 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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THE SIXTH THEBAID OF STATIUS.
Curritur ad vocem jucundam, & carmen amicæ
Thebaïdos, lætam fecit cum Statius urbem,
Promisitque diem: tantâ dulcedine captos
Afficit ille animos------
Thebaïdos, lætam fecit cum Statius urbem,
Promisitque diem: tantâ dulcedine captos
Afficit ille animos------
Juv. Sat. 7.
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ARGUMENT
To the whole Thebaid.
Oedipus the son of Laius, king of Thebes, was in his infancy expos'd to wild beasts upon the mountains; but by some miraculous preservation he escap'd this danger, and afterwards, by mistake, slew his own father, as they contended for the way. He then married Jocasta, queen of Thebes, whom he knew not to be his mother, and had by her two sons, Etheocles and Polynices; who, after their father had put out his eyes, and banish'd himself from Thebes, agreed between themselves to govern year by year interchangeably. But this agreement was ill observ'd. Etheocles, when his date of government was expir'd, refus'd to resign
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Besides this, by way of an under-action, the Poet has interwoven another distinct story. The Goddess Venus is resolved to revenge her self upon the Lemnians, because they neglected all sacrifices to her. She first disgusts the men with their wives, and then in return spirits up the women into a resolution of murdering their husbands. This horrible design was executed by each of them, except Hypsipyle, who saved her father Thoas. Sometime afterward this also was discover'd. Hypsipyle, to avoid the fury of the women fled to the sea-shore;
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First of all it begins with an historical account of the Nemeæan games, then follows the funeral, with a more particular description of hewing the forests, and offering their hair to the deceas'd. The anguish of Adrastus, the lamentations of Eurydice, and the silence of Hypsipyle, are extremely well
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Soon mournful fame thro' ev'ry town proclaims
The rites of sepulture, and Grecian games:
What mighty chiefs should glory give or gain,
Prepar'd to combat on the listed plain.
These honours first the great Alcides paid
To please old Pelops' venerable shade:
What time near Pisa he inhum'd the dead,
And bound with olive-wreaths his dusty head.
These, with new hopes glad Phocis next bestow'd,
When Python sunk beneath her bowyer God.
These still religion to Palæmon pays,
(Religion blinded with a length of days)
When hanging o'er the deep in anguish raves
His royal mother to the sounding waves;
O'er either Isthmus floats the mingled moan,
And distant Thebè answers groan for groan.
The rites of sepulture, and Grecian games:
What mighty chiefs should glory give or gain,
Prepar'd to combat on the listed plain.
These honours first the great Alcides paid
To please old Pelops' venerable shade:
What time near Pisa he inhum'd the dead,
And bound with olive-wreaths his dusty head.
These, with new hopes glad Phocis next bestow'd,
When Python sunk beneath her bowyer God.
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(Religion blinded with a length of days)
When hanging o'er the deep in anguish raves
His royal mother to the sounding waves;
O'er either Isthmus floats the mingled moan,
And distant Thebè answers groan for groan.
The pious games begin, with loud alarms,
Here the young warriors first prelude in arms:
Each blooming youth Aonia sends to fame,
And each dear object to the Tyrian dame;
Who once embru'd in blood, shall heap around
High hills of slain, and deluge all the ground.
Here the young warriors first prelude in arms:
Each blooming youth Aonia sends to fame,
And each dear object to the Tyrian dame;
Who once embru'd in blood, shall heap around
High hills of slain, and deluge all the ground.
The youthful sailors thus with early care
Their arms experience, and for sea prepare:
On some smooth lake their lighter oars essay,
And learn the dangers of the watry way;
But once grown bold, they launch before the wind
Eager and swift, nor turn their eyes behind.
Their arms experience, and for sea prepare:
On some smooth lake their lighter oars essay,
And learn the dangers of the watry way;
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Eager and swift, nor turn their eyes behind.
Aurora now, fair daughter of the day,
Warm'd the clear orient with a blushing ray;
Swift from mankind the pow'r of Slumbers flew:
And the pale moon her glimm'ring beams withdrew.
O'er the long woods the matin dirges run,
And shrieks of sorrow wake the rising sun.
Warm'd the clear orient with a blushing ray;
Swift from mankind the pow'r of Slumbers flew:
And the pale moon her glimm'ring beams withdrew.
O'er the long woods the matin dirges run,
And shrieks of sorrow wake the rising sun.
Th' unhappy father, father now no more,
His bosom beat, his aged hairs he tore:
Beside him lay each ornament of state,
To make him wretched, as they made him great.
With more than female grief the mother cries,
And wringing both her hands, obtests the skies;
Bending she weeps upon th' extended slain,
Bathes ev'ry wound, returns, and weeps again.
His bosom beat, his aged hairs he tore:
Beside him lay each ornament of state,
To make him wretched, as they made him great.
With more than female grief the mother cries,
And wringing both her hands, obtests the skies;
Bending she weeps upon th' extended slain,
Bathes ev'ry wound, returns, and weeps again.
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But when the kings in sad and solemn woe,
Enter'd the dome, majestically slow:
(As if just then the trembling babe was found,
And life's last blood came issuing thro' the wound)
Breast took from breast the melancholy strain,
And pausing nature wept, and sob'd again.
Confus'd each Grecian hangs his guilty head,
And weeps a flood of tears to wail the dead.
Enter'd the dome, majestically slow:
(As if just then the trembling babe was found,
And life's last blood came issuing thro' the wound)
Breast took from breast the melancholy strain,
And pausing nature wept, and sob'd again.
Confus'd each Grecian hangs his guilty head,
And weeps a flood of tears to wail the dead.
Mean while Adrastus bears the friendly part,
And with kind words consoles the father's heart.
He marks th' eternal orders of the sky,
And proves that man was born to grieve and die;
Now tells him heav'n will future children send
To heir his kingdom, and his years defend.
And with kind words consoles the father's heart.
He marks th' eternal orders of the sky,
And proves that man was born to grieve and die;
Now tells him heav'n will future children send
To heir his kingdom, and his years defend.
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In vain the charmer pleads, unbounded flow
The parent's tears, in violence of woe.
He hears no more than storms that thundring rise,
Regard the sailors vows, or piercing cries,
And the wild horrour of their stony eyes.
The parent's tears, in violence of woe.
He hears no more than storms that thundring rise,
Regard the sailors vows, or piercing cries,
And the wild horrour of their stony eyes.
Apart, a croud of friends the bier bestrow
With cypress-boughs: Then place the straw below.
The second rank with short-liv'd flow'rs they spread,
Which soon must fade, and wither like the dead.
Arabian odours from the third diffuse
A grateful smoke, and weep in fragrant dews.
Above from heaps of gold bright colours stream,
And deeper purple shoots a sanguine gleam.
With cypress-boughs: Then place the straw below.
The second rank with short-liv'd flow'rs they spread,
Which soon must fade, and wither like the dead.
Arabian odours from the third diffuse
A grateful smoke, and weep in fragrant dews.
Above from heaps of gold bright colours stream,
And deeper purple shoots a sanguine gleam.
Inwoven on the pall, young Linus lay
In lonely woods, to mangling dogs a prey.
Heart-wounded at the sight, in anguish stands
Eurydice, and spreads her trembling hands;
Then turns her eyes, half dying with a groan,
For kindred miseries so like her own.
Arms, scepters, jewels, on the dead they throw,
And sacrifice all grandeur to their woe.
As if the hero, deck'd with warlike spoil,
Was born in triumph to the fun'ral Pyle.
Yet as due rites with kind affection paid,
Can add some honours to the infant-shade;
Hence rose magnificence, and solemn tears,
With presents suited to maturer years.
In lonely woods, to mangling dogs a prey.
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Eurydice, and spreads her trembling hands;
Then turns her eyes, half dying with a groan,
For kindred miseries so like her own.
Arms, scepters, jewels, on the dead they throw,
And sacrifice all grandeur to their woe.
As if the hero, deck'd with warlike spoil,
Was born in triumph to the fun'ral Pyle.
Yet as due rites with kind affection paid,
Can add some honours to the infant-shade;
Hence rose magnificence, and solemn tears,
With presents suited to maturer years.
Long time with early hopes Lycurgus fed
A breed of coursers sacred to the dead.
A glitt'ring helm was safely plac'd apart,
And purple trappings of Sidonian art:
And consecrated spears, (a deadly store)
Radiant and keen, as yet unstain'd with gore.
The pious mother thus, deceiv'd too late
Like her fond spouse, reserv'd a crown of state,
And royal robes, o'erwrought with rising flow'rs;
The silent growth of solitary hours.
These and the rest at once, the furious sire
Dooms in distraction to the greedy fire.
A breed of coursers sacred to the dead.
A glitt'ring helm was safely plac'd apart,
And purple trappings of Sidonian art:
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Radiant and keen, as yet unstain'd with gore.
The pious mother thus, deceiv'd too late
Like her fond spouse, reserv'd a crown of state,
And royal robes, o'erwrought with rising flow'rs;
The silent growth of solitary hours.
These and the rest at once, the furious sire
Dooms in distraction to the greedy fire.
Mean while, assembled by the Seer's commands,
To raise the Pyre, croud thick the Grecian bands,
From Nemee these, and Tempe's lofty crown,
Tumble whole heaps of crashing forests down:
Their airy brows the naked hills display,
And earth once more beholds the face of day.
Deep groan the groves: On russling pinions rise
Birds after birds; the angry salvage flies.
Sacred thro' time, from age to age it stood,
A wide-spread, gloomy, venerable wood:
Older than man, and ev'ry sylvan maid,
Who haunts the grot, or skims along the glade.
Stretch'd o'er the ground the tow'ring oaks were seen,
The foodful beech, and cypress ever green:
The nuptial elm, and mountain-holm entire,
The pitchy tree that feeds the fun'ral fire:
The resin soft, and solitary yew,
For ever dropping with unwholesome dew;
The poplar trembling o'er the silver flood,
The warrior ash that reeks in hostile blood,
Th' advent'rous firr that sails the vast profound,
And pine, fresh bleeding from th' odorous wound—
All at one time the nodding forests bend,
And with a crash together all descend.
Loud as when blust'ring Boreas issues forth,
To bring the sweeping whirlwind from the north:
Sudden and swift as kindling flames arise,
Float o'er the fields, and blaze unto the skies.
The sinking grove resounds with frequent groans,
Sylvanus starts, and hoary Pales moans.
Trembling and slow the guardian-nymphs retire,
Or clasp the tree, and perish in the fire.
To raise the Pyre, croud thick the Grecian bands,
From Nemee these, and Tempe's lofty crown,
Tumble whole heaps of crashing forests down:
Their airy brows the naked hills display,
And earth once more beholds the face of day.
Deep groan the groves: On russling pinions rise
Birds after birds; the angry salvage flies.
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A wide-spread, gloomy, venerable wood:
Older than man, and ev'ry sylvan maid,
Who haunts the grot, or skims along the glade.
Stretch'd o'er the ground the tow'ring oaks were seen,
The foodful beech, and cypress ever green:
The nuptial elm, and mountain-holm entire,
The pitchy tree that feeds the fun'ral fire:
The resin soft, and solitary yew,
For ever dropping with unwholesome dew;
The poplar trembling o'er the silver flood,
The warrior ash that reeks in hostile blood,
Th' advent'rous firr that sails the vast profound,
And pine, fresh bleeding from th' odorous wound—
All at one time the nodding forests bend,
And with a crash together all descend.
