 | Leonidas |  |
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BOOK IV.
The argument.
Leonidas rising by break of day commands a body of Arcadians, with the Thespians, and Platæans to be drawn out for battle in that part of Thermopylæ, which lay under the Phocian wall, from whence be harangues them. The enemy approaches. Diomedon kills Tigranes in single combat. Both armies join battle. Dithyrambus kills Phraortes. The Persians, entirely defeated, are pursued with great slaughter by Diomedon and Dithyrambus to the extremity of the pass. The Grecian commanders after the pursuit retire for refreshment to a cave in the side of mount Oeta. Leonidas recals them to the camp, and sends down fresh forces. Diomedon, and Dithyrambus, with the Platæans are permitted to continue in the field. By the advice of Diomedon the Grecians advance to the broadest part of Thermopylæ, where they form a line of thirty in depth, consisting of the Platæans, Mantinéans, Tegæans, Thebans, Corinthians, Phliasians, and Mycenæans. The attack is renew'd with great violence by Hyperanthes, Abrocomes, and the principal Persian leaders at the head of some chosen troops.
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Laconia's leader with the morning rose,
When thus to Alpheus. From Arcadia's bands
Select a thousand spears. To these unite
The Thespians and Platæans. Range their lines
Before the wall, which fortifies the pass:
There close-imbodied will their might repulse
The num'rous foe. Obedient to his will
Th' appointed legions issuing from their tents
With deep'ning ranks Leonidas inclose.
So round their monarch in his stormy cave
The winds assemble, from his sable throne
When Æolus sends forth his dread command
To swell the main, or heav'n with clouds deform,
Or bend the forest from the mountain's brow.
The chief of Sparta from the rampart's height
Thus to the fight the list'ning host inflames.
When thus to Alpheus. From Arcadia's bands
Select a thousand spears. To these unite
The Thespians and Platæans. Range their lines
Before the wall, which fortifies the pass:
There close-imbodied will their might repulse
The num'rous foe. Obedient to his will
Th' appointed legions issuing from their tents
With deep'ning ranks Leonidas inclose.
So round their monarch in his stormy cave
The winds assemble, from his sable throne
When Æolus sends forth his dread command
To swell the main, or heav'n with clouds deform,
Or bend the forest from the mountain's brow.
The chief of Sparta from the rampart's height
Thus to the fight the list'ning host inflames.
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This day, O Grecians, countrymen, and friends,
Your wives, your offspring, your paternal seats,
Your fathers, country, liberty, and laws
Have sent you hither, from your infant age
Vers'd in the various discipline of Mars,
Laborious, active, virtuous, brave, and free,
To match your valour with ignoble foes
In war unskilful, nature's basest dross,
The foes of all utility and worth,
And thence a monarch's mercenary slaves;
With spirits broke by servitude and want,
With limbs relax'd by sloth, and wanton ease,
With minds debauch'd by vices, uninspir'd
By all th'indearing cares in free-born hearts,
Who cold and drooping fight without a cause,
To whom defeat is neither grief, nor shame,
Who seek no fruit from victory, but spoil.
These are the flow'r of Asia's host. The rest,
Who fill their boasted numbers, are a croud
Forc'd from their dwellings to the bloody field,
From whom till now with jealous care their lord
Has still withheld the instruments of war.
These are the people taught with patient grief
To bear the rapine, cruelty, and spurns
Of Xerxes' mercenary bands, and pine
In servitude to slaves. With terrour sounds
The trumpet's clangor in their trembling ears.
Unwonted loads, the buckler and the lance
Their hands sustain incumber'd, and present
The mockery of war.—But ev'ry eye
Flames with impatient ardour, and your breasts
Too long their swelling spirit have confin'd.
Go then, ye sons of Liberty, and sweep
These bondmen from the field. Resistless rend
The glitt'ring standard from their servile hands.
Hurl to the ground their ignominious heads
The warriour's helm profaning. Think the shades
Of your forefathers rear their sacred brows
Here to enjoy the glory of their sons.
Your wives, your offspring, your paternal seats,
Your fathers, country, liberty, and laws
Have sent you hither, from your infant age
Vers'd in the various discipline of Mars,
Laborious, active, virtuous, brave, and free,
To match your valour with ignoble foes
In war unskilful, nature's basest dross,
The foes of all utility and worth,
And thence a monarch's mercenary slaves;
With spirits broke by servitude and want,
With limbs relax'd by sloth, and wanton ease,
With minds debauch'd by vices, uninspir'd
By all th'indearing cares in free-born hearts,
Who cold and drooping fight without a cause,
To whom defeat is neither grief, nor shame,
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These are the flow'r of Asia's host. The rest,
Who fill their boasted numbers, are a croud
Forc'd from their dwellings to the bloody field,
From whom till now with jealous care their lord
Has still withheld the instruments of war.
These are the people taught with patient grief
To bear the rapine, cruelty, and spurns
Of Xerxes' mercenary bands, and pine
In servitude to slaves. With terrour sounds
The trumpet's clangor in their trembling ears.
Unwonted loads, the buckler and the lance
Their hands sustain incumber'd, and present
The mockery of war.—But ev'ry eye
Flames with impatient ardour, and your breasts
Too long their swelling spirit have confin'd.
Go then, ye sons of Liberty, and sweep
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The glitt'ring standard from their servile hands.
Hurl to the ground their ignominious heads
The warriour's helm profaning. Think the shades
Of your forefathers rear their sacred brows
Here to enjoy the glory of their sons.
He spake. Loud Pæans burst from all the host.
With fierce reply unnumber'd shouts ascend
From hostile nations thronging down the pass.
Such is the roar of Ætna, when her mouth
Displodes combustion from her sulph'rous depths,
And blasts the smiles of Nature. Dauntless stood
In deep array before the Phocian wall
The Greeks close-wedg'd with implicated shields,
And spears protended, like the graceful range
Of arduous elms, whose interwoven boughs
Before some rural palace wide expand
Their venerable umbrage to retard
The North's impetuous wing. As o'er the main
In lucid rows the rising waves reflect
The sun's effulgence, so the Grecian helms
Return'd his light, which o'er their convex pour'd,
And scatter'd splendour on the dancing plumes.
