LOGOMAXIA[Greek]: Or, The Conquest of Eloquence Containing Two Witty Orations, The First spoke by Ajax: The Second by Ulisses, when they Contested for Achilles's Armour, before the Nobles of Greece; a little before the Overthrow of Troy: As they may be Read, Ovid Metamorph. Lib. 13. Very Delectable and Necessary for Statesmen, Judges, Magistrates, Officers of War &c. to Read; and know how wrong Information guilded with Eloquence, may pervert Justice, and so learn to avoid the giving of rash Sentence, in any Case or Cause. By P. K. [i.e. Peter Ker] |
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Ulysses's Oration. |
 | LOGOMAXIA[Greek]: Or, The Conquest of Eloquence |  |
Ulysses's Oration.
Greeks
had your Pray'rs prevail'd with mine,
(In reference to this design)
There had been no great cause to fear
In this Debate, the Lawful Heir.
We with Achilles had been blest,
And he his Armour still possest.
(With this the Counterfeit did Cry,
And seem to Wipe a Watery Eye)
But since the Rigid Fates denies
To us, Poor Mortals, such a prize;
Who with more right his Armour seeks
Than he who brought him to the Greeks?
Now as for Ajax let it not
Avail him that he is a Sot;
Nor slight my Wit, which he doth take
To be a Vice, and strives to make
A Crime (O Greeks!) tho it can do,
And hath done Service oft to you.
But Pardon if, in my defence,
I Arm my self with Eloquence:
If I have any, sure it hath
Oft serv'd you with untainted Breath.
It shows a Spirit simple proud
To Brag and Boast of Noble Blood.
Ancestors deeds belong to them,
And only such as do the same.
Now seeing Ajax doth aver,
That he's the Son of Jupiter;
I'd have him know, I'll let you see,
I'm as much Heavenly Blood as he.
Laertes is my Sire, tis known;
Arcesius his; and Jove did own
Him for his Son; and in those all
There was no Vagabond at all.
Moreover by my Mother, I
Am near a Kin to Mercury.
Thus if my Pedigree you mind,
A double Deity you'll find.
But Gentlemen I do not seek
The Arms, because I am a Greek,
Of Birth more Noble, by my Mother:
Or that my Father Slew no Brother;
I scorn a prize thus to inherit,
But do according to our Merit.
Tho Peleus and Telamon
Were Brothers, yet there is not one.
That can affirm, on Reasons score;
That Ajax Merits are the more.
Not Noble Birth, but Honours Plea
Must this our cause decide to day.
But if Proximity of Blood
Be sought, to make your Sentence good:
Peleus Achilles did Beget;
He Pyrrhus, without all debate.
Thus my Companion's Right is none,
For where comes Ajax-Telamon?
Now take these Arms of great Renown,
Bear them to Scyros, or that Town.
Where (in a Cell where no Man saw)
Achilles Kiss'd Deidamia.
Teucer Achilles Cousin is,
In all respects, as much as this
Poor Sot; yet seeks no Arms nor should
He have them, tho he gladly would.
But since our present strife must be
For deeds, of Magnanimity,
My Acts are more (you know right well)
Then I can either Mind or Tell;
Yet I will humbly show to you
A single series of a few.
(In reference to this design)
There had been no great cause to fear
In this Debate, the Lawful Heir.
We with Achilles had been blest,
And he his Armour still possest.
(With this the Counterfeit did Cry,
And seem to Wipe a Watery Eye)
16
To us, Poor Mortals, such a prize;
Who with more right his Armour seeks
Than he who brought him to the Greeks?
Now as for Ajax let it not
Avail him that he is a Sot;
Nor slight my Wit, which he doth take
To be a Vice, and strives to make
A Crime (O Greeks!) tho it can do,
And hath done Service oft to you.
But Pardon if, in my defence,
I Arm my self with Eloquence:
If I have any, sure it hath
Oft serv'd you with untainted Breath.
It shows a Spirit simple proud
To Brag and Boast of Noble Blood.
Ancestors deeds belong to them,
And only such as do the same.
Now seeing Ajax doth aver,
That he's the Son of Jupiter;
I'd have him know, I'll let you see,
I'm as much Heavenly Blood as he.
Laertes is my Sire, tis known;
Arcesius his; and Jove did own
Him for his Son; and in those all
There was no Vagabond at all.
Moreover by my Mother, I
Am near a Kin to Mercury.
Thus if my Pedigree you mind,
A double Deity you'll find.
17
The Arms, because I am a Greek,
Of Birth more Noble, by my Mother:
Or that my Father Slew no Brother;
I scorn a prize thus to inherit,
But do according to our Merit.
