Book XIII

When Jove had to the Ships the Trojans brought,
He left them fighting there, and turn'd his face
(Thinking th'Immortals would no more have fought)
And lookt upon the fields and men of Thrace,
And Mysians, and Hippomolgi (men
That live on Milk the goodly Mothers give
Of lusty Steeds, and are more honest than
The rest of Mortals, and do longer live.)
While Neptune from a hill in Samothrace
Lookt down and saw the Greeks and Trojans fight.
For thence of Ida hill and all the space
'Bout Troy and th'Argive Fleet he had a sight.
And grieved was to see the Argives slain,
And mightily offended was with Jove,
And from the Hill in haste came down again,
On foot; and ever as his feet did move,
Under the same the haughty Mountains shook,
And the thick Woods, and unto Aegae came.
Thither to come four steps he only took.
There stands a Temple sacred to his name,
Of glistering Gold and never to decay.
And there he puts his Horses to his Char.
Long Mains of Gold they had, and swift were they.
And then in Gold himself array'd for War.
And mounted on his Char ore Sea he drives.
The Whales on both sides from the bottom rise
The[…] King to see. The Sea her bosome rives,
But not a drop up to the Axtree flies.
Thus quickly to the Argives Neptune came.
Half way 'twixt Tenedus and Imbrus is
In the deep Sea a Cave, and in the same
(Lest coming back his Horses he should miss)
He sets them up and laid before them Meat,
And ty'd them there with Foot-locks at their feet,
Strong Locks of Gold, that loose they could not get.
Then up he went unto the Argive Fleet,
And there he found the Trojans like a Flame
At Hector's heels with mighty noise and cry,
Greedy and full of hope the Greeks to tame,
And then in flames to make their Ships to fry.
Then Neptune speaking to th'Ajaxes two
In Chalchas shape, You two (said he) can save
The Ships, if you but set your selves thereto.
For of the Foe no fear at all I have
In other parts. Defended they will be
By other Greeks. The danger all is here
Where Hector like a flame you leading see,
That would be thought the Son of Jupiter.
If you but think some God bids you resist,
And stand your ground when Hector cometh on,
And chear your fellows; though Jove him assist,
He quickly from your good Ships will be gone.
This said, he on them both his Scepter laid.
And presently themselves they stronger find;
Their Thighs and Legs and Hands much lighter weigh'd.
And Neptune suddenly rose from the ground.
Just as a Hawk from off a Rock flies at
Some other Fowl; so quickly Neptune rose.
The lesser Ajax first observed that,
And to the greater d[…]d the same disclose.
Ajax (said he) this was some Deity
That in the shape of Chalchas bad us fight.
For 'twas not Chalchas I am sure. For I
As he went off had of his Legs a sight,
And of his Feet and Steps. For marks there are
To know a God by from a man. Withal
I finde my self much more inclin'd to War.
Methinks my hands and feet for Battle call.
And so do mine (said Telamorius)
And fain I would with Hector have about.
While they together were discoursing thus,
Neptune behinde them busie was about.
Confirming those that to the Ships were gone
A little to refresh themselves. For they
Had long and painful labour undergone,
And heavie at their hearts the danger lay
When Hector and his Troops had pass'd the Wall,
And of their safety were in great despair.
But Neptune coming soon confirm'd them all,
And gave them hope their Fortune to repair.
To Teucer first he came and Leitus,
To Deipyrus and to Meneleos,
Meriones and stout Antilochus,
And standing near addrest his Speech to those
Fie (Argives) fie young men; what shame is this?
Upon your hands I chiefly did rely
To save our Ships. If you be so remiss,
The day is come in which we all must die
By Hector's hands. O strange! I never thought
The Trojans durst to th'Ships have come so neer
That heretofore peep out o'th'Town durst not,
But like to Hindes that hide themselves for fear
Of Leopards, Wolves, and other Beasts of Prey.
For so at first they did. But you'll not fight
For anger that the King had sent away
Dishonoured the man of greatest might.
But what though Agamemnon have indeed
Dishonour'd Thetis Son, must we therefore.