Down rush'd the foe. Exulting in the van
Their haughty leader shakes his threatning lance,
And frowns defiance. Bursting from his rank
Diomedon with instant fury fac'd
Th' impending foes. Meantime he loudly calls
Their chief Tigranes, whom he thus defies.
With fierce reply unnumber'd shouts ascend
From hostile nations thronging down the pass.
Such is the roar of Ætna, when her mouth
Displodes combustion from her sulph'rous depths,
And blasts the smiles of Nature. Dauntless stood
In deep array before the Phocian wall
The Greeks close-wedg'd with implicated shields,
And spears protended, like the graceful range
Of arduous elms, whose interwoven boughs
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Their venerable umbrage to retard
The North's impetuous wing. As o'er the main
In lucid rows the rising waves reflect
The sun's effulgence, so the Grecian helms
Return'd his light, which o'er their convex pour'd,
And scatter'd splendour on the dancing plumes.
Down rush'd the foe. Exulting in the van
Their haughty leader shakes his threatning lance,
And frowns defiance. Bursting from his rank
Diomedon with instant fury fac'd
Th' impending foes. Meantime he loudly calls
Their chief Tigranes, whom he thus defies.
Now thou art met, Barbarian. Wouldst thou prove
Thy actions equal to thy vaunts, command
Thy troops to halt, while thou and I engage.
Thy actions equal to thy vaunts, command
Thy troops to halt, while thou and I engage.
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Tigranes turning to the Persians spake.
My friends, and soldiers, check your ardent haste,
While my strong lance yon Grecian's pride confounds.
My friends, and soldiers, check your ardent haste,
While my strong lance yon Grecian's pride confounds.
He ceas'd. In dreadful opposition now
Each combatant advanc'd. With sinewy hand
They gripe their spears high-brandish'd. Thrice they drove
With well-directed force the pointed steel
At either's throat, and thrice their shields repel
The destin'd wound. At length the Eastern chief
With all his pow'rs collected for the stroke
His javelin rivets in the Grecian targe.
Aside Diomedon inclines, and shuns
Approaching fate. Then all his martial skill
Undaunted summons. His forsaken lance
Beside him cast, his falchion he unsheaths.
The blade descending on Tigranes' arm,
That instant struggling to redeem his spear,
The shiv'ring hand dissevers. Pale affright
Unmans the Persian, while his active foe
Full on his neck discharg'd the rapid sword,
And open'd wide the purple gates of life.
Low sinks Tigranes in eternal shade.
The conqueror bestrides the prostrate dead,
Then in the clotted ringlets of the hair
His hand intwining from the bleeding trunk
The head disjoin'd, and whirl'd with sudden rage
Amid the hostile numbers. All with dread
Recoil, where'er the ghastly visage flew
In sanguine circles, and pursu'd its track
Of horrour through the air. Not less amaz'd
A barb'rous nation, whom the chearful dawn
Of science ne'er illumin'd, view on high
A meteor waving with portentous blaze;
Where oft, as superstition vainly dreams,
Some dæmon sits amid the baneful fires,
Dispersing plagues and desolation round.
A while the stern Diomedon remains
Triumphant o'er the dire dismay, which froze
The hearts of Persia, then with haughty port,
And sullen joy among his gladsome friends
Resumes his station. Still the Asian bands
With consternation motionless behold
Their foes with terrour, and suspend the fight;
When thus Phraortes animates their breasts.
Each combatant advanc'd. With sinewy hand
They gripe their spears high-brandish'd. Thrice they drove
With well-directed force the pointed steel
At either's throat, and thrice their shields repel
The destin'd wound. At length the Eastern chief
With all his pow'rs collected for the stroke
His javelin rivets in the Grecian targe.
Aside Diomedon inclines, and shuns
Approaching fate. Then all his martial skill
Undaunted summons. His forsaken lance
Beside him cast, his falchion he unsheaths.
The blade descending on Tigranes' arm,
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The shiv'ring hand dissevers. Pale affright
Unmans the Persian, while his active foe
Full on his neck discharg'd the rapid sword,
And open'd wide the purple gates of life.
Low sinks Tigranes in eternal shade.
The conqueror bestrides the prostrate dead,
Then in the clotted ringlets of the hair
His hand intwining from the bleeding trunk
The head disjoin'd, and whirl'd with sudden rage
Amid the hostile numbers. All with dread
Recoil, where'er the ghastly visage flew
In sanguine circles, and pursu'd its track
Of horrour through the air. Not less amaz'd
A barb'rous nation, whom the chearful dawn
Of science ne'er illumin'd, view on high
A meteor waving with portentous blaze;
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Some dæmon sits amid the baneful fires,
Dispersing plagues and desolation round.
A while the stern Diomedon remains
Triumphant o'er the dire dismay, which froze
The hearts of Persia, then with haughty port,
And sullen joy among his gladsome friends
Resumes his station. Still the Asian bands
With consternation motionless behold
Their foes with terrour, and suspend the fight;
When thus Phraortes animates their breasts.
Heav'ns! can one leader's death appal this host,
Which counts a train of monarchs for its chiefs!
Behold Phraortes! from Imaüs' ridge
I draw my subject files. With hardy toil
I through the pathless forest have explor'd
The tiger's cavern. This unconquer'd arm
Hath from the lion rent the shaggy spoil.
So through this field of slaughter will I chase
Yon vaunting Greek with ruin on his head
For great Tigranes slain. His words revive
The flame of valour through the drooping van,
Then on the rear he brandishes his lance.
Before him shrink th' affrighted croud, and roll
Their numbers headlong on the Grecian steel
With loose arrangement, and uncertain feet.
Thus with his trident Ocean's angry God
From its vast bottom turns the hideous mass
Of waters upward, and o'erwhelms the beach,
Terrific stood the fierce Platæan chief
Amid the Grecian van. His ample targe,
Like a strong bulwark, prominent he rais'd
Before the line. There thunder'd all the storm
Of darts and arrows. His undaunted train
With emulating ardour charge the foe.
