Book XXIV

Thus end the Games. The Greeks dispersed are,
And ev'ry man returned to his Tent,
And busie was his Supper to prepare;
And after they had supt to bed they went.
Achilles all the night slept not a wink,
But on Patroclus worth, and company,
And on their common suffrings still did think,
And lay upon his bed unquietly.
And weeping sometimes laid himself on this,
Sometimes on that side, sometimes on his face,,
And sometimes on his back, and sometimes ris,
And walkt upon the shore from place to place.
And soon as ere he saw the morning come,
He Hector to his Charret ti'd again;
And drag'd him thrice about Patroclus Tomb,
And then went in, and left him on the Plain
With dust all over hidden, but not rent.
For Phoebus had him cover'd with his Shield,
That torn his body was not as they went.
The Gods mean while sat looking on the Field,,
And griev'd to see Achilles shew such spight.
And some of them advised Mercurie
To steal away the body from his sight.
To this the other Gods did all agree,,
But Neptune, Juno, Pallas angry were
With Priam and with Troy, for Paris sake,
For that he Venus did so much preferre,
And of the others small account did make.
Thus pass'd it then. But twelve days after came
Apollo to the Gods in Councel set.
And said, Ye Gods unjust, you are to blame.
What Sacrifice did Hector ere forget,
That to his Father, Mother, Wife, and Son
That for his death lament, he must not come,
And buri'd be, since he is dead and gone,
And have a Funeral in Ilium?
But to Achilles fury you give way,
Whose breast is void of all Humanity.
As Lions on mens Cattle love to prey;
Savage and proud on men so falleth he
Asham'd of nothing. Though another man
That had a loving Brother lost, or Son,
When he has wept a while give over can,
And bear the ill that cannot be undone.
But he with Hector's death is not content,
But drags his body at his Chariot,
Not caring how we may the same resent.
He'll find at last 'twere better he had not
Upon the senseless Earth have shown such spight.
To this in anger Juno then repli'd,
If equal they had been, you had said right,
But that they equal are it is deni'd.
For Hector was a mortal womans Son;
Achilles Mother a great Goddess is
Thetis, that nurst was and brought up by none
But by my self. The Gods can witness this,
Who, when I made her noble Peleus Bride,
Came to the Wedding all, and you too then
Were with your Fiddle there well satisfi'd,
Perfidious God, companion of mean men.
Then Jupiter to Juno spake and said,
Look not so angerly upon the Gods,
Nor for Achilles honour be afra[…]d.
'Twixt him and Hector I know well the ods.
But Hector we of Mortals love the best,
I do at least, of all the men of Troy.
He never is behind-hand with my Feast,
But Flesh and Wine pays duely at my day.
But we'll not Hector from Achilles steal;
Nor can, since Thetis for him is awake.
Call Thetis hither for with her I'll deal
To make him for his body Ransome take.
This said, into the Sea leapt Iris straight
Between the Isles of Imbros and of Same.
The water roar'd and started at her weight;
And she to th'bottom like a Plummet came.
Where in a hollow Cave the Goddess sate,
Her Sea-nymphs all about her sitting round,
She in the midst bewailing her Sons fate,
That was to perish on the Trojan ground.
And going to her neer, Thetis, said she,
Jove calls you to him. She repli'd, Why so?
What has that mighty God to say to me?
I am not fit amongst the Gods to go.
But well. I go. I dare not disobey.
And on her head then throws she a black hood.
Then up they went, and Iris led the way.
(To let them pass the Sea divided stood)
And being landed leapt up to the Sky,
When Jove in Councel and the Gods were met;
Where Thetis was received lovingly,
And next himself by Jupiter was set.
There Juno Nectar, Pallas gave her place.
And Jove unto her spake. Thetis, said he,
I know your grief, but such is now the case,
You could not from th'Assembly spared be.
Nine days amongst our selves we disagree
Concerning Hector's body what to do.
The most would have him stoln by Mercury;
But for your sake I would not yield thereto.
But go you, Thetis, to your Son and say
The Gods are angry and I most of all,
That Hector's body at the Ships doth stay
Unransom'd and without a Funeral;
That he release it may for fear of me.
Mean while to Priam Iris shall be sent
To bid him go t'Achilles speedily,
And with fair Presents fetch it from his Tent.
