And oaths of amity shall bind the rest.
He ceased, and all deep silence held, amazed; 110
When valiant Menelaus thus began.
Hear now me also, on whose aching heart
These woes have heaviest fallen. At last I hope
Decision near, Trojans and Greeks between,
For ye have suffer’d in my quarrel much, 115
And much by Paris, author of the war.
Die he who must, and peace be to the rest.
But ye shall hither bring two lambs, one white,
069 The other black; this to the Earth devote,
That to the Sun. We shall ourselves supply 120
A third for Jove. Then bring ye Priam forth,
Himself to swear the covenant, (for his sons
Are faithless) lest the oath of Jove be scorn’d.
Young men are ever of unstable mind;
But when an elder interferes, he views 125
Future and past together, and insures
The compact, to both parties, uninfringed.
So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts
Awaken’d joyful hope that there should end
War’s long calamities. Alighted each, 130
And drew his steeds into the lines. The field
Glitter’d with arms put off, and side by side,
Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war
Stood front to front, small interval between.
Then Hector to the city sent in haste 135
Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite
Priam; while Agamemnon, royal Chief,
Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss’d
For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice
Of noble Agamemnon disobey’d. 140
Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while,
To Helen came. Laödice she seem’d,
Loveliest of all the daughters of the house
Of Priam, wedded to Antenor’s son,
King Helicäon. Her she found within, 145
An ample web magnificent she wove,
Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake
Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks
Mail-arm’d, and Trojans of equestrian fame.
070 Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address’d. 150
Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold!
Greeks brazen-mail’d, and Trojans steed-renown’d.
So lately on the cruel work of Mars
Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit
Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield 155
Each leans, his long spear planted at his side.
Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold,
With quivering lances shall contend for thee,
And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.
So saying, the Goddess into Helen’s soul 160
Sweetest desire infused to see again
Her former Lord, her parents, and her home.
At once o’ermantled with her snowy veil
She started forth, and as she went let fall
A tender tear; not unaccompanied 165
She went, but by two maidens of her train
Attended, Æthra, Pittheus’ daughter fair,
And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps
Convey’d them quickly to the Scæan gate.
There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat, 170
Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars,
Antenor and Ucalegon the wise,
All, elders of the people; warriors erst,
But idle now through age, yet of a voice
Still indefatigable as the fly’s 175
Which perch’d among the boughs sends forth at noon
Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet.
Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower,
Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw,
In accents quick, but whisper’d, thus remark’d. 180
Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse,
Long war for so much beauty. Oh, how like
In feature to the Goddesses above!
071 Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away,
Resistless as thou art and all divine, 185
Nor leave a curse to us, and to our sons.
So they among themselves; but Priam call’d
Fair Helen to his side. My daughter dear!
Come, sit beside me. Thou shalt hence discern
Thy former Lord, thy kindred and thy friends. 190
I charge no blame on thee. The Gods have caused,
Not thou, this lamentable war to Troy.
Name to me yon Achaian Chief for bulk
Conspicuous, and for port. Taller indeed
I may perceive than he; but with these eyes 195
Saw never yet such dignity, and grace.
Declare his name. Some royal Chief he seems.
To whom thus Helen, loveliest of her sex,
My other Sire! by me for ever held
In reverence, and with filial fear beloved! 200
Oh that some cruel death had been my choice,
Rather than to abandon, as I did,
All joys domestic, matrimonial bliss,
Brethren, dear daughter, and companions dear,
A wanderer with thy son. Yet I alas! 205
Died not, and therefore now, live but to weep.
But I resolve thee. Thou behold’st the son
072 Of Atreus, Agamemnon, mighty king,
In arms heroic, gracious in the throne,
And, (though it shame me now to call him such,) 210
By nuptial ties a brother once to me.
Then him the ancient King-admiring, said.
Oh blest Atrides, happy was thy birth,
And thy lot glorious, whom this gallant host
So numerous, of the sons of Greece obey! 215
To vine-famed Phrygia, in my days of youth,
I journey’d; many Phrygians there I saw,
Brave horsemen, and expert; they were the powers
Of Otreus and of Mygdon, godlike Chief,
And on the banks of Sangar’s stream encamp’d. 220
I march’d among them, chosen in that war
Ally of Phrygia, and it was her day
Of conflict with the man-defying race,
The Amazons; yet multitudes like these
Thy bright-eyed Greeks, I saw not even there. 225
The venerable King observing next
Ulysses, thus inquired. My child, declare
Him also. Shorter by the head he seems
Than Agamemnon, Atreus’ mighty son,
But shoulder’d broader, and of ampler chest; 230
He hath disposed his armor on the plain,
But like a ram, himself the warrior ranks
Ranges majestic; like a ram full-fleeced
By numerous sheep encompass’d snowy-white.
