

Forgett’st thou, when I hang’d thee up, how to thy feet I tied

Two anvils, golden manacles on thy false wrists implied,

And let thee mercilessly hang from our refinéd heav’n

20 Ev’n to earth’s vapours; all the Gods in great Olympus giv’n

To mutinies about thee, yet, though all stood staring on,

None durst dissolve thee, for these hands, had they but seiz’d upon

Thy friend, had headlong thrown him off from our star-bearing round,

Till he had tumbled out his breath, and piece-meal dash’d the ground?

25 Nor was my angry spirit calm’d so soon, for those foul seas,

On which, inducing northern flaws, thou shipwrack’dst Hercules,

And toss’d him to the Coan shore, that thou should’st tempt again

My wrath’s importance, when thou seest, besides, how grossly vain

My pow’rs can make thy policies; for from their utmost force

30 I freed my son, and set him safe in Argos, nurse of horse.

These I remember to thy thoughts, that thou may’st shun these sleights,

And know how badly bed-sports thrive, procur’d by base deceits.”

This frighted the offending queen, who with this state excus’d

Her kind unkindness: “Witness Earth, and Heav’n so far diffus’d,

35 Thou Flood whose silent gliding waves the under ground doth bear,

(Which is the great’st and gravest oath, that any God can swear)

Thy sacred head, those secret joys that our young bed gave forth,

By which I never rashly swore! that He who shakes the earth

II.53

Not by my counsel did this wrong to Hector and his host,

40 But, pitying th’ oppresséd Greeks, their fleet being nearly lost,

Reliev’d their hard conditión, yet utterly impell’d

By his free mind. Which since I see is so offensive held

To thy high pleasure, I will now advise him not to tread

But where thy tempest-raising feet, O Jupiter, shall lead.”

45 Jove laugh’d to hear her so submiss, and said: “My fair-ey’d love,

If still thus thou and I were one, in counsels held above,

Neptune would still in word and fact be ours, if not in heart.

If then thy tongue and heart agree, from hence to heav’n depart,

To call the excellent-in-bows, the Rain-bow, and the Sun,

50 That both may visit both the hosts; the Grecian army one,

And that is Iris, let her haste, and make the Sea-god cease

T’ assist the Greeks, and to his court retire from war in peace;

Let Phœbus, on the Trojan part, inspire with wonted pow’r

Great Hector’s spirits, make his thoughts forget the late stern hour,

55 And all his anguish, setting on his whole recover’d man

To make good his late grace in fight, and hold in constant wane

The Grecian glories, till they fall, in flight before the fleet

Of vex’d Achilles. Which extreme will prove the mean to greet

Thee with thy wish, for then the eyes of great Æacides

60 (Made witness of the gen’ral ill, that doth so near him prease)

Will make his own particular look out, and by degrees

Abate his wrath, that, though himself for no extremities

Will seem reflected, yet his friend may get of him the grace

To help his country in his arms; and he shall make fit place

65 For his full presence with his death, which shall be well fore-run;

For I will first renown his life with slaughter of my son,

Divine Sarpedon, and his death great Hector’s pow’r shall wreak,

Ending his ends. Then, at once, out shall the fury break

Of fierce Achilles, and, with that, the flight now felt shall turn,

70 And then last, till in wrathful flames the long-sieg’d Ilion burn.

II.54

Minerva’s counsel shall become grave mean to this my will,

Which no God shall neglect before Achilles take his fill

Of slaughter for his slaughter’d friend; ev’n Hector’s slaughter thrown

Under his anger; that these facts may then make fully known

75 My vow’s performance, made of late, and, with my bowéd head,

Confirm’d to Thetis, when her arms embrac’d my knees, and pray’d

That to her city-razing son I would all honour show.”

This heard, his charge she seem’d t’ intend, and to Olympus flew.

But, as the mind of such a man that hath a great way gone,

80 And either knowing not his way, or then would let alone

His purpos’d journey, is distract, and in his vexéd mind

Resolves now not to go, now goes, still many ways inclin’d;

So rev’rend Juno headlong flew, and ’gainst her stomach striv’d,

For, being amongst th’ immortal Gods in high heav’n soon arriv’d,

85 All rising, welcoming with cups her little absence thence,

She all their courtships overpass’d with solemn negligence,

Save that which fair-cheek’d Themis show’d, and her kind cup she took,

For first she ran and met with her, and ask’d: “What troubled look

She brought to heav’n? She thought, for truth, that Jove had terrified

90 Her spirits strangely since she went.” The fair-arm’d Queen replied:

“That truth may eas’ly be suppos’d; you, Goddess Themis, know

His old severity and pride, but you bear’t out with show,

And like the banquet’s arbiter amongst th’ Immortals’ fare,

Though well you hear amongst them all, how bad his actions are;

95 Nor are all here, or anywhere, mortals, nor Gods, I fear,

Entirely pleas’d with what he does, though thus ye banquet here.”

Thus took she place, displeasedly; the feast in general

Bewraying privy spleens at Jove; and then, to colour all,

She laugh’d, but merely from her lips, for over her black brows

100 Her still-bent forehead was not clear’d; yet this her passion’s throes

Brought forth in spite, being lately school’d: “Alas, what fools are we

That envy Jove! Or that by act, word, thought, can fantasy

II.55

Any resistance to his will! He sits far off, nor cares,

Nor moves, but says he knows his strength, to all degrees compares

105 His greatness past all other Gods, and that in fortitude,

And ev’ry other godlike pow’r, he reigns past all indu’d.

For which great eminence all you Gods, whatever ill he does,

Sustain with patience. Here is Mars, I think, not free from woes,

And yet he bears them like himself. The great God had a son,

110 Whom he himself yet justifies, one that from all men won

Just surname of their best belov’d, Ascalaphus; yet he,

By Jove’s high grace to Troy, is slain.” Mars started horribly,

As Juno knew he would, at this, beat with his hurl’d-out hands

His brawny thighs, cried out, and said: “O you that have commands

115 In these high temples, bear with me, if I revenge the death

Of such a son. I’ll to the fleet, and though I sink beneath

The fate of being shot to hell, by Jove’s fell thunder-stone,

And lie all grim’d amongst the dead with dust and blood, my son

Revenge shall honour.” Then he charg’d Fear and Dismay to join

120 His horse and chariot. He got arms, that over heav’n did shine.

And then a wrath more great and grave in Jove had been prepar’d

Against the Gods than Juno caus’d, if Pallas had not car’d

More for the peace of heav’n than Mars; who leap’d out of her throne,

Rapt up her helmet, lance, and shield, and made her fane’s porch groan

125 With her egression to his stay, and thus his rage defers:

“Furious and foolish, th’ art undone! Hast thou for nought thine ears?

Heard’st thou not Juno being arriv’d from heav’n’s great King but now?

Or wouldst thou he himself should rise, forc’d with thy rage, to show

The dreadful pow’r she urg’d in him, so justly being stirr’d?

130 Know, thou most impudent and mad, thy wrath had not inferr’d

Mischief to thee, but to us all. His spirit had instantly

Left both the hosts, and turn’d his hands to uproars in the sky,

Guilty and guiltless both to wrack in his high rage had gone.

And therefore, as thou lov’st thyself, cease fury for thy son;

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135 Another, far exceeding him in heart and strength of hand,

Or is, or will be shortly, slain. It were a work would stand

Jove in much trouble, to free all from death that would not die.”

This threat ev’n nail’d him to his throne; when heav’n’s chief Majesty

Call’d bright Apollo from his fane, and Iris that had place

140 Of internunciess from the Gods, to whom she did the grace

Of Jupiter, to this effect: “It is Saturnius’ will,

That both, with utmost speed, should stoop to the Idalian hill,

To know his further pleasure there. And this let me advise,

When you arrive, and are in reach of his refulgent eyes,

145 His pleasure heard, perform it all, of whatsoever kind.”

Thus mov’d she back, and us’d her throne. Those two outstripp’d the wind,

And Ida all-enchas’d with springs they soon attain’d, and found

Where far-discerning Jupiter, in his repose, had crown’d

The brows of Gargarus, and wrapt an odorif’rous cloud

150 About his bosom. Coming near, they stood. Nor now he show’d

His angry count’nance, since so soon he saw they made th’ access

That his lov’d wife enjoin’d; but first the fair ambassadress

He thus commanded: “Iris, go to Neptune, and relate

Our pleasure truly, and at large. Command him from the fate

155 Of human war, and either greet the Gods’ society,

Or the divine sea make his seat. If proudly he deny,

Let better counsels be his guides, than such as bid me war,

And tempt my charge, though he be strong, for I am stronger far,

And elder born. Nor let him dare, to boast even state with me

160 Whom all Gods else prefer in fear.” This said, down hasted she

From Ida’s top to Ilion; and like a mighty snow,

Or gelid hail, that from the clouds the northern spirit doth blow;

So fell the windy-footed dame, and found with quick repair

The wat’ry God, to whom she said: “God with the sable hair,

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165 I came from Ægis-bearing Jove, to bid thee cease from fight,

And visit heav’n, or th’ ample seas. Which if, in his despite,

Or disobedience, thou deniest, he threatens thee to come,

In opposite fight, to field himself; and therefore warns thee home,

His hands eschewing, since his pow’r is far superior,

170 His birth before thee; and affirms, thy lov’d heart should abhor

To vaunt equality with him, whom ev’ry Deity fears.”

He answer’d: “O unworthy thing! Though he be great, he bears

His tongue too proudly, that ourself, born to an equal share

Of state and freedom, he would force. Three brothers born we are

175 To Saturn, Rhea brought us forth, this Jupiter, and I,

And Pluto, God of under-grounds. The world indiff’rently

Dispos’d betwixt us; ev’ry one his kingdom; I the seas,

Pluto the black lot, Jupiter the principalities

Of broad heav’n, all the sky and clouds, was sorted out. The earth

180 And high Olympus common are, and due to either’s birth.

Why then should I be aw’d by him? Content he his great heart

With his third portion, and not think, to amplify his part,

With terrors of his stronger hands, on me, as if I were

The most ignoble of us all. Let him contain in fear

185 His daughters and his sons, begot by his own person. This

Holds more convenience. They must hear these violent threats of his.”

“Shall I,” said Iris, “bear from thee, an answer so austere?

Or wilt thou change it? Changing minds, all noble natures bear.

And well thou know’st, these greatest born, the Furies follow still.”

190 He answer’d: “Iris, thy reply keeps time, and shows thy skill.

O ’tis a most praiseworthy thing, when messengers can tell,

Besides their messages, such things, as fit th’ occasion well.

But this much grieves my heart and soul, that being in pow’r and state

All-ways his equal, and so fix’d by one decree in fate,

195 He should to me, as under him, ill language give, and chide.

Yet now, though still incens’d, I yield, affirming this beside,

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And I enforce it with a threat: That if without consent

Of me, Minerva, Mercury, the Queen of regiment,

And Vulcan, he will either spare high Ilion, or not race

200 Her turrets to the lowest stone, and, with both these, not grace

The Greeks as victors absolute, inform him this from me—

His pride and my contempt shall live at endless enmity.”

This said, he left the Greeks, and rush’d into his wat’ry throne,

Much miss’d of all th’ heroic host. When Jove discern’d him gone,

205 Apollo’s service he employ’d, and said: “Lov’d Phœbus, go

To Hector; now th’ earth-shaking God hath taken sea, and so

Shrunk from the horrors I denounc’d; which standing, he, and all

The under-seated Deities, that circle Saturn’s fall,

Had heard of me in such a fight as had gone hard for them.

210 But both for them and me ’tis best, that thus they fly th’ extreme,

That had not pass’d us without sweat. Now then, in thy hands take

My adder-fring’d affrighting shield, which with such terror shake,

That fear may shake the Greeks to flight. Besides this, add thy care,

O Phœbus, far-off shooting God, that this so sickly fare

215 Of famous Hector be recur’d, and quickly so excite

His amplest pow’rs, that all the Greeks may grace him with their flight,

Ev’n to their ships, and Hellespont; and then will I devise

All words and facts again for Greece, that largely may suffice

To breathe them from their instant toils.” Thus from th’ Idæan height,

220 Like air’s swift pigeon-killer, stoop’d the far-shot God of light,

And found great Hector sitting up, not stretch’d upon his bed,

Not wheezing with a stopp’d-up spirit, not in cold sweats, but fed

With fresh and comfortable veins, but his mind all his own,

But round about him all his friends, as well as ever known.

225 And this was with the mind of Jove, that flew to him before

Apollo came; who, as he saw no sign of any sore,

Ask’d, like a cheerful visitant: “Why in this sickly kind,

Great Hector, sitt’st thou so apart? Can any grief of mind

II.59

Invade thy fortitude?” He spake, but with a feeble voice:

230 “O thou, the best of Deities! Why, since I thus rejoice

By thy so serious benefit, demand’st thou, as in mirth,

And to my face, if I were ill? For, more than what thy worth

Must needs take note of, doth not Fame from all mouths fill thine ears,

That, as my hand at th’ Achive fleet was making massacres

235 Of men whom valiant Ajax led, his strength strook with a stone

All pow’r of more hurt from my breast? My very soul was gone,

And once to-day I thought to see the house of Dis and Death.”

“Be strong,” said he, “for such a spirit now sends the God of breath

From airy Ida, as shall run through all Greek spirits in thee.

240 Apollo with the golden sword, the clear Far-seer, see,

Him, who betwixt death and thy life, ’twixt ruin and those tow’rs,

Ere this day oft hath held his shield. Come then, be all thy pow’rs

In wonted vigour, let thy knights with all their horse assay

The Grecian fleet, myself will lead, and scour so clear the way,

245 That flight shall leave no Greek a rub.” Thus instantly inspir’d

Were all his nerves with matchless strength; and then his friends he fir’d

Against their foes, when to his eyes his ears confirm’d the God.

Then, as a goodly-headed hart, or goat, bred in the wood,

A rout of country huntsmen chase, with all their hounds in cry,

250 The beast yet or the shady woods, or rocks excessive high,

Keep safe, or our unwieldy fates (that ev’n in hunters sway)

Bar them the poor beast’s pulling down; when straight the clam’rous fray

Calls out a lion, hugely-man’d, and his abhorréd view

Turns headlong in unturning flight (though vent’rous) all the crew;

255 So hitherto the chasing Greeks their slaughter dealt by troops;

But, after Hector was beheld range here and there, then stoops

The boldest courage, then their heels took in their dropping hearts,

And then spake Andræmonides, a man of far-best parts

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Of all th’ Ætolians, skill’d in darts, strenuous in fights of stand,

260 And one of whom few of the Greeks could get the better hand

For rhetoric, when they fought with words; with all which being wise,

Thus spake he to his Grecian friends: “O mischief! Now mine eyes

Discern no little miracle; Hector escap’d from death,

And all-recover’d, when all thought his soul had sunk beneath

265 The hands of Ajax. But some God hath sav’d and freed again

Him that but now dissolv’d the knees of many a Grecian,

And now I fear will weaken more; for, not without the hand

Of Him that thunders, can his pow’rs thus still the forefights stand,

Thus still triumphant. Hear me then: Our troops in quick retreat

270 Let’s draw up to our fleet, and we, that boast ourselves the great,

Stand firm, and try if these that raise so high their charging darts

May be resisted. I believe, ev’n this great heart of hearts

Will fear himself to be too bold, in charging thorow us.”

