The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos The first twelue beeinge the woorke of the diuine Poet Virgil Maro, and the thirtenth the supplement of Maphaeus Vegius. Translated into English verse to the fyrst third part of the tenth Booke, by Thomas Phaher ... and the residue finished, and now the second time newly setforth for the delite of such as are studious in Poetrie: By Thomas Twyne [i.e. Thomas Phaer] |
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THE SECOND BOOKE OF the Æneidos of Uirgill.
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 | The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos |  |
THE SECOND BOOKE OF the Æneidos of Uirgill.
The Argument.
Aeneas at the request of Dido, declareth the destructiō of Troy, which was after this maner. The Greekes in the tenth yeare of their siedge, when their force was quailed, & distrusting their owne abilitie: fel vnto crafts, & subtilties, & coūterfaiting a flight the night before the towne was burned: hid them selues in the Ile of Tenedos, leauing in the Troiane fields a wodden horse of such inesteemable bignesse, that it could not be receaued in at the Citie gates, in whose wombe they had enclosed the most valient souldiers of all their nobilitie. The Troians perswaded partly through the subtiltie of SINON, and partly afraid by LAOCONS punishment: pul downe part of their towne wall, and so bringe in this horse into their Castle. But in the dead time of the night, the Grecians returning from Tenedos, entred into the citie through the same bretch which was made to bring in ye Horse. SINON openeth the wombe of the Horse and letteth foorth the armed men, who immediatly spoyle al with fier, & sword. Whiles these things were doing, Aeneas is warned in his dreame by Hector to prouide for him self by flight, & to delyuer his countrey Gods from the fier. But he preferring an honorable death, before a cowardly flight: in vaine betaketh him to armes, wherin at the first assault the Troians had the vpperhand, vntill, following the counsell of Chorœbus, they put on Greekish armour, and so one of them slew another. Then Priamus pallayce is besieged, and Priamus slaine by Pyrrhus, Achilles sonne. Thus, when Aeneas had assayed all things in vaine, when he was now quite out of hope: betaketh the reliques to his father Anchises, and taking him vp on his shoulders, with Ascanius his sonne, and Creusa his wife: committeth himselfe to flight. The Grætians follow fast after, and in that tumult he lost his wife Creusa, vpon occasion to seeke whom, when as he wandred about all the towne: he met with her ghost, who certified him that she was dead. Hee returnes againe to his companie, whether as now were gathered together a great numbre of men and women, ready to follow him whether so euer he would carie them.
They
whusted all, and fixt with eies ententiue did behold.
Whan Lord Aeneas where he sat from hie benche thus hee told.
A doleful worke me to renew (O Queene) yu doost cōstrain,
To tel how Greekes ye Troian welth, & lamētable raigne
Did ouerthrow, which I my selfe haue seene and been a part
No small therof, but to declare the stories all: what hart
Can of the Greekes or soldiour one of all Vlisses rout
Refraine to weepe? and now the night with hie heauen goth about,
And on the skies the falling stars doo men prouoke to rest:
But if such great desier to know, such longing haue your brest
Of Troy the latter toyle to here, to speake or yet to thinke
For all that it my minde abhors, and sorows make mee shrinke:
I will begin. Forsaken of Gods, and tierd with warres at last,
The Lords of Greekes, whan all in vaine so many yeeres had past,
A Horse of tree by Pallas art most like a Mount they frame
With timber bourds, and for a vow to leaue they blow the fame.
Whan Lord Aeneas where he sat from hie benche thus hee told.
A doleful worke me to renew (O Queene) yu doost cōstrain,
To tel how Greekes ye Troian welth, & lamētable raigne
No small therof, but to declare the stories all: what hart
Can of the Greekes or soldiour one of all Vlisses rout
Refraine to weepe? and now the night with hie heauen goth about,
And on the skies the falling stars doo men prouoke to rest:
But if such great desier to know, such longing haue your brest
Of Troy the latter toyle to here, to speake or yet to thinke
For all that it my minde abhors, and sorows make mee shrinke:
I will begin. Forsaken of Gods, and tierd with warres at last,
The Lords of Greekes, whan all in vaine so many yeeres had past,
A Horse of tree by Pallas art most like a Mount they frame
With timber bourds, and for a vow to leaue they blow the fame.
There is an yle in sight of Troy and Tenedos it hight,
A welthy land while Priams state and kingdome stood vpright,
But now a bay, and harber bad for ships to lie at roade,
To that they went, and hid them close that none was seene abroade.
Wee thought them gon, and with the winde to Greece to haue been fled.
Therfore all Troy for ease of labours long, abroad them spred,
With open gates they ronne to sport, and Greekish campes to see,
And places long of souldiours kept wherof they now be free.
Here lay the men of Dolop land, here fearce Achilles fought,
Here stood their ships, and here to trie were wont the armies stout,
Some gazed at the straungy gift that there to Pallas stood,
And wondred at the Horse so great: and furst for councell good,
Tymetes straight would into towne and market haue it brought,
God wote if craft or whither so of Troy the fortune wrought.
But Capis and a few beside that wiser were of skill,
Bad throw the treasons of the Greekes and giftes suspected yll
Into the seas, or with a fier ymade to burne outright,
Or hew the ribs and serche within what thing yhid be might,
The commons into sundry wits deuided were and stood,
Till from the town Laocon came in hast as hee were wood,
And after him a number great, and ere they gan to throng
Hee cried, O wretched citizens, what rage is you among?
Beleeue ye gone the Greekes? or do you thinke that any giftes
Of them be good? so know you well that false Vlisses driftes?
In this tree (for my life) is hid of Greekes an hideous rout,
Or this is but an engin made to skale our walles without:
And sodenly to slip them downe and on the citie fall,
Or other worse deuise there is, take heede ye know not all.
What euer it is, I feare the Greekes, and trust their gifts as small.
Hee said, and with a corage good his mighty speare hee driues
Against the side beneth his ribs, that where it hits it cliues.
It shakes aloft, and still it stood that through the belly round
The vautes within and crooked caues of noise did all rebound.
And if the will of gods had not, had not our hartes ben blinde:
Ynough was don all vp to breake, and all the craft to finde,
And Troy yu shouldst haue stond as yet, & Priams toures haue shinde.
A welthy land while Priams state and kingdome stood vpright,
But now a bay, and harber bad for ships to lie at roade,
To that they went, and hid them close that none was seene abroade.
Wee thought them gon, and with the winde to Greece to haue been fled.
Therfore all Troy for ease of labours long, abroad them spred,
With open gates they ronne to sport, and Greekish campes to see,
And places long of souldiours kept wherof they now be free.
Here lay the men of Dolop land, here fearce Achilles fought,
Here stood their ships, and here to trie were wont the armies stout,
Some gazed at the straungy gift that there to Pallas stood,
And wondred at the Horse so great: and furst for councell good,
Tymetes straight would into towne and market haue it brought,
God wote if craft or whither so of Troy the fortune wrought.
But Capis and a few beside that wiser were of skill,
Bad throw the treasons of the Greekes and giftes suspected yll
Into the seas, or with a fier ymade to burne outright,
Or hew the ribs and serche within what thing yhid be might,
The commons into sundry wits deuided were and stood,
Till from the town Laocon came in hast as hee were wood,
And after him a number great, and ere they gan to throng
Hee cried, O wretched citizens, what rage is you among?
Beleeue ye gone the Greekes? or do you thinke that any giftes
Of them be good? so know you well that false Vlisses driftes?
In this tree (for my life) is hid of Greekes an hideous rout,
Or this is but an engin made to skale our walles without:
Or other worse deuise there is, take heede ye know not all.
What euer it is, I feare the Greekes, and trust their gifts as small.
Hee said, and with a corage good his mighty speare hee driues
Against the side beneth his ribs, that where it hits it cliues.
It shakes aloft, and still it stood that through the belly round
The vautes within and crooked caues of noise did all rebound.
And if the will of gods had not, had not our hartes ben blinde:
Ynough was don all vp to breake, and all the craft to finde,
And Troy yu shouldst haue stond as yet, & Priams toures haue shinde.
Behold the shepherds in this while a yongman haue ycaught,
And piniond with his hands behinde vnto the king him braught.
That for the nonce had done him selfe by yelding to be take
To compasse this, and to the Greekes, Troy open wide to make.
A fellow slie, and stout of minde, and bent in both to trie,
To win by guile, or if he faile, with certeine death to die.
On euery side about him drew the Troian youth to see,
And some of them to skorne him gan, but now take heede to mee:
You shall perceiue the treasons false of Greekes, and of this one,
Coniecture all.
For as vnarmed in the mids all vexed there hee stoode,
And with his eies on Troian men did looke with piteous moode:
Alas (quoth hee) what gruond may mee, what sea may mee receiue?
What shal I caitif miser doo? what hope may I conceiue?
That neither with the Greekes dare bide, and now the Troians heere,
(As worthy is) my blood to shed for vengeance do requeere.
With mourning thus our mindes gan turne, our force we left alone
And bad him tell what man hee was, what ment hee thus to mone,
What newes he had he should expresse, and forth his minde to breake.
Hee at the last set feare a side, and thus began to speake.
All thing (quoth hee) O king, what euer it is I will confesse,
Nor mee a Greeke I can denie among them borne doutlesse.
This first: for though that fortune fals hath Sinon captiue brought,
Yet lier shal she neuer make, nor faine or flatter ought.
In speech if euer to your eares the name of Palamede
Hath come, and of the glory great that of his fame did sprede.
Whom by a treason false the Greekes in spite by wicked law
Ungiltie did condempne (alas) for hee from war did draw,
To death him put, and now him dead they morne to haue againe.
His squier, I was and kinsman neere, my father (to be plaine)
To him for pouertie mee put in armes my youth to frame,
Whiles yet his kingdome stood [illeg.]wight and (truth to say) some name
And honor eke wee bare with men: but whan through false enuie
The wicked wretch Vlisses had betraid and done him die:
For wo my life in corners darke, and wailing forth I drew,
Lamenting sore the fall of mine vngilty freend so trew.
And foole I could not hold my peace, but if that fortune serued,
If euer to my countrey come I might, as hee deserued,
With him I threatned to be quite, and great things did I crake.
Here was the cause of all my wo, this did Vlisses make
New crimes against me to inuent, and cause mee be suspect
To all the campe, as one by Troy of treason than infect,
Nor would not rest till Calchas had by his vngracious wit,
But what do I reherse these things to shew that be not fit?
If all the Greekes in one estate you hate, if I it wist
It is ynough: you haue mee here, take vengeance if you list,
Vlisses and Atridas twaine great goods for that would spend.
Than kindled be wee more to know the circumstance and end,
Not thinking of so great a craft, and Greekes deuise so fell.
All trembling on his tale hee goth with fained hart to tell.
Full oft the Greekes would haue bene gon, and Troy haue left at last,
For wery of the war they were, that long in vaine had past.
And gon they had, but often times rough seas, and cruell tide,
And winter storme, and sotherne winde them staied and made to bide.
But chiefly whan this timber horse was raised and stood on ground,
Such noise among the clouds was hard that all the skies did sound.
Euripilus to Phœbus straight for councell all amaasd
Wee sent, and hee returning home this heauy answere blaasd.
With blood (O Greekes) ye wan the winds and with a virgin slaine,
Whan first the seas to Troy ye tooke, and now through blood againe
Seeke to returne, a Greekish soule for wind you must bestow.
That word whan to the commons eares was soone abrode yblow,
All men agast, and trembling feare on euery person falles
To thinke who now this death should die, and whom Apollo calles.
