The Whole Works of Homer Prince of Poetts: In his Iliads, and Odysses. Translated according to the Greeke. By Geo: Chapman |
 |
|
 |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
| 13. |
| 14. |
| 15. |
| 16. |
| 17. |
| 18. |
| 19. |
| 20. |
| 21. |
| 22. |
| 23. |
| 24. |
|
 | The Whole Works of Homer |  |
Within the faire-pau'd Court of Ioue, he and the Gods conferd,
About the sad euents of Troy; amongst whom ministerd,
Blest Hebe, Nectar. As they sate, and did Troyes towres behold;
They drank, and pledg'd each other round, in full crownd cups of gold.
The mirth, at whose feast, was begun, by great Saturnides,
In vrging a begun dislike, amongst the Goddesses.
But chiefly, in his solemne Queene, whose splene he was disposd
To tempt yet further; knowing well, what anger it inclosd.
And how wiues angers should be vsd. On which, (thus pleasd) he playd:
About the sad euents of Troy; amongst whom ministerd,
Blest Hebe, Nectar. As they sate, and did Troyes towres behold;
They drank, and pledg'd each other round, in full crownd cups of gold.
The mirth, at whose feast, was begun, by great Saturnides,
In vrging a begun dislike, amongst the Goddesses.
But chiefly, in his solemne Queene, whose splene he was disposd
To tempt yet further; knowing well, what anger it inclosd.
And how wiues angers should be vsd. On which, (thus pleasd) he playd:
Two Goddesses there are, that still, giue Menelaus ayd:
And one that Paris loues. The two, that sit from vs so farre,
(Which Argiue Iuno is, and she, that rules in deeds of warre
No doubt are pleasd, to see how well, the late-seene-fight did frame.
And (yet vpon the aduerse part) the laughter-louing Dame,
Made her powre good too, for her friend. For though he were so neare,
The stroke of death, in th' others hopes, she tooke him from them cleare;
The conquest yet, is questionlesse, the martiall Spartan kings;
We must consult then, what euents, shall crowne these future things.
If warres, and combats, we shall still, with euen successes strike;
Or (as impartiall) friendship plant, on both parts. If ye like
The last, and that it will as well, delight, as meerely please
Your happie Deities: still let stand, old Priams towne in peace;
And let the Lacedæmon king, againe his Queene enioy.
And one that Paris loues. The two, that sit from vs so farre,
(Which Argiue Iuno is, and she, that rules in deeds of warre
No doubt are pleasd, to see how well, the late-seene-fight did frame.
And (yet vpon the aduerse part) the laughter-louing Dame,
Made her powre good too, for her friend. For though he were so neare,
The stroke of death, in th' others hopes, she tooke him from them cleare;
The conquest yet, is questionlesse, the martiall Spartan kings;
We must consult then, what euents, shall crowne these future things.
If warres, and combats, we shall still, with euen successes strike;
Or (as impartiall) friendship plant, on both parts. If ye like
51
Your happie Deities: still let stand, old Priams towne in peace;
And let the Lacedæmon king, againe his Queene enioy.
As Pallas and heauens Queene sat close, complotting ill to Troy;
With silent murmures they receiu'd, this ill-lik't choice from Ioue
Gainst whom was Pallas much incenst, because the Queene of Loue,
Could not without his leaue relieue, in that late point of death,
The sonne of Priam, whom she loath'd; her wrath yet fought beneath
Her supreme wisedome, and was curb'd: but Iuno needs must ease
Her great heart, with her readie tongue, and said: What words are these
(Austere, and too much Saturns sonne?) why wouldst thou render still
My labours idle? and the sweat, of my industrious will,
Dishonor with so little power? My chariot horse are tir'd,
With posting to and fro, for Greece: and bringing banes desir'd,
To people-mustring Priamus, and his perfidious sonnes:
Yet thou protectst, and ioynst with them, whom each iust Deitie shuns.
Go on, but euer go resolu'd, all other Gods haue vow'd
To crosse thy partiall course for Troy, in all that makes it proud.
With silent murmures they receiu'd, this ill-lik't choice from Ioue
Gainst whom was Pallas much incenst, because the Queene of Loue,
Could not without his leaue relieue, in that late point of death,
The sonne of Priam, whom she loath'd; her wrath yet fought beneath
Her supreme wisedome, and was curb'd: but Iuno needs must ease
Her great heart, with her readie tongue, and said: What words are these
(Austere, and too much Saturns sonne?) why wouldst thou render still
My labours idle? and the sweat, of my industrious will,
Dishonor with so little power? My chariot horse are tir'd,
With posting to and fro, for Greece: and bringing banes desir'd,
To people-mustring Priamus, and his perfidious sonnes:
Yet thou protectst, and ioynst with them, whom each iust Deitie shuns.
Go on, but euer go resolu'd, all other Gods haue vow'd
To crosse thy partiall course for Troy, in all that makes it proud.
At this, the cloud-compelling Ioue, a farre fetcht fight let flie:
And said, Thou Furie, what offence, of such impietie,
Hath Priam or his sonnes done thee? that with so high a hate
Thou shouldst thus ceaslesly desire, to raze, and ruinate
So well a builded towne as Troy? I thinke (hadst thou the powre)
Thou wouldst the ports and farre-stretcht wals, flie ouer, and deuoure
Old Priam, and his issue quicke: and make all Troy thy feast;
And then at length I hope, thy wrath, and tired spleene would rest:
To which, run on thy chariot, that nought be found in me,
Of iust cause to our future iarres. In this yet strengthen thee,
And fixe it in thy memorie fast; that, if I entertaine
As peremptorie a desire, to leuell with the plaine,
A citie, where thy loued liue; stand not betwixt my ire,
And what it aimes at; but giue way, when thou hast thy desire,
Which now I grant thee willingly, although against my will.
For not beneath the ample Sunne, and heauens starre-bearing hill,
There is a towne of earthly men, so honour'd in my mind,
As sacred Troy, nor of earths kings, as Priam and his kind,
Who neuer let my altars lacke, rich feast of offrings slaine,
And their sweet sauours: for which grace, I honor them againe.
And said, Thou Furie, what offence, of such impietie,
Hath Priam or his sonnes done thee? that with so high a hate
Thou shouldst thus ceaslesly desire, to raze, and ruinate
So well a builded towne as Troy? I thinke (hadst thou the powre)
Thou wouldst the ports and farre-stretcht wals, flie ouer, and deuoure
Old Priam, and his issue quicke: and make all Troy thy feast;
And then at length I hope, thy wrath, and tired spleene would rest:
To which, run on thy chariot, that nought be found in me,
Of iust cause to our future iarres. In this yet strengthen thee,
And fixe it in thy memorie fast; that, if I entertaine
As peremptorie a desire, to leuell with the plaine,
A citie, where thy loued liue; stand not betwixt my ire,
And what it aimes at; but giue way, when thou hast thy desire,
Which now I grant thee willingly, although against my will.
For not beneath the ample Sunne, and heauens starre-bearing hill,
There is a towne of earthly men, so honour'd in my mind,
As sacred Troy, nor of earths kings, as Priam and his kind,
Who neuer let my altars lacke, rich feast of offrings slaine,
And their sweet sauours: for which grace, I honor them againe.
Drad Iuno, with the Cowes faire eyes, replyed; Three townes there are
Of great and eminent respect, both in my loue and care,
Mycena, with the brode high waies, and Argos rich in horse;
And Sparta: all which three destroy, when thou enui'st their force;
I will not aid them, nor maligne, thy free and soueraigne will:
For if I should be enuious, and set against their ill,
I know my enuie were in vaine, since thou art mightier farre:
But we must giue each other leaue, and winke at eithers warre.
I likewise, must haue powre to crowne, my workes with wished end;
Because I am a Deitie, and did from thence descend,
Whence thou thy selfe, and th' elder borne, wise Saturne was our Sire;
And thus there is a two-fold cause, that pleads for my desire;
Being sister, and am cald thy wife: And more, since thy command
Rules all Gods else; I claime therein, a like superiour hand.
All wrath before then, now remit, and mutually combine
In eithers Empire; I, thy rule, and thou illustrate mine.
So will the other Gods agree: and we shall all be strong.
And first, (for this late plot) with speed, let Pallas go among
The Troians; and some one of them, entice to breake the truce,
By offering in some treacherous wound, the honourd Greekes abuse.
