William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  Call’d from afar! now be ye men, my friends, 135

  Now summon all the fury of your might!

  I go to charge our senators and wives

  That they address the Gods with prayers and vows

  For our success, and hecatombs devote.

  So saying the Hero went, and as he strode 140

  The sable hide that lined his bossy shield

  Smote on his neck and on his ancle-bone.

  And now into the middle space between

  Both hosts, the son of Tydeus and the son

  Moved of Hippolochus, intent alike 145

  On furious combat; face to face they stood,

  And thus heroic Diomede began.

  Most noble Champion! who of human kind

  Art thou, whom in the man-ennobling fight

  I now encounter first? Past all thy peers 150

  146 I must esteem thee valiant, who hast dared

  To meet my coming, and my spear defy.

  Ah! they are sons of miserable sires

  Who dare my might; but if a God from heaven

  Thou come, behold! I fight not with the Gods. 155

  That war Lycurgus son of Dryas waged,

  And saw not many years. The nurses he

  Of brain-disturbing Bacchus down the steep

  Pursued of sacred Nyssa; they their wands

  Vine-wreathed cast all away, with an ox-goad 160

  Chastised by fell Lycurgus. Bacchus plunged

  Meantime dismay’d into the deep, where him

  Trembling, and at the Hero’s haughty threats

  Confounded, Thetis in her bosom hid.

  Thus by Lycurgus were the blessed powers 165

  Of heaven offended, and Saturnian Jove

  Of sight bereaved him, who not long that loss

  Survived, for he was curst by all above.

  I, therefore, wage no contest with the Gods;

  But if thou be of men, and feed on bread 170

  Of earthly growth, draw nigh, that with a stroke

  Well-aim’d, I may at once cut short thy days.

  To whom the illustrious Lycian Chief replied.

  Why asks brave Diomede of my descent?

  For, as the leaves, such is the race of man. 175

  147 The wind shakes down the leaves, the budding grove

  Soon teems with others, and in spring they grow.

  So pass mankind. One generation meets

  Its destined period, and a new succeeds.

  But since thou seem’st desirous to be taught 180

  My pedigree, whereof no few have heard,

  Know that in Argos, in the very lap

  Of Argos, for her steed-grazed meadows famed,

  Stands Ephyra; there Sisyphus abode,

  Shrewdest of human kind; Sisyphus, named 185

  Æolides. Himself a son begat,

  Glaucus, and he Bellerophon, to whom

  The Gods both manly force and beauty gave.

  Him Prœtus (for in Argos at that time

  Prœtus was sovereign, to whose sceptre Jove 190

  Had subjected the land) plotting his death,

  Contrived to banish from his native home.

  For fair Anteia, wife of Prœtus, mad

  Through love of young Bellerophon, him oft

  In secret to illicit joys enticed; 195

  But she prevail’d not o’er the virtuous mind

  Discrete of whom she wooed; therefore a lie

  Framing, she royal Prœtus thus bespake.

  Die thou, or slay Bellerophon, who sought

  Of late to force me to his lewd embrace. 200

  So saying, the anger of the King she roused.

  Slay him himself he would not, for his heart

  Forbad the deed; him therefore he dismiss’d

  To Lycia, charged with tales of dire import

  Written in tablets, which he bade him show, 205

  148 That he might perish, to Anteia’s sire.

  To Lycia then, conducted by the Gods,

  He went, and on the shores of Xanthus found

  Free entertainment noble at the hands

  Of Lycia’s potent King. Nine days complete 210

  He feasted him, and slew each day an ox.

  But when the tenth day’s ruddy morn appear’d,

  He asked him then his errand, and to see

  Those written tablets from his son-in-law.

  The letters seen, he bade him, first, destroy 215

  Chimæra, deem’d invincible, divine

  In nature, alien from the race of man,

  Lion in front, but dragon all behind,

  And in the midst a she-goat breathing forth

  Profuse the violence of flaming fire. 220

  Her, confident in signs from heaven, he slew.

  Next, with the men of Solymæ he fought,

  Brave warriors far renown’d, with whom he waged,

  In his account, the fiercest of his wars.

  And lastly, when in battle he had slain 225

  The man-resisting Amazons, the king

  Another stratagem at his return

  Devised against him, placing close-conceal’d

  An ambush for him from the bravest chosen

  In Lycia; but they saw their homes no more; 230

  Bellerophon the valiant slew them all.

  The monarch hence collecting, at the last,

  His heavenly origin, him there detain’d,

  And gave him his own daughter, with the half

  Of all his royal dignity and power. 235

  The Lycians also, for his proper use,

  Large lot assigned him of their richest soil,

  149 Commodious for the vine, or for the plow.

  And now his consort fair three children bore

  To bold Bellerophon; Isandrus one, 240

  And one, Hippolochus; his youngest born

  Laodamia was for beauty such

  That she became a concubine of Jove.

  She bore Sarpedon of heroic note.

  But when Bellerophon, at last, himself 245

  Had anger’d all the Gods, feeding on grief

  He roam’d alone the Aleian field, exiled,

  By choice, from every cheerful haunt of man.

  Mars, thirsty still for blood, his son destroy’d

  Isandrus, warring with the host renown’d 250

  Of Solymæ; and in her wrath divine

  Diana from her chariot golden-rein’d

  Laodamia slew. Myself I boast

  Sprung from Hippolochus; he sent me forth

  To fight for Troy, charging me much and oft 255

  That I should outstrip always all mankind

  In worth and valor, nor the house disgrace

  Of my forefathers, heroes without peer

  In Ephyra, and in Lycia’s wide domain.

  Such is my lineage; such the blood I boast. 260

  He ceased. Then valiant Diomede rejoiced.

  He pitch’d his spear, and to the Lycian Prince

  In terms of peace and amity replied.

  Thou art my own hereditary friend,

  Whose noble grandsire was the guest of mine. 265

  For Oeneus, on a time, full twenty days

  Regaled Bellerophon, and pledges fair

  Of hospitality they interchanged.

  150 Oeneus a belt radiant with purple gave

  To brave Bellerophon, who in return 270

  Gave him a golden goblet. Coming forth

  I left the kind memorial safe at home.

  A child was I when Tydeus went to Thebes,

  Where the Achaians perish’d, and of him

  Hold no remembrance; but henceforth, my friend, 275

  Thine host am I in Argos, and thou mine

  In Lycia, should I chance to sojourn there.

  We will not clash. Trojans or aids of Troy

  No few the Gods shall furnish to my spear,

  Whom I may slaughter; and no want of Greeks 280

  O
n whom to prove thy prowess, thou shalt find.

  But it were well that an exchange ensued

  Between us; take mine armor, give me thine,

  That all who notice us may understand

  Our patrimonial amity and love. 285

  So they, and each alighting, hand in hand

  Stood lock’d, faith promising and firm accord.

  Then Jove of sober judgment so bereft

  Infatuate Glaucus that with Tydeus’ son

  He barter’d gold for brass, an hundred beeves 290

  In value, for the value small of nine.

  But Hector at the Scæan gate and beech

  Meantime arrived, to whose approach the wives

  And daughters flock’d of Troy, inquiring each

  The fate of husband, brother, son, or friend. 295

  He bade them all with solemn prayer the Gods

  Seek fervent, for that wo was on the wing.

  But when he enter’d Priam’s palace, built

  With splendid porticoes, and which within

  Had fifty chambers lined with polish’d stone, 300

  Contiguous all, where Priam’s sons reposed

  And his sons’ wives, and where, on the other side.

  151 In twelve magnificent chambers also lined

  With polish’d marble and contiguous all,

  The sons-in-law of Priam lay beside 305

  His spotless daughters, there the mother queen

  Seeking the chamber of Laodice,

  Loveliest of all her children, as she went

  Met Hector. On his hand she hung and said:

  Why leavest thou, O my son! the dangerous field? 310

  I fear that the Achaians (hateful name!)

  Compass the walls so closely, that thou seek’st

  Urged by distress the citadel, to lift

  Thine hands in prayer to Jove? But pause awhile

  Till I shall bring thee wine, that having pour’d 315

  Libation rich to Jove and to the powers

  Immortal, thou may’st drink and be refresh’d.

  For wine is mighty to renew the strength

  Of weary man, and weary thou must be

  Thyself, thus long defending us and ours. 320

  To whom her son majestic thus replied.

  My mother, whom I reverence! cheering wine

  Bring none to me, lest I forget my might.

  I fear, beside, with unwash’d hands to pour

  Libation forth of sable wine to Jove, 325

  And dare on none account, thus blood-defiled,

  Approach the tempest-stirring God in prayer.

  Thou, therefore, gathering all our matrons, seek

  The fane of Pallas, huntress of the spoil,

  Bearing sweet incense; but from the attire 330

  Treasured within thy chamber, first select

  152 The amplest robe, most exquisitely wrought,

  And which thou prizest most — then spread the gift

  On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine.

  Twelve heifers also of the year, untouch’d 335

  With puncture of the goad, promise to slay

  In sacrifice, if she will pity Troy,

  Our wives and little ones, and will avert

  The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,

  That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host. 340

  Go then, my mother, seek the hallowed fane

  Of the spoil-huntress Deity. I, the while,

  Seek Paris, and if Paris yet can hear,

  Shall call him forth. But oh that earth would yawn

  And swallow him, whom Jove hath made a curse 345

  To Troy, to Priam, and to all his house;

  Methinks, to see him plunged into the shades

  For ever, were a cure for all my woes.

  He ceased; the Queen, her palace entering, charged

  Her maidens; they, incontinent, throughout 350

  All Troy convened the matrons, as she bade.

  Meantime into her wardrobe incense-fumed,

  Herself descended; there her treasures lay,

  Works of Sidonian women, whom her son

  The godlike Paris, when he cross’d the seas 355

  With Jove-begotten Helen, brought to Troy.

  The most magnificent, and varied most

  With colors radiant, from the rest she chose

  For Pallas; vivid as a star it shone,

  And lowest lay of all. Then forth she went, 360

  The Trojan matrons all following her steps.

  But when the long procession reach’d the fane

  Of Pallas in the heights of Troy, to them

  The fair Theano ope’d the portals wide,

  Daughter of Cisseus, brave Antenor’s spouse, 365

  153 And by appointment public, at that time,

  Priestess of Pallas. All with lifted hands

  In presence of Minerva wept aloud.

  Beauteous Theano on the Goddess’ lap

  Then spread the robe, and to the daughter fair 370

  Of Jove omnipotent her suit address’d.

  Goddess of Goddesses, our city’s shield,

  Adored Minerva, hear! oh! break the lance

  Of Diomede, and give himself to fall

  Prone in the dust before the Scæan gate. 375

  So will we offer to thee at thy shrine,

  This day twelve heifers of the year, untouch’d

  By yoke or goad, if thou wilt pity show

  To Troy, and save our children and our wives.

  Such prayer the priestess offer’d, and such prayer 380

  All present; whom Minerva heard averse.

  But Hector to the palace sped meantime

  Of Alexander, which himself had built,

  Aided by every architect of name

  Illustrious then in Troy. Chamber it had, 385

  Wide hall, proud dome, and on the heights of Troy

  Near-neighboring Hector’s house and Priam’s stood.

  There enter’d Hector, Jove-beloved, a spear

  Its length eleven cubits in his hand,

  Its glittering head bound with a ring of gold. 390

  He found within his chamber whom he sought,

  Polishing with exactest care his arms

  Resplendent, shield and hauberk fingering o’er

  With curious touch, and tampering with his bow.

  Helen of Argos with her female train 395

  Sat occupied, the while, to each in turn

  Some splendid task assigning. Hector fix’d

  His eyes on Paris, and him stern rebuked.

  Thy sullen humors, Paris, are ill-timed.

  154 The people perish at our lofty walls; 400

  The flames of war have compass’d Troy around

  And thou hast kindled them; who yet thyself

  That slackness show’st which in another seen

  Thou would’st resent to death. Haste, seek the field

  This moment, lest, the next, all Ilium blaze. 405

  To whom thus Paris, graceful as a God.

  Since, Hector, thou hast charged me with a fault,

  And not unjustly, I will answer make,

  And give thou special heed. That here I sit,

  The cause is sorrow, which I wish’d to soothe 410

  In secret, not displeasure or revenge.

  I tell thee also, that even now my wife

  Was urgent with me in most soothing terms

  That I would forth to battle; and myself,

  Aware that victory oft changes sides, 415

  That course prefer. Wait, therefore, thou awhile,

  ‘Till I shall dress me for the fight, or go

  Thou first, and I will overtake thee soon.

  He ceased, to whom brave Hector answer none

  Return’d, when Helen him with lenient speech 420

  Accosted mild. My brother! who in me

  Hast found a sister worthy of thy hate,

  Authoress of all calamity to Tro
y,

  Oh that the winds, the day when I was born,

  Had swept me out of sight, whirl’d me aloft 425

  To some inhospitable mountain-top,

  Or plunged me in the deep; there I had sunk

  O’erwhelm’d, and all these ills had never been.

  But since the Gods would bring these ills to pass,

  I should, at least, some worthier mate have chosen, 430

  One not insensible to public shame.

  But this, oh this, nor hath nor will acquire

  Hereafter, aught which like discretion shows

  Or reason, and shall find his just reward.

  But enter; take this seat; for who as thou 435

  Labors, or who hath cause like thee to rue

  155 The crime, my brother, for which Heaven hath doom’d

  Both Paris and my most detested self

  To be the burthens of an endless song?

  To whom the warlike Hector huge replied. 440

  Me bid not, Helen, to a seat, howe’er

  Thou wish my stay, for thou must not prevail.

  The Trojans miss me, and myself no less

  Am anxious to return. But urge in haste

  This loiterer forth; yea, let him urge himself 445

  To overtake me ere I quit the town.

  For I must home in haste, that I may see

  My loved Andromache, my infant boy,

  And my domestics, ignorant if e’er

  I shall behold them more, or if my fate 450

  Ordain me now to fall by Grecian hands.

  So spake the dauntless hero, and withdrew.

  But reaching soon his own well-built abode

  He found not fair Andromache; she stood

  Lamenting Hector, with the nurse who bore 455

  Her infant, on a turret’s top sublime.

  He then, not finding his chaste spouse within,

  Thus from the portal, of her train inquired.

  Tell me, ye maidens, whither went from home

  Andromache the fair? Went she to see 460

  Her female kindred of my father’s house,

  Or to Minerva’s temple, where convened

  The bright-hair’d matrons of the city seek

  To soothe the awful Goddess? Tell me true.

  To whom his household’s governess discreet. 465

  Since, Hector, truth is thy demand, receive

  True answer. Neither went she forth to see

  156 Her female kindred of thy father’s house,

  Nor to Minerva’s temple, where convened

  The bright-haired matrons of the city seek 470