The Poetical Works of Thomas Tickell/The first Book of The Iliad
For works with similar titles, see The Iliad.
THE
FIRST BOOK OF THE ILIAD.
Achilles' fatal wrath, whence discord rose
That brought the sons of Greece unnumber'd woes,
O Goddess sing. Full many a hero's ghost
Was driv'n untimely to th' infernal coast,
While in promisc'ous heaps their bodies lay 5
A feast for dogs and ev'ry bird of prey.
So did the fire of gods and men fulfil
His stedfast purpose and almighty will,
What time the haughty chiefs their jars begun,
Atrides King of Men and Peleus' godlike son. 10
What god in strife the princes did engage?
Apollo, burning with vindictive rage
Against the scornful King, whose impious pride
His priest dishonour'd and his pow'r defy'd;
Hence swift contagion by the god's commands 15
Swept thro' the camp and thinn'd the Grecian bands.
For wealth immense the holy Chryses bore
His daughter's ransome to the tented shore:
His sceptre stretching forth, the golden rod
Hung round with hallow'd garlands of his god, 20
Of all the host, of ev'ry princely chief,
But first of Atreus' sons, he begg'd relief.
"Great Atreus' sons and warlike Greeks attend!
"So may th' immortal gods your cause befriend,
"So may you Priam's lofty bulwarks burn, 25
"And rich in gather'd spoils to Greece return,
"As for those gifts my daughter you bestow,
"And rev'rence due to great Apollo show,
"Jove's fav'rite offspring, terrible in war,
"Who sends his shafts unerring from afar." 30
Thro'out the host consenting murmurs rise
The priest to rev'rence and give back the prize,
When the great King incens'd his silence broke
In words reproachful, and thus sternly spoke:
"Hence, Dotard! from my sight, nor ever more 35
"Approach I warn thee this forbidden shore,
"Lest thou stretch forth my fury to restrain
"The wreaths and sceptre of thy god in vain.
"The captive maid I never will resign;
"Till age o'ertakes her I have vow'd her mine: 40
"To distant Argos shall the fair be led;
"She shall, to ply the loom and grace my bed.
"Begone ere evil intercept thy way:
"Hence on thy life, nor urge me by thy stay."
He ended frowning. Speechless and dismay'd 45
The aged fire his stern command obey'd.
Silent he pass'd amid the deaf'ning roar
Of tumbling billows on the lonely shore:
Far from the camp he pass'd, then suppliant stood,
And thus the hoary priest invok'd his god: 50
"Dread Warriour with the silver bow! give ear;
"Patron of Chrysa and of Cilla hear:
"To thee the guard of Tenedos belongs;
"Propitious Smintheus! oh redress my wrongs!
"If e'er within thy fane, with wreaths adorn'd, 55
"The fat of bulls and wellfed goats I burn'd,
"O hear my pray'r! Let Greece thy fury know,
"And with thy shafts avenge thy servant's wo."
Apollo hear'd his injur'd suppliant's cry;
Down rush'd the vengeful warriour from the sky. 60
Across his breath the glitt'ring bow he flung,
And at his back the wellstor'd quiver hung:
(His arrows rattled as he urg'd his flight.)
In clouds he flew conceal'd from mortal sight, 64
Then took his stand the well-aim'd shaft to throw;
Fierce sprung the string, and twang'd the silver bow.
The dogs and mules his first keen arrow slew,
Amid the ranks the next more fatal flew,
A deathful dart! The fun'ral piles around
For ever blaz'd on the devoted ground. 70
Nine days entire he vex'd th' embattled host,
The tenth Achilles thro' the winding coast
Summon'd a council by the queen's command
Who wields heav'n's sceptre in her snowy hand:
She mourn'd her fav'rite Greeks, who now enclose 75
The hero, swiftly speaking as he rose:
"What now, O Atreus' son! remains in view
"But o'er the deep our wand'rings to renew,
"Doom'd to destruction, while our wasted pow'rs
"The sword and pestilence at once devours? 80
"Why haste we not some prophet's skill to prove,
"Or seek by dreams? (for dreams descend from Jove.)
"What moves Apollo's rage let him explain,
"What vow withheld, what hecatomb unslain,
"And if the blood of lambs and goats can pay 85
"The price for guilt and turn this curse away?"
Thus he; and next the rev'rend Calchas rose,
Their guide to Ilion whom the Grecians chose;
The prince of Augurs! whose enlighten'd eye
Could things past, present, and to come, descry! 90
Such wisdom Phœbus gave. He thus began,
His speech addressing to the godlike man:
"Me then commandst thou, lov'd of Jove! to show
"What moves the god that bends the dreadful bow?
"First plight thy faith thy ready help to lend, 95
"By words to aid me or by arms defend;
"For I foresee his rage whose ample sway
"The Argian pow'rs and sceptred chiefs obey.
"The wrath of kings what subject can oppose? 99
"Deep in their breasts the smother'd vengeance glows,
"Still watchful to destroy. Swear, valiant Youth!
"Swear, wilt thou guard me if I speak the truth?"
To this Achilles swift replies: "Be bold,
"Disclose what Phœbus tells thee uncontroll'd.
"By him who list'ning to thy pow'rful pray'r 105
"Reveals the secret I devoutly swear
"That while these eyes behold the light no hand
"Shall dare to wrong thee on this crowded strand;
"Not Atreus' son, tho' now himself he boast
"The King of Men and sov'reign of the host. 110
Then boldly he. "Nor does the god complain
"Of vows withheld or hecatombs unslain.
"Chryseïs to her awful sire refus'd,
"The gifts rejected, and the priest abus'd,
"Call down these judgments, and for more they call,
"Just ready on th' exhausted camp to fall, 116
"Till ransome-free the damsel is bestow'd,
"And hecatombs are sent to sooth the god,
"To Chrysa sent. Perhaps Apollo's rage
"The gifts may expiate and the priest assuage." 120
He spoke and sat; when with an angry frown
The chief of kings upstarted from his throne.
Disdain and vengeance in his bosom rise,
Lour in his brow and sparkle in his eyes;
Full at the priest their fiery orbs he bent, 125
And all at once his fury found a vent.
"Augur of ills (for never good to me
"Did that most inauspicious voice decree)
"For ever ready to denounce my woes,
"When Greece is punish'd I am still the cause; 130
"And now when Phœbus spreads his plagues abroad
"And wastes our camp, it is I provoke the god,
"Because my blooming captive I detain,
"And the large ransome is produc'd in vain.
"Fond of the maid, my queen in beauty's pride 135
"Ne'er charm'd me more a virgin and a bride;
"Not Clytemnestra boasts a nobler grace,
"A sweeter temper or a lovelier face,
"In works of female skill hath more command,
"Or guides the needle with a nicer hand: 140
"Yet she shall go; the fair our peace shall buy;
"Better I suffer than my people die.
"But mark me well; see instantly prepar'd
"A full equivalent, a new reward:
"Nor is it meet while each enjoys his share 145
"Your chief should lose his portion of the war;
"In vain your chief whilst the dear prize I boast
"Is wrested from me and for ever lost."
To whom the swift pursuer quick reply'd;
"Oh sunk in avarice, and swol'n with pride! 150
"How shall the Greeks, tho' large of soul they be,
"Collect their sever'd spoils, a heap for thee
"To search a-new, and cull the choicest share
"Amid the mighty harvest of the war?
"Then yield thy captive to the god resign'd, 155
"Assur'd a tenfold recompense to find
"When Jove's decree shall throw proud Ilion down
"And give to plunder the devoted town."
"Think not," Atrides answer'd, "tho' thou shine
"Graceful in beauty like the pow'rs divine, 160
"Think not thy wiles in specious words convey'd
"From its firm purpose shall my soul dissuade.
"Must I alone bereft sit down with shame,
"And thou insulting keep thy captive dame?
"If as I ask the large-soul'd Greek's consent 165
"Full recompense to give I stand content:
"If not, a prize I shall myself decree
"From him, or him, or else perhaps from thee,
"While the proud prince despoil'd shall rage in vain.
"But break we here? the rest let time explain. 170
"Lanch now a welltrimm'd galley from the shore,
"With hands experienc'd at the bending oar;
"Enclose the hecatomb, and then with care
"To the high deck convey the captive fair.
