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Achilles mournes, told of Patroclus end;
When Thetis doth from forth the sea ascend,
And comfort him; aduising to abstaine
From any fight, till her request could gaine
Fit armes of Vulcan. Iuno yet commands
To shew himselfe. And at the dike he stands
In sight of th' enemie; who with his sight
Flies; and a number perish in the flight.
Patroclus person (safe brought from the warres)
His souldiers wash. Vulcan the armes prepares.

Another Argument.

Sigma continues the alarmes,
And fashions the renowmed armes.

They fought still, like the rage of fire. And now Antilochus
Came to Æacides; whose mind, was much solicitous,
For that, which (as he fear'd) was falne. He found him neer the fleet
With vpright saile-yeards, vttering this, to his heroike conceit:
Ay me; why see the Greeks themselues, thus beaten from the field,

Achilles to himselfe concerning Patroclus.

And routed headlong to their fleet. O let not heauen yeeld
Effect to what my sad soule feares; that (as I was foretold)
The strongest Myrmidon, (next me) when I should still behold
The Sunnes faire light, must part with it. Past doubt, Menætius sonne
Is he on whom that fate is wrought; O wretch, to leaue vndone
What I commanded; that the fleete, once freed of hostile fire,
(Not meeting Hector) instantly, he should his powres retire.

As thus his troubl'd mind discourst, Antilochus appear'd,

Antilochus relates Patroclus death.

And told with teares the sad newes thus: My Lord, that must be heard,
Which would to heauen I might not tell; Menætius sonne lies dead;
And for his naked corse (his armes alreadie forfeited,
And worne by Hector) the debate, is now most vehement.

This said, Griefe darkned all his powres. With both his hands he rent

Achilles his rage

The blacke mould from the forced earth, and pour'd it on his head;
Smear'd all his louely face; his weeds (diuinely fashioned)
All filde and mangl'd; and himselfe, he threw vpon the shore;
Lay, as laid out for funerall. Then tumbl'd round, and tore
His gracious curles; his Ecstacie, he did so farre extend,
That all the Ladies wonne by him, and his now slaughterd friend,

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(Afflicted strangely for his plight) came shrieking from the tents,
And fell about him; beate their breasts; their tender lineaments
Dissolu'd with sorrow. And with them, wept Nestors warlike sonne,
Fell by him, holding his faire hands, in feare he would haue done
His person violence; his heart (extremely streightned) burn'd,
Beate, sweld, and sighd, as it would burst. So terribly he mourn'd;
That Thetis sitting in the deepes, of her old fathers seas;
Heard, and lamented. To her plaints, the bright Nereides
Flockt all; how many those darke gulfes, soeuer comprehend.
There Glance and Cymodoce, and Spyo did attend;
Nesæa and Cymothoa, and calme Amphithoe;
Thalia, Thoa, Panope, and swift Dynanime;
Actæa and Lymnoria; and Halia the faire,
Fam'd for the beautie of her eyes; Amathia for her haire;
Iæra, Proto, Clymene, and curl'd Dexamine;
Pherusa, Doris; and with these, the smooth Amphinome;
Chast Galathea so renowm'd; and Callianira came
With Doto and Orythia, to cheare the mournfull Dame;
Apseudes likewise visited; and Callianassa gaue
Her kind attendance; and with her, Agane grac't the Caue;
Nemertes, Mæra followed; Melita, Ianesse,
With Ianira, and the rest, of those Nereides,
That in the deepe seas make abode; all which together beate
Their dewie bosomes; and to all, thus Thetis did repeate
Her cause of mourning: Sisters, heare, how much the sorrowes wey,

Thetis to the Nereides.

Whose cries, now cald ye: haplesse I, brought forth vnhappily
The best of all the sonnes of men; who (like a well-set plant,
In best soiles) grew and flourished; and when his spirit did want
Employment for his youth and strength: I sent him with a fleete
To fight at Ilion; from whence, his fate-confined feete
Passe all my deitie to retire. The court of his high birth,
The glorious court of Peleus, must entertaine his worth,
Neuer hereafter. All the life, he hath to liue with me,
Must wast in sorrowes; and this sonne, I now am bent to see,
Being now afflicted with some griefe; not vsually graue;
Whose knowledge and recure I seeke. This said, she left her caue;
Which all left with her; swimming forth; the greene waues, as they swom,
Cleft with their bosomes, curld, and gaue, quicke way to Troy. Being come,
They all ascended; two and two; and trod the honor'd shore,
Till where the fleete of Myrmidons (drawne vp in heapes) it bore.
There stayd they at Achilles ship; and there did Thetis lay

Thetis to Achilles.

