ARGUMENT -
THE TRIAL OF THE ARMY,
AND CATALOGUE OF THE
FORCES
Jupiter, in pursuance of
the request of Thetis,
sends a deceitful vision
to Agamemnon, persuading
him to lead the army to
battle, in order to make
the Greeks sensible of
their want of Achilles.
The general, who is
deluded
with the hopes of taking
Troy without his
assistance, but fears
the army
was discouraged by his
absence, and the late
plague, as well as by
the
length of time,
contrives to make trial
of their disposition by
a
stratagem. He first
communicates his design
to the princes in
council,
that he would propose a
return to the soldiers,
and that they should put
a
stop to them if the
proposal was embraced.
Then he assembles the
whole
host, and upon moving
for a return to Greece,
they unanimously agree
to
it, and run to prepare
the ships. They are
detained by the
management of
Ulysses, who chastises
the insolence of
Thersites. The assembly
is
recalled, several
speeches made on the
occasion, and at length
the advice
of Nestor followed,
which was to make a
general muster of the
troops, and
to divide them into
their several nations,
before they proceeded to
battle. This gives
occasion to the poet to
enumerate all the forces
of the
Greeks and Trojans, and
in a large catalogue.
The time employed in
this book consists not
entirely of one day. The
scene
lies in the Grecian
camp, and upon the
sea-shore; towards the
end it
removes to Troy.
Now pleasing
sleep had
seal'd each
mortal eye,
Stretch'd in
the tents
the Grecian
leaders lie:
The
immortals
slumber'd on
their
thrones
above;
All, but the
ever-wakeful
eyes of
Jove.(76)
To honour
Thetis' son
he bends his
care,
And plunge
the Greeks
in all the
woes of war:
Then bids an
empty
phantom rise
to sight,
And thus
commands the
vision of
the night.
"Fly hence,
deluding
Dream! and
light as
air,(77)
To
Agamemnon's
ample tent
repair.
Bid him in
arms draw
forth the
embattled
train,
Lead all his
Grecians to
the dusty
plain.
Declare,
e'en now
'tis given
him to
destroy
The lofty
towers of
wide-extended
Troy.
For now no
more the
gods with
fate
contend,
At Juno's
suit the
heavenly
factions
end.
Destruction
hangs o'er
yon devoted
wall,
And nodding
Ilion waits
the
impending
fall."
Swift as the
word the
vain
illusion
fled,
Descends,
and hovers
o'er
Atrides'
head;
Clothed in
the figure
of the
Pylian sage,
Renown'd for
wisdom, and
revered for
age:
Around his
temples
spreads his
golden wing,
And thus the
flattering
dream
deceives the
king.
"Canst thou,
with all a
monarch's
cares
oppress'd,
O Atreus'
son! canst
thou indulge
the rest?(78)
Ill fits a
chief who
mighty
nations
guides,
Directs in
council, and
in war
presides,
To whom its
safety a
whole people
owes,
To waste
long nights
in indolent
repose.(79)
Monarch,
awake! 'tis
Jove's
command I
bear;
Thou, and
thy glory,
claim his
heavenly
care.
In just
array draw
forth the
embattled
train,
Lead all thy
Grecians to
the dusty
plain;
E'en now, O
king! 'tis
given thee
to destroy
The lofty
towers of
wide-extended
Troy.
For now no
more the
gods with
fate
contend,
At Juno's
suit the
heavenly
factions
end.
Destruction
hangs o'er
yon devoted
wall,
And nodding
Ilion waits
the
impending
fall.
Awake, but
waking this
advice
approve,
And trust
the vision
that
descends
from Jove."
The phantom
said; then
vanish'd
from his
sight,
Resolves to
air, and
mixes with
the night.
A thousand
schemes the
monarch's
mind employ;
Elate in
thought he
sacks
untaken
Troy:
Vain as he
was, and to
the future
blind,
Nor saw what
Jove and
secret fate
design'd,
What mighty
toils to
either host
remain,
What scenes
of grief,
and numbers
of the
slain!
Eager he
rises, and
in fancy
hears
The voice
celestial
murmuring in
his ears.
First on his
limbs a
slender vest
he drew,
Around him
next the
regal mantle
threw,
The
embroider'd
sandals on
his feet
were tied;
The starry
falchion
glitter'd at
his side;
And last,
his arm the
massy
sceptre
loads,
Unstain'd,
immortal,
and the gift
of gods.
Now rosy
Morn ascends
the court of
Jove,
Lifts up her
light, and
opens day
above.
The king
despatch'd
his heralds
with
commands
To range the
camp and
summon all
the bands:
The
gathering
hosts the
monarch's
word obey;
While to the
fleet
Atrides
bends his
way.
In his black
ship the
Pylian
prince he
found;
There calls
a senate of
the peers
around:
The assembly
placed, the
king of men
express'd
The counsels
labouring in
his artful
breast.
"Friends and
confederates!
with
attentive
ear
Receive my
words, and
credit what
you hear.
Late as I
slumber'd in
the shades
of night,
A dream
divine
appear'd
before my
sight;
Whose
visionary
form like
Nestor came,
The same in
habit, and
in mien the
same.(80)
The heavenly
phantom
hover'd o'er
my head,
'And, dost
thou sleep,
O Atreus'
son? (he
said)
Ill fits a
chief who
mighty
nations
guides,
Directs in
council, and
in war
presides;
To whom its
safety a
whole people
owes,
To waste
long nights
in indolent
repose.
Monarch,
awake! 'tis
Jove's
command I
bear,
Thou and thy
glory claim
his heavenly
care.
In just
array draw
forth the
embattled
train,
And lead the
Grecians to
the dusty
plain;
E'en now, O
king! 'tis
given thee
to destroy
The lofty
towers of
wide-extended
Troy.
For now no
more the
gods with
fate
contend,
At Juno's
suit the
heavenly
factions
end.
Destruction
hangs o'er
yon devoted
wall,
And nodding
Ilion waits
the
impending
fall.
This hear
observant,
and the gods
obey!'
The vision
spoke, and
pass'd in
air away.