Loud as when blust'ring Boreas issues forth,
To bring the sweeping whirlwind from the north:
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Float o'er the fields, and blaze unto the skies.
The sinking grove resounds with frequent groans,
Sylvanus starts, and hoary Pales moans.
Trembling and slow the guardian-nymphs retire,
Or clasp the tree, and perish in the fire.
So when some chief, (the city storm'd) commands
Revenge and plunder to his furious bands:
E'er yet he speaks the domes in ruin lay;
They strike they level, seize and bear away.
Revenge and plunder to his furious bands:
E'er yet he speaks the domes in ruin lay;
They strike they level, seize and bear away.
Sacred to heav'n and hell, the mourners rear
Two massy altars, pointing in the air.
The pious rites begin, in mournful strains
The music of the Phrygian fife complains;
Whose pow'rful sounds th' unwilling ghosts obey,
And pale, and shiv'ring mount the realms of day.
First Pelops taught these melancholy strains,
When Niobe's fond offspring prest the plains;
Six blooming youths, and six fair virgins fell,
Sent by fierce Cynthia to the shades of hell.
Two massy altars, pointing in the air.
The pious rites begin, in mournful strains
The music of the Phrygian fife complains;
Whose pow'rful sounds th' unwilling ghosts obey,
And pale, and shiv'ring mount the realms of day.
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When Niobe's fond offspring prest the plains;
Six blooming youths, and six fair virgins fell,
Sent by fierce Cynthia to the shades of hell.
Incense and oil upon the Pyle they throw,
And mighty monarchs mighty gifts bestow.
High-rais'd in air the mournful bier is born,
Dejected chiefs Lycurgus' train adorn;
The female sex around the mother croud,
And weep and sob, and vent their griefs aloud:
Behind Hypsipyle's soft sorrows flow
Silent, and fast, in eloquence of woe.
Each heaving bosom draws a deeper sigh,
And the big passion bursts from ev'ry eye.
Thus while the crystal tears unbounded ran,
In piercing shrieks Eurydice began.
And mighty monarchs mighty gifts bestow.
High-rais'd in air the mournful bier is born,
Dejected chiefs Lycurgus' train adorn;
The female sex around the mother croud,
And weep and sob, and vent their griefs aloud:
Behind Hypsipyle's soft sorrows flow
Silent, and fast, in eloquence of woe.
Each heaving bosom draws a deeper sigh,
And the big passion bursts from ev'ry eye.
Thus while the crystal tears unbounded ran,
In piercing shrieks Eurydice began.
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Ah! dearest child! amid these mournful dames
I never thought to give thee to the flames!
How could I dream of sorrows and of death,
In the first moments of thy infant breath?
How could I dread these bloody wars to see;
Or deem that Thebes should ever murder thee?
What sudden vengeance wing'd with wrath divine
Pursues me still, and curses all my line?
Yet Cadmus' sons in ease and plenty live,
Blest with each joy th' indulging pow'rs can give;
No mourning dames in sable weeds appear,
To bathe the last cold ashes with a tear.
I never thought to give thee to the flames!
How could I dream of sorrows and of death,
In the first moments of thy infant breath?
How could I dread these bloody wars to see;
Or deem that Thebes should ever murder thee?
What sudden vengeance wing'd with wrath divine
Pursues me still, and curses all my line?
Yet Cadmus' sons in ease and plenty live,
Blest with each joy th' indulging pow'rs can give;
No mourning dames in sable weeds appear,
To bathe the last cold ashes with a tear.
Wretch that I was, too fondly to believe
A faithless slave, a wand'ring fugitive!
Pious she told the melancholy tale
With fair invention, pow'rful to prevail;
Is this that guardian of the Lemnian state,
Who snatch'd her father from the jaws of fate?
A faithless slave, a wand'ring fugitive!
Pious she told the melancholy tale
With fair invention, pow'rful to prevail;
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Who snatch'd her father from the jaws of fate?
Ah no! herself the bloody furies join'd,
And vow'd like those, destruction to mankind!
Is this her care; to leave in woods alone
Her prince, nay more, an infant not her own?
Suppose thro' pity or neglect she stray'd,
(While my dear child lay trembling in the shade)
Unknowing of the monsters wild and vast,
Who haunt the gloomy groves, or dreary wast;
Each murm'ring fount that quivers to the breeze,
Each dying gale that pants upon the trees,
Sudden by turns distract an infant's ears,
And death attends th'imaginary fears.
And vow'd like those, destruction to mankind!
Is this her care; to leave in woods alone
Her prince, nay more, an infant not her own?
Suppose thro' pity or neglect she stray'd,
(While my dear child lay trembling in the shade)
Unknowing of the monsters wild and vast,
Who haunt the gloomy groves, or dreary wast;
Each murm'ring fount that quivers to the breeze,
Each dying gale that pants upon the trees,
Sudden by turns distract an infant's ears,
And death attends th'imaginary fears.
Hail thou dear infant! wretched, early ghost,
Murder'd by her who ought to love thee most.
Whose hands sustain'd thee, and whose music charm'd,
Whose eye o'ersaw thee, and whose bosom warm'd:
Who dry'd thy cheeks with streams of crystal drown'd,
And taught thy voice to frame the fault'ring sound.
Ungrateful wretch, may grief thy years consume,
And pains eternal bend thee to the tomb!
Tear her, ye warriors, tear her from my eyes,
Deaf to her vows, her penitence, or cries:
Deep in her bosom drive th' avenging dart,
To drink the blood that feeds her faithless heart.
In the same moment I'll resign my breath,
Satiate with fury, and content in death!
Murder'd by her who ought to love thee most.
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Whose eye o'ersaw thee, and whose bosom warm'd:
Who dry'd thy cheeks with streams of crystal drown'd,
And taught thy voice to frame the fault'ring sound.
Ungrateful wretch, may grief thy years consume,
And pains eternal bend thee to the tomb!
Tear her, ye warriors, tear her from my eyes,
Deaf to her vows, her penitence, or cries:
Deep in her bosom drive th' avenging dart,
To drink the blood that feeds her faithless heart.
In the same moment I'll resign my breath,
Satiate with fury, and content in death!
She spake, and starting saw the Lemnian maid,
As in the silence of her soul she pray'd:
Sudden her rage rekindles at the view,
And trickling down her cheeks descend the drops of dew.
Bear, oh ye chiefs, this female curse away,
Who adds a horror to the fun'ral day,
Who with a smile profanes the matron's moan,
And triumphs in misfortunes not her own.
She said, and sinking drew a fainter sigh,
Rage stop'd her voice, and grief o'erwhelm'd her eye;
Thence slowly moving thro' the croud she went
By silent steps, in sullen discontent.
As in the silence of her soul she pray'd:
Sudden her rage rekindles at the view,
And trickling down her cheeks descend the drops of dew.
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Who adds a horror to the fun'ral day,
Who with a smile profanes the matron's moan,
And triumphs in misfortunes not her own.
She said, and sinking drew a fainter sigh,
Rage stop'd her voice, and grief o'erwhelm'd her eye;
Thence slowly moving thro' the croud she went
By silent steps, in sullen discontent.
So when the holy priest with curious eyes,
Dooms some fair heifer to the sacrifice,
Or the gaunt lion bears her thro' the wood,
As down her side distils the life-warm blood:
The mother-beast dejected, and alone
Pours to the winds her lamentable moan,
With mournful looks she paces from the plain,
And often goes, and often turns again.
Dooms some fair heifer to the sacrifice,
Or the gaunt lion bears her thro' the wood,
As down her side distils the life-warm blood:
The mother-beast dejected, and alone
Pours to the winds her lamentable moan,
With mournful looks she paces from the plain,
And often goes, and often turns again.
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The father now unbares his rev'rend head;
His silver locks he scatters o'er the dead:
Then with a sigh, the venerable man
Thus to the parent of the gods began.
His silver locks he scatters o'er the dead:
Then with a sigh, the venerable man
Thus to the parent of the gods began.
If Jove's almighty wisdom can deceive,
Curst is the man who fondly will believe!
These sacred hairs, long from the razor free,
Ibore, a pious gift reserv'd for thee:
What time Opheltes' youthful cheeks resign
Their tender down, an off'ring at thy shrine.
In vain—the sullen priest refus'd my pray'r,
And scatt'ring winds disperst it all in air.
Tear them my fingers, tear them from my head,
The last sad office to the worthy dead!
Curst is the man who fondly will believe!
These sacred hairs, long from the razor free,
Ibore, a pious gift reserv'd for thee:
What time Opheltes' youthful cheeks resign
Their tender down, an off'ring at thy shrine.
In vain—the sullen priest refus'd my pray'r,
And scatt'ring winds disperst it all in air.
Tear them my fingers, tear them from my head,
The last sad office to the worthy dead!
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Mean while the kindling brand awakes the fire,
Th' unwilling parents silently retire:
High-lifted shields, that intercept the light
In one dark circle, hide the mournful sight.
The flying em'ralds crackle in the blaze,
And fiery rubies stream with sanguine rays.
In shining rills the trembling silver flows,
And clearer gold with flaming lustre glows.
In balmy clouds Arabia's odours rise,
To waft their grateful fragrance to the skies.
Rich urns of milk, tott'ring, their streams incline,
Mingling with blood, and ting'd with sable wine.
Th' unwilling parents silently retire:
High-lifted shields, that intercept the light
In one dark circle, hide the mournful sight.
The flying em'ralds crackle in the blaze,
And fiery rubies stream with sanguine rays.
In shining rills the trembling silver flows,
And clearer gold with flaming lustre glows.
In balmy clouds Arabia's odours rise,
To waft their grateful fragrance to the skies.
Rich urns of milk, tott'ring, their streams incline,
Mingling with blood, and ting'd with sable wine.
Sev'n mournful cohorts (as their chieftains lead)
With arms reverst pace slowly round the dead;
Now moving to the left, enclose the Pyre,
And scatter heaps of dust to sink the fire;
Thrice join their spears, thrice clash their sounding shields;
Four times the females shriek, and clamour fills the fields.
With arms reverst pace slowly round the dead;
Now moving to the left, enclose the Pyre,
And scatter heaps of dust to sink the fire;
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Four times the females shriek, and clamour fills the fields.
Remote from these, another fire they feed
With firstling victims of the woolly breed.
Intent in thought the pious Augur stands,
Approves the rites, inspires the fainting bands:
Calmly dissembling in his anxious mind
Each sad presage of miseries behind.
With firstling victims of the woolly breed.
Intent in thought the pious Augur stands,
Approves the rites, inspires the fainting bands:
Calmly dissembling in his anxious mind
Each sad presage of miseries behind.
Returning from the right with loud alarms,
Again the warriors beat their clatt'ring arms:
Shields, lances, helms, the sinking flames o'erspread,
A friend's last pledges to the warlike dead.
Full on the winds the swelling music floats,
And Nemee's shades pour back the length'ning notes.
Again the warriors beat their clatt'ring arms:
Shields, lances, helms, the sinking flames o'erspread,
A friend's last pledges to the warlike dead.
Full on the winds the swelling music floats,
And Nemee's shades pour back the length'ning notes.
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So when the trumpeter with lab'ring breath
Shakes the wide fields, and sounds the charge of death:
The blood fermenting feels a gentle heat,
Quick roul the eyes, and fast the pulses beat:
E'er yet their rage the martial god controuls,
Nor swells their nerves, nor rushes on their souls.
