Book XI

Aurora rising from Tithonus bed
Before both Gods and Men to hold her light,
Eris from Jove the Signal carried
Unto the Argive Fleet of bloudy Fight.
And down unto Ulysses Sh[…]p she went
That was the middlemost and high'st of all
That heard she might be to Achilles Tent,
And Ajaxes, that they might hear her call.
At th' outsides of the Fleet they quarter'd were;
For they upon their Prowess most reli'd:
Then Eris with her voice the Air did tear,
And horribly to the Achaeans cri'd.
Come quickly forth into the Field and fight;
Be bold Achaeans; to the Battle come.
Incourag'd thus the Greeks took more delight
In staying at the War than going home.
Fellows, to Arms, then Agamemnon cri'd,
And to put on his Arms the first man was;
His Leg-pieces he down to th' Anckles ti'd
With silver Buckles, Leg-pieces of Brass;
And then puts on an Armour on his breast,
That had been given him by Cinyres
(His antient acquaintance and his Guest)
Whilst he preparing was to pass the Seas:
For long before the Greeks for Troy set sail,
Their purpose was at Cyprus known by fame,
And thinking such a Gift might him avail,
In kindness t'Agamemnon sent the same.
The colour was by Pales distinguished,
Ten Black, twelve Gold, and twenty were of Tin:
And in it three black Serpents figured
As if they creeping were unto his Chin.
Their sides like Rainbows lookt which in the Sky
Are shewn by Jove for men to wonder at.
Then from his shoulder down upon his thigh
He hung his Sword. Studded with Gold was that.
Then took his Shield which finely varied was;
Bossed in twenty places with white Tin;
And round about them were ten Orbs of Brass;
And black the Circle was enclos'd within.
There Gorgo painted was with killing Eyes,
And with her standing Terror and Affright:
His Belt of silver was, and to the Skyes
Returned back agen the glittering light.
Wound up lay on it painted a great Snake,
Which had three heads, and crowned was each one,
And last into his hand two Spears did take,
Having his Helmet on his head put on.
Thus Agamemnon armed was. And then
Juno and Pallas both rais'd such a sound
(To honour him before the Greeks) as when
A man that's slain falls suddenly to th' ground.
Then every one unto his Chariotier
Commandment gave upon the Ditch to stay
And ready be. The foot all armed were,
And forth into the Field were march'd away.
But soon again the Horses with them stood.
Then Jove amongst them Noise and Tumult sent;
And mingled was the Morning dew with Bloud,
For on that day much bloud was to be spent.
Upon a rising ground now Hector was,
Aeneas with him, and Polydamas,
And three Sons of Antenor, Acamas,
Agenor, Polybus, and th'Army was.
And Hector with a round Shield at their head.
As when a Star does through the Clouds appear,
And presently again is covered;
Sometimes i'th' Front was, sometimes in the Rear
Giving command; his Arms like Lightning show.
As Mowers standing one Rank 'gainst another,
A field of Barley or of Wheat to mow;
So Greeks and Trojans mow down one the other.
On neither side thought any man of flight,
But like to Wolves on one another fly
In number equal; and gave great delight
To Eris, who (and no God else) was by.
The other Gods stay'd on Olympus Hill,
Within whose folds they dwell, and murmur'd at
Their Father Jove for bearing such good will
To Ilium. But he car'd not for that.
And by himself he from them went; and then
Took pride to see the Greeks and Trojans fight,
And look on killing and on dying men,
And of their Arms to see the slashing light.
Now all the while that mounting was the Sun,
The number slain on both sides was the same.
But when the Woodman half his work had done,
And willingly unto his Dinner came,
The Greeks then brake the Trojan Ranks, and on
Fell Agamemnon, and Bienor slew,
Both him and Ocles his Companion
That drave the Horses which the Charret drew.
He lighting and assailing him was slain;
And Ocles had no time his Spear to throw:
For Agamemnon's Spear had pierc'd his brain,
Passing both through his Helmet and his Brow.
These there he left stript both of Arms and Coat,
And Antiphus and Isus then drew near,
Both Priams Sons, one legal, th'other not,
Upon one Seat, and Isus Charretier.
