The pile they circled with a tomb, and by it rais’d a wall,
High tow’rs, to guard the fleet and them; and in the midst of all
They built strong gates, through which the horse and chariots passage had;
Without the rampire a broad dike, long and profound, they made,
On which they pallisadoes pitch’d; and thus the Grecians wrought.
Their huge works in so little time were to perfection brought,
That all Gods, by the Lightner set, the frame thereof admir’d;
‘Mongst whom the Earthquake-making God, this of their king inquir’d:
“Father of Gods, will any man, of all earth’s grassy sphere,
Ask any of the Gods’ consents to any actions there,
If thou wilt see the shag-hair’d Greeks, with headstrong labours frame
So huge a work, and not to us due off’rings first enflame?
As far as white Aurora’s dews are sprinkled through the air,
Fame will renown the hands of Greece, for this divine affair;
Men will forget the sacred work, the Sun and I did raise
For king Laomedon (bright Troy) and this will bear the praise.”
Jove was extremely mov’d with him, and said: “What words are these,
Thou mighty Shaker of the earth, thou Lord of all the seas?
Some other God, of far less pow’r, might hold conceits, dismay’d
With this rare Grecian stratagem, and thou rest well apaid; 7
For it will glorify thy name, as far as light extends;
Since, when these Greeks shall see again their native soil and friends,
The bulwark batter’d, thou mayst quite devour it with thy waves,
And cover, with thy fruitless sands, this fatal shore of graves;
That, what their fi’ry industries have so divinely wrought
In raising it, in razing it thy pow’r will prove it nought.”
Thus spake the Gods among themselves. Set was the fervent sun;
And now the great work of the Greeks was absolutely done.
Then slew they oxen in their tents, and strength with food reviv’d,
When out of Lemnos a great fleet of od’rous wine arrived,
Sent by Eunëus, Jason’s son, born of Hypsipyle.
The fleet contain’d a thousand tun, which must transported be
To Atreus’ sons, as he gave charge, whose merchandise it was.
The Greeks bought wine for shining steel, and some for sounding brass,
Some for ox-hides, for oxen some, and some for prisoners.
A sumptuous banquet was prepar’d; and all that night the peers
And fair-hair’d Greeks consum’d in feast. So Trojans, and their aid.
And all the night Jove thunder’d loud; pale fear all thoughts dismay’d.
While they were gluttonous in earth, Jove wrought their banes in heav’n.
They pour’d full cups upon the ground, and were to off’rings driv’n
Instead of quaffings; and to drink, none durst attempt, before
In solemn sacrifice they did almighty Jove adore.
Then to their rests they all repair’d; bold zeal their fear bereav’d;
And sudden sleep’s refreshing gift, securely they receiv’d.
THE END OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.
ENDNOTES.
1 These next four books have not my last hand; and because the rest (for a time) will be sufficient to employ your censures, suspend them of these. Spare not the other.
2 O verè Phrygiæ, neque enim Phryges; saith his imitator.
3 O si præteritos referat mihi Jupiter annos Qualis eram, etc.
4 Hine illud: Dominus clypei septemplicis Ajax.
5 Hector gives Ajax a sword; Ajax, Hector a girdle. Both which gifts were afterwards cause of both their deaths.
6 Virgil imit.
7 The fortification that in the twelfth book is razed.
THE EIGHTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ILIADS
THE ARGUMENT
When Jove to all the Gods had giv’n command,
That none to either host should helpful stand,
To Ida he descends; and sees from thence
Juno and Pallas haste the Greeks’ defence;
Whose purpose, his command, by Iris given,
Doth intervent. Then came the silent even,
When Hector charg’d fires should consume the night,
Lest Greeks in darkness took suspected flight.
ANOTHER ARGUMENT
In Theta, Gods a Council have.
Troy’s conquest. Glorious Hector’s brave.
The cheerful Lady of the light, deck’d in her saffron robe,
Dispers’d her beams through ev’ry part of this enflow’red globe,
When thund’ring Jove a Court of Gods assembled by his will
In top of all the topful heights, that crown th’ Olympian hill.
He spake, and all the Gods gave ear: “Hear how I stand inclin’d,
That God nor Goddess may attempt t’ infringe my sov’reign mind,
But all give suffrage that with speed I may these discords end.
What God soever I shall find endeavour to defend
Or Troy or Greece, with wounds to heav’n he, sham’d, shall reascend;
Or, taking with him his offence, I’ll cast him down as deep
As Tartarus, the brood of night, where Barathrum doth steep 1
Torment, in his profoundest sinks, where is the floor of brass,
And gates of iron; the place, for depth, as far doth hell surpass,
As heav’n, for height, exceeds the earth; then shall he know from thence
How much my pow’r, past all the Gods, hath sov’reign eminence.
Endanger it the whiles and see. Let down our golden chain,
And at it let all Deities their utmost strengths constrain
To draw me to the earth from heav’n; you never shall prevail,
Though, with your most contention, ye dare my state assail,
But when my will shall be dispos’d, to draw you all to me,
Ev’n with the earth itself, and seas, ye shall enforced be;
Then will I to Olympus’ top our virtuous engine bind,
And by it ev’rything shall hang, by my command inclin’d.