Now, valiant
chiefs!
since heaven
itself
alarms,
Unite, and
rouse the
sons of
Greece to
arms.
But first,
with
caution, try
what yet
they dare,
Worn with
nine years
of
unsuccessful
war.
To move the
troops to
measure back
the main,
Be mine; and
yours the
province to
detain."
He spoke,
and sat:
when Nestor,
rising said,
(Nestor,
whom Pylos'
sandy realms
obey'd,)
"Princes of
Greece, your
faithful
ears
incline,
Nor doubt
the vision
of the
powers
divine;
Sent by
great Jove
to him who
rules the
host,
Forbid it,
heaven! this
warning
should be
lost!
Then let us
haste, obey
the god's
alarms,
And join to
rouse the
sons of
Greece to
arms."
Thus spoke
the sage:
the kings
without
delay
Dissolve the
council, and
their chief
obey:
The sceptred
rulers lead;
the
following
host,
Pour'd forth
by
thousands,
darkens all
the coast.
As from some
rocky cleft
the shepherd
sees
Clustering
in heaps on
heaps the
driving
bees,
Rolling and
blackening,
swarms
succeeding
swarms,
With deeper
murmurs and
more hoarse
alarms;
Dusky they
spread, a
close
embodied
crowd,
And o'er the
vale
descends the
living
cloud.(81)
So, from the
tents and
ships, a
lengthen'd
train
Spreads all
the beach,
and wide
o'ershades
the plain:
Along the
region runs
a deafening
sound;
Beneath
their
footsteps
groans the
trembling
ground.
Fame flies
before the
messenger of
Jove,
And shining
soars, and
claps her
wings above.
Nine sacred
heralds now,
proclaiming
loud(82)
The
monarch's
will,
suspend the
listening
crowd.
Soon as the
throngs in
order ranged
appear,
And fainter
murmurs died
upon the
ear,
The king of
kings his
awful figure
raised:
High in his
hand the
golden
sceptre
blazed;
The golden
sceptre, of
celestial
flame,
By Vulcan
form'd, from
Jove to
Hermes came.
To Pelops he
the immortal
gift
resign'd;
The immortal
gift great
Pelops left
behind,
In Atreus'
hand, which
not with
Atreus ends,
To rich
Thyestes
next the
prize
descends;
And now the
mark of
Agamemnon's
reign,
Subjects all
Argos, and
controls the
main.(83)
On this
bright
sceptre now
the king
reclined,
And artful
thus
pronounced
the speech
design'd:
"Ye sons of
Mars,
partake your
leader's
care,
Heroes of
Greece, and
brothers of
the war!
Of partial
Jove with
justice I
complain,
And heavenly
oracles
believed in
vain
A safe
return was
promised to
our toils,
Renown'd,
triumphant,
and enrich'd
with spoils.
Now shameful
flight alone
can save the
host,
Our blood,
our
treasure,
and our
glory lost.
So Jove
decrees,
resistless
lord of all!
At whose
command
whole
empires rise
or fall:
He shakes
the feeble
props of
human trust,
And towns
and armies
humbles to
the dust
What shame
to Greece a
fruitful war
to wage,
Oh, lasting
shame in
every future
age!
Once great
in arms, the
common scorn
we grow,
Repulsed and
baffled by a
feeble foe.
So small
their
number, that
if wars were
ceased,
And Greece
triumphant
held a
general
feast,
All rank'd
by tens,
whole
decades when
they dine
Must want a
Trojan slave
to pour the
wine.(84)
But other
forces have
our hopes
o'erthrown,
And Troy
prevails by
armies not
her own.
Now nine
long years
of mighty
Jove are
run,
Since first
the labours
of this war
begun:
Our cordage
torn,
decay'd our
vessels lie,
And scarce
insure the
wretched
power to
fly.
Haste, then,
for ever
leave the
Trojan wall!
Our weeping
wives, our
tender
children
call:
Love, duty,
safety,
summon us
away,
'Tis
nature's
voice, and
nature we
obey,
Our
shatter'd
barks may
yet
transport us
o'er,
Safe and
inglorious,
to our
native
shore.
Fly,
Grecians,
fly, your
sails and
oars employ,
And dream no
more of
heaven-defended
Troy."
His deep
design
unknown, the
hosts
approve
Atrides'
speech. The
mighty
numbers
move.
So roll the
billows to
the Icarian
shore,
From east
and south
when winds
begin to
roar,
Burst their
dark
mansions in
the clouds,
and sweep
The
whitening
surface of
the ruffled
deep.
And as on
corn when
western
gusts
descend,(85)
Before the
blast the
lofty
harvests
bend:
Thus o'er
the field
the moving
host
appears,
With nodding
plumes and
groves of
waving
spears.
The
gathering
murmur
spreads,
their
trampling
feet
Beat the
loose sands,
and thicken
to the
fleet;
With
long-resounding
cries they
urge the
train
To fit the
ships, and
launch into
the main.
They toil,
they sweat,
thick clouds
of dust
arise,
The doubling
clamours
echo to the
skies.
E'en then
the Greeks
had left the
hostile
plain,
And fate
decreed the
fall of Troy
in vain;
But Jove's
imperial
queen their
flight
survey'd,
And sighing
thus bespoke
the
blue-eyed
maid:
"Shall then
the Grecians
fly! O dire
disgrace!
And leave
unpunish'd
this
perfidious
race?
Shall Troy,
shall Priam,
and the
adulterous
spouse,
In peace
enjoy the
fruits of
broken vows?
And bravest
chiefs, in
Helen's
quarrel
slain,
Lie
unrevenged
on yon
detested
plain?
No: let my
Greeks,
unmoved by
vain alarms,
Once more
refulgent
shine in
brazen arms.
Haste,
goddess,
haste! the
flying host
detain,
Nor let one
sail be
hoisted on
the main."
Pallas
obeys, and
from
Olympus'
height
Swift to the
ships
precipitates
her flight.