Vlisses here his time espied, and Calchas forth he drew
The prophet great, and him before the states of Greekes anew
Bad vtter plaine what man it was Apollo so desierd.
And here and there men murmurd mee: for priuily enspierd,
Men smeld the compasse of this wretch, and some me warning sent.
Ten daies in silence Calcas was and seemed not content,
That by his tale should any man to cruell death be drest:
Till at the last Vlisses cries him forst withouten rest
As couenaunt was, with open voyce, and mee to death they name.
All men agreed, for of him selfe eche one did feare the same,
And to be sure with glad assent they all cried out on mee.
And now the day was neere at hand whan offred I should bee.
The garlands on my head were set, and frutes (as vsage is.)
From death my self I drew, and brake my bonds I knowledge this,
And in a slimy lake of mud all night lay hid in wose,
Till they were past and vnder saile, I durst me not disclose.
And now my natiue contrey deere for euer haue I lost,
Nor see my children sweet I shall, nor father loued most,
Whom they perhaps for mine escape all giltles put to paine,
And with the death of them poore soules this fault redeeme againe.
That I thee, by the mighty gods, and heauen that truth doth heare,
By (if there doth among mankinde remaine yet any where)
Unfained faith: (O king I pray) haue mercy on mine estate,
Relieue my woo whom cares oppresse that all men kindly hate.
Than pardon wee for pitie gaue, this wailing smartes vs so,
King Priam first his men commaunds to vnbind him free to go.
What euer thou art forget the Greekes, from hence yu neede not care,
Thou shalt be ours, and now the truth of my request declare.
What meane they by this monster big, this horse who did inuent?
Wherfore? religion sake? or for the warres some engin bent?
Thus said: and he with Greekish wiles and treasons fals yfreight,
His loosed hands to heauen aboue with great cry held on height.
O euerlasting fiers of god, whose wrath no wight can beare,
You altars, and you swords also (whose force I fled) I sweare,
And you to witnes now I call, and by the garlandes gay
That like a beast to slaughter brought (quoth he) I bare that day:
Not by my will, I am compeld great secretes here to spreade,
Not by my will my countrey I hate, but since their cruell deede
Hath forst mee thus, it lawfull is, all gods me pardon shall,
Though mystries hie whom they conceale, I blaze and vtter all.
Thou Troy therfore (which I preserue) with like faith saue thou mee,
Performe thy word, if treasures great, great fortune bring I thee.
The hope of Greekes and comfort all since first the war began,
In Pallas ayde was euer set, and not in vaine, till whan
Titides, and of mischief all the father Vlisses, had
By treason Pallas temple take, by night like people mad.
They slew the watch, and in they brake, and all with blood embrued.
Away they brought with sinfull hands her signe with blisse endued.
From that day forth good fortune flew, nothing to minde ensues,
No hope ne force they finde, the goddesse quite doth them refuse.
Nor by no doubtfull signes of wrath them Pallas did affright,
For skant her ymage to the campe was brought, and there ypight:
A fliyng flame from out her eyes vpstart, and ouer all
Her body ran with swet, and from the ground (wee wondred all)
Three times alone she leapt, and thrise her sheeld and speare she shooke.
Anon to flight, and to the seas bids Calcas men to looke.
This hope is lost (quoth he) by Greekes shall Troy not now be teard,
But least this goddesse from our campe they fetche, is to be feard.
And now that to their contrey land the long seas haue they past:
Tis but a wile, for there a new their godes to win they cast,
And with a fresh force gods and men, whan winde may serue to driue,
All vnaware anew they come, thus Calcas can contriue.
And for amends to Pallas wrath so vext with sore offence:
By visions warnd this ymage here they set ere they went hence,
But it so huge in timber worke, so nere the skies to lift,
For feare of you did Calcas make, for this was Calcas drift:
That to your town, ne through your gates ye might it not receaue,
Nor yet the people worship should, but Pallas honours leaue.
For if by chaunce ye should attempt this gift of hers defile:
Destruction great and long (the god on his head whelme therwhile)
Withouten doubt on Priams blood, and all his empier falles.
But if by your deuotion great it had stand on your walles:
All Greekes should for your fortune quake, and conquests far and wide
Ye should obtaine, and wee and ours those destnies must abide.
By this deceit, and through the craft of Sinon false periewrd,
This to beleeue vs falshood taught, and wee with teares allewrd,
Whom neither all Titides force, nor fearce Achilles fame,
Not ten yeres war, nor yet of Greekes a thousand ships could tame.
And piniond with his hands behinde vnto the king him braught.
That for the nonce had done him selfe by yelding to be take
To compasse this, and to the Greekes, Troy open wide to make.
A fellow slie, and stout of minde, and bent in both to trie,
To win by guile, or if he faile, with certeine death to die.
On euery side about him drew the Troian youth to see,
And some of them to skorne him gan, but now take heede to mee:
You shall perceiue the treasons false of Greekes, and of this one,
Coniecture all.
For as vnarmed in the mids all vexed there hee stoode,
And with his eies on Troian men did looke with piteous moode:
Alas (quoth hee) what gruond may mee, what sea may mee receiue?
What shal I caitif miser doo? what hope may I conceiue?
That neither with the Greekes dare bide, and now the Troians heere,
(As worthy is) my blood to shed for vengeance do requeere.
With mourning thus our mindes gan turne, our force we left alone
And bad him tell what man hee was, what ment hee thus to mone,
What newes he had he should expresse, and forth his minde to breake.
Hee at the last set feare a side, and thus began to speake.
All thing (quoth hee) O king, what euer it is I will confesse,
Nor mee a Greeke I can denie among them borne doutlesse.
This first: for though that fortune fals hath Sinon captiue brought,
Yet lier shal she neuer make, nor faine or flatter ought.
In speech if euer to your eares the name of Palamede
Hath come, and of the glory great that of his fame did sprede.
Whom by a treason false the Greekes in spite by wicked law
Ungiltie did condempne (alas) for hee from war did draw,
His squier, I was and kinsman neere, my father (to be plaine)
To him for pouertie mee put in armes my youth to frame,
Whiles yet his kingdome stood [illeg.]wight and (truth to say) some name
And honor eke wee bare with men: but whan through false enuie
The wicked wretch Vlisses had betraid and done him die:
For wo my life in corners darke, and wailing forth I drew,
Lamenting sore the fall of mine vngilty freend so trew.
And foole I could not hold my peace, but if that fortune serued,
If euer to my countrey come I might, as hee deserued,
With him I threatned to be quite, and great things did I crake.
Here was the cause of all my wo, this did Vlisses make
New crimes against me to inuent, and cause mee be suspect
To all the campe, as one by Troy of treason than infect,
Nor would not rest till Calchas had by his vngracious wit,
But what do I reherse these things to shew that be not fit?
If all the Greekes in one estate you hate, if I it wist
It is ynough: you haue mee here, take vengeance if you list,
Vlisses and Atridas twaine great goods for that would spend.
Than kindled be wee more to know the circumstance and end,
Not thinking of so great a craft, and Greekes deuise so fell.
All trembling on his tale hee goth with fained hart to tell.
Full oft the Greekes would haue bene gon, and Troy haue left at last,
For wery of the war they were, that long in vaine had past.
And gon they had, but often times rough seas, and cruell tide,
And winter storme, and sotherne winde them staied and made to bide.
But chiefly whan this timber horse was raised and stood on ground,
Such noise among the clouds was hard that all the skies did sound.
Euripilus to Phœbus straight for councell all amaasd
Wee sent, and hee returning home this heauy answere blaasd.
With blood (O Greekes) ye wan the winds and with a virgin slaine,
Whan first the seas to Troy ye tooke, and now through blood againe
Seeke to returne, a Greekish soule for wind you must bestow.
That word whan to the commons eares was soone abrode yblow,
All men agast, and trembling feare on euery person falles
To thinke who now this death should die, and whom Apollo calles.
Vlisses here his time espied, and Calchas forth he drew
The prophet great, and him before the states of Greekes anew
And here and there men murmurd mee: for priuily enspierd,
Men smeld the compasse of this wretch, and some me warning sent.
Ten daies in silence Calcas was and seemed not content,
That by his tale should any man to cruell death be drest:
Till at the last Vlisses cries him forst withouten rest
As couenaunt was, with open voyce, and mee to death they name.
All men agreed, for of him selfe eche one did feare the same,
And to be sure with glad assent they all cried out on mee.
And now the day was neere at hand whan offred I should bee.
The garlands on my head were set, and frutes (as vsage is.)
From death my self I drew, and brake my bonds I knowledge this,
And in a slimy lake of mud all night lay hid in wose,
Till they were past and vnder saile, I durst me not disclose.
And now my natiue contrey deere for euer haue I lost,
Nor see my children sweet I shall, nor father loued most,
Whom they perhaps for mine escape all giltles put to paine,
And with the death of them poore soules this fault redeeme againe.
That I thee, by the mighty gods, and heauen that truth doth heare,
By (if there doth among mankinde remaine yet any where)
Unfained faith: (O king I pray) haue mercy on mine estate,
Relieue my woo whom cares oppresse that all men kindly hate.
Than pardon wee for pitie gaue, this wailing smartes vs so,
King Priam first his men commaunds to vnbind him free to go.
What euer thou art forget the Greekes, from hence yu neede not care,
Thou shalt be ours, and now the truth of my request declare.
What meane they by this monster big, this horse who did inuent?
Wherfore? religion sake? or for the warres some engin bent?
Thus said: and he with Greekish wiles and treasons fals yfreight,
His loosed hands to heauen aboue with great cry held on height.
O euerlasting fiers of god, whose wrath no wight can beare,
You altars, and you swords also (whose force I fled) I sweare,
And you to witnes now I call, and by the garlandes gay
That like a beast to slaughter brought (quoth he) I bare that day:
Not by my will, I am compeld great secretes here to spreade,
Not by my will my countrey I hate, but since their cruell deede
Hath forst mee thus, it lawfull is, all gods me pardon shall,
Though mystries hie whom they conceale, I blaze and vtter all.
Performe thy word, if treasures great, great fortune bring I thee.
The hope of Greekes and comfort all since first the war began,
In Pallas ayde was euer set, and not in vaine, till whan
Titides, and of mischief all the father Vlisses, had
By treason Pallas temple take, by night like people mad.
They slew the watch, and in they brake, and all with blood embrued.
Away they brought with sinfull hands her signe with blisse endued.
From that day forth good fortune flew, nothing to minde ensues,
No hope ne force they finde, the goddesse quite doth them refuse.
Nor by no doubtfull signes of wrath them Pallas did affright,
For skant her ymage to the campe was brought, and there ypight:
A fliyng flame from out her eyes vpstart, and ouer all
Her body ran with swet, and from the ground (wee wondred all)
Three times alone she leapt, and thrise her sheeld and speare she shooke.
Anon to flight, and to the seas bids Calcas men to looke.
This hope is lost (quoth he) by Greekes shall Troy not now be teard,
But least this goddesse from our campe they fetche, is to be feard.
And now that to their contrey land the long seas haue they past:
Tis but a wile, for there a new their godes to win they cast,
And with a fresh force gods and men, whan winde may serue to driue,
All vnaware anew they come, thus Calcas can contriue.
And for amends to Pallas wrath so vext with sore offence:
By visions warnd this ymage here they set ere they went hence,
But it so huge in timber worke, so nere the skies to lift,
For feare of you did Calcas make, for this was Calcas drift:
That to your town, ne through your gates ye might it not receaue,
Nor yet the people worship should, but Pallas honours leaue.
For if by chaunce ye should attempt this gift of hers defile:
Destruction great and long (the god on his head whelme therwhile)
Withouten doubt on Priams blood, and all his empier falles.