Of great and eminent respect, both in my loue and care,
Mycena, with the brode high waies, and Argos rich in horse;
And Sparta: all which three destroy, when thou enui'st their force;
I will not aid them, nor maligne, thy free and soueraigne will:
For if I should be enuious, and set against their ill,
I know my enuie were in vaine, since thou art mightier farre:
But we must giue each other leaue, and winke at eithers warre.
I likewise, must haue powre to crowne, my workes with wished end;
Because I am a Deitie, and did from thence descend,
52
And thus there is a two-fold cause, that pleads for my desire;
Being sister, and am cald thy wife: And more, since thy command
Rules all Gods else; I claime therein, a like superiour hand.
All wrath before then, now remit, and mutually combine
In eithers Empire; I, thy rule, and thou illustrate mine.
So will the other Gods agree: and we shall all be strong.
And first, (for this late plot) with speed, let Pallas go among
The Troians; and some one of them, entice to breake the truce,
By offering in some treacherous wound, the honourd Greekes abuse.
The Father both of men and Gods, agreed, and Pallas sent,
With these wing'd words, to both the hosts; Make all haste, and inuent
Some meane, by which the men of Troy, against the truce agreed,
May stirre the glorious Greekes to armes, with some inglorious deed.
With these wing'd words, to both the hosts; Make all haste, and inuent
Some meane, by which the men of Troy, against the truce agreed,
May stirre the glorious Greekes to armes, with some inglorious deed.
Thus charg'd he her with haste, that did, before, in hast abound;
Who cast her selfe from all the heights, with which steepe heauen is crownd:
And as Ioue, brandishing a starre (which men a Comet call)
Hurls out his curled haire abrode, that from his brand exhals
A thousand sparkes; to fleets at sea, and euerie mightie host,
(Of all presages and ill haps, a signe mistrusted most:)
So Pallas fell twixt both the Camps, and sodainly was lost;
When through the breasts of all that saw, she strooke a strong amaze,
With viewing, in her whole descent, her bright and ominous blaze.
When straight, one to another turn'd, and said; Now thundring Ioue
(Great Arbiter of peace, and armes) will either stablish loue
Amongst our nations: or renue, such warre, as neuer was.
Who cast her selfe from all the heights, with which steepe heauen is crownd:
And as Ioue, brandishing a starre (which men a Comet call)
Hurls out his curled haire abrode, that from his brand exhals
A thousand sparkes; to fleets at sea, and euerie mightie host,
(Of all presages and ill haps, a signe mistrusted most:)
So Pallas fell twixt both the Camps, and sodainly was lost;
When through the breasts of all that saw, she strooke a strong amaze,
With viewing, in her whole descent, her bright and ominous blaze.
When straight, one to another turn'd, and said; Now thundring Ioue
(Great Arbiter of peace, and armes) will either stablish loue
Amongst our nations: or renue, such warre, as neuer was.
Thus either armie did presage, when Pallas made her passe
Amongst the multitude of Troy; who now put on the grace
Of braue Laodocus; the flowre, of old Antenors race;
And sought for Lycian Pandarus; a man, that being bred
Out of a faithlesse familie, she thought, was fit to shed
The blood of any innocent, and breake the couenant sworne.
He was Lycaons sonne, whom Ioue, into a Wolfe did turne
For sacrificing of a child; and yet in armes renownd,
As one that was inculpable: him Pallas, standing, found,
And round about him, his strong troopes, that bore the shadie shields.
He brought them from Æsæpus flood, let through the Lycian fields:
Whom, standing neare, she whispred thus: Lycaons warlike sonne?
Shall I despaire at thy kind hands, to haue a fauour done?
Nor dar'st thou let an arrow flie, vpon the Spartan king?
It would be such a grace to Troy, and such a glorious thing,
That euerie man would giue his gift; but Alexanders hand
Would loade thee with them, if he could, discouer from his stand,
His foes pride strooke downe with thy shaft; and he himselfe ascend
The flaming heape of funerall: Come, shoote him (princely friend.)
But first inuoke the God of light, that in thy land was borne,
And is in archers art the best, that euer sheafe hath worne;
To whom a hundred first ew'd lambes, vow thou in holy fire,
When safe to sacred Zelias towres, thy zealous steps retire.
Amongst the multitude of Troy; who now put on the grace
Of braue Laodocus; the flowre, of old Antenors race;
And sought for Lycian Pandarus; a man, that being bred
Out of a faithlesse familie, she thought, was fit to shed
The blood of any innocent, and breake the couenant sworne.
He was Lycaons sonne, whom Ioue, into a Wolfe did turne
For sacrificing of a child; and yet in armes renownd,
As one that was inculpable: him Pallas, standing, found,
And round about him, his strong troopes, that bore the shadie shields.
He brought them from Æsæpus flood, let through the Lycian fields:
Whom, standing neare, she whispred thus: Lycaons warlike sonne?
Shall I despaire at thy kind hands, to haue a fauour done?
Nor dar'st thou let an arrow flie, vpon the Spartan king?
It would be such a grace to Troy, and such a glorious thing,
That euerie man would giue his gift; but Alexanders hand
Would loade thee with them, if he could, discouer from his stand,
His foes pride strooke downe with thy shaft; and he himselfe ascend
The flaming heape of funerall: Come, shoote him (princely friend.)
But first inuoke the God of light, that in thy land was borne,
And is in archers art the best, that euer sheafe hath worne;
To whom a hundred first ew'd lambes, vow thou in holy fire,
53
With this, the mad-gift-greedie man, Minerua did perswade;
Who instantly drew forth a bow, most admirably made
Of th' antler of a iumping Goate, bred in a steepe vp land;
Which Archerlike (as long before, he tooke his hidden stand;
The Euicke, skipping from a rocke) into the breast he smote;
And headlong feld him from his cliffe. The forehead of the Gote,
Held out a wondrous goodly palme, that sixteene branches brought:
Of all which, (ioynd) an vsefull bow, a skilfull Bowyer wrought;
(Which pickt and polisht,) both the ends, he hid with hornes of gold.
And this bow (bent) he close laid downe, and bad his souldiers hold
Their shields before him; left the Greekes (discerning him) should rise
In tumults, ere the Spartan king, could be his arrowes prise.
Meane space, with all his care he chusd, and from his quiuer drew
An arrow, fetherd best for flight; and yet, that neuer flew;
Strong headed, and most apt to pierce; then tooke he vp his bow,
And nockt his shaft; the ground whence all, their future griefe did grow.
When (praying to his God the Sunne, that was in Lycia bred,
And king of Archers; promising, that he the blood would shed
Of full an hundred first fallen lambes, all offred to his name,
When to Zelias sacred wals, from rescu'd Troy he came)
He tooke his arrow by the nocke, and to his bended brest,
The Oxy sinew close he drew, euen till the pile did rest,
Vpon the bosome of the bow: and as that sauage prise,
His strength constraind into an Orb; (as if the wind did rise)
The coming of it made a noise; the sinew forged string
Did giue a mightie twang; and forth, the eager shaft did sing,
(Affecting speedinesse of flight) amongst the Achiue throng:
Nor were the blessed heauenly powres, vnmindfull of thy wrong,
O Menelaus; but in chiefe, Ioues seed the Pillager,
Stood close before, and slackt the force, the arrow did confer;
With as much care, and little hurt, As doth a mother vse,
And keepe off from her babe, when sleepe, doth through his powers diffuse
His golden humor; and th' assaults, of rude and busie flies
She still checks with her carefull hand: for so the shaft she plies,
That on the buttons made of gold, which made his girdle fast,
And where his curets double were, the fall of it she plac't.
And thus much proofe she put it to: the buckle made of gold;
The belt it fastned, brauely wrought; his curets double fold;
And last, the charmed plate he wore, which helpt him more then all;
And gainst all darts, and shafts bestowd, was to his life a wall.
So (through all these) the vpper skin, the head did onely race,
Yet foorth the blood flow'd, which did much, his royall person grace;
And shew'd vpon his Iuorie skin, as doth a purple dye,
Laid (by a Dame of Caira, or louely Mæony)
On Iuorie; wrought in ornaments, to decke the cheeks of horse;
Which in her mariage roome must lie; whose beauties haue such force,
That they are wisht of many knights; but are such precious things,
That they are kept for horse that draw, the chariots of kings;
Which horse (so deckt) the chariotere, esteemes a grace to him:
Like these (in grace) the blood vpon, thy solid thighes did swim,
O Menelaus, downe thy calues, and ankles to the ground;
For nothing decks a souldier so, as doth an honour'd wound.