Tho Peleus and Telamon
Were Brothers, yet there is not one.
That can affirm, on Reasons score;
That Ajax Merits are the more.
Not Noble Birth, but Honours Plea
Must this our cause decide to day.
But if Proximity of Blood
Be sought, to make your Sentence good:
Peleus Achilles did Beget;
He Pyrrhus, without all debate.
Thus my Companion's Right is none,
For where comes Ajax-Telamon?
Now take these Arms of great Renown,
Bear them to Scyros, or that Town.
Where (in a Cell where no Man saw)
Achilles Kiss'd Deidamia.
Teucer Achilles Cousin is,
In all respects, as much as this
Poor Sot; yet seeks no Arms nor should
He have them, tho he gladly would.
But since our present strife must be
For deeds, of Magnanimity,
My Acts are more (you know right well)
Then I can either Mind or Tell;
18
A single series of a few.
The Goddess Thetis did fore-know
What Fate her Son would undergo,
Therefore (as she could do no less)
Disguis'd him in a Ladies dress;
That all with Ajax took her Son
To be a Vestal Virgin Nun:
With Warlike Arms I mov'd his mind,
From trifles of the Female kind.
Whilst yet the Male-Maid, stately proud,
Did wear a Gown, and Sercenet-Hood.
Her manly Courage did grow bold,
And on the Shield and Spear lay'd hold;
I slily Whisper'd her down right;
“Thou Goddess-Man, Hermophrodit,
“King Priam's Pallace still doth stand,
“To fall by your Victorious hand:
“Ne'r dout, what certainly you know,
“To prove the Trojans overthrow.
With this I seiz'd him (right or wrong)
And sent to mighty deeds the Strong.
Thus his Exploits to me redound;
My Spear King Telaphus did Wound.
And when he Yielded (Struck with pain)
I like ways made him whole again.
Thebes, and Lesbos on the Sea
Did low their Sails to you, by me.
I Tenedos, and Chrysa Town:
With Cylla's Scyros, did throw down:
I levell'd both, and civilliz'd them,
Altho' Apollo patroniz'd them.
Know, likewise, that Lyrnessus Wall,
By my Right Hand, was forc'd to fall.
To pass the rest, I gave to you,
Him who, the cruel, Hector slew.
I Hector kill'd, his Armour sue;
For those which found him out to you.
Now when he's dead, I seek no more,
Then when he liv'd, I gave before.
As soon as Menelaus Grief
Mov'd all the Greeks to grant relief,
A Thousand Frigats (if not more)
Were streight in Aulis Port, and shore.
We waited long, the Wind was still,
Or quite contrary, cross, and ill.
The cruel Oracles (who knew
Who 'twas Diana's Stag that slew.)
King Agamemnon did surprize,
Commanding him to Sacrifice,
His Daughter, whose Blood could asswage,
And quench the angry Goddess Rage;
But he denies, the Gods reproves,
And, in a King, Love Passion moves,
His Noble Mind persuaded I,
That Iphegenia dear should die;
To expiate his Crime by Blood,
And propogat his Countreys good.
My fault I here confess (you see)
Dear Agamemnon Pardon me,
That I discuss'd this cruel Cause,
For Interest, and 'gainst Natures Laws.
The Scepters Care, and Peoples good;
Fraternal Love, mov'd him by Blood,
To purchase Honour both and Praise,
A Crown of Everlasting Bays.
I to the Mother went beguil'd,
Her not exhorted from her Child:
Had Ajax gon, our Flag and Sails
Might have been waiting yet for Gales.
Then I (all dangers to prevent)
To Troy Ambassador was sent;
The Court I view'd, and saw it then
Well Peopl'd, and yet full of Men:
Yet I undaunted, urg'd (at large)
The Cause committed to my Charge;
I summon'd Paris (tho in vain)
To render Helena again.
Old Priam and Autenor I
Provok'd; but Paris (standing by)
With his Coherents did so huff me,
That he, and they, seem'd both to cuff me.
This Menelaus knows; for he
In this first danger, was with me.
Now it were tedious to relate
What I (opposing adverse Fate)
By Wit and Strength did, and intended,
Whereby the long War might be ended:
When we the Battle first did fight,
The Trojans watch'd both Day and Night,
Their Walls; so that (by right down blows)
There was no way to reach our Foes.
Nine Years was spent with beat of Drum;
And now the Tenth at last was come.
Now where wast thou with all thy might?
