The Whole Works of Homer Prince of Poetts: In his Iliads, and Odysses. Translated according to the Greeke. By Geo: Chapman |
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 | The Whole Works of Homer |  |
Λακεδαιμονα κητωσσαν which is expounded Spartam amplam, or μεγαλην magnam: where κητ– signifies properly plurima cere nutrientem.
These two arriu'd, and found at festiuals
(With mightie concourse) the renowmed King,
His sonne and daughter, ioyntly marrying.
Alectors daughter, he did giue his sonne
Strong Megapenthe; who his life begunne
By Menelaus bondmaid; whom he knew
In yeares. When Hellen could no more renew
In issue like diuine Hermione;
Who held in all faire forme, as high degree
As golden Venus. Her he married now
To great Achilles sonne; who was by vow
Betrothd to her at Troy. And thus the Gods
To constant loues, giue nuptiall periods.
Whose state here past, the Myrmidons rich towne
(Of which she shar'd in the Imperiall Crowne)
With horse and chariots he resign'd her to.
Meane space, the high huge house, with feast did flow
47
Amongst whom, did a heauenly Poet sing,
And touch his Harpe. Amongst whom likewise danc't
Two; who in that dumbe motion aduanc't,
Would prompt the Singer, what to sing and play.
All this time, in the vtter Court did stay,
With horse and chariot, Telemachus,
And Nestors noble sonne, Pisistratus.
Whom Eteoneus coming forth, descried,
And, being a seruant to the King, most tried
In care, and his respect; he ranne and cried:
Guests! Ioue-kept Menelaus! two such men,
As are for forme, of high Saturnius straine.
Informe your pleasure, if we shall vnclose
Their horse from coach; or say, they must dispose
Their way to some such house, as may embrace
Their knowne arriuall, with more welcome grace?
He (angry) answerd, Thou didst neuer show
Thy selfe a foole (Beotides) till now;
But now (as if turnd child) a childish speech
Vents thy vaine spirits. We our selues now reach
Our home, by much spent hospitalitie
Of other men; nor know, if Ioue will trie,
With other after wants, our state againe:
And therefore, from our feast, no more detaine
Those welcome guests; but take their Steeds from Coach,
And with attendance guide in their approach.
Thy selfe a foole (Beotides) till now;
But now (as if turnd child) a childish speech
Vents thy vaine spirits. We our selues now reach
Our home, by much spent hospitalitie
Of other men; nor know, if Ioue will trie,
With other after wants, our state againe:
And therefore, from our feast, no more detaine
Those welcome guests; but take their Steeds from Coach,
And with attendance guide in their approach.
This said, he rusht abroad, and calld some more
Tried in such seruice; that together bore
Vp to the guests: and tooke their Steeds that swet
Beneath their yokes, from Coach. At mangers set,
Wheate and white barley gaue them mixt; and plac't
Their Chariot by a wall so cleare, it cast
A light quite thorough it. And then they led
Their guests to the diuine house; which so fed
Their eyes at all parts with illustrous sights,
That Admiration seisd them. Like the lights
The Sunne and Moone gaue; all the Pallace threw
A luster through it. Satiate with whose view,
Downe to the Kings most bright-kept Baths, they went;
Where handmaids did their seruices present:
Bath'd, balmd them; shirts, and well-napt weeds put on,
And by Atrides side, set each his throne.
Then did the handmaid royall, water bring,
And to a Lauer, rich and glittering,
Of massie gold, powr'd: which she plac't vpon
A siluer Caldron; into which, might runne
The water as they washt. Then set she neare
A polisht table; on which, all the cheare
The present could affoord; a reuerend Dame
That kept the Larder, set. A Cooke then came,
And diuers dishes, borne thence, seru'd againe;
Furnisht the boord with bolles of gold; and then
(His right hand giuen the guests) Atrides said,
Eate, and be chearfull; appetite allaid,
I long to aske, of what stocke ye descend;
For not from parents, whose race namelesse end,
We must deriue your ofspring. Men obscure,
Could get none such as you. The pourtraiture
Of Ioue-sustaind, and Scepter-bearing Kings,
Your either person, in his presence brings.
An Oxes fat chine, then they vp did lift,
And set before the guests; which was a gift,
Sent as an honor, to the Kings owne tast.
They saw yet, twas but to be eaten plac't,
And fell to it. But food and wines care past,
Telemachus thus prompted Nestors sonne;
(His eare close laying, to be heard of none)
Tried in such seruice; that together bore
Vp to the guests: and tooke their Steeds that swet
Beneath their yokes, from Coach. At mangers set,
Wheate and white barley gaue them mixt; and plac't
Their Chariot by a wall so cleare, it cast
A light quite thorough it. And then they led
Their guests to the diuine house; which so fed
Their eyes at all parts with illustrous sights,
That Admiration seisd them. Like the lights
The Sunne and Moone gaue; all the Pallace threw
A luster through it. Satiate with whose view,
Downe to the Kings most bright-kept Baths, they went;
Where handmaids did their seruices present:
Bath'd, balmd them; shirts, and well-napt weeds put on,
And by Atrides side, set each his throne.
Then did the handmaid royall, water bring,
And to a Lauer, rich and glittering,
Of massie gold, powr'd: which she plac't vpon
A siluer Caldron; into which, might runne
The water as they washt. Then set she neare
48
The present could affoord; a reuerend Dame
That kept the Larder, set. A Cooke then came,
And diuers dishes, borne thence, seru'd againe;
Furnisht the boord with bolles of gold; and then
(His right hand giuen the guests) Atrides said,
Eate, and be chearfull; appetite allaid,
I long to aske, of what stocke ye descend;
For not from parents, whose race namelesse end,
We must deriue your ofspring. Men obscure,
Could get none such as you. The pourtraiture
Of Ioue-sustaind, and Scepter-bearing Kings,
Your either person, in his presence brings.
An Oxes fat chine, then they vp did lift,
And set before the guests; which was a gift,
Sent as an honor, to the Kings owne tast.
They saw yet, twas but to be eaten plac't,
And fell to it. But food and wines care past,
Telemachus thus prompted Nestors sonne;
(His eare close laying, to be heard of none)
Consider (thou whom most my mind esteemes)
The brasse-worke here, how rich it is in beames;
And how besides, it makes the whole house sound?
What gold, and amber, siluer, ivorie, round
Is wrought about it. Out of doubt, the Hall
Of Iupiter Olympius, hath of all
This state, the like. How many infinites,
Take vp to admiration, all mens sights?
The brasse-worke here, how rich it is in beames;
And how besides, it makes the whole house sound?
What gold, and amber, siluer, ivorie, round
Is wrought about it. Out of doubt, the Hall
Of Iupiter Olympius, hath of all
This state, the like. How many infinites,
Take vp to admiration, all mens sights?
Atrides ouer-heard; and said; Lou'd sonne,
No mortall must affect contention
With Iove, whose dwellings are of endlesse date.
Perhaps (of men) some one may emulate,
(Or none) my house, or me. For I am one,
That many a graue extreme haue vndergone.
Much error felt by sea; and till th' eight yeare,
Had neuer stay; but wanderd farre and neare,
Cyprus, Phœnicia, and Sydonia;
And fetcht the farre off Æthiopia:
Reacht the Erembi of Arabia;
And Lybia, where, with hornes, Ewes yeane their Lambs:
Where euery full yeare, Ewes are three times dams.
Where neither King, nor shepheard; want comes neare
Of cheese, or flesh, or sweete milke. All the yeare
They euer milke their Ewes. And here while I
Errd, gathering meanes to liue: one, murtherously,
Vnwares, vnseene, bereft my brothers life;
Chiefly betraid by his abhorred wife.
So, hold I, (not enioying) what you see.
And of your Fathers (if they liuing be)
You must haue heard this: since my suffrings were
So great and famous. From this Pallace here,
(So rarely-well-built; furnished so well;
And substanced with such a precious deale
Of well-got treasure) banisht by the doome
Of Fate; and erring as I had no home.
And now I haue, and vse it; not to take
Th' entire delight it offers; but to make
Continuall wishes, that a triple part
Of all it holds, were wanting; so my heart
Were easde of sorrowes (taken for their deaths
That fell at Troy) by their reuiued breaths.
And thus sit I here, weeping, mourning still
Each least man lost; and sometimes make mine ill
(In paying iust teares for their losse) my ioy.
Sometimes I breathe my woes; for in annoy,
The pleasure soone admits satietie.
But all these mens wants, wet not so mine eie,
(Though much they moue me) as one sole mans misse;
For which, my sleepe and meate euen lothsome is,
In his renewd thought; since no Greeke hath wonne
Grace, for such labours, as Laërtes sonne
Hath wrought and sufferd: to himselfe, nought else
But future sorrowes forging: to me, hels
For his long absence; since I cannot know
If life or death detaine him: since such woe
For his loue, old Laertes, his wise wife,
And poore yong sonne sustaines; whom new with life,
He left as sirelesse. This speech; griefe to teares
(Powrd from the sonnes lids on the earth) his eares
(Told of the Father) did excite; who kept
His cheekes drie with his red weed, as he wept:
His both hands vsde therein. Atrides then
Began to know him; and did strife retaine,
If he should let, himselfe confesse his Sire,
Or with all fitting circumstance, enquire.
No mortall must affect contention
With Iove, whose dwellings are of endlesse date.
Perhaps (of men) some one may emulate,
(Or none) my house, or me. For I am one,
That many a graue extreme haue vndergone.
Much error felt by sea; and till th' eight yeare,
Had neuer stay; but wanderd farre and neare,
Cyprus, Phœnicia, and Sydonia;
And fetcht the farre off Æthiopia:
Reacht the Erembi of Arabia;
And Lybia, where, with hornes, Ewes yeane their Lambs:
Where euery full yeare, Ewes are three times dams.
Where neither King, nor shepheard; want comes neare
Of cheese, or flesh, or sweete milke. All the yeare
They euer milke their Ewes. And here while I
Errd, gathering meanes to liue: one, murtherously,
Vnwares, vnseene, bereft my brothers life;
Chiefly betraid by his abhorred wife.
So, hold I, (not enioying) what you see.
49
You must haue heard this: since my suffrings were
So great and famous. From this Pallace here,
(So rarely-well-built; furnished so well;
And substanced with such a precious deale
Of well-got treasure) banisht by the doome
Of Fate; and erring as I had no home.
And now I haue, and vse it; not to take
Th' entire delight it offers; but to make
Continuall wishes, that a triple part
Of all it holds, were wanting; so my heart
Were easde of sorrowes (taken for their deaths
That fell at Troy) by their reuiued breaths.
And thus sit I here, weeping, mourning still
Each least man lost; and sometimes make mine ill
(In paying iust teares for their losse) my ioy.
Sometimes I breathe my woes; for in annoy,
The pleasure soone admits satietie.
But all these mens wants, wet not so mine eie,
(Though much they moue me) as one sole mans misse;
For which, my sleepe and meate euen lothsome is,
In his renewd thought; since no Greeke hath wonne
Grace, for such labours, as Laërtes sonne
Hath wrought and sufferd: to himselfe, nought else
But future sorrowes forging: to me, hels
For his long absence; since I cannot know
If life or death detaine him: since such woe
For his loue, old Laertes, his wise wife,
And poore yong sonne sustaines; whom new with life,
He left as sirelesse. This speech; griefe to teares
(Powrd from the sonnes lids on the earth) his eares
(Told of the Father) did excite; who kept
His cheekes drie with his red weed, as he wept:
His both hands vsde therein. Atrides then
Began to know him; and did strife retaine,
If he should let, himselfe confesse his Sire,
Or with all fitting circumstance, enquire.