Ulysses,
first in
public
cares, she
found,
For prudent
counsel like
the gods
renown'd:
Oppress'd
with
generous
grief the
hero stood,
Nor drew his
sable
vessels to
the flood.
"And is it
thus, divine
Laertes'
son,
Thus fly the
Greeks (the
martial maid
begun),
Thus to
their
country bear
their own
disgrace,
And fame
eternal
leave to
Priam's
race?
Shall
beauteous
Helen still
remain
unfreed,
Still
unrevenged,
a thousand
heroes
bleed!
Haste,
generous
Ithacus!
prevent the
shame,
Recall your
armies, and
your chiefs
reclaim.
Your own
resistless
eloquence
employ,
And to the
immortals
trust the
fall of
Troy."
The voice
divine
confess'd
the warlike
maid,
Ulysses
heard, nor
uninspired
obey'd:
Then meeting
first
Atrides,
from his
hand
Received the
imperial
sceptre of
command.
Thus graced,
attention
and respect
to gain,
He runs, he
flies
through all
the Grecian
train;
Each prince
of name, or
chief in
arms
approved,
He fired
with praise,
or with
persuasion
moved.
"Warriors
like you,
with
strength and
wisdom
bless'd,
By brave
examples
should
confirm the
rest.
The
monarch's
will not yet
reveal'd
appears;
He tries our
courage, but
resents our
fears.
The unwary
Greeks his
fury may
provoke;
Not thus the
king in
secret
council
spoke.
Jove loves
our chief,
from Jove
his honour
springs,
Beware! for
dreadful is
the wrath of
kings."
But if a
clamorous
vile
plebeian
rose,
Him with
reproof he
check'd or
tamed with
blows.
"Be still,
thou slave,
and to thy
betters
yield;
Unknown
alike in
council and
in field!
Ye gods,
what
dastards
would our
host
command!
Swept to the
war, the
lumber of a
land.
Be silent,
wretch, and
think not
here allow'd
That worst
of tyrants,
an usurping
crowd.
To one sole
monarch Jove
commits the
sway;
His are the
laws, and
him let all
obey."(86)
With words
like these
the troops
Ulysses
ruled,
The loudest
silenced,
and the
fiercest
cool'd.
Back to the
assembly
roll the
thronging
train,
Desert the
ships, and
pour upon
the plain.
Murmuring
they move,
as when old
ocean roars,
And heaves
huge surges
to the
trembling
shores;
The groaning
banks are
burst with
bellowing
sound,
The rocks
remurmur and
the deeps
rebound.
At length
the tumult
sinks, the
noises
cease,
And a still
silence
lulls the
camp to
peace.
Thersites
only
clamour'd in
the throng,
Loquacious,
loud, and
turbulent of
tongue:
Awed by no
shame, by no
respect
controll'd,
In scandal
busy, in
reproaches
bold:
With witty
malice
studious to
defame,
Scorn all
his joy, and
laughter all
his aim:--
But chief he
gloried with
licentious
style
To lash the
great, and
monarchs to
revile.
His figure
such as
might his
soul
proclaim;
One eye was
blinking,
and one leg
was lame:
His mountain
shoulders
half his
breast
o'erspread,
Thin hairs
bestrew'd
his long
misshapen
head.
Spleen to
mankind his
envious
heart
possess'd,
And much he
hated all,
but most the
best:
Ulysses or
Achilles
still his
theme;
But royal
scandal his
delight
supreme,
Long had he
lived the
scorn of
every Greek,
Vex'd when
he spoke,
yet still
they heard
him speak.
Sharp was
his voice;
which in the
shrillest
tone,
Thus with
injurious
taunts
attack'd the
throne.
"Amidst the
glories of
so bright a
reign,
What moves
the great
Atrides to
complain?
'Tis thine
whate'er the
warrior's
breast
inflames,
The golden
spoil, and
thine the
lovely
dames.
With all the
wealth our
wars and
blood
bestow,
Thy tents
are crowded
and thy
chests
o'erflow.
Thus at full
ease in
heaps of
riches
roll'd,
What grieves
the monarch?
Is it thirst
of gold?
Say, shall
we march
with our
unconquer'd
powers
(The Greeks
and I) to
Ilion's
hostile
towers,
And bring
the race of
royal
bastards
here,
For Troy to
ransom at a
price too
dear?
But safer
plunder thy
own host
supplies;
Say, wouldst
thou seize
some valiant
leader's
prize?
Or, if thy
heart to
generous
love be led,
Some captive
fair, to
bless thy
kingly bed?
Whate'er our
master
craves
submit we
must,
Plagued with
his pride,
or punish'd
for his
lust.
Oh women of
Achaia; men
no more!
Hence let us
fly, and let
him waste
his store
In loves and
pleasures on
the Phrygian
shore.
We may be
wanted on
some busy
day,
When Hector
comes: so
great
Achilles
may:
From him he
forced the
prize we
jointly
gave,
From him,
the fierce,
the
fearless,
and the
brave:
And durst
he, as he
ought,
resent that
wrong,
This mighty
tyrant were
no tyrant
long."
Fierce from
his seat at
this Ulysses
springs,(87)
In generous
vengeance of
the king of
kings.
With
indignation
sparkling in
his eyes,
He views the
wretch, and
sternly thus
replies:
"Peace,
factious
monster,
born to vex
the state,
With
wrangling
talents
form'd for
foul debate:
Curb that
impetuous
tongue, nor
rashly vain,
And singly
mad, asperse
the
sovereign
reign.
Have we not
known thee,
slave! of
all our
host,
The man who
acts the
least,
upbraids the
most?
Think not
the Greeks
to shameful
flight to
bring,
Nor let
those lips
profane the
name of
king.
For our
return we
trust the
heavenly
powers;
Be that
their care;
to fight
like men be
ours.
But grant
the host
with wealth
the general
load,
Except
detraction,
what hast
thou
bestow'd?
Suppose some
hero should
his spoils
resign,
Art thou
that hero,
could those
spoils be
thine?