Her faire hand on her sonnes curl'd head, sigh'd, wept, and bad him say,
What griefe drew from his eyes those teares? conceale it not (said she)
Till this houre, thy vplifted hands, haue all things granted thee.
The Greeks (all thrust vp at their sternes) haue pour'd out teares enow;
And in them seene how much they misse, remission of thy vow.

He said, Tis true, Olympius, hath done me all that grace:

Achilles to Thetis.

But what ioy haue I of it all? when thus, thrusts in the place,

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Losse of my whole selfe, in my friend? whom, when his foe had slaine,
He spoil'd of those prophaned armes, that Peleus did obtaine
From heauens high powres, solemnizing, thy sacred nuptiall bands,
As th' onely present of them all; and fitted well their hands;
Being louely, radiant, maruellous; O would to heauen thy throne,
With these faire deities of the sea, thou still hadst sate vpon;
And Peleus had a mortall wife; since by his meanes is done
So much wrong to thy grieued mind; my death being set so soone,
And neuer suffering my returne, to grace of Peleus court;
Nor do I wish it; nor to liue, in any mans resort;
But onely that the crying bloud, for vengeance, of my friend,
Mangl'd by Hector, may be stild; his foes death paying his end.

Thetis to Achilles.

She weeping, said: That houre is neare, and thy deaths houre then nie;
Which in thy wish seru'd of thy foe, succeedeth instantly.

Achilles to Thetis.

And instantly it shall succeed, (he answerd) since my fate
Allow'd not to my will a powre, to rescue (ere the date
Of his late slaughter) my true friend. Farre from his friends he died;
Whose wrong therein my eyes had light, and right to see denied.
Yet now I neither light my selfe, nor haue so spent my light,
That either this friend or the rest, (in numbers infinite
Slaughterd by Hector) I can helpe; nor grace, with wisht repaire
To our deare country; but breathe here, vnprofitable aire,
And onely liue a lode to earth, with all my strength, though none
Of all the Grecians equall it. In counsell, many a one
Is my superiour; what I haue, no grace gets; what I want,
Disgraceth all. How then too soone, can hastiest death supplant
My fate-curst life? her instrument, to my indignitie,
Being that blacke fiend Contention; whom, would to God might die
To gods and men; and Anger too, that kindles tyrannie
In men most wise; being much more sweete, then liquid hony is
To men of powre, to satiate, their watchfull enmities;
And like a pliant fume it spreds, through all their breasts; as late
It stole sterne passage thorough mine; which he did instigate,
That is our Generall. But the fact, so long past, the effect
Must vanish with it, though both grieu'd; nor must we still respect
Our soothed humours; Need now takes, the rule of eithers mind.
And when the loser of my friend, his death in me shall find;
Let death take all. Send him, ye gods; Ile giue him my embrace;
Not Hercules himselfe shund death, though dearest in the grace
Of Iupiter; euen him, Fate stoopt, and Iunoes crueltie;
And if such Fate expect my life; where death strikes, I will lie.
Meane time I wish a good renowme, that these deepe-brested Dames
Of Ilion and Dardania, may, for th' extinguisht flames
Of their friends liues, with both their hands, wipe miserable teares
From their so curiously kept cheekes; and be the officers
To execute my sighs on Troy; when (seeing my long retreate
But gatherd strength, and giues my charge, an answerable heate)
They well may know twas I lay still; and that my being away,

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Presented all their happinesse. But any further stay,
(Which your much loue perhaps may wish) assay not to perswade;
All vowes are kept; all prayres heard; now, free way for fight is made.
The siluer-footed Dame replide: It fits thee well, my sonne,

Thetis to Achilles.

To keepe destruction from thy friends; but those faire armes are wonne
And worne by Hector, that should keepe, thy selfe in keeping them,
Though their fruition be but short; a long death being neare him,
Whose cruell glorie they are yet: by all meanes then forbeare
To tread the massacres of warre, till I againe appeare
From Mulciber with fit new armes; which, when thy eye shall see
The Sunne next rise, shall enter here, with his first beames and me.

Thus to her sisters of the sea, she turn'd, and bad them ope
The doores and deepes of Nereus; she, in Olympus top
Must visite Vulcan for new armes, to serue her wreakfull sonne;

Thetis and the Nymphs leaue Achilles.

