Book XXIII

Thus wayl'd the Trojans then in Ilium.
To Hellespont th'Achaeans streight went down,
And when they to their hollow Ships were come
Dispers'd themselves each man unto his own.
Achilles only staid his Myrmidons
Upon the place; and thus unto them spake.
You, Myrmidons my stout Companions,
You must not from your Chars your Horses take.
With Horses and with Chars we first must go,
And for Patroclus weep about his Biere.
And when we have by weeping eas'd our wo,
Unty your Horses and we'll all sup here.
This said, they wayl'd. Achilles first began;
And thrice about Patroclus Biere they drave.
And Thetis (fallen was so great a man)
Amongst them stood, and tears unto them gave
Which down their Armour fell into the Sand.
Achilles bad him then with tears, farewel.
And laying on Patroclus breast his hand,
Rejoyce, said he, Patroclus though in Hell.
For now I to you shall my word make good,
Since hither I have Hector dragged dead,
For Dogs to eat. And to revenge your blood,
Twelve Trojans I will at your Pile behead.
This said, he Hector laid upon his face
I'th'dust before the Biere disgracefully.
The Myrmidons mean while their Arms unlace,
And th'Horses from the Chariots unty.
And then down by Achilles Ship they sat,
Who gave unto them all a Fun'ral Feast,
And for them flew both Goats and Muttons fat,
And Swine good store, and many a well-fed Beast.
But to Achilles then came in the Lords,
To wait upon him t'Agamemnon's Tent,
That he might try with comfortable words
If he could mitigate his discontent.
When they were there Atrides first commands
His Ministers to bring in water hot
To wash the gore from off his face and hands.
Achilles peremptorily said, Not
And swearing, unto Agamemnon said,
By Jove that is of all the Gods most high,
Till I Patroclus in the fire have laid,
And rais'd him have a Tomb wherein to lie,
And with him burnt these Locks of mine, not hand
Nor face shall washed be by me. But now
Let's sup. I'th'morning I will give command
That for his Pile we may have wood enough,
That speedily the body we may burn.
And when out of our sight we have it laid,
The people to their business may return.
Thus he advised, and it was obey'd.
The people then in haste to supper went,
And had good chear, and heartily they fed.
And when their hunger and their thirst was spent,
Into their Tents went ev'ry man to bed.
Down went Achilles to the waters side
Attended on by many Myrmidons,
And in a place clean washed by the Tide
He laid him down to sleep upon the stones.
Nor was it long ere sleep upon him crept.
For labour'd very hard he had that day.
For Hector him in exercise had kept
Running before him round the Wall of Troy.
And then the Spirit of Patroclus dead,
Like him in Stature, Garments, Voice, and Eyes
Appeared to him standing at his head,
And speaking said unto him in this wise.
You sleep, Achilles, and have me forgot,
Though when I was alive you lov'd me well.
Pray bury me, these Spirits here will not
Let me come in within the Gates of Hell,
Nor let me mix with those beyond the River,
But make me wander 'bout the house of Dis.
Give me your hand upon't, for I shall never
Return, when once my body burned is.
We shall no more together counsel take,
Since by my Fate I taken am away,
And you your self, divine Achilles, make
Account to die before the Walls of Troy.
And then the favour let me have, I pray,
That when my flesh consum'd is in the flame,
My bones with yours you will be pleas'd to lay,
And let the Urn that holds them be the same;
That golden Urn which Thetis gave to you.
We long with one another lived have.
For when Amphidamas his Son I slew,
Unto your house I fled my life to save,
From Opus being little past a boy,
And childishly the quarrel took at […]hess;
And never meant him ill before that day,
And sorry was I for my foolishness.
Your Father to his House then took me in,
Made me your man, and lov'd and cherisht me,
And since so long we have together been,
Why should not now our bones together be?
Achilles to the shadow then repli'd,
Sweet friend, what need had you to come from Hell
To tell me this? I for you do provide
That all you say may be performed well.
Come neerer to me that embrace we may
A little while, and one another moan.
This said, his arms he spreads; and then away
Patroclus sunk, and left him there alone.
At this amazed up Achilles starts.
Oh, oh, said he, I see 'tis certain then,
In Hell there Souls are, though they have no hearts,
But Idols only are, and Forms of Men.
For by me standing was the Soul all night
Of my Patroclus to me dictating,
And wonderfully like him 'twas to th'sight;
And what he wanted told me ev'ry thing.