Once by Achilles taken were these men
As they were feed[…]ng Sheep in Ida hills,
And for their Ransome were set free agen;
But both of them now Agamemnon kills.
For Isus Breast he pierc'd through with his Spear;
The other with his sword he overthrew,
And seen him had when he was Prisoner,
And that 'twas Antiphus (when stript) he knew.
As when a Lion with his mighty Teeth
Crusheth the tender issue of a Hinde,
Which the afrighted Dam stands by and seeth,
And grieveth, but no remedy can finde;
And skipping in the Woods for shelter seeks
To save her own life; So the Trojans fled
Pursu'd by Agamemnon and the Greeks,
And thought not on their fellows they left dead.
T'Hyppolochus then comes he and Pisander,
Sons of Antimachus, a person noted
For having Gold receiv'd of Alexander,
And for it in the Common-Councel voted.
And these two Agamemnon took alive.
For by mischance the reins slipt from their hands;
And then they saw it was in vain to strive,
And Agamemnon now before them stands.
Then as they sat together on one Seat,
Save us (said they) Atrides, let us live,
For we redeem'd shall be with Ransome great,
Our Father for us what you please will give.
Are you Antimachus his Son, said he,
That gave advice to murther Menelaus,
Contrary to the Laws of honesty,
When of the Greeks Ambassador he was,
And with Ulysses sent into the Town?
You for your Father's evil deed must pay.
Then from his Char Pisander he struck down;
With Breast pierc'd through upon his Back he lay.
Hyppolochus was lighted and on foot,
And with the sword of Agamemnon slain,
Who cuts his Head off, and his Hands to boot.
And then upon the Trojans prest again.
And great the slaughter was of them that fled,
And wonderful the Dust that raised was,
And both the Field and Army covered,
Forc'd up by Troops of Horses shod with Brass.
As Boughs fall in a Wood that's set on flame,
And shaken by the violence of wind;
So fast unto the ground the Trojans came,
When Agamemnon follow'd them behind.
And many Horses made their Charrets rattle,
Which empty ran about when no man drives.
For they that drave them faln were in the Battle,
A lovelier sight to Vulturs than their Wives.
But Hector was by Jove set out of sight
Of all this dust and slaughter and disorder:
But Agamemnon still with all his might
Pursuing killed, and to kill gave order.
Then they that were encampt at Ilus Tomb
Retir'd in haste unto the Sycamore,
Half the Plain over towards Ilium,
And after them Atrides coverd ore
With Blood and Dust. But when the Trojans were
Got back unto the Beech near Scaea gate,
A while they for their fellows stayed there
Who swiftly ran fearing to come too late.
As when a Lion falleth in the Night
Upon a herd of Kine, and one must die,
And all the rest are put into a fright,
So Agamemnon made the Trojans fly.
And all the way he went the hindmost kill'd.
And from their Chars some forward fell, and some
Upon their Backs, and lay dead on the field.
But when unto the Wall they near were come,
Then Jove came down to Ida from the Sky
With Thunder in his hand, and t'Iris laid,
Go Iris quickly, and tell Hector I
Command him Agamemnon to avoid
As long as in the Front he raging is,
And let the Fight by others manag'd be.
But when he Agamemnon wounded sees
And leave the Field, I'll give the Victory
To him, and he shall put them all to flight,
And to the Fleet go killing all the way,
Until the Sun be set, and dark the night.
This said, away she went without delay;
And down from Ida came to Ilium,
And finding him upon his Char, To you
From Jove (said she) O Hector, I am come
To warn you Agamemnon to eschew,
As long as in the Front he raging is.
And let the Fight by others manag'd be;
But when by Spear or Bow he wounded is
And leaves the Field, he'll give the Victory
To you, and you shall put them all to flight,
And to the Fleet go killing all the way,
Until the Sun be set, and dark the night.
Having thus said, she did no longer stay.
Then Hector armed leapt unto the ground,
And with two Spears well pointed in his hand
Exhorting went about the Army round.
Their Faces then the Trojans turn, and stand.
