 | Leonidas |  |
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BOOK VI.
The argument.
Night coming on, the Grecians retire to their tents. A guard is plac'd on the Phocian wall under the command of Agis. He admits into the camp a lady accompanied by a single slave, and conducts them to Leonidas; when she discovers berself to be Ariana, sister of Xerxes and Hyperanthes, and sues for the body of Teribazus; which being found among the slain, she kills berself upon it. The slave, who attended her, proves to be Polydorus, brother of Alpheus and Maron, and who had been formerly carried into captivity by a Phœnician pirate. He relates before an assembly of the chiefs a message from Demaratus to the Spartans, which discloses the treachery of the Thebans, and of Epialtes, the Malian, who had undertaken to lead part of the Persian army through a pass among the mountains of Oeta. This information throws the council into a great tumult, which is pacified by Leonidas, who sends Alpbeus to observe the motions of these Persians, and Dieneces with a party of Lacedæmonians to suport the Phocians, with whom the defence of these passages in the hills had been intrusted. In the mean time Agis sends the bodies of Teribazus and Ariana to the camp of Xerxes.
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In sable pomp with all her starry train
The night assum'd her throne. Recall'd from war
Her long-protracted labours Greece forgets,
Dissolv'd in silent slumber; all but those,
Who watch'd th' uncertain perils of the dark,
An hundred warriours: Agis was their chief.
High on the wall intent the hero sat,
As o'er the surface of the tranquil main
Along its undulating breast the wind
The various din of Asia's host convey'd
In one deep murmur swelling in his ear:
When by the sound of footsteps down the pass
Alarm'd he calls aloud. What feet are those,
Which beat the echoing pavement of the rock?
With speed reply, nor tempt your instant fate.
The night assum'd her throne. Recall'd from war
Her long-protracted labours Greece forgets,
Dissolv'd in silent slumber; all but those,
Who watch'd th' uncertain perils of the dark,
An hundred warriours: Agis was their chief.
High on the wall intent the hero sat,
As o'er the surface of the tranquil main
Along its undulating breast the wind
The various din of Asia's host convey'd
In one deep murmur swelling in his ear:
When by the sound of footsteps down the pass
Alarm'd he calls aloud. What feet are those,
Which beat the echoing pavement of the rock?
With speed reply, nor tempt your instant fate.
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He said, and thus return'd a voice unknown.
Not with the feet of enemies we come,
But crave admittance with a friendly tongue.
Not with the feet of enemies we come,
But crave admittance with a friendly tongue.
The Spartan answers. Through the midnight shade
What purpose draws your wandring steps abroad?
What purpose draws your wandring steps abroad?
To whom the stranger. We are friends to Greece,
And to the presence of the Spartan king
Admission we implore. The cautious chief
Of Lacedæmon hesitates again.
When thus with accents musically sweet
A tender voice his wondring ear allur'd.
And to the presence of the Spartan king
Admission we implore. The cautious chief
Of Lacedæmon hesitates again.
When thus with accents musically sweet
A tender voice his wondring ear allur'd.
O Gen'rous Grecian, listen to the pray'r
Of one distress'd! whom grief alone hath led
In this dark hour to these victorious tents,
A wretched woman innocent of fraud.
Of one distress'd! whom grief alone hath led
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A wretched woman innocent of fraud.
The Greek descending through th'unfolded gates
Upheld a flaming brand. One first appear'd
In servile garb attir'd; but near his side
A woman graceful and majestic stood;
Not with an aspect rivalling the power
Of fatal Hellen, or the wanton charms
Of Love's soft queen; but such as far excell'd,
Whate'er the lilly blending with the rose
Paints on the cheek of beauty soon to fade;
Such as express'd a mind, which wisdom rul'd,
And sweetness temper'd, virtue's purest light
Illumining the countenance divine,
Yet could not sooth remorseless fate, nor teach
Malignant Fortune to revere the good,
Which oft with anguish rends the spotless heart,
And oft associates wisdom with despair.
In courteous phrase began the chief humane.
Upheld a flaming brand. One first appear'd
In servile garb attir'd; but near his side
A woman graceful and majestic stood;
Not with an aspect rivalling the power
Of fatal Hellen, or the wanton charms
Of Love's soft queen; but such as far excell'd,
Whate'er the lilly blending with the rose
Paints on the cheek of beauty soon to fade;
Such as express'd a mind, which wisdom rul'd,
And sweetness temper'd, virtue's purest light
Illumining the countenance divine,
Yet could not sooth remorseless fate, nor teach
Malignant Fortune to revere the good,
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And oft associates wisdom with despair.
In courteous phrase began the chief humane.
Exalted fair, who thus adorn'st the night,
Forbear to blame the vigilance of war,
And to the laws of rigid Mars impute,
That I thus long unwilling have delay'd
Before the great Leonidas to place
This your apparent dignity and worth.
