Alexander Pope - Delphi Poets Series

by Alexander Pope

  His son, and godlike Merion, march’d behing;

  (For these the Princes to their council join’d); 230

  The trenches pass’d, th’ assembled Kings around

  In silent state the consistory crown’d.

  A place there was yet undefil’d with gore,

  The spot where Hector stopp’d his rage before,

  When night, descending, from his vengeful hand 235

  Repriev’d the relics of the Grecian band.

  (The plain beside with mangled corps was spread,

  And all his progress mark’d by heaps of dead.)

  There sat the mournful kings: when Neleus’ son,

  The Council opening, in these words begun: 240

  ‘Is there’(said he) ‘a Chief so greatly brave,

  His life to hazard, and his country save?

  Lives there a man, who singly dares to go

  To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?

  Or, favour’d by night, approach so near, 245

  Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?

  If to besiege our navies they prepare,

  Or Troy once more must be the seat of war?

  This could he learn and to our peers recite,

  And pass unharm’d the dangers of the night: 250

  What fame were his thro’ all succeeding days,

  While Phœbus shines, or men have tongues to praise!

  What gifts his grateful country would bestow!

  What must not Greece to her deliv’rer owe!

  A sable ewe each leader should provide, 255

  With each a sable lambkin by her side;

  At ev’ry rite his share should be increas’d,

  And his the foremost honours of the feast.’

  Fear held them mute: alone, untaught to fear,

  Tydides spoke: ‘The man you seek is here. 260

  Thro’ yon black camps to bend my dangerous way,

  Some God within commands, and I obey.

  But let some other chosen warrior join,

  To raise my hopes and second my design.

  By mutual confidence and mutual aid, 265

  Great deeds are done, and great discov’ries made;

  The wise new prudence from the wise acquire,

  And one brave hero fans another’s fire.’

  Contending leaders at the word arose;

  Each gen’rous breast with emulation glows: 270

  So brave a task each Ajax strove to share,

  Bold Merion strove, and Nestor’s valiant heir;

  The Spartan wish’d the second place to gain,

  And great Ulysses wish’d, nor wish’d in vain.

  Then this the King of Men the contest ends: 275

  ‘Thou first of warriors, and thou best of friends,

  Undaunted Diomed! what Chief to join

  In this great enterprise, is only thine.

  Just be thy choice, without affection made,

  To birth or office no respect be paid; 280

  Let worth determine here.’ The Monarch spake,

  And inly trembled for his brother’s sake.

  Then thus (the godlike Diomed rejoin’d):

  ‘My choice declares the impulse of my mind.

  How can I doubt, while great Ulysses stands 285

  To lend his counsels, and assist our hands?

  A Chief, whose safety is Minerva’s care:

  So famed, so dreadful in the works of war:

  Bless’d in his conduct, I no aid require,

  Wisdom like his might pass thro’ flames of fire.’ 290

  ‘It fits thee not, before these Chiefs of fame’

  (Replied the Sage), ‘to praise me, or to blame:

  Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,

  Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

  But let us haste. Night rolls the hours away, 295

  The redd’ning Orient shows the coming day,

  The stars shine fainter on th’ ethereal plains,

  And of Night’s empire but a third remains.’

  Thus having spoke, with gen’rous ardour press’d,

  In arms terrific their huge limbs they dress’d. 300

  A two-edged falchion Thrasymed the brave,

  And ample buckler, to Tydides gave:

  Then in a leathern helm he cased his head,

  Short of its crest, and with no plume o’erspread:

  (Such as by youths, unused to arms, are worn; 305

  No spoils enrich it, and no studs adorn.)

  Next him Ulysses took a shining sword,

  A bow and quiver, with bright arrows stor’d:

  A well-prov’d casque, with leather braces bound

  (Thy gift, Meriones),his temple crown’d: 310

  Soft wool within; without, in order spread,

  A boar’s white teeth grinn’d horrid o’er his head.