"The sacred bark let sage Ulysses guide, 175
"Or Ajax or Idomeneus preside;
"Or thou, O mighty Man! the chief shalt be,
"And who more fit to sooth the god than thee?"
"Shameless, and poor of soul!" the prince replies,
And on the Monarch casts his scornful eyes, 180
"What Greek henceforth will march at thy command
"In search of danger on the doubtful strand?
"Who in the face of day provoke the fight,
"Or tempt the secret ambush of the night?
"Not I be sure. Henceforward I am free, 185
"For ne'er was Priam's house a foe to me:
"Far from their inroads in my pastures feed
"The lowing heifer and the pamper'd steed.
"On Phthia's hills our fruits securely grow,
"And ripen careless of the distant foe, 190
"Between whose realms and our Thessalian shore
"Unnumber'd mountains rise and billows roar.
"For thine and for thy baffled brother's fame
"Across those seas, disdainful Man! I came;
"Yet, Insolent! by arbitrary sway 195
"Thou talk'st of seizing on my rightful prey,
"The prize whose purchase toils and dangers cost,
And giv'n by suffrage of the Grecian host.
"What town when sack'd by our victorious bands
"But still brought wealth to those rapacious hands?
"To me thus scorn'd contented dost thou yield 201
"My share of blood in the tumultuous field;
"But still the flow'r of all the spoil is thine;
"There claim'st thou most, nor e'er did I repine:
"Whate'er was giv'n I took, and thought it best, 205
"With slaughter tir'd, and panting after rest.
"To Phthia now, for I shall fight no more,
"My ships their crooked prows shall turn from shore.
"When I am scorn'd I think I well foresee
"What spoils and pillage will be won by thee. 210
"Hence," cry'd the Monarch, "hence; without delay;
"Think not, vain Man! my voice shall urge thy stay:
"Others thou leav'st to the great cause inclin'd;
"A league of kings thou leav'st and Jove behind.
"Of all the chiefs dost thou oppose me most; 215
"Outrage and uproar are thy only boast,
"Discord and jars thy joy. But learn to know
"If thou art strong it is Jove hath made thee so.
"Go at thy pleasure, none will stop thy way;
"Go, bid thy baseborn Myrmidons obey. 220
"Thou nor thy rage shall my resolves subdue;
"I fix my purpose and my threats renew.
"Since it is decreed I must the maid restore
"A ship shall waft her to th' offended pow'r;
"But fair Briseïs, thy allotted prize, 225
"Myself will seize, and seize before thy eyes,
"That thou and each audacious man may see
"How vain the rash attempt to cope with me."
Stung to the soul tumult'ous thoughts began
This way and that to rend the godlike man. 230
To force a passage with his falchion drawn
And hurl th' imperial boaster from his throne
He now resolves; and now resolves again
To quell his fury and his arm restrain.
While thus by turns his rage and reason sway'd, 235
And half unsheath'd he held the glitt'ring blade,
That moment Juno, whose impartial eye
Watch'd o'er them both, sent Pallas from the sky.
She flew, and caught his yellow hair behind,
(To him alone the radiant goddess shin'd;) 240
Sudden he turn'd, and started with surprise;
Rage and revenge flash'd dreadful in his eyes.
Then thus with hasty words: "O heav'nly-born!
"Com'st thou to see proud Agamemnon's scorn?
"But thou shalt see (my sword shall make it good) 245
"This glutted sand smoke with the tyrant's blood."
"To sooth thy soul," the Blueey'd maid replies,
"(If thou obey my voice) I left the skies!
"Heav'n's queen, who favours both, gave this command,
"Suppress thy wrath and slay thy vengeful hand; 250
"Be all thy rage in tauntful words exprest,
"But guiltless let the thirsty falchion rest.
"Mark what I speak. An hour is on its way!
"When gifts tenfold for this affront shall pay.
"Suppress thy wrath, and Heav'n and me obey."
Then he: "I yield tho' with reluctant mind: 256
"Who yields to Heav'n shall Heav'n propitious find."
The silver hilt close-grasping, at the word
Deep in the sheath he plung'd his mighty sword.
The goddess turning darted from his sight, 260
And reach'd Olympus in a moment's flight.
But fierce Achilles in a thund'ring tone
Throws out his wrath, and goes impetuous on:
"Valiant with wine, and furious from the bowl,
"Thou fierce-look'd talker with a coward soul! 265
"War's glorious peril ever slow to share,
"Aloof thou view'st the field, for death is there:
"'Tis greater far this peaceful camp to sway,
"And peel the Greeks at will who disobey;
"A tyrant lord o'er slaves to earth debas'd, 270
"For had they souls this outrage were thy last.
"But thou my fix'd my final purpose hear:
"By this dread sceptre solemnly I swear,
"By this (which once from out the forest torn
"Nor leaf nor shade shall ever more adorn, 275
"Which never more its verdure must renew,
"Lopp'd from the vital stem whence first it grew,
"But giv'n by Jove the sons of men to awe,
"Now sways the nations and confirms the law)
"A day shall come when for this hour's disdain 280
"The Greeks shall wish for me and wish in vain;
"Nor thou tho' griev'd the wanted aid afford,
"When heaps on heaps shall fall by Hector's sword;
"Too late with anguish shall thy heart be torn 284
"That the first Greek was made the publick scorn."
He said; and mounting with a furious bound
He dash'd his studded sceptre on the ground;
Then sat: Atrides eager to reply
On the fierce champion glanc'd a vengeful eye. 289
'Twas then the madding monarchs to compose
The Pylian prince, the smooth-speech'd Nestor, rose.
His tongue dropp'd honey: full of days was he;
Two ages past he liv'd the third to see,
And his first race of subjects long decay'd
O'er their sons sons a peaceful sceptre sway'd. 295
"Alas for Greece!" he cries; "and with what joy
"Shall Priam hear, and ev'ry son of Troy,
"That you the first in wisdom as in wars
"Waste your great souls in poor ignoble jars!
"Go to! you both are young; yet oft' rever'd 300
"Greater than you have the wise Nestor heard:
"Their equals never shall these eyes behold,
"Cæneus the just, Pirithous the bold,
"Exadius, Dryas, born to high command,
"Shepherds of men, and rulers of the land, 305
"Theseus unrivall'd in his fire's abodes,
"And mighty Polypheme, a match for gods.
"They, greatest names that ancient story knows,
"In mortal conflict met as dreadful foes,
"Fearless thro' rocks and wilds their prey pursu'd,
"And the huge double Centaur-race subdu'd. 311
"With them my early youth was pleas'd to roam
"Thro' regions far from my sweet native home:
"They call'd me to the wars: no living hand
"Could match their valour or their strength withstand; 315
"Yet wont they oft' my sage advice to hear:
"Then listen both with an attentive ear.
"Seize not thou, King of Men, the beauteous slave,
"Th' allotted prize the Grecian voices gave;
"Nor thou, Pelides, in a threat'ning tone 320
"Urge him to wrath who fills that sacred throne,
"The King of forty kings, and honour'd more
"By mighty Jove than e'er was king before.
"Brave tho' thou art, and of a race divine,
"Thou must obey a pow'r more great than thine: 325
"And thou, O King! forbear: myself will sue
"Great Thetis' son his vengeance to subdue;
"Great Thetis valiant son, our country's boast,
"The shield and bulwark of the Grecian host!"
"Wise are thy words, O Sire!" the King began,
"But what can satiate this aspiring man? 331
"Unbounded pow'r he claims o'er humankind,
And hopes for slaves I trust he ne'er shall find.
"Shall we because the gods have form'd him strong
"Bear the lowd language of his lawless tongue?" 335
"If aw'd by thee the Greeks might well despise
"My name," the prince precipitate replies.
"In vain thou nodd'st from thy imperial throne;
"Thy vassals seek elsewhere, for I am none.
"But break we here. The fair, tho' justly mine, 340
"With sword undrawn I purpose to resign:
"On aught beside, I once for all command,
"Lay not I charge thee thy presumpt'ous hand:
"Come not within my reach, nor dare advance,
"Or thy heart's blood shall reek upon my lance." 345
Thus both in foul debate prolong'd the day;
The council broke each takes his sep'rate way:
Achilles seeks his tent with restless mind,
Patroclus and his train move slow behind.
Mean-time a bark was haul'd along the sand;
Twice ten selected Greeks, a brawny band, 351
Tug the tough oars at the great King's command.
