I swore thy death, my brother, when I swore

This truce, and set thee forth in sight of Greeks180

And Trojans, our sole champion; for the foe

Hath trodden underfoot his sacred oath,

And stained it with thy blood. But not in vain,

The truce was ratified, the blood of lambs

Poured forth, libation made, and right hands join’d185

In holy confidence. The wrath of Jove

May sleep, but will not always; they shall pay

Dear penalty; their own obnoxious heads

Shall be the mulct, their children and their wives.

For this I know, know surely; that a day190

Shall come, when Ilium, when the warlike King

Of Ilium and his host shall perish all.

Saturnian Jove high-throned, dwelling in heaven,

Resentful of this outrage, then shall shake

His storm-clad Ægis over them. He will;195

I speak no fable. Time shall prove me true.

But, oh my Menelaus, dire distress

Awaits me, if thy close of life be come,

And thou must die. Then ignominy foul

Shall hunt me back to Argos long-desired;200

For then all here will recollect their home,

And, hope abandoning, will Helen yield

To be the boast of Priam, and of Troy.

So shall our toils be vain, and while thy bones

Shall waste these clods beneath, Troy’s haughty sons205

The tomb of Menelaus glory-crown’d

Insulting barbarous, shall scoff at me.

So may Atrides, shall they say, perform

His anger still as he performed it here,

Whither he led an unsuccessful host,210

Whence he hath sail’d again without the spoils,

And where he left his brother’s bones to rot.

So shall the Trojan speak; then open earth

Her mouth, and hide me in her deepest gulfs!

But him, the hero of the golden locks215

Thus cheer’d. My brother, fear not, nor infect

With fear the Grecians; the sharp-pointed reed

Hath touch’d no vital part. The broider’d zone,

The hauberk, and the tough interior quilt,

Work of the armorer, its force repress’d.220

Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men.

So be it brother! but the hand of one

Skilful to heal shall visit and shall dress

The wound with drugs of pain-assuaging power.

He ended, and his noble herald, next,225

Bespake, Talthybius. Haste, call hither quick

The son of Æsculapius, leech renown’d,

The prince Machaon. Bid him fly to attend

The warlike Chieftain Menelaus; him

Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy,230

A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft

To his own glory, and to our distress.

He spake, nor him the herald disobey’d,

But through the Greeks bright-arm’d his course began

The Hero seeking earnest on all sides235

Machaon. Him, ere long, he station’d saw

Amid the shielded-ranks of his brave band

From steed-famed Tricca drawn, and at his side

With accents ardor-wing’d, him thus address’d.

Haste, Asclepiades! The King of men240

Calls thee. Delay not. Thou must visit quick

Brave Menelaus, Atreus’ son, for him

Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy,

A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft

To his own glory, and to our distress.245

So saying, he roused Machaon, who his course

Through the wide host began. Arriving soon

Where wounded Menelaus stood, while all

The bravest of Achaia’s host around

The godlike hero press’d, he strove at once250

To draw the arrow from his cincture forth.

But, drawing, bent the barbs. He therefore loosed

His broider’d belt, his hauberk and his quilt,

Work of the armorer, and laying bare

His body where the bitter shaft had plow’d255

His flesh, he suck’d the wound, then spread it o’er

With drugs of balmy power, given on a time

For friendship’s sake by Chiron to his sire.

While Menelaus thus the cares engross’d

Of all those Chiefs, the shielded powers of Troy260

’Gan move toward them, and the Greeks again

Put on their armor, mindful of the fight.

Then hadst thou[10] not great Agamemnon seen

Slumbering, or trembling, or averse from war,

But ardent to begin his glorious task.265

His steeds, and his bright chariot brass-inlaid

He left; the snorting steeds Eurymedon,

Offspring of Ptolemy Piraïdes

Detain’d apart; for him he strict enjoin’d

Attendance near, lest weariness of limbs270

Should seize him marshalling his numerous host.

So forth he went, and through the files on foot

Proceeding, where the warrior Greeks he saw

Alert, he roused them by his words the more.[11]

Argives! abate no spark of all your fire.275

Jove will not prosper traitors. Them who first

Transgress’d the truce the vultures shall devour,

But we (their city taken) shall their wives

Lead captive, and their children home to Greece.

So cheer’d he them. But whom he saw supine,280

Or in the rugged work of war remiss,

In terms of anger them he stern rebuked.

Oh Greeks! The shame of Argos! Arrow-doom’d!

Blush ye not? Wherefore stand ye thus aghast,

Like fawns which wearied after scouring wide285

The champain, gaze and pant, and can no more?

Senseless like them ye stand, nor seek the fight.

Is it your purpose patient here to wait

Till Troy invade your vessels on the shore

Of the grey deep, that ye may trial make290

Of Jove, if he will prove, himself, your shield?

Thus, in discharge of his high office, pass’d

Atrides through the ranks, and now arrived

Where, hardy Chief! Idomeneus in front

Of his bold Cretans stood, stout as a boar295

The van he occupied, while in the rear

Meriones harangued the most remote.

Them so prepared the King of men beheld

With joyful heart, and thus in courteous terms

Instant the brave Idomeneus address’d.300

Thee fighting, feasting, howsoe’er employed,

I most respect, Idomeneus, of all

The well-horsed Danäi; for when the Chiefs

Of Argos, banqueting, their beakers charge

With rosy wine the honorable meed305

Of valor, thou alone of all the Greeks

Drink’st not by measure.[12] No—thy goblet stands

Replenish’d still, and like myself thou know’st

No rule or bound, save what thy choice prescribes.

March. Seek the foe. Fight now as heretofore,310

To whom Idomeneus of Crete replied,

Atrides! all the friendship and the love

Which I have promised will I well perform.

Go; animate the rest, Chief after Chief

Of the Achaians, that the fight begin.315

For Troy has scatter’d to the winds all faith,

All conscience; and for such her treachery foul

Shall have large recompence of death and wo.

He said, whom Agamemnon at his heart

Exulting, pass’d, and in his progress came320

Where stood each Ajax; them he found prepared

With all their cloud of infantry behind.

As when the goat-herd on some rocky point

Advanced, a cloud sees wafted o’er the deep

By western gales, and rolling slow along,325

To him, who stands remote, pitch-black it seems,

And comes with tempest charged; he at the sight

Shuddering, his flock compels into a cave;

So moved the gloomy phalanx, rough with spears,

And dense with shields of youthful warriors bold,330

Close-following either Ajax to the fight.

Them also, pleased, the King of men beheld,

And in wing’d accents hail’d them as he pass’d.

Brave leaders of the mail-clad host of Greece!

I move not you to duty; ye yourselves335

Move others, and no lesson need from me.

Jove, Pallas, and Apollo! were but all

Courageous as yourselves, soon Priam’s towers

Should totter, and his Ilium storm’d and sack’d

By our victorious bands, stoop to the dust.340

He ceased, and still proceeding, next arrived

Where stood the Pylian orator, his band

Marshalling under all their leaders bold

Alastor, Chromius, Pelagon the vast,

Hæmon the prince, and Bias, martial Chief.345

Chariot and horse he station’d in the front;

His numerous infantry, a strong reserve

Right valiant, in the rear; the worst, and those

In whom he trusted least, he drove between,

That such through mere necessity might act.350

First to his charioteers he gave in charge

Their duty; bade them rein their horses hard,

Shunning confusion. Let no warrior, vain

And overweening of his strength or skill,

Start from his rank to dare the fight alone,355

Or fall behind it, weakening whom he leaves.

[13]And if, dismounted from his own, he climb

Another’s chariot, let him not affect

Perverse the reins, but let him stand, his spear

Advancing firm, far better so employ’d.360

Such was the discipline, in ancient times,

Of our forefathers; by these rules they fought

Successful, and laid many a city low.

So counsell’d them the venerable Chief

Long time expert in arms; him also saw365

King Agamemnon with delight, and said,

Old Chief! ah how I wish, that thy firm heart

Were but supported by as firm a knee!

But time unhinges all. Oh that some youth

Had thine old age, and thou wast young again!370

To whom the valiant Nestor thus replied.

Atrides, I could also ardent wish

That I were now robust as when I struck

Brave Ereuthalion[14] breathless to the ground!

But never all their gifts the Gods confer375

On man at once; if then I had the force

Of youth, I suffer now the effects of age.

Yet ancient as I am, I will be seen

Still mingling with the charioteers, still prompt

To give them counsel; for to counsel youth380

Is the old warrior’s province. Let the green

In years, my juniors, unimpaired by time,

Push with the lance, for they have strength to boast.

So he, whom Agamemnon joyful heard,

And passing thence, the son of Peteos found385

Menestheus, foremost in equestrian fame,

Among the brave Athenians; near to him

Ulysses held his station, and at hand

The Cephallenians stood, hardy and bold;

For rumor none of the approaching fight390

Them yet had reach’d, so recent had the stir

Arisen in either host; they, therefore, watch’d

Till the example of some other band

Marching, should prompt them to begin the fight,

But Agamemnon, thus, the King of men395

Them seeing, sudden and severe reproved.

Menestheus, son of Peteos prince renown’d,

And thou, deviser of all evil wiles!

Adept in artifice! why stand ye here

Appall’d? why wait ye on this distant spot400

Till others move? I might expect from you

More readiness to meet the burning war,

Whom foremost I invite of all to share

The banquet, when the Princes feast with me.

There ye are prompt; ye find it pleasant there405

To eat your savory food, and quaff your wine

Delicious till satiety ensue;

But here you could be well content to stand

Spectators only, while ten Grecian troops

Should wage before you the wide-wasting war.410

To whom Ulysses, with resentful tone

Dark-frowning, thus replied. What words are these

Which have escaped thy lips; and for what cause,

Atrides, hast thou call’d me slow to fight?

When we of Greece shall in sharp contest clash415

With you steed-tamer Trojans, mark me then;

Then thou shalt see (if the concerns of war

So nearly touch thee, and thou so incline)

The father of Telemachus, engaged

Among the foremost Trojans. But thy speech420

Was light as is the wind, and rashly made.

When him thus moved he saw, the monarch smiled

Complacent, and in gentler terms replied.

Laërtes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!

Short reprimand and exhortation short425

Suffice for thee, nor did I purpose more.

For I have known thee long, that thou art one

Of kindest nature, and so much my friend

That we have both one heart. Go therefore thou,

Lead on, and if a word have fallen amiss,430

We will hereafter mend it, and may heaven

Obliterate in thine heart its whole effect!

He ceased, and ranging still along the line,

The son of Tydeus, Diomede, perceived,

Heroic Chief, by chariots all around435

Environ’d, and by steeds, at side of whom

Stood Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus.

Him also, Agamemnon, King of men,

In accents of asperity reproved.

Ah, son of Tydeus, Chief of dauntless heart440

And of equestrian fame! why standest thou

Appall’d, and peering through the walks of war?

So did not Tydeus. In the foremost fight

His favorite station was, as they affirm

Who witness’d his exploits; I never saw445

Or met him, but by popular report

He was the bravest warrior of his day.

Yet came he once, but not in hostile sort,

To fair Mycenæ, by the godlike prince

Attended, Polynices, at what time450

The host was called together, and the siege

Was purposed of the sacred city Thebes.

Earnest they sued for an auxiliar band,

Which we had gladly granted, but that Jove

By unpropitious tokens interfered.455

So forth they went, and on the reedy banks

Arriving of Asopus, there thy sire

By designation of the Greeks was sent

Ambassador, and enter’d Thebes. He found

In Eteocles’ palace numerous guests,460

The sons of Cadmus feasting, among whom,

Although a solitary stranger, stood

Thy father without fear, and challenged forth

Their best to cope with him in manly games.

Them Tydeus vanquish’d easily, such aid465

Pallas vouchsafed him. Then the spur-arm’d race

Of Cadmus was incensed, and fifty youths

In ambush close expected his return.

Them, Lycophontes obstinate in fight,

Son of Autophonus, and Mæon, son470

Of Hæmon, Chief of godlike stature, led.

Those also Tydeus slew; Mæon except,

(Whom, warned from heaven, he spared, and sent him home

With tidings of the rest) he slew them all.

Such was Ætolian Tydeus; who begat475

A son in speech his better, not in arms.

He ended, and his sovereign’s awful voice

Tydides reverencing, nought replied;

But thus the son of glorious Capaneus.

Atrides, conscious of the truth, speak truth.480

We with our sires compared, superior praise

Claim justly.[15] We, confiding in the aid

Of Jove, and in propitious signs from heaven,

Led to the city consecrate to Mars

Our little host, inferior far to theirs,485

And took seven-gated Thebes, under whose walls

Our fathers by their own imprudence fell.

Their glory, then, match never more with ours.

He spake, whom with a frowning brow the brave

Tydides answer’d. Sthenelus, my friend!490

I give thee counsel. Mark it. Hold thy peace.

If Agamemnon, who hath charge of all,

Excite his well-appointed host to war,

He hath no blame from me. For should the Greeks

(Her people vanquished) win imperial Troy,495

The glory shall be his; or, if his host

O’erpower’d in battle perish, his the shame.

Come, therefore; be it ours to rouse at once

To action all the fury of our might.

He said, and from his chariot to the plain500

Leap’d ardent; rang the armor on the breast

Of the advancing Chief; the boldest heart

Had felt emotion, startled at the sound.

As when the waves by Zephyrus up-heaved

Crowd fast toward some sounding shore, at first,505

On the broad bosom of the deep their heads

They curl on high, then breaking on the land

Thunder, and o’er the rocks that breast the flood

Borne turgid, scatter far the showery spray;

So moved the Greeks successive, rank by rank,510

And phalanx after phalanx, every Chief

His loud command proclaiming, while the rest,

As voice in all those thousands none had been

Heard mute; and, in resplendent armor clad,

With martial order terrible advanced.515

Not so the Trojans came. As sheep, the flock

Of some rich man, by thousands in his court

Penn’d close at milking time, incessant bleat,

Loud answering all their bleating lambs without,

Such din from Ilium’s wide-spread host arose.520

Nor was their shout, nor was their accent one,

But mingled languages were heard of men

From various climes. These Mars to battle roused,

Those Pallas azure-eyed; nor Terror thence

Nor Flight was absent, nor insatiate Strife,525

Sister and mate of homicidal Mars,

Who small at first, but swift to grow, from earth

Her towering crest lifts gradual to the skies.

She, foe alike to both, the brands dispersed

Of burning hate between them, and the woes530

Enhanced of battle wheresoe’er she pass’d.

And now the battle join’d. Shield clash’d with shield[16]

And spear with spear, conflicting corselets rang,

Boss’d bucklers met, and tumult wild arose.

Then, many a yell was heard, and many a shout535

Loud intermix’d, the slayer o’er the maim’d

Exulting, and the field was drench’d with blood.

