Nestor, sitting at the table with Machaon, is alarmed with the increasing clamour of the war, and hastens to Agamemnon: on his way he meets that prince with Diomed and Ulysses, whom he informs of the extremity of the danger. Agamemnon proposes to make their escape by night, which Ulysses withstands; to which Diomed adds his advice, that, wounded as they were, they should go forth and encourage the army with their presence; which advice is pursued. Juno seeing the partiality of Jupiter to the Trojans, forms a design to overreach him; she sets off her charms with the utmost care, and (the more surely to enchant him) obtains the magic girdle of Venus. She then applies herself to the god of Sleep, and with some difficulty persuades him to seal the eyes of Jupiter; this done, she goes to mount Ida, where the god, at first sight, is ravished with her beauty, sinks in her embraces, and is laid asleep. Neptune takes advantage of his slumber, and succours the Greeks; Hector is struck to the ground with a prodigious stone by Ajax, and carried off from the battle: several actions succeed; till the Trojans, much distressed, are obliged to give way; the lesser Ajax signalises himself in a particular manner.
But nor the genial feast, nor flowing bowl,
Could charm the cares of Nestor's watchful soul;[1]
His startled ears the increasing cries attend;
Then thus, impatient, to his wounded friend:
"What new alarms, divine Machaon, say,
What mixed events attend this mighty day?
Hark! how the shouts divide, and how they meet,
And now come full, and thicken to the fleet!
Here, with the cordial draught dispel thy care,
Let Hecamede the strengthening bath prepare,
Refresh thy wound, and cleanse the clotted gore,
While I the adventures of the day explore."
He said: and, seizing Thrasymedes' shield,
His valiant offspring, hastened to the field;
That day, the son his father's buckler bore—
Then snatched a lance, and issued from the door.
Soon as the prospect opened to his view,
His wounded eyes the scene of sorrow knew;
↑At the end of the eleventh book Nestor was sitting at table with Machaon.
