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Verse 3. All but the King, &c.] Homer here with a very small Alteration repeats the Verses which begin the second Book: He introduces Agamemnon with the same Pomp as he did Jupiter; he ascribes to him the same Watchfulness over Men, as he exercis'd over the Gods, and Jove and Agamemnon are the only Persons awake, while Heaven and Earth are asleep. Eustathius.

Verse 7. Or sends soft Snows.] Scaliger's Criticism against this Passage, that it never lightens and snows at the same time, is sufficiently refuted by Experience. See Bossu of the Epic Poem lib. 3. c. 7. and Barnes's Note on this Place.

Verse 8. Or bids the brazen Throat of War to roar.] There is something very noble and sublime in this Image: The vast Jaws of War is an Expression that very poetically represents the Voraciousness of War, and gives us a lively Idea of an insatiate Monster. Eustathius.

Verse 9. By fits one Flash succeeds, &c.] It requires some Skill in Homer to take the chief Point of his Similitudes; he has often been misunderstood in that respect, and his Comparisons have frequently been strain'd to comply with the Fancies of Commentators. This Comparison which is brought to illustrate the Frequency of Agamemnon's Sighs, has been usually thought to represent in general the Groans of the King, whereas what Homer had in his view was only the quick Succession of them.

Verse 13. Now o'er the Fields, &c.] Aristotle answers a Criticism of some Censurers of Homer on this Place. They asked how it was that Agamemnon, shut up in his Tent in the Night, could see the Trojan Camp at one view, and the Fleet at another, as the Poet represents it? It is (says Aristotle) only a metaphorical manner of Speech; To cast one's Eye, means but to reflect upon, or to revolve in one's Mind: and that employ'd Agamemnon's Thoughts in his Tent, which had been the chief Object of his Eyes the Day before.

Verse 19. He rends his Hairs in sacrifice to Jove.] I know this Action of Agamemnon has been taken only as a common Expression of Grief, and so indeed it was render'd by Accius, as cited by Tully, Tusc. quæst. l. 3. Scindens dolore identidem intonsam comam. But whoever reads the Context will, I believe, be of Opinion, that Jupiter is mention'd here on no other Account than as he was apply'd to in the offering of these Hairs, in an humble Supplication to the offended Deity who had so lately manifested his Anger.

Verse 27. He rose, and first he cast his Mantle round.] I fancy it will be entertaining to the Reader to observe how well the Poet at all times suits the Descriptions to the Circumstances of the Persons: We must remember that this Book continues the Actions of one Night; the whole Army is now asleep, and the Poet takes this Opportunity to give us a Description of several of his Heroes suitable to their proper Characters. Agamemnon who is every where describ'd as anxious for the Good of his People, is kept awake by a fatherly Care for their Preservation. Menelaus, for whose sake the Greeks had suffer'd so greatly, shares all their Misfortunes, and is restless while they are in danger. Nestor, a provident, wise old Man, sacrifices his Rest even in the Extremity of Age, to his Love for his Country. Ulysses, a Person next to Nestor in Wisdom, is ready at the first Summons; he finds it hard, while the Greeks suffer, to compose himself to Sleep, but is easily awak'd to march to its Defence: But Diomed, who is every where describ'd as a daring Warrior, sleeps unconcern'd at the Nearness of the Enemy, and is not awaked without some Violence: He is said to be asleep, but he sleeps like a Soldier in compleat Arms.

I could not pass over one Circumstance in this Place in Relation to Nestor. It is a Pleasure to see what Care the Poet takes of his favourite Councellor: He describes him lying in a soft Bed, wraps him up in a warm Cloak, to preserve his Age from the Coldness of the Night; but Diomed, a gallant young Hero, sleeps upon the Ground in open Air; and indeed every Warrior is dress'd in Arms peculiar to that Season: The Hide of a Lion or Leopard is what they all put on, being not to engage an Enemy, but to meet their Friends in Council.

