The Whole Works of Homer Prince of Poetts: In his Iliads, and Odysses. Translated according to the Greeke. By Geo: Chapman |
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| 24. | THE XXIIII. BOOKE OF HOMERS ILIADS. |
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 | The Whole Works of Homer |  |
326
THE XXIIII. BOOKE OF HOMERS ILIADS.
The Argvment.
Ioue, entertaining care of Hectors corse;Sends Thetis to her sonne, for his remorse;
And fit dismission of it. Iris then,
He sends to Priam; willing him to gaine
His sonne for ransome. He, by Hermes led,
Gets through Achilles guards; sleepes deepe, and dead,
Cast on them by his guide. When, with accesse,
And humble sute, made to AEacides,
He gaines the bodie; which to Troy he beares,
And buries it with feasts, buried in teares.
Another Argument.
Omega sings the exequies,And Hectors redemptorie prise.
The games perform'd; the souldiers, wholly disperst to fleete;
Supper and sleepe, their onely care. Constant Achilles yet,
Wept for his friend; nor sleepe it selfe, that all things doth subdue,
Could touch at him. This way, and that, he turn'd, and did renue
His friends deare memorie; his grace, in managing his strength;
And his strengths greatnesse. How life rackt, into their vtmost length,
Griefes, battels, and the wraths of seas, in their ioynt sufferance.
Each thought of which, turn'd to a teare. Sometimes he would aduance
(In tumbling on the shore) his side; sometimes his face; then turne
Flat on his bosome; start vpright. Although he saw the morne
Shew sea and shore his extasie; he left not, till at last
Rage varied his distraction. Horse, chariot, in hast
He cald for; and (those ioyn'd) the corse, was to his chariot tide;
And thrice about the sepulcher, he made his Furie ride;
Dragging the person. All this past; in his pauilion
Rest seisd him; but with Hectors corse, his rage had neuer done;
Still suffering it t'oppresse the dust. Apollo yet, euen dead,
Pitied the Prince; and would not see, inhumane tyrannie fed,
With more pollution of his lims; and therefore couerd round
His person with his golden shield; that rude dogs might not wound
His manly lineaments (which threat, Achilles cruelly
Had vsde in furie). But now heauen, let fall a generall eye
Of pitie on him; the blest gods, perswaded Mercurie
(Their good obseruer) to his stealth; and euery deitie
Stood pleasd with it, Iuno except; Greene Neptune, and the Maide
Grac't with the blew eyes; all their hearts, stood hatefully appaid,
Long since; and held it, as at first, to Priam, Ilion,
And all his subiects, for the rape, of his licentious sonne,
Proud Paris, that despisde these dames, in their diuine accesse,
Made to his cottage; and praisd her, that his sad wantonnesse,
So costly nourisht. The twelfth morne, now shin'd on the delay
Of Hectors rescue; and then spake, the deitie of the day,
Thus to th' immortals: Shamelesse gods; authors of ill ye are,
To suffer ill. Hath Hectors life, at all times show'd his care
Of all your rights; in burning thighs, of Beeues and Goates to you,
And are your cares no more of him? vouchsafe ye not euen now
(Euen dead) to keepe him? that his wife, his mother, and his sonne,
Father and subiects may be mou'd, to those deeds he hath done,
See'ng you preserue him that seru'd you; and sending to their hands
His person for the rites of fire? Achilles, that withstands
All helpe to others, you can helpe; one that hath neither hart
Nor soule within him, that will moue, or yeeld to any part,
That fits a man; but Lion-like; vplandish, and meere wilde;
Slaue to his pride; and all his nerues, being naturally compil'd
Of eminent strength; stalkes out and preyes, vpon a silly sheepe:
And so fares this man. That fit ruth, that now should draw so deepe
In all the world; being lost in him. And Shame (a qualitie
Of so much weight; that both it helpes, and hurts excessiuely,
Men in their manners) is not knowne; nor hath the powre to be
In this mans being. Other men, a greater losse then he,
Haue vndergone; a sonne, suppose, or brother of one wombe;
Yet, after dues of woes and teares, they bury in his tombe
All their deplorings. Fates haue giuen, to all that are true men,
True manly patience; but this man, so soothes his bloudy veine,
That no bloud serues it; he must haue, diuine-soul'd Hector bound
To his proud chariot; and danc't, in a most barbarous round,
About his lou'd friends sepulcher, when he is slaine: Tis vile,
And drawes no profit after it. But let him now awhile
Marke but our angers; his is spent; let all his strength take heed,
It tempts not our wraths; he begets, in this outragious deed,
The dull earth, with his furies hate. White-wristed Iuno said,
(Being much incenst) This doome is one, that thou wouldst haue obaid,
Thou bearer of the siluer bow) that we, in equall care
And honour should hold Hectors worth, with him that claimes a share
In our deseruings? Hector suckt, a mortall womans brest;
Æacides a goddesses? our selfe had interest,
Both in his infant nourishment, and bringing vp with state;
And to the humane Peleus, we gaue his bridall mate,
Because he had th' immortals loue. To celebrate the feast
Of their high nuptials; euery god, was glad to be a guest;
And thou fedst of his fathers cates; touching thy harpe, in grace
Of that beginning of our friend; whom thy perfidious face,
(In his perfection) blusheth not, to match with Priam sonne;
O thou, that to betray, and shame, art still companion.
Supper and sleepe, their onely care. Constant Achilles yet,
Wept for his friend; nor sleepe it selfe, that all things doth subdue,
Could touch at him. This way, and that, he turn'd, and did renue
His friends deare memorie; his grace, in managing his strength;
And his strengths greatnesse. How life rackt, into their vtmost length,
Griefes, battels, and the wraths of seas, in their ioynt sufferance.
Each thought of which, turn'd to a teare. Sometimes he would aduance
(In tumbling on the shore) his side; sometimes his face; then turne
Flat on his bosome; start vpright. Although he saw the morne
Shew sea and shore his extasie; he left not, till at last
Rage varied his distraction. Horse, chariot, in hast
He cald for; and (those ioyn'd) the corse, was to his chariot tide;
And thrice about the sepulcher, he made his Furie ride;
Dragging the person. All this past; in his pauilion
Rest seisd him; but with Hectors corse, his rage had neuer done;
Still suffering it t'oppresse the dust. Apollo yet, euen dead,
Pitied the Prince; and would not see, inhumane tyrannie fed,
With more pollution of his lims; and therefore couerd round
His person with his golden shield; that rude dogs might not wound
His manly lineaments (which threat, Achilles cruelly
Had vsde in furie). But now heauen, let fall a generall eye
Of pitie on him; the blest gods, perswaded Mercurie
(Their good obseruer) to his stealth; and euery deitie
327
Grac't with the blew eyes; all their hearts, stood hatefully appaid,
Long since; and held it, as at first, to Priam, Ilion,
And all his subiects, for the rape, of his licentious sonne,
Proud Paris, that despisde these dames, in their diuine accesse,
Made to his cottage; and praisd her, that his sad wantonnesse,
So costly nourisht. The twelfth morne, now shin'd on the delay
Of Hectors rescue; and then spake, the deitie of the day,
Thus to th' immortals: Shamelesse gods; authors of ill ye are,
To suffer ill. Hath Hectors life, at all times show'd his care
Of all your rights; in burning thighs, of Beeues and Goates to you,
And are your cares no more of him? vouchsafe ye not euen now
(Euen dead) to keepe him? that his wife, his mother, and his sonne,
Father and subiects may be mou'd, to those deeds he hath done,
See'ng you preserue him that seru'd you; and sending to their hands
His person for the rites of fire? Achilles, that withstands
All helpe to others, you can helpe; one that hath neither hart
Nor soule within him, that will moue, or yeeld to any part,
That fits a man; but Lion-like; vplandish, and meere wilde;
Slaue to his pride; and all his nerues, being naturally compil'd
Of eminent strength; stalkes out and preyes, vpon a silly sheepe:
And so fares this man. That fit ruth, that now should draw so deepe
In all the world; being lost in him. And Shame (a qualitie
Of so much weight; that both it helpes, and hurts excessiuely,
Men in their manners) is not knowne; nor hath the powre to be
In this mans being. Other men, a greater losse then he,
Haue vndergone; a sonne, suppose, or brother of one wombe;
Yet, after dues of woes and teares, they bury in his tombe
All their deplorings. Fates haue giuen, to all that are true men,
True manly patience; but this man, so soothes his bloudy veine,
That no bloud serues it; he must haue, diuine-soul'd Hector bound
To his proud chariot; and danc't, in a most barbarous round,
About his lou'd friends sepulcher, when he is slaine: Tis vile,
And drawes no profit after it. But let him now awhile
Marke but our angers; his is spent; let all his strength take heed,
It tempts not our wraths; he begets, in this outragious deed,
The dull earth, with his furies hate. White-wristed Iuno said,
(Being much incenst) This doome is one, that thou wouldst haue obaid,
Thou bearer of the siluer bow) that we, in equall care
And honour should hold Hectors worth, with him that claimes a share
In our deseruings? Hector suckt, a mortall womans brest;
Æacides a goddesses? our selfe had interest,
Both in his infant nourishment, and bringing vp with state;
And to the humane Peleus, we gaue his bridall mate,
Because he had th' immortals loue. To celebrate the feast
Of their high nuptials; euery god, was glad to be a guest;
And thou fedst of his fathers cates; touching thy harpe, in grace
Of that beginning of our friend; whom thy perfidious face,
328
O thou, that to betray, and shame, art still companion.
Ioue thus receiu'd her: Neuer giue, these brode termes to a god.
Those two men shall not be compar'd; and yet, of all that trod
The well-pau'd Ilion, none so deare, to all the deities,
As Hector was, at least to me. For offrings most of prise,
His hands would neuer pretermit. Our altars euer stood,
Furnisht with banquets fitting vs; odors, and euery good,
Smokt in our temples; and for this, (foreseeing it) his fate,
We markt with honour, which must stand: but to giue stealth, estate,
In his deliuerance; shun we that; nor must we fauour one,
To shame another. Priuily, with wrong to Thetis sonne,
We must not worke out Hectors right. There is a ransome due,
And open course, by lawes of armes: in which, must humbly sue,
The friends of Hector. Which iust meane, if any god would stay,
And vse the other, twould not serue; for Thetis, night and day,
Is guardian to him. But would one, call Iris hither; I
Would giue directions, that for gifts, the Troian king should buy
His Hectors body; which the sonne, of Thetis shall resigne.