And bad informe her father so, with all things further done.

This said, they vnderwent the sea, her selfe flew vp to heauen;
In meane space, to the Hellespont, and ships, the Greeks were driuen,
In shamefull rout; nor could they yet, from rage of Priams sonne,
Secure the dead of new assaults; both horse and men made on,
With such impression: thrice the feete, the hands of Hector seasd;
And thrice th' Aiaces thumpt him off. With whose repulse displeasd,
He wreakt his wrath vpon the troupes; then to the corse againe,
Made horrid turnings, crying out, of his repulsed men,
And would not quit him quite for death. A Lion almost steru'd,
Is not by vpland herdsmen driuen, from vrging to be seru'd
With more contention, then his strength, by those two of a name;
And had perhaps his much praisd will; if th' airie-footed dame
(Swift Iris) had not stoopt in hast, Ambassadresse from heauen,

Iris ambassadresse to Achilles from Iuno.

To Peleus sonne, to bid him arme; her message being giuen
By Iuno; kept from all the gods; she thus excited him:
Rise thou most terrible of men, and saue the precious lim
Of thy belou'd; in whose behalfe, the conflict now runnes hie
Before the fleete; the either host, fels other mutually;
These to retaine, those to obtaine; amongst whom, most of all
Is Hector prompt; hee's apt to drag, thy friend home; he your pall
Will make his shoulders; his head forc't; hee'l be most famous; rise,
No more lie idle; set the foe, a much more costly prise
Of thy friends value; then let dogs, make him a monument,
Where thy name will be grauen. He askt, What deitie hath sent
Thy presence hither? She repli'd; Saturnia; she alone,
Not high Ioue knowing; nor one god, that doth inhabite on
Snowie Olympus. He againe; How shall I set vpon
The worke of slaughter, when mine armes, are worne by Priams son?
How will my goddesse mother grieue, that bad I should not arme,
Till she brought armes from Mulciber? But should I do such harme
To her and dutie: who is he (but Aiax) that can vant
The fitting my brest with his armes? and he is conuersat
Amongst the first, in vse of his; and rampiers of the foe

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(Slaine neare Patroclus) builds to him. All this (said she) we know,
And wish, thou onely wouldst but show, thy person to the eyes
Of these hote Ilians, that (afraid, of further enterprise)
The Greeks may gaine some litle breath. She woo'd, and he was won,
And straite Minerua honor'd him; who Ioues shield clapt vpon
His mightie shoulders; and his head, girt with a cloud of gold,
That cast beames round about his browes. And as when armes enfold

Simile.

A citie in an Ile; from thence, a fume at first appeares,
(Being in the day) but when the Euen, her cloudie forehead reares,
Thicke show the fires, and vp they cast, their splendor, that men nie
Seeing their distresse, perhaps may set, ships out to their supply:
So (to shew such aid) from his head, a light rose, scaling heauen.
And forth the wall he stept and stood; nor brake the precept giuen
By his great mother (mixt in fight,) but sent abroad his voice,
Which Pallas farre off ecchoed; who did betwixt them hoise

Simile.

Shrill Tumult to a toplesse height. And as a voice is heard
With emulous affection, when any towne is spher'd
With siege of such a foe, as kils, mens minds; and for the towne
Makes sound his trumpet: so the voice, from Thetis issue throwne,
Won emulously th' eares of all. His brazen voice once heard,
The minds of all were startl'd so, they yeelded; and so feard
The faire-man'd horses, that they flew, backe, and their chariots turn'd,
Presaging in their augurous hearts, the labours that they mourn'd
A litle after; and their guides, a repercussiue dread
Tooke from the horrid radiance, of his refulgent head.
Which Pallas set on fire with grace. Thrice great Achilles spake;
And thrice (in heate of all the charge) the Troians started backe.
Twelue men, of greatest strength in Troy, left with their liues exhald,
Their chariots and their darts, to death, with his three summons cald.
And then the Grecians spritefully, drew from the darts the corse,
And hearst it, bearing it to fleete. His friends, with all remorse
Marching about it. His great friend, dissoluing then in teares,
To see his truly-lou'd return'd, so horst vpon an herse,
Whom with such horse and chariot, he set out safe and whole;
Now wounded with vnpittying steele, now sent without a soule,
Neuer againe to be restor'd, neuer receiu'd but so;
He follow'd mourning bitterly. The Sunne (yet farre to go)

Iuno commands the Sunne to go downe before his time.

