William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  On his spear-beam, enforced it; but ere yet

  He pierced the broider’d zone, his point, impress’d 285

  Against the silver, turn’d, obtuse as lead.

  Then royal Agamemnon in his hand

  The weapon grasping, with a lion’s rage

  Home drew it to himself, and from his gripe

  Wresting it, with his falchion keen his neck 290

  Smote full, and stretch’d him lifeless at his foot.

  So slept Iphidamas among the slain;

  Unhappy! from his virgin bride remote,

  Associate with the men of Troy in arms

  He fell, and left her beauties unenjoy’d. 295

  He gave her much, gave her a hundred beeves,

  And sheep and goats a thousand from his flocks

  Promised, for numberless his meadows ranged;

  But Agamemnon, son of Atreus, him

  Slew and despoil’d, and through the Grecian host 300

  Proceeded, laden with his gorgeous arms.

  Coön that sight beheld, illustrious Chief,

  Antenor’s eldest born, but with dim eyes

  Through anguish for his brother’s fall. Unseen

  Of noble Agamemnon, at his side 305

  270 He cautious stood, and with a spear his arm,

  Where thickest flesh’d, below his elbow, pierced,

  Till opposite the glittering point appear’d.

  A thrilling horror seized the King of men

  So wounded; yet though wounded so, from fight 310

  He ceased not, but on Coön rush’d, his spear

  Grasping, well-thriven growth of many a wind.

  He by the foot drew off Iphidamas,

  His brother, son of his own sire, aloud

  Calling the Trojan leaders to his aid; 315

  When him so occupied with his keen point

  Atrides pierced his bossy shield beneath.

  Expiring on Iphidamas he fell

  Prostrate, and Agamemnon lopp’d his head.

  Thus, under royal Agamemnon’s hand, 320

  Antenor’s sons their destiny fulfill’d,

  And to the house of Ades journey’d both.

  Through other ranks of warriors then he pass’d,

  Now with his spear, now with his falchion arm’d,

  And now with missile force of massy stones, 325

  While yet his warm blood sallied from the wound.

  But when the wound grew dry, and the blood ceased,

  Anguish intolerable undermined

  Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son.

  As when a laboring woman’s arrowy throes 330

  Seize her intense, by Juno’s daughters dread

  The birth-presiding Ilithyæ deep

  Infixt, dispensers of those pangs severe;

  So, anguish insupportable subdued

  Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son. 335

  Up-springing to his seat, instant he bade

  His charioteer drive to the hollow barks,

  Heart-sick himself with pain; yet, ere he went,

  With voice loud-echoing hail’d the Danaï.

  Friends! counsellors and leaders of the Greeks! 340

  Now drive, yourselves, the battle from your ships.

  For me the Gods permit not to employ

  271 In fight with Ilium’s host the day entire.

  He ended, and the charioteer his steeds

  Lash’d to the ships; they not unwilling flew, 345

  Bearing from battle the afflicted King

  With foaming chests and bellies grey with dust.

  Soon Hector, noting his retreat, aloud

  Call’d on the Trojans and allies of Troy.

  Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons 350

  Of Dardanus! oh summon all your might;

  Now, now be men! Their bravest is withdrawn!

  Glory and honor from Saturnian Jove

  On me attend; now full against the Greeks

  Drive all your steeds, and win a deathless name. 355

  He spake — and all drew courage from his word.

  As when his hounds bright-tooth’d some hunter cheers

  Against the lion or the forest-boar,

  So Priameïan Hector cheer’d his host

  Magnanimous against the sons of Greece, 360

  Terrible as gore-tainted Mars. Among

  The foremost warriors, with success elate

  He strode, and flung himself into the fight

  Black as a storm which sudden from on high

  Descending, furrows deep the gloomy flood. 365

  Then whom slew Priameïan Hector first,

  Whom last, by Jove, that day, with glory crown’d?