Who only wast in power to fight;
What use serv'd Ajax for? If thou
Inquir'st of me what I did do,
My Wit supply'd the want of Blows,
I did entrap our stubborn Foes;
I with a Wall (as I thought meet)
Did fence the Trenches of our Fleet.
My Fellow Souldiers I rous'd up,
And chear'd them with the other Cup;
Forbade to fear for what was past;
But hope for Victory at last.
I exercis'd the Army right,
Taught them to Forage both and Fight:
When sent to work the Trojan's fall,
I still was ready on a call.
Behold! when (in a Dream) Old Jove
Deceiv'd the King; bade him remove
His Camp, and Fleet; and hoise and go,
And not expect Troy's overthrow.
(Here Menelaus hath no Shame;
For Jupiter caused him to Dream.)
But why could Ajax not oppose
The Power that sided with our Foes?
With Tongue and Target too have fought,
To bring the Trojan strength to nought:
Why did not he all those restrain,
Who were returning home again?
Why did not he his Armour take?
And force the Rabble to forsake
Their Head-strong Mutiny? But this
To braging Ajax little is:
But what if he himself did flie?
When thou didst turn thy back; then I,
Asham'd, did see thee hoist thy Sails,
And fill them with disgraceful Gales:
It was not time then to delay;
Therefore (incens'd) I thus did say,
“My Fellow Soldiers, all, and some,
“How are you Cowards thus become?
“What Madness makes you leave the Field,
“When tottering Troy begins to yield?
“What have you gain'd those Ten Years space?
“To carry home, but great Disgrace.
With such Words, and with much to do,
(Which very Grief did move me to,)
Their averse Minds I did restrain,
And brought them from the Fleet again.
Thus Jove, himself, I circumvented,
And all his Fraud, and Dreams prevented.
The King, a Council then did call,
Conven'd his Souldiers, great and small:
Whilst base Thersites (in disdain)
Provok'd him unto Wrath again,
And Ajax durst not once to mutter.
For all he makes now such a clutter.
And yet the froward Fool, ill bred
By me past not unpunished.
I did stand up, a Speech did make,
Which forc'd the Souldiers undertake
The Siege, and (with a new Desire)
I set their Courages on Fire.
His Acts (howe'er so great they be)
In Justice do belong to me;
Since I thus Ajax did restrain,
And hal'd his Valour back again:
Now tell me if one Greek there be,
That praiseth and depends on thee?
Yet Brother Diomedes Will
Confide in his Ulysses still:
Tho thou discredit to us seeks,
We'll join our Wits to serve the Greeks.
If't be a stain, I'm hearty glad
To bear the Brand of Diomede;
And out of all this Host, to be
Chose out by such a Man as he.
It is my gain, that he's my Lot;
Yet he may chuse to be, or not:
And yet 'tis no Disgrace, that I
(All fear of Night, and Foe laid by)
Bold Dolus slew, who slily came
To view our Host, as I had them;
And yet I kill'd him not, till he
Discover'd his Design to me.
And I had learn'd what he detected,
And what Perfidious Troy projected.
When I had got my full Desire,
And had no further to inquire.
I after such Exploits as these,
Might have returned back, with praise:
But yet (not satisfied) I went,
Surprized Rhesus in his Tent;
And in a Loyal Passion slew
The King himself, and all his crew.
Thus (having got both wish, and will,
And Victor in my Projects still)
In Rhesu's Coach, I homeward came,
Triumphing on the Wings of Fame.
Since for one Night slie Dolon sought
Achille's Horse, which stood him nought;
I think his Armour should be mine,
Who frustrat Dolon's proud Design.
Will Ajax keep them back from me?
No sure; he'll be more kind, and free.
What need I of Sarpedon tell,
Who, with his Forces, by us fell.
Iphitides, and Cæranus,
Alaster, and proud Chromius;
Slie Halius join'd with Alcander,
And Næmonus, that brave Commander,
With Prytanis, and Thoon stout,
Chersidamas the counter-scout.
Bold Charopes that wrought us woe,
And Ennomus, our Fatal Foe;
All these brave Fellows, great and small,
By bloody Wounds, I kill'd them all.
And many more, of common crew,
In sight of Troys Walls I slew.
And I, dear Country-men, have wounds,
Pray give not ear to empty sounds:
(With this, his Breast he ript up wide,
And laid his Campaign Coat aside;)
Behold, and look; lo here they are
Fair to be seen, in every Scar:
And on the Breast that's load with Cares,
And Diligence in your Affairs.
Yet Ajax in this tedious War,
Hath lost no Blood, nor hath a scar.
