Book XX

Whilst with Achilles th'Argives armed stand,
And on the Plain the Trojans ready all,
Jove to the Goddess Thetis gave command
The Common Councel of the Gods to call.
Then down she came, and calling went about.
Ye Gods, said she, Jove calls you to his house.
And straight the Rivers from their streams came out
All but their Father old Oceanus.
The Nymphs from ev'ry Meadow, Spring, and Grove
Up to the Mount Olympus went in hast;
And when they come were to the house of Jove,
In Porches round on polish'd Seats were plac'd.
And Neptune also having heard the Call,
Leapt from the Sea up to Olympus Hill,
And sitting in the midst before them all
To Jove he spake, and said, What is your will?
D'ye call us hither our advice to hear;
To give the day to Trojan or to Greek?
For I perceive the Battle now is near.
My mind (said Jupiter) you need not seek.
For of the Greeks distrest I have a care.
But on Olympus I intend to stay,
And please my self with looking on the Warre.
But let the other Gods go down to Troy,
And take which side they will. For else I fear,
Achilles whom the Trojans did so dread,
When in the Battle no Immortals were,
And more enrag'd is since his friend is dead;
When he has driy'n the Trojans from the Field,
Will then directly go to Ilium,
And overthrow the Wall which you did build,
Before the time (by Fate appointed) come.
This said, the Fight began. On th' Argives side
Stood Juno, Pallas, Neptune, Mercury;
And Vulcan taking in his strength great pride,
Went halting 'mongst them with his legs awry.
On th'other side, Mars for the Trojans stood,
And Phoebus, and his Sister Artemis,
Their Mother Leto, and Scamander Flood,
And Venus that of all the fairest is.
And whilst they from the Battle stood aside,
The Argives mightily encourag'd were,
And in Achilles presence took great pride;
For long it seem'd they had not seen him there.
The Trojans when they saw him shook for fear,
So like to Mars he was, his Arms so bright.
But when the Gods on both sides with them were,
Then all about was filled with affright,
And in the Air heard was Athena shrill
As from the Ditch, and sometimes from the shore,
And Mars sometimes from Callidone Hill,
And sometimes as at Troy was heard to rore,
The Trojans he, but she the Greeks t'incite.
Thus by the Gods from Heav'n encouraged
The Armies met, and cruel was the Fight,
And terribly above Jove thundered,
And Neptune shook the Earth on ev'ry side,
The Argive Ships, and stately Trojan Tow'rs,
The Plain beneath, and lofty Tops of Ide.
And frighted with it were th'Infernal Pow'rs,
And Pluto starting from his ugly Throne
To Neptune cried out his hand to hold,
For fear his dismal dwelling should be shown
To Men and Gods so hateful to behold.
So great a noise the Gods make when they fight.
Phoebus to Neptune now opposed is,
And Pallas stands against rude Mars his might,
And Juno matched is with Artemis,
And Mercury against Latona stood.
But he that Vulcan had to deal withal,
Was the divine and deep swift-running Flood,
Which Xanthus Gods, but Men Scamander call.
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Thus were th'Immortals matched one to one.
Achilles would have given any good
That he had matched been to Priam's Son,
T'have made to Mars a Breakfast of his blood.
And then Apollo sets Aeneas on
T'encounter with Achilles; and array'd
I'th'person and the voice of Lycaon
Came to his side, and thus unto him said,
Aeneas, when the Wine was in your head,
I oft have heard you of your self say this,
That 'gainst Achilles you in fight durst stand.
What say you to him now? See, there he is.
Priamides (Aeneas then repli'd)
Why would you have me with Achilles fight?
I once already was upon Mount Ide
Keeping our Cattle, by him put to flight;
And thence for safety to Lyrnessus fled.
But he the Town Lyrnessus quickly won
And Pedasus. And then I had been dead
If Jove had not inabled me to run.
For Pallas with him was and made him way,
Striking his Foes before him with affright,
And urging him the Trojans to destroy.
'Tis more than Man can do t'oppose his might.
One God or other always with him is
To put aside the Spears before they come.
And whom he aims at he doth never miss
And to the mark his Spear flies always home.
But if the Gods unpartial would be,
Although of solid Brass his body were,
He should not eas'ly get the Victorie.
Aeneas (then said Phoebus) do not fear,
But pray unto the Gods. Your Mother is
Jove's Daughter Cytherea, as they say,
A greater Goddess by descent than his;
And therefore boldly to him go your way.
His mighty words and threats you must not fear.
This said, he courage breath'd into his breast.
Then through the foremost went he with his Spear,
And Helmet of strong Brass with glittring Crest.
Now Juno of his going was aware,
And calling to her th'other Gods, she said,
Neptune and Pallas, let us have a care;
I see a danger that ought to be wai'd.