As when two winter torrents rolling down

The mountains, shoot their floods through gulleys huge

Into one gulf below, station’d remote540

The shepherd in the uplands hears the roar;

Such was the thunder of the mingling hosts.

And first, Antilochus a Trojan Chief

Slew Echepolus, from Thalysias sprung,

Contending valiant in the van of Troy.545

Him smiting on his crested casque, he drove

The brazen lance into his front, and pierced

The bones within; night overspread his eyes,

And in fierce battle, like a tower, he fell.

Him fallen by both feet Calchodon’s son550

Seized, royal Elephenor, leader brave

Of the Abantes, and in haste to strip

His armor, drew him from the fight aside.

But short was that attempt. Him so employ’d

Dauntless Agenor mark’d, and as he stoop’d,555

In his unshielded flank a pointed spear

Implanted deep; he languid sunk and died.

So Elephenor fell, for whom arose

Sharp conflict; Greeks and Trojans mutual flew

Like wolves to battle, and man grappled man.560

Then Telamonian Ajax, in his prime

Of youthful vigor Simöisius slew,[17]

Son of Anthemion. Him on Simoïs’ banks

His mother bore, when with her parents once

She came from Ida down to view the flocks,565

And thence they named him; but his parents’

He lived not to requite, in early youth

Slain by the spear of Ajax famed in arms.

For him advancing Ajax at the pap

Wounded; right through his shoulder driven the point570

Stood forth behind; he fell, and press’d the dust.

So in some spacious marsh the poplar falls

Smooth-skinn’d, with boughs unladen save aloft;

Some chariot-builder with his axe the trunk

Severs, that he may warp it to a wheel575

Of shapely form; meantime exposed it lies

To parching airs beside the running stream;

Such Simöisius seemed, Anthemion’s son,

Whom noble Ajax slew. But soon at him

Antiphus, son of Priam, bright in arms,580

Hurl’d through the multitude his pointed spear.

He erred from Ajax, but he pierced the groin

Of Leucus, valiant warrior of the band

Led by Ulysses. He the body dragg’d

Apart, but fell beside it, and let fall,585

Breathless himself, the burthen from his hand.

Then burn’d Ulysses’ wrath for Leucus slain,

And through the foremost combatants, array’d

In dazzling arms, he rush’d. Full near he stood,

And, looking keen around him, hurl’d a lance.590

Back fell the Trojans from before the face

Dispersed of great Ulysses. Not in vain

His weapon flew, but on the field outstretch’d

A spurious son of Priam, from the shores

Call’d of Abydus famed for fleetest mares,595

Democoon; him, for Leucus’ sake enraged,

Ulysses through both temples with his spear

Transpierced. The night of death hung on his eyes,

And sounding on his batter’d arms he fell.

Then Hector and the van of Troy retired;600

Loud shout the Grecians; these draw off the dead,

Those onward march amain, and from the heights

Of Pergamus Apollo looking down

In anger, to the Trojans called aloud.

Turn, turn, ye Trojans! face your Grecian foes.605

They, like yourselves, are vulnerable flesh,

Not adamant or steel. Your direst dread

Achilles, son of Thetis radiant-hair’d,

Fights not, but sullen in his fleet abides.[18]

Such from the citadel was heard the voice610

Of dread Apollo. But Minerva ranged

Meantime, Tritonian progeny of Jove,

The Grecians, rousing whom she saw remiss.

Then Amarynceus’ son, Diores, felt

The force of fate, bruised by a rugged rock615

At his right heel, which Pirus, Thracian Chief,

The son of Imbrasus of Ænos, threw.

Bones and both tendons in its fall the mass

Enormous crush’d. He, stretch’d in dust supine,

With palms outspread toward his warrior friends620

Lay gasping life away. But he who gave

The fatal blow, Pirus, advancing, urged

Into his navel a keen lance, and shed

His bowels forth; then, darkness veil’d his eyes.

Nor Pirus long survived; him through the breast625

Above the pap, Ætolian Thoas pierced,

And in his lungs set fast the quivering spear.

Then Thoas swift approach’d, pluck’d from the wound

His stormy spear, and with his falchion bright

Gashing his middle belly, stretch’d him dead.630

Yet stripp’d he not the slain, whom with long spears

His Thracians hairy-scalp’d[19] so round about

Encompassed, that though bold and large of limb

Were Thoas, from before them him they thrust

Staggering and reeling in his forced retreat.635

They therefore in the dust, the Epean Chief

Diores, and the Thracian, Pirus lay

Stretch’d side by side, with numerous slain around.

Then had Minerva led through all that field

Some warrior yet unhurt, him sheltering safe640

From all annoyance dread of dart or spear,

No cause of blame in either had he found

That day, so many Greeks and Trojans press’d,

Extended side by side, the dusty plain.

BOOK V.

ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

Diomede is extraordinarily distinguished. He kills Pandarus, who had

violated the truce, and wounds first Venus and then Mars.

BOOK V.

Then Athenæan Pallas on the son

Of Tydeus,[1] Diomede, new force conferr’d

And daring courage, that the Argives all

He might surpass, and deathless fame achieve.

Fires on his helmet and his shield around5

She kindled, bright and steady as the star

Autumnal,[2] which in Ocean newly bathed

Assumes fresh beauty; with such glorious beams

His head encircling and his shoulders broad,

She urged him forth into the thickest fight.10

There lived a man in Troy, Dares his name,

The priest of Vulcan; rich he was and good,

The father of two sons, Idæus this,

That, Phegeus call’d; accomplish’d warriors both.

These, issuing from their phalanx, push’d direct15

Their steeds at Diomede, who fought on foot.

When now small interval was left between,

First Phegeus his long-shadow’d spear dismiss’d;

But over Diomede’s left shoulder pass’d

The point, innocuous. Then his splendid lance20

Tydides hurl’d; nor ineffectual flew

The weapon from his hand, but Phegeus pierced

His paps between, and forced him to the ground.

At once, his sumptuous chariot left, down leap’d

Idæsus, wanting courage to defend25

His brother slain; nor had he scaped himself

His louring fate, but Vulcan, to preserve

His ancient priest from unmixt sorrow, snatch’d

The fugitive in darkness wrapt, away.

Then brave Tydides, driving off the steeds,30

Consign’d them to his fellow-warriors’ care,

That they might lead them down into the fleet.

The valiant Trojans, when they saw the sons

Of Dares, one beside his chariot slain,

And one by flight preserved, through all their host35

Felt consternation. Then Minerva seized

The hand of fiery Mars, and thus she spake.

Gore-tainted homicide, town-battering Mars!

Leave we the Trojans and the Greeks to wage

Fierce fight alone, Jove prospering whom he will,40

So shall we not provoke our father’s ire.

She said, and from the fight conducted forth

The impetuous Deity, whom on the side

She seated of Scamander deep-embank’d.[3]

And now the host of Troy to flight inclined45

Before the Grecians, and the Chiefs of Greece

Each slew a warrior. Agamemnon first

Gigantic Odius from his chariot hurl’d.

Chief of the Halizonians. He to flight

Turn’d foremost, when the monarch in his spine50

Between the shoulder-bones his spear infixt,

And urged it through his breast. Sounding he fell,

And loud his batter’d armor rang around.

By brave Idomeneus a Lydian died,

Phæstus, from fruitful Tarne sent to Troy,55

Son of Mæonian Borus; him his steeds

Mounting, Idomeneus the spear-renown’d

Through his right shoulder pierced; unwelcome night

Involved him; from his chariot down he fell,[4]

And the attendant Cretans stripp’d his arms.60

But Menelaus, son of Atreus slew

With his bright spear Scamandrius, Stropius’ son,

A skilful hunter; for Diana him,

Herself, the slaughter of all savage kinds

Had taught, on mountain or in forest bred.65

But she, shaft-aiming Goddess, in that hour

Avail’d him not, nor his own matchless skill;

For Menelaus, Atreus son spear-famed,

Him flying wounded in the spine between

His shoulders, and the spear urged through his breast.70

Prone on his loud-resounding arms he fell.

Next, by Meriones, Phereclus died,

Son of Harmonides. All arts that ask

A well-instructed hand his sire had learn’d,

For Pallas dearly loved him. He the fleet,75

Prime source of harm to Troy and to himself,

For Paris built, unskill’d to spell aright

The oracles predictive of the wo.

Phereclus fled; Meriones his flight

Outstripping, deep in his posterior flesh80

A spear infix’d; sliding beneath the bone

It grazed his bladder as it pass’d, and stood

Protruded far before. Low on his knees

Phereclus sank, and with a shriek expired.

Pedæus, whom, although his spurious son,85

Antenor’s wife, to gratify her lord,

Had cherish’d as her own—him Meges slew.

Warlike Phylides[5] following close his flight,

His keen lance drove into his poll, cut sheer

His tongue within, and through his mouth enforced90

The glittering point. He, prostrate in the dust,

The cold steel press’d between his teeth and died.

Eurypylus, Evemon’s son, the brave

Hypsenor slew; Dolopion was his sire,

Priest of Scamander, reverenced as a God.95

In vain before Eurypylus he fled;

He, running, with his falchion lopp’d his arm

Fast by the shoulder; on the field his hand

Fell blood-distained, and destiny severe

With shades of death for ever veil’d his eyes.100

Thus strenuous they the toilsome battle waged.

But where Tydides fought, whether in aid

Of Ilium’s host, or on the part of Greece,

Might none discern. For as a winter-flood

Impetuous, mounds and bridges sweeps away;[6]105

The buttress’d bridge checks not its sudden force,

The firm inclosure of vine-planted fields

Luxuriant, falls before it; finish’d works

Of youthful hinds, once pleasant to the eye,

Now levell’d, after ceaseless rain from Jove;110

So drove Tydides into sudden flight

The Trojans; phalanx after phalanx fled

Before the terror of his single arm.

When him Lycaon’s son illustrious saw

Scouring the field, and from before his face115

The ranks dispersing wide, at once he bent

Against Tydides his elastic bow.

The arrow met him in his swift career

Sure-aim’d; it struck direct the hollow mail

Of his right shoulder, with resistless force120

Transfix’d it, and his hauberk stain’d with blood.

Loud shouted then Lycaon’s son renown’d.

Rush on, ye Trojans, spur your coursers hard.

Our fiercest foe is wounded, and I deem

His death not distant far, if me the King[7]125

Jove’s son, indeed, from Lycia sent to Troy.

So boasted Pandarus. Yet him the dart

Quell’d not. Retreating, at his coursers’ heads

He stood, and to the son of Capaneus

His charioteer and faithful friend he said.130

Arise, sweet son of Capaneus, dismount,

And from my shoulder draw this bitter shaft.

He spake; at once the son of Capaneus

Descending, by its barb the bitter shaft

Drew forth; blood spouted through his twisted mail135

Incontinent, and thus the Hero pray’d.

Unconquer’d daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d!

If ever me, propitious, or my sire

Thou hast in furious fight help’d heretofore,

Now aid me also. Bring within the reach140

Of my swift spear, Oh grant me to strike through

The warrior who hath check’d my course, and boasts

The sun’s bright beams for ever quench’d to me![8]

He prayed, and Pallas heard; she braced his limbs,

She wing’d him with alacrity divine,145

And, standing at his side, him thus bespake.

Now Diomede, be bold! Fight now with Troy.

To thee, thy father’s spirit I impart

Fearless; shield-shaking Tydeus felt the same.

I also from thine eye the darkness purge150

Which dimm’d thy sight[9] before, that thou may’st know

Both Gods and men; should, therefore, other God

Approach to try thee, fight not with the powers

Immortal; but if foam-born Venus come,

Her spare not. Wound her with thy glittering spear.155

So spake the blue-eyed Deity, and went,

Then with the champions in the van again

Tydides mingled; hot before, he fights

With threefold fury now, nor less enraged

Than some gaunt lion whom o’erleaping light160

The fold, a shepherd hath but gall’d, not kill’d,

Him irritating more; thenceforth the swain

Lurks unresisting; flies the abandon’d flock;

Heaps slain on heaps he leaves, and with a bound

Surmounting all impediment, escapes;165

Such seem’d the valiant Diomede incensed

To fury, mingling with the host of Troy.

Astynoüs and Hypenor first he slew;

One with his brazen lance above the pap

He pierced, and one with his huge falchion smote170

Fast by the key-bone,[10] from the neck and spine

His parted shoulder driving at a blow.

Them leaving, Polyides next he sought

And Abas, sons of a dream-dealing seer,

Eurydamas; their hoary father’s dreams175

Or not interpreted, or kept concealed,

Them saved not, for by Diomede they died.

Xanthus and Thöon he encounter’d next,

Both sons of Phænops, sons of his old age,

Who other heir had none of all his wealth,180

Nor hoped another, worn with many years.

Tydides slew them both; nor aught remain’d

To the old man but sorrow for his sons

For ever lost, and strangers were his heirs.

Two sons of Priam in one chariot borne185

Echemon next, and Chromius felt his hand

Resistless. As a lion on the herd

Leaping, while they the shrubs and bushes browse,

Breaks short the neck of heifer or of steer,

So them, though clinging fast and loth to fall,190

Tydides hurl’d together to the ground,

Then stripp’d their splendid armor, and the steeds

Consigned and chariot to his soldiers’ care.

Æneas him discern’d scattering the ranks,

And through the battle and the clash of spears195

Went seeking godlike Pandarus; ere long

Finding Lycaon’s martial son renown’d,

He stood before him, and him thus address’d.

Thy bow, thy feather’d shafts, and glorious name

Where are they, Pandarus? whom none of Troy200

Could equal, whom of Lycia, none excel.

Come. Lift thine hands to Jove, and at yon Chief

Dispatch an arrow, who afflicts the host

Of Ilium thus, conquering where’er he flies,

And who hath slaughter’d numerous brave in arms,205

But him some Deity I rather deem

Avenging on us his neglected rites,

And who can stand before an angry God?

Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d.

Brave leader of the Trojans brazen-mail’d,210

Æneas! By his buckler which I know,

And by his helmet’s height, considering, too

His steeds, I deem him Diomede the bold;

Yet such pronounce him not, who seems a God.

But if bold Diomede indeed he be215

Of whom I speak, not without aid from heaven

His fury thus prevails, but at his side

Some God, in clouds enveloped, turns away

From him the arrow to a devious course.

Already, at his shoulder’s hollow mail220

My shaft hath pierced him through, and him I deem’d

Dismiss’d full sure to Pluto ere his time

But he survives; whom therefore I at last

Perforce conclude some angry Deity.

Steeds have I none or chariot to ascend,225

Who have eleven chariots in the stands

Left of Lycaon, with fair hangings all

O’ermantled, strong, new finish’d, with their steeds

In pairs beside them, eating winnow’d grain.