Forbear to blame the vigilance of war,
And to the laws of rigid Mars impute,
That I thus long unwilling have delay'd
Before the great Leonidas to place
This your apparent dignity and worth.
He spake, and gently to the lofty tent
Of Sparta's king the lovely stranger guides.
At Agis' summons with a mantle broad
His mighty limbs Leonidas infolds,
And quits his couch. In wonder he surveys
Th' illustrious virgin, whom his presence aw'd:
Her eye submissive to the ground inclin'd
With veneration of the godlike man.
But soon his voice her anxious dread dispell'd,
Benevolent and hospitable thus.
Of Sparta's king the lovely stranger guides.
At Agis' summons with a mantle broad
His mighty limbs Leonidas infolds,
And quits his couch. In wonder he surveys
Th' illustrious virgin, whom his presence aw'd:
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With veneration of the godlike man.
But soon his voice her anxious dread dispell'd,
Benevolent and hospitable thus.
Thy form alone, thus amiable and great,
Thy mind delineates, and from all commands
Supreme regard. Relate, thou noble dame,
By what relentless destiny compell'd,
Thy tender feet the paths of darkness tread.
Rehearse th' afflictions, whence thy virtue mourns.
Thy mind delineates, and from all commands
Supreme regard. Relate, thou noble dame,
By what relentless destiny compell'd,
Thy tender feet the paths of darkness tread.
Rehearse th' afflictions, whence thy virtue mourns.
On her wan cheek a sudden blush arose,
Like day's first dawn upon the twilight pale,
And wrapt in grief these words a passage broke.
Like day's first dawn upon the twilight pale,
And wrapt in grief these words a passage broke.
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If to be most unhappy, and to know,
That hope is irrecoverably fled;
If to be great and wretched may deserve
Commiseration from the good; behold,
Thou glorious leader of unconquer'd bands,
Behold descended from Darius' loins
Th' afflicted Ariana, and my pray'r
Accept with pity, nor my tears disdain!
First, that I lov'd the best of human race,
By nature's hand with ev'ry virtue form'd,
Heroic, wise, adorn'd with ev'ry art;
Of shame unconscious does my heart reveal.
This day in Grecian arms conspicuous clad
He fought, he fell. A passion long conceal'd
For me alas! within my brother's arms
His dying breath resigning, he disclos'd.
That hope is irrecoverably fled;
If to be great and wretched may deserve
Commiseration from the good; behold,
Thou glorious leader of unconquer'd bands,
Behold descended from Darius' loins
Th' afflicted Ariana, and my pray'r
Accept with pity, nor my tears disdain!
First, that I lov'd the best of human race,
By nature's hand with ev'ry virtue form'd,
Heroic, wise, adorn'd with ev'ry art;
Of shame unconscious does my heart reveal.
This day in Grecian arms conspicuous clad
He fought, he fell. A passion long conceal'd
For me alas! within my brother's arms
His dying breath resigning, he disclos'd.
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—Oh I will stay my sorrows! will forbid
My eyes to stream before thee, and my heart,
Thus full of anguish, will from sighs restrain!
For why should thy humanity be griev'd
With my distress, and learn from me to mourn
The lot of nature doom'd to care and pain!
Hear then, O king, and grant my sole request,
To seek his body in the heaps of slain.
My eyes to stream before thee, and my heart,
Thus full of anguish, will from sighs restrain!
For why should thy humanity be griev'd
With my distress, and learn from me to mourn
The lot of nature doom'd to care and pain!
Hear then, O king, and grant my sole request,
To seek his body in the heaps of slain.
Thus to the Spartan su'd the regal maid
Resembling Ceres in majestic woe,
When, supplicant at Jove's resplendent throne,
From dreary Pluto, and th' infernal gloom
Her lov'd and lost Proserpina she sought.
Fix'd on the weeping queen with stedfast eyes,
Laconia's chief these tender thoughts recall'd.
Resembling Ceres in majestic woe,
When, supplicant at Jove's resplendent throne,
From dreary Pluto, and th' infernal gloom
Her lov'd and lost Proserpina she sought.
Fix'd on the weeping queen with stedfast eyes,
Laconia's chief these tender thoughts recall'd.
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Such are thy forrows, O for ever dear!
Who now at Lacedæmon dost deplore
My everlasting absence! then inclin'd
His head, and sigh'd; nor yet forgot to charge
His friend, the gentle Agis, through the straits
The Persian princess to attend and aid.
With careful steps they seek her lover's corse.
The Greeks remember'd, where by Fate repress'd
His arm first ceas'd to mow their legions down,
And from beneath a mass of Persian slain
Soon drew the hero by his armour known.
