THE ILIADS OF HOMER Prince of Poets. Never before in any languag truly translated. With a Comment upon some of his chief places; Donne according to the Greek By Geo: Chapman  
At London printed for Nathaniel Butter  
William Hole sculp:  Qui Nil molitur Ineptè  

TO THE HIGH BORN PRINCE OF MEN, HENRY THRICE Royal inheritor to the united kingdoms of Great BRITAIN, etc.  

SInce perfect happiness, by Princes sought,  
Is not with birth, borne, nor ●…xchequers bought;  
Nor follows in great Trains; nor is possessed  
With any outward State; but makes him blest  
That governs inward; and beholdeth there,  
All his affections stand about him bare;  
That by his power can send to Tower, and death,  
All traitorous passions; marshalling beneath  
His justice, his mere will; and in his mind  
Holds such a sceptre, as can keep confined  
His whole life's actions in the royal bounds  
Of Virtue and Religion; and their grounds  
Takes-in, to sow his honours, his delights,  
And complete empire. You should learn these rights  
(Great Prince of men) by Princely precedents;  
Which here, in all kinds, my true zeal presents  
To furnish your youth's groundwork, and first State;  
And let you see, one Godlike man create  
All sorts of worthiest men; to be contrived  
In your worth only; giving him reviv'd,  
For whose life, Alexander would have given  
One of his kingdoms: who (as sent from heaven,  
And thinking well, that so divine a creature  
Would never more enrich the race of Nature)  
Kept as his Crown his works; and thought them still  
His Angels; in all power, to rule his will.  
And would affirm that Homer's poesy  
Did more advance his Asian victory,  
Then all his Armies. O! 'tis wondrous much  
(Though nothing prised) that the right virtuous touch  
Of a well written foul, to virtue moves.  
Nor have we souls to purpose, if their loves  
Of fitting objects be not so inflamed.  
How much then, were this kingdoms main soul maimed,  
To want this great inflamer of all powers  
That move in human souls? All Realms but yours,  
Are honoured with him; and hold blest that State  
That have his works to read and contemplate.  
In which, Humanity to her height is raised;  
Which all the world (yet, none enough) hath praised.  
Seas, earth, and heaven, he did in verse comprise;  
Out-sung the Muses, and did equalise  
Their king Apollo; being so far from cause  
Of Princes light thoughts, that their gravest laws  
May find stuff to be fashioned by his lines.  
Through all the pomp of kingdoms still he shines,  
And graceth all his gracers. Then let lie  
Your Lutes, and Viols, and more loftily  
Make the Heroiques of your Homer sung,  
To Drums and Trumpets set his Angel's tongue:  
And with the Princely sport of Hawks you use,  
Behold the kingly flight of his high Muse:  
And see how like the Phoenix she renews  
Her age, and starry feathers in your sun;  
Thousands of years attending; every one  
Blowing the holy fire, and throwing in  
Their seasons, kingdoms, nations that have been  
Subverted in them; laws, religions, all  
Offered to Change, and greedy Funeral;  
Yet still your Homer lasting, living, reigning;  
And proves, how firm Truth builds in Poets feigning.   

A Prince's statue, or in Marble carved,  
Or steel, or gold, and shrined (to be pres●…d)  
Aloft on Pillars, or Pyramids;  
Time into lowest ruins may depress:  
But, drawn with all his virtues in learned verse,  
Fame shall resound them on oblivions hearse,  
Till graves gasp with her blasts, and dead men rise.  
No gold can follow, where true Poesy flies.   

Then let not this Divinity in earth  
(Dear Prince) be slighted, as she were the birth  
Of idle Fancy; since she works so high:  
Nor let her poor disposer (Learning) lie  
Still bedrid. Both which, being in men defaced;  
In men (with them) is God's bright image raced.  
For, as the Sun, and Moon, are figures given  
Of his refulgent Deity in Heaven:  
So, Learning, and her Lightner, Poesy,  
In earth present his fiery Majesty.  
Nor are Kings like him, since their Diadems  
Thunder, and lighten, and project brave beams;  
But since they his clear virtues emulate;  
In Truth and justice, imaging his State;  
In Bounty, and Humanity since they shine;  
Then which, is nothing (like him) more divine:  
Not Fire, not Light; the suns admired course;  
The Rise, nor Set of Stars; nor all their force  
In us, and all this Cope beneath the Sky;  
Nor great Existence, termed his Treasury.  
Since not, for being greatest, he is blest;  
But being Just, and in all virtues best.   

What sets his justice, and his Truth, best forth,  
(Best Prince) then use best; which is Poesy's worth.  
For, as great Princes, well informed and decked  
With gracious virtue, give more sure effect  
To her persuasions, pleasures, real worth,  
Then all th'inferior subjects she sets forth;  
Since there, she shines at full; hath birth, wealth, state,  
Power, fortune, honour, fit to elevate  
Her heavenly merits; and so fit they are  
Since she was made for them, and they for her:  
So, Truth, with Poesy graced, is fairer far,  
More proper, moving, chaste, and regular,  
Then when she runs away with untrussed Prose;  
Proportion, that doth orderly dispose  
Her virtuous treasure, and is Queen of Graces;  
In Poesy, decking her with choicest Phrases,  
Figures and numbers: when lose Prose puts on  
Plain letter-habits; makes her trot, upon  
Dull earthly business (she being mere divine:)  
Holds her to homely Cates, and harsh hedge-wine,  
That should drink Poesy's Nectar; every way  
One made for other, as the Sun and Day,  
Princes and virtues. And, as in a spring,  
The pliant water, moved with any thing  
Let fall into it, puts her motion out  
In perfect circles, that move round about  
The gentle fountain, one another, raising:  
So Truth, and Poesy work; so Poesy blazing,  
All subjects fallen in her exhaustlesse fount,  
Works most exactly; makes a true account  
Of all things to her high discharges given,  
Till all be circular, and round as heaven.   

And lastly, great Prince, mark and pardon me;  
As in a flourishing, and ripe fruit Tree,  
Nature hath made the bark to save the Bowl;  
The Bowl, the sap; the sap, to deck the whole  
With leaves and branches; they, to bear and shield  
The useful fruit; the fruit itself to yield  
Guard to the kernel, and for that all those  
(Since out of that again, the whole Tree grows:)  
So, in our Tree of man, whose neruie Root  
Springs in his top; from thence even to his foot,  
There runs a mutual aid, through all his parts,  
All joined in one to serve his Queen of Arts. 
The soul.   
In which, doth Poesy, like the kernel lie  
Obscured; though her Promethean faculty  
Can create men, and make even death to live;  
For which she should live honoured; Kings should give  
Comfort and help to her, that she might still  
Hold up their spirits in virtue; make the will,  
That governs in them, to the power conformed;  
The power to justice; that the scandals, stormed  
Against the poor Dame, cleared by your fair Grace,  
Your Grace may shine the clearer. Her low place,  
Not showing her, the highest leaves obscure.  
Who raise her, raise themselves: and he sits sure,  
Whom her winged hand advanceth; since on it  
Eternity doth (crowning Virtue) sit.  
All whose poor seed, like violets in their beds,  
Now grow with bosome-hung, and hidden heads.  
For whom I must speak (though their Fate convinces  
Me, worst of Poets) to you, best of Princes.   
By the most humble and faithful implorer for all the graces to your highness eternised by your divine Homer. Geo. Chapman.   

AN ANAGRAM OF THE NAME OF OUR DREAD PRINCE, MY MOST Gracious and sacred Moecaenas; HENRYE PRINCE OF WALES OUR SUN, heir, PEACE, LIFE.  

BE to us as thy great Name doth import,  
(Prince of the people;) nor suppose it vain,  
That in this secret, and prophetic sort,  
Thy Name and Noblest Title doth contain  
So much right to us; and as great a good.  
Nature doth nothing vainly; much less Art  
Perfecting Nature. No spirit in our blood,  
But in our soul's discourses bears a part.  
What Nature gives at random in the one,  
In th'other, ordered, our divine part serves.  
Thou art not heir then, to our state alone;  
But SUNN, PEACE, LIFE. And what thy power deserves  
Of us, and our good, in thy utmost strife;  
Shall make thee to thyself, heir, SUNN, PEACE, LIFE.    

TO THE SACRED FOUNTAIN OF PRINCES; SOLE EMPRESS OF BEAUTY AND VIRTUE; ANNE, Queen of England, etc.  

WIth whatsoever Honour we adorn  
Your Royal issue; we must gratulate you  
Imperial Sovereign. Who of you is borne,  
Is you; One Tree, make both the Bowl, and Bow.  
If it be honour then to join you both  
To such a powerful work, as shall defend  
Both from foul Death, and Ages ugly Moth;  
This is an Honour, that shall never end.  
They know not virtue then, that know not what  
The virtue of defending virtue is:  
It comprehends the guard of all your State,  
And joins your Greatness to as great a Bliss.  
Shield virtue, and advance her then, Great Queen;  
And make this Book your Glass, to make it seen.   
Your Majesties in all subjection most humbly consecrate,  
Geo. Chap●…an.   

TO THE READER.  

Jest with foul hands you touch these holy Rites;  
And with preiudicacies too profane,  
Pass Homer, in your other Poets sleights;  
Wash here. In this Porch to his numerous Fane,  
Hear ancient Oracles speak, and tell you whom  
You have to censure. First then Silius hear,  
Who thrice was Consul in renowned Rome;  
Whose verse (saith Martial) nothing shall outwear.   
Silius Italicus. Lib. 13.  

HE, in Elysium, having cast his eye  
Upon the figure of a Youth, whose hair  
With purple Ribbons braided curiously,  
Hung on his shoulders wondrous bright and fair;  
Said, Virgin, What is he whose heavenly face  
Shines passed all others, as the Morn the Night;  
Whom many marveling souls, from place to place,  
Pursue, and haunt, with sounds of such delight?  
Whose countenance (were't not in the Stygian shade)  
Would make me, questionless, believe he were  
A very God. The learned Virgin made  
This answer: If thou shouldst believe it here,  
Thou shouldst not err: he well deserved to be  
Esteemed a God; nor held his somuch breast  
A little presence of the Deity:  
His verse comprised earth, seas, stars, souls at rest:  
In song, the Muses he did equalise;  
In honour, Phoebus: he was only soul;  
Saw all things sphered in Nature, without eyes,  
And raised your Troy up to the starry Pole.  
Glad Scipio, viewing well this Prince of Ghosts,  
Said, O if Fates would give this Poet leave,  
To sing the acts done by the Roman Hosts;  
How much beyond, would future times receive  
The same facts, made by any other known?  
O blessed Aeacides! to have the grace  
That out of such a mouth, thou shouldst be shown  
To wondering Nations, as enriched the race  
Of all times future, with what he did know:  
Thy virtue, with his verse, shall ever grow.   

Now hear an Angel sing our Poet's Fame;  
Whom Fate, for his divine song, gave that name.   Angelus Politianus, in Nutricia. 

More living, then in old Demodocus,  
Fame glories to wax young in Homer's verse.  
And as when bright Hyperion holds to us  
His golden Torch; we see the stars disperse,  
And every way fly heaven; the pallid Moon  
Even almost vanishing before his sight:  
So with the dazzling beams of Homer's Sun,  
All other ancient Poets lose their light.  
Whom when Apollo heard, out of his star,  
Singing the godlike Acts of honoured men;  
And equalling the actual rage of war,  
With only the divine strains of his pen;  
He stood amazed, and freely did confess  
Himself was equalled in Maeonides.   

Next, hear the grave and learned Pliny use  
His censure of our sacred Poets Muse.   Plin. Nat. hist. lib. 7. Cap 29. Turned into verse; that no Prose may come near Homer. 

Whom shall we choose the glory of all wits,  
Held through so many sorts of discipline,  
And such variety of works, and spirits;  
But Grecian Homer? like whom none did shine,  
For form of work and matter. And because  
Our proud doom of him may stand justified  
By noblest judgements; and receive applause  
In spite of envy, and illiterate pride;  
Great Macedon, amongst his matchless spoils,  
took from rich Persia (on his Fortune's cast)  
A Casket finding (full of precious oils)  
Formed all of gold, with wealthy stones enchased:  
He took the oils out; and his nearest friends  
Asked, in what better guard it might be used?  
All giving their conceits, to several ends;  
He answered; His affections rather choosed  
An use quite opposite to all their kinds:  
And Homer's books should with that guard be served;  
That the most precious work of all men's minds,  
In the most precious place, might be preserved.  
The Fount of wit was Homer; Learnings Sire, 
Idem. lib. 17. cap. 5. Idem. lib. 25. cap. 3.   
And gave Antiquity, her living fire.   

VOlumes of like praise, I could heap on this,  
Of men more ancient, and more learned than these:  
But since true Virtue, enough lovely is  
With her own beauties; all the suffrages  
Of others I omit; and would more feign  
That Homer, for himself, should be beloved  
Who every sort of love-worth did contain.  
Which how I have in my conversion proved,  
I must confess, I hardly dare refer  
To reading judgements; since, so generally,  
Custom hath made even th'ablest Agents err  
In these translations; all so much apply 
Of Translation, and the natural difference of Dialects, necessarily to be observed in it.   
Their pains and cunnings, word for word to render  
Their patiented Authors; when they may as well,  
Make fish with fowl, Camels with Whales engender;  
Or their tongue's speech, in other mouths compel.  
For, even as different a production  
Ask Greek and English; since as they in sounds,  
And letters, shun one form, and unison;  
So have their sense, and elegancy bounds  
In their distinguished natures, and require  
Only a judgement to make both consent,  
In sense and elocution; and aspire  
As well to reach the spirit that was spent  
In his exanple; as with art to pierce  
His Grammar, and etymology of words. 
〈◊〉.   
But, as great Clerks, can write no English verse;  
Because (alas! great Clerks) English affords  
(Say they) no height, nor copy; a rude tongue,  
(Since 'tis their Native): but in Greek or Latin  
Their writs are rare; for thence true Poesy sprung:  
Though them (Truth knows) they have but skill to chat-in,  
Compared with that they might say in their own;  
Since thither th'others full soul cannot make  
The ample transmigration to be shown  
In Nature-loving Poesy: So the brake  
That those Translators stick in, that affect  
Their word-for-word traductions (where they lose  
The free grace of their natural Dialect  
And shame their Authors, with a forced Gloze)  
I laugh to see; and yet as much abhor 
The necessary nearen●…e of translation to the example.   
More licence from the words, then may express  
Their full compression, and make clear the Author.  
From whose truth, if you think my feet digress,  
Because I use needful Periphrases;  
Read Valla, Hessus, that in Latin Prose,  
And Verse convert him; read the Messines,  
That into Tuscan turns him; a●…d the Gloze  
Grave Salel makes in French, as he translates:  
Which (for th'aforesaid reasons) all must do;  
And see that my conversion much abates  
The licence they take, and more shows him too:  
Whose right, not all those great learned men have done  
(In some main parts) that were his Commentars':  
But (as the illustration of the Sun  
Should be attempted by the erring stars)  
They failed to search his deep, and treasurous heart.  
The cause was, since they wanted the fit key  
Of Nature, in their downright strength of Art; 
The power of nature, above Art in Poesy.   
With Poesy, to open Poesy.  
Which in my Poem of the mysteries  
Revealed in Homer, I will clearly prove.  
Till whose near birth, suspend your Calumnies,  
And farre-wide imputations of self love.  
'tis further from me, than the worst that reads;  
Professing me the worst of all that wright:  
Yet what, in following one, that bravely leads,  
The worst may show, let this proof hold the light.  
But grant it clear: yet hath detraction got  
My blind side, in the form, my verse puts on;  
Much like a dung hill Mastiff, that dares not  
Assault the man he barks at; but the stone  
He throws at him, takes in his eager jaws,  
And spoils his teeth because they cannot spoil.  
The long verse hath by proof received applause  
Beyond each other number: and the foil,  
That squint-eyed Envy takes, is censured plain.  
For, this long Poem asks this length of verse,  
Which I myself ingenuously maintain  
Too long, our shorter Authors to rehearse.  
And, for our tongue, that still is so impaired 
Our English language, above all others, for Rhythm●…call Poesi●….   
By travailing linguists; I can prove it clear,  
That no tongue hath the Muse's utterance heyred  
For verse, and that sweet Music to the ear  
Struck out of rhyme, so naturally as this;  
Our Monosyllables, so kindly fall  
And meet, opposed in rhyme, as they did kiss:  
French and Italian, most immetricall;  
Their many syllables, in harsh Collision,  
Fall as they broke their necks; their bastard Rhymes  
Saluting as they justled in transition,  
And set out teeth on edge; nor tunes, nor times  
Kept in their falls. And me thinks, their long words  
Show in short verse, as in a narrow place,  
Two opposites should meet, with twohand swords  
Vnweildily, without or use or grace.  
Thus having rid the rubs, and strowed these flowers  
In our thrice sacred Homer's English way;  
What rests to make him, yet more worthy yours?  
To cite more praise of him, were mere delay  
To your glad searches, for what those men found,  
That gave his praise, past all, so high a place:  
Whose virtues were so many, and so crowned,  
By all consents, Divine; that not to grace,  
Or add increase to them, the world doth need  
Another Homer; but even to rehearse  
And number them: they did so much exceed;  
Men thought him not a man; but that his verse  
Some mere celestial nature did adorn.  
And all may well conclude, it could not be,  
That for the place where any man was borne,  
So long, and mortally, could disagree  
So many Nations, as for Homer strived,  
Unless his spur in them, had been divine.  
Then end their strife, and love him (thus reviv'd)  
As borne in England: see him overshine  
All other-Countrie Poets; and trust this,  
That whose-soever Muse dares use her wing  
When his Muse flies, she will be trussed by his;  
And show as if a Bernacle should spring  
Beneath an Eagle. In none since was seen  
A soul so full of heaven as earth's in him.  
O! if our modern Poesy had been  
As lovely as the Lady he did limn,  
What barbarous wo●…ldling, groveling after gain,  
Can use her lovely parts, with such rude hate,  
As now she suffers under every swain?  
Since then 'tis nought but her abuse and Fate,  
That thus impairs her; what is this to her  
As she is real? or in natural right?  
But since in true Religion men should err  
As much as Poesy, should th'abuse excite  
The like contempt of her Divinity?  
And that her truth, and right saint sacred Merits,  
In most lives, breed but reverence formally;  
What wonder is't if Poesy inherits  
Much less observance; being but Agent for her,  
And singer of her laws, that others say?  
Forth than ye Moles, sons of the earth abhor her;  
Keep still on in the dirty vulgar way,  
Till dirt receive your souls, to which ye vow;  
And with your poisoned spirits bewitch our thrifts.  
Ye cannot so despise us as we you.  
Not one of you, above his Mowlehill lifts  
His earthy Mind; but, as a sort of beasts,  
Kept by their Guardians, never care to hear  
Their manly voices; but when, in their fists,  
They breath wild whistels; and the beasts rude ear  
Hears their Curs barking; then by heaps they fly,  
Headlong together: So men, beastly given,  
The manly soul's voice (sacred Poesy,  
Whose Hymns the Angels ever sing in heaven)  
Contemn, and hear not: but when brutish noises  
(For Gain, Lust, Honour, in litigious Prose)  
Are bellow'd-out, and cra●…ke the barbarous voices  
Of Turkish Stentors; O! ye lean to those,  
Like itching Horse, to blocks, or high Maypoles;  
And break nought but the wind of wealth, wealth, All  
In all your Documents; your Asinine souls  
(Proud of their burdens) feel not how they gall.  
But as an Ass, that in a fi●…ld of weeds  
Affects a thistle, and falls fiercely to it;  
That pricks, and galls him; yet he feeds, and bleeds;  
Forbears a while, and licks; but cannot woe it  
To leave the sharpness; when (to wreak his smart)  
He beats it with his foot; then backward kicks,  
Because the Thistle galled his forward part;  
Nor leaves till all be eat, for all the pricks;  
Then falls to others with as hot a strife;  
And in that honourable war doth waste  
The tall heat of his stomach, and his life:  
So, in this world of weeds, you worldlings taste  
Your most-loved dainties; with such war, buy peace;  
Hunger for torment; virtue kick for vice;  
Cares, for your states, do with your states increase:  
And though ye dream ye feast in Paradise,  
Yet Reason's Daylight, shows ye at your meat  
Asses at Thistles, bleeding as ye eat.    

THE PREFACE TO THE READER.  
OF all books extant in all kinds, Homer is the first and best. No one 
All books of human wisdom.  before his (josephus affirms,) nor before him (saith Velleius Paterculus) was there any whom he imitated: nor after him, any that could imitate him. And that Poesy may be no ca●…se of detraction from all the eminence we give him; Spondanus (preferring it to all Arts and sciences) unanswerably argues and proves. For to the glory of God, and the singing of his glories, (no man dares deny) man was chief made. And what art performs this chief end of man, with so much excitation, and expression as Poesy? Moses, David, Solomon, job, Esay, jeremy, etc. chief using that to the end abovesaid. And since the excellence of it cannot be obtained by the labour and art of man (as all easily confess it,) it must needs be acknowledged, a divine infusion. To prove which in a word, this distich, (in my estimation) serves something nearly:  

Great Poesy, blind Homer, makes all see  
Thee capable of all Arts, none of thee.   
For out of him (according to our most grave and judicial Plutarch) are all Arts deduced, confirmed, or illustrated. It is not therefore the world's vilifying of it, that can make it vile: for so we might argue, & blaspheme the most incomparably sacred. It is not of the world indeed: but (like Truth) hides itself fronit. Nor is there any such reality of wisdoms truth in all human excellence, as in Poets fictions. That most vulgar & foolish receipt of Poetical licence, being of all knowing men to be exploded; (accepting it, as if Poets had a tale-telling privilege above others,) no Artist being so strictly, and inextricably confined to all the laws of learning, wisdom, and truth, as a Poet. For were not his fictions composed of the sinews and souls of all those; how could they differ far from, and be combined with eternity? To all sciences therefore, I must still (with our learned and ingenious Spondanus) prefer it; as having a perpetual commerce with the divine Majesty; embracing and illustrating all his most holy precepts; and enjoying continual discourse with his thrice perfect, and most comfortable spirit. And as the contemplative life is most worthily & divinely preferred by Plato, to the active; as much as the head to the foot; the eye to the hand; reason to sense; the soul to the body: the end itself, to all things directed to the end: quiet to motion; and Eternity to Time; so much prefer I divine Poesy to all worldly wisdom. To the only shadow of whose worth yet, I entitle n●…t the bold rhymes of every Apish and impudent Braggart, (though he dares assume any thing) such I turn over to the weaving of Cobwebs; and shall but chatter on molehels' (far under the hill of the Muses) when their fortunat'st self-love and ambition hath advanced them highest. Poesy is the flower of the Sun, & disdains to open to the eye of a candle. So kings ●…ide their treasures, & counsels from the vulgar; ne evilescant (saith our Spond.) we have example sacred enough; that true Poesy's humility, poverty & contempt, are badges of divinity; not vanity. Bray then, and bark against it ye Wolf-faced worldlings; that nothing but honours, riches, and magistracy, nescio quos, turgidè spiratis (that I may use the words of our friend still,) Qui solas leges justinianas' crepatis; paragraphum unum aut alterum, pluris quàm vos ipsos facitis, etc. I (for my part) shall ever esteem it much more manly and sacred, in this harmless and pious stu●…e, to sit till I sink into my grave, then shine in your vainglorious bubbles, and impieties; all your poor policies, wisdoms, and their trappings, at no more valuing then a musty Nut. And much less I weigh the frontless detractions of some stupid ignorants; that no more knowing me, than their own beastly ends; and I, ever (to my knowledge) blest from their sight; whisper behind me vilifyings of my translation: out of the French affirming them; when both in French, and all other languages but his own, our withall-skill enriched Poet, is so poor and unpleasing, that no man can discern from whence flowed his so generally given eminence, and admiration. And therefore (by any reasonable creatures conference, of my sleight comment, and conversion) it will easily appear how I shun them: and whether the original be my rule or not. In which, he shall easily see, I understand the understandings of all other interpreters, and commenters in places of his most depth, importance, and rapture. In whose exposition and illustration, if I abhor from the sense that others wrist, and rack out of him; let my best detractor examine how the Greek word warrants me. For my other fresh fry, let them fry in their foolish galls; nothing so much weighed as the barkings of puppies, or foistinghounds; too vile to thi●…ke of our sacred Homer, or set their profane feet within their lives lengths of his thresholds. If I fail in something, let my full performance in other some restore me; haste spurring me on with other necessities. For as at my conclusion I protest, so here at my entrance, less than fifteen weeks was the time, in which all the last twelve books were entirely new translated. No conference had with any one living in all the novelties I presume I have found. Only some one or two places I have showed to my worthy and most learned friend, M. Harriots, for his censure how much mine own weighed: whose judgement and knowledge in all kinds, I know to be incomparable, and bottomless: yea, to be admired as much, as his most blameless life, and the right sacred expense of his time, is to be honoured and reverenced. Which affirmation of his clear unmatchednesse in all manner of learning; I make in contempt of that nasty objection often thrust upon me; that he that will judge, must know more than he of whom he judgeth; for so a man should know neither God nor himself. Another right learned, honest, and entirely loved friend of mine, M. Robert Hews, I must needs put into my confessed conference touching Homer, though very little more than that I had with M. Harriots. Which two, I protest, are all, and preferred to all. Nor charge I their authorities with any allowance of my general labour; but only of those one or two places, which for instances of my innovation, and ●…ow it showed to them, I imparted. If any tax me for too much periphrasis or circumlocution in some places, let them read Laurentius Valla, and Eobanus Hessus, who either use such shortness as cometh nothing home to Homer; or where they shun that fault, are ten parts more paraphrastical than I. As for example; one place I will trouble you (if you please) to confer with the original, and one interpreter for all. It is in the end of the third book; and is Helen's speech to Venus, fetching her to Paris, from seeing his cowardly combat with Menelaus: part of which speech I will here cite:  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc. For avoiding the common readers trouble here, I must refer the more Greekish to the rest of the speech in Homer, whose translation ad verbum by Spondanus, I will here cite; and then pray you to confer it with that which followeth of Valla.  

Quoniam verò nunc Alexandrum, Menelaus  
Postquam vicit; vult odiosam me domum abducere;  
Propterea verò nunc dolum (ceu dolos) cogitans advenisti?  
Sede apud ipsum vadens, deorum abnega vias,  
Neque unquam tuis pedibus revertaris in coelum,  
Sed semper circa ●…um aerumnas perfer, & ipsum serva  
Donec te vel uxorem faciat, vel hic seruam, etc.   
Valla thus:  
Quoniam victo Paride, Menelaus, me miseram, est reportaturus ad lares, ideo tu, ideo falsa sub imagine venisti, ut me deciperes ob tuam nimiam in Paridem benevolentiam: eò dum illi ades, dum illi studes, dum pro illo satagis, dum illum obseruas atque custodis, deorum commercium reliquisti, nec ad eos reversura es ampliùs; adeò (quantum suspicor) aut uxor eius ●…fficieris, aut ancilla, etc.  
Wherein note if there be any such thing as most of this in Homer; yet only to express (as he th●…nkes) Homer's conceit, for the more pleasure of the reader, he useth this overplus dum illi ades, dum illi studes, dum pro illo satagis, dum illum obseruas, atque custodis, deorum commercium reliquisti. Which (besides his superfluity) is utterly false. For where he saith, reliquisti deorum commercium, Helen saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, deorum autem abnega, or abnue vias, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, (vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is used poetically) signifying denegare, or abnuere; & Helen (in contempt of her too much observing men) bids her renounce heaven, and come live with Paris till he make her his wife or servant; scoptically or scornfully speaking it: which both Valla, Eobanus, and all other interpreters (but these ad verbum) have utterly mist. And this one example I thought necessary to insert here, to show my detractors that they have no reason to vilify my circumlocution sometimes, when their most approved Grecians, Homers interpreters, generally hold him fit to be so converted. Yet how much I differ, and with what authority, let my impartial, and judicial reader judge. Always conceiving how pedantical and absurd an affectation it is, in the interpretation of any Author (much more of Homer) to turn him word for word; whe●… (according to Horace and other best lawgivers to translators) it is the part of every knowing and judicial interpreter, not to follow the number and order of words, but the material things themselves, and sentences to weigh diligently; and to cloth and adorn them with words, and such a style and form of Oration, as are most apt for the language into which they are converted. If I have not turned him in any place falsely (as all other his interpreters have in many, and most of his chief places;) if I have not left behind me any of his sentence, elegancy, height, intention, and invention: if in some few places (especially in my first edition, being done so long since, & following the common tract) I be something paraphrastical & faulty; is it justice in that poor fault (if they will needs have it so) to drown all the rest of my labour? But there is a certain envious Windfucker, that hovers up and down, laboriously engrossing all the air with his luxurious ambition; and buzzing into every ear my detraction; affirming I turn Homer out of the Latin only, etc. that sets all his associates, and the whole rabble of my maligners on their wings with him, to bear about my impair, and poison my reputation. One that, as he thinks, whatsoever he gives to others, he takes from himself; so whatsoever he takes from others, he adds to himself. One that in this kind of robbery, doth like Mercury, that stole good, and supplied it with counterfeit bad still. One like the two gluttons, Phyloxenus and Gnatho, that would still empty their noses in the dishes they loved, that no man might eat but themselves. For so this Castrill, with too hot a liver, and lust after his own glory, and to de●…oure all himself, discourageth all appetites to the fame of another. I have stricken, single him as you can. Nor note I this, to cast any rubs, or plasters out of the particular way of mine own estimation with the world; for I resolve this with the wilfully obscure:  

Sine honore vivam, nulloque numero ero.  
Without men's honours I will live, and make  
No number, in the manless course they take.   
But to discourage (if it might be) the general detraction of industrious, and wellmeaning virtue. I know I cannot too much diminish, and deject myself; yet that passing little that I am, God only knows; to whose ever-implored respect, and comfort, I only submit me. If any further edition of these my silly endeavours shall chance, I will mend what is amiss (God assisting me) and amplify my harsh Comment to Homer's far more right, and mine own earnest, and ingenious love of him. Notwithstanding, I know, the curious, and e●…uious, will never sit down satisfied. A man may go over and over, till he come over and over; and his pains be only his recompense: every man is so loaded with his particular head; and nothing in all respects perfect, but what is perceived by few. Homer himself hath met with my fortune, in many maligners; and therefore may my poore-selfe, put up with motion. And so little I will respect malignity; and so much encourage myself with mine own known strength, and what I find within me, of comfort, and confirmance; (examining myself throughout, with a far more jealous and severe eye, than my greatest enemy; imitating this: judex ipse sui totum se explorat ad unguem, etc.) That after these Iliads, I will (God lending me life and any meanest means) with more labour than I have lost here, and all unchecked alacrity, dive through his Odysseys. Nor can I forget here (but with all hearty gratitude remember) my most ancient, learned, and right noble friend M. Richard Stapilton, first most des●…rtfull mover in the frame of our Homer. For which (and much other most ingen●…ous and utterly undeserved desert) God make me amply his requiter; and be his honourable families speedy and full restorer. In the mean space, I entreat my impartial, and judicial Reader; that all things to the quick he will not pair; but humanly and nobly pardon defects; and if he find any thing perfect, receive it unenuied.  

Of Homer.  
OF his country, and time, the difference is so infinite amongst all writers, that there is no question (in my conjecture) of his antiquity beyond all. To which opinion, the nearest I will cite; Adam Cedrenus placeth him under David's & Solomon's rule; & the destruction of Troy under saul's. And of one age with Solomon, Michael Glycas Siculus affirmeth him. Aristotle (in tertio de Poetica) affirms he was borne in the I'll of Io, begot of a Genius, one of them that used to dance with the Muses, and a virgin of that I'll, compressed by that Genius, who being quick with child (for shame of the deed) came into a place called Aegina, and there was taken of thieves, and brought to Smyrna, to Moeon king of the Lydians, who for her beauty married her. After which, she walking near the flood Meletes; on that shore being overtaken with the throws of her delivery, she brought forth Homer, and instantly died. The infant was received by Moeon, and brought up as his own till his death; which was not long after. And according to this, when the Lydians in Smyrna, were afflicted by the Aeolians, and thought fit to leave the city, the Captains by a Herald willing all to go out that would, and follow them; Homer (being a little child) said he would also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (that is, sequi.) And of that, (for Melesigenes, which was his first name) he was called Homer. These Plutarch.  
The varieties of other reports touching this, I omit for length: and in place thereof, think it not unfit to insert something of his praise, and honour amongst the greatest of all Ages; not that our most absolute of himself, needs it; but that such authentical testimonies of his splendour and excellence, may the better convince the malice of his maligners.  
First, what kind of person Homer was, (saith Spondanus) his statue teacheth; which Cedrenus describeth. The whole place we will describe, that our relation may hold the better coherence; as Nylander converts it. Then was the Octagonon at Constantinople consumed with fire; and the Bath of Severus, that bore the name of Ze●…xippus: in which there was much variety of spectacle, and splendour of Arts; the works of all Ages being conferred, and preserved there, of Marble, Rocks, Stones, and Images of Brass; to which, this only wanted; that the souls of the persons they presented, were not in them. Amongst these master pieces, and all-witexceeding workmanships, stood Homer, as he was in ●…is age; thoughtful, and musing: his hands folded beneath his bosom; his beard untrimmed, and hanging down; the hair of his head in like sort thin on both sides before; his face with age and cares of the world (as these imagine) wrinkled and austere; his nose proportioned to his other parts; his eyes fixed or turned up to his eye brows, like one blind (as it is reported he was) not born blind (saith Vell. Paterculus) which he that imagines (saith he) is blind of all senses. Upon his under coat he was attired with a lose rob; and at the base beneath his feet, a brazen chain hung. This was the statue of Homer, which in that conflagration perished. Another renowned statue of his (saith Lucian in his Encomion of Demosthenes) stood in the temple of Ptolemy, on the upper hand of his own statue. Cedrenus likewise remembreth a Library in the Palace of the king, at Constantinople, that contained a thousand a hundred and twenty books: amongst which there was the gut of a Dragon, of an hundred and twenty foot long; in which, in letters of gold; the Iliads, and Odysseys of Homer were inscribed: which miracle (in Basiliscus the emperors time) was consumed with fire.  
For his respect amongst the most learned; Plato in jone calleth him, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Poetarum omnium, & praestantissimum, & divinissimum. In Phaedone, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, divinum Poetam, and in Theaetetus, Socrates citing diverse of the most wise and learned for confirmation of his there held opinion, (as Protagoras, Heraclitus, Empedocles, Epicharmus, and Homer) who (saith Socrates) against such an army, being all led by such a Captain as Homer, dares fight or resist, but he will be held ridiculous? This for Scaliger, and all Homer's envious and ignorant detractors. Why therefore, Plato in another place banisheth him with all other Poets out of his Commonwealth, dealing with them like a Politician indeed; use men, and then cast them off, (though Homer he thinks fit to send out crowned and anointed;) I see not, since he maketh still such honourable mention of him; and with his verses, (as with precious gems▪) every where enchaceth his writings. So Aristotle, continually celebrateth him. Nay even amongst the Barbarous, not only Homer's name, but his Poems have been recorded and reverenced. The Indians (saith Aelianus var. hist. lib. 12. cap. 48.) in their own tongue had Homer's Poems translated and sung. Nor those Indians alone, but the kings of Persia. And amongst the Indians (of all the Greek Poets, Homer being ever first in estimation;) whensoever they used any divine duties according to the custom of their households and hospitaliys, they invited ever, Apollo, and Homer. Lucian in his Encomion of Demosth. affirmeth all Poets celebrated Homer's birth day; & sacrificed to him the first fruits of their verses. So Thersagoras answereth Lucian, he used to do himself. Alex. Paphius (saith Eustathius) delivers Homer, as borne of Egyptian Parents; D●…asagoras being his father, and Aethra his mother; his nurse being a certain Prophetess, and the daughter of Oris, Isis' Priest; from whose breasts, oftentimes, honey flowed in the mouth of the infant. After which, in the night, he uttered nine several notes or voices of fowls, viz. of a Swallow, a Peacock, a Dove, a Crow, a Partridge, a red-Shank, a Stare, a Blackebird, and a Nightingale: and being a little boy, was found playing in his bed with nine Doves. Sibylla being at a feast of his Parents, was taken with sudden fury; and sung verses, whose beginning was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 polynice, signifying much victory; in which song also she called him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great in glory; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifying gyrlond-seller; and commanded him to build a temple to the Pegridarij, that is, to the Muses. Herodotus affirms, that Phaemius (teaching a public school at Smyrna) was his master; and Dionysius in in 56. oration saith, Socrates was Homer's scholar. In short; what he was, his works show most truly; to which (if you please) go on and examine him.    

Faults escaped.  
In the margin. page 176. for pastime, read past time. Page 177. for whom, read who. Page 188 in the margin for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. p. 195. for totas, read totus. p. 197. for back, read backs: for possessions, read possession. p. 200. for defiderat, read desideat. p. 202. for inconstant, read in constant. in the same p. for through r. though. p. 205. in the margin, join the disjoined note of jup. Nept. Pluto. p. 213. for hill, r. wood. p. 214. for 'gainst, r. against. p. 223. for a bowl of mighty wine, read a mighty bowl of wine. p. 226. for heads, r. head. p. 141. for near more, r. now no. p. 244. in the margin, for imitable, r. inimitable. in the same p. for ofs, r. oft. p. 248. at the end. for or, r. our. p. 250. for t'Aiaces this, r. th'Aiaces. p. 256. for friend, read fiend. p. 263. for the sprightly, r. their sprightly. in the same p. for were, r. where. p. 264. for larged, r. large. p. 266. in the Comment, for to which, r. which. in the same. for the ears, r. th'ears. p. 284. for steels, r. seeles. p. 290. for with blind, r. which blind. p. 293. for hands, r. sands. p. 303, for all the feet, r. at the feet. p. 306. for fetched, r. ●…tch. p. 324. at the end, for Teucer, read Teucer's.   

THE FIRST BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

Apollos' Priest to th' Argive sleet doth bring  
Gifts for his daughter, prisoner to the King;  
For which, her tendered freedom, he entreats.  
But, being dismissed, with contumelious threats,  
At Phoebus' hands, by vengeful prayer he seeks,  
To have a plague inflicted on the Greeks'.  
Which had, Achilles doth a Council cite,  
Emboldening Chalchas, in the King's despite,  
To tell the truth, why they were punished so.  
From hence their fierce and deadly strife did grow.  
For wrong in which, Aeacides so raves, 
Aeacideses, surname of Achilles being the grand child of Aeacus.   
That Goddess Thetis, from her throne of waves,  
(Ascending heaven) of jove assistance won,  
To plague the Greeks', by absence of her Son:  
And make the General himself repent,  
To wrong so much his Army's Ornament.  
This, found by juno, she with jove contends,  
Till Vulcan, with heavens cup, the quarrel ends.   
Another Argument.  

Alpha, the prayer of Chryses, sings:  
The Army's plague: the strife of Kings.   


His proposition and invocation.  Achilles' baneful wrath resound, O Goddess, that imposed,  
Infinite sorrows on the Greeks'; and many brave souls losd  
From breasts Heroic: sent them far, to that ᵃ invisible cave  
That no light comforts: & their limbs, to dogs & vultures gave.  
To ᵇ all which, joves will gave effect; ᶜ from whom, first strife begun,  
Betwixt Atrides, 
Atrides surname of Agamemnon; being son to Atreus. Eris the Gods of contention. Narration.  king of men; and Thetis godlike Son.   

What God gave Eris their command, and oped that fight vein?  
Ioues, and Latona's Son; who fired, against the king of men,  
For contumely, shown his Priest; infectious sickness sent,  
To plague the army; and to death, by troops, the soldiers went.  
Occasioned thus; Chryses the Priest, came to the fleetc, to buy  
For presents of unualued price, his daughter's liberty.  
The golden sceptre, and the crown, of Phoebus, in his hands  
Proposing; and made suit to all, but most to the Commands  
Of both th' Atrideses, 
Agamemnon & Menelaus: called the Atrideses being brothers, & both sons to Atreus.  who most ruled. Great Atreus sons (said he)  
And all ye wel-grieued Greeks'; the Gods whose habitations be  
In heavenly houses, grace your powers, with Priam's razed town,  
And grant ye happy conduct home: to win which wished renown  
Of jove, by honouring his son (farre-shooting Phoebus) deign  
For these fit presents to dissolu●…, the ransomeable chain 
Chryses, the Priest of Apollo, to the Atrideses, and other Greeks'.   
Of my loved daughter's servitude. The Greeks' entirely gave  
Glad ᵈ acclamations, for sign, that their desires would have  
The grave Priest reverenced, and his gifts, of so much price embraced.  
The General yet, bore no such mind, but viciously disgraced,  
With violent terms, the Priest, and said: Dotard, avoid our fleet,  
Where lingering be not found by me, nor thy returning feet 
Agamemnon's 〈◊〉 repulse of Chryses.   
Let ever visit us again, lest nor thy Godheads crown,  
Nor sceptre save thee. Her thou seek'st, I still will hold mine own,  
Till age deflower her. In our court, at Argos (far transferred  
From her loved country) she shall ply, her web, and see 
* See my bed made, it may be englished: the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifies contra stan tem; as standing of one side, opposite to another on the other side which yet others 〈◊〉 capessentem, & adornantem; which, since it shows best to a reader, I follow. The prayer of Chryses to Apollo.  prepared  
(With all fit ornaments) my bed. Incense me then no more,  
But, (if thou wilt be safe) be gone. This said, the sea-beate shore,  
(Obeying his high will) the Priest, trod off with haste, and fear.  
And walking silent, till he left, far off his enemy's ear;  
Phoebus (faire-haird Latona's son) he stirred up, with a vow,  
To this stern purpose: Hear, thou God, that bearest the silver bow,  
That Chrysa guard'st, rulest Tenedos, with strong hand, and the ᵉ round  
Of Cilla most divine dost walk: O Smintheus, if crowned  
With thankful offerings thy rich Fane, I ever saw, or fired.  
Fat thighs of oxen, and of goats, to thee: this grace desired  
Vouchsafe to me: pains for my tears, let these rude Greeks' repay,  
Forced with thy arrows. Thus he prayed, and Phoebus heard him pray;  
And vexed at heart, down from the tops, of steep heaven stooped; his bow  
And quiver covered round; his hands, did on his shoulders throw;  
And, of the angry deity, the arrows as he moved  
Rattled about him. Like the night, he ranged the host, and roved  
(Apart the fleet set:) terribly, with his hard-loosing hand  
His silver bow twanged, and his shafts, did first, the Mules command,  
And swift hounds: then the Greeks' themselves, his deadly arrows shot. 
Apollo sends the plague among the Greeks'.   
The fires of death went never out, nine days his shafts flew hot  
About the army, and the tenth, Achilles called a court  
Of all the Greeks: heavens 
* juno.  white-armed Queen, (who every where cut short  
Beholding her loved Greeks by death) suggested it: and he  
(All met in one) arose, and said: Atrides, Now I see 
Achilles to A●….   
We must be wandering again, flight must be still our stay,  
(If flight can save us now) at once, sickness and battle lay  
Such strong hand on us. Let us ask, some Prophet, Priest, or prove  
Some dream interpreter (for dreams, are often sent from jove)  
Why Phoebus is so much incensed? If unperformed vows  
He blames in us; or Hecatombs; and if these knees he bows  
To death, may yield his graves no more; but offering all supply  
Of savours, burnt from lambs, and goats; avert his fervent eye,  
And turn his temperate. Thus he sat; and then stood up to them  
Chalcas, surnamed Thestorides, of Augurs, the supreme: 
Calchas the Prophet.   
He knew things present, past, to come; and ruled the Equinpage,  
Of th'Argive fleet to Ilium, for his Prophetic rage  
Given by Apollo: who well seen, in th'ill they felt, proposed  
This to Achilles: Ioues beloved? would thy charge see disclosed, 
Calchas to Achilles.   
The secret of Apollo's wrath? then covenant, and take oath,  
To my discovery; that with words, and powerful actions both,  
Thy strength will guard the truth, in me; because I well conceive  
That he whose Empire governs all, whom all the Grecians give,  
Confirmed obedience, will be moved; and than you know the state,  
Of him that moves him. When a king, hath once marked for his hate,  
A man inferior; though that day, his wrath seems to digest  
Th'offence he takes; yet evermore, he rakes up in his breast,  
Brands of quick anger; till revenge, hath quenched to his desire,  
The fire reserved. Tell me then, if, whatsoever, ire  
Suggests, in hurt of me, to him; thy valour will prevent?   

Achilles' answered; All thou knowst, speak, and be confident: 
Achilles to Chalchas.   
For by Apollo, Ioues beloved (to whom, performing vows,  
O Calchas, for the state of Greece; thy spirit Prophetic shows  
Skills that direct us) not a man, of all these Grecians here,  
(I living, and enjoying the light, shot through this flowery sphere)  
Shall touch thee, with offensive hands; though Agamemnon be  
The man in question, that doth boast, the mightiest Empery,  
Of all our army. Then took heart, the Prophet unreproved,  
And said: They are not unpaid vows; nor Hecatombs, that moved,  
The God against us: his offence, is for his Priest, empaird, 
Calchas discovers to the Greeks' the cause of their plague.   
By Agamemnon; that refused, the present he preferred,  
And kept his daughter. This is cause, why heavens farre-darter darts,  
These plagues amongst us; and this still, will empty in our hearts  
His deathful quiver, uncontaind; till to her loved sire,  
The blacke-eyd damsel be resigned; no redemptorie hire,  
took for her freedom; not a gift; but all the ransom quit;  
And she conveyed, with sacrifice; till her enfranchisd feet,  
Tread Chrysa under: then the God (so pleased) perhaps we may  
Move to remission. Thus he sat; and up, the great in sway,  
Heroic Agamemnon rose; eagerly bearing all:  
His mind's seat overcast with fumes: an anger general,  
Filled all his faculties; his eyes, sparkled like kindling fire;  
Which, sternly cast upon the Priest, thus vented he, his ire;   

Prophet of ill? For never good, came from thee towards me; 
Agamemnon incensed, to Calchas   
Not to a words worth: evermore, thou tookst delight to be  
Offensive in thy Auguries; which thou continuest still;  
Now casting thy prophetic gall, and vouching all our ill  
(Shot from Apollo,) is imposed; since I refused the prize  
Of fair Chryseis liberty; which would in no worth rise,  
To my rate of herself; which moves, my vows to have her home;  
Past Clytaemnestra loving her; that graced my nuptial room,  
With her virginity, and flower. Nor ask her merits less,  
For person, disposition, wit, and skill in housewiferies.  
And yet, for all this, she shall go; if more conducible  
That course be, than her holding here. I rather wish the weal  
Of my loved army, than the death. Provide yet, instantly,  
Supply for her, that I alone, of all our royalty,  
Lose not my win: 'tis not fit, ye see all, I lose mine  
Forced by another: see as well, some other may resign,  
His Prize to me. To this, replied, the swift-foot Godlike son 
Achilles to Agamemnon.   
Of Thetis, thus: King of us all, in all ambition;  
Most covetous of all that breath; why should the great-souled Greeks'  
Supply thy lost prize, out of theirs? nor what thy avarice seeks,  
Our common treasury can find; so little it doth guard  
Of what our razed towns, yielded us; of all which, most is shared,  
And given our soldiers; which again, to take into our hands  
Were ignominious, and base. Now then, since God commands,  
Part with thy most-loved prize to him: not any one of us,  
Exacts it of thee: yet we all, all loss thou sufferest thus,  
Will triple; quadruple in gain, when jupiter bestows  
The sack of well-walled Troy on us; which by his word, he owes.   

Do not deceive yourself with wit, (he answered) Godlike man; 
〈◊〉 to Ahilles.   
Though your good name may colour it; 'tis not your swift foot can  
Out run me here; nor shall the gloss, set on it, with the God,  
Persuade me to my wrong. Wouldst thou, maintain in sure abode  
Thine own pris●…, and slight me of mine? Resolve this: if our friends  
(As fits in equity, my worth) will right me with amends,  
So rest it; otherwise myself, will enter personally  
On thy prize; that of Ithacus, or Ajax, for supply;  
Let him, on whom I enter, rage. But come we'll order these,  
Hereafter, and in other place. Now put to sacred seas  
Our black sail; in it rowers put, in it fit sacrifice;  
And to these, I will make ascend, my so much envied prize,  
Bright-cheekt Chryseis. For conduct, of all which, we must choose  
A chief out of our counsellors; thy service we must use,  
Idomeneus; Ajax, thine, or thine, wise Ithacus;  
Or thine, thou terriblest of men, thou son of Peleus;  
Which fittest were, that thou mightst see, these holy acts performed,  
For which thy cunning zeal so pleads; and he whose bow thus stormed  
For our offences, may be calmed. Achilles, with a frown, 
Achilles to Agamemnon.   
Thus answered: O thou impudent! of no good but thine own,  
Ever respectful; but of that, with all craft, covetous;  
With what heart can a man attempt, a service dangerous,  
Or at thy voice be spirited, to fly upon a foe,  
Thy mind thus wretched? For myself, I was not injured so,  
By any Trojan, that my powers, should bid them any blows;  
In nothing bear they blame of me. Phthia, whose bosom flows  
With corn and people, never felt, impair of her increase,  
By their invasion: hills enough, and farre-resounding seas,  
power out their shades, and deeps, between: but thee thou frontless man,  
We follow, and thy triumphs make,▪ with bonfires of our bane:  
Thine, and thy brother's vengeance sought (thou dog's eyes) of this Troy  
By our exposed lives; whose deserts, thou neither dost employ,  
With honour, nor with care. And now, thou threat'st to force from me,  
The fruit of my sweat, which the Greeks', gave all; and though it be  
(Compared with thy part, then snatched up) nothing: ●…or ever is,  
At any sackttowne: but of fight, (the fetcher in of this)  
My hands have most share: in whose toils, when I have emptied me  
Of all my forces; my amends, in liberality  
(Though it be little) I accept, and turn pleased to my tent:  
And yet that little, thou esteemst, too great a continent  
In thy incontinent avarice. For Phthya therefore now  
My course is; since 'tis better far, then here endure, that thou  
Should●… still be ravishing my right, draw my whole treasure dry;   

And add dishonour. He replied: If thy heart serve thee, fly: 
Agamemnon to Ahilles.   
Stay not for my cause; others here, will aid, and honour me;  
If not, yet jove I know, is sure; that counsellor is he  
That I depend on: as for thee, of all our jove-kept kings,  
Thou still art most my enemy: strifes, battles, bloody things,  
Make thy blood feasts still. But if strength, that these moods build upon,  
Flow in thy nerves; God gave thee it; and so 'tis not thine own,  
But in his hands still: what then lifts, thy pride in this, so high?  
Home with thy fleet, and Myrmidons; use there their Empery,  
Command not here: I weigh thee not, nor mean to magnify  
Thy rough hewn rages; but in stead, I thus far threaten thee:  
Since Phoebus needs will force from me, Chryseis; she shall go;  
My ships, and friends, shall waft her home: but I will imitate so,  
His pleasure; that mine own shall take, in person, from thy tent  
Bright-cheekt Briseis; and so tell, thy strength how eminent  
My power is, being compared with thine: all other, making fear  
To vaunt equality with me; or in this proud kind bear  
Their beards against me. Thetis' son, at this stood vexed; his heart 
Achilles' angri●… with ●…non.   
Bristled his bosom, and two ways, drew his discursive part;  
If from his thigh, his sharp sword drawn, he should make room about  
Atrides, person slaughtering him; or sit his anger out  
And curb his spirit. While these thoughts, strived in his blood and mind,  
And he his sword drew: down from heaven, Athenia 
* 〈◊〉.  stooped, and shined  
About his temples; being sent, by th'ivory-wristed queen  
Saturnia; who, out of her heart, had ever loving been,  
And careful for the good of both. She stood behind, and took  
Achilles by the yellow curls; and only gave her look  
To him appearance: not a man, of all the rest could see.  
He, turning back his eye; amaze, struck every faculty;  
Yet strait, he knew her, by her eyes; so terrible they were  
Sparkling with ardour, and thus spoke: Thou seed of jupiter, 
Achilles to 〈◊〉.   
Why comest thou? to behold his pride, that boasts our Empery?  
Then witness, with it, my revenge; and see that insolence die,  
That lives to wrong me. She replied, I come from heaven to see  
Thy anger settled: if thy soul, will use her sovereignty, 
〈◊〉 to Achilles.   
In fit reflection. I am sent, from juno, whose affects,  
Stand hearty inclined to both: Come, give us both respects,  
And cease contention: draw no sword; use words, and such as may  
Be bitter to his pride, but just; for trust in what I say,  
A time shall come, when thrice the worth, of that he forceth now,  
He shall propose for recompense, of these wrongs: therefore throw  
Reins on thy passions, and serve us. He answered: Though my heart  
Burn in just anget; yet my soul, must conquer th'angry part, 
Achilles Palladi, hoc est, rationi obsequitur.   
And yield you conquest. Who subdues, his earthly part for heaven,  
Heaven to his prayers subdues his wish. This said, her charge was given,  
Fit honour: in his silver hilt, he held his able hand,  
And forced his broad sword up; and up, to heaven did reascend  
Minerva, who in Ioues high roof, that bears the rough shield, took  
Her place with other deities. She gone, again forsook,  
Patience his passion; and no more, his silence could confine  
His wrath, that this broad language gave: Thou ever steeped in wine, 
Achilles again infurie.   
Dogs-face? with heart, but of a Ha●…t? that nor in th'open eye  
Of fight, darest thrust into a press; nor with our noblest, lie  
In secret ambush. These works seem, too full of death for thee;  
'tis safer far, in th'open host, to dare an injury,  
To any crosser of thy lust. Thou subiect-eating king,  
Base spirits thou governst; or this wrong, had been the last fowl thing  
Thou ever author'dst: yet I vow, and by a great oath swear,  
Even by this sceptre; that as this, never again shall bear  
Green leaves, or branches, nor increase, with any growth, his size; 
This simile Virgil directly translates.   
Nor did, since first it left the hills, and had his faculties  
And ornaments bereft, with iron; which now to other end  
judges of Greece bear; and their laws, received from jove, defend;  
(For which, my oath to thee is great.) So whensoever need  
Shall burn with thirst of me, thy host, no prayers shall ever breed  
Affection in me, to their aid; though well deserved woes  
Afflict thee for them; when to death, man-slaughtring Hector throws  
Whole troops of them; and thou tormentest, thy vexed mind with conceit  
Of thy rude rage now: and his wrong, that most deserved the right  
Of all thy army. Thus he threw, his sceptre 'gainst the ground,  
With golden studs stuck; and took seat. Atrides breast was drowned  
In rising choler. Up to both, sweet-spoken Nestor stood,  
The cunning Pylian Orator; whose tongue powered forth a flood 
Nestor's age and eloqu●…e.   
Of more-then-hony sweet discourse: two ages were increased  
Of diuerse-languaged men; all borne, in his time, and deceased  
In sacred Pylos, where he reigned, amongst the third-aged men:  
He (well seen in the world) advisd, and thus expressed it then.   

O Gods, our Greek earth will be drowned, in just tears; rapeful Troy, 
Nes●…or to Achil les, and Agame●…n.   
Herking, and all his sons, will make, as just a mock, and joy  
Of these disiunctions; if of you, that all our host excel,  
In counsel, and in skill of fight, they hear this: Come, repel  
These young men's passions: y'are not both, (put both your years in one)  
So old as I: I lived long since, and was companion  
With men superior to you both: who yet would ever hear,  
My counsels with respect. My eyes, yet never witness were, 
Decorum's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Nor ever will be, of such men, as then delighted them;  
Pirithous, Exadius, and godlike Polypheme;  
Ceneus, and Dryas, prince of men; Aegean Theseus.  
A man, like heavens immortals formed; all, all most vigorous,  
Of all men, that even those days bred; most vigorous men, and fought  
With beasts most vigorous; mountain beasts, (for men in strength were nought  
Matched with their forces) fought with them; and bravely fought them down;  
Yet even with these men, I conversed, being called to the renown  
Of their societies, by their suits, from Pylos far, to fight  
In th'Asian kingdom; and I fought, to a degree of might  
That helped even their mights; against such, as no man now would dare,  
To meet in conflict; yet even these, my counsels still would hear,  
And with obedience, crown my words. Give you such palm to them;  
'tis better, then to wreathe your wraths. Atrides? give not stream  
To all thy power, nor force his prize; but yield her still his own,  
As all men else do. Nor do thou, encounter with thy crown  
(Great son of Peleus) since no king, that ever jove allowed  
Grace of a sceptre, equals him. Suppose thy nerves endowd  
With strength superior, and thy birth, a very Goddess gave;  
Yet he of force, is mightier; since, what his own nerves have  
Is amplified, with just command, of many other. King of men  
Command thou then thyself; and I, with my prayers will obtain,  
Grace of Achilles, to subdue, his fury; whose parts are  
Worth our entreaty; being chief check, to all our ill in war.   

All this, good father (said the king) is comely, and good right; 
Agamemnon to Nestor.   
But this man breaks all such bounds; he, affects past all men height.  
All would in his power hold, all make, his subjects, give to all  
His hot will for their temperate law: all which he never shall  
Persuade at my hands. If the Gods, have given him the great style  
Of ablest soldier; made they that, his licence to revile  
Men with vile language? Thetis soon, prevented him, and said:   

Fearful and vile I might be thought, if the exactions laid 
Achilles to Agamemnon.   
By all means on me I should bear. Others command to this,  
Thou shalt, not me; or if thou dost, far my free spirit is  
From serving thy command. Beside, this I affirm (afford  
Impression of it in thy soul) I will not use my sword  
On thee, or any, for a wench: unjustly though thou tak'st  
The thing thou gav'st; but all things else, that in my ship thou makest  
Greedy survey of, do not touch, without my leave; or do  
Add that acts wrong to this; that these, may see that outrage too;  
And then comes my part: then be sure, thy blood upon my lance,  
Shall flow in vengeance. These high terms, these two at variance  
Used to each other; left their seats, and after them arose 
The Grecian counc●…ll dissolved.   
The whole court. To his tents and ships, with friends and soldiers, goes  
Angry Achilles. Atreus' son, the swift ship launched, and put  
Within it twenty chosen row'rs: within it likewise shut  
The Hecatomb, t'appease the God. Then caused to come aboard  
Fair cheeked Chryseis. For the chief, he in whom Pallas poured  
Her store of counsels, (Ithacus) aboard went last, and then 
Chriseis sent to her father.   
The moist ways of the sea they sailed. And now the king of men  
Bade all the host to sacrifice. They sacrificed and, cast  
The offal of all to the deeps: the angry God they graced  
With perfect Hecatombs; some bulls, some goats along the shore  
Of the unfruitful sea, inflamed. To heaven the thick fumes bore  
Enwrapped savours. Thus though all, the politic king made show  
Respects to heaven; yet he himself, all that time did pursue  
His own affections. The late jar, in which he thundered threats  
Against Achilles, still he fed, and his affections heats  
Thus vented to Talthybius, and grave Eurybates  
Heralds, and ministers of trust, to all his messages.   

Haste to Achilles' tent, where take, Briseis hand, and bring 
Agamemnon to Talthybius and Eurybates his Heralds.   
Her beauties to us; if he fail, to yield her; say your king  
Will come himself with multitudes, that shall the horribler  
Make both his presence and your charge, that so he dares defer.   

This said, he sent them with a charge, of hard condition.  
They went unwillingly, and trod, the fruitless seas shore: soon  
They reached the navy and the tents, in which the quarter lay  
Of all the Myrmidons, and found, the chief Chief in their sway,  
Set at his black bark in his tent. Nor was Achilles glad  
To see their presence; nor themselves, in any glory, had  
Their message; but with reverence stood, and feared th'offended king.  
Asked not the dame; nor spoke a word. He yet, well knowing the thing  
That caused their coming; graced them thus: Heralds, ye men that bear 
Achill●…s Princely receipt of the Heralds.   
The messages of men and Gods; y'are welcome, come ye near.  
I nothing blame you, but your king; 'tis he, I know, doth send  
You for Briseis; she is his. Patroclus? honoured friend,  
Bring ●…oorth the damsel; and these men, let lead her, to their Lord.  
But, Heralds, be you witnesses, before the most adored;  
Before us mortals, and before, your most ungentle king,  
Of what I suffer: that if war, ever hereafter bring  
My aid in question; to avert, any severest bane,  
It brings on others; I am scusde, to keep my aid in wane,  
Since they mine honour. But your king, in tempting mischief, raves;  
Nor sees at once, by present things, the future; how like waves,  
Ills follow ills; injustices, being never so secure  
In present times; but after plagues, even then, are seen as sure.  
Which yet he sees not; and so soothes, his present lust; which checked,  
Would check plagues future; and he might, in succouring right, protect  
Such as fight for his right at fleet; they still in safety fight,  
That fight still justly. This speech used, Patr●…clus did the rite  
His friend commanded; and brought forth, Briseis from her tent; 
Briseis led to Agamemnon.   
Gave her the heralds, and away, to th'Achiue ships they went:  
She sad, and scarce for grief, could go; her love, all friends ' forsook,  
And wept for anger. To the shore, of th'old sea, he betook  
Himself alone; and casting forth, upon the purple sea,  
His wet eyes, and his hands to heaven, advancing; this sad plea,  
Made to his mother: Mother, since, you brought me forth to breath, 
Achilles to Thetis.   
So short a life: Olympius, had good right to bequeath  
My short life, honour; yet that right, he doth in no degree:  
But let's Atrides do me shame, and force that prize from me  
That all the Greeks' gave: this with tears, he uttered, and she heard;  
Set with her old sire, in his deeps; and instantly appeared,  
Up, from the grey sea, like a cloud: sat by his side, and said;   

Why weeps my son? what grieves thee? speak; conceal not what hath laid 
Thetis to Achilles.   
Such hard hand on thee: let both know. He (sighing like a storm)  
Replied: Thou dost know; why should I, things known; again inform? 
Achilles to Thetis.   
We marched to Thebes, the sacred town, of king Eetion,  
Sacked it, and brought to fleet the spoil, which every valiant son  
Of Greece, indifferently shared. Atrides had for share,  
Faire-cheekt Chryseis; after which, his priest, that shoots so far,  
Chryses, the fair Chryseis sire, arrived at th'Achiue fleet,  
With infinite ransom; to redeem, the dear imprisoned feet,  
Of his fair daughter. In his hands, he held Apollo's crown,  
And golden sceptre; making suit, to every Grecian son,  
But most, the sons of Atreus, (the others orderers)  
Yet they lest heard him; all the rest, received with reverend ears,  
The motion: both the Priest, and gifts, gracing; and holding worth  
His wished acceptance. Atreus' son, yet (vexed) commanded forth  
With rude terms, Phoebus' reverend Priest: who, angry, made retreat,  
And prayed to Phoebus; in whose grace, he standing passing great,  
Got his petition. The God, an ill shaft sentabrode,  
That tumbled down the Greeks' in heaps. The host had no abode,  
That was notvisited; we asked, a Prophet that well knew  
The cause of all; and from his lips, Apollo's prophecies flew;  
Telling his anger. First myself, exhorted to appease  
The angered God; which Atreus son, did at the heart displease.  
And up he stood, used threats, performed. The blacke-eyd Greeks sent home  
Chryseis to her sire; and gave, his God a Hecatome;  
Then, for Briseis to my tents, Atrides Heralds came,  
And took her, that the Greeks' gave, all. If then thy powers can frame  
Wreak for thy son, afford it; scale, Olympus, and implore  
jove, (if by either word, or fact; thou ever didst restore  
joy to his grieved heart) now to help. I oft have heard thee vaunt  
In court of Peleus; that alone, thy hand was conversant,  
In rescue from a cruel spoil, the blacke-clowd-gathering jove;  
Whom other Godheads, would have bound. (The power whose pace doth move  
The round earth; heavens great Queen, and Pallas) to whose bands 
Neptune, juno, and 〈◊〉, confederates in the binding of Iupi●….   
Thou cam'st with rescue; bringing up, him with the hundred hands,  
To great Olympus; whom the Gods, call Briar●…us; men  
Aegaeon; who, his sire surpassed, and was as strong again; 
The fiction of 〈◊〉.   
And in that grace, sat glad, by jove; th'immortals stood dismayed  
At his ascension; and gave, free passage to his aid.  
Of all this, tell jove; kneel to him; embrace his knee, and pray  
(If Trois aid he will ever deign) that now their forces may  
Beat home the Greeks to fleet, and sea; imbruing their retreat  
In slaughter: their pains paying the wreak, of their proud sovereigns heart:  
And that farre-ruling king may know, from his poor soldiers harms,  
His own harm falls: his own, and all, in mine; his best in arms.   

Her answer she poured out in tears: O me, my son (said she) 
Thetis to Achilles.   
Why brought I up, thy being at all; that brought thee forth to be  
Sad subject of so hard a fate? O would to heaven, that since,  
Thy fate is little, and not long; thou mightst without offence,  
And tears perform it. But to live, thrall to so stern a fate  
As grants thee least life; and that least, so most unfortunate,  
Grieves me t'have given thee any life. But what thou wishest now  
(If jove will grant) i'll up, and ask. Olympus' crowned with snow  
I'll climb: but sit thou fast at fleet: renounce all war, and feed  
Thy heart with wrath, and hope of wreak: till which come, thou shalt need,  
A little patience: jupiter, went yesterday to feast 
jupiters' feast with the Aethiop's.   
Amongst the blameless Aethiops, in th'ocean's deepned breast;  
All Gods attending him: the twelfth, high heaven again he sees,  
And then his brasse-paued court I'll scale; cling to his powerful knees,  
And doubt not, but to win thy wish. Thus made she her remove,  
And left wrath tiring on her son, for his enforced love.   

Ulysses, with the Hecatomb, arrived at Chrysas shore: 
Navigation to Chrysa.   
And when, amids the havens deep mouth, they came to use the oar,  
They strait struck sail, than rolled them up, and on the hatches threw.  
The top mast, to the kelsine then, with haleyards down they drew;  
Then brought the ship to Port with oars, than forked anchor cast,  
And 'gainst the violence of storms, for drifting made her fast.   

All come ashore, they all exposed, the holy Hecatomb  
To angry Phoebus; and with it, Chryseis welcomed home:  
Whom, to her sire, wise Ithacus, that did at th'altar stand,  
For honour, led; and (spoken thus) resigned her to his hand:  
Chryses, the mighty king of men (great Agamemnon) sends 
●…lysses to Chryses.   
Thy loved seed, by my hands, to thine; and to thy God commends  
A Hecatomb, which my charge is, to sacrifice, and seek  
Our much-sigh-mixt-woe, his recure, invokt by every Greek.   

Thus he resigned her, and her sire, received her, highly joyed.  
About the well-built altar then, they orderly emploide  
The sacred offering. Washed their hands, took salt cakes, and the Priest  
(With hands held up to heaven) thus prayed: O thou that all things seest,  
Fautour of Chrysa, whose fair hand, doth guardfully dispose 
Chryses prayer to Apollo for appeasing the plague.   
Celestial Cilla: governing, in all power, Tenedos:  
O hear thy Priest, and as thy hand, in free grace to my prayers  
Shot fervent plague-shafts through the Greeks': now hearten their affai●…es,  
With health renewed, and quite remove, th'infection from their blood.   

He prayed; and to his prairs again, the God propitious stood.  
All, after prayer, cast on salt cakes; drew back, killed, flaid the beeves,  
Cut out, and dubbed with fat their thighs, fair dressed with doubled leaves; 
The sacrifice.   
And on them, all the sweetbreads pricked. The Priest, with small sere wood  
Did sacrifice; poured on red wine, by whom the young men stood,  
And turned (in five ranks) spits; on which, (the legs enough) they eat 
The banquet.   
The inwards; then in giggots cut, the other fit for meat;  
And put to fire; which (roasted well) they drew; the labour done,  
They served the feast in; that fed all, to satisfaction.   

Desire of meat, and wine, thus quenched, the youths crowned cups of wine  
Drunk off, and filled again to all. That day was held divine;  
And spent in Paeans to the Sun; who heard with pleased ear;  
When whose bright chariot stooped to sea, and twilight hide the clear; 
The evening.   
All, sound on their cables slept, even till the night was worn:  
And when the Lady of the light, the rosy fingered morn 
The morning.   
Rose from the hills: all fresh arose, and to the camp retired.  
Apollo with a foreright wind, their swelling bark inspired.  
The topmast hoist; milk-white sails, on his round breast they put;  
The Misens' strooted with the gale; the ship her course did cut,  
So swiftly, that the parted waves, against her ribs did roar,  
Which coming to the camp, they drew, aloft the sandy shore:  
Where, laid on stocks, each soldier kept, his quarter, as before.   

But Pelius son, swift-foot Achilles, at his swift ships sat,  
Burning in wrath, nor ever came, to Counsels of estate,  
That make men honoured: never trod, the fierce embattaild field,  
But kept close, and his loved heart pined: what fight and cries could yield,  
Thirsting, at all parts, to the host. And now since first he told  
His wrongs to Thetis: twelve fair morns, their ensigns did unfold.  
And then the everliving Gods, mounted Olympus; jove 
jupiter and the other Gods from the A●…thiops.   
First in ascension. Thetis then, remembered well to move  
Achilles' motion: rose from sea, and by the morn's first light,  
The great heaven, and Olympus climbed; where, in supremest height  
Of all that many-headed hill, she saw the farre-seene son 
jupiter.   
Of Saturn, set from all the rest, in his free seat alone:  
Before whom (on her own knees fallen) the knees of jupiter  
Her left hand held, her right his chin; and thus she did prefer  
Her sons petition: Father jove, if ever I have stood 
Thetis' prayer to jupiter.   
Aidful to thee in word or work: with this implored good  
Requite my aid: renown my son, since in so short a race,  
(Past others) thou confin'st his life: an insolent disgrace  
Is done him by the king of men: he forced from him, a prize  
Won with his sword. But thou, O jove, that art most strong, most wise,  
Honour my son, for my sake; add, strength to the Troyans' side  
By his sides weakness, in his want: and see Troy amplifide  
In conquest, so much, and so long, till Greece may give again  
The glory reft him; and the more, illustrate the free reign  
Of his wronged honour. jove, at this, sat silent; not a word  
In long space past him: Thetis still, hung on his knee; implored  
The second time, his help, and said: Grant, or deny my suit,  
Be free in what thou dost; I know, thou canst not sit thus mute,  
For fear of any: speak, deny, that so I may be sure  
Of all heavens Goddesses, 'tis I, that only must endure  
Dishonour by thee. jupiter, the great cloud-gatherer, grieved  
With thought of what a world of griefs, this suit asked, being achieved;  
Swelled, sighed, and answered: Works of death, thou urgest; OH at this 
jove to Thetis.   
juno will storm, and all my powers, inflame with contumelies.  
Ever she wrangles, charging me, in ear of all the Gods,  
That I am partial still; that I, add the displeasing odds  
Of my aid to the Ilians. Be gone then, lest she see:  
Leave thy request to my care: yet, that trust may hearten thee  
With thy desires grant, and my power, to give it act, approve  
How vain her strife is: to thy praire, my eminent head shall move,  
Which is the great sign of my will, with all th'immortal states:  
Irrevocable; never fails; never without the rates  
Of all powers else: when my head bows, all heads bow with it still;  
As their first mover; and gives power, to any work I will.   

He said; and his blacke-ey-brows bend; above his deathle●…se head,  
Th'Ambrosian curls flowed; great heaven shook, and both were severed,  
Their counsels broken. To the depth,▪ of Neptune's kingdom, dived,  
Thetis; from heavens height: jove arose; and all the Gods received,  
(All rising from their thrones) their sire; attending to his court;  
None sat, when he rose; none delayed, the furnishing his port,  
Till he came near: all met with him, and brought him to his throne.   

Nor sat great juno ignorant, when she beheld, alone,  
Old Nereus silver-footed seed, with jove; that she had brought  
Counsels to heaven; and strait her tongue, had teeth in it, that wrought  
This sharp invective: Who was that, (thou craftiest counsellor 
juno to 〈◊〉.   
Of all the Gods) that so apart, some secret did implore?  
Ever apart from me, thou lov'st, to counsel and decree,  
Things of more close trust than thou thinkest, are fit t'impart to me:  
What ever thou determin'st, I, must ever be denied  
The knowledge of it, by thy will. To her speech, thus replied; 
jupiter to juno.   
The Father, both of men, and Gods: Have never hope to know,  
My whole intentions; though my wife: it fits not, nor would show,  
Well to thine own thoughts: but what fits, thy woman's ear to hear;  
Woman, nor man, nor God, shall know, before it grace thine ear.  
Yet, what apart from men and Gods, I please to know; forbear  
T'examine, or inquire of that. She with the cows fair eyes  
(Respected juno) this returned: Austere king of the skies, 
junos' reply.   
What hast thou uttered? when did I, before this time, inquire,  
Or sift thy counsels? passing close, you are still; your desire,  
Is served with such care, that I fear, you can scarce vouch the deed  
That makes it public; being seduced, by this old sea-Gods seed.  
That could so early use her knees, embracing thine. I doubt,  
The late act of thy bowed head, was for the working out,  
Of some boon she asked; that her son, thy partial hand would please  
With plaguing others. Wretch (said he) thy subtle jealousies, 
jove incensed.   
Are still exploring: my designs, can never scape thine eye;  
Which yet thou never canst prevent. Thy curiosity  
Makes thee less cared for, at my hands; and horrible the end  
Shall make thy humour. If it be, what thy suspects intent,  
What then? 'tis my free will it should: to which, let way be given,  
With silence; curb your tongue in time, lest all the Gods in heaven  
Too few be, and too weak to help, thy punished insolence,  
When my inaccessible hands, shall fall on thee. The sense  
Of this high threatening, made her fear; and silent she sat down,  
Humbling her great heart. All the Gods, in court of jove, did frown  
At this offence given: amongst whom, heavens famous Artisan,  
Ephatstus, in his mother's care, this comely speech began: 
A name of Vulcan.    

Believe it, these words will breed wounds, beyond our powers to bear,  
If thus for mortals ye fall out. Ye make a tumult here  
That spoils our banquet. Evermore, worst matters put down best.  
But mother, though yourself be wise, yet let your son request  
His wisdom audience. Give good terms, to our loved father jove,  
For fear he take offence again; and our kind banquet prove  
A wrathful battle. If he will, the heavenly lightner can  
Take you, and toss you from your throne; his power Olympian  
Is so surpassing. Soften then, with gentle speech his spleen,  
And drink to him; I know his heart, will quickly down again.   

This said, arising from his throne, in his loved mother's hand 
Vultan fills and gives the cup to ●…uno.   
He put the double handeld cup, and said: Come, do not stand  
On these cross humours: suffer, bear, though your great bosom grieve,  
And lest blows force you: all my aid, not able to relieve  
Your hard condition; though these eyes, behold it, and this heart  
Sorrow to think it; 'tis a task, too dangerous to take part  
Against Olympius. I myself, the proof of this still feel;  
When other Gods would feign have helped, he took me by the heel 
The fall of Vulcan.   
And hurled me out of heaven: all day, I was in falling down,  
At length in Lemnos I struck earth; the likewise falling Sun,  
And I, together set: my life, almost set too; yet there  
The Sintij cheered, and took me up. This did to laughter cheer  
White-wristed juno; who now took, the cup of him and smiled.  
The sweete-peace-making-draught went round; and lame Ephaistus filled 
Vulcan skinker to the Gods.   
Nectar, to all the other Gods. A laughter never left,  
shook all the blessed d●…ities, to see the lame so deft  
At that cup service. All that day, even till the Sun went down,  
They banqueted, and had such cheer, as did their wishes crown.  
Nor had they music less divine, Apollo there did touch 
Apollo touches his harp at the banquet, and the Musessing to it.   
His most sweet harp; to which, with voice, the Muses pleased as much.  
But when the Sun's fair light was set, each Godhead to his house  
Addressed for sleep, where every one, with art most curious  
(By heavens great both-foote halting God) a several roof had built;  
Even he to sleep went, by whose hand, heaven is with lightning guilt.  
(High jove) where he had used to rest, when sweet sleep seized his eyes:  
By him the golden-throned Queen slept: the Queen of deities.   

COMMENTARIUS.  
Since I descent from all other Translators, and Interpreters, that ever assayed exposition of this miraculous Poem, especially where the divine rapture is most exempt from capacity, in Grammarians merely, and Grammatical Critics, and where the inward sense or soul of the sacred Muse is only within eye-shot of a Poetical spirits inspection; (lest I be prejudiced with opinion, to dissent of ignorance, or singularity) I am bound by this brief Comment, to show I understand how all other extants understand; my reasons why I reject them; and how I receive my Author. In which labour, if where all others find discords and dissonances, I prove him entirely harmonious and proportionate: if where they often alter, and fly his original, I at all parts stand fast, and observe it: if where they mix their most pitiful castigations with his praises, I render him without touch, and beyond admiration: (though truth in her very nakedness sits in so deep a pit, that from Gades to Aurora, and Ganges, few eyes can sound her:) I hope yet, those few here, will so discover and confirm her, that the date being out of her darkness in this morning of our Homer; he shall now gird his Temples with the Sun, and be confessed (against his good friend) Nunquam dormitare. But how all Translators, Censors, or Interpreters, have slept, and been dead to his true understanding; I hope it will neither cast shadow of arrogance in me to affirm, nor of difficulty in you to believe: if you please to suspend censure, & diminution, till your impartial conference of their pains and mine be admitted. For induction and preparative to which patience, and persuasion, trouble yourselves but to know this: This never-enough-glorified Poet, (to vary & quicken his eternal Poem) hath inspired his chief persons with different spirits, most ingenious and inimitable characters; which not understood, how are their speeches? being one by another, as conveniently, and necessarily known, as the instrument by the sound. If a Translator or Interpreter of a ridiculous and cowardly described person (being deceived in his character) so violates, and vitiates the original, to make his speech grave, and him valiant: can the negligence and numbness of such an Interpreter or Translator, be less than the sleep, and death, I am bold to sprinkle upon him? or could I do less than affirm and enforce this, being so happily discovered? This therefore (in his due place) approved and explained, let me hope my other assumpts will prove as conspicuous.  
This first and second book, I have wholly translated again; the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth books, deferring still imperfect, being all Englished so long since; and my late hand (overcome with labour) not yet rested enough to refine them. Nor are the wealthy veins of this holy ground, so amply discovered in my first twelve labours, as my last; not having competent time, nor my profit in his mysteries being so ample, as when driving through his thirteenth and last books, I drew the main depth, and saw the round coming of this silver bow of our Phoebus; the clear scope and contexture of his work; the full and most beautiful figures of his persons. To those last twelve then, I must refer you, for all the chief worth of my clear discoveries. And in the mean space, I entreat your acceptance of some few new touches in these first. Not perplexing you in first or last, with anything handled in any other Interpreter, further than I must conscionably make congression with such as have diminished, mangled, and maimed, my most worthily most tendered Author.  
ᵃ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (being compounded ex à privativa: & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, video) signifies, locus tenebricosus, or (according to Virgil) sine luce domus; and therefore (different from others) I so convert it.  
ᵇ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc.) is the vulgar reading, which I r●…ade: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 referred to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. is redundant and idle; to the miseries of the Greeks' by Ioues counsel, grave, and sententious.  
ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. ex quo quidem primùm: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. ex quo. Here our common readers would have tempore understood; because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (to which they think the Poet must otherwise have reference) is the feminine gender. But Homer understands jove; as in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, verse 273. he expounds himself in these words: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. which Pindarus Thebanus in his Epitome of these Iliads, rightly observes, in these verses:  

Conficiebat enim summi sententia Regis,  
Ex quo contulerant discordi pectore pugnas  
Sceptriger Atrides, & bello clarus Achilles.   
ᵈ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, comprobarunt Graeci, all others turn it; but since, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies properly, fausta acclamatione do significationem approbationis, I therefore accordingly convert it, because the other intimates a comprobation of all the Greeks' by word; which was not so, but only by inarticulate acclamations, or shouts.  
ᵉ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifies properly circumambulo, and only metaphoricè, protego, or tueor, as it is always in this place translated; which suffers alteration with me, since our usual phrase of walking the round in towns of garrison, for the defence of it, fits so well the property of the original.  
ᶠ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Praemiserat enim Dea alba v●…nis juno? Why juno should send Pallas, is a thing not noted by any: I therefore answer; Because juno is Goddess of state. The allegory therefore in the Prosopopoeia both of juno & Pallas, is, that Achilles for respect to the state there present, the rather used that discretion and restraint of his anger. So in divers other places, when state is represented, juno procures it: as in the eighteenth book, for the state of Patroclus his fetching off, juno commands the Sun to go down before his time, etc.  
ᵍ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: sic dixit lachrimen, etc. These tears are called by our Commentors, unworthy, and fit for children, or women, than such an Hero as Achilles: and therefore Plato is cited in 3. de Repub. where he saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Meritò igitur, clarorum virorum ploratus è medio tolleremus, etc. To answer which, and justify the fitness of tears generally (as they may be occasioned) in the greatest, and most renowned men; (omitting examples of Virgil's Aeneas, Alexander the Great, etc.) I oppose against Plato, only one precedent of great and most perfect humanity, (to whom infinitely above all other, we must prostrate our imitations) that shed tears, viz. our All▪ perfect and Almighty Saviour, who wept for Lazarus. This then, leaving the fitness of great men's tears generally, utterly unanswerable: these particular tears of unuented anger in Achilles, are in him most natural: tears being the highest effects of greatest and most fiery spirits; either when their abilities cannot perform to their wills, or that they are restrained of revenge, being injured, out of other considerations: as now the consideration of the state, and gravity of the counsel, and public good of the army curbed Achilles. Who can deny, that there are tears of manliness, and magnanimity, as well as womanish and pusillanimous? So Diomedes, wept for cursed heart, when Apollo struck his scourge from him, and hindered his horse race: having been warned by Pallas before not to resist the Deities; and so his great spirits being kerbed of revenge, for the wrong he received then. So when not-enough. vented anger, was not to be expressed enough by that teare-starting affection in courageous and fierce men, our most accomplish●… expressor, helps the illustration in a Simile of his fervour, in most feruent-spirited fowls, resembling the wrathful fight of Sarpedon and Patroclus to two Vultures, fight, and crying on a rock; which thus I have afterwards Englished, and here for example inserted:  

Down jumped he from his chariot; down leapt his foe as light:  
And as on some far-seeing rock, a cast of Vultures fight,  
Fly on each other, strike, and truss; part, meet, and then stick by;  
Tug both with crooked beaks, and seres; cry, fight, and fight, and cry.  
So fiercely fought these angry kings, etc.   
Wherein you see, that crying in these eager fought fowls (which is like tears in angry men) is so far from softness or faintness, that to the superlative of hardiness and courage, it expresseth both. Nor must we be so gross to imagine, that Homer made Achilles, or Diomedes blubber, or sob, etc. but in the very point and sting of their unuented anger, shed a few violent and seething-over tears. What Asslike impudence is it then, for any merely vainglorious, and self-loving puff, that every where may read these inimitable touches of our Homer's mastery, any where to oppose his arrogant and ignorant castigations? when he should rather (with his much better understander Spondanus) submit where he oversees him faulty: and say thus: Quia tu tamen hoc voluisti, sacrosanctae tuae authoritati, per me nihil detrahetur.  
The end of the first Book.    

THE SECOND BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

Jove calls avision up, from Somnus den;  
To bid Atrides, muster up his men.  
The king (to Greekes dissembling his desire)  
Persuades them to their country to r●…tire.  
By Pallas will, Ulysses stays their flight;  
And wise old Nestor, heartens them to fight.  
They take their meat: which done, to arms they go●…:  
And march in good array, against the foe.  
So those of Troy, when Iris, from the sky,  
Of Satur's son, performs the Embassy.   
Another Argument.  

Beta, the dream and Synod cities,  
And catalogues the naval knights.   

THe other Gods, and knights at arms, all night slept: only jove, 
jupiter carefu●… in performing his vow to Thet●….   
Sweet slumber seized not; he discoursed, how best he might approve  
His vow made for Achilles' grace, and make the Grecians find  
His miss, in much death. All ways cast; this counsel served his mind  
With most allowance: to dispatch, a harmful dream to greet  
The king of men; and gave this charge: Go, to the Achive fleet, 
jupiter calls up a vision.   
(Pernicious dream) and being arrived, in Agamemnon's tent,  
Deliver truly all this charge; command him to convent  
His whole host armed, before these towers; for now Troy's broad-waid town  
He shall take in: the heaven-housd Gods, are now indifferent grown,  
junos' request hath won them: Troy, now under imminent ills,  
At all parts labours. This charge heard, the vision strait fulfils;  
The ships reached, and Atrides tent, in which he found him laid;  
Divine sleep powered about his powers. He stood above his head  
Like Nestor (graced, of old men, most) and this did intimate:   

Sleeps the wise Atreus-tame-horse son? a counsellor of State, 
The vision to Agamemnon.   
Must not, the whole night, spend in sleep; to whom the people are,  
For guard committed; and whose life, stands bound to so much care.  
Now hear me then, (Ioues messenger,) who, though far off from thee,  
Is near thee yet; in ruth, and care: and gives command by me,  
To arm thy whole host. Thy strong hand, the broad-waid town of Troy,  
Shall now take in: no more the Gods, dissentiously employ  
Their high-housd powers: junos' suit, hath won them all to her;  
And ill fates over-hang these towers, addressed by jupiter.  
Fix in thy mind this; nor forget, to give it action, when  
Sweet sleep shall leave thee. Thus he fled, and left the king of men  
Repeating, in discourse, his dream; and dreaming still, awake, 
〈◊〉 discourseth of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Of power, not ready yet for act. O fool, he thought to take  
In that next day, old Priam's town; not knowing what affairs  
〈◊〉 had in purpose; who prepared, (by strong fight) sighs and 〈◊〉  
For Greeks', and Troyans'. The dream gone, his voice still mur●…ured  
About the king's ears: who sat up, put on him, in his bed,  
His silken inner weed; fair, new, and then in haste arose;  
Cast on his ample mantle, tied, to his soft feet fair shoes;  
His siluer-hilted sword he hung, about his shoulders, took  
His father's sceptre, never stained: which then abroad he shook,  
And went to fleet. And now great heaven, Goddess Aurora, scald 
The morning.   
To jove, and all Gods, bringing light. When Agamemnon called  
His heralds, charging them aloud, to call to instant Court  
The thicke-haird Greeks'. The heralds called, the Greeks' made quickeresort:  
The Council chief he composed, of old great minded men,  
At Nestor's ships, the Pylian king: all there assembled then,  
Thus Atreus' son begun the Court: Hear friends, a dream divine, 
〈◊〉.   
Amids the calm night in my sleep, did through my shut eyes shine,  
Within my fantasy: his form, did passing naturally  
Resemble Nestor: such attire, a stature just as high.  
He stood above my head; and words, thus fashioned, did relate.   