They eas’ly heard him, and obey’d; when all the generous

275 They call’d t’ encounter Hector’s charge, and turn’d the common men

Back to the fleet. And these were they, that bravely furnish’d then

The fierce forefight: Th’ Ajaces both, the worthy Cretan king,

The Mars-like Meges, Merion, and Teucer. Up then bring

The Trojan chiefs their men in heaps; before whom, amply-pac’d,

280 March’d Hector, and in front of him Apollo, who had cast

About his bright aspéct a cloud, and did before him bear

Jove’s huge and each-where-shaggy shield, which, to contain in fear

Offending men, the God-smith gave to Jove; with this he led

The Trojan forces. The Greeks stood. A fervent clamour spread

285 The air on both sides as they join’d. Out flew the shafts and darts,

Some falling short, but other some found butts in breasts and hearts.

As long as Phœbus held but out his horrid shield, so long

The darts flew raging either way, and death grew both ways strong;

But when the Greeks had seen his face, and, who it was that shook

290 The bristled targe, knew by his voice, then all their strengths forsook

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Their nerves and minds. And then look how a goodly herd of neat,

Or wealthy flock of sheep, being close, and dreadless at their meat,

In some black midnight, suddenly, and not a keeper near,

A brace of horrid bears rush in, and then fly here and there

295 The poor affrighted flocks or herds; so ev’ry way dispers’d

The heartless Grecians, so the Sun their headstrong chace revers’d

To headlong flight, and that day rais’d, with all grace, Hector’s head.

Arcesilaus then he slew, and Stichius; Stichius led

Bœotia’s brazen-coated men; the other was the friend

300 Of mighty-soul’d Menestheüs. Æneas brought to end

Medon and Jasus; Medon was the brother, though but base,

Of swift Oïliades, and dwelt, far from his breeding place,

In Phylace; the other led th’ Athenian bands, his sire

Was Spelus, Bucolus’s son. Mecistheus did expire

305 Beneath Polydamas’s hand. Polites, Echius slew,

Just at the joining of the hosts. Agenor overthrew

Clonius. Bold Deïochus felt Alexander’s lance;

It strook his shoulder’s upper part, and did his head advance

Quite through his breast, as from the fight he turn’d him for retreat.

310 While these stood spoiling of the slain, the Greeks found time to get

Beyond the dike and th’ undik’d pales; all scapes they gladly gain’d,

Till all had pass’d the utmost wall; Necessity so reign’d.

Then Hector cried out: “Take no spoil, but rush on to the fleet;

From whose assault, for spoil or flight, if any man I meet,

315 He meets his death; nor in the fire of holy funeral

His brother’s or his sister’s hands shall cast within our wall

His loathéd body; but, without, the throats of dogs shall grave

His manless limbs.” This said, the scourge his forward horses drave

Through ev’ry order; and, with him, all whipp’d their chariots on,

320 All threat’ningly, out-thund’ring shouts as earth were overthrown.

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Before them march’d Apollo still, and, as he march’d, digg’d down,

Without all labour, with his feet the dike, till, with his own,

He fill’d it to the top, and made way both for man and horse

As broad and long as with a lance, cast out to try one’s force,

325 A man could measure. Into this they pour’d whole troops as fast

As num’rous; Phœbus still, before, for all their haste,

Still shaking Jove’s unvalu’d shield, and held it up to all.

And then, as he had chok’d their dike, he tumbled down their wall.

And look how eas’ly any boy, upon the sea-ebb’d shore,

330 Makes with a little sand a toy, and cares for it no more,

But as he rais’d it childishly, so in his wanton vein,

Both with his hands and feet he pulls, and spurns it down again;

So slight, O Phœbus, thy hands made of that huge Grecian toil,

And their late stand, so well-resolv’d, as eas’ly mad’st recoil.

335 Thus stood they driv’n up at their fleet; where each heard other’s thought,

Exhorted, passing humbly pray’d, all all the Gods besought,

With hands held up to heav’n, for help. ’Mongst all the good old man,

Grave Nestor, for his counsels call’d the Argives’ guardian,

Fell on his aged knees, and pray’d, and to the starry host

340 Stretch’d out his hands for aid to theirs, of all thus moving most:

“O father Jove, if ever man, of all our host, did burn

Fat thighs of oxen or of sheep, for grace of safe return,

In fruitful Argos, and obtain’d the bowing of thy head

For promise of his humble pray’rs, O now remember him,

345 Thou merely heav’nly, and clear up the foul brows of this dim

And cruel day; do not destroy our zeal for Trojan pride.”

He pray’d, and heav’n’s great Counsellor with store of thunder tried

His former grace good, and so heard the old man’s hearty pray’rs.

The Trojans took Jove’s sign for them, and pour’d out their affairs

350 In much more violence on the Greeks, and thought on nought but fight.

And as a huge wave of a sea, swoln to his rudest height,

II.63

Breaks over both sides of a ship, being all-urg’d by the wind,

For that’s it makes the wave so proud; in such a borne-up kind

The Trojans overgat the wall, and, getting in their horse,

355 Fought close at fleet, which now the Greeks ascended for their force.

Then from their chariots they with darts, the Greeks with bead-hooks fought,

Kept still aboard for naval fights, their heads with iron wrought

In hooks and pikes. Achilles’ friend, still while he saw the wall,

That stood without their fleet, afford employment for them all,

360 Was never absent from the tent of that man-loving Greek,

Late-hurt Eurypylus, but sate, and ev’ry way did seek

To spend the sharp time of his wound, with all the ease he could

In med’cines, and in kind discourse. But when he might behold

The Trojans past the wall, the Greeks flight-driv’n, and all in cries,

365 Then cried he out, cast down his hands, and beat with grief his thighs,

Then, “O Eurypylus,” he cried, “now all thy need of me

Must bear my absence, now a work of more necessity

Calls hence, and I must haste to call Achilles to the field.

Who knows, but, God assisting me, my words may make him yield?

370 The motion of a friend is strong.” His feet thus took him thence.

The rest yet stood their enemies firm; but all their violence

(Though Troy fought there with fewer men) lack’d vigour to repell

Those fewer from their navy’s charge, and so that charge as well

Lack’d force to spoil their fleet or tents. And as a shipwright’s line

375 (Dispos’d by such a hand as learn’d from th’ Artizan divine

The perfect practice of his art) directs or guards so well

The naval timber then in frame, that all the laid-on steel

Can hew no further than may serve, to give the timber th’ end

Fore-purpos’d by the skilful wright; so both hosts did contend

380 With such a line or law applied, to what their steel would gain.

At other ships fought other men; but Hector did maintain

II.64

His quarrel firm at Ajax’ ship. And so did both employ

About one vessel all their toil; nor could the one destroy

The ship with fire, nor force the man, nor that man yet get gone

385 The other from so near his ship, for God had brought him on.

But now did Ajax, with a dart, wound deadly in the breast

Caletor, son of Clytius, as he with fire address’d

To burn the vessel; as he fell, the brand fell from his hand.

When Hector saw his sister’s son lie slaughter’d in the sand,

390 He call’d to all his friends, and pray’d they would not in that strait

Forsake his nephew, but maintain about his corse the fight,

And save it from the spoil of Greece. Then sent he out a lance

At Ajax, in his nephew’s wreak; which miss’d, but made the chance

On Lycophron Mastorides, that was the household friend

395 Of Ajax, born in Cythera; whom Ajax did defend,

Being fled to his protectión, for killing of a man

Amongst the god-like Cytherans. The vengeful jav’lin ran

Quite through his head, above his ear, as he was standing by

His fautour then astern his ship, from whence his soul did fly,

400 And to the earth his body fell. The hair stood up an end

On Ajax, who to Teucer call’d (his brother) saying: “Friend,

Our lovéd consort, whom we brought from Cythera, and grac’d

So like our father, Hector’s hand hath made him breathe his last.

Where then are all thy death-borne shafts, and that unvalu’d bow

405 Apollo gave thee?” Teucer straight his brother’s thoughts did know,

Stood near him, and dispatch’d a shaft, amongst the Trojan fight.

It strook Pisenor’s goodly son, young Clitus, the delight

Of the renowm’d Polydamus, the bridle in his hand,

As he was labouring his horse, to please the high command

410 Of Hector and his Trojan friends, and bring him where the fight

Made greatest tumult; but his strife, for honour in their sight,

Wrought not what sight or wishes help’d; for, turning back his look,

The hollow of his neck the shaft came singing on, and strook,

II.65

And down he fell; his horses back, and hurried through the field

415 The empty chariot. Panthus’ son made all haste, and withheld

Their loose career, disposing them to Protiaon’s son,

Astynous, with special charge, to keep them ever on,

And in his sight. So he again, amongst the foremost went.

At Hector then another shaft, incenséd Teucer sent,

420 Which, had it hit him, sure had hurt, and, had it hurt him, slain,

And, had it slain him, it had driv’n all those to Troy again.

But Jove’s mind was not sleeping now, it wak’d to Hector’s fame,

And Teucer’s infamy; himself (in Teucer’s deadly aim)

His well-wrought string dissevering, that serv’d his bravest bow;

425 His shaft flew quite another way, his bow the earth did strow.

At all which Teucer stood amaz’d, and to his brother cried:

“O prodigy! Without all doubt, our angel doth deride

The counsels of our fight; he brake a string my hands put on

This morning, and was newly made, and well might have set gone

430 A hundred arrows; and, beside, he strook out of my hand

The bow Apollo gave.” He said: “Then, good friend, do not stand

More on thy archery, since God, preventer of all grace

Desir’d by Grecians, slights it so. Take therefore in the place

A good large lance, and on thy neck a target cast as bright,

435 With which come fight thyself with some, and other some excite,

That without labour at the least, though we prove worser men,

Troy may not brag it took our ships. Come, mind our business, then.”

This said, he hasted to his tent, left there his shafts and bow,

And then his double double shield did on his shoulders throw;

440 Upon his honour’d head he plac’d his helmet thickly-plum’d,

And then his strong and well-pil’d lance in his fair hand assum’d,

Return’d; and boldly took his place, by his great brother’s side.

When Hector saw his arrows broke, out to his friends he cried:

“O friends, be yet more comforted; I saw the hands of Jove

445 Break the great Grecian archer’s shafts. ’Tis easy to approve

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That Jove’s pow’r is direct with men; as well in those set high

Upon the sudden, as in those depress’d as suddenly,

And those not put in state at all. As now he takes away

Strength from the Greeks, and gives it us; then use it, and assay

450 With join’d hands this approachéd fleet. If any bravely buy

His fame or fate with wounds or death, in Jove’s name let him die.

Who for his country suffers death, sustains no shameful thing,

His wife in honour shall survive, his progeny shall spring

In endless summers, and their roofs with patrimony swell.

455 And all this, though, with all their freight, the Greek ships we repell.”

His friends thus cheer’d; on th’ other part, strong Ajax stirr’d his friends:

“O Greeks,” said he, “what shame is this, that no man more defends

His fame and safety, than to live, and thus be forc’d to shrink!

Now either save your fleet, or die; unless ye vainly think

460 That you can live and they destroy’d. Perceives not ev’ry ear

How Hector heartens up his men, and hath his firebrands here

Now ready to inflame our fleet? He doth not bid them dance,

That you may take your ease and see, but to the fight advance.

No counsel can serve us but this: To mix both hands and hearts,

465 And bear up close. ’Tis better much, t’ expose our utmost parts

To one day’s certain life or death, than languish in a war

So base as this, beat to our ships by our inferiors far.”

Thus rous’d he up their spirits and strengths. To work then both sides went,

When Hector the Phocensian duke to fields of darkness sent,

470 Fierce Schedius, Perimedes’ son: which Ajax did requite

With slaughter of Laodamas, that led the foot to fight,

And was Antenor’s famous son. Polydamas did end

Otus, surnam’d Cyllenius, whom Phydas made his friend,

Being chief of the Epeians’ bands. Whose fall when Meges view’d,

475 He let fly at his feller’s life; who, shrinking in, eschew’d

II.67

The well-aim’d lance; Apollo’s will denied that Panthus’ son

Should fall amongst the foremost fights; the dart the mid-breast won

Of Crasmus; Meges won his arms. At Meges, Dolops then

Bestow’d his lance; he was the son of Lampus, best of men,

480 And Lampus of Laomedon, well-skill’d in strength of mind,

He strook Phylides’ shield quite through, whose curets, better lin’d,

And hollow’d fitly, sav’d his life. Phylëus left him them,

Who from Epirus brought them home, on that part where the stream

Of famous Seléés doth run; Euphetes did bestow,

485 Being guest with him, those well-prov’d arms, to wear against the foe,

And now they sav’d his son from death. At Dolops, Meges threw

A spear well-pil’d, that strook his casque full in the height; off flew

His purple feather, newly made, and in the dust it fell.

While these thus striv’d for victory, and either’s hope serv’d well,

490 Atrides came to Meges’ aid, and, hidden with his side,

Let loose a jav’lin at his foe, that through his back implied

His lusty head, ev’n past his breast; the ground receiv’d his weight.

While these made in to spoil his arms, great Hector did excite

All his allies to quick revenge; and first he wrought upon

495 Strong Menalippus, that was son to great Hycetaon,

With some reproof. Before these wars, he in Percote fed

Clov’n-footed oxen, but did since return where he was bred,

Excell’d amongst the Ilians, was much of Priam lov’d,

And in his court kept as his son. Him Hector thus reprov’d:

500 “Thus, Menalippus, shall our blood accuse us of neglect?

Nor moves it thy lov’d heart, thus urg’d, thy kinsman to protect?

Seest thou not how they seek his spoil? Come, follow, now no more

Our fight must stand at length, but close; nor leave the close before

We close the latest eye of them, or they the lowest stone

505 Tear up, and sack the citizens of lofty Ilion.”

He led; he follow’d, like a God. And then must Ajax needs,

As well as Hector, cheer his men, and thus their spirits he feeds:

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“Good friends, bring but yourselves to feel the noble stings of shame

For what ye suffer, and be men. Respect each other’s fame;

510 For which who strives in shame’s fit fear, and puts on ne’er so far,

Comes oft’ner off. Then stick engag’d; these fugitives of war

Save neither life, nor get renown, nor bear more mind than sheep.”

This short speech fir’d them in his aid, his spirit touch’d them deep,

And turn’d them all before the fleet into a wall of brass;

515 To whose assault Jove stirr’d their foes, and young Atrides was

Jove’s instrument, who thus set on the young Antilochus:

“Antilochus, in all our host, there is not one of us

More young than thou, more swift of foot, nor, with both those, so strong.

O would thou wouldst then, for thou canst, one of this lusty throng,

520 That thus comes skipping out before (whoever, any where)

Make stick, for my sake, ’twixt both hosts, and leave his bold blood there!”

He said no sooner, and retir’d, but forth he rush’d before

The foremost fighters, yet his eye did ev’ry way explore

For doubt of odds; out flew his lance; the Trojans did abstain

525 While he was darting; yet his dart he cast not off in vain,

For Menalippus, that rare son of great Hycetaon,

As bravely he put forth to fight, it fiercely flew upon;

And at the nipple of his breast, his breast and life did part.

And then, much like an eager hound, cast off at some young hart

530 Hurt by the hunter, that had left his covert then but new,

The great-in-war Antilochus, O Menalippus, flew

On thy torn bosom for thy spoil. But thy death could not lie

Hid to great Hector; who all haste made to thee, and made fly

Antilochus, although in war he were at all parts skill’d.

535 But as some wild beast, having done some shrewd turn (either kill’d

The herdsman, or the herdsman’s dog) and skulks away before

The gather’d multitude makes in; so Nestor’s son forbore,

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But after him, with horrid cries, both Hector and the rest

Show’rs of tear-thirsty lances pour’d; who having arm’d his breast

540 With all his friends, he turn’d it then. Then on the ships all Troy,

Like raw-flesh-nourish’d lions, rush’d, and knew they did employ

Their pow’rs to perfect Jove’s high will; who still their spirits enflam’d,

And quench’d the Grecians’; one renown’d, the other often sham’d.

