Book VII

This said, they went together to the Fight,
For Paris now no more the War declin'd,
And welcome to the Trojans was the sight,
As to a weary Rower a good wind.
There Paris slew Menesthius, the Son
Of the great Clubman Areîthous
Of Arne. And by Hector overthrown
And struck clean through the Neck was Eionus.
Iphinous the Son of Dexias
As to his Charre he mounted to have fled,
By Glaucus through the Shoulder wounded was,
And to the ground again fell backward dead.
When Pallas saw the Argives fall so fast,
She from Olympus leapt to Ilium:
Apollo then to meet her made great haste,
That saw her from his Tow'r in Pergamum.
And when they were together at the Beech,
He for the Trojans, for the Argives she,
Apollo to her thus addrest his Speech:
Daughter of Jove, what great necessity
Brought you to Troy? Was it to please your mind,
Or give unto the Greeks the Victory?
For well I know to Troy you are not kind.
But for the present be advis'd by me.
Let th'Armies both give over fight to day,
And fight it out hereafter till they know
What end the Fates assigned have to Troy,
Since you and Juno needs will have it so.
Your Counsel's good (said Pallas) and the same
I thought upon. But tell me how to do it.
For to that end I from Olympus came.
Tell me but how, and I'll consent unto it.
Why then, said Phoebus, Hector I'll excite
In Duel all the Argives to defie;
And they some one will choose with him to fight,
And both the Armies quietly stand by.
This counsel was by both agreed upon;
And known to Helenus by Augury,
To Helenus that was King Priam's Son.
And he to Hector did himself apply.
Hector, said he, will you do that which I
That am your Brother shall advise you to?
Go to th'Achaean Army and defie
The best of all the Argives; Boldly go;
For in this Combat you are not to die:
The Gods have told me so, Then never fear.
Then to the Front came Hector joyfully,
With both his hands o'th' middle of his Spear
To keep the Trojans back and make them stand;
And streight King Agamemnon seeing it,
Unto the Argives gave the like comand.
Then on the ground both Greeks and Trojans sit.
Phoebus and Pallas flew up to the Tree,
The high Beech-tree that sacred was to Jove,
I'th' likeness of two Vulturs, thence to see
How the two Armies looked from above.
As when a West-wind ruffled has the Main,
It black and horrid to the eye appears;
So lookt the Greeks and Trojans on the Plain,
Grifly and dark with Helmets, Shields and Spears.
Into the midst between them Hector stept.
You Trojans and well-armed Greeks, said he,
Since 'twas Jove's will our Oath should not be kept,
But that the War continued shall be
Till either you shall win the Town of Troy,
Or we your Army and your Ships confound,
Fighting till one another we destroy;
I to you Argives somewhat will propound.
The best of all the Greeks are present here.
Let one of them come forth and fight with me,
On these conditions (witness Jupiter)
If by his hand I slain in Combat be,
Let him do with my Armor what he will,
But send my Body into Ilium.
But if Apollo grant me him to kill,
His Armour I will have and carry home,
And in Apollo's Temple dedicate.
His Body to the Ships shall rendred be,
That on his Urn the Greeks may elevate
A Mount of Earth for Passengers to see
Upon the Shore of Hellespont, and say,
Here lies a valiant Greek by Hector slain
Long since, when th'Argives were besieging Troy.
My honour thus for ever will remain.
So Hector said. The Greeks all silent were.
For shame the Challenge they could not refuse;
And to accept it ev'ry one did fear.
But Menelaus then his Valour shews,
And rising up in anger thus he said,
Women of Argos what a shame is this
That you should all of Hector be affraid!
What now become of all your threatning is?
There, (dust and water, heartless, nameless) sit.
My self I'll arm (for I perceive no odds)
And will this sturdy Champion Hector meet.
For Victory comes only from the Gods.
This said, he rose and arm'd himself; and there
Depriv'd of life had Menelaus been
(So much too weak he was) by Hector's Spear,
But that the Princes starting up came in.
And Agamemnon seizing on his hand,
Why Menelaus are you mad, said he,
In fight you cannot against Hector stand,
How much soever you concerned be.
Avoid him in the Field as others do.
Achilles who than you much stronger is,
Strong as he is, considers Hector too,
And cooler grows as oft as he him sees.
Therefore, good Brother, sit still at your Troop.
Some other we'll oppose to Hector's might,
That, haughty as he is, shall make him stoop,
And thank the Gods if safe he come from fight.