While this, his thoughts disputed; forth did shine,
(Like to the golden distaffe-deckt diuine)
From her beds high and odoriferous roome,
Hellen. To whom (of an elaborate loome)
Adresta set a chaire: Alcyppe brought
A peece of Tapestrie, of fine wooll wrought.
Philo, a siluer Cabinet conferd:
(Giuen by Alcandra, Nuptially endeard
To Lord Polybius; whose abode in Thebes,
Th' Ægyptian citie was;) where wealth in heapes,
His famous house held: out of which did go
In gift t'Atrides, siluer bath-tubs two;
Two Tripods; and of fine gold, talents ten.
His wife did likewise send to Hellen then,
Faire gifts; a Distaffe that of gold was wrought;
And that rich Cabinet that Phylo brought;
Round, and with gold ribd; now of fine thred, full:
On which extended (crownd with finest wooll,
Of violet glosse) the golden Distaffe lay.
(Like to the golden distaffe-deckt diuine)
From her beds high and odoriferous roome,
Hellen. To whom (of an elaborate loome)
Adresta set a chaire: Alcyppe brought
A peece of Tapestrie, of fine wooll wrought.
Philo, a siluer Cabinet conferd:
(Giuen by Alcandra, Nuptially endeard
To Lord Polybius; whose abode in Thebes,
Th' Ægyptian citie was;) where wealth in heapes,
His famous house held: out of which did go
50
Two Tripods; and of fine gold, talents ten.
His wife did likewise send to Hellen then,
Faire gifts; a Distaffe that of gold was wrought;
And that rich Cabinet that Phylo brought;
Round, and with gold ribd; now of fine thred, full:
On which extended (crownd with finest wooll,
Of violet glosse) the golden Distaffe lay.
She tooke her State-chaire; and a foot-stooles stay
Had for her feete: and of her husband, thus
Askt to know all things: Is it knowne to vs,
(King Menelaus) whom these men commend
Themselues for; that our Court, now takes to friend?
I must affirme, (be I deceiu'd or no)
I neuer yet saw man nor woman so
Like one another, as this man is like
Vlysses sonne. With admiration strike
His lookes, my thoughts; that they should carrie now
Powre to perswade me thus; who did but know,
When newly he was borne, the forme they bore.
But tis his Fathers grace; whom more and more
His grace resembles; that makes me retaine
Thought, that he now, is like Telemachus then:
Left by his Sire, when Greece did vndertake
Troys bold warre, for my impudencies sake.
Had for her feete: and of her husband, thus
Askt to know all things: Is it knowne to vs,
(King Menelaus) whom these men commend
Themselues for; that our Court, now takes to friend?
I must affirme, (be I deceiu'd or no)
I neuer yet saw man nor woman so
Like one another, as this man is like
Vlysses sonne. With admiration strike
His lookes, my thoughts; that they should carrie now
Powre to perswade me thus; who did but know,
When newly he was borne, the forme they bore.
But tis his Fathers grace; whom more and more
His grace resembles; that makes me retaine
Thought, that he now, is like Telemachus then:
Left by his Sire, when Greece did vndertake
Troys bold warre, for my impudencies sake.
He answerd: Now wife, what you thinke, I know,
The true cast of his Fathers eye, doth show
In his eyes order. Both his head and haire,
His hands and feete, his very fathers are.
Of whom (so well rememberd) I should now
Acknowledge for me, his continnall flow
Of cares and perils: yet still patient.
But I should too much moue him, that doth vent
Such bitter teares for that which hath bene spoke;
Which (shunning soft shew) see how he would cloke;
And with his purple weed, his weepings hide.
The true cast of his Fathers eye, doth show
In his eyes order. Both his head and haire,
His hands and feete, his very fathers are.
Of whom (so well rememberd) I should now
Acknowledge for me, his continnall flow
Of cares and perils: yet still patient.
But I should too much moue him, that doth vent
Such bitter teares for that which hath bene spoke;
Which (shunning soft shew) see how he would cloke;
And with his purple weed, his weepings hide.
Then Nestors sonne, Pisistratus replide:
Great Pastor of the people; kept of God!
He is Vlysses sonne; but his abode
Not made before here; and he modest too;
He holds it an indignitie to do
A deed so vaine, to vse the boast of words,
Where your words are on wing; whose voice affords
Delight to vs, as if a God did breake
The aire amongst vs, and vouchsafe to speake.
But me, my father (old Duke Nestor) sent
To be his consort hither; his content,
Not to be heightned so, as with your sight.
In hope that therewith words and actions might
Informe his comforts from you; since he is
Extremely grieu'd and iniur'd, by the misse
Of his great Father; suffering euen at home.
And few friends found, to helpe him ouercome
His too weake sufferance, now his Sire is gone.
Amongst the people, not affoorded one
To checke the miseries, that mate him thus;
And this the state is of Telemachus.
Great Pastor of the people; kept of God!
He is Vlysses sonne; but his abode
Not made before here; and he modest too;
He holds it an indignitie to do
A deed so vaine, to vse the boast of words,
Where your words are on wing; whose voice affords
Delight to vs, as if a God did breake
The aire amongst vs, and vouchsafe to speake.
But me, my father (old Duke Nestor) sent
To be his consort hither; his content,
Not to be heightned so, as with your sight.
51
Informe his comforts from you; since he is
Extremely grieu'd and iniur'd, by the misse
Of his great Father; suffering euen at home.
And few friends found, to helpe him ouercome
His too weake sufferance, now his Sire is gone.
Amongst the people, not affoorded one
To checke the miseries, that mate him thus;
And this the state is of Telemachus.
O Gods (said he) how certaine, now, I see
My house enioyes that friends sonne, that for me
Hath vndergone so many willing fights?
Whom I resolu'd, past all the Grecian Knights,
To hold in loue; if our returne by seas,
The farre-off Thunderer did euer please
To grant our wishes. And to his respect,
A Pallace and a Citie to erect,
My vow had bound me. Whither bringing then
His riches, and his sonne, and all his men
From barren Ithaca, (some one sole Towne
Inhabited about him, batterd downe)
All should in Argos liue. And there would I
Ease him of rule; and take the Emperie
Of all on me. And often here would we
(Delighting, louing eithers companie)
Meete and conuerse; whom nothing should diuide,
Till deaths blacke veile did each all ouer hide.
But this perhaps had bene a meane to take
Euen God himselfe with enuie; who did make
Vlysses therefore onely the vnblest,
That should not reach his loued countries rest.
My house enioyes that friends sonne, that for me
Hath vndergone so many willing fights?
Whom I resolu'd, past all the Grecian Knights,
To hold in loue; if our returne by seas,
The farre-off Thunderer did euer please
To grant our wishes. And to his respect,
A Pallace and a Citie to erect,
My vow had bound me. Whither bringing then
His riches, and his sonne, and all his men
From barren Ithaca, (some one sole Towne
Inhabited about him, batterd downe)
All should in Argos liue. And there would I
Ease him of rule; and take the Emperie
Of all on me. And often here would we
(Delighting, louing eithers companie)
Meete and conuerse; whom nothing should diuide,
Till deaths blacke veile did each all ouer hide.
But this perhaps had bene a meane to take
Euen God himselfe with enuie; who did make
Vlysses therefore onely the vnblest,
That should not reach his loued countries rest.
These woes made euery one with woe in loue;
Euen Argiue Hellen wept, (the seed of Ioue)
Vlysses sonne wept; Atreus sonne did weepe;
And Nestors sonne, his eyes in teares did steepe.
But his teares fell not from the present cloud,
That from Vlysses was exhal'd; but flowd
From braue Antilochus rememberd due,
Whom the renowmd Sonne of the Morning slue.
Which yet he thus excusde: O Atreus sonne!
Old Nestor sayes, There liues not such a one
Amongst all mortals, as Atrides is,
For deathlesse wisedome. Tis a praise of his,
Still giuen in your remembrance; when at home
Our speech concernes you. Since then ouercome
You please to be, with sorrow euen to teares,
That are in wisedome so exempt from peres;
Vouchsafe the like effect in me excuse,
(If it be lawfull) I affect no vse
Of teares thus, after meales; at least, at night:
But when the morne brings forth, with teares, her light,
It shall not then empaire me to bestow
My teares on any worthies ouerthrow.
It is the onely right, that wretched men
Can do dead friends; to cut haire, and complaine.
But Death my brother tooke; whom none could call
The Grecian coward; you best knew of all.
I was not there, nor saw; but men report,
Antilochus exceld the common sort,
For footmanship, or for the Chariot race;
Or in the fight, for hardie hold of place.
Euen Argiue Hellen wept, (the seed of Ioue)
Vlysses sonne wept; Atreus sonne did weepe;
And Nestors sonne, his eyes in teares did steepe.
But his teares fell not from the present cloud,
That from Vlysses was exhal'd; but flowd
From braue Antilochus rememberd due,
Whom the renowmd Sonne of the Morning slue.
Which yet he thus excusde: O Atreus sonne!
Old Nestor sayes, There liues not such a one
Amongst all mortals, as Atrides is,
For deathlesse wisedome. Tis a praise of his,
Still giuen in your remembrance; when at home
Our speech concernes you. Since then ouercome
You please to be, with sorrow euen to teares,
That are in wisedome so exempt from peres;
Vouchsafe the like effect in me excuse,
52
Of teares thus, after meales; at least, at night:
But when the morne brings forth, with teares, her light,
It shall not then empaire me to bestow
My teares on any worthies ouerthrow.
It is the onely right, that wretched men
Can do dead friends; to cut haire, and complaine.
But Death my brother tooke; whom none could call
The Grecian coward; you best knew of all.
I was not there, nor saw; but men report,
Antilochus exceld the common sort,
For footmanship, or for the Chariot race;
Or in the fight, for hardie hold of place.
O friend (said he) since thou hast spoken so,
At all parts, as one wise should say and do;
And like one, farre beyond thy selfe in yeares;
Thy words shall bounds be, to our former teares.
O he is questionlesse a right borne sonne,
That of his Father hath not onely wonne
The person, but the wisedome; and that Sire;
(Complete himselfe) that hath a sonne entire,
Ioue did not onely his full Fate adorne,
When he was wedded; but when he was borne.
As now Saturnius, through his lifes whole date,
Hath Nestors blisse raisd to as steepe a state:
Both in his age to keepe in peace his house;
And to haue children wise and valorous.
At all parts, as one wise should say and do;
And like one, farre beyond thy selfe in yeares;
Thy words shall bounds be, to our former teares.
O he is questionlesse a right borne sonne,
That of his Father hath not onely wonne
The person, but the wisedome; and that Sire;
(Complete himselfe) that hath a sonne entire,
Ioue did not onely his full Fate adorne,
When he was wedded; but when he was borne.
As now Saturnius, through his lifes whole date,
Hath Nestors blisse raisd to as steepe a state:
Both in his age to keepe in peace his house;
And to haue children wise and valorous.
But let vs not forget our rere Feast thus;
Let some giue water here. Telemachus!
The morning shall yeeld time to you and me,
To do what fits; and reason mutually.
This said; the carefull seruant of the King;
(Asphalion) powr'd on, th' issue of the Spring;
And all to readie feast, set readie hand.
But Hellen now, on new deuice did stand;
Infusing strait a medcine to their wine,
That (drowning Cares and Angers) did decline
All thought of ill. Who drunke her cup, could shed
All that day, not a teare; no not if dead
That day his father or his mother were;
Not if his brother, child, or chiefest deare,
He should see murtherd then before his face.
Such vsefull medcines (onely borne in grace,
Of what was good) would Hellen euer haue.