The first that did advance Atrides was.
But tell me Muse, Who first came in his way?
One of Antenor's Sons Iphidamas,
That was brought up in Thrace (though born at Troy)
By Cisseus who his Mothers Father was,
From childhood till to mans estate he came,
And made his Son in-Law. But then, because
The coming of the Greeks was known by Fame,
Was thence, although but new espoused, sent
To th'aid of Priam and his Sons at Troy,
And at Percopa landing t'Ilium went,
And now was standing in Atrides way.
First Agamemnon threw his Spear and mist.
Iphidamas then at Atrides threw,
And hit his Belt which did the stroke resist,
For massy Silver was the Belt and true,
And bent the po[…]nt as if it had been Lead.
Then Agamemnon with his Sword came on,
And smote him on the Neck, and laid him dead.
Thus dy'd Iphidamas Antenor's Son.
And much to be lamented was his case,
That far from his espoused Virgin Wife
Without receiving from her any grace
Should fighting for his Country lose his Life.
He given for her had a thousand Kine,
And promis'd Sheep and Goats a thousand more.
Now slain, and stript was of his Armour fine
By Agamemnon and triumphed ore.
But Coon then, Antenor's eldest Son
Incensed by his Brothers death came in,
And pierc'd Atrides Arm close by the Bone
(Unseen) the Elbow and the Wrist between.
Then cold was Agamemnon's heart with fear,
But gave not over. For as […] drew
His Brother off, He came on with his Spear,
And with a thrust, beneath his Shield him slew,
And (on his Brother) then cuts off his head.
Thus these two Brothers finished their Fate.
Atrides still the slaughter followed
With Spear, and Sword, and Stones of mighty weight,
Not giving over whilst the wound was warm.
But when 'twas cleans'd, and stayed was the Bloud,
So cruel then the pain was in his Arm,
That on the ground no longer stay he cou'd.
Then mounted on his Chariot, he said,
Drive to the Ships. For he was in great pain.
And on the Princes then the charge he laid,
The Fight against the Trojans to maintain.
My friends, said he, 'tis your part now to stay
The fury of the Trojans from our Ships;
Since Jove not suffers me to fight all day.
This said, the Chariotier his Horses whips.
Which when they felt, away they swift[…]y went,
And stain'd with Sweat and Powder of the Plain
Brought wounded Agamemnon to his Tent,
From off the Field bestrow'd with Bodies slain.
Assoon as Hector saw Atrides gone,
Now Trojans, Dardans, Lycians (he cry'd)
Now charge the Greeks with resolution,
For he is gone on whom they most rely'd,
And Jove assures me that the day is mine.
This said, like Hounds encourag'd by the Hunter
Against a Lion or a tusked Swine,
The Trojans boldly marched to th'encounter,
And on them fell with Hector at the head.
And as a down-right Wind the Sea, so he
The Argive Ranks and Files disordered,
And them that fled pursued furiously.
But tell me Muse, whilst Hector Priam's Son
By Jove assisted did the Greeks pursue,
And great renown amongst the Trojans won,
Who and how many were the men he slew.
Assaeus first, and then Autonous,
Oplites, Dolops, and Opheltius,
And then Aesymnus, and Agelaus;
Then Orus, and the last Hipponous.
All these were Princes in the Argive host.
But look how many are the drops of Dew,
When into th'Air the Sea by Winds is tost,
So many private Soldiers Hector slew.
And then incurable their loss had been,
And fled had to their Ships the Greeks dismai'd,
Had not Ulysses then the same foreseen,
And to Tydides not far from him said,
Tydides, to what purpose stand we here?
Come hither man and stand close to my side.
To let our Ships be lost great shame it were.
Tydides to Ulysses then repli'd.
Yes, yes Ulysses I will with you bide,
Though we shall take but little pleasure here.
For Jove I see inclineth to their side.
This said, he at Thymbraeus threw his Spear,
Which lighting on his left Pap pierc'd him through.
Ulysses slew Molion Priams man;
Upon the Field unstript they left these two.