Yet (fearing he had far'd much worse) the haire stood vp on end
On Agamemnon, when he saw, so much blacke blood descend.
And stifned with the like dismay, was Menelaus to:
But (seeing th' arrowes stale without,) and that the head did go
No further then it might be seene, he cald his spirits againe:
Which Agamemnon marking not, (but thinking he was slaine)
He grip't his brother by the hand, and sigh't as he would breake:
Which sigh the whole host tooke from him, who thus at last did speake:
Who instantly drew forth a bow, most admirably made
Of th' antler of a iumping Goate, bred in a steepe vp land;
Which Archerlike (as long before, he tooke his hidden stand;
The Euicke, skipping from a rocke) into the breast he smote;
And headlong feld him from his cliffe. The forehead of the Gote,
Held out a wondrous goodly palme, that sixteene branches brought:
Of all which, (ioynd) an vsefull bow, a skilfull Bowyer wrought;
(Which pickt and polisht,) both the ends, he hid with hornes of gold.
And this bow (bent) he close laid downe, and bad his souldiers hold
Their shields before him; left the Greekes (discerning him) should rise
In tumults, ere the Spartan king, could be his arrowes prise.
Meane space, with all his care he chusd, and from his quiuer drew
An arrow, fetherd best for flight; and yet, that neuer flew;
Strong headed, and most apt to pierce; then tooke he vp his bow,
And nockt his shaft; the ground whence all, their future griefe did grow.
When (praying to his God the Sunne, that was in Lycia bred,
And king of Archers; promising, that he the blood would shed
Of full an hundred first fallen lambes, all offred to his name,
When to Zelias sacred wals, from rescu'd Troy he came)
He tooke his arrow by the nocke, and to his bended brest,
The Oxy sinew close he drew, euen till the pile did rest,
Vpon the bosome of the bow: and as that sauage prise,
His strength constraind into an Orb; (as if the wind did rise)
The coming of it made a noise; the sinew forged string
Did giue a mightie twang; and forth, the eager shaft did sing,
(Affecting speedinesse of flight) amongst the Achiue throng:
Nor were the blessed heauenly powres, vnmindfull of thy wrong,
O Menelaus; but in chiefe, Ioues seed the Pillager,
Stood close before, and slackt the force, the arrow did confer;
With as much care, and little hurt, As doth a mother vse,
And keepe off from her babe, when sleepe, doth through his powers diffuse
His golden humor; and th' assaults, of rude and busie flies
She still checks with her carefull hand: for so the shaft she plies,
That on the buttons made of gold, which made his girdle fast,
And where his curets double were, the fall of it she plac't.
And thus much proofe she put it to: the buckle made of gold;
The belt it fastned, brauely wrought; his curets double fold;
And last, the charmed plate he wore, which helpt him more then all;
And gainst all darts, and shafts bestowd, was to his life a wall.
So (through all these) the vpper skin, the head did onely race,
Yet foorth the blood flow'd, which did much, his royall person grace;
And shew'd vpon his Iuorie skin, as doth a purple dye,
Laid (by a Dame of Caira, or louely Mæony)
On Iuorie; wrought in ornaments, to decke the cheeks of horse;
Which in her mariage roome must lie; whose beauties haue such force,
That they are wisht of many knights; but are such precious things,
54
Which horse (so deckt) the chariotere, esteemes a grace to him:
Like these (in grace) the blood vpon, thy solid thighes did swim,
O Menelaus, downe thy calues, and ankles to the ground;
For nothing decks a souldier so, as doth an honour'd wound.
Yet (fearing he had far'd much worse) the haire stood vp on end
On Agamemnon, when he saw, so much blacke blood descend.
And stifned with the like dismay, was Menelaus to:
But (seeing th' arrowes stale without,) and that the head did go
No further then it might be seene, he cald his spirits againe:
Which Agamemnon marking not, (but thinking he was slaine)
He grip't his brother by the hand, and sigh't as he would breake:
Which sigh the whole host tooke from him, who thus at last did speake:
O dearest brother, is't for this? That thy death must be wrought,
Wrought I this truce? For this hast thou, the single combat fought
For all the armie of the Greekes? For this, hath Ilion sworne,
And trod all faith beneath their feet? Yet all this hath not worne
The right we challeng'd, out of force; this cannot render vaine
Our stricken right hand; sacred wine; nor all out offrings slaine.
For though Olympius be not quicke, in making good our ill,
He will be sure, as he is slow; and sharplier proue his will.
Their owne hands shall be ministers, of those plagues they despise:
Which shall their wiues and children reach, and all their progenies.
For both in mind, and soule, I know, that there shall come a day,
When Ilion, Priam, all his powre, shall quite be worne away;
When heauen-inhabiting Ioue shall shake, his fierie shield at all,
For this one mischiefe. This I know, the world cannot recall.
But, be all this; all my griefe still, for thee will be the same,
(Deare brother:) if thy life must here, put out his royall flame;
I shall to sandie Argos turne, with infamie, my face;
And all the Greekes will call for home: old Priam and his race
Will flame in glorie; Helena, vntoucht, be still their pray;
And thy bones in our enemies earth, our cursed fates shall lay;
Thy Sepulcher be troden downe; the pride of Troy desire,
(Insulting on it:) Thus, ô thus, let Agamemnons ire,
In all his acts, be expiate; as now he carries home
His idle armie, emptie ships; and leaues here ouercome
Good Menelaus. When this Braue, breakes in their hated breath;
Then let the broade earth swallow me, and take me quicke to death.
Wrought I this truce? For this hast thou, the single combat fought
For all the armie of the Greekes? For this, hath Ilion sworne,
And trod all faith beneath their feet? Yet all this hath not worne
The right we challeng'd, out of force; this cannot render vaine
Our stricken right hand; sacred wine; nor all out offrings slaine.
For though Olympius be not quicke, in making good our ill,
He will be sure, as he is slow; and sharplier proue his will.
Their owne hands shall be ministers, of those plagues they despise:
Which shall their wiues and children reach, and all their progenies.
For both in mind, and soule, I know, that there shall come a day,
When Ilion, Priam, all his powre, shall quite be worne away;
When heauen-inhabiting Ioue shall shake, his fierie shield at all,
For this one mischiefe. This I know, the world cannot recall.
But, be all this; all my griefe still, for thee will be the same,
(Deare brother:) if thy life must here, put out his royall flame;
I shall to sandie Argos turne, with infamie, my face;
And all the Greekes will call for home: old Priam and his race
Will flame in glorie; Helena, vntoucht, be still their pray;
And thy bones in our enemies earth, our cursed fates shall lay;
Thy Sepulcher be troden downe; the pride of Troy desire,
(Insulting on it:) Thus, ô thus, let Agamemnons ire,
In all his acts, be expiate; as now he carries home
His idle armie, emptie ships; and leaues here ouercome
Good Menelaus. When this Braue, breakes in their hated breath;
Then let the broade earth swallow me, and take me quicke to death.
Nor shall this euer chance (said he,) and therefore be of cheare;
Lest all the armie (led by you,) your passions put in feare.
The arrow fell in no such place, as death could enter at;
My girdle, curets doubled here, and my most trusted plate,
Obiected all twixt me and death; the shaft scarce piercing one.
Good brother (said the king) I wish, it were no further gone;
For then our best in medicines skild, shall ope and search the wound;
Applying balmes to ease thy paines, and soone restore thee sound.
This said, diuine Talthybius, he cald, and bad him haste
Machaon (Æsculapius sonne, who most of men was grac't
With Physicks soueraigne remedies) to come and lend his hand
To Menelaus; shot by one, well skild in the command
Of bow and arrowes; one of Troy, or of the Lycian aid;
Who much hath glorified our foe, and vs as much dismaid.
Lest all the armie (led by you,) your passions put in feare.
The arrow fell in no such place, as death could enter at;
My girdle, curets doubled here, and my most trusted plate,
Obiected all twixt me and death; the shaft scarce piercing one.
Good brother (said the king) I wish, it were no further gone;
For then our best in medicines skild, shall ope and search the wound;
Applying balmes to ease thy paines, and soone restore thee sound.
