William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  Sheer from its base; new-tinged with purple bright 650

  Entire it fell and mingled with the dust.

  While thus they strove, each hoping victory,

  Came martial Menelaus to the aid

  Of Meges; spear in hand apart he stood

  By Dolops unperceived, through his back drove 655

  And through his breast the spear, and far beyond.

  And down fell Dolops, forehead to the ground.

  At once both flew to strip his radiant arms,

  Then, Hector summoning his kindred, call’d

  Each to his aid, and Melanippus first, 660

  Illustrious Hicetaon’s son, reproved.

  Ere yet the enemies of Troy arrived

  He in Percote fed his wandering beeves;

  380 But when the Danaï with all their fleet

  Came thither, then returning, he outshone 665

  The noblest Trojans, and at Priam’s side

  Dwelling, was honor’d by him as a son.

  Him Hector reprimanding, stern began.

  Are we thus slack? Can Melanippus view

  Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks 670

  How busy there with Dolops and his arms?

  Come on. It is no time for distant war,

  But either our Achaian foes must bleed,

  Or Ilium taken, from her topmost height

  Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain. 675

  So saying he went, whose steps the godlike Chief

  Attended; and the Telamonian, next,

  Huge Ajax, animated thus the Greeks.

  Oh friends, be men! Deep treasure in your hearts

  An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear 680

  Each to incur the censure of the rest.

  Of men so minded more survive than die,

  While dastards forfeit life and glory both.

  So moved he them, themselves already bent

  To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore 685

  Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass

  Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell’d the foe.

  Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach’d

  Antilochus, and thus his courage roused.

  Antilochus! in all the host is none 690

  Younger, or swifter, or of stronger limb

  Than thou. Make trial, therefore, of thy might,

  Spring forth and prove it on some Chief of Troy.

  He ended and retired, but him his praise

  Effectual animated; from the van 695

  Starting, he cast a wistful eye around

  And hurl’d his glittering spear; back fell the ranks

  Of Troy appall’d; nor vain his weapon flew,

  But Melanippus pierced heroic son

  Of Hicetaon, coming forth to fight, 700

  Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound

  381 Of all his batter’d armor down he fell.

  Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound

  Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair

  The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead, 705

  So thee, O Melanippus! to despoil

  Of thy bright arms valiant Antilochus

  Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye

  Of noble Hector, who through all the war

  Ran to encounter him; his dread approach 710

  Antilochus, although expert in arms,

  Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds,

  Conscious of injury that he hath done,

  Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog,

  Escapes, ere yet the peasantry arise, 715

  So fled the son of Nestor, after whom

  The Trojans clamoring and Hector pour’d

  Darts numberless; but at the front arrived

  Of his own phalanx, there he turn’d and stood.

  Then, eager as voracious lions, rush’d 720

  The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind

  Of Jove accomplishing who them impell’d

  Continual, calling all their courage forth,

  While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took

  Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium’s host. 725

  For Jove’s unalter’d purpose was to give

  Success to Priameian Hector’s arms,

  That he might cast into the fleet of Greece

  Devouring flames, and that no part might fail

  Of Thetis’ ruthless prayer; that sight alone 730

  He watch’d to see, one galley in a blaze,

  Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight

  To Ilium’s host, but glory to the Greeks.

  Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved

  To that assault Hector, himself prepared 735

  382 And ardent for the task; nor less he raged

  Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize

  Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam

  Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front

  His keen eyes glisten’d, and his helmet mark’d 740

  The agitation wild with which he fought.

  For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven

  Assisted Hector, and, although alone

  With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach

  The heights of glory, for that now his life 745

  Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on, his hour

  To die by Peleus’ mighty son approach’d.

  He then, wherever richest arms he saw

  And thickest throng, the warrior-ranks essay’d

  To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved, 750

  In even square compact so firm they stood.

  As some vast rock beside the hoary Deep

  The stress endures of many a hollow wind,

  And the huge billows tumbling at his base,

  So stood the Danaï, nor fled nor fear’d. 755

  But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host

  Assail’d on every side, and on the van

  Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved

  Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam

  Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm, 760

  And every seaman trembles at the view

  Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes,

  Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks.

  But he, as leaps a famish’d lion fell

  On beeves that graze some marshy meadow’s breadth, 765

  A countless herd, tended by one unskill’d

  To cope with savage beasts in their defence,

  Beside the foremost kine or with the last

  He paces heedless, but the lion, borne

  383 Impetuous on the midmost, one devours 770

  And scatters all the rest, so fled the Greeks,

  Terrified from above, before the arm

  Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove.

