William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  To soothe the awful Goddess; but she went

  Hence to the tower of Troy: for she had heard

  That the Achaians had prevail’d, and driven

  The Trojans to the walls; she, therefore, wild

  With grief, flew thither, and the nurse her steps 475

  Attended, with thy infant in her arms.

  So spake the prudent governess; whose words

  When Hector heard, issuing from his door

  He backward trod with hasty steps the streets

  Of lofty Troy, and having traversed all 480

  The spacious city, when he now approach’d

  The Scæan gate, whence he must seek the field,

  There, hasting home again his noble wife

  Met him, Andromache the rich-endow’d

  Fair daughter of Eëtion famed in arms. 485

  Eëtion, who in Hypoplacian Thebes

  Umbrageous dwelt, Cilicia’s mighty lord —

  His daughter valiant Hector had espoused.

  There she encounter’d him, and with herself

  The nurse came also, bearing in her arms 490

  Hectorides, his infant darling boy,

  Beautiful as a star. Him Hector called

  Scamandrios, but Astyanax all else

  In Ilium named him, for that Hector’s arm

  Alone was the defence and strength of Troy. 495

  The father, silent, eyed his babe, and smiled.

  Andromache, meantime, before him stood,

  With streaming cheeks, hung on his hand, and said.

  Thy own great courage will cut short thy days,

  My noble Hector! neither pitiest thou 500

  Thy helpless infant, or my hapless self,

  Whose widowhood is near; for thou wilt fall

  Ere long, assail’d by the whole host of Greece.

  Then let me to the tomb, my best retreat

  157 When thou art slain. For comfort none or joy 505

  Can I expect, thy day of life extinct,

  But thenceforth, sorrow. Father I have none;

  No mother. When Cilicia’s city, Thebes

  The populous, was by Achilles sack’d.

  He slew my father; yet his gorgeous arms 510

  Stripp’d not through reverence of him, but consumed,

  Arm’d as it was, his body on the pile,

  And heap’d his tomb, which the Oreades,

  Jove’s daughters, had with elms inclosed around.

  My seven brothers, glory of our house, 515

  All in one day descended to the shades;

  For brave Achilles, while they fed their herds

  And snowy flocks together, slew them all.

  My mother, Queen of the well-wooded realm

  Of Hypoplacian Thebes, her hither brought 520

  Among his other spoils, he loosed again

  At an inestimable ransom-price,

  But by Diana pierced, she died at home.

  Yet Hector — oh my husband! I in thee

  Find parents, brothers, all that I have lost. 525

  Come! have compassion on us. Go not hence,

  But guard this turret, lest of me thou make

  A widow, and an orphan of thy boy.

  The city walls are easiest of ascent

  At yonder fig-tree; station there thy powers; 530

  For whether by a prophet warn’d, or taught

  By search and observation, in that part

  Each Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete,

  The sons of Atreus, and the valiant son

  158 Of Tydeus, have now thrice assail’d the town. 535

  To whom the leader of the host of Troy.

  These cares, Andromache, which thee engage,

  All touch me also; but I dread to incur

  The scorn of male and female tongues in Troy,

  If, dastard-like, I should decline the fight. 540

  Nor feel I such a wish. No. I have learn’d

  To be courageous ever, in the van

  Among the flower of Ilium to assert

  My glorious father’s honor, and my own.

  For that the day shall come when sacred Troy, 545

  When Priam, and the people of the old

  Spear-practised King shall perish, well I know.

  But for no Trojan sorrows yet to come

  So much I mourn, not e’en for Hecuba,

  Nor yet for Priam, nor for all the brave 550

  Of my own brothers who shall kiss the dust,

  As for thyself, when some Achaian Chief

  Shall have convey’d thee weeping hence, thy sun

  Of peace and liberty for ever set.

  Then shalt thou toil in Argos at the loom 555

  For a task-mistress, and constrain’d shalt draw

  From Hypereïa’s fount, or from the fount

  Messeïs, water at her proud command.

  Some Grecian then, seeing thy tears, shall say —

  “This was the wife of Hector, who excell’d 560

  All Troy in fight when Ilium was besieged.”

  Such he shall speak thee, and thy heart, the while,

  Shall bleed afresh through want of such a friend

  To stand between captivity and thee.

  But may I rest beneath my hill of earth 565

  Or ere that day arrive! I would not live

  To hear thy cries, and see thee torn away.

  So saying, illustrious Hector stretch’d his arms

  Forth to his son, but with a scream, the child

  Fell back into the bosom of his nurse, 570

  His father’s aspect dreading, whose bright arms

  159 He had attentive mark’d and shaggy crest

  Playing tremendous o’er his helmet’s height.

  His father and his gentle mother laugh’d,

  And noble Hector lifting from his head 575

  His dazzling helmet, placed it on the ground,

  Then kiss’d his boy and dandled him, and thus

  In earnest prayer the heavenly powers implored.

  Hear all ye Gods! as ye have given to me,

  So also on my son excelling might 580

  Bestow, with chief authority in Troy.

  And be his record this, in time to come,

  When he returns from battle. Lo! how far

  The son excels the sire! May every foe

  Fall under him, and he come laden home 585

  With spoils blood-stain’d to his dear mother’s joy.

  He said, and gave his infant to the arms

  Of his Andromache, who him received

  Into her fragrant bosom, bitter tears

  With sweet smiles mingling; he with pity moved 590

  That sight observed, soft touch’d her cheek, and said,

  Mourn not, my loved Andromache, for me

  Too much; no man shall send me to the shades

  Of Tartarus, ere mine allotted hour,

  Nor lives he who can overpass the date 595

  By heaven assign’d him, be he base or brave.

  Go then, and occupy content at home

  The woman’s province; ply the distaff, spin

  And weave, and task thy maidens. War belongs

  To man; to all men; and of all who first 600

  Drew vital breath in Ilium, most to me.

  160 He ceased, and from the ground his helmet raised

  Hair-crested; his Andromache, at once

  Obedient, to her home repair’d, but oft

  Turn’d as she went, and, turning, wept afresh. 605

  No sooner at the palace she arrived

  Of havoc-spreading Hector, than among

  Her numerous maidens found within, she raised

  A general lamentation; with one voice,

  In his own house, his whole domestic train 610

  Mourn’d Hector, yet alive; for none the hope

  Conceived of his escape from Grecian hands,

  Or to behold their living master more.

  Nor Paris in his stat
ely mansion long

  Delay’d, but, arm’d resplendent, traversed swift 615

  The city, all alacrity and joy.

  As some stall’d horse high-fed, his stable-cord

  Snapt short, beats under foot the sounding plain,

  Accustomed in smooth-sliding streams to lave

  Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane 620

  Undulates o’er his shoulders, pleased he eyes

  His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees

  Shoots to the meadow where his fellows graze;

  So Paris, son of Priam, from the heights

  Of Pergamus into the streets of Troy, 625

  All dazzling as the sun, descended, flush’d

  With martial pride, and bounding in his course.

  At once he came where noble Hector stood

  Now turning, after conference with his spouse,

  When godlike Alexander thus began. 630

  My hero brother, thou hast surely found

  My long delay most irksome. More dispatch

  Had pleased thee more, for such was thy command.

  To whom the warlike Hector thus replied.

  No man, judicious, and in feat of arms 635

  Intelligent, would pour contempt on thee

  (For thou art valiant) wert thou not remiss

  And wilful negligent; and when I hear

  The very men who labor in thy cause

  161 Reviling thee, I make thy shame my own. 640

  But let us on. All such complaints shall cease

  Hereafter, and thy faults be touch’d no more,

  Let Jove but once afford us riddance clear

  Of these Achaians, and to quaff the cup

  Of liberty, before the living Gods. 645

  It may be observed, that Hector begins to resume his hope of success, and his warlike spirit is roused again, as he approaches the field of action. The depressing effect of his sad interview is wearing away from his mind, and he is already prepared for the battle with Ajax, which awaits him.

  The student who has once read this book, will read it again and again. It contains much that is addressed to the deepest feelings of our common nature, and, despite of the long interval of time which lies between our age and the Homeric — despite the manifold changes of customs, habits, pursuits, and the advances that have been made in civilization and art — despite of all these, the universal spirit of humanity will recognize in these scenes much of that true poetry which delights alike all ages, all nations, all men. — Felton.

  ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.

  Ajax and Hector engage in single combat. The Grecians fortify their camp.

  BOOK VII.

  So saying, illustrious Hector through the gates

  To battle rush’d, with Paris at his side,

  And both were bent on deeds of high renown.

  As when the Gods vouchsafe propitious gales

  To longing mariners, who with smooth oars 5

  Threshing the waves have all their strength consumed,

  So them the longing Trojans glad received.

  At once each slew a Grecian. Paris slew

  Menesthius who in Arna dwelt, the son

  Of Areithoüs, club-bearing chief, 10

  And of Philomedusa radiant-eyed.

  But Hector wounded with his glittering spear

  Eïoneus; he pierced his neck beneath

  His brazen morion’s verge, and dead he fell.

  Then Glaucus, leader of the Lycian host, 15

  Son of Hippolochus, in furious fight

  Iphinoüs son of Dexias assail’d,

  Mounting his rapid mares, and with his lance

  His shoulder pierced; unhorsed he fell and died.

  Such slaughter of the Grecians in fierce fight 20

  Minerva noting, from the Olympian hills

  Flew down to sacred Ilium; whose approach

  Marking from Pergamus, Apollo flew

  To meet her, ardent on the part of Troy.

  Beneath the beech they join’d, when first the King, 25

  The son of Jove, Apollo thus began.

  166 Daughter of Jove supreme! why hast thou left

  Olympus, and with such impetuous speed?

  Comest thou to give the Danaï success

  Decisive? For I know that pity none 30

  Thou feel’st for Trojans, perish as they may

  But if advice of mine can influence thee

  To that which shall be best, let us compose

  This day the furious fight which shall again

  Hereafter rage, till Ilium be destroy’d. 35

  Since such is Juno’s pleasure and thy own.

  Him answer’d then Pallas cærulean-eyed.

  Celestial archer! be it so. I came

  Myself so purposing into the field

  From the Olympian heights. But by what means 40

  Wilt thou induce the warriors to a pause?

  To whom the King, the son of Jove, replied.

  The courage of equestrian Hector bold

  Let us excite, that he may challenge forth

  To single conflict terrible some chief 45

  Achaian. The Achaians brazen-mail’d

  Indignant, will supply a champion soon

  To combat with the noble Chief of Troy.

  So spake Apollo, and his counsel pleased

  Minerva; which when Helenus the seer, 50

  Priam’s own son, in his prophetic soul

  Perceived, approaching Hector, thus he spake.

  Jove’s peer in wisdom, Hector, Priam’s son!

  I am thy brother. Wilt thou list to me?

  Bid cease the battle. Bid both armies sit. 55

  Call first, thyself, the mightiest of the Greeks

  To single conflict. I have heard the voice

  Of the Eternal Gods, and well-assured

  Foretell thee that thy death not now impends.

  He spake, whom Hector heard with joy elate. 60

  Before his van striding into the space

  Both hosts between, he with his spear transverse

  167 Press’d back the Trojans, and they sat. Down sat

  The well-greaved Grecians also at command

  Of Agamemnon; and in shape assumed 65

  Of vultures, Pallas and Apollo perch’d

  High on the lofty beech sacred to Jove

  The father Ægis-arm’d; delighted thence

  They view’d the peopled plain horrent around

  With shields and helms and glittering spears erect. 70

  As when fresh-blowing Zephyrus the flood

  Sweeps first, the ocean blackens at the blast,

  Such seem’d the plain whereon the Achaians sat

  And Trojans, whom between thus Hector spake.

  Ye Trojans and Achaians brazen-greaved, 75

  Attend while I shall speak! Jove high-enthroned

  Hath not fulfill’d the truce, but evil plans

  Against both hosts, till either ye shall take

  Troy’s lofty towers, or shall yourselves in flight

  Fall vanquish’d at your billow-cleaving barks. 80

  With you is all the flower of Greece. Let him

  Whose heart shall move him to encounter sole

  Illustrious Hector, from among you all

  Stand forth, and Jove be witness to us both.

  If he, with his long-pointed lance, of life 85

  Shall me bereave, my armor is his prize,

  Which he shall hence into your fleet convey;

  Not so my body; that he shall resign

  For burial to the men and wives of Troy.

  But if Apollo make the glory mine, 90

  And he fall vanquish’d, him will I despoil,

  And hence conveying into sacred Troy

  His arms, will in the temple hang them high

  168 Of the bow-bender God, but I will send

  His body to the fleet, that him the Greeks 95

  May grace with rights funereal. On the banks<
br />
  Of wide-spread Hellespont ye shall upraise

  His tomb, and as they cleave with oary barks

  The sable deep, posterity shall say —

  “It is a warrior’s tomb; in ancient days 100

  The Hero died; him warlike Hector slew.”

  So men shall speak hereafter, and my fame

  Who slew him, and my praise, shall never die.

  He ceased, and all sat mute. His challenge bold

  None dared accept, which yet they blush’d to shun, 105

  Till Menelaus, at the last, arose

  Groaning profound, and thus reproach’d the Greeks.

  Ah boasters! henceforth women — men no more —

  Eternal shame, shame infinite is ours,

  If none of all the Grecians dares contend 110

  With Hector. Dastards — deaf to glory’s call —

  Rot where ye sit! I will myself take arms

  Against him, for the gods alone dispose,

  At their own pleasure, the events of war.

  He ended, and put on his radiant arms. 115

  Then, Menelaus, manifest appear’d

  Thy death approaching by the dreadful hands

  Of Hector, mightier far in arms than thou,

  But that the Chiefs of the Achaians all

  Upstarting stay’d thee, and himself the King, 120

  The son of Atreus, on thy better hand

  Seizing affectionate, thee thus address’d.

  Thou ravest, my royal brother! and art seized

  With needless frenzy. But, however chafed,

  Restrain thy wrath, nor covet to contend 125

  With Priameian Hector, whom in fight

  All dread, a warrior thy superior far.

  Not even Achilles, in the glorious field

  (Though stronger far than thou) this hero meets

  Undaunted. Go then, and thy seat resume 130

  In thy own band; the Achaians shall for him,

  169 Doubtless, some fitter champion furnish forth.

  Brave though he be, and with the toils of war

  Insatiable, he shall be willing yet,

  Seated on his bent knees, to breathe a while, 135

  Should he escape the arduous brunt severe.

  So saying, the hero by his counsel wise

  His brother’s purpose alter’d; he complied,

  And his glad servants eased him of his arms.