Sleeps the wise Atreus-tame-horse son? A counsellor of state 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Must not, the whole night spend in sleep; to whom the people are  
For guard committed; and whose life, stands bound to so much care.  
Now hear me then, (Ioues messenger,) who, though far off from thee,  
Is near thee yet, in love, and care: and gives command by me,  
To arm thy whole host. Thy strong hand, the broad-waid town of Troy,  
Shall now take in: no more the Gods, dissentiously employ  
Their high-housd powers: Saturnias' suit, hath won them all to her;  
And ill fates over-hang these towers, addressed by jupiter.  
Fix in thy mind this. This expressed, he took wing and away;  
And sweet sleep left me: let us then, by all our means assay,  
To arm our army; I will first, (as far as fits our right)  
Try their addictions, and command, with full-sailed ships our flight:  
Which if they yield to, oppose you. He sat; and up arose  
N●…stor, of sandy Pylos, king: who, (willing to dispose  
Their counsel to the public good) proposed this to the State:   

Princes, and Counsellors of Greece? If any should relate 
Nestor to the Greeks'.   
This vision, but the king himself; it might be held a tale,  
And move the rather our 〈◊〉: but since our General  
Affirms he saw it, hold it true; and all our best means make  
To arm our army. This speech used, he first the Council broke;  
The other scepter-bearing States, arose to, and obeyed  
The people's Rector. Being abroad, the earth was overlaid  
With flockers to them, that came forth: as when, of frequen●… Bees  
Swarms rise out of a hollow rock, repairing the degrees 
Simile.   
Of their egression endlessly; with ever rising new,  
From forth their sweet nest: as their store, still as it faded, grew,  
And never would cease sending forth, her clusters to the spring  
They still crowd out so; this flock here; that there, belabouring  
The loaded flowers. So from the ships, and tents, the army's store,  
Trooped to these Princes, and the Court; along th'unmeasured shore:  
Amongst whom, Ioues Ambassadresse, (Fame) in her virtue shined, 
〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Exciting greediness to hear. The rabble thus inclined,  
Hurried together; uproar seized, the high Court; earth did groan  
Beneath the settling multitude; tumult was there alone.  
Thrice three voiciferous heralds rose, to check the rout, and get  
Ear to their jove-kept Governors; and instantly was set  
That huge confusion; every man, set fast, and clamour ceased:  
Then stood divine Atrides up, and in his hand compressed  
His sceptre, th'elaborate work, of fiery Mulciber: 
The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉.   
Who gave it to Saturnian jove; jove to his messenger;  
His messenger (Argicides,) to Pelops, skilled in horse;  
Pelops, to Atreus' chief of men; he dying, gave it course  
To Prince Thyestes, rich in herds; Thyestes to the hand  
Of Agamemnon rendered it, and with it, the command  
Of many Isles, and Argos, all. On this he leaning, said:   

O friends, great sons of Danaus, servants of Mars; jove laid 
Agamemnon to the Greeks'.   
A heavy curse on me, to vow, and bind it with the bent  
Of his high forehead; that (this Troy, of all her people spent)  
I should return; yet now to mock, our hopes, built on his vow:  
And charge ingloriously my flight; when such an overthrow  
Of brave friends, I have authored. But to his mightiest will  
We must submit us; that hath razed, and will be razing still,  
men's footsteps, from so many towns; because his power is most,  
He will destroy most. But how vile, such, and so great an host,  
Will show to future times? that matched, with lesser numbers far,  
We fly, not putting on the crown, of our so long-held war?  
Of which, there yet appears no end. Yet should our foes and we  
Strike truce, and number both our powers; Troy taking all that be  
Her armed inhabitants; and we, in ten should all sit down  
At our truce banquet: every ten, allowed one of the town  
To fill his feast-cup; many ten, would their attendant want:  
So much I must affirm, our power, exceeds th'inhabitant.  
But their auxiliary bands; those brandishers of spears,  
(From many cities drawn) are they, that are our hinderers;  
Not suffering well-raisd Troy to fall. Nine years are ended now,  
Since jove our conquest vowed, and now, our vessels rotten grow,  
Our tackling fails, our wives, young sons, sit in their doors, and long  
For our arrival: yet the work, that should have wreaked our wrong,  
And made us welcome, lies unwrought: Come then, as I bid, all  
Obey, and fly to our loved home; for now, nor ever shall  
Our utmost, take in broad-waid Troy. This said, the multitude  
Was all for home, and all men else, that what this would conclude  
Had not discovered. All the crowd, was should about the shore;  
In sway, like rude, and raging waves, roused with the fervent blore 
Simile.   
Of th'East, and South winds; when they break, from Ioues clouds, and are borne  
On rough backs of th' I carian seas: or like a field of corn  
High grown, that Zephyrs vehement gusts, bring easily underneath,  
And make the stiffe-vp-bristled ears, do homage to his breath:  
For even so easily, with the breath, Atrides used, was swayed  
The violent multitude. To fleet, with shouts, and disaraid,  
All rushed; and with a fog of dust, their rude feet, dimmed the day;  
Each cried to other, cleanse our ships; come, launch, aboard, away.  
The clamour of the runners home, reached heaven; and then past fate,  
The Greeks' had left Troy, had not then, the Goddess of estate,  
Thus spoke to Pallas: O foul shame, thou untamed seed of jove, 
juno to Pallas.   
Shall thus the seas broad back be charged, with these our friends remove?  
Thus leaving Argive Helen here? thus Priam graced? thus Troy?  
In whose fields, far from their loved own, (for Helen's sake) the joy,  
And life of so much Grecian birth, is vanished? take thy way  
T'our brasse-armed people; speak them fair, let not a man obey  
The charge now given, nor launch one ship. She said, and Pallas did  
As she commanded: from the tops, of heavens steep hill she slid;  
And strait, the Greeks' swift ships, she reached: Ulysses, (like to jove  
In gifts of counsel) she found out; who, to that base remove,  
Stirred not a foot, nor touched a ship; but grieved at heart to see  
That fault in others. To him close, the blue-eyd deity  
Made way, and said: Thou wisest Greeke, divine Laertes son,  
Thus fly ye homewards, to your ships, shall all thus headlong run?  
Glory to Priam, thus ye leave; glory to all his friends,  
If thus ye leave her here; for whom, so many violent ends  
Have closed your Greek eyes? and so far, from their so loved home?  
Go to these people, use no stay; with fair terms overcome  
Their foul endeavour: not a man, a flying sail let hoice.   

Thus spoke she, and Ulysses knew, 'twas Pallas by her voice:  
Ran to the runners; cast from him, his mantle, which his man  
And Herald, grave Eurybates, the Ithacensian  
That followed him, took up. Himself, to Agamemnon went;  
His incorrupted sceptre took; his sceptre of descent;  
And with it, went about the fleet. What Prince, or man of name,  
He found flight-given; he would restrain, with words of gentlest blame;   

Good sir, it fits not you to fly, or far as one afraid; 
●…lysses temper in restraining the flight.   
You should not only stay yourself, but see the people stayed.  
You know not clearly (though you heard, the king's words) yet his mind,  
He only tries men's spirits now; and whom his trials find  
Apt to this course, he will chastise. Nor you, nor I, heard all  
He spoke in council: nor durst press, too near our General,  
Lest we incensed him to our hurt. The anger of a king  
Is mighty; he is kept of jove, and from jove likewise spring  
His honours; which, out of the love, of wise jove, he enjoys.  
Thus, he the best sort used; the worst, whose spirits broke out in noise,  
He cudgeled with his sceptre, chid, and said: Stay wretch, be still,  
And hear thy betters; thou art base, and both in power and skill  
Poor and unworthy; without name, in counsel, or in war.  
We must not all be kings: the rule, is most irregularre,  
Where many rule; one Lord, one king, propose to thee; and he  
To whom wise Satur's son hath given, both law, and Empery,  
To rule the public, is that king. Thus, ruling, he restrained  
The host from flight: and then, again, the Council was maintained  
With such a concourse, that the shore, rung with the tumult made;  
As when the farre-resounding sea, doth in his rage invade  
His sandy confines; whose sides groan, with his involved wave,  
And make his own breast echo sighs. All sat, and audience gave;  
Thersites only would speak all. A most disordered store  
Of words, he foolishly powered out; of which his mind held more  
Than it could manage; any thing, with which he could procure  
Laughter, he never could contain. He should have yet been sure  
To touch no kings. T'oppose their states, becomes not jesters parts. 
Thersites description.   
But he, the filthiest fellow was, of all that had deserts  
In Troy's brave siege: he was squint-eyed, and lame of either foot:  
So crooke-backt, that he had no breast: sharp headed, where did shoot  
(Here and there spersed) thin mossy hair. He most of all envied 
Achilles.   
Ulysses and Aeacides, whom still his spleen would chide;  
Nor could the sacred king himself, avoid his saucy vain,  
Against whom, since he knew the Greeks', did vehement hates sustain  
(Being angry for Achilles wrong) he cried out; railing thus:   

Atrides? why complain'st thou now? what wouldst thou more of us? 
Thersites to Agamemnon.   
Thy tents are full of brass, and dames; the choice of all are thine:  
With whom, we must present thee first, when any towns resign  
To our invasion. Want'st thou then (besides all this) more gold  
From Troy's knights, to redeem their sons? whom, to be dearly sold,  
I, or some other Greek, must take? or wouldst thou yet again,  
Force from some other Lord, his prize; to soothe the lusts that reign  
In thy encroaching appetite? it fits no Prince to be  
A Prince of ill, and govern us; or lead our progeny  
By rape to ruin. O base Greeks', deserving infamy,  
And ills eternal: Greekish girls, not Greekes ye are: Come, fly  
Home with our ships; leave this man here, to perish with his preys,  
And try if we helped him, or not: he wronged a man that weys  
far more than he himself in worth: he forced from Thetis son,  
And keeps his prize still: nor think I, that mighty man hath won  
The style of wrathful worthily; he's soft, he's too remiss,  
Or else Atrides, his had been, thy last of injuries.   

Thus he the people's Pastor chid; but strait stood up to him 
Ulysses' to Thersites.   
Divine Ulysses; who with looks, exceeding grave, and grim,  
This bitter check gave: Cease, vain fool, to vent thy railing vain  
On kings thus, though it serve thee well: nor think thou canst restrain,  
With that thy railing faculty, their wills in least degree,  
For not a worse, of all this host, came with our king then thee,  
To Troy's great siege: then do not take, into that mouth of thine,  
The names of kings; much less revile, the dignities that shine  
In their supreme states; wresting thus, this motion for our home  
To soothe thy cowardice; since ourselves, yet know not what will come  
Of these designments: if it be, our good, to stay, or go:  
Nor is it that thou stand'st on; thou, revil'st our General so,  
Only, because he hath so much, not given by such as thou,  
But our Heroes. Therefore this, thy rude vein, makes me vow,  
(Which shall be curiously observed) if ever I shall hear  
This madness from thy mouth again, let not Ulysses bear  
This head, nor be the father called, of young Telemachus;  
If to thy nakedness, I take, and strip thee not, and thus  
Whip thee to fleet from Council; send, with sharp stripes, weeping hence,  
This glory thou affectst to rail. This said, his insolence  
He settled with his sceptre; struck, his back and shoulders so,  
That bloody wales rose; he shrunk round; and from his eyes did flow  
Moist tears, and looking filthily, he sat, feared, smarted; dried  
His blubbered cheeks; and all the press, (though grieved to be denied,  
Their wished retreat for home) yet laughed, delightsomely, and spoke  
Either to other: O ye Gods, how infinitely take  
Ulysses' virtues in our good? author of Counsels, great  
In ordering armies: how most well, this act became his heat  
To beat from Council this rude fool? I think his saucy spirit  
Hereafter will not let his tongue, abuse the sovereign merit,  
Exempt from such base tongues as his. Thus spoke the people: then  
The citie-razer, Ithacus, stood up to speak again,  
Holding his Sceptre. Close to him, grey-eyed Minerva stood;  
And like a herald, silence caused, that all the Achive brood  
(From first to last) might hear and know, the counsel: when (inclined  
To all their good) Ulysses said: Atrides, now I find, 
Ulysses' to Agamem●…n and the people.   
These men would render thee the shame, of all men; nor would pay,  
Their own vows to thee, when they took, their free and honoured way,  
From Argos hither; that till Troy, were by their brave hands raced,  
They would not turn home; yet like babes, and widows, now they hast  
To that base refuge. 'tis a spite, to see men melted so  
In womanish changes. Though 'tis true, that if a man do go  
Only a month to sea, and leave, his wife far off, and he  
Tortured with winter's storms, and tossed, with a tumultuous sea,  
Grows heavy, and would home; us then, to whom the thrice three year  
Hath filled his revoluble orb, since our arrival here,  
I blame not, to wish home, much more: yet all this time to stay  
(Out of our judgements) for our end; and now to take our way  
Without it, were absurd and vile. Sustain then friends, abide,  
The time set to our object: try, if Calchas prophesied  
True of the time or not. We know, ye all can witness well  
(Whom these late death-conferring-fates, have failed to send to hell)  
That when in Aulis, all our fleet, assembled with a freight  
Of ills to Ilium, and her friends: beneath the fair grown height  
A Platane bore, about a fount, whence crystal water flowed,  
And near our holy altar, we, upon the Gods bestowed  
Accomplished Hecatombs; and there, appeared a huge portent,  
A Dragon with a bloody scale, horrid to sight, and sent  
To light by great Olympius; which crawling from beneath  
The Altar, to the Platane climbed; and ruthless crasht to death  
A Sparrows young, in number eight, that in a top-bow lay  
Hid under leaves: the dam the ninth, that hoverd every way,  
Mourning her loved birth; till at length, the Serpent watching her,  
Her wing caught, and devoured her too. This dragon, jupiter  
(That brought him forth) turned to a stone; and ᵇ made a powerful mean  
To stir our zeals up, that admired, when of a fact so clean  
Of all ill as our sacrifice, so fearful an ostent  
Should be the issue. Calchas then, thus prophesied the event;  
Why are ye dumb struck, faire-haird Greeks'? wise jove is he hath shown  
This strange ostent to us. 'twas late, and passing lately done,  
But that grace it foregoes to us, for suffering all the state  
Of his appearance, (being so slow) nor time shall end, nor fate.  
As these eight Sparrows, and the dam, (that made the ninth) were eat  
By this stern Serpent; so nine years, we are t'endure the heat  
Of ravenous war, and in the tenth, take in this broad-waid town.   

Thus he interpreted this sign; and all things have their crown  
As he interpreted, till now. The rest then, to succeed,  
Believe as certain: stay we all, till that most glorious deed  
Of taking this rich town, our hands, are honoured with. This said,  
The Greeks' gave an unmeasured shout; which back the ships repaid  
With terrible echoes, in applause, of that persuasion  
Divine Ulysses used; which yet, held no comparison  
With Nestor's next speech, which was this: O shameful thing! ye talk 
Nestor to the Greeks.   
Like children all, that know not war. In what airs region walk  
Our oaths, and covenants? Now I see, the fit respects of men  
Are vanished quite; our right hands given, our faiths, our counsels vain;  
Our sacrifice with wine; all fled, in that profaned flame  
We made to bind all: for thus still, we vain persuasions frame,  
And strive to work our end with words; not joining stratagems  
And hands together; though thus long, the power of our extremes  
Hath urged us to them. Atreus' son? firm as at first hour stand:  
Make good thy purpose; talk no more, in counsels, but command  
In active field. Let two or three, that by themselves advise,  
Faint in their crowning; they are such, as are not truly wise.  
They will for Argos, ere they know, if that which jove hath said  
Be false or true. I tell them all, that high jove bowed his head  
As first we went aboard our fleet, for sign we should confer  
These Troyans', their due fate and death; almighty jupiter,  
All that day darting forth his flames, in an unmeasured light,  
On our right hands; let therefore none, once dream of coward flight,  
Till (for his own) some wife of Troy, he sleeps withal; the rape  
Of Helen wreaking; and our sighs, enforced for her escape.  
If any yet dare dote on home, let his dishonoured hast  
His black, and well-built bark but touch, that (as he first disgraced  
His country's spirit) fate, and death, may first his spirit let go.  
But be thou wise (king) do not trust, thyself, but others. Know  
I will not use an abject word: see all thy men arrayed  
In tribes and nations; that tribes, tribes; nations may nations aid:  
Which doing, thou shalt know, what chiefs, what soldiers play the men;  
And what the cowards: for they all, will fight in several then,  
(Easy for note.) And then shalt thou, if thou destroist not Troy,  
Know if the prophecies defect, or men thou dost employ  
In their approved arts, want in war: or lack of that brave heat  
Fit for the venturous spirits of Greece, was cause to thy defeat.   

To this the king of men replied; O father, all the sons 
Agamemnon to Nestor.   
Of Greece thou conquerst, in the strife, of consultations.  
I would to jove, Atheni●…, and Phoebus, I could make  
(Of all) but ten such Counsellors; then instantly would shake  
King's Priam's city; by our hands, laid hold on, and laid waist.  
But jove hath ordered I should grieve, and to that end hath cast  
My life into debates, past end. Myself, and Thetis son,  
(Like girls) in words fought for a girl, and I th'offence begun:  
But if we ever talk as friends, Troy's thus deferred fall  
Shall never vex us more one hour. Come then, to victles all,  
That strong Mars, all may bring to field; each man his lances steel  
See sharpened well; his shield well lined, his horses meated well,  
His chariot carefully made strong; that these affairs of death,  
We all day may hold fiercely out: no man must rest, or breath.  
The bosoms of our targatiers, must all be steeped in sweat.  
The lancers arm, must fall dissolved; our chariot horse with heat▪  
Must seem to melt. But if I find, one soldier take the chase,  
Or stir from fight, or fight not still, fixed in his enemy's face;  
Or hide a shipboard: all the world, for force, nor price, shall save  
His hated life; but fowls, and dogs, be his abhorred grave.   

He said, and such a murmur rose, as on a lofty shore 
Simile.   
The waves make, when the Southwind comes, and tumbles them before  
Against a rock, grown near the strand, which diversly beset  
Is never free; but here and there, with varied uproars beat.   

All rose then, rushing to the fleet, perfumed their tents, and eat:  
Each offering to th'immortal Gods, and praying to scape th'heat  
Of wa●…e and death. The king of men, an Ox of five years spring  
T'almightie jove slew: called the Peers, first Nestor, than the king  
Idomenaeus: after them, th' Aiaces, and the son  
Of Tydeus; Ithacus the sixth, in counsel Paragon 
Diomed.   
To jove himself. All these he bade, but at-a-martiall-crie.  
Good Menelaus, since he saw, his brother busily  
Employed at that time, would not stand, on invitation,  
But of himself came. All about, the offering overthrown  
Stood round, took saltcakes, and the king, himself thus prayed for all:   

O jove, most great, most glorious, that in that starry hall,  
Sittest drawing dark clouds up to air: let not the Sun go down,  
Darkness supplying it; till my hands, the Palace, and the town  
Of Priam's overthrow, and burn; the arms on Hector's breast  
Dividing; spoiling with my sword, thousands (in interest  
Of his bad quarrel) laid by him, in dust, and eating earth.   

He prayed, jove heard him not, but made, more plentiful the birth  
Of his sad toils; yet took his gifts. prayers past, cakes on they threw:  
The Ox then (to the altar drawn,) they killed, and from him drew  
His hide: then cut him up; his thighs (in two hewn) dubbed with fat,  
Pricked on the sweetbreads; and with wood, leavelesse, and kindled at  
Opposed fire, they burn the thighs; which done, the inwards slit,  
They broiled on coals, and eat. The rest, in giggots cut, they spit,  
Roast cunningly, draw, sit, and feast: nought lacked to leave alaid  
Each temperate appetite; which served, Nestor began and said:   

Atrides, most graced king of men, now no more words allow, 
Nestor to Agamemnon.   
Nor more defer the deed jove vows. Let heralds summon n●…w  
The brasen-coted Greeks'; and us, range every where the host,  
To stir a strong war quickly up. This speech no syllable lost;  
The high-voiced heralds, instantly, he charged to call to arms  
The curld-head Greeks; they called; the Greeks, strait answered their alarms.  
The jove-kept kings, about the king, all gathered, with their aid  
Ranged all in tribes and nations. With them the grey-eyed maid  
Great Aegis (Ioues bright shield) sustained, that can be never old;  
Never corrupted, fringed about, with serpents forged of gold,  
As many as sufficed to make, an hundred fringes, worth  
A hundred oxen, every snake, all sprawling, all set forth  
With wondrous spirit. Through the host, with this the Goddess ran  
In fury, casting round her eyes; and furnished every man  
With strength; exciting all to arms, and fight incessant. None  
Now liked their loved homes like the wars. And as a fire upon  
A huge wood, on the heights of hills, that far off hurls his light:  
So the divine brass shined on these, thus thrusting on for fight;  
Their splendour through the air reached heaven: and as about the flood  
Caister, in an Asian mead, flocks of the airy brood,  
(Cranes, Geese, or long-neckt Swans) here, there, proud of their pinions ffi●…,  
And in their falls lay out such throats, that with their spiritful cry  
The meadow shrieks again: so here, these many nationed men,  
Flowed over the Scamandrian field; from tents, and ships; the din  
Was dreadful, that the feet of men, and horse, beat out of earth.  
And in the flourishing mead they stood, thick as the odorous birth  
Of flowers, or leaves bred in the spring; or thick as swarms of flies  
Throng then to ship-coates; when each swarm, his erring wing applies  
To milk deawd on the milk maids pails: all eagerly disposed,  
To give to ruin th'Ilians. And as in rude heaps closed  
Though huge Goatherds are at their food, the Goatherds easily yet,  
Sort into sundry herds; so here, the Chiefs in battle set,  
Here tribes, here nations, ordering all. Amongst whom shined the king,  
With eyes, like lightning-loving jove; his forehead answering▪  
In breast like Neptune; Mars in waste: and as a goodly Bull  
Most eminent of all a heard, most strong, most masterfull;  
So Agamemnon, jove that day, made overheighten clear,  
That heaven-bright army; and preferred, to all th'Heroes there.   

Now tell me Muses, you that dwell, in heavenly roofs (for you 
Invocation.   
Are Goddesses; are present here, are wise, and all things know;  
We only trust the voice of fame, know nothing:) who they were  
That here were captains of the Greeks'? Commanding Princes here,  
The multitude exceed my song; though fitted to my choice  
Ten tongues were, hardened palates ten, a breast of brass, a voice  
Infract, and trumplike: that great work, unless the seed of jove  
(The deathless Muses) undertake, maintains a pitch above  
All mortal powers. The Princes then, and navy that did bring  
Those so inenarrable troops; and all their soils, I sing.   

The Catalogue of the Grecian ships and Captains.  

PEneleus, and Leitus, all that Boeotia bred, 
The Boeotian captains.   
Arcesilaus, Clonius, and Prothoaenor, led;  
Th'inhabitants of Hyria, and stony Aulida;  
Schaene, School, the hilly Eteon, and holy Thespia;  
Of Graea, and great Mycalesse, that hath the ample plain;  
Of Harma, and Ilesius, and all that did remain, 
The places in Boeotia.   
In Erith, and in Eleon; in Hylen, Peteona,  
In fair Ocalea, and the town, well builded, Medeona;  
Capas, Eutresis, Thisbe that, for Pigeon doth surpass;  
Of Coroneia, Harliart; that hath such store of grass.  
All those that in Platea dwelled, that Glissa did possess;  
And Hypothebs, whose wel-built walls, are rare and fellowless;  
In rich Onchestus famous wood, to watery Neptune vowed;  
And Arne, where the vine-trees are, with vigorous bunches bowed:  
With them that dwelled in Mydea, and Nissa most divine.  
All those whom utmost Anthedon, did wealthily confine.  
From all these coasts in general, full fifty sail were sent, 
The navy of the Boeotians fifty.   
And sixscore strong, Boeotian youths, in every burden went.  
But those who in Aspledon dwelled, and Mynian Orchomen;  
God Mars his sons did lead (Ascalaphus, and jalmen.) 
Ascalaphus and jalmenus, sons of Mars.   
Who in Azidon Astors' house, did of Astioche come;  
The bashful Maid, as she went up, into the higher room,  
The warre-god secretly compressed: in safe conduct of these,  
Did thirty hollow-bottomed barks, divide the wavie seas. 
Their navy 30.    

Brave Schedius and Epistrophus, the Phocean captains were, 
The Phocensian captains Schedius and Epistrophus.   
Naubolida, Iphitus sons, all-proofe 'gainst any fear;  
With them the Cyparisians went, and bold Pythonians,  
Men of religious Chrysas soil, and fat Daulidians:  
Panopaeans, Anemores, and fierce Hyampolists:  
And those that dwell where Cephisus, casts up his silken mists.  
The men that fair 〈◊〉 held, near the Cephisian spring▪  
All which did forty sable barks, to that designment bring. 
〈◊〉 40.   
About th'entoyld Phocensian fleet, had these their sail assigned:  
And near to the sinister wing, the armed Boeotians shined.   

Ajax the less, Oileus son, the Locrians led to war, 
Ajax, Oielus, captains of the 〈◊〉.   
Not like to Ajax Telamonius, but lesser man by far.  
Little he was, and ever wore, a breastplate made of linne;  
But for the manage of his lance, he general praise did win.  
The dwellers of Caliarus, of Bessa, Opoen; 
The towns of the 〈◊〉.   
The youths of Cynus, Scarphis, and, Augias', lovely men;  
Of Tarphis, and of Thronius, near flood Boagrius fall;  
Twice twenty martial barks of these, less Ajax sailed withal. 
Their 〈◊〉 40.    

Who near Euboeas blessed soil, their habitations had,  
Strength-breathing Abants', who their seats, in sweet Euboea made: 
Euboeans and their towns.   
The Astiaeans rich in grapes, the men of Chalcida;  
The Cerinths, bordering on the sea, of rich Eretria;  
Of Dyons' highly-seated town; Charistus, and of Stir;  
All these the Duke Alphenor led, a flame of Mars his fire; 
Alphenor their Commander.   
Surnamed Chalcodontiades, the mighty Abants' guide;  
Swift men of foot, whose broad-set backs, their trailing hair did hide,  
Well seen in fight, and soon could pierce, with far extended darts  
The breast plates of their enemies, and reach their dearest hearts. 
Their fleet 40.   
Forty black men of war did sail, in this Alphenors' charge.   

The soldiers that in Athens dwelled, a city builded large, 
The Athenians.   
The people of Eristhius, whom jove-sprung Pallas fed:  
And plentious-feeding Tellus brought, out of her flowery bed:  
Him, Pallas placed in her rich Fane, and every ended year,  
Of Bulls and Lambs, th' Athenian youths, please him with offerings there.  
Mighty Menestheus, Peteus' son, had their divided care: 
Menesth●…us their Ch●…ife.   
For horsemen and for targatiers, none could with him compare:  
Nor put them into better place, to hurt or to defend:  
But Nestor (for he elder was) with him did sole contend:  
With him came fifty sable sail. And out of Salamine 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 50.   
Great Ajax brought twelve sail, that with, th'Athenians did combine.   

Who did in fruitful Argos dwell; or strong Hyrintha keep: 
The Salamines joined with them. Their leader Ajax Telamonius. Ships 12.   
Hermion, or in Asinen, whose bosom is so deep;  
Traezena, Elion, Epidare, where Bacchus crowns his head;  
Egina, and Mazetas soil, did follow Diomed. 
The 〈◊〉 Diomedes their captain with 〈◊〉 and Euryalus.   
And Sthenelus, the dear loved son, of famous Capaneus:  
Together with Euryalus, heir of Mecistaeus,  
The king of Talaeonides; past whom, in deeds of war,  
The famous soldier Diomedes, of all was held by far;  
Fourscore black ships did follow these. The men fair Mycenae held: 
Their fleet 80. sail.    

The wealthy Corinth, Cleon that, for beauteous sight excelled: 
The 〈◊〉▪ Their towns..   
A●…aethiraeas lovely seat, and in Ornias' plain,  
And Sicyona, where at first, did king Adrastus' reign:  
High seated Gonoessas' towers, and Hyperisius;  
That dwelled in fruitful Pellenen, and in divine Aegius:  
With all the seaside borderers, and wide Helices' friends;  
To Agamemnon every town, her native birth commends, 
Agamemnon's captain.   
In double fifty sable barks: with him a world of men 
Ships 100   
Most strong and full of valour went: and he in triumph then  
Put on his most resplendent arms, since he did overshine  
The whole heroic host of Greece, in power of that design.   

Who did in 〈◊〉 rule, th'unmeasured concave hold: 
The Laced●…monians and their towns.   
High Phares, Spartas, Messes towers, for doves so much extolled;  
Bryseias and Augias' grounds; strong Laa, Oetylon;  
Amyclas, Helos harbor-towne, that Neptune beats upon:  
All these did Menelaus lead, (his brother that in cries 
Menelaus' captain.   
Of war was famous) sixty ships, conveyed these enemies, 
Ships 60.   
To Troy in chief; because their king, was chief injured there,  
In Helen's rape; and did his best, to make them buy it dear.   

Who dwelled in Pylos sandy soil, and Arene the fair; 
The Pylians and their towns.   
In Thryon, near Alphaeus flood, and Aepy full of air:  
In Cyparisseus, Amphygen, and little P●…eleon;  
The town where all the Iliots dwelled, and famous Doreon;  
Where all the Muses (opposite, in strife of Poesy,  
To ancient Thamyris of Thrace) did use him cruelly; 
Thamyris deprived of sight and Poesy by the Muses.   
He coming from Eurytus court, the wise Oechalian king:  
Because he proudly durst affirm, he could more sweetly sing,  
Then that Pyerean race of jove; who (angry with his vaunt)  
Bereft his eyesight, and his song, that did the ear enchant;  
And of his skill to touch his Harp, disfurnished his hand:  
All these in ninety hollow keels, grave Nestor did command. 
Nestor captain. Ships 90.    

The richly blessed inhabitants of the Arcadian land 
The Arcadians and their towns.   
Below Cyllenes mount, that by, Epyrus tomb did stand;  
Where dwell the bold neare-fighting men; who did in Phaeneus live:  
And Orchomen, where flocks of sheep, the shepherds clustering drive:  
In Rypé and in Stratié, the fair Mantinean town;  
And strong Enispe, that for height, is ever weather-blowne;  
Tegea, and in Stimphalus; Parrhasia strongly walled;  
All these Alcaeus son, to field (king Agapenor) called; 
Agapenor their leader.   
In sixty barks he brought them on, and every bark well manned, 
Ships 60.   
With fierce Arcadians, skilled to use, the utmost of a band.  
King Agamemnon on these men, did well-built ships bestow,  
To pass the gulfie purple sea, that did no sea rites know.   

They who in Hermin, Buphrasis, and Elis did remain, 
The Epians and their towns.   
What Olens Cliffs, Alisius, and Myrsin did contain;  
Were led to war by twice two Dukes, and each ten ships did bring, 
Sphips 40.   
Which many venturous Epyans, did serve for burdening.   

Beneath Alphimacus his charge, and valiant Talphius,  
Son of Euritus' Actor, one; the other Cteatus; 
Captains Alphimachus, Talphius, Diores Polixenus.   
Diores Amarincides, the other did employ;  
The fourth divine Polixenus, Agasthenis his joy:  
The king of fair Angeiades, who from Dulichius came, 
Dulichians.   
And from Euchinaus sweet Isles, which hold their holy frame  
By ample Elis region, Meges Phelides led: 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Whom Duke Phyleus, Ioues beloved, begat, and whilom fled  
To large Dulychius for the wrath, that fired his father's breast.  
Twice twenty ships with Ebon sails, were in his charge addressed. 
Ships 40.    

The warlike men of Cephale, and those of Ithaca, 
The 〈◊〉 and their towns.   
woody Nerytus, and the men, of wet Crocilia:  
Sharp Aegilipha, Samos I'll, Zacynthus, sea-enclosd;  
Epyrus, and the men that hold, the Continent opposed;  
All these did wise Ulysses lead, in counsel Peer to jove: 
Ulysses' captain. Ships. 12.   
Twelve ships he brought, which in their course, vermilion sternes did move.   

Thoas, Andremons' wel-spoke son, did guide th'Etolians well; 
The Aetolians their captains and towns.   
Those that in Pleuron, Olenon, and strong Pylene dwell:  
Great Calcis that by seaside stands, and stony Calydon;  
For now no more of Oeneus sons, survived; they all were gone: 
Thoas captain.   
No more his royal self did live, no more his noble son,  
The golden Meleager; now, their glasses all were run.  
All things were left to him in charge, the Aetolians Chief he was,  
And forty ships to Trojan wars, the seas with him did pass. 
Ships. 40.    

The royal soldier Idomen, did lead the Cretans stout: 
The Cretans▪ their towns and Captains.   
The men of Gnossus, and the town, Cortima, walled about.  
Of Lictus and Myletus towers, of white Lycastus state,  
Of Phestus and of Rhistias, the cities fortunate:  
And all, the rest inhabiting, the hundred towns of Crete; 
Idomeneus.   
Whom warlike Idomen did lead, copartner in the fleet, 
A hundred cities in Crete.   
With kil-man Merion; eighty ships, with them did Troy invade. 
Ships 80.    

Tlepolemus Heraclides, right strong and bigly made,  
Brought nine tall ships of war from Rhodes, which haughty Rhodians manned,  
Who dwelled in three dissevered parts, of that most pleasant land;  
Which Lyndus and jalissus were, and bright Camyrus, called:  
Tlepolemus commanded these, in battle unappald: 
Tlepolemus Commander of the Rhodians.   
Whom fair Astioche brought forth, by force of Hercules;  
Led out of Ephyr with his hand, from river Sellees; 
Ships 9   
When many towns of princely youths, he leveled with the ground. 
Towns.   
Tlepolem (in his father's house, for building much renowned,  
Brought up to headstrong state of youth) his mother's brother slew,  
The flower of arms, Lycymnius, that somewhat aged grew:  
Then strait he gathered him a fleet, assembling bands of men,  
And fled by sea, to shun the threats, that were denounced then,  
By other sons and nephews of, th'Alciden fortitude.  
He in his exile came to Rhodes, driven in with tempests rude:  
The Rhodians were distinct in tribes, and great with jove did stand,  
The king of men and Gods, who gave, much treasure to their land.   

Nireus, out of Symas haven, three wel-built barks did bring; 
The Sym●…ns.   
Nireus fair Aglaias' son, and Charopes the king: 
Nireus their Chief, 〈◊〉 of all the Greeks' but 〈◊〉. Ships 3.   
Nireus was the fairest man, that to fair Ilium came,  
Of all the Greeks', save Peleus' son; who passed for general frame.  
But weak this was, not fit for war, and therefore few did guide.   

Who did in Cassus, Nisyrus, and Crapathus abide,  
In Co, Euripilus his town, and in Calydnas' soils, 
The 〈◊〉 and other Islanders.   
Phydippus and bold Antiphus, did guide to Trojan toils;  
The sons of crowned Thessalus, derived from Hercules, 
Their Chief Phydippus and Antiphus.   
Who went with thirty hollow ships, well ordered to the seas.  
Now will I sing the sackful troops, Pelasgian Argos held, 
Ships 30.   
That in deep Alus, Alopé, and soft Trechina dwelled; 
The Pelasgians Thessaly. Myrmidons.   
In Pthya and in Hellade, where live the lovely dames,  
The Myrmidons, Helenians, and Achives, robbed of Fames:  
All which the great Aeacides, in fifty ships did lead. 
Achilles' their Captain.   
For, these forgot wars horrid voice, because they lacked their head, 
Ships 50.   
That would have brought them bravely forth; but now at fleet did lie,  
That windlike user of his feet, fair Thetis progeny;  
Wroth for bright-cheekt Bryseis loss; whom from Lyrnessus spoils,  
(His own exploit) he brought away, as trophy of his toils,  
When that town●… was depopulate; he sunk the Theban towers;  
Myneta, and Epistrophus, he sent to Pluto's bowers,  
Who came of king Euenus' race, great Helepiades:  
Yet now heidely lives enraged, but soon must leave his ease.   

Of those that dwelled in Phylace, and flowery Pyrrason 
Philacei, and their towns.   
The wood of Ceres, and the soil, that sheep are fed upon,  
Iten and Antron, built by sea, and 〈◊〉 full of grass,  
Protesilaus while he lived, the worthy captain was: 
Protesilaus captain.   
Whom now the sable earth detains: his teare-torne faced spouse  
He woeful left in Philace, and his half finished house:  
A fatal Dardan first his life, of all the Greeks', bereft,  
As he was leaping from his ship; yet were his men unleft  
Without a Chief; for though they wished, to have no other man,  
But good Protesilay their guide; Podarces yet began  
To govern them, Iphitis son, the son of Philacus,  
Most rich in sheep, and brother to, short-lived Protesilaus:  
Of younger birth, less, and less strong; yet served he to direct  
The companies, that still did more, their ancient Duke affect.  
Twice twenty jettie sails with him, the swelling stream did take. 
Ships. 40.    

But those that did in Pheres dwell, at the Baebreian lake, 
The Phereians and their towns.   
In Baebe, and in Glaphir●…, jaolcus builded fair:  
In thrice six ships to Pergamus: did through the seas repair,  
With old Admetes tender son, Eumelus, whom he bred, 
Eumelus captain.   
Of Alcestis Pelius fairest child, of all his female seed. 
Ships 11.    

The soldiers that before the siege, Methones vales did hold: 
The Methonians and their borderers.   
Thaumaciae, flowery Melibae, and Olison the cold,  
Duke Philoctetes governed, in darts of finest sleight: 
Their chief, Philoctetes, left maimed at 〈◊〉.   
Seven vessels in his charge conveyed, their honourable freight;  
By fifty rowers in a bark, most expext in the bow:  
But he in sacred Lemnos lay, brought miserably low,  
By torment of an ulcer grown, with Hydra's poisoned blood:  
Whose sting was such, Greece left him there, in most impatient mood: 
Medon Oyleus base son, captain in Philoct. place.   
Yet thought they on him at his ship, and choosed to lead his men,  
Medon, Oyleus bastard son, brought forth to him by R●…en.  
From Thricce, bleak Ithomens' cliffs, and hapless Oechaly: 
The Thriccians, 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉, whose captains were 〈◊〉 and Machaon.   
Eurites city ruled by him, in wilful tyranny,  
In charge of Esculapius sons, physician highly praised:  
Machaon, Podalirius, were thirty vessels raised:   

Who near Hiperias fountain dwelled, and in Ormenius: 
Ships 30.   
The snowy tops of Titannus, and in Asterius: 
The Ormenians, with their borderers.   
Euemons' son Euripilus, did lead into the field:  
Whose towns did forty blacke-saild ships, to that encounter yield. 
Their captain Euripilus.    

Who Gyrton, and Argissa held, Orthen and Elons' seat, 
Ships 40.   
And chalky Oloossine, were led by Polypete; 
〈◊〉 with their borderers.   
The issue of Pirithous, the son of jupiter. 
〈◊〉 their chief, and 〈◊〉, Ships 40.   
Him the Athenian Theseus friend, Hypodamy did bear;  
When he the bristled savages: did give Ramnusia,  
And drove them out of Pelius, as far as Ethica.  
He came not single, but with him, Leonteus, Corons son,  
An arm of Mars; and Corons life, Ceneus seed begun.  
Twice twenty ships, attended these. Cuneus next did bring, 
The Cyphians, Enians, Perabians.   
From Cyphus, twenty sail and two, the Enians following;  
And fierce Peraebi, that about, Dodones frozen mould,  
Did plant their houses, and the men, that did the meadows hold, 
Their chief Guneus.   
Which Titoresius decks with flowers, and his sweet current leads, 
Ships 22.   
Into the bright Peneius, that hath the silver heads.  
Yet with his admirable stream, doth not his waves commix;  
But glides aloft on it like oil: fortis the flood of Styx,  
By which th'immortal Gods do swear. Teuthredons' honoured birth  
Prothous led the Magnets forth, who near the shady earth, 
The Magnets. Prothous their chief.   
Of Pelius, and Peneion, dwelled; forty revengeful sail  
Did follow him; these were the Dukes, and Princes of avail,  
That came from Greece: but now the man, that ouershined them all; 
Ships 40.   
Sing Muse: and their most famous Steeds, to my recital call,  
That both th' Atrides followed; fair Pheretiedes,  
The bravest mares, did bring by much; Eumelius managed these: 
Eumelius had the best mares of the army.   
Swift of their feet as birds of wings; both of one hair did shine,  
Both of an age, both of a height, as measured by a line:  
Whom siluer-bowed Apollo bred, in the Pierean mead;  
Both slick and dainty, yet were both, in war of wondrous dread.   

Great Ajax Telamonius for strength, past all the Peers of war, 
Ajax Telamonius the strongest Greeke next Achill●….   
While vexed Achilles was away: but he surpassed him far.  
The horse that bore that faultless man, were likewise past compare:  
Yet lay he at the crookt-sterned ships, and fury was his fare, 
Achilles' the best horse.   
For Atreus' sons ungracious deed: his men yet pleased their hearts,  
With throwing of the hole stone; with hurling of their darts,  
And shooting fairly on the shore. Their horse at chariots fed,  
On greatest parsley, and on sedge, that in the fens is bred.  
His Prince's tents their chariots held, that richly covered were.  
His Princes, amorous of their Chief, walked storming here and there,  
About the host, and scorned to fight: their breaths, as they did pass,  
Before them flew, as if a fire, fed on the trembling grass.  
Earth vnder-groned their high raised feet, as when offended jove,  
In Arime, Tiphocus, with rattling thunder drove,  
Beneath the earth: in Arime, men say the grave is still,  
Where thunder tombed Typheous, and is a monstrous hill.  
And as that thunder made earth groan, so groaned it as they passed,  
They trod with such hard-set-downe steps, and so exceeding fast.   

To Troy the rainbow-girded dame, right heavy news relates, 
Iris to the Troyans', from jove.   
From jove (as all to Council drew, in Priam's Palace gates)  
Resembling Priam's son in voice, Polites swift of feet:  
In trust whereof (as Sentinel, to see when from the fleet,  
The Grecians sallied) he was set, upon the lofty brow  
Of aged Esietes tomb, and this did Iris show;   

O Priam thou art always pleased, with indiscreet advise: 
Iris to Priam.   
And framest thy life to times of peace, when such a war doth rise  
As threats inevitable spoil; I never did behold  
Such and so mighty troops of men, who trample on the mould,  
In number like Autumnus leaves, or like the marine sand:  
All ready round about the walls, to use a ruining hand.  
Hector? I therefore charge thee most, this charge to undertake:  
A multitude remain in Troy, will fight for Priam's sake,  
Of other lands and languages; let every leader then  
Bring forth, well armed into the field, his several bands of men.   

Strong Hector knew, a deity, gave charge to this assay:  
Dismissed the Council strait; like waves, clusters to arms do sway:  
The ports are all wide open set: out rushed the troops in swarms,  
Both horse and foot, the city rung, with sudden cried alarms.   

A Column stands without the town, that high his head doth raise, 
〈◊〉 tumulus   
A little distant, in a plain, trod down with divers ways:  
Which men do Batieia call, but the immortals name  
Myrinnes famous sepulchre, the wondrous active dame.  
Here were th' auxiliary bands, that came in Troy's defence,  
Distinguished under several guides, of special excellence.   

The Duke of all the Trojan power, great helme-deckt Hector was: 
Hector General of the Troyans'.   
Which stood of many mighty men, well skilled in darts of brass:  
Aeneas of commixed seed (a goddess with a man, 
The catalogue of other captains.   
Anchises, with the Queen of love:) the troops Dardanian, 
dardan's, and Aeneas their captain●….   
Led to the field; his lovely Sire, in Ida's lower shade,  
Begat him of sweet Cypridis; he solely was not made  
Chief leader of the Dardan powers: Antenor's valiant sons,  
Archilochus, and Acamas, were joined companions. 
Archiloc●…s. Acamas.    

Who in Zelia dwelled, beneath, the sacred foot of Ide,  
That drink of black Aesepus stream, and wealth made full of pride;  
(The Aphnijs) Lycaon's son, whom Phoebus gave his bow, 
The Aphnij.  
Pandarus their leader.   
(Prince Pandarus) did lead to field. Who Adrestinus own,  
(Apesus city, Pitai, and mount Tereys)  
Adrestus, and stout Amphius led; who did their Sire displease, 
Adrestians.  
Their Chief Adrestus and Amphius.   
(Merops Percosius) that excelled, all Troy in heavenly skill,  
Of futures-searching prophesy: for much against his will,  
His sons were agents in those arms: whom since they disobeyed;  
The Fates, in letting slip their threads, their hasty valours stayed.   

Who in Percotes, Practius; Arisbe did abide, 
Percosians, S●…stians, Abidens, 〈◊〉▪ led by Asius.   
Who Sestus and Abydos bred, Hyrtacides did guide:  
Prince Asius Hyrtacides, that through great Selees force,  
Brought from Arisba to that fight, the great and fiery horse.   

Pyleus, and Hypothous, the stout Pelasgians led, 
The Pelasgians.  
Their chief, 〈◊〉▪ and 〈◊〉.   
Of them Larissas' fruitful soil, before had nourished:  
These were Pelasgian Pithus sons, son of Teutamidas.   
The Thracian guides were Pyrous, and valiant Acamas. 
The Thracians.   

Of all that the impetuous flood, of Hellespont enclosed, 
Their chief Pyrous & 〈◊〉.   
Euphemus, the Ciconian troops, in his command disposed; 
Euphemus Capt. of the Ciconians.   
Who from Trezenius Ceades, right nobly did descend.   

Pyrechmes did the Peons rule, that crooked bows do bend. 
Pyrechm●…s Commander of the 〈◊〉.   
From Axius out of Amidon, he had them in command:  
From Axius, whose most beauteous stream, still 〈◊〉 the land.   

Pylemen with the well armed heart, the Paphlagonians led, 
Pylemen captain of the Paphlagonians.   
From Enes, where the race of mules, fit for the plough is bred:  
The men that broad Cytorus bounds, and Sesamus enfold▪  
About Parthenius lofty flood, in houses much extolled;  
From Cromna and Aegialus, the men that arms did bear,  
And Eurithymus situate high, Pylemens' soldiers were.   

Epistrophus and Dius did, the Halizonians guide, 
〈◊〉, their captain Epistrophus and Dius.   
Far-fetched from Alybe, where first, the silver mines were tried.   

Chronius, and Augur Eunomus, the Mysians did command,  
Who could not with his auguries, the strength of death withstand: 
The Mysians. Eunomus and C●…ronius.   
But suffered it beneath the stroke, of great Aeacides,  
In Xanthus; where he made more souls, dive to the Stygian seas.   

Phorcys and fair Ascanius, the Phrygians brought to war; 
The 〈◊〉. Their Chiefs Phorcis and 〈◊〉.   
Well trained for battle, and were come, out of Ascania far.  
With Methles, and with Antiphus (Pylemens sons) did fight,  
The men of Mezon, whom the fen, Gygaea brought to light.   

And those Maeonians that beneath, the mountain Tmolus sprung; 
The 〈◊〉. Antiphus and Methles captains.   
The rude unlettered Caribae, that barbarous were of tongue,  
Did under Naustes colours march, and young Amphimachus,  
(Nomyons famous sons) to whom, the mountain Phthirorus, 
The 〈◊〉▪ and Milesians led by Amphimacus and Naustes.   
That with the famous wood is crowned; Miletus, Micales,  
That hath so many lofty marks, for men that love the seas;  
The crooked arms Meander bowed, with his so snaky flood,  
Resigned for conduct the choice youth, of all their martial brood▪  
The fool Amphimachus, to field, brought gold to be his wrack;  
Proude-gi●…lelike that doth ever bear, her dower upon her back;  
Which wise Achilles marked; slew him, and took his gold in strife,  
At Xanthus' flood; so little death, did fear his golden life. 
The Lycians whose Commanders were Sarpe don & 〈◊〉.   
Sarpedon led the Lycians, and Glaucus unreproved,  
From Lycia and the gulfie flood, of Xanthus' far removed.    

COMMENT ARIUS.  
ᵃ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Sicut examina prodeunt apum frequentium, etc. In thou Simile, Virgil (using the like in imitation) is preferred to Homer; with what reason I pray you see. Their ends are different: Homer intending to express the infinite multitude of soldiers every where dispersing; Virgil, the diligence of builders. Virgil's Simile is this. 1. Aeneid.  

Qualis apes aestate nova, per florea rura  
Exercet sub sole labour; cum gentis adultos  
Educunt foetus; aut cum liquentia mella  
Stipant; & dulci distendunt Nectare cellas;  
Aut onera accipiunt venientum; aut agmine facto;  
Ignawm fucos pecus à praesepibus arcent:  
Feruet opus; redolent thymo fragrantia mella.   
Now compare this with Homer's, but in my translation; and judge if to both their ends, there be any such betterness in Virgil's: but that the reverence of the scholar, due to the master (even in these his maligners) might well have contained their lame censures of the Poetical fury; from these unmannerly and hateful comparisons. Especially, since Virgil hath nothing of his own, but only elocution; his invention, matter, and form, being all Homers: which laid by a man; that which he addeth, is only the work of a woman, to netifie and polish. Nor do I, alas, but the foremost rank of the most ancient and best learned that ever were, come to the field for Homer; hiding all other Poets under his ensign: hate not me then, but them; to whom, before my book I refer you. But much the rather I insist on the former Simile; for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, cateruatim, or confertim, which is noted by Spondanus to contain all the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, reddition, or application of the comparison; and is nothing so. For though it be all the reddition Homer expresseth; yet he intends two special parts in the application more; which he leaves to his judicial reader's understanding, as he doth in all his other Similes: since a man may pervially (or as he passeth) discern all that is to be understood. And here, besides the throngs of soldiers, expressed in the swarms of Bees; he intimates the infinite number in those throngs or companies, issuing from fleet so ceaslesly, that there appeared almost no end of their issue: and thirdly, the every where dispersing themselves. But Spondanus would excuse Homer, for expressing no more of his application; with affirming it impossible; that the thing compared, and the comparison, should answer in all parts; and therefore alleges the vulgar understanding of a Simile, which is as gross as it is vulgar; that a similitude must uno pede semper claudicare. His reason for it as absurd as the rest: which is this, si ea inter se omnino responderent, falleret illud axioma, nullum simile est idem; as though the general application of the compared, and the comparison, would make them any thing more the same, or all one; more than the swarms of Bees, and the throng of soldiers are alone, or the same; for answering most aptly. But that a Simile must needs halt of one foot still; showeth how lame vulgar tradition is, especially in her censure of Poesy. For who at first sight, will not conceive it absurd to make a Simile; which ser●…es to the illustration and ornament of a Poem; lame of a foot, and idle? The incredible violence suffered by Homer in all the rest of his most inimitable Similes, being expressed in his place, will abundantly prove the stupidity of this tradition: and how injuriously short his interpreters must needs come of him, in his straight and deep places; when in his open and fair passages, they halt and hang back so.  
ᵇ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc. hunc quidem clarum (or illustrem) fecit Deus; as it is by all translated; wherein I note the strange abuse (as I apprehend it) of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beginning here, & continuing wheresoever it is found in these Iliads. It is by the transition of Z into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in derivation, according to the Doric: for which cause our Interpreters will needs have Homer intend 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is clarus or illustris, when he himself saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is a compound of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is valde, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and signifies, quem valde aemulamur, or valde aemulandus, according to Scap. But because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is most authentically expounded, impetus mentis ad cultum divinum, that exposition I follow in this place, and expound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hunc quidem magnum impulsum ad cultum divinum fecit Deus; because he turned so suddenly and miraculously the Dragon to a stone. To make it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and say, clarum, or illustrem fecit Deus; qui ostendit, or ostenderat, (which follows in the verse) and saith thus much in our tongue: God that showed this, made it clear; is very little more, than God that showed this, showed it. One way it observes the word (betwixt which, and the other, you see what great difference) and is fair, ●…ll, grave; the other altars the original, and is ugly, empty, idle.  
ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc., Spontanens autem ei venit, voce bonus Menelaus; and some say bello strenuous Menelaus: which is far estranged from the mind of our Homer, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying vociferatio, or clamour, though some will have it pugna, ex consequenti; because fights are often made with clamour. But in bello strenuous, (unless it be ironically taken) is here strained beyond sufferance, & is to be expounded vociferatione bonus Menelaus: which agreeth with that part of his character in the next book, that telleth his manner of utterance or voice: which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valde stridulè, or arguto cum stridore; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being commonly and most properly taken in the worse part, and signifieth shrillae, or noisefullie, squeaking: howsoever in the vulgar conversion it is in that place most grossly abused. To the consideration whereof, being of much importance, I refer you in his place. And in the mean time show you, that in this first and next verse, Homer (speaking scoptically) breaks open the fountain of his ridiculous humour following: never by any interpreter understood, or touched at, being yet the most ingenious conceited person that any man can show in any heroical Poem, or in any Comic Poet. And that you may something perceive him before you read to him in his sever all places: I will, as I can, in haste, give you him here together, as Homer at all parts presents him: viz. simple, well-meaning, standing still affectedlie on telling truth, small, and shrill voiced (not sweet, or eloquent, as some most against the hair would have him) short spoken, after his country the laconical manner: yet speaking thick and fast, industrious in the field, and willing to be employed. And (being mollis Bellator himself) set still to call to every hard service, the hardiest. Even by the wit of Ajax, played upon, about whom he would still be diligent: and what he wanted of the martial fury and faculty himself, that he would be bold to supply out of Ajax: Ajax and he, to any for blows: Antilochus and he for wit: (Antilochus old Nestor's (onne, a most ingenious, valiant, and excellently form person.)  
Sometimes valiant, or daring, (as what coward is not) sometimes falling upon sentence, and good matter in his speeches (as what meanest capacity doth not?) Nor useth our most inimitable Imitator of nature, this cross and deformed mixture of his parts, more to colour and avoid too broad a taxation of so eminent a person; then to follow the true life of nature, being often, or always, expressed so disparent in her creatures. And therefore the decorum that some poor Critics have stood upon; to make fools always foolish, cowards at all times cowardly, etc. is far from the variant order of nature, whose principles being contrary, her productions must needs contain the like opposition.  
But now to the first; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Spontaneus autem ei venit, etc. about which, a passing great piece of work is picked out by our greatest Philosophers, touching the unbidden coming of Menelaus to supper or Counsel, which some commend; others condemn in him: but the reason why he stayed not the invitement, rendered immediately by Homer, none of them will understand, viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. sciebat enim in animo quantum frater laborabat: of which verse his interpreters cry out for the expunction, only because it was never entered in their apprehension; which I more than admire (for the easiness of it) so freely offering itself to their entertainment; and yet using the hoof of Pegasus, only with a touch breaking open (as abovesaid) the fountain of his humour. For thus I expound it, (laying all again together, to make it plain enough for you,) Agamemn●…n inviting all the chief Commanders to supper, left out his brother; but he, seeing how much his brother was troubled about the dream, and busied, would not stand upon invitement, but came of himself. And this being spoken Scopticé, or by way of irrision, argueth what manner of man he made of him. Ineptus enim (as it is affirmed in Plutarch, 1. Symp. and second question) fuit Menelaus, & locum dedit proverbio, qui ad consilium dandum accessisset, non 〈◊〉: And to this place he had reference, because a Council of war was to be held at this supper. And here (I say) Homer opened the vein of his simplicity, not so much in his going unbidden to supper, and Counsel, as in the reason for it ironically rendered; that he knew his brother was busy, etc. And yet that addition, without which the very sense of our Poet is not safe, our interpreters would have razed.  
The end of the second Book.    

THE THIRD BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

Parish (betwixt the Hosts) to single fight  
(Of all the Greeks') dares the most hardy knight:  
King Menelaus, doth accept his brave,  
Conditioning that he again should have  
Fair Helena, with all she brought to Troy,  
If he subdued; else Paris should enjoy  
Her, and her wealth, in peace. Conquest doth grant  
Her dear wreath to the Grecian combatant;  
But Venus, to her champion's life doth yield  
Safe rescue, and conveys him from the field,  
Into his chamber; and for Helen sends;  
Whom much, her lovers foul disgrace offends;  
Yet Venus, for him still makes good her charms,  
And ends the second combat in his arms.   
Another Argument.  

Gamma, the single fight doth sing  
Twixt Paris, and the Spartan king.   

WHen every least Commanders will, best soldiers had obeyed,  
And both the hosts were ranged for fight, the Troyans' would have afraid  
The Greeks with noises; crying out, in coming rudely on:  
At all parts like the Cranes that fill, with harsh confusion, 
The 〈◊〉 compared to Cranes.   
Of brutish clanges, all the air: and in ridiculous war,  
(eschewing the unsufferd storms, shot from the winter's star)  
Visit the Ocean; and confer, the Pygmeis soldiers death. 
The silent assault of the Greeks'.   
The Greeks charged silent, and like men, bestowed their thrifty breath  
In strength of far-resounding blows; still entertaining care  
Of either's rescue, when their strength, did their engagements dare.  
And as upon a hills steep tops, the Southwind powers a cloud  
To shepherds thankless; but by thieves, that love the night, allowed;  
A darkness letting down, that blinds, a stones cast off men eyes:  
Such darkness from the Greeks swift feet, (made all of dust) did rise.  
But ere stern conflict mixed both strengths, fair Paris stepped before  
The Trojan host; athwart his back, a Panthers hide he wore,  
A crooked bow, and sword, and shook, two brazen-headed darts;  
With which (well armed) his tongue provoked, the best of Grecian hearts  
To stand with him in single fight. Whom, when the man wronged most  
Of all the Greeks', so gloriously, saw stalk before the host;  
As when a Lion is rejoiced (with hunger half forlorn)  
That finds some sweet prey; (as a Hart, whose grace lies in his horn,  
Or Sylvan Goat) which he devours, though never so pursued  
With dogs and men; so Spartas king, exulted, when he viewed  
The fair-faced Paris so exposed, to his so thirsted wreak,  
Whereof his good cause made him sure. The Grecian front did break,  
And forth he rushed, at all parts armed: leapt from his chariot,  
And royally prepared for charge. Which seen, cold terror shot  
The heart of Paris, who retired, as headlong from the king, 
Paris flieth at sight of Menelaus.   
As in him, he had shunned his death: and as a hilly spring,  
Presents a serpent to a man, full underneath his feet, 
Simile.   
Her blue neck (swollen with poison) raised, and her sting out, to greet  
His heedless entry: suddenly, his walk he altereth;  
Starts back amazed, is shook with fear, and looks as pale as death:  
So Menelaus, Paris scared: so that divine faced foe,  
Shrunk in his beauties. Which beheld, by Hector, he let go  
This bitter check at him. Accursed, made but in beauty's scorn; 
Hector to Paris.   
Impostor, woman's man! O heaven, that thou hadst near been borne,  
Or (being so manless) never lived, to bear man's noblest state,  
The nuptial honour; which I wish, because it were a fate  
Much better for thee, than this shame; this spectacle doth make  
A man a monster: Hark how loud, the Greeks' laugh, who did take  
Thy fair form, for a continent, of parts as fair; a rape  
Thou mad'st of Nature, like their Queen. No soul; an empty shape  
Takes up thy being: yet, how spite, to every shade of good,  
Fills it with ill? for as thou art, thou couldst collect a brood  
Of others like thee: and far hence, fetch ill enough to us;  
Even to thy father: all these friends; make those foes mock them thus,  
In thee: for whose ridiculous sake, so seriously they lay,  
All Greece, and Fate upon their necks: O wretch! not dare to stay  
Weak Menelaus? But 'twas well: for in him, thou hadst tried  
What strength, lost beauty can infuse; and with the more grief died,  
To feel thou robdst a worthier man; to wrong a soldiers right.  
Your Ha●…ps sweettouch, curled locks, fine shape, and gifts so exquisite,  
Given thee by Venus, would have done, your fine Dames little good,  
When blood and dust had ruffled them; and had as little stood  
Thyself in stead; but what thy care, of all these in thee flies,  
We should inflict on thee ourselves: infectious cowardice  
(In thee) hath terrified our host; for which, thou well deservest  
A coat of Tombstone, not of steel: in which, for form thou servest.   

To this thus Paris spoke, (for form, that might inhabit heaven) 
Paris to Hector.   
Hector? Because thy sharp reproof, is out of justice given,  
I take it well: but though thy heart (inu●…'d to these affrights  
Cuts through them, as an axe through Oak; that, more used, more excites  
The workman's faculty: whose art, can make the edge go far;  
Yet I (less practised, than thyself, in these extremes of war)  
May well be pardoned, though less bold; in these, your worth exceeds;  
In others, mine: Nor is my mind, of less force to the deeds  
Required in war; because my form, more flows in gifts of peace.  
Reproach not therefore the kind gifts, of golden Cyprides;  
All heavens gifts have their worthy price; as little to b●… scorned,  
As to be won with strength, wealth, state; with which, to be ador●…'d,  
Some man would change, state, wealth, or strength. But if your ●…artiall heart  
Wish me to make my challenge good, and hold it such a part  
Of shame to give it over thus; cause all ●…he rest to rest;  
And twixt both hosts, let Spartas king, and me perform our best,  
For Hell●…n, and the wealth she brought: and he that overcomes,  
Or proves superior any way, in all your equal dooms,  
Let him enjoy her utmost wealth, keep her, or take her home;  
The rest strike leagues of endless date, and hearty friends become;  
You dwelling safe in gleby Troy, the Greeks' retire their force,  
T'Achaia, that breeds fairest Dames: and Argos, fairest horse.   

He said, and his amendsfull words, did Hector highly please;  
Who rushed betwixt the fight hosts, and made the Troyans' cease,  
By holding up, in midst, his lance: the Grecians noted not  
The signal he for parley used, but at him fiercely shot;  
Hurled stones, and still were leveling darts. At last, the king of men  
(Great Agamemnon) cried aloud: Argives? for shame contain: 
Agamemn on restrains the fight against Hector.   
Youths of Achaia? shoot no more; the faire-helmed- Hector shows  
As he desired to treat with us. This said, all ceased from blows;  
And Hector spoke to both the hosts: Troyans'? and hardy Greeks'? 
Hector to the Greeks' and Troyans'.   
Hear now, what he that stirred these wars, for their cessation seeks:  
He bids us all, and you disarm, that he alone may fight  
With Menelaus, for us all; for Helen and her right,  
With all the dower she brought to Troy; and he that wins the day,  
Or is, in all the art of arms, superior any way;  
The Queen, and all her sorts of wealth, let him at will enjoy;  
The rest strike truce; and let love seal, firm leagues twixt Greece and Troy.   

The Gre●…ke host wondered at this Brave: silence flew every where;  
At last, spoke Spartas warlike king: Now also give me ear, 
Menelaus' ●…o both the armies.   
Whom grief gives most cause of reply; I now have hope to free  
The Greeks' and Troyans' of all ills, they have sustained for me  
And Alexander, that was cause, I stretched my sple●…e so far.  
Of both then, which is nearest fate, let his death end the war:  
The rest immediately retire, and greet all homes in peace.  
Go then (to bless your champion, and give his powers success)  
Fetch for the Earth, and for the Sun, (the Gods on whom ye call)  
Two lambs, a black one and a white: a female, and a male;  
And we, another for ourselves, will fetch, and kill to jove;  
To sign which rites, bring 〈◊〉 force; because we well approve,  
His sons perfidious, envious, (and out of practised bane  
To faith, when she believes in them) Ioues high truce may profane,  
All young men's hearts, are still unstaid: but in those wel-weighed deeds  
An old man will consent to pass, things past, and what succeeds  
He looks into; that he may know, ●…ow best to make his way  
Through both the fortunes of a fact: and will the worst obey.   

(This granted,) A delightful hope, both Greeks' and Troyans' fed,  
Of longed▪ for rest, from those long toils, their tedious war had bred.  
Their horses then in rank they set, drawn from their chariots round;  
Descend themselves, took off their arms, and placed them on the ground,  
Near one another; for the space, twixt both the hosts w●…s small.  
Hector two heralds sent to Troy, that they from thence might call 
Hector sendeth for Priam.   
King Priam; and to bring the lambs, to rate the truce they swore.  
But Agamemnon to the fleet, Talthibius sent before,  
To fetch their lamb; who nothing slacked, the royal charge was given.   

ᵃ Iris the rainbow than came down, Ambassadres●…e from heaven, 
Iris to H●…llen.   
To white-armed Helen; she assumed, at every part, the grace  
Of Helen's last loves sister's shape; who had the highest place  
In Helen's love; and had to name, Laodice; most fair  
Of all the daughters Priam had: and made the nuptial pair,  
With Helicaon; royal sprout, of old Antenor's seed;  
She found Queen Helena at home, at work about a weed,  
Woven for herself: it shined like fire; was rich, and full of size;  
The work of both sides being alike, in which she did comprise  
The many labours, warlike Troy, and brasse-armed Greece endured▪  
For her fair sake, by cruel Mars, and his stern friends procured.  
Iris came in in joyful haste, and said: O come with me,  
(Loved Nymph) and an admired sight, o●… Greekes and Troyans' see;  
Who first on one another brought, a war so full of tears,  
(Even thirsty of contentious war) now every man forbears,  
And friendly by each other sits, each leaning on his shield;  
Their long and shining lances pitched, fast by them in the field.  
Paris, and Spartas king alone, must take up all the strife;  
And he that conquers, only call, fair Helena his wife.   

Thus spoke the thousand coloured Dame: and to her mind commends  
The joy to see her first espoused, her native towers, and friends; 
●…ellens 〈◊〉 to see her first husband & friends.   
Which stirred a sweet desire in her, to serve the which, she hied:  
Shadowed her graces with white veils, and (though she took a pride  
To set her thoughts at gaze, and see, in her clear beauty's flood  
What choice of glory swum to her, yet tender womanhood)  
Seasoned with tears, her joys to see, more joys the more offence:  
And that perfection could not flow, from earthly excellence.   

Thus went she forth, and took with her, her women most of name,  
Aethra, Pitth●…us lovely birth: and Clymene, whom fame  
Hath, for her fair eyes, memorisd. They reached the Scaean towers,  
Where Priam sat to see the fight, with all his counsellors,  
Panthous, Lampus, Cl●…tius, and stout Hycetaon,  
Thim●…tes, wise Antenor, and profound Vealeg●…n:  
All grave old men, and soldiers, they had been, but for age  
Now 〈◊〉 the wars; yet Counsellors, they were exceeding sage. 
Old men, and their weak 〈◊〉, most 〈◊〉 compared to Grasshoppers and their 〈◊〉.   
And, as in well-grown woods, on trees, cold spiny Grasshoppers  
Sat chirping, and send voices out, that scarce can pierce our ears,   

ᵇ For softness, and their weak faint sounds: So (talking on the tower)  
These Seniors of the people sat: who when they ●…aw the power  
Of beauty, in the Queen ascend; even those cold-spirited Peers;  
Those wise, and almost withered men, found this heat in their years; 
Helen's beauty moves even ●…he oldest.   
That they were forced (though whispering▪) to say; what man can blame  
The Greeekes and Trojans to endure, for so admired a Dame,  
So many miseries, and so long? In her sweet countenance shine  
Looks like the Goddesses: and yet (though never so divine)  
Before we boast, unjustly still, of her enforced prize,  
And justly suffer for her sake, with all our progenies,  
Labour and ruin, let her go: the profit of our land,  
Must pass the beauty. Thus, though these could bear so fit a hand  
On their affections; yet when all their gravest powers were usde,  
They could not choose but welcome her, and rather they accused  
The gods than beauty; for thus spoke the most famed King of Troy; 
Priam calls Helen to inform him of the Greek Princes.   
Come, loved daughter, sit by me, and take the worthy joy  
Of thy first husband's sight; old friends, and Princes near allied:  
And name me some of these brave Greeks', so manly beautified.  
Come: do not think I lay the wars, endured by us, on thee,  
The gods have sent them, and the tears, in which they swum to me,  
Sat then, and name this goodly Greek, so tall, and broadly spread,  
Who then the rest, that stand by him, is higher by the head;  
The bravest man I ever saw, and most majestical;  
His only presence makes me think him King amongst them all.   

The fairest of her sex replied; Most reverend father in law: 
Helen to Priam   
Most loved, most feared; would some ill death had seized me, when I saw  
The first mean, why I wronged you thus▪ that I had never lost  
The sight of these my ancient friends; of him that loved me most,  
Of my sole daughter, brothers both; with all those kindly mates,  
Of one soil, one age borne with me, though under different fates,  
But these bones envious stars deny; the memory of these,  
In sorrow pines those beauties now, that then did too much please;  
Nor satisfy they your demand, to which I thus reply:  
That's Agamemnon, (Atreus son) the great in 〈◊〉;  
A King, whom double royalty doth crown, being great and good;  
And one that was my brother in law, when I contained my blood,  
And was more worthy; if at all, I might be sa●…d to be,  
My Being, being lost so soon, in all that honoured me?   

The good old King admired, and said: O 〈◊〉 blessed son! 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.   
Born under joyful destinies, that hast the Empire won  
Of such a world of Grecian youths, as I discover here;  
I once marched into Phrygia, that many vines doth bear,  
Where many Phrygians ●… beheld, well skilled in use of horse,  
That of the two men, like two gods, were the commanded force,  
(Otroeus, and great Migdonus) who on Sangarius sands,  
Set down their tents, with whom myself (for my 〈◊〉 bands)  
Was numbered as a man in chief▪ the cause of war 〈◊〉 then,  
Th' Amazon dames, that in their facts, affected to be men.  
In all, there was a mighty power, which yet did never rise,  
To equal these Achaean youths, that have the sable eyes,  
Then (seeing Ulysses next) he said, Loved daughter, what is he,  
That lower then great Atreus son, seems by the head to me?  
Yet in his shoulders, and big breast, presents a broader show,  
His armour lies upon the earth: he up and down doth go,  
To see his soldiers keep their ranks, and ready have their arms,  
If, in this truce, they should be tried by any false alarms.  
Much like a well grown Bell-wether, or feltered Ram he shows,  
That walks before a wealthy flock of fair white▪ fleeced Ewes.   

High jove, and Leda's fairest seed, to Priam thus replies:  
This is the old Laertes son, Ulysses called the wise; 
Ulysses' d●…scribed   
Who, though unfruitful Ithaca, was made his nursing seat,  
Yet knows he every sort of sleight: and is in counsels great.   

The wise Antenor answered her, 'tis true, renowned Dame; 
A●…tenor to Helen by way of digression.   
For, some times past, wise It●…acus, to Troy a Legate came  
With Menelaus, for your cause: to whom I gave receipt,  
As guests, and welcomed to my house, with all the love I might.  
I learned the wisdoms of their souls, and humours of their blood:  
For when the Trojan Council met, and these together stood,  
By height of his broad shoulders had Atrides eminence,  
Yet set, Ulysses did exceed, and bred more reverence.  
And when their counsels and their words, they wove in one, the speech  
Of Atreus' son was passing loud, small, fast, yet did not reach  
To much; being naturally borne laconical: nor would  
His humour lyc for any thing, or was (like th'other) old.  
But when the prudent Ithacus, did to his counsels rise,  
He stood a little still, and fixed upon the earth his eyes;  
His sceptre moving neither way, but held it formally,  
Like one that vainly doth affect. Of wrathful quality,  
And frantic (rashly judging him) you would have said he was,  
But when out of his ample breast, he gave his great voice pass,  
And words that flew about our ears, like drifts of winter's snow; 
Ulysses wisdom 〈◊〉 illustrated by similitude.   
None thenceforth might contend with him, though nought admired for show.   

The third man, aged Priam marked, was Ajax Telam●…:  
Of whom he asked, What Lord is that so large of limb and bone,  
So raised in height, that to his breast, I see there reacheth none?   

To him the Goddess of her sex, the large veiled Helen said; 
Ai●…x Telamonius the Grecian bulwark.   
That Lord is Ajax Telamonius, a Bulwark in their aid:  
On th'other side stands Idomen, in Crete of most command,  
And round about his royal sides, his Cretan Captains stand. 
Id●…menus 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉.   
Oft hath the warlike Spartan King, given hospitable due  
To him within our Lacene court, and all his retinue.  
And now the other Achive Dukes, I generally discern,  
All which I know, and all their names, could make thee quickly learn.  
Two Princes of the people yet, I no where can behold;  
Castor, the skilful Knight on horse, and Pollux uncontrolled, 
Castor and Pollux brothers to Hellen.   
For all stand-fights, and force of hand; both at a burden bred,  
My natural brothers: either here, they have not followed,  
From lovely Sparta; or (arrived within the seaborn fleet)  
(In fear of infamy for me) in broad field shame to meet.   

Nor so; for holy Tellus' womb, enclosed those worthy men, 
The h●…ralds propare for the compact.   
In Sparta, their beloved soil. The voicefull heralds then,  
The firm agreement of the Gods, through all the city ring:  
Two lambs, and spirit-refreshing wine (the fruit of earth) they bring,  
Within a Goates-kin bottle closed; Ideus also brought  
A massy glittering bowl, and cups, that all of gold were wrought: 
Ideus to Priamus.   
Which bearing to the king they cried; Son of Laomedon?  
Rise; for the welrode Peers of Troy, and brasse-armed Greeks' in one,  
Send to thee, to descend to field, that they firm vows may make;  
For, Paris and the Spartan king, must fight for Helen's sake,  
With long armed lances; and the man, that proves victorious,  
The woman and the wealth she brought, shall follow to his house;  
The rest knit friendship, and firm leagues; we safe in Troy shall dwell;  
In Argos and Achaia they, that do in dames excel.   

He said, and Priam's aged joints, with chilled fear did shake;  
Yet instantly he bade his men, his chariot ready make.  
Which soon they did, and he ascends: he takes the reins, and guide,  
Antenor calls; who instantly, mounts to his royal side;  
And through the Scaean ports, to field, the swift-foot horse they drive.  
And when at them of Troy and Greece, the aged Lords arrive,  
From horse, on Troy's well feeding soil, twixt both the hosts they go.  
When strait up rose the king of men, up rose Ulysses to;  
The heralds in their richest coats, repeat (as was the guise)  
The true vows of the Gods; termed theirs, since made before their eyes.  
Then in a cup of gold they mix, the wine that each side brings;  
And next, power water on the hands, of both the kings of kings.  
Which done, Atrides drew his knife, that evermore he put  
Within the large sheath of his sword: with which, away he cut  
The wool from both fronts of the lambs, which (as a rite in use  
Of execration to their heads, that broke the plighted truce)  
The heralds of both hosts did give, the Peers of both. And then  
With hands and voice advanced to heaven, thus prayed the ●…ing of men:   

O jove, that Ida dost protect, and hast the titles won, 
Agamemnon himself prays.   
Most glorious, most invincible; And thou allseeing Sun;  
All-hearing, all-recomforting; floods? earth? and powers beneath?  
That all the perjuries of men, chastise even after death;  
Be witness, and see performed, the hearty vows we make;  
If Alexander shall the life, of Menelaus take,  
He shall from henceforth Helena, with all her wealth retain;  
And we will to our household Gods, hoist sail, and home again.  
If by my honoured brother's hand, be Alexander slain,  
The Troyans' then, shall his forced Queen, with all her wealth restore,  
And pay convenient fine to us, and ours for evermore.  
If Priam, and his sons deny, to pay this, thus agreed,  
When Alexander shall be slain; for that perfidious deed,  
And for the fine, will I fight here, till dea●…ely they repay  
By death and ruin, the amends, that falsehood keeps away.   

This said, the throats of both the lambs, cut with his royal knife; 
The c●…tract is 〈◊〉.   
He laid them panting on the earth, till (quite deprived of life)  
The steel had robbed them of their strength. Then golden cups they crowned,  
With wine out of a cistern drawn: which poured upon the ground,  
They fell upon their humble knees, to all the deities,  
And thus prayed one of both the hosts, that might do sacrifice;   

O jupiter, most high, most great, and all the deathless powers; 
Now one prays whose office was to do sacrifice.   
Who first shall dare to violate, the late sworn oaths of ours,  
So let the bloods and brains of them, and all they shall produce,  
Flow on the stained face of the earth; as now, this sacredivice:  
And let their wives with bastardi●…e, brand all their future race.  
Thus prayed they: but with wished effects, their prayers jove did not grace.  
When Priam said; Lords of both hosts? I can no longer stay, 
Priam to both hosts.   
To see my loved son try his life; and so must take my way  
To winde-exposed Ilium. jove yet and heavens high States,  
Know only, which of these must now, pay tribute to the Fates.   

Thus putting in his coach the lambs, he mounts, and reins his horse; 
Pri●… and Antenor return●… to Troy.   
Antenor to him; and to Troy, both take their speedy course.   

Then Hector (Priam's Martial son) stepped forth, and met the ground,  
(With wise Ulysses) where the blows, of combat must resound. 
He●…or and Ulysses measure the ground for the combat.   
Which done, into a helm they put, two lots, to let them know,  
Which of the combatants should first, his brasse-piled iaveline throw.  
When, all the people standing by, with hands held up to heaven,  
Prayed jove, the conquest might not be, by force or fortune given;  
But that the man, who was in right, the author of most wrong,  
Might feel his justice; and no more, these tedious wars prolong;  
But sinking to the house of death, leave them (as long before)  
Linked fast in leagues of amity, that might dissolve no more.   

Then Hector shook the helm that held, the equal dooms of chance; 
Hector shakes the hel●…e, and Par●… draws the lot to 〈◊〉 first.   
Looked back, and drew; and Paris first, had lot to hu●…le his lance.   

The soldiers all sat down enranked, each by his arms and horse,  
That then lay down, and cooled their hooves. And now th'allotted course  
Bids faire-haird H●…lens husband arm: who first makes fast his greaveses, 
He arms.   
With silver buckles to his legs: then on his breast receives  
The curets that Lycaon wore, (his brother) but made fit  
For his fair body: next, his sword, he took, and fastened it  
(All damaskt) underneath his arm: his shield then, grave and great,  
His shoulders wore: and on his head, his glorious helm he set;  
Topped with a plume of horses hair, that horribly did dance,  
And seemed to threaten as he moved. At last he takes his lance,  
Exceeding big, and full of weight; which he▪ with ease could use.   

In like sort, Spartas warlike king, himself with arms endues. 
〈◊〉 arms   
Thus armed at either army both, they both stood bravely in,  
Possessing both hosts with amaze: they came so chin to chin;  
And with such horrible aspects, each other did salute.   

A fair large field was made for them: where wraths (for hugeness) mu●…e  
And mutual, made them mutually, at either shake their darts,  
Before they threw: then Paris first, with his long iaveline parts; 
The co●…at.   
It smote Atrides orbie Targe: but ran not through the br●…  
For in it (arming well the shield) the head reflected 〈◊〉.   

Then did the second combatant, apply him to his spear:  
Which ere he threw, he thus besought, almighty jupiter: 
〈◊〉 prayeth to 〈◊〉.    

O jove! vouchsafe me now revenge, and that my enemy,  
(For doing wrong so undeserved) may pay deservedly  
The pains he forfeited; and let, these hands inflict those pains,  
By conquering, I, by conquering dead, him on whom life complains:  
That any now, or any one, of all the brood of men  
To live hereafter, may with fear, from all offence abstain,  
(Much more from all such foul offence) to him that was his host,  
And entertained him, as the man, whom he affected most.   

This said, he shook, and threw his lance; which struck through Paris shield  
And with the strength he gave to it, it made the curets yield;  
His coat of Mail, his breast and all: and drove his entrails in,  
In that low region, where the guts, in three small parts begin:  
Yet he, in bowing of his breast, prevented sable death.  
This taint he followed with his sword, drawn from a silver sheath:  
Which (lifting high) he struck his helm, full where his plume did stand, 
〈◊〉 sword breaketh.   
On which, it piece-meal broke, and fell, from his unhappy hand.  
At which, he sighing stood, and stared, upon the ample sky,  
And said, O jove, there is no God, given more illiberally 
Menelaus' 〈◊〉 jupiter.   
To those that serve thee, than thyself; why have I prayed in vain?  
I hoped my hand should have revenged, the wrongs I still sustain  
On him that did them; and still dares, their foul defence pursue;  
And now my lance hath missed his end, my sword in shivers flew,  
And he escapes all. With this again, he rushed upon his guest,  
And caught him by the horse-hair plume, that dangled on his crest;  
With thought, to drag him to the Greeks'; which he had surely done,  
And so (besides the victory) had wondrous glory won;  
(Because the needle-painted lace, with which his helm was tied  
Beneath his chin, and so about, his dainty throat implied,  
Had strangled him:) but that in time, the Cyprian seed of jove,  
Did break the string, with which was lined, that which the needle wove;  
And was the tough thong of a steer, and so the victor's palm  
Was (for so full a man at arms) only an empty helm.  
That then he swung about his head, and cast among his friends;  
Who scrambled, and took't up with shou●…s. Again than he intends,  
To force the life blood of his foe, and ran on him amain,  
With shaken iaveline; when the Queen, that lovers loves, again 
Venus' rapture of Paris from Menelau●….   
Attended; and now ravished him, from that encounter quite,  
With ease, and wondrous suddenly; for she (a Goddess) might.  
She hide him in a cloud of gold, and never made him known, 
This place Virgil 〈◊〉.   
Till in his chamber, (fresh and sweet) she gently set him down;  
And went for Helen, whom she found, in Scaeas utmost height;  
To which, whole swarms of city Dames, had climbed to see the sight.   

To give her errand good success; she took on her the shape, 
〈◊〉 like 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
Ofbeldame Graea, who was brought, by Helen in her rape,  
From Lacedaemon, and had trust, in all her secrets still;  
Being old, and had (of all her maids) the main bend of her will;  
And spun for her, her finest wool; like her, loves Empress came,  
Pulled Helen by the heavenly veil, and softly said: Madam?  
My Lord calls for you, you must needs, make all your kind haste home;  
He's in your chamber, stays, and longs; sits by your bed; pray come,  
'tis richly made, and sweet; but he, more sweet; and looks so clear,  
So fresh, and movingly attired: that (seeing) you would swear,  
He came not from the dusty fight, but from a courtly dance,  
Or would to dancing. This she made, a charm for dalliance;  
Whose virtue Helen felt, and knew (by her so radiant eyes,  
White neck, and most enticing breasts) the deified disguise.   

At which amazed, she answered her: unhappy Deity? 
Helen chideth 〈◊〉.   
Why lov'st thou still in these deceits, to wrap my fantasy?  
Or whether yet (of all the towns, given to their l●…st beside,  
In Phrygia, or Maeonia) comest thou to be my guide?  
If there (of divers languaged men) thou hast (as here in▪ Troy)  
Some other friend, to be my shame? since here thy latest joy,  
By Menelaus now subdued; by him, shall I be borne  
Home to his Court; and end my life, in triumphs of his scorn.  
And to this end, would thy deceits, my wanton life allure.  
Hence, go thyself to Priam's son, and all the ways abjure  
Of Gods, or Godlike minded Dames, nor ever turn again  
Thy earth-affecting feet to heaven: but for his sake, sustain  
Toils here: guard, grace him endlessly: till he requite thy grace,  
By giving thee my place with him: or take his servants place,  
If all dishonourable ways, your favours seek to serve  
His never-pleasd incontinence: I better will deserve,  
Then serve his do●…age now: what shame, were it for me to feed  
This lust in him? all honoured Dames, would hate me for the deed;  
He leaves a woman's love so shamed, and shows so base a mind;  
To feel, nor my shame, nor his own; griefs of a greater kind  
Wound me, than such as can admit, such kind delights so soon.   

The Goddess (angry, that past shame, her mere will was not done) 
Venus terrifies Hellen.   
Replied: Incense me not you wretch, lest (once incensed) I leave  
Thy cursed life to as strange a hate, as yet it may receive  
A love from me; and lest I spread, through both hosts such despite,  
For those plagues they have felt for thee, that both abjure thee quite.  
And (setting thee in midst of both) turn all their wraths on thee,  
And dart thee dead: that such a death, may wreak thy wrong of me.   

This struck the fair Dame with such fear, it took her speech away;  
And (shadowed in her snowy veil) she durst not but obey:  
And yet (to shun the shame she feared) she vanished undescride  
Of all the Trojan Ladies there; for Venus was her guide.   

Ar●…iu'd at home; her women both, fell to their work in haste;  
When she that was of all her sex, the most divinely graced, 
Helen followeth Venus from the port.   
Ascended to a higher room, though much against her will,  
Where lovely Alexander was, being led by Venus still.  
The laughter-loving Dame discerned, her moved mind, by her grace:  
And (for her mirth sake) set a stool, full before Paris face; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Hellen.   
Where she would needs have Helen sit: who (though she durst not choose  
But sit, yet) looked away for all, the Goddess power could use;  
And used her tongue too, and to chide, whom Venus soothed so much; 
〈◊〉 bitter reproof of 〈◊〉.   
And chid too, in this bitter kind; And was thy cowardice such,  
(So conquered) to be seen alive? O, would to God thy life  
Had perished by his worthy hand, to whom I first was wife.  
Before this, thou wouldst glorify, thy valour, and thy lance;  
And, past my first Loves, boast them far: Go once more, and advance  
Thy braves against his single power: this foil might fall by chance.  
Poor conquered man; 'twas such a chance, as I would not advise,  
Thy valour should provoke again: shun him thou most unwise;  
Lest next, thy spirit sent to hell, thy body be his prize.   

He answered; Pray thee woman cease, to chide and grieve me thus: 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
Disgraces will not ever last; look on their end; on us  
Will other Gods, at other times, let fall the victor's wreath,  
As on him Pallas put it now. Shall our love sink beneath  
The hate of fortune? In loves fire, let all hates vanish: Come,  
Love never so inflamed my heart; no not, when (bringing home  
Thy beauties so delicious prize) on Cranaes' blessed shore  
I longed for, and enjoyed thee first. With this, he went before  
She after, to the odorous bed. While these to pleasure yield, 
〈◊〉 ●…keth for Paris through the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Perplexed Atrides, savage-like, ran up and down the field,  
And every thickest troup of Troy, and of their farre-cald aid,  
Searched for his foe; who could not be, by any eye betrayed;  
Nor out of friendship (out of doubt) did they conceal his sight;  
All hated him so like their deaths, and owed him such 〈◊〉.   

At last thus spoke the king of men: Hear me, ye men of Troy, 
〈◊〉 to both the armi●…s.   
Ye dardan's and the rest, whose powers, you in their aids employ;  
The conquest on my brother's part, ye all discern is clear:  
Do you then Argive Helena, with all her treasure here  
Restore to us, and pay the mulct, that by your vows is due,  
Yield us an honoured recompense: and all that should accrue,  
To our posterities, confirm; that when you render it,  
Our acts here may be memorisd. This all Greeks' else thought fit.   

COMMENTARIUS.  
ᵃ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc. Iris autem Helen, etc. Elegantly, and most aptly (saith Spondanus) is Helen called by Homer, to the spectacle of this single fight: as being the chief person in cause of all the action. The chief end of whose coming yet, e●…uiously and most vainly Scaligers Criticus taxeth. Which was her relation to Priam, of the persons he noted there: jesting (with his French wit) at this Greek Father, & fount of all wit; for making Priam to seek now of their names and knowledges, when nine years together they had lain there before. A great piece of necessity to make him therefore know them before, when there was no such urgent occasion be●…ore, to bring Priam to note them? nor so calm a convenience, in their ordered and quiet distinction? But let his criticism in this be weighed with his other faults found in our master: as, for making lightning in winter before snow or rain; which the most ignorant upland peasant could teach him out of his observations. For which yet, bi●… Criticus hath the project impudence to tax Homer. Most falsely repeating his words too: saying, Vbi ningit, when he saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Parans, or struens, vel multum imbrem, immensámue grandinem, vel nivem: preparing, or going about those moist impressions in the air, not in present act with them. From this immediately and most rabidly he ranges to Ulysses' reprehension, for killing the wooers with his bow, in the Odysseys. Then to his late vomit again in the Iliads the very next word, and envieth Achilles' horse for speaking, (because himself would have all the tongue) when, in sacred writ, Balaams' Ass could have taught him, the like hath been heard of. Yet now to the Odysseys again with a breath, and challengeth Ulysses' ship for suffering Neptune to turn it to a rock. Here is strange laying out, for a master so curiously methodical. Not with what Graces, with what Muses, we may ask he was inspired: but with what Harpies? what Furies? putting the putidum mendacium upon Homer. Putidus, ineptus, frigidus, puerilis, (being terms fit for a scold or a bawd, than a man softened by learning) he belcheth against him, whom all the world hath reverenced, and admired, as the fountain of all wit, wisdom, and learning. What touch is it to me then, to bear spots of depravations, when my great master is thus muddily daubed with it? But who ever saw true learning, wisdom, or wit, vouchsafe mansion in any proud, vainglorious, and braggartly spirit, when their chief act and end is, to abandon and abhor it? Language, reading, habit of speaking, or writing in other learning, I grant in this reviler great and abundant: but in this Poesy, redundant, I affirm him, and rammish. To conclude, I will use the same words of him, that he of Erasmus (in calce Epinomidos) which are these (as I convert it): Great was his name, but had been futurely greater, would himself have been less: where now, bold with the greatness of his wit, he hath undertaken the more, with much less exactness; and so his confidence set on by the renown of his name, hath driven him headlong, etc.  
ᵇ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vocem suavem emittunt; saith the Interpreter (intending the Grasshoppers, to whom he compareth the old Counsellors) but it is here to be expounded, vocem teneram, not suavem: (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this place signifying tener) for Grasshoppers sing not sweetly, but harshly and faintly: wherein the weak and tender voices of the old Counsellors is to admiration expressed. The Simile Spondanus highly commends, as most apt and expressive: but his application in one part doth abuse it, in the other right it: and that is, to make the old men resemble Grasshoppers for their cold, and bloodless spininesse, Tithon being for age turned to a Grasshopper. But where they were grave and wise Counsellors, to make them garrul●…us, as Grasshoppers are stridulous; that application holdeth not in these old men, though some old men are so. These being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, boni, & periti concionatores; the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying frugi also, which is temperate or full of almoderation, and so far from intimating any touch of garrulity. Nor was the conceit of our Poet by Spondanus or any other, understood in this Simile.  
ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 succinctè concionabatur Menelaus; he spoke succinctly, or compendiously, say his interpreters; which is utterly otherwise, in the voice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifying velociter, properly, modo eorum qui currunt; he spoke fast, or thick.  
ᵈ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. few words yet, he used, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, sed valde acutè: they expound it; when it is valde stridulè, shrilly, smally, or aloud; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (as I have noted before) being properly taken in the worse part: and accordingly exp●…nded, maketh even with his simple character at all parts, his utterance being noiseful, small, or squeaking: an excellent pipe for a fool. Nor is the voice or manner of utterance in a man, the least key that discovereth his wisdom or folly. And therefore w●…th the ●…ting is that of Ulysses in the second book: that he knew Pallas by her voice: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, quoniam non garrulus, or loquax; being borne naturally Laconical, which agreeth not the less with his fast or thick speaking: for a man may have that kind of utterance, and yet few words.  
ᵉ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: neque in verbis peccans, say the Commentors, as though a fool were perfectly spoken: when the word here hath another sense, and our Homer a far other meaning, the words being thus to be expounded: neque mendax erat, he would not lie by any means; for that affectedly he stands upon hereafter. But to make a fool non peccans verbis, will make a man nothing wonder at any peccancie or absurdity, in men of mere language.  
You see then, to how extreme a difference and contrariety the word and sense lie subject: and that without first finding the true figures of persons in this kind presented, it is impossible for the best linguist living to express an Author truly, especially any Greek author; the language being so differently significant: which not judicially fitted with the exposition, that the place (and coherence with other places) requireth, what a motley, and confused man a translator may present? As now they do all, of Menelaus', who, wheresoever he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, is there untruely translated bellicosus; but cui Mars est charus, because he might love the war, and yet be no good warrior: as many love many exertises at which they will never be good: and Homer gave it to him for another of his peculiar Epithets, as a vainglorious affectation in him, rather than a solid affection.  
And here haste makes me give end to these new Annotations, deferring the like in the next nine books for more breath and encouragement. Since time (that hath ever oppressed me) will not otherwise let me come to the last twelve, in which the first free light of my Author, entered and emboldened me. Where so many rich disoveries importune my poor expression, that I fear rather to betrai●… them to the world, the●… express them to their price. But how soever envy and prejudice stand squirting their poison through the eyes of my Readers, this shall appear to all competent apprehensions, I have followed the Original with authentical expositions (according to the proper signification of the word in his place, though I differ therein utterly from others:) I have rendered all things of importance, with answerable life and height to my Author, (though with some periprhrasis, without which no man can worthily translate any worthy Poet.) And since the translation itself, and my notes, (being impartially conferred) amply approve this, I will still be confident in the worth of my pains, how idly and unworthily soever I be censured. And thus, to the last twelve Books (leaving other horrible errors in his other Interpreters unmoved) with those free feet that entered me, I ●…aste, sure of nothing but my labour.  
The end of the third Book.    