Now what great matter is't that he
(To prove his Magnanimity)
Doth brag, that he is Armour brought,
And Jove both and the Trojans fought.
'Tis True he did, I'll not detract
From such a praise deserving Act.
So he ingross, and crave no more
Than's justly due upon his score.
For all he makes so much to do,
Let him grant us some Honour too.
Patroclus (that's both stout and wise)
Clad like Achilles in Disguise,
Beat back the Trojans, when they came
To set our Navy in a Flame.
He thinks none could with Hector deal,
But Ajax, without Parellel.
The King himself he doth lay by,
And Agamemnon vilisie.
And as for me, I am forgot,
Of Nine the Last, prefer'd by Lot.
But O Invincible for might!
What was the event of your Fight?
Tho it with Victory was crown'd,
Hector went off without a wound.
Alas, with what a Tide of Grief
(To which no season grants relief)
Do I that time to mind recal,
Wherein the stately Grecian Wall,
Achilles fell; yet Grief, nor fear,
Nor Tears, could drown that love I bear
Unto his Memory: Therefore,
His raised Corps I took and bore;
Brought off himself, and Armour too;
For which I plead before you now.
Sure, Ajax, I have strength to bear,
And push the great Achille's Spear.
And have a Spirit to perceive,
O Greeks, what Honour I receive.
What Fate her Son would undergo,
Therefore (as she could do no less)
Disguis'd him in a Ladies dress;
That all with Ajax took her Son
To be a Vestal Virgin Nun:
With Warlike Arms I mov'd his mind,
From trifles of the Female kind.
Whilst yet the Male-Maid, stately proud,
Did wear a Gown, and Sercenet-Hood.
Her manly Courage did grow bold,
And on the Shield and Spear lay'd hold;
I slily Whisper'd her down right;
“Thou Goddess-Man, Hermophrodit,
“King Priam's Pallace still doth stand,
“To fall by your Victorious hand:
“Ne'r dout, what certainly you know,
“To prove the Trojans overthrow.
With this I seiz'd him (right or wrong)
And sent to mighty deeds the Strong.
Thus his Exploits to me redound;
My Spear King Telaphus did Wound.
And when he Yielded (Struck with pain)
I like ways made him whole again.
Thebes, and Lesbos on the Sea
Did low their Sails to you, by me.
I Tenedos, and Chrysa Town:
With Cylla's Scyros, did throw down:
19
Altho' Apollo patroniz'd them.
Know, likewise, that Lyrnessus Wall,
By my Right Hand, was forc'd to fall.
To pass the rest, I gave to you,
Him who, the cruel, Hector slew.
I Hector kill'd, his Armour sue;
For those which found him out to you.
Now when he's dead, I seek no more,
Then when he liv'd, I gave before.
As soon as Menelaus Grief
Mov'd all the Greeks to grant relief,
A Thousand Frigats (if not more)
Were streight in Aulis Port, and shore.
We waited long, the Wind was still,
Or quite contrary, cross, and ill.
The cruel Oracles (who knew
Who 'twas Diana's Stag that slew.)
King Agamemnon did surprize,
Commanding him to Sacrifice,
His Daughter, whose Blood could asswage,
And quench the angry Goddess Rage;
But he denies, the Gods reproves,
And, in a King, Love Passion moves,
His Noble Mind persuaded I,
That Iphegenia dear should die;
To expiate his Crime by Blood,
And propogat his Countreys good.
My fault I here confess (you see)
Dear Agamemnon Pardon me,
20
For Interest, and 'gainst Natures Laws.
The Scepters Care, and Peoples good;
Fraternal Love, mov'd him by Blood,
To purchase Honour both and Praise,
A Crown of Everlasting Bays.
I to the Mother went beguil'd,
Her not exhorted from her Child:
Had Ajax gon, our Flag and Sails
Might have been waiting yet for Gales.
Then I (all dangers to prevent)
To Troy Ambassador was sent;
The Court I view'd, and saw it then
Well Peopl'd, and yet full of Men:
Yet I undaunted, urg'd (at large)
The Cause committed to my Charge;
I summon'd Paris (tho in vain)
To render Helena again.
Old Priam and Autenor I
Provok'd; but Paris (standing by)
With his Coherents did so huff me,
That he, and they, seem'd both to cuff me.
This Menelaus knows; for he
In this first danger, was with me.
Now it were tedious to relate
What I (opposing adverse Fate)
By Wit and Strength did, and intended,
Whereby the long War might be ended:
When we the Battle first did fight,
The Trojans watch'd both Day and Night,
21
There was no way to reach our Foes.
