The Whole Works of Homer :: :: University of Virginia Library

Achilles orders Iusts of exequies
For his Patroclus; and doth sacrifise
Twelue Troian Princes; most lou'd hounds and horse;
And other offerings, to the honour'd Corse.
He institutes, besides, a funerall game;
Where Diomed, for horse-race, wins the fame:
For foote, Vlysses; others otherwise
Striue, and obtaine: and end the exequies.

Another Argument.

Psi, sings the rites of the decease
Ordaind by great Æacides.

Thus mourn'd all Troy: but when at fleet, and Hellespontus shore,
The Greeks arriu'd, each to his ship: onely the Conqueror
Kept vndisperst his Myrmidons: and said, Lou'd countrimen,

Achilles to his Myrmidons.

Disioyne not we, chariots, and horse: but (bearing hard our reine)
With state of both; march soft, and close, and mourne about the corse:
Tis proper honour to the dead. Then take we out our horse;
When with our friends kinds woe, our hearts, haue felt delight to do
A virtuous soule right, and then sup. This said, all full of woe,
Circl'd the Corse. Achilles led, and thrise about him, close
All bore their goodly coted horse. Amongst all, Thetis rose,
And stirr'd vp a delight, in griefe; till all their armes with teares
And all the sands, were wet: so much, they lou'd that Lord of Feares.
Then to the center fell the Prince; and (putting in the breast)
Of his slaine friend, his slaughtring hands;) began to all the rest
Words to their teares. Reioyce (said he) O my Patroclus: Thou

Achilles to the person of Patroclus.

Courted by Dis now: now I pay, to thy late ouerthrow,
All my reuenges vow'd before; Hector lies slaughterd here
Dragd at my chariot; and our dogs, shall all in peeces teare
His hated lims. Twelue Troian youths, borne of their noblest straines,
I tooke aliue: and (yet enrag'd) will emptie all their vaines
Of vitall spirits; sacrifisde, before thy heape of fire.

This said, a worke vnworthy him, he put vpon his ire,
And trampl'd Hector vnder foote, at his friends feet. The rest
Disarm'd; tooke horse from chariot, and all to sleepe addrest,
At his blacke vessell. Infinite, were those that rested there.

310

Himselfe yet sleepes not; now his spirits, were wrought about the chere,
Fit for so high a funerall. About the steele vsde then,
Oxen in heapes lay bellowing; preparing food for men.
Bleating of sheepe, and goates, fild aire; numbers of white-tooth'd swine,
(Swimming in fat) lay findging there: the person of the slaine
Was girt with slaughter. All this done, all the Greeke kings conuaid
Achilles to the king of men; his rage, not yet allaid,
For his Patroclus. Being arriu'd, at Agamemnons tent;
Himselfe bad Heralds put to fire, a Caldron; and present
The seruice of it to the Prince; to trie if they could win
His pleasure, to admit their paines, to cleanse the blood sok't in
About his conquering hands, and browes. Not, by the king of heauen

Achilles ouerhearing, vsed this abruption.

(He swore). The lawes of friendship damne, this false-heart licence giuen
To men that lose friends: not a drop, shall touch me till I put
Patroclus in the funerall pile; before these curles be cut;
His tombe erected. Tis the last, of all care, I shall take,
While I consort the carefull: yet, for your entreaties sake,
(And though I lothe food) I will eate: but early in the morne,
Atrides, vse your strict command, that lodes of wood be borne
To our design'd place; all that fits, to light home such a one,
As is to passe the shades of Death; that fire enough, set gone
His person quickly from our eyes; and our diuerted men
May plie their businesse. This all eares, did freely entertaine,
And found obseruance. Then they supt, with all things fit; and all
Repair'd to tents and rest. The friend, the shores maritimall,

Achilles retreate from company to the seas shore.

Sought for his bed, and found a place, faire, and vpon which plaide
The murmuring billowes. There, his lims, to rest, not sleepe, he laid,
Heauily sighing. Round about (silent, and not too neare)
Stood all his Myrmidons; when straite, (so ouer-labour'd were
His goodly lineaments, with chace, of Hector; that beyond
His resolution not to sleepe:) Sleepe cast his sodaine bond
Ouer his sense, and losde his care. Then, of his wretched friend,

Patroclus appeares to Achilles sleeping.

The soule appear'd; at euery part, the forme did comprehend
His likenesse; his faire eyes, his voice, his stature; euery weed
His person wore, it fantased; and stood aboue his head,
This sad speech vttering: Dost thou sleepe? Æacides, am I
Forgotten of thee? Being aliue, I found thy memorie
Euer respectfull: but now dead, thy dying loue abates.
Interre me quickly; enter me, in Plutoes iron gates;
For now, the soules (the shades) of men, fled from this being, beate
My spirit from rest; and stay, my much desir'd receipt
Amongst soules, plac't beyond the flood. Now euery way I erre
About this brode-dor'd house of Dis. O helpe then, to preferre
My soule yet further; here I mourne: but had the funerall fire
Consum'd my bodie; neuer more, my spirit should retire
From hels low region: from thence, soules neuer are retriu'd
To talke with friends here; nor shall I; a hatefull fate depriu'd
My being here; that at my birth, was fixt; and to such fate,

311

Euen thou, ô god-like man, art markt; the deadly Ilion gate,
Must entertaine thy death. O then, I charge thee now, take care
That our bones part not: but as life, combinde in equall fare,
Our louing beings; so let Death. When, from Opuntas towres,
My father brought me, to your roofes, (since (gainst my will) my powres
Incenst, and indiscreet, at dice, slue faire Amphidamas)
Then Peleus entertaind me well; then in thy charge I was
By his iniunction, and thy loue: and therein, let me still
Receiue protection. Both our bones, prouide, in thy last Will,
That one Vrne may containe; and make, that vessell all of gold,
That Thetis gaue thee; that rich Vrne. This said; Sleepe ceast to hold

Achilles waking to the shade of Patroclus.

Achilles temples; and the shade, thus he receiu'd: O friend,
What needed these commands? my care, before, meant to commend
My bones to thine, and in that Vrne. Be sure, thy will is done.
A little stay yet, lets delight, with some full passion
Of woe enough; eithers affects, embrace we. Opening thus
His greedie armes; he felt no friend: like matter vaporous
The spirit vanisht vnder earth, and murmur'd in his stoope.
Achilles started; both his hands, he clapt, and lifted vp,
In this sort wondring; O ye gods, I see we haue a soule
In th' vnderdwellings; and a kind, of man-resembling idole:

Achilles his discourse with him selfe about the apparition of Patroclus shade.

