William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself

  The still tent covet not, but feats of arms?

  To whom Meriones discreet replied,

  Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail’d

  320 Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear 315

  Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke

  The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought,

  Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus.

  Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return’d,

  Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need, 320

  Within my tent, leaning against the wall,

  Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy,

  Which from the slain I took; for distant fight

  Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I

  Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques 325

  And corselets bright that smile against the sun.

  Him answer’d, then, Meriones discreet.

  I also, at my tent and in my ship

  Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence

  Far distant. I not less myself than thou 330

  Am ever mindful of a warrior’s part,

  And when the din of glorious arms is heard,

  Fight in the van. If other Greeks my deeds

  Know not, at least I judge them known to thee.

  To whom the leader of the host of Crete 335

  Idomeneus. I know thy valor well,

  Why speakest thus to me? Choose we this day

  An ambush forth of all the bravest Greeks,

  (For in the ambush is distinguish’d best

  The courage; there the timorous and the bold 340

  Plainly appear; the dastard changes hue

  And shifts from place to place, nor can he calm

  The fears that shake his trembling limbs, but sits

  Low-crouching on his hams, while in his breast

  Quick palpitates his death-foreboding heart, 345

  And his teeth chatter; but the valiant man

  His posture shifts not; no excessive fears

  Feels he, but seated once in ambush, deems

  Time tedious till the bloody fight begin;)

  Even there, thy courage should no blame incur. 350

  321 For should’st thou, toiling in the fight, by spear

  Or falchion bleed, not on thy neck behind

  Would fall the weapon, or thy back annoy,

  But it would meet thy bowels or thy chest

  While thou didst rush into the clamorous van. 355

  But haste — we may not longer loiter here

  As children prating, lest some sharp rebuke

  Reward us. Enter quick, and from within

  My tent provide thee with a noble spear.

  Then, swift as Mars, Meriones produced 360

  A brazen spear of those within the tent

  Reserved, and kindling with heroic fire

  Follow’d Idomeneus. As gory Mars

  By Terror follow’d, his own dauntless son

  Who quells the boldest heart, to battle moves; 365

  From Thrace against the Ephyri they arm,

  Or hardy Phlegyans, and by both invoked,

  Hear and grant victory to which they please;

  Such, bright in arms Meriones, and such

  Idomeneus advanced, when foremost thus 370

  Meriones his fellow-chief bespake.

  Son of Deucalion! where inclinest thou most

  To enter into battle? On the right

  Of all the host? or through the central ranks?

  Or on the left? for nowhere I account 375

  The Greeks so destitute of force as there.

  Then answer thus Idomeneus return’d

  Chief of the Cretans. Others stand to guard

  The middle fleet; there either Ajax wars,

  And Teucer, noblest archer of the Greeks, 380

  Nor less in stationary fight approved.

  Bent as he is on battle, they will task

  And urge to proof sufficiently the force

  Of Priameïan Hector; burn his rage

  How fierce soever, he shall find it hard, 385

  With all his thirst of victory, to quell

  Their firm resistance, and to fire the fleet,

  Let not Saturnian Jove cast down from heaven

  322 Himself a flaming brand into the ships.

  High towering Telamonian Ajax yields 390

  To no mere mortal by the common gift

  Sustain’d of Ceres, and whose flesh the spear

  Can penetrate, or rocky fragment bruise;

  In standing fight Ajax would not retire

  Even before that breaker of the ranks 395

  Achilles, although far less swift than he.

  But turn we to the left, that we may learn

  At once, if glorious death, or life be ours.

  Then, rapid as the God of war, his course

  Meriones toward the left began, 400

  As he enjoin’d. Soon as the Trojans saw

  Idomeneus advancing like a flame,

  And his compeer Meriones in arms

  All-radiant clad, encouraging aloud

  From rank to rank each other, on they came 405

  To the assault combined. Then soon arose

  Sharp contest on the left of all the fleet.

  As when shrill winds blow vehement, what time

  Dust deepest spreads the ways, by warring blasts

  Upborne a sable cloud stands in the air, 410

  Such was the sudden conflict; equal rage

  To stain with gore the lance ruled every breast.

  Horrent with quivering spears the fatal field

  Frown’d on all sides; the brazen flashes dread

  Of numerous helmets, corselets furbish’d bright, 415

  And shields refulgent meeting, dull’d the eye,

  And turn’d it dark away. Stranger indeed

  Were he to fear, who could that strife have view’d

  With heart elate, or spirit unperturb’d.

  Two mighty sons of Saturn adverse parts 420

  Took in that contest, purposing alike

  To many a valiant Chief sorrow and pain.

  Jove, for the honor of Achilles, gave

  Success to Hector and the host of Troy,

  Not for complete destruction of the Greeks 425

  At Ilium, but that glory might redound

  323 To Thetis thence, and to her dauntless son.

  On the other side, the King of Ocean risen

  Secretly from the hoary Deep, the host

  Of Greece encouraged, whom he grieved to see 430

  Vanquish’d by Trojans, and with anger fierce

  Against the Thunderer burn’d on their behalf.

