deadly arrows that had been dipped in the blood of the Hydra of Lerna.
He further enjoined his friend to let no man know of his departure
from life, to the intent that the fear of his approach might prevent
fresh monsters and new robbers from ravaging the earth.
Thus died Hercules, and after his death he was received as a god
amongst the Immortals on Mount Olympus, where he married Hebe, Jove's
cupbearer. In his honor mortals were commanded to build altars and to
raise temples.
THE PERILOUS VOYAGE OF ÆNEAS
ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMEKN
Once upon a time, nearly three thousand years ago, the city of Troy
in Asia Minor was at the height of its prosperity. It was built on a
fortified hill on the southern slopes of the Hellespont, and encircled
by strong walls that the gods had helped to build. Through their
favor Troy became so strong and powerful that she subdued many of
the neighboring states and forced them to fight for her and do her
bidding. Thus it happened that when the Greeks came to Asia with an
army of 100,000 men, Troy was able to hold out against them for nine
years, and in the tenth was only taken by a trick.
In the "Iliad" of Homer you may read all about the quarrel between the
Trojans and Greeks, the fighting before Troy and the brave deeds done
by Hector and Achilles, and many other heroes. You will see there how
the gods took part in the quarrel, and how Juno, who was the wife of
Jupiter and queen of heaven, hated Troy because Paris had given the
golden apple to Venus as the fairest among goddesses. Juno never
forgave this insult to her beauty, and vowed that she would not rest
till the hated city was destroyed and its very name wiped from the
face of the earth. You shall now hear how she carried out her threat,
and overwhelmed Æneas with disasters.
After a siege that lasted ten years Troy was taken at last by means
of the wooden horse, which the Trojans foolishly dragged into the city
with their own hands. Inside it were hidden a number of Greeks, who
were thus carried into the heart of the enemy's city. The Trojans
celebrated the departure of the Greeks by feasting and drinking far
into the night; but when at last they retired to rest, the Greeks
stole out of their hiding-place, and opened the gates to their army,
which had only pretended to withdraw. Before the Trojans had recovered
their wits the town was full of enemies, who threw blazing torches on
the houses and killed every citizen who fell into their hands.
Among the many noble princes who fought against the Greeks none was
braver and handsomer than Æneas. His mother was the goddess Venus, and
his father a brave and powerful Prince named Anchises, while Creusa,
his wife, was one of King Priam's daughters. On that dreadful night,
when the Greeks were burning and killing in the very streets of Troy,
Æneas lay sleeping in his palace when there appeared to him a strange
vision. He thought that Hector stood before him carrying the images of
the Trojan gods and bade him arise and leave the doomed city. "To you
Troy entrusts her gods and her fortunes. Take these images, and go
forth beyond the seas, and with their auspices found a new Troy on
foreign shores."
Roused from his slumbers Æneas sprang up in haste, put on his armor
and rushed into the fray. He was joined by a few comrades, and
together they made their way through the enemy, killing all who
blocked their path. But when they reached the royal palace and found
that the Greeks had already forced their way in and killed the aged
man by his own hearth, Æneas remembered his father and his wife and
his little son Ascanius. Since he could not hope to save the city he
might at least take thought for his own kin. While he still hesitated
whether to retire or continue the fight, his goddess mother appeared
and bade him go and succor his household. "Your efforts to save the
city are vain," she said. "The gods themselves make war on Troy. Juno
stands by the gate urging on the Greeks, Jupiter supplies them with
hope and courage, and Neptune is breaking down with his trident the
walls he helped to raise. Fly, my son, fly. I will bring you safely to
your own threshold."
Guided by her protecting hand, Æneas came in safety to his palace,
and bade his family prepare in all haste for flight. But his father
refused to stir a step. "Let me die here at the enemy's hands," he
implored. "Better thus than to go into exile in my old age. Do you go,
my son, whither the gods summon you, and leave me to my fate." In
vain Æneas reasoned and pleaded, in vain he refused to go without his
father; neither prayers nor entreaties would move Anchises till the
gods sent him a sign. Suddenly the child's hair burst into flames.