Give over fight? Or rather with all speed
Endeavour all we can to cure the Sore?
But howsoere, you that excuseless […]re,
And of the Argive Army all the best,
And Bodies have and Hearts well made for War,
I needs must reprehend you. But the rest
That weak or wretched are I cannot blame.
Fond men, this negligence may bring forth yet
Some greater ill. Then come away for shame.
For never were the Greeks so hard beset.
Hector has broken both the Bars and Gates,
And now hard by our Ships he fiercely fights,
And with great noise his Trojans animates.
Thus Neptune the dismayed Greeks excites.
At th'Ajaxes the Ranks stood firm and close,
Nor Mars nor Pallas could a fault have spi'd.
They chosen were the Trojans to oppose
Whom Hector led. And standing side by side,
Shield Shield, and Target Target, and Man Man
Sustain'd, and Spear by Spear assisted was.
So close they stood, and labour all they can
Lest Hector to their hollow Ships should pass.
And Hector with his Troops went swiftly on
As when a Torrent swell'd with showers of rain
Breaks from the hill a round and heavie stone,
It makes the Wood resound, till at the Plain,
Swift as it thither roll'd, it rolls no more;
So Hector marching made account to pass
Through th'Argive Fleet and Tents to the Sea-shore.
But at th'Ajaxes Battle stopt he was.
And forced back a little to recoile,
Resisted by so many Spears and Swords,
And speaking to his Trojans stood a while,
And Lycians, and Dardans in these words.
Ye Trojans, Lycians, Dardans do not fly.
I know they cannot long maintain the Fight,
If we upon Jove's promise may rely,
Who all the other Gods excells in might.
This said, Deiphobus went tow'rds the Foe,
Holding his Buckler out before him high,
So that it cover'd him from Head to Toe.
Meriones that on him had his eye,
H[…]s Spear threw at him, which no harm did do.
For though upon the Buckler sell the stroke,
It carri'd not th'intended mischief through,
But in the tough Bull-hides the Spear he broke.
Then back unto the throng he went, and sum'd
Both for the loss of the good Spear he brake,
And of the Victory he had presum'd,
And went to th'Ships another Spear to take.
The rest fought on, and mighty noise there was.
There Teucer with his Spear slew Imbrius
The Son of Mentor, till the Greeks did pass
The Sea to Troy he dwelt at Pedasus,
And to Medesicaste there was wed.
But when the Argives came to Troy, he then
Dwelt in King Priams Court, much honoured
Both by the King himself and by his men.
But now by Teucer's Spear was slain. And as
Upon a Hill a goodly Ashen Tree,
Unto the ground (cut from the roots with brass)
Brings down its boughs; so to the ground fell he.
To strip him of his Arms then Teucer goes;
Which Hector seeing, at him threw his Spear,
And misses him; yet not in vain he throws,
But kills another man that stood him near,
Amphimachus, that newly to the fight
Was from the Ships come back t'assist the rest;
And scarcely of the Skirmish had a sight,
When Hector's Spear he felt upon his breast.
Then to Amphimachus came Hector near,
Meaning h[…]s Helmet from his head to take.
Which Ajax seeing at him threw his Spear
That hit his Shield, but passage could not make.
Yet with such strength the Spear fell on his Shield,
That backward he was driven from the dead;
So that the Argives bore them off the Field.
Amphimachus to th' Ships was carried
By Mnesttheus and Stichius that led
Th'Athenian Troops. But the Ajaxes two,
One at the Feet, another at the Head,
Bore Imbrius from off the ground into
The throng of Greeks like hungry Lions two
That carry in their Jaws a Goat which they
Had snatched from the Dogs, and were to go
Through many Shrubs to carry it away.
Him they disarm'd, and to let Hector know it,
The lesser Ajax cutteth off his head,
And turning round with all his strength doth throw it,
And unto Hector's feet 'twas carried.