THE FOURTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

THe Gods in Counsel, at the last decree,  
That famous Ilium, shall expugned be.  
And, that their own continued faults may prove,  
The reasons that have so incensed jove.  
Minerva seeks with more offences done,  
Against the lately injured Atreus son,  
(A ground that clearest would make seen their sin)  
To have the Lycian Pandarus begin.  
He ('gainst the Truce with sacred covenants bound)  
Gives Menelaus, a dishonoured wound,  
Machaon heals him. Agamemnon then,  
To mortal war incenseth all his men:  
The battles join, and in the heat of fight,  
Cold death shuts many eyes in endless night.   
Another Argument.  

In Delta, is the God's Assize,  
The Truce is broke, wars freshly rise.   

WIthin the faire-paued Court of jove, he and the Gods conferred,  
About the sad events of Troy; amongst whom ministered, 
The Gods in Counsel at Ioues Court.   
Blessed Hebe, Nectar. As they sat, and did Troy's towers behold;  
They drank, and pledged each other round, in full crowned cups of gold. 
Hebe fills Nectar   
The mirth, at whose feast, was begun, by great Saturnides,  
In urging a begun dislike, amongst the Goddesses.  
But chief, in his solemn Queen, whose spleen he was disposed  
To tempt yet further; knowing well, what anger it enclosed.  
And how wives angers should be used. On which, (thus pleased) he played:   

Two Goddesses there are, that still, give Menelaus aid:  
And one that Paris loves. The two, that sit from us so far, 
Ioues mirth with his wife & daughter Pallas   
(Which Argive juno is, and she, that rules in deeds of war  
No doubt are pleased, to see how well, the late-seene-fight did frame.  
And (yet upon the adverse part) the laughter-loving Dame,  
Made her power good too, for her friend. For though he were so near,  
The stroke of death, in th''others hopes, she took him from them clear;  
The conquest yet, is questionless, the martial Spartan kings;  
We must consult then, what events, shall crown these future things.  
If wars, and combats, we shall still, with even successes strike;  
Or (as impartial) friendship plant, on both parts. If ye like  
The last, and that it will as well, delight, as merely please  
Your happy Deities: still let stand, old Priam's town in peace;  
And let the Lacedaemon king, again his Queen enjoy.   

As Pallas and heavens Queen sat close, complotting ill to Troy;  
With silent murmurs they received, this ill-liked choice from jove;  
'Gainst whom was Pallas much incensed, because the Queen●… of Love,  
Can not without his leave relieve, in that late point of death,  
The son of Priam, whom she loathed; her wrath yet fought beneath  
Her supreme wisdom, and was curbed: but juno needs must ease  
Her great heart, with her ready tongue, and said: What words are these 
juno angry with jupiter.   
(Austere, and too much Satur's son?) why wouldst thou render still  
My labours idle? and the sweat, of my industrious will,  
Dishonour with so little power? My chariot horse are tired,  
With posting to and fro, for Greece: and bringing banes desired,  
To people-mustring Priamus, and his perfidious sons:  
Yet thou protectst, and joinst with them, whom each just Deity shuns.  
Go on, but ever go resolved, all other Gods have vowed  
To cross thy partial course for Troy, in all that makes it proud. 
jupiter to juno.    

At this, the cloud-compelling jove, a far fetched sight let fly:  
And said, Thou Fury, what offence, of such impiety,  
Hath Priam or his sons done thee? that with so high a hate  
Thou shouldst thus ceaslesly desire, to raze, and ruinated  
So well a builded town as Troy? I think (hadst thou the power)  
Thou wouldst the ports and farre-stretcht walls, fly over, and devour  
Old Priam, and his issue quick: and make all Troy thy feast;  
And then at length I hope, thy wrath, and tired spleen would rest:  
To which, run on thy chariot, that nought be found in me,  
Of just cause to our future jars. In this yet strengthen thee,  
And fix it in thy memory fast; that, if I entertain  
As peremptory a desire, to level with the plain,  
A city, where thy loved liue; stand not betwixt my ire,  
And what it aims at; but give way, when thou hast thy desire,  
Which now I grant thee willingly, although against my will.  
For not beneath the ample Sun, and heavens starre-bearing hill, 
Troy most loved of jupiter, of all other cities.   
There is a town of earthly men, so honoured in my mind,  
As sacred Troy, nor of earth's kings, as Priam and his kind,  
Who never let my altars lack, rich feast of offerings slain,  
And their sweet savours: for which grace, I honour them again.   

Dread juno, with the cows fair eyes, replied; Three towns there are 
Three cities dear to juno.   
Of great and eminent respect, both in my love and care,  
Mycena, with the broad high ways, and Argos rich in horse;  
And Sparta: all which three destroy, when thou enui'st their force;  
I will not aid them, nor malign, thy free and sovereign will:  
For if I should be envious, and set against their ill,  
I know my envy were in vain, since thou art mightier far:  
But we must give each other leave, and wink at either's war. 
Her deadly hate to Troy.   
I likewise, must have power to crown, my works with wished end;  
Because I am a Deity, and did from thence descend,  
Whence thou thyself, and th'elder borne, wise Saturn was our Sire;  
And thus there is a twofold cause, that pleads for my desire;  
Being sister, and am called thy wife: And more, since thy command  
Rules all Gods else; I claim therein, a like superior hand.  
All wrath before then, now remit, and mutually combine  
In either's Empire; I, thy rule, and thou illustrate mine.  
So will the other Gods agree: and we shall all be strong.  
And first, (for this late plot) with speed, let Pallas go among  
The Troyans'; and some one of them, entice to break the truce,  
By offering in some treacherous wound, the honoured Greeks' abuse.   

The Father both of men and Gods, agreed, and Pallas sent,  
With these winged words, to both the hosts; Make all haste, and invent 
jupiter to Pallas   
Some mean, by which the men of Troy, against the truce agreed,  
May stir the glorious Greeks' to arms, with some inglorious deed.   

Thus charged he her with haste, that did, before, in haste abound;  
Who cast herself from all the heights, with which steep heaven is crowned: 
Pallas falls from heaven like a Comet.   
And as jove, brandishing a star (which men a Comet call)  
Hurls out his curled hair abroad, that from his brand exhals  
A thousand sparks; to fleets at sea, and every mighty host,  
(Of all presages and ill haps, a sign mistrusted most:)  
So Pallas fell twixt both the Camps, and suddenly was lost;  
When through the breasts of all that saw, she struck a strong amaze,  
With viewing, in her whole descent, her bright and ominous blaze.  
When strait, one to another turned, and said; Now thundering 〈◊〉  
(Great Arbiter of peace, and arms) will either 'stablish love  
Amongst our nations: or renew, such war, as never was.   

Thus either army did presage, when Pallas made her pass  
Amongst the multitude of Troy; who now put on the grace  
Of brave Laodocus; the flower, of old Antenor's race;  
And sought for Lycian Pandarus; a man, that being bred  
Out of a faithless family, she thought, was fit to shed  
The blood of any innocent, and break the covenant sworn.  
He was Lycaon's son, whom jove, into a Wolf did turn  
For sacrificing of a child; and yet in arms renowned,  
As one that was inculpable: him Pallas, standing, found,  
And round about him, his strong troops, that bore the shady shields.  
He brought them from Aesaepus flood, let through the Lycian fields:  
Whom, standing near, she whispered thus: Lycaon's warlike son? 
Pallas to Pandarus, persuading him to breaks the 〈◊〉   
Shall I despair at thy kind hands, to have a favour done?  
Nor darest thou let an arrow fly, upon the Spartan king?  
It would be such a grace to Troy, and such a glorious thing,  
That every man would give his gift; but Alexander's hand  
Would load thee with them, if he could, discover from his stand,  
His foe's pride struck down with thy shaft; and he himself ascend  
The flaming heap of funeral: Come, shoot him (princely friend.)  
But first invoke the God of light, that in thy land was borne,  
And is in archers art the best, that ever sheaf hath worn;  
To whom a hundred first ewed lambs, vow thou in holy fire,  
When safe to sacred Zelias' towers, thy zealous steps retire.   

With this, the mad-gift-greedie man, Minerva did persuade; 
The description of 〈◊〉 his bow.   
Who instantly drew forth a bow, most admirably made  
Of th'antler of a jumping Goat, bred in a steep up land;  
Which Archerlike (as long before, he took his hidden stand;  
The Euicke, skipping from a rock) into the breast he smote;  
And headlong field him from his cliff. The forehead of the Goat,  
Held out a wondrous goodly palm, that sixteen branches brought:  
Of all which, (joined) an useful bow, a skilful Bowyer wrought;  
(Which picked and polished,) both the ends, he hide with horns of gold.  
And this bow (bent) he close laid down, and bad his soldiers hold  
Their shields before him; lest the Greeks' (discerning him) should rise  
In tumults, ere the Spartan king, could be his arrows prize.  
Mean space, with all his care he choosed, and from his quiver drew  
An arrow, feathered best for flight; and yet, that never flew;  
Strong headed, and most apt to pierce; then took he up his bow,  
And nockt his shaft; the ground whence all, their future grief did grow.  
When (praying to his God the Sun, that was in Lycia bred,  
And king of Archers; promising, that he the blood would shed  
Of full an hundred first fallen lambs, all offered to his name,  
When to Zelias' sacred walls, from rescued Troy he came)  
He took his arrow by the neck, and to his bended breast, 
Virgil useth these verses.   
The Oxy sinew close he drew, even till the pile did rest,  
Upon the bosom of the bow: and as that savage prize, 
Pandarus draft and shoot.   
His strength constrained into an Orb; (as if the wind did rise)  
The coming of it made a noise; the sinew forged string  
Did give a mighty twang; and forth, the eager shaft did sing,  
(Affecting speediness of flight) amongst the Achive throng:  
Nor were the blessed heavenly powers, unmindful of thy wrong,  
O Menelaus; but in chief, Ioues seed the Pillager, 
〈◊〉 hurt.   
Stood close before, and slacked the force, the arrow did confer;  
With as much care, and little hurt, As doth a mother use, 
Simile.   
And keep off from her babe, when sleep, doth through his powers diffuse  
His golden humour; and th'assaults, of rude and busy flies  
She still checks with her careful hand: for so the shaft she plies,  
That on the buttons made of gold, which made his girdle fast,  
And where his curets double were, the fall of it she placed.  
And thus much proof she put it to: the buckle made of gold;  
The belt it fastened, bravely wrought; his curets double fold;  
And last, the charmed plate he wore, which helped him more than all;  
And 'gainst all darts, and shafts bestowed, was to his life a wall.  
So (through all these) the upper skin, the head did only race,  
Yet forth the blood flowed, which did much, his royal person grace;  
And show'd upon his ivory skin, as doth a purple dye,  
Laid (by a Dame of Caira, or lovely Maeony)  
On ivory; wrought in ornaments, to deck the cheeks of horse;  
Which in her marriage room must lie; whose beauties have such force,  
That they are wished of many knights; but are such precious things,  
That they are kept for horse that draw, the chariots of kings;  
Which horse (so decked) the charioteer, esteems a grace to him:  
Like these (in grace) the blood upon, thy solid thighs did swim,  
O Menelaus, down thy calves, and ankles to the ground;  
For nothing decks a soldier so, as doth an honoured wound.  
Yet (fearing he had fared much worse) the hair stood up on end  
On Agame●…non, when he saw, so much black blood descend.  
And stiffened with the like dismay, was Menelaus to:  
But (seeing th'arrows stolen without,) and that the head did go  
No further than it might be seen, he called his spirits again:  
Which Agamemnon marking not, (but thinking he was slain)  
He gripped his brother by the hand, and sighed as he would break:  
Which sigh the whole host took from him, who thus at last did speak:   

O dearest brother, is't for this? That thy death must be wrought, 
Agamemnon's complaint and ●…are of his brother's h●…rt.   
Wrought I this truce? For this hast thou, the single combat fought  
For all the army of the Greeks'? For this, hath Ilium sworn,  
And trod all faith beneath their feet? Yet all this hath not worn  
The right we challenged, out of force; this cannot render vain  
Our strike right hands; sacred wine; nor all our offerings slain.  
For though Olympius be not quick, in making good our ill,  
He will be sure, as he is slow; and sharplier prove his will.  
Their own hands shall be ministers, of those plagues they despise:  
Which shall their wives and children reach, and all their progenies.  
For both in mind, and soul, I know, that there shall come a day,  
When Ilium, Priam, all his power, shall quite be worn away;  
When heaven-inhabiting jove shall shake, his fiery shield at all,  
For this one mischief. This I know, the world cannot recall.  
But, be all this; all my grief still, for thee will be the same,  
(Dear brother:) if thy life must here, put out his royal flame;  
I shall to sandy Argos turn, with infamy, my face;  
And all the Greeks' will call for home: old Priam and his race  
Will flame in glory; Helena, untouched, be still their prey;  
And thy bones in our enemy's earth, our cursed fates shall lay;  
Thy Sepulchre be trodden down; the pride of Troy desire,  
(Insulting on it:) Thus, o thus, let Agamemno●…s ire,  
In all his acts, be expiate; as now he carries home  
His idle army, empty ships; and leaves here overcome  
Good Menelaus. When this Brave, breaks in their hated breath;  
Then let the broad earth swallow me, and take me quick to death.   

Nor shall this ever chance (said he,) and therefore be of cheer; 
Menelaus' to Agamemnon.   
Lest all the army (led by you,) your passions put in fear.  
The arrow fell in no such place, as death could enter at;  
My girdle, curets doubled here, and my most trusted plate,  
Objected all twixt me and death; the shaft scarce piercing one.  
Good brother (said the king) I wish, it were no further gone; 
Agamemnon to Men●…laus.   
For than our best in medicines skilled, shall open and search the wound;  
Applying balms to ease thy pains, and soon restore thee sound.  
This said, divine Talthybius, he called, and bade him haste  
Machaon (Aesculapius' son, who most of men was graced 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉   
With Physics sovereign remedies) to come and lend his hand  
To Menelaus; shot by one, well skilled in the command  
Of bow and arrows; one of Troy, or of the Lycian aid;  
Who much hath glorified our foe, and us as much dismayed.   

He heard, and hasted instantly; and cast his eyes about  
The thickest squadrons of the Greeks', to find Machaon out.  
He found him standing guarded well, with well-armed men of Thrace;  
With whom he quickly joined, and said; Man of Apollo's race? 
Tal●…ybius to Mach●…on.   
Haste; for the king of men commands, to see a wound impressed,  
In Menelaus (great in arms) by one instructed best  
In th'u'rt of archery; of Troy, or of the Lycian bands,  
That them with much renown adorns; us with dishonour brands.   

Machaon much was moved with this, who with the herald flew  
From troup to troup, alongst the host; and soon they came in view  
Of hurt Atrides; circled round, with all the Grecian kings;  
Who all gave way; and strait he draws, the shaft: which forth he brings 
Machaon draws the arro●….   
Without the forks; the girdle then, plate, curets, off he plucks,  
And views the wound; when first from it, the clottered blood he sucks;  
Then medicines wondrously composed, the skilful Leech applied,  
Which loving Chiron taught his Sire; he from his Sire had tried.   

While these were thus employed to ease, the Atrean martialist,  
The Troyans' armed, and charged the Greeks'; the Greeks' arm and resist. 
The Troyans' renew the figh●….   
Than not asleep, nor mazed with fear, nor shifting off the blows,  
You could behold the king of men; but in full speed he goes  
To set a glorious fight on foot: and he examples this, 
Agamemnon's marshal's his armi●….   
With toiling (like the worst) on foot; who therefore did dismiss  
His brasse-armed chariot, and his steeds, with Ptolomaus son,  
(Son of Pyraides) their guide, the good Eu●…ymidon;  
Yet (said the king) attend with them, lest weariness should seize  
My limbs, surcharged with ordering troops, so thick and vast as these.   

Eurymidon than reined his horse, that trotted neighing by;  
The king a footman, and so scours, the squadrons orderly.   

Those of his swiftly-mounted Greekes, that in their arms were fit, 
Agamemnon to the Greek●…s.   
Those he put on, with cheerful words, and bade them not remit  
The least spark of their forward spirits, because the Troyans' durst  
Take these abhorred advantages; but let them do their worst▪  
For they might be assured that jove, would patronize no lies;  
And that, who with the breach of truce, would hurt their enemies,  
With vultures should be torn themselves; that they should raze their town:  
Their wives, and children at their breasts, led vassals to their own.   

But such as he beheld hang off, from that increasing fight;  
Such would he bitterly rebuke, and with disgrace excite;  
Base Argives, blush ye not to stand, as made for Butts to darts? 
Agamemnon to the negligent soldiers.   
Why are ye thus discomfited, like Hinds that have no hearts?  
Who wearied with a long-run field, are instantly embossed,  
Stand still, and in their beastly breasts, is all their courage lost:  
And so stand you struck with amaze, nor dare to strike a stroke.  
Would ye the foe should nearer yet, your dastard spleens provoke?  
Even where on Neptune's foamy shore, our navies lie in sight?  
To see if jove will hold your hands, and teach ye how to fight?   

Thus he (commanding) ranged the host; and (passing many a band)  
He came to the Cretensian troops, where all did armed stand,  
About the martial Idomen; who bravely stood before,  
In vanguard of his troops, and matched, for strength a savage Boar.  
Meriones (his charioteer) the Rereguard bringing on:  
Which seen to Atreus son, to him, it was a sight alone;  
And Idomens' confirmed mind, with these kind words he seeks;  
O Idomen! I ever loved, thyself past all the Greeks'; 
Agamemnon to Idomen.   
In war, or any work of peace; at table, every where;  
For when the best of Greece beside, mix ever, at our cheer,  
My good old ardent wine, with small; and our inferior mates  
Drink even that mixed wine measured too; thou drinkst without those rates  
Our old wine, neat; and evermore, thy bowl stands full like mine;  
To drink, still when, and what thou wilt. Then rouse that heart of thine;  
And whatsoever heretofore, thou hast assumed to be,  
This day be greater. To the king, in this sort, answered he;   

Atrides, what I ever seemed, the same, at every part, 
Idomen to Agamemnon.   
This day shall show me at the full; and I will fit thy heart.  
But thou shouldst rather cheer the rest, and tell them they in right  
Of all good war, must offer blows, and should begin the fight.  
(Since Troy first broke the holy truce) and not endure these braves,  
To take wrong first, and then be dared, to the revenge it craves.  
Assuring them that Troy, in fate, must have the worse at last;  
Since first, and 'gainst a truce, they hurt; where they should have embraced.   

This comfort, and advice did fit, Atrides heart indeed,  
Who still through new raised swarms of men, held his laborious speed:  
And came where both th' Aiaces stood; whom like the last he found,  
Armed, caskt, and ready for the fight. Behind them, hide the ground,  
A cloud of foot, that seemed to smoke. And as a Gotehea●…d spies,  
On some hills top, out of the Sea, a rainy vapour rise, 
How the troops of Ajax stood.   
Driven by the breath of Zephyrus, which (though far off he rest)  
Comes on as black as pitch, and brings, a tempest in his breast;  
Whereat, he frighted, drives his herds, apace, into a den:  
So (darkening earth, with darts and shields) show'd these with all their men.   

This sight, with like joy fired the king, who thus let forth the flame,  
In crying out to both the Dukes: O you of equal name, 
Agamemnon to the Aiaces.   
I must not cheer; nay, I disclaim, all my command of you,  
Yourselves command with such free minds, and make your soldiers show,  
As you, nor I led, but themselves. O would our father jove,  
Minerva, and the God of light, would all our body's mou●…  
With such brave spirits as breath in you: then Priam's lofti●… town  
Should soon be taken by our hands, for ever overthrown.   

Then held he on to other troops, and Nestor, next beheld,  
(The subtle Pylian Orator) range up and down the field, 
Nestor's art i●… ordering his soldiers.   
Embattelling his men at arms, and stirring all to blows;  
Points every legion out his Chief, and every Chief he shows  
The forms, and discipline of war: yet his Commanders were  
All expert, and renowned men: Great Pelagon was there;  
Alastor: manly Chromius; and Hemon, worth a Throne;  
And Bias, that could armies lead: with these he first put on,  
His horse troops, with their chariots: his foot (of which he choosed  
Many, the best and ablest men, and which he ever used,  
As rampire to his general power) he in the Rear disposed.  
The slothful, and the least of spirit, he in the midst enclosed;  
That such as wanted noble wills, base need might force to stand.  
His horse troops (that the Vanguard had) he strictly did command  
To ride their horses temperately; to keep their ranks, and shun  
Confusion; lest their horsemanship, and courage made them run  
(Too much presumed on) much too far: and (charging so alone)  
Engage themselves, in th'enemies' strength; where many fight with one.  
Who his own chariot leaves to range; let him not freely go,  
But strait unhorsed him with a lance: for 'tis much better so.  
And with this discipline (said he) this form, these minds, this trust;  
Our Ancestors have, walls, and towns, laid level with the dust.   

Thus prompt, and long enured to arms, this old man did exhort;  
And this Atrides likewise took, in wondrous cheerful sort:  
And said, O Father! would to heaven, that as thy mind remains 
Agamemnon to Nestor.   
In wont vigour; so thy knees, could undergo our pains.  
But age, that all men overcomes, hath made his prize on thee;  
Yet still I wish, that some young man, grown old in mind, might be  
Put in proportion with thy years; and thy mind (young in age)  
Be fitly answered with his youth; that still where conflicts rage,  
And young men used to thrust for fame, thy brave exampling hand,  
Might double our young Grecian spirits, and grace our whole Command.   

The old knight answered: I myself, could wish (O Atreus son) 
Nestor to Agamemnon.   
I were as young, as when I slew, brave Ereu●…halion;  
But Gods, at all times, give not all, their gifts to mortal men.  
If then I had the strength of youth, I missed the Counsels then,  
That years now give me; and now years, want that main strength of youth;  
Yet still my mind retains her strength, (as you now said the sooth)  
And would be, where that strength is used, affording counsels sage,  
To stir youths minds up; 'tis the grace, and office of our age;  
Let younger sinews, Men sprung up, whole ages after me,  
And such as have strength, use it; and, as strong in honour be.   

The king (all this while comforted) arrived next, where he found,  
Well-rode Menestheus (Peteus' son) stand still, environed round,  
With his well-trained Athenian troops: and next to him he spied  
The wise Ulysses, deedless too, and all his bands beside,  
Of strong Cephalians; for as yet, th'alarm had not been heard  
In all their quarters, Greece, and Troy, were then so newly stirred,  
And then first moved (as they conceived) and they so looked about  
To see both hosts give proof of that, they yet had cause to doubt.   

Atrides (seeing them stand so still) and spend their eyes at gaze;  
Began to chide; And why (said he) dissolved thus, in a maze,  
Thou son of Peteus, jove-nurst king; and thou in wicked sleight, 
Agamemnon to Ulysses and Menestheu●….   
A cunning soldier, stand ye off? Expect ye that the fight  
Should be by other men begun? 'tis fit the foremost band  
Should show you there; you first should front, who first lifts up his hand.  
First you can hear, when I invite, the Princes to a feast,  
When first, most friendly, and at will, ye eat and drink the best;  
Yet in the fight, most willingly, ten troops ye can behold  
Take place before ye. Ithacus, at this his brows did fold,  
And said, How hath thy violent tongue, broke through thy set of teeth? 
Ulysses' to Aga●…emnon.   
To say that we are slack in fight? and to the field of death  
Look others should enforce our way? when we were busied then,  
(Even when thou spak'st) against the foe, to cheat and lead our men.  
But thy eyes shall be witnesses (if it content thy will;  
And that (as thou pretendest) these cares, do so affect thee still)  
The father of Telemach●… (whom I esteem so dear,  
And to whom, as a Legacy, I'll leave my deeds done here)  
Even with the foremost band of Troy, hath his encounter dared;  
And therefore are thy speeches vain, and had been better spared.   

He smiling, since he saw him moved, recalled his words, and said; 
Agamemnon to Ulysses.   
Most generous L●…ertes son, most wise of all our aid;  
I neither do accuse thy worth, more than thyself may hold  
Fit (that inferiors think not much (being slack) to be controlled;)  
Nor take I on me thy command: for well I know thy mind  
Knows how sweet gentle counsels are; and that thou stand'st inclined  
As I myself, for all our good. On then: if now we spoke  
What hath displeased, another time, we full amends will make:  
And Gods grant that thy virtue here, may prove so free, and brave,  
That my reproofs may still be vain, and thy deservings grave.   

Thus parted they, and forth he went, when he did leaning find  
Against his chariot, near his horse, him with the mighty mind,  
Great Diomedes (Tydeus son) and Sthenelus, the seed  
Of Capaneius; whom the king, seeing likewise out of deed,  
Thus cried he out on Diomedes: O melin what a fear 
Agamemnon chideth Diomed.   
The wise great warrior, Tydeus son, stands gazing every where,  
For others to begin the fight? It was not Tydeus use  
To be so daunted; whom his spirit, would evermore produce,  
Before the foremost of his friends, in these affairs of fright,  
As they report that have beheld, him labour in a fight.  
For me, I never knew the man, nor in his presence came:  
But excellent above the rest, he was in general fame.  
And one renowned exploit of his, I am assured is true, 
The history of Tydeus.   
He came to the Mycenian Court, without arms, and did sue,  
At Godlike Polynices hands, to have some worthy aid,  
To their designs, that 'gainst the walls, of sacred Thebes were laid.  
He was great Polynices guest, and nobly entertained:  
And of the kind Mycenian state, what he requested gained,  
In mere consent: but when they should, the same in act approve,  
(By some sinister prodigies, held out to them by Io●…e,)  
They were discouraged; thence he went, and safely had his pass  
Back to Aesopus flood, renowned, for Bulrushes and grass;  
Yet, once more, their Ambassador, the Grecian Pe●…res address,  
Lord Tydeus to Eteocles: to whom being given access,  
He found him feasting with a crew, of Cadmians in his hall;  
Amongst whom, though an enemy, and only one to all;  
To all yet, he his challenge made, at every Martial feat;  
And easily foiled all, since with him, Miner●…a was so great.  
The ranke-rode Cadmians (much incensed, with their so foul disgrace)  
Lodged ambuscadoes for their foe, in some well chosen place,  
By which he was to make return. Twice five and twenty men,  
And two of them, great captains too, the ambush did contain.  
The names of those two men of rule, were M●…on, H●…mons son,  
And Lycophontes, Keepe-field called, the heir of Autophon,  
By all men honoured like the Gods: yet these and all their friends,  
Were sent to hell by Tydeus hand, and had untimely ends.  
He trusting to the aid of Gods, revealed by Augury;  
Obeying which, one Chief he saved, and did his life apply,  
To be the heavy messenger, of all the others deaths;  
And that sad message (with his life) to Maeon he bequeathes;  
So brave a knight was Tydeus: of whom a son is sprung,  
Inferior far, in martial deeds, though higher in his tongue.   

All this, Tydides' silent heard, awed by the reverend king;  
Which stung hot Sthenelus with wrath, who thus put forth his sting:   

Atrides? when thou knowst the truth, speak what thy knowledge is,  
And do not lie so; for I know, and I will brag in this; 
Sthenelus rough speech to Agamemnon.   
That we are far more able men, then both our fathers were;  
We took the sevenfold ported Thebes, when yet we had not there  
So great help as our fathers had; and fought beneath a wall,  
Sacred to Mars, by help of jove; and trusting to the fall  
Of happy signs from other Gods, by whom we took the town  
Untouched; our father's perishing there, by follies of their own:  
And therefore never more compare, our father's worth with ours.   

Tydides' frowned at this, and said; Suppress thine anger's powers,  
(Good friend) and hear why I refrained: thou seest I am not moved 
Diomedes rebuk●…s Sthene●…s.   
Against our General, since he did, but what his place behooved,  
Admonishing all Greeks' to fight: for if Troy prove our prize,  
The honour, and the joy is his. If here our ruin lies,  
The shame and grief for that, as mu●…h, is his in greatest kinds.  
As he than his charge, weigh we ours: which is our dauntless minds.   

Thus from his chariot (amply armed) he jumped down to the ground:  
The armour of the angry king, so horribly did sound,  
It might have made his bravest foe, let fear, take down his braves.  
And as when with the West-wind flaws, the sea thrusts up her waves, 
Simile.   
One after other, thick, and high, upon the groaning shores;  
First, in herself, loud (but opposed, with banks and Rocks) she ●…ores,  
And (all her back in bristles set) spits every way her some;  
So (after Diomedes) instantly, the field was overcome  
With thick impressions of the Greeks'; and all the noise that grew 
The silence of the Greek fight.   
(Ordering and cheering up their men) from only leaders flew.  
The rest went silently away, you could not hear a voice,  
Nor would have thought, in all their breasts, they had one in their choice;  
Their silence uttering their awe, of them, that them controlled;  
Which made each man keep bright his arms, march, fight still where he should.  
The Troyans' (like a sort of Ewes, penned in a rich man's fold, 
The Troyans' compared to Ew●…s.   
Close at his door, till all be milked; and never baaing hold,  
Hearing the bleating of their lambs) did all their wide host fill,  
With shouts and clamours; nor observed, one voice, one baaing still;  
But show'd mixed tongues from many a land; of men, called to their aid:  
Rude Mars, had th'ordering of their spirits: of Greeks, the learned Maid. 
Mars for the Troyans', Pallas for the Greeks'.   
But Terror followed both the hosts, and flight; and furious Strife,  
The sister, and the mate of Mars, that spoil of human life; 
Discord the sist●…r of Mar●….   
And never is her rage at rest; at first she is but small,  
Yet after, (but a little fed) she grows so vast, and tall, 
Virgil the same of ●…ame.   
That while her feet move here in earth, her forehead is in heaven.  
And this was she, that made even then, both hosts so deadly given.  
Through every troup she stalked, and stirred, rough sighs up as she went:  
But when in one field, both the foes, her fury did content;  
And both came under reach of darts, than darts, and shields opposed  
To darts and shields, strength answered strength; then swords and targets closed  
With swords and targets; both with pikes; and then did tumult rise  
Up to her height; then conqueror's boasts, mixed with the conquerds cries,  
Earth flowed with blood. And as from hills, rain waters, headlong fall,  
That all ways, eat huge Ruts, which, met, in one bed, fill a fall  
With such a confluence of streams; that on the mountain grounds  
far off, in frighted shepherds ears, the bustling noise rebounds:  
So grew their conflicts; and so show'd, their scuffling to the ear;  
With flight, and clamour, still commixed, and all effects of fear.   

And first renowned Antilochus, slew (fight in the face 
Antiloc●…us slew 〈◊〉.   
Of all Achaias' foremost bands, with an undaunted grace)  
Echepolus Thalysiades: he was an armed man;  
Whom, on his haire-plumed helmets crest, the dart first smote; then ran  
Into his forehead, and there stuck; the steel pile making way  
Quite through his skull; a hasty night, shut up his latest day.  
His fall was like a fight-raced tower; like which, lying their dispred,  
King Elephenor, (who was son to Chalcodon, and led  
The valiant Abants') covetous; that he might first possess  
His arms, laid hands upon his feet; haled him from the press  
Of darts, and javelins hurled at him. The action of the king 
Elephenor drawing of the body of Echepolus is slain by Agenor.   
When (great in heart) Agenor saw, he made his javeline sing  
To th''others labour; and along, as he the trunk did wrest,  
His side (at which he bore his shield, in bowing of his breast)  
Lay naked, and received the lance; that made him lose his hold,  
And life together; which in hope, of that he lost, he sold.  
But for his sake the fight grew fierce; the Troyans' and their foe,  
Like wolves, on one another rushed; and ma●… for man it goes.   

The next of name, that served his fate; great Ajax Telamo●…, 
〈◊〉 slays Si●….   
Preferred so sadly; he was heir, to old Anthemion,  
And decked with all the flower of youth: the fruit of which yet fled,  
Before the honoured nuptial torch, could light him to his bed;  
His name was Symoisius; For, some few years before,  
His mother walking down the hill, of Ida, by the shore  
Of Silver Simois, to see, her parents ●…locks; with them,  
She (feeling suddenly the pains, of childbirth) by the stream  
Of that bright river brought him forth; and so (of Simois)  
They called him Symoisius. Sweet was that birth of his  
To his kind parents; and his growth, did all their care employ;  
And yet those rites of piety, that should have been his joy,  
To pay their honoured years again, in as affectionate sort,  
He could not graciously perform, his sweet life was so short:  
Cut off with mighty Ajax lance. For, as his spirit put on,  
He struck him at his breasts right pap, quite through his shoulder bone;  
And in the dust of earth he fell, that was the fruitful soil  
Of his friends hopes; but where he sowed, he buried all his toil.  
And as a Poplar shot aloft, set by a river side, 
Simile.   
In moist edge of a mightiefenne, his head in curls implied;  
But all his body plain and smooth: to which a Wheel-wright puts  
The sharp edge of his shining axe, and his soft timber cuts  
From his innative root; in hope, to hue out of his bowl  
The Fell'ffs, or out-parts of a wheel, that compass in the whole;  
To serve some goodly chariot; but (being big and sad,  
And to be haled home through the bogs) the useful hope he had  
Sticks there; and there the goodly plant, lies withring out his grace:  
So lay, by jove-bred Ajax hand, Anthemions' forward race.  
Nor could through that vast fen of toils, be drawn to serve the ends  
Intended by his body's powers, nor cheer his aged friends.   

But now the gay-armed Antiphus (a son of Priam) threw 
Antiphus one of Priam's sons.   
His lance at Ajax through the press, which went by him, and flew  
On Leucus, wise Ulysses' friend; his groin it smote, as feign  
He would have drawn into his spoil, the ca●…kasse of the slain;  
By which he fell, and that by him; it vexed Ulysses' heart;  
Who thrust into the face of fight, well armed at every part,  
Came close, and looked about to find, an object worth his lance;  
Which when the Troyans' saw him shake, and he so near advance,  
All shrunk; he threw, and forth it shined: nor fell, but where it field:  
His friend's grief gave it angry power, and deadly way it held 
D●…mocoon Prians base son ●…lain by 〈◊〉.   
Upon Democoon, who was sprung, of Priam's wanton force;  
Came from Abydus, and was made, the master of his horse.  
Through both his temples struck the dart, the wood of one side showed,  
The pile out of the other looked, and so the earth he strewed,  
With much sound of his weighty arms. Then back the foremost went,  
Even Hector yielded; then the Greeks', gave worthy clamours vent,  
Effecting then their first dumb powers; some drew the dead and spoiled;  
Some followed; that in open flight, Troy might confess it foiled.  
Apollo (angry at the sight) from top of Ilium cried, 
Apollo excites the Troyans'.   
Turn head, ye well-rode Peers of Troy, feed not the Grecians pride;  
They are not charmed against your points, of steel, nor Iron framed;  
Nor fights the faire-haird Thetis son, but sits at fleet inflamed.   

So spoke the dreadful God from Troy. The Greeks', Ioues noblest seed,  
Encouraged to keep on the chase: and where fit spirit did need, 
Pall●… encourageth the Greeks.   
She gave it, marching in the midst; Then flew the fatal hour  
Back on Diores, in return, of Ilion's sun-burnd power;  
Diores Amarincides, whose right legs ankle bone, 
Diores.   
And both the sinews, with a sharp, and handful charging stone,  
Pirus Imbrasides did break, that led the Thracian bands, 
Piros.   
And came from Aenos; down he fell, and up he held his hands  
To his loved friends; his spirit winged, to fly out of his breast;  
With which not satisfied, again, Imbrasides addressed  
His javeline at him, and so ripped, his navel, that the wound,  
(As endlessly it shut his eyes) so (opened) on the ground,  
It poured his entrails. As his foe, went then suffisd away,  
Thoas Aetolius threw a dart, that did his pile convey  
Above his nipple, through his lungs; when (quitting his stern part)  
He closed with him; and from his breast, first drawing out his dart, 
Piros ●…aine by Thoas.   
His sword flew in, and by the midst, it wiped his belly out;  
So took his life, but left his arms; his friends so flocked about,  
And thrust forth lances of such length, before their slaughtered king,  
Which though their foe were big and strong, and often broke the ring,  
Forged of their lances; yet (enforced) he left th'affected prize;  
The Thracian, and Epeian Dukes, laid close with closed eyes,  
By either other, drowned in dust; and round about the plain  
All hid with slaughtered carcases; yet still did hotly reign  
The martial planet; whose effects, had any eye beheld,  
Free, and unwounded (and were led, by Pallas through the field  
To keep of javelins, and suggest, the least fault could be found)  
He could not reprehend the fight, so many strewed the ground.   
The end of the fourth Book.   

THE FIFTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

KIng Diomedes (by Pallas spirit inspired,  
With will and power) is for his acts admired:  
Mere men, and men derived from Deities,  
And Deities themselves, he terrifies;  
Adds wounds to terrors: his inflamed lance  
Draws blood from Mars, and Venus: In a trance  
He casts Aeneas, with a weighty stone;  
Apollo quickens him, and gets him gone:  
Mars is recured by Paeon; but by jove  
Rebuked, for authoring breach of human love.   
Another Argument.  

In Epsilon, heavens blood is shed,  
By sacred rage of Diomed.   

THen Pallas breathed in Tydeus son: to render whom supreme 
Pallas inspires and glorifies Diomed.   
To all the Greeks', at all his parts, she cast a hotter beam,  
On his high mind; his body filled, with much superior might,  
And made his complete armour cast, a far more complete light.  
From his bright helm and shield, did burn, a most unwearied fire: 
This simile lik●…wise Virgil jearus of him.   
Like rich Autumnus golden lamp, whose brightness men admire,  
Past all the other host of stars, when with his cheerful face,  
Fresh washed in lofty Ocean waves, he doth the skies enchase.   

To let whose glory lose no sight, still Pallas made him turn,  
Where tumult most expressed his power, and where the fight did burn. 
Dares Priest of Mulciber, or Vulcan.    

An honest and a wealthy man, inhabited in Troy;  
Dares the Priest of Mulciber, who two sons did enjoy,  
Idaeus, and bold Phegeus, well seen in every fight:  
These (singled from their troops, and horsed) assailed Minerva's knight, 
Ideus and Phegeus both against Diom●…d.   
Who ranged from fight to fight, on foot; all hasting mutual charge,  
(And now drawn near) first Phegeus threw, a iaveline swift and large:  
Whose head the kings left shoulder took, but did no harm at all:  
Then rushed he out a lance at him, that had no idle fall;  
But in his breast stuck twixt the paps, and struck him from his horse. 
Phegeus slain, Ideus 〈◊〉.   
Which stern sight, when Idaeus saw (distrustful of his force  
To save his slaughtered brother's spoil) it made him headlong leap  
From his fair chariot, and leave all: yet had not 'scaped the heap  
Of heavy funeral, if the God, great precedent of fire,  
Had not (in sudden clouds of smoke, and pity of his Sire,  
To leave him utterly unheird) given safe pass to his feet.  
He gone, Tydides' sent the horse, and chariot to the fleet.   

The Troyans' seeing Dares sons, one slain, the other fled,  
Were struck amazed; the blue-eyed maid (to grace her Diomedes  
In giving free way to his power) made this so ruthful sact,  
A fit advantage to remove, the warre-God out of act,  
Who raged so on the Ilium side; she gripped his hand and said,  
Mars, Mars, thou ruinor of men, that in the dust hast laid 
Pallas to Mars.   
So many cities, and with blood, thy Godhead dost distain;  
Now shall we cease to show our breasts, as passionate as men,  
And leave the mixture of our hands? resigning jove his right  
(As rector of the Gods) to give, the glory of the fight,  
Where he affecteth? lest he force, what we should freely yield?  
He held it fit, and went with her, from the tumultuous field,  
Who set him in an hearby seat, on broad Scamander's shore. 
Mars leaves the field, and Troy flies.   
He gone, all Troy was gone with him, the Greeks' drove all before,  
And every Leader slew a man; but first the king of men  
Deserved the honour of his name, and led the slaughter then, 
Agamemnon's 〈◊〉 Odius.   
And slew a Leader; one more huge, than any man he led;  
Great Odius, Duke of Halizons; quite from his chariots head  
He struck him with a lance to earth, as first he flight addressed;  
It took his forward-turned back, and looked out of his breast;  
His huge trunk sounded, and his arms, did echo the resound.   

Idomenaeus to the death, did noble Phaestus wound, 
Idomenaeus slays Phaestus.   
The son of Maeon Borus, that, from cloddy Terna came;  
Who (taking chariot) took his wound, and tumbled with the same  
From his attempted seat; the lance, through his right shoulder struck,  
And horrid darkness struck through him: the spoil his soldiers took.   

Atrides-Menelaus slew (as he before him fled) 
Menelaus slays Scamandrius.   
Scamandrius, son of Strophius, that was a huntsman bred;  
A skilful huntsman, for his skill, Diana's self did teach;  
And made him able with his dart, infallibly to reach  
All sorts of subtlest savages, which many a woody hill  
Bred for him; and he much preserved, and all to show his skill.  
Yet, not the dart-delighting Queen, taught him to shun this dart;  
Nor all his hitting so far off, (the mastery of his art:)  
His back received it, and he fell, upon his breast withal:  
His body's ruin, and his arms, so sounded in his fall,  
That his affrighted horse flew off, and left him, like his life.   

Meriones ●…lue Phereclus, whom she that near was wife, 
Meriones ●…lue Phereclus an excellent Architect.   
Yet Goddess of good housewives, held, in excellent respect,  
For knowing all the witty things, that grace an Architect;  
And having power to give it all, the cunning use of hand;  
Harmonides his sire built ships, and made him understand,  
(With all the practise it required) the frame of all that skill;  
He built all Alexander's ships, that au●…hord all the ill  
Of all the Troyans' and his own, because he did not know  
The Oracles, advising Troy (for fear of overthrow)  
To meddle with no sea affair, but live by tilling land;  
This man Meriones surprised, and drove his deadly hand  
Through his right hip; the lances head, ran through the region  
About the bladder, underneath, th'in-muscles, and the bone;  
He (sighing) bowed his knees to death, and sacrificed to earth.   

Phylides stayed Pedaeus flight; Antenor's bastard birth: 
Pedaeus slain by Phylides.   
Whom virtuous Theano his wife (to please her husband) kept  
As tenderly as those she loved. Phylides near him stepped,  
And in the fountain of the nerves, did drench his fervent lance,  
At his heads backpart; and so far, the sharp head did advance,  
It cloven the Organ of his speech; and th'Iron (cold as death)  
He took betwixt his grinning teeth, and gave the air his breath. 
Eurypilus slai●…s Hypsenor.    

Eurypilus the much renowned, and great Euemons' son,  
Divine Hypsenor slew, begot, by stout Dolopion,  
And consecrate Scamander's Priest; he had a God's regard,  
Amongst the people: his hard flight, the Grecian followed hard;  
Rushed in so close, that with his sword, he on his shoulder laid  
A blow, that his arms brawn cut off; nor there his vigour stayed,  
But drove down, and from off his wrist, it hewed his holy hand,  
That gushed out blood, and down it dropped, upon the blushing sand;  
Death, with his purple finger shut, and violent fate, his eyes.   

Thus fought these, but distinguished well; Tydides' so implies  
His fury, that you could not know, whose side had interest 
Diomedes compared to a torrent.   
In his free labours, Greece or Troy. But as a flood increased  
By violent and sudden showers, let down from hills, like hills  
Melted in fury; swells, and foams, and so he overfils  
His natural channel; that beside, both hedge and bridge resigns  
To his rough confluence, far spread: and lusty flourishing vines  
Drowned in his outrage. Tydeus son, so ouer-ran the field,  
Strewed such as flourished in his way: and made whole squadrons yield.   

When Pandarus, Lycaon's son, beheld his ruining hand,  
With such resistless insolence, make lanes through every band:  
He bent his gold-tipt bow of horn, and shot him rushing in, 
Pandarus wounds Diomedes   
At his right shoulder; where his arms, were hollow; forth did spin  
The blood, and down his curets ran; then Pandarus cried out,  
Rank riding Troyans', Now rush in: Now, now, I make no doubt,  
Our bravest foe is marked for death, he cannot long sustain  
My violent shaft, if Ioues fair Son, did worthily constrain  
My foot from Lycia: thus he braved, and yet his violent sha●…t  
Struck short with all his violence, Tydides' life was saft;  
Who yet withdrew himself, behind, his chariot and steeds,  
And called to Sthenelus; Come friend, my wounded shoulder needs  
Thy hand to ease it of this shaft. He hasted from his seat  
Before the coach, and drew the shaft: the purple wound did sweat,  
And drown his shirt of male in blood, and as it bled he prayed:   

Hear me, of jove Aegiochus, thou most unconquerd maid, 
Diomedes' prayer to Pall●….   
If ever in the cruel field, thou hast assistful stood,  
Or to my father, or myself, now love, and do me good;  
Give him into my lances reach, that thus hath given a wound,  
To him thou guardst; preventing me, and brags that never more,  
I shall behold the cheerful Sun: thus did the king implore.  
The Goddess heard, came near, and took, the weariness of fight  
From all his nerves and lineaments, and made them fresh and light, 
Pallas encour ageth Diomed.   
And said; Be bold, o Diomedes, in every combat shine,  
The great shield-shaker Tydeus strength (that knight, that Sire of thine)  
By my infusion breathes in thee. And from thy knowing mind,  
I have removed those erring mists, that made it lately blind,  
That thou mayst difference Gods from men: and therefore use thy skill,  
Against the tempting Deities, if any have a will  
To try if thou presum'st of that, as thine, that flows from them;  
And so assum'st above thy right. Where thou discern'st a beam  
Of any other heavenly power, than she that rules in love,  
That calls thee to the change of blows; resist not, but remove;  
But if that Goddess be so bold (since she first stirred this war)  
Assault and mark her from the rest, with some infamous scar.   

The blue-eyed Goddess vanished, and he was seen again  
Amongst the foremost; who before, though he were prompt and feign  
To fight against the Troyans' powers; now, on his spirits were called,  
With thrice the vigour, Lion-like, that hath been lately galled, 
Diomedes made thrice so strong as before by Pall●….   
By some bold shepherd in a field, where his curled flocks were laid;  
Who took him as he leapt the fold; not slain yet, but apaid,  
With greater spirit; comes again, and then the shepherd hides,  
(The rather for the desolate place) and in his Coat abides;  
His flocks left guardlesse; which amazed, shake and shrink up in heaps;  
He (ruthless) freely takes his prey; and out again he leaps:  
So sprightly, fierce, victorious, the great Hero flew  
Upon the Troyans'; and at once, he two Commanders slew;  
Hyppenor and Astynous, in one, his lance he fixed, 
Hyppenor and Astynous slain by Diomed.   
Full at the nipple of his breast: the other smote betwixt  
The neck and shoulder with his sword; which was so well laid on,  
It swept his arm and shoulder off. These left, he rushed upon  
Abbas, and Polyeidus, of old Eurydamas  
The hapless sons; who could by dreams, tell what would come to pass:  
Yet, when his sons set forth to Troy, the old man could not read  
By their dreams, what would chance to them, for both were stricken dead  
By great Tydides': after these, he takes into his rage  
Xanthus, and Thoon, Phenops sons, borne to him in his age;  
The good old man, even pined with years, and had not one son more  
To heir his goods: yet Diomedes, took both, and left him store  
Of tears and sorrows in their steeds; since he could never see  
His sons leave those hot wars alive: so, this the end must be 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Of all his labours; what he heaped, to make his issue great,  
Authority herd, and with her seed, filled his forgotten seat.  
Then snatched he up two Priamists, that in one chariot stood; 
Simile of a Lion otherwise applied then before.   
Echemon, and fair Chromius; as feeding in a wood  
Oxen or steers are; one of which, a Lion leaps upon,  
Tears down, and wrings in two his neck: so sternly Tydeus son  
Threw from their chariot both these hopes, of old Dardanides:  
Then took their arms, and sent their horse, to those that ride the seas.   

Aeneas (seeing the troops thus tossed) broke through the heat of ●…ight,  
And all the whizzing of the darts, to find the Lycian knight  
Lycaon's son: whom having found, he thus bespoke the Peer:   

O Pandarus, where's now thy bow? thy deathful arrows where? 
〈◊〉 to Pandarus.   
In which no one in all our host, but gives the palm to thee;  
Nor in the Sun-loued Lycian greene's, that breed our Archery,  
lives any that exceeds thyself. Come lift thy hands to jove,  
And send an arrow at this man (if but a man he prove,  
That wins such Godlike victories; and now affects our host  
With so much sorrow: since so much, of our best blood is lost  
By his high valour;) I have fear, some God in him doth threat,  
Incensed for want of sacrifice; the wrath of God is great.   

Lycaon's famous son replied; Great Counsellor of Troy, 
Pandarus i●… 〈◊〉.   
This man so excellent in arms, I think is Tydeus joy;  
I know him by his fiery shield, by his bright three plumed cask,  
And by his horse; nor can I say, if or some God doth mask  
In his appearance; or he be (whom I named) Tydeus son:  
But without God, the things he does (for certain) are not done;  
Some great Immortal, that conveys, his shoulders in a cloud,  
Goes by, and puts by every dart, at his bold breast bestowed;  
Or lets it take with little hurt▪ for I myself let fly  
A shaft that shot him through his arms, but had as good gone by:  
Yet, which I gloriously affirmed, had driven him down to hell.  
Some God is angry, and with me; for far hence, where I dwell,  
My horse and Chariots idle stand; with which some other way  
I might repair this shameful miss: eleven fair chariots stay  
In old Lycaon's Court; new made, new trimmed, to have been gone;  
Curtaind and Arrast underfoot, two horse to every one,  
That eat white Barley and black Oats, and do no good at all:  
And these Lycaon, (that well knew, how these affairs would fall)  
Charged (when I set down this design) I should command with here;  
And gave me many lessons more, all which much better were  
Then any I took forth myself. The reason I laid down,  
Was, but the sparing of my horse; since in a sieged town,  
I thought our horse-meat would be scant; when they were used to have  
Their mangers full; so I left them, and like a lackey slave  
Am come to Ilium, confident, in nothing but my bow,  
That nothing profits me; two shafts, I vainly did bestow  
At two great Princes; but of both, my arrows neither slew;  
Nor this, nor Atreus' younger son: a little blood I drew,  
That served but to incense them more. In an unhappy star,  
I therefore from my armory, have drawn those tools of war:  
That day, when for great Hector's sake, to amiable Troy  
I came to lead the Trojan bands. But if I ever joy  
(In safe return) my Country's sight; my wives, my lofty towers;  
Let any stranger take this head, if to the fiery powers,  
This bow, these shafts, in pieces burst (by these hands) be not thrown;  
Idle companions that they are, to me and my renown.   

Aeneas said, Use no such words; for, any other way 
Aeneas to Pandarus.   
Then this, they shall not now be used: we first will both assay  
This man with horse and chariot. Come then, ascend to me,  
That thou mayst try our Trojan horse, how skilled in field they be;  
And in pursuing those that fly, or flying, being pursued,  
How excellent they are of foot: and these (if jove conclude)  
The escape of Tydeus again, and grace him with our flight)  
Shall serve to bring us safely off. Come, I'll be first shall fight:  
Take thou these fair reins and this scourge; or (if thou wilt) fight thou,  
And leave the horses care to me. He answered, I will now  
Descend to fight; keep thou the reins, and guide thyself thy horse;  
Who with their wont manager, will better wield the force 
Pandarus fights and Aeneas guideth the chariot.   
Of the impulsive chariot, if we be driven to fly,  
Then with a stranger; under whom, they will be much more shy,  
And (fearing my voice, wishing thine) grow resty, nor go on,  
To bear us off; but leave engaged, for mighty Tydeus son,  
Themselves and us; Then be thy part, thy one hold horses guide;  
I'll make the fight: and with a dart, receive his utmost pride.   

With this the gorgeous chariot, both (thus prepared) ascend,  
And make full way at Diomedes; which noted by his friend;  
Mine own most loved Mind (said he) two mighty men of war 
S●…henelus to Diomed.   
I see come with a purposed charge; one's he that hits so far  
With bow and shaft, Lycaon's son: the other fame's the brood  
Of great Anchises, and the Queen, that rules in Amorous blood;  
(Aeneas excellent in arms) come up and use your steeds,  
And look not war so in the face, lest that desire that feeds  
Thy great mind be the bane of it. This did with anger sting  
The blood of Diomedes, to see, his friend that chid the king  
Before the fight, and then preferred, his ablesse, and his mind,  
To all his ancestors in fight, now come so far behind: 
Diomedes now finds time to make Sthenelus see better his late rebuke of mem●…on.   
Whom thus he answered; Urge no flight, you cannot please me so;  
Nor is it honest in my mind, to fear a coming foe;  
Or make a flight good, though with fight; my powers are yet entire,  
And scorn the help-tire of a horse; I will not blow the fire  
Of their ho●…e valours with my flight; but cast upon the blaze  
This body borne upon my knees: I entertain amaze?  
Minerva will not see that shame: and since they have begun,  
They shall not both elect their ends; and he that 'scapes shall run;  
Or stay and take the others fate: and this I leave for thee;  
If amply wise Athenia, give both their lives to me,  
rain our horse to their chariot hard, and have a special heed  
To seize upon Aeneas steeds; that we may change their breed,  
And make a Grecian race of them, that have been long of Troy;  
For, these are bred of those brave beasts, which for the lovely Boy,  
That waits now on the cup of jove, jove, that farre-seeing God.  
Gave Tros the king in recompense: the best that ever trod  
The sounding Centre, underneath, the Morning and the Sun.  
Anchises stole the breed of them; for where their Sires did run,  
He closely put his Mares to them, and never made it known  
To him that herd them, who was then, the king Laomedon.  
Six horses had he of that race, of which himself kept four,  
And gave the other two his son; and these are they that scour  
The field so bravely towards us, expert in charge and flight:  
If these we have the power to take, our prize is exquisite,  
And our renown will far exceed. While these were talking thus,  
The fired horse brought th' assailants near: and thus spoke Pandarus; 
Pandarus to Diomed.    

Most suffering-minded Tydeus son, that hast of war the art:  
My shaft that struck thee, slew thee not, I now will prove a dart:  
This said, he shook, and then he threw, a lance, aloft and large,  
That in Tydides' curets stuck, quite driving through his targe;  
Then braid he out so wild a voice, that all the field might hear;  
Now have I reached thy root of life, and by thy death shall bear  
Our praises chief prize from the field: Tydides', undismayed,  
Replied; Thou errest, I am not touched: but more charge will be laid  
To both your lives before you part: at least the life of one  
Shall satiate the throat of Mars; this said, his lance was gone:  
Minerva led it to his face, which at his eye ran in,  
And as he stooped, struck through his jaws, his tongue's root, and his chin. 
Diomedes slays Pandarus.   
Down from the chariot he fell, his gay arms shined and rung,  
The swift horse trembled, and his soul, for ever charmed his tongue.   

Aeneas with his shield and lance, leapt swiftly to his friend,  
Afraid the Greeks' would force his trunk; and that he did defend,  
Bold as a Lion of his strength: he hide him with his shield,  
shook round his lance, and horribly, did threaten all the field  
With death, if any durst make in; Tydides' raised a stone,  
With his one hand, of wondrous weight, and poured it mainly on  
The hip of Anchisiades, wherein the joint doth move 
Aeneas being son to Anchises.   
The thigh, 'tis called the huckle bone, which all in sherds it drove;  
Broke both the nerves, and with the edge, cut all the flesh away:  
It staggered him upon his knees, and made th' Hero stay  
His strooke-blind temples on his hand, his elbow on the earth;  
And there this Prince of men had died, if she that gave him birth,  
(Kissed by Anchises on the green, where his fair oxen fed,  
Ioues loving daughter) instantly, had not about him spread  
Her soft embraces, and conveyed, within her heavenly vail, 
Venus takes off Aeneas being wounded.   
(Used as a rampire 'gainst all darts, that did so hot assail)  
Her deare-loued issue from the field: Then Sthenelus in haste,  
(Remembering what his friend advisd) from forth the press made fast  
His own horse to their chariot, and presently laid hand,  
Upon the lovely-coated horse, Aeneas did command; 
The horse of Aeneas made prize.   
Which bringing (to the wondering Greekes) he did their guard commend  
To his beloved Deiphylus, who was his inward friend,  
And (of his equals) one to whom, he had most honour shown▪  
That he might see them safe at fleet: then stepped he to his own,  
With which he cheerfully made in, to Tydeus mighty race;  
He (mad with his great enemy's rape) was hot in desperate chase  
Of her that made it; with his lance (armed less with steel than spite)  
Well knowing her no Deity, that had to do in fight;  
Minerva his great patroness, nor she that raceth towns,  
Bellona; but a Goddess weak, and foe to men's renowns;  
Her (through a world of fight) pursued, at last he overtook,  
And (thrusting up his ruthless lance) her heavenly veil he struck,  
(That even the Graces wrought themselves, at her divine command) 
Diomedes wounds Venus.   
Quite through, and hurt the tender back, of her delicious hand:  
The rude point piercing through her palm; forth flowed th'immortal blood,  
(Blood, such as flows in blessed Gods, that eat no human food,  
Nor drink of our inflaming wine, and therefore bloodless are,  
And called immortals:) out she cried, and could no longer bear  
Her loved son, whom she cast from her; and in a sable cloud 
Venus for anguish throweth away Aeneas, whom Apollo receives.   
Phoebus (receiving) hide him close, from all the Grecian crowd;  
Lest some of them should find his death. Away flew Venus then,  
And after her cried Diomedes; Away thou spoil of men,  
Though sprung from all-preseruing jove; These hot encounters leave: 
Diomedes to Venus.   
Is't not enough that silly Dames, thy sorceries should deceive,  
Unless thou thrust into the war, and rob a soldiers right?  
I think, a few of these assaults, will make thee fear the fight,  
Where ever thou shalt hear it named. She sighing, went her way  
Extremely grieved, and with her griefs, her beauties did decay;  
And black her ivory body grew. Then from a dewy mist, 
Iris rescues Venus.   
Broke swift-foot Iris to her aid, from all the darts that hist,  
At her quick rapture; and to Mars, they took their plaintiff course,  
And found him on the fights left hand; by him his speedy horse,  
And huge lance, lying in a fog: the Queen of all things fair, 
Venus to Mars.   
Her loved brother on her knees, besought with instant prayer, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
His golden-ribband bound-maned horse, to lend her up to heaven,  
For she was much grieved with a wound, a mortal man had given;  
Tydides': that 'gainst jove himself, durst now advance his arm.   

He granted, and his chariot (perplexed with her late harm) 
Mars lends his horse to Venus.   
She mounted, and her wagonnesse, was she that paints the air;  
The horse she reined, and with a scourge, importuned their repair,  
That of themselves out-flew the wind, and quickly they ascend  
Olympus, high seat of the Gods; th'horse knew their journeys end,  
Stood still, and from their chariot, the windy footed Dame  
Dissolved, and gave them heavenly food; and to Dione came  
Her wounded daughter; bend her knees; she kindly bade her stand;  
With sweet embraces helped her up; stroked her with her soft hand;  
Called kindly by her name; and asked, what God hath been so rude, 
Dione mother of Venus, to Venus.   
(Sweet daughter) to chastise thee thus? as if thou wert pursued,  
Even to the act of some light sin, and deprehended so?  
For otherwise, each close escape, is in the Great let go.   

She answered; Haughty Tydeus son, hath been so insolent; 
Ven●…s to Dione.   
Since he, whom most my heart esteems, of all my loved descent,  
I rescued from his bloody hand: now battle is not given,  
To any Troyans' by the Greeks'; but by the Greeks' to heaven.   

She answered, Daughter, think not much, though much it grieve th●…▪ 〈◊〉 
Dio●… to 〈◊〉.   
The patience, whereof many Gods, examples may produce,  
In many bitter ills received; as well that men sustain  
By their inflictions; as by men, repaid to them again●….   

Mars suffered much more than thyself, by Ephialtes power, 
Mars bound in chains by O●…us and Ephial●….   
And Otus, Aloeus sons, who in a brazen tower,  
(And in inextricable chains) cast that warre-greedie God;  
Where twice six months and one he lived, and there the period  
Of his sad life perhaps had closed, if his kind stepdames eye,  
Fair Erebaea had not seen, who told it Mercury;  
And he by stealth enfranchisd him, though he could scarce enjoy  
The benefit of franchisment, the chains did so destroy  
His vital forces with their weight. So juno suffered more,  
When with a three-forkt arrows head, Ampbytrios son did gore  
Her right breast, past all hope of cure. Pluto sustained no less  
By that self man; and by a shaft, of equal bitterness,  
Shot through his shoulder at hell gates; and there (amongst the dead,  
Were he not deathless) he had died: but up to heaven he fled  
(Extremely tortured) for recure, which instantly he won  
At Paeons' hand, with sovereign Balm; and this did Ioues great son. 
Paeon Phisit●… to the Gods.    

Unblessed, great-high-deed-daring man, that cared not doing ill; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
That with his bow durst wound the Gods; but by Minerva's will,  
Thy wound, the foolish Diomedes, was so profane to give;  
Not knowing he that fights with heaven, hath never long to live;  
And for this deed, he never shall, have child about his knee  
To call him father, coming home. Besides, hear this from me,  
(Strength-trusting man) though thou be strong, and art in strength a tower;  
Take heed a stronger meet thee not, and that a woman's power  
Contains not that superior strength; and lest that woman be  
Adrastus' daughter, and thy wife, the wise Aegiale,  
When (from this hour not far) she wakes, even sighing with desire  
To kindle our revenge on thee, with her enamouring fire,  
In choosing her some fresh young friend, and so drown all thy fame,  
Won here in war, in her Court-peace, and in an opener shame.   

This said, with both her hands she cleansed, the tender back and palm  
Of all the sacred blood they lost; and never using Balm,  
The pain ceased, and the wound was cured, of this kind Queen of love.   

juno and Pallas seeing this, assayed to anger jove,  
And quit his late made-mirth with them, about the loving Dame,  
With some sharpeiest, in like sort built, upon her present shame.  
Grey-eyd Athenia began, and asked the Thunderer, 
Pallas to Iou●….   
If (nothing moving him to wrath) she boldly might prefer  
What she conceived, to his conceit: and (staying no reply)  
She bade him view the Cyprian fruit, he loved so tenderly,  
Whom she though hurt, and by this means, intending to suborn  
Some other Lady of the Greeks' (whom lovely veils adorn)  
To gratify some other friend, of her muchloved Troy,  
As she embraced and stirred her blood, to the Venerean joy, 
Scoptic●….   
The golden clasp those Grecian Dames, upon their girdles wear,  
took hold of her delicious hand, and hurt it, she had fear.   

The Thunderer smiled, and called to him, loves golden Arbitress, 
〈◊〉 to Venus.   
And told her, those rough works of war, were not for her access:  
She should be making marriages, embracings, kisses, charms;  
Stern Mars and Pallas had the charge, of those affairs in arms.   

While these thus talked, Tydides' rage, still thirsted to achieve  
His prize upon Anchises son; though well he did perceive  
The Sun himself protected him: but his desires (inflamed  
With that great Trojan Prince's blood, and arms so highly famed)  
Not that great God did reverence. Thrice rushed he rudely on;  
And thrice betwixt his darts and death, the suns bright target shone:  
But when upon the fourth assault (much like a spirit) he flew,  
The far-off-working Deity, exceeding wrathful grew,  
And asked him: What? Not yield to Gods? thy equals learn to know: 
Apollo to Diomedes.   
The race of Gods is far above, men creeping here below.   

This drove him to some small retreat; he would not tempt more near  
The wrath of him that struck so far; whose power had now set clear 
Apollo bears Aeneas to Troy.   
Aeneas from the stormy field, within the holy place  
Of Pergamus; where, to the hope, of his so sovereign grace  
A goodly Temple was advanced; in whose large inmost part  
He left him, and to his supply, inclined his mother's heart  
(Latona) and the dart-pleasd Queen, who cured, and made him strong.   

The siluer-bow'd-faire God, then threw, in the tumultuous throng,  
An Image, that in stature, look, and arms he did create 
The Image of Aeneas.   
Like Venus' son; for which the Greeks', and Troyans' made debate,  
Laid loud strokes on their Oxhide shields, and bucklers easily borne:  
Which error Phoebus pleased to urge, on Mars himself in scorn:   

Mars, Mars, (said he) thou plague of men, smeared with the dust and blood 
Apollo to Mars.   
Of humans, and their ruin'd walls; yet thinks thy Godhead good,  
To fright this Fury from the field? who next will fight with jove.  
First, in a bold approach he hurt, the moist palm of thy Love:  
And next (as if he did affect, to have a Deities power)  
He held out his assault on me. This said, the lofty tower  
Of Pergamus he made his seat, and Mars did now excite  
The Trojan forces, in the form, of him that led to fight  
The Thracian troops; swift Acamas. O Priam's sons (said he)  
How long, the slaughter of your men, can ye sustain to see? 
Mars like Acamas to the sons of Priam.   
Even till they brave ye at your gates? Ye suffer beaten down  
Aeneas, great Anchises son; whose prowess we renown  
As much as Hector's: fetch him off, from this contentious press.   

With this, the strength and spirits of all, his courage did increase;  
And yet Sarpedon seconds him, with this particular taunt 
Sarpedon reproves Hector.   
Of noble Hector; Hector? where, is thy unthanfull vaunt,  
And that huge strength on which it built? that thou, and thy allies,  
With all thy brothers (without aid of us or our supplies,  
And troubling not a citizen) the City safe would hold:  
In all which, friends, and brother's helps, I see not, nor am told  
Of any one of their exploits; but (all held in dismay  
Of Diomedes; like a sort of dogs, that at a Lion bay,  
And entertain no spirit to pinch;) we (your assistants here)  
Fight for the town, as you helped us: and I (an aiding Peer,  
No Citizen, even out of care, that doth become a man,  
For men and children's liberties) add all the aid I can:  
Not out of my particular cause; far hence my profit grows:  
For far hence Asian Lycia lies, where gulfie Xanthus flows:  
And where my loved wife, infant son, and treasure nothing scant,  
I left behind me, which I see, those men would have, that want:  
And therefore they that have, would keep; yet I (as I would lose  
Their sure fruition) cheer my troops, and with their lives propose  
Mine own life, both to general fight, and to particular cope,  
With this great soldier: though (I say) I entertain no hope  
To have such get as the Greeks, nor fear to lose like Troy:  
Yet thou (even Hector) deedless stand'st, and carest not to employ  
Thy towne-borne friends; to bid them stand, to fight and save their wives:  
Lest as a Fowler casts his nets, upon the silly lives  
Of birds of all sorts; so the foe, your walls and houses hales,  
(One with another) on all heads: or such as scape their falls,  
Be made the prey and prize of them, (as willing overthrown)  
That hope not for you, with their force: and so this brave-built town  
Will prove a Chaos: that deserves, in thee so hot a care  
As should consume thy days and nights, to hearten and prepare  
Th'assistant Princes: pray their minds, to bear their far-brought toils,  
To give them worth, with worthy fight; in victories and foils  
Still to be equal; and thyself (exampling them in all)  
Need no reproofs nor spurs: all this, in thy free choice should fall.   

This stung great Hector's heart: and yet, as every generous mind  
Should silent bear a just reproof, and show what good they find  
In worthy counsels, by their ends, put into present deeds:  
Not stomach, nor be vainly shamed: so Hector's spirit proceeds:  
And from his Chariot (wholly armed) he jumped upon the sand:  
On foot, so toiling through the host; a dart in either hand,  
And all hands turned against the Greeks; the Greeks despised their worst,  
And (thickening their instructed powers) expected all they durst.   

Then with the feet of horse and foot, the dust in clouds did rise.  
And as in sacred floors of barns, upon corne-winowers flies  
The chaff, driven with an opposite wind, when yellow Ceres dites; 
Simile 〈◊〉 the husband man, expressing ●…bly.   
Which all the Diters feet, legs, arms, their heads and shoulders whites:  
So looked the Grecians grey with dust, that struck the solid heaven,  
Raised from returning chariots, and troops together driven.  
Each side stood to their labours firm: fierce Mars flew through the air,  
And gathered darkness from the fight: and with his best affair,  
Obeyed the pleasure of the Sun, that wears the golden sword,  
Who bade him raise the spirits of Troy, when Pallas ceased t'afford  
Her helping office, to the Greeks; and then his own hands wrought; 
Apollo brings Aeneas from his Temple to field cured.   
Which (from his Phanes rich chancel, cured) the true Aeneas brought,  
And placed him by his Peers in field; who did (with joy) admire,  
To see him both alive and safe, and all his powers entire:  
Yet stood not sifting, how it chanced: another sort of task,  
Then stirring th'idle siue of news, did all their forces ask:  
Inflamed by Phoebus, harmful Mars, and Eris, eagrer far:  
The Greeks' had none to hearten them; their hearts rose with the war;  
But chief Diomedes, Ithacus, and both th' Aiaces used  
Stirring examples, and good words: their own fames had infused  
Spirit enough into their bloods, to make them neither fear  
The Troyans' force, nor Fate itself; but still expecting were  
When most was done, what would be more; their ground they still made good;  
And (in their silence, and set powers) like fair still clouds they stood: 
Simile.   
With which, jove crowns the tops of hills, in any quiet day,  
When Boreas and the ruder winds (that use to drive away  
Airs dusky vapours, being lose, in many a whistling gale)  
Are pleasingly bound up and calm, and not a breath exhale;  
So firmly stood the Greeks, nor fled, for all the Ilion's aid.   

Atrides yet coasts through the troops, confirming men so stayed:  
O friends (said he) hold up your minds; strength is but strength of will;  
Reverence each others good in fight, and shame at things done ill:  
Where soldiers show an honest shame, and love of honour lives,  
That ranks men with the first in fight; death fewer liveries gives  
Then life; or then where Fames neglect, makes cowherds fight at length:  
Flight neither doth the body grace, nor shows the mind hath strength.  
He said; and swiftly through the troops, a mortal Lance did send,  
That reft a standard-bearers life, renowned Aeneas friend;  
Deicoon Pergasides, whom all the Troyans' loved, 
Pergasides slain by Agamemnon.   
As he were one of Priam's sons; his mind was so approved  
In always fight with the first: the Lance his target took,  
Which could not interrupt the blow, that through it clearly struck,  
And in his bellies rimme was sheathed, beneath his girdlestead;  
He sounded falling; and his arms, with him resounded, dead.   

Then fell two Princes of the Greeks, by great Aeneas ire, 
Orsilochus and Crethon slain by Aeneas.   
Diocleus sons (Orsilochus, and Crethon) whose kind Sire  
In bravely-builded Phaera dwelled; rich, and of sacred blood;  
He was descended lineally, from great Alphaus flood,  
That broadly flows through Pylos fields: Alphaeus did beget 
The pedigree of Orsilochus.   
Orsilochus; who in the rule, of many men was set:  
And that Orsilochus begat, the rich Diocleus:  
Diocleus sire to Crethon was, and this Orsilochus:  
Both these, arrived at man's estate, with both th' Atrides went,  
To honour them in th' Ilton wars; and both were one way sent;  
To death as well as Troy; for death, hid both in one black hour.  
As two young Lions (with their dam, sustained but to devour) 
Simile.   
Bred on the tops of some steep hill, and in the gloomy deep  
Of an inaccessible wood, rush out, and prey on sheep,  
Steers, Oxen; and destroy men's stalls, so long that they come short,  
And by the Owners steel are slain: in such unhappy sort,  
Fell these beneath Aeneas power. When Menelaus viewed  
(Like two tall fir-trees) these two fall; their timeless falls he rued;  
And to the first fight, where they lay, a vengeful force he took;  
His arms beat back the Sun in flames; a dreadful Lance he shook:  
Mars put the fury in his mind, that by Aeneas hands,  
(Who was to make the slaughter good) he might have strewed the sands. 
Antilochus voluntary care of Menelaus, and their charge of Aeneas.   
Antilochus (old Nestor's son) observing he was bend  
To urge a combat of such odds; and knowing the event,  
Being ill on his part, all their pains (alone sustained for him)  
Erred from their end, made after hard, and took them in the trim  
Of an encounter; both, their hands, and darts advanced, and shook,  
And both pitched, in full stand of charge; when suddenly the look  
Of Anchisiades took note, of Nestor's valiant son,  
In full charge too; which two to one, made Venus' issue shun  
The hot adventure, though he were, a soldier well approved.  
Then drew they off their slaughtered friends; who given to their beloved,  
They turned where fight showed deadliest hate; and there mixed with the dead  
Pylemen, that the targatiers of Paphlagonia led,  
A man like Mars; and with him fell, good Mydon that did guide  
His chariot; Atymnus son. The Prince Pylemen died 
Menelaus slays Pylemen.   
By Menelaus; Nestor's joy, slew Mydon; one before,  
The other in the chariot: Atrides lance did gore  
Pylemens shoulder, in the blade: Antilochus did force  
A mighty stone up from the earth, and (as he turned his horse) 
Antilochus slays Myden.   
Struck Mydons elbow in the midst: the reins of ivory  
Fell from his hands into the dust: Antilochus let fly,  
His sword withal, and (rushing in) a blow so deadly laid  
Upon his temples, that he groaned; tumbled to earth, and stayed  
A mighty while preposterously (because the dust was deep)  
Upon his neck and shoulders there, even till his foe took keep  
Of his prised horse, and made them stir; and then he prostrate fell:  
His horse Antilochus took home. When Hector had heard tell, 
Hector's manner of assault.   
(Amongst the uproar) of their deaths, he laid out all his voice,  
And ran upon the Greeks: behind, came many men of choice;  
Before him marched great Mars himself, matched with his female mate,  
The dread Bellona: she brought on (to fight for mutual Fate)  
A tumult that was wild, and mad: he shook a horrid Lance,  
And, now led Hector, and anon, behind would make the chance.   

This sight, when great Tydides' saw, his hair stood up on end:  
And him, whom all the skill and power, of arms did late attend,  
Now like a man in counsel poor, that (traveling) goes amiss, 
Simile.   
And (having past a boundless plain) not knowing where he is,  
Comes on the sudden, where he sees, a river rough, and raves  
With his own billows ravished, into the king of waves;  
Murmurs with foam, and frights him back: so he, amazed, retired,  
And thus would make good his amaze; O friends, we all admired  
Great Hector, as one of himself, well-darting, bold in war;  
When some God guards him still from death, and makes him dare so far;  
Now Mars himself (formed like a man), is present in his rage:  
And therefore, whatsoever cause, importunes you to wage  
War with these Troyans'; never strive, but gently take your rod;  
Lest in your bosoms, for a man, ye ever find a God.   

As Greece retired, the power of Troy, did much more forward press;  
And Hector, two brave men of war, sent to the fields of peace; 
Hector slaughters Menesthes and Anchialus. Ajax slays Amphius Selag●….   
Menesthes, and Anchialus; one chariot bore them both:  
Their falls made Ajax Telamonius, ruthful of heart, and wroth;  
Who lightened out a lance, that smote, Amphius Selages,  
That dwelled in Paedos; rich in lands, and did huge goods possess:  
But Fate, to Priam and his sons, conducted his supply:  
The javelin on his girdle struck, and pierced mortally  
His bellies lower part; he fell; his arms had looks so trim,  
That Ajax needs would prove their spoil; the Troyans' powered on him  
Whole storms of Lances, large, and sharp: of which, a number stuck  
In his rough shield; yet from the slain, he did his javelin pluck:  
But could not from his shoulders force, the arms he did affect;  
The Troyans', with such drifts of Darts, the body did protect:  
And wisely Telamonius feared, their valorous defence;  
So many, and so strong of hand, stood in, with such expense,  
Of deadly prowess; who repelled (though big, strong, bold he were)  
The famous Ajax; and their friend, did from his rapture bear.   

Thus this place, filled with strength of fight, in th'armies other press,  
Tlepolemus, a tall big man, the son of Hercules,  
A cruel destiny inspired, with strong desire to prove  
Encounter with Sarpedons strength, the son of Cloudy jove;  
Who, coming on, to that stern end, had chosen him his foe:  
Thus Ioues great Nephew, and his son, against one another go: 
Ioues son Sarpedon, and Tlepodemus his nephew son to Hercules, draw to encounter. Tlepodemus to Sarpedon.   
Tlepolemus (to make his end, more worth the will of Fate)  
Began, as if he had her power; and showed the mortal state  
Of too much confidence in man, with this superfluous Brave;  
Sarpedon, what necessity, or needless humour drove  
Thy form, to these wars? which in heart, I know thou dost adhorre;  
A man not seen in deeds of arms, a Lycian counsellor;  
They lie that call thee son to jove, since jove bred none so late;  
The men of elder times were they, that his high power begat,  
Such men, as had Herculean force; my father Hercules  
Was Ioues true issue; he was bold; his deeds did well express  
They sprung out of a Lion's heart: he whilom came to Troy,  
(For horse that jupiter gave Tros, for Ganymede his boy)  
With six ships only and few men, and tore the City down,  
Left all her broad ways desolate, and made the horse his own:  
For thee, thy mind is ill disposed, thy body's powers are poor,  
And therefore are thy troops so weak: the soldier evermore  
Follows the temper of his chief; and thou pullest down a side.  
But say, thou art the son of jove; and hast thy means supplied,  
With forces fitting his descent: the powers, that I compel,  
Shall throw thee hence; and make thy head, run open the ga●…es of b●…ll.   

Ioues Lycian issue answered him, Tlepolemus, 'tis true; 
Sarpedon to 〈◊〉.   
Thy father, holy Ilium, in that sort overthrew;  
Th'injustice of the king was cause, that where thy father had  
Used good deservings to his state, he quitted him with bad.  
Hesyone, the joy and grace, of king Laomedon,  
Thy father rescue from a whale; and gave to Telamonius  
In honoured Nuptials; Telamonius, from whom your strongest Greek  
Boasts to have issued; and this grace, might well expect the like:  
Yet he gave taunts for thanks, and kept, against his oath, his horse;  
And therefore both thy father's strength, and justice might enforce  
The wreak he took on Troy: but this, and thy cause differ far;  
Sons seldom heir their father's worths; thou canst not make his war:  
What thou assum'st from him, is mine, to be on thee imposed.   

With this, he threw an ashen dart; and than Tlepolemus losde  
Another from his glorious hand: Both at one instant flew;  
Both struck, both wounded; from his neck, Sarpedons javelin drew 
Sarpedon slaughters 〈◊〉.   
The lifeblood of Tlepolemus; full in the midst it fell:  
And what he threatened, th'other gave; that darkness, and that hell.  
Sarpedons left thigh took the Lance; it pierced the solid bone; 
●…imselfe sore hurt by T●…epolemus.   
And with his raging head, ran through; but jove preserved his son.  
The dart yet vexed him bitterly, which should have been pulled out;  
But none considered then so much; so thick came on the rout,  
And filled each hand so full of cause, to ply his own defence;  
'twas held enough (both fallen) that both, were nobly carried thence.   

Ulysses knew the events of both, and took it much to heart,  
That his friends enemy should scape; and in a twofold part  
His thoughts contended; if he should, pursue Sarpedons life,  
Or take his friends wreak on his men. Fate did conclude this strife;  
By whom 'twas otherwise decreed, then that Ulysses' steel 
Ulysses' 〈◊〉.   
Should end Sarpedon. In this doubt, Minerva took the wheel  
From fickle Chance; and made his mind, resolve to right his friend  
With that blood he could surest draw. Then did Revenge extend  
Her full power on the multitude; Then did he never miss;  
Alastor, Halius, Chromius, Noemon, Pritaniss,  
Alcander, and a number more, he slew, and more had slain,  
If Hector had not understood; whose power made in amain,  
And struck fear through the Grecian troops; but to Sarpedon gave  
Hope of full rescue; who thus cried, O Hector! help and save 
Sarpedon to Hector.   
My body from the spoil of Greece; that to your loved town,  
My friends may see me borne; and then, let earth possess her own,  
In this soil, for whose sake I left, my countries; for no day  
Shall ever show me that again; nor to my wife display  
(And young hope of my Name) the joy, of my much thirsted sight:  
All which, I left for Troy; for them, let Troy then do this right.   

To all this Hector gives no word: but greedily he strives,  
With all speed to repel the Greeks', and shed in floods their lives,  
And left Sarpedon: but what face, soever he put on  
Of following the common cause; he left this Prince alone  
For his particular grudge; because, so late, he was so plain  
In his reproof before the host, and that did he retain;  
How ever, for example sake, he would not show it then;  
And for his shame to, since 'twas just. But good Sarpedons men  
Ventured themselves, and forced him off, and set him underneath  
The goodly Beech of jupiter, where now they did unsheath  
The Ashen lance: strong Pelagon, his friend, most loved, most true,  
Enforced it from his maimed thigh: with which his spirit flew, 
Sarpedon in a trance.   
And darkness over-flew his eyes, yet with a gentle gale  
That round about the dying Prince, cool Boreas did exhale,  
He was reviv'd, recomforted; that else had grieved and died.   

All this time, flight drove to the fleet, the Argives, who applied  
No weapon 'gainst the proud pursuit, nor ever turned a head;  
They knew so well that Mars pursued, and dreadful Hector led.  
Then who was first, who last, whose lives, the Iron Mars did seize,  
And Priam's Hector? Helenus, surnamed Oenopides,  
Good 〈◊〉, and Orestes, skilled, in managing of horse;  
Bold Oenomaus, and a man, renowned for martial force,  
Trechus, the great Aetolian Chief; Oresbius, that did wear  
The gaudy Mitre; studied wealth, extremely, and dwelled near  
Th' Athlantique lake Cephisides, in Hyla; by whose seat,  
The good men of Boeotia dwelled. This slaughter grew so great,  
It flew to heaven: Saturnia, discerned it, and cried out  
To Pallas; O unworthy sight? to see a field so fought,  
And break our words to Spartas king, that Ilium should be rac'●…,  
And he return revenged? when thus, we see his Greekes disgraced  
And bear the harmful rage of Mars? Come, let us use our care  
That we dishonour not our powers. Minerva was as you're  
As she, at the despite of Troy. Her golden-bridled steeds,  
Then Satur's daughter brought abroad; and Hebe, she proceeds  
T'address her chariot; instantly, she gives it either wheel,  
Beamed with eight Spokes of sounding brass, the Axle-tree was steel; 
〈◊〉 chariot.   
The Felffes, incorruptible gold; their upper bands, of brass;  
Their matter most unuallued; their work of wondrous grace.  
The Naves in which the Spokes were driven, were all with silver bound;  
The chariots seat, two hoops of gold, and silver, strengthened round;  
Edged with a gold and silver fringe; the beam that looked before,  
Was massy silver; on whose top, geres all of gold it wore,  
And golden Poitrils. I●…no mounts, and her ho●…e horses reined,  
That thirsted for contention, and still of peace complained.   

Minerva wrapped her in the rob, that curiously she wove  
With glorious colours, as she sat, on th'Azure floor of jove; 
Pallas armed.   
And wore the arms that he puts on, bend to the tearful field:  
About her brode-spred shoulders hung, his huge and horrid shield, 
Aegis (Io●…es ●…ield) described   
Fringed round with ever-fighting Snakes; through it, was drawn to life  
The miseries, and deaths of fight; in it frowned bloody Strife;  
In it shined sacred Fortitude; in it fell Pursuit flew;  
In it the monster Gorgon's head, in which (held out to view)  
Were all the dire ostents of jove; on her big head she placed  
His foure-plumed glittering cask of gold, so admirably vast,  
It would a hundred garrisons, of soldiers comprehend.  
Then to her shining chariot, her vigorous feet ascend:  
And in her violent hand she takes, his grave, huge, solid lance,  
With which the conquests of her wrath, she useth to advance,  
And overturn whole fields of men; to show she was the seed  
Of him that thunders. Then heavens Queen (to urge her horses speed) 
The thr●…e How●…s Guardians of heaven gates.   
Takes up the scourge, and forth they fly; the ample gates of heaven  
Rung, and flew open of themselves; the charge whereof is given  
(With all Olympus, and the sky) to the distinguished Hours,  
That clear, or hide it all in clouds; or power it down in showers.  
This way their scourge-obeying horse, made haste, and soon they won  
The top of all the topful heavens, where aged Satur's son  
Sat severed from the other Gods; then stayed the white-armed Queen  
Her steeds; and asked of jove, if Mars, did not incense his spleen  
With his foul deeds; in ruining, so many, and so great  
In the Command and grace of Greece, and in so rude a heat.  
At which (she said) Apollo laughed, and Venus; who still sue  
To that mad God for violence, that never justice knew;  
For whose impiety she asked, if with his wished love  
Herself might free the field of him? He bade her rather move  
Athenia to the charge she sought, who used of old to be  
The bane of Mars; and had as well, the gift of spoil as he.   

This grace she slacked not, but her horse, scourged, that in nature flew  
Betwixt the cope of stars and earth: And how far at a view  
A man into the purple Sea, may from a hill descry:  

* How far ●… heavenly 〈◊〉 took at one reach or stroke in galloping or running; wherein Homer's ●…ind is far from being expressed in his Inter praetors, all taking it for how far Deities were borne from the earth: when instantly they came down to earth: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. tantum uno saltu conficiunt, vel, tantum sub●…ulum progrediuntur deorum altizoni e qui, etc. uno, being understood, and the horses swiftness highly expressed. The sense otherwise is senseless, and contradictory.  So far a high-neighing horse of heaven, at every jump would fly.   

Arrived at Troy, where broke in cutls, the two-floods mix their force,  
(Scamander, and bright Simois) Saturnia stayed her horse;  
took them from chariot; and a cloud, of mighty depth diffused  
About them; and the verdant banks, of Simois produced  
(In nature) what they 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ilus is the original word, which Sea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 learnedly, ask how the horse came by it on those banks, when the text tells him 〈◊〉 produced it: being willing to express by 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of that 〈◊〉. If not, I hope the D●…ities 〈◊〉 ever command it.  eat in heaven. Then both the Goddesses  
Marched like a pair of timorous Doves, in hasting their access,  
To th' Argive succour. Being arrived, where both the most, and best  
Were heaped together, (showing all, like Lions at a feast  
Of new slain carcases; or Boars, beyond encounter strong.)  
There found they Diomedes; and there, midst all th'admiring throng,  
Saturnia put on Stentors shape; that had a brazen voice,  
And spoke as loud as fifty men; like whom she made a noise,  
And chid the Argives; O ye Greekes, in name, and outward rite,  
But Princes only; not in act: what scandal? what despite  
Use ye to honour? all the time, the great Aeacides  
Was conversant in arms; your foes, durst not a foot addr●…sse  
Without their ports; so much they feared, his lance that all controlled;  
And now they out-ray to your fleet. This did with shame make bold  
The general spirit and power of Greece; when (with particular note  
Of their disgrace) Athenia, made Tydeus issue hot.  
She found him at his chariot, refreshing of his wound  
Inflicted by slain Pandarus; his sweat did so abound,  
It much annoyed him, underneath, the broad belt of his shield;  
With which, and tired with his toil, his soul could hardly yield  
His body motion. With his hand, he lifted up the belt,  
And wiped away that clottered blood, the fervent wound did melt.  
Minerva leaned against his horse, and near their withers laid  
Her sacred hand; then spoke to him; Believe me Diomedes, 
〈◊〉 to Di●…med.   
Tydeus exampled not himself, in thee his son; not Great,  
But yet he was a soldier; a man of so much heat,  
That in his Embassy for Thebes, when I forbade his mind  
To be too venturous; and when Feasts, his heart might have declind  
(With which they welcomed him) he made, a challenge to the best,  
And foiled the best; I gave him aid, because the rust of rest  
(That would have seized another mind) he suffered not; but used  
The trial I made like a man; and their soft feasts refused:  
Yet when I set thee on, thou faintest; I guard thee, charge, exhort,  
That (I abetting thee) thou shouldst, be to the Greeks' a Fort,  
And a dismay to Ilium; yet thou obey'st in nought:  
Afraid, or slothful, or else both: henceforth, renounce all thought 
Diomedes to Pal●….   
That ever thou wert Tydeus son. He answered her; I know  
Thou art Ioues daughter, and for that, in all just duty own  
Thy speeches reverence: yet affirm, ingenuously, that fear  
Doth neither hold me spiritless, nor sloth. I only bear  
Thy charge in zealous memory, that I should never war  
With any blessed Deity, unless (exceeding far  
The limits of her rule) the Queen, that governs Chamber sport  
Should press to field; and her, thy will, enjoind my lance to hurt:  
But he whose power hath right in arms, I knew in person here  
(Besides the Cyprian Deity) and therefore did forbear;  
And here have gathered in retreat, these other Greeks' you see  
With note and reverence of your charge. My dearest mind (said she) 
〈◊〉 again.   
What then was fit is changed: 'tis true, Mars hath just rule in war,  
But just war; otherwise he raves, not fights; he's altered far; 
What 〈◊〉 w●…rre is.   
He vowed to juno and myself, that his aid should be used  
Against the Troyans', whom it guards; and therein he abused  
His rule in arms, infringed his word, and made his war unjust:  
He is inconstant, impious, mad: Resolve then; firmly trust  
My aid of thee against his worst, or any Deity:  
Add scourge to thy free horse, charge home: he fights perfidiously.   

This said; as that brave king, her knight, with his horse-guiding friend,  
Were set before the chariot, (for sign he should descend,  
That she might serve for wagonnesse) she plucked the wagoner back,  
And up into his seat she mounts: the Beechen tree did crack  
Beneath the burden; and good cause, it bore so huge a thing:  
A Goddess so replete with power, and such a puissant king.   