To whom Jove’s daughter Helen thus replied. 235
In him the son of old Laërtes know,
Ulysses; born in Ithaca the rude,
But of a piercing wit, and deeply wise.
Then answer thus, Antenor sage return’d.
Princess thou hast described him: hither once 240
The noble Ithacan, on thy behalf
Ambassador with Menelaus, came:
Beneath my roof, with hospitable fare
Friendly I entertained them. Seeing then
Occasion opportune, I closely mark’d 245
073 The genius and the talents of the Chiefs,
And this I noted well; that when they stood
Amid the assembled counsellors of Troy,
Then Menelaus his advantage show’d,
Who by the shoulders overtopp’d his friend. 250
But when both sat, Ulysses in his air
Had more of state and dignity than he.
In the delivery of a speech address’d
To the full senate, Menelaus used
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Few words, but to the matter, fitly ranged, 255
And with much sweetness utter’d; for in loose
And idle play of ostentatious terms
He dealt not, thhugh he were the younger man.
But when the wise Ulysses from his seat
Had once arisen, he would his downcast eyes 260
So rivet on the earth, and with a hand
That seem’d untutor’d in its use, so hold
His sceptre, swaying it to neither side,
That hadst thou seen him, thou hadst thought him, sure,
Some chafed and angry idiot, passion-fixt. 265
Yet, when at length, the clear and mellow base
Of his deep voice brake forth, and he let fall
His chosen words like flakes of feather’d snow,
None then might match Ulysses; leisure, then,
Found none to wonder at his noble form. 270
The third of whom the venerable king
Inquired, was Ajax. — Yon Achaian tall,
Whose head and shoulders tower above the rest,
And of such bulk prodigious — who is he?
Him answer’d Helen, loveliest of her sex. 275
A bulwark of the Greeks. In him thou seest
Gigantic Ajax. Opposite appear
The Cretans, and among the Chiefs of Crete
stands, like a God, Idomeneus. Him oft
From Crete arrived, was Menelaüs wont 280
To entertain; and others now I see,
Achaians, whom I could recall to mind,
And give to each his name; but two brave youths
074 I yet discern not; for equestrian skill
One famed, and one a boxer never foiled; 285
My brothers; born of Leda; sons of Jove;
Castor and Pollux. Either they abide
In lovely Sparta still, or if they came,
Decline the fight, by my disgrace abash’d
And the reproaches which have fallen on me. 290
She said; but they already slept inhumed
In Lacedemon, in their native soil.
And now the heralds, through the streets of Troy
Charged with the lambs, and with a goat-skin filled
With heart-exhilarating wine prepared 295
For that divine solemnity, return’d.
Idæus in his hand a beaker bore
Resplendent, with its fellow cups of gold,
And thus he summon’d ancient Priam forth.
Son of Laömedon, arise. The Chiefs 300
Call thee, the Chiefs of Ilium and of Greece.
Descend into the plain. We strike a truce,
And need thine oath to bind it. Paris fights
With warlike Menelaüs for his spouse;
Their spears decide the strife. The conqueror wins 305
Helen and all her treasures. We, thenceforth,
(Peace sworn and amity) shall dwell secure
In Troy, while they to Argos shall return
And to Achaia praised for women fair.
He spake, and Priam, shuddering, bade his train 310
Prepare his steeds; they sedulous obey’d.
First, Priam mounting, backward stretch’d the reins;
Antenor, next, beside him sat, and through
The Scæan gate they drove into the plain.
Arriving at the hosts of Greece and Troy 315
They left the chariot, and proceeded both
Into the interval between the hosts.
075 Then uprose Agamemnon, and uprose
All-wise Ulysses. Next, the heralds came
Conspicuous forward, expediting each 320
The ceremonial; they the beaker fill’d
With wine, and to the hands of all the kings
Minister’d water. Agamemnon then
Drawing his dagger which he ever bore
Appendant to his heavy falchion’s sheath, 325
Cut off the forelocks of the lambs, of which
The heralds gave to every Grecian Chief
A portion, and to all the Chiefs of Troy.
Then Agamemnon raised his hands, and pray’d.
Jove, Father, who from Ida stretchest forth 330
Thine arm omnipotent, o’erruling all,
And thou, all-seeing and all-hearing Sun,
Ye Rivers, and thou conscious Earth, and ye
Who under earth on human kind avenge
Severe, the guilt of violated oaths, 335
Hear ye, and ratify what now we swear!