And this Iuyce to her, Polydomma gaue
The wife of Thoon; an Ægyptian borne;
Whose rich earth, herbes of medicine do adorne
In great abundance. Many healthfull are,
And many banefull. Euery man is there
A good Physition, out of natures grace;
For all the nation sprung of Pæons race.
Let some giue water here. Telemachus!
The morning shall yeeld time to you and me,
To do what fits; and reason mutually.
This said; the carefull seruant of the King;
(Asphalion) powr'd on, th' issue of the Spring;
And all to readie feast, set readie hand.
But Hellen now, on new deuice did stand;
Infusing strait a medcine to their wine,
That (drowning Cares and Angers) did decline
All thought of ill. Who drunke her cup, could shed
All that day, not a teare; no not if dead
That day his father or his mother were;
Not if his brother, child, or chiefest deare,
He should see murtherd then before his face.
Such vsefull medcines (onely borne in grace,
Of what was good) would Hellen euer haue.
And this Iuyce to her, Polydomma gaue
The wife of Thoon; an Ægyptian borne;
Whose rich earth, herbes of medicine do adorne
In great abundance. Many healthfull are,
53
A good Physition, out of natures grace;
For all the nation sprung of Pæons race.
When Hellen then her medicine had infusde,
She bad powre wine to it; and this speech vsde:
She bad powre wine to it; and this speech vsde:
Atrides, and these good mens sonnes; great Ioue
Makes good and ill, one after other moue
In all things earthly: for he can do all.
The woes past therefore, he so late let fall;
The comforts he affoords vs, let vs take;
Feast, and with fit discourses, merrie make.
Nor will I other vse. As then our blood
Grieu'd for Vlysses, since he was so good;
Since he was good, let vs delight to heare
How good he was, and what his suffrings were.
Though euery fight, and euery suffring deed,
Patient Vlysses vnderwent; exceed
My womans powre to number, or to name.
But what he did, and sufferd, when he came
Amongst the Troians, (where ye Grecians all
Tooke part with sufferance) I in part can call
To your kind memories. How with ghastly wounds
Himselfe he mangl'd; and the Troian bounds
(Thrust thicke with enemies) aduentured on:
His royall shoulders, hauing cast vpon
Base abiect weeds, and enterd like a slaue.
Then (begger-like) he did of all men craue;
And such a wretch was, as the whole Greeke fleete
Brought not besides. And thus through euery streete
He crept discouering: of no one man knowne.
And yet through all this difference, I alone
Smok't his true person. Talkt with him. But he
Fled me with wiles still. Nor could we agree,
Till I disclaimd him quite. And so (as mou'd
With womanly remorse, of one that prou'd
So wretched an estate, what ere he were)
Wonne him to take my house. And yet euen there;
Till freely I (to make him doubtlesse) swore
A powrefull oath, to let him reach the shore
Of ships and tents, before Troy vnderstood;
I could not force on him his proper good.
But then I bath'd and sooth'd him, and he then
Confest, and told me all. And (hauing slaine
A number of the Troian guards) retirde,
And reacht the Fleete; for slight and force admirde.
Their husbands deaths by him, the Troian wiues
Shriekt for; but I made triumphs for their liues.
For then my heart conceiu'd, that once againe
I should reach home; and yet did still retaine
Woe for the slaughters, Venus made for me:
When both my husband, my Hermione,
And bridall roome, she robd of so much right;
And drew me from my countrie, with her sleight.
Though nothing vnder heauen, I here did need,
That could my Fancie, or my Beautie feed.
Makes good and ill, one after other moue
In all things earthly: for he can do all.
The woes past therefore, he so late let fall;
The comforts he affoords vs, let vs take;
Feast, and with fit discourses, merrie make.
Nor will I other vse. As then our blood
Grieu'd for Vlysses, since he was so good;
Since he was good, let vs delight to heare
How good he was, and what his suffrings were.
Though euery fight, and euery suffring deed,
Patient Vlysses vnderwent; exceed
My womans powre to number, or to name.
But what he did, and sufferd, when he came
Amongst the Troians, (where ye Grecians all
Tooke part with sufferance) I in part can call
To your kind memories. How with ghastly wounds
Himselfe he mangl'd; and the Troian bounds
(Thrust thicke with enemies) aduentured on:
His royall shoulders, hauing cast vpon
Base abiect weeds, and enterd like a slaue.
Then (begger-like) he did of all men craue;
And such a wretch was, as the whole Greeke fleete
Brought not besides. And thus through euery streete
He crept discouering: of no one man knowne.
And yet through all this difference, I alone
Smok't his true person. Talkt with him. But he
Fled me with wiles still. Nor could we agree,
Till I disclaimd him quite. And so (as mou'd
With womanly remorse, of one that prou'd
So wretched an estate, what ere he were)
Wonne him to take my house. And yet euen there;
Till freely I (to make him doubtlesse) swore
A powrefull oath, to let him reach the shore
Of ships and tents, before Troy vnderstood;
I could not force on him his proper good.
But then I bath'd and sooth'd him, and he then
Confest, and told me all. And (hauing slaine
A number of the Troian guards) retirde,
And reacht the Fleete; for slight and force admirde.
Their husbands deaths by him, the Troian wiues
Shriekt for; but I made triumphs for their liues.
For then my heart conceiu'd, that once againe
54
Woe for the slaughters, Venus made for me:
When both my husband, my Hermione,
And bridall roome, she robd of so much right;
And drew me from my countrie, with her sleight.
Though nothing vnder heauen, I here did need,
That could my Fancie, or my Beautie feed.
Her husband said: Wife! what you please to tell,
Is true at all parts, and becomes you well.
And I my selfe, that now may say, haue seene
The minds and manners of a world of men:
And great Heroes, measuring many a ground,
Haue neuer (by these eyes that light me) found
One, with a bosome, so to be belou'd,
As that in which, th' accomplisht spirit, mou'd
Of patient Vlysses. What (braue man)
He both did act, and suffer, when we wan
The towne of Ilion, in the braue-built horse,
When all we chiefe States of the Grecian force,
Were housde together; bringing Death and Fate
Amongst the Troians; you (wife) may relate.
For you, at last, came to vs; God that would
The Troians glorie giue; gaue charge you should
Approch the engine; and Deiphobus
(The god-like) followd. Thrice ye circl'd vs,
With full suruay of it; and often tried
The hollow crafts, that in it were implied.
When all the voices of their wiues in it
You tooke on you; with voice so like, and fit;
And euery man by name, so visited;
That I, Vlysses, and King Diomed,
(Set in the midst, and hearing how you calld)
Tydides, and my selfe, (as halfe appalld
With your remorcefull plaints) would, passing faine
Haue broke our silence; rather then againe
Endure, respectlesse, their so mouing cries.
But, Ithacus, our strongest fantasies
Containd within vs, from the slendrest noise,
And euery man there, sat without a voice.
Anticlus onely, would haue answerd thee:
But, his speech, Ithacus incessantly
With strong hand held in; till (Mineruas call,
Charging thee off) Vlysses sau'd vs all.
Is true at all parts, and becomes you well.
And I my selfe, that now may say, haue seene
The minds and manners of a world of men:
And great Heroes, measuring many a ground,
Haue neuer (by these eyes that light me) found
One, with a bosome, so to be belou'd,
As that in which, th' accomplisht spirit, mou'd
Of patient Vlysses. What (braue man)
He both did act, and suffer, when we wan
The towne of Ilion, in the braue-built horse,
When all we chiefe States of the Grecian force,
Were housde together; bringing Death and Fate
Amongst the Troians; you (wife) may relate.
For you, at last, came to vs; God that would
The Troians glorie giue; gaue charge you should
Approch the engine; and Deiphobus
(The god-like) followd. Thrice ye circl'd vs,
With full suruay of it; and often tried
The hollow crafts, that in it were implied.
When all the voices of their wiues in it
You tooke on you; with voice so like, and fit;
And euery man by name, so visited;
That I, Vlysses, and King Diomed,
(Set in the midst, and hearing how you calld)
Tydides, and my selfe, (as halfe appalld
With your remorcefull plaints) would, passing faine
Haue broke our silence; rather then againe
Endure, respectlesse, their so mouing cries.
But, Ithacus, our strongest fantasies
Containd within vs, from the slendrest noise,
And euery man there, sat without a voice.
Anticlus onely, would haue answerd thee:
But, his speech, Ithacus incessantly
With strong hand held in; till (Mineruas call,
Charging thee off) Vlysses sau'd vs all.
Telemachus replide: Much greater is
My griefe, for hearing this high praise of his.
For all this doth not his sad death diuert;
Nor can, though in him swelld an iron heart.
Prepare, and leade then (if you please) to rest:
Sleepe (that we heare not) will content vs best.
My griefe, for hearing this high praise of his.
For all this doth not his sad death diuert;
Nor can, though in him swelld an iron heart.
Prepare, and leade then (if you please) to rest:
55
Then Argive Hellen made her handmaid go,
And put faire bedding in the Portico;
Lay purple blankets on, Rugs warme and soft;
And cast an Arras couerlet aloft.
And put faire bedding in the Portico;
Lay purple blankets on, Rugs warme and soft;
And cast an Arras couerlet aloft.
They torches tooke; made haste, and made the bed,
When both the guests were to their lodgings led,
Within a Portico, without the house.
Atrides, and his large-traine-wearing Spouse,
(The excellent of women) for the way,
In a retir'd receit, together lay.
The morne arose; the King rose, and put on
His royall weeds; his sharpe sword hung vpon
His ample shoulders; forth his chamber went,
And did the person of a God present.
When both the guests were to their lodgings led,
Within a Portico, without the house.
Atrides, and his large-traine-wearing Spouse,
(The excellent of women) for the way,
In a retir'd receit, together lay.
The morne arose; the King rose, and put on
His royall weeds; his sharpe sword hung vpon
His ample shoulders; forth his chamber went,
And did the person of a God present.
Telemachus accosts him; who begun
Speech of his iourneys proposition.
Speech of his iourneys proposition.
And what (my yong Vlyssean Heroe)
Prouokt thee on the broad backe of the sea,
To visit Lacedæmon the Diuine?
Speake truth, Some publicke? or onely thine?
Prouokt thee on the broad backe of the sea,
To visit Lacedæmon the Diuine?
Speake truth, Some publicke? or onely thine?
I come (said he) to heare, if any fame
Breath'd of my Father; to thy notice came.
My house is sackt; my fat workes of the field,
Are all destroid: my house doth nothing yeeld
But enemies; that kill my harmlesse sheepe,
And sinewie Oxen: nor will euer keepe
Their steeles without them. And these men are they,
That wooe my Mother; most inhumanely
Committing iniurie on iniurie.
To thy knees therefore I am come, t'attend
Relation of the sad and wretched end,
My erring Father felt: if witnest by
Your owne eyes; or the certaine newes that flie
From others knowledges. For, more then is
The vsuall heape of humane miseries,
His Mother bore him to. Vouchsafe me then
(Without all ruth of what I can sustaine)
The plaine and simple truth of all you know.
Let me beseech so much. If euer vow
Was made, and put in good effect to you
At Troy (where suffrance bred you so much smart)
Vpon my Father, good Vlysses part;
And quit it now to me (himselfe in youth)
Vnfolding onely the vnclosed truth.
Breath'd of my Father; to thy notice came.
My house is sackt; my fat workes of the field,
Are all destroid: my house doth nothing yeeld
But enemies; that kill my harmlesse sheepe,
And sinewie Oxen: nor will euer keepe
Their steeles without them. And these men are they,
That wooe my Mother; most inhumanely
Committing iniurie on iniurie.