The soules seate yet, all matter felt, staies with the carkasse here.
O friends, haplesse Patroclus soule, did all this night appeare,
Weeping, and making mone to me; commanding euery thing
That I intended towards him; so truly figuring
Himselfe at all parts, as was strange. This accident did turne
To much more sorrow; and begat, a greedinesse to mourne
In all that heard. When mourning thus, the rosie morne arose:

The morning.

And Agamemnon, through the tents, wak't all; and did dispose,
Both men and Mules for cariage, of matter for the fire.

Agamemnon sends out companies to fetch fewell for the funerall heape, of which company Meriones was Captaine.

Of all which worke, Meriones, (the Cretan soueraigns squire)
Was Captaine, and abrode they went. Wood-cutting tooles they bore;
Of all hands, and well-twisted cords. The Mules marcht all before.
Vp hill, and downe hill; ouerthwarts, and breake-necke clifts they past:
But when the fountfull Idas tops, they scal'd, with vtmost haste,
All fell vpon the high-hair'd Okes; and downe their curled browes
Fell bussing to the earth: and vp, went all the boles and bowes,
Bound to the Mules; and backe againe, they parted the harsh way
Amongst them, through the tangling shrubs; and long they thought the day,
Till in the plaine field all arriu'd: for all the woodmen bore
Logs on their neckes; Meriones, would haue it so: the shore
At last they reacht yet; and then, downe, their cariages they cast,
And sat vpon them; where the sonne, of Peleus had plac't,
The ground for his great sepulcher, and for his friends, in one.

They raisd a huge pile; and to armes, went euery Myrmidon,
Charg'd by Achilles; chariots, and horse were harnessed;
Fighters and charitoters got vp; and they, the sad march led:
A cloude of infinite foote behind. In midst of all was borne

312

Patroclus person, by his Peeres: on him, were all heads shorne;
Euen till they couer'd him with curles. Next to him, marcht his friend
Embracing his cold necke, all sad; since now he was to send,
His dearest, to his endlesse home. Arriu'd all, where the wood,
Was heapt for funerall, they set downe. Apart Achilles stood;

Achilles cuts his haire ouer his friends body.

And when enough wood was heapt on, he cut his golden haire;
Long kept, for Sperchius, the flood; in hope of safe repaire
To Phthia, by that riuers powre, but now, left hopelesse thus,
(Enrag'd, and looking on the sea) he cried out: Sperchius;
In vaine, my fathers pietie, vow'd; (at my implor'd returne,
To my lou'd countrie) that these curls, should on thy shores be shorne.
Besides a sacred Hecatombe; and sacrifice beside,
Of fiftie Weathers; at those founts, where men haue edifide
A loftie temple; and perfum'd, an altar to thy name.
There vow'd he all these offerings; but fate preuents thy fame;
His hopes not suffering satisfied: and since, I neuer more
Shall see my lou'd soyle; my friends hands, shall to the Stygian shore
Conuey these Tresses. Thus he put, in his friends hands the haire.
And this bred fresh desire of mone; and in that sad affaire,
The Sunne had set amongst them all; had Thetis sonne not spoke

Achilles to Agamemnon.

Thus to Atrides: King of men, thy aide I still inuoke,
Since thy Command, all men still heare; dismisse thy souldiers now,
And let them victle; they haue mourn'd, sufficient; tis we owe
The dead this honour; and with vs, let all the Captaines stay.

This heard; Atrides instantly, the souldiers sent away;
The funerall officers remain'd, and heapt on matter still,
Till, of an hundred foote about, they made the funerall pile:
In whose hote height, they cast the Corse; and then they pour'd on teares.
Numbers of fat sheepe, and like store, of crooked-going steres,
They slue before the solemne fire: stript off their hides and drest.
Of which, Achilles tooke the fat; and couer'd the deceast
From head to foote: and round about, he made the officers pile
The beasts nak't bodyes; vessels full, of honey, and of oyle,
Pour'd in them, laide vpon a bere; and cast into the fire.
Foure goodly horse; and of nine hounds, two most in the desire
Of that great Prince, and trencher-fed; all fed that hungry flame.

Twelue Princes sacrifised on the funerall pile of Patroclus.

Twelue Troian Princes last stood foorth; yong, and of toward fame:
All which, (set on with wicked spirits) there strooke he, there he slew.
And to the iron strength of fire, their noble lims he threw.

Then breath'd his last sighes, and these words: Againe reioyce my friend,
Euen in the ioylesse depth of hell: now giue I complete end
To all my vowes. Alone thy life, sustain'd not violence;
Twelue Troian Princes waite on thee, and labour to incense
Thy glorious heape of funerall. Great Hector Ile excuse,
The dogs shall eate him. These high threates, perform'd not their abuse;
Ioues daughter, Venus, tooke the guard, of noble Hectors Corse,
And kept the dogs off: night, and day, applying soueraigne force
Of rosie balmes; that to the dogs, were horrible in tast:

313

And with which she the body fild. Renowm'd Apollo cast
A cloude from heauen; lest with the Sunne, the nerues and lineaments
Might drie, and putrifie. And now, some powres denide consents
To this solemnitie: the fire, (for all the oyly fewell
It had iniected) would not burne; and then the louing Cruell
Studied for helpe, and standing off; inuokt the two faire winds
(Zephyr and Boreas) to affoord, the rage of both their kinds,
To aid his outrage. Precious gifts, his earnest zeale did vow,
Powr'd from a golden bowle much wine; and prayde them both to blow
That quickly, his friends Corse might burne; and that heapes sturdy breast
Embrace Consumption. Iris heard; The winds were at a feast;

Iris to the winds.

All in the Court of Zephyrus (that boisterous blowing aire)
Gather'd together. She that weares, the thousand-colourd haire,
Flew thither, standing in the porch. They (seeing her) all arose;
Cald to her; euery one desir'd: she would a while repose,
And eate with them. She answerd; No, no place of seate is here;
Retreate cals to the Ocean, and Æthiopia; where
A Hecatombe is offering now, to heauen: and there must I
Partake the feast of sacrifise; I come to signifie

The North and West wind flie to incense the funerall pile.