But if by your deuotion great it had stand on your walles:
All Greekes should for your fortune quake, and conquests far and wide
Ye should obtaine, and wee and ours those destnies must abide.
By this deceit, and through the craft of Sinon false periewrd,
This to beleeue vs falshood taught, and wee with teares allewrd,
Whom neither all Titides force, nor fearce Achilles fame,
Not ten yeres war, nor yet of Greekes a thousand ships could tame.
An other monster worse than this, and worse to dread, our eies
Amazed made, and quite from doubt confounds our harts so wise.
For as by chaunce that time a priest to Neptune chosen new,
Laocoon a mighty bull on the offring altar slew:
Behold from Tenedos aloofe in calme seas through the deepe
(I quake to tell) two serpents great with foldings great do sweepe.
And side by side in dragons wise, to those their way they make.
Their heads aboue the stream they hold, their fiered manes they shake,
The salt sea waues before them fast they shouen, and after trailes
Their vgly backes, and long in links behind them drag their tailes.
With rushing noise the fome vpsprings, and now to land they past
With blood red lookes, and glistring fiers their sparckling eies out cast,
Where hissing out with spirting tongs their mouths they lickt for yre.
Wee dead almost for feare do flee, they straight with one desier
On Lacon set, and first in sight his tender children twaine
Eche one they tooke, and winding wraps their tender lims to straine,
And gnawing them with greedy mouthes (poore wretches) fed they fast.
Than hee him selfe to their defence with drawn sword making hast,
In holde they caught, and wrething gript his body about at twise,
And twise his throte with rolles they girt themselues in compas wise,
And than their heads and skalebright neckes him ouer aloft they lift.
Whā frō their knots himself to ontwine, with hands he sought to shift,
Their poisons rancke al ouer him ronnes, and lothsom filth out flies.
Therwith a grisly noise he castes, that mounts vp to the skies.
Likewise as from the mortall stroke some wounded bull at stake,
The slaughtring axe hath fled by chance, and roaring loud doth make.
But they anone the dragons twaine all gliding swift they leapt,
And to the goddesse sacred seat in Pallas temple crept,
There vnderneth her sheeld and feete they couching close them kept.
Amazed made, and quite from doubt confounds our harts so wise.
For as by chaunce that time a priest to Neptune chosen new,
Laocoon a mighty bull on the offring altar slew:
Behold from Tenedos aloofe in calme seas through the deepe
(I quake to tell) two serpents great with foldings great do sweepe.
And side by side in dragons wise, to those their way they make.
Their heads aboue the stream they hold, their fiered manes they shake,
The salt sea waues before them fast they shouen, and after trailes
Their vgly backes, and long in links behind them drag their tailes.
With rushing noise the fome vpsprings, and now to land they past
With blood red lookes, and glistring fiers their sparckling eies out cast,
Where hissing out with spirting tongs their mouths they lickt for yre.
Wee dead almost for feare do flee, they straight with one desier
On Lacon set, and first in sight his tender children twaine
Eche one they tooke, and winding wraps their tender lims to straine,
And gnawing them with greedy mouthes (poore wretches) fed they fast.
Than hee him selfe to their defence with drawn sword making hast,
In holde they caught, and wrething gript his body about at twise,
And twise his throte with rolles they girt themselues in compas wise,
And than their heads and skalebright neckes him ouer aloft they lift.
Whā frō their knots himself to ontwine, with hands he sought to shift,
Their poisons rancke al ouer him ronnes, and lothsom filth out flies.
Therwith a grisly noise he castes, that mounts vp to the skies.
Likewise as from the mortall stroke some wounded bull at stake,
The slaughtring axe hath fled by chance, and roaring loud doth make.
But they anone the dragons twaine all gliding swift they leapt,
And to the goddesse sacred seat in Pallas temple crept,
There vnderneth her sheeld and feete they couching close them kept.
Than trembling feare through al our harts was spred, & wonder new
Wee thinke how Lacoon for sinne was paid with vengeance dewe,
For hurting of that holy gift, whom he with cursed speare
Assailed had, and worthy was (men said) that plage to beare.
Bring in the holy horse they crie, this goddesse wrath to appeas,
And her of mercy great beseeke.
Than wide abroad we breake the wals, alway through them we make.
With corage all men fall to worke, some sort doth vndertake,
His feete on sliding wheeles to slip, some thwart his necke begin
The cables bind, and on the walles now climes the fatall ginne
With armour fraight, about him runnes of boyes and girles the skull
With songs and himpnes, and glad goth he that hand may put to pull.
It enters, and a front the towne it slides with thretning sight.
O countrey soile? O house of gods? thou Ilion, O the might
Of doughty Troian walles in war, for there foure times a ground
It swaied, & four times through the wombe was harneis hard to sound.
Yet we went on, and blind with rage our worke we would not let,
But in this cursed monster brought, by Pallas tower to set.
Than prophecies aloud to preach Cassandra nothing spares
As god enspired, but neuer of vs beleeued who nothing cares.
And wretches wee that neuer day beside that day should bide,
The temples strowd, and through the town great feasting made yt tide.
Wee thinke how Lacoon for sinne was paid with vengeance dewe,
For hurting of that holy gift, whom he with cursed speare
Assailed had, and worthy was (men said) that plage to beare.
Bring in the holy horse they crie, this goddesse wrath to appeas,
And her of mercy great beseeke.
Than wide abroad we breake the wals, alway through them we make.
With corage all men fall to worke, some sort doth vndertake,
His feete on sliding wheeles to slip, some thwart his necke begin
With armour fraight, about him runnes of boyes and girles the skull
With songs and himpnes, and glad goth he that hand may put to pull.
It enters, and a front the towne it slides with thretning sight.
O countrey soile? O house of gods? thou Ilion, O the might
Of doughty Troian walles in war, for there foure times a ground
It swaied, & four times through the wombe was harneis hard to sound.
Yet we went on, and blind with rage our worke we would not let,
But in this cursed monster brought, by Pallas tower to set.
Than prophecies aloud to preach Cassandra nothing spares
As god enspired, but neuer of vs beleeued who nothing cares.
And wretches wee that neuer day beside that day should bide,
The temples strowd, and through the town great feasting made yt tide.
This while the firmament doth turne, and darke night vp doth rise,
And ouerhides with shadow great both londs, and seas, and skies,
And falshed of the Greekes withall: and now along the walles
The weery Troians laid at rest, the dead sleepe on them falles.
Whan with their fleete in goodly aray the Greekish armies soone
From Tenedos were come (for than full freendly shone the Moone)
In silence great their wonted shore they tooke, and than a flame
Their Amral ship for warning shewed, whan kept all gods to shame
Sir Sinon out by stelth him stirs, and wide he sets abrode
His horses paunch, and he disclosed straight laith out his lode,
Thersander, Stelenus, and false Vlisses, captaines all,
And Athamas, and Thoas eke, by long ropes downe they fall.
Neptolemus Achilles broode, Machaon chiefe of pride,
And Menelae with numbers moe full gladly forth they slide.
And hee him selfe Epeus there this mischiefe first that found,
The towne inuade they do forthwith, in sleepes and drinking drownd.
They slew the watch, and than the gates broad vp they breke, & stands
Their fellowes ready to receiue, and thicke they ioyne their bands.
And ouerhides with shadow great both londs, and seas, and skies,
And falshed of the Greekes withall: and now along the walles
The weery Troians laid at rest, the dead sleepe on them falles.
Whan with their fleete in goodly aray the Greekish armies soone
From Tenedos were come (for than full freendly shone the Moone)
In silence great their wonted shore they tooke, and than a flame
Their Amral ship for warning shewed, whan kept all gods to shame
Sir Sinon out by stelth him stirs, and wide he sets abrode
His horses paunch, and he disclosed straight laith out his lode,
Thersander, Stelenus, and false Vlisses, captaines all,
And Athamas, and Thoas eke, by long ropes downe they fall.
Neptolemus Achilles broode, Machaon chiefe of pride,
And Menelae with numbers moe full gladly forth they slide.
And hee him selfe Epeus there this mischiefe first that found,
The towne inuade they do forthwith, in sleepes and drinking drownd.
They slew the watch, and than the gates broad vp they breke, & stands
Their fellowes ready to receiue, and thicke they ioyne their bands.
That time it was, whan slumber first and dead slepe deepe opprest
On wery mortall men doth creepe, through gods gift sweete at rest.
Unto my sight (as dreame I did) all sad with dolefull cheere
Did Hector stand, and large him weepe with sobs I might wel heere,
With horses haled, as blooddy drawn sometime he was in dust,
And all to swolne his worthy feete where through ye thongs wer thrust.
Alas to thinke how sore beraied, how from that Hector sore
He chaunged was, that in Achilles spoyles came home before,
Or whan among the ships of Greece the fiers so fierce he flonge.
But now in dust his beard bedaubd, his hear with blood is clonge.
With naked woundes, that in defence of Troiane walls sustainde
Hee often had: and mee to weepe for pity woo constrainde,
With heauy voice me thought I spake, and thus to him I plaind.
On wery mortall men doth creepe, through gods gift sweete at rest.
Unto my sight (as dreame I did) all sad with dolefull cheere
Did Hector stand, and large him weepe with sobs I might wel heere,
With horses haled, as blooddy drawn sometime he was in dust,
And all to swolne his worthy feete where through ye thongs wer thrust.
Alas to thinke how sore beraied, how from that Hector sore
Or whan among the ships of Greece the fiers so fierce he flonge.
But now in dust his beard bedaubd, his hear with blood is clonge.
With naked woundes, that in defence of Troiane walls sustainde
Hee often had: and mee to weepe for pity woo constrainde,
With heauy voice me thought I spake, and thus to him I plaind.
O light of Troy, O Troian hope at neede that neuer failde,
What contrey thee so long hath kept? what cause hath so preuailde?
That after slaughters great of men, thy towne, thy people tierd,
With sondry paines and daungers past, thee long (so sore desierd)
At last we see? what chaunce vnkind thy face before so bright
Hath made so foule alas? and why of woundes I see this sight?
He nothing hereto spake, nor mee with vaine talke long delayed,
But heauy from his brest hee fet his deepe sight, than he said.
Flee flee thou goddesse sonne, alas, thy selfe saue from these flames,
The walls are won (quoth he) the Greekes of Troy pul down ye frames.
For Priam and our contrey deere our duety is don, if hand
Or mans reliefe might Troy haue kept, by this hand had it stand.
And now religions all to thee with Goddes doth Troy betake,
New fortune thou and they must seeke: thou vnto them shalt make
More mighty wals, whā through the seas long iourneis hast yu take.
So said, and with his hands me thought he from their altars drewe
The mighty gods, and all their fiers aye lasting out he threw.
What contrey thee so long hath kept? what cause hath so preuailde?
That after slaughters great of men, thy towne, thy people tierd,
With sondry paines and daungers past, thee long (so sore desierd)
At last we see? what chaunce vnkind thy face before so bright
Hath made so foule alas? and why of woundes I see this sight?
He nothing hereto spake, nor mee with vaine talke long delayed,
But heauy from his brest hee fet his deepe sight, than he said.
Flee flee thou goddesse sonne, alas, thy selfe saue from these flames,
The walls are won (quoth he) the Greekes of Troy pul down ye frames.
For Priam and our contrey deere our duety is don, if hand
Or mans reliefe might Troy haue kept, by this hand had it stand.
And now religions all to thee with Goddes doth Troy betake,
New fortune thou and they must seeke: thou vnto them shalt make
More mighty wals, whā through the seas long iourneis hast yu take.
So said, and with his hands me thought he from their altars drewe
The mighty gods, and all their fiers aye lasting out he threw.