Shakes the wide fields, and sounds the charge of death:
The blood fermenting feels a gentle heat,
Quick roul the eyes, and fast the pulses beat:
E'er yet their rage the martial god controuls,
Nor swells their nerves, nor rushes on their souls.
Now careful night in sober weeds array'd,
O'er the clear skies extends her dusky shade.
They bend the copious goblet o'er the Pyre,
And quench with wine the yet-remaining fire.
O'er the clear skies extends her dusky shade.
They bend the copious goblet o'er the Pyre,
And quench with wine the yet-remaining fire.
Nine times his course bright Lucifer had roll'd,
And ev'ning Vesper deck'd his rays with gold:
Now o'er the urn the sacred earth they spread,
And raise a monument to grace the dead.
Here in reliefe the Lemnian virgin stands,
Who points the grateful spring to Grecia's bands:
There young Opheltes breathes his dying moan,
And seems to shiver, and turn pale in stone;
In waving spires the Serpent floats along,
And rouls his eyes in death, and darts his forky tongue.
And ev'ning Vesper deck'd his rays with gold:
Now o'er the urn the sacred earth they spread,
And raise a monument to grace the dead.
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Who points the grateful spring to Grecia's bands:
There young Opheltes breathes his dying moan,
And seems to shiver, and turn pale in stone;
In waving spires the Serpent floats along,
And rouls his eyes in death, and darts his forky tongue.
By this, the pleas'd spectators in a row,
Throng the green Circus, and enjoy the show.
Deep in the bosom of a vale it stood,
Sacred to sports, and overhung with wood:
A darker green its grassy surface crowns,
And smoothly swims the car along the downs.
Long e'er the dawn of morn the mingling throng
Spreads o'er the plain, and man bears man along:
(Not half such numbers croud the sacred space,
Where yearly honours dead Palæmon grace;)
Confus'd delight! the fair, the gay, the sage,
And boastful youth, and deep-discerning age.
Throng the green Circus, and enjoy the show.
Deep in the bosom of a vale it stood,
Sacred to sports, and overhung with wood:
A darker green its grassy surface crowns,
And smoothly swims the car along the downs.
Long e'er the dawn of morn the mingling throng
Spreads o'er the plain, and man bears man along:
(Not half such numbers croud the sacred space,
Where yearly honours dead Palæmon grace;)
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And boastful youth, and deep-discerning age.
Twice fifty steers along the plains they drew,
As many mother-cows of sable hue;
As many heifers raise their youthful horns,
Whose front as yet, no blaze of white adorns.
As many mother-cows of sable hue;
As many heifers raise their youthful horns,
Whose front as yet, no blaze of white adorns.
High o'er the people, wrought with lively grace,
Shine the fair glories of their ancient race:
Each speaking figure seems to touch the soul,
And life and motion animate the whole.
Here lab'ring Hercules with anguish prest
The roaring lion to his manly breast.
Inspir'd with art th' historic figures rise,
And ev'n in sculpture live, and meet the eyes.
Here rev'rend Inachus extends his side
O'er the green margin of his silver tyde:
Transform'd, behind him fearful Iö stood,
And cropt the grass besides her father's flood;
She mixes with the herd her mournful cries,
And often turns, and watches Argus' eyes.
Her, from the Pharian coast indulging Jove
Transferr'd immortal, to the realms above:
Still in her fanes the sable Memphian bows,
And eastern Magi pay their early vows.
Here Tantalus amid the pow'rs divine
Lifts the deep goblet crown'd with sparkling wine:
Nor stands (as Poets sing) in streams below,
Still curst with life, yet fated still to woe,
The wretch for ever pines, the streams for ever flow.
Shine the fair glories of their ancient race:
Each speaking figure seems to touch the soul,
And life and motion animate the whole.
Here lab'ring Hercules with anguish prest
The roaring lion to his manly breast.
Inspir'd with art th' historic figures rise,
And ev'n in sculpture live, and meet the eyes.
Here rev'rend Inachus extends his side
O'er the green margin of his silver tyde:
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And cropt the grass besides her father's flood;
She mixes with the herd her mournful cries,
And often turns, and watches Argus' eyes.
Her, from the Pharian coast indulging Jove
Transferr'd immortal, to the realms above:
Still in her fanes the sable Memphian bows,
And eastern Magi pay their early vows.
Here Tantalus amid the pow'rs divine
Lifts the deep goblet crown'd with sparkling wine:
Nor stands (as Poets sing) in streams below,
Still curst with life, yet fated still to woe,
The wretch for ever pines, the streams for ever flow.
There Pelops lashes on with loos'ned reins
Neptune's fleet coursers o'er the smoking plains:
Behind his rival o'er the rapid steed
Hangs imminent------and drives with equal speed.
Acrysius here in thoughtful posture stands:
There brave Choræbus lifts his bleeding hands.
Here am'rous Jove descending as of old,
Impregnates Danae with a show'r of gold.
Her blushes Amymône strives to hide,
Comprest by Neptune in the silver tide.
Alcmena there young Hercules admires,
As her head blazes with three lambent fires.
Neptune's fleet coursers o'er the smoking plains:
Behind his rival o'er the rapid steed
Hangs imminent------and drives with equal speed.
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There brave Choræbus lifts his bleeding hands.
Here am'rous Jove descending as of old,
Impregnates Danae with a show'r of gold.
Her blushes Amymône strives to hide,
Comprest by Neptune in the silver tide.
Alcmena there young Hercules admires,
As her head blazes with three lambent fires.
Here Belus' sons at Hymen's altars stand,
And join with hearts averse the friendly hand:
A faithless smile of ill-dissembled grace
Seem'd most to flatter in Egysthus' face:
As the calm villain with severe delight
Acts in his mind the murders of the night.
And join with hearts averse the friendly hand:
A faithless smile of ill-dissembled grace
Seem'd most to flatter in Egysthus' face:
As the calm villain with severe delight
Acts in his mind the murders of the night.
Now ev'ry bosom beats with hopes, or fear,
The clamours thicken, and the croud draws near.
Inspire the muse, to sing each hero's deeds,
O Pow'r of verse! and name, and gen'rous steeds.
The clamours thicken, and the croud draws near.
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O Pow'r of verse! and name, and gen'rous steeds.
Before, afar, Arion beats the plain;
Loose to the breeze high-danc'd his floating mane:
Immortal steed! whom first th' earth-shaker's hand
Tam'd to the lash, and drove along the strand:
Tho' restless as the wintry surges roul,
And furious still, and unsubdu'd of soul.
Mix'd with his watry steeds the god he bore
To Lybian Syrtes, or th' Ionian shore:
Swift flew the rapid car, and left behind
The noise of tempests, and the wings of wind.
To glory next great Hercules he drew,
O'er hills, and vales, and craggy rocks he flew:
Then to Adrastus' government was giv'n
Th' immortal courser, and the gift of heav'n.
The royal hand by due degrees reclaim'd,
And length of years his stubborn spirit tam'd:
Him now with many a wish, and many a pray'r,
Adrastus lends to Polynices' care;
Shows him to urge his fiery soul along
With tim'rous hand, and gentleness of tongue:
The reins to guide, the circling lash to wield,
And drive victorious o'er the dusty field.
Loose to the breeze high-danc'd his floating mane:
Immortal steed! whom first th' earth-shaker's hand
Tam'd to the lash, and drove along the strand:
Tho' restless as the wintry surges roul,
And furious still, and unsubdu'd of soul.
Mix'd with his watry steeds the god he bore
To Lybian Syrtes, or th' Ionian shore:
Swift flew the rapid car, and left behind
The noise of tempests, and the wings of wind.
To glory next great Hercules he drew,
O'er hills, and vales, and craggy rocks he flew:
Then to Adrastus' government was giv'n
Th' immortal courser, and the gift of heav'n.
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And length of years his stubborn spirit tam'd:
Him now with many a wish, and many a pray'r,
Adrastus lends to Polynices' care;
Shows him to urge his fiery soul along
With tim'rous hand, and gentleness of tongue:
The reins to guide, the circling lash to wield,
And drive victorious o'er the dusty field.
So sad Apollo with a boding sigh
Told his fond child the dangers of the sky:
Careful the parent, such advice to give!
Could fate be chang'd, or headstrong youth believe!
Told his fond child the dangers of the sky:
Careful the parent, such advice to give!
Could fate be chang'd, or headstrong youth believe!
Th' O Ebalian Priest moves second o'er the plain,
Who boasts his coursers of immortal strain:
Sprung from fair Cyllarus in days of yore:
(The guilty product of a stol'n amour)
When Castor griev'd in bitterness of soul,
Where seas scarce flow beneath the Scythian po le.
White were the steeds that drew him o'er the field,
White was his helm, his ribbands, and his shield.
Who boasts his coursers of immortal strain:
Sprung from fair Cyllarus in days of yore:
(The guilty product of a stol'n amour)
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Where seas scarce flow beneath the Scythian po le.
White were the steeds that drew him o'er the field,
White was his helm, his ribbands, and his shield.
Next, bold Admetus whirling from above
The sounding scourge, his female coursers drove:
Nor strokes, nor blandishment their rage controuls,
They bound, and swell with more than female souls,
Sprung from the cloud-born Centaurs, such their force,
Their lustful heat, and fury in the course.
The sounding scourge, his female coursers drove:
Nor strokes, nor blandishment their rage controuls,
They bound, and swell with more than female souls,
Sprung from the cloud-born Centaurs, such their force,
Their lustful heat, and fury in the course.
Then fair Hypsipile's bold offspring came,
Two lovely twins, alike intent on fame,
Their steeds, their chariots, and their arms the same.
(This Thoas call'd, the name his grandsire bore;
And Euneos that, to sail from shore to shore)
Each wish'd the glorious victory his own,
If not—his brother to be blest alone.
Two lovely twins, alike intent on fame,
Their steeds, their chariots, and their arms the same.
(This Thoas call'd, the name his grandsire bore;
And Euneos that, to sail from shore to shore)
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If not—his brother to be blest alone.
Last Chromis and Hippodamus succeed,
Each checks the reins, and each inspires his steed:
Alike with martial eminence they shone,
O Enomäus' this, and that Alcides' son;
One drove the coursers e'rst at Pisa bred,
And one the savage steeds of Diomed.
Each checks the reins, and each inspires his steed:
Alike with martial eminence they shone,
O Enomäus' this, and that Alcides' son;
One drove the coursers e'rst at Pisa bred,
And one the savage steeds of Diomed.
Whence first they start, a stony fragment stands,
Of old, a limit to contiguous lands.
An aged oak, of leaves and branches bare,
Presents a goal to guide the circling car.
Their distance such, as the wing'd arrow flies
Thrice from the bow sent hissing thro' the skies.
Of old, a limit to contiguous lands.
An aged oak, of leaves and branches bare,
Presents a goal to guide the circling car.
Their distance such, as the wing'd arrow flies
Thrice from the bow sent hissing thro' the skies.
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Mean while, high-thron'd amid th' Aonian quire
Divine Apollo strikes the silver lyre;
He sung the wars on Phlegra's fatal plain,
And Python, o'er Castalia's fountain slain.
He sung what order rules the worlds on high,
Who bids the thunder roar, and lightning fly:
Who feeds the stars, or gave the winds to blow:
What springs eternal swell the seas below;
Who spread the clouds, who rouls the lamp of light
O'er heav'ns blue arch, or wraps the world in night.