Me much Lycaon my old valiant sire230

At my departure from his palace gates

Persuaded, that my chariot and my steeds

Ascending, I should so conduct my bands

To battle; counsel wise, and ill-refused!

But anxious, lest (the host in Troy so long235

Immew’d) my steeds, fed plenteously at home,

Should here want food, I left them, and on foot

To Ilium came, confiding in my bow

Ordain’d at last to yield me little good.

Twice have I shot, and twice I struck the mark,240

First Menelaus, and Tydides next;

From each I drew the blood, true, genuine blood,

Yet have but more incensed them. In an hour

Unfortunate, I therefore took my bow

Down from the wall that day, when for the sake245

Of noble Hector, to these pleasant plains

I came, a leader on the part of Troy.

But should I once return, and with these eyes

Again behold my native land, my sire,

My wife, my stately mansion, may the hand,250

That moment, of some adversary there

Shorten me by the head, if I not snap

This bow with which I charged myself in vain,

And burn the unprofitable tool to dust.

To whom Æneas, Trojan Chief, replied.255

Nay, speak not so. For ere that hour arrive

We will, with chariot and with horse, in arms

Encounter him, and put his strength to proof.

Delay not, mount my chariot. Thou shalt see

With what rapidity the steeds of Troy260

Pursuing or retreating, scour the field.

If after all, Jove purpose still to exalt

The son of Tydeus, these shall bear us safe

Back to the city. Come then. Let us on.

The lash take thou, and the resplendent reins,265

While I alight for battle, or thyself

Receive them, and the steeds shall be my care.

Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d.

Æneas! manage thou the reins, and guide

Thy proper steeds. If fly at last we must270

The son of Tydeus, they will readier draw

Directed by their wonted charioteer.

Else, terrified, and missing thy control,

They may refuse to bear us from the fight,

And Tydeus’ son assailing us, with ease275

Shall slay us both, and drive thy steeds away.

Rule therefore thou the chariot, and myself

With my sharp spear will his assault receive.

So saying, they mounted both, and furious drove

Against Tydides. Them the noble son280

Of Capaneus observed, and turning quick

His speech to Diomede, him thus address’d.

Tydides, Diomede, my heart’s delight!

Two warriors of immeasurable force

In battle, ardent to contend with thee,285

Come rattling on. Lycaon’s offspring one,

Bow-practised Pandarus; with whom appears

Æneas; he who calls the mighty Chief

Anchises father, and whom Venus bore.

Mount—drive we swift away—lest borne so far290

Beyond the foremost battle, thou be slain.

To whom, dark-frowning, Diomede replied

Speak not of flight to me, who am disposed

To no such course. I am ashamed to fly

Or tremble, and my strength is still entire;295

I cannot mount. No. Rather thus, on foot,

I will advance against them. Fear and dread

Are not for me; Pallas forbids the thought.

One falls, be sure; swift as they are, the steeds

That whirl them on, shall never rescue both.300

But hear my bidding, and hold fast the word.

Should all-wise Pallas grant me my desire

To slay them both, drive not my coursers hence,

But hook the reins, and seizing quick the pair

That draw Æneas, urge them from the powers305

Of Troy away into the host of Greece.

For they are sprung from those which Jove to Tros

In compensation gave for Ganymede;

The Sun himself sees not their like below.

Anchises, King of men, clandestine them310

Obtain’d, his mares submitting to the steeds

Of King Laomedon. Six brought him foals;

Four to himself reserving, in his stalls

He fed them sleek, and two he gave his son:

These, might we win them, were a noble prize.315

Thus mutual they conferr’d; those Chiefs, the while,

With swiftest pace approach’d, and first his speech

To Diomede Lycaon’s son address’d.

Heroic offspring of a noble sire,

Brave son of Tydeus! false to my intent320

My shaft hath harm’d thee little. I will now

Make trial with my spear, if that may speed.

He said, and shaking his long-shadow’d spear,

Dismiss’d it. Forceful on the shield it struck

Of Diomede, transpierced it, and approach’d325

With threatening point the hauberk on his breast.

Loud shouted Pandarus—Ah nobly thrown!

Home to thy bowels. Die, for die thou must,

And all the glory of thy death is mine.

Then answer thus brave Diomede return’d330

Undaunted. I am whole. Thy cast was short.

But ye desist not, as I plain perceive,

Till one at least extended on the plain

Shall sate the God of battles with his blood.

He said and threw. Pallas the spear herself335

Directed; at his eye fast by the nose

Deep-entering, through his ivory teeth it pass’d,

At its extremity divided sheer

His tongue, and started through his chin below.

He headlong fell, and with his dazzling arms340

Smote full the plain. Back flew the fiery steeds

With swift recoil, and where he fell he died.

Then sprang Æneas forth with spear and shield,

That none might drag the body;[11] lion-like

He stalk’d around it, oval shield and spear345

Advancing firm, and with incessant cries

Terrific, death denouncing on his foes.

But Diomede with hollow grasp a stone

Enormous seized, a weight to overtask

Two strongest men of such as now are strong,350

Yet he, alone, wielded the rock with ease.

Full on the hip he smote him, where the thigh

Rolls in its cavity, the socket named.

He crushed the socket, lacerated wide

Both tendons, and with that rough-angled mass355

Flay’d all his flesh, The Hero on his knees

Sank, on his ample palm his weight upbore

Laboring, and darkness overspread his eyes.

There had Æneas perish’d, King of men,

Had not Jove’s daughter Venus quick perceived360

His peril imminent, whom she had borne

Herself to Anchises pasturing his herds.

Her snowy arras her darling son around

She threw maternal, and behind a fold

Of her bright mantle screening close his breast365

From mortal harm by some brave Grecian’s spear,

Stole him with eager swiftness from the fight.

Nor then forgat brave Sthenelus his charge

Received from Diomede, but his own steeds

Detaining distant from the boisterous war,370

Stretch’d tight the reins, and hook’d them fast behind.

The coursers of Æneas next he seized

Ardent, and them into the host of Greece

Driving remote, consign’d them to his care,

Whom far above all others his compeers375

He loved, Deipylus, his bosom friend

Congenial. Him he charged to drive them thence

Into the fleet, then, mounting swift his own,

Lash’d after Diomede; he, fierce in arms,

Pursued the Cyprian Goddess, conscious whom,380

Not Pallas, not Enyo, waster dread

Of cities close-beleaguer’d, none of all

Who o’er the battle’s bloody course preside,

But one of softer kind and prone to fear.

When, therefore, her at length, after long chase385

Through all the warring multitude he reach’d,

With his protruded spear her gentle hand

He wounded, piercing through her thin attire

Ambrosial, by themselves the graces wrought,

Her inside wrist, fast by the rosy palm.390

Blood follow’d, but immortal; ichor pure,

Such as the blest inhabitants of heaven

May bleed, nectareous; for the Gods eat not

Man’s food, nor slake as he with sable wine

Their thirst, thence bloodless and from death exempt.395

She, shrieking, from her arms cast down her son,

And Phœbus, in impenetrable clouds

Him hiding, lest the spear of some brave Greek

Should pierce his bosom, caught him swift away.

Then shouted brave Tydides after her—400

Depart, Jove’s daughter! fly the bloody field.

Is’t not enough that thou beguilest the hearts

Of feeble women? If thou dare intrude

Again into the war, war’s very name

Shall make thee shudder, wheresoever heard.405

He said, and Venus with excess of pain

Bewilder’d went; but Iris tempest-wing’d

Forth led her through the multitude, oppress’d

With anguish, her white wrist to livid changed.

They came where Mars far on the left retired410

Of battle sat, his horses and his spear

In darkness veil’d. Before her brother’s knees

She fell, and with entreaties urgent sought

The succor of his coursers golden-rein’d.

Save me, my brother! Pity me! Thy steeds415

Give me, that they may bear me to the heights

Olympian, seat of the immortal Gods!

Oh! I am wounded deep; a mortal man

Hath done it, Diomede; nor would he fear

This day in fight the Sire himself of all.420

Then Mars his coursers gold-caparison’d

Resign’d to Venus; she, with countenance sad,

The chariot climb’d, and Iris at her side

The bright reins seizing lash’d the ready steeds.

Soon as the Olympian heights, seat of the Gods,425

They reach’d, wing-footed Iris loosing quick

The coursers, gave them large whereon to browse

Ambrosial food; but Venus on the knees

Sank of Dione, who with folded arms

Maternal, to her bosom straining close430

Her daughter, stroked her cheek, and thus inquired.

My darling child! who? which of all the Gods

Hath rashly done such violence to thee

As if convicted of some open wrong?

Her then the Goddess of love-kindling smiles435

Venus thus answer’d; Diomede the proud,

Audacious Diomede; he gave the wound,

For that I stole Æneas from the fight

My son of all mankind my most beloved;

Nor is it now the war of Greece with Troy,440

But of the Grecians with the Gods themselves.

Then thus Dione, Goddess all divine.

My child! how hard soe’er thy sufferings seem

Endure them patiently. Full many a wrong

From human hands profane the Gods endure,445

And many a painful stroke, mankind from ours.

Mars once endured much wrong, when on a time

Him Otus bound and Ephialtes fast,

Sons of Alöeus, and full thirteen moons

In brazen thraldom held him. There, at length,450

The fierce blood-nourished Mars had pined away,

But that Eëribœa, loveliest nymph,

His step-mother, in happy hour disclosed

To Mercury the story of his wrongs;

He stole the prisoner forth, but with his woes455

Already worn, languid and fetter-gall’d.

Nor Juno less endured, when erst the bold

Son of Amphytrion with tridental shaft

Her bosom pierced; she then the misery felt

Of irremediable pain severe.460

Nor suffer’d Pluto less, of all the Gods

Gigantic most, by the same son of Jove

Alcides, at the portals of the dead

Transfix’d and fill’d with anguish; he the house

Of Jove and the Olympian summit sought465

Dejected, torture-stung, for sore the shaft

Oppress’d him, into his huge shoulder driven.

But Pæon[12] him not liable to death

With unction smooth of salutiferous balms

Heal’d soon. Presumptuous, sacrilegious man!470

Careless what dire enormities he wrought,

Who bent his bow against the powers of heaven!

But blue-eyed Pallas instigated him

By whom thou bleed’st. Infatuate! he forgets

That whoso turns against the Gods his arm475

Lives never long; he never, safe escaped

From furious fight, the lisp’d caresses hears

Of his own infants prattling at his knees.

Let therefore Diomede beware, lest strong

And valiant as he is, he chance to meet490

Some mightier foe than thou, and lest his wife,

Daughter of King Adrastus, the discrete

Ægialea, from portentous dreams

Upstarting, call her family to wail

Her first-espoused, Achaia’s proudest boast,485

Diomede, whom she must behold no more.

She said, and from her wrist with both hands wiped

The trickling ichor; the effectual touch

Divine chased all her pains, and she was heal’d.

Them Juno mark’d and Pallas, and with speech490

Sarcastic pointed at Saturnian Jove

To vex him, blue-eyed Pallas thus began.

Eternal father! may I speak my thought,

And not incense thee, Jove? I can but judge

That Venus, while she coax’d some Grecian fair495

To accompany the Trojans whom she loves

With such extravagance, hath heedless stroked

Her golden clasps, and scratch’d her lily hand.

So she; then smiled the sire of Gods and men,

And calling golden Venus, her bespake.500

War and the tented field, my beauteous child,

Are not for thee. Thou rather shouldst be found

In scenes of matrimonial bliss. The toils

Of war to Pallas and to Mars belong.

Thus they in heaven. But Diomede the while505

Sprang on Æneas, conscious of the God

Whose hand o’ershadow’d him, yet even him

Regarding lightly; for he burn’d to slay

Æneas, and to seize his glorious arms.

Thrice then he sprang impetuous to the deed,510

And thrice Apollo with his radiant shield

Repulsed him. But when ardent as a God

The fourth time he advanced, with thundering-voice

Him thus the Archer of the skies rebuked.

Think, and retire, Tydides! nor affect515

Equality with Gods; for not the same

Our nature is and theirs who tread the ground.

He spake, and Diomede a step retired,

Not more; the anger of the Archer-God

Declining slow, and with a sullen awe.520

Then Phœbus, far from all the warrior throng

To his own shrine the sacred dome beneath

Of Pergamus, Æneas bore; there him

Latona and shaft-arm’d Diana heal’d

And glorified within their spacious fane.525

Meantime the Archer of the silver bow

A visionary form prepared; it seem’d

Himself Æneas, and was arm’d as he.

At once, in contest for that airy form,

Grecians and Trojans on each other’s breasts530

The bull-hide buckler batter’d and light targe.

Then thus Apollo to the warrior God.

Gore-tainted homicide, town-batterer Mars!

Wilt thou not meet and from the fight withdraw

This man Tydides, now so fiery grown535

That he would even cope with Jove himself?

First Venus’ hand he wounded, and assail’d

Impetuous as a God, next, even me.

He ceased, and on the topmost turret sat

Of Pergamus. Then all-destroyer Mars540

Ranging the Trojan host, rank after rank

Exhorted loud, and in the form assumed

Of Acamas the Thracian leader bold,

The godlike sons of Priam thus harangued.

Ye sons of Priam, monarch Jove-beloved!545

How long permit ye your Achaian foes

To slay the people?—till the battle rage

(Push’d home to Ilium) at her solid gates?

Behold—a Chief disabled lies, than whom

We reverence not even Hector more,550

Æneas; fly, save from the roaring storm

The noble Anchisiades your friend.

He said; then every heart for battle glow’d;

And thus Sarpedon with rebuke severe

Upbraiding generous Hector, stern began.555

Where is thy courage, Hector? for thou once

Hadst courage. Is it fled? In other days

Thy boast hath been that without native troops

Or foreign aids, thy kindred and thyself

Alone, were guard sufficient for the town.560

But none of all thy kindred now appears;

I can discover none; they stand aloof

Quaking, as dogs that hear the lion’s roar.

We bear the stress, who are but Troy’s allies;

Myself am such, and from afar I came;565

For Lycia lies far distant on the banks

Of the deep-eddied Xanthus. There a wife

I left and infant son, both dear to me,

With plenteous wealth, the wish of all who want.

Yet urge I still my Lycians, and am prompt570

Myself to fight, although possessing here

Nought that the Greeks can carry or drive hence.

But there stand’st thou, neither employed thyself,

Nor moving others to an active part

For all their dearest pledges. Oh beware!575

Lest, as with meshes of an ample net,

At one huge draught the Grecians sweep you all,

And desolate at once your populous Troy!

By day, by night, thoughts such as these should still

Thy conduct influence, and from Chief to Chief580

Of the allies should send thee, praying each

To make firm stand, all bickerings put away.

