TEN BOOKS of Homer's Iliads, translated out of French, By Arthur Hall Esquire.  
AT LONDON Imprinted by Ralph Newberie. 1581.  
Cum Privilegio.   

To the right Worshipful his very good friend Sir Thomas Cicill Knight A. H. wisheth all prosperity.  
ABout two or three years passed (good Knight) ransacking divers old and aside cast Papers of small moment: I found some fragments of Homer's Iliads translated out of French verse into English metre at such time as I groped thereat, being a Scholar with you in my L. your father's house: which when I had considered, & found of as small reckoning as the rest they were stored up with, which was in truth none at all, I was about to bequeath them to the fire. But being either better or worse advised, for in your allowing & disallowing of this my proceeding consisteth the same: I took them again in hand, & not only as my leisure & capacity did serve me, somewhat corrected my first Translation, which God knows needs even now much meriding, and therefore in likelihood very roughly hewed at the first: but also proceeded to finish up ten whole Books. The which having performed this year, I have till now rested in divers minds touching the Publication of them. In which war with myself, I first did deal with mine own want of ability to write any thing, much less to translate, and that out of verse into the same kind, in my opinion the hardest matter belongs to the pen. Also I found always myself in such disquiet of mind, by means of some practice of my contraries (I must say undeserved by me) such vexation in Law, and careful turmoil to preserve somewhat to my poor house, in a manner overthrown by my ungoverned youth: that I was fully persuaded I could not go thorough well with my desire, being so harried otherways, for yourself best knows, that to a Poet there is no greater poison, than vexation of spirit. Again, when I considered of the ripe wits of this age, and had read diverse works so exquisitely done in this kind by our own Nation. As the travail of M Barnaby Googe in Palingenius, the learned and painful translation of part of Seneca by M. jasper Heywood, the excellent and laudable labour of M. Arthur Golding, making Ovid speak English in no worse Terms, than the Authors own gifts gave him grace to write in Latin, the worthy works of that noble Gentleman my L. of Buckhurst, the pretty and pithy conceits of M. George Gascoigne, and others in great number, no more to be liked than praised, and not so much to be praised, as to be recorded for their eternal commendation. These persons, whose books I am not worthy to carry, when I minded, I wished I had been otherwise occupied, I condemned my travail, I scratched my head as men do, when they are greatly barred of their wills. But when I lighted on M. Thomas Phaers Virgilian English, quoth I, what have I done? am I become senseless, to travail to be laughed at, to presume, and to be scorned, and to put forth myself and not to be received: for I was so abashed looking upon M. Phaers' Heroical Virgil, and my Satirical Homer, as I cried out, envying Virgil's prosperity, who gathered of Homer, that he had fallen into the oddest man's hands, that ever England bred. And lamented poor blind Homer's case, who gathered of no body, to fall to me poor blind soul, poorly and blindly to learn him to talk our mother Tongue. These stops laid before me, and considered, made me for a while cast my papers behind me. But as it is a property of every man soon to find a reason to will him proceed with his own humour, be it never so unreasonably grounded, in like case fell it with me: for these were my Arguments against these sound persuasions objected to stay me. First I remembered that about. 18. or. 19 years past walking with M, Richard Askame, a very good Grecian, and a familiar acquaintance of Homer, & reciting upon occasion of talk between us, certain verses Englished by me of the said Author, he animated me much, with great entreaty to go forward with my begun enterprise. The like did also about that time the erst named M. jasper Heywood, a man then better learned than fortunate, and since more fortunate than he hath well bestowed (as it is thought) the gifts God and Nature hath liberally lent him. Secondly, I suppose also that indifferent judges will say, I have my wares at the second hand, as by France out of Greece, because I am not able to travail so far for them, not understanding the language. Thirdly for as much as I did assure myself (good knight) that you, to whom I have long vowed my labour, would regard my good will, more than the worthiness of my Translation, which if you do. I have with a most contented mind made holiday. And wholly presuming thereof, it hath made me blind Bayerd, as bold as ever blind jade was: And that in putting my simple skill to the carping judgement of so many as well learned, as unskilful heads: which latter sort, though they be as blind as my mill-horse with never an eye, no doubt will be busier to judge colours, & think they do it better than Poliphemus could, who had one perfect eye right in his forehead. Well, put case they do mislike, what help? If I thought I should in any Action please all men, I were fond minded. And if I would go about to content each one's humour, I were meeter to carry Esopes' Ass, than to be wisely occupied. My Author that most famous Poet had Momus and Zoilus, to take exceptions, & pick quarrels to his books, & that at such time, as no man could justly commend them enough. I may not think the Apprentice to be greater than his Master, neither yet the Translator to be compared to the first writer, wherefore for such persons the care is taken. As touching the Author himself, I know you shall find him worthy the Englishing, though not worthily done. What fruits are to be gathered out of him, is lost labour to rehearse, your own judgement, when you have read him, will tell you more than I can, who have dealt no small time with him. That happy conqueror Alexander the great, would not sleep without him under his beds head. He teacheth the duties of many no small Babes, and in such sort as it shall not repent any man of his time employed to read him, as I have said you can best judge, and therefore for that here an end. Some men have condemned him heretofore, and do, for his fond fabling of the Gods, truly I cannot allow them therein, for I am not persuaded his belief was so gross touching them, but that he observed a Poetical manner of discourse, in citing so often the heavenly powers, as than they were taken, and that he had some peculiar meaning therein, which I conceive in my opinion, and you I doubt not but will find. In the latter end of the French second Book, mention is made of the catalogue of the Grecian Princes, that came from all parts to the besieging of Troy, and of the Trojan leaders and diverse foreign Kings and Captains, that brought their people to the aid of Priamus state: but looking to have the same follow in the end of th●… said Book, I perceive the French Translator hath omitted it 〈◊〉 yet considering how necessary the recital of the same is, I fought out the Latin, and there found it, the which I have also added in his place. I earnestly beseech you to take in good part my good meaning, which I always have, and do bear toward you, bound thereto, not only by that honourable and rare favour of my L. your father, even from my childhood daily continued, yea maugre of such my contraries, who ever wanted good disposition to love worthily his Lordships virtues. and never wanted good will cross me with careless extremity. To rehearse the particulars of your own friendships towards me, will ask long time, they are so divers and many, and in this place not so needful to repeat, as needful in all other places for me to study how I may requite some part of them. To blaze abroad the blessings of mind and otherwise, which God so abundantly hath bestowed on you, and makes me the more to honour you, will less content you to hear your own praise, than all the world well knows you worthy thereof. And therefore wishing you all prosperity, I commit you to him, who is best able, and no doubt will send you enough.  
Yours most assured to command. A. H.   

¶ The first Book.  

I Thee beseech, O Goddess mild, the hateful hate to plain, 
Proposi●… of the A●… thor. v●…ith innocation of hi●… M●…   
Whereby Achilles was so wrong, and grew in such disdain,  
That thousands of the Greekish Dukes, in hard and heavy plight,  
To Pluto's Court did yield their souls, and gaping lay upright,  
Those senseless trunks of burial void, by them erst gaily borne,  
By ravening ●…rres, and ●…rreine souls, in ●…ces to be torn.   

'Gainst Agamemn of jove his ●…rnth, s●…kindled was the fire,  
That he Achil ●…o dear, and cross s●… deeply did conspire.   

O Lady show what God began this hateful quarrel thus,  
It was the heir of Latona, the gallant gay Phoebus,  
Who had to sire that mighty God, who down his lightning throws, 
Narta●….   
With storms of hail, and th●…ercl aps: the God incholler grows,  
That Agamemn roughly a suit h●… Chryses Priest res●….  
In Greekish ●…p his plagues he flings, their state which ●…retly bruso.   

At that time Chryses did repair unto the ships, that lay  
At anchor before Troy besieged, in the port of Sig●…, 
The coming of Chryses to the Greeks ca●….   
With verdant crown, wherewith Apoll his seemly head had clad,  
With sceptre eke, with things of price, which he for ransom had,  
His da●…ghter captive held by Greeks by worth her home to buy,  
To both Atrides and other kings, he breaks thus humbly:   

O Princes great, the lofty Gods adored in earth below 
Chryses ●…o Agamemnon, Me●… laus, & 〈◊〉 the●… 〈◊〉   
Do send you luck, this Priam's town to sack and overthrow,  
And laden with the troia●… wealth, ye sale ●…o Greece retire:  
I sp●…ie in your hearts have place, if willing ye desire  
To reuer●…te thy God I serve, if feeble aged days,  
A worthy ●…ee; Nabilitie may temper any ways,  
Let my mishap obtain, I pray Chryses so dear to me,  
O Kings accept these goodly gifts for ransom here that be.   

His suit was taken in that sort, that all the Greeks did cry  
〈◊〉 is gifts, to y●…we Chryses, and use h●…n reverently.  
Agamemn was so far ●…due with this so gentle maid,  
Such suits he could not he abide, to Chryses grim he said, 
Agamemnon answers Ohryses & threatens hin●….   
Shaking aloft his ster●… head: O hateful dotard thou,  
Henceforth in these quatters again take heed I see not you.  
For no sceptre, not Apollo's, shall hole my hand from thee;  
Think not efts●…ne Chryseis ●…o have, ●…ie shall remain with m●…  
In C●…ry 〈◊〉 t●…y Coun●…y 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 w●…ll t●…●…nne and ●…rght,  
And bed to make, till 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, who●…●…arie age shall light.  
Hence●… 〈◊〉, ●…oue ●…se 〈◊〉, I read thou take good heeds,  
If safe and sound vn●… your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 homeward mean to speed.  
The ●…ood old man thu●… th●…led here, g●…uts pla●…e, Both not a●…de  
He hides his gr●…, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…y 〈◊〉 ●…ines 〈◊〉.  
Bu●… 〈◊〉 i●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉,  
With prayers: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   

Apollo 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 ●…d 〈◊〉, wh●… rul●… the I 〈◊〉 ●…iue, 
Chryses prayer to Apollo.   
Cilla, Chrisa, Smi●…he, Te●…, with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
O Phoebus he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gréens,  
T●… 〈◊〉 I h●…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉  
Thy holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 th●…e,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whe●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…geith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
On these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p●…re sire have ●…ay to so ●…w,  
To plague the wro●…g, 〈◊〉 ●…que the 〈◊〉 the wounding of thy ●…ow.  
He pr●…d ●…thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…are, 〈◊〉 ●…ing w●…ght t●… ground 
Apollo de scendes to, the ca●…pe, and sends therein a plague.   
Be g●…te with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h●…he g●…e ●…endful T●…d,  
Lea●…g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ●…o ●…ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
He draws the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…y ●…n the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…fte he loosed  
The noi●…as s●…ge, the lose was sm●…le, the shot so far it 〈◊〉,  
The ●…anked Mo●…es they ●…e, and Dogs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and running fit.  
But sinc●… the ●…aely ●…ehe sent 〈◊〉 t●…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h●…st, 
●…seriptio 〈◊〉 Greeks pestilence.   
In numbers ●…uge th●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they ●…st  
Hard by the ships (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at) the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
Nine days Apollo ven●… and sho●…, me them with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…sped.   

But puissant 〈◊〉 ●…desseth 〈◊〉 (of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…santor true  
During this ●…ar) of the in hard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p●…re gan to 〈◊〉. 
Achilles assembles 〈◊〉 council   
She 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Achilles he, the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he ●…al,  
To seek 〈◊〉 helps 〈◊〉 ●…he ha●… 〈◊〉 which so doth ●…éere the 〈◊〉   

As much was done, in his ●…te 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 man,  
Achilles putting forth himself this ●…ale to them began: 
  
O worthy Kings, abode is vain, our hope it will not 〈◊〉,  
To Greece, to Greece we must return: For why, it may not he,  
That we the Troyans' force do daunt, I dread a matter more,  
God grant the weapons of our foes, do not our bowels gore,  
You see how in this wretched war our people do decay,  
And now this deadly morreine plague doth make the rest away,  
Wherefore my Lords, it needful is to seek and search about,  
Of some Divine, Augur, or Priest to try the matter our,  
What is the cause: For who that dreams, can true interpret well  
(Sith that from jove the dreams proceed) the why shall quickly ●…el.  
He soon will say whether Phoebus this direful plague hath sent,  
For that to do him sacrifice we have been negligent,  
Or that unto his holy house he worthy offerings crave,  
Or sheep and goats, whereby appease, some shielding we may have   

Achilles had no sooner said, he sat him in his place, 
〈◊〉 ex●… 〈◊〉 pro●…   
Calchas arose, which from his youth Phoebus did yield such grace,  
The present times he ●…newe full well, the past he not forgot,  
Of such as were tn●…ee, he witted, what was the secret lot.  
This 〈◊〉 was the Prophet he, for to direct their ways,  
The Greeks did th●…se in this exploit, and sagely thus he says:   

Achilles friend unto the Gods, thou counsel'st I should show,  
Unto the hearers here, from whence Apollo's wrath doth grow,  
I will it do, but swear thou shall my safety to defend,  
〈◊〉 such out 〈◊〉 ●…uries, which some on me will bend.  
I much do d●…bt ●…hat ch●…est one who shall my speeches hear,  
Yea he, who●… all the camp obeys, will greatly seem to dear  
And much amaz●…e. Ost mighty Lords, although conceal, they wu●…  
A cross receiuds of simple wight, yet pay they at the full:  
●…cancea ceaseth not, ●…it they de yield their ve●…geance due  
Asspire me then with your defence here●…, what way ensue. 
Ca●… 〈◊〉 A●….   
Sap what ●…walt queth Achilles, for by the God of might,  
Whose secrets thou so well dost ●…nowe, I will defend thy right.  
None of the Greeks, whereas, I am, shall wrong or injure thee,  
No not the greatest of regard, not Agamemnon he.   

Then Calchas thus, assured by word p●…e ●…unst in ove●… sigh●…  
Ye Greeks, this 〈◊〉 conti●… not, 〈◊〉 ●…or that cause did light, 
Calchas do ●…areth the●… cause of the pestilence.   
It fell not in the camp (I say) for want of sacrifice  
To Phoebus' bright in Country ●…r: this mischief whole doth rise,  
For that you have unreverently, the aged Chry●…s used,  
His daughter should have been 〈◊〉, and not his gifts refused,  
Till mends be made of this our fault, I think it will not cease,  
The blackenied Lady to her home 〈◊〉 she be brought in peace,  
No ransom had, in numbers though our offerings let us slay,  
To purchase favour of the God, and turn his w●…th away.   

Agamemnon forth standeth strait, with rage inflamed so, 
Agamemnon to Calchas.   
As like a burning brand his eyes did twinkle to and fro,  
And thus he saith, looking askance on Calchas furiously:  
Unlucky Prophet that thou art, for 〈◊〉 happily  
Ought dost thou show, and badly 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bad dost tell,  
And me to spite, now do●… thou preach, forsooth a proper spell,  
Avouching, that unto the camp this plague is from above,  
Because I Chryses do withhold, whom I so greatly love.  
Her beauty gay, and gallant glee, hath conquered so my will,  
As well I hop●…e ●…he in my house should have r●…yned still  
With Clytaemnestra wife of 〈◊〉, who●… 〈◊〉 I d●… r●…garde, 
Clytaemnestra wife to Agamemnon.   
And justly ●…o, before h●…r she is much to ●…e pr●…rde,  
For countenance good, for col●…r clea●…e, for 〈◊〉 and body gay.  
But ●…th I needs must yield h●…r up, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this sore away,  
(Ah) take her then, I do agr●…, hi●… wan●… I 〈◊〉,  
Than that this people here▪ 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h●…ue:  
But 〈◊〉 look in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
You well ●…hal know, of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will 〈◊〉 be the ●…ut.   

Achilles (〈◊〉 of the Gréek●…s) to him replied thus,  
In presence of the Pr●…ces a●…: Thou sonn●… of Atreus, 
Achilles' an ●…wers Aga memnon.   
Thou p●…nching Pr●…nce; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heart, thou lofty ●…inded h●…,  
Where dost thou think 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…her 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉?  
In guerdon ●…owe of all that war, dost th●… no●…●…owe thyself  
Long time ago among us al●… d●…ed is the●…lfe?  
Belike we must ●…he spoils ama●…, which is not easily done,  
And bring the camp to mutiny to: 〈◊〉 not thy ●…inde s●… 〈◊〉,  
Obey the G●…ds, 〈◊〉 up the 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 times richer 〈◊〉  
Thou shalt possess, if jove vouchsafe that we the Troyans' reign,  
And Tower's hap to lay full low. Strait Agamemnon though  
Said: thou Achilles think not (I read) thy credit such, no, no, 
Ag●…non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Although thy force in show compare with such to Gods belong,  
Think not that I will follow thee, or bear this open wrong.  
Doth reason bear, that each his part, have of the wealthy prays?  
Thinkest thou it fit I leave the maid, and empty go my ways  
Unrecompens●…e. I her forego, as reason so it would,  
But see that I considered be, as fit it is I should:  
Else maugre thee and all thy might, that thine by thee possessed,  
Or Ajax, or Ulysses' theirs, I'll have as I think best. 
Ag●…non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 le●…, 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉.   
And care who list, who then shall déers, that I his portion take  
And here an end. I think it good to Sea we ready make  
A vessel strong with skilful guides, and eke that one of you  
Accompany the Lady home unto her father now,  
With honour due religiously the Altars high to rear,  
To sacrifice that Apollo, with favour us forbear.  
When Achilles had hearkened well to Agamemnon's tale,  
Disdainfully he looked at him, and blewe this bitter gale:  
Thou impudent, thou jangler thou, what Greek shall ready make  
Himself to fight at thy command, thy party for to take? 
Ach●… exci●… of ●…non.   
I came not from my Country I, the Troyans' stout to scar,  
Or to revenge myself on them: for in no broils of war,  
They ever out my region fruits or cat-tail took away,  
Too large a sea, too mighty hills, them deserts wild do stay,  
And champains wi●…e their forrays bar, 'tween us which are defence:  
But I am co●…, and 〈◊〉 my train, cutting the seas from thence  
Under thy leading, not at all for any cause of ours,  
But Menelaus wrong to venge, a brother he of yours:  
Not ●…ding thou the good we do (thou face and dogshead thou)  
In place of thanks I should receive, thou deeply threatens now,  
To take away my good, my good, for so in truth it is:  
For by my valour in the ●…elde I gained it iwis,  
And which the Greeks in witness large did give of my desert,  
Of all the spoil: I have more cause than thou to take at heart  
These actions aye. Of pillage still I always have the worst,  
The victory of wont is mine, infront I am the first,  
Yet what they give, I will accept Sith home is peacer quie●…  
Better than with a tyrant war, I war no more will try it.  
The working ●…ea I will go seek in point of morning grey,  
With Sail and Ore to Pthie land my country taking way. 
Pthie country of A chill.   
And making here thou thy abode, dishonour thou shalt gain,  
Thy substance great and 〈◊〉 wealth withal to waste in vain.  
And will you so (quoth Agam●…) Amen, farewell, adieu,  
I list not your abode ent●…ate, 〈◊〉 for your presence sue. 
Agamemnon to Achilles   
There are enough will here abide, and tender my renown,  
Ne unprovided mighty jove will leave me in this room.  
Of all these Kings and Princes here, thou dost delight Achilles  
To bite and sting me of the no●…st, and 〈◊〉 bends thy will,  
Contentiously maintaining hate, presu●… 〈◊〉 much  
Of force proceeding from the Gods: in th●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such  
Farewell, your godly Myrmidones, comm●…nd them at your pleasure,  
And your ago and fury thus I'll care for at my leisure.  
But herewith your audacity that further I do●… daunt,  
Sith that Apolloe●… pleasure is, and ordains 〈◊〉 ●…raunt  
That I Chryses resto●…e again, with 〈◊〉 as much as 〈◊〉,  
To old Chryses ●…y peo●…le 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.  
To thy Pavilion will I send trick, Br●…sida to bring  
Thy best bel●…ued, that all men knowe●…how ●…nsaunter a King  
I am than thou, and that hen●…eforth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hard in ●…olde  
To put up head to match 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   

, 
Achilles' grows in choler with Agamemnon.   
Wit●…  
Agamemn dead, or to appease the wr●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
To hold him still, to part them f●…o. and ●…pany to lea●…e.  
Yet 〈◊〉 in spite of reason ruled, his ●…lade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
But 〈◊〉 hear●…e from Welkin high thi●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
The bickering th●…s so near 〈◊〉 ●…hem, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will defend●…  
And Pallas strait from lofty 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 descend  
Approaching to Achilles, softly she took him by the 〈◊〉 
Pallas keepeth Achilles from killing Agamemnon.   
Who speedily retired, knowing, the Goddess to be there,  
With twinkling eyes vn●…easingly, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never a man,  
But only to himself, to whom his speech he thus began:  
You heavenly daughter Pallas you, do I your presence see?  
Would you it know how Agamemn doth wrong and injure me? 
Ach●… 〈◊〉 Pall●….   
Give me some leave, and for his pride you shall see by and by  
Before you here upon the grass his headless trunk to lie.   

Thy grief to ease quoth Pallas is this coming here of mine, 
Pall●… 〈◊〉 Ach●….   
If to be ruled by heavenly saw thyself thou canst incline.  
Dame I●…no seeing this dangerous strife, who favours both so much,  
Did bid me down, thee to advise in no wise him to touch.  
Put up thy sword it doth not well, with words do words repay:  
Assured 〈◊〉 for his great ●…ult thou shalt another day  
And these thy harms; have gallant gifts, yea laid in thy lap,  
If to obey this counsel mine thy mind and meaning hap. 
Achi●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 say, 〈◊〉   
It's more than meet quoth Achilles, and reason so doth will,  
That what the Gods command us men, we wholly do fulfil,  
Though sur●… would us thence withdraw: Of God's the puissant might  
Obedience doth 〈◊〉, in every manner wight.  
And from his best who doth ●…ot serve, in favour still we see.  
His m●…ssie fal●… saying thus, in sheath of brightsome blée  
Of silver brave he putteth up, Pallas away she wears,  
She leaves the Greeks, to Gods aloft in Heaven she repairs.  
The valiant Greek in fury still on Agamemn doth stare,  
His rage abides, him thus in speech he raging wise forbore.  
Thou tippled Knight, a snarring cur, to sight and show thou art,  
Than Stag beset at bay about more fearful yet of heart,  
Among the Kings a coward vile, a slothful shifting Ox,  
Assaults, alarms, and battals fought, thou fearest for dread of knocks.  
And less thou dar'st ambushments lay, for doubt to quail or die,  
Thou tyrant great, who dost devour the people cruelly.  
Oppressor thou scourge of the poor, delighting to disgrace  
All men unto thine appetite consenting gives not place.  
If I my courage followed had, thou shouldst no more have harmed,  
All graceless strait thy carcase here, to death I would have charmed.  
But hark, for by this royal Mace, by which I now do swear, 
The 〈◊〉 of Achil●….   
A worthy ornament to show, in right hand which I bear,  
Who having lost the sap of wood, eft greenness cannot draw,  
True ornament for judges all, who execute the law  
Of jupiter on mortal men: the day before thou witted, 
The Author often nameth He ctor a dearer.   
Will come, when to be shielded from sir Hector's murdering fist  
(Who shall hack down the Greeks in heaps) the I shall be entreated,  
And thou (thy lewdness fond contest) shall thoroughly be heated,  
To have despised carelessly, who most deserveth ●…oes.  
Thus said, from him in fury great his sceptre down he throws,  
He sits him down. Agamemnon, whom anger forward strains,  
Minding fair Bryseis still to have, the quarrel he maintains.   

That speaker sweet delighting tongue therewith duke Nestor rose, 
Nestor had lived 300. years.   
From Heaven had, much pleasannter than Harry front him flows,  
By grace divine, of triple life the years he also bare,  
He to th'assembly as they sat his knowledge both declare.   

O what mishap, what parant loss see I on Greece to fall? 
Nestor to Achilles & Agam●…ō   
What joy and hope to Priamus his sons and subjects all,  
When as shall come unto their ears, that in this camp of ours  
By kindled heat in quarrel thus our greatest Princes lours?  
This discord leave, this fury fly, than yours my years are more,  
Your greater's and your gravers to, I known have heretofore,  
Who have my counsel ay obeyed: I never knew nor know  
More bold and mighty mortal men, than these and Perithoe,  
Dryas in Prudence thief of price, Exadiuss, Polypheme,  
Ceneis equal with the Gods, who by their three extreme  
The Giants and the Lapyths slew, whereby their glory fled  
To Heaven high, I called I, with them I often yedde  
To battles great and dangerous, in bloody martial mart,  
Whose force no lusty living though to frunt in fight had heart,  
They always ●…uill so on my word, as none would cross my speech,  
Well shall you do, if you perform by counsel what I reach.  
And first to y●… Agamemnon, be 〈◊〉 also great ●…de,  
Though chief thou be, perforce to take Bryseis, who is assigned  
By all the Greeks his lust reward: Achilles I think it good  
You silence use, with farring words forbear to cross in mood. 
The authority of Kings cometh from jupiter.   
Of all the sceptred Princes none so high is sea●…ed down,  
As over hi●… jove app●…nts the 〈◊〉 and the crown:  
In force if so you more avail, 〈◊〉 Thetis that it retches  
Your mother she, but yet than yours his puissance further stretches,  
For Nations more do him obey. And Agamemnon take it,  
Appease your rage and your abuse, let not your calling make it.   

Achilles, for the love of me, if true, I true report,  
Forget this jar, to Greekish camp in old and wont sort  
Show forth yourself a bulwark sure: Thou aged worthy sire, 
Agam●… answ●… N●….   
Quoth Agamemn, what thou haste said, best reason doth require,  
But here this mate by gallant heart triumphing Lord will go,  
He will command, he all will rule: but soft, he shall not so,  
If I may choose: his force is great, as sib to power divine,  
Hath he then leave all wrong to do, as fancy shall incline?   

Achilles' strait full restless yet, from him the speech he took, 
Achill●… 〈◊〉 Agam●…   
I were (quoth he) a coward lewd, if I agreed to brook  
Thy governance, after thy will I ruled will be no more,  
For no obedience look of me, others command therefore,  
And build on this: For Bryseis fair, no quarrel I will make  
With any man, sith obstinate you bent are for to take  
The gift on me which was bestowed: but have regard to dare  
(Yea for thy life) to touch the Gods in my possession are,  
And be aboard my vessels, thou, a bootless work shouldest have.  
And if thou be'st so gallant set, or yet so beastly brave,  
Advance thyself, thy valour show, and all men shall behold  
Me with my Lance to shed thy blood, and lay thy carcase cold,  
The case debated thus at length, the Council all they rose,  
Achilles with his company to his Pavilion goes. 
The 〈◊〉 cell br●… up.    

A ship well furnished Agamemn on sea he causeth rise  
With twenty Oars, forgetting not things meet for Sacrifice,  
And pueell Chryseis fitly there he shipped honest well,  
And Ulysses for patron put, who Greeks did all excel 
Ulysses goes 〈◊〉 Chryseis 〈◊〉 hi●… 〈◊〉.   
In good advise, and pleasant speech, the waves at will they ●…ice,  
With wind in poop, they hope full soon to find her father Chryse.   

Again home offerings more to fit, Agamemn hieth fast, 
With ●…crifice 〈◊〉 puri●… 〈◊〉 cam●…   
To cleanse the camp, and in the sea the ordure for to caste.  
Then to the Altars reared high on shore right beautiful,  
He biddeth bring the wanton Goat, the Sheep and mighty Bull,  
Devoutly for the army all, on Phoebus to bestow,  
Whereof the smell and vapour thick to heaven right doth go,  
As burned they were, the people eke in many sundry wise  
Unto the Gods sent their demands, their prayers, and their cries.  
But Agamemns wrath suageth not, he still in rage doth roast,  
Till he at pleasure Bryseis have, for Chryseis he hath lost.  
Two heralds straight he bids to come, he thought of best respect,  
Talthybe, and Eurybate, to whom he spoke to this effect: 
Talthybe and Eurybate two Heralds of the Greeks.   
O Heralds here seek out Achilles, who in his tent now is,  
Bring Bryse away, if he withstand, I present will not miss,  
Spite of his teeth tofetche her I, and well unto his pain.  
Such were his words, outrageous, more fond and foolish vain.   

To place the heralds quickly came, where lay the valiant Greek,  
They him no sooner saw, but that their dreads were not to seek,  
Aghast to touch so mighty a Prince, of whom when he did hear,  
Although in grief he welcomed them, and showed them pleasant cheer.   

You Heraultes high, come on quoth he, no danger dread at all, 
Achilles to the heralds   
For by your disarde king, not you, this wrong on me doth fall,  
Agamemn, who will me bereave by force and tyranny  
Of Bryseis liking presence, which so dear is in mine eye.  
Petroclus' mate and brother mine, of beauty fetch the dame,  
Give her in hands to Heralds these: And here I do proclaim  
Before the Gods, ye Heralds eke, all people vn●… Sun,  
This tyrant too, whose senses still to worse and 〈◊〉 do run:  
To witness I do call you all, hereafter, if perh●…es  
The Greeks have need of my relief by means of afterclappes,  
And peril coming to the camp, this doting ●…led Ass,  
He knows not good discourse, nor yet what er●… 〈◊〉 council was.  
He mindeth not, who hitherto hath been the armies ●…eld,  
He knoweth not who hath the power to save the 〈◊〉 in field.  
Herewith Patroclus bringeth forth Bryseis the Dan●…y, 
Bryseis is brought to Agamennon.   
He gives her in the heralds hands, who onward ●…re their way  
Apace to Agamemnon's ships to lead the Lady fair.  
Who much against her will, to him doth make her new repair.   

By this farewell, the pleasures all of valiant Achilles quails,  
He martirde so is with the grief, with sheadding tears he wails,  
And from his people goes apart. And better to ●…ide  
His bitter pain, unto the shore he stealeth there aside,  
Thus to his mother Thetis oft showing his woeful case:   

Sith in my birth by fate full hard few years I do embrace  
Of life, than jove (quoth he) who sees all things from Welkin high, 
Ach●… 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Some honour should have given me, before the time I die,  
And not to suffer Agamemn my solace thus to starve,  
By power to take that noble gift, which well I did deserve.   

From depth of wide and hollow sea, her son complaining thus  
With piteous noise, Thetis gave ear, leaving Oceanus  
The aged sire in Marine Court, in likeness of a cloud  
With speed she comes to Achilles, in dolour where he stood.  
Kind countenance and show she makes: Alas dear son quoth she, 
The●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 son.   
What aileth thee? whence comes thy grief? Alas, what man is he  
That hath thy mind disturbed thus? let me th'occasion see,  
That of thy doleful déering here, partaker I may be.   

He sighing said, must I to you declare my martyring throws; 
Achill●… 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉   
The wrongs to me now lately done yourself too too well knows.  
You know full well how for to harm King Priam and his kin,  
Many a subject town of his, and neighbours, quite have been  
To ruin, sack, and booty brought, the walls of Aetion  
The puissant king, by me were torn, whereof to every one  
The spoils were parted equally: Chryseis of beauty most  
Was left to Agamemnon's choice, who kept her in the host.  
Chryseis the sire shortly in camp his daughter fair he sought,  
And for her ransom also due he gallant presents brought.  
Unto us all in humble wise he lowly made request,  
And eke to him that had her rule, with whom the Maid did rest.  
Of Phoebus' clear, old Chryses was, clad with the worthy weed,  
Thereby to purchase more regard. By us it was agreed,  
That she in freedom should be set, and gifts had in exchange,  
But here our Chieftain our advise he took it very strange:  
And maugre all, with choler full, the hoary hairs he chode:  
His presents thus refused, good Chryse, right sorrowful abode.  
To Phoebus' clear he prayed hard, who put him not aback:  
For shortly numbers great, by plague are put to direful lack.  
This woeful plight, when plain I saw of Greeks by death yspent,  
Which Calchas wise said from Apoll proceeded 〈◊〉 content,  
I did persuade the people all, the God to pacify,  
Thereby displeasing Agamemn, himself so gloriously  
And stern who bears. With outrages and threats he eke began,  
And said, his loss must healed be of me, I was the man:  
He failed not to execute his filthy mind so false.  
Chryseis in Galley scarce was put, and haled up the half,  
But that they Bryseis fetch away, whether she will or no  
Out of my Tent, King Agamemn to him will have her go.  
I this way of the goodly gift, which all the Camp me gave  
Defrauded am. But if that you such might and puissance have  
(As well I know your force is great) then yield thou some relief  
Unto your woeful son, whose soul is paulde with inward grief.  
Ascend, and licence crave of jove that I revenge may take,  
For once from danger you him drew, for mends let him this make.  
I mind it well, I oft have heard you largely vaunt and boast,  
That, but for you and for your help, he life and laud had lost. 
Conspiracy of the Gods against jupiter. The fable of Briareus had an hundred hands.   
For Neptune joined with Pallas, and juno Dame that shrew,  
Had enterprised to bind his hands, & down the heavens him throw.  
But their malicious hard devise prevented was in time:  
For you descending, to the Heaven you caused for to clime  
Briareus called Aegeon, the hundred handed Giant,  
The fiercest of all mortal wights, who fiercely there resiant,  
Did so aghast the Seaish God, and other Goddish powers,  
That jove as sovereign still remains, & none against him stoures.  
Go get you to him mother mine, and lowly on your knees  
Mind him of this your service done, demanding for your fees,  
That he vouchsafe the Trojans send such courage to embrace,  
That slain or burnt, the Greeks to shore do fearfully give place.  
This mischief biding by their King, who then his fault shall spy,  
And lofty liking of himself, so little care, loosely  
Minding his prowess, who of all in valour bears the Bell.  
Thetis again Achilles her son thus answers very well,  
With heavy heart and weeping eyes: Alas (she said) my son, 
Thetis to Achilles.   
Have I thee hither thus brought up? thy life hast thou begun  
(Sith in a trice it is cut off) Why blissful is it not?  
Have I conceived thee dear son, to this unhappy lot?  
What, is thy fate so hard, to give thee short and doleful days?  
Well, thee to please, I will to jove, persuading diverse ways,  
In telling this, that to thy loss he be a setter an,  
But two days passed he with the Gods is gone th'ocean,  
Whereas the Aethiops do invite the ancient Gods to cheer,  
Eleven days it will be full, ere he return I here.  
But then a suitor will I be, till when I wish (my child)  
You from the battle do abstcine, and not your weapons wield.  
Disport yourself upon the waves, a shipboard take no care,  
That it be wist unto the Greeks how great your dolours are.  
With this she leaves her son Achil. A board he keeps in pain  
For Brisies gone, he feels the smart, that thrills through every vain. 
●…ues in the isle of Chris●… 〈◊〉 delivers Chris●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
That while Vlisse with wind in poop, and travail of the Ore,  
Of fertile Chrise he with the dame approacheth to the shore  
And pleasant port: down come the sails, & round they roll then fast,  
Upon the deck haeled adown is laid the mighty Mast.  
And then from Poop with Cables hard the toothed Anchors fling  
Their hold to take, and lay aland provision which they bring  
For sacrifice: Ulysses doth the maid with careful charge  
Upon her saddle set, conduct to Phoebus' temple large,  
With mind full mild, whereto her sire he gives her in his hands,  
And with these words: Thou Chrises Priest, so happy thou that stands,  
Agamemn, who commands the Greeks, to thee hath sent me hither 
Ulysses 〈◊〉 Chris●….   
To bring thee home thy daughter here, and with her eke together  
Such vows to offer to Apol, to pacify his anger,  
That Greeks thereby so deeply pined, be therewith plagued no langer.  
The good old man did joy apace his daughter to possess,  
And forthwith had to sacrifice they all things ready dress.  
And Barley cakes he calls to bring, and fingers washed fair,  
Aloud he lifteth up his voice, and joined hands doth rear.  
Oh puissant Phoebus (thus he prays) whose darts do all things tear, 
Chrises' prayer 〈◊〉 Apoll●….   
Thou Phoebus clear, Apollo God who silver bow doth bear,  
And Cyl, Chrysa, and Tenedos doth rule unto thy liking,  
If any time thou hast vouchsafed to grant at my besiking  
To show the working of thy wrath on Greeks afflicted sore,  
Who wholly yield unto thy will, O Phoebus grant therefore 
The plague ceaseth in the Greeks Campe.   
To change thy mind, & from this Camp this bitter plague ●…o banish,  
No sooner prayed, but Phoebus heard, & plague it strait did vanish.   

Full furnished were the offerings, when ended was to pray,  
The sheep are slain, their skins of plucked, & to the fire they lay 
Sacrifice.   
The gigots plumb, and cut off legs: good Chrise with wine so red  
The Altar thoroughly doth perfume: himself he careful sped  
About the service of the God, and fire great doth kindle,  
The loins of the oblations dead, and other flesh they mingle,  
And roundly roast on broochs five, and gridorne on the Coals,  
And every one prepares himself unto his cheer and bowls.  
A seemly sight it was to see the seamen ply their teeth,  
Wherewith the Cups apace they walk, they well content therewith.  
Refreshed thus, Ulysses and the Greeks they do not spend  
Idle the day, they Hymns do chant, and ferly songs do send  
Apollo's praise to herrie high, whero●… the pleasant tunes  
Resounding in the God his ears, he pleasure great resumes.   

At night Ulysses coucheth him within his galley lowé,  
At peep of day each one prepares to pluck, to bale, to row. 
Ulysses returns to the Greeks Campe.   
To lofty seas the Mast they hoist, God's aid they do not lack,  
For shortly with the wind he gave (which made their sails to crack)  
In port of safety they arrive, where bloody war doth roar,  
And taking land, their vessel they do draw upon the shore.  
To his pavilion each retires, or hieth him abroad.   

This while Achilles keeps his tent, for matters of the sword  
He neither makes nor meddleth with, nor yet to counsel comes,  
In mind with trouble overcharged, he grieved sits, and glommes,  
Pining away his valiant corpse, a pattern odd produced.  
Unto the world of worthy shape: when as should be induced  
Alarm among the Greeks, he gapes, whom Troyans should assail,  
Good proof to show his help, to them to be of great avail.   

The day now come of Jove's return from th'ocean solemn feast,  
One morning Thetis from the sea to heaven herself doth priest.  
The God aside the sitting saw, approaching to him-nie,  
His knees her left hand doth embrace, with countenance curteously●…  
Her right to chin she moved soft, and humbly thus she prayed:   

If any time (redoubted sire) that I have with mine aid  
Thy high and mighty majesty relieved in thy want, 
Th●… jupiter.   
I thee beseech this my request O father do it grant,  
Sith life is short, his honour to ●…te, yield thou unto my son,  
Let Agamemnon shortly know what wrong he hath him done,  
Yielding the Greeks a through fear, the Trojans courage high,  
So that the wracked Camp restore his credit worthily.   

To this the Goddesses mild speech, the great God answered not,  
But sadly musing with himself he still, in silence sat.  
The Goddess eftsoon weary now, this silence long that spies,  
In humble sort upon her knees entreateth in this wise: 
T●… 〈◊〉 ●…oue ●…teth Iup●…   
Say yea, or no, Oh jupiter, end both my hope and fear,  
For you of whom to stand in dread, I know none life doth bear:  
Say on therefore, that I may see, in favour how I stand,  
How small regarded or esteemed, I crave it at your hand.   

With fetched sigh jove answers thus: Oh hard and heavy case, 
jupiter 〈◊〉 Th●….   
Sith my wife juno I must stir, and have her froward grace.  
'tis she, 'tis she of all the Gods with me that most doth jar,  
Alleging that I Priam's part support do in this war.  
That she do not our meaning find, down strait descend your ways,  
And your demand I will fulfil, assured without delays.  
And that you know my promise sound, I will you show a sign 
Token 〈◊〉 the ●…tie of Iup●…ters p●…   
To ease your doubt, this shall it be, to bow my head divine,  
A token aye that never fails, when any thing of weight  
Unto the Gods I do behight. His head he shaketh strait,  
And bended brows so raiseth he, that of his holy hear  
By only shake, Olympus large doth tremble fast for fear. 
The 〈◊〉 pu●… 〈◊〉 jupiter 〈◊〉 turns 〈◊〉 Heaven.   
Thetis to depth of sea descends, the God his mansion keeps,  
In Welkin Country he remains, with other Gods he meets,  
In troop, not missing no not one, themselves they humbly show,  
Amid them all right glorionsly on throne he sitteth tho.  
Then juno chased at the full, now found the secret trick  
Of jove, to wrack of Greekish Camp, which touched her at the quick.  
With heart audacious thus she says: thou God with malice fraughted, 
juno angry with jupiter.   
What subtle joy, what pretty prank, have you (I pray you) wrought  
With that my masters Mariner: from whence now doth it grow  
That I with you must not confer, nor must your counsels know?  
Delighting that your dealings close to other known be,  
I fur aloufe a stranger I. Hope not then answered he 
jupiter to juno.   
My secrets I acquaint you with, y●… gain it would be l●…sse,  
Although my wife and sister both, you are, I do confess.  
In Counsels which are fit for you, y●…u full shall have your right▪  
None ●…alde so soon, no not the God, that greatest is of might.  
If, what I have determined plain, none is shall know the matter,  
Then let me rest, to search it out you ought not thus to patter.  
Out cried the Goddess loud, alas, O crabbed rustic jove,  
So like an Ass or undiscrete, when did I ever rove, 
juno to jupiter.   
To seek the things of secrecy, but still I am excluded,  
You crabbed you, your secret deeds without me are concluded.  
Which made me careful, when I saw Thetis that spiteful peat  
This morning here so perting sit at elbow by your seat.  
I greatly dread her son to venge, obtained some suit she hath,  
Whereby to danger down the Greeks, & work their harm & scathe.   

To this the God did call her hag, (quoth he) I cannot shift, 
jupiter to juno.   
But thy suspicious jealous head aye findeth out my drift.  
But how much more (I smell) you think to alter what I mean,  
I so much more in spite of you do still contrary clean,  
The rather for your kicking thus. If I unto Thetis  
Have promised any thing at all, 〈◊〉 so my pleasure is,  
And you it know, why should not you agree as well as I?  
Go sit you down, and talk no more so fond and foolishly,  
Lest moved I, with both my fists I give you hanging laws,  
And in such sort, as no God here can save you from my claws.   

By this so great and dreadful threat, dame juno more she fears,  
She quiet gr●…wes, she goes her ways, & visage down she bears,  
Among the Gods she takes her place: this while the heavenly rout,  
By this contention grieved are, and troubled thorough out.   

Whereby with pity Vulcan bare to juno, which he had,  
With doubt this snarling would proceed to worse, which was to badt  
With 〈◊〉 s●…h he did his best, to comfort her, as thus:  
My mothe●… dear, if this 〈◊〉 remain, and that with us 
Vulcan●… to juno his Mother.   
Immortal G●…ds we quarrel have, for mortal people's case,  
I surely see decay to fall upon this goddish race.  
The banquets shall be brought to nought, and quailed with disquiet,  
Whereat we all are still refreshed, and reason why, for riot  
In mischief like makes better ●…ad, than better can attain.  
You must more kind and loving be: oh noble dame refrain  
Your choler now unto my sire, how, best yourself doth know,  
Else by this rigour of debate the case will fall out so,  
As all the Gods, both you and I, shall find no little grief,  
If once he grow into a rage. He mighty is and chief,  
He from the heavens will us hunt, whereby our junkets gay,  
Our sport, our chat of loving toys shall clean be ta'en away,  
And port of this our mansion high, all counsels ended quite.  
I you beseech to have some care this danger do not light,  
Agree yourself unto his will, with words of mild allay, 
Vul●… present●… drink 〈◊〉 I●….   
And what you list, you shall obtain, he can you not denay.  
With this a bowl of Nectar full, in hand sir Vulcan took,  
And to his mother did present it with a comely look.  
Bear mother mine, (quoth he to her) refuse not to obey  
To jove, though care doth master you, and wills you answer nay,  
Lest greater shame you hap to have, he laying you on the Hide,  
And though I would, no help at all I could for you provide,  
Nor yet resist his power divine: have you forgot so soon,  
How you to rescue from his hand, he had me almost done  
To death? when so his fury wox, from skies he did me thro'  
Down by the foot, where in the air I tumbled too and fro, 
Vulca●… once throwe●… out of Heaven 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 I'll.   
A whole day through, and fell at last with bones and body burst,  
In Lemnos I'll, in manner dead, whereas I fell at furst.  
Whereas I was well entertained there by the Lemnos dweller,  
With bounty great. When juno heard thus Vulcan for to tell her,  
She was appeased, and 'gan to smile, the cup to lips she set, 
juno drinketh of Ne ctar and in appe●….   
With Nectar sweet, celestial juice, her mouth and heart she wet.  
It was a pastime to behold the pleasannt Vulcan God,  
In taking say to all the rest, with halting haunches plod.  
Whereat the Gods do laugh apace, much liking of the jest. 
The God's feast. Phoebus' 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉   
And then prepared is forthwith, the high and heavenly feast,  
From morning clear which unto night was drawn out along,  
With great and glorious array, 〈◊〉 Muses with their song  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and Phoebus' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Harp doth strike  
Agreeing in ●…éete Har●…ie, wherewith they greatly like  
The worthy route●…the sun gone down, each one with heavy eyes  
Retires unto his several home, in buildings which do rise  
By skill of ly●…ping Artysane: jove to his Chamber hies, 
jupiter and the Gods to rest.   
And down he coucheth on his bed, and juno by him lies.   
Finis Libri primi.   

¶ The second Book.  

THe Heavenly ●…ires and mortal folk passed the night as tho  
In 〈◊〉, yielding to it 〈◊〉 free of care and woe▪ 
jupiter can not ●…leepe for the care he hath of Achilles.   
But jove sticking with tooth and nail still unto his behest  
To Thetis made, with irksome cheer 〈◊〉 was of his rest,  
Casting how he Achilles 〈◊〉 unto the stars might raise,  
And move some br●… in the Greeks Camp to their loss any ways.  
john dreaming God he called 〈◊〉 him, that God chief God of ill,  
Common 〈◊〉 carrier of every lie, thus saying him his will:  
Thou cankerde dream think on thy charge, & leave thy seat now here 
jupiter to the God of dream.   
And strait to Ag●… ships this message see thou bear,  
Without abode 〈◊〉 the do arm ethe Greekish crew and band,  
His enterprise to end, myself will put an helying hand.  
For now the Gods do all agree that Troy to ruin go,  
Among them though hath been great tug whether it should be so.  
thoroughly by juno brought thereto, whose will and whole desire  
Is both the Trojan town and folk to d●…unt with sword and fire.   

Having his errand thus from jove, the dreaming God him s●…ed  
Forthwith to Agamemn that Prince, whom he found then a-bed,  
By sleep refreshing so his spirits of toil and travail gone,  
Of Nestor old that famous wight the shape that God put on,  
Saying: Oh valiant Atreus heir, sléepst thou or dost thou wake? 
The dr●… to Ag●… 〈◊〉.   
A Prince's duty is not thus himself to sloth to take,  
Who hath the charge of such a crew of knights and army big,  
For not throughout to sleep a night the care of them would twig. 
A prin●… 〈◊〉 war 〈◊〉 not to 〈◊〉 the w●… night.   
Sith jove so much thy fame desires, and eke thy name to raise,  
And for thy sake hath caused such broils he bids without delays,  
That next when Titan shows his face this, Orison to light,  
In order you your armies range of battle for to fight.  
For now the time is right at hand, yea this is now the day,  
Wherein the Trojan City shall be given to Greeks in prey.  
The Gods as now yield all thereto, agreeing in this case  
Willing to follow juno's vain, whom great desires embrace  
Of Troy to see the Towers down torn, and evend with the ground,  
And jove that God, of others most, that string doth wholly sound.  
The Trojans little to esteem his Godhead he doth know.  
Think on oh King that I have said, my message do not slow.  
His errand done, as he was willed, he took his flight from thence,  
Leaving Prince Agamemnon then in dump and in suspense.  
And casting for to make exploit and end without delays,  
To spoil the Trojan town and line, and not to take more days. 
Aga●… thinks of his drea●….   
But the great Calf missed of his count, for jove had laid a bait  
As well the Greeks as Dardanes kind them both a shame to wait.  
But then he rose, leaving his bed, and sitting down thereon,  
He clad himself with garments new, and put a Mantle on, 
Aga●… and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
And on his feet full delicate clean shoes right feat he set,  
And to his 〈◊〉 a sword he girt, with golden nails ybet.  
Thus clad, holding in his right hand his own paternal Mace,  
Went from his tent unto the ships to consult of the case.   

When as Aurora 'gan to climb upon olympus high,  
And brought to men message of light before the Sun in sky, 
The S●… rising.   
Agamemnon went to counsel his 〈◊〉 crying out,  
Both great and small, yea more and l●…sse of all the Greekish rout  
Came to the call, but ere he would his mind to them declare  
He called the ancients of the host, they that most worthy were,  
Whose counsel was the best esteemed, to whom he thus began 
The Counsel assembles   
Somewhat with joy in Nestor's ship that famous worthy man.   

How this last night the dream divine did set my thought on fire 
Aga: tells: his dream.   
Hear now my friends, when as he came resembling this old sire.  
This rest becomes thee not, quoth he, you child of Atreus kind,  
But rather on thy charge to think, and there to set thy mind.  
A wise man the which subject is to every kind of ill,  
Ought not in rest spend all the night, or sleep therein his fill.  
Give ear therefore unto my words: sith jove now willing is  
T'advance thy name & great renown, commands, thou dost not miss  
But in the field to range thy power to morrow for to fight,  
For therein thou shalt bring adown the Trojan pride and might,  
And sack their City, sith the Gods no more are at discord,  
To secure them, their so juno, hath wrought them to accord.  
And namely jove against Priam will follow his revenge,  
And as a foman, so of him, himself himself will venge.  
This message done, the dream me left, and I address likewise  
Myself to you my friends, to know your counsel and advise,  
How to furnish this enterprise: but ere we do begin  
Our armour to put on, let's see what minds our men be in.  
If ye think good, to Country home I will them will to high,  
And with fair words will counsel them, & willing seem will I.  
But you shall argue and reply against that my request,  
Constraining them by word and deed to tarry and arrest,  
Till that a thorough end be made: then Nestor up did rise 
Nestor persuades the Greeks to believe Again ●…non   
Strait at his tale, and to them all he ●…n speak in this wise.   