Divine Apollo strikes the silver lyre;
He sung the wars on Phlegra's fatal plain,
And Python, o'er Castalia's fountain slain.
He sung what order rules the worlds on high,
Who bids the thunder roar, and lightning fly:
Who feeds the stars, or gave the winds to blow:
What springs eternal swell the seas below;
Who spread the clouds, who rouls the lamp of light
O'er heav'ns blue arch, or wraps the world in night.
Here ceas'd th' harmonious God, his lyre he laid
With decent care beneath a laureat shade;
Then in rich robes his beauteous limbs he drest:
A starry zone hung blazing o'er his breast.
Sudden a shout confus'dly strikes his ears—
He bends his awful eyes, the croud appears.
Each chief he knows, and honours each, but most
The priest, and ruler of Thessalia's host.
What pow'r, (he cries) has fir'd with thirst of fame
These two adorers of Apollo's name?
Equally dear and good, alike renown'd
For piety, alike with favours crown'd.
When once a swain the lowing herds I drove,
(Such was the doom of fate, and wrath of Jove)
Still did Admetus' pious altars blaze,
And ev'ry temple rung with hymns of praise;
While at my shrine Amphiaräus stands,
And lifts his eyes, and spreads his trembling hands;
O dearest, best of men; alas no more—
Black fate impends, and all thy joys are o'er.
Soon must the Theban earth in sunder rend
Her opening jaws, and thou to hell descend!
Admetus' life to distant times shall last,
And ev'ry year add glories to the past:
Unknowing of repentance, cares, and strife,
These hands shall guide him to the verge of life.
Each bird of omen told the fatal day—
He said, and weeping turn'd his eyes away:
Then sudden from Olympus' airy height,
To Nemee's shade precipitates his flight;
Swift, as a sudden flash of light'ning flies,
Bending he shoots adown the shining skies:
Ev'n while on earth the God pursues his way,
Behind, aloft the streams of glory play,
Dance on the winds, or in a blaze decay.
With decent care beneath a laureat shade;
Then in rich robes his beauteous limbs he drest:
A starry zone hung blazing o'er his breast.
Sudden a shout confus'dly strikes his ears—
He bends his awful eyes, the croud appears.
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The priest, and ruler of Thessalia's host.
What pow'r, (he cries) has fir'd with thirst of fame
These two adorers of Apollo's name?
Equally dear and good, alike renown'd
For piety, alike with favours crown'd.
When once a swain the lowing herds I drove,
(Such was the doom of fate, and wrath of Jove)
Still did Admetus' pious altars blaze,
And ev'ry temple rung with hymns of praise;
While at my shrine Amphiaräus stands,
And lifts his eyes, and spreads his trembling hands;
O dearest, best of men; alas no more—
Black fate impends, and all thy joys are o'er.
Soon must the Theban earth in sunder rend
Her opening jaws, and thou to hell descend!
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And ev'ry year add glories to the past:
Unknowing of repentance, cares, and strife,
These hands shall guide him to the verge of life.
Each bird of omen told the fatal day—
He said, and weeping turn'd his eyes away:
Then sudden from Olympus' airy height,
To Nemee's shade precipitates his flight;
Swift, as a sudden flash of light'ning flies,
Bending he shoots adown the shining skies:
Ev'n while on earth the God pursues his way,
Behind, aloft the streams of glory play,
Dance on the winds, or in a blaze decay.
Now in his helm impartial Prothöus throws
The flying lots, and as the lots dispose,
Around him rang'd in beauteous order came
Each ardent youth, a candidate for fame.
Here wild mistrust, and jealousies appear,
And pale surprise, and self-suspecting fear:
Restless impatience, cold in ev'ry part,
And a sad dread that seems to sink the heart.
There shouts of triumph rend the vaulted sky,
And fame and conquest brighten ev'ry eye.
“Th' impatient coursers pant in ev'ry vein,
“And pawing seem to beat the distant plain:
The burning foam descends, the bridles ring,
And from the barrier-bounds in thought they spring;
“The vales, the floods appear already crost,
“And e'er they start, a thousand steps are lost.
T' exalt their pride, a croud of servants deck
Their curling manes, and stroke the shining neck.
The flying lots, and as the lots dispose,
Around him rang'd in beauteous order came
Each ardent youth, a candidate for fame.
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And pale surprise, and self-suspecting fear:
Restless impatience, cold in ev'ry part,
And a sad dread that seems to sink the heart.
There shouts of triumph rend the vaulted sky,
And fame and conquest brighten ev'ry eye.
“Th' impatient coursers pant in ev'ry vein,
“And pawing seem to beat the distant plain:
The burning foam descends, the bridles ring,
And from the barrier-bounds in thought they spring;
“The vales, the floods appear already crost,
“And e'er they start, a thousand steps are lost.
T' exalt their pride, a croud of servants deck
Their curling manes, and stroke the shining neck.
Instant, (the signal giv'n) the rival throng
Starts sudden with a bound—and shoots along.
Swift as a vessel o'er the waters flies,
Swift as an arrow hisses thro' the skies:
Swift as a flame devours the crackling wood,
Swift as the headlong torrents of a flood.
Starts sudden with a bound—and shoots along.
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Swift as an arrow hisses thro' the skies:
Swift as a flame devours the crackling wood,
Swift as the headlong torrents of a flood.
Now in one cloud they vanish from the eye,
Nor see, nor know their rivals as they fly:
They turn the goal: again with rapid pace
The wheels roul round, and blot their former trace;
Now on their knees they steer a bending course,
Now hang impatient o'er the flying horse.
From groaning earth the mingling clamours rise,
Confusion fills their ears, and darkness blinds their eyes.
Nor see, nor know their rivals as they fly:
They turn the goal: again with rapid pace
The wheels roul round, and blot their former trace;
Now on their knees they steer a bending course,
Now hang impatient o'er the flying horse.
From groaning earth the mingling clamours rise,
Confusion fills their ears, and darkness blinds their eyes.
Instinct with prescience, or o'eraw'd by fear,
Arion feels an unknown charioteer
Poiz'd on the reins; to sudden thought restor'd,
He dreads the fury of his absent lord:
Enrag'd now runs at random, and disdains
To bear a stranger: wonder fills the plains.
All think the steed too eager for the prize;
The steed breathes vengeance, from the driver flies,
And seeks his master round with wishful eyes.
Arion feels an unknown charioteer
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He dreads the fury of his absent lord:
Enrag'd now runs at random, and disdains
To bear a stranger: wonder fills the plains.
All think the steed too eager for the prize;
The steed breathes vengeance, from the driver flies,
And seeks his master round with wishful eyes.
The next, tho' mighty far the next, succeeds
Amphiaräus with his snow-white steeds:
Close by his side Admetus whirls along,
Euneos and Thoas join the flying throng:
Next Chromis and Hippodamus appear,
Who wage a dreadful conflict in the rear:
Skill'd of themselves, in vain they urge the chase,
(Their steeds too heavy for so swift a race)
Hippodamus flew first, and full behind
Impatient Chromis blows the sultry wind.
Amphiaräus with his snow-white steeds:
Close by his side Admetus whirls along,
Euneos and Thoas join the flying throng:
Next Chromis and Hippodamus appear,
Who wage a dreadful conflict in the rear:
Skill'd of themselves, in vain they urge the chase,
(Their steeds too heavy for so swift a race)
Hippodamus flew first, and full behind
Impatient Chromis blows the sultry wind.
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Admetus now directs the side-long horse
To turn the goal, and intercept the course:
His equal art the priest of Phœbus tries,
The goal he brushes, as his chariot flies;
While mad Arion wanders o'er the plain,
Nor minds the race, nor hears the curbing rein.
Unable to controul, the trembling chief
Sits sadly silent, and indulges grief:
Pleas'd with his liberty the sea-born horse
Springs with a bound, and thunders o'er the course:
Loud shouts the multitude; in wild debate
Of fears and terrors Polynices sate,
Flings up the reins, and waits th' event of fate.
To turn the goal, and intercept the course:
His equal art the priest of Phœbus tries,
The goal he brushes, as his chariot flies;
While mad Arion wanders o'er the plain,
Nor minds the race, nor hears the curbing rein.
Unable to controul, the trembling chief
Sits sadly silent, and indulges grief:
Pleas'd with his liberty the sea-born horse
Springs with a bound, and thunders o'er the course:
Loud shouts the multitude; in wild debate
Of fears and terrors Polynices sate,
Flings up the reins, and waits th' event of fate.
So spent with toils, and gasping after breath,
Pants the pale sailor in the arms of death;
In sad despair gives ev'ry labour o'er,
And marks the skies and faithless winds no more.
Pants the pale sailor in the arms of death;
In sad despair gives ev'ry labour o'er,
And marks the skies and faithless winds no more.
42
Now horse with horse, to chariot chariot clos'd,
Wheels clash'd with wheels, and chief to chief oppos'd.
War, war it seemd'd! and death ten thousand ways—
So dreadful, is the sacred lust of praise!
Each chief by turns his panting coursers fires,
With praise now pleases, now with rage inspires.
By fair address Admetus sooths along
Iris the swift, and Pholöe the strong.
Amphiaräus hastens with a blow
Fierce Aschetos to rush before the foe,
And Cycnus whiter than the new-fal'n snow.
With vows and pray'rs Hippodamus excites
Slow-moving Calydon, renown'd in fights:
Strimon encourag'd by bold Chromis flies,
And swift Æchion starts at Euneos' cries:
And fair Podarcè fleck'd with purple stains,
By Thoas summon'd, beats the sounding plains.
In silence Polynices drives alone,
Sighs to himself, and trembles to be known.
Wheels clash'd with wheels, and chief to chief oppos'd.
War, war it seemd'd! and death ten thousand ways—
So dreadful, is the sacred lust of praise!
Each chief by turns his panting coursers fires,
With praise now pleases, now with rage inspires.
By fair address Admetus sooths along
Iris the swift, and Pholöe the strong.
Amphiaräus hastens with a blow
Fierce Aschetos to rush before the foe,
And Cycnus whiter than the new-fal'n snow.
With vows and pray'rs Hippodamus excites
Slow-moving Calydon, renown'd in fights:
Strimon encourag'd by bold Chromis flies,
And swift Æchion starts at Euneos' cries:
And fair Podarcè fleck'd with purple stains,
By Thoas summon'd, beats the sounding plains.
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Sighs to himself, and trembles to be known.
Three times the smoking car with rapid pace
Had turn'd the goal, the fourth concludes the race.
Fast and more fast the panting coursers blow,
And streams of sweat from ev'ry member flow.
Had turn'd the goal, the fourth concludes the race.
Fast and more fast the panting coursers blow,
And streams of sweat from ev'ry member flow.
Now fortune first the crown of conquest brings,
(Suspending in mid air her trembling wings)
In act to hurl Admetus to the plain,
Revengeful Thoas gives up all the rein;
Hippodamus survey'd the fraud from far:
Full in its course he met the driving car,
Loud clash'd the wheels; Hippodamus withdrew,
To turn the chariot, ardent Chromis flew
Instant before, in angry fight oppos'd,
Chief strove with chief, to chariot chariot clos'd.
In vain th' impatient coursers urge along,
Lock'd in th' embrace, indissolubly strong.
(Suspending in mid air her trembling wings)
In act to hurl Admetus to the plain,
Revengeful Thoas gives up all the rein;
Hippodamus survey'd the fraud from far:
Full in its course he met the driving car,
Loud clash'd the wheels; Hippodamus withdrew,
To turn the chariot, ardent Chromis flew
Instant before, in angry fight oppos'd,
Chief strove with chief, to chariot chariot clos'd.