To thy knees therefore I am come, t'attend
Relation of the sad and wretched end,
My erring Father felt: if witnest by
Your owne eyes; or the certaine newes that flie
From others knowledges. For, more then is
The vsuall heape of humane miseries,
His Mother bore him to. Vouchsafe me then
(Without all ruth of what I can sustaine)
The plaine and simple truth of all you know.
Let me beseech so much. If euer vow
Was made, and put in good effect to you
At Troy (where suffrance bred you so much smart)
Vpon my Father, good Vlysses part;
And quit it now to me (himselfe in youth)
Vnfolding onely the vnclosed truth.
He (deeply sighing) answerd him: O shame
That such poore vassals should affect the fame,
To share the ioyes of such a Worthies Bed!
As when a Hinde (her calues late farrowed
To giue sucke) enters the bold Lions den:
He, rootes of hils, and herbie vallies then
For food (there feeding) hunting: but at length
Returning to his Cauerne; giues his strength
The liues of both the mother and her brood,
In deaths indecent; so the wooers blood
Must pay Vlysses powres, as sharpe an end.
O would to Ioue, Apollo, and thy friend,
(The wise Minerua) that thy Father were
As once he was, when he his spirits did rere
Against Philomelides, in a fight
Performd in well-built Lesbos; where, downe-right
He strooke the earth with him; and gat a shout
Of all the Grecians. O, if now, full out
He were as then; and with the wooers cop't,
Short-liu'd they all were; and their nuptials, hop't
Would proue as desperate. But for thy demand,
Enforc't with prayrs; Ile let thee vnderstand
The truth directly; nor decline a thought;
Much lesse deceiue, or sooth thy search in ought.
But what the old, and still-true-spoken God,
That from the sea breathes oracles abroad,
Disclosde to me; to thee Ile all impart,
Nor hide one word from thy sollicitous heart.
That such poore vassals should affect the fame,
To share the ioyes of such a Worthies Bed!
60
To giue sucke) enters the bold Lions den:
He, rootes of hils, and herbie vallies then
For food (there feeding) hunting: but at length
Returning to his Cauerne; giues his strength
The liues of both the mother and her brood,
In deaths indecent; so the wooers blood
Must pay Vlysses powres, as sharpe an end.
O would to Ioue, Apollo, and thy friend,
(The wise Minerua) that thy Father were
As once he was, when he his spirits did rere
Against Philomelides, in a fight
Performd in well-built Lesbos; where, downe-right
He strooke the earth with him; and gat a shout
Of all the Grecians. O, if now, full out
He were as then; and with the wooers cop't,
Short-liu'd they all were; and their nuptials, hop't
Would proue as desperate. But for thy demand,
Enforc't with prayrs; Ile let thee vnderstand
The truth directly; nor decline a thought;
Much lesse deceiue, or sooth thy search in ought.
But what the old, and still-true-spoken God,
That from the sea breathes oracles abroad,
Disclosde to me; to thee Ile all impart,
Nor hide one word from thy sollicitous heart.
I was in Ægypt; where a mightie time,
The Gods detaind me: though my naturall clime,
I neuer so desir'd; because their homes
I did not greete, with perfect Hecatomes.
For they will put men euermore in mind,
How much their masterly commandments bind.
The Gods detaind me: though my naturall clime,
I neuer so desir'd; because their homes
I did not greete, with perfect Hecatomes.
For they will put men euermore in mind,
How much their masterly commandments bind.
There is (besides) a certaine Iland, calld
Pharos, that with the high-wau'd sea is walld;
Iust against Ægypt; and so much remote,
As in a whole day, with a fore-gale smote,
A hollow ship can saile. And this Ile beares
A Port, most portly; where sea-passengers
Put in still for fresh water, and away
To sea againe. Yet here the Gods did stay
My Fleete, full twentie dayes: the winds (that are
Masters at sea) no prosprous puffe would spare,
To put vs off: and all my victles here,
Had quite corrupted; as my mens minds were;
Had not a certaine Goddesse giuen regard,
And pittide me in an estate so hard:
And twas Edothea, honourd Proteus seed,
That old sea-farer. Her mind I made bleed
With my compassion, when (walkt all alone,
From all my souldiers, that were euer gone
About the Ile on fishing, with hookes bent;
Hunger, their bellies, on her errand sent)
She came close to me; spake; and thus began:
Pharos, that with the high-wau'd sea is walld;
Iust against Ægypt; and so much remote,
As in a whole day, with a fore-gale smote,
A hollow ship can saile. And this Ile beares
A Port, most portly; where sea-passengers
Put in still for fresh water, and away
To sea againe. Yet here the Gods did stay
My Fleete, full twentie dayes: the winds (that are
Masters at sea) no prosprous puffe would spare,
To put vs off: and all my victles here,
Had quite corrupted; as my mens minds were;
Had not a certaine Goddesse giuen regard,
And pittide me in an estate so hard:
And twas Edothea, honourd Proteus seed,
That old sea-farer. Her mind I made bleed
With my compassion, when (walkt all alone,
57
About the Ile on fishing, with hookes bent;
Hunger, their bellies, on her errand sent)
She came close to me; spake; and thus began:
Of all men, thou art the most foolish man,
Or slacke in businesse; or stayst here of choice;
And doest in all thy suffrances reioyce;
That thus long liu'st detaind here; and no end
Canst giue thy tarriance. Thou doest much offend
The minds of all thy fellowes. I replied:
Or slacke in businesse; or stayst here of choice;
And doest in all thy suffrances reioyce;
That thus long liu'st detaind here; and no end
Canst giue thy tarriance. Thou doest much offend
The minds of all thy fellowes. I replied:
Who euer thou art of the Deified,
I must affirme, that no way with my will,
I make abode here: but, it seemes, some ill
The Gods, inhabiting broad heauen, sustaine
Against my getting off. Informe me then,
(For Godheads all things know) what God is he
That stayes my passage, from the fishie sea?
I must affirme, that no way with my will,
I make abode here: but, it seemes, some ill
The Gods, inhabiting broad heauen, sustaine
Against my getting off. Informe me then,
(For Godheads all things know) what God is he
That stayes my passage, from the fishie sea?
Stranger (said she) Ile tell thee true: there liues
An old Sea-farer in these seas, that giues
A true solution of all secrets here.
Who, deathlesse Proteus is, th' Ægyptian Peere:
Who can the deepes of all the seas exquire;
Who Neptunes Priest is; and (they say) the Sire
That did beget me. Him, if any way
Thou couldst inveagle, he would cleare display
Thy course from hence; and how farre off doth lie
Thy voyages whole scope through Neptunes skie.
Informing thee (O God preseru'd) beside
(If thy desires would so be satisfide)
What euer good or ill hath got euent,
In all the time, thy long and hard course spent,
Since thy departure from thy house. This said;
Againe I answerd: Make the sleights displaid,
Thy Father vseth; lest his foresight see,
Or his foreknowledge taking note of me,
He flies the fixt place of his vsde abode;
Tis hard for man to countermine with God.
An old Sea-farer in these seas, that giues
A true solution of all secrets here.
Who, deathlesse Proteus is, th' Ægyptian Peere:
Who can the deepes of all the seas exquire;
Who Neptunes Priest is; and (they say) the Sire
That did beget me. Him, if any way
Thou couldst inveagle, he would cleare display
Thy course from hence; and how farre off doth lie
Thy voyages whole scope through Neptunes skie.
Informing thee (O God preseru'd) beside
(If thy desires would so be satisfide)
What euer good or ill hath got euent,
In all the time, thy long and hard course spent,
Since thy departure from thy house. This said;
Againe I answerd: Make the sleights displaid,
Thy Father vseth; lest his foresight see,
Or his foreknowledge taking note of me,
He flies the fixt place of his vsde abode;
Tis hard for man to countermine with God.
She strait replide: Ile vtter truth in all;
When heauens supremest height, the Sunne doth skall;
The old Sea-tell-truth leaues the deepes, and hides
Amidst a blacke storme, when the West wind chides;
In caues still sleeping. Round about him sleepe
(With short feete swimming forth the fomie deepe)
The Sea-calues (louely Halosydnes calld)
From whom a noisome odour is exhalld,
Got from the whirle-pooles, on whose earth they lie.
Here, when the morne illustrates all the skie,
Ile guide, and seate thee, in the fittest place,
For the performance thou hast now in chace.
In meane time, reach thy Fleete; and chuse out three
Of best exploit, to go as aides to thee.
When heauens supremest height, the Sunne doth skall;
The old Sea-tell-truth leaues the deepes, and hides
Amidst a blacke storme, when the West wind chides;
In caues still sleeping. Round about him sleepe
(With short feete swimming forth the fomie deepe)
The Sea-calues (louely Halosydnes calld)
From whom a noisome odour is exhalld,
Got from the whirle-pooles, on whose earth they lie.
Here, when the morne illustrates all the skie,
Ile guide, and seate thee, in the fittest place,
58
In meane time, reach thy Fleete; and chuse out three
Of best exploit, to go as aides to thee.
But now Ile shew thee all the old Gods sleights;
He first will number, and take all the sights
Of those, his guard, that on the shore arriues.
When hauing viewd, and told them forth by fiues;
He takes place in their midst, and there doth sleepe,
Like to a shepheard midst his flocke of sheepe.
In his first sleepe, call vp your hardiest cheare,
Vigor and violence, and hold him there,
In spite of all his striuings to be gone.
He then will turne himselfe to euery one
Of all things that in earth creepe and respire,
In water swim, or shine in heauenly fire.
Yet still hold you him firme; and much the more
Presse him from passing. But when, as before
(When sleepe first bound his powres) his forme ye see,
Then ceasse your force, and th' old Heroe free;
And then demand, which heauen-borne it may bee
That so afflicts you, hindring your retreate,
And free sea-passage to your natiue seate.
He first will number, and take all the sights
Of those, his guard, that on the shore arriues.
When hauing viewd, and told them forth by fiues;
He takes place in their midst, and there doth sleepe,
Like to a shepheard midst his flocke of sheepe.
In his first sleepe, call vp your hardiest cheare,
Vigor and violence, and hold him there,
In spite of all his striuings to be gone.
He then will turne himselfe to euery one
Of all things that in earth creepe and respire,
In water swim, or shine in heauenly fire.
Yet still hold you him firme; and much the more
Presse him from passing. But when, as before
(When sleepe first bound his powres) his forme ye see,
Then ceasse your force, and th' old Heroe free;
And then demand, which heauen-borne it may bee
That so afflicts you, hindring your retreate,
And free sea-passage to your natiue seate.
This said, she diu'd into the wauie seas;
And I my course did to my ships addresse,
That on the sands stucke; where arriu'd, we made
Our supper readie. Then th' Ambrosian shade
Of night fell on vs; and to sleepe we fell.
Rosie Aurora rose; we rose as well;
And three of them, on whom I most relied,
For firme at euery force; I chusde, and hied
Strait to the many-riuer-serued seas.
And all assistance, askt the Deities.
And I my course did to my ships addresse,
That on the sands stucke; where arriu'd, we made
Our supper readie. Then th' Ambrosian shade
Of night fell on vs; and to sleepe we fell.
Rosie Aurora rose; we rose as well;
And three of them, on whom I most relied,
For firme at euery force; I chusde, and hied
Strait to the many-riuer-serued seas.
And all assistance, askt the Deities.
Meane time Edothea, the seas broad brest
Embrac't; and brought for me, and all my rest,
Foure of the sea-calues skins, but newly flead,
To worke a wile, which she had fashioned
Vpon her Father. Then (within the sand
A couert digging) when these Calues should land,
She sate expecting. We came close to her:
She plac't vs orderly; and made vs weare
Each one his Calues skin. But we then must passe
A huge exploit. The sea-calues sauour was
So passing sowre (they still being bred at seas)
It much afflicted vs: for who can please
To lie by one of these same sea-bred whales?