Oh Princes famous of re●…me, if any presontly  
But Agamemn should count this tale, we s●…uld it hold a lie,  
And making him a laughing stack, his credit should be small:  
But sith this tale is his, who hath the leading of us all,  
We must to it our credit give, not spending time in this,  
But to assent is my devise unto shese word of his.  
Encouraging our sould●… 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 commit to wind,  
And to ●…nce our ●…gne all ●…th c●… good and mind.   

This sentence of Nestor allowed, Agamemnon strait rose,  
The Peers accompanying him, the rout with zeal of news now goes,  
He, who hath seen the busy Bees, when Prime time first forth leaps, 
Si●… of Bees.   
Issuing off the slived rocks, flying in swarms and heaps,  
To smell the odour of the flowers, of the small blossomde trees:  
Suppose, that from all quarters came, both great and small likewise,  
Following their chieftains at the heels, for news to hear they cast,  
Together so to the sea strand they hied them to haste.   

The messenger of jove so swift with wing as may be thought, 
The famous ●…ger of Iupi●….   
Fame with the help of his strong pens, did leave no place unsought,  
But stirs each man with doubled words to haste unto the rout,  
That with the noise of those that came the earth trembled throughout:  
And in the air the brute resounds, right haply he was set,  
That could by chance find out some place among such press so great, 
The pr●…ast.   
He presseth him, him he again, shouldering each one his fear,  
They labour still with heave and shove, each one to draw more near.   

But the Heralds silence to make, nine times th'oys did cry, 
The Heralds m●… silence.   
To the King's words praying the Greeks to hark attentively.   

Agamemnon's him ready made, and on a place of state  
He mounted up, in his right hand his Sceptre deaurate 
Agam●… Scepr●….   
Wrought lately by the God Vulcan, to jove it with great care  
Did he present, este by whose gift eke Mercury it bore,  
And Mercury in present gave it to Pelops the great,  
Who it did yield to Atreus, and in his hand it set.  
And Atreus yielding up the Ghost, to Thyestes the strong  
He it bequeathde, with other things which to it did belong.  
This Sceptre Agamemnon held, and it possessed indeed,  
For to the soil of Argos rich as heir he did succeed,  
And eke to other Cities more in land right firm and fast,  
With Isles, whose beauties to behold each mind would be aghast.  
Wherefore vaunting this royal Mace in his right hand before,  
Which eke Pelops his ancestor had borne himself of yore,  
With stately look upon his crews, he set and fixed his eyes,  
With stretched limbs he 'gan him shroud, and spoke them in this wise: 
Agamem●… to the 〈◊〉 diours' 〈◊〉 feel th●… 〈◊〉.   
With grisly plague not to be borne, O host of Gréekishe soil,  
Famous by Arms, jove hath me deéerde, and put me to the foil,  
And il hath favoured our affairs: for promise he did make  
To me, that long ere this we should the town to flame betake  
And that we should to Greece return all safe in prosperous plight  
But I see he hath laid a train to trap us if he might.  
For changing now his just devise: he counsels at the last  
Home to return, when at this siege great perils we have passed,  
Which we this long time have sustained: thus will this God of power  
Bring down men's force if he so please in moment of an hour.  
And Cities huge he lays in dust, even as his pleasure is,  
And brings cche mighty strength to ruin: oh what mishap is this?  
Such warped keels for to behold fleeting upon the seas,  
And dead so many worthy Knights on the earth sundry ways,  
And Troy to sack have had no might, who now cannot abide?  
For if a present proof were made, and that it might be tried, 
Comparison.   
That Troyans' as our friends and feres were numbered anl in one,  
And that we Greeks divided were, by tens and tens each one,  
Appointing to each troop of us but one Trojan by name,  
To retch the Cup at our requests, when we call for the same,  
A man should see thousands of Greeks (the Trojans be so scant,)  
That calling in their thirst for drink, their butler's they should want,  
So much our number theirs surmounts, which be of Trojan blood,  
But truth it is, that numbers great are come of nations good,  
Resolved wights themselves have vowed to die in their defence.  
Which not a little grieves me now, and casts me in suspense,  
Not being of force for to prevail, and yet nine years throughout  
We have this Troy strongly besieged on each side round about.  
Yet they our machines have withstood: what hope then in the same  
Of them to gain should we now have, but mere reproach & shame?  
And of our ships the decks be broke, and whole there is no sail,  
Our sail yards rotten, our masts yspent, & tackling gins to fail.  
For our return to take in hand they are in sorry plight.  
And yet again our dolorous wives do wish of us some sight,  
And have done long with ardent zeal, hearing the guiltless cries  
Of the small babes, with our return wishing to bait their eyes.  
And we now brought into distress, and void of our purpose,  
Our honour, fame, and good renown, and like our time we lose.  
For well we know, and certain be, that we can not destroy,  
Nor put to flame this City now impugnable of Troy.  
And other council I know none, but this for best I choose,  
That to our houses we return, and not our honours lose.  
Doing as reason eke requires, let us the Gods obey,  
And that each man high to his home, let no man think of stay.   

These words at pleasure thus pronounced, did yield the Greeks a mind  
Of full desire of their return, and so they gan to wind, 
The 〈◊〉 describ●… the incō●… cie of the multitude by two fine comparisons.   
With whispering noise, yielding a sound, as oft the seas we see  
The storm the boisterous surge to raise, weltering now low now high,  
And with the strength of southern blast is driven against each rock,  
It doth redound with grisly roar, when on them it doth knock:  
Or else, when as the western wind doth meet a field of grain,  
In harvest time, & cause the ears to whush throughout the plain.  
Each man such hast made unto ship, that yet before their cries  
The dust into the air was raised aloft into the skies.  
Which was a grief unto them all, yet such desire they had  
Of their return, that each his friend began thereof to glad,  
And council gave their Masts to hoist, and eke their sails to spread,  
With such a noise, as to the stars their cries and clamours yed.   

In truth the self same morning than each his return did high,  
And all agreed were of the same, maugre the destiny:  
Had not juno spit on her hands, and taken better hold,  
And prayed Pallas of her help when these things warred cold.   

Minerva thou my friendly mate, shall we before our eyes 
juno 〈◊〉 Pallas.   
Suffer upon these Gréekishe bands such infamy to rise,  
And shamefully to take their flight by arms not sacking Troy,  
Not winning Helen, who is cause of all this great annoy,  
To King Priam's immortal fame, and honour of his kin?  
If oft thy godly wisdom hath prevailed men's hearts to win,  
And them to change from sentence set, the same now for to use  
Is meet, to cause the Greeks to change, and this their way refuse.  
And that from Troy no ship depart, haste down I thee desire,  
Till Greece, who hath received this wrong, do venge herself by fire,   

When as the green eyed Goddess thus had heard dame juno's talk, 
Pal●… d●… cendeth 〈◊〉 co●… 〈◊〉 Ulysses.   
To find the wily Ulysses strait down she took her walk.  
Who having left the other Greeks in care, then plunged was,  
With sorrow sore, seeing how ill the war was brought to pass.  
Who semblance none, nor countenance made, homeward to take the sea●…,  
Nor once t'embark himself, this end so much did him displease.   

Is it agreed, said Pallas then, O thou Ulysses wise, 
Pallas to Ulysses.   
That this shameful departure thus be taken in this wise?  
Shall thus the Greeks be seen to fly, and Trojans to enjoy  
That beauty, which all Greece to win, brought their whole strength 〈◊〉 Troy?  
These ravishing beasts her to possess, to see dost thou not burn?  
I pray thee haste with pleasant words to stay the Greeks return,  
Here to abide, until such time, as ye have seen each one  
The Trojan town within the walls and tower of Ilium.   

The wary Greek hearing the voice divine, without delay  
Threw off his weed, and to the camp he took the nearest way,  
The lighter clad to make more speed, and meeter to make haste,  
The which an Herald strait took up, and followed him as fast.  
And Agamemnon as he ran, he met right in the face. 
Ulysses ●…akes Agamemnon's Sceptre.   
Of whom (the more to be esteemed) he took his golden Mace.  
By hap, if in this hurly burle, with Prince or King he met,  
With gentle speech he caused them stay, these words he forward set,  
Ah fellow mine, it is not meet, that we, who bear the port 
Ulysses speaks cur●…ously to the Princes.   
Of Kings and heads, should show ourselves as do the meaner sort,  
Daald dastards, but our part it is, from sloth them to refrain,  
And to lead them by counsel good, to things more for their gain.  
Agamemns fetch you do not feel, who by a gentle way  
Doth prove to see which Grecian heart most fails and faints away,  
Or who holds out: so his reward or punishment to bestow,  
He is too wise that each man should his mind and secrets know.  
Wherefore we ought all to foresee, that he find cause no where  
In us to stir: for a King's wrath is burden great to bear. 
The wrath of a King.   
For that power, by the which he rules, proceeds from grace above,  
And who commands here in God's place, him God doth always love. 
The reign comes from God. Ulysses ●…hastiseth mutinous soldiers.   
Ulysses' to his fellow Knights thus courteously did say,  
Not irously, but if he found a knave careful of prey,  
Or mutinous, who made as though he home would pass the seas,  
With his Sceptre he dealt some blows, &, beastly wretch he says:  
Becomes it thee, thou Hedgehog thou, who loves no toil but ease,  
With murmorous words to go about thy Captain to displease?  
Retire and stand, my friend I say, with those are of ●…y band,  
To ●…eare the Kings, who can appoint what's méetst to take in hand. 
Th●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we●…. Obedie●… to Kings.   
Each one of honour may not be a King and Ruler strait,  
For worthy Fame and great renown are things that are of weight,  
If they be Marshaled by one: wherefore in every case  
Let us obey that King, whom jove hath set here in his place.   

Such gentle words Ulysses used, that so they did retire,  
And strait they left their ships, in troops & plumps the king's to hear,  
Making such noise as doth the sea, when with some boisterous brag  
It makes the shore whistle along, with beating on each crag. 
Comp●….   
Each one did choose himself a place, whereas he hear might best,  
Save Thersites among them all without a room did rest.   

This Thersits was a surly knave, and eke a dogged swine, 
Homer 〈◊〉 the name 〈◊〉 Thersi●… des●… seditio●… person.   
Not knowing honour nor his good, and always spent his time,  
And took delight to mock and scorn, and use with trifling toys  
Even the chief: and in such tricks consisted all his joys:  
Thinking that it became him well, when he did them contrary:  
And worse: he was the ugliest beast, that ere the earth did carry: 
The●… was 〈◊〉 me●….   
It seemed Nature had sought her wit his foulness for to shape:  
Ill limmde he was, and for his head, it pillde was like an Ape,  
A Crassum c●…put, and his ears they were of Asses last,  
His limbs gourdie, crooked, and lame: in fine, take this at last,  
His form was monstrous to behold, his shape none ever had,  
He reaked not, though he were thought in trouble still to gad.  
All his contention and debate was broadly to gainsay  
Ulysses and Achilles, and oft like part, yea, would he play  
With Agamemnon, who, because he knew th'ole host of late,  
Or most of it, did stomach then, for that so fond debate,  
Because he held Bryseis the fair: he spéedes to him amain,  
Thus scornfully to anger him, and move him in each ●…aine.   

What dost thou lack Agamemnon, t'accomplish thy desire? 
The●… Ag●….   
What wouldst thou have? what grieves thy heart? & sets it so on fire?  
What doth it else demand▪ for first thy coffers full they be  
Of gold, silver, and jewels heaped, thy ships and tents we see  
Beset with passing Damsels through, which we the Greeks bestow  
In gift on thee, when by assault we bring a City low.  
If to us chance a prisoner rich, we can thee not deny,  
But bring to thee (strangely me think) his ransom by and by:  
For all these things at thy desire, yet art thou not content,  
But if thou seest a captive, whom nature hath beauty lent,  
her straight t'abuse thy courage serves: wherefore what should men say,  
Shall we all our allegiance bear, and such an head obey,  
Or honour him, we very beasts and Greeks infamde? nay, nay,  
Not Greekish knights, but Graecian dames, what get we here to bide?  
This Avarice here let us leave, that perish may this pride,  
And he of causing wrong debates may know the irksome gains,  
Let's leave him here, and he shall know what wrong Achilles sustains,  
For Agamemn thou hadst good hap when as the quarrel grew,  
For, if that he revenge had sought, down there he had thee slew.   

ulysse hearing this arrogant fool, with au●…ere look drew near, 
Ulysses' to Thersites.   
And looking through his brows at him, he spoke as you shall hear:  
Thou knave defamed, thou busy jacke, although I know by kind  
Thou art a railer, hold thy tongue, and set not thus thy mind,  
Aught in reproach of him to say, whom we as chief do choose,  
For not the best, even of us all, ought him in words misuse,  
And much less thou, who of the camp art refuse and outcast,  
What a trim Counsellor is this, who ꝓrates and talks thus last.  
Of our departure from this siege, without respect to know  
Whether our good or loss it be? and (his vile mind to show)  
Comes here to taunt Agamemnon, and casteth in his teeth  
The gift, which his desert did crave, and we rewarded with?   

But hark thou jacke, and be thou sure, that if little or much 
Ulysses threateneth Thersytes. O●…he of V●…ysses.   
I find thee chat against the Kings, or else their honour touch,  
That from my neck my head I lose, I pray the Gods above,  
And that mine only son do die, whom I entirely love,  
If strait as cruelly as I can, I strip thee not of all,  
Yea mother na●…te, no not thy shirt to cover thee withal,  
And then in each my hands a whip I scourge thee through the plain,  
Careless the Greeks and thou thyself shalt hide for shame & pain.  
So saying, with his Mace he hent him six or seven bangs,  
That on his crooked back and bombes, the bloody drops so hangs. 
Ulysses' stri●…es The●… with his Scep●….   
Then Thersites set up with shame, grunting with cheer full ill,  
Dreading that worse broils might hap, with sobs so held him sti●….   

Which made th'assembly all to smile, (though troubled as before)  
Laughing at him with open mouth, and at this skirmish sore.  
Each one lauding Ulysses much, they thus report of him: 
The o●… on h●… 〈◊〉 Ulysses.   
O what good zeal and wisdom great, with care of him so trim.  
His valiantness we know long since, and each man well espies  
He peerless is, hardy in war, and eke in council wise:  
Yet never did he better deed, than coursing this rebel,  
For henceforth nothing shall he move, which duty thinks not well.   

And Pallas played the heralds part, exclaiming to each one  
To hold them still, the flowing Greek to hear, second to none. 
Pallas 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 ●…lt ●…o 〈◊〉 ●…lence. Ulysses' to Aga●… and th●….   
Who seeing them all sowhusht to hark, spoke thus before the throng:   

Agamemnon thou worthy Prince, thou haste too open wrong,  
Of all these Greeks under thy charge, to Greece who homeward would  
Against the promise they have made, which rather keep they should,  
The which they made not to return, till Troy were in thy hand,  
Like Babes and Widows full of rage, themselves alone to stand,  
Desiring to their pleasure thus their Country earth to gain,  
Which rather they should flee, knowing their toil hath been in vain,  
And truth it is, that the pilot a whole month on the seas 
Com●… of a 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉.   
Toast with the surge and weltering wave, is pensive divers ways,  
And on his house, and wife at home, his whole desire doth go:  
Likewise these men some reason have, to griene and sorrow so.  
But if we should well weigh our case, Reproach we cannot fly,  
But lose our honour and renown, which loss is now too 〈◊〉,  
When men shall know our long abode: I do advise and pray,  
All you my friends, pluck up your hearts, for your own wealth I say.  
What, suffer now yet one year more, that we Greeks know thereby  
Whether the knowledge of Calchas truth told or else did lie.  
What he declared by Prophecy, I think you all well knew,  
In Aulis town of Beocie, he then as Prophet true. 
The 〈◊〉 appeared 〈◊〉 the Greek●… 〈◊〉 th●… 〈◊〉 of Au●… 〈◊〉 Beo●….   
Where all the Greeks assembled were revenge for to devise  
Against Priam, it happened then in doing sacrifice,  
To jupiter to be our guide, under a beech right green  
With shadow fresh, by which to rise a lively spring was seen,  
That of the Greeks who stoutest is, his heart for dread was cold,  
From th'altars foot, a Dragon crept, so hideous to behold:  
For huge he was, and to all sight right terrible in shape,  
The colour painted on his scales, was as the scarlet Grape.  
The Dragon drawing to the tree, to highest branch did creep,  
Where in the leaves he sparrows found 8, young that loud did peep,  
Which suddenly he ravend up, and her birds to forego,  
The Dam alone lamenting much, he strait devoured also:  
But by and by his figure changed, when he had eat the Dam,  
And of a monstrous Serpent tho, a rock he strait became,  
We present there, and looking on, and eke astonished all  
At this so dreadful beast and chance, that erst did so befall.   

Then Calchas said: O people Gréek, what makes thee in this maze, 
The prophecy of Calchas.   
The mighty heir of Saturn high thine honour means to blaze,  
And hath declared a perfect sign of thy renown to raise,  
The time shall serve, though long it be. to thine eternal praise.  
And as the Dragon did devour these seely little ones,  
And eke the Dam, in number nine, did swallow all at once:  
Likewise great dangers we shall pass in this our war of Troy,  
For nine years space, we shall return to our twice double joy.  
For in the tenth year we shall see Troy sack, and Priam slain:  
Thus Calchas told this secret hid, which hitherto is plain.  
Behold the end at hand: Wherefore a while attend the same,  
That having victory of this town, we part with lasting fame.   

Ulysses' words and zeal so well received was of the rout,  
There of the Tents, the ships, and shore, bare witness all about,  
Resounding with the people's noise, praising his judgement wise,  
Which being stilled, the hoar Nestor to speak then strait did rise.   

Oh hateful case, worthy reproach, thus Nestor did begin,  
O ye most variable folk, what mischief are we in: 
Nestor to the Greeks   
As for our braveries heretofore, and counsels divers ways,  
As far as I see, are but toys and little children's plays,  
Who travail with their whole delight in foolish trifles more  
Than things aught worth, where are the vows & promises erst swore:  
The oaths so deep and plighted faiths? where is the hatred great:  
Against Priam remains it yet, or else the cruel threat,  
No, no, all these things quite are gone, and clean you do forget  
You mind them not, your idleness hath you so fully met,  
That without harming any ways our enemies here of Troy,  
We strive among ourselves in words of each invented toy,  
And none there is so wise, which minds how now may ended be  
This war begun: Agamemnon, the thiug belongs to thee,  
And if thy duty I declare, thy pardon I require:  
Together for to pluck thy spirits should be thy chief desire,  
And on these Camps, as reason is, to set thy care and mind,  
As to the chief of all the host, and chieftain is assigned.  
And if some one withdraw himself, and will not bide the fray,  
And do refuse what thou commaundst, leave him for nought away.  
(Having endured such hurry hard) what Greek will here request  
For to departed, no knowledge, whether the plighted hest  
Which jove did make, be true or no? for sure by letting fall  
The dreadful flames of lighnting fire among us Grecians all, 
The lightning on the right 〈◊〉 good, 〈◊〉 for the Greeks.   
On our right hands we marching on, did give us for to know,  
That he himself would point a mean, and once the time would show  
Wherein we should clean take away by sword the Trojan rout.  
What? courage sirs my selowes all, and yet a while hold out,  
For we are almost at a point: wherefore what needs this haste,  
Till that each one here of us all, at will and ease be placed  
With Trojan Dames, and of Priam some daughter eke of his  
Their own parents and husbands by, to venge us of Paris,  
That wicked whelp, who took in hand, and that so lewdly durst  
Ravish from us, and steal away from Greece our Heleine furst?  
And in mean time, if any wretch or coward darelesse knave,  
Do hardly bear this our abode, or else misliking have,  
And home will run, him hang you up: & much you ought to heed,  
And be advised with careful mind, how all things do proceed,  
Confer, both give and counsel take, but who the best are tried,  
Those follow still: I think it good your Camp you do divide  
By nations sere, as they do march, some distance leave between,  
That if apart they hap to fight, they shall be better seen,  
Than if confusedly they went: and plainly shall you see  
Which of them best their duties do, and whether so it be  
That for prolonging of this war the Gods do it agree,  
And still continue do the same by heavens high decree,  
Or that the fault is in their Camp which listeth not to frght.   

To this good counsel Agamemn answers the aged wight:  
What joy quoth he, is for to hear in wisdom how you pass,  
Oh worthy sire, each Grecian Prince that is, or ever was.  
Oh jove, oh Phoebus, oh Pallas, would God such Nestor's ten  
Me for to comfort now I had, you should see quickly then  
By their good conduct Priam ta'en, and down his City torn,  
The Gods so would, and my mishap that I to fury borne  
So hateful 'gainst Achil should be, for love sole of a dame,  
For which I only am in fault, and no man else to blame:  
But if it please thy heavenly grace, that we two may agree,  
Maugre all force, son Ilium quite in Ashes you shall see.  
To make us stronger, let us dine, and then draw out our power,  
To front our foes more valiantly, and each one for to scour  
His gallant brightsome armour trick, let him some care apply,  
And trim their shields and bucklers all, your Chariots also high  
To bind so fast, they stagger not, and chief, as best is wont,  
Do thoroughly provend well your Horse, for they must bide the brunt.  
The battle and the murder will endure till sun doth set,  
Where many a lusty soldier shall under his Baudrike sweat,  
In playing the man with Target borue himself for to defend,  
And laying from him with his sword to bring his enemies end.  
And eke the stéeds orehaeld by draft, shall scarce have power to blow.  
In fine, if any Greek there be so lewd, that I may know  
The fight to fly, and for to run out of the troop and bands,  
In ship himself to hide, no help shall save him from my hands  
But forthwith die, yea die he shall, to grave none shall him bear,  
The dogs and flying souls for food shall him asunder tear.   

This speech which Agamemnon had, doth greatly joy the Greeks,  
They such a noise and whirring made, as round the air it strikes:  
The sound was like unto the sea when as the whirling blasts  
The fléeting wave it roaring loud, on rocky mountains casts.  
Each one repaireth to his tent, and dines contented well  
To mighty Gods they sacrifice and to their prayers fel.  
They pray that that days journey end, and to their danger none.  
To jove oblation doth prepare also Agamemnon,  
As best becomes the Captain chief: an Ox of five years old  
Full thick and fat, to dine with him the Prince also he would  
Have of the Camp the chiefest Peers, who sent for, there did meet:  
Nestor of all came first, and then Idomene king of Crete,  
The Ajax twain, Diomedes fifth, the sixth Vlisles fly,  
To whom also then Menelau presents himself them by,  
Full certain of the burden great, his brother then did bear  
Sole for his sake in those turmoils: they all assembled there.  
And th'offering brought into the place, and cakes on Altar laid,  
As best denotion than did bid: Agamemn thus he prayed:  
Of Gods thou jove the sovereign chief, and Lord of Welkin hie  
Of air, and of this earth below, who lets the thunder fly,  
The storms of Hail & pashing showers, grant me this day thy grace  
That I this City set a fire, or night do come in place  
Which hath so long withstood our force, grant the my sword do shear  
This day the shirt of Hector stout, on breast which he doth wear,  
And that by me he end his days, viewing his soldiers all,  
Enforcing them to save his life, in bloody death to fall.  
He prayed thus: but jove was deaf, he pleased not to hear,  
For all his offering there so great, he doth him greatly dear.   

Then is the hostie slain and flayde, and part on gridorne put,  
The liver and lights they comely seeth and every little gut.  
The gigots and the other flesh in pieces they did spit,  
Which roast, tippling the pleasant wine they down to table sit.   

At pleasure having fed their fill, old Nestor was the furst  
Who could not rest, but with these words their talking tales he burst:  
It is no time Agamemnon to laugh or chat at all,  
But execute we must the thing, to which jove us doth call.  
Command then all the Heralds here that they go cry amain,  
And hither warn the Camp to come, and then let us again  
Each one in field go range his band, and there with courteous words  
Exhort them, that right soldier like they wéelde, & use their swords.  
Agamemn bids the Heralds good to go from band to band,  
And call the Greeks, who Heralds heard, & came strait out of hand,   

A seemly sight it was to see th'array in every thing,  
And armour of the warlike Greeks each following his king:  
But goodlier was it to behold, those great and mighty Kings,  
What pain they took, the multitude who there in order brings.  
With them stood Pallas all unknown, come down from Welkin high:  
Of jove the God inuin●…ible, who lives immortally,  
The Target hung, and gastful so, she on her shoulder bare,  
About the which hanging of gold an hundred pendants were.  
So richly framed, as each was worth of ●…eues an hundred told.  
So armed, of doughty Grecians so the hearts she doth embolde  
To play the men, with dreadless minds, and do as soldiers right:  
They nothing more wish, than their lives to venture, and to fight.   

The shining of their armour bright, great Targets, shields of weight  
Amid the plain, was like in show to those on mountain height,  
As is the fire in forest made, which men do see a far:  
So shone their harness 'gainst the sun, and weapons for the war.  
And like a gay great heard of Cranes, or flock of swans like snow,  
Or Geese a lesser foul, with Charm, and sundry singing go,  
Hard by the pleasant Caister flood, under the clothed trees,  
That all the places round about do sound in fundry wise:  
So Greeks armed at Scamanderbanke, for fight in every thing,  
Such noise they yield, as fur aloof they make the meadows ring.  
With treading of the Horse likewise the valley long did sound  
To battle march, as many Greeks, as flowers on the ground.  
And as you see great swarms of flies, fly oft out hollow holes,  
And come in skull into the place whereas the shepherd folds,  
And gathers at the spring the milk, which of his sheep he reaps:  
Even so suppose the Greeks, they came out order all in heaps.  
But their good leaders them, dispose, as herdsmen who with care  
At even aye their flocks in field, to sever do prepare.  
Whom all above, Prince Agamemn himself did show at full,  
As chief in name, so chief in deed, who braving as a Bull  
Came fierce, triumphs, and rule he will, over the Dren breed:  
So he the puissant King commands how matters shall proceed.  
For head he looked that day like jove, like Neptune for his breast,  
You would have judged him presently God Mars for all the rest.  
It was the pleasure then of jove such deckings to bestow  
In Agamemu, that more thereby his honour he might show.   

Now Muses who in heaven hie your place and dwellings have,  
The favourers of virtuous works, teach me I humbly crave,  
To tell that now I cannot write, ye all and all do know,  
Recite the Princes who to Troy did with the army go,  
Recite their countries and their ships: but hearsay, nought have we,  
It shall suffice to tell the names of those, who chiefest be.  
For no man can with all his wits rehearse of all the men  
The number and the proper names, though tongues, yea, fully ten  
Right good he had, and mouths like, well speeched that open were:  
If everlasting voice I had, and breast of brass did bear,  
Without your favour I may have, in this, I am but lost.  
Of jove you daughters Goddesses, of grace and virtue most,  
Oh teach me then to name the kings and ships of Greekish host.   

¶ The catalogue of the Grecian Princes, and of their navy that came to the siege of Troy, and also of the Trojan Dukes, and foreign Kings who came to Priam's aid: Translated out of the Latin.  

TO Trojan cost from Beotie five warlike leaders come,  
Pencle, Prothaeno, and Leiton, Arcesilaus, Clonlum,  
These people hath Beotia land, they who do hyries ear, 
The Beotia Dukes. The places of Beotia.   
With Scaenon, Scolon, Aulida, which s●…onie earth doth bear,  
And also 〈◊〉 Eteonum, be●…pred wi●…h Maiora●…,  
Thespia, Graea, M●…ales, and to●…n L●…gam  
With Haxma old, the Ilesy, and those that pasture on  
The ancient soil of Erythra, and men of Eleon,  
Of Peteon, and Hilis eke, and those in Copae dwell  
And in Med●…on, 〈◊〉 for walls in pride doth so excal,  
With Thisbe's, which doth so abound with doves of wanton will,  
Who Eutresis, and Coron●…e, and Plate●… gay do till.  
Th'inhabitants of Aliarte, which is so fraught with grass,  
And who do stately Thebes hold, and live about Glissas',  
Orcheston too, with sacred grove to Neptune's godhead ●…owde,  
And Arnen, where the trees of vines with weight of grapes are ●…owde,  
Midea fair, Niss●… divine, and lastly, who do live  
In Anth●…do, whose fields about do fraught of flowers give.  
With fifty ships they come full stuffed with weapon and with men, 
〈◊〉 Beotian ships.   
Each one an hundred soldiers brought, and also double ten.  
Who from watered Orchomenon, with Minyeus' flood, 
Orchomeniens.   
Whose City is Aspledona, two knights of Mars his blood  
Ascalaphus and jalmen lead: Astyoche the fair  
While she a virgin Actors child, did by herself repair  
To Parlour sole, Mars her deflowered, and forth she brought the twin,  
Those two welfurnisht at the full with thirty sail come in.  
From Phocis' opposite against, such numbers as were sent,  
With Sch●…us and Epistrophus two soldiers odd they went. 
The Captains of the Pho●…nses.   
Them Iphitus Eubole begat: they all of Cyparis,  
Of rocky Pytho, of Cr●…ssa, of P●…op and Daulis,  
Of lofty Hyampole, and wholly on Cephisson floold,  
In Anemore, whose dwellings to, at head of Lilee stood,  
From whence Cephissa river r●…es with forty ships they sweep,  
And as Beotians faithfu●…ates, their left hand side they keep.  
The diverse armed Locrenses; valiant Orleus son  
The noble Ajax he did guide, who did as swiftly run 
Locrenses.   
As ●…sterne winds▪ but less in fact and eke in name likewise,  
For near to Ajax Telamo●… in height 〈◊〉 did not rise,  
But weaker much with members less, yet bore he mighty bre●…,  
And for the throwing of a ●…rt ●…e 〈◊〉 all the rest.   

These lands the Locrenses do hold: Cynon, Opoes', Scarphen, 
The 〈◊〉 o●… 〈◊〉.   
Calliaron, the pleasannt Auge, Thronium and Tarphen,  
Bessa, and people who do bide about Boager bank,  
All joined to war, with forty ships to Troy they come in rank.  
Against sacred Euboea shore the Locri●…s region lies.  
The Abantes who hold Euboea, out whose mouths for●…e out flies, 
〈◊〉.   
Who Cbalcida, Eretria, and wine Histia have,  
Cerinth●…m by the sea, the town of jupiter so brave,  
With Car●…ston, and in Styra who dwelling do abide,  
Those▪ doth a martial worthy Prince Elphenor Captain guide,  
The Calcyens eke a guider stout, of the Abantes bands,  
Who were the best throwers of Darts, that ever threw with hands,  
And cunning shakers of the staff to hit their foe a far,  
These also forty: Bottoms big did bring unto the war.   

From mighty walled Secrops town where people so do flourish  
Of Erechthus, whom br●…d in field Jove's daughter great did nourish,  
To him a Temple Athens raised, on them he first did reign, 
Athen●…   
For yearly sacred offerings there both neat and lambs are slain,  
The doughty mighty Menesthe the army out he leads,  
No man his match for placing Horse, and furnishing of steads,  
And marchaling of soldiers close, wherein though Nestor ware  
His better both for use and years, therein he durst compare.  
With fifty warlike Kéeles he came from Athens strait as line,  
And twice six Ajax Telamonius did bring from Salamine, 
The 〈◊〉.   
The which he placed hard on the shore, the Cecrop sails them by.   

Who Greekish juno's Argos holds, and Tyrinth walled high,  
Hermiones, and Asines, Troëzene hie in shore,  
Eiöne sacred Epidaure, of ●…ines which hath such store,  
Who are in wealthy Egina, and in Masita bred,  
Those Diomedes big of voice, and Stheneleus led 
D. 〈◊〉, Sten●…▪ lu●…, & H●…▪ rialus the●…▪ 〈◊〉.▪ 〈◊〉.   
The son of noble Capanus, two men of prows odd,  
With them the third Euryalus, in virtue like to God.  
Mecest of Telaios was his sire, but doughty Diomedes  
Did rule as chief, with fourscore sail they came right well arrayed.   

Who do Mycenae's stately frontes inhabit and maintain,  
Who in rich Corinth's walls of pride, and in Ornias' reign, 
The 〈◊〉 My●….   
Who in Cleonas building brave, and Araethyra but,  
With fruitful fallows round beset, and live S●…cion in  
Where once Adrastus' great was king: Gon●…es on the Hill,  
Hyperesis, Pelle●…is, and Aegion, who do till,  
All who dwell on the crooked shore, and in the region large 
Aga: king 100 ships.   
Of Helissen, those Agamemn Atrides hath in charge.  
Galleys and Galleons riggde he brought an hundred for relief,  
Whom people and the Princes all did choose to be their chief.  
For as in power he passed fur, his valour was not small,  
Wherefore by Greeks consent he had the government of al.   

Who people do the Bulwarks proud of L●…cedaemon town  
Fishing surnamed, who lofty Sparte, and Par in low adown, 
The Lacedæmonians and their dwellings King Menelaus. 60. ships.   
Who Messis full of doves, and Auge, that is so pleasant aye,  
Brysas, and who of Amyclare enjoy the greens so gay,  
Who Helon, and the fennish shore, and Tylon do frequent  
With Laan, these with threescore sail with Menelaus went,  
With men and weapons furnished full, a man of doughty pride,  
Well toungde, he also brother was unto the great Atride,  
His wife by stealth him taken fro, to deadly wrath he grew,  
For Helenes sake with tears and plaints the Greeks to war he drew.   

Who keep in Pilon Neleida, and in Areius tillde, 
The Pyli●…s and their dwellings.   
Thryon, and Alphes meeting fords, and Epy hielie hillde  
With towers aloft, Cyparissa, and Eneo●… always green,  
And who in Pteleon and Helos, and 〈◊〉 dwellers been, 
The fable of Thamyris, deprived by the mus●…s, of versifying.   
Where Muses did bereave of Thrace Thamyris of his skill  
Of versifying, with whom he met with hap unlucky ill,  
When from Eurythus he did come, of Oechalie the king,  
And sweeter than the Goddesses he boasted he did sing,  
If they durst try with him in song: Jove's children grieved thereat, 
D Nester, 90 ships.   
His song and H●…rping they do mar, so vainly who did chat.  
These soldiers bring●… Duke Nestor he, the oldest for his years,  
With ninety strong and warlike barks well armed he appears.   

The nations of Arcady towns, which so doth swarm with men, 
The Arcades and their dwellings.   
And who do dwell about the foot of mountain high Cyllen  
Hard by the 〈◊〉 so highly he apt, where mighty bodies lie,  
Of many worthy warlike 〈◊〉, who in the war did die,  
In Pheneon, who lead their lives, and in rich Orchomen,  
By means of Lambs so finely fléesde, in Rhipes Stratien.  
In Enispes, subject always to wind where so it blow,  
Tigea, and Mantina gay, and who in Stymphalo,  
And stately seated Parrhasis: to these Agapenore  
Is Prince, the worthy Ances son, who came with full threescore  
Right roomy keels, with soldiers fraught, but they him given was  
By the great king Atride, the sea of Nigropont to pass,  
Because the Arcades far from sea, and shore thereof do fare,  
They little reak for marine work, and small for shipping care.   

The native men of Buprasis, and of Elidadie,  
Of Hyrnim, of furthest Myrsin, hard to the ridges hie 
The Ep●…ens & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Of craggy Olen, and who dwell as far as Alise old,  
These forward came with doughty Duke's full four in number told.  
Each one with twice five vessels armed, as any could desire,  
Amphimach first, sharp Thalpy next, to whom Eurite was sire,  
And Eteato to Amphimache, third Amaryncis was  
D●…ores cleapte, Polyxen fourth in shape who so Dis pass,  
Jove's son by Auge, of Epeis they did bring a mighty mass.   

The nations of Dulichium, and set aloft in waves, 
Dulichiens.   
Sacred Echinald, Elidis for Region fine that braves,  
Meges a match for Mars himself, their Captain him they will,  
With t●…les of war, he Brigants brought in number forty full.  
The rider good Phileus Auge at Duliche, got him there,  
When from his wrathful sire he fled, whom jove did favour bear.   

The warlike bands of Cephalee, with crags and rocky hills,  
And of Neriton sterile earth, which mighty trees so fills, 
Cep●…ens, and their box●… dures.   
And of the little I●…hache fields, so barren and so bad,  
Of hard Crocilia, and the soil of Aegelipee clad,  
With bareness strange, and torn Torres of Salmon, of Zacin,  
Whose pastures be so full of wood, and all the folk within  
The Country high, the sea aloof, ulysse a jove for head,  
Did overrule, twelve ships he brought, their sternes all okard red.   

Th' Etolien men of Pleuronis and lofty Olenon  
Of Chal●…is nigh, high piles shore, and stony Calydon,  
Andraemons' son Duke Thoas ruled, the Etoles all he lead,  
For all Oeneas stock was failed, himself eke lately dead, 
Cretenses.   
Nor yellow Meleager did live, with vessels ●…oure times ten  
He did augment the navy, and with thousands so of men.   

The worthy soldier Idomene the Cretian crews he brought,  
Levied out of Gneson and Gorthyna walled aloft,  
And Lycta old for buildings famed, and Lycast white as Snow,  
With Phest, Milet, and Rhytion, well peop●…ed towns you know  
The whole supply of Creta, which the ●…oomie sea 〈◊〉, 
100 Cities of Creta.   
With City's large an hundred full, doughty Idomene fets,  
And Meryan a Mars indeed, with fourscore in in tale,  
And harnessed Hulks, with picked men they come with merry gale.   

Great Tlepoleme great Herculs son, for war and bones a m●…  
The Rhodians they in number great with him to navy ran, 
The Rhodi ans. Their Towns   
With Galleys nine of fertile Rhodes, where men trick so their h●…  
Of Lindus, jalisse, and Camire, who snowish hew doth wear.  
With them to Toy Tlepoleme comes, of great Alcidas seed,  
Whom it is said Astyoche bare, when Alcide did proceed  
His mightie-sire to conquer realms, he him from Ephyre took,  
And out that country brought him home from nigh Sellen●…ees broo●…  
Where growing now to riper years, he flew his father's frien●…  
Allied in blood, a virtuous wight, Licymnion had his end,  
An aged man by slaughter his. Which done, his mates he calle●…▪  
And hasting strait unto the sea, to flight he forward falls:  
For all the flock of Herculs breed themselves to vengeance ●…ast,  
He scaped them all, with sundry toils he seas and country's 〈◊〉▪ 
Nir●…us captain of the Symeis 3 ships. Next Achil les he was the godliest man. Calidneiens and other Insulans, whose princes were Phidippus and Antiphus thirty ships. Pelasgiens. Thessaliens   
And light at Rhodes, which I●…e beset three Cities named before,  
The which, for his sake mighty jove did bless with wealthi●… 〈◊〉   

With fore gates three from Syma went Aglaies Nirëus,  
A King he had to ●…ather his that height Caropaeus,  
Of all that came to Troy, he was a man for making odd,  
Achilles except, yet few he lead, because he was a lobbe.   

The Nysire youth Capathus, Cast, and Euripile, not great,  
And all the Isles Calidnee cleapt, whereon the waves do beat,  
Phidippus and Antiphus brings, Thessalees sons that were,  
Amphytrios' nephews, Caravels they seas with thirty shear  
The Kréekers of Pelasgicke, Arge, Alopen, and Alon,  
Trac●… small, well walled Pthie, and many a Myrmidon,  
Bred of full of many mother's fair, Achaes and Helen's height, 
Myr●…▪ Hellades etc. whose leade●… w●… Ach●…es ●…0. ships.   
Who are also the Hellades eke, these Achilles led aright  
To Troy, there fifty Argosies, both big and small he brought,  
These idle people of the wars unhapppy never thought.  
The mates who set their mind on muck no man will bring to fight,  
●…chill then loitering kept aboard, doled with grief and spite,  
●…nd wroth for leaving of Bryseis his trick and gallant trull,  
For whom he taken had such toil when as he down did pull  
The Bulwarks proud of Lyrnessis in strong and warlike mart,  
●…nd won her there, and Thebes sack, and also clave the heart  
Of Minite and Epistrophon, who sons of Even were,  
●…nd also brethren unto her, whom now he held so dear,  
●…nd for whose sake he mourning lies, with dreaming still of her,  
That absent was, yet he again to turn unto the war.   

Who seated are in Philaca, and in Pyrrhason wood  
●…o ●…ully fraught with Ceres' plants, and Iton breeder good 
Phylaceens and their dwellings.   
Of weighty felterd felled sheep: and Antro in the shore,  
With Pteleon of wedlocks rites that makes so great a store: 
Protesilau●… ruler 〈◊〉 ships.   
To these was Prince Ptotesilau, with forty sail he hied  
●…traight unto Troy, a soldier right, whereas he quickly died.  
For whom his wife Laodame with tears full mourning is,  
●…nd wailing stands that princely Court, who doth the Master miss.  
He was the first of all the Greeks on Phrygian shore that leapt, 
His slaye●… is taken to be Hector.   
Who there a worthy warrior slew of Troy to him that stepped.  
These people were not Princeless yet, nor left unarmed quite,  
●…odarce rich, Ip●…clus his son, them rules, a warlike wight,  
Brother to stout Protesilau, but less of years and deed,  
A good man yet, and therefore glad his soldiers forth to lead.   

The folk of Pheres and B●…ben, Glaphyre, and Bebeid●…, 
Phercie●….   
In fennish scite, jaolcon which in houses bears such show.  
Eumel with five well harnessed Hoys augments the navy there,  
Who to Admetus Alcestis, breed, of beauty odd, did bear.  
The garrison of Methonie, and next Taumacie fields  
Melibae, and Olizenes', which stony country yéeldes, 
Methoni●…s, and their borders.   
The cunning shot Philoctetes in seven ships doth bring  
And mates they were not eas●…y matched with such as javelins flin●… 
●…loctetes wounded, and left in Lemnos, of whom is a G●…eckishe Tragedy.   
In each ship fifty soldiers were: but left in Lemnos he  
Was by the Greeks, where wounded sore his chance it was to b●…▪  
With festered wound, that déerde him so, ystroke with Hydra's blou●…  
The Argives yet him do desire, not Dukelesse though they stood.  
To them is Medon Colonel, the bastard of Oiley,  
To whom his mother Rhine him bare, than Medon leads the wa●…▪   

The Triccen men, and who abide in rocks about Itho, 
Triccenses, Ithomenien says, and Occhaliens.   
And Oechalie, which Euryte ruled, with sail thrice ten they go●…▪  
Their Generals were brethren two, their sire Coronis bare  
Nephews to Phoebus, in Physic they cunning Doctor's ware,  
Both men of war, Machaon one, and Podalire his mate.  
Of Ormen who and Hypen spring, nigh Aster holds the state 
Ormeniens with their borderers.   
By top of Titan full of snow: their Duke was Eurypile  
Euemons' son, he vessels brought forty to Troy that while.   

Argissa lads on Peneid shore, and who do Gyrtho till, 
Argissei with their borderers.   
Orthen, Elone, white Oloos' they follow with good will,  
Meneptoleme a doughty chief, he was Perithoes son,  
Whom jove on Hypodame begote, where Pelis mount doth run●…  
So nigh the skies, and where he sire the hairy Centaurs bred,  
And to Macedon coast removed, yet was he not the head  
Of them alone, Leonteus was joined with him in charge,  
A captain good Coronus son, with many an armed barge,  
And furnysht foist, yea forty full, they come in for an aid.   

From Cyph●… town Guneus brought, barks twenty two array▪  
Whose ensigns th' Eniens and eke the worthy Perebs would 
Ciphei.   
Fast follow on, and at Dodo, who dwell in country cold,  
And who about Titaresis, which ay so softly flows,  
As though sweet Peneon runs therein, not mixed with it, it goes▪  
Perhaps for there the iu●…ces fat of Pallas Olives run,  
The head from S●…ygian Lake, by which the Gods to swear do 〈◊〉▪   

The standards of Magnesia, begot by Terthredon 
Magnetes, & Prothous their prince An other Prothous 40. Ships.   
Prothous leads, but people else of pleasant Peneon  
And Pelion so beset with wood, an other Prothous named  
A forward man doth order he, with two score galleys framed  
Fit for the fight: these two do come, and lo, here have I told  
The King and Princes every one, to Troy that came so bold. 
The goodness of the men & horses in this war.   
Now say my Muse, which of the Greeks the best and worthiest was,  
And which horse of the horses all in praise did there surpass,  
Which came to the Dardanian walls by conduct of Atride,  
The Mares of Eumel were the best, as swift as though they flyde,  
Both of a year, both of a hair, and both in colour like, 
Eumels' Mares the best.   
And like the smooth and riped Grapes, their backs were soft & slike,  
Apollo in Pieria their dams he fostered stout,  
With mighty breasts, from nostrils whose they fury breathed out.   

Ajax Telamonius bore the name of all the Greekish crews 
Ajax Telamonius the best soldier nex●… Achilles. Achilles' horses the best.   
Next to Achilles, who waxing wroth the battle did refuse:  
Of the Achives he was the prime for strength, for bones, for pith,  
His horses eke they odd one were, but now at variance with  
Atride the Chieftain of them all, aboard he loiters still,  
His mates yet met, in divers mirth the shore in sporting fill.  
Some quaite, some exercise their bows, and on the dankey shore  
The Chariots stand, the steeds do feed in manger them before,  
Great foison of their liked food, wild Smallage was their fare,  
While that their Chariots to the field the Princes do prepare.  
To these so forward to the fight when as they do request  
A hand victorious them to lead, the no he doth protest.  
Through all the camp they up and down do roil and linger on,  
There is no leave that they may fight or else to battle gone.  
But now of Greeks the army whole doth march with stately grace, 
Comparison of the Greekish march.   
And all their brazen armour shone, as of the earth the face  
Had been on fire, and all the fields had flamed over with flash,  
And like as jove wood mad lightning and thunder down doth dash, 
another comparison   
With drizzling showers, so large about the fields they do resound  
With rushing of the weapons bright, and stamping on the ground.  
Oras when on Typheous tomb, whereon huge mountains lies,  
He scourges with his tempest black, send from Arimise,  
The Giant's Cave, as it is said, such noise their trampling yields,  
They moving in a body whole, hasting out further fields.  
And Iris Pursuivant to jove, from heaven takes her flight,  
To Trojan state brings doleful news, and at the gates doth light  
Of Priam's King, where on a plump consult both young and old,  
Of things of weight, quick Iris there to them this tale she told.  
The feigned shape and voice she took, of Polite Priam's son  
So swift of foot, to Eesites tomb, whom Priam made to run  
Aloft to view, and word to bring, if Greeks did haply stir,  
Light Iris like to him in legs, she enters in thus fur.   

Delightst thou still O aged sire (quoth she) to spend thy time  
In needless talk, as when in peace did stand this state of thine:  
Great wars and destiny thee déeres, and here upon the green  
Such swarms and millions flock of men, as never hath been seen.  
To sand and leaves they are much like, their number is so great,  
They fill the ample fields: this town they harry will they threat.  
Do thou now Hector take the charge, sith thou hast in thy walls  
Such great supply, and nations séere as best it now befalls,  
Command the people ruled be by Princes of their own,  
Assign each language leaders like, and ensigns to be known.   

Thus Iris spoke, but Hector well the voice divine he knew,  
The Council broke, from quarters all to town the soldiers drew,  
And wide they open all the gates, the footmen forth they rush,  
The Cornets of the horsemen placed eke in order forward push,  
With tumult and with clamour great, and now with heat they try:  
In sight amidst of all the field yplaced is on high,  
A sepulchre lofty and large, which men Batia call,  
But God's Myrynes' tomb it cleape: here meet the Trojans all, 
Batias sepulchre.   
The Battaillons and Phalanges of footmen Marshalled be,  
The troops of horsemen eke, to which the Captains see.  
Gay Hector was the Trojans chief, of Priam's King the son, 
The Catalogue of ●…he Tro●…an ●…aders.   
Under whose ensigns many a feat of doughty war was done,  
He jolly forward soldiers had, men meet for Sword and lance.  
To dardan's stout and beautiful Aeneas leads the dance, 
Dardaniens   
Whom Venus white unto Anchyse of Dardanie did bear,  
In clothed shade of Ida hills, with him when joyed she there.  
Enee alone not ruled all, with him appointed are  
Antenor's sons, Archilach, and Acamas men of war.  
The bands of Zele in Lycie land, at foot of Ida springs,  
The Aphnees brave, Lycaon's son the noble Pander brings, 
Aphneiens   
The Aesapes eke, who daily bib of Troes that water black,  
Who golden Apollo taught to shoot, and bow to bear at back. 
Adrastien●…▪ whose le●… dear were Adrastus & Amphiu●….   
The aids of the Adastreans sent out Pytiëan,  
And Appease rich, and Ter●…i hie, to these the Dukes were than  
The sons of Mecops, Percosis, Adraston, Amp●…on,  
Whose sire the future haps did know, yet forward would they on,  
All his persuasions set apart, unto that deadly war,  
They would withstand the destiny, which both the men did mar. 
Percosi●…. Sesticus. Abdye●….   
Who Percot and Praction towns, who Sestos, and Abide,  
Who hold Arisbaes' Princely walls, a King full noble tried.  
Asius Hyrtacis governed, from rich Arisba sent 
Asius Pric●… of the Ar●…beiens. Hippolochus & Pyleus Dukes of the P●…lasgiens. Acamas & Piro●…s Princes of the Thracians. Euphemus captain of the Cicons. Pyrechnes' duke of the Peo●…es. Pylemenes ruler of the Paphlagones' Eneti.   
With worthy coursers for their feat, from river Selleent.  
The willing people of Pelasge and Larisse fertile lands,  
Hippothous and Pyleus both brethren, lead their bands.  
Of Thracians, and next Hellespont, to war the crews are brought,  
By worthy Acam and Peiro, a haughty Hero thought.   

The lanced troops of Cicones all Euphemus doth command,  
The noble son of Traezenus Ceada height le grand.  
The cunning shot of Peony, Pyrecheies Marshals all  
far off from Amydon that came, where Axius brook doth fall  
So wholly with his glassy hue. Pylaemen Prince is found  
Of Paphlagons from Enet sent, where numbers so abound  
Of clownish breed: to these the seats, to Cytor joined nigh  
Sesamon one, and Erythnie on mountain placed high,  
And Cities proud, Cronna, and eke Aegiah gay to look,  
Y placed on the pleasant banks of Partheneia brook. 
Epistroph▪ and Dius Dukes of the Halizone●…. Eunomus and Chromus Captains of the Mesiens' The Dukes of the Phry giens, Phor cis, & Asc●… nius. Antiphus, & Mest●…les brought the Meoniens.    