Where'er they turn the formidable spears,
Which drench'd the glebe of Marathon with gore,
The Persians heap the plain. Diomedon
Leads on the slaughter. From his nodding crest
The sable plumes shook terrour. Asia's bands
All shudder backward at the dreadful beams
Of that unconquerable sword, which falls
With lightning's swiftness o'er their trembling heads,
And reeking still with slain Tigranes' blood
Their shatter'd ranks o'erturns. The furious chief
Incompass'd round with carnage, and besmear'd
With sanguine drops, inflames his warlike friends.
Which counts a train of monarchs for its chiefs!
Behold Phraortes! from Imaüs' ridge
I draw my subject files. With hardy toil
I through the pathless forest have explor'd
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Hath from the lion rent the shaggy spoil.
So through this field of slaughter will I chase
Yon vaunting Greek with ruin on his head
For great Tigranes slain. His words revive
The flame of valour through the drooping van,
Then on the rear he brandishes his lance.
Before him shrink th' affrighted croud, and roll
Their numbers headlong on the Grecian steel
With loose arrangement, and uncertain feet.
Thus with his trident Ocean's angry God
From its vast bottom turns the hideous mass
Of waters upward, and o'erwhelms the beach,
Terrific stood the fierce Platæan chief
Amid the Grecian van. His ample targe,
Like a strong bulwark, prominent he rais'd
Before the line. There thunder'd all the storm
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With emulating ardour charge the foe.
Where'er they turn the formidable spears,
Which drench'd the glebe of Marathon with gore,
The Persians heap the plain. Diomedon
Leads on the slaughter. From his nodding crest
The sable plumes shook terrour. Asia's bands
All shudder backward at the dreadful beams
Of that unconquerable sword, which falls
With lightning's swiftness o'er their trembling heads,
And reeking still with slain Tigranes' blood
Their shatter'd ranks o'erturns. The furious chief
Incompass'd round with carnage, and besmear'd
With sanguine drops, inflames his warlike friends.
O Dithyrambus! let thy deeds this day
Surmount their wonted lustre! Thou in arms,
Demophilus, worn grey, thy youth recal!
Behold these slaves without resistance bleed.
Advance, my ancient friend. Propitious Fame
Smiles on thy years, and gives thy aged hand
To pluck fresh laurels for thy honour'd brow.
Surmount their wonted lustre! Thou in arms,
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Behold these slaves without resistance bleed.
Advance, my ancient friend. Propitious Fame
Smiles on thy years, and gives thy aged hand
To pluck fresh laurels for thy honour'd brow.
As, when indu'd with Promethéan heat,
The molten clay respir'd; with sudden warmth
So glows the venerable Thespian's age,
With new-born vigour ev'ry sinew swells.
His falchion thund'ring on Cherasmes' helm
The forehead clove. Ecbatana to war
Sent forth Cherasmes. From her potent gates
He proud in hope her swarming numbers led,
With Ariazus and Peucestes join'd,
His martial brothers. They attend his doom
By Dithyrambus foil'd. Their hoary sire
Shall o'er his solitary palace roam,
Lamenting loud his childless years, and curse
Ambition's fury, and the lust of war,
Then pining bow with anguish to the grave.
Next by the fierce Platæan's matchless sword
Expires Damates, once the host and friend
Of fall'n Tigranes; him that day he join'd,
And left his native bands. Of Syrian birth
In Daphne he resided near the grove,
Whose hospitable laurels in their shade
Conceal'd the virgin fugitive, that scorn'd
Th' embrace of Phœbus; hither she repair'd
Far from her parent stream, in fables feign'd
Herself a laurel to have rear'd her head
With verdant bloom in this retreat, the grove
Of Daphne call'd, the seat of rural bliss,
Fan'd by the wing of zephirs, and with rills
Of bubbling founts irriguous, Syria's boast,
And happy rival of Thessalia's vale;
Now hid for ever from Damates' eyes.
Nor with unactive spears th' Arcadians stood.
Gigantic Clonius unresisted press'd
The yielding Persians, who before him sunk,
Crush'd like vile stubble underneath the steps
Of some glad hind, who visits o'er the plain
His new-shorn harvest. With a fearless eye
Phraortes saw the gen'ral rout. He sprung
O'er hills of carnage to confront the Greeks,
Reproaching thus his own inglorious friends.
The molten clay respir'd; with sudden warmth
So glows the venerable Thespian's age,
With new-born vigour ev'ry sinew swells.
His falchion thund'ring on Cherasmes' helm
The forehead clove. Ecbatana to war
Sent forth Cherasmes. From her potent gates
He proud in hope her swarming numbers led,
With Ariazus and Peucestes join'd,
His martial brothers. They attend his doom
By Dithyrambus foil'd. Their hoary sire
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Lamenting loud his childless years, and curse
Ambition's fury, and the lust of war,
Then pining bow with anguish to the grave.
Next by the fierce Platæan's matchless sword
Expires Damates, once the host and friend
Of fall'n Tigranes; him that day he join'd,
And left his native bands. Of Syrian birth
In Daphne he resided near the grove,
Whose hospitable laurels in their shade
Conceal'd the virgin fugitive, that scorn'd
Th' embrace of Phœbus; hither she repair'd
Far from her parent stream, in fables feign'd
Herself a laurel to have rear'd her head
With verdant bloom in this retreat, the grove
Of Daphne call'd, the seat of rural bliss,
Fan'd by the wing of zephirs, and with rills
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And happy rival of Thessalia's vale;
Now hid for ever from Damates' eyes.
Nor with unactive spears th' Arcadians stood.
Gigantic Clonius unresisted press'd
The yielding Persians, who before him sunk,
Crush'd like vile stubble underneath the steps
Of some glad hind, who visits o'er the plain
His new-shorn harvest. With a fearless eye
Phraortes saw the gen'ral rout. He sprung
O'er hills of carnage to confront the Greeks,
Reproaching thus his own inglorious friends.