And then into the Trojan throng they ran,
(Whilst th'other Greeks from Hector swiftly fly)
Like two wilde Boars that turn upon the hounds
That know they may upon their strength rely,
And scatter 'mongst the Trojans death and wounds.
And there two valiant Sons of Merops kill'd
As they together on one Charriot sate.
This Merops was in Prophecy well sk[…]ll'd,
And bad them stay, and told them had their Fate.
But the two forward Youths would not obey.
But sed unto the War by Destiny
Unluckily came in Tydides way,
Where by his hand their Fortune 'twas to die.
Hippodama[…] was by Ulysses kill'd
As also was […]ypirichus; and now
None knew who had the better in the Field
But Jove, who looked on from Ida Brow.
And then Agastrophus King Paeons Son
Was by Tydides wounded in the Thigh,
And would have fled, but Horses he had none.
His man that held them for him was not nigh.
Yet fought he 'mongst the formost till he di'd.
This Hector saw, and towards Diomed
His Horses turn'd, and to the Trojans cri'd,
Come follow me, and they all followed.
And Diomed assoon as he saw this,
Though chill with fear, unto Ulysses said,
To us this plaguy Hector rolling is;
But stand, and let him see w'are not afraid.
This said, he straight at Hector threw his Spear,
Which hit his Helmet, but glanc'd from the Brass,
And never to his tender Skin came near.
This Helmet giv'n him by Apollo was.
But stun'd he was, and resting on his knees,
He kept himself from falling with his hand.
Dark are his eyes, nothing at all he sees,
And for a while unable is to stand.
But whilst Tydides on the plain advanced
To get into his hand agen the Spear,
Which from the place he aim'd at far was glanced,
Hector was mounted, and his Senses clear.
Tydides then upon him lookt and said,
Thou Dog escapt an evil death thou hast;
And twice been saved by Apollo's aid.
But sure I shall dispatch thee at the last:
For of a God I also have the aid.
But now to other Trojans I'll go on
Such as shall come into my way. This said,
Away he went to strip King Paeons Son.
And then as Diomed was taking from
Agasrophus the Armour of his Breast,
Paris that leaning stood at Il[…]s Tomb,
To him an Arrow unperceiv'd addrest.
Which hit him on the Foot above the Toes,
And to the ground clean thorough went the Shaft.
Then openly into the Field he goes,
And coming nearer to him spake, and laught.
Y'are hit, said he, Tydides. Wou'd it had
Been on your Belly, that you might have died,
The Trojans would of that be very glad,
That are so often by you terrified.
Proud boasting Archer (said Tydides) know
If in your Armour you before me stood
To try your Valour and your Force, your Bow
And Arrows would not do you any good.
You value such a Scratch as this too much.
The Weapons of the strengthless blunted are:
Mine is not so; but whom it does but touch,
His Wife lamenting tears her Cheeks and Hair:
His Children Orphans are; and red the ground
Whereon he rotting lies; and Vulters more
Than Women standing by him will be found.
Ulysses then that neer h[…]m was before
Stept in and stood betwixt him and his Foes
Whilst from his Foot the Arrow he pull'd out.
[…] to his Charret up Tydides goes,
And lest the Field where he had nobly fought.
And now Ulysses left was all alone,
For from him all the rest were fled for fear.
And then unto himself he made his moan.
Ay me, said he, what now shall I do here?
Though many be the Foes, 'tis ill to flie
But yet since Jove saves all the rest by flight,
It would be worse if I alone should die.
But why dispute I when I ought to fight?
None but a Coward from the Fight will run.
But he that Honour loves will stand his ground,
And be content with what he cannot shun,
Whether it be to give or take a wound.
While thus Ulysses argu'd in his minde,
Hector was near h[…]m, and enclos'd him had
With Ta[…]getiers before him and behinde,
Whereof they had no reason to be glad.
At when the Hounds by Hunters are set on
A wild Boar as he comes out from the Wood,
He whets his Teeth, they from him will not run;
Even so Ulysses 'mongst the Trojans stood;
Where by him slain first Deiopites was,
And Thoon then and Eunomus he kill'd;
And after these he slew Chersidamas
As from his Char he lighted in the Field.