Verse 43. Sends he some Spy? &c.] Menelaus in this Place starts a Design which is afterwards proposed by Nestor in Council; the Poet knew that the Project would come with greater Weight from the Age of the one, than from the Youth of the other: and that the Valiant would be ready to execute a Design, which so venerable a Counsellor had form'd. Eustathius.

Verse 57. Such wondrous Deeds as Hector's Hand, &c.] We hear Agamemnon in this Place launching into the Praises of a gallant Enemy; but if any one think that he raises the Actions of Hector too high, and sets him above Achilles himself, this Objection will vanish if he considers that he commends him as the bravest of mere Men, but still he is not equal to Achilles who was descended from a Goddess. Agamemnon undoubtedly had Achilles in his Thoughts when he says,

But his Anger will not let him even name the Man whom he thus obliquely praises.

Eustathius proceeds to observe, that the Poet ascribes the gallant Exploits of Hector to his Piety; and had he not been favour'd by Jove, he had not been thus victorious.

He also remarks that there is a double Tautology in this Speech of Agamemnon, as δηθα και δολιχον, μερμερα μητισασθαι, and εργα ερρεξε. This proceeds from the Wonder which the King endeavours to express at the Greatness of Hector's Actions: He labours to make his Words answer the great Idea he had conceiv'd of them, and while his Mind dwells upon the same Object, he falls into the same manner of expressing it. This is very natural to a Person in his Circumstances, whose Thoughts are as it were pent up, and struggle for an Utterance.

Verse 73. The Paths so many, &c.] 'Tis plain from this Verse, as well as from many others, that the Art of Fortification was in some degree of Perfection in Homer's Days: Here are Lines drawn that traverse the Camp ev'ry way; the Ships are drawn up in the manner of a Rampart, and sally Ports made at proper Distances, that they might without Difficulty either retire or issue out, as the Occasion should require. Eustathius.

Verse 92. Seek'st thou some Friend or nightly Centinel?] It has been thought that Nestor asks this Question upon the Account of his Son Thrasymedes, who commanded the Guard that Night. He seems to be under some Apprehension lest he should have remitted the Watch. And it may also be gather'd from this Passage, that in those Times the Use of the Watch-word was unknown; because Nestor is oblig'd to crowd several Questions together, before he can learn whether Agamemnon be a Friend or an Enemy. The Shortness of the Questions agrees admirably with the Occasion upon which they were made; it being necessary that Nestor should be immediately inform'd who he was who pass'd along the Camp: If a Spy, that he might stand upon his Guard; if a Friend, that he might not cause an Alarm to be given to the Army, by multiplying Questions. Eustathius.

Verse 96. Lo here the wretched Agamemnon stands.] Eustathius observes, that Agamemnon here paints his Distress in a very pathetical manner: while the meanest Soldier is at rest, the General wanders about disconsolate, and is superior now in nothing so much as in Sorrow; but this Sorrow proceeds not from a base abject Spirit, but from a generous Disposition; he is not anxious for the Loss of his own Glory, but for the Sufferings of his People: It is a noble Sorrow, and springs from a commendable Tenderness and Humanity.

Verse 138. My gen'rous Brother is of gentle Kind.] Agamemnon is every where represented as the greatest Example of brotherly Affection; and he at all times defends Menelaus, but never with more Address than now: Nestor had accus'd Menelaus of Sloath; the King is his Advocate, but pleads his Excuse only in part: He does not entirely acquit him, because he would not contradict so wise a Man as Nestor; nor does he condemn him, because his Brother at this time was not guilty; but he very artfully turns the Imputation of Nestor, to the Praise of Menelaus; and affirms, that what might seem to be Remissness in his Character was only a Deference to his Authority, and that his seeming Inactivity was but an Unwillingness to act without Command. Eustathius.