Nine Years was spent with beat of Drum;
And now the Tenth at last was come.
Now where wast thou with all thy might?
Who only wast in power to fight;
What use serv'd Ajax for? If thou
Inquir'st of me what I did do,
My Wit supply'd the want of Blows,
I did entrap our stubborn Foes;
I with a Wall (as I thought meet)
Did fence the Trenches of our Fleet.
My Fellow Souldiers I rous'd up,
And chear'd them with the other Cup;
Forbade to fear for what was past;
But hope for Victory at last.
I exercis'd the Army right,
Taught them to Forage both and Fight:
When sent to work the Trojan's fall,
I still was ready on a call.
Behold! when (in a Dream) Old Jove
Deceiv'd the King; bade him remove
His Camp, and Fleet; and hoise and go,
And not expect Troy's overthrow.
(Here Menelaus hath no Shame;
For Jupiter caused him to Dream.)
But why could Ajax not oppose
The Power that sided with our Foes?
With Tongue and Target too have fought,
To bring the Trojan strength to nought:
22
Who were returning home again?
Why did not he his Armour take?
And force the Rabble to forsake
Their Head-strong Mutiny? But this
To braging Ajax little is:
But what if he himself did flie?
When thou didst turn thy back; then I,
Asham'd, did see thee hoist thy Sails,
And fill them with disgraceful Gales:
It was not time then to delay;
Therefore (incens'd) I thus did say,
“My Fellow Soldiers, all, and some,
“How are you Cowards thus become?
“What Madness makes you leave the Field,
“When tottering Troy begins to yield?
“What have you gain'd those Ten Years space?
“To carry home, but great Disgrace.
With such Words, and with much to do,
(Which very Grief did move me to,)
Their averse Minds I did restrain,
And brought them from the Fleet again.
Thus Jove, himself, I circumvented,
And all his Fraud, and Dreams prevented.
The King, a Council then did call,
Conven'd his Souldiers, great and small:
Whilst base Thersites (in disdain)
Provok'd him unto Wrath again,
And Ajax durst not once to mutter.
For all he makes now such a clutter.
23
By me past not unpunished.
I did stand up, a Speech did make,
Which forc'd the Souldiers undertake
The Siege, and (with a new Desire)
I set their Courages on Fire.
His Acts (howe'er so great they be)
In Justice do belong to me;
Since I thus Ajax did restrain,
And hal'd his Valour back again:
Now tell me if one Greek there be,
That praiseth and depends on thee?
Yet Brother Diomedes Will
Confide in his Ulysses still:
Tho thou discredit to us seeks,
We'll join our Wits to serve the Greeks.
If't be a stain, I'm hearty glad
To bear the Brand of Diomede;
And out of all this Host, to be
Chose out by such a Man as he.
It is my gain, that he's my Lot;
Yet he may chuse to be, or not:
And yet 'tis no Disgrace, that I
(All fear of Night, and Foe laid by)
Bold Dolus slew, who slily came
To view our Host, as I had them;
And yet I kill'd him not, till he
Discover'd his Design to me.
And I had learn'd what he detected,
And what Perfidious Troy projected.
24
And had no further to inquire.
I after such Exploits as these,
Might have returned back, with praise:
But yet (not satisfied) I went,
Surprized Rhesus in his Tent;
And in a Loyal Passion slew
The King himself, and all his crew.
Thus (having got both wish, and will,
And Victor in my Projects still)
In Rhesu's Coach, I homeward came,
Triumphing on the Wings of Fame.
Since for one Night slie Dolon sought
Achille's Horse, which stood him nought;
I think his Armour should be mine,
Who frustrat Dolon's proud Design.
Will Ajax keep them back from me?
No sure; he'll be more kind, and free.
What need I of Sarpedon tell,
Who, with his Forces, by us fell.
Iphitides, and Cæranus,
Alaster, and proud Chromius;
Slie Halius join'd with Alcander,
And Næmonus, that brave Commander,
With Prytanis, and Thoon stout,
Chersidamas the counter-scout.
Bold Charopes that wrought us woe,
And Ennomus, our Fatal Foe;
All these brave Fellows, great and small,
By bloody Wounds, I kill'd them all.
25
In sight of Troys Walls I slew.
And I, dear Country-men, have wounds,
Pray give not ear to empty sounds:
(With this, his Breast he ript up wide,
And laid his Campaign Coat aside;)
Behold, and look; lo here they are
Fair to be seen, in every Scar:
And on the Breast that's load with Cares,
And Diligence in your Affairs.
Yet Ajax in this tedious War,
Hath lost no Blood, nor hath a scar.