  Assæus, Dolops, Orus, Agelaüs,

  Autonoüs, Hipponoüs, Æsymnus,

  Opheltius and Opites first he slew, 370

  All leaders of the Greeks, and, after these,

  The people. As when whirlwinds of the West

  A storm encounter from the gloomy South,

  The waves roll multitudinous, and the foam

  Upswept by wandering gusts fills all the air, 375

  So Hector swept the Grecians. Then defeat

  Past remedy and havoc had ensued,

  Then had the routed Grecians, flying, sought

  Their ships again, but that Ulysses thus

  272 Summon’d the brave Tydides to his aid. 380

  Whence comes it, Diomede, that we forget

  Our wonted courage? Hither, O my friend!

  And, fighting at my side, ward off the shame

  That must be ours, should Hector seize the fleet.

  To whom the valiant Diomede replied. 385

  I will be firm; trust me thou shalt not find

  Me shrinking; yet small fruit of our attempts

  Shall follow, for the Thunderer, not to us,

  But to the Trojan, gives the glorious day.

  The Hero spake, and from his chariot cast 390

  Thymbræus to the ground pierced through the pap,

  While by Ulysses’ hand his charioteer

  Godlike Molion, fell. The warfare thus

  Of both for ever closed, them there they left,

  And plunging deep into the warrior-throng 395

  Troubled the multitude. As when two boars

  Turn desperate on the close-pursuing hounds,

  So they, returning on the host of Troy,

  Slew on all sides, and overtoil’d with flight

  From Hector’s arm, the Greeks meantime respired. 400

  Two warriors, next, their chariot and themselves

  They took, plebeians brave, sons of the seer

  Percosian Merops in prophetic skill

  Surpassing all; he both his sons forbad

  The mortal field, but disobedient they 405

  Still sought it, for their destiny prevail’d.

  Spear-practised Diomede of life deprived

  Both these, and stripp’d them of their glorious arms,

  While by Ulysses’ hand Hippodamus

  Died and Hypeirochus. And now the son 410

  Of Saturn, looking down from Ida, poised

  The doubtful war, and mutual deaths they dealt.

  Tydides plunged his spear into the groin

  Of the illustrious son of Pæon, bold

  273 Agastrophus. No steeds at his command 415

  Had he, infatuate! but his charioteer

  His steeds detain’d remote, while through the van

  Himself on foot rush’d madly till he fell.

  But Hector through the ranks darting his eye

  Perceived, and with ear-piercing cries advanced 420

  Against them, follow’d by the host of Troy.

  The son of Tydeus, shuddering, his approach

  Discern’d, and instant to Ulysses spake.

  Now comes the storm! This way the mischief rolls!

  Stand and repulse the Trojan. Now be firm. 425

  He said, and hurling his long-
shadow’d beam

  Smote Hector. At his helmet’s crown he aim’d,

  Nor err’d, but brass encountering brass, the point

  Glanced wide, for he had cased his youthful brows

  In triple brass, Apollo’s glorious gift. 430

  Yet with rapidity at such a shock

  Hector recoil’d into the multitude

  Afar, where sinking to his knees, he lean’d

  On his broad palm, and darkness veil’d his eyes.

  But while Tydides follow’d through the van 435

  His stormy spear, which in the distant soil

  Implanted stood, Hector his scatter’d sense

  Recovering, to his chariot sprang again,

  And, diving deep into his host, escaped.

  The noble son of Tydeus, spear in hand, 440

  Rush’d after him, and as he went, exclaim’d.

  Dog! thou hast now escaped; but, sure the stroke

  Approach’d thee nigh, well-aim’d. Once more thy prayers

  Which ever to Apollo thou prefer’st

  Entering the clash of battle, have prevail’d, 445

  And he hath rescued thee. But well beware

  Our next encounter, for if also me

  Some God befriend, thou diest. Now will I seek

  Another mark, and smite whom next I may.