To Agis' high pavilion they resort.
Now, Ariana, what transcending pangs
Thy soul involv'd? What horrour clasp'd thy heart?
But love grew mightiest, and her beauteous limbs
On the cold breast of Teribazus threw
The grief-distracted maid. The clotted gore
Deform'd her snowy bosom. O'er his wounds
Loose flow'd her hair, and bubbling from her eyes
Impetuous sorrow lav'd the purple clay.
When forth in groans her lamentations broke.
Who now at Lacedæmon dost deplore
My everlasting absence! then inclin'd
His head, and sigh'd; nor yet forgot to charge
His friend, the gentle Agis, through the straits
The Persian princess to attend and aid.
With careful steps they seek her lover's corse.
The Greeks remember'd, where by Fate repress'd
His arm first ceas'd to mow their legions down,
And from beneath a mass of Persian slain
Soon drew the hero by his armour known.
To Agis' high pavilion they resort.
Now, Ariana, what transcending pangs
Thy soul involv'd? What horrour clasp'd thy heart?
But love grew mightiest, and her beauteous limbs
On the cold breast of Teribazus threw
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Deform'd her snowy bosom. O'er his wounds
Loose flow'd her hair, and bubbling from her eyes
Impetuous sorrow lav'd the purple clay.
When forth in groans her lamentations broke.
O torn for ever from my weeping eyes!
Thou, who despairing to obtain her heart,
Who then most lov'd thee, didst untimely yield
Thy life to Fate's inevitable dart
For her, who now in agony unfolds
Her tender bosom, and repeats her vows
To thy deaf ear, who sondly to her own
Now clasps thy breast insensible and cold.
Alas! do those unmoving, ghastly orbs
Perceive my gushing anguish! Does that heart,
Which Death's inanimating hand hath chill'd,
Share in my suff'rings, and return my sighs!
—Oh! bitter unsurmountable distress!
Lo! on thy breast is Ariana bow'd,
Hangs o'er thy face, unites her cheek to thine
Not now to listen with enchanted ears
To thy persuasive eloquence, no more
Charm'd with the wisdom of thy copious mind!
Thou, who despairing to obtain her heart,
Who then most lov'd thee, didst untimely yield
Thy life to Fate's inevitable dart
For her, who now in agony unfolds
Her tender bosom, and repeats her vows
To thy deaf ear, who sondly to her own
Now clasps thy breast insensible and cold.
Alas! do those unmoving, ghastly orbs
Perceive my gushing anguish! Does that heart,
Which Death's inanimating hand hath chill'd,
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—Oh! bitter unsurmountable distress!
Lo! on thy breast is Ariana bow'd,
Hangs o'er thy face, unites her cheek to thine
Not now to listen with enchanted ears
To thy persuasive eloquence, no more
Charm'd with the wisdom of thy copious mind!
She could no more. Invincible despair
Suppress'd her utt'rance. As a marble form
Fix'd on the solemn sepulcher, unmov'd
O'er some dead hero, whom his country lov'd,
Bends down the head with imitated woe:
So paus'd the princess o'er the breathless clay,
Intranc'd in sorrow. On the dreary wound,
Where Dithyrambus' sword was deepest plung'd,
Mute for a space and motionless she gaz'd.
Then with a look unchang'd, nor trembling hand
Drew forth a poniard, which her garment veil'd,
And sheathing in her heart th' abhorred steel,
On her slain lover, silent sinks in death.
In vain the Spartan interven'd. With tears
He view'd the prostrate lovers, and exclaim'd.
Suppress'd her utt'rance. As a marble form
Fix'd on the solemn sepulcher, unmov'd
O'er some dead hero, whom his country lov'd,
Bends down the head with imitated woe:
So paus'd the princess o'er the breathless clay,
Intranc'd in sorrow. On the dreary wound,
Where Dithyrambus' sword was deepest plung'd,
Mute for a space and motionless she gaz'd.
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Drew forth a poniard, which her garment veil'd,
And sheathing in her heart th' abhorred steel,
On her slain lover, silent sinks in death.
In vain the Spartan interven'd. With tears
He view'd the prostrate lovers, and exclaim'd.
Oh! most unhappy, heavy on your heads
Hath sorrow fall'n, which o'er your pale remains
Commands this pity from a stranger's eye!
Illustrious ruins, may the grave impart
That peace, which life denied! And now receive
This pious office from a hand unknown.
Hath sorrow fall'n, which o'er your pale remains
Commands this pity from a stranger's eye!
Illustrious ruins, may the grave impart
That peace, which life denied! And now receive
This pious office from a hand unknown.