Gods! let me
perish on
this hateful
shore,
And let
these eyes
behold my
son no more;
If, on thy
next
offence,
this hand
forbear
To strip
those arms
thou ill
deserv'st to
wear,
Expel the
council
where our
princes
meet,
And send
thee
scourged and
howling
through the
fleet."
He said, and
cowering as
the dastard
bends,
The weighty
sceptre on
his bank
descends.(88)
On the round
bunch the
bloody
tumours
rise:
The tears
spring
starting
from his
haggard
eyes;
Trembling he
sat, and
shrunk in
abject
fears,
From his
vile visage
wiped the
scalding
tears;
While to his
neighbour
each
express'd
his thought:
"Ye gods!
what wonders
has Ulysses
wrought!
What fruits
his conduct
and his
courage
yield!
Great in the
council,
glorious in
the field.
Generous he
rises in the
crown's
defence,
To curb the
factious
tongue of
insolence,
Such just
examples on
offenders
shown,
Sedition
silence, and
assert the
throne."
'Twas thus
the general
voice the
hero
praised,
Who, rising,
high the
imperial
sceptre
raised:
The
blue-eyed
Pallas, his
celestial
friend,
(In form a
herald,)
bade the
crowds
attend.
The
expecting
crowds in
still
attention
hung,
To hear the
wisdom of
his heavenly
tongue.
Then deeply
thoughtful,
pausing ere
he spoke,
His silence
thus the
prudent hero
broke:
"Unhappy
monarch!
whom the
Grecian race
With shame
deserting,
heap with
vile
disgrace.
Not such at
Argos was
their
generous
vow:
Once all
their voice,
but ah!
forgotten
now:
Ne'er to
return, was
then the
common cry,
Till Troy's
proud
structures
should in
ashes lie.
Behold them
weeping for
their native
shore;
What could
their wives
or helpless
children
more?
What heart
but melts to
leave the
tender
train,
And, one
short month,
endure the
wintry main?
Few leagues
removed, we
wish our
peaceful
seat,
When the
ship tosses,
and the
tempests
beat:
Then well
may this
long stay
provoke
their tears,
The tedious
length of
nine
revolving
years.
Not for
their grief
the Grecian
host I
blame;
But
vanquish'd!
baffled! oh,
eternal
shame!
Expect the
time to
Troy's
destruction
given.
And try the
faith of
Chalcas and
of heaven.
What pass'd
at Aulis,
Greece can
witness
bear,(89)
And all who
live to
breathe this
Phrygian
air.
Beside a
fountain's
sacred brink
we raised
Our verdant
altars, and
the victims
blazed:
'Twas where
the
plane-tree
spread its
shades
around,
The altars
heaved; and
from the
crumbling
ground
A mighty
dragon shot,
of dire
portent;
From Jove
himself the
dreadful
sign was
sent.
Straight to
the tree his
sanguine
spires he
roll'd,
And curl'd
around in
many a
winding
fold;
The topmost
branch a
mother-bird
possess'd;
Eight callow
infants
fill'd the
mossy nest;
Herself the
ninth; the
serpent, as
he hung,
Stretch'd
his black
jaws and
crush'd the
crying
young;
While
hovering
near, with
miserable
moan,
The drooping
mother
wail'd her
children
gone.
The mother
last, as
round the
nest she
flew,
Seized by
the beating
wing, the
monster
slew;
Nor long
survived: to
marble
turn'd, he
stands
A lasting
prodigy on
Aulis'
sands.
Such was the
will of
Jove; and
hence we
dare
Trust in his
omen, and
support the
war.
For while
around we
gazed with
wondering
eyes,
And
trembling
sought the
powers with
sacrifice,
Full of his
god, the
reverend
Chalcas
cried,(90)
'Ye Grecian
warriors!
lay your
fears aside.
This
wondrous
signal Jove
himself
displays,
Of long,
long
labours, but
eternal
praise.
As many
birds as by
the snake
were slain,
So many
years the
toils of
Greece
remain;
But wait the
tenth, for
Ilion's fall
decreed:'
Thus spoke
the prophet,
thus the
Fates
succeed.
Obey, ye
Grecians!
with
submission
wait,
Nor let your
flight avert
the Trojan
fate."
He said: the
shores with
loud
applauses
sound,
The hollow
ships each
deafening
shout
rebound.
Then Nestor
thus--"These
vain debates
forbear,
Ye talk like
children,
not like
heroes dare.
Where now
are all your
high
resolves at
last?
Your leagues
concluded,
your
engagements
past?
Vow'd with
libations
and with
victims
then,
Now vanish'd
like their
smoke: the
faith of
men!
While
useless
words
consume the
unactive
hours,
No wonder
Troy so long
resists our
powers.
Rise, great
Atrides! and
with courage
sway;
We march to
war, if thou
direct the
way.
But leave
the few that
dare resist
thy laws,
The mean
deserters of
the Grecian
cause,
To grudge
the
conquests
mighty Jove
prepares,
And view
with envy
our
successful
wars.
On that
great day,
when first
the martial
train,
Big with the
fate of
Ilion,
plough'd the
main,
Jove, on the
right, a
prosperous
signal sent,
And thunder
rolling
shook the
firmament.
Encouraged
hence,
maintain the
glorious
strife,
Till every
soldier
grasp a
Phrygian
wife,
Till Helen's
woes at full
revenged
appear,
And Troy's
proud
matrons
render tear
for tear.
Before that
day, if any
Greek invite
His
country's
troops to
base,
inglorious
flight,
Stand forth
that Greek!
and hoist
his sail to
fly,
And die the
dastard
first, who
dreads to
die.
But now, O
monarch! all
thy chiefs
advise:(91)
Nor what
they offer,
thou thyself
despise.
Among those
counsels,
let not mine
be vain;
In tribes
and nations
to divide
thy train:
His separate
troops let
every leader
call,
Each
strengthen
each, and
all
encourage
all.
What chief,
or soldier,
of the
numerous
band,
Or bravely
fights, or
ill obeys
command,
When thus
distinct
they war,
shall soon
be known
And what the
cause of
Ilion not
o'erthrown;
If fate
resists, or
if our arms
are slow,
If gods
above
prevent, or
men below."