This said, she from Olympus took her flight
T'Achilles Tent, and found him sitting there,
Where he Patroclus still lamenting sigh'd,
And with him friends providing Dinner were.
And killed had a fat Sheep in his Tent.
Then in she went and sate down by his side.
How long, said she, will you your self torment?
Be comforted, and for your health provide;
And take delight in womens company,
For here you know you are not long to stay,
And that at hand is now your Destiny.
And hear what I from Jove must to you say.
From Jupiter I come, who bad me say
The Gods are angry and he most of all,
That Hector's body at the Ships doth stay
Unransom'd and without a Funeral.
The Ransome therefore take and let him go.
To which Achilles a short Answer gave.
Let him that will (since Jove will have it so)
The Ransome bring, the body he shall have.
Whilst Thetis and her Son discoursing were,
To Priam Jove swift Iris sent away.
Iris, said he, this Message from me bear
To Priam, and relate what now I say.
Bid him unto Achilles Tent to go,
And carry with him other Trojans none
But one old Squire his Charret to look to,
And bring away the body of his Son;
And honourable Presents with him bear,
Wherewith Achilles may be well content.
And bid him death and danger not to fear,
So good a Guardian with him shall be sent.
Hermes shall guide him to Achilles Tent,
And being there he needs not fear at all.
Achilles will not kill him, but prevent
The hurt that might from others on him fall.
He wants not judgment, care, nor piety,
And pity has for them that to him pray.
This said, flew Iris from Olympus high
To Priam's house, where little was of joy.
His Sons about him weeping sat, and he
I'th'midst involved in his Cloak so just,
That one th'impression of his limbs might see,
His head and neck bedawb'd with dung and dust,
Which he himself had thrown upon his head
His Daughters and his Son[…] Wives howling went
About, for Brothers and for Husbands that were dead,
And to the Shades by […] had been sent.
Then Iris unto Priam coming near
With soft and gentle voice unto him said,
Priam be bold, for no ill news I bear
(For trembling sate he, and was sore afraid)
Jove bids you to Achilles Tent to go
And carry with you other Trojans none
But one old Squire your Charret to look to,
And bring away the body of your Son;
And honourable Presents with you bear,
Wherewith Achilles may be well content.
He bids you neither death nor danger fear,
So good a Guardian with you shall be sent.
Hermes shall guide you to Achilles Tent.
When you are there, past is the danger all.
Achilles will not kill you but prevent
The harm that may from others on you fall.
He wants not judgment, care, nor piety,
And pity has on them that to him pray
In their distress and at his mercie lie.
When Iris this had said, she went away.
Then Priam said unto his Sons, Arise,
And make a Waggon ready out of hand;
And to a Cedar Chamber down he […]ies,
Where his most precious Houshold stuff did stand.
And thither call'd his Wife, and to her said,
Jove's Menssenger t'Achilles bids me go
With Ransome for my Son. I'm not afraid.
But what think you? Is't best to go, or no?
At this aloud she shrikt and said, Ay me,
What now is of the wit you had become,
For which so wise you once were thought to be
By men abroad and by your friends at home?
Will you go put your self into the hand
Of him that hath your Sons so many slain,
A man that does not pity understand,
Nor saith? No, no, he'll not from you abstain.
But since the Fates designed had before
His birth, to th'Dogs he should be made a prey
By this hard-hearted m[…]n you may deplore
Him here at home, and from Achilles stay.
Oh, that between my teeth I had his heart,
That to revenge my Son I might it eat.
It would no little ease be to my smart,
And less the loss of him I should regret.
For Hector only for his Country fought,
And of his Enemies was not afraid,
Nor did him wrong, but valiant was and stout.
Then Priam to his Wife repli'd and said,
Nay Wife, since to him I am bent to go,
Disswade me not, nor ill Bird to me be
Here in my house, and bode me ill. For know,
Whatere you say, 'twill not prevail with me.
If now a Priest or Prophet to me came
And this had said, I thought it had a lye.
But howsoever, come what will, I am
With Hector in my arms content to die.
This said, the Chests he presently unlocks,
And out he lays twelve Robes for womankind,
As many Coats, as many single Cloaks,
And unto those as many that were lin'd.
And further twelve rich Carpets out he lay'd,
And when he that had done, he Gold brought forth,
Whereof he layed by ten Talents weigh'd.
And two great black three-footed Pots much worth.