She snatched the scourge up and the reins, and shut her heavenly look  
In hell's vast helm, from Mars his eyes: and full career she took  
At him, who then had newly slain, the mighty Periphas,  
Renowned son to Ochesius; and far the strongest was  
Of all th'Aetolians; to whose spoil, the bloody God was run:  
But when this man-plague saw th'approach, of Godlike Tydeus son;  
He let his mighty Periphas lie, and in full charge he ran 
The comb●… of Mars and 〈◊〉.   
At Diomedes; and he at him; both near; the God began,  
And (thirsty of his blood) he throws, abrazen lance, that bears  
Full on the breast of Diomedes, above the reins and geres;  
But Pallas took it on her hand, and struck the eager lance  
Beneath the chariot: then the knight, of Pallas doth advance,  
And cast a javeline off, at Mars; Minerva sent it on; 
Mars 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉.   
That (where his arming girdle girt) his belly grazed upon,  
Just at the rim, and rancht the flesh: the lance again he got,  
But left the wound; that stung him so, he laid out such a throat,  
As if nine or ten thousand men, had brayed out all their breaths  
In one confusion; having felt, as many sudden deaths.  
The roar made both the hosts amazed. Up flew the God to heaven;  
And with him, was through all the air, as black a tincture driven  
(To Diomedes' eyes) as when the earth, half choked with smoking heat  
Of gloomy clouds, that stifle men; and pitchy tempests threat,  
Ushered with horrid gusts of wind: with such black vapours plumed,  
Mars flew t' Olympus, and broad heaven; and there his place resumed. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Sadly he went and sat by jove, show'd his immortal blood,  
That from a mortall-man-made-wound, powered such an impious flood;  
And (weeping) poured out these complaints: O Father, stormst thou not 
Mars to Iupite●….   
To see us take these wrongs from men? extreme griefs we have got  
Even by our own deep counsels held, for gratifying them;  
And thou (our Counsels Precedent) concludest in this extreme  
Of fight ever; being ruled, by one that thou hast bred;  
One never well, but doing ill; a girl so full of head,  
That, though all other Gods obey, her mad moods must command  
By thy indulgence; nor by word, nor any touch of hand  
Correcting her; thy reason is, she is a spark of thee,  
And therefore she may kindle rage, in men, 'gainst Gods; and she  
May make men hurt Gods; and those Gods, that are (besides) thy seed.  
First in the palms height Cyprides; then runs the impious deed  
On my hurt person: and could life, give way to death in me;  
Or had my feet not fetched me off; heaps of mortality  
Had kept me consort. jupiter, with a contracted brow,  
Thus answered Mars: Thou many minds, inconstant changeling thou; 
jupiter to Mars   
Sat not complaining thus by me; whom most of all the Gods  
(Inhabiting the starry hill) I hate: no periods  
Being set to thy contentions, brawls, fights, and pitching fields;  
Just of thy mother junos' moods; stiffnecked, and never yields,  
Though I correct her still, and chide; nor can forbear offence,  
Though to her son; this wound I know, tastes of her insolence;  
But I will prove more natural, thou shalt be cured, because  
Thou comest of me: but hadst thou been, so cross to sacred laws,  
Being borne to any other God; thou hadst been thrown from heaven  
Long since, as low as Tartarus, beneath the Giants driven.   

This said, he gave his wound in charge, to P●…on, who applied  
Such sovereign medicines, that as soon, the pain was qualified,  
And he recured; as nourishing milk, when rennet is put in,  
Runs all in heaps of tough thick curd, though in his nature thin:  
Even so soon, his wounds parted sides, ran close in his recure;  
For he (all deathless) could not long, the parts of death endure.  
Then Hebe bathed, and put on him, fresh garments, and he sat 
Hebe attires Mars.   
Exulting by his Sire again, in top of all his state;  
So (having from the spoils of men, made his desired remove)  
juno and Pallas reascend, the starry Court of jove.   
The end of the fifth Book.   

THE SIXTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

THe Gods now leaving an indifferent field,  
The Greeks' prevail, the slaughtered Troi●…ns yield;  
Hector (by Hellenus advice) retires  
In haste to Troy; and Hecuba, desires  
To pray Minerva, to remove from fight  
The so●…ne of Tydeus, her affected knight;  
And vow to her (for favour of such price)  
Twelve Oxen should be S●…aine in sacrifice.  
In mean space, Glaucus and Tydides' 〈◊〉;  
And either other, with remembrance greet  
Of old love twixt their fathers; which inclines  
Their hearts to fri●…ndship; who change arms for signs  
Of a continued love for either's life.  
Hector, in his return, meets with his wife;  
And taking, in his armed arms, his son,  
He prophecies the fall of Ilium.   
Another Argument.  

In Zeta, Hector Prophecies;  
Prays for his son: wills sacrifice.   

THe stern fight freed of all the Gods; conquest, with doubtful wings  
Flew on their lances; every way, the restless field she flings,  
Betwixt the floods of Simois, and Xanthus, that confined  
All their affairs at Ilium, and round about them shined.   

The first that weighed down all the field, of one particular side,  
Was Ajax, son of Telamonius: who like a bulwark plied  
The Greeks' protection, and of Troy, the knotty orders broke:  
Held out a light to all the rest, and show'd them how to make  
Way to their conquest: he did wound, the strongest man of Thrace,  
The tallest, and the biggest set, (Eussorian Acamas:)  
His lance fell on his casks plumed top, in stooping; the fell head  
Drove through his forehead to his jaws; his eyes Night shadowed.   

Tydides' slew Teuthranides, Axilus, that did dwell  
In fair Arisbas' well-built towers, he had of wealth a Well, 
Tydides', 〈◊〉 Diomedes (being son to Tyd●….)   
And yet was kind and bountiful: he would a traveler pray  
To be his guest; his friendly house, stood in the broad high way;  
In which, he all sorts nobly used: yet none of them would stand,  
Twixt him and death; but both himself, and he that had command  
Of his fair horse, Calisius, fell lifeless on the ground.  
Euryalus; Opheltius, and Dresus dead did wound;  
Nor ended there his fiery course, which he again gins,  
And ran to it successfully, upon a pair of twins,  
Aesepus, and bold Pedasus, whom good Bucolion,  
(That first called father, though base borne, renowned Laomedon)  
On Nais Abarbaraea got; a Nymph that (as she fed  
Her curled flocks) Bucolion wooed, and mixed in love and bed.  
Both these were spoiled of arms, and life, by Mecistiades.   

Then Polypaetes, for stern death, Astialus did seize:  
Ulysses slew Percosius: Teucer, Aretaon:  
Antilochus (old Nestor's joy) Ablerus: the great son  
Of Atreus, and king of men, Elatus; whose abode  
He held at upper Pedasus, where Satnius river flowed.  
The great Hero Leitus, stayed Philacus in flight,  
From further life: Eurypilus, Melanthius reft of light.   

The brother to the king of men, Adrestus took alive;  
Whose horse, (affrighted with the flight) their driver now did drive,  
Amongst the low-growne Tam●…cke trees; and at an arm of one  
The chariot in the draught-tree broke; the horse broke lose, and run  
The same way other flyers fled; contending all to town:  
Himself close at the chariot wheel, upon his face was thrown,  
And there lay flat, rolled up in dust: Atrides inwards drove;  
And (holding at his breast his lance) Adrestus sought to save  
His head, by losing of his feet, and trusting to his knees:  
On which, the same parts of the king, he hugs, and offers fees  
Of worthy value for his life; and thus pleads their receipt:  
Take me alive, O Atreus son, and take a worthy weight  
Of brass, elaborate iron, and gold: a heap of precious things 
This Virgil's imita●…es.   
Are in my father's riches hid; which (when your servant brings  
News of my safety to his ears) he largely will divide  
With your rare bounties: Atreus son, thought this the better side,  
And meant to take it; being about, to send him safe to fleet:  
Which when (far off) his brother saw, he winged his royal feet,  
And came in threatening, crying out; O soft heart? what's the cause 
Agamemno●… to Men●…laus.   
Thou sparest these men thus? have not they, observed these gentle laws  
Of mild humanity to thee, with mighty argument,  
Why thou shouldst deal thus? In thy house? and with all precedent  
Of honoured guest rites entertained? not one of them shall fly  
A bitter end for it, from heaven; and much less (dotingly)  
Escape our revengeful fingers; all, even th'infant in the womb  
Shall taste of what they merited, and have no other tomb,  
Then razed Ilium; nor their race, have more fruit, than the dust.  
This just cause turned his brother's mind, who violently thrust  
The prisoner from him; in whose guts, the king of men impressed  
His ashen lance; which (pitching down, his foot upon the breast,  
Of him that upwards fell) he drew; then Nestor spoke to all:   

O friends and household men of Mars, let not your pursuit fall 
Kestor to the Greeks'.   
With those ye fell, for present spoil; nor (like the king of men)  
Let any scape unfeld: but on, dispatch them all; and than  
Ye shall have time enough to spoil. This made so strong their chase,  
That all the Troyans' had been housed, and never turned a face,  
Had not the Priamist Helenus (an Augur most of name) 
Hellenus to Hector and Aeneas   
Willed Hector, and Aeneas thus: Hector? Anchises fame?  
Since on your shoulders, with good cause, the weighty burden lies  
Of Troy and Lycia, (being both, of noblest faculties,  
For counsel, strength of hand, and apt, to take chance at her best,  
In every turn she makes) stand fast, and suffer not the rest  
(By any way searched out for scape) to come within the ports:  
Lest (fled into their wives kind arms) they there be made the sports  
Of the pursuing enemy: exhort and force your bands  
To turn their faces: and while we, employ our ventured hands  
(Though in a hard condition) to make the other stay:  
Hector, go thou to Ilium, and our Queen mother pray,  
To take the richest rob she hath; the same that's chief dear  
To her Court fancy: with which gem, (assembling more to her,  
Of Troy's chief Matrons) let all go, (for fear of all our fates)  
To Pallas temple: take the key, unlock the levy gates;  
Enter, and reach the highest tower, where her Palladium stands,  
And on it put the precious veil, with pure, and reverend hands:  
And vow to her (besides the gift) a sacrificing stroke  
Of twelve fat Heifers of a year, that never felt the yoke:  
(Most answering to her maiden state) if she will pity us;  
Our town, our wives, our youngest joys: and (him that plague's them thus)  
Take from the conflict; Diomedes, that Fury in a fight;  
That true son of great Tydeus; that cunning Lord of Flight:  
Whom I esteem the strongest Greeke: for we have never fled  
Achilles (that is Prince of men, and whom a Goddess bred)  
Like him; his fury flies so high, and all men's wraths commands.   

Hector intends his brother's will; but first through all his bands,  
He made quick way, encouraging, and all (to fear) afraid:  
All turned their heads and made Greece turn. Slaughter stood still dismayed,  
On their parts; for they thought some God, fallen from the vault of stars,  
Was rushed into the Ilion's aid, they made such dreadful wars.   

Thus Hector, toiling in the waves, and thrusting back the flood 
Hector to the Troyans'.   
Of his ebbed forces: thus takes leave: So, so, now runs your blood  
In his right current; Forwards now, Troyans'? and far called friends?  
Awhile hold out, till for success, to this your brave amends,  
I haste to Ilium, and procure, our counsellors, and wives  
To pray, and offer Hecatombs, for their states in our lives.   

Then faire-helmed Hector turned to Troy, and (as he trod the field) 
How Hector left the field.   
The black Bulls hide, that at his back, he wore about his shield,  
(In the extreme circumference) was with his gate so rocked,  
That (being large) it (both at once) his neck and ankles knocked.   

And now betwixt the hosts were met, Hippolochus brave son 
The encounter of Diomedes and Glaucus.   
Glaucus, who (in his very look) hope of some wonder won:  
And little Tydeus mighty heir: who seeing such a man  
Offer the field; (for usual blows) with wondrous words began.   

What art thou (strongest of mortal men) that putst so far before? 
Diomedes to Glauc●….   
Whom these fights never show'd mine eyes? they have been evermore  
Sons of unhappy parents borne, that came within the length  
Of this Minerua-guided lance, and durst close with the strength  
That she inspires in me. If heaven, be thy divine abode,  
And thou a Deity; thus informed, no more, with any God  
Will I change lances: the strong son, of Drias did not live  
Long after such a conflict dared, who godlesly did drive  
Nisaeus Nurses through the hill, made sacred to his name,  
And called Niss●…ius: with a goad, he punched each furious dame,  
And made them every one cast down, their green and levy spears.  
This, t'homicide Lycurgus did; and those ungodly fears,  
He put the Froes in, seized their God. Even Bacchus he did drive  
From his Nisseius; who was feign (with huge exclaims) to dive  
Into the Ocean: Thetis there, in her bright bosom took  
The flying Deity; who so feared, Lycurgus' threats, he shook:  
For which, the freely-living Gods, so highly were incensed,  
That Satur's great son struck him blind, and with his life dispensed  
But small time after: all because, th'immortals loved him not:  
Nor loved him, since he strived with them: and his end hath begot  
Fear in my powers to fight with heaven: but if the fruits of earth  
Nourish thy body, and thy life, be of our human birth,  
Come near, that thou mayst soon arrive, on that life-bounding shore,  
To which I see thee hoist such sail. Why dost thou so explore, 
Glaucu●… his worthy answer to Diomedes: and his ●…edegree drawn even from Sysip●…us.   
(Said Glaucus) of what race I am? when like the race of leaves  
The race of man is, that deserves, no question; nor receives  
My being any other breath: The wind in Autumn strews  
The earth with old leaves; then the Spring, the woods with new endowes:  
And so death scatters men on earth: so life puts out again  
Man's levy issue: but my race, if (like the course of men)  
Thou seek'st in more particular terms: 'tis this; (to many known)   

In midst of Argos, nurse of horse, there stands a walled town  
Ephyré, where the Mansion house, of Sisyphus did stand; 
The history of Bellerophon.   
Of Sisyphus Aeolides, most wise of all the land:  
Glaucus was son to him, and he, begat Bellerophon,  
Whose body heaven endued with strength, and put a beauty on,  
Exceeding lovely: Pr●…tus yet, his cause of love did hate,  
And banished him the town: he might; he ruled the Argive state:  
The virtue of the one, Iou●… placed, beneath the others power.  
His exile grew, since he denied, to be the Paramour  
Of fair Ant●…ta, Pr●…tus wife; who felt a raging fire  
Of secret love to him: but he, whom wisdom did inspire  
As well as prudence (one of them, advising him to shun  
The danger of a Princess love: the other, not to run  
Within the danger of the Gods: the act being simply ill)  
Still entertaining thoughts divine, subdued the earthly still.  
She (ruled by neither of his wits) preferred her lust to both;  
And (false to Pr●…tus) would seem true, with this abhorred untruth;  
Praetus? or die thyself (said she) or let Bellerophon die; 
Bellereph●…ntis literae●…. Ad. Eras. ●…hu long speech many Critics tax●… 〈◊〉 vntim●…ly, being (as they take 〈◊〉) in the hea●… of fight. Higher Vidas (a late observer) be ing●… eagrest against Homer, whose ignorance in this, I cannot but note, and prove to you: for (besides the authority & office of a Poet, to vary and quicken hi●… Poem with these episods, sometimes beyond the leisure of their actions) the Critic notes not how far his forerunner preue●…ts his worst as far: and sets down his spe●…ch, at the sudden & strange turning of the Trojan field, set on a little before by Hector: and that so fiercely, it made an admi ring stand among the Grecians, & therein gave fit time for these great captains to utter their admirations: the whole field in that part being to stand like their Commanders. And then how full of decorum this gallant show and speech was to sound understandings, I leave only to such, and let our Critics go c●…uill.   
He urged dishonour to thy bed: which since I did deny,  
He thought his violence should grant, and sought thy shame by force,  
The king, incensed with her report, resolved upon her course;  
But doubted, how it should be run: he shunned his death direct;  
(Holding a way so near, not safe) and plotted the effect,  
By sending him with letters sealed (that, opened, touch his life)  
To Rheuns' king of Lycia, and father to his wife.  
He went, and happily he went: the Gods walked all his way.  
And being arrived in Lycia, where Xanthus doth display  
The silver ensigns of his waves: the king of that broad land  
Received him, with a wondrous free, and honourable hand.  
Nine days he feasted him, and killed, an Ox in every day,  
In thankful sacrifice to heaven, for his fair guest; whose stay,  
With rosy fingers, brought the world, the tenth wel-welcomd morn:  
And then the king did move to see, the letters he had borne  
From his loved son in law; which seen, he wrought thus their conten's.  
Chym●…ra the invincible, he sent him to convince:  
Sprung from no man, but mere divine; a lions shape before,  
Behind, a dragons, in the midst, a Goats shagged form she bore;  
And flames of deadly fervency, flew from her breath and eyes:  
Yet her he slew, his confidence, in sacred prodigies  
Rendered him victor. Then he gave, his second conquest way,  
Ag●…inst the famous Solymi, when (he himself would say  
Reporting it) he entered on, a passing vigorous fight.  
His third huge labour he approved, against a woman's spite  
That filled a field of Amazons: be overcame them all.  
Then set they on him sly Deceit, when Force had such a fall;  
An ambush of the strongest men, that spacious Lycia bred,  
Was lodged for him; whom he lodged sure: they never raised a head.   

His deeds thus showing him derived, from some Celestial race,  
The king detained, and made amends, with doing him the grace  
Of his fair daughters Princely gift; and with her (for a dower)  
Gave half his kingdom; and to this, the Lycians on did power  
More than was given to any king: a goodly planted field,  
In some parts, thick of groves, and woods: the rest, rich crops did yield.  
This field, the Lycians futurely (of future wanderings there  
And other errors of their Prince, in the unhappy Rear  
Of his sad life) the Err●…nt called: the Princess brought him forth  
Three children (whose ends grieved him more, the more they were of worth)  
Isander, and Hippolochus, and fair Laodomy:  
With whom, even jupiter himself, left heaven itself, to lie;  
And had by her the man at arms, Sarpedon, called divine.  
The Gods th●…n left him (lest a man should in their glories shine) 
S●…rpedons birth   
And set against him, for his son, Isandrus, (in a strife,  
Against the valiant Solymi) Mars reft of light and life,  
Laodamia (being envied, of all the Goddesses)  
The golden-bridle-handling Queen, the maiden Patroness,  
Slew with an arrow: and for this, he wandered evermore  
Alone through his Aleian field; and fed upon the core  
Of his sad bosom: flying all, the loathed consorts of men.  
Yet had he one survived to him, of those three children;  
Hippolochus, the root of me: who sent me here, with charge,  
That I should always bear me well, and my deserts enlarge  
Beyond the vulgar: lest I shamed, my race, that far excelled  
All that Ephyras famous towers, or ample Lycia held.  
This is my stock, and this am I. This cheered Tydides' heart,  
Who pitched his spear down; leaned, and talked, in this affectionate part.   

certess (in thy great Ancetor, and in mine own) thou art 
Diomed●… answer to 〈◊〉.   
A guest of mine, right ancient; king Oeneus twenty days  
Detained, with feasts, Bellerophon, whom all the world did praise:  
Betwixt whom, mutual gifts were given: my Grandsi●…e gave to thine,  
A girdle of Phoenician work, impurpled wondrous fine:  
Thine gave a two-neckt jug of gold, which though I use not here,  
Yet still it is my gem at home. But if our fathers were  
Familiar; or each other knew, I know not: since my sire  
Left me a child, at siege of Thebes: where he left his life's fire.  
But let us prove our Grandsire's sons, and be each others guests:  
To Lycia when I come, do thou, receive thy friend with feasts:  
Peloponnesus, with the like, shall thy wished presence greet;  
Mean space, shun we each other here, though in the press we meet:  
There are enough of Troy beside, and men enough renowned,  
To right my powers, whom ever heaven, sh●…ll let my lance confound:  
So are there of the Greeks for thee: kill who thou canst: and now  
For sign of amity twixt us, and that all these may know  
We glory in th'hospitious rites, our Grandsires did commend,  
Change we our arms before them all. From horse then Both descend,  
join hands, give faith, and take; and then, did jupiter 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. ●…entem ●…demit jup. the text hath it: whic●…●…nely I altar of all ●…o mers original, since Plutarch against the Stoics, excuses this supposed f●…lly in Gl●…ucus. Spond. likewise enc●…uvaging my alterations, which I use for the lou●…d and simple Nobility of the free exchange in Glaucus, contrary to others that for the supposed f●…lly in Gl●…us, turned his change into a Pro●…erb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, golden o●… 〈◊〉. Pri●… Court.  elate  
The mind of Glaucus: who to show, his reverence to the state  
Of virtue in his grandsires heart, and gratulate beside  
The offer of so great a friend: exchanged (in that good pride)  
Curets of gold for those of brass, that did on Diomedes shine:  
One of a hundred Oxens price, the other but of nine.   

By this, had Hector reached the ports, of Scaea, and the towers:  
About him flocked the wives of Troy, the children, paramours,  
inquiring how their husbands did, their fathers, brothers, loves.   

He stood not then to answer them, but said; It now behoves  
Ye should go all ●…'implore the aid, of heaven, in a distress  
Of great effect, and imminent. Then hasted he access,  
To Priam's goodly builded Court; which round about was run  
With walking porches, galleries, to keep off rain and Sun;  
Within, of one side, on a rew, of sundry coloured stones,  
Fifty fair lodgings were built out, for Priam's fifty sons:  
And for as fair sort of their wives; and in the opposite view  
Twelve lodgings of like stone, like height, were likewise built arow;  
Where, with their fair and virtuous wives, twelve Princes, sons in law,  
To honourable Priam, lay: And here met Hecub●…  
(The loving mother) her great son, and with her, needs must be  
The fairest of her female race, the bright Laodice. 
〈◊〉 to Hector.   
The Queen gripped hard her Hector's hand, and said; O worthiest son,  
Why leav'st thou field? is't not because, the cursed nation  
Afflict our countrymen and friends? they are their moans that move  
Thy mind to come and lift thy hands (in his high tower) to jove:  
But stay a little, that myself, may fetch our sweetest wine,  
To offer first to jupiter: then that these joints of thine  
May be refreshed: for (woe is me) how thou art toiled and spent!  
Thou for our cities general state: thou, for our friends far sent,  
Must now the press of fight endure: now solitude to call  
Upon the name of jupiter: thou only for us all.  
But wine will something comfort thee: for to a man dismayed,  
With careful spirits; or too much, with labour overlaid,  
Wine brings much rescue, strengthening much, the body and the mind.   

The great Helme-mover thus received, the authoress of his kind; 
Hector to 〈◊〉.   
My royal mother, bring no wine, lest rather it impair,  
Then help my strength; and make my mind, forgetful of th'affair  
Committed to it. And (to pour, it out in sacrifice)  
I fear, with unwashed hands to serve, the pure-liued Deities;  
Nor is it lawful, thus embrued, with blood, and dust; to prove  
The will of heaven: or offer vows, to clowd-compelling jove.  
I only come to use your pains (assembling other Dames,  
Matrons, and women honoured most, with high and virtuous names)  
With wine and odours; and a rob, most ample, most of price;  
And which is dearest in your love, to offer sacrifice,  
In Pallas temple: and to put, the precious rob ye bear,  
On her Palladium; vowing all, twelve Oxen of a year,  
Whose necks were never wrung with yoke; shall pay her Grace their lives,  
If she will pity our sieged town; pity ourselves, our wives;  
Pity our children; and remove, from sacred Ilium,  
The dreadful soldier Diomedes; and when yourselves are gone  
About this work, myself will go, to call into the field,  
(If he will hear me) Helen's love; whom would the earth would yield,  
And headlong take into her gulf, even quick before mine eye●…▪  
For then my heart, I hope, would cast, her load of miseries;  
Borne for the plague he hath been borne, and bred to the deface  
(By great Olympius) of Troy, our Sire, and all our race.   

This said, g●…aue Hecuba went home, and sent her maid's abou●…,  
To bid the Matrons: she herself, descended, and searched out  
(Within a place that breathed perfumes) the richest rob she had:  
Which lay with many rich ones more, most curiously made,  
By women of Sydonia; which Paris brought from thence,  
Sailing the broad Sea, when he made, that voyage of offence,  
In which he brought home Helena. That rob, transferred so far,  
(That was the undermost) she took; it glitterd like a star;  
And with it, went she to the Fane, with many Ladies more:  
Amongst whom, fair cheeked Thean●…, unlocked the folded door;  
Chaste Theano, Antenor's wife, and of Cisseus race,  
Sister to Hecuba, both borne, to that great king of Thrace.  
Her, th'▪ Ilion's made Minerva's Priest; and her they followed all,  
Up to the Temples highest tower; where, on their knees they fall▪  
Lift up their hands, and fill the Fane, with Ladies piteous cries.  
Then lovely Theano took the veil, and with it she implies 
Theano Minerva's Priest, and Antenor's wife, prays to Palla●…   
The great Palladium, praying thus; Goddess of most renown?  
In all the heaven of Goddesses? great guardian of our town?  
Reverend Miner●…a? break the lance, of Diomedes; cease his grace;  
Give him to fall in shameful flight, headlong, and on his face,  
Before our ports of Ilium; that instantly we may,  
Twelve unyoked Oxen of a year, in this thy Temple slay  
To thy sole honour; take their bloods, and banish our offence;  
Accept Troy's zeal; her wives, and save, our infant's innocence.   

She prayed, but Pallas would not grant. Mean space was Hector come  
Where Alexander's lodgings were; that many a goodly room  
Had, built in them by Architects, of Troy's most curious sort;  
And were no lodgings, but a house; nor no house, but a Court;  
Or had all these contained in them; and all within a tower,  
Next Hector's lodgings and the kings. The loved of heavens chief power,  
(Hector) here entered. In his hand, a goodly lance he bore,  
Ten cubits long; the brazen head, went shining in before;  
Helped with a burnished ring of gold; he found his brother then  
Amongst the women; yet prepared, to go amongst the men.  
For in their chamber he was set, trimming his arms, his shield,  
His curets, and was trying how, his crooked bow would yield  
To his straight arms; amongst her maids, was set the Argive Queen,  
Commanding them in choicest works. When Hector's eye had seen  
His brother thus accompanied; and that he could not bear  
The very touching of his arms, but where the women were;  
And when the time so needed men: right cunningly he chid,  
That he might do it bitterly; his cowardice he hide  
(That simply made him so retired) beneath an anger feigned,  
In him, by Hector; for the hate, the citizens sustained 
Hector dissembles the cowardice he finds in Par●…, t●…rning it, as if he chid him for his anger at the Tro●…ns for hating him being conquered by Menelaus: when it is for his effeminacy: which is all paraphr asticall in my translation.   
Against him, for the foil he took, in their cause; and again,  
For all their general foils in his. So Hector seems to plain  
Of his wrath to them, for their hate, and not his cowardice;  
As that were it that shelterd him, in his effeminacies;  
And kept him in that dangerous time, from their fit aid in fight:  
For which he chid thus; Wretched man? so timeless is thy spite,  
That 'tis not honest; and their hate, is just, 'gainst which it bends:  
War burns about the town for thee; for thee our flaughterd friends  
Besiege Troy with their carcases, on whose heaps our high walls  
Are ouerlookt by enemies: the sad sounds of their falls  
Without, are echoed with the cries, of wines, and babes within;  
And all for thee: and yet for them, thy honour cannot win  
Head of thine anger: thou shouldst need, no spirit to stir up thine,  
But thine should set the rest on fire; and with a rage divine  
Chastise impartially the best, that impiously forbears:  
Come forth, lest thy fair towers and Troy, be burnt about thine ears.   

Paris acknowledged (as before) all just that Hector spoke;  
Allowing justice, though it were, for his injustice sake:  
And wh ere his brother put a wrath, upon him, by his art;  
He takes it (for his honours sake,) as sprung out of his heart:  
And rather would have anger seem, his fault, than cowardice:  
And thus he answered: Since with right, you joined check with advise, 
Paris 〈◊〉 H●…ctor.   
And I hear you; give equal ear; It is not any spleen  
Against the Town (as you conceive) that makes me so unseen;  
But sorrow for it: which to ease, and by discourse digest,  
(Within myself) I live so close: and yet, since men might wrest  
My sad retreat, like you; my wife, (with her advice) inclined  
This my addression to the field; which was mine own free mind,  
As well as th'instance of her words: for though the foil were mine,  
Conquest brings forth her wreaths by turns: stay then this haste of thine,  
But till I are me; and I am made, a consort for thee straight;  
Or go, I'll overtake thy haste. Helen stood at receipt,  
And took up all great Hector's powers, t'attend her heavy words; 
Helen's ruthful complaint to Hector.   
By which had Paris no reply; this vent her grief affords:   

Brother, (if I may call you so, that had been better borne  
A dog, than such a horrid Dame, as all men curse and scorn;  
A mischief mak●…r, a man-plague) O would to God the day  
That first gave light to me, had been, a whirlwind in my way,  
And borne me to some desert hill, or hide me in the rage  
Of earth's most far-resounding seas; ere I should thus engage  
The dear lives of so many friends: yet since the God's hau●… been  
Helpless foreseers of my plagues, they might have likewise seen,  
That he they put in yoke with me, to bear out their award,  
Had been a man of much more spirit; and, or had noblier dared  
To shield mine honour with his deed; or with his mind had known  
Much better the upbraids of men; that so he might have shown  
(More like a man) some sense of grief, for both my shame and his:  
But he is senseless, nor conceives, what any manhood is;  
Nor now, nor ever after will: and therefore hangs, I fear,  
A plague above him. But come near; good brother, rest you here,  
Who (of the world of men) stands charged, with most unrest for me,  
(Vile wretch) and for my lovers wrong; on whom a destiny  
So bitter is imposed by jove, that all succeeding times  
Will put (to our un-ended shames) in all men's mouths our crimes.   

He answered: Helen, do not seek, to make me sit with thee: 
Hector to Helen.   
I must not stay, though well I know, thy honoured love of me:  
My mind calls forth to aid our friends, in whom my absence breeds  
Long to see me: for whose sakes, importune thou, to deeds,  
This man by all means, that your care, may make his own make haste,  
And meet me in the open town, that all may see at last,  
He minds his lover: I myself, will now go home▪ and see  
My household, my dear wife, and son, that little hope of me.  
For (sister) 'tis without my skill, if I shall ever more  
Return and see them; or to earth, her right in me restore:  
The Gods may stoop me by the Greeks'. This said, he went to see  
The virtuous Princess, his true wife, white armed Andromache.  
She (with her infant son, and maid) was climbed the tower, about  
The sight of him that sought for her, weeping and crying out.  
Hector, not finding her at home, was going forth; retired;  
Stood in the gate: her woman called; and curiously inquired,  
Where she was gone; bad tell him true, if she were gone to see  
His sisters, or his brother's wives? or whether she should be  
At Temple with the other Dames, t'implore Minerva's ruth.   

Her woman answered; since he asked, and urged so much the truth;  
The truth was, she was neither gone, to see his brother's wives,  
His sisters, nor t'implore the ruth, of Pallas on their lives;  
But (she advertisde of the bane, Troy suffered; and how vast  
Conquest had made herself, for Greece) like one distraught, made haste  
To ample Ilium, with her son, and Nurse; and all the way  
Mourned, and dissolved in tears for him. Then Hector made no stay;  
But trod her path, and through the streets (magnificently built)  
All the great City past, and came, where (seeing how blood was spilled)  
Andromache might see him come; who made as he would pass  
The ports without saluting her, not knowing where she was:  
She, with his sight, made breathless haste, to meet him: she, whose grace  
Brought him, withal, so great a dower; she that of all the race  
Of king Action, only lived: Action, whose house stood  
Beneath the mountain Placius, environed with the wood  
Of Theban Hippoplace, being Court, to the Cilician land:  
She ran to Hector, and with her (tender of heart and hand)  
Her son, borne in his Nurse's arms: when like a heavenly sign,  
Compact of many golden stars, the princely child did shine;  
Whom Hector called Scamandrius; but whom the town did name  
Astyanax; because his sire, did only prop the same.  
Hector (though grief bereft his speech, yet) smiled upon his joy:  
Andromache cried out, mixed hands, and to the strength of Troy,  
Thus wept forth her affection: O noblest in desire; 
A●…dromaches passion to Hector   
Thy mind, inflamed with others good, will set thyself on fire:  
Nor pitiest thou thy son, nor wife, who must thy widow be,  
If now thou issue: all the field, will only run on thee.  
Better my shoulders underwent, the earth, than thy decease;  
For than would earth bear joys no mo●…e: then comes the black increase  
Of griefs (like Greeks on Ilium): Alas, what one survives  
To be my refuge? one black day, bereft seven brothers lives,  
By stern Achilles; by his hand, my father breathed his last: 
Thebes a most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Ci●….   
His high-wald rich Cilician Thebes, sacked by him, and laid waist;  
The royal body yet he left, unspoild: Religion charmed  
That act of spoil; and all in fire, he burnt him complete armed;  
Built over him a royal tomb: and to the monument  
He left of him; Th' Oreades (that are the high descent  
Of Aegis-bearing jupiter) another of their own  
Did add to it, and set it round, with Elms; by which is shown  
(In theirs) the barrenness of death: yet might it serve beside  
To shelter the sad Monument, from all the ruffinous pride  
Of storms and tempests, used to hurt, things of that noble kind:  
The short life yet, my mother lived, he saved; and served his mind  
With all the riches of the Realm; which not enough esteemed,  
He kept her prisoner; whom small time, but much more wealth redeemed:  
And she in sylvan Hyppoplace, Cilicia ruled again;  
But soon was overruled by death: Diana's chaste disdain  
Gave her a Lance, and took her life; yet all these gone from me,  
Thou amply renderst all; thy life, makes still my father be;  
My mother; brothers: and beside, thou art my husband too;  
Most loved, most worthy. Pity then (dear love) and do not go;  
For thou gone, all these go again: pity our common joy,  
Lest (of a father's patronage, the bulwark of all Troy)  
Thou leav'st him a poor widows charge; stay, stay then, in this Tower,  
And call up to the wild Figtree, all thy retired power:  
For there the wall is easiest scaled, and fittest for surprise;  
And there, th' Aiaces, Idomen, th' Atrideses, Diomedes, thrice  
Have both surveyed, and made attempt; I know not, if induced  
By some wise Augur; or the fact, was naturally infused  
Into their wits, or courages. To this, great Hector said; 
Hector to 〈◊〉.   
Be well assured wife, all these things, in my kind cares are weighed:  
But what a shame, and fear it is, to think how Troy would scorn  
(Both in her husbands and her wives, whom long-traind gowns adorn)  
That I should cowardly fly off? The spirit I first did breath,  
Did never teach me that; much less, since the contempt of death  
Was settled in me; and my mind, knew what a Worthy was;  
Whose office is, to lead in fight, and give no danger pass  
Without improvement. In this fire, must Hector's trial shine;  
Here must his country, father, friends, be (in him) made divine.  
And such a stormy day shall come, in mind and soul I know,  
When sacred Troy shall shed her towers, for tears of overthrow;  
When Priam, all his birth and power, shall in those tears be drowned.  
But neither. Troy's posterity, so much my soul doth wound:  
Priam, nor Hecuba herself, nor all my brother's woes  
(Who though so many, and so good, must all be food for foes)  
As thy sad state; when some rude Greek, shall lead thee weeping hence;  
These free days clouded; and a night, of captive violence  
loading thy temples: out of which, thine eyes must never see; 
The n●…mes of two fountains: of which, one in Thessaly, the other 〈◊〉 Argos: or according to 〈◊〉, in 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉.   
But spin the Greek wives, webs of task; and their Fetch-water be,  
To Argos, from Messeides, or clear Hyperias' spring:  
Which (howsoever thou abhorst) Fate's such a shrewish thing,  
She will be mistress: whose cursed hands, when they shall crush out cries  
From thy oppressions, (being beheld, by oth●…r enemies)  
Thus they will nourish thy extremes: This dame was Hector's wife,  
A man, that at the wars of Troy, did breathe the worthiest life  
Of all their army. This again, will rub thy fruitful wounds,  
To miss the man, that to thy bands, could give such narrow bounds:  
But that day shall not wound mine eyes; the solid heap of night  
Shall interpose, and stop mine ears, against thy plaints, and plight.   

This said, he reached to take his son: who (of his arms afraid;  
And then the horse-hair plume, with which, he was so overlaid,  
Nodded so horribly) he clinged, back to his nurse, and cried.  
Laughter affected his great Sire; who doffed, and laid aside  
His fearful Helm; that on the earth, cast round about it, light;  
Then took and kissed his loving son; and (balancing his weight  
In dancing him) these loving vows, to living jove he used,  
And all the other bench of Gods: O you that have infused 
Hector's prayer for his son.   
Soul to this Infant; now set down, this blessing on his star:  
Let his renown be clear as mine; equal his strength in war;  
And make his reign so strong in Troy, that years to come may yield  
His facts this fame; (when rich in spoils, he leaves the conquered field  
Sown with his slaughters.) These high deeds, exceed his father's worth:  
And let this echoed praise supply, the comforts to come forth  
Of his kind mother, with my life. This said; th'heroic Sire  
Gave him his mother; whose fair eyes, fresh streams of loves salt fire,  
Billowed on her soft cheeks, to hear, the last of Hector's speech;  
In which his vows comprised the sum, of all he did beseech  
In her wished comfort. So she took, into her odorous breast,  
Her husband's gift; who (moved to see, her heart so much oppressed)  
He dried her tears; and thus desired: Afflict me not (dear wife)  
With these vain griefs; He doth not live, that can disjoin my life  
And this firm bosom; but my Fate; and Fate, whose wings can fly?  
Noble, ignoble, Fate controls: once borne, the best must die:  
Go home, and set thy houswifrie, on these extremes of thought;  
And drive war from them with thy maids; keep them from doing nought:  
These will be nothing: leave the cares, of war, to men, and me;  
In whom (of all the Ilium race) they take their highest degree.   

On went his helm; his Princess home, half cold with kindly fears;  
When every fear, turned back her looks; and every look shed tears.  
Fo-slaughtering Hector's house, soon reached, her many women there  
Wept all to see her: in his life, great Hector's funerals were;  
Never looked any eye of theirs, to see their Lord safe home,  
'Scaped from the gripes and powers of Greece. And now was Paris come  
From his high towers; who made no stay, when once he had put on 
Paris overtakes Hector.   
His richest armour; but flew forth: the flints he trod upon 
His simile: high and expressive: which Virgil almost word for word hath transla●…ed, 12. Aen.   
Sparkled with lustre of his arms; his long-ebd spirits, now flowed  
The higher, for their lower ebb. And as a fair Steed, proud  
With ful-given mangers; long tied up, and now (his headstall broke)  
He breaks from stable, runs the field, and with an ample stroke  
Measures the centre; neighs, and lifts, aloft his wanton head:  
About his shoulders, shakes his Crest; and where he hath been fed,  
Or in some calm flood washed; or (stung, with his high plight) he flies  
Amongst his females; strength put forth; his beauty beautifies.  
And like Life's mirror, bears his gate: so Paris from the tower  
Of lofty Pergamus came forth; he showed a Sunlike power  
In carriage of his goodly parts, addressed now to the strife;  
And found his noble brother near, the place he left his wife;  
Him (thus respected) he salutes; Right worthy, I have fear 
Paris to Hector.   
That your so serious haste to field, my stay hath made forbear;  
And that I come not, as you wish. He answered, Honoured man, 
Hector to Paris.   
Be confident; for not myself, nor any others can  
Reprove in thee, the work of fight; at least, not any such,  
As is an equal judge of things: for thou hast strength as much  
As serves to execute a mind, very important: But  
Thy strength too readily flies off: enough will is not put  
To thy ability. My heart, is in my mind's strife, sad,  
When Troy (out of her much distress, she and her friends have had  
By thy procurement) doth deprave, thy noblesse in mine ears:  
But come, hereafter we shall calm, these hard conceits of theirs,  
When (from their ports the foe expulsed) high jove to them hath given  
Wished peace; and us free sacrifice, to all the powers of heaven.   
The end of the sixth Book.   

THE SEVENTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

HEctor, by Hellenus advice doth seek  
Adventurous combat on the boldest Greek.  
Nine Greeks stand up, Acceptants every one,  
But lot selects strong Ajax Telamonius.  
Both, with high honour, stand th'important fight,  
Till Heralds part them by approached night.  
Lastly, they grave the dead: the Greeks erect  
A mighty wall, their Navy to protect;  
Which anger's Neptune. jove, by hapless signs,  
In depth of night, succeeding woes divines.   
Another Argument.  

In Eta, Priam's strongest son  
Combats with Ajax T●…lamon.   

THis said; brave Hector through the ports, with Troy's bane-bringing Knight,  
Made issue to th'insatiate field, resolved to fervent fight. 
These next four book●…s have not my last hand: 〈◊〉 because the rest (for a time) will be sufficient to em●…oy y●…ur censures, suspend them of these: spare not the other.   
And as the weather-wielder sends, to Seamen prosperous gales,  
When with their sallow-polisht Oars, long lifted from their falls,  
Their wearied arms, dissolved with ●…yle, can scarce strike one stroke more;  
Like those sweet winds appeared these Lords, to Troyans' tired before.  
Then fell they to the works of death: by Paris valour fell  
King A●…eithous hapless son, that did in Arna dwell,  
(Menestbius) whose renowned Si●…e, a Club did ever bear,  
And of Philomedusa got (that had her eyes so clear)  
This slaughtered issue: Hector's dart, struck Eioneus dead;  
Beneath his good steel cask, it pierced, above his gorget stead.  
Glaucus (Hyppolochus his son) that led the Lycian crew,  
Iphinous-Dexiades, with sudden javelin slew,  
As he was mounting to his horse: his shoulders took the spear;  
And ere he sat, in tumbling down, his powers dissolved were.   

When grey-eyed Pallas had perceived, the Greeks' so fall in fight; 
Pall●… to the Grecian aid: Apollo to the Trojan.   
From high Olympus' top she stooped, and did on Ilium light.  
Apollo (to encounter her) to Pergamus did fly;  
From whence he (looking to the field) wished trojans victory. 
Apollo to Pall●…   
At Ioues broad Beech these godheads met; and first Ioues son objects;  
Why, burning in contention thus, do thy extreme affects  
Conduct thee from our peaceful hill? is it to oversway  
The doubtful victory of fight, and give the Greeks the day?  
Thou never pitiest perishing Troy: yet now let me persuade,  
That this day no more mortal wounds, may either side invade.  
Hereafter, till the end of Troy, they shall apply the fight,  
Since your immortal wills resolve, to overturn it quite.   

Pallas replied, It likes me well; for this came I from heaven: 
Pallas to Apollo.   
But to make either army cease, what order shall be given?  
He said, We will direct the spirit, that burns in Hector's breast, 
His reply.   
To challenge any Greek to wounds, with single powers impressed;  
Which Greeks (admiring) will accept; and make some one stand out,  
So stout a challenge to receive, with a defence as stout:  
It is confirmed; and Hellenus (King Priam's loved seed) 
Hellen●… Priam's son, and a Prophet, to Hector.   
By Augury, discerned th'event, that these two powers decreed.  
And (greeting Hector) asked him this: Wilt thou be once advised?  
I am thy brother, and thy life, with mine is evenly prised;  
Command the rest of Troy and Greece, to cease this public fight;  
And what Greeke bears the greatest mind, to single strokes excite:  
I promise thee that yet thy soul, shall not descend to fates;  
So heard I thy suruivall cast, by the celestial States.  
Hector, with glad allowance gave, his brother's counsel ear;  
And (fronting both the hosts) advanced, just in the midst, his spear.  
The Troyans' instantly surcease; the Greeks Atrides stayed:  
The God that bears the silver Bow, and wars triumphant Maid, 
The combat prepared.   
On Ioues Beech, like two Vultures sat, pleased to behold both parts,  
Flow in, to hear; so sternly armed, with huge shields, helms and darts.  
And such fresh horror as you see, driven through the wrinkled waves  
B●… rising Zephyre, under whom, the sea grows black, and raves: 
Simile.   
Such did the hasty gathering troops, of both hosts make, to hear;  
Whose tumult settled, twixt them both, thus spoke the challenger:   

Hear Troyans', and ye well armed Greeks, what my strong mind (diffused  
T●…rough all my spirits) commands me speak; Saturnius hath not used  
His promised favour for our truce, but (studying both our ills)  
Will never cease till Mars, by you, his ravenous stomach fills,  
With ruin'd Troy; or we consume, your mighty Seaborn fleet.  
Sin●…e then, the General Peers of Greece, in reach of one voice meet;  
Am●…ngst you all, whose breast includes, the most impulsive mind, 
Hector to both hosts.   
Let him stand forth as combatrant, by all the rest designed.  
〈◊〉 whom thus I call high jove, to witness of our strife;  
I●… he, with home-thrust iron can reach, th'exposure of my life,  
(Spoiling my arms) let him at will, convey them to his tent;  
But let my body be returned; that Troy's two-sext descent  
May waste it in the funeral Pile: if I can slaughter him,  
(Apollo honouring me so much) I'll spoil his conquered limb,  
And bear his arms to Ilium, where in Apollo's shrine  
I'll hang them, as my trophies due: his body I'll resign  
To be disposed by his friends, in flamie funerals,  
And honoured with erected tomb, where Hellespontus falls  
Into Egaeum; and doth reach, even to your naval road;  
That when our beings, in the earth, shall hide their period;  
Suruivers, sailing the black sea, may thus his name renew:  
This is his monument, whose blood, long since, did fates imbrue; 
〈◊〉 per 〈◊〉.   
Whom, passing far in fortitude, illustrate Hector slew.  
This shall posterity report, and my fame never die.   

This said, dumb silence seized them all; they shamed to deny,  
And feared to undertake. At last, did Menelaus speak,  
Checked their remissness, and so sighed, as if his heart would break; 
Menela●… 〈◊〉   
Ay me, but only threatening Greeks, not worthy Grecian names:  
This more and more, not to be borne, makes grow our huge defames, 
Phryges': saith 〈◊〉 imitator.   
If Hector's honourable proof, be entertained by none;  
But you are earth and water all, which (symbolized in one)  
Have framed your faint unfirie spirits: ye sit without your hearts,  
Grossly inglorious: but myself, will use acceptive darts,  
And arm against him; though you think, I arm 'gainst too much odds:  
But conquests garlands hang aloft, amongst th'immortal gods.   

He armed, and gladly would have fought: but (Menelaus) then,  
By Hector's far more strength, thy soul, had fled th'abodes of men;  
Had not the kings of Greece stood up, and thy attempt restrained;  
And even the king of men himself, that in such compass reigned;  
Who took him by the bold right hand, and sternly plucked him back: 
Agamemnon's wiser than his brother.   
Mad brother, 'tis no work for thee, thou seek'st thy wilful wrack:  
Contain though it despite thee much; nor for this strife engage  
Thy person with a man more strong, and whom all fear t'enrage:  
Yea whom Aeacides himself, in men-renowning war,  
Makes doubt t'encounter: whose huge strength, surpasseth thine by far;  
Sat thou then by thy regiment; some other Greek will rise  
(Though he be dreadless, and no war, will his desires suffice,  
That makes this challenge to our strength) our valours to avow:  
To whom, if he can scape with life, he will be glad to bow.   

This drew his brother from his will, who yielded, knowing it true,  
And his glad soldiers took his arms: when Nestor did pursue 
Nestor to the Greeks.   
The same reproof he set on foot; and thus supplied his turn:  
What huge indignity is this! how will our country mourn!  
Old Peleus that good king will weep: that worthy counsellor,  
That trumpet of the Myrmidons, who much did ask me for  
All men of name that went to Troy: with joy he did inquire  
Their valour and their towardness: and I made him admire.  
But that ye all fear Hector now, if his grave ears shall hear,  
How will he lift his hands to heaven, and pray that death may bear  
His grieved soul into the deep! O would to heavens great King, 
O si 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mihi jupiter annos, Qualis eram, etc.   
Minerva and the God of light, that now my youthful spring  
Did flourish in my willing veins, as when at Phaeas' towers,  
About the streams of Iardanu●…, my gathered Pylean powers,  
And dart-employed Arcadians fought, near raging Celadon:  
Amongst whom, first of all stood forth, great Ereuthalion,  
Who th'arms of Arcithous wore (brave Are●…hous)  
And (since he still fought with a club) surnamed Clavigerus;  
All men, and faire-girt Ladies both, for honour called him so:  
He fought not with a keepe-off spear, or with a far shot bow;  
But with a massy club of iron, he broke through armed bands:  
And yet Lycurgus was his death, but not with force of hands;  
With sleight (encountering in a lane, where his club wanted sway)  
He thrust him through his spacious waste, who fell, and upwards lay;  
In death not bowing his face to earth: his arms he did despoil;  
Which iron, Mars bestowed on him: and those, in Mars his toil,  
Lycurgus ever after wore; but when he aged grew,  
Enforced to keep his peaceful house, their use he did renew,  
On mighty Ereuthalions' limbs; his soldier, loved well;  
And with these Arms he challenged all, that did in Arms excel:  
All shook and stood dismayed, none durst, his adverse champion make;  
Yet this same forward mind of mine, of choice, would undertake  
To fight with all his confidence; though youngest enemy  
Of all the army we conduct; yet I fought with him, I;  
Minerva made me so renowned; and that most tall strong Peer  
I slew; his big bulk lay on earth, extended here and there,  
As it were covetous to spread, the centre every where.  
O that my youth were now as fresh, and all my powers as sound;  
Soon should bold Hector be impugned: yet you that most are crowned  
With fortitude, of all our host; even you, me thinks are slow,  
Not free, and set on fire with lust, t'encounter such a foe.   

With this, nine royal Princes rose; Atrides for the first; 
Nine Princ●… stand up to answer Hector.   
Then Diomedes: th' Aiaces then, that did th'encounter thirst:  
King Idomen and his consorts; Mars-like Meriones;  
Euemons' son, Euripilus; and Andremonides;  
Whom all the Grecians Thoas called; sprung of Andremons' blood;  
And wise Ulysses; every one, proposed, for combat stood.   

Again Gerenius Nestor spoke; Let lots be drawn by all,  
His hand shall help the wel-armd Greeks, on whom the lot doth fall; 
Lot's 〈◊〉 by Nestor for the 〈◊〉.   
And to his wish shall he be helped, if he escape with life,  
The harmful danger-breathing fit, of this adventurous strife.   

Each marked his lot, and cast it in, to Agamemnon's cask;  
The soldiers prayed, held up their hands, and this of jove did ask,  
(With eyes advanced to heaven): O jove, so lead the Herald's hand,  
That Ajax or great Tydeus son, may our wished champion stand:  
Or else the King himself, that rules, the rich Mycenian land.   

This said, old Nestor mixed the lots: the foremost lot surveyed,  
With Ajax Telamonius was signed; as all the soldiers prayed;  
One of the Heralds drew it forth, who brought and showed it round,  
Beginning at the right hand first, to all the most renowned:  
None knowing it; every man denied: but when he forth did pass,  
To him which marked and cast it in, which famous Ajax was,  
He stretched his hand, and into it, the Herald put the lot,  
Who (viewing it) th'inscription knew; the Duke denied not,  
But joyfully acknowledged it, and threw it at his feet;  
And said, (O friends) the lot is mine, which to my soul is sweet; 
The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Ai●….   
For now I hope my fame shall rise, in noble Hector's fall.  
But whilst I arm myself, do you, on great Saturnius call; 
He to the Greeks   
But silently, or to yourselves, that not a Trojan hear:  
Or openly (if you think good) since none alive we fear;  
None with a will, if I will not, can my bold powers affright,  
At least for plain fierce swinge of strength, or want of skill in fight:  
For I will well prove that my birth, and breed in Salamine,  
Was not all consecrate to meat, or mere effects of wine.   

This said, the wel-given soldiers prayed: up went to heaven their eyen;  
O jove, that Ida dost protect, most happy, most divine;  
Send victory to Ajax side; fame; grace, his goodly limb:  
Or (if thy love, bless Hector's life, and thou hast care of him)  
Bestow on both, like power, like fame. This said, in bright arms shone  
The good strong Ajax: who, when all, his war attire was on,  
Marched like the hugely figured Mars, when angry jupiter, 
Ajax armed, & his dreadful manner of approach to the combat.   
With strength, on people proud of strength, sends him forth to infer  
wreakful contention; and comes on, with presence full of fear;  
So th'Achiue rampire, Telamonius, did twixt the hosts appear▪  
Smiled; yet of terrible aspect; on earth with ample pace,  
He boldly stalked, and shook aloft, his dart, with deadly grace.  
It did the Grecians good to see; but heart quakes shook the joints  
Of all the Troyans'; Hector's self, felt thoughts, with horrid points,  
Tempt his bold bosom: but he now, must make no counterflight;  
Nor (with his honour) now refuse, that had provoked the fight. 
The shield of Ajax, like a tower.   
Ajax came near; and like a tower, his shield his bosom bard;  
The right side brass, and seven Ox hides, within it quilted hard:  
Old Tychius the best currier, that did in Hyla dwell, 
Tychius the currier.   
Did frame it for exceeding proof, and wrought it wondrous well. 
Hinc illud: Dominu●… clypei septemplicis Ajax.   
With this stood he to Hector close, and with this Brave began:  
Now Hector thou shalt clearly know, thus meeting man to man,  
What other leaders arm our host, besides great Thetis son:  
Who, with his hardy Lion's heart, hath armies overrun.  
But he lies at our crookt-sternd fleet, a Rival with our King  
In height of spirit; yet to Troy, he many knights did bring,  
Coequal with Aeacides; all able to sustain  
All thy bold challenge can import: begin then, words are vain.   

The Helme-graced Hector answered him; Renowned Telamonius, 
Hector to Ajax,   
Prince of the soldiers came from Greece; assay not me like one,  
Young and immartiall, with great words, as to an Amazon dame;  
I have the habit of all fights; and know the bloody frame  
Of every slaughter: I well know, the ready right hand charge;  
I know the left, and every sway, of my securefull targe;  
I triumph in the cruelty, of fixed combat fight,  
And manage horse to all designs; I think then with good right,  
I may be confident as far, as this my challenge goes,  
Without being taxed with a vaunt, borne out with empty shows.  
But (being a soldier so renowned) I will not work on thee,  
With least advantage of that skill, I know doth strengthen me;  
And so with privity of sleight, win that for which I strive:  
But at thy best (even open strength) if my endeavours thrive.   

Thus sent he his long javelin forth; it struck his foes huge shield, 
The combat.   
near to the upper skirt of brass, which was the eighth it held.  
Six folds th'untamed dart struck through, and in the seventh tough hide  
The point was checked: then Ajax threw: his angry Lance did glide  
Quite through his bright orbicular targe, his cuirass, shirt of mail;  
And did his manly stomachs mouth, with dangerous taint assail:  
But in the bowing of himself, black death too short did strike;  
Then both to pluck their javelins forth, encountered Lion-like;  
Whose bloody violence is increased, by that raw food they eat:  
Or Boars, whose strength, wild nourishment, doth make so wondrous great.  
Again Priamides did wound, in midst, his shield of brass,  
Yet pierced not through the upper plate, the head reflected was:  
But Ajax (following his Lance) smote through his target quite,  
And stayed bold Hector rushing in; the Lance held way outright,  
And hurt his neck; out gushed the blood: yet Hector ceased not so,  
But in his strong hand took a Flint (as he did backwards go) 
Saxis pugnant.   
Black, sharp and big, laid in the field: the sevenfold targe it smit,  
Full on the boss; and round about, the brass did ring with it.  
But Ajax a far greater stone, lift up, and (wreathing round,  
With all his body laid to it) he sent it forth to wound,  
And gave unmeasured force to it; the round stone broke within 
Hector strooks on his knees.   
His rundled target: his loved knees, to languish did begin;  
And he leaned, stretched out on his shield; but Phoebus raised him straight.  
Then had they laid on wounds with swords, in use of closer fight;  
Unless the Heralds (messengers, of Gods and godlike men)  
The one of Troy, the other Greece; had held betwixt them then  
Imperial sceptres: when the one (Idaeus, grave and wise)  
Said to them; Now no more my sons: the Sovereign of the skies  
Doth love you both; both soldiers are, all witness with good right:  
But now night lays her mace on earth; 'tis good t'obey the night.   

Idaeus? (Telamonius replied,) To Hector speak, not me: 
Ajax to Id●….   
He that called all our Achive Peers, to station fight, 'twas he;  
If he first cease, I gladly yield: great Hector then began:   

Ajax, since jove to thy big form, made thee so strong a man, 
Hector to Ajax.   
And gave thee skill to use thy strength; so much, that for thy spear,  
Thou art most excellent of Greece, now let us fight forbear:  
Hereafter we shall war again, till jove our Herald be,  
And grace with conquest, which he will; heaven yields to night, and we.  
Go thou and comfort all thy Fleet; all friends and men of thine,  
As I in Troy my favourers; who in the Fane divine 
Hector gives Ajax a sword: Ajax, Hector a girdle. Both which gifts were afterward cause of both their deaths.   
Have offered Orisons for me; and come, let us impart  
Some ensigns of our strife, to show, each others suppled heart;  
That men of Troy and Greece may say, Thus their high quarrel ends:  
Those that encountering, were such foes, are now (being separate) friends.  
He gave a sword, whose handle was, with silver studs through driven,  
Scabbard and all, with hangers rich: By Telamonius was given  
A fair well glossed purple waste. Thus Hector went to Troy,  
And after him a multitude, filled with his safety's joy;  
Despairing he could ever scape, the puissant fortitude  
And unimpeached Ajax hands. The Greeks like joy renewed,  
For their reputed victory, and brought him to the King;  
Who to the great Saturnides, preferred an offering: 
Sacrifice for victory. Virgil imit.   
An Ox that fed on five fair springs; they fleyd and quartered him,  
And then (in pieces cut) on spits, they roasted every limb:  
Which neatly dressed, they drew it off: work done, they fell to feast: 
Conuivium à sacrificio.   
All had enough; but Telamonius, the King fed past the rest, 
Nectar to the Greeks.   
With good large pieces of the chine. Thus, thirst and hunger stayed,  
Nestor (whose counsels late were best) vows new, and first he said:  
Atrides, and my other Lords, a sort of Greeks are dead,  
Whose black blood near Scamander's stream, inhuman Mars hath shed:  
Their souls to hell descended are: it fits thee then our king,  
To make our soldiers cease from war; and by the days first spring  
Let us ourselves, assembled all, the bodies bear to fire,  
With Mules and Oxen near our fleet; that when we home retire,  
Each man may carry, to the sons, of father's slaughtered here,  
Their honoured bones: one tomb for all, forever let us rear;  
Circling the pile without the field: at which we will erect  
Walls, and a ravelin, that may safe, our fleet and us protect.  
And in them let us fashion gates, solid and bard about,  
Through which our horse and chariots, may well get in and out.  
Without all, let us dig a dike; so deep it may avail  
Our forces 'gainst the charge of horse, and foot, that come t'assail:  
And thus th'attempts, that I see swell, in Troy's proud heart, shall fail.   

The Kings do his advice approve: so Troy doth Court convent,  
At Priam's gate, in th'Ilion tower, fearful and turbulent. 
Antenor's counsel to the Trow▪ ians.   
Amongst all, wise Antenor spoke: Troyans' and Dardan friends,  
And Peers assistants, give good ear, to what my care commends  
To your consents, for all our good: resolve, let us restore  
The Argive Helen, with her wealth, to him she had before:  
We now defend but broken faiths. If therefore ye refuse,  
No good event can I expect, of all the wars we use.   

He ceased, and Alexander spoke, husband to th'Argive Queen; 
Paris replies.   
Antenor, to mine ears thy words, harsh and ungracious been:  
Thou canst use better if thou wilt: but if these truly fit  
Thy serious thoughts; the Gods, with age, have reft thy graver wit:  
To warlike Troyans' I will speak; I clearly do deny  
To yield my wife: but all her wealth, I'll render willingly,  
What ever I from Argos brought; and vow to make it more;  
Which I have ready in my house, if peace I may r●…store.   

Priam, surnamed Dardanides (godlike in counsels grave) 
Priam to the Troyans'.   
In his sons favour well advised, this resolution gave;  
My royal friends of every state, there is sufficient done,  
For this late counsel we have called, in th'offer of my son;  
Now then let all take needful food; then let the watch be set,  
And every court of guard held strong: so when the morn doth wet  
The high raised battlements of Troy, Idaeus shall be sent  
To th'Argive fleet, and Atreus sons, t'unfold my sons intent,  
From whose fact our contention springs: and (if they will) obtain  
Respite from heat of fight, till fire, consume our soldiers slain:  
And after, our most fatal war, let us importune still,  
Till jove the conquest have disposed, to his unconquered will.   

All heard, and did obey the king, and (in their quarters all,  
That were to set the watch that night) did to their suppers fall. 
Idaeus to the Grecian flee●….   
Idaeus in the morning went, and th'Achiue Peers did find  
In counsel at Atrides ship: his audience was assigned:  
And in the midst of all the kings, the vocal Herald said: 
Idaeus to the Greeks'.    

Atrides? my renowned king, and other kings his aid,  
Propose by me, in their commands, the offers Paris makes,  
(From whose joy all our woes proceed) he Princely undertakes  
That all the wealth he brought from Greece (would he had died before)  
He will (with other added wealth) for your amends restore:  
But famous Menelaus' wife, he still means to enjoy,  
Though he be urged the contrary, by all the Peers of Troy.  
And this beside, I have in charge, that if it please you all;  
They wish both sides may cease from war, that rites of funeral  
May on their bodies be performed, that in the fields lie slain:  
And after to the will of Fate, renew the fight again.   

All silence held at first: at last, Tydides' made reply; 
Diomedes do Idaeus   
Let no man take the wealth, or Dame; for now a child's weak eye  
May see the imminent black end, of Priam's Empery.   

This sentence quick, and briefly given, the Greeks did all admire:  
Then said the King; Herald, thou hearest, in him, the voice entire 
Agumemnon to Idaeus,   
Of all our Peers, to answer thee, for that of Priam's son:  
But, for our burning of the dead, by all means I am won  
To satisfy thy king therein, without the slenderest gain  
Made of their spoilt carcases; but freely (being slain)  
They shall be all consumed with fire: to witness which, I cite  
High thundering jove, that is the king, of junos' beds delight.   

With this, he held his sceptre up, to all the sky throned powers:  
And grave Idaeus did return, to sacred Ilion's towers,  
Where Ilians, and Dardanians, did still their counsels ply,  
Expecting his return: he came, and told his Legacy.  
All, whirlwind like, assembled then: some, bodies to transport,  
Some to hue trees: On th'other part, the Argives did exhort  
Their soldiers to the same affairs: then did the new fired Sun  
Smite the broad fields, ascending heaven, and th'Ocean smooth did run:  
When Greece and Troy mixed in such peace, you scarce could either know:  
Then washed they off their blood and dust, and did warm tears bestow  
Upon the slaughtered, and in Carres, conveyed them from the field:  
Priam commanded none should mourn, but in still silence yield  
Their honoured carcases to fire, and only grieve in heart.  
All burnt: to Troy, Troy's friends retire: to fleet, the Grecian part:  
Yet doubtful night obscured the earth, the day did not appear:  
When round about the funeral pile, the Grecians gathered were;  
The pile they circled with a tomb, and by it raised a wall,  
High towers to guard the fleet and them: and in the midst of all  
They built strong gates, through which the horse, and chariots passage had:  
Without the rampire a broad dike, long and profound they made,  
On which they Pallesadoes pitched; and thus the Grecians wrought.  
Their huge works in so little time, were to perfection brought,  
That all Gods, by the Lightner set, the frame thereof admired;  
'mongst whom, the earthquake-making God, this of their King inquired:  
Father of Gods, will any man, of all earth's grassy sphere, 
Neptune to I●…iter.   
Ask any of the God's consents, to any actions there,  
If thou wilt see the shag-haird Greeks', with headstrong labours frame  
So huge a work, and not to us, due offerings first inflame?  
As far as white Aurora's dews, are sprinkled through the air,  
Fame will renown the hands of Greece, for this divine affair:  
Men will forget the sacred work, the Sun and I did raise,  
For king Laomedon (bright Troy) and this will bear the praise.   

jove was extremely moved with him, and said: What words are these, 
jove to Neptune.   
Thou mighty shaker of the earth, thou Lord of all the seas?  
Some other God, of far less power, might hold conceits dismayed,  
With this rare Grecian stratagem, and thou rest well paid; 
The fortification that inthe twelft Book is razed.   
For it will glorify thy name, as far as light extends:  
Since, when these Greeks' shall see again, their native soil and friends,  
(The bulwark battered) thou mayst quite, devour it with thy waves,  
And cover (with thy fruitless sands) this fatal shore of graves:  
That what their fiery industries, have so divinely wrought,  
In raising it: in razing it, thy power will prove it nought.   

Thus spoke the Gods among themselves: set was the fervent Sun;  
And now the great work of the Greeks, was absolutely done.  
Then slew they Oxen in their tents, and strength with food reviv'd;  
When out of Lemnos a great fleet, of odorous wine arrived, 
A fleet of wine of a thousand tun sent by Euneus king of Lennos jasons son.   
Sent by Euneus, jasons son, borne of Hypsiphile.  
The fleet contained a thousand tun: which must transported be  
To Atreus sons, as he gave charge; whose merchandise it was.  
The Greeks bought wine for shining steel, and some for sounding brass;  
Some for Ox hides; for Oxen some, and some for prisoners.  
A sumptuous banquet was prepared, and all that night the Peers,  
And faire-haird Greeks consumed in feast: so Troyans' and their aid.  
And all the night jove thundered loud: pale fear all thoughts dismayed.  
While they were gluttonous in earth, jove wrought their banes in heaven:  
They poured full cups upon the ground; and were to offerings driven,  
In stead of quaffings: and to drink, none durst attempt, before  
In solemn sacrifice they did, almighty jove adore.  
Then to their rests they all repaired: bold zeal their fear bereaved:  
And sudden sleeps refreshing gift, securely they received.   
The end of the seventh book.   

THE EIGHTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

WHen jove to all the Gods had given command,  
That none, to either host, should helpful stand;  
To Ida he descends: and sees from thence  
juno and Pallas haste the Greeks defence:  
Whose purpose, his command by Iris given,  
Doth intervent; then came the silent Even;  
When Hector charged fires should consume the night.  
Lest Greeks in darkness took suspected flight.   
Another Argument.  

In Theta gods a Counsel have,  
Troy's conquest, glorious Hector's Brave.   

THe cheerful Lady of the light, decked in her saffron rob, 
Periphrasis of the Morning.   
Dispersed her beams through every part, of this enflowred globe,  
When thundering jove a Court of Gods, assembled by his will,  
In top of all the topful heights, that crown th'Olympian hill.   

He spoke, and all the Gods gave ear: Hear how I stand inclined: 
jove to the bench of Deities.   
That God nor Goddess may attempt, t'infringe my sovereign mind:  
But all give suffrage; that with speed, I may these discords end.  
What God soever I shall find, endeavour to defend  
Or Troy or Greece, with wounds to heaven, he (shamed) shall reascend;  
Or (taking him with his offence) I'll cast him down as deep  
As Tartarus (the brood of night) where Barathrum doth steep 
Virgil maketh this likewise his place, adding, Bis patet in prae ceps, tantum tenditque sub umbras, etc. Homer's golden chain.   
Torment in his profoundest sinks; where is the floor of brass,  
And gates of iron: the place, for depth, as far doth hell surpass,  
As heaven (for height) exceeds the earth; then shall he know from thence,  
How much my power past all the Gods, hath sovereign eminence.  
Endanger it the while and see: let down our golden chain;  
And, at it, let all Deities, their utmost strengths constrain,  
To draw me to the earth from heaven: you never shall prevail,  
Though with your most contention, ye dare my state assail:  
But when my will shall be disposed, to draw you all to me;  
Even with the earth itself, and seas, ye shall enforced be.  
Then will I to Olympus' top, our virtuous engine bind,  
And by it every thing shall hang, by my command inclined:  
So much I am supreme to Gods; to men supreme as much.  
The Gods sat silent, and admired; his dreadful speech was such.   

At last, his blue-eyd daughter spoke: O great Saturnides,  
O Father, o heavens highest King; well know we the excess 
Pallas to jove.   
Of thy great power, compared with all: yet the bold Greeks' estate  
We needs must mourn, since they must fall, beneath so hard a fate:  
For if thy grave command enjoin, we will abstain from fight:  
But to afford them such advice, as may relieve their plight,  
We will (with thy consent) be bold; that all may not sustain  
The fearful burden of thy wrath, and with their shames be slain.  
He smiled, and said; Be confident, thou art beloved of me: 
〈◊〉 to Pallas.   
I speak not this with serious thoughts, but will be kind to thee.   

This said, his brass hold winged horse, he did to chariot bind, 
Ioues horse.   
Whose crests were fringed with manes of gold, and golden garments shined  
On his rich shoulders; in his hand, he took a golden scourge,  
Divinely fashioned, and with blows, their willing speed did urge,  
Mid way betwixt the earth and heaven; to Ida than he came, 
jove descends to Ida.   
Abounding in delicious springs, and nurse of beasts untame;  
Where (on the mountain Gargarus) men did a Fane erect  
To his high name, and altars sweet; and there his horse he checked;  
Dissolved them from his chariot, and in a cloud of ieate  
He covered them, and on the top, took his triumphant seat;  
Beholding Priam's famous town, and all the Fleet of Greece, 
Ioues prospect. Both hosts arm.   
The Greeks took breakfast speedily, and armed at every piece:  
So Troyans'; who though fewer far, yet all to fight took arms:  
Dire need enforced them, to avert, their wives and children's harms.  
All gates flew open, all the host, did issue, foot and horse,  
In mighty tumult: strait one place, adjoind each adverse force: 
The fight.   
Then shields with shields met, darts with darts, strength against strength opposed:  
The bosse-piked targets were thrust on, and thundered as they closed  
In mighty tumult; groan for groan, and breath for breath did breath:  
Of men then slain and to be slain; earth flowed with fruits of death.  
While the fair morning's beauty held, and day increased in height;  
Their javelins mutually made death, transport an equal freight:  
But when the hot Meridian point, bright Phoebus did ascend, 
〈◊〉 victoria The Meridian libra iovis Aurea. Virg. tran●…ulit Macrobius 5.   
Then jove his golden Balances, did equally extend:  
And of long-rest-conferring death, put in two bitter fates  
For Troy and Greece he held the midst: the day of final dates  
Fell on the Greeks: the Greeks hard lots, sunk to the flowery ground.  
The Troyans' leapt as high as heaven, than did the claps resound,  
Of his fierce thunder; lightning leapt, amongst each Grecian troup: 
Ioues thunder amongst the Grecians.   
The sight amazed them; pallid fear, made boldest stomachs stoop.  
Then Idomen durst not abide; Atrides went his way,  
And both th' Aiaces: Nestor yet, against his will did stay  
(That grave Protector of the Greeks'): for Paris with a dart  
Enraged one of his chariot horse; he smote the upper part  
Of all his skull, even where the hair, that made his foretop, sprung:  
The hurt was deadly, and the pain, so sore the courser stung,  
(Pierced to the brain) he stamped and plunged: one on another bears:  
Entangled round about the beam; then Nestor cut the geres  
With his new drawn authentic sword; mean while the fiery horse  
Of Hector broke into the press, with their bold ruler's force:  
Then good old Nestor had been slain, had Diomedes not espied; 
Dio●…ed to ●…ses.   
Who to Ulysses, as he fled, importunately cried;  
Thou, that in counsels dost abound, O Laertiades,  
Why fliest thou? why thus cowardlike, shun'st thou the honoured press?  
Take heed thy back take not a dart: stay, let us both intend  
To drive this cruel enemy, from our dear aged friend.   

He spoke: but wary Ithacus, would find no patiented ear: 
Ulysses' flies and Diomedes alon●… steps to the rescue of Nestor.   
But fled forth right, even to the fleet: yet though he single were,  
Brave Diomedes mixed amongst the fight, and stood before the steeds  
Of old Neleides, whose estate, thus kingly he areeds:   

O father, with these youths in fight, thou art unequal placed,  
Thy willing sinews are unknit, grave age pursues thee fast,  
And thy unruly horse are slow; my chariot therefore use,  
And try how ready Trojan horse, can fly him that pursues;  
Pursue the flier, and every way, perform the varied fight:  
I forced them from Anchises son, well skilled in cause of flight.  
Then let my Squire lead hence thy horse: mine thou shalt guard, whilst I  
(By thee advanced) assay the fight; that Hector's self may try  
If my lance dote with the defects, that fail best minds in age,  
Or find the palsy in my hands, that doth thy life engage.   

This, noble Nestor did accept; and Diomedes' two friends,  
Eurymedon, that valour loves; and Sthenelus, ascends,  
Old Nestor's coach: of Diomedes' horse, Nestor the charge sustains  
And Tydeus son took place of fight; Neleides held the reins,  
And scourged the horse, who swiftly ran, direct in Hector's face, 
Diomedes charges Hector.   
Whom fierce Tydides' bravely charged: but, he turned from the chase,  
His iaveline Eniopeus smit, mighty Thebaeus son,  
And was great Hector's charioteer; it through his breast did run,  
Near to his pap; he fell to earth, back flew his frighted horse;  
His strength and soul were both dissolved: Hector had deep remorse  
Of his mishap: yet left he him, and for another sought;  
Nor long his steeds did want a guide: for strait good fortune brought  
Bold Archeptolemus, whose life, did from Iphytis spring;  
He made him take the reins and mount: then souls were set on wing:  
Then high exploits were undergone, than Troyans' in their walls  
Had been enfolded like meek Lambs, had jove winked at their falls;  
Who hurled his horrid thunder forth, and made pale lightnings fly  
Into the earth, before the horse, that Nestor did apply.  
A dreadful flash burnt through the air, that savourd sulphure-like,  
Which down before the chariot, the dazzled horse did strike:  
The fair reins fell from Nestor's hand; who did (in fear) entreat  
Renowned Tydides', into flight, to turn his fury's heat. 
Nestor to Diomed.   
for knowest thou not, said he, our aid, is not supplied from jove?  
This day he will give fame to Troy, which when it fits his love  
We shall enjoy; let no man tempt, his unresisted will,  
Though he exceed in gifts of strength: for he exceeds him still.   

Father (replied the king) 'tis true: but both my heart and soul 
Diomedes to Nestor.   
Are most extremely grieved to think, how Hector will control  
My valour with his vaunts in Troy: that I was terror-sicke  
With his approach: which when he boasts, let earth devour me quick.   

Ah warlike Tydeus son (said he,) what needless words are these? 
Nestor to Diomedes.   
Though Hector should report thee faint, and amorous of thy ease,  
The Troyans' nor the Trojan wives, would never give him trust,  
Whose youthful husbands thy free hand, hath smothered so in dust.   

This said, he turned his one-houed horse, to flight, and troup did take;  
When Hector and his men with shouts, did greedy pursuit make,  
And poured on darts, that made air sigh: then Hector did exclaim;  
O Tydeus son, the kings of Greece, do most renown thy name 
Hector's brave to Diomed.   
With highest place, feasts, and full cups; who now will do thee shame:  
Thou shalt be like a woman used, and they will say; Depart  
Immartiall minion, since to stand, Hector, thou hadst no heart:  
Nor canst thou scale our turret's tops, nor lead the wives to fleet  
Of valiant men; that wifelike fearest, my adverse charge to meet.   

This, two ways moved him; still to fly, or turn his horse and fight:  
Thrice thrust he forward to assault; and every time the fright  
Of Ioues fell thunder drove him back: which he proposed for sign  
(To show the change of victory) Troyans' should victors shine.  
Then Hector comforted his men; All my adventurous friends, 
Hector to his friends.   
Be men, and of your famous strength, think of the honoured ends.  
I know, benevolent jupiter, did by his beck profess  
Conquest, and high renown to me; and to the Greeks distress.  
O fools, to raise such silly forts, not worth the least account,  
Nor able to resist our force; with ease our horse may mount,  
Quite over all their hollow dike: but when their fleet I reach,  
Let Memory to all the world, a famous bonfire teach:  
For, I will all their ships inflame; with whose infestive smoke  
(Feare-shrunke and hidden near their keels) the conquered Greeks shall choke.   

Then cherished he his famous horse: O Xanthus, now, said he, 
The names of Hector's horse.   
And thou Podargus: Aethon to, and Lampus, dear to me;  
Make me some worthy recompense, for so much choice of meat,  
Given you by fair Andromache; bread of the purest wheat;  
And with it (for your drink) mixed wine, to make ye wished cheer, 
Vinum equis.   
Still serving you before myself (her husband young and dear:)  
Pursue and use your swiftest speed, that we may take for prize  
The shield of old Neleides, which Fame lifts to the skies; 
Nestor's shield all of gold.   
Even to the handles, telling it, to be of massy gold:  
And from the shoulders let us take, of Diomedes the bold,  
The royal cuirass Vulcan wrought, with art so exquisite.  
These if we make our sacred spoil, I doubt not, but this Night,  
Even to their navy to enforce, the Greeks' unturned flight.   

This juno took in high disdain; and made Olympus shake,  
As she but stirred within her throne; and thus to Neptune spoke;   

O Neptune, what a spite is this? thou God so huge in power, 
I●…no to Neptune.   
Afflicts it not thy honoured heart, to see rude spoil devour  
These Greeks' that have in Helice, and Aege, offered thee  
So many and such wealthy gifts, let them the victors be;  
If we that are the aids of Greece, would beat home these of Troy,  
And hinder brode-eyd Ioues proud will, it would abate his joy. 
Neptune to juno    

He (angry) told her, she was rash, and he would not be one,  
Of all the rest, should strive with jove, whose power was matched by none.  
Whiles they conferred thus, all the space, the trench contained before,  
(From that part of the fort that flankt, the navie-anchoring shore)  
Was filled with horse and targateirs, who there for refuge came,  
By Mars-swift Hector's power engaged; jove gave his strength the fame:  
And he with spoilefull fire had burnt, the fleet: if junos' grace  
Had not inspired the king himself, to run from place to place,  
And stir up every soldiers power, to some illustrious deed; 
Agamemnon's ●…bor in ranging his army.   
First visiting their leaders tents, his ample purple weed  
He wore, to show all who he was; and did his station take  
At wise Ulysses' sable barks, that did the battle make  
Of all the fleet: from whence his speech, might with more ease be driven  
To Ajax and Achilles ships; to whose chief charge were given  
The Vanguard and the Rereguard both: both for their force of hand,  
And trusty bosoms. There arrived, thus urged he to withstand 
Agamemnon none exprobration of the Greeks.   
Th'insulting Troyans': O what shame, ye empty hearted Lords,  
Is this to your admired forms? where are your glorious words?  
In Lemnos vaunting you the best, of all the Grecian host?  
We are the strongest men (ye said) we will command the most:  
Eating most flesh of high horned beeves, and drinking cups full crowned:  
And every man a hundred foes, two hundred will confound:  
Now all our strength, dared to our worst, one Hector cannot tame,  
Who presently with horrid fire, will all our fleet inflame. 
Apostrophe ad iovem.   
O Father jove, hath ever yet, thy most unsuffred hand  
Afflicted, with such spoil of souls, the king of any land?  
And taken so much fame from him? when I did never fail  
(Since under most unhappy stars, this fleet was under sail)  
Thy glorious altars, I protest; but above all the Gods,  
Have burnt fat thighs of beeves to thee; and prayed to race th'abodes  
Of rape-defending Ilion's: yet grant (almighty jove)  
One favour, that we may at least, with life from hence remove:  
Not under such inglorious hands, the hands of death employ,  
And where Troy should be stooped by Greece, let Greece fall under Troy.   

To this even weeping king, did jove, remorseful audience give,  
And shook great heaven to him, for sign, his men and he should live:  
Then quickly cast he off his hawk, the Eagle prince of air, 
jove casts off his Eagle on the Greeks right hand, that trust a ●…inde case.   
That perfects his unspotted vows; who seized in her repair  
A sucking hind calf; which she trust, in her enforcive seeres,  
And by Ioues altar let it fall, amongst th'amazed peers,  
Where the religious Achive kings, with sacrifice did please  
The author of all Oracles, divine Saturnides.   

Now when they knew the bird of jove, they turned courageous head:  
When none (though many kings put on) could make his vaunt, he led  
Tydides' to renewed assault: or issued first the dike, 
Dio●…d.   
Or first did fight: but far the first, stone dead his lance did strike  
Armed Agelaus; by descent, surnamed Phradmonides;  
He turned his ready horse to flight; and Diomedes' lance did seize  
His back betwixt his shoulder blades, and looked out at his breast;  
He fell, and his arms rang his fall. Th' Atrides next addressed  
Themselves to fight; th' Aiaces next, with vehement strength endued:  
Idomeneus and his friend, stout Merion, next pursued:  
And after these Euripilus, Euemons' honoured ●…ace:  
The ninth, with backward wreathed bow, had little Teucer place;  
He still fought under Ajax shield; who sometimes held it by, 
Teucer serving under Ajax 〈◊〉.   
And then he looked his object out, and let his arrow fly:  
And whomsoever in the press, he wounded, him he slew;  
Then under Ajax sevenfold shield, he presently withdrew.  
He fared like an unhappy child, that doth to mother run  
For secure, when he knows full well, he some shrewd turn hath done.  
What trojans then were to their deaths, by Teucer's shafts impressed?  
Hapless Orsylochus was first; Ormenus, Ophelest,  
Detor, and hardy Cronius, and Lycophon divine;  
And Amopaon, that did spring, from Polyemons' line,  
And Menalippus: all on heaps, he tumbled to the ground.  
The king rejoiced to see his shafts, the Phrygian ranks confound:  
Who strait came near, and spoke to him; O Teucer lovely man, 
Agamemnon to Teucer.   
Strike still so sure, and be a grace, to every Grecian;  
And to thy father Telamonius, who took thee kindly home,  
(Although not by his wife, his son) and gave thee foster room,  
Even from thy childhood; then to him, though far from hence removed,  
Make good fame reach; and to thyself, I vow what shall be proved:  
If he that dreadful Egis bears, and Pallas grant to me  
Th'expugnance of wel-builded Troy, I first will honour thee,  
Next to myself with some rich gift, and put it in thy hand:  
A three-foot vessel, that for grace, in sacred Fanes doth stand:  
Or two horse and a chariot, or else a lovely Dame,  
That may ascend on bed with thee, and amplify thy name.   

Teucer right nobly answered him: Why (most illustrate king) 
Teucer to Agamemnon.   
I being thus forward of myself, dost thou adjoin a sting?  
Without which, all the power I have, I cease not to employ:  
For, from the place where we repulsed, the Troyans' towards Troy,  
I all the purple field have strewed, with one or other slain:  
Eight shafts I shot, with long steel heads, of which not one in vain;  
All were in youthful bodies fixed, well skilled in wars constraint:  
Yet this wild dog, with all my aim, I have no power to taint.  
This said, another arrow forth, from his stiff string he sent,  
At Hector, whom he longed to wound; but still amiss it went:  
His shaft smit fair Gorgythion, of Priam's princely race,  
Who in Aepina was brought forth (a famous town in Thrace)  
By Castianira; that, for form, was like celestial breed.  
And as a crimson Poppy flower, surcharged with his seed,  
And vernal humours falling thick, declines his heavy brow; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est.   
So, of one side, his helmets weight, his fainting head did bow:  
Yet Teucer would another shaft, at Hector's life dispose;  
So feign, he such a mark would hit: but still besides it goes;  
Apollo did avert the shaft: but Hector's charioteer  
Bold Archeptolemus he smit, as he was rushing near  
To make the fight: to earth he fell, his swift horse back did fly,  
And there, were both his strength and soul, exiled eternally.  
Huge grief, for Hector's slaughtered friend, pincht-in his mighty mind:  
Yet was he forced to leave him there, and his void place resigned  
To his sad brother, that was by; Cebriones: whose ear  
Receiving Hector's charge, he strait, the weighty reins did bear;  
And Hector, from his shining coach (with horrid voice) leapt on, 
H●…ctor with a stone at Teucer.   
To wreak his friend on Teucer's hand; and up he took a stone,  
With which he at the Archer ran; who, from his quiver, drew  
A sharpe-pild shaft, and nockt it sure: but, in great Hector flew,  
With such fell speed, that in his draft, he his right shoulder struck,  
Where twixt his neck and breast, the joint, his native closure took:  
The wound was wondrous full of death, his string in sunder flees;  
His numbed hand fell strengthless down, and he upon his knees.  
Ajax neglected not to aid, his brother thus depressed;  
But came and saft him with his shield; and two more friends addressed  
To be his aid, took him to fleet; Mecistius, Echius son,  
And gay Alastor: Teucer sighed, for all his service done.   

Then did Olympius, with fresh strength, the Trojan powers revive;  
Who to their trenches once again, the troubled Greekes did drive.  
Hector brought terror with his strength, and ever fought before:  
As when some highly stomached hound, that hunts a sylvan Boar,  
Or kingly Lion, loves the haunch, and pincheth oft behind,  
Bold of his feet, and still observes, the game, to turn inclined,  
Not utterly dissolved in flight: so Hector did pursue;  
And whosoever was the last, he ever did subdue.  
They fled, but when they had their dike, and Pallesadoes past,  
(A number of them put to sword) at ships they stayed at last:  
Then mutual exhortations flew, than all with hands and eyes,  
Advanced to all the Gods, their plagues, wrung from them open cries.  
Hector with his four rich-maned horse, assaulting always road; 
Hector's terrible aspect.   
The eyes of Gorgon burnt in him, and wars vermilion God.  
The Goddess that all Goddesses (for snowy arms) out shined,  
Thus spoke to Pallas; to the Greeks, with gracious ruth inclined.   

O Pallas, what a grief is this? is all our succour passed 
juno to Pallas.   
To these our perishing Grecian friends? at least withheld at last?  
Eu●…n now, when one man's violence, must make them perish all,  
Insatisfaction of a Fate, so full of funeral?  
Hector Priamides now raves, no more to be endured;  
That hath already on the Greeks, so many harms enured.   

The Azure Goddess answered her; This man had surely found  
His fortiude and life dissolved, even on his father's ground,  
By Grecian valour; if my Sire, infested with ill moods,  
Did not so dote on these of Troy, too jealous of their bloods:  
And ever, an unjust repulse, stands to my willing powers;  
Little remembering what I did, in all the desperate hours  
Of his affected Hercules: I ever rescued him,  
In labours of Euristheus, untouched in life or limb:  
When he (heaven knows) with drowned eyes, looked up for help to heaven:  
Which ever at command of jove, was by my supppliance given.  
But had my wisdom reached so far, to know of this event,  
When to the solid-ported depths, of hell his son was sent,  
To hale out hateful Pluto's dog, from darksome Erebus,  
He had not 'scaped the streams of Styx, so deep and dangerous:  
Yet jove hates me, and shows his love, in doing Thetis' will,  
That kissed his knees, and stroked his chin; prayed, and importuned still,  
That he would honour with his aid, her cittie-razing son,  
Displeased Achilles: and for him, our friends are thus undone.  
But time shall come again, when he (to do his friends some aid)  
Will call me his Glaucopides; his sweet and blue-eyed maid.  
Then harness thou thy horse for me, that his bright Palace ga●…es  
I soon may enter, arming me, to order these debates:  
And I will try if Priam's son, will still maintain his cheer,  
When in the crimson paths of war, I dreadfully appear;  
For some proud Trojan shall be sure, to nourish dogs and souls,  
And pave the shore with fat, and flesh, deprived of lives and souls.   

juno prepared her horse, whose manes, Ribbons of gold enlaced:  
Pallas her party coloured rob; on her bright shoulders cast, 
Pallas arms.   
Divinely wrought with her own hands, in th'entry of her Sire:  
Then put she, on her ample breast, her under-arming tire,  
And on it her celestial arms: the chariot straight she takes,  
With her huge heavy violent lance, with which she slaughter makes  
Of armies, fatal to her wrath: Saturnia whipped her horse, 
juno her waggonnesse.   
And heaven gates, guarded by the Hours, oped by their proper force:  
Through which they flew. Whom when jove saw (set near th'Idalian spring)  
Highly displeased: he Iris called, that hath the golden wings,  
And said; Fly Iris, turn them back, let them not come at me: 
jove to Iris.   
Our meetings (severally disposed) will nothing gracious be.  
Beneath their o'erthrown chariot, I'll shiver their proud steeds:  
Hu●…le down themselves, their waggon break, and for their stubborn deeds,  
In ten whole years they shall not heal, the wounds I will impress  
With horrid thunder; that my maid, may know, when to address  
Arms against her father. For my wife, she doth not so offend,  
'tis but her use to interrupt, what ever I intent.  
Iris, with this, left Ida's hills, and up t'Olympus flew, 
〈◊〉 is to heaven.   
Met (near heaven gates) the Goddesses, and thus their haste withdrew.   

What course intent you? why are you, wrapped with your fancy's storm?  
jove likes not ye should aid the Greeks, but threats, and will perform,  
To crush in pieces your swift horse, beneath their glorious yokes,  
Hurl down yourselves, your chariot break: and those empoisoned strokes  
His wounding thunder shall imprint, in your celestial parts,  
In ten full Springs ye shall not cure: that she that tames proud hearts  
(Thy self, Minerva) may be taught, to know for what, and when,  
Thou dost against thy father fight; for sometimes children  
May with discretion plant themselves, against their father's wills;  
But not where humours only rule, in works beyond their skills,  
For, juno, she offends him not, nor vexeth him so much;  
For, 'tis her use to cross his will, her impudence is such. 
●…ile facit quod semper facit.   
The habit of offence in this, she only doth contract,  
And so grieves or incenseth less, though near the less her fact:  
But thou most grievest him (dogged Dame) whom he rebukes in time,  
Lest silence should pervert thy will, and pride too highly climb  
In thy bold bosom (desperate girl) if seriously thou dare  
Lift thy unwieldy lance 'gainst jove, as thy pretences are.   

She left them, and Saturnia said, Ay me thou seed of jove, 
juno to Pall●….   
By my advice we will no more, unfit contention move  
With jupiter for mortal men; of whom, let this man die,  
And that man live, who ever he, pursues with destiny:  
And let him (plotting all events) dispose of either host,  
As he thinks fittest for them both, and may become us most.   