To him the
king: "How
much thy
years excel
In arts of
counsel, and
in speaking
well!
O would the
gods, in
love to
Greece,
decree
But ten such
sages as
they grant
in thee;
Such wisdom
soon should
Priam's
force
destroy,
And soon
should fall
the haughty
towers of
Troy!
But Jove
forbids, who
plunges
those he
hates
In fierce
contention
and in vain
debates:
Now great
Achilles
from our aid
withdraws,
By me
provoked; a
captive maid
the cause:
If e'er as
friends we
join, the
Trojan wall
Must shake,
and heavy
will the
vengeance
fall!
But now, ye
warriors,
take a short
repast;
And, well
refresh'd,
to bloody
conflict
haste.
His
sharpen'd
spear let
every
Grecian
wield,
And every
Grecian fix
his brazen
shield,
Let all
excite the
fiery steeds
of war,
And all for
combat fit
the rattling
car.
This day,
this
dreadful
day, let
each
contend;
No rest, no
respite,
till the
shades
descend;
Till
darkness, or
till death,
shall cover
all:
Let the war
bleed, and
let the
mighty fall;
Till bathed
in sweat be
every manly
breast,
With the
huge shield
each brawny
arm
depress'd,
Each aching
nerve refuse
the lance to
throw,
And each
spent
courser at
the chariot
blow.
Who dares,
inglorious,
in his ships
to stay,
Who dares to
tremble on
this signal
day;
That wretch,
too mean to
fall by
martial
power,
The birds
shall
mangle, and
the dogs
devour."
The monarch
spoke; and
straight a
murmur rose,
Loud as the
surges when
the tempest
blows,
That dash'd
on broken
rocks
tumultuous
roar,
And foam and
thunder on
the stony
shore.
Straight to
the tents
the troops
dispersing
bend,
The fires
are kindled,
and the
smokes
ascend;
With hasty
feasts they
sacrifice,
and pray,
To avert the
dangers of
the doubtful
day.
A steer of
five years'
age, large
limb'd, and
fed,(92)
To Jove's
high altars
Agamemnon
led:
There bade
the noblest
of the
Grecian
peers;
And Nestor
first, as
most
advanced in
years.
Next came
Idomeneus,(93)
and Tydeus'
son,(94)
Ajax the
less, and
Ajax
Telamon;(95)
Then wise
Ulysses in
his rank was
placed;
And Menelaus
came, unbid,
the last.(96)
The chiefs
surround the
destined
beast, and
take
The sacred
offering of
the salted
cake:
When thus
the king
prefers his
solemn
prayer;
"O thou!
whose
thunder
rends the
clouded air,
Who in the
heaven of
heavens hast
fixed thy
throne,
Supreme of
gods!
unbounded,
and alone!
Hear! and
before the
burning sun
descends,
Before the
night her
gloomy veil
extends,
Low in the
dust be laid
yon hostile
spires,
Be Priam's
palace sunk
in Grecian
fires.
In Hector's
breast be
plunged this
shining
sword,
And
slaughter'd
heroes groan
around their
lord!"
Thus prayed
the chief:
his
unavailing
prayer
Great Jove
refused, and
toss'd in
empty air:
The God
averse,
while yet
the fumes
arose,
Prepared new
toils, and
doubled woes
on woes.
Their
prayers
perform'd
the chiefs
the rite
pursue,
The barley
sprinkled,
and the
victim slew.
The limbs
they sever
from the
inclosing
hide,
The thighs,
selected to
the gods,
divide.
On these, in
double cauls
involved
with art,
The choicest
morsels lie
from every
part,
From the
cleft wood
the
crackling
flames
aspires
While the
fat victims
feed the
sacred fire.
The thighs
thus
sacrificed,
and entrails
dress'd
The
assistants
part,
transfix,
and roast
the rest;
Then spread
the tables,
the repast
prepare,
Each takes
his seat,
and each
receives his
share.
Soon as the
rage of
hunger was
suppress'd,
The generous
Nestor thus
the prince
address'd.
"Now bid thy
heralds
sound the
loud alarms,
And call the
squadrons
sheathed in
brazen arms;
Now seize
the
occasion,
now the
troops
survey,
And lead to
war when
heaven
directs the
way."
He said; the
monarch
issued his
commands;
Straight the
loud heralds
call the
gathering
bands
The chiefs
inclose
their king;
the hosts
divide,
In tribes
and nations
rank'd on
either side.
High in the
midst the
blue-eyed
virgin
flies;
From rank to
rank she
darts her
ardent eyes;
The dreadful
aegis,
Jove's
immortal
shield,
Blazed on
her arm, and
lighten'd
all the
field:
Round the
vast orb a
hundred
serpents
roll'd,
Form'd the
bright
fringe, and
seem'd to
burn in
gold,
With this
each
Grecian's
manly breast
she warms,
Swells their
bold hearts,
and strings
their
nervous
arms,
No more they
sigh,
inglorious,
to return,
But breathe
revenge, and
for the
combat burn.
As on some
mountain,
through the
lofty grove,
The
crackling
flames
ascend, and
blaze above;
The fires
expanding,
as the winds
arise,
Shoot their
long beams,
and kindle
half the
skies:
So from the
polish'd
arms, and
brazen
shields,
A gleamy
splendour
flash'd
along the
fields.
Not less
their number
than the
embodied
cranes,
Or
milk-white
swans in
Asius'
watery
plains.
That, o'er
the windings
of Cayster's
springs,(97)
Stretch
their long
necks, and
clap their
rustling
wings,
Now tower
aloft, and
course in
airy rounds,
Now light
with noise;
with noise
the field
resounds.
Thus
numerous and
confused,
extending
wide,
The legions
crowd
Scamander's
flowery
side;(98)
With rushing
troops the
plains are
cover'd
o'er,
And
thundering
footsteps
shake the
sounding
shore.