The gifts, the hecatomb, the captive fair,
Are all intrusted to Ulysses' care.
They mount the deck, the vessel takes its flight, 355
Bounds o'er the surge and lessens to the sight.
Next he ordains along the winding coast;
By hallow'd rites to purify the host:
A herd of chosen victims they provide,
And cast their offals on the briny tide: 360
Fat bulls and goats to great Apollo die,
In clouds the sav'ry steam ascends the sky.
The Greeks to Heav'n their solemn vows addrest,
But dire revenge roll'd in the Monarch's breast.
Obsequious at his call two heralds stand, 365
To them in frowns he gives this harsh command:
"Ye Heralds! to Achilles' tent repair,
"Thence swift the female slave Briseïs bear.
"With arms if disobey'd myself will come:
"Bid him resign her or he tempts his doom." 370
The heralds tho' unwillingly obey;
Along the sea-beat shore they speed their way;
And now the Myrmidonian quarter past
At his tent door they find the hero plac'd.
Disturb'd the solemn messengers he saw; 375
They too stood silent with respectful awe
Before the royal youth: they neither spoke:
He guess'd their message, and the silence broke:
"Ye Ministers of gods and men! draw near;
"Not you but him whose heralds ye appear 380
"Robb'd of my right I blame. Patroclus, bring
"The damsel forth for this disdainful King.
"But ye my wrongs, O Heralds! bear in mind,
"And clear me to the gods and all mankind;
"Ev'n to your thoughtless King, if evermore 385
"My aid he wanted on the hostile shore.
"Thoughtless he is, nor knows his certain doom,
"Blind to the past, nor sees the woes to come,
"His best defence thus rashly to forego,
"And leave a naked army to the foe." 390
He ceas'd. Patroclus his dear friend obey'd,
And usher'd in the lovely weeping maid.
Sore sigh'd she as the heralds took her hand,
And oft' look'd back slow-moving o'er the strand.
The widow'd hero when the fair was gone 395
Far from his friends sat bath'd in tears alone;
On the cold beach he sat, and fix'd his eyes
Where black with storms the curling billows rise,
And as the sea wide-rolling he survey'd
With outstretch'd arms to his fond mother pray'd:
"Since to short life thy hapless son was born 401
"Great Jove stands bound by promise to adorn
"His stinted course with an immortal name.
"Is this the great amends? the promis'd fame?
"The son of Atrous, proud of lawless sway, 405
"Demands, possesses, and enjoys, my prey."
Near her old sire enthron'd she heard him weep
From the low silent caverns of the deep;
Then in a morning mist her head she rears,
Sits by her son, and mingles tears with tears; 410
Close grasps her darling's hand. "My Son!" she cries,
"Why heaves thy heart? and why o'erflows thy eyes?
"Oh! tell me, tell thy mother all thy care, 413
"That both may know it and that both may share."
"Oh Goddess!" cry'd he with an inward groan,
"Thou know'st it all; to thee are all things known.
"Eëtian Thebes we sack'd; their ransack'd tow'rs,
"The plunder of a people, all was ours.
"We stood agreed the booty to divide:
"Chryseis, rosy-cheek'd and glossy-ey'd, 420
"Fell to the King; but holy Chryses bore
"Vast gifts of ransome to the tented shore:
"His sceptre stretching forth (the golden rod
"Hung round with hallow'd garlands of his god)
"Of all the host, of ev'ry princely chief, 425
"But first of Atreus' sons, he begg'd relief.
"Thro'out the host consenting murmurs ran
"To yield her to the venerable man;
"But the harsh King deny'd to do him right,
"And drove the trembling prophet from his sight.
"Apollo heard his injur'd suppliant's cry, 431
"And dealt his arrows thro' th' infected sky;
"The swift contagion sent by his commands
"Swept thro' the camp and thinn'd the Grecian bands.
"The guilty cause a sacred augur show'd,
"And I first mov'd to mitigate the god: 436
"At this the tyrant storm'd, and vengeance vow'd,
"And now too soon hath made his threat'nings good.
"Chryseïs first with gifts to Chrysa sent,
"His heralds came this moment to my tent 440
"And bore Briseïs thence, my beauteous slave,
"Th' allotted prize which the leagu'd Grecians gave.
"Thou, Goddess! then, and thou I know hast pow'r,
"For thine own son the might of Jove implore.
"Oft' in my father's house I've heard thee tell, 445
"When sudden fears on Heav'n's great monarch fell,
"Thy aid the rebel deities o'ercame,
"And sav'd the mighty Thunderer from shame.
"Pallas, and Neptune, and great Juno, bound
"The fire in chains, and hemm'd their sov'reign round.
"Thy voice, O Goddess! broke their idle bands, 451
"And call'd the giant of the hundred hands,
"The prodigy whom heav'n and earth revere,
"Briareus nam'd above, Ageon here:
"His father Neptune he in strength surpass'd; 455
"At Jove's right-hand his hideous form he plac'd,
"Proud of his might: the gods with secret dread
"Beheld the huge enormous shape and fled.
"Remind him then, for well thou know'st the art:
"Go clasp his knees and melt his mighty heart. 460
"Let the driv'n Argians hunted o'er the plain
"Seek the last verge of this tempest'ous main;
"There let them perish, void of all relief,
"My wrongs remember and enjoy their chief:
"Too late with anguish shall his heart be torn 465
"That the first Greek was made the publick scorn."
Then she (with tears her azure eyes ran o'er)
"Why bore I thee, or nourish'd when I bore?
"Blest if within thy tent and free from strife
"Thou might'st possess thy poor remains of life! 470
"Thy death approaching now the Fates foreshow;
"Short is thy destin'd term and full of wo.
"Ill-fated thou! and oh unhappy I!
"But hence to the celestial courts I fly,
"Where hid in snow to heav'n Olympus swells, 475
"And Jove rejoicing in his thunder dwells.
"Mean-time, my Son! indulge thy just disdain,"
"Vent all thy rage, and shun the hostile plain
"Till Jove returns. Last night my waves he crost,"
"And sought the distant Ethiopian coast: 480
"Along the skies his radiant course he steer'd,
"Behind him all the train of gods appear'd,
"A bright procession! To the holy feast
"Of blameless men he goes a grateful guest:
"To heav'n he comes when twice six days are o'er,
"Then shall my voice the fire of gods implore; 486
"Then to his lofty mansion will I pass,
"Founded on rocks of ever-during brass;
"There will I clasp his knees with wonted art,
"Nor doubt, my Son! but I shall melt his heart." 490
She ceas'd, and left him lost in doubtful care,
And bent on vengeance for the ravish'd fair.
But safe arriv'd near Chrysa's sacred strand
The sage Ulysses now advanc'd to land:
Along the coast he shoots with swelling gales, 495
Then lowers the lofty mast and furls the sails,
Next plies to port with many a well tim'd oar,
And drops his anchors near the faithful shore,
The bark now fix'd amidst the rolling tide
Chryseï's follows her experienc'd guide: 500
The gifts to Phœbus from the Grecian host,
A herd of bulls, went bellowing o'er the coast.
To the god's fane, high looking o'er the land,
He led, and near the altar took his stand,
Then gave her to the joyful father's hand. 505
"All hail! Atrides set thy daughter free,
"Sends off'rings to thy god and gifts to thee;
"But thou entreat the pow'r whose dreadful sway
"Afflicts his camp and sweeps his host away."
He said, and gave her. The fond father smil'd 510
With secret rapture, and embrac'd his child.
The victims now they range in chosen bands,
And offer gifts with unpolluted hands;
When with loud voice and arms uprear'd in air
The hoary priest preferr'd this pow'rful pray'r: 515
"Dread Warriour with the silver bow! give ear:
"Patron of Chrysa and of Cilla hear!
"About this dome thou walk'st thy constant round;
"Still have my vows thy pow'r propitious found:
"Rous'd by my pray'rs ev'n now thy vengeance burns,
"And smit by thee the Grecian army mourns. 521
"Hear me once more, and let the suppliant foe
"Avert thy wrath and slack thy dreadful bow!
He pray'd; and great Apollo heard his pray'r.