Those two men shall not be compar'd; and yet, of all that trod
The well-pau'd Ilion, none so deare, to all the deities,
As Hector was, at least to me. For offrings most of prise,
His hands would neuer pretermit. Our altars euer stood,
Furnisht with banquets fitting vs; odors, and euery good,
Smokt in our temples; and for this, (foreseeing it) his fate,
We markt with honour, which must stand: but to giue stealth, estate,
In his deliuerance; shun we that; nor must we fauour one,
To shame another. Priuily, with wrong to Thetis sonne,
We must not worke out Hectors right. There is a ransome due,
And open course, by lawes of armes: in which, must humbly sue,
The friends of Hector. Which iust meane, if any god would stay,
And vse the other, twould not serue; for Thetis, night and day,
Is guardian to him. But would one, call Iris hither; I
Would giue directions, that for gifts, the Troian king should buy
His Hectors body; which the sonne, of Thetis shall resigne.
This said, his will was done; the Dame, that doth in vapours shine,
Dewie and thin, footed with stormes; iumpt to the sable seas
Twixt Samos, and sharpe Imbers cliffes; the lake gron'd with the presse
Of her rough feete; and (plummet-like, put in an oxes horne
That beares death to the raw-fed fish) she diu'd, and found forlorne
Thetis, lamenting her sonnes fate; who was in Troy to haue
(Farre from his countrey) his death seru'd. Close to her Iris stood,
And said; Rise Thetis: prudent Ioue (whose counsels thirst not blood)
Cals for thee. Thetis answerd her, with asking; Whats the cause
The great god cals? my sad powres fear'd, to breake th' immortall lawes,
In going, fil'd with griefes, to heauen. But he sets snares for none
With colourd counsels; not a word, of him, but shall be done.
Dewie and thin, footed with stormes; iumpt to the sable seas
Twixt Samos, and sharpe Imbers cliffes; the lake gron'd with the presse
Of her rough feete; and (plummet-like, put in an oxes horne
That beares death to the raw-fed fish) she diu'd, and found forlorne
Thetis, lamenting her sonnes fate; who was in Troy to haue
(Farre from his countrey) his death seru'd. Close to her Iris stood,
And said; Rise Thetis: prudent Ioue (whose counsels thirst not blood)
Cals for thee. Thetis answerd her, with asking; Whats the cause
The great god cals? my sad powres fear'd, to breake th' immortall lawes,
In going, fil'd with griefes, to heauen. But he sets snares for none
With colourd counsels; not a word, of him, but shall be done.
She said, and tooke a sable vaile; a blacker neuer wore
A heauenly shoulder; and gaue way. Swift Iris swum before;
About both rowld the brackish waues. They tooke their banks and flew
Vp to Olympus, where they found, Saturnius (farre-of-view)
Spher'd with heauens-euerbeing states. Minerua rose, and gaue
Her place to Thetis, neare to Ioue; and Iuno did receiue
Her entry with a cup of gold; in which she dranke to her,
Grac't her with comfort; and the cup, to her hand did referre.
She dranke, resigning it. And then, the fire of men and gods,
Thus entertain'd her; Com'st thou vp, to these our blest abodes,
(Faire goddesse Thetis) yet art sad? and that in so high kind,
As passeth suffrance? this I know; and try'd thee, and now find
Thy will by mine rulde; which is rule, to all worlds gouernment.
Besides this triall yet; this cause, sent downe for thy ascent;
Nine dayes Contention hath bene held, amongst th' immortals here,
For Hectors person, and thy sonne; and some aduices were,
To haue our good spie Mercurie, steale from thy sonne the Corse:
But that reproch I kept farre off; to keepe in future force,
Thy former loue, and reuerence. Haste then, and tell thy sonne,
The gods are angrie; and my selfe, take that wrong he hath done
To Hector, in worst part of all: the rather, since he still
Detaines his person. Charge him then, if he respect my will,
For any reason; to resigne, slaine Hector; I will send
Iris to Priam, to redeeme, his sonne; and recommend
Fit ransome to Achilles grace; in which right, he may ioy,
And end his vaine griefe. To this charge, bright Thetis did employ
Instant endeuour. From heauens tops, she reacht Achilles tent;
Found him still sighing; and some friends, with all their complements
Soothing his humour: othersome, with all contention
Dressing his dinner: all their paines, and skils consum'd vpon
A huge wooll-bearer, slaughterd there. His reuerend mother then,
Came neare, tooke kindly his faire hand; and askt him: Deare sonne, when
Will sorrow leaue thee? How long time, wilt thou thus eate thy heart?
Fed with no other food, nor rest? twere good thou wouldst diuert
Thy friends loue, to some Ladie; cheare, thy spirits with such kind parts
As she can quit thy grace withall: the ioy of thy deserts,
I shall not long haue; death is neare, and thy all-conquering fate,
Whose haste thou must not haste with griefe; but vnderstand the state,
Of things belonging to thy life, which quickly order. I
Am sent from Ioue t'aduertise thee, that euery deitie
Is angry with thee, himselfe most; that rage, thus reigns in thee,
Still to keepe Hector. Quit him then; and for fit ransome free
His iniur'd person. He replied; Let him come that shall giue
The ransome; and the person take. Ioues pleasure must depriue
Men of all pleasures. This good speech, and many more, the sonne,
And mother vsde, in eare of all, the nauall Station.
And now to holy Ilion, Saturnius, Iris sent:
Go swiftfoote Iris, bid Troys king, beare fit gifts, and content
Achilles for his sonnes release; but let him greet alone
The Grecian nauie; not a man, excepting such a one,
As may his horse and chariot guide: a herald, or one old,
Attending him; and let him take, his Hector. Be he bold,
Discourag'd, nor with death, nor feare; wise Mercurie shall guide
His passage, till the Prince be neare. And (he gone) let him ride
Resolu'd, euen in Achilles tent. He shall not touch the state
Of his high person; nor admit, the deadliest desperate
Of all about him. For (though fierce) he is not yet vnwise,
Nor inconsiderate; nor a man, past awe of deities:
But passing free, and curious, to do a suppliant grace.
A heauenly shoulder; and gaue way. Swift Iris swum before;
About both rowld the brackish waues. They tooke their banks and flew
Vp to Olympus, where they found, Saturnius (farre-of-view)
Spher'd with heauens-euerbeing states. Minerua rose, and gaue
Her place to Thetis, neare to Ioue; and Iuno did receiue
Her entry with a cup of gold; in which she dranke to her,
Grac't her with comfort; and the cup, to her hand did referre.
She dranke, resigning it. And then, the fire of men and gods,
Thus entertain'd her; Com'st thou vp, to these our blest abodes,
(Faire goddesse Thetis) yet art sad? and that in so high kind,
As passeth suffrance? this I know; and try'd thee, and now find
Thy will by mine rulde; which is rule, to all worlds gouernment.
Besides this triall yet; this cause, sent downe for thy ascent;
Nine dayes Contention hath bene held, amongst th' immortals here,
For Hectors person, and thy sonne; and some aduices were,
To haue our good spie Mercurie, steale from thy sonne the Corse:
329
Thy former loue, and reuerence. Haste then, and tell thy sonne,
The gods are angrie; and my selfe, take that wrong he hath done
To Hector, in worst part of all: the rather, since he still
Detaines his person. Charge him then, if he respect my will,
For any reason; to resigne, slaine Hector; I will send
Iris to Priam, to redeeme, his sonne; and recommend
Fit ransome to Achilles grace; in which right, he may ioy,
And end his vaine griefe. To this charge, bright Thetis did employ
Instant endeuour. From heauens tops, she reacht Achilles tent;
Found him still sighing; and some friends, with all their complements
Soothing his humour: othersome, with all contention
Dressing his dinner: all their paines, and skils consum'd vpon
A huge wooll-bearer, slaughterd there. His reuerend mother then,
Came neare, tooke kindly his faire hand; and askt him: Deare sonne, when
Will sorrow leaue thee? How long time, wilt thou thus eate thy heart?
Fed with no other food, nor rest? twere good thou wouldst diuert
Thy friends loue, to some Ladie; cheare, thy spirits with such kind parts
As she can quit thy grace withall: the ioy of thy deserts,
I shall not long haue; death is neare, and thy all-conquering fate,
Whose haste thou must not haste with griefe; but vnderstand the state,
Of things belonging to thy life, which quickly order. I
Am sent from Ioue t'aduertise thee, that euery deitie
Is angry with thee, himselfe most; that rage, thus reigns in thee,
Still to keepe Hector. Quit him then; and for fit ransome free
His iniur'd person. He replied; Let him come that shall giue
The ransome; and the person take. Ioues pleasure must depriue
Men of all pleasures. This good speech, and many more, the sonne,
And mother vsde, in eare of all, the nauall Station.
And now to holy Ilion, Saturnius, Iris sent:
Go swiftfoote Iris, bid Troys king, beare fit gifts, and content
Achilles for his sonnes release; but let him greet alone
The Grecian nauie; not a man, excepting such a one,
As may his horse and chariot guide: a herald, or one old,
Attending him; and let him take, his Hector. Be he bold,
Discourag'd, nor with death, nor feare; wise Mercurie shall guide
His passage, till the Prince be neare. And (he gone) let him ride
Resolu'd, euen in Achilles tent. He shall not touch the state
Of his high person; nor admit, the deadliest desperate
Of all about him. For (though fierce) he is not yet vnwise,
Nor inconsiderate; nor a man, past awe of deities:
But passing free, and curious, to do a suppliant grace.
This said, the Rainbow to her feet, tied whirlewinds, and the place
Reacht instantly: the heauie Court, Clamor, and Mourning fill'd.
The sonnes all set about the sire; and there stood Griefe, and still'd
Teares on their garments. In the midst, the old king sate: his weed
All wrinkl'd; head, and necke dust fil'd; the Princesses, his seed;
The Princesses, his sonnes faire wiues, all mourning by; the thought
Of friends so many, and so good, (being turn'd so soone to nought
By Grecian hands) consum'd their youth; rain'd beautie from their eyes.
Reacht instantly: the heauie Court, Clamor, and Mourning fill'd.
The sonnes all set about the sire; and there stood Griefe, and still'd
Teares on their garments. In the midst, the old king sate: his weed
All wrinkl'd; head, and necke dust fil'd; the Princesses, his seed;
The Princesses, his sonnes faire wiues, all mourning by; the thought
330
By Grecian hands) consum'd their youth; rain'd beautie from their eyes.
Iris came neare the king; her sight, shooke all his faculties;
And therefore spake she loft, and said; Be glad Dardanides;
Of good occurrents, and none ill, am I Ambassadresse.
Ioue greets thee; who, in care (as much, as he is distant) daines
Eye to thy sorrowes, pitying thee. My ambassie containes
This charge to thee, from him; he wills, thou shouldst redeeme thy sonne;
Beare gifts t'Achilles, cheare him so: but visite him alone;
None but some herald let attend; thy mules and chariot,
To manage for thee. Feare, nor death, let dant thee; Ioue hath got
Hermes to guide thee; who as neare, to Thetis sonne as needs,
Shall guard thee: and being once with him; nor his, nor others deeds,
Stand toucht with, he will all containe. Nor is he mad, nor vaine,
Nor impious; but with all his nerues, studious to entertaine,
One that submits, with all fit grace. Thus vanisht she like wind.