Aeneas yonder with his spear in hand,
Goes to Achilles with a mind to fight.
Let's keep him off, or by Achilles stand,
And add both to his courage and his might,
That he may know, the Gods of greatest Pow'r
Are on his side, and those that stand for Troy
In vertue much to us inferiour,
And dare not in the Field against us stay;
And that we from Olympus hither came
To save him now; hereafter whatsoere
Mischances come he must endure the same,
Since at his Birth they woven with him were.
For if unknown our purpose to him be,
To meet a God will put him into fear.
'Tis dangerous Gods as they are to see;
So terrible to mortals they appear.
And Neptune unto Juno then repli'd,
You are too fierce. A fight between the Gods
I would not have begin upon our side.
Nor does it need; so much we have the ods.
But let's go hence to yonder Mountain top,
And leave the Battle in the hands of men.
If Mars or Phoebus then Achilles stop,
We to the Battle will return agen,
And send them to Olympus home with shame,
'Mongst other of the Gods at Court to stay,
Well beaten at our hands, disgrac'd, and tame.
And when he this had said, he led away.
And when he come was to the Castle-wall,
Which was by th'Trojans built for Hercules
By Pallas help, to save him from the Whale
That much annoy'd the Trojans from the Seas,
He and his Party of the Gods stay'd there
Concealed by a Cloud, and looking on.
But Mars and Phoebus with their Party were
Sitting upon the Brow of Callidon.
Thus from the Field the Gods on both sides staid
Consulting how their friends the day might win.
But neither side effectually would aid.
For not a God amongst them durst begin.
Now cover'd over was the Field with men
Both Horse and Foot array'd in Armour bright.
The Earth resounded with their feet. And then
Two warriours in the midst stood out to fight,
Achilles and Aeneas the two best.
And first Aeneas with fierce looks went on
With Spear in hand, and Shield before his breast.
To meet him then advanced Thetis Son.
As when to chace a Lion from the Plain
The people of the Town with Weapons rise,
The Lion looks upon them with disdain,
As if he did their multitude despise;
But when a Spear from any of them comes,
He whips himself int' anger with his Tail,
And terribly goes on, and yawns and foams,
To kill, or to be killed if he fail:
So at the seeing of Aeneas Spear,
Achilles did himself to th'Fight provoke.
And when they stood to one another near,
Achilles first unto Aeneas spoke.
Aeneas, why (said he) come you away
So far before the rest? To fight with me?
Will Priam, think you, make you King of Troy,
If by your hand perhaps I slain should be?
No. He is wise, and Sons has of his own.
Or will the Trojans set you out great Lands,
Some to be planted, others to be sown
When ever I am killed by your hands?
But that I hope will never be. You know
How once I made you run down Ida Hill
Into Lyrnessus in great haste; and how
You nere lookt back for fear of greater ill;
And how the Town I won, and led away
The women Captives; though 'twas then Jove's will
That from my hands you should escape that day,
You must not look that you should do so still.
And therefore I advise you to be gone,
And in the throng o'th'Trojans to abide.
For ev'ry Fool his harm knows when 'tis done.
Th[…]s said, Aeneas to him thus repli'd,
Pelides, do not think you can me fright,
As if I were a Child, with words of scorn.
For if in evil words I took delight,
I cou[…]d as many easily return.
We one anothers Parents know by fame.
Peleus your Father was, A[…]chises mine.
Your Mother is Divine, Thetis by name;
And Venus mine, of the Celestial line.
And one of them to day must lose a Son.
For 'tis not words can fetch us off this place.
But if you'll know my Generation,
I'll by my Father likewise count my Race.
For first by Jove was Dardanus begot
That rul'd the Dardans under Ida Hill
In divers Towns. For Ilium yet was not.
But at the foot of Ida they dwelt still.
And Dardan Erichthonius begat,
That was the wealthiest of mortal men.
Three thousand Mares he had, and unto that,
As many Foals all feeding on the Fen.
And twelve of these were got by Boreas,
That leapt their Dams in likeness of a Horse,
And ore the ears of standing Corn could pass
And never make them stoop; such was their force;
And run upon the Sea and never wet
Their hoofs, which very wondrous was to see.
And Erichthonius did Tros beget.
And Tros the Father was of Children three,
Ilus, Assaracus, and Ganymed.
But Ganymed was taken up by Jove
(So fair he was) and t'Heaven carried,
To minister unto the Gods above.
The Son of Ilus was Laomedon,
And he Tithonus got and Priamus,
And Lampus, Clytius, Icetaon.
But Capys Son was of Assaracus.
Capys begat Anchises, and he me.
I need not be ashamed of my Race.
Though Vertue l[…]eth not in Pedigree,
But given is to them whom Jove will grace.