So faying, from his shoulders he unclasp'd
His ample robe, and strew'd the waving folds
O'er the pale dead. Then turning, he bespake
The slave, who stood beside him. Thou, who ledst
Thy queen ill-destin'd to the fatal tents
Of Lacedæmon, now returning bear
Her bleeding reliques to the Persian lord;
Thou, and these captives, whom I free from bonds.
His ample robe, and strew'd the waving folds
O'er the pale dead. Then turning, he bespake
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Thy queen ill-destin'd to the fatal tents
Of Lacedæmon, now returning bear
Her bleeding reliques to the Persian lord;
Thou, and these captives, whom I free from bonds.
Art thou a Spartan (interrupts the slave)
And dost thou counsel me to seek again
A clime unbless'd, where freedom never dwells?
No. Bear me to Leonidas. Alone
Shall he decide, if wretched, as I seem,
I may not claim protection from this camp.
And dost thou counsel me to seek again
A clime unbless'd, where freedom never dwells?
No. Bear me to Leonidas. Alone
Shall he decide, if wretched, as I seem,
I may not claim protection from this camp.
Whoe'er thou art (amaz'd the chief replies)
Thou may'st indeed a better lot demand,
Than I, a stranger to thy hidden worth,
Unconscious offer'd. Thy ignoble garb
Conceal'd a virtue, which I now revere.
And since thy suff'ring soul hath long indur'd
The gloom of bondage, and the hated face
Of tyrants view'd, now change the horrid scene;
Here freedom reigns, and justice: come and seek
With me their great protector. Ending here,
Swift he conducts him to Laconia's king,
When Agis thus Leonidas address'd.
Thou may'st indeed a better lot demand,
Than I, a stranger to thy hidden worth,
Unconscious offer'd. Thy ignoble garb
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And since thy suff'ring soul hath long indur'd
The gloom of bondage, and the hated face
Of tyrants view'd, now change the horrid scene;
Here freedom reigns, and justice: come and seek
With me their great protector. Ending here,
Swift he conducts him to Laconia's king,
When Agis thus Leonidas address'd.
Lo! far superiour to the name, which marks
His habit with dishonour, one, who sues
For thy protection! Here the slave subjoin'd.
I stand thy suppliant now. Thou soon shalt learn,
If I deserve thy favour. I intreat
To see th' assembled leaders of your host,
For I am fraught with tydings, which import
The weal of all the Grecians. Agis streight
Appointed by Leonidas convenes
The various leaders. To the tent they throng,
Amidst them plac'd, the stranger thus began.
His habit with dishonour, one, who sues
For thy protection! Here the slave subjoin'd.
I stand thy suppliant now. Thou soon shalt learn,
If I deserve thy favour. I intreat
To see th' assembled leaders of your host,
For I am fraught with tydings, which import
The weal of all the Grecians. Agis streight
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The various leaders. To the tent they throng,
Amidst them plac'd, the stranger thus began.
O Alpheus! Maron! hither turn your sight,
And know your brothers. From their seats they start.
From either burst, with tears of transport mix'd,
The name of Polydorus. On his breast
Each fondly strives to rush, but he withstands;
While down his cheek a stream of anguish pours
From his dejected eyes in torture bent
On that vile garb, which sham'd his free-born limbs.
At length these accents intermix'd with groans
Broke from his heart, while all stood wond'ring round.
And know your brothers. From their seats they start.
From either burst, with tears of transport mix'd,
The name of Polydorus. On his breast
Each fondly strives to rush, but he withstands;
While down his cheek a stream of anguish pours
From his dejected eyes in torture bent
On that vile garb, which sham'd his free-born limbs.
At length these accents intermix'd with groans
Broke from his heart, while all stood wond'ring round.
You first shall know, if this unhappy slave
Yet merits your embraces. Now approach'd
Leonidas. Before him all recede,
Ev'n Alpheus' self; and yields his brother's hand,
Which in his own the gen'rous hero press'd:
Then with majestic goodness thus bespake
Th' afflicted youth, and mitigates his pains.
Yet merits your embraces. Now approach'd
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Ev'n Alpheus' self; and yields his brother's hand,
Which in his own the gen'rous hero press'd:
Then with majestic goodness thus bespake
Th' afflicted youth, and mitigates his pains.
Forbear to mourn, thou unexampled youth.
Thy friends, thy country, all on thee shall gaze
With veneration, whose unshaken mind
The chains of Asia never could debase.
Lo! ev'ry breast is open to thy worth,
Each tongue prepares to hail thee with applause,
Who hast thy country honour'd ev'n in bonds.
Thy friends, thy country, all on thee shall gaze
With veneration, whose unshaken mind
The chains of Asia never could debase.
Lo! ev'ry breast is open to thy worth,
Each tongue prepares to hail thee with applause,
Who hast thy country honour'd ev'n in bonds.
