William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  Nor Menelaus, Atreus’ valiant son,

  Knew not how Menœtiades had fallen

  By Trojan hands in battle; forth he rush’d

  All bright in burnish’d armor through his van,

  And as some heifer with maternal fears 5

  Now first acquainted, compasses around

  Her young one murmuring, with tender moan,

  So moved the hero of the amber locks

  Around Patroclus, before whom his spear

  Advancing and broad shield, he death denounced 10

  On all opposers; neither stood the son

  Spear-famed of Panthus inattentive long

  To slain Patroclus, but approach’d the dead,

  And warlike Menelaus thus bespake.

  Prince! Menelaus! Atreus’ mighty son! 15

  Yield. Leave the body and these gory spoils;

  For of the Trojans or allies of Troy

  None sooner made Patroclus bleed than I.

  Seek not to rob me, therefore, of my praise

  Among the Trojans, lest my spear assail 20

  Thee also, and thou perish premature.

  To whom, indignant, Atreus’ son replied.

  Self-praise, the Gods do know, is little worth.

  424 But neither lion may in pride compare

  Nor panther, nor the savage boar whose heart’s 25

  High temper flashes in his eyes, with these

  The spear accomplish’d youths of Panthus’ house.

  Yet Hyperenor of equestrian fame

  Lived not his lusty manhood to enjoy,

  Who scoffingly defied my force in arms, 30

  And call’d me most contemptible in fight

  Of all the Danaï. But him, I ween,

  His feet bore never hence to cheer at home

  His wife and parents with his glad return.

  So also shall thy courage fierce be tamed, 35

  If thou oppose me. I command thee, go —

  Mix with the multitude; withstand not me,

  Lest evil overtake thee! To be taught

  By sufferings only, is the part of fools.

  He said, but him sway’d not, who thus replied. 40

  Now, even now, Atrides! thou shalt rue

  My brother’s blood which thou hast shed, and mak’st

  His death thy boast. Thou hast his blooming bride

  Widow’d, and thou hast fill’d his parents’ hearts

  With anguish of unutterable wo; 45

  But bearing hence thy armor and thy head

  To Troy, and casting them at Panthus’ feet,

  And at the feet of Phrontis, his espoused,

  I shall console the miserable pair.

  Nor will I leave that service unessay’d 50

  Longer, nor will I fail through want of force,

  Of courage, or of terrible address.

  He ceased, and smote his shield, nor pierced the disk,

  But bent his point against the stubborn brass.

  Then Menelaus, prayer preferring first 55

  To Jove, assail’d Euphorbus in his turn,

  Whom pacing backward in the throat he struck,

  425 And both hands and his full force the spear

  Impelled, urged it through his neck behind.

  Sounding he fell; loud rang his batter’d arms. 60

  His locks, which even the Graces might have own’d,

  Blood-sullied, and his ringlets wound about

  With twine of gold and silver, swept the dust.

  As the luxuriant olive by a swain

  Rear’d in some solitude where rills abound, 65

  Puts forth her buds, and fann’d by genial airs

  On all sides, hangs her boughs with whitest flowers,

  But by a sudden whirlwind from its trench

  Uptorn, it lies extended on the field;

  Such, Panthus’ warlike son Euphorbus seem’d, 70

  By Menelaus, son of Atreus, slain

  Suddenly, and of all his arms despoil’d.

  But as the lion on the mountains bred,

  Glorious in strength, when he hath seized the best

  And fairest of the herd, with savage fangs 75

  First breaks her neck, then laps the bloody paunch

  Torn wide; meantime, around him, but remote,

  Dogs stand and swains clamoring, yet by fear

  Repress’d, annoy him not nor dare approach;

  So there all wanted courage to oppose 80

  The force of Menelaus, glorious Chief.

  Then, easily had Menelaus borne

  The armor of the son of Panthus thence,

  But that Apollo the illustrious prize

  Denied him, who in semblance of the Chief 85

  Of the Ciconians, Mentes, prompted forth

  Against him Hector terrible as Mars,

  426 Whose spirit thus in accents wing’d he roused.

  Hector! the chase is vain; here thou pursuest

  The horses of Æacides the brave, 90

  Which thou shalt never win, for they are steeds

  Of fiery nature, such as ill endure

  To draw or carry mortal man, himself

  Except, whom an immortal mother bore.

  Meantime, bold Menelaus, in defence 95

  Of dead Patroclus, hath a Trojan slain

  Of highest note, Euphorbus, Panthus’ son,

  And hath his might in arms for ever quell’d.

  So spake the God and to the fight return’d.

  But grief intolerable at that word 100

  Seized Hector; darting through the ranks his eye,

  He knew at once who stripp’d Euphorbus’ arms,

  And him knew also lying on the field,

  And from his wide wound bleeding copious still.

  Then dazzling bright in arms, through all the van 105

  He flew, shrill-shouting, fierce as Vulcan’s fire

  Unquenchable; nor were his shouts unheard

  By Atreus’ son, who with his noble mind

  Conferring sad, thus to himself began.