And therefore spake she loft, and said; Be glad Dardanides;
Of good occurrents, and none ill, am I Ambassadresse.
Ioue greets thee; who, in care (as much, as he is distant) daines
Eye to thy sorrowes, pitying thee. My ambassie containes
This charge to thee, from him; he wills, thou shouldst redeeme thy sonne;
Beare gifts t'Achilles, cheare him so: but visite him alone;
None but some herald let attend; thy mules and chariot,
To manage for thee. Feare, nor death, let dant thee; Ioue hath got
Hermes to guide thee; who as neare, to Thetis sonne as needs,
Shall guard thee: and being once with him; nor his, nor others deeds,
Stand toucht with, he will all containe. Nor is he mad, nor vaine,
Nor impious; but with all his nerues, studious to entertaine,
One that submits, with all fit grace. Thus vanisht she like wind.
He mules and chariot cals: his sonnes, bids see them ioynd, and bind
A trunke behind it; he himselfe, downe to his wardrobe goes,
Built all of Cedar; highly rooft, and odoriferous;
That much stuffe, worth the sight containd. To him he cald his Queene,
Thus greeting her: Come, haplesse dame; an Angell I haue seene,
Sent downe from Ioue; that bad me free, our deare sonne from the fleet,
With ransome pleasing to our foe; what holds thy iudgement meet?
My strength, and spirit, layes high charge, on all my being, to beare
The Greeks worst, ventring through their host. The Queene cried out to heare
His ventrous purpose; and replyed: O whither now is fled,
The late discretion that renown'd, thy graue, and knowing head,
In forreine; and thine owne rulde realmes? that thus thou dar'st assay,
Sight of that man? in whose browes sticks, the horrible decay
Of sonnes so many, and so strong? thy heart is iron I thinke.
If this sterne man (whose thirst of blood, makes crueltie his drinke)
Take, or but see thee, thou art dead. He nothing pities woe,
Nor honours age. Without his sight, we haue enough to do,
To mourne with thought of him: keepe we, our Pallace, weepe we here;
Our sonne is past our helpes. Those throwes, that my deliuerers were,
Of his vnhappy lineaments; told me they should be torne
With blacke foote dogs. Almightie fate, that blacke howre he was borne
Spunne, in his springing thred that end; farre from his parents reach.
This bloodie fellow, then ordain'd, to be their meane: this wretch,
Whose stony liuer, would to heauen, I might deuoure; my teeth,
My sonnes Reuengers made. Curst Greeke, he gaue him not his death
Doing an ill worke; he alone, fought for his countrie; he
Fled not, nor fear'd, but stood his worst; and cursed policie
Was his vndoing. He replied, What euer was his end,
Is not our question; we must now, vse all meanes to defend
His end from scandall: from which act, disswade not my iust will;
Nor let me nourish in my house, a bird presaging ill
To my good actions: tis in vaine. Had any earthly spirit
Giuen this suggestion: if our Priests, or Soothsayers, challenging merit
Of Prophets, I might hold it false; and be the rather mou'd
To keepe my Pallace; but these eares; and these selfe eyes approu'd
It was a goddesse, I will go; for not a word she spake,
I know was idle. If it were; and that my fate will make,
Quicke riddance of me at the fleet; kill me Achilles; Come;
When, getting to thee, I shall find, a happy dying roome,
On Hectors bosome; when enough, thirst of my teares finds there,
Quench to his feruour. This resolu'd, the works most faire, and deare,
Of his rich screenes, he brought abrode; twelue veiles wrought curiously;
Twelue plaine gownes; and as many suits, of wealthy tapistry;
As many mantles; horsemens coates; ten talents of fine gold;
Two Tripods; Caldrons foure; a bowle, whose value he did hold
Beyond all price; presented by, th' Ambassadors of Thrace.
The old king, nothing held too deare, to rescue from disgrace,
His gracious Hector. Forth he came. At entry of his Court,
The Troian citizens so prest; that this opprobrious sort,
Of checke he vsde; Hence cast-awayes; away ye impious crew;
Are not your griefes enough at home? what come ye here to view?
Care ye for my griefes? would ye see; how miserable I am?
Ist not enough, imagine ye? ye might know ere ye came,
What such a sonnes losse weigh'd with me. But know this for your paines,
Your houses haue the weaker doores: the Greeks, will find their gaines
The easier for his losse, be sure: but ô Troy, ere I see
Thy ruine; let the doores of hell, receiue, and ruine me.
A trunke behind it; he himselfe, downe to his wardrobe goes,
Built all of Cedar; highly rooft, and odoriferous;
That much stuffe, worth the sight containd. To him he cald his Queene,
Thus greeting her: Come, haplesse dame; an Angell I haue seene,
Sent downe from Ioue; that bad me free, our deare sonne from the fleet,
With ransome pleasing to our foe; what holds thy iudgement meet?
My strength, and spirit, layes high charge, on all my being, to beare
The Greeks worst, ventring through their host. The Queene cried out to heare
His ventrous purpose; and replyed: O whither now is fled,
The late discretion that renown'd, thy graue, and knowing head,
In forreine; and thine owne rulde realmes? that thus thou dar'st assay,
Sight of that man? in whose browes sticks, the horrible decay
Of sonnes so many, and so strong? thy heart is iron I thinke.
If this sterne man (whose thirst of blood, makes crueltie his drinke)
Take, or but see thee, thou art dead. He nothing pities woe,
Nor honours age. Without his sight, we haue enough to do,
To mourne with thought of him: keepe we, our Pallace, weepe we here;
Our sonne is past our helpes. Those throwes, that my deliuerers were,
Of his vnhappy lineaments; told me they should be torne
With blacke foote dogs. Almightie fate, that blacke howre he was borne
Spunne, in his springing thred that end; farre from his parents reach.
This bloodie fellow, then ordain'd, to be their meane: this wretch,
Whose stony liuer, would to heauen, I might deuoure; my teeth,
My sonnes Reuengers made. Curst Greeke, he gaue him not his death
Doing an ill worke; he alone, fought for his countrie; he
Fled not, nor fear'd, but stood his worst; and cursed policie
Was his vndoing. He replied, What euer was his end,
Is not our question; we must now, vse all meanes to defend
His end from scandall: from which act, disswade not my iust will;
Nor let me nourish in my house, a bird presaging ill
To my good actions: tis in vaine. Had any earthly spirit
331
Of Prophets, I might hold it false; and be the rather mou'd
To keepe my Pallace; but these eares; and these selfe eyes approu'd
It was a goddesse, I will go; for not a word she spake,
I know was idle. If it were; and that my fate will make,
Quicke riddance of me at the fleet; kill me Achilles; Come;
When, getting to thee, I shall find, a happy dying roome,
On Hectors bosome; when enough, thirst of my teares finds there,
Quench to his feruour. This resolu'd, the works most faire, and deare,
Of his rich screenes, he brought abrode; twelue veiles wrought curiously;
Twelue plaine gownes; and as many suits, of wealthy tapistry;
As many mantles; horsemens coates; ten talents of fine gold;
Two Tripods; Caldrons foure; a bowle, whose value he did hold
Beyond all price; presented by, th' Ambassadors of Thrace.
The old king, nothing held too deare, to rescue from disgrace,
His gracious Hector. Forth he came. At entry of his Court,
The Troian citizens so prest; that this opprobrious sort,
Of checke he vsde; Hence cast-awayes; away ye impious crew;
Are not your griefes enough at home? what come ye here to view?
Care ye for my griefes? would ye see; how miserable I am?
Ist not enough, imagine ye? ye might know ere ye came,
What such a sonnes losse weigh'd with me. But know this for your paines,
Your houses haue the weaker doores: the Greeks, will find their gaines
The easier for his losse, be sure: but ô Troy, ere I see
Thy ruine; let the doores of hell, receiue, and ruine me.
Thus, with his scepter set he on, the crowding citizens;
Who gaue backe, seeing him so vrge. And now he entertaines
His sonnes as roughly; Hellenus, Paris, Hippothous,
Pammon, diuine Agathones, renowm'd Deiphobus,
Aganus, and Antiphonus; and last, not least in armes,
The strong Polites. These nine sonnes, the violence of his harmes,
Helpt him to vent, in these sharpe termes: Haste you infamous brood,
And get my chariot; would to heauen, that all the abiect blood,
In all your veines, had Hector scusde: O me, accursed man,
All my good sonnes are gone; my light, the shades Cimmerian
Haue swallow'd from me: I haue lost, Mestor, surnam'd the faire;
Troilus, that readie knight at armes; that made his field repaire,
Euer so prompt and ioyfully. And Hector, amongst men,
Esteem'd a god; not from a mortals seed; but of th' eternall straine
He seem'd to all eyes. These are gone; you that suruiue, are base;
Liers, and common free booters: all faultie, not a grace
But in your heeles, in all your parts; dancing companions,
Ye all are excellent: Hence ye brats: loue ye to heare my mones?
Will ye not get my chariot? command it quickly; flie,
That I may perfect this deare worke. This all did terrifie;
And straite his mule-drawne chariot came, to which they fast did bind
The trunke with gifts: and then came forth, with an afflicted mind,
Old Hecuba. In her right hand, a bowle of gold she bore,
With sweet wine crown'd; stood neare, and said; Receiue this, and implore
(With sacrificing it to Ioue) thy safe returne. I see
Thy mind likes still to go; though mine, dislikes it vtterly.
Pray to the blacke-cloud-gathering god, (Idæan Ioue) that viewes
All Troy, and all her miseries; that he will deine to vse,
His most lou'd bird, to ratifie, thy hopes; that her brode wing,
Spred on thy right hand; thou maist know, thy zealous offering
Accepted; and thy safe returne, confirm'd; but if he faile;
Faile thy intent, though neuer so, it labours to preuaile.
Who gaue backe, seeing him so vrge. And now he entertaines
His sonnes as roughly; Hellenus, Paris, Hippothous,
Pammon, diuine Agathones, renowm'd Deiphobus,
Aganus, and Antiphonus; and last, not least in armes,
The strong Polites. These nine sonnes, the violence of his harmes,
Helpt him to vent, in these sharpe termes: Haste you infamous brood,
And get my chariot; would to heauen, that all the abiect blood,
In all your veines, had Hector scusde: O me, accursed man,
All my good sonnes are gone; my light, the shades Cimmerian
Haue swallow'd from me: I haue lost, Mestor, surnam'd the faire;
Troilus, that readie knight at armes; that made his field repaire,
Euer so prompt and ioyfully. And Hector, amongst men,
Esteem'd a god; not from a mortals seed; but of th' eternall straine
He seem'd to all eyes. These are gone; you that suruiue, are base;
Liers, and common free booters: all faultie, not a grace
But in your heeles, in all your parts; dancing companions,
Ye all are excellent: Hence ye brats: loue ye to heare my mones?