Along the
river's
level meads
they stand,
Thick as in
spring the
flowers
adorn the
land,
Or leaves
the trees;
or thick as
insects
play,
The
wandering
nation of a
summer's
day:
That, drawn
by milky
steams, at
evening
hours,
In gather'd
swarms
surround the
rural
bowers;
From pail to
pail with
busy murmur
run
The gilded
legions,
glittering
in the sun.
So throng'd,
so close,
the Grecian
squadrons
stood
In radiant
arms, and
thirst for
Trojan
blood.
Each leader
now his
scatter'd
force
conjoins
In close
array, and
forms the
deepening
lines.
Not with
more ease
the skilful
shepherd-swain
Collects his
flocks from
thousands on
the plain.
The king of
kings,
majestically
tall,
Towers o'er
his armies,
and
outshines
them all;
Like some
proud bull,
that round
the pastures
leads
His subject
herds, the
monarch of
the meads,
Great as the
gods, the
exalted
chief was
seen,
His strength
like
Neptune, and
like Mars
his mien;(99)
Jove o'er
his eyes
celestial
glories
spread,
And dawning
conquest
played
around his
head.
Say,
virgins,
seated round
the throne
divine,
All-knowing
goddesses!
immortal
nine!(100)
Since
earth's wide
regions,
heaven's
umneasur'd
height,
And hell's
abyss, hide
nothing from
your sight,
(We,
wretched
mortals!
lost in
doubts
below,
But guess by
rumour, and
but boast we
know,)
O say what
heroes,
fired by
thirst of
fame,
Or urged by
wrongs, to
Troy's
destruction
came.
To count
them all,
demands a
thousand
tongues,
A throat of
brass, and
adamantine
lungs.
Daughters of
Jove,
assist!
inspired by
you
The mighty
labour
dauntless I
pursue;
What crowded
armies, from
what climes
they bring,
Their names,
their
numbers, and
their chiefs
I sing.
The hardy
warriors
whom Boeotia
bred,
Penelius,
Leitus,
Prothoenor,
led:
With these
Arcesilaus
and Clonius
stand,
Equal in
arms, and
equal in
command.
These head
the troops
that rocky
Aulis
yields,
And Eteon's
hills, and
Hyrie's
watery
fields,
And
Schoenos,
Scholos,
Graea near
the main,
And
Mycalessia's
ample piny
plain;
Those who in
Peteon or
Ilesion
dwell,
Or Harma
where
Apollo's
prophet
fell;
Heleon and
Hyle, which
the springs
o'erflow;
And Medeon
lofty, and
Ocalea low;
Or in the
meads of
Haliartus
stray,
Or Thespia
sacred to
the god of
day:
Onchestus,
Neptune's
celebrated
groves;
Copae, and
Thisbe,
famed for
silver
doves;
For flocks
Erythrae,
Glissa for
the vine;
Platea
green, and
Nysa the
divine;
And they
whom Thebe's
well-built
walls
inclose,
Where Myde,
Eutresis,
Corone,
rose;
And Arne
rich, with
purple
harvests
crown'd;
And
Anthedon,
Boeotia's
utmost
bound.
Full fifty
ships they
send, and
each conveys
Twice sixty
warriors
through the
foaming
seas.(102)
To these
succeed
Aspledon's
martial
train,
Who plough
the spacious
Orchomenian
plain.
Two valiant
brothers
rule the
undaunted
throng,
Ialmen and
Ascalaphus
the strong:
Sons of
Astyoche,
the heavenly
fair,
Whose virgin
charms
subdued the
god of war:
(In Actor's
court as she
retired to
rest,
The strength
of Mars the
blushing
maid
compress'd)
Their troops
in thirty
sable
vessels
sweep,
With equal
oars, the
hoarse-resounding
deep.
The Phocians
next in
forty barks
repair;
Epistrophus
and Schedius
head the
war:
From those
rich regions
where
Cephisus
leads
His silver
current
through the
flowery
meads;
From
Panopea,
Chrysa the
divine,
Where
Anemoria's
stately
turrets
shine,
Where Pytho,
Daulis,
Cyparissus
stood,
And fair
Lilaea views
the rising
flood.
These,
ranged in
order on the
floating
tide,
Close, on
the left,
the bold
Boeotians'
side.
Fierce Ajax
led the
Locrian
squadrons
on,
Ajax the
less,
Oileus'
valiant son;
Skill'd to
direct the
flying dart
aright;
Swift in
pursuit, and
active in
the fight.
Him, as
their chief,
the chosen
troops
attend,
Which Bessa,
Thronus, and
rich Cynos
send;
Opus,
Calliarus,
and
Scarphe's
bands;
And those
who dwell
where
pleasing
Augia
stands,
And where
Boagrius
floats the
lowly lands,
Or in fair
Tarphe's
sylvan seats
reside:
In forty
vessels cut
the yielding
tide.
Euboea next
her martial
sons
prepares,
And sends
the brave
Abantes to
the wars:
Breathing
revenge, in
arms they
take their
way
From
Chalcis'
walls, and
strong
Eretria;
The Isteian
fields for
generous
vines
renown'd,
The fair
Caristos,
and the
Styrian
ground;
Where Dios
from her
towers
o'erlooks
the plain,
And high
Cerinthus
views the
neighbouring
main.
Down their
broad
shoulders
falls a
length of
hair;
Their hands
dismiss not
the long
lance in
air;
But with
protended
spears in
fighting
fields
Pierce the
tough
corslets and
the brazen
shields.
Twice twenty
ships
transport
the warlike
bands,
Which bold
Elphenor,
fierce in
arms,
commands.
Full fifty
more from
Athens stem
the main,
Led by
Menestheus
through the
liquid
plain.
(Athens the
fair, where
great
Erectheus
sway'd,
That owed
his nurture
to the
blue-eyed
maid,
But from the
teeming
furrow took
his birth,
The mighty
offspring of
the foodful
earth.
Him Pallas
placed
amidst her
wealthy
fane,
Adored with
sacrifice
and oxen
slain;
Where, as
the years
revolve, her
altars
blaze,
And all the
tribes
resound the
goddess'
praise.)
No chief
like thee,
Menestheus!