To this good counsel yielded Menelaus.
Whereat his Servants not a little joy'd,
Came in, and soon by them unarm'd he was,
And to the Greeks then Nestor rose, and said,
O how unwelcome will this Story be
To Greece, and Peleus King o'th' Myrmidons,
Who at his house the names enquir'd of me
Both of your selves, your Fathers, and your Sons.
If he should know how much you Hector dread,
How oft would he hold up his hands, and pray
The Gods to send him down amongst the dead,
And from his body take all sense away!
O that I were as young as I was then
When war was 'twixt Arcadia and Pyle,
And at the Walls of Pheia stood the men
Ready for bloody fight in Rank and File!
Amongst them stood one Ereuthalion,
And of the great man Areîthous
Upon his Shoulders had the Armour on,
Who Clubman commonly surnamed was,
Because he used neither Bow nor Spear,
But with an Iron Club the Battles brake.
Lycurgus slew him though he weaker were,
(When at advantage great he did him take)
By craft, not strength. For in a narrow way
He watch'd him at a turning with his Spear,
And on a sudden took his life away,
So that the Club had nothing to do there.
Then took he off his Arms, and wore the same
In Battle when there was occasion,
But gave them when old age upon him came
To this his Squier Ereuthalion.
Who wearing them our Army did defie,
At which when others trembling stood and shook
Although the youngest of them all was I,
Great as he was, the man I undertook,
And slew him by the Goddess Pallas aid,
The strong'st and tallest that I ever slew,
As when upon the ground he stretcht was laid,
The place he covered did plainly shew.
If I were now as young and strong as then,
The Greeks for Hector soon a match should find,
Though none of you that are their bravest men
To try your fortune with him have a mind.
Thus Nestor th'Argive Lords did reprehend,
And nine of them in number (all that durst
In single fight with Hector to contend)
Armed, and Agamemnon was the first.
And next the strong and valiant Diomed,
And then the greater Ajax, then the less,
Then King Idomeneus, of Creet the head,
And with him his good Squire Meriones,
Who as the God of Battle valiant was,
Besides Eurypylus Euaemon's Son,
And of Andremon the stour Son Thoas,
And wise Ulysses last of all made one.
So many Greeks durst Hector undertake.
Bring in your Lots, said Nestor then, and we
Will in a Helmet them together shake.
And who by Lot our Champion shall be
S[…]all please us all, but please himself much more
When back again he cometh from the fight.
Then brought they in their Lots; which ore and ore
He shook in Agamemnon's Helmet bright.
Mean while the people lift their hands, and pray,
O Jove, let now the Lot to Ajax fall,
Or that on Diomedes light it may,
Or on Atrides our great General.
The Helmet shaken threw out Ajax Lot,
Which th'Herald took and carried about
To th'Argive Princes, but they own'd it not,
Till to the hand of Ajax it was brought,
Who sign'd it had, and into th'Helmet thrown.
He took it, and a while consider'd it;
And when he was assured 'twas his own,
Rose up, and lets it fall before his feet.
And to the Princes said, This Lot is mine,
And glad I am, and hope for Victory.
But send your Pray'rs up to the Pow'rs divine,
While I put on my Arms; and silently,
So that (at least) the Trojans may not hear.
Or (now I think on't) plain and openly.
For I see nothing that I need to fear.
I am not forc'd to fight unwillingly,
Nor rashly undertook the enterprize.
For I was born and bred in Salamis,
And hope I am not so weak or unwise.
Assoon as mighty Ajax had said this,
The people looking up to Heav'n pray'd.
O Jove, said one, grant Ajax Victory,
Or if you be inclin'd Hector to aid,
Then let their strength and glory equal be.
When Ajax had his Arms put on compleat,
He walkt away with a Majestique pace,
As Mars goes to the War. His strides were great,
And scornful smiles with terror in his face.
And as he went he shook his mighty Spear,
Which joyfully the Argives did behold;
But by the Trojans lookt on was with fear;
And Hector at the heart himself was cold.
But was ashamed back again to fly,
Since he provok'd him had into the field.
And Ajax now was come unto him nigh,
As from a Tower looking ore his Shield.
By Tychius of Hyla made it was,
And cover'd with sev'n fat Bulls hides well tan'd,
And over them an eight of shining Brass,
And at his Breast he held it with his hand,
And threatning said, Hector I'll make you see,
That in the Army many yet remain,
Though from us angry gone Achilles be,
And discontent from Battle now abstain,
That fear not Hector. Do the worst you can.