  This from Amyntor, rich Ormenus’son,

  Autolycus by fraudful rapine won,

  And gave Amphidamas; from him the prize 315

  Molus receiv’d, the pledge of social ties;

  The helmet next by Merion was possess’d,

  And now Ulysses’ thoughtful temples press’d.

  Thus sheath’d in arms, the council they forsake,

  And dark thro’ paths oblique their progress take. 320

  Just then, in sign she favour’d their intent,

  A long-wing’d heron great Minerva sent:

  This, tho’ surrounding shades obscured their view,

  By the shrill clang and whistling wings they knew.

  As from the right she soar’d, Ulysses pray’d, 325

  Hail’d the glad omen, and address’d the Maid:

  ‘O Daughter of that God, whose arm can wield

  Th’ avenging bolt, and shake the dreadful shield!

  O thou! for ever present in my way,

  Who all my motions, all my toils, survey! 330

  Safe may we pass beneath the gloomy shade,

  Safe by thy succour to our ships convey’d;

  And let some deed this signal night adorn,

  To claim the tears of Trojans yet unborn.’

  Then godlike Diomed preferr’d his prayer: 335

  ‘Daughter of Jove, unconquer’d Pallas! hear,

  Great Queen of Arms, whose favour Tydeus won,

  As thou defend’st the sire, defend the son.

  When on Æsopus’ banks the banded powers

  Of Greece he left, and sought the Theban towers, 340

  Peace was his charge; receiv’d with peaceful show,

  He went a legate, but return’d a foe:

  Then help’d by thee, and cover’d by thy shield,

  He fought with numbers, and made numbers yield.

  So now be present, O celestial Maid! 345

  So still continue to the race thine aid!

  A youthful steer shall fall beneath the stroke,

  Untamed, unconscious of the galling yoke,

  With ample forehead, and with spreading horns,

  Whose taper tops refulgent gold adorns.’ 350

  The heroes pray’d, and Pallas, from the skies,

  Accords their vow, succeeds their enterprise.

  Now like two lions panting for the prey,

  With deathful thoughts they trace the dreary way,

  Thro’ the black horrors of th’ ensanguin’d plain, 355

  Thro’ dust, thro’ blood, o’er arms, and hills of slain.

  Nor less bold Hector, and the sons of Troy,

  On high designs the wakeful hours employ;

  Th’ assembled peers their lofty Chief enclosed;

  Who thus the counsels of his breast proposed: 360

  ‘What glorious man, for high attempts prepared,

  Dares greatly venture for a rich reward?

  Of yonder fleet a bold discov’ry make,

  What watch they keep, and what resolves they take?

  If now, subdued, they meditate their flight, 365

&nbs
p; And, spent with toil, neglect the watch of night?

  His be the chariot that shall please him most,

  Of all the plunder of the vanquish’d host;

  His the fair steeds that all the rest excel,

  And his the glory to have serv’d so well.’ 370

  A youth there was among the tribes of Troy,

  Dolon his name, Eumedes’ only boy,

  (Five girls beside the rev’rend Herald told):

  Rich was the son in brass, and rich in gold:

  Not bless’d by Nature with the charms of face, 375

  But swift of foot, and matchless in the race.

  ‘Hector!’ (he said) ‘my courage bids me meet

  This high achievement, and explore the fleet:

  But first exalt thy sceptre to the skies,

  And swear to grant me the demanded prize; 380

  Th’ immortal coursers, and the glitt’ring car

  That bear Pelides thro’ the ranks of war.

  Encouraged thus, no idle scout I go,

  Fulfil thy wish, their whole intention know,

  Ev’n to the royal tent pursue my way, 385

  And all their councils, all their aims, betray.’

  The Chief then heav’d the golden sceptre high,

  Attesting thus the Monarch of the Sky:

  ‘Be witness, thou!’ immortal Lord of All!

  Whose thunder shakes the dark aërial hall: 390

  By none but Dolon shall this prize be borne,

  And him alone th’ immortal steeds adorn.’