The suppliants how their votive rites prepare;
Amid the flames they cast the hallow'd bread; 526
And heav'nward turn each victim's destin'd head;
Next slay the fatted bulls, their skins divide,
And from each carcass rend the smoking hide;
On ev'ry limb large rolls of fat bestow, 530
And chosen morsels round the off rings strow;
Mysterious rites! then on the fire divine
The great high priest pours forth the ruddy wine;
Himself the off'ring burns. On either hand
A troop of youths in decent order stand; 535
On sharpen'd forks obedient to the fire
They turn the tasteful fragments in the fire,
Adorn the feast, see ev'ry dish well stor'd,
And serve the plenteous messes to the board. 539
When now the various feast had cheer'd their souls
With sparkling wines they crown the gen'rous bowls;
The first libations to Apollo pay,
And solemnize with sacred hymns the day:
His praise in lo Pæans loud they sing,
And sooth the rage of the far shooting king. 545
At ev'ning thro' the shore dispers'd they sleep,
Hush'd by the distant roarings of the deep.
When now ascending from the shades of night
Aurora glow'd in all her rosy light,
The daughter of the Dawn, th' awaken'd crew 550
Back to the Greeks encamp'd their course renew.
The breezes freshen; for with friendly gales
Apollo swell'd their wide-distended sails:
Cleft by the rapid prow the waves divide,
And in hoarse murmurs break on either side: 555
In safety to the destin'd port they past,
And fix'd their bark with grappling halsers fast,
Then dragg'd her farther on the dry land coast,
Regain'd their tents, and mingled in the host.
But fierce Achilles, still on vengeance bent, 560
Cherish'd his wrath, and madden'd in his tent.
Th' assembled chiefs he shunn'd with high disdain,
A band of kings, nor sought the hostile plain,
But long'd to hear the distant troops engage,
The strife grow doubtful, and the battle rage. 565
Twelve days were past, and now th' ethereal train,
Jove at their head, to heav'n return'd again,
When Thetis from the deep prepar'd to rise
Shot thro' a big-swol'n wave and pierc'd the skies.
At early morn she reach'd the realms above, 570
The court of gods, the residence of Jove.
On the top-point of high Olympus, crown'd
With hills on hills, him far apart the found
Above the rest. The earth beneath display'd
(A boundless prospect!) his broad eye survey'd. 575
Her left hand grasp'd his knees, her right the rear'd,
And touch'd with blandishment his awful beard;
Then suppliant with submisive voice implor'd
Old Saturn's son, the god by gods ador'd:
"If e'er by rebel deities opprest 580
"My aid reliev'd thee, grant this one request.
"Since to short life my hapless son was born,
"Do thou with fame the scanty space adorn.
"Punish the King of Men, whose lawless sway 584
"Hath sham'd the youth and seiz'd his destin'd prey.
"A while let Troy prevail that Greece may grieve,
"And doubled honours to my offspring give."
She said; the god vouchsaf'd not to reply,
(A deep suspense sat in his thoughtful eye.)
Once more around his knees the goddess clung, 590
And to soft accents form'd her artful tongue:
"Oh! speak; or grant me or deny my pray'r:
"Fear not to speak what I am doom'd to bear,
"That I may know if thou my pray'r deny
"The most despis'd of all the gods am I." 595
With a deep sigh the Thund'ring Pow'r replies;
"To what a height will Juno's anger rise!
"Still doth her voice before the gods upbraid
"My partial hand that gives the Trojans aid.
"I grant thy suit. But hence; depart unseen, 600
"And shun the sight of heav'n's suspicious queen.
"Believe my nod, the great the certain sign
"When Jove propitious hears the pow'rs divine,
"The sign that ratifies my high command
"That thus I will; and what I will shall stand," 605
This said, his kingly brow the sire inclin'd;
The large black curls fell awful from behind
Thick shadowing the stern forehead of the god:
Olympus trembled at th' almighty nod.
The goddess smil'd; and with a sudden leap 610
From the high mountain plung'd into the deep.
But Jove repair'd to his celestial tow'rs,
And as he rose uprose th' immortal pow'rs.
In ranks on either side th' assembly cast
Bow'd down, and did obeisance as he past. 615
To him enthron'd (for whisp'ring she had seen
Close at his knees the Silverfooted queen,
Daughter of him who low beneath the tides
Aged and hoary in the deep resides)
Big with invectives Juno silence broke, 620
And thus opprobrious her resentments spoke:
"False Jove! what goddess whisp'ring did I see?
"O fond of counsels still conceal'd from me!
"To me neglected thou wilt ne'er impart
"One single thought of thy close-cover'd heart."
To whom the fire of gods and men reply'd: 626
"Strive not to find what I decree to hide;
"Laborious were the search, and vain the strife,
"Vain even for thee, my sister and my wife.
"The thoughts and counsels proper to declare 630
"Nor god nor mortal shall before thee share;
"But what my secret wisdom shall ordain
"Think not to reach, for know the thought were vain.
"Dread Saturn's Son! why so severe?" replies
The goddess of the large majestick eyes. 635
"Thy own dark thoughts at pleasure hide or show;
"Ne'er have I ask'd nor now aspire to know.
"Nor yet my fears are vain nor came unseen
"To thy high throne the Silverfooted queen,
"Daughter of him who low beneath the tides 640
"Aged and hoary in the deep resides.
"Thy nod assures me she was not deny'd,
"And Greece must perish for a madman's pride.
To whom the god whose hand the tempest forms,
Drives clouds on clouds and blackens heav'n with storms, 645
Thus wrathful answer'd: "Dost thou still complain?
"Perplex'd for ever, and perplex'd in vain!
"Shouldst thou disclose the dark event to come
"How wilt thou stop th'irrevocable doom?
"This serves the more to sharpen my disdain, 650
"And woes foreseen but lengthen out thy pain.
"Be silent then; dispute not my command,
"Nor tempt the force of this superiour hand,
"Lest all the gods around thee leagu'd engage
"In vain to shield thee from my kindled rage." 655
Mute and abash'd she sat without reply,
And downward turn'd her large majestick eye,
Nor further durst th' offended fire provoke:
The gods around him trembled as he spoke;
When Vulcan, for his mother sore distrest, 660
Turn'd orator, and thus his speech addrest:
"Hard is our fate if men of mortal line
"Stir up debate among the pow'rs divine,
"If things on earth disturb the blest abodes
"And mar th'ambrosial banquet of the gods! 665
"Then let my mother once be rul'd by me,
"Tho' much more wise than I pretend to be:
"Let me advise her silent to obey,
"And due submission to our father pay,
"Nor force again his gloomy rage to rise 670
"Ill-tim'd, and damp the revels of the skies;
"For should he toss her from th' Olympian hill
"Who could resist the Mighty Monarch's will?
"Then thou to love The Thund'rer reconcile,
"And tempt him kindly on us all to smile." 675
He said; and in his tott'ring hands upbore
A double goblet fill'd and foaming o'er.
"Sit down, dear Mother! with a heart content,
"Nor urge a more disgraceful punishment,
"Which if great Jove inflict, poor I dismay'd 680
"Must stand aloof, hor dare to give thee aid,
"Great Jove shall reign for ever uncontroll'd:
"Remember when I took thy part of old,
"Caught by the heel he swung me round on high,
"And headlong hurl'd me from th' ethereal sky: 685
"From morn to noon I fell, from noon to night,
"Till pitch'd on Lemnos, a most piteous sight!
"The Sintiants hardly could my breath recall,
"Giddy and gasping with the dreadful fall."
She smil'd; and smiling her white arm display'd
To reach the bowl her awkward son convey'd: 691
From right to left the gen'rous bowl he crown'd,
And dealt the rosy nectar fairly round.
The gods laugh'd out unweary'd as they spy'd
The busy skinker hop from side to side. 695
Thus feasting to the full they pass'd away
In blissful banquets all the livelong day;
Nor wanted melody: with heav'nly art
The Muses sung; each Muse perform'd her part
Alternate warbling, while the golden lyre 700
Touch'd by Apollo led the vocal choir.
The sun at length declin'd, when ev'ry guest
Sought his bright palace and withdrew to rest.