For Hector’s glory still he stood, and ever went about

545 To make him cast the fleet such fire, as never should go out;

Heard Thetis’ foul petitión, and wish’d in any wise

The splendour of the burning ships might satiate his eyes.

From him yet the repulse was then to be on Troy conferr’d,

The honour of it giv’n the Greeks; which thinking on, he stirr’d,

550 With such addition of his spirit, the spirit Hector bore

To burn the fleet, that of itself was hot enough before.

But now he far’d like Mars himself, so brandishing his lance

As, through the deep shades of a wood, a raging fire should glance,

Held up to all eyes by a hill; about his lips a foam

555 Stood as when th’ ocean is enrag’d, his eyes were overcome

With fervour, and resembled flames, set off by his dark brows,

And from his temples his bright helm abhorréd lightnings throws;

For Jove, from forth the sphere of stars, to his state put his own,

And all the blaze of both the hosts confin’d in him alone.

560 And all this was, since after this he had not long to live,

This lightning flew before his death, which Pallas was to give

(A small time thence, and now prepar’d) beneath the violence

Of great Pelides. In mean time, his present eminence

Thought all things under it; and he, still where he saw the stands

565 Of greatest strength and bravest arm’d, there he would prove his hands,

Or nowhere; off’ring to break through, but that pass’d all his pow’r,

Although his will were past all theirs, they stood him like a tow’r,

II.70

Conjoin’d so firm, that as a rock, exceeding high and great,

And standing near the hoary sea, bears many a boist’rous threat

570 Of high-voic’d winds and billows huge, belch’d on it by the storms;

So stood the Greeks great Hector’s charge, nor stirr’d their battellous forms.

He, girt in fire borne for the fleet, still rush’d at ev’ry troop,

And fell upon it like a wave, high rais’d, that then doth stoop

Out from the clouds, grows, as it stoops, with storms, then down doth come

575 And cuff a ship, when all her sides are hid in brackish foam,

Strong gales still raging in her sails, her sailors’ minds dismay’d,

Death being but little from their lives; so Jove-like Hector fray’d

And plied the Greeks, who knew not what would chance, for all their guards.

And as the baneful king of beasts, leapt into oxen herds

580 Fed in the meadows of a fen, exceeding great; the beasts

In number infinite; ’mongst whom (their herdsmen wanting breasts

To fight with lions, for the price of a black ox’s life)

He here and there jumps, first and last, in his bloodthirsty strife,

Chas’d and assaulted; and, at length, down in the midst goes one,

585 And all the rest spers’d through the fen; so now all Greece was gone;

So Hector, in a flight from heav’n upon the Grecians cast,

Turn’d all their backs; yet only one his deadly lance laid fast,

Brave Mycenæus Periphes, Cypræus’ dearest son,

Who of the heav’n’s-Queen-lovéd king, great Eurysthæus, won

590 The grace to greet in ambassy the strength of Hercules,

Was far superior to his sire in feet, fight, nobleness

Of all the virtues, and all those did such a wisdom guide

As all Mycena could not match; and this man dignified,

Still making greater his renown, the state of Priam’s son,

595 For his unhappy hasty foot, as he address’d to run,

Stuck in th’ extreme ring of his shield, that to his ancles reach’d,

And down he upwards fell, his fall up from the centre fetch’d

A huge sound with his head and helm; which Hector quickly spied,

Ran in, and in his worthy breast his lance’s head did hide;

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600 And slew about him all his friends, who could not give him aid,

They griev’d, and of his god-like foe fled so extreme afraid.

And now amongst the nearest ships, that first were drawn to shore,

The Greeks were driv’n; beneath whose sides, behind them, and before,

And into them they pour’d themselves, and thence were driv’n again

605 Up to their tents, and there they stood; not daring to maintain

Their guards more outward, but, betwixt the bounds of fear and shame,

Cheer’d still each other; when th’ old man, that of the Grecian name

Was call’d the Pillar, ev’ry man thus by his parents pray’d:

“O friends, be men, and in your minds let others’ shames be weigh’d.

610 Know you have friends besides yourselves, possessions, parents, wives,

As well those that are dead to you, as those ye love with lives;

All sharing still their good, or bad, with yours. By these I pray,

That are not present (and the more should therefore make ye weigh

Their miss of you, as yours of them) that you will bravely stand,

615 And this forc’d flight you have sustain’d, at length yet countermand.”

Supplies of good words thus supplied the deeds and spirits of all.

And so at last Minerva clear’d, the cloud that Jove let fall

Before their eyes; a mighty light flew beaming ev’ry way,

As well about their ships, as where their darts did hottest play.

620 Then saw they Hector great in arms, and his associates,

As well all those that then abstain’d, as those that help’d the fates,

And all their own fight at the fleet. Nor did it now content

Ajax to keep down like the rest; he up the hatches went,

Stalk’d here and there, and in his hand a huge great bead-hook held,

625 Twelve cubits long, and full of iron. And as a man well-skill’d

In horse, made to the martial race, when, of a number more,

He chooseth four, and brings them forth, to run them all before

Swarms of admiring citizens, amids their town’s high way,

And, in their full career, he leaps from one to one, no stay

630 Enforc’d on any, nor fails he, in either seat or leap;

So Ajax with his bead-hook leap’d nimbly from ship to ship,

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As actively commanding all, them in their men as well

As men in them, most terribly exhorting to repell,

To save their navy and their tents. But Hector nothing needs

635 To stand on exhortations now at home, he strives for deeds.

And look how Jove’s great queen of birds, sharp-set, looks out for prey,

Knows floods that nourish wild-wing’d fowls, and, from her airy way,

Beholds where cranes, swans, cormorants, have made their foody fall,

Darkens the river with her wings, and stoops amongst them all;

640 So Hector flew amongst the Greeks, directing his command,

In chief, against one opposite ship; Jove with a mighty hand

Still backing him and all his men. And then again there grew

A bitter conflict at the fleet. You would have said none drew

A weary breath, nor ever would, they laid so freshly on.

645 And this was it that fir’d them both: The Greeks did build upon

No hope but what the field would yield, flight an impossible course;

The Trojans all hope entertain’d, that sword and fire should force

Both ships and lives of all the Greeks. And thus, unlike affects

Bred like strenuity in both. Great Hector still directs

650 His pow’rs against the first near ship. ’Twas that fair bark that brought

Protesilaus to those wars, and now her self to nought,

With many Greek and Trojan lives, all spoil’d about her spoil.

One slew another desp’rately, and close the deadly toil

Was pitch’d on both parts. Not a shaft, nor far-off striking dart

655 Was us’d through all. One fight fell out, of one despiteful heart.

Sharp axes, twybills, two-hand swords, and spears with two heads borne,

Were then the weapons; fair short swords, with sanguine hilts still worn,

Had use in like sort; of which last, ye might have numbers view’d

Drop with dissolv’d arms from their hands, as many down right hew’d

660 From off their shoulders as they fought, their bawdrics cut in twain.

And thus the black blood flow’d on earth, from soldiers hurt and slain.

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When Hector once had seiz’d the ship, he clapt his fair broad hand

Fast on the stern, and held it there, and there gave this command:

“Bring fire, and all together shout. Now Jove hath drawn the veil

665 From such a day as makes amends, for all his storms of hail;

By whose blest light we take those ships, that, in despite of heav’n,

Took sea, and brought us worlds of woe, all since our peers were giv’n

To such a laziness and fear; they would not let me end

Our ling’ring banes, and charge thus home, but keep home and defend,

670 And so they rul’d the men I led. But though Jove then withheld

My natural spirit, now by Jove ’tis freed, and thus impell’d.”

This more inflam’d them; in so much that Ajax now no more

Kept up; he was so drown’d in darts; a little he forbore

The hatches to a seat beneath, of sev’n foot long, but thought

675 It was impossible to scape; he sat yet where he fought,

And hurl’d out lances thick as hail, at all men that assay’d

To fire the ship; with whom he found his hands so overlaid,

That on his soldiers thus he cried: “O friends, fight I alone?

Expect ye more walls at your backs? Towns rampir’d here are none,

680 No citizens to take ye in, no help in any kind.

We are, I tell you, in Troy’s fields; have nought but seas behind,

And foes before; far, far from Greece. For shame, obey commands,

There is no mercy in the wars; your healths lie in your hands.”

Thus rag’d he, and pour’d out his darts. Whoever he espied

685 Come near the vessel arm’d with fire, on his fierce dart he died.

All that pleas’d Hector made him mad, all that his thanks would earn;

Of which twelve men, his most resolv’d, lay dead before his stern.

hus fighting for this well-built ship; Patroclus all that space

Stood by his friend, preparing words to win the Greeks his grace,

With pow’r of uncontainéd tears; and, like a fountain pour’d

In black streams from a lofty rock, the Greeks so plagu’d deplor’d.

5 Achilles, ruthful for his tears, said: “Wherefore weeps my friend

So like a girl, who, though she sees her mother cannot tend

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Her childish humours, hangs on her, and would be taken up,

Still viewing her with tear-drown’d eyes, when she hath made her stoop.

To nothing liker I can shape thy so unseemly tears.

10 What causeth them? Hath any ill solicited thine ears

Befall’n my Myrmidons? Or news from lovéd Phthia brought,

Told only thee, lest I should grieve, and therefore thus hath wrought

On thy kind spirit? Actor’s son, the good Menœtius,

Thy father, lives, and Peleus, mine, great son of Æacus,

15 Amongst his Myrmidons; whose deaths, in duty we should mourn.

Or is it what the Greeks sustain, that doth thy stomach turn,

On whom, for their injustice’ sake, plagues are so justly laid?

Speak, man, let both know either’s heart.” Patroclus, sighing, said:

“O Peleus’ son, thou strongest Greek by all degrees that lives,

20 Still be not angry, our sad state such cause of pity gives.

Our greatest Greeks lie at their ships sore wounded; Ithacus,

King Agamemnon, Diomed, and good Eurypylus;

But these much-med’cine-knowing men, physicians, can recure,

Thou yet unmed’cinable still, though thy wound all endure.

25 Heav’n bless my bosom from such wrath as thou sooth’st as thy bliss,

Unprofitably virtuous. How shall our progenies,

Born in thine age, enjoy thine aid, when these friends, in thy flow’r,

Thou leav’st to such unworthy death? O idle, cruel, pow’r!

Great Peleus never did beget, nor Thetis bring forth thee,

30 Thou from the blue sea, and her rocks, deriv’st thy pedigree.

What so declines thee? If thy mind shuns any augury,

Belated by thy mother-queen from heav’n’s foreseeing eye,

And therefore thou forsak’st thy friends, let me go ease their moans

With those brave relics of our host, thy mighty Myrmidons,

35 That I may bring to field more light to conquest than hath been.

To which end grace me with thine arms, since, any shadow seen

Of thy resemblance, all the pow’r of perjur’d Troy will fly,

And our so-tiréd friends will breathe; our fresh-set-on supply

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Will eas’ly drive their wearied off.” Thus, foolish man, he sued

40 For his sure death; of all whose speech Achilles first renew’d

The last part thus: “O worthy friend, what have thy speeches been?

I shun the fight for oracles, or what my mother queen

Hath told from Jove? I take no care, nor note of one such thing!

But this fit anger stings me still, that the insulting king

45 Should from his equal take his right, since he exceeds in pow’r.

This, still his wrong, is still my grief. He took my paramour

That all men gave, and whom I won by virtue of my spear,

That, for her, overturn’d a town. This rape he made of her,

And used me like a fugitive, an inmate in a town,

50 That is no city libertine, nor capable of their gown.

But bear we this as out of date; ’tis past, nor must we still

Feed anger in our noblest parts; yet thus, I have my will

As well as our great king of men, for I did ever vow

Never to cast off my disdain till, as it falls out now,

55 Their miss of me knock’d at my fleet, and told me in their cries

I was reveng’d, and had my wish of all my enemies.

And so of this repeat enough. Take thou my fame-blaz’d arms,

And my fight-thirsty Myrmidons lead to these hot alarms.

Whole clouds of Trojans circle us with hateful eminence;

60 The Greeks shut in a little shore, a sort of citizens

Skipping upon them; all because their proud eyes do not see

The radiance of my helmet there, whose beams had instantly

Thrust back, and all these ditches fill’d with carrion of their flesh,

If Agamemnon had been kind; where now they fight as fresh,

65 As thus far they had put at ease, and at our tents contend.

And may; for the repulsive hand of Diomed doth not spend

His raging darts there, that their death could fright out of our fleet;

Nor from that head of enmity, can my poor hearers meet

II.80

The voice of great Atrides now. Now Hector’s only voice

70 Breaks all the air about both hosts, and, with the very noise

Bred by his loud encouragements, his forces fill the field,

And fight the poor Achaians down. But on, put thou my shield

Betwixt the fire-plague and our fleet. Rush bravely on, and turn

War’s tide as headlong on their throats. No more let them ajourn

75 Our sweet home-turning. But observe the charge I lay on thee

To each least point, that thy rul’d hand may highly honour me,

And get such glory from the Greeks, that they may send again

My most sweet wench, and gifts to boot, when thou hast cast a rein

On these so headstrong citizens, and forc’d them from our fleet.

80 With which grace if the God of sounds thy kind egression greet,

Retire, and be not tempted on (with pride to see thy hand

Rain slaughtered carcasses on earth) to run forth thy command

As far as Ilion, lest the Gods, that favour Troy, come forth

To thy encounter, for the Sun much loves it; and my worth,

85 In what thou suffer’st, will be wrong’d, that I would let my friend

Assume an action of such weight without me, and transcend

His friend’s prescription. Do not then affect a further fight

Than I may strengthen. Let the rest, when thou hast done this right,

Perform the rest. O would to Jove, thou Pallas, and thou Sun,

90 That not a man hous’d underneath those tow’rs of Ilion,

Nor any one of all the Greeks, how infinite a sum

Soever all together make, might live unovercome,

But only we two, ’scaping death, might have the thund’ring down

Of ev’ry stone stuck in the walls of this so sacred town!”

95 Thus spake they only ’twixt themselves. And now the foe no more

Could Ajax stand, being so oppress’d with all the iron store

The Trojans pour’d on; with whose darts, and with Jove’s will beside,

His pow’rs were cloy’d, and his bright helm did deaf’ning blows abide,

II.81

His plume, and all head-ornaments, could never hang in rest.

100 His arm yet labour’d up his shield, and having done their best,

They could not stir him from his stand, although he wrought it out

With short respirings, and with sweat, that ceaseless flow’d about

His reeking limbs; no least time giv’n to take in any breath;

Ill strengthen’d ill; when one was up, another was beneath.

105 Now, Muses, you that dwell in heav’n, the dreadful mean inspire,

That first enforc’d the Grecian fleet, to take in Trojan fire.

First Hector, with his huge broad sword, cut off, at setting on,

The head of Ajax’ ashen lance; which Ajax seeing gone,

And that he shook a headless spear, a little while unware,

110 His wary spirits told him straight the hand of Heav’n was there;

And trembling under his conceit, which was that ’twas Jove’s deed,

Who, as he poll’d off his dart’s heads, so sure he had decreed

That all the counsels of their war, he would poll off like it,

And give the Trojans victory; so trusted he his wit,

115 And left his darts. And then the ship was heap’d with horrid brands

Of kindling fire; which instantly was seen through all the strands

In unextinguishable flames, that all the ship embrac’d.

