William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  My darling son, and from his lips be taught 80

  What grief hath now befallen him, who close

  Abiding in his tent shares not the war.

  So saying she left the cave, whom all her nymphs

  Attended weeping, and where’er they pass’d

  The breaking billows open’d wide a way. 85

  At fruitful Troy arrived, in order fair

  They climb’d the beach, where by his numerous barks

  Encompass’d, swift Achilles sighing lay.

  Then, drawing nigh to her afflicted son,

  The Goddess-mother press’d between her palms 90

  His temples, and in accents wing’d inquired.

  Why weeps my son? what sorrow wrings thy soul?

  Speak, hide it not. Jove hath fulfill’d the prayer

  Which erst with lifted hands thou didst prefer,

  That all Achaia’s host, wanting thy aid, 95

  454 Might be compell’d into the fleet, and foul

  Disgrace incur, there prison’d for thy sake.

  To whom Achilles, groaning deep, replied.

  My mother! it is true; Olympian Jove

  That prayer fulfils; but thence, what joy to me, 100

  Patroclus slain? the friend of all my friends

  Whom most I loved, dear to me as my life —

  Him I have lost. Slain and despoil’d he lies

  By Hector of his glorious armor bright,

  The wonder of all eyes, a matchless gift 105

  Given by the Gods to Peleus on that day

  When thee they doom’d into a mortal’s arms.

  Oh that with these thy deathless ocean-nymphs

  Dwelling content, thou hadst my father left

  To espouse a mortal bride, so hadst thou ‘scaped 110

  Pangs numberless which thou must now endure

  For thy son’s death, whom thou shalt never meet

  From Troy return’d, in Peleus’ mansion more!

  For life I covet not, nor longer wish

  To mix with human kind, unless my spear 115

  May find out Hector, and atonement take

  By slaying him, for my Patroclus slain.

  To whom, with streaming tears, Thetis replied.

  Swift comes thy destiny as thou hast said,

  For after Hector’s death thine next ensues. 120

  Then answer, thus, indignant he return’d.

  Death, seize me now! since when my friend was slain,

  My doom was, not to succor him. He died

  From home remote, and wanting me to save him.

  Now, therefore, since I neither visit more 125

  My native land, nor, present here, have aught

  Avail’d Patroclus or my many friends

  Whom noble Hector hath in battle slain,

  But here I sit unprofitable grown,

  Earth’s burden, though of such heroic note, 130

  If not in council foremost (for I yield

  That prize to others) yet in feats of arms,

  Such as none other in Achaia’s host,

  455 May fierce contention from among the Gods

  Perish, and from among the human race, 135

  With wrath, which sets the wisest hearts on fire;

  Sweeter than dropping honey to the taste,

  But in the bosom of mankind, a smoke!

  Such was my wrath which Agamemnon roused,

  The king of men. But since the past is fled 140

  Irrevocable, howsoe’er distress’d,

  Renounce we now vain musings on the past,

  Content through sad necessity. I go

  In quest of noble Hector, who hath slain

  My loved Patroclus, and such death will take 145

  As Jove ordains me and the Powers of Heaven

  At their own season, send it when they may.

  For neither might the force of Hercules,

  Although high-favored of Saturnian Jove,

  From death escape, but Fate and the revenge 150

  Restless of Juno vanquish’d even Him.

  I also, if a destiny like his

  Await me, shall, like him, find rest in death;

  But glory calls me now; now will I make

  Some Trojan wife or Dardan with both hands 155

  Wipe her soft cheeks, and utter many a groan.

  Long time have I been absent from the field,

  And they shall know it. Love me as thou may’st,

  Yet thwart me not, for I am fixt to go.

  Whom Thetis answer’d, Goddess of the Deep. 160

  Thou hast well said, my son! it is no blame

  To save from threaten’d death our suffering friends.

  But thy magnificent and dazzling arms

  Are now in Trojan hands; them Hector wears

  456 Exulting, but ordain’d not long to exult, 165

  So habited; his death is also nigh.

  But thou with yonder warring multitudes

  Mix not till thou behold me here again;

  For with the rising sun I will return

  To-morrow, and will bring thee glorious arms, 170

  By Vulcan forged himself, the King of fire.

  She said, and turning from her son aside,

  The sisterhood of Ocean thus address’d.

  Plunge ye again into the briny Deep,

  And to the hoary Sovereign of the floods 175

  Report as ye have heard. I to the heights

  Olympian haste, that I may there obtain

  From Vulcan, glorious artist of the skies,

  Arms of excelling beauty for my son.

  She said; they plunged into the waves again, 180

  And silver-footed Thetis, to the heights

  Olympian soaring swiftly to obtain

  Arms for renown’d Achilles, disappear’d.