The father and mother were terrified, but Anchises recognised the good
omen, and prayed the gods to show whether his interpretation was the
true one. In answer there came a clap of thunder and a star flashed
across the sky and disappeared among the woods on Mount Ida. Then
Anchises was sure that the token was a true one. "Delay no more!" he
cried. "I will accompany you, and go in hope wheresoever the gods of
my country shall lead me. This is a sign from heaven, and the gods, if
it be their will, may yet preserve our city."
"Come then, father!" cried Æneas joyfully. "Let me take you on my
back, for your feeble limbs would move too slowly for the present
danger. You shall hold the images of the gods, since it would be
sacrilege for me to touch them with my blood-stained hands. Little
Ascanius shall take my hand, and Creusa will follow us closely."
He now ordered the servants to collect all the most valuable
possessions, and bring them to him at the temple of Ceres, just
outside the city. Then he set out with father, wife and son, and they
groped their way through the city by the light of burning homesteads.
Thus they passed at last through the midst of the enemy, and reached
the temple of Ceres. There, to his dismay, Æneas missed Creusa. He
rushed back to the city and made his way to his own house. He found it
in flames, and the enemy were sacking the ruins. Nowhere could he find
a trace of his wife. Wild with grief and anxiety he wandered at random
through the city till suddenly he fancied he saw Creusa. But it was
her ghost, not her living self. She spoke to her distracted husband
and bade him grieve no more. "Think not," she said, "that this has
befallen without the will of the gods. The Fates have decided that
Creusa shall not follow you to your new home. There are long and weary
wanderings before you, and you must traverse many stormy seas before
you come to the western land where the river Tiber pours its gentle
stream through the fertile pastures of Italy. There shall you find
a kingdom and a royal bride. Cease then to mourn for Creusa." Æneas
tried to clasp her in his arms, but in vain, for he only grasped the
empty air. Then he understood that the gods desired him to go forth
into the world alone.
While Æneas was seeking Creusa a group of Trojans who had escaped
the enemy and the flames had collected at the temple of Ceres, and he
found them ready and willing to join him and follow his fortunes. The
first rays of the sun were touching the peaks of Ida when Aeneas
and his comrades turned their backs on the ill-fated city, and went
towards the rising sun and the new hope.
For several months Æneas and his little band of followers lived as
refugees among the hills of Ida, and their numbers grew as now one,
now another, came to join them. All through the winter they were hard
at work cutting down trees and building ships, which were to carry
them across the seas. When spring came the fleet was ready, and the
little band set sail. First they merely crossed the Hellespont to
Thrace, for Aeneas hoped to found a city here and revive the name of
Troy. But bad omens came to frighten the Trojans and drive them back
to their ships.
They now took a southward course, and sailed on without stopping till
they reached Delos, the sacred isle of Apollo. Here Aeneas entered the
temple and offered prayer to the lord of prophecy. "Grant us a home,
Apollo, grant us an abiding city. Preserve a second Troy for the
scanty remnant that escaped the swords of the Greeks and the wrath
of cruel Achilles. Tell us whom to follow, whither to turn, where to
found our city."
His prayer was not offered in vain, for a voice spoke in answer. "Ye
hardy sons of Dardanus, the land that erst sent forth your ancestral
race shall welcome you back to its fertile fields. Go and seek your
ancient mother. There shall the offspring of Æneas rule over all the
lands, and their children's children unto the furthest generations."
When he had heard this oracle, Anchises said, "In the middle of the
sea lies an island called Crete, which is sacred to Jupiter. There
we shall find an older Mount Ida, and beside it the cradle of our
race. Thence, if tradition speaks truth, our great ancestor Teucrus
set sail for Asia and there he founded his kingdom, and named our
mountain Ida. Let us steer our course therefore to Crete, and if
Jupiter be propitious, the third dawn will bring us to its shores."
Accordingly they set out again full of hope, and passed in and out
again among the gleaming islands of the Ægean, till at last they
came to Crete. There they disembarked, and began to build a city.