  He spake, and of his armor stripp’d the son 450

  274 Spear-famed of Pæon. Meantime Paris, mate

  Of beauteous Helen, drew his bow against

  Tydides; by a pillar of the tomb

  Of Ilus, ancient senator revered,

  Conceal’d he stood, and while the Hero loosed 455

  His corselet from the breast of Pæon’s son

  Renown’d, and of his helmet and his targe

  Despoil’d him; Paris, arching quick his bow,

  No devious shaft dismiss’d, but his right foot

  Pierced through the sole, and fix’d it to the ground. 460

  Transported from his ambush forth he leap’d

  With a loud laugh, and, vaunting, thus exclaim’d:

  Oh shaft well shot! it galls thee. Would to heaven

  That it had pierced thy heart, and thou hadst died!

  So had the Trojans respite from their toils 465

  Enjoy’d, who, now, shudder at sight of thee

  Like she-goats when the lion is at hand.

  To whom, undaunted, Diomede replied.

  Archer shrew-tongued! spie-maiden! man of curls!

  Shouldst thou in arms attempt me face to face, 470

  Thy bow and arrows should avail thee nought.

  Vain boaster! thou hast scratch’d my foot — no more —

  And I regard it as I might the stroke

  Of a weak woman or a simple child.

  The weapons of a dastard and a slave 475

  Are ever such. More terrible are mine,

  And whom they pierce, though slightly pierced, he dies.

  His wife her cheeks rends inconsolable,

  His babes are fatherless, his blood the glebe

  Incarnadines, and where he bleeds and rots 480

  More birds of prey than women haunt the place.

  He ended, and Ulysses, drawing nigh,

  Shelter’d Tydides; he behind the Chief

  275 Of Ithaca sat drawing forth the shaft,

  But pierced with agonizing pangs the while. 485

  Then, climbing to his chariot-seat, he bade

  Sthenelus hasten to the hollow ships,

  Heart-sick with pain. And now alone was seen

  Spear-famed Ulysses; not an Argive more

  Remain’d, so universal was the rout, 490

  And groaning, to his own great heart he said.

  Alas! what now awaits me? If, appall’d

  By multitudes, I fly, much detriment;

  And if alone they intercept me here,

  Still more; for Jove hath scatter’d all the host, 495

  Yet why these doubts! for know I not of old

  That only dastards fly, and that the voice

  Of honor bids the famed in battle stand,

  Bleed they themselves, or cause their foes to bleed?

  While busied in such thought he stood, the ranks 500

  Of Trojans fronted with broad shields, enclosed

  The hero with a ring, hemming around

  Their own destruction. As when dogs, and swains

  In prime of manhood, from all quarters rush

  Around a boar, he from his thicket bolts, 505

  The bright tusk whetting in his crooked jaws:

  They press him on all sides, and from beneath

  Loud gnashings hear, yet firm, his threats defy;

  Like them the Trojans on all sides assail’d

  Ulysses dear to Jove. First with his spear 510

  He sprang impetuous on a valiant chief,

  Whose shoulder with a downright point he pierced,

  Deïopites; Thoön next he slew,

  And Ennomus, and from his coursers’ backs

  Alighting quick, Chersidamas; beneath 515

  His bossy shield the gliding weapon pass’d

  Right through his navel; on the plain he fell

  Expiring, and with both hands clench’d the dust.

  Them slain he left, and Charops wounded next,

  Brother of Socus, generous Chief, and son 520

  Of Hippasus; brave Socus to the aid

  276 Of Charops flew, and, godlike, thus began.

  Illustrious chief, Ulysses! strong to toil

  And rich in artifice! Or boast to-day

  Two sons of Hippasus, brave warriors both, 525

  Of armor and of life bereft by thee,

  Or to my vengeful spear resign thy own!

  So saying, Ulysses’ oval disk he smote.

  Through his bright disk the stormy weapon flew,

  Transpierced his twisted mail, and from his side 530

  Drove all the skin, but to his nobler parts

  Found entrance none, by Pallas turn’d aslant.