Thus turned she back, and to the Hours, her rich man'd horse resigned  
Who them t'immortall mangers bound; the chariot they inclined  
Beneath the Crystal walls of heaven, and they in golden thrones  
Consorted other Deities, replete with passions.  
jove, in his bright-wheeld chariot, his fiery horse now beats,  
Up to Olympus; and aspired, the Gods eternal seats.  
Great Neptune loosed his horse; his Car, upon the Altar placed,  
And heavenly-linnen coverings, did round about it cast.  
The farre-seer used his throne of gold: the vast Olympus shook  
Beneath his feet, his wife, and maid, apart their places took;  
Nor any word afforded him: he knew their thoughts, and said; 
●…oue to Inn●… and Pallas.   
Why do you thus torment yourselves? you need not sit dismayed  
With the long labours you have used, in your victorious fight,  
Destroying Troyans': 'gainst whose lives, you heap such high despite. 
Scopticé.   
Ye should have held your glorious course; for be assured, as far  
As all my powers (by all means urged) could have sustained the war:  
Not all the host of Deities, should have retired my hand,  
From vowed inflictions on the Greeks: much less, you two withstand.  
But you before you saw the fight, much less the slaughter there,  
Had all your goodly lineaments, possessed with shaking fear;  
And never had your chariot borne, their charge to heaven again:  
But thunder should have smit you both, had you one Trojan slain.   

Both Goddesses let fall their chins, upon their ivory breasts,  
Set next to jove; contriving still, afflicted Troy's unrests:  
Pallas for anger could not speak, Saturnia, contrary,  
Can not for anger hold her peace, but made this bold reply;   

Not-to-be-suffred jupiter, what needst thou still enforce 
〈◊〉 to jupiter.   
Thy matchless power? we know it well: But we must yield remorse  
To them that yield us sacrifice: nor needst thou thus deride  
Our kind obedience, nor our griefs, but bear our powers applied  
To just protection of the Greeks; that anger tomb not all  
In Troy's foul gulf of perjury, and let them stand, should fall.   

Grieve not (said jove) at all done yet: for if thy fair eyes please, 
I●…piter to I●…no.   
This next red morning they shall see, the great Saturnides  
Bring more destruction to the Greeks': and Hector shall not cease,  
Till he have roused from the Fleet, swift-foot Aeacides:  
In that day, when before their ships, for his Patroclus slain,  
The Greeks' in great distress shall fight; for so the Fates ordain.  
I weigh not thy displeased spleen; though to th'extremest bounds  
Of earth and seas it carry thee; where endless night confounds  
japet, and my dejected Sire; who sit so far beneath,  
They never see the flying Sun, nor hear the winds that breath,  
Near to profoundest Tartarus: nor thither if thou went,  
Would I take pity of thy moods, since none more impudent.   

To this, she nothing did reply: and now Sols glorious light  
Fell to the sea, and to the land, drew up the drowsy night:  
The Troyans' grieved at Phoebus' fall, which all the Greeks desired: 
The Night.   
And sable night (so often wished) to earth's firm throne aspired.   

Hector (intending to consult) near to the gulfie flood  
far from the Fleet; led to a place, pure, and exempt from blood,  
The Troyans' forces: from their horse, all lighted, and did hear  
Th'Oration Ioue-loued Hector made; who held a goodly spear,  
Eleven full cubits long; the head, was brass, and did reflect  
A wanton light before him still; it round about was decked  
With strong hoops of new burnished gold. On this he leaned, and said:   

Hear me, my worthy friends of Troy, and you our honoured aid; 
〈◊〉 to his friends.   
A little since, I had conceit, we should have made retreat,  
By light of the inflamed fleet, with all the Greeks escheat;  
But darkness hath prevented us; and saved, with special grace,  
These Achives, and their shore-haled fleet. Let us then render place,  
To sacred Night; our suppers dress●…; and from our chariot free  
Our faire-maned horse, and meat them well: then let there convoid be,  
From forth the city presently, Oxen, and well fed sheep;  
Sweet wine, and bread; and fell much wood, that all night we may keep 
Vina parant animos.   
Plenty of fires, even till the light, bring forth the lovely morn;  
And let their brightness glaze the skies, that night may not suborn  
The Greeks escape, if they, for flight, the seas broad back would take;  
At least they may not part with ease; but as retreat they make,  
Each man may bear a wound with him, to cure when he comes home,  
Made with a shaft or sharpened spear; and others fear to come,  
With charge of lamentable war, 'gainst soldiers bred in Troy.  
Then let our Heralds, through the town, their offices employ,  
To warn the youth, yet short of war; and time-white fathers, past;  
That in our god-built towers they see, strong courts of guard be placed,  
About the walls; and let our Dames, yet flourishing in years,  
That (having beauties to keep pure) are most inclined to fears  
(Since darkness in distressful times, more dreadful is then light)  
Make lofty fires in every house: and thus, the dangerous night,  
Held with strong watch; if th'enemy, have ambuscadoes laid  
Near to our walls (and therefore seem, in flight the more dismayed,  
Intending a surprise, while we, are all without the town)  
They every way shall be impugned, to every man's renown.  
Perform all this brave Trojan friends: what now I have to say,  
Is all expressed; the cheerful morn, shall other things display;  
It is my glory (putting trust, in jove, and other Gods)  
That I shall now expulse these dogs, fates sent to our abodes;  
Who bring ostents of destiny, and black their threatening fleet.  
But this night let us hold strong guards: to morrow we will meet,  
(With fierce-made war) before their ships; and I'll make known to all,  
If strong Tydides', from their ships, can drive me to their wall,  
Or I can pierce him with my sword; and force his bloody spoil;  
The wished morn shall show his power, if he can shun his foil,  
I running on him with my Lance; I think when day ascends,  
He shall lie wounded with the first, and by him many friends.  
O that I were as sure to live, immortal, and sustain  
No frailties, with increasing years, but evermore remain  
Adored like Pallas, or the Sun; as all doubts die in me,  
That heavens next light shall be the last, the Greeks' shall ever see.   

This speech all Troyans' did applaud; who from their traces loosed  
Their sweeting horse; which severally with headstals they reposed,  
And fastened by their chariots; when others brought from town,  
Fat sheep and oxen, instantly; bread, wine; and hewed down  
Huge store of wood: the winds transferred, into the friendly sky,  
Their suppers savour; to the which, they sat delightfully,  
And spent all night in open field; fires round about them shined;  
As when about the silver Moon, when air is free from wind,  
And stars shine clear; to whose sweet beams, high prospects, and the brows 
Igne. Trolanorun 〈◊〉 similes.   
Of all steep hills and pinnacles, thrust up themselves for shows;  
And even the lowly valleys joy, to glitter in their sight,  
When the unmeasured firmament, bursts to disclose her light,  
And all the signs in heaven are seen, that glad the shepherds heart;  
So many fires disclosed their beams, made by the Trojan part,  
Before the face of Ilium; and her bright turrets showed.  
A thousand courts of guard kept fires: and every guard allowed  
Fifty stout men, by whom their horse, eat oats and hard white corn,  
And all did wilfully expect, the siluer-throned morn.   
The end of the eighth Book.   

THE NINTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

TO Agamemnon (urging hopeless flight)  
Stand Diomedes, and Nestor opposite:  
By Nestor's counsel, Legates are dismissed,  
To Thetis son, who still denies t'assist.   
Another Argument.  

jota sings the Embassy,  
And great Achilles stern reply.   

SO held the Troyans' sleepless guard; the Greeks to flight were given:  
The feeble consort of cold fear (strangely infused from heaven)  
Grief, not to be endured, did wound, all Greeks of greatest worth.  
And as two laterall-sited winds (the West wind and the North)  
Meet at the Thracian seas black breast; join in a sudden blore;  
Tumble together the dark waves, and power upon the shore  
A mighty deal of froth and weed, with which men manure ground:  
So jove and Troy did drive the Greeks, and all their minds confound:  
But Agamemnon most of all, was tortured at his heart,  
Who to the voicefull Heralds went, and bade them cite, apart,  
Each Grecian leader severally, not openly proclaim;  
In which he laboured with the first: and all together came.  
They sadly sat; the king arose, and poured out tears as fast  
As from a lofty rock, a spring, doth his black waters cast.  
And deeply ●…ghing, thus bespoke, the Achives; O my friends, 
Agamemnon to the Greeks.   
Princes and leaders of the Greeks; heavens adverse king extends  
His wrath, with too much detriment, to my so just design;  
Since he hath often promised me, and bound it with the sign  
Of his bend forehead, that this Troy, our vengeful hands should raze,  
And safe return: yet now engaged, he plague's us with disgrace;  
When all our trust to him hath drawn, so much blood from our friends.  
My glory, nor my brother's wreak, were the proposed ends,  
For which he drew you to these toils; but your whole country's shame,  
Which had been huge, to bear the rape, of so divine a Dame,  
Made in despite of our revenge: and yet not that had moved  
Our powers to these designs, if Io●…e, had not our drifts approved;  
Which since we see he did for blood; 'tis desperate fight in us  
To strive with him; then let us fly: 'tis flight he urgeth thus.   

Long time still silence held them all; at last did Diomedes rise:  
Atrides, I am first must cross, thy indiscreet advise, 
Diomedes to Agamemnon: and takes fit time to answer his wrong done by Agamemnon in the fourth book.   
As may become me, being a king, in this our martial court.  
Be not displeased then: for thyself, didst broadly misreport  
In open field my fortitude, and called me faint and weak;  
Yet I was silent, knowing the time; loath any rites to break,  
That appertaind thy public rule: yet all the Greeks' knew well  
(Of every age) thou didst me wrong. As thou than didst refel  
My valour first of all the host, as of a man dismayed:  
So now, with fit occasion given, I first blame thee afraid.  
Inconstant Saturn's son hath given, inconstant spirits to thee;  
And with a sceptre over all, an eminent degree:  
But with a sceptres sovereign grace, the chief power, Fortitude,  
(To bridle thee) he thought not best, thy breast should be endued.  
Unhappy king, thinkest thou the Greeks, are such a silly sort,  
And so excessive impotent, as thy weak words import?  
If thy mind move thee to be gone; the way is open, go:  
Mycenian ships enough ride near, that brought thee to this woe;  
The rest of Greece will stay, nor stir, till Troy be overcome,  
With full eversion; or if not, but (doters of their home)  
Will put on wings to fly with thee; myself and Sthenelus  
Will fight, till (trusting favouring jove) we bring home Troy with us.   

This, all applauded, and admired, the spirit of Diomedes; 
Nestor approves Diomedes' counsel, and goes further.   
When Nestor (rising from the rest) his speech thus seconded:   

Tydides', thou art (questionless) our strongest Greek, in war,  
And gravest in thy counsels too, of all that equal are  
In place with thee, and stand on strength; Nor is there any one  
Can blame, or contradict thy speech: And yet thou hast not gone  
So far, but we must further go; thou'rt young, and well mightst be  
My youngest son, though still I yield, thy words had high degree  
Of wisdom in them to our king; since well they did become  
Their right in question, and refute, inglorious going home;  
But I (well known thy senior far) will speak, and handle all  
Yet to propose: which none shall check; no not our General.  
A hater of society, unjust, and wild is he,  
That loves intestine war; being stuffed, with manless cruelty:  
And therefore in persuading peace, and home-flight, we the less  
May blame our General; as one loath, to wrap in more distress  
His loved soldiers: but because, they bravely are resolved  
To cast lives after toils, before, they part in shame involved;  
Provide we for our honoured stay; obey black night, and fall  
Now to our suppers; then appoint, our guards without the wall,  
And in the bottom of the dike; which guards I wish may stand  
Of our brave youth. And (Atreus' son) since thou art in command  
Before our other Kings; be first, in thy commands effect:  
It well becomes thee; since 'tis both, what all thy Peers expect;  
And in the royal right of things, is no impair to thee;  
Nor shall it stand with less than right, that they invited be  
To supper by thee; all thy tents, are amply stored with wine,  
Brought daily in Greek ships from Thrace; and to this grace of thine 
Vinum Thracium   
All necessaries thou hast fit, and store of men to wait;  
And many meeting there; thou mayst, hear every man's conceit,  
And take the best: it much concerns, all Greeks' to use advise  
Of gravest nature; since, so near, our ships, our enemies  
Have lighted such a sort of fires: with which, what man is joyed?  
Look, how all bear themselves this night, so live, or be destroyed.   

All heard, and followed his advice: there was appointed then  
Seven Captains of the watch, who forth, did march with all their men. 
Se●…en Captains of the watch, and their names.   
The first was famous Thrasymed, advicefull Nestor's son;  
Ascalaphus and jalmen, and mighty Merion;  
Alphareus and Deipyrus, and lovely Lycomed;  
Old Creon's joy: These seven bold Lords, an hundred soldiers led  
In every severed company; and every man his pike:  
Some placed on the rampires top, and some amidst the dike:  
All fires made, and their suppers took: Atrides to his tent  
Invited all the Peers of Greece; and food sufficient  
Apposde before them; and the Peers, apposde their hands to it.  
Hunger and thirst being quickly quenched, to counsel still they sit.  
And first spoke Nestor, who they thought, of late, advised so well,  
A father grave, and rightly wise, who thus his tale did tell.   

Most high Atrides, since in thee, I have intent to end, 
Nestor to 〈◊〉.   
From thee will I begin my speech, to whom jove doth commend  
The Empire of so many men, and puts into thy hand  
A Sceptre, and established ●…awes, that thou mayst well command  
And counsel all men under thee. It therefore doth behove  
Thyself to speak most, since of all, thy speeches most will move;  
And yet to hear as well as speak: and then perform as well  
A free just counsel; in thee still, must stick, what others tell.  
For me; what in my judgement stands, the most convenient  
I will advise; and am assured, advice more competent  
Shall not be given: the general proof, that hath before been made  
Of what I speak, confirms me still; and now may well persuade,  
Because I could not then, yet aught, when thou (most royal King)  
Even from the tent, Achilles love, didst violently bring,  
Against my counsel, urging thee, by all means to relent:  
But you (obeying your high mind) would venture the event,  
Dishonouring our ablest Greek, a man th'immortals grace:  
Again, yet let's deliberate, to make him now embrace  
Affection to our general good, and bring his force to field:  
Both which, kind words and pleasing gifts, must make his virtues yield.   

O father (answered the King) my wrongs thou tell'st me right; 
Agam●…non to Ne●…or.   
Mine own offence, mine own tongue grants; one man must stand in fight  
For our whole army; him I wronged, him jove loves from his heart:  
He shows it in thus honouring him; who living thus apart,  
Proves us but number: for his want, makes all our weakness seen:  
Yet after my confessed offence, soothing my humorours' spleen,  
I'll sweeten his affects again, with presents infinite,  
Which (to approve my firm intent) I'll openly recite; 
Gifts offered to Achilles.   
Seven sacred Tripods free from fire, ten talents of fine gold,  
Twenty bright cauldrons, twelve young horse, well shaped and well controlled,  
And victors too, for they have won, the price at many a race:  
That man should not be poor, that had, but what their winged pace  
Hath added to my treasury; nor feel sweet golds defect.  
Seven Lesbian Ladies he shall have, that were the most select,  
And in their needles rarely skilled: whom (when he took the town  
Of famous Lesbos) I did choose; who won the chief renown,  
For beauty from their whole fair sex; amongst whom I'll resign  
Fair Brysis; and I deeply swear (for any fact of mine  
That may discourage her receipt) she is untouched, and rests  
As he resigned her. To these gifts (if jove to our requests  
Vouchsafe performance, and afford, the work for which we wait;  
Of winning Troy) with brass and gold, he shall his navy freight;  
And (entering when we be at spoil) that princely hand of his  
Shall choose him twenty Trojan Dames, excepting Tyndaris,  
The fairest Pergamus enfolds: and if we make retreat  
To Argos (called of all the world, the Navel, or chief seat)  
He shall become my son in law, and I will honour him  
Even as Orestes, my sole son, that doth in honours swim.  
Three daughters in my wel-built court, unmarried are, and fair;  
Laodice, Chrysothemis, that hath the golden hair,  
And Iphianassa: of all three, the worthiest let him take  
All jointurelesse, to Peleus' Court: I will her jointure make;  
And that so great, as never yet, did any maid prefer;  
Seven cities right magnificent, I will bestow on her:  
Enope, and Cardamile; Hyra for herbs renowned;  
The fair Aepaea, Pedasus, that doth with grapes abound:  
Antaea, girded with green meads: Phera, surnamed Divine;  
All whose bright turrets, on the seas, in sandy Pylos shine:  
Th'inhabitants in flocks and herds, are wondrous confluent;  
Who like a God will honour him, and him with gifts present;  
And to his throne will contribute, what tribute he will rate;  
All this I gladly will perform, to pacify his hate:  
Let him be mild and tractable: 'tis for the God of ghosts  
To be unruled, implacable, and seek the blood of hosts;  
Whom therefore men do much abhor: then let him yield to me;  
I am his greater, being a King, and more in years than he.   

Brave King (said Nestor) these rich gifts, must make him needs relent: 
Nestor makes choice of Ambassadors to Achilles.   
Choose then fit legates instantly, to greet him at his Tent;  
But stay, admit my choice of them; and let them straight be gone:  
jove-loved Phoenix shall be chief; then Ajax Telamonius,  
And Prince Vlyssès; and on them, let these two heralds wait,  
Grave Odius and Euribates. Come Lords, take water straight,  
Make pure your hands; and with sweet words, appease Achilles' mind;  
Which we will pray, the king of Gods, may gently make inclined.   

All liked his speech, and on their hands, the Herald's water shed:  
The youths, crowned cups of sacred wine, to all distributed:  
But, having sacrificed and drunk, to every man's content,  
(With many notes by Nestor given) the Legates forwards went:  
With courtship in fit gestures used, he did prepare them well,  
But most Ulysses; for his grace, did not so much excel:  
Such ●…ites beseem Ambassadors: and Nestor urged these,  
That their most honours might reflect, enraged Aeacides.  
They went along the shore, and prayed, the God that earth doth bind  
In brackish chains, they might not fail, but bow his mighty mind.   

The quarter of the Myrmidons, they reached, and found him set  
Delighted with his solemn harp, which curiously was fret 
Achilles at his Ha●…pe.   
With works conceited, through the verge: the bawdricke that embraced  
His lofty neck, was silver twist: this (when his hand laid waste  
Actions city) he did choose, as his especial prize, 
A●…illes love of Music.   
And (loving sacred music well) made it his exercise:  
To it he sung the glorious deeds, of great Heroes dead, 
Himself sings the deeds of Heroes.   
And his true mind, that practise failed, sweet contemplation fed.  
With him alone, and opposite; all silent sat his friend,  
Attentive, and beholding him, who now his song did end.  
Th'Ambassadors did forwards press, renowned Ulysses led,  
And stood in view: their sudden sight, his admiration bred;  
Who with his harp and all arose: so did Menetius son  
When he beheld them: their receipt, Achilles thus begun.   

Health to my Lords: right welcome men, assure yourselves you be; 
Achilles' gentle receipt of Ulysses, A●…ax, etc.   
Though some necessity I know, doth make you visit me,  
Incensed with just cause 'gainst the Greeks. This said, a several seat  
With purple cushions he set forth, and did their ease entreat:  
And said, Now friend, our greatest bowl, with wine unmixed, and neat,  
Appose these Lords; and of the depth, let every man make proof:  
These are my best-esteemed friends, and underneath my roof.   

Patroclus did his dear friends will: and he that did desire 
Principes ips●… 〈◊〉 munera obeunt, ut alibi.   
To cheer the Lords (come faint from fight) set on a blazing fire  
A great brass pot, and into it, a chine of mu●…ton put,  
And fat goats flesh: Automedon, held, while he pieces cut  
To roast and boil, right cunningly: then of a well fed swine,  
A huge fat shoulder he cuts out, and spits it wondrous fine;  
His good friend made a goodly fire: of which the force once past,  
He laid the spit low, near the coals, to make it brown at last:  
Then sprinkled it with sacred salt, and took it from the racks:  
This roasted and on dresser set, his friend Patroclus takes  
Bread in fair baskets; which set on, Achilles brought the meat;  
And to divinest Ithacus, took his opposed seat  
Upon the bench: then did he will, his friend to sacrifice; 
Sacrifice before meat.   
Who cast sweet incense in the fire, to all the Deities.  
Thus fell they to their ready food: hunger and thirst allayed,  
Ajax to Phoenix made a sign, as if too long they stayed,  
Before they told their Legacy. Ulysses saw him wink,  
And (filling the great bowl with wine) did to Achilles' drink.   

Health to Achilles; but our plights, stand not in need of meat, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Who late supped at Atrides tent, though for thy love we eat  
Of many things, whereof a part, would make a complete feast:  
Nor can we joy in these kind rites, that have our hearts oppressed  
(O Prince) with fear of utter spoil: 'tis made a question now  
If we can save our fleet or not, unless thyself endow  
Thy powers with wont fortitude: now Troy and her consorts,  
Bold of thy want, have pitched their tents, close to our fleet and forts;  
And made a firmament of fires; and now no more they say  
Will they be prisoned in their walls, but force their violent way  
Even to our ships; and Io●…e himself, hath with his lightnings showed  
Their bold adu●…ntures happy signs; and Hector grows so proud  
Of his huge strength, borne out by jove, that fearfully he raves;  
Presuming neither men nor Gods, can interrupt his braves.  
Wild rage invades him, and he prays, that soon the sacred morn  
Would light his fury; boasting then, our streamers shall be torn,  
And all our naval ornaments, fall by his conquering stroke;  
Our ships shall burn, and we ourselves, lie stifled in the smoke.  
And I am seriously afraid, heaven will perform his threats;  
And that 'tis fatal to us all, far from our native seats  
To perish in victorious Troy: but rise, though it be late,  
D●…liuer the afflicted Greeks, from Troy's tumultuous hate.  
It will hereafter be thy grief, when no strength can suffice  
To remedy th'effected threats, of our calamities;  
Consider these affairs in time, while thou mayst use thy power,  
And have the grace to turn, from Greece, fates unrecovered hour.  
O friend? thou knowest, thy royal Sire, forewarned what should be done,  
That day he sent thee from his Court, to honour Atreus' son:  
My son (said he) the victory, let jove and Pallas use  
At their high pleasures; but do thou, no honoured means refuse  
That may advance her; in fit bounds, contain thy mighty mind;  
Nor let the knowledge of thy strength, be factiously inclined,  
Contriving mischiefs; be to fame, and general good professed;  
The more will all sorts honour thee; Benignity is best.  
Thus charged thy sire, which thou forgettest: yet now those thoughts appease  
That torture thy great spirit with wrath: which if thou wilt surcease,  
The King will merit it with gifts; (and if thou wilt give ear)  
I'll tell how much he offers thee, yet thou sit'st angry here.  
Seven Tripods that no fire must touch; twice ten pans fit for flame:  
Ten talents of fine gold; twelve horse, that ever overcame,  
And brought huge prizes from the field, with swiftness of their feet:  
That man should bear no poor account, nor want golds quickening sweet,  
That had but what he won with them: seven worthiest Lesbian Dames,  
Renowned for skill in houfwifrie, and bear the sovereign fames,  
For beauty, from their general sex; which at thy overthrow  
Of wel-built Lesbos he did choose; and these he will bestow;  
And with these, her he took from thee, whom (by his state since then)  
He swears he touched not, as fair Dames, use to be touched by men.  
All these are ready for thee now: and if at length we take,  
By helps of Gods, this wealthy town, thy ships shall burden make  
Of gold and brass at thy desires, when we the spoil divide:  
And twenty beauteous Trojan Dames, thou shalt select beside,  
(Next Helen) the most beautiful; and (when returned we be  
To Argos) be his son in law: for he will honour thee  
Like his Oresles, his sole son, maintained in height of bliss:  
Three daughters beautify his Court, the fair Chrysothemis,  
Laodice, and Iphianesse; of all, the fairest take  
To Peleus thy grave father's Court, and never jointure make:  
He will the jointure make himself, so great, as never Sire  
Gave to his daughter's nuptials: seven cities left entire;  
Cardamile, and Enope, and Hyra full of flowers;  
Anthaea, for sweet meadows praised; and Phera, decked with towers;  
The bright Epea; Pedassus, that doth God Bacchus please,  
All on the the Sandie Pylos soil, are seated near the seas:  
Th'inhabitants, in droves and flocks, exceeding wealthy be,  
Who like a God with worthy gifts, will gladly honour thee;  
And tribute of esp●…iall rate, to thy high sceptre pay:  
All this he freely will perform, thy anger to allay.  
But if thy hate to him be more, than his gifts may repress,  
Yet pity all the other Greeks, in such extreme distress;  
Who with religion honour thee: and to their desperate ill,  
Thou shalt triumphant glory bring; and Hector thou mayst kill,  
When pride makes him encounter thee: filled with a baneful spirit,  
Who vaunts, our whole-fleet brought not one, equal to him in fight.   

Swift-foot Aeacides replied: Divine Laertes son, 
Achilles answers Ulysses' Oration.   
'tis requisite I should be short, and show what place hath won  
Thy serious speech: affirming nought, but what you shall approve  
Established in my settled heart; that in the rest I move  
No murmur nor exception: for like hell mouth I loath,  
Who holds not in his words and thoughts, one indistinguisht troth.  
What fits the freeness of my mind, my speech shall make displayed;  
Not Atreus son, nor all the Gr●…eks, shall win me to their aid:  
Their suit is wretchedly enforced, to free their own despairs;  
And my life never shall be hired, with thankless desperate prayers:  
For never had I benefit, that ever foiled the foe;  
Even share hath he that keeps his tent, and he to field doth go;  
With equal honour cowards die, and men most valiant:  
The muc●… performer, and the man, that can of no●…hing vaunt.  
No overplus I ever found, when with my minds most strife,  
To do them good, to dangerous fight, I have exposed my life.  
But even as to unfeatherd birds, the careful dam brings meat,  
Which when she hath bestowed, herself, hath nothing left to eat:  
So when my broken sleeps have drawn, the night's t'extremest length;  
And ended many bloody days, with still-employed strength,  
To guard their weakness: and preserve, their wives contents infract;  
I have been robbed before their eyes; twelve cities I have sacked,  
Assailed by sea; eleven by land, while this siege held at Troy:  
And of all these, what was most dear, and most might crown the joy  
Of Agamemnon, he enjoyed; who here behind remained:  
Which when he took, a few he gave, and many things retained:  
Other, to Optimates and Kings, he gave, who hold them fast;  
Yet mine he forceth; only I, sit with my loss disgraced.  
But so he gain a lovely Dame, to be his bed's delight,  
It is enough; for what cause else, do Greeks and Troyans' fight?  
Why brought he hither such an host? was it not for a Dame?  
For faire-haired Helen? and doth love, alone the hearts inflame  
Of the Atrideses to their wives, of all the men that move?  
Every discreet and honest mind, cares for his private love,  
As much as they: as I myself, loved Brysis as my life,  
Although my captive; and had will, to take her for my wife:  
Whom, since he forced, preventing me; in vain he shall prolong  
Hopes to appease me, that know well, the deepness of my wrong.  
But good Ulysses, with thyself, and all you other Kings,  
Let him take stomach to repel, Troy's fiery threatenings:  
Much hath he done without my help; built him a goodly fort,  
Cut a dike by it, pitched with pales, broad, and of deep import:  
And cannot all these helps repress, this kil-man Hector's fright?  
When I was armed amongst the Greeks', he would not offer fight  
Without the shadow of his walls; but to the Scaean ports,  
Or to the holy Beech of jove, come backed, with his consorts;  
Where once he stood my charge alone, and hardly made retreat;  
And to make new proof of our powers, the doubt is not so great.  
To morrow then with sacrifice, performed t'imperiall jove  
And all the Gods, I'll launch my fleet, and all my men remove;  
Which (if thou wilt use so thy sight, or thinkest it worth respect)  
In forehead of the morn thine eyes, shall see with sails erect  
Amidst the fishie Hellespont, helped with laborious oars:  
And if the sea-god send free sail, the fruitful Pthian shores  
Within three days we shall attain; where I have store of prize,  
Left, when with prejudice I came, to these indignities;  
There have I gold as well as here, and store of ruddy brass,  
Dames slender, elegantly girt, and steel as bright as glass;  
These will I take as I retire, as shares I firmly save;  
Though Agamemnon be so base, to take the gifts he gave.  
Tell him all this, and openly; I on your honours charge,  
That others may take shame to hear, his lusts command so large:  
And if there yet remain a man, he hopeth to deceive,  
(Being died in endless impudence) that man may learn to leave  
His trust and Empire: but alas, though like a wolf he be,  
Shameless and rude; he durst not take, my prize, and look on me.  
I never will partake his works, nor counsels, as before;  
He once deceived, and injured me, and he shall never more  
Tie my affections with his words; enough is the increase  
Of one success in his deceits; which let him joy in peace,  
And bear it to a wretched end; wise Io●…e hath reft his brain,  
To bring him plagues; and these his gifts, I (as my foes) disdain:  
Even in the numbness of calm death, I will revengeful be,  
Though ten or twenty times so much, he would bestow on me:  
All he hath here, or any where; or Orchomen contains,  
To which men bring their wealth for strength; or all the store remains  
In circuit of Egyptian Thebes, where much hid treasure lies,  
Whose walls contain an hundred ports, of so admired a size,  
Two hundred soldiers may, affront, with horse and chariots pass.  
No●…, would ●…e amplify all this, like sand, or dust, or grass;  
Should he reclaim me, till his wreak, paid me for all the pains,  
That with his contumely burnt, like poison in my veins. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Nor shall his daughter be my wife, although she might contend  
With golden Ven●…s for her form; or if she did transcend  
Blew-eyd Min●…a for her works: let him a Greek select  
Fit for her, and a greater King. For if the Gods protect  
My safety to my father's court, he shall choose me a wife.  
Many fair Achive Princesses, of unimpeached life,  
In Helle and in Pthia live, whose Sires do cities hold,  
Of whom I can have whom I will. And more, an hundred ●…old,  
My true mind in my country likes, to take a lawful wife,  
Then in another nation; and there delight my life  
With those goods that my father got, much rather than die here.  
Not all the wealth of wel-built Troy, possessed when peace was there:  
All that Apoll●…s marble Fane, in stony Pythos holds,  
I value equal with the life, that my free breast enfolds.  
Sheep, Oxen, Tripods, crest-deckt horse, though lost, may come again:  
But when the white guard of our teeth, no longer can contain  
Our human soul, away it flies; and once gone, never more  
To her frail mansion any man, can her lost powers restore.  
And therefore since my mother-queen (famed for her silver feet)  
Told me two fates about my death, in my direction meet:  
The one, that if I here remain, t'assist our victory,  
My safe return shall never live, my fame shall never die:  
If my return obtain success, much of my fame decays,  
But death shall linger his approach, and I live many days.  
This being revealed, 'ttwere foolish pride, t'abridge my life for praise.  
Then with myself, I will advise, others to hoist their sail;  
For, 'gainst the height of Ilium, you never shall prevail:  
jove with his hand protecteth it, and makes the soldiers bold.  
This tell the King in every part: for so grave Legates should;  
That they may better counsels use, to save their fleet and friends  
By their own valours; since this course, drowned in my anger ends.  
Phoenix's may in my tent repose; and, in the mo●…e, steer course  
For Pthia, if he think it good; if not, I'll use no force.   

All wondered at his stern reply; and Ph●…nix full of fears,  
His words would be more weak than just, supplied their wants with tears.   

If thy return incline thee thus, (Peleus renowned joy)  
And thou wilt let our ships be burnt, with harmful fire of Troy, 
Phoenix's Oration to A●…hilles.   
Since thou art angry, O my son; how shall I after be  
Alone in these extremes of death, relinquished by thee?  
I, whom thy royal father sent, as orderer of thy force,  
When to Atrides from his Court, he left thee, for this course;  
Yet young, and when in skill of arms, thou didst not so abound;  
Nor hadst the habit of discourse, that makes men so renowned:  
In all which, I was set by him, t'instruct thee as my son,  
That thou mightst speak when speech was fit, and do, when deeds were done;  
Not sit as dumb, for want of words; idle, for skill to move:  
I would not then be left by thee; dear son, begot in love;  
No not if God would promise me, to raze the prints of time  
Carved in my bosom, and my brows; and grace me with the prime  
Of manly youth, as when at first, I left sweet Helles shore  
Decked with fair Dames, and fled the grudge, my angry father bore;  
Who was the fair Amyntor called, surnamed Ormenides: 
Mor●…m 〈◊〉 observat, qu●… de prateritis libe●…ter solent meminisse.   
And for a faire-haird harlot's sake, that his affects could please,  
Contemned my mother his true wife; who ceaseless urged me  
To use his harlot Clytia, and still would clasp my knee  
To do her will; that so my Site, might turn his love to hate  
Of that lewd Dame; converting it, to comfort her esta●….  
At last, I was content to prove, to do my mother good,  
And reconcile my father's love; who strait suspicious stood,  
Pursuing me with many a curse, and to the Furies prayed  
No Dame might love, nor bring me seed: the Deities obeyed  
That govern hell: infernal jove, and stern Persephone.  
Then durst I in no longer date, with my stern fatherbe:  
Yet did my friends, and near allies: enclose me with desires  
Not to departed: killed sheep, bores, beeves; roast them at solemn fires:  
And from my father's tuns we drunk, exceeding store of wine.  
Nine ni●…hts they guarded me by turns; their fires did ceaseless shine,  
One in the porch of his strong hall, and in the portal one,  
Before my chamber: but when day, beneath the tenth night shone,  
I broke my chambers thick-framed doors, and through the hals guard past,  
Unseen of any man or maid. Through Greece, then rich, and vast,  
I fled to Pthia, nurse of sheep: and came to Peleus' Court,  
Who entertained me hearty, and in as gracious sort  
As any Sire his only son; born when his strength is spent,  
And blest with great possessions, to leave to his descent.  
He made me rich, and to my charge, did much command commend:  
I dwelled in th'vt most region, rich Pthia doth extend;  
And governed the Dolopians; and made thee what thou a●…,  
O thou that like the God's art framed: since (dearest to my heart)  
I used thee so, thou lov'dst none else; nor any where wouldst eat,  
Till I had crowned my knee with thee, and karued thee tenderest meat,  
And given thee wine so much, for love, that in thy infancy  
(Which still discretion must protect, and a continual eye)  
My bosom lovingly sustained; the wine thine could not bear:  
Then, now my strength needs thine as much, be mine to thee as dear;  
Much have I suffered for thy love, much laboured, wished much;  
Thinking since I must have no heir, (the God's decrees are such)  
I would adopt thyself my heir: to thee my heart did give  
What any Sire could give his son; in thee I hoped to live:  
O mitigate thy mighty spirits: it fits not one that moves  
The hearts of all, to live unmoved, and succour hates, for loves:  
The Gods themselves are flexible, whose virtues, honours, powers,  
Are more than thine: yet they will bend, their breasts as we bend ours.  
Perfumes, benign devotions, savours of offerings burnt,  
And holy rites, the engines are, with which their hearts are turned,  
By men that pray to them; whose faith, their sins have falsified:  
For, prayers are daughters of great jove; lame, wrinkled, ruddy eyed, 
Prayers, how necessary and helpful: if shunned or neglected, how wreakful.   
And ever following injury; who (strong and sound of feet)  
Flies through the world, afflicting men: believing prayers, yet  
(To all that love that seed of jove) the certain blessing get 
Ioues daughters, and called Lit●….   
To have jove hear, and help them too: but if he shall refuse,  
And stand inflexible to them, they fly to jove, and use  
Their powers against him; that the wrongs, he doth to them, may fall  
On his own head, and pay those pains, whose cure he fails to call.   

Then great Achille●… honour thou, this sacred seed of jove,  
And yield to them; since other men, of greatest minds they move:  
If Agamemnon would not give, the self same gifts he vows,  
But offer other afterwards; and in his stil-bent brows  
Entomb his honour and his word; I would not thus exhort  
(With wrath appeased) thy aid to Greece, though plagued in heaviest sort:  
But, much he presently will give; and after, yield the rest:  
T'assure which, he hath sent to thee, the men thou lovest best,  
And most renowned of all the host, that they might soften thee:  
Then let not both their pains and prayers, lost and despised be.  
Before which, none could reprehend, the tumult of thy heart:  
But now to rest inexpiate, were much too rude a part.  
Of ancient worthies we have heard, when they were more displeased,  
(To their high fames) with gifts and prayers, they have been still appeased.  
For instance, I remember well, a fact performed of old,  
Which to you all my friends I'll tell: The Curets wars did hold 
Another narration, de bello Aetolico.   
With the well-fought Etolians; where mutual lives had end  
About the city Calydon; th'Etolians did defend  
Their flourishing country; which to spoil, the Curets did contend.  
Diana with the golden throne (with Oeneus much incensed,  
Since with his plenteous lands first fruits, she was not reverenced;  
Yet other Gods, with Hecatombs, had feasts; and she alone,  
(Great Ioues bright daughter) left unserved; or by oblivion,  
Or undue knowledge of her dues) much hurt in heart she swore:  
And she enraged, excited much: she sent a sylvan Boar  
From their green groves, with wounding tusks, who usually did spoil 
Aper Calidonius   
King Oeneus fields: his lofty woods, laid prostrate on the soil;  
Rend by the roots, trees fresh, adorned, with fragrant apple flowers:  
Which Meleager (Oeneus son) slew with assembled powers  
Of hunters, and of fiercest hounds; from many cities brought:  
For, such he was, that with few lives, his death could not be bought;  
Heaps of dead humans, by his rage, the funeral piles applied:  
Yet (slain at last) the Goddess stirred, about his head, and hide  
A wondrous tumult; and a war, betwixt the Curets wrought  
And brave Aetolians: all the while, fierce Meleager fought,  
Ill fared the Curets: near the walls, none durst advance his crest  
Though they were many: but when wrath, inflamed his haughty breast,  
(Which oft the firm mind of the wise, with passion doth infest)  
Since twixt his mother Queen and him, arose a deadly strife;  
He left the Court, and privately, lived with his lawful wife:  
Fair Cleopatra, female birth, of bright Marpissas' pain,  
And of Idaeus; who, of all, terrestrial men, did reign  
(At that time) king of fortitude; and, for Marpissas' sake,  
'Gainst wanton Phoebus, king o●… flames, his bow in hand did take,  
Since he had ravished her, his joy; whom her friends, after, gave  
The surname of Alcyone; because they could not save  
Their daughter from halcyons Fate: in Cleopatr as arms  
Lay Meleager, feeding on, his anger for the harms  
His mother prayed might fall on him; who, for her brother slain  
By Meleager, grieved, and prayed, the Gods to wreak her pain,  
With all the horror could be poured, upon her furious birth:  
Still knocked she, with her impious hands, the many-feeding earth,  
To urge stern Pluto and his Queen, t'incline their vengeful ears;  
Fell on her knees, and all her breast, dewed with her fiery tears  
To make them massacre her son; whose wrath enraged her thus.  
Erynnis (wandering through the air) heard, out of Erebus,  
Prayers, fit for her unpleased mind; yet Meleager lay,  
Obscured in fury; then the bruit, of the tumultuous ●…ray,  
Rung through the turrets as they scaled; then came the Aetolian Pee●…es,  
To Meleager with low suits, to rise and free their fears:  
Then sent they the chief Priests of Gods, with offered gifts t'atone  
His differing fu●…ie; bade him ch●…, in sweet-soild Calydon,  
Of the most fat and yeeldie soil, what with an hundred steers,  
Might in a hundred days be plowde; half, that rich vintage bears,  
And half of naked earth to blow: yet yielded not his ire.  
Then to his lofty chamber door, ascends his royal Sire  
With ruthful plaints: shook the strong bars; then came his sister's cries,  
His mother then, and all entreat: yet still more stiff he lies:  
His friends, most reverend, most esteemed; yet none impression took,  
Till the high turrets where he lay, and his strong chamber shook  
With the invading enemy: who now forced dreadful way  
Along the city: then his wife (in pitiful dismay)  
Besought him weeping: telling him, the miseries sustained  
By all the citizens, whose town, the enemy had gained;  
Men slaughtered, children bondslaves made; sweet Ladies forced with l●…st:  
Fires climbing towers, and turning them, to heaps of fruitless dust.  
These dangers softened his steel heart: up the stout Prince arose,  
Endued his body with rich arms, and freed th'Aetolians woes:  
His smothered anger giving air, which gifts did not assuage,  
But his own peril. And because, he did not disengage  
Their lives for gifts, their gifts he lost. But for my sake (dear friend)  
Be not thou bend to see our plights, to these extremes descend,  
Ere thou assist us; be not so, by thy ill angel, turned  
From thine own honour: it were shame, to see our navy burnt,  
And then come with thy timeless aid. For offered presents come,  
And all the Greeks will honour thee, as of celestial room.  
But if without these gifts thou fight, forced by thy private woe,  
Thou wilt be nothing so renowned, though thou repel the foe▪   

Achilles answered the last part, of this oration, thus: 
Achilles to Phoenix.   
Phoenix, renowned and reverend; the honours urged on us  
We need not; jove doth honour me, and to my safety sees,  
And will whiles I retain a spirit, or can command my knees.  
Then do not thou, with tears and woes, impassion my affects,  
Becoming gracious to my foe: nor fits it the respects  
Of thy vowed love, to honour him, that hath dishonoured me;  
Lest such lose kindness lose his heart, that yet is firm to thee.  
It were thy praise to hurt, with me, the hurter of my state;  
Since half my honour and my Realm, thou mayst participate.  
Let these Lords than return th'event; and do thou here repose;  
And when dark sleep breaks with the day; our counsels shall disclose  
The course of our return or stay. This said, he with his eye  
Made to his friend, a covert sign, to hasten instantly  
A good soft bed, that the old Prince, soon as the Peers were gone,  
Might take his rest; when soldier-like, brave Ajax Telamonius  
Spoke to Ulysses, as with thought; Achilles was not worth  
The high direction of his speech; that stood so sternly forth,  
Unmoved with th'Orators: and spoke, not to appease  
Pelides wrath, but to departed: his arguments were these:   

High-issued Laertiades? let us insist no more 
Ai●…x soldier-like speech and fashion.   
On his persuasion; I perceive, the world wo●…d end before  
Our speeches end, in this affair: we must with utmost haste  
Return his answer, though but bad: the Peers are elsewhere placed,  
And will not rise till we return; great Thetis son hath stored  
Proud wrath within him, as his wealth, and will not be implored;  
Rude that he is; nor his friend's love, respects, do what they can:  
Wherein past all, we honoured him. O unremorseful man!  
Another for his brother slain, another for his son,  
Accepts of satisfaction: and he the deed hath done  
Lives in beloved society, long after his amends;  
To which, his foes high heart for gifts, with patience condescends:  
But thee a wild and cruel spirit, the Gods for plague have given,  
And for one girl; of whose fai●…e sex, we come to offer seven,  
The most exempt for excellence, and many a better prize.  
Then put a sweet mind in thy breast, respect thy own allies,  
Though others make thee not remiss: a multitude we are,  
Sprung of thy royal family, and our supremest ca●…e  
Is to be most familiar, and hold most lou●… with thee,  
Of all the Greeks, how great an host, soever here there be.   

He answered; Noble Telamonius, Prince of our soldiers here: 
Achilles' t●… 〈◊〉   
Out of thy heart I know thou speak'st, and as thou hold'st me dear:  
But still as often as I think, how rudely I was used,  
And like a stranger for all rites, fit for our good, refused:  
My heart doth swell against the man, that durst be so profane  
To violate his sacred place: not for my private bane;  
But since wracked virtues general laws, he shameless did infringe:  
For whose sake I will lose the reins, and give mine anger swinge,  
Without my wisdoms least impeach. He is a fool, and base,  
That pities vice-plagued minds, when pain, not love of right gives place.  
And therefore tell your king, my Lords, my just wrath will not care  
For all his cares: before my tents, and navy charged are  
By warlike Hector; making way, through flocks of Grecian lives,  
Enlightened by their naval fire: but when his rage arrives  
About my tent, and sable bark, I doubt not but to shield  
Them and myself: and make him fly, the there-strong bounded field.   

This said, each one but kissed the cup, and to the ships retired,  
Ulysses' first. Patroclus then, the men and maids requi●…'d  
To make grave Phoenix bed with speed, and see he nothing lacks:  
They strait obeyed, and thereon laid, the subtle fruit of flax,  
And warm sheep-fels for covering: and there the old man slept,  
Attending till the golden Morn, her usual station kept.  
Achilles' lay in th'inner room, of his tent richly wrought;  
And that fair Lady by his side, that he from Lesbos brought,  
Bright Diomeda, Phorbas seed: Patroclus did embrace  
The beauteous Iphis, given to him, when his bold friend did race  
The lofty Syrus, that was kept, in Enyeius hold.   

Now at the tent of Atreus son, each man with cups of gold 
Agamemnon to Ulysses.   
Received th'Ambassadors returned; all clustered near to know  
What news they brought: which first the king, would have Ulysses' show.  
Say most praiseworthy Ithacus; the Grecians great renown,  
Will he defend us? or not yet, will his proud stomach down?   

Ulysses' made reply; Not yet, will he appeased be, 
Ulysses' to Ag●…memnon.   
But grows more wrathful, prising light, thy offered gifts and thee;  
And wills thee to consult with us, and take some other course  
To save our army and our fleet: and says, with all his force,  
The morn shall light him on his way, to Pthias wished soil:  
For never shall high-seated Troy, be sacked with all our toil:  
love holds his hand twixt us and it: the soldiers gather heart.  
Thus he replies: which Ajax here, can equally impart,  
And both these Heralds: Phoenix stays, for so was his desire  
To go with him, if he thought good; if not, he might retire.  
All wondered he should be so stern: at last bold Diomedes spoke:   

Would God, Atrides, thy request, were yet to undertake; 
Diomedes to Aga●…non.   
And all thy gifts unofferd him, he's proud enough beside:  
But this embassage thou hast sent, will make him burst with pride.  
But let us suffer him to stay, or go at his desire:  
Fight when his stomach serves him best; or when jove shall inspire:  
Mean while our watch being strongly held, let us a little rest  
After our food: strength lives by both; and virtue is their guest.  
Then, when the rosie-fingerd Morn, holds out her silver light,  
Bring forth thy host, encourage all; and be thou first in fight.   

The kings admired the fortitude, that so divinely moved  
The skilful horseman Diomedes; and his advice approved:  
Then with their nightly sacrifice, each take his several tent;  
Where all received the sovereign gifts, soft Somnus did present.   
The end of the ninth Book.   

THE TENTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

TH'Atrides watching, wake the other Peers:  
And (in the Fort, consulting of their fears)  
Two kings they send, most stout, and honoured most,  
For royal skowts, into the Trojan host:  
Who meeting Dolon (Hector's bribed Spy)  
Take him; and learn, how all the Quarters lie.  
He told them, in the Thracian regiment  
Of rich king Rhesus, and his royal Tent;  
Striving for safety; but they end his strife,  
And rid poor Dolon, of a dangerous life.  
Then with digressive wiles, they 〈◊〉 their force  
On Rhesus life, and take his sno●…e horse.   
Another Argument.  

Kappa the Night exploits applies;  
Rhesus and Dolons' tragedies.   

THe other Princes at their ships, soft fingered sleep did bind,  
But not the General; Somnus silks, bond not his labouring mind, 
Aga●…nons cares.   
That turned, and returned, many thoughts. And as quick lightnings fly 
These are the li●…htnings before snow, etc. that Scalligers Criti●… 〈◊〉 ●…worthily 〈◊〉; citing the place falsely, as in the 3. books annotations, etc.   
From well-deckt- junos' sovereign, out of the thickened sky,  
Preparing some exceeding rain, or hail, the fruit of cold:  
Or downe-like Snow, that suddenly, makes all the fields look old;  
Or opes the gulfie mouth of war, with his ensulphured hand  
In dazzling flashes, poured from clouds, on any punished land:  
So from Atrides troubled heart, through his dark sorrows, flew  
Redoubled sighs: his entrails shook, as often as his view  
Admired the multitude of fires, that gilded the Phrygian shade,  
And heard the sounds of mischiefs, and shawms, and tumults so●…ldiers made.  
But when he saw his fleet and host, kneel to his care and love,  
He rend his hair up by the roots, as sacrifice to jove:  
Burnt in his fiery sighs, still breathed, out of his royal heart;  
And first thought good, to Nestor's care, his sorrows to impart:  
To try if royal diligence, with his approved advise,  
Might fashion counsels, to prevent, their threatened miseries.   

So up he rose, attired himself, and to his strong feet tied 
Aga●…nons habit rising in the night.   
Rich shoes, and cast upon his back, a ruddy Lions hide,  
So ample, it his ankles reached: then took his royal spear. 
He wearing a Lio●…s hide.    

Like him was Menelaus pierced, with an industrious fear,  
Nor sat sweet slumber on his eyes; lest bitter Fates should quite  
The Greeks' high favours, that for him, resolved such endless fight. 
〈◊〉 a ●…eopards.   
And first a freckled Panthers hide, hide his broad back athwart:  
His head, his brazen helm did arm; his able hand his dart;  
Then made he all his haste to raise, his brother's head as rare,  
That he who most excelled in rule, might help t'effect his care.  
He found him at his ships crookt-sterne, adorning him with arms;  
Who joyed to see his brother's spirits, awaked without alarms:  
Well weighing th'importance of the time. And first the younger spoke:   

Why brother, are ye arming thus? is it to undertake 
Menelaus' to Agamemnon.   
The sending of some venturous Greek, t'explore the foes intent?  
Alas I greatly fear, not one, will give that work consent,  
Exposed alone to all the fears, that flow in gloomy night:  
He that doth this, must know death well; in which ends every fright.   

Brother (said he) in these affairs, we both must use advice; 
Agamemnon to Menelaus.   
jove is against us, and accepts, great Hector's sacrifice;  
For I have never seen, nor heard, in one day, and by one,  
So many high attempts well urged, as Hector's power hath done  
Against the hapless sons of Greece: being chief dear to jove;  
And without cause; being neither fruit, of any Goddess love,  
Nor helpful God: and yet I fear, the deepness of his hand  
Ere it be raced out of our thoughts, will many years withstand.  
But brother, hie thee to thy ships, and Idomen disease  
With warklike Ajax: I will haste, to grave Neleides;  
Exhorting him to rise, and give, the sacred watch command;  
For they will specially embrace, incitement at his hand;  
And now his son, their captain is; and Idomens' good friend  
Bold Merion; to whose discharge, we did that charge commend.   

Commandest thou then (his brother asked) that I shall tarry h●…re  
Attending thy resolved approach, or else the message bear  
And quickly make return to thee? He answered: Rather stay, 
Directions for command in wars extremity.   
Lest otherwise we fail to meet: for many a different way  
Lies through our labyrinthian host; speak ever as you go;  
Command strong watch; from Sire to son, urge all t'observe the foe;  
Familiarly, and with their praise, exciting every eye;  
Not with unseasoned violence, of proud authority.  
We must our patience exercise, and work, ourselves with them,  
jove in our births combined such care, to either's Diadem.   

Thus he dismissed him, knowing well, his charge before he went,  
Himself to Nestor, whom he found, in bed within his tent: 
N●…tors arms, and readiness to use them.   
By him, his damask curets hung, his shield, a pair of darts;  
His shining cask, his arming waste: in these he led the hearts  
Of his apt soldiers to sharp war, not yielding to his years.  
He quickly started from his bed, when to his watchful ears  
Untimely feet told some approach: he took his lance in hand,  
And spoke to him; Ho, what art thou? that walkest at midnight? stand;  
Is any wanting at the guards? or lackest thou any Peer?  
Speak, come not silent towards me: say what intendest thou hear?   

He answered, O Neleides, grave honour of our host: 
〈◊〉 to Nestor.   
'tis Agamemnon thou mayst know, whom jove afflicteth most  
Of all the wretched men that live; and will, whilst any breath  
Gives motion to my toiled limbs, and bears me up from death.  
I walk the round thus, since sweet sleep, cannot enclose mine eyes,  
Nor shut those Organs care breaks open, for our calamities.  
My fear is vehement for the Greeks: my heart (the fount of heat)  
With his extreme affects, made cold; without my breast doth beat;  
And therefore are my sinews struck, with trembling: every part  
Of what my friends may feel, hath act, in my dispersed heart.  
But if thou thinkest of any course, may to our good redound,  
(Since neither thou thyself canst sleep) come, walk with me the round;  
In way whereof we may confer, and look to every guard:  
Lest watching long, and weariness, with labouring so hard,  
D●…owne their oppressed memories, of what they have in charge.  
The liberty we give the foe, (alas) is over large;  
Their camp is almost mixed with ours; and we have forth noispies,  
To learn their drifts; who may perchance, this night intent surprise.   

Grave Nestor answered: Worthy king, let good hearts bear our ill: 
Nestor to Agamem●…n.   
jove is not bound to perfect all, this busy Hector's will;  
But I am confidently given, his thoughts are much dismayed  
With fear, lest our distress incite, Achilles to our aid:  
And therefore will not tempt his fate, nor ours with further pride.  
But I will gladly follow thee, and stir up more beside:  
Tydides', famous for his lance; Ulysses, Telamonius,  
And bold Phyleus valiant heir: or else if any one  
Would haste to call king Idomen, and Ajax, since their sail  
Lie so removed; with much good speed, it might our haste avail.  
But (though he be our honoured friend,) thy brother I will blame,  
Not fearing if I anger thee: it is his utter shame  
He should commit all pains to thee, that should himself employ,  
Past all our Princes, in the care, and cure of our annoy;  
And be so far from needing spurs, to these his due respects,  
He should apply our spirits himself, with prayers, and urged affects.  
Necessity (a law to laws, and not to be endured)  
Makes proof of all his faculties; not sound, if not enured.   

Good father (said the king) sometimes, you know I have desired 
Agamemnon's excuse of hi●… brother.   
You would improve his negligence, too oft to ease retired:  
Nor is it for defect of spirit, or compass of his brain,  
But with observing my estate, he thinks, he should abstain  
Till I commanded, knowing my place: unwilling to assume,  
For being my brother, any thing, might prove he did presume.  
But now he rose before me far, and came, t'avoid delays:  
And I have sent him for the man, yourself desired to raise:  
Come, we shall find them at the guards, we placed before the fort:  
For thither my direction was, they should with speed resort.   

Why now (said Nestor) none will grudge, nor his just rule withstand;  
Examples make excitements strong, and sweeten a command.   

Thus put he on his arming truss, fair shoes upon his feet,  
About him a mandilion, that did with buttons meet,  
Of purple, large, and full of folds; curled with a warmefull nap;  
A garment that 'gainst cold in nights, did soldiers use to wrap:  
Then took he his strong lance in hand; made sharp with proved steel,  
And went along the Grecian fleet. First at Ulysses' keel,  
He called; to break the silken fumes, that did his senses bind:  
The voice through th'Organs of his ears, strait rung about his mind.  
Forth came Ulysses, ask him; Why stir ye thus so late? 
Ulysses' to Agamemnon and Nestor.   
Sustain we such enforcive cause? He answered, Our estate  
Doth force this perturbation; vouchsafe it worthy friend, 
N●…or to Ulysses.   
And come, let us excite one more, to counsel of some end  
To our extremes, by fight, or flight. He, back, and took his shield,  
And both took course to Diomedes; they found him laid in field 
The manner of Diomedes' loggi●….   
far from his tent: his armour by; about him was dispread  
A ring of soldiers; every man, his shield beneath his head:  
His spear fixed by him as he slept, the great end in the ground:  
The point, that bristled the dark earth, cast a reflection round,  
Like pallid lightnings thrown from jove; thus this Hero lay,  
And under him a big Ox hide: his royal head had stay  
On Arras hangings, rolled up: whereon he slept so fast,  
That Nestor stirred him with his foot, and chid to see him cast 
Nestor chideth Diomed.   
In such deep sleep, in such deep wo●…s: and asked him why he spent  
All night in sleep, or did not hear, the Tr●…ans near his tent?  
Their Camp drawn close upon their dike, small space twixt foes and foes?   

He, starting up, said, Strange old man, that never tak'st repos●…; 
Diomedes to Nestor.   
Thou art too patiented of our toil; have we not men more young,  
To be employed from king to king? thine age hath too much wrong.   

Said like a king, replied the Sire: for I have sons renowned; 
Nestor to him. Note the life of these representations.   
And there are many other men, might go this toilsome round:  
But you must see, imperious Need, hath all at her command:  
Now on the eager razors edge, for life or death we stand. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪ T●… went into a Proverb, used by T●…critus, in Dioscaris D●…caris of H●…mer.   
Then go (thou art the younger man,) and if thou love my ease,  
Call swift▪ foot Ajax up thyself, and young Phyleides.   

This said, he on his shoulders cast, a yellow Lions hide,  
Big, and reached earth; then took his spear; and Nestor's will applied:  
Raised the Heroes, brought them both. All met, the round they went,  
And found not any captain there, asleep or negligent:  
But waking, and in arms, gave ear, to every lowest sound.  
And as keen dogs, keep sheep in Cotes, or folds, of Hurdles bound: 
Simile.   
And grin at every breach of air, envious of all that moves:  
Still listening when the ravenous beast, stalks through the hilly groves▪  
Than men and dogs stand on their guards, and mighty tumults make,  
Sleep wanting weight to close one wink: so did the Captains wake,  
That kept the watch the whole sad night: all with intentive ear  
Converted to the enemy's tents, that they might timely hear  
If they were stirring to surprise: which Nestor joyed to see.   

Why so (dear sons) maintain your watch; sleep not a wink (said he)  
Rather than make your fames, the scorn, of Trojan perjury. 
N●…●…o the ●…ds.    

This said, he foremost past the dike, the others seconded;  
Even all the kings that had been called, to counsel, from the bed:  
And with them went Meriones, and Nestor's famous son:  
For both were called by all the kings, to consultation.  
Beyond the dike they choosed a place, near as they could from blood;  
Where yet appeared the false of some, and whence (the crimson flood  
Of Grecian lives being poured on earth, by Hector's furious chase)  
He made retreat, when night repoured, grim darkness in his face.  
There sat they down, and Nestor spoke: O friends remains not one, 
N●…●…o the Gre●… Princes   
That will rely on his bold mind, and view the camp alone,  
Of the proud Troyans'? to approve, if any straggling mate  
He can surprise near th'utmost tents; or learn the brief estate  
Of their intentions for the time, and mix like one of them  
With their outguards, expiscating, if the renowned extreme,  
They force on us, will serve their turns; with glory to retire,  
Or still encamp thus far from Troy? This may he well inquire▪  
And make a brave retreat untouched; and this would win him fame  
Of all men canapied with heaven; and every man of name  
In all this host shall honour him, with an enriching meed;  
A black Ewe and her sucking Lamb, (rewards that now exceed  
All other best possessions, in all men's choice requests)  
And still be bidden by our kings, to kind and royal feasts.   

All reverenced one another's worth; and none would silence break,  
Lest worst should take best place of speech: at last did Diomedes speak: 
Dio●…●…o N●…stor.    

Nestor, thou ask'st if no man here, have heart so well inclined  
To work this stratagem on Troy: yes, I have such a mind:  
Yet if some other Prince would join; more probable will be  
The strengthened hope of our exploit▪ two may together see  
(One going before another still) sly danger every way;  
One spirit upon another works; and takes with firmer stay  
The benefit of all his powers: for though one knew his course,  
Yet might he well distrust himself; which th' other might enforce.   

This offer every man assumed, all would with Diomedes go:  
The two Aiaces, Merion, and Menelaus too:  
But Nestor's son enforced it much, and hardy Ithacus,  
Who had to every venturous deed, a mind as venturous.   

Amongst all these, thus spoke the king; Tydides', most beloved▪ 
The gr●…●…unsell of Agamem●…on to Diomed.   
Choose thy associate worthily; a man the most approved  
For use and strength in these extremes. Many tho●…●…st stand forth:  
But choose not thou by height of place, but by regard of worth▪  
Lest with thy nice respect of right, to any m●…ns degr●…▪  
Thou wrong'st thy venture, choosing one, lest fit to join with thee▪  
Although perhaps a greater king: this spoke he with suspect,  
That Diomedes (for honours sake) ●…is brother would select.   

Then said Tydides'; Since thou giv'st, my judgement leave to choose,  
How can it so much truth forget, Ulysses to refuse? 
Di●… c●… of Ulysses.   
That bears a mind so most exempt, and vigorous in th'effect▪  
Of all high labours, and a man, Pallas doth most respect?  
We shall return through burning fire, if I with him combine:  
He sets strength in so true a course, with counsels so divine.   

Ulysses' loath to be esteemed, a lover of his praise,  
With such exceptions humbled him, as did him higher raise: 
Ulysses' m●…destie in accepting.   
And said; Tydides' praise me not, more than free truth will bear,  
Nor yet impair me: they are Greeks, that give judicial ear.  
But come, the morning hasts; the stars, are forward in their course,  
Two parts of night are past; the third, is left t'employ our force.  
Now borrowed they, for haste, some arms: bold Thrasymedes lent 
The expl●…rators armed.   
Adventurous Diomedes his sword, (his own was at his tent)  
His shield, and helm, tough and well tanned, without or plume or crest,  
And called a murrion; archers heads, it used to invest.  
Meriones lent Ithacus, his quiver and his bow;  
His helmet fashioned of a hide: the workman did bestow  
Much labour in it, quilting it, with bowstrings; and without,  
With snowy tusks of white-mouthd Boars, 'twas armed round about  
Right cunningly: and in the midst, an arming cap was placed,  
That with the fixed ends of the tusks, his head might not be raced.  
This (long since) by Autolycus, was brought from Eleon,  
When he laid waste Amyntors' house, that was Ormenus son.  
In Scandia, to Cytherius, surnamed Amphydamas,  
Autolycus did give this helm: he, when he feasted was  
By honoured Molus, gave it him, as present of a guest:  
Molus to his son Merion, did make it his bequest.  
With this Ulysses armed his head; and thus they (both addressed) 
A●…gurium ex cant●… Arde●….   
took leave of all the other kings: to them a glad ostent,  
(As they were entering on their way) Minerva did present,  
A Heronshaw consecrate to her; which they could ill discern  
Through sable night: but by her clang, they knew it was a Herne.  
Ulysses' joyed, and thus inuoked: Hear me great seed of jove, 
Ulysses in●…oketh Palla●….   
That ever dost my labours grace, with presence of thy love:  
And all my motions dost attend; still love me (sacred Dame)  
Especially in this exploit, and so protect our fame,  
We both may safely make retreat, and thriftily employ  
Out boldness in some great affair, baneful to them of Troy.   

Then prayed illustrate Diomedes: Vouchsafe me likewise ear, 
Diomedes to Pall●….   
O thou unconquerd Queen of arms: be with thy favours near,  
As to my royal father's steps, thou went'st a bounteous guide,  
When th' Achives, and the Peers of Thebes, he would have pacified,  
Sent as the Greeks Ambassador, and left them at the flood  
Of great Aesopus; whose retreat, thou mad'st to swim in blood  
Of his enambusht enemies: and if thou so protect  
My bold endeavours; to thy name, an Heiffer, most select,  
That never yet was tamed with yoke, broad fronted, one year old,  
I'll burn in zealous sacrifice, and set the horns in gold.   

The Goddess heard, and both the kings, their dreadless passage bore,  
Through slaughter, slaughtered carcases; arms; and discolord gore.   

Nor Hector let his Prince's sleep, but all to counsel called:  
And asked, What one is here will vow, and keep it unap pald, 
H●…tor to the 〈◊〉.   
To have a gift fit for his deed; a chariot and two horse,  
That pass for speed the rest of Greece? what one dares take take this course,  
For his renown (besides his gifts) to mix amongst the foe,  
And learn if still they hold their guards? or with this overthrow  
Determine flight, as being too weak, to hold us longer war?   

All silent stood, at last stood forth, one Dolon, that did dare 
Dol●… offers to be explorat●…r.   
This dangerous work; Eumedes heir, a Herald much renowned:  
This Dolon did in gold and brass, exceedingly abound;  
But in his form was quite deformed; yet passing swift to run:  
Amongst five sisters he was left, Eumedes only son;  
And he told Hector, his free heart, would undertake t'explore  
The Greeks intentions; but (said he) thou shalt be sworn before,  
By this thy sceptre, that the horse, of great Aeacides  
And his strong chariot, bound with brass, thou wilt (before all these)  
Resign me as my valour's prize: and so I rest unmoved  
To be thy spy, and not return, before I have approved  
(By venturing to Atrides ship, where their consults are held)  
If they resolve still to resist; or fly, as quite expelled.   

He put his sceptre in his hand, and called the thunder's God 
Hector swears to D●…lon.   
(Saturnias' husband to his oath, those horse should not bero de  
By any other man than he; but he for ever joy  
(To his renown) their services, for his good done to Troy.  
Thus swore he, and forswore himself; yet made base Dolon bold: 
Dolon arms.   
Who on his shoulders hung his bow, and did about him fold  
A white wolves hide; and with a helm, of weasels skins did arm  
His weasels head; then took his dart, and never tu●…d to harm  
The Greeks with their related drifts: but being past the troops  
Of horse and foot, he promptly runs; and as he runs he stoops  
To undermine Achilles' horse; Ulysses strait did see,  
And said to Diomedes; this man, makes footing towards thee,  
Out of the tents; I know not well, if he be used as spy 
Ulysses' to Di●…med.   
Bend to our fleet; or come to rob, the slaughtered enemy.  
But let us suffer him to come, a little further on,  
And then pursue him. If it chance, that we be overgone  
By his more swiftness; urge him still, to run upon our fleet,  
And (left he scape us to the town) still let thy javeline meet  
With all his offers of retreat. Thus stepped they from the plain  
Amongst the slaughtered carcases; Dolon came on amain,  
Suspecting nothing; but once past, as far as Mules outdraw  
Oxen at plough; being both put on, neither admitted law,  
To blow a deep soiled furrow forth; so far was Dolon past;  
Then they pursued, which he perceived, and stayed his speedless haste;  
Subtly supposing Hector sent, to countermand his spy:  
But in a javelins throw or less, he knew them enemy.  
Then laid he on his nimble knees; and they pursued like wind.  
As when a brace of greyhounds are, laid in, with Hare or Hind; 
Simile.   
Close-mouthed, and skilled to make the best, of their industrious course;  
Serve either's turn, and set on hard; lose neither ground nor force:  
So constantly did Tydeus son, and his towne-razing Peer,  
Pursue this spy; still turning him, as he was winding near  
His covert: till he almost mixed, with their out-courts of guard.   

Then Pallas prompted Diomedes, lest his due worths reward 
Diomedes to Dolon.   
Should be empaird, if any man, did vaunt he first did sheathe  
His sword in him, and he be called, but second in his death:  
Then spoke he (threatening with his lance,) or stay, or this comes on,  
And long thou canst not run, before, thou be by death outgone.   

This said, he threw his javeline forth: which mist, (as Diomedes would)  
Above his right arm making way; the pile stuck in the mould:  
He stayed and trembled, and his teeth, did chatter in his head.  
They came in blowing, seized him fast; he, weeping, offered 
D●…lons surprise and offer.   
A wealthy ransom for his life, and told them he had brass,  
Much gold, and iron, that fit for use, in many labours was;  
From whose rich heaps his father would, a wondrous portion give,  
If, at the great Achaean fleet, he heard his son did live.   

Ulysses' bad him cheer his heart. Think not of death, said he, 
Ulysses' to Dolon.   
But tell us true, why run'st thou forth, when others sleeping be?  
Is it to spoil the carcases? or art thou choicely sent,  
T'explore our drifts? or of thyself, seekest thou some wished event?   

He trembling answered: Much reward, did Hector's oath propose, 
Dolons' answer.   
And urged me much against my will, t'indeuour to disclose,  
If you determined still to stay, or bent your course for flight,  
As all dismayed with your late foil, and wearied with the fight:  
For which exploit, Pelides horse, and chariot, he did swear  
I only ever should enjoy. Ulysses smiled to hear  
So base a swain have any hope, so high a prize t'aspire; 
Ulysses' to Dolon.   
And said, his labours did affect, a great and precious hire:  
And that the horse Pelides reined, no mortal hand could use  
But he himself; whose matchless life, a Goddess did produce.  
But tell us, and report but truth, where lef●…st thou Hector now?  
Where are his arms? his famous horse? on whom doth he bestow  
The watch's charge? where sleep the Kings? intent they still to lie  
Thus near encamped? or turn suffisd, with their late victory?   

All this, said he, I'll tell most true. At Ilus monument 
Dolons' relation.   
Hector with all our Princes sits, t'advise of this event;  
Who choose that place removed, to shnn, the rude confused sounds  
The common soldiers throw about: but, for our watch, and rounds,  
Whereof (brave Lord) thou makest demand; none orderly we keep:  
The Troyans' that have roofs to save, only abandon sleep,  
And privately without command, each other they exhort  
To make prevention of the worst; and in this slender sort  
Is watch, and guard maintained with us. Th'auxiliary bands  
Sleep sound, and commit their cares, into the Troyans' hands;  
For they have neither wives with them, nor children to protect;  
The less they need to care, the more, they secure dull neglect.   

But tell me (said wise Ithacus,) are all these foreign powers 
Ithac●….   
Appointed quarters by themselves, or else commixed with yours? 
Dol●….    

And this (said Dolon) too (my Lords,) I'll seriously unfold:  
The Paeons with the crooked bows, and Cares, quarters hold  
Next to the sea; the Leieges, and Caucons joined with them,  
And brave Pelasgians; Thimbers mead, removed more from the stream,  
Is quarter to the Licians; the lofty Misian force;  
The Phrygians and Meonians, that fight with armed horse.  
But what need these particulars? if ye intent surprise  
Of any in our Trojan camp; the Thracian quarter lies  
Utmost of all, and uncommixt, with Trojan regiments,  
That keep the voluntary watch: new pitched are all their tents.  
King Rhesus, Eioneus son, commands them; who hath steeds  
More white than snow, huge, and well shaped; their fiery pace exceeds 
Virgilianum.   
The winds in swiftness: these I saw: his Chariot is with gold  
And pallid silver richly framed, and wondrous to behold.  
His great and golden armour is, not fit a man should wear;  
But for immortal shoulders framed: come then, and quickly bear  
Your happy prisoner to your fleet: or leave him here fast bound  
Till your well urged and rich return, prove my relation sound.   

Tydides' dreadfully replied: Think not of passage thus, 
Diomedes' stern●… r●…ply to Dolon.   
Though of right acceptable news, thou hast advertisde us;  
Our hands are holds more strict than so: and should we set thee free  
For offered ransom; for this escape, thou still wouldst scouting be  
About our ships; or do us scathe, in plain opposed arms;  
But if I take thy life, no way, can we repent thy harms.   

With this, as Dolon reached his hand, to use a suppliants part, 
Dolons' slaughter by Diomed.   
And struck the beard of Diomedes; he struck his neck athwart,  
With his forced sword; and both the nerves, he did in sunder wound;  
And suddenly his head, deceived, fell speaking on the ground:  
His wesels helm they took, his bow, his wolves skin, and his lance;  
Which to Minerva, Ithacus, did zealously advance  
With lifted arm into the air; and to her thus he spoke;   

Goddess, triumph in thine own spoils: to thee we first will make 
Ulysses offers Dolons' arms to Pallas.   
Our invocations, of all powers, throned on th'Olympian hill;  
Now to the Thracians, and their horse, and beds, conduct us still.  
With this, he hung them up aloft, upon a Tamricke bow,  
As eyefull Trophies: and the sprigs, that did about it grow,  
He proined from the levy arms, to make it easier viewed,  
When they should hastily retire, and be perhaps pursued.  
Forth went they, through black blood and arms; and presently aspired  
The guardlesse Thracian regiment, fast bound with sleep, and tired▪  
Their arms lay by, and triple ranks, they as they slept did keep,  
As they should watch and guard their king; who, in a fatal sleep,  
Lay in the midst; their chariot horse, as they coach fellows were,  
Fed by them; and the famous steeds, that did their General bear,  
Stood next him, to the hinder part, of his rich chariot tied. 
Ulysses' to Diomedes.   
Vyss●…s saw them first, and said: Tydides', I have spied  
The horse that Dolon (whom we slew) assured us we should see:  
Now use thy strength; now idle arms, are most unfit for thee:  
Prise thou the horse; or kill the guard; and leave the horse to me.   

Miner●…a with the Azure eyes, breathed strength into her King,  
Who filled the tent with mixed death: the souls, he set on wing,  
Issued in groans, and made air swell, into her stormy flood:  
Horror, and slaughter had one power; the earth did blush with blood.  
As when a hungry Lion flies, with purpose to devour  
On flocks unkept, and on their lives, doth freely use his power:  
So Tydeus son assailed the foe; twelve souls before him flew;  
Ulysses waited on his sword; and ever as he slew,  
He drew them by their strengthless heels, out of the horses sight;  
That when he was to lead them forth, they should not with affright  
Bogle, nor snore, in treading on, the bloody carcases;  
For being new come, they were unused, to such stern sights as these.  
Through four ranks now did Diomedes, the king himself attain; 
Diomedes slaughters Rhesu●… king of Thrace.   
Who (snoring in his sweetest sleep) was like his soldiers slain.  
An ill dream by Minerva sent, that night, stood by his head,  
Which was Oenides royal son, unconquered Diomed.   

Mean while Ulysses loosed his horse; took all their rains in hand,  
And led them forth: but Tydeus son, did in contention stand  
With his great mind, to do some deed, of more audacity;  
If he should take the chariot, where his rich arms did lie,  
And draw it by the beam away, or bear it on his back;  
Or if of more dull Thracian lives, he should their bosoms sack.   

In this contention with himself, Minerva did suggest, 
Mineru●… to Diomedes.   
And bade him think of his retreat; lest from their tempted rest,  
Some other God should stir the foe, and send him back dismayed.   

He knew the voice; took horse, and fled; the Troyans' heavenly aid  
(Apollo with the silver bow) stood no blind sentinel  
To their secure and drowsy host; but did discover well  
Minerva following Diomedes; and angry with his act,  
The mighty host of Ilium, he entered; and awaked  
The cousin german of the king, a counsellor of Thrace,  
Hopocoon; who when he rose; and saw the desert place  
Where Rhesus horse did use to stand, and th' other dismal harms,  
Men struggling with the pangs of death; he shrieked out thick alarms; 
Al●…rmes amongst the Troyans'.   
Called Rhesus? Rhesus? but in vain: then still, arm, arm, he cried:  
The noise and tumult was extreme, on every startled side  
Of Troy's huge host; from whence in throngs, all gathered and admired,  
Who could perform such harmful facts, and yet be safe retired.   

Now, coming where they slew the scout, Ulysses stayed the steeds;  
Tydides' lighted, and the spoils (hung on the Tamricke reeds)  
He took and gave to Ithacus; and up he got again;  
Then flew they joyful to their fleet: Nestor did first attain  
The sounds the horse hooves struck through air, and said; My royal Peers? 
Nestor to the Greeks.   
Do I but dote? or say I true? me thinks about mine ears  
The sounds of running horses beat. O would to God they were  
Our friends thus soon returned with spoils: but I have hearty fear,  
Lest this high tumult of the foe, doth their distress intend.  
He scarce had spoke, when they were come: Both did from horse descend,  
All, with embraces and sweet words, to heaven their worth did raise.  
Then Nestor spoke; Great Ithachus, even heaped with Grecian praise;  
How have you made these horse your prize? pierced you the dangerous host,  
Where such gems stand? or did some God, your high attempts accost,  
And honoured you with this reward? why, they be like the Rays  
T●…e Sun effuseth. I have mixed, with Troyans' all my days;  
And now, I hope you will not say, I always lie aboard  
Though an old soldier I confess: yet did all Troy afford  
Never the like to any sense, that ever I possessed;  
But some good God, no doubt, hath met, and your high valours blest:  
For he that shadows heaven with clouds, loves both, as his delights:  
And she that supples earth with blood, can not forbear your sights.   

Ulysses' answered, Honoured Sire, the willing Gods can give 
Ulysses' to Nestor.   
Horse much more worth, than these men yield, since in more power they live:  
These horse are of the Thracian breed; their king Tydides' slew,  
And twelve of his most trusted guard: and of that meaner crew  
A skowt for thirteenth man we killed, whom Hector sent to spy  
The whole estate of our designs, if bent to fight or fly.   

Thus (followed with whole troops of friends,) they with applauses past  
The spacious dike, and in the tent, of Diomedes they placed  
The horse without contention, as his deservings meed:  
Which (with his other horse set up) on yellow wheat did feed.  
Poor Dolons' spoils Ulysses had; who shrined them on his stern,  
As trophies vowed to her that sent, the good aboding Herne.   

Th●…n entered they the mere main sea, to cleanse their honoured sweat  
From off their feet, their thighs and necks: and when their vehement heat  
Was calmed, and their swollen hearts refreshed; more curious baths they used;  
Where odorous and dissolving Oils, they through their limbs diffused.  
Then, taking breakfast, a big bowl, filled with the purest wine,  
They offered to the maiden Queen, that hath the azure eyen.   
The end of the tenth Book.   

THE ELEVENTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

ATrides and his other Peers of name,  
Lead forth their men; whom Eris doth inflame.  
Hector (by Iris charge) takes deedless breath,  
Whiles Agamemnon plies the work of death:  
Who with the first bears his imperial head.  
Himself, Ulysses, and King Diomedes,  
Euripylus, and Aesculapius son,  
(Enforced with wounds) the furious skirmish shun.  
Which martial sight, when great Achilles views,  
A little his desire of fight renews:  
And forth he sends his friend, to bring him word  
From old Neleides, what wounded Lord  
He in his chariot from the skirmish brought:  
Which was Machaon. Nestor then besought  
He would persuade his friend to wreak their harms,  
Or come himself, decked in his dreadful arms.   
Another Argument.  

Lambda presents the General,  
In fight the worthiest man of all.   

AVrora, out of restful bed, did from bright Tithon rise,  
To bring each deathless essence light, and use, to mortal eyes;  
When jove sent Eris to the Greeks', sustaining in her hand  
Stern signs of her designs for war: she took her horrid stand  
Upon Ulysses' huge black Bark, that did at anchor ride,  
Amidst the fleet; from whence her sounds, might ring on every side;  
Both to the tents of Telamonius, and th'author's of their smarts;  
Who held, for fortitude and force, the navies utmost parts.   

The red-eyd Goddess seated there, thundered th'Orthian song, 
Eris (contention) sings and excites the Gr●…cians.   
High, and with horror, through the ears, of all the Grecian throng;  
Her verse with spirits invincible, did all their breasts inspire;  
Blew out all darkness from their limbs, and set their hearts on fire;  
And presently was bitter war, more sweet a thousand times  
Then any choice in hollow keels, to greet their natiu climes.   

Atrides summoned all to arms; to arms himself disposed: 
Agamemnon's arms for the ●…eld.   
First on his legs he put bright Greaves, with silver buttons closed;  
Then with rich Cuirass armed his breast, which Cyniras' bestowed  
To gratify his royal guest; for even to Cyprus flowed  
Th'unbounded fame of those designs, the Greeks proposed for Tr●…y;  
And therefore gave he him those arms, and wished his purpose joy.  
Ten rows of azure mixed with black: twelve golden like the Sun:  
Twice ten of tin, in beaten paths, did through this armour run.  
Three serpents to the gorget crept, that like three rainbows shined,  
Such as by jove are fixed in clouds, when wonders are divined.  
About his shoulders hung his sword; whereof the hollow hilt  
Was fashioned all with shining bars, exceeding richly gilded:  
The scabbard was of silver plate, with golden hangers graced:  
Then took he up his weigh●…ie shield, that round about him cast  
D●…fensiue shadows: ten bright zones, of gold-affecting brass  
Were driven about it; and of tin (as full of gloss as glass)  
Swelled twenty bosses out of it: in centre of them all,  
One of black metal had engraven (full of extreme appall)  
An ugly Gorgon, compassed, with Terror and with Fear:  
At it, a silver Bawdricke hung, with which he used to bear  
(Wound on his arm) his ample shield; and in it there was woven  
An azure Dragon, curled in folds; from whose one neck, was cloven  
Three heads contorted in an orb: then placed he on his head  
His foure-plumed cask; and in his hands, two darts he managed,  
Armed with bright steel, that blazed to heaven: then juno and the maid  
That conquers Empires; trumpets served, to summon out their aid,  
In honour of the General: and on a sable cloud  
(To bring them furious to the field) sat thundering out aloud.   

Then all enjoined their charioteers, to rank their chariot horse  
Close to the dike: forth marched the foot; whose front they did reinforce  
With some horse troops: the battle then, was all of Charioteers,  
Lined with light horse: but jupiter, disturbed this form with fears;  
And from airs upper region, did bloody vapours rain;  
For sad ostent, much noble life, should ere their times be slain.  
The Trojan host, at Ilus tomb, was in Battalia led  
By Hector and Polydamas, and old Anchises seed,  
Who Godlike was esteemed in Troy; by grave Antenor's race,  
Divine Agenor, Polybus, unmarried Acamas,  
Proportioned like the states of heaven: in front of all the field,  
Troy's great Priamides did bear, his all▪ wayes-equall shield,  
Still plying th'ordering of his power. And as amids the sky 
Simile.   
We sometimes see an ominous star, blaze clear and dreadfully,  
Then run his golden head in clouds, and strait appear again:  
So Hector otherwhiles did grace, the vanguard, shining plain;  
Then in the rereguard hide himself, and laboured every where,  
To order and encourage all: his armour was so clear,  
And he applied each place so fast; that like a lightning thrown  
Out of the shield of jupiter, in every eye he shone.  
And as upon a rich man's crop, of barley or of wheat, 
An●…ther c●…parison.   
(Opposed for swiftness at their work,) a sort of reapers sweat,  
Bear down the furrows speedily, and thick their handfuls fall:  
So at the joining of the hosts, ran Slaughter through them all;  
None stooped to any fainting thought, of foul inglorious flight,  
But equal bore they up their heads, and fared like wolves in fight:  
Stern Eris, with such weeping sights, rejoiced to feed her eyes;  
Who only show'd herself in field, of all the Deities.  
The other in Olympus' tops, sat silent, and repined,  
That jove to do the Troyans' grace, should bear so fixed a mind.  
He cared not, but (enthroned apart) triumphant sat in sway  
Of his free power; and from his seat, took pleasure to display 
jones prospect.   
The city so adorned with towers, the sea with vessels filled;  
The splendour of refulgent arms, the killer and the killed.  
As long as bright Aurora ruled, and sacred day increased,  
So long their darts made mutual wounds, and neither had the best:  
But when in hill-enuironed vales, the timber-feller takes 
Periphrasis of Noon.   
A sharp set stomach to his meat, and dinner ready makes,  
His sinews fainting, and his spirits, become surcharged and dull;  
Time of accustomed ease arrived; his hands with labour full:  
Then by their valour's Greeks broke through, the Trojan ranks, and cheered  
Their general Squadrons through the host: then first of all appeared  
The person of the King himself; and then the Troyans' lost  
Byanor, by his royal charge, a leader in the host: 
Agamemnon's slaughters.   
Who being slain, his charioteer (Oileus) did alight,  
And stood in skirmish with the king; the king did deadly smite  
His forehead with his eager lance, and through his helm it ran,  
Enforcing passage to his brain, quite through the hardened pan;  
His brain mixed with his clottered blood, his body strewed the ground.   

There left he them; and presently he other objects found;  
Isus and Antiphus, two sons, king Priam did beget,  
One lawful, th'other wanton; both in one chariot met  
Their royal foe; the base borne, Isus was charioteer,  
And famous Antiphus did fight: both which, king Peleus' heir, 
Achilles.   
(Whilom in Ida keeping flocks) did deprehend and bind  
With pliant Osiers; and for prize, them to their Sire resigned.  
Atrides with his well aimed lance, smote Isus on the breast  
Above the nipple; and his sword, a mortal wound impressed  
Beneath the ear of Antiphus: down from their horse they fell.  
The king had seen the youths before, and now did know them well,  
Remembering them the prisoners, of swift Aeacides,  
Who brought them to the sable fleet, from Ida's foodie leas.   

And as a Lion having found, the furrow of a Hind, 
Simile.   
Where she hath calved two little twins; at will and ease doth grind  
Their joints snatched in his solid jaws; and crusheth into mist  
Their tender lives; their dam (though near) not able to resist;  
But shook with vehement fear herself, flies through the Oaken chase  
From that fell savage, drowned in sweat; and seeks some covert place:  
So when with most unmatched strength, the Grecian General bend  
'Gainst these two Princes, none durst aid, their native king's descent;  
But fled themselves before the Greeks: and where these two were slain,  
Pysander and Hypolocbus, (not able to restrain  
Their headstrong horse, the silken teines, being from their hands let fall)  
Were brought by their vn●…uly guides, before the General.  
Antimachus begat them both; Antimachus that took  
Rich gifts, and gold of Helen's love; and would by no means brook  
Just restitution should be made, of Menelaus wealth,  
Bereft him, with his ravished Queen, by 
* Paris.  Alexander's stealth.  
Atrides, Lion-like did charge, his sons; who on their knees  
Fell from their chariot, and besought, regard to their degrees;  
Who, being Antimachus his sons, their father would afford  
A worthy ransom for their lives; who in his house did hoard  
Much hidden treasure; brass, and gold, and steel, wrought wondrous choice.  
Thus wept they, using smoothing terms; and heard this rugged voice 
Agamem●… to Pysander and Hippolochus.   
Breath ' from the unrelenting king: If you be of the breed  
Of stout Antimachus, that stayed, the honourable deed  
The other Peers of Ilium, in counsel had decreed,  
To render Helen, and her wealth; and would have basely slain  
My brother and wise Ithacus, Ambassadors, t'attain  
The most due motion: now receive, wreak for his shameful part.  
This said, in poor Pysanders' breast, he fixed his wreakful dart;  
Who upward spread th'oppressed earth: his brother crouched for dread,  
And as he lay, the angry king, cut off his arms and head,  
And let him like a football lie, for every man to spurn.  
Then to th'extremest heat of fight, he did his valour turn,  
And led a multitude of Greeks; where foot did foot subdue,  
Horse slaughtered horse, Need feathered flight, the battered centre flew  
In clouds of dust about their ears, raised from the horses hooves,  
That beat a thunder out of earth, as horrible as Ioues.  
The king (persuading speedy chase) gave his persuasions way  
With his own valour, slaughtering still: As in a stormy day,  
In thicke-set woods a ravenous fire, wraps in his fierce repair  
The shaken trees, and by the roots, doth toss them into air:  
Even so beneath Atrides sword, flew up Troy's flying heels:  
Their horse drew empty chariots, and sought their thundering wheels  
Some fresh directors through the field, where least the pursuit drives:  
Thick fell the Troyans', much more sweet, to Vultures, than their wives.   

Then jove drew Hector from the darts, from dust, from death and blood,  
And from the tumult: still the king, firm to the pursuit stood;  
Till at old Ilus monument, in midst of all the field,  
They reached the wild Figtree, and longed, to make their town their shield.  
Yet there they rested not; the king, still cried; Pursue, pursue,  
And all his unreproved hands, did blood and dust imbrue.  
But when they came to Sceas ports, and to the Beech of jove,  
There made they stand; there every eye, fixed on each other, strove  
Who should outlook his mate amazed: through all the field they fled.  
And as a Lion, when the night, becomes most deaf and dead, 
〈◊〉.   
Invades Ox herds, affrighting all, that he of one may wreak  
His dreadful hunger; and his neck●…, he first of all doth break;  
Then laps his blood and e●…iles up: so Agamemnon plied  
The manage of the Trojan chase, and still the last man died;  
The other fled; a number fell, by his imperial hand:  
Some groveling downwards from their horse: some upwards strewed the sand.  
High was the fury of his lance: but having beat them close  
Beneath their walls, the both world's Sire, did now again repose  
On fountaine-flowing Ida's tops, being newly slid from heaven,  
And held a lightning in his hand: from thence this charge was given  
To Iris with the golden wings: Thaumantia, fly (said he) 
jove to the Rainbow.   
And tell Troy's Hector, that as long, as he enraged shall see  
The souldier-loving Atreus' son, amongst the foremost fight,  
Depopulating troops of men: so long he must excite  
Some other to resist the foe, and he no arms advance:  
But when he wounded takes his horse, attained with shaft or lance:  
Then will I fill his arm with death, even till he reach the Fleet,  
And peaceful night treads busy day, beneath her sacred feet.   

The wind-foot swift Thaumantia, obeyed, and used her wings  
To famous Ilium, from the mount, enchaste with silver springs:  
And found in his bright chariot, the hardy Trojan knight:  
To whom she spoke the words of jove, and vanished from his sight.   

He leapt upon the sounding earth, and shook his lengthfull dart,  
And every where he breathed exhorts, and stirred up every heart:  
A dreadful fight he set on foot, his soldiers strait turned head:  
The Greeks' stood firm, in both the hosts, the field was perfected.  
But Agamemnon foremost still, did all his side exceed:  
And would not be the first in name, unless the first in deed.   

Now sing fair Precedents of verse, that in the heavens embowre,  
Who first encountered with the king, of all the adverse power:  
Iphydamas, Antenor's son, ample and bigly set,  
Brought up in pasture-springing- Thrace, that doth soft sheep beget:  
In grave Cissaeus noble house, that was his mother's Sire;  
(Fair Theano) and when his breast, was heightened with the fire  
Of gaisome youth; his grandsire gave, his daughter to his love:  
Who strait his bridal chamber left; Fame, with affection strove,  
And made him furnish twelve fair ships, to lend fair Troy his hand.  
His ships he in Percope left, and came to Troy by land:  
And now he tried the fame of Greece, encountering with the king,  
Who threw his royal lance and mist: Iphydamas did fling,  
And struck him on the arming waste, beneath his coat of brass,  
Which forced him stay upon his arm, so violent it was:  
Yet pierced it not his wel-wrought zone; but when the lazy head  
Tried hardness with his silver waste, it turned again like lead.  
He followed, grasping the ground end: but with a Lion's wile,  
That wrists away a hunter's staff; he caught it by the pile,  
And plucked it from the casters hand; whom with his sword he struck 
Iphydamas slain by Agamemnon   
Beneath the ear, and with his wound, his timeless death he took:  
He fell and slept an iron sleep; wretched young man, he died  
far from his newly-married wife, in aid of foreign pride;  
And saw no pleasure of his love; yet was her jointure great:  
An hundred Oxen gave he her, and vowed in his retreat  
Two thousand head of sheep and Goats, of which he store did leave:  
Much gave he of his loves first fruits, and nothing did receive.   