This said, again about the body dead
Achilles and the Myrmidons lament,
And so continu'd till the day was spread;
But to the Wood then Agamemnon sent
From ev'ry part of th'Army men to Ide,
Whereof some Axes carri'd in their hands,
And others Ropes. And with them goes for Guide
Meriones, and, as their Chief, commands.
Ore Hills and Dales then to the Woods they went
Driving their Mules before them all the way;
And lusty Oaks unto the ground they sent,
And cleft them into pieces as they lay.
And those unto the Mules with Ropes they ti'd,
And ev'ry one of them took in his hand
Either a heavie Bough or Limb beside.
For so Meriones had giv'n command.
This done, they back descended to the Plain
Fast as they could through Bry'rs and Bushes store;
And quickly at the Ships they were again,
And laid their wood in order on the shore.
Then to the Myrmidons Achilles spake,
You Myrmidons put on yor Armus, said he,
And Horse-men all your Charrets ready make,
And mount into your Seats and follow me.
When they were ready, foremost went the Horse,
And by a Cloud of Foot were followed.
I'th'midst between them carri'd was the Corse
With locks of hair thrown on him covered,
Which the sad Mourners from their heads had shorn.
Achilles went himself next to the Biere,
Who for his friend did principally mourn.
When at the place of Funeral they were,
Upon the ground they layed down the Biere,
And quickly in a Pile they heapt the wood.
Then cuts Achilles off his yellow hair,
And from the body at a distance staid,
And towards Greece and Phthiae turn'd his eye,
And speaking to Spercheius River said,
My Father to you made a Vow, when I
Return'd, his hair should unto you be paid,
And to the other Gods a Hecatomb,
And fifty fat Rams at your Spring to slay.
Thus vowed he. But I shall ne'r come home,
But here must die before the Gates of Troy.
Since then my Fathers wish you not fulfil,
Nor I return into my native Land,
My hair now to Patroclus give I will.
And at that word he puts it in his hand.
At this the Greeks a weeping fell agen,
And wept had till the setting of the Sun,
But that Achilles spake t'Atrides then,
And pray'd him that the people might be gone.
King Agamemnon, will the Greeks, said he,
Be never with lamenting satisfi'd?
'Tis in your pow'r; let them dispersed be
Unto their Ships their suppers to provide,
For we will of the Fun'ral take a care.
But let the Leaders of the Army stay,
And such as specially concerned are.
This said, Atrides sent the rest away.
And then the wood into a Pile they laid.
A hundred foot it was from side to side;
And on the top the Corps. Then kill'd and flaid
Both Sheep and Beeves, and with their fat they hide
Patroclus body dead from head to foot.
And by it laid the Cattle flaid to burn.
To th' Biere Achilles went and laid into't
Of Honey one, of Oyl another Urn.
And of Patroclus Horses four he slew;
And of nine little Dogs he kept kill'd two.
And those into the Fun'ral pile he threw;
And last of all twelve Trojans adds thereto.
This done, again he to Patroclus said,
My dear Patroclus, once again, farewel.
Twelve lusty Trojans on your Pile are laid.
I'm faithful to you though you be in Hell,
But Hector for the Dogs shall be a prey.
But Venus 'nointed him with Oyl of Rose,
And so preserved him both night and day,
That not a Dog did on him lay his nose.
Then Phoebus sent from Heav'n a Cloud obscure
The place whereon his body lay to hide,
To th'end it might the scorching Sun endure,
And not be shrivel'd up nor shrunk nor dri'd.
And then Achilles a new bus'ness finds.
He could not set on flame the new-sell'd wood,
But forc'd he was to pray to the two Winds
Zephyr and Boreas. Then off he stood,
And to them offer'd with a Cup in's hand,
And to them vowed a good Sacrifice,
If they from Sea would come, and by him stand,
And blow the Fire until the flame did rise.
This Iris hearing went unto the Winds
To tell them how Achilles to them pray'd.
And at good chear in Zephyr's house them finds,
And fain they would her with them there have staid,
And made her sit; but she refused that.
The Gods, said she, feast at a Hecatomb
In Blackmoor-land, and I must be thereat,
And must make haste, or thither cannot come.
To Zephyr now and Boreas I came
To tell them that a plenteous Sacrifice
Achilles make them will, if on a flame
They'll set the Pile whereon Patroclus lies.