By this time diuers noyse abroad through al the town is steerd,
And wailinges loude, and more and more on euery side appeerd.
And though my father Anchises house with trees encompast round
Stood far within, yet brim we heare the noyse, and armours sound.
Therwith I wooke, and vp the towre I clymbe by staires on hie.
And laied myne eare, and still I stood about me round to spie.
And euen as fier in boystrous wind some contrey ripe of corne
Doth burne, or as a mountaine flood with great force down hath borne
The grain, ye grasse, the toyle of men yt plowes & beasts haue wrought,
And trees it hedlong drawes withall, for stones it forceth nought,
The plowman wayling from the rocke beholds and heares the sound:
Right so this wofull sight I saw; and Greekish treasons found.
And now the great house downe was falne by fier that wild doth flie
Of Deiphobus furst, and next, his neyghbour burnes on hie
Vcalegon, and shores and strondes with blasings shines about.
And shriking shoutes of people rise, and Trompets blowen are out.
Amazed I mine armour tooke, nor what to doo I wust,
But hedlong ran, and through the throngs to fight I thought to thrust.
And to the castleward I hied more aide to call mee nie.
With anger wood, and faier me thought in armes it was to die.
Behold where skaping from the Greekes, & through their weapōs past
Doth Panthus ronne, that of the towre was Phœbus preest, and fast
His relikes with his conquerd gods hee bare, and him beside,
His Neuew smal hee haling drew, and swift to shoreward hied.
Panthus? where goth ye worst? what shift? what towre is best we take?
Skant had I said, whan hee all straught in cries this voice out brake.
And wailinges loude, and more and more on euery side appeerd.
And though my father Anchises house with trees encompast round
Stood far within, yet brim we heare the noyse, and armours sound.
Therwith I wooke, and vp the towre I clymbe by staires on hie.
And laied myne eare, and still I stood about me round to spie.
And euen as fier in boystrous wind some contrey ripe of corne
Doth burne, or as a mountaine flood with great force down hath borne
The grain, ye grasse, the toyle of men yt plowes & beasts haue wrought,
And trees it hedlong drawes withall, for stones it forceth nought,
The plowman wayling from the rocke beholds and heares the sound:
Right so this wofull sight I saw; and Greekish treasons found.
And now the great house downe was falne by fier that wild doth flie
Of Deiphobus furst, and next, his neyghbour burnes on hie
Vcalegon, and shores and strondes with blasings shines about.
Amazed I mine armour tooke, nor what to doo I wust,
But hedlong ran, and through the throngs to fight I thought to thrust.
And to the castleward I hied more aide to call mee nie.
With anger wood, and faier me thought in armes it was to die.
Behold where skaping from the Greekes, & through their weapōs past
Doth Panthus ronne, that of the towre was Phœbus preest, and fast
His relikes with his conquerd gods hee bare, and him beside,
His Neuew smal hee haling drew, and swift to shoreward hied.
Panthus? where goth ye worst? what shift? what towre is best we take?
Skant had I said, whan hee all straught in cries this voice out brake.
Our vtter houre is comen alas, fell destnies death hath brought.
We haue ben Troyes whan Ilion was, our glories great to nought
The spiteful gods haue ouerturnd our pompe, our town, our toures,
The city burnes, and who but Greekes are lords of vs and oures.
The hougy horse abrode his men in harneis poureth out,
And Sinon ouer all triumphes, and fiers he throweth about
With conquest wide, and euery gate is fild with peoples armde,
With thousands such as out of Greece so thicke they neuer swarmde:
The straites in euery streat they keepe, the waies with wepons pight,
And stout in rankes they stond with steele fast bent to death in fight:
Skant doth the watche that keepe the towres, resist with feeble might.
This whan I heard, no lenger hold my selfe I could, but right
Into the flames and weapons flew, where most resembling hell
Men roaring made, and where with cries to heauen the people yell.
Than Ripheus him selfe adioynd, and mighty most with launce
Came Iphitus vnto my side, by moonelight met by chaunce.
And Hipanis, and Dimas eke, and about mee flocke they more,
With yong Chorœb duke Migdons son, that few daies than before
To Troy was come, Cassandras loue with woode desier to win,
And socour than for Priam brought to assist her Troian kin.
Unhappy man, that what his spouse him rauing told in traunce,
Would not regard.
Whom as I saw to battel bent, thus bold mee clustre about:
I thus began, O lusty youth of valiant hartes and stout,
In vaine, if into daungers most attempting after mee
You minde to run, the state of things and fortune here ye see:
The temples left and seates alone, and altars quite forsake,
The Gods wherby this empier stood are gon, you vndertake
A citie burnt to seeke to saue, what shall we doo? but die
Like men, and in the mids of armes and wepons let vs flie.
One chiefe reliefe to conquerd men is desperatly to trie.
We haue ben Troyes whan Ilion was, our glories great to nought
The spiteful gods haue ouerturnd our pompe, our town, our toures,
The city burnes, and who but Greekes are lords of vs and oures.
The hougy horse abrode his men in harneis poureth out,
And Sinon ouer all triumphes, and fiers he throweth about
With conquest wide, and euery gate is fild with peoples armde,
With thousands such as out of Greece so thicke they neuer swarmde:
The straites in euery streat they keepe, the waies with wepons pight,
And stout in rankes they stond with steele fast bent to death in fight:
Skant doth the watche that keepe the towres, resist with feeble might.
This whan I heard, no lenger hold my selfe I could, but right
Into the flames and weapons flew, where most resembling hell
Men roaring made, and where with cries to heauen the people yell.
Than Ripheus him selfe adioynd, and mighty most with launce
Came Iphitus vnto my side, by moonelight met by chaunce.
And Hipanis, and Dimas eke, and about mee flocke they more,
With yong Chorœb duke Migdons son, that few daies than before
To Troy was come, Cassandras loue with woode desier to win,
And socour than for Priam brought to assist her Troian kin.
Unhappy man, that what his spouse him rauing told in traunce,
Would not regard.
Whom as I saw to battel bent, thus bold mee clustre about:
I thus began, O lusty youth of valiant hartes and stout,
In vaine, if into daungers most attempting after mee
You minde to run, the state of things and fortune here ye see:
The temples left and seates alone, and altars quite forsake,
A citie burnt to seeke to saue, what shall we doo? but die
Like men, and in the mids of armes and wepons let vs flie.
One chiefe reliefe to conquerd men is desperatly to trie.
Whan this the yong men heard me speake, of wild they waxed wood,
And than like wolues whom hunger driues to rauine for their food,
In cloudy mistes abroad to raunge, their whelpes with hungry iawes
Them bides at home, and they for rage do run to feede their mawes.
Euen so through thick and thin we flang, through foes & wepons pight
To doubtles death, right through the streetes encompast all with night.
Who can the slaughters of that night with tong declare? or who
With worthy teares can tell the toyle that death men draue vnto?
The citie falth, that auncient long and many a yeere the crowne
Hath borne, and euery street is strowed with bodies beaten downe,
And heapes in euery house there lieth, and temples all are filde
With bodies dead, and not alone the Troians poore are kilde.
Somtime when tirid ben their harts their manful stomacks steeres,
And downe their conquerours they quell, on euery side appeeres
The fearfull dreed, and wailing wide, and face of death at hand.
And than like wolues whom hunger driues to rauine for their food,
In cloudy mistes abroad to raunge, their whelpes with hungry iawes
Them bides at home, and they for rage do run to feede their mawes.
Euen so through thick and thin we flang, through foes & wepons pight
To doubtles death, right through the streetes encompast all with night.
Who can the slaughters of that night with tong declare? or who
With worthy teares can tell the toyle that death men draue vnto?
The citie falth, that auncient long and many a yeere the crowne
Hath borne, and euery street is strowed with bodies beaten downe,
And heapes in euery house there lieth, and temples all are filde
With bodies dead, and not alone the Troians poore are kilde.
Somtime when tirid ben their harts their manful stomacks steeres,
And downe their conquerours they quell, on euery side appeeres
The fearfull dreed, and wailing wide, and face of death at hand.
There furst against vs of the Greekes with men a mighty band
Androgeos vs met, and thought his contreymen we were,
All on aware, and like a freend he cald vs void of feare.
Set forwards sirs: what trifling thus so long you linger makes?
Whan other men the burning towne doth sacke, our fellowes takes
The spoyls of Troy while you for slouth scant from your ships can pas.
He said, and straight (for answere none that liked him giuen ther was)
All sodenly amids his foes him selfe betrapt he knew,
He shranke therwith, and stopt his tale, and foote he backward drew,
As one that vnbethought hath hapt some snake among the briers
To tread, and quickly sterting backe with trembling feare retiers,
Whan swolne with angry teene he seeth his blew necke bent vpright.
So quaking whan Androgeos vs spied, he tooke his flight.
But we pursued, and thicke with armes them all encompast round
On euery side, and them affraied (and nothing knew the ground)
We ouerthrew, and fortunes lucke our first assay succeedes.
For ioy wherof, triumphing fierce Chorœbus nothing dreedes,
Now mates (quoth he) where fortune first hath shewed reliefe, & where
Our valiant hands our aide hath wel begoon, proceed we there.
And let vs chaunge our sheeldes with Greekes, & armd in Greekes aray
Let vs set on, what skilles it force or falshood enmies slay?
Our enemies lo their wepons yeeldes against them selues to fight,
So sayd, and on his head he puts Androgeos helmet bright,
And with his gorgeous sheeld him selfe he clad full gay to beare,
And on his side the Greekish sworde hee comly gyrt did weare.
So Ripheus, so Dymas doth him selfe, and therwithall
The youth of Troy wt Greekish spoiles them deckes both great & small.
Than mixt among the Greekes we gon, our selues vs doth not gyde,
And many a skirmish sore that night we blindly fought and tryde.
And many a Greeks to Hell we sent, some other away for feare
To shipboard ran, and some to shores with coursing here and there.
Some foule afrayed their hougy horse agayn do clime, and take
Their wonted seates, & in his paunche their harbrow old they make.
Alas, what may mankinde preuaile whan gods him doth forsake?
Androgeos vs met, and thought his contreymen we were,
All on aware, and like a freend he cald vs void of feare.
Set forwards sirs: what trifling thus so long you linger makes?
Whan other men the burning towne doth sacke, our fellowes takes
The spoyls of Troy while you for slouth scant from your ships can pas.
He said, and straight (for answere none that liked him giuen ther was)
All sodenly amids his foes him selfe betrapt he knew,
He shranke therwith, and stopt his tale, and foote he backward drew,
As one that vnbethought hath hapt some snake among the briers
To tread, and quickly sterting backe with trembling feare retiers,
Whan swolne with angry teene he seeth his blew necke bent vpright.
So quaking whan Androgeos vs spied, he tooke his flight.
But we pursued, and thicke with armes them all encompast round
On euery side, and them affraied (and nothing knew the ground)
We ouerthrew, and fortunes lucke our first assay succeedes.
For ioy wherof, triumphing fierce Chorœbus nothing dreedes,
Now mates (quoth he) where fortune first hath shewed reliefe, & where
Our valiant hands our aide hath wel begoon, proceed we there.
Let vs set on, what skilles it force or falshood enmies slay?
Our enemies lo their wepons yeeldes against them selues to fight,
So sayd, and on his head he puts Androgeos helmet bright,
And with his gorgeous sheeld him selfe he clad full gay to beare,
And on his side the Greekish sworde hee comly gyrt did weare.
So Ripheus, so Dymas doth him selfe, and therwithall
The youth of Troy wt Greekish spoiles them deckes both great & small.