When Coon (one that for his form, might feast an amorous eye,  
And elder brother of the slain) beheld this tragedy:  
Deep sorrow sat upon his eyes; and (standing laterally,  
And to the General undiscerned) his javelin he let fly:  
That twixt his elbow and his wrist, transfixed his armless arm:  
The bright head shined on th'other side. The unexpected harm  
Impressed some horror in the king: yet so he ceased not fight,  
But rushton Coon with his lance, who made what hast he might  
(Seizing his slaughtered brother's foot) to draw him from the field,  
And called the ablest to his aid; when under his round shield  
The king's brass javelin, as he drew, did strike him helpless dead:  
Who made Iphydamas the block, and cut off Coons head.   

Thus under great Atrides arm, Antenor's issue thrived,  
And to suffice precisest fate▪ to Pluto's mansion dived.  
He with his lance, sword, mighty stones, poured his Heroic wreak  
On other Squadrons of the foe, whiles yet warm blood did break  
Through his cloven veins: but when the wound, was quite exhausted and crude;  
The eager anguish did approve, his Princely fortitude.  
As when most sharp and bitter pangs, distract a labouring Dame;  
Which the divine Ilithiae, that rule the painful frame  
Of human chid-birth pour on her: th' Ilithiae that are  
The daughters of Saturnia: with whose extreme repair  
The woman in her travel strives, to take the worst it gives:  
With thought it must be, 'tis loves fruit, the end for which she lives;  
The mean to make herself new borne: what comforts will redound:  
So Agamemnon did sustain, the torment of his wound.  
Then took he chariot, and to Fleet, bad haste his charioteer;  
But first poured out his highest voice, to purchase every ear:   

Princes and Leaders of the Greeks', brave friends, now from our fleet 
Agamemnon to the Greek Princes.   
Do you expel this bostrous sway: jove will not let me meet  
Illustrate Hector, nor give leave, that I shall end the day  
In fight against the Ilian power: my wound is in my way.   

This said, his ready charioteer, did scourge his spriteful horse,  
That freely to the sable fleet, performed their fiery course:  
To bear their wounded Sovereign, apart the martial thrust,  
Sprinkling their powerful breasts with foam, and snowing on the dust.   

When Hector heard of his retreat, thus he for fame contends: 
Hector to the Tr●…ians.   
Troyans', Dardanians, Lycians, all my close-fighting friends,  
Think what it is to be renowned: be soldiers all of name:  
Our strongest enemy is gone; lo●…e vows to do us fame:  
Then in the Grecian faces drive, your one-houed violent steeds,  
And far above their best, be best, and glorify your deeds.   

Thus as a dog-given Hunter sets, upon a brace of Boars,  
His white-toothd hounds: puffs, shouts, breaths terms, & on his emprese pores,  
All his wild art to make them pinch: so Hector urged his host  
To charge the Greeks, and he himself, most bold, and active most:  
He broke into the heat of fight: as when a tempest raves,  
Stoops from the clouds, and all on heaps, doth cuff the purple waves.   

Who then was first, and last, he killed, when jove did grace his deed?  
Asseus, and Autonous; Opys, and Clitus seed: 
Whom Hector s●…ue.   
Prince Dolops, and the honoured Sire, of sweet Euryalus:  
(Opheltes) Agelaus next; and strong Hipponous:  
Orus, Essymnus, all of name. The common soldiers fell,  
As when the hollow flood of air, in Zephyr's cheeks doth swell, 
Simile.   
And sparseth all the gathered clouds, white Notus power did draw;  
Wraps waves in waves, hurls up the froth, beat with a vehement flaw:  
So were the common soldiers wracked, in troops, by Hector's hand.  
Then ruin had enforced such works, as no Greeks could withstand:  
Then in their fleet they had been housed, had not Laertes son  
Stirred up the spirit of Diomedes, with this impression.   

Tydides', what do we sustain, forgetting what we are? 
Ulysses' to Diomedes.   
Stand by me (dearest in my ●…oue:) 'ttwere horrible impair  
For our two valours to endure, a customary flight,  
To leave our navy still engaged, and but by fits to fight.   

He answered; I am bend to stay, and any thing sustain:  
But our delight to prove us men, will prove but short and vain; 
Diomedes' answer to Ulysses.   
For jove makes Troyans' instruments; and virtually then,  
Wields arms himself: our cross affairs, are not twixt men and men.   

This said, Thimbraeus with his ●…ance, he tumbled from his horse;  
Near his left nipple wounding him: Ulysses did enforce  
Fair Molion, minion to this king, that Diomedes subdued:  
Both sent they thence, till they returned: who now the king pursued  
And furrowed through the thickened troops. As when two chased Boars  
Turn head 'gainst kennels of bold hounds, and race way through their gor●…:  
So (turned from flight) the forward kings, show'd Troyans' backward death:  
Nor fled the Greeks but by their wills, to get great Hector breath.   

Then took they horse and chariot, from two bold city foes, 
Ulysses and Diomedes' s●…aughters.   
Merops Percosius mighty sons: their father could disclose,  
Beyond all men, hid Auguries; and would not give consent  
To their egression to these wars: yet wilfully they went;  
For Fates, that order sable death, enforced their tragedies:  
Tydides' slew them with his lance, and made their arms his prize.   

Hypporochus, and Hyppodus, Ulysses reft of light:  
But jove, that out of Ida looked, then equallisde the fight;  
A Grecian for a Trojan then, paid tribute to the Fates:  
Yet royal Diomedes slew one, even in those even debates,  
That was of name more than the rest; Paeons' renowned son,  
The Prince Agastrophus: his lance, into his hip did run:  
His Squire detained his horse apart, that hindered him to fly;  
Which he repent at his heart: yet did his feet apply  
His escape with all the speed they had, alongst the foremost bands;  
And there his loved life dissolved. This, Hector understands,  
And rushed with clamour on the king; right sound seconded  
With troops of Troia●…s: which perceived, by famous Dio●…d;  
The deep conceit of Io●…es high will, stiffened his royal hair;  
Who spoke to neare-fought Ithachus; The fate of this affair 
Di●…d to Ulysses.   
Is bend to us: come let us stand, and bound his violence.  
Thus threw he his long javelin forth; which smote his heads defence  
Full on the top, yet pierced no skin; brass, took repulse with brass;  
His helm (with three folds made, and sharp,) the gift of Phoebus was.  
The blow made Hector take the troop; sunk him upon his hand,  
And struck him blind: the king pursued, before the foremost band,  
His darts recovery: which he found, laid on the purple plain▪  
By which time, Hector was reviv'd, and taking horse again,  
Was far commixed within his strength, and fled his darksome grave.  
He followed with his thirsty lance, and this elusive Brave:   

Once more be thankful to thy heels, (proud dog) for thy escape: 
Diom●…d insults on Hector.   
Mischief sat near thy bosom now; and now another rape  
Hath thy Apollo made of thee, to whom thou well mayst pray,  
When through the singing of our darts, thou findest such guarded way:  
But I shall meet with thee at length, and bring thy latest hour,  
If with like favour any God, be fautor of my power:  
Mean while, some other shall repay, what I suspend in thee.   

This said, he set the wretched soul, of P●…ns issue free;  
Whom his late wound, not fully slew: but Pri●…ms amorous birth, 
Paris at Diomedes.   
Against Tydides' bent his bow, hid with a hill of earth;  
Part of the ruinated tomb, for honoured Ilus built:  
And as the Cuirass of the slain (engraven and richly gilded)  
Tydides' from his breast had spoiled, and from his shoulders raft,  
His target and his solid helm, he shot; and his keen shaft  
(That never flew from him in vain) did nail unto the ground  
The kings right foot: the spleenful knight, laughed sweetly at the wound,  
Crept from his covert, and triumphed: Now art thou maimed, said he, 
Paris insults on Diomed.   
And would to God my happy hand, had so much honoured me,  
To have infixed it in thy breast, as deep as in thy foot,  
Even to th'expulsure of thy soul: then blest had been my shoot  
Of all the Troyans': who had then, breathed from their long unrests,  
Who fear thee as the braying Goats, abhor the king of beasts.   

Undaunted Diomedes replied: You Braver, with your bow, 
Diomedes' reply.   
You slick-haired lover: you that hunt, and fleer at wenches so:  
Durst thou but stand in arms with me, thy silly archery  
Would give thee little cause to vaunt: as little suffer I  
In this same tall exploit of thine, performed when thou wert hid:  
As if a woman or a child, that knew not what it did,  
Had touched my foot: a coward's steel, hath never any edge:  
But mine (t'assure it sharp) still lays, dead carcases in pledge;  
Touch it: it renders lifeless strait: it strikes the finger's ends  
Of hapless widows in their cheeks; and children blind of friends:  
The subject of it makes earth red; and air with sighs inflames:  
And leaves limbs more embraced with birds, then with enamoured Dames.   

Lance-famed Ulysses now came in, and stepped before the king;  
Kneeled opposite, and drew the shaft: the eager pain did sting  
Through all his body; strait he took, his royal chariot there,  
And with direction to the fleet, did charge his charioteer.   

Now was Ulysses desolate, fear made no friend remain:  
He thus spoke to his mighty mind: What doth my s●…ate sustain? 
Ulysses' to himself.   
If I should fly this odds in fear, that thus comes clu●…ing on,  
'tTwere high dishonour: yet 'ttwere worse, to be surprised alone:  
'tis jove that drives the rest to flight: but that's a faint excuse;  
Why do I tempt my mind so much? pale coward's fight refuse.  
He that affects renown in war, must like a rock be fixed;  
Wound, or be wounded: valours truth, puts no respect betwixt.   

In this contention with himself, in flew the shady bands  
Of targateres, who sieged him round, with mischiefe-filled hands.  
As when a crew of gallants watch, the wild muse of a Boar;  
Their dogs put after in full cry, he rusheth on before:  
Whets, with his lather-making jaws, his crooked tusks for blood:  
And (holding firm his usual haunts) breaks through the deepned woo●…:  
They charging, though his hot approach, be never so abhorred:  
So, to assail the Ioue-loued Greek, the Il●…ans did accord,  
And he made through them: first he hurt, upon his shoulder blade,  
Deiops a blameless man at arms: then sent to endless shade  
Thoon and Eunomus: and struck, the strong Chersidamas, 
Socus wounds Ulysses.   
As from his chariot he leapt down, beneath his targe of brass:  
Who fell, and crawled upon the earth, with his sustaining palms,  
And left the fight: nor yet his lance, left dealing Martial alms:  
But Socus brother by both sid●…s, young Carops did impress:  
Then Princely Socus to his aid, made brotherly access,  
And (coming near) spoke in his charge; O great Laertes son,  
Insatiate in sly stratagems, and labours never done:  
This hour, or thou shalt boast to kill, the two Hypasides,  
And prise their arms, or fall thyself, in my resolved access.   

This said, he threw qui●…e through his shield, his fell and well-driven lanc●…:  
Which held way through his cuirasses, and on his ribs did glance:  
Ploughing the flesh alongst his sides: but Pallas did repel  
All inward passage to his life. Ulysses' knowing well  
The wound undeadly; (setting back, his foot to form his stand)  
Thus spoke to Socus: O thou wretch, thy death is in this hand:  
That stayest my victory on Troy: and where thy charge was made  
In doubtful terms (or this or that) this shall thy life invade.   

This frighted Socus to retreat; and in his faint reverse,  
The lance betwixt his shoulders fell, and through his breast did pierce:  
Down fell he sounding, and the king, thus played with his misease:   

O Socus, you that make by birth, the two Hypasides: 
Ulysses' insulta●…ion.   
Now may your house and you p●…rceiue, death can outfly the flier:  
Ah wretch, thou canst not scape my vows: old Hypasus thy sire,  
Nor thy well honoured ●…others hands; in both which lies thy worth,  
Shall close thy wretched eyes in death; but Vultures dig them forth,  
And hide them with their darksome wings: but when Ulysses dies,  
Divinest Greeks shall tomb my corpse, with all their ob●…equies.   

Now from his body and his shield, the violent lance he drew,  
That P●…incely Socus had infixed: which drawn, a crimson dew  
Fell from his bosom on the earth: the wound ●…id dare him sore.  
And when the furious Troyans' saw, Ulysses' forced gore:  
(Encouraging themselves in gross) all his destruction vowed;  
Then he retired, and summoned aid: thrice shouted he allowed,  
(As did denote a man engaged:) thrice Menelaus ear  
Ob●…eru'd his aid-suggesting voice: and Ajax being near,  
He told him of Ulysses' show●…s, as if he were enclosed  
From all assistance: and advisd, their aids might be disposed  
Against the Ring that circled him: lest, charged with troops alone  
(Though valiant) he might be oppressed, whom Greece so built upon.   

He led, and Ajax seconded: they found their Io●…e-lou'd king  
Circled with foes. As when a den, of bloody Lucerns cling  
About a goodly palmed Hart, hurt with a hunter's bow,  
Whose escape, his nimble feet enforce, whilst his warm blood doth flow,  
And his light knees have power to move: but (mastered of his wound,  
Embossed within a shady hill) the Lucerns charge him round,  
And tear his flesh; when instantly, fortune sends in the powers  
Of some stern Lion, with whose sight, they fly, and he devours:  
So charged the Ilians Ithacus, many and mighty men:  
But than made Menelaus in, and horrid Ajax then, 
Ajax and Menelaus to the rescue of Ulysses.   
Bearing a target like a tower: close was his violent stand,  
And every way the foe dispersed; when, by the royal hand,  
Kind Menelaus led away, the hurt Laertes son,  
Till his fair squire had brought his horse: victorious Telamonius  
Still plied the foe, and put to sword, a young Priamides;  
Doriclus, Priam's bastard son: then did his lance impress  
Pando●…us, and strong Pyrasus; Lysander and Palertes,  
As when a torrent from the hills, swollen with Saturnian showers,  
Falls on the fields; bears blasted Oaks, and withered rosine flowers,  
Lose weeds, and all dispersed filth, into the Ocean's force:  
So, matchless Ajax beat the field, and slaughtered men and horse.  
Yet had not Hector heard of this, who fought on the left wing  
Of all the host, near those sweet herbs, Scamander's flood doth spring:  
Where many foreheads trod the ground, and where the skirmish burnt  
Near Nestor, and king Idomen; where Hector overturnd  
The Grecian squadrons; authoring, high service with his lance,  
And skilful manage of his horse: nor yet the discrepance  
He made in death betwixt the hosts, had made the Greeks retire,  
If faire-haird Helen's second spouse, had not repressed the fire  
Of bold Machaon's fortitude, who with a three-forkt head  
In his right shoulder wounded him: then had the Grecians dread,  
Lest in his strength declined, the foe, should slaughter their hurt f●…iend:  
Then Cretes king urged Neleides, his chariot to ascend,  
And getting near him, take him in, and bear him to their tents;  
A Surgeon is to be preferred, with physic ornaments,  
Before a multitude: his life, gives hurt lives native bounds,  
With sweet inspersion of fit balms, and perfect search of wounds.   

Thus spoke the royal Idomen: Neleides obeyed,  
And to his chariot presently, the wounded Greek conveyed  
The son of Esculapius, the great Physician:  
To fleet they flew. Cebriones, perceived the slaughter done  
By Ajax on the other troops, and spoke to Hector thus:   

Whiles we encounter Grecians here, stern Telamonius  
Is yonder raging, turning up, in heaps our horse and men:  
I know him by his spacious shield: let us turn chariot then  
Where both of horse and foot the fight, most hotly is proposed,  
In mutual slaughters: hark, their throats, from cries are never closed.   

This said, with his shrill scourge he struck, the horse that fast ensued,  
Stung with his lashes, tossing shields, and carcases imbrued:  
The chariot tree was drowned in blood, and th'arches by the seat,  
dispurpled from the horses hoves, and from the wheelebands beat.  
Great Hector longed to break the ranks, and startle their close fight:  
Who horribly amazed the Greeks, and plied their sudden fright  
With busy weapons, ever winged: his lance, sword, weighty stones:  
Yet charged he other Leaders bands, not dreadful Telamon's,  
With whom he wisely shunned foul blows: but jove (that weighs above  
All human powers) to Ajax breast, divine repressions drove,  
And made him shun, who shunned himself: he ceased from fight amazed:  
Cast on his back his sevenfold shield, and round about him gazed,  
Like one turned wild; looked on himself, in his distract retreat:  
Knee before knee did scarcely move: as when from herds of Neat  
Whole threaves of Boars and mongrels chase, a Lion skulking near,  
Loath he should taint the wel-prisd fat, of any stall-fed steer,  
Consuming all the night in watch; he (greedy of his prey)  
Oft thrusting on, is oft thrust off: so thick the javelins play  
On his bold charges, and so hot, the burning fire brands shine,  
Which he (though horrible) abhors, about his glowing eyen;  
And early his great heart retires: so Ajax from the foe,  
For fear their fleet should be inflamed: 'gainst his swollen heart did go.   

As when a dull mill Ass comes near, a goodly field of corn 
Another simile expressing the manner of Ajax retreat.   
Kept from the birds by children's cries; the boys are overborne  
By his insensible approach, and simply he will eat:  
About whom many wands are broke, and still the children beat;  
And still the selfe-providing Ass, doth with their weakness bear,  
Not stirring till his paunch be full; and scarcely then will steer.   

So the huge son of Telamonius, amongst the Troyans' fared;  
Bore showers of darts upon his shield, yet scorned to fly, as scared;  
And so kept softly on his way; nor would he mend his pace  
For all their violent pursuits, that still did arm the chase  
With singing lances: but at last, when their Cur-like presumes,  
More urged, the more forborn; his spirits, did rarefy their fumes,  
And he revoked his active strength; turned head, and did repel  
The horse troops that were new made in: twixt whom the fight grew fell;  
And by degrees he stole retreat, yet with such puissant stay  
That none could pass him to the fleet: in both the armies sway  
He stood, and from strong hands received, sharp javelins on his shield;  
Where many stuck, thrown on before; many fell short in field,  
Ere the white body they could reach; and stuck, as telling how  
They purposed to have pierced his flesh: his peril pierced now  
The eyes of Prince Eurypilus, Euemons' famous son;  
Who came close on, and with his dart, struck Duke Apisaon,  
Whose surname was Phausiades; even to the concrete blood  
That makes the liver: on the earth, out gushed his vital blood.  
Eurypilus made in, and eased, his shoulders of his arms:  
Which Paris seeing, he drew his bow, and wreaked in part the harms  
Of his good friend Phausiades: his arrow he let fly,  
That smote Eurypilus, and broke, in his attainted thy:  
Then took he troup, to shun black death, and to the flyers cried; 
Eurypilus to the Greeks'.    

Princes, and Leaders of the Greeks, stand, and repulse the tide  
Of this our honour-wracking chase; Ajax is drowned in darts,  
I fear past scape: turn honoured friends, help out his venturous parts.  
Thus spoke the wounded Greek; the sound, cast on their backs their shields,  
And raised their darts: to whose relief, Ajax his person wields:  
Then stood he firmly with his friends, retiring their retire:  
And thus both hosts indifferent joined, the fight grew hot a●… fire.   

Now had Neleides sweeting steeds, brought him and his hurt friend  
Amongst their Fleet; Aeacides, that wishly did intend  
(Standing asterne his tall necked ship) how deep the skirmish drew  
Amongst the Greeks; and with what ruth, the insecution grew:  
Saw Nestor bring Machaon hurt, and from within did call  
His friend Patroclus: who like Mars, in form celestial 
Achilles to trocl●….   
Came forth with first sound of his voice (first spring of his decay)  
And asked his Princely friends desire: Dear friend, said he, this day  
I doubt not will enforce the Greeks, to swarm about my knees:  
I see unsufferd Need employed, in their extremities.  
Go sweet Patroclus and inquire, of old Neleides,  
Whom he brought wounded from the fight: by his back parts, I guess  
It is Machaon: but his face, I could not well descry,  
They passed me in such earnest speed. Patroclus presently  
Obeyed his friend, and ran to know. They now descended were,  
And Nestor's squire, Eurimidon, the horses did ungeare:  
Themselves stood near th'extremest shore, to let the gentle air  
Dry up their sweat; then to the tent; where Hecamed the fair  
Set chairs, and for the wounded Prince, a potion did prepare.   

This Hecamed, by wars hard fate, fell to old Nestor's share,  
When Thetis son sacked Tenedos. She was the Princely seed  
Of worthy king Arsynous, and by the Greeks decreed  
The prize of Nestor: since all men, in counsel he surpassed.  
First, a fair table she opposed, of which, the feet were graced  
With bluish metal, mixed with black: and on the same she put  
A brass fruit dish, in which she served, a wholesome Onion cur,  
For pittance to the potion, and honey newly wrought;  
And bread, the fruit of sacred meal: then to the board she brought  
A right fair cup, with gold studs driven; which Nestor did transfer  
From Pylos; on whose swelling sides, four handles fixed were;  
And upon every handle sat, a pair of doves of gold;  
Some billing, and some pecking meat. Two gilt feet did uphold  
The antic body: and withal, so weighty was the cup,  
That being proposed brim full of wine, one scarce could lift it up:  
Yet Nestor drunk in it with ease, spite of his years respect.  
In this the Goddesse-like fair Dame, a potion did confect  
With good old wine of Pramnius; and scraped into the wine  
Cheese made of goats milk; and on it, spersed flower exceeding fine:  
In this sort for the wounded Lord, the potion she prepared,  
And bade him drink: for company, with him old Nestor shared.   

Thus physically quenched they thirst, and then their spirits reviv'd  
With pleasant conference. And now, Patroclus being arrived,  
Made stay at th'entry of the tent: old Nestor seeing it,  
Rose, and received him by the hand, and feign would have him sit.  
He set that courtesy aside; excusing it with haste;  
Since his much to be reverenced friend, sent him to know who passed  
(Wounded with him in chariot) so swiftly through the shore;  
Whom now, said he, I see and know, and now can stay no more:  
You know good father, our great friend, is apt to take offence:  
Whose fiery temper will inflame, sometimes with innocence.   

He answered, When will Peleus' son, some royal pity show 
Nestor to Patroci●….   
On his thus wounded countrymen? Ah, is he yet to know  
How much affliction tires our host? how our especial aid  
(Tainted with lances, at their tents) are miserably laid?  
Ulysses, Diomedes, our King, Euripylus, Machaon:  
All hurt, and all our worthiest friends; yet no compassion  
Can supple thy friends friendless breast. Doth he reserve his eye  
Till our fleet burn, and we ourselves, one after other die?  
Alas, my forces are not now, as in my younger life.  
Oh would to God I had that strength, I used in the strife  
Betwixt us and the Elians, for Oxen to be driven;  
When Itumonius lo●…tie soul, was by my valour given  
As sacrifice to destiny; Hypporocus strong son,  
That dwelled in Elis, and fought first, in our contention.  
We foraged (as proclaimed foes) a wondrous wealthy boot;  
And he, in rescue of his Herds, fell breathless at my foot.  
All the Dorp boars with terror fled; our prey was rich and great,  
Twice five and twenty flocks of sheep; as many herds of neat;  
As many goats, and nasty swine; a hundred fifty mares  
All sorrel, most with sucking foals; and these soone-monied wares,  
We drove into Neileus town, fair Pylos; all by night.  
My father's heart was glad to see, so much good fortune quite  
The forward mind of his young son, that used my youth in deeds▪  
And would not smother it in moods. Now drew the Sun's bright steeds  
Light from the hills; our heralds now, accited all that were  
Endamaged by the Elians; our Princes did appear;  
Our boot was parted; many men, th' Epeians much did owe,  
That (being our neighbours) they did spoil; afflictions did so flow  
On us poor Pyleans though but few. In brake great Hereules  
To our sad confines of late years, and wholly did suppress  
Our hapless Princes: twice six sons, renowned Neleius bred;  
Only myself am left of all: the rest subdued and dead.  
And this was it that made so proud, the base Epeian bands:  
On their near neighbours, being oppressed, to lay injurious hands,  
A heard of Oxen for himself: a mighty flock of sheep,  
My Sire selected; and made choice, of shepherds for their keep:  
And from the general spoil, he could, three hundred of the best:  
The Elians ought him infinite, most plagued of all the rest.  
Four wager-winning horse he lost, and chariots intervented  
Being led to an appointed race. The prize that was presented  
Was a religious threefoote urn: Augeas was the king,  
That did detain them, and dismissed, their keeper sorrowing  
For his loved charge, lost with foul words. Then both for words and deeds  
My Sire being worthily incensed, thus justly he proceeds  
To satisfaction, in first choice, of all our wealthy prize:  
And as he shared much, much he left, his subjects to suffice;  
That none might be oppressed with power, or want his portion due:  
Thus for the public good we shared. Then we to temples drew  
Our complete city: and to heaven, we thankful rights did burn  
For our rich conquest. The third day, ensuing our return  
The Elians flew on us in heaps: their general Leaders were  
The two Moliones, two boys, untrained in the fear  
Of horrid war, or use of strength. A certain city shines  
Upon a lofty Prominent; and in th'extreme confines  
Of sandy Pylos, seated where, Alpheus' flood doth run,  
And called Thryessa: this they sieged, and gladly would have won:  
But (having passed through all our fields) Minerva as our spy,  
Fell from Olympus in the night, and armed us instantly:  
Nor mustered she unwilling men, nor unprepared for force.  
My Sire yet, would not let me arm, but hide away my horse,  
Esteeming me no soldier yet: yet shined I nothing less  
Amongst our Gallants, though on foot; Minerua●… mightiness  
Led me to fight, and made me bear, a soldiers worthy name.   

There is a flood falls into sea, and his crooked course doth frame  
Close to Arena, and is called, bright Myniaeus stream:  
There made we halt: and there the Sun, cast many a glorious beam  
On our bright armours; horse and foot, inseaed together there:  
Then marched we on: By fiery noon, we saw the sacred clear  
Of great Alphaeus; where to jove, we did fair sacrifice:  
And to the azure God that rules, the under-liquid skies:  
We offered up a solemn Bull; a bull t' Alph●…us name,  
And to the blew eyed maid we burnt, a heifer never tame.  
Now was it night, we supped, and slept, about the flood in arms;  
The foe laid hard siege to our town, and shook it with ala●…mes:  
But for prevention of their spleens, a mighty work of war  
Appeared behind them. For as soon, as Phoebus' fiery Car  
Cast nights foul darkness from his wheels (invoking reverend jove,  
And the unconquerd maid (his birth) we did th'event approve,  
And gave them battle: first of all, I slew (the army saw)  
The mighty soldier Mulius, Augeus' son in law;  
And spoiled him of his one-houed horse: his eldest daughter was  
Bright Agamede, that for skill, in simples did surpass:  
And knew as many kind of drugs, as earth's broad centre bred:  
Him charged I with my brass armed lance, the dust received him dead.  
I (leaping to his chariot) amongst the foremost priest:  
And the great hearted elians, fled frighted, seeing their best  
And lofti'st soldier taken down, the General of their horse.  
I followed like a black whi●…lwind, and did for prize enforce  
Full fifty chariots, every one, furnished with two armed men;  
Who eat the earth, slain with my lance; and I had slaughtered then  
The two young boys, Moliones, if their world circling Sire,  
(Great Neptune) had not saft their lives; and covered their retire  
With vnpierced clouds: then jove bestowed a haughty victory  
Upon us Pyleans. For so long, we did the chase apply,  
Slaughtering and making spoil of arms; till sweet Buprasius soil,  
Alesius, and Olenia, were famed with our recoil.  
For there Minerva turned our power: and there the last I slew;  
As when our battle joined, the first: the Peleans then withdrew  
To Pylos from Buprasius. Of all the Immortals then,  
They most thanked jove for victory; Nestor, the most of men.  
Such was I ever, if I were, employed with other Peers,  
And I had honour of my youth, which dies not in my years.  
But Great Achilles only joys, ability of act  
In his brave Prime, and doth not deign, t'impart it where 'tis lacked.  
No doubt he will extremely mourn, long after that black hour,  
Wherein our ruin shall be wrought, and rue his ruthless power.  
O friend, my memory revives, the charge Menetius gave  
Thy towardness; when thou setst forth, to keep out of the grave  
Our wounded honour; I myself, and wise Ulysses were  
Within the room, where every word, then spoken we did hear:  
For we were come to Peleus' Court, as we did mustering pass  
Through rich Achaia; where thy Sire, renowned Menetius was,  
Thyself and great Aeacides; when Peleus the King  
To thunder-loving jove did burn, an Ox for offering,  
In his Court-yard: a cup of gold, crowned with red wine he held  
On th'holy Incensorie poured. You, when the Ox was field,  
Were dressing his divided limbs; we in the portal stood.  
Achilles' seeing us come so near; his honourable blood,  
Was struck with a respective shame, rose, took us by the hands,  
Brought us both in, and made us sit, and used his kind commands,  
For seemly hospitable rights; which quickly were opposed.  
Then (after needfulness of food) I first of all disclosed  
The royal cause of our repair; moved you and your great friend,  
To consort our renowned designs: both strait did condescend;  
Your fathers knew it, gave consent, and grave instruction  
To both your valours. Peleus' charged, his most unequalled son,  
To govern his victorious strength, and shine past all the rest  
In honour, as in mere main force. Then were thy partings blessed  
With dear advices from thy Sire. My loved son, said he,  
Achilles by his grace of birth, superior is to thee,  
And for his force more excellent; yet thou more ripe in years:  
Then with sound counsels (ages fruits) employ his honoured years,  
Command and overrule his moods; his nature will obey  
In any charge discreetly given, that doth his good assay.   

Thus charged thy Sire, which thou forgettest; yet now at last approve  
(With forced reference of these) th'attraction of his love.  
Who knows if sacred influence, may bless thy good intent,  
And enter with thy gracious words, even to his full consent?  
The admonition of a friend, is sweet and vehement.  
If any Oracle he shun, or if his mother Queen  
Hath brought him some instinct from jove, that fortifies his spleerie;  
Let him resign command to thee, of all his Myrmidons,  
And yield by that means some repulse, to our confusions;  
Adorning thee in his bright arms, that his resembled form  
May haply make thee thought himself, and calm his hostile storm:  
That so a little we may ease, our overcharged hands;  
Draw some breath, not expire it all: the foe but faintly stands  
Beneath his labours; and your charge, being fierce, and freshly given,  
They easily from our tents and fleet, may to their walls be driven.   

This moved the good Patroclus' mind, who made his utmost haste,  
T'inform his friend; and at the fleet, of Ithacus he passed,  
(At which there markets were disposed, counsels and martial courts,  
And where to th'Altars of the Gods, they made divineresorts)  
He met renowned Eurypilus, Euemons' noble son  
Halting; his thigh hurt with a shaft: the liquid sweat did run  
Down from his shoulders, and his brows: and from his raging wound  
Forth flowed his melancholy blood, yet still his mind was sound.  
His sight, in kind Patroclus' breast, to sacred pity turned,  
And (nothing more immartiall, for true ruth) thus he mourned;  
Ah wretched progeny of Greece, Princes, dejected kings:  
Was it your fates to nourish beasts, and serve the outcast wings  
Of savage Vultures here in Troy? Tell me, Euemons' fame,  
Do yet the Greeks withstand his force, whom yet no force can tame?  
Or are they hopeless thrown to death, by his resistless lance?  
Divine Patroclus (he replied) no more can Greece advance  
Defensive weapons; but to fleet, they headlong must retire:  
For those that to this hour have held, our fleet from hostile fire,  
And are the bulwarks of our host, lie wounded at their tents;  
And Troy's unvanquishable pow●…e, still as it toils augments.  
But take me to thy black sternd ship, save me, and from my thy  
Cut out this arrow; and the blood, that is ingored and dry,  
Wash with warm water from the wound: then gentle salves apply,  
Which thou knowest best; thy Princely friend, hath taught thee surgery;  
Whom (of all Centaurs the most just) Chiron did institute:  
Thus to thy honourable hands, my ease I prosecute,  
Since our Physicians cannot help: Machaon at his tent  
Needs a Physician himself, being Leach and patiented:  
And Podalirius in the field, the sharp conflict sustains.  
Strong Menetiades replied; How shall I ease thy pains?  
What shall we do Eurypilus? I am to use all haste,  
To signify to Thetis son, occurrents that have passed  
At Nestor's honourable suit: but be that work achieved,  
When this is done, I will not leave, thy torments vnrelieued.   

This said, athwart his back he cast, beneath his breast, his arm,  
And nobly helped him to his tent: his servants seeing his harm,  
Dispread Ox-hides upon the earth, whereon Machaon lay:  
Patroclus cut out the sharp shaft, and clearly washed away  
With lukewarm water the black blood: then twixt his hands he bruised  
A sharp and mitigatorie root: which when he had infused  
Into the green well-cleansed wound, the pains he felt before  
Were well, and instantly allayed, the wound did bleed no more.   
The end of the eleventh book.   

THE TWELFTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIA●…S.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

THe Troyans' at the trench, their powers engage,  
Though greeted by a bird, of bad presage.  
In five parts they divide, their power, to scale,  
And Prince Sarpedon forceth down the pale;  
Great Hector from the Ports, tears out a stone,  
And with so dead a strength, he sets it gone  
At those broad gates the Grecians made to g●…ard  
Their tents and ships: that, broken, and unbard,  
They yield way to his power; when all contend  
To reach the ships: which all at last ascend.   
Another Argument.  

My, works the Troyans' all the grace,  
And doth the Grecian Fort deface.   

Patroclus', thus employed in cure, of hurt Eurypilus;  
Both hosts are all for other wounds, doubly contentious;  
One, all ways labouring to expel; the other to invade:  
Nor could the broad dike of the Grecks, nor that strong wall they made  
To guard their fleet, be long vnraced; because it was not raised,  
By grave direction of the Gods; nor were their Deities praised  
(When they begun) with Hecatombs, that then they might be sure  
(Their strength being seasoned well with heavens) it should have force t'endure;  
And so, the safeguard of their fleet, and all their treasure there  
Infallibly had been confirmed; when now, their bulwarks were  
Not only without power of check, to their assaulting foe  
(Even now, as soon as they were built) but apt to overthrow:  
Such, as in very little time, shall bury all their sight  
And thought, that ever they were made: as long as the despite  
Of great Aeacides held up, and Hector went not down:  
And that by those two means stood safe, king Priam's sacred town:  
So long their rampire had some use, (though now it gave some way:)  
But when Troy's best men suffered Fate, and many Greeks did pay  
Dear for their sufferance; then the rest, home to their country turned,  
The tenth year of their wars at Troy, and Troy was sacked and burnt.  
And then the Gods fell to their Fort: then they their powers employ  
To ruin their work, and left less, of that then they, of Troy. 
Neptun●… and Phoeb●… o●…erturne the Grecian rampire.   
Neptune and Phoebus tumbled down, from the Idalian hills,  
An inundation of all floods, that thence the broad sea fills  
On their huge rampire; in one glut, all these together roared,  
Rhesus, Heptaporus, Rhodius, Scamander, (the adored) 
The names of the rivers about Troy.   
Caresus, Simois, Grenicus, Aesepus: of them all,  
Apollo opened the rough mouths; and made their lusty fall  
Ravish the dusty champain, where, many a helm and shield,  
And halfe-god race of men were strewed: and that all these might yield  
Full tribute to the heavenly work: Neptune and Phoebus won  
jove to unburden the black wombs, of clouds (filled by the Sun)  
And pour them into all their streams, that quickly they might send  
The huge wall swimming to the Sea. Nine days their lights did spend  
To nights, in tempests; and when all, their utmost depth had made,  
jove, Phoebus, Neptune, all came down, and all in state did wade  
To ruin of that impious fort: Great Neptune went before,  
Wrought with his trident, and the stones, trunks, roots of trees he tore  
Out of the rampire: tossed them all, into the Hellespont;  
Even all the proud toil of the Greeks, with which they durst confront  
The to-be-shunned Deities: and not a stone remained,  
Of all their huge foundations, all with the earth were plained.  
Which done; again the Gods turned back, the silver flowing floods,  
By that vast channel, through whose vaults, they poured abroad their broods,  
And covered all the ample shore, again with dusty sand:  
And this the end was of that wall, where now so many a hand  
Was emptied of stones and darts, contending to invade;  
Where Clamour spent so high a throat; and where the fell blows made  
The new-built wooden turrets groan. And here the Greeks were penned,  
Tamed with the Iron whip of jove: that terrors vehement  
shook over them by Hector's hand, who was (in every thought)  
The terror-maister of the field, and like a whirlwind fought; 
Hector like a whirlwind, and Lion.   
As fresh, as in his morn's first charge. And as a savage Boar  
Or Lion, hunted long; at last, with hound's and hunter's store,  
Is compassed round; they charge him close: and stand (as in a tower  
They had enchased him) pouring on, of darts an Iron shower:  
His glorious heart yet, nought paid, and forcing forth his way:  
Here overthrows a troup, and there; a running ring doth stay  
His utter passage: when again, that stay he overthrows,  
And then the whole field frees his rage: so Hector wearies blows,  
Runs out his charge upon the Fort: and all his force would force  
To pass the dike. Which being so deep, they could not get their horse  
To venture on: but trample, snore, and on the very brink,  
To neigh with spirit, yet still stand off: nor would a human think  
The passage safe; or if it were, 'twas less safe for retreat,  
The dike being every where so deep; and (where 'twas least deep) set  
With stakes exceeding thick, sharp, strong, that horse could never pass;  
Much less their chariots, after them: yet for the foot there was  
Some hopeful service, which they wished. Polydamas then spoke;   

Hector, and all our friends of Troy, we indiscreetly make 
Polyd●… s●…d c●…nsell to Hector.   
Offer of passage with our horse: ye see the stakes, the wall,  
Impossible for horse to take: nor can men fight at all,  
The place being straight, and much more apt, to let us take our bane,  
Then give the enemy: and yet, if jove decree the wane  
Of Grecian glory utterly: and so bereave their hearts,  
That we may freely charge them thus, and then, will take our parts:  
I would with all speed, wish th'assault: that ugly shame might shed  
(Thus far from home) these Grecians bloods. But if they once turn head,  
And sally on us from their fleet, when in so deep a dike  
We shall lie struggling; not a man, of all our host is like  
To live, and carry back the news: and therefore, be it thus:  
Here leave we horse, kept by our men, and all on foot let us  
Hold close together, and attend, the grace of Hector's guide;  
And then they shall not bear our charge, our conquest shall be did▪  
In their lives purples. This advice, pleased Hector, for 'twas sound:  
Who first obeyed it, and full armed, betook him to the ground:  
And then all left their chariots, when he was seen to lead;  
Rushing about him, and gave up, each chariot and steed  
To their directors to be kept, in all procinct of war:  
There, and on that side of the dike. And thus the rest prepare  
Their onset: In five regiments, they all their power divide:  
Each regiment allowed three Chiefs; of all which, even the pride,  
Served in great Hector's Regiment: for all were set on fire  
(Their passage beaten through the wall) with hazardous desire,  
That they might once, but fight at fleet. With Hector, Captains were,  
Polydamas, and Cebriones, who was his charioteer:  
But Hector found that place a worse. Chiefs of the second band,  
Were Paris, and Alcathous, Agenor. The command  
The third strong Phalanx had, was given, to th'augur Hellenus;  
Deiphobus, that Godlike man, and mighty Asius;  
Even Asius Hyrtacides, that from Arisba road  
The huge bay horse, and had his house, where river Selleës flowed.  
The fourth charge, good Aeneas led, and with him were combined  
Archelochus, and Acamas (Antenor's dearest kind)  
And excellent at every fight. The fifth brave company,  
Sarpedon had to charge; who choosed, for his commands supply,  
Asteropoeus great in arms, and Glaucus; for both these  
Were best of all men, but himself: but he was fellowless.   

Thus fitted with their well wrought shields, down the steep dike they go;  
And (thirsty of the walls assault) believe in overthrow:  
Not doubting but with headlong falls, to tumble down the Greeks,  
From their black navy: in which trust, all on; and no man seeks  
To cross Polydamas advice, with any other course,  
But Asius Hyrtacides, who (proud of his bay horse)  
Would not forsake them; nor his man, that was their manager,  
(Fool that he was) but all to fleet: and little knew how near  
An ill death sat him, and a sure; and that he never more  
Must look on lofty Ilium: but looks, and all, before,  
Put on th'all-covering mist of Fate; that then did hang upon  
The lance of great 
* Idomen●….  Deucalides: he fatally rushed on  
The left hand way; by which the Greeks, with horse and chariot,  
Came usually from field to fleet: close to the gates he got,  
Which both unbard and open he found; that so the easier might  
An entry be for any friend, that was behind in flight;  
Yet not much easier for a foe: because there was a guard  
Maintained upon it, past his thought; who still put for it hard,  
Eagerly shouting: and with him, were five more friends of name  
That would not leave him, though none else, would hunt that way for fame  
(In their free choice) but he himself. Orestes, jamenus,  
And Acamas, Asiades, Thoon, O●…nomaus,  
Were those that followed Asius: within the gates they found  
Two eminently valorous, that from the race renowned  
Of the right valiant Lapiths, derived their high descent.  
Fierce Leonteus was the one, like Mars in detriment; 
S●…ch maketh Virgil Pandarus and Bitias.   
The other mighty Polepaet, the great Pirithous son.  
These stood within the lofty gates, and nothing more did shun,  
The charge of Asius and his friends, than two high hill-bred Okes,  
Well rooted in the binding earth, obey the airy strokes  
Of wind and weather, standing firm, 'gainst every seasons spite:  
Yet they pour on continued shouts, and bear their shields upright:  
When in the mean space Polypaet, and Leonteus cheered  
Their soldiers to the fleets defence: but when the rest had heard  
The Troyans' in attempt to scale, Clamour and flight did flow  
Amongst the Grecians: and then (the rest dismayed) these two  
Met Asius entering; thrust him back, and fought before their doors:  
Nor fared they then like Okes, that stood, but as a brace of Boars  
Couched in their own bred hill, that hear, a sort of hunter's shout  
And hounds in hot trail coming on; then from their dens break out,  
Traverse their force, and suffer not, in wildness of their way,  
About them any plant to stand: but thickets, offering stay,  
Break through, and ●…end up by the roots; whet gnashes into air,  
Which Tumult fills, with shouts, hounds, horns, and all the hot affair  
Beats at their bosoms: so their arms, rung with assailing blows;  
And so they stirred them in repulse, right well assured that those  
Who were within, and on the wall, would add their parts; who knew  
They now fought for their tents, fleet, lives, and fame; and therefore threw  
Stones from the walls and towers, as thick, as when a drift wind shakes  
Blacke-clouds in pieces, and plucks snow, in great and plumy flakes  
From their soft bosoms, till the ground, be wholly clothed in white;  
So earth was hid with stones and darts: darts from the Trojan fight,  
Stones from the Greeks, that on the helms, and bossie Trojan shields  
Kept such a rapping, it amazed, great Asius, who now yields  
Sighs, beats his thighs: and in a rage, his fault to jove applies.  
O jove (said he) now clear thou show'st, thou art a friend to lies; 
Asi●… near his d●…ath blames 〈◊〉 for it.   
Pretending, in the flight of Greece, the making of it good,  
To all their ruins: which I thought, could never be withstood,  
Yet they, as yellow Wasps, or Bees (that having made their nest 
Apta ad rem comparatio.   
The gasping Cranny of a hill) when for a hunter's feast,  
Hunters come hot and hungry in; and dig for honey Comes:  
They fly upon them, strike and sting: and from their hollow homes  
Will not be beaten, but defend, their labours fruit, and brood:  
No more will these be from their port, but either lose their blood  
(Although but two, against all us) or be our prisoners made;  
All this, to do his action grace, could not firm jove persuade,  
Who for the general counsel stood; and ('gainst his singular brave)  
Bestowed on Hector that days fame. Yet he, and these behave  
Themselves thus nobly at this port: but how at other ports,  
And all alongst the stony wall, sole force, 'gainst force and forts,  
Raged in contention twixt both hosts: it were no easy thing,  
(Had I the bosom of a God) to tune to life, and sing.  
The Troyans' fought not of themselves, a fire from heaven was thrown  
That ran amongst them, through the wall, mere added to their own.  
The Greeks held not their own: weak grief, went with her withered hand,  
And dipped it deeply in their spirits; since they could not command  
Their forces to abide the field, whom harsh Necessity  
(●…o save those ships should bring them home) and their good forts supply  
Drove to th'expulsive fight they made; and this might stoop them more  
Than Need itself could elevate: for even Gods did deplore  
Their dire estates, and all the Gods, that were their aids in war:  
Who (though they could not clear their plights) yet were their friends thus far,  
Still to uphold the better sort: for than did Polepaet pass  
A lance at Damasus, whose helm, was made with cheeks of brass,  
Yet had not proof enough; the pile, drove through it, and his skull;  
His brain in blood drowned; and the man, so late so spiritful,  
Fell now quite spiritless to earth. So emptied he the veins  
Of Pylon, and Ormenus lives: and then Leonteus gains  
The life's end of Hippomachus, Antimachus-his son;  
His lance fell at his girdle stead, and with his end, begun  
Another end: Leonteus, left him, and through the press  
(His keen sword drawn) ran desperately, upon Antiphates;  
And lifeless tumbled him to earth. Nor could all these lives quench  
His fiery spirit, that his flame, in Menons' blood did drench,  
And raged up, even to jamen, and young Orestes life;  
All heaped together, made their peace, in that red field of strife.  
Whose fair arms while the victors ●…poild; the youth of Ilium  
(Of which thereserued the most and best) still boldly built upon  
The wisdom of Polydamas, and Hector's matchless strength;  
And followed, filled with wondrous spirit; with wish, and hope at length  
(The Greeks wall won) to fire their fleet. But (having past the dike,  
And willing now, to pass the wall) this prodigy did strike  
Their hearts with some deliberate stay: A high-flowne-Eagle sorde  
On their troops left hand, and sustained, a Dragon all engorde,  
In her strong seres, of wondrous size, and yet had no such check  
In life and spirit, but still she fought; and turning back her neck  
So stung the eagle's gorge, that down, she cast her fervent prey,  
Amongst the multitude; and took, upon the winds, her way;  
Crying with anguish. When they saw, a branded Serpent sprawl  
So full amongst them; from above, and from Ioues fowl let fall:  
They took it an ostent from him; stood frighted; and their cause  
Polydamas thought just, and spoke; Hector, you know, applause 
Polydamas to Hector.   
Of humour hath been far from me; nor fits it, or in war,  
Or in affairs of Court, a man, employed in public care,  
To blanche things further than their truth, or flatter any power:  
And therefore, for that simple course, your strength hath oft been sour  
To me in counsels: yet again, what shows in my thoughts best,  
I must discover: let us cease, and make their flight our rest  
For this days honour; and not now, attempt the Grecian fleet;  
For this (I fear) will be th'event; the prodigy doth meet  
So full with our affair in hand. As this high flying fowl,  
Upon the left wing of our host, (implying our control)  
Hoverd above us; and did truss, within her golden seres  
A Serpent so imbrued, and big, which yet (in all her fears)  
Kept life, and fervent spirit to fight, and wrought her own release;  
Nor did the eagle's Airy, feed: So though we thus far press  
Upon the Grecians; and perhaps, may overrune their wall,  
Our high minds aiming at their fleet; and that we much appall  
Their trussed spirits; yet are they, so Serpentlike disposed  
That they will fight, though in our seres; and will at length be losd  
With all our outcries; and the life, of many a Trojan breast,  
Shall with the Eagle fly, before, we carry to our nest  
Them, or their navy: thus expounds, the Augur this ostent;  
Whose depth he knows; & these should fear. Hector, with countenance bend  
Thus answered him: Polydamas, your depth in augury 
Hector to Polydamas.   
I like not; and know passing well, thou dost not satisfy  
Thyself in this opinion: or if thou thinkest it true,  
Thy thoughts, the Gods blind; to advise, and urge that as our due,  
That breaks our duties; and to ●…oue, whose vow and sign to me  
Is passed directly for our speed: yet light-winged birds must be  
(By thy advice) our Oracles, whose feathers little stay  
My serious actions. What care I, if this, or th'other way  
Their wild wings sway them: if the right, on which the Sun doth rise,  
Or, to the left hand, where he sets? 'tis Ioues high counsel flies  
With those wings, that shall bear up us: joves, that both earth and heaven,  
Both men and Gods sustains and rules: One augury is given  
To order all men, best of all; fight for thy country's right.  
But why fearest thou our further charge? for though the dangerous fight  
Strew all men he●…e about the fleet, yet thou needst never fear  
To bear their Fates; thy wary heart, will never trust thee, where  
An enemies look is; and yet fight: for, if thou darest abstain,  
Or whisper into any ear, an abstinence so vain  
As thou advisest: never fear, that any foe shall take  
Thy life from thee, for 'tis this lance. This said, all forwards make,  
Himself the first: yet before him, exulting Clamour flew;  
And thunder-loving- jupiter, from lofty Ida blew  
A storm that usherd their assault, and made them charge like him:  
It drove directly on the fleet, a dust so fierce and dim,  
That it amazed the Grecians: but was a grace divine,  
To Hector and his following troops, who wholly did incline  
To him, being now in grace with jove: and so put boldly on  
To raze the rampire: in whose height, they fiercely set upon  
The Parapets, and pulled them down, raced every foremost fight;  
And all the Butteresses of stone, that held their towers upright;  
They tore away, with Crows of Iron; and hoped to ruin all.   

The Greeks yet stood, and still repaired, the forefights of their wall  
With hides of Oxen, and from thence, they poured down stones in showers  
Upon the underminers heads. Within the foremost towers,  
Both the Aiaces had command; who answered every part,  
Th'assaulters, and their soldiers; repressed, and put in heart:  
Repairing valour as their wall: spoke some fair, some reproved,  
Who ever made not good his place: and thus they all sorts moved;   

O countrymen, now need in aid, would have excess be spent:  
The excellent must be admired; the meanest excellent;  
The worst, do well: in changing war, all should not be alike,  
Nor any idle: which to know, fits all, lest Hector strike  
Your minds with frights, as ears with threats; forward be all your hands,  
Urge one another: this doubt down, that now betwixt us stands,  
jove will go with us to their walls. To this effect, aloud  
Spoke both the Princes: and as high (with this) th'expulsion flowed. 
Simile.   
And as in winter time, when jove, his cold-sharpe iavelines throws  
Amongst us mortals; and is moved, to white earth with his snows:  
(The winds asleep) he freely pours, till highest Prominents,  
Hill tops, low meadows, and the fields, that crown with most contents  
The toils of men: sea ports, and shores, are hid, and every place,  
But floods (that snows fair tender flakes, as their own brood, embrace:)  
So both fides covered earth with stones, so both for life contend,  
To show their sharpness: through the wall, uproar stood up an end.  
Nor had great Hector and his friends, the rampire overrun,  
If heavens great Counsellor, high jove, had not inflamed his son  
Sarpedon (like the forests king, when he on Oxen flies)  
Against the Grecians: his round targe, he to his arm applies  
Brasse-leaued without: and all within, thick Oxe-hides quilted hard:  
The verge nailed round with rods of gold, and with two darts prepared;  
He leads his people: as ye see, a mountain Lion far,  
Long kept from prey: in forcing which, his high mind makes him dare,  
Assault upon the whole full fold: though guarded never so  
With well-armed men, and eager dogs; away he will not go,  
But venture on, and either snatch, a prey, or be a prey:  
So fared divine Sarpedons mind, resolved to force his way 
Sarpedons 〈◊〉 to Glaucus, never equalled by ●…y (in this kind) of all 〈◊〉 ●…aue written.   
Through all the forefights, and the wall: yet since he did not see  
Others as great as he, in name, as great in mind as he:  
He spoke to Glaucus: Glaucus, say, why are we honoured more  
Than other men of Lycia, in place? with greater store  
Of meats and cups? with goodlier roofs? delightsome gardens? walks?  
More lands, and better? so much wealth, that Court and country talks  
Of us, and our possessions; and every way we go,  
Gaze on us as we were their Gods? this where we dwell, is so:  
The shores of Xanthus' ring of this; and shall not we exceed,  
As much in merit, as in noise? Come, be we great in deed  
As well as look; shine not in gold, but in the flames of fight;  
That so our neat-armed- Lycians, may say; See, these are right  
Our kings, our Rulers; these deserve, to eat, and drink the best;  
These govern not ingloriously: these, thus exceed the rest,  
Do more than they command to do. O friend, if keeping back  
Would keep back age from us, and death; and that we might not wrack  
In this life's human sea at all: but that deferring now  
We shunned death ever; nor would I, half this vain valour show,  
Nor glorify a folly so, to wish thee to advance:  
burr since we must go, though not here; and that, besides the chance  
Proposed now, there are infinite fates, of other sort in death,  
Which (neither to be fled nor 'scaped) a man must sink beneath:  
Come, try we, if this sort be ours: and either render thus,  
Glory to others, or make them, resign the like to us.   

This motion, Glaucus shifted not, but (without words) obeyed; 
Sarpedon and Glaucus charge together.   
Foreright went both, a mighty troup, of Lycians followed.  
Which, by Menestheus observed; his hair stood up on end,  
For at the tower where he had charge, he saw Calamity bend  
Her horrid brows in their approach. He threw his looks about  
The whole fights near, to see what Chief, might help the misery out  
Of his poor soldiers, and beheld, where both th' Aiaces fought,  
And Teucer, newly come from fleet: whom it would profit nought  
To call, since Tumult on their helms, shields, and upon the ports  
L●…id such loud claps; for every way, defences of all sorts  
Were adding, as Troy took away; and Clamour flew so high  
Her wings struck heaven, and drowned all voice. The two Dukes yet so nigh  
And at the offer of assault; he to th' Aiaces sent  
Thoos the herald, with this charge: Run to the regiment 
T●…oos sent to the A●…aces for aid by Menestheus.   
Of both th' Aiaces, and call Both, for both were better here,  
Since here will slaughter, instantly; be more enforced then there.  
The Lycian Captains this way make, who in the fights of stand,  
Have often show'd much excellence: yet if laborious hand  
Be there more needful than I hope, at least afford us some,  
Let Ajax Telamonius, and th'Archer Teucer come.   

The Herald hasted, and arrived; and both th' Aiaces told,  
That Peteus' noble son desired, their little labour would  
Employ itself in succouring him. Both their supplies were best,  
Since death assailed his quarter most: for on it fiercely priest  
The well-proued mighty Lycian Chiefs. Yet if the service there  
Allowed not both, he prayed that one, part of his charge would bear,  
And that was Ajax Telamonius, with whom he wished would come,  
The Archer Teucer. Telamonius, left instantly his room  
To strong Lycomedes, and willed, Ajax Oiliades  
With him to make up his supply, and fill with courages  
The Grecian hearts till his return, which should be instantly  
When he had well relieved his friend. With this, the company  
Of Teucer he took to his aid: Teucer, that did descend  
(As Ajax did) from Telamonius: with these two did attend  
Pandion, that bo●…e Teucer's bow. When to Menestheus tower  
They came, alongst the wall; they found, him, and his heartened power  
Toiling in making strong their fort. The Lycian Princes set  
Black whirlwind-like, with both their powers, upon the Parapet.  
Ajax, and all, resisted them. Clamour amongst them rose:  
The slaughter, Ajax led; who first, the last dear sight did close  
Of strong Epicles, that was friend, to Ioues great Lycian son.  
Amongst the high munition heap, a mighty marble stone  
Lay highest, near the Pinnacle; a stone of such a poise,  
That one of this times strongest men, with both hands, could not raise:  
Yet this did Ajax rouse, and throw; and all in sherds did drive  
Epicles foure-topt cask and skull; who (as ye see one dive  
In some deep river) left his height; life left his bones withal.   

Teucer shot Glaucus (rushing up, yet higher on the wall) 
Glaucus' wounded by Teucer.   
Where naked he discerned his arm, and made him steal retreat  
From that hot service; lest some Greek, with an insulting threat,  
(Beholding it) might fright the rest. Sarpedon much was grieved,  
At Glaucus parting, yet fought on; and his great heart relieved 
Sarpedon revengeth Glaucus.   
A little with Alcmaons' blood, surnamed Thestorides,  
Whose life he hurled out with his lance; which following through the press,  
He drew from him. Down from the tower, Alcmaon dead it struck;  
His fair arms ringing out his death. Then fierce Sarpedon took  
In his strong hand the battlement, and down he tore it quite:  
The wall stripped naked, and broad way, for entry and full fight,  
He made the many. Against him, Ajax and Teucer made;  
Teucer, the rich belt on his breast, did with a shaft invade:  
But jupiter averted death; who would not see his son  
Die at the tails of th'Achiue ships. Ajax did fetch his run,  
And (with his lance) struck through the targe, of that brave Lycian king;  
Yet kept he it from further pass; nor did it any thing  
Dismay his mind, although his men, stood off from that high way,  
His valour made them; which he kept, and hoped that stormy day  
Should ever make his glory clear. His men's fault thus he blamed;  
O Lycians, why are your hot spirits, so quickly disinflamed? 
Sarpedon to hi●… soldiers.   
Suppose me ablest of you all: 'tis hard for me alone,  
To ruin such a wall as this; and make Confusion,  
Way to their Nau●…e; lend your hands. What many can dispatch  
One cannot think: the noble work, of many, hath no match. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉    

The wise kings just rebuke did strike, a reverence to his will  
Through all his soldiers; all stood in; and 'gainst all th'Achiues still  
Made strong their Squadrons; insomuch, that to the adverse side  
The work showed mighty; and the wall, when 'twas within des●…ride,  
No easy service; yet the Greeks, could neither free their wall,  
Of these brave Lycians, that held firm, the place they first did scale:  
Nor could the Lycians from their fort, the sturdy Grecians drive,  
Nor reach their fleet. But as two men, about the limits strive 
Admiranda & pene inimitabilis comparatio (saith Spond.) and yet in the explication of it, he thinks all super●… but three words, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, exiguo in loco: leaving out other words more expressive with his old rule, uno pede, etc.   
Of land that toucheth in a field; their measures in their hands,  
They meet their parts out curiously, and either stiffly stands,  
That so far is his right in law; both hugely set on fire  
About a passing little ground: so greedily aspire  
Both these foes, to their several ends; and all exhaust their most  
About the very battlements (for yet no more was lost.)   

With sword, and fire they vexed for them, their targes hugely round,  
With Oxehides lined; and bucklers light, and many a ghastly wound  
The stern steel gave, for that one prize; whereof though some received  
Their portions on their naked backs; yet others were bereaved  
Of brave lives, face-turnd, through their shields: towers, bulwarks every where  
Were freckled with the blood of men; nor yet the Greeks did bear 
A simile su●…ior to the other, in which, comparing mightiest things with mea ●…est, & the mea ●…est illustrating the mightiest: both meeting in one end of this life's preservation, and credit: our Hom. is beyond comparison and admiration. Hector to the Tro●…ans.   
Base back-turnd faces; nor their foes, would therefore be outfaced.  
But as a Spinster poor and just, ye sometimes see straight laced  
About the weighing of her web, who (careful) having charge,  
For which, she would provide some means, is loath to be too large  
In giving, or in taking weight; but ever with her hand,  
Is doing with the weights and wool, till Both in just poise stand:  
So evenly stood it with these foes, till jove to Hector gave  
The turning of the skoles; who first, against the rampire drove;  
And spoke so loud that all might hear: O stand not at the pale  
(Brave Trojan friends) but mend your hands: up, and break through the wall,  
And make a bonfire of their fleet. All heard, and all in heaps  
Got ●…kaling ladders, and aloft. In mean space, Hector leaps  
Upon the port, from whose out-part, he tore a massy stone  
Thick downwards, upward edged; it was so huge an one  
That two vast 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, duo v●…ri 〈◊〉.  yeomen of most strength (such as these times beget)  
Can not from earth lift to a Cart: yet he did brandish it,  
Alone (Saturnius made it light:) and swinging it as nought,  
He came before the plankie gates, that all for strength were wrought,  
And kept the Port: two fold they were, and with two rafters bard;  
High, and strong locked: he raised the stone, bend to the hurl so hard,  
And made it with so main a strength, that all the gates did crack;  
The rafters left them, and the folds one from another brake:  
The hinges piece-meal flew, and through, the fervent little rock  
Thundered a passage; with his weight, th'inwall his breast did knock:  
And in rushed Hector, fierce and grim, as any stormy night;  
His brass arms, round about his breast, reflected terrible light.  
Each arm held up, held each a dart: his presence called up all  
The dreadful spirits his Being held, that to the threatened wall  
None but the Gods might check his way: his eyes were furnaces;  
And thus he looked back, called in all: all fired their courages,  
And in they flowed: the Grecians fled, their fleet now, and their freight  
Asked all their rescue: Greece went down, Tumult was at his height.   
The end of the twelfth Book.   

THE XIII. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

NEptune (in pity of the Greeks hard plight)  
Like Calchas, both th' Aiaces, doth excite  
And others; to repel, the charging foe.  
Idomeneus, bravely doth bestow  
His kingly forces; and doth sacrifice  
Othryoneus to the Destinies;  
With divers other. Fair Deiphobus,  
And his prophetic brother Hellenus  
Are wounded. But the great Priamides,  
(Gathering his forces) heartens their address  
Against the enemy; and then, the field,  
A mighty death, on either side doth yield.   
Another Argument.  

The Greeks with Troy's bold power dismayed,  
Are cheered by Neptune's secret aid.   

Jove helping Hector, and his host; thus close to th' Achive flee●…,  
He let them then their own strengths try; & season there their sweet  
With ceaseless toils, and grievances. For now he turned his face,  
Looked down, & viewed the far-off land, of welrode men in Thrace.  
Of the renowned milk-nourished men, the Hippemolgians,  
Long-lived; most just, and innocent. And close-fought Mysians:  
Nor turned he any more to Troy, his evershining eyes:  
Because he thought, not any one, of all the Deities;  
(When his care left th'indifferent field) would aid on either side.  
But this security in jove, the great Sea-Rector spied,  
Who sat aloft, on th'utmost top, of shady Samothrace,  
And viewed the fight. His chosen seat, stood in so brave a place, 
Neptune's prospect.   
That Priam's city, th' Achive ships, all Ida did appear,  
To his full view; who from the sea, was therefore seated there.  
He took much ruth, to see the Greeks, by Troy, sustain such ill,  
And (mightily incensed with jove) stooped straight from that steep hill;  
That shook as he flew off: so hard, his parting priest the height.  
The woods, and all the great hills near, trembled beneath the weight  
Of his immortal moving feet: three steps he only took,  
Before he far-off Aegas reached; but with the fourth, it shook  
With his dread entry. In the depth, of those seas, he did hold  
His bright and glorious palace built, of never-rusting gold;  
And there arrived, he put in Coach, his brazen-footed steeds,  
All golden man'd, and paced with wings; and all in golden weeds 
The horse of Neptune.   
He clothed himself. The golden scourge, (most elegantly done)  
He took, and mounted to his seat: and then the God begun  
To drive his chariot through the waves. From whirlepits every way  
The whales exulted under him, and knew their king: the Sea  
For joy did open; and his horse, so swift, and lightly flew:  
The under-axeltree of Brass, no drop of water drew.  
And thus, these deathless Coursers brought, their king to th' Achiu●… ships.   

Twixt th' Imber Cliffs, and Tenedos, a certain Caverne creeps  
Into the deep seas gulphie breast, and there th'earth-shaker stayed 
Chorographia.   
His forward steeds: took them from coach, and heavenly fodder laid  
In reach before them. Their brass hoves, he gi●… with gives of gold  
Not to be broken, nor dissolved; to make them firmly hold  
A fit attendance on their king. Who went to th' Achive host, 
Nept une goes to the Greeks'.   
Which (like to tempests, or wild flames) the clustering Troyans' tossed;  
Insatiably valorous, in Hector's like command;  
High founding, and resounding shouts: for Hope cheered every hand  
To make the Greek fleet now their prize, and all the Greeks destroy.  
But Neptune (circler of the earth) with fresh heart did employ  
The Grecian hands. In strength of voice, and body, he did take  
Calchas resemblance, and (of all) th' Aiaces first bespoke;  
Who of themselves were free enough: Aiaces? you alone 
Neptun●… to the two A●…aces.   
Sustain the common good of Greece, in ever putting on  
The memory of Fortitude: and flying shameful Flight.  
Elsewhere, the desperate hands of Troy, could give me no affright,  
The brave Greeks have withstood their worst: but this our mighty wall  
Being thus transcended by their power; grave Fear doth much appall  
My careful spirits, lest we feel, some fatal mischief here;  
Where Hector raging like a flame, doth in his charge appear,  
And boasts himself the best Gods son. Be you conceited so,  
And fire so, more than human spirits; that God may seem to do  
In your deeds: and with such thoughts cheered, others to such exhort,  
And such resistance: these great minds, will in as great a sort,  
Strengthen your bodies, and force check, to all great Hector's charge,  
Though nereso spirit-like; and though jove still, (past himself) enlarge  
His sacred actions. Thus he touched, with his forked sceptres point  
The breasts of both; filled both their spirits, and made up every joint  
With power responsive: when hawk-like, swift, and set sharp to fly, 
Simile.   
That fiercely stooping from a rock, inaccessible, and hie,  
Cuts through a field, and sets a fowl, (not being of her kind)  
Hard, and gets ground still: Neptune so, left these two; either's mind  
Beyond themselves raised. Of both which, Oileus first discerned  
The masking Deity: and said, Ajax? some God hath warned 
Ajax Oileus to Ajax Telamo●…ius.   
Our powers to fight, and save our fleet. He put on him the hue  
Of th'augur Calchas: by his pace (in leaving us) I knew  
(Without all question) 'twas a God: the Gods are easily known:  
And in my tender breast I feel, a greater spirit blown,  
To execute affairs of fight: I find my hands so free  
To all high motion; and my feet, seem feathered under me. 
The two 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
This, Telamonius thus received: So, to my thoughts, my hands  
Burn with desire to toss my lance; each foot beneath me stands  
Bare on bright fire, to use his speed: my heart is raised so high,  
That to encounter Hector's self, I long insatiately.   

While these thus talked, as, overjoyed, with study for the fight,  
(Which God had stirred up in their spirits) the same God did excite  
The Greeks' that were behind at fleet, refreshing their free hearts  
And joints; being even dissolved with toil: and (seeing the desperate parts  
Played by the Troyans', past their wall) Grief struck them; and their eyes  
Sweat tears from under their sad lids: their instant destinies  
Never supposing they could scape. But Neptune stepping in,  
With ease stirred up the able troops; and did at first begin  
With Teucer, and Peneleus; th'hero Leitus;  
Deipirus, Meriones, and young Antilochus;  
All expert in the deeds of arms: O youths of Greece (said he) 
Nept●… to the Greeks'.   
What change is this? In your brave fight, I only looked to see  
Our fleets whole safety; and if you, neglect the harmful field;  
Now shines the day, when Greece to Troy, must all her honours yield.  
O grief! so great a miracle, and horrible to sight,  
As now I see; I never thought, could have profaned the light:  
The Troyans' brave us at our ships, that have been heretofore,  
Like faint and fearful Dear in woods; distracted evermore  
With every sound: and yet scape not, but prove the torne-up fare  
Of Lynxes, Wolves, and Leopards; as never borne to war:  
Nor durst these Troyans' at first siege, in any least degree,  
Expect your strength; or stand one shock, of Grecian Chivalry.  
Yet now, far from their walls they dare, fight at our fleet maintain;  
All by our General's cowardice, that doth infect his men;  
Who (still at odds with him) for that, will needs themselves neglect;  
And suffer Slaughter in their ships. Suppose there was defect  
(Beyond all question) in our king, to wrong Aeacides;  
And he, for his particular wreak, from all assistance cease:  
We must not cease t'assist ourselves. Forgive our General then; 
Good minded men apt to forgive.   
And quickly too: apt to forgive, are all good minded men.  
Yet you (quite void of their good minds) give good, in you quite lost,  
For ill in others: though ye be, the worthiest of your host.  
As old as I am, I would scorn, to fight with one that flies,  
Or leaves the fight, as you do now. The General slothful lies,  
And you (though sloughtfull to) maintain, with him, a fight of spleen.  
Out, out, I hate ye from my heart; ye rotten minded men.  
In this, ye add an ill that s worse, than all your sloths dislikes.  
But as I know, to all your hearts, my reprehension strikes;  
So thither let just shame strike to; for while you stand still here,  
A mighty fight swarms at your fleet, great Hector rageth there,  
Hath burst the long bar and the gates. Thus Neptune roused these men;  
ᵇ And round about th' Aiaces did, their Phalanxes maintain,  
Their station firm; whom Mars himself, (had he amongst them gone)  
Can not disparaged; nor Ioues Maid, that sets men fiercer on:  
For now the best were chosen out, and they received th'advance  
Of Hector and his men so full, that lance, was lined with lance;  
Shields, thickened with opposed shields; targets to targets nailed:  
helms stuck to helms; and man to man, grew; they so close assailed:  
Plumed casks, were hanged in either's plumes: all joined so close their stands;  
Their lances stood, thrust out so thick, by such all-daring hands.  
All bend their firm breasts to the point; and made sad fight their joy  
Of both: Troy all in heaps struck first, and Hector first of Troy.  
And as a round piece of a rock, which with a winter's flood 
Simile.   
Is from his top torn; when a shower, poured from a bursten cloud,  
Hath broke the natural bond it held, within the rough steep rock;  
And jumping, it flies down the woods, resounding every shock;  
And on, unchecked, it headlong leaps, till in a plain it stay:  
And then (though never so impelled) it stirs not any way.  
So Hector, hereto throated threats, to go to sea in blood,  
And reach the Grecian ships and tents; without being once withstood:  
But when he fell into the strengths, the Grecians did maintain,  
And that they fought upon the square, he stood as fettered then.  
And so, the adverse sons of Greece, laid on with swords and darts,  
(Whose both ends hurt) that they repelled, his worst; and he converts  
His threats, by all means, to retreats; yet, made as he retired  
Only t'encourage those behind; and thus those men inspired:   

Troyans'? Dardanians? Lycians? all warlike friends, stand close; 
Hector to his friends.   
The Greeks can never bear me long, though towre-like they oppose;  
This lance (be sure) will be their spoil: if, even the best of Gods,  
(High-thundring junos' husband) stirs, my spirit with true abodes.   

With this, all strengths and minds he moved; but young Deiphobus,  
(Old Priam's son) amongst them all, was chief virtuous. 
D●…obus his ●…alor.   
He bore before him his round shield; tripped lightly through the press,  
At all parts covered with his shield: And him Meriones  
Charged with a glittering dart, that took, his bul-hide orbie shield,  
Yet pierced it not, but in the top, itself did piecemeal yield.   

Deiphobus thrust forth his targe, and feared the broken ends  
Of strong Meriones his lance, who now turned to his friends;  
The great Hero, scorning much, by such a chance to part  
With lance and conquest: forth he went, to fetch another dart  
Left at his tent. The rest fought on, the Clamour heightened there  
Was most unmeasured; Teucer first, did flesh the Massacre, 
Teu●…ers ●…alor.   
And slew a goodly man at arms, the soldier Imbrius,  
The son of Mentor, rich in horse; he dwelled at Pedasus  
Before the sons of Greece sieged Troy; from whence he married  
Medesicasté, one that sprung, of Priam's bastard bed.  
But when the Greek ships, (double oared) arrived at Ilium,  
To Ilium he returned, and proved, beyond comparison  
Amongst the Troyans'; he was lodged, with Priam, who held dear  
His natural sons no more than him; yet him, beneath the ear  
The son of Telamonius attained, and drew his lance. He fell  
As when, an Ash on some hills top, (it self topped wondrous well) 
Simile.   
The steel hews down, and he presents, his young leaves to the soil:  
So fell he, and his fair arms groaned; which Teucer longed to spoil,  
And in he ran; and Hector in, who sent a shining lance  
At Teucer; who (beholding it) slipped by, and gave it chance  
On Actors son Amphimachus, whose breast it struck; and in  
Flew Hector, at his sounding fall, with full intent to win  
The tempting helmet from his head; but Ajax with a dart,  
Reached Hector at his rushing in, yet touched not any part  
About his body; it was hid, quite through with horrid brass;  
The boss yet of his targe it took, whose firm stuff stayed the pass,  
And he turned safe from both the trunks: both which the Grecians bore  
From off the field; Amphimachus, Menestheus did restore,  
And Stichius, to th' Achaean strength: th' Aiaces (that were pleased  
Still most, with most hot services) on Trojan Imbrius seized:  
And, as from sharply-bitten hounds, a brace of Lion's force 
Simile.   
A new slain Goat; and through the woods, bear in their jaws the corpse  
Aloft, lift up into the air: so, up, into the skies  
Bore both th' Aiaces, Imbrius; and made his arms their pri●…e.   

Yet (not content) Oileades, enraged, to see there dead  
His much beloved Amphimachus; he hewed off Imbrius head,  
Which (swinging round) bowl like he tossed, amongst the Trojan press,  
And full at Hector's feet it fell. Amphimachus decease  
(Being nephew to the God of waves) much vexed the Deities mind;  
And to the ships and tents he marched: yet more, to make inclined  
The Grecians, to the Trojan bane. In hasting to which end,  
Idomen●…us met with him, returning from a friend,  
Whose ham late hurt, his men brought off; and having given command  
To his Physicians for his cure, (much fired to put his hand  
To Troy's repulse) he left his tent. Him (like Andremons' son,  
Prince Thoas, that in Pleuron ruled, and lo●…rie Calydon,  
Th' Aetolian powers; and like a God, was of his subjects loved)  
Neptune encountered: and but thus, his forward spirit moved.   

Idomeneus, Prince of Crete? O whither now are fled 
Neptu●…e to Ido●…en   
Those threats in thee, with which the rest, the Troyans' menaced?   

O Thoas (he replied) no on●…, of all our host, stands now  
In any question of reproof (as I am let to know)  
And why is my intelligence false? We all know how to fight,  
And (Fear disanimating none) all do our knowledge right.  
Nor can our harms accuse our sloth; not one from work we miss:  
The great God only works our ill, whose pleasure now it is,  
That far from home, in hostile fields, and with inglorious fate,  
Some Greeks should perish. But do thou, O Thoas (that of late  
Hast proved a soldier, and was wont, where thou hast Sloth beheld,  
To chide it, and exhort to pains) now hate to be repelled,  
And set on all men. He replied, I would to heaven, that he  
Who ever this day doth abstain, from battle willingly,  
May never turn his face from Troy, but here become the prey  
And scorn of dogs. Come then, take arms, and let our kind assay  
join both our forces: though but two, yet being both combined,  
The work of many single hands, we may perform; we find  
That Virtue coaugmented thrives, in men of little mind:  
But we, have singly, matched the great. This said, the God again  
(With all his conflicts) visited, the venturous fight of men.  
The king turned to his tent; rich arms, put on his breast, and take  
Two darts in hand, and forth he flew; his haste on made him look  
Much like a fiery Meteor, with which, Ioues sulphury hand  
Opens heaven, and hurls about the air, bright flashes, showing aland  
Abodes; that ever run before, tempest, and plagues to men:  
So, in his swift pace, show'd his arms: he was encountered then  
By his good friend Meriones, yet near his tent; to whom  
Thus spoke the power of Idomen: What reason makes thee come,  
(Thou son of Molus, my most loved) thus leaving fight alone?  
Is't for some wound? the javelins head, (still sticking in the bone)  
Desirest thou ease of? Bring'st thou news? or what is it that brings  
Thy presence hither? Be assured, my spirit needs no stings  
To this hot conflict. Of myself, thou seest I come; and loath  
For any tents love, to deserve, the hateful taint of Sloth.   

He answered, Only for a dart, he that retreat did make,  
(Were any left him at his tent:) for, that he had, he broke  
On proud Deiphobus his shield. Is one dart all? (said he)  
Take one and twenty, if thou like, for in my tent they be;  
They stand there shining by the walls: I took them as my prize  
From those false Troyans' I have slain. And this is not the guise  
Of one that loves his tent, or fights, afar off with his foe:  
But since I love fight, therefore doth, my martial star bestow  
(Besides those darts) helms, targets boast, and corselets, bright as day.   

So I (said Merion) at my tent, and sable bark, may say,  
I many Trojan spoils retain: but now, not near they be,  
To serve me for my present use; and therefore ask I thee.  
Not that I lack a fortitude, to store me with my own:  
For ever in the foremost fights, that render men renown,  
I fight, when any fight doth stir: and this perhaps, may well  
Be hid to others, but thou knowst, and I to thee appeal.   

I know (replied the king) how much, thou weighest in every worth,  
What needst thou therefore utter this? If we should now choose forth  
The worthiest men for ambushes, in all our fleet and host:  
(For ambushes are services, that try men's virtues most;  
Since there, the fearful and the firm, will, as they are, appear:  
The fearful altering still his hue, and rests not any where;  
Nor is his spirit capable, of th'ambush constancy,  
But riseth, changeth still his place, and croucheth curiously  
On his bend haunches; half his height, scarce seen above the ground,  
For fear to be seen, yet must see: his heart with many a bound,  
Offering to leap out of his breast, and (ever fearing death)  
The coldness of it makes him gnash, and half shakes out his teeth.  
Where men of valour, neither fear, nor ever change their looks,  
From lodging th'ambush till it rise: buut since there must be strokes,  
Wish to be quickly in their midst:) thy strength and hand in these,  
Who should reprove? For if, far off, or fight in the press,  
Thou shouldst be wounded, I am sure, the dart that gave the wound  
Should not be drawn out of thy back, or make thy neck the ground;  
But meet thy belly, or thy breast; in thrusting further yet  
When thou art furthest, till the first, and before him thou get.  
Buton; like children, let not us, stand bragging thus, but do;  
Lest some hear, and past measure chide, that we stand still and woo.  
Go, choose a better dart, and make, Mars yield a better chance.   

This said, Mars-swift Meriones, with haste, a brazen lance  
took from his tent; and overtook (most careful of the wars)  
Idomeneus. And such two, in field, as harmful Mars,  
And Terror, his beloved son, that without terror fights;  
And is of such strength, that in war, the frighter he affrights;  
When, out of Thrace, they both take arms, against th' Ephyran bands;  
Or 'gainst the great-souled Phlegians: nor favour their own hands,  
But give the grace to others still. In such sort to the fight,  
Marched these two managers of men; in armours full of light.   

And first spoke Merion: On which part, (son of Deucalion)  
Serves thy mind to invade the fight? is't best to set upon  
The Troyans' in our battles aid, the right or lefthand wing,  
For all parts I suppose employed. To this the Cretan king,  
Thus answered: In our navies midst, are others that assist,  
The two Aiaces, Teucer too; with shafts, the expertest  
Of all the Grecians, and though small, is great in fights of stand.  
And these (though huge he be of strength) will serve to fill the hand  
Of Hector's self, that Priamist, that studier for blows:  
It shall be called a deed of height, for him (even suffering throws  
For knocks still) to out labour them: and (bettering their tough hands)  
Inflame our fleet: if jove himself, cast not his fierbrands  
Amongst our navy; that affair, no man can bring to field:  
Great Ajax Telamonius, to none alive will yield,  
That yields to death; and whose life takes, Ceres' nutritions  
That can be cut with any iron, or pashed with mighty stones.  
Not to Aeacides himself, he yields for combats set,  
Though clear he must give place for pace, and free swinge of his feet.  
Since then, the battle (being our place, of most care) is made good  
By his high valour; let our aid, see all powers be withstood,  
That charge the left wing: and to that, let us direct our course,  
Where quickly, feel we this hot foe, or make him feel our force.   

This ordered; swift- Meriones, went, and forewent his king;  
Till both arrived, where one enjoind: when in the Greeks left wing,  
The Troyans' saw the Cretan king, like fire in fortitude;  
And his attendant in bright arms, so gloriously endued,  
Both cheering the sinister troops: all at the king addressed,  
And so the skirmish at their sternes, on both parts were increased:  
That, as from hollow bustling winds, engenderd storms arise, 
Simile.   
When dust doth chief clog the ways, which up into the skies  
The wanton tempest ravisheth; begetting Night of Day;  
So came together both the foes: both justed to assay,  
And work with quick steel, either's death. Man's fierce Corruptresse Fight  
Set up her bristles in the field, with lances long and light,  
Which thick, fell foul on either's face: the splendour of the steel,  
In new skowrd curets, radiant casks, and burnished shields, did seel  
Th'assailers eyes up. He sustained, a huge spirit that was glad  
To see that labour, or in soul, that stood not stricken sad.   

Thus these two disagreeing Gods, old Satur's mighty sons,  
Afflicted these heroic men, with huge oppressions.  
jove honouring Aeacides, (to let the Greeks still try  
Their want without him) would bestow, (yet still) the victory  
On Hector, and the Trojan power; yet for Aeacides,  
And honour of his mother Que●…e, great Goddess of the seas,  
He would not let proud Ilium see, the Grecians quite destroyed:  
And therefore, from the hoary deep, he suffered so employed  
Great Neptune in the Grecian aid; who grieved for them, and stormed  
Extremely at his brother jove. Yet both, one Goddess formed,  
And one soil bred: but jupiter, precedence took in birth,  
And had more 
* The Empire of jove exceeded Neptunes (saith Plut. upon this place) because he was more anci●…nt, and excellent in knowledge and wisedom●…. And upon this verse, viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. sets down this his most worthy to be noted opinion: viz I think also that the blessedness of eternal life, which God enjoys is this: that by any pastime he forgets not notions presently apprebended; for other wise the knowledge & understanding of things taken away; Immortality should not be lise, b●…t Time, etc. Plutde I side & Osiride.  knowledge: for which cause, the other came not forth  
Of his wet kingdom, but with care, of not being seen t'excite  
The Grecian host, and like a man, appeared, and made the fight.  
So these Gods made men's valours great; but equalled them with war  
As harmful, as their hearts were good; and stretched those chains as far  
On both sides as their limbs could bear: in which they were involved  
Past breach, or losing; that their knees, might therefore be dissolved.  
Then, though a halfe-gray man he were, Cretes sovereign did excite  
The Greeks to blows; and flew upon, the Troyans', even to flight:  
For he, in sight of all the host, Othryoneus slew,  
That from Cabesus, with the fame, of those wa●…es, thither drew  
His newcome forces, and required, without respect of dower,  
Cassandra, fairest of Priam's race; assuring with his power,  
A mighty labour: to expel, in their despite from Troy  
The sons of Greece. The king did vow, (that done) he should enjoy  
His goodliest daughter. He, (in trust, of that fair purchase) fought,  
And at him threw the Cretan king, a al●…nce, that singled out  
This great assumer; whom it struck, just in his navils stead;  
His brazen curets helping nought, resigned him to the dead.  
Then did the conqueror exclaim, and thus insulted then:   

Othryoneus, I will praise, beyond all mortal men,  
Thy living virtues; if thou wilt, now perfect the brave vow  
Thou mad'st to Priam, for the wife, he promised to bestow.  
And where he should have kept his word, there we assure thee here,  
To give thee for thy Princely wife, the fairest, and most dear, 
Idomens' insultation on Othry●…ncus.   
Of our great Generals female race, which from his Argive hall,  
We all will wait upon to Troy; if with our aids, and all,  
Thou wilt but raze this well-built town. Come therefore, follow me,  
That in our ships, we may conclude, this royal match with thee:  
I'll be no jot worse than my word. With that he took his feet,  
And dragged him through the fervent fight; In which, did Asius meet  
The victor, to inflict revenge. He came on foot before  
His horse, that on his shoulders breathed; so closely evermore  
His coachman led them to his Lord: who held a huge desire  
To strike the King, but he struck first; and underneath his chin, 
Asius slain.   
At his throats height, through th'other side, his cager lance drove in;  
And down he busled, like an Oak, a Poplar, or a Pine,  
hewn down for shipwood, and so lay: his fall did so decline  
The spirit of his charioteer; that lest he should incense  
The victor to impair his spoil, he durst not drive from thence  
His horse and chariot: and so pleased, with that respective part 
Antilochus slaughters the charioteer of Asius.   
Antilochus, that for his fear, he reached him with a dart,  
About his bellies midst; and down, his sad corpse fell beneath  
The richly-builded chariot, there labouring out his breath.  
The horse Antilochus took off; when, (grieved for this event)  
Deiphobus drew passing near, and at the victor sent 
Dei●…hobus at Antilochus, and kills Hyps●…nor.   
A shining javelin; which he saw, and shunned; with gathering round  
His body, in his all-round shield; at whose top, with a sound,  
It overflew; yet seizing there, it did not idly fly  
From him t●…at winged it; his strong hand, still drove it mortally  
On Prince▪ Hypsenor; it did pierce, his liver, underneath  
The veins it passeth: his shrunk knees, submitted him to death.  
And then did loved- Deiphobus, miraculously vaunt:  
Now Asius lies not unrevenged, nor doth his spirit want 
Deiphobu●… hi●… Brave.   
The joy I wish it; though it be, now entering the strong gate  
Of mighty Pluto: since this hand, hath sent him down a mate.   

This glory in him grieved the Greeks, and chief the great mind  
Of martial Antilochus; whom, (though to grief inclined)  
He left not yet his friend, but ran, and hide him with his shield;  
And to him came two lovely friends, that freed him from the field:  
Mecisteus, son of Echius; and the right nobly borne  
Alastor, bearing him to fle●…t, and did extremely mourn.   

Idomeneus sunk not yet, but held his nerves entire;  
His mind much less deficient, being fed with firm desire  
To hide more Troyans' in dim night, or sink himself, in guard  
Of his loved countrymen. And then, Alcathous prepared  
Work for his valour; offering fate, his own destruction.  
A great Hero, and had grace, to be the loved son  
Of Aesietes, son in law, to Prince Aeneas Sire;  
Hippodamia marrying: who most inflamed the fire  
Of her dear parents love; and took, precedence in her birth,  
Of all their daughters; and as much, exceeded in her worth  
(For beauty answered with her mind; and both, with housewiferie)  
All the fair beauty of young Dames, that used her company;  
And therefore (being the worthiest Dame) the worthiest man did wed  
Of ample Troy. Him Neptune stooped, beneath the royal force  
Of Idomen; his sparkling eyes, deluding; and the course  
Of his illustrious lineaments, so, out of nature bound,  
That back, nor forward, he could stir: but (as he grew to ground  
Stood like a pillar, or high tree, and neither moved, nor feared:  
When straight the royal Cretans dart, in his mid breast appeared;  
It broke the curets that were proof, to every other dart,  
Yet now they cloven and rung; the lance, stuck shaking in his heart:  
His heart with panting made it shake. But Mars did now remit  
The greatness of it, and the king, now quitting the brag fit  
Of glory in Deiphobus, thus terribly exclamed:   

Deiphobus, now may we think, that we are evenly famed, 
Idomen●… to Deiphobus.   
That three for one have sent to Dis. But come, change blows with me,  
Thy vaunts for him thou slew'st were vain: Come wretch, that thou mayst see  
What issue love hath; jove begot, Minos, the strength of Crete:  
Minos begot Deucalion; Deucalion did beget  
Me Idomen now Cretas king, that here my ships have brought,  
To bringthy self, thy father, friends, all Ilion's pomp to nought.   

Deiphobus at two ways stood, in doubt to call some one  
(With some retreat) to be his aid, or try the chance alone.  
At last, the first seemed best to him; and back he went to call,  
Anchises son to friend; who stood, in troup the last of all,  
Where still he served: which made him still, incense against the king, 
Aeneas angry being ever disgraced by Priae.   
That, being amongst his best, their Peer, he graced not any thing  
His wronged deserts. Deiphobus, spoke to him, standing near:  
Aeneas? Prince of Troyans'? if any touch appear 
To him Deiphobus.   
Of glory in thee: thou must now, assist thy sister's Lord,  
And one, that to thy tenderest youth, did careful guard afford,  
Alcathous, whom Cretas king, hath chief slain to thee;  
His right most challenging thy hand: come therefore follow me.   

This much excited his good mind, and set his heart on fire,  
Against the Cretan: who childlike, dissolved not in his ire, 
Simile.   
But stood him firm: As when, in hills, a strength-relying Boar,  
Alone, and hearing hunters come (whom Tumult flies before)  
Up thrusts his bristles, whets his tusks, sets fire on his red eyes,  
And in his braue-prepared repulse, doth dogs and men despise.  
So stood the famous for his lance; nor shunned the coming charge  
That resolute Aeneas brought; yet (since the odds was large)  
He called, with good right, to his aid, war-skild Ascalaphus, 
Idomeneus calls his friends to aid   
Aphareus, Meriones, the strong Deipyrus,  
And Nestor's honourable son: Come near, my friends (said he)  
And add your aids to me alone: Fear taints me worthily,  
Though firm I stand, and show it not: Aeneas great in fight,  
And one, that bears youth in his flower, (that bears the greatest might 
Aeneas yet a youth as Virgil makes him.   
Comes on, with aim, direct at me: had I his youthful limb  
To bear my mind, he should yield Fame, or I would yield it him.   