This said, diuine Talthybius, he cald, and bad him haste
55
With Physicks soueraigne remedies) to come and lend his hand
To Menelaus; shot by one, well skild in the command
Of bow and arrowes; one of Troy, or of the Lycian aid;
Who much hath glorified our foe, and vs as much dismaid.
He heard, and hasted instantly; and cast his eyes about
The thickest squadrons of the Greekes, to find Machaon out.
He found him standing guarded well, with well-arm'd men of Thrace;
With whom he quickly ioynd, and said; Man of Apollos race?
Haste; for the king of men commands, to see a wound imprest,
In Menelaus (great in armes) by one instructed best
In th' art of archerie; of Troy, or of the Lycian bands,
That them with much renowne adornes; vs with dishonor brands.
The thickest squadrons of the Greekes, to find Machaon out.
He found him standing guarded well, with well-arm'd men of Thrace;
With whom he quickly ioynd, and said; Man of Apollos race?
Haste; for the king of men commands, to see a wound imprest,
In Menelaus (great in armes) by one instructed best
In th' art of archerie; of Troy, or of the Lycian bands,
That them with much renowne adornes; vs with dishonor brands.
Machaon much was mou'd with this, who with the herald flew
From troope to troope, alongst the host; and soone they came in view
Of hurt Atrides; circled round, with all the Grecian kings;
Who all gaue way; and straight he drawes, the shaft: which forth he brings
Without the forkes; the girdle then, plate, curets, off he pluckes,
And viewes the wound; when first from it, the clotterd blood he sucks;
Then medicines wondrously composd, the skilfull Leech applyed,
Which louing Chyron taught his Sire; he from his Sire had tryed.
From troope to troope, alongst the host; and soone they came in view
Of hurt Atrides; circled round, with all the Grecian kings;
Who all gaue way; and straight he drawes, the shaft: which forth he brings
Without the forkes; the girdle then, plate, curets, off he pluckes,
And viewes the wound; when first from it, the clotterd blood he sucks;
Then medicines wondrously composd, the skilfull Leech applyed,
Which louing Chyron taught his Sire; he from his Sire had tryed.
While these were thus employd to ease, the Atrean martialist,
The Troians arm'd, and charg'd the Greekes; the Greekes arme and resist.
Then not asleepe, nor maz'd with feare, nor shifting off the blowes,
You could behold the king of men; but in full speed he goes
To set a glorious fight on foote: and he examples this,
With toyling (like the worst) on foote; who therefore did dismisse
His brasse-arm'd chariot, and his steeds, with Ptolemæus sonne,
(Sonne of Pyraides) their guide, the good Eurymidon;
Yet (said the king) attend with them, lest wearinesse should seise
My lims, surcharg'd with ordering troopes, so thicke and vast as these.
The Troians arm'd, and charg'd the Greekes; the Greekes arme and resist.
Then not asleepe, nor maz'd with feare, nor shifting off the blowes,
You could behold the king of men; but in full speed he goes
To set a glorious fight on foote: and he examples this,
With toyling (like the worst) on foote; who therefore did dismisse
His brasse-arm'd chariot, and his steeds, with Ptolemæus sonne,
(Sonne of Pyraides) their guide, the good Eurymidon;
Yet (said the king) attend with them, lest wearinesse should seise
My lims, surcharg'd with ordering troopes, so thicke and vast as these.
Eurymidon then rein'd his horse, that trotted neighing by;
The king a foot-man, and so scowres, the squadrons orderly.
The king a foot-man, and so scowres, the squadrons orderly.
Those of his swiftly-mounted Greekes, that in their armes were fit,
Those he put on, with chearfull words, and bad them not remit
The least sparke of their forward spirits, because the Troians durst
Take these abhord aduantages; but let them do their wurst:
For they might be assur'd that Ioue, would patronise no lies;
And that, who with the breach of truce, would hurt their enemies,
With vultures should be torne themselues; that they should raze their towne:
Their wiues, and children at their breasts, led vassals to their owne.
Those he put on, with chearfull words, and bad them not remit
The least sparke of their forward spirits, because the Troians durst
Take these abhord aduantages; but let them do their wurst:
For they might be assur'd that Ioue, would patronise no lies;
And that, who with the breach of truce, would hurt their enemies,
With vultures should be torne themselues; that they should raze their towne:
Their wiues, and children at their breasts, led vassals to their owne.
But such as he beheld hang off, from that increasing fight;
Such would he bitterly rebuke, and with disgrace excite;
Base Argiues, blush ye not to stand, as made for Buts to darts?
Why are ye thus discomfited, like Hinds that haue no harts?
Who wearied with a long-run field, are instantly embost,
Stand still, and in their beastly breasts, is all their courage lost:
And so stand you strooke with amaze, nor dare to strike a stroke.
Would ye the foe should nearer yet, your dastard splenes prouoke?
Euen where on Neptunes fomie shore, our nauies lie in sight?
To see if Ioue will hold your hands, and teach ye how to fight?
Such would he bitterly rebuke, and with disgrace excite;
Base Argiues, blush ye not to stand, as made for Buts to darts?
Why are ye thus discomfited, like Hinds that haue no harts?
Who wearied with a long-run field, are instantly embost,
Stand still, and in their beastly breasts, is all their courage lost:
And so stand you strooke with amaze, nor dare to strike a stroke.
56
Euen where on Neptunes fomie shore, our nauies lie in sight?
To see if Ioue will hold your hands, and teach ye how to fight?
Thus he (commanding) rang'd the host; and (passing many a band)
He came to the Cretensian troopes, where all did armed stand,
About the martiall Idomen; who brauely stood before,
In vantguard of his troopes, and matcht, for strength a sauage Bore.
Meriones (his chariotere) the Rereguard bringing on:
Which seene to Atreus sonne, to him, it was a sight alone;
And Idomens confirmed mind, with these kind words he seekes;
O Idomen! I euer lou'd, thy selfe past all the Greekes;
In warre, or any worke of peace; at table, euery where;
For when the best of Greece besides, mixe euer, at our cheere,
My good old ardent wine, with small; and our inferiour mates
Drinke euen that mixt wine measur'd too; thou drinkst without those rates
Our old wine, neate; and euermore, thy boll stands full like mine;
To drinke, still when, and what thou wilt. Then rowse that heart of thine;
And whatsoeuer heretofore, thou hast assum'd to be,
This day be greater. To the king, in this sort, answerd he;
He came to the Cretensian troopes, where all did armed stand,
About the martiall Idomen; who brauely stood before,
In vantguard of his troopes, and matcht, for strength a sauage Bore.
Meriones (his chariotere) the Rereguard bringing on:
Which seene to Atreus sonne, to him, it was a sight alone;
And Idomens confirmed mind, with these kind words he seekes;
O Idomen! I euer lou'd, thy selfe past all the Greekes;
In warre, or any worke of peace; at table, euery where;
For when the best of Greece besides, mixe euer, at our cheere,
My good old ardent wine, with small; and our inferiour mates
Drinke euen that mixt wine measur'd too; thou drinkst without those rates
Our old wine, neate; and euermore, thy boll stands full like mine;
To drinke, still when, and what thou wilt. Then rowse that heart of thine;
And whatsoeuer heretofore, thou hast assum'd to be,
This day be greater. To the king, in this sort, answerd he;
Atrides, what I euer seem'd, the same, at euerie part,
This day shall shew me at the full; and I will fit thy hart.
But thou shouldst rather cheare the rest, and tell them they in right
Of all good warre, must offer blowes, and should begin the fight.
(Since Troy first brake the holy truce) and not endure these braues,
To take wrong first, and then be dar'd, to the reuenge it craues.
Assuring them that Troy, in fate, must haue the worse at last;
Since first, and gainst a truce, they hurt; where they should haue embrac't.
This day shall shew me at the full; and I will fit thy hart.
But thou shouldst rather cheare the rest, and tell them they in right
Of all good warre, must offer blowes, and should begin the fight.
(Since Troy first brake the holy truce) and not endure these braues,
To take wrong first, and then be dar'd, to the reuenge it craues.
Assuring them that Troy, in fate, must haue the worse at last;
Since first, and gainst a truce, they hurt; where they should haue embrac't.