Will ye not get my chariot? command it quickly; flie,
That I may perfect this deare worke. This all did terrifie;
And straite his mule-drawne chariot came, to which they fast did bind
The trunke with gifts: and then came forth, with an afflicted mind,
Old Hecuba. In her right hand, a bowle of gold she bore,
332
(With sacrificing it to Ioue) thy safe returne. I see
Thy mind likes still to go; though mine, dislikes it vtterly.
Pray to the blacke-cloud-gathering god, (Idæan Ioue) that viewes
All Troy, and all her miseries; that he will deine to vse,
His most lou'd bird, to ratifie, thy hopes; that her brode wing,
Spred on thy right hand; thou maist know, thy zealous offering
Accepted; and thy safe returne, confirm'd; but if he faile;
Faile thy intent, though neuer so, it labours to preuaile.
This I refuse not (he replide) for no faith is so great,
In Ioues high fauour; but it must, with held vp hands intreate.
In Ioues high fauour; but it must, with held vp hands intreate.
This said; the chamber-maid that held, the Ewre, and Basin by,
He bad powre water on his hands; when looking to the skie,
He tooke the bowle; did sacrifice, and thus implor'd: O Ioue,
From Ida vsing thy commands, in all deserts aboue
All other gods; vouchsafe me safe; and pitie in the sight
Of great Achilles: and for trust, to that wisht grace; excite
Thy swift-wing'd messenger, most strong; most of aires region lou'd,
To sore on my right hand; which sight, may firmely see approu'd
Thy former summons, and my speed. He prayd, and heauens king heard;
And instantly, cast from his fist, aires all commanding bird;
The blacke wing'd huntresse, perfectest, of all fowles; which gods call
Percuos; the Eagle. And how brode, the chamber nuptiall
Of any mightie man, hath dores; such breadth cast either wing;
Which now she vsde; and spred them wide, on right hand of the king.
All saw it, and reioyc't; and vp, to chariot he arose;
Draue foorth: the Portall, and the Porch, resounding as he goes.
His friends all follow'd him, and mourn'd; as if he went to die:
And bringing him past towne, to field; all left him: and the eye
Of Iupiter was then his guard; who pittied him, and vsde
These words to Hermes: Mercurie, thy helpe hath bene profusde,
Euer, with most grace, in consorts, of trauailers distrest;
Now consort Priam to the fleet: but so, that not the least
Suspicion of him be attaind, till at Achilles tent,
Thy conuoy hath arriu'd him safe. This charge incontinent,
He put in practise. To his feete, his featherd shoes he tide,
Immortall, and made all of gold; with which he vsde to ride
The rough sea; and th' vnmeasur'd earth; and equald in his pace,
The pufts of wind. Then tooke he vp, his rod, that hath the grace
To shut what eyes he lists, with sleep; and open them againe
In strongest trances. This he held; flew forth, and did attaine
To Troy, and Hellespontus straite: then, like a faire yong Prince,
First-downe chinn'd; and of such a grace, as makes his lookes conuince
Contending eyes to view him: forth, he went to meete the king.
He, hauing past the mightie tombe, of Ilus; watering
His Mules in Xanthus; the darke Euen, fell on the earth; and then
Idæus (guider of the Mules) discern'd this Grace of men;
And spake affraide to Priamus; Beware Dardanides,
Our states aske counsell: I discerne, the dangerous accesse
Of some man neare vs; Now I feare, we perish. Is it best
To flie? or kisse his knees, and aske, his ruth of men distrest?
He bad powre water on his hands; when looking to the skie,
He tooke the bowle; did sacrifice, and thus implor'd: O Ioue,
From Ida vsing thy commands, in all deserts aboue
All other gods; vouchsafe me safe; and pitie in the sight
Of great Achilles: and for trust, to that wisht grace; excite
Thy swift-wing'd messenger, most strong; most of aires region lou'd,
To sore on my right hand; which sight, may firmely see approu'd
Thy former summons, and my speed. He prayd, and heauens king heard;
And instantly, cast from his fist, aires all commanding bird;
The blacke wing'd huntresse, perfectest, of all fowles; which gods call
Percuos; the Eagle. And how brode, the chamber nuptiall
Of any mightie man, hath dores; such breadth cast either wing;
Which now she vsde; and spred them wide, on right hand of the king.
All saw it, and reioyc't; and vp, to chariot he arose;
Draue foorth: the Portall, and the Porch, resounding as he goes.
His friends all follow'd him, and mourn'd; as if he went to die:
And bringing him past towne, to field; all left him: and the eye
Of Iupiter was then his guard; who pittied him, and vsde
These words to Hermes: Mercurie, thy helpe hath bene profusde,
Euer, with most grace, in consorts, of trauailers distrest;
Now consort Priam to the fleet: but so, that not the least
Suspicion of him be attaind, till at Achilles tent,
Thy conuoy hath arriu'd him safe. This charge incontinent,
He put in practise. To his feete, his featherd shoes he tide,
Immortall, and made all of gold; with which he vsde to ride
The rough sea; and th' vnmeasur'd earth; and equald in his pace,
The pufts of wind. Then tooke he vp, his rod, that hath the grace
To shut what eyes he lists, with sleep; and open them againe
In strongest trances. This he held; flew forth, and did attaine
To Troy, and Hellespontus straite: then, like a faire yong Prince,
First-downe chinn'd; and of such a grace, as makes his lookes conuince
Contending eyes to view him: forth, he went to meete the king.
He, hauing past the mightie tombe, of Ilus; watering
His Mules in Xanthus; the darke Euen, fell on the earth; and then
Idæus (guider of the Mules) discern'd this Grace of men;
And spake affraide to Priamus; Beware Dardanides,
327
Of some man neare vs; Now I feare, we perish. Is it best
To flie? or kisse his knees, and aske, his ruth of men distrest?
Confusion strooke the king, cold Feare, extremely quencht his vaines;
Vpright, vpon his languishing head, his haire stood; and the chaines
Of strong Amaze, bound all his powres. To both which, then came neare
The Prince-turn'd Deitie; tooke his hand, and thus bespake the Peere:
Vpright, vpon his languishing head, his haire stood; and the chaines
Of strong Amaze, bound all his powres. To both which, then came neare
The Prince-turn'd Deitie; tooke his hand, and thus bespake the Peere:
To what place (father) driu'st thou out, through solitarie Night,
When others sleepe? giue not the Greeks, sufficient cause of fright,
To these late trauailes? being so neare, and such vow'd enemies?
Of all which; if with all this lode; any should cast his eyes
On thy aduentures; what would then, thy minde esteeme thy state?
Thy selfe old; and thy follower old? Resistance could not rate
At any value: As for me; be sure, I mind no harme
To thy graue person; but against, the hurt of others arme.
Mine owne lou'd father did not get, a greater loue in me
To his good; then thou dost to thine. He answerd: The degree
Of danger in my course (faire sonne) is nothing lesse then that
Thou vrgest; but some gods faire hand, puts in, for my fate state,
That sends so sweete a Guardian, in this so sterne a Time
Of night, and danger, as thy selfe; that all grace in his prime,
Of body, and of beautie shew'st: all answerd with a mind
So knowing; that it cannot be, but of some blessed kind,
Thou art descended. Not vntrue (said Hermes) thy conceipt
In all this holds; but further truth, relate, if of such weight
As I conceiue thy cariage be? and that thy care conuaies
Thy goods of most price, to more guard? or go ye all your waies,
Frighted from holy Ilion? So excellent a sonne
As thou had'st, (being your speciall strength) falne to Destruction;
Whom no Greeke betterd for his sight? O what art thou (said he)
(Most worthy youth?) of what race borne? that thus recountst to me,
My wretched sonnes death with such truth? Now father (he replide)
You tempt me farre, in wondering how, the death was signifide
Of your diuine sonne, to a man, so mere a stranger here,
As you hold me: but I am one, that oft haue seene him beare
His person like a god, in field; and when in heapes he slew,
The Greeks, all routed to their fleet: his so victorious view,
Made me admire; not feele his hand; because Æacides
(Incenst) admitted not our fight; my selfe being of accesse
To his high person, seruing him; and both to Ilion
In one ship saild. Besides, by birth, I breathe a Myrmidon;
Polystor (cald the rich) my sire; declin'd with age like you.
Sixe sonnes he hath; and me a seuenth; and all those sixe liue now
In Phthia; since all casting lots, my chance did onely fall,
To follow hither. Now for walke, I left my Generall.
To morrow all the Sunne-burn'd Greeks, will circle Troy with armes;
The Princes rage to be withheld, so idlely; your alarmes
Not giuen halfe hote enough they thinke; and can containe no more.
He answerd; If you serue the Prince, let me be bold t'implore
This grace of thee; and tell me true, lies Hector here at fleet,
Or haue the dogs his flesh? He said, Nor dogs, not fowle haue yet
Toucht at his person: still he lies, at fleet, and in the tent
Of our great Captaine; who indeed, is much too negligent
Of his fit vsage: but though now, twelue dayes haue spent their heate
On his cold body; neither wormes, with any taint haue eate,
Nor putrifaction perisht it: yet euer when the Morne
Lifts her diuine light from the sea; vnmercifully borne
About Patroclus sepulcher; it beares his friends disdaine,
Bound to his chariot; but no Fits, of further outrage, raigne
In his distemper: you would muse, to see how deepe a dew,
Euen steepes the body, all the blood, washt off, no slenderst shew
Of gore, or quitture; but his wounds, all closde; though many were
Opened about him. Such a loue, the blest immortals beare,
Euen dead to thy deare sonne; because, his life shew'd loue to them.
When others sleepe? giue not the Greeks, sufficient cause of fright,
To these late trauailes? being so neare, and such vow'd enemies?
Of all which; if with all this lode; any should cast his eyes
On thy aduentures; what would then, thy minde esteeme thy state?
Thy selfe old; and thy follower old? Resistance could not rate
At any value: As for me; be sure, I mind no harme
To thy graue person; but against, the hurt of others arme.