  Meantime, with infinite uproar the Greeks

  From Hector’s hero-slaying arm had fled 185

  Home to their galleys station’d on the banks

  Of Hellespont. Nor yet Achaia’s sons

  Had borne the body of Patroclus clear

  From flight of darts away, but still again

  The multitude of warriors and of steeds 190

  Came on, by Priameian Hector led

  Rapid as fire. Thrice noble Hector seized

  His ancles from behind, ardent to drag

  Patroclus, calling to his host the while;

  But thrice, the two Ajaces, clothed with might, 195

  Shock’d and repulsed him reeling. He with force

  Fill’d indefatigable, through his ranks

  Issuing, by turns assail’d them, and by turns

  457 Stood clamoring, yet not a step retired;

  But as the hinds deter not from his prey 200

  A tawny lion by keen hunger urged,

  So would not both Ajaces, warriors bold,

  Intimidate and from the body drive

  Hector; and he had dragg’d him thence and won

  Immortal glory, but that Iris, sent 205

  Unseen by Jove and by the powers of heaven,

  From Juno, to Achilles brought command

  That he should show himself. Full near she drew,

  And in wing’d accents thus the Chief address’d.

  Hero! most terrible of men, arise! 210

  protect Patroclus, for whose sake the war

  Stands at the fleet of Greece. Mutual prevails

  The slaughter, these the dead defending, those

  Resolute hence to drag him to the gates

  Of wind-swept Ilium. But beyond them all 215

  Illustrious Hector, obstinate is bent

  To win him, purposing to lop his head,

  And to exhibit it impaled on high.

  Thou then arise, nor longer on the ground

  Lie stretch’d inactive; let the thought with shame 220

  Touch thee, of thy Patroclus made the sport

  Of Trojan dogs, whose corse, if it return

  Dishon
ored home, brings with it thy reproach.

  To whom Achilles matchless in the race.

  Iris divine! of all the Gods, who sent thee? 225

  Then, thus, the swift ambassadress of heaven.

  By Juno sent I come, consort of Jove.

  Nor knows Saturnian Jove high-throned, himself,

  My flight, nor any of the Immortal Powers,

  Tenants of the Olympian heights snow-crown’d. 230

  Her answer’d then Pelides, glorious Chief.

  How shall I seek the fight? they have my arms.

  My mother charged me also to abstain

  From battle, till she bring me armor new

  Which she hath promised me from Vulcan’s hand. 235

  Meantime, whose armor else might serve my need

  458 I know not, save perhaps alone the shield

  Of Telamonian Ajax, whom I deem

  Himself now busied in the stormy van,

  Slaying the Trojans in my friend’s defence. 240

  To whom the swift-wing’d messenger of heaven,

  Full well we know thine armor Hector’s prize

  Yet, issuing to the margin of the foss,

  Show thyself only. Panic-seized, perchance,

  The Trojans shall from fight desist, and yield 245

  To the o’ertoil’d though dauntless sons of Greece

  Short respite; it is all that war allows.

  So saying, the storm-wing’d Iris disappear’d.

  Then rose at once Achilles dear to Jove,

  Athwart whose shoulders broad Minerva cast 250

  Her Ægis fringed terrific, and his brows

  Encircled with a golden cloud that shot

  Fires insupportable to sight abroad.

  As when some island, situate afar

  On the wide waves, invested all the day 255

  By cruel foes from their own city pour’d,

  Upsends a smoke to heaven, and torches shows

  On all her turrets at the close of eve

  Which flash against the clouds, kindled in hope

  Of aid from neighbor maritime allies, 260

  So from Achilles’ head light flash’d to heaven.

  Issuing through the wall, beside the foss

  He stood, but mix’d not with Achaia’s host,

  Obedient to his mother’s wise command.

  He stood and shouted; Pallas also raised 265

  A dreadful shout and tumult infinite

  Excited throughout all the host of Troy.

  Clear as the trumpet’s note when it proclaims

  A numerous host approaching to invest

  Some city close around, so clear the voice 270

  Rang of Æacides, and tumult-toss’d

  Was every soul that heard the brazen tone.

  With swift recoil the long-maned coursers thrust

  The chariots back, all boding wo at hand,

  459 And every charioteer astonish’d saw 275

  Fires that fail’d not, illumining the brows

  Of Peleus’ son, by Pallas kindled there.

  Thrice o’er the trench Achilles sent his voice

  Sonorous, and confusion at the sound

  Thrice seized the Trojans, and their famed allies. 280

  Twelve in that moment of their noblest died

  By their own spears and chariots, and with joy

  The Grecians from beneath a hill of darts

  Dragging Patroclus, placed him on his bier.

  Around him throng’d his fellow-warriors bold, 285

  All weeping, after whom Achilles went

  Fast-weeping also at the doleful sight

  Of his true friend on his funereal bed

  Extended, gash’d with many a mortal wound,

  Whom he had sent into the fight with steeds 290

  And chariot, but received him thence no more.

  And now majestic Juno sent the sun,

  Unwearied minister of light, although

  Reluctant, down into the Ocean stream.

  So the sun sank, and the Achaians ceased 295

  From the all-wasting labors of the war.

  On the other side, the Trojans, from the fight

  Retiring, loosed their steeds, but ere they took

  Thought of refreshment, in full council met.

  It was a council at which no man sat, 300

  Or dared; all stood; such terror had on all

  Fallen, for that Achilles had appear’d,

  After long pause from battle’s arduous toil.