Verse 174. A Wood of Spears stood by, &c.] The Picture here given us of Diomed sleeping in his Arms, with his Soldiers about him, and the Spears sticking upright in the Earth, has a near Resemblance to that in the first Book of Samuel, Ch. 26. V. 7. Saul lay sleeping within the Trench, and his Spear stuck in the Ground at his Bolster, but Abner and the People lay round about him.

Verse 182. From yon' Hill the Foe, &c.] It is necessary, if we would form an exact Idea of the Battels of Homer, to carry in our Minds the Place where each Action was fought. It will therefore be proper to enquire where that Eminence stood, upon which the Trojans encamp'd this Night. Eustathius is inclinable to believe it was Callicolone, (the Situation of which you will find in the Map of Homer's Battels) but it will appear from what Dolon says, V. 415. (of Hector's being encamp'd at the Monument of Ilus) that this Eminence must be the Tumulus on which that Monument was situate, and so the old Scholiast rightly explains it.

Verse 194. But now the last Despair surrounds our Host.] The different Behaviour of Nestor upon the same Occasion, to different Persons, is worthy Observation: Agamemnon was under a Concern and Dejection of Spirit from the Danger of his Army: To raise his Courage, Nestor gave him hopes of Success, and represented the State of Affairs in the most favourable view. But he applies himself to Diomed, who is at all times enterprizing and incapable of Despair, in a far different manner: He turns the darkest side to him, and gives the worst Prospect of their Condition. This Conduct (says Eustathius) shews a great deal of Prudence: 'tis the Province of Wisdom to encourage the dishearten'd with hopes, and to qualify the forward Courage of the daring with Fears; that the Valour of the one may not sink thro' Despair, nor that of the other fly out into Rashness.

Verse 207. And now the Chiefs approach the nightly Guard.] It is usual in Poetry to pass over little Circumstances, and carry on the greater. Menelaus in this Book was sent to call some of the Leaders; the Poet has too much Judgment to dwell upon the trivial Particulars of his performing his Message, but lets us know by the Sequel that he had performed it. It would have clogg'd the poetical Narration to have told us how Menelaus waked the Heroes to whom he was dispatched, and had been but a Repetition of what the Poet had fully describ'd before: He therefore (says the same Author) drops these Particularities, and leaves them to be supply'd by the Imagination of the Reader. 'Tis so in Painting, the Painter does not always draw at the full length, but leaves what is wanting to be added by the Fancy of the Beholder.

Verse 211. So faithful Dogs, &c.] This Simile is in all its Parts just to the Description it is meant to illustrate. The Dogs represent the Watch, the Flock the Greeks, the Fold their Camp, and the wild Beast that invades them, Hector. The Place, Posture, and Circumstance, are painted with the utmost Life and Nature.

Eustathius takes notice of one Particular in this Description, which shews the manner in which their Centinels kept the Guard. The Poet tells us, that they sate down with their Arms in their Hands. I think that this was not so prudent a Method as is now used; it being almost impossible for a Man that stands, to drop asleep, whereas one that is seated may easily be overpower'd by the Fatigue of a long Watch.

Verse 228. Then o'er the Trench the following Princes led.] The Reason why Nestor did not open the Council within the Trenches, was with a design to encourage the Guards, and those whom he intended to send to enter the Trojan Camp. It would have appear'd unreasonable to send others over the Entrenchments upon a hazardous Enterprize, and not to have dared himself to set a Foot beyond them. This also could not fail of inflaming the Courage of the Grecian Spies, who would know themselves not to be far from Assistance, while so many of the Princes were passed over the Ditch as well as they. Eustathius

Verse 241. Is there (he said) a Chief so greatly brave?] Nestor proposes his Design of sending Spies into the Trojan Army with a great deal of Address: He begins with a general Sentence, and will not choose any one Hero, for fear of disgusting the rest: Had Nestor named the Person, he would have paid him a Complement that was sure to be attended with the Hazard of his Life; and that Person might have believ'd that Nestor exposed him to a Danger, which his Honour would not let him decline; while the rest might have resented such a Partiality, which would have seem'd to give the Preference to another before them. It therefore was Wisdom in Nestor to propose the Design in general Terms, whereby all the gallant Men that offer'd themselves satisfy'd their Honour, by being willing to share the Danger with Diomed; and it was no Disgrace to be left behind, after they had offer'd to hazard their Lives for their Country. Eustathius.