Than mixt among the Greekes we gon, our selues vs doth not gyde,
And many a skirmish sore that night we blindly fought and tryde.
And many a Greeks to Hell we sent, some other away for feare
To shipboard ran, and some to shores with coursing here and there.
Some foule afrayed their hougy horse agayn do clime, and take
Their wonted seates, & in his paunche their harbrow old they make.
Alas, what may mankinde preuaile whan gods him doth forsake?
Behold, where haeld by heare and head from Pallas temple sure,
King Priams doughter drawen we see Cassandra virgin pure.
And vp to heauen in vaine for helpe her glistring eyes she cast,
Her eyes: for than her tender hands with boltes were fettred fast.
That sight Chorœbus raging wood could not him hold to see,
But euen among the mids he lept, with will to die, and wee
Him after sued, and thicke in throngs of armes our selues wee thurst.
There from the temples top aloft, with Troians weapons furst
Our own men vs did whelm, where doth most piteous slaughter rise,
Our armours fals mistake, and Greekish sheeldes deceiued their eyes.
Than all the Greekes whan from them take the virgin was, for yre
By flockes on euery side with cries inuade as wilde as fyre.
Atridas twaine, and Aiax chiefe, and egre in armies stout,
And after them their battayles all, and youth of Dolop rout.
None otherwise than whan somtime the whirlewinds out are brast,
And sondry stormes from sondry coasts are met, and strugling fast,
Conflicts, both east, & west, and south, that woods with cracking quakes,
And Neptunes forke the fomy seas from bottoms wild vp rakes.
And they also whom through the darke, that night wee chasyd had,
And ouercame by chaunce before: they first with corage glad
Appeard in sight, and first our sheeldes and armours fals eskried.
They knew, and marking by our soundes our seuerall tongs espied,
There downe by heapes the numbre vs threw, Chorœbus first of all
At mighty Pallas sent of Peneleus hand doth fall.
And fall doth Ripheus to ground, the iustest man that was
Of Troian kinde, and one that most of right and law did pas.
But god of them did otherwise than dispose: and them beside,
Both Hipanis, and Dimas eke were lost and slaine that tide.
Their own men through them wepons threw, nor thee O Panthus pure
Thy vertues great, nor Phœbus crowne, from death could than assure.
Yet by the flames extreme I swere that all Troy brought to dust,
At your decayes I witnes take (if trueth protest I must)
I neuer man ne wepon shund of Greekes, ne from you swarued,
If gods will were, my death I sought, and sure my hand deserued.
King Priams doughter drawen we see Cassandra virgin pure.
And vp to heauen in vaine for helpe her glistring eyes she cast,
Her eyes: for than her tender hands with boltes were fettred fast.
That sight Chorœbus raging wood could not him hold to see,
But euen among the mids he lept, with will to die, and wee
Him after sued, and thicke in throngs of armes our selues wee thurst.
There from the temples top aloft, with Troians weapons furst
Our own men vs did whelm, where doth most piteous slaughter rise,
Our armours fals mistake, and Greekish sheeldes deceiued their eyes.
Than all the Greekes whan from them take the virgin was, for yre
By flockes on euery side with cries inuade as wilde as fyre.
Atridas twaine, and Aiax chiefe, and egre in armies stout,
And after them their battayles all, and youth of Dolop rout.
None otherwise than whan somtime the whirlewinds out are brast,
And sondry stormes from sondry coasts are met, and strugling fast,
Conflicts, both east, & west, and south, that woods with cracking quakes,
And Neptunes forke the fomy seas from bottoms wild vp rakes.
And they also whom through the darke, that night wee chasyd had,
And ouercame by chaunce before: they first with corage glad
Appeard in sight, and first our sheeldes and armours fals eskried.
They knew, and marking by our soundes our seuerall tongs espied,
There downe by heapes the numbre vs threw, Chorœbus first of all
And fall doth Ripheus to ground, the iustest man that was
Of Troian kinde, and one that most of right and law did pas.
But god of them did otherwise than dispose: and them beside,
Both Hipanis, and Dimas eke were lost and slaine that tide.
Their own men through them wepons threw, nor thee O Panthus pure
Thy vertues great, nor Phœbus crowne, from death could than assure.
Yet by the flames extreme I swere that all Troy brought to dust,
At your decayes I witnes take (if trueth protest I must)
I neuer man ne wepon shund of Greekes, ne from you swarued,
If gods will were, my death I sought, and sure my hand deserued.
Than out we brake both Iphitus and I, and Pelias kinde,
The one for age, the other Vlisses wound made come behinde.
And by the cries to Priams court our king forth with enclinde.
There now the battaile great was vp, as if no place els where
Had felt of war, as die did none through all the towne but there.
So raging Mars and Greekes vp run to houses tops wee see,
And postes puld downe and gates vp broake beset, that none should flee.
The walles with scaling ladders laide, and stulps of scaffolds hie,
And vp by staires they clyme, and backe they driue the dartes that flie
With sheeldes: and battilmentes aboue in handes they catche and hold.
Against them Troians down the towres and tops of houses rold,
And rafters vp they reaue, and after all attemptes, at last
Those fooles for shift at death extreame, to fend them selues they cast.
The golden beames, their auncient fathers frames of comely sight
They tombled downe, some other alow with wepons pointed bright
At gates and euery dore doth warde, and thicke in rancks they stand.
The one for age, the other Vlisses wound made come behinde.
And by the cries to Priams court our king forth with enclinde.
There now the battaile great was vp, as if no place els where
Had felt of war, as die did none through all the towne but there.
So raging Mars and Greekes vp run to houses tops wee see,
And postes puld downe and gates vp broake beset, that none should flee.
The walles with scaling ladders laide, and stulps of scaffolds hie,
And vp by staires they clyme, and backe they driue the dartes that flie
With sheeldes: and battilmentes aboue in handes they catche and hold.
Against them Troians down the towres and tops of houses rold,
And rafters vp they reaue, and after all attemptes, at last
Those fooles for shift at death extreame, to fend them selues they cast.
The golden beames, their auncient fathers frames of comely sight
They tombled downe, some other alow with wepons pointed bright
At gates and euery dore doth warde, and thicke in rancks they stand.
Anon the pallais of our king to helpe wee tooke in hand,
Our aid to put, and adde reliefe to men with labours spent.
A wall there was, and through the same by postern gate there went
An entry blinde, that secret serued Priams lodgings wide.
Wherthrough somtime whan yet in state their kingdomes did abide,
Full oft Andromache was woont her selfe alone to passe
Unto the kinge and Queene her father and mother in law that was,
And young Astianax her childe his graunsier to shee brought.
Therthrough I skope, and vp the tops of houses hie I past,
Where downe the sely Troians darts in vaine for fainting cast.
A towre that steepe vpright did stand and hie to skies vp reard
Aboue the roofes from whence all Troy full broad in sight appeard,
And whence the ships and campes of Greekes & tentes in times of wars
Men wonted were to vew, that towre with ginnes and mighty bars
Wee vnderheaued, and where the ioyntes and timber beames it bound,
Beneth together at once we lift, at last it lose from ground
We shogd, and with the shog for heft, with ratling noyse and fall
Downe ouer along the Greekes it light, and far and wide withall
Great slaughter makes, but other vpsteps for thē, nor stones this while,
Nor kindes of wepons cease theron.
Our aid to put, and adde reliefe to men with labours spent.
A wall there was, and through the same by postern gate there went
An entry blinde, that secret serued Priams lodgings wide.
Wherthrough somtime whan yet in state their kingdomes did abide,
Full oft Andromache was woont her selfe alone to passe
Unto the kinge and Queene her father and mother in law that was,
And young Astianax her childe his graunsier to shee brought.
Therthrough I skope, and vp the tops of houses hie I past,
Where downe the sely Troians darts in vaine for fainting cast.
A towre that steepe vpright did stand and hie to skies vp reard
And whence the ships and campes of Greekes & tentes in times of wars
Men wonted were to vew, that towre with ginnes and mighty bars
Wee vnderheaued, and where the ioyntes and timber beames it bound,
Beneth together at once we lift, at last it lose from ground
We shogd, and with the shog for heft, with ratling noyse and fall
Downe ouer along the Greekes it light, and far and wide withall
Great slaughter makes, but other vpsteps for thē, nor stones this while,
Nor kindes of wepons cease theron.
Before the porch all ramping first at thentry dore doth stand
Duke Pyrrhus in his brasen harneis bright with burnisht brand.
And glistring like a serpent shines whom poisoned weedes hath fild,
That lurking long hath vnder ground in winter cold ben hild.
And now his cote of cast all fresh with youth renewd and pride
Upright his head doth hold, and swift with wallowing backe doth glide
Bresthigh against the sunne, and spits with toongs thre forked fier.
And hugy Periphas with him, with him Achilles squier
Antomedon, his maisters steedes that wonted was to chace.
Than all the youth of Scyrie land ensues, and to the place
They enter thicke, and fiers about on houses hie they fling.
Him selfe in hand among the cheefe a twyble great doth bring,
And ther withall he through the gates and doores with dints doth driue,
And downe the brasen postes doth pull and timber plancks doth cliue.
And now the bars a sonder brast, and ioystes vp hewed doth fall,
An entry broad, and window wide is made now through the wall.
There houses far within appeares and hals are laid in light,
Aperes king Priams parlours great that auncient kings had dight.
And harneyst men they see to stand at thentry doores to fight.
Duke Pyrrhus in his brasen harneis bright with burnisht brand.
And glistring like a serpent shines whom poisoned weedes hath fild,
That lurking long hath vnder ground in winter cold ben hild.
And now his cote of cast all fresh with youth renewd and pride
Upright his head doth hold, and swift with wallowing backe doth glide
Bresthigh against the sunne, and spits with toongs thre forked fier.
And hugy Periphas with him, with him Achilles squier
Antomedon, his maisters steedes that wonted was to chace.
Than all the youth of Scyrie land ensues, and to the place
They enter thicke, and fiers about on houses hie they fling.
Him selfe in hand among the cheefe a twyble great doth bring,
And ther withall he through the gates and doores with dints doth driue,
And downe the brasen postes doth pull and timber plancks doth cliue.
And now the bars a sonder brast, and ioystes vp hewed doth fall,
An entry broad, and window wide is made now through the wall.
There houses far within appeares and hals are laid in light,
Aperes king Priams parlours great that auncient kings had dight.
And harneyst men they see to stand at thentry doores to fight.
But the inner lodgings all with noise and woful wailing soundes,
With bounsing thick and larums lowd the buildings all rebounds.
And howling women shoutes, and cries the golden stars do smite.
Thā wādring here & there wt dreed through chambers wide affright,
The mothers clip their contrey postes, and kissing hold with might.
But Pirrhus with his fathers force on preaseth, neither walles
Nor keepers him therout can hold, with rammes and engins falles
The portall postes and thresholds vp are throwen & doores of halles.
With bounsing thick and larums lowd the buildings all rebounds.
And howling women shoutes, and cries the golden stars do smite.
Thā wādring here & there wt dreed through chambers wide affright,
The mothers clip their contrey postes, and kissing hold with might.
But Pirrhus with his fathers force on preaseth, neither walles
Nor keepers him therout can hold, with rammes and engins falles
The portall postes and thresholds vp are throwen & doores of halles.
Than forceing foorth they shooue, & through they push, & down they kill
Them first that meetes, and euery floore with souldiours fast they fill,
Not half so ferce the fomy flood whose rampier bankes are torne
With rage outronnes, whan diches thwart and piers are ouerborne
With waues, and forth on feelds it fals, and waltring downe the vales,
And houses down it beares withall, and heardes of beastes it hales.
Neptolemus my selfe I saw, with slaughters wood to rage,
And brethren twayn Atridas ferce, theyr furies none could swage.
Queene Hecuba and her hundred doughter lawes, and Priam there
With blood I saw defile the fiers, him selfe to god did rere.
And fifty paramours he had, and childrens yssewe, told
No nomber lesse: the stately spoyles and postes full proude of gold
Abroad are thrown, and what ye fier doth leaue the Greekes doth hold.
Them first that meetes, and euery floore with souldiours fast they fill,
With rage outronnes, whan diches thwart and piers are ouerborne
With waues, and forth on feelds it fals, and waltring downe the vales,
And houses down it beares withall, and heardes of beastes it hales.
Neptolemus my selfe I saw, with slaughters wood to rage,
And brethren twayn Atridas ferce, theyr furies none could swage.
Queene Hecuba and her hundred doughter lawes, and Priam there
With blood I saw defile the fiers, him selfe to god did rere.
And fifty paramours he had, and childrens yssewe, told
No nomber lesse: the stately spoyles and postes full proude of gold
Abroad are thrown, and what ye fier doth leaue the Greekes doth hold.
The fatall end of Priam now perhaps you will requier.
Whan hee the citie taken saw and houses tops on fier,
And buildings broke, and round about so thicke his foes to rage,
His harneis on his shoulders (long on worn till than) for age
All quaking, on (good man) hee puts, to purpose small, and than
His sword him gyrt, and into death and enmies thicke he ran.
Amids the court right vnderneth the naked skies in sight,
An altar huge of sise there stoode, and by the same vpright
An auncient Laurell tree did grow, that wide abroad was shed,
And it, and all the caruyd gods with broade shade ouerspred.
There Hecuba and her doughters all (poore soules) at the altars side
In heapes together affrayd them drew, like doues whan doth betide
Some storme them headlong driue, and clipping fast their gods did hold
But whan shee Priam thus be clad in armes of youth so bold
Espied: what minde alas (quoth she) O wofull husband you
In harneis dight: and whither away with wepons run ye now?
Not men nor wepons vs can saue: this time doth are to beare.
No such defence, no not if Hector mine now present were.
Stand here by mee, this altar vs from slaughters all shal shelde,
Or die together at ones we shall. So said she, and gan to welde
Him aged man, and in the sacred seat him set, and helde.
Whan hee the citie taken saw and houses tops on fier,
And buildings broke, and round about so thicke his foes to rage,
His harneis on his shoulders (long on worn till than) for age
All quaking, on (good man) hee puts, to purpose small, and than
His sword him gyrt, and into death and enmies thicke he ran.
Amids the court right vnderneth the naked skies in sight,
An altar huge of sise there stoode, and by the same vpright
An auncient Laurell tree did grow, that wide abroad was shed,
And it, and all the caruyd gods with broade shade ouerspred.
There Hecuba and her doughters all (poore soules) at the altars side
In heapes together affrayd them drew, like doues whan doth betide
Some storme them headlong driue, and clipping fast their gods did hold
But whan shee Priam thus be clad in armes of youth so bold
Espied: what minde alas (quoth she) O wofull husband you
In harneis dight: and whither away with wepons run ye now?
Not men nor wepons vs can saue: this time doth are to beare.
No such defence, no not if Hector mine now present were.
Stand here by mee, this altar vs from slaughters all shal shelde,
Or die together at ones we shall. So said she, and gan to welde
Him aged man, and in the sacred seat him set, and helde.
Behold where skaping from the stroke of Pirrhus fers in fight
Polites, one of Priams sonnes, through foes and wepons pight,
Through galeries along doth run, and wide about him spies
Sore wounded than, but Pirrhus after him sues with burning eyes
In chase, and now wel nere in hand him caught and held with spere,
Till right before his parents sight he came, than feld him there
To death, and with his gushing blood his life outright he shed.
There Priamus, though now for wo that time he halfe was dead,
Him selfe could not refraine, nor yet his voice nor anger holde.
But, vnto thee (O wretch) he cried, for this despite so bolde,
The gods (if any iustice dwels in heauen or right regard)
Do yeeld thee worthy thankes, and thee do pay thy due reward,
That here within my sight my son hast slaine with slaughter vyle,
And not ashamd with lothsome death his fathers face to fyle.
Not so did hee (whom falsly thou beliest to be thy sier)
Achilles with his enmie Priam deale, but my desier
Whan Hectors corps to tombe he gaue for golde, did entertaine
With truth and right, and to my realme restorde me safe againe.
So spake, and therwithall his dart with feeble force hee threw,
Which sounding on his brasen harneis hoarce, it backward flew,
And on his targat side it hit, where dintlesse downe it hing.
Than Pirrhus said, thou shalt go now therfore and tidinges bring
Unto my father Achilles soule, my dolefull deedes to tell.
Neptolemus his bastard is, not I, say this in hell.
Now die, and (as he spake that word) from the altar selfe he drew
Him trembling there, and deepe him through his sons blood did embrue.
And with his left hand wrapt his lockes, wt right hand through his side
His glistring sworde outdrawen, he did hard to the hiltes to glide.
This ende had Priams destnies all, this chaunce him fortune sent,
Whan he the fier in Troy had seene, his walles and castels rent,
That somtime ouer peoples proud, and lands had reingd with fame
Of Asia emprour great, now short on shore he lieth with shame,
His head besides his shoulders laid, his corps no more of name.
Polites, one of Priams sonnes, through foes and wepons pight,
Through galeries along doth run, and wide about him spies
Sore wounded than, but Pirrhus after him sues with burning eyes
In chase, and now wel nere in hand him caught and held with spere,
Till right before his parents sight he came, than feld him there
There Priamus, though now for wo that time he halfe was dead,
Him selfe could not refraine, nor yet his voice nor anger holde.
But, vnto thee (O wretch) he cried, for this despite so bolde,
The gods (if any iustice dwels in heauen or right regard)
Do yeeld thee worthy thankes, and thee do pay thy due reward,
That here within my sight my son hast slaine with slaughter vyle,
And not ashamd with lothsome death his fathers face to fyle.
Not so did hee (whom falsly thou beliest to be thy sier)
Achilles with his enmie Priam deale, but my desier
Whan Hectors corps to tombe he gaue for golde, did entertaine
With truth and right, and to my realme restorde me safe againe.
So spake, and therwithall his dart with feeble force hee threw,
Which sounding on his brasen harneis hoarce, it backward flew,
And on his targat side it hit, where dintlesse downe it hing.
Than Pirrhus said, thou shalt go now therfore and tidinges bring
Unto my father Achilles soule, my dolefull deedes to tell.
Neptolemus his bastard is, not I, say this in hell.
Now die, and (as he spake that word) from the altar selfe he drew
Him trembling there, and deepe him through his sons blood did embrue.
And with his left hand wrapt his lockes, wt right hand through his side
His glistring sworde outdrawen, he did hard to the hiltes to glide.
This ende had Priams destnies all, this chaunce him fortune sent,
Whan he the fier in Troy had seene, his walles and castels rent,
That somtime ouer peoples proud, and lands had reingd with fame
Of Asia emprour great, now short on shore he lieth with shame,
His head besides his shoulders laid, his corps no more of name.
Than first the cruell feare mee caught, and sore my sprites appalde,
And on my father deere I thought, his face to minde I calde:
Whan slaine with grisly wound our king, him like of age in sight
Lay gasping dead, and of my wife Creusa bethought the plight.
Alone, forsake, my house dispoild, my childe what chaunce had take
I looked, and about mee vewd what strength I might me make.
All men had mee forsake for paines, and downe their bodies drew
To ground they leapt, and some for wo them selfs in fiers they threw.
And now alone was left but I, whan Vestas temple staier
To keepe, and secretly to lurke all couching close in chaier
Dame Helen I might see to sit, bright burnings gaue mee light
Where euer I went, the waies I past, all thing was set in sight.
Shee fearing her the Troians wrath, for Troy destroid to wreke,
Greekes turments, and her husbands force whose wedlack she did breke,
The plage of Troy, and of her contrey monster most vntame:
There sat she with her hatyd head, by the altars hid for shame.
Straight in my brest I felt a fier, deepe wrath my hart did straine
My contreis fall to wreke, and bring that cursed wretch to paine.
What shall shee? into her contrey soile of Sparta, and hie Micene?
All safe shall shee returne? and there on Troy triumphe as Queene?
Her husband, children, contrey, kin, her house, her parents old
With Troian wiues and Troian lordes, her slaues, shal she beholde?
Was Priam slaine with sworde for this? Troy burnt with fier so wood,
Is it herefore that Dardan strondes so oft haue swet with blood?
Not so: for though it be no praise on woman kinde to wreke,
And honour none there lieth in this, nor name for men to speke,
Yet quench I shall this poison here, and due desertes to dight.
Men shall commend my zeal, and ease my minde I shall outright.
This much for all my peoples bones, and contrey flames to quite.
And on my father deere I thought, his face to minde I calde:
Whan slaine with grisly wound our king, him like of age in sight
Lay gasping dead, and of my wife Creusa bethought the plight.
Alone, forsake, my house dispoild, my childe what chaunce had take
I looked, and about mee vewd what strength I might me make.
All men had mee forsake for paines, and downe their bodies drew
To ground they leapt, and some for wo them selfs in fiers they threw.
And now alone was left but I, whan Vestas temple staier
To keepe, and secretly to lurke all couching close in chaier
Dame Helen I might see to sit, bright burnings gaue mee light
Shee fearing her the Troians wrath, for Troy destroid to wreke,
Greekes turments, and her husbands force whose wedlack she did breke,
The plage of Troy, and of her contrey monster most vntame:
There sat she with her hatyd head, by the altars hid for shame.
Straight in my brest I felt a fier, deepe wrath my hart did straine
My contreis fall to wreke, and bring that cursed wretch to paine.
What shall shee? into her contrey soile of Sparta, and hie Micene?
All safe shall shee returne? and there on Troy triumphe as Queene?
Her husband, children, contrey, kin, her house, her parents old
With Troian wiues and Troian lordes, her slaues, shal she beholde?
Was Priam slaine with sworde for this? Troy burnt with fier so wood,
Is it herefore that Dardan strondes so oft haue swet with blood?
Not so: for though it be no praise on woman kinde to wreke,
And honour none there lieth in this, nor name for men to speke,
Yet quench I shall this poison here, and due desertes to dight.
Men shall commend my zeal, and ease my minde I shall outright.
This much for all my peoples bones, and contrey flames to quite.
These things within my selfe I tost, and fierce with force I ran.
Whan to my face my mother great, so brim no time till than
Appearing shewed her selfe in sight, all shining pure by night,
Right goddesse like, with glory such as heauens beholdes her bright.
So great with maiestie shee stood, and mee (by right hand take)
She staied, and red as rose with mouth these words to mee she spake.
My son, what sore outrage so wilde thy wrathful minde vp steeres?
Why fretst thou? or where away thy care from vs withdrawn apeeres?
Not first vnto thy father seest? whom feeble in all this wo
Thou hast forsake? nor if thy wife doth liue thou knowest, or no,
Nor yong Ascanius thy childe? whom thronges of Greekes about
Doth swarming run, and were not my reliefe, withouten doubt
By this time flames had vp deuourd, or swordes of enmies kilde.
It is not Helens face of Greece this towne (my son) hath spilde,
Nor Paris is to blame for this: but gods with grace onkinde,
This welth hath ouerthrowne, and Troy from top to ground ontwinde.
Behold, (for now away the cloud and dym fog will I take
That ouer mortall eies doth hang, and blind thy sight doth make)
Thou to thy parents heast take heede (dread not) my minde obey.