And unto those he set bright Caldrons four;
And the fine Cup which giv'n him was when he
From Troy to Thrace was sent Embassadour.
So long'd he to set Hector's body free.
I'th'Porch then standing many Trojans were,
That sorry for his grief were thither come;
To whom he said, Rascals what make you here?
Find you not cause enough of grief at home,
That you must hither come to trouble me
As if too little 'twere to lose my Son.
Hereafter you will eas'lier killed be,
Since Hector who defended you is gone.
As for my self, before I see that day,
I hope to be with[…]n th'In[…]ernal Gates.
Then with his Staff he drave them all away;
And turning in again his Sons he […]ates.
Paris and Agathon and Helenus,
Pammon, Polites, and Antiphobus,
Agavus, Deiphobus, Hippothous.
These nine he rated, saying to them thus,
Make haste unworthy Sons I had been glad
If you in Hector's stead had all been slain.
Oh how unfortunate am I that had
So many and so valiant Sons in vain!
Mestor and Troïlus both valiant men,
And Godlike Hector. Sure I am accurst.
Since Mars of these depriv'd me has agen,
And now I none have left me but the worst,
Domestick Wolves, the bane of Lamb and Kid,
And good for nothing but to dance and lye.
Why stand you still? Were you not by me bid
The Waggon to prepare? Then out they flye,
And speedily the Waggon forth they bring,
And Yoak well fitted with an iron Pin;
And fixt it to the Poles-end with a Ring,
And Cord nine Cubits long to keep it in;
Which thrice about the Boxen Yoak they wind,
And to the Waggon laid the Ransome in;
And to it then the lusty Mules they bind,
Which by the Mysians given him had been.
That done, King Priam's Horses to his Charre
Were by himself and by Idaeus ti'd,
Of which he always taken had such care,
That while they fed he stayed by their side.
Then Hecuba came to them with a Cup,
A golden Cup of pleasant Wine, that they
The same to Jupiter might offer up
Before unto their Foes they went away.
Here, take this Cup said she, and pray to Jove
That he will let you see a lucky flight
Of that great Bird which he the most doth love,
That you may be assured by the sight
That safe you shall agen return to Troy.
For if that favour to you be deni'd
I should advise you by all means to stay.
And Priam then to Hecuba repli'd,
This counsel (Wife) of yours with reason stands.
Jove pleased is when to him men look up.
For water then he call'd and washt his hands,
And from his Wife receiv'd the golden Cup.
Then looking up to Heav'n, O Jove, said he,
Of all the Gods most glorious high and great,
Grant me that I may well received be
B'Achilles at his Tent, and well retreat.
And that thereof I may be confident,
Now shew me of your Bird a lucky flight.
This said, Jove presently an Eagle sent,
Of colour spotted over black and white.
As wide as is a Princes Gate or more,
So wide her Wings the mighty Eagle spreads,
And as it over Ilium did soare,
The people joy'd to see it ore their heads.
The old man then went up into his Seat,
And through the City to the Plain did pass.
The Waggon wherein lay the treasure great
Before him driven by Idaeus was.
And so far went his Sons, and Sons-in-law;
And then return'd agen into the City.
When Jupiter upon the way him saw
In this estate he moved was with pity;
And unto Hermes turn'd his eyes and said,
Since you mens company do most frequent,
And whom you will can quickly hear and aid,
Go and guide Priam to Achilles Tent.
But so as to be seen by none, until
He thither safely come. And Mercury
No sooner understood his Fathers will
But sets himself about it willingly.
And first his Shoes unto his feet he binds
Ambrosian Shoes that over Sea and Land
Bear him as swift and lightly as the Winds;
And then his Rod he took into his hand,
Wherewith he layeth sleep on Mortal eyes,
And takes it off again when he thinks good.
Then down to Troy and Hellespont he flies
In likeness of a Youth of Royal blood
When Doun begins t'appear upon his face.
Idaeus now and Priam at the brink
Of Xanthus were, and night came on apace.
And there they made their Mules and Horses drink.
Idaeus neer them then saw Mercury,
And in great fear to Priam cri'd, I see
A man (O Priam) coming. Let us fly,
Or to him go and fall down at his knee.
And horribly was Priam then afraid,
His hair with fear upon him stood upright.