  Ulysses, conscious of his life untouch’d,

  Retired a step from Socus, and replied.

  Ah hapless youth; thy fate is on the wing; 535

  Me thou hast forced indeed to cease a while

  From battle with the Trojans, but I speak

  Thy death at hand; for vanquish’d by my spear,

  This self-same day thou shalt to me resign

  Thy fame, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d. 540

  He ceased; then Socus turn’d his back to fly,

  But, as he turn’d, his shoulder-blades between

  He pierced him, and the spear urged through his breast.

  On his resounding arms he fell, and thus

  Godlike Ulysses gloried in his fall. 545

  Ah, Socus, son of Hippasus, a chief

  Of fame equestrian! swifter far than thou

  Death follow’d thee, and thou hast not escaped.

  Ill-fated youth! thy parents’ hands thine eyes

  Shall never close, but birds of ravenous maw 550

  Shall tear thee, flapping thee with frequent wing,

  While me the noble Grecians shall entomb!

  So saying, the valiant Socus’ spear he drew

  From his own flesh, and through his bossy shield.

  The weapon drawn, forth sprang the blood, and left 555

  His spirit faint. Then Ilium’s dauntless sons,

  277 Seeing Ulysses’ blood, exhorted glad

  Each other, and, with force united, all

  Press’d on him. He, retiring, summon’d loud

  His followers. Thrice, loud as mortal may, 560

  He call’d, and valiant Menelaus thrice

  Hearing the voice, to Ajax thus remark’d.

  Illustrious son of Telamon! The voice

  Of Laertiades comes o’er my ear

  With such a sound, as if the hardy chief, 565

  Abandon’d of his friends, were overpower’d

&
nbsp; By numbers intercepting his retreat.

  Haste! force we quick a passage through the ranks.

  His worth demands our succor, for I fear

  Lest sole conflicting with the host of Troy, 570

  Brave as he is, he perish, to the loss

  Unspeakable and long regret of Greece.

  So saying, he went, and Ajax, godlike Chief,

  Follow’d him. At the voice arrived, they found

  Ulysses Jove-beloved compass’d about 575

  By Trojans, as the lynxes in the hills,

  Adust for blood, compass an antler’d stag

  Pierced by an archer; while his blood is warm

  And his limbs pliable, from him he ‘scapes;

  But when the feather’d barb hath quell’d his force, 580

  In some dark hollow of the mountain’s side,

  The hungry troop devour him; chance, the while,

  Conducts a lion thither, before whom

  All vanish, and the lion feeds alone;

  So swarm’d the Trojan powers, numerous and bold, 585

  Around Ulysses, who with wary skill

  Heroic combated his evil day.

  But Ajax came, cover’d with his broad shield

  That seem’d a tower, and at Ulysses’ side

  Stood fast; then fled the Trojans wide-dispersed, 590

  And Menelaus led him by the hand

  Till his own chariot to his aid approach’d.

  But Ajax, springing on the Trojans, slew

  Doryclus, from the loins of Priam sprung,

  278 But spurious. Pandocus he wounded next, 595

  Then wounded Pyrasus, and after him

  Pylartes and Lysander. As a flood

  Runs headlong from the mountains to the plain

  After long showers from Jove; many a dry oak

  And many a pine the torrent sweeps along, 600

  And, turbid, shoots much soil into the sea,

  So, glorious Ajax troubled wide the field,

  Horse and man slaughtering, whereof Hector yet

  Heard not; for on the left of all the war

  He fought beside Scamander, where around 605

  Huge Nestor, and Idomeneus the brave,

  Most deaths were dealt, and loudest roar’d the fight.

  There Hector toil’d, feats wonderful of spear

  And horsemanship achieving, and the lines

  Of many a phalanx desolating wide. 610

  Nor even then had the bold Greeks retired,

  But that an arrow triple-barb’d, dispatch’d

  By Paris, Helen’s mate, against the Chief