So spake Sarpedon, and his reprimand

Stung Hector; instant to the ground he leap’d

All arm’d, and shaking his bright spears his host585

Ranged in all quarters animating loud

His legions, and rekindling horrid war.

Then, rolling back, the powers of Troy opposed

Once more the Grecians, whom the Grecians dense

Expected, unretreating, void of fear.590

As flies the chaff wide scatter’d by the wind

O’er all the consecrated floor, what time

Ripe Ceres[13] with brisk airs her golden grain

Ventilates, whitening with its husk the ground;

So grew the Achaians white, a dusty cloud595

Descending on their arms, which steeds with steeds

Again to battle mingling, with their hoofs

Up-stamp’d into the brazen vault of heaven;

For now the charioteers turn’d all to fight.

Host toward host with full collected force600

They moved direct. Then Mars through all the field

Took wide his range, and overhung the war

With night, in aid of Troy, at the command

Of Phœbus of the golden sword; for he

Perceiving Pallas from the field withdrawn,605

Patroness of the Greeks, had Mars enjoin’d

To rouse the spirit of the Trojan host.

Meantime Apollo from his unctuous shrine

Sent forth restored and with new force inspired

Æneas. He amidst his warriors stood,610

Who him with joy beheld still living, heal’d,

And all his strength possessing unimpair’d.

Yet no man ask’d him aught. No leisure now

For question was; far other thoughts had they;

Such toils the archer of the silver bow,615

Wide-slaughtering Mars, and Discord as at first

Raging implacable, for them prepared.

Ulysses, either Ajax, Diomede—

These roused the Greeks to battle, who themselves

The force fear’d nothing, or the shouts of Troy,620

But steadfast stood, like clouds by Jove amass’d

On lofty mountains, while the fury sleeps

Of Boreas, and of all the stormy winds

Shrill-voiced, that chase the vapors when they blow,

So stood the Greeks, expecting firm the approach625

Of Ilium’s powers, and neither fled nor fear’d.

Then Agamemnon the embattled host

On all sides ranging, cheer’d them. Now, he cried,

Be steadfast, fellow warriors, now be men!

Hold fast a sense of honor. More escape630

Of men who fear disgrace, than fall in fight,

While dastards forfeit life and glory both.

He said, and hurl’d his spear. He pierced a friend

Of brave Æneas, warring in the van,

Deicöon son of Pergasus, in Troy635

Not less esteem’d than Priam’s sons themselves,

Such was his fame in foremost fight acquired.

Him Agamemnon on his buckler smote,

Nor stayed the weapon there, but through his belt

His bowels enter’d, and with hideous clang640

And outcry[14] of his batter’d arms he fell.

Æneas next two mightiest warriors slew,

Sons of Diocles, of a wealthy sire,

Whose house magnificent in Phæræ stood,

Orsilochus and Crethon. Their descent645

From broad-stream’d Alpheus, Pylian flood, they drew.

Alpheus begat Orsilochus, a prince

Of numerous powers. Orsilochus begat

Warlike Diodes. From Diodes sprang

Twins, Crethon and Orsilochus, alike650

Valiant, and skilful in all forms of war.

Their boyish prime scarce past, they, with the Greeks

Embarking, in their sable ships had sail’d

To steed-fam’d Ilium; just revenge they sought

For Atreus’ sons, but perished first themselves.655

As two young lions, in the deep recess

Of some dark forest on the mountain’s brow

Late nourished by their dam, forth-issuing, seize

The fatted flocks and kine, both folds and stalls

Wasting rapacious, till, at length, themselves660

Deep-wounded perish by the hand of man,

So they, both vanquish’d by Æneas, fell,

And like two lofty pines uprooted, lay.

Them fallen in battle Menelaus saw

With pity moved; radiant in arms he shook665

His brazen spear, and strode into the van.

Mars urged him furious on, conceiving hope

Of his death also by Æneas’ hand.

But him the son of generous Nestor mark’d

Antilochus, and to the foremost fight670

Flew also, fearing lest some dire mischance

The Prince befalling, at one fatal stroke

Should frustrate all the labors of the Greeks.

They, hand to hand, and spear to spear opposed,

Stood threatening dreadful onset, when beside675

The Spartan chief Antilochus appear’d.

Æneas, at the sight of two combined,

Stood not, although intrepid. They the dead

Thence drawing far into the Grecian host

To their associates gave the hapless pair,680

Then, both returning, fought in front again.

Next, fierce as Mars, Pylæmenes they slew,

Prince of the shielded band magnanimous

Of Paphlagonia. Him Atrides kill’d

Spear-practised Menelaus, with a lance685

His throat transpiercing while erect he rode.

Then, while his charioteer, Mydon the brave,

Son of Atymnias, turn’d his steeds to flight,

Full on his elbow-point Antilochus,

The son of Nestor, dash’d him with a stone.690

The slack reins, white as ivory,[15] forsook

His torpid hand and trail’d the dust. At once

Forth sprang Antilochus, and with his sword

Hew’d deep his temples. On his head he pitch’d

Panting, and on his shoulders in the sand695

(For in deep sand he fell) stood long erect,

Till his own coursers spread him in the dust;

The son of Nestor seized, and with his scourge

Drove them afar into the host of Greece.

Them Hector through the ranks espying, flew700

With clamor loud to meet them; after whom

Advanced in phalanx firm the powers of Troy,

Mars led them, with Enyo terror-clad;

She by the maddening tumult of the fight

Attended, he, with his enormous spear705

in both hands brandish’d, stalking now in front

Of Hector, and now following his steps.

Him Diomede the bold discerning, felt

Himself no small dismay; and as a man

Wandering he knows not whither, far from home,710

If chance a rapid torrent to the sea

Borne headlong thwart his course, the foaming flood

Obstreperous views awhile, then quick retires,

So he, and his attendants thus bespake.

How oft, my countrymen! have we admired715

The noble Hector, skillful at the spear

And unappall’d in fight? but still hath he

Some God his guard, and even now I view

In human form Mars moving at his side.

Ye, then, with faces to the Trojans turn’d,720

Ceaseless retire, and war not with the Gods.

He ended; and the Trojans now approach’d.

Then two bold warriors in one chariot borne,

By valiant Hector died, Menesthes one,

And one, Anchialus. Them fallen in fight725

Ajax the vast, touch’d with compassion saw;

Within small space he stood, his glittering spear

Dismiss’d, and pierced Amphius. Son was he

Of Selagus, and Pæsus was his home,

Where opulent he dwelt, but by his fate730

Was led to fight for Priam and his sons.

Him Telamonian Ajax through his belt

Wounded, and in his nether bowels deep

Fix’d his long-shadow’d spear. Sounding he fell.

Illustrious Ajax running to the slain735

Prepared to strip his arms, but him a shower

Of glittering-weapons keen from Trojan hands

Assail’d, and numerous his broad shield received.

He, on the body planting firm his heel,

Forth drew the polish’d spear, but his bright arms740

Took not, by darts thick-flying sore annoy’d,

Nor fear’d he little lest his haughty foes,

Spear-arm’d and bold, should compass him around;

Him, therefore, valiant though he were and huge,

They push’d before them. Staggering he retired.745

Thus toil’d both hosts in that laborious field.

And now his ruthless destiny impell’d

Tlepolemus, Alcides’ son, a Chief

Dauntless and huge, against a godlike foe

Sarpedon. They approaching face to face750

Stood, son and grandson of high-thundering Jove,

And, haughty, thus Tlepolemus began.

Sarpedon, leader of the Lycian host,

Thou trembler! thee what cause could hither urge

A man unskill’d in arms? They falsely speak755

Who call thee son of Ægis-bearing Jove,

So far below their might thou fall’st who sprang

From Jove in days of old. What says report

Of Hercules (for him I boast my sire)

All-daring hero with a lion’s heart?760

With six ships only, and with followers few,

He for the horses of Laomedon

Lay’d Troy in dust, and widow’d all her streets.

But thou art base, and thy diminish’d powers

Perish around thee; think not that thou earnest765

For Ilium’s good, but rather, whatsoe’er

Thy force in fight, to find, subdued by me,

A sure dismission to the gates of hell.

To whom the leader of the Lycian band.

Tlepolemus! he ransack’d sacred Troy,770

As thou hast said, but for her monarch’s fault

Laomedon, who him with language harsh

Requited ill for benefits received,

Nor would the steeds surrender, seeking which

He voyaged from afar. But thou shalt take775

Thy bloody doom from this victorious arm,

And, vanquish’d by my spear, shalt yield thy fame

To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.

So spake Sarpedon, and his ashen beam

Tlepolemus upraised. Both hurl’d at once780

Their quivering spears. Sarpedon’s through the neck

Pass’d of Tlepolemus, and show’d beyond

Its ruthless point; thick darkness veil’d his eyes.

Tlepolemus with his long lance the thigh

Pierced of Sarpedon; sheer into his bone785

He pierced him, but Sarpedon’s father, Jove,

Him rescued even on the verge of fate.

His noble friends conducted from the field

The godlike Lycian, trailing as he went

The pendent spear, none thinking to extract790

For his relief the weapon from his thigh,

Through eagerness of haste to bear him thence.

On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d

Bore off Tlepolemus. Ulysses fill’d

With earnest thoughts tumultuous them observed,795

Danger-defying Chief! Doubtful he stood

Or to pursue at once the Thunderer’s son

Sarpedon, or to take more Lycian lives.

But not for brave Ulysses had his fate

That praise reserved, that he should slay the son800

Renown’d of Jove; therefore his wavering mind

Minerva bent against the Lycian band.

Then Cœranus, Alastor, Chromius fell,

Alcander, Halius, Prytanis, and brave

Noëmon; nor had these sufficed the Chief805

Of Ithaca, but Lycians more had fallen,

Had not crest-tossing Hector huge perceived

The havoc; radiant to the van he flew,

Filling with dread the Grecians; his approach

Sarpedon, son of Jove, joyful beheld,810

And piteous thus address’d him as he came.

Ah, leave not me, Priamides! a prey

To Grecian hands, but in your city, at least,

Grant me to die: since hither, doom’d, I came

Never to gratify with my return815

To Lycia, my loved spouse, or infant child.

He spake; but Hector unreplying pass’d

Impetuous, ardent to repulse the Greeks

That moment, and to drench his sword in blood.

Then, under shelter of a spreading beech820

Sacred to Jove, his noble followers placed

The godlike Chief Sarpedon, where his friend

Illustrious Pelagon, the ashen spear

Extracted. Sightless, of all thought bereft,

He sank, but soon revived, by breathing airs825

Refresh’d, that fann’d him gently from the North.

Meantime the Argives, although press’d alike

By Mars himself and Hector brazen-arm’d,

Neither to flight inclined, nor yet advanced

To battle, but inform’d that Mars the fight830

Waged on the side of Ilium, slow retired.[16]

Whom first, whom last slew then the mighty son

Of Priam, Hector, and the brazen Mars!

First godlike Teuthras, an equestrian Chief,

Orestes, Trechus of Ætolian race,835

Œnomaüs, Helenus from Œnops’ sprung,

And brisk[17] in fight Oresbius; rich was he,

And covetous of more; in Hyla dwelt

Fast by the lake Cephissus, where abode

Bœotian Princes numerous, rich themselves840

And rulers of a people wealth-renown’d.

But Juno, such dread slaughter of the Greeks

Noting, thus, ardent, to Minerva spake.

Daughter of Jove invincible! Our word

That Troy shall perish, hath been given in vain845

To Menelaus, if we suffer Mars

To ravage longer uncontrol’d. The time

Urges, and need appears that we ourselves

Now call to mind the fury of our might.

She spake; nor blue-eyed Pallas not complied.850

Then Juno, Goddess dread, from Saturn sprung,

Her coursers gold-caparison’d prepared

Impatient. Hebe to the chariot roll’d

The brazen wheels,[18] and joined them to the smooth

Steel axle; twice four spokes divided each855

Shot from the centre to the verge. The verge

Was gold by fellies of eternal brass

Guarded, a dazzling show! The shining naves

Were silver; silver cords and cords of gold

The seat upbore; two crescents[19] blazed in front.860

The pole was argent all, to which she bound

The golden yoke, and in their place disposed

The breast-bands incorruptible of gold;

But Juno to the yoke, herself, the steeds

Led forth, on fire to reach the dreadful field.865

Meantime, Minerva, progeny of Jove,

On the adamantine floor of his abode

Let fall profuse her variegated robe,

Labor of her own hands. She first put on

The corselet of the cloud-assembler God,870

Then arm’d her for the field of wo complete.

She charged her shoulder with the dreadful shield

The shaggy Ægis,[20] border’d thick around

With terror; there was Discord, Prowess there,

There hot Pursuit, and there the feature grim875

Of Gorgon, dire Deformity, a sign

Oft borne portentous on the arm of Jove.

Her golden helm, whose concave had sufficed

The legions of an hundred cities, rough

With warlike ornament superb, she fix’d880

On her immortal head. Thus arm’d, she rose

Into the flaming chariot, and her spear

Seized ponderous, huge, with which the Goddess sprung

From an Almighty father, levels ranks

Of heroes, against whom her anger burns.885

Juno with lifted lash urged quick the steeds;

At her approach, spontaneous roar’d the wide-

Unfolding gates of heaven;[21] the heavenly gates

Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge

Of the Olympian summit appertains,890

And of the boundless ether, back to roll,

And to replace the cloudy barrier dense.

Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds;

Apart from all, and seated on the point

Superior of the cloven mount, they found895

The Thunderer. Juno the white-arm’d her steeds

There stay’d, and thus the Goddess, ere she pass’d,

Question’d the son of Saturn, Jove supreme.

Jove, Father, seest thou, and art not incensed,

These ravages of Mars? Oh what a field,900

Drench’d with what Grecian blood! All rashly spilt,

And in despite of me. Venus, the while,

Sits, and the Archer of the silver bow

Delighted, and have urged, themselves, to this

The frantic Mars within no bounds confined905

Of law or order. But, eternal sire!

Shall I offend thee chasing far away

Mars deeply smitten from the field of war?

To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.

Go! but exhort thou rather to the task910

Spoil-huntress Athenæan Pallas, him

Accustom’d to chastise with pain severe.

He spake, nor white-arm’d Juno not obey’d.

She lash’d her steeds; they readily their flight

Began, the earth and starry vault between.915

Far as from his high tower the watchman kens

O’er gloomy ocean, so far at one bound

Advance the shrill-voiced coursers of the Gods.

But when at Troy and at the confluent streams

Of Simoïs and Scamander they arrived,920

There Juno, white-arm’d Goddess, from the yoke

Her steeds releasing, them in gather’d shades

Conceal’d opaque, while Simoïs caused to spring

Ambrosia from his bank, whereon they browsed.