On Halizons Epistrophus and Dius Rulers reigned,  
Of Alyb far whose soil full deep with silver over is vainde.  
Two warlike youths of Mysiens', Cromis, and Eunomus  
Did guide: the last a Prophet good, yet could he not discuss  
To flee his fate, and scape the fist, and fierce force of Achilles,  
When he so many wretches drowned, and field with Mortes did fill.   

The mighty Legions of Phrygie to Phorcis did obey,  
And to Ascanius proud of form, who both had ta'en their way  
From Ascame, a country far, the love of war it brings  
Two gallants gay armed at full to fight they fly with wings.   

With brethren Mesthles and Antyph the Meons' came to fight.  
Who dwell nigh Tmole, Gyga their Dame, their sire Pylemene hight.   

The Cares, the dullards in our speech, of Mileton the ranks,  
And men of P●…hiront shaded Mount, and of Maeander banks, 
Amphimachus & Nastes brought the Cares & Milesiens'.   
And who dwell on Michales hills, them, as they did desire,  
Amphimach joined with Nastes ruled, to both was Nomion sire.  
Amphimach, like some wanton wench in golden robes was clad,  
And so into a stubborn war did thrust himself as mad.  
No fence in gold, death fled he not, he falleth in the flood  
Aeacis doth bereave his gold, and eke there spills his blood.   

On lusty lads of Lycie land, Sarpedon beareth sway, 
Lyciens.   
Drawn from his Country Xanthus far, where that brook takes hy●… way,  
With him was féere unto the field in armour Glaucus gay.    
Finis Libri secundi.   

¶ The third Book.  

AFter the Trojans troops came forth new ranged on the soil  
With manly minds and courage good to put their foes to foil,  
In sudden with a majesty, they march on Greekish host,  
And like the Cranes they to the skies their cries and clamours tossed,  
Who leave their hills and mountains hie, great showers knowing to fall,  
And seek their food by Neptune's shore, where they their armies call,  
For the Pygmeis, with whom full oft war cruel they do hold,  
With stroke of wing, of bill and foot, if they their force unfold.  
The Greeks again come forward on, yielding no noise nor cry, 
Comparison of the Cranes who war with the Pygmies   
Full wood with rage them to revenge with fury they drew nigh,  
With ardent mind for the desire of victor's only fame,  
Each rescuing his fear, who fought to death to gain the same.  
And as you see in winter time full oft how fares the mist, 
Comparison of the mist.   
Which western winds scouring the plains on mountains hie doth kest,  
As much unto the shepherds loss as to the robbers gain:  
For who can see a stones throw of aught thing in land or plain?  
Even so the troops, when they approached, the dust was reared on high  
That neither Trojan, ne yet Greeke could one another spy.   

And when the armies both were raundge, Greeks by the Trojans hard, 
The ras●…nesse of provoking the Greke●… to the combat. Paris his armour.   
Paris with stalking pace advauncde himself to the Greeks ward  
Stoutly calling of the Greeks the valiantest to the fight,  
Body to body was his demand, to show thereby his might.  
The armour which he bore that day, was of Leopardus skin,  
With bow stifbent, and with quiver, and many a shaft therein,  
His sword in hand, and two brave Darts armed with steel at all,  
Which he 'gan shake, when as the Greeks to combat he did call.   

But Menelau his boldness spied, of whom he knowledge had  
To be his foe, his heart it leaps, for joy he groweth glad, 
Comparison of a Lion meeting 〈◊〉 Hart.   
Most Lion like meeting an heart or Goat he seeking pray  
Amid the woods, forced by the Hounds, and Hunters to the bay,  
It killed, he taking his repast, is pleased at his good chance:  
The Greek so choosing Paris out, for very joy doth dance,  
Th'occasion offered to revenge the wrong him lately done,  
And armed as he was, he leapt down from his Chariot soon.   

But Paris who saw Menelau this fight in hand should take, 
Fear and cowardice of Paris.   
Can not hold out, but yea almost for very dread 'gan quake.  
And hasting strait reculde, he dread the danger in this case,  
And did retire among his fears to range him in his place,  
Even as the traveling man full oft passing Hills great and high, 
Comparison of a traveler meeting a Dragon.   
Not looked for right in his way finding a Serpent lie,  
Doth shun the way, and step aback, with colour pale and wan,  
With trembling limbs, more like the death than any living man.  
With this so villainous retreat sir Hector gay was wroth, 
The vehement spe●… of Hector to Paris.   
The slander seeing now would grow, chid Paris for his sloth.  
Unhappy Paris, bearing show as doughty as the best,  
Yet in effect but feminate, with luxure to detest.  
Oh would to God thou coward vile, in birth thou hadst been lost:  
Such shame to bring they dolorous sire, and eke thy Country cost:  
Seest thou the mirth the Greeks do make for this thy vile retreat,  
Who thought thy corpses for brawn and bones of arms to bear the feat.  
And this is each man's speech & cry, behold the Greekish sides,  
Behold a Mass of flesh, wherein no spirit or strength abides.  
You were of force, I know, ere now, your ships to arm and band,  
And hoist your sails, and turn your course to fetch a stranger's land:  
And like a young man being received, into a Prince's house  
Didst steal away against all right a worthy King his spouse,  
To the dishonour and reproach of all the Trojan name,  
And by the same there doth redound to King Priam a shame,  
To Greeks a joy, to thee a grief, and yet thou wert affright  
And erst for dread began to pale with Menelau to fight.  
This is thy fear, thou castest thus, that he should thee of life  
Deprive, whom thou unworthy hast deprived of his wife. 
Menelaus.   
Thy voice so sweet, thy pleasant tongue, thy limbs so featly laid,  
Thy bush so seemly to thy sight, thy gifts if all be weighed  
Which Venus hath bestowed on thee, should serve to little end  
Thy life to save, if in the field with him thou shouldst contend:  
Thy coward heart hath in such case now brought each Trojan wight  
Seeing in thee nought worthy praise, that they refuse to fight.  
Thy deed deserves to great reproach, wherefore now hie thee hence  
Out of my sight, go pack the fourth, and hide in some defence.   

Hector chiding Paris thus, trick Paris strait confessed, 
Paris to Hector.   
Oh brother dear, of right to me this speech you have addressed.  
For why, your force is of such favour your courage eke so high, 
Comparison of Hector's force to an A●….   
That toil and travail is there none it can be hurt thereby.  
No more than doth the workman's axe turn edge, or waxeth blunt  
When timber trees, his work to end, the man to hue is wont.  
But yet of God the gifts ye ought not thus cast in my teeth,  
For Gods the same on men bestow for to reward them with:  
And sith of Gods those gifts they have, let them yield him the praise,  
Not metting them by their deserts, but by his will always.  
Well, if you will with Menalau the combat I attend,  
Appoint the place, that of this strife we two may make an end. 
Paris will fight.   
Turn us two lose here, in the Greeks and in the Trojans sight,  
Placed about us, let them see of us the martial fight.  
Who victor shall be, let him have to recompense his p●…ine,  
To make him merry, all the pray, let him possess Heleine,  
And let the Trojans unto Troy, the Greeks to Greece repair,  
And covenant firmly for to keep, let both the nations swear.   

Hector seeing Paris thus, buskle unto the fray,  
Marvels with joy, before his bands he steps out in the way,  
His pike in midst aloft he bears, he wills them all to hold,  
And stay themselves, which strait they did as soldiers well controlled:  
The Greeks cease not to march, their stones & darts at random fly,  
Galling the Trojans, till such time Agamemnon did cry,  
Cease, cease, (quoth he good Greeks I say) no more do shoot or thro', 
Agamemn●… to the Greeks.   
To stay his men, out of the troop the king doth also go:  
Content ye young and worthy lads, I yonder Hector see,  
To talk with us he by his signs doth willing seem to be.   

The shafts they cease, & strait the Darts no man doth see to fly, 
Obedience of the Greeks.   
The Camp was still as possible might in twinkling of an eye.  
Hector seeing such silence made between the hosts, began,  
These were the words among them all of that most worthy man.   

Hear oh ye Greeks and Trojans both what Paris doth offer 
Hector to the Greeks & Troyr●…   
Unto you all, my brother here the author of this war.  
He thinks it good to make an end of this so mortal fight  
That ye aside your weapons lay, and to decide the right  
Twixt him and Menelau, he would sharp weapons should it try,  
Fair Heleine should the victor have him rendered by and by.  
With all the pray, and that forthwith, to morrow else by day  
Assurance made to keep the pact each one departed his way.  
The worthy Hector scarce an end had made now of this case,  
But stout and forward Menelau spoke thus in open place:   

Give ear ye Greeks and Trojans both unto these words of mine, 
Menelaus to the Greeks and Trojans.   
Who shall declare unto you all my grief and grievous pine,  
I do agree now for to end this dangerous debate,  
Considering erst the travails great and mischiefs, which of late  
And long sith by both camps sustained, for the adultery,  
And the just cause which pricks me forth to venge this misery,  
That all men rest, and that Paris against me come, whereby  
All ye shall see, who ordained is by fate to live or die.  
And to effect that all be done, th●…oblation which of due 
For the sacrifice.   
The Gods in such case ought to have, the pacte to hold more true,  
It needful is, by the Trojans two lambs there be assigned,  
The one coal black, the other white, Male and Female by kind,  
White be the Male, the female black, unto the sun most clear 
An old ceremone.   
To shed their blood, and to the earth, of all men dame so dear,  
Benign and ancient mother of man, and we a third will bring,  
Which shall be offered unto jove that great and mighty King.  
I would also for surety more, one went for old Priam,  
That for this pact and covenant made, he ratify the same,  
For his children all Greece well knows, are promise breakers all,  
Falsers of Faith, and unto change young heads are always thrall: 
Youth inconstant.   
The old man if he swear the oath, if bound he see he be,  
He will abide no treason then, nor offer injury.   

This fight agreed, the Citizens, and soldiers strange of Troy  
The Trojans all, the Greeks each one, hereof begin to joy,  
In hope an end shall now be made of this their wretched war,  
With busy toil they round about do place their horse afar,  
And keeping order, forthwith than they from their Chariot's light,  
Their shields, their lances down they lay, and harness fit for fight,  
Leaving good scope between them both, full fit by fight to try. 
Herald.   
The jolly Hector Heralds two to Troy sends by and by,  
Two Lambs to fetch, and hast Priam t'allowe all this accord.  
Talthybius eke went to the ships, commanded by his Lord  
Agamemn, to fetch the Lamb unto the company,  
Which was appointed as before, for the ceremony.   

This while from the Olympus high Iris made her repair 
Iris messenger of the Gods. Laodices' daughter of Priam.   
To Troy, to tell these news to her, who fairest is offaire.  
The shape she took of her sister beloved, fair Laodice,  
Who married had Elicaon, Anthenors' son the wise.  
She found the fair not idle tho, but working busily,  
She in her chamber made a piece of worthy Chivalry, 
Helins' exercise.   
Wherein was wrought of Trojans and of Greeks the worthy Acts,  
Most cunningly in portraiture, their sallies and their facts,  
Their chargings oft, their cruel fight, their meetings one to one,  
Which both the Camps continually, made for her love alone.   

Arise quoth Iris, come Heleine, and in the plain hard by,  
The City here thou strait shalt see things wondrous to thine eye:  
Those whom thou hast each day beheld, in wont deal doleful blows,  
In dangerous war, thou shalt see rest, together in sundry rows.  
And some there leaning on their shields, well weary of their toils,  
And Menelau with Paris shall (to end these wars and broils)  
Fight hand to hand, and he who shall the better part obtain,  
Thee shall he have by one consent, as glory of his gain.   

These news declared, with a desire this Heleines mind is sped 
Helein●… mind doth 〈◊〉   
Of her first spouse, and country town, wherein she first was bred,  
Of her parents, to see them once, a time this Heleine prays  
With them to lead her life again, and furnish forth her days.   

She riseth up, and decks herself with gorgeous attire,  
And out she goes, distilling tears, as they well saw stood by her.  
And not alone, she with her led Climean and Aethrea,  
And goes unto the greatest port that named is Sciea.  
Where on the Bulwarks they might see at ease the fields so wide, 
The old Trojans for counsel.   
There king Priam with Lords of state was set on every side,  
To shroud them in the shade within the pentus of the Wal,  
Tymets, Lampus, Clitus, Panthus, in virtues famous all.  
Hicetaon renowned in war, also Vcalegon  
Of late that was of boisterous brain, and eke Antenor one,  
As good a man of war as they, but now for council out,  
The aged dads there closely sit, the scorching heat they doubt.   

As grasshoppers the old men chat, when two or three are found  
In Summer time amid the Grass, and make a charming sound. 
〈◊〉 of grasshoppers.   
They looking on the heavenly Greek, good cause confessed, why  
Both camps should make such toil & stir, and eke so long should try,  
Her beauty, weighed that was more than any earthly work,  
Which in her Goddess visage there did shine and seem to lurk:  
Yet they anoucht, it better were to yield her home to go, 
Advise of the Trojans to render Heleine.   
Without abode, for to eschew the mischiefs, which might grow  
By keeping her still as they did: as she arrived than  
Whereas they sat, the king her called, and thus to her began.  
Come thou to me my daughter fair, here down by me do sit, 
Priam ●…o Heleine.   
Leave off thy moan, leave off thy tears, which from thine eyes do ●…lit.  
Do not consume lamenting thus, come see thy husband here,  
And all the Greeks thy kinsmen eke, and cousins all so dear.   

Oh Jove's will is not that in thee I should th'occasion lay  
Of my mishaps, which yields my grief, no, no, the gods are they  
Who for the better to revenge themselves of me and mine,  
Desire by this wretched war t'afflict us all with pine.  
Come near, and leave your bashfulness, and of the Greeks declare  
Your neighbour's kindred and allies, and who you nearest are.  
What, who is he is foremost there, of middle pitch and bone,  
With countenance grave, as I forethink, I never saw yet one  
Since I was borne, so well beséene as he in every thing,  
And sure he bears the port and show, and grace of some great king.   

Then answered Heleine thus the King with humble voice & said,  
My most dear Lord, thy reverent state doth yield me well afraid, 
Heleine to Priam.   
When to thy presence I resort, but would to God by death  
Before the turmoils of this war I yielded had my breath:  
And chiefly when to follow with thy son, I was so mad,  
Leaving my husband, many a Dame and gentle fere I had,  
My brethren, and my daughter both, then both we free from woe  
Had been as now, but what help when ill luck will have it so?  
Sent for to do your graces will, who doth command the same:  
For him you ask, that prince he hath Agamemnon to name. 
Heleine shows Agam: to Priam.   
A King both wise and stout in war, of Atreus eke the heir,  
To whom the Camp in all obeys, and their alliegance bear.  
Who now long sith, when we in peace and surety all did swim,  
Was unto me brother in law, and I sister to him.   

The peerless fair holding her peace, Priam with marvel amazed,  
Hearing Agamemnon's honour thus declared, set forth, and blazed,  
Can not himself then hold his peace, but 'gan his praise to cry, 
Priam commendeth Agamemnon   
O fortune good, thou Agamemn art more than twice happy  
Sith worthy Prince of chilualrie, the high Gods in thy hands  
To thy good hap do put the Greeks, to lead and rule their bands.  
So that by thee is governed now, conducted at thy will,  
So great an host arrived here, which doth all Phrigie fill.  
When I was young, and valiance had, and prowess, I do mind,  
That on this land the Amazons did war, women in kind, 
Amazons.   
Yet folk in war of great exploits, whose force for to withstand,  
We driven were to call such strength, as near was in this land.  
Then Otrus and Migdon marching against them in their way,  
Their footmen and their horsemen both did in a valley stay,  
Nie Sangar flood with stream so long, to their succours I came, 
Sangar.   
They made me chief, yet our gay bands the Greeks now pass the same.   

After he casts his sight aside on Ulysses, and says, 
Priam's 〈◊〉 Helen.   
Ah gods, daughter mine yet once again come on your ways,  
Tell me what Greek is that I see, with shoulders, breast, and waste  
So well beset, and not so high as Agamemnon last,  
Who with so good a grace, and armed goes round about the Greeks, 
Comparison of the deep woolled Ra●…es.   
As doth the mighty Bell-wether with hairy cote and cheeks,  
Who for the better keeping in the goodly flocks of sheep,  
Goes by them still, and round about, and from them doth not keep.   

It is (quoth she) Ulysses of a good and seemly shape, 
Helen declares Ulysses.   
Yet wiser in his fetchers, who, although he had the hap  
To be brought up in Country rude among the country clowns,  
Yet he in head and wit doth pass the Greekish Kings renowns. 
Ithache I'll.    

Worthy Princess, thou sayest most true bespoke Antenor then,  
Myself doth know it very well: for I remember when 
Antenor to Helen. Ulysses and Menelaus Ambassadors once to Troy.   
Both he and Menelaus did Ambassadors come hither,  
They were then lodged at my poor house, whom I received together,  
And made them such cheer as I could, as they my sons had been,  
Where I their counsel, mind, and gifts do think myself have seen.  
Or my conjecture thought them great, and chief when to us  
In counsel they themselves were called, their message to discuss. 
Description of Menelaus & Ulysses   
Menelaus standing up was taller for his height,  
But being set, Ulysses seemed more grave in things of weight,  
And abler ●…o maintain the case, for Menelaus was  
A man of few words, and in vain from him did nothing pass.  
His speech was pithy, wise and apt, and full of gentleness,  
And though Ulysses had more years, he used no excess  
Of words, but when it came to point that speak Ulysses should,  
Wert near so little, in the air cast up his head he would.  
And would a while cast down his sight most like a senseless lout,  
As one by rage and choler were from reason clean put out.  
Which well was showed by his Mace, which he unhandsome bare, 
Vlesses' eloquence.   
But when he spoke, he eloquence most heavenly did declare.  
His words came forth like winter snow, such store he did unfold,  
As having dove, none with him durst any coutention hold,  
Nor yet of any thing he said did any doubt at all,  
Nor question ask, his talk was such, as to the Gods befall.   

King Priam curious more to know, had cast aside his eyes, 
Priam to Helen.   
And finding Ajax, of Heleine inquired in this wise:  
Who is that goodly Prince, (to ask the old man doth begin)  
Who is a Giant to the rest, none of them retch his thin.  
She unto this made answer thus: It is Ajax the strong,  
Who is best hope, defence and wall, that to the Greeks belong. 
Helen to Priam showing him Ajax Telamon Idomene king of Crete.   
And he, who stands hard by him there, is the good king of Crete  
Idomene, among his folk obeyed with honour great,  
As if some mighty God he were, whom often I have seen  
(He passing by) with Menelau at our house to have been.  
And many more, as well as he, whose names I well do know,  
But not to see my brethren here, doth cause my grief to grow.  
The Castor gay that worthy knight with Pollux without Peer  
In feats of arms, in they in this war have not vouchsafed I fear 
Castor and Pollux.   
To take a part, but if they did arrive here with the rest,  
The irksome sorrow, grief and care, which hath their minds oppressed,  
To see my wants and my mishaps, and chance, yea very filth,  
Hath sent them home, & they abashed, with cares their hearts it kilth.  
Thus said the fair, but her brethren long ere these things befell  
Were dead, and in the town of Sparte they were entombed well. 
Castor and Pollux dead in Sparta. Preparation forth ceremonies Wine the ●…our come mended.    

This while the two Heralds they did prepare all things at full,  
That best should serve, they from the flock two lambs of choice did cult  
And with good wine that liquor liked, of Goat a full great hide  
They filled top up, the which was brought by th'Arault called Ide  
They for the mystery most meet a massy basin brought  
Of polished gold, and eke of gold two cups most finely wrought.  
Thus furnished, to king Priam they showed their Embassaide 
The Heraultres to Priam.   
They willing him to come himself, these were the words they said:  
O peerless king of all renown, we fear we have been slow,  
The chiefest of thy subjects all in field attend thee ●…oe,  
The Greeks will now make such accord, in mind that aye shall last,  
Your son Paris his right to try, with Menelau doth cast,  
By hand to hand and force of fight, who victor shall arise,  
Shall in reward have fair Helen, and gifts of worthy price.  
All discords by this mean shall end, for Greeks to Greece shall high,  
Troyans shall have for war sustained, their peace wished earnestly.  
Without your Grace nought can be done, for it is meet you swear.  
For full surety of this combat which is agreed on there.   

The good old man was fearful strait, for well he knew, in hand  
Fond was ta'en this enterprise, whereto they mean to stand: 
Priam and Antenor g●… to the camp●….   
Yet he commands his Chariot, and for his horses calls,  
They joined to it, all things were done, which in such case befalls.  
With him he took Antenor old, and to the field they haste,  
Who scouring with a sweeping pace, came to the camp at last,  
And in the midst present themselves: and lighted when they were,  
Ulysses' grave, and Agamemn, did come and meet them there. 
Ulysses.   
The Heralds there eke showed themselves, right gay and richly clad  
With ornaments which longs them to, and no delay was had, 
The a●…ntitie of Heralds.   
But strait proceeds before them all to the ceremony:  
And first with good and pleasant wine, they skink the cups on high  
To the chief Lords, this pacte t'allowe, to wash one water bears:  
The great Greek then doth draw his knife, the which he always wears  
By his left side, and of the Lambs the wool he doth cut out  
From twixt the brows, for the Heralds to part amids the rout  
To the Princes, that hereafter repent none of them can.   

The wool received, his hands eke washed, Agamemn thus began,  
With joined hands, and lifted up, his prayer thus did make:  
O mighty jove, who dost vouchsafe thy dwelling for to take  
On Ida hill, and there to rule, O Sun most bright I call,  
Who sees this plain, and knows all things: O earth and rivers all,  
I you beseech my prayers hear, you God infernal eke  
So full of power, who all mischief so eagerly do wreak,  
Of fondling folk, who call the Gods their witness when they swear,  
And strait to be most false forsworn they neither care nor fear,  
Be Testes here, cause this accord so sacred be fulfilld:  
If it so be, that by Paris, or Menelau be killed,  
Without repining we agree fair Helen shall be his,  
The goods he shall enjoy, the which he ravend once amiss,  
Here promising to raise the siege, and strait to Greece return,  
If Menelau my brother like (if hap so serve his turn)  
With hand this Paris do subdue, that then this Grecian fair  
With worthy mends for wrong sustained to us forthwith repair,  
And yearly that there be some rent, or tribute for the same  
Assigned our heirs for our renown, to show their fault and shame,  
And if that he should vanquish thus, and Priam's sons refuse  
To keep their oath and promise made, and so the God's abuse,  
If King Priam shall also hap for lack and want of heart  
To fault the same: I here protest I will not hence depart  
This country fro, nor turn elsewhere, until I see it waste, 
Agamcnnons' Oath.   
The Trojans slain, their City burnt, and therein fires plaff.  
Thus having said, then with his knife the two young lambs he slne,  
And weakly sprawling in their blond, on ground from him he threw,  
And many present in that place, the same did also vow,  
And pouring wine upon the earth thereof they did allow.   

Among the which some Trojan Knight, or Onea soldier Greek  
Now spent and worn with the wars, thus made his prayer eke: 
A soldiers prayer.   
O Gods of mercy, who well sees, what here is done always,  
O grant that he for whose default now this accord shall stay,  
(As rebel unto your decrees) with brayning be he sped,  
And for his guilt, let of his imps the brains be also shed.  
And let an other have his wife theirprayer thus did go.  
But for all this their just request, the Gods yet would not so.   

Again Priam perceiving well, that thus this gear would fadge, 
Priam to the Trojans & Greeks   
Said to the Greeks and Trojans both, I think it best I trodge,  
If you my Lords so think it good, my grief will not, in sight  
That I this quarrel for to end, should see my son to fight.  
The mighty Gods agree, that death for one shall be his gain,  
And have appointed which of both with conquest shall remain.   

Forthwith with him he took the Lambs, & mounteth on his chair, 
The place of the combatemet out by He ctor and Ulysses.   
And Antenor, and from the press to Troy they strait repair.  
The lusty Hector and ulysse this while do go about  
To met the place, most fit for fight, the which they measure out  
In mids between the armies both: and then for proof they crane,  
Of the first stroke for t'assail who shall the honour have:  
Two lots they make, as in such case the custom is to try,  
And in an helmet they do put two billets by and by,  
For each of the Combatants one: who first was drawn by lot, 
Lot which of the ●…wo sho●… give the ●…rst blow●… The prayer of the Grek and Troy●… soldiers.   
Of first assailing of his fear the licence thereby got.   

The soldiers all careful to see, did fix their minds and eyes  
On this helmet, and to the Gods with heart thus sent their cries:  
O jove thou God of Gods, of men high king, and king most chief,  
Grant thou that grace this day, that he, who causeth this mischief,  
May down to the infernal shades descend, and there arrest,  
And that the Grékes and Troyans free, may live in peace and rest.  
Hector from his helmet then his countenance having wried, 
Paris lot is first draw●…   
To part the lots did turn them oft, them better to divide.  
He putteth in his hand, and out the lot of Paris drew,  
And forthwith strait to void the place himselfech man withdrew,  
And glad each one sits round about: and Paris who assail  
Must Menelau, at all points well to arm him doth not fail.  
Then first his gallant greaves he took which customly he ware, 
Paris is armed with other-ar●….   
His Cuysses which were fastened to by art and much care,  
With buttons gay, and buckles great of silver thereupon,  
And of Lycaon strong and sure he put the Curets on. 
Lycao●….   
One would have thought (they seemed so fit) it moulded was for him:  
A massy sword he girt, which hung with silver nails full trim.  
And on his shoulder he doth cast a strong and mighty targe,  
His head to hap an helmet rich, with crest right long and large,  
Gastful to see, made of the fail of some horse very great,  
As oft as he cast up his head, it also seemed to threat.  
In fine, an armed Dart with steel to his right hand doth yield,  
And thus with port, and visage fierce, he comes into the field.   

There was no soldier, no so stout, for fear who did not quake,  
To see the hazard of the case, when they began to shake  
Their Darts at their approach, & more, their marks & gestures bold.   

Paris stoutly stalking out, first there the field doth hold, 
Paris ●…leth first.   
He manly first assails, and forth his dart doth strongly lance,  
The which in mids of the Greeks shield did stiffly hit by chance,  
But only save the utter skin, no force it had to stir,  
The shields defence so put it back, that pierce it could not fur.   

For this yet was not Menelau one whit appalld at all,  
He did the blow, and stepping forth, to prayer thus doth fall:  
O mighty jove, who knows the right, the man do thou me make, 
Menelaus' prayer to jupiter.   
Who of his foe for his offence now just revenge may take.  
Direct good Lord, that he may die, as his deserts do crave,  
That babes not born, may hear & know what stroke his fault should have,  
To make them fear their friendly Ius, as wretches to defile,  
Where strangers are with civiltie well used every while.  
Forthwith he shook his spear, when as these words he did rehearse,  
And with such force at Paris threw, that it his shield did pierce,  
His Curets eke it thirled throw, and all the clouts he ware  
Hard to his shirt, and eft the steel had kissed his carcase bare,  
But then that Paris wried at last, and so the blow did shun.   

After the stroke, than Menelau his gorgeous blade begun  
Out of his silver sheath to draw, which heaving up he takes,  
And striking him upon his helm, his foe amazed makes.  
Still laying on, at the third struck his sword in pieces slew, 
Menelaus blasphemeth.   
Wherewith, as one distraught he cried: O jove, thou God untrue,  
I now well see you can do nought, Of all the Gods you are  
The most malicious, yea of all, who in the skies repair:  
Alas I thought the time was come my foe I should confound,  
But now my javelin I have sent, not causing any wound,  
My sword in two: yet raging wood upon him he doth fly,  
And by the Crest he caught him fast, enforcing mightily  
To drive and thrust him out of field, as one had conquest won,  
By means his chin band chokte him so: the same than had he done,  
But Venus who his safety would, did cause it break in twain,  
So save his morreyne, Menelau had nought else for his gain: 
Venus saveth Paris.   
Which he among his mates doth throw, and meaning for to pay  
His bared pate, the Goddess tho, forthwith conveyed away 
Venus.   
The Carpet Knight, bewrapping him in cloud of misty air,  
She brought to town, where she pluck off the armour which he ware,  
His bones to rest, she placed him in, one of his Chambers all,  
Which most did smoke with pleasant smells, and Helen went to call, 
Helen.   
Who in a Tower past the time, about her many more,  
Both Trojan Dames and gentle folk devising to and fro.   

Venus not willing to be known, in humane shape appears  
In Greas' form, the good handmaid, now well ystept in years,  
In broiderie work a minion odd, no less in spinning eke, 
Great the 〈◊〉 to Helen.   
Who pulling Helen by the skirt, did thus the silence break.  
Madame, your Paris doth command, that I should will you high  
His lodging to, where in such ray, you shall there find him lie, 
Venus to Helen.   
You will not trow he looks so fresh, he comes now from the fight,  
You'll judge he comes from dancing sport, he seems so trick a wight.   

Thus spoke the amorous Goddess tho, inspiring in her spirit,  
The mighty flame, who knowing well, her breast and neck so white,  
Beholding well the flaming eye there of the heavenly stock. 
Helen to Venus.   
What mean you quoth she by this trade me this wise for to mock:  
What, now yet once again as wise to give me do you mean  
In Phrigie towns or Meonie, or in some further realm,  
For to reward some servant thine, sith he, who by strong hand  
took me away, thou vanquished seest, and I to Greekish land  
Yet once again must make return? and wherefore do you use  
This feigned talk, and hide your shape me only to abuse?  
I do believe the blind desire of this thy Paris love  
Which helds thee now, hath caused thee leave the skies & Gods above,  
To be the slave and Concubine of him thy darling dear,  
Sith it is so, then ply him well, stir not but tarry here.  
I'll couch no more with thee good knight, within a pair of sheeets,  
(I force no deal) I promise him, with me he never meets.  
The Dames of state and Trojan wives might scorn at me their fill,  
With fleering taunts & stinting sleights, for spite which would me kill.   

When as the Goddess heard these words, which forth in heat she ●…ong, 
Venus' thr●…neth Helen.   
She spoke her thus: thou wretched else I read thee hold thy tongue,  
Strive not with me if thou be'st wise, lest if thou stir mine ire,  
And that I kindly co●… thee to, little to thy desire.  
And lest that as I have been friend I do become thy foe,  
And seek such means as Goddess now to move against thee so:  
The Greekish hearts & Trojans both, yea all thy hope clean gone,  
The death with one consent they shall bestow on thee anon.   

The fair was mated by this rage, she with a countenance sour, 
Helen followeth We nus to seek Paris.   
Covering her face with her rich rob comes down straight from the tower,  
And softly followed Venus there, who her to chamber brought,  
The train to talk, and some to weave, and some the distaff caught.   

The place was trickly decked up, the place where Helen sat  
By Venus' will was placed there before her husband flat,  
Who did him earnestly behold, and swelling yea with wrath,  
The very bottom of her mind she doth declare, and saith:  
Then you are come you sorry sir, and lucky carpet knight 
Helen to Paris.   
From this combat so dangerous, and eke fierce warlike fight.  
O would to God my first husband had happed thy life to daunt,  
In field with thee he durst not cope thou wont wert to vaunt,  
You would have eat him at the first, and now you run away:  
Leave him, and be no more so brag his force for to assay,  
If that you love yourself: the Greek braced out these words in rage,  
But Paris courteously desires her fury to assuage.  
Sweet heart (quoth he) this passion leave, and with me be not grieved,  
Though that the Greek have ward me now, for that he was relieved 
Paris to Helen.   
By Minerva, the time will be, that I shall be his rod,  
And vanquish him, when as I shall be favoured by some God:  
I know I am not so far gone out of their favours clean,  
But in my great affairs somewhat to aid me they do mean.  
I pray thee now mine own sweet heart some better countenance show,  
Be merry once, and unto rest let us together go.  
For (as me think) greater desire I had not any while,  
No, when with thee I cabband first within Cranee the isle.   

After these words, the fair was brought to bed so gorgeous dressed, 
The Isle Crance. Paris lieth with Helen   
Where without further do they both two lovers went to rest.   

This while Menelau raging wood, more furious than the wild  
And savage beast, doth nought but seek his foe about the field, 
The Troyans' stirred against Paris for his want of valour.   
To rid him quite, but no Trojan, nor of themselves not one  
Can him descry, for they witted not, now whether he was gone,  
And if they had, to keep him close, there serve no friendship could,  
But to the camp to show him forth they meant and surely would.  
For now th'adultery broad and known, & laid thus in their d●… 
Agamemnon to the Troyans'.   
For sudden end & fearful death with hate the soldiers wish.   

Agamemnon then seeing plain that there to each man's sight  
The famous conquest did belong to Menelau of right,  
If so that they would rightly judge, stepped forth, and thus he spoke,  
Ye Trojan crews, and forraines, who their quarrel good to make,  
Come under their ensigns to war, I peal unto you all,  
You Menelau have seen by force (your faith and truths I call)  
And martial fight to overcome your Paris, who is fled.  
Restore the Greek, and wealth wherewith once thief away he yed.  
Cause that we now be satisfied, and more for honour due  
Which is deserved, do ye to Greeks a certain rent renew,  
To us and our posterity by Trojans to be paid.  
Herewith his soldiers praise him much, and lo the words he said.   
Finis tertij Libri.   

¶ The fourth Book.  

THe Gods were in the Palace gay of jove so curious wrought, 
Hebe Cup▪ bearer.   
To council come, whom Nectar sweet the gentle Hebe brought.  
Whereof they trypled each so well, the golden Cup so fine  
Among the rout from one to one, did pass with pleasant wine.  
And having always their regard, with sight and mind they view  
The long besieged C●…tie thus, which weary now doth rue.   

Then jove disposed he of his wife to make a s●…orte afar,  
To nettle her a talk began, which quickly tickled her. 
jupiter to the Gods.    

In this combat (quoth he) the God's immortal put in hand  
Know ye, to Menelaus help two Goddess do stand,  
Who now at pleasure joy their fill, to laugh they co●…ers seek,  
Our juno one gir●…es in her sleeve, with puissant Pallas ●…e.  
But courteous▪ Venus she again with fi●…ger in her eye,  
On th'other side doth sorrow mur●…e her Paris hap to spy,  
She having made no sm●…ll ado, to shield him from his end:  
He neither force nor heart she knew in field had to contend,  
Against the Greek, who victor stood. Well now we must adu●…,  
To which of both their pleasures moste our favour ought to rise.  
If best to make them enemies still, or cause them to agree,  
A stable concord to them both must surely welcome be.  
For by Helen's return, the Greeks their soldiers they shall ease,  
Of travels great, and Priam's town, whom fame so much doth raise,  
Shall ay with people freighted be: those feigned words agog  
So set the Goddesses; that they in anger 'gan to shog,  
But Pallas kept her anger in, against her kindly sire,  
And meekly bore herself, though spite did boil in her as fire.  
But juno rash and careless bold (hap yea what happen can)  
Can not her fury once refrain, but thus her tale began: 
juno to jupiter.   
O crabbed husband why to mine still divers is thy mind?  
Such treason for to use with me●…hat reason dost thou find?  
Wouldst thou the sweat and travails great of me, and of my horse  
Of heavenly race all bootless toil, and be of silly force?  
In calling to this place such crews: hast thou found out the means  
To get a safeguard for the state of Priam and Trojans?  
Do what thou canst, the time will come, that Tottenham French shall turn  
The Gods and I will so provide, but that shall serve ou●… turn  
Shall hap at all But mighty jove seeing her ●…hus to ●…et,  
Replied again, and from his breast a sigh he deeply set.  
Thou cankered Goddess, what mischie●…, what harm, what hate, what wrongs  
Hath Priam done, or yet his sons, that so their ●…ain thoulongs 
jupiter to juno.   
And mournest still the Trojan town, if that thou shouldest not see  
By Grecians 〈◊〉; and in such p●…ght, as wars may make it be?  
I surely think but for the shame which causeth thee to stay,  
And somewhat doth surmount the rage, thou wouldst have taken way  
Long time ere this to Troy; where like a fool enraged there  
The skin and flesh of Priam King with teeth thou wouldst tear.  
That only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at all, t'assuage thy furious ●…it.  
Sith so it 〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉 on me lay no excuse of it:  
〈◊〉 mind, and what exploits you list do enterprise,  
There shall against thee let nor word he used in any wise.  
In time to come my wrath t'appease, when I shall haply mean,  
The fairest of thy Cities all, by ground to raze it clean,  
Think not my mind then to withstand, for copper thou mightst get,  
Sith he●…ein to content thee now thy will I nothing let.  
I do agree the overthrow of the most famous rich  
City under the heaven cope, and of a king so much  
Renoum of all, whom most I love, and honour most I ought  
Of Duty, for to honour me all ways all means they sought  
Unto my Godhead day nor night, their hosties they do spare,  
At no time of oblations ●…t my Altars empty are.   

The●… 〈◊〉: fully satisfied in having got her will,  
Aunsweared●…oh jove three towns I have, which many people fill,  
All governed by 〈◊〉, the which I love at heart,  
Argos the rich, Mycenae the gay, and eke the mighty Sparte,  
When you shall please of one or all the glory down to rake 
The Cities dear 〈◊〉 juno.   
Your will h●… 〈◊〉 shall gainsay, or yet resistance make:  
And though I 〈◊〉, you are so great, I know I could it not,  
To your great power both gods and men obey in every i●…te.  
And I likewise great wrong should have, if that my purpose now  
Should nought preu●…ile, for a goddess, I am as well as you  
A God, a Saturn imp, and borne to him in eldest place:  
Why should not I then as your spouse esteemed be in each case  
Above the rest? let peace be made, contention banish quite,  
And let us both as in this point our hearts in one unite.  
Wherewith then shall the heavenly routs, who often troubled are,  
And often moved by our jars, shall be of mercy far.  
And shall in fine our minds allow: command Minerva to high  
Unto the Camp, there for to move some brawl and broil, whereby  
●…he Trojans m●…y the pact infringe. The God consenting tho  
To Pallas said, you daughter mine, see strait to Troy you go, 
jupiter 〈◊〉 Pallas.   
And covertly the promised league stir up some Trojan crew  
To break, their Greekish enemies assailing them of new.   

Yet after this he wills her haste, wherewith such speed she makes,  
That which the speed the goddess came, on earth men dreadful quakes.  
For Venus jove doth send the glore of flash and lightning brand▪ 
Comparison of the lightning.   
Which oft doth cause the fight folk at gaze and fearful stand,  
And think within themselves with those, who do the seas frequent,  
That of a mischief to them like it is a token sent:   

The Goddess in like sort descends, as star with flame and flash  
Amid the Camp, wherewith ●…he doth the bands and armies bash.  
And of them there were certain said, with wonder and affright  
This token shows us lucky chance, or some mishap to light:  
Either we shall have by and by the happy peace we crave,  
Or else the war continued, for long time shall we have.   

Pallas into the plain come down, she strait herself enrold●…  
In shape of one of the children of the Antenor old,  
Laodoc soldier trick and stout: with Trojans then ●…he throng●…  
And forth with for to hear some news of Pandarus she longs, 
Pandarus.   
That valiant Archer good and sure: she sought so in the rout,  
That there with gorgeous armour girt, at last she found him out.  
Environed with a warlike sort, who all his léegies were,  
Bred up by Asop●… the flood, who happy thought them there,  
Under a lusty leader such to show proof of their strength.   

The green eide Goddess than drew me, & spoke him thus at lengt●… 
Pallas to Pandarus.   
Uictorious prince, one of the brood of grave Lycaon's stock,  
An enterprise itself presents, whereto if so you shock,  
Men shall thee call the happiest this side the Ocean fir:  
It thee behoves with piercing gird to cause thy arrow skirre  
To wound the sturdy Menelau: if thou that martial act  
Fulfillst, what fame shalt thou obtain by that victorious fact?  
What thanks of Alexander eke, when he shall see to flow  
His enemies blood? gay gifts with joy on thee he shall bestow.  
Well courage then▪ and ready make your bow with vows addressed  
To offer to Phoebus such sheep; as in your flocks are best,  
If he will grant you t'accomplish the bo●…d which you do frame,  
And give you power and time your town Zelye to see again.   

The cokesing words caused Pandarus too fond to agree,  
Whereof he soon repented him, out of the case than he 
Abowe made of the horns of a wild Goat.   
Drew out his great and gallant how: garnished with polished brass,  
Which of the horns of a wild Goat right strangely shaped was.  
Whom Pandarus so well did hunt upon a mountain side,  
He girt and hurt him in the ●…ankes, and of his horns beside,  
By cunning workmanship was made a fine and proper bow  
sixteen pace the horns were long, full hard it was I trow  
To make it serve to be shot in, but erst the workman's craft  
Was so employed, that now a bow they ser●…de, and shot a shaft:  
And gorgeouser to make the bow appear to all men's sight,  
He hornde and tipped the ends right well with beaten gold full bright.   

Then Pandarus without abode drew out his bow to bend, 
Pandarus breakee the agreement.   
And that now of his enterprise none of them all should wend,  
He caused his soldiers hap him well with buckler and with targe,  
Lest that the wily subtle Greeks might find his mind at large.  
And sudden broil his enterprise might let, and turn to nought:  
His bow in point, an arrow he out of his quiver caught,  
Sure stéelde at end with piercing head, and finely featherde well,  
Most fit by cruel wretched death an enemy to quell.  
He nockes the shaft, and then his vows to Phoebus God doth make, 
Pandarus 〈◊〉.   
And him behights his pretty lambs, if so his haste do take  
God place and proof by Phoebus' means, his vow he thus ending  
With such a force he drew his bow, as that he ha●…lde the string  
To his right pay, and strait the head, when as it even stood  
Hard with the back, he losde it quick, as 〈◊〉 sure and good.  
Wherewith the bow with sturdy string, when forth the shaft it ●…oong  
A clang so great and strong it gave, as wide abroad it rung.   

〈◊〉 The Gods as then●…h Menelau they were not far from thee,  
It was no time, Pallas herself stout armed there was she,  
Of thy welfare herself she showed as careful as she could,  
As when her pretty son doth sleep the tender mother would, 
Comparison of the mother helping his child.   
Have good regard and chary eye, lest that the busy fly  
His tender flesh should bite or harm, or come his visage nigh.  
A●… ne with like care minerve did, put by the mortal blow,  
Yet stroke, his ba●…dricke in the midst, and it it pierced so,  
The buckle great of massy gold, which did his girdle tie  
Was pierced, and through his Curates eke and stéeled head did fly,  
And past so fur, of the stout Greek the flesh it thirled in 
Menalau●… hurt.   
And presently before them all the blood was seen to spin.  
Yea even as on the ●…ie why 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of C●…ry ●…ft 
Comparison   
Do work the purple, and ●…mbost with ●…yderie aloft,  
To make the gallant gorgeous rains for coursers brave and gay,  
Which for a king a decking is, it is so rich array:  
The die was like and fairer much on the trim Grecians flesh  
With scarlet blood, which by his thigh down to his heels did desh,   

The g●…eat Agamemnon with this so sore and sudden shot  
Was grieved much the wound eke sée●…e the hurt man dolour got,  
And colour change: he sighing sore his brother gay drew nigh,  
And took him by the hand, of Greeks most part then standing by.  
He piteously gins his moan, and thus he saith, alas, 
Agamemnon bewaileth his brother   
My only hope, my brother dear, who as assured was  
In assailing the Trojan freak, shall it be now the mean  
That after this holy accord thou covertly be slain?  
The oath before the Gods so sworn, where it is now become  
Of these perjured wicked folk? can God's justice be mum  
Alas at rancour so much feigned? I hope it will not so,  
For though the Gods do wink thereat a while, and let it go,  
Yea though men's faults they seem to slip, at end they pay for all,  
Great time 〈◊〉, doth cause the smart with rigour on them fall.  
In time these ●…thy traitors shall so plagued be for their hire,  
Themselves, their sons, and eke their wives: & from the skies the fir●…  
With hideous storm they shall behold to light upon their pate,  
I know ere long Troy shall to wrack, & Priam with his n1  
Shall pass the 〈◊〉 God's wrath which doth the deeds of all men si●…  
Is now against him so stirred up, as the●…of is no shift.  
But what mishap, alas, what grief shall hap to be my share,  
If I should 〈◊〉 you here behind, and death to be your fare,  
With grave a●…cke, in foreign land, how will all Greece cry out  
At my return, all Argos folk, and C●…trey round about,  
When they shall v●…erstand your death? and they who with us are,  
Shall they not set of their return thei●…y ●…linde and care?  
Shall they not leave to Trojans false the lucky glory at hand?  
Shall they not leave to us the shame? your carcase in this land  
(Which most me dea●…s) shall they not leave? shall they not leave Helleine  
Whereby hereafter to your tomb, there shall came some Trojan,  
And loubring on the grass, shall cry, all puffed up with pride,  
To all Agamemns practices God grant like end betide,  
God grant the Greeks here long abode, may have the like success,  
And after they may high them home with shame and wretchedness?  
The Trojan fierce he thus may chat, than not to be alive  
I do beseech th'immortal Gods, but that the earth do clive  
And swallow me. Although the hurt did cause a grievous pain, 
Menelaus to Aga●… his brother   
Yet Menelau with cheerful look thus answered him again,  
And manlike to his brother said: rejoice thou brother mine,  
And courage take, for well thou mayst by this mourning of thine  
Impute such fear in the Greeks hearts, which eft they cannot fly:  
I feel full well the blow is such thereof I cannot die,  
The golden buckle of my belt, my Curet good I know  
Wherewith I armed am before, hath surely stayed the blow.   

My friendly brother would to God (quoth Agamemnon he) 
Agamemnon to Menel.   
You were out of this danger here, and that it so might be  
You might be healed of this wound: a surgeon good I wots,  
Who should so well attend you then, that this your wounding got,  
Which irks you so, he should delay: this said, he causeth plod  
Taltibius, to seek the son of Esculape the God,  
Macaon hight, from band to band he wills the Herald pry 
Machaon Physician ●…o Esculap●….   
Him out, praying thither to him, that he come by and by,  
To visit Menelaus there, his wound to search and feel,  
Which one of Licie or of Troy hath forced by stroke of steel,  
In traitorous guile, thinking to Greeks there should redound thereby  
Notorious shame, to Troyans all to joyful victory.   

So diligent Taltibius goes, amidst the Camp, that out  
At last he finds the Physician, environed round about  
With strength of soldiers which he brought from his great town of Trice  
Where horses plenty are, & whence by grass great wealth doth rise,  
His message to him he declares, beseeching him, that he  
Will come to Agamemn the king, there Menelau to see,  
And careful to look to his wound, he strait at the first dash  
Obeys, but yet the sudden chance his mind doth greatly bash.  
He comes, ●…d there on heaps he finds the Greekish princes stand  
Looking for him, with mindful hearts the hurt to understand.  
The lech divine straight for his work made all things very ●…tte,  
And first the shaft he softly drew, and grieved him not a whit,  
But though the sharp and bended barb in plucking out it broke,  
He soft unarmes him, and his scarce, and Curet off doth take,  
That he, what harm the wound hath done, might have the better sight,  
How deep it was and whether it in spéeding place did light.   

After he had beheld the stroke, and washed away the blood, 
Machaon healeth Menelaus.   
And tended it, he laid unto his ointments perfect good  
T'aswage the pain: the which whilom the cunning Chiron taught  
To Esculape, and Machaon of him his knowledge caught,  
Which were Probatum oft to heal. This while the Trojans go 
The greeks and Trojans prepare to the battle.   
To arm to fight, and battle wise in field themselves they shoe.   

The Greeks again the cruelty of them, them picking out  
Were strait in order armed well yea forward, fierce and stout,  
Their case on Trojans to revenge: then Agamemn appeared 
The diligence and care of Agamemnon.   
No whit to yield, or else retire, or aught with fear was steered,  
But willing was as chieftain tho, and king of valiant heart,  
To die and take such part as they and from his chair he start  
And it unto Eurymedon his trusty guider gave,  
And him commands to follow him, and horses ready have  
To mount again, if toiled he shall feel himself to be,  
In passing through and through the ranks their order for to see.   

The armies of this worthy host to view, a foot he went,  
And those whom manly march he sees, their courage doth augment,  
And comforts thus: my very friends, of Greece ye flowers all, 
Agamemnon praiseth his soldiers.   
Forget not your accustomed force, this day your prowess call  
To mind: think not that jove will rue on these false Trojan freaks,  
Who thus unjust and faithlesly their oath and promise breaks.  
This is the time of our revenge, the dogs their bones shall pick,  
And Uultures tear their flesh, and down shall now both stone & stick  
Of their buildings, their wealth bereft, their daughters, sons, & wives  
Shall in our bottoms carried be, and we with victor's lives  
Shall to our country back, and see our home and children both,  
The good king thus he spoke: but such in march he knew to sloth,  
He took them up, and threatens thus: O ye of Grecian race 
Agamemnō●…lameth the ●…wbacks.   
The dishonour, of your reproach hath shame with you no place?  
Do ye not blush, thus fearfully to be by terror frodden,  
Even as the timorous hearts do hove, with head & horns laden, 
Comparison of the w●…ry Ha●….   
And priest and hard being laid unto by, hunters, in the field  
Do lag, and fearful are entrapped for force begins to yield.  
What? will you stay your march, till that your foes your blood do spill  
And that you see them take their ships, and murder at their wil  
What? think you that some God will come, & fight for your behoof,  
And save your lives, unless by fight yourselves do make some proof.  
This done, he goes whereas he found the soldiers all of Crete  
Preparing them about their Prince, who then in order set,  
And goodly raundge them as they should: and Meriones who hight  
His friend, far of, to come forward makes all the hast he might.  
The great Greek then bespoke the king with kind & courteous cheer: 
Agamemnon to Idomene king of Crete.   
Idomene, of all the Kings whom we have followed here  
From all the Greekish provinces, thy honour most I meant,  
Yea still in public and in war, or private in my tent,  
Or else in open show, when routs at banqueting were met.  
It to be true, thy cup of wine is alway top full ●…et  
When as my greatest friend hath his with wine but half replete,  
Because I would declare to thee my favours they be great,  
Always thou having at my hand what so thou dost request,  
Thou to deserve this my good will this day be ready priest,  
And let me see that thou at full thyself do now acquit,  
As oft you say among the stoutst be forward in the fight.   