This said, all held, in many souls, one ready helpful mind,  
Clapped shields and shoulders, and stood close. Aeneas (not inclined  
With more presumption than the king) called aid as well as he:  
Divine Agenor; Helen's love; who followed instantly,  
And all their forces following them: as after Bellwethers  
The whole flocks follow to their drink; which sight the shepherd cheers.  
Nor was Aeneas joy less moved, to see such troops attend  
His honoured person; and all these, fought close about his friend.  
But two of them, past all the rest, had strong desire to shed  
The blood of either; Idomen, and Cytherea's seed. 
Aene●… and Idomene●… in conflict.   
Aeneas' first bestowed his lance, which th'other seeing, shunned;  
And that (thrown from an idle hand) stuck trembling in the ground.  
But Idomens' (discharged at him) had no such vain success,  
Which Oenomaus entrails found, in which it did impress  
His sharp pile to his fall: his palms, tore his returning earth.  
Idomeneus straight steptin, and plucked his javelin forth,  
But could not spoil his goodly arms, they priest him so with darts.  
And now the long toil of the fight, had spent his vigorous parts,  
And made them less apt to avoid, the foe that should advance;  
Or (when himself advanced again) to run and fetch his lance.  
And therefore in stiff fights of stand, he spent the cruel day:  
When (coming softly from the slain) Deiphobus gave way  
To his brght javelin at the king, whom he could never brook;  
But than he lost his envy too: his lance yet, deadly, took 
Ascalaphus the son of Mars slai●…e by 〈◊〉   
Ascalaphus, the son of Mars; quite through his shoulder flew  
The violent head, and down he fell. Nor yet by all means knew  
Wide throated Mars, his son was fallen: but in Olympus' top  
Sad canapied with golden clouds. Ioues counsel had shut up  
Both him, and all the other Gods, from that times equal task,  
Which now about Ascalaphus, Strife set; his shining cask  
Deiphobus had forced from him: but instantly leapt in  
Mars-swift Meriones, and struck, with his long javelin, 
Deiphobus wounded by Meridnes.   
The right arm of Deiphobus, which made his hand let fall  
The sharp-topt helmet; the priest earth, resounding there withal.  
When, Vulturelike, Meriones, rushed in again, and drew  
(From out the low part of his arm) his javelin, and then flew  
Back to his friends. Deiphobus (faint with the blood's excess  
Fallen from his wound) was carefully, conveyed out of the press  
By his kind brother, by both ●…ides, (Polites) till they got  
His horse and chariot, that were still, set fit for his retreat;  
And bore him now to Ilium. The rest, fought fiercely on,  
And set a mighty fight on foot. When next, Anchises son,  
Aphareus Caletorides (that tan upon him) st●…oke  
Just in the throat with his keen lance, and straight his head forsook  
His upright carriage; and his shield, his helm, and all with him,  
Fell to the earth: where ruinous death, made prize of every limb.   

Antilochus (discovering well, that Thoons heart took check)  
Let fly, and cut the hollow vein, that runs up to his neck,  
Along his back part, quite in twain: down in the dust he fell,  
Upwards, and with extended hands, bade all the world farewell.  
Antilochus rushtnimbly in; and (looking round) made prize  
Of his fair arms; in which affair, his round set enemies  
Let fly their lances; thundering, on his advanced targe,  
But could not get his flesh: the God, that shakes the earth, took charge  
Of Nestor's son, and kept him safe: who never was away,  
But still amongst the thickest foes, his busy lance did play;  
Observing ever when he might, far-off, or near, offend;  
And watching Asius son, in press, he spied him, and did send  
(Close coming on) a dart at him, that smote in midst his shield;  
In which, the sharp head of the lance, the blew-haired God made yield,  
Not pleased to yield his pupil's life; in whose shield, half the dart  
Stuck like a truncheon, burnt with fire; on earth lay th'other part.  
He seeing no better end of all, retired; in fear of worse;  
But him, Meriones pursued; and his lance foundfull course  
To th''others life: it wounded him; betwixt the privy parts  
And navel; where (to wretched men, that wars most violent smarts  
Must undergo) wounds chief vex. His dart, Meriones  
Pursued, and Adamas so strived, with it, and his misease,  
As doth a Bullock puff and storm; whom, in disdained bands, 
Simile.   
The upland herdsmen strive to cast: so (fallen beneath the hands  
Of his stern foe) Asiades, did struggle, pant, and rave,  
But no long time; for when the lance, was plucked out, up he gave  
His tortured soul. Then Troy's turn came; when with a Thracian sword  
The temples of Deipyrus, did Hellenus afford  
So huge a blow; it struck all light, out of his cloudy eyes,  
And cloven his helmet; which a Greek, (there fight) made his prize,  
(It fell so full beneath his feet.) Atrides grieved to see  
That sight; and (threatening) shook a lance, at Hellenus; and he  
A bow, half drew, at him; at once, out flew both shaft and lance:  
The shaft, Atrides curets struck, and far away did glance:  
Atrides dart, of Hellenus, the thrust out bow-hand struck, 
Hellenus wounded.   
And through the hand, stuck in the bow; Agenor's hand did pluck  
From forth the nailed prisoner, the javelin quickly out;  
And fairly with a little wool, enwrapping round about  
The wounded hand; within ᶜ a scarf, he bore it; which his Squire  
Had ready for him: yet the wound, would needs he should retire.   

Pysander to revenge his hurt, right on the King ran he;  
A bloody fate suggested him, to let him run on thee  
O 
* Scoptice.  Menelaus, that he might, by thee, in dangerous war,  
Be done to death. Both coming on, Atrides lance did err:  
Pisander struck Atrides shield, that broke at point, the dart  
Not running through; yet he rejoiced; as playing a victor's part.  
Atrides (drawing his fair sword) upon Pisander flew:  
Pisander, from beneath his shield, his goodly weapon drew;  
Two-edged, with right sharp steel, and long; the handle Olive tree,  
Well polished; and to blows they go; upon the top struck he  
Atrides horse-hair'd-featherd helm; Atrides, on his brow  
(Above th'extreme part of his nose) laid such a heavy blow,  
That all the bones crasht under it, and out his eyes did drop  
Before his feet, in bloody dust; he after, and shrunk up  
His dying body: which the foot, of his triumphing foe  
Opened; and stood upon his breast, and off his arms did go:  
This insultation used the while: ᶜ At length forsake our fleet, 
〈◊〉 most ridi●…lous insultation.   
(Thus ye false Troyans') to whom war, never enough is sweet:  
Nor want ye more impieties; with which ye have abused  
Me, (●…e bold dogs) that your chief friends, so honourably used:  
Nor fear you hospitable, jove, that lets such thunders go:  
But build upon't, he will unbuild, your towers, that clamber so;  
For ravishing my goods, and wife, in flower of all her years,  
And without cause; nay when that fair, and liberal hand of hers  
Had used you so most lovingly; and now again ye would,  
Cast fire into our fleet, and kill, our Princes if ye could.  
Go too, one day you will be curbed (though never so ye thirst  
Rude war) by war. O Father jove, they say thou art the first  
In wisdom, of all Gods and men; yet all this comes from thee;  
And still thou gratifiest these men, how lewd so ere they be;  
Though never they be cloyed with sins: nor can be satiate  
(As good men should) with this vile war. Satie●…ie of state,  
Satiety of sleep and love, Satiety of ease,  
Of music, dancing, can find place; yet harsh war still must please  
Past all these pleasures, even past these. They will be cloyed with these  
Before their war joys: never war, gives 〈◊〉 satieties.   

This said, the bloody arms were off, and to his soldiers thrown,  
He mixing in first fight again: and then Harpalion,  
(Kind King Pylemens' son) gave charge; who, to those wars of Troy,  
His loved father followed; nor ever did enjoy  
His country's sight again; he struck, the targe of A●…reus son  
Full in the midst, his javelins steel; yet had no power to run  
The target through: nor had himself, the heart to fetch his lance,  
But took him to his strength, and cast, on every side a glance, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Harpalion.   
Lest any his dear sides should dart: but Merion as he fled,  
Sent after him a brazen lance, that ran his eager head,  
Through his right hip, and all along, the bladders region,  
Beneath the bone; it settled him, and ●…et his spirit gone,  
Amongst the hands of his best friends; and like a worm he lay,  
Stretched on the earth; which his black blood, imbrued and flowed away,  
His corpse the Paphlagonians, did sadly wait upon  
(Repo●…d in his rich chariot) to sacred Ilium.  
The king his father following, dissolved in kindly tears,  
And no wreak sought for his slain ●…onne. But, at his slaughterer's  
Incensed Paris spent a lance (since he had been a guest,  
To many Paphlagonians) and through the press it priest.  
There was a certain Augurs son, that did for wealth excel,  
And yet was honest; he was borne, and did at C●…th dwell:  
Who (though he knew his harmful fate) would needs his ship ascend▪  
His father (Polyidus) oft, would tell him, that his end  
Would either seize him at his house, upon a sharp disease;  
Or else amongst the Grecian ships, by Troyans' slain. Both these  
Together he desired to shun; but the disease (at last,  
And lingering death in it) he left, and wars quick stroke embraced:  
The lance betwixt his ear and cheek, ran in; and dra●…e the mind  
Of both those bitter fortunes out: Night struck his whole powers blind.   

Thus fought they like the spirit of fire, nor Ioue-loued Hector knew  
How in the fleets left wing, the Greeks', his downe-put soldiers slew  
Almost to victory: the God, that shakes the earth, so well  
Helped with his own strength, and the Greeks, so fiercely did impel.  
Yet Hector made the first place good, where both the ports and wall,  
(The thick rank of the Greek shields broke) he entered, and did skall,  
Where on the grey seas shore, were drawn (the wall being there but sleight,)  
Protesilaus ships, and those, of Ai●…x, where the fight  
Of men and horse were sharpest set. There the Boeotian band,  
Long-robed jaones, Locrians, and (brave men of their hands) 
By I●…ons (for Io●…ians) he intends the Athenians.   
The Phthian, and Epeian troops, did spritefully assail,  
The Godlike Hector rushing in; and yet could not prevail  
To his repulse, though choicest men, of Athens, there made head:  
Amongst whom, was Menesthius Chief; whom Phid●…as followed: 
The names of t●…e Captains at the fight at the wall, and their soldiers.   
Stichius, and Bias, huge in strength. Th' Epeian troops were led  
By Meges, and Philides cares, Amphion, Dracius.  
Before the Ph●…hians, Medon marched, and Meneptolemus;  
And these (with the Boeotian powers) bore up the fleets defence.  
Oileus, by his brother's side, stood close, and would not thence  
For any moment of that time: but as through fallow fields, 
Simile, wherein the two A●…aces are compared to two draft ●…xen.   
Black Oxen draw a well-ioyned plough, and either, evenly yields  
His thrifty labour; all heads couched, so close to earth, they blow  
The fallow with their horns, till out, the sweat gins to flow;  
The stretched yokes crack, and yet at last, the furrow forth is driven:  
So toughly stood these to their task, and made their work as even.   

But Ajax Telamonius, had many helpful men,  
That when sweat ran about his knees, and labour flowed, would then  
Help bear his mighty sevenfold shield: when swift Oileades  
The Locrians left, and would not make, those murderous fights of press, 
The Locrians which Oileus Ajax led, were all Archers.   
Because they wore no bright steel casks, nor bristled plumes for show,  
Round shields, nor darts of solid Ash; but with the trusty bow,  
And jacks, well ᵈ quilted with soft wool, they came to Troy, and were  
(In their fit place) as confident, as those that fought so near;  
And reached their foes so thick with shafts, that these were they that broke  
The Trojan orders first; and then, the brave armed men did make  
Good work with th●…ir close fights before. Behind whom, having sho●…,  
The Locrians hide still; and their foes, all thought of fight forgot;  
With shows of those far striking shafts, their eyes were troubled so:  
And then, assur'dly, from the ships, and tents, th'insulting foe,  
Had miserably fled to Troy, had not Polydamas  
Thus spoke to Hector. Hector still, impossible 'tis to pass 
Polyd●… to 〈◊〉.   
Good counsel upon you: but say, some God prefers thy deeds:  
In counsels wouldst thou pass us too? In all things none exceeds. 
〈◊〉 ad●…ice to 〈◊〉.   
To some, God gives the power of war; to some the sl●…ight to dance;  
To some, the art of instruments; some doth for voice advance:  
And that far-seeing God grants some, th●… wisdom of the mind,  
Which no man can keep to himself: that (though but few can ●…inde)  
Doth profit many, that preserves, the public weal and sta●…:  
And that, who hath, he best can prize: but, for me, I'll relate  
Only my censure what's our best. The very crown of war  
Doth burn about thee; yet our men, when they have reach●… thus far,  
Suppose their valours crowned, and cease. A few still stir their fe●…,  
And so a few with many fight; spersed thinly through the fleet▪  
Retire then, leave speech to the rout, and all thy Princes call;  
That, here, in counsels of most weight, we may resolve of all.  
If having likelihood to believe, that God will conquest give,  
We shall charge through; or with this grace, make our retreat, and live:  
For (I must needs affirm) I fear, the debt of yesterday  
(Since war is such a God of change) the Grecians now will pay.  
And since th'insatiate man of war, remains at fleet, if there  
We tempt his safety: no hour more, ●…is hot soul can forbear.   

This sound stuff Hector liked, approved, jumped from his chariot,  
And said; Polydamas? make good, this place, and suffer not  
One Prince to pass it; I myself, will there go, where you see  
Those friends in skirmish; and return (when they have heard from me, 
Hector for his goodly form compared to a hill of snow.   
Command, that your advice obeys) with utmost speed: this said,  
With day-bright arms, white plume, white scarf, his goodly limbs arrayed,  
He parted from them, like a hill, removing, all of snow:  
And to the Trojan Peres and Chiefs, he flew; to let them know  
The Counsel of Polydamas. All turned, and did rejoice;  
To haste to Panthus gentle son, being called by Hector's voice.  
Who (through the forefights making way) looked for Deiophobus;  
King Hellenus, Asiades, Hyrtasian Asius:  
Of whom, some were not to be found, unhurt, or undeceast;  
Some only hurt, and gone from field. As further he addressed,  
He found within the fights left wing, the faire-haired Helen's love,  
By all means moving men to blows; which could by no means move  
Hector's forbeareance; his friends miss, so put his powers in storm: 
Hector chide●… Paris.   
But thus in wont terms he chid: You, with the finest form,  
Impostor, woman's man: Where are (in your care marked) all these?  
Deiphobus, king Hellenus, Asius Hyrtacides?  
Othryoneus, Acamas? now haughty Ilium  
Shakes to his lowest groundwork: now, just ruin falls upon  
Thy head, past rescue. He replied; Hector, why chidest thou now  
When I am guiltless? other times, there are for ease I know,  
Then these; for she that brought thee forth, not utterly left me  
Without some portion of thy spirit, to make me brother thee.  
But since thou first brought'st in thy force, to this our naval fight:  
I, and my friends, have ceaseless fought, to do thy service right.  
But all those friends thou seekest are slain, exeepting Hellen●…,  
(Who parted wounded in his hand) and so Deiphobus;  
jove yet averted death from them. And now lead thou as far  
As thy great heart affects; all we, will second any war  
That thou endurest: And I hope, my own strength is not lost,  
Though least, I'll fight it to his best; nor further fights the most.   

This calmed hot Hector's spleen; and both, turned where they saw the face  
Of war most fierce: and that was, where, their friends made good the place  
About renowned Polydamas, and Godlike Polyphet,  
Palmus, Ascanius; Morus, that, Hippotion did beget;  
And from Ascanias' wealthy fields, but even the day before  
Arrived at Troy; that with their aid, they kindly might restore  
Some kindness they received from thence: and in fierce fight with these,  
Phalces and tall Orthaus stood, and bold Cebriones.  
And then the doubt that in advice, Polydamas disclosed,  
To fight or fly, jove took away, and all to fight disposed.  
And as the floods of troubled air, to pitchy storms increase 
Simile.   
That after thunder sweeps the fields, and ravish up the seas,  
Encountering with abhorred roars, when the engrossed waves  
Boil into foam; and endlessly, one after other raves:  
So ranked and guarded, th' Ilians marched; some now, more now, and then 
The Trojan host, and Hector glorified.   
More upon more, in shining steel; now Captains, than their men.  
And Hector, like man▪ killing Mars, advanced before them all,  
His huge round target before him, through thickened, like a wall,  
With hides well couched, with store of brass; and on his temples shined  
His bright helm, on which danced his plume: and in this horrid kind,  
(All hid within his worldlike shield) he every troup assayed  
For entry; that in his despite, stood firm, and undismayed.  
Which when he saw, and kept more off; Ajax came stalking then,  
And thus provoked him: O good man, why frightest thou thus our men?  
Come nearer; not Arts want in war, makes us thus navie-bound, 
Ajax his speech to Hector, Scopt●…cè.   
But Ioues direct scourge; his armed hand, makes our hands give you ground:  
Yet thou hop'st (of thyself) our spoil: but we have likewise hands  
To hold our own, as you to spoil: and ere thy countermands  
Stand good against our ransacked fleet; your hugely-peopled town  
Our hands shall take in; and her towers, from all their heights pull down.  
And I must tell thee, time draws on, when, flying, thou shalt cry  
To jove, and all the Gods, to make, thy faire-maned horses fly  
More swift than Falcons; that their hooves, may rouse the dust, and bear  
Thy body, hid, to Ilium. This said, his bold words were  
Confirmed, as soon as spoke; Ioues bird, the high flown Eagle took  
The right hand of their host, whose wings, high acclamations struck,  
From forth the glad breasts of the Greeks. Then Hector made reply:  
Vaine-spoken man, and glorious; what hast thou said? would I 
Hector to Ajax.   
As surely were the son of jove, and of great juno borne;  
Adorned like Pallas, and the God, that lifts to earth the Morn;  
As this day shall bring harmful light, to all your host; and thou,  
(If thou darest stand this lance) the earth, before the ships shalt strew,  
Thy bosom torn up; and the dogs, with all the fowl of Troy,  
Be satiate with thy fat, and flesh▪ This said, with shouting joy  
His first troops followed; and the last, their shouts with shouts repelled:  
Greece answered all, nor could her spirits, from all show rest concealed.  
And to so infinite a height, all acclamations strove,  
They reached the splendours, stuck about, the unreacht throne of jove.   

COMMENTARIUS.  
ᵃ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. illustrium Hippemolgorum: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, lact Vescentium, etc. Laurentius Valla, and Eobanus Hessus, (who I think translated Homer into Hexameters out of Vallas prose) take 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Epithet to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for a nation so called, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, translates, ut quae sine ullis divitijs, equino victitat lact; intending gens Agavorum: which he takes for those just men of life likewise, which Homer commends: utterly mistaking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying preclarus, or illustris, whose genitive case plural is used here: and the word, Epithet to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; together signifying, Illustrium Hippemolgorum, and they being bred, and continually fed with milk (which the next word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies) Homer calls most just, long-lived & innocent, in the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifying longaews; ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 epitatico, & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vita. But of some inops, being a compound ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 private. & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 victus: and from thence had Valla his interpretation: ut quae sine ullis divitijs, but where is equino lact? But not to show their errors, or that I understand how others take this place different from my translation, I use this note, so much as to intimate what Homer would have noted, and doth teach; that men brought up with that gentle, and soft-spirit-begettingmilk, are long lived, & in nature most just and innocent. Which kind of food, the most ingenious and grave Plutarch, in his oration, De esu carnium, seems to prefer before the food of flesh: where he saith, By this means also, Tyrants laid the foundations of their homicides: for, (as amongst the Athenians) first, they put to death the most notorious or vilest Sycophant Epitedeius; so the second and third: then being accustomed to blood, they slew good, like bad: as Niceratus, the Emperor Theramenes, Polemarchus the Philosopher, etc. So at the first, men killed some harmful beast or other, than some kind of fowl, some fish; till taught by these, and stirred up with the lust of their palates, they proceeded to slaughter of the laborious Ox, the man clothing, or adorning sheep, the house guarding cock, etc. and by little and little cloyed with these: war, and the food of men, men fell to, etc.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Circum autem Aiaces, etc. To judgement of this place Spondanus calleth all sound judgements, to condemnation of one Panaedes a judge of games on Olympus: whose brother Amphidamas being dead, Gamnictor his son celebrated his funerals, calling all the most excellent to contention, not only for strength and swif●…nesse, but in learning likewise, and force of wisdom. To this general co●…tention came Homer, and Hesiodus: who casting down verses on both parts, and of all measures, (Homer by all consents questionless obtaining the garland.) Panaedes bade both recite briefly their best: for which Hesiodus cited these verses: which as well as I could, in haste, I have translated out of the beginning of his second Book of works and days.  

When Atlas birth, (the Pleyades) arise,  
Harvest begin; plough, when they leave the skies.  
Twice twenty nights, and days, these hide their heads:  
The year then turning, leave again their beds,  
And show when first to whet the harvest steel.  
This likewise is the fields law, where men dwell  
Near Neptune's Empire: and where far away,  
The winding valleys, fly the flowing sea,  
And men inhabit the fat region.  
There, naked plough, sow naked, naked cut down;  
If Ceres labours thou wilt timely use,  
That timely fruits, and timely revenues,  
Serve thee at all parts, lest at any, Need  
Send thee to others grudging doors to feed, etc.   
These verses (howsoever Spondanus stands for Homer's) in respect of the peace and thrift they represent; are like enough to carry it for Hesiodus, even in these times judgements. Homer's verses are these.  

— Thus Neptune roused these men;  
And round about th' Aiaces did, their Phalanxes maintain,  
Their station firm; whom Mars himself, (had he amongst them gone)  
Can not disparaged; nor Ioues Maid, that sets men fiercer on.  
For now the best were chosen out, and they received th'advance  
Of Hector and his men so full, that lance, was lined with lance;  
Shields, thickened with opposed shields; targets to targets nailed:  
helms stuck to helms; and man to man, grew; they so close assailed:  
Plumed casks, were hanged in either's plumes: all joined so close their stands;  
Their lances stood, thrust home so thick, by such all-daring hands.  
All bend their firm breasts to the point; and made sad fight their joy  
Of both: Troy all in heaps struck first, and Hector first of Troy.  
And as a round piece of a rock, etc.   
Which martial verses, though they are as high as may be for their place, and end of our Homer: are yet infinitely short of his best in a thousand other places. Nor think I the contention at any part true; Homer being affirmed by good Authors, to be a hundred years before Hesiodus: and by all others much the older, Hesiodus being near in blood to him. And this, for some variety in your delight, I thought not amiss to insert here.  
ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Commentors translate in this place, funda, most untruly: there being no slings spoken of in all these Iliads; nor any such service used in all these wars, which in my last annotation in this book will appearemcre apparent. But here, and in this place, to translate the word funda (though most commonly it signifieth so much) is most ridiculous. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 likewise signifying, ornamentum quoddam muliebre: which therefore I translate a scarf: a fit thing to hang his arm in then a sling; and likely that his Squire carried about him, either as a favour of his own mistress, or his masters, or for either's ornament: skarffs being no unusual wear for soldiers.  
ᵈ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Relinquetis demum sic, etc. At length for sake our fleet, etc. Now come we to the continuance (with clear notes) of Menelaus' ridic●…lous character. This very beginning of h●… insultation, (in the manner of it) preparing it, and the simply uttered upbraids of the Troyans' following, confirming it most ing●…niously. First, that the Troyans' ravished his wife in the flower of her years, calling her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which Spondanus translateth virginem uxorem, being here to be translated iwenilem uxorem: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying iwenilis: but they will have it virginem; because Homer must be taxed, with ignorance of what the next age after Troy's siege revealed of the age before; in which Theseus is remembered first to have rauish●… Helen; and that by Theseus, Iphigenia was begotten of her: which being granted, maketh much against Homer (if yòu mark at) for making Menelaus think yet, he married her a virgin (if Spondanus translation should pass.) First, no man being so simple to think, that the Poet thinketh always as he maketh others speak: and next, it being no very strange, or rare credulity, in men, to believe they marry maids when they do not. Much more such a man made for the purpose as M●…laus, whose good husbandly imagination of his wives maidenhead at their marriage, I hope answereth at full the most foolish taxation of Homer's ignorance: in which a man ●…ay wonder at these learned Critics overlearnednesse: and what ropes of sand they make with their kind of intelligencing knowledge. I mean, in such as abuse the name of Critics, as many versers do, of Poets: the rest, for their industries, I reverence. But all this time, I lose my collection of Menelaus silly and ridiculous upbraids here given to the Troyans'. First, (as above said) for ravishing his wife in the flower of her years: when should a man play such a part but then? though in deed poor Menelaus had the more wrong or loss in it, and yet Paris the more reason. He addeth then, and without cause or injury, a most sharp one in Homer, and in Menelaus as much ridiculous: as though lovers looked for more cause in their love-suits, than the beauties of their beloved: or that men were made cuckolds only for spite, or revenge of some wrong precedent. But indeed, Menelaus true simplicity in this, to think harms should not be done without harms foregoing (no not in these unsmarting harms) maketh hi●… well deserve his Epithet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Yet further see how his pure imbecility prevaileth: and how by a thread Homer cutteth him out here, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, postquam amicè tractati fuistis apud ipsam, after ye had been kindly entertained at her hands, I hope you will think nothing could encourage them more than that. See how he speaketh against her in taking her part: and how ingeniously Homer giveth him still some colour of reason for his senselessness, which colour yet, is enough to deceive our Commentors: they find not yet the tame figure of our horned. But, they and all Translators, still force his speeches to the best part. Yet further than make we our dissection. And now (saith our Simplician) you would again show your iniquities, even to the casting of pernicious fire into our fleet, and killing our Princes if you could. Would any man think this in an Enemy? and such an Enemy as the Troyans'? Chide Enemies in arms, for offering to hurt their Enemies? Would you have yet plainer this good King's simplicity? But his slaughters sometimes, and wise words, are those mists our Homer casteth before the eyes of his Readers, that hindereth their prospects, to his more constant and predominant softness and simplicity. Which he doth, imagining his understanding Readers eyes more sharp, than not to see pervially through them. And yet, would not have these great ones themselves need so subtle flatteries: but that every shadow of their worth might remove all the substance of their worthlessness. I am weary with beating this thin thicket for a woodcock, and yet, lest it prove still too thick for our sanguine and gentle complexions to shine through, in the next words of his lame reproof, he crieth out against jupiter, saying, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Profectò, te aiunt sapientia (vel circa mentem) superare caeteros homines atque Deos: wherein he affirmeth, that men say so, building (poor man) even that unknown secret to himself, upon others, & now, I hope, showeth himself empty enough. But, lest you should say I strive to illustrate the Sun, and make clear a thing plain, hear how dark, and perplexed a riddle it showeth yet to our good Spondanus, being an excellent scholar, and Homer's Commentor. Whose words upon this speech, are these: Facundiam Menelai cum acumine, antea praedicavit Homerus (intending in Antenor's speech, lib. 3. vnt●… which I pray you turn) cuius hîc luculentum exemplum habes. Vehemens autem est eius hoc loco oratio, ut qui iniuriarum sibi à Troianis in uxoris raptu illatarum recordetur, qua praesens eorundem in Graecoes impetus exacerbavit. Primùm itaque in Troianos invehitur, & eorum furorem tandem aliquando cohibitum iri comminatur. Deindè, per Apostrophem, ad iovem conqueritur, de inexplebili pugnandi ardore, quibus Troiani vehementer inflammantur. Would any man believe this serious blindness in so great a scholar? Nor is he alone s●… taken in his eyes, but all the rest, of our most profaned and holy Homer's Traducers.  
ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Et benè torta ovis lana (or rather, benè torto ovis flore.) Definitio fundae (saith Spondanus) vel potius periphrastica descriptio. The definition, or rather paraphrastical description of a sling: a most unsufferable exposition: not a sling being to be heard of (as I before affirmed) in all the services expressed in these Iliads. It is therefore the true periphrasis of a light kind of armour called a jack, that all our archers used to serve in of old: and were ever quilted with wool: and (because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth as well qui facili motu versatur & circumagitur, as well as, benè vel pulchré tortus) for their lightness and aptness to be worn, partaketh with the word in that signification. Besides, note the words that follow, which are: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, & 
* Metri causa usurpatur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. frequenter iacientes, and à tergo iacientes, shooting, striking, or wounding so thick, and at the backs of the armed men; not hurling: here being no talk of any stones, but only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, conturbabant enim sagittae. And when saw any man slings lined with w●…ll? to keep their stones warm? or to dull their delivery? and I am sure they hurled not shafts out of them? The agreement of the Greeks' with our English, as well in all other their greatest virtues, as this skill with their bows: other places of these Annotations shall clearly demonstrate; and give (in my conceit) no little honour to our Country.   
The end of the thirteenth Book.   

THE XIIII. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

ATrides, to behold the skirmish, brings  
Old Nestor▪ and the other ●…ounded kings.  
juno (receiving of the Cyprian Dame  
Her Ceston, whence her sweet enticements came)  
Descends to Somnus, and gets him to bind  
The powers of jove with sleep, to free her mind.  
Neptune assists the Greeks, and of the foe,  
Slaughter inflicts a mighty over throw.  
Ajax, so sore, strikes Hector with a stone,  
It makes him spit blood, and his sense sets gone.   
Another Argument.  

In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with sleep, and bed, heavens Queen,  
Even jove himself, makes overseen.   

NOt wine, nor feasts, could lay their soft chains on old Nestors ●…are 
This first verse (after the first four syllables) is to be read 〈◊〉 one of our Ten.   
To this high Clamour; who required, Machaon's thoughts to bear  
His care in part, about the cause; for me think still (said he)  
The cry increases. I must needs, the watch tower mount to see  
Which way the flood of war doth drive. Still drink thou wine, and eat  
Till faire-haired Hecamed hath given, a little water heat,  
To cleanse the quitture from thy wound. This said, the goodly shield  
Of warlike Thrasimed, his son, (who had his own in field)  
He took; snatched up a mighty lance; and so stepped forth to view  
Cause of that Clamour. Instantly, th'unworthy cause he knew,  
The Grecians wholly put in rout; the Troyans' routing still,  
Close at the Greeks backs, their wall raced: the old man mourned this ill;  
And as when, with unwieldy waves, the great Sea forefeeles winds, 
Simil●….   
That both ways murmur, and no way, her certain current finds,  
But pants and swells confusedly; here goes, and there will stay,  
Till on it, ai●…e casts one firm wind, and then it rolls away:  
So stood old Nestor in debate, two thoughts at once on wing  
In his discourse; if first to take, direct course to the King,  
Or to the multitude in fight. At last, he did conclude  
To visit Agamemnon first: mean time both hosts imbrued  
Their steel in one another's blood, nought wrought their healths but harms:  
Swords, huge stones, double-headed darts, still thumping on their arms.  
And now the jove-kept Kings, whose wounds, were yet in cure, did meet  
Old Nestor, Diomedes, Ithacus, and Atreus son, from fleet,  
Bend for the fight, which was far off, the ships being drawn to shore 
Agamemnon, Ulysses, and Diomedes wounded, go towards▪ the 〈◊〉.   
On heaps at first, till all their stems, a wall was raised before;  
Which (though not great) it yet suffisd, to hide them, though their men  
Were something streighted; for whose scope, in form of battle then,  
They drew them through the spacious shore, one by another still;  
Till all the bosom of the Strand, their sable bulks did fill:  
Even till they took up all the space, twixt both the Promontori●….  
These kings (like Nestor) in desire, to know for what those cries  
Became so violent; came along (all leaning on their da●…ts)  
To see, though not of power to fight; sad, and suspicious hearts 
Agamemnon to Nestor.   
Distempring them, and (meeting now, Nestor) the king in fear  
Cried out, O Nestor our renown? why shows thy presence here?  
The harmful fight abandoned? now Hector will make good,  
The threatening vow he made, (I fear) that till he had our blood,  
And fired our fleet, he never more, would turn to Ilium.  
Nor is it long, I see, before, his whole will, will be done.  
O Gods, I now see all the Greeks, put on Achilles' ire,  
Against my honour; no mean left, to keep our fleet from fire.   

He answered; 'tis an evident truth, not jove himself can now, 
Nestor to Aga●…emnon.   
(With all the thunder in his hands) prevent our overthrow.  
The wall we thought invincible, and trusted more than jove;  
Is scaled, raced, entered, and our powers, (driven up) past breathing, prove  
A most inevitable fight: both slaughters so commixed,  
That for your life, you cannot put, your diligentest thought betwixt  
The Greeks and Troyans'; and as close, their throats cleave to the sky.  
Consult we then (if that will serve;) for fight, advise not I;  
It fits not wounded men to fight. Atrides answered him,  
If such a wall, as cost the Greeks, so many a tired limb,  
And such a dike be passed, and raced, that (as yourself said well) 
Agamemnon's reply to Nestor, ●…rging flight.   
We all esteemed invincible, and would, past doubt repel  
The world, from both our fleet and us: it doth directly show,  
That here jove vows our shames, and deaths. I evermore did know  
His hand from ours, when he helped us: and now I see as clear  
That (like the blessed Gods) he holds, our hated enemies dear;  
Supports their arms, and pinnions ours. Conclude then, 'tis in vain  
To strive with him. Our ships drawn up, now let us launch again,  
And keep at anchor, till calm Night; that then (perhaps) our foes  
May calm their storms, and in that time, our escape we may dispose:  
It is not any shame to fly, from ill, although by night:  
Known ill, he better does that flies, than he it takes in fight.   

Ulysses' frowned on him, and said; Accursed, why talk'st thou thus? 
Ulysses' bitter answer to Aga●…mnon.   
Would thou hadst led some babarous host, and not commanded us  
Whom jove made soldiers from our youth, that age might scorn to fly  
From any charge it undertakes; and every dazzled eye  
The honoured hand of war might close. Thus wouldst thou leave this town  
For which our many miseries felt, entitle it our own?  
Peace, lest some other Greek give ear, and hear a sentence such  
As no man's palate should profane; at least, that knew how much  
His own right weighed, and being a Prince, and such a Prince as bears  
Rule of so many Greeks as thou. This counsel loathes mine ears;  
Let others toil in fight and cries, and we so light of heels  
Upon their very noise, and groans, to hoist away our keeeles.  
Thus we should fit the wish of Troy, that being something near  
The victory, we give it clear: and we were sure to bear  
A slaughter to the utmost man: for no man will sustain  
A stroke, the fleet gone; but at that, look still, and wish him slain:  
And therefore (Prince of ᵃ men) be sure, thy censure is unfit.   

O Ithacus (replied the King) thy bitter terms have smit  
My heart in sunder. At no hand, 'gainst any Princes will  
Do I command this; would to God, that any man of skill, 
〈◊〉 to Ulysses.   
To give a better counsel would; or old, or younger man:  
My voice should gladly go with his. Then Diom●…d began.   

The man not far is, nor shall ask, much labour to bring in, 
Diomedes to Aga●…non and the rest.   
That willingly would speak his thoughts, if spoken, they might win  
Fit ear; and suffer no impair, that I discover them,  
Being youngest of you: since, my Sire, that heired a Diadem,  
May make my speech to Diadems, decent enough, though he  
Lies in his sepulchre at Thebes. I boast this pedigree, ᵇ 
Diom●…ds pod●…gree.   
Portheus, three famous sons begot, that in high Calydon,  
And Pleuron kept, with state of kings, their habitation.  
Agrius, Melas, and ●…he third, the horseman Oeneus,  
My father's father, t●…at excelled, in actions generous,  
The other two: but these kept home, my father being driven  
With wandering, and adventurous spirits; for so the king of heaven,  
And th'other Gods, set down their wills: and he to Argos came,  
Where he begun the world, and dwelled; there marrying a dame,  
One of Adrastus' female race. He kept a royal house,  
For he had great demeans, good land, and (being industrious)  
He planted many orchard grounds, about his house; and bred  
Great store of sheep. Besides all this, he was well qualitied,  
And past all Argives for his spear: and these digressive things  
Are such as you may well endure; since (being derived from kings,  
And kings not poor, nor vertulesse) you cannot hold me base,  
Nor scorn my words: which oft (though true) in mean men, meet disgrace.  
How ever; they are these in short. Let us be seen at fight,  
And yield to strong Necessity, though wounded; that our sight  
May set those men on, that of late, have to Ac●…illes spleen  
Been too indulgent, and left blows: but be we only seen  
Not come within the reach of darts; lest wound, on wound we lay:  
(Which reverend Nestor's speech implied) and so far him obey.   

This counsel gladly all observed; went on, A●…des led;  
Nor Neptune this advantage lost, but closely followed;  
And like an aged man appeared, t' A●…ides; whose right hand 
〈◊〉 appears lik●… an aged 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
He seized, and said; Atrides, this, doth passing ●…tly stand  
With stern Achilles' wreakful spirit; that he can stand a stern  
His ship; and both in fight and death, the Greci●… 〈◊〉 discern:  
Since, not in his breast glows one spark, of any human mind;  
But, be that his own bane; let God, by that loss make him find 
Neptune to Agam●…non.   
How vile a thing he is: for know, the blessed Gods have not given  
Thee ever over; but perhaps, the Troyans' may from heaven  
Receive that justice. Nay 'tis sure, and thou shalt see their falls:  
Your fleet soon freed; and for fights here, they glad to take their walls.  
This said, he made known who he was, and parted with a cry,  
As if ten thousand men had joined, in battle then; so hie  
His throat flew through the host: and so, this great earth-shaking God  
Cheered up the Greek hearts, that they wished, their pains no period.   

Saturnia from Olympus' top, saw her great brother there,  
And her great husband's brother too, exciting every where  
The glorious spirits of the Greeks; which, as she joyed to see:  
So (on the fountfull Ida's top) Ioues sight did disagree  
With her contentment; since she feared, that his hand would descend,  
And check the sea-Gods practices. And this she did contend  
How to prevent; which thus seemed best: To deck her curiously, 
Iu●…o prepares herself to deceive jove.   
And visit the Idalian hill, that so the Lightners' eye  
She might enamour with her looks, and his high temples steep  
(Even to his wisdom) in the kind, and golden juice of sleep.  
So took she chamber, which her son, the God of ferrary,  
With firm doors made, being joined close, and with a privy key,  
That no God could command but jove; where (entered) she made fast  
The shining gates; and then upon, her lovely body cast  
Ambrosia, that first made it clear; and after, laid on it  
An odorous, rich, and sacred oil, that was so wondrous sweet, 
Te●…hyomenon ●…guentum.   
That, ever, when it was but touched, it sweetened heaven and earth.  
Her body being cleansed with this, her Tresses she let forth,  
And combed, (her comb dipped in the oil) then wrapped them up in cutles:  
And thus (her deathless head adorned) a heavenly veil she hurls  
On her white shoulders; wrought by her, that rules in housewiferies,  
Who wove it full of antic works, of most divine device.  
And this, with goodly clasps of gold, she fastened to her breast:  
Then with a girdle (whose rich sphere, a hundred studs impressed)  
She girt her small waist. In her ears (tenderly pierced) she wore  
Pearls, great, and orient: on her head, a wreath not worn before  
Cast beams out like the Sun. At last, she to her feet did tie  
Fair shoes; and thus entire attired, she shined in open sky:  
Caldoro the fair Paphian Queen apart, from th'other Gods, and said;  
Loved daughter? should I ask a grace, should I, or be obeyed? 
I●…o to Venus.   
Or wouldst thou cross me? being incensed, since I cross thee, and take  
The Greeks part, thy hand helping Troy? She answered, That shall make 
V●…us to Iu●….   
No difference in a different cause: ask (ancient Deity)  
What most contents thee; my mind stands, inclined as liberally,  
To grant it, as thine own to ask; provided that it be  
A favour fit, and in my power. She (given deceitfully)  
Thus said; Then give me those two powers, with which both men and Gods  
Thou vanquishest, Love, and Desire, For now, the periods  
Of all the many-feeding earth, and the original  
Of all the gods, Oceanus; and Thetis, whom we call  
Our mother, I am going to greet: they nursed me in their court,  
And brought me up; receiving me, in most respectful sort  
From Phaea; when jove under earth, and the unfruitful seas  
Cast Saturn. These I go to see, intending to appease  
jars grown betwixt them, having long, abstained from speech and bed;  
Which jars, could I so reconcile, that, in their anger's stead  
I could place love; and so renew, their first society;  
I should their best loved be esteemed, and honoured endlessly.   

She answered, 'tis not fit, nor just, thy will should be denied, 
Venus to juno.   
Whom jove, in his embraces holds. This spoken, she untied,  
And from her odorous bosom took, her Ceston; in whose sphere  
Were all enticements to delight, all Loves; all Long were,  
Kind conference; Fair speech, whose power, the wisest doth inflame:  
This, she resigning to her hands, thus urged her by her name.   

Receive this bridle, thus fair wrought; and put it twixt thy breasts:  
Where all things, to be done, are done; and whatsoever rests  
In thy desire, return with it. The great-eyd juno smiled,  
And put it twixt her breasts. loves Queen, thus cunningly beguiled,  
To Ioues court flew. Saturnia, (strait stooping from heavens height)  
Pieria, and Emathia, (those countries of delight)  
Soon reached, and to the snowy mounts, where Thracian soldiers dwell,  
(Approaching) past their tops untouched. From Athos than she fell,  
Past all the broad sea; and arrived, in Lemnos, at the towers,  
Of godlike Thoas; where she met, the Prince of all men's powers,  
Death's brother, Sleep; whose hand she took, and said; Thou king of men, 
juno to Somn●….   
Prince of the Gods too: if before, thou heardst my suits: again  
Give helpful ear, and through all times, I'll offer thanks to thee.  
Lay slumber on Ioues fiery eyes: that I may comfort me  
With his embraces. For which grace, I'll grace thee with a throne  
Incorruptible, all of gold, and elegantly done  
By Mulciber: to which, he forged, a footstool for the ease  
Of thy soft feet; when wine, and feasts, thy golden humours please.   

Sweet Sleep replied; Saturnia, there lives not any god 
Somn●… to juno.   
(Besides jove) but I would becalm: I, if it were the flood  
That fathers all the Deities, the great Ocean●…s.  
But jove we dare not come more near, than he commandeth us.  
Now you command me, as you did, when Ioues great minded son,  
Alcides (having sacked the town, of stubborn Ilium)  
took sail from thence; when by your charge; I poured about Ioues mind  
A pleasing slumber; calming him, till thou drau'st up the wind,  
In all his cruelties, to sea; that set his son ashore,  
In Cous, far from all his friends; which (waking) vexed so sore  
The supreme godhead, that he cast, the gods about the sky,  
And me (above them all) he fought: whom he had utterly  
Hurled from the sparkling firmament; if all-gods-●…aming Night,  
(Whom, flying, I besought for aid) had suffered his despite,  
And not preserved me: but his wrath, with my offence dispensed,  
For fear t'offend her; and so ceased, though never so incensed:  
And now another such escape, you wish I should prepare.   

She answered; What hath thy deep rest, to do with his deep care▪ 
juno to Som●….   
As though Ioues love to Ilium, in all degrees were such,  
As 'twas to Hercules, his son? and so would storm as much  
For their displeasure, as for his? away, I will remove  
Thy fear, with giving thee the dame, that thou didst ever love;  
One of th●… fair young Graces borne, divine Pasithae.   

This started Somnus into joy; who answered, Swear to me,  
By those inviolable springs, that feed the Stygian lake:  
With one hand touch the nourishing earth; and in the other, take  
The marble sea; that all the gods, of the infernal state,  
Which circle Saturn, may to us, be witnesses; and rate  
What thou hast vowed: that with all truth, thou wilt bestow on me,  
The dame (I grant) I ever loved, divine Pasithae.   

She swore, as he enjoined in all, and strengthened all his joys, 
The oath of juno to Som●….   
By naming all th'infernal gods, surnamed the Titanois.   

The oath thus taken, both took way, and made their quick repair  
To Ida, from the town, and I'll, all hid in liquid air.  
At Lecton first, they left the sea; and there, the land they trod▪  
The fountfull nurse of savages, with all her woods did nod,  
Beneath their feet: there Somnus stayed, lest Ioues bright eye should see;  
And yet (that he might see to jove) he climbed the goodliest tree 
Somnus climbs a 〈◊〉 tree.   
That all th' Idalian mountain bred, and crowned her progeny:  
A fir it was, that shot past air, and kissed the burning sky.  
There sat he hid in his dark arms, and in the shape, withal,  
Of that continual prating bird, whom all the Deities call  
Chalcis; but men Cymmindis name. Saturnia tripped apace  
Up to the top of Gargarus, and showed her heavenly face  
To jupiter; who saw, and loved; and with as hot a fire,  
(Being curious in her tempting view) as when with first desire  
(The pleasure of it being stolen) they mixed, in love and bed.  
And (gazing on her still) he said: Saturnia, what hath bred  
This haste in thee, from our high court? and whither tends thy gate? 
〈◊〉 to juno:   
That void of horse and chariot, fit for thy sovereign state,  
Thou lackiest here? Her studied fraud, replied; My journey now 
〈◊〉 answer.   
Leaves state, and labours to do good. And where, in right I own  
All kindness to the Sire of gods; and our good mother Queen,  
That nursed, and kept me curiously, in court, (since both have been  
Long time at discord) my desire, is to atone their hearts;  
And therefore go I now to see, those earth's extremest parts;  
For whose farre-seate, I spared my horse, the skaking of this hill,  
And left them at the foot of it: for they must taste their fill  
Of travail with me; that must draw, my coach, through earth and seas;  
Whose farre-intended reach, respect, and care not to displease  
Thy graces: made me not attempt, without thy gracious leave.   

The cloud-compelling god, her guile, in this sort did receive;  
juno, thou shalt have after leave, but ere so far thou stray, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with his 〈◊〉 to juno.   
Convert we our kind thoughts to love; that now, doth every way  
Circle, with victory, my powers: nor yet with any dame;  
(Woman, or goddess) did his fires, my bosom so inflame  
As now, with thee: not when it loved, the parts so generous  
Ixion's wife had, that brought forth, the wise Pirithous;  
Nor when the lovely dame, Acrisius' daughter stirred  
My amorous powers, that Perseus bore, to all men else preferred;  
Nor when the dame that Phoenix got, surprised me with her sight;  
Who, the diuine-souled Rhadamant, and Minos brought to light;  
Nor Semele, that bore to me, the joy of mortal men,  
The sprightly Bacchus; Nor the dame, that Thebes renowned then,  
Alcmene, that bore Hercules; Latona, so renowned;  
Queen Ceres, with the golden hair; nor thy fair eyes did wound,  
My entrails to such depth as now, with thirst of amorous ease.   

The cunning dame seemed much incensed, and said, what words are these, 
junos' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to jove in satisfying his 〈◊〉.   
Unsufferable Satur's son? What? here? in Ida's height?  
Desirest thou this? how fits it us? or what if in the sight  
Of any god, thy will were pleased? that he, the rest might bring  
To witness thy incontinence; 'twere a dishonoured thing.  
I would not show my face in heaven, and rise from such a bed.  
But if love be so dear to thee, thou hast a chamber stead,  
Which Vulcan purposely contrived, with all fit secrecy:  
There sleep at pleasure. He replied; I fear not if the eye 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
Of either god, or man observe; so thick a cloud of gold  
I'll cast about us, that the Sun, (who furthest can behold)  
Shall never find us. This resolved, into his kind embrace,  
He took his wife: beneath them both, fair Tellus strewed the place 
The bed of 〈◊〉 and juno.   
With fresh-sprung herbs, so soft, and thick, that up aloft it bore  
Their heavenly bodies: with his leaves, did dewy Latus store  
Th' Elysian mountain; Saffron flowers, and Hyacinths helped make  
The sacred bed; and there they slept: when suddenly there broke,  
A golden vapour out of air, whence shining dews did fall;  
In which they wrapped them close, and slept, till jove was tamed withal.   

Mean space flew Somnus to the ships, found Neptune out, and said, 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
Now, cheerfully assist the Greeks, and give them glorious head;  
At least, a little, while jove sleeps; of whom through every limb,  
I poured dark sleep; Saturnias' love, hath so 〈◊〉 him.   

This news made Neptune more secure, in giving Grecians heart;  
And through the first fights, thus he stirred, the men of most desert.   

Yet, Grecians: shall we put our ships, and conquest in the hands, 
〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉.   
Of Priam's Hector, by our sloth? he thinks so, and commands,  
With pride according; all because, Achilles keeps away.  
Alas, as we were nought but him? we little need to stay▪  
On his assistance, if we would, our own strengths call to field,  
And mutually maintain repulse. Come on then, all men yield  
To what I order; we that bea●…e, best arms in all our host;  
Whose heads sustain the brightest helms; whose hands are bristled most  
With longest lances, let us on: But stay, I'll lead you all;  
No●… think I, but great Hector's spirits, will suffer some appall,  
Though they be never so inspired: the ablest of us then,  
That on our shoulders worst shields bear, exchange with worse men  
That fight with better. This proposed, all heard it, and obeyed:  
The kings (even those that suffered wounds, Ulysses, Diomedes,  
And Agamemnon) heplt t'instruct, the complete army thus;  
To good, gave good arms; worse, to worse; yet none were mutinous.   

Thus (armed with order) forth they flew, the great Earth-shaker led; 
Neptune leads the Greeks'.   
A long sword in his sinewy hand, which when he brandished,  
It lightened still: there was no law, for him, and it; poor men  
Must quake before them. These thus man'd, illustrious Hector then  
His host brought up. The blew-haired god, and he, stretched through the press  
A grievous fight: when to the ships, and tents of Gre●…ce, the seas  
Broke lose, and raged. But when they joined, the dreadful Clamour rose  
To such a height; as not the sea, when up, the North-spirit blows  
Her raging billows; bellows so, against the beaten shore:  
Nor such a rustling keeps a fire, driven with violent blore,  
Through woods that grow against a hill: nor so the fervent strokes  
Of almost-bursting winds resound, against a grove of Okes;  
As did the clamour of these hosts, when both the battles closed.  
Of all which, noble Hector first, at A●…ax breast disposed 
H●…tor at Ajax.   
His javelin, since so right on him, the great-souled soldier bore;  
Nor missed it, but the baldrics both, that his broad bosom wore,  
To hang his shield and sword, it struck; both which, his flesh preserved:  
Hector (disdaining that his lance, had thus, as good as swerved)  
Trodden to his strength; but going off, great Ajax with a stone, 
Ai●…x at Hector.   
(One, of the many props for ships, that there lay trampled on)  
Struck his broad breast, above his shield, just underneath his throat;  
And shook him piecemeal. When the stone, sprung back again & smo●…e  
(Earth, like a whirlwind gathering dust, with whirring fiercely round,  
For fervour of his unspent strength, in settling on the ground:  
And, as when Ioues bolt, by the roots, rents from the earth an Oak; 
Simile.   
His sulphur casting with the blow, a strong, unsavoury smoke;  
And on the fallen plant none dare look, but with amazed eyes,  
(Ioues thunder being no laughing game) so bowed strong Hector's thighs; 
Hector ouerthrown●….   
And so, with tost-up heels he fell: away, his lance he fling,  
His round shield followed; then his helm, and out his armour rung.   

●…he Greeks then shouted, and ran in, and hoped to hale him off;  
A●…d therefore poured on darts, in storms, to keep his aid aloof;  
But none could hurt the people's guide; no●… stir him from his ground:  
Sarpedon, prince of Lycia; and Glaucus, so renowned, 
Hector rescued.   
Divine Agenor, Venus' son, and wise Polydamas  
Rushed to his rescue, and the rest: no one, neglective was  
Of Hector's safety; all their shields, they couched about him close;  
Raised him from earth, and (giving him, in their kind armesrepose)  
From off the labour, carried him, to his rich chariot,  
And bore him mourning towards Troy: but when the flood they got  
Of gulphy Xanthus, that was got, by deathless jupiter;  
There took they him from chariot, and all be sprinkled there  
His temples with the stream; he breathed, looked up, assayed to rise,  
And on his knees stayed, spitting blood: again then, closed his eyes,  
And back again his body fell; the main blow had not done  
Yet with his spirit. When the Greeks, saw worthy Hector gone;  
Then thought they of their work; then charged, with much more cheer the foe  
And then (far first) Oileades, began the overthrow;  
He darted Satnius, Enops son, whom famous Nais bo●…e,  
(As she was keeping Enops flocks) on Satnius rivers shore:  
And struck him in his bellies rimme; who upwards fell, and raised  
A mighty skirmish with his fall: and then Panthaedes seized  
Prothenor Areilicides, with his reuend'gfull spear,  
On his right shoulder; struck it through, and laid him breathless there.  
For which he insolently bragged, and cried out; Not a dart 
Polyda●… 〈◊〉 his insultation.   
From great-souled Panthus' son, I think, shall ever vainlier part;  
But some Greek bosom it shall take, and make him give his ghost.  
This brag the Grecians stomached much, but Telamonius most,  
Who stood most near Prothenors' fall: and out he sent a lance,  
Which Panthus son (declining) scap't, yeet took it to sad chance,  
Archelochus, Antenor's son, whom heaven did destinate  
To that stern end, twixt neck, and head, the javelin wrought his fate,  
And ran in at the upper joint, of all the back long bone,  
Cut both the nerves, and such a load, of strength, laid Ajax on,  
As, that small part, he seized, outwaid, all th'under limb's; and struck  
His heels up so, that head, and face, the earth's possessions took,  
When all the low parts sprung in air; and thus did Ajax quit  
Panthaedes Brave; Now, Panthus son, let thy prophetic wit, 
Ai●… insults in requite all of Polydamas.   
Consider, and disclose a truth, if this man do not weigh  
Even with Prothaenor? I conceive, no one of you will say,  
That either he was base himself, or sprung of any base;  
Antenor's brother, or his son, he should be, by his face;  
One of his race, past question, his likeness shows he is.   

This spoke he, knowing it well enough. The Troyans' stormed at this,  
And then slew Acamas (to save, his brother yet engaged)  
Boeotius, dragging him to spoil; and thus the Greeks enraged.   

O Greeks? even borne to bear our darts, yet ever breathing threats;  
Not always under tears, and toils, ye see our fortune sweats;  
But sometimes you drop under death? see now, your quick among  
Our dead, entranced with my weak lance; to prove I have, ere long  
Revenged my brother: 'tis the wish, of every honest man▪  
His brother slain in Mars his field, may rest wreaked in his Fane.   

This stirred fresh envy in the Greeks, but urged Peneleus most,  
Who hurled his lance at Acamas; he scap't: nor yet it lost  
The force he gave it, for it found, the flocke-rich Phorbas son,  
Ilioneus, whose dear Sire, (past all in Ilium)  
Was loved of Hermes, and enriched; and to him only bore  
His mother, this now slaughtered man. The dart did undergore  
His eyelid, by his eyes dear roots; and out the apple fell,  
The eye pierced through: nor could the nerve, that stays the neck, repel  
His strong-winged lance; but neck and all, gave way, and down he dropped.  
Peneleus then unsheathed his sword, and from the shoulders chopped  
His luckless head; which down he threw; the helm still sticking on:  
And still the lance, fixed in his eye; which, not to see, alone,  
Contented him; but up again, he snatched, and showed it all;  
With this stern Brave; Ilians, relate, brave Ilioneus fall,  
To his kind parents; that their roofs, their tears may overrun;  
For so the house of Promachus, and Alegenors' son,  
Must with his wives eyes, overflow: she never seeing more  
Her dear Lord, though we tell his death; when to our native shore,  
We bring from ruin'd Troy our fleet, and men so long foregone.  
This said, and seen, pale Fear possessed, all those of Ilium:  
And every man cast round his eye, to see, where Death was not,  
That he might fly him. Let not then, his graced hand be forgot,  
(O Muses you that dwell in heaven) that first imbrued the field,  
With Trojan spoil; when Neptune thus, had made their irons yield.   

First Ajax Telamonius, the Mysian Captain slew  
Great Hyrtius Gyrtiades. Antilochus o'rethew  
Phalces and Mermer, to their spoil. Meriones gave end,  
To Moris and Hippotion. Teucer, to Fate did send,  
Prothoon and Periphetes. Atrides javelin chased  
Duke Hyperenor; wounding him, ᵈ in that part that is placed  
Betwixt the short ribs and the bones, that to the triple gut  
Have pertinence. The javelins head, did out his entrails cut,  
His forced soul breaking through the wound: nights black hand closed his eyes.  
Then Ajax, great Oileus son, had divers victories: 
Ajax Oi●… virtue for swiftness.   
For when Saturnius suffered flight; of all the Grecian race,  
Not one with swiftness of his feet, could so enrich a chase.   

COMMENTARIUS.  
ᵃ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Princeps populorum (the end of Ulysses' speech in the beginning of this book) which ascription our Spond. takes to be given in scorn: and that all Ulysses' speech is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or scoffing; which is spoken altogether seriously and bitterly to this title at the end: which was spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, molliter or benign; of purpose to make Agamemnon bear the better the justice of his other austerity.  
ᵇ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, & ego quoad genus glorior esse. The long digression, that follows this, in the speech of Diomedes (being next to Agamemnon's reply to Ulysses) bewrays an affectation he had by all-any-thing-fit-meanes, to talk of his pedigree: and by reason of that humour, hath shown his desire elsewhere, to learn the pedigreees of others: as in the sixth book, in his inquiry of Glaucus' pedigree. And herein is expressed part of his character.  
ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. overpassing, for speed, many things in this book that cry out for the praise of our Homer, and note of that, which in most readers I know will be lost: I must only insist still on those parts that (in my poor understanding) could never yet find apprehension in any of our Commentors or translators: as in this simile again of the whirlwind; to which the stone that Ajax hurled at Hector, is resembled. Valla and Eobanus, Salel in French, so understanding, Hector turned abo●…t with the blow, like a whirlwind. Vallas words are these, (translating 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which add verbum say thus much in every common translation; Trochum autem sicut concussit feriens, rotatusque est undique.) Quo ictu Hector velut turbo, quem Strombum dicunt, ●…tato corpore, etc. Eobanus converting it thus: — Stetit ille tremens, ceu turbo rotatus. Which though it harp upon the other, makes yet much worse music, saying, Hector stood trembling, being wheeled about like a whirlwind. He stood, yet was turned about violently. How gross both are, I think, the blindest see: and must needs acknowledge a monstrous unworthiness in these men to touch our Homer, esteeming it an extreme loss to the world, to have this and the like undiscovered. For (as I apprehend it) being expressed no better than in my silly conversion (and the stone, not Hector likened to the ●…rlewind) it is above the wit of a man to imitate our Homer's wit, for the m●…st fiery illustration both of Ajax strength, and Hector's: of Ajax for giving such a force to it, as could not spend itself upon Hector, but turn after upon the earth, in that whirlwind like violence: of Hector, for standing it so solidly; for without that consideration, the stone could never have recoiled so fiercely. And here have we a ruled case against our plain and smug writers; that because their own unweildinesse will not let them rise themselves, would have every man grovel like them: their feathers not passing the pitch of every woman's capacity. And (indeed) where a man is understood, there is ever a proportion betwixt the writer's wit & the writees (that I may speak with authority) according to my old lesson in Philosophy: Intellectus in ipsa intelligibilia transit. But herein this case is ruled against such men, that they affirm these hyperthe tical or superlative sort of expressions & illustrations are too bold, and bombasted; and out of that word is spun that which they call our Fustian: their plain writing, being stuff nothing so substantial, but such gross sowtedge, or hairepatch, as every goose may eat oats through. Against which, and all these plebeian opinions, that a man is bound to write to every vulgar reader's understanding, you see the great master of all ●…locution hath written so darkly, that almost three thousand suns have not discovered him, no more in five hundred other places then here; and yet all perviall enough (you may well say) when such a one as I comprehend them. But the chief end why I extend this annotation, is only to intrea●…e your note here of Homer's manner of writing, which (to utter his after store of matter and variety) is so press, and puts on with so strong a current, that it far over runs the most laborious pursuer, if he have not a Poetical foot, and Poesy's quick eye to guide it. The verse in question, I refer you to before, which says, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifying a stone of a handful, or that with one hand may be raised and cast, spoken of before; and (here being understood) shook Hector at all parts, in striking him, and like a whirlwind wheeled or whirred about. Wherein he speaks not of bounding to the earth again, and raising a dust with his violent turnings: in which the conceit and life of his simile lies, but leaves it to his reader, and he leaves it to him: notwithstanding he utters enough to make a stone understand it; how stupidly soever all his interpreters would have Hector (being struck into a trembling, and almost dead) turn about like a whirlwind. I conclude then with this question: What fault is it in me, to furnish and adorn my verse (being his Translator) with translating and adding the truth and fullness of his conceit; it being as like to pass my reader, as his, and therefore necessary? If it be no fault in me, but fit, then may I justly be said to better Homer? or not to have all my invention, matter and form from him, though a little I enlarge his form? Virgil, in all places where he is compared and preferred to Homer, doth nothing more. And therefore my assertion in the second Book is true, that Virgil hath in all places, wherein he is compared and preferred to Homer by Scaliger, etc. both his invention, matter and form from him.  
ᵈ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, & c. vulneravit ad isle; it is translated: and is in the last verses of this Book, where Menelaus is said to wound Hyperenor. But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, dicitur ea pars corporis quae posita est inter costas nothas, & ossa quae ad Ilia pertinent, quòd inanis sit, & desiderat. Hip. in lib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; and therefore I accordingly translate it. And note this beside, both out of this place and many others, how excellent an Anatomist our Homer was, whose skill in those times, me thinks, should be a secret.   
The end of the fourteenth Book of Homer's Iliads.   

THE FIFTEENTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

Jove waking, and beholding Troy in flight,  
Chides juno, and sends Iris to the fight,  
To charge the sea-god, to forsake the field;  
And Phoebus, to invade it, with his shield,  
Recovering Hector's broosde, and crazed powers.  
To field he goes, and makes new conquerors;  
The Troyans' giving now, the Grecians chase,  
Even to their fleet. Then Ajax turns his face,  
And feeds, with many Trojan lives, his ire;  
Who then brought brands to set the fleet on fire.   
Another Argument.  

jove sees in, O, his oversight,  
Chides juno, Neptune calls from fight.   

THe Troyans' (beat past pale and dike, and numbers prostrate laid)  
All got to chariot, feare-driven all; and feared as men dismayed:  
Then jove, on Ida's top, awaked; rose from Saturnias' side,  
Stood up, and looked upon the war; and all inverted, spied,  
Since he had seen it, th' Ilians now, in rout; the Greeks in fight:  
King Neptune, with his long sword, Chief; great Hector put down quite,  
Laid flat in field, and with a crown, of Princes compassed;  
So stopped up, that he scarce could breathe; his minds sound habit fled,  
And he still spitting blood. Indeed, his hurt was not set on  
By one that was the weakest Greek. But him jove looked upon  
With eyes of pity: on his wife, with horrible aspect;  
To whom he said: O thou in ill, most cunning Architect 
jupiters' wrath against Iu●….   
All Arts, and comments that exceedst! not only to enforce  
Hector from fight; but with his men, to show the Greeks a course.  
I fear (as formerly) so now, these ills have with thy hands,  
Their first fruits sown, and therefore could, load all thy limbs with bands.  
Forgettest thou, when I hanged thee up; how to thy feet I tied  
Two Anuils'; golden manacles, on thy false wrists implied,  
And let thee mercilessly hang, from our refined heaven  
Even to earth's vapours; all the gods, in great Olymp●…s, given  
To mutinies about thee; yet, (though all stood staring on)  
None durst dissolve thee; for these hands (had they but seized upon  
Thy friend) had headlong thrown him off, from our star-bearing round,  
Till he had tumbled out his breath; and piecemeal dashed the ground.  
Nor was my angry spirit calmed, so soon, for those foul seas,  
On which (inducing Northern flaws) thou shipwrack'dst Hercules,  
And tossed him to the Coon shore; that thou shouldst tempt again  
My wrath's importance, when thou seest (besides) how grossly vain,  
My powers can make thy policies: for from their utmost force,  
I freed my son, and set him safe, in Argos, nurse of horse.  
These I remember to thy thoughts, that thou mayst shun these sleights,  
And know how badly bed-sports thrive, procured by base deceits.   

This frighted the offending Queen, who, with this state, excused  
Her kind unkindness: Witness earth, and heaven, so far diffused: 
juno's ●…th in clearing herself to jupiter.   
Thou Flood, whose silent-gliding waves, the under ground doth bear,  
(Which is the great'st, and gravest oath, that any god can swear)  
Thy sacred head; those secretioyes, that our young bed gave forth,  
(By which I never rashly swore) that he who shakes the earth,  
Not by my counsel did this wrong, to Hector and his host;  
But (pitying th'oppressed Greeks', their fleet being nearly lost)  
Relieved their hard condition; yet utterly impelled  
By his free mind: which since I see, is so offensive held,  
To thy high pleasure, I will now, advise him not to tread,  
But where thy tempest-raising feet, (O jupiter) shall lead.   

jove laughed to hear her so submiss; and said: My faire-eyd love,  
If still thus thou and I were one, (in counsels held above) 
jupiters' charge to juno, and reconciliation.   
Neptune would still, in word and fact, be ours, if not in heart;  
If then thy tongue and heart agree, from hence to heaven departed,  
To call the excellent in bows; the Rainbow, and the Sun,  
That both may visit both the hosts; the Grecian army, one;  
And that is Iris; let her haste, and make the sea-god cease,  
T'assist the Greeks'; and to his court, retire from war, in peace.  
Let Phoebus (on the Trojan part) inspire with wont power  
Great Hector's spirits: make his thoughts, forget the late stern hour,  
And all his anguish; setting on, his whole recovered man  
To make good his late grace in fight, and hold inconstant wane  
The Grecian glories, till they fall, in flight before the fleet  
Of vexed Achilles; which extreme, will prove the mean to greet  
Thee with thy wish: for then the eyes, of great Aeacides,  
(Made witness of the general ill, that doth so near him press)  
Will make his own particular, look out; and by degrees  
Abate his wrath, that through himself, for no extremities  
Will seem reflected; yet his friend, may get of him the grace,  
To help his country, in his Arms; and he shall make fit place,  
For his full presence, with his death; which shall be well forerun:  
For I will first renown his life, with slaughter of my son,  
(Divine Sarpedon) and his death, great Hector's power shall wreak,  
Ending his ends. Then at once, out shall the fury break  
Of fierce Achilles: and with that, the flight now felt, shall turn;  
And then last, till in wrathful flames, the long-sieged Ilium burn.  
Minerva's counsel shall become, grave mean, to this my will;  
Which no god shall neglect, before, Achilles take his fill  
Of slaughter, for his slaughtered friend: even Hector's slaughter, thrown  
Under his anger; that these facts, may then make fully known  
My vows performance, made of late: and with my bowed head,  
Confirmed to Thetis, when her arms, embraced my knees, and prayed  
That to her citie-racing son, I would all honour show.   

This heard, his charge she seemed t'intend, and to Olympus flew.  
But, as the mind of such a man, that hath a great way gone, 
S●….   
And either knowing not his way; or then would let alone  
His purposed journey, is distract; and in his ᵃ vexed mind  
Resolves now not to go; now goes, still many ways inclined:  
So reverend juno headlong flew, and'gainst her stomach strived.  
For (being amongst th'immortal gods, in high heaven, soon arrived,  
All rising, welcoming with cups, her little absence thence)  
She all their courtships overpast, with solemn negligence,  
Save that which faire-cheekt Themis showed; and her kind ●…up she took: 
T●…●…o 〈◊〉.   
For first, she ran and met with her, and asked; What t●…oubled look  
She brought to heaven? She thought (for truth) that jove had terti●…  
Her spirits strangely, since she went. The fair armed Queen replied:   

That truth may easily be supposed, you (goddess Themis) know 
〈◊〉 ●…ply.   
His old severity and pride; bu●… you bear't out with show,  
And like the banquets arbiter, amongst th'Immortals far,  
Though well you hear amongst them all, how bad his actions are;  
Nor are all here, nor any where, mortals, nor gods (I fear)  
Entirely pleased with what he does, though thus ye banquet here.   

Thus took she place, displeasedly; the feast in general,  
Bewraying privy spleens at jove; and then (to colour all)  
She laughed, but merely from her lips: for, over her black brows  
Her still-bent forehead was not cleared; yet this her passions throws,  
Brought forth in spite, being lately schooled; alas, what fools are we?  
That envy jove? or that by act, word, thought, can fantasy,  
Any resistance to his will? he sits far off, nor cares,  
Nor moves, but says he knows his strength, to all degrees compares  
His greatness, past all other gods: and that in fortitude,  
And every other godlike power; he reigns, past all endued.  
For which great eminence, all you Gods, what ever ill he does  
Sustain with patience: here is Mars, I think, not free from woes;  
And yet he bears them like himself. The great God had a son, 
I●… speech of purpose to in●… M●… Scopti●….   
Whom he himself yet justifies, one that from all men won,  
Just surname of their best beloved, Ascalaphus; yet he  
(By Ioues high grace to Troy) is slain. Mars started horribly  
(As juno knew he would) at this; beat, with his hurled out hands,  
His brawny thighs; cried out, and said: O you that 〈◊〉 commands  
In these high temples, bear with me, if I revenge the death  
Of such a son; I'll to the fleet; and though I sink beneath  
The fate of being shot to hell, by Ioues fell thunder stone:  
And lie all grimed amongst the dead, with dust and blood; my son,  
Revenge shall honour. Then he charged, Fear and Dismay to join  
His horse and chariot: he got arms, that over heaven did shine:  
And then a wrath, more great and grave, in jove had been prepared  
Against the gods, than juno caused; if Pallas had not cared  
More for the peace of heaven than Mars; who leap●… out of her throne,  
Rapt up her helmet, launce, and shield, and made her Phanes porch groan,  
With her egression to his stay: and thus his rage defers:  
Furious, and foolish? thou'rt undone; hast thou, for nought, thine ears? 
Pallas to Mars.   
Heard'st thou not juno, being arrived, from heavens great king but now?  
Or wouldst thou he himself should rise (forced with thy rage) to show,  
The dreadful power she urged in him, so justly being stirred?  
Know (thou most impudent and mad) thy wrath had not inferred  
Mischief to thee; but to us all: his spirit had instantly  
Left both the hosts, and turned his hands, to uproars in the sky.  
Guilty and guiltless, both to wrack, in his high rage had gone;  
And therefore (as thou lovest thyself) cease fury for thy son.  
Another, far exceeding him, in heart and strength of hand,  
Or is, or will be shortly slain. It were a ᵇ work would stand  
jove in much trouble, to free all, from death, that would not die.   

This threat, even nailed him to his throne, when heavens chief Majesty,  
Called bright Apollo from his Fane; and Iris that had place  
Of Internunciesse from the Gods; to whom she did the grace  
Of jupiter, to this effect: It is Saturnius will, 
juno to Apollo and Iris.   
That both, with utmost speed, should stoop, to the Idalian hill,  
To know his further pleasure, there. And this let me advise,  
When you arrive, and are in reach, of his refulgent eyes:  
His pleasure heard, perform it all, of whatsoever kind.   

Thus moved she back, and used her throne. Those two outstripped the wind,  
And Ida (all enchased with springs) they soon attained, and found  
Where farre-discerning jupiter, in his repose, had crowned  
The brows of Gargarus, and wrapped, an odoriferous cloud  
About his bosom. Coming near, they stood; nor now he showed '  
His angry countenance, since so soon, he saw they made th'access  
That his loved wife enjoined. But first, the fair Ambassad●…esse,  
He thus commanded; Iris, Go, to Neptune, and relate 
jove to Iris.   
Our pleasure truly, and at large; command him from the Fate  
Of human war; and either greet, the god's society,  
Or the divine sea, make his seat. If proudly he deny,  
Let better counsels be his guides, than such as bid me war,  
And tempt my charge, though he be strong; for I am stronger far,  
And elder borne: nor let him dare, to boast even state with me,  
Whom all Gods else prefer in fear. This said: down hasted she  
From Ida's top to Ilium; and like a mighty snow,  
Or gelide hail, that from the clouds, the Northern spirit doth blow;  
So fell the windie-footed Dame; and found with quick repair  
The watery God; to whom she said: God, with the sable hair, 
Iris to 〈◊〉.   
I came from Aegis-bearing jove, to bid thee cease from fight,  
And visit heaven, or th'ample seas; which, if in his despite,  
Or disobedience, thou deniest; he threatens thee to come  
(In opposite fight) to field himself: and therefore warns thee home,  
His hands eschewing; since his power, is far superior;  
His birth before thee; and affirms, thy loved heart should abhor  
To vaunt equality with him, whom every deity fears.   

He answered, O unworthy thing! though he be great, he bears 
〈◊〉 to Iris, being 〈◊〉 with jupiter.   
His tongue too proudly; that ourself, borne to an equal share  
Of state and freedom, he would force. Three brothers borne, we are,  
To Saturn; Rhea brought us forth: this jupiter, and I,  
And Pluto, god of under-grounds. The world indifferently 
The 〈◊〉 proper to 〈◊〉.   
Disposed betwixt us; every one his kingdom; I, the seas;  
Pluto the black lot; jupiter, the principalities 
Neptune and Pluto being three brothers.   
Of broad heaven; all the sky and clouds, was sorted out: the earth  
And high Olympus, common are, and due to either's birth.  
Why then should I be awed by him? Content he his great heart,  
With his third portion; and not think, to amplify his part  
With terrors of his stronger hands, on me, as if I were  
The most ignoble of us all: let him contain in fear,  
His daughters and his sons, begot, by his own person: this  
Holds more convenience: they must hear, these violent threats of his.   

Shall I (said Iris) bear from thee, an answer so austere?  
Or wilt thou change it? Changing minds, all noble natures bear: 
Iris to N●…tune. '   
And well thou knowst, these greatest borne, the Furies follow still. 
Neptune again to Iris.    

He answered: Iris, thy reply, keeps time, and shows thy skill:  
O 'tis a most praiseworthy thing, when messengers can tell  
(Besides their messages) such things, as fit th'occasion well.  
But this much grieves my heart and soul, that being in power and state  
All ways his equal, and so fixed, by one decree in fate,  
He should to me, as under him, ill language give, and chide;  
Yet now (though still incensed) I yield, affirming this beside:  
And I enforce it with a threat, that if without consent  
Of me, Minerva, Mercury; the Queen of regiment,  
And Vulcan; he will either spare, high Ilium, or not raze  
Her turrets to the lowest stone; and (with both these) not grace  
The Greeks', as victor's absolute: inform him this from me;  
His pride and my contempt shall live, at endless enmity.   

This said, he left the Greeks, and rushed, into his watery throne;  
Much mist of all the th'heroic host. When jove discerned him gone,  
Apollo's service he employed, and said: Loved Phoebus, go  
To Hector: now th'earth-shaking god, hath taken sea, and so 
jupiter to Apoll●…   
Shrunk from the horrors I denounced; which standing, he, and all  
The under-seated deities, that circle Saturn's fall,  
Had heard of me in such a fight, as had gone hard for them.  
But both for them and me, 'tis best, that thus they fly th'extreme,  
That had not passed us without sweat. Now then, in thy hands take  
My Adder-fringed affrighting shield, which, with such terror shake,  
That Fear may shake the Greeks' to flight: besides this, add thy care  
(O Phoebus' farre-off-shooting god) that this so sickly fare,  
Of famous Hector be recured; and quickly so excite  
His amplest powers, that all the Greeks, may grace him with their ●…iht,  
Even to their ships, and Hellespont; and then will I devise  
All words and facts again for Greece, that largely may suffice,  
To breath them from their instant toils. Thus from th'Idean height,  
(Like airs swift-pigeon-killer, stooped, the far-shot God of light,  
And found great Hector, sitting up, not stretched upon his bed; 
Apollo visits Hector.   
Not wheasing with a stopt-up spirit; not in cold sweats; but fed  
With fresh and comfortable veins: but his mind, all his own;  
But round about him, all his friends, as well as ever known.  
And this was with the mind of jove, that flew to him before  
Apollo came; who (as he saw, no sign of any sore)  
Asked (like a cheerful visitant) why in this sickly kind  
(Great Hector) sit'st thou so apart? can any grief of mind,  
Invade thy fortitude? He spoke; but with a feeble voice: 
Hector to Apollo   
O thou, the best of deities! why (since I thus rejoice  
By thy so serious benefit) demandst thou (as in mirth,  
And to my face) if I were ill? for (more than what thy worth  
Must needs take note of) doth not Fame, from all mouths fill thine 〈◊〉;  
That (as my hand at th'Achiue fleet, was making massacres  
Of men, whom valiant Ajax led) his strength, struck with a stone,  
All power of more hurt from my breast? my very soul was gone:  
And once to day, I thought to see, the house of Dis and Death.   

Be strong (said he) for such a spirit, now sends the god of breath 
Apollo to Hector   
From airy Ida, as shall run, through, all Greek spirits in thee;  
Apollo with the golden sword, the clear farre-seer, see,  
Him, who betwixt death and thy life; twixt ruin and those towers,  
Ere this day, oft hath held his shield. Come then, be all thy powers,  
In wont vigour: let thy knights, with all their horse assay  
The Grecian fleet; myself will lead, and scour so clear the way,  
That Flight shall leave no Greek a Rub. Thus instantly inspired  
Were all his nerves with matchless strength; and then his friends he fired  
Against their foes; when (to his eyes) his ears confirmed the god.  
Then, as a goodly headed Hart, or Goat, bred in the wood, 
Simile.   
A rout of country huntsmen chase, with all their hounds in cry;  
The beast yet, or the shady woods, or rocks excessive high,  
Keep safe; or our unwieldy fates (that even in hunter's sway)  
Bar them, the poor beasts pulling down; when strait the clamorous fray,  
Calls out a Lion, hugely man'd; and his abhorred view  
Turns headlong in unturning flight (though venturous) all the crew:  
So hitherto the chase Greeks, their slaughter dealt by troops;  
But, after Hector was beheld, range here and there; then stoops  
The boldest courage; then their heels, took in their dropping hearts,  
And then spoke Andremonides, a man of farre-best parts  
Of all th' Aetolians, skilled in darts; strenuous in fights of stand;  
And one of whom few of the Greeks', could get the better hand,  
(For Rhetoric) when they fought with words; with all which, being wise,  
Thus spoke he to his Grecian friends: O mischief! now mine eyes 
Andremonides to the Greeks'.   
Discern no little miracle; Hector escaped from death,  
And all recovered, when all thought, his soul had sunk beneath  
The hands of Ajax: but some God, hath saved and freed again,  
Him that but now dissolved the knees, of many a Grecian.  
And now I fear will weaken more; for not without the hand  
Of him that thunders, can his powers, thus still the forefights stand;  
Thus still triumphant: hear me then; our troops in quick retreat,  
Let's draw up to our fleet, and we, that boast ourselves, the Great,  
Stand firm, and try, if these that raise, so high their charging da●…ts,  
May be resisted: I believe, even this great heart of hearts,  
Will fear, himself to be too bold, in charging thorough us.   

They easily heard him, and obeyed, when all the generous  
They called t'encounter Hector's charge, and turned the common men  
Back to the fleet: and these were they, that bravely furnished then  
The fierce forefight; th' Aiaces both; the worthy Cretan king;  
The Mars-like Meges; Merion, and Teucer. Up then, bring  
The Trojan chiefs, their men in heaps; before whom (amply paced)  
Marched Hector; and in front of him, Apollo, who had cast  
About his bright aspect, a cloud; and did before him bear  
Ioues huge and each-where shaggy shield; which (to contain in fear  
Offending men) the god-smith gave, to jove; with this he led  
The Trojan forces. The Greeks stood; a fervent clamour spread  
The air on both sides as they joined; out flew the shafts and darts,  
Some falling short, but othersome, found butts in breasts and hearts.  
As long as Phoebu●… held but out, his horrid shield, so long 
〈◊〉 sight discomfits th●… 〈◊〉.   
The darts flew raging either way, and death grew both ways strong.  
But when the Greeks had seen his face, and who it was that shook  
The bristled targe, knew by his voice; then all their strengths forsook  
Their nerves and minds; and then look how, a goodly herd of Neat, 
Simil●….   
Or wealthy flock of sheep, being close, and dreadless at their meat,  
In some black midnight, suddenly (and not a keeper near)  
A brace of horrid Bears rush in, and then fly here and there  
The poor affrighted flocks or herds; So every way dispersed  
The heartless Grecians: so the Sun, their headstrong chase reversed  
To headlong flight; and that day raised, with all grace, Hector's head.   

Arcesilaus then he slew, and Stichius; Stichius led  
Boeotias' brazen-coted men: the other was the friend  
Of mightie-souled Menestheus. Aeneas brought to end,  
Medon, and jasus; Medon was, the brother (though but base)  
Of swift Oileades; and dwelled, far from his breeding place,  
In Phylaca; the other led, th'Athenian bands: his Sire  
Was Spelus, Bucolus his son. Mecistheus' did expire  
Beneath Polydamas his hand. Polites, Echius slew  
Just at the joining of the hosts. Agenor overthrew  
Clonius. Bold Deiochus, felt Alexander's lance;  
It struck his shoulders upper part, and did his head advance  
Quite through his breast, as from the fight, he turned him for retreat.   

While these stood spoiling of the slain, the Greeks found time to get  
Beyond the dike, and th'vndiked pales: all escapes they gladly gained,  
Till all had passed the utmost wall; Necessity so reigned.   

Then Hector cried out: Take no spoil, but rush on to the fleet;  
From whose assault (for spoil, or flight) if any man I meet, 
Hector to his soldiers.   
He meets his death: nor in the fire, of holy funeral,  
His brothers or his sister's hands, shall cast (within our wall)  
His loathed body; but without, the throats of dogs shall grave  
His manless limbs. This said; the scourge, his forward horses drove  
Through every order; and with him, all whipped their chariots on;  
All threateningly, out thundering shouts, as earth were overthrown.   

Before them marched Apollo still; and, as he marched, digged down, 
Apollo leads the Troyans'.   
(Without all labour) with his feet, the dike; till, with his own,  
He filled it to the top; and made, way, both for man and horse,  
As broad and long, as with a lance (cast out to try one's force)  
A man could measure. Into this, they poured whole troops as fast,  
As numerous: Phoebus still, before, for all their haste,  
Still shaking Ioues unualewed shield, and held it up to all.  
And then, as he had choked their dike, he tumbled down their wall.  
And look how easily any boy, upon the sea-●…bd shore, 
A simile, from how low things it may be taken, to express the ●…ighest.   
Makes with a little sand a toy, and cares for it no more;  
But as he raised it childishly, so in his wanton vain,  
Both with his hands and feet, he pulls, and spurns it down again:  
So sleight, O Phoebus, thy hands made, of that huge Grecian toil;  
And their late stand, so well resolved, as easily mad'st recoil.   

Thus stood they driven up at their fleet, where each heard others thought,  
Exhorted: passing humbly prayed: all, all the gods besought,  
(With hands held up to heaven) for help; amongst all, the good old man,  
Grave Nestor (for his counsels called, the Argives guardian)  
Fell on his aged knees, and prayed; and to the starry host,  
Stretched out his hands for aid to theirs; of all, thus moving most:  
O father jove, if ever man, of all our host did burn 
Nestor's prayer to jupiter.   
Fat thighs of oxen or of sheep (for grace of safe return)  
In fruitful Argos; and obtained, the bowing of thy head,  
For promise of his humble prayers: O now remember him,  
(Thou merely heavenly) and clear up, the foul brows of this dim  
And cruel day; do not destroy, our zeal for Trojan pride.  
He prayed, and heavens great Counsellor, with store of thunder tried  
His former grace good; and so heard, the old man's hearty prayers.  
The Troyans' took Ioues sign for them; and poured out their affairs  
In much more violence on the Greeks; and thought on nought but fight.  
And as a huge wave of a sea, swollen to his rudest height, 
Simile.   
Breaks over both sides of a ship; being all urged by the wind;  
For that's it makes the wave so proud: in such a borne-up kind, 
〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 puffed up by Apollo.   
The Troyans' overgat the wall; and getting in their horse,  
Fought close at fleet; which now the Greeks, ascended for their force.  
Then from their chariots, they with darts; the Greeks with bead-hooks fought,  
(Kept still aboard for naval fights) their heads with iron wrought,  
In hooks and pikes. Achilles' friend, still while he saw the wall  
That stood without their fleet, afford, employment for them all,  
Was never absent from the tent, of that man-loving Greek,  
Late-hurt Eurypilus; but sat, and every way did seek  
To spend the sharp time of his wound, with all the ease he could,  
In medicines, and in kind discourse: but when he might behold  
The Troyans' past the wall; the Greeks', flight driven, and all in cries;  
Then cried he out, Cast down his hands, and beat with grief his thighs:  
Then, O Eurypilus, (he cried) now all thy need of me, 
Patroclus to Eurypilus.   
Must bear my absence: now a work, of more necessity,  
Calls hence; and I must hast to call, Achilles to the field:  
Who knows, but (God assisting me) my words may make him yield?  
The motion of a friend is strong. His feet thus took him thence.  
The rest yet stood their enemies firm; but all their violence  
(Though Troy fought there with fewer men) lacked vigour to repel  
Those fewer from their Navies charge; and so, that charge as well  
Lacked force to spoil their fleet, or tents. And as a shipwrights line 
A divine fimile.   
(Disposed by such a hand, as learned, from th'artisan divine,  
The perfect practice of his Art) directs or guards so well  
The naval timber then in frame; that all the layd-on steel,  
Can hue no further than may serve, to give the timber th'end,  
Fore-purposde by the skilful wright: so both hosts did contend,  
With such a line, or law applied, to what their steel would gain.   

At other ships fought other men, but Hector did maintain  
His quarrel firm at Ajax ship; and so did both employ,  
About one vessel, all their toil: nor could the one destroy  
The ship with fire; nor force the man, nor that man yet get gone  
The other from so near his ship, for God had brought him on.   

But now did Ajax with a dart, wound deadly in the breast,  
Calctor, son of Clytius, as he with fire addressed 
Ajax slaughter●… 〈◊〉.   
To burn the vessel; as he fell, the brand fell from his hand.   

When Hector saw his sister's son, lie slaughtered in the sand,  
He called to all his friends, and prayed, they would not in that straight  
Forsake his nephew, but maintain, about his corpse the fight,  
And save it from the spoil of Greece. Then sent he out a lance 
Hector at Ajax.   
At Ajax, in his nephews wreak; which mist, but made the chance  
On Lycophron Mastorides, that was the household friend  
Of Ajax, borne in Cythera, whom Ajax did defend, 
Hector 〈◊〉 Ajax, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 friend.   
(Being fled to his protection) for killing of a man  
Amongst the godlike Cytherans: the vengeful javelin ran  
Quite through his head, above his ear, as he was standing by  
His Fautor, then asterne his ship, from whence his soul did fly,  
And to the earth his body fell: the hair stood up an end  
On Ajax; who to Teucer called, (his brother) saying: Friend,  
Our loved consort, whom we brought, from Cythera; and graced,  
So like our father; Hector's hand, hath made him breath his la●…t.  
Where then are all thy death-borne shafts? and that unuallewed bow  
Apollo gave thee? Teucer straight, his brother's thoughts did know,  
Stood near him, and dispatched a shaft, amongst the Trojan fight▪  
It struck Pysenors' goodly son, young Clyt●…, the delight  
Of the renowned Polydamas; the bridle in his hand,  
As he was labouring his horse, to please the high command  
Of Hector, and his Tioian friends; and bring him, where the fight  
Made greatest tumult. But his strife, for honour in their sight,  
Wrought not what sight or wishes helped; for turning back his look,  
The hollow of his neck, the shaft, came singing on, and struck,  
And down he fell; his horses back, and hurried through the field  
The empty chariot. Panthus' son, made all haste, and withheld  
Their lose carrier; disposing them, to Protiaons' son,  
Astinous; with special charge, to keep them ever on,  
And in his sight: so he again, amongst the foremost went.   

At Hector then another shaft, incensed Te●…er sent; 
Teucer at Hector.   
Which, had it hit him, sure had hurt; and had it hurt him, slain;  
And had it slain him, it had driven, all those to Troy again.   

But Ioues mind was not sleeping now; it waked to Hector's fame,  
And Teucer's infamy; himself (in Teucer's deadly aim) 
jove breaks Te●…cers bow.   
His wrought string dissevering, that served his bravest bow;  
His shaft flew quite another way; his bow the earth did strew.  
At all which, Teucer stood amazed, and to his brother cried,  
O prodigy! without all doubt, our Angel doth deride 
Teucer to Ajax.   
The counsels of our fight; he broke, a string, my hands put on  
This morning, and was newly made; and well might have set gone  
A hundred arrows; and beside, he struck out of my hand  
The bow Apollo gave. He ●…ayd, Then (good friend) do not stand 
Ajax to Teucer.   
More on thy archery, since God (preventer of all grace,  
Desired by Grecians) sleights it so. Take therefore in the place,  
A good large lance; and on thy neck, a target cast, as bright;  
With which, come fight thyself with some, and othersome excite,  
That without labour at the least (though we prove worse men)  
Troy may not brag it took our ships: come, mind our business then.   

This said, he hasted to his tent; left there his shafts and bow, 
Teucer changeth his arms.   
And then his double, double shield, did on his shoulders throw;  
Upon his honoured head he placed, his helmet, thickly plumed;  
And than his strong, and well piled lance, in his fair hand assumed,  
Returned, and boldly took his place, by his great brother's side.   

When Hector saw his arrows broke, out to his friends he cried, 
Hector's admiration of Ioues breaking Teu●…ers ●…ow.   
O friends! be yet more comforted, I saw the hands of jove,  
Break the great Grecian archers shafts: 'tis easy to approve,  
That Ioues power is direct with men; as well in those set hi●…  
Upon the sudden, as in those, depressed as suddenly:  
And those not put in state at all: as now he takes away  
Strength from the Greeks, and gives it us; then use it, and assay  
With joined hands this approached fleet. If any bravely buy  
His fame or fate, with wounds or death; in Ioues name let him die.  
Who for his country suffers death, sustains no shameful thing:  
His wife in honour shall survive, his progeny ●…hall spring  
In endless summers; and ●…heir roofs, with patrimony swell;  
And all this, though with all their freight, the Greek ships we repel.   