Ajax (said Hector) I am not a Child
Nor Woman to be threatned, but a Man
That understands the bus'ness of the Field,
And can my Buckler bear from […]est to Right,
And have whereon in Battle to rely,
And how to guide my Horses in a fight,
And move my feet to Mars his Melody.
But no such cunning will I use with you.
My Spear I'll send unto you openly.
And at that word the long Spear from him flew,
And pierc'd his Target to the seventh ply.
But there it staid. Then Ajax threw his Spear,
Which Hector's Shield, Armour & Coat went through.
But Hector shrunk his Belly in for fear.
For else it pierced had his Belly too.
Then from their Shields the Spears they plucked out,
And them no more at one another threw,
But came unto each other close and […]ought.
And like two Lions on each other flew.
And Hector made a thrust at Ajax Shield
Which entred not, resisted by the brass:
But Hector's Shield to Ajax Spear did yield,
Which pierc'd it through; and so far in did pass,
That grazing on his Neck it fetch'd the blood.
But Hector not dismaid took up a Stone.
Ajax took't on his Shield and firmly stood,
And with his hand took up a greater one
And rougher, which did Hector's Buckler tear,
And with the weight unto the ground him threw,
But up again Apollo did him rear.
Then both of them (the Combat to renew)
Their Swords were drawing. But the Heralds then
Idaeus and Talthibius came in,
The sacred Messengers of Gods and men,
And put themselves the Combatants between.
Troy's Herald then Idaeus to them spake.
Good Sons, belov'd of Jove, give over fight.
For all men of your Valour notice take.
And now 'tis late; we must submit to Night.
Idaeus (then said Ajax) let these words
From Hector come, from whom came the Defie.
'Twas he that Challeng'd all the Argive Lords.
Let him give over first, and then will I.
Then Hector spake. Ajax since you, said he,
The Gods indued have with Strength and Wit,
Let for to day the quarrel ended be.
Hereafter let the Gods determine it,
And give which side they please the Victory.
For now 'tis late. To Night we must submit.
That you the Greeks may cheer, and specially
Your own friends, and companions at your Fleet:
And I the Trojans from their fear relieve,
And Wives, that for my safe return do pray.
But come, let's t'one another Tokens give,
That Greeks and Trojans seeing them may say,
These two men fought and sought each others death,
Yet parted friends. This said, he to him gave
His Belt with his good Sword and Iv'ry Sheath;
Ajax to him his shining Girdle brave.
Thus parted, Ajax to the Argives went;
And Hector back into the Troops of Troy;
Who mightily rejoyc'd at the event
That past all hope they saw him come away.
The Lords conducted him to Ilium,
The Greeks to Agamemnon Ajax led.
And when they all unto his Tent were come,
He for them sacrific'd a Bull well fed.
Which flay'd, divided, roasted, taken up
The Carvers into Messes cut. This done
King Agamemnon and the Princes sup.
The Chine at Ajax Table was set on.
And when their thirst and hunger was subdu'd,
Nestor whose counsel still had been the best,
What further was to be consider'd shew'd,
And to the Princes all his Speech addrest.
Atrides, and you other Princes know
How Mars with Argives strowed hath the Plain,
And sent their Souls down to the Powr's below,
Whose bloody Bodies in the Field remain.
To morrow therefore let us cease from War,
And early in the Morning fetch the dead,
And burn them somewhere from the Ships not far,
That t'Argos back they may be carried,
When we depart from hence; that their Bones may
By their own Friends and Children buried be.
Let's raise a Mount upon the Shore of Troy,
One for them all, for Passengers to see,
And fortifie our good Ships with a Wall,
And Turrets in it, and a Ditch without,
Lest unawares the Trojans on us fall,
And Gates for Charrets to go in and out.
Mean while the Trojan Lords at Counsel were
Loud and discordant. Then Antenor said,
Trojans and Aids I pray to me give ear,
For of the worst I greatly am affraid.
Let Menelaus have his Wife again,
And all the goods she brought with her. Take heed;
Against our Oath we shall but fight in vain.
Then let her go, or never look to speed.
Antenor (then said Paris) this is not
The best advice you could have given, or
(If what you say dissent not from your thought)
You are not now so wise as heretofore
Thus much to you. But to the Trojans this.
Her wealth Ile render, with more of mine own.