Iuno commanded to go downe; who in his powres despight,
Sunke to the Ocean; ouer earth, dispersing sodaine Night.
And then the Greeks, and Troians both, gaue vp their horse and darts.
The Troians all to counsell call'd, ere they refresht their hearts
With any supper; nor would sit; they grew so stiffe with feare,
To see (so long from heauie fight) Æacides appeare.

Polydamas began to speake, who onely could discerne
Things future by things past; and was, vow'd friend to Hector; borne

Polydamas to Hector and the Troians.

In one night both; he thus aduisde: Consider well (my friends)
In this so great and sodaine change, that now it selfe extends;
What change is best for vs t'oppose. To this stands my command;

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Make now the towne our strength; not here, abide lights rosie hand;
Our wall being farre off, and our foe, (much greater) still as nere.
Till this foe came, I well was pleasde, to keepe our watches here;
My fit hope, of the fleetes surpise, enclin'd me so; but now,
Tis stronglier guarded; and (their strength, increast) we must allow
Our owne proportionate amends. I doubt exceedingly
That this indifferencie of fight, twixt vs and th' enemie;
And these bounds we prefixe to them; will nothing so confine,
Th' vncur'b mind of Æacides. The height of his designe
Aimes at our citie, and our wiues; and all barres in his way
(Being backt with lesse then wals) his powre, will scorne to make his stay;
And ouerrunne, as ouerseene; and not his obiect. Then
Let Troy be freely our retreate; lest being enforc't, our men
Twixt this, and that, be taken vp, by Vultures; who by night
May safe come off; it being a time, vntimely for his might
To spend at randome; that being sure. If next light shew vs here
To his assaults, each man will wish, that Troy his refuge were;
And then feele, what he heares not now. I would to heauen mine eare
Were free euen now of those complaints, that you must after heare,
If ye remoue not. If ye yeeld (though wearied with a fight)
So late and long; we shall haue strength, in counsell, and the night.
And (where we here haue no more force, then Need will force vs to,
And which must rise out of our nerues) high ports, towres, walls will do
What wants in vs. And in the morne, all arm'd vpon our towres;
We all will stand out to our foe. Twill trouble all his powres,
To come from fleet, and giue vs charge; when his high-crested horse,
His rage shall satiate with the toyle, of this, and that wayes course;
Vaine entrie seeking vnderneath, out well-defended wals;
And he be glad to turne to fleet, about his funerals.
For of his entrie here, at home; What mind will serue his thirst?
Or euer feed him with sackt Troy? the dogs shall eate him first.

At this speech, Hector bent his browes; and said, This makes not greate

Hectors angry reply to Polydamas.

Your grace with me, Polydamas; that argue for retreate
To Troys old prison; haue we not, enough of those towres yet?
And is not Troy, yet, charg'd enough, with impositions set
Vpon her citizens; to keepe, our men from spoyle, without?
But still we must impose, within? that houses, with our rout,
As well as purses, may be plagu'd? Before time, Priams towne
Traffickt with diuers-languag'd men; and all gaue the renowne
Of rich Troy to it; brasse, and gold, abounding: but her store
Is now from euery house exhaust; possessions euermore,
Are sold out into Phrygia, and louely Mæonie;
And haue bene, euer since Ioues wrath. And now his clemencie
Giues me the meane, to quit our want, with glorie; and conclude
The Greeks in sea-bords, and our seas; to slacke it, and extrude
His offerd bountie by our flight. Foole that thou art, bewray
This counsell to no common eare; for no man shall obay.
If any will, Ile checke his will. But what our selfe command,

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Let all obserue: take suppers all; keeepe watch of euery hand.
If any Troian haue some spoyle, that takes his too much care,
Make him dispose it publickly; tis better any fare
The better for him, then the Greeks. When light then deckes the skies,
Let all arme for a fierce assault. If great Achilles rise,
And will enforce our greater toyle; it may rise so to him;
On my backe, he shall find no wings; my spirit, shall force my lim
To stand his worst; and giue, or take; Mars is our common Lord,
And the desirous sword-mans life; he euer puts to sword.

This counsell gat applause of all; so much were all vnwise;
Minerua robd them of their braines, to like the ill aduice
The great man gaue; and leaue the good, since by the meaner giuen.
All tooke their suppers; but the Greeks, spent all the heauy Euen
About Patroclus mournfull rites; Pelides leading all
In all the formes of heauinesse: he, by his side did fall;
And his man-slaughtering hands imposd, into his oft-kist brest;

Simile.