Swift as her pinions waft the dove away925

They sought the Grecians, ardent to begin:

Arriving where the mightiest and the most

Compass’d equestrian Diomede around,

In aspect lion-like, or like wild boars

Of matchless force, there white-arm’d Juno stood,930

And in the form of Stentor for his voice

Of brass renown’d, audible as the roar

Of fifty throats, the Grecians thus harangued.

Oh shame, shame, shame! Argives in form alone,

Beautiful but dishonorable race!935

While yet divine Achilles ranged the field,

No Trojan stepp’d from yon Dardanian gates

Abroad; all trembled at his stormy spear;

But now they venture forth, now at your ships

Defy you, from their city far remote.940

She ceased, and all caught courage from the sound.

But Athenæan Pallas eager sought

The son of Tydeus; at his chariot side

She found the Chief cooling his fiery wound

Received from Pandarus; for him the sweat945

Beneath the broad band of his oval shield

Exhausted, and his arm fail’d him fatigued;

He therefore raised the band and wiped the blood

Coagulate; when o’er his chariot yoke

Her arm the Goddess threw, and thus began.950

Tydeus, in truth, begat a son himself

Not much resembling. Tydeus was of size

Diminutive, but had a warrior’s heart.

When him I once commanded to abstain

From furious fight (what time he enter’d Thebes955

Ambassador, and the Cadmeans found

Feasting, himself the sole Achaian there)

And bade him quietly partake the feast.

He, fired with wonted ardor, challenged forth

To proof of manhood the Cadmean youth,960

Whom easily, through my effectual aid,

In contests of each kind he overcame.

But thou, whom I encircle with my power,

Guard vigilant, and even bid thee forth

To combat with the Trojans, thou, thy limbs965

Feel’st wearied with the toils of war, or worse,

Indulgest womanish and heartless fear.

Henceforth thou art not worthy to be deem’d

Son of Oenides, Tydeus famed in arms.

To whom thus valiant Diomede replied.970

I know thee well, oh Goddess sprung from Jove!

And therefore willing shall, and plain, reply.

Me neither weariness nor heartless fear

Restrains, but thine injunctions which impress

My memory, still, that I should fear to oppose975

The blessed Gods in fight, Venus except,

Whom in the battle found thou badest me pierce

With unrelenting spear; therefore myself

Retiring hither, I have hither call’d

The other Argives also, for I know980

That Mars, himself in arms, controls the war.

Him answer’d then the Goddess azure-eyed.

Tydides! Diomede, my heart’s delight!

Fear not this Mars,[22] nor fear thou other power

Immortal, but be confident in me.985

Arise. Drive forth. Seek Mars; him only seek;

Him hand to hand engage; this fiery Mars

Respect not aught, base implement of wrong

And mischief, shifting still from side to side.

He promised Juno lately and myself990

That he would fight for Greece, yet now forgets

His promise, and gives all his aid to Troy.

So saying, she backward by his hand withdrew

The son of Capaneus, who to the ground

Leap’d instant; she, impatient to his place995

Ascending, sat beside brave Diomede.

Loud groan’d the beechen axle, under weight

Unwonted, for it bore into the fight

An awful Goddess, and the chief of men.

Quick-seizing lash and reins Minerva drove1000

Direct at Mars. That moment he had slain

Periphas, bravest of Ætolia’s sons,

And huge of bulk; Ochesius was his sire.

Him Mars the slaughterer had of life bereft

Newly, and Pallas to elude his sight1005

The helmet fixed of Ades on her head.[23]

Soon as gore-tainted Mars the approach perceived

Of Diomede, he left the giant length

Of Periphas extended where he died,

And flew to cope with Tydeus’ valiant son.1010

Full nigh they came, when Mars on fire to slay

The hero, foremost with his brazen lance

Assail’d him, hurling o’er his horses’ heads.

But Athenæan Pallas in her hand

The flying weapon caught and turn’d it wide,1015

Baffling his aim. Then Diomede on him

Rush’d furious in his turn, and Pallas plunged

The bright spear deep into his cinctured waist

Dire was the wound, and plucking back the spear

She tore him. Bellow’d brazen-throated Mars1020

Loud as nine thousand warriors, or as ten

Join’d in close combat. Grecians, Trojans shook

Appall’d alike at the tremendous voice

Of Mars insatiable with deeds of blood.

Such as the dimness is when summer winds1025

Breathe hot, and sultry mist obscures the sky,

Such brazen Mars to Diomede appear’d

By clouds accompanied in his ascent

Into the boundless ether. Reaching soon

The Olympian heights, seat of the Gods, he sat1030

Beside Saturnian Jove; wo fill’d his heart;

He show’d fast-streaming from the wound his blood

Immortal, and impatient thus complain’d.

Jove, Father! Seest thou these outrageous acts

Unmoved with anger? Such are day by day1035

The dreadful mischiefs by the Gods contrived

Against each other, for the sake of man.

Thou art thyself the cause. Thou hast produced

A foolish daughter petulant, addict

To evil only and injurious deeds;1040

There is not in Olympus, save herself,

Who feels not thy control; but she her will

Gratifies ever, and reproof from thee

Finds none, because, pernicious as she is,

She is thy daughter. She hath now the mind1045

Of haughty Diomede with madness fill’d

Against the immortal Gods; first Venus bled;

Her hand he pierced impetuous, then assail’d,

As if himself immortal, even me,

But me my feet stole thence, or overwhelm’d1050

Beneath yon heaps of carcases impure,

What had I not sustain’d? And if at last

I lived, had halted crippled by the sword.

To whom with dark displeasure Jove replied.

Base and side-shifting traitor! vex not me1055

Here sitting querulous; of all who dwell

On the Olympian heights, thee most I hate

Contentious, whose delight is war alone.

Thou hast thy mother’s moods, the very spleen

Of Juno, uncontrolable as she.1060

Whom even I, reprove her as I may,

Scarce rule by mere commands; I therefore judge

Thy sufferings a contrivance all her own.

But soft. Thou art my son whom I begat.

And Juno bare thee. I can not endure1065

That thou shouldst suffer long. Hadst thou been born

Of other parents thus detestable,

What Deity soe’er had brought thee forth,

Thou shouldst have found long since a humbler sphere.

He ceased, and to the care his son consign’d1070

Of Pæon; he with drugs of lenient powers,

Soon heal’d whom immortality secured

From dissolution. As the juice from figs

Express’d what fluid was in milk before

Coagulates, stirr’d rapidly around,1075

So soon was Mars by Pæon skill restored.

Him Hebe bathed, and with divine attire

Graceful adorn’d; when at the side of Jove

Again his glorious seat sublime he took.

Meantime to the abode of Jove supreme1080

Ascended Juno throughout Argos known

And mighty Pallas; Mars the plague of man,

By their successful force from slaughter driven.

BOOK VI.

ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK.

The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector by

the advice of Helenus enters Troy, and recommends it to Hecuba to go in

solemn procession to the temple of Minerva; she with the matrons goes

accordingly. Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris, and

exhorts him to return to the field of battle. An interview succeeds

between Hector and Andromache, and Paris, having armed himself in the

mean time, comes up with Hector at the close of it, when they sally

from the gate together.

BOOK VI.

Thus was the field forsaken by the Gods.

And now success proved various; here the Greeks

With their extended spears, the Trojans there

Prevail’d alternate, on the champain spread

The Xanthus and the Simoïs between.[1]5

First Telamonian Ajax,[2] bulwark firm

Of the Achaians, broke the Trojan ranks,

And kindled for the Greeks a gleam of hope,

Slaying the bravest of the Thracian band,

Huge Acamas, Eusorus’ son; him first10

Full on the shaggy crest he smote, and urged

The spear into his forehead; through his skull

The bright point pass’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes.

But Diomede, heroic Chief, the son

Of Teuthras slew, Axylus.[3] Rich was he,15

And in Arisba (where he dwelt beside

The public road, and at his open door

Made welcome all) respected and beloved.

But of his numerous guests none interposed

To avert his woful doom; nor him alone20

He slew, but with him also to the shades

Calesius sent, his friend and charioteer.

Opheltius fell and Dresus, by the hand

Slain of Euryalus, who, next, his arms

On Pedasus and on Æsepus turned25

Brethren and twins. Them Abarbarea bore,

A Naiad, to Bucolion, son renown’d

Of King Laomedon, his eldest born,

But by his mother, at his birth, conceal’d.

Bucolion pasturing his flocks, embraced30

The lovely nymph; she twins produced, both whom,

Brave as they were and beautiful, thy son[4]

Mecisteus! slew, and from their shoulders tore

Their armor. Dauntless Polypœtes slew

Astyalus. Ulysses with his spear35

Transfixed Pydites, a Percosian Chief,

And Teucer Aretaön; Nestor’s pride

Antilochus, with his bright lance, of life

Bereft Ablerus, and the royal arm

Of Agamemnon, Elatus; he dwelt40

Among the hills of lofty Pedasus,

On Satnio’s banks, smooth-sliding river pure

Phylacus fled, whom Leïtus as swift

Soon smote. Melanthius at the feet expired

Of the renown’d Eurypylus, and, flush’d45

With martial ardor, Menelaus seized

And took alive Adrastus. As it chanced

A thicket his affrighted steeds detain’d

Their feet entangling; they with restive force

At its extremity snapp’d short the pole,50

And to the city, whither others fled,

Fled also. From his chariot headlong hurl’d,

Adrastus press’d the plain fast by his wheel.

Flew Menelaus, and his quivering spear

Shook over him; he, life imploring, clasp’d55

Importunate his knees, and thus exclaim’d.

Oh, son of Atreus, let me live! accept

Illustrious ransom! In my father’s house

Is wealth abundant, gold, and brass, and steel

Of truest temper, which he will impart60

Till he have gratified thine utmost wish,

Inform’d that I am captive in your fleet.

He said, and Menelaus by his words

Vanquish’d, him soon had to the fleet dismiss’d

Given to his train in charge, but swift and stern65

Approaching, Agamemnon interposed.

Now, brother, whence this milkiness of mind,

These scruples about blood? Thy Trojan friends

Have doubtless much obliged thee. Die the race!

May none escape us! neither he who flies,70

Nor even the infant in his mother’s womb

Unconscious. Perish universal Troy

Unpitied, till her place be found no more![5]

So saying, his brother’s mind the Hero turn’d,

Advising him aright; he with his hand75

Thrust back Adrastus, and himself, the King,

His bowels pierced. Supine Adrastus fell,

And Agamemnon, with his foot the corse

Impressing firm, pluck’d forth his ashen spear.

Then Nestor, raising high his voice, exclaim’d.80

Friends, Heroes, Grecians, ministers of Mars!

Let none, desirous of the spoil, his time

Devote to plunder now; now slay your foes,

And strip them when the field shall be your own.[6]

He said, and all took courage at his word.85

Then had the Trojans enter’d Troy again

By the heroic Grecians foul repulsed,

So was their spirit daunted, but the son

Of Priam, Helenus, an augur far

Excelling all, at Hector’s side his speech90

To him and to Æneas thus address’d.

Hector, and thou, Æneas, since on you

The Lycians chiefly and ourselves depend,

For that in difficult emprize ye show

Most courage; give best counsel; stand yourselves,95

And, visiting all quarters, cause to stand

Before the city-gates our scatter’d troops,

Ere yet the fugitives within the arms

Be slaughter’d of their wives, the scorn of Greece.

When thus ye shall have rallied every band100

And roused their courage, weary though we be,

Yet since necessity commands, even here

Will we give battle to the host of Greece.

But, Hector! to the city thou depart;

There charge our mother, that she go direct,105

With the assembled matrons, to the fane

Of Pallas in the citadel of Troy.

Opening her chambers’ sacred doors, of all

Her treasured mantles there, let her select

The widest, most magnificently wrought,110

And which she values most; _that_ let her spread

On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine.[7]

Twelve heifers of the year yet never touch’d

With puncture of the goad, let her alike

Devote to her, if she will pity Troy,115

Our wives and little ones, and will avert

The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,

That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host,

Bravest, in my account, of all the Greeks.

For never yet Achilles hath himself120

So taught our people fear, although esteemed

Son of a Goddess. But this warrior’s rage

Is boundless, and his strength past all compare.

So Helenus; nor Hector not complied.

Down from his chariot instant to the ground125

All arm’d he leap’d, and, shaking his sharp spears,

Through every phalanx pass’d, rousing again

Their courage, and rekindling horrid war.

They, turning, faced the Greeks; the Greeks repulsed,

Ceased from all carnage, nor supposed they less130

Than that some Deity, the starry skies

Forsaken, help’d their foes, so firm they stood.

But Hector to the Trojans call’d aloud.

Ye dauntless Trojans and confederate powers

Call’d from afar! now be ye men, my friends,135

Now summon all the fury of your might!

I go to charge our senators and wives

That they address the Gods with prayers and vows

For our success, and hecatombs devote.

So saying the Hero went, and as he strode140

The sable hide that lined his bossy shield

Smote on his neck and on his ancle-bone.

And now into the middle space between

Both hosts, the son of Tydeus and the son

Moved of Hippolochus, intent alike145

On furious combat; face to face they stood,

And thus heroic Diomede began.

Most noble Champion! who of human kind

Art thou,[8] whom in the man-ennobling fight

I now encounter first? Past all thy peers150

I must esteem thee valiant, who hast dared

To meet my coming, and my spear defy.

Ah! they are sons of miserable sires

Who dare my might; but if a God from heaven

Thou come, behold! I fight not with the Gods.155

That war Lycurgus son of Dryas waged,

And saw not many years. The nurses he

Of brain-disturbing Bacchus down the steep

Pursued of sacred Nyssa; they their wands

Vine-wreathed cast all away, with an ox-goad160

Chastised by fell Lycurgus. Bacchus plunged

Meantime dismay’d into the deep, where him

Trembling, and at the Hero’s haughty threats

Confounded, Thetis in her bosom hid.[9]

Thus by Lycurgus were the blessed powers165

Of heaven offended, and Saturnian Jove

Of sight bereaved him, who not long that loss

Survived, for he was curst by all above.

I, therefore, wage no contest with the Gods;

But if thou be of men, and feed on bread170

Of earthly growth, draw nigh, that with a stroke

Well-aim’d, I may at once cut short thy days.[10]

To whom the illustrious Lycian Chief replied.

Why asks brave Diomede of my descent?

For, as the leaves, such is the race of man.[11]175

The wind shakes down the leaves, the budding grove

Soon teems with others, and in spring they grow.

So pass mankind. One generation meets

Its destined period, and a new succeeds.

But since thou seem’st desirous to be taught180

My pedigree, whereof no few have heard,

Know that in Argos, in the very lap

Of Argos, for her steed-grazed meadows famed,

Stands Ephyra;[12] there Sisyphus abode,

Shrewdest of human kind; Sisyphus, named185

Æolides. Himself a son begat,

Glaucus, and he Bellerophon, to whom

The Gods both manly force and beauty gave.