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Lock'd in th' embrace, indissolubly strong.
So when the summer winds in silence sleep,
And drowsy Neptune stills the watry deep:
O'er the clear verdant wave extended lies
Th' unmoving vessel, till the gales arise.
And drowsy Neptune stills the watry deep:
O'er the clear verdant wave extended lies
Th' unmoving vessel, till the gales arise.
Again the warriors strive, the fields resound:
Hippodamus, all sudden with a bound
Shock'd—from his chariot tumbled to the ground.
The Thracian coursers, (but their chief withstood)
Spring to devour his limbs, and drink his blood:
Instant the gen'rous victor turn'd away,
And gain'd more glory tho' he lost the day.
Hippodamus, all sudden with a bound
Shock'd—from his chariot tumbled to the ground.
The Thracian coursers, (but their chief withstood)
Spring to devour his limbs, and drink his blood:
Instant the gen'rous victor turn'd away,
And gain'd more glory tho' he lost the day.
Mean while the god, who gilds th' ethereal space
Descends, himself a partner of the race:
(Just where the steeds their stretching shade extend,
And the long labours of the Circus end)
A Gorgon's head aloft in air he bore,
Horrid with snakes, and stain'd with human gore:
One ghastly look were able to dismay
The steeds of Mars, or those that lead the day;
Ev'n hell's grim guardian might surcease to roar;
And Furies fear, unknown to fear before.
Descends, himself a partner of the race:
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And the long labours of the Circus end)
A Gorgon's head aloft in air he bore,
Horrid with snakes, and stain'd with human gore:
One ghastly look were able to dismay
The steeds of Mars, or those that lead the day;
Ev'n hell's grim guardian might surcease to roar;
And Furies fear, unknown to fear before.
Sudden Arion ey'd the sight from far,
And loudly snorting stop'd the driving car:
Cold darts of ice shot thrilling thro' his blood,
His fearful flesh all trembled as he stood:
Abruptly shock'd, and mindless of the rein,
Th' Aonian hero tumbled to the plain;
Again recover'd, fleeter than the wind
Arion flies, and leaves his chief behind.
Beside the prostrate chief, the rival throng
Obliquely bending, swiftly rush'd along.
Slow from the dust he rose, and sadly went
Thro' the long croud in sullen discontent.
O happy hour! had fate but deign'd to close
Thy eyes in death; the period of our woes!
Thee Thebes should honour, and her tyrant shed
Some tears in publick to bewail the dead.
Larissa's groves should fall, to raise thy Pyre:
And Nemee's woods augment the fun'ral fire.
All Greece a nobler monument should raise
Than this, now sacred to Opheltes' praise.
And loudly snorting stop'd the driving car:
Cold darts of ice shot thrilling thro' his blood,
His fearful flesh all trembled as he stood:
Abruptly shock'd, and mindless of the rein,
Th' Aonian hero tumbled to the plain;
Again recover'd, fleeter than the wind
Arion flies, and leaves his chief behind.
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Obliquely bending, swiftly rush'd along.
Slow from the dust he rose, and sadly went
Thro' the long croud in sullen discontent.
O happy hour! had fate but deign'd to close
Thy eyes in death; the period of our woes!
Thee Thebes should honour, and her tyrant shed
Some tears in publick to bewail the dead.
Larissa's groves should fall, to raise thy Pyre:
And Nemee's woods augment the fun'ral fire.
All Greece a nobler monument should raise
Than this, now sacred to Opheltes' praise.
Furious the Prophet drove with rapid pace,
Sure of the prize, yet second in the race:
Before, afar the sea-born courser drew
His empty chariot rat'ling as he flew.
Yet still the Prophet thunders o'er the plain,
Eager of praise, amaz'd, enrag'd, ------ in vain;
The Pow'r of wisdom more than mortal strong,
Swells ev'ry nerve to lash the steeds along:
Instinct with rage divine his steeds renew
The rapid labour bath'd in streams of dew.
The glowing axle kindles as they fly,
And drifts of rising dust involve the sky.
Earth opening seems to groan, (a fatal sign!)
Still they rush on, advancing in a line:
Now with redoubled swiftness Cycnus flies,
But partial Neptune the whole palm denies:
Arion won the race, the prophet bore the prize.
Sure of the prize, yet second in the race:
Before, afar the sea-born courser drew
His empty chariot rat'ling as he flew.
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Eager of praise, amaz'd, enrag'd, ------ in vain;
The Pow'r of wisdom more than mortal strong,
Swells ev'ry nerve to lash the steeds along:
Instinct with rage divine his steeds renew
The rapid labour bath'd in streams of dew.
The glowing axle kindles as they fly,
And drifts of rising dust involve the sky.
Earth opening seems to groan, (a fatal sign!)
Still they rush on, advancing in a line:
Now with redoubled swiftness Cycnus flies,
But partial Neptune the whole palm denies:
Arion won the race, the prophet bore the prize.
A massy bowl (the pledge design'd to grace
The gen'rous chief victorious in the race)
Two youths present him: antique was the mold,
Blazing with gems, and rough with rising gold:
In this, Alcides each revolving night
Was wont to drown the labours of the fight:
Grav'd on the sides was seen the dreadful fray
When brutal Centaurs snatch'd the bride away.
With living terrours stare the chiefs around,
These aim the dart, and those receive the wound:
Each in distorted postures heaves for breath,
And seems to threaten in the pangs of death.
The gen'rous chief victorious in the race)
Two youths present him: antique was the mold,
Blazing with gems, and rough with rising gold:
148
Was wont to drown the labours of the fight:
Grav'd on the sides was seen the dreadful fray
When brutal Centaurs snatch'd the bride away.
With living terrours stare the chiefs around,
These aim the dart, and those receive the wound:
Each in distorted postures heaves for breath,
And seems to threaten in the pangs of death.
A costly vesture was reserv'd to grace
Admetus, next in merit as in place;
Embroider'd figures o'er the texture shine,
And Tyrian purple heightens the design.
Here pale and trembling with the wintry air,
Leander stands, an image of despair.
Now bending from the beach, he seems to glide
With eyes up-lifted thro' the rolling tyde;
Aloft, alone the melancholy dame
Eyes the rough waters, and extends the flame.
Half-weeping Polynices takes his prize,
A beauteous handmaid with celestial eyes.
Admetus, next in merit as in place;
Embroider'd figures o'er the texture shine,
And Tyrian purple heightens the design.
Here pale and trembling with the wintry air,
Leander stands, an image of despair.
Now bending from the beach, he seems to glide
With eyes up-lifted thro' the rolling tyde;
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Eyes the rough waters, and extends the flame.
Half-weeping Polynices takes his prize,
A beauteous handmaid with celestial eyes.
August rewards are destin'd next to grace
The spritely youth contending in the race.
A blameless sport! and sacred sure the praise
To grace a festival in peaceful days:
Nor yet unuseful in th' embattel'd plain
When death is certain, and resistance vain.
The spritely youth contending in the race.
A blameless sport! and sacred sure the praise
To grace a festival in peaceful days:
Nor yet unuseful in th' embattel'd plain
When death is certain, and resistance vain.
First chearful Idas in the lists appears,
Idas, a lovely boy in blooming years
(Idas who late his honour'd temples bound
With palms that flourish'd on th' Olympian ground)
Loud shouts each chief that from high Elis leads
His native train, and Pisa's watry meads:
Then Phædimus proclaim'd in Isthmian games,
And Alcon first of Sicyonian names;
Next aged Dymas rose, whose youthful speed
Surpass'd the swiftness of the flying steed:
And last in infamous disorder came
A clam'rous multitude unknown to fame.
Idas, a lovely boy in blooming years
(Idas who late his honour'd temples bound
With palms that flourish'd on th' Olympian ground)
Loud shouts each chief that from high Elis leads
His native train, and Pisa's watry meads:
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And Alcon first of Sicyonian names;
Next aged Dymas rose, whose youthful speed
Surpass'd the swiftness of the flying steed:
And last in infamous disorder came
A clam'rous multitude unknown to fame.
But ev'ry voice chears Atalanta's son,
And ev'ry eye devours him e'er they run.
Lives there a warrior in the world of fame,
Who never heard of Atalanta's name?
Like Cynthia's self she seem'd, a sylvan Grace:
Matchless alike in beauty or the race.
The mother's glories all their thoughts employ,
And raise expectance from the lovely boy.
He too in speed out-strips the wings of wind,
As thro' the lawns he drives the panting hind:
Or when he catches sudden with a bound
The flying jav'lin e'er it touch the ground.
And ev'ry eye devours him e'er they run.
Lives there a warrior in the world of fame,
Who never heard of Atalanta's name?
Like Cynthia's self she seem'd, a sylvan Grace:
Matchless alike in beauty or the race.
The mother's glories all their thoughts employ,
And raise expectance from the lovely boy.
He too in speed out-strips the wings of wind,
As thro' the lawns he drives the panting hind:
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The flying jav'lin e'er it touch the ground.
The modest youth unbinds with decent care
His damask vesture dancing to the air:
Then by degrees unveils to publick view
His snowy limbs like marble, vein'd with blue.
His rosy cheeks that glow'd with warmth before,
His tresses wav'd in ringlets please no more;
A thousand charms appear! in stupid gaze
The croud devours him, silent with amaze.
Conscious he stands, his head declining down,
And blushes oft; and chides them with a frown:
Decent confusion! mindful of the toil
He bathes his shining limbs in streams of oil;
Alike the chiefs—Intent, th' encircling host
Admires 'em all, Parthenopæus most.
His damask vesture dancing to the air:
Then by degrees unveils to publick view
His snowy limbs like marble, vein'd with blue.
His rosy cheeks that glow'd with warmth before,
His tresses wav'd in ringlets please no more;
A thousand charms appear! in stupid gaze
The croud devours him, silent with amaze.
Conscious he stands, his head declining down,
And blushes oft; and chides them with a frown:
Decent confusion! mindful of the toil
He bathes his shining limbs in streams of oil;
Alike the chiefs—Intent, th' encircling host
Admires 'em all, Parthenopæus most.
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So when the night in solemn silence reigns,
And once clear blue o'erspreads th' ethereal plains:
The glitt'ring stars with living splendors glow,
And dance, and tremble on the seas below;
High o'er them all exalted Hesper rolls,
It self a sun, and gilds the distant poles.
And once clear blue o'erspreads th' ethereal plains:
The glitt'ring stars with living splendors glow,
And dance, and tremble on the seas below;
High o'er them all exalted Hesper rolls,
It self a sun, and gilds the distant poles.
The next in beauty, as in speed appears
Fair Idas in the strength of youthful years:
A party-colour'd down but just began
To shade his chin, the promise of a man.
Fair Idas in the strength of youthful years:
A party-colour'd down but just began
To shade his chin, the promise of a man.
A signal sounds. The ready racers start,
Double their speed, and summon all their art.
Low at each step their straining knees they bend,
Then springing with a bound, again ascend,
Swifter than thought; nor seem to run, but fly,
Stretch'd on the winds, half-vanish'd from the eye.
Now side by side, or breast to breast they close,
While each alike by turns outstrips his foes.
Scarce half so swiftly o'er the Nemean plains
Just now, the courser pour'd with loos'ned reins.