Verse 244. Or seize some straggling Foe?] It is worthy Observation with how much Caution Nestor opens this Design, and with how much Courage Diomed accepts it. Nestor forms it with Coolness, but Diomed embraces it with Warmth and Resolution. Nestor only proposes that some Man would approach the Enemy and intercept some straggling Trojan, but Diomed offers to penetrate the very Camp. Nestor was afraid lest no one should undertake it: Diomed overlooks the Danger, and presents himself, as willing to march against the whole Army of Troy. Eustathius.

Verse 280. To Birth or Office no respect be paid.] Eustathius remarks that Agamemnon artfully steals away his Brother from Danger; the Fondness he bears to him makes him think him unequal to so bold an Enterprize, and prefer his Safety to his Glory. He farther adds, that the Poet intended to condemn that faulty Modesty which makes one sometimes prefer a Nobleman before a Person of more real Worth. To be greatly born is an Happiness, but no Merit; whereas personal Virtues shew a Man worthy of that Greatness to which he is not born.

It appears from hence, how honourable it was of old to go upon these Parties by Night, or undertake those Offices which are now only the Task of common Soldiers. Gideon in the Book of Judges (as Dacier observes) goes as a Spy into the Camp of Midian, tho' he was at that time General of the Israelites.

Verse 288. Blest in his Conduct.] There requir'd some Address in Diomed to make his Choice without offending the Grecian Princes; each of them might think it an Indignity to be refus'd such a Place of Honour. Diomed therefore chuses Ulysses not because he is braver than the rest, but because he is wiser. This Part of his Character was allow'd by all the Leaders of the Army; and none of them thought it a Disparagement to themselves as they were Men of Valour, to see the first Place given to Ulysses in Point of Wisdom. No doubt but the Poet by causing Diomed to make this Choice, intended to insinuate that Valour ought always to be temper'd with Wisdom; to the end that what is design'd with Prudence, may be executed with Resolution. Eustathius.

Verse 290. It fits thee not to praise me or to blame.] The Modesty of Ulysses in this Passage is very remarkable; tho' undoubtedly he deserved to be praised, yet he interrupts Diomed rather than he would be a Hearer of his own Commendation. What Diomed spoke in Praise of Ulysses, was utter'd to justify his Choice of him to the Leaders of the Army; otherwise the Praise he had given him, would have been no better than Flattery. Eustathius.

Verse 294.

]

It has been objected that Ulysses is guilty of a threefold Tautology, when every word he utter'd shews the Necessity of being concise: If the Night was nigh spent, there was the less time to lose in Tautologies. But this is so far from being a fault, that it is a Beauty: Ulysses dwells upon the Shortness of the time before the Day appears, in order to urge Diomed to the greater Speed in prosecuting the Design. Eustathius.

Verse 297. But a third remains.] One ought to take notice with how much Exactness Homer proportions his Incidents to the time of Action: These two Books take up no more than the Compass of one Night; and this Design could not have been executed in any other Part of it. The Poet had before told us, that all the Plain was enlightned by the Fires of Troy, and consequently no Spy could pass over to their Camp, till they were almost sunk and extinguish'd, which could not be till near the Morning.

'Tis observable that the Poet divides the Night into three Parts, from whence we may gather, that the Grecians had three Watches during the Night: The first and second of which were over, when Diomed and Ulysses set out to enter the Enemy's Camp.