Then leaving these, slew Charops with his Spear,
Socus his Brother, Hippasus his Son.
Then Socus to him came, and standing near
Unto Ulysses with a Speech begun.
Ulysses much renown'd for Craft and Pain,
This day you either must the Honor wear
Of having Hippasus his two Sons slain,
Or lose your own life wounded by my Spear.
Then threw his Spear and pierc'd Ulysses Shield.
His Breast plate, and his Coat, and toar his Skin.
But Pallas him preserv'd from being kill'd;
For to the Vital parts it went not in.
Ulysses knew the wound not mortal was;
Made a step back, and then to Socus said,
Fool that thou art, that wou'dst not let me pass
On other Trojans hast thy self destroy'd,
I do not think you shall this hour outlive,
But from my Spears sharp point receive your death,
And unto me more Reputation give,
And leave your Soul unto the Pow'rs beneath.
Then Socus turn'd himself about to fly.
But overtaken by Ulysses Spear,
That pierc'd him Back and Breast, he fell down dead.
Then scornfully Ulysses did him jear.
O Socus, gallant man at Arms, said he,
By death prevented is your Enterprize;
Your eyes shall not by Parents closed be,
But shall be pecked out by Crows and Pyes.
Then from his Shield and Body he pull'd out
The Spear which at him was by Socus thrown.
The Bloud then from the Wound did freely spout.
Which when the Trojans saw, they straight came down,
And all together tow'rds him went the Rabble,
Then he retir'd, and as he going was
Thrice called out as loud as he was able
For help; and thrice was heard by Menelaus,
Who t'Ajax said, Ulysses voice I hear,
And like the voice of one that is distrest.
He hem'd in by the Trojans is I fear,
Come let us to him go, and do our best
To fetch him off. For valiant though he be,
I fear unless we aid him with great speed,
He by the Trojans will be slain, and we
Loose a good man, of whom we oft have need.
Then up they went, and found him by the Foes
Environ'd round. As when a Stag is shot
By some young man, he swiftly from him goes
Whilst strong his knees are and his bloud is hot.
But when he by the Arrow tamed is,
The Wolves feed on him in the gloomy Wood;
Then comes the Lion and the Prey is his.
About Ulysses so the Trojans stood,
Till Ajax with a Target like a Tower
Came to his aid; then sev'ral ways they fled.
Ulysses now no longer in their Power
Was from the Field by Menelaus led,
And mounted on his Chariot agen.
But on went Ajax, and slew Pandocus
King Priams Son, and wounded three good men,
Lisander, Pylartes, and Pyrasus.
Then as a River coming to the Plain,
And swell'd by Jupiter with showr's of rain
More than the Banks are able to contain,
Bears Oaks and Pines before it to the Main;
So Ajax charg'd the Trojan Troops. But this
Hector knew nothing of. For far off now
Upon Scamander Banks he fighting is,
And to the ground doth many an Argive throw.
There was the noise, there aged Nestor stood,
And there Idomeneus, with their Steeds.
And Hector that the use well understood
Of Spears and Horses, there did mighty deeds.
And yet the Greeks retir'd not; nor had done
If Paris had not with an Arrow smot
Machaon on the shoulder to the Bone.
Three-sorked was the Arrow which he shot.
And mightily the Argives were afraid
Since now the Foe prevail'd, he would be slain.
To Nestor then Idomeneu[…] said,
O Nestor to your Charret mount again,
And with Machaon make haste to the Ships.
A Surgeon many other men is worth.
For many other men alive he keeps
By making Salves and drawing Weapons forth.
Then Nestor mounteth and the Horses whips,
Which they no sooner feel than they are gone.
And quickly brought unto the hollow Ships
Machaon Aesculapius his Son.
Mean while Cebriones the Charetier
Of Hector saw the Trojans were distrest,
And to him said, To what end stay we here
Since yonder by the Greeks our Friends are prest?
'Tis Ajax that disorders them, I see,
I know him by the largeness of his Shield.
Now where they fighting are most furiously,
Let us go down to that side of the Field.