Now Neptune for Amphimachus thus slain,
Who from his Loins descended, vexed sore,
Went to the Argive Ships and Tents again
To chear the Greeks, and hurt the Trojans more,
And with Idomeneus met as he went,
That had a wounded friend brought from the fight,
And streightway back again to go he meant
To them that fought and help them all he might.
And Neptune like unto Andremons Son
Thoas, whose Father all th'Aetolians swai'd
Like Jove in Pleuron and in Calydon,
Unto Idomeneus then spake and said,
O King Idomeneus, what is betide
Of th'Argive threats that Ilium they would tame?
O Thoas (then Idomeneus repli'd)
I know not any man that we can blame.
There's none of us but understands the War,
Nor any that betray themselves with fear,
Nor that for sloth to fight unwilling are.
But Jove, it seems, will have us perish here.
But Thoas, you that always heretofore
Have fought so well, and set on other men,
Still hold that purpose never giving ore.
T'Idomeneus then Neptune said agen,
Idomeneus may that man ne're come back,
But in the Field lie for the Dogs a Prey,
That at this time is negligent or slack.
But now put on your Arms and come away,
And quickly. For although we are but two,
Yet since conjoyned force of men not strong
Can do as much as one good man, let's go.
This said, up Neptune went into the throng.
Idomeneus then goes into his Tent
And arm'd himself, and took in's hand two Spears,
And out again he came like Lightning sent
To men from Jove to fill their hearts with fears.
And scarce come forth, he met Meriones
That to his Tent was going for a Spear,
And speaking to him said Idomeneus,
Meriones my friend what make you here?
What are you wounded that you leave the Fight?
Or bring you me some news? For I to hide
My self from Battle here take no delight.
Meriones then to him thus repli'd.
O King Idomeneus unto your Tent
I forc'd was from the Battle to come down,
And thence to take a Spear of yours I meant,
Since on Deiphobus I broke my own.
A Spear then said Idomeneus, there are
Twenty if you had need of them that stand
Upright against the Walls which in this War
I took from Trojans vanquisht by my hand.
For when I fight I stand neer to the Foe.
And that's the cause so many Spears I have,
And can so many Shields and Helmets show,
And Armours for the breast great store and brave.
Then spake Meriones; And I said he
Have many spoils of Trojans at my Tent,
But fetcht from thence so soon they cannot be.
For close up to the Foe I also went
Amongst the foremost boldly. Which although
The Argives take no notice of, yet you
That how I still behav'd my self, well know
Can bear me witness what I say is true.
To him then thus Idomeneus repli'd,
Meriones, this need not have been said,
I know your courage were it to be tri'd,
And men somewhere in ambush to be laid
(Where fear and courage are discerned best;
For there 'tis seen who valiant are, who not.
A Coward's heart still panteth in his breast;
And nothing but on death he has his thought;
He cannot without trembling quiet sit,
But dances on his Hams, and changes hue;
And cannot hold himself upon his feet;
And shakes his Chaps. These things a Coward shew.
But in a valiant man there's none of this.
He quietly abides without afright,
When in the danger he engaged is;
And longs for nothing but to come to fight)
If you amongst them had been there, I know
None of them such a fault in you had found.
Or if you had been hurt 'tis sure enow,
Nor in your back nor neck had been the Wound,
But either in your belly or your brest.
But let's no longer talk like children here,
Lest we be blam'd. I think it therefore best
You now go to my Tent and take a Spear.
This said, Meriones fetcht out a Spear,
And with Idomeneus went to the Fight,
As Mars, when in the Field he will appear,
And with him his beloved Son Affright,
And to th'Ephyrians and Phlegyans goes
From Thrace to give one side the Victory;
So with Idomeneus unto the Foes
Meriones went up couragiously,
And to him said, Idomeneus where now
O'th' left, or right side of the Trojan Host,
Or in the midst shall we our force bestow
To help the Greeks? For now they need us most.
Idomeneus then to him said agen,
The middle of the Battle to maintain
There ready stand enow, and able men,
Teucer good Bowman and th'Ajaxes twain.