But she preserues vs; and to memorie calls
A rare commoditie: she fetcht to vs
Ambrosia, that an aire most odorous
Beares still about it; which she nointed round
Our either nosthrils; and in it quite drownd
The nastie whale-smell. Then the great euent,
The whole mornes date, with spirits patient
We lay expecting. When bright Noone did flame
Forth from the sea, in Sholes the sea-calues came,
And orderly, at last, lay downe and slept
Along the sands. And then th' old sea-god crept
From forth the deepes; and found his fat calues there:
Suruaid, and numberd; and came neuer neare
The craft we vsde; but told vs fiue for calues.
His temples then diseasd, with sleepe he salues;
And in rusht we, with an abhorred crie:
Cast all our hands about him manfully,
And then th' old Forger, all his formes began:
First was a Lion, with a mightie mane;
Then next a Dragon; a pide Panther then;
A vast Boare next; and sodainly did straine
All into water. Last, he was a tree,
Curld all at top, and shot vp to the skie.
Embrac't; and brought for me, and all my rest,
Foure of the sea-calues skins, but newly flead,
To worke a wile, which she had fashioned
Vpon her Father. Then (within the sand
A couert digging) when these Calues should land,
She sate expecting. We came close to her:
She plac't vs orderly; and made vs weare
Each one his Calues skin. But we then must passe
A huge exploit. The sea-calues sauour was
So passing sowre (they still being bred at seas)
It much afflicted vs: for who can please
To lie by one of these same sea-bred whales?
But she preserues vs; and to memorie calls
A rare commoditie: she fetcht to vs
Ambrosia, that an aire most odorous
59
Our either nosthrils; and in it quite drownd
The nastie whale-smell. Then the great euent,
The whole mornes date, with spirits patient
We lay expecting. When bright Noone did flame
Forth from the sea, in Sholes the sea-calues came,
And orderly, at last, lay downe and slept
Along the sands. And then th' old sea-god crept
From forth the deepes; and found his fat calues there:
Suruaid, and numberd; and came neuer neare
The craft we vsde; but told vs fiue for calues.
His temples then diseasd, with sleepe he salues;
And in rusht we, with an abhorred crie:
Cast all our hands about him manfully,
And then th' old Forger, all his formes began:
First was a Lion, with a mightie mane;
Then next a Dragon; a pide Panther then;
A vast Boare next; and sodainly did straine
All into water. Last, he was a tree,
Curld all at top, and shot vp to the skie.
We, with resolu'd hearts, held him firmly still,
When th' old one (held to streight for all his skill,
To extricate) gaue words, and questiond me:
When th' old one (held to streight for all his skill,
To extricate) gaue words, and questiond me:
Which of the Gods, O Atreus sonne, (said he)
Aduisde and taught thy fortitude this sleight,
To take and hold me thus, in my despight?
What asks thy wish now? I replide: Thou knowst:
Why doest thou aske? What wiles are these thou showst?
I haue within this Ile, bene held for winde
A wondrous time; and can by no meanes find
An end to my retention. It hath spent
The very heart in me. Giue thou then vent
To doubts thus bound in me, (ye Gods know all)
Which of the Godheads, doth so fowly fall
On my addression home, to stay me here?
Auert me from my way? The fishie cleare,
Barr'd to my passage? He replide: Of force
(If to thy home, thou wishest free recourse)
To Ioue, and all the other Deities,
Thou must exhibite solemne sacrifice;
And then the blacke sea for thee shall be cleare,
Till thy lou'd countries settl'd reach. But where
Aske these rites thy performance? Tis a fate
To thee and thy affaires appropriate,
That thou shalt neuer see thy friends, nor tred
Thy Countries earth; nor see inhabited
Thy so magnificent house; till thou make good
Thy voyage backe to the Ægyptian flood,
Whose waters fell from Ioue: and there hast giuen
To Ioue, and all Gods, housd in ample heauen,
Deuoted Hecatombs; and then free wayes
Shall open to thee; cleard of all delayes.
Aduisde and taught thy fortitude this sleight,
To take and hold me thus, in my despight?
What asks thy wish now? I replide: Thou knowst:
Why doest thou aske? What wiles are these thou showst?
I haue within this Ile, bene held for winde
A wondrous time; and can by no meanes find
An end to my retention. It hath spent
The very heart in me. Giue thou then vent
To doubts thus bound in me, (ye Gods know all)
Which of the Godheads, doth so fowly fall
On my addression home, to stay me here?
Auert me from my way? The fishie cleare,
Barr'd to my passage? He replide: Of force
(If to thy home, thou wishest free recourse)
To Ioue, and all the other Deities,
Thou must exhibite solemne sacrifice;
And then the blacke sea for thee shall be cleare,
Till thy lou'd countries settl'd reach. But where
Aske these rites thy performance? Tis a fate
To thee and thy affaires appropriate,
That thou shalt neuer see thy friends, nor tred
Thy Countries earth; nor see inhabited
Thy so magnificent house; till thou make good
Thy voyage backe to the Ægyptian flood,
60
To Ioue, and all Gods, housd in ample heauen,
Deuoted Hecatombs; and then free wayes
Shall open to thee; cleard of all delayes.
This told he; and me thought, he brake my heart,
In such a long and hard course to diuert
My hope for home; and charge my backe retreat,
As farre as Ægypt. I made answer yet:
In such a long and hard course to diuert
My hope for home; and charge my backe retreat,
As farre as Ægypt. I made answer yet:
Father, thy charge Ile perfect; but before,
Resolue me truly, if their naturall shore,
All those Greeks, and their ships, do safe enioy,
That Nestor and my selfe left, when from Troy
We first raisde saile? Or whether any died
At sea a death vnwisht? Or (satisfied)
When warre was past, by friends embrac't, in peace
Resign'd their spirits? He made answer: Cease
To aske so farre; it fits thee not to be
So cunning in thine owne calamitie.
Nor seeke to learne; what learnd, thou shouldst forget;
Mens knowledges haue proper limits set,
And should not prease into the mind of God.
But twill not long be (as my thoughts abode)
Before thou buy this curious skill with teares.
Many of those, whose states so tempt thine eares,
Are stoopt by Death; and many left aliue:
One chiefe of which, in strong hold doth suruiue,
Amidst the broad sea. Two, in their retreate,
Are done to death. I list not to repeate,
Who fell at Troy; thy selfe was there in fight.
But in returne, swift Aiax lost the light,
In his long-oard ship. Neptune yet a while,
Saft him vnwrackt: to the Gyræan Ile,
A mightie Rocke remouing from his way.
And surely he had scapt the fatall day,
In spite of Pallas, if to that foule deed,
He in her Phane did, (when he rauished
The Troian Prophetesse) he had not here
Adioynd an impious boast: that he would beare
(Despite the Gods) his ship safe through the waues
Then raisde against him. These his impious braues,
When Neptune heard; in his strong hand he tooke
His massie Trident; and so soundly strooke
The rocke Gyræan, that in two it cleft:
Of which, one fragment on the land he left;
The other fell into the troubld seas;
At which, first rusht Aiax Oileades,
And split his ship: and then himselfe aflote
Swum on the rough waues of the worlds vast mote;
Till hauing drunke a salt cup for his sinne,
There perisht he. Thy brother yet did winne
The wreath from Death, while in the waues they stroue,
Afflicted by the reuerend wife of Ioue.
But when the steepe Mount of the Malean shore,
He seemd to reach; a most tempestuous blore,
Farre to the fishie world, that sighes so sore,
Strait rauisht him againe; as farre away,
As to th' extreme bounds where the Agrians stay;
Where first Thirstes dwelt: but then his sonne
Ægisthus Thiestiades liu'd. This done,
When his returne vntoucht appeard againe;
Backe turnd the Gods the wind; and set him then
Hard by his house. Then, full of ioy, he left
His ship; and close t'his countrie earth he cleft;
Kist it, and wept for ioy: powrd teare on teare,
To set so wishedly his footing there.
But see: a Sentinell that all the yeare,
Craftie Ægisthus, in a watchtowre set
To spie his landing; for reward as great
As two gold talents; all his powres did call
To strict remembrance of his charge; and all
Discharg'd at first sight; which at first he cast
On Agamemnon; and, with all his hast,
Informd Ægisthus. He, an instant traine
Laid for his slaughter: Twentie chosen men
Of his Plebeians, he in ambush laid.
His other men, he charg'd to see puruaid
A Feast: and forth, with horse and chariots grac't,
He rode t'inuite him: but in heart embrac't
Horrible welcomes: and to death did bring,
With trecherous slaughter, the vnwary King.
Receiu'd him at a Feast; and (like an Oxe
Slaine at his manger) gaue him bits and knocks.
No one left of Atrides traine; nor one
Sau'd to Ægisthus; but himselfe alone:
All strowd together there, the bloudie Court.
This said: my soule he sunke with his report:
Flat on the sands I fell: teares spent their store;
I, light abhord: my heart would liue no more.
Resolue me truly, if their naturall shore,
All those Greeks, and their ships, do safe enioy,
That Nestor and my selfe left, when from Troy
We first raisde saile? Or whether any died
At sea a death vnwisht? Or (satisfied)
When warre was past, by friends embrac't, in peace
Resign'd their spirits? He made answer: Cease
To aske so farre; it fits thee not to be
So cunning in thine owne calamitie.
Nor seeke to learne; what learnd, thou shouldst forget;
Mens knowledges haue proper limits set,
And should not prease into the mind of God.
But twill not long be (as my thoughts abode)
Before thou buy this curious skill with teares.
Many of those, whose states so tempt thine eares,
Are stoopt by Death; and many left aliue:
One chiefe of which, in strong hold doth suruiue,
Amidst the broad sea. Two, in their retreate,
Are done to death. I list not to repeate,
Who fell at Troy; thy selfe was there in fight.
But in returne, swift Aiax lost the light,
In his long-oard ship. Neptune yet a while,
Saft him vnwrackt: to the Gyræan Ile,
A mightie Rocke remouing from his way.
And surely he had scapt the fatall day,
In spite of Pallas, if to that foule deed,
He in her Phane did, (when he rauished
The Troian Prophetesse) he had not here
Adioynd an impious boast: that he would beare
(Despite the Gods) his ship safe through the waues
Then raisde against him. These his impious braues,
When Neptune heard; in his strong hand he tooke
His massie Trident; and so soundly strooke
The rocke Gyræan, that in two it cleft:
Of which, one fragment on the land he left;
The other fell into the troubld seas;
At which, first rusht Aiax Oileades,
And split his ship: and then himselfe aflote
Swum on the rough waues of the worlds vast mote;
61
There perisht he. Thy brother yet did winne
The wreath from Death, while in the waues they stroue,
Afflicted by the reuerend wife of Ioue.
But when the steepe Mount of the Malean shore,
He seemd to reach; a most tempestuous blore,
Farre to the fishie world, that sighes so sore,
Strait rauisht him againe; as farre away,
As to th' extreme bounds where the Agrians stay;
Where first Thirstes dwelt: but then his sonne
Ægisthus Thiestiades liu'd. This done,
When his returne vntoucht appeard againe;
Backe turnd the Gods the wind; and set him then
Hard by his house. Then, full of ioy, he left
His ship; and close t'his countrie earth he cleft;
Kist it, and wept for ioy: powrd teare on teare,
To set so wishedly his footing there.