Now what great matter is't that he
(To prove his Magnanimity)
Doth brag, that he is Armour brought,
And Jove both and the Trojans fought.
'Tis True he did, I'll not detract
From such a praise deserving Act.
So he ingross, and crave no more
Than's justly due upon his score.
For all he makes so much to do,
Let him grant us some Honour too.
Patroclus (that's both stout and wise)
Clad like Achilles in Disguise,
Beat back the Trojans, when they came
To set our Navy in a Flame.
He thinks none could with Hector deal,
But Ajax, without Parellel.
The King himself he doth lay by,
And Agamemnon vilisie.
26
Of Nine the Last, prefer'd by Lot.
But O Invincible for might!
What was the event of your Fight?
Tho it with Victory was crown'd,
Hector went off without a wound.
Alas, with what a Tide of Grief
(To which no season grants relief)
Do I that time to mind recal,
Wherein the stately Grecian Wall,
Achilles fell; yet Grief, nor fear,
Nor Tears, could drown that love I bear
Unto his Memory: Therefore,
His raised Corps I took and bore;
Brought off himself, and Armour too;
For which I plead before you now.
Sure, Ajax, I have strength to bear,
And push the great Achille's Spear.
And have a Spirit to perceive,
O Greeks, what Honour I receive.
Blew Mother Thetis of the Sea,
Could not but chuse, and needs must be
Ambitious for her dearest Son,
That such a Bog-Trot, should put on
The Heavenly Gifts, of so great Art,
Engrav'd with skill, in every part:
He knoweth neither draught, nor line,
Which makes the glittering Shield to shine,
The Ocean, Earth, and Starry Skie,
He knows not in Astrology.
The Pleiades and Seven Stars,
The Beares that fear no Waves nor Jars,
Orion's clear, yet clowdy Sword,
The Towns the Target doth afford;
But unadvisedly doth prate,
And seeks the thing he knows not what.
And with what Confidence doth he,
In Spiteful Terms object to me?
That I the Grecian War did shun,
And slight till others had begun:
Nor knows he, how he wounds in me
Achille's Honour; if it be
A Crime, to counterfeit, then we
Are conjunct both in Villany.
And should a short delay be such
A Crime, as Ajax doth avouch;
Achilles he doth more defame
Than me, since I before him came.
His Mother, and my honest Wife
(Affraid left we should lose our Life)
Did us detain; 'tis very true,
We Humour'd them, and Honour'd you:
Were this a Crime, I should not fear,
Since brave Achilles needs must bear
The half of this Reproach; but I
Did find Achilles out; but by
Proud Ajax I could not be found;
Nor can the praise to him redound.
Yet let us not admire that he
Doth squirt thus Wind-bals so at me.
You Worthies he (altho in vain)
Doth strive your Honour here to stain;
For if I (like a Rascal) laid
A Trap, to catch young Palamede;
In order to his Accusation,
What were you in his Condemnation?
But Palamede that very time,
Could not defend his open Crime;
Which was not forg'd by hear-say lies,
But manifested to your Eyes.
The Gold which was to work our fall,
And price, for which he'd sold us all.
Nor was't my fault that Pæan's Son
Was left in Lemnos Isle alone.
Here he Arraigns your Honours too;
Defend your Cause, I leave't to you.
For you consented all, whilst I
Gave my advice (I'll not deny)
Him to withdraw, and to forbear
The toil of Marches, and of War.
And try to mitigate his Pain,
By taking rest and ease again.
He did obey, and is alive;
And in good Success, like to thrive.
This my advice is good and true,
And proves the Giver real too.
Whom, since the Fates require, that he
The Trojans overthrow may be;
Command not, but let me alone;
And send brave Ajax-Telamon.
Who Philoctetes will appease,
Tho mad with Passion and Disease.
He'll mitigate, and bring him thence,
With Charms of Art, and Eloquence.
But Simois shall backward go,
On Ida Mount no Tree shall grow.
Achaia shall promise aid,
To tottering Troy: ere it be said,
Ulysse's VVit for Greece doth fail,
And Sottish Ajax doth prevail;
But Philoctetes, tho' thou be
Obdur'd in spite, and VVrath 'gainst me;
The King, those Nobles, and (what's worse)
Shoot'st forth an Everlasting Curse,
To light on me; desiring still
My Company, my Blood to spill;
On thee I'll make a bold attack,
I'll bend my VVits, to bring thee back:
That both (as our Case doth require)
May have their VVish, and Hearts Desire.