The houses were rising, the citadel was almost ready, the fields were
planted and sown, and the young men were seeking wives, when suddenly
the crops were stricken by a blight and the men by a pestilence.
Surely, they thought, this could not be the home promised them by
Apollo. In this distress Anchises bade his son return to Delos and
implore the gods to vouchsafe further counsel.
At night Æneas lay down to rest, troubled by many anxieties, when
suddenly he was roused by the moonlight streaming through the window
and illuminating the images of the Trojan gods. It seemed as though
they opened their lips and spoke to him. "All that Apollo would have
told you at Delos, we may declare to you here, for he has given us a
message to you. We followed your arms after the burning of Troy,
and traversed the ocean under your guidance, and we shall raise your
descendants to the stars and give dominion to their city. But do not
seek it here. These are not the shores that Apollo assigns you, nor
may Crete be your abiding place. Far to the west lies the land which
the Greeks called Hesperia, but which now bears the name of Italy.
There is our destined home; thence came Dardanus, our great ancestor
and the father of our race."
Amazed at this vision, Æneas sprang up and lifted his hands to heaven
in prayer. Then he hastened to tell Anchises of this strange event.
They resolved to tarry no longer, but turning their backs on the
rising walls they drew their ships down to the sea again, and once
more set forth in search of a new country.
Now they sailed towards the west, and rounded the south of Greece into
the Ionian Sea. But a storm drove them out of their course, and the
darkness was so thick that they could not tell night from day, and the
helmsman, Palinurus, knew not whither he was steering. Thus they were
tossed about aimlessly for three days and nights, till at last they
saw land ahead and, lowering their sails, rowed safely into a quiet
harbor. Not a human being was in sight, but herds of cattle grazed on
the pastures, and goats sported untended on the rocks. Here was even
food in plenty for hungry men. They killed oxen and goats, and made
ready a feast for themselves, and a sacrifice for the gods. The repast
was prepared, and Æneas and his comrades were about to enjoy it,
when a sound of rustling wings was heard all round them. Horrible
creatures, half birds, half women, with long talons and cruel beaks,
swooped down on the tables and carried off the food before the eyes
of the terrified banqueters. These were the Harpies, who had once been
sent to plague King Phineus, and when they were driven away by two of
the Argonauts, Zetes and Calais, took refuge in these islands. In vain
the Trojans attacked them with their swords, for the monsters would
fly out of reach, and then dart back again on a sudden, and pounce
once more on the food, while Celæno, chief of the Harpies, perched on
a rock and chanted in hoarse tones a prophecy of ill omen. "You that
kill our oxen and seek to drive us from our rightful home, hearken to
my words, which Jupiter declared to Apollo, and Apollo told even to
me. You are sailing to Italy, and you shall reach Italy and enter its
harbors. But you are not destined to surround your city with a wall,
till cruel hunger and vengeance for the wrong you have done us force
you to gnaw your very tables with your teeth."
When the Trojans heard this terrible prophecy their hearts sank within
them, and Anchises, lifting his hands to heaven, besought the gods to
avert this grievous doom. Thus, full of sad forebodings, they returned
to their ships.
Their way now lay along the western coast of Greece, and they were
glad to slip unnoticed past the rocky island of Ithaca, the home of
Ulysses the wily. For they did not know that he was still held captive
by the nymph Calypso, and that many years were to pass before he
should be restored to his kingdom. They next cast anchor off Leucadia,
and passed the winter in these regions. In spring they sailed north
again, and landed in Epirus, and here to their surprise they found
Helenus, one of the sons of Priam, ruling over a Greek people. He
welcomed his kinsman joyfully and, having the gift of prophecy from
Apollo, foretold the course of his wanderings. "Italy, which you deem
so near, is a far-distant land, and many adventures await you before
you reach that shore where lies your destined home. Before you reach
it, you will visit Sicily, and the realms of the dead and the
island of Circe. But I will give you a sign whereby you may know the
appointed place. When by the banks of a secluded stream you shall
see a huge white sow with her thirty young ones, then shall you have
reached the limit of your wanderings. Be sure to avoid the eastern
coast of Italy opposite these shores. Wicked Greek tribes have their
dwelling there, and it is safer to pass at once to the western coast.