This comfort, and aduice did fit, Atrides heart indeed,
Who still through new raisd swarmes of men, held his laborious speed:
And came where both th' Aiaces stood; whom like the last he found,
Arm'd, caskt, and readie for the fight. Behind them, hid the ground,
A cloud of foot, that seem'd to smoke. And as a Goteheard spies,
On some hils top, out of the Sea, a rainie vapour rise,
Driuen by the breath of Zephyrus, which (though farre off he rest)
Comes on as blacke as pitch, and brings, a tempest in his breast;
Whereat, he frighted, driues his heards, apace, into a den:
So (darkning earth, with darts and shields) shew'd these with all their men.
Who still through new raisd swarmes of men, held his laborious speed:
And came where both th' Aiaces stood; whom like the last he found,
Arm'd, caskt, and readie for the fight. Behind them, hid the ground,
A cloud of foot, that seem'd to smoke. And as a Goteheard spies,
On some hils top, out of the Sea, a rainie vapour rise,
Driuen by the breath of Zephyrus, which (though farre off he rest)
Comes on as blacke as pitch, and brings, a tempest in his breast;
Whereat, he frighted, driues his heards, apace, into a den:
So (darkning earth, with darts and shields) shew'd these with all their men.
This sight, with like ioy fir'd the king, who thus let forth the flame,
In crying out to both the Dukes: O you of equall name,
I must not cheare; nay, I disclaime, all my command of you,
Your selues command with such free minds, and make your souldiers shew,
As you, nor I led, but themselues. O would our father Ioue,
Minerua, and the God of light, would all our bodies moue
With such braue spirits as breathe in you: then Priams loftie towne
Should soone be taken by our hands, for euer ouerthrowne.
In crying out to both the Dukes: O you of equall name,
I must not cheare; nay, I disclaime, all my command of you,
Your selues command with such free minds, and make your souldiers shew,
As you, nor I led, but themselues. O would our father Ioue,
Minerua, and the God of light, would all our bodies moue
With such braue spirits as breathe in you: then Priams loftie towne
Should soone be taken by our hands, for euer ouerthrowne.
Then held he on to other troopes, and Nestor, next beheld,
(The subtle Pylian Orator) range vp and downe the field,
Embattelling his men at armes, and stirring all to blowes;
Points euerie legion out his Chiefe, and euery Chiefe he showes
The formes, and discipline of warre: yet his Commanders were
All expert, and renowmed men: Great Pelagon was there;
Alastor: manly Chromius; and Hemon, worth a Throne;
And Byas, that could armies leade: with these he first put on,
His horse troopes, with their chariots: his foote (of which he chusde
Many, the best and ablest men, and which he euer vsde,
As rampire to his generall powre) he in the Rere disposd.
The slouthfull, and the least of spirit, he in the midst inclosd;
That such as wanted noble wils, base need might force to stand.
His horse troopes (that the Vantgard had) he strictly did command
To ride their horses temperatly; to keepe their rankes, and shun
Confusion; lest their horsemanship, and courage made them run
(Too much presum'd on) much too farre: and (charging so alone)
Engage themselues, in th' enemies strength; where many fight with one.
Who his owne chariot leaues to range; let him not freely go,
But straight vnhorse him with a lance: for tis much better so.
And with this discipline (said he) this forme, these minds, this trust;
Our Ancestors haue, walles, and townes, laid leuell with the dust.
(The subtle Pylian Orator) range vp and downe the field,
Embattelling his men at armes, and stirring all to blowes;
57
The formes, and discipline of warre: yet his Commanders were
All expert, and renowmed men: Great Pelagon was there;
Alastor: manly Chromius; and Hemon, worth a Throne;
And Byas, that could armies leade: with these he first put on,
His horse troopes, with their chariots: his foote (of which he chusde
Many, the best and ablest men, and which he euer vsde,
As rampire to his generall powre) he in the Rere disposd.
The slouthfull, and the least of spirit, he in the midst inclosd;
That such as wanted noble wils, base need might force to stand.
His horse troopes (that the Vantgard had) he strictly did command
To ride their horses temperatly; to keepe their rankes, and shun
Confusion; lest their horsemanship, and courage made them run
(Too much presum'd on) much too farre: and (charging so alone)
Engage themselues, in th' enemies strength; where many fight with one.
Who his owne chariot leaues to range; let him not freely go,
But straight vnhorse him with a lance: for tis much better so.
And with this discipline (said he) this forme, these minds, this trust;
Our Ancestors haue, walles, and townes, laid leuell with the dust.
Thus prompt, and long inur'd to armes, this old man did exhort;
And this Atrides likewise tooke, in wondrous chearefull sort:
And said, O Father! would to heauen, that as thy mind remaines
In wonted vigor; so thy knees, could vndergo our paines.
But age, that all men ouercomes, hath made his prise on thee;
Yet still I wish, that some young man, growne old in mind, might be
Put in proportion with thy yeares; and thy mind (young in age)
Be fitly answerd with his youth; that still where conflicts rage,
And young men vsd to thrust for fame, thy braue exampling hand,
Might double our young Grecian spirits, and grace our whole Command.
And this Atrides likewise tooke, in wondrous chearefull sort:
And said, O Father! would to heauen, that as thy mind remaines
In wonted vigor; so thy knees, could vndergo our paines.
But age, that all men ouercomes, hath made his prise on thee;
Yet still I wish, that some young man, growne old in mind, might be
Put in proportion with thy yeares; and thy mind (young in age)
Be fitly answerd with his youth; that still where conflicts rage,
And young men vsd to thrust for fame, thy braue exampling hand,
Might double our young Grecian spirits, and grace our whole Command.
The old knight answer'd: I my selfe, could wish (O Atreus sonne)
I were as young, as when I slue, braue Ereuthalion;
But Gods, at all times, giue not all, their gifts to mortall men.
If then I had the strength of youth, I mist the Counsels then,
That yeares now giue me; and now yeares, want that maine strength of youth;
Yet still my mind retaines her strength, (as you now said the sooth)
And would be, where that strength is vsd, affoording counsels sage,
To stirre youths minds vp; tis the grace, and office of our age;
Let yonger sinewes, Men sprong vp, whole ages after me,
And such as haue strength, vse it; and, as strong in honour be.
I were as young, as when I slue, braue Ereuthalion;
But Gods, at all times, giue not all, their gifts to mortall men.
If then I had the strength of youth, I mist the Counsels then,
That yeares now giue me; and now yeares, want that maine strength of youth;
Yet still my mind retaines her strength, (as you now said the sooth)
And would be, where that strength is vsd, affoording counsels sage,
To stirre youths minds vp; tis the grace, and office of our age;
Let yonger sinewes, Men sprong vp, whole ages after me,
And such as haue strength, vse it; and, as strong in honour be.
The king (all this while comforted) arriu'd next, where he found,
Well-rode Menestheus (Peteus sonne) stand still, inuirond round,
With his well-train'd Athenian troopes: and next to him he spide
The wise Vlysses, deedlesse too, and all his bands beside,
Of strong Cephalians; for as yet, th' alarme had not bene heard
In all their quarters, Greece, and Troy, were then so newly stird,
And then first mou'd (as they conceiu'd) and they so lookt about
To see both hoasts giue proofe of that, they yet had cause to doubt.
Well-rode Menestheus (Peteus sonne) stand still, inuirond round,
With his well-train'd Athenian troopes: and next to him he spide
The wise Vlysses, deedlesse too, and all his bands beside,
Of strong Cephalians; for as yet, th' alarme had not bene heard
In all their quarters, Greece, and Troy, were then so newly stird,
And then first mou'd (as they conceiu'd) and they so lookt about
To see both hoasts giue proofe of that, they yet had cause to doubt.
Atrides (seeing them stand so still) and spend their eyes at gaze,
Began to chide; And why (said he) dissolu'd thus, in a maze,
Thou sonne of Poteus, Ioue-nurst king; and thou in wicked sleight,
A cunning souldier, stand ye off? Expect ye that the fight
Should be by other men begun? tis fit the formost band
Should shew you there; you first should front, who first lifts vp his hand.
First you can heare, when I inuite, the Princes to a feast,
When first, most friendly, and at will, ye eate and drinke the best;
Yet in the fight, most willingly, ten troopes ye can behold
Take place before ye. Ithacus, at this his browes did fold,
And said, How hath thy violent tongue, broke through thy set of teeth?
To say that we are slacke in fight? and to the field of death
Looke others should enforce our way? when we were busied then,
(Euen when thou spak'st) against the foe, to cheare and leade our men.