  All fled, but of them all alone he slew

  The Mycenæan Periphetes, son 775

  Of Copreus custom’d messenger of King

  Eurystheus to the might of Hercules.

  From such a sire inglorious had arisen

  A son far worthier, with all virtue graced,

  Swift-footed, valiant, and by none excell’d 780

  In wisdom of the Mycenæan name;

  Yet all but served to ennoble Hector more.

  For Periphetes, with a backward step

  Retiring, on his buckler’s border trod,

  Which swept his heels; so check’d, he fell supine, 785

  And dreadful rang the helmet on his brows.

  Him Hector quick noticing, to his side

  Hasted, and, planting in his breast a spear,

  Slew him before the phalanx of his friends.

  But they, although their fellow-warrior’s fate 790

  They mourn’d, no succor interposed, or could,

  Themselves by noble Hector sore appall’d.

  And no
w behind the ships (all that updrawn

  Above the shore, stood foremost of the fleet)

  The Greeks retired; in rush’d a flood of foes; 795

  Then, through necessity, the ships in front

  Abandoning, amid the tents they stood

  Compact, not disarray’d, for shame and fear

  Fast held them, and vociferating each

  Aloud, call’d ceaseless on the rest to stand. 800

  But earnest more than all, guardian of all,

  Gerenian Nestor in their parents’ name

  Implored them, falling at the knees of each.

  Oh friends! be men. Now dearly prize your place

  384 Each in the estimation of the rest. 805

  Now call to memory your children, wives,

  Possessions, parents; ye whose parents live,

  And ye whose parents are not, all alike!

  By them as if here present, I entreat

  That ye stand fast — oh be not turn’d to flight! 810

  So saying he roused the courage of the Greeks;

  Then, Pallas chased the cloud fall’n from above

  On every eye; great light the plain illumed

  On all sides, both toward the fleet, and where

  The undiscriminating battle raged. 815

  Then might be seen Hector and Hector’s host

  Distinct, as well the rearmost who the fight

  Shared not, as those who waged it at the ships.

  To stand aloof where other Grecians stood

  No longer now would satisfy the mind 820

  Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides

  Enormous marching, to and fro he swung

  With iron studs emboss’d a battle-pole

  Unwieldy, twenty and two cubits long.

  As one expert to spring from horse to horse, 825

  From many steeds selecting four, toward

  Some noble city drives them from the plain

  Along the populous road; him many a youth

  And many a maiden eyes, while still secure

  From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly; 830

  So Ajax o’er the decks of numerous ships

  Stalk’d striding large, and sent his voice to heaven.

  Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks

  Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself

  Hector, contented, now, the battle wage 835

  Lost in the multitude of Trojans more,

  But as the tawny eagle on full wing

  Assails the feather’d nations, geese or cranes

  Or swans lithe-neck’d grazing the river’s verge,

  So Hector at a galley sable-prow’d 840

  Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on

  With mighty hand, and his host after him.

  385 And now again the battle at the ships

  Grew furious; thou hadst deem’d them of a kind

  By toil untameable, so fierce they strove, 845

  And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged

  Hope vain, and the whole host’s destruction sure;

  But nought expected every Trojan less

  Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave

  Achaia’s heroes lifeless on the field. 850

  With such persuasions occupied, they fought.

  Then Hector seized the stern of a brave bark

  Well-built, sharp-keel’d, and of the swiftest sail,

  Which had to Troy Protesiläus brought,

  But bore him never thence. For that same ship 855

  Contending, Greeks and Trojans hand to hand

  Dealt slaughter mutual. Javelins now no more

  Might serve them, or the arrow-starting bow,

  But close conflicting and of one mind all

  With bill and battle-axe, with ponderous swords, 860

  And with long lances double-edged they fought.

  Many a black-hilted falchion huge of haft

  Fell to the ground, some from the grasp, and some

  From shoulders of embattled warriors hewn,

  And pools of blood soak’d all the sable glebe. 865

  Hector that ship once grappled by the stern

  Left not, but griping fast her upper edge

  With both hands, to his Trojans call’d aloud.

  Fire! Bring me fire! Stand fast and shout to heaven!

  Jove gives us now a day worth all the past; 870

  The ships are ours which, in the Gods’ despite

  Steer’d hither, such calamities to us

  Have caused, for which our seniors most I blame

  Who me withheld from battle at the fleet

  And check’d the people; but if then the hand 875

  Of Thunderer Jove our better judgment marr’d,

  Himself now urges and commands us on.