Mine owne lou'd father did not get, a greater loue in me
To his good; then thou dost to thine. He answerd: The degree
Of danger in my course (faire sonne) is nothing lesse then that
Thou vrgest; but some gods faire hand, puts in, for my fate state,
That sends so sweete a Guardian, in this so sterne a Time
Of night, and danger, as thy selfe; that all grace in his prime,
Of body, and of beautie shew'st: all answerd with a mind
So knowing; that it cannot be, but of some blessed kind,
Thou art descended. Not vntrue (said Hermes) thy conceipt
In all this holds; but further truth, relate, if of such weight
As I conceiue thy cariage be? and that thy care conuaies
Thy goods of most price, to more guard? or go ye all your waies,
Frighted from holy Ilion? So excellent a sonne
As thou had'st, (being your speciall strength) falne to Destruction;
Whom no Greeke betterd for his sight? O what art thou (said he)
(Most worthy youth?) of what race borne? that thus recountst to me,
My wretched sonnes death with such truth? Now father (he replide)
You tempt me farre, in wondering how, the death was signifide
Of your diuine sonne, to a man, so mere a stranger here,
As you hold me: but I am one, that oft haue seene him beare
His person like a god, in field; and when in heapes he slew,
The Greeks, all routed to their fleet: his so victorious view,
Made me admire; not feele his hand; because Æacides
(Incenst) admitted not our fight; my selfe being of accesse
To his high person, seruing him; and both to Ilion
In one ship saild. Besides, by birth, I breathe a Myrmidon;
Polystor (cald the rich) my sire; declin'd with age like you.
Sixe sonnes he hath; and me a seuenth; and all those sixe liue now
In Phthia; since all casting lots, my chance did onely fall,
To follow hither. Now for walke, I left my Generall.
To morrow all the Sunne-burn'd Greeks, will circle Troy with armes;
The Princes rage to be withheld, so idlely; your alarmes
Not giuen halfe hote enough they thinke; and can containe no more.
334
This grace of thee; and tell me true, lies Hector here at fleet,
Or haue the dogs his flesh? He said, Nor dogs, not fowle haue yet
Toucht at his person: still he lies, at fleet, and in the tent
Of our great Captaine; who indeed, is much too negligent
Of his fit vsage: but though now, twelue dayes haue spent their heate
On his cold body; neither wormes, with any taint haue eate,
Nor putrifaction perisht it: yet euer when the Morne
Lifts her diuine light from the sea; vnmercifully borne
About Patroclus sepulcher; it beares his friends disdaine,
Bound to his chariot; but no Fits, of further outrage, raigne
In his distemper: you would muse, to see how deepe a dew,
Euen steepes the body, all the blood, washt off, no slenderst shew
Of gore, or quitture; but his wounds, all closde; though many were
Opened about him. Such a loue, the blest immortals beare,
Euen dead to thy deare sonne; because, his life shew'd loue to them.
He ioyfull answerd; O my sonne, it is a grace supreme,
In any man, to serue the gods. And I must needs say this;
For no cause (hauing season fit) my Hectors hands would misse
Aduancement to the gods with gifts; and therefore do not they
Misse his remembrance after death. Now let an old man pray
Thy graces to receiue this cup, and keepe it for my loue;
Not leaue me till the gods and thee, haue made my prayres approue
Achilles pitie; by thy guide, brought to his Princely tent.
In any man, to serue the gods. And I must needs say this;
For no cause (hauing season fit) my Hectors hands would misse
Aduancement to the gods with gifts; and therefore do not they
Misse his remembrance after death. Now let an old man pray
Thy graces to receiue this cup, and keepe it for my loue;
Not leaue me till the gods and thee, haue made my prayres approue
Achilles pitie; by thy guide, brought to his Princely tent.
Hermes replide; You tempt me now, (old king) to a consent,
Farre from me; though youth aptly erres. I secretly receiue
Gifts, that I cannot brodely vouch? take graces that will giue
My Lord dishonour? or what he, knowes not? or will esteeme
Perhaps vnfit? such briberies, perhaps at first may seeme
Sweet, and secure; but futurely, they still proue sowre; and breed
Both feare, and danger. I could wish, thy graue affaires did need
My guide to Argos; either shipt, or lackying by thy side;
And would be studious in thy guard; so nothing could be tride,
But care in me, to keepe thee safe; for that I could excuse,
And vouch to all men. These words past, he put the deeds in vse,
For which Ioue sent him; vp he leapt, to Priams chariot,
Tooke scourge and reines, and blew in strength, to his free steeds; and got
The nauall towres and deepe dike strait. The guards were all at meat,
Those he enslumberd; op't the ports, and in he safely let
Old Priam, with his wealthy prise. Forthwith they reacht the Tent
Of great Achilles. Large, and high; and in his most ascent
A shaggie roofe of seedy reeds, mowne from the meades; a hall
Of state they made their king in it, and strengthned it withall,
Thicke with firre rafters; whose approch, was let in, by a dore
That had but one barre; but so bigge, that three men euermore
Raisd it, to shut; three fresh take downe: which yet Æacides
Would shut and ope himselfe. And this with farre more ease
Hermes set ope, entring the king; then leapt from horse, and said:
Farre from me; though youth aptly erres. I secretly receiue
Gifts, that I cannot brodely vouch? take graces that will giue
My Lord dishonour? or what he, knowes not? or will esteeme
Perhaps vnfit? such briberies, perhaps at first may seeme
Sweet, and secure; but futurely, they still proue sowre; and breed
Both feare, and danger. I could wish, thy graue affaires did need
My guide to Argos; either shipt, or lackying by thy side;
And would be studious in thy guard; so nothing could be tride,
But care in me, to keepe thee safe; for that I could excuse,
And vouch to all men. These words past, he put the deeds in vse,
For which Ioue sent him; vp he leapt, to Priams chariot,
Tooke scourge and reines, and blew in strength, to his free steeds; and got
The nauall towres and deepe dike strait. The guards were all at meat,
Those he enslumberd; op't the ports, and in he safely let
Old Priam, with his wealthy prise. Forthwith they reacht the Tent
Of great Achilles. Large, and high; and in his most ascent
A shaggie roofe of seedy reeds, mowne from the meades; a hall
Of state they made their king in it, and strengthned it withall,
Thicke with firre rafters; whose approch, was let in, by a dore
That had but one barre; but so bigge, that three men euermore
Raisd it, to shut; three fresh take downe: which yet Æacides
Would shut and ope himselfe. And this with farre more ease
Hermes set ope, entring the king; then leapt from horse, and said:
335
Now know (old king) that, Mercurie (a god) hath giuen this aid
To thy endeuour, sent by Ioue; and now, away must I:
For men would enuy thy estate, to see a Deitie
Affect a man thus: enter thou, embrace Achilles knee;
And by his sire, sonne, mother pray, his ruth, and grace to thee.
To thy endeuour, sent by Ioue; and now, away must I:
For men would enuy thy estate, to see a Deitie
Affect a man thus: enter thou, embrace Achilles knee;
And by his sire, sonne, mother pray, his ruth, and grace to thee.
This said; he high Olympus reacht, the king then left his coach
To graue Idæus, and went on; made his resolu'd approach:
And enterd in a goodly roome; where, with his Princes sate
Ioue-lou'd Achilles, at their feast; two onely kept the state
Of his attendance, Alcymus, and Lord Automedon.
At Priams entrie; a great time, Achilles gaz'd vpon
His wonderd at approch; nor eate: the rest did nothing see,
While close he came vp; with his hands, fast holding the bent knee
Of Hectors conqueror; and kist, that large man-slaughtring hand,
That much blood from his sonnes had drawne; And as in some strange land,
And great mans house; a man is driuen, (with that abhorr'd dismay,
That followes wilfull bloodshed still; his fortune being to slay
One, whose blood cries alowde for his) to pleade protection
In such a miserable plight, as frights the lookers on:
In such a stupefied estate, Achilles sate to see,
So vnexpected, so in night, and so incrediblie,
Old Priams entrie; all his friends, one on another star'd,
To see his strange lookes, seeing no cause. Thus Priam then prepar'd
His sonnes redemption: See in me, O godlike Thetis sonne,
Thy aged father; and perhaps, euen now being outrunne
With some of my woes; neighbour foes, (thou absent) taking time
To do him mischiefe; no meane left, to terrifie the crime
Of his oppression; yet he heares, thy graces still suruiue,
And ioyes to heare it; hoping still, to see thee safe arriue,
From ruin'd Troy: but I (curst man) of all my race, shall liue
To see none liuing. Fiftie sonnes, the Deities did giue,
My hopes to liue in; all aliue, when neare our trembling shore
The Greeke ships harbor'd; and one wombe, nineteene of those sons bore.
Now Mars, a number of their knees, hath strengthlesse left; and he
That was (of all) my onely ioy, and Troyes sole guard; by thee
(Late fighting for his countrey) slaine; whose tenderd person, now
I come to ransome. Infinite, is that I offer you,
My selfe conferring it; exposde, alone to all your oddes:
Onely imploring right of armes. Achilles, feare the gods,
Pitie an old man, like thy fire; different in onely this,
That I am wretcheder; and beare, that weight of miseries
That neuer man did: my curst lips, enforc't to kisse that hand
That slue my children. This mou'd teares; his fathers name did stand
(Mention'd by Priam) in much helpe, to his compassion;
And mou'd Æacides so much, he could not looke vpon
The weeping father. With his hand, he gently put away
His graue face; calme remission now, did mutually display
Her powre in eithers heauinesse; old Priam, to record
His sonnes death; and his deaths man see, his teares, and bosome pour'd
Before Achilles. At his feete, he laid his reuerend head.
Achilles thoughts, now with his sire, now with his friend, were fed.
Betwixt both, Sorrow fild the the tent. But now Æacides,
(Satiate at all parts, with the ruth, of their calamities)
Start vp, and vp he raisd the king. His milke-white head and beard,
With pittie he beheld, and said; Poore man, thy mind is scar'd,
With much affliction; how durst, thy person thus alone,
Venture on his sight, that hath slaine, so many a worthy sonne,
And so deare to thee? thy old heart, is made of iron; sit
And settle we our woes, though huge; for nothing profits it.
Cold mourning wastes but our liues heates. The gods haue destinate,
That wretched mortals must liue sad. Tis the immortall state
Of Deitie, that liues secure. Two Tunnes of gifts there lie
In Ioues gate; one of good, one ill, that our mortalitie,
Maintaine, spoile, order: which when Ioue, doth mixe to any man;
One while he frolicks, one while mourns. If of his mournfull Kan
A man drinks onely; onely wrongs, he doth expose him to.
Sad hunger, in th' abundant earth, doth tosse him to and froe,
Respected, nor of gods, nor men. The mixt cup Peleus dranke,
Euen from his birth, heauen blest his life; he liu'd not that could thanke
The gods for such rare benefits, as set foorth his estate.
He reign'd among his Myrmidons, most rich, most fortunate.
And (though a mortall) had his bed, deckt with a deathlesse Dame.