He ceas'd, when Alpheus with an eager hand
Divests his brother of his base attire,
And his own mantle o'er the shoulders threw
Of Polydorus. Agis too advanc'd,
With friendly arms infolds him, and began.
Divests his brother of his base attire,
And his own mantle o'er the shoulders threw
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With friendly arms infolds him, and began.
Now, in thy native liberty secure,
Smile on thy past afflictions, and relate,
What chance restor'd thy virtue to the Greeks.
Smile on thy past afflictions, and relate,
What chance restor'd thy virtue to the Greeks.
Then Polydorus to the list'ning chiefs.
I was a Spartan. When my tender prime
On manhood border'd, from my native shore
Snatch'd by Phoenician pirates, I was sold,
To Ariana, sister to the king
And Hyperanthes. Fortune there was kind
My bonds committing to that gentle hand.
Yet was I still a captive, and estrang'd
From Lacedæmon. Demaratus oft
With friendly sorrows would my lot deplore,
Nor less his own ill-fated virtue mourn'd
Lost to his country in a servile court,
The center of corruption; where in smiles
Is envy painted, treachery, and hate,
And rankling malice; where alone sincere
The dissolute seeks no disguise: where he
Who all possesses, that a king can give,
Is far less happy than the meanest son
Of liberty, and groveling, as the slave,
Who serves his cruel pride. Yet here the sun
Ten times his annual period hath renew'd,
Since Polydorus hath in bondage groan'd.
My bloom now past, or else by pining care
Untimely wither'd, I at last return,
And to my native land the tydings bear
Of instant desolation. Here in grief
He paus'd, when thus Leonidas. Proceed.
Though from thy lips inevitable fate
To all be threaten'd, thou art heard by none,
Whose dauntless souls can entertain a thought,
But how to fall the noblest. Thus the chief.
The rest in speechless expectation wait.
Such was the solemn silence, which o'erspread
The shrine of Ammon, or Dodona's shades,
When anxious mortals from the mouth of Jove
Their doom explor'd. Nor Polydorus long
Suspends the Grecians, but resumes his tale.
I was a Spartan. When my tender prime
On manhood border'd, from my native shore
Snatch'd by Phoenician pirates, I was sold,
To Ariana, sister to the king
And Hyperanthes. Fortune there was kind
My bonds committing to that gentle hand.
Yet was I still a captive, and estrang'd
From Lacedæmon. Demaratus oft
With friendly sorrows would my lot deplore,
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Lost to his country in a servile court,
The center of corruption; where in smiles
Is envy painted, treachery, and hate,
And rankling malice; where alone sincere
The dissolute seeks no disguise: where he
Who all possesses, that a king can give,
Is far less happy than the meanest son
Of liberty, and groveling, as the slave,
Who serves his cruel pride. Yet here the sun
Ten times his annual period hath renew'd,
Since Polydorus hath in bondage groan'd.
My bloom now past, or else by pining care
Untimely wither'd, I at last return,
And to my native land the tydings bear
Of instant desolation. Here in grief
He paus'd, when thus Leonidas. Proceed.
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To all be threaten'd, thou art heard by none,
Whose dauntless souls can entertain a thought,
But how to fall the noblest. Thus the chief.
The rest in speechless expectation wait.
Such was the solemn silence, which o'erspread
The shrine of Ammon, or Dodona's shades,
When anxious mortals from the mouth of Jove
Their doom explor'd. Nor Polydorus long
Suspends the Grecians, but resumes his tale.
As I this night accompanied the steps
Of Ariana, e'er we reach'd the straits
Before our view then op'ning, one appear'd
With hasty feet now traversing the way,
Now fix'd intensely tow'rds the Grecian wall;
Then on a sudden starting would renew
His restless pace. As nearer we approach'd,
He by the moon, which glimmer'd o'er our heads,
Descried us, when advancing he demands
Where bent our midnight course. I knew the voice
Of Demaratus. To my breast I clasp'd
The venerable exile, and replied.
Our purpose ask not. Sparta's camp we seek,
And oh! farewel for ever! He rejoin'd.
Thrice happy Polydorus! Thou again
Shalt visit Sparta to these eyes denied.
Upon your paths may heav'n's protection smile.
Soon as you mix with yon triumphant tents,
Say to the Spartans, whose unconquer'd arms
Defend those rocks, you saw their exil'd king;
Say, though their blind credulity depriv'd
The wretched Demaratus of his home,
From ev'ry joy secluded, which awaits
The parent and the husband, from his wife,
His offspring torn, his friends, and native gates,
Him from his virtue could they ne'er divide:
Say, that ev'n here, where all are kings, or slaves,
Amid the riot of flagitious courts
Not quite extinct the Spartan spirit glows
Within his breast, though grief hath dim'd its fires.