His friends thus cheered, on th'other part, strong Ajax stirred his friends:  
O Greeks (said he) what shame is this, that no man more defends, 
〈◊〉 to the Greek●….   
His fame and safety; then to live, and thus be for●…'t to shrink:  
Now either ●…aue your fleet, or die; unless ye vainly think,  
That you can live, and they destroyed? perceives no●… every ●…are,  
How Hector heartens up his men? and hath his firebrands here,  
Now ready to inflame ourfleet? he doth not bid them dance;  
That you may take your ease, and see; but to the fight advance.  
No counsel can serve us but this: to mix both hands and har●…  
And bear up close; 'tis better much, t'expose our utmost parts  
To one days certain life or death; then languish in a war  
So base as this; beat to our ships, by our inferiors far.   

Thus roused he up their spirits and strengths: To work then, both sides went  
When Hector, the Phocensian Duke, to fields of darkness sent;  
Fierce Schedius, Perimedes son; which Ajax did requite,  
With slaughter of Laodamas, that led the foot to fight,  
And was Antenor's famous son. Polydamas did end  
Otus, surnamed Cyllenius; whom Phydas made his friend;  
Being chief of the Epeians Bands: whose fall, when M●…ges viewed,  
He let fly at his fellers' life; who (shrinking-in) eschewed  
The wel-aymed lance: Apollo's will, denied that Pantbus son  
Should fall amongst the foremost fights; the dart, the mid-brest won  
Of Craesmus; Meges won his arms. At Meges, Dolops then  
Bestowed his lance; he was the son, of Lampus, best of men:  
And Lampus, of Laomedon, well skilled in strength of mind;  
He struck Phylides shield quite through, whose 〈◊〉, better lined  
And hollowed fitly, saved his life: Phyleus left him them,  
Who from Epirus brought them home; on that part where the stream  
Of famous Seléés doth run; Euphetes did bestow  
(Being guest with him) those wel-proued arms, to wear against the foe,  
And now they saved his son from death. At Dolops, Meges threw  
A spear well piled; that struck his cask, full in the height; off flew  
His purple feather, newly made; and in the dust it fell.   

While these thus strived for victory; and either's hope served well;  
Atrides came to Meges aid; and (hidden with his side)  
Let loose a lavelin at his foe, that through his back implied  
His lusty head, even past his breast; the ground received his weight.   

While these made-in, to spoil his arms; great Hector did excite,  
All his allies to quick revenge; and first he wrought upon  
Strong Menalippus (that was son, to great Hycet●…n)  
With some reproof. Before these wars, he in Perco●… fed  
Cloven-footed Oxen; but did since, ret●…rne where he was bred;  
Excelled amongst the Ilians, was much of Pri●…m loved;  
And in his court kept, as his son; him Hect●…r thus reproved.   

Thus Menalippui, shall our blood, accuse us of neglect: 
Hector to Me●…alippui.   
Nor moves it thy loved heart (thus urged) thy kinsman to protect?  
Seest thou not, how they seek his spoil? Come, follow; now no more  
Our fight must stand at 〈◊〉, but close: nor leave the close, before  
We close the latest eye of them; or they, the lowest ●…one  
Tear up, and sack the citizens, of lofty Ili●….  
He led; he followed like a god: and then must Ajax needs  
(As well as Hector) cheer his men; and thus their spirits he feeds:  
Good friends bring but yourselves to feel, the noble stings of shame, 
Ajax to his soldiers, in imitation of Agamemnon▪ n●…n, observed by him before, ●…ing the same words.   
For what ye suffer, and be men: respect each others fame;  
For which, who strives, in shames fit fear; and puts on near so far,  
Comes oftener off, then stick engaged: these fugitives of war,  
Save neither life, nor get renown; nor bear more minds than sheep.   

This short speeeh fired them in his aid, his spirit touched them deep;  
And turned them all before the fleet, into a wall of brass:  
To whose assault, jove stirred their foes: and young Atrides was  
Ioues instrument; who thus set on, the young Antilo●…us:  
Antiloch●…s, in all our host, there is not one of us 
Menelaus to Antilochus.   
More young than thou; more swift of foot; nor (with both those) so strong.  
O would thou wouldst then (for thou canst) one of this lusty throng,  
That thus comes skipping out before, (whoever, any where)  
Make stick (for my sake) twixt both hosts, and leave his bold blood there.   

He said no sooner, and retired; but forth he rushed, before  
The foremost fighters, yet his eye, did every way explore  
For doubt of odds; out flew his lance: the Troyans' did abstain  
While he was darting; yet his dart, he cast not off in vain:  
For Menalippus (that rare son) of great Hycetaon; 
Anti●…●…ters Me●…ppus.   
(As bravely he put forth to fight) it fiercely flew upon;  
And, at the nipple of his breast, his breast, and life did part.  
And then, much like an eager hound, cast off at some young Hart, 
Simile.   
Hurt by the hunter; that had left, his covert then, but new,  
The great-in-warte- Antilochus, (O Menalippus) flew  
On thy torn bosom, for thy spoil. But thy death could not lie  
Hid to great Hector; who all haste, made to thee, and made fly  
Antilochus; although in water, he were at all parts skilled:  
But as some wild beast, having done, some shrewd turn, (either killed  
The herdsman, or the herdsman dog,) and skulks away before  
The gathered multitude makes in: so Nestor's son forbore, 
A Simile suiting the other before to the life.   
But after him, with horrid cries, both Hector and the rest  
Showers of teare-thirstie lances poured; who having armed his breast  
With all his friends, he turned it then. Then on the ships, all Troy,  
Like raw-flesh-nourisht Lions rushed, and knew they did employ  
Their powers to perfect Ioues high will; who still their spirits inflamed,  
And quenched the Grecians; one, renowned; the other, often shamed;  
For Hector's glory still he stood; and ever went about,  
To make him cast the fleet such fire, as never should go our;  
Herd The●… foul petition; and wished, in any wise,  
The splendour of the burning ships, might satiate his eyes.  
From him yet, the repulse was then, to be on Troy conferred,  
The honour of it given the Greeks; which (thinking on) he stirred  
(With such addition of his spirit) the spirit Hector bore,  
To burn the fleet; that of itself, was hot enough before.  
But now he fared like Mars himself, so brandishing his lance;  
As through the deep shades of a hill, a raging fire should glance;  
Held up to all eyes by a hill; about his lips, a foam 
H●…s 〈◊〉 app●….   
Stood; as when th' Ocean is enraged; his eyes were overcome  
With fervour, and resembled flames; set off, by his dark brows:  
And from his temples, his bright helm, abhorred lightnings throws.  
For jove, from forth the sphere of stars, to his state, put his own;  
And all the blaze of both the hosts, confined, in him alone.  
And all this was, since after this, he had not long to live;  
This lightning flew before his death: which Pallas was to give,  
(A small time thence, and now prepared) beneath the violence  
Of great Pelides. In mean time, his present eminence,  
Thought all things under it: and he, still where he saw the stands  
Of greatest strength, and bravest armed, there he would prove his hands:  
Or no where; offering to break through But that past all his power,  
Although his will, * were past all theirs; they stood him like a tower  
conjoined so firm: that as a rock, exceeding high and great;  
And standing near the hoary sea, bears many a boisterous threat  
Of high-voiced winds, and billows huge, belched on it by the storms;  
So stood the Greeks great Hector's charge, nor stirred the●… battailous forms.   

He (girt in fire, borne for the fleet) still rushed at every troup;  
And fell upon it like a wave, high raised, that then doth stoop 
Simile.   
Out from the clouds; grows as it stoops, with storms; then down doth come  
And cuff a ship; when all her sides, are hid in brackish some;  
Strong gales still raging in her sails; her sailors minds dismayed,  
Death being but little from their lives: so jove-like Hector afraid,  
And plied the Greeks; who knew not what, would chance, for all their guards.   

And as the baneful king of beasts, leapt in to Oxen herds, 
Simile.   
Fed in the meadows of a fen, exceeding great; the beasts  
In number infinite; 'mongst whom, (their herdsmen wanting breasts  
To fight with Lions, for the price, of a black Ox's life,)  
He here, and there jumps; first, and last, in his bloodthirsty strife,  
Chased and assaulted; and at length, down in the midst goes one,  
And all the rest, spersed through the fen: so now, all Greece was gone.  
So Hector (in a flight from heaven, upon the Grecia●…s cast)  
Turned all their backs; yet only one, his deadly lance laid fast:  
Brave Mycenaus Periphes', Cypraeus dearest son;  
Who, of the heauens-Queene-lou'd-king, (great 〈◊〉) won  
The grace, to greet in Embassy, the strength of Hercules,  
Was far superior to his sire; in feet, fight, nobleness  
Of all the virtues; and all those, did such a wisdom guide,  
As all Mycena could not match: and this man dignified,  
(Still making greater his renown) the state of Priam's son.  
For his unhappy hasty foot, as he addressed to run,  
Stuck in th'extreme ring of his shield, that to his ankles reach●…;  
And down he upwards fell, his fall, up from the centre fetched  
A huge sound, with his head, and helm; which Hect●… quickly spied;  
Ran in, and in his worthy breast, his lances head did hide;  
And slew about him all his friends, who could not give him aid:  
They grieved; and of his godlike foe, fled so extreme afraid.   

And now, amongst the nearest ships, that first were drawn to shore,  
The Greeks were driven; beneath whose sides, behind them, and before;  
And into them they poured themselves, and thence were driven again  
Up to their tents, and there they stood: not daring to maintain  
Their guards more outward; but betwixt, the bounds of Fear and Shame,  
Cheered still each other; when th'old man, that of the Grecian name,  
Was called the pillar; every man, thus by his parents prayed:   

O friends, be men, and in your minds, let others shames be weighed;  
Know you have friends besides yourselves; possessions, parents, wives; 
Nestor to the Greeks'.   
As well those that are dead to you, as those ye love with lives;  
All sharing still their good, or bad, with yours: by these I pray,  
That are not present (and the more, should therefore make ye weigh  
Their miss of you, as yours of them) that you will bravely stand  
And this forced flight, you have sustained, at length yet countermand.   

Supplies of good words, thus supplied, the deeds and spirits of all;  
And so, at last Minerva cleared, the cloud that jove let fall 
Minerva clears the darkness jove powered on the Grecian army.   
Before their eyes: a mighty light, flew beaming every way;  
As well about their ships, as where, their darts did hottest play:  
Then saw they Hector great in arms, and his associates;  
As well all those, that then abstained, as those that helped the fates;  
And all their own fight at the fleet. Nor did it now content  
Ajax, to keep down like the rest; he, up the hatches went,  
Stalked here and there; and in his hand, a huge great beadhooke held,  
Twelve cubits long, and full of Iron; And as a man well skilled  
In horse, made to the martial race; when, (of a number more) 
A simile of Alax managing the fight at the fleet.   
He chooseth four, and brings them forth, to run them all before  
Swarms of admiring citizens, amids their towns highway;  
And (in their full carrier) he leaps, from one, to one; no stay  
Enforced on any; nor fails he, in either seat or leap:  
So Ajax with his beadhooke leapt, nimbly from ship to ship,  
As actively, commanding all; them in their men, as well  
As men in them: most terribly, exhorting to repel;  
To save their navy, and their tents. But Hector nothing needs  
To stand on exhortations now, at home; he strives for deeds.  
And look how Ioues great Queen of birds, (sharp set) looks out for prey; 
Simile of Hector   
Knows floods that nourish wild-winged fowls, and (from her airy way)  
Beholds where Cranes, Swans, Cormorands, have made their foody fall;  
Darkens the river with her wings, and stoops amongst them all:  
So Hector flew amongst the Greeks', directing his command  
(In chief) 'gainst one opposite ship; jove with a mighty hand  
Still backing him, and all his men: and then again there grew,  
A bitter conflict at the fleet; you would have said, none drew  
A weary breath, nor ever would; they laid so freshly on:  
And this was it that fired them both; the Greeks did build upon  
No hope, but what the field would yield; flight, an impossible course.  
The Troyans' all hope entertained, that sword, and fire should force  
Both ships, and lives, of all the Greeks'; and thus, unlike affects  
Bred like strenuitie in both. Great Hector still directs  
His powers against the first near ship. T was that fair bark that brought  
Protesilaus to those wars; and now, herself to nought,  
With many Greek and T●…oian lives; all spoiled about her spoil:  
One slew another desperately; and close the deadly toil  
Was pitched on both parts: not a shaft, nor far-off striking dart,  
Was used through all: one fight fell out, of one despiteful heart;  
Sharp axes, twibils, twohand swords, and spears with two heads borne,  
Were then the weapons; fair short swords, with sanguine hilts still worn,  
Had use in like sort; of which last, ye might have numbers viewed,  
Drop with dissolved arms from their hands; as many downright hewed  
From off their shoulders as they fought, their baldrics cut in twain:  
And thus the black blood flowed on earth, from soldiers hurt and slain.   

When Hector once had seized the ship, he clapped his fair broad hand  
Fast on the stern, and held it there; and there gave this command: 
Hector 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ship, to the Troyans'.    

Bring fire, and altogether shout; now jove hath drawn the veil  
From such a day, as makes amends, for all his storms of hail:  
By whose blessed light, we take those ships, that in despite of heaven  
took sea, and brought us worlds of woe: all, since our Peers were given  
To such a laziness and fear; they would not let me end  
Our lingering banes; and charge thus home; but keep home, and defend.  
And so they ruled the men I led; but though jove then withheld  
My natural spirit: now by jove, 'tis freed; and thus impelled.   

This more inflamed them; in so much, that Ajax now, no more, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to withdraw himself from the fight.   
Kept up, he was so drowned in darts; a little he forbore  
The hatches, to a seat beneath, of seven foot long; but thought  
It was impossible to scape; he sat yet, where he fought,  
And hurled out lances thick as hail, at all men that assayed  
To fire the ship; with whom he found, his hands so overlaid,  
That on his soldiers thus he cried: O friends, fight I alone?  
Expect ye more walls at your backs? towns rampired, here are none;  
No citizens to take ye in; no help in any kind;  
We are, I tell you, in Troy's fields; have nought but seas behind,  
And foes before; far, far, from Greece; for shame, obey commands;  
There is no mercy in the wars; your healths lie in your hands.   

Thus raged he, and poured out his darts: who ever he espied  
Come near the vessel, armed with fire, on his fierce dart he died;  
All that pleased Hector, made him mad: all, that his thanks would earn;  
Of which twelve men, his most resolved, lay dead before his stern.   

COMMENTARIUS.  
ᵃ I must here be enforced (for your easier examination) of a simile before, to cite the original words of it; which of all Homer's translators and commentors have been most grossly mistaken; his whole intent and sense in it, utterly f●…lsified. The simile illustrates the manner of junos' parting from jove, being commanded by him to a business so abhorring from her will, is this:  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Which is thus converted ad verbum by Spondanus:  

Sicut autem quando discurrit mens viri, qui per multam  
Terram profectus, mentibus prudentibus considera●…it,  
Huc iveram vel illuc, cogitaritque multa;  
Sic citò properans pervolavit veneranda juno.   
Which Lauren. Valla in prose thus translates.  
Subuolavit Iuno in coelum, eadem festinatione, ac celeritate, qua mens prudentis hominis, & qui multum terrarum peragravit, recursat, cum multa sibi agenda instant, huc se conferat an illuc.  
Eobanus Hessus in verse thus:  

Tam subitò, quàm sana viri mens plura scientis,  
Quique peragrarit vastae loca plurima terrae,  
Multa movens animo, nunc huc, nunc avolat illuc.   
To this purpose likewise the Italian and French copies have it. All understanding Homer's intent was (as by the speediness of a man's thought or mind) to illustrate junos' swiftness in ha●…ing about the commandment of jupiter, which was utterly otherwise: viz. to show the distraction of junos' mind, in going against her will, and in her despite about Ioues commandment, which all the history before, in her inveterate and inflexible grudge to do any thing for the good of the Troyans', confirmeth without question. Besides, her mor●…tie, and solemn appearance amongst the gods and goddesses, (which Themis notes in her looks) shows, if she went willingly, much less swiftly about that business. Nor can the illustration of swiftness be Homer's end in this simile, because he makes the man's mind, to which he resembles her going, stagger; inclining him to go this way, and that; not resolved which way to go: which very poorly expresseth swiftness, and as properly agrees with the property of a wise man; when he hath undertaken, and gone far in a journey, not to know whether he should go forward or backward. Let us therefore examine the original words.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Sicut verò quando discurrit vel prorumpit; vel cum impetu exurgit mens viri, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying ruo, prorumpo, vel cum impetu exurgo: as having traveled far on an irksome journey (as juno had done for the Greeks'; feigning to jove and Venus, she was going to visit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, multa nutrientes fines terrae,) and then knows not whether he should go backward or forward, sustains a vehement discourse with himself, on what course to resolve: and vexed in mind, (which the words, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, express: being to be understood mentibus amaris, vexatis, or distractis: with a spiteful, sorrowful, vexed, or distracted mind: not mentibus prudentibus, as all most unwisely in this place convert it: though in other places it intimates so much. But here the other holds congruence with the rest of the simile; from which in the wise sense it abhors: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying amarus more properly then prudens; being translated prudens merely metaphorically, according to the second deduction; where here it is used more properly according to the first deduction: which is taken from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Larcher tree, whose gum is exceeding bitter; and because things irksome and bitter, (as afflictions, crosses, etc.) are means to make men wise, and take heed by others harms: therefore according to the second deduction, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for cautus or prudens. But now, that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or application seems to make with their sense of swiftness, the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, being translated by them sic citò properans; it is thus to be turned in this place, sic rapidè & impetu pulsa, so snatchingly or headlongly driven, flew juno. As we often see with a clap of thunder, Doves or other fowls driven headlong from their seats, not in direct flight; but as they would break their necks with a kind of reeling: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying impetu ferri, vel furibundo impetu ferri: all which most aptly agreeth with junos' enforced and wrathful parting from jove, and doing his charge distractedly. This for me; if another can give better, let him show it, and take it. But in infinite other places is this divine Poet thus profaned; which for the extreme ●…bour I cannot yet touch at.  
ᵇ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc., Difficile est, it is a hard thing (saith Minerva to Mars, when she answers his anger for the slaughter of his son Ascalaphus) for jove to deliver the generation and birth of all men from death; which Commentors thus understand; There were some men that never died; as Tithon the husband of Aurora, Chiron, Glaucus made a sea god, etc. and in holy Writ (as Spondanus pleaseth to mix them) Enoc and Elias: but because these few were freed from death, Mars must not look that all others were. But this interpretation (I think) will appear to all men at first sight, both ridiculous and profane. Homer making Minerva only jest at Mars here, (as she doth in other places) bidding him not storm that his son should be slain more than better borne, stronger, and worthier men; for jove should have enough to do (or it were hard for jove) to free all men from Death that are unwilling to die. This mine, with the rest: the other others; accept which you please.   
The end of the fifteenth Book.   

THE SIXTEENTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

A Chills, at Patroclus' suit, doth yield  
His arms, and Myrmidons; which brought to field,  
The Troyans' fly. Patroclus hath the grace  
Of great Sarpedons death, sprung of the race  
Of jupiter; he having slain the horse  
Of Thetis son, (fierce Pedasus,) the force  
Of Hector doth revenge, the much-ru'dend  
Of most renowned Sarpedon, on the friend  
Of Thetides; first, by Euphorbus, harmed  
And by Apollo's personal power disarmed.   
Another Argument.  

In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Patroclus bears the chance  
Of death, imposed by Hector's lance.   

THus fight for this well-built ship; Patroclus all that space  
Stood by his friend, preparing words, to win the Greeeks his grace  
With power of uncontained tears: and (like a fountain poured  
In black streams, from a lofty rock) the Greeks, so plagued, deplored.  
Achilles (ruthful for his tears) said: Wherefore weeps my friend  
So like a girl, who, though she sees, her mother cannot tend 
Achilles chides Patroclus for his tears.   
Her childish humours, hangs on her, and would be taken up;  
Still viewing her, with teare-drownd eyes, when she hath made her stoop.  
To nothing liker, I can shape, thy so unseemly tears;  
What causeth them? hath any ill, solicited thine ears,  
Befallen my Myrmidons? or news, from loved Phthia brought,  
Told only thee? lest I should grieve, and therefore thus hath wrought  
On thy kind spirit? Actor's son, the good Me●…tius,  
(Thy father) lives; and Peleus (mine) great son of Aeacus,  
Amongst his Myrmydons; whose deaths, in duty we should mourn.  
Or is it what the Greeks sustain, that doth thy stomach turn?  
On whom (for their injustice sake) plagues are so justly laid?  
Speak man, let both know either's heart. Patroclus (sighing said)   

O Peleus son, (thou strongest Greek, by all degrees, that lives)  
Still be not angry; our sad state, such cause of pity gives. 
Patroclus' answer to Achilles.   
Our greatest Greeks lie at their ships, sore wounded; Ithachus,  
King Agamemnon, Diomedes, and good Eurypilus:  
But these, much-medcine-knowing men (Physicians) can recure;  
Thou yet unmedcinable still; though thy wound, all endure.  
Heaven bless my bosom from such wrath, as thou sooth'st as thy bliss,  
(Unprofitably virtuous) How shall our progenies,  
Borne in thine age, enjoy thine aid? when these friends in thy flower  
Thou leav'st to such unworthy death? O idle, cruel power;  
Great Peleus never did beget, nor Thetis, bring forth thee;  
Thou, from the blue sea, and her rocks, deriu'st thy pedigree.  
What so declines thee? If thy mind, shuns any augury,  
Related by thy mother Queen, from heavens foreseeing eye,  
And therefore thou forsakest thy friends; let me go ease their moans  
With those brave relics of our host, thy mighty Myrmidons;  
That I may bring to field more light, to Conquest then hath been;  
To which end grace me with thine arms, since any shadow seen  
Of thy resemblance; all the power, of perjured Troy will fly,  
And our so tired friends will breath: our fresh-set-on supply  
Will easily drive their wearied off. Thus (foolish man) he sued  
For his sure death; of all whose speech, Achilles' first renewed  
The last part, thus: O worthy friend, what have thy speeches been? 
Achilles to 〈◊〉.    

I shun the fight for Oracles? or what my mother Queen  
Hath told from jove? I take no care, nor note of one such thing;  
But this fit anger stings me still, that the insulting king,  
Should from his equal take his right; since he exceeds in power.  
This, (still his wrong) is still my grief; he took my Paramour  
That all men gave: and whom I won, by virtue of my spear,  
That (for her) overturned a Town. This rape he made of her,  
And used me like a fugitive; an Inmate in a town,  
That is no city libertine, nor capable of their gown.  
But, bear we this, as out of date; 'tis past, nor must we still  
Feed anger in our noblest parts; yet thus, I have my will  
As well as our great king of men; for I did ever vow,  
Never to cast off my disdain, till (as it falls out now)  
Their miss of me, knocked at my fleet; and told me in their cries,  
I was revenged, and had my wish, of all my enemies.  
And so of this repeat enough: Take thou, my fame-blazed arms,  
And my fight-thirstie Myrmidons, lead to these hot alarms.  
Whole clouds of Troyans' circled us, with hateful eminence:  
The Greeks shut in a little shore; a sort of citizens  
Skipping upon them: all because, their proud eyes do not see  
The radiance of my helmet there, whose beams had instantly  
Thrust back, and all these ditches filled, with carrion of their flesh,  
If Agamemnon had been kind: where now, they fight as fresh,  
As thus far they had put at ease; and at our tents contend.  
And may; for the repulsive hand, of Diomedes, doth not spend  
His raging darts there, that their Death, could fright out of our fleet:  
Nor from that head of enmity, can my poor hearers meet  
The voice of great Atrides now: now Hector's only voice,  
Breaks all the air, about both hosts; and with the very noise,  
Bred by his loud encouragements, his forces fill the field,  
And fight the poor Achaians down. But on; put thou my shi●…ld  
Betwixt the fire-plague and our fleet: rush bravely on, and turn  
Wars tied as headlong on their throats. No more let them aiourne  
Our sweet-home-turning: but observe, the charge I lay on thee  
To each least point, that thy ruled hand, may highly honour me;  
And get such glory from the Greeks, that they may send again  
My most sweet wench, and gifts to boot; when thou hast cast a rain  
On these so headstrong citizens, and forced them from our fleet.  
With which grace, if the god of sounds, thy kind egression greet; 
jupiter called the god of sounds for the chief sound his thunder.   
Retire, and be not tempted on (with pride, to see thy hand  
Rain slaughtered carcases on earth) to run forth thy command  
As far as Ilium; left the gods, that favour Troy, come forth  
To thy encounter; for the Sun, much loves it; and my worth  
(In what thou sufferest) will be wronged, that I would let my friend  
Assume an action of such weight, without me; and transcend  
His friend's prescription; do not then, affect a further fight,  
Then I may strengthen: let the rest, (when thou hast done this right)  
Perform the rest. ᵃ O would to jove, thou Pallas, and thou Sun,  
That not a man housed underneath, those towers of Ilium,  
Nor any one of all the Greeks, (how infinite a sum  
Soever, altogether make) might live unovercome:  
But only we two (scaping death) might have the thundering down  
Of every stone, stuck in the walls, of this so sacred town.   

Thus spoke they only twixt themselves. And now the foe no more  
Can Ajax stand, being so oppressed, with all the iron store  
The Troyans' poured on; with whose darts, and with Ioues will beside,  
His powers were cloyed, and his bright helm, did deafening blows abide;  
His plume, and all head* ornaments, could never hang in rest:  
His arm yet laboured up his shield; and, having done their best,  
They could not stir him from his stand; although he wrought it out  
With short respiring, and with sweat; that ceaseless flowed about  
His reeking limbs: no lest time given, to take in any breath;  
Ill strengthened ill; when one was up, another was beneath.   

Now Muses, you that dwell in heaven, the dreadful mean inspire  
That first enforced the Grecian fleet, to take in Trojan fire:  
First Hector with his huge broad sword, cut off, at setting on,  
The head of Ajax Ashen lance; which Ajax seeing gone;  
And that he shook a headless spear (a little while unware)  
His wary spirits told him strait, the hand of heaven was there,  
And trembled under his conceit; which was, that 'twas joves' deed:  
Who, as he bold off his darts heads; so, sure he had decreed,  
That all the counsels of their war, he would pol off like it,  
And give the Troyans' victory: so, trusted he his wit,  
And left his darts. And then the ship, was heaped with horrid brands  
Ofkindling fire; which instantly, was seen through all the strands,  
In unextinguishible flames, that all the ship embraced:  
And then Achilles beat his thighs; cried out, Patroclus, haste,  
Make way with horse; I see at fleet, a fire of fearful rage:  
Arm, arm, lest all our fleet it fire, and all our power engage;  
Arm quickly, I'll bring up the troops. To these so dreadful wars  
Patroclus, in Achilles arms, (enlightened all with stars,  
And richly ameld) all haste made: he wore his sword, his shield,  
His huge-plumed helm; and two such spears, as he could nimbly wield.  
But the most famed Achilles' spear, big, solid, full of weight,  
He only left, of all his arms; for that, far past the might  
Of any Greek to shake, but his; Achilles only i●…e  
shook that huge weapon; that was given, by Chiron to his sire,  
Cut from the top of Pelion, to be Heroes deaths.  
His steeds, Automedon strait joined; like whom no man that breathes  
(Next Peleus' son) Patroclus loved; for like him, none so great 
Automedon friend to Patro clus, and manager of Achilles' horses.   
He found, in faith, at every fight, nor to out▪ look a threat:  
Automedon did therefore guide (for him) Achilles steeds,  
(Xanthus, and Balius swift as wind) begotten by the seeds  
Of Zephyr, and the Harpy borne, Pordarge; in a mead  
Close to the wavie Ocean, where that fierce Harpy feed.  
Automedon joined these before, and with the hindmost geres  
He fastened famous Pedasus, whom, from the massacres  
Made by Achilles, when he took, Eetions wealthy town,  
He brought; and (though of mortal race) yet gave him the renown  
To follow his immortal horse. And now, before his tents,  
Himself had seen his Myrmydons, in all habiliments  
Of dreadful war: And when ye see (upon a mountain bred) 
A simile most lively expressiu●….   
A den of Wolves, (about whose hearts, unmeasured strengths are fed)  
New come from curry of a Stag; their jaws all blood-besmeared;  
And when from some black water-fount, they altogether herd;  
There having plentifully leapt, with thin, and thrust out tongues,  
The top and clearest of the spring; go belching from their lungs  
The clottered gore; look dreadfully, and entertain no dread,  
Their bellies gaunt; all taken up, with being so rawly fed:  
Then say, that such, in strength, and look, were great Achilles' men,  
Now ordered for the dreadful fight: and so with all them then  
Their Princes, and their Chiefs did show, about their General's friend;  
His friend, and all, about himself: who chief did intend 
The powers Achilles brought to Troy.   
Th'embattling of horse, and foot. To that siege, held so long,  
Twice five and twenty sail he brought; twice five and twenty strong  
Of able men, was every sail: five Colonels he made  
Of all those forces, trusty men; and all of power to lead,  
But he, of power, beyond them all. Menesthius was one,  
That ever wore discoloured arms; he was a rivers son  
That fell from heaven, and good to drink, was his delightful stream:  
His name, unwearied Sperchius'; he loved the lovely dame  
Fair Polydora, Peleus' seed; and dear in Borus sight,  
And she, to that celestial flood, gave this Menesthius light:  
A woman, mixing with a god. Yet Borus bore the name  
Of father to Menesthius: he marrying the dame,  
And giving her a mighty dower; he was the kind descent  
Of Perieris. The next man, renowned with regiment,  
Was strong Eudorus; brought to life, by one supposed a maid;  
Bright Polymela (Phylas seed;) but had the wanton played,  
With Argus-killing Mercury; who (fired with her fair eyes  
As she was singing in the choir, of her that makes the cries  
In clamorous hunting, and doth bear, the crooked bow of gold)  
Stole to her bed, in that chaste room, that Phebe chaste did hold;  
And gave her that swift-warrelicke son, (E●…dirys) brought to light  
As she was dancing: but as soon, as she that rules the plight 
Eudorus borne as Polymela his mother was dancing.   
Of labouring women, eased her throws; and show'd her ●…onne the Sun,  
Strong Echeclaeus, Actor's heir; wooed earnestly, and won  
Her second favour, seeing her, with gifts of infinite prize;  
And after brought her to his house; where, in his grandsires eyes,  
(Old Phylas) Polymelas' son, obtained exceeding grac●…,  
And found as careful bringing up, as of his natural race  
He had descended. The third chief, was fair Memalides 
Memalides the third Colonel.   
Pysandrus; who in skill of darts, obtained supremest praise  
Of all the Myrmidons, except, their Lords companion.  
The fourth charge aged Phoenix had. The fifth, Alcimedon, 
Phoenix the fourth.   
Son of Laercus, and much famed. All these digested thus 
〈◊〉 the fif●…h.   
In fit place, by the mighty son, of royal Peleus;  
This stern remembrance he gave all: You Myrmidons, (said he) 
Achilles to his Myrmidons.   
Lest any of you should forget, his threatenings used to me  
In this place; and through all the time, that my just anger reigned;  
Attempting me with bitter words, for being so restrained  
(For my hot humour) from the fight: remember them, as these:  
Thou cruel son of Peleus, whom she that rules the seas,  
Did only nourish with her gall; thou dost ungently hold  
Our hands, against our wills, from fight; we will not be controlled;  
But take our ships and sail for home; before we loiter here,  
And feed thy fury. These high words, exceeding often were  
The threats, that in your mutinous troops, ye used to me, for wrath  
To be detained so from the fi●…ld: now then, your spleens may bathe  
In sweat of those great works ye wished; now he that can employ  
A generous heart, go fight, and fright, these bragging sons of Troy.   

This set their minds, and strengths on fire; the speech enforcing well,  
Being used in time; but being their kings, it much more did impel;  
And closer rusht-in all the troops. And, as for buildings hie, 
〈◊〉.   
The Mazon lays his stones more thick, against th'extremity  
Of wind and weather; and even then, if any storm arise,  
He thickens them the more for that; the present act so plies  
His honest mind to make sure work. So, for the high estate  
This work was brought to, these men's minds, (according to the rate)  
Were raised, and all their bodies joined: but there wellspoken king,  
With his so timely-thought-on speech, more sharp made valours sting;  
And thickened so their targets boast; so all their helmets then;  
That shields propped shields; helms helmets knocked, and men encouraged men.   

Patroclus, and Automedon, did arm before them all 
Patroclus and Automedon arm together.   
Two bodies, with one mind informed; and then the General,  
Betook him to his private Tent, where (from a coffer wrought  
Most rich and curiously; and given, by Thetis, to be brought  
In his own ship, top-fild with vests; warm robes to check cold wind;  
And tapestries, all golden fringed, and curled with thrumbs behind:  
He took a most unualewed bowl, in which none drank but he; 
Achilles' sacrifice for his friends safe return.   
Nor he, but to the deities; nor any deity,  
But jove himself was served with that; and that he first did cleanse  
With sulphur, then with fluences, of sweetest water rinse.  
Then washed his hands, and drew himself, a bowl of mighty wine;  
Which (standing midst the place enclosed, for services divine,  
And looking up to heaven and jove, who saw him well) he poured  
Upon the place of sacrifice, and humbly thus implored:   

Great Dodonaeus, President, of cold Dodonaes' towers; 
Achilles' 〈◊〉.   
Divine Pelasgicus, that dwellest, far hence; about whose bowers  
Th'austere prophetic Selli dwell, that still sleep on the ground,  
Go bare, and never cleanse their feet: as I before have found  
Grace to my vows, and hurt to Greece, so now my prayers intent.  
I still stay in the gathered fleet, but have dismissed my friend  
Amongst my many Myrmidons, to danger of the dart.  
O grant his valour my renown; arm with my mind his heart,  
That Hector's self may know, my friend, can work in single war;  
And not then only show his hands, so hot and singular,  
When my kind presence seconds him: but, fight he near so well;  
No further let him trust his fight: but when he shall repel  
Clamour and Danger from our fleet, vouchsafe a safe retreat  
To him and all his companies, with fames and arms complete.   

He prayed, and heavens great Counsellor, gave satisfying ear,  
To one part of his orisons, but left the other there:  
He let him free the fleet of foes, but safe retreat denied.  
Achilles' left that utter part, where he his zeal applied;  
And turned into his inner tent; made fast his cup; and then  
Stood forth, and with his mind beheld, the foes fight and his men,  
That followed his great minded friend, embattled, till they broke  
With gallant spirit upon the foe: And as fell wasps, that make 
Simile.   
Their dwellings in the broad high way; which foolish children use  
(Their cottages being near their nests) to anger and abuse  
With ever vexing them, and breed (to soothe their childish war)  
A common ill to many men; since if a traveler  
(That would his journeys end apply, and pass them unassayd)  
Come near and vex them, upon him, the children's faults are laid;  
For on they fly, as he were such, and still defend their own:  
So fared it with the fervent mind, of every Myrmidon,  
Who poured themselves out of their fleet, upon their wanton foes,  
That needs would stir them, thrust so near; and cause the overthrows  
Of many others that had else, bone never touched by them,  
Nor would have touched. Patroclus then, put his wind to the stream, 
Patroclus to the 〈◊〉.   
And thus exhorted: Now my friends, remember you express  
Your late-v●…g'd virtue, and renown, our great Aeacides;  
That he being strongest of all the Greeks, his eminence may dim  
All others likewise in our strengths, that far off imitate him.  
And Agamemnon now may see, his fault as general,  
As his place high; dishonouring him, that so much honours all.   

Thus made he sparkle their fresh fire, and on they rushed; the fleet  
Filled full her hollow sides with sounds, that terribly did greet  
Th'amazed Troyans': and their eyes, did second their amaze,  
When great Men●…tius son they saw, and his friend's armour blaze; 
The terror of Patroclus to the Troyans'.   
All troops stood troubled with conceit, that Peleus' son was there;  
His anger cast off at the ships; and each looked every where  
For some authority to lead, the then prepared flight.  
Patroclus' greeted with a lance, the region where the fight  
Made strongest tumult; near the ship, Protesilaus brought,  
And struck Pyrechmen, who before, the faire-helmd P●…ons fought,  
Led from Amydon, near whose walls, the broad streamed Axius flows.  
Through his right shoulder flew the dart, whose blow struck all the blows 
Pyrechmen slain by Patroclus, and the 〈◊〉.   
In his power, from his powerless arm; and down he groaning fell:  
His men all flying (their Leader fled.) This one dart did repel  
The whole guard placed about the ship; whose fire extinct, half burned  
The Paeons left her; and full cry, to clamorous flight returned.  
Then spread the Greeks about their ships; triumphant tumult flowed:  
And as from top of some steep hill, the lightner strips a cloud, 
Simile.   
And lets a great sky out from heaven; in whose delightsome light,  
All prominent foreheads, forests, towers, and temples cheer the sight:  
So cleared these Greeks, this Trojan cloud; and at their ships and tents  
Obtained a little time to breath, but found no present vents  
To their inclusions; nor did Troy (though these Paeonians fled)  
Lose any ground, but from this ship, they needfully turned head.   

Then every man, a man subdued; Patroclus in the thigh  
Struck Areilicus; his dart, the bone did break, and fly  
Quite through, and sunk him to the earth. Good Menelaus slew  
Accomplished Thoas, in whose breast (being naked) his lance he threw,  
Above his shield, and freed his soul. Phylides (taking note  
That bold Amphidus bend at him) prevented him, and smote  
His thighs extreme part, where (of man) his fattest muscle lies,  
The nerves torn with his lances pile, and darkness closed his eyes.  
Antilochus, Atymnius seized, his steel lance did impress  
His first three guts, and loosed his life. At young Nestorides,  
Maris, Atymnius bother flew; and at him, Thrasimed,  
(The brother to Antilochus) his eager javelins head,  
The muscles of his arm cut out, and shivered all the bone;  
Night closed his eyes; his lifeless corpse, his brother fell upon.  
And so by two kind brothers hands, did two kind brothers bleed:  
Both being divine Sarpedons friends; and were the darting seed  
Of Amisodarus, that kept, the bane of many men,  
Abhorred Chim●…ra; and such bane, now caught his children.  
Ajax Oileades did take, Cleobulus alive,  
Invading him, (stayed by the press) and at him then let drive,  
With his short sword, that cut his neck; whose blood warmed all the steel:  
And cold Death, with a violent fate, his sable eyes did secle.  
Peneleus and Lycon, cast, together off their darts;  
Both mist, and both together then, went with their swords; in parts  
The blade and hilt went, laying on, upon the helmets height;  
Peneleus' sword caught Lycons' neck, and cut it through quite.  
His head hung by the very skin. The swift Meriones,  
(Pursuing flying Acamas) just as he got access  
To horse and chariot, overtook, and took him such a blow  
On his right shoulder, that he left, his chariot, and did strew  
The dusty earth; life left his limbs, and night his eyes possessed.   

Idomenaeus his stern dart, at Erymas addressed,  
As (like to Acamas) he fled; it cut the sundry bones  
Beneath his brain, betwixt his neck, and foreparts, and so runs  
(Shaking his teeth out) through his mouth; his eyes all drowned in blood:  
So through his nostrils and his mouth (that now dart-open stood)  
He breathed his spirit. Thus had death, from every Grecian Chief,  
A Chief of Troy. For, as to Kids, or Lambs, their cruelest thief 
Simil●….   
(The Wolf) steals in; and when he sees, that by the shepherds sloth,  
The dams are spersed about the hills; then serves his ravenous tooth  
With ease, because his prey is weak: So served the Greeks their foes,  
Discerning well, how shrieking flight, did all their spirits dispose;  
Their biding virtues quite forgot; And now the natural spleen  
That Ajax bore to Hector, still, by all means would have been  
Within his bosom with a dart: but he, that knew the war,  
(Well covered in a well-lined shield) did well perceive how far  
The arrows and the javelins reached, by being within their sounds  
And ominous sing; and observed, the there-inclining bounds  
Of Conquest, in her aid of him, and so obeyed her change;  
took safest course for him and his, and stood to her as strange.  
And as when jove intends a storm, he lets out of the stars 
Simile.   
From steep Olympus, a black cloud, that all heavens splendour bars  
From men on earth: so from the hearts, of all the Trojan host,  
All comfort lately found from jove, in flight and cries was lost.  
Nor made they any fair retreat; Hector's unruly horse,  
Would needs retire him; and he left, engaged his Trojan force;  
Forced by the steepness of the dike, that in ill place they took,  
And kept them that would feign have gone. Their horses quite forsook  
A number of the Trojan kings, and left them in the dike;  
Their chariots in their foreteames broke. Patroclus then did strike  
While steel was hot, and cheered his friends; nor meant his enemies good:  
Who when they once began to fly, each way received a flood,  
And choked themselves with drifts of dust. And now were clouds begot  
Beneath the clouds; with flight, and noise; the horse neglected not  
Their home intendments; and where rout, was busiest, there poured on  
P●…troclus most exhorts and threats; and then lay overthrown  
Numbers beneath their axletrees, who (lying in flights stream)  
Made th'after chariots jot and jump, in driving ou●…r them.   

Th'immortal horse Patroclus road, did pass the dike with ease,  
And wished the depth and danger more: and Menetiades  
As great a spirit had to reach, retiring Hector's haste;  
But his fleet horse had too much law, and fetched him off too fast.  
And as in Autumn the black earth, is laden with the storms, 
Simile.   
That jove in gluts of rain pours down; being angry with the forms  
Of judgment in authorised men, that in their courts maintain  
(With violent office) wrested laws, and (fearing gods, nor men)  
Exile all justice; for whose faults, whole fields are overflown,  
And many valleys cut away, with torrents headlong thrown,  
From neighbour mountains; till the sea, receive them, roaring in;  
And judged men's labours than are vain, plagued for their judges sin:  
So now the foul defaults of some, all Troy were laid upon:  
So like those torrents roared they back, to windy Ilium;  
And so like tempests, blew the horse, with ravishing back again  
Those hot a●…sailants, all their works, at fleet now rendered vain.   

Patroclus (when he had dispersed, the foremost Phalanxes)  
Called back his forces to the fleet, and would not let them press  
(As they desired) too near the town; but twixt the ships and flood,  
And their steep rampire, his hand steeped, Revenge in seas of blood.   

Then Pronous was first that fell, beneath his fiery lance,  
Which struck his bare breast, near his shield. The second, Thestors' chance  
(Old Enops son) did make himself; who shrinking, and set close  
In his fair seat (even with th'approach, Patroclus made) did lose  
All manly courage; insomuch, that from his hands, his rains  
Fell flowing down; and his right jaw, Patroclus' lance, attains;  
Struck through his teeth, and there it stuck, and by it, to him drew  
Dead Thestor to his chariot: it showed, as when you view 
Simile.   
An Anglet from some prominent rock, draw with his line and hook  
A mighty fish out of the sea: for so the Greek did pluck  
The Trojan gaping from his seat; his jaws oped with the dart;  
Which when Patroclus drew, he fell; his life and breast did part.   

Then rushed he on Eryalus, at whom he hurled a stone,  
Which struck his head so in the midst, that two was made of one;  
Two ways it fell, cleft through his cask: and then Tlepolemus,  
Epaltes, Damastorides, Euippus, Echius,  
Ipheas, bold Amphoterus, and valiant Erymas,  
And Polymelus (by his sire, surnamed Argeadas)  
He heaped upon the much-fed earth. When joves most worthy son  
(Divine Sarpedon) saw these friends thus stayed, and others run; 
●…arpedon to the 〈◊〉.    

O shame! why fly ye, than he cried? now show ye feet enough:  
O●…, keep your way; myself will meet, the man that startles you;  
To make me understand his name, that flants in conquest thus,  
And hath so many able knees, so soon dissolved to us.   

Down jumped he from his chariot; down leapt his foe as light:  
And as on some farre-looking rock, a cast of Vultures fight, 
Simile.   
Fly on each other, strike, and truss, part, meet, and then stick by,  
Tug, both with crooked beaks, and seres; cry, fight; and fight, and cry:  
So fiercely fought these angry kings, and show'd as bitter galls.   

jove (turning eyes to this stern fight) his wife and sister calls, 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fate of 〈◊〉.   
And (much moved for the Lycian Prince) said: O that to my son,  
Fate, by this day, and man should cut, a thread so nobly spun.  
Two minds distract me; if I should, now ravish him from fight,  
And set him safe in Lycia; or give the Fates their right.   

Austere Saturnius, (she replied) what unjust words are thei●…e? 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
A mortal long since marked by Fate, wouldst thou immortalise?  
Do; but by no god be approved; free him, and numbers more  
(Sons of immortals) will live free,▪ that death must taste before  
These gates of Ilium; every god, will have his son a god,  
Or storm extremely. Give him then, an honest period,  
In brave fight, by Patroclus sword, if he be dear to thee,  
A●…d grieves thee, for his dangered life: of which, when he is free,  
Let Death and Somnus bear him hence; till Lycias natural womb  
Receive him from his brother's hands, and citizens; a Tomb  
And column raised to him; this is, the honour of the dead.   

She said; and her speech ruled his power: but in his safety's stead,  
For sad ostent of his near death, he steeped his living name  
In drops of blood, heaven sweat for him, which earth drunk to his fame.   

And now, as this high combat grew, to this too humble end;  
Sarpedons death had this state more; 'twas usherd by his friend,  
And charioteer, brave Thrasimed; whom, in his bellies rim,  
Patroclus wounded with his lance, and endless ended him.   

And then another act of name, foreranne his princely fate;  
His first lance missing, he let fly, a second that gave date 
Sarpedon 〈◊〉 Pedasus, one of ●…chilles horse.   
Of violent death to Pedasus; who (as he joyed to die  
By his so honourable hand) did (even in dying) neigh.   

His ruin startled th'other steeds; the geres cracked, and the rains  
Strappled his fellows; whose misrule, Automedo●… restrains,  
By cutting the entangling geres; and so dissundering quite,  
The brave-slaine Beast; when both the rest, obeyed, and went foreright:  
And then the royal combatants, fought for the final stroke, 
The last 〈◊〉 of Sarpedon and Patroclus.   
When Lycias General missed again; his high-raisde 〈◊〉 took,  
Above his shoulder, empty way. But no such 〈◊〉 flight  
Patroclus let his spear perform, that on the breast did light,  
Of his brave foe; where life's strings close, about the solid heart,  
Impressing a recureless wound; his k●…ees then, left their part,  
And let him fall; when like an Oak, a Poplar, or a Pine,  
New field by artsmen on the hills; ●…e stretched his form 〈◊〉  
Before his horse and chariot. And as a Lion leaps 
Simile.   
Upon a goodly yellow Bull, drives all the herd in heaps;  
And under his unconquerd jaws, the brave beast sighing di●…s▪  
So sighed Sarpedon underneath, this prince of enemies;  
Called Glaucus to him (his dear friend,) and said: Now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
〈◊〉 dying▪ to Glaucus his friend.   
Much duty own to fight, and arms▪ now, for my love, it 〈◊〉  
Thy heart in much hand to approve, that war 〈◊〉 harmful▪ 〈◊〉  
How active all thy forces are, this one hours act must show▪ 〈◊〉  
First call our Lycian Captains up, look round, and bring up 〈◊〉,  
And all exhort, to stand like friends, about Sarpedons fall;  
And spend thyself thy steel for me: for be assured, no day  
Of all thy life, to thy last hour, can clear thy black dismay  
In woe and infamy for me; if I be taken hence,  
Spoiled of mine arms; and thy renown, despoiled of my defence.  
Stand firm then, and confirm thy men. This said; the bounds of death  
Concluded all sight to his eyes, and to his nostrils breath.   

Patroclus (though his guard was strong) forced way through every doubt:  
Climbed his high bosom with his foot, and plucked his javelin out;  
And with it dr●…w the film and strings, of his yet-panting heart;  
And last, together with the pile, his princely soul did part.   

His horse (spoiled both of guide and king, thick sno●…ing, and amazed,  
And apt to flight) the Myrm●…dons, made nimbly to, and seized.   

Glaucus, to hear his friend ask aid, of him past all the r●…st;  
(Though well he knew his wound uncured) Confusion filled his breast, 
The sorrow of Glaucus for Sarpedon, and prayer to Ph●…bus.   
Not to have good in any power; and yet so much good will.  
And (laying his hand upon his wound, that pained him sharply still;  
And was by Teucer's hand set on, from their assailed steep wall,  
In keeping hurt from other men) he did on Phoebus' call  
(The god of Medicines) for his cure: Thou king of cures (said he)  
That art perhaps in Lycia, with her rich progeni●…,  
Or here in Troy; but any where, since thou hast power to hear;  
O give a hurt, and woeful man (as I am now) thine ear.  
This arm sustains a cruel wound, whose pains shoot every way,  
Afflict this shoulder, and this hand, and nothing long can stay,  
A flux of blood still issuing; nor therefore can I stand  
With any enemy in fight, nor hardly make my hand  
Support my lance; and here lies dead, the worthiest of men;  
Sarpedon, worthy son to jove; (whose power could yet abstain  
From all aid in this deadly need) give thou then aid to me,  
(O king of all aid to men hurt) assuage th'extremity  
Of this arms anguish; give it strength, that by my precedent,  
I may excite my men to blows; and this dead corpse prevent  
Of further violence. He prayed, and kind Apollo heard;  
Allayed his anguish, and his wound, of all the black blood cleared,  
That vexed it so; infused fresh powers, into his weakened mind,  
And all his spirits flowed with joy, that Phoebus stood inclined  
(In such quick bounty) to his prayers. Then, as Sarpedon wild,  
He cast about his greedy eye, and first of all instilled  
To all his Captains, all the stings, that could inflame their fight,  
For good Sarpedon. And from them, he stretched his speedy pace,  
T' Agenor, Hector, Venus' son, and wise Polydamas;  
And (only naming Hector) said: Hector, you now forget 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to Hector.   
Your poor auxiliary friends, that in your toils have sweat  
Their friendless souls out, far from home; Sarpedon, that sustained  
With justice, and his virtues all, broad Lycia hath not gained  
The like guard for his person here; for yonder dead he lies,  
Beneath the great Patroclus' lance: but come, let your supplies  
(Good friends) stand near him: O disdain, to see his corpse defiled  
With Grecian fury; and his arms, by their oppressions spoiled;  
The Myrmidons are come enraged, that such a mighty boot  
Of Greeks', Troy's darts have made at fleet. This said, from head to foot  
Grief struck their powers, past patience, and not to be restrained,  
To hear news of Sarpedons death; who, though he appertained  
To other cities; yet to theirs, he was the very Fort,  
And led a mighty people there; of all whose better sort,  
Himself was best. This made them run, in flames upon the foe;  
The first man, Hector, to whose heart, Sarpedons death did go.   

Patroclus' stirred the Grecian spirits; and first, th' Aiaces, thus: 
Patroclus to the Grecians, and particularly to both the 〈◊〉.   
Now brothers, be it dear to ●…ou, to fight, and secure us,  
As ever heretofore ye did, wi●… men first excellent.  
The man lies slain, that first did scale, and raze the battlement,  
That crowned our wall; the Lycian Prince. But if we now shall add  
Force to his corpse, and spoil his arms, a prize may more be had  
Of many great ones, that for him, will put on to the death.   

To this work, these were prompt enough; and each side ordereth  
Those Phalanxes that most had rate, of resolutions;  
The Troia●…s, and the Lycian powers; the Greeks, and Myrmido●…s.  
These ran together for the corpse, and closed with horrid cries;  
Their armours thundering with the claps, laid on about the prize.  
And jove about th'impetuous broil, pernicious night poured out,  
As long as for his loved son, pernicious Labour fought.   

The first of Troy, the first Greekes foiled, when, not the last indeed,  
Amongst the Myrmidons was slain: the great Aiacleus seed;  
Divine Epigeus, that before, had exercised command  
In fair Budaeus; but because, he laid a bloody hand  
On his own sisters valiant son; To Peleus, and his Queen,  
He came for pardon, and obtained; His slaughter being the mean  
He came to Troy, and so to this. He ventured even to touch  
The princely carcase, when a stone, did more to him, by much;  
(Scent out of able Hector's hand) it cut his skull in twain,  
And struck him dead. Patroclus (grieved, to see his friend so slain)  
Before the foremost thrust himself: and as a Falcon frays 
Si●…ile.   
A flock of stars or Caddesses; such fear brought his assays  
Amongst the Troyans', and their friends; and (angry at the heart,  
As well as grieved) for him so slain: another stony dart,  
As good as Hector's, he let fly, that dusted in the neck  
Of Sthenelaus; thrust his head, to earth first, and did break  
The nerves in sunder, with his fall; off fell the Troia●…s too;  
Even Hector's self, and all as far, as any man can throw,  
(Provoked for games, or in the wars, to shed an enemy's soul)  
A light, long dart. The first that turned, was he that did control  
The Targatiers of Lycia; Prince 〈◊〉, who to hell  
Sent Bathycleus, Chalco●…s son; he did in helas dwell,  
And shined, for wealth and happiness, amongst the Myrmidons;  
His bosoms midst the javelin struck, his fall got earth with groans.  
The Greeks grieved, and the Tro●…ns joyed, for so renowned a man;  
About whom stood the Grecians firm: and then the death began  
On Troy's side by Meriones; he slew one great in war,  
〈◊〉, On●…tors son, the Priest of jupiter,  
Created in th'Idean hill. Betwixt his jaw and ear  
The dart stuck fast, and loosed his soul; sad mists of Hate and Fear  
Invading him. Anchises son, dispatched a brazen lance  
At bold Meriones; and hoped, to make an equal chance  
On him, with bold 〈◊〉; though under his broad shield  
He lay so close. But he discerned, and made his body yield,  
So low, that over him it flew, and, trembling took the ground;  
With which, Mars made it quench his thirst; and since the head could wound  
No better body; and yet thrown, from near the worse a hand;  
It turned from earth, and looked awry. Aeneas let it stand, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
Much angry at the vain event; and told Meriones,  
He scap't but hardly; nor had cause, to hope for such success  
Another time; though well he knew, his dancing faculty,  
By whose agility he scap't; for had his dart gone by  
With any least touch, instantly, he had been ever slain.   

He answered: Though thy strength be good, it cannot render vain 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
The strength of others with thy jests; nor art thou so divine,  
But when my lance shall touch at thee, with equal sp●…d to thine,  
Death will share with it, thy life's powers; thy confidence can shun  
No more than mine, what his right claims. Men●…tius noble son  
Rebuked Meriones, and said: What needst thou use this speech?  
Nor thy strength is approved with words, (good friend) nor can we reach  
The body, nor make th'enemy yield, with these our counterbraves;  
We must enforce the binding earth, to hold them in her graves.  
If you will war, Fight; will you speak? give counsel; counsel, blows  
Are th'ends of wars, and words; talk here, the time in vain bestows.   

He said, and led, and nothing less, for any thing he said,  
(His speech being seasoned with such right) the Worthy seconded.  
And then, as in a sounding vale, (near neighbour to a hill) 
Simile.   
Wood-fellers make a farre-heard noise, with chopping, chopping still,  
And laying on, on blocks and trees: so they, on men laid load,  
And beat like noises into air, both as they struck and trod.  
But (past their noise) so full of blood, of dust, of darts, lay smit  
Divine Sarpedon, that a man, must have an excellent wit,  
That could but know him; and might fail: so from his utmost head,  
Even to the low plants of his feet, his form was altered.  
All thrusting near it every way, as thick as flies in spring,  
That in a sheepe-cote (when new milk, assembles them) make wing,  
And buzz about the topful pails: nor ever was the eve  
Of jove averted from the fight; he viewed, thought, ceaslesly,  
And diversly upon the death, of great Achilles' friend:  
If Hector there (to wreak his son) should with his javelin end  
His life, and force away his arms, o●… still augment the field;  
He then concluded, that the flight, of much more soul, should yield  
Achilles good friend more renown; and that, even to their gates  
He should drive Hector and his host: and so disanimates  
The mind of Hector, that he mounts, his chariot, and takes Flight  
Up with him, tempting all to her; affirming, his insight  
Knew evidently, that the beam, of Ioues all-ordering schools,  
Was then in sinking on their side, surcharged with flocks of souls.   

Then, not the noble Lycians stayed, but left their slaughtered Lord  
Amongst the corpses common heap; for many more were poured  
About, and on him; while Ioues hand, held out the bitter broil.  
And now they spoiled Sarpedons arms; and to the ships the spoil  
Was sent by Menaetiades. Then jove, thus charged the Sun:   

Haste, honoured Phoebus, let no more, Greek violence be done 
Iou●… to Ph●…bus.   
To my Sarpedon; but his corpse, of all the sable blood  
And javelins purged; then carry him, far hence to some clear flood,  
With whose waves wash, and then embalm, each thorough-cl●…nsed limb,  
With our Ambrosia; which performed, divine weeds put on him:  
And then to those swift mates, and twins, sweet Sleep and Death commit  
His princely person, that with speed, they both may carry it  
To wealthy Lycia; where his friends, and brothers will embrace,  
And tomb it in some monument, as fits a Prince's place.   

Then flew Apollo to the fight, from the Idalian hill, 
Apollo sends 〈◊〉 pedo●…s body by Sleep and Death to Lycl●….   
At all parts putting into act, his great Commanders will:  
Drew all the darts, washed, balmed the corpse; which (decked with ornament,  
By Sleep and Death, those feathered twins) he into Lycia sent   

Patroclus then, Automedon, commands to give his steeds  
Large rains, and all way to the chase: so madly he exceeds  
The strict commission of his friend; which had he kept, had kept  
A black death from him. But Ioues mind, hath evermore outstept  
The mind of man; who both affrights, and takes the victory  
From any hardiest hand, with ease; which he can justify,  
Though he himself commands him fight: as now, he put this chase  
In Menaetiades his mind. How much then weighs the grace  
(Patroclus?) that jove gives thee now, in schools put, with thy death?  
Of all these great and famous men, the honourable breath.   

Of which, Adrestus first he slew, and next Autonous;  
Epistor●…, and Perimus; Pylartes, Elasus,  
Swift Menalippus, Molius; all these were overthrown 
〈◊〉 ●…ling the walls of Troy, resisted by Phoebus.   
By him, and all else, put in rout; and then proud Ilium  
Had stooped beneath his glorious hand: he raged so with his lance,  
If Phoebus had not kept the tower, and helped the Ilians,  
Sustaining ill thoughts 'gainst the Prince. Thrice to the prominence  
Of Troy's steep wall he bravely leapt: thrice Phoebus thrust him thence:  
Objecting his all-dazeling shield, with his resistless hand.  
But four, when (like one of heaven) he would have stirred his stand,  
Apollo threatened him, and said; Cease, it exceeds thy fate 
Apollo threatens P●…traclus.   
(Forward Patroclus) to expugn, with thy bold lance, this state;  
Nor under great Achilles' powers, (to thine superior far)  
Lies Troy's grave ruin. When he spoke, Patroclus left that war:  
Leapt far back; and his anger shunned. Hector detained his horse  
Within the Scaean ports, in doubt, to put his personal force  
Amongst the rout, and turn their heads, or shun in Troy the storm.   

Apollo seeing his suspense, assumed the goodly form  
Of Hector's uncle, Asius, the Phrygian Dymas son, 
Apollo in shape of Asius to Hector.   
Who near the deep Sangarius, had habitation;  
Being brother to the Trojan Queen. His shape Apollo took;  
And asked of Hector, why his spirit, so clear the fight forsook;  
Affirming 'twas unfit for him: and wished his forces were  
As much above his, as they moved, in an inferior sphere:  
He should (with shame to him) be gone; and so bad, drive away  
Against Patroclus, to approve, if he that gave them day,  
Would give the glory of his death, to his preferred lance.  
So left he him; and to the fight, did his bright head advance,  
Mixed with th●… multitude, and stirred, foul Tumult for the foe.  
Then Hector bad Cebriones, put on; himself let go  
All other Greeks within his reach, and only gave command,  
To front Patroclus. He at him; jumped down; his strong left hand  
A javelin held; his right, a stone; a marble sharp; and such  
As his large hand had power to gripe; and gave it strength as much  
As he could lie to: nor stood long, in fear of that huge man  
That made against him; but full on, with his huge stone he ran  
Discharged, and drove it twixt the brows, of bold Cebriones:  
Nor could the thick bone there prepared, extenuate so th'access,  
But out it drove his broken eyes, which in the dust fell down;  
And he dived after; which conceit, of diving, took the son  
Of old Menatius, who thus played, upon the others bane.   

O heavens! for truth, this Trojan was, a passing active man; 
Patroclus' 〈◊〉 at t●…e fall of Cebriones.   
With what exceeding ease he dives? as if at work he were  
Within the fishie seas. This man, alone would furnish cheer  
For twenty men; though 'ttwere a storm; to leap out of a sail,  
And gather oysters for them all; he does it here as well;  
And there are many such in Troy. Thus jested he so near  
His own grave death; and then made in, to spoil the Charioteer,  
With such a Lion's force, and fate; as (often ruining,  
Stalls of fat oxen) gets at length, a mortal wound to sting  
His soul, out of that ravenous breast, that was so insolent;  
And so his life's bliss proves his bane: so deadly confident  
Wert thou Patroclus, in pursuit, of good Cebriones,  
To whose defence now Hector leapt. The opposite address, 
A simile expressing Patroclus' encounter and Hector's.   
These masters of the cry in war, now made, was of the kind  
Of two fierce kings of beasts, opposed, in strife, about a Hind  
Slain on the forehead of a hill; both sharp, and hungry set,  
And to the curry never came, but like two Deaths they met:  
Nor these two entertained less mind, of mutual prejudice,  
About the body; close to which, when each had priest for prize,  
Hector the head laid hand upon; which once gripped, never could  
Be forced from him; Patroclus then, upon the feet got hold,  
And he pinched with as sure a nail: so both stood ●…ugging there,  
While all the rest, made eager fight, and grappled every where.  
And as the East and South wind strive, to make a lofty wood 
Simile.   
Bow to their greatness; barkie Elms, wild Ashes, Beeches bowed  
Even with the earth; in whose thick arms, the mighty vapours lie,  
And toss by turns, all, either way; their leaves at random fly,  
Boughs murmur, and their bodies crack; and with perpetual din,  
The Sylvans falter, and the storms, are never to begin:  
So raged the fight; and all from Flight, plucked her forgotten wings;  
While some still stuck; still new winged shafts, flew dancing from their strings;  
Huge stones sent after, that did shake, the shields about the corpse,  
Who now (in dusts soft forehead stretched) forgot his guiding horse.   

As long as Phoebus turned his wheels, about the midst of heaven,  
So long the touch of either's darts, the falls of both made even:  
But when his wain drew near the West, the Greeks past measure were  
The abler soldiers, and so swept, the Trojan tumult clear  
From off the body; out of which, they drew the hurl'd-in darts;  
And from his shoulders stripped his arms; and then to more such parts  
Patroclus turned his striving thoughts, to do the Troyans' ill:  
Thrice, like the god of war, he charged; his voice as horrible:  
And thrice nine those three charges slew; but in the fourth assay,  
O then Patroclus, show'd thy last; the dreadful Sun made way  
Against that onset; yet the Prince, discerned no deity;  
He kept the press so; and beside, obscured his glorious eye  
With such felt darkness. At his back, he made a sudden stand,  
And twixt his neck and shoulders laid, downright with either hand,  
A blow so weighty, that his eyes, a giddy darkness took,  
And from his head, his three-plumed helm, the bounding violence shook,  
That rung beneath his horses hooves; and like a waterspout,  
Was crushed together with the fall. The plumes that set it out,  
All spattered with black blood and dust; when ever heretofore  
It was a capital offence, to have, or dust, or gore  
Defile a triple-feathered helm; but on the head divine,  
And youthful temples of their Prince, it used, untouched, to shine.  
Yet now jove gave it Hector's hands; the others death was near.  
Besides whose lost and filled helm, his huge long weighty spear,  
Well bound with iron, in his hand, was shiverd, and his shield  
Fell from his shoulders to his feet; the bawdricke strewing the field.  
His Curets left him, like the rest; and all this only done  
By great Apollo. Then his mind, took in confusion;  
The vigorous knit of his joints, dissolved; and (thus di●…maid)  
A Dardan (one of Panthus' sons, and one that overlaid  
All Troyans', of his place, with darts, swift footing, skill, and force,  
In noble horsemanship; and one, that tumbled from their horse,  
One after other, twenty men: and when he did but learn  
The art of war; nay when he first, did in the field discern  
A horse and chariot of his guide: this man, with all these parts  
(His name Euphorbus) comes behind, and twixt the shoulders darts  
Forlorn Patroclus, who yet lived, and th'other (getting forth  
His javelin) took him to his strength; nor durst he stand the worth  
Of thee Patroclus, though disarmed; who yet (discomfited  
By Phoebus, and Euphorbus wound) the red heap of the dead  
He now too late shunned, and retired. When Hector saw him yield,  
And knew he yielded with a wound, he scoured the armed field;  
Came close up to him, and both sides, struck quite through with his lance;  
He fell, and his most weighty fall, gave fit tune to his chance.  
For which, all Greece extremely mourned. And as a mighty strife 
Simile.   
About a little fount, gins, and riseth to the life  
Of some fell Boar, resolved to drink; when likewise to the spring  
A Lion comes, alike disposed; the Boar thirsts, and his King;  
Both proud, and both will first be served; and then the Lion takes  
Advantage of his sovereign strength; and th'other (fainting) makes  
Resign his thirst up with his blood: Patroclus (so enforced  
When he had forced so much brave life) was, from his own divorced.  
And thus his great Divorcer braved; Patroclus, thy conceit, 
Hector's insultation over Patroclus being wounded under him.   
Gave thee th'eversion of our Troy; and to thy fleet a freight  
Of Trojan Ladies, their free lives, put all in bands by thee:  
But (too much priser of thyself) all these are propped by me.  
For these, have my horse stretched their hooves, to this so long a war;  
And I (far best of Troy in arms) keep off from Troy as far;  
Even to the last beam of my life, their necessary day.  
And here (in place of us and ours) on thee shall Vultures pray,  
Poor wretch; nor shall thy mighty Friend, afford thee any aid,  
That gave thy parting much deep charge; And this perhaps he said;  
Martial Patroclus, turn not face, nor see my fleet before  
The curets from great Hector's breast, all guilded with his gore,  
Thou hew'st in pieces: if thus vain, were his far-stretcht commands;  
As vain was thy heart to believe, his words lay in thy hands.   

He languishing, replied: This proves, thy glory worse than vain, 
Patroclus' langu, to Hector.   
That when two gods have given thy hands, what their powers did obtain,  
(They conquering, and they spoiling me, both of my arms and mind,  
It being a work of ease for them) thy soul should be so blind,  
To oversee their evident deeds, and take their powers to thee;  
When, if the powers of twenty such, had dared t'encounter me,  
My lance had strewed earth with them all. Thou only dost obtain  
A third place in my death; whom first, a harmful fate hath 〈◊〉  
Effected by Latona's son; second and first of men,  
Euphorbus. And this one thing more, concerns thee; note it then:  
Thou shalt not long survive thyself; nay, now Death calls for thee,  
And violent fate; Achilles' lance, shall make this good for me.   

Thus death joined to his words, his end; his soul took instant wing,  
And to the house that hath no lights, descended, sorrowing  
For his sad fate, to leave him young, and in his ablest age.  
He dead; yet Hector asked him why, in that prophetic rage,  
He so forespoke him? when none knew, but great Achilles might  
Prevent his death; and on his lance, receive his latest light.  
Thus, setting on his side his foot, he drew out of his wound,  
His brazen lance, and upwards cast, the body on the ground;  
When quickly, while the dart was hot, he charged Autom●…don, 
Hector charges 〈◊〉 Autom●…don for Achilles' horses.   
(Divine guide of Achilles' steeds) in great contention  
To seize him to: but his so swift, and deathless horse, that fetch  
Their gift to Peleus from the gods, soon raped him, from his reach.   

COMMENTARIUS.  
ᵃ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, & c. These last verses in the original, by many 〈◊〉 ancients have suffered expunction; as being unworthy the mouth of an Hero, because he 〈◊〉 to make such a wish in them: which is as poorly conceited of the exp●…gers, as the rest of the places in Homer, that have groaned or laughed under their 〈◊〉. Achilles not out of his heart (which any true eye may see) wishing it; but out of a 〈◊〉 and delightsome humour, being merry with his friend in private, which the verse following in part expresseth:  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Sic hi quidem talia inter se loquebantur. Inter se, intimating the meaning aforesaid. But our divine Masters most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the life of things, (which is the soul of a Poem) is never respected nor 〈◊〉 by his Interpreters only standing pedantically on the Grammar and words, utterly ignorant of the sense and grace of him.  
ᵇ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. etc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Agnovit autem Ajax in animo inculpato, operadeorum; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: exhorruitque. Another most ingenious and spriteful imitation of the life, and ridiculous humour os Ajax, I must needs note here, because it flies all his Translators and Interpreters; who take it merely for serious, when it is apparently scopticall and ridiculous; with which our author would delight his understanding Reader; and mix mirth with matter. He saith, that Hector cut off the head of Ajax lance, which he seeing, would needs affect a kind of prophetic wisdom (with which he is never charged in Homer) and imagined strongly, the cutting off his lances head, cast a figure thus deep; that as Hector cut off that, jove would utterly cut off the heads of their counsels to that fight, and give the Troyans' victory: which to take seriously and gravely, is most dull (and as I may say) Aianticall: the voice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (which they expound praecidebat, and indeed i●… tondebat; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying most properly tondeo) helping well to decipher the Irony. But to understand gravely that the cutting off his lances head, argued Ioues intent to cut off their counsels, and to allow the wit of Ajax for his so far-fetched apprehension: I suppose no man can make less than idle, and witless. A plain continuance therefore it is of Ajax humour, whom in divers other places he plays upon: as in 〈◊〉 him in the eleventh book to a mill Ass, and else where to be noted hereafter.  
ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉] by Sleep and Death (which he ingeniously calleth Twins) was the body of Ioues son Sarpedon taken from the fight, and borne to Lycia. On which place, Eustathius doubts, whether truly and indeed it was transferred to Lycia: and he makes the cause of his doubt, this: That Death and Sleep are inania quaedam, things empty and void; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, not solid or firm persons, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, but quae nihil ferre possunt. And therefore he thought there was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quoddam; that is, some void or empty sepulchre or monument prepared for that Hero in Lycia, etc. or else makes another strange translation of it, by wonder; which Spondanus thinks to have happened truly. But rather would interpret it merely and nakedly apoeticall fiction: his reason I will forbear to utter because it is unworthy of him. But would not a man wonder that our great and gra●…e Eustathius, would doubt whether Sleep and Death carried Sarpedons person personally to Lycia: or not rather make no question of the contrary? Homer nor any Poet's end in such poetical relations, being to affirm the truth of things personally done; but to please with the truth of their matchless wits, and some worthy doctrine conveyed in it. Nor would Homer have any one believe the personal transportance of Sarpedon by Sleep and Death, but only varieth and graceth his Poem with these Prosopopeiaes, and delivers us this most ingenious and grave doctrine in it: that the Hero's body, for which both those mighty Hosts so mightily contended, Sleep and Death (those same quaedam inania) took from all their personal and solid forces. Wherein he would further note to us, that from all the bitterest and deadliest conflicts and tyrannies of the world, Sleep and Death, when their worst is done, delivers and transfers men: a little mocking withal, the vehement, and greedy prosecutions of tyrants, and soldiers against, or for that, which two such deedless poor things takes from all their Empery. And yet, against Eustathius manner of slighting their powers, what is there of all things belonging to man, so powerful over him as Death and Sleep? And why may not our Homer (whose words I hold with Spondanus ought to be an undisputable deed and authority with us) as well personate Sleep and Death, as all men besides personate Love, Anger, Sloth, & c? Thus only where the sense and soul of my most worthily reverenced Author is abused, or not seen, I still insist; and glean these few poor corn ears after all other men's harvests.   
The end of the sixteenth Book.   

THE XVII. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

A Dreadful fight, about Patroclus corpse.  
Euphorbus slain, by Menelaus' force.  
Hector, in th'armour of Aeacides.  
Antilochus, relating the decease  
O slain Patroclus, to fair Thetis son.  
The body from the striving Toians won.  
Th' Aiaces, making good the after field,  
Make all the subject that this book doth yield.   
Another Argument.  

In Rho, the venturous hosts maintain  
A slaughterous conflict, for the slain.   

NOr could his slaughter rest concealed, from Menelans ear;  
Who flew amongst the foremost fights, & with his targe & spear  
Circled the body: as much grieved, and with as tender heed  
To keep it theirs; as any dam, about her first-born seed;  
Not proving what the pain of birth, would make the love before;  
Nor to pursue his first attaint, Euphorbus spirit forbore;  
But seeing Menelaus chief, in rescue of the dead, 
Euphorbu●… to Menelaus. This Euphorbus was he, that in Ovid, Pythagoras saith he was in the wars of Troy.   
Assayed him thus: Atrides, cease, and leave the slaughtered  
With his imbrued spoil, to the man, that first, of all our state  
And famous succours, in fair fight, made passage to his fate;  
And therefore suffer me to wear, the good name I have won  
Amongst the Troyans'; lest thy life, repay what his hath done.   

O jupiter (said he, incensed) Thou art no honest man 
Menclaus to Euphorbus.   
To baost, so past thy power to do. Not any Lion can;  
Nor spotted Leopard; nor Bore, (whose mind is mightiest  
In pouring fury from his strength) advance so proud a crest  
As Panthus fight progeny. But Hyperenors' pride,  
That joyed so little time his youth; when he so vilifide  
My force in arms, and called me worst, of all our chivalry,  
And stood my worst; might teach ye all, to shun this surcuidrie:  
I think he came not safely home, to tell his wife his acts.  
Nor less right of thy insolence, my equal fate exacts;  
And will obtain me, if thou stayest; retire then, take advise:  
A fool sees nought, before 'tis done; and still too late is wise.   

This moved not him, but to the worse; since it renewed the sting,  
That his slain brother shot in him; remembered by the king,  
To whom he answered: Thou shalt pay, for all the pains endured  
By that slain brother; all the wounds, sustained for him, recured  
With one, made in thy heart by me. 'tis true, thou mad'st his wife  
A heavy widow; when her joys, of wedlock scarce had life;  
And hurt'st our parents with his grief; all which thou gloriest in:  
Forespeaking so, thy death, that now, their griefs end shall begin.  
To Panthus, and the snowy hand, of Phrontes, I will bring  
Those arms, and that proud head of thine; and this laborious thing  
Shall ask no long time to perform: nor be my words alone,  
But their performance; Strength, and Fight, and Terror thus sets on.   

This said, he struck his all-round shield; nor shrunk that, but his lance 
Euphorbus slain by Menelaus.   
That turned head in it: then the king, assayed the second chance,  
First praying to the king of gods, and his dart, entry got  
(The force much driving back his foe) in low part of his throat,  
And ran his neck through. Then fell pride, and he, and all with gore  
His locks, that like the Graces were; and which he ever wore  
In gold and silver ribbons wrapped; were piteously wet.   

And, when alone, in some choice place, a husbandman hath set 
Simile.   
The young plant of an Olive tree, whose root being ever fed  
With plenty of delicious springs; his branches bravely spread,  
And all his fresh and lovely head, grown curled with snowy flowers,  
That dance, and flourish with the winds, that are of gentlest powers:  
But when a whi●…lewind (got aloft) stoops, with a sudden gale;  
Tears from his head his tender curls, and tosseth there withal  
His fixed root, from his hollow mines: it well presents the force  
Of Spartas king; and so the Plant, Euphorbus, and his Corpse.   

He slain; the king stripped off his arms, and with their worthy prize,  
(All fearing him) had clearly passed: if heavens fair eye, of eyes,  
Had not (in envy of his acts) to his encounter stirred  
The Mars-like Hector; to whose powers, the rescue he preferred  
Of those fair arms: and took the shape, of Mentas (Colonel  
Of all the Cicones that near, the Thracian Hebrus dwell)  
Like him, he thus put forth his voice. Hector, thou scow●…'st the field  
In head strong pursuit of those horse, that hardly are compelled  
To take the draft of chariots, by any mortals hand.  
The great grand child of Aeacus, hath only their command; 
Achilles.   
Whom an immortal mother bore: while thou attendst on these,  
The young Atrides in defence, of Menatiades, 
Patroclus, so call led, of Me●…etius his father.   
Hath slain Euphorbus. Thus the god, took troup with men again,  
And Hector (hearty perplexed) looked round, and saw the slain,  
Still shedding rivers from his wound: and then took envious view  
Of brave Atrides with his spoil; in way to whom he flew,  
Like one of Vulcan's quenchless flames: Atrides heard the cry 
Note the manly! & wise discourse of Menelaus 〈◊〉 himself,▪ 〈◊〉 Hector ad. vancing towards him.   
That ever usherd him, and sighed, and said: O me, if I  
Should leave these goodly arms, and him, that here lies dead for me;  
I fear I should offend the Greeks. If I should stay, and be  
Alone with Hector and his men, I may be compassed in;  
Some sleight or other they may use. Many may quickly win  
Their wills of one; and all Troy comes, ever where Hector leads.  
But why (dear mind) dost thou thus talk? when men dare set their heads  
Against the gods, (as sure they do, that fight with men they love)  
Strait one or other plague ensues: it cannot therefore move  
The grudge of any Greek, that sees, I yield to Hector; he  
Still fight with a spirit from heaven. And yet if I could see  
Brave Ajax; he and I, would stand, though 'gainst a god; and sure  
'tis best I seek him: and then see, if we two can procure  
This Corpse's freedom through all these: a little then let rest  
The body, and my mind be still; of two bad's choose the best.   

In this discourse, the troops of Troy, were in with him; and he  
Made such a Lionlike retreat; as when the herdsmen see  
The royal savage; and come on, with men, dogs, cries, and spears, 
〈◊〉.   
To clear their horned stall; and then, the kingly heart he bears,  
(With all his high disdain) falls off: so, from this odds of aid  
The golden-haird Atrides fled: and, in his strength, displayed  
Upon his left hand, him he wished; extremely busied  
About encouraging his men; to whom, an extreme dread  
Apollo had infused: the king, reached Ajax instantly,  
And said; Come friend, let us two haste, and from the tyranny 
Menelaus to 〈◊〉.   
Of Hector, free Patroclus corpse. He straight, and gladly went;  
And then was Hector haling of, the body, with intent  
To spoil the shoulders of the head, and give the dogs the rest;  
(His arms he having prised before.) When Ajax brought his breast  
To bar all further spoil; with that, he had sure, Hector thought  
'twas best to satisfy his spleen; which temper Ajax wrought  
With his mere sight, and Hector fled: the arms he sent to Troy,  
To make his citizens admire, and pray jove send him joy.   

Then Ajax gathered to the corpse, and hide it with his targe:  
There setting down as sure a foot, as (in the tender charge  
Of his loved whelps) a Lion doth: two hundred hunters near, 
Simile.   
To give him onset; their more force, make him the more austere;  
Drowns all their clamours in his 〈◊〉; darts, dogs, doth all despise,  
And lets his rough brows down so low, they cover all his eyes.  
So Ajax looked, and stood, and stayed, for great Priamides.   

When Glaucus Hippol●…chides, saw Ajax thus depress 
〈◊〉 vp●… 〈◊〉.   
The spirit of eHctor: thus he chid; O goodly man at arms;  
In Fght, a Paris; why should Fame, make thee fort 'gainst our harms,  
Being such a fugitive? now mark, how well thy boasts defend,  
Thy city only with her own. Be sure, it shall descend,  
To that proof wholly. Not a man, of any Lycian rank;  
Shall strike one stroke more, for thy town: for no man's gets a thank,  
Should he ete●…nally fight here: nor any guard of thee.  
How wilt thou (worthless that thou art) keep off an enemy  
From our poor soldiers, when their Prince, Sarpedon, guest and friend  
To thee, (and most deservedly) thou flew'st from in his end,  
And left'st to all the lust of Greece? O gods, a man that was  
(In life) so huge a good to Troy; and to thee such a grace,  
(In death) not kept by thee from dogs? if my friends wi●…l do well;  
We'll take our shoulders from your walls, and let all sink to hell:  
As all will, were our faces turned. Did such a spirit breath  
In all you Troyans', as becomes, all men that fight beneath  
Their country's standard; you would see, that such as prop your cause  
With like exposure of their lives, have all the honoured laws  
Of such a dear confederacy, kept to them to a thread:  
As now ye might reprise the arms, Sarpedon forfeited,  
By forfeit of your rights to him; would you but lend your hands,  
And force Patroclus to your Troy? Ye know how dear he stands  
In his love, that of all the Greeks, is (for himself) far best,  
And leads the best, neare-fighting men: and therefore would (at least)  
Redeem Sarpedons arms: nay him, whom you have likewise lost.  
This body drawn to Ilium, would after draw, and cost  
A greater ransom, if you pleased: but Ajax startles you;  
'tis his breast, bars this right to us. His looks are darts enough  
To mix great Hector with his men. And, not to blame ye are,  
You choose foes underneath your strengths; Ajax exceeds ye far.   

Hector looked passing sour at this; and answered, why darest thou, 
Hector to Glaucu●….   
(So under) talk above me so? O friend, I thought till now,  
Thy wisdom was superior, to all th'inhabitants  
Of gleby Lycia; but now, impute apparent wants  
To that discretion thy words show; to say I lost my ground  
For A●…ax greatness: nor fear I, the field in combats drowned;  
Nor force of chariots: but I fear, a power much better seen,  
In right of all war, than all we: I hat god that holds between,  
Our victory and us, his shield: let's conquest come and go  
At his free pleasure; and with fear, converts her changes so  
Upon the strongest: men must fight, when his just spirit impels,  
Not their vain glories. But come on, make thy steps parallels  
To these of mine; and then be judge, how deep the work will draw:  
If then I spend the day in shifts? or thou canst give such law  
To thy detractive speeches then? or if the Grecian host,  
Holds any, that in pride of strength, holds up his spirit most,  
Whom (for the carriage of this Prince, that thou enforcest so)  
I make not stoop in his defence. You, friends? ye hear and know,  
How much it fits ye to make good, this Grecian I have slain,  
For ransom of Ioues son, our friend; play then the worthy men,  
Till I endue Achilles arms. This said, he left the fight,  
And called back those that bore the arms; not yet without his sight,  
In convoy of them towards Troy. For them, he changed his own;  
Removed from where it reigned tears, and sent them back to town.   

Then put he on th'eternal arms, that the celestial states  
Gave Peleus; Peleus being old, their use appropriates  
To his Achilles, that (like him) forsook them not for age.  
When he, whose Empire is in clouds, saw Hector bend to wage  
War in divine Achilles' arms; he shook his head, and said:  
Poor wretch, thy thoughts are far from death; though he so near hath laid 
Ioues discourse with himself of Hector in the arms of Achilles   
His ambush for thee. Thou putst on, those arms (as braving him)  
Whom others fear; hast slain his friend, and from his youthful limb,  
Torn rudely off his heavenly arms; himself, being gentle, kind,  
And valiant. Equal measure then, thy life in youth must find.  
Yet since the justice is so strict, that not Andromache,  
(In thy denied return from fight) must ever take of thee  
Those arms; in glory of thy acts: thou shalt have that frail blaze  
Of excellence, that neighbour's death: a strength even to amaze.   

To this, his sable brows did bow; and he made fit his limb  
To those great arms; to fill which up, the War god entered him;  
Austere and terrible: his joints, and every part extends  
With strength and fortitude; and thus, to his admiring friends,  
High Clamour brought him. He so shined, that all could think no less,  
But he resembled every way, great-souled Aeacides.  
Then, every way he scoured the field; his Captains calling on;  
Asteropaeus, Eunomus, (that foresaw all things done)  
Glaucus, and Medon, Desinor, and strong Thersilochus;  
Phorcis, and Mestheies, Chronius, and great Hippothous:  
To all these, and their populous troops; these, his excitements were: 
Hector to his Captains and soldiers.    

Hear us, innumerable friends; neare-bordering nations, hear;  
We have not called you from our towns, to fill our idle eye  
With number of so many men, (no such vain Empery  
Did ever joy us;) but to fight, and of our Trojan wives  
With all their children, manfully, to save the innocent lives.  
In whose cares, we draw all our towns, of aiding soldiers dry,  
With gifts, guards, victual, all things fit; and hearten their supply 
The secret of War.   
With all like rights; and therefore now, let all sides set down this,  
Or live, or perish: this, of war, the special secret is.  
In which most resolute design, who ever bears to town  
Patroclus (laid dead to his hand) by winning the renown  
Of Ajax slaughter; the half spoil, we wholly will impart 
The promise of Hector if Patroclus body could be forced off to their part.   
To his free use; and to ourself, the other half convert:  
And so the glory shall be shared; ourself will have no more  
Than he shall shine in. This drew all, to bring abroad their store  
Before the body: every man, had hope it would be his,  
And forced from Ajax: Silly fools, Ajax prevented this,  
By raising rampires to his friend, with half their carcases.  
And yet his humour was to roar, and fear and now, no less  
To startle Spartas king; to whom, he cried out: O my friend!  
O Menelaus! near more hope, to get off; here's the end 
Ajax to Menelaus.   
Of all our labours: not so much, I fear to lose the Corpse,  
(For that's sure gone, the fowls of Troy, and dogs, will quickly force  
That piece-meal) as I fear my head, and thine o Atreus son;  
Hector a cloud brings, will hide all; instant destruction  
Grievous, and heavy comes; o call, our Peers to aid us; fly.   

He hasted, and used all his voice; sent far, and ne●…e his cry:  
O Princes, chief lights of the Greeks; and you that publicly  
Eat with our General and me: all men of charge▪ O know,  
jove gives both grace, and dignity, to any that will show  
Good minds, for only good itself; though presently the eye  
Of him that rules discern him not. 'tis hard for me t'espie  
(Through all this smoke of burning fight) each Captain in his place,  
And call assistance to our need. Be then each others grace,  
And freely follow each his next; disdain to let the joy  
Of great Aeacides be forced, to feed the beasts of Troy.   

His voice was first heard and obeyed, by swift Oileades.  
Idomeneus, and his mate, (renowned Meriones)  
Were seconds to Oileus son: but, of the rest, whose mind  
Can lay upon his voice the names, that after these combined,  
In settting up this fight on end? the Troyans' first gave on;  
And as into the seas vast mouth, when mighty rivers run, 
Simile.   
Their billows, and the sea, resound; and all the utter shore  
Rebellowes (in her angry shocks) the seas repulsive roar.  
With such sounds gave the Troyans' charge; so was their charge repressed:  
One mind filled all Greeks; good brass shields, close couched to every breast:  
And on their bright helms jove poured down, a mighty deal of night  
To hide Patroclus. Whom alive, and when he was the knight  
Of that grand child of Aeacus, Saturnius did not hate;  
Nor dead, would see him dealt to dogs, and so did instigate  
His fellows, to his worthy guard. At first the Troyans' drove  
The blacke-eyed Grecians from the Corpse; but not a blow they gave  
That came at death. A while they hung, about the body's he●…les,  
The Greeks' quite gone. But all that while, did Ajax whet the steels  
Of all his forces; that cut back, way to the Corpse again.  
Brave Ajax (that for form, and fact, past all that did maintain  
The Grecian fame, next Thetis son;) now flew before the first:  
And as a sort of dogs, and youths, are by a Bore dispersed 
Simile.   
About a mountain: so fled these, from mighty Ajax, all  
That stood in conflict for the Corpse. Who thought, no chance could fall  
Betwixt them and the prize, at Troy. For bold Hippothous,  
(Lethus, Pelasgus famous son) was so adventurous,  
That he would stand, to bore the Corpse, about the ankle bone,  
Where all the neruie fivers meet, and ligaments in one,  
That make the motion of those parts: through which he did convey  
The thong or bawdricke of his shield; and so was drawing away  
All thanks from Hector, and his friends: but in their steed he drew  
An ill that no man could avert: For Telamonius threw  
A lance that struck quite through his helm; his brain came leaping out:  
Down fell Letheides; and with him, the bodies hoist foot.  
far from Larissas' soil he fell; a little time allowed  
To his industrious spirits, to quit, the benefits bestowed  
By his kind parents. But his wreak, Priamides assayed,  
And threw at Ajax; but his dart, (discovered) past, and stayed  
At Schedius, son of Iphitus: a man of ablest hand  
Of all the strong Phocensians; and lived with great command,  
In Panopaeus. The fell dart, fell through his channel bone;  
Pierced through his shoulders upper part; and set his spirit gone.  
When (after his) another flew; the same hand gluing wing  
To martial Phorcis startled soul, that was the after spring  
Of Phaenops seed: the javelin struck, his curets through, and tore  
The bowels from the bellies midst. His fall made those before  
Give back a little: Hector's self, enforced to turn his face.  
And then the Greeks bestowed their shouts, took vantage of the chase;  
Drew off, and spoiled Hippothous; and Phorcis of their arms;  
And then ascended Ilium, had shaken with alarms,  
(Discovering th'impotence of Troy) even past the will of jove;  
And by the proper force of Greece: had Phoebus failed to move  
Aeneas, in similitude, of Periphas (the son  
Of grave▪ Epytes) king at arms; and had good service done  
To old Anchises; being wise, and even with him in years. 
Apollo 〈◊〉 like 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
But (like this man) the farre-seene god, to Venus' son appears,  
And asked him how he would maintain, steep Ilium in her height,  
In spite of gods (as he presumed) when men approved so sleight,  
All his presumptions? and all theirs, that puffed him with that pride,  
Believing in their proper strengths? and generally supplied  
With such unfrighted multitudes? But he well knew that jove,  
(Besides their self conceits sustained, their forces with more love  
Than theirs of Greece; and yet all that, lacked power to hearten them.   

Aeneas knew the god, and said; It was a shame extreme 
〈◊〉 to the Troia●….   
That those of Greece should beat them so; and by their cowardice,  
Not want of man's aid