Hector shall there of fig[…]ing have his fill
As greedy as he is. Though strong he be
He'll find it hard that way to have his will,
And come unto the Ships with Victory,
And burn them if Jove not with his own hand
Throw in the Brands. He must be more than man,
Whom Ajax is not able to withstand;
Not mortal, such as live by Ceres can,
And may be killed with a Spear or Stone.
For Ajax with Achilles may compare
In standing fight, though able less to run.
In that, Achilles him excelleth far.
But now unto the Battle let us go
And fall on at the left side of the field,
And try what we are able there to do,
And either Honour win or honour yield.
This said, they went together to the Fight,
And on them presently the Trojans sell.
There was no place for Victory to light,
So close they fought on both sides and so well.
And such a mighty Cloud of dust they raise
As when great Winds contend upon the Plain
Is in dry weather raised from the ways,
While one to kill another takes great pain.
And horrid of the Squadrons was the sight,
That brissl'd was all over with great Spears.
Their Armours, Shields, and Helmets, with their light
Dazled the eyes, and clamour fill'd the ears.
Hard-hearted had he been that with dry eyes
Had this affliction of the Heroes seen,
That from the Sons of Saturn did arise,
And but for their dissention had not been.
For Jupiter for Hector was and Troy,
And meant to honour Thetis and her Son;
But not th'Achaean Army to destroy.
But Neptune moved with compassion
To see the Argives by the Trojans slain,
And angry with his Brother, secretly
In likeness of a man rose from the Main
T'incourage them and give them victory
Though they were Brothers, […] Jove of the two
The Elder and the Wiser was, so that
Neptune against Jove's will durst nothing do
In favour of the Greeks distrest, but what
He thought might be effected privily.
And thus the Saw from Brother unto Brother
Of cruel War was drawn alternately,
And many slain of one side and the other.
And now half gray came in Idomeneus
With lusty Cretans, and the Trojan frighted.
For presently he slew Othryoneus,
Othryoneus that was by Fame invited
To purchase honour in the War at Troy,
And promis'd, if Cassandra he might wed,
From Ilium to drive the Greeks away.
Which Priam to him granted if he sped.
And in this hope, strutting he went to fight.
There with his Spear Idomeneus him smote.
The Spear upon his Belly just did light.
And down he fell; his Armour sav'd him not.
Idomeneus insulting ore him spake.
Othryoneus great praise you'll win indeed
If you can do what you did undertake.
Come fight for us; and you shall no worse speed.
For if you for us win the Town of Troy,
Atrides fairest Daughter yours shall be.
Come with me to the Greeks that there we may
Upon the Wedding-Articles agree.
And then to be revenged Asius meant,
And was on foot, although his Horses there
Breathing upon his back behind him went.
And at Idomeneus had thrown his Spear
But that to throw he time enough had not;
Because the other made the greater hast,
And with his Spear had hit him in the throat,
And out again at's neck the point had past.
And there as some great Oak or Poplar-tree,
Or Pine cut down, that by a Shipwright must
Be saw'd in Planks falls down, so fell down he
Grasping with both his hands the bloudy dust.
The Charretier was so amaz'd thereat
That he forgot to turn his Charre with fear,
And quiet sate. Antilochus saw that,
And going neerer, at him threw his Spear,
Which through his Armour and his Belly went,
And gasping fell to th'ground the Charretier.
Antilochus to th'Ships his Horses sent,
And by the Argives now possest they were.
And then Deiphobus himself advanc'd
And at Idomeneus he threw his Spear,
Which grazing only on his Buckler glanc'd
Unto the Argives that behinde him were.
For as he saw it come he sunk, and hid
His body all under his Shield of brass.
Yet not from out his hand depart it did
In vain; for with it slain Hypsenor was.
Deiphobus then crowing said, So, so,
Asius does not go unreveng'd to Hell.
And though the place unpleasant be, I know
To have such company will please him well.
Antilochus then to the Body came
And kept the Trojans off from stripping it.
Mecistes and Alastor bare the same
Upon their shoulders to the Argive Fleet.
Id[…]meneus still like a Fury went
To kill more Trojans or himself be kill'd.