Remembring this to Lacedæmon's chief
Report, that newly to the Persian host
Return'd a Malian, Epialtes nam'd,
Who as a spy had sought the Grecian tents.
He to the tyrant magnified his art,
Which with delusive eloquence had wrought
The Greeks to such despair, that Asia's king
Had been e'er now their sov'reign master own'd,
Had not the spirit of their single chief,
By fear unconquer'd, and on death resolv'd,
Restor'd their valour: therefore would the king
Trust to his guidance a selected band,
They soon should pierce th' unguarded bounds of Greece,
Led through a secret passage o'er the hills,
Where no Leonidas should bar their way.
Meantime by him the treach'rous Thebans sent
Assurance of their aid. Th' assenting king
At once decreed two myriads to advance
With Hyperanthes, with Abrocomes,
And bold Hydarnes. Ev'ry chief besides,
Whom youth, or valour, or ambition warms,
Rous'd by the traitor's eloquence, attends
From all the nations, fir'd with eager zeal
The first to enter Greece. In silence now
The youth remains. Tremendous from his seat
Uprose Platæa's chief. His eyes were flames,
And thus on trembling Anaxander burst
The furious accents from his livid lips.
Of Ariana, e'er we reach'd the straits
Before our view then op'ning, one appear'd
With hasty feet now traversing the way,
Now fix'd intensely tow'rds the Grecian wall;
Then on a sudden starting would renew
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He by the moon, which glimmer'd o'er our heads,
Descried us, when advancing he demands
Where bent our midnight course. I knew the voice
Of Demaratus. To my breast I clasp'd
The venerable exile, and replied.
Our purpose ask not. Sparta's camp we seek,
And oh! farewel for ever! He rejoin'd.
Thrice happy Polydorus! Thou again
Shalt visit Sparta to these eyes denied.
Upon your paths may heav'n's protection smile.
Soon as you mix with yon triumphant tents,
Say to the Spartans, whose unconquer'd arms
Defend those rocks, you saw their exil'd king;
Say, though their blind credulity depriv'd
The wretched Demaratus of his home,
From ev'ry joy secluded, which awaits
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His offspring torn, his friends, and native gates,
Him from his virtue could they ne'er divide:
Say, that ev'n here, where all are kings, or slaves,
Amid the riot of flagitious courts
Not quite extinct the Spartan spirit glows
Within his breast, though grief hath dim'd its fires.
Remembring this to Lacedæmon's chief
Report, that newly to the Persian host
Return'd a Malian, Epialtes nam'd,
Who as a spy had sought the Grecian tents.
He to the tyrant magnified his art,
Which with delusive eloquence had wrought
The Greeks to such despair, that Asia's king
Had been e'er now their sov'reign master own'd,
Had not the spirit of their single chief,
By fear unconquer'd, and on death resolv'd,
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Trust to his guidance a selected band,
They soon should pierce th' unguarded bounds of Greece,
Led through a secret passage o'er the hills,
Where no Leonidas should bar their way.
Meantime by him the treach'rous Thebans sent
Assurance of their aid. Th' assenting king
At once decreed two myriads to advance
With Hyperanthes, with Abrocomes,
And bold Hydarnes. Ev'ry chief besides,
Whom youth, or valour, or ambition warms,
Rous'd by the traitor's eloquence, attends
From all the nations, fir'd with eager zeal
The first to enter Greece. In silence now
The youth remains. Tremendous from his seat
Uprose Platæa's chief. His eyes were flames,
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The furious accents from his livid lips.
Yet e'er we fall, O traitor, shall this arm
To hell's avenging furies sink thy head.
To hell's avenging furies sink thy head.
All now is tumult, ev'ry bosom swells
With rage untam'd, and vengeance. Half unsheath'd
Diomedon's impetuous falchion blaz'd.
But, as the Cholchian sorceress renown'd
In fables old, or Circe, when they fram'd
A potent spell from Erebus to wake
The dead in dark and fleeting forms to glide
Before the moon's dim twilight, with their charms
Smooth'd all the sea, and silenc'd each rude blast;
Till not a billow heav'd against the shore,
Nor ev'n the wanton-winged zephir breath'd
The lightest whisper through the magic air:
So, when thy voice, Leonidas, is heard,
Fell Discord listens; Rage with sacred awe
Subsides in silence; while Confusion slept.
With rage untam'd, and vengeance. Half unsheath'd
Diomedon's impetuous falchion blaz'd.
But, as the Cholchian sorceress renown'd
In fables old, or Circe, when they fram'd
A potent spell from Erebus to wake
The dead in dark and fleeting forms to glide
Before the moon's dim twilight, with their charms
Smooth'd all the sea, and silenc'd each rude blast;
Till not a billow heav'd against the shore,
Nor ev'n the wanton-winged zephir breath'd
226
So, when thy voice, Leonidas, is heard,
Fell Discord listens; Rage with sacred awe
Subsides in silence; while Confusion slept.