He answered strait, amid the press, you shall me surely find 
Idomene to Agam●…   
As I have said, that all men know I bear you faithful mind  
And honour due, but do you hast, and will the fight to guide  
So carefully, that we abate the Trojan glorious pride,  
By which, and by their arrogance from stricken pact they start.   

Herewiih Agamemn joys to see Idomens' loyal heart,  
Wherewith he leaves him thus: and forth the king is forward gone,  
And meets in teeth the both Ajax, their armour buckling on: 
The two Ajax.   
The which a great and gallant crew of footmen in a roe  
With buckles long, and tricksy Darts well furnished, after go.  
One would have took them for a cloud full of some dristing shower, 
Similitud●….   
Or hail, which to the seaward coast, the wind doth often power,  
Which when the fearful shepherd sees, to light upon him like,  
Constrained, to hap his flocks and him, some hanging cliff doth seek.   

Uiewing this band, you to exhort (quoth he) I little need 
Agam: to Ajax.   
My mates to put your men in plight, you now make better speed  
Than any other do: would God that all in order such  
Were priest and furnished as you, and couraged as much:  
Our enemies should soon be put to take their flight aback,  
Their City strait destroyed be, and cruel put to sack.   

Nestor the wise, the good old man, as further on he goes, 
Nestor.   
He finds, who toiling on the plain his soldiers to dispose,  
Five valiant Dukes and leaders stout, with worthy Nestor was,  
Pelagon, Emon, Alastor, Chronnyus and Brias,  
His men in order for to range, and not to let them pass  
His ordinance and his command, in any kind of case:  
His Chariots first he puts in front, the force to bear and break,  
His choice footmen the rearward kept, in midst he placed the weak.  
That in such sort enclosed thus, although they were afraid  
Each one should fight, constrained of force, in spite yea of his head. 
Nestor's instruction to his soldiers for their order in fight.   
He showed his horsemen, in no wise that single they should press  
Out of their rank, where they were placed, their foemen to suppress:  
Ne to defence, nor fight begin, ne that they should in horse  
Commit more trust and confidence, than in their proper force.  
For in forsaking their array so fond, weak they wax,  
Whereof ensues disorder great: again with sword or Axe  
He telleth them that it is not best with Chariots for to join,  
But rather with the shot and lance at them to prick and foin.  
Thus doing, many ancient crews have sundry Cities held,  
And valiant deeds of warlike facts (saith he) did often weld,  
In doing after my advise: thus spoke the worthy sire,  
In th'army he to show his help, doth greatly now desire.   

Then Agamemn he spoke him thus: ah Prince of great renown, 
Agamemnon to Nestor.   
Oh would to God for this affair, the Gods would send thee down  
From heaven above at my request into this corpse of thine,  
Such strength and force as wisdom doth thy spirit and senses line,  
Alas, why is not this your age bequeathed to some lad  
Whom whilom time hath taken a way? the youth, which once you had,  
Why see we not est to revive, to us to be a stay.  
O good old sire, now young again, why are you not I say?  
I would (quoth he) that now I were as lusty and as strong, 
Nestor to Agamemn●…   
As when Eurethali the stout these hands did lay along,  
And slew: but what, all that is past, the Gods do near bestow  
Upon us men all things at once, but always order so,  
That after our unbridled youth comes sage and wrinkled years,  
Me young, now old myself I feel, as to you all appears,  
And far unmeet exploits to weld, as touching force of hand,  
Yet for all that to do my best in council will I stand.  
It is the honour of the old to council men aright,  
And of the young the glory is, stoutly to deal in fight.  
Who then can strike, lay he it on, and I assuredly  
Will hast me to the horsemen here to range myself thereby,  
And will instruct their deed to guide: Agamemnon right glad  
In heart doth wax, and doth rejoice when Nestor heard he had.  
A good bow shoot not further off warlike Menesthee stood, 
Menes●… Athemen.   
Whom there he meets with his Captains amid his soldiers good  
Of Athens town: next him full still afoot Ulysses' king  
Of Cephelonie was great routs him eke accompanying. 
Ulysses.   
They stand both close, march do they not, the skirmish they do hark,  
The which the soldiers should begin to set them all awarke. 
Agamem●… to Menesthee and Ulysses.    

The chieftain of the Greekish camp their negligence doth blame:  
O Menesthee and Ulysses, what do you fear? for shame  
Where is your forwardness (quoth he) what mean you thus to lag?  
What look ye for? why do you not with first and foremost wag?  
In my good cheer, in highest place you always I do put,  
The flesh most trimmest roasted ay, for you is also cut,  
And when you fancy for to drink, the sweetest wine you have.  
Therefore in fight yourselves should be more forward & more brave  
Than are the rest that lag, and onward with such willing mind,  
As of your friends ten bands you might in danger leave behind.  
The wise Greek grieved at this talk, whose choler now doth rise, 
Ulysses' to Agame●…   
Makes answer thus, with bended brows a front his settled eyes:  
O Atreus son, what sayest thou here? thou Agamemnon trowes  
Us dastards and faint hearted folk, t'approche the Trojan foes:  
What, brawl no more, but if thou please, thyself come, and behold  
Who doth his duty best this day, whether the father old  
Of people of Talemach kind, both shields and Curets crush,  
And give into the Trojan press the first of all the push,  
In better point than any prince: this heat he being in 
Agamemnon to Ulysses.   
Atridas saw, wherefore again he gently doth begin:  
I●…tustre Prince, the imp and heir of good Laertes line,  
Thy valiant acts are well approud by that same hand of thine.  
I will not thee reproach at all, I wrong thee should too much,  
Greatly surpass thy worthy deeds, the council good is such  
Of thy sage head, thy prowess eke all men is laid before:  
Content thyself, and of my words I pray thee think no more:  
In time to come mends shall be made, for this time I thee pray  
To show, and so behave thyself, as all men of thee say,  
And take the words, which I have spoke, as simple fond, and baine.   

He ending thus, doth leave him there, and onward goes again,  
A little off, he finds the Prince Diomedes the stout  
Upon his char, not minding he of further setting out,  
But talketh with his Chariot guide, called Stenelus by name,  
Capanee son, to nothing he this journey minds to frame.   

Atridas rushing forth thus saith, when he his countenance saw, 
Agamemnon to Diomedes. The father of Diomedes.   
O Tides heir, whom doubt you here? of whom stand you in awe?  
Belike you stay till we have fought, and tried in field at length,  
Would you we should for you prepare an entrance in the strength  
Of Trojans? well, thy whilom sire had stomach more at full,  
He never quailed in mortal join, ne yet in perilous pull,  
But sole hath gone to front his foes: as oft I have been told  
Of such as kept him company, and were his acquaintance old.  
Myself I never saw the man, yet many do report  
That he was at Mycenae once, my country twone, and fort:  
That time, when as he warred on the warlike Thebans town,  
He came then to demand some aid with Polynices down,  
Such as their soldiers should refresh, and we with willing heart 
Polynices.   
His army would have eased at full, and taken eke his part,  
If jove my friends and lieges all by signs apparent plain  
Had not quite turned, whereby aid less he did return again,  
After he long abode had made, unto his camp ypitched  
By Asope flood, with store of grass whose banks are much enriched.  
There Tydee, as report doth go, long bid not in his tent:  
For even that day, yea all alone, the Grecians forth him sent  
Ambassador to Thebane ●…oes, and to their king, who hight  
Etheocles, to town he came well armed with iron bright, 
The history of the warr●….   
Whereas he found the king in shade, with many a Theban stout,  
Discoursing this and that, and when he told his message out,  
And showed his courage and his might, he tilled them for to try  
And prove with him the combat there, and dead by him they die.  
For Goddess Pallas did increase his force and haughty mind:  
The Thebans paid, do threat revenge, and it with oath they bind.  
The same to do, they ambush lay, which doughty Meon lead,  
With Mneptoleme, who tumbled oft so many wolves adead.  
These leaders two full fifty men chose fit for such a feat  
And secretly conduct him down with weapons hid to beat.  
What came thereof? he slew them all, he did them sound souse,  
Of all the traitors Meon sole he home sent to his house.  
Whereby before all men he might the Thebans lewdness lay,  
And his valour. Such was the king of Aetoly I say,  
The race is failed in the son, a goodlier man he is,  
And better tongued to tell a tale, no soldier like iwis.  
So Agamemn Diomedes pricked, who nothing did reply,  
Ashamed, he doubted for to move the kingly state so hie,   

His mate who well the matter heard, his speech he takes and says  
O Agamemn, sith that the case is sure no manner ways,  
As you report, I you beseech, the truth do not disguise,  
Nor do (I crave it at your hands) therein us so despise.  
For as for us, I dare avouch, and stand to't to your face  
Our force and valiantness full far ore-méetes in every case,  
That of our ancient father's past, as men more trained in war.  
The seven gated Thebes town had not withstood so far,  
Ne yet her walls, if so we two besieged her had about.  
For soon you should have seen them torn, & turned up from the rout,  
Our fathers where in that assault by folly dead are done:  
Then hold your peace, and father do not praise above the son.   

Diomedes was full ill content, thus hardly for to hear  
His fellow speak, he thus him blames in anger as he were:  
What moves you for to talk thus much? your tongue can you not hold  
Out prattling in this case of weight: Agamemn may be bold  
For to complain, and fault to find, with such, as fly the fight:  
For if he conquer, as to him belongs the honour right,  
So if he conqu●…rd ●…e, again with shame he shall be sped,  
The honour and reproach of all doth lie upon his head,  
And as for us, let us go show what men of war we be.   

With this he leaps, his Chariot down, and as down leapt he,  
His gay and gorgeous armour rich so sounded in the shake,  
As yea the fiercest fighter there almost thereat did quake.  
There might you see the battles ranged, and raking in aroe,  
The gallant Greeks, and at the heels thereof their leaders go.  
Like as the waves within the sea, so large, so hie, so deep,  
Forced by some flaw, yields whushing noise, & shoring banks do sweep.  
The Captains cease not to exhort with words their soldiers still,  
Who to their chieftains bear good mind, and them obey they will,  
They on do march, and nothing dread, to them they list their ear,  
As still as stones, they would have said tongue tied they had been there.   

But contrary, the Trojans march, they cries and clamours yield,  
And therewith rings the country round as they prepare to field:  
Unto the goodly flocks of sheep compared in every thing,  
Which shepherd to his masters Pen doth safe together bring,  
The old and young together put, the milk of them to take,  
The Ewes do bleat, the Lambs do obey, and noise not small do make.  
Like clamours do the Trojans use, the meadows ring at hand  
With sundry sound, and divers tongues, as they of sundry land.   

The Grecians by Minerva they were boldened to the blade,  
And Trojans they by cruel Mars were full courageous made.  
Terror and dread did tend them both, and did their doings guide,  
Strife mate and sister unto Mars eke in the plain was spied.   

This Goddess named, although she be but ●…oore and bas●…ly bred,  
Yet rests she not till that she touch high Heaven with her head,  
And yet on earth still keeps her feet. Now came she in a throw,  
Of purpose, quarrels and debate, and mortal strife to sow,  
Whereby thereafter might proceed a bad and woeful state,  
With sobs and sighs, the which should bring repentance, but too late,  
In place for fight the armies meet, the darts and arrows fill  
The air aloft, and in the approach full many a man they kill.  
But when it came to handy strokes, much more the murder was,  
Nought heard but dying groans, the which from yielding spirits did pass,  
And joyful cries of conquerors: he wing of harness tough,  
Shearing of shields, and who erst brave, now falls, & hath enough.  
Of this slaughter the purple gore so runs from them that bled,  
And as the springs mountain top, which o'er the valleys spread,  
Rushing with noise the shepherds hear, aloof that lodged are,  
Even so the noise of them that fight is heard both nigh and far.   

Of all the Greekish famed Knights was first Antilochus  
Did there of arms the first deed do, he slew Echepolus,  
Fight in foremost Trojan ranks: his top of helm he hit,  
And with such force and courage stout the blow so doubled it,  
That of the staff the steeled point made in his forehead way,  
And pierced down so in his mouth, that dead along he lay.  
He fell as doth a tower high, which men do mine about:  
His fall when as Elphenor saw, he like a soldier stout,  
Did forye his body for to spoil: but Agenor he sent  
His javelin to his bared flanks, that backward down he went.   

The fight for these two bodies dead more fierce & mortal grew,  
As eager Wolves the soldiers all on one another flew.   

The jolly Ajax then came in, Symosius he did daunt.  
Symosius he a younker was, who Trojan town did haunt:  
So called was he of his friends, because nigh Symosis head  
That water clear, his mother there, of him was brought a-bed:  
She tar●…ife ta'en, coming to view what pasturing then had  
Her flocks upon the meadow banks. The young man's luck was bad:  
To parents he could never show what honour due he ought,  
For bitter and too hasty death too soon his carcase caught.  
Stout Ajax with his cruel lance so pierced his right pap,  
As like a mighty Poplar green he down on earth doth flap,  
Which by the water growing high, by workman's force it réeles,  
His Axe it fells, a wood full fit to forge the trolling wheels  
Of chariots, and also yokes, which on the river banks  
He leaves long time to dry, or else upon some bourded planks.   

This Priam's son, gay Antyphus to heart he doth it take,  
His death to venge, his seemly dart to Ajax he doth shake,  
But misste the man, and Leucus hit, who was Ulysses' friend,  
He through his guts and bowels thrust, and of him made an end.  
ulysse his friend thus seeing dead, in fury forth he fares,  
Unto the foremost Trojan ranks, whereas he stands and stars,  
And studies whom he should assault, his enemies gave place,  
And swayde aside, when as they saw such fierceness in his face:  
Yet forth his staff full stiff he flung, and took up by the way  
Democoon bastard to Priam, as he did run away,  
But all too late: his temples both the steel it thorough stepped,  
He dies. Long time in Abydos King Priam had him kept.  
From whence he came, and left the stéeds and coursers of his sire,  
To go abroad a venturer than was it his desire.   

The Trojans all discomfited, retire, and almost fly,  
The son when they saw of their King all dead in field to lie.  
Hector himself, who had the charge and leading of the host,  
Doth mammer eke what's best to do, lest that his life be lost.   

In truth the war had ended been, if not Apollo he  
Had turned the chance from sacred walls, the Trojans he did see  
Out order, broke, the field they left, amain he cries and calls,  
He stays them strait, and that they fight he to exhort them falls.   

Take heart (quoth he) ye Troyans stout, I pray you do not sink,  
Dread not the Greekish bravery? a God's name do you think,  
That they of stone or steel are made, and that your sturdy Darts  
And Cimyters cannot suffice to pierce and shear their hearts?  
Advance, advance, and surely hope that conquer needs you must,  
For Achilles that mighty bug (to me I tell ye trust)  
Who at his pleasure wont was your heads and helms to cleave,  
Doth keep aboard in mourning rage, the battles he doth leave.   

The Trojans at the heavenly call renew again the fray,  
And Pallas holds the Greeks, & blames whom fear doth there dismay.  
In this conflict Diorus fell, Pirus a Thracian Lord  
With pebble great his leg he struck & burst each vain and cord,  
And with his sword his breast he s●…iste, and guts on grass he laid,  
With arms abroad before the Greeks he falls, as ask aid.  
Wherewith sir Thoas thrusteth in, and with a deadly blow  
His cruel dart did Pirus wound, the head of it did go  
Under his pap unto the lungs, and yet not pleased is,  
But ruthless cuts in mids his paunch, with hand and sword of his:  
And after forceth all he may, the carcase out to train  
The press, his armour and his weed to conquer for his pain.   

The Thracians sorry for their Prince, and hap that was so hard,  
The doughty Thoas do resist, and stand upon their guard,  
And that so well he carried nought although he were so strong:  
The bones of these two valiant Dukes together lie along.  
And numbers great of soldiers more with them died alas.  
And if Minerva had granted then a soldier old to pass  
Unhurt at all the armies through, to see who there did best,  
With wonder he, such slaughter like, was near he would protest.   
Finis quarti Libri.   

¶ The fifth Book.  

PAllas she willing to set forth Diomedes his praise,  
Among the Greeks his fame t'advance by any worthy ways,  
Divinely doth inspire his breast with stout and haughty heart,  
And to his person force and strength dame Pallas she doth part.  
His armour she doth yéeldeful bright, and eke his weighty targe, 
Comparison of the S●… which is called Orions Dogg●… Dares Vulc●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
His harness shone as doth the star within the heaven large,  
The which in Autumn time is raised amid the mighty sky,  
And baths itself in Ocean flood: afoot then by and by  
The puissant Goddess brings him in the thickest of the host.   

Now of King Priam's subieas one, of all as rich as most,  
Was Dares Priest of Vulcan God, the service tended he:  
Two sons he had, one Phegeus, the second called Idee,  
Whose valiance in the Trojan camp did cause their fame to flow:  
Above the other soldiers much, the armour shining so,  
When as they spied of the stout Greek, no time they tarried then, 
Phegeus & Ideus sons of Dares assail Diomedes.   
But fiercely assailed him from their chair, and yode with him like men:  
Phegeus there advanced throws his dart, a soldier stout  
Which doth no harm, his polorone it doth strike and flieth out.   

Diomedes the mortal lance he girds with better hap,  
The which he sendeth to his foe, and wounds him on the pap, 
Diomedes flays Phegeus.   
And Phegeus the bloody death received by the wound,  
And from the Chariot there (good soul) he falleth to the ground:  
His brother slain, strait Idee left the Chariot where it stood,  
And no resistance made, for why defence would do no good.  
For died he had, but that Vulcan he of his heavenly grace  
Preserved the man, and with a cloud he hapte him in the place, 
vulcane saves Ideus   
With pity he respecting now the Dares good foregone,  
Who childless sunk with sorrow great, his age would end anon.  
The filthy flight Diomedes saw, to sue he nothing sped,  
The horses brave he gave his man, who them to haven led.   

When Trojans saw these brethren two discomfit, as you hear,  
One put to flight, the other slain, they greatly gin to fear,  
The war they deem not well for them, wherefore dame Pallas than 
Pallas to Mars.   
To Mars she comes, and takes his hand, and friendly thus began:  
O bloody Mars and gastfull God, O mighty Mars in rage,  
Who towns and Castles in their force, and fighters still doth gage,  
And rasest quite when pleaseth thee: is it agreed that still  
We disagree, why, let the Greeks and Trojans fight their fill,  
By teeth let them the matter try, our discord bid farewell,  
Let us not break our heads with them, or with their quarrels mell:  
Who jove the victory will give, that all men well may know,  
To leave this enterprise as now my council would it so.  
And surely so I think it best: well, let us hence I pray,  
Take heed we stir not upon us, Jove's furic any way. 
Mars leaveth the battle.    

The Goddess sage now ending thus: she softly from the rout  
Of Scamander a pleasant shade to banks she brought him out:  
He gone, the Trojans host doth quail, and yield to shameful flight,  
Whom Grecians now as conquerors do follow all the night:  
And then the Captains well did show their worthy prowess high.   

Agamemn leader of the war, to earth he manfully  
Of Alisones Odius hight, a doughty Duke he dung, 
Agam●… Odius.   
The chin he cleaves, & pierced his breast with Dart he strongly flung,  
Wherewith he from the Chariot fell, whose fall (the noise was such)  
Caused well be heard his trembling corpse and eke his armour rich.  
Idomen Phestus also slew, the virtuous Meons' heir, 
Idome●… king of Crete 〈◊〉 Phesius.   
The courtous Phestus from Tarnee his province did repair  
That fertile was, renown to get, but die (alack) he must,  
In his right side the Cretan doth his bloody ianeline thrust:  
He falleth down, black death he feels, by soldiers he is spoiled,  
His carcase all besmeared with blood and filth, lieth foully foiled.   

On the other side his valiantness well showeth Menelaie, 
Menelaus kills Camander the hunter.   
With stiff and sturdy lance he doth Camander hunter stay.  
Him Diane she did honour so, to him so friendly was,  
Him cunning gave and courage too, t'assail the beasts of chase:  
The Goddess and his goodly art in quiver and in bow  
Full ill do serve, he in his flight behind receives the blow,  
And down on earth he dead doth lie: Phereclus may no start,  
Meriones hand, a Carpenter, so cunning in his art 
Meriones kills Phereclus, wh●… made the ships 〈◊〉 stolen Heleine W●…   
That work was none so excellent that any man did frame,  
But that Phereclus by his skill with tool cauld cut the same,  
Minerva wise so favoured him, for Paris he of Troy  
Did build the ships, which were the cause of all this great annoy,  
And to his City and himself such spoil and mischief brought.  
For to the Gods, who nillde the same, he would not wield his thought:  
Without revenge he yields the ghost, him Merione doth smite  
Upon the haunch with steeled spear, and pierced his bladder quite,  
When as he feels his breath to part, he falleth on his knees,  
With better tears, sith die he must, distilling from his eyes.   

Meges also fiercely fought for Phegeus wise and bold  
Kite down he slew, the bastard son of Antenorus old, 
Meges 〈◊〉 Phegeus Antenrs Bastardso●…   
Whom Theana his mother in Law had nourished with great care  
To please his sire, even as though legitimate he were, 
The Poet to move the more pity, names the race and bringing up of these are slain. Euripilus kills Hipsenor Priest of Scamander.   
By great mishap unto the teeth, the dart doth tear his skull,  
He on the plain doth die, his mouth with blood and iron full.   

Hard by the bastard's body there Euripilus doth quell  
Hipsenor Priest of Scamander, who served the Temple well:  
Whose manners good were liked much, yet forced, he rested there  
In field: his right hand at a blow his falchon off did shear:  
Wherewith him suddenly received the dark and dusky death,  
Which darkness throws upon his eyes, & takes from him his breath.   

While that the kings they fought, & down in flight the Troyans flew,  
A man right hardly Diomedes for Greek or Trojan knew,  
He through and through the Camp doth go withouten any stay,  
And nothing finds can him resist, no any kind of way.  
Like as a spring throughout a plain falling from mountain top, 
Diomedes lickned to an ouer●…o wing River which spoils all.   
Disorders all, both bank and bridge, and no where findeth stop  
Which it not breaks in spreading forth his mighty course on fields,  
On vines, and fertile Gardens eke, and Meadows often yields  
Frnitelesse, that erst were fruitful much, and frls them full of Sand:  
Even so this Grecians haughty deeds, and valiance of his hand  
Makes way through Troyans every where, he finds none doth resist,  
No band or battle in defence that stand against him list.   

Pandarus then beholding thus the folk of Troy to fly, 
Pandarus the archer.   
Doth bend his bow minding to strike Diomedes mortally:  
He letteth fly a shaft at him, and pierced his Curet flap  
On his shoulder, and in the flesh it gave a pretty knap,  
As well appeared by the blood abundantly that sprung, 
Diomedes wounded by Pandarus   
Wherewith the archer gins to brave, that all the field it rung.   

Oh valiant Trojans all, (quoth he) come see, and here behold  
The lucky hit of this my shaft, take heart and wax ye bold. 
Pandarus to the Trojans.   
Advance my friends, now hurt I have one chiefest of our foes,  
Believe that long he cannot stand, of force to die he goes,  
If so Apollo do not spoil, and yield my travail vain,  
And take from me this worthy glore, which now I seem to gain.   

Thinking that victor now he stood, thus Pandarus doth brave  
At the stout Greek, who feeling well himself a wound to have, 
Sthenelus plnckes the arrow out of Diomed.   
He draweth back, but not aghast, and Sthenelus his friend  
He wills to come down from his chair, and softly take by end  
The steel, and pluck it out the hurt, with ease as much as may:  
As best he could, the piercing shaft he drew, and cast a way.  
Wherewith the golden buckle gay, the which he ware before,  
And Curets did together hold, was stained with purple gore.  
Diomedes thus painde alight, cast up to heaven his head,  
With heart he Pallas doth entreat, and thus to her he said 
Diomedes prayer to Pallas.   
Oh Pallas great, the daughter thou of jove the God so high,  
Give ear, and grant thy servants suit, which craves it earnestly:  
If ever thou Tydee my sire, or else now me his son  
Have prospered well 'gainst forceful foes, where we exploit have done, 
Tideus Diomedes father.   
Grant I beseech, thy favour now, that I may send to Hell  
This gallant, who me having hurt, he thinks he bears the bell,  
believing sure, seeing from me my scarlet blood to run,  
I cannot hold, but am deprived from ever sight of sun.   

The Greek no sooner said his suit, but Pallas would it so,  
She came, and strait to all his parts did double strength bestow, 
Pallas to Diomedes   
And spoke him thus: Go, fiercely fight, thy foes to daunt not fear:  
The gifts of force are now in thee, which in thy father were,  
And more, the vale I take away long erst before thy sight:  
That thou mayst know both gods and men the better in thy fight:  
Yet take good heed, if any God present himself to thee,  
That one to dear him with thy hand thy mind, do not agree.  
If Venus fair do hap to come, then do thy forces ply,  
And hurt her corpses, if so thou canst, composed so tenderly.   

Minerva left him with these words, with courage fully fraughted,  
And to the Trojans than he made, and one them fiercely fought.  
Who, though full fierce in war he were, and forward always bend  
Before his hurt, a third part now he finds his strength augment:  
Wishing revenge most Lion like, the which the simple heard 
Comparison of the Lion chased.   
Doth gall with shast or skirring dart in keeping of his herd,  
Wherewith the beast is more enradge, the blow doth make him grin,  
The which the herdman when he sees, for fear gins to spin,  
And to the savage Lion leaves his cat-tail and his fold  
To do his will, who doth perform his losses manifold,  
And cometh out a conqueror: even with like valiant heart  
The mighty Greek the Troyans scours amazed in every part. 
Diomedes s●…ayes A ●…ous.   
Astinous and Hipenor, two puissant Dukes to tell,  
By weapon of the worthy Greek in field the Princes fel.  
For thwart the Pap the one he struck, his lance so held the trade,  
The other smote his weighty sword twixt neck and shoulder blade:  
The cruel blow he struck, the joint no whit it mysste at all,  
The body and the shoulder both to earth together fall.   

After he cut in pieces there Polidus and Abant 
Diomedes kills Abant and Polidus the sons of Eurimantes the Prophet.   
The children of the Prophet great cleped Euridamant.  
Who prophecies and dreams though true he could interpretate,  
The hoary fire yet had not cast his sons unlucky fate.   

And in the rank by his right hand the self same dance now runs  
The brethren Thoon and Xanthus, rich Phenops only sons,  
And to the old man's grief, sith fate no children did him leave  
He forced was his stored wealth to strangers to bequeave. 
Theon & Xanthus' s●…ayne by Diomedes.    

And passing forth, a Chariot met Diomedes in the face,  
Wherein were two, king Priam's sons, with wise and warlike grace,  
Who well did know the feats of war, Echemonone that hight, 
Echmon & Chromius Priam's sons s●…aine by Diomedes Comparison of an hungry Lion.   
Chromius eke fell dead in field ydaunted by his might.  
For even as the Lion proud for hunger set to pray,  
In pasture finds an heard of neat, and seeks to force away  
One of the troop, with strength on him he seizeth with his paws,  
And fiercely holds him by the neck, and forth the booty draws:  
Even so the hardy Greek did joy, & plucked them from their char,  
His mighty hand of both their bloods the badge and token bare.  
Off them their armour than he tore, their horses eke he sent  
Fourth by his friends unto his ship, or else unto his tent.   

When as Aeneas thus beheld the Trojans go to wrack,  
With wounds and slaughter only one to put them all to sack,  
And at his pleasure play the Bug, he forward strait doth pass,  
And in the throng he thrusteth in, whereas it thickest was:  
Seeking he asketh of his folk for their Duke Pandarus,  
The Lycian head, whom when he found, he cheerly spoke him thus:  
Oh courteous knight, thy piercing shafts where are they, & thy bow? 
Encas to Pandarus.   
Are they in pieces all to pashed, whereof thou boasted so?  
Thy great renown and worthy fame, wherewith all Lycie rung,  
And eke our Camp, and oft the Greeks with dread and terror dung,  
What, is it out yquenched clean? alack thy bow take yet,  
And nock the mortalst shaft thou hast, and send it right to hit,  
And pray the Gods to further thee against this Grecian fell,  
Who cruelly our chiefest folk doth chase, destroy and quell:  
I greatly fear some mighty God descended is from skies  
To punish us for our offence, whose fury now doth rise  
For having not his honours due, if that way go the gear,  
We quiet must content, for why, their rage is great to bear.   

O noble Trojan quoth Pander, as touching now this Greek, 
Pandarus to Encas.   
The prudent heir of Tydeus he seemeth to be leek:  
Like targe he bears, his lofty crest and armour doth agree,  
His horses also make me think that well it may be he:  
I dare not yet affirm the same, for no man mortal sure  
Is to be thought, whose deeds of arms such valiance doth procure.  
Perhaps it is one of the Gods in mortal armour bend,  
Or else some one, to whom the Gods have secret favour sent,  
And turns aside the wounds and blows, which should upon him fall,  
If not, my shaft had sent him erst to good king Pluto's Hall.  
But now I see him in the fight more furious than before,  
And more I know some mighty God hath me displeasure bore.  
For here I nothing have to arm and front me to the fight,  
My strong and shining chariots brave, my coursers eke so light,  
And mighty band alack, I want: oh (no good reason why)  
Far hence I left them at my home, the more unhappy I.  
I have eleven armed well and richly wrought throughout  
With goldsmiths work, and gallantly embroidered round about.  
Two horses tough each one it hath, the jades they are not dull,  
Of Barley white, of Rye and Oats they feed in manger full. 
Lycaon father of Pa●… datus.   
Lycaon when I did departed the good old man me bad  
To take them with me, for to show what force in fight I had,  
I do forethink, for that I would my father's hest obey,  
And did forsake his counsel good: I only feared always,  
(Knowing with siege this City girt) I doubted to come by  
The wo●…d food my ho●…ses had, wherefore unhappily  
Trusting unto my 〈◊〉 ●…owe, I here am come a foo●…e,  
And have them left, which bow of mine hath served to little boot,  
I having often proud the same: two of my shots did prick  
Both Menelau, and Diomedes, and thrust them to the quick,  
And all in vain, for thinking I, with death their bones to bore,  
I nothing did, but stirred them up more furious than before.  
Wherefore I justly now may say, unlucky was my fate,  
To bring my bow or souldioure else to fight in any rate  
Under the Trojan ensigues here, or put my helping hand  
Hector the noble prince to aid, and subjects of his land.  
If Gods do please that eft I may my wife and Country see,  
For this my grievous great mishap, I willingly agree  
And am content some stranger do cut off this head of mine,  
If bow, if shafts, and quivers too, as right as any line  
In fire and flame I do not cast, with most despite to b●…rne  
Which with my pain in this exploit so il have served my turn.   

This spoke the Lycian Pandarus, do not thyself thus dear, 
Encas to Pandarus.   
Quoth Aeneas unto him, but be of better cheer.  
Let us together join, and leave this fancy wood,  
Let us assail this soldier stout, if so you think it good.  
Come up into my Chariot here, do you my horses try  
How light they are, how well to hand to such as do them gye  
To scour apace, or else to stop, to join to gallop swift,  
To turn, and how to help us to at any sudden lift.   

Choose which you list▪ take you the rain, and guider be to me,  
While I do go and fight with him, or I will guide to thee.   

It best is that you take the charge quoth Pander by my reed,  
For they will better governed be by him, who doth them feed, 
Pandarus Aeneas.   
Than by a foreign, for I fear when so we should retire,  
With bit in teeth they still would stand: and horses will require  
The cheering of their wont g●…ide▪ and so it might befall,  
That he the Greek assailing us▪ may reign and govern all.  
Wherefore do you your horses rule, and let me now in faight  
My force and prowess put in proof: these words be ended strait  
And both the lusty soldiers there in march do forward go,  
And valiantly do shake their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sthenelus do●… know, 
S●…nelus to Diomedes   
He calls his friend and saith him thus▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are here,  
Who force themselves to join with us, and now are drawing near,  
Both warlike men, one cunning much in shooting very strait,  
The Trojans praise the other stout, and wise in things of weight,  
Esteemed and honoured over all, the old Anc●…ses heir,  
The which he vaunteth he begot on lovely Venus' fair.  
Wherefore herein is danger much, and therefore I you pray  
Re●…ire a while, hast not so much the hap of war t'assaie.  
For doubt that this our forwardness may yield us both to die.   

Diomedes hearing thus his mate to counsel him to fly,  
In choler great doth answer him as miscontented much: 
Diomedes to Sthenel.   
Think not thy foolish counsel can yield fear or terror such  
In me, no, no, all men of us great villainy would say,  
No soldier following at our backs to see us run away.  
I answer can a greater cause than this yet with my force,  
That it is true, I will not take my Chariot nor my horse  
To deal with them, let me alone, Minerva she doth grant  
This victory it shall be mine, one of them I must daunt,  
And reave from him his vital breath, believe it true to find,  
At least I will constrain them here to leave their char behind.  
Good friend remember well my words, part not from me away,  
If so it hap, and fortune, that I both those Trojans stay,  
Or if in field they mangled lie, make haste in any case,  
Their horse and Chariot to my hall I pray you lead apace.  
These goodly beasts are of the race of these great coursers trim,  
Which jupiter to Tros the prince presented unto him,  
When as he meant  from Troy to steal and catch 
Aeneas' ●…ses of the heavenly Race.   
To serve him in the heavens high, nowhere is found their match  
For countenance and for courage, not, under the morning grey,  
Nor yet beneath the shining sun, Anchise well knew the way  
The race and kind for to come by, for sith the same in gift  
Laomedon would never grant, he finds a pretty shift,  
Into the pasture privily he puts his goodly Mares,  
To cover them the Stallions stout and coursers nothing spares:  
Six colts so had he beautiful of which he chose him four  
To serve him at all times of need, and made of them great store,  
Th●…e two he gave Aeneas here so gay and richly clad,  
O what a pray were this, if jove, would I the booty had?   

So spoke the Greek, who even thinks the deed already done: 
P●…arus to Diomedes.   
In mean time both the Trojans do against him jointly run.  
Then spoke Pandar, oh cruel Greek, sith so it is befall,  
That erst my mortal piercing shaft could not thee hurt at all,  
To cleave thy Curets once again I now will try my dart.  
And when he ended had these words, his lance he threw so smart,  
That through he thirlde his buckler quite, and to his Curet fled, 
Pandarus vaunteth to foolishly.   
And further not, yet thinking there that he the Greek had sped,  
Doth vaunt aloud: O Diomedes the deed now is it done,  
Whereby I justly judge myself the happiest under sun.  
This blow so deep it pierced hath thy side, and pretty poke  
Of guts, as die of force thou must, receiving thus the stroke.   

Diomedes nought affright him said: thy strength it is too young  
Thou art deceived, for by the same I nothing now am wrong. 
Diomedes to Pandarus.   
I will thee show another trick, thou shalt not so well brook,  
My lance shall send thee to thy grave, at my hands do not look  
For better grace, but it in blood of one of you to bathe:  
He with these words at Pandarus doth throw it strong and rathe:  
Then Pallas to the Lycians face directs the weapon right, 
Diomedes killeth Pan.   
Which mightily thrusteth through the same, & cuts in two his sight,  
His nose, his teeth, his tongue and all, and there remaineth in  
A good piece of the steel and staff, the head from out his chin  
Doth pear, and down he falleth dead, the horses start withal,  
Hearing the noise that there did make his armour in the fall:  
His armour bright and finely wrought, but filled with blood so raw,  
And hewed throughout, this great defeite when as Aeneas saw,  
Most Lion like he venter's forth, and loud the Prince doth cry,  
With sword and targe in hand, in hast he runneth desperately,  
Minding mortally to wound, the Grecian first he met,  
But Diomedes then well advised, a weighty stone doth fet,  
Which scarcely two good 〈◊〉 could heave or lift upon the ground, 
Diomedes woundeth Aeneas.   
Wherewith he hits him on the thigh, and doth Aeneas' wound,  
So sore, his fi●…ewes he doth pash, and muscles tears in two,  
As forced kal●…e dead 〈◊〉 he was, headlong on knees to go,  
And groveling stared him with his hands, he bitter death had caught,  
If so his tender dame had not his present suc●…or sought:  
Who viewing well the danger great, which to her son did hap,  
To rid him out the hard distress, her cloak she doth bewrap  
Him round about, and hawseth him, wherewith he was so clad  
As in a fort, else thousand darts him over happened had.  
And then to lead him out the press, Venus doth her devour.   

And Sthenelus remembering what his friend had willed before,  
Aeneas horse doth take, his own aside doth lead a while  
The Trojans horse he doth betake his trusty mate Deiphile, 
Stheneius Diomedes guider tak●… Aeneas horses.   
To guide unto Diomedes tents: this Deiphile was the same  
Who well beloved of all the camp, of Knighthood bore the name▪  
His own coursers he mounteth on, and followeth speedily.  
Diomedes, whom then he finds with all his might to high 
Diomedes purs●…eth Ven●….   
After the Goddess, her to fell, and Venus down to beat,  
Well knowing she is none of them, in whom is power ●…o great,  
As in the two maidens Minerva, and in the fierce Bellon, 
Minerva & Ballon●….   
A weak and dainty parnell she, in whom is goodness none.  
He in the press doth find her out, he followeth on so fast,  
Whether th'immortals will be hurt, to prove he now doth cas●…e.  
His dart with powdered Emins lined doth pierce the gallant cloak, 
Venus' wounded in the hand by Diomedes.   
And in her fine and Goddess hand there forward hit the stroke:  
The kind and dainty dame is hurt, wherewith she wailed her ill,  
And heavy in her heart she feels the heavenly juice distill,  
And scarlet blood, which was not like as mortal men do bleed,  
For, forasmuch as heavenly folks on fruits they do not feed,  
And do abstain themselves from wine, their h●…nors do not 'gree,  
With us are men, therefore we say immortal that they be.   

Venus she grieves, and chafeth much, being thus forced to pine  
By hand of one that mortal is, and loud begins to whine,  
For●…eare she is constrained to leave, and forsake Aeneas,  
Whom Phoebus helpeth at a pinch, and doth him there embrace,  
She haps him with a cloud, and keeps him from the Greekish spite,  
Which for the purpose, when he came, she strait had therein sight.   

In mean time Diomedes doth at Venus gibe and flout,  
Provokes her wrath, in fight (quoth he) henceforth no more come out,  
Let it suffice you with your wiles poor women to deceive,  
The trade of war and warlike acts I read you for to leave:  
For if the battle thus you haunt, yourself you will beguile,  
One day you will be paid for all, that you will curse the while.   

The Grecian spoke the Goddess thus, for grief who sorrows sore,  
Not only for the wound that painde, no less, but rather more  
She doth lament thus to be mockte, wherewith her colour gay  
So bright that was, begins to swart, and seems to fade away.  
Wherefore Iris with pity wound, unto her draweth nigh,  
And for good will she brought her out, and to a place there by 
Iris bridgeth Venus our of the battle   
On the left hand she led her in, where Mars did stand and groile,  
As ill disposed, and did behold the bloody fight and broil:  
He sitting in a dusky cloud, his Mounter by him there,  
He leaneth sadly on his lance, as though he weary were.   

Then Venus on her marrowbones thus prays him earnestly:  
Good brother Mars so well beloved, to mounte●… Olympus high, 
Venus to Mars.   
And heavenly palace, lend me now your chair, great pain I have,  
Alack with treason Diomedes, that fierce and cruel knave  
He hath me wounded in the hand, that fierce and cruel cur,  
I think he jove would also hurt he keepeth such a stir.   

Mars willing granteth her request, his char and horse he lent, 
Mars ●…endeth Venus his chariots who ascendeth into heaven.   
She mounts, and Iris takes the rain, for guide with her she went:  
The goodly Genets cut the air, they rather wish to fly,  
And in a moment they are come unto the heaven hie,  
And found the mansion of the Gods, where Iris strait her sped  
To dress them well, and there with meats immortal she them fed.   

Then Venus found her mother dear, and fell down in the place,  
Half sounding, whom Dione doth lamenting there embrace,  
And courteously doth thus entreat: Good daughter, whom I love,  
Whose hand hath been so cruel bold of all the Gods above,  
That dared dear thy tender flesh? no worse they could have used  
The ranckes●… drivel, who herself most filthy had abused.   

Diomedes that rebel (quoth she) hath given me the gelpe,  
When as I meant my tender son Aeneas for to help, 
Venus to her mother.   
Else died he had, and now I see that Greeks not only war  
With folk of Troy, but do in fight the Gods both hurt and scar.   

The worthy Goddess Dione then this furious rage to stay,  
A while to quiet at her harm doth lovely Venus pray. 
Dione to Venus.   
My daughter sweet, content yourself, for many Gods there are,  
Whom mortal men despitefully have wronged with hateful care,  
But yet in time have felt at full the guerdon of their fault:  
Ephalte, Otus, stout Oloeus sons Mars God they did assault,  
And so prevailed against the God, that thirteen months long,  
They bond and kept him prisoner in prison sure and strong:  
Where he had died by long abode, but that with pity fraught  
Euribea their mother in law Mercurius she besought  
In favour of the God distressed, who stolen him in a braid,  
And secretly conveyed him forth, without whose present aid,  
The fetters and the stinking air had there consumed him quite,  
His nature so divine it was. juno for all her might 
juno 〈◊〉 in the right breast by Hercule●….   
On her right breast was wounded sore, and stricken so did stand  
By triple he adedshée ring shaft, ysent by Herculs hand.  
What shall we say of Pluto black, who rules in each behoof  
Th'infernal powers as only God? hath he not had good proof  
Of Herculs dart, when as he was in Pili●… country soil:  
Among the murdered carcases, where so received the foil  
His Godhead, that if possibly a God could die or waste, 
Pluto 〈◊〉 by Hercules. Pluto was healed by Peon physician to the Gods.   
The wound on shoulder which he caught had been his utas last.  
But to the lightsome mansion tho, of jove be hies amain  
To seek a help there for his hurt, where Peon taketh pain,  
His grievous wound he dresseth well, and quite doth heal the same:  
O Hercules, unhappy thou, too foolish and too blame,  
Who feared not to deal in fight, and strive offensively  
Against the Gods, who always seek revenge assuredly.  
But daughter trust this Greek durst not have hurt you any way,  
But by Minerva's help, who wills you all the ill she may.  
A good poor fool, who doth not know the man that doth contend  
Against the Gods with envious pride, must have a wretched end.  
This only fault another day (at home) shall make him miss  
His pretty babes to call him Dad, and there his knees to kiss.  
He surely aught to think, if they, who be of greater force  
Than you, would not revenge your case, so driven by remorse,  
That your power can well suffice his punisher to be  
In his own land, that is to say, by his wife Egialee:  
Who waking out her heavy sleep, seeling the burning prick  
Of loves desire, to quench her heat, some roag she shall not stick  
To 'tice unto her husbands bed, and sport with many a fit,  
As merrily as Cock and Pie, he nothing wotting it.   

To cheer her daughter thus she said, and softly dressed the sore,  
She swagde the pain, and Venus was more eased than before. 
Dione appeaseth Venus.    

But when as juno and Minerue did see her thus arrayed,  
In flouting wise, O jove they said, be you not ill apaid?  
O holy father (quoth Pallas) of this ymery be, 
Pallas to jupiter mocking Venus.   
Venus a Greek to Trojan camp to bring there minding she  
To give to one whom well she liked, in leading forth the man,  
Her hand with buckle of his belt (she hardly leaning an) 
Ironia.   
Is hurt, the tongue hath thrust her in, and then it may befall  
Good cause to ask some ready help, the wound it is not small.   

At this good jest the God of Gods smileth with merry cheer,  
And kindly came and spoke her thus: Venus my daughter dear,  
It is not yours to rule an host, nor deal in bro●…les of war, 
jupiter to Venus.   
But love and marriages to make, for you they fit are,  
Meddle with them, your brother Mars to him leave you the fight,  
And to your sister Mineruà, as due to them of right,  
In love your office only is, thus jove doth pleasant jest,  
And talking so they to and fro, he sports among the rest.   

In the mean while Diomedes, Aeneas he had slain,  
And misste but small, but Apollo defended him again.  
For the desire that then he had, the Trojan for to slay,  
And gain his goodly furniture, all judgement took away,  
Apollo thrice there guarded him, him thrice the Greek did charge,  
Apollo still did strike aside his weapon and his targe:  
The fourth time dead he had him down, or laid him on the flower,  
But that with grim and grisly looks Apoll doth threat & l●…re.   

In haste retire I read (quoth he) how trim a man you are, 
Apollo to Diomedes.   
So saucy with th'immortal Gods, and boldly ●…s compare?  
And henceforth this consider to, far different is the power  
Of men, who leads their lives on earth, and 〈◊〉 die every hour,  
From that of God's immortal who and heavenly never dies.  
Herewith the hasty Greek, apace (well feared) away he flies.  
Then Phoebus there out of the fight the Trojan took away,  
And on the City wall he placed him in the Temple gay,  
Unto him consecrated, large, and sumptuously wrought,  
As in a fortress sacred much, and most assured thought:  
Unto the end that Diana, and his sister Latone,  
More carefully might help to heal his wounds, which caused his moan,  
And strait the armies to abuse he used a Stratagem,  
Animage like unto Enee himself (it so did seem) 
An Imag●… of 〈◊〉.   
He did erect, about the which the bloody gore did run,  
And round about the same, many a doughty deed was done  
By Knights of Greece, and Trojans both, the one their travel spent  
It to defend, it Greeks to spoil their might and forces bend.   

When as Enee Apollo had in good sure safety set,  
Another way he helpeth, for, he mighty Mars doth get  
By his great means in Trojans aid, and him he bourded thus: 
Apollo to Mar●….   
O Mars thou God invincible, Mars fell and furious,  
O bloody Mars with gastful looks, 'gainst whom no batteld wall,  
Nor armour tempered near so well, can scarce resist at all:  
What, can you suffer here this Greek to brave throughout the host  
And glory thus? will you not plague and scour him to his cost  
For this so saucy his attempt? for he would make no stop  
An enemy to be to jove, and ride upon his top,  
Who made no bones so ill t'array Venus thy sister here,  
And hath prepared against me to, a mad man as he were.   

Apollo ending thus his words, upon the wall did rest, 
Mars in 〈◊〉 ●…y kenelle 〈◊〉 Acamas 〈◊〉 horteth the Troyans   
And Mars the puissant God himself to battle ready priest.  
He comes into the Trojan camp, presenting in the face,  
And furniture, one Acamas, a mighty Prince of Thrace.  
The ranks he cheers, and comforts up, namely King Priam's sons:  
His voice he lifteth up and calls, disordered now who runs,  
O valiant imps, whom erst I took so worthy and so strong,  
To see pour folk thus murdered here without your help, how long  
Will ye forbear? what, stay you till your Knights be beaten down▪  
And that your foes do come and fight at gates before your town?  
What greater grief (oh) can there be for you, than to behold.  
Enee a Trojan of such price, so valiant and so bold,  
Another Hector well esteemed in danger here to lie,  
And such a friend to rescue out not one of you will try?   

These words made many Trojans show good face & courage take,  
Whereby Sarpedon worthy Knight to Hector thus he spoke, 
Sarpedon to Hector.   
With choler seeming somewhat mood: O Hector sage and wise,  
Where is the prowess that sometimes extolled was to the skies,  
When thou didst boast that thy brethren, and thy allies alone  
Can bid good welcome to the Greeks, and well defend your own  
Without the force of strangers aid? where is thy great kindred?  
Thy brethren, cousins, and adheres? surely they all are fled,  
I see not one, no, no. like Dogs, whom Lion seeks to tear,  
They leave thee here in danger great, and run away for fear. 
Comparison of Dogs assailed by a lion.   
They leave not thee, but us also, who here are come not strest  
In thy quarrel to spend our blood, and thro' have done our best.  
To Trojan King I am no liege, ne with him kindred have,  
I have no country lies so near, which I need seek to save.  
Yet here I come from Licie land, a country fur that lies,  
Provoked by thy great report, which famed is to the skies.  
I there have left my loving spouse, my babes, such good and gold,  
Wherewith such men as want the same, greatly rejoice they would.  
I hazarding with most good will my life and state for thee,  
I cannot now but marvel much: for why, alas I see  
Thy friends and soldiers run away, and I and mine to stand,  
Thou hold'st thy peace, who ought revoke, & bear them hard in hand,  
No more thus to abandon thee, declaring to them all  
The mischief, wherein they and theirs is haply like to fall:  
The which shall be as simple beasts ywrapped in the snare, 
Comparison of beasts taken in Nets.   
Their great and famous City spoil●…, ysackte, and peeled bare.  
You better aught to mind this gear, and go unto the chief,  
And tell them, that there yet remains great hope of good relief:  
And that by stoutly standing to't, the victory may be had:  
So men of you will deem right well, else judge of you too bad.   

Sarpedon thus pricked Hector on, the prince nothing replied,  
But in his armour as he was from Chariot strait he hied, 
Hector begins the battle again●….   
And leapt down, holding in hand of darts a goodly pair,  
Which there he fiercely shakes, and doth unto his folk repair:  
Where, with commandment and request his bands he orders eft,  
Who taking heart, forward advance, to gain the place they left.  
When Greeks the Trojans thus perceiude themselves in ranks to weave,  
Their crews they clap together close, them surer to receive,  
And soldier like do ready make, to bide the fight they mean:  
And even as men out of the barn fanning their corn clean,  
Often by greatness of the wind the chaff abroad that blows,  
The filth doth white the husbandmen, which out the corn goes:  
The dust was likewise great, when as the Trojans near appeared,  
The soldiers and their armour all with dust were all besmeared.  
Then did the cruel war begin with great and sorer tewe  
Than erst before, they fight it out, and shields in pieces hew.  
Mars runneth up and down the fields, the Trojans he exhorteth  
In covert wise, and cheers them up with speech of sundry sorts.  
Phoebus (quoth he) doth take your parts, and Pallas is your foe,  
Wherefore some worthy deed of Arms, it you behooves to shoe. 
Aeneas 〈◊〉 turneth to the 〈◊〉.   
The self same time Aenee reurnes all fresh into the field,  
Apollo brought him in, whom when the Trojans whole beheld,  
And not to do like as a man that hurt or maimed were,  
But like a strong and valiant Knight, they greatly gin to cheer.  
At him they could not gaze their fill, some would have talked with him  
But now the broil and bickering begun was very brim:  
Apollo, Mars, the Goddess fond Contention took the parts  
Of the good Trojans, inflaming to war their warlike hearts, 
Apollo, Mars. and Con●… for the Trojans.   
The valiant Knights the two Ajax on th'other party do it,  
With Diomedes and Ulysses they pray the Greeks stand to it,  
The which obey: like men of war they stand and keep their ground:  
For as the clouds the mountains tops do close & compass round 
Comparis●… of the clouds of the mount●….   
Maugre the winds, by jove his means, who else no way abides  
The blasts & blustering northern puffs, that thrusts at heart their sides:  
Likewise with stout and valiant minds the Greeks well armed stand,  
Seeing with them the worthiest Dukes of all the Greekish land.  
And Agamemnon doth command, where need he thinketh most,  
And travails carefully about to order all the host.  
O warlike Grecians (quoth he) though, if ever men have seen  
Your warlike deeds perform them now, no less than they have been,  
Take courage sirs, and with one mind now charge upon your foes,  
The soldier who esteems his name, for surety do suppose,  
And for the same doth stir his stumps, more dangers doth escape  
Than cowards do, who from the fight to flee do only gape.  
We sooner see go to the hack, the dull and fearful foke,  
Than hardy soldiers in the field, who wish with foes to yoke.  
The spirit, the which for honours sake hath not more lively grace,  
The body faints, and mated eke, to death it giveth place.   