And then Achilles beat his thighs, cried out, “Patroclus, haste,

Make way with horse. I see at fleet, a fire of fearful rage.

120 Arm, arm, lest all our fleet it fire, and all our pow’r engage.

Arm quickly, I’ll bring up the troops.” To these so dreadful wars

Patroclus, in Achilles’ arms, enlighten’d all with stars.

And richly amell’d, all haste made. He wore his sword, his shield,

His huge-plum’d helm, and two such spears, as he could nimbly wield.

125 But the most fam’d Achilles’ spear, big, solid, full of weight,

He only left of all his arms; for that far pass’d the might

Of any Greek to shake but his; Achilles’ only ire

Shook that huge weapon, that was giv’n by Chiron to his sire,

II.82

Cut from the top of Pelion, to be heroës’ deaths.

130 His steeds Automedon straight join’d; like whom no man that breathes,

Next Peleus’ son, Patroclus lov’d; for, like him, none so great

He found in faith at ev’ry fight, nor to out-look a threat.

Automedon did therefore guide for him Achilles’ steeds,

Xanthius and Balius swift as wind, begotten by the seeds

135 Of Zephyr, and the Harpy born, Podarge, in a mead

Close to the wavy oceán, where that fierce Harpy fed.

Automedon join’d these before, and with the hindmost gears

He fasten’d famous Pedasus, whom, from the massacres

Made by Achilles, when he took Eëtion’s wealthy town,

140 He brought, and, though of mortal race, yet gave him the renown

To follow his immortal horse. And now, before his tents,

Himself had seen his Myrmidons, in all habiliments

Of dreadful war. And when ye see, upon a mountain bred,

A den of wolves, about whose hearts unmeasur’d strengths are fed,

145 New come from currie of a stag, their jaws all blood-besmear’d,

And when from some black-water fount they all together herd,

There having plentifully lapp’d, with thin and thrust-out tongues,

The top and clearest of the spring, go belching from their lungs

The clotter’d gore, look dreadfully, and entertain no dread,

150 Their bellies gaunt all taken up, with being so rawly fed;

Then say, that such, in strength and look, were great Achilles’ men

Now order’d for the dreadful fight; and so with all them then

Their princes and their chiefs did show, about their Gen’ral’s friend;

His friend, and all, about himself; who chiefly did intend

155 Th’ embattelling of horse and foot. To that siege, held so long,

Twice-five-and-twenty sail he brought, twice-five-and-twenty strong

Of able men was ev’ry sail. Five colonels he made

Of all those forces; trusty men, and all of pow’r to lead,

II.83

But he of pow’r beyond them all. Menesthius was one,

160 That ever wore discolour’d arms; he was a river’s son

That fell from heav’n, and good to drink was his delightful stream,

His name unwearied Sperchius, he lov’d the lovely dame

Fair Polydora, Peleus’ seed, and dear in Borus’ sight,

And she to that celestial Flood gave this Menesthius light,

165 A woman mixing with a God. Yet Borus bore the name

Of father to Menesthius, he marrying the dame,

And giving her a mighty dow’r; he was the kind descent

Of Perieres. The next man, renown’d with regiment,

Was strong Eudorus, brought to life by one suppos’d a maid,

170 Bright Polymela, Phylas’ seed, but had the wanton play’d

With Argus-killing Mercury; who (fir’d with her fair eyes,

As she was singing in the quire of Her that makes the cries

In clam’rous hunting, and doth bear the crooked bow of gold)

Stole to her bed in that chaste room, that Phœbe chaste did hold,

175 And gave her that swift-warlike son, Eudorus, brought to light

As she was dancing; but as soon, as She that rules the plight

Of labouring women eas’d her throes, and show’d her son the sun,

Strong Echecæus, Actor’s heir, woo’d earnestly, and won

Her second favour, feeing her with gifts of infinite prize;

180 And after brought her to his house, where, in his grandsire’s eyes,

Old Phylas, Polymela’s son obtain’d exceeding grace,

And found as careful bringing up, as of his natural race

He had descended. The third chief was fair Mæmalides

Pisandrus, who in skill of darts obtain’d supremest praise

185 Of all the Myrmidons, except their lord’s companion.

The fourth charge, aged Phœnix had. The fifth, Alcimedon,

Son of Laerces, and much fam’d. All these digested thus

In fit place by the mighty son of royal Peleüs,

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This stern remembrance he gave all: “You, Myrmidons,” said he,

190 “Lest any of you should forget his threat’nings us’d to me

In this place, and, through all the time, that my just anger reign’d,

Attempting me with bitter words, for being so restrain’d,

For my hot humour, from the fight, remember them as these:

‘Thou cruel son of Peleüs, whom She that rules the seas

195 Did only nourish with her gall, thou dost ungently hold

Our hands against our wills from fight. We will not be controll’d,

But take our ships, and sail for home, before we loiter here

And feed thy fury.’ These high words exceeding often were

The threats that, in your mutinous troops, ye us’d to me for wrath

200 To be detain’d so from the field. Now then, your spleens may bathe

In sweat of those great works ye wish’d; now, he that can employ

A gen’rous heart, go fight, and fright these bragging sons of Troy.”

This set their minds and strengths on fire, the speech enforcing well,

Being us’d in time; but, being their king’s, it much more did impell,

205 And closer rush’d in all the troops. And as, for buildings high,

The mason lays his stones more thick, against th’ extremity

Of wind and weather, and ev’n then, if any storm arise,

He thickens them the more for that, the present act so plies

His honest mind to make sure work; so, for the high estate

210 This work was brought to, these men’s minds, according to the rate,

Were rais’d, and all their bodies join’d; but their well-spoken king,

With his so timely-thought-on speech, more sharp made valour’s sting,

And thicken’d so their targets boss’d, so all their helmets then,

That shields propp’d shields, helms helmets knock’d, and men encourag’d men.

215 Patroclus and Automedon did arm before them all,

Two bodies with one mind inform’d; and then the General

Betook him to his private tent, where from a coffer wrought

Most rich and curiously, and giv’n by Thetis to be brought

II.85

In his own ship, top-fill’d with vests, warm robes to check cold wind,

220 And tapestries all gold’n-fring’d, and curl’d with thrumbs behind,

He took a most unvalu’d bowl, in which none drank but he;

Nor he but to the Deities, nor any Deity

But Jove himself was serv’d with that; and that he first did cleanse

With sulphur, then with fluences of sweetest water rense;

225 Then wash’d his hands, and drew himself a mighty bowl of wine,

Which (standing midst the place enclos’d for services divine,

And looking up to heav’n and Jove, who saw him well) he pour’d

Upon the place of sacrifice, and humbly thus implor’d:

“Great Dodonæus, president of cold Dodone’s tow’rs,

230 Divine Pelasgicus, that dwell’st far hence; about whose bow’rs

Th’ austere prophetic Selli dwell, that still sleep on the ground,

Go bare, and never cleanse their feet; as I before have found

Grace to my vows, and hurt to Greece, so now my pray’rs intend.

I still stay in the gather’d fleet, but have dismiss’d my friend,

235 Amongst my many Myrmidons, to danger of the dart;

O grant his valour my renown, arm with my mind his heart!

That Hector’s self may know my friend can work in single war,

And not then only show his hands, so hot and singular,

When my kind presence seconds him. But, fight he ne’er so well,

240 No further let him trust his fight, but, when he shall repell

Clamour and danger from our fleet, vouchsafe a safe retreat

To him and all his companies, with fames and arms complete.”

He pray’d, and heav’n’s great Counsellor gave satisfying ear

To one part of his orisons, but left the other there;

245 He let him free the fleet of foes, but safe retreat denied.

Achilles left that utter part where he his zeal applied,

II.86

And turn’d into his inner tent, made fast his cup, and then

Stood forth, and with his mind beheld the foes fight; and his men,

That follow’d his great-minded friend, embattled till they brake

250 With gallant spirit upon the foe. And as fell wasps, that make

Their dwellings in the broad high-way, which foolish children use

(Their cottages being near their nests) to anger and abuse

With ever vexing them, and breed (to soothe their childish war)

A common ill to many men, since if a traveller

255 (That would his journey’s end apply, and pass them unassay’d)

Come near and vex them, upon him the children’s faults are laid,

For on they fly as he were such, and still defend their own;

So far’d it with the fervent mind of ev’ry Myrmidon,

Who pour’d themselves out of their fleet upon their wanton foes,

260 That needs would stir them, thrust so near, and cause the overthrows

Of many others, that had else been never touch’d by them,

Nor would have touch’d. Patroclus then put his wind to the stream,

And thus exhorted: “Now, my friends, remember you express

Your late-urg’d virtue, and renown our great Æacides,

265 That, he being strong’st of all the Greeks, his eminence may dim

All others likewise in our strengths, that far off imitate him;

And Agamemnon now may see his fault as general

As his place high, dishonouring him that so much honours all.”

Thus made he sparkle their fresh fire, and on they rush’d; the fleet

270 Fill’d full her hollow sides with sounds, that terribly did greet

Th’ amazed Trojans; and their eyes did second their amaze

When great Menœtius’ son they saw, and his friend’s armour blaze.

All troops stood troubled, with conceit that Peleus’ son was there,

His anger cast off at the ships; and each look’d ev’rywhere

275 For some authority to lead the then preparéd flight.

Patroclus greeted with a lance the region where the fight

Made strongest tumult, near the ship Protesilaus brought,

And strook Pyræchmen; who before the fair-helm’d Pæons fought,

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Led from Amydon, near whose walls the broad-stream’d Axius flows.

280 Through his right shoulder flew the dart, whose blow strook all the blows

In his pow’r from his pow’rless arm, and down he groaning fell;

His men all flying, their leader fled. This one dart did repell

The whole guard plac’d about the ship, whose fire extinct, half burn’d

The Pæons left her, and full cry to clam’rous flight return’d.

285 Then spread the Greeks about their ships; triumphant tumult flow’d:

And, as from top of some steep hill the Lightner strips a cloud,

And lets a great sky out from heav’n, in whose delightsome light,

All prominent foreheads, forests, tow’rs, and temples cheer the sight;

So clear’d these Greeks this Trojan cloud, and at their ships and tents

290 Obtain’d a little time to breathe, but found no present vents

To their inclusions; nor did Troy, though these Pæonians fled,

Lose any ground, but from this ship they needfully turn’d head.

Then ev’ry man a man subdu’d. Patroclus in the thigh

Strook Areilycus; his dart the bone did break, and fly

295 Quite through, and sunk him to the earth. Good Menelaus slew

Accomplish’d Thoas, in whose breast, being nak’d, his lance he threw

Above his shield, and freed his soul. Phylides, taking note

That bold Amphiclus bent at him, prevented him, and smote

His thigh’s extreme part, where of man his fattest muscle lies,

300 The nerves torn with his lance’s pile, and darkness clos’d his eyes.

Antilochus Atymnius seiz’d, his steel lance did impress

His first three guts, and loos’d his life. At young Nestorides,

Maris, Atymnius’ brother, flew; and at him Thrasymed,

The brother to Antilochus; his eager jav’lin’s head

305 The muscles of his arm cut out, and shiver’d all the bone;

Night clos’d his eyes, his lifeless corse his brother fell upon.

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And so by two kind brothers’ hands, did two kind brothers bleed;

Both being divine Sarpedon’s friends, and were the darting seed

Of Amisodarus, that kept the bane of many men

310 Abhorr’d Chimæra; and such bane now caught his childeren.

Ajax Oïliades did take Cleobulus alive,

Invading him stay’d by the press; and at him then let drive

With his short sword that cut his neck; whose blood warm’d all the steel,

And cold Death with a violent fate his sable eyes did seel.

315 Peneleüs, and Lycon cast together off their darts;

Both miss’d, and both together then went with their swords; in parts

The blade and hilt went, laying on upon the helmet’s height.

Peneleus’ sword caught Lycon’s neck, and cut it thorough quite.

His head hung by the very skin. The swift Meriones,

320 Pursuing flying Acamas, just as he got access

To horse and chariot overtook, and took him such a blow

On his right shoulder, that he left his chariot, and did strow

The dusty earth; life left his limbs, and night his eyes possess’d.

Idomenæus his stern dart at Erymas address’d,

325 As, like to Acamas, he fled; it cut the sundry bones

Beneath his brain, betwixt his neck, and foreparts; and so runs,

Shaking his teeth out, through his mouth, his eyes all drown’d in blood,

So through his nostrils and his mouth, that now dart-open stood,

He breath’d his spirit. Thus had death from ev’ry Grecian chief

330 A chief of Troy. For, as to kids, or lambs, their cruell’st thief,

The wolf, steals in, and, when he sees that by the shepherd’s sloth

The dams are spers’d about the hills, then serves his rav’nous tooth

With ease, because his prey is weak; so serv’d the Greeks their foes,

Discerning well how shrieking flight did all their spirits dispose,

335 Their biding virtues quite forgot. And now the natural spleen

That Ajax bore to Hector still, by all means, would have been

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Within his bosom with a dart; but he that knew the war,

Well-cover’d in a well-lin’d shield, did well perceive how far

The arrows and the jav’lins reach’d, by being within their sounds

340 And ominous singings; and observ’d the there-inclining bounds

Of Conquest in her aid of him, and so obey’d her change,

Took safest course for him and his, and stood to her as strange.

And as, when Jove intends a storm, he lets out of the stars,

From steep Olympus, a black cloud, that all heav’n’s splendour bars

345 From men on earth; so from the hearts of all the Trojan host

All comfort lately found from Jove, in flight and cries was lost.

Nor made they any fair retreat. Hector’s unruly horse

Would needs retire him, and he left engag’d his Trojan force,

Forc’d by the steepness of the dike, that in ill place they took,

350 And kept them that would fain have gone. Their horses quite forsook

A number of the Trojan kings, and left them in the dike;

Their chariots in their foreteams broke. Patroclus then did strike

While steel was hot, and cheer’d his friends; nor meant his enemies good,

Who, when they once began to fly, each way receiv’d a flood,

355 And chok’d themselves with drifts of dust. And now were clouds begot

Beneath the clouds; with flight and noise the horse neglected not

Their home intendments; and, where rout was busiest, there pour’d on

Patroclus most exhorts and threats; and then lay overthrown

Numbers beneath their axle-trees; who, lying in flight’s stream,

360 Made th’ after chariots jot and jump, in driving over them.

Th’ immortal horse Patroclus rode, did pass the dike with ease,

And wish’d the depth and danger more; and Menœtiades

As great a spirit had to reach, retiring Hector’s haste,

But his fleet horse had too much law, and fetch’d him off too fast.

365 And as in Autumn the black earth is loaden with the storms

That Jove in gluts of rain pours down, being angry with the forms

Of judgment in authoriz’d men, that in their courts maintain,

With violent office, wrested laws, and (fearing Gods, nor men)

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Exile all justice; for whose fault, whole fields are overflown,

370 And many valleys cut away with torrents headlong thrown

From neighbour mountains, till the sea receive them roaring in,

And judg’d men’s labours then are vain, plagu’d for their judge’s sin;

So now the foul defaults of some all Troy wore laid upon;

So like those torrents roar’d they back to windy Ilion;

375 And so like tempests blew the horse with ravishing back again

Those hot assailants, all their works at fleet now render’d vain.