In yonder place where stones from stones, and bildings huge to swey
Thou seest, & mixt with dust and smoke thicke streames of reekings rise:
Himself the God Neptune that side doth turne in wonders wise
With forcke thretinde the walles vprootes, foundations all to shakes,
And quite from vnder soil the town with ground workes all vp rakes.
On yonder side with furies most dame Iuno fiercely standes,
The gates she keepes, & from their ships the Greekes her frendly bands
In armour gyrt she calles.
Lo there againe where Pallas sits on fortes and castle towres,
With Gorgons eies in lightning cloudes inclosed grim she loures.
The father god him selfe to Greekes their mightes and courage steres
Him selfe against the Troian blood, both gods and armour reres.
Betake thee to thy flight (my son) thy labours end procure,
I will thee neuer faile, but thee to resting place assure.
Thus said she, & through the darke night shade her selfe shee drew from sight.
Appeares the grisly faces than, Troys enmies vgly dight
The mighty powers of Gods.
Whan to my face my mother great, so brim no time till than
Appearing shewed her selfe in sight, all shining pure by night,
Right goddesse like, with glory such as heauens beholdes her bright.
So great with maiestie shee stood, and mee (by right hand take)
She staied, and red as rose with mouth these words to mee she spake.
My son, what sore outrage so wilde thy wrathful minde vp steeres?
Why fretst thou? or where away thy care from vs withdrawn apeeres?
Not first vnto thy father seest? whom feeble in all this wo
Thou hast forsake? nor if thy wife doth liue thou knowest, or no,
Nor yong Ascanius thy childe? whom thronges of Greekes about
Doth swarming run, and were not my reliefe, withouten doubt
By this time flames had vp deuourd, or swordes of enmies kilde.
It is not Helens face of Greece this towne (my son) hath spilde,
Nor Paris is to blame for this: but gods with grace onkinde,
This welth hath ouerthrowne, and Troy from top to ground ontwinde.
Behold, (for now away the cloud and dym fog will I take
That ouer mortall eies doth hang, and blind thy sight doth make)
Thou to thy parents heast take heede (dread not) my minde obey.
In yonder place where stones from stones, and bildings huge to swey
Himself the God Neptune that side doth turne in wonders wise
With forcke thretinde the walles vprootes, foundations all to shakes,
And quite from vnder soil the town with ground workes all vp rakes.
On yonder side with furies most dame Iuno fiercely standes,
The gates she keepes, & from their ships the Greekes her frendly bands
In armour gyrt she calles.
Lo there againe where Pallas sits on fortes and castle towres,
With Gorgons eies in lightning cloudes inclosed grim she loures.
The father god him selfe to Greekes their mightes and courage steres
Him selfe against the Troian blood, both gods and armour reres.
Betake thee to thy flight (my son) thy labours end procure,
I will thee neuer faile, but thee to resting place assure.
Thus said she, & through the darke night shade her selfe shee drew from sight.
Appeares the grisly faces than, Troys enmies vgly dight
The mighty powers of Gods.
Than verily right broad I saw whole Ilion castles sinke
In fiers, and vpsodown all Troy from botom turne to brinke.
And like as on the mountaine top, some auncient oke to fall
The plowmen with their axes strong do striue, and twibles tall
To grub, and round about hath hewd: it thretning from aboue
Doth nod, and with the braunches wide al trembling bends to moue,
Till ouercome with strokes at last, all cracking down to fall,
One wound it ouerthrowes, and ground it drawes and rockes with all.
Than down I went as god me led through flames and foes to trie.
All weapons as I pas, giue place, and flames away do flie.
But whan into my fathers mansion house I came, and there
Him first I thought to shift, and vp the mountaines next to bere:
My father after Troy destroied no longer life desiers,
Nor outlaw would he none become. O you whose youth requiers
To liue, and blood in lust vpholds (quoth he) your limmes to weelde
Take you your flight.
For as for mee, if Gods aboue would life haue had me led,
This place they would haue kept mee: ynough to much, and ouerhed
Of slaughters haue wee seene, our citie brent we do suruiue.
Go foorth, let me remaine (I pray) for mee do you not striue.
Mine owne hand shal my death obtein, my foe will rue my plight,
My corps he can but spoyle, for of a graue the losse is light.
This many a yere to Gods abhord vnweldy life I finde,
Since time whan mee the father of Gods and king of all mankinde
Beblasted with his lightning winde, and fiers on me did cast.
Thus spake hee, and in his purpose still he fixt remained fast.
Wee theragainst with streaming teares, my wife also shee stood,
Ascanius, and our houshold all, we praied that in that mood
All things with him good father turne he nold, nor slaughter make
Outright of all, nor vs to death and destnies fell betake.
Hee still denied, and stif his minde nor purpose would forsake.
In fiers, and vpsodown all Troy from botom turne to brinke.
And like as on the mountaine top, some auncient oke to fall
The plowmen with their axes strong do striue, and twibles tall
To grub, and round about hath hewd: it thretning from aboue
Doth nod, and with the braunches wide al trembling bends to moue,
Till ouercome with strokes at last, all cracking down to fall,
One wound it ouerthrowes, and ground it drawes and rockes with all.
Than down I went as god me led through flames and foes to trie.
All weapons as I pas, giue place, and flames away do flie.
But whan into my fathers mansion house I came, and there
Him first I thought to shift, and vp the mountaines next to bere:
My father after Troy destroied no longer life desiers,
Nor outlaw would he none become. O you whose youth requiers
To liue, and blood in lust vpholds (quoth he) your limmes to weelde
Take you your flight.
For as for mee, if Gods aboue would life haue had me led,
This place they would haue kept mee: ynough to much, and ouerhed
Of slaughters haue wee seene, our citie brent we do suruiue.
Go foorth, let me remaine (I pray) for mee do you not striue.
Mine owne hand shal my death obtein, my foe will rue my plight,
My corps he can but spoyle, for of a graue the losse is light.
Since time whan mee the father of Gods and king of all mankinde
Beblasted with his lightning winde, and fiers on me did cast.
Thus spake hee, and in his purpose still he fixt remained fast.
Wee theragainst with streaming teares, my wife also shee stood,
Ascanius, and our houshold all, we praied that in that mood
All things with him good father turne he nold, nor slaughter make
Outright of all, nor vs to death and destnies fell betake.
Hee still denied, and stif his minde nor purpose would forsake.
Againe to wepons fourth I flew, and death most miser call,
For counsell what? or what reliefe, or fortune now can fall?
Thinke you that I one foote from hence, you father left behinde
Can pas? or may there such a sin escape your mouth vnkinde?
If nothing of so great a towne to leaue the Gods be bent,
And fixt in minde you haue decreed Troys ruines to augment
With losse of you and yours, agreed, at this dore death doth stand,
And here anon from Priams blood comth Pyrrhus hote at hand,
That children in their fathers sight, and father on the altar killes.
For this O mighty mother mine, through fiers and foes and billes
Haue you mee kept till now for this? that in my parlour flores
Mine enmies I must see to kill my folkes within my dores?
Ascanius my childe? my wife Creusa? my father olde?
All sprauling slaine with blood in blood embrued shal I beholde?
Weapons seruaunts, bring mee wepons, our last houre doth vs call,
And yeeld mee among the Greekes to fight, let me to battails fall
Afresh, for neuer shall wee die this day vnuenged all.
For counsell what? or what reliefe, or fortune now can fall?
Thinke you that I one foote from hence, you father left behinde
Can pas? or may there such a sin escape your mouth vnkinde?
If nothing of so great a towne to leaue the Gods be bent,
And fixt in minde you haue decreed Troys ruines to augment
With losse of you and yours, agreed, at this dore death doth stand,
And here anon from Priams blood comth Pyrrhus hote at hand,
That children in their fathers sight, and father on the altar killes.
For this O mighty mother mine, through fiers and foes and billes
Haue you mee kept till now for this? that in my parlour flores
Mine enmies I must see to kill my folkes within my dores?
Ascanius my childe? my wife Creusa? my father olde?
All sprauling slaine with blood in blood embrued shal I beholde?
Weapons seruaunts, bring mee wepons, our last houre doth vs call,
And yeeld mee among the Greekes to fight, let me to battails fall
Afresh, for neuer shall wee die this day vnuenged all.
Than mee with sword againe I girt, my left arme vnder sheeld
I put, and out at dores I ran with rage to fight in feelde.
Behold at thentry gate my wife, embracing both my feete,
Doth kneele, and vp to mee she holdes my childe Ascanius sweete.
If toward death thou goest, take vs with thee to chaunces all,
If socour ought or hope thou findst in armes, than first of all
Defend this house, to whom forsakst thy childe Iule alas?
To whom thy father leauest, and mee sometime thy wife that was?
Thus wailing al our house shee filde, thus cried she through the halles.
Whan sodenly (right woonder great to tell) a monster falles.
For euen betweene our hands and right before our face in sight,
Beholde, from out Ascanius top a flame ariseth bright,
And harmeles lickes his lockes, and soft about his temples feede,
We straight his burning hear gan shake, al trēbling dead for dreede,
And waters on the sacred fiers to quenche anon wee sheede.
I put, and out at dores I ran with rage to fight in feelde.
Behold at thentry gate my wife, embracing both my feete,
Doth kneele, and vp to mee she holdes my childe Ascanius sweete.
If toward death thou goest, take vs with thee to chaunces all,
If socour ought or hope thou findst in armes, than first of all
Defend this house, to whom forsakst thy childe Iule alas?
To whom thy father leauest, and mee sometime thy wife that was?
Thus wailing al our house shee filde, thus cried she through the halles.
Whan sodenly (right woonder great to tell) a monster falles.
For euen betweene our hands and right before our face in sight,
Beholde, from out Ascanius top a flame ariseth bright,
We straight his burning hear gan shake, al trēbling dead for dreede,
And waters on the sacred fiers to quenche anon wee sheede.
But than my father Anchises glad, to heauen doth lift his eyes
With hands vpthrowne against the stars, and voice exalted cries.
Almighty Ioue (if mans respect or praiers doost regard)
Behold vs now this ones, and (if our deedes deserue reward)
From henceforth father helpe vs send, and blesse this grace with more.
Skant from his mouth the word was past, whan skies aloft to rore
Begin, and thonder light was thrown, and down from heauen by shade
A streaming star descends, and long with great light makes a glade.
We looking, brim behold it might, and ouer our house it slips,
And forth to Ida woods it went, there downe it selfe it dips,
Us pointing out the way to flee, than straking light along
Doth shine, and broad about it smokes with sent of sulphur strong.
Than straight my father ouercome, him selfe aduauncing welds.
And prayeth his gods, and worship to that blessed star he yeelds.
Now now no more I let, leade where ye lyst, I wil not swarue.
O contrey gods our house behold, my neuew safe preserue.
This token yet is yours: yet Troy in your regard remaines.
I yeld me son, nor further stay with thee to take all paines.
So spake hee, and now about our walles the fiers approching sounds
At hand, and nere and nere the flames with feruent rage redounds.
Deare father now therfore your selfe set on my necke to beare,
My shoulders shall you lift, this labour mee shal nothing deare,
What euer chaunce betides, one daunger both wee must abide,
In safety both a lyke wee shalbe sure, and by my side
My childe Iule shall go, my wife shall trace aloofe behinde.
You seruantes what I say take heede, imprint it well in minde.
With hands vpthrowne against the stars, and voice exalted cries.
Almighty Ioue (if mans respect or praiers doost regard)
Behold vs now this ones, and (if our deedes deserue reward)
From henceforth father helpe vs send, and blesse this grace with more.