But see: a Sentinell that all the yeare,
Craftie Ægisthus, in a watchtowre set
To spie his landing; for reward as great
As two gold talents; all his powres did call
To strict remembrance of his charge; and all
Discharg'd at first sight; which at first he cast
On Agamemnon; and, with all his hast,
Informd Ægisthus. He, an instant traine
Laid for his slaughter: Twentie chosen men
Of his Plebeians, he in ambush laid.
His other men, he charg'd to see puruaid
A Feast: and forth, with horse and chariots grac't,
He rode t'inuite him: but in heart embrac't
Horrible welcomes: and to death did bring,
With trecherous slaughter, the vnwary King.
Receiu'd him at a Feast; and (like an Oxe
Slaine at his manger) gaue him bits and knocks.
No one left of Atrides traine; nor one
Sau'd to Ægisthus; but himselfe alone:
All strowd together there, the bloudie Court.
This said: my soule he sunke with his report:
Flat on the sands I fell: teares spent their store;
I, light abhord: my heart would liue no more.
When drie of teares; and tir'd with tumbling there;
Th' old Tel-truth thus my danted spirits did cheare:
Th' old Tel-truth thus my danted spirits did cheare:
No more spend teares nor time, ô Atreus sonne;
With ceaslesse weeping, neuer wish was wonne.
Vse vttermost assay to reach thy home,
And all vnwares vpon the murtherer come,
(For torture) taking him thy selfe, aliue;
Or let Orestes, that should farre out-striue
Thee in fit vengeance, quickly quit the light
Of such a darke soule: and do thou the right
Of buriall to him, with a Funerall feast.
With ceaslesse weeping, neuer wish was wonne.
Vse vttermost assay to reach thy home,
And all vnwares vpon the murtherer come,
(For torture) taking him thy selfe, aliue;
Or let Orestes, that should farre out-striue
62
Of such a darke soule: and do thou the right
Of buriall to him, with a Funerall feast.
With these last words, I fortifide my breast;
In which againe, a generous spring began,
Of fitting comfort, as I was a man;
But, as a brother, I must euer mourne.
Yet forth I went; and told him the returne
Of these I knew: but he had nam'd a third,
Held on the broad sea; still with life inspir'd;
Whom I besought to know, though likewise dead,
And I must mourne alike. He answered:
In which againe, a generous spring began,
Of fitting comfort, as I was a man;
But, as a brother, I must euer mourne.
Yet forth I went; and told him the returne
Of these I knew: but he had nam'd a third,
Held on the broad sea; still with life inspir'd;
Whom I besought to know, though likewise dead,
And I must mourne alike. He answered:
He is Laertes sonne; whom I beheld
In Nymph Calypsos Pallace; who compeld
His stay with her: and since he could not see
His countrie earth, he mournd incessantly.
For he had neither ship, instruct with oares,
Nor men to fetch him from those stranger shores.
Where, leaue we him; and to thy selfe descend;
Whom, not in Argos, Fate nor Death shall end;
But the immortall ends of all the earth,
So rul'd by them, that order death by birth,
(The fields Elisian) Fate to thee will giue:
Where Rhadamanthus rules; and where men liue
A neuer-troubld life: where snow, nor showres,
Nor irksome Winter spends his fruitlesse powres;
But from the Ocean, Zephyre still resumes
A constant breath, that all the fields perfumes.
Which, since thou marriedst Hellen, are thy hire;
And Ioue himselfe, is by her side thy Sire.
In Nymph Calypsos Pallace; who compeld
His stay with her: and since he could not see
His countrie earth, he mournd incessantly.
For he had neither ship, instruct with oares,
Nor men to fetch him from those stranger shores.
Where, leaue we him; and to thy selfe descend;
Whom, not in Argos, Fate nor Death shall end;
But the immortall ends of all the earth,
So rul'd by them, that order death by birth,
(The fields Elisian) Fate to thee will giue:
Where Rhadamanthus rules; and where men liue
A neuer-troubld life: where snow, nor showres,
Nor irksome Winter spends his fruitlesse powres;
But from the Ocean, Zephyre still resumes
A constant breath, that all the fields perfumes.
Which, since thou marriedst Hellen, are thy hire;
And Ioue himselfe, is by her side thy Sire.
This said; he diu'd the deepsome watrie heapes;
I, and my tried men, tooke vs to our ships;
And worlds of thoughts, I varied with my steps.
I, and my tried men, tooke vs to our ships;
And worlds of thoughts, I varied with my steps.
Arriu'd and shipt, the silent solemne Night,
And Sleepe bereft vs of our visuall light.
At morne, masts, sailes reard, we sate; left the shores,
And beate the fomie Ocean with our oares.
And Sleepe bereft vs of our visuall light.
At morne, masts, sailes reard, we sate; left the shores,
And beate the fomie Ocean with our oares.
Againe then we, the Ioue-falne flood did fetch,
As farre as Ægypt: where we did beseech
The Gods with Hecatombs; whose angers ceast;
I toomb'd my brother, that I might be blest.
As farre as Ægypt: where we did beseech
The Gods with Hecatombs; whose angers ceast;
I toomb'd my brother, that I might be blest.
All rites performd; all haste I made for home;
And all the prosprous winds about were come;
I had the Pasport now of euery God,
And here closde all these labours period.
And all the prosprous winds about were come;
I had the Pasport now of euery God,
And here closde all these labours period.
Here stay then, till th' eleuenth or twelfth daies light;
And Ile dismisse thee well; gifts exquisite
Preparing for thee: Chariot, horses three;
A Cup of curious frame to serue for thee,
To serue th' immortall Gods with sacrifice;
Mindfull of me, while all Sunnes light thy skies.
And Ile dismisse thee well; gifts exquisite
Preparing for thee: Chariot, horses three;
63
To serue th' immortall Gods with sacrifice;
Mindfull of me, while all Sunnes light thy skies.
He answerd: Stay me not too long time here;
Though I could sit, attending all the yeare:
Nor should my house, nor parents, with desire,
Take my affections from you; so on fire
With loue to heare you, are my thoughts: but so;
My Pylian friends, I shall afflict with wo,
Who mourne euen this stay. Whatsoeuer be
The gifts your Grace is to bestow on me;
Vouchsafe them such, as I may beare and saue,
For your sake euer. Horse, I list not haue,
To keepe in Ithaca: but leaue them here,
To your soiles dainties; where the broad fields beire
Sweet Cypers grasse; where men-fed Lote doth flow;
Where wheate-like Spelt; and wheate it selfe doth grow;
Where Barley, white, and spreading like a tree:
But Ithaca, hath neither ground to be
(For any length it comprehends) a race
To trie a horses speed: nor any place
To make him fat in: fitter farre to feed
A Cliffe-bred Goate, then raise or please a Steed.
Of all Iles, Ithaca doth least prouide,
Or meades to feed a horse, or wayes to ride.
Though I could sit, attending all the yeare:
Nor should my house, nor parents, with desire,
Take my affections from you; so on fire
With loue to heare you, are my thoughts: but so;
My Pylian friends, I shall afflict with wo,
Who mourne euen this stay. Whatsoeuer be
The gifts your Grace is to bestow on me;
Vouchsafe them such, as I may beare and saue,
For your sake euer. Horse, I list not haue,
To keepe in Ithaca: but leaue them here,
To your soiles dainties; where the broad fields beire
Sweet Cypers grasse; where men-fed Lote doth flow;
Where wheate-like Spelt; and wheate it selfe doth grow;
Where Barley, white, and spreading like a tree:
But Ithaca, hath neither ground to be
(For any length it comprehends) a race
To trie a horses speed: nor any place
To make him fat in: fitter farre to feed
A Cliffe-bred Goate, then raise or please a Steed.
Of all Iles, Ithaca doth least prouide,
Or meades to feed a horse, or wayes to ride.
He, smiling said: Of good bloud art thou (sonne):
What speech, so yong? what obseruation
Hast thou made of the world? I well am pleasde
To change my gifts to thee; as being confessd
Vnfit indeed: my store is such, I may.
Of all my house-gifts then, that vp I lay
For treasure there, I will bestow on thee
The fairest, and of greatest price to me.
I will bestow on thee a rich caru'd Cup
Of siluer all: but all the brims wrought vp
With finest gold: it was the onely thing
That the Heroicall Sydonian King
Presented to me, when we were to part
At his receit of me; and twas the Art
Of that great Artist, that of heauen is free;
And yet euen this, will I bestow on thee.
What speech, so yong? what obseruation
Hast thou made of the world? I well am pleasde
To change my gifts to thee; as being confessd
Vnfit indeed: my store is such, I may.
Of all my house-gifts then, that vp I lay
For treasure there, I will bestow on thee
The fairest, and of greatest price to me.
I will bestow on thee a rich caru'd Cup
Of siluer all: but all the brims wrought vp
With finest gold: it was the onely thing
That the Heroicall Sydonian King
Presented to me, when we were to part
At his receit of me; and twas the Art
Of that great Artist, that of heauen is free;
And yet euen this, will I bestow on thee.
This speech thus ended; guests came, and did bring
Muttons (for Presents) to the God-like King:
And spirit-prompting wine, that strenuous makes.
Their Riband-wreathed wiues, brought fruit and cakes.
Muttons (for Presents) to the God-like King:
And spirit-prompting wine, that strenuous makes.
Their Riband-wreathed wiues, brought fruit and cakes.
Thus, in this house, did these their Feast apply:
And in Vlysses house, Actiuitie
The wooers practisde: Tossing of the Speare;
The Stone, and hurling: thus delighted, where
They exercisde such insolence before:
Euen in the Court, that wealthy pauements wore.
Antinous did still their strifes decide;
And he that was in person deifide
Eurymachus; both ring-leaders of all;
For in their vertues they were principall.
And in Vlysses house, Actiuitie
The wooers practisde: Tossing of the Speare;
64
They exercisde such insolence before:
Euen in the Court, that wealthy pauements wore.
Antinous did still their strifes decide;
And he that was in person deifide
Eurymachus; both ring-leaders of all;
For in their vertues they were principall.
These, by Noemon (sonne to Phromius)
Were sided now; who made the question thus:
Were sided now; who made the question thus:
Antinous! does any friend here know,
When this Telemachus returnes? or no,
From sandie Pylos? He made bold to take
My ship with him: of which, I now should make
Fit vse my selfe; and saile in her as farre
As spacious Elis; where, of mine, there are
Twelue delicate Mares; and vnder their sides, go
Laborious Mules, that yet did neuer know
The yoke, nor labour: some of which should beare
The taming now, if I could fetch them there.
This speech, the rest admir'd; nor dreamd that he
Neleian Pylos, euer thought to see;
But was at field about his flocks suruay:
Or thought, his heardsmen held him so away.
Eupitheus sonne, Antinous, then replied:
When went he? or with what Traine dignified
Of his selected Ithaceusian youth?
Prest men, or Bond men were they? Tell the truth.
Could he effect this? let me truly know:
To gaine thy vessell, did he violence show,
And vsde her gainst thy will? or had her free,
When fitting question, he had made with thee?
When this Telemachus returnes? or no,
From sandie Pylos? He made bold to take
My ship with him: of which, I now should make
Fit vse my selfe; and saile in her as farre
As spacious Elis; where, of mine, there are
Twelue delicate Mares; and vnder their sides, go
Laborious Mules, that yet did neuer know
The yoke, nor labour: some of which should beare
The taming now, if I could fetch them there.
This speech, the rest admir'd; nor dreamd that he
Neleian Pylos, euer thought to see;
But was at field about his flocks suruay:
Or thought, his heardsmen held him so away.
Eupitheus sonne, Antinous, then replied:
When went he? or with what Traine dignified
Of his selected Ithaceusian youth?
Prest men, or Bond men were they? Tell the truth.