Each had his palace on th' Olympian hill,
A masterpiece of Vulcan's matchless skill. 705
Ev'n he, the god who heav'n's great sceptre sways,
And frowns amid the lightning's dreadful blaze,
His bed of slate ascending lay compos'd;
His eyes a sweet refreshing slumber clos'd;
And at his side, all glorious to behold,
Was Juno, lodg'd in her alcove of gold. 711
That brought the sons of Greece unnumber'd woes,
O Goddess sing. Full many a hero's ghost
Was driv'n untimely to th' infernal coast,
While in promisc'ous heaps their bodies lay 5
A feast for dogs and ev'ry bird of prey.
So did the fire of gods and men fulfil
His stedfast purpose and almighty will,
What time the haughty chiefs their jars begun,
Atrides King of Men and Peleus' godlike son. 10
What god in strife the princes did engage?
Apollo, burning with vindictive rage
Against the scornful King, whose impious pride
His priest dishonour'd and his pow'r defy'd;
Hence swift contagion by the god's commands 15
Swept thro' the camp and thinn'd the Grecian bands.
For wealth immense the holy Chryses bore
His daughter's ransome to the tented shore:
His sceptre stretching forth, the golden rod
Hung round with hallow'd garlands of his god, 20
Of all the host, of ev'ry princely chief,
But first of Atreus' sons, he begg'd relief.
"Great Atreus' sons and warlike Greeks attend!
"So may th' immortal gods your cause befriend,
"So may you Priam's lofty bulwarks burn, 25
"And rich in gather'd spoils to Greece return,
"As for those gifts my daughter you bestow,
"And rev'rence due to great Apollo show,
"Jove's fav'rite offspring, terrible in war,
"Who sends his shafts unerring from afar." 30
Thro'out the host consenting murmurs rise
The priest to rev'rence and give back the prize,
When the great King incens'd his silence broke
In words reproachful, and thus sternly spoke:
"Hence, Dotard! from my sight, nor ever more 35
"Approach I warn thee this forbidden shore,
"Lest thou stretch forth my fury to restrain
"The wreaths and sceptre of thy god in vain.
"The captive maid I never will resign;
"Till age o'ertakes her I have vow'd her mine: 40
"To distant Argos shall the fair be led;
"She shall, to ply the loom and grace my bed.
"Begone ere evil intercept thy way:
"Hence on thy life, nor urge me by thy stay."
He ended frowning. Speechless and dismay'd 45
The aged fire his stern command obey'd.
Silent he pass'd amid the deaf'ning roar
Of tumbling billows on the lonely shore:
Far from the camp he pass'd, then suppliant stood,
And thus the hoary priest invok'd his god: 50
"Dread Warriour with the silver bow! give ear;
"Patron of Chrysa and of Cilla hear:
"To thee the guard of Tenedos belongs;
"Propitious Smintheus! oh redress my wrongs!
"If e'er within thy fane, with wreaths adorn'd, 55
"The fat of bulls and wellfed goats I burn'd,
"O hear my pray'r! Let Greece thy fury know,
"And with thy shafts avenge thy servant's wo."
Apollo hear'd his injur'd suppliant's cry;
Down rush'd the vengeful warriour from the sky. 60
Across his breath the glitt'ring bow he flung,
And at his back the wellstor'd quiver hung:
(His arrows rattled as he urg'd his flight.)
In clouds he flew conceal'd from mortal sight, 64
Then took his stand the well-aim'd shaft to throw;
Fierce sprung the string, and twang'd the silver bow.
The dogs and mules his first keen arrow slew,
Amid the ranks the next more fatal flew,
A deathful dart! The fun'ral piles around
For ever blaz'd on the devoted ground. 70
Nine days entire he vex'd th' embattled host,
The tenth Achilles thro' the winding coast
Summon'd a council by the queen's command
Who wields heav'n's sceptre in her snowy hand:
She mourn'd her fav'rite Greeks, who now enclose 75
The hero, swiftly speaking as he rose:
"What now, O Atreus' son! remains in view
"But o'er the deep our wand'rings to renew,
"Doom'd to destruction, while our wasted pow'rs
"The sword and pestilence at once devours? 80
"Why haste we not some prophet's skill to prove,
"Or seek by dreams? (for dreams descend from Jove.)
"What moves Apollo's rage let him explain,
"What vow withheld, what hecatomb unslain,
"And if the blood of lambs and goats can pay 85
"The price for guilt and turn this curse away?"
Thus he; and next the rev'rend Calchas rose,
Their guide to Ilion whom the Grecians chose;
The prince of Augurs! whose enlighten'd eye
Could things past, present, and to come, descry! 90
Such wisdom Phœbus gave. He thus began,
His speech addressing to the godlike man:
"Me then commandst thou, lov'd of Jove! to show
"What moves the god that bends the dreadful bow?
"First plight thy faith thy ready help to lend, 95
"By words to aid me or by arms defend;
"For I foresee his rage whose ample sway
"The Argian pow'rs and sceptred chiefs obey.
"The wrath of kings what subject can oppose? 99
"Deep in their breasts the smother'd vengeance glows,
"Still watchful to destroy. Swear, valiant Youth!
"Swear, wilt thou guard me if I speak the truth?"
To this Achilles swift replies: "Be bold,
"Disclose what Phœbus tells thee uncontroll'd.
"By him who list'ning to thy pow'rful pray'r 105
"Reveals the secret I devoutly swear
"That while these eyes behold the light no hand
"Shall dare to wrong thee on this crowded strand;
"Not Atreus' son, tho' now himself he boast
"The King of Men and sov'reign of the host. 110
Then boldly he. "Nor does the god complain
"Of vows withheld or hecatombs unslain.
"Chryseïs to her awful sire refus'd,
"The gifts rejected, and the priest abus'd,
"Call down these judgments, and for more they call,
"Just ready on th' exhausted camp to fall, 116
"Till ransome-free the damsel is bestow'd,
"And hecatombs are sent to sooth the god,
"To Chrysa sent. Perhaps Apollo's rage
"The gifts may expiate and the priest assuage." 120
He spoke and sat; when with an angry frown
The chief of kings upstarted from his throne.
Disdain and vengeance in his bosom rise,
Lour in his brow and sparkle in his eyes;
Full at the priest their fiery orbs he bent, 125
And all at once his fury found a vent.
"Augur of ills (for never good to me
"Did that most inauspicious voice decree)
"For ever ready to denounce my woes,
"When Greece is punish'd I am still the cause; 130
"And now when Phœbus spreads his plagues abroad
"And wastes our camp, it is I provoke the god,
"Because my blooming captive I detain,
"And the large ransome is produc'd in vain.
"Fond of the maid, my queen in beauty's pride 135
"Ne'er charm'd me more a virgin and a bride;
"Not Clytemnestra boasts a nobler grace,
"A sweeter temper or a lovelier face,
"In works of female skill hath more command,
"Or guides the needle with a nicer hand: 140
"Yet she shall go; the fair our peace shall buy;
"Better I suffer than my people die.
"But mark me well; see instantly prepar'd
"A full equivalent, a new reward:
"Nor is it meet while each enjoys his share 145
"Your chief should lose his portion of the war;
"In vain your chief whilst the dear prize I boast
"Is wrested from me and for ever lost."
To whom the swift pursuer quick reply'd;
"Oh sunk in avarice, and swol'n with pride! 150
"How shall the Greeks, tho' large of soul they be,
"Collect their sever'd spoils, a heap for thee
"To search a-new, and cull the choicest share
"Amid the mighty harvest of the war?
"Then yield thy captive to the god resign'd, 155
"Assur'd a tenfold recompense to find
"When Jove's decree shall throw proud Ilion down
"And give to plunder the devoted town."
"Think not," Atrides answer'd, "tho' thou shine
"Graceful in beauty like the pow'rs divine, 160
"Think not thy wiles in specious words convey'd
"From its firm purpose shall my soul dissuade.
"Must I alone bereft sit down with shame,
"And thou insulting keep thy captive dame?
"If as I ask the large-soul'd Greek's consent 165
"Full recompense to give I stand content:
"If not, a prize I shall myself decree
"From him, or him, or else perhaps from thee,
"While the proud prince despoil'd shall rage in vain.
"But break we here? the rest let time explain. 170
"Lanch now a welltrimm'd galley from the shore,
"With hands experienc'd at the bending oar;
"Enclose the hecatomb, and then with care
"To the high deck convey the captive fair.
"The sacred bark let sage Ulysses guide, 175
"Or Ajax or Idomeneus preside;
"Or thou, O mighty Man! the chief shalt be,
"And who more fit to sooth the god than thee?"