But thy eyes shall be witnesses (if it content thy will;
And that (as thou pretendst) these cares, do so affect thee still)
The father of Telemachus (whom I esteeme so deare,
And to whom, as a Legacie, Ile leaue my deeds done here)
Euen with the formost band of Troy, hath his encounter dar'd;
And therefore are thy speeches vaine, and had bene better spar'd.
58
Thou sonne of Poteus, Ioue-nurst king; and thou in wicked sleight,
A cunning souldier, stand ye off? Expect ye that the fight
Should be by other men begun? tis fit the formost band
Should shew you there; you first should front, who first lifts vp his hand.
First you can heare, when I inuite, the Princes to a feast,
When first, most friendly, and at will, ye eate and drinke the best;
Yet in the fight, most willingly, ten troopes ye can behold
Take place before ye. Ithacus, at this his browes did fold,
And said, How hath thy violent tongue, broke through thy set of teeth?
To say that we are slacke in fight? and to the field of death
Looke others should enforce our way? when we were busied then,
(Euen when thou spak'st) against the foe, to cheare and leade our men.
But thy eyes shall be witnesses (if it content thy will;
And that (as thou pretendst) these cares, do so affect thee still)
The father of Telemachus (whom I esteeme so deare,
And to whom, as a Legacie, Ile leaue my deeds done here)
Euen with the formost band of Troy, hath his encounter dar'd;
And therefore are thy speeches vaine, and had bene better spar'd.
He smiling, since he saw him mou'd, recald his words, and said;
Most generous Laertes sonne, most wise of all our aid;
I neither do accuse thy worth, more then thy selfe may hold
Fit (that inferiours thinke not much (being slacke) to be controld;)
Nor take I on me thy command: for well I know thy mind
Knowes how sweet gentle counsels are; and that thou standst enclind
As I my selfe, for all our good. On then: if now we spake
What hath displeasd, another time, we full amends will make:
And Gods grant that thy vertue here, may proue so free, and braue,
That my reproofes may still be vaine, and thy deseruings graue.
Most generous Laertes sonne, most wise of all our aid;
I neither do accuse thy worth, more then thy selfe may hold
Fit (that inferiours thinke not much (being slacke) to be controld;)
Nor take I on me thy command: for well I know thy mind
Knowes how sweet gentle counsels are; and that thou standst enclind
As I my selfe, for all our good. On then: if now we spake
What hath displeasd, another time, we full amends will make:
And Gods grant that thy vertue here, may proue so free, and braue,
That my reproofes may still be vaine, and thy deseruings graue.
Thus parted they, and forth he went, when he did leaning find
Against his chariot, neare his horse, him with the mightie mind,
Great Diomedes (Tydeus sonne) and Sthenelus, the seed
Of Capaneius; whom the king, seeing likewise out of deed,
Thus cried he out on Diomed: O melin what a feare
The wise great warriour, Tydeus sonne, stands gazing euerie where,
For others to begin the fight? It was not Tydeus vse
To be so danted; whom his spirit, would euermore produce,
Before the formost of his friends, in these affaires of fright,
As they report that haue beheld, him labour in a fight.
For me, I neuer knew the man, nor in his presence came:
But excellent aboue the rest, he was in generall fame.
And one renowm'd exploit of his, I am assur'd is true,
He came to the Mycenian Court, without armes, and did sue,
At Godlike Polinices hands, to haue some worthie aid,
To their designes, that gainst the wals, of sacred Thebes were laid.
He was great Polinices guest, and nobly entertaind:
And of the kind Mycenian state, what he requested gaind,
In meere consent: but when they should, the same in act approue,
(By some sinister prodigies, held out to them by Ioue,)
They were discourag'd; thence he went, and safely had his passe
Backe to Æsopus stood, renowm'd, for Bulrushes and grasse;
Yet, once more, their Ambassadour, the Grecian Peeres addresse,
Lord Tydeus to Eteocles: to whom being giuen accesse,
He found him feasting with a crew, of Cadmians in his hall;
Amongst whom, though an enemie, and onely one to all;
To all yet, he his challenge made, at euerie Martiall feate;
And easly foild all, since with him, Minerua was so great.
The ranke-rode Cadmians (much incenst, with their so foule disgrace)
Lodg'd ambuscados for their foe, in some well chosen place,
By which he was to make returne. Twise fiue and twentie men,
And two of them, great captaines too, the ambush did containe.
The names of those two men of rule, were Mæon, Hæmons sonne,
And Lycophontes, Keepe-field cald, the heire of Antophon,
By all men honord like the Gods: yet these and all their friends,
Were sent to hell by Tydeus hand, and had vntimely ends.
He trusting to the aid of Gods, reueald by Augurie;
Obeying which, one Chiefe he sau'd, and did his life apply,
To be the heauie messenger, of all the others deaths;
And that sad message (with his life) to Mæon he bequeaths;
So braue a knight was Tydeus: of whom a sonne is sprong,
Inferiour farre, in martiall deeds, though higher in his tongue.
Against his chariot, neare his horse, him with the mightie mind,
Great Diomedes (Tydeus sonne) and Sthenelus, the seed
Of Capaneius; whom the king, seeing likewise out of deed,
Thus cried he out on Diomed: O melin what a feare
The wise great warriour, Tydeus sonne, stands gazing euerie where,
For others to begin the fight? It was not Tydeus vse
To be so danted; whom his spirit, would euermore produce,
Before the formost of his friends, in these affaires of fright,
As they report that haue beheld, him labour in a fight.
For me, I neuer knew the man, nor in his presence came:
But excellent aboue the rest, he was in generall fame.
And one renowm'd exploit of his, I am assur'd is true,
He came to the Mycenian Court, without armes, and did sue,
At Godlike Polinices hands, to haue some worthie aid,
To their designes, that gainst the wals, of sacred Thebes were laid.
He was great Polinices guest, and nobly entertaind:
And of the kind Mycenian state, what he requested gaind,
In meere consent: but when they should, the same in act approue,
59
They were discourag'd; thence he went, and safely had his passe
Backe to Æsopus stood, renowm'd, for Bulrushes and grasse;
Yet, once more, their Ambassadour, the Grecian Peeres addresse,
Lord Tydeus to Eteocles: to whom being giuen accesse,
He found him feasting with a crew, of Cadmians in his hall;
Amongst whom, though an enemie, and onely one to all;
To all yet, he his challenge made, at euerie Martiall feate;
And easly foild all, since with him, Minerua was so great.
The ranke-rode Cadmians (much incenst, with their so foule disgrace)
Lodg'd ambuscados for their foe, in some well chosen place,
By which he was to make returne. Twise fiue and twentie men,
And two of them, great captaines too, the ambush did containe.
The names of those two men of rule, were Mæon, Hæmons sonne,
And Lycophontes, Keepe-field cald, the heire of Antophon,
By all men honord like the Gods: yet these and all their friends,
Were sent to hell by Tydeus hand, and had vntimely ends.
He trusting to the aid of Gods, reueald by Augurie;
Obeying which, one Chiefe he sau'd, and did his life apply,
To be the heauie messenger, of all the others deaths;
And that sad message (with his life) to Mæon he bequeaths;
So braue a knight was Tydeus: of whom a sonne is sprong,
Inferiour farre, in martiall deeds, though higher in his tongue.
All this, Tydides silent heard, aw'd by the reuerend king;
Which stung hote Sthenelus with wrath, who thus put forth his sting:
Which stung hote Sthenelus with wrath, who thus put forth his sting:
Atrides? when thou know'st the truth, speake what thy knowledge is,
And do not lie so; for I know, and I will bragge in this;
That we are farre more able men, then both our fathers were;
We tooke the seuen-fold ported Thebes, when yet we had not there
So great helpe as our fathers had; and sought beneath a wall,
Sacred to Mars, by helpe of Ioue; and trusting to the fall
Of happie signes from other Gods, by whom we tooke the towne
Vntoucht; our fathers perishing there, by follies of their owne:
And therefore neuer more compare, our fathers worth with ours.
And do not lie so; for I know, and I will bragge in this;
That we are farre more able men, then both our fathers were;
We tooke the seuen-fold ported Thebes, when yet we had not there
So great helpe as our fathers had; and sought beneath a wall,
Sacred to Mars, by helpe of Ioue; and trusting to the fall
Of happie signes from other Gods, by whom we tooke the towne
Vntoucht; our fathers perishing there, by follies of their owne:
And therefore neuer more compare, our fathers worth with ours.