And yet with all this good, one ill, god mixt, that takes all name
From all that goodnesse; his Name now, (whose preseruation here,
Men count the crowne of their most good) not blest with powre to beare
One blossome, but my selfe: and I, shaken as soone as blowne.
Nor shall I liue to cheare his age, and giue nutrition
To him that nourisht me. Farre off, my rest is set in Troy,
To leaue thee restlesse, and thy seed. Thy selfe, that did enioy,
(As we haue heard) a happie life: what Lesbos doth containe,
(In times past being a blest mans seate:) what the vnmeasur'd maine
Of Hellespontus, Phrygia holds; are all said to adorne
Thy Empire; wealth, and sonnes enow: but when the gods did turne
Thy blest state to partake with bane; warre, and the bloods of men,
Circl'd thy citie, neuer cleare. Sit downe and suffer then;
Mourne not ineuitable things; thy teares can spring no deeds
To helpe theee, nor recall thy sonne: impacience euer breeds
Ill vpon ill; makes worst things worse; and therefore sit. He said,
Giue me no seate (great seed of Ioue) when yet vnransomed,
Hector lies ritelesse in thy tents: but daigne with vtmost speed
His resignation, that these eyes, may see his person freed;
And thy grace satisfied with gifts. Accept what I haue brought,
And turne to Phthia; tis enough, thy conquering hand hath fought,
Till Hector faltred vnder it; and Hectors father stood
With free humanitie safe. He frown'd, and said; Giue not my blood
Fresh cause of furie; I know well, I must resigne thy sonne;
Ioue by my mother vtterd it; and what besides is done,
I know as amply; and thy selfe, (old Priam) I know too.
Some god hath brought thee: for no man, durst vse a thought to go
On such a seruice; I haue guards; and I haue gates to stay
Easie accesses; do not then, presume thy will can sway,
Like Ioues will; and incense againe, my quencht blood; lest nor thou,
Nor Ioue gets the command of me. This made the old king bow,
And downe he sate in feate; the Prince, leapt like a Lion forth;
Automedon, and Alcymus, attending; all the worth
Brought for the body, they tooke downe, and brought in; and with it,
Idæus (herald to the king,) a cote embroderd yet,
And two rich cloakes, they left to hide, the person. Thetis sonne
Cald out his women, to annoint; and quickly ouerrunne
The Corse with water; lifting it, in priuate, to the coach;
Lest Priam saw; and his cold blood, embrac't a fierie touch,
Of anger, at the turpitude, prophaning it; and blew
Againe his wraths fire to his death. This done; his women threw
The cote and cloake on; but the Corse, Achilles owne hand laide
Vpon a bed; and with his friends; to chariot it conualde.
For which forc't grace (abhorring so, from his free mind) he wept;
Cried out for anger, and thus praide: O friend, do not except
Against this fauour to our foe (if in the deepe thou heare)
And that I giue him to his Sire; he gaue faire ransome; deare
In my obseruance, is Ioues will; and whatsoeuer part
Of all these gifts, by any meane, I fitly may conuert
To thy renowne here; and will there; it shall be pour'd vpon
Thy honour'd sepulcher. This said, he went, and what was done,
Told Priam, saying: Father, now, thy wils fit rites are pride,
Thy sonne is giuen vp; in the morne, thine eyes shall see him laid
Deckt in thy chariot, on his bed; in meane space, let vs eate.
The rich-hair'd Niobe, found thoughts, that made her take her meate;
Though twelue deare children she saw slaine: sixe daughters, sixe yong sons.
The sonnes, incenst Apollo slue: the maides confusions
Diana wrought; since Niobe, her merits durst compare
With great Latonas; arguing, that she did onely beare
Two children; and her selfe had twelue; For which, those onely two
Slue all her twelue; nine dayes they lay, steept in their blood: her woe
Found no friend, to afford them fire; Saturnius had turnd
Humanes to stones. The tenth day yet; the good celestials burnd
The trunkes themselues; and Niobe, when she was tyr'd with teares,
Fell to her foode; and now with rockes; and wilde hils mixt she beares
(In Sypilus) the gods wraths still; in that place, where tis said,
The Goddesse Fairies vse to dance, about the funerall bed
Of Achelous; where (though turn'd, with cold griefe, to a stone)
Heauen giues her heate enough to feele, what plague comparison
With his powers (made by earth) deserues: affect not then too farre
Without griefe, like a god, being a man; but for a mans life care,
And take fit foode: thou shalt haue time, beside to mourne thy sonne;
He shall be tearefull; thou being full; not here, but Ilion
Shall finde thee weeping roomes enow. He said, and so arose;
And causd a siluer-fleec't sheepe, kill'd; his friends skils did dispose
The fleaing, cutting of it vp; and coolely spitted it;
Rosted; and drew it artfully. Automedon as fit
Was for the reuerend Sewers place; and all the browne ioynts seru'd
On wicker vessell to the boord; Achilles owne hands keru'd;
And close they fell too. Hunger stancht; talke, and obseruing time
Was vsde, of all hands; Priam sate, amaz'd to see the prime
Of Thetis sonne; accomplisht so, with stature, lookes, and grace;
In which, the fashion of a god, he thought had chang'd his place.
Achilles fell to him as fast; admir'd as much his yeares;
(Told, in his graue, and good aspects;) his speech euen charm'd his eares:
So orderd; so materiall. With this food feasted too,
Old Priam spake thus: Now (Ioues seed) command that I may go,
And adde to this feast grace of rest: these lids nere closde mine eyes
Since vnder thy hands fled the soule, of my deare sonne; sighes, cries,
And woes; all vse from food, and sleepe, haue taken: the base courts
Of my sad Pallace, made my beds; where all the abiect sorts
Of sorrow, I haue varied; tumbl'd in dust, and hid;
No bit, no drop of sustenance toucht. Then did Achilles bid
His men and women see his bed, laid downe, and couered
With purple Blankets; and on them, an Arras Couerlid;
Wast costs of silke plush laying by. The women straite tooke lights,
And two beds made, with vtmost speed; and all the other rites
Their Lord nam'd, vsde; who pleasantly, the king in hand thus bore:
To graue Idæus, and went on; made his resolu'd approach:
And enterd in a goodly roome; where, with his Princes sate
Ioue-lou'd Achilles, at their feast; two onely kept the state
Of his attendance, Alcymus, and Lord Automedon.
At Priams entrie; a great time, Achilles gaz'd vpon
His wonderd at approch; nor eate: the rest did nothing see,
While close he came vp; with his hands, fast holding the bent knee
Of Hectors conqueror; and kist, that large man-slaughtring hand,
That much blood from his sonnes had drawne; And as in some strange land,
And great mans house; a man is driuen, (with that abhorr'd dismay,
That followes wilfull bloodshed still; his fortune being to slay
One, whose blood cries alowde for his) to pleade protection
In such a miserable plight, as frights the lookers on:
In such a stupefied estate, Achilles sate to see,
So vnexpected, so in night, and so incrediblie,
Old Priams entrie; all his friends, one on another star'd,
To see his strange lookes, seeing no cause. Thus Priam then prepar'd
His sonnes redemption: See in me, O godlike Thetis sonne,
Thy aged father; and perhaps, euen now being outrunne
With some of my woes; neighbour foes, (thou absent) taking time
To do him mischiefe; no meane left, to terrifie the crime
Of his oppression; yet he heares, thy graces still suruiue,
And ioyes to heare it; hoping still, to see thee safe arriue,
From ruin'd Troy: but I (curst man) of all my race, shall liue
To see none liuing. Fiftie sonnes, the Deities did giue,
My hopes to liue in; all aliue, when neare our trembling shore
The Greeke ships harbor'd; and one wombe, nineteene of those sons bore.
Now Mars, a number of their knees, hath strengthlesse left; and he
That was (of all) my onely ioy, and Troyes sole guard; by thee
(Late fighting for his countrey) slaine; whose tenderd person, now
I come to ransome. Infinite, is that I offer you,
My selfe conferring it; exposde, alone to all your oddes:
Onely imploring right of armes. Achilles, feare the gods,
Pitie an old man, like thy fire; different in onely this,
That I am wretcheder; and beare, that weight of miseries
That neuer man did: my curst lips, enforc't to kisse that hand
That slue my children. This mou'd teares; his fathers name did stand
(Mention'd by Priam) in much helpe, to his compassion;
And mou'd Æacides so much, he could not looke vpon
The weeping father. With his hand, he gently put away
His graue face; calme remission now, did mutually display
Her powre in eithers heauinesse; old Priam, to record
336
Before Achilles. At his feete, he laid his reuerend head.
Achilles thoughts, now with his sire, now with his friend, were fed.
Betwixt both, Sorrow fild the the tent. But now Æacides,
(Satiate at all parts, with the ruth, of their calamities)
Start vp, and vp he raisd the king. His milke-white head and beard,
With pittie he beheld, and said; Poore man, thy mind is scar'd,
With much affliction; how durst, thy person thus alone,
Venture on his sight, that hath slaine, so many a worthy sonne,
And so deare to thee? thy old heart, is made of iron; sit
And settle we our woes, though huge; for nothing profits it.
Cold mourning wastes but our liues heates. The gods haue destinate,
That wretched mortals must liue sad. Tis the immortall state
Of Deitie, that liues secure. Two Tunnes of gifts there lie
In Ioues gate; one of good, one ill, that our mortalitie,
Maintaine, spoile, order: which when Ioue, doth mixe to any man;
One while he frolicks, one while mourns. If of his mournfull Kan
A man drinks onely; onely wrongs, he doth expose him to.
Sad hunger, in th' abundant earth, doth tosse him to and froe,
Respected, nor of gods, nor men. The mixt cup Peleus dranke,
Euen from his birth, heauen blest his life; he liu'd not that could thanke
The gods for such rare benefits, as set foorth his estate.
He reign'd among his Myrmidons, most rich, most fortunate.
And (though a mortall) had his bed, deckt with a deathlesse Dame.
And yet with all this good, one ill, god mixt, that takes all name
From all that goodnesse; his Name now, (whose preseruation here,
Men count the crowne of their most good) not blest with powre to beare
One blossome, but my selfe: and I, shaken as soone as blowne.