Fly then ye cowards, and desert your chief;
Yet single here my falchion shall oppose
The might of thousands. Raging thus, he drove
The deathful steel through Aristander's breast.
Him Dithyrambus lov'd, a sacred bard
Rever'd for justice, for his verse renown'd,
Which sung the deeds of heroes, those, who fell,
Or those, who conquer'd in their country's cause,
Th' inraptur'd soul inspiring with the thirst
Of glory won by virtue. His high strain
The Muses favour'd from their neighb'ring groves,
And bless'd with heav'nly melody his lyre.
No more from Thespia shall his feet ascend
The shady steep of Helicon. No more
The streams divine of Aganippe's sount
His tuneful lip shall moisten, nor his hands
Present their off'rings in the Muses bow'r,
The prostrate shield and unforsaken lance
Now feebly grasping, never more to swell
His lofty numbers on the sounding string.
Lo! Dithyrambus weeps. Amid the rage
Of war and conquest a swift-gushing tear
Finds one sad moment's interval to fall
On his pale friend. But soon the victor proves
His fierce revenge. Through shield and corselet plung'd,
His furious javelin tore the Persian's chest.
Phraortes sinks, nor yet expiring, sees
With indignation Persia's myriads fly.
Swift through their broken legions, side by side,
Urg'd by the voice of Victory and Fame,
Diomedon and Dityrambus rang'd.
So, where Alphéus heard the rattling car,
And sounding hoofs along his echoing banks,
Two gen'rous coursers link'd in mutual reins
With equal speed and ardour beat the dust
To reach the glories of th' Olympic goal.
Yet single here my falchion shall oppose
The might of thousands. Raging thus, he drove
The deathful steel through Aristander's breast.
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Rever'd for justice, for his verse renown'd,
Which sung the deeds of heroes, those, who fell,
Or those, who conquer'd in their country's cause,
Th' inraptur'd soul inspiring with the thirst
Of glory won by virtue. His high strain
The Muses favour'd from their neighb'ring groves,
And bless'd with heav'nly melody his lyre.
No more from Thespia shall his feet ascend
The shady steep of Helicon. No more
The streams divine of Aganippe's sount
His tuneful lip shall moisten, nor his hands
Present their off'rings in the Muses bow'r,
The prostrate shield and unforsaken lance
Now feebly grasping, never more to swell
His lofty numbers on the sounding string.
Lo! Dithyrambus weeps. Amid the rage
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Finds one sad moment's interval to fall
On his pale friend. But soon the victor proves
His fierce revenge. Through shield and corselet plung'd,
His furious javelin tore the Persian's chest.
Phraortes sinks, nor yet expiring, sees
With indignation Persia's myriads fly.
Swift through their broken legions, side by side,
Urg'd by the voice of Victory and Fame,
Diomedon and Dityrambus rang'd.
So, where Alphéus heard the rattling car,
And sounding hoofs along his echoing banks,
Two gen'rous coursers link'd in mutual reins
With equal speed and ardour beat the dust
To reach the glories of th' Olympic goal.
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This from his lofty chariot Xerxes saw.
He saw his numbers pouring from the straits
In crouded flight, then spreading o'er the field,
All broke and scatter'd; as a river bursts
Impetuous from its fountain, then expands
Its limpid surface o'er the pastures broad.
Thrice started from his seat th' astonish'd king,
Shame, fear, and indignation rend his breast;
As ruin irresistible were near
To overwhelm his millions. Haste (he calls
To Hyperanthes) haste and meet the Greeks;
Their daring rage and insolence repel,
And from dishonour vindicate our name.
He saw his numbers pouring from the straits
In crouded flight, then spreading o'er the field,
All broke and scatter'd; as a river bursts
Impetuous from its fountain, then expands
Its limpid surface o'er the pastures broad.
Thrice started from his seat th' astonish'd king,
Shame, fear, and indignation rend his breast;
As ruin irresistible were near
To overwhelm his millions. Haste (he calls
To Hyperanthes) haste and meet the Greeks;
Their daring rage and insolence repel,
And from dishonour vindicate our name.
The godlike Hyperanthes through the tents
Obedient moves. Deliberate and brave
Each active prince he summons, and with care
Collects the hardiest troops. Around him soon
Innumerable javelins flame. His voice
Demands attention, when he thus began.
Obedient moves. Deliberate and brave
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Collects the hardiest troops. Around him soon
Innumerable javelins flame. His voice
Demands attention, when he thus began.
Now friends divide, and form two equal bands.
One with the great Abrocomes, with me,
With Intaphernes, and Hydarnes bold,
With Mindus and Pandates shall advance,
And snatch this short-liv'd victory from Greece.
You Abradates with Pharnuchus join'd,
Orontes, and Mazæus, keep the rest
Imbattel'd ready to impart their aid,
Shou'd envious Fate exhaust our num'rous ranks;
For, O great Mithra, may thy radiant eye
Ne'er see us, yielding to ignoble flight,
The Persian fame dishonour, and the praise
Of our renown'd progenitors, who led
By Cyrus gave a monarch to the world.
Think, O ye princes, flow'r of Asia's realms,
What endless infamy will blast your names,
Should Greece, that narrow portion of the globe,
Your arms defy; when Babylon hath low'r'd
Its tow'ring head, when Lydia's pride is quell'd,
And from Ecbatana its empire torn.
Think too, ye warlike bands, our army's boast,
What deeds are ask'd from your superiour swords;
You, who our monarch's largest bounty share,
You, to whose faith and valour he commits
Himself, his queens, his realms, and now his fame.
One with the great Abrocomes, with me,
With Intaphernes, and Hydarnes bold,
With Mindus and Pandates shall advance,
And snatch this short-liv'd victory from Greece.
You Abradates with Pharnuchus join'd,
Orontes, and Mazæus, keep the rest
Imbattel'd ready to impart their aid,
Shou'd envious Fate exhaust our num'rous ranks;
For, O great Mithra, may thy radiant eye
Ne'er see us, yielding to ignoble flight,
The Persian fame dishonour, and the praise
133
By Cyrus gave a monarch to the world.