Tydides frownd at this, and said; Suppresse thine angers pow'rs,
(Good friend) and heare why I refrain'd: thou seest I am not mou'd
Against our Generall, since he did, but what his place behou'd,
Admonishing all Greekes to fight: for if Troy proue our prise,
The honor, and the ioy is his. If here our ruine lies,
The shame and griefe for that, as much, is his in greatest kinds.
As he then his charge, weigh we ours: which is our dantlesse minds.
(Good friend) and heare why I refrain'd: thou seest I am not mou'd
Against our Generall, since he did, but what his place behou'd,
Admonishing all Greekes to fight: for if Troy proue our prise,
The honor, and the ioy is his. If here our ruine lies,
The shame and griefe for that, as much, is his in greatest kinds.
As he then his charge, weigh we ours: which is our dantlesse minds.
Thus from his chariot (amply arm'd) he iumpt downe to the ground:
The armor of the angrie king, so horribly did sound,
It might haue made his brauest foe, let feate, take downe his braues.
And as when with the West-wind flawes, the sea thrusts vp her waues,
One after other, thicke, and high, vpon the groning shores;
First, in her selfe, lowd (but opposd, with banks and Rocks) she rores,
And (all her backe in bristles set) spits euerie way her fome;
So (after Diomed) instantly, the field was ouercome
With thicke impressions of the Greekes; and all the noise that grew
(Ordring and chearing vp their men) from onely leaders flew.
The rest went silently away, you could not heare a voice,
Nor would haue thought, in all their breasts, they had one in their choice;
Their silence vttering their awe, of them, that them contrould;
Which made ech man keep bright his arms, march, fight still where he should.
The Troians (like a sort of Ewes, pend in a rich mans fold,
Close at his dore, till all be milkt; and neuer baaing hold,
Hearing the bleating of their lambs) did all their wide host fill,
With showts and clamors; nor obseru'd, one voice, one baaing still;
But shew'd mixt tongs from many a land; of men, cald to their aid:
Rude Mars, had th' ordring of their spirits: of Greeks, the learned Maid.
But Terror follow'd both the hosts, and flight; and furious Strife,
The sister, and the mate of Mars, that spoile of humane life;
And neuer is her rage at rest; at first she is but small,
Yet after, (but a little fed) she growes so vast, and tall,
That while her feet moue here in earth, her forhead is in heauen.
And this was she, that made euen then, both hosts so deadly giuen.
Through euery troope she stalkt, and stird, rough sighes vp as she went:
But when in one field, both the foes, her furie did content;
And both came vnder reach of darts, then darts, and shields opposd
To darts and shields, strength answerd strength; then swords and targets closd
With swords and targets; both with pikes; and then did tumult rise
Vp to her height; then conquerors boasts, mixt with the conquerds cries,
Earth flow'd with blood. And as from hils, raine waters, headlong fall,
That all waies, eate huge Ruts, which, met, in one bed, fill a vall
With such a confluence of streames; that on the mountaine grounds
Farre off, in frighted shepheards eares, the bustling noise rebounds:
So grew their conflicts; and so shew'd, their scuffling to the eare;
With flight, and clamor, still commixt, and all effects of feare.
The armor of the angrie king, so horribly did sound,
It might haue made his brauest foe, let feate, take downe his braues.
And as when with the West-wind flawes, the sea thrusts vp her waues,
One after other, thicke, and high, vpon the groning shores;
First, in her selfe, lowd (but opposd, with banks and Rocks) she rores,
And (all her backe in bristles set) spits euerie way her fome;
60
With thicke impressions of the Greekes; and all the noise that grew
(Ordring and chearing vp their men) from onely leaders flew.
The rest went silently away, you could not heare a voice,
Nor would haue thought, in all their breasts, they had one in their choice;
Their silence vttering their awe, of them, that them contrould;
Which made ech man keep bright his arms, march, fight still where he should.
The Troians (like a sort of Ewes, pend in a rich mans fold,
Close at his dore, till all be milkt; and neuer baaing hold,
Hearing the bleating of their lambs) did all their wide host fill,
With showts and clamors; nor obseru'd, one voice, one baaing still;
But shew'd mixt tongs from many a land; of men, cald to their aid:
Rude Mars, had th' ordring of their spirits: of Greeks, the learned Maid.
But Terror follow'd both the hosts, and flight; and furious Strife,
The sister, and the mate of Mars, that spoile of humane life;
And neuer is her rage at rest; at first she is but small,
Yet after, (but a little fed) she growes so vast, and tall,
That while her feet moue here in earth, her forhead is in heauen.
And this was she, that made euen then, both hosts so deadly giuen.
Through euery troope she stalkt, and stird, rough sighes vp as she went:
But when in one field, both the foes, her furie did content;
And both came vnder reach of darts, then darts, and shields opposd
To darts and shields, strength answerd strength; then swords and targets closd
With swords and targets; both with pikes; and then did tumult rise
Vp to her height; then conquerors boasts, mixt with the conquerds cries,
Earth flow'd with blood. And as from hils, raine waters, headlong fall,
That all waies, eate huge Ruts, which, met, in one bed, fill a vall
With such a confluence of streames; that on the mountaine grounds
Farre off, in frighted shepheards eares, the bustling noise rebounds:
So grew their conflicts; and so shew'd, their scuffling to the eare;
With flight, and clamor, still commixt, and all effects of feare.
And first renowm'd Antilochus, slew (fighting in the face
Of all Achaias formost bands, with an vndanted grace)
Echepolus Thalysiades: he was an armed man;
Whom, on his haire-plum'd helmets crest, the dart first smote; then ran
Into his forehead, and there stucke; the steele pile making way
Quite through his skull; a hastie night, shut vp his latest day.
His fall was like a fight-rac't towre; like which, lying their dispred,
King Elephenor, (who was sonne to Chalcodon, and led
The valiant Abants) couetous; that he might first possesse
His armes, laid hands vpon his feet; hal'd him from the preasse
Of darts, and Iauelins hurld at him. The action of the king
When (great in heart) Agenor saw, he made his Iaueline sing
To th' others labor; and along, as he the trunke did wrest,
His side (at which he bore his shield, in bowing of his breast)
Lay naked, and receiu'd the lance; that made him lose his hold,
And life together; which in hope, of that he lost, he sold.
But for his sake the fight grew fierce; the Troians and their foe,
Like wolues, on one another rusht; and man for man it goes.
Of all Achaias formost bands, with an vndanted grace)
Echepolus Thalysiades: he was an armed man;
Whom, on his haire-plum'd helmets crest, the dart first smote; then ran
Into his forehead, and there stucke; the steele pile making way
Quite through his skull; a hastie night, shut vp his latest day.
His fall was like a fight-rac't towre; like which, lying their dispred,
King Elephenor, (who was sonne to Chalcodon, and led
The valiant Abants) couetous; that he might first possesse
His armes, laid hands vpon his feet; hal'd him from the preasse
Of darts, and Iauelins hurld at him. The action of the king
When (great in heart) Agenor saw, he made his Iaueline sing
To th' others labor; and along, as he the trunke did wrest,
His side (at which he bore his shield, in bowing of his breast)
Lay naked, and receiu'd the lance; that made him lose his hold,
And life together; which in hope, of that he lost, he sold.
But for his sake the fight grew fierce; the Troians and their foe,
61
The next of name, that seru'd his fate; great Aiax Telamon,
Preferd so sadly; he was heire, to old Anthemion,
And deckt with all the flowre of youth: the fruit of which yet fled,
Before the honourd nuptiall torch, could light him to his bed,
His name was Symoisius; For, some few yeares before,
His mother walking downe the hill, of Ida, by the shore
Of Syluer Symois, to see, her parents flocks; with them,
She (feeling sodainely the paines, of child-birth) by the streame
Of that bright riuer brought him forth; and so (of Symois)
They cald him Symoisius. Sweet was that birth of his
To his kind parents; and his growth, did all their care employ;
And yet those rites of pietie, that should haue bene his ioy,
To pay their honourd yeares againe, in as affectionate sort,
He could not graciously performe, his sweet life was so short:
Cut off with mightie Aiax lance. For, as his spirit put on,
He strooke him at his breasts right pappe, quite through his shoulder bone;
And in the dust of earth he fell, that was the fruitfull soyle
Of his friends hopes; but where he sow'd, he buried all his toyle.