This said, she parts. The Winds arise and roar,
And toss the Clouds before them in the Sky,
And at their feet tumble the Waves ashore
And then upon Patroclus Pile they fly,
And fiercely blow. Inflamed was the Pile,
And whistling at it staid the Winds all night,
Achilles standing by it all the while
Invoking solemnly Patroclus spright.
And th'Earth with Wine by Cupfuls watered.
As one that mourneth for his eldest Son
That then dies, when he should be married;
So did he for Patroclus sigh and groan.
When in the Sky the Day-star did appear
To shew that after him Aurora came,
The Pile and Bodies dead consumed were
To ashes, and extinguisht was the flame,
Away the Winds went ore the Seas of Thrace,
And passing shook the waters of the Deep.
Achilles went a little from the place,
And weary laid him down and fell asleep.
And now 'twas day, the Souldiers came agen.
Then with their trampling did Achilles wake,
And up he stood and lookt about. And then
He to Atrides turn'd his eyes and spake.
Atrides, let us first with Wine, said he,
Put out the fire as far as it is spread,
That taken up Patroclus Bones may be
(For where they lie 'tis soon discovered;
Since in the midst we did his body lay,
But others, Horse and Men at th'outside lie)
That in a Bason of pure Gold they may
Reserved be until I also die.
And though no great Tomb here I have design'd,
Yet may the Greeks that stay when I am gone,
When they think good, if they will be so kind
And see cause for it […] a greater one.
This said, the fire the […]rst extinguished;
Then down unto the ground the ashes came,
And up Patroclus Bones they gathered,
And in a golden Pan they laid the same;
And back unto the Ships they carri'd that,
To be reserved in Achilles Tent
Wrapt up within a double Kell of Fat.
And then about the Pile to work they went.
And where the Pile was, that they made their ground,
And Earth abundance on the same they lay,
Till it became a mighty Hill and round.
When they had done Achilles made them stay
And fit o'th'ground to see the games, wh[…]ch lie
Prepared had the Funeral to grace.
Then many Prizes rich he caus'd to be
Brought from his Ship and laid upon the place,
Brass Caldrons, Tripods, and great Iron Bars,
Horses and Mules, and Cattle of great size,
And goodly Women taken in the Wars.
First for the Horse; he tells each one his Prize.
To th'first a woman that could spin and weave,
Together with a Tripod deep and wide.
The next a Mare of six years should receive
Together with her young Mule by her side.
A handsome Kettle to the third he gave,
Which never on the Fire had yet been set.
Of Gold two Talents was the fourth to have.
The fifth a Cup and Cover was to get.
Then to them spake. These Prizes here, said he,
Lie waiting for the Horse-men on the Plain,
If any Horse-men in the Host there be
That with their Charrets hope the same to gain,
Come in. Had any else these Games set forth,
The greatest of these Prizes had been mine.
For of my Horses you well know the worth,
And that they are Immortal and Divine,
Which Neptune gave to Peleus, he to me.
But I'll sit out. My Horses shall stay here
Hanging their heads as they do heavily,
Since they have lost their gentle Charretier.
Let any other of the Argives, who
Is of his Horses confident come in,
And presently prepare himself thereto,
And try which of the Prizes he can win.
This said, the Horse-men straight themselves present.
Eumelus first, Adrestus noble Son,
That was for Horsemanship most eminent.
Then Diomed with th'Horses which he won
From Venus Son, when by her sav'd he was.
Then sitting on his Chariot came forth
King Agamemnon's Brother Menelaus,
And at it Horses two were of great worth.
The one of them Podargus, was his own,
The other Aethe very swift she was
A Female, and for Agamemnon's known,
To whom, when he to Ilium was to pass,
She given was by Ech[…]polus, who
T'excuse himself of following him to Troy
(For very rich he was and loth to go)
And with his leave in Sicyon to stay.
The fourth with Horses of the Pylian brood,
Was Nestor's gallant Son Antilochus.
His Father careful of him by him stood
Instructing him, and said unto him thus.
Antilochus, you have been taught so well
By Jove and Neptune, young man as you are,
The Rules of Horsemanship, I need not tell
You of the Art, but pray you to take care.
Though you know how about the Gole to wind,
Their Horses somewhat are than yours more swift.
I fear you will in that some damage find;
But none of them know better how to shift.
'Tis care not strength makes a good Carpenter,
And Ships at Sea are governed by care;
Force in soul weather little helps to steer.
