The fall of Nineveh A poem by Edwin Atherstone. Second edition: diligently corrected, and otherwise improved. In two volumes |
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 | The fall of Nineveh |  |
As when two clouds enormous, black, fire-charged,
By adverse winds driven on, in conflict meet,—
Outleap the lightnings, and the thunders roar:
Cloud calls to cloud; mountain to mountain calls;
Heaven unto earth; and earth to heaven again,—
With uproar such, doubly redoubling, rose
The clamors of the fierce encountering hosts.
By adverse winds driven on, in conflict meet,—
Outleap the lightnings, and the thunders roar:
Cloud calls to cloud; mountain to mountain calls;
Heaven unto earth; and earth to heaven again,—
With uproar such, doubly redoubling, rose
The clamors of the fierce encountering hosts.
As on his single arm the fate might hang
Of that great contest; to his deadly work,
As to a joyful feast, each captain went.
Of that great contest; to his deadly work,
As to a joyful feast, each captain went.
Like to a lordly lion, through the fight
Assyria's monarch raged; nor equal met.
Yet he Arbaces fronted not; that arm
Too well remembering; and beholding now,
Where, through the scattering multitude he swept.
Too well he saw; but shunned to meet the storm;
Till of its fury should a part be spent:
Himself, meantime, amid his enemies
Raged irresistibly; and with his voice,
And deeds heroic, in his soldiers' breasts
Unwonted ardor waked.
Assyria's monarch raged; nor equal met.
Yet he Arbaces fronted not; that arm
Too well remembering; and beholding now,
Where, through the scattering multitude he swept.
Too well he saw; but shunned to meet the storm;
Till of its fury should a part be spent:
Himself, meantime, amid his enemies
Raged irresistibly; and with his voice,
And deeds heroic, in his soldiers' breasts
Unwonted ardor waked.
Yet, fiercer far
Within his enemies' hearts the martial flame
Blazed inconsumably; by nobler thoughts,
And in a cause far nobler, to the height
Of mortal daring raised; that life, or death,
Indifferent seemed; so might renown be won.
Thus, fewer far; yet, in that lofty soul,
Mightier—in strife unequal they their foes
Boldly confronted.
Within his enemies' hearts the martial flame
Blazed inconsumably; by nobler thoughts,
And in a cause far nobler, to the height
Of mortal daring raised; that life, or death,
Indifferent seemed; so might renown be won.
176
Mightier—in strife unequal they their foes
Boldly confronted.
Till the flaming god
From the broad summit of heaven's azure hill,
With step majestic slowly 'gan descend,
Well balanced stood the fight. But, in the midst,
Deep in the Assyrian host, Arbaces now,
With chariots and with horse, victorious fought;
Nor knew that, far away, to either hand;
By numbers overborne, yet struggling still,
Backward his friends were driven. For Jerimoth,—
'Gainst Salmanassar, and the Arabian horse,
Prevailing,—like a fire, by rising winds
To threefold rage awaked,—upon them drove,
With havoc ruinous: and Jehoshaphat—
That seeing—on the reeling enemy,
With shock so crushing all his chariots urged;
That in confusion soon they turned and fled.
From the broad summit of heaven's azure hill,
With step majestic slowly 'gan descend,
Well balanced stood the fight. But, in the midst,
Deep in the Assyrian host, Arbaces now,
With chariots and with horse, victorious fought;
Nor knew that, far away, to either hand;
By numbers overborne, yet struggling still,
Backward his friends were driven. For Jerimoth,—
'Gainst Salmanassar, and the Arabian horse,
Prevailing,—like a fire, by rising winds
To threefold rage awaked,—upon them drove,
With havoc ruinous: and Jehoshaphat—
That seeing—on the reeling enemy,
With shock so crushing all his chariots urged;
That in confusion soon they turned and fled.
But Abdolonimus, who, far advanced,
Upon Assyria's mailëd infantry
Dread inroad made—the tidings heard, and thus,
Upstanding, to his charioteers cried out:
“Haste! turn your steeds: upon Jehoshaphat
Drive; and cry out aloud; that Jerimoth
May hear us, and fall back.”
Upon Assyria's mailëd infantry
Dread inroad made—the tidings heard, and thus,
Upstanding, to his charioteers cried out:
“Haste! turn your steeds: upon Jehoshaphat
Drive; and cry out aloud; that Jerimoth
May hear us, and fall back.”
His voice was heard;
And on from man to man the summons flew.
Turned swiftly then the cars: the scourges hissed;
And, underneath the rapid brazen wheels,
The firm earth trembled.