That Thetis sonne implores your aides (Princes of North and West)
With vowes of much faire sacrifise; if each, will set his breast
Against his heape of funerall, and make it quickly burne;
Patroclus lies there; whose deceasse, all the Achaians mourne.

She said, and parted; and out rusht, with an vnmeasur'd rore,
Those two winds, tumbling clouds in heapes; vshers to eithers blore.
And instantly they reacht the sea. Vp flew the waues; the gale
Was strong; reacht fruitfull Troy; and full, vpon the fire they fall.
The huge heape thunderd. All night long, from his chok't breast they blew
A liberall flame vp; and all night, swift-foote Achilles threw
Wine from a golden bowle, on earth; and steept the soyle in wine,
Still calling on Patroclus soule. No father could incline
More to a sonne most deare; nor more, mourne at his burned bones,
Then did the great Prince, to his friend, at his combustions;
Still creeping neare and neare the heape; still sighing, weeping still:

The morning.

But when the day starre look't abrode, and promist from his hill
Light, which the saffron morne made good, and sprinkl'd on the seas;
Then languisht the great pile; then sunke, the flames; and then calme Peace
Turn'd backe the rough winds to their homes, the Thracian billow rings
Their high retreate; rufl'd with cuffes, of their triumphant wings.

Pelides then forsooke the pile; and to his tired limme
Chusd place of rest; where laide, sweete sleepe, fell to his wish on him.
When all the kings guard (waiting then, perceiuing will to rise
In that great Session,) hurried in, and op't againe his eyes
With tumult of their troope, and haste. A little then he rear'd
His troubled person; sitting vp, and this affaire referd,
To wisht commandment of the kings; Atrides, and the rest

Achilles to Agamemnon and the other kings.

Of our Commanders generall, vouchsafe me this request
Before your parting: Giue in charge, the quenching with blacke wine,

314

Of this heapes reliques; euery brand, the yellow fire made shine.
And then, let search Patroclus bones, distinguishing them well;
As well ye may; they kept the midst: the rest, at randome fell,
About th' extreme part of the pile; Mens bones, and horses mixt.
Being found, Ile finde an vrne of gold, t'enclose them; and betwixt
The aire and them; two kels of fat, lay on them; and to Rest
Commit them, till mine owne bones seale, our loue; my soule deceast.
The sepulcher, I haue not charg'd, to make of too much state;
But of a modell something meane: that you of yonger Fate,
(When I am gone) may amplifie; with such a bredth and height,
As fits your iudgements, and our worths. This charge receiu'd his weight
In all obseruance: first they quencht, with sable wine, the heape,
As farre as it had fed the flame. The ash fell wondrous deepe,
In which, his consorts, that his life, religiously lou'd,
Searcht, weeping, for his bones; which found, they conscionably prou'd
His will, made to Æacides; and what his loue did adde.
A golden vessell, double fat, containd them; all which (clad
In vailes of linnen, pure and rich) were solemnly conuaid
T'Achilles tent. The platforme then, about the pile they laid,
Of his fit sepulcher; and raisd, a heape of earth; and then
Offerd departure. But the Prince, retaind there still his men;
Employing them to fetch from fleete, rich Tripods for his games,
Caldrons, Horse, Mules, brode-headed Beeues, bright steele, & brighter dames.

The games for Patroclus funerall.

The best at horse race, he ordain'd, a Lady for his prise,
Generally praisefull; faire, and yong, and skild in housewiferies,
Of all kinds fitting; and withall, a Triuet, that enclosde
Twentie two measures roome, with eares. The next prise he proposde,
Was (that, which then had high respect) a mare of sixe yeares old,
Vnhandl'd; horsed with a mule: and readie to haue foald.
The third game, was a Caldron, new, faire, bright, and could for sise
Containe two measures. For the fourth, two talents quantities,
Of finest gold. The fift game was, a great new standing boule,
To set downe both waies. These brought in, Achilles then stood vp,
And said; Atrides, and my Lords, chiefe horsemen of our host,

Achilles to the Grecian kings.

These games expect ye. If my selfe, should interpose my most,
For our horse race; I make no doubt, but I should take againe
These gifts proposde. Ye all know well, of how diuine a straine
My horse are, and how eminent. Of Neptunes gift they are
To Peleus; and of his to me. My selfe then, will not share
In gifts giuen others; nor my steeds, breathe any spirit to shake
Their airie pasterns; so they mourne, for their kind guiders sake,
Late lost; that vsde with humorous oyle, to slick their loftie manes;
Cleare water hauing cleansd them first: and (his bane, being their banes)
Those loftie manes now strew the earth; their heads held shaken downe.
You then, that trust in chariots, and hope with horse to crowne
Your conquering temples; gird your selues; now fame and prise stretch for,
All that haue spirits. This fir'd all; the first competitor
Was king Eumelus; whom the Art, of horsemanship did grace,

315

Sonne to Admetus. Next to him, rose Diomed to the race,
That vnder reines rul'd Troian horse; of late, forc't from the sonne
Of Lord Anchises; himselfe freed, of neare confusion
By Phœbus. Next to him set foorth, the yellow-headed king
Of Lacedæmon, Ioues high seed; and in his managing,
Podargus, and swift Æthe trod, steeds to the king of men.
Æthe, giuen by Echepolus; the Anchisiaden,
As bribe to free him from the warre, resolu'd for Ilion.
So Delicacie feasted him; whom Ioue bestow'd vpon
A mightie wealth; his dwelling was, in brode Sicyone.
Old Nestors sonne, Antilochus, was fourth for chiualrie
In this Contention: his faire horse, were of the Pylian breed,
And his old father (coming neare) inform'd him (for good speed)
With good Race notes; in which himselfe, could good instruction giue.

Antilochus, though yong thou art; yet thy graue virtues liue

Nestor to his son Antilochus giues instructions for the race with chariots.