Him Prœtus (for in Argos at that time

Prœtus was sovereign, to whose sceptre Jove190

Had subjected the land) plotting his death,

Contrived to banish from his native home.

For fair Anteia, wife of Prœtus, mad

Through love of young Bellerophon, him oft

In secret to illicit joys enticed;195

But she prevail’d not o’er the virtuous mind

Discrete of whom she wooed; therefore a lie

Framing, she royal Prœtus thus bespake.

Die thou, or slay Bellerophon, who sought

Of late to force me to his lewd embrace.200

So saying, the anger of the King she roused.

Slay him himself he would not, for his heart

Forbad the deed; him therefore he dismiss’d

To Lycia, charged with tales of dire import

Written in tablets,[13] which he bade him show,205

That he might perish, to Anteia’s sire.

To Lycia then, conducted by the Gods,

He went, and on the shores of Xanthus found

Free entertainment noble at the hands

Of Lycia’s potent King. Nine days complete210

He feasted him, and slew each day an ox.

But when the tenth day’s ruddy morn appear’d,

He asked him then his errand, and to see

Those written tablets from his son-in-law.

The letters seen, he bade him, first, destroy215

Chimæra, deem’d invincible, divine

In nature, alien from the race of man,

Lion in front, but dragon all behind,

And in the midst a she-goat breathing forth

Profuse the violence of flaming fire.220

Her, confident in signs from heaven, he slew.

Next, with the men of Solymæ[14] he fought,

Brave warriors far renown’d, with whom he waged,

In his account, the fiercest of his wars.

And lastly, when in battle he had slain225

The man-resisting Amazons, the king

Another stratagem at his return

Devised against him, placing close-conceal’d

An ambush for him from the bravest chosen

In Lycia; but they saw their homes no more;230

Bellerophon the valiant slew them all.

The monarch hence collecting, at the last,

His heavenly origin, him there detain’d,

And gave him his own daughter, with the half

Of all his royal dignity and power.235

The Lycians also, for his proper use,

Large lot assigned him of their richest soil,[15]

Commodious for the vine, or for the plow.

And now his consort fair three children bore

To bold Bellerophon; Isandrus one,240

And one, Hippolochus; his youngest born

Laodamia was for beauty such

That she became a concubine of Jove.

She bore Sarpedon of heroic note.

But when Bellerophon, at last, himself245

Had anger’d all the Gods, feeding on grief

He roam’d alone the Aleian field, exiled,

By choice, from every cheerful haunt of man.

Mars, thirsty still for blood, his son destroy’d

Isandrus, warring with the host renown’d250

Of Solymæ; and in her wrath divine

Diana from her chariot golden-rein’d

Laodamia slew. Myself I boast

Sprung from Hippolochus; he sent me forth

To fight for Troy, charging me much and oft255

That I should outstrip always all mankind

In worth and valor, nor the house disgrace

Of my forefathers, heroes without peer

In Ephyra, and in Lycia’s wide domain.

Such is my lineage; such the blood I boast.260

He ceased. Then valiant Diomede rejoiced.

He pitch’d his spear, and to the Lycian Prince

In terms of peace and amity replied.

Thou art my own hereditary friend,

Whose noble grandsire was the guest of mine.[16]265

For Oeneus, on a time, full twenty days

Regaled Bellerophon, and pledges fair

Of hospitality they interchanged.

Oeneus a belt radiant with purple gave

To brave Bellerophon, who in return270

Gave him a golden goblet. Coming forth

I left the kind memorial safe at home.

A child was I when Tydeus went to Thebes,

Where the Achaians perish’d, and of him

Hold no remembrance; but henceforth, my friend,275

Thine host am I in Argos, and thou mine

In Lycia, should I chance to sojourn there.

We will not clash. Trojans or aids of Troy

No few the Gods shall furnish to my spear,

Whom I may slaughter; and no want of Greeks280

On whom to prove thy prowess, thou shalt find.

But it were well that an exchange ensued

Between us; take mine armor, give me thine,

That all who notice us may understand

Our patrimonial[17] amity and love.285

So they, and each alighting, hand in hand

Stood lock’d, faith promising and firm accord.

Then Jove of sober judgment so bereft

Infatuate Glaucus that with Tydeus’ son

He barter’d gold for brass, an hundred beeves290

In value, for the value small of nine.

But Hector at the Scæan gate and beech[18]

Meantime arrived, to whose approach the wives

And daughters flock’d of Troy, inquiring each

The fate of husband, brother, son, or friend.295

He bade them all with solemn prayer the Gods

Seek fervent, for that wo was on the wing.

But when he enter’d Priam’s palace, built

With splendid porticoes, and which within

Had fifty chambers lined with polish’d stone,300

Contiguous all, where Priam’s sons reposed

And his sons’ wives, and where, on the other side.

In twelve magnificent chambers also lined

With polish’d marble and contiguous all,

The sons-in-law of Priam lay beside305

His spotless daughters, there the mother queen

Seeking the chamber of Laodice,

Loveliest of all her children, as she went

Met Hector. On his hand she hung and said:

Why leavest thou, O my son! the dangerous field?310

I fear that the Achaians (hateful name!)

Compass the walls so closely, that thou seek’st

Urged by distress the citadel, to lift

Thine hands in prayer to Jove? But pause awhile

Till I shall bring thee wine, that having pour’d315

Libation rich to Jove and to the powers

Immortal, thou may’st drink and be refresh’d.

For wine is mighty to renew the strength

Of weary man, and weary thou must be

Thyself, thus long defending us and ours.320

To whom her son majestic thus replied.

My mother, whom I reverence! cheering wine

Bring none to me, lest I forget my might.[19]

I fear, beside, with unwash’d hands to pour

Libation forth of sable wine to Jove,325

And dare on none account, thus blood-defiled,[20]

Approach the tempest-stirring God in prayer.

Thou, therefore, gathering all our matrons, seek

The fane of Pallas, huntress of the spoil,

Bearing sweet incense; but from the attire330

Treasured within thy chamber, first select

The amplest robe, most exquisitely wrought,

And which thou prizest most—then spread the gift

On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine.

Twelve heifers also of the year, untouch’d335

With puncture of the goad, promise to slay

In sacrifice, if she will pity Troy,

Our wives and little ones, and will avert

The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,

That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host.340

Go then, my mother, seek the hallowed fane

Of the spoil-huntress Deity. I, the while,

Seek Paris, and if Paris yet can hear,

Shall call him forth. But oh that earth would yawn

And swallow him, whom Jove hath made a curse345

To Troy, to Priam, and to all his house;

Methinks, to see him plunged into the shades

For ever, were a cure for all my woes.

He ceased; the Queen, her palace entering, charged

Her maidens; they, incontinent, throughout350

All Troy convened the matrons, as she bade.

Meantime into her wardrobe incense-fumed,

Herself descended; there her treasures lay,

Works of Sidonian women,[21] whom her son

The godlike Paris, when he cross’d the seas355

With Jove-begotten Helen, brought to Troy.

The most magnificent, and varied most

With colors radiant, from the rest she chose

For Pallas; vivid as a star it shone,

And lowest lay of all. Then forth she went,360

The Trojan matrons all following her steps.

But when the long procession reach’d the fane

Of Pallas in the heights of Troy, to them

The fair Theano ope’d the portals wide,

Daughter of Cisseus, brave Antenor’s spouse,365

And by appointment public, at that time,

Priestess of Pallas. All with lifted hands[22]

In presence of Minerva wept aloud.

Beauteous Theano on the Goddess’ lap

Then spread the robe, and to the daughter fair370

Of Jove omnipotent her suit address’d.

Goddess[23] of Goddesses, our city’s shield,

Adored Minerva, hear! oh! break the lance

Of Diomede, and give himself to fall

Prone in the dust before the Scæan gate.375

So will we offer to thee at thy shrine,

This day twelve heifers of the year, untouch’d

By yoke or goad, if thou wilt pity show

To Troy, and save our children and our wives.

Such prayer the priestess offer’d, and such prayer380

All present; whom Minerva heard averse.

But Hector to the palace sped meantime

Of Alexander, which himself had built,

Aided by every architect of name

Illustrious then in Troy. Chamber it had,385

Wide hall, proud dome, and on the heights of Troy

Near-neighboring Hector’s house and Priam’s stood.

There enter’d Hector, Jove-beloved, a spear

Its length eleven cubits in his hand,

Its glittering head bound with a ring of gold.390

He found within his chamber whom he sought,

Polishing with exactest care his arms

Resplendent, shield and hauberk fingering o’er

With curious touch, and tampering with his bow.[24]

Helen of Argos with her female train395

Sat occupied, the while, to each in turn

Some splendid task assigning. Hector fix’d

His eyes on Paris, and him stern rebuked.

Thy sullen humors, Paris, are ill-timed.

The people perish at our lofty walls;400

The flames of war have compass’d Troy around

And thou hast kindled them; who yet thyself

That slackness show’st which in another seen

Thou would’st resent to death. Haste, seek the field

This moment, lest, the next, all Ilium blaze.405

To whom thus Paris, graceful as a God.

Since, Hector, thou hast charged me with a fault,

And not unjustly, I will answer make,

And give thou special heed. That here I sit,

The cause is sorrow, which I wish’d to soothe410

In secret, not displeasure or revenge.

I tell thee also, that even now my wife

Was urgent with me in most soothing terms

That I would forth to battle; and myself,

Aware that victory oft changes sides,415

That course prefer. Wait, therefore, thou awhile,

Till I shall dress me for the fight, or go

Thou first, and I will overtake thee soon.

He ceased, to whom brave Hector answer none

Return’d, when Helen him with lenient speech420

Accosted mild.[25] My brother! who in me

Hast found a sister worthy of thy hate,

Authoress of all calamity to Troy,

Oh that the winds, the day when I was born,

Had swept me out of sight, whirl’d me aloft425

To some inhospitable mountain-top,

Or plunged me in the deep; there I had sunk

O’erwhelm’d, and all these ills had never been.

But since the Gods would bring these ills to pass,

I should, at least, some worthier mate have chosen,430

One not insensible to public shame.

But this, oh this, nor hath nor will acquire

Hereafter, aught which like discretion shows

Or reason, and shall find his just reward.

But enter; take this seat; for who as thou435

Labors, or who hath cause like thee to rue

The crime, my brother, for which Heaven hath doom’d

Both Paris and my most detested self

To be the burthens of an endless song?

To whom the warlike Hector huge[26] replied.440

Me bid not, Helen, to a seat, howe’er

Thou wish my stay, for thou must not prevail.

The Trojans miss me, and myself no less

Am anxious to return. But urge in haste

This loiterer forth; yea, let him urge himself445

To overtake me ere I quit the town.

For I must home in haste, that I may see

My loved Andromache, my infant boy,

And my domestics, ignorant if e’er

I shall behold them more, or if my fate450

Ordain me now to fall by Grecian hands.

So spake the dauntless hero, and withdrew.

But reaching soon his own well-built abode

He found not fair Andromache; she stood

Lamenting Hector, with the nurse who bore455

Her infant, on a turret’s top sublime.

He then, not finding his chaste spouse within,

Thus from the portal, of her train inquired.

Tell me, ye maidens, whither went from home

Andromache the fair?[27] Went she to see460

Her female kindred of my father’s house,

Or to Minerva’s temple, where convened

The bright-hair’d matrons of the city seek

To soothe the awful Goddess? Tell me true.

To whom his household’s governess discreet.465

Since, Hector, truth is thy demand, receive

True answer. Neither went she forth to see

Her female kindred of thy father’s house,

Nor to Minerva’s temple, where convened

The bright-haired matrons of the city seek470

To soothe the awful Goddess; but she went

Hence to the tower of Troy: for she had heard

That the Achaians had prevail’d, and driven

The Trojans to the walls; she, therefore, wild

With grief, flew thither, and the nurse her steps475

Attended, with thy infant in her arms.

So spake the prudent governess; whose words

When Hector heard, issuing from his door

He backward trod with hasty steps the streets

Of lofty Troy, and having traversed all480

The spacious city, when he now approach’d

The Scæan gate, whence he must seek the field,

There, hasting home again his noble wife

Met him, Andromache the rich-endow’d

Fair daughter of Eëtion famed in arms.485

Eëtion, who in Hypoplacian Thebes

Umbrageous dwelt, Cilicia’s mighty lord—

His daughter valiant Hector had espoused.

There she encounter’d him, and with herself

The nurse came also, bearing in her arms490

Hectorides, his infant darling boy,

Beautiful as a star. Him Hector called

Scamandrios, but Astyanax[28] all else

In Ilium named him, for that Hector’s arm

Alone was the defence and strength of Troy.495

The father, silent, eyed his babe, and smiled.

Andromache, meantime, before him stood,

With streaming cheeks, hung on his hand, and said.

Thy own great courage will cut short thy days,

My noble Hector! neither pitiest thou500

Thy helpless infant, or my hapless self,

Whose widowhood is near; for thou wilt fall

Ere long, assail’d by the whole host of Greece.

Then let me to the tomb, my best retreat

When thou art slain. For comfort none or joy505

Can I expect, thy day of life extinct,

But thenceforth, sorrow. Father I have none;

No mother. When Cilicia’s city, Thebes

The populous, was by Achilles sack’d.

He slew my father; yet his gorgeous arms510

Stripp’d not through reverence of him, but consumed,

Arm’d as it was, his body on the pile,

And heap’d his tomb, which the Oreades,

Jove’s daughters, had with elms inclosed around.[29]

My seven brothers, glory of our house,515

All in one day descended to the shades;

For brave Achilles,[30] while they fed their herds

And snowy flocks together, slew them all.

My mother, Queen of the well-wooded realm

Of Hypoplacian Thebes, her hither brought520

Among his other spoils, he loosed again

At an inestimable ransom-price,

But by Diana pierced, she died at home.

Yet Hector—oh my husband! I in thee

Find parents, brothers, all that I have lost.525

Come! have compassion on us. Go not hence,

But guard this turret, lest of me thou make

A widow, and an orphan of thy boy.

The city walls are easiest of ascent

At yonder fig-tree; station there thy powers;530

For whether by a prophet warn’d, or taught

By search and observation, in that part

Each Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete,

The sons of Atreus, and the valiant son

Of Tydeus, have now thrice assail’d the town.535

To whom the leader of the host of Troy.

These cares, Andromache, which thee engage,

All touch me also; but I dread to incur

The scorn of male and female tongues in Troy,

If, dastard-like, I should decline the fight.540

Nor feel I such a wish. No. I have learn’d

To be courageous ever, in the van

Among the flower of Ilium to assert

My glorious father’s honor, and my own.

For that the day shall come when sacred Troy,545

When Priam, and the people of the old

Spear-practised King shall perish, well I know.