And on from man to man the summons flew.
Turned swiftly then the cars: the scourges hissed;
And, underneath the rapid brazen wheels,
The firm earth trembled.
On the other verge
Of battle, meantime, Zadok with his horse,
And, with his chariots, Michael,—backward drove
Dark Ithamar, and agëd Bezaleel,
Who, with their Parthian horsemen, and the cars
Of Phrygia, and Cilicia, long had stood,
O'ermatched, yet resolute.
Of battle, meantime, Zadok with his horse,
And, with his chariots, Michael,—backward drove
Dark Ithamar, and agëd Bezaleel,
Who, with their Parthian horsemen, and the cars
Of Phrygia, and Cilicia, long had stood,
O'ermatched, yet resolute.
But Arbaces still
Victorious onward urged: till, on the mount
Arriving now, where, with Assyria's king,
Brief conference he had held,—o'er all the plain
His eye he cast; and, in dismay, sheer rout
On either hand beheld. To Azareel,
Who close beside him all the day had fought;
And Japhet, in one roomy chariot both,—
Their prize in the first battle,—with loud voice,
Still in his car upstanding, then he cried:
“Haste! haste, my friends, and to Belesis fly;
And to Abiram, with his Susian horse:
Bid them to Bezaleel speed instantly,
And Ithamar; whom in dire stress I see;
Outnumbered far. No moment must be lost!”
Victorious onward urged: till, on the mount
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Brief conference he had held,—o'er all the plain
His eye he cast; and, in dismay, sheer rout
On either hand beheld. To Azareel,
Who close beside him all the day had fought;
And Japhet, in one roomy chariot both,—
Their prize in the first battle,—with loud voice,
Still in his car upstanding, then he cried:
“Haste! haste, my friends, and to Belesis fly;
And to Abiram, with his Susian horse:
Bid them to Bezaleel speed instantly,
And Ithamar; whom in dire stress I see;
Outnumbered far. No moment must be lost!”
So he: and they flew on. Round looking then,
Thus, to the captains nigh, Arbaces cried;
“Toil on, brave men! Your bright reward will come.
But, deeper in their battle press not now;
Lest, from our friends too far removed,—for both,
Help mutual should be lost. A little while
Perforce I leave you; to the Arabian horse
Succour to take; by fiery Jerimoth,
And fierce Jehoshaphat, unequal pressed.
Ere long expect me back. Meantime, no foot
Of ground so hardly won, unto the foe
Resign; lest he should triumph and wax bold.”
So he; then, with the chariots, and the horse
Of Hadad, king of Israel, onward drove.
Thus, to the captains nigh, Arbaces cried;
“Toil on, brave men! Your bright reward will come.
But, deeper in their battle press not now;
Lest, from our friends too far removed,—for both,
Help mutual should be lost. A little while
Perforce I leave you; to the Arabian horse
Succour to take; by fiery Jerimoth,
And fierce Jehoshaphat, unequal pressed.
Ere long expect me back. Meantime, no foot
Of ground so hardly won, unto the foe
Resign; lest he should triumph and wax bold.”
So he; then, with the chariots, and the horse
Of Hadad, king of Israel, onward drove.
With thrice a hundred iron cars; and steeds
Ten thousand; mail-clad infantry, with spear,
Sword, mace, or battle-axe armed, twelve thousand strong;
Bowmen, and skilful slingers, that huge stones,
Both with the right hand and the left, could hurl,—
Of these twelve thousand also,—with such strength,
The Medes to aid, upon that morn had come
The king of Israel, Hadad: for his heart
Had smitten him, as homeward he was bound,
That in their struggle he his friends had left.
A prophet also had uplift his voice
Conjuringly, and cried, “O king! return;
Go back against the city: for the Lord,
The God of Israel, with a mighty hand
Will smite her: in her pride will cast her down,
And make her desolate! toward the city, back!
Lest, when the Mede shall triumph, on thy head
The fury of the nations be let loose.”
Ten thousand; mail-clad infantry, with spear,
Sword, mace, or battle-axe armed, twelve thousand strong;
Bowmen, and skilful slingers, that huge stones,
Both with the right hand and the left, could hurl,—
Of these twelve thousand also,—with such strength,
The Medes to aid, upon that morn had come
The king of Israel, Hadad: for his heart
Had smitten him, as homeward he was bound,
That in their struggle he his friends had left.
A prophet also had uplift his voice
Conjuringly, and cried, “O king! return;
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The God of Israel, with a mighty hand
Will smite her: in her pride will cast her down,
And make her desolate! toward the city, back!