  Thus Hector swore: the Gods were call’d in vain;

  But the rash youth prepares to scour the plain:

  Across his back the bended bow he flung, 395

  A wolf’s grey hide around his shoulders hung,

  A ferret’s downy fur his helmet lined,

  And in his hand a pointed jav’lin shined.

  Then (never to return) he sought the shore,

  And trod the path his feet must tread no more. 400

  Scarce had he pass’d the steeds and Trojan throng,

  (Still bending forward as he cours’d along),

  When, on the hollow way, th’ approaching tread

  Ulysses mark’d, and thus to Diomed:

  ‘O friend! I hear some step of hostile feet, 405

  Moving this way, or hast’ning to the fleet;

  Some spy, perhaps, to lurk beside the main;

  Or nightly pillager that strips the slain.

  Yet let him pass, and win a little space;

  Then rush behind him, and prevent his pace. 410

  But if, too swift of foot, he flies before,

  Confine his course along the fleet and shore,

  Betwixt the camp and him our spears employ,

  And intercept his hoped return to Troy.’

  With that they stepp’d aside, and stoop’d their head 415

  (As Dolon pass’d), behind a heap of dead:

  Along the path the spy unwary flew:

  Soft, at just distance, both the Chiefs pursue.

  So distant they, and such the space between,

  As when two teams of mules divide the green 420

  (To whom the hind like shares of land allows),

  When now new furrows part th’ approaching ploughs.

  Now Dolon list’ning heard them as they pass’d;

  Hector (he thought) had sent, and check’d his haste:

  Till scarce at distance of a jav’lin’s throw, 425

  No voice succeeding, he perceiv’d the foe.

  As when two skilful hounds the lev’ret wind,

  Or chase thro’ woods obscure the trembling hind,

  Now lost, now seen, they intercept his way,

  And from the herd still turn the flying prey: 430

  So fast, and with such fears, the Trojan flew;

  So close, so constant, the bold Greeks pursue.

  Now almost on the fleet the dastard falls,

  And mingles with the guards that watch the walls:

  When brave Tydides stopp’d: a gen’rous thought 435

  (Inspired by Pallas) in his bosom wrought,

  Lest on the foe some forward Greek advance,

  And snatch the glory from his lifted lance.

  Then thus aloud: ‘Whoe’er thou art, remain;

  This jav’lin else shall fix thee to the plain.’ 440

  He said, and high in air the weapon cast,

  Which wilful err’d, and o’er his shoulder pass’d:

  Then fix’d in earth. Against the trembling wood

  The wretch stood propp’d, and quiver’d as he stood;

  A sudden palsy seiz’d his turning head; 445

  His loose teeth chatter’d, and his colour fled:

  The panting warriors seize him, as he stands,

  And, with unmanly tears, his life demands:

  ‘O spare my youth, and, for the breath I owe,

  Large gifts of price my father shall bestow: 450

  Vast heaps of brass shall in your ships be told,

  And steel well-temper’d, and refulgent gold.’

  To whom Ulysses made this wise reply:

  ‘Whoe’er thou art, be bold, nor fear to die.

  What moves thee, say, when sleep has closed the sight, 455

  To roam the silent fields in dead of night?

  Camest thou the secrets of our camp to find,

  By Hector prompted, or thy daring mind?

  Or art some wretch by hopes of plunder led

  Thro’ heaps of carnage to despoil the dead?’ 460

  Then thus pale Dolon with a fearful look

  (Still as he spoke his limbs with horror shook):

  ‘Hither I came, by Hector’s words deceiv’d:

  Much did he promise, rashly I believ’d:

  No less a bribe than great Achilles’ car, 465

  And those swift steeds that sweep the ranks of war,

  Urged me, unwilling, this attempt to make;

  To learn what counsels, what resolves, you take:

  If now, subdued, you fix your hopes on flight,

  And, tired with toils, neglect the watch of night?’ 470

  ‘Bold was thy aim, and glorious was the prize’

  (Ulysses, with a scornful smile, replies):

  ‘Far other rulers those proud steeds demand,

  And scorn the guidance of a vulgar hand;

  Ev’n great Achilles scarce their rage can tame, 475

  Achilles sprung from an immortal dame.