  He ceased; they still more violent assail’d

  The Grecians. Even Ajax could endure,

  Whelm’d under weapons numberless, that storm 880

  386 No longer, but expecting death retired

  Down from the decks to an inferior stand,

  Where still he watch’d, and if a Trojan bore

  Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear,

  Roaring continual to the host of Greece. 885

  Friends! Grecian heroes! ministers of Mars!

  Be men, my friends! now summon all your might!

  Think we that we have thousands at our backs

  To succor us, or yet some stronger wall

  To guard our warriors from the battle’s force? 890

  Not so. No tower’d city is at hand,

  None that presents us with a safe retreat

  While others occupy our station here,

  But from the shores of Argos far remote

  Our camp is, where the Trojans arm’d complete 895

  Swarm on the plain, and Ocean shuts us in.

  Our hands must therefore save us, not our heels

  He said, and furious with his spear again

  Press’d them, and whatsoever Trojan came,

  Obsequious to the will of Hector, arm’d 900

  With fire to burn the fleet, on his spear’s point

  Ajax receiving pierced him, till at length

  Twelve in close fight fell by his single arm.

  ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK.

  Achilles, at the suit of Patroclus, grants him his own armor, and permission to lead the Myrmidons to battle. They, sallying, repulse the Trojans. Patroclus slays Sarpedon, and Hector, when Apollo had first stripped off his armor and Euphorbus wounded him, slays Patroclus.

  BOOK XVI.

  Such contest for that gallant bark they waged.

  Meantime Patroclus, standing at the side

  Of the illustrious Chief Achilles, wept

  Fast as a crystal fountain from the height

  Of some rude rock pours down its rapid stream. 5

  Divine Achilles with compassion moved

  Mark’d him, and in wing’d accents thus began.

  Who weeps Patroclus like an infant girl

  Who, running at her mother’s side, entreats

  To be uplifted in her arms? She grasps 10

  Her mantle, checks her haste, and looking up

  With tearful eyes, pleads earnest to be borne;

  So fall, Patroclus! thy unceasing tears.

  Bring’st thou to me or to my people aught

  Afflictive? Hast thou mournful tidings learn’d 15

  Prom Phthia, trusted to thy ear alone?

  Menœtius, son of Actor, as they say,

  390 Still lives; still lives his Myrmidons among

  Peleus Æacides; whom, were they dead,

  With cause sufficient we should both deplore. 20

  Or weep’st thou the Achaians at the ships

  Perishing, for their outrage done to me?

  Speak. Name thy trouble. I would learn the cause

  To whom, deep-sorrowing, thou didst reply,

  Patroclus!
Oh Achilles, Peleus’ son! 25

  Noblest of all our host! bear with my grief,

  Since such distress hath on the Grecians fallen.

  The bravest of their ships disabled lie,

  Some wounded from afar, some hand to hand.

  Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds, 30

  Gall’d by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief,

  And Agamemnon suffer by the spear,

  And brave Eurypylus an arrow-point

  Bears in his thigh. These all, are now the care

  Of healing hands. Oh thou art pity-proof, 35

  Achilles! be my bosom ever free

  From anger such as harbor finds in thine,

  Scorning all limits! whom, of men unborn,

  Hereafter wilt thou save, from whom avert

  Disgrace, if not from the Achaians now? 40

  Ah ruthless! neither Peleus thee begat,

  Nor Thetis bore, but rugged rocks sublime,

  And roaring billows blue gave birth to thee,

  Who bear’st a mind that knows not to relent,

  But, if some prophecy alarm thy fears, 45

  If from thy Goddess-mother thou have aught

  Received, and with authority of Jove,

  Me send at least, me quickly, and with me

  The Myrmidons. A dawn of cheerful hope

  Shall thence, it may be, on the Greeks arise. 50

  Grant me thine armor also, that the foe

  Thyself supposing present, may abstain

  From battle, and the weary Greeks enjoy

  Short respite; it is all that war allows.

  We, fresh and vigorous, by our shouts alone 55

  391 May easily repulse an army spent

  With labor from the camp, and from the fleet,

  Such suit he made, alas! all unforewarn’d

  That his own death should be the bitter fruit,

  And thus Achilles, sorrowful, replied. 60

  Patroclus, noble friend! what hast thou spoken?

  Me neither prophesy that I have heard

  Holds in suspense, nor aught that I have learn’d

  From Thetis with authority of Jove!

  Hence springs, and hence alone, my grief of heart; 65

  If one, in nought superior to myself

  Save in his office only, should by force

  Amerce me of my well-earn’d recompense —

  How then? There lies the grief that stings my soul.

  The virgin chosen for me by the sons 70

  Of Greece, my just reward, by my own spear

  Obtain’d when I Eëtion’s city took,