Verse 300. A two-edg'd Faulchion Thrasymed the brave, &c.] It is a very impertinent Remark of Scaliger, that Diomed should not have gone from his Tent without a Sword. The Expedition he now goes upon could not be foreseen by him at the time he rose: He was awak'd of a sudden, and sent in haste to call some of the Princes: Besides, he went but to Council, and even then carry'd his Spear with him, as Homer had already inform'd us. I think if one were to study the Art of cavilling, there would be more occasion to blame Virgil for what Scaliger praises him, giving a Sword to Euryalus when he had one before, Æn. 9. V. 303.

Verse 302. Then in a Leathern Helm.] It may not be improper to observe how conformably to the Design the Poet arms these two Heroes: Ulysses has a Bow and Arrows, that he might be able to wound the Enemy at a distance, and so retard his Flight till he could overtake him; and for fear of a Discovery, Diomed is arm'd with an Helmet of Leather, that the glittering of it might not betray him. Eustathius.

There is some Resemblance in this whole Story to that of Nisus and Euryalus in Virgil: and as the Heroes are here successful, and in Virgil unfortunate, it was perhaps as great an Instance of Virgil's Judgment to describe the unhappy Youth in a glittering Helmet, which occasion'd his Discovery, as it was in Homer to arm his successful one in the contrary manner.

Verse 309. A well-prov'd Casque.] Mr. Barnes has a pretty Remark on this Place, that it was probably from this Description, πιλος αρηρει, that the ancient Painters and Tragic Poets constantly represented Ulysses with the Pileus on his Head; but this Particularity could not be preserved with any Grace in the Translation.

Verse 312. This from Amyntor, &c.] The Succession of this Helmet descending from one Hero to another, is imitated by Virgil in the Story of Nisus and Euryalus..

It was anciently a Custom to make these military Presents to brave Adventurers. So Jonathan in the first Book of Samuel, stript himself of the Robe that was upon him, and gave it to David; and his Garments, even to his Sword, and his Bow, and his Girdle. Ch. 18. V. 4.

Verse 325. Ulysses hail'd the glad Omen.] This Passage sufficiently justifies Diomed for his Choice of Ulysses: Diomed, who was most renown'd for Valour, might have given a wrong Interpretation to this Omen, and so have been discourag'd from proceeding in the Attempt. For tho' it really signify'd, that as the Bird was not seen, but only heard by the Sound of its Wings, so they should not be discover'd by the Trojans, but perform Actions which all Troy should hear with Sorrow; yet on the other hand it might imply, that as they discovered the Bird by the Noise of its Wings, so they should be betray'd by the Noise they should make in the Trojan Army. The Reason why Pallas does not send the Bird that is sacred to her self, but the Heron, is because it is a Bird of Prey, and denoted that they should spoil the Trojans. Eustathius.

Verse 355. Thro' Dust, thro' Blood, &c.] Zenophon has imitated this Passage; but what the Poet gives us in one Line, the Historian portracts into several Sentences. Επει δε εληξεν η μαχη, παρην ιδειν, την μεν γην αιματι πεφυρμενην, &c. When the Battel was over, one might behold the Ground dy'd red with Blood, and cover'd with the Dead; Spears broken, and drawn Swords, some on the Ground, some in the Bodies of the slain. Eustathius.

Verse 356. Nor less bold Hector , &c.] It is the Remark of Eustathius, that Homer sends out the Trojan Spy in this Place in a very different manner from the Grecian ones before. Having been very particular in describing the Counsel of the Greeks, he avoids tiring the Reader here with parallel Circumstances, and passes it in general Terms. In the first, a wise old Man proposes the Adventure with an Air of Deference; in the second, a brave young Man with an Air of Authority. The one promises a small Gift, but very honourable and certain; the other a great one, but uncertain and less honourable, because 'tis given as a Reward. So that Diomed and Ulysses are inspired with the Love of Glory, Dolon is possest with a Thirst of Gain: They proceed with a sage and circumspect Valour, he with Rashness and Vanity; they go in Conjunction, he alone; they cross the Fields out of the Road, he follows the common Track. In all this there is a Contraste that is admirable, and a Moral that strikes every Reader at first Sight.