Nor shall I liue to cheare his age, and giue nutrition
To him that nourisht me. Farre off, my rest is set in Troy,
To leaue thee restlesse, and thy seed. Thy selfe, that did enioy,
(As we haue heard) a happie life: what Lesbos doth containe,
(In times past being a blest mans seate:) what the vnmeasur'd maine
Of Hellespontus, Phrygia holds; are all said to adorne
Thy Empire; wealth, and sonnes enow: but when the gods did turne
Thy blest state to partake with bane; warre, and the bloods of men,
Circl'd thy citie, neuer cleare. Sit downe and suffer then;
Mourne not ineuitable things; thy teares can spring no deeds
To helpe theee, nor recall thy sonne: impacience euer breeds
Ill vpon ill; makes worst things worse; and therefore sit. He said,
Giue me no seate (great seed of Ioue) when yet vnransomed,
Hector lies ritelesse in thy tents: but daigne with vtmost speed
His resignation, that these eyes, may see his person freed;
And thy grace satisfied with gifts. Accept what I haue brought,
And turne to Phthia; tis enough, thy conquering hand hath fought,
Till Hector faltred vnder it; and Hectors father stood
With free humanitie safe. He frown'd, and said; Giue not my blood
Fresh cause of furie; I know well, I must resigne thy sonne;
337
I know as amply; and thy selfe, (old Priam) I know too.
Some god hath brought thee: for no man, durst vse a thought to go
On such a seruice; I haue guards; and I haue gates to stay
Easie accesses; do not then, presume thy will can sway,
Like Ioues will; and incense againe, my quencht blood; lest nor thou,
Nor Ioue gets the command of me. This made the old king bow,
And downe he sate in feate; the Prince, leapt like a Lion forth;
Automedon, and Alcymus, attending; all the worth
Brought for the body, they tooke downe, and brought in; and with it,
Idæus (herald to the king,) a cote embroderd yet,
And two rich cloakes, they left to hide, the person. Thetis sonne
Cald out his women, to annoint; and quickly ouerrunne
The Corse with water; lifting it, in priuate, to the coach;
Lest Priam saw; and his cold blood, embrac't a fierie touch,
Of anger, at the turpitude, prophaning it; and blew
Againe his wraths fire to his death. This done; his women threw
The cote and cloake on; but the Corse, Achilles owne hand laide
Vpon a bed; and with his friends; to chariot it conualde.
For which forc't grace (abhorring so, from his free mind) he wept;
Cried out for anger, and thus praide: O friend, do not except
Against this fauour to our foe (if in the deepe thou heare)
And that I giue him to his Sire; he gaue faire ransome; deare
In my obseruance, is Ioues will; and whatsoeuer part
Of all these gifts, by any meane, I fitly may conuert
To thy renowne here; and will there; it shall be pour'd vpon
Thy honour'd sepulcher. This said, he went, and what was done,
Told Priam, saying: Father, now, thy wils fit rites are pride,
Thy sonne is giuen vp; in the morne, thine eyes shall see him laid
Deckt in thy chariot, on his bed; in meane space, let vs eate.
The rich-hair'd Niobe, found thoughts, that made her take her meate;
Though twelue deare children she saw slaine: sixe daughters, sixe yong sons.
The sonnes, incenst Apollo slue: the maides confusions
Diana wrought; since Niobe, her merits durst compare
With great Latonas; arguing, that she did onely beare
Two children; and her selfe had twelue; For which, those onely two
Slue all her twelue; nine dayes they lay, steept in their blood: her woe
Found no friend, to afford them fire; Saturnius had turnd
Humanes to stones. The tenth day yet; the good celestials burnd
The trunkes themselues; and Niobe, when she was tyr'd with teares,
Fell to her foode; and now with rockes; and wilde hils mixt she beares
(In Sypilus) the gods wraths still; in that place, where tis said,
The Goddesse Fairies vse to dance, about the funerall bed
Of Achelous; where (though turn'd, with cold griefe, to a stone)
Heauen giues her heate enough to feele, what plague comparison
With his powers (made by earth) deserues: affect not then too farre
Without griefe, like a god, being a man; but for a mans life care,
And take fit foode: thou shalt haue time, beside to mourne thy sonne;
338
Shall finde thee weeping roomes enow. He said, and so arose;
And causd a siluer-fleec't sheepe, kill'd; his friends skils did dispose
The fleaing, cutting of it vp; and coolely spitted it;
Rosted; and drew it artfully. Automedon as fit
Was for the reuerend Sewers place; and all the browne ioynts seru'd
On wicker vessell to the boord; Achilles owne hands keru'd;
And close they fell too. Hunger stancht; talke, and obseruing time
Was vsde, of all hands; Priam sate, amaz'd to see the prime
Of Thetis sonne; accomplisht so, with stature, lookes, and grace;
In which, the fashion of a god, he thought had chang'd his place.
Achilles fell to him as fast; admir'd as much his yeares;
(Told, in his graue, and good aspects;) his speech euen charm'd his eares:
So orderd; so materiall. With this food feasted too,
Old Priam spake thus: Now (Ioues seed) command that I may go,
And adde to this feast grace of rest: these lids nere closde mine eyes
Since vnder thy hands fled the soule, of my deare sonne; sighes, cries,
And woes; all vse from food, and sleepe, haue taken: the base courts
Of my sad Pallace, made my beds; where all the abiect sorts
Of sorrow, I haue varied; tumbl'd in dust, and hid;
No bit, no drop of sustenance toucht. Then did Achilles bid
His men and women see his bed, laid downe, and couered
With purple Blankets; and on them, an Arras Couerlid;
Wast costs of silke plush laying by. The women straite tooke lights,
And two beds made, with vtmost speed; and all the other rites
Their Lord nam'd, vsde; who pleasantly, the king in hand thus bore:
Good father, you must sleepe without; lest any Counsellor
Make his accesse in depth of night; as oft their industrie
Brings them t'impart our warre-affaires; of whom should any eye
Discerne your presence, his next steps, to Agamemnon flie;
And then shall I lose all these gifts. But go to, signifie,
(And that with truth) how many daies, you meane to keepe the state
Of Hectors funerals: because, so long would I rebate
Mine owne edge, set to sacke your towne; and all our host containe
From interruption of your rites. He answerd; If you meane
Make his accesse in depth of night; as oft their industrie
Brings them t'impart our warre-affaires; of whom should any eye
Discerne your presence, his next steps, to Agamemnon flie;
And then shall I lose all these gifts. But go to, signifie,
(And that with truth) how many daies, you meane to keepe the state
Of Hectors funerals: because, so long would I rebate
Mine owne edge, set to sacke your towne; and all our host containe
From interruption of your rites. He answerd; If you meane
To suffer such rites to my sonne; you shall performe a part
Of most grace to me. But you know, with how dismaid a heart,
Our host tooke Troy; and how much Feare, will therefore apprehend
Their spirits to make out againe, so farre as we must send
For wood, to raise our heape of death; vnlesse I may assure,
That this your high grace will stand good; and make their passe secure;
Which if you seriously confirme; nine daies I meane to mourne;
The tenth, keepe funerall and feast: th' eleuenth raise, and adorne
My sonnes fit Sepulcher. The twelfth (if we must needs) weele fight.
Of most grace to me. But you know, with how dismaid a heart,
Our host tooke Troy; and how much Feare, will therefore apprehend
Their spirits to make out againe, so farre as we must send
For wood, to raise our heape of death; vnlesse I may assure,
That this your high grace will stand good; and make their passe secure;
Which if you seriously confirme; nine daies I meane to mourne;
The tenth, keepe funerall and feast: th' eleuenth raise, and adorne
My sonnes fit Sepulcher. The twelfth (if we must needs) weele fight.
Be it (replyed Æacides) do Hector all this right;
Ile hold warre backe those whole twelue daies: of which, to free all feare,
Take this my right hand. This confirm'd, the old king rested there.
His Herald lodg'd by him; and both, in forepart of the tent;
Achilles in an inmost roome, of wondrous ornament;
Whose side, bright-cheekt Briseis warm'd. Soft Sleepe tam'd gods and men;
All, but most vsefull Mercurie; Sleepe could not lay one chaine
On his quicke temples; taking care, for getting off againe
Engaged Priam, vndiscern'd, of those that did maintaine
The sacred watch. Aboue his head, he stood with this demand.
Ile hold warre backe those whole twelue daies: of which, to free all feare,
Take this my right hand. This confirm'd, the old king rested there.
His Herald lodg'd by him; and both, in forepart of the tent;
339
Whose side, bright-cheekt Briseis warm'd. Soft Sleepe tam'd gods and men;
All, but most vsefull Mercurie; Sleepe could not lay one chaine
On his quicke temples; taking care, for getting off againe
Engaged Priam, vndiscern'd, of those that did maintaine
The sacred watch. Aboue his head, he stood with this demand.
O father, sleep'st thou so secure, still lying in the hand
Of so much ill? and being dismist, by great Æacides?
Tis true, thou hast redeem'd the dead; but for thy lifes release
(Should Agamemnon heare thee here) three times the price now paide,
Thy sonnes hands must repay for thee. This said; the king (affraid)
Start from his sleepe; Idæus cald; and (for both) Mercurie
The horse, and mules, (before losde) ioyn'd, so soft and curiously,
That no eare heard; and through the host, draue; but when they drew
To gulphy Xanthus bright-wau'd streame, vp to Olympus flew
Industrious Mercurie. And now, the saffron morning rose;
Spreading her white robe ouer all, the world. When (full of woes)
They scourg'd on, with the Corse to Troy; from whence, no eye had seene
(Before Cassandra) their returne. She, (like loues golden Queene,
Ascending Pergamus) discern'd, her fathers person nie;
His Herald, and her brothers Corse; and then she cast this crie
Round about Troy; O Troians, if euer ye did greet
Hector, return'd from fight aliue; now, looke ye out, and meet
His ransom'd person. Then his worth, was all your cities ioy;
Now do it honour. Out all rusht; woman, nor man, in Troy
Was left: a most vnmeasur'd crie, tooke vp their voices. Close
To Scæas Ports they met the Corse; and to it, headlong goes
The reuerend mother; the deare wife; vpon it, strowe their haire,
And lie entranced. Round about, the people broke the aire
In lamentations; and all day, had staid the people there;
If Priam had not cryed; Giue way, giue me but leaue to beare
The body home; and mourne your fils. Then cleft the preasse; and gaue
Way to the chariot. To the Court, Herald Idæus draue,
Where on a rich bed they bestow'd, the honor'd person; round
Girt it with Singers; that the woe, with skillfull voices crownd.
A wofull Elegie they sung, wept singing, and the dames,
Sigh'd, as they sung: Andromache, the downeright prose-exclames
Began to all; she on the necke, of slaughterd Hector fell
And cried out: O my husband! thou, in youth badst youth farewell,
Left'st me a widdow: thy sole sonne, an infant; our selues curst
In our birth, made him right our child; for all my care, that nurst
His infancie, will neuer giue, life to his youth; ere that,
Troy from her top, will be destroy'd; thou guardian of our state;
Thou euen of all her strength, the strength; thou that in care wert past
Her carefull mothers of their babes, being gone; how can she last?