Patroclus, when he had dispers’d the foremost phalanxes,

Call’d back his forces to the fleet, and would not let them prease,

As they desir’d, too near the town; but ’twixt the ships and flood,

380 And their steep rampire, his hand steep’d Revenge in seas of blood.

Then Pronous was first that fell beneath his fi’ry lance,

Which strook his bare breast, near his shield. The second Thestor’s chance,

Old Enops’ son, did make himself; who shrinking, and set close

In his fair seat, ev’n with th’ approach Patroclus made, did lose

385 All manly courage, insomuch that from his hands his reins

Fell flowing down, and his right jaw Patroclus’ lance attains,

Strook through his teeth, and there it stuck, and by it to him drew

Dead Thestor to his chariot. It show’d, as when you view

An angler from some prominent rock draw with his line and hook

390 A mighty fish out of the sea; for so the Greek did pluck

The Trojan gaping from his seat, his jaws op’d with the dart;

Which when Patroclus drew, he fell; his life and breast did part.

Then rush’d he on Erylaus; at whom he hurl’d a stone,

Which strake his head so in the midst, that two was made of one;

395 Two ways it fell, cleft through his casque. And then Tlepolemus,

Epaltes, Damastorides, Evippus, Echius,

Ipheas, bold Amphoterus, and valiant Erymas,

And Polymelus, by his sire surnam’d Argeadas,

He heap’d upon the much-fed earth. When Jove’s most worthy son,

400 Divine Sarpedon, saw these friends thus stay’d, and others run,

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“O shame! Why fly ye?” then he cried, “Now show ye feet enow.

On, keep your way, myself will meet the man that startles you,

To make me understand his name that flaunts in conquest thus,

And hath so many able knees so soon dissolv’d to us.”

405 Down jump’d he from his chariot; down leap’d his foe as light.

And as, on some far-looking rock, a cast of vultures fight,

Fly on each other, strike and truss, part, meet, and then stick by,

Tug both with crooked beaks and seres, cry, fight, and fight and cry;

So fiercely fought these angry kings, and show’d as bitter galls.

410 Jove, turning eyes to this stern fight, his wife and sister calls,

And much mov’d for the Lycian prince, said: “O that to my son

Fate, by this day and man, should cut a thread so nobly spun!

Two minds distract me; if I should now ravish him from fight,

And set him safe in Lycia; or give the Fates their right.”

415 “Austere Saturnius,” she replied, “what unjust words are these?

A mortal, long since mark’d by fate, wouldst thou immortalize?

Do, but by no God be approv’d. Free him, and numbers more,

Sons of Immortals, will live free, that death must taste before

These gates of Ilion; ev’ry God will have his son a God,

420 Or storm extremely. Give him then an honest period

In brave fight by Patroclus’ sword, if he be dear to thee,

And grieves thee for his danger’d life; of which when he is free,

Let Death and Somnus bear him hence, till Lycia’s natural womb

Receive him from his brothers’ hands, and citizens’; a tomb

425 And column rais’d to him. This is the honour of the dead.”

She said, and her speech rul’d his pow’r; but in his safety’s stead,

For sad ostent of his near death, he steep’d his living name

In drops of blood heav’n swet for him, which earth drunk to his fame.

And now, as this high combat grew to this too humble end,

430 Sarpedon’s death had this state more; ’twas usher’d by his friend

And charioteer, brave Thrasymed; whom in his belly’s rim

Patroclus wounded with his lance, and endless ended him.

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And then another act of name foreran his princely fate.

His first lance missing, he let fly a second that gave date

435 Of violent death to Pedasus; who, as he joy’d to die

By his so honourable hand, did ev’n in dying neigh.

His ruin startled th’ other steeds, the gears crack’d, and the reins

Strappled his fellows; whose misrule Automedon restrains

By cutting the intangling gears, and so dissund’ring quite

440 The brave slain beast; when both the rest obey’d, and went foreright.

And then the royal combatants fought for the final stroke;

When Lycia’s Gen’ral miss’d again, his high-rais’d jav’lin took

Above his shoulder empty way. But no such speedless flight

Patroclus let his spear perform, that on the breast did light

445 Of his brave foe, where life’s strings close about the solid heart,

Impressing a recureless wound; his knees then left their part,

And let him fall; when like an oak, a poplar, or a pine,

New fell’d by arts-men on the hills, he stretch’d his form divine

Before his horse and chariot. And as a lion leaps

450 Upon a goodly yellow bull, drives all the herd in heaps,

And, under his unconquer’d jaws, the brave beast sighing dies;

So sigh’d Sarpedon underneath this prince of enemies,

Call’d Glaucus to him, his dear friend, and said: “Now, friend, thy hands

Much duty owe to fight and arms; now for my love it stands

455 Thy heart in much hand to approve that war is harmful; now

How active all thy forces are, this one hour’s act must show.

First call our Lycian captains up, look round, and bring up all,

And all exhort to stand, like friends, about Sarpedon’s fall,

And spend thyself thy steel for me; for be assur’d no day

460 Of all thy life, to thy last hour, can clear thy black dismay

In woe and infamy for me, if I be taken hence

Spoil’d of mine arms, and thy renown despoil’d of my defence.

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Stand firm then, and confirm thy men.” This said, the bounds of death

Concluded all sight to his eyes, and to his nosthrils breath.

465 Patroclus, though his guard was strong, forc’d way through ev’ry doubt,

Climb’d his high bosom with his foot, and pluck’d his jav’lin out,

And with it drew the film and strings of his yet panting heart;

And last, together with the pile, his princely soul did part.

His horse, spoil’d both of guide and king, thick-snoring and amaz’d,

470 And apt to flight, the Myrmidons made nimbly to, and seiz’d.

Glaucus, to hear his friend ask aid, of him past all the rest,

Though well he knew his wound uncur’d, confusion fill’d his breast

Not to have good in any pow’r, and yet so much good will.

And (laying his hand upon his wound, that pain’d him sharply still,

475 And was by Teucer’s hand set on from their assail’d steep wall,

In keeping hurt from other men) he did on Phœbus call,

The God of med’cines, for his cure: “Thou King of cures,” said he,

“That art perhaps in Lycia with her rich progeny,

Or here in Troy; but any where, since thou hast pow’r to hear,

480 O give a hurt and woeful man, as I am now, thine ear.

This arm sustains a cruel wound, whose pains shoot ev’ry way,

Afflict this shoulder, and this hand, and nothing long can stay

A flux of blood still issuing; nor therefore can I stand

With any enemy in fight, nor hardly make my hand

485 Support my lance; and here lies dead the worthiest of men,

Sarpedon, worthy son to Jove, whose pow’r could yet abstain

From all aid in this deadly need; give thou then aid to me,

O King of all aid to men hurt; assuage th’ extremity

Of this arm’s anguish, give it strength, that by my precedent

490 I may excite my men to blows, and this dead corse prevent

Of further violence.” He pray’d, and kind Apollo heard,

Allay’d his anguish, and his wound of all the black blood clear’d

II.94

That vex’d it so, infus’d fresh pow’rs into his weaken’d mind;

And all his spirits flow’d with joy that Phœbus stood inclin’d,

495 In such quick bounty, to his pray’rs. Then, as Sarpedon will’d,

He cast about his greedy eye; and first of all instill’d

To all his captains all the stings, that could inflame their fight

For good Sarpedon. And from them, he stretch’d his speedy pace

T’ Agenor, Hector, Venus’ son, and wise Polydamas;

500 And (only naming Hector) said: “Hector, you now forget

Your poor auxiliary friends, that in your toils have swet

Their friendless souls out far from home. Sarpedon, that sustain’d

With justice, and his virtues all, broad Lycia, hath not gain’d

The like guard for his person here; for yonder dead he lies

505 Beneath the great Patroclus’ lance. But come, let your supplies,

Good friends, stand near him. O disdain to see his corse defil’d

With Grecian fury; and his arms, by their oppressions spoil’d.

These Myrmidons are come enrag’d, that such a mighty boot

Of Greeks Troy’s darts have made at fleet.” This said, from head to foot

510 Grief strook their pow’rs past patience, and not to be restrain’d,

To hear news of Sarpedon’s death; who, though he appertain’d

To other cities, yet to theirs he was the very fort,

And led a mighty people there, of all whose better sort

Himself was best. This made them run in flames upon the foe;

515 The first man Hector, to whose heart Sarpedon’s death did go.

Patroclus stirr’d the Grecian spirits; and first th’ Ajaces, thus:

“Now, brothers, be it dear to you, to fight and succour us,

As ever heretofore ye did, with men first excellent.

The man lies slain that first did scale, and raze the battlement

520 That crown’d our wall, the Lycian prince. But if we now shall add

Force to his corse, and spoil his arms, a prise may more be had

Of many great ones, that for him will put on to the death.”

To this work these were prompt enough; and each side ordereth

Those phalanxes that most had rate of resolutions;

525 The Trojans and the Lycian pow’rs; the Greeks and Myrmidons.

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These ran together for the corse, and clos’d with horrid cries,

Their armours thund’ring with the claps laid on about the prise.

And Jove, about th’ impetuous broil, pernicious night pour’d out,

As long as for his lovéd son, pernicious Labour fought.

530 The first of Troy the first Greeks foil’d; when, not the last indeed

Amongst the Myrmidons, was slain, the great Agacleus’ seed,

Divine Epigeus, that before had exercis’d command

In fair Budeïus; but because he laid a bloody hand

On his own sister’s valiant son, to Peleus and his queen

535 He came for pardon, and obtain’d; his slaughter being the mean

He came to Troy, and so to this. He ventur’d ev’n to touch

The princely carcass; when a stone did more to him by much,

Sent out of able Hector’s hand; it cut his skull in twain,

And strook him dead. Patroclus, griev’d to see his friend so slain,

540 Before the foremost thrust himself. And as a falcon frays

A flock of stares or caddesses; such fear brought his assays

Amongst the Trojans and their friends; and, angry at the heart,

As well as griev’d, for him so slain, another stony dart

As good as Hector’s he let fly, that dusted in the neck

545 Of Sthenelaus, thrust his head to earth first, and did break

The nerves in sunder with his fall; off fell the Trojans too,

Ev’n Hector’s self, and all as far as any man can throw

(Provok’d for games, or in the wars to shed an enemy’s soul)

A light long dart. The first that turn’d, was he that did control

550 The targeteers of Lycia, prince Glaucus; who to hell

Sent Bathyclæus, Chalcon’s son; he did in Hellas dwell,

And shin’d for wealth and happiness amongst the Myrmidons;

His bosom’s midst the jav’lin strook, his fall gat earth with groans.

The Greeks griev’d, and the Trojans joy’d, for so renowm’d a man;

555 About whom stood the Grecians firm. And then the death began

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On Troy’s side by Meriones; he slew one great in war,

Laogonus, Onetor’s son, the priest of Jupiter,

Created in th’ Idæan hill. Betwixt his jaw and ear

The dart stuck fast, and loos’d his soul; sad mists of hate and fear

560 Invading him. Anchises’ son despatch’d a brazen lance

At bold Meriones; and hop’d to make an equal chance

On him with bold Laogonus, though under his broad shield

He lay so close. But he discern’d, and made his body yield

So low, that over him it flew, and trembling took the ground,

565 With which Mars made it quench his thirst; and since the head could wound

No better body, and yet thrown from ne’er the worse a hand,

It turn’d from earth, and look’d awry. Æneas let it stand,

Much angry at the vain event, and told Meriones

He scap’d but hardly, nor had cause to hope for such success

570 Another time, though well he knew his dancing faculty,

By whose agility he scap’d; for, had his dart gone by

With any least touch, instantly he had been ever slain.

He answer’d: “Though thy strength be good, it cannot render vain

The strength of others with thy jests; nor art thou so divine,

575 But when my lance shall touch at thee, with equal speed to thine,

Death will share with it thy life’s pow’rs; thy confidence can shun

No more than mine what his right claims.” Menœtius’ noble son

Rebuk’d Meriones, and said: “What need’st thou use this speech?

Nor thy strength is approv’d with words, good friend, nor can we reach

580 The body, nor make th’ enemy yield, with these our counterbraves.

We must enforce the binding earth, to hold them in her graves.

If you will war, fight. Will you speak? Give counsel. Counsel, blows,

Are th’ ends of wars and words. Talk here, the time in vain bestows.”

He said, and led; and, nothing less for any thing he said,

585 (His speech being season’d with such right) the worthy seconded.

And then, as in a sounding vale, near neighbour to a hill,

Wood-fellers make a far-heard noise, with chopping, chopping still,

II.97

And laying on, on blocks and trees; so they on men laid load,

And beat like noises into air, both as they strook and trode.

590 But, past their noise, so full of blood, of dust, of darts, lay smit

Divine Sarpedon, that a man must have an excellent wit

That could but know him, and might fail, so from his utmost head,

Ev’n to the low plants of his feet, his form was alteréd.

All thrusting near it ev’ry way, as thick as flies in spring,

595 That in a sheep-cote, when new milk assembles them, make wing,

And buzz about the top-full pails. Nor ever was the eye

Of Jove averted from the fight; he view’d, thought, ceaselessly

And diversely upon the death of great Achilles’ friend,

If Hector there, to wreak his son, should with his jav’lin end

600 His life, and force away his arms, or still augment the field;

He then concluded that the flight of much more soul should yield

Achilles’ good friend more renown, and that ev’n to their gates

He should drive Hector and his host; and so disanimates

The mind of Hector that he mounts his chariot, and takes Flight

605 Up with him, tempting all to her; affirming his insight

Knew evidently that the beam of Jove’s all-ord’ring scoles

Was then in sinking on their side, surcharg’d with flocks of souls.

Then not the noble Lycians stay’d, but left their slaughter’d lord

Amongst the corses’ common heap; for many more were pour’d

610 About and on him, while Jove’s hand held out the bitter broil.

And now they spoil’d Sarpedon’s arms, and to the ships the spoil

Was sent by Menœtiades. Then Jove thus charg’d the Sun:

“Haste, honour’d Phœbus, let no more Greek violence be done

To my Sarpedon; but his corse of all the sable blood

615 And jav’lins purg’d; then carry him, far hence to some clear flood,

With whose waves wash, and then embalm each thorough-cleanséd limb

With our ambrosia; which perform’d, divine weeds put on him,

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And then to those swift mates and twins, sweet Sleep and Death, commit

His princely person, that with speed they both may carry it

620 To wealthy Lycia; where his friends and brothers will embrace,

And tomb it in some monument, as fits a prince’s place.”

Then flew Apollo to the fight, from the Idalian hill,

At all parts putting into act his great Commander’s will;

Drew all the darts, wash’d, balm’d the corse; which, deck’d with ornament,

625 By Sleep and Death, those feather’d twins, he into Lycia sent.

Patroclus then Automedon commands to give his steeds

Large reins, and all way to the chace; so madly he exceeds

The strict commission of his friend; which had he kept had kept

A black death from him. But Jove’s mind hath evermore outstept

630 The mind of man; who both affrights, and takes the victory

From any hardiest hand with ease; which he can justify,

Though he himself commands him fight, as now he puts this chace

In Menœtiades’s mind. How much then weighs the grace,

Patroclus, that Jove gives thee now, in scoles put with thy death,

635 Of all these great and famous men the honourable breath!

Of which Adrestus first he slew, and next Autonous,

Epistora, and Perimus, Pylartes, Elasus,

Swift Menalippus, Molius; all these were overthrown

By him, and all else put in rout; and then proud Ilion

640 Had stoop’d beneath his glorious hand, he rag’d so with his lance,

If Phœbus had not kept the tow’r, and help’d the Ilians,

Sustaining ill thoughts ’gainst the prince. Thrice to the prominence

Of Troy’s steep wall he bravely leap’d; thrice Phœbus thrust him thence,

Objecting his all-dazzling shield, with his resistless hand;

645 But fourthly, when, like one of heav’n, he would have stirr’d his stand,

Apollo threaten’d him, and said: “Cease, it exceeds thy fate,

Forward, Patroclus, to expugn with thy bold lance this state;

II.99

Nor under great Achilles’ pow’rs, to thine superior far,

Lies Troy’s grave ruin.” When he spake, Patroclus left that war,

650 Leap’d far back, and his anger shunn’d. Hector detain’d his horse

Within the Scæan port, in doubt to put his personal force

Amongst the rout, and turn their heads, or shun in Troy the storm.

