University of Virginia Library

THE COMBAT BETWEEN POLLUX AND AMYCUS. FROM APOLLONIUS, BOOK II.

Fast by the beach oxstalls and tents were spread
By bold Bebrycians, Amycus their head,
Whom, on the precincts of the winding shore,
A fair Bithynian Hamadryad bore
To genial Neptune, in base commerce join'd,
Proud Amycus, most barbarous of mankind.
Who made this stern, unequitable law,
That from his realm no stranger should withdraw,
Till first with him compell'd in fight to wield
The dreadful gauntlet in the listed field:
Unnumber'd guests his matchless prowess slew:
Stern he accosts swift Argo's valiant crew,
Curious the reason of their course to scan,
Who, whence they were: and scornful thus began:
‘Learn what 'tis meet ye knew, ye vagrant host,
‘None that e'er touches on Bebrycia's coast,
‘Is hence by law permitted to depart,
‘Till match'd with me he prove the boxer's art.
‘Chuse then a chief that can the gauntlet wield,
‘And let him try the fortune of the field:
‘If thus my edicts ye despise and me,
‘Yield to the last immutable decree.’
Thus spoke the chief with insolent disdain,
And rous'd resentment in the martial train:
But most his words did Pollux' rage provoke,
Who thus, a champion for his fellows, spoke:
“Threat not, whoe'er thou art, the bloody fray;
“Lo, we obsequious thy decrees obey!
“Unforc'd this instant to the lists I go,
“Thy rival I, thy voluntary foe.”
Stung to the quick with this severe reply,
On him he turn'd his fury-flaming eye:
As the grim lion pierc'd by some keen wound,
Whom hunters on the mountain-top surround;
Though close hemm'd in, his glaring eye-balls glance
On him alone who threw the pointed lance.
Then Pollux doff'd his mantle richly wrought,
Late from the Lemnian territory brought,
Which some fair nymph who had her flame avow'd,
The pledge of hospitable love bestow'd:
His double cloak, with clasps of sable hue,
Bebrycia's ruler on the greensword threw,
And his rough sheep-hook of wild-olive made,
Which lately flourish'd in the woodland shade.
Then sought the heroes for a place at hand
Commodious for the fight, and on the strand
They plac'd their friends, who saw, with wondering eyes,
The chiefs how different, both in make and size,
For Amycus like fell Typhœus stood
Enormous, or that miscreated brood
Of mighty monsters, which the heaving earth,
Incens'd at Jove, brought forth, a formidable birth.
But Pollux shone like that mild star on high
Whose rising ray illumes the evening sky.
Down spread his cheek, ripe manhood's early sign,
And in his eye fair beam'd the glance divine:
Such seem'd Jove's valiant son, supremely bright,
And equal to the lion in his might.
His arms he poiz'd, advancing in the ring,
To try if still they kept their pristine spring;
If pliant still and vigorous as before,
Accustom'd to hard toil, the labour of the oar.
But Amycus aloof and silent stood,
Glar'd on his foe, and seem'd athirst for blood:
With that his squire Lycóreus in full view
Two pair of gauntlets in the circle threw,
Of barbarous fashion, harden'd, rough and dried;
Then thus the chief, with insolence and pride:
‘Lo, two stout pair, the choice I give to thee;
‘Accuse not fate, the rest belong to me.
‘Securely bind them, and hereafter tell
‘Thy friends how much thy prowess I excell:
‘Whether to make the cestus firm and good,
‘Or stain the cheeks of enemies with blood.’
Thus spoke he boastful; Pollux nought reply'd,
But smiling chose the pair which lay beside.
Castor his brother both by blood and fame,
And Talaüs the son of Bias came;
Firm round his arms the gloves of death they bind,
And animate the vigour of his mind.
To Amycus Aratus, and his friend
Bold Ornytus, their kind assistance lend:
Alas! they little knew, this conflict o'er,
Those gauntlets never should be buckled more.
Accoutred thus each ardent hero stands,
And raises high in air his iron hands;
With clashing gauntlets fiercely now they close,
And mutual meditate death-dealing blows.
First Amycus a furious onset gave,
Like the rude shock of an impetuous wave,
That, heap'd on high by driving wind and tide,
Bursts thundering on some gallant vessel's side;
The wary pilot by superior skill
Foresees the storm, and shuns the menac'd ill.
Thus threatening Amycus on Pollux prest,
Nor suffer'd his antagonist to rest:
But Jove's brave son observes each coming blow,
Quick leaps aside, and disappoints the foe;
And where a weak unguarded part he spies,
There all the thunder of his arms he plies.
As busy shipwrights stoutly labouring strive
Through sturdy planks the piercing spikes to drive,
From head to stern repeated blows go round,
And ceaseless hammers send a various sound.
Thus from their batter'd cheeks loud ecchoes sprung,
Their dash'd teeth crackled, and their jawbones rung:
Nor ceas'd they from the strokes that threaten'd death,
Till faint with toil they fairly gasp'd for breath:
Then first awhile remit the bloody fray,
And panting wipe the copious sweat away.
But adverse soon they meet, with rage they glow,
Fierce as two bulls fight for some favourite cow.
Then Amycus, collecting all his might,
Rose to the stroke, resolv'd his foe to smite,
And by one blow the dubious war conclude;
His wary foe, the ruin to elude,
Bent back his head; defeated of its aim
The blow impetuous on his shoulder came.
Then Pollux with firm step approaching near,
Vindictive struck his adversary's ear;
Th'interior bones his ponderous gauntlet broke;
Flat fell the chief beneath his dreadful stroke;
The Grecians shouted, with wild rapture fir'd,
And, deeply groaning, Amycus expir'd.