Withhold this rashness (interpos'd the king)
Before we punish, let us find the guilt.
Not yet hath Persia overturn'd our tents,
Not yet her Barb'rous shouts our ears alarm.
We still have time for vengeance, and to know,
If yet our swords destruction may repel,
Or how to die most glorious. Then arose
Dieneces, and thus the Greeks bespake.
Before we punish, let us find the guilt.
Not yet hath Persia overturn'd our tents,
Not yet her Barb'rous shouts our ears alarm.
We still have time for vengeance, and to know,
If yet our swords destruction may repel,
Or how to die most glorious. Then arose
Dieneces, and thus the Greeks bespake.
E'er yet they pass our borders, Xerxes' host
Must learn to conquer, and the Greeks to fly.
The spears of Phocis guard the secret pass.
Let instant messengers be thither sent
To know the Persians progress. Alpheus here.
Must learn to conquer, and the Greeks to fly.
The spears of Phocis guard the secret pass.
227
To know the Persians progress. Alpheus here.
Leonidas, behold, my willing feet
Shall to the Phocians bear thy great commands,
Or climb the hills to mark th' approaching foe.
Shall to the Phocians bear thy great commands,
Or climb the hills to mark th' approaching foe.
Thou active son of valour (thus returns
The chief of Lacedæmon) in my thoughts
For ever present, when the public cause
Demands the swift, the vigilant, and bold!
Go and surmount the rocks aërial height.
And while, around, Dieneces conducts
An hundred Spartans to the Phocians aid,
Thou from the hills observe the Persians march.
The chief of Lacedæmon) in my thoughts
For ever present, when the public cause
Demands the swift, the vigilant, and bold!
Go and surmount the rocks aërial height.
And while, around, Dieneces conducts
An hundred Spartans to the Phocians aid,
Thou from the hills observe the Persians march.
Before the purple-winged morn the night
Retiring warn'd their conference to cease.
They all disperse. When hastning on his course,
And ready now to climb the lofty crags,
O Polydorus, Alpheus thus exclaims,
Long lost and late recover'd! we must part
Once more, and now for ever. Thou return,
And kiss the sacred soil, which gave thee birth,
Which calls thee back to freedom? Dearest youth
I should have tears to give thee—but farewel!
My country chides me loit'ring in thy arms.
Retiring warn'd their conference to cease.
228
And ready now to climb the lofty crags,
O Polydorus, Alpheus thus exclaims,
Long lost and late recover'd! we must part
Once more, and now for ever. Thou return,
And kiss the sacred soil, which gave thee birth,
Which calls thee back to freedom? Dearest youth
I should have tears to give thee—but farewel!
My country chides me loit'ring in thy arms.
This said, he quits his brother, and ascends,
While Polydorus answers. Alpheus no.
I have the marks of bondage to erase,
My blood must wash the shameful stain away.
While Polydorus answers. Alpheus no.
I have the marks of bondage to erase,
My blood must wash the shameful stain away.
We have a father (Maron interpos'd)
Thy unexpected presence will revive
His heavy age, that childless else will mourn.
Here Polydorus with a gloomy smile.
Thy unexpected presence will revive
229
Here Polydorus with a gloomy smile.
Ill should I comfort others. View these eyes;
Faint is their light, and vanish'd is my bloom
Before its hour of ripeness. In my breast
Grief as a native will for ever dwell,
Nor yield to time. Unceasing shall my soul
Brood o'er the dire remembrance of my youth
In servitude thus wasted. Life with me
Hath lost its savour. Then in silent woe
He hangs his head. His brother pleads in vain.
He answers only with repeated groans.
Now in his view Dieneces advanc'd
With Sparta's band. On them his eyes are fix'd
Immoveable, and thus his mind revolves.
Faint is their light, and vanish'd is my bloom
Before its hour of ripeness. In my breast
Grief as a native will for ever dwell,
Nor yield to time. Unceasing shall my soul
Brood o'er the dire remembrance of my youth
In servitude thus wasted. Life with me
Hath lost its savour. Then in silent woe
He hangs his head. His brother pleads in vain.
He answers only with repeated groans.
Now in his view Dieneces advanc'd
With Sparta's band. On them his eyes are fix'd
Immoveable, and thus his mind revolves.
230
I too, like these, in Lacedæmon sprung,
Instructed once, like these, to poize the spear,
And lift the pond'rous shield. Ill-destin'd wretch!
Thy arm is now enervate, and would fail
Beneath the buckler's weight. O cruel Heav'n!