Should Paris slay the hero amber-hair’d,
My brother Menelaüs, Helen’s wealth
And Helen’s self are his, and all our host
Shall home return to Greece; but should it chance 340
That Paris fall by Menelaüs’ hand,
Then Troy shall render back what she detains,
With such amercement as is meet, a sum
To be remember’d in all future times.
Which penalty should Priam and his sons 345
Not pay, though Paris fall, then here in arms
I will contend for payment of the mulct
My due, till, satisfied, I close the war.
He said, and with his ruthless steel the lambs
Stretch’d panting all, but soon they ceased to pant, 350
For mortal was the stroke. Then drawing forth
076 Wine from the beaker, they with brimming cups
Hail’d the immortal Gods, and pray’d again,
And many a Grecian thus and Trojan spake.
All-glorious Jove, and ye the powers of heaven, 355
Whoso shall violate this contract first,
So be the brains of them and of their sons
Pour’d out, as we this wine pour on the earth,
And may their wives bring forth to other men!
So they: but them Jove heard not. Then arose 360
Priam, the son of Dardanus, and said,
Hear me, ye Trojans and ye Greeks well-arm’d.
Hence back to wind-swept Ilium I return,
Unable to sustain the sight, my son
With warlike Menelaüs match’d in arms. 365
Jove knows, and the immortal Gods, to whom
Of both, this day is preordain’d the last.
So spake the godlike monarch, and disposed
Within the royal chariot all the lambs;
Then, mounting, check’d the reins; Antenor next 370
Ascended, and to Ilium both return’d.
First, Hector and Ulysses, noble Chief,
Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof
Who of the combatants should foremost hurl
His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque; 375
Meantime the people raised their hands on high,
And many a Grecian thus and Trojan prayed.
Jove, Father, who on Ida seated, seest
And rulest all below, glorious in power!
Of these two champions, to the drear abodes 380
Of Ades him appoint who furnish’d first
The cause of strife between them, and let peace
Oath-bound, and amity unite the rest!
So spake the hosts; then Hector shook the lots,
Majestic Chief, turning his face aside. 385
Forth sprang the lot of Paris. They in ranks
Sat all, where stood the fiery steeds of each,
And where his radiant arms lay on the field.
Illustrious Alexander his bright arms
077 Put on, fair Helen’s paramour. He clasp’d 390
His polish’d greaves with silver studs secured;
His brother’s corselet to his breast he bound,
Lycaon’s, apt to his own shape and size,
And slung athwart his shoulders, bright emboss’d,
His brazen sword; his massy buckler broad 395
He took, and to his graceful head his casque
Adjusted elegant, which, as he moved,
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bsp; Its bushy crest waved dreadful; last he seized,
Well fitted to his gripe, his ponderous spear.
Meantime the hero Menelaüs made 400
Like preparation, and his arms put on.
When thus, from all the multitude apart,
Both combatants had arm’d, with eyes that flash’d
Defiance, to the middle space they strode,
Trojans and Greeks between. Astonishment 405
Seized all beholders. On the measured ground
Full near they stood, each brandishing on high
His massy spear, and each was fiery wroth.
First, Alexander his long-shadow’d spear
Sent forth, and on his smooth shield’s surface struck 410
The son of Atreus, but the brazen guard
Pierced not, for at the disk, with blunted point
Reflex, his ineffectual weapon stay’d.
078 Then Menelaüs to the fight advanced
Impetuous, after prayer offer’d to Jove. 415
King over all! now grant me to avenge
My wrongs on Alexander; now subdue
The aggressor under me; that men unborn
May shudder at the thought of faith abused,
And hospitality with rape repaid. 420
He said, and brandishing his massy spear,
Dismiss’d it. Through the burnish’d buckler broad
Of Priam’s son the stormy weapon flew,
Transpierced his costly hauberk, and the vest
Ripp’d on his flank; but with a sideward bend 425
He baffled it, and baulk’d the dreadful death.
Then Menelaüs drawing his bright blade,
Swung it aloft, and on the hairy crest
Smote him; but shiver’d into fragments small
The falchion at the stroke fell from his hand. 430
Vexation fill’d him; to the spacious heavens
He look’d, and with a voice of wo exclaim’d —
Jupiter! of all powers by man adored
To me most adverse! Confident I hoped
Revenge for Paris’ treason, but my sword 435
Is shivered, and I sped my spear in vain.
So saying, he sprang on him, and his long crest
Seized fast; then, turning, drew him by that hold
Toward the Grecian host. The broider’d band
That underbraced his helmet at the chin, 440
Strain’d to his smooth neck with a ceaseless force,
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