Then let us from reproachful words abstain,
Whereof there is great plenty ev'ry where
To serve all men that will them entertain,
That as a man will speak, so he may hear.
What need we like two women in the street,
When they cannot agree, to rail and scoff?
Who, say they true or false, are undiscreet.
For from my purpose you'll not put me off
With scornful words, before your force I try.
Let's therefore here no longer talk but fight.
And as he spake his Spear he letteth fly,
Which on Achilles mighty Shield fell right,
And terribly it made the same resound.
Achilles far before him held his Shield,
For fear Aeneas through it might him wound;
Though Heav'nly Arms to mortals will not yield.
But that he thought not on Nor did the Spear
Well driven as it was and strong, pass through.
For of five plies that labour'd in it were
By Mulciber, it pierced only two,
And those were Brass. There still remained three,
The one of Gold, the other two of Tin;
And stopped by the Brass it could not be;
But coming to the Gold it there stuck in.
And then Achilles threw his Spear at him,
Which flying with great force pass'd through his Shield,
Where thin the Brass and Hide was near the Brim,
And over him it flew into the Field.
For when Aeneas coming saw the Spear,
He crouched low, and held his Buckler high;
And though the same proceeded but from fear,
It made the Spear above his head to fly.
Aeneas at the first amazed stands.
But when Achilles with his Sword came on,
He stoopt, and from the ground took in his hands,
That neer unto him lay a mighty stone,
Which two men, such as now are, scarce could bear,
And hit him had on th'head or breast in vain,
That with Celestial Arms defended were,
And by Achilles Sword himself been slain,
If it had not by Neptune been foreseen.
Who speaking to the Gods did thus complain.
O Gods, said he, great pain I now am in
To see Aeneas by Achilles slain,
For harkning to Apollo foolishly;
Who will not help him though he set him on.
But wherefore should we let Aeneas die
Others to please, when he no fault has done?
Let's therefore save him lest we Jove offend,
Who now the off-spring of King Priam hates.
And that Aeneas Race shall without end
The Trojans rule, 'tis ordered by the Fates.
This said, to Neptune Juno did reply,
If you Aeneas have a mind to save,
Save him your self. For well you know that I
And Pallas 'mongst the Gods sworn often have,
That neither of us shall a Trojan aid,
Though Ilium it self were in a flame.
Away went Neptune soon as that was said,
And to Aeneas and Achilles came.
And ore Achilles eyes a mist he spred,
And drew his Spear out of Aeneas Shield;
And to Achilles that he carried,
And laid it at his feet upon the Field.
And then Aeneas lifted by the force
Of an Immortal God skipt to the Rear,
Ore many Ranks of Heroes and of Horse,
Unto the Caucons that the hindmost were.
Where Neptune standing by him spake and said,
Aeneas, who was't of th'Immortal Gods,
That to engage Achilles you betray'd,
That stronger is than you by so much ods?
Henceforth take heed you come not in his way,
Lest by his hand you die. When he is gone,
You boldly on the best adventure may.
For of the rest you slain shall be by none.
This said, he to Achilles went agen,
And made the mist to vanish from his eyes.
And round about him lookt Achilles then,
And to his feet return'd his Spear espies.
And said unto himself, O strange, what's this?
The man is gone, my Spear come back I see.
Aeneas of the Gods beloved is,
And I thought all he said was vanitie.
But fare him well. He will not come agen,
So glad he is that he hath scaped so.
Now I will first put courage in my men,
And then unto some other Trojans go.
Then through the Argive Ranks he went, and said,
No longer of the Trojans be so shy,
But man to man go close. Be not afraid,
Strong as I am, you cannot think that I
Can follow such a multitude and fight.
For neither Mars nor Pallas can do that,
(Though Gods Immortal) and of so great might,
That mortal men cannot resist. Yet what
My strength alone with hands and feet can do,
I think I shall not any thing forbear.
But break their Ranks and make you way clean through,
Nor shall he joyful be whom I come near.
Whilst this Achilles to the Argives said,
Hector no less the Trojans did excite.
Why should you of Achilles be afraid?
With words 'tis easie 'gainst the Gods to fight,
That are too strong to fight with with a Spear.
And to Achilles now I mean to go,
Though Fire his hands, and Steel his body were.
For more by half he says than he can do.
When Hector to the Trojans this had said,
The Fight began, and mighty was the cry.
And then for Hector Phoebus was afraid,
And presently came in, and standing nigh,
Hector (said he) return into the throng.
Take heed. With Thetis Son fight not at all
Now nor henceforth (he for you is too strong)
Lest by his Spear or Sword you chance to fall.
Thus Hector by the God admonished
Into the Trojan Troops retir'd again.
The Trojans then before Achilles fled.