And as a Poplar shot aloft, set by a riuer side,
In moist edge of a mightie fenne, his head in curls implide;
But all his bodie plaine and smooth: to which a Wheel-wright puts
The sharpe edge of his shining axe, and his soft timber cuts
From his innatiue roote; in hope, to hew out of his bole
The Fell'ffs, or out-parts of a wheele, that compasse in the whole;
To serue some goodly chariot; but (being bigge and sad,
And to be hal'd home through the bogs) the vsefull hope he had
Sticks there; and there the goodly plant, lies withring out his grace:
So lay, by Ioue-bred Aiax hand, Anthemions forward race.
Nor could through that vast fen of toiles, be drawne to serue the ends
Intended by his bodies pow'rs, nor cheare his aged friends.
Preferd so sadly; he was heire, to old Anthemion,
And deckt with all the flowre of youth: the fruit of which yet fled,
Before the honourd nuptiall torch, could light him to his bed,
His name was Symoisius; For, some few yeares before,
His mother walking downe the hill, of Ida, by the shore
Of Syluer Symois, to see, her parents flocks; with them,
She (feeling sodainely the paines, of child-birth) by the streame
Of that bright riuer brought him forth; and so (of Symois)
They cald him Symoisius. Sweet was that birth of his
To his kind parents; and his growth, did all their care employ;
And yet those rites of pietie, that should haue bene his ioy,
To pay their honourd yeares againe, in as affectionate sort,
He could not graciously performe, his sweet life was so short:
Cut off with mightie Aiax lance. For, as his spirit put on,
He strooke him at his breasts right pappe, quite through his shoulder bone;
And in the dust of earth he fell, that was the fruitfull soyle
Of his friends hopes; but where he sow'd, he buried all his toyle.
And as a Poplar shot aloft, set by a riuer side,
In moist edge of a mightie fenne, his head in curls implide;
But all his bodie plaine and smooth: to which a Wheel-wright puts
The sharpe edge of his shining axe, and his soft timber cuts
From his innatiue roote; in hope, to hew out of his bole
The Fell'ffs, or out-parts of a wheele, that compasse in the whole;
To serue some goodly chariot; but (being bigge and sad,
And to be hal'd home through the bogs) the vsefull hope he had
Sticks there; and there the goodly plant, lies withring out his grace:
So lay, by Ioue-bred Aiax hand, Anthemions forward race.
Nor could through that vast fen of toiles, be drawne to serue the ends
Intended by his bodies pow'rs, nor cheare his aged friends.
But now the gay-arm'd Antiphus (a sonne of Priam) threw
His lance at Aiax through the preasse, which went by him, and flew
On Leucus, wise Vlysses friend; his groine it smote, as faine
He would haue drawne into his spoile, the carkasse of the slaine;
By which he fell, and that by him; it vext Vlysses heart;
Who thrust into the face of fight, well arm'd at euerie part,
Came close, and lookt about to find, an obiect worth his lance;
Which when the Troians saw him shake, and he so neare aduance,
All shrunke; he threw, and forth it shin'd: nor fell, but where it feld:
His friends griefe gaue it angrie powre, and deadly way it held
Vpon Democoon, who was sprung, of Priams wanton force;
Came from Abydus, and was made, the maister of his horse.
Through both his temples strooke the dart, the wood of one side shewd,
The pile out of the other lookt, and so the earth he strewd,
With much sound of his weightie armes. Then backe the formost went,
Euen Hector yeelded; then the Greekes, gaue worthie clamors vent,
Effecting then their first dumbe powers; some drew the dead and spoild;
Some followed; that in open flight, Troy might confesse it foild.
.Apollo (angrie at the sight) from top of Ilion cride,
Turne head, ye well-rode Peeres of Troy, feed not the Grecians pride;
They are not charm'd against your points, of steele, nor Iron fram'd;
Nor fights the faire-haird Thetis sonne, but sits at fleet inflam'd.
His lance at Aiax through the preasse, which went by him, and flew
On Leucus, wise Vlysses friend; his groine it smote, as faine
He would haue drawne into his spoile, the carkasse of the slaine;
By which he fell, and that by him; it vext Vlysses heart;
Who thrust into the face of fight, well arm'd at euerie part,
Came close, and lookt about to find, an obiect worth his lance;
Which when the Troians saw him shake, and he so neare aduance,
All shrunke; he threw, and forth it shin'd: nor fell, but where it feld:
His friends griefe gaue it angrie powre, and deadly way it held
Vpon Democoon, who was sprung, of Priams wanton force;
Came from Abydus, and was made, the maister of his horse.
Through both his temples strooke the dart, the wood of one side shewd,
The pile out of the other lookt, and so the earth he strewd,
With much sound of his weightie armes. Then backe the formost went,
Euen Hector yeelded; then the Greekes, gaue worthie clamors vent,
Effecting then their first dumbe powers; some drew the dead and spoild;
62
.Apollo (angrie at the sight) from top of Ilion cride,
Turne head, ye well-rode Peeres of Troy, feed not the Grecians pride;
They are not charm'd against your points, of steele, nor Iron fram'd;
Nor fights the faire-haird Thetis sonne, but sits at fleet inflam'd.
So spake the dreadfull God from Troy. The Greekes, Ioues noblest seed,
Encourag'd to keepe on the chace: and where fit spirit did need,
She gaue it, marching in the midst; Then flew the fatall howre
Backe on Diores, in returne, of Ilions sun-burnd powre;
Diores Amarincides, whose right legs ankle bone,
And both the sinewes, with a sharpe, and handfull charging stone,
Pirus Imbrasides did breake, that led the Thracian bands,
And came from Ænos; downe he fell, and vp he held his hands
To his lou'd friends; his spirit wingd, to flie out of his breast;
With which not satisfied, againe, Imbrasides addrest
His Iaueline at him, and so ript, his nauill, that the wound,
(As endlesly it shut his eyes) so (opend) on the ground,
It powr'd his entrailes. As his foe, went then suffisd away,
Thoas Ætolius threw a dart, that did his pile conuay
Aboue his nipple, through his lungs; when (quitting his sterne part)
He closd with him; and from his breast, first drawing out his dart,
His sword flew in, and by the midst, it wip't his bellie out;
So tooke his life, but left his armes; his friends so flockt about,
And thrust forth lances of such length, before their slaughterd king;
Which though their foe were big and strong, and often brake the ring,
Forg'd of their lances; yet (enforc't) he left th' affected prise;
The Thracian, and Epeian Dukes, laid close with closed eyes,
By either other, drownd in dust; and round about the plaine
All hid with slaughterd carkasses; yet still did hotely raigne
The martiall planet; whose effects, had any eye beheld,
Free, and vnwounded (and were led, by Pallas through the field
To keepe of Iauelins, and suggest, the least fault could be found)
He could not reprehend the fight, so many strew'd the ground.
Encourag'd to keepe on the chace: and where fit spirit did need,
She gaue it, marching in the midst; Then flew the fatall howre
Backe on Diores, in returne, of Ilions sun-burnd powre;
Diores Amarincides, whose right legs ankle bone,
And both the sinewes, with a sharpe, and handfull charging stone,
Pirus Imbrasides did breake, that led the Thracian bands,
And came from Ænos; downe he fell, and vp he held his hands
To his lou'd friends; his spirit wingd, to flie out of his breast;
With which not satisfied, againe, Imbrasides addrest
His Iaueline at him, and so ript, his nauill, that the wound,
(As endlesly it shut his eyes) so (opend) on the ground,
It powr'd his entrailes. As his foe, went then suffisd away,
Thoas Ætolius threw a dart, that did his pile conuay
Aboue his nipple, through his lungs; when (quitting his sterne part)
He closd with him; and from his breast, first drawing out his dart,
His sword flew in, and by the midst, it wip't his bellie out;
So tooke his life, but left his armes; his friends so flockt about,
And thrust forth lances of such length, before their slaughterd king;
Which though their foe were big and strong, and often brake the ring,
Forg'd of their lances; yet (enforc't) he left th' affected prise;
The Thracian, and Epeian Dukes, laid close with closed eyes,
By either other, drownd in dust; and round about the plaine
All hid with slaughterd carkasses; yet still did hotely raigne
The martiall planet; whose effects, had any eye beheld,
Free, and vnwounded (and were led, by Pallas through the field
To keepe of Iauelins, and suggest, the least fault could be found)
He could not reprehend the fight, so many strew'd the ground.
| The Whole Works of Homer | |