He with these words doth she we the way, his javelin to his foes  
He girdeth forth, and dead in field Deicoon overthrows, 
Deicoon slain by Agamemnon   
Dear friend unto the great Aenee, through all the camp Troyene  
So honoured and esteemed, as he King Priam's son had been.  
Not only for his jollity, and for his strength and might,  
But that he always still would be the foremost in the sight.  
The Dart his massy Target doth and Baldric thorough bear,  
So down it goeth to his paunch, and dead he falleth there.   

The self same time Aeneas slew Crethon, Orsilochus:  
Who had of the City Pheree to sire Deocleus, 
●…neas kills Crethon & Orsilochus.   
Abounding both in power and wealth, whose pedigree they fetch  
From Alphe brook in Pilie land, so largely which doth stretch.  
Orsilochus was Alphes son, a King of worthy name,  
Who did beget Deocleus, a Prince of no less fame:  
Of whom descended these two heirs, Orsiloche and Crethone,  
In feats of war, in Greekish camp their betters was there none:  
And chief for their times, who more their honours to increase,  
Had followed hard even to Troy Agamemn through the seas,  
Supposing they it honour great as soldiers for to go  
Under the guide of such a chief: as oft it happens so,  
That two young whelps of Lion's race, close in some corner by  
The Forest, led by Lioness who in the country nigh  
Spoiling their cat-tail and their folds, an Ox they sometime slay,  
Sometime an Horse, sometime a sheep they kill and run away, 
Comparison of two Lions surprised by the shepherd.   
Shall be at length yet overta'en, and by the shepherds catched,  
They not bearing their harms, who well will cause them to be watched.  
Likewise Aenee courageous ●…ueld ('gainst whom there was no boots)  
The Grecians two, who fell like Pines ytournde up by the roots 
Similitude of two Pine trees ●…elled.   
By force of wind, than Menelau hereat doth greatly grieve  
To see his friends thus murdered here, whom he comes to relieve.  
Through armed well, in his right hand a Dart right bright he bore  
Mars let him pass, that by Aenee his hand he murdered were.  
Antilochus him follows hard when as he forward went,  
He thought the hazard was not small, nor he sufficient  
Alone to make his party good, which when Aeneas saw,  
Although he wéelded well in fight, himself he did withdraw.  
To deal with two he danger thought, no sooner he retires,  
But that to draw the bodies forth the other two desires,  
And gave them to their fellows there, and then to fight they gone, 
Menelaus kills Pylemen●…s.   
In this conflict Pilemene fell, the king of Paphlagone.  
With Mydon loyal guider, who his royal Chariot driude,  
The shoulder of the foresaid king there Menelaus cliude.  
At Mydon amazed Antilochus a weighty stone did throw, 
Antilochus kills 〈◊〉   
He crushed his arm, constraining him the bridle to let go:  
Beside this blow, he on his face gave him a schochelade,  
Whereby he fell down to the ground islaine by his blade.  
He fell not strait, the Palfreys did trail him upon the mould,  
Antilochus till he them stayed, and led them where he would.   

Then Hector prince by chance came by, right as the deed was done,  
Seeing the good king thus distressed to wax in heat begun:  
And therewith all he cries so loud, that every Trojan leaps  
That heard his voice, and with good heart they follow him in heaps.   

The furious Mars, and stout Bellona, on them the charge do take 
Mars and Bellona with Hect.   
To march before the Trojan bands, and dreadful noise do make.  
Mars shaketh his redoubted lance, he never Hector left,  
Sometimes before, sometimes behind he oftentimes doth shift,  
In fine, it was a goodly thing a God to have for guide.   

Diomedes seeing Mars to march, for fear may not abide, 
Comparis●… of a traveler w●…o stopped by a t●…uer, returneth.   
But did recoil a foreign like, who riding by the way  
To some far land, doth find a flood, whose breadth doth him affray,  
He stopped is by the swift course, and surging so amain,  
That he his business leaves undone, and home returns again.  
Pea even so the puissant Greek his soldiers doth advise,  
Himself withdraweth from the sight, and spoke them in this wi●… 
Dio. to the Greeks.   
My friends quoth he, marvel no whit that Hector is so stout,  
And priest himself to sight with you, and hence to drive you out.  
With him to lead him in the field a guider God doth go,  
Erst in humane and mortal form I Mars the God did know,  
Who man's him thoroughly at the full, wherefore sirs by my read,  
I would persuade you tarry time, and stay but for a bread.  
Turn not your backs but do retire, for doubt what happen mig●…  
Provoking here the mighty Gods, who for the Trojans fight.  
The Greeks a little leave their ground, the Trojans hie as fast,  
And Hector first of all the rest his javelins he doth cast  
Wherewith two warlike soldiers he doth slay, Menesthes strong 
Anchialus and Menesthes slain by Hector. Ajax kills Amphius.   
And Anchiale, whom from their char on earth he laid along.   

The stout Ajax did pity much their fall, the which he spied,  
Wherefore his piercing dart he threw, wherewith Amphius died:  
His armour could not bear the blow, but that his guts it gored,  
This Amphius was Selags son, of Peses the wealthy Lord,  
Come far to Troy in Priam's aid, who there doth leave his course,  
And sturdy Ajax seeks to spoil his furniture by force.  
But Trojans on his target threw so many darts at once,  
The carcase they it took him fro, for all his mighty bones.  
Saving his lance, he nothing had, which he was feign to pluck  
With both his hands the body out, so deep in him it stuck.  
This done, by Trojans put aback, himself away he wried  
Almost well weary of the toil, again on th' other side  
By fortune hard and fate doth fall valiant Tlepoleme, son  
To Hercules, with hardy heart, who forward there doth run,  
And puts himself in place to join, with stout Sarpedon knight,  
Who meeting both together round, and ready to the fight,  
These words Tlepoleme to him says before his dart he flings: 
Thepole●…us to Sarpedon.   
What weighty cause, what great affairs, what need thee hither brings  
Thou coward knight of none account, unhappy here to die?  
Who told thee jove to be thy sire, they coaxt thee prettily  
Thy faintness with his heavenly race doth greatly disagree:  
Thinkest thou in valiance to approach Hercule my father he,  
My loving sire, with Lion's heart so hardy and so haute,  
Who with six ships he brought from Greece, took Ilium by assault,  
To take revenge of broken faith of Laomedon tho,  
Who promised on him in reward his horses to bestow?  
Thy force and strength is far from his, and here before thy face  
Thy Lycian soldiers are forehayde, and no man rues thy case.  
What stead canst thou the Trojans stand? thou lettest thy men be hacked,  
But all is one, for why? my lance to Hell shall send thee packed.   

Sarpedon at his foolish threats doth move and bash no whit, 
Sarpedon to Tlepole●….   
He takes his tale out of his mouth, (quoth he) full true is it,  
That for the great abuse and fault to Hercules thy sire  
They did, Troy it was sacked, and all her buildings set on fire:  
But as for thee, here die thou shalt ymurdred by my hand,  
To my renown, and send thy soul to low and darksome land.   

They make an end of words, their darts each shakes with his good will, 
The light betw●…ne Sarpedon 〈◊〉 Tlepolem. Tlepolem. slain and Sarpedon wounded.   
To slay his foe, and so it fell, as either had his fill.  
Sarpedons lance struck through the Greek, who dead in field doth lie,  
The Greek his lance Sarpedon pierced in the sinister thy.  
So deep the steel stack in the bone, Sarpedon it had killed,  
●…e had not told who had him hurt, but jupiter it nilde.   

The soldiers when these two great Dukes on earth they thus saw laid  
Themselves they ply, their proper prince apace they come to aid.  
The Lycian Lord they took first up, and brought him out the host,  
In evil plight, and very faint, he so much blood had lost.  
As him they bear, the javelin still trailed upon the ground,  
They had no time there gently to pluck it out the wound.  
The Greeks take Tlepoleme aside, they lay him in a nook,   

At this defaite and overthrow as Ulysses doth look,  
And saw Sarpedons safe retire, he doth the chance bewail,  
And doth forethink which better is, the victor to assail,  
Or else to charge the Lycians, and them in pieces hue:  
But following goddess Pallas mind, he there doth them pursue.  
Fate had not willed that Ulysses Sarpadons' death should be,  
God's providence had kept it for a worthier man than he.   

But there in pieces he doth cut Alastor, Chronius, 
Ulysses ●…ay ●…th seue●… Lycian●….   
Ceranes, Nomon, Alcander, Prytanes, Halius:  
And but that valiant Hector came, he more had served of trust,  
But Hector hied to secure them, and in the ranks he thrust. 
Sarpedon to Hector.   
Yea fearing with his armour bright the hardiest of the Greeks,  
Sarpedon joyeth this to see, and running down his cheeks  
The trickling tears, thou Priam's son (quoth he) I heartily pray,  
Unto the Greeks in this distress, oh leave me not this day:  
Cause me to Troy to be conveyed, there let me end my days,  
Forsake me not, I well do know I may no manner ways  
My Country see, and home return to see my loving wife  
Nor children chéerish, for I feel now ends my fading life.   

The worthy Hector answered not, among the Greeks he rooms,  
Them, who withstood him for to send unto their longest homes.   

The Lycians on a moole-hill set the wounded Sarpedon,  
The dart draws on't his friend and mate the faithful Pelagon,  
He sounded in the plucking forth, his life it faded clean,  
With groans and sighs far fet, his breath by little comes again,  
Whereto the shadow well doth serve, and eke the open air,  
Which coolly blew right in his face, as he lay dawing there. 
Sarpedon in plucking out the dart swoons.   
Hector his arm and Mars the gods the Grecians in all steads  
So foul affray, as they dare not once march, or show their heads.  
They leave their order and array, in field they turn their backs,  
And to retire to shameful flight the Grecian soldiers packs.   

Well, let us tell what Greeks were slain by Hector in this broil,  
The valiant Theutras he was first, in fight who bore such coil, 
●…ector by the favoar of Mars stays many Greeks.   
As he was wont to conquer still, than their Orestes lay,  
The cunning rider of great horse, Threcus died in the fray,  
Stout Helenus, who with the Greeks for knighthood bore the bell,  
Oenom, last Oresbius by Hector's hands he fell:  
Oresbius a prince of power, with Sceptre and with Crown,  
The which right princely he did bear in Hile his proper town:  
His neighbours all he did exceed in wealth, having his good  
By Cephise take in Beocie, whereas his City stood.   

juno seeing this wretched plight the which the Greeks were in,  
Doth find herself beguiled, and chafed to Pallas doth begin:   

Oh daughter of the mighty jove, what? nothing else but kill?  
Is it agreed we all shall die? if so we suffer still 
juno to Pallas.   
This cruel Mars to fool so long, I see it very plain,  
The promise made to Menelau to have Heleine again  
After the siege and sack of Troy, shall turn unto a jest,  
And that his travail he shall lose, if longer here he rest.  
Go we my wench, and let us show this dizarde here at full,  
What power and puissance ●…two have, when use the same we wool.   

Dame Pallas she consented strait, and juno she doth high  
Forthwith to put her horse in point, and to her Chariot tie:  
Again the gorgeous Chariot trimmeth Hebe on th'other side,  
As did belong thereto, whereon the Goddess she must ride, 
Hebe mak●… ready Iu●… Chariot.   
And then the wheels she fastened fast, well forged of perfect gold,  
Strong bound with brass & iron nails, with spokes twice four full told,  
Of self-same bright and glittering brass, the naves of silver mass,  
The ends of steel with silver beam as brave as crystal was.  
The seat with goldsmiths work bedaubde, & in such cunning wise,  
As no man witted whether the work or matter more to prize.  
Minerva made her ready while to dress the char they sought, 
Discriptio●… of Pallas armour.   
And off the puts her right attire which she herself had wrought.  
She claspeth on the Curets stiff which jove doth wear in fight,  
And on her shoulder she doth cast the mighty targe, in weight  
That is so peasant, and so broad, environed with fear,  
Contention, terror, brawls, horror, and fury every where,  
With boldness, noise, and gastful threats of horrible Gorgon,  
The gastful dreadful monster, there the head was painted on,  
Which frights all such as looks thereat, a heavy helmet she  
Puts on her head, of gold most fine, with crests ycrested three,  
Which would suffice to hap the heads, yea of so many folk,  
As well an hundred Cities hath, in fight if they should yoke.  
Thus armed, she lightly leapeth up the chair with spear in hand,  
Against the which (she angry) not the demi-gods can stand.  
Dame juno of the tried horse in hand doth take the reins,  
To be the conductor and guide herself will take the pains. 
The hou●… porter of heaven.    

They scour so fast, to gates they come there of the Welkin large  
Fast shut: as porters of the same the hours have the charge,  
And govern all the sky, and rule the high Olympus eke,  
And clouds to call together too, and force them for to break.   

The hours to the goddesses do open readily,  
And forth they let their coursers out; who pass the champion sky,  
They soon come to the hugy hill of the Olympus ●…rim,  
Where jove in throne doth govern it, and near they draw to him.  
And juno keeping still her char, thus tells him her annoy: 
Inno to Lupiter.   
My brother, and you husband mine, what pleasure or what joy  
Have you to see thus Mars your son before Troy Greeks to kill  
So cruelly without respect, to please the foolish will  
Ofenuious Venus and Apoll, of force, what, must you cloak  
This hateful and malicious part with faith and promise broke?  
I pray thee grieve no whit at all this fury for to stay,  
If I descend and do my best to chase him (hurt) away. 
jupiter to juno.   
I am content answered the God, but in your place I 'vise  
For better end, that Pallas she do take the enterprise.  
For Mars cannot defend himself against her, nor resist,  
For she shall often conquer him, and mate him if she list.   

This answer liketh juno well, she slakes the reins and hies,  
Her coursers run, and keep the way between the earth, & skies, 
The way which the horses keep between heaven and earth.   
They scour aloft as far from us, as men can well descry  
A ship, which sails aloof in seas, from of some tower high.  
And thereabout the horses keep their way, which down descend,  
And soon they came against the town, and down to Troy they bend.  
They quickly fall upon the ground, and down do set their feet,  
Where clear Scamander her brother flood Simois doth meet.  
At Simois there juno left her char and horses brave,  
Who well do taste the heavenly flood, and store of victuals have.  
The Paragons like two white doves, and yet with valiant hearts  
Do march to the Greeks camp, with mind to play some worthy parts   

Where stout approved folk they find, who spare no more her foes,  
Than Lions great, or wild swine, which hungry a praying goes.   

juno took the habit on of Stentor Greekish knight,  
Whose voice was more than fifty men's, crying with all their might: 
Stentor who had the voice of 50. men.   
O what dishonour and reproach, oh Greeks that of your shame  
So small account, unhappy Dukes and princes yet in name,  
But in effect more fearful much than simple serving men,  
If not, the usage of you thus why do you suffer then?  
When as Achilles sought with us, they fled for fearful heart,  
No Trojan stout durst any way from gates of Troy departed,  
They dreaded so his valiant lance, but now good God what hap.  
They fight not only out their town, but kill, and down they clap  
Us and our soldiers at our ships, thus cried she amain,  
The goddess great, wherewith reviude their hardy hearts again.  
The prudent Pallas she again meeteth Diomedes right,  
Weary not only of the toil, which he all day in fight  
Had taken, but his mighty targe did make him sweat apace,  
As he doth ply to show himself a knight in every place.  
And more, the hurt he lately had, did put him to such pain,  
As while he bled, leaving he could seantly himself sustain 
Minerva to Diomed.   
Against his char, yet ne'ertheless Minerva drew him nigh,  
And touched the collars of his horse, and spoke him courteously  
Full true it is, and as for me, it shall be in my creed  
That Tydee that so odd a knight had never of his seed  
A son so valiant as himself, he was but dapper he,  
But aye so valiant and so wise, as often without me  
He to the stoutst and strongest would begin the fight and fray,  
And either bow them to his bent, or down in field them stay.  
To warlike Thebans did he not his courage well declare  
He once a legate sent to them, when after banquet far  
(He seeing them careless full of chat) with them gins to brawl,  
And to his glore and great renown he overthrew them all?  
And how? I tendered him so much, in all his facts, I came  
For to conduct him as a guide, as to thee oft I am,  
And sometime put me in defence thy state and life to save,  
And work on Troyans stoutest knights that thou the triumph have.  
And yet as now thou weary art, with sloth and dread distressed,  
Among the valiant warlike folk no more I think it best 
Diomed. to Minerva.   
Thou name thyself as Tides son: Diomedes doth reply,  
O dame impute not my retire (I crave it humbly)  
To want of heart, nor blame me not: for sith I certain know  
Your presence here, of my retreat th'occasion I will show.  
Neither for fear nor fainted flesh, but well in mind I had  
Your counsel, which to take in hand against the Gods forbade.  
Did you not warn me so, unless on Venus' tender fool?  
And seeing now against us here God Mars to deal his dole,  
Am I blame worthy if I leave and part the combat fro,  
And do admonish all my friends that likewise they do so? 
Minerva to Diomedes.    

Quoth Pallas, friend, well, make no bones, if so he come in place,  
Be not afraid, but thrust to him, and lay him on the face,  
Or any other God that shall affront himself on thee:  
Mars is a wrangling craking wretch, a slavering jacke is he,  
And worse, a liar: of his words he taketh little care:  
No longer than this morning last, to me he said and swore,  
He in the aid of Greekish crews would come to fight and deal,  
And like a fickle fool he fights here for the Trojan weal.  
She wills Stenele come down the chair, she wishes for to try  
Now she can guide and take the rains and will Diomedes guy, 
Minerva mounteth Diomedes Chariot, & guides it.    

The Chariot began to bow with burden that it bore,  
The Axeltrée (though great) did bend under the creaking char,  
The goddess for she weighed so much, and eke the champion good,  
They go to trump and down to beat the raging Mars so wood.  
And Pallas, (lest she should be known) had pluck her face upon  
The helmet great half steel and brass of th' infernal Pluton,   

And when as Mars beheld them thus to come in such a haste,  
A Greek Etolian, Periphant, whom he to earth had cast,  
Did leave: this Periphant renowned with best they did esteem,  
But Mars the warlike Greek to slay, and take his spoils doth méen.   

And now at hano Mars shaketh strait his lance, a wound it made  
Harmless, under the horses necks, it flieth as a shade:  
For it the goddess turned aback, advised well, and wise  
She guides the Dart with her own hand, under the char it flies.   

Diomedes threw not so in vain, for Mars his dart he felt 
Diomedes woundeth Mars.   
Which priest his belly with the steel that hit under his belt.  
In bottom of his bulk it thrust so deep entered the blow,  
The stroke Dame Pallas for the Greek divinely did bestow.  
She woteth well to do the feat, and eft the spear regain,  
Wi●…h his great wound and so strange hurt, Mars crieth out amain. 
The terrible cry of Mars.   
His hideous voice & fearful cry, his thundering bleat & roar,  
Ten thousand men saulting a town could not have thundered more.  
Unto the Greeks and Trojans both, when in their ears it rushed  
Full suddenly begin to fear, and all for dread bewhusht.   

The sorrowful God surprised with grief, & shame a thousand throes,  
Most like a thick and louring cloud to high Olympus goes.  
Which in the clear doth softly waste, when pirling wind doth beat  
And makes it part, and yields the earth beneath feel pleasant heat.  
Unto the heavenly mansion come, with grief and doleful cheer  
He sits by jove, showing his wound which bled, and spoke him there: 
Mars telleth love his mi●…ap.   
Redoubted sire, I cannot tell whether your will it be,  
To see the Gods and Goddesses as Cats and Dogs agree,  
For love we only bear to men, and for thy quarrel not,  
Whose subjects true we are: Thou haste a daughter ill begot.  
So mischievous, she near is pleased, but when she wrongs or spites,  
A God, or Goddess, when she lists, with pleasure she delights.  
No God so mighty or so great, but justly thee obeys,  
But she, the frantic lawless jill unpunishte goes her ways.  
A cruel Greek she forced hath this day the hand to wound  
Of Venus' sister mine, and eke hath made him keep his ground,  
And forward come to foil and hurt me, as well see you may,  
My Godhead almost had been lost, but that I ran away.  
He so me mangled had and coiled, and so my force decayed,  
The heaps so great of Trojans dead, by them he me had laid,  
Which he in gobbets there had cut: thus spoke unto his sire  
God Mars, & showed his shame & grief, which pricked & burnt like fire,  
To whom eft jove: Thou fickle fool, so wicked and so ill, 
jupiter ●…o Mars.   
Leave thy complaints, with thy foul deeds, thy father's ears to fill.  
Thou art the most malicious God of all the Gods above,  
Thy nature full of strife and guile, with cause whom least I love.  
Taking wholly after juno that fond and spiteful shrew,  
A jealous head, past help to mend, like thee, herself doth show.  
Of thy deep wound she causer is, I truly thee assure:  
But, for thou art of both our bloods, my grace it shall procure  
Thy to be healed: but think if thou so wicked art and wild,  
The father's favour thou shalt want, which from offending child  
He doth withdraw: it is long since I justice did on thee,  
For thy malicious wickedness and cankered cruelty.   

jove doth command to heal the wound, Peon doth look thereon,  
And there so well he doth his charge as he it healed anon. 
Comparison of curdled milk. The heavenvly bodies are sooner healed than man's. Pallas and juno leave the battle and ascend to Heaven.   
And as full oft in Summer time their labour men do lose  
In putting curds into the press, which hardly then will cheese:  
Th' immortals hold of heaven much, from us they differ far,  
When as their bodies have a wound they sooner healed are.  
Mars sound, Hebe prepared sweet bains, with garments gay in hand,  
Mars cometh forth in open Court, and there by jove doth stand.   

Again victorious Pallas she, with braving juno pleased,  
To skies return, for chase Mars and wounding him, well eased.   
Finis quinti Libri.   

¶ The sixth Book.  

AFter the Gods had left the fight, the broil again began  
Among the Greeks and Trojans both, and near so sore as than.  
Many a slaying dart was seen on each side in the fray,  
That none could judge the doubtful end between them of that day.  
In field so many corpses fell, where Xanthus' river flows,  
And Simois spreads her banks, where store of trees & herbage grows.   

The worthy Ajax Telamonius of his part was the furst,  
The rampire sure of Gréekishe camp, that Trojan order burst,  
And to his soldiers maketh way that victors they may be:  
One of the chief, a Thracian Prince in sight there murders he,  
Hight Acamas: between the crest and helmet top, he struck 
A●…ax fiaies Acamas.   
So just, that hard unto the brain the skull with brand he broke,  
And in the forehead notchte him deep, wherewith the grievous pain  
Of wound so wide, with darksome death his eyes it did retain.   

And Axilus there Theuthras son, was slain by the hands 
Dlomede kills Axyl●…   
Of Diomedes, a soldier odd of all the Trojan bands.  
His dwelling was ●…sba town, with walls well closed round,  
Where many a stranger he had lodged, to whom did oft abound  
His courtesy to use them well: but yet his usage good  
And gentle heart did not so boot, when in this plight he stood,  
That he might meet with friend or guest, to yield him help or aid:  
The faithful guider of his horse along by him is laid, 
Calesius slain by Dimede.   
Calesius his servant there, yspitted through with wound,  
To keep him company, he falls flat groveling on the ground.   

Euryalus bereft of life Opheltius, and eke 
Euryalus kills Dresus. Opheltius, Pedasns, & ●…sopue.   
Dresus, and old Bucolions' sons he served with the leek.  
They witted not how to save themselves, the one Pedasus hight,  
Both twins, the other Esopus, a well rynowmed Knight,  
The gentle and the worthy Nais, called Nymph Abarbare,  
Unto the said Bucolion them secretly she bore:  
At such time, when from Ilium he, unto the mountain came  
To sport himself, and to enjoy the love of beauty's Dame,  
Who then a simple shepherd she, the fearney pasture on  
Did keep her sheep, he was the son of King Laomedon: 
Bucasion son of La●… medon.   
But leaving sire, and country both, aside their love he laid,  
Then caught with fiery spark of love of that so gentle maid.   

In self same rank Meneptoleme down dingeth Astile dead, 
Meneptoleme kills Astile. Ulysses kills Pidites. Teucer over throws Areton. Antilochus woundeth Abler to death. Agamen non kills Elatu●… Leitus kile Philacus.   
Ulysses' sword doth at a blow strike off Pidices head.  
Areton is by Teucer hurt, and tumbles in his blood:  
Antilochus eke Nestor's son, that forward soldier good  
Full well doth know to do as much to Abler, there he glides  
His javelin, wherewith dead he dies, it shot through both his sides.   

Agamemn seeing them thus slain, he forward thrusteth on,  
And Elatus he doth fordo, whose living lay upon  
The pleasant bank of Satnyon flood, whereas it was not small  
In Pedase town civil and rich, and stately placed withal.  
And Philacus taking his flight, Leytus with death him charms:  
Euripilus seeing his friends doing such feats of arms, 
Euripilus kills Melanthus.   
Doth shake his dart, and at the first (he needs not many blows)  
He doth Melanthius overretch, and dead him overthrows.   

Among the rest to show himself desires Menelay,  
He takes Adrestus there aline, who then doth run away:  
But by ill luck with Chariot so his horses brave did stumble  
Against a stub of juniper, that down it fast doth tumble:  
Wherewith the beam full sore it broke, the coursers, who well knew  
Themselves at large, to Troy the town in course amain they flew,  
Leaving their Master in the field: but Menelay, that fast  
Doth follow on, steps at an inch, when down he sees him cast,  
To slay him with his lofty lance upon him he doth fly,  
But Trojan kissing there his knees, entreats him humblely.   

Thou Atreus son, I you beseech, grant unto me I say 
Virgil hath imitated this in his teuth Book of the Ae●…eides.   
Pardon of this my wretched life, such ransom will I pay,  
As you yourself will think right great, if grant my suit you wool:  
My sire is rich, a house he hath with poison stuffed full,  
Of jewels, gold, iron, and brass, which whole shall be your own,  
And all he hath me to redeem, when well it shall be known  
I am alive, to gain this wealth, your mercy grant to me:  
As captive Menelaus then to take him did agree,  
Thinking to give him to his folk, unto his ship or tent  
To lead him safe: A stay doth come that fails the mind he meant.  
For the great Greek Agamemnon came to the Market than  
With his brother, he chaste in rage, and thus to him began: 
Agamemnon to Menel.   
Thou coward great, what makes thy mind to pity any whit  
Or grieve for these false Troyans' here? have they deserved it  
Of thee at all? when in thy house as guests they harboured ware,  
Did they deserve so good a turn, as thus thou shouldst them spare?  
It shall not boot, for all the brood in pieces shall be torn,  
Yea even the very sucking babes, and such as are not borne,  
They die shall all the bitter death, by these, these hands of ours,  
And pass the sword, and in short time we shall enjoy their towers.   

The chieftain Greek with these his words turned Menelaus so,  
As to his council he consents, this prisoner he doth go, 
Agamennon ●…us Adrast.   
And thrusts and chases him away, Agamemn was not staunch,  
He falls on him, and with a stripe he slays him in the paunch.  
But for to pluck his javelin out, he forced was to stride  
Upon the carcase: in the while there Nestor heard beside,  
Tending the fight, exhorteth the Greeks, and thus to them he spoke:  
O valiant friends you Mars his imps, courageous charging foke,  
To gain this victory at hand stick not to take some toil,  
Give once a lusty charge, set not your minds upon the spoil,  
Till that you see them murdered all, your darts and lances file  
Their corpses in before the pray, that ye after a while  
The glory had, them at your ease and pleasure ye may strip,  
Then shall we in our roomie keels their wealthy treasure ship.   

These words inflamed so their hearts, that victors they were than:  
The Trojans put unto the worse, unto their City ran,  
And had forsaken clean the field, but that King Priam's son  
Sage Helenus did keep them back, as they away did run.  
Who viewing well this cruel chase, to Hector there he hies,  
And to Aeneas, unto whom, sith in you two it lies 
Helenus to Hector and Aeneas.   
(Quoth he) the leading and the charge of all our men and bands,  
As two the experist princes here, that with our faction stands:  
My friends, in this defect you ought this day some means provide,  
That it be eased, stay this reproach: what, stand and do abide,  
And shewlyour selves now diligent, do you our soldiers call  
Together here before the gates, and do exhort them all  
Again the battle to begin, if so they love their lives,  
And will not be in pieces cut before their doleful wives,  
Yea in their bosoms and their laps, who seeing so their flight  
Shall be ashamed, we in the while will travail all our might  
To stay them, though our forces are diminished too much,  
It yet will boot, we thus constrained, because our need is such,  
And as for thee O Hector thou, according to my reed,  
Thou shalt to Troy to Hecuba our gentle mother speed,  
And will her for to call to her the women's troop each one,  
The chastest and the worthiest, and she with them to gone  
Unto the Temple reverent of sage and wise Minerva  
Invincible, with such habits, as best she doth reserve  
In all her Court, the richest stuff, and chief elabourd gear  
With simple and with lowly heart devoutly let her bear,  
Them on the Goddess heavenly knees with humble mind to lay,  
With Orisons to promise her with crouched vow to pay  
Each year a solemn sacrifice, her favour so to get,  
Of beeves twelve, or Bulls that yet to yoke were never set.  
Which also let them bring with them, that it may please her bend  
To take in hand our babes and wives, and people to descend,  
As far as may be, keeping off from this City of ours,  
The cruel dreadful Diomedes: not all the Greekish powers  
Together set, as I beléene, can do so much in fight  
As he alone, I never saw our folk in such a plight  
Forsake their ranks, and so afeard, no for Achilles he  
Named Thetis son, as I beheld them here away to flee,  
By fury and by dreadful acts of this redoubted Greek,  
Who to no other mortal man but to himself is leek.   

This was the prudent Helen's mind, seeing before his eyes  
The danger that his friends were in: Hector to him agrees,  
And down he cometh from his char, two gallant darts he held,  
Among the stoutest soldiers than forthwith himself he wield,  
And like a stout and worthy head he wills them wield their sword  
Yet once: The Trojans fiercily stand at those his only words.   

The Grecians were constrained then to stay and leave the chase,  
And to recoil, seeing them thus to show such fearless face.  
For they did fear some God from skies was come down in their aid,  
And made them turn eft to the fight in such a sudden braid:  
Where with their courage Hector lauds, and gently them chéeres:  
O foreign Knights and Citizens, my valiant friendly fears,  
(Quoth he) to show yourselves like men the present time it binds, 
Hector exhorteth his people.   
To help the peril we are in, put to your warlike minds:  
Now show the prowess oft to me you promised to employ,  
March on with hardy countenance now, while I do go to Troy  
Our Ladies all, and our good Queen, and ancient Dames ●…entreat  
To make their prayers to the Gods, and solemn vows beheat,  
That from this danger it will please their Godheads us to shield.  
The Prince of prowess ending thus, there left them in the field,  
To Troy he goes, his targe ytackte, with sable leather thong 
Hector go●… T●…oy   
Well hapte him round, from shoulders his unto his heels it hung.   

Glaucus' advanced forth himself these things a doing thus,  
Th'illustre and the worthy son of good Hippolochus,  
There man to man to try himself, and show some deed of worth, 
Glaucus & Diomedes. are ready to fight together. Diomedes to Glaucus.   
To whom the mighty warlike knight Diomedes cometh forth:  
But valiant Diomedes at hand and well disposed to fight,  
Before they join, doth speak him thus: Thou worthy champion Knight  
Among the rest a warlike one, a stout and sturdy sire,  
That here will come to deal with me, thy name I do desire,  
(If so thou wilt) full much to know, for why, I have not seen  
Thee in the war so forward erst, thou hardy art I ween,  
And armed well with hope I see, and surely thinks to stand,  
And to sustain the weighty blow of this my mighty hand:  
Unhappy fathers I have made enough, their sons can tell,  
Who hazarding with me the fight, their souls have sent to Hel.  
But seeing this thy haute attempt, I forced am to suppose  
Thou art a God from high come down, or else, himself to lose  
Some mortal man with simple sense: if so thou art a God,  
Declare thyself, I will give place, and thou shalt have the rod.   

I will not purchase to myself Lycurgus danger so, 
Lycurgus despising the Gods.   
Who for his rashness to the Gods, reward received though  
Ofwretched life and painful death. On the mountain of Nyse,  
It happened that Lycurgus there the women did advise  
To do to Bacchus' service due, his festalls when they were  
With slips of vine their heads upon: but so he doth them fear.  
He following on, that each constrained the sacred Crown they fall,  
Whereat (good God) he doth rejoice and pleasures therewithal.  
For why, the murderer with goad so sore them on did prick,  
And scoffed his fill, and worse than that, he rashly doth not stick  
To mind disgrace, yea, to the God, whom rudely he doth chase,  
And thunders out aloud his threats, but Bacchus flies apace,  
And hardly scapeth from his claws, and forth he goes his ways  
To marine Thetis, who receives him gently in the seas,  
Yea trembling yet for fear to fall into the cruel power  
Of such a gripe. At this offence full sore the Gods do lower, 
Lycurgus lost his fight.   
And forthwith did revenge the same, reaving Lycurgus sight,  
But for a time: not so content, to punish him aright  
His life they ended wretchedly: If so thou please, this while  
Tell me thy name, who was thy sire, and use therein no guile.  
And if thou art no God, but one that feeds with wine and bread,  
Draw nigh, if thy desire it be here to be tumbled dead.   

Then Glaucus boldly answered him, and with a comely grace,  
Dost thou inquire of my descent-quoth he, mankind the race 
Glaucus' answeres Diomedes.   
Is frail, and fading like the leaves, and hath no longer time:  
For as we see the branches green, always when haps the Prime, 
A notable speech.   
Clad with leaves, which Autumn winds down tumbles off the trees  
With hard and hoary frosts, wherewith their verdure they do lose,  
And when the cold hath played his part, their hue again they have:  
Even so mankind to day alive, to morrow in his grave.  
And if to day one yield his life, another comes as fast,  
One dead, one borne, and so it comes the store it still doth last.  
But if you long to understand my house, my stock, and kin,  
Though almost all men know the same, and worthy it hath been: 
Glaucus tell his offspring   
Yet hark, and I will tell the same. In Argos goodly land,  
The which for feeding bears the name, there Ephyra doth stand,  
A City of so great report whereas their Court they held  
My parents good, and sceptres eke in Princely state did wield.  
Of Aeolus the first was son, the mighty Sisyphus,  
Who did enjoy such mass of wealth, and he begat Glaucus:  
Of Glaucus came Bellerophon, such honour great that got,  
To whom the Gods as singular, with liberal love did lot  
Beside the favour and the shape, which haps to him alone,  
Such force and strength, as to the like arrived never none.  
That time a King Proetus hight in Greece did sceptre hold, 
Poretus.   
Whose wealth was great, under whose reign th'immortal Gods so would  
Bellerophon his tender years and youth with him he spends,  
Who had his lineage much in price: but there the King pretends  
'Gainst him, and to procure his death he after doth conspire:  
Not willingly, but wood thereto by the wicked desire  
Of Andia his wife, who then inflame with whorish love,  
Can find no means to have her will, nor young man's fancy move:  
No, though she sued earnestly, lamented, whinde, and howled,  
Wherefore in mood she turned to spite, when nothing gain she could.  
So that the vehement liking turned to hate, yea, by and by,  
One day she comes her husband to with countenance like to die,  
And spoke him thus: choose of these two and think to do the one,  
Either to die thyself, or else to slay Bellerophon.  
Who gone about hath to assault thy honour, it to blot,  
Meaning by force to ravish me, when as prevailed not  
His fawning toys and sewing tales, to end his fond desire  
Thus sets the traitorous sade the king with grief and wroth a fire,  
Who strait doth think to be revenged, yet deems not he it well  
Because he was one of his house, in house him there to quell, 
Belleropho●… letters.   
He likes of treason in the case, to treason than he goes:  
Malicious, false, and full of guile he letters doth compose,  
Which he unto his father in law king Rheon sends away  
The Lycian prince to deal herein, he doth king Rheon pray  
And that without return of word he cause the bearer die.  
When as Proetus thus had writ, the young man presently  
He sendeth forth, he takes his way, with gods his guides he goes,  
In Lice they cause him to arrive, where head of Xanthus flows,  
Which flood the province watereth: At his first lighting there  
The prince received him courteously, with joy and jolly cheer.  
Nine days throughout right brave they feast, the banquets were not bad,  
Nine chosen beeves on th'altars laid, th'immortal Gods they had.  
And all to welcome this new guest: And now when cometh the tenth,  
The king then of Bellerophon to know the message menth:  
And whether that he letters brought had from his son in law:  
The packet false he took the king, which having red, he saw  
The treason and the deed devised, he fames and holds him still,  
Minding the letters whole effect at full for to fulfil,  
And for to kill the messenger, his force yet will he say,  
Against Chimere he him employs that monster dire to slay, 
Description of the C●…mere.   
The gastfulst thing that ere was seen: which beast the Gods on high,  
To see revenged the hateful facts of humane treachery,  
Had formed by nature of such shape, full hideous and full rare.  
The head and breast right Lion like, the midst the form it bore  
Of Goat, behind like Dragon brood, and more, from him there gone  
Right terrible flames which forth he breathes. And yet Bellerophon 
Belleroph●… kills the Chimere.   
(Though fell he were as fell might be) the beast he doth assail,  
With favour of the Gods, and of his will he doth not fail.  
For after weary toil, in field the beast he stoutly slew, 
He stays the Solimois and the Amazons.   
That done, the Solymes down he hacks, and quite them overthrew.  
Report so goes, him much it pleased the Solymes to have slain,  
And yet beside all this, the king commandeth him again  
To try with main an Amazon, but still he was so stéelde  
With heart so good, as victor he dead left them in the field.  
At length to make an end of him, a ambushment doth provide 
bell flays an ambushment of the Lycians.   
Of Lycians to set on him, hard by a fountain side.  
But all in vain, for no not one of all the packed craft  
Did once return unto their home, for murdered them he left.  
Wherewith the King reputes the guile, he stands amazed dumb  
And knoweth well that from the Gods, the victory did come,  
Who knew him innocent, himself his deeds doth disallow,  
With him for his own quiet he doth mind to keep him now.  
For his preferment him to give his daughter wife to be,  
And half the whole of all his reign, to join sure amity  
The courteous virgin given him was, and for his place to dwell  
The ferti●…st soil, two sons he had of this fair Damosel,  
A daughter eke, Isander first, the next a warlike knight  
Hippolochus, Laodomie his daughter fair she hight,  
Whom jove did wish to have to friend: with brand of love did sweat  
Divine Sarpedon in her womb, himself he left her great  
But after this it was not long, but that Bellerophon  
Did lose the favour of the Gods and stirrde them every one:  
He hates himself, he company flies, he corners eke doth seek  
He wanders up and down his grounds most mad and frantic like,  
Therefore his fields are wandering called, again of very spite  
God Mars his son Isander stays a man of haughty might  
To wield in war both club and sword, the Solymes force him die,  
Again, Diane as ruthlessly doth slay Laodomie.  
Of all the three there rested but my sire Hippolochus,  
Who Glaucus gave me unto name and hither sent me thus  
In Trojan war with many a band here of his Country brood,  
And willed me for to purchase price and praise among the good,  
Whereby not to degenerate mine ancient parents fro,  
Whose great renown Epira walls and Licie land doth know.  
At your request now have I told my name, my stock, and race, 
Diomede●… to Glaucus.   
And what occasions any way have brought me to this place.   

Diomedes at stout Glaucus' words long tentife care doth hold,  
He doth rejoice and marvel much at things that then he told.  
His javelin right he sticketh down with words full courteously,  
And friendly cheer he thus gins: redoubted sire quoth he,  
Between your friends and mine long sith I see by your report  
Was friendship dear, and great welcome, the which in every sort  
Posterity we ought to keep: Oeneus my grandsire  
Lodged twenty days Bellerophon, who styr●…de not from his fire,  
He using him in all respects like perfect friend and guest:  
And at the time he should departed, that friendship still might last,  
One friend unto the other than a Princely present gave,  
Of the alliance to remain as witness for to have.  
Oeneus gave a girdle brave enriched with broydery,  
Ipickt out of his arming house, of crimson purple die.  
Bellerophon a goblet round of gold full bright he bore  
To him again, (which coming forth to war, where now we are)  
I left at home. As for my sire and also for your own,  
What proof of friendship since they had, to me it is unknown,  
I lost him in my childhood I, when he with mighty power  
In Thebes town did lose his life, where then he had the scour  
With many a Grecian knights he brought. Sith so long time doth lay  
The root of friendship, I do judge to let it not decay.  
Whereby, if you should hap to come to Greekish pleasant coast,  
You might your lodging take with me your faithful friend and host  
For evermore. And I also passing your Country by,  
Will take your house, and you as host and friend assuredly.  
And for a perfect token now of this accord to smite,  
If in this war we hap to meet, let us two leave the fight,  
And turn elsewhere, for why me thinks the need it is not so,  
We two to deal in doubtful mart having so many a foe  
On every side, with whom to join: to cause the standers by  
Hereafter not to think it much of this our amity,  
It good is we do make a change, give me (if so you please)  
Your armour, and you shall have mine, full tough at all assays,   

With this they lighted and took hands, Diomedes off him fro  
His brazen Armour took, and it on Glaucus did bestow. 
Di. & Glau cus change their armour one with another.   
Who strait gave him his harness brave of gold so rich and fine:  
To make such change all judgement jove took from the Lycians eyen.  
For why, his sumptuous furniture was great, of value much,  
It well was worth an hundred beeves, the price of it was such.  
But, that which he received again, to make a just account,  
And to esteem it, to the worth of bullocks nine did mount.   

This while unto the City comes the jolly Hector he,  
Where at the gates in numbers great the women swarming be, 
Hec. comes to Troy.   
Demanding divers things of him, she asketh for her son,  
She for her father dear, she what is with her brother done.  
Another how her husband fares: but he to all their call  
To satisfies them any whit, doth answer nought at all,  
But wills them pray unto the Gods with sacrifice and tear  
Now for the safety of the town, which greatly was to fear.   

From thence to Priam's sumptuous court, the virtuous prince doth high,  
The palace gay with marble black is builtfull gorgeously. 
Description of Prians palace.   
In midst thereof king Priamus did fifty lodgings rear,  
Unto his children and their wives which only lodgings were.  
Twelve more against them he had built, which give away he would  
To great and lofty Lords, the which his daughters marry should.   

Dame Hecuba his mother old at th'entry he doth meet  
Going most courteous Laodice her daughter for to greet. 
Hecuba to Hector.   
She stays, and takes him by the hand, and gently thus begun:  
Why leave you thus your tired folk my Hector dearest son?  
Goes our affairs now backward still? I fear it so alack,  
The Greeks are sure here at our walls, & Trojans go to wrack,  
Which makes you thus in haste to come, the mighty jove to pray  
For their safeguard: with me a while yet dearest son do stay,  
That I to you some pleasant wine may bring, and ready make,  
Before you sacrifice shall do, refreshing for to take  
Unto your overhaled limbs, with toil and travail torn:  
Good wine can much to strength that wight, that weary is and worn.  
For fear I feeble wax, no wine bring me quoth Hector he, 
The fore of wine. Hector to Hecuba.   
By to much drink lest of myself forgetful I might be.  
And ill it were a smeared knight with blood, with dust, and sweat  
Not washed before, with prayers his the Gods for to entreat:  
But mother mine, the dames of state in Troy assemble ye,  
And other Citizens also, you first example be.  
Unto Minerva's temple go, her favour do implore,  
Bestow on her the costliest robe you have in all your store.  
Devoutly lay it on her knees, on prayers set your care,  
Yearly behight twelve Bulls of grease, that never yoked were.  
That she these wretched people here in her tuition have,  
That she Diomedes (of our folk in slaughter who doth rave)  
Do keep far off, and far aloufe our sacred turrets fro:  
My brother Paris I will seek, and will him that he go  
Into the Camp, but of my word God knows what will betide. 
Hector desires the death of Paris.   
Oh would to God, whereas he stands, the ground would open wide  
To swallow him in depth thereof, the Gods have given him life,  
Sure to king Priam's utter ruin, or to his endless grief,  
And of us all his children too, who else in fame and bliss  
Might have triumphed with the rest, my only wish it is  
That of his latter end I here the cark it would me leave,  
That forceth now my heavy thought, and makes my heart to heave.   

With this the noble prince doth part, and Hecuba she bends  
Unto her lodging back again, and thence her women sends  
To go entreat the worthy dames, that they come to her thither.  
She all bewept to chamber comes, well sweet and decked together.  
To wardrobe then, whereas were piled of robes no number small,  
Bewrought with needle imagery, of precious stuff them all  
Which her trick son sir Paris he, had brought from Sidon though  
With the fair Greek, on Hecuba the same he did bestow:  
Among them all the Queen chose one, for work, the best that might,  
The balm in odour it did match, the star eke in his light 
Hecuba with the Trojan dames goes to the temple of Pallas Theano Antenors wife hath the charge of the temple,   
No brighter was than it of hue. Also she kept it laid  
In bottom of her coffer couched, above most gorgeous weighed.  
With heart devout than waited on with numbers in a row,  
Unto the Goddess temple large with others she doth go.  
In midst of all the palace great no sooner there they came,  
But that Theane Antenor's wife did open them the same.  
The doors of gold she doth undo, unfolded, rich, and large  
Of this gay Church by Troyans all as priest she had the charge.   

Now thither come, the Dames in troop with reared hands on high  
They make their vows, they strike their breasts, & howl which piteous cry●…  
And then the worthy Theano the royal robe she laid 
Th●…ones prayer to Pallas.   
On Pallas knees with humble grace, and forthwith thus she prayed:  
O chaste Minerva, o clemency divine and sacred seen,  
Of this fortress and Trojan folk who gardaine sure hath been,  
The prayers I beseech thee hear, which we to thee commend,  
In this thy house, that of our woes we once may have an end.  
We pray thee that the stoutest Greek (Diomedes is he)  
Be beaten down at Scea gate, his lance eke broken be.  
That done, upon the altar we our sacrifice will do  
Ofoxens twelve, in thy service as many yearly too,  
If so thou help us at this plunge: this prayer she did address,  
But Pallas to accept the same in sooth thought nothing less.   

This while comes Hector to the place, where trick sir Paris lay,  
A cunning piece of building, yea both costly, rich, and gay,  
Which Trojan master builders had made up in point devise,  
A court it had, where Kitchen, Hal, and Chambers round do rise. 
Paris house   
Unto king Priam's mansion chief it joined was at hand.  
This valiant Prince with steeled lance he holding in his hand  
Sire foot in length with golden point, unto the place doth draw  
So sumptuous, where his brother he Alexander saw  
Well occupied in deed of praise, his targe and armour bright  
He furbushes, his bow himself he rubs, and seemly dight.  
Heleine sits by, amidst her maids, that they may cunning be  
She studies, and forethinks some works, that pretiest show may she.   

Then Hector thus his talk began frowning with moody cheer: 
He. chideth Paris.   
What cause is there oh cursed thou that keeps thee idle here?  
What tetishnesse thus to thy house doth make thee draw aback,  
Sith well thou know'st that for thy sake the Trojans go to wrack,  
And sacked must needs this City be, who have this war begun  
Only for thee? thou seeing one, who from the field should run,  
Oughtest to cry open shame on him, but now thou hidst thy head,  
As ringleader and coward chief of all that ere was bred.  
Go quickly now and do thy best, if so thou do desire  
To save the town from spoil and waste, and from the Greekish fire.   

Tall Paris tho, hearing him chide so roughly in his mood, 
Paris answers Hecurteously.   
O brother Hector answered strait, sith of your meaning good  
You moved are, yet please it you my excuse for to allow.  
No pet nor wrath with any one retire doth make me now,  
It is but only my mishap, to ease by time I thought  
My grief, & curteons Heleine here with me all means now wrought,  
Persuading me with mild exhorteth mine armour on to pull,  
And for to leave this idle fit, and surely so I will,  
It gives me this day should be mine, for victory is so,  
To day a friend it is to some, and yet to morrow foe.  
Stay here a while till I be armed, or else go forward ye,  
Strait at this gear, hard at their heels you shall me busy see.   

The valiant Hector these his words seemed nothing to regard,  
Wherefore with mild and humble grace Heleine drew to him-ward: 
Heleine to Hector.   
Oh brother mine in law quoth she so worthy of the same,  
(If I a wretched woman may of sister have the name,  
Who am no better than a dog) when life I was assigned,  
Unto some desert mountain top would God some whirl wind  
Had cast me up, or in the sea my carcase thrown would,  
By ending life, this mischief all avoided than I should:  
But though that by the whole consent of all the Gods on high,  
The instrument of all the ills, must needs be none but I:  
Yet ought I have a better spouse of wisdom and of sight  
To look unto his own affairs, that understand he might  
When one doth speak to his reproach, that to his blame doth fall,  
But for to know his wealth or want this hath no sense at al.  
And what so he shall take in hand, know well shall end as il.  
O noble, dear, and brother mine beseech you now I will  
Come in, sit down here in this chair, oh through grieved wight,  
I well perceive and see in you the dolour of your sprite,  
For us two caitiffs you sustain, for that we did offend:  
The gods it calling to their minds, do ordain wretched end,  
Which shall be song in every rhyme, and rung in every reign.   