Sighes, blew vp sighes: and Lion-like, grac't with a goodly crest,
That in his absence being robd, by hunters of his whelps,
Returnes to his so desolate den: and (for his wanted helps)
Beholding his vnlookt-for wants, flies roring backe againe;
Hunts the slie hunter; many a vale, resounding his disdaine.
So mourn'd Pelides, his late losse; so weightie were his mones,

Achilles to his Myrmidons.

Which (for their dumbe sounds) now gaue words, to all his Myrmidons.
O gods (said he) how vaine a vow, I made, (to cheare the mind)
Of sad Menætius, when his sonne, his hand to mine resign'd;
That high-towr'd Opus he should see; and leaue rac't Ilion,
With spoyle, and honor, euen with me? but Ioue vouchsafes to none,
Wisht passages to all his vowes; we both were destinate
To bloody one earth here in Troy; nor any more estate
In my returne, hath Peleus, or Thetis; but because,
I, last must vndergo the ground, Ile keepe no funerall lawes

Achilles to Patroclus body.

(O my Patroclus) for thy Corse; before I hither bring,
The armes of Hector, and his head, to thee for offering.
Twelue youths, the most renown'd of Troy, Ile sacrifise beside,
Before thy heape of funerall, to thee vnpacifide.
In meane time, by our crooked sternes, lye drawing teares from me;
And round about thy honour'd Corse, these dames of Dardanie,
And Ilion, with the ample breasts (whom our long speares, and powres,
And labours, purchast from the rich, and by-vs-ruind towres,
And cities strong, and populous, with diuers-languag'd men)
Shall kneele, and neither, day, nor night, be licenst to abstaine
From solemne watches; their toil'd eyes, held ope with endlesse teares.

This passion past; he gaue command, to his neare souldiers,
To put a Tripod to the fire, to cleanse the festred gore,
From off the person. They obeyd, and presently did powre
Fresh water in it; kindl'd wood, and with an instant flame,
The belly of the Tripod girt; till fires hote qualitie came
Vp to the water. Then they washt, and fild the mortall wound

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With wealthy oyle, of nine yeares old; then wrapt the body round,
In largenesse of a fine white sheete, and put it then in bed,
When all, watcht all night, with their Lord, and spent sighes on the dead.

Then Ioue askt Iuno, if at length, she had suffisde her splene;

Ioue to Iuno.

Achilles being wonne to armes? or if she had not bene
The naturall mother of the Greeks; she did so still preferre
Their quarrell? She incenst, askt why, he still was tanting her,
For doing good to those she lou'd? since man to man might show
Kind offices, though thrall to death; and though they did not know

Iuno to Ioue.

Halfe such deepe counsels, as disclosd; beneath her farre-seeing state:
She, reigning Queene of goddesses; and being ingenerate
Of one stocke with himselfe; besides, the state of being his wife;
And must her wrath, and ill to Troy, continue such a strife
From time to time, twixt him and her? This priuate speech they had;
And now the siluer-footed Queene, had her ascension made,

Thetis enters the Court of Vulcan.

To that incorruptible house, that starry golden court
Of fiery Vulcan; beautifull, amongst th' immortall sort.
Which yet the lame god built himselfe: she found him in a sweate,
About his bellowes; and in haste, had twentie Tripods beate,
To set for stooles about the sides, of his well-builded hall.
To whose feete, little wheeles of gold, he put, to go withall;
And enter his rich dining roome; alone, their motion free
And backe againe go out alone, miraculous to see.
And thus much he had done of them; yet handles were to adde;
For which he now was making studs. And while their fashion had
Employment of his skilfull hand; bright Thetis was come neare,
Whom first, faire well-haird Charis saw, that was nuptiall fere,
Of famous Vulcan; who, the hand, of Thetis tooke, and said;

Why, faire-train'd, lou'd, and honour'd Dame, are we thus visited

Charis the wife of Vulcan to Thetis.

By your kind presence? You I thinke, were neuer here before;
Come neare, that I may banquet you, and make you visite more.