Think, O ye princes, flow'r of Asia's realms,
What endless infamy will blast your names,
Should Greece, that narrow portion of the globe,
Your arms defy; when Babylon hath low'r'd
Its tow'ring head, when Lydia's pride is quell'd,
And from Ecbatana its empire torn.
Think too, ye warlike bands, our army's boast,
What deeds are ask'd from your superiour swords;
You, who our monarch's largest bounty share,
You, to whose faith and valour he commits
Himself, his queens, his realms, and now his fame.
While Hyperanthes marshall'd thus his host,
Far as th' extremest limit of the pass,
Diomedon and Dithyrambus hung
Upon the rear of Persia. Now they turn
Victorious, striding o'er th' impurpled heaps
Of arms, and mangled dead, themselves with gore
Distain'd; like two grim tigers, who have forc'd
A nightly mansion on the desart rais'd
By some lone-wandring traveller, and dy'd
With human slaughter through the forest deep
Back to their covert's dreary gloom retire.
So pass'd these heroes o'er the crimson rock,
Approaching now, where gasping on his shield
Phraortes lay recumbent. Thespia's youth
Advancing, thus his gen'rous soul express'd.
Far as th' extremest limit of the pass,
Diomedon and Dithyrambus hung
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Victorious, striding o'er th' impurpled heaps
Of arms, and mangled dead, themselves with gore
Distain'd; like two grim tigers, who have forc'd
A nightly mansion on the desart rais'd
By some lone-wandring traveller, and dy'd
With human slaughter through the forest deep
Back to their covert's dreary gloom retire.
So pass'd these heroes o'er the crimson rock,
Approaching now, where gasping on his shield
Phraortes lay recumbent. Thespia's youth
Advancing, thus his gen'rous soul express'd.
Liv'st thou, brave Persian? By propitious Jove,
From whom the pleasing sense of mercy flows
Through mortal bosoms, less my soul rejoic'd,
When Fortune gave the victory before
Than now to raise thee from this field of death.
From whom the pleasing sense of mercy flows
Through mortal bosoms, less my soul rejoic'd,
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Than now to raise thee from this field of death.
The dying prince his languid sight unclos'd,
And thus with trembling lips. Vain man, forbear
To proffer me, what soon thyself must crave.
The day is now extinguish'd in these orbs,
Nor shall my heart beat longer than to scorn
Thy mercy, Grecian; then resign to fate.
And thus with trembling lips. Vain man, forbear
To proffer me, what soon thyself must crave.
The day is now extinguish'd in these orbs,
Nor shall my heart beat longer than to scorn
Thy mercy, Grecian; then resign to fate.
He ceas'd. The great, and haughty spirit fled.
Demophilus drew nigh. The hoary chief
Long o'er Phraortes' corse his head inclin'd,
Poiz'd on his lance, and thus address'd the slain.
Demophilus drew nigh. The hoary chief
Long o'er Phraortes' corse his head inclin'd,
Poiz'd on his lance, and thus address'd the slain.
Alas! how glorious were that bleeding breast,
Had Justice giv'n the buckler to thy arm,
And to preserve a people bade thee die!
Who now shall mourn thee! Thy ungrateful king
Will soon forget thy worth. For thee no tears
Among thy native countrymen shall tell
The public sorrow; what to them avail'd
Thy might and dauntless spirit? Not to guard
Their wives and offspring from the spoil of war,
Not from their walls repel the hostile blaze,
Nor desolation from their fruitful fields,
But to extend oppression didst thou fall;
Perhaps with inborn virtues in thy heart,
Which, but thy angry destiny forbade,
By freedom cherish'd might have bless'd mankind.
All-bounteous Nature! thy impartial laws
To no selected race of men confine
The sense of glory, fortitude, and all
The nobler passions, which inspire the mind,
And render life illustrious. These thou plant'st
In ev'ry soil. But freedom, like the sun,
Must warm the gen'rous seeds. By her alone
They bloom and flourish; while oppression blasts
The tender virtues: hence a spurious growth,
False honour, savage valour taint the soul,
And wild ambition: hence rapacious pow'r
The ravag'd earth unpeoples, and the brave,
A feast for dogs, bestrew th' insanguin'd plain.
Had Justice giv'n the buckler to thy arm,
136
Who now shall mourn thee! Thy ungrateful king
Will soon forget thy worth. For thee no tears
Among thy native countrymen shall tell
The public sorrow; what to them avail'd
Thy might and dauntless spirit? Not to guard
Their wives and offspring from the spoil of war,
Not from their walls repel the hostile blaze,
Nor desolation from their fruitful fields,
But to extend oppression didst thou fall;
Perhaps with inborn virtues in thy heart,
Which, but thy angry destiny forbade,
By freedom cherish'd might have bless'd mankind.
All-bounteous Nature! thy impartial laws
To no selected race of men confine
The sense of glory, fortitude, and all
The nobler passions, which inspire the mind,
137
In ev'ry soil. But freedom, like the sun,
Must warm the gen'rous seeds. By her alone
They bloom and flourish; while oppression blasts
The tender virtues: hence a spurious growth,
False honour, savage valour taint the soul,
And wild ambition: hence rapacious pow'r
The ravag'd earth unpeoples, and the brave,
A feast for dogs, bestrew th' insanguin'd plain.
He said. Around the venerable man
The Grecians throng'd attentive. Conquest hush'd
Its joyful transports. O'er the horrid field,
Late the rude scene of tumult, all was calm.
So, when the song of Thracian Orpheus drew
To Hebrus' margin from their dreary seats
The savage race, which Hæmus wrapt in clouds,
Pangæus cold, and Rhodopeian snows
In blood and discord nurs'd; the soothing strain
Flow'd with enchantment through their ravish'd ears:
Their fierceness melted, and amaz'd they learn'd
The sacred laws of justice, which the bard
Mix'd with the musick of his heav'nly string.
The Grecians throng'd attentive. Conquest hush'd
Its joyful transports. O'er the horrid field,
Late the rude scene of tumult, all was calm.