Soone will the swolne fleete fill her wombe, with all their seruitude,
My selfe with them, and thou with me (deare sonne) in labours rude,
Shalt be emploid; sternely suruaid, by cruell Conquerors;
Or rage not (suffering life so long;) some one, whose hate abhorres
Thy presence; (putting him in mind, of his sire slaine by thine;
His brother, sonne, or friend) shall worke, thy ruine before mine;
Tost from some towre; for many Greeks, haue eate earth from the hand
Of thy strong father: In sad fight, his spirit was too much mann'd;
And therefore mourne his people; we; thy Parents (my deare Lord)
For that, thou mak'st endure a woe; blacke, and to be abhorr'd.
Of all yet, thou hast left me worst; not dying in thy bed;
And reaching me thy last-raisd hand: in nothing counselled;
Nothing commanded by that powre, thou hadst of me; to do
Some deed for thy sake: O for these; neuer will end my woe;
Neuer my teares ceasse. Thus wept she; and all the Ladies closde,
Her passion with a generall shrieke. Then Hecuba disposde,
Her thoughts in like words: O my sonne, of all mine, much most deare;
Deare, while thou liu'dst too, euen to gods: and after death they were
Carefull to saue thee. Being best; thou most wer't enuied;
My other sonnes, Achilles sold; but thee, he left not dead.
Imber and Samos; the false Ports, of Lemnos entertain'd
Their persons; thine, no Port but death; nor there, in rest remain'd,
Thy violated Corse; the Tombe, of his great friend was spher'd
With thy dragg'd person; yet from death, he was not therefore rer'd.
But (all his rage vsde) so the gods, haue tenderd thy dead state;
Thou liest as liuing; sweete and fresh, as he that felt the Fate
Of Phœbus holy shafts. These words, the Queene vsde for her mone;
And next her; Hellen held that state; of speech and passion.
Of so much ill? and being dismist, by great Æacides?
Tis true, thou hast redeem'd the dead; but for thy lifes release
(Should Agamemnon heare thee here) three times the price now paide,
Thy sonnes hands must repay for thee. This said; the king (affraid)
Start from his sleepe; Idæus cald; and (for both) Mercurie
The horse, and mules, (before losde) ioyn'd, so soft and curiously,
That no eare heard; and through the host, draue; but when they drew
To gulphy Xanthus bright-wau'd streame, vp to Olympus flew
Industrious Mercurie. And now, the saffron morning rose;
Spreading her white robe ouer all, the world. When (full of woes)
They scourg'd on, with the Corse to Troy; from whence, no eye had seene
(Before Cassandra) their returne. She, (like loues golden Queene,
Ascending Pergamus) discern'd, her fathers person nie;
His Herald, and her brothers Corse; and then she cast this crie
Round about Troy; O Troians, if euer ye did greet
Hector, return'd from fight aliue; now, looke ye out, and meet
His ransom'd person. Then his worth, was all your cities ioy;
Now do it honour. Out all rusht; woman, nor man, in Troy
Was left: a most vnmeasur'd crie, tooke vp their voices. Close
To Scæas Ports they met the Corse; and to it, headlong goes
The reuerend mother; the deare wife; vpon it, strowe their haire,
And lie entranced. Round about, the people broke the aire
In lamentations; and all day, had staid the people there;
If Priam had not cryed; Giue way, giue me but leaue to beare
The body home; and mourne your fils. Then cleft the preasse; and gaue
Way to the chariot. To the Court, Herald Idæus draue,
Where on a rich bed they bestow'd, the honor'd person; round
Girt it with Singers; that the woe, with skillfull voices crownd.
A wofull Elegie they sung, wept singing, and the dames,
Sigh'd, as they sung: Andromache, the downeright prose-exclames
Began to all; she on the necke, of slaughterd Hector fell
And cried out: O my husband! thou, in youth badst youth farewell,
Left'st me a widdow: thy sole sonne, an infant; our selues curst
In our birth, made him right our child; for all my care, that nurst
His infancie, will neuer giue, life to his youth; ere that,
Troy from her top, will be destroy'd; thou guardian of our state;
Thou euen of all her strength, the strength; thou that in care wert past
Her carefull mothers of their babes, being gone; how can she last?
Soone will the swolne fleete fill her wombe, with all their seruitude,
My selfe with them, and thou with me (deare sonne) in labours rude,
Shalt be emploid; sternely suruaid, by cruell Conquerors;
340
Thy presence; (putting him in mind, of his sire slaine by thine;
His brother, sonne, or friend) shall worke, thy ruine before mine;
Tost from some towre; for many Greeks, haue eate earth from the hand
Of thy strong father: In sad fight, his spirit was too much mann'd;
And therefore mourne his people; we; thy Parents (my deare Lord)
For that, thou mak'st endure a woe; blacke, and to be abhorr'd.
Of all yet, thou hast left me worst; not dying in thy bed;
And reaching me thy last-raisd hand: in nothing counselled;
Nothing commanded by that powre, thou hadst of me; to do
Some deed for thy sake: O for these; neuer will end my woe;
Neuer my teares ceasse. Thus wept she; and all the Ladies closde,
Her passion with a generall shrieke. Then Hecuba disposde,
Her thoughts in like words: O my sonne, of all mine, much most deare;
Deare, while thou liu'dst too, euen to gods: and after death they were
Carefull to saue thee. Being best; thou most wer't enuied;
My other sonnes, Achilles sold; but thee, he left not dead.
Imber and Samos; the false Ports, of Lemnos entertain'd
Their persons; thine, no Port but death; nor there, in rest remain'd,
Thy violated Corse; the Tombe, of his great friend was spher'd
With thy dragg'd person; yet from death, he was not therefore rer'd.
But (all his rage vsde) so the gods, haue tenderd thy dead state;
Thou liest as liuing; sweete and fresh, as he that felt the Fate
Of Phœbus holy shafts. These words, the Queene vsde for her mone;
And next her; Hellen held that state; of speech and passion.
O Hector, All my brothers more, were not so lou'd of me,
As thy most vertues. Not my Lord, I held so deare as thee;
That brought me hither; before which, I would I had bene brought
To ruine; for, what breeds that wish (which is the mischiefe wrought
By my accesse) yet neuer found, one harsh taunt; one words ill
From thy sweet cariage. Twenty yeares, do now their circles fill,
Since my arriuall; all which time, thou didst not onely beare
Thy selfe without checke; But all else, that my Lords brothers were;
Their sisters Lords; sisters themselues; the Queen my mother in law;
(The king being neuer but most milde) when thy mans spirits saw
Sowre, and reprochfull; it would still, reproue their bitternesse
With sweet words. And thy gentle soule. And therefore thy deceasse,
I truly mourne for; and my selfe, curse, as the wretched cause;
All brode Troy yeelding me not one; that any humane lawes
Of pitie, or forgiuenesse mou'd, t'entreate me humanely,
But onely thee; all else abhorr'd, me for my destinie.
As thy most vertues. Not my Lord, I held so deare as thee;
That brought me hither; before which, I would I had bene brought
To ruine; for, what breeds that wish (which is the mischiefe wrought
By my accesse) yet neuer found, one harsh taunt; one words ill
From thy sweet cariage. Twenty yeares, do now their circles fill,
Since my arriuall; all which time, thou didst not onely beare
Thy selfe without checke; But all else, that my Lords brothers were;
Their sisters Lords; sisters themselues; the Queen my mother in law;
(The king being neuer but most milde) when thy mans spirits saw
Sowre, and reprochfull; it would still, reproue their bitternesse
With sweet words. And thy gentle soule. And therefore thy deceasse,
I truly mourne for; and my selfe, curse, as the wretched cause;
All brode Troy yeelding me not one; that any humane lawes
Of pitie, or forgiuenesse mou'd, t'entreate me humanely,
But onely thee; all else abhorr'd, me for my destinie.
These words, made euen the cōmons mourn; to whom the king said, Friends,
Now fetch wood for our funerall fire; nor feare the foe intends
Ambush, or any violence; Achilles gaue his word,
At my dismission; that twelue dayes, he would keepe sheath'd his sword,
And all mens else. Thus oxen, mules, in chariots straite they put;
Went forth; and an vnmeasur'd pile, of Syluane matter cut;
Nine daies emploide in cariage; but when the tenth morne shinde
On wretched mortals; then they brought, the-fit-to-be-diuin'd,
Forth to be burn'd: Troy swum in teares. Vpon the piles most height
They laid the person, and gaue fire; all day it burn'd; all night.
But when th' eleuenth morne let on earth, her rosie fingers shine,
The people flockt about the pile; and first, with blackish wine
Quencht all the flames. His brothers then, and friends, the snowy bones
Gatherd into an vrne of gold; still powring on their mones.
Then wrapt they in soft purple veiles, the rich vrne; digg'd a pit;
Grau'd it; ramb'd vp the graue with stones, and quickly built to it
A sepulcher. But while that worke, and all the funerall rites
Were in performance, guards were held, at all parts, dayes and nights,
For feare of false surprise before, they had imposde the crowne
To these solemnities. The tombe, aduanc't once, all the towne,
In Ioue-nurst Priams Court partooke, a passing sumptuous feast;
And so horse-taming Hectors rites, gaue vp his soule to Rest.
Thus farre the Ilian Ruines I haue laid
Now fetch wood for our funerall fire; nor feare the foe intends
Ambush, or any violence; Achilles gaue his word,
At my dismission; that twelue dayes, he would keepe sheath'd his sword,
And all mens else. Thus oxen, mules, in chariots straite they put;
Went forth; and an vnmeasur'd pile, of Syluane matter cut;
Nine daies emploide in cariage; but when the tenth morne shinde
341
Forth to be burn'd: Troy swum in teares. Vpon the piles most height
They laid the person, and gaue fire; all day it burn'd; all night.
But when th' eleuenth morne let on earth, her rosie fingers shine,
The people flockt about the pile; and first, with blackish wine
Quencht all the flames. His brothers then, and friends, the snowy bones
Gatherd into an vrne of gold; still powring on their mones.
Then wrapt they in soft purple veiles, the rich vrne; digg'd a pit;
Grau'd it; ramb'd vp the graue with stones, and quickly built to it
A sepulcher. But while that worke, and all the funerall rites
Were in performance, guards were held, at all parts, dayes and nights,
For feare of false surprise before, they had imposde the crowne
To these solemnities. The tombe, aduanc't once, all the towne,
In Ioue-nurst Priams Court partooke, a passing sumptuous feast;
And so horse-taming Hectors rites, gaue vp his soule to Rest.
Open to English eyes. In which (repaid
With thine owne value;) go vnualu'd Booke
Liue, and be lou'd. If any enuious looke
Hurt thy cleare fame; learne that no state more hie
Attends on vertue, then pin'd Enuies eye.
Would thou wert worth it, that the best doth wound;
Which this Age feedes, and which the last shall bound.
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