Greece could
yield,
To marshal
armies in
the dusty
field,
The extended
wings of
battle to
display,
Or close the
embodied
host in firm
array.
Nestor
alone,
improved by
length of
days,
For martial
conduct bore
an equal
praise.
With these
appear the
Salaminian
bands,
Whom the
gigantic
Telamon
commands;
In twelve
black ships
to Troy they
steer their
course,
And with the
great
Athenians
join their
force.
Next move to
war the
generous
Argive
train,
From high
Troezene,
and Maseta's
plain,
And fair
Ęgina
circled by
the main:
Whom strong
Tyrinthe's
lofty walls
surround,
And Epidaure
with viny
harvests
crown'd:
And where
fair Asinen
and Hermoin
show
Their cliffs
above, and
ample bay
below.
These by the
brave
Euryalus
were led,
Great
Sthenelus,
and greater
Diomed;
But chief
Tydides bore
the
sovereign
sway:
In fourscore
barks they
plough the
watery way.
The proud
Mycene arms
her martial
powers,
Cleone,
Corinth,
with
imperial
towers,(103)
Fair
Araethyrea,
Ornia's
fruitful
plain,
And Ęgion,
and
Adrastus'
ancient
reign;
And those
who dwell
along the
sandy shore,
And where
Pellene
yields her
fleecy
store,
Where Helice
and
Hyperesia
lie,
And
Gonoessa's
spires
salute the
sky.
Great
Agamemnon
rules the
numerous
band,
A hundred
vessels in
long order
stand,
And crowded
nations wait
his dread
command.
High on the
deck the
king of men
appears,
And his
refulgent
arms in
triumph
wears;
Proud of his
host,
unrivall'd
in his
reign,
In silent
pomp he
moves along
the main.
His brother
follows, and
to vengeance
warms
The hardy
Spartans,
exercised in
arms:
Phares and
Brysia's
valiant
troops, and
those
Whom
Lacedaemon's
lofty hills
inclose;
Or Messe's
towers for
silver doves
renown'd,
Amyclae,
Laas,
Augia's
happy
ground,
And those
whom
OEtylos' low
walls
contain,
And Helos,
on the
margin of
the main:
These, o'er
the bending
ocean,
Helen's
cause,
In sixty
ships with
Menelaus
draws:
Eager and
loud from
man to man
he flies,
Revenge and
fury flaming
in his eyes;
While vainly
fond, in
fancy oft he
hears
The fair
one's grief,
and sees her
falling
tears.
In ninety
sail, from
Pylos' sandy
coast,
Nestor the
sage
conducts his
chosen host:
From
Amphigenia's
ever-fruitful
land,
Where Ępy
high, and
little
Pteleon
stand;
Where
beauteous
Arene her
structures
shows,
And Thryon's
walls
Alpheus'
streams
inclose:
And Dorion,
famed for
Thamyris'
disgrace,
Superior
once of all
the tuneful
race,
Till, vain
of mortals'
empty
praise, he
strove
To match the
seed of
cloud-compelling
Jove!
Too daring
bard! whose
unsuccessful
pride
The immortal
Muses in
their art
defied.
The avenging
Muses of the
light of day
Deprived his
eyes, and
snatch'd his
voice away;
No more his
heavenly
voice was
heard to
sing,
His hand no
more awaked
the silver
string.
Where under
high
Cyllene,
crown'd with
wood,
The shaded
tomb of old
Ępytus
stood;
From Ripe,
Stratie,
Tegea's
bordering
towns,
The Phenean
fields, and
Orchomenian
downs,
Where the
fat herds in
plenteous
pasture
rove;
And
Stymphelus
with her
surrounding
grove;
Parrhasia,
on her snowy
cliffs
reclined,
And high
Enispe shook
by wintry
wind,
And fair
Mantinea's
ever-pleasing
site;
In sixty
sail the
Arcadian
bands unite.
Bold
Agapenor,
glorious at
their head,
(Ancaeus'
son) the
mighty
squadron
led.
Their ships,
supplied by
Agamemnon's
care,
Through
roaring seas
the
wondering
warriors
bear;
The first to
battle on
the
appointed
plain,
But new to
all the
dangers of
the main.
Those, where
fair Elis
and
Buprasium
join;
Whom Hyrmin,
here, and
Myrsinus
confine,
And bounded
there, where
o'er the
valleys rose
The Olenian
rock; and
where
Alisium
flows;
Beneath four
chiefs (a
numerous
army) came:
The strength
and glory of
the Epean
name.
In separate
squadrons
these their
train
divide,
Each leads
ten vessels
through the
yielding
tide.
One was
Amphimachus,
and Thalpius
one;
(Eurytus'
this, and
that Teatus'
son;)
Diores
sprung from
Amarynceus'
line;
And great
Polyxenus,
of force
divine.
But those
who view
fair Elis
o'er the
seas
From the
blest
islands of
the
Echinades,
In forty
vessels
under Meges
move,
Begot by
Phyleus, the
beloved of
Jove:
To strong
Dulichium
from his
sire he
fled,
And thence
to Troy his
hardy
warriors
led.
Ulysses
follow'd
through the
watery road,
A chief, in
wisdom equal
to a god.
With those
whom
Cephalenia's
line
inclosed,
Or till
their fields
along the
coast
opposed;
Or where
fair Ithaca
o'erlooks
the floods,
Where high
Neritos
shakes his
waving
woods,
Where
Ęgilipa's
rugged sides
are seen,
Crocylia
rocky, and
Zacynthus
green.
These in
twelve
galleys with
vermilion
prores,
Beneath his
conduct
sought the
Phrygian
shores.
Thoas came
next,
Andraemon's
valiant son,
From
Pleuron's
walls, and
chalky
Calydon,
And rough
Pylene, and
the Olenian
steep,
And Chalcis,
beaten by
the rolling
deep.
He led the
warriors
from the
Ętolian
shore,
For now the
sons of
OEneus were
no more!
The glories
of the
mighty race
were fled!
OEneus
himself, and
Meleager
dead!
To Thoas'
care now
trust the
martial
train,
His forty
vessels
follow
through the
main.