So, when the song of Thracian Orpheus drew
To Hebrus' margin from their dreary seats
The savage race, which Hæmus wrapt in clouds,
138
In blood and discord nurs'd; the soothing strain
Flow'd with enchantment through their ravish'd ears:
Their fierceness melted, and amaz'd they learn'd
The sacred laws of justice, which the bard
Mix'd with the musick of his heav'nly string.
Not from the field of slaughter far remote
In Oeta's rugged side had Nature clove
A rocky cavern. This with moss she spread,
And o'er the entrance downward from the roots
She hung the shaggy trunks of branching firrs
To heav'n's hot ray impervious. From the sides
The vivid laurel spread before the sun
Its broad and glitt'ring foliage; and, above,
The hill was darken'd with a solemn shade
Cast from the sable cypress. This retreat
Cool, as the grot of Thetis, hid beneath
The vaulted ocean, with the murm'ring sound
Of waters trickling from the riven stone
The Grecian leaders to its gloom invites.
Their helms they loosen from their glowing cheeks.
Against the rock their bucklers they repose.
Propt on their spears they stood, when Agis thus,
Sent by Leonidas, accosts the chiefs.
In Oeta's rugged side had Nature clove
A rocky cavern. This with moss she spread,
And o'er the entrance downward from the roots
She hung the shaggy trunks of branching firrs
To heav'n's hot ray impervious. From the sides
The vivid laurel spread before the sun
Its broad and glitt'ring foliage; and, above,
The hill was darken'd with a solemn shade
Cast from the sable cypress. This retreat
139
The vaulted ocean, with the murm'ring sound
Of waters trickling from the riven stone
The Grecian leaders to its gloom invites.
Their helms they loosen from their glowing cheeks.
Against the rock their bucklers they repose.
Propt on their spears they stood, when Agis thus,
Sent by Leonidas, accosts the chiefs.
O Ever-worthy of undying names!
Leonidas recals you from your toil,
Which has already fill'd our mouths with praise,
Our eyes with wonder, that from yonder tow'r
On your unequall'd deeds incessant gaz'd.
Leonidas recals you from your toil,
Which has already fill'd our mouths with praise,
Our eyes with wonder, that from yonder tow'r
On your unequall'd deeds incessant gaz'd.
To whom the bold Diomedon return'd.
Go Agis, say to Lacedæmon's king,
As yet untir'd my hand can poize the spear,
Nor hangs the buckler heavy on my arm.
And shall I then retire? And once again
Shall not the sun, before he sink, behold
The slaves of Xerxes tremble at my lance.
Go Agis, say to Lacedæmon's king,
140
Nor hangs the buckler heavy on my arm.
And shall I then retire? And once again
Shall not the sun, before he sink, behold
The slaves of Xerxes tremble at my lance.
To him the Thespian youth. My friend and guide
To noble actions, since thy gen'rous mind
Intent on fame disdains to rest, O grant,
I too thy glorious labours may partake,
And learn once more to imitate thy deeds.
Thou, gentlest Agis, Sparta's chief intreat
Not to command us from the field of war.
To noble actions, since thy gen'rous mind
Intent on fame disdains to rest, O grant,
I too thy glorious labours may partake,
And learn once more to imitate thy deeds.
Thou, gentlest Agis, Sparta's chief intreat
Not to command us from the field of war.
Then interpos'd Demophilus. O friend,
And thou, lov'd offspring of the dearest man,
Who dost restore my brother to my eyes,
My soul your magnanimity applauds.
But, O reflect, that unabating toil
Subdues the mightiest. Valour then will sigh,
When the weak hand obeys the heart no more.
Yet I declining with the weight of years
Will not assign a measure to your strength;
If still you find your vigour undecay'd,
Stay and augment your glory. So, when time
Your heads shall whiten, and your feeble arms
Round the high temple's peaceful vault have hung
Their consecrated shields, your native land
Shall then with honours doubled on your age
Requite the gen'rous labours of your prime.
So spake the Senior, and forsook the cave.
And thou, lov'd offspring of the dearest man,
Who dost restore my brother to my eyes,
My soul your magnanimity applauds.
141
Subdues the mightiest. Valour then will sigh,
When the weak hand obeys the heart no more.
Yet I declining with the weight of years
Will not assign a measure to your strength;
If still you find your vigour undecay'd,
Stay and augment your glory. So, when time
Your heads shall whiten, and your feeble arms
Round the high temple's peaceful vault have hung
Their consecrated shields, your native land
Shall then with honours doubled on your age
Requite the gen'rous labours of your prime.
So spake the Senior, and forsook the cave.
Now from the bubbling spring Diomedon
Receives the waters in his concave helm;
And thus address'd the genius of the flood.
Receives the waters in his concave helm;
And thus address'd the genius of the flood.
142
Whoe'er thou art, whose deity presides
O'er this fair fountain, bounteous are thy streams;
Though ill shall I repay thee: for again
Will I this day pollute thy silver wave,
Which mix'd with gore shall tinge the Malian surge.
O'er this fair fountain, bounteous are thy streams;
Though ill shall I repay thee: for again
Will I this day pollute thy silver wave,
Which mix'd with gore shall tinge the Malian surge.
So saying from his brimming cask he quaff'd
The clear, refreshing moisture. Thus repairs
The spotted panther to Hydaspes' side,
Or eastern Indus, feasted with the blood
Of some torn deer, which nigh his cruel grasp
Had roam'd unheeding through the secret grove:
Rapacious o'er the humid brink he stoops,
And in the pure and fluid crystal cools
His reeking jaws. The Thespian warriour here.
The clear, refreshing moisture. Thus repairs
The spotted panther to Hydaspes' side,
Or eastern Indus, feasted with the blood
Of some torn deer, which nigh his cruel grasp
Had roam'd unheeding through the secret grove:
Rapacious o'er the humid brink he stoops,
And in the pure and fluid crystal cools
His reeking jaws. The Thespian warriour here.