Verse 370. Dolon his Name.] 'Tis scarce to be conceiv'd with what Conciseness the Poet has here given us the Name, the Fortunes, the Pedigree, the Office, the Shape, the Swiftness of Dolon. He seems to have been eminent for nothing so much as for his Wealth, tho' undoubtedly he was by Place one of the first Rank in Troy: Hector summons him to this Assembly amongst the Chiefs of Troy; nor was he unknown to the Greeks, for Diomed immediately after he had seiz'd him, calls him by his Name. Perhaps being an Herald, he had frequently pass'd between the Armies in the Execution of his Office.

The Ancients observ'd upon this Place, that it was the Office of Dolon which made him offer himself to Hector. The Sacred Character gave him hopes that they would not violate his Person, should he happen to be taken; and his Riches he knew were sufficient to purchase his Liberty; besides all which Advantages, he had hopes from his Swiftness to escape any Pursuers. Eustathius.

Verse 374. Not blest by Nature with the Charms of Face.] The Original is,

Which some ancient Criticks thought to include a Contradiction, because the Man who is ill-shap'd can hardly be swift in running; taking the word ειδος as apply'd in general to the Air of the whole Person. But Aristotle acquaints us that word was as proper in regard to the Face only, and that it was usual with the Cretans to call a Man with a handsome Face, ευειδης. So that Dolon might want a good Face, and yet be well-shap'd enough to make an excellent Racer. Poet. c. 26.

Verse 379. Swear to grant me, &c.] It is evident from this whole Narration, that Dolon as a Man of no Worth or Courage; his Covetousness seems to be the sole Motive of his undertaking this Exploit: and whereas Diomed neither desir'd any Reward, nor when promis'd, requir'd any Assurance of it; Dolon demands an Oath, and will not trust the Promise of Hector; he every where discovers a base Spirit, and by the Sequel it will appear, that this vain Boaster instead of discovering the Army of the Enemy, becomes a Traytor to his own. Eustathius.

Verse 380. Th'immortal Coursers, and the glitt'ring Car.]

Hector in the foregoing Speech promises the best Horses in the Grecian Army, as a Reward to any one who would undertake what he propos'd. Dolon immediately demands those of Achilles, and confines the general Promise of Hector to the particular Horses of that brave Hero.

There is something very extraordinary in Hector's taking a solemn Oath, that he will give the Chariots and Steeds of Achilles to Dolon. The Ancients, says Eustathius, knew not whose Vanity most to wonder at, that of Dolon, or Hector; the one for demanding this, or the other for promising it. Tho' we may take notice, that Virgil lik'd this Extravagance so well as to imitate it, where Ascanius (without being asked) promises the Horses and Armour of Turnus to Nisus, on his undertaking a like Enterprize.

Unless one should think the Rashness of such a Promise better agreed with the Ardour of this youthful Prince, than with the Character of an experienc'd Warrior like Hector.

Verse 420. Such the Space between As when two Teams of Mules, &c.] I wonder Eustathius takes no notice of the manner of Ploughing used by the Ancients, which is describ'd in these Verses, and of which we have the best Account from Dacier. She is not satisfied with the Explanation given by Didymus, that Homer meant the Space which Mules by their Swiftness gain upon Oxen that plow in the same Field. “The Grecians (says she) did not plow in the manner now in use. They first broke up the Ground with Oxen, and then plow'd it more lightly with Mules. When they employed two Plows in a Field, they measured the Space they could Plow in a Day, and set their Plows at the two ends of that Space, and those Plows proceeded toward each other. This intermediate Space was constantly fix'd, but less in Proportion for two Plows of Oxen than for two of Mules; because Oxen are slower and toil more in a Field that has not been yet turn'd up, whereas Mules are naturally swifter, and make greater speed in a Ground that has already had the first Plowing. I therefore believe that what Homer calls επιουρα, is the Space left by the Husband-men between two Plows of Mules which till the same Field: And as this Space was so much the greater in a Field already plow'd by Oxen, he adds what he says of Mules, that they are swifter and fitter to give the second Plowing than Oxen, and therefore distinguishes the Field so plowed by the Epithet of deep, νειοιο βαθειης: For that Space was certain, of so many Acres or Perches, and always larger than in a Field as yet untill'd, which being heavier and more difficult, requir'd the Interval to be so much the less between two Plows of Oxen, because they could not dispatch so much Work. Homer could not have serv'd himself of a juster Comparison for a thing that pass'd in the Fields; at the same time he shews his Experience in the Art of Agriculture, and gives his Verses a most agreeable Ornament, as indeed all the Images drawn from this Art are peculiarly entertaining.