And by him first […]phition was slain,
Whom the Nymph Neis to Otrynteus bare
In Ida at the foot of Tmolus Hill,
Great Troops he brought unto the Trojan Warre,
And thought he could the great Pelid[…]s kill.
But coming on he met Achilles Spear,
The fatal Spear, that cleft his head in twain.
Achilles then triumphed ore him there
Though fallen to the ground he were and slain.
So; Otryntides, die there on the Earth;
Though where runs Hyllus into Hermus deep,
On the Gygean Lake you had your Birth.
This said, he left him in eternal sleep,
For th'Argive Charret-wheels to crush and grind.
And after him he slew Demoleon,
A Warrier good, and of undaunted mind,
That of Antenor was a valiant Son
Him through the head with Spear in hand he smot,
And out together came both bloud and brain.
H[…]s Helmet though of Brass, preserv'd him not.
And after he Demoleon had slain
He with his Spear pursu'd Hippodamas,
Who from his Charre had leapt unto the ground
Frighted, and now before him running was,
And gave him on the back a mortal wound,
Whereat he blows and roars like any Bull
Brought to the Altar for a Sacrifice,
When young men by the Horns him thither pull
By violence; then down he falls and dies.
Unluckily then in Achill[…]s sight
Was Polydorus Priam's youngest Son
And best belov'd; whom he forbad to fight,
Though swiftest of them all he were to run.
But he the vertue of his feet to shew,
Betwixt the Hoasts ran up and down the Field,
Until a Spear Achilles at him threw,
And with a wound upon the back him kill'd.
Out at his Navil went the Spear again,
And for his Guts to follow made a way.
But Hector when he saw his Brother slain,
Amongst his Troops he could no longer stay,
But going to Achilles shook his Spear.
Then speaking to himself Achilles said,
The man that slew Patroclus I see here.
We must no more each other now avoid.
And sowrely on him looking, said, Come near,
That I may quickly of you make an end.
And Hector to him answer'd without fear,
In vain Achilles your proud words you spend.
Such words as these may Children terrifie.
And I can speak that Language when I list.
And though you be a mightier man than I,
The Victory does not in that consist,
But he shall have it whom the Gods appoint
Though he be weaker, if his Spear fly true.
Which mine may do, and sharp is at the point.
This said, his Spear he at Achill[…]s threw.
Which back to Hector's feet Athena blew
With soft and gentle breath without a sound.
And straight Achilles thundring to him flew.
But then Apollo snatcht him from the ground.
Which is by any God done in a trice;
And in a Mist conceal'd him from his sight.
And after him Achilles leapt up thrice,
And thrice the Air obscure in vain did smite.
Then whoopt he after him and threatning said,
Dog, an ill death agen thou scaped hast,
That fighting, to Apollo pray'st for aid.
But yet I shall dispatch you at the last,
If any of the Gods for me appear
But now I must to other Trojans go.
This said, at Dryops straight he threw his Spear,
And sent his Soul unto the Shades below.
To meet Demuchus then he went half way,
That with his Sword came toward him to fight.
Him with a wound i'th' neck he made to stay;
And with his Sword then killed him outright.
Then by him slain the Sons of Bias were
Laogonus and Dardanus, the one
With his great Sword, the other with his Spear.
And next he killed Tros Alastor's Son,
Who not resisted but fell at his knee,
And beg'd his life, for being of his age,
Hoping for that he pitied might be.
But that Achilles wrath could not asswage.
He quite mistook his nature like a child.
For cruel was Achilles and hard-harted;
But he sweet-natur'd thought he was and mild.
Whereas he never thought how others smarted.
And then Achilles gave him such a wound
That with the bloud his Liver started out.
And there he left him dying on the ground,
And for more Trojan Leaders lookt about.
Then coming to him he saw Mulius,
And strook him through the head from ear to ear.
Then with his Sword he killed Echeclus
Antenor's Son that to him came too near.
Then on the arm he hit Demolion.
The Spear stuck in, and forc'd him there to stay.
Achilles then came furiously on,
And with his Sword he skim'd his head away
Helmet and all. Then Regmus with a wound
Upon the belly he slew with his Spear,
Who from his Charret fell unto the ground.
And after him he flew his Charretier
Areitbous, whilst he his Horses turns.
As a thick Coppice in a windy day,
If set on fire unmercifully burns;
So went Achilles killing ev'ry way.
As Oxen from the Straw tread out the Corn,
So trampling went his Horses ore the dead,
That with their Bucklers by the wheels were torn,
And th'Axle-tree with bloud was covered
And Spoaks; in part with droppings from the wheels
(For going on the ground the wheels were go[…]y)
And partly beaten up with th'Horses heels,
And bloudy were his hands; and all for glory.