Next, eighty
barks the
Cretan king
commands,
Of Gnossus,
Lyctus, and
Gortyna's
bands;
And those
who dwell
where
Rhytion's
domes arise,
Or white
Lycastus
glitters to
the skies,
Or where by
Phaestus
silver
Jardan runs;
Crete's
hundred
cities pour
forth all
her sons.
These
march'd,
Idomeneus,
beneath thy
care,
And Merion,
dreadful as
the god of
war.
Tlepolemus,
the sun of
Hercules,
Led nine
swift
vessels
through the
foamy seas,
From Rhodes,
with
everlasting
sunshine
bright,
Jalyssus,
Lindus, and
Camirus
white.
His captive
mother
fierce
Alcides bore
From Ephyr's
walls and
Selle's
winding
shore,
Where mighty
towns in
ruins spread
the plain,
And saw
their
blooming
warriors
early slain.
The hero,
when to
manly years
he grew,
Alcides'
uncle, old
Licymnius,
slew;
For this,
constrain'd
to quit his
native
place,
And shun the
vengeance of
the
Herculean
race,
A fleet he
built, and
with a
numerous
train
Of willing
exiles
wander'd
o'er the
main;
Where, many
seas and
many
sufferings
past,
On happy
Rhodes the
chief
arrived at
last:
There in
three tribes
divides his
native band,
And rules
them
peaceful in
a foreign
land;
Increased
and
prosper'd in
their new
abodes
By mighty
Jove, the
sire of men
and gods;
With joy
they saw the
growing
empire rise,
And showers
of wealth
descending
from the
skies.
Three ships
with Nireus
sought the
Trojan
shore,
Nireus, whom
Aglae to
Charopus
bore,
Nireus, in
faultless
shape and
blooming
grace,
The
loveliest
youth of all
the Grecian
race;(104)
Pelides only
match'd his
early
charms;
But few his
troops, and
small his
strength in
arms.
Next thirty
galleys
cleave the
liquid
plain,
Of those
Calydnae's
sea-girt
isles
contain;
With them
the youth of
Nisyrus
repair,
Casus the
strong, and
Crapathus
the fair;
Cos, where
Eurypylus
possess'd
the sway,
Till great
Alcides made
the realms
obey:
These
Antiphus and
bold
Phidippus
bring,
Sprung from
the god by
Thessalus
the king.
Now, Muse,
recount
Pelasgic
Argos'
powers,
From Alos,
Alope, and
Trechin's
towers:
From
Phthia's
spacious
vales; and
Hella,
bless'd
With female
beauty far
beyond the
rest.
Full fifty
ships
beneath
Achilles'
care,
The
Achaians,
Myrmidons,
Hellenians
bear;
Thessalians
all, though
various in
their name;
The same
their
nation, and
their chief
the same.
But now
inglorious,
stretch'd
along the
shore,
They hear
the brazen
voice of war
no more;
No more the
foe they
face in dire
array:
Close in his
fleet the
angry leader
lay;
Since fair
Briseis from
his arms was
torn,
The noblest
spoil from
sack'd
Lyrnessus
borne,
Then, when
the chief
the Theban
walls
o'erthrew,
And the bold
sons of
great Evenus
slew.
There
mourn'd
Achilles,
plunged in
depth of
care,
But soon to
rise in
slaughter,
blood, and
war.
To these the
youth of
Phylace
succeed,
Itona,
famous for
her fleecy
breed,
And grassy
Pteleon
deck'd with
cheerful
greens,
The bowers
of Ceres,
and the
sylvan
scenes.
Sweet
Pyrrhasus,
with
blooming
flowerets
crown'd,
And Antron's
watery dens,
and cavern'd
ground.
These own'd,
as chief,
Protesilas
the brave,
Who now lay
silent in
the gloomy
grave:
The first
who boldly
touch'd the
Trojan
shore,
And dyed a
Phrygian
lance with
Grecian
gore;
There lies,
far distant
from his
native
plain;
Unfinish'd
his proud
palaces
remain,
And his sad
consort
beats her
breast in
vain.
His troops
in forty
ships
Podarces
led,
Iphiclus'
son, and
brother to
the dead;
Nor he
unworthy to
command the
host;
Yet still
they mourn'd
their
ancient
leader lost.
The men who
Glaphyra's
fair soil
partake,
Where hills
incircle
Boebe's
lowly lake,
Where Phaere
hears the
neighbouring
waters fall,
Or proud
Iolcus lifts
her airy
wall,
In ten black
ships
embark'd for
Ilion's
shore,
With bold
Eumelus,
whom Alceste
bore:
All Pelias'
race Alceste
far
outshined,
The grace
and glory of
the
beauteous
kind,
The troops
Methone or
Thaumacia
yields,
Olizon's
rocks, or
Meliboea's
fields,
With
Philoctetes
sail'd whose
matchless
art
From the
tough bow
directs the
feather'd
dart.
Seven were
his ships;
each vessel
fifty row,
Skill'd in
his science
of the dart
and bow.
But he lay
raging on
the Lemnian
ground,
A poisonous
hydra gave
the burning
wound;
There
groan'd the
chief in
agonizing
pain,
Whom Greece
at length
shall wish,
nor wish in
vain.
His forces
Medon led
from Lemnos'
shore,
Oileus' son,
whom
beauteous
Rhena bore.
The
OEchalian
race, in
those high
towers
contain'd
Where once
Eurytus in
proud
triumph
reign'd,
Or where her
humbler
turrets
Tricca
rears,
Or where
Ithome,
rough with
rocks,
appears,
In thirty
sail the
sparkling
waves
divide,
Which
Podalirius
and Machaon
guide.
To these his
skill their
parent-god
imparts,
Divine
professors
of the
healing
arts.
The bold
Ormenian and
Asterian
bands
In forty
barks
Eurypylus
commands.
Where Titan
hides his
hoary head
in snow,
And where
Hyperia's
silver
fountains
flow.
Thy troops,
Argissa,
Polypoetes
leads,
And Eleon,
shelter'd by
Olympus'
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