On your left, you will hear in the Strait the thundering roar of
Charybdis, and on the right grim Scylla sits scowling in her cave
ready to spring on the unwary traveler. Better take a long circuit
round Sicily than come even within sight and sound of Scylla. As soon
as you touch the western shores of Italy, go to the city of Cumæ and
the Sibyl's cavern. Try to win her favor, and she will tell you of the
nations of Italy and the wars yet to come, and how you may avoid each
peril and accomplish every labor. One warning would I give you and
enjoin it with all my power. If you desire to reach your journey's end
in safety, forget not to do homage to Juno. Offer up prayers to her
divinity, load her altars with gifts. Then, and then only, may you
hope for a happy issue from all your troubles!"
So once more the Trojans set sail, and obedient to the warnings of
Helenus they avoided the eastern coast of Italy, and struck southward
towards Sicily. Far up the channel they heard the roar of Charybdis
and hastened their speed in fear. Soon the snowy cone of Etna came
into view with its column of smoke rising heavenward. As they lay at
anchor hard by, a ragged, half-starved wretch ran out of the woods
calling loudly on Æneas for succor. This was one of the comrades of
Ulysses, who had been left behind by mistake, and lived in perpetual
dread of the savage Cyclôpes. Æneas was moved to pity, and though the
man was a Greek and an enemy, he took him on board and gave him
food and succor. Before they left this place they had a glimpse of
Polyphemus himself. The blind giant came down the cliff with his
flock, feeling his way with a huge staff of pine-trunk. He even
stepped into the sea, and walked far out without wetting his thighs.
The Trojans hastily slipped their cables, and made away. Polyphemus
heard the sound of their oars, and called his brother Cyclôpes to
come and seize the strangers, but they were too late to overtake the
fugitives.
After this they continued their southward course, passing the island
where Syracuse now stands, and rounding the southern coast of Sicily.
Then they sailed past the tall rock of Acragas and palm-loving
Selinus, and so came to the western corner, where the harbor of
Drepanun gave them shelter. Here a sorrow overtook Æneas, that neither
the harpy nor the seer had foretold. Anchises, weary with wandering
and sick of long-deferred hope, fell ill and died. Sadly Æneas sailed
from hence without his trusted friend and counselor, and steered his
course for Italy.
At last the goal seemed at hand and the dangers of the narrow strait
had been escaped. But Æneas had a far more dangerous enemy than Scylla
and Charybdis, for Juno's wrath was not yet appeased. He had offered
prayer and sacrifice, as Helenus bade him, but her long-standing
grudge was not so easily forgotten. She hated Troy and the
Trojans with an undying hatred, and would not suffer even these
few-storm-tossed wanderers to seek their new home in peace. She knew
too that it was appointed by the Fates that a descendant of this
fugitive Trojan should one day found a city destined to eclipse in
wealth and glory her favorite city of Carthage. This she desired to
avert at all costs, and if even the queen of heaven was not strong
enough to overrule fate, at least she resolved that the Trojans
should not enter into their inheritance without many and grievous
tribulations.
Off the northerncoast of Sicily lies a group of small islands, still
called the Æolian Isles, after Æolus, king of the winds, whose palace
stood upon the largest. Here he lived in a rock-bound castle, and kept
the boisterous winds fast bound in strong dungeons, that they might
not go forth unbidden to work havoc and destruction. But for his
restraining hand they would have burst forth and swept away land and
sea in their fury. To this rocky fortress Juno came with a request
to Æolus. "Men of a race hateful to me are now crossing the sea. I
beseech you, therefore, send a storm to scatter the ships and drown
the men in the waves. As a reward I will give you one of my fairest
nymphs in marriage." Thus she urged, and at her bidding Æolus struck
the rock and the prison gates were opened. The winds at once rushed
forth in all directions. The clouds gathered and blotted out sky
and daylight, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and the Trojans
thought their last hour had come. Even Æneas lost heart, and envied
the lot of those who fell before Troy by the sword of Diomede. Soon
a violent gust struck his ship, the oars were broken, and the prow
turned round and exposed the side to the waves. The water closed
over it, then opened again, and drew down the vessel, leaving the men
floating on the water. Three ships were dashed against sunken rocks,
three were driven among the shallows and blocked with a mound of
sand. Another was struck from stem to stern, then sucked down into a
whirlpool. One after another the rest succumbed, and it seemed as if
each moment must see their utter destruction.