"Shameless, and poor of soul!" the prince replies,
And on the Monarch casts his scornful eyes, 180
"What Greek henceforth will march at thy command
"In search of danger on the doubtful strand?
"Who in the face of day provoke the fight,
"Or tempt the secret ambush of the night?
"Not I be sure. Henceforward I am free, 185
"For ne'er was Priam's house a foe to me:
"Far from their inroads in my pastures feed
"The lowing heifer and the pamper'd steed.
"On Phthia's hills our fruits securely grow,
"And ripen careless of the distant foe, 190
"Between whose realms and our Thessalian shore
"Unnumber'd mountains rise and billows roar.
"For thine and for thy baffled brother's fame
"Across those seas, disdainful Man! I came;
"Yet, Insolent! by arbitrary sway 195
"Thou talk'st of seizing on my rightful prey,
"The prize whose purchase toils and dangers cost,
And giv'n by suffrage of the Grecian host.
"What town when sack'd by our victorious bands
"But still brought wealth to those rapacious hands?
"To me thus scorn'd contented dost thou yield 201
"My share of blood in the tumultuous field;
"But still the flow'r of all the spoil is thine;
"There claim'st thou most, nor e'er did I repine:
"Whate'er was giv'n I took, and thought it best, 205
"With slaughter tir'd, and panting after rest.
"To Phthia now, for I shall fight no more,
"My ships their crooked prows shall turn from shore.
"When I am scorn'd I think I well foresee
"What spoils and pillage will be won by thee. 210
"Hence," cry'd the Monarch, "hence; without delay;
"Think not, vain Man! my voice shall urge thy stay:
"Others thou leav'st to the great cause inclin'd;
"A league of kings thou leav'st and Jove behind.
"Of all the chiefs dost thou oppose me most; 215
"Outrage and uproar are thy only boast,
"Discord and jars thy joy. But learn to know
"If thou art strong it is Jove hath made thee so.
"Go at thy pleasure, none will stop thy way;
"Go, bid thy baseborn Myrmidons obey. 220
"Thou nor thy rage shall my resolves subdue;
"I fix my purpose and my threats renew.
"Since it is decreed I must the maid restore
"A ship shall waft her to th' offended pow'r;
"But fair Briseïs, thy allotted prize, 225
"Myself will seize, and seize before thy eyes,
"That thou and each audacious man may see
"How vain the rash attempt to cope with me."
Stung to the soul tumult'ous thoughts began
This way and that to rend the godlike man. 230
To force a passage with his falchion drawn
And hurl th' imperial boaster from his throne
He now resolves; and now resolves again
To quell his fury and his arm restrain.
While thus by turns his rage and reason sway'd, 235
And half unsheath'd he held the glitt'ring blade,
That moment Juno, whose impartial eye
Watch'd o'er them both, sent Pallas from the sky.
She flew, and caught his yellow hair behind,
(To him alone the radiant goddess shin'd;) 240
Sudden he turn'd, and started with surprise;
Rage and revenge flash'd dreadful in his eyes.
Then thus with hasty words: "O heav'nly-born!
"Com'st thou to see proud Agamemnon's scorn?
"But thou shalt see (my sword shall make it good) 245
"This glutted sand smoke with the tyrant's blood."
"To sooth thy soul," the Blueey'd maid replies,
"(If thou obey my voice) I left the skies!
"Heav'n's queen, who favours both, gave this command,
"Suppress thy wrath and slay thy vengeful hand; 250
"Be all thy rage in tauntful words exprest,
"But guiltless let the thirsty falchion rest.
"Mark what I speak. An hour is on its way!
"When gifts tenfold for this affront shall pay.
"Suppress thy wrath, and Heav'n and me obey."
Then he: "I yield tho' with reluctant mind: 256
"Who yields to Heav'n shall Heav'n propitious find."
The silver hilt close-grasping, at the word
Deep in the sheath he plung'd his mighty sword.
The goddess turning darted from his sight, 260
And reach'd Olympus in a moment's flight.
But fierce Achilles in a thund'ring tone
Throws out his wrath, and goes impetuous on:
"Valiant with wine, and furious from the bowl,
"Thou fierce-look'd talker with a coward soul! 265
"War's glorious peril ever slow to share,
"Aloof thou view'st the field, for death is there:
"'Tis greater far this peaceful camp to sway,
"And peel the Greeks at will who disobey;
"A tyrant lord o'er slaves to earth debas'd, 270
"For had they souls this outrage were thy last.
"But thou my fix'd my final purpose hear:
"By this dread sceptre solemnly I swear,
"By this (which once from out the forest torn
"Nor leaf nor shade shall ever more adorn, 275
"Which never more its verdure must renew,
"Lopp'd from the vital stem whence first it grew,
"But giv'n by Jove the sons of men to awe,
"Now sways the nations and confirms the law)
"A day shall come when for this hour's disdain 280
"The Greeks shall wish for me and wish in vain;
"Nor thou tho' griev'd the wanted aid afford,
"When heaps on heaps shall fall by Hector's sword;
"Too late with anguish shall thy heart be torn 284
"That the first Greek was made the publick scorn."
He said; and mounting with a furious bound
He dash'd his studded sceptre on the ground;
Then sat: Atrides eager to reply
On the fierce champion glanc'd a vengeful eye. 289
'Twas then the madding monarchs to compose
The Pylian prince, the smooth-speech'd Nestor, rose.
His tongue dropp'd honey: full of days was he;
Two ages past he liv'd the third to see,
And his first race of subjects long decay'd
O'er their sons sons a peaceful sceptre sway'd. 295
"Alas for Greece!" he cries; "and with what joy
"Shall Priam hear, and ev'ry son of Troy,
"That you the first in wisdom as in wars
"Waste your great souls in poor ignoble jars!
"Go to! you both are young; yet oft' rever'd 300
"Greater than you have the wise Nestor heard:
"Their equals never shall these eyes behold,
"Cæneus the just, Pirithous the bold,
"Exadius, Dryas, born to high command,
"Shepherds of men, and rulers of the land, 305
"Theseus unrivall'd in his fire's abodes,
"And mighty Polypheme, a match for gods.
"They, greatest names that ancient story knows,
"In mortal conflict met as dreadful foes,
"Fearless thro' rocks and wilds their prey pursu'd,
"And the huge double Centaur-race subdu'd. 311
"With them my early youth was pleas'd to roam
"Thro' regions far from my sweet native home:
"They call'd me to the wars: no living hand
"Could match their valour or their strength withstand; 315
"Yet wont they oft' my sage advice to hear:
"Then listen both with an attentive ear.
"Seize not thou, King of Men, the beauteous slave,
"Th' allotted prize the Grecian voices gave;
"Nor thou, Pelides, in a threat'ning tone 320
"Urge him to wrath who fills that sacred throne,
"The King of forty kings, and honour'd more
"By mighty Jove than e'er was king before.
"Brave tho' thou art, and of a race divine,
"Thou must obey a pow'r more great than thine: 325
"And thou, O King! forbear: myself will sue
"Great Thetis' son his vengeance to subdue;
"Great Thetis valiant son, our country's boast,
"The shield and bulwark of the Grecian host!"
"Wise are thy words, O Sire!" the King began,
"But what can satiate this aspiring man? 331
"Unbounded pow'r he claims o'er humankind,
And hopes for slaves I trust he ne'er shall find.
"Shall we because the gods have form'd him strong
"Bear the lowd language of his lawless tongue?" 335
"If aw'd by thee the Greeks might well despise
"My name," the prince precipitate replies.
"In vain thou nodd'st from thy imperial throne;
"Thy vassals seek elsewhere, for I am none.
"But break we here. The fair, tho' justly mine, 340
"With sword undrawn I purpose to resign:
"On aught beside, I once for all command,
"Lay not I charge thee thy presumpt'ous hand:
"Come not within my reach, nor dare advance,
"Or thy heart's blood shall reek upon my lance." 345
Thus both in foul debate prolong'd the day;
The council broke each takes his sep'rate way:
Achilles seeks his tent with restless mind,
Patroclus and his train move slow behind.
Mean-time a bark was haul'd along the sand;
Twice ten selected Greeks, a brawny band, 351
Tug the tough oars at the great King's command.
The gifts, the hecatomb, the captive fair,
Are all intrusted to Ulysses' care.