Each like an arrow from the Parthian yew
Sent with full force, along the Circus flew.
Double their speed, and summon all their art.
Low at each step their straining knees they bend,
Then springing with a bound, again ascend,
Swifter than thought; nor seem to run, but fly,
Stretch'd on the winds, half-vanish'd from the eye.
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While each alike by turns outstrips his foes.
Scarce half so swiftly o'er the Nemean plains
Just now, the courser pour'd with loos'ned reins.
Each like an arrow from the Parthian yew
Sent with full force, along the Circus flew.
So when a tim'rous herd of list'ning deer
The roaring lion hears, or seems to hear:
(What time the lordly savage haunts the wood,
And longs to bathe his thirsty jaws in blood)
Close and more close they join, a trembling train,
And wildly stare, and scour along the plain.
The roaring lion hears, or seems to hear:
(What time the lordly savage haunts the wood,
And longs to bathe his thirsty jaws in blood)
Close and more close they join, a trembling train,
And wildly stare, and scour along the plain.
Yet furious still, Parthenopæus flies;
Him step by step impatient Idas plies,
And pants aloud, with vengeance in his eyes;
Now hanging o'er, his hov'ring shade is seen,
That lengthens still, and floats along the green:
And sudden now, by unperceiv'd degrees
Full on his neck he blows the sultry breeze.
Next Phædimus and aged Dymas past
Along the Circus, Alcon came the last.
Him step by step impatient Idas plies,
And pants aloud, with vengeance in his eyes;
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That lengthens still, and floats along the green:
And sudden now, by unperceiv'd degrees
Full on his neck he blows the sultry breeze.
Next Phædimus and aged Dymas past
Along the Circus, Alcon came the last.
As the fair offspring of the sylvan Grace
With matchless swistness speeds along the race:
His golden tresses wav'd in curls, behind
Flow loosely down, and dance upon the wind:
(These from a child with pious hopes he bore
Sacred to her who treads the Delian shore;
What time from Thebè's distant plains he came
Renown'd for conquests of immortal fame:
Too fondly pious! in a Theban urn
Soon must thou sleep, ah, never to return!)
These vengeful Idas saw with ardent eyes:
Resolv'd by force or fraud t'obtain the prize;
Sudden he stretch'd his impious arm, and drew
Supine on earth the stripling, as he flew:
Then starting reach'd the goal, and claim'd the prize.
Arms! arms! aloud th' Arcadian nation cries:
Vengeance at once they vow, or else prepare
To leave the Circus and renounce the war.
Tumultuous murmurs echo thro' the croud,
Those praise the fraud, and these detest aloud.
With matchless swistness speeds along the race:
His golden tresses wav'd in curls, behind
Flow loosely down, and dance upon the wind:
(These from a child with pious hopes he bore
Sacred to her who treads the Delian shore;
What time from Thebè's distant plains he came
Renown'd for conquests of immortal fame:
Too fondly pious! in a Theban urn
Soon must thou sleep, ah, never to return!)
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Resolv'd by force or fraud t'obtain the prize;
Sudden he stretch'd his impious arm, and drew
Supine on earth the stripling, as he flew:
Then starting reach'd the goal, and claim'd the prize.
Arms! arms! aloud th' Arcadian nation cries:
Vengeance at once they vow, or else prepare
To leave the Circus and renounce the war.
Tumultuous murmurs echo thro' the croud,
Those praise the fraud, and these detest aloud.
Slow-rising from the plains the youth appears,
His eyes half angry, and half drown'd with tears,
He bends his head, the tears in silence flow;
A mournful image, beautiful in woe!
Now beats his bosom, frantic with despair:
And rends the ringlets of his golden hair.
His eyes half angry, and half drown'd with tears,
He bends his head, the tears in silence flow;
A mournful image, beautiful in woe!
Now beats his bosom, frantic with despair:
And rends the ringlets of his golden hair.
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A busy murmur deafens ev'ry ear,
Nor yet the croud the royal judgment hear.
At last Adrastus rose with awful grace,
And thus bespoke the rivals in the race.
Nor yet the croud the royal judgment hear.
At last Adrastus rose with awful grace,
And thus bespoke the rivals in the race.
Cease gen'rous youths! once more your fortunes try,
In sep'rate paths each starting from the eye.
In sep'rate paths each starting from the eye.
So spake the king: and sudden from the view,
In sep'rate paths the ready racers flew.
But first th' Arcadian youth with lifted eyes
Thus sent his soul in whispers to the skies.
In sep'rate paths the ready racers flew.
But first th' Arcadian youth with lifted eyes
Thus sent his soul in whispers to the skies.
Queen of the silver bow, and wood-land glades;
The heav'ns fair light, and empress of the Shades:
Sacred to thee alone, with decent care
I nurs'd these curls of long-descending hair;
At thy desires I fell, yet hear my pray'r!
If e'er my mother pleas'd thee in the chase,
If e'er I pleas'd thee—banish my disgrace;
Nor let these omens prophesy my fall
(As sure they must) beneath the Theban wall!
The heav'ns fair light, and empress of the Shades:
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I nurs'd these curls of long-descending hair;
At thy desires I fell, yet hear my pray'r!
If e'er my mother pleas'd thee in the chase,
If e'er I pleas'd thee—banish my disgrace;
Nor let these omens prophesy my fall
(As sure they must) beneath the Theban wall!
So pray'd the youth. The goddess heard his pray'r,
Rapid he shot along, half poiz'd in air:
Fast and more fast the flying fields withdrew;
Scarce rose the dust beneath him as he flew.
Shouting, he reach'd the goal, with transport fir'd
Soon sought Adrastus, and his right requir'd.
Panting and pale he seiz'd the palm. At hand
To close the game the ready prizes stand.
Th' Arcadian youth a brass-hoof'd courser gain'd:
A buckler fraudful Idas next obtain'd,
But Lycian quivers for the rest remain'd.
Rapid he shot along, half poiz'd in air:
Fast and more fast the flying fields withdrew;
Scarce rose the dust beneath him as he flew.
Shouting, he reach'd the goal, with transport fir'd
Soon sought Adrastus, and his right requir'd.
Panting and pale he seiz'd the palm. At hand
To close the game the ready prizes stand.
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A buckler fraudful Idas next obtain'd,
But Lycian quivers for the rest remain'd.
Adrastus next demands what chiefs prepare
To whirl the massy Discus thro' the air.
A herald bending with the burthen, threw
Th' enormous circle down in public view.
Starts ev'ry Grecian speechless with surprize;
Much wond'ring at the weight and shapeless size.
First two Achaians round the labour came
With ardent Phlegyas, candidates for fame:
An Acarnanian next accepts the toil,
And three brave chieftains from Ephyre's soil,
With numbers more—but eager of renown,
Sudden Hippomedon flings thund'ring down
A disk of double weight; amaz'd they stand,
The vast orb rings, and shakes the trembling land.
Warriors (he cries) in fighting fields renown'd,
Whose arms must strike Thebe's bulwarks to the ground:
On tasks like these your mighty prowess try,—
Boastful he spoke, and whirl'd it up the sky.
To whirl the massy Discus thro' the air.
A herald bending with the burthen, threw
Th' enormous circle down in public view.
Starts ev'ry Grecian speechless with surprize;
Much wond'ring at the weight and shapeless size.
First two Achaians round the labour came
With ardent Phlegyas, candidates for fame:
An Acarnanian next accepts the toil,
And three brave chieftains from Ephyre's soil,
With numbers more—but eager of renown,
Sudden Hippomedon flings thund'ring down
A disk of double weight; amaz'd they stand,
The vast orb rings, and shakes the trembling land.
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Whose arms must strike Thebe's bulwarks to the ground:
On tasks like these your mighty prowess try,—
Boastful he spoke, and whirl'd it up the sky.
Amaz'd each chief the wond'rous cast admires,
And conscious of th' event betimes retires.
And conscious of th' event betimes retires.
Pisæan Phlegyas only keeps the field,
With great Menestheus, yet untaught to yield:
Brave warriors each, too noble to disgrace
By one mean act the glories of their race.
The rest inglorious leave the listed ground,
And tremble to survey th' enormous round.
With great Menestheus, yet untaught to yield:
Brave warriors each, too noble to disgrace
By one mean act the glories of their race.
The rest inglorious leave the listed ground,
And tremble to survey th' enormous round.
First Phlegyas rose the mighty toil to try:
Dumb was each voice, attentive ev'ry eye;
He rouls the quoit in dust with prudent care,
And poises oft, and marks its course in air.
Ev'n from a child, (where old Alphëus leads
His mazy stream thro' Pisa's lowly meads)
Not only when with mighty chiefs he strove
At sacred games to please Olympian Jove:
Thus with full force the massy weight he threw
Far o'er the stream, half-shaded, as it flew.
At first he marks the skies and distant plain,
Then summons all his strength from ev'ry vein.
Couch'd on his knees the pond'rous orb he swung
High o'er his head, along the air it sung.
Now wasting by degrees, with hollow sound
Fell heavily, and sunk beneath the ground.
Dumb was each voice, attentive ev'ry eye;
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And poises oft, and marks its course in air.
Ev'n from a child, (where old Alphëus leads
His mazy stream thro' Pisa's lowly meads)
Not only when with mighty chiefs he strove
At sacred games to please Olympian Jove:
Thus with full force the massy weight he threw
Far o'er the stream, half-shaded, as it flew.
At first he marks the skies and distant plain,
Then summons all his strength from ev'ry vein.
Couch'd on his knees the pond'rous orb he swung
High o'er his head, along the air it sung.
Now wasting by degrees, with hollow sound
Fell heavily, and sunk beneath the ground.
Fond of his art and strength in days of yore,
Well-pleas'd he stands, and waits th' event once more:
Loud shout the Greeks, and dwell on Phlegyas' praise.
Hippomedon with scorn the chief surveys.
Some nobler arm the pond'rous orb must throw
With care, directly in a line below.
But fortune soon his mighty hopes withstood,
Fortune still envious to the brave or good!
Alas, can man confront the pow'rs on high?
While distant fields are measur'd in his eye,
Just when his arm he stretch'd at full extent:
Couch'd on one knee, his side obliquely bent.
Struck by some force unseen, th' enormous round
Dropt from his hand, and idly prints the ground.
Much griev'd the pitying host, yet griev'd not all:
Some inly smil'd to see the Discus fall.
Well-pleas'd he stands, and waits th' event once more:
161
Hippomedon with scorn the chief surveys.
Some nobler arm the pond'rous orb must throw
With care, directly in a line below.
But fortune soon his mighty hopes withstood,
Fortune still envious to the brave or good!
Alas, can man confront the pow'rs on high?
While distant fields are measur'd in his eye,
Just when his arm he stretch'd at full extent:
Couch'd on one knee, his side obliquely bent.
Struck by some force unseen, th' enormous round
Dropt from his hand, and idly prints the ground.
Much griev'd the pitying host, yet griev'd not all:
Some inly smil'd to see the Discus fall.
Next, sage Menestheus stands prepar'd to fling
The disk, and rouls it in the dusty ring:
Intent of mind he marks its airy way,
And much implores the progeny of May.
Well-aim'd it flew half o'er the Cirque; at last
Heavy it fell. An arrow mark'd the cast.
The disk, and rouls it in the dusty ring:
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And much implores the progeny of May.
Well-aim'd it flew half o'er the Cirque; at last
Heavy it fell. An arrow mark'd the cast.