But for no Trojan sorrows yet to come

So much I mourn, not e’en for Hecuba,

Nor yet for Priam, nor for all the brave550

Of my own brothers who shall kiss the dust,

As for thyself, when some Achaian Chief

Shall have convey’d thee weeping hence, thy sun

Of peace and liberty for ever set.

Then shalt thou toil in Argos at the loom555

For a task-mistress, and constrain’d shalt draw

From Hypereïa’s fount,[31] or from the fount

Messeïs, water at her proud command.

Some Grecian then, seeing thy tears, shall say—

“This was the wife of Hector, who excell’d560

All Troy in fight when Ilium was besieged.”

Such he shall speak thee, and thy heart, the while,

Shall bleed afresh through want of such a friend

To stand between captivity and thee.

But may I rest beneath my hill of earth565

Or ere that day arrive! I would not live

To hear thy cries, and see thee torn away.

So saying, illustrious Hector stretch’d his arms

Forth to his son, but with a scream, the child

Fell back into the bosom of his nurse,570

His father’s aspect dreading, whose bright arms

He had attentive mark’d and shaggy crest

Playing tremendous o’er his helmet’s height.

His father and his gentle mother laugh’d,[32]

And noble Hector lifting from his head575

His dazzling helmet, placed it on the ground,

Then kiss’d his boy and dandled him, and thus

In earnest prayer the heavenly powers implored.

Hear all ye Gods! as ye have given to me,

So also on my son excelling might580

Bestow, with chief authority in Troy.

And be his record this, in time to come,

When he returns from battle. Lo! how far

The son excels the sire! May every foe

Fall under him, and he come laden home585

With spoils blood-stain’d to his dear mother’s joy.

He said, and gave his infant to the arms

Of his Andromache, who him received

Into her fragrant bosom, bitter tears

With sweet smiles mingling; he with pity moved590

That sight observed, soft touch’d her cheek, and said,

Mourn not, my loved Andromache, for me

Too much; no man shall send me to the shades

Of Tartarus, ere mine allotted hour,

Nor lives he who can overpass the date595

By heaven assign’d him, be he base or brave.[33]

Go then, and occupy content at home

The woman’s province; ply the distaff, spin

And weave, and task thy maidens. War belongs

To man; to all men; and of all who first600

Drew vital breath in Ilium, most to me.[34]

He ceased, and from the ground his helmet raised

Hair-crested; his Andromache, at once

Obedient, to her home repair’d, but oft

Turn’d as she went, and, turning, wept afresh.605

No sooner at the palace she arrived

Of havoc-spreading Hector, than among

Her numerous maidens found within, she raised

A general lamentation; with one voice,

In his own house, his whole domestic train610

Mourn’d Hector, yet alive; for none the hope

Conceived of his escape from Grecian hands,

Or to behold their living master more.

Nor Paris in his stately mansion long

Delay’d, but, arm’d resplendent, traversed swift615

The city, all alacrity and joy.

As some stall’d horse high-fed, his stable-cord

Snapt short, beats under foot the sounding plain,

Accustomed in smooth-sliding streams to lave

Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane620

Undulates o’er his shoulders, pleased he eyes

His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees

Shoots to the meadow where his fellows graze;

So Paris, son of Priam, from the heights

Of Pergamus into the streets of Troy,625

All dazzling as the sun, descended, flush’d

With martial pride, and bounding in his course.

At once he came where noble Hector stood

Now turning, after conference with his spouse,

When godlike Alexander thus began.630

My hero brother, thou hast surely found

My long delay most irksome. More dispatch

Had pleased thee more, for such was thy command.

To whom the warlike Hector thus replied.

No man, judicious, and in feat of arms635

Intelligent, would pour contempt on thee

(For thou art valiant) wert thou not remiss

And wilful negligent; and when I hear

The very men who labor in thy cause

Reviling thee, I make thy shame my own.640

But let us on. All such complaints shall cease

Hereafter, and thy faults be touch’d no more,

Let Jove but once afford us riddance clear

Of these Achaians, and to quaff the cup

Of liberty, before the living Gods.645

It may be observed, that Hector begins to resume his hope of success,

and his warlike spirit is roused again, as he approaches the field of

action. The depressing effect of his sad interview is wearing away from

his mind, and he is already prepared for the battle with Ajax, which

awaits him.

The student who has once read this book, will read it again and again.

It contains much that is addressed to the deepest feelings of our

common nature, and, despite of the long interval of time which lies

between our age and the Homeric—despite the manifold changes of

customs, habits, pursuits, and the advances that have been made in

civilization and art—despite of all these, the universal spirit of

humanity will recognize in these scenes much of that true poetry which

delights alike all ages, all nations, all men.—Felton.

BOOK VII.

ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.

Ajax and Hector engage in single combat. The Grecians fortify their

camp.

BOOK VII.

So saying, illustrious Hector through the gates

To battle rush’d, with Paris at his side,

And both were bent on deeds of high renown.

As when the Gods vouchsafe propitious gales

To longing mariners, who with smooth oars5

Threshing the waves have all their strength consumed,

So them the longing Trojans glad received.

At once each slew a Grecian. Paris slew

Menesthius who in Arna dwelt, the son

Of Areithoüs, club-bearing chief,10

And of Philomedusa radiant-eyed.

But Hector wounded with his glittering spear

Eïoneus; he pierced his neck beneath

His brazen morion’s verge, and dead he fell.

Then Glaucus, leader of the Lycian host,15

Son of Hippolochus, in furious fight

Iphinoüs son of Dexias assail’d,

Mounting his rapid mares, and with his lance

His shoulder pierced; unhorsed he fell and died.

Such slaughter of the Grecians in fierce fight20

Minerva noting, from the Olympian hills

Flew down to sacred Ilium; whose approach

Marking from Pergamus, Apollo flew

To meet her, ardent on the part of Troy.

Beneath the beech they join’d, when first the King,25

The son of Jove, Apollo thus began.

Daughter of Jove supreme! why hast thou left

Olympus, and with such impetuous speed?

Comest thou to give the Danaï success

Decisive? For I know that pity none30

Thou feel’st for Trojans, perish as they may

But if advice of mine can influence thee

To that which shall be best, let us compose

This day the furious fight which shall again

Hereafter rage, till Ilium be destroy’d.35

Since such is Juno’s pleasure and thy own.

Him answer’d then Pallas cærulean-eyed.

Celestial archer! be it so. I came

Myself so purposing into the field

From the Olympian heights. But by what means40

Wilt thou induce the warriors to a pause?

To whom the King, the son of Jove, replied.

The courage of equestrian Hector bold

Let us excite, that he may challenge forth

To single conflict terrible some chief45

Achaian. The Achaians brazen-mail’d

Indignant, will supply a champion soon

To combat with the noble Chief of Troy.

So spake Apollo, and his counsel pleased

Minerva; which when Helenus the seer,50

Priam’s own son, in his prophetic soul

Perceived, approaching Hector, thus he spake.

Jove’s peer in wisdom, Hector, Priam’s son!

I am thy brother. Wilt thou list to me?

Bid cease the battle. Bid both armies sit.55

Call first, thyself, the mightiest of the Greeks

To single conflict. I have heard the voice

Of the Eternal Gods, and well-assured

Foretell thee that thy death not now impends.

He spake, whom Hector heard with joy elate.60

Before his van striding into the space

Both hosts between, he with his spear transverse[1]

Press’d back the Trojans, and they sat. Down sat

The well-greaved Grecians also at command

Of Agamemnon; and in shape assumed65

Of vultures, Pallas and Apollo perch’d

High on the lofty beech sacred to Jove

The father Ægis-arm’d; delighted thence

They view’d the peopled plain horrent around

With shields and helms and glittering spears erect.70

As when fresh-blowing Zephyrus the flood

Sweeps first, the ocean blackens at the blast,

Such seem’d the plain whereon the Achaians sat

And Trojans, whom between thus Hector spake.

Ye Trojans and Achaians brazen-greaved,75

Attend while I shall speak! Jove high-enthroned

Hath not fulfill’d the truce, but evil plans

Against both hosts, till either ye shall take

Troy’s lofty towers, or shall yourselves in flight

Fall vanquish’d at your billow-cleaving barks.80

With you is all the flower of Greece.[2] Let him

Whose heart shall move him to encounter sole

Illustrious Hector, from among you all

Stand forth, and Jove be witness to us both.

If he, with his long-pointed lance, of life85

Shall me bereave, my armor is his prize,

Which he shall hence into your fleet convey;

Not so my body; that he shall resign

For burial to the men and wives of Troy.

But if Apollo make the glory mine,90

And he fall vanquish’d, him will I despoil,

And hence conveying into sacred Troy

His arms, will in the temple hang them high[3]

Of the bow-bender God, but I will send

His body to the fleet, that him the Greeks95

May grace with rights funereal. On the banks

Of wide-spread Hellespont ye shall upraise

His tomb, and as they cleave with oary barks

The sable deep, posterity shall say—

“It is a warrior’s tomb; in ancient days100

The Hero died; him warlike Hector slew.”

So men shall speak hereafter, and my fame

Who slew him, and my praise, shall never die.

He ceased, and all sat mute. His challenge bold

None dared accept, which yet they blush’d to shun,105

Till Menelaus, at the last, arose

Groaning profound, and thus reproach’d the Greeks.

Ah boasters! henceforth women—men no more—

Eternal shame, shame infinite is ours,

If none of all the Grecians dares contend110

With Hector. Dastards—deaf to glory’s call—

Rot where ye sit! I will myself take arms

Against him, for the gods alone dispose,

At their own pleasure, the events of war.

He ended, and put on his radiant arms.115

Then, Menelaus, manifest appear’d

Thy death approaching by the dreadful hands

Of Hector, mightier far in arms than thou,

But that the Chiefs of the Achaians all

Upstarting stay’d thee, and himself the King,120

The son of Atreus, on thy better hand

Seizing affectionate, thee thus address’d.

Thou ravest, my royal brother! and art seized

With needless frenzy. But, however chafed,

Restrain thy wrath, nor covet to contend125

With Priameian Hector, whom in fight

All dread, a warrior thy superior far.

Not even Achilles, in the glorious field

(Though stronger far than thou) this hero meets

Undaunted. Go then, and thy seat resume130

In thy own band; the Achaians shall for him,

Doubtless, some fitter champion furnish forth.

Brave though he be, and with the toils of war

Insatiable, he shall be willing yet,

Seated on his bent knees, to breathe a while,135

Should he escape the arduous brunt severe.

So saying, the hero by his counsel wise

His brother’s purpose alter’d; he complied,

And his glad servants eased him of his arms.

Then Nestor thus the Argive host bespake.140

Great wo, ye Gods! hath on Achaia fallen.

Now may the warlike Pelaus, hoary Chief,

Who both with eloquence and wisdom rules

The Myrmidons, our foul disgrace deplore.

With him discoursing, erst, of ancient times,145

When all your pedigrees I traced, I made

His heart bound in him at the proud report.

But now, when he shall learn how here we sat

Cowering at the foot of Hector, he shall oft

His hands uplift to the immortal Gods,150

Praying a swift release into the shades.

Jove! Pallas! Phœbus! Oh that I were young

As when the Pylians in fierce fight engaged

The Arcadians spear-expert, beside the stream

Of rapid Celadon! Beneath the walls155

We fought of Pheia, where the Jardan rolls.

There Ereuthalion, Chief of godlike form,

Stood forth before his van, and with loud voice

Defied the Pylians. Arm’d he was in steel

By royal Areïthous whilom worn;160

Brave Areïthous, Corynetes[4] named

By every tongue; for that in bow and spear

Nought trusted he, but with an iron mace

The close-embattled phalanx shatter’d wide.

Him by address, not by superior force,165

Lycurgus vanquish’d, in a narrow pass,

Where him his iron whirl-bat[5] nought avail’d.

Lycurgus stealing on him, with his lance

Transpierced and fix’d him to the soil supine.

Him of his arms, bright gift of brazen Mars,170

He stripp’d, which after, in the embattled field

Lycurgus wore himself, but, growing old,

Surrender’d them to Ereuthalion’s use

His armor-bearer, high in his esteem,

And Ereuthalion wore them on the day175

When he defied our best. All hung their heads

And trembled; none dared meet him; till at last

With inborn courage warm’d, and nought dismayed,

Though youngest of them all, I undertook

That contest, and, by Pallas’ aid, prevail’d.180

I slew the man in height and bulk all men

Surpassing, and much soil he cover’d slain.

Oh for the vigor of those better days!

Then should not Hector want a champion long,

Whose call to combat, ye, although the prime185

And pride of all our land, seem slow to hear.

He spake reproachful, when at once arose

Nine heroes. Agamemnon, King of men,

Foremost arose; then Tydeus’ mighty son,

With either Ajax in fierce prowess clad;190

The Cretan next, Idomeneus, with whom

Uprose Meriones his friend approved,

Terrible as the man-destroyer Mars.

Evæmon’s noble offspring next appear’d

Eurypylus; Andræmon’s son the next195

Thoas; and last, Ulysses, glorious Chief.

All these stood ready to engage in arms

With warlike Hector, when the ancient King,

Gerenian Nestor, thus his speech resumed.

Now cast the lot for all. Who wins the chance200

Shall yield Achaia service, and himself

Serve also, if successful he escape

This brunt of hostile hardiment severe.

So Nestor. They, inscribing each his lot,

Into the helmet cast it of the son205

Of Atreus, Agamemnon. Then the host

Pray’d all, their hands uplifting, and with eyes

To the wide heavens directed, many said[6]—

Eternal sire! choose Ajax, or the son

Of Tydeus, or the King himself[7] who sways210

The sceptre in Mycenæ wealth-renown’d!

Such prayer the people made; then Nestor shook

The helmet, and forth leaped, whose most they wished,

The lot of Ajax. Throughout all the host

To every chief and potentate of Greece,215

From right to left the herald bore the lot

By all disown’d; but when at length he reach’d

The inscriber of the lot, who cast it in,

Illustrious Ajax, in his open palm

The herald placed it, standing at his side.220

He, conscious, with heroic joy the lot

Cast at his foot, and thus exclaim’d aloud.

My friends! the lot is mine,[8] and my own heart

Rejoices also; for I nothing doubt

That noble Hector shall be foil’d by me.225

But while I put mine armor on, pray all

In silence to the King Saturnian Jove,

Lest, while ye pray, the Trojans overhear.

Or pray aloud, for whom have we to dread?

No man shall my firm standing by his strength230

Unsettle, or for ignorance of mine

Me vanquish, who, I hope, brought forth and train’d

In Salamis, have, now, not much to learn.

He ended. They with heaven-directed eyes

The King in prayer address’d, Saturnian Jove.235

Jove! glorious father! who from Ida’s height

Controlest all below, let Ajax prove

Victorious; make the honor all his own!