So much I am supreme to Gods, to men supreme as much.”
The Gods sat silent, and admir’d, his dreadful speech was such.
At last his blue-ey’d daughter spake: “O great Saturnides!
O father, O heav’n’s highest king, well know we the excess
Of thy great pow’r, compar’d with all; yet the bold Greeks’ estate
We needs must mourn, since they must fall beneath so hard a fate;
For, if thy grave command enjoin, we will abstain from fight.
But to afford them such advice, as may relieve their plight,
We will, with thy consent, be bold; that all may not sustain
The fearful burthen of thy wrath, and with their shames be slain.”
He smil’d, and said: “Be confident, thou art belov’d of me;
I speak not this with serious thoughts, but will be kind to thee.”
This said, his brass-hoof’d wingéd horse he did to chariot bind,
Whose crests were fring’d with manes of gold; and golden garments shin’d
On his rich shoulders; in his hand he took a golden scourge,
Divinely fashion’d, and with blows their willing speed did urge
Mid way betwixt the earth and heav’n. To Ida: then he came,
Abounding in delicious springs, and nurse of beasts untame,
Where, on the mountain Gargarus, men did a fane erect
To his high name, and altars sweet; and there his horse he check’d,
Dissolv’d them from his chariot, and in a cloud of jet
He cover’d them, and on the top took his triumphant seat,
Beholding Priam’s famous town, and all the fleet of Greece.
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The Greeks took breakfast speedily, and arm’d at ev’ry piece.
So Trojans; who though fewer far, yet all to fight took arms,
Dire need enforc’d them to avert their wives’ and children’s harms.
All gates flew open; all the host did issue, foot and horse,
In mighty tumult; straight one place adjoin’d each adverse force.
Then shields with shields met, darts with darts, strength against strength oppos’d;
The boss-pik’d targets were thrust on, and thunder’d as they clos’d
In mighty tumult; groan for groan, and breath for breath did breathe,
Of men then slain, and to be slain; earth flow’d with fruits of death.
While the fair morning’s beauty held, and day increas’d in height,
Their jav’lins mutually made death transport an equal freight,
But when the hot meridian point, bright Phœbus did ascend,
Then Jove his golden balances did equally extend,
And, of long-rest-conferring death, put in two bitter fates
For Troy and Greece; he held the midst; the day of final dates
Fell on the Greeks; the Greeks’ hard lot sunk to the flow’ry ground,
The Trojans’ leapt as high as heav’n. Then did the claps resound
Of his fierce thunder; lightning leapt amongst each Grecian troop;
The sight amaz’d them; pallid fear made boldest stomachs stoop,
Then Idomen durst not abide, Atrides went his way,
And both th’ Ajaces; Nestor yet, against his will did stay,
That grave protector of the Greeks, for Paris with a dart
Enrag’d one of his chariot horse; he smote the upper part
Of all his skull, ev’n where the hair, that made his foretop, sprung.
The hurt was deadly, and the pain so sore the courser stung,
(Pierc’d to the brain) he stamp’d and plung’d. One on another bears,
Entangled round about the beam; then Nestor cut the gears
With his new-drawn authentic sword. Meanwhile the fi’ry horse
Of Hector brake into the press, with their bold ruler’s force;
Then good old Nestor had been slain, had Diomed not espy’d,
Who to Ulysses, as he fled, importunately cried:
“Thou that in counsels dost abound, O Laertiades,
Why fly’st thou? Why thus, coward-like, shunn’st thou the honour’d prease?
Take heed thy back take not a dart. Stay, let us both intend
To drive this cruel enemy, from our dear agéd friend.”
He spake, but wary Ithacus would find no patient ear,
But fled forthright, ev’n to the fleet. Yet, though he single were,
Brave Diomed mix’d amongst the fight, and stood before the steeds
Of old Neleides, whose estate thus kingly he areeds:
“O father, with these youths in fight, thou art unequal plac’d,
Thy willing sinews are unknit, grave age pursues thee fast,
And thy unruly horse are slow; my chariot therefore use,
And try how ready Trojan horse, can fly him that pursues,
Pursue the flier, and ev’ry way perform the varied fight;
I forc’d them from Anchises’ son, well skill’d in cause of flight.
Then let my squire lead hence thy horse; mine thou shalt guard, whilst I,
By thee advanc’d, assay the fight, that Hector’s self may try
If my lance dote with the defects, that fail best minds in age,
Or finds the palsy in my hands, that doth thy life engage.”
This noble Nestor did accept, and Diomed’s two friends,
Eurymedon that valour loves, and Sthenelus, ascends
Old Nestor’s coach. Of Diomed’s horse Nestor the charge sustains,
And Tydeus’ son took place of fight. Neleides held the reins,
And scourg’d the horse, who swiftly ran direct in Hector’s face;
Whom fierce Tydides bravely charg’d, but, he turn’d from the chace,
His jav’lin Eniopeus smit, mighty Thebæus’ son,
And was great Hector’s charioteer; it through his breast did run,
Near to his pap; he fell to earth, back flew his frighted horse,
His strength and soul were both dissolv’d. Hector had deep remorse
Of his mishap; yet left he him, and for another sought;
Nor long his steeds did want a guide, for straight good fortune brought
Bold Archeptolemus, whose life did from Iphitis spring;
He made him take the reins and mount. Then souls were set on wing;
Then high exploits were undergone; then Trojans in their walls
Had been infolded like meek lambs, had Jove wink’d at their falls,
Who hurl’d his horrid thunder forth, and made pale lightnings fly.