This said, he clackt his Whip, his Horses ran
Unto the place where greatest was the Cry,
Ore many a Shield, and over many a man,
That gasping on the bloudy Field did lye.
The Horses Bellies and the Charret-wheels
And Axletrees with bloud were cover'd ore
Forc'd up in drops by the swift Horses heels.
And Hector rushing in, their Battles tore.
But Hector still took heed of Ajax Spear.
And sought in other places of the Field.
But Ajax struck by Jupiter with Fear
Amazed, at his shoulder hung his Shield;
And staring on the Foe a while he stood,
Then turn'd and softly from them went away.
As when a Lion coming from the Wood
Down to a Pasture on a Cow to prey,
Is hu'd by Dogs and Pesants in the night,
And hungry sometimes goes and sometimes stands,
But cannot have his Will for all his might,
So many Spears are flying from their hands,
And flaming Brands which put him in a fright
(Keen as he is) then sullenly he goes
Back to the Wood and comes no more in sight;
So then retired Ajax from his Foes.
Or as an Ass in spight of many Boes
Is got into the Corn, and there abides
Though they upon him fall with Blows and Noise,
And many Cudgels break upon his sides
(For he the force of Boys but little feels)
He hardly will be driven out though fill'd,
And now and then kicks at them with his heels:
So Ajax at the last went off the Field
By Hector and the Trojans still pursu'd
Upon his Shield received many a Spear;
Sometimes his Back sometimes his face he shew'd,
So that they could not to the Ships come near.
Thus he between the Greeks and Trojans stands
While Spears abundance at him hurled were;
Some in his Shield stuck driven by strong hands,
Some on the ground fell short and fixt were there.
But then Eurypylus Euaemon's Son
That saw him thus opprest came to his side,
And wounded with his Spear Apisaon
The Liver through; and on the place he dy'd.
But as he stript him lying on the ground
Was shot by Alexander in the Thigh,
And broken was the Arrow in the wound,
And much increased was his pain thereby.
Then went Eurypylus into the croud,
And cry'd out to the Princes of the Host,
Turn and save noble Ajax from this cloud
Of Trojan Spears, or else he will be lost.
This said, the best Commanders to him go
with Spears advanc'd, and Bucklers turn'd before,
And place themselves between him and the Fo.
And then again the Fight was very sore.
Mean while Achilles as he sitting was
On high astern his Ship to see them fight
Perceived Nestor and Machaon pass,
And to Patroclus call'd with all his might,
Come hither friend. Patroclus heard him call,
For he was sitting in Achilles Tent,
And (which was the beginning of his fall)
Immediately rose up and to him went,
And said, Achilles what's your will with me?
Achilles then reply'd, Patroclus now
The Argives, I believe, will bend the knee.
For their condition never was so low.
But go to Nestor and informed be
Who 'tis that he brought with him from the Fight.
Machaon by his Back he seem'd to me,
But of his Face I could not have a sight,
So many Chars and Horses cross'd the way.
This said, unto the Ships Patroclus went;
But at the Ships arrived now were they,
Alighted and gone in to Nestor's Tent:
The Horses by Eurymedon unty'd
Were cooled by the Sea-side in the air,
And of their sweat well cleansed were and dry'd,
And in the mean time Ecameda fair
That was the Daughter of Arsinous,
And taken by Achilles was when he
Conquer'd and sack'd the City Tenedus,
And by the Greeks to Nestor giv'n; and she
To Nestor and Machaon setteth up
A Table with a Black Foot smooth and fine,
And on it set a Basket, and a Cup,
And to each one before him set on Wine.
The Cup with nails of Gold was studded ore;
Four ears it had, and two Doves at each ear,
And those were Gold, and at the foot two more
In posture such as if they feeding were.
Nestor to Troy had with him brought this Cup.
Another scarce could lift it from the Table
When fill'd with Wine; Though he to take it up,
Old as he was, and easily, was able.
And in the same the Woman made the Drink,
With Goats-milk Cheese, & white flour sprinkled ore,
And left it on the Board full to the brink.