And for the Argives thought his life well spent.
Alcathous then met him on the Field,
Who was a Suiter to Hippodamie
Anchises eldest Daughter, and the best
Beloved by her Parents both was she,
And of her time exceeded all the rest
In Beauty, and in curious Work, and Wit,
And a fit Consort for the best of Troy.
But Neptune now on purpose bound his feet,
And from his Eyes though bright took sight away;
So that he could not fly, nor turn, nor fight,
But fixed stood like to a Post or Tree;
And by Idomeneus with Neptune's might
Pierc'd through the Armour, and the Breast was he,
And through the Heart, as plainly did appear.
For as he bleeding on the ground did lie,
The beating of his heart did shake the Spear;
And Mars took from him all his Chivalry.
Idomeneus then crowed mightily.
Deiphobus (said he) is't not enough
That for your one man I have killed three?
If not, come on and take a better proof
Of what the Seed of Jove in War can do.
For Jove got Minos, and Deucalion he.
He me, and I whole Ship loads bring of Wo
To Troy, unto thy Father, and to thee.
This said, Deiphobus considered
Whether to stay and meet him hand to hand,
Or see by whom he might be seconded.
And at the Reer he saw Aeneas stand.
For he not much good will did Priam bear,
Who small respect unto his Vertue paid.
To him Deiphobus approaching near,
Aeneas, now (said he) you must us aid.
Your Brother-law Alcathous is kill'd,
Who oftentimes has fed you with his hand,
And naked will be left upon the field
B'Idomeneus, unless you him withstand.
This said, t'Idomeneus they came away,
And with him greedy were to enter fight.
And he as boldly did their coming stay.
Though two to one, they did not him affright.
But as a Boar in unfrequented place,
By Dogs and Men pursu'd, stands sullenly
Knowing his strength, and locks them in the face
Bristled his Back, and flaming is his Eye;
So for Aeneas staid Idomeneus,
And to his fellows call'd; Ascalaphus,
Meriones, Antilochus, and Aphareus,
Good men of War, and you Deipyrus,
Come hither friends, said he. I coming see
Aeneas towards me with mighty rage,
A valiant man at Arms you know is he,
And now is in the flower of his Age.
Were I so young, and of the mind I am,
I'd honour win of him or he of me.
This said they quickly all about him came
Aeneas to repel or kill. Then he
Call'd Paris to him and Agenor, and
Deiphobus, the Argives to oppose.
And all of them of Trojans had command,
And with their Spears behinde him marched close.
As when a Shepherd leads with a green Bough
His Sheep from off the Pasture to the Brook,
Is joy'd to see them follow him; so now
Aeneas in his Troops great pleasure took.
No sooner they were come unto the ground
Whereon Alcathous his Body was,
But close they sought, and hideous was the sound
Of Helmets, Shields and mighty Arms of brass.
And there the two that far excell'd the rest
Aeneas and Idomeneus would fain
Have fix'd their Spears in one anothers Brest.
First threw Aeneas, but he threw in vain.
For by Idomeneus declin'd it was,
And coming to the ground stuck trembling there.
And then threw he and killed Oenomaus,
And pierced was his Belly with a Spear.
Who falling filled both his hands with dust.
Idomeneus pull'd out again his Spear.
But to take off his Arms he durst not trust
Himself, so many Lances flying were.
His Limbs and Feet not supple were and light
To throw or shun a Spear. They now were past
Their best, yet good were in a standing Fight.
But could not from the Battle run so fast.
And as he slowly walked off the Field,
Deiphobus that alwaies bore him spight
A Spear threw at him, but him miss'd, and kill'd
Ascalaphus Son of the God of Fight.
And on his hands into the dust fell he.
But Mars yet knew not that his Son was dead.
For in the Golden Clouds by Jove's decree
With all the other Gods prohibited
To meddle in the battle, quiet sat.
About Ascalaphus the strife was all,
And first Deiphobus his Helmet gat,
But forc'd he was again to let it fall.