Belou'd of Neptune, and of Ioue: their spirits haue taught thee all
The art of horsemanship; for which, the lesse thy merits fall
In need of doctrine. Well thy skill, can wield a chariot
In all fit turnings; yet thy horse, their slow feet handle not,
As fits thy manage; which makes me, cast doubts of thy successe.
I well know, all these are not seene, in art of this addresse,
More then thy selfe: their horses yet, superior are to thine,
For their parts: thine want speed to make, discharge of a designe
To please an Artist. But go on, shew but thy art and hart
At all points; and set them against, their horses, heart, and art;
Good Iudges will not see thee lose. A Carpenters desert
Stands more in cunning then in powre. A Pylote doth auert
His vessell from the rocke, and wracke, tost with the churlish winds,
By skill, not strength: so sorts it here; One chariotere that finds
Want of anothers powre in horse, must in his owne skill set
An ouerplus of that, to that; and so the proofe will get
Skill, that still rests within a man, more grace, then powre without.
He that in horse and chariots trusts, is often hurl'd about,
This way, and that, vnhandsomely; all heauen wide of his end.
He better skild, that rules worse horse, will all obseruance bend,
Right on the scope still of a Race; beare neare; know euer when to reine,
When giue reine, as his foe before, (well noted in his veine,
Of manage, and his steeds estate) presents occasion.
Ile giue thee instance now, as plaine, as if thou saw'st it done.
Here stands a drie stub of some tree, a cubite from the ground;
(Suppose the stub of Oake, or Larch; for either are so sound
That neither rots with wet) two stones, white (marke you) white for view

A Cōment might well be bestowed vpon this speech of Nestor.

Parted on either side the stub; and these lay where they drew
The way into a streight; the Race, betwixt both lying cleare.
Imagine them some monument, of one long since tomb'd there;
Or that they had bene lists of race, for men of former yeares;
As now the lists Achilles sets, may serue for charioteres
Many yeares hence. When neare to these, the race growes; then as right,

316

Driue on them as thy eye can iudge; then lay thy bridles weight
Most of thy left side: thy right horse, then switching; all thy throte
(Spent in encouragments) giue him; and all the reine let flote
About his shoulders: thy neare horse, will yet be he that gaue
Thy skill the prise; and him reine so, his head may touch the Naue
Of thy left wheele: but then take care, thou runst not on the stone,
(With wracke of horse and chariot) which so thou bear'st vpon.
Shipwracke within the hauen auoide, by all meanes; that will breed
Others delight, and thee a shame. Be wise then, and take heed
(My lou'd sonne) get but to be first, at turning in the course;
He liues not that can cote thee then: not if he backt the horse
The gods bred, and Adrastus ow'd. Diuine Arions speed,
Could not outpace thee; or the horse, Laomedon did breed;
Whose race is famous, and fed here. Thus sat Neleiaes,

Nestors aged loue of speech, was here briefly noted.

When all that could be said, was said. And then Meriones
Set fiftly forth his faire-man'd horse. All leapt to chariot;
And euery man then for the start, cast in, his proper lot.
Achilles drew; Antilochus, the lot set foremost foorth;
Eumelus next; Atrides third; Meriones the fourth.
The fifth and last, was Diomed; farre first in excellence.
All stood in order, and the lists, Achilles fixt farre thence
In plaine field; and a seate ordain'd, fast by. In which he set

Phœnix chiefe iudge of the best deseruers in the race.

Renowmed Phœnix, that in grace, of Peleus was so great;
To see the race, and giue a truth, of all their passages.
All start together, scourg'd, and cried; and gaue their businesse
Study and order. Through the field, they held a winged pace.
Beneath the bosome of their steeds, a dust so dim'd the race:
It stood aboue their heads in clowds; or like to stormes amaz'd.
Manes flew like ensignes with the wind; the chariots sometime graz'd,
And sometimes iumpt vp to the aire; yet still sat fast the men:
Their spirits euen panting in their breasts, with feruour to obtaine.
But when they turn'd to fleet againe: then all mens skils were tride;
Then stretcht the pasternes of their steeds. Eumelus horse in pride
Still bore their Soueraigne. After them, came Diomeds coursers close,
Still apt to leape their chariot, and ready to repose
Vpon the shoulders of their king, their heads. His backe euen burn'd
With fire, that from their nostrils flew. And then, their Lord had turn'd
The race for him, or giuen it doubt, if Phœbus had not smit
The scourge out of his hands; and teares, of helplesse wrath with it,
From forth his eyes; to see his horse, for want of scourge, made slow;
And th' others (by Apollos helpe) with much more swiftnesse go.

Apollos spite, Pallas discern'd, and flew to Tydeus sonne;
His scourge reacht, and his horse made fresh. Then tooke her angry runne
At king Eumelus; brake his geres; his mares on both sides flew;
His draught tree fell to earth; and him, the tost vp chariot threw
Downe to the earth; his elbowes torne; his forehead, all his face
Strooke at the center; his speech lost. And then the turned race
Fell to Tydides: before all, his conquering horse he draue:

317

And first he glitter'd in the race: diuine Athenia gaue
Strength to his horse, and fame to him. Next him, draue Spartas king.
Antilochus, his fathers horse, then vrg'd, with all his sting
Of scourge and voice. Runne low (said he) stretch out your lims, and flie.

Antilochus to his steeds.

With Diomeds horse, I bid not striue; nor with himselfe striue I.
Athenia wings his horse, and him, renowmes. Atrides steeds
Are they ye must not faile but reach; and soone, lest soone succeeds
The blot of all your fames: to yeeld, in swiftnesse to a mare:
To femall Æthe. Whats the cause (yet best that euer were)
That thus ye faile vs? Be assur'd, that Nestors loue ye lose
For euer if ye faile his sonne: through both your both sides goes
His hote steele, if ye suffer me, to bring the last prise home.
Haste, ouertake them instantly; we needs must ouercome.
This harsh way next vs: this my mind, will take; this I despise
For perill; this Ile creepe through; hard, the way to honor lies.
And that take I, and that shall yeeld. His horse by all this knew
He was not pleasde, and fear'd his voice; and for a while, they flew:
But straite, more cleare, appear'd the streight, Antilochus foresaw;
It was a gaspe the earth gaue, forc't, by humours, cold and raw,
Pour'd out of Winters watrie breast; met there, and cleauing deepe
All that neare passage to the lists. This Nestors sonne would keepe,
And left the rode way, being about; Atrides fear'd, and cride:

Menelaus in feare to follow Antilochus, who ye may see playd vpon him.

