Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds;
Apart from all, and seated on the point
Superior of the cloven mount, they found 895
The Thunderer. Juno the white-arm’d her steeds
There stay’d, and thus the Goddess, ere she pass’d,
Question’d the son of Saturn, Jove supreme.
Jove, Father, seest thou, and art not incensed,
These ravages of Mars? Oh what a field, 900
133 Drench’d with what Grecian blood! All rashly spilt,
And in despite of me. Venus, the while,
Sits, and the Archer of the silver bow
Delighted, and have urged, themselves, to this
The frantic Mars within no bounds confined 905
Of law or order. But, eternal sire!
Shall I offend thee chasing far away
Mars deeply smitten from the field of war?
To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.
Go! but exhort thou rather to the task 910
Spoil-huntress Athenæan Pallas, him
Accustom’d to chastise with pain severe.
He spake, nor white-arm’d Juno not obey’d.
She lash’d her steeds; they readily their flight
Began, the earth and starry vault between. 915
Far as from his high tower the watchman kens
O’er gloomy ocean, so far at one bound
Advance the shrill-voiced coursers of the Gods.
But when at Troy and at the confluent streams
Of Simoïs and Scamander they arrived, 920
There Juno, white-arm’d Goddess, from the yoke
Her steeds releasing, them in gather’d shades
Conceal’d opaque, while Simoïs caused to spring
Ambrosia from his bank, whereon they browsed.
Swift as her pinions waft the dove away 925
They sought the Grecians, ardent to begin:
Arriving where the mightiest and the most
Compass’d equestrian Diomede around,
In aspect lion-like, or like wild boars
Of matchless force, there white-arm’d Juno stood, 930
And in the form of Stentor for his voice
Of brass renown’d, audible as the roar
Of fifty throats, the Grecians thus harangued.
Oh shame, shame, shame! Argives in form alone,
Beautiful but dishonorable race! 935
While yet divine Achilles ranged the field,
No Trojan stepp’d from yon Dardanian gates
Abroad; all trembled at his stormy spear;
134 But now they venture forth, now at your ships
Defy you, from their city far remote. 940
She ceased, and all caught courage from the sound.
But Athenæan Pallas eager sought
The son of Tydeus; at his chariot side
She found the Chief cooling his fiery wound
Received from Pandarus; for him the sweat 945
Beneath the broad band of his oval shield
Exhausted, and his arm fail’d him fatigued;
He therefore raised the band and wiped the blood
Coagulate; when o’er his chariot yoke
Her arm the Goddess threw, and thus began. 950
Tydeus, in truth, begat a son himself
Not much resembling. Tydeus was of size
Diminutive, but had a warrior’s heart.
When him I once commanded to abstain
From furious fight (what time he enter’d Thebes 955
Ambassador, and the Cadmeans found
Feasting, himself the sole Achaian there)
And bade him quietly partake the feast.
He, fired with wonted ardor, challenged forth
To proof of manhood the Cadmean youth, 960
Whom easily, through my effectual aid,
In contests of each kind he overcame.
But thou, whom I encircle with my power,
Guard vigilant, and even bid thee forth
To combat with the Trojans, thou, thy limbs 965
Feel’st wearied with the toils of war, or worse,
Indulgest womanish and heartless fear.
Henceforth thou art not worthy to be deem’d
Son of Oenides, Tydeus famed in arms.
To whom thus valiant Diomede replied. 970
I know thee well, oh Goddess sprung from Jove!
And therefore willing shall, and plain, reply.
Me neither weariness nor heartless fear
Restrains, but thine injunctions which impress
My memory, still, that I should fear to oppose 975
The blessed Gods in fight, Venus except,
135 Whom in the battle found thou badest me pierce
With unrelenting spear; therefore myself
Retiring hither, I have hither call’d
The other Argives also, for I know 980
That Mars, himself in arms, controls the war.
Him answer’d then the Goddess azure-eyed.
Tydides! Diomede, my heart’s delight!
Fear not this Mars, nor fear thou other power
Immortal, but be confident in me. 985
Arise. Drive forth. Seek Mars; him only seek;
Him hand to hand engage; this fiery Mars
Respect not aught, base implement of wrong
And mischief, shifting still from side to side.
He promised Juno lately and myself 990
That he would fight for Greece, yet now forgets
His promise, and gives all his aid to Troy.
So saying, she backward by his hand withdrew
The son of Capaneus, who to the ground
Leap’d instant; she, impatient to his place 995
Ascending, sat beside brave Diomede.
Loud groan’d the beechen axle, under weight
Unwonted, for it bore into the fight
An awful Goddess, and the chief of men.
Quick-seizing lash and reins Minerva drove 1000
Direct at Mars. That moment he had slain
Periphas, bravest of Ætolia’s sons,
And huge of bulk; Ochesius was his sire.
Him Mars the slaughterer had of life bereft
Newly, and Pallas to elude his sight 1005
The helmet fixed of Ades on her head.
Soon as gore-tainted Mars the approach perceived
Of Diomede, he left the giant length
Of Periphas extended where he died,
And flew to cope with Tydeus’ valiant son. 1010
136 Full nigh they came, when Mars on fire to slay
The hero, foremost with his brazen lance
Assail’d him, hurling o’er his horses’ heads.
But Athenæan Pallas in her hand
The flying weapon caught and turn’d it wide, 1015
Baffling his aim. Then Diomede on him
Rush’d furious in his turn, and Pallas plunged
The bright spear deep into his cinctured waist
Dire was the wound, and plucking back the spear
She tore him. Bellow’d brazen-throated Mars 1020
Loud as nine thousand warriors, or as ten
Join’d in close combat. Grecians, Trojans shook
Appall’d alike at the tremendous voice
Of Mars insatiable with deeds of blood.
Such as the dimness is when summer winds 1025
Breathe hot, and sultry mist obscures the sky,
Such brazen Mars to Diomede appear’d
By clouds accompanied in his ascent
Into the boundless ether. Reaching soon
The Olympian heights, seat of the Gods, he sat 1030
Beside Saturnian Jove; wo fill’d his heart;
He show’d fast-streaming from the wound his blood
Immortal, and impatient thus complain’d.
Jove, Father! Seest thou these outrageous acts
Unmoved with anger? Such are day by day 1035
The dreadful mischiefs by the Gods contrived
Against each other, for the sake of man.
Thou art thyself the cause. Thou hast produced
A foolish daughter petulant, addict
To evil only and injurious deeds; 1040
There is not in Olympus, save herself,
Who feels not thy control; but she her will
Gratifies ever, and reproof from thee
Finds none, because, pernicious as she is,
She is thy daughter. She hath now the mind 1045
Of haughty Diomede with madness fill’d
Against the immortal Gods; first Venus bled;
Her hand he pierced impetuous, then assail’d,
137 As if himself immortal, even me,
But me my feet stole thence, or overwhelm’d 1050
Beneath yon heaps of carcases impure,
What had I not sustain’d? And if at last
I lived, had halted crippled by the sword.
To whom with dark displeasure Jove replied.
Base and side-shifting traitor! vex not me 1055
Here sitting querulous; of all who dwell
On the Olympian heights, thee most I hate
Contentious, whose delight is war alone.
Thou hast thy mother’s moods, the very spleen
Of Juno, uncontrolable as she. 1060
Whom even I, reprove her as I may,
Scarce rule by mere commands; I therefore judge
Thy sufferings a contrivance all her own.
But soft. Thou art my son whom I begat.
And Juno bare thee. I can not endure 1065
That thou shouldst suffer long. Hadst thou been born
Of other parents thus detestable,
What Deity soe’er had brought thee forth,
Thou shouldst have found long since a humbler sphere.
He ceased, and to the care his son consign’d 1070
Of Pæon; he with drugs of lenient powers,
Soon heal’d whom immortality secured
From dissolution. As the juice from figs
Express’d what fluid was in milk before
Coagulates, stirr’d rapidly around, 1075
So soon was Mars by Pæon skill restored.
Him Hebe bathed, and with divine attire
Graceful adorn’d; when at the side of Jove
Again his glorious seat sublime he took.
Meantime to the abode of Jove supreme 1080
Ascended Juno throughout Argos known
And mighty Pallas; Mars the plague of man,
By their successful force from slaughter driven.
ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK.
The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector by the advice of Helenus enters Troy, and recommends it to Hecuba to go in solemn procession to the temple of Minerva; she with the matrons goes accordingly. Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris, and exhorts him to return to the field of battle. An interview succeeds between Hector and Andromache, and Paris, having armed himself in the mean time, comes up with Hector at the close of it, when they sally from the gate together.
BOOK VI.
Thus was the field forsaken by the Gods.
And now success proved various; here the Greeks
With their extended spears, the Trojans there
Prevail’d alternate, on the champain spread
The Xanthus and the Simoïs between. 5
First Telamonian Ajax, bulwark firm
Of the Achaians, broke the Trojan ranks,
And kindled for the Greeks a gleam of hope,
Slaying the bravest of the Thracian band,
Huge Acamas, Eusorus’ son; him first 10
Full on the shaggy crest he smote, and urged
The spear into his forehead; through his skull
The bright point pass’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes.
But Diomede, heroic Chief, the son
Of Teuthras slew, Axylus. Rich was he, 15
And in Arisba (where he dwelt beside
142 The public road, and at his open door
Made welcome all) respected and beloved.
But of his numerous guests none interposed
To avert his woful doom; nor him alone 20
He slew, but with him also to the shades
Calesius sent, his friend and charioteer.
Opheltius fell and Dresus, by the hand
Slain of Euryalus, who, next, his arms
On Pedasus and on Æsepus turned 25
Brethren and twins. Them Abarbarea bore,
A Naiad, to Bucolion, son renown’d
Of King Laomedon, his eldest born,
But by his mother, at his birth, conceal’d.
Bucolion pasturing his flocks, embraced 30
The lovely nymph; she twins produced, both whom,
Brave as they were and beautiful, thy son
Mecisteus! slew, and from their shoulders tore
Their armor. Dauntless Polypœtes slew
Astyalus. Ulysses with his spear 35
Transfixed Pydites, a Percosian Chief,
And Teucer Aretaön; Nestor’s pride
Antilochus, with his bright lance, of life
Bereft Ablerus, and the royal arm
Of Agamemnon, Elatus; he dwelt 40
Among the hills of lofty Pedasus,
On Satnio’s banks, smooth-sliding river pure
Phylacus fled, whom Leïtus as swift
Soon smote. Melanthius at the feet expired
Of the renown’d Eurypylus, and, flush’d 45
With martial ardor, Menelaus seized
And took alive Adrastus. As it chanced
A thicket his affrighted steeds detain’d
Their feet entangling; they with restive force
At its extremity snapp’d short the pole, 50
And to the city, whither others fled,
Fled also. From his chariot headlong hurl’d,
Adrastus press’d the plain fast by his wheel.
143 Flew Menelaus, and his quivering spear
Shook over him; he, life imploring, clasp’d 55
Importunate his knees, and thus exclaim’d.
Oh, son of Atreus, let me live! accept
Illustrious ransom! In my father’s house
Is wealth abundant, gold, and brass, and steel
Of truest temper, which he will impart 60
Till he have gratified thine utmost wish,
Inform’d that I am captive in your fleet.
He said, and Menelaus by his words
Vanquish’d, him soon had to the fleet dismiss’d
Given to his train in charge, but swift and stern 65
Approaching, Agamemnon interposed.
Now, brother, whence this milkiness of mind,
These scruples about blood? Thy Trojan friends
Have doubtless much obliged thee. Die the race!
May none escape us! neither he who flies, 70
Nor even the infant in his mother’s womb
Unconscious. Perish universal Troy
Unpitied, till her place be found no more!
So saying, his brother’s mind the Hero turn’d,
Advising him aright; he with his hand 75
Thrust back Adrastus, and himself, the King,
His bowels pierced. Supine Adrastus fell,
And Agamemnon, with his foot the corse
Impressing firm, pluck’d forth his ashen spear.
Then Nestor, raising high his voice, exclaim’d. 80
Friends, Heroes, Grecians, ministers of Mars!
Let none, desirous of the spoil, his time
Devote to plunder now; now slay your foes,
And strip them when the field shall be your own.
144 He said, and all took courage at his word. 85
Then had the Trojans enter’d Troy again
By the heroic Grecians foul repulsed,
So was their spirit daunted, but the son
Of Priam, Helenus, an augur far
Excelling all, at Hector’s side his speech 90
To him and to Æneas thus address’d.
Hector, and thou, Æneas, since on you
The Lycians chiefly and ourselves depend,
For that in difficult emprize ye show
Most courage; give best counsel; stand yourselves, 95
And, visiting all quarters, cause to stand
Before the city-gates our scatter’d troops,
Ere yet the fugitives within the arms
Be slaughter’d of their wives, the scorn of Greece.
When thus ye shall have rallied every band 100
And roused their courage, weary though we be,
Yet since necessity commands, even here
Will we give battle to the host of Greece.
But, Hector! to the city thou depart;
There charge our mother, that she go direct, 105
With the assembled matrons, to the fane
Of Pallas in the citadel of Troy.
Opening her chambers’ sacred doors, of all
Her treasured mantles there, let her select
The widest, most magnificently wrought, 110
And which she values most; that let her spread
On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine.
Twelve heifers of the year yet never touch’d
With puncture of the goad, let her alike
Devote to her, if she will pity Troy, 115
145 Our wives and little ones, and will avert
The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,
That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host,
Bravest, in my account, of all the Greeks.
For never yet Achilles hath himself 120
So taught our people fear, although esteemed
Son of a Goddess. But this warrior’s rage
Is boundless, and his strength past all compare.
So Helenus; nor Hector not complied.
Down from his chariot instant to the ground 125
All arm’d he leap’d, and, shaking his sharp spears,
Through every phalanx pass’d, rousing again
Their courage, and rekindling horrid war.
They, turning, faced the Greeks; the Greeks repulsed,
Ceased from all carnage, nor supposed they less 130
Than that some Deity, the starry skies
Forsaken, help’d their foes, so firm they stood.
But Hector to the Trojans call’d aloud.
Ye dauntless Trojans and confederate powers
William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works Page 99