Slow rose Hippomedon, and e'er he rose
Much weigh'd the fate and fortune of his foes.
He pois'd, and rear'd the mighty orb on high;
Swung round his arm, and whirl'd it thro' the sky,
Forth-springing with the cast. Aloft it sung
Far o'er the mark where er'st Menestheus flung:
And o'er those hills with grassy verdure crown'd,
Whose airy summits shade the Circus round—
There sunk, and sinking shook the trembling ground.
Much weigh'd the fate and fortune of his foes.
He pois'd, and rear'd the mighty orb on high;
Swung round his arm, and whirl'd it thro' the sky,
Forth-springing with the cast. Aloft it sung
Far o'er the mark where er'st Menestheus flung:
And o'er those hills with grassy verdure crown'd,
Whose airy summits shade the Circus round—
There sunk, and sinking shook the trembling ground.
So Polyphemus more than mortal strong,
Hurl'd a huge rock to crush th' Ulyssean throng:
Blind as he was, the vengeful weight he threw,
The vessel trembled, and the waters flew.
Hurl'd a huge rock to crush th' Ulyssean throng:
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The vessel trembled, and the waters flew.
Soon good Adrastus rises, to repay
With sumptuous gifts the labours of the fray.
Safe for Hippomedon apart was roll'd
A tyger's skin, the paws o'er wrought with gold.
His Gnossian bows and darts Menestheus took;
Then thus to Phlegyas with a mournful look
He said. This sword, unhappy chief, receive;
(A boon so just Hippomedon might give:)
This sword which once immortal honours gain'd,
Which sav'd Pelasgus, and his pow'r maintain'd.
With sumptuous gifts the labours of the fray.
Safe for Hippomedon apart was roll'd
A tyger's skin, the paws o'er wrought with gold.
His Gnossian bows and darts Menestheus took;
Then thus to Phlegyas with a mournful look
He said. This sword, unhappy chief, receive;
(A boon so just Hippomedon might give:)
This sword which once immortal honours gain'd,
Which sav'd Pelasgus, and his pow'r maintain'd.
A warlike toil Adrastus next demands,
In iron gloves to sheath their hardy hands:
First Capaneus prepar'd for combat stands;
A mighty giant, large, and tow'ring high,
Dreadful in fight, and hideous to the eye.
Around his wrists the hard bull-hides he binds,
And vaunts his strength, and deals his blows in winds:
Stand forth some chief, he cries, (if such there be,
Who dares oppose an enemy like me!)
Yet might some Theban sink beneath my blow;
Glorious and sweet is vengeance on a foe.
In iron gloves to sheath their hardy hands:
First Capaneus prepar'd for combat stands;
A mighty giant, large, and tow'ring high,
Dreadful in fight, and hideous to the eye.
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And vaunts his strength, and deals his blows in winds:
Stand forth some chief, he cries, (if such there be,
Who dares oppose an enemy like me!)
Yet might some Theban sink beneath my blow;
Glorious and sweet is vengeance on a foe.
So spake the chief. Half-trembling with amaze,
In speechless horrour all the circle gaze.
At last Alcidimas, with gen'rous ire
Sprung forth, unask'd. The Doric bands admire.
All but his friends. They knew the daily care
Which Pollux us'd, to train him to the war.
(He taught him first to bind the gauntlets round
His nervous wrists, and aim the crashing wound:
Oppos'd in fight, he heav'd him high, or prest
The youth loud-panting on his naked breast.)
In speechless horrour all the circle gaze.
At last Alcidimas, with gen'rous ire
Sprung forth, unask'd. The Doric bands admire.
All but his friends. They knew the daily care
Which Pollux us'd, to train him to the war.
(He taught him first to bind the gauntlets round
His nervous wrists, and aim the crashing wound:
Oppos'd in fight, he heav'd him high, or prest
The youth loud-panting on his naked breast.)
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Him Capaneus survey'd with scornful eyes,
Insults his years, and claims a nobler prize.
Provok'd, he turns to fight. Each warrior stands
At full extent, and lifts his iron hands.
Well-temper'd casques their hardy brows surround,
To break at least the fury of the wound.
This towr'd like Tytius on the Stygian shore,
When the fierce vultures cease to drink his gore:
So high in air his spreading shoulders rise,
So swell his muscles, and so flame his eyes;
That at his side in blooming youth appears,
Yet promis'd wonders from maturer years:
The favours of the croud alike succeed
On either side: none wish'd the chiefs to bleed.
Insults his years, and claims a nobler prize.
Provok'd, he turns to fight. Each warrior stands
At full extent, and lifts his iron hands.
Well-temper'd casques their hardy brows surround,
To break at least the fury of the wound.
This towr'd like Tytius on the Stygian shore,
When the fierce vultures cease to drink his gore:
So high in air his spreading shoulders rise,
So swell his muscles, and so flame his eyes;
That at his side in blooming youth appears,
Yet promis'd wonders from maturer years:
The favours of the croud alike succeed
On either side: none wish'd the chiefs to bleed.
Low'ring at first they met, nor silence broke,
Each lifts his arm, and only aims the stroke.
Some moments thus they gaz'd in wild surprize,
A hasty fury sparkled in their eyes;
Now conscious fear succeeds. The chiefs essay
Their arms, and slowly first provoke the fray.
Each lifts his arm, and only aims the stroke.
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A hasty fury sparkled in their eyes;
Now conscious fear succeeds. The chiefs essay
Their arms, and slowly first provoke the fray.
This on nice art and diffidence relies,
That on mere courage, and stupendous size;
Void of all fear, and without conduct brave,
He wastes that strength himself has pow'r to save:
Still blindly drives where fury leads the way,
And storms, and falls the victor and the prey.
With steadfast glances this surveys his foe,
And either shuns, or wards th' impending blow:
Now lowly bends (his elbow o'er him spread)
The stroke impetuous sings above his head.
Now nearer draws, the more he seems to fly;
So much his motion varies from his eye!
Now with full force he aims a pond'rous blow,
And tow'ring high o'ershades his mighty foe.
Thus in some storm the broken billows rise
Round the vast rock, and thunder to the skies.
That on mere courage, and stupendous size;
Void of all fear, and without conduct brave,
He wastes that strength himself has pow'r to save:
Still blindly drives where fury leads the way,
And storms, and falls the victor and the prey.
With steadfast glances this surveys his foe,
And either shuns, or wards th' impending blow:
Now lowly bends (his elbow o'er him spread)
The stroke impetuous sings above his head.
Now nearer draws, the more he seems to fly;
So much his motion varies from his eye!
167
And tow'ring high o'ershades his mighty foe.
Thus in some storm the broken billows rise
Round the vast rock, and thunder to the skies.
Once more with wary foot-steps wheeling round,
Full on his front he deals a mortal wound:
Crashing it falls—unfelt the trickling blood
Spreads o'er his helmet in a crimson flood.
A sudden whisper murmurs round; alone
To Capaneus the cause remains unknown.
At last he lifts his hand on high, the gore
Forth-welling fast, distains his Cœstus o'er.
Grief swells his heart, and vengeance and disdain—
So foams the lion, monarch of the plain:
And loudly roaring with indignant pride,
Gnaws the barb'd jav'lin griding in his side:
Now springs with rage; supine along the ground
Pants the bold youth whose hand infix'd the wound.
Full on his front he deals a mortal wound:
Crashing it falls—unfelt the trickling blood
Spreads o'er his helmet in a crimson flood.
A sudden whisper murmurs round; alone
To Capaneus the cause remains unknown.
At last he lifts his hand on high, the gore
Forth-welling fast, distains his Cœstus o'er.
Grief swells his heart, and vengeance and disdain—
So foams the lion, monarch of the plain:
And loudly roaring with indignant pride,
Gnaws the barb'd jav'lin griding in his side:
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Pants the bold youth whose hand infix'd the wound.
Fast and more fast his lifted arms he throws
Around his head, and doubles blows on blows.
Part waste in air, part on the Cœstus fall
With mighty force; his foe returns 'em all.
Still seems to fear him with dissembling eyes,
Yet still persists, and combats, while he flies.
Panting they reel; the youth retreats more slow,
The weary giant scarcely aims a blow,
They sink at once—So sailors on the main
Who long have toil'd thro' adverse waves in vain,
All drop their hands. The signal sounds once more,
Again they start, and stretch the lab'ring oar.
Around his head, and doubles blows on blows.
Part waste in air, part on the Cœstus fall
With mighty force; his foe returns 'em all.
Still seems to fear him with dissembling eyes,
Yet still persists, and combats, while he flies.
Panting they reel; the youth retreats more slow,
The weary giant scarcely aims a blow,
They sink at once—So sailors on the main
Who long have toil'd thro' adverse waves in vain,
All drop their hands. The signal sounds once more,
Again they start, and stretch the lab'ring oar.
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Thus rose the chiefs, with recollected might
Rush'd Capaneus like thunder to the fight.
Low bends Alcidimas with watchful eyes:
Short of his aim the giant o'er him flies;
Up starts the youth, and as he stagger'd round
Clasp'd firm his neck, and bow'd him to the ground.
As rising from th' inglorious plain contends
Fierce Capaneus, a second blow descends
Full on his head: beneath the stroke he bent;
The youth turn'd pale, and trembled at th' event.
Rush'd Capaneus like thunder to the fight.
Low bends Alcidimas with watchful eyes:
Short of his aim the giant o'er him flies;
Up starts the youth, and as he stagger'd round
Clasp'd firm his neck, and bow'd him to the ground.
As rising from th' inglorious plain contends
Fierce Capaneus, a second blow descends
Full on his head: beneath the stroke he bent;
The youth turn'd pale, and trembled at th' event.
Loud shout the Greeks: The shore and forest rings.
Then thus in haste exclaims the king of kings.
(As from the ground the furious Argive rose,
And vow'd, and aim'd intolerable blows)
Seize him, ye chiefs, his bloody hands restrain,
Give all the palm, but lead him from the plain.
Haste, see, he raves! ah, tear him from my eyes,
He lives, he rises, the Laconian dies!
Then thus in haste exclaims the king of kings.
(As from the ground the furious Argive rose,
And vow'd, and aim'd intolerable blows)
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Give all the palm, but lead him from the plain.
Haste, see, he raves! ah, tear him from my eyes,
He lives, he rises, the Laconian dies!
He said: Hippomedon, and Tydeus rose:
Scarce both their hands restrain his mighty blows.
Then thus they spoke. The prize is thine, forgive:
'Tis double fame to bid the vanquish'd live;
A friend, and our allie—he storms the more,
Rejects the prize, and thus devoutly swore.
By all this blood, at present my disgrace:
These hands shall crush that more than female face;
These hands shall dash him headlong to the plain—
To Pollux then he weeps, but weeps in vain.
He said. By force they turn'd his steps away.
Stubborn he still persists, nor yields the day.
Far off in secret, the Laconian host
Smile at his fury, and their hero boast.
Scarce both their hands restrain his mighty blows.
Then thus they spoke. The prize is thine, forgive:
'Tis double fame to bid the vanquish'd live;
A friend, and our allie—he storms the more,
Rejects the prize, and thus devoutly swore.
By all this blood, at present my disgrace:
These hands shall crush that more than female face;
These hands shall dash him headlong to the plain—
To Pollux then he weeps, but weeps in vain.
He said. By force they turn'd his steps away.
Stubborn he still persists, nor yields the day.
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Smile at his fury, and their hero boast.