This manner of measuring a Space of Ground by a Comparison from Plowing, seems to have been customary in those times, from that Passage in the first Book of Samuel, Ch. 14. V. 14. And the first Slaughter which Jonathan and his Armour-bearer made, was about twenty Men, within as it were half a Furrow of an Acre of Land, which a Yoke of Oxen might plow.

Verse 444. Quiver'd as he stood, &c.] The Poet here gives us a very lively Picture of a Person in the utmost Agonies of Fear: Dolon's Swiftness forsakes him, and he stands shackled by his Cowardice. The very Words express the thing he describes by the broken Turn of the Greek Verses. And something like it is aimed at in the English.

Verse 454. Be bold, nor fear to die.] 'Tis observable what Caution the Poet here uses in reference to Dolon: Ulysses does not make him any Promises of Life, but only bids him very artfully not to think of dying: So that when Diomed kills him, he was not guilty of a Breach of Promise, and the Spy was deceiv'd rather by the Art and Subtlety of Ulysses, than by his Falshood. Dolon's Understanding seems entirely to be disturb'd by his Fears; he was so cautious as not to believe a Friend just before without an Oath, but here he trusts an Enemy without so much as a Promise. Eustathius.

Verse 467. Urg'd me unwilling.] 'Tis observable that the Cowardice of Dolon here betrays him into a Falshood: Tho' Eustathius is of Opinion that the word in the Original means no more than contrary to my Judgment.

Verse 477. Where lies encamp'd.] The Night was now very far advanc'd, the Morning approach'd, and the two Heroes had their whole Design still to execute: Ulysses therefore complies with the Necessity of the Time, and makes his Questions very short, tho' at the same time very full. In the like manner when Ulysses comes to shew Diomed the Chariot of Rhesus, he uses a sudden Transition without the usual Form of speaking.

Verse 488. No certain Guards.] Homer to give an Air of Probability to this Narration, lets us understand that the Trojan Camp might easily be enter'd without a Discovery, because there were no Centinels to guard it. This might happen partly thro' the Security which their late Success had thrown them into, and partly thro' the Fatigues of the former Day. Besides which, Homer gives us another very natural Reason, the Negligence of the auxiliar Forces, who being Foreigners, had nothing to lose by the Fall of Troy.

Verse 489. Where e'er yon Fires ascend.] This is not to be understood of those Fires which Hector commanded to be kindled at the beginning of this Night, but only of the houshold Fires of the Trojans, distinct from the Auxiliars. The Expression in the Original is somewhat remarkable; but implies those People that were Natives of Troy; ιστια and εσχαρα πυρος signifying the same thing. So that ιστιας εχειν and εσχαρας εχειν mean to have Houses or Hearths in Troy. Eustathius.

Verse 526. Divides the Neck.] It may seem a Piece of Barbarity in Diomed to kill Dolon thus, in the very Act of supplicating for Mercy. Eustathius answers, that it was very necessary that it should be so, for fear, if he had defer'd his Death, he might have cry'd out to the Trojans, who hearing his Voice, would have been upon their guard.