They mount the deck, the vessel takes its flight, 355
Bounds o'er the surge and lessens to the sight.
Next he ordains along the winding coast;
By hallow'd rites to purify the host:
A herd of chosen victims they provide,
And cast their offals on the briny tide: 360
Fat bulls and goats to great Apollo die,
In clouds the sav'ry steam ascends the sky.
The Greeks to Heav'n their solemn vows addrest,
But dire revenge roll'd in the Monarch's breast.
Obsequious at his call two heralds stand, 365
To them in frowns he gives this harsh command:
"Ye Heralds! to Achilles' tent repair,
"Thence swift the female slave Briseïs bear.
"With arms if disobey'd myself will come:
"Bid him resign her or he tempts his doom." 370
The heralds tho' unwillingly obey;
Along the sea-beat shore they speed their way;
And now the Myrmidonian quarter past
At his tent door they find the hero plac'd.
Disturb'd the solemn messengers he saw; 375
They too stood silent with respectful awe
Before the royal youth: they neither spoke:
He guess'd their message, and the silence broke:
"Ye Ministers of gods and men! draw near;
"Not you but him whose heralds ye appear 380
"Robb'd of my right I blame. Patroclus, bring
"The damsel forth for this disdainful King.
"But ye my wrongs, O Heralds! bear in mind,
"And clear me to the gods and all mankind;
"Ev'n to your thoughtless King, if evermore 385
"My aid he wanted on the hostile shore.
"Thoughtless he is, nor knows his certain doom,
"Blind to the past, nor sees the woes to come,
"His best defence thus rashly to forego,
"And leave a naked army to the foe." 390
He ceas'd. Patroclus his dear friend obey'd,
And usher'd in the lovely weeping maid.
Sore sigh'd she as the heralds took her hand,
And oft' look'd back slow-moving o'er the strand.
The widow'd hero when the fair was gone 395
Far from his friends sat bath'd in tears alone;
On the cold beach he sat, and fix'd his eyes
Where black with storms the curling billows rise,
And as the sea wide-rolling he survey'd
With outstretch'd arms to his fond mother pray'd:
"Since to short life thy hapless son was born 401
"Great Jove stands bound by promise to adorn
"His stinted course with an immortal name.
"Is this the great amends? the promis'd fame?
"The son of Atrous, proud of lawless sway, 405
"Demands, possesses, and enjoys, my prey."
Near her old sire enthron'd she heard him weep
From the low silent caverns of the deep;
Then in a morning mist her head she rears,
Sits by her son, and mingles tears with tears; 410
Close grasps her darling's hand. "My Son!" she cries,
"Why heaves thy heart? and why o'erflows thy eyes?
"Oh! tell me, tell thy mother all thy care, 413
"That both may know it and that both may share."
"Oh Goddess!" cry'd he with an inward groan,
"Thou know'st it all; to thee are all things known.
"Eëtian Thebes we sack'd; their ransack'd tow'rs,
"The plunder of a people, all was ours.
"We stood agreed the booty to divide:
"Chryseis, rosy-cheek'd and glossy-ey'd, 420
"Fell to the King; but holy Chryses bore
"Vast gifts of ransome to the tented shore:
"His sceptre stretching forth (the golden rod
"Hung round with hallow'd garlands of his god)
"Of all the host, of ev'ry princely chief, 425
"But first of Atreus' sons, he begg'd relief.
"Thro'out the host consenting murmurs ran
"To yield her to the venerable man;
"But the harsh King deny'd to do him right,
"And drove the trembling prophet from his sight.
"Apollo heard his injur'd suppliant's cry, 431
"And dealt his arrows thro' th' infected sky;
"The swift contagion sent by his commands
"Swept thro' the camp and thinn'd the Grecian bands.
"The guilty cause a sacred augur show'd,
"And I first mov'd to mitigate the god: 436
"At this the tyrant storm'd, and vengeance vow'd,
"And now too soon hath made his threat'nings good.
"Chryseïs first with gifts to Chrysa sent,
"His heralds came this moment to my tent 440
"And bore Briseïs thence, my beauteous slave,
"Th' allotted prize which the leagu'd Grecians gave.
"Thou, Goddess! then, and thou I know hast pow'r,
"For thine own son the might of Jove implore.
"Oft' in my father's house I've heard thee tell, 445
"When sudden fears on Heav'n's great monarch fell,
"Thy aid the rebel deities o'ercame,
"And sav'd the mighty Thunderer from shame.
"Pallas, and Neptune, and great Juno, bound
"The fire in chains, and hemm'd their sov'reign round.
"Thy voice, O Goddess! broke their idle bands, 451
"And call'd the giant of the hundred hands,
"The prodigy whom heav'n and earth revere,
"Briareus nam'd above, Ageon here:
"His father Neptune he in strength surpass'd; 455
"At Jove's right-hand his hideous form he plac'd,
"Proud of his might: the gods with secret dread
"Beheld the huge enormous shape and fled.
"Remind him then, for well thou know'st the art:
"Go clasp his knees and melt his mighty heart. 460
"Let the driv'n Argians hunted o'er the plain
"Seek the last verge of this tempest'ous main;
"There let them perish, void of all relief,
"My wrongs remember and enjoy their chief:
"Too late with anguish shall his heart be torn 465
"That the first Greek was made the publick scorn."
Then she (with tears her azure eyes ran o'er)
"Why bore I thee, or nourish'd when I bore?
"Blest if within thy tent and free from strife
"Thou might'st possess thy poor remains of life! 470
"Thy death approaching now the Fates foreshow;
"Short is thy destin'd term and full of wo.
"Ill-fated thou! and oh unhappy I!
"But hence to the celestial courts I fly,
"Where hid in snow to heav'n Olympus swells, 475
"And Jove rejoicing in his thunder dwells.
"Mean-time, my Son! indulge thy just disdain,"
"Vent all thy rage, and shun the hostile plain
"Till Jove returns. Last night my waves he crost,"
"And sought the distant Ethiopian coast: 480
"Along the skies his radiant course he steer'd,
"Behind him all the train of gods appear'd,
"A bright procession! To the holy feast
"Of blameless men he goes a grateful guest:
"To heav'n he comes when twice six days are o'er,
"Then shall my voice the fire of gods implore; 486
"Then to his lofty mansion will I pass,
"Founded on rocks of ever-during brass;
"There will I clasp his knees with wonted art,
"Nor doubt, my Son! but I shall melt his heart." 490
She ceas'd, and left him lost in doubtful care,
And bent on vengeance for the ravish'd fair.
But safe arriv'd near Chrysa's sacred strand
The sage Ulysses now advanc'd to land:
Along the coast he shoots with swelling gales, 495
Then lowers the lofty mast and furls the sails,
Next plies to port with many a well tim'd oar,
And drops his anchors near the faithful shore,
The bark now fix'd amidst the rolling tide
Chryseï's follows her experienc'd guide: 500
The gifts to Phœbus from the Grecian host,
A herd of bulls, went bellowing o'er the coast.
To the god's fane, high looking o'er the land,
He led, and near the altar took his stand,
Then gave her to the joyful father's hand. 505
"All hail! Atrides set thy daughter free,
"Sends off'rings to thy god and gifts to thee;
"But thou entreat the pow'r whose dreadful sway
"Afflicts his camp and sweeps his host away."
He said, and gave her. The fond father smil'd 510
With secret rapture, and embrac'd his child.
The victims now they range in chosen bands,
And offer gifts with unpolluted hands;
When with loud voice and arms uprear'd in air
The hoary priest preferr'd this pow'rful pray'r: 515
"Dread Warriour with the silver bow! give ear:
"Patron of Chrysa and of Cilla hear!
"About this dome thou walk'st thy constant round;
"Still have my vows thy pow'r propitious found:
"Rous'd by my pray'rs ev'n now thy vengeance burns,
"And smit by thee the Grecian army mourns. 521
"Hear me once more, and let the suppliant foe
"Avert thy wrath and slack thy dreadful bow!
He pray'd; and great Apollo heard his pray'r.