Unto dame Heleins' courteous words bold Hector saith again: 
Hector to Heleins'.   
Though this proceed all of good will, it cannot force me stay,  
For things I have now in my head, call me another way,  
And that I hast unto the Camp to comfort and to cheer  
Good Trojans all, who greatly wish (I know) to see me there.  
And lady mine, you shall do well to will him arm apace,  
And if he present follow me, he wisely in this case  
Shall do: or take me going forth: for now to see I go  
My house, my son, my gentle spouse, for little do I know  
Whether at will another day it please the Gods on high,  
That I may see them once again, or else this day I die.   

Ending his talk▪ his lodging to with pace he stalketh on,  
Andromacha the princess great he found that she was gone  
Unto a tower with her son, a ●…se, and waiting maid,  
Where thinking on her husband's broils, forth tears amain she laid.   

Unto the Maids quoth Hector then your mistress where is she? 
Hector to his wives maids.   
What, is not she now gone abroad some sister hers to see,  
Or to my good sisters there her grief to put away,  
And so to pass the time with them? now sirs do quickly say,  
Or with my mother at the vows in that devoutful crew,  
Presenting Pallas sacrifice with them doth she ensue?   

With Hecuba she is not gone, quoth one, sith you will know, 
One of the maids to Hector. 〈◊〉   
Nor to her jolly sisters she, alas she tenders so  
Your (state oh Hector) that she swelts (she is to careful plain)  
For frantic like with her sweet son she ran with might and main,  
Into the keep, supposing that the Trojans lost the fight,  
Eke in the journey you had quailed, and life had ended quite.   

With this sir Hector turns his steps, & then the streets he threads,  
And lanes, that fair and ample were, and forth apace he spéedes  
To Scea gate where bode the Camp, Andromacha by hap  
Doth meet him right, her dearest son, and eldest in her lap,  
Whom Hector cleapt Scamandrius, but Trojans otherwise 
Scamandrius.   
Astyanax, as son to him, from whom their health did rise,  
For so did right his name import, the Hector stout this while  
Doth herewith very pleasant wax, and smoothly 'gan to smile.  
Uiewing his son as clear as star that cloudless heaven bears.  
But then his wife with wailing great, and store of gushing tears,  
With humble cheer drew to him nigh, and thus her tale began,  
Clasping his hand: O to thine own most hard uncourteous man,  
Thy for ward mind shall thee undo in midst of flowering life:  
Hast thou no pity of this child, ne yet of me thy wife?  
Dost thou not see the doleful end, that I poor wretch shall gain,  
If thou go aid now thy consorts, a widow to remain?  
The Greeks conspire against thee all, and travel all they may,  
They most do gape to have thy blood, but yet before that day,  
O merciless divide thou earth, and me devour alive,  
What joy to me when thou art gone, or which way may I thrive?  
What, is their love, or wifely care with mine that match may make?  
Shall I hereafter be content another spouse to take?  
No, no, I that defy, no mirth can chance me so,  
The which of thee can cause me let the sweet remembrance go:  
What, shall I to my parents trudge, of them to seek relief?  
What, out alas they all are dead: O hell and heavy grief.  
Divine Achilles in his deeds, after that he had piled  
And borne away their treasures great, and had the ditches filled  
Of Thebes, with the walls thereof, whose fame far strangers knew,  
His warlike hands right cruelly in blood he did imbrue  
Both of my sire, and of his sons, who strong and valiant were,  
The King my father's armour yet he would not off him tere,  
To cindres both he them consumed, and off he did not draw  
The furniture, for why, he stood of mighty Gods in awe.  
A Tomb to him he reared, whereas under the branches green  
To pleasure take and sport themselves the nymphs Orestiads been,  
Delighting there great store of Elmes be-planted they have made  
About the same, where they at ease may play them in the shade.  
The father dead, his bow did force the seven sons to yield,  
He slew them down in Cicilie encamped in the field.  
My mother Queen with pensiveness and sorrow fully fraughted  
Was captive made, who found such means, & so by ransom wrought,  
That she delivered was at length, with manner fully rare  
Diana wrought against her then, with bow down dead her bare.  
O Hector dear, do now behold Andromacha her case,  
O●… fire, of dame, of brother eke, and spouse thou haste the place,  
I thee beseech this one request of mine may granted be,  
Have pity on this pretty boy, an orphan, if thou die,  
Have some regard, and call to mind the wretched creature I,  
Who life and wid'hoode may not have, into this tower ascend  
To keep the same, and round about call soldiers to defend  
The wall whereas it lieth low: for four times we have seen  
The Ajax twain with many a Greek, and also I do mean  
With bold and doughty Diomedes, to force all what they can  
To mount the same by haughty heart or Augur some set an.  
These words dear wife, quoth Hector tho, which will me thus to care, 
Hector to Andromacha.   
Both day and night, such mind and thought still my companions are,  
My head long sith hereon I set, yet nothing can I frame  
That profit will, I greatly fear that ay reproachful shame,  
The which on me this wretched folk with open throat will cry  
When absent from this war I am, where I so well do try:  
My heart to alter from his wont it also doth disdain,  
It pricks me forth to purchase fame, that ever shall remain.  
I know right well the time shall come, the Greeks will take this town,  
Priam, my parents, kin and friends to death ybeaten down,  
My brothers all must pass the sword: To see them so to die  
My sire, my dame, my brethren all, and nearest friends them by,  
I shall not grieve for them so much, as grief for thee I have,  
And most, to think, that of some Greek thou shalt become the slave,  
Who to his country shall thee lead to tease and toss his wool,  
He shall thee put from day to day to spin, to pick and pull.  
And in the midst of all the heat, from spring his water draw,  
Which needs must pinch thee at the heart, but Need it hath no law.  
And often shall the passers by say, Look who yonder is,  
The wife of valiant Hector lo, who in the field with his  
Such fame and great renown did get, when Grecians compassed round  
The great and mighty town of Troy, and tore it to the ground.  
How great to hear my name rehearsed shall then thy dolours be,  
And that my help thou canst not have eft to recover thee,  
But ere the wailings I will hear of thee my captive wife,  
The earth shall hay this corpse of mine, and I will lose my life.  
With this the valiant prince doth hide his cark and inward grief,  
And out doth put his hands to take his son the pretty lose,  
A little pretty bulchion fat, seeing the dreadful crest  
And armour, cries and calls his nurse, and nouzels in her breast.  
With this the courteous parents they smile at the pretty grace  
Of that the babe, and Hector he his son for to embrace,  
Doth set aside his lofty helm, he him doth coil and kus,  
With pleasant mind he holds him soft and formed his prayers thus.   

O mighty Gods, ye sovereign Lords, request this grant to me,  
That once this boy triumphantly a doughty man may be, 
He●… pray●… to the Gods.   
Among his folk as now I am: Also when I am dead,  
Give him the honour, that he may the Trojans guide and lead:  
That men may say, when they shall see him prosper in such case,  
How far the son the father doth in deeds of arms surpass.  
And when the spoils as conqueror from foreign foes he pull,  
His mother she may see the same, her joy it may be full.   

The child he gives his mother now, who takes it in her hand,  
She smiles therewith, yet in her eyes the water full doth stand.  
He rues thereat, to her he draws her sorrow to delay,  
About the neck he takes her fast, and thus began to say. 
Hector to Andromacha.   
My dearest spouse these wailings leave, and take not thus at heart  
My death, thou knowest well enough we all must hence depart.  
No man can boast that he is free from death and from his blow,  
For from the first day of our birth to death we subjects go.  
And as for me, this body, who, and life shall part in twain,  
Shall pay full dear, and have no cause to glory of his gain.  
I shall not die before my time: Good wife for God's sake go  
Home to thy house, be of good cheer, and leave to grieve thee so,  
Do pass the time to wind and reel, & with your maids to spin,  
Command, and order take, that they good workwomen may been,  
And let us men see to the field, and look what needful is,  
And I (as always) now to be the foremost will not miss.  
With this from ground his helm he takes, & on his head it wears  
Home goes Andromacha with sighs, and seas of sobbing tears.  
When she unto her douse doth come she findeth weeping eyes,  
The servants all do sob and howl with shrill and heavy cries,  
Be weeping Hector thus they say: On this odd knight alack  
We never shall set eyes again, this day will be his wrack.  
Some fell and cruel Greek this day shall work his death & harm.  
Paris again makes no abode, he hasteth fast to arm, 
Paris follows. Hector. Comparison   
He after Hector runneth now, he trusteth in his force,  
And eke in his agility. And like unto the horse,  
That in the stable halter doth and headstall crack in twain,  
And slippeth out the house apace into the fields amain,  
With many frisks and yerks behind, his head doth cast aloft,  
At last unto some pleasant stream doth pace, and trotteth soft,  
Therein to wash and play himself, and haply there doth find  
Some lusty Mare upon the bank t'assuage his raging mind:  
Even so sir Paris tall and trick, in city shows full brave,  
Unto the sun his Arms and targe the like for brightness have.  
As Hector left Andromacha, he meets him in the teeth,  
He going forth, he greeteth him, and thus began therewith:  
O brother dear and eldest borne, m●…abode deserveth blame 
Paris to Hector.   
In staying now thus long, sith that you willed me haste the same.  
All in good time quoth Hector then that doughty Trojan he, 
Hector to Paris.   
None can thee justly give reproach how worthy that he be,  
When to the field thou setst thy mind, thou lusty art and light,  
A vantage great, but slowly oft thou drawest to the fight,  
Ne will not mend thy pace one whit, nor leave one jot of will,  
It grieves me most that so thou givst thyself to pleasure still.  
And chief, when the Trojans they I see thy doings blame,  
They biding many deadly brunts, do babble to thy shame.  
Well, let us go against these Greeks, our forces for to lay,  
These brutes full well we may appease, if haply come the day.  
Having our enemies put to flight, the condign sacrifice  
Unto the high immortal Gods on Altars they may rise.   
Finis sexti Libri.   

¶ The seventh Book.  

NO we warlike Hector doth departed 
Hector an●… Paris return to the battle.  with Paris out the town,  
They willing both in arms to show some deed of great renown.  
And like as after stormy flaws that déeres the shipmen sore,  
In deepest sea against the wind 
Comparison.  there strive with arm and ore,  
God sends a present calm to cease that dreadful tempest blast:  
Even so the Trojans overhaeld do comfort at the last,  
When as they saw these brethren two marching before their sight,  
Who, well they knew sufficient were for to maintain the fight,  
They were no sooner come, but that they slay two Greekish foes, 
Paris▪ kyls Menest●… us.   
The stout Menesthius to the ground by Paris hand he goes,  
In Arna town he sceptre held, of king Areitho bred,  
Who young, with fair and glassy eyes Philomedusa wed.  
Hector with sharp ypointed lance joneus doth slay, 
Hector slays joneus. Glaucus' kyls Iplunous.   
between curet, and his gorget both the steel it maketh way.   

Glaucus doth Iphinous ding he down on earth doth fall,  
The rains eke of his horse the blow did force him lean withal.   

The slaughter Pallas seeing now thus of these Grecians three,  
And the confusion of the rest, which likely was to be,  
Full moved, and grieved to see the sight, unto the Trojan town 
Pallas descends to Troy.   
Descends from high Olympe, Phoebus that saw her coming down,  
(He sat upon the wall, to view how end the battle shall,  
Which in the favour he doth wish of Troy and Trojans all)  
He finely comes unto her strait, quoth he under this beech  
I count it best you rest yourself, and thus began his speech.   

You daughter of the mighty God, show me th'occasion why 
Apollo to Pallas.   
You now are seen here in this place come down so speedily,  
Sure great affairs, or else some cause, which much your mind it leeks,  
The victory from Trojans good to give unto the Greeks.  
And is not that your meaning now, your purpose and intent  
To see the Trojan town destroyed, her buildings all to rend?  
It better were (in my advise) this day to cease the war,  
And eft they may begin their fields, and fights wherein they are,  
Till that such time the city there to sack and pillage go,  
Sith that you Gods with one remorse, of force will have it so:   

The Goddess answered then: Agreed, for so I mean aright, 
Pallas to Apollo.   
Of purpose I descended down to stay these folk from fight,  
Wherefore seek way to sever now from this days war these wights. 
Apollo to Pallas.   
Apollo soothde: quoth he thereto, of all these gallant knights  
Let Hector bold march boldly on, and challenge for to try,  
Yea man to man the stoutest foe, with him to live or die.  
This brave demand will much amaze the stoutest of their bands,  
And they will point some odd man out with him to mingle hands,  
And thus this battle shall have end. Apollo's saying théed  
Unto his grave and learned skill, forthwith it was agreed.   

Then sage and prudent Helenus, who there their secret knew 
Helenus to Hector   
By ghost divine, with courteous words lowly to Hector drew.  
Quoth he, my dearest brother now, to me thine ear attend,  
And marvel not, though to advise, and every way I bend  
Myself t'advance thy great renown, sith brethren both we be,  
I cannot choose to do my best, as duty doth agree.  
Cause Greeks and Trojans to retire with voice and courage high,  
Advance thyself, if any Greek will out this quarrel try  
Upon him, do, for by the fates this day thou shalt not die,  
I have it from the mighty Gods, whose councils cannot lie.   

Hector right jolly marcheth on, out of the ranks he goes,  
His lance full long in midst he held, he wills then leave their blows,  
He brings his squadrons back again, the shot he bids retire,  
The Greeks stand fast, they order keep, and news they do desire.  
Agamemn eke to hearken to, made Grecians to abide.   

Both Pallas and Apollo then seeing on every side 
Pallas and Apollo sit on a Beech   
The darts to cease, upon a beech of arms a mighty tree  
The God and Goddess they do sit, as Uulturs there they be.  
They do delight such puissant cries in field to see so still.   

The Bataillons yet sound knit on ground do lie at will,  
With tools of war at elbows end, much like the Ocean wave,  
Which working storm, not green, but black doth make the colour have 
Hector to the Greeks and Trojans.    

Then Hector armed at every point thus spoke unto them all,  
Hark both ye Greeks & Trojan knights what to your wealth may fall,  
Between these camps the treaties sworn, & parts so firmly fast,  
Imperfect are, of no effect, as none had ever past.  
jove in this danger hath us leapt, n'accord he will allow,  
He doth determine in his mind, with malice he doth vow,  
He all a cruel sacrifice of us doth mean to make,  
As thus: that either you the Greeks our Trojan town shall take,  
Or that your journey shall return to you both void and vain,  
Or hardly by us Trojans set, quite beaten down and slain.  
And now I know it very well, that in your camp you have  
As to defend, so to assail both soldiers fit and brave, 
Hector 〈◊〉 the Greeks to particular Combat.   
And valiant men, single to me the strong and stoutest knight,  
Let him now here his manhood try, and cope with me in fight.  
I will abide the man, and truth and faith I give withal,  
To which (if so it needful is) I jove to witness call,  
If victor of me for to be so lucky be his chance,  
And in my bowels that he do imbrewe his warlike lance  
Take he my spoils unto his ships, my body let it rest  
Without outrage, let Troyans take it to the fiery feast.  
Let them the ashes gather up: And if him under foot  
That I do tread Apollo grant, I crave no other boot  
But that his harness I may have, to Ilium thither I,  
In temple his a relic sign to set and hang on high.  
And for his carcase send I will, the Greeks they shall it have,  
Who in the shore of Hellespont thereon may rear his grave,  
That if hereafter to this land a stranger take his way,  
And with the tomb do haply meet, full justly he may say:  
Here lies entombed the doughty Greek, whom Hector charging hard 
Epy●… by anticipat on.   
down slew, although he showed the part of knight of great regard.  
For valour and for force: and lo, thus shall a foreign say,  
Whereby my fame and great renown shall last for ever and aye. 
Menelaus' angry with the Greeks.    

This speech so stunt and sudden said yields all the troop abashed,  
Each doubting to accept the fight, they blushing all are dashed.  
Menelaus, who marked all, and how they stood, he grew  
In fury great, he out doth come, and sighs he deeply drew.  
O villain Greeks (quoth he) in words each proud & hardy speaks,  
But come to deeds, you quail alack like faint and coward freaks.  
O Greeks infamed too-too much, what, Greekish men? not so,  
But rather Greekish wives, what shame and filthy speech will go  
Of you for this your cowardice? with heart not standing out  
With Hector here to join, for why, you dangers dreadful doubt:  
And without further moving hence, that ye to earthy mould 
Transgression Philosophical.   
Do turn (your faults to plague) I pray or else to water cold.  
And as for me, I will me arm, the combat I allow,  
With hardy mind I it accept, I know it well enough  
The lofty Gods as best they please bestow the victory:  
Thus Menelau doth blame his mates, and armour on doth tie. 
Menelaus' arms himself to fight with Hector.   
And now at hand O Menelau was end of all thy toils,  
Thy death was sure in Hector's hands, whose skill in warlike brosles  
And strength of arm surmounts thee far, & but the Greekish kings  
Had come and stayed thee, Agamemn, he by the hand thee wrings, 
Agamemnon to Me nelaus.   
And much misliking this thy Act, with rage quoth he thou ass,  
Thou fondling thou, thinkest thou thy strength of force to bring to pass  
To match this doughty Trojan here, to whom, of Greekish race  
Net one, how stout so ere he be, dare boldly show his face?  
Achilles no: he greatly doubts with him in field the fray.  
Draw back and quiet keep thyself, we shall find out a way  
To end this cause, we shall find one shall make him stir his stumps,  
Though that a dreadless knight he be, and though in martial jumps,  
A soldier bold, near tired in war, I hope right well that he  
Shall think himself a happy man, if haply so it be  
Without his death this quarrel end: and that with humble heart  
Upon his knees thank God above, with life for to departed.  
Agamemn Menelaus thus persuaded, and he stayed,  
His grooms right glad their master saw, out danger to be weighed,  
And flock about, his armour one, another takes his shield,  
His weapons some, and by his bands he seeth him in the field.   

Wherewith the reverent Nestor grave stood up, & forth he drew:  
O great unfit reproach (quoth he) unto this famous crew, 
Nestor to the Greeks   
O what mishap, if at our home this doleful news be told?  
Surely the Prince of Myrmidons Peleus that father old,  
And all his province fast will whine: he hath enquired of me  
Of favour great, the names and race of meanest in degree.  
Of all you here: but how abashed, how great shallbe his grief,  
When he shall hear your cowardice? it sure is my belief,  
He clad with care, his prayer will unto the Gods commend,  
That ere he see the Greeks so foiled, of him they make an end.  
I would the God Apollo, jove, and Pallas they would grant  
I were so young and lusty, as when able I did haunt  
The wars, and in the battle fought between the Archads stout  
And Pyliens that ancient were, who tried the quarrel out  
By city Phee, upon the flood that jardan hath to name, 
Nestor's ●…gression, wherein h●… tells his former acts, as o●… old men do.   
Whereas I showed by perfect proof my valour and my fame.  
Among them there, then lived one that Ereuthalion hight,  
Who on had put of Areithous the steeled armour bright.  
I mean that Areithous that bore the great and massy club,  
And therewith fight, got such praise by force and wéelding good,  
That surname he obtained thereby of Clubber thorough all,  
Whom after, not by force, but sleight Lycurgus gave the fall,  
And slew him down in strayted lane, where club he could not wield,  
Lycurge with dart did draw him nigh, & therewith through him thréeld:  
And dead he took his armour gay, himself to shield and aid  
In all the byckering that he had, and near was overlayed,  
As long as that he lyude, and then to Ereuthalion  
He them bequeathed, who bore himself as fierce as any Lion,  
And often called the Pyliens with man for man to try,  
With flouts enough, and when I saw the pride of Arcady  
Th'abated minds, the cowardice, and faintness of my phéeres,  
I took in hand to show my worth for all my want in years.  
I took him up, I laid him dead by grace of mighty God,  
A marvel great to see his corpse, a thing for hugeness odd 
Nestor comes to his purpose   
Falling a long, I wish my youth and courage such, as though  
A champion then to match in fight the Trojans well should know.  
And sith the hardiest all of Gréece be present in this place,  
If none of you defend this cause, I think it great disgrace.  
The Greekish Lords so pricked to quick this good grave aged sire,  
As of the greatest nine he made stand up, with great desire 
The nine most worthy greeks.   
The combats hazard for to prove: Agamemn first did rise,  
Next Diomedes, to conquer all which still hath been his guise.  
The Ajax twain of like exploit, Idomene was the ●…ift,  
Merion eke, his masters match in every martial drift,  
With whom was good Euripilus, the son of Euemon,  
And with the rest stout Thoas rose the breed of Andremon,  
Of purpose each to be received, and Ulysses the sly,  
Not to be thought to be aghast or slack in chivalry.   

Quoth Nestor hereupon (finding their boldened minds to grow) 
Nestor coum sells to cast lots to know who shall fight with Hector.   
Renowned Lords, sith thus it stands, full well we all shall know  
Who for this combat shallbe ta'en, cast lots, on whom it lights  
That forth his bullet first doth come, with Hector him he fights,  
With surety, he that overcommes, immortal praise to take.   

Each of the nine with mark, advise a Bullet for to make,  
His Helmet in their lots to put Agamemnon doth lend. 
The greeks pray that Ajax lot first be drawn.   
The while the soldiers good of Gréece their prayers thus attend  
With reatched hands: O mighty jove grant so it do befall,  
That first of doughty Ajax he out come the lotting ball,  
Or it the son of Tydees' his, whose laud so loud doth ring,  
Or else to please thee to bestow this honour on our King,  
Our captain chief, and leader grave. Nestor doth often blunder  
And shake the lots within the helm, to part them more asunder,  
His hand thrust in, the bullet first of Ajax forth he brings 
Ajax lot is drawn.   
So much desired, and Herald bad to carry it the Kings,  
That they may know which of them all by fate appointed was  
In this conflict to deal: he forth with bullet on doth pass  
By rank and rank through all the field, he open doth it bear,  
But yet unknown to Ajax bold till he approached were,  
Who doth rejoice at so good luck, the scripture when he read, 
Ajax to the Greeks.   
And down he throws it on the ground, and to the Kings he said  
Thus, full right like a man of war: My loving friends so dear,  
You see that now I am the man, I pray you all to cheer:  
My mind assures me that I shall as victor down him strike,  
And while I put mine armour on, you softly may beseek  
The high Gods in my favour now, and Trojans shall not need  
To hear your cries: what say I now? I surely do not heed.  
For pray you low, or out aloud, I doubtful nothing deem,  
For if the breeding up do make men more of men esteem,  
If Country soil, if worthy race, do mend the minds of men,  
With these three gifts so thoroughly, sith I am surnishte then,  
You shall not see me run away, I will not turn my back,  
To princely blond what doth belong you shall not find the lack.   

So spoke the bold & manly Greek, his friends with heart devout  
To jove for safety of the man did power their prayers out,  
With vows in many sundry sorts: but some that best perceaude: 
The greeks prayer to jupiter.   
The hazard great he entered on, their hearts to God they heaved,  
And prayed thus: O mighty God, most great most good who stays  
On Ida hill beholding this, O jove who bears the sways,  
And rules all combats at thy will, this favour grant to day,  
That this good Greek of this conflict may bring the palm away.  
Or if thou dost too great good mind unto sir Hector own,  
Grant end this strife, they both alive with honour home may go.   

The Ajax strong himself doth arm in brave and brightsome brass, 
Ajax takes his armour & comes to fight.   
And forth he comes into the camp, in port and show he was  
Like Mars the God, when he doth march, he yet a smiling hath,  
But that his smile a visage shows inflamed and set to wrath,  
With notice to his fellows all he was their certain fort:  
His countenance stout, his stern march, when they saw in such sort, 
Hector abashde.   
And so stiff shaking of his lance, they do begin to joy.  
But to this combat he thus priest, now doubt the men of Troy,  
Hector himself being aghast, would have retired sure,  
But him they would a coward count, he did the strife procure.   

Then Ajax hanging at his neck his huge and weighty targe,  
Which towerwise so stood aloft, so dreadful and so large, 
Ajax Turget compared to a Tower.   
(He Tychius of late it forged, with seven folded hides,  
With stiff, eke hard, and azerde steel he covered it besides)  
To Hector draws: he show full great, and boldness on doth set,  
Unto him there these were his words, wherewith he thus doth threat.   

This day thou Hector well shalt know, of Greece the force & power, 
Ajax to Hector.   
Thou well shalt know what heads of knights we have thee for to scour  
Achilles out, who keeps abourde, with arms who doth not mell,  
Because of an unhappy jar between our chief which fell  
And him: And here myself t'advance among the rest thou seest,  
And therefore now begin, begin if of the mind you be'st.   

Hector hearing thus the Greek, doth forthwith then reply, 
Hector to Ajax.   
What jolly Ajax are these words so arrogant and high,  
Most like a dame or prentice young guess you to make me shrink?  
Sure long ago what longs to war I know, and so do think,  
And willing thereto give myself, a charge I can abide,  
And charge I can, my massy shield I know to beat, I ride  
At hand, and further fight I know, I foot it when I please,  
And all these know I how to use, when most they aid or ease.  
By sleights my foe I can sometime imbrewe with mortal blow,  
But you a man of valour much because I certain know,  
No cunning will I use as now, but clap you on the Crown, 
Description of the combat.   
With arm I will employ my best therewith to pluck you down.   

With this doth Hector to him draw, his sturdy dart he shook  
So large in length, so stifely lanced, that forth the way it took  
And pierced to the seventh fold of that his buckler strong:  
The tough and steeled plate with all it teared all a long.   

Ajax again his stubborn staff at Hector shaking flings,  
With force so great, as through the boss of Hector's targe it rings,  
And further to his paunch doth pass, and Curet through doth glide,  
No harm at all, a small at least the Trojan turned aside: 
Comparison.   
Each out again his lance to pluck doth strive the best he can,  
Like Lion's fierce, invincible, and grisly bores they ran  
Together both: Hector doth thrust on targe, but all in vain,  
The strength thereof doth bear it off, and turns the point again.  
And Ajax blow did likewise glance on Hector's shield aloft,  
And péercde his neck, the purple blood it trickled down full soft.  
So small a tick he héedeth not, retiring from the ground  
He seeks and takes a coggle black, a mighty and a round. 
Fight with stones.   
Therewith on Ajax so doth lay, on target great it range,  
In midst thereof the stone resounds, so sound he it flang.  
Ajax a greater far doth ratch, and brawnly so doth cast  
That he his big and bumpishe targe therewith in pieces braced.  
The Trojan on his knees he sank, perforce on earth he lay 
Hector falls on his kn●…   
With shield behapte, from whence to scape he knew no manner way,  
But that Apollo suddenly arriveth in the place,  
To yield a safety to the man, and raise him in that case.   

Then would they out have bladed it their armour so to tear,  
But them between the Heralds came, each did a sceptre bear.   

And Idee sage, the herald wise there thus in speech he broke: 
The Heralts part them.   
Dear sons, leave off this cruel strife, herein a breathing take,  
To jove you both are dear, do end this deadly combat now,  
And at the pack of mortal men you valiant do allow.  
Lo he●…e the might which bids you two to grant to my request.  
Quoth Ajax then, O Ideus thou well and wisely sayest,  
But I refuse, if Trojan here, who did us all provoke, 
Ajax to Ideus.   
And me assailed, do not entreat this quarrel to revoke,  
And if he do, I do agree to grant with all my heart.   

Quoth Hector then, sith Gods on earth such honour thee impart, 
Hector to Ajax.   
That as of force, good gifts, and wit, so eke of mighty bone,  
I do confess of all the Greeks thou art the knight alone.  
On God's name leave this enterprise, again we may begin,  
Another time we may it try, who shall the honour win.  
The more, because the sun is low, and night draws nigh at hand,  
Whereby well pleased your mates will be, & Greeks hereby that stand.  
And I the dwellers all of Troy again shall greatly glad,  
And eke the dames, who deeply déerde, their prayers now have had,  
For me, I think it Ajax meet in change we do bestow  
Our presents now between us both, that all the world may know,  
And say to see our heat so cold: these two were lately foes, 
Hector giveth Ajax his sword, and Ajax give th' h●… his baudri●… unlucky one for another after.   
And now great friends, their enmity to faithful friendship grows.  
With this the prowest Hector gave his bright and gallant blade,  
With seemly sheathe and belt so brave, so trimly which were made.  
Again to him doth Ajax reach the Bawdrike big he bore,  
He pleased therewith, and Ajax doth unto his friends repair.  
And Hector to his Troyans comes, whom seeing safe and sound,  
They joy amain, they dreaded he, had caught so me mortal wound.  
They unto Troy do bring him all, and Ajax strong doth go  
Forthwith the Greekish faction on, victor with soldiers show,  
And in his tent he seeketh out Agamemnon the King,  
Who chieftain good, them all to feast commanded every thing.  
To jove for favour forthwith he doth sacrifice prepare,  
A Bull of grease of five years old the yoke that never bore.  
Which strait was lead and offered up, and off they pluck the hide,  
And him in pieces all to cut, and them on spits they slide.  
And all things fit, each man drew nigh, to eat and feed his fill,  
And so well used, as when they left they liked all at will.   

Agamemn doth his champion much extol, and presents feat  
Of price him gave, in witness of his force and prowess great. 
The present was the horns and hide of a Bull.   
When each so much had eat and drunk, as well content they stood,  
The Nestor old, whose counsel grave was always proved good,  
(Which to declare his last advise it lately served them well)  
To Agamemnon and the Greeks his tale he thus doth tell:  
Ye lofty Lords and Princes great, ye are not to be taught 
Nestor to the Greeks.   
This day how many Grecians are to death by weapon brought.  
Their bodies laid along the field, their souls to hell are hied, 
To bury the dead.   
Some order must be ta'en herein, their burial to provide,  
And for the same the war to cease, to morrow needs must we  
To Cars to join Moils two to two, and also yokte must be  
A number great of Oxen to, the carcases to bear  
More nigh the ships, and there with fire the same on heaps to rear.  
I wish also that heed there be to save the bones that burn, 
To save the bones of the dead. Nestor persuades the Greeks to fortify themselves.   
To give them to their children, if we haply home return.  
And eke a common Monument a Trophy let us build,  
And more, our vessals eke is best from Troyans them to shield,  
(Lest haply they unhaply should in fight the better get)  
We tower's high, and bulwarks strong about them nigh do set,  
With ample gates and issues wide, the Chariots forth to go,  
And eke our squadrons with our bands to pass out to and fro,  
With trenches large and deep before, with pales impaled strong,  
To keep us from the Trojans charge, if haply with their throng  
They should assail us where they are. Thus Nestor loud did chant,  
And that his council all the kings for good did willing grant.  
And Trojans to consulting come did greatly grow to muse,  
There rose so many divers minds they know not which to choose.  
The Lords and great men of the town, and people many by,  
Antenor thus his tale began with voice and speech on high.   

Give ear ye Trojans I you pray, and foreign soldiers to,  
Ye Citizens hark what I wish and council you to do: 
Anten or counsels the Trojans to deliver Helen and the Gods brought from Grace.   
Let Helen to her husband home be sent with all the spoil,  
The riches and the things of price were brought out Grecian soil,  
The pacte and promise Paris made with oath, for to allow,  
For otherwise to ply the field against that concord now,  
I surely hope no good at all can hap us in the end.  
Sirs, think of this, the care whereof I do to you commend.   

This said, Antenor takes his place, and down therein he set, 
Paris answers and gaiysayes Anteno●…   
And Paris doth in choler grow, with him he takes the pet,  
And youthly thus doth answer him: Antenor well you can  
When so you list, give sound advise, and are a pretty man,  
To tell a tale, for Trojans good you practise can at full,  
But your opinion now declares your senses lost or dull.  
And think for truth the Gods have ta'en (as you a dotard ware)  
From you your wits: And as for me, I contrary declare  
Myself to that which you have said, and have determined plain,  
The Greekish Lady at no hand I will her leave again.  
But for to end this strife, I will the treasure eft restore, 
Paris wy●… yield the goods but keep Helen.   
And jewels which I took in Greece, and with them thus much more:  
The costliest in my house I have, if so accept they will,  
These points of peace, and so content remain contented still.  
King Priam hereupon, a Prince of prudence bearing bell,  
In council grave, to all the rout he thus his tale did tell. 
Paris to the Trojans.   
Ye Troyans and my other friends hark what I you advise,  
Your lodgings home go seek ye all, sith now the night doth rise,  
Yourselves with meat repast I pray, and with your supper done  
Regard with heed your watch and ward, as they by course do run:  
And in the morning shall there góe a Herald to the Greeks,  
At length who shall to them declare what Alexander leeks  
My son, and know their mind therein, and more a matter say  
Which hardly they will us deny, that there may be a stay  
Of war a while, that each of us in grave the bodies slain,  
And burn the carcases, for us which dead abroad remain:  
And then we shall begin to see who shall obtain the price.  
No sooner said, but Trojans all obey him in a trice.  
They to their supper do depart, some to the watch do high,  
And some their tired limbs to rest on couches down do lie.   

Good Ide the herald in the morn to execute his charge,  
Comes to the ship of Agamemn, within the vessel large, 
The Trojan Herald goes to the Greeks camp to talk with them.   
Whereas he found of Greekish Lords the troop in council fast,  
Aloft the poop to whom to say himself he thus doth cast.  
Ye famous mighty Atreus heirs, and all ye here together,  
Ye prudent hardy princes Greeks, King Priam sends me hither,  
And all his worthy council wise to show unto you all,  
His Paris son (the only cause for whom this war doth fall,  
Who rather should have suffered death, than such a mischief wrought)  
Is now content to yield again the pray from Greece he brought.  
And thereto offers for to put good portion of his own.  
But Trojans to persuade him much, who all are greatly grown  
Dame Helen fair for to restore, their labour lost they take,  
He will her hold. Advise now Lords, what answer ye will make,  
That I to Troy return the same, my king he eke demands,  
If that of truce ye will allow, the bodies on the lands,  
Which dead doly by slaughter of this late and last days war,  
In fitly graves and sepultures the same for to entarre.  
Which done, the peace to have an end, and with our iron to it,  
To see who for the victory by force in fight shall do it.   

The Greekish Lords the Herald heard, amazed nothing spoke,  
Till Diomedes that noble Prince he thus the silence broke:  
This offer must we not accept (quoth he) if that Helen 
Diomedes to the Greeks.   
They would and all the wealth of Troy with her restore again,  
Who doth not fully well perceive (if not a fondling babe)  
That shortly all the Trojans here shall be our vassals made,  
The time at hand this vile reproach with vengeance due to pay: 
Agamemnon answers the herald   
Herewith they greatly laud the man, and lo what he doth say.   

Quoth Agamemn the herald to, thou hearst the Grecians minds,  
As theirs, my answer is, my will 'gainst theirs it not repines.  
As for the truce, it granted is as thou thyself dost pray,  
I may not cross it, from the dead to keep their grains away,  
The hate it ought to be forgot when dead the person lies,  
Do you amass the carcases which of your party rise,  
And burn, or bury as you list, and we will do the same:  
And for a witness of our faith, that it be void of blame,  
O jove I do thee now invoke, and Sceptre up he throws,  
His royal one to heavens ward, a sign, true meaning shows. 
The goo●… Herald returns to Troy.   
The Herald good well hearing all, to Troy with speed he hies,  
And Trojans found at council hard, who longed with looking eyes  
His coming home, the answer brought th'assembly parts away,  
And forward forth abroad they go, & in the fields they stray.  
One number great doth seek the slain, another down doth hack 
The greeks and Troyan●… search the de●… bodies.   
The weeds, and saggots bind, & Greeks like mind they do not la k.  
A whole day long you might have seen the Greeks & Trojans ply  
On work they both and often meet no whit displeasantly.   

It pity was in field to see them laboured so and toiled,  
And hardly know their kinsfolks blée, with blood they were so foiled.  
But often washing them they found, and laid them on their chares,  
And armour eke, with bitter tears & sighs that showed their cares.   

King Priam in a mighty flame did throw the Trojans slain,  
And subjects would not suffer more in mourning wise to plain.  
So with the Greeks dealt Agamemn, and more a mass did rear  
Close in the night the slaughtered bones wherein they tumbled were. 
The 〈◊〉 fortify th●… s●…p.   
Not resting so, they round about their ships and navy set  
Many a strong and sturdy tower, & bulwarks big they bet,  
Gates high and wide, as fit it was in soldiers to retire,  
From battle come, or forth to go, to fight when they desire.  
Without a gallant ditch they dig full deep, full low and large,  
With posts and pales renforced so, it hard was for to charge.   

The Gods in peerless Palace set of jove, this stir espied,  
And maruelld much, among them where Neptune, who could not hide 
Neptune to Iup●…er.   
His spite conceived, these words did use: you God of gods alone,  
O jove, in vows, and sacrifice I careful now see none,  
Nor yet to rear a work of worth, no men I see to heed  
The will of Gods, they at their heels to cast it are agreed.  
Dost thou not see these peruke Greeks, who us besought no ways  
When as their towers they topped aloft, and rampires great did raise?  
Their fame all countries thus shall fill, and of their buildings ring,  
And walls by me and Phoebus built they down on ground shall ding,  
Their name increased, our labour lost, the Marine God thus spoke,  
Who often by his proper power doth force the earth to quake. 
jupiter to Neptune.    

In anger jove strait answered thus: what sayest thou Neptune here,  
A meaner God of right than you these doings ought to fear.  
You are to great your glory spreads as far as day doth start.  
For these gay towers and trenches wide, when their high ships departed  
To Greece their Country to return, their work destroy and race,  
Drewhelm it clean with sand, thereof, that none may know the place.   

The son strait after down it draws, and up the night it got,  
And all things done, the Greeks at rest in their pavilions sat,  
And many a beef for supper slew, and there that instant tide  
divers keels full fraught with wine from Lemnos fat did ride.  
Euneus, fair Hipsiphils son, to jason which she bore, 
Runeus. Hipsiphyle.   
For traffic some and some to give caused thither to repair.  
For of these new and pleasant wines, a thousand tuns he full  
Gave to the chieftain of the war: the Greeks came down in skull,  
And barter for the wine apace, in haven where it lay,  
Some brass exchaungde, some iron, some hides, & prisoners some do pay.  
Some bullocks from their herds do give, and so they drink content,  
That all the night no jot they slept but it in chéering spent.  
Again the Trojans full at will possessed what they disirde,  
But jove he did them much amaze, the heaven so it fired  
With thunder and with lightning flames, which all the night did last,  
Devout his anger to appease, upon the ground they cast  
In sacrifice great store of wine (the time then calm and quiet)  
They tend to Cabane at their ease, and sound in sleep lie by it.   
Finis Septimi Libri.   

¶ The eight Book.  

THe morning with the ruddy hue on earth did show his blée, 
Description of the da●…ning of the day.   
When jove the Prince of lightnings all, to counsels calleth he  
In welkin bright each mighty God, who set in order due,  
And héedie all to hark, thus jove into his tale he grew:  
Ye troop divine give ear to me, attend what now I will, 
jupi. to the gods assembled in counsel.   
Which having heard, none of you all be ye of mind so ill,  
Whether he male or female be, to deem to change my doom,  
Or cross the same: who out the troop shall go and leave his room,  
The heavens who shall leave I say in Greeks or Trojans aid,  
Him catched, well bumbd I shall him boo, and send him ill apaid  
With shame enough unto his home, and if I grow to spite,  
I will him tumble headlong down, and cause him for to light  
Into the hollow dreadful hole, which Tartarus men do tell,  
Where Barathrum that gastful gulf doth lie so low in hell 
From 〈◊〉 in Hel.   
With iron gates: so far beneath, as earth from sky remains,  
That well to all men it be known how large my power it reigns.  
But if you long to feel my source, at pleasure you shall see it, 
The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of writers.   
From hence to take a golden chain unto the earth agree it.  
All get you down, your heau●…nly powers apply with tooth & nail  
To pluck me down or me to move, you little should avail,  
In fine your toil to nought would turn, but I, if that I lust  
To draw you to the welkin up, in spite of you ye must  
Amount aloft without my grief, and with you at a pull  
I eke would bring the massy earth, and seas of waters full.  
One end in heaven I would tie, and let the other hang  
That I the chief of God and man the knowledge better rang. 
Pallas answers 〈◊〉.    

This threat and surly speech doth yield the Gods amazed & dumb,  
Till Pallas daughter unto jove with this her tale doth come:  
O king of kings, great fire of Gods, whom each and all obeys,  
Long skill doth tell thy might to pass our forces many ways:  
But ifsome one do help the Greeks, it is not in disdain  
Or spite of thee, but pity moves to see them daily slain.  
Well, sith with deed we may not aid, please you it to deny  
We counsel give, numbers to save which by your fury die?  
With pleasant countuaunce jove replies: give counsel to the Greeks 
jupiter to Pallas.   
My daughter dear, and favour too as best your fancy likes,  
I will at this time pleasure you, you shall no way be chid.   

Then jove his mighty heavenly steeds unto his char doth bid  
To tie, his golden robes he takes, so bright and bravely wrought,  
He mounteth up, and to his hand the golden whip he wrought,  
His horse he beats, the air they clive, aloft they skim amain, 
jupi. horses   
Between the earth and welkin hie they tread a jolly train.  
He plies them, and so strait doth guide, unto the mountain top 
jup. descends & comes to the mountain Ide.   
Of Ide hight Gargarus comes, and there he makes them stop,  
A place of pleasant pasture it, where waters sweet do spring,  
Wild beasts great store, on this green hill so liked for every thing  
A temple large of antic years was built, and sacred old  
By Trojans to his godhead high, where jove now stay he would.  
Ambrosia for his horse he gets, and lest it should be known  
That he was come, he with a cloud hath quite them overthrown.   

He from the height of mountain hie the champion low doth view, 
jupi. from the mountain beholds the Greeks & Trojans.   
The siegers, and besieged he likes to see, who like do rue.  
The more he thinks upon the men, he sees his might the more.   

The Greeks having within their tents repast themselves before,  
Did not forget to arm them well, their battles out they draw, 
The greeks & Trojans make ready so the battle.   
And in full seemly order march, which when the Trojans saw,  
And dined they had, their bands they arm, their town they will defend  
A handful they, but forced by need, their minds to valour bend.  
Th'assailing Greeks for to resist, and country save at need,  
And to protect their native soil, and shield their patrie breed.  
Their gatesful open wide they set, and out their cohorts hies,  
Their horsemen and their footmen all, not without lofty cries. 
The ●…wo armies fight    

And to the place of battle come, they to their tackle fling  
With shield to shield, and dart to dart, and king doth join which king,  
And soldier unto soldier goes, most like stout warlike wights  
Here one doth fall, another here doth vanquish in their fights.  
One groans along, another doth boast of his conquest won,  
And in such slaughter rare, apace with blood the fields do run.  
This murder from the morning lasts until the noon of day, 
The victory doubtful   
Both sides so sound struck it out, right doubtful was the fray.  
Then jove to see, to whom should turn the victory at last, 
Iu. Balance.   
Their fortune good and eke adverse in balance he doth cast:  
The Greeks on one side he doth put, and justly for to way  
The Trojans have the other part, and lets the scales to play.  
The Greeks mishap the Trojans much he strait & plainly found  
For to surpass, for theirs do mount, the Greeks theirs draw to ground. 
Iu. throws his lightning on the Greeks. The greeks flee.   
Wherefore amongst the Greeks he flings his flash of burning lights  
And suddenly with dread thereof appalled were their sprights.  
Idomene first his people leaves, and runs away apace,  
The king of Crete, Agamemn flies in field he turns his face.  
The Ajax twain do stir their stumps, and take them to their flight,  
Unto there tackle their do stand no Greekish prince or knight,  
Save Nestor sage, who so was forced, a horse of his that drew  
Paris so right on head did hit, where first his top out grew.  
The beast he fain would have been gone, he turns, he rears, he thumps,  
He réeleth with the mortal wound, he flings, he fars, he jumps.  
The shaft so surely it was shot, it broke the brain unto,  
The man was forced the gears to cut, and so the horse t'undo.   

This while the mighty coursers tho, their master Hector draw  
To Nestor near, who had been dead, but that the Greek him saw  
He Diomedes so much in fame, and came unto his aid, 
Nestor in danger without Di. who r●… scues him. Di. ●…o Ulysses who flees.   
And seeing wily Ulysses run, aloud to him he said:  
Laertes son, whose cunning kend, and wile is known full wide,  
Why, whether now? Are feet thy fence? why dost thou not abide?  
Hast thou no shame: no fear in flight on back some wound to have?  
Abide, abide with Nestor here, let us thy person save.   

Ulysses heard he would not stay, unto the ships he hies,  
Yet Diomedes Nestor to help amid the press he drives, 
Di. to Nes●…   
And come before his horse, he says, The youth of Greece doth lay  
O Nestor greater toil on thee, than age can bear away,  
Hard for thy worn years t'abide, whose force thou seest to scant,  
And foreign vigour erst enjoyed the vitals now to want.  
Thy char, thy driver, and thy seat, a tired countenance show,  
Come down, mount up my chariot too, to prove now in a throw  
The swiftness great, the courage odd of these my coursers gay,  
Which late I conquered from Aenee, our grooms shall lead away  
Thy furniture, we two will forth that Troy and Hector see  
Yet once how weapons we can wield, and soldiers what we be.   

Th'old man agreed, and to the seat of Diomedes doth come 
Nest comes into Diom. chariot.   
In Sthenels' place, which Sthenele goes, & takes erst Nestor's room,  
Nestor a guider was, but then, Diomedes was the knight,  
Both passing forth, the doughty Phrige, Hector to have in fight,  
A Hector, who no less desires to meet them in the teeth. 
Diome. kills He. driver.   
The mighty Greek to dart he leaves, when Hector first he seeth.  
The sturdy steeled staff he throws, but missed the man he meant,  
The master mist, in drivers womb Enopeus deep it bend.  
He Thebes son, a man of price, a valiant man in deed,  
The doughty Hector grieved much to see his servant bleed  
Of so good count, and tumble dead, but there he lets him lie,  
A like he seeks for force and mind, and to him by and by  
Archiptoleme presents himself, the steeds he doth bestride, 
Archeptol. He. driver.   
The whip and rains he takes in hand and serves him for a guide.   

At these two new and sudden haps strange slaughters did appear,  
Like lambs unto their force and fold the Trojans do reteare,  
And seek their walls for their defence, the Greeks they grew so hot, 
jupi. again throws his lightning against the Greeks. Nest. persuades Di. to fly.   
But jove strait ways his lightning flames with thunder forth he shot,  
That by him near the warlike Greek beheld the flame as't flashed,  
His horse they quoke, from Nestor's hands the rains are ready dashed,  
His fear was such, wherewith (quoth he) perforce doth force us now  
O Diomedes, to high us hence, the danger see not you?  
The glory now the mighty God doth give unto our foe,  
Another time on us again the same he will bestow.  
The mind of man it may not dare the gods for to withstand,  
For greatest is of gods the might to rule it takes in hand.   

O aged sire (quoth Diomedes) thou nought but reason says, 
Di to Nest.   
I do agree, but yet lament, and grieved am divers ways,  
When Hector cometh to my mind, who thus shall see me run,  
Unto his mates hereafter may, extolling to the Sun  
His valiauntuesse, say, to the ships the chase he hath me given,  
All pity past, I rather crave the earth it here were riven, 
Ne. to. Di●….   
And I therein were swallowed up, alas quoth Nestor than,  
Think you if Hector should report you for a cowardly man,  
His tale it would be taken true? your sword in heaps hath slain  
Too many of the warlike wights, and left their widows plain.   

Herewith his horses strait he turns, & with the Greeks doth fly, 
Diom. flies   
And Hector with his soldiers fast doth after forward high,  
With clamours great: And Hector loud his speech doth thus begin,  
When as they fled: oh Diomedes esteemed who hath been  
Among the Greeks, yea e'en thy fill for valour and for fame, 
He. to Di●….   
At board who fed still of the best, and first sat at the same,  
Now like a heartless fem thou shalt be led in prisoner wise,  
Make hast thou gay and glorious freke, dreadful with flaming eyes,  
Believe no more our towers to scale, hope not to ship aboard  
Our wives, I Hector, only I sufficient shall afford,  
My force shall serve to stay the strength, and forth to make the pack,  
And keep thee from thy ships return, and thee in pieces hack.   

At Hector's words the Greek doth stay, he thinketh what to do,  
To turn again the spite to venge, or forward on to go,  
Thereby the danger to avoid, he thrice doth venture back, 
Diomedes in doubt whether to fly or to abide.   
And thrice doth jove him eye, and down he lets the thunder crack,  
With lightning flame hard by his ear, a sign most sure and full  
The Trojans strong should have the day, for so the Gods they wool.   

Herewith aloud doth Hector cry his men to hearten all: 
He. exhorteth his soldiers.   
O Troyaus, Lycians, ye my friends, to who it doth befall  
To be my fellow soldiers here, if ever men you be  
Think now thereon, and show like men yourselves on the enemy.  
I know full well we vanquish shall, the loss it shall be theirs,  
Their walls, their forts, which they have made to save them in their fears  
By me shall soon be forced down, my horse with easy ships 
H. threats 〈◊〉 ●…be Gr●…ks sh●….   
Shall pass their dikes, and do attend when I am in their ships  
To bring me fire to burn them up, they may no more retire,  
I will their limbs and lives consume with smoke and smothering fire.   

Thus Hector comforts up his mates, and speaks his horse, Podarge 
He. speaks to his horses   
Aeton, Xanthe, oh ye my steeds so swift with buttocks large,  
Thou fiery Lampus and divine, for me that sweats and scuds,  
Think on the cheer on you bestows Andromacha my fuds  
And loving wife, she careful doth with Wheat & Dates you feed, 
Wine given to horses of war.   
With temper eke of pleasant wine, when as she seeth need,  
Héeding as much to have you dressed, as on myself to tend,  
She query is: advance your source, your courses stoutly bend  
To further now your masters facts, that he do fang in field  
The Nestor old, and from him take his famous bruited shield, 
Ne. target of gold.   
Report whereof doth reach the skies, of precious gold it is.  
Of Diomedes his cuyrasse to (he catched) we shall not miss 
Dl. curate made by Vulcan.   
So counted off, which Mulciber did forge: And all the night  
The Greekish host all washed in sea you shall see take their flight.  
And thinking for to do as much thus lofty Hector braves.  
But juno hearing this discourse, so spitefully she raves,  
Her members quoke, Olympus shaken, to Neptune strait she comes, 
juno to Neptune.   
Art thou not grieved (quoth she) to see the Greeks hit on the thumbs,  
And suffer in such sorry plight, who daily sacrifice  
Gay gifts and hosties unto thee in Egues and Helice? 
Egues. Helice.   
How canst thou without heavy cheer, support their heavy case  
Thy favour known, which I have seen, that did their state embrace?  
O Neptune if thou and the rest would once but say the word,  
And from this slaughter them to keep some favour small afford,  
It would be done, my husband jove for spite would frisk and fare,  
Yet lest he might repent, depart from Ide he would not dare.   