She led her in, and in a chaire, of siluer (being the fruite
Of Vulcans hand) she made her sit: a footstoole, of a suite,
Apposing to her Cristall feete; and cald the god of fire
For Thetis was arriu'd (she said) and entertain'd desire,
Of some grace, that his art might grant. Thetis to me (said he)

Vulcan to Charis

Is mightie, and most reuerend, as one that nourisht me,
When Griefe consum'd me; being cast, from heauen, by want of shame
In my proud mother, who because, she brought me forth so lame,
Would haue me made away; and then, had I bene much distrest,
Had Thetis and Eurynome, in eithers siluer breast
Not rescu'd me. Eurynome, that to her father had
Reciprocall Oceanus; nine yeares with them I made
A number of well-arted things; round bracelets, buttons braue;
Whistles, and Carquenets: my forge, stood in a hollow Caue,
About which (murmuring with fome) th' vnmeasur'd Ocean
Was euer beating; my abode, knowne nor to god, nor man,
But Thetis, and Eurynome, and they would see me still:

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They were my louing guardians: now then the starry hill,
And our particular roofe thus grac't, with bright-hair'd Thetis here;
It fits me alwaies to repay, a recompence as deare
To her thoughts, as my life to me. Haste Charis, and appose
Some daintie guest-rites to our friend, while I my bellowes lose
From fire, and lay vp all my tooles. Then from an anuile rose
Th' vnweildy Monster; halted downe, and all awry he went.
He tooke his bellowes from the fire, and euery instrument
Lockt safe vp in a siluer chest. Then with a sponge he drest
His face all ouer, necke and hands, and all his hairie breast:
Put on his Cote, his Scepter tooke, and then went halting forth:

Vulcans attendants.

Handmaids of gold, attending him; resembling in all worth,
Liuing yong damzels; fild with minds, and wisedome, and were train'd
In all immortall ministrie; virtue, and voice contain'd,
And mou'd with voluntarie powres: and these still waited on
Their fierie Soueraigne; who (not apt, to walke) sate neare the throne
Of faire-hair'd Thetis; tooke her hand; and thus he courted her:

Vulcan to Thetis.

For what affaire, ô faire-train'd Queene, reuerend to me, and deare,
Is our Court honord with thy state? That hast not heretofore
Perform'd this kindnesse? Speake thy thoughts; thy suite can be no more,
Then my mind giues me charge to grant; can my powre get it wrought?
Or that it haue not onely powre, of onely act in thought?

Thetis to Vulcan.

She thus: O Vulcan, is there one, of all that are of heauen,
That in her neuer-quiet mind, Saturnius hath giuen
So much affliction as to me? whom onely he subiects
(Of all the Sea-Nymphs) to a man; and makes me beare th' affects
Of his fraile bed: and all against, the freedome of my will.
And he worne to his roote, with age: from him, another ill,
Ariseth to me; Iupiter, you know, hath giuen a sonne
(The excellenst of men) to me; whose education,
On my part, well hath answered, his owne worth; hauing growne,
As in a fruitfull soyle, a tree, that puts not vp alone,
His body to naked height; but ioyntly giues his growth
A thousand branches; yet to him, so short a life I brought,
That neuer I shall see him more, return'd to Peleus Court.
And all that short life he hath spent, in most vnhappy sort.
For first he wonne a worthy Dame, and had her by the hands
Of all the Grecians: yet this Dame, Atrides countermands:
For which, in-much disdaine he mourn'd, and almost pin'd away,
And yet, for this wrong, he receiu'd, some honor, I must say;
The Greeks being shut vp at their ships; not sufferd to aduance,
A head out of their batterd sternes; and mightie suppliance,
By all their graue men hath bene made, gifts, honors, all proposde
For his reflection; yet he still, kept close, and saw enclosde
Their whole host, in this generall plague. But now his friend put on
His armes; being sent by him to field, and many a Myrmidon
In conduct of him; all the day, they fought before the gates

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Of Scæa; and most certainly, that day had seene the dates,
Of all Troyes honors, in her dust; if Phœbus (hauing done
Much mischiefe more) the enuyed life, of good Menætius sonne,
Had not with partiall hands enforc't; and all the honor giuen
To Hector, who hath prisd his armes; and therefore I am driuen,
T'embrace thy knees, for new defence, to my lou'd sonne: ahlas,
His life prefixt, so short a date, had need spend that with grace.
A shield then for him, and a helme, faire greaues, and curets such,
As may renowne thy workmanship; and honor him as much;
I sue for, at thy famous hands. Be confident (said he)
Let these wants breed thy thoughts, no care; I would it lay in me,
To hide him from his heauy death; when Fate shall seeke for him;

Vulcan to Thetis

As well, as with renowned armes, to fit his goodly limme;
Which thy hands shall conuey to him; and all eyes shall admire:
See, and desire againe to see, thy satisfied desire.