The suppliants how their votive rites prepare;
Amid the flames they cast the hallow'd bread; 526
And heav'nward turn each victim's destin'd head;
Next slay the fatted bulls, their skins divide,
And from each carcass rend the smoking hide;
On ev'ry limb large rolls of fat bestow, 530
And chosen morsels round the off rings strow;
Mysterious rites! then on the fire divine
The great high priest pours forth the ruddy wine;
Himself the off'ring burns. On either hand
A troop of youths in decent order stand; 535
On sharpen'd forks obedient to the fire
They turn the tasteful fragments in the fire,
Adorn the feast, see ev'ry dish well stor'd,
And serve the plenteous messes to the board. 539
When now the various feast had cheer'd their souls
With sparkling wines they crown the gen'rous bowls;
The first libations to Apollo pay,
And solemnize with sacred hymns the day:
His praise in lo Pæans loud they sing,
And sooth the rage of the far shooting king. 545
At ev'ning thro' the shore dispers'd they sleep,
Hush'd by the distant roarings of the deep.
When now ascending from the shades of night
Aurora glow'd in all her rosy light,
The daughter of the Dawn, th' awaken'd crew 550
Back to the Greeks encamp'd their course renew.
The breezes freshen; for with friendly gales
Apollo swell'd their wide-distended sails:
Cleft by the rapid prow the waves divide,
And in hoarse murmurs break on either side: 555
In safety to the destin'd port they past,
And fix'd their bark with grappling halsers fast,
Then dragg'd her farther on the dry land coast,
Regain'd their tents, and mingled in the host.
But fierce Achilles, still on vengeance bent, 560
Cherish'd his wrath, and madden'd in his tent.
Th' assembled chiefs he shunn'd with high disdain,
A band of kings, nor sought the hostile plain,
But long'd to hear the distant troops engage,
The strife grow doubtful, and the battle rage. 565
Twelve days were past, and now th' ethereal train,
Jove at their head, to heav'n return'd again,
When Thetis from the deep prepar'd to rise
Shot thro' a big-swol'n wave and pierc'd the skies.
At early morn she reach'd the realms above, 570
The court of gods, the residence of Jove.
On the top-point of high Olympus, crown'd
With hills on hills, him far apart the found
Above the rest. The earth beneath display'd
(A boundless prospect!) his broad eye survey'd. 575
Her left hand grasp'd his knees, her right the rear'd,
And touch'd with blandishment his awful beard;
Then suppliant with submisive voice implor'd
Old Saturn's son, the god by gods ador'd:
"If e'er by rebel deities opprest 580
"My aid reliev'd thee, grant this one request.
"Since to short life my hapless son was born,
"Do thou with fame the scanty space adorn.
"Punish the King of Men, whose lawless sway 584
"Hath sham'd the youth and seiz'd his destin'd prey.
"A while let Troy prevail that Greece may grieve,
"And doubled honours to my offspring give."
She said; the god vouchsaf'd not to reply,
(A deep suspense sat in his thoughtful eye.)
Once more around his knees the goddess clung, 590
And to soft accents form'd her artful tongue:
"Oh! speak; or grant me or deny my pray'r:
"Fear not to speak what I am doom'd to bear,
"That I may know if thou my pray'r deny
"The most despis'd of all the gods am I." 595
With a deep sigh the Thund'ring Pow'r replies;
"To what a height will Juno's anger rise!
"Still doth her voice before the gods upbraid
"My partial hand that gives the Trojans aid.
"I grant thy suit. But hence; depart unseen, 600
"And shun the sight of heav'n's suspicious queen.
"Believe my nod, the great the certain sign
"When Jove propitious hears the pow'rs divine,
"The sign that ratifies my high command
"That thus I will; and what I will shall stand," 605
This said, his kingly brow the sire inclin'd;
The large black curls fell awful from behind
Thick shadowing the stern forehead of the god:
Olympus trembled at th' almighty nod.
The goddess smil'd; and with a sudden leap 610
From the high mountain plung'd into the deep.
But Jove repair'd to his celestial tow'rs,
And as he rose uprose th' immortal pow'rs.
In ranks on either side th' assembly cast
Bow'd down, and did obeisance as he past. 615
To him enthron'd (for whisp'ring she had seen
Close at his knees the Silverfooted queen,
Daughter of him who low beneath the tides
Aged and hoary in the deep resides)
Big with invectives Juno silence broke, 620
And thus opprobrious her resentments spoke:
"False Jove! what goddess whisp'ring did I see?
"O fond of counsels still conceal'd from me!
"To me neglected thou wilt ne'er impart
"One single thought of thy close-cover'd heart."
To whom the fire of gods and men reply'd: 626
"Strive not to find what I decree to hide;
"Laborious were the search, and vain the strife,
"Vain even for thee, my sister and my wife.
"The thoughts and counsels proper to declare 630
"Nor god nor mortal shall before thee share;
"But what my secret wisdom shall ordain
"Think not to reach, for know the thought were vain.
"Dread Saturn's Son! why so severe?" replies
The goddess of the large majestick eyes. 635
"Thy own dark thoughts at pleasure hide or show;
"Ne'er have I ask'd nor now aspire to know.
"Nor yet my fears are vain nor came unseen
"To thy high throne the Silverfooted queen,
"Daughter of him who low beneath the tides 640
"Aged and hoary in the deep resides.
"Thy nod assures me she was not deny'd,
"And Greece must perish for a madman's pride.
To whom the god whose hand the tempest forms,
Drives clouds on clouds and blackens heav'n with storms, 645
Thus wrathful answer'd: "Dost thou still complain?
"Perplex'd for ever, and perplex'd in vain!
"Shouldst thou disclose the dark event to come
"How wilt thou stop th'irrevocable doom?
"This serves the more to sharpen my disdain, 650
"And woes foreseen but lengthen out thy pain.
"Be silent then; dispute not my command,
"Nor tempt the force of this superiour hand,
"Lest all the gods around thee leagu'd engage
"In vain to shield thee from my kindled rage." 655
Mute and abash'd she sat without reply,
And downward turn'd her large majestick eye,
Nor further durst th' offended fire provoke:
The gods around him trembled as he spoke;
When Vulcan, for his mother sore distrest, 660
Turn'd orator, and thus his speech addrest:
"Hard is our fate if men of mortal line
"Stir up debate among the pow'rs divine,
"If things on earth disturb the blest abodes
"And mar th'ambrosial banquet of the gods! 665
"Then let my mother once be rul'd by me,
"Tho' much more wise than I pretend to be:
"Let me advise her silent to obey,
"And due submission to our father pay,
"Nor force again his gloomy rage to rise 670
"Ill-tim'd, and damp the revels of the skies;
"For should he toss her from th' Olympian hill
"Who could resist the Mighty Monarch's will?
"Then thou to love The Thund'rer reconcile,
"And tempt him kindly on us all to smile." 675
He said; and in his tott'ring hands upbore
A double goblet fill'd and foaming o'er.
"Sit down, dear Mother! with a heart content,
"Nor urge a more disgraceful punishment,
"Which if great Jove inflict, poor I dismay'd 680
"Must stand aloof, hor dare to give thee aid,
"Great Jove shall reign for ever uncontroll'd:
"Remember when I took thy part of old,
"Caught by the heel he swung me round on high,
"And headlong hurl'd me from th' ethereal sky: 685
"From morn to noon I fell, from noon to night,
"Till pitch'd on Lemnos, a most piteous sight!
"The Sintiants hardly could my breath recall,
"Giddy and gasping with the dreadful fall."
She smil'd; and smiling her white arm display'd
To reach the bowl her awkward son convey'd: 691
From right to left the gen'rous bowl he crown'd,
And dealt the rosy nectar fairly round.
The gods laugh'd out unweary'd as they spy'd
The busy skinker hop from side to side. 695
Thus feasting to the full they pass'd away
In blissful banquets all the livelong day;
Nor wanted melody: with heav'nly art
The Muses sung; each Muse perform'd her part
Alternate warbling, while the golden lyre 700
Touch'd by Apollo led the vocal choir.
The sun at length declin'd, when ev'ry guest
Sought his bright palace and withdrew to rest.
Each had his palace on th' Olympian hill,
A masterpiece of Vulcan's matchless skill. 705
Ev'n he, the god who heav'n's great sceptre sways,
And frowns amid the lightning's dreadful blaze,
His bed of slate ascending lay compos'd;
His eyes a sweet refreshing slumber clos'd;
And at his side, all glorious to behold,
Was Juno, lodg'd in her alcove of gold. 711