143
See, valiant friend, Leonidas hath fill'd
The pass with fresh battalions. O survey
Yon line of plumed helms, and glitt'ring shields,
Which emulate the mid-day sun. What joy!
What ardent hope enlightens ev'ry face!
O let us wait no longer, lest they cry,
Our wearied limbs retard us. Let us arm,
And take our station in the glorious van.
The pass with fresh battalions. O survey
Yon line of plumed helms, and glitt'ring shields,
Which emulate the mid-day sun. What joy!
What ardent hope enlightens ev'ry face!
O let us wait no longer, lest they cry,
Our wearied limbs retard us. Let us arm,
And take our station in the glorious van.
Thus Dithyrambus. The Platæan chief
Approves the counsel, and resumes his arms.
Them as a splendid recompense he bore
From grateful Athens, when his conqu'ring sword
Her domes with great Miltiades redeem'd
From Asiatic flames. Th' insculptur'd helm
Now press'd his manly temples. From on high
A fourfold plumage nodded, and, beneath,
A golden dragon with effulgent scales
The gorgeous crest illumin'd. On his arm
His shield he brac'd. Gorgonian serpents twin'd
Around the spacious verge. Within, the form
Of Pallas, martial goddess, was impress'd.
Low, as her feet, the graceful tunic flow'd.
Betwixt two gryffins on her helmet sat
A sphinx with wings expanded, while the face
Of dire Medusa on her bosom frown'd.
One hand supports her javelin, which confounds
The pride of kings; the other leads along
A blooming virgin, Victory, whose brows
A crown incircles; laurels she presents;
But from her shoulders all her plumes were shorn,
With favour'd Athens ever now to rest.
This, Asia's terrour, on his mighty arm
Diomedon uprear'd, then snatch'd his lance,
And thus to Dithyrambus. Lo! my friend,
Alone of all the Grecians, who sustain'd
The morning's battle, still unwearied stand
Platæa's sons, and well may keep the field,
They, who endur'd the Marathonian toil.
Then charge with us. Amid the foremost rank
Thy valour shall be plac'd, and share, this day,
Command and honour with Platæa's chief.
Approves the counsel, and resumes his arms.
Them as a splendid recompense he bore
From grateful Athens, when his conqu'ring sword
Her domes with great Miltiades redeem'd
From Asiatic flames. Th' insculptur'd helm
Now press'd his manly temples. From on high
144
A golden dragon with effulgent scales
The gorgeous crest illumin'd. On his arm
His shield he brac'd. Gorgonian serpents twin'd
Around the spacious verge. Within, the form
Of Pallas, martial goddess, was impress'd.
Low, as her feet, the graceful tunic flow'd.
Betwixt two gryffins on her helmet sat
A sphinx with wings expanded, while the face
Of dire Medusa on her bosom frown'd.
One hand supports her javelin, which confounds
The pride of kings; the other leads along
A blooming virgin, Victory, whose brows
A crown incircles; laurels she presents;
But from her shoulders all her plumes were shorn,
With favour'd Athens ever now to rest.
This, Asia's terrour, on his mighty arm
145
And thus to Dithyrambus. Lo! my friend,
Alone of all the Grecians, who sustain'd
The morning's battle, still unwearied stand
Platæa's sons, and well may keep the field,
They, who endur'd the Marathonian toil.
Then charge with us. Amid the foremost rank
Thy valour shall be plac'd, and share, this day,
Command and honour with Platæa's chief.
The hero ceas'd, and tow'rd the Grecian van
Strides with impetuous steps. Nor slow behind
The boast of Thespia, Dithyrambus mov'd;
Like blooming Hermes in celestial arms,
When lightly graceful with his feather'd feet
Along Scamander's flow'ry verge he pass'd,
To aid th' incens'd divinities of Greece
Against the Phrygian tow'rs. With eager speed
The heroes soon th' imbattled Greeks attain'd,
To whom the brave Diomedon began.
Strides with impetuous steps. Nor slow behind
The boast of Thespia, Dithyrambus mov'd;
Like blooming Hermes in celestial arms,
When lightly graceful with his feather'd feet
Along Scamander's flow'ry verge he pass'd,
To aid th' incens'd divinities of Greece
146
The heroes soon th' imbattled Greeks attain'd,
To whom the brave Diomedon began.
Not to contend, but vanquish are you come,
And in the blood of fugitives to stain
Your lances unoppos'd. My friends, behold,
Where furthest from the Malian gulf remov'd
The crags of Oeta less confine the straits.
There let us bend extending wide our front.
There with more ample scope may havoc range.
And in the blood of fugitives to stain
Your lances unoppos'd. My friends, behold,
Where furthest from the Malian gulf remov'd
The crags of Oeta less confine the straits.
There let us bend extending wide our front.
There with more ample scope may havoc range.
All with assent gave ear. The various bands
Move on successive. The Platæans first
Against the rock are station'd. To their head
Is Dithyrambus brought. Exulting joy
Distends their hearts, and flashes in their eyes.
Thanks to the great Diomedon, they cry,
Who to our troop this godlike hero joins.
Hail! Dithyrambus. Hail! illustrious chief.
Well dost thou merit to have reap'd renown
At Marathon. Amid the glorious front
With conscious gladness blushing on his cheek
The youth his post assumes. Around him croud
The hoary warriours their unnumber'd scars
Before his sight presenting, and recount
Their various dangers. He their wounds surveys
With veneration, nor disdains to hear
The oft-repeated tale. From Sparta's king
Returning, Agis here the chiefs address'd,
Leonidas permits you still to brave
The hostile numbers, with Platæa's band,
If yet by toil unconquer'd. But I see,
That all unwearied ask the promis'd fight.
Hail! glorious veterans. This signal day
May your victorious swords augment the wreaths
Around your venerable brows, and make
Thermopylæ, like Marathon, renown'd.
Move on successive. The Platæans first
Against the rock are station'd. To their head
Is Dithyrambus brought. Exulting joy
Distends their hearts, and flashes in their eyes.
Thanks to the great Diomedon, they cry,
147
Hail! Dithyrambus. Hail! illustrious chief.