I'll have thy Shafts (so favour Fate)
As I had Helenus of late,
As I out-witted (by great ods)
And found the Answers of the Gods;
A Riddle-knot, wherein did lye,
The Trojan Fate, and Destiny.
And as I Palla's Fatal signe,
Amidst my Foes, forc'd from her shrine.
Compar'st with me? When this untaken
We'd long ago Troy's Walls forsaken.
Now where was Ajax? And the boast
Of that brave Man; or was he lost
In Fears and Terrour? And how durst
Ulysses pass the Watch, and trust
Himself to Night; and boldly venter
The Trojan Walls, and Towers to enter;
Through Souldiers arm'd, in time of War,
To take, a Goddess Prisoner,
From her own Church; and bring the Prey
Back to our Host, the self-same way.
Which had I not done, Ajax yet
(For all his Valour and his Wit)
In vain till now had fac'd the Field;
And born his Seven-fold Bull-hide Shield.
That Night I Troy Town did take,
Since I it invincible did make.
Then Ajax hold, and pray leave off,
To make your Mouths, to jeer and scoff,
At Diomede and me; but know
That both our Praises jointly grow.
Nor thou alone didst interpose
Thy Shield, betwixt our Fleet and Foes;
Thou hadst an Host, but I had none,
But Honest Diomede alone.
Who knew that VVit did strength command,
And these belong'd to Head, not Hand;
Else he had likewise su'd for these,
Or th'other Ajax who for praise
Is more deserving. Eury'plus,
Thoas, and Idomeneus,
Meriones, These Crotians and
King Menelaus could withstand
Our Enemies; and likewise are
Not second unto thee in VVar.
Yet all these Noble VVorthies be
Content to take Advice of me.
Thou'rt only fit for right down blows;
But VVit must mitigate our Foes.
Thou'rt rash without forecast, but I
Can Antidote Contingency.
That thou canst Fight, I own, 'tis true;
But we must tell what time to you,
Thou'rt only strong in Body, I
In Mind, and Magnanimity.
As Pilots fore mast men that row,
And Captains, Centinels, even so
I thee excel; and so exceeds
Couragious Councels, empty Deeds.
In Spirit, and not Legs and Thighs,
The Sum of all Perfections lies.
Then Gentlemen, and Princes all,
These my Exploits to mind recal;
For Ten Years Care, and Trouble past,
I hope you'll me reward at last.
Sum my Deserts, and Judg if I
Deserve of you this Dignity.
Our VVork is almost at an end,
Since I the Fates that did offend,
Removed have; and Troys VValls
(VVhich I made Vincible) now falls.
Now by the hope that we enjoy;
And by the fall of tottering Troy;
And by those Trojan Gods, which I
Took lately from our Enemy.
And by what ever doth remain,
(VVhich renders our Designs in vain)
And by what VVisdom yet may won,
Tho bold and doubtful to be done;
And by the Fates (if Riddles lye,
Unknown in Trojan Destiny)
Be mindful, and remember me;
Let my reward these Armour be:
If not to Ajax them resign;
But see Minerva's Fatal sign.
Could not but chuse, and needs must be
Ambitious for her dearest Son,
That such a Bog-Trot, should put on
The Heavenly Gifts, of so great Art,
Engrav'd with skill, in every part:
He knoweth neither draught, nor line,
Which makes the glittering Shield to shine,
The Ocean, Earth, and Starry Skie,
He knows not in Astrology.
27
The Beares that fear no Waves nor Jars,
Orion's clear, yet clowdy Sword,
The Towns the Target doth afford;
But unadvisedly doth prate,
And seeks the thing he knows not what.
And with what Confidence doth he,
In Spiteful Terms object to me?
That I the Grecian War did shun,
And slight till others had begun:
Nor knows he, how he wounds in me
Achille's Honour; if it be
A Crime, to counterfeit, then we
Are conjunct both in Villany.
And should a short delay be such
A Crime, as Ajax doth avouch;
Achilles he doth more defame
Than me, since I before him came.
His Mother, and my honest Wife
(Affraid left we should lose our Life)
Did us detain; 'tis very true,
We Humour'd them, and Honour'd you:
Were this a Crime, I should not fear,
Since brave Achilles needs must bear
The half of this Reproach; but I
Did find Achilles out; but by
Proud Ajax I could not be found;
Nor can the praise to him redound.
Yet let us not admire that he
Doth squirt thus Wind-bals so at me.
28
Doth strive your Honour here to stain;
For if I (like a Rascal) laid
A Trap, to catch young Palamede;
In order to his Accusation,
What were you in his Condemnation?