Antilochus! thy course is mad; containe thy horse; we ride
A way most dangerous; turne head, betime take larger field,
We shall be splitted. Nestors sonne, with much more scourge impeld
His horse, for this; as if not heard; and got as farre before,
As any youth can cast a quoyte; Atrides would no more;
He backe againe, for feare himselfe, his goodly chariot,
And horse together, strew'd the dust; in being so dustie hote,
Of thirsted conquest. But he chid, at parting, passing sore:

Antilochus (said he) a worse, then thee, earth neuer bore:

Menelaus chides Antilochus.

Farewell; we neuer thought thee wise, that were wise; but not so
Without othes, shall the wreath (be sure) crowne thy mad temples, Go.

Yet he bethought him, and went too; thus stirring vp his steeds:
Leaue me not last thus, nor stand vext; let these faile in the speeds
Of feet and knees; not you: shall these, these old iades, (past the flowre
Of youth, that you haue) passe you? This, the horse fear'd, and more powre
Put to their knees; straite getting ground. Both flew, and so the rest;
All came in smokes, like spirits; the Greeks, (set to fee who did best,
Without the race, aloft:) now made, a new discouerie,
Other then that they made at first; Idomeneus eye
Distinguisht all; he knew the voice, of Diomed; seeing a horse
Of speciall marke, of colour bay, and was the first in course;
His forehead putting forth a starre, round, like the Moone, and white.
Vp stood the Cretan, vttering this; Is it alone my sight,

Idomenæus the king of Crete first discouers the runners.

(Princes, and Captaines) that discernes, another leade the race,
With other horse, then led of late? Eumelus made most pace,
With his fleete mares; and he began, the flexure, as we thought.

318

Now all the field I search, and find, no where his view; hath nought
Befalne amisse to him? perhaps, he hath not with successe
Perform'd his flexure: his reines lost, or seate, or with the tresse
His chariot faild him; and his mares, haue outraid with affright:
Stand vp, trie you your eyes; for mine, hold with the second sight.
This seemes to me, th' Etolian king; the Tydean Diomed.

Aiax Oileus angry with Idomeneus.

To you it seemes so, (rustickly) Aiax Oileus said;
Your words are suited to your eyes. Those mares leade still, that led;
Eumelus owes them: and he still, holds reines and place that did;
Not falne as you hop't: you must prate, before vs all, though last
In iudgement of all: y'are too old, your tongue goes still too fast;
You must not talke so. Here are those, that better thee, and looke
For first place in the censure. This, Idomeneus tooke

Idomeneus to Aiax.

In much disdaine; and thus replide: Thou best, in speeches worst;
Barbarous languag'd; others here, might haue reprou'd me first:
Not thou, vnfitst of all. I hold, a Tripode with thee here,
Or Caldron; and our Generall make, our equall arbiter,
Those horse are first; that when thou paist, thou then maist know. This fir'd
Oileades more; and more then words, this quarell had inspir'd,
Had not Achilles rose; and vsde, this pacifying speech.

No more: away with words in warre, it toucheth both with breach

Achilles pacifies Idomeneus and Aiax.

Of that which fits ye; your deserts, should others reprehend,
That giue such foule termes: sit ye still, the men themselues will end
The strife betwixt you instantly; and eithers owne lode beare,
On his owne shoulders. Then to both, the first horse will appeare,
And which is second. These words vsde, Tydides was at hand;
His horse ranne high, glanc't on the way, and vp they tost the sand,
Thicke on their Coachman; on their pace, their chariot deckt with gold
Swiftly attended; no wheele seene, nor wheeles print in the mould
Imprest behind them. These horse flew, a flight; not ranne a race.

Arriu'd; amids the lists they stood; sweate trickling downe apace

The runners arriue at the races end.

Their high manes, and their prominent breasts; and downe iumpt Diomed,
Laid vp his scorge aloft the seate; and straite his prise was led
Home to his tent: rough Sthenelus, laid quicke hand on the dame,
And handled Triuet, and sent both, home by his men. Next came
Antilochus, that wonne with wiles, not swiftnesse of his horse,
Precedence of the gold-lockt king; who yet maintaind the course
So close, that not the kings owne horse, gat more before the wheele
Of his rich chariot; that might still, the insecution feele
With the extreme haires of his taile: (and that sufficient close
Held to his leader: no great space, it let him interpose,
Considerd in so great a field.) Then Nestors wilie sonne
Gate of the king: now at his heeles, though at the breach he wonne
A quoytes cast of him; which the king, againe, at th' instant gaind.
Æthe, Agamemnonides, that was so richly maind,
Gat strength still, as she spent; which words, her worth had prou'd with deeds,
Had more ground bene allow'd the race; and coted farre, his steeds,
No question leauing for the prise. And now Meriones,

319

A darts cast came behind the king; his horse of speed much lesse;
Himselfe lesse skild t'importune them; and giue a chariot wing.
Admetus sonne was last; whose plight, Achilles pittying,
Thus spake: Best man comes last; yet Right, must see his prise not least;

Achilles sentence.

The second, his deserts must beare; and Diomed the best.

He said, and all allow'd; and sure, the mare had bene his owne,
Had not Antilochus stood forth; and in his answer showne,

Antilochus to Achilles.

Good reason for his interest. Achilles, (he replied)
I should be angry with you much, to see this ratified.
Ought you to take from me my right? because his horse had wrong,
Himselfe being good? he should haue vsde (as good men do) his tongue,
In prayre to their powres that blesse good (not trusting to his owne)
Not to haue bene in this good, last. His chariot ouerthrowne,
O'rethrew not me; who's last? who's first? mens goodnesse, without these
Is not our question. If his good, you pitie yet; and please,
Princely to grace it; your tents hold, a goodly deale of gold,
Brasse, horse, sheepe, women; out of these, your bountie may be bold
To take a much more worthy prise, then my poore merit seekes,
And giue it here, before my face, and all these; that the Greekes
May glorifie your liberall hands. This prise, I will not yeeld;
Who beares this (whatsoeuer man) he beares a tried field.
His hand and mine must change some blowes. Achilles laught, and said:

If thy will be (Antilochus) Ile see Eumelus paid,
Out of my tents; Ile giue him th' armes, which late I conquerd in
Asteropæus; forg'd of brasse, and wau'd about with tin;
Twill be a present worthy him. This said, Automedon,
He sent for them. He went; and brought; and to Admetus sonne,
Achilles gaue them. He, well pleasde, receiu'd them. Then arose,
Wrong'd Menelaus, much incenst, with yong Antilochus.
He, bent to speake; a herald tooke, his Scepter, and gaue charge
Of silence to the other Greeks; then did the king enlarge
The spleene he prisoned; vttering this: Antilochus? till now,

Note Menelaus ridiculous speech for conclusion of his character.