Apollo, seeing his suspense, assum’d the goodly form

Of Hector’s uncle, Asius; the Phrygian Dymas’ son,

655 Who near the deep Sangarius had habitation,

Being brother to the Trojan queen. His shape Apollo took,

And ask’d of Hector, why his spirit so clear the fight forsook?

Affirming ’twas unfit for him, and wish’d his forces were

As much above his, as they mov’d in an inferior sphere.

660 He should, with shame to him, be gone; and so bade drive away

Against Patroclus, to approve, if He that gave them day

Would give the glory of his death to his preferréd lance.

So left he him, and to the light did his bright head advance,

Mix’d with the multitude, and stirr’d foul tumult for the foe.

665 Then Hector bade Cebriones put on; himself let go

All other Greeks within his reach, and only gave command

To front Patroclus. He at him; jump’d down; his strong left hand

A jav’lin held, his right a stone, a marble sharp and such

As his large hand had pow’r to gripe, and gave it strength as much

670 As he could lie to; nor stood long, in fear of that huge man

That made against him, but full on with his huge stone he ran,

Discharg’d, and drave it ’twixt the brows of bold Cebriones.

Nor could the thick bone there prepar’d extenuate so th’ access,

But out it drave his broken eyes, which in the dust fell down,

675 And he div’d after; which conceit of diving took the son

Of old Menœtius, who thus play’d upon the other’s bane.

“O heav’ns! For truth, this Trojan was a passing active man!

With what exceeding ease he dives, as if at work he were

Within the fishy seas! This man alone would furnish cheer

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680 For twenty men, though ’twere a storm, to leap out of a sail,

And gather oysters for them all, he does it here as well.

And there are many such in Troy.” Thus jested he so near

His own grave death; and then made in, to spoil the charioteer,

With such a lion’s force and fate, as, often ruining

685 Stalls of fat oxen, gets at length a mortal wound to sting

His soul out of that rav’nous breast, that was so insolent,

And so his life’s bliss proves his bane; so deadly confident

Wert thou, Patroclus, in pursuit of good Cebriones,

To whose defence now Hector leap’d. The opposite address,

690 These masters of the cry in war now made, was of the kind

Of two fierce kings of beasts, oppos’d in strife about a hind

Slain on the forehead of a hill, both sharp and hungry set,

And to the currie never came but like two deaths they met;

Nor these two entertain’d less mind of mutual prejudice

695 About the body, close to which when each had press’d for prise,

Hector the head laid hand upon, which, once grip’d, never could

Be forc’d from him; Patroclus then upon the feet got hold,

And he pinch’d with as sure a nail. So both stood tugging there,

While all the rest made eager fight, and grappled ev’ry where.

700 And as the east and south winds strive, to make a lofty wood

Bow to their greatness, barky elms, wild ashes, beeches, bow’d

Ev’n with the earth, in whose thick arms the mighty vapours lie,

And toss by turns, all, either way, their leaves at random fly,

Boughs murmur, and their bodies crack, and with perpetual din

705 The sylvans falter, and the storms are never to begin;

So rag’d the fight, and all from Flight pluck’d her forgotten wings,

While some still stuck, still new-wing’d shafts flew dancing from their strings,

Huge stones sent after that did shake the shields about the corse,

Who now, in dust’s soft forehead stretch’d, forgat his guiding horse.

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710 As long as Phœbus turn’d his wheels about the midst of heaven,

So long the touch of either’s darts the falls of both made even;

But, when his wain drew near the west, the Greeks past measure were

The abler soldiers, and so swept the Trojan tumult clear

From off the body, out of which they drew the hurl’d-in darts,

715 And from his shoulders stripp’d his arms; and then to more such parts

Patroclus turn’d his striving thoughts, to do the Trojans ill.

Thrice, like the God of war, he charg’d, his voice as horrible,

And thrice-nine those three charges slew; but in the fourth assay,

O then, Patroclus, show’d thy last; the dreadful Sun made way

720 Against that onset; yet the prince discern’d no Deity,

He kept the press so, and, besides, obscur’d his glorious eye

With such felt darkness. At his back, he made a sudden stand,

And ’twixt his neck and shoulders laid down-right with either hand

A blow so weighty, that his eyes a giddy darkness took,

725 And from his head his three-plum’d helm the bounding violence shook,

That rung beneath his horses’ hooves, and, like a water-spout,

Was crush’d together with the fall; the plumes that set it out,

All spatter’d with black blood and dust; when ever heretofore

It was a capital offence to have or dust or gore

730 Defile a triple-feather’d helm, but on the head divine

And youthful temples of their prince it us’d, untouch’d, to shine.

Yet now Jove gave it Hector’s hands, the other’s death was near.

Besides whose lost and filéd helm his huge long weighty spear,

Well-bound with iron, in his hand was shiver’d, and his shield

735 Fell from his shoulders to his feet, the bawdrick strewing the field;

His curets left him, like the rest. And all this only done

By great Apollo. Then his mind took in confusion,

The vig’rous knittings of his joints dissolv’d; and, thus dismay’d,

A Dardan, one of Panthus’ sons, and one that overlaid

740 All Trojans of his place with darts, swift footing, skill, and force

In noble horsemanship, and one that tumbled from their horse,

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One after other, twenty men, and when he did but learn

The art of war; nay when he first did in the field discern

A horse and chariot of his guide; this man, with all these parts,

745 (His name Euphorbus) comes behind, and ’twixt the shoulders darts

Forlorn Patroclus, who yet liv’d, and th’ other (getting forth

His jav’lin) took him to his strength; nor durst he stand the worth

Of thee, Patroclus, though disarm’d, who yet (discomfited

By Phœbus’ and Euphorbus’ wound) the red heap of the dead

750 He now too late shunn’d, and retir’d. When Hector saw him yield,

And knew he yielded with a wound, he scour’d the arméd field,

Came close up to him, and both sides strook quite through with his lance.

He fell, and his most weighty fall gave fit tune to his chance;

For which all Greece extremely mourn’d. And as a mighty strife

755 About a little fount begins, and riseth to the life

Of some fell boar resolv’d to drink; when likewise to the spring

A lion comes alike dispos’d, the boar thirsts, and his king,

Both proud, and both will first be serv’d; and then the lion takes

Advantage of his sov’reign strength, and th’ other, fainting, makes

760 Resign his thirst up with his blood; Patroclus, so enforc’d

When he had forc’d so much brave life, was from his own divorc’d.

And thus his great divorcer brav’d: “Patroclus, thy conceit

Gave thee th’ eversion of our Troy, and to thy fleet a freight

Of Trojan ladies, their free lives put all in bands by thee;

765 But (too much prizer of thy self) all these are propp’d by me,

For these have my horse stretch’d their hoofs to this so long a war,

And I (far best of Troy in arms) keep off from Troy as far,

Ev’n to the last beam of my life, their necessary day.

And here, in place of us and ours, on thee shall vultures prey,

770 Poor wretch; nor shall thy mighty friend afford thee any aid,

That gave thy parting much deep charge, and this perhaps he said:

‘Martial Patroclus, turn not face, nor see my fleet before

The curets from great Hector’s breast, all gilded with his gore,

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Thou hew’st in pieces.’ If thus vain were his far-stretch’d commands,

775 As vain was thy heart to believe his words lay in thy hands.”

He, languishing, replied: “This proves, thy glory worse than vain,

That when two Gods have giv’n thy hands what their pow’rs did obtain,

(They conqu’ring, and they spoiling me both of my arms and mind,

It being a work of ease for them) thy soul should be so blind

780 To oversee their evident deeds, and take their pow’rs to thee;

When, if the pow’rs of twenty such had dar’d t’ encounter me,

My lance had strew’d earth with them all. Thou only dost obtain

A third place in my death; whom, first, a harmful fate hath slain

Effected by Latona’s son; second, and first of men,

785 Euphorbus. And this one thing more concerns thee; note it then;

Thou shalt not long survive thyself; nay, now death calls for thee,

And violent fate; Achilles’ lance shall make this good for me.”

Thus death join’d to his words his end; his soul took instant wing,

And to the house that hath no lights descended, sorrowing

790 For his sad fate, to leave him young, and in his ablest age.

He dead, yet Hector ask’d him why, in that prophetic rage,

He so forespake him, when none knew but great Achilles might

Prevent his death, and on his lance receive his latest light?

Thus setting on his side his foot, he drew out of his wound

795 His brazen lance, and upwards cast the body on the ground;

When quickly, while the dart was hot, he charg’d Automedon,

Divine guide of Achilles’ steeds, in great contention

To seize him too; but his so swift and deathless horse, that fetch’d

Their gift to Peleus from the Gods, soon rapt him from his reach.

or could his slaughter rest conceal’d from Menelaus’ ear;

Who flew amongst the foremost fights, and with his targe and spear

Circled the body, as much griev’d, and with as tender heed

To keep it theirs, as any dam about her first-born seed,

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5 Not proving what the pain of birth would make the love before.

Nor to pursue his first attaint Euphorbus’ spirit forbore,

But, seeing Menelaus chief in rescue of the dead,

Assay’d him thus: “Atrides, cease, and leave the slaughteréd

With his embru’d spoil to the man, that first, of all our state,

10 And famous succours, in fair fight, made passage to his fate;

And therefore suffer me to wear the good name I have won

Amongst the Trojans, lest thy life repay what his hath done.”

“O Jupiter,” said he, incens’d, “thou art no honest man

To boast so past thy pow’r to do. Not any lion can,

15 Nor spotted lëopard, nor boar, whose mind is mightiest

In pouring fury from his strength, advance so proud a crest

As Panthus’ fighting progeny. But Hyperenor’s pride,

That joy’d so little time his youth, when he so vilified

My force in arms, and call’d me worst of all our chivalry,

20 And stood my worst, might teach ye all to shun this surcuidrie;

I think he came not safely home, to tell his wife his acts.

Nor less right of thy insolence my equal fate exacts,

And will obtain me, if thou stay’st. Retire then, take advice:

A fool sees nought before ’tis done, and still too late is wise.”

25 This mov’d not him but to the worse, since it renew’d the sting

That his slain brother shot in him, remember’d by the king,

To whom he answer’d: “Thou shalt pay, for all the pains endur’d

By that slain brother, all the wounds sustain’d for him, recur’d

With one made in thy heart by me. ’Tis true thou mad’st his wife

30 A heavy widow, when her joys of wedlock scarce had life,

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And hurt’st our parents with his grief; all which thou gloriest in,

Forespeaking so thy death, that now their grief’s end shall begin.

To Panthus, and the snowy hand of Phrontes, I will bring

Those arms, and that proud head of thine. And this laborious thing

35 Shall ask no long time to perform. Nor be my words alone,

But their performance; Strength, and Fight, and Terror thus sets on.”

This said, he strook his all-round shield; nor shrunk that, but his lance

That turn’d head in it. Then the king assay’d the second chance;

First praying to the King of Gods; and his dart entry got

40 (The force much driving back his foe) in low part of his throat,

And ran his neck through. Then fell pride, and he; and all with gore

His locks, that like the Graces were, and which he ever wore

In gold and silver ribands wrapp’d, were piteously wet.

And when alone in some choice place, a husbandman hath set

45 The young plant of an olive tree, whose root being ever fed

With plenty of delicious springs, his branches bravely spread,

And all his fresh and lovely head, grown curl’d with snowy flow’rs,

That dance and flourish with the winds, that are of gentlest pow’rs;

But when a whirlwind, got aloft, stoops with a sudden gale,

50 Tears from his head his tender curls, and tosseth therewithal

His fix’d root from his hollow mines; it well presents the force

Of Sparta’s king; and so the plant, Euphorbus and his corse.

He slain, the king stripp’d off his arms; and with their worthy prise,

All fearing him, had clearly pass’d, if heaven’s fair Eye of eyes

55 Had not, in envy of his acts, to his encounter stirr’d

The Mars-like Hector; to whose pow’rs the rescue he preferred

Of those fair arms, and took the shape of Mentas, colonel

Of all the Cicones that near the Thracian Hebrus dwell.

Like him, he thus puts forth his voice: “Hector, thou scour’st the field

60 In headstrong pursuit of those horse, that hardly are compell’d

II.110

To take the draught of chariots, by any mortal’s hand;

The great grandchild of Æacus hath only their command,

Whom an immortal mother bore. While thou attend’st on these,

The young Atrides, in defence of Menœtiades,

65 Hath slain Euphorbus.” Thus the God took troop with men again;

And Hector, heartily perplex’d, look’d round, and saw the slain

Still shedding rivers from his wound; and then took envious view

Of brave Atrides with his spoil; in way to whom he flew

Like one of Vulcan’s quenchless flames. Atrides heard the cry

70 That ever usher’d him, and sigh’d, and said: “O me, if I

Should leave these goodly arms, and him, that here lies dead for me,

I fear I should offend the Greeks; if I should stay and be

Alone with Hector and his men, I may be compass’d in,

Some sleight or other they may use, many may quickly win

75 Their wills of one, and all Troy comes ever where Hector leads

But why, dear mind, dost thou thus talk? When men dare set their heads

Against the Gods, as sure they do that fight with men they love,

Straight one or other plague ensues. It cannot therefore move

The grudge of any Greek that sees I yield to Hector, he

80 Still fighting with a spirit from heav’n. And yet if I could see

Brave Ajax, he and I would stand, though ’gainst a God; and sure

’Tis best I seek him, and then see if we two can procure

This corse’s freedom through all these. A little then let rest

The body, and my mind be still. Of two bads choose the best.”

85 In this discourse, the troops of Troy were in with him, and he

Made such a lion-like retreat, as when the herdsmen see

The royal savage, and come on, with men, dogs, cries, and spears,

To clear their hornéd stall, and then the kingly heart he bears

II.111

(With all his high disdain) falls off; so from this odds of aid

90 The golden-hair’d Atrides fled, and in his strength display’d

Upon his left hand him he wish’d, extremely busiéd

About encouraging his men, to whom an extreme dread

Apollo had infus’d. The king reach’d Ajax instantly,

And said: “Come, friend, let us two haste, and from the tyranny

95 Of Hector free Patroclus’ corse.” He straight and gladly went;

And then was Hector haling off the body, with intent

To spoil the shoulders of the dead, and give the dogs the rest,

His arms he having pris’d before; when Ajax brought his breast

To bar all further spoil. With that he had, sure Hector thought

100 ’Twas best to satisfy his spleen; which temper Ajax wrought

With his mere sight, and Hector fled. The arms he sent to Troy,

To make his citizens admire, and pray Jove send him joy.

Then Ajax gathered to the corse, and hid it with his targe,

There setting down as sure a foot, as, in the tender charge

105 Of his lov’d whelps, a lion doth; two hundred hunters near

To give him onset, their more force makes him the more austere,

Drowns all their clamours in his roars, darts, dogs, doth all depise,

And lets his rough brows down so low, they cover all his eyes;

So Ajax look’d, and stood, and stay’d for great Priamides.