But Palamede that very time,
Could not defend his open Crime;
Which was not forg'd by hear-say lies,
But manifested to your Eyes.
The Gold which was to work our fall,
And price, for which he'd sold us all.
Nor was't my fault that Pæan's Son
Was left in Lemnos Isle alone.
Here he Arraigns your Honours too;
Defend your Cause, I leave't to you.
For you consented all, whilst I
Gave my advice (I'll not deny)
Him to withdraw, and to forbear
The toil of Marches, and of War.
And try to mitigate his Pain,
By taking rest and ease again.
He did obey, and is alive;
And in good Success, like to thrive.
This my advice is good and true,
And proves the Giver real too.
Whom, since the Fates require, that he
The Trojans overthrow may be;
Command not, but let me alone;
And send brave Ajax-Telamon.
29
Tho mad with Passion and Disease.
He'll mitigate, and bring him thence,
With Charms of Art, and Eloquence.
But Simois shall backward go,
On Ida Mount no Tree shall grow.
Achaia shall promise aid,
To tottering Troy: ere it be said,
Ulysse's VVit for Greece doth fail,
And Sottish Ajax doth prevail;
But Philoctetes, tho' thou be
Obdur'd in spite, and VVrath 'gainst me;
The King, those Nobles, and (what's worse)
Shoot'st forth an Everlasting Curse,
To light on me; desiring still
My Company, my Blood to spill;
On thee I'll make a bold attack,
I'll bend my VVits, to bring thee back:
That both (as our Case doth require)
May have their VVish, and Hearts Desire.
I'll have thy Shafts (so favour Fate)
As I had Helenus of late,
As I out-witted (by great ods)
And found the Answers of the Gods;
A Riddle-knot, wherein did lye,
The Trojan Fate, and Destiny.
And as I Palla's Fatal signe,
Amidst my Foes, forc'd from her shrine.
Compar'st with me? When this untaken
We'd long ago Troy's Walls forsaken.
Now where was Ajax? And the boast
Of that brave Man; or was he lost
In Fears and Terrour? And how durst
Ulysses pass the Watch, and trust
30
The Trojan Walls, and Towers to enter;
Through Souldiers arm'd, in time of War,
To take, a Goddess Prisoner,
From her own Church; and bring the Prey
Back to our Host, the self-same way.
Which had I not done, Ajax yet
(For all his Valour and his Wit)
In vain till now had fac'd the Field;
And born his Seven-fold Bull-hide Shield.
That Night I Troy Town did take,
Since I it invincible did make.
Then Ajax hold, and pray leave off,
To make your Mouths, to jeer and scoff,
At Diomede and me; but know
That both our Praises jointly grow.
Nor thou alone didst interpose
Thy Shield, betwixt our Fleet and Foes;
Thou hadst an Host, but I had none,
But Honest Diomede alone.
Who knew that VVit did strength command,
And these belong'd to Head, not Hand;
Else he had likewise su'd for these,
Or th'other Ajax who for praise
Is more deserving. Eury'plus,
Thoas, and Idomeneus,
Meriones, These Crotians and
King Menelaus could withstand
Our Enemies; and likewise are
Not second unto thee in VVar.
Yet all these Noble VVorthies be
Content to take Advice of me.
Thou'rt only fit for right down blows;
But VVit must mitigate our Foes.
31
Can Antidote Contingency.
That thou canst Fight, I own, 'tis true;
But we must tell what time to you,
Thou'rt only strong in Body, I
In Mind, and Magnanimity.
As Pilots fore mast men that row,
And Captains, Centinels, even so
I thee excel; and so exceeds
Couragious Councels, empty Deeds.
In Spirit, and not Legs and Thighs,
The Sum of all Perfections lies.
Then Gentlemen, and Princes all,
These my Exploits to mind recal;
For Ten Years Care, and Trouble past,
I hope you'll me reward at last.
Sum my Deserts, and Judg if I
Deserve of you this Dignity.
Our VVork is almost at an end,
Since I the Fates that did offend,
Removed have; and Troys VValls
(VVhich I made Vincible) now falls.
Now by the hope that we enjoy;
And by the fall of tottering Troy;
And by those Trojan Gods, which I
Took lately from our Enemy.
And by what ever doth remain,
(VVhich renders our Designs in vain)
And by what VVisdom yet may won,
Tho bold and doubtful to be done;
And by the Fates (if Riddles lye,
Unknown in Trojan Destiny)
Be mindful, and remember me;
Let my reward these Armour be:
30
But see Minerva's Fatal sign.
| LOGOMAXIA[Greek]: Or, The Conquest of Eloquence | |