  But say, be faithful, and the truth recite:

  Where lies encamp’d the Trojan Chief to-night?

  Where stand his coursers? in what quarter sleep

  Their other princes? tell what watch they keep. 480

  Say, since this conquest, what their counsels are;

  Or here to combat, from their city far,

  Or back to Ilion’s walls transfer the war?’

  Ulysses thus, and thus Eumedes’ son:

  ‘What Dolon knows, his faithful tongue shall own. 485

  Hector, the peers assembling in his tent,

  A council holds at Ilus’ monument.

  No certain guards the nightly watch partake:

  Where’er yon fires ascend, the Trojans wake:

  Anxious for Troy, the guard the natives keep: 490

  Safe in their cares, th’ auxiliar forces sleep,

  Whose wives and infants, from the danger far,

  Discharge their souls of half the fears of war.’

  ‘Then sleep these aids among the Trojan train,’

  (Inquired the Chief), ‘or scatter’d o’er the plain?’ 495

  To whom the spy: ‘Their powers they thus dispose;

  The Pæons, dreadful with their bended bows,

  The Carians, Caucons, the Pelasgian host,

  And Leleges, encamp along the coast.

  Not distant far, lie higher on the land 500

  The Lycian, Mysian, and Mæonian band,

  And Phrygia’s horse, by
Thymbra’s ancient wall;

  The Thracians utmost, and apart from all.

  These Troy but lately to her succour won,

  Led on by Rhesus, great Eioneus’ son: 505

  I saw his coursers in proud triumph go,

  Swift as the wind, and white as winter snow:

  Rich silver plates his shining car infold;

  His solid arms, refulgent, flame with gold;

  No mortal shoulders suit the glorious load, 510

  Celestial panoply, to grace a God!

  Let me, unhappy, to your fleet be borne,

  Or leave me here, a captive’s fate to mourn,

  In cruel chains; till your return reveal

  The truth or falsehood of the news I tell.’ 515

  To this Tydides, with a gloomy frown:

  ‘Think not to live, tho’ all the truth be shewn;

  Shall we dismiss thee, in some future strife

  To risk more bravely thy now forfeit life?

  Or that again our camps thou may’st explore? 520

  No — once a traitor, thou betray’st no more.’

  Sternly he spoke, and, as the wretch prepared

  With humble blandishment to stroke his beard,

  Like lightning swift the wrathful falchion flew,

  Divides the neck, and cuts the nerves in two; 525

  One instant snatch’d his trembling soul to Hell,

  The head, yet speaking, mutter’d as it fell.

  The furry helmet from his brow they tear,

  The wolf’s grey hide, th’ unbended bow and spear;

  These great Ulysses lifting to the skies, 530

  To fav’ring Pallas dedicates the prize:

  ‘Great Queen of Arms! receive this hostile spoil,

  And let the Thracian steeds reward our toil:

  Thee first of all the heav’nly host we praise;

  O speed our labours, and direct our ways!’ 535

  This said, the spoils, with dropping gore defaced,

  High on a spreading tamarisk he placed;

  Then heap’d with reeds and gather’d boughs the plain,

  To guide their footsteps to the place again.

  Thro’ the still night they cross the devious fields, 540

  Slipp’ry with blood, o’er arms and heaps of shields.

  Arriving where the Thracian squadrons lay,

  And eased in sleep the labours of the day.

  Ranged in three lines they view the prostrate band:

  The horses yoked beside each warrior stand; 545

  Their arms in order on the ground reclined,

  Thro’ the brown shade the fulgid weapons shined;

  Amidst, lay Rhesus, stretch’d in sleep profound,

  And the white steeds behind his chariot bound.

  The welcome sight Ulysses first descries, 550

  And points to Diomed the tempting prize:

  ‘The man, the coursers, and the car behold!