Meantime Neptune in his palace at the bottom of the sea had noticed
the sudden disturbance of the waters, and now put out his head above
the waves to learn the cause of this commotion. When he saw the
shattered Trojan ships he guessed that this was Juno's work. Instantly
he summoned the winds and chid them for daring to disturb the waters
without his leave. "Begone," he said, "and tell your master Æolus that
the dominion of the sea is mine, not his. Let him be content to keep
guard over you and see that you do not escape from your prison." While
he spoke Neptune was busy calming the waters, and it was not long
before he put the clouds to flight and brought back the sunshine.
Nymphs came to push the ships off the rocks, and Neptune himself
opened a way out of the shallows. Then he returned to his chariot, and
his white horses carried him lightly across the calm waters.
Thankful to have saved a few of his ships, all shattered and leaking
as they were, Æneas bade the helmsman steer for the nearest land. What
was their joy to see within easy reach a quiet harbor closed in by
a sheltering island. The entrance was guarded by twin cliffs, and a
forest background closed in the scene. Once within this shelter the
weary vessels needed no anchor to secure them. Here at last Æneas
and his comrades could stretch their aching limbs on dry land. They
kindled a fire of leaves with a flint, and dried their sodden corn for
a scanty meal.
Æneas now climbed one of the hills to see whether he might catch a
glimpse of any of the missing ships. Not a sail was in sight, but in
the valley below he spied a herd of deer grazing. Here was better food
for hungry men. Drawing an arrow from his quiver, he fitted it to his
bow, let fly, and a mighty stag fell to his aim. Six others shared
its fate, then Æneas returned with his booty and bade his friends make
merry with venison and Sicilian wine from the ships. As they ate and
drank, he tried to hearten the Trojans. "Endure a little longer," he
urged. "Think of the perils through which we have passed, remember the
dreadful Cyclôpes and cruel Scylla. Despair not now, for one day the
memory of past sufferings shall delight your hours of ease. Through
toils and hardships we are making our way to Latium, where the gods
have promised us a peaceful home and a new and glorious Troy. Hold out
a little while, and wait for the happy days in store."
HOW HORATIUS HELD THE BRIDGE
ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH
King Tarquin[1] and his son Lucius (for he only remained to him of the
three) fled to Lars Porsenna, King of Clusium, and besought him that
he would help them. "Suffer not," they said, "that we, who are Tuscans
by birth, should remain any more in poverty and exile. And take heed
also to thyself and thine own kingdom if thou permit this new fashion
of driving forth kings to go unpunished. For surely there is that in
freedom which men greatly desire, and if they that be kings defend not
their dignity as stoutly as others seek to overthrow it, then shall
the highest be made even as the lowest, and there shall be an end of
kingship, than which there is nothing more honorable under heaven."
With these words they persuaded King Porsenna, who judging it well for
the Etrurians that there should be a king at Rome, and that king an
Etrurian by birth, gathered together a great army and came up against
Rome. But when men heard of his coming, so mighty a city was Clusium
in those days, and so great the fame of King Porsenna, there was such
fear as had never been before. Nevertheless they were steadfastly
purposed to hold out. And first all that were in the country fled into
the city, and round about the city they set guards to keep it, part
thereof being defended by walls, and part, for so it seemed,
being made safe by the river. But here a great peril had well-nigh
over-taken the city; for there was a wooden bridge on the river by
which the enemy had crossed but for the courage of a certain Horatius
Cocles. The matter fell out in this wise.
[Footnote 1: King Tarquin had been driven from Rome because of his
tyranny.]