  Alike from one great origin divine

  Sprang they, but Jove was elder, and surpass’d

  In various knowledge; therefore when he roused 435

  Their courage, Neptune traversed still the ranks

  Clandestine, and in human form disguised.

  Thus, these Immortal Two, straining the cord

  Indissoluble of all-wasting war,

  Alternate measured with it either host, 440

  And loosed the joints of many a warrior bold.

  Then, loud exhorting (though himself with age

  Half grey) the Achaians, into battle sprang

  Idomeneus, and scatter’d, first, the foe,

  Slaying Othryoneus, who, by the lure 445

  Of martial glory drawn, had left of late

  Cabesus. He Priam’s fair daughter woo’d

  Cassandra, but no nuptial gift vouchsafed

  To offer, save a sounding promise proud

  To chase, himself, however resolute 450

  The Grecian host, and to deliver Troy.

  To him assenting, Priam, ancient King,

  Assured to him his wish, and in the faith

  Of that assurance confident, he fought.

  But brave Idomene
us his splendid lance 455

  Well-aim’d dismissing, struck the haughty Chief.

  Pacing elate the field; his brazen mail

  Endured not; through his bowels pierced, with clang

  Of all his arms he fell, and thus with joy

  Immense exulting, spake Idomeneus. 460

  I give thee praise, Othryoneus! beyond

  All mortal men, if truly thou perform

  Thy whole big promise to the Dardan king,

  Who promised thee his daughter. Now, behold,

  324 We also promise: doubt not the effect. 465

  We give into thy arms the most admired

  Of Agamemnon’s daughters, whom ourselves

  Will hither bring from Argos, if thy force

  With ours uniting, thou wilt rase the walls

  Of populous Troy. Come — follow me; that here 470

  Among the ships we may adjust the terms

  Of marriage, for we take not scanty dower.

  So saying, the Hero dragg’d him by his heel

  Through all the furious fight. His death to avenge

  Asius on foot before his steeds advanced, 475

  For them, where’er he moved, his charioteer

  Kept breathing ever on his neck behind.

  With fierce desire the heart of Asius burn’d

  To smite Idomeneus, who with his lance

  Him reaching first, pierced him beneath the chin 480

  Into his throat, and urged the weapon through.

  He fell, as some green poplar falls, or oak,

  Or lofty pine, by naval artists hewn

  With new-edged axes on the mountain’s side.

  So, his teeth grinding, and the bloody dust 485

  Clenching, before his chariot and his steeds

  Extended, Asius lay. His charioteer

  (All recollection lost) sat panic-stunn’d,

  Nor dared for safety turn his steeds to flight.

  Him bold Antilochus right through the waist 490

  Transpierced; his mail sufficed not, but the spear

  Implanted in his midmost bowels stood.

  Down from his seat magnificent he fell

  Panting, and young Antilochus the steeds

  Drove captive thence into the host of Greece. 495

  Then came Deiphobus by sorrow urged

  For Asius, and, small interval between,

  Hurl’d at Idomeneus his glittering lance;

  But he, foreseeing its approach, the point

  Eluded, cover’d whole by his round shield 500

  Of hides and brass by double belt sustain’d,

  And it flew over him, but on his targe

  325 Glancing, elicited a tinkling sound.

  Yet left it not in vain his vigorous grasp,

  But pierced the liver of Hypsenor, son 505

  Of Hippasus; he fell incontinent,

  And measureless exulting in his fall

  Deiphobus with mighty voice exclaim’d.

  Not unavenged lies Asius; though he seek

  Hell’s iron portals, yet shall he rejoice, 510

  For I have given him a conductor home.

  So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard!

  But of them all to anger most he roused

  Antilochus, who yet his breathless friend

  Left not, but hasting, fenced him with his shield, 515

  And brave Alastor with Mecisteus son

  Of Echius, bore him to the hollow ships

  Deep-groaning both, for of their band was he.

  Nor yet Idomeneus his warlike rage

  Remitted aught, but persevering strove 520

  Either to plunge some Trojan in the shades,

  Or fall himself, guarding the fleet of Greece.

  Then slew he brave Alcathoüs the son

  Of Æsyeta, and the son-in-law

  Of old Anchises, who to him had given 525

  The eldest-born of all his daughters fair,

  Hippodamia; dearly loved was she

  By both her parents in her virgin state,

  For that in beauty she surpass’d, in works

  Ingenious, and in faculties of mind 530

  All her coëvals; wherefore she was deem’d

  Well worthy of the noblest prince of Troy.

  Him in that moment, Neptune by the arm

  Quell’d of Idomeneus, his radiant eyes

  Dimming, and fettering his proportion’d limbs. 535

  All power of flight or to elude the stroke

  326 Forsook him, and while motionless he stood

  As stands a pillar tall or towering oak,

  The hero of the Cretans with a spear

  Transfix’d his middle chest. He split the mail 540

  Erewhile his bosom’s faithful guard; shrill rang

  The shiver’d brass; sounding he fell; the beam

  Implanted in his palpitating heart

  Shook to its topmost point, but, its force spent,

  At last, quiescent, stood. Then loud exclaim’d 545

  Idomeneus, exulting in his fall.