Or, if not less than Ajax, Hector share

Thy love and thy regard, divide the prize240

Of glory, and let each achieve renown!

Then Ajax put his radiant armor on,

And, arm’d complete, rush’d forward. As huge Mars

To battle moves the sons of men between

Whom Jove with heart-devouring thirst inspires245

Of war, so moved huge Ajax to the fight,

Tower of the Greeks, dilating with a smile

His martial features terrible; on feet,

Firm-planted, to the combat he advanced

Stride after stride, and shook his quivering spear.250

Him viewing, Argos’ universal host

Exulted, while a panic loosed the knees

Of every Trojan; even Hector’s heart

Beat double, but escape for him remain’d

None now, or to retreat into his ranks255

Again, from whom himself had challenged forth.

Ajax advancing like a tower his shield

Sevenfold, approach’d. It was the labor’d work

Of Tychius, armorer of matchless skill,

Who dwelt in Hyla; coated with the hides260

Of seven high-pamper’d bulls that shield he framed

For Ajax, and the disk plated with brass.

Advancing it before his breast, the son

Of Telamon approach’d the Trojan Chief,

And face to face, him threatening, thus began.265

Now, Hector, prove, by me alone opposed,

What Chiefs the Danaï can furnish forth

In absence of the lion-hearted prince

Achilles, breaker of the ranks of war.

He, in his billow-cleaving barks incensed270

Against our leader Agamemnon, lies;

But warriors of my measure, who may serve

To cope with thee, we want not; numerous such

Are found amongst us. But begin the fight.

To whom majestic Hector fierce in arms.275

Ajax! heroic leader of the Greeks!

Offspring of Telamon! essay not me

With words to terrify, as I were boy.

Or girl unskill’d in war;[9] I am a man

Well exercised in battle, who have shed280

The blood of many a warrior, and have learn’d,

From hand to hand shifting my shield, to fight

Unwearied; I can make a sport of war,

In standing fight adjusting all my steps

To martial measures sweet, or vaulting light285

Into my chariot, thence can urge the foe.

Yet in contention with a Chief like thee

I will employ no stratagem, or seek

To smite thee privily, but with a stroke

(If I may reach thee) visible to all.290

So saying, he shook, then hurl’d his massy spear

At Ajax, and his broad shield sevenfold

On its eighth surface of resplendent brass

Smote full; six hides the unblunted weapon pierced,

But in the seventh stood rooted. Ajax, next,295

Heroic Chief, hurl’d his long shadow’d spear

And struck the oval shield of Priam’s son.

Through his bright disk the weapon tempest-driven

Glided, and in his hauberk-rings infixt

At his soft flank, ripp’d wide his vest within.300

Inclined oblique he ’scaped the dreadful doom

Then each from other’s shield his massy spear

Recovering quick, like lions hunger-pinch’d

Or wild boars irresistible in force,

They fell to close encounter. Priam’s son305

The shield of Ajax at its centre smote,

But fail’d to pierce it, for he bent his point.

Sprang Ajax then, and meeting full the targe

Of Hector, shock’d him; through it and beyond

He urged the weapon with its sliding edge310

Athwart his neck, and blood was seen to start.

But still, for no such cause, from battle ceased

Crest-tossing Hector, but retiring, seized

A huge stone angled sharp and black with age

That on the champain lay. The bull-hide guard315

Sevenfold of Ajax with that stone he smote

Full on its centre; sang the circling brass.

Then Ajax far a heavier stone upheaved;

He whirled it, and with might immeasurable

Dismiss’d the mass, which with a mill-stone weight320

Sank through the shield of Hector, and his knees

Disabled; with his shield supine he fell,

But by Apollo raised, stood soon again.

And now, with swords they had each other hewn,

Had not the messengers of Gods and men325

The heralds wise, Idæus on the part

Of Ilium, and Talthybius for the Greeks,

Advancing interposed. His sceptre each

Between them held, and thus Idæus spake.[10]

My children, cease! prolong not still the fight.330

Ye both are dear to cloud-assembler Jove,

Both valiant, and all know it. But the Night

Hath fallen, and Night’s command must be obeyed.

To him the son of Telamon replied.

Idæus! bid thy master speak as thou.335

He is the challenger. If such his choice,

Mine differs not; I wait but to comply.

Him answer’d then heroic Hector huge.

Since, Ajax, the immortal powers on thee

Have bulk pre-eminent and strength bestow’d,340

With such address in battle, that the host

Of Greece hath not thine equal at the spear,

Now let the combat cease. We shall not want

More fair occasion; on some future day

We will not part till all-disposing heaven345

Shall give thee victory, or shall make her mine.

But Night hath fallen, and Night must be obey’d,

That them may’st gratify with thy return

The Achaians, and especially thy friends

And thy own countrymen. I go, no less350

To exhilarate in Priam’s royal town

Men and robed matrons, who shall seek the Gods

For me, with pious ceremonial due.

But come. We will exchange, or ere we part,

Some princely gift, that Greece and Troy may say355

Hereafter, with soul-wasting rage they fought,

But parted with the gentleness of friends.

So saying, he with his sheath and belt a sword

Presented bright-emboss’d, and a bright belt

Purpureal[11] took from Ajax in return.360

Thus separated, one the Grecians sought,

And one the Trojans; they when him they saw

From the unconquer’d hands return’d alive

Of Ajax, with delight their Chief received,

And to the city led him, double joy365

Conceiving all at his unhoped escape.

On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d

To noble Agamemnon introduced

Exulting Ajax, and the King of men

In honor of the conqueror slew an ox370

Of the fifth year to Jove omnipotent.

Him flaying first, they carved him next and spread

The whole abroad, then, scoring deep the flesh,

They pierced it with the spits, and from the spits

(Once roasted well) withdrew it all again.375

Their labor thus accomplish’d, and the board

Furnish’d with plenteous cheer, they feasted all

Till all were satisfied; nor Ajax miss’d

The conqueror’s meed, to whom the hero-king

Wide-ruling Agamemnon, gave the chine[12]380

Perpetual,[13] his distinguish’d portion due.

The calls of hunger and of thirst at length

Both well sufficed, thus, foremost of them all

The ancient Nestor, whose advice had oft

Proved salutary, prudent thus began.385

Chiefs of Achaia, and thou, chief of all,

Great Agamemnon! Many of our host

Lie slain, whose blood sprinkles, in battle shed,

The banks of smooth Scamander, and their souls

Have journey’d down into the realms of death.390

To-morrow, therefore, let the battle pause

As need requires, and at the peep of day

With mules and oxen, wheel ye from all parts

The dead, that we may burn them near the fleet.

So, home to Greece returning, will we give395

The fathers’ ashes to the children’s care.

Accumulating next, the pile around,

One common tomb for all, with brisk dispatch

We will upbuild for more secure defence

Of us and of our fleet, strong towers and tall400

Adjoining to the tomb, and every tower

Shall have its ponderous gate, commodious pass

Affording to the mounted charioteer.

And last, without those towers and at their foot,

Dig we a trench, which compassing around405

Our camp, both steeds and warriors shall exclude,

And all fierce inroad of the haughty foe.

So counsell’d he, whom every Chief approved.

In Troy meantime, at Priam’s gate beside

The lofty citadel, debate began410

The assembled senators between, confused,

Clamorous, and with furious heat pursued,

When them Antenor, prudent, thus bespake.

Ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies of Troy,

My counsel hear! Delay not. Instant yield415

To the Atridæ, hence to be convey’d,

Helen of Greece with all that is her own.

For charged with violated oaths we fight,

And hope I none conceive that aught by us

Design’d shall prosper, unless so be done.420

He spake and sat; when from his seat arose

Paris, fair Helen’s noble paramour,

Who thus with speech impassion’d quick replied.

Antenor! me thy counsel hath not pleased;

Thou could’st have framed far better; but if this425

Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods

Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth.

But I will speak myself. Ye Chiefs of Troy,

I tell you plain. I will not yield my spouse.

But all her treasures to our house convey’d430

From Argos, those will I resign, and add

Still other compensation from my own.

Thus Paris said and sat; when like the Gods

Themselves in wisdom, from his seat uprose

Dardanian Priam, who them thus address’d.435

Trojans, Dardanians, and allies of Troy!

I shall declare my sentence; hear ye me.

Now let the legions, as at other times,

Take due refreshment; let the watch be set,

And keep ye vigilant guard. At early dawn440

We will dispatch Idæus to the fleet,

Who shall inform the Atridæ of this last

Resolve of Paris, author of the war.

Discreet Idæus also shall propose

A respite (if the Atridæ so incline)445

From war’s dread clamor, while we burn the dead.

Then will we clash again, till heaven at length

Shall part us, and the doubtful strife decide.

He ceased, whose voice the assembly pleased, obey’d.

Then, troop by troop, the army took repast,450

And at the dawn Idæus sought the fleet.

He found the Danaï, servants of Mars,

Beside the stern of Agamemnon’s ship

Consulting; and amid the assembled Chiefs

Arrived, with utterance clear them thus address’d.455

Ye sons of Atreus, and ye Chiefs, the flower

Of all Achaia! Priam and the Chiefs

Of Ilium, bade me to your ear impart

(If chance such embassy might please your ear)

The mind of Paris, author of the war.460

The treasures which on board his ships he brought

From Argos home (oh, had he perish’d first!)

He yields them with addition from his own.

Not so the consort of the glorious prince

Brave Menelaus; her (although in Troy465

All counsel otherwise) he still detains.

Thus too I have in charge. Are ye inclined

That the dread sounding clamors of the field

Be caused to cease till we shall burn the dead?

Then will we clash again, till heaven at length470

Shall part us, and the doubtful strife decide.

So spake Idæus, and all silent sat;

Till at the last brave Diomede replied.

No. We will none of Paris’ treasures now,

Nor even Helen’s self. A child may see475

Destruction winging swift her course to Troy.

He said. The admiring Greeks with loud applause

All praised the speech of warlike Diomede,

And answer thus the King of men return’d.

Idæus! thou hast witness’d the resolve480

Of the Achaian Chiefs, whose choice is mine.

But for the slain, I shall not envy them

A funeral pile; the spirit fled, delay

Suits not. Last rites can not too soon be paid.

Burn them. And let high-thundering Jove attest485

Himself mine oath, that war shall cease the while.

So saying, he to all the Gods upraised

His sceptre, and Idæus homeward sped

To sacred Ilium. The Dardanians there

And Trojans, all assembled, his return490

Expected anxious. He amid them told

Distinct his errand, when, at once dissolved,

The whole assembly rose, these to collect

The scatter’d bodies, those to gather wood;

While on the other side, the Greeks arose495

As sudden, and all issuing from the fleet

Sought fuel, some, and some, the scatter’d dead.

Now from the gently-swelling flood profound

The sun arising, with his earliest rays

In his ascent to heaven smote on the fields.500

When Greeks and Trojans met. Scarce could the slain

Be clear distinguish’d, but they cleansed from each

His clotted gore with water, and warm tears

Distilling copious, heaved them to the wains.

But wailing none was heard, for such command505

Had Priam issued; therefore heaping high

The bodies, silent and with sorrowing hearts

They burn’d them, and to sacred Troy return’d.

The Grecians also, on the funeral pile

The bodies heaping sad, burn’d them with fire510

Together, and return’d into the fleet.

Then, ere the peep of dawn, and while the veil

Of night, though thinner, still o’erhung the earth,

Achaians, chosen from the rest, the pile

Encompass’d. With a tomb (one tomb for all)515

They crown’d the spot adust, and to the tomb

(For safety of their fleet and of themselves)

Strong fortress added of high wall and tower,

With solid gates affording egress thence

Commodious to the mounted charioteer;520

Deep foss and broad they also dug without,

And planted it with piles. So toil’d the Greeks.

The Gods, that mighty labor, from beside

The Thunderer’s throne with admiration view’d,

When Neptune, shaker of the shores, began.525

Eternal father! is there on the face

Of all the boundless earth one mortal man

Who will, in times to come, consult with heaven?

See’st thou yon height of wall, and yon deep trench

With which the Grecians have their fleet inclosed,530

And, careless of our blessing, hecatomb

Or invocation have presented none?

Far as the day-spring shoots herself abroad,

So far the glory of this work shall spread,

While Phœbus and myself, who, toiling hard,535

Built walls for king Laomedon, shall see

Forgotten all the labor of our hands.

To whom, indignant, thus high-thundering Jove.

Oh thou, who shakest the solid earth at will,

What hast thou spoken? An inferior power,540

A god of less sufficiency than thou,

Might be allowed some fear from such a cause.

Fear not. Where’er the morning shoots her beams,

Thy glory shall be known; and when the Greeks

Shall seek their country through the waves again,545

Then break this bulwark down, submerge it whole,

And spreading deep with sand the spacious shore

As at the first, leave not a trace behind.

Such conference held the Gods; and now the sun

Went down, and, that great work perform’d, the Greeks550

From tent to tent slaughter’d the fatted ox

And ate their evening cheer. Meantime arrived

Large fleet with Lemnian wine; Euneus, son

Of Jason and Hypsipile, that fleet

From Lemnos freighted, and had stow’d on board555

A thousand measures from the rest apart

For the Atridæ; but the host at large

By traffic were supplied; some barter’d brass,

Others bright steel; some purchased wine with hides,

These with their cattle, with their captives those,560

And the whole host prepared a glad regale.

All night the Grecians feasted, and the host

Of Ilium, and all night deep-planning Jove

Portended dire calamities to both,

Thundering tremendous!—Pale was every cheek;565

Each pour’d his goblet on the ground, nor dared

The hardiest drink, till he had first perform’d

Libation meet to the Saturnian King

Omnipotent; then, all retiring, sought

Their couches, and partook the gift of sleep.570

BOOK VIII.

ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTH BOOK.

Jove calls a council, in which he forbids all interference of the Gods

between the Greeks and Trojans. He repairs to Ida, where, having

consulted the scales of destiny, he directs his lightning against the

Grecians. Nestor is endangered by the death of one of his horses.

Diomede delivers him. In the chariot of Diomede they both hasten to

engage Hector, whose charioteer is slain by Diomede. Jupiter again

interposes by his thunders, and the whole Grecian host, discomfited, is

obliged to seek refuge within the rampart. Diomede, with others, at

sight of a favorable omen sent from Jove in answer to Agamemnon’s

prayer, sallies. Teucer performs great exploits, but is disabled by

Hector. Juno and Pallas set forth from Olympus in aid of the Grecians,

but are stopped by Jupiter, who reascends from Ida, and in heaven

foretells the distresses which await the Grecians.

Hector takes measures for the security of Troy during the night, and

prepares his host for an assault to be made on the Grecian camp in the

morning.

BOOK VIII.