Then quenched they their thirst, and drank no more,
But talking sat, to put out of their thought
Their ill success. Now at the door o'th' Tent
Patroclus was, and in by Nestor brought,
And pray'd to sit, but he would not consent,
But said, Achilles had me ask you who
It is whom you brought with you from the Fight.
And this already I can answer to.
Machaon 'tis that sits there in my sight.
What need then is there of my longer stay?
Return I will with all the speed I can,
For fear he should some blame upon me lay
Though I deserve it not. You know the man.
What makes Achilles (aged Nestor said)
Of th'Argive wounded men to take such care?
He knows not how the Army is dismaid,
Nor yet how many of them wounded are.
Ulysses wounded is and Diomed,
And Agamemnon, and Eurypylus,
And this man whom I with me hither led.
Achilles pity has on none of us;
Although our safety now lye in his hands.
Intends he to sit still till Hector burn
In spight of us our Ships upon the Sands,
And ev'ry one of us kill in his turn?
For now my strength decayed is with age.
O that I were as strong as I was then
When War 'twixt us and th'Elians did rage,
And we our Cattle fetcht from them agen,
And slew Itymoneus that took our Kine.
For I then went his Cattle to distrain,
And take amends for those he took of mine.
There he defending them by me was slain,
And all his people from him ran away.
And there we took of fifty Herds of Kine
And of as many Herds of Goats a prey,
As many Flocks, as many Herds of Swine,
And Horses three times fifty, females all
Of colour sandy mixt with sparks of light;
And most of them had Foals, and to the Wall
Of Pyle I brought this booty all by night.
My Father Neleus joyful was to see't.
For yet he thought I was for War too young.
Next morn the Criers make the people meet,
(All those to whom the Elians had done wrong)
The Lords amongst them then divide the prey.
Many there were that had been injured,
And with their shares contented sent away,
Though Pylus were not well inhabited.
For Hercules not many years before
Had kill'd the best of them. And Neleus then
Had twelve good Sons, whereof he left no more
Alive but me. This made th'Epeian men
Despise our number small, and do us wrong.
And Neleus now unto himself did keep
The best Herd of the Kine, and from among
The Flocks chose one that had three hundred sheep,
And justly, since so great a loss had none.
For he four Steeds unto the Games had sent
Of value great, which all had Prizes won.
But by Augias his Commandement,
When for a Tripod they prepar'd to run,
Together with the Charrs were there detain'd.
The Charretiers related what was done.
And Neleus then the best o'th' Prey retain'd;
And ev'ry man had of the rest his share.
This done, unto the Gods we sacrifice.
Mean while the Elians for War prepare,
And two days after all together rise,
And forth o'th' Town went they both Foot and Horse,
And with them Molions two Sons, not yet
Arrived at the age of Martial Force,
And round about the Town Colone sir.
Colone is a Frontier town between
Elis and Pyle upon Alphaeus side;
Passing the Plain they were by Pallas seen.
And she aloud unto the Pylians cri'd,
To Arms you men of Pyle. Then in the night
We put on Arms, and to the Field we hi'd;
And chearfully went ev'ry one to fight.
My Horses only were convey'd aside.
For Neleus thought I was in War unskill'd:
But I at home could not be made t'abide,
But with the rest on foot went to the Field,
For on the Goddess Pallas I rely'd.
Near to Arene falls into the Main
A little Brook. All night by that we lay,
And in the Morn betime we march'd again,
And to Alphaeus came in half a day.
And there to Jove his sacred Rites we paid.
To Neptune and Alphaeus each a Bull;
An Heifer to the heav'nly martial Maid
We gave; and when the Bands of Foot were full,
Then supt we in our Ranks, and armed slept.
Th'Epeians still the Town besieging lay;
But seeing the War was now so near them crept,
They rose; then presently began the Fray.
And there the first man that was slain I slew,
Which Molius was Augias Son in-Law.
He wedded Acameda had who knew
As many Med'cines as the world ere saw.
Him first I slew, and to his Charret mounted.
Then fled th'Epeians scatter'd here and there:
For he the best amongst them was accounted.