This said, he left her there; and forth, did to his bellows go,
Apposde them to the fire againe, commanding them to blow.

Vulcan begins to forge armes for Achilles.

Through twenty holes made to his harth, at once blew twenty paire,
That fir'd his coles, sometimes with soft, sometimes with vehement ayre;
As he will'd, and his worke requir'd. Amids the flame he cast,
Tin, Siluer, precious Gold, and Brasse; and in the stocke he plac't,
A mightie anuile; his right hand, a weightie hammer held;
His left his tongs. And first he forg'd, a strong and spacious shield
Adornd with twenty seuerall hewes: about whose verge he beate,
A ring, three-fold and radiant; and on the backe he set,
A siluer handle; fiue-fold were, the equall lines he drew
About the whole circumference: in which, his hand did shew,
(Directed with a knowing mind) a rare varietie:
For in it he presented earth; in it, the sea, and skie:
In it, the-neuer-wearied Sunne; the Moone exactly round,
And all those starres, with which the browes, of ample heauen are crownd;
Orion, all the Pleiades; and those seuen Atlas got;
The close-beam'd Hyades. The Beare, surnam'd the Chariot,
That turnes about heauens axeltree; holds ope a constant eye
Vpon Orion; and, of all, the Cressets in the skie,
His golden forehead neuer bowes, to th' Ocean Emperie.

Two cities in the spacious shield, he built with goodly state,
Of diuerse-languag'd men: the one, did nuptials celebrate,

Two cities forged in Achilles armes

Obseruing at them, solemne feasts: the Brides from foorth their bowres
With torches, vsherd through the streets: a world of Paramours
Excited by them; youths, and maides, in louely circles danc't:
To whom the merrie Pipe, and Harpe, their spritely sounds aduanc't;
The matrones standing in their dores, admiring. Otherwhere,
A solemne Court of law was kept, where throngs of people were:
The case in question, was a fine, imposde on one, that slue
The friend of him that follow'd it, and for the fine did sue;
Which th' other pleaded he had paide. The aduerse part denied,

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And openly affirm'd he had, no penny satisfied.
Both put it to arbiterment; the people cryed twas best
For both parts; and th' Assistants too, gaue their doomes like the rest.
The Heralds made the people peace: the Seniors then did beare
The voicefull Heralds scepters, sate, within a sacred sphere
On polisht stones; and gaue by turnes, their sentence. In the Court
Two talents gold were cast, for him, that iugd'd in iustest sort.

The martiall citie in the shield of Achilles.

The other citie, other warres, employ'd as busily,
Two armies glittering in armes, of one confederacie,
Besieg'd it; and a parle had, with those within the towne;
Two wayes they stood resolu'd; to see, the citie ouerthrowne:
Or that the citizens should heape, in two parts all their wealth,
And giue them halfe. They neither lik't, but arm'd themselues by stealth:
Left all their old men, wiues, and boyes, behind, to man their wals;
And stole out to their enemies towne. The Queene of martials,
And Mars himselfe conducted them; both which being forg'd of gold,
Must needs haue golden furniture: and men might so behold,
They were presented deities. The people, Vulcan forg'd
Of meaner mettall. When they came, where that was to be vrg'd
For which they went; within a vale, close to a flood, whose streame
Vsde to giue all their cattell drinke; they there enambusht them:
And sent two scouts out to descrie, when th' enemies heards, and sheepe
Were setting out. They strait came forth, with two that vsde to keepe
Their passage alwayes; both which pip't, and went on merrily;
Nor dream'd of Ambuscados there. The Ambush then let flie;
Slue all their white fleec't sheepe, and neate, and by them laid their guard.
When those in siege before the towne, so strange an vprore heard.
Behind, amongst their flocks, and heards; (being then in counsell set)
They then start vp, tooke horse, and soone, their subtle enemie met;
Fought with them on the riuers shore, where both gaue mutuall blowes
With well pil'd darts. Amongst them all: peruerse Contention rose,
Amongst them Tumult was enrag'd: amongst them ruinous Fate,
Had her red-finger; some they tooke, in an vnhurt estate;
Some hurt; yet liuing; some quite slaine: and those they tug'd to them
By both the feete; strip't off and tooke, their weeds, with all the streame
Of blood vpon them; that their steeles, had manfully let out.
They far'd as men aliue indeed, drew dead indeed about.

To these, the fierie Artizan, did adde a new-ear'd field

A new eared field in the shield.