Well dost thou merit to have reap'd renown
At Marathon. Amid the glorious front
With conscious gladness blushing on his cheek
The youth his post assumes. Around him croud
The hoary warriours their unnumber'd scars
Before his sight presenting, and recount
Their various dangers. He their wounds surveys
With veneration, nor disdains to hear
The oft-repeated tale. From Sparta's king
Returning, Agis here the chiefs address'd,
Leonidas permits you still to brave
The hostile numbers, with Platæa's band,
If yet by toil unconquer'd. But I see,
That all unwearied ask the promis'd fight.
Hail! glorious veterans. This signal day
148
Around your venerable brows, and make
Thermopylæ, like Marathon, renown'd.
This said, he hastens back. Meantime advanc'd
The Mantinéan Diophantus brave,
And Hegesander, Tegea's dauntless chief,
With all their troops imbattled; by their side
The Thebans form; to them their native files
Alcmæon and Eupalamus unite;
Last on the margin of the Malian bay
Mycenæ's youth Aristobulus drew;
In one impenetrable phalanx stretch'd
Across the pass. With close-connected force
An hundred warriours form'd th' expanded ranks,
And thirty bucklers ev'ry file condens'd.
In strong reserve Dieneces behind
Dispos'd the Spartans, and the Locrian line.
There too with Maron Alpheus dauntless stood,
And godlike Agis. There Megistias plac'd
His blooming heir, and thus his valour fires.
The Mantinéan Diophantus brave,
And Hegesander, Tegea's dauntless chief,
With all their troops imbattled; by their side
The Thebans form; to them their native files
Alcmæon and Eupalamus unite;
Last on the margin of the Malian bay
Mycenæ's youth Aristobulus drew;
In one impenetrable phalanx stretch'd
Across the pass. With close-connected force
An hundred warriours form'd th' expanded ranks,
And thirty bucklers ev'ry file condens'd.
In strong reserve Dieneces behind
149
There too with Maron Alpheus dauntless stood,
And godlike Agis. There Megistias plac'd
His blooming heir, and thus his valour fires.
O Menalippus! born of foreign race,
Yet by these heroes not unworthy deem'd
With them to fight for Sparta! lo! the hour
Is come, my son, to shew thy gen'rous heart;
That not with thee the buckler and the spear
Are ill intrusted to maintain a cause
So great and sacred. O remember well,
Leonidas on yonder bulwark stands,
Who all the war contemplates, and discerns
The bold and fearful. O propitious heav'n!
Grant me to hear Leonidas this day
Applaud my son, and let Megistias die!
Yet by these heroes not unworthy deem'd
With them to fight for Sparta! lo! the hour
Is come, my son, to shew thy gen'rous heart;
That not with thee the buckler and the spear
Are ill intrusted to maintain a cause
So great and sacred. O remember well,
Leonidas on yonder bulwark stands,
Who all the war contemplates, and discerns
The bold and fearful. O propitious heav'n!
Grant me to hear Leonidas this day
Applaud my son, and let Megistias die!
150
While thus he spake, the animated soul
Of Menalippus struggling in his breast
Demands the fight. This saw the tender sire,
And thus with tears rejoin'd. Remember too!
Thy father sees thy danger. Oh! my child!
To me thy honour as to thee is dear;
Yet court not death! By all thy filial love,
By all my cares and fondness I implore!
Amid the combat, or the warm pursuit,
Still by the wise Dieneces abide:
His prudent valour knows th' unerring paths
Of glory; he will guide thy youthful steps.
This said, to Sparta's leader he retires.
Of Menalippus struggling in his breast
Demands the fight. This saw the tender sire,
And thus with tears rejoin'd. Remember too!
Thy father sees thy danger. Oh! my child!
To me thy honour as to thee is dear;
Yet court not death! By all thy filial love,
By all my cares and fondness I implore!
Amid the combat, or the warm pursuit,
Still by the wise Dieneces abide:
His prudent valour knows th' unerring paths
Of glory; he will guide thy youthful steps.
This said, to Sparta's leader he retires.
Now are the enemies descried. The van
Abrocomes and Hyperanthes led,
With them Pandates, Intaphernes proud,
Hydarnes, Mindus. Violent their march
With sounding footsteps swept the stony way.
So, where th' unequal globe in mountains swells,
A river pours its thund'ring surge between
The steep-erected cliffs; tumultuous roll
The torrents bursting o'er the pointed crags:
The mountains roar, the marble channel foams.
With obvious arms th' intrepid Greeks withstand
The dire encounter. Soon th' impetuous shock
Of thousands and of myriads shakes the ground.
Stupendous scene of terrour! Under hills,
Whose nodding summits vaulted o'er their heads,
In unextinguishable fury join'd
The dreadful conflict. With inverted trunks
Obliquely bending from the shagged ridge
The sylvan horrours overshade the fight.
The shrill-mouth'd trumpet, and the deep-tun'd horn,
Mix'd with the crash of intermingling spears,
The clanging shields, and war's discordant shouts
Awake the echoes through the neighb'ring groves;
And rocks and shores return the hideous sound.
Abrocomes and Hyperanthes led,
151
Hydarnes, Mindus. Violent their march
With sounding footsteps swept the stony way.
So, where th' unequal globe in mountains swells,
A river pours its thund'ring surge between
The steep-erected cliffs; tumultuous roll
The torrents bursting o'er the pointed crags:
The mountains roar, the marble channel foams.
With obvious arms th' intrepid Greeks withstand
The dire encounter. Soon th' impetuous shock
Of thousands and of myriads shakes the ground.
Stupendous scene of terrour! Under hills,
Whose nodding summits vaulted o'er their heads,
In unextinguishable fury join'd
The dreadful conflict. With inverted trunks
Obliquely bending from the shagged ridge
The sylvan horrours overshade the fight.
152
Mix'd with the crash of intermingling spears,
The clanging shields, and war's discordant shouts
Awake the echoes through the neighb'ring groves;
And rocks and shores return the hideous sound.
End of the Fourth Book.
| Leonidas | |