  What thinks Deiphobus? seems it to thee

  Vain boaster, that, three warriors slain for one,

  We yield thee just amends? else, stand thyself

  Against me; learn the valor of a Chief 550

  The progeny of Jove; Jove first begat

  Crete’s guardian, Minos, from which Minos sprang

  Deucalion, and from famed Deucalion, I;

  I, sovereign of the numerous race of Crete’s

  Extensive isle, and whom my galleys brought 555

  To these your shores at last, that I might prove

  Thy curse, thy father’s, and a curse to Troy.

  He spake; Deiphobus uncertain stood

  Whether, retreating, to engage the help

  Of some heroic Trojan, or himself 560

  To make the dread experiment alone.

  At length, as his discreeter course, he chose

  To seek Æneas; him he found afar

  Station’d, remotest of the host of Troy,

  For he resented evermore his worth 565

  By Priam recompensed with cold neglect.

  Approaching him, in accents wing’d he said.

  Æneas! Trojan Chief! If e’er thou lov’dst

  Thy sister’s husband, duty calls thee now

  To prove it. Haste — defend with me the dead 570

  Alcathoüs, guardian of thy tender years,

  327 Slain by Idomeneus the spear-renown’d.

  So saying, he roused his spirit, and on fire

  To combat with the Cretan, forth he sprang.

  But fear seized not Idomeneus as fear 575

  May seize a nursling boy; resolved he stood

  As in the mountains, conscious of his force,

  The wild boar waits a coming multitude

  Of boisterous hunters to his lone retreat;

  Arching his bristly spine he stands, his eyes 580

  Beam fire, and whetting his bright tusks, he burns

  To drive, not dogs alone, but men to flight;

  So stood the royal Cretan, and fled not,

  Expecting brave Æneas; yet his friends

  He summon’d, on Ascalaphus his eyes 585

  Fastening, on Aphareus, Deipyrus,

  Meriones, and Antilochus, all bold

  In battle, and in accents wing’d exclaim’d.

  Haste ye, my friends! to aid me, for I stand

  Alone, nor undismay’d the coming wait 590

  Of swift Æneas, nor less brave than swift,

  And who possesses fresh his flower of youth,

  Man’s prime advantage; were we match’d in years

  As in our spirits, either he should earn

  At once the meed of deathless fame, or I. 595

  He said; they all unanimous approach’d,

  Sloping their shields, and stood. On the other side

  His aids Æneas call’d, with eyes toward

  Paris, Deiphobus, Agenor, t
urn’d,

  His fellow-warriors bold; them follow’d all 600

  Their people as the pastured flock the ram

  To water, by the shepherd seen with joy;

  Such joy Æneas felt, seeing, so soon,

  That numerous host attendant at his call.

  Then, for Alcathoüs, into contest close 605

  Arm’d with long spears they rush’d; on every breast

  Dread rang the brazen corselet, each his foe

  Assailing opposite; but two, the rest

  Surpassing far, terrible both as Mars,

  328 Æneas and Idomeneus, alike 610

  Panted to pierce each other with the spear.

  Æneas, first, cast at Idomeneus,

  But, warn’d, he shunn’d the weapon, and it pass’d.

  Quivering in the soil Æneas’ lance

  Stood, hurl’d in vain, though by a forceful arm. 615

  Not so the Cretan; at his waist he pierced

  Oenomaüs, his hollow corselet clave,

  And in his midmost bowels drench’d the spear;

  Down fell the Chief, and dying, clench’d the dust.

  Instant, his massy spear the King of Crete 620

  Pluck’d from the dead, but of his radiant arms

  Despoil’d him not, by numerous weapons urged;

  For now, time-worn, he could no longer make

  Brisk sally, spring to follow his own spear,

  Or shun another, or by swift retreat 625

  Vanish from battle, but the evil day

  Warded in stationary fight alone.

  At him retiring, therefore, step by step

  Deiphobus, who had with bitterest hate

  Long time pursued him, hurl’d his splendid lance, 630

  But yet again erroneous, for he pierced

  Ascalaphus instead, offspring of Mars;

  Right through his shoulder flew the spear; he fell

  Incontinent, and dying, clench’d the dust.

  But tidings none the brazen-throated Mars 635

  Tempestuous yet received, that his own son

  In bloody fight had fallen, for on the heights

  Olympian over-arch’d with clouds of gold

  He sat, where sat the other Powers divine,

  Prisoners together of the will of Jove. 640

  Meantime, for slain Ascalaphus arose

  Conflict severe; Deiphobus his casque

  Resplendent seized, but swift as fiery Mars

  Assailing him, Meriones his arm

  Pierced with a spear, and from his idle hand 645

  Fallen, the casque sonorous struck the ground.

  Again, as darts the vulture on his prey,