Lardge and thrice plowd; the soyle being soft, and of a wealthy yeeld,
And many men at plow he made, that draue earth here and there,
And turnd vp stitches orderly; at whose end when they were,
A fellow euer gaue their hands, full cups of luscious wine;
Which emptied, for another stitch, the earth they vndermine;
And long till th' vtmost bound be reacht, of all the ample Close:
The soyle turn'd vp behind the plow, all blacke like earth arose,
Though forg'd of nothing else but gold, and lay in show as light,
As if it had bene plowd indeed; miraculous to sight.

A field of corne.

There grew by this, a field of corne, high, ripe; where reapers wrought,

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And let thicke handfuls fall to earth; for which, some other brought
Bands, and made sheaues. Three binders stood, and tooke the handfuls reapt,
From boyes that gatherd quickly vp; and by them armefuls heapt.
Amongst these at a furrowes end, the king stood pleasd at heart;
Said no word, but his scepter shewd. And from him, much apart,
His haruest Bailiffes, vnderneath, an Oke, a feast prepar'd:
And hauing kild a mightie Oxe, stood there to see him shar'd;
Which women, for their haruest folks (then come to sup) had drest;
And many-white-wheate-cakes bestow'd, to make it vp feast.

He set neare this, a vine of gold; that crackt beneath the weight

A vine of gold.

Of bunches, blacke with being ripe, to keepe which, at the height,
A siluer raile ranne all along; and round about it flow'd
An azure mote; and to this guard, a quick-set was bestow'd
Of Tin, one onely path to all; by which the pressemen came
In time of vintage; youths, and maids, that bore not yet the flame
Of manly Hymen; baskets bore, of grapes, and mellow fruite.
A lad that sweetly toucht a harpe, to which his voice did suite,
Centerd the circles of that youth; all whose skill could not do
The wantons pleasure to their minds, that danc't, sung, whistl'd to.

A herd of Oxen then he caru'd, with high raisd heads; forg'd all

A heard of oxen

Of Gold and Tin (for colour mixt) and bellowing from their stall,
Rusht to their pastures, at a flood, that eccho'd all their throtes;
Exceeding swift, and full of reeds; and all in yellow cotes,
Foure heardsmen follow'd; after whom, nine Mastiues went. In head
Of all the heard, vpon a Bull, that deadly bellowed,
Two horrid Lions rampt, and seisd, and (tugg'd off) bellowing still,
Both men, and dogs came; yet they tore, the hide, and lapt their fill
Of blacke blood; and the entrailes eate. In vaine the men assayd,
To set their dogs on: none durst pinch, but curre-like stood and bayd
In both the faces of their kings; and all their onsets fled.

Then in a passing pleasant vale, the famous Artsman fed,

Flocks of sheepe.

(Vpon a goodly pasture ground) rich flocks, of white-fleec't sheepe;
Built stables, cottages, and cotes; that did the sheapheards keepe
From winde and weather. Next to these, he cut a dancing place,

A labyrinth.

All full of turnings; that was like, the admirable maze
For faire-hair'd Ariadne made, by cunning Dedalus;
And in it, youths, and virgins danc't; all yong and beautious,
And glewed in anothers palmes. Weeds that the winde did tosse,
The virgines wore: the youths, wouen cotes, that cast a faint dimme glosse,
Like that of oyle. Fresh garlands to, the virgines temples crownd;
The youths guilt swords wore, at their thighs; with siluer bawdricks bound:
Sometimes all wound close in a ring; to which as fast they spunne,
As any wheele a Turner makes, being tried how it will runne,
While he is set; and out againe, as full of speed, they wound;
Not one left fast, or breaking hands. A multitude stood round;
Delighted with their nimble sport: to end which two begun
(Mids all) a song, and turning sung, the sports conclusion.
All this he circl'd in the shield, with pouring round about

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(In all his rage) the Ocean, that it might neuer out.

This shield thus done, he forg'd for him, such curets, as out shin'd
The blaze of fire: a helmet then (through which no steele could find
Forc't passage) he composde, whose hue, a hundred colours tooke;
And in the crest, a plume of gold, that each breath stirr'd, he stucke.

All done; he all to Thetis brought, and held all vp to her;
She tooke them all, and lik't the hawke, (surnam'd the Osspringer)
From Vulcan to her mightie sonne; with that so glorious show,
Stoopt from the steepe Olympian hill, hid in eternall snow.

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The end of the eighteenth Booke.