Who didst compel my free-born hand to change
The warriour's arms for ignominious bonds;
Wouldst thou compensate for my chains, my shame,
My ten years sorrows, and the black despair,
Which on my youth has prey'd; propitious once
Grant, I may bear my buckler to the field,
And known a Spartan seek the shades below.
Instructed once, like these, to poize the spear,
And lift the pond'rous shield. Ill-destin'd wretch!
Thy arm is now enervate, and would fail
Beneath the buckler's weight. O cruel Heav'n!
Who didst compel my free-born hand to change
The warriour's arms for ignominious bonds;
Wouldst thou compensate for my chains, my shame,
My ten years sorrows, and the black despair,
Which on my youth has prey'd; propitious once
Grant, I may bear my buckler to the field,
And known a Spartan seek the shades below.
He ceas'd, and sudden turn'd his steps aside
To find the tent of Agis; there the youth
With grateful sorrow ministers his aid,
While with a kind and hospitable hand
The gentle Agis by her lover's corse
On one sad bier the pallid beauties laid
Of Ariana. He from shackles frees
Two Persian captives, whom his gen'rous arm
That day preserv'd from slaughter, then began.
To find the tent of Agis; there the youth
231
While with a kind and hospitable hand
The gentle Agis by her lover's corse
On one sad bier the pallid beauties laid
Of Ariana. He from shackles frees
Two Persian captives, whom his gen'rous arm
That day preserv'd from slaughter, then began.
To you I give that freedom, which you sought
To snatch from me. This recompense I ask,
And this alone. Transport to Asia's camp
These bleeding reliques; bid the Persian king
Weep o'er this flow'r thus blasted in its pride;
Then say, th' all-judging Gods have thus ordain'd:
Thou, whose ambition o'er the groaning earth
Leads desolation, o'er the nations spreads
Calamity and tears, thou first shalt mourn,
And through thy house destruction first shall range.
To snatch from me. This recompense I ask,
And this alone. Transport to Asia's camp
These bleeding reliques; bid the Persian king
Weep o'er this flow'r thus blasted in its pride;
Then say, th' all-judging Gods have thus ordain'd:
Thou, whose ambition o'er the groaning earth
Leads desolation, o'er the nations spreads
232
And through thy house destruction first shall range.
Thus charg'd, to Asia's host the captives bend.
They soon attain the Phocian wall, where now
Was Dithyrambus station'd. He perceives
The mournful bier approach. To him the fate
Of Ariana was already told.
He meets the captives, when, with weeping eyes
On Teribazus turn'd, he thus exclaims.
They soon attain the Phocian wall, where now
Was Dithyrambus station'd. He perceives
The mournful bier approach. To him the fate
Of Ariana was already told.
He meets the captives, when, with weeping eyes
On Teribazus turn'd, he thus exclaims.
O! as thy arms present thee, hadst thou been
Indeed a Grecian! then thy gen'rous heart
Its valour ne'er had wasted to support
A king's injustice; then a gentler fate,
Had bless'd thy life, or bleeding thou hadst known,
How sweet is death for liberty. A Greek
This friendly wish affords thee, though his head
Had lost the honours gather'd from thy fall;
When fortune favour'd, or propitious heav'n
Smil'd on the better cause. Ill-fated pair!
Whom with this stream of pity here I lave;
But that my hostile hands imbru'd with gore
Must be ungrateful to your loathing shades,
From all the neighb'ring valleys would I cull
Their fairest growth, and strew your hearse with flow'rs.
Yet O accept these tears and pious pray'rs!
May peace attend your ashes! may your shades
Pass o'er the silent pool to happier seats,
Where tyrants ne'er can enter to molest
The blissful region; but are far remov'd
To realms of horrour, where from righteous heav'n
They bear those pains, they merit from mankind!
Indeed a Grecian! then thy gen'rous heart
Its valour ne'er had wasted to support
A king's injustice; then a gentler fate,
Had bless'd thy life, or bleeding thou hadst known,
233
This friendly wish affords thee, though his head
Had lost the honours gather'd from thy fall;
When fortune favour'd, or propitious heav'n
Smil'd on the better cause. Ill-fated pair!
Whom with this stream of pity here I lave;
But that my hostile hands imbru'd with gore
Must be ungrateful to your loathing shades,
From all the neighb'ring valleys would I cull
Their fairest growth, and strew your hearse with flow'rs.
Yet O accept these tears and pious pray'rs!
May peace attend your ashes! may your shades
Pass o'er the silent pool to happier seats,
Where tyrants ne'er can enter to molest
The blissful region; but are far remov'd
234
They bear those pains, they merit from mankind!
He ceas'd in tears. The captives leave the wall,
And slowly down Thermopylæ proceed.
And slowly down Thermopylæ proceed.
End of the Sixth Book.
| Leonidas | |