Thou frantic sot quoth Neptune tho, think not that I will stur  
Or speak against the mighty jove, whose power doth pass so fur, 
Neptune to juno.   
To whom each one ought to obey, he is to lofty he,  
He is our king, our master Lord, his vassals all we be.   

Thus while the Greeks are driven back, and in the field defeated,  
Their forts and trenches they do take, and doughty Hector heated 
The Greks shut up in their strengths by He.   
Is Mars himself, the rampires so he forces them to gain,  
Between the ships and utter fence they filled all the plain.   

Thus back retired and cubberd up, the Trojan stout had burnt  
Their vessels, all the (God so would) if juno had not turned  
T'advise the Greeks, for when she saw this flight and this disorder,  
To put in Agamemnon's mind their king to pass on further,  
With speed unto the ships for aid. To navy he doth draw,  
In hand a scarlet robe he held, the Add m●…rall ship he saw 
Ulysses' ships.   
Of the Ithaque king, to it he went, of other vessels more  
It stood in midst, the place he chose most meet his mind to shoe.   

On one side stood sir Ajax tent, on th'other stood Achilles, 
The ten●… of Ajax and Achilles on the side. Agamem●…on blames ●…n people of cowardice.   
So guarded to withstand the force of such assault them will.   

Agamemn come into the ship, he mounts aloft to poop,  
He cries aloud: O Greekish kings, O wretched fainting troop,  
What shame and mark of infamy this day on Greece doth light?  
Where is the proud & vaunting speech? where is the promise plight?  
Where is the kilcow chat become in Lemnos which you had  
Upon your Alebenche, where you were so impudent and mad?  
Then one of you would kill and eat five hundred Trojans full:  
It was the cheer, it was the meat and wine you so did gull,  
That made you brave and brag so much. I see the matter now,  
Lo Hector come, our fort to sack, and all our army cow,  
Our Bastion eke and us to burn. O jove thou father great,  
What king of kings so as myself hast thou with care beset,  
Deprived of glore, with envy fraught, and wronged to my pain,  
Defrauded of the surety sound, wherewith I fed in vain,  
When as m'oblations vow I did to please thee jove withal,  
And Troy did think to lay sul low? I see I now must fall  
A prey into my enemies lap: thou sovereign God yet grant, 
Pray●… 〈◊〉 jupiter.   
(It better grace we may not have) fierce Hector do not daunt,  
Nor cruel Troy our people here, but that they scape their sword.   

The chieftain chief thus prayed for all, with tears he spoke the words:  
jove full agreed to his request, his sighs did pity move,  
Which he did yield for perishing folk, praying for their behove. 
Good tok●… for the Greeks.   
For Augur sure an Eagle comes, a call with talons tough  
Of red Dear hind he brings, and falls, which comforteth enough  
The whole Nobility of Greece, on Altar down it lights  
In sacrifice of puissant jove, reviving much their spirits.  
And strait therewith forth make they head of thousands soldiers stout,  
And valiant knights, Don Diomedes forth first he sallies out  
The fort with char: On Trojan bands to try and show his force,  
To one he flies, one only blow martyred a Trojans corpse,  
Agelaus hight, Phadmon his son, whole armed for the war,  
Yet fled he fast from Diomedes, his sight him so did scar, 
Diomedes ssayes Agesilaus.   
But through his chin his dart it slew, and through the Curet came,  
His armour gave a murmuring noise, he tumbling in the same.   

Agamemnon, and Menelau his brother, Ajax twain, 
The nine most vali●…nt greeks next Achilles.   
Princes of great exploit that were, Idomene in the train,  
With Merion his gallant guide, a man of courage brave,  
Good Eurypile Euemons' son, in company they have,  
Of all the Greeks a man of choice, these forth from fort do start,  
And on their foes do forward high, them charging overthwart.   

Beside these eight, a ninth with them, a Greek, one Teucer went,  
He brother unto Ajax was, his bow he beareth bend,  
His skill was good to make his best, and strait to shoot withal, 
Teucer covered with Ajax shield wounds the Troyaus.   
By subtle Art his mortal wounds, did many Trojans thrall:  
Under his brother's Target he himself did often hide,  
And freely let his arrows fly, where he his vantage spied,  
And having sped, to save his life seeks out the Buckler big,  
As doth the infant oftentimes, the little pretty twig 
Comparison.   
When he doth see displeasant sighs, doth under garments creep  
Of Nurse, or mother dear, and there plays like himself bo peep.  
Well, let us tell those lost their lives this Archer lighted on. 
Eight Trojans staives by Teucer.   
Ocsilochus, he was the first, Detor, Amapaon,  
Ophelest, Ormeyne, Lycophont, Chromius, Menalippe,  
Hethrild them through with deadly wounds, they down to ground do tip.   

Agamemns heart it leaps for joy, his part when thus he played 
Agamemnō●…o Teucer.   
The sturdy shot, to him he draws, and cheerfully he said:  
O noble wight and Prince of same, whom I with honour due  
Ought to regard, I thee beseech thy forward facts pursue:  
Beside the praise men shall thee give, when as thine aged sire  
Thelemon hears of these exploits, he joy shall, with desire,  
And hope to see thee shortly home: I know, and not beguiled,  
He doth thee honour and esteem, though thou no lawful child,  
I know that from thy Cradle up, he did thee always bring,  
As lawful borne: I swear to thee in promise of a king,  
If ever I this City take, of all the gallant prey,  
Next me shalt thou make choice, and at thy pleasure take away  
A rich three footed Cawdron guilt, on thee I will bestow  
A Chariot with two goodly steeds, or else with thee to go,  
A Trojan fair, a Priam's child, or Dame of City breed  
To use in bed, and serve thee ay, if so thou be agreed.   

Quoth Teucer tho, there is no need, great king my will to mend, 
Tencer ●…o Agamemon   
Full oft I shoot, to noy the foe, my force and care I bend.  
Gight valiant foes it is full true my shafts have deadly slain, 
He meaneth Hector.   
I were full venged, if I could that mastiff mad attain.  
He with these words doth pluck his bow, & sends his piercing steel,  
To Hector strait, to broach the man, but harm he none doth feel:  
But yet the shaft on Priam's son Gorgythion it light, 
Gorgythio●….   
Of sudden cruel death he dies, his pap it pierced right,  
He was the son of Castianire the Goddesses so like,  
A noble Nymph, with her good king in Thrace did marriage strike,  
For beauty sake which odd she had, and like the growing Poppy, 
Comparisō●….   
As well for fruit as April showers, doth leave his head so loppy  
In gardens fat: Gorgythion hurt laden with steel did helm him,  
On shoulder lays his head, & dies with weakness which did whelm him.   

The Greekish shot to Hector eft, his bow doth careful pluck,  
But him he misste, his arrow yet under the teat it stuck, 
Teucer kills Hector's driver.   
Of strong Archeptoleme, who falls: his squire thus to die  
Hector doth grieve to see, and down he lighteth by and by,  
And willeth Cebrion for to come, and take the guiders charge, 
Cebrin●… Hector's driver.   
Which done, Hector a coggel heaves, a mighty and a large,  
With dreadful voice to Teucer flies, Teucer from quiver takes  
A shaft again, to slay a foe himself he ready makes,  
And ready for to shoot, Hector did reach him such a bang, 
Hector strikes Te●… cer.   
That down he falls, and out his hands his bow & arrows flung.  
The forced stroke did force him so, the blow was deadly sent,  
Aloft the breast the neck it hit, where down the head is bend.  
His brother Ajax ran apace, when down he saw him dung, 
Ajax saves his brother.   
To save and to defend the man, the noble prince he flung,  
And him with shield so well did hap, as up they took him there,  
The wretched archers friends Menest, Alastor they do bear  
Him in their arms strait to the ships, ●…alfe gone for very pain. 
The greeks retire again.    

The Trojans strong by mighty jove ●…ided, yet once again  
Do force the Greeks to leave the field, and so retiring eft 
Comparison.   
Their trenches, force, and fort to take, which they before had left.   

Hector the foremost leads the dance, as fleshed mongrel great,  
Trusting in strength and nimbleness, the Lion beast doth heat,  
Or wild swine in the forest thick, if either of them do cast  
Or turn about to be revenged, the cur he shifts as fast,  
Full light he pincheth deep their flanks, or hangs so at their thighs,  
As die they must. So Hector he, doth chase his enemies,  
Who leave the field, and take to flight, if any lag behind,  
With sword or lance he hits them home, with death of sundry kind.   

The Greeks repulsed from their forts, from dikes and trenches fly,  
With slaughter great confused all in bloody death they die.  
Hard by their ships at last they stay, each comforting his mate,  
To play the man, and to the Gods they pray for their estate.   

This while the gastfull Hector he, with Mars his dreadful eyes,  
And flaming like the Gorgon's lights, upon the Greeks he flies, 
Hector dreadful to the Greeks.   
And terror more doth put them in, he stirs, he casts about,  
To look how he may clean defeat, and break the Greekish rout.  
Then wrathful juno grieved much, to see the valiant Greeks  
So hard distressed, and doubting worse, Pallas she thus beséekes. 
juno to Minerva.    

Of jove dearest daughter thou, canst thou this army see  
In danger such, without regard to help th'extremity?  
Suffer▪ shall we them all to quail by this one Hector's hand,  
So barbarous a slaughter man? look in what case they stand.  
Dost thou not see how to their ships he hath them forced all,  
And will not cease, till in their bloods he force them each to fall? 
Minerva to juno.   
Quoth Pallas then, I know your mind, I find the matter well,  
But this so hardy Hector hie, whose deeds are seen so fell,  
And so much to be wondered at, shall die in country soil,  
But jove his will to think to cross nought follow would but foil.  
I fear him much, his awkward spite against me oft is set,  
Too much ingrate, the labour great, and pain he doth forget,  
Which I for Hercules' boot have ta'en, his forces when to try 
Hercules.   
Unto King Euristeus Court he went so willingly.  
The travails truly which he took had mated oft the man,  
But when he cried, and when he wept, sir jove he prayed me than  
To high to him, which oft I did, else he quite overthrown  
And ta'en had been: if in those days I haply then had known,  
What reckoning he would make of me, in hell had holden been 
Hercules in all his enterprise●… favoured by Minerva.   
His Hercules for ever and aye, his conquest far to win,  
So famous got of Cerberus, that grim three headed cur,  
The hellish flood that Styx is height, he had not passed so fur,  
But had been staid ere there he came, in guerdon of my deeds,  
He now for worthy recompense me hates and often chides,  
For to allow the sottish will of Thetis Lady white,  
Her vain requests he needs must grant, she flatters him so right  
With humble speech, touching his beard, his knees eke kissing low,  
Achilles her son to set aloft and Greeks to overthrow.  
But well I know I shortly shall by jove be daughter taken,  
And be again his girl white, as now I am forsaken.  
Your char to haste if so you please now juno get you gone,  
And I will high unto his house his armour to put on.   

This Trojan I will make to feel what grief or jolly glee  
The guest shall get when me in war against him he shall see.  
And that I have the puissance I, to work him teen and care,  
And make his subjects meat for dogs, and flying fowls of th'air,  
To be revenged. Minerva mad thus spoke and juno steers  
Right careful for to put in point her horses and their gears 
Minerva puts on the armour of jupiter.   
And all the rites to shining char. But Pallas she doth leave  
Her linnowe robes so delicate, which erst herself did weave,  
And haps her with the cuirates tough, which jove in battle wears:  
So armed, the chariot light she leaps, a lance in hand she bears,  
Wherewich the demi-gods she mates, in anger when she copes,  
Unto hi●… heaven gates they come, which freely to them opes.   

Of these gay doors the hours they have, the whole & only charge, 
This is written in the fist Book.   
Each one a porter is, they rule also the heavens large.  
Of clear Olympe they regents are, the clouds at beck they bring,  
Or when they come, assoon again away they force them for to fling.   

When jove aloft he looketh up, and sees the horses fly,  
Which drew the Goddesses, in heat against them he doth frie. 
jupiter sendeth Iris ta the two Goddesses.   
He sendeth Iris unto them that ready winged wight:  
My pursuivant with golden wings (quoth he) go show thee light,  
Go meet these two, and say from me they do retire their pace,  
Tell them I bid they do not dare to come before my face,  
Tell them they are two foundlings vain, to think to break my host,  
Tell them who list least to obey shall taste of little rest.  
Their chariot gay shall strait be burst, & beam from horses torn,  
My lightning flames fuil stiffly shot shall send them headlong borne  
down to the earth, and in such plight, as (maugre all their skill)  
In ten yééres long they shall not heal their such received ill.  
And then shall Pallas know what shame she doth deserve, and shall,  
To stir against her sire, juno I blame no whit at all,  
She treadeth but her wontrd trod, I know her so accursed,  
To labour my disquiet still she always is the furst.   

Iris his message to fulfil from Ida mount he scores, 
Iris to juno and Pallas.   
And found them of the heaven hie then coming out the doors.  
Whom when he seeth, he resteth strait, quoth he, O frantic wights,  
What fond & foolish sottish gear hath poisoned thus your spirits,  
To mean to aid the Greeks, and stir against you jove his ire?  
He doth forbid you further pass unless you do desire  
E'en in a trice your chariot gay to fly in peers small,  
And beam from horses burst, and you in dust and dirt to fall,  
By sudden clap of lightning flames so tumbling from the air,  
As ten years long of quiet rest shall not your health repair,  
That Pallas you do know, that jove thy master is and dad,  
And as for juno, he well knows she is so lewdly bad.  
She is no whit at all abashed, she always takes delight  
His purposes to contrary, and that in his despite.  
But Pallas be not stubborn then as dog of currish kind,  
Strive not with him, use not thy staff against his will and mind,  
Lest thou offend thy sire too far. Iris he flies his ways,  
And juno to Minerva turns, and thus to her she says: 
juno to Minerva.   
Not to perform our minds set down what can be greater hell?  
Yet sith that jove doth us gainsay, I do not think it well.  
We should herein against him stand, nor for no worldly wight  
Such painful danger for to take, his high and heavenly might  
Of their good hap or harm it shall at pleasure his dispose: 
The Goddesses return to Heaven. The hour●… handm●…ds of juno.   
The stéeves with bridle strait she turns, & right to heaven goes.  
The hours do lose the coursers brave, and them to manger ●…ye,  
The chariot they do fitly place in room appointed by.  
Hard by the Gods in golden chairs the lofty Ladies sit,  
Who having failed of their intent, they are in grievous fit:  
To welkin now eke jove is come, who is with honour due 
jupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heaven.   
Received of each, assoon as that of him they had a view.   

His goodly steeds the Marine god full quickly he unties,  
Their furniture he shutteth up, and then he hasty hies  
Of jove the mighty seat to set, it ready at a look,  
He down doth sit, but clapping down the whole Olympus shook.  
Between juno and Pallas there in midst the God he sat,  
No word between them both they had, ne to the God do chat.  
But jove who well did know their thoughts in bitter choler was,  
Ladies quoth he, whence doth proceed your spite which thus doth pass?  
Whence comes ye seek ye Trojans harm, & never have your fill,  
Unless you see their utter fall contrary to my will?  
My force sith that so great it is are you to learn to know  
That neither you nor all the Gods and Goddesses in row  
By force can make me change my mind sith that my simple threat,  
Doth make you quake with faces pale, & eke with trembling sweat:  
What will you do in bloody mart so dreadful to the sight,  
When you shall feel my heavy fist invincible in might:  
Hark then, gainsay no more of you, I wish you not to dare:  
By hap if fond ye oppugn my high decrees that are,  
Upon ye, ye shall feel to fall the scorching lightning flash,  
Wherewith I thunder with my flames, & down they shall you dash,  
On earth to dwell, no means ye have eft hitherto return,  
Your chares and steeds in cinders quite and pieces it shall burn.  
Hereat Minerva groans for grief, her heart it boils with rage,  
Yet still and coy she held herself, and fury doth assuage. 
juno to jupiter.   
But juno takes the cause in hand, O crabbed jove quoth she,  
What stir is here? we well do know your vassals all we be.  
Your power is odd, but if one would the Greekish army aid,  
Is it against you to rebel? why should it so be said?  
So great an host to see destroyed poor pity makes us rue,  
But jupiter to her again with words doth thus ensue:   

Their loss let it not trouble you, it double shall to morrow,  
I will make Hector Trojan chief, to ding them with a sorrow,  
And slay them down, not ceasing he to kill and drive them back,  
Unto their ships, expecting nought but ruin, death, and wrack,  
There fight hard, and round beset about Patroclus' bones,  
Whom he shall slay, whereby Achilles shall yield his grievous groans:  
Seeing the slaughter of his friend, he shall in fury grow,  
Him to revenge, and give them aid, he hasty on shall go.  
I will it so, and sith that fate to Greeks hath so assigned,  
For you dame juno more I joy, the more you have repined,  
A god's name get you in the sea, or furthest earthly fells,  
Go seek japetus Saturn out, in darkness where he dwells. 
japetus Saturn.   
Where never Phoebus shows his face, nor no delight he takes  
To hear the winds, trudge where you list, look after you who makes  
None shall you follow by my will, of you I do not reek,  
Your feumishe heart with poisoned hate is ready still to break,  
This was his speech, the Goddess great full quiet low doth lout  
The stern God she greatly dreads, and of him stands in doubt.  
This while the clear & brightsome sun to th'ocean takes his flight, 
Description of setting of the sun, and of the night.   
As is his wont, and all the earth the brown and sable night  
Doth wholly hap and cloak about with his so darksome shade,  
A night right welcome to the Greeks, but Trojans mad are made  
Therewith, The gallant Hector draws. & soldiers he commands 
Hector encampeth out of Troy.   
Back from the ships hard to the brook, and cometh to the lands,  
Whereas that day with sorrow great the slaughter was so bloody,  
There down on foot they lighted strait in council for to study,  
To whom Hector, who in right hand a mighty lance did hold 
The length of Hector's lance or dart.   
As royal mace, lance stéeld and guilt, of feet large truly told  
Eleven full it was in length, with voice doth loudly call:  
Ye Troyans stout and strangers eke, I speak unto you all, 
Hector to the Trojans.   
Ye soldiers and ye citizens, good hope I did conceive  
This day, and sure I thought myself them all of life to reave,  
Their vessailes eke to have destroyed, and as a conqueror  
To have returned, but my intent I miss in evil hour,  
Because the night so soon is come. Wherefore I think it best  
Not hence to stir, but here t'encampe and take our quiet rest.  
Well, go to then, let every one point here his station out,  
With oats and barley bate your horse. And let another rout  
Hie unto Troy, muttons and béeves ready for us to make,  
And others wine and bread to get let them the office take,  
Some must before our supper to good store of fuel fell,  
To kindle flames, which all the night may light us gaily well,  
The Greeks by sea may closely fly, which if they do fulfil,  
To charge them frankly in their flight, and cut their tail I will,  
That their orethrowe example be to every living wight,  
That none do dare to war with Troy, who well knows how to fight  
And from the town sith far we be, her safety we must heed,  
The Heralds let them go to Troy, and tell it is agreed  
That all the youth and aged men the city do defend,  
And on the walls do make their watch, and Trojan women bend  
Themselves to light the fiery flame, to look with careful eyes  
Our foes do not surprise the town by fault or otherwise:  
As I have said let it be done, each one his work apply.  
In morning further we shall talk, and do accordingly.  
I hope O worthy warriors mine, we end shall all these broils  
To morrow, and these furious curs shall by our manly toils  
Be hacked and hewed with great distress, well, let us all this night  
Repose ourselves, and at the peer and daw of morning light  
In battle let us range our bands, these furious foes to mate,  
Then shall I see sir Diomedes in what a soldiers state 
Hector threateneth Diomedes.   
He will be seen, and whether he me from his vessels puts,  
Or whether I shall spoil him quite, my darts sent through his guts.  
Full trial he shall have, whether he able can sustain  
One thrust of this my lance, I hope by me he shallbe slain,  
And many a friend full dear of his, who would him gladly save,  
If such a victory I get, I certainly shall have  
Eternal fame, immortal praise I purchase shall thereby,  
I do not think, but they to me will raise an altar high.  
In witness of my prowess great, as is to Pallas done  
That Goddess she, or to Phoebus that God and brightsome sun.   

This said, the Trojans him obey, their good and weary steeds  
Unloosde before, to chares again they tie and forward yéedes,  
Unto the town, and quickly bring bread, wine and trinkets more,  
The beeves and muttons were not few, they brought no scanted store: 
A thousand fires kindled in the Trojans Campe. Comparison.   
Then in the midst of all the camp a thousand fires they light,  
The flames and smoke whereof, the wind to heaven carries right.  
And even as men shall often see in fair and pleasant weather,  
The Moon being clear the skies aloft: (for light is so together,  
As all the hills, the vales, and plains, with light as lightly shows  
As in the day) whereby the heard, when up his eyes he throws,  
He joyeth in his cabin poor: E'en so from Trojan town,  
In night so pleasant and so still, the dwellers looking down,  
Rejoice to see the army sit: who when their horse were dressed,  
And unto Oats and pasture set, they go to take their rest:  
By every fire just fifty men down sits, as best they may,  
In hope of Greeks the morning next shallbe the latter day,   
Finis Octavi Libri.   

¶ The ninth Book.  

THe Trojans brave they placed thus, their watch with careful heed:  
For loss of field and fellows slain for grief the Greeks they bleed.  
For flight the fear, and fellow mate of chilling fear that nips, 
Flight the companion of fear.   
Had dastardlike with shame enough them driven to their ships.  
And e'en as we full often see the pontic sea to grow, 
Comparison.   
When Boreas blasts or western gales from Thracian mountains blow.  
And make the bellowe so to bolne, as oft the brownish waves  
From bottom of sir Neptune's sea aloft full highly braves:  
So were the Greekish princes spirits all troubled and to tossed,  
Yet of them all Agamemnon he, he was tormented most.  
He wills the princes to entreat the Heralds all and some  
(Not loud with Proclamations out) unto his tent to come,  
To them his purpose to declare. The Heralds they obeyed,  
And when the kings the summon heard, from him no whit they stayed.   

Each one set after his degree, with sad and ruthful grace  
Agamemn standeth up, the tears fast trickling down his face:  
Even as the fountain water doth out springing from the stone 
Comparison.   
Bedew the plains, these were his words with sighs & doleful moan.   

To deeply jove he doth me dear O all the Greekish Dukes, 
Agamennon to the Greeks.   
And stays not yet, with sorrow more he further me rebukes.  
He promised me in fire and blood this Troy I should it sack,  
(I marvel much) my ill success commands me from it back,  
And bids me leave the enterprise and home to haste to Gréece,  
My honour lost, my fame forlorn, and host the greatest piece.  
So pleaseth it the mighty Gods all force and might to mate, 
Sentence which is in the second book.   
Down throwing strength of walls & men all heights he doth abate.  
Sith so it be, I wish it not that we against him strive,  
Let's get us home, our pain we lose, here sure we cannot thrive.  
Their chieftain when the council heard, long still they muet sat,  
Till big and doughty Diomedes this matter answers flat:  
Thy want of skill O Atreus heir (quoth he) persuades me much 
Diomedes ' ●…hswers to Agamennon   
Unto thy words to answer now, thy speeches being such,  
And to gainsay the same: therefore against me rage not now,  
Nor any else, just council law the privilege doth allow  
That each in council show his mind: I pray thee truly tell,  
When hast thou seen this camp afraid or weakly so to mell  
In charge, assault, or else Alarms, as best it should now seem  
Our weapons for to leave? dost thou so ill their hearts esteem? 
Diomedes confesse●… Agamēno●… the greatest of honou●… but the worst s●… diour.   
So small hope hast thou in their force, as for thy simple tongue  
The Trojan conquest we should leave? it is too great a wrong.  
These warlike bands so to despise. It skilleth not a fly,  
It is thy want, myself the first I have it suffered, I,  
Thy thought of me of all this host well knoweth young and old,  
With thee a coward counted I, and meeter for to scold,  
Than in the danger of the wars to venture in the same,  
Dccasion sith I have to speak, I speak it to thy shame.  
The heavenly Gods have made thee chief, & sceptre for to bear,  
And rule this host, stout manly mind in thee it is not there,  
Nor counsel sound, in warlike feats, which are the gifts of gain,  
Unto those points thou canst not come, nor thereto once attain.  
Wherefore take heed hence forth to brawl or injury the Greeks:  
And if to fly, and hie thee hence it so thy fancy leeks,  
Get thee to sea, thy stuff it lies right ready on the shore,  
Soon to thy town thou shalt be brought out trouble any more.  
The other Greeks will here abide and willingly attend  
The wished day, wherein we shall surprise Troy in the end.  
And if that home likewise they will, not forcing any whit  
This high exploit, Esthenelus with me will tarry yet, 
Esthenelus for Sthenelus.   
Nor leave me till the end of all, assured our coming hither  
Unto the coasts directed was by Gods yea altogether.  
This speech the Greeks they greatly praise of Tydees' son the wise,  
They do commend his good advise, wherewith doth Nestor rise  
That prudent knight, & answers thus: O Diomedes thy part 
Nestor allows Diomedes counsel.   
In bloody war right stout thou play'st, in council good thou art,  
I must confess of all the kings thou art the oddest, thou,  
Of those thy years. Of all the camp I think no soldier now  
Doth wish, or will a harmful truce, yet all thou dost not touch,  
Concerning this our question here more must be said much.  
I, old who am, and may be sire to all these mighty kings,  
And eke to thee, will end the rest I hope to their likings,  
And even so, as none reprove my council good and sound.  
No viler or unhappy man, or wicked can be found,  
Nor more unworthy for to live, than civil war who joves. 
Nestor Counsels what is to be done.   
To supper let us get us now, sith night so far on shoves,  
And stillie for to set the watch with bands of youngest years,  
between wall & trench to place them so, when Trojan crews appears  
To charge us, they may notice give: Agamemnon you ought  
That all the Princes unto you they be to supper brought:  
(As I do think) you nothing want to feast them as you wool,  
With pleasant wine of Thracian soil your tent is stuffed full,  
And as we sup discourse will hap, and serve for council eke  
And help, in this so weighty cause we all our wits must seek.  
For why, the enemy lies at hand, it is a heavy thing  
(God knows) their fires to see, and hear them by our noses ring.  
Lo here the night which will us save, if prudent men we be,  
But if we sleep, then shall we fall, in hands of th'enemy.   

When he had said, and they had heard, his will it was obayd●…, 
Th●…se who 〈◊〉 chosen 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and for scou●….   
And Princes seven unto the watch do go right well arrayed,  
And soldiers they seven hundred take, the first was Thrasimede  
Duke Nestor's son, and Creon's heir, another Lacomede,  
Ascalaphe was the third, the fourth was willing Merion,  
Aphareus, jalmen, and Deyphire, they forward passed on,  
And made the number seven up, three knights right hard to daunt,  
And wights not better●…e like to be, where men come in their haunt.  
These with their soldiers armed full, with darts and armour bright,  
Twéen wall and trench they set themselves, & tend the watch all night.  
They fires make, some eat, some walk, no one of them doth sleep,  
With eyes they look for them that come, and ears attentive keep.   

On th'other side Agamemn he to supper brings the Lords,  
They neither thirst nor hunger feel, so well he them affords. 
Agamennon sups the Greekish Princes.   
They supped, Nestor (whose council grave of each was known right well  
Unto the chieftain of the war he thus his tale did tell.   

O worthy Prince, of none but you I am here for to say, 
Nestor to Agamemn   
Sith you are pointed of these folk to bear the rule and sway:  
Sith that the Gods have given you power of all the Grecians here,  
More counsel and more stoutly mind in you there should appear  
Than any other, which should enforce itself to give good ear,  
And counsel take, and after good to execute it were.  
And chief, when you are advised a thing that profit will,  
And honest is, than who can say by you proceedeth ill?  
another thing to counsel you it moveth me again,  
Which full to follow is your best, not contrary to sane  
As erst you did, when raging wood in fury you did fret  
Against Achilles, and worse than that into your ships did fet  
To his despite out of his tent the Bryse in gift he had,  
A favourite of all the Gods, the wrong it was too bad  
To stir a parsonage so great. Wherefore we ought to study,  
If help may be, how to repair this fact outrageous moody,  
And quietly it to appease with presents gay and ri●…h,  
Or else by means of courteous speech and by entreaty much.   

Agamemnon thus answered strait: O aged sire, no less 
Agamemnon to Nestor.   
Whereof thou hast accused me the fault I do confess.  
I can vouch no excuse at all, I foully fell and failed,  
I do perceive by the outrage the Greeks have greatly quailed.  
jove loves the man, and whom God loves, in camp where men are full,  
Such one is worth a multitude of the unbridled skull,  
Who hardly will be ruled at all, but as I am the man  
Unjustly who hath only done, I'll prove all means I can  
To mend the fault, I will bestow in guerdon for the fact  
Great gallant gifts of lofty price out of my treasures pacte,  
Which I will name unto you here, esteem their price who can: 
The gifts which Agamemnon will offer Achilles.   
First seven goodly Trivets large, which never were set an  
The fire, ten talents eke right pure and fine of golden mass,  
And twenty Caudrons burnishte brave of glaring shining brass:  
Twelve Coursers with their gorgeous barbs and furniture arrayed,  
Whose swiftness hath in wager been in Greece full dearly paid.  
If so much wealth and coin he had, he should not think he needs  
As I have got and gained eke by travel of these steeds.  
Eke seven dames, whose femine race surpass for countenance rare,  
Right cunning in Embroidery: which fell unto my share,  
When Achilles conquered Lesbos I'll, and with them will I yield  
His Bryseis flower of Damsels all, as pure and undeféeld,  
As when she first was given me, I by my royal state  
And sceptre which I hold, I swear, I in no manner rate  
Have privately dealt with the maid, she never in my couch  
Did rest herself, I never near approchte her once to touch,  
As men are wont, when they alone themselves with women find:  
Lo here the wealthy gift to him by me is now assigned.  
And if that favour do the Gods this enterprise begun,  
And that this Troy it may be ta'en, and it to sack be done,  
I do agree that of the spoil, top full with brass and gold  
A mighty ship he lad, and eke town dames out twenty told  
The fairest of the Trojans all (save Helen) shall be his:  
And to my country when I come, I truly will not miss  
So dearly to esteem the man with honour unbeguilde,  
As I mine own Orestes do, my dear and loving child.  
And if he marriage list to mind, I gladly will him know  
My son in law, on him I will a daughter mine bestow:  
Take where he please, I three now have which meek & modest are, 
Agamēnon●… three daughters.   
Chriso●…eme fair, wise Laodice, and she of honest care  
Iphianas': well, take he one, for dower it shall not skill,  
I hope right well she shall not blame my fatherly good will,  
(How great the match and princely is) for dower I have prepared:  
I seven Cities will bestow with walls right round reparde,  
Well stuff with wealth and people eke, fast by the sea of Pile,  
That is to say, Enopa one, the second Cardamile,  
Pheres divine, Hira enclose with goodly fruitful trees,  
Ped●…sos, whose fat fertile earth with Uineyards well agrees,  
Egea with her gallant seat, and Anthia so commended  
For fruitful ●…eades and pasture ground which cannot be amended.  
And in these seven so good towns such civil people live,  
As like a God they will him hold, and presents to him give  
Of such their wealth they do possess, with goods and body priest  
T'obey his sceptre and his will, as he is pleased best.  
These gifts and these good turns are his, if this agreement do,  
(Would Gods O valiant Achilles) our strifes were brought unto  
A quietness: let Pluto to thy deed such favour send,  
That thou thyself no way refuse, but peace may have the end,  
Let Pluto grant me so much grace, in years and wealth as I  
Far pass Achilles, so in like case my suit he not deny.   

Then Nestor▪ héeding well his tale, his speech again doth use, 
Nestor coum sells Agamennon to offer the gifts to Achilles, & to send him Ambassadors,   
Sir Atreus son these presents told Achilles ought not refuse,  
For great they are: wherefore provide Ambassadors to go,  
Three men sufficient I can choose, if they be pleased so.  
The Phoenix good shall be the first, Schoolmaster his that was  
Of late of the ambassade chief, and Ajax he shall pass  
The second man, and eloquent Ulysses third shall be,  
Whom Heralds two shall follow fast, Odius Eurybatee,  
Two loyal wights: and fit it is for to confirm the deed,  
To wash our hands: you Heralds high, and water fetch with speed,  
And you ye Greeks, (each one apart) do jupiter require,  
That this legation come to pass, as we do all desire.  
The heralds two to Prince's hands the water out they skink,  
Who to the Gods their prayers make, & then the wine they drink.  
Therewith well filled the Legates part, whom Nestor plyeth still,  
To set themselves to purchase home good answer from Achilles,  
Ere they return Ulysses chief his speech to make the way,  
So grave that is, and he there with his courage to delay.   

Thus went the pointed Princes forth, with care to be well heard, 
Ulysses, Phoenix, & Ajax Ambassadors to Achilles   
And lowly to the Marine God their prayers they preferred,  
That of the valiant Greek the wrath so deep and deadly placed,  
To end the charge they now are in, more calmed be and razed.  
Unto the vessels strait they come, and tents of Myrmidons,  
In compass wide and gay to sight, Achilles where he runs,  
And on the Uiole Ditties sings, in Music so delights  
Of those the high and lofty Gods, and worthy mortal wights. 
The Viol or Harp of Achilles.   
This Uioles sweetness matchless was with beauty rare to see,  
Well painted over with silver head, was fine as fine might be,  
The which was by Achilles won, when Thebes he did race,  
I mean Thebes where Aetion did rule with princely ●…ace,  
Which Thebes was by hi●… destroyed, no one there was that markie  
His music there, save Patroclus, his harmony who harkte.   

These Princes when Achilles saw, who long his friends had been,  
He would not fail to raise himself, and wondering doth begin  
To bid them welcome as he scold, Patroclus also rose,  
And to receive them ●…ut & himself: to speech Achilles goes, 
Achilles speaketh courteously, receiving the Ambassadors.   
Right welcome ●…e those my good friends ●…d Lords, who with good heart,  
Do in my ships come visit me; I take in most good part  
The same, and though my wrath be great, you are no cause I say;  
I you esteem, I loved, I love, and love you will for ay.   

Thus said, with ●…eons 〈◊〉 ●…re he, doth bring them on to sit  
One after one in sumptuous seats, be hanged with vellet fit:  
The hugest cup he had, to bring Patroclus he did will  
To make them drink, and well the same with purest wine to fill,  
For these (quoth he) here visit me, are knights of valiant breed,  
And more than that, my wishers well, and very friends in deed.  
His friend's mind when Patroclus heard, he doth obey the same,  
And more a raldron he doth take, it round about with flame  
He doth beset, and in he puts of goat and mutton fat  
The umbles whole, with goodly chine of tender swine with that  
Ofone year fed, Antomedon and Achil they do cut 
The pri●…ces 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉.   
And brotch the rest, Patroclus while he to the fire doth put  
All smokelesse for to make it burn, the wood he couched fit,  
Aptly to roast, the coals he spreads, and down he lays the spit,  
Whereon the strokes of flesh were brotcht, and salt on them doth cast,  
The meat to season, and to make it meeter for the taste.  
Already thus, Patroclus' bread out of a basket laid  
He had in hand, and served the board, and sir Achilles prayed  
When he had placed the Greekish Lords, that they would fall to meat,  
And to Ulysses face to fa●…e himself he chose his seat.  
He bids Patroclus sacrifice eke to the gods their right,  
Which done, they eat, they drink, and do with leisure great delight.   

The good Phoenix chief messenger, a silent noise began  
To warn Ulysses having supped, who knew what meant the man,  
He takes the cup, and prays Achil unto him for to drink,  
O thou of Greeks the choice (quoth he) I now full meet it think 
Vlisse 〈◊〉 Achilles.   
The cause of our ambassade here (now we so well have fared)  
Be open laid before yourself, and by us plain declared.  
Though you with plenty have us fed, Agamemnon before  
Hath feasted us, but all this cheer, it cannot heal our sore,  
Nor us content, the present time some other thing requires  
Than still to feed, and on our meat to set our whole desires.  
Our care it is unto our case all careful to provide,  
And wisely to in●… some way the Trojan force t'abide,  
And keep our vessels from the fire, that we in heaps not die,  
Which no way we can shun at all, if haply you deny  
To put in ure your mighty fist, and eke yourself to deck  
With mind and force from us to hold the harm lies on our neck.  
So hard at hand our foes they be encamped by our side,  
They lie us by, they merry make, their fires burning bide.  
They vow they will not enter Troy till all the Greeks bestaine,  
And by their force defeated quite, yea in the ships. Again,  
And more their pride to set a gog, seen hath been in their camp  
A token sure of their great good, the lightning for to ramp  
On the right hand. And Hector stout now puffed up aloft,  
For victory of yesterday, and in a surety brought  
Of jove his aid, doth nothing wish, but that the dawning come,  
And then he means to burn our ships, and army all and some  
To overthrow, he is so brave, so furious, and so fell,  
He réekes no whit of God or man, with smoke he will us quell.  
This threat hath troubled'much our spirits which fear & chilling dréed,  
In doubt that fate will have it so, and gods they have agreed  
That after long abode this host must wholly have the gelpe,  
And in this Country leave our lives. Though you have spaerd their help  
Till now (and that although to late) now up your forces pull,  
Eft call your heart for to protect this host of dolour full.  
Else, when we all shall have the loss, yourself will grow right sad  
To see your friends so many quailed, and that no care you had,  
When need there'was, to save their falls, it better were t'avoyde  
This error great, now in their aid yourself you soon employed,  
And also st●…yde this utter ruin, which never can be helped,  
Friend mine, I well do call to mind what Pelcus did open  
To you, and gave for sound advice (moved by a father's care  
And tender love) when to these parts you in your voyage ware.  
And as I should and best I may, his words I well remember,  
That the performance of the same your mind it may well tender:  
Minerva the goddess, (son quoth he) and juno both at once  
Shall give thee valiant heart enough, with big and brawny bones,  
But thou with love and modest port those gifts must beautify,  
And keep thee from dissembling fault, and filthy fraud defy,  
Yield not thy mind unto revenge, and so ofyong and old  
You shall be much and high esteemed, and loved as you would.  
These were his words, thus in precept the good old man he gave,  
When you he sent, of this gay speech now little mind you have.  
Good friend (alas) do cancel clean these discords and these jars,  
Full eft in friendship with the chief and captain of these wars,  
Who seeking now for thy good will, by us doth offer thee  
(Which here I count) such goodly gifts, as rich and gorgeous be.  
First seven trivets new and round, ten talents next of gold, 
Vli●…. 〈◊〉 Ag●… to A●…   
And twenty caudrons bright of hue, twelve coursers fully told,  
Who by their swiftness conquered have right many princes rich,  
And as for gold and wealthy ware if one man had as much  
As they have purchased to their Lord, and gained by their speed,  
He might well vaunt he were not poor, nor worldly muck to need.  
And further seven ladies brave right odd in néedels' skill  
And beauty rare, which then he had, when Lesboes thou didst pill  
With thy strong hand, thy Bryseis eke thou shalt again receive,  
For whom he deeply swears, untouched he doth her person leave.  
And that she never saw his bed, nor he the maid hath known  
In pleasure, as the male and fem. All this shall be your own,  
These goodly gifts here shall you have, this gréement if you strike,  
And if to sack this mighty Troy the lofty gods it like,  
And that we share the wealthy spoils, he will that you lay on  
And lad your largest ship with plate and gold, for you alone,  
With twenty townish dames of choice, well worthy such a Lord,  
And when this war shall ended be, if so you list accord  
To haunt his home and dwell with him you love he shall as dear  
As Orestes his only son, and if in mind you wear  
To take a wife, of all his house, the choice yours freely is:  
He daughters there doth three possess, the first Chrisotenis  
With yellow locks, sage Laodice the second hath to name,  
Iphianas' the third is height, who have so great a fame  
For virtues theirs, the fairest of three at pleasure choose you may,  
And lead her to their sire his home, and nothing for her pay.  
For he himself for dower will of riches give such store,  
As never father daughter gave such portion heretofore:  
He means to put under your rule seven great and goodly towns  
Hard by the sea, which full of folk with wealthy ware abownes.  
Civil Enopa shall be one, and Cardamile so hight,  
Pheres divine, fruitful Hira, Epea great of might,  
With Anthia for pasture fat of all that bears the bell,  
And Pedases for goodly vines is spoken of so well.  
You honoured in these towns shall be, and served in every case  
Most like a God, where people will under your loyal mace  
And kingly justice willing live, lo, these the gifts they are,  
That is the mends in am of fault you shall have for your share.  
If you these offers not regard, nor him that gives the same,  
Have you no pity of your friends, nor nation here that came  
Out your own land? have you no will these silly Greeks to aid,  
And help that quite they perish not? of whom if will be said,  
As to the gods, so are they bound Achilles unto thee,  
When they shall know that by thy means they are delivered free,  
An act of praise, immortal fame for you to gain thereby.  
Th'occasion eke it brings, that you with Hector now may try,  
Who doth so gaily vaunt and boast, (he puffed is with such pride)  
No Greek in Camp to be his match that may him once abide.   

When he the prudent Greek had heard, to answer thus he start,  
Ulysses, that, I answer plain I think it is my part, 
Achilles answers Vli.   
That thou, nor any other else yourselves hereafter set  
By motions for to trouble me, more of me so to get.  
What in my mind I have set down most surely shall be done,  
Who says one thing, and in his heart another course doth run,  
As gates of Hell I do him hate, with all the might I may:  
What I concluded have to do here hearken what I say.   

Impossible the matter is, that Agamemnon king  
For ye the Greeks or princes great, he may or can me bring  
But once on head my helmet set, sith who doth most desire  
With all his force to aid you all, I see to bad his hire,  
And of a soldier no more count, whose valour high doth reign,  
Than of an hedgehog hid in tent or dastard coward swain:  
Who for his part shall more possess of great and worthy spoils,  
And higher place, than who deserves most best with all his toils.  
I speak this for myself, who have such toil and travel bid,  
And many a night in war have waked, and never have been hid  
From danger great what so it were, and all for your behouse, 
Comparison.   
With semblant care, as pretty bird doth busy fly aloof  
To seek out meat to feed her young unfeatherde who do lie,  
And nakt in nest, who have no power the champain air to try,  
And far unmeet to meat themselves: who doth not understand  
The sacks and falls of Cities great, and islands of this land  
My navale forces conquered have? twice six the chiefest thought  
Eleven in firm my sword hath spoiled, and in subjection brought:  
Of all the which the booties whole you all full well do know  
Out saved none, your chief he had, which still he did bestow  
Where best he pleased, and skilled he was the greater part to hold,  
But mine and other prince's parts were minste and well controlled.  
Yet with our sharing pleased well, and none more pleased than I,  
Nathlesse by cruel injustice, malice and tyranny  
Agamemnon hath spoiled me of that my pittance small  
Was given me, which yet I say, to me did well befall:  
The same esteeming very much only I loved it dear,  
Bryseis it was, well his be she, and with her let him cheer,  
Answer me you, what cause hath fetched so many Princes hither  
Of Greece? And Agamemnon who he called hath here together  
Such furniture of soldiers good? are they not in the field  
The ravish: Heleine to regain, & force them her to yield?  
Doth he and eke his brother ween of all that lead here lives,  
That they in earth the odd men are, which only love their wives.  
Have they a doom so blind and bad, to deem each worthy mind  
Not to esteem and honour much his love or wife assigned?  
For, as for me, I fried in love of Bryseis worthy dame,  
And her regarded as my spouse a prisoner though she came.  
But now perverting justice all, your chieftain holds the lady,  
And now I have this wrong received, and foully made a baby:  
With sugared speech and feigned words seeks he all means he may  
To swaddle up the festered wound? it will not be, nay, nay,  
With you and other of the Greeks (if so he thinketh good,)  
Let him go Counsel to foresee how now may be withstood  
This danger deep, wherein he is Lord, in what wretched plight  
He hath you brought, look you yourselves by his own lewd despite.  
What, shall his fort, his wall, his dikes, his pales, and trenches all  
Defend you so, as Hector stout shall not upon you fall?  
When I with you did use the field and fought for your avail,  
He in his roads and skirmishes durst not so forward rail,  
By Scea Trojan gate he fought, my force him kept in awe,  
Once at the béech him with intent me to abide I saw,  
But strait I made him take his heels and safe he thought him not  
Till unto Troy he was arrived, and therein safely got.  
Sith all wherein I then did joy is turned now to grief, 
Achilles threatens to go his ways.   
And that my force with Hector his I will not put in priefe,  
In morning next I hope departed if winds do happy blow,  
With sacrificeto jove performed, aboard when I do go,  
That he do favour my return, and in the lofty sea  
Thou shalt Ulysses then behold my vessels tall in way,  
The which from rock, and wrack of sea if Neptune please to guide,  
In three days space at Pthie coast my country I shall ride.  
Some balazde deep with blazing brass, and iron bright of blée  
And perfect gold, with other wealth and goods that precious be:  
Forgetting not the virgins gay, which I alone in war  
Have conquered I, for Agamemn doth hold and me debar  
From booty which fell unto me. Wherefore friend tell you must  
In public wise to all the Greeks my quarrel it is just,  
And that they heed their chief not wrong them, as he hath done me,  
For which I here protest, henceforth I will him never see.  
I think eke shameless though he be, and void of virtue sure,  
Own conscience his should him forbid my presence to endure.  
And if that forward he would press, and mind to speak me too,  
My fury master should I not but mischief more him do.  
Suffice it him he hath me wronged, and that his own unright  
Doth hell him like a man forlorn, and out his senses quite,  
And for the presents he presents, I them abhor in mind, 
Ac. refuseth the gifts.   
The gifts and giver I do hate as death in direst kind.  
Not ten times, no, not twenty times much more than he doth offer,  
If all he hath, with traffic whole he also meant to proffer  
Of these two Cities, Thebes one, and Orchemene to name,  
The Egyptian Thebes ancient town renowned, I mean the same,  
With people full so stufly filled, where passeth out and in  
Through gates an hundred of account, of diverse sorts that been  
The ware and merchandise to see, two hundred carts a day  
Out every gate go loaden out, and forth are sent away.  
And to be short, if all the sand and earthly gritte were told,  
And offered me, such mass of wealth content me surely nol●…:  
It cannot be I should content, my wrath it cannot cool,  
Till for his fault he justly smart wherein ●…e played the fool. 
Ac. refuseth the alliance of marriage.    

You also seemed now to touch another point me thought,  
That of his daughters one to spouse I should be thereto brought,  
Who he says, mild and modest be, if she (as he doth vaunt)  
More fair than golden Venus were, and that it were to grant  
Her chastity and honour past dame Pallas in degree,  
He may not hope my father in law that he may named be.  
Let him in Greece of his own macke his daughter too to wed  
Some other find. As for my part, if, as the gods have said,  
They do vouchsafe my coming home, by Peleus his aid,  
My wife she shall provided be, and I in wedlock stayed.  
In Pthie and Achaia lands is many a wealthy king,  
Who virgins in their houses have, of which to my liking  
And their contentment I may take, which course I follow will,  
In peace I count it best to live, and use my pleasure still,  
And not hereafter to my harm in weapons for to die  
In flower of mine age, the gems, the wealth, and riches hie  
In Troy that were, ere out of Greece with siege we gird it round,  
The sacred goods to Phoebus vowed, and in his church are found,  
May not suffice, if dead I were, my life for to restore,  
Sheep, Oxen, coursers great, trivets, like stuff and many more  
Once lost may eftsoon yet be had, but soul from body parted,  
Again into the body left shall never be insarted.  
My mother Thetis told me once, die, die that needs I must,  
To double fate my life is tied, thereo she bade me trust.  
If I abide her waging war, immortal fame I gain,  
But die I shall, if home I go, and do at home remain,  
Long life and happy days I have, but spoiled of honour high,  
The safer part I mean to take, and further not to try.  
I do suppose you shall do well to follow me a right,  
Sith nought you gain, and Troy to take the hope is vaded quite:  
And chiefly saeing the Gods and jove so sound in their defence,  
My friend Vlisse, and Ajax then away depart you hence,  
Go tell the Greeks my answer now, and how I will away,  
Some other course and what to do let aged heads assay,  
And so to feel since my offence what profit they do find:  
Here aged Phoenix in my tent this night shall stay behind,  
And in the morning home shall go with me, right cheek by cheek,  
I mean not maugre his good will, but if himself so leek.   