Verse 578. Just then a deathful Dream Minerva sent.] All the Circumstances of this Action, the Night, Rhesus buried in a profound Sleep, and Diomed with the Sword in his Hand hanging over the Head of that Prince, furnish'd Homer with the Idea of this Fiction, which represents Rhesus dying fast asleep, and as it were beholding his Enemy in a Dream plunging a Sword into his Bosom. This Image is very natural, for a Man in this Condition awakes no farther than to see confusedly what environs him, and to think it not a Reality, but a Vision. Eustathius, Dacier.

Verse 607. And wakes Hippocoon .] Apollo's waking the Trojans is only an Allegory to imply that the Light of the Morning awaken'd them. Eustathius.

Verse 624. Old Nestor first perceiv'd, &c.] It may with an Appearance of Reason be ask'd, whence it could be that Nestor, whose Sense of hearing might be suppos'd to be impair'd by his great Age, should be the first Person among so many youthful Warriors who hears the Tread of the Horse's Feet at a distance? Eustathius answers, that Nestor had a particular Concern for the Safety of Diomed and Ulysses on this Occasion, as he was the Person who, by proposing the Undertaking, had exposed them to a very signal Danger: and consequently his extraordinary Care for their Preservation, did more than supply the Disadvantage of his Age. This agrees very well with what immediately follows; for the old Man breaks out into a Transport at the Sight of them, and in a wild sort of Joy asks some Questions, which could not have proceeded from him, but while he was under that happy Surprize. Eustathius.

Verse 656. Of Thracian Lineage, &c.] It is observable, says Eustathius, that Homer in this Place unravels the Series of this Night's Exploits, and inverts the Order of the former Narration. This is partly occasion'd by a Necessity of Nestor's Enquiries, and partly to relate the same thing in a different way, that he might not tire the Reader with an exact Repetition of what he knew before.

Verse 659. And twelve beside, &c.] How comes it to pass that the Poet should here call Dolon the thirteenth that was slain, whereas he had already number'd up thirteen besides him? Eustathius answers, that he mentions Rhesus by himself, by way of Eminence. Then coming to recount the Thracians, he reckons twelve of 'em; so that taking Rhesus separately, Dolon will make the thirteenth.

Verse 674. They cleanse their Bodies in the Main, &c.] We have here a Regimen very agreeable to the Simplicity and Austerity of the old heroic Times. These Warriors plunge into the Sea to wash themselves; for the salt Water is not only more purifying than any other, but more corroborates the Nerves. They afterwards enter into a Bath, and rub their Bodies with Oil, which by softening and moistening the Flesh prevents too great a Dissipation, and restores the natural Strength. Eustathius.

Verse 677. In due Repast, &c.] It appears from hence with what Preciseness Homer distinguishes the Time of these Actions. 'Tis evident from this Passage, that immediately after their Return, it was Day-light; that being the Time of taking such a Repast as is here describ'd.

I cannot conclude the Notes to this Book without observing, that what seems the principal Beauty of it, and what distinguishes it among all the others, is the Liveliness of its Paintings: The Reader sees the most natural Night-Scene in the World; he is led step by step with the Adventurers, and made the Companion of all their Expectations, and Uncertainties. We see the very Colour of the Sky, know the Time to a Minute, are impatient while the Heroes are arming, our Imagination steals out after them, becomes privy to all their Doubts, and even to the secret Wishes of their Hearts sent up to Minerva. We are alarmed at the Approach of Dolon, hear his very Footsteps, assist the two Chiefs in pursuing him, and stop just with the Spear that arrests him. We are perfectly acquainted with the Situation of all the Forces, with the Figure in which they lie, with the Disposition of Rhesus and the Thracians, with the Posture of his Chariot and Horses. The marshy Spot of Ground where Dolon is killed, the Tamarisk, or aquatic Plants upon which they hang his Spoils, and the Reeds that are heap'd together to mark the Place, are Circumstances the most Picturesque imaginable. And tho' it must be owned, that the human Figures in this Piece are excellent, and disposed in the properest Actions; I cannot but confess my Opinion, that the chief Beauty of it is in the Prospect, a finer than which was never drawn by any Pencil.