For in the Arm he then receiv'd a wound
Which by Meriones was to him sent,
Who quickly took the Helmet from the ground.
And with it back unto the Argives went.
Deiphobus was by Polites (who
His Brother was) born forth unto his Charre,
And bleeding in his Charre the Town into.
But still upon the Field went on the Warre,
And Aphareus there wounded in the throat
Was by Aeneas Spear, wherewith his Head
On one side hanging Shield and Helmet brought
Down with him to the Earth. There lay he dead.
And Thoon by Antilochus was slain,
That to him turn'd his back and meant to fly;
For by the Spear in two was cut the vein
Which all along the Back to th' Neck doth lye.
And down he fell. Antilochus stept in
To strip him. But the Foes about him round
Threw at him Spears, but never touch'd his skin,
Although his Shield received many a wound.
For he was well defended on each side
By Neptune, who unto him bore good will,
Because he ne'er would from the Fight abide,
And 'mongst the Foes his Spear was flying still.
But as his Spear at ore he aiming stood,
He by Asiades observed was,
Who to him came as near as well he cou'd
And threw his Spear, whereof one half did pass
Clean through Antilochus his Shield, and stuck
Therein; but th'other half fell to the ground.
For Neptune him preserv'd from that ill luck.
So scapt Antilochus without a wound.
And Adamas retir'd into the rout.
Meriones sent after him a Spear,
Which entring at his hinder parts, came out
Beneath his Navel, and above his gear,
Where wounds most fatal are. Then down he falls,
And like a Cow that by the Horns is ty'd
By strength of Swains, a little while he sprawls,
But with the plucking out the Spear he dy'd.
And then the Son of Priam Helenus
With a broad Sword in hand all Steel of Thrace
Upon the Helmet smote Deipyrus,
Who there fell down and dy'd upon the place.
The Greeks took up the Helmet at their feet.
And griev'd thereat was Menelaus so
That up he went with Helenus to meet
Shaking his Spear. The other draws his Bow.
And on the Breast-plate hit was Menelaus.
But off the Arrow flew like chaff which fan'd
Is from the Corn. But th'other wounded was
Just where he held the Bow quite through the hand
And dragging Hand and Spear himself withdrew
Into the Trojan Troops; where from the wound.
The heavy Spear his friend Agenor drew,
And in a woollen bandage wrapt it round,
Which in his hand a servant held hard by.
And then Pisandrus went to Menelaus,
Betray'd thereto by cruel Destiny.
For to have slain him in great hope he was.
And when they were to one another nigh,
First Menelaus threw his Spear, but wide.
At him Pisandrus then his Spear lets fly.
But passage being at the Shield deny'd,
Beneath the brasen point in twain it crackt.
Then to him with his Sword went Menelaus,
And he to Menelaus with an Ax,
Which cover'd with his Buckler ready was.
And on his Helmet crest then fell the stroke.
But he Pisandrus with his keen Sword hit
Upon the Forehead near the Nose, which broke
The Bone, and carry'd present death with it.
His eyes unto the ground fell in the blood.
Atrides kickt him as o'th' ground he lay,
Then stript him of his Arms, and ore him stood
Insulting, and reproaching those of Troy.
Thus, thus (said he) proud Trojans, you'll at last
Be taught to quit our Ships, and have your fill
Of bloody War, and pay for what is past.
You thought, ye Dogs, too little was the ill,
Against the Laws of Hospitality
To steal away my Goods, and wedded Wife;
But further will (if in your pow'r it lye)
Deprive the Argive Princes all of Life;
And burn their Ships, although no injury
I ever did you. But I hope we shall
Your greediness of fighting satisfie.
But Father Jove, who (men say) art of all
The Gods most wise, all this proceeds from you,
That to the Trojans false and insolent
More favour shew than to the just and true;
So that with Peace they never are content.
Of every thing there is satiety.
Of Sleep, of Love, of Dance, and pleasant Song.
And all men else with war may cloyed be.
Only the Trojans still for fighting long.
This said, the Armour to the Ships he sent,
And 'mongst the foremost Greeks again he fought.
And there Harpalion unto him went
(Who t'Ilium was by his Father brought.
But brought from thence again he never was)
And at him throws his Spear, and hits his Shield
Right in the midst. But through it could not pass;
The stubborn Brass unto it would not yield.
Missing his purpose he the field forsook,
And fearing to be slain lookt still about,
Until an Arrow keen him overtook,
Sent from Meriones, that past throughout
From Buttock unto B[…]adder. Then he sate
Expiring 'mongst the Trojans his good friends,
And lay like to a Worm benummed, that
Upon the ground it self at length extends.
The Paphlagonians of him had a care,
And sorry for him carry'd him to Troy.
His Father weeping followed the Charre,
But how to be revenged saw no way.
And Paris then with anger was possest,
And 'mongst the Argives lets an Arrow fly.
For of Harpalion he had been the guest,
And well received in Paphlagonie.
Amongst the Argives one Euchenor was
The Son of Polydus an old Prophet
That knew full well how things would come to pass
Before the Town of Troy, and told him of it.
You must, said he, at home by sickness die,
Or going with the Greeks at Troy be slain.
But for all that the Youngman valiantly
Went with the Greeks; but ne'er came home again,
Though he behav'd himself with caution there
In hope t'avoid both danger and diseases.
But Paris shot h[…]m 'twixt the Cheek and Ear.
And on his Eyes there Death and Darkness seizes.
Thus keenly fought they here; But Hector yet
Knew not the Trojans that were fighting at
The left hand of the Host were so beset,
For if he had perhaps been told of that,
He might have giv'n the Greeks the Victory;
Such courage N[…]ptune gave unto them there.
And sometimes by his strength immediately
In battle fighting they assisted were.
But Hector yet was where he first made way,
Breaking the Argive Ranks, and Wall and Gate,
Whore of Protesilaus the good Ships lay,
And those of Ajax next unto them sate;
Where low the Wall and sharpest was the Fight.
Th'Epeians, Pthians, and Ionians,
Boeotians, Locrians all oppose their might
To Hector's, Trojans, Dardans, Lycians.
And led were by good men. Th'Athenians
By Mnestheus, Bias, Phidas, Stichius.
Meges the leading had of th'Epians,
And with him Amphion and Dracius.
Medon and Meneptolemus brought on
The Pthians. Medon was Ajaxes Brother,
And of Oileus the natural Son,
Not gotten by his Wife but by another.
His Wife was call'd Eriopis. And he
For killing of her Brother forced fled
To save himself to th' Town of Phylacie,
Where Meneptolemus was born and bred.
And so the Phthian Leaders were these two,
And 'mongst the chief of the Boeotians sought
To keep the Trojans from approaching to
The Argive Ships to burn them as they thought.
But Ajax the swift Son of Oeleus
Not all this while departed from the side
Of Ajax Son of Telamonius.
But as two Oxen which the ground divide
Go tugging of the Plow with one consent,
Till underneath their Horns their Foreheads sweat,
So labouring in the field together went
Yoakt, both the Little Ajax and the Great.
But Telamonius was followed
With good Companions, who when there was cause
His mighty Buckler for him carried.
The other destitute of followers was.
For none but Locrians to the War he led,
Who have no use of Bucklers when they fight,
Nor Spears, nor Helmets that defend the Head;
But came to Troy with Bows and Arrows light.
And in a standing Fight durst not abide.
But from behind the Argive Ranks unseen,
They Hector and his Trojans terrifi'd
Incessantly with showrs of Arrows keen,
Whilst from the Front with Spears they plagued were.
The Trojans courage then was so allaid,
That into Troy they all had run for fear,
But that Polydamas to Hector said,
Hector, you are a man uncounsellable.
Because in deeds of Arms you so excel,
You think your self in Counsel too most able,
As if all vertues must in one man dwell.
The Gods to some have given well to fight,
And others with the Muses they have grac'd;
Others with Dance the people to delight;
And in the minds of others Wisdom plac'd.