Best Charretiers are they that best beware.
A man that on his Horses speed relies
May from the high way sometimes drive aside,
But not come in again. But he that's wise
Will always tow'rds the Gole directly guide,
And have an eye on him that goes before.
The Gole I'll tell you (lest you know it not)
A Staff is of a fathom high or more,
Of Oak or Pine that is not apt to rot,
Standing between two great white stones upright,
And for a Monument set up was there
In antient time of some deceased Wight,
Or formerly there had a Race been there,
And to that purpose served now again.
Be sure you drive your Horses to it close,
And leaning, press a little th'inner Rein,
And let the farther Horses Rein go loose.
But let the neer Horse to it go as near
As can be; so the Stones you still avoid.
You'll wound your Horses else and Charret tear,
And be asham'd whilst others will be joy'd.
If at the Staff you once but get the start,
In coming back before you shall be none
How good soere their Horses be or Art,
Though they the Steeds were of Laomedon,
Or like Arion all their Horses were,
Adrestus Horse of the Celestial race.
Thus Nestor his good Son instructed there,
And having done returned to his place.
The fifth and last came in Meriones.
Then up into their Seats they mounted all;
And then by Lots determin'd which of these
Should start the first. T'Antilochus did fall
To start the first. The next t'Eumelus came.
The third Lot fell t'Atrides Menelaus.
The fourth had on't Meriones his name.
The best, and last to start Tydides was.
Then all arow they stood. Achilles by
Shew'd them the Gole far off upon the Plain;
And all at once hold up their Whips on high,
And beat their Horses each one with his Reyn;
And loud upon them call'd to make them run.
Old Phoenix at the Staff was set to stay
And be a witness of what there was done,
And see there were amongst them no foul play.
And swiftly from the Ships they part away,
In clouds of dust up to their breasts they fly,
And to the wind their spreading Manes display;
Their Chars sometimes are in the Air a high,
And sometimes on the ground. The Charret[…]ers
Sit for all that still fast upon their Seats,
And ev'ry one aloud his Horses cheers,
While in his breast his heart with longing beats.
But when about the Gole they turned were,
And coming back agen unto the shore,
Then 'twas their Vertue chiefly did appear,
And faster went their Horses than before.
And now Eumelus Horses foremost were,
And Diomed behind him was not far
With his Male Trojan Horses, but so neer
As if they would have gone into his Char.
So neer they were their heads did on it lie,
And made Eumelus back and shoulders hot
With breathing on them; and the Victorie
Had got, or doubtful made at least, had not
Apollo been to Diomed unkind,
And from his hand struck out his shining Whip.
Tydides then again was left behind,
And wept to see Eumelus him outstrip.
When Pallas saw what wrong was to him done,
She puts the Whip into his hand again,
And angry goes unto Admetus Son,
And of his Horses breaks the Yoke in twain.
On one side of the way then went one Mare,
And on the other side the other goes.
Down fell the Pole, and with it he; and tare
His elbows and his eye-brows, mouth and nose.
Tydides in the mean time passed by,
And got before them all a mighty length.
For Pallas to him meant the Victory,
And gave unto his Horses greater strength.
Behind Tydides next was Menelaus,
And next to him Antilochus; and he
Aloud unto his Horses calling was.
Now let's (said he) your utmost vertue see.
With Diomed you are not bid contend,
Whom victor now Athena means to make,
And strengthned hath his Horses to that end;
But only Menelaus t'overtake.
Were't not a shame that Aethe but a Mare
Should leave you two such lusty Steeds behind?
But if you now seek how your selves to spare,
I tell you this, and true you will it find,
You shall be slain. Therefore use all your speed,
And when you come into a narrow place,
Leave it to me to do what I see need.
This said, the Horses fearing mend their pace,
And now were close at Menelaus heels.
Then neer unto a hollow way they came;
And lest they break should one anothers Wheels,
Atrides turn'd aside into the same.
The other after him a little wide
The same way took. Atrides then afraid
That he would enter with him side by side,
Unto Antilochus cri'd out and said,
Antilochus, you drive too carelesly,
The way's too narrow. Pray a little stay
Your Horses; broader 'twill be by and by,
Lest both our Chars lie broken on the way.
Antilochus then whipt his Horses on
So much the faster, seeming not to hear.
And when they were a little further gone,
Atrides held his Horses in, for fear
Their Chars should clashing overturned be,
And with them they be thrown into the dust,
And to him spake, reviling. Go, said he,
Of all the men I know the most unjust,
And not so wise as th'Argives thought you were.
But yet the Prize you shall not so obtain;
But for it first you shall be put to swear.
And then his Horses he drave on again.
And to encourage them, unto them said,
His Horses cannot keep before you long;
They old are both; strain hard. Be not dismay
For both of you brave Horses are and young.
This said, at highest speed agen they fly,
And to Antilochus came up again.
The Argives on the Race now sat to spy
Who foremost coming was upon the Plain.
Idomeneus sat in a place more high
Without the Race, and heard a Charretier
Whose voice he knew unto his Horses cry,
And presently two Horses did appear.
Of one of them the colour was bright Bay,
But on his forehead had a spot of white,
And as the Moon at Full round ev'ry way,
And from afar conspicuous and bright.
Then to the Greeks he said, Is there no more
That see these Horses coming back but I?
They are not those that foremost were before;
And 'tis another Charretier I spy.
Eumelus some mischance has had I fear;
And yet about the Gole he turned well.
But now I cannot see them any where.
Perhaps out of his hands their Bridles fell;
No longer would the Horses then obey,
But thrown him somewhere have o'th'field; or born
Him in their fit by violence away,
And have his Charret overturn'd, or torn.
Stand on your feet your selves and mark him well,
Whether or no it Diomedes be
The Son of Tydeus; for I cannot tell,
He like him is, and I believe 'tis he.
The lesser Ajax then Oïleus Son
With evil words t'Idomeneus repli'd,
The Mares upon the Field are coming on,
But you must talk, though from the purpose wide.
Your eyes are now grown old and less can see,
And yet to talk you love so much the more;
Though at discerning many better be.
Eumelus, as at first, is still before.
Ajax (said he) of all the Greeks the worst
Except at railing, let's a wager lay,
A Tripod or a Caldron who comes first,
Atrides judge, that you may know and pay.
And Ajax then about was to reply;
Nor had the quarrel 'twixt them there been staid,
But that Achilles who was sitting by,
Rose from his Seat, and coming to them said,
Idomeneus and Ajax 'tis a shame
For you in evil Language to contend,
That others when they do so ought to blame.
Sit down, and but a little while attend.
They'll soon be here. They strive for Victory,
And driving are as fast as ere they can;
Discerned then it will be easily
Which is the foremost, which the hindmost man.
This said, they saw Tydides very neer
Plying his Whip; his Horses seem'd to fly;
And cover'd was with dust the Charretier;
And hard it was the track o'th'Wheels to spy.
Then coming in, before the Lords he stopt,
And to the ground leapt from his Chariot;
With sweat his Horses breasts and shoulders dropt.
Then Sthenelus the Prize neglected not,
But nimbly from his place he to it skips,
And by his friends there standing by his side
Sent th'woman and the Tripod to the Ships;
And having done, the Horses he unti'd.
Antilochus next to Tydides was,
That not by vertue of his Steeds but slight
Advantage gotten had of Menelaus
When for them both he found the way too streight.
But Menelaus to him was so neer
As is a Charret-horse unto the Wheel,
Which of his Tayl doth sometimes touch the hair,
And makes the Horse to run that does it feel.
So neer unto him was Atrides then,
That was behind once a Coyts cast or more.
But quickly to him he came up agen.
For Aethe now ran faster than before.
And had they but a little longer run,
Atrides by Antilochus had pass'd,
And without doubt the second Prize had won.
Meriones behind was a Spears cast.
Slow Steeds he had and but small skill in Courses.
Eumelus whom Athena overthrew
Came hindmost and before him drave his Horses,
And with his hands behind, his Charret drew.
Achilles mov'd with pity was at this,
And spake unto the Argives in this wise.
Although he come the last, the best he is;
'Tis fit he have at least the second Prize,
But Diomed the first, that has it won.
And just it seemed in the Argives sight.
And from Antilochus the Prize had gone,
Had he not pleaded for it as his right.
Antilochus then to Achilles spake,
Though well, said he, in pity you incline
T'Eumelus, yet my Prize he must not take;
I won it have, and 'tis not yours, but mine.
His Horses good, and Horse-man good he is;
And he and they upon the ground were laid
By some mischance; I'm not concern'd in this.
He should unto th'Immortal Gods have pray'd.
But you, that pity him, and at your Tent
Have Gold, Brass, Horses, Women, Cattle store,
May out of that when you think fit content
Eumelus with the value, or with more.
For whosoever means to have the Mare
Must for her with me fight. Thus pleaded he.
Achilles that great love unto him bare,
Was glad, and said, Since you so counsel me,
The Breast plate I will to him give of Brass
That hem'd is all about with shining Tin,
With which Asteropaeus armed was.
Automedon into my Tent go in,
And quickly to me bring the Breast-plate forth.
And then Automedon no longer stands,
But fetches out the Armour of great worth,
And puts the same into Eumelus hands.
Then up Atrides Menelaus stands,
And in his hand the Cry'r a Scepter laid,
And silence to be kept i'th'Court commands.
T'Antilochus then Menelaus said,
Antilochus, what made you me disgrace
Justling my Horses in the hollow way
When there was so much danger in the place,
That 't had been best for both of us to stay?
But you the Princes hear the Cause I pray,
And judge between us both impartially,
Lest any of the Greeks hereafter say
I did t'Antilochus an injury,
And from him got the Mare by fraud or might;
And that his Horses than mine better were.
But come, I now know how my self to right.
Come lay your hand upon the Reyns, and swea[…]
By Neptune, that you did not willingly
And with prepensed malice cross my Charre.
To this Antilochus did then reply,
O Menelaus, since you elder are,
You know our faults upon the sudden rise,
And that before-hand young men study not;
Their Wits are present, but the old are wise.
To do you injury I never thought.
The Mare is yours; and if you please to send
For any thing I have, that too I'll give
Rather than with an Oath the Gods offend,
And out of Menelaus favour live
This said, he put the Mare into his hand,
Then Menelaus lookt as fresh and gay
As Dew that on the growing Corn doth stand
Then when the Fields are in their best array.
And to Antilochus repli'd agen,
Antilochus I angry am no more.
I see you were by Youth transported then.
But putting tricks upon your friends give ore.
I not so soon forgiven had another;
But you so much have suffer'd for my sake
Together with your Father and your Brother,
That I can easie satisfaction take.
And now to shew I got it not by might,
Take you the Prize, although it be my share.
This said, he took t'himself the Caldron bright;
And yielding to Antilochus the Mare,
Unto Noëmon gave her to set up
(N[…]ëmon was Antilochus his man)
One Prize remain'd, which was the double Cup.
Meriones the two gold Talents wan.
Achilles rising then to Nestor went,
And unto him the double Cup he gave.
This Prize, said he, keep for a Monument
Of my Patroclus lying in his Grave.
You shall not for it arm your fists with Lead,
Nor with young men at cast of Spears engage,
Nor shall you on the Foot-race need to tread.
Of all such work you are excus'd by age.
This said, the Cup into his hand he laid,
Which joyfully he took and thus repli'd.
Sweet Son, you nothing but the truth have said.
My strength is past, it cannot be deni'd.
My hands I scarce can to my shoulders raise,
And heavily my feet both rise and fall.
Oh, that I were as young as in those days
When I saw Amarynceus Funeral
Set forth most nobly in Buprasion.
There many Prizes were, and many a man;
But like to me amongst them there was none,
Epeian, Pylian, nor Aetolian.
At Fists the Prize from Clytomed I won;
And wrastling with Ancaeus I him threw,
And Iphiclus, swift as he was, outrun;
And with the Spears I Polydore out-threw,
And at the Horse-race only was outstript
By th'envie of the Sons of Actor two.
For sitting on the Charret they both whipt,
And from me won that Prize with much ado.
Such then I was. But now to younger men
That work I leave. Old age I must obey.
But such I was amongst the Argives then.
And now, Achilles, here no longer stay.
Proceed with other Games your friend to grace.
Your Gift I take, and great content I find
In that you shewn have in this publick place
Amongst the Greeks you have me in your mind.
Achilles having heard these Praises all
Of Nestor, brought into the place a Mule,
A Prize for him that won at Fist and Ball,
A Mule of six years old, and hard to rule.
As for the vanquisht, he assign'd to him
A lesser Prize which was a silver Cup,
That crookt and wryed was about the brim.
Achilles then amongst the Greeks stood up.
Atrides, and you Argives all, said he,
Let two men fight for these at Fist and Ball.
The lusty Mule shall for the Victor be;
The Cup for him that in the fight shall fall.
This said, Epeius a huge man stood up,
And that had at this kind of fight great skill,
And seiz'd the Mule, and said, As for the Cup,
Let any one against me rise that will.
The Mule is mine; at this game I am best.
Is't not enough that th'Argives value me
In Fight but as a mean man like the rest?
For no man can the best at all things be.
But let him know, whoere with him contends,
I'll break his bones. Which being to him known,
He may about him ready have his friends,
To take him up when I have knockt him down.
This said, Mecestes Son Euryalus,
That won the Prize from the Cadmaeans all
At Theb's upon the death if Oedipus
When celebrated was his Funeral
Presents himself. About him busie was
Tydides wishing him the Victorie,
And gave him of strong Leather well-wrought Lace
Wherewith the Balls unto his wrists to tie.
The Champions up their fists together have,
Which when they met so quick and mingled were,
That which was which a man could not perceive,
But how they rattled at their heads might hear.
Euryalus then chanc'd to look aside,
At which Epeius such a blow him hit
Upon the cheek, that he was stupifi'd,
And could no longer stand upon his feet.
As when the Sea is curl'd by Zephyrus,
A little Fish leaps up and falls agen;
So started at the stroak Euryalus
And fainted. To him went Epeius then
And took him up. His friends that by him stood
Led him away trailing his feet behind,
His neck aside hanging, and spitting blood;
And wandring out of order was his mind.
Achilles other Prizes then brought forth
For Wrastlers; and for him that did the best,
A mighty three-foot Pot esteemed worth
By th'company twelve Oxen at the least.
And for the vanquished a lesser Prize,
A Woman that in many works had skill;
And to the Argives speaking said, Arise
You that contend for the great Tripod will.
Then up rose Ajax, up Ulysses rose,
And having girt themselves stood on the place,
And presently extend their arms, and close;
And one another with twin'd arms embrace.
As when a Carpenter to keep the wind
Out of a house the Timber bows and pleats,
So were their arms with one another twin'd,
And each of them keeps fast his hold, and sweats,
And squeez'd until their sides were black and blew.
And weary were the Greeks with looking on
When neither Ajax yet Ulysses threw,
Nor he the mighty Son of Telamon.
And Ajax then unto Ulysses said,
Let's lift each other; and withal him lifts,
And hop'd upon the ground to have him laid,
But he then not forgetful of his shifts,
Struck with his right foot Ajax on the ham
So that to turn him Ajax strength did lack.
Then both together to the ground they came,
One on his breast, the other on his back.
And now Ulysses to lift Ajax is.
And from the ground he heav'd him, but not high,
And in he clapt one knee between both his,
Then both upon the ground again they lie.
Agen they rise, and had not so giv'n ore,
But that Achill[…]s to them goes, and says,
You both are best; torment your selves no more,
But equal Prizes take and go your ways,
That other Greeks for other Prizes may
Their vertue shew. This said, they him obey'd,
And from their bodies wipt the dust away,
And with their Coats themselves again array'd.
And then Achilles brought new Prizes in,
A silver Temperer that six gallons held,
And by Sidonian workmen made had been,
And all that ere they made before excell'd,
And by Phoenicians into Greece was brought
And giv'n to Thoas, and from him it came
T'Eunaeus Jasons Son. Eunaeus bought
Lycaon of Patroclus with the same.
This was the Prize for him that swiftest ran.
A great fat Ox the second was to take;
And half a Talent, Gold the hindmost man.
And then Achilles to the Argives spake.
Arise, said he, that for this Prize will run.
Then Ajax rose Son of Oïleus
The lesser Ajax And then Nestor's Son
(The swiftest of the Youth) Antilochus.
Arow they stand. Achilles to them shows
The Gole about the which they were to run.
Together then they start; and foremost goes
The nimble-footed Ajax Oïleus Son.
But next him and so neer Ulysses is,
As from a womans Distaff comes the thread,
And on his steps trod ere the dust aris,
And breathed all the way upon his head.
The Greeks upon him called all the way
To do his best, and wisht him Victorie.
Then to Athena did Ulysses pray.
O help me my good Goddess now, said he.
And when almost they ended had the Race,
Then chanced Ajax in the Dung to fall
Of Cattle which had kill'd been on the place
B'Achilles for Patroclus Funeral,
And fill'd with Cow-dung was his mouth and nose.
Ulysses on the Temp'rer laid his hands.
And Ajax spitting Dung again arose,
And with his Ox before the Argives stands.