Into the earth, before the horse that Nestor did apply.
A dreadful flash burnt through the air, that savour’d sulphur-like,
Which down before the chariot the dazzled horse did strike.
The fair reins fell from Nestor’s hand, who did in fear entreat
Renown’d Tydides into flight to turn his fury’s heat:
“For know’st thou not,” said he, “our aid is not supplied from
Jove?
This day he will give fame to Troy, which when it fits his love
We shall enjoy. Let no man tempt his unresisted will,
Though he exceed in gifts of strength; for he exceeds him still.”
“Father,” replied the king, “’tis true; but both my heart and soul
Are most extremely griev’d to think how Hector will control
My valour with his vaunts in Troy, that I was terror-sick
With his approach; which when he boasts, let earth devour me quick.”
“Ah! warlike Tydeus’ son,” said he, “what needless words are these?
Though Hector should report thee faint, and amorous of thy ease,
The Trojans, nor the Trojan wives, would never give him trust,
Whose youthful husbands thy free hand hath smother’d so in dust.”
This said, he turn’d his one-hoof’d horse to flight, and troop did take,
When Hector and his men, with shouts, did greedy púrsuit make,
And pour’d on darts that made air sigh. Then Hector did exclaim:
“O Tydeus’ son, the kings of Greece do most renown thy name
With highest place, feasts, and full cups; who now will do thee shame;
Thou shalt be like a woman us’d, and they will say: ‘Depart,
Immartial minion, since to stand Hector thou hadst no heart.’
Nor canst thou scale our turrets’ tops, nor lead the wives to fleet
Of valiant men; that wife-like fear’st my adverse charge to meet.”
This two ways mov’d him, — still to fly, or turn his horse and fight.
Thrice thrust he forward to assault, and ev’ry time the fright
Of Jove’s fell thunder drave him back, which he propos’d for sign
(To show the change of victory) Trojans should victors shine.
Then Hector comforted his men: “All my advent’rous friends,
Be men, and, of your famous strength, think of the honour’d ends.
I know benevolent Jupiter, did by his beck profess
Conquest and high renown to me, and to the Greeks distress.
O fools, to raise such silly forts, not worth the least account,
Nor able to resist our force! With ease our horse may mount,
Quite over all their hollow dike. But, when their fleet I reach,
Let Memory to all the world a famous bonfire teach,
For I will all their ships inflame, with whose infestive smoke,
Fear-shrunk, and hidden near their keels, the conquer’d Greeks shall choke.”
Then cherish’d he his famous horse: “O Xanthus, now,” said he,
Make me some worthy recompense, for so much choice of meat,
Giv’n you by fair Andromache; bread of the purest wheat,
And with it, for your drink, mix’d wine, to make ye wishéd cheer,
Still serving you before myself, her husband young and dear.
Pursue, and use your swiftest speed, that we may take for prise
The shield of old Neleides, which fame lifts to the skies,
Ev’n to the handles telling it to be of massy gold.
And from the shoulders let us take, of Diomed the bold,
The royal curace Vulcan wrought, with art so exquisite,
These if we make our sacred spoil, I doubt not, but this night,
Ev’n to their navy to enforce the Greeks unturnéd flight.”
This Juno took in high disdain, and made Olympus shake
As she but stirr’d within her throne, and thus to Neptune spake:
“O Neptune, what a spite is this! Thou God so huge in pow’r,
Afflicts it not thy honour’d heart, to see rude spoil devour
These Greeks that have in Helice, and Aege, offer’d thee
So many and such wealthy gifts? Let them the victors be.
If we, that are the aids of Greece, would beat home these of Troy,
And hinder broad-ey’d Jove’s proud will, it would abate his joy.”
He, angry, told her she was rash, and he would not be one
Of all the rest, should: strive with Jove, whose pow’r was match’d by none.
Whiles they conferr’d thus, all the space the trench contain’d before
(From that part of the fort that flank’d the navy-anchoring shore)
Was filled with horse and targeteers, who there for refuge came,
By Mars-swift Hector’s pow’r engaged; Jove gave his strength the fame;
And he with spoilful fire had burn’d the fleet, if Juno’s grace
Had not inspir’d the king himself, to run from place to place,
And stir up ev’ry soldier’s pow’r, to some illustrious deed.
First visiting their leaders’ tents, his ample purple weed
He wore, to show all who he was, and did his station take
At wise Ulysses’ sable barks, that did the battle make
Of all the fleet; from whence his speech might with more ease be driv’n
To Ajax’ and Achilles’ ships, to whose chief charge were giv’n
The vantguard and the rearguard both, both for their force of hand,
The Complete Poetical Works of George Chapman Page 66