Lest, when the Mede shall triumph, on thy head
The fury of the nations be let loose.”
Thus had the prophet cried: the people then
Had prayed, “O Hadad hearken to his words!”
So he had pitched his tents; and said, “Behold,
Here will we 'bide awhile, and tidings wait;
Lest, if the king have triumphed, in his hands
We be delivered; and his vengeance feel.”
Had prayed, “O Hadad hearken to his words!”
So he had pitched his tents; and said, “Behold,
Here will we 'bide awhile, and tidings wait;
Lest, if the king have triumphed, in his hands
We be delivered; and his vengeance feel.”
But, the next morn, came missives from the Medes,
And said, “O Hadad, king of Israel! come;
Come back against the city; for all day,
Even from the rising till the setting sun,
Stood we in combat, and their hosts drove back:
Even to the gates we drove them: and their slain
Are as the autumnal leaves. Come therefore back,—
Come instantly, lest, when the spoil is won;
Thy portion shall be shame and mockery.”
And said, “O Hadad, king of Israel! come;
Come back against the city; for all day,
Even from the rising till the setting sun,
Stood we in combat, and their hosts drove back:
Even to the gates we drove them: and their slain
Are as the autumnal leaves. Come therefore back,—
Come instantly, lest, when the spoil is won;
Thy portion shall be shame and mockery.”
Then Hadad bade the trumpets sound aloud,—
The tents to strike; and toward the city turn.
So, on the morning of that second fight,
A welcome aid, he came; and, in the midst,
Even with the chariots of Arbaces, stood.
The tents to strike; and toward the city turn.
So, on the morning of that second fight,
A welcome aid, he came; and, in the midst,
Even with the chariots of Arbaces, stood.
Him, 'gainst Jehoshaphat and Jerimoth
Hasting, Arbaces called: then Israel's king,
His horsemen, and his iron chariots, took;
And joyfully went on: but, with the foot,
His brother, and chief captain, Midian, left.
Hasting, Arbaces called: then Israel's king,
His horsemen, and his iron chariots, took;
And joyfully went on: but, with the foot,
His brother, and chief captain, Midian, left.
Not by his foes unknown, Arbaces went:
Him, their chief terror, from the contest seen
Rapidly speeding,—with new courage they,
And strength, turned back to combat. Man on man
Calling aloud, eagerly back they turned.
Him, their chief terror, from the contest seen
Rapidly speeding,—with new courage they,
And strength, turned back to combat. Man on man
Calling aloud, eagerly back they turned.
Direful o'er all the plain the havoc now!
Where, with his Babylonian infantry,
Almelon fought; and, with their Persian horse,
And chariots, Geber, and Barzanes huge,—
Assyria's monarch there like fire was seen,
His foes consuming: like the sun, his car
Rapidly rolling, flung about the light:
His voice was heard; his spear aloft was seen:
Clanged now his bow; and now his javelin hissed:
His sword now flamed; and now his ponderous axe
Harsh measure to the battle-chorus struck.
Before the tempest of his chariot wheels,
Were men and steeds o'erthrown: and, by the hoofs
Of his impetuous horses trodden down,
Fell hundreds; groaned, and died.
Where, with his Babylonian infantry,
Almelon fought; and, with their Persian horse,
And chariots, Geber, and Barzanes huge,—
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His foes consuming: like the sun, his car
Rapidly rolling, flung about the light:
His voice was heard; his spear aloft was seen:
Clanged now his bow; and now his javelin hissed:
His sword now flamed; and now his ponderous axe
Harsh measure to the battle-chorus struck.
Before the tempest of his chariot wheels,
Were men and steeds o'erthrown: and, by the hoofs
Of his impetuous horses trodden down,
Fell hundreds; groaned, and died.
But him, at length,
Long sought in vain, Rabsaris now beheld;
And toward him madly drove. With eyes distent,
And bared teeth grinding, his tempestuous lance
He hurled; and on the breast so forcefully
The monarch struck, that backward on the seat,
Reeling, he dropped; yet harmless: the strong mail
Entrance refused; and from its polished face,
Deep though indented, cast the fury off.
Yet, breathless and amazed, the king knew not
That his own lance, in the same moment hurled,
Upon the helmet with a blow so strong
Had struck his enemy, that from out the car
Had he fallen headlong.
Long sought in vain, Rabsaris now beheld;
And toward him madly drove. With eyes distent,
And bared teeth grinding, his tempestuous lance
He hurled; and on the breast so forcefully
The monarch struck, that backward on the seat,
Reeling, he dropped; yet harmless: the strong mail
Entrance refused; and from its polished face,
Deep though indented, cast the fury off.