  Alas! if I forsake these gorgeous spoils, 110

  And leave Patroclus for my glory slain,

  I fear lest the Achaians at that sight

  Incensed, reproach me; and if, urged by shame,

  I fight with Hector and his host, alone,

  Lest, hemm’d around by multitudes, I fall; 115

  For Hector, by his whole embattled force

  Attended, comes. But whither tend my thoughts?

  No man may combat with another fenced

  By power divine and whom the Gods exalt,

  But he must draw down wo on his own head. 120

  Me, therefore, none of all Achaia’s host

  Will blame indignant, seeing my retreat

  From Hector, whom themselves the Gods assist.

  But might the battle-shout of Ajax once

  Reach me, with force united we would strive, 125

  427 Even in opposition to a God,

  To rescue for Achilles’ sake, his friend.

  Task arduous! but less arduous than this.

  While he thus meditated, swift advanced

  The Trojan ranks, with Hector at their head. 130

  He then, retiring slow, and turning oft,

  Forsook the body. As by dogs and swains

  With clamors loud and spears driven from the stalls

  A bearded lion goes, his noble heart

  Abhors retreat, and slow he quits the prey; 135

  So Menelaus with slow steps forsook

  Patroclus, and arrived in front, at length,

  Of his own phalanx, stood, with sharpen’d eyes

  Seeking vast Ajax, son of Telamon.

  Him leftward, soon, of all the field he mark’d 140

  Encouraging aloud his band, whose hearts

  With terrors irresistible himself

  Phœbus had fill’d. He ran, and at his side

  Standing, incontinent him thus bespake.

  My gallan
t Ajax, haste — come quickly — strive 145

  With me to rescue for Achilles’ sake

  His friend, though bare, for Hector hath his arms.

  He said, and by his words the noble mind

  Of Ajax roused; issuing through the van

  He went, and Menelaus at his side. 150

  Hector the body of Patroclus dragg’d,

  Stript of his arms, with falchion keen erelong

  Purposing to strike off his head, and cast

  His trunk, drawn distant, to the dogs of Troy.

  But Ajax, with broad shield tower-like, approach’d. 155

  Then Hector, to his bands retreating, sprang

  Into his chariot, and to others gave

  The splendid arms in charge, who into Troy

  Should bear the destined trophy of his praise,

  But Ajax with his broad shield guarding stood 160

  Slain Menœtiades, as for his whelps

  The lion stands; him through some forest drear

  Leading his little ones, the hunters meet;

  428 Fire glimmers in his looks, and down he draws

  His whole brow into frowns, covering his eyes; 165

  So, guarding slain Patroclus, Ajax lour’d.

  On the other side, with tender grief oppress’d

  Unspeakable, brave Menelaus stood.

  But Glaucus, leader of the Lycian band,

  Son of Hippolochus, in bitter terms 170

  Indignant, reprimanded Hector thus,

  Ah, Hector, Chieftain of excelling form,

  But all unfurnish’d with a warrior’s heart!

  Unwarranted I deem thy great renown

  Who art to flight addicted. Think, henceforth, 175

  How ye shall save city and citadel

  Thou and thy people born in Troy, alone.

  No Lycian shall, at least, in your defence

  Fight with the Grecians, for our ceaseless toil

  In arms, hath ever been a thankless task. 180

  Inglorious Chief! how wilt thou save a worse

  From warring crowds, who hast Sarpedon left

  Thy guest, thy friend, to be a spoil, a prey

  To yonder Argives? While he lived he much

  Thee and thy city profited, whom dead 185

  Thou fear’st to rescue even from the dogs.

  Now, therefore, may but my advice prevail,

  Back to your country, Lycians! so, at once,

  Shall remediless ruin fall on Troy.

  For had the Trojans now a daring heart 190

  Intrepid, such as in the breast resides

  Of laborers in their country’s dear behalf,

  We soon should drag Patroclus into Troy;

  And were his body, from the battle drawn,

  In Priam’s royal city once secured, 195

  As soon, the Argives would in ransom give

  Sarpedon’s body with his splendid arms

  To be conducted safe into the town.

  For when Patroclus fell, the friend was slain

  Of such a Chief as is not in the fleet 200

  For valor, and his bands are dauntless all.

  429 But thou, at the first glimpse of Ajax’ eye

  Confounded, hast not dared in arms to face

  That warrior bold, superior far to thee.

  To whom brave Hector, frowning stern, replied, 205

  Why, Glaucus! should a Chief like thee his tongue

  Presume to employ thus haughtily? My friend!

  I thee accounted wisest, once, of all

  Who dwell in fruitful Lycia, but thy speech

  Now utter’d altogether merits blame, 210

  In which thou tell’st me that I fear to stand

  Against vast Ajax. Know that I from fight

  Shrink not, nor yet from sound of prancing steeds;

  But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails

  Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight 215

  The bravest, and the victory takes with ease

  Even from those whom once he favor’d most.

  But hither, friend! stand with me; mark my deed;

  Prove me, if I be found, as thou hast said,

  An idler all the day, or if by force 220

  I not compel some Grecian to renounce

  Patroclus, even the boldest of them all.

  He ceased, and to his host exclaim’d aloud.

  Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons

  Of Dardanus, oh be ye men, my friends! 225

  Now summon all your fortitude, while I

  Put on the armor of Achilles, won

  From the renown’d Patroclus slain by me.

  So saying, illustrious Hector from the clash

  Of spears withdrew, and with his swiftest pace 230

  Departing, overtook, not far remote,

  The bearers of Achilles’ arms to Troy.

  Apart from all the horrors of the field

  Standing, he changed his armor; gave his own

  To be by them to sacred Ilium borne, 235

  And the immortal arms of Peleus’ son

  Achilles, by the ever-living Gods

  To Peleüs given, put on. Those arms the Sire,

  Now old himself, had on his son conferr’d

  430 But in those arms his son grew never old. 240

  Him, therefore, soon as cloud-assembler Jove

  Saw glittering in divine Achilles’ arms,

  Contemplative he shook his brows, and said,

  Ah hapless Chief! thy death, although at hand,

  Nought troubles thee. Thou wear’st his heavenly 245

  Who all excels, terror of Ilium’s host.

  His friend, though bold yet gentle, thou hast slain

  And hast the brows and bosom of the dead

  Unseemly bared: yet, bright success awhile

  I give thee; so compensating thy lot, 250

  From whom Andromache shall ne’er receive

  Those glorious arms, for thou shalt ne’er return.

  So spake the Thunderer, and his sable brows

  Shaking, confirm’d the word. But Hector found

  The armor apt; the God of war his soul 255

  With fury fill’d, he felt his limbs afresh

  Invigorated, and with loudest shouts

  Return’d to his illustrious allies.

  To them he seem’d, clad in those radiant arms,

  Himself Achilles; rank by rank he pass’d 260

  Through all the host, exhorting every Chief,

  Asteropæus, Mesthles, Phorcys, Medon,

  Thersilochus, Deisenor, augur Ennomus,

  Chromius, Hippothoüs; all these he roused

  To battle, and in accents wing’d began. 265

  Hear me, ye myriads, neighbors and allies!

  For not through fond desire to fill the plain

  With multitudes, have I convened you here

  Each from his city, but that well-inclined

  To Ilium, ye might help to guard our wives 270

  And little ones against the host of Greece.

  Therefore it is that forage large and gifts

  Providing for you, I exhaust the stores

  Of Troy, and drain our people for your sake.

  Turn then direct against them, and his life 275

  Save each, or lose; it is the course of war.

  Him who shall drag, though dead, Patroclus home

  431 Into the host of Troy, and shall repulse

  Ajax, I will reward with half the spoils

  And half shall be my own; glory and praise 280

  Shall also be his meed, equal to mine.

  He ended; they compact with lifted spears

  Bore on the Danaï, conceiving each

  Warm expectation in his heart to wrest

  From Ajax son of Telamon, the dead. 285

  Vain hope! he many a lifeless Trojan heap’d

  On slain Patroclus, but at length his speech

  To warlike Menelaus thus address’d. />
  Ah, Menelaus, valiant friend! I hope

  No longer, now, that even we shall ‘scape 290

  Ourselves from fight; nor fear I so the loss

  Of dead Patroclus, who shall soon the dogs

  Of Ilium, and the fowls sate with his flesh,

  As for my life I tremble and for thine,

  That cloud of battle, Hector, such a gloom 295

  Sheds all around; death manifest impends.

  Haste — call our best, if even they can hear.

  He spake, nor Menelaus not complied,

  But call’d aloud on all the Chiefs of Greece.

  Friends, senators, and leaders of the powers 300

  Of Argos! who with Agamemnon drink

  And Menelaus at the public feast,

  Each bearing rule o’er many, by the will

  Of Jove advanced to honor and renown!

  The task were difficult to single out 305

  Chief after Chief by name amid the blaze

  Of such contention; but oh, come yourselves

  Indignant forth, nor let the dogs of Troy

  Patroclus rend, and gambol with his bones!

  He ceased, whom Oïliades the swift 310

  Hearing incontinent, of all the Chiefs

  Ran foremost, after whom Idomeneus

  Approach’d, and dread as homicidal Mars

  Meriones. But never mind of man

  Could even in silent recollection name 315

  432 The whole vast multitude who, following these

  Renew’d the battle on the part of Greece.

  The Trojans first, with Hector at their head,

  Wedged in close phalanx, rush’d to the assault

  As when within some rapid river’s mouth 320

  The billows and stream clash, on either shore

  Loud sounds the roar of waves ejected wide,

  Such seem’d the clamors of the Trojan host.

  But the Achaians, one in heart, around

  Patroclus stood, bulwark’d with shields of brass 325

  And over all their glittering helmets Jove

  Darkness diffused, for he had loved Patroclus

  While yet he lived friend of Æacides,

  And now, abhorring that the dogs of Troy

  Should eat him, urged the Greeks to his defence, 330

  The host of Troy first shook the Grecian host;

  The body left, they fled; yet of them all,

  The Trojan powers, determined as they were,

  Slew none, but dragg’d the body. Neither stood

  The Greeks long time aloof, soon as repulsed 335