And us they fled I follow'd with my Spear,
And fifty Charrets took, and at each one
Two men I kill'd; for like a Storm I went;
Nor had I left to Molius any Son,
If Neptune had not hindred my intent,
That took them up and sav'd them in a Cloud.
Great honour won the Pyleans that day;
For on the Plains we chac'd th'Epeians proud,
Killing and gath'ring Armour all the way
Until we came unto Buprasium,
Alesium, and Rock Olere; and there
Advis'd we were by Pallas to go home.
To Pylus then we went and welcome were.
And thanks were given to the Gods, but most
To Jupiter the greatest God. And then
In general were thanked all the Host,
And Nestor namely above other men.
Thus I behav'd my self amongst the Greeks,
Whereas Achilles sitting in his Tent
Neglecting us his own contentment seeks;
Though if our Fleet be lost he will repent.
But, O Patroclus, the advice was good
Menoetius your Father gave you then
When I at Phthia was and by him stood,
By Agamemnon sent to levy men.
To Peleus house Ulysses came and I,
And there we found Menoetius and you.
And you upon Achilles waited nigh,
And Peleus to the Gods sat Cattle slew
I'th' Court o'th' grass (a Gold Cup in his hand)
And pour'd Wine on the burning Sacrifice.
And you then saw us in the Gate-house stand,
Though busie you were then to burn the Thighs.
Achilles to us came and led us in,
And made us sup, and Supper being done,
To tell our bus'ness then did I begin,
Which was to bring with us to Troy his Son.
Both he and you desirous were to go;
And Peleus then unto Achilles said,
Strive still to be the best, and let the Foe
Be always of your Spear the most afraid.
Then to you spake your Father, Son (said he)
Achilles is a better man of War
Than you, and higher in Nobility
Of Bloud; but you in age before him are.
Give him good counsel therefore and suggest
What's for his good although he see it not:
He will obey when for himself 'tis best;
Thus he advis'd you though you have forgot.
But do it now. For 'tis not yet too late.
Who knows but you may make him change his mind?
Or if he still continue obstinate,
Or in some Oracle a scruple find,
Or Thetis told him somewhat has from Jove,
Yet let him send his Myrmidons with you,
The Trojans from the Navie to remove,
And give th'Achaeans time to breathe anew.
But let him give you his own Arms. Then they
(When like unto Achilles you appear
Leading fresh Forces) fly will into Troy
And rid th' Achaeans of their present fear.
This said, Patroclus grieved went his way,
And tow'rds Achilles Tent ran back apace
Passing by where Ulysses Vessels lay.
There were the Altars, there the Market-place,
There were the Courts of Justice. There he met
Eurypylus with th'Arrow in his wound,
And from his head and shoulders dropt the sweat,
And bled apace, but still his Sense was sound.
Then pitying h[…]m Patroclus spake and said,
Ah poor Commanders of the Achaean Hoast,
Must we be all so far from home destroy'd;
And lye for Dogs-meat on the Trojan Coast?
But say Eurypylus, is there no way
To keep off Hector, but must perish all?
Nothing I know (said he) can Hector stay,
But in our flaming Ships we all must fall.
For all the best of us here wounded lie,
And still the Trojan power grows more and more.
But, O Patroclus, cut out of my Thigh
This Arrow head. For it torments me sore;
And with warm water wash away the blood,
And Salves apply, the same that Chiron knew,
(The best of Centaurs) to be very good,
And taught Achilles, and Achilles you.
For of two Surgeons in the Army, one
As much need of a Surgeon hath as I,
And Podaliriu[…] to the fight is gone.
Patroclus to him then made this reply.
How can this now be done, Eurypylus,
Since to Achilles I must go with speed
With Nestors Answer? yet to leave you thus
In torture, were but an ungentle deed.
Then in his […] he bea[…]s him to his Tent,
And there, upon a many Cow-hides spread
Laid him, and with his Knife to work he went,
And from his Thigh cuts out the Arrow-head.
And in his hands he bruis'd a bitter Root;
And wash'd away the bloud when that was done,
He cleans'd the Wound, appli'd the Med'cine to't,
And streight the blood was stop'd, the pain was gone.