110 When Glaucus Hippolochides saw Ajax thus depress

The spirit of Hector, thus he chid: “O goodly man at arms,

In fight a Paris, why should fame make thee fort ’gainst our harms,

Being such a fugitive? Now mark, how well thy boasts defend

Thy city only with her own. Be sure it shall descend

115 To that proof wholly. Not a man of any Lycian rank

Shall strike one stroke more for thy town; for no man gets a thank

Should he eternally fight here, nor any guard of thee.

How wilt thou, worthless that thou art, keep off an enemy

II.112

From our poor soldiers, when their prince, Sarpedon, guest and friend

120 To thee, and most deservedly, thou flew’st from in his end,

And left’st to all the lust of Greece? O Gods, a man that was

(In life) so huge a good to Troy, and to thee such a grace,

(In death) not kept by thee from dogs! If my friends will do well,

We’ll take our shoulders from your walls, and let all sink to hell;

125 As all will, were our faces turn’d. Did such a spirit breathe

In all you Trojans, as becomes all men that fight beneath

Their country’s standard, you would see, that such as prop your cause

With like exposure of their lives, have all the honour’d laws

Of such a dear confederacy kept to them to a thread,

130 As now ye might reprise the arms Sarpedon forfeited

By forfeit of your rights to him, would you but lend your hands,

And force Patroclus to your Troy. Ye know how dear he stands

In his love, that of all the Greeks is, for himself, far best,

And leads the best near-fighting men; and therefore would at least

135 Redeem Sarpedon’s arms; nay him, whom you have likewise lost.

This body drawn to Ilion would after draw and cost

A greater ransom if you pleas’d; but Ajax startles you;

’Tis his breast bars this right to us; his looks are darts enow

To mix great Hector with his men. And not to blame ye are,

140 You choose foes underneath your strengths, Ajax exceeds ye far.”

Hector look’d passing sour at this, and answer’d: “Why dar’st thou,

So under, talk above me so? O friend, I thought till now

Thy wisdom was superior to all th’ inhabitants

Of gleby Lycia; but now impute apparent wants

145 To that discretion thy words show, to say I lost my ground

For Ajax’ greatness. Nor fear I the field in combats drown’d,

Nor force of chariots, but I fear a Pow’r much better seen

In right of all war than all we. That God, that holds between

Our victory and us his shield, lets conquest come and go

150 At his free pleasure, and with fear converts her changes so

II.113

Upon the strongest. Men must fight when his just spirit impels,

Not their vain glories. But come on, make thy steps parallels

To these of mine, and then be judge, how deep the work will draw.

If then I spend the day in shifts, or thou canst give such law

155 To thy detractive speeches then, or if the Grecian host

Holds any that in pride of strength holds up his spirit most,

Whom, for the carriage of this prince, that thou enforcest so,

I make not stoop in his defence. You, friends, ye hear and know

How much it fits ye to make good this Grecian I have slain,

160 For ransom of Jove’s son, our friend. Play then the worthy men,

Till I indue Achilles’ arms.” This said, he left the fight,

And call’d back those that bore the arms, not yet without his sight,

In convoy of them towards Troy. For them he chang’d his own,

Remov’d from where it rainéd tears, and sent them back to town.

165 Then put he on th’ eternal arms, that the Celestial States,

Gave Peleus; Peleus, being old, their use appropriates

To his Achilles, that, like him, forsook them not for age.

When He, whose empire is in clouds, saw Hector bent to wage

War in divine Achilles’ arms, he shook his head, and said:

170 “Poor wretch, thy thoughts are far from death, though he so near hath laid

His ambush for thee. Thou putt’st on those arms, as braving him

Whom others fear; hast slain his friend, and from his youthful limb

Torn rudely off his heav’nly arms, himself being gentle, kind,

And valiant. Equal measure then, thy life in youth must find.

175 Yet since the justice is so strict, that not Andromache,

In thy denied return from fight, must ever take of thee

Those arms, in glory of thy acts; thou shalt have that frail blaze

Of excellence that neighbours death, a strength ev’n to amaze.”

To this His sable brows did bow; and he made fit his limb

180 To those great arms, to fill which up the War-god enter’d him

II.114

Austere and terrible, his joints and ev’ry part extends

With strength and fortitude; and thus to his admiring friends

High Clamour brought him. He so shin’d, that all could think no less

But he resembled ev’ry way great-soul’d Æacides.

185 Then ev’ry way he scour’d the field, his captains calling on;

Asteropæus, Eunomus, that foresaw all things done,

Glaucus, and Medon, Desinor, and strong Thersilochus,

Phorcis, and Mesthles, Chromius, and great Hippothous;

To all these, and their populous troops, these his excitements were:

190 “Hear us, innumerable friends, near-bord’ring nations, hear.

We have not call’d you from our towns, to fill our idle eye

With number of so many men (no such vain empery

Did ever joy us) but to fight; and of our Trojan wives,

With all their children, manfully to save the innocent lives.

195 In whose cares we draw all our towns of aiding soldiers dry,

With gifts, guards, victual, all things fit; and hearten their supply

With all like rights; and therefore now let all sides set down this,

Or live, or perish; this of war the special secret is.

In which most resolute design, whoever bears to town

200 Patroclus, laid dead to his hand, by winning the renown

Of Ajax’ slaughter, the half-spoil we wholly will impart

To his free use, and to ourself the other half convert;

And so the glory shall be shar’d, ourself will have no more

Then he shall shine in.” This drew all to bring abroad their store

205 Before the body. Ev’ry man had hope it would be his,

And forc’d from Ajax. Silly fools, Ajax prevented this

By raising rampires to his friend with half their carcasses.

And yet his humour was to roar, and fear, and now no less

To startle Sparta’s king, to whom he cried out: “O my friend!

210 O Menelaus! Now no hope to get off; here’s the end

II.115

Of all our labours. Not so much I fear to lose the corse

(For that’s sure gone, the fowls of Troy and dogs will quickly force

That piece-meal) as I fear my head, and thine, O Atreus’ son.

Hector a cloud brings will hide all. Instant destructión,

215 Grievous and heavy, comes. O call our peers to aid us; fly.”

He hasted, and us’d all his voice, sent far and near his cry:

“O princes, chief lights of the Greeks, and you that publicly

Eat with our General and me, all men of charge, O know

Jove gives both grace and dignity to any that will show

220 Good minds for only good itself, though presently the eye

Of him that rules discern him not. ’Tis hard for me t’espy,

Through all this smoke of burning fight, each captain in his place,

And call assistance to our need. Be then each other’s grace,

And freely follow each his next. Disdain to let the joy

225 Of great Æacides be forc’d to feed the beasts of Troy.”

His voice was first heard and obey’d by swift Oïliades;

Idomenëus and his mate, renown’d Meriones,

Were seconds to Oïleus’ son; but, of the rest, whose mind

Can lay upon his voice the names, that after these combin’d

230 In setting up this fight on end? The Trojans first gave on.

And as into the sea’s vast mouth, when mighty rivers run,

Their billows and the sea resound, and all the utter shore

Rebellows in her angry shocks the sea’s repulsive roar;

With such sounds gave the Trojans charge, so was their charge repress’d.

235 One mind fill’d all Greeks, good brass shields close couch’d to ev’ry breast,

And on their bright helms Jove pour’d down a mighty deal of night,

To hide Patroclus; whom alive, and when he was the knight

Of that grandchild of Æacus, Saturnius did not hate,

Nor dead would see him dealt to dogs, and so did instigate

II.116

240 His fellows to his worthy guard. At first the Trojans drave

The black-ey’d Grecians from the corse; but not a blow they gave

That came at death. Awhile they hung about the body’s heels,

The Greeks quite gone. But all that while, did Ajax whet the steels

Of all his forces, that cut back way to the corse again.

245 Brave Ajax (that for form and fact, pass’d all that did maintain

The Grecian fame, next Thetis’ son) now flew before the first.

And as a sort of dogs and youths are by a boar disperst

About a mountain; so fled these from mighty Ajax, all

That stood in conflict for the corse, who thought no chance could fall

250 Betwixt them and the prise at Troy; for bold Hippothous,

Lethus’ Pelasgus’ famous son, was so adventurous

That he would stand to bore the corse about the ancle-bone,

Where all the nervy fibres meet and ligaments in one,

That make the motion of those parts; through which he did convey

255 The thong or bawdric of his shield, and so was drawing away

All thanks from Hector and his friends; but in their stead he drew

An ill that no man could avert; for Telamonius threw

A lance that strook quite through his helm, his brain came leaping out;

Down fell Letheides, and with him the body’s hoisted foot.

260 Far from Larissa’s soil he fell; a little time allow’d

To his industrious spirits to quit the benefits bestow’d

By his kind parents. But his wreak Priamides assay’d,

And threw at Ajax; but his dart, discover’d, pass’d, and stay’d

At Schedius, son of Iphitus, a man of ablest hand

265 Of all the strong Phocensians, and liv’d with great command

In Panopëus. The fell dart fell through his channel-bone,

Pierc’d through his shoulder’s upper part, and set his spirit gone.

When after his another flew, the same hand giving wing

To martial Phorcis’ startled soul, that was the after spring

270 Of Phænops’ seed. The jav’lin strook his curets through, and tore

The bowels from the belly’s midst. His fall made those before

II.117

Give back a little, Hector’s self enforc’d to turn his face.

And then the Greeks bestow’d their shouts, took vantage of the chace,

Drew off, and spoil’d Hippothous and Phorcis of their arms.

275 And then ascended Ilion had shaken with alarms,

Discov’ring th’ impotence of Troy, ev’n past the will of Jove,

And by the proper force of Greece, had Phœbus fail’d to move

Æneas in similitude of Periphas (the son

Of grave Epytes) king at arms, and had good service done

280 To old Anchises, being wise, and ev’n with him in years.

But, like this man, the far-seen God to Venus’ son appears,

And ask’d him how he would maintain steep Ilion in her height,

In spite of Gods, as he presum’d; when men approv’d so slight

All his presumptions, and all theirs that puff’d him with that pride,

285 Believing in their proper strengths, and gen’rally supplied

With such unfrighted multitudes? But he well knew that Jove,

Besides their self conceits, sustain’d their forces with more love

Than theirs of Greece; and yet all that lack’d pow’r to hearten them.

Æneas knew the God, and said: “It was a shame extreme,

290 That those of Greece should beat them so, and by their cowardice,

Not want of man’s aid nor the Gods’; and this before his eyes

A Deity stood ev’n now and vouch’d, affirming Jove their aid;

And so bade Hector and the rest, to whom all this he said,

Turn head, and not in that quick ease part with the corse to Greece.”

295 This said, before them all he flew, and all as of a piece

Against the Greeks flew. Venus’ son Leocritus did end,

Son of Arisbas, and had place of Lycomedes’ friend;

Whose fall he friendly pitiéd, and, in revenge, bestow’d

A lance that Apisaon strook, so sore that straight he strow’d

300 The dusty centre, it did stick in that congealéd blood

That forms the liver. Second man he was of all that stood

In name for arms amongst the troop that from Pæonia came,

Asteropæus being the first; who was in ruth the same

II.118

That Lycomedes was; like whom, he put forth for the wreak

305 Of his slain friend; but wrought it not, because he could not break

That bulwark made of Grecian shields, and bristled wood of spears,

Combin’d about the body slain. Amongst whom Ajax bears

The greatest labour, ev’ry way exhorting to abide,

And no man fly the corse a foot, nor break their ranks in pride

310 Of any foremost daring spirit, but each foot hold his stand,

And use the closest fight they could. And this was the command

Of mighty Ajax; which observ’d, they steep’d the earth in blood.

The Trojans and their friends fell thick. Nor all the Grecians stood

(Though far the fewer suffer’d fate) for ever they had care

315 To shun confusion, and the toil that still oppresseth there.

So set they all the field on fire; with which you would have thought

The sun and moon had been put out, in such a smoke they fought

About the person of the prince. But all the field beside

Fought underneath a lightsome heav’n; the sun was in his pride,

320 And such expansure of his beams he thrust out of his throne,

That not a vapour durst appear in all that region,

No, not upon the highest hill. There fought they still, and breath’d,

Shunn’d danger, cast their darts aloof, and not a sword unsheath’d.

The other plied it, and the war and night plied them as well,

325 The cruel steel afflicting all; the strongest did not dwell

Unhurt within their iron roofs. Two men of special name,

Antilochus and Thrasymed, were yet unserv’d by Fame

With notice of Patroclus’ death. They thought him still alive

In foremost tumult, and might well, for (seeing their fellows thrive

330 In no more comfortable sort than light and death would yield)

They fought apart; for so their sire, old Nestor, strictly will’d,

Enjoining fight more from the fleet. War here increas’d his heat

The whole day long, continually the labour and the sweat

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The knees, calves, feet, hands, faces, smear’d, of men that Mars applied

335 About the good Achilles’ friend. And as a huge ox-hide

A currier gives amongst his men, to supple and extend

With oil till it be drunk withall; they tug, stretch out, and spend

Their oil and liquor lib’rally, and chafe the leather so

That out they make a vapour breathe, and in their oil doth go,

340 A number of them set on work, and in an orb they pull,

That all ways all parts of the hide they may extend at full;

So here and there did both parts hale the corse in little place,

And wrought it all ways with their sweat; the Trojans hop’d for grace

To make it reach to Ilion, the Grecians to their fleet,

345 A cruel tumult they stirr’d up, and such as should Mars see’t

(That horrid hurrier of men) or She that betters him,

Minerva, never so incens’d, they could not disesteem.

So baneful a contentión did Jove that day extend

Of men and horse about the slain. Of whom his god-like friend

350 Had no instruction, so far off, and underneath the wall

Of Troy, that conflict was maintain’d; which was not thought at all

By great Achilles, since he charg’d, that having set his foot

Upon the ports, he would retire, well knowing Troy no boot

For his assaults without himself, since not by him as well

355 He knew it was to be subdu’d. His mother oft would tell

The mind of mighty Jove therein, oft hearing it in heav’n;

But of that great ill to his friend was no instruction giv’n

By careful Thetis. By degrees must ill events be known.

The foes cleft one to other still, about the overthrown.

360 His death with death infected both. Ev’n private Greeks would say

Either to other: “’Twere a shame, for us to go our way,

And let the Trojans bear to Troy the praise of such a prise!

Which, let the black earth gasp, and drink our blood for sacrifice,

Before we suffer. ’Tis an act much less infortunate,

365 And then would those of Troy resolve, though certainly our fate

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Will fell us altogether here. Of all not turn a face.”

Thus either side his fellows’ strength excited past his place,

And thus through all th’ unfruitful air, an iron sound ascended

Up to the golden firmament; when strange affects contended

370 In these immortal heav’n-bred horse of great Æacides,

Whom (once remov’d from forth the fight) a sudden sense did seize

Of good Patroclus’ death, whose hands they oft had undergone,

And bitterly they wept for him. Nor could Automedon

With any manage make them stir, oft use the scourge to them,

375 Oft use his fairest speech, as oft threats never so extreme,

They neither to the Hellespont would bear him, nor the fight;

But still as any tombstone lays his never stirréd weight

On some good man or woman’s grave for rites of funeral;

So unremovéd stood these steeds, their heads to earth let fall,

380 And warm tears gushing from their eyes, with passionate desire

Of their kind manager; their manes, that flourish’d with the fire

Of endless youth allotted them, fell through the yoky sphere,

Ruth fully ruffled and defil’d. Jove saw their heavy cheer,

And, pitying them, spake to his mind: “Poor wretched beasts,” said he,

385 “Why gave we you t’ a mortal king, when immortality

And incapacity of age so dignifies your states?

Was it to haste the miseries pour’d out on human fates?