But my Wife Helen I will not dismiss.
And when he that had said again sat down.
Then Priam rose: Trojans and Aids, said he,
Now take your Supper as you us'd to do,
And Sentinels set such as careful be;
To morrow I will send Idaeus to
The Greeks with Paris answer, and to try
If they from Battle for so long will cease,
That we may burn our slain men quietly,
And fight again hereafter when they please.
This said, the Trojans to their Suppers went.
Next Morn Idaeus found the Argive Lords
Together met at Agamemnon's Tent,
And coming in; unto them said these words.
Atrides, and you Argives all, I come
With Terms from Paris, and by Priam sent,
On which you may depart from Ilium,
And end the War, if thereto you consent.
The wealth which he with Helen brought ashore
(I would before he brought it he had dy'd)
To Menelaus he will give and more.
But his wife Helen shall with him abide.
Besides, the People have commanded me
To ask you if you will the War suspend,
Until our dead fetcht off and burned be,
And after fight till Jove the War shall end.
So said Idaeus. The Greeks silent were
A while. At last Tydides rose and spake.
Let not the Greeks so much the Trojans fear
As Helens goods, or her herself to take
At Alexander's hands. The hour is come
(As any Child may manifestly see)
That must orethrow the State of Ilium.
So said Tydides, and much prays'd was he.
Then Agamemnon answer'd to Idaeus,
You hear what th'Argives say. I say the same.
As for the dead men burn them if you please;
They're good for nothing, I contented am.
And of this Truce let Jove a witness be.
This said, to Jove his Scepter up he heav'd.
Idaeus back to Troy went speedily
The Answer to relate he had receiv'd.
Mean while the States of Troy in Councel sat,
And there their Heralds coming back expected.
Idaeus then went in, and told them that
The offer made by Paris was rejected.
But that a Truce was granted for a day.
Next Morn the Trojans early as they cou'd
Went some to th' field to fetch their dead away,
And others to the Hill to fetch down wood.
So did the Argives some to Ida go
For wood, and others to the bloody field.
But could not then distinguish friend from foe.
But by and by the Sun began to guild
Scamander Plain; then washt they off the gore
And dust, and laid their dead men upon Carts.
But Priam had forbidden them to roar,
Or cry outright, though grieved at their hearts.
When they had burnt them, back they went again.
The Greeks too, when they had consum'd with fire
And done their lamentation for the slain,
Unto their Ships did back again retire.
But this th'Achaeans did at break of day,
And rais'd one mighty Monument for all.
And the incursion of the Foe to stay,
Their Navy they inclosed with a Wall.
With Turrets high and a great Ditch without,
(Upon the sides whereof sharp Pales they fix)
And Gates for Charrets to go in and out.
And all the day thus toyling were the Greeks.
Mean while the Gods together sat above,
And wondring lookt upon this work of men;
And Neptune then addrest his Speech to Jove.
What mortals will the Gods consult agen?
See you not what a Wall the Greeks have rear'd,
And what a ditch about it made, said he,
The same whereof 'mongst people will be heard
As far as the Sun-beams extended be?
Yet to the Gods they Hecatomb gave none.
Whereas the Walls that I and Phoebus rais'd
About the City for Laomedon
Obscur'd by this no longer will be prais'd.
Then answer'd Jove. Neptune, I never thought
That such a word would e're have come from you
That have the pow'r to bring their work to nought.
A lesser God might have complain'd, 'tis true;
But of your pow'r Aurora sees no bound.
Stay only till the Greeks be gone away;
Then break their Wall, and throw it to the ground,
And hide the place with Sand. Thus talked they.
The Sun now set, and finisht was the Wall.
The Greeks went back then each man to his Tent,
And many good fat Beeves they made to fall;
And Wine they had great store from Lemnos sent.
For Ships abundance laden were come in,
Which by Euneus (th'Hero Jason's Son
Got on Hypsiphile) thither sent had been,
For which the Army barter'd. Hides gave one,
Another th'Ox it self, another Brass,
One Iron, and another gave a Slave,
Beside what by Eunëus given was
To th' two Atrides of free gift to have.
When Supper ready was they all sat down,
And all night long the Feast continued,
Greeks in their Tents, and Trojans in the Town.
And all night long aloud Jove thundered,
Meaning no good to th' Greeks. Then pour'd they on
The ground the offer'd wine, Jove to content.
And no man durst to drink till that was done.
And when they had well drunk to sleep they went.