Then Mercury unto him came, and laid
His hand on his, and to him said, 'Tis night;
What makes you be abroad? Do you not fear
Your Foes the Greeks? If any of them knew
That you were with so great a Treasure here,
In what a pitiful estate were you?
For you and he that's with you both are old,
And neither of you can himself defend.
But as for any hurt from me, be bold.
I hither come t'assist you as a friend,
So like, me thinks, you to my Father are.
And Priam then to Mercury repli'd,
'Tis true you say. And yet the Gods a care
Have of me still that send me such a Guide,
So great a man, so comely, and so wise,
That blessed are the Parents you begat.
And Mercury to him again replies,
Indeed old man, you say the truth in that.
But whither bear you your best goods away?
To some strange City till the War be done?
Or are the Trojans all now leaving Troy,
Since killed is the best of them, your Son
That might with any of the Greeks compare?
Tell me, said Priam (pray ye) who are you,
And whence ye come, and who your Parents are,
And how my Son and his hard Fate you knew.
You mean to try me now (said Mercury).
At th'Argive Ships I Hector frighted saw,
And how he made the Greeks before him fly,
And how he tost them in the Field like straw,
Where we stood by with wonder looking on.
Achilles had forbidden us to fight.
His man am I, by birth a Myrmidon,
And stood amongst the rest to see the sight.
My Father is Polyctor, very rich,
But now an old man is and like to you.
And seven Sons he has in all, of which
I am the last. And Lots at home we drew
Which of us with Achilles should be sent
To th'War of Troy. The Lot then fell to me.
And with Achilles in his Ship I went.
And hither come the place of fight to see.
The Greeks by break of day will hither come,
And try if now the City they can win.
Impatient of their stay at Ilium
They cannot by their Leaders be kept in.
Then Priam to him said again, Since you
Achilles Servant are, is Hector yet
At th'Argive Ships, I pray you tell me true,
Or cut in joynts thrown to the Dogs to eat?
And Hermes unto this again replies,
Nor Dogs nor Fowl upon him yet have fed,
But at the Ships he still neglected lies,
And though he have twelve days now there been dead,
Yet is his body uncorrupt, and free
From Worms that breed in other bodies slain.
And though it ev'ry morning dragged be
About Patroclus Tomb, doth whole remain
And undefac'd, the bloud all washt away.
You would admire to see him look so fresh,
And clensed of the filth that on him lay,
And at his wounds how closed is the flesh,
Though many from the Greeks receiv'd he had.
So kind the Gods were after he was dead.
These words of Mercury made Priam glad.
And thus again he to him answered.
Yes, yes, 'tis good to give the Gods their due,
A thing that Hector never did omit.
And therefore to him they this favour shew,
Although his Soul be in th' Infernal Pit.
But now t'Achilles Tent be you my Guide;
And at my hand this handsome Cup receive.
Again you try me (Mercury repli'd)
I dare not tak't without Achilles leave.
For of his anger in great fear I stand.
Without a Bribe I'll with you go along
To what place you think fit by Sea or Land.
Though 'twere to Argos; none shall do you wrong.
For sure, so wretchedly I do not look,
But that a man may of me stand in fear.
Then up he leapt, and in his hands he took
The Whip and Reyns, and serv'd as Charretier.
When they were come to th'Argive Ditch and Wall,
The Watch that placed was the Gate to keep,
Their Supper to provide were busie all,
And Mercury there laid them all asleep,
Took off the Bars, the Gate wide open laid,
And in the Charret and the Waggon went
With all the wealth for Hector to be paid;
And forward pass unto Achilles Tent,
Built for him by his Myrmidons, and high,
With Fir-trees tall, and cover'd over head
(To keep it out of danger from the Sky)
With the deep vesture of the flowry Mead
And to it had a great Court pal'd about,
And in the Pale a high two-valved door
For Chars and Waggons to go in and out,
And one great Bar of Fir-tree and no more,
So great that it requir'd three common men
Upon the lofty Gate to set it on,
And three such men to take it off agen.
None but Achilles shut it could alone.
This Gate then Hermes open to him laid,
And with the Char and Waggon in he came,
Then leaping to the ground to Priam said,
Old Fath[…], I a God Immortal am
Hermes, and hither sent to be your Guide,
From Heav'n on purpose by my Father Jove.
But by Achilles I'll not here be spi'd.
Gods must not shew to men such open love.
But go you to Achilles in, and try
What favour from him at his knees you'll find,
And put him of his Son in memory,
And Father. That will work upon his mind.
This said, t'Olympus Hermes went his way.
Then to the ground leapt Priam from his Charre;
And going in he bad Idaeus stay,
And of the Mules and Horses have a care.
Achilles at his Supper now was set,
And waiting on him stood Automedon
And Alimus, the Table standing yet;
But sup'd he had and appetite had none.
His other friends at distance from him sat.
And Priam to them then came in unseen,
And kist the hands there of Achilles, that
Of many of his Sons the death had been.
As when a man that kill'd another has,
And to another Prince for safety flies,
Men at him stare; so he amazed was
When he saw Priam stand before his eyes.
The rest admir'd the comely man to see,
And both on him and one another look.
But Priam then upon Achilles knee
Laid both his hands, and thus unto him spoke.
Godlike Achilles take into your thought
Your Father that an old man is as I,
And into trouble by his Neighbours brought,
And has no friend on whom he may rely.
Yet he has many Intervals of joy,
And thinking on his Son is comforted
With hope to see him back return from Troy.
Undone am I; for all my hopes are fled.
When th'Army of th'Achaeans landed here,
I by the Gods with fifty Sons was blest;
Whereof sixteen my Wife did to me bear,
And other women in my house the rest.
But in this War the most of them are lost.
And now by Mars reduced are to few.
And Hector which of all I loved most,
Is lately, O Achilles, slain by you.
His body to redeem I hither come
With pretious Gifts, and fall before your knee,
That I may bury it in Ilium.
Upon your Father think, and pity me.
Yet is my case more pitiful than his.
For what calamity can greater be
Than th'hands that have my Children kill'd to kiss?
This said, Achilles wept. And from his knee,
With his, the hands of Priam gently mov'd;
And then aloud they both lamented. He
For Peleus, and Patroclus whom he lov'd,
And Priam for his own calamitie,
And through the house were heard to sigh and groan.
Achilles, when his fit of tears was laid,
And eased was his heart, came from his Throne,
And rais'd th'old man that on his knees yet staid,
And to him spake. Alas, old man, said he,
You much have suffer'd, and your pain I feel.
But how alone durst you to come to me,
That slew your Sons, unless your heart be steel?
But come, sit down. In vain lamenting is,
The hurt that's done tears cannot take away,
Since so 'tis order'd by the Gods in bliss,
That men shall live in pain, and they in joy.
Two Barrels in his Cellar Jove has still
Of Gifts to be bestow'd on mortal Wights,
One full of Good, the other full of Ill.
And usually to mingle them delights.
For they that only ill receive from Jove
Exposed always are to injurie,
And begging up and down the world shall rove,
And both by Gods and Men despised be.
So Peleus at the first receiv'd much good,
And did in wealth his Neighbours all surpass,
And with his Subjects in great honour stood,
And joyn'd in Wedlock to a Goddess was.
But after this the Ill unto him came
To leave no Child behind him to succeed,
But only me that so short lived am,
And from him live to vex you and your seed.
And you, O Priam, once were rich, they say,
And all that was in Lesbos did injoy,
And over all the Hellespont did sway,
And that all Phrygia did you obey,
And with great store of Children blest you were.
But now you only fights and slaughter see,
And patiently you Hector's death must bear.
He cannot with your tears revived be;
Much sooner you may suffer greater ill.
T'Achilles Priam then again replies,
O Thetis Son, to sit I have no will
Whilst at the Ships my Son unburi'd lies.
But bring him forth that I my Son may see,
And you the Presents I have brought enjoy.
And prosperous unto you may they be,
And safely I again return to Troy.
Achilles angry then, Old man, said he,
Provoke me not. I'll put into your hand
The body of your Son, because to me
From Jove my Mother came with that command.
And very well I know you Priam are,
And that you hither had a God for Guide.
What mortal to the Army come would dare?
Or could have pass'd the Watch and not been spi'd?
Or open to you could the Gates have set?
Therefore take heed, and anger me no more,
Lest the command of Jove I should forget,
And without Hector send you out adoor.
This said, old Priam was afraid and sat.
Out went Achilles with Automedon
And A[…]cimus, his two good Servants, that
He lov'd the most, Petroclus being gone.
And they the Horses and the Mules unti'd,
And from the Waggon in the Goods they brought,
Only (wherewith the body dead to hide)
They left behind a handsome Robe and Coat.
Achilles then his drudging Maids appointed
To bear the body to some Chamber meet,
And see the same well washt and well anointed,
So secretly that Priam might not see't,
Lest grieved he should something do or say,
That might so far Achilles anger move,
That in his passion he should Priam slay
Forgetting the Commandement of Jove.
And being washt, anointed, and array'd,
Achilles laid the body on a bed,
Which his two Servants in the Waggon laid.
This done, he to Patroclus spake and said,
O my Patroclus if you hear in Hell
That Hector's body I have sent to Troy,
Forgive me, since I for it paid am well
With Gifts, whereof what's fit to you I'll pay.
This said, Achilles to his Tent retir'd,
And sat upon the Seat from whence he ris,
Your Son, said he, is freed as you desir'd,
And on a bed laid in your Waggon is.
To morrow with him go by break of day.
But let us not our Supper now forget;
For Niobe twelve Children lost, they say,
Yet did she not for that refuse to eat.
Six lusty Sons, six Daughters fair they were,
And killed all, only for saying this,
[Leto but two, and she did many bear.]
By Phoebus they, and these by Artemis,
The Goddess Leto's Daughter and her Son.
Nine days and nights they lay unburied;
For Jove had chang'd the people into stone,
And then the Gods with Earth them covered.
Yet Niobe when she had weeping done,
Received food; and now doth somewhere lie
I'th'Woulds of S[…]pylus, and turn'd to stone
The hurt done by the Gods takes patientlie.
Come then old man and lay your grief away,
And for the present think upon your meat,
And weep for Hector when you come to Troy,
For true it is your loss of him is great.
This said, forth goes Achilles, and appoints
A Sheep for supper to be kill'd and flayd;
Which straight was done, and cut-out into joynts,
And pierc'd with Spits unto the fire was laid.
And, when it was well roasted, taken up.
Automedon o'th'Table laid the bread.
Achilles made the Messes. Then they sup,
And on the meat they laid their hands and fed.
But when of food they had no more desire,
Priam admir'd Achilles form and face.
Achilles Priam did no less admire,
In his aspect and speech there was such grace.
When on each other they had lookt enough,
Priam began, and to Achilles spake.
Dismiss me if you please (Achilles) now,
That I a little sleep at last may take.
For since my Son was slain, I never slept,
But rolling on the soiled grass have li'n
Perpetually, and for him sigh'd and wept,
Nor until now touch'd either Meat or Wine.
Achilles then to th'women gave command
I'th'Porch without to set him up a bed,
With handsome Coverleds of Purple, and
With fine soft Blankets see it covered.
The women quickly his Command obey'd,
And two Beds ready made i'th'Porch without.
Achilles smiling then to Priam said,
Old man I from my Tent must turn you out;
Lest some man should from Agamemnon sent
With counsel come and chance to see you here,
And let him know that you are at my Tent,
And the Redemption of your Son deferre.
But ere you go, old man, pray tell me right
What time is needful for his Obsequies,
That I so long may keep the Greeks from fight.
Then Priam to Achilles thus replies.
You know Achilles very well how farre
The Hills and Woods are distant from the Town,
And how afraid to go the Trojans are.
We need nine days to fetch the fewel down.
The tenth he shall be burnt and buried.
Th'eleventh a Mount upon him shall be laid.
The twelvth we'll fight again if there be need.
To this Achilles answered and said,
Old man, the time you asked granted is.
So long th'Achaeans shall from fight forbear.
This said, in Priam's hand he layed his,
That of his faith he might not stand in fear.
There in the Porch slept Priam and Idaeus.
And then unto his bed Achilles went.
And there he slept, and with him fair Brisëis
Within an Inner Chamber of his Tent.
The other Gods and Men slept all the night,
But sleep approached not to Hermes eyes,
But thinking lay on Priam, how he might
Conduct him safely from his Enemies.
Then up he rose, and went to Priam's head
And to him said, Ho, Priam sleep you here?
Since you redeem'd have Hector's body dead,
You think you nothing farther have to fear.
Although you for him paid a lusty price,
Yet if alive Atrides find you here,
Your Sons and friends shall pay that value thrice.
This said, he suddenly awakt with fear.
And calling to Idaeus made him rise.
Then Hermes to the Waggon and the Charre
Himself the lab'ring Mules and Horses ties.