Mean while with conscious virtue Tydeus burns,
Renown and praise enflame his heart by turns:
Swift in the race he still the guerdon bore,
Now toss'd the Discus, now the gauntlets wore;
But most for Pales' active arts renown'd,
To hurl his foe supine along the ground.
By Hermes tutor'd, on th' O Etolian plain,
He made whole nations bite the dust in vain.
Renown and praise enflame his heart by turns:
Swift in the race he still the guerdon bore,
Now toss'd the Discus, now the gauntlets wore;
But most for Pales' active arts renown'd,
To hurl his foe supine along the ground.
By Hermes tutor'd, on th' O Etolian plain,
He made whole nations bite the dust in vain.
Full terrible he look'd. For arms he wore
The savage trophies of a mountain-boar,
Once Calydonia's dread! the bristly hide
Broad o'er his shoulders hung, with barb'rous pride.
Unbound, he flings it down, then waits his foes.
Besides him tow'ring, huge Agylleus rose,
A monstrous giant, dreadful to mankind;
Yet weak he seem'd, his limbs were loosely join'd.
Low Tydeus was. What nature there deny'd,
Strong nerves, and mighty courage well supply'd;
For nature never since the world began,
Lodg'd such a spirit in so small a man!
The savage trophies of a mountain-boar,
Once Calydonia's dread! the bristly hide
Broad o'er his shoulders hung, with barb'rous pride.
Unbound, he flings it down, then waits his foes.
Besides him tow'ring, huge Agylleus rose,
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Yet weak he seem'd, his limbs were loosely join'd.
Low Tydeus was. What nature there deny'd,
Strong nerves, and mighty courage well supply'd;
For nature never since the world began,
Lodg'd such a spirit in so small a man!
Soon as their shining limbs are bath'd in oil,
Down rush the heroes to the wrestling toil.
Deform'd with dust (their arms at distance spread)
Each on his shoulder half reclines his head.
Down rush the heroes to the wrestling toil.
Deform'd with dust (their arms at distance spread)
Each on his shoulder half reclines his head.
Now bending 'till he almost touch'd the plain,
Tydeus the giant heav'd, but heav'd in vain,
Tydeus the giant heav'd, but heav'd in vain,
The mountain-cypress thus, that firmly stood
From age to age, the empress of the wood,
By some strong whirlwind's sudden blast declin'd,
Bends arching down, and nods before the wind:
The deep roots tremble till the gust blows o'er,
And then she rises, stately as before.
From age to age, the empress of the wood,
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Bends arching down, and nods before the wind:
The deep roots tremble till the gust blows o'er,
And then she rises, stately as before.
So vast Agylleus scarcely mov'd below,
Hangs imminent upon th' O Etolian foe.
Breasts, shoulders, thighs, with mighty strokes resound,
And all appears an undistinguish'd wound.
On tiptoe rais'd, their heads obliquely bent,
Each hangs on each, stretch'd out at full extent.
Hangs imminent upon th' O Etolian foe.
Breasts, shoulders, thighs, with mighty strokes resound,
And all appears an undistinguish'd wound.
On tiptoe rais'd, their heads obliquely bent,
Each hangs on each, stretch'd out at full extent.
Not half so bloody, or with half such rage,
Two furious monarchs of the herd engage.
Apart the milk-white heifer views the fight,
And waits to crown the victor with delight.
Their chests they gore, the mighty shock resounds;
Love swells their hate, and heals the gaping wounds.
Two furious monarchs of the herd engage.
Apart the milk-white heifer views the fight,
And waits to crown the victor with delight.
Their chests they gore, the mighty shock resounds;
Love swells their hate, and heals the gaping wounds.
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So shaggy bears in strict embraces roul,
And from each corse squeeze forth th' unwilling soul.
And from each corse squeeze forth th' unwilling soul.
Thus Tydeus storm'd; nor heats nor toils assuage
His furious strength, or mitigate his rage.
Agylleus pants aloud, nor scarce contends;
Black'ned with dust a stream of sweat descends.
Tydeus press'd on, and seem'd to aim a blow
Full at his neck: the force was meant below
Where well-knit nerves the knees firm strength supply;
Short of their reach, his hands the blow deny.
He sinks; o'er him, like some vast mountain fell
Agylleus, and half squeez'd his soul to hell.
His furious strength, or mitigate his rage.
Agylleus pants aloud, nor scarce contends;
Black'ned with dust a stream of sweat descends.
Tydeus press'd on, and seem'd to aim a blow
Full at his neck: the force was meant below
Where well-knit nerves the knees firm strength supply;
Short of their reach, his hands the blow deny.
He sinks; o'er him, like some vast mountain fell
Agylleus, and half squeez'd his soul to hell.
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So when th' Iberian swain in search of oar
Descends, and views the light of heav'n no more:
If some strong earthquake rocks the mould'ring ground,
(High o'er him hung) down rush the ruins round;
Deep under earth his batter'd carcase lies,
Nor breathes its spirit to congenial skies.
Descends, and views the light of heav'n no more:
If some strong earthquake rocks the mould'ring ground,
(High o'er him hung) down rush the ruins round;
Deep under earth his batter'd carcase lies,
Nor breathes its spirit to congenial skies.
Full of disdain O Etolian Tydeus rose;
No peace, no bounds his fierce resentment knows:
Swift from th' inglorious hold he springs like wind,
And circles round, then firmly fix'd behind.
His hand embrac'd his side, his knees surround
The giant's knees, and bend 'em to the ground.
No peace, no bounds his fierce resentment knows:
Swift from th' inglorious hold he springs like wind,
And circles round, then firmly fix'd behind.
His hand embrac'd his side, his knees surround
The giant's knees, and bend 'em to the ground.
Nought boots resistance now. Agylleus makes
One more essay. That moment Tydeus takes,
And rears him high. The mingling shouts arise,
And loud applause runs rattling thro' the skies.
One more essay. That moment Tydeus takes,
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And loud applause runs rattling thro' the skies.
So Hercules, who long had toil'd in vain,
Heav'd huge Anthëus from the Lybian plain;
Erect in air th' expiring savage hung,
Nor touch'd the kindred earth, from whence he sprung.
Heav'd huge Anthëus from the Lybian plain;
Erect in air th' expiring savage hung,
Nor touch'd the kindred earth, from whence he sprung.
Long Tydeus held him thus. At length he found
The point of time, and hurl'd him to the ground
Side-long—Himself upon the giant lies,
And grasps his neck, and firmly locks his thighs.
The point of time, and hurl'd him to the ground
Side-long—Himself upon the giant lies,
And grasps his neck, and firmly locks his thighs.
Prone o'er th' inglorious dust, Agylleus quakes
Half-dead: his shame alone resistance makes:
Then rose at last, and stagg'ring thro' the throng
Slowly he trail'd his feeble legs along.
Half-dead: his shame alone resistance makes:
Then rose at last, and stagg'ring thro' the throng
Slowly he trail'd his feeble legs along.
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When Tydeus thus. (His nobler hand sustain'd
The palm, his left the warlike gifts he gain'd:)
What tho' my blood oe'rflow'd yon guilty ground,
When singly arm'd, whole numbers press'd me round;
(So prov'd all contracts with the Theban name,
Their honour such) yet Tydeus lives the same.
He spoke, and speaking sent the prize away,
Aside, a breast-plate for the vanquish'd lay.
The palm, his left the warlike gifts he gain'd:)
What tho' my blood oe'rflow'd yon guilty ground,
When singly arm'd, whole numbers press'd me round;
(So prov'd all contracts with the Theban name,
Their honour such) yet Tydeus lives the same.
He spoke, and speaking sent the prize away,
Aside, a breast-plate for the vanquish'd lay.
Others in arms their manly limbs enclose;
To combat Epidaurian Agreus rose:
Him with his shining blade the Theban waits,
An exile still by unrelenting fates.
To combat Epidaurian Agreus rose:
Him with his shining blade the Theban waits,
An exile still by unrelenting fates.
Then thus Adrastus. Gen'rous youths give o'er;
Preserve all rage: and thirst for hostile gore.
Ye Gods! what slaughter and what combats call;
Then waste your fury, Thebes demands it all!
But you, O prince! a kinsman, and our friend!
Whose cause such numbers with their lives defend:
For whom, our native towns, and countries lay
Unpeopled half, to other foes a prey;
Trust not th' event of fight; nor bleed, to please
Th' inhuman hopes of base Etheocles!
Avert it heav'n! the ready chiefs obey'd.
Their brave attempt a glitt'ring helm repaid.
Preserve all rage: and thirst for hostile gore.
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Then waste your fury, Thebes demands it all!
But you, O prince! a kinsman, and our friend!
Whose cause such numbers with their lives defend:
For whom, our native towns, and countries lay
Unpeopled half, to other foes a prey;
Trust not th' event of fight; nor bleed, to please
Th' inhuman hopes of base Etheocles!
Avert it heav'n! the ready chiefs obey'd.
Their brave attempt a glitt'ring helm repaid.
Howe'er in sign of conquest and renown,
He bids the warriours Polynices crown
With wreaths, and hail him victor—no portent,
(So will'd the Sisters) prophesy'd th' event.
He bids the warriours Polynices crown
With wreaths, and hail him victor—no portent,
(So will'd the Sisters) prophesy'd th' event.
Him too the chiefs with kind persuasions pray
To rise, and close the honours of the day:
(And left one victory be lost) to throw
The missile lance, or bend the Lycian bow.
Well-pleas'd Adrastus to the plain descends
In pomp, his steps a youthful croud attends.
Behind, a squire the royal quiver bore,
Deep fill'd with shafts, a formidable store.
To rise, and close the honours of the day:
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The missile lance, or bend the Lycian bow.
Well-pleas'd Adrastus to the plain descends
In pomp, his steps a youthful croud attends.
Behind, a squire the royal quiver bore,
Deep fill'd with shafts, a formidable store.
'Tis plain. Shall man deny? Each human cause
Proceeds unseen, from heav'n's eternal laws.
All fate appear'd: the chiefs perversely blind
Neglect the sign, nor see th' event behind.
We deem from chance unerring omens flow;
While fate draws near, and aims a surer blow.
Proceeds unseen, from heav'n's eternal laws.
All fate appear'd: the chiefs perversely blind
Neglect the sign, nor see th' event behind.
We deem from chance unerring omens flow;
While fate draws near, and aims a surer blow.
By this the monarch strain'd the bending yew:
Full on its mark the feather'd weapon flew,
Nor enter'd there. Th' impassive ash resounds:
Again with double force the shaft rebounds,
In the same line wing'd back its airy way,
Then prone on earth before Adrastus lay.
Full on its mark the feather'd weapon flew,
Nor enter'd there. Th' impassive ash resounds:
Again with double force the shaft rebounds,
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Then prone on earth before Adrastus lay.
Each reasons, as his wayward thoughts decree;
These think the shaft rebounded from the tree;
And those, that winds with unresisted force
Drove clouds on clouds, to intercept its course.
Mean while th' event and dreadful omen lies
Deep wrapt in night, nor seen by human eyes.
Once chief in safety must return alone,
Thro' woes, and blood, and dangers yet unknown.
These think the shaft rebounded from the tree;
And those, that winds with unresisted force
Drove clouds on clouds, to intercept its course.
Mean while th' event and dreadful omen lies
Deep wrapt in night, nor seen by human eyes.
Once chief in safety must return alone,
Thro' woes, and blood, and dangers yet unknown.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |