William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  BOOK X.

  All night the leaders of the host of Greece

  Lay sunk in soft repose, all, save the Chief,

  The son of Atreus; him from thought to thought

  Roving solicitous, no sleep relieved.

  As when the spouse of beauteous Juno, darts 5

  His frequent fires, designing heavy rain

  Immense, or hail-storm, or field-whitening snow,

  Or else wide-throated war calamitous,

  So frequent were the groans by Atreus’ son

  Heaved from his inmost heart, trembling with dread. 10

  For cast he but his eye toward the plain

  Of Ilium, there, astonish’d he beheld

  The city fronted with bright fires, and heard

  Pipes, and recorders, and the hum of war;

  But when again the Grecian fleet he view’d, 15

  And thought on his own people, then his hair

  Uprooted elevating to the Gods,

  He from his generous bosom groan’d again.

  At length he thus resolved; of all the Greeks

  To seek Neleian Nestor first, with whom 20

  He might, perchance, some plan for the defence

  Of the afflicted Danaï devise.

  Rising, he wrapp’d his tunic to his breast,

  238 And to his royal feet unsullied bound

  His sandals; o’er his shoulders, next, he threw 25

  Of amplest size a lion’s tawny skin

  That swept his footsteps, dappled o’er with blood,

  Then took his spear. Meantime, not less appall’d

  Was Menelaus, on whose eyelids sleep

  Sat not, lest the Achaians for his sake 30

  O’er many waters borne, and now intent

  On glorious deeds, should perish all at Troy.

  With a pard’s spotted hide his shoulders broad

  He mantled over; to his head he raised

  His brazen helmet, and with vigorous hand 35

  Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse

  His brother, mighty sovereign of the host,

  And by the Grecians like a God revered.

  He found him at his galley’s stern, his arms

  Assuming radiant; welcome he arrived 40

  To Agamemnon, whom he thus address’d.

  Why arm’st thou, brother? Wouldst thou urge abroad

  Some trusty spy into the Trojan camp?

  I fear lest none so hardy shall be found

  As to adventure, in the dead still night, 45

  So far, alone; valiant indeed were he!

  To whom great Agamemnon thus replied.

  Heaven-favor’d Menelaus! We have need,

  Thou and myself, of some device well-framed,

  Which both the Grecians and the fleet of Greece 50

  May rescue, for the mind of Jove hath changed,

  And Hector’s prayers alone now reach his ear.

  I never saw, nor by report have learn’d

  From any man, that ever single chief

  Such awful wonders in one day perform’d 55

  As he with ease against the Greeks, although

  Nor from a Goddess sprung nor from a God.

  239 Deeds he hath done, which, as I think, the Greeks

  Shall deep and long lament, such numerous ills

  Achaia’s host hath at his hands sustain’d. 60

  But haste, begone, and at their several ships

  Call Ajax and Idomeneus; I go

  To exhort the noble Nestor to arise,

  That he may visit, if he so incline,

  The chosen band who watch, and his advice 65

  Give them; for him most prompt they will obey,

  Whose son, together with Meriones,

  Friend of Idomeneus, controls them all,

  Entrusted by ourselves with that command.

  Him answer’d Menelaus bold in arms. 70

  Explain thy purpose. Wouldst thou that I wait

  Thy coming, there, or thy commands to both

  Given, that I incontinent return?

  To whom the Sovereign of the host replied.

  There stay; lest striking into different paths 75

  (For many passes intersect the camp)

  We miss each other; summon them aloud

  Where thou shalt come; enjoin them to arise;

  Call each by his hereditary name,

  Honoring all. Beware of manners proud, 80

  For we ourselves must labor, at our birth

  By Jove ordain’d to suffering and to toil.

  So saying, he his brother thence dismiss’d

  Instructed duly, and himself, his steps

  Turned to the tent of Nestor. Him he found 85

  Amid his sable galleys in his tent

  Reposing soft, his armor at his side,

  Shield, spears, bright helmet, and the broider’d belt

  Which, when the Senior arm’d led forth his host

  To fight, he wore; for he complied not yet 90

  With the encroachments of enfeebling age.

  He raised his head, and on his elbow propp’d,

  Questioning Agamemnon, thus began.

  But who art thou, who thus alone, the camp

  Roamest, amid the darkness of the night, 95

  240 While other mortals sleep? Comest thou abroad

  Seeking some friend or soldier of the guard?

  Speak — come not nearer mute. What is thy wish?

  To whom the son of Atreus, King of men.

  Oh Nestor, glory of the Grecian name, 100

  Offspring of Neleus! thou in me shalt know

  The son of Atreus, Agamemnon, doom’d

  By Jove to toil, while life shall yet inform

  These limbs, or I shall draw the vital air.

  I wander thus, because that on my lids 105

  Sweet sleep sits not, but war and the concerns

  Of the Achaians occupy my soul.

  Terrible are the fears which I endure

  For these my people; such as supersede

  All thought; my bosom can no longer hold 110

  My throbbing heart, and tremors shake my limbs.

  But if thy mind, more capable, project

  Aught that may profit us (for thee it seems

  Sleep also shuns) arise, and let us both

  Visit the watch, lest, haply, overtoil’d 115

  They yield to sleep, forgetful of their charge.

  The foe is posted near, and may intend

  (None knows his purpose) an assault by night.

  To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied.

  Illustrious Agamemnon, King of men! 120

  Deep-planning Jove the imaginations proud

  Of Hector will not ratify, nor all

  His sanguine hopes effectuate; in his turn

  He also (fierce Achilles once appeased)

  Shall trouble feel, and haply, more than we. 125

  But with all readiness I will arise

  And follow thee, that we may also rouse

  Yet others; Diomede the spear-renown’d,

  Ulysses, the swift Ajax, and the son

  Of Phyleus, valiant Meges. It were well 130

  Were others also visited and call’d,

  The godlike Ajax, and Idomeneus,

  Whose ships are at the camp’s extremest bounds.

  241 But though I love thy brother and revere,

  And though I grieve e’en thee, yet speak I must, 135

  And plainly censure him, that thus he sleeps

  And leaves to thee the labor, who himself

  Should range the host, soliciting the Chiefs

  Of every band, as utmost need requires.

  Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men. 140

  Old warrior, times there are, when I could wish

  Myself thy censure of him, for in act

  He is not seldom tardy and remiss.

  Yet is not sluggish indolence the cause,

  No, nor stupidity, but he obser
ves 145

  Me much, expecting till I lead the way.

  But he was foremost now, far more alert

  This night than I, and I have sent him forth

  Already, those to call whom thou hast named.

  But let us hence, for at the guard I trust 150

  To find them, since I gave them so in charge.

  To whom the brave Gerenian Chief replied.

  Him none will censure, or his will dispute,

  Whom he shall waken and exhort to rise.

  So saying, he bound his corselet to his breast, 155

  His sandals fair to his unsullied feet,

  And fastening by its clasps his purple cloak

  Around him, double and of shaggy pile,

  Seized, next, his sturdy spear headed with brass,

  And issued first into the Grecian fleet. 160

  There, Nestor, brave Gerenian, with a voice

  Sonorous roused the godlike counsellor

  From sleep, Ulysses; the alarm came o’er

  His startled ear, forth from his tent he sprang

  Sudden, and of their coming, quick, inquired. 165

  Why roam ye thus the camp and fleet alone

  In darkness? by what urgent need constrain’d?

  To whom the hoary Pylian thus replied.

  Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!

  242 Resent it not, for dread is our distress. 170

  Come, therefore, and assist us to convene

  Yet others, qualified to judge if war

  Be most expedient, or immediate flight.

  He ended, and regaining, quick, his tent,

  Ulysses slung his shield, then coming forth 175

  Join’d them. The son of Tydeus first they sought.

  Him sleeping arm’d before his tent they found,

  Encompass’d by his friends also asleep;

  His head each rested on his shield, and each

  Had planted on its nether point erect 180

  His spear beside him; bright their polish’d heads,

  As Jove’s own lightning glittered from afar.

  Himself, the Hero, slept. A wild bull’s hide

  Was spread beneath him, and on arras tinged

  With splendid purple lay his head reclined. 185

  Nestor, beside him standing, with his heel

  Shook him, and, urgent, thus the Chief reproved.

  Awake, Tydides! wherefore givest the night

  Entire to balmy slumber? Hast not heard

  How on the rising ground beside the fleet 190

  The Trojans sit, small interval between?

  He ceased; then up sprang Diomede alarm’d

  Instant, and in wing’d accents thus replied.

  Old wakeful Chief! thy toils are never done.

  Are there not younger of the sons of Greece, 195

  Who ranging in all parts the camp, might call

  The Kings to council? But no curb controls

  Or can abate activity like thine.

  To whom Gerenian Nestor in return.

  My friend! thou hast well spoken. I have sons, 200

  And they are well deserving; I have here

  A numerous people also, one of whom

  Might have sufficed to call the Kings of Greece.

  But such occasion presses now the host

  243 As hath not oft occurr’d; the overthrow 205

  Complete, or full deliverance of us all,

  In balance hangs, poised on a razor’s edge.

  But haste, and if thy pity of my toils

  Be such, since thou art younger, call, thyself,

  Ajax the swift, and Meges to the guard. 210

  Then Diomede a lion’s tawny skin

  Around him wrapp’d, dependent to his heels,

  And, spear in hand, set forth. The Hero call’d

  Those two, and led them whither Nestor bade.

  They, at the guard arrived, not sleeping found 215

  The captains of the guard, but sitting all

  In vigilant posture with their arms prepared.

  As dogs that, careful, watch the fold by night,

  Hearing some wild beast in the woods, which hounds

  And hunters with tumultuous clamor drive 220

  Down from the mountain-top, all sleep forego;

  So, sat not on their eyelids gentle sleep

  That dreadful night, but constant to the plain

  At every sound of Trojan feet they turn’d.

  The old Chief joyful at the sight, in terms 225

  Of kind encouragement them thus address’d.

  So watch, my children! and beware that sleep

  Invade none here, lest all become a prey.

  So saying, he traversed with quick pace the trench

  By every Chief whom they had thither call’d 230

  Attended, with whom Nestor’s noble son

  Went, and Meriones, invited both

  To join their consultation. From the foss

  Emerging, in a vacant space they sat,

  Unstrew’d with bodies of the slain, the spot, 235

  Whence furious Hector, after slaughter made

  Of numerous Greeks, night falling, had return’d.

  There seated, mutual converse close they held,

  And Nestor, brave Gerenian, thus began.

  244 Oh friends! hath no Achaian here such trust 240

  In his own prowess, as to venture forth

  Among yon haughty Trojans? He, perchance,

  Might on the borders of their host surprise

  Some wandering adversary, or might learn

  Their consultations, whether they propose 245

  Here to abide in prospect of the fleet,

  Or, satiate with success against the Greeks

  So signal, meditate retreat to Troy.

  These tidings gain’d, should he at last return

  Secure, his recompense will be renown 250

  Extensive as the heavens, and fair reward.

  From every leader of the fleet, his gift

  Shall be a sable ewe, and sucking lamb,

  Rare acquisition! and at every board

  And sumptuous banquet, he shall be a guest. 255

  He ceased, and all sat silent, when at length

  The mighty son of Tydeus thus replied.

  Me, Nestor, my courageous heart incites

  To penetrate into the neighbor host

  Of enemies; but went some other Chief 260

  With me, far greater would my comfort prove,

  And I should dare the more. Two going forth,

  One quicker sees than other, and suggests

  Prudent advice; but he who single goes,

  Mark whatsoe’er he may, the occasion less 265

  Improves, and his expedients soon exhausts.

  He ended, and no few willing arose

  To go with Diomede. Servants of Mars

  Each Ajax willing stood; willing as they

  Meriones; most willing Nestor’s son; 270

  Willing the brother of the Chief of all,

  Nor willing less Ulysses to explore

  The host of Troy, for he possess’d a heart

  Delighted ever with some bold exploit.

  Then Agamemnon, King of men, began. 275

  245 Now Diomede, in whom my soul delights!

  Choose whom thou wilt for thy companion; choose

  The fittest here; for numerous wish to go.

  Leave not through deference to another’s rank,

  The more deserving, nor prefer a worse, 280

  Respecting either pedigree or power.

  Such speech he interposed, fearing his choice

  Of Menelaus; then, renown’d in arms

  The son of Tydeus, rising, spake again.

  Since, then, ye bid me my own partner choose 285

  Free from constraint, how can I overlook

  Divine Ulysses, whose courageous heart

  With such peculiar cheerfulness endures

  Whatev
er toils, and whom Minerva loves?

  Let him attend me, and through fire itself 290

  We shall return; for none is wise as he.

  To him Ulysses, hardy Chief, replied.

  Tydides! neither praise me much, nor blame,

  For these are Grecians in whose ears thou speak’st,

  And know me well. But let us hence! the night 295

  Draws to a close; day comes apace; the stars

  Are far advanced; two portions have elapsed

  Of darkness, but the third is yet entire.

  So they; then each his dreadful arms put on.

  To Diomede, who at the fleet had left 300

  His own, the dauntless Thrasymedes gave

  His shield and sword two-edged, and on his head

  Placed, crestless, unadorn’d, his bull-skin casque.

  It was a stripling’s helmet, such as youths

  Scarce yet confirm’d in lusty manhood, wear. 305

  Meriones with quiver, bow and sword

  Furnish’d Ulysses, and his brows enclosed

  In his own casque of hide with many a thong

  246 Well braced within; guarded it was without

  With boar’s teeth ivory-white inherent firm 310

  On all sides, and with woolen head-piece lined.

  That helmet erst Autolycus had brought

  From Eleon, city of Amyntor son

  Of Hormenus, where he the solid walls

  Bored through, clandestine, of Amyntor’s house. 315

  He on Amphidamas the prize bestow’d

  In Scandia; from Amphidamas it pass’d

  To Molus as a hospitable pledge;

  He gave it to Meriones his son,

  And now it guarded shrewd Ulysses’ brows. 320

  Both clad in arms terrific, forth they sped,

  Leaving their fellow Chiefs, and as they went

  A heron, by command of Pallas, flew

  Close on the right beside them; darkling they

  Discern’d him not, but heard his clanging plumes. 325

  Ulysses in the favorable sign

  Exulted, and Minerva thus invoked.

  247 Oh hear me, daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d!

  My present helper in all straits, whose eye

  Marks all my ways, oh with peculiar care 330

  Now guard me, Pallas! grant that after toil

  Successful, glorious, such as long shall fill

  With grief the Trojans, we may safe return

  And with immortal honors to the fleet.