Of all the miserablest things that breathe and creep on earth,

No one more wretched is than man. And for your deathless birth,

390 Hector must fail to make you prise. Is’t not enough he wears,

And glories vainly in those arms? Your chariots and rich gears,

Besides you, are too much for him. Your knees and spirits again

My care of you shall fill with strength, that so ye may sustain

Automedon, and bear him off. To Troy I still will give

395 The grace of slaughter, till at fleet their bloody feet arrive,

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Till Phœbus drink the western sea, and sacred Darkness throws

Her sable mantle ’twixt their points.” Thus in the steeds he blows

Excessive spirit; and through the Greeks and Ilians they rapt

The whirring chariot, shaking off the crumbled centre wrapt

400 Amongst their tresses. And with them, Automedon let fly

Amongst the Trojans, making way through all as frightfully.

As through a jangling flock of geese a lordly vulture beats,

Giv’n way with shrikes by ev’ry goose, that comes but near his threats;

With such state fled he through the press, pursuing as he fled;

405 But made no slaughter; nor he could, alone being carried

Upon the sacred chariot. How could he both works do,

Direct his jav’lin, and command his fiery horses too?

At length he came where he beheld his friend Alcimedon,

That was the good Laercius’, the son of Æmon’s, son;

410 Who close came to his chariot side, and ask’d: “What God is he

That hath so robb’d thee of thy soul, to run thus franticly

Amongst these forefights, being alone; thy fighter being slain,

And Hector glorying in his arms?” He gave these words again:

“Alcimedon, what man is he, of all the Argive race,

415 So able as thyself to keep, in use of press and pace,

These deathless horse; himself being gone, that like the Gods had th’ art

Of their high manage? Therefore take to thy command his part,

And ease me of the double charge, which thou hast blam’d with right.”

He took the scourge and reins in hand, Automedon the fight.

420 Which Hector seeing, instantly, Æneas standing near,

He told him, he discern’d the horse, that mere immortal were,

Address’d to fight with coward guides, and therefore hop’d to make

A rich prise of them, if his mind would help to undertake,

For those two could not stand their charge. He granted, and both cast

425 Dry solid hides upon their necks, exceeding soundly brast;

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And forth they went, associate with two more god-like men,

Aretus and bold Chromius; nor made they question then

To prise the goodly-crested horse, and safely send to hell

The souls of both their guardians. O fools, that could not tell

430 They could not work out their return from fierce Automedon

Without the lib’ral cost of blood; who first made orison

To father Jove, and then was fill’d with fortitude and strength;

When (counselling Alcimedon to keep at no great length

The horse from him, but let them breathe upon his back, because

435 He saw th’ advance that Hector made, whose fury had no laws

Propos’d to it, but both their lives and those horse made his prise,

Or his life theirs) he call’d to friend these well-approv’d supplies,

Th’ Ajaces, and the Spartan king, and said, “Come, princes, leave

A sure guard with the corse, and then to your kind care receive

440 Our threaten’d safeties. I discern the two chief props of Troy

Prepar’d against us. But herein, what best men can enjoy

Lies in the free knees of the Gods. My dart shall lead ye all.

The sequel to the care of Jove I leave, whatever fall.”

All this spake good Automedon; then, brandishing his lance,

445 He threw, and strook Aretus’ shield, that gave it enterance

Through all the steel, and, by his belt, his belly’s inmost part

It pierc’d, and all his trembling limbs gave life up to his dart.

Then Hector at Automedon a blazing lance let fly,

Whose flight he saw, and falling flat, the compass was too high,

450 And made it stick beyond in earth, th’ extreme part burst, and there

Mars buried all his violence. The sword then for the spear

Had chang’d the conflict, had not haste sent both th’ Ajaces in,

Both serving close their fellows’ call, who, where they did begin,

There drew the end. Priamides, Æneas, Chromius

455 (In doubt of what such aid might work) left broken hearted thus

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Aretus to Automedon, who spoil’d his arms, and said:

“A little this revives my life for him so lately dead,

Though by this nothing countervail’d.” And with this little vent

Of inward grief, he took the spoil; with which he made ascent

460 Up to his chariot, hands and feet of bloody stains so full

That lion-like he look’d, new turn’d from tearing up a bull.

And now another bitter fight about Patroclus grew,

Tear-thirsty, and of toil enough; which Pallas did renew,

Descending from the cope of stars, dismiss’d by sharp-ey’d Jove

465 To animate the Greeks; for now, inconstant change did move

His mind from what he held of late. And as the purple bow

Jove bends at mortals, when of war he will the signal show,

Or make it a presage of cold, in such tempestuous sort

That men are of their labours eas’d, but labouring cattle hurt;

470 So Pallas in a purple cloud involv’d herself, and went

Amongst the Grecians, stirr’d up all; but first encouragement

She breath’d in Atreus’ younger sun, and, for disguise, made choice

Of aged Phœnix’ shape, and spake with his unwearied voice:

“O Menelaus, much defame, and equal heaviness,

475 Will touch at thee, if this true friend of great Æacides

Dogs tear beneath the Trojan walls; and therefore bear thee well,

Toil through the host, and ev’ry man with all thy spirit impell.”

He answer’d: “O thou long-since born, O Phœnix, that hast won

The honour’d foster-father’s name of Thetis’ god-like son,

480 I would Minerva would but give strength to me, and but keep

These busy darts off; I would then make in indeed, and steep

My income in their bloods, in aid of good Patroclus; much

His death afflicts me, much. But yet, this Hector’s grace is such

With Jove, and such a fi’ry strength and spirit he has, that still

485 His steel is killing, killing still.” The king’s so royal will

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Minerva joy’d to hear, since she did all the Gods outgo

In his remembrance. For which grace she kindly did bestow

Strength on his shoulders, and did fill his knees as lib’rally

With swiftness, breathing in his breast the courage of a fly.

490 Which loves to bite so, and doth bear man’s blood so much good will,

That still though beaten from a man she flies upon him still;

With such a courage Pallas fill’d the black parts near his heart,

And then he hasted to the slain, cast off a shining dart,

And took one Podes, that was heir to old Eetion,

495 A rich man and a strenuous, and by the people done

Much honour, and by Hector too, being consort and his guest;

And him the yellow-headed king laid hold on at his waist

In off’ring flight, his iron pile strook through him, down he fell,

And up Atrides drew his corse. Then Phœbus did impell

500 The spirit of Hector, Phænops like, surnam’d Asiades,

Whom Hector us’d, of all his guests, with greatest friendliness,

And in Abydus stood his house; in whose form thus he spake:

“Hector! What man of all the Greeks will any terror make

Of meeting thy strength any more, when thou art terrified

505 By Menelaus, who, before he slew thy friend, was tried

A passing easy soldier, where now (besides his end

Impos’d by him) he draws him off, and not a man to friend,

From all the Trojans? This friend is Podes, Eetion’s son.”

This hid him in a cloud of grief, and set him foremost on.

510 And then Jove took his snake-fring’d shield, and Ida cover’d all

With sulphury clouds, from whence he let abhorréd lightnings fall,

And thunder’d till the mountain shook; and with this dreadful state

He usher’d victory to Troy, to Argos flight and fate.

Peneleüs Bœotius was he that foremost fled,

515 Being wounded in his shoulder’s height; but there the lance’s head

Strook lightly, glancing to his mouth, because it strook him near,

Thrown from Polydamas. Leitus next left the fight in fear

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(Being hurt by Hector in his hand) because he doubted sore

His hand in wishéd fight with Troy would hold his lance no more.

520 Idomenëus sent a dart at Hector (rushing in,

And following Leitus) that strook his bosom near his chin,

And brake at top. The Ilians for his escape did shout.

When Hector at Deucalides another lance sent out,

As in his chariot he stood; it miss’d him narrowly,

525 For, as it fell, Cœranus drave his speedy chariot by,

And took the Trojan lance himself; he was the charioteer

Of stern Meriones, and first on foot did service there,

Which well he left to govern horse, for saving now his king,

With driving ’twixt him and his death, though thence his own did spring,

530 Which kept a mighty victory from Troy, in keeping death

From his great sov’reign. The fierce dart did enter him beneath

His ear, betwixt his jaw and it, drave down, cut through his tongue,

And strook his teeth out; from his hands the horses’ reins he flung,

Which now Meriones receiv’d as they bestrew’d the field,

535 And bade his sov’reign scourge away, he saw that day would yield

No hope of victory for them. He fear’d the same, and fled.

Nor from the mighty-minded son of Telamon lay hid,

For all his clouds, high Jove himself, nor from the Spartan king.

They saw him in the victory, He still was varying

540 For Troy. For which sight Ajax said: “O heav’ns, what fool is he

That sees, not Jove’s hand in the grace now done our enemy?

Not any dart they touch but takes, from whomsoever thrown,

Valiant or coward; what he wants Jove adds, not any one

Wants his direction to strike sure; nor ours to miss as sure.

545 But come, let us be sure of this, to put the best in ure

That lies in us; which two-fold is, both to fetch off our friend,

And so to fetch him off as we may likeliest contend

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To fetch ourselves off; that our friends surviving may have right

In joy of our secure retreat, as he that fell in fight,

550 Being kept as sure from further wrong. Of which perhaps they doubt,

And looking this way, grieve for us, not able to work out

Our pass from this man-slaughterer, great Hector, and his hands

That are too hot for men to touch, but that these thirsty sands

Before our fleet will be enforc’d to drink our headlong death.

555 Which to prevent by all fit means, I would the parted breath

Of good Patroclus, to his friend, with speed imparted were,

By some he loves; for, I believe, no heavy messenger

Hath yet inform’d him. But alas! I see no man to send,

Both men and horse are hid in mists that ev’ry way descend.

560 O father Jupiter, do thou the suns of Greece release

Of this felt darkness; grace this day with fit transparences;

And give the eyes thou giv’st, their use; destroy us in the light,

And work thy will with us, since needs thou wilt against us fight.”

This spake he weeping, and his tears Saturnius pity show’d,

565 Dispers’d the darkness instantly, and drew away the cloud

From whence it fell; the sun shin’d out, and all the host appear’d;

And then spake Ajax, whose heard pray’r his spirits highly cheer’d:

“Brave Menelaus, look about; and if thou canst descry

Nestor’s Antilochus alive, incite him instantly

570 To tell Achilles that his friend, most dear to him, is dead.”

He said, nor Menelaus stuck at any thing he said,

As loth to do it, but he went. As from a grazier’s stall

A lion goes, when overlaid with men, dogs, darts, and all,

Not eas’ly losing a fat ox, but strong watch all night held,

575 His teeth yet wat’ring, oft he comes, and is as oft repell’d,

The adverse darts so thick are pour’d before his brow-hid eyes,

And burning firebrands which, for all his great heart’s heat, he flies,

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And, grumbling, goes his way betimes; so from Patroclus went

Atrides, much against his mind, his doubts being vehement

580 Lest, he gone from his guard, the rest would leave for very fear

The person to the spoil of Greece. And yet his guardians were

Th’ Ajaces and Meriones; whom much his care did press,

And thus exhort: “Ajaces both, and you Meriones,

Now let some true friend call to mind the gentle and sweet nature

585 Of poor Patroclus; let him think, how kind to ev’ry creature

His heart was living, though now dead.” Thus urg’d the fair-hair’d king,

And parted, casting round his eye. As when upon her wing

An eagle is, whom men affirm to have the sharpest sight

Of all air’s region of fowls, and, though of mighty height,

590 Sees yet within her leavy form of humble shrubs, close laid,

A light-foot hare, which straight she stoops, trusses, and strikes her dead;

So dead thou strook’st thy charge, O king, through all war’s thickets so

Thou look’dst, and swiftly found’st thy man exhorting ’gainst the foe,

And heart’ning his plied men to blows us’d in the war’s left wing;

595 To whom thou saidst: “Thou god-lov’d man, come here, and hear a thing

Which I wish never were to hear. I think ev’n thy eye sees

What a destruction God hath laid upon the sons of Greece,

And what a conquest he gives Troy; in which the best of men,

Patroclus, lies exanimate, whose person passing fain

600 The Greeks would rescue and bear home; and therefore give thy speed

To his great friend, to prove if he will do so good a deed

To fetch the naked person off, for Hector’s shoulders wear

His priséd arms.” Antilochus was highly griev’d to hear

This heavy news, and stood surpris’d with stupid silence, long;

605 His fair eyes standing full of tears; his voice, so sweet and strong

Stuck in his bosom; yet all this wrought in him no neglect

Of what Atrides gave in charge, but for that quick effect

He gave Laodocus his arms (his friend that had the guide

Of his swift horse) and then his knees were speedily applied

II.128

610 In his sad message, which his eyes told all the way in tears.

Nor would thy gen’rous heart assist his sore charg’d soldiers,

O Menelaus, in mean time, though left in much distress;

Thou sent’st them god-like Thrasymede, and mad’st thy kind regress

Back to Patroclus; where arriv’d, half breathless thou didst say

615 To both th’ Ajaces: “I have sent this messenger away

To swift Achilles, who, I fear, will hardly help us now,

Though mad with Hector; without arms he cannot fight, ye know.

Let us then think of some best mean, both how we may remove

The body, and get off ourselves from this vocif’rous drove,

620 And fate of Trojans.” “Bravely spoke at all parts,” Ajax said,

“O glorious son of Atreüs. Take thou then straight the dead,

And thou, Meriones; we two, of one mind as one name,

Will back ye soundly, and on us receive the wild-fire flame

That Hector’s rage breathes after you, before it come at you.”

625 This said, they took into their arms the body; all the show,

That might be, made to those of Troy; at arm’s end bearing it.

Out shriek’d the Trojans when they saw the body borne to fleet,

And rush’d on. As at any boar, gash’d with the hunter’s wounds,

A kennel of the sharpest set and sorest bitten hounds

630 Before their youthful huntsmen haste, and eagerly awhile

Pursue, as if they were assur’d of their affected spoil;

But when the savage, in his strength as confident as they,

Turns head amongst them, back they fly, and ev’ry one his way;

So troop-meal Troy pursu’d awhile, laying on with swords and darts;

635 But when th’ Ajaces turn’d on them, and made their stand, their hearts

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Drunk from their faces all their bloods, and not a man sustain’d

The forechace, nor the after-fight. And thus Greece nobly gain’d

The person towards home. But thus, the changing war was rack’d

Out to a passing bloody length; for as, once put in act,

640 A fire, invading city roofs, is suddenly engrost,

And made a wondrous mighty flame, in which is quickly lost

A house long building, all the while a boist’rous gust of wind

Lumb’ring amongst it; so the Greeks, in bearing of their friend,

More and more foes drew, at their heels a tumult thund’ring still

645 Of horse and foot. Yet as when mules, in haling from a hill

A beam or mast, through foul deep way, well-clapp’d, and hearten’d, close

Lie to their labour, tug and sweat, and passing hard it goes,

Urg’d by their drivers to all haste; so dragg’d they on the corse,

Still both th’ Ajaces at their backs, who back still turn’d the force,

650 Though after it grew still the more. Yet as a sylvan hill

Thrusts back a torrent, that hath kept a narrow channel still,

Till at his oaken breast it beats, but there a check it takes,

That sends it over all the vale, with all the stir it makes,

Nor can with all the confluence break through his rooty sides;

655 In no less firm and brave repulse, th’ Ajaces curb’d the prides

Of all the Trojans; yet all held the púrsuit in his strength,

Their chiefs being Hector, and the son of Venus, who at length

Put all the youth of Greece besides in most amazeful rout,

Forgetting all their fortitudes, distraught, and shrieking out;

660 A number of their rich arms lost, fall’n from them here and there,

About, and in the dike; and yet, the war concludes not here.