At this refusal stout and stern the kings amazed stand  
And long abashed, but Phoenix grave the matter takes in hand,  
The present danger he forsées, which all the camp is in,  
With trickling tear of earning mind this speech he doth begin: 
Phoenix to Achilles.   
Though you refuse oh noble prince the safety of this host,  
And that your wrath is so confirmed you needs will leave this cost,  
Good Lord (dear son) how can you leave your governor and guide,  
Myself who was appointed so when hither first you hide,  
With you my Peleus placed I was, when forth he let you go,  
T'instruct your youth, that you a prince of youth were governed so,  
As what was ●…ttst, you should perform, yea both in word and deed,  
To make you a soldier for the field and orator at need  
A perfect one. The pliant youth and years that tender are  
Can hardly reach unto those parts without a tutor's care.  
Likewise such gifts placed in a prince do much adorn the man,  
Then I, who charge have had of you, suppose you that I can  
(O son) thus leave you? no, no, though (whose counsels ay are true)  
The high and mighty gods should say they would again renew  
To youth my worn corpse by years, and put it in such plight,  
When from my sire Amintor's wrath perforce I took my flight, 
Amyntor father of Phoenix. Phoenix ob jernes the custom of old men, who willingly speak of matters pass said in their youths.   
And him forsook, and all the wealth which is in Hellade his,  
Where then he reigned, for love of one his anger grown is.  
A damosel thewde and he woe as well, his wife he loved not so,  
Whereat my mother spited much and eke did jealous grow:  
Who well her husbands love perceiude, she daily still ●…e prayed  
With hands held up importunate, to practise with the maid  
So far, that with her I might l●…ge, that 〈◊〉 the matter spied,  
My father would no more her keep, it cannot be denied  
I did the thing, my mother's will, whereat Amyntor wonders,  
And fully fed with furious rage, his bitter curses thunders  
Upon my head, invoking loud the damned furies fell,  
With hateful words bequeathing me the hateful harms of hell,  
Among the which he prayed I might no father be of heir,  
Or at the lest no children have, in bosom he to bear,  
Or which of nursing he should reek: I sound did be léene,  
That Pluto granted to his plaint, whereat I did so grieve,  
When I his malediction knew, that I then leave him would,  
And not remain within his house, happen what happen should.  
My mates, my friends, my neighbours all, the dearest of my kin,  
My near Allies when this they saw, they seek again to win  
Most carefully my home abode, which sooner to obtain,  
To lofty Gods their vows they make, to them right down are slain  
Sheep, béeves, and porkets great of grease, whereof they roast-meat make,  
And feed thereof, of pleasant wine their tipple in they take,  
Which in his house the old man had, and eke thrice three long nights  
The doors made fast, they keep the watch, they stand with waked spirits  
In order in the palace court, and gates there out that goes:  
But all their fires so highly light, their watch and ward they lose.  
For still the tenth night out I go, no watch nor maids me heard,  
No groom perceives my stealing forth, nor took thereof regard.  
Abroad I tread my country Bees, that large and fruitful be,  
Whereyour good father found me out, and then received me.  
And more, to show his great good will which unto me he bore,  
He gave me rule of Dolopie, and goods that wealthy ware,  
Great store he trusted in my hands, with so much favour good,  
Honour, and grace, as I had been an infant of his blood,  
Even than Achilles were you borne, wherefore I was desired  
By Pelëus, the care to take your infancy required,  
And it to govern, which I did: your force which passeth all,  
Your corpse most like the heavenly powers, of bones and body fall,  
With me hath had the bringing up, and grown to such an one.  
Because I loved you, so I did? No, not for that alone,  
But you so dearly did me ●…e, that nothing was to name,  
Which you would do at all, if I allowed not the same.  
From me if you were craved to sup, thereto you had no list,  
They lost their pains, you would noteate but what came out my fist.  
To still and please you when they would, they set you an my knee,  
If nothing I would have you eat, I must your taster be.  
And oft when you have sipte the wine, I have laid it on my breast,  
As doth the pretty babe, who in his nurse's arms doth rest.  
I all these pains most willing bid yourself when as I served,  
I thought that I deprived of child, I was a sire reserved,  
For bringing up at least of you, (and I right oldely yard)  
A most sure stay I should have been, when feebleness appeared.  
This short discourse (mine own dear son) is only you to pray  
Your mind totemper, and to put this wreakful wrath away.  
Thimmortal ghosts, who nature have more noble much than man,  
By men entreated to forgive, they do both will, and can,  
And grant requests of mortal wights: no fault so great to wit,  
Which at the prayer of faulty folks the Gods do not remit.  
What, know good son that prayers are the taughters true of jove,  
Who for to seek sir Injury out, abroad about do rove,  
They follow him, a stronger much and harder mate than they,  
For Prayer is both halt and lame, and slowly riddeth way:  
But Wrong a mighty monster is, in toil he holdeth tack  
He treads apace, and far behind leaves Prayer at his back:  
But feeble Prayer following him, with pace by pace doth pass,  
And if she come where as he is, and good accepting has  
Of person she is brought unto, she jove entreateth full  
In his behalf, and to his wish she doth him also pull.  
If aukwardle the party do of this wrong more account,  
Ashamed eke she being denied, to Gods aloft doth mount,  
And tells to them the whole at large, and prays that Injury  
May in his house a dweller be that did her so deny.   

Truly my son, your honour bids you to accept these Dames,  
These presents muster much thereto, whose price the value frames.  
If wilful so our chieftain were, and madness such him hent,  
He would by gifts not seek your grace, nor yet himself relent.  
I ourst not for the Greeks at all you council or advise  
How great so ere the business were: but when before mine eyes  
His large and liberal offer stands, and suit in such a rate  
For your good will, I think it good your fury did abate,  
And that you nothing did refuse: how should you moved be  
By prowess here of these two kings, who in nobility  
Pass all of Greece, and now are come, and you the message bear?  
If nought to move you here unto but the demaunders were,  
Their dignity it asketh much, for which much should be done  
Their good opinion to preserve, lest that hereafter run  
Of you bad speech, in terming you a proud disdainful one.  
The Heroes old of antic age, in time far passed and gone,  
If haply jar with some they had, with time they were appeased,  
And bid content: yea many times the foe he was released,  
And pardonde oft by gift and suit. Now to this purpose fit,  
I mind a story old and true, which (if you so permit) 
The quared between the Curetois and etolians.   
I will you tell, and you my friends. The Curetois they bended,  
And fought with them of Etolie, who Calydon defended:  
A sorer war was never heard, they fought so stoutly well,  
That many of th'invaders died: but more invaded fell.  
The better that you know the cause of this the people slain,  
A little higher I must begin. In Calydon did reign  
Onëus then a noble Prince, who of his fruits did give  
Each year the first in sacrifice to such immortal live. 
Oeneus king of Calydon.   
And hap it did (it purposely, or he remembering not)  
Diana chaste was set at nought, her offering was forgot.  
Whereat her indignation grew, and so to punish him,  
A wild Bear to his fields she sent a gastful and a grim,  
Which many mischiefs did him do, his people down he flew,  
His ground for frui●…s he foully spoiled, and down his trees he threw: 
The wild Boar of Calydon.   
Gay appletrées, and many full with fruit and flower packte,  
With whetted shearing pointed tusk, they torn lie and crack,  
The corn and crooked Uines he mars. Meleager the son  
Of this good king, when as he saw his country thus to run  
To havoc, and his people to, to call the hunters round  
To him he doth determine strait, with many a hunting hound  
The dreadful beast to chase and kill, great troops together stork,  
Their forces proving with this beast, do reach him many a knock.  
But in the end, the wicked swine down dead doth lie along,  
His royal hand him felling down, two nations great and strong  
Do for the spoils now grow to strife: the Curets clai●…e it theirs,  
As both of duty and desert. Of Etolie the heirs  
The same do challenge to themselves: hereof doth grow the stur,  
For this the cruel bitter war, proceeded is so fur.   

Thus Calydon besieged tho by crews of Curete land,  
A certain time it is reléeude by Meleager's hand,  
And the besiegers durst not stir: for all their number great,  
They dread his deadly sword, wherewith he did them hardly treat.  
But haply rage and fury (which do sharp the meekest mind,  
And natures good of constant wights) in him their places find,  
They which did strait so swap him out, that he determines plain  
To lay his armour down aside, and not to fight again.  
This warm and bitter wrath it grew of strife, that so befell  
With Althaea his dame, because he did his brother quell:  
She grieved, she howled, she kissed the earth, she prayed in Pluto's lap  
To plague the fault, that he her son may reap like deadly hap.   

When as Meleager this herd, in dumps he falls to spite,  
He led at home an hermits life, he would no more to fight:  
His loving wife Cleopatra, of beauty wondrous rare  
Accompanied him, she daughter was of Marpyse Nymph so fair,  
Beloved, and won by Phoebus' god, 'gainst whom Idee her make  
(In sorrow sowste and jealousy) did dare the combat take,  
With how in hand to cause him yield his spoil, but all in vain  
His force it would not fadge, whereby his wife he might regain.  
His kindred and the mother chief did many a tear let fall  
Their woe to witness: new they name and do Altion call  
The ravishte fem. But for to come unto my purpose first, 
Altion.   
Meleager he resting still, the enemies they thrust  
When it they knew unto the salt, the Towers of Calydon  
They batter, and at gates they thump, they put their forces on  
To enter by all means they may, then of the wretched town  
The chiefest Lords (in danger great to be all beaten down)  
Do throng and pray Meleager's help, but nothing could they do,  
The Clergy come, and unto him pray for their Masters too.  
And offer at his choice great part of all their goodly lands,  
His sire Oneus hopes to speed, and at his door he stands,  
He him entreats upon his knees to let his anger pass,  
And save the City all forlorn, his suit not heard, alas.  
With held up hands his mother doth the like, his brethren eke,  
And all his friends, yet list he not their wretched woe to wreak.  
This while the foes passed up the walls, & forest the town by fight,  
And cruelty none wanting was, that haps in such a sight.  
His wife the grunting hearing then, and cries of those did yell,  
The piteous fright, the flames, the folk and Citizens that fell:  
To him she hastes with hair abroad, and tears she letteth fall.  
Dear spouse (quoth she) this remnant save (God knows) which is but small,  
Both young & old they die the death, or weapons down they lay,  
If women any do survive, they slaves are led away.  
Meleager this having heard, his armour on he packed,  
And full of fury forth he goes, the enemies he hacked,  
Their crowns he pares, and city saves, and yet was all his aid  
No whit to them so worthy thanks, because so long he stayed,  
And for unto the succour he of the etolians yed  
Not at their suit, but as the toy did take him in the head.   

Oh God thee shield Achilles now to think us so to use, 
Epil●….   
And for to leave us in this brake, such meaning do refuse.  
To you what corsée would it be to see the enemies put  
Our navy to the wasting flame, and us in pieces cut?  
Then were your mighty strength to weak our cases to relieve,  
A better way it were (my son) your forces for to prieve  
To aid this wretched army here, somewhat doth urge the gifts,  
And also that so high renown, which men so hicly lifts.  
But if you do foreslow the time to help in our defence,  
Your succour slow shall honour want, eke meed and recompense.   

The ruler Phoenix here did end: Achilles doth thus reply, 
Achi●… aunswer●… to Phoenix   
This honour now whereof you talk and bribes I need not I,  
The praise and glory me contents from God the which ariseth,  
Who is revenger of my wrong, his favour me sufficeth.  
Wherefore I yield me to his will, and will in all degrees,  
As long as this my body here shall go upon my knees,  
As long as life in limbs shall last the world whole shall know,  
To aid the Greeks I will no foot out of my vessel go.  
And as for you (good Phoenix mine) hear what I say and mark,  
Me think there is no reason you with all this stir and cark  
So earnestly should me entreat being your friend at full,  
To please the mortalst foe I have, and it to seek you will.  
More reason much it were for you, yourself a friend to show,  
To such I favour, and therein your travail to bestow:  
And chiefly, sith we equals are, and do in friendship sound  
Possess as partners all our goods, wherein we so abound.  
These princes two they shall return to Greeks my answer right,  
But you shall lodge with me, your host I will be for this night.  
The morning come, we will consult in journey home to glide,  
Or will perhaps persuade ourselves here longer to abide.   

Therewith Patroclus gave a nod that they a bed do dight,  
A trim and sweet, wherein should rest the noble aged wight.  
The worthy Ajax Telamonius this herd, right well he knew 
Ajax to Ulysses.   
They lost but time, it bootless was them further for to sew.  
Unto Ulysses, friend (quoth he) enough is done, away,  
I see this matter will not do, the kings who for us stay,  
Let us go tell our message here, lest other they pretend:  
This man is mad, he shameless is, his senses he doth bend  
To pride, and recks no whit of friends, full set upon his folly,  
There have been many worthy men of mind and manners folly,  
Who borne have most heinous facts by filthy foemeus deed,  
Who children theirs and brethren near have deadly done to bleed, 
Ajax directs his speech to Achilles.   
Yet by entreaty have forgiven, what so th'offence hath been.  
Or else they have accepted mends, and willingly have seen  
In time the men who murderers were. Achilles, th'immortal Gods  
'Tween you and those of courteous mould have set a mighty odds.  
Who having suffered no great wrong, great loss, or death of kin,  
But only one poor simple fem, and yet you lodge within  
Your heart such rage, the gifts are sent seven times more worth in price  
The person self, such presents brings you for to please likewise,  
As many men would much request, Achilles, do advise  
Yourself on this, I you beseech, and us not so despise.  
Of neighbourhood maintain the right, which to us all you own,  
Think on the state of us are sent, your good friends aye you know.   

Achilles thus an answer shapes: divine Ajax (quoth he) 
Achilles to Ajax.   
I do allow all that you say, and it of amity  
Proceeds I know, but when I mind my wrong had in this war,  
The choler grafted in my heart I can no way debar,  
And chief, when some me account as of a base exile,  
Disdaining me, who of the whole is worthiest many a mile.  
Friends without more ado proceed, go tell them all therefore,  
I minded am not for the Greeks to travail any more.  
At least, till by sir Hector's force, and Trojan soldiers I  
In tents and ships of Myrmidons behold the fire to fly,  
And Greeks slain round about my tent, yet Hector doth not dare  
I think for fear so near to come, his bane lest thence he bore.  
This said, each of the noble sort do take a goblet round,  
And heave it sipping to their heads, the wine they weakly sound.  
On earth the rest they throw, to Gods, to whom they them commend,  
ulysse the wisest takes his leave, and forth doth foremost wend?  
A goodly bed they then prepare, a mattress, linen soft, 
Phoenix's lodg●… 〈◊〉 Achilles Tent.   
Behong with curtines round about, a coverlet fine aloft.  
Of woollen weave, where Phoenix doth alone right sound sleep,  
Strait after doth the valiant Greek to stately cabin creep  
To take his rest: King Phorbas breed did come with him to be 
Diomedes Achilles sweet heart. Ipius the sweet heart of Patroclus.   
In bed, (the King of Lesbos isle) the fair Diomedes  
His mate, also to sport himself lies down between his sheeets,  
With Iphis gay the same to sleep, Patroclus with her meets,  
The which Achilles did him give when Scyros' city strong,  
Was by his force put to the spoil, down razed, and laid along.   

The Princes soon to camp are come of Greeks from whence they went,  
The council they together find still in the royal tent:  
At their arrival, each presents in many a gorgeous cup  
The wines to drink, they welcomed are, and then they rising up,  
Do offer place for them to sit, they long the whole to hear,  
And of the substance of the cause they wish they privy were.  
The chief than spoke Ulysses thus: you glory of Gréece that are,  
Ulysses O thou noble he, a Gods name us declare 
Agamennon to Ulysses.   
Whether Achilles our gifts will have, what hope or comfort tell ye  
Of our relief? doth he relent, or be in rage still will he? 
Ulysses' answers to Agamemnon.   
Sith truth you will (quoth Ulysses) his fury nothing dies,  
But daily grows to more and more, your presents he defies,  
For your alliance he cares not, and last of all the rest  
He bade us bid you fly this worst, if so you thought it best,  
And that the dawning next he would departed this country fro,  
With like persuasion unto us that likewise we do so,  
Sith of this war no end will be, now brought to wretched plight,  
And that the Gods to Phrygians aid, to us have death behight.  
The Ajax high and Heralds eke can witness well his mind,  
If so they list, they heard the talk, Phoenix is staid behind  
By Achilles, he lodgeth there, and home with him he may,  
Not by constraint, but if he please, so doth Achilles say.  
The princes all of Greekish land, the whole assembly quailed,  
They stood abashed when this they heard, long while their speech it failed,  
Not holding up their heads they sat, till Diomedes the Greek  
Of them so worthy of account the solemn silence bréeke.  
You missed the mark Agamemnon, when legates you sent out 
Diomedes to Agamemnon.   
To offer gifts, and him entreat, he is too proud and stout,  
And you have set him more a gog with message sent to him,  
He thinks himself a jolly man, a goodly and a trim.  
Forget him sirs, let him go home, or as it please him tarry,  
And when the Gods have healed his rage, which raging him doth carry,  
He war will when he sees his time, end we this cause in talk,  
And to our meat and wont rest a good luck let us walk,  
In morning we in armour all will stand before our sails,  
Our horsemen and our chariots all, our footmen in their rails.  
Your valour there Agamemnon force you yourself to show,  
In former rank let men you see Troyans to overthrow,  
This speech and council well allowed the princes every one,  
And to his Tent or ship to leap they all departed gone.   
Finis noni Libri.   

¶ The tenth Book.  

THe Greekish kings did draw aboard, and down to rest they lie, 
Agamennon full of care passeth the night with out sleep.   
But Agamemn for careful grief no sleep came in his eye.  
As oft is seen the storms of hail great showers and thunder blows, 
Comparison.   
The boisterous blasts, the lightning flames, when jove his flashes throws,  
Or when great banks of snow he sends in country low that lies:  
So out the Greekish Chieftains breast the groves and sighings flies.  
His heart doth quake, his doleful spirit doth stand in heavy plight,  
And chief, when on Trojans camp hard by he casts his sight: 
Hawbo●… & mu●…ick in the Trojans camp.   
Where he beholds huge fires to flame, great cries, unwonted noise,  
And round the quarters to resound, with flutes and hie Hawboixe.  
Again, when he doth turn his eye unto his beaten bands,  
A sleep, fordone, at point to fall into their enemy's hands,  
For grief from head his hair he pulls, and arms he heaves aloft, 
Agamemno●… for sorov●… tears 〈◊〉 hair.   
Entreating jove to pity some his Godhead may be brought.   

In this so sore conflict of mind what meetest is to take,  
He thinks it best to go in haste the Nestor old to wake,  
His counsellor grave with him t'advise, and council good to seek,  
To thwart this danger from his folk, which happen them is leek.   

He up his wont robes doth take, his shoes on feet he tied, 
Agamem●… none apparel rising in the night.   
And from his shoulders down doth hang a mighty Lions hide,  
A large and beautiful to see, on ground it trails be hind,  
A dart he took, and to his side his faulchon he doth bind.   

The while this king doth bear himself less careful not a whit,  
Was Menelau, for fear and grief his eyes he could not shit, 
Menela●… cannot sleep.   
Calling to mind the peril great of such a mass of men,  
In his revenge who paste the sea to war with the Troyen,  
A nation stout and fierce in fight, in hope to gain renown,  
His goodly Curets on he puts and Helmet on his crown,  
His back a Lyberds skin doth hap, and lance in hand he haes, 
The Poet gives Menelaus a Leopards skin, and Agamennon a Lions. Menelaus to Agamennon.   
He strait doth go right to the ships Agamemnon to raase,  
He found him newly full attride, he joys at Menelawes,  
Who to him doth advance himself, and thus his tale he draws:   

You brother mine and eldest borne, what mean you thus to thrust  
Yourself in arms? the Trojan camp this night abroad you must  
Send out a spy to view it well, to get such one I doubt  
To serve the turn, the charge belongs to one right bold and steut.  
Him answered Agamemnon thus: both you and I good brother 
Agemennon to Menelaus.   
Do greatly need good sound advise our people for to further,  
And eke our navy for to save from Trojan sword and fires,  
And most sith jove doth friend our foes, and leaves us in the briars.  
I never saw, ne yet have heard one man such parts to play  
Of valiancy, as Hector hath upon the Greeks this day.  
He comes not of the Gods their line, yet fly we from his rage,  
I leave the Greeks will near forget this fright in after age.  
I think it best you strait do go unto the Greekish navy  
To Ajax and the king of Crete, and tell them that now crave I  
They will with speed to council come, and I on th'other side  
Procure will Nestor to the watch, for our state to provide.  
His son is captain of the same joined with Meryon, 
Menclaus to Agamemnon non.   
They both will do what Nestor shall command for to be done.  
Your mind performed quoth Menelau shall I return again,  
Or will you that till they do come, I do with them remain?   

Do you with them abide quoth he, lest they do miss the way, 
Agamemnon teacheth Menelaus to speak courteously to the princes.   
The camp it is so full of crooks they likely are to stray.  
I further thus do counsel you, when you the princes call,  
Do gently use your words and soft, and name their names withal,  
Their state recite and eke their race, and do not stuntly talk,  
Still with a low and courteous grace let there the speeches walk.  
We both must yield ourselves thereto, and arm us to abide  
Things much unmeet, sith jove that God of us doth so decide.   

When Agamemnon well had schooled his brother, soft he hies,  
And quickly comes into the Tent whereas king Nestor lies, 
Nestor's armour.   
Unto the good old man he comes, in bed he found him laid,  
His harness bright, his helmet brave, his shield that weighty weighed,  
Two darts withal lay hard him by, and eke his gorgeous belt,  
Wherewith he girds, when Greeks he leads, as on that age not felt.   

Nestor hearing Agamemnon with stealing step to stalk 
Nestor to Agamemnon.   
So nigh his bed, lifts up himself, and thus begins his talk  
Leaning upon his elbow moved: a gods name what art thou  
That in the night thus roams in camp? to our ships who brings you?  
Who sends you forth while others sleep? some mulet do you miss?  
Or fellows lost do you inquire? what ho, say what it is,  
Tell me what chance you hither sends at time so out of season,  
If nought you lack, say on your case out speech, else stay with reason.   

O worthy king, O noble fame, of Greeks the glory odd, 
Agamennon to Nestor.   
I am unhappy Agamemn in grief and sorrow sodde,  
Agamemnon, whom cruel jove orechargeth so with shame,  
And vile reproach, that nought I hope but mischief to my name.  
I to you come, for that I cannot rest in this estate,  
The tender care of Greeks I have makes me my bed to hate:  
Such dread & shame take hold of me, my heart doth trembling quake,  
My soul despair doth whole assault, my feeble legs do shake:  
For grief my weary mind sustains, this is the chiefest cause,  
And eke you rest no more thou I: wherefore now let us pause,  
I you beseech this folk to shield, let us some way devise  
From wasting hand of Trojan foes, and therefore (friend) arise,  
And if you please we will repair whereas the watch they keep,  
And view if soldiers overhaeld with toil do weary sleep.  
Alas our enemies be at hand, and little do we ken  
Whether this night they will us charge, what safety have we then?   

King Nestor thus to him replies, think you that jove he will 
Nestor to Agamennon   
So Hector friend, what Hector list that jove will it fulfil?  
No, no I think that he himself is déerd and gallde at full,  
He doubts Achilles will leave his pots, and join with you he will.  
But up I will and follow you, eke you to be about  
Call up the cunning Ulysses, and Diomedes the stout,  
The courteous Meges, and Ajax the second Oilee called,  
In whom the prowess of Grecian land so deep and high is stalled.  
O would to God some one did bid the Ajax great to stir,  
And Idomene, whose side large tents from us are distant fur.  
Why is not Menelaus here? hath he so little care,  
He who should wait continually, and watching to repair  
With humble suit unto the best, his eyes what can he close,  
And of this war leave you the toil, which to such danger grows?  
For the good will I bear the man I bitterly must brawl,  
And with him chide, though him you love, yea fall what will befall.   

Thus answered him Agamemnon, you worthy aged sire,  
His slackness you to reprehend, you know is my desire. 
Agamennon to Nestor.   
No sloth or ignorance him holds, him his assurance stays,  
Sometimes which in my Acts he hath; the charge on me he lays.  
In this he doth deserve no blame, but rather worthy praise,  
To be employed, well armed at full he first came me to raise,  
To Ajax and our other friends I sent him out erst while,  
Let's go, they surely tarry us, hard by the watch Bastile.  
He hath them said they should not fail but to attend us there:  
If brother yours quoth Nestor though so kindly do him bear, 
Nestor to Agamennon   
And careful be as you do tell, and if he bid and pray  
With modesty, the Grecians all him serve will and obey,  
As much as you, who is their chief, herewith his bed he leaves  
Full soft, and on his royal weed and richly robes he heaves. 
Nestor's apparel and armour.   
Fine shoes of picked leather out his foot he tieth under,  
A scarlet mantel on he throws, for cost to see, a wonder,  
Of Lemster wool the best it was, the workmanship was much,  
A golden buckle made it fast, he in apparel such  
In right hand takes his stubborn lance, to the pavilion  
Of Ulysses forthwith he comes, him loud he calleth on,  
And bids him rise, hearing the voice of the good aged man,  
He starteth out his sleep, and up to them he thus began: 
Ulysses' to Agemennon & Nestor.   
Alone why go you up and down in time so dark and still?  
What lack or danger are you in? what is it that you will?  
Laertes heir so wise (quoth he) of us no marvel think, 
Nestor to Ulysses.   
For very plain necessity hath brought us to her brink:  
Come, let us raise some other prince, and what is to be done,  
Let us consult, as how to sight, or else away to run.   

When Ulysses had Nestor heard, on shoulder strait he throws,  
And hangs his target at his back, and after them he goes:  
There right against the tent they find of Diomedes the Greek, 
Diomedes sleeps on a Bulls hide   
That mighty man, out which he stepped, his armour not to seek,  
For on it was, a mighty hide of beef him underlay,  
For pillow to his head he had a Carpet new and gay.  
His mates, his bands, his men of war, they sleep him round about,  
Their armour hangs them by, and as the lightning breaking out  
Doth shine far off, so do the same their darts and bucklers by.   

The Nestor old with noise enough doth draw the Grecian nigh, 
Nestor to Diomedes.   
His heel he touched, and therewithal fault finding thus says he:  
What, dost thou sleep O Diomedes descended of Tydee?  
asleep are you, knowing our foes at hand to keep such charm,  
And loud to chant it in the plains, wherein so thick they swarm?  
So wakde, thus answered Diomedes: Nestor, I greatly muse  
How that your years can bide and bear such travail as you use. 
Diomedes to Nestor.   
Why yield you still yourself to toil? have you no youthful lads  
To send about to call the kings, but Nestor still he god's?  
Yes sure I am, but your quick spirit is never dull nor idle, 
Nestor to Diomedes vaunting of his children & subjects.   
Sound friend (quoth Nestor) what you say, as true is as the Bible.  
I doughty children have, with men and subjects not a few,  
Who zealous for my quiet rest themselves will try and tewe,  
And do what I shall wish them do: but for this urgent brack  
Wherein I see us and our folk, my help I can not slack,  
Well knowing, that if presently we make not head with heed,  
But slack the time, we cannot hold, but down we all must bleed.  
My years if that you pity so, on fellowship call ye  
Ajax Oilee, with Meges eke, who son is of Philee,  
Strait Diomedes him clad with skin of boisteous Lion wear,  
And forth he goes, forgetting not his staff and lofty spear,  
To the two Greeks he hied him fast, and soon he found them out,  
And them entreats to come to him who ruleth all the rout.  
The Princes strait and all the kings here named, meet at watch,  
They find the watchmen all awake, and none with slumber latch,  
By course they lively stand and hark, like soldiers fierce they far,  
As mastiffs, who for mighty flocks keepers appointed are, 
Comparison of mastiffs keeping a flock of sheep.   
Do careful heed, the Lions leap down whirling from the rock,  
From wood, or field, for to assault the sheep within the flock,  
The shepherds placed in quarters round about their seemly fold,  
Deep scathe in night lest they receive, high noise 'tween them is trolled,  
And slumber none from their regard one whit can make them stoop,  
So careful more, if more may be, was all the Greekish troop.  
For sleep was banishte from their eyes, desire of watch augmented:  
To whom did Nestor joyfully, (when as he saw thus tented  
Their charge in hand) perform this speech: watch, watch my children dear, 
Nestor to the watch men and scouts.   
Sleep not lest that our hateful foes should now surprise us here,  
And wreak on us their spiteful teen, us taking at unwares,  
For want of looking to the watch, full great then were our cares.  
The Kings with him, he passed the trench, when he these words had said,  
And cometh strait unto the place, which full of morts was laid,  
Where Hector had the day before so highly done in fight,  
And bloody victory had prolongde unto the dreadful night.  
There down the gallant Princes sit low placed on the ground,  
To talk they fall, and Meryon, (whose match may not be found  
For valiantness) to council him, and Thrasymede they call  
That doughty knight, next to the kings commended most of all.   

Nestor the flower of Knighthood then thus all did speak then there, 
Nestor to the Greekish Princes.   
Beloved friends of you who doth in mind the valour bear,  
Whose heart and wisdom will him serve the Trojan camp to view,  
And seek the mean to bring us word, that we may trust as true,  
Whether they mean t'assaulte our ships, or fortify the plain,  
And home to go after they have such Greekish number slain?  
Some captive of the tail perhaps the matter may him tell,  
Or hearkening where they lie at rest, he may it hear full well.  
And if to us he safe return, and do their purpose bring,  
He well may say he hath deserved, that we his fame do ring.  
Beside in guerdon he shall have rich gifts, and not a few,  
Each patron of a ship shall give a big black fatted Ewe  
Yea with the Lamb, a gift in truth in price for to be had,  
In banquets welcome shall he be, and all men of him glad.   

He done, good space the hearers stayed, no answer they replied,  
Diomedes loud before the kings thus to his tale he hied: 
Diomedes to Nestor.   
My burning heart doth bid me go, and forth it pricks me on  
In this hazard to serve a spy, and doughty champion,  
And go I will, so I may have with me a dreadless mate,  
For in a case of so great weight the wit of one man's pate,  
Is not so good as that of two, when one doth council take  
He forward feareth danger none, him bolder doth it make.  
But man alone, though stout and strong, yea resolute and wise,  
At point sometime doth shrink, to him doth fear and terror rise.  
This offer great heard of the kings so nobly by the Greek,  
The Ajax twain will follow him, they all will do the léek:  
To live and die in all assays with him will Merion,  
The gallant Thrasimede so craves, Menelau will be one.  
The wise Ulysses he doth swear he will the hazard prove,  
Who far for wily ingeny was all the Greeks above.  
When Agamemnon from this cause did see they did not start, 
Agememnon to Diomed.   
O friend quoth he as dear to me as is yea life or heart,  
Sith now you see to follow you are ready all and some,  
Choose one yourself, who nearst will stand, when you in danger come,  
Let neither shame nor bashfulness cause you right judgement miss,  
Choose not for lineage great, but who most sage and hardy is.  
No greater harm could be, than worst to have, and best to lose,  
So said Agamemnon for fear he Menelau would choose,  
Because his parentage was great, which eke his wealth did fit.  
Sith (quoth he doughty Greek) to me the choice you do remit, 
Diomedes nameth Ulysses to go with him.   
Should I forget Ulysses here, whose wisdom is so famed,  
Whose mind in dangers none so great could ever yet be tamed,  
Of whom (yea) all the lofty Gods preserve a care and heed,  
And chief to direct his facts Minerva is agreed?  
I think I with this noble mind the fiercest flames to fly,  
I know the prudence is so great which in the man doth lie.   

Chant not I pray you (quoth ulysse) my facts, ne yet me blame 
Ulysses' to Diomedes.   
Before these Kings, my want and skill they know full well the same.  
Let's go, the night it runs away, the stars are far agate:  
The dawning strait will bring the day, it groweth very late. 
Diomedes and Vly●… be a●…med by the kings.    

With this the two renowned Greeks were armed by the Kings,  
His sword unwéeldy Thrasimede to the stout Greek he brings,  
Two edged with point of perfect tramp, for he to hast the more  
His shield and faulchon in his tent he left behind therefore,  
And without crest or plume at all his morian on doth pull,  
Of bullish hide, a young man's wear, men do it call a skull.   

Meryon to Ulysses gives his quiver and his bow, 
Description of Ulysses' salad.   
A massy sword, and for his head doth trick attire bestow,  
Within of leather fitly framed, and it offensive tan,  
So set with wild swine's teeth without, as cut it nothing can,  
How keen so ere the weapon be, and notwithstanding that  
So stiff it were, yet might one put within it well his hat.   

Antilochus full long ago it found, as he begun  
To ransack quite Ormenus house who was Amyntors' son,  
In Eleon where then it stood, the shape so proper was,  
That long who held it noted stood, he hight Amphidamas,  
To warlike Molus he it gave, who left it to his heir,  
He ay it bare, to the trim Greek, and lent it now to wear.   

Thus armed as I have said, right soon they from the others went,  
And to them in their way, Minerva a mighty Heron sent, 
Good sign by the He ro●…s cry.   
Who chanted loud his cries aloft, they well might hear the voice,  
But nothing see, because of might, yet greatly they rejoice  
At the good hap: Ulysses, who the Augur well bewrays,  
Full pleased is, to the Goddess devoutly thus he prays.   

Hear me dame Pallas breed of jove, who vouchsaves me to aid,  
In dangers all, in toils my guide, by whom I still am stayed, 
Ulysses' prayer to Pallas.   
Grant I return with victory, and that I glory gain,  
That we two do achieve some deed unto the Troyans' pain.   

Eke Diomedes thus softly prays, devoutly as he may,  
Bow down thine ear thou Goddess mild, thou dame Tritonia, 
Diomedes prayer to Pallas.   
Thou daughter dear beloved of jove, be thou my lucky guide,  
As to my sire Tydee thou wert, when he in message hide  
Ambassador the Thebans to, the Greeks and them t'agrée,  
At his return he showed himself right well by means of thee.  
O prudent Goddess grant to me such force and hardy heart,  
As he then had, and so me guide, as out this cause I part,  
My honour saved: In sacrifice I do thee here behight 
Diomedes vow.   
Thy Altar on an Heiffer fair, on whom yoke never light,  
I will command the horns likewise shall be all over guilt,  
And with good heart presented thee, if hear me now thou wilt.  
Thus prayed both the noble Greeks, the goddess bowed them to, 
Comparis●…   
And granted fully to them both what they wished there to do.  
Forth than they march two Lions like the bleeding corpse they tread  
So grievous was the Grecians loss, o'er all the plain they spread.  
His people Hector lets not sleep, the wise and gravest sort  
He summons to his tent, to whom he doth his mind report. 
Hect. to the Troy●…   
Who here (quoth) will promise me my hest for to fulfil,  
He shall be sure of honour due, reward him well I will,  
He shall receive of me I say, to recompense his pain  
A chariot guided with two steeds the best of Greekish train,  
I ask no more but that he go unto the enemies navy  
Whether they mean to tarry us that thereof knowledge have I, less,  
If in their ships their wont watch they keep, or (as I guess)  
Thus cowed, they think to run their ways, when we heed nothing  
This was his speech, but none that heard did answer to the same,   

A Trojan in this counsel was that Dolon had to name,  
The only son of Herald good that Eumades was cleapt,  
To whom great mass of wealthy store was in his treasure heaped, 
Dolon 〈◊〉, happen, but very ●…ignce of foot.   
This Dolon was of ugly shape, but fit to do his deed,  
Beloved of sire, the last of sire that left was of the breed.  
He héeding much the promise great that doughty Hector told, 
The Troy. Dol. offer●…, himself to espy the Greeks.   
Strait standeth up and thus gins: Hector stout courage bold  
Doth force my mind to take in hand this voyage, and to bring  
Word, whether that the Greeks will stand, or forth to flight will fling.  
As chieftain just swear by your mace you bear by princely laws,  
To give me brave Achilles' char, and coursers it that draws.  
Dread not your noble enterprise, by me it shall not quail,  
I strait will to the Greekish barks, and there I will not fail  
To enter in, yea of the highest, their secrets there to leare.   

Quoth Hector then with sceptre up aloft into the air, 
He sweareth to Do●… by jupiter.   
Sith go thou wilt where I have said, by thundering jove I vow,  
None mount shall on those goodly steeds but only Dolon thou,  
Full justly thou them conquer shalt, do them possess therefore  
A guerdon just for thy desert: thus noble Hector swore  
This Trojan to, but he perjured, he bade him forth to gang.  
An old wolves skin doth Dolon take, it down his back doth hang.  
His bow hung on his shoulder bend, his mantle was aloft,  
A Salad new upon his head, of hide of geate not soft:  
For made it was yea for the proof, a dart, it brave and bright,  
In hand he takes, and deems himself right soldier like to fight.  
Thus being armed, not to return in hast he forward hies,  
To much beguiled, if hope he have ever to set his eyes  
On Hector, much less on his sire, such way he rides amain  
That soon he entered was full far into the champion plain.  
Vlisse then minding nothing else, but what he had to do, 
Ulysses to Diomedes.   
Aloufe perceiving Dolon come, spoke thus Diomedes to:  
From Trojan camp behold a foe, a spy he for our foes,  
Or some to spoil in battle plain I guess he surely goes.  
We shall do well to let him pass till to our ships he draws,  
We following hard at heels, on him shall easily lay our paws.  
Yet take good heed, if he do strain to fly or run away,  
That we to force him to our ships do do the best we may,  
Him driving from the Trojan camp, where he will think to go,  
Him follow with your reaching staff, and do your valour show.   

Here both the Greeks amongst the slain out of the way they got, 
Comparison of Moils and Oxen.   
And spy and hark after the spy, who goes a speedy trot.  
When as they saw him so far of, as moils coupled in twain  
In travel of the Oxen slow do space before them gain:  
They quickly out their ambush start, and fast upon him come.  
Dolon hearing the noise they made, supposed them Troyans some  
Partakers with him who would be, his journey staying so.   

This while the Greeks approach so nigh, as one a dart may thro',  
But when he found what men they were, he forward runs apace,  
And the two Greeks do part themselves, and follow fast the trace.  
And as you see two greyhounds course in wood a Hind or Hare, 
Comparison of two Greyhounds following an Hare or Hind.   
And lay so hard unto the beasts that they their conquests are:  
Even so these valiant Greeks do chase this Trojan badly happed,  
Who could not scape, but well he found himself still more entrapped.  
So fast did Dolon scour away, that near unto the scout  
Of the Greeks watch he draweth nigh, to Diomedes the stout  
The goddess Pallas doth increase his strength and swiftness both,  
That other should the honour have (him taking) she was loath.  
He with these words him overtakes: I charge the for thy head 
Dolonis en tra●…t by the two greeks.   
No further pass for if thou do, my dart shall do thee dead.  
And herewithal hard by his neck he made the same to fly,  
And Dolon staid more cold than ice, he stood so tremblingly,  
That one full well might hear his teeth together so to shake:  
The noble Greeks far out of breath do there the Trojan take,  
Who letting fall whole floods of tears doth open thus his voice, 
Dolon to Ulysses and Diomedes.   
O warlike wights do save my life, and at your proper choice  
I will it buy, my sire with gold, with brass and iron flows,  
And jewels great, which he will give, when he alive me knows,  
And prisoner in your hands to be: Vlisse of wit so rare 
Ulysses to Dolon.   
Said, Trojan take you heart of grace, and put away this care,  
And fear not death here of us two, and tell me not to lie,  
Deceive me not in what I ask, nor in what know would I:  
What enterprise have you in hand, thus in the night to creep  
Unto our camp still and alone when all men are asleep?  
Come you to seek some carcase dead, that yesterday was slain,  
And it to spoil, did Hector else bid you to take this pain?  
Did he send you to spy his foes? by his commandment come ye  
Or of yourself? which of the two? the truth declare to me.  
Quoth trembling dreadful Dolon tho, dead like in every guise, 
Dolon to Vlisse●….   
The hope that Hector put me in, it hath me made so wise,  
That at his will here come I am, whereof I find I miss  
To try the thing, he promised me, the char of Achilles  
And all that did belong thereto, so that I to him brought  
From out your camp some certain news, & whereupon you thought,  
Whether you meant to take the sea, or to your tackle stand,  
And chiefly if you kept your watch, and if your ships were mand   

Quoth Vlisse with a smile faint, by your own words I see 
Ulysses to Dolon.   
Your mind doth dream on greater things than fit for your degree.  
Those coursers are of nature such, no mortling may them guide  
Their master, but, whom jove decreed should come out Thetis side.  
Tell me I pray thee without guile, when Hector bade thee high,  
Where was the man? and he unarmed where doth his armour lie  
That is so famed over all? and also in what nook  
Do chariots his and coursers lodge, their travel when they brook?  
What do his people lie a bed with toil of battle tired,  
Or do they watch, and for to fight is it of them desirerd?  
What will they keep the fields, and us charge in the morning tide,  
Or with their victory to Troy will they victorious ride?   

Ouoth Dolon I will tell you true: when I came on my way,  
The worthy Hector at the tomb of Ilus he did stay, 
Dolon to Ulysses Ilus sepulchre by Troy.   
When with the greatest he did consult of matters meetest ware,  
To overthrow his enemies it was his chiefest care.  
As for the watch whereof you ask, sure Hector doth it will,  
But smally do his soldiers reack his mind for to fulfil,  
They sound sleep. Some Trojans yet enforced are for their lives  
The fires to light, for fear they lose their children, town, and wives,  
And nought but for pure need they do. The strangers on them lay  
The charge of all, their wives far off, they stick not so to say.  
Ulysses further asks him thus: the forraines lodge they where, 
Ulysses to Dolon Dolon to Ulysses.   
The Trojans with, or by themselves? it would I gladly hear.   

Unto this question which you ask, I truly will you tell,  
And where each band is placed right: The carries and Peones dwell,  
The Caucons, Lelges, and Pelasges along the sea doly,  
On the other side to Thimbra hill the Lycians camp them by,  
The Phrygians, Meons', Misians, but to what purpose now  
Tell I by name the Trojans power? if thither go will you,  
Full true you shall my speeches find, the soldiers new from Thrace  
Lie far us off, their carriages and they do keep their place:  
Where Rhesus I their king did see and steeds of ferlie might,  
In colour they do pass the snow his horses are so white, 
Comparison of the swiftness and whiteness of Rhesus ●…es.   
As swift they are as is the wind, when Rhesus will them ride,  
His char I saw of metals two both fine and perfect tried,  
Composed of gold and silver bright, his armour all of gold,  
In all the earth is not the like, it strange is to be told.  
No living man I worthy think of worthy armour such,  
For jove or for some other God I think of worthy armour much.  
I having told you all you would, I humbly do you pray,  
Lead me unto your ships, or bound here let me lie I say,  
And hastily go unio our camp, and eyely do behold  
If I in ought have failed you, or not the truth have told.   

This speech Diomedes (looking thwart) to the poor spy did give, 
Diomedes to Dolon.   
Hope not to scape my hands I say, thou canst no longer live,  
Although of thee we learned have some things for our behoof,  
I know if we should let thee go at liberty aloof  
Hereafter thou wouldst spy our camp, or else the same assault,  
But as I may, if I thee kill, the Greeks thou shalt not salt.   

Such were his words, but Dolon thought yet to entreat the Gréek,  
And drew nigh soft to touch his chin, and favour to beseek. 
Dolon slai●… by Diome.   
But in this thought he to his neck his sword so sourly set,  
That down he overthrew him dead, the cords in pieces fet,  
Wherewith the head tumbles aside and murmurs in the fall:  
His salad then of geatish skin, his corselet fine withal  
Of wolvish heir, his bended bow and dart he taketh strait,  
And to the welkin then Vlisse (heaving his hands on height)  
The harness held, to Pallas prayed with soft and silent voice,   

At this oblation here we bring oh goddess do rejoice, 
Vlises prayer to Muerua.   
As worthiest of th'immortals all, and most of power and might,  
To whom we ought all worthily vows shape and altars dight:  
Offerings of due thy Godhead high shall have, grant us the grace  
That we oh Lady, at this time may come where they of Thrace  
Are sound a sleep, oh Lady grant that we those armours see,  
Their goodly steeds and Chariot which, is of such golden blée.  
His prayer when ended had the Greek, eft up his hands he holds, 
Do●…ns appare hanged on a Tamarin tree.   
Hie in the air, and on an heap the habits than he folds,  
And hangs them on a bow, and cuts a branch of Tamarin  
A lofty arm, it sets for mark when they returned been,  
Their way the better for to find, among the dead they pass,  
And to the Thracians come at last as it determined was,   

In mighty ranks of numbers three them fast asleep they four, 
Rhetus K. of Thrace asleep among his soldiers.   
And by each one his furniture lay closely on the ground.  
Their stuff, their harness and their horse, were near at hand to use:  
To sleep in midst of all his men king Rhesus he did choose,  
His stout and startling steeds him by, and tied to his char  
With strong and lasting gears at full, they rich and chosen ware, 
Ulysses to Diomedes.    

This order when Ulysses saw, said, lo the king (my mate)  
And horse whereof (when of the camp) our Dolon spoke o'late  
Now more than ever must you strive, and put your force in bre,  
Salad on head, and sword in hand, for nought must not be sure.  
Do one of two, undo these steeds, and I these beasts will kill,  
Or take your sword and fly them too, and I unloose them wil   

The goddess Pallas did increase the doughty Greek his spirits, 
Diomedes kills the Thracians a sle●…pe.   
He slays them dead on every side, and them in pieces smites.  
The place is purple with the blood, the grunts and groans are hard  
Of such as are in pieces cut, and by his weapon marred. 
Comparison of a Lion finding sheep or goats with out a shepherd.   
And as a raging Lion, who finds goats and sheep at large,  
Out hold and wandering up and down (the shepherd from his charge)  
Doth fall the on, & with his paws then tears, & takes their blood:  
Even so the Greek the Thracians slew, he nothing was withstood.  
Twice six his edged sword did pass, of morts the place is filled,  
The carcases Vlisse aside did draw as he them killde.  
He made the way the wished steeds more willing that they went,  
Nor should not fear the dead to tread, nor doubt it what it meant.  
The king for thirteenth Diomedes out life to death doth swap 
Rhesu●…he thirte●… that is lain   
He sweetly slept, but (silly man) it was a deadly nap,  
The which (assisted by Pallas) that night the Greek him brought. 
Ulysses endoeth ●…e horses and brings them away.   
This while Vlisse t'undo the steeds he on his office thought,  
And hastily through the multitude he brings them as a river,  
And with his boisterous stubborn bow he lays on many a fliver,  
For hast he had forgot the whip their way which makes them rid.  
A little past, spying his friend, who by his business bid, 
Ulysses wh●…tles to his fell●…w.   
He whistled to him in his fist, and well the sound he knew,  
Strait for to know what he should do Diomedes to him drew.  
As whether for to draw the char which full of armour lay,  
It by the beam, or on his back to bring it quite away,  
Or●…se to tend to murder still, or to return him back,  
Of these three points the valiant Greek did resolution lack. 
Palla●…to Diomedes. Diomedes and Ulysses mount the horses and come away.   
Wherewith his furthrer Pallas said, the acts which done thou haste  
Be pleased with, get thee away, that thou mayst come at last  
All dreadless safe unto thy ships, thou mayst well doubtsome stop.  
And lest some God the Trojan power should set upon thy top.  
Diomedes to Vlisles' comes, he hearing in this case  
The counsel good, each mounts a steed right swift and fleet of pace,  
Ulysses laid on with his bow, he made them for to fly.   

Again Phoebus with silver bow bestirs right carefully  
The Trojans for. For when he spied Minerva for to chat  
With the stout Greek, and follow him, he wroth did grow thereat,  
And at the damage lately done, to Trojans strait he hies, 
〈◊〉 th●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 death o●… king Rh●… sus.   
And wakes king Rhesus uncle there Hippocoon as he lies,  
His uncle and his counsellor great, who when he up did rear,  
And did behold that (as before) the coursers were not there,  
But covered place with slaughtered men, he cries, he howls, he whines,  
Condemn he doth the Thracian bands, for soon the loss he finds.  
He Rhesus, Rhesus named oft, which was his nephew dear,  
And Prince so tenderly beloved. When as the camp did hear  
His roarings loud, it moved all, and most of it did run  
Unto the place to view the news, and see what there was done,  
They marvel at the cruelty, and on the slaughter stare,  
They say the Greeks for the exploit of too much courage ware.   

When the two kings came to the place where they had slain the spy,  
Ulysses stopped, the other down there lighted by and by 
Diomedes reacheth Dolous apparel to Ulysses.   
The bloody habits him to reach, which done, he mounts again,  
And shortly come unto the ships, where Greeks attend the men.  
Among the Kings was Nestor first of all did hear a sound,  
And knew they came, thus spoke he them: Of folk of Greekish ground 
Nestor to the Greeks attending.   
Ye shepherds ye, and of this camp so great the guiders grave,  
Shall I unto you tell a lie, and what in dream I have?  
My mind doth will me to believe before I see the thing,  
A galloping of certain horse deep in mine ear doth ring.  
O would to God our champions two were of such cunning sight,  
As scaping dangers they could bring two goodly coursers light,  
But much I dread these noble men have had some deadly hap.  
Scarce had he said, but the two Kings down from their horse's flap  
Amongst them all: Each one them gréetes, good words use every man,  
And aged Nestor of them all thus to ulysse began: 
Nestor to Ulysses.   
O thou the glory of our Greece, of honour worthy king,  
Declare unto me I you pray, these horses which you bring  
So strange for whiteness of their blée, and like the sunny rays,  
What, hath some God them given you, or have you any ways  
Won them the Troian●… fro? long time with Troyans' I have fought,  
And of my valour showed good proof, for age I never sought  
Me to withdraw, nor yet to climb my ships, me there to hide,  
Yet in the war I never saw two coursers of such hide.  
I think some of the lofty Gods right careful of your good  
To you have them a present sent: for jupiter hath stood  
Well known a friend unto you both, and Pallas never quailing  
Is forward always at your hand, with favour never failing.   

O Nestor sage good Neleus son, ●…ch stéeds and coursers odd  
Ouoth Ulysses to mortal wight may easily give some God, 
Ulysses' to Nestor.   
When they reward will any one their power is more to give,  
Than man hath power to ask and take, that here doth mortal live.  
King Rhesus dead not eft to fight them hither lately led,  
This country to: As for the horse out Thracia they are bred.  
His knife Diomedes hath thrust into king Rhesus throat,  
And to twelve more him sleeping by: As for this bloody coat  
It was the garment of a spy, the which we did entrap,  
He slain when we had all he knew, and thus you hear our hap.  
The trenches deep the coursers pass, the kings come hard at heels,  
This happy gain, and voyage makes them all to joy awhéeles.  
To the rich tent when ulysse came of his companion mate,  
He careful tide his horses fast, and placed them in such rate, 
Ulysses setteth up the horses in Diomedes tent. Diomedes & Ulysses wash themselves in the sea, th●… go to the baines, and are noyn●…ed with oil. They go to meat & sacrifice to Minerva.   
As placed were the gallant steeds of the ●…t Greek in rank,  
And where with bread and fodder both the Greek his own did ●…nk,   

He Dolons' gear did on the poop hie in his ship bestow,  
And minds to Pallas sacrifice and service ay to owe.  
And strait these two so valiant Greeks, through toil who sound ●…et,  
To wash and bathe their weary limbs into the sea they get,  
And there so well do rub their necks, their backs, their legs, & thighs,  
As they are cleansed of the filth which on their bodies lies.  
They neat and well refreshed thus, to pleasant baines do go,  
And there with oil they anointed are without from top to toe.  
They then to meat, and Pallas aid they pray in humble wise,  
And bowls of wine upon the earth they power in sacrifice.   
Finis decimi Libri.