And now into their Seats they mounted are,
And through the Argive Camp then Hermes drove
Unseen till past Scamander ford they were.
Then Hermes left them and return'd to Jove.
And now the morning was display'd and clear.
Then sighing on they went to Ilium,
But were by neither man nor woman spi'd,
Till up into the Tow'r of Pergamum
Cassandra went, and thence she them discri'd,
And weeping to the people cri'd and said,
Ye men and women all of Ilium,
If ever you at Hector's coming joy'd,
Run to the Gates; I see him hither come.
Then, man nor woman left was in the Town,
But Hector to behold went to the Gate.
First came his loving Wife and Mother down,
And in the Waggon by him weeping sate.
The people in a throng about him staid
Lamenting and lamented had all day,
But Priam from his Char unto them said,
Trojans, unto the body dead give way.
And when within the house I have it laid,
Then for him weep till you be satisfi'd.
When this was said, the people him obey'd,
And to make way, themselves they then divide.
Then to the house they brought the body in,
And plac'd it on a bed. Then Singers by
They set, the lamentation to begin.
Their Song they sung; to which the women sigh.
Then to lament Andromache began.
O my dear Husband you have lost your life
Unhappily, that were but a young man,
And made a wretched Widow of your Wife,
And with me left behind a tender Son
To evil fate begot by you and me.
To see him grow a man I hope have none;
This City first I fear destroy'd will be,
Since you are gone that was our sole defence.
T'Achaia now the Wives of Troy must go,
And with them I. And you my Child must hence,
And in vile work employ'd be by the Fo,
Or you may by some spightful man or other
Be from the Wall or some high Tower thrown
For Hector's sake, that killed has his Brother,
Or Father, or his Son before the Town.
For many of the Greeks has Hector slain.
He went not to the Battle bashfully.
For which the Trojans now are in great pain,
And I your loving Wife especially.
O that you thus should in the dust be laid,
And not give me your hand before you di'd
Without a word upon your Death-bed said
For me to think on. Then the women sigh'd.
And Hecuba began. Hector, said she,
Of all my Sons to me you were most dear.
And when arrived was your Destinie,
You by the Gods, though dead, beloved were.
My other Sons, when any taken by
Achilles were, beyond Sea carri'd were
And sold, and made to suffer slavery
At Samos, Imbros, Lemnos, or elsewhere;
But when of life he had deprived you
Because his friend Patroclus you had slain,
About his Monument he oft you drew,
Though that could not bring him to life again.
But now he sent it to me has again
As fresh and as well colour'd as if by
Apollo's gentle Shafts he had been slain,
This said, agen the people sob and sigh.
Then Helen took her turn. Hector, said she,
Whom best I lov'd of all my Brother-laws
(For you were so, since Paris marri'd me,
Though when I marri'd him accurst I was)
Now twenty years 'tis since I came to Troy,
And never did an ill word from you hear;
And when your Kindred of me ill did say,
You took my part, and made them to forbear.
Since you are gone my joy is at an end,
And in your death I moan my own estate
That now amongst the Trojans have no friend,
Who hate me as the Author of their Fate.
This said with tears, provokt the peoples pity;
But Priam then unto them spake, and said,
Go Trojans now and fetch wood to the City;
You need not of the Argives be afraid.
Achilles when I parted from his Tent
Eleven days allow'd my Son t' inter
And fetch down wood without impediment;
So long the Argives should from fight forbear.
This said, to th'Hills with Oxen and with Wains
And Mules they went, and busie were about
This work nine days together and took pains.
Upon the tenth the body was brought out,
And on the top of the great wood-pile laid,
And fire put to't; and all day long it burned
And all the night. When morning was displai'd,
Again the Trojans to the Pile returned,
And th'Embers with black Wine extinguished.
His bones then by his Brothers and his Kin
Were from the ground together gathered,
And by them to an Urn of Gold laid in.
The Urn with Purple Robes then cover'd over
Into a Grave (which soon was made) they laid.
The Grave with many and great stones they cover.
And last of all (because they were afraid
Before their work were done the Greeks would come)
They sent out Scouts on ev'ry side to spy.
And ore his Grave in hast they raise a Tomb.
This done, away they went, and by and by
To Priam's house they came again, and there
He made a splendid Supper for them all.
Then home they went well pleased with their chear.
Thus ended noble Hector's Funeral.