Could he effect this? let me truly know:
To gaine thy vessell, did he violence show,
And vsde her gainst thy will? or had her free,
When fitting question, he had made with thee?
Noemon answerd: I did freely giue
My vessell to him; who deserues to liue,
That would do other? when such men as he,
Did in distresse aske? he should churlish be,
That would denie him: Of our youth, the best
Amongst the people; to the interest
His charge did challenge in them; giuing way,
With all the tribute, all their powres could pay.
Their Captaine (as he tooke the ship) I knew;
Who Mentor was, or God. A deities shew,
Maskt in his likenesse. But to thinke twas he,
I much admire; for I did clearly see,
But yester morning, God-like Mentor here;
Yet, th' other euening, he tooke shipping there,
And went for Pylos. Thus went he for home,
And left the rest, with enuie ouercome:
Who sate; and pastime left. Eupitheus sonne
(Sad, and with rage, his entrailes ouerrunne)
His eyes like flames; thus interposde his speech.
Strange thing; an action of how proud a reach,
Is here committed by Telemachus?
A boy, a child; and we, a sort of vs,
Vowd gainst his voyage; yet admit it thus,
With ship, and choise youth of our people too?
But let him on; and all his mischiefe do;
Ioue shall conuert vpon himselfe his powres,
Before their ill presum'd, he brings on ours.
Prouide me then a ship, and twentie men
To giue her manage; that against again
He turnes for home; on th' Ithacensian seas,
Or Cliffie Samian; I may interprease;
Way-lay, and take him; and make all his craft,
Saile with his ruine, for his Father saf't.
My vessell to him; who deserues to liue,
That would do other? when such men as he,
Did in distresse aske? he should churlish be,
That would denie him: Of our youth, the best
Amongst the people; to the interest
His charge did challenge in them; giuing way,
With all the tribute, all their powres could pay.
Their Captaine (as he tooke the ship) I knew;
Who Mentor was, or God. A deities shew,
Maskt in his likenesse. But to thinke twas he,
I much admire; for I did clearly see,
But yester morning, God-like Mentor here;
Yet, th' other euening, he tooke shipping there,
And went for Pylos. Thus went he for home,
And left the rest, with enuie ouercome:
Who sate; and pastime left. Eupitheus sonne
65
His eyes like flames; thus interposde his speech.
Strange thing; an action of how proud a reach,
Is here committed by Telemachus?
A boy, a child; and we, a sort of vs,
Vowd gainst his voyage; yet admit it thus,
With ship, and choise youth of our people too?
But let him on; and all his mischiefe do;
Ioue shall conuert vpon himselfe his powres,
Before their ill presum'd, he brings on ours.
Prouide me then a ship, and twentie men
To giue her manage; that against again
He turnes for home; on th' Ithacensian seas,
Or Cliffie Samian; I may interprease;
Way-lay, and take him; and make all his craft,
Saile with his ruine, for his Father saf't.
This, all applauded; and gaue charge to do;
Rose, and to greete Vlysses house, did go.
But long time past not, ere Penelope
Had notice of their far-fetcht trecherie.
Medon the Herald told her; who had heard
Without the Hall, how they within conferd:
And hasted strait, to tell it to the Queene:
Who from the entrie, hauing Medon seene
Preuents him thus: Now Herald; what affaire
Intend the famous woo'rs, in your repaire?
To tell Vlysses maids, that they must ceasse
From doing our worke, and their banquets dresse?
I would to heauen, that (leauing wooing me,
Nor euer troubling other companie)
Here might the last Feast be, and most extreme,
That euer any shall addresse for them.
They neuer meete, but to consent in spoile,
And reape the free fruites of anothers toile.
O did they neuer, when they children were,
What to their Fathers, was Vlysses, heare?
Who neuer did gainst any one proceed,
With vniust vsage, or in word or deed?
Tis yet with other Kings, another right,
One to pursue with loue, another spight;
He still yet iust; nor would, though might deuoure;
Nor to the worst, did euer taste of powre.
But their vnruld acts, shew their minds estate:
Good turnes receiu'd once, thanks grow out of date.
Rose, and to greete Vlysses house, did go.
But long time past not, ere Penelope
Had notice of their far-fetcht trecherie.
Medon the Herald told her; who had heard
Without the Hall, how they within conferd:
And hasted strait, to tell it to the Queene:
Who from the entrie, hauing Medon seene
Preuents him thus: Now Herald; what affaire
Intend the famous woo'rs, in your repaire?
To tell Vlysses maids, that they must ceasse
From doing our worke, and their banquets dresse?
I would to heauen, that (leauing wooing me,
Nor euer troubling other companie)
Here might the last Feast be, and most extreme,
That euer any shall addresse for them.
They neuer meete, but to consent in spoile,
And reape the free fruites of anothers toile.
O did they neuer, when they children were,
What to their Fathers, was Vlysses, heare?
Who neuer did gainst any one proceed,
With vniust vsage, or in word or deed?
Tis yet with other Kings, another right,
One to pursue with loue, another spight;
He still yet iust; nor would, though might deuoure;
Nor to the worst, did euer taste of powre.
But their vnruld acts, shew their minds estate:
Good turnes receiu'd once, thanks grow out of date.
Medon, the learn'd in wisedome, answerd her:
I wish (O Queene) that their ingratitudes were
Their worst ill towards you: but worse by farre,
And much more deadly their endeuours are;
Which Ioue will faile them in. Telemachus
Their purpose is (as he returnes to vs)
To giue their sharpe steeles in a cruell death:
Who now is gone to learne, if Fame can breathe
Newes of his Sire; and will the Pylian shore,
And sacred Sparta, in his search explore.
I wish (O Queene) that their ingratitudes were
Their worst ill towards you: but worse by farre,
And much more deadly their endeuours are;
66
Their purpose is (as he returnes to vs)
To giue their sharpe steeles in a cruell death:
Who now is gone to learne, if Fame can breathe
Newes of his Sire; and will the Pylian shore,
And sacred Sparta, in his search explore.
This newes dissolu'd to her both knees and heart,
Long silence held her, ere one word would part:
Her eyes stood full of teares; her small soft voice,
All late vse lost; that yet at last had choice
Of wonted words; which briefly thus she vsde:
Long silence held her, ere one word would part:
Her eyes stood full of teares; her small soft voice,
All late vse lost; that yet at last had choice
Of wonted words; which briefly thus she vsde:
Why left my sonne his mother? why refusde
His wit the solid shore, to trie the seas,
And put in ships the trust of his distresse?
That are at sea to men vnbridld horse,
And runne, past rule, their farre-engaged course,
Amidst a moisture, past all meane vnstaid?
No need compeld this: did he it, afraid
To liue and leaue posteritie his name?
His wit the solid shore, to trie the seas,
And put in ships the trust of his distresse?
That are at sea to men vnbridld horse,
And runne, past rule, their farre-engaged course,
Amidst a moisture, past all meane vnstaid?
No need compeld this: did he it, afraid
To liue and leaue posteritie his name?
I know not (he replide) if th' humor came
From current of his owne instinct, or flowd
From others instigations; but he vowd
Attempt to Pylos; or to see descried
His Sires returne, or know what death he died.
From current of his owne instinct, or flowd
From others instigations; but he vowd
Attempt to Pylos; or to see descried
His Sires returne, or know what death he died.
This said; he tooke him to Vlysses house
After the wooers; the Vlyssean Spouse
(Runne through with woes) let Torture seise her mind;
Nor, in her choice of state-chaires, stood enclin'd
To take her seate; but th' abiect threshold chose
Of her faire chamber, for her loth'd repose;
And mournd most wretch like. Round about her fell
Her handmaids, ioynd in a continuate yell.
From euery corner of the Pallace, all
Of all degrees, tun'd to her comforts fall
Their owne deiections: to whom, her complaint
She thus enforc't: The Gods beyond constraint
Of any measure, vrge these teares on me;
Nor was there euer Dame of my degree,
So past degree grieu'd. First, a Lord, so good,
That had such hardie spirits in his blood.
That all the vertues was adornd withall;
That all the Greeks did their Superiour call,
To part with thus, and lose. And now a sonne
So worthily belou'd, a course to runne
Beyond my knowledge; whom rude tempests haue
Made farre from home, his most inglorious graue.
Vnhappie wenches, that no one of all,
(Though in the reach of euery one, must fall
His taking ship) sustaind the carefull mind,
To call me from my bed; who, this designd,
And most vowd course in him, had either staid,
(How much soeuer hasted) or dead laid
He should haue left me. Many a man I haue,
That would haue calld old Dolius my slaue,
(That keepes my Orchard, whom my Father gaue
At my departure) to haue runne, and told
Laertes this; to trie if he could hold
From running through the people; and from teares,
In telling them of these vowd murtherers;
That both diuine Vlysses hope, and his,
Resolue to end in their conspiracies.
After the wooers; the Vlyssean Spouse
(Runne through with woes) let Torture seise her mind;
Nor, in her choice of state-chaires, stood enclin'd
To take her seate; but th' abiect threshold chose
Of her faire chamber, for her loth'd repose;
And mournd most wretch like. Round about her fell
Her handmaids, ioynd in a continuate yell.
From euery corner of the Pallace, all
Of all degrees, tun'd to her comforts fall
Their owne deiections: to whom, her complaint
She thus enforc't: The Gods beyond constraint
Of any measure, vrge these teares on me;
Nor was there euer Dame of my degree,
So past degree grieu'd. First, a Lord, so good,
That had such hardie spirits in his blood.
That all the vertues was adornd withall;
That all the Greeks did their Superiour call,
To part with thus, and lose. And now a sonne
So worthily belou'd, a course to runne
Beyond my knowledge; whom rude tempests haue
Made farre from home, his most inglorious graue.
Vnhappie wenches, that no one of all,
(Though in the reach of euery one, must fall
67
To call me from my bed; who, this designd,
And most vowd course in him, had either staid,
(How much soeuer hasted) or dead laid
He should haue left me. Many a man I haue,
That would haue calld old Dolius my slaue,
(That keepes my Orchard, whom my Father gaue
At my departure) to haue runne, and told
Laertes this; to trie if he could hold
From running through the people; and from teares,
In telling them of these vowd murtherers;
That both diuine Vlysses hope, and his,
Resolue to end in their conspiracies.
His Nurse then, Euryclæas made reply:
Deare Soueraigne, let me with your owne hands die;
Or cast me off here; Ile not keepe from thee,
One word of what I know: He trusted me
With all his purpose; and I gaue him all
The bread and wine, for which he pleasd to call.
But then a mightie oath he made me sweare,
Not to report it to your royall eare,
Before the twelfth day either should appeare,
Or you should aske me, when you heard him gone.
Empaire not then your beauties with your mone,
But wash, and put vnteare-staind garments on:
Ascend your chamber, with your Ladies here;
And pray the seed of Goat-nurst Iupiter,
(Diuine Athenia) to preserue your sonne;
And she will saue him from confusion.
Th' old King, to whom your hopes stand so inclin'd,
For his graue counsels, you perhaps may find
Vnfit affected, for his ages sake.
But heauen-kings waxe not old; and therefore make
Fit pray'rs to them; for my thoughts neuer will
Beleeue the heauenly powres conceit so ill,
The seed of righteous Arcesiades,
To end it vtterly; but still will please
In some place euermore, some one of them
To saue; and decke him with a Diadem:
Giue him possession of erected Towres,
And farre-stretcht fields, crownd all of fruits and flowres.
