William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

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William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works Page 95

by William Cowper


  Work of the armorer, its force repress’d. 220

  Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men.

  So be it brother! but the hand of one

  Skilful to heal shall visit and shall dress

  The wound with drugs of pain-assuaging power.

  He ended, and his noble herald, next, 225

  Bespake, Talthybius. Haste, call hither quick

  The son of Æsculapius, leech renown’d,

  The prince Machaon. Bid him fly to attend

  The warlike Chieftain Menelaus; him

  Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy, 230

  A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft

  To his own glory, and to our distress.

  He spake, nor him the herald disobey’d,

  But through the Greeks bright-arm’d his course began

  The Hero seeking earnest on all sides 235

  Machaon. Him, ere long, he station’d saw

  Amid the shielded-ranks of his brave band

  From steed-famed Tricca drawn, and at his side

  With accents ardor-wing’d, him thus address’d.

  Haste, Asclepiades! The King of men 240

  Calls thee. Delay not. Thou must visit quick

  Brave Menelaus, Atreus’ son, for him

  Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy,

  A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft

  To his own glory, and to our distress. 245

  So saying, he roused Machaon, who his course

  Through the wide host began. Arriving soon

  Where wounded Menelaus stood, while all

  The bravest of Achaia’s host around

  The godlike hero press’d, he strove at once 250

  To draw the arrow from his cincture forth.

  093 But, drawing, bent the barbs. He therefore loosed

  His broider’d belt, his hauberk and his quilt,

  Work of the armorer, and laying bare

  His body where the bitter shaft had plow’d 255

  His flesh, he suck’d the wound, then spread it o’er

  With drugs of balmy power, given on a time

  For friendship’s sake by Chiron to his sire.

  While Menelaus thus the cares engross’d

  Of all those Chiefs, the shielded powers of Troy 260

  ‘Gan move toward them, and the Greeks again

  Put on their armor, mindful of the fight.

  Then hadst thou not great Agamemnon seen

  Slumbering, or trembling, or averse from war,

  But ardent to begin his glorious task. 265

  His steeds, and his bright chariot brass-inlaid

  He left; the snorting steeds Eurymedon,

  Offspring of Ptolemy Piraïdes

  Detain’d apart; for him he strict enjoin’d

  Attendance near, lest weariness of limbs 270

  Should seize him marshalling his numerous host.

  So forth he went, and through the files on foot

  Proceeding, where the warrior Greeks he saw

  Alert, he roused them by his words the more.

  Argives! abate no spark of all your fire. 275

  Jove will not prosper traitors. Them who first

  Transgress’d the truce the vultures shall devour,

  But we (their city taken) shall their wives

  Lead captive, and their children home to Greece.

  So cheer’d he them. But whom he saw supine, 280

  094 Or in the rugged work of war remiss,

  In terms of anger them he stern rebuked.

  Oh Greeks! The shame of Argos! Arrow-doom’d!

  Blush ye not? Wherefore stand ye thus aghast,

  Like fawns which wearied after scouring wide 285

  The champain, gaze and pant, and can no more?

  Senseless like them ye stand, nor seek the fight.

  Is it your purpose patient here to wait

  Till Troy invade your vessels on the shore

  Of the grey deep, that ye may trial make 290

  Of Jove, if he will prove, himself, your shield?

  Thus, in discharge of his high office, pass’d

  Atrides through the ranks, and now arrived

  Where, hardy Chief! Idomeneus in front

  Of his bold Cretans stood, stout as a boar 295

  The van he occupied, while in the rear

  Meriones harangued the most remote.

  Them so prepared the King of men beheld

  With joyful heart, and thus in courteous terms

  Instant the brave Idomeneus address’d. 300

  Thee fighting, feasting, howsoe’er employed,

  I most respect, Idomeneus, of all

  The well-horsed Danäi; for when the Chiefs

  Of Argos, banqueting, their beakers charge

  With rosy wine the honorable meed 305

  Of valor, thou alone of all the Greeks

  Drink’st not by measure. No — thy goblet stands

  Replenish’d still, and like myself thou know’st

  No rule or bound, save what thy choice prescribes.

  March. Seek the foe. Fight now as heretofore, 310

  To whom Idomeneus of Crete replied,

  Atrides! all the friendship and the love

  095 Which I have promised will I well perform.

  Go; animate the rest, Chief after Chief

  Of the Achaians, that the fight begin. 315

  For Troy has scatter’d to the winds all faith,

  All conscience; and for such her treachery foul

  Shall have large recompence of death and wo.

  He said, whom Agamemnon at his heart

  Exulting, pass’d, and in his progress came 320

  Where stood each Ajax; them he found prepared

  With all their cloud of infantry behind.

  As when the goat-herd on some rocky point

  Advanced, a cloud sees wafted o’er the deep

  By western gales, and rolling slow along, 325

  To him, who stands remote, pitch-black it seems,

  And comes with tempest charged; he at the sight

  Shuddering, his flock compels into a cave;

  So moved the gloomy phalanx, rough with spears,

  And dense with shields of youthful warriors bold, 330

  Close-following either Ajax to the fight.

  Them also, pleased, the King of men beheld,

  And in wing’d accents hail’d them as he pass’d.

  Brave leaders of the mail-clad host of Greece!

  I move not you to duty; ye yourselves 335

  Move others, and no lesson need from me.

  Jove, Pallas, and Apollo! were but all

  Courageous as yourselves, soon Priam’s towers

  Should totter, and his Ilium storm’d and sack’d

  By our victorious bands, stoop to the dust. 340

  He ceased, and still proceeding, next arrived

  Where stood the Pylian orator, his band

  Marshalling under all their leaders bold

  Alastor, Chromius, Pelagon the vast,

  Hæmon the prince, and Bias, martial Chief. 345

  Chariot and horse he station’d in the front;

  His numerous infantry, a strong reserve

  Right valiant, in the rear; the worst, and those

  In whom he trusted least, he drove between,

  That such through mere necessity might act. 350

  096 First to his charioteers he gave in charge

  Their duty; bade them rein their horses hard,

  Shunning confusion. Let no warrior, vain

  And overweening of his strength or skill,

  Start from his rank to dare the fight alone, 355

  Or fall behind it, weakening whom he leaves.

  And if, dismounted from his own, he climb

  Another’s chariot, let him not affect

  Perverse the reins, but let him stand, his spear

  Advancing firm, far better so employ’d. 360

  Such was the dis
cipline, in ancient times,

  Of our forefathers; by these rules they fought

  Successful, and laid many a city low.

  So counsell’d them the venerable Chief

  Long time expert in arms; him also saw 365

  King Agamemnon with delight, and said,

  Old Chief! ah how I wish, that thy firm heart

  Were but supported by as firm a knee!

  But time unhinges all. Oh that some youth

  Had thine old age, and thou wast young again! 370

  To whom the valiant Nestor thus replied.

  Atrides, I could also ardent wish

  That I were now robust as when I struck

  Brave Ereuthalion breathless to the ground!

  But never all their gifts the Gods confer 375

  On man at once; if then I had the force

  Of youth, I suffer now the effects of age.

  Yet ancient as I am, I will be seen

  Still mingling with the charioteers, still prompt

  To give them counsel; for to counsel youth 380

  097 Is the old warrior’s province. Let the green

  In years, my juniors, unimpaired by time,

  Push with the lance, for they have strength to boast.

  So he, whom Agamemnon joyful heard,

  And passing thence, the son of Peteos found 385

  Menestheus, foremost in equestrian fame,

  Among the brave Athenians; near to him

  Ulysses held his station, and at hand

  The Cephallenians stood, hardy and bold;

  For rumor none of the approaching fight 390

  Them yet had reach’d, so recent had the stir

  Arisen in either host; they, therefore, watch’d

  Till the example of some other band

  Marching, should prompt them to begin the fight,

  But Agamemnon, thus, the King of men 395

  Them seeing, sudden and severe reproved.

  Menestheus, son of Peteos prince renown’d,

  And thou, deviser of all evil wiles!

  Adept in artifice! why stand ye here

  Appall’d? why wait ye on this distant spot 400

  ‘Till others move? I might expect from you

  More readiness to meet the burning war,

  Whom foremost I invite of all to share

  The banquet, when the Princes feast with me.

  There ye are prompt; ye find it pleasant there 405

  To eat your savory food, and quaff your wine

  Delicious ‘till satiety ensue;

  But here you could be well content to stand

  Spectators only, while ten Grecian troops

  Should wage before you the wide-wasting war. 410

  To whom Ulysses, with resentful tone

  Dark-frowning, thus replied. What words are these

  Which have escaped thy lips; and for what cause,

  Atrides, hast thou call’d me slow to fight?

  When we of Greece shall in sharp contest clash 415

  With you steed-tamer Trojans, mark me then;

  Then thou shalt see (if the concerns of war

  So nearly touch thee, and thou so incline)

  098 The father of Telemachus, engaged

  Among the foremost Trojans. But thy speech 420

  Was light as is the wind, and rashly made.

  When him thus moved he saw, the monarch smiled

  Complacent, and in gentler terms replied.

  Laërtes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!

  Short reprimand and exhortation short 425

  Suffice for thee, nor did I purpose more.

  For I have known thee long, that thou art one

  Of kindest nature, and so much my friend

  That we have both one heart. Go therefore thou,

  Lead on, and if a word have fallen amiss, 430

  We will hereafter mend it, and may heaven

  Obliterate in thine heart its whole effect!

  He ceased, and ranging still along the line,

  The son of Tydeus, Diomede, perceived,

  Heroic Chief, by chariots all around 435

  Environ’d, and by steeds, at side of whom

  Stood Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus.

  Him also, Agamemnon, King of men,

  In accents of asperity reproved.

  Ah, son of Tydeus, Chief of dauntless heart 440

  And of equestrian fame! why standest thou

  Appall’d, and peering through the walks of war?

  So did not Tydeus. In the foremost fight

  His favorite station was, as they affirm

  Who witness’d his exploits; I never saw 445

  Or met him, but by popular report

  He was the bravest warrior of his day.

  Yet came he once, but not in hostile sort,

  To fair Mycenæ, by the godlike prince

  Attended, Polynices, at what time 450

  The host was called together, and the siege

  Was purposed of the sacred city Thebes.

  Earnest they sued for an auxiliar band,

  Which we had gladly granted, but that Jove

  By unpropitious tokens interfered. 455

  So forth they went, and on the reedy banks

  099 Arriving of Asopus, there thy sire

  By designation of the Greeks was sent

  Ambassador, and enter’d Thebes. He found

  In Eteocles’ palace numerous guests, 460

  The sons of Cadmus feasting, among whom,

  Although a solitary stranger, stood

  Thy father without fear, and challenged forth

  Their best to cope with him in manly games.

  Them Tydeus vanquish’d easily, such aid 465

  Pallas vouchsafed him. Then the spur-arm’d race

  Of Cadmus was incensed, and fifty youths

  In ambush close expected his return.

  Them, Lycophontes obstinate in fight,

  Son of Autophonus, and Mæon, son 470

  Of Hæmon, Chief of godlike stature, led.

  Those also Tydeus slew; Mæon except,

  (Whom, warned from heaven, he spared, and sent him home

  With tidings of the rest) he slew them all.

  Such was Ætolian Tydeus; who begat 475

  A son in speech his better, not in arms.

  He ended, and his sovereign’s awful voice

  Tydides reverencing, nought replied;

  But thus the son of glorious Capaneus.

  Atrides, conscious of the truth, speak truth. 480

  We with our sires compared, superior praise

  Claim justly. We, confiding in the aid

  Of Jove, and in propitious signs from heaven,

  Led to the city consecrate to Mars

  Our little host, inferior far to theirs, 485

  And took seven-gated Thebes, under whose walls

  Our fathers by their own imprudence fell.

  Their glory, then, match never more with ours.

  He spake, whom with a frowning brow the brave

  Tydides answer’d. Sthenelus, my friend! 490

  100 I give thee counsel. Mark it. Hold thy peace.

  If Agamemnon, who hath charge of all,

  Excite his well-appointed host to war,

  He hath no blame from me. For should the Greeks

  (Her people vanquished) win imperial Troy, 495

  The glory shall be his; or, if his host

  O’erpower’d in battle perish, his the shame.

  Come, therefore; be it ours to rouse at once

  To action all the fury of our might.

  He said, and from his chariot to the plain 500

  Leap’d ardent; rang the armor on the breast

  Of the advancing Chief; the boldest heart

  Had felt emotion, startled at the sound.

  As when the waves by Zephyrus up-heaved

  Crowd fast toward some sounding shore, at first, 505

  On the broad bosom of the deep their heads<
br />
  They curl on high, then breaking on the land

  Thunder, and o’er the rocks that breast the flood

  Borne turgid, scatter far the showery spray;

  So moved the Greeks successive, rank by rank, 510

  And phalanx after phalanx, every Chief

  His loud command proclaiming, while the rest,

  As voice in all those thousands none had been

  Heard mute; and, in resplendent armor clad,

  With martial order terrible advanced. 515

  Not so the Trojans came. As sheep, the flock

  Of some rich man, by thousands in his court

  Penn’d close at milking time, incessant bleat,

  Loud answering all their bleating lambs without,

  Such din from Ilium’s wide-spread host arose. 520

  Nor was their shout, nor was their accent one,

  But mingled languages were heard of men

  From various climes. These Mars to battle roused,

  Those Pallas azure-eyed; nor Terror thence

  Nor Flight was absent, nor insatiate Strife, 525

  Sister and mate of homicidal Mars,

  Who small at first, but swift to grow, from earth

  Her towering crest lifts gradual to the skies.

  101 She, foe alike to both, the brands dispersed

  Of burning hate between them, and the woes 530

  Enhanced of battle wheresoe’er she pass’d.

  And now the battle join’d. Shield clash’d with shield

  And spear with spear, conflicting corselets rang,

  Boss’d bucklers met, and tumult wild arose.

  Then, many a yell was heard, and many a shout 535

  Loud intermix’d, the slayer o’er the maim’d

  Exulting, and the field was drench’d with blood.

  As when two winter torrents rolling down

  The mountains, shoot their floods through gulleys huge

  Into one gulf below, station’d remote 540

  The shepherd in the uplands hears the roar;

  Such was the thunder of the mingling hosts.

  And first, Antilochus a Trojan Chief

  Slew Echepolus, from Thalysias sprung,

  Contending valiant in the van of Troy. 545

  Him smiting on his crested casque, he drove

  The brazen lance into his front, and pierced

  The bones within; night overspread his eyes,

  And in fierce battle, like a tower, he fell.

 

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