We grant thee wise; but in this act, what wisedome vtter'st thou?
Thou hast disgrac't my vertue; wrong'd, my horse; preferring thine,
Much their inferiors; but go to, Princes; nor his, nor mine,
Iudge of with fauour; him, nor me; lest any Grecian vse
This scandall; Menelaus wonne, with Nestors sonnes abuse,
The prise in question; his horse worst; himselfe yet wanne the best,
By powre and greatnesse. Yet because, I would not thus contest,
To make parts taking; Ile be iudge; and I suppose, none here
Will blame my iudgement; Ile do right; Antilochus, come neare;
Come (noble gentleman) tis your place; sweare by th' earth circling god,
(Standing before your chariot, and horse; and that selfe rod,
With which you scourg'd them, in your hand) if both with will and wile,
You did not crosse my chariot. He thus did reconcile

Antilochus his ironicall reply.

Grace with his disgrace; and with wit, restor'd him to his wit;
Now craue I patience: ô king, what euer was vnfit,
Ascribe to much more youth in me, then you; you more in age,

320

And more in excellence; know well, the outraies that engage
All yong mens actions; sharper wits, but duller wisedomes still
From vs flow, then from you; for which, curbe with your wisedome, will.
The prise I thought mine, I yeeld yours; and (if you please) a prise
Of greater value; to my tent, Ile send for, and suffise
Your will at full, and instantly; for in this point of time,
I rather wish to be enioyn'd, your fauors top to clime,

Ironicé

Then to be falling all my time, from height of such a grace;
(O Ioue-lou'd king) and of the gods, receiue a curse in place.

This said; he fetcht the prise to him; and it reioyc't him so;

This Simile likewise is meerly Ironicall.

That as corne-eares shine with the dew; yet hauing time to grow;
When fields set all their bristles vp: in such a ruffe wert thou,
(O Menelaus) answering thus; Antilochus, I now,
(Though I were angry) yeeld to thee; because I see th' hadst wit,
When I thought not; thy youth hath got, the mastery of thy spirit.
And yet for all this, tis more safe, not to abuse at all,

Menelaus to Antilochus.

Great men; then (ventring) trust to wit, to take vp what may fall.
For no man in our host beside, had easely calm'd my spleene,
Stird with like tempest. But thy selfe, hast a sustainer bene
Of much affliction in my cause: so thy good father too,
And so thy brother, at thy suite; I therefore let all go;
Giue thee the game here, though mine owne; that all these may discerne,
King Menelaus beares a mind, at no part, proud, or sterne.

The king thus calm'd, Antilochus, receiu'd; and gaue the steed
To lou'd Noemon, to leade thence; and then receiu'd beside
The caldron. Next, Meriones, for fourth game, was to haue
Two talents, gold. The fift (vnwonne) renowm'd Achilles gaue
To reuerend Nestor; being a boule, to set on either end,

Achilles his gift to Nestor.

Which through the preasse he caried him; Receiue (said he) old friend,
This gift, as funerall monument, of my deare friend deceast,
Whom neuer you must see againe; I make it his bequest
To you; as without any strife, obtaining it from all.
Your shoulders must not vndergo, the churlish whoorlbats fall;
Wrastling is past you; strife in darts; the footes celeritie;
Harsh age in his yeares fetters you; and honor sets you free.

Thus gaue he it; he tooke, and ioyd; but ere he thankt, he said;

Nestors glorie in the gift of Achilles.

Now sure my honorable sonne, in all points thou hast plaid
The comely Orator; no more, must I contend with nerues;
Feete faile, and hands; armes want that strength, that this, and that swinge serues
Vnder your shoulders. Would to heauen, I were so yong chind now,
And strength threw such a many of bones, to celebrate this show;
As when the Epians brought to fire (actiuely honoring thus)
King Amarynceas funerals, in faire Buprasius.
His sonnes put prises downe for him; where, not a man matcht me,
Of all the Epians; or the sonnes, of great-soul'd Ætolie;
No nor the Pilians themselues, my countrimen. I beate
Great Clydomedeus, Enops sonne, at buffets; at the feate
Of wrastling, I laid vnder me; one that against me rose,

321

Ancæus cald Pleuronius. I made Ipiclus lose
The foot-game to me. At the speare, I conquer'd Polydore,
And strong Phyleus. Actors sonnes, (of all men) onely bore
The palme at horse race; conquering, with lashing on more horse,
And enuying my victorie, because (before their course)
All the best games were gone with me. These men were twins; one was
A most sure guide; a most sure guide. The other gaue the passe
With rod and mettle. This was then. But now, yong men must wage
These workes; and my ioynts vndergo, the sad defects of age.
Though then I was another man;

His desire of praise pants still.

at that time I exceld
Amongst th' heroes. But forth now, let th' other rites be held
For thy deceast friend: this thy gift, in all kind part I take;
And much it ioyes my heart, that still, for my true kindnesse sake,
You giue me memorie. You perceiue, in what fit grace I stand
Amongst the Grecians; and to theirs, you set your gracefull hand.
The gods giue ample recompence, of grace againe to thee,
For this, and all thy fauors. Thus, backe through the thrust draue he,

Another note of Nestors humor, not so much being to be plainly obserued in all these Iliads as in this booke.

When he had staid out all the praise, of old Neltides.

And now for buffets (that rough game) he orderd passages;
Proposing a laborious Mule, of sixe yeares old, vntam'd,
And fierce in handling; brought, and bound, in that place where they gam'd:
And to the conquerd, a round cup; both which, he thus proclames.

Atrides, and all friends of Greece, two men, for these two games;

Achilles proposes the game for buffets.

I bid stand forth; who best can strike, with high contracted fists,
(Apollo giuing him the wreath) know all about these lists,
Shall winne a Mule, patient of toyle? the vanquisht, this round cup.

This vtterd; Panopeus sonne, Epeus, straight stood vp;
A tall huge man; that to the naile, knew that rude sport of hand;
And (seising the tough mule) thus spake: Now let some other stand

Note the sharpnes of wit in our Homer, if where you looke not for it, you can find it

Forth for the cup; this Mule is mine; at cuffes I bost me best;
Is't not enough I am no souldier? who is worthiest
At all workes? none; not possible. At this yet, this I say,
And will performe this; who stands forth; Ile burst him; I will bray
His bones as in a mortar; fetch, surgeons enow, to take
His corse from vnder me. This speech, did all men silent make;
At last stood forth Euryalus; a man, god-like, and sonne
To king Mecisteus; the grand child, of honor'd Talaon.
He was so strong, that (coming once to Thebes, when Oedipus
Had like rites solemniz'd for him) he went victorious
From all the Thebanes. This rare man, Tydides would prepare;
Put on his girdle; oxehide cords, faire wrought; and spent much care,
That he might conquer; heartned him; and taught him trickes. Both drest
Fit for th' affaire; both forth were brought; then breast opposde to breast;
Fists against fists rose; and they ioynd; ratling of iawes was there;
Gnashing of teeth; and heauie blowes, dasht bloud out euery where.
At length, Epeus spide cleare way; rusht in; and such a blow
Draue vnderneath the others eare; that his neate lims did strow
The knockt earth; no more legs had he; But as a huge fish laid

322

Neare to the cold-weed-gathering shore, is with a North flaw fraid;
Shootes backe; and in the blacke deepe hides: So lent against the ground,
Was foyl'd Euryalus; his strength, so hid in more profound
Deepes of Epeus; who tooke vp, th' intranc't Competitor;
About whom rusht a crowd of friends, that through the clusters bore
His faltring knees; he spitting vp, thicke clods of bloud; his head

Achilles puts downe prise for wrastlers.

Totterd of one side; his sence gone. When (to a by-place led)
Thither they brought him the round cup. Pelides then set forth
Prise for a wrastling; to the best, a triuet, that was worth
Twelue oxen, great, and fit for fire; the conquer'd was t'obtaine
A woman excellent in workes; her beautie, and her gaine,
Prisde at foure oxen. Vp he stood, and thus proclaim'd: Arise
You wrastlers, that will proue for these. Out stept the ample sise

Vlysses and Aiax wrastle.

Of mightie Aiax, huge in strength; to him, Laertes sonne,
That craftie one, as huge in sleight. Their ceremonie done,
Of making readie; forth they stept; catch elbowes with strong hands;

Simile.

And as the beames of some high house, cracke with a storme, yet stands
The house, being built by well-skild men: So crackt their backe bones wrincht
With horrid twitches. In their sides, armes, shoulders (all bepincht)
Ran thicke the wals, red with the bloud, ready to start out; both
Long'd for the conquest, and the prise; yet shewd no play; being loth
To lose both; nor could Ithacus, stirre Aiax; nor could he
Hale downe Vlysses; being more strong, then with mere strength to be
Hurl'd from all vantage of his sleight. Tir'd then, with tugging play;

Aiax to Vlysses.

Great Aiax Telamonius said: Thou wisest man; or lay
My face vp, or let me lay thine; let Ioue take care for these.
This said, he hoist him vp to aire, when Laertiades
His wiles forgat not; Aiax thigh, he strooke behind; and flat
He on his backe fell; on his breast, Vlysses. Wonderd at
Was this of all; all stood amaz'd. Then the-much-suffering-man
(Diuine Vlysses) at next close; the Telamonian
A litle raisde from earth; not quite; but with his knee implide
Lockt legs; and downe fell both on earth, close by each others side;
Both fil'd with dust; but starting vp, the third close they had made,
Had not Achilles selfe stood vp; restraining them, and bad;

Achilles parts Vlysses and Aiax.

No more tug one another thus, nor moyle your selues; receiue
Prise equall; conquest crownes ye both; the lists to others leaue.

Prises for runners.

They heard and yeelded willingly; brusht off the dust; and on
Put other vests. Pelides then, to those that swiftest runne,
Proposde another prise; a boule, beyond comparison
(Both for the sise and workmanship) past all the boules of earth;
It held fixe measures; siluer all; but had his speciall worth,
For workmanship; receiuing forme, from those ingenious men
Of Sydon: the Phœnicians, made choise; and brought it then,
Along the greene sea; giuing it, to Thoas; by degrees
It came t'Eunaus, Iasons sonne; who, yong Priamides,
(Lycaon) of Achilles friend, bought with it; and this, here,
Achilles made best game, for him, that best his feete could beare.

323

For second, he proposde an Oxe; a huge one, and a fat;
And halfe a talent gold for last. These, thus he set them at.

Rise, you that will assay for these; forth stept Oileades;
Vlysses answerd; and the third, was one, esteem'd past these

Vlysses, Aiax Oileus and Antilochus for the Foot-race.

For footmanship; Antilochus. All rankt; Achilles show'd
The race-scope. From the start, they glid; Oileades bestow'd
His feete the swiftest; close to him, flew god-like Ithacus;
And as a Ladie at her loome, being yong and beauteous,

Simile.

Her silke-shittle close to her breast (with grace that doth inflame,
And her white hand) lifts quicke, and oft, in drawing from her frame
Her gentle thred; which she vnwinds, with euer at her brest,
Gracing her faire hand: So close still, and with such interest,
In all mens likings, Ithacus, vnwound, and spent the race
By him before; tooke out his steps, with putting in their place,
Promptly and gracefully his owne; sprinkl'd the dust before;
And clouded with his breath his head: so facilie he bore
His royall person, that he strooke, shoutes from the Greekes, with thirst,
That he should conquer; though he flew; yet come, come, ô come first,
Euer they cried to him; and this, euen his wise breast did moue,

Vlysses prayes to Minerua for speed.

To more desire of victorie; it made him pray, and proue,
Mineruas aide (his fautresse still): O goddesse, heare (said he)
And to my feete stoope with thy helpe; now happie Fautresse be.

She was; and light made all his lims; and now (both neare their crowne)
Minerua tript vp Aiax heeles, and headlong he fell downe,
Amids the ordure of the beasts, there negligently left,
Since they were slaine there; and by this, Mineruas friend bereft
Oileades of that rich bowle; and left his lips, nose, eyes,
Ruthfully smer'd. The fat oxe yet, he seisd for second prise,
Held by the horne, spit out the taile; and thus spake, all besmear'd:

O villanous chance! this Ithacus, so highly is indear'd
To his Minerua; that her hand, is euer in his deeds:

Aiax Oileus iests out his fall to the Greekes.

She, like his mother, nestles him; for from her it proceeds,
(I know) that I am vsde thus. This, all in light laughter cast;
Amongst whom, quicke Antilochus, laught out his coming last,
Thus wittily: Know, all my friends, that all times past, and now,

Antilochus likewise helpes out his coming last.

The gods most honour, most-liu'd men; Oileades ye know,
More old then I; but Ithacus, is of the formost race;
First generation of men. Giue the old man his grace;
They count him of the greene-hair'd eld; they may, or in his flowre;
For not our greatest flourisher, can equall him in powre,
Of foote-strife, but Æacides. Thus sooth'd he Thetis sonne;
Who thus accepted it: Well youth, your praises shall not runne,

Achilles to Antilochus.

.
With vnrewarded feete, on mine; your halfe a talents prise,
Ile make a whole one: take you sit. He tooke, and ioy'd. Then flies
Another game forth; Thetis sonne, set in the lists, a lance,
A shield, and helmet; being th' armes, Sarpedon did aduance
Against Patroclus; and he prisde. And thus he nam'd th' addresse:

Stand forth, two the most excellent, arm'd; and before all these,

Prise for the fighters armed.

324

Giue mutuall onset, to the touch, and wound of eithers flesh;
Who first shall wound, through others armes, his blood appearing fresh;
Shall win this sword, siluerd, and hatcht; the blade is right of Thrace;
Asteropaus yeelded it. These armes shall part their grace,
With eithers valour; and the men, Ile liberally feast
At my pauilion. To this game, the first man that addrest,

Diomed and Aiax combat.

Was Aiax Telamonius; to him, king Diomed;
Both, in opposde parts of the preasse, full arm'd; both entered
The lists amids the multitude; put lookes on so austere,
And ioyn'd so roughly; that amaze, surprisde the Greeks, in feare
Of eithers mischiefe. Thrice they threw, their fierce darts; and closde thrice.
Then Aiax strooke through Diomeds shield, but did no preiudice;
His curets saft him. Diomeds dart, still ouer shoulders flew;
Still mounting with the spirit it bore. And now rough Aiax grew
So violent, that the Greeks cried: Hold; no more; let them no more
Giue equall prise to either; yet, the sword, proposde before,

Achilles proposes a game for hurling of the stone or boule.

For him did best; Achilles gaue, to Diomed. Then a stone,
(In fashion of a sphere) he show'd; of no inuention,
But naturall; onely melted through, with iron. Twas the boule,
That king Ection vsde to hurle: but he, bereft of soule,
By great Achilles; to the fleete, with store of other prise,
He brought it; and proposde it now; both for the exercise,
And prise it selfe. He stood, and said: Rise you that will approue
Your armes strengths now, in this braue strife: his vigor that can moue
This furthest; needs no game but this; for reach he nere so farre,
With large fields of his owne, in Greece; (and so needs for his Carre,
His Plow, or other tooles of thrift, much iron) Ile able this

Ironicé.

For fiue reuolued yeares; no need, shall vse his messages
To any towne, to furnish him; this onely boule shall yeeld
Iron enough, for all affaires. This said; to trie this field,
First Polypates issued; next Leontaus; third
Great Aiax; huge Epeus fourth. Yet he was first that stird
That myne of iron. Vp it went; and vp he tost it so,
That laughter tooke vp all the field. The next man that did throw,
Was Leonteus; Aiax third; who gaue it such a hand,
That farre past both their markes it flew. But now twas to be mann'd
By Polypetes; and as farre, as at an Oxe that strayes,
A herdsman can swing out his goade: so farre did he outraise
The stone past all men; all the field, rose in a shout to see't.
About him flockt his friends; and bore, the royall game to fleete.

Another game.

For Archerie, he then set forth, ten axes, edg'd two waies;
And ten of one edge. On the shore, farre off, he causd to raise
A ship-mast; to whose top they tied, a fearfull Doue by th' foote;
At which, all shot; the game put thus: He that the Doue could shoote,
Nor touch the string that fastn'd her; the two-edg'd tooles should beare
All to the fleete. Who toucht the string, and mist the Doue, should share
The one-edg'd axes. This proposde; king Teucers force arose;
And with him rose Meriones; and now lots must dispose

325

Their shooting first; both which, let fall, into a helme of brasse;
First Teucers came; and first he shot; and his crosse fortune was,
To shoote the string; the Doue vntoucht: Apollo did enuie
His skill; since not to him he vow'd (being god of archerie)
A first falne Lambe. The bitter shaft, yet cut in two the cord,
That downe fell; and the Doue aloft, vp to the Welkin soar'd.
The Greeks gaue shouts; Meriones, first made a heartie vow;
To sacrifice a first falne Lambe, to him that rules the Bow;
And then fell to his aime; his shaft, being ready nockt before.
He spide her in the clouds, that here, there, euery where did soare;
Yet at her height he reacht her side, strooke her quite through, and downe
The shaft fell at his feete; the Doue, the mast againe did crowne;
There hung the head; and all her plumes, were ruffl'd; she starke dead;
And there (farre off from him) she fell. The people wondered,
And stood astonisht. Th' Archer pleasd. Æacides then shewes
A long lance, and a caldron, new, engrail'd with twentie hewes;
Prisde at an Oxe. These games were shew'd, for men at darts; and then
Vp rose the Generall of all; vp rose the king of men:
Vp rose late-crown'd Meriones. Achilles (seeing the king
Do him this grace) preuents more deed; his royall offering
Thus interrupting; King of men, we well conceiue how farre
Thy worth, superiour is to all; how much most singular,
Thy powre is, and thy skill in darts; accept then this poore prise,
Without contention; and (your will, pleasde with what I aduise)
Affoord Meriones the lance. The king was nothing slow
To that fit grace; Achilles then, the brasse lance did bestow
On good Meriones. The king, his present would not saue;
But to renowm'd Talthybius, the goodly Caldron gaue.

The end of the three and twentieth Booke.