The fruit whereof by many is enjoy'd:
It Cities saves, as they that have it know,
Which quickly would without it be destroy'd,
But what we are to do I'll tell you now.
The War now lyeth only on your hand:
For since we past the Wall, some quite give ore,
And armed as they were do idle stand,
And th'Enemy than ours that fight are more.
Therefore retire and call the Princes hither,
That it may be determin'd by them all
Upon mature deliberation, whether
Upon the Argives at their Ships to fall
(If so it please the Gods) or otherwise,
Since Ajax there resolved is to stay,
How with most safety we may hence arise.
For they are in our debt for yesterday.
So said Polydamas, and Hector thought
The counsel not amiss, and streight obey'd.
And armed from his Charriot leapt out,
And standing on the ground unto him said,
Polydamas, stay you, and here detain
The Trojan Chiefs, while to the Fight I go,
And give some Orders there; I shall again
Be with you quickly when I have done so.
He mist Deiphobus and Helenus,
And valiant Adamas Afiades,
And Asius the Son of Hyrtacus,
And went about the field to look for these;
Of which some wounded were retir'd to Troy,
And some in Battle by the Argives kill'd.
But found his Brother Paris in his way,
Encouraging his men upon the Field.
And spake unto him, in ill Language, thus,
Unlucky Paris, fine man, Lover keen,
Where are Deiphobus and Helenus
And Adamas? Where are they to be seen?
And what is of Othryoneus become?
And where is Asius? Now certainly
Down to the ground burnt will be Ilium,
And thou a miserable death wilt die.
So Hector said, and Paris thus repli'd.
Hector, there was for such words now no cause.
Sometimes perhaps you may me justly chide.
I do not think a Coward born I was.
For since unto the Ships you brought the War,
We with the Greeks perpetually have sought,
But those you miss slain by the Argives are,
Save that Deiphobus was carri'd out,
And Helenus, both wounded in the hand.
Now lead us on to what part you think fit.
We ready are to do what you command,
As far as strength of body will permit.
This said, his Brother reconciled was,
And both went to where cruelly they fought
About Cebriones, Polydamas,
Orthaeus, Polyphoetes, and about
Phalces and Palmes and the Children two
(Ascanius, Moris) of Hippotion,
Who Ilium but the day before come to,
And now to th' Battle went by Jove set on.
As when a storm of wind falls on the Plain
The Sea erects it self in ridges white,
And foaming rolls in order on the Main
So to the Greeks with Helmets shining bright
The Trojans one another followed
In order with their Captains to the Fight,
And Hector like another Mars at th'Head
With Buckler round and strong, and Armour bright.
His Buckler he before him held far out,
That cover'd was his body with the same,
And peeping under it he look'd about,
And in that posture to the Argives came.
And at the foremost Ranks went here and there
To try if through them he could passage make;
But fast they stood, nor at it troubled were;
And Ajax seeing it unto him spake,
Come neerer man. Why think you to affright
The Greeks? we are not so unus'd to War.
Nor are we driven hither by your might;
But by the hand of Jove afflicted are.
Hector, I know, to burn our Ships you think;
But we have hands as good the Ships to save,
And Troy will[…] first, I think, int'Ashes sink.
And shortly, I believe, you'll wish to have,
And pray to Jove and all the Pow'rs on high
For Horses that run faster than Hawks fly,
That from the Ships you may go speedily.
This said, an Eagle Dexter presently
Flew over them. And they Jove's Prodigy
Received gladly with a mighty cry.
Then thus to Ajax Hector did reply.
Ajax, you love to prate and brag and lye
O that the Son of Jove as sure were I,
And had been certainly conceived by
Juno Jove's Wife, and as a Deity
Like Pallas and Apollo ne're to die,
As I am sure great woe will fall this day
Upon the Argives all and then be kill'd
If for the coming of my Spear thou stay,
And Dogs and Kites shall eat thee in the Field.
This said, he led away. The Trojans shout.
So do the Argives, and resolv'd to try
The power of their Foes with courage stout.
The noise on both sides went up to the sky.