Oh, oh, said he, 'tis Pallas hath done this,
Who as a careful Mother of her Child,
Upon Ulysses always waiting is.
And when he that had said th'Achaeaas smil'd.
Antilochus th'half Talent took of Gold,
And smil'd, and to the Argives said, You see
The Gods still give most honour to the Old.
Ajax in age a little passeth me.
Agen Ulysses older is than he.
And younger men with these cannot contend
At running of a Race, except it be
Achilles. Whom he finely did commend.
Achilles of that commendation glad
Unto Antilochus repli'd again;
To your half Talent I'll another add.
That word of yours shall not be said in vain.
Achilles then brought forth the Shield and Spear
And Helmet of Sarpedon (for till he
Was killed by Patroclus his they were)
And said unto the Greeks, Now let me see
Two valiant men well-arm'd contend for these;
And he that first draws blood shall bear away
Th[…]s Thracian Sword won from Asteropaeus.
The Arms in common they shall both enjoy,
And at my Tent they both shall feasted be.
Up then great Ajax, up Tydides rose,
And came forth armed from the Companie,
And looking grimly one to th'other goes,
And thrice to one another fiercely leapt,
And Ajax Spear pass'd through Tydides Shield;
But by the Breast-plate from his flesh was kept.
Good was his Breast-plate, and not apt to yield.
But still at Ajax neck Tydides aim'd,
Above his Shield still pushing with his Spear;
At which the people standing by exclaim'd;
For then of Ajax life they stood in fear,
And to Achilles cri'd to part the Fray
Betime, and let them equal Prizes have.
And by Achilles then dismiss'd were they;
But yet the Sword he to Tydides gave.
And then of Iron he brought out a Sough
Such as at first it from the Fornace came,
The which E[…]tion was wont to through;
Amongst whose Goods Achilles found the same,
And to his Ship he brought it with the rest.
And said to th'Argives, He this Prize shall gain,
That lets us see he throw it can the best.
It will his Plough with Iron five years maintain.
He needs not to the Town for Iron go.
Then Polypoetes and Leontes rise,
And Ajax, and together stand arow;
And last of all unto them comes Epeius.
First threw Epeius, and well laught at was.
And next to him Leontes threw the same.
Then Ajax threw and did them both surpass.
But when to Polypoetes hand it came,
As far as doth a Shepherd throw his Hook
Seeing his Sheep stand still or straggle out,
So far threw he. The Prize his friends then took
And bare it to his Tent. The people shout.
Achilles then brought other Prizes in,
Ten double, and ten single Axes keen,
The which the two best Bow-men were to win,
And said, Now let your Archerie be seen.
And on the Sands erects a Ship-mast high,
And at the top he ti'd a Dove unto't
With slender thread, and said, Your skill now try.
For he that dead the tender Dove shall shoot,
Shall have the double Axes for his Prize;
The single he that breaks the thread shall win.
Then Teucer and Meriones arise,
And Lots they cast which of them shall begin.
And to begin to Teucer fell the Lot.
And first he shot. But should have made a Vow
A Hecatomb to Phoebus, but forgot.
And therefore Phoebus would not him allow
To kill the Bird. But yet he brake the thread,
And tow'rds the ground, it hung down from her feet.
The frighted Dove in th'Air hovered,
And mightily the Argives shout to see't.
Meriones then quickly drew his Bow,
(For th'Arrow fitted on't already lay)
And presently to Phoebus made a Vow
Of his first Lambs a Hecatomb to pay.
And seeing how the Dove amazed went
Above his head this way and that way round,
His Arrow keen he quickly to her sent,
Which pierc'd her through, and brought her to the ground.
The wounded Dove unto a Mast then flies,
And there her Feathers sheds, and hangs her head,
And having sitten there not long she dies.
The Argives gazing at it wondered.
And then Meriones away did bear
The double Axes. Teucer took the rest.
Achilles then new Prizes fetcht; a Spear,
And a new Caldron worth an Ox at least.
To throw the Spear then rose the King Atrides,
And after him stood up Meriones
Idomeneus his Squire. Then said Pelides,
There shall be no contention for these.
We know how much you are more excellent
At this than any of th'Achaeans here.
Take you these Prizes therefore to your Tent,
And give unto Meriones the Spear,
If you think fit: Atrides was content,
And to Meriones he gave the Spear,
And by Talthybius the Caldron sent
Unto the Ships; and all well pleased were.