This easd her heart, and dride her humorous eies,
When hauing washt, and weeds of sacrifise:
(Pure, and vnstaind with her distrustfull teares)
Put on; (with all her women-ministers)
Vp to a chamber of most height, she rose;
And cakes of salt and barly did impose
Within a wicker basket; all which broke
In decent order; thus she did inuoke:
Deare Soueraigne, let me with your owne hands die;
Or cast me off here; Ile not keepe from thee,
One word of what I know: He trusted me
With all his purpose; and I gaue him all
The bread and wine, for which he pleasd to call.
But then a mightie oath he made me sweare,
Not to report it to your royall eare,
Before the twelfth day either should appeare,
Or you should aske me, when you heard him gone.
Empaire not then your beauties with your mone,
But wash, and put vnteare-staind garments on:
Ascend your chamber, with your Ladies here;
And pray the seed of Goat-nurst Iupiter,
(Diuine Athenia) to preserue your sonne;
And she will saue him from confusion.
Th' old King, to whom your hopes stand so inclin'd,
For his graue counsels, you perhaps may find
Vnfit affected, for his ages sake.
But heauen-kings waxe not old; and therefore make
Fit pray'rs to them; for my thoughts neuer will
Beleeue the heauenly powres conceit so ill,
The seed of righteous Arcesiades,
To end it vtterly; but still will please
In some place euermore, some one of them
To saue; and decke him with a Diadem:
Giue him possession of erected Towres,
And farre-stretcht fields, crownd all of fruits and flowres.
This easd her heart, and dride her humorous eies,
When hauing washt, and weeds of sacrifise:
(Pure, and vnstaind with her distrustfull teares)
Put on; (with all her women-ministers)
Vp to a chamber of most height, she rose;
And cakes of salt and barly did impose
Within a wicker basket; all which broke
68
Great Virgin of the Goat-preserued God;
If euer the inhabited abode
Of wise Vlysses, held the fatted Thies
Of sheepe and Oxen, made thy sacrifice
By his deuotion; heare me; nor forget
His pious seruices; but safe see set
His deare sonne, on these shores; and banish hence
These wooers, past all meane in insolence.
If euer the inhabited abode
Of wise Vlysses, held the fatted Thies
Of sheepe and Oxen, made thy sacrifice
By his deuotion; heare me; nor forget
His pious seruices; but safe see set
His deare sonne, on these shores; and banish hence
These wooers, past all meane in insolence.
This said, she shriekt; and Pallas heard her praire.
The wooers broke with tumult all the aire
About the shadie house; and one of them,
Whose pride, his youth had made the more extreme,
Said; Now the many-wooer-honourd Queene,
Will surely satiate her delayfull spleene,
And one of vs, in instant nuptials take.
Poore Dame, she dreames not, what designe we make,
Vpon the life and slaughter of her sonne.
The wooers broke with tumult all the aire
About the shadie house; and one of them,
Whose pride, his youth had made the more extreme,
Said; Now the many-wooer-honourd Queene,
Will surely satiate her delayfull spleene,
And one of vs, in instant nuptials take.
Poore Dame, she dreames not, what designe we make,
Vpon the life and slaughter of her sonne.
So said he; but so said, was not so done;
Whose arrogant spirit, in a vaunt so vaine,
Antinous chid; and said; For shame containe
These brauing speeches; who can tell who heares?
Are we not now in reach of others eares?
If our intentions please vs, let vs call
Our spirits vp to them, and let speeches fall.
By watchfull Danger, men must silent go:
What we resolue on, let's not say, but do.
This said; he chusde out twentie men, that bore
Best reckning with him; and to ship and shore,
All hasted; reacht the ship, lancht, raisd the mast;
Put sailes in; and with leather loopes made fast
The oares; Sailes hoisted; Armes their men did bring;
All giuing speed, and forme to euery thing.
Then to the high-deepes, their riggd vessell driuen,
They supt; expecting the approching Euen.
Whose arrogant spirit, in a vaunt so vaine,
Antinous chid; and said; For shame containe
These brauing speeches; who can tell who heares?
Are we not now in reach of others eares?
If our intentions please vs, let vs call
Our spirits vp to them, and let speeches fall.
By watchfull Danger, men must silent go:
What we resolue on, let's not say, but do.
This said; he chusde out twentie men, that bore
Best reckning with him; and to ship and shore,
All hasted; reacht the ship, lancht, raisd the mast;
Put sailes in; and with leather loopes made fast
The oares; Sailes hoisted; Armes their men did bring;
All giuing speed, and forme to euery thing.
Then to the high-deepes, their riggd vessell driuen,
They supt; expecting the approching Euen.
Meane space, Penelope her chamber kept,
And bed, and neither eate, nor dranke, nor slept;
Her strong thoughts wrought so on her blamelesse sonne;
Still in contention, if he should be done
To death; or scape the impious wooers designe.
Looke how a Lion, whom men-troopes combine
To hunt, and close him in a craftie ring;
Much varied thought conceiues; and feare doth sting
For vrgent danger: So far'd she, till sleepe,
All iuncture of her ioynts, and nerues did steepe
In his dissoluing humor. When (at rest)
Pallas her fauours varied; and addrest
An Idoll, that Iphthima did present
In structure of her euery lineament;
Great-sould Icarius daughter: whom, for Spouse
Eumelus tooke, that kept in Pheris house.
This, to diuine Vlysses house she sent,
To trie her best meane, how she might content
Mournfull Penelope; and make Relent
The strict addiction in her to deplore.
This Idoll (like a worme, that lesse or more,
Contracts or straines her) did it selfe conuey,
Beyond the wards, or windings of the key,
Into the chamber; and aboue her head,
Her seate assuming, thus she comforted
Distrest Penelope. Doth sleepe thus sease
Thy powres, affected with so much disease?
The Gods, that nothing troubles, will not see
Thy teares nor griefes, in any least degree,
Sustaind with cause; for they will guard thy sonne,
Safe to his wisht, and natiue mansion;
Since he is no offender of their States;
And they to such, are firmer then their Fates.
And bed, and neither eate, nor dranke, nor slept;
Her strong thoughts wrought so on her blamelesse sonne;
Still in contention, if he should be done
To death; or scape the impious wooers designe.
Looke how a Lion, whom men-troopes combine
To hunt, and close him in a craftie ring;
Much varied thought conceiues; and feare doth sting
For vrgent danger: So far'd she, till sleepe,
All iuncture of her ioynts, and nerues did steepe
In his dissoluing humor. When (at rest)
Pallas her fauours varied; and addrest
An Idoll, that Iphthima did present
69
Great-sould Icarius daughter: whom, for Spouse
Eumelus tooke, that kept in Pheris house.
This, to diuine Vlysses house she sent,
To trie her best meane, how she might content
Mournfull Penelope; and make Relent
The strict addiction in her to deplore.
This Idoll (like a worme, that lesse or more,
Contracts or straines her) did it selfe conuey,
Beyond the wards, or windings of the key,
Into the chamber; and aboue her head,
Her seate assuming, thus she comforted
Distrest Penelope. Doth sleepe thus sease
Thy powres, affected with so much disease?
The Gods, that nothing troubles, will not see
Thy teares nor griefes, in any least degree,
Sustaind with cause; for they will guard thy sonne,
Safe to his wisht, and natiue mansion;
Since he is no offender of their States;
And they to such, are firmer then their Fates.
The wise Penelope receiu'd her thus;
(Bound with a slumber most delicious,
And in the Port of dreames) O sister, why
Repaire you hither? since so farre off lie
Your house and houshold? You were neuer here
Before this houre; and would you now giue cheare
To my so many woes and miseries?
Affecting fitly all the faculties
My soule and mind hold: hauing lost before
A husband, that of all the vertues bore
The Palme amongst the Greeks; and whose renowne
So ample was, that Fame the sound hath blowne
Through Greece and Argos, to her very heart.
And now againe; a sonne that did conuert
My whole powres to his loue, by ship is gone.
A tender Plant, that yet was neuer growne
To labours taste, nor the commerce of men;
For whom, more then my husband I complaine;
And lest he should at any sufferance touch
(Or in the sea, or by the men so much
Estrang'd to him, that must his consorts be)
Feare and chill tremblings, shake each ioynt of me.
Besides: his danger sets on, foes profest
To way-lay his returne; that haue addrest
Plots for his death. The scarce-discerned Dreame,
Said: Be of comfort; nor feares so extreme,
Let thus dismay thee; thou hast such a mate
Attending thee, as some at any rate
Would wish to purchase; for her powre is great;
Minerua pities thy delights defeate:
Whose Grace hath sent me to foretell thee theese.
(Bound with a slumber most delicious,
And in the Port of dreames) O sister, why
Repaire you hither? since so farre off lie
Your house and houshold? You were neuer here
Before this houre; and would you now giue cheare
To my so many woes and miseries?
Affecting fitly all the faculties
My soule and mind hold: hauing lost before
A husband, that of all the vertues bore
The Palme amongst the Greeks; and whose renowne
So ample was, that Fame the sound hath blowne
Through Greece and Argos, to her very heart.
And now againe; a sonne that did conuert
My whole powres to his loue, by ship is gone.
A tender Plant, that yet was neuer growne
To labours taste, nor the commerce of men;
For whom, more then my husband I complaine;
And lest he should at any sufferance touch
(Or in the sea, or by the men so much
Estrang'd to him, that must his consorts be)
Feare and chill tremblings, shake each ioynt of me.
Besides: his danger sets on, foes profest
To way-lay his returne; that haue addrest
Plots for his death. The scarce-discerned Dreame,
Said: Be of comfort; nor feares so extreme,
Let thus dismay thee; thou hast such a mate
Attending thee, as some at any rate
70
Minerua pities thy delights defeate:
Whose Grace hath sent me to foretell thee theese.
If thou (said she) be of the Goddesses,
And heardst her tell thee these; thou mayst as well
From her, tell all things else; daigne then to tell,
If yet the man, to all misfortunes borne,
(My husband) liues; and sees the Sunne adorne
The darksome earth; or hides his wretched head
In Plutos house, and liues amongst the dead?
And heardst her tell thee these; thou mayst as well
From her, tell all things else; daigne then to tell,
If yet the man, to all misfortunes borne,
(My husband) liues; and sees the Sunne adorne
The darksome earth; or hides his wretched head
In Plutos house, and liues amongst the dead?
I will not (she replide) my breath exhale,
In one continude, and perpetuall tale;
Liues he, or dies he. Tis a filthy vse,
To be in vaine and idle speech profuse.
This said; she through the key-hole of the dore
Vanisht againe into the open blore.
Icarius daughter started from her sleepe,
And Ioyes fresh humor, her lou'd brest did steepe:
When now so cleare, in that first watch of night,
She saw the seene dreame vanish from her fight.
In one continude, and perpetuall tale;
Liues he, or dies he. Tis a filthy vse,
To be in vaine and idle speech profuse.
This said; she through the key-hole of the dore
Vanisht againe into the open blore.
Icarius daughter started from her sleepe,
And Ioyes fresh humor, her lou'd brest did steepe:
When now so cleare, in that first watch of night,
She saw the seene dreame vanish from her fight.
The wooers (shipt) the seas moist waues did plie;
And thought the Prince, a haughtie death should die.
There lies a certaine Iland in the sea,
Twixt rockie Samos and rough Ithaca,
That cliffie is it selfe, and nothing great;
Yet holds conuenient hauens, that two wayes let
Ships in and out; calld Asteris: and there
The wooers hop't to make their massakere.
And thought the Prince, a haughtie death should die.
There lies a certaine Iland in the sea,
Twixt rockie Samos and rough Ithaca,
That cliffie is it selfe, and nothing great;
Yet holds conuenient hauens, that two wayes let
Ships in and out; calld Asteris: and there
The wooers hop't to make their massakere.
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