Skant from his mouth the word was past, whan skies aloft to rore
Begin, and thonder light was thrown, and down from heauen by shade
A streaming star descends, and long with great light makes a glade.
We looking, brim behold it might, and ouer our house it slips,
And forth to Ida woods it went, there downe it selfe it dips,
Us pointing out the way to flee, than straking light along
Doth shine, and broad about it smokes with sent of sulphur strong.
Than straight my father ouercome, him selfe aduauncing welds.
And prayeth his gods, and worship to that blessed star he yeelds.
Now now no more I let, leade where ye lyst, I wil not swarue.
O contrey gods our house behold, my neuew safe preserue.
This token yet is yours: yet Troy in your regard remaines.
I yeld me son, nor further stay with thee to take all paines.
So spake hee, and now about our walles the fiers approching sounds
At hand, and nere and nere the flames with feruent rage redounds.
Deare father now therfore your selfe set on my necke to beare,
My shoulders shall you lift, this labour mee shal nothing deare,
What euer chaunce betides, one daunger both wee must abide,
In safety both a lyke wee shalbe sure, and by my side
My childe Iule shall go, my wife shall trace aloofe behinde.
You seruantes what I say take heede, imprint it well in minde.
There is a hill whan out the towne ye come, and temple old
Of Ceres long vnvsed, there beside ye shall behold
An auncient Cipers tree to grow, that for religions sake
Our fathers there did set, and there long time did honor make.
In that place out of diuers waies wee all shall seeke to meete.
You father take your contrey gods in hand, our comfort sweete.
For mee, that from the battailes fresh am come and slaughters new,
I may not them for sin presume to touche, till waters dew
With floods hath washt mee pure.
Thus said I, and on my shoulders broad and thwart my necke I kest
A weede, and in a lions skin ful read my selfe I drest.
And vnder burden fast I fled, my childe my right hand kept
Iule, and after mee, with pace vnlike in length, he stept.
My wife ensued, through lanes and crokes and darknes most we past.
And mee, that late no shoutes, nor cries, nor noyse, nor wepons cast
Could feare, nor clusters great of Greeks in throngs agast could make:
Now euery winde and puffe doth moue, at euery sound I quake,
Not for my selfe, but for my mate, and for my burdens sake,
And now against the gates I came, which out of daunger found,
I thought I well escaped had, whan sodenly the sound
Of feete we heare to tread, and men full thicke my father skand.
Flee flee my son (he cried) lo here they come, lo here at hand,
Their harneis bright apeares, and glistring sheeldes I see to shine.
There what it was I not, some chaunce or God (no freend of mine)
Amazed than my wit, for while through thicke and thin I pas,
And from the accustomd waies I draw to seke to skape (alas)
My wife from mee most wofull man Creusa beloued best,
(Remaine she did, or lost her way, or sat her downe to rest,
Onknowen it is) but after that in vaine her all we sought,
Nor of her losse I knew, nor backe I looked or bethought:
Till vnto Ceres temple old and auncient seate, ech one
Was come, and there togethers met wee all, but shee alone
Did lacke, and there her freends and childe and husband did begile.
What man or god (for anger mad) did I not curse that while?
Or what in all that towne vpturnd saw I so sore befall?
My father and my childe Iule and Troian gods withall
Onto my men I tooke, and in a crooked vale then hidde,
Againe vnto the citie gyrt in glistring armes I yede,
All chaunces there againe to trie my minde I fixed fast,
All Troy for her againe to seeke, my life to daungers cast.
First backe vnto the walles and gate I turne, and thentry blinde
Where out I came I sought, and steps of feete I marke behinde,
Where night to see could serue, and fiers that glistring shines about.
Great feare on euery side I see, the silence makes mee doubt,
My house at home, if haply there, if haply there she heelde,
I went to looke, the Greekes were in, and houses all they filde.
Deuouring fier doth all consume, from house to house it flies.
The wind encreaseth flames, and vp the rage to heauen doth rise.
To Priams court I turne, and to the castle view I cast.
The temples great were spoylde, and Iunos holy dores were brast.
Amids the flore the keepers stoode, the chiefe of capteines stout,
Both Phenix and Vlisses false with them their traine about
The pray did keepe, and Greekes to them the Troian riches brought,
That from the fiers on euery side was raught; all temples sought
And tables from the gods were take, and basons great of gold,
And precious plate and robes of kingly state and treasours old,
And captiue childern stoode, and trembling wiues in long aray
Were stowed about and wept.
Of Ceres long vnvsed, there beside ye shall behold
An auncient Cipers tree to grow, that for religions sake
Our fathers there did set, and there long time did honor make.
In that place out of diuers waies wee all shall seeke to meete.
You father take your contrey gods in hand, our comfort sweete.
For mee, that from the battailes fresh am come and slaughters new,
I may not them for sin presume to touche, till waters dew
With floods hath washt mee pure.
A weede, and in a lions skin ful read my selfe I drest.
And vnder burden fast I fled, my childe my right hand kept
Iule, and after mee, with pace vnlike in length, he stept.
My wife ensued, through lanes and crokes and darknes most we past.
And mee, that late no shoutes, nor cries, nor noyse, nor wepons cast
Could feare, nor clusters great of Greeks in throngs agast could make:
Now euery winde and puffe doth moue, at euery sound I quake,
Not for my selfe, but for my mate, and for my burdens sake,
And now against the gates I came, which out of daunger found,
I thought I well escaped had, whan sodenly the sound
Of feete we heare to tread, and men full thicke my father skand.
Flee flee my son (he cried) lo here they come, lo here at hand,
Their harneis bright apeares, and glistring sheeldes I see to shine.
There what it was I not, some chaunce or God (no freend of mine)
Amazed than my wit, for while through thicke and thin I pas,
And from the accustomd waies I draw to seke to skape (alas)
My wife from mee most wofull man Creusa beloued best,
(Remaine she did, or lost her way, or sat her downe to rest,
Onknowen it is) but after that in vaine her all we sought,
Nor of her losse I knew, nor backe I looked or bethought:
Till vnto Ceres temple old and auncient seate, ech one
Was come, and there togethers met wee all, but shee alone
Did lacke, and there her freends and childe and husband did begile.
What man or god (for anger mad) did I not curse that while?
Or what in all that towne vpturnd saw I so sore befall?
My father and my childe Iule and Troian gods withall
Onto my men I tooke, and in a crooked vale then hidde,
Againe vnto the citie gyrt in glistring armes I yede,
All chaunces there againe to trie my minde I fixed fast,
All Troy for her againe to seeke, my life to daungers cast.
First backe vnto the walles and gate I turne, and thentry blinde
Where out I came I sought, and steps of feete I marke behinde,
Where night to see could serue, and fiers that glistring shines about.
Great feare on euery side I see, the silence makes mee doubt,
My house at home, if haply there, if haply there she heelde,
I went to looke, the Greekes were in, and houses all they filde.
Deuouring fier doth all consume, from house to house it flies.
To Priams court I turne, and to the castle view I cast.
The temples great were spoylde, and Iunos holy dores were brast.
Amids the flore the keepers stoode, the chiefe of capteines stout,
Both Phenix and Vlisses false with them their traine about
The pray did keepe, and Greekes to them the Troian riches brought,
That from the fiers on euery side was raught; all temples sought
And tables from the gods were take, and basons great of gold,
And precious plate and robes of kingly state and treasours old,
And captiue childern stoode, and trembling wiues in long aray
Were stowed about and wept.
I ventred eke my voice to lift, and through the glimsing night
The waies with cries I fild, and Creusas name full loud I shright.
In vaine I cald and cald, and oft againe and yet I cried.
Thus seeking long with endles paine and rage, all places tried,
At last (with wofull lucke) her sprite and Creusas ghost (alas)
Before mine eyes I saw to stand, more great than wonted was.
I stoinid, and my heare vpstood, my mouth for feare was fast.
She spake also, and thus fro me my cares she gan to cast.
What meane you thus your raging minde with labours sore to moue
O husband sweete? these things without the powers of gods aboue
Hath not betide: mee now from hence to leade, or by your side
You shall see neuer more, hee doth resist that heauens doth gyde.
Long pilgrimage you haue to pas, huge feelde of seas to eare.
Onto Hesperia land you shall ariue do you not feare,
Where Tyber flood through fertill soyle of men doth softly slyde.
There substance great, and kingdome strong, and Queene to wife beside
You shall enioy, for mee thy Creusa deare do weepe no more.
To Mirmidons nor Dolop land shall I not now be bore,
Nor to the ladies proud of Greece shall I be seruant seene,
Of Dardan and of goddesse Venus doughter law.
But mee the mightie mother of gods wil not from hence to moue.
And now farewell, and of our childe, for both, kepe thou the loue.
Thus whan she said, I weeping there, & more things would haue spoke,
She left mee, and with the wind she went as thin from sight as smoke,
Three times about her necke I sought mine armes to set, and thrise
In vaine her likenes fast I held, for through my hands she flies
Like wauering wind, or like to dreames that men ful swift espies,
The waies with cries I fild, and Creusas name full loud I shright.
In vaine I cald and cald, and oft againe and yet I cried.
Thus seeking long with endles paine and rage, all places tried,
At last (with wofull lucke) her sprite and Creusas ghost (alas)
Before mine eyes I saw to stand, more great than wonted was.
I stoinid, and my heare vpstood, my mouth for feare was fast.
She spake also, and thus fro me my cares she gan to cast.
What meane you thus your raging minde with labours sore to moue
O husband sweete? these things without the powers of gods aboue
Hath not betide: mee now from hence to leade, or by your side
You shall see neuer more, hee doth resist that heauens doth gyde.
Long pilgrimage you haue to pas, huge feelde of seas to eare.
Onto Hesperia land you shall ariue do you not feare,
Where Tyber flood through fertill soyle of men doth softly slyde.
There substance great, and kingdome strong, and Queene to wife beside
You shall enioy, for mee thy Creusa deare do weepe no more.
To Mirmidons nor Dolop land shall I not now be bore,
Nor to the ladies proud of Greece shall I be seruant seene,
Of Dardan and of goddesse Venus doughter law.
But mee the mightie mother of gods wil not from hence to moue.
And now farewell, and of our childe, for both, kepe thou the loue.
Thus whan she said, I weeping there, & more things would haue spoke,
She left mee, and with the wind she went as thin from sight as smoke,
Three times about her necke I sought mine armes to set, and thrise
In vaine her likenes fast I held, for through my hands she flies
Like wauering wind, or like to dreames that men ful swift espies,
Than to my company at last whan night was gon I drew.
And there a multitude of men full huge and number new
I found, with maruell much, both men and women yong and old
A rable great exylde, and piteous commons to behold
From euery coast were come, and with their goods and harts assent,
What lond or sea so euer I would them lead they were content.
And now from vp the mountaine tops the dawning star doth rise,
And brings againe the day, the Greekes (as best they could deuise)
The gates possest and held, all hope and helpe was gone: at last
I yeelded, and my father tooke, and vp the hill I past.
And there a multitude of men full huge and number new
I found, with maruell much, both men and women yong and old
A rable great exylde, and piteous commons to behold
From euery coast were come, and with their goods and harts assent,
What lond or sea so euer I would them lead they were content.
And now from vp the mountaine tops the dawning star doth rise,
And brings againe the day, the Greekes (as best they could deuise)
The gates possest and held, all hope and helpe was gone: at last
I yeelded, and my father tooke, and vp the hill I past.
DEO GRACIAS.
Per Thomam Phaer, in foresta Kilgerran
mense Iulij. Anno. 1555. Opus viginti dierum.
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