  First rose Polydamas the prudent son

  Of Panthus, above all the Trojans skill’d 305

  Both in futurity and in the past.

  He was the friend of Hector, and one night

  460 Gave birth to both. In council one excell’d

  And one still more in feats of high renown.

  Thus then, admonishing them, he began. 310

  My friends! weigh well the occasion. Back to Troy

  By my advice, nor wait the sacred morn

  Here, on the plain, from Ilium’s walls remote

  So long as yet the anger of this Chief

  ‘Gainst noble Agamemnon burn’d, so long 315

  We found the Greeks less formidable foes,

  And I rejoiced, myself, spending the night

  Beside their oary barks, for that I hoped

  To seize them; but I now tremble at thought

  Of Peleus’ rapid son again in arms. 320

  A spirit proud as his will scorn to fight

  Here, on the plain, where Greeks and Trojans take

  Their common share of danger and of toil,

  And will at once strike at your citadel,

  Impatient till he make your wives his prey. 325

  Haste — let us home — else thus shall it befall;

  Night’s balmy influence in his tent detains

  Achilles now, but rushing arm’d abroad

  To-morrow, should he find us lingering here,

  None shall mistake him then; happy the man 330

  Who soonest, then, shall ‘scape to sacred Troy!

  Then, dogs shall make and vultures on our flesh

  Plenteous repast. Oh spare mine ears the tale!

  But if, though troubled, ye can yet receive

  My counsel, thus assembled we will keep 335

  Strict guard to-night; meantime, her gates and towers

  With all their mass of solid timbers, smooth

  And cramp’d with bolts of steel, will keep the town.

  But early on the morrow we will stand

  All arm’d on Ilium’s towers. Then, if he choose, 340

  His galleys left, to compass Troy about,

  He shall be task’d enough; his lofty steeds

  Shall have their fill of coursing to and fro

  Beneath, and gladly shall to camp return.

  But waste the town he shall not, nor attempt 345

  461 With all the utmost valor that he boasts

  To force a pass; dogs shall devour him first.

  To whom brave Hector louring, and in wrath.

  Polydamas, I like not thy advice

  Who bidd’st us in our city skulk, again 350

  Imprison’d there. Are ye not yet content?

  Wish ye for durance still in your own towers?

  Time was, when in all regions under heaven

  Men praised the wealth of Priam’s city stored

  With gold and brass; but all our houses now 355

  Stand emptied of their hidden treasures rare.

  Jove in his wrath hath scatter’d them; our wealth

  Is marketed, and Phrygia hath a part

  Purchased, and part Mæonia’s lovely land.

  But since the son of wily Saturn old 360

  Hath given me glory now, and to inclose

  The Grecians in their fleet hemm’d by the sea,

  Fool! taint not with such talk the public mind.

  For not a Trojan here will thy advice

  Follow, or
shall; it hath not my consent. 365

  But thus I counsel. Let us, band by band,

  Throughout the host take supper, and let each,

  Guarded against nocturnal danger, watch.

  And if a Trojan here be rack’d in mind

  Lest his possessions perish, let him cast 370

  His golden heaps into the public maw,

  Far better so consumed than by the Greeks.

  Then, with the morrow’s dawn, all fair array’d

  In battle, we will give them at their fleet

  Sharp onset, and if Peleus’ noble son 375

  Have risen indeed to conflict for the ships,

  The worse for him. I shall not for his sake

  Avoid the deep-toned battle, but will firm

  Oppose his utmost. Either he shall gain

  Or I, great glory. Mars his favors deals 380

  Impartial, and the slayer oft is slain.

  So counsell’d Hector, whom with shouts of praise

  462 The Trojans answer’d: — fools, and by the power

  Of Pallas of all sober thought bereft!

  For all applauded Hector, who had given 385

  Advice pernicious, and Polydamas,

  Whose counsel was discreet and wholesome none.

  So then they took repast. But all night long

  The Grecians o’er Patroclus wept aloud,

  While, standing in the midst, Pelides led 390

  The lamentation, heaving many a groan,

  And on the bosom of his breathless friend

  Imposing, sad, his homicidal hands.

  As the grim lion, from whose gloomy lair

  Among thick trees the hunter hath his whelps 395

  Purloin’d, too late returning mourns his loss,

  Then, up and down, the length of many a vale

  Courses, exploring fierce the robber’s foot,

  Incensed as he, and with a sigh deep-drawn

  Thus to his Myrmidons Achilles spake. 400

  How vain, alas! my word spoken that day

  At random, when to soothe the hero’s fears

  Menœtius, then our guest, I promised him

  His noble son at Opoeis again,

  Living and laden with the spoils of Troy! 405

  But Jove performs not all the thoughts of man,

  For we were both destined to tinge the soil

  Of Ilium with our blood, nor I shall see,

  Myself, my father in his mansion more

  Or Thetis, but must find my burial here. 410

  Yet, my Patroclus! since the earth expects

  Me next, I will not thy funereal rites

  Finish, till I shall bring both head and arms