Yet, breathless and amazed, the king knew not
That his own lance, in the same moment hurled,
Upon the helmet with a blow so strong
Had struck his enemy, that from out the car
Had he fallen headlong.
Him to rescue then,
Flew Azariah; full upon the king,
With all his archers, arrows in thick clouds
Pouring incessantly; and on the horse,
And chariots, who to succour him drew nigh.
Flew Azariah; full upon the king,
With all his archers, arrows in thick clouds
Pouring incessantly; and on the horse,
And chariots, who to succour him drew nigh.
But, of Nehushta heedful; and the word
That he to her had pledged; with prudent care,
Dara the steeds drew off; and shunned the strife.
That he to her had pledged; with prudent care,
Dara the steeds drew off; and shunned the strife.
Nor aught the king gainsaid; till, wonted strength
Recovering soon, into the thickest fight,
Hotly again he plunged. But, from the ground,
Dizzy and sick, the while, Rabsaris rose;
By Azariah aided; and, his car
Feebly ascending, from the tumult 'scaped.
Recovering soon, into the thickest fight,
Hotly again he plunged. But, from the ground,
Dizzy and sick, the while, Rabsaris rose;
By Azariah aided; and, his car
Feebly ascending, from the tumult 'scaped.
But far away, meantime, Arbaces flew:
Till, where the Arabian king, in doubtful fight
Against Jehoshaphat stood, arriving now;
On the scared foe he drove: right on drove he;
Upon Jehoshaphat, full in the midst,
His mighty steeds impelling. At that sight,
The Assyrians shrank, and turned: but him, their chief,
In his own strength confiding, scorned to shun:
With spear uplifted, toward the Mede he went:
Hurled, and fell backward: for, upon his crest,
The brazen javelin of Arbaces struck:
Snapped the embroidered thong, that 'neath his chin
The helm secured; and, in a rapid flight,
Round and round whirling, drove it o'er the ground.
With arms upflung, and wildly gleaming eye;
Speechless, and stunned, back fell Jehoshaphat;
Back in his car; then senseless to the earth:
For, 'gainst his chariot fiercely drove the Mede;
Tore off the crackling wheel,—flat to the ground,
Dashed car and rider; and the steeds o'erthrew.
180
Against Jehoshaphat stood, arriving now;
On the scared foe he drove: right on drove he;
Upon Jehoshaphat, full in the midst,
His mighty steeds impelling. At that sight,
The Assyrians shrank, and turned: but him, their chief,
In his own strength confiding, scorned to shun:
With spear uplifted, toward the Mede he went:
Hurled, and fell backward: for, upon his crest,
The brazen javelin of Arbaces struck:
Snapped the embroidered thong, that 'neath his chin
The helm secured; and, in a rapid flight,
Round and round whirling, drove it o'er the ground.
With arms upflung, and wildly gleaming eye;
Speechless, and stunned, back fell Jehoshaphat;
Back in his car; then senseless to the earth:
For, 'gainst his chariot fiercely drove the Mede;
Tore off the crackling wheel,—flat to the ground,
Dashed car and rider; and the steeds o'erthrew.
Then rose terrific clamors; cries of fear,
And peals of triumph mingling. Onward went
The dreaded Mede, resistless. From his face,
Appalled, his enemies shrank; and from the sweep
Of his earth-shaking chariots and his horse.
And peals of triumph mingling. Onward went
The dreaded Mede, resistless. From his face,
Appalled, his enemies shrank; and from the sweep
Of his earth-shaking chariots and his horse.
In rapid flight the foe beholding soon;
To Israel's king, and Abdolonimus,
The strife Arbaces left; and, with his cars,
Against the horse of furious Jerimoth
Flew on like tempest. Them, in fierce pursuit
Of Salmanassar, and the Arabian horse,
O'ertaking,—all unlooked for, on their rear,
Full in the midst he drove. Astonished, they
Headlong before him fled; to right and left,
Like waters from before the driving prow,
Hastily parting wide.
To Israel's king, and Abdolonimus,
The strife Arbaces left; and, with his cars,
Against the horse of furious Jerimoth
Flew on like tempest. Them, in fierce pursuit
Of Salmanassar, and the Arabian horse,
O'ertaking,—all unlooked for, on their rear,
Full in the midst he drove. Astonished, they
Headlong before him fled; to right and left,
Like waters from before the driving prow,
Hastily parting wide.
But Jerimoth,
Foremost of all in hot pursuit, that flight
Knew not as yet. Him soon Arbaces saw;
And from his mighty bow an eager shaft
Sent hissing. Through the mail behind it went;
And his left shoulder pierced. Surprised, and stung,
Round turned the Assyrian; and his terrible foe
Pressing upon him saw; yet shunned not now;
But, with sharp pain and rage to madness fired,—
As on the hunter the struck tiger turns,
So on Arbaces he. The galling shaft
Still in his shoulder fixed,—his foaming steed
Backward he turned: and, in his strong right hand
A brazen javelin shaking, vowed revenge.
But from the dreadful bow again out flew
A hissing pest: and, through his courser's mail
Bursting, sank deep. Death-struck, and groaning loud,
A little space yet toiled the noble steed;
Reeling and faint: nor Jerimoth his dart,
Perplexed, could aim; for, like the hurricane's blast,
Came on the fiery coursers of the Mede;
And horse and rider dashed at once to earth.
Foremost of all in hot pursuit, that flight
Knew not as yet. Him soon Arbaces saw;
And from his mighty bow an eager shaft
181
And his left shoulder pierced. Surprised, and stung,
Round turned the Assyrian; and his terrible foe
Pressing upon him saw; yet shunned not now;
But, with sharp pain and rage to madness fired,—
As on the hunter the struck tiger turns,
So on Arbaces he. The galling shaft
Still in his shoulder fixed,—his foaming steed
Backward he turned: and, in his strong right hand
A brazen javelin shaking, vowed revenge.
But from the dreadful bow again out flew
A hissing pest: and, through his courser's mail
Bursting, sank deep. Death-struck, and groaning loud,
A little space yet toiled the noble steed;
Reeling and faint: nor Jerimoth his dart,
Perplexed, could aim; for, like the hurricane's blast,
Came on the fiery coursers of the Mede;
And horse and rider dashed at once to earth.
As a huge stone, by a strong arm impelled,
With heavy jar alighting, o'er and o'er
Swiftly doth roll; then stops, and moves no more,—
So, to the earth, by that tremendous shock
Hurled headlong, Jerimoth, in blood and dust,
Rolled senseless; and lay still. On flew the steeds:
Nor Abner, for a time, their rage could curb:
But his strong arm the Mede at length put forth;
And in their frenzy stayed them. Looking back,
The Assyrian horse and chariots in full flight
He soon discerned; and Salmanassar close,
And all the Median cars, in fierce pursuit.
To Abner then the slackened reins he gave;
“Away!” he cried; “they need us not again.
On! to the Parthian horse, and Phrygian cars;
By Michael and fierce Zadok sorely pressed;
If to their aid Belesis, and the horse
Of Susa with Abiram, have not come.”
With heavy jar alighting, o'er and o'er
Swiftly doth roll; then stops, and moves no more,—
So, to the earth, by that tremendous shock
Hurled headlong, Jerimoth, in blood and dust,
Rolled senseless; and lay still. On flew the steeds:
Nor Abner, for a time, their rage could curb:
But his strong arm the Mede at length put forth;
And in their frenzy stayed them. Looking back,
The Assyrian horse and chariots in full flight
He soon discerned; and Salmanassar close,
And all the Median cars, in fierce pursuit.
To Abner then the slackened reins he gave;
“Away!” he cried; “they need us not again.
On! to the Parthian horse, and Phrygian cars;
By Michael and fierce Zadok sorely pressed;
If to their aid Belesis, and the horse
Of Susa with Abiram, have not come.”
Thus he; and Abner the hot steeds let go.
Behind the battle, with the speed of wind,
Then flew they: and Arbaces, as they went,—
Like to the lordly eagle from his height,—
O'er all the field his keen, far-seeing eye
Glanced rapidly.
Behind the battle, with the speed of wind,
Then flew they: and Arbaces, as they went,—
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O'er all the field his keen, far-seeing eye
Glanced rapidly.
But Jerimoth, long time,—
Though all around him roared the din of fight,—
As in a deep sleep lay: nor, when to sense
Slowly returning, did he well, at first,
The fight remember: a faint sound of wheels;
A distant tramp of steeds, was in his ear:
And in his brain disjointed images,
Like clouds first forming in a vacant sky,
Gathered, and grew to shape: a deadly strife
He saw,—chariots, and horsemen, flight, pursuit,
Victors, and vanquished. “'Tis a dream,” he thought;
“Soon shall I wake.” But on his face the air
Blew freshening: sense revived, though dimly yet,
Brought back the past: and then aloud he said;
“It is no dream! I feel the arrow-head
Deep in my shoulder.” Speaking thus, his eyes
He opened; and the darkness passed away.
Within Meshullam's arms he found himself;
And in his chariot borne. His feeble head
From the steel pillow raising, wildly now
Around he looked; and saw that far behind
They had left the battle. With a faint voice then,
“Turn back, turn back,” he said: but, from his mouth,
Even while he spake, out gushed a purple stream:
Down sliding, helpless, in the car he sank:
And, as the swoon came o'er him, inly said,
“Never again to battle shalt thou go!
The hand of death hath touched thee! Rise, oh God!
Confound the rebel; and the city save!”
Though all around him roared the din of fight,—
As in a deep sleep lay: nor, when to sense
Slowly returning, did he well, at first,
The fight remember: a faint sound of wheels;
A distant tramp of steeds, was in his ear:
And in his brain disjointed images,
Like clouds first forming in a vacant sky,
Gathered, and grew to shape: a deadly strife
He saw,—chariots, and horsemen, flight, pursuit,
Victors, and vanquished. “'Tis a dream,” he thought;
“Soon shall I wake.” But on his face the air
Blew freshening: sense revived, though dimly yet,
Brought back the past: and then aloud he said;
“It is no dream! I feel the arrow-head
Deep in my shoulder.” Speaking thus, his eyes
He opened; and the darkness passed away.
Within Meshullam's arms he found himself;
And in his chariot borne. His feeble head
From the steel pillow raising, wildly now
Around he looked; and saw that far behind
They had left the battle. With a faint voice then,
“Turn back, turn back,” he said: but, from his mouth,
Even while he spake, out gushed a purple stream:
Down sliding, helpless, in the car he sank:
And, as the swoon came o'er him, inly said,
“Never again to battle shalt thou go!
The hand of death hath touched thee! Rise, oh God!
Confound the rebel; and the city save!”
Him, corpse-like as he lay, Meshullam raised;
Took from his head the helm, and on his breast
The corslet slackened. By a streamlet soon
Arriving, 'neath a thick wide-spreading oak;
Meshullam, and his charioteer, the steeds
Secured: then, on the sweet grass, tenderly,
The senseless warrior laid; and his pale face
With the cool water sprinkled. Sighing deep;
From head to foot quivering convulsively,—
To life at length he came; and, his dim eyes
Unclosing, saw above the fresh green light;
And ether's soft blue, through the restless boughs,
Fitfully gleaming: but the gentle voice
Of wind-stirred leaves, or the swift streamlet's plash,
Heard not; for, like a distant sea, storm-tossed,
The conflict roared; and to all softer sound
The ear made deaf. Upon his elbow, now,
Slowly uprising, toward the field he looked:
And, groaning, bowed his head; for, in his back,
He felt the rankling shaft; and, to the fight,
Knew that return was hopeless. To his friend
Then thus at length, with feeble tone, he spake:
“Haste thee, Meshullam: draw the arrow out;
That, if to die, I may the sooner pass;
Or, if to live, the sooner may go forth
To lead again in battle. Fear thou not;
But draw thy dagger, and the barb cut out:
For, to the city will I not return;
But on this spot, or 'neath thy hand expire;
Or live, the fortune of the day to see;
Evil or good. Thou canst not pain inflict,
More than my soul is stubborn to endure.
Strength comes again unto me; and my breast
Feels lightened of its load. Even yet, perchance,
In yonder strife, not useless, may I mix;
Maimed tho' I am, and powerless. Pause not then;
But firmly do thy work; and, if I shrink,
Heed not, but onward; for this dreary gloom,
I long to change to light of heaven—or death!”
Took from his head the helm, and on his breast
The corslet slackened. By a streamlet soon
Arriving, 'neath a thick wide-spreading oak;
Meshullam, and his charioteer, the steeds
Secured: then, on the sweet grass, tenderly,
The senseless warrior laid; and his pale face
With the cool water sprinkled. Sighing deep;
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To life at length he came; and, his dim eyes
Unclosing, saw above the fresh green light;
And ether's soft blue, through the restless boughs,
Fitfully gleaming: but the gentle voice
Of wind-stirred leaves, or the swift streamlet's plash,
Heard not; for, like a distant sea, storm-tossed,
The conflict roared; and to all softer sound
The ear made deaf. Upon his elbow, now,
Slowly uprising, toward the field he looked:
And, groaning, bowed his head; for, in his back,
He felt the rankling shaft; and, to the fight,
Knew that return was hopeless. To his friend
Then thus at length, with feeble tone, he spake:
“Haste thee, Meshullam: draw the arrow out;
That, if to die, I may the sooner pass;
Or, if to live, the sooner may go forth
To lead again in battle. Fear thou not;
But draw thy dagger, and the barb cut out:
For, to the city will I not return;
But on this spot, or 'neath thy hand expire;
Or live, the fortune of the day to see;
Evil or good. Thou canst not pain inflict,
More than my soul is stubborn to endure.
Strength comes again unto me; and my breast
Feels lightened of its load. Even yet, perchance,
In yonder strife, not useless, may I mix;
Maimed tho' I am, and powerless. Pause not then;
But firmly do thy work; and, if I shrink,
Heed not, but onward; for this dreary gloom,
I long to change to light of heaven—or death!”
So he: then, his pale forehead with both palms
Compressing, bowed his head unto the ground;
And, without word or motion, the sharp pang
Fearlessly waited. With less steadfast heart,
Meshullam, from the broken arrow-shaft,
First loosed the mail, and laid it on the ground:
With pincers, then, the steel head firmly griped;
And, slowly drawing, with his dagger's point,
The clinging flesh set free; till, with a gush
Of black, and crimson blood, forth came the barb;
And, gently sinking; even as a child
In sudden sleep dissolving; close to earth,
In a soft swoon, the bleeding warrior lay.
Meshullam, next, with careful hand, the juice
Of healing herbs infused into the wound:
Then, with a bandage bound; and made secure.
Compressing, bowed his head unto the ground;
And, without word or motion, the sharp pang
Fearlessly waited. With less steadfast heart,
Meshullam, from the broken arrow-shaft,
First loosed the mail, and laid it on the ground:
With pincers, then, the steel head firmly griped;
And, slowly drawing, with his dagger's point,
The clinging flesh set free; till, with a gush
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And, gently sinking; even as a child
In sudden sleep dissolving; close to earth,
In a soft swoon, the bleeding warrior lay.
Meshullam, next, with careful hand, the juice
Of healing herbs infused into the wound:
Then, with a bandage bound; and made secure.
From out the brook, meantime, the charioteer
Brought water; washed from mouth, and beard, and breast,
The blackening gore; and, with refreshing drops,
The pale face sprinkled. From the swoon, at length,
Recovering, on Meshullam anxiously
The sufferer looked,—and, with faint voice, thus spake:
Brought water; washed from mouth, and beard, and breast,
The blackening gore; and, with refreshing drops,
The pale face sprinkled. From the swoon, at length,
Recovering, on Meshullam anxiously
The sufferer looked,—and, with faint voice, thus spake:
“My friend, I thank thee; for myself yet less
Than for my country; which, with strength restored,
Soon I again may serve. But haste thee now;
And cry unto my warriors, that not yet
Hath Jerimoth unto the pit gone down:
But that, even now, upon the field his eye
Watchful he keepeth; and to heaven his voice
For victory to our holy cause doth lift.
Haste; mount thy chariot then: but leave with me
Zemirah, if thou wilt; lest, all alone
And helpless,—should my wound burst forth anew,
Even yet may death o'ertake me.”
Than for my country; which, with strength restored,
Soon I again may serve. But haste thee now;
And cry unto my warriors, that not yet
Hath Jerimoth unto the pit gone down:
But that, even now, upon the field his eye
Watchful he keepeth; and to heaven his voice
For victory to our holy cause doth lift.
Haste; mount thy chariot then: but leave with me
Zemirah, if thou wilt; lest, all alone
And helpless,—should my wound burst forth anew,
Even yet may death o'ertake me.”
To his words
Brief answer made Meshullam: but the hand,
Extended to him, wrung; bade short farewell;
Sprang to his chariot; and the snorting steeds
With voice and thong along the plain impelled.
Brief answer made Meshullam: but the hand,
Extended to him, wrung; bade short farewell;
Sprang to his chariot; and the snorting steeds
With voice and thong along the plain impelled.
Zemirah, meantime, from the glistening oak,
Branches and pliant shoots down rending, framed
A couch not uninviting. There, outstretched,
With raised head, half recumbent; toward the field,—
By dust, and steam, as from a cauldron vast,
Mantled, and dimly visible,—all day,
With earnest eye, the wounded warrior gazed.
Branches and pliant shoots down rending, framed
A couch not uninviting. There, outstretched,
With raised head, half recumbent; toward the field,—
By dust, and steam, as from a cauldron vast,
Mantled, and dimly visible,—all day,
With earnest eye, the wounded warrior gazed.
Nor with the sunset, homeward did he go;
But, in the chariot of Henahad borne;
Near to the wall, sure tidings of the fight
Anxiously waited: then, rejoicing, went:
And, till the morning, in disordered dreams
Of rout, and victory, lay.
But, in the chariot of Henahad borne;
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Anxiously waited: then, rejoicing, went:
And, till the morning, in disordered dreams
Of rout, and victory, lay.
But not in dreams
Fought now the struggling nations; nor with arms
Forged in a brain perturbed; but, foot to foot,
And shield to shield; with sword, dart, axe, and spear,
Sent the loud clang to heaven. By Zadok still,
And Michael, with their chariots and their horse,
Sore pressed,—dark Ithamar, and Bezaleel;
Though to their aid, with all his Susian horse,
Abiram; and, with cars of Babylon,
Belesis, had made speed,—in dreadful strife
Stood yet: nor either host its foe could drive;
Nor either would be drivën; but man 'gainst man;
Horse against horse; and car 'gainst brazen car,
Shocking,—with havoc direful they the ground
Dyed crimson: and, in heaps on heaps, the slain,
Like a thick harvest, piled. Above the dead
The living stumbled; and rose not again;
Steed upon floundering steed o'er-rolling, fell;
And car in car lay locked.
Fought now the struggling nations; nor with arms
Forged in a brain perturbed; but, foot to foot,
And shield to shield; with sword, dart, axe, and spear,
Sent the loud clang to heaven. By Zadok still,
And Michael, with their chariots and their horse,
Sore pressed,—dark Ithamar, and Bezaleel;
Though to their aid, with all his Susian horse,
Abiram; and, with cars of Babylon,
Belesis, had made speed,—in dreadful strife
Stood yet: nor either host its foe could drive;
Nor either would be drivën; but man 'gainst man;
Horse against horse; and car 'gainst brazen car,
Shocking,—with havoc direful they the ground
Dyed crimson: and, in heaps on heaps, the slain,
Like a thick harvest, piled. Above the dead
The living stumbled; and rose not again;
Steed upon floundering steed o'er-rolling, fell;
And car in car lay locked.
But, his great voice,
Like to advancing thunder, sending forth—
Came on Arbaces. Him, now drawing nigh,
On their left flank the Assyrians first beheld;
And, backward hasting, betwixt either host,
A sudden opening left. For, not as yet
Pressed on the Medes; they, also, the bright car
Advancing, saw; and him that rode therein,
Knew; and, their voices lifting, cried aloud,
“Arbaces comes! the mortal battle-god!
Death rides within his chariot! 'Neath his wheels
Earth trembles; graves fly open!”
Like to advancing thunder, sending forth—
Came on Arbaces. Him, now drawing nigh,
On their left flank the Assyrians first beheld;
And, backward hasting, betwixt either host,
A sudden opening left. For, not as yet
Pressed on the Medes; they, also, the bright car
Advancing, saw; and him that rode therein,
Knew; and, their voices lifting, cried aloud,
“Arbaces comes! the mortal battle-god!
Death rides within his chariot! 'Neath his wheels
Earth trembles; graves fly open!”
As a wedge
Of iron, in the huge and gnarlëd oak
Far entering; the strong trunk with loud crash rends,—
The ponderous chariot of Arbaces so,
Deep in the Assyrian host, with hurricane speed
Careering, pierced; and far to either hand
A ghastly opening tore. Man, steed, and car;
Before his crushing chariot, and the might
Of his tempestuous horses, were as reeds
Beneath the mammoth. Swiftly fled they all:
The shield behind was cast; the spear, the sword,
The dart, the axe, from out the nerveless hand,
Dropped to the earth: like corn before the wind,
Hither and thither; as the Mede moved on;
Reeled, rolled, and fell, the gasping multitude.
Of iron, in the huge and gnarlëd oak
Far entering; the strong trunk with loud crash rends,—
The ponderous chariot of Arbaces so,
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Careering, pierced; and far to either hand
A ghastly opening tore. Man, steed, and car;
Before his crushing chariot, and the might
Of his tempestuous horses, were as reeds
Beneath the mammoth. Swiftly fled they all:
The shield behind was cast; the spear, the sword,
The dart, the axe, from out the nerveless hand,
Dropped to the earth: like corn before the wind,
Hither and thither; as the Mede moved on;
Reeled, rolled, and fell, the gasping multitude.
Like gush of waters when the mound is burst;
With whelming violence on the Assyrian host
Poured their fierce enemies now. Havoc was there:
And thirsty Slaughter drank, and had his fill.
With whelming violence on the Assyrian host
Poured their fierce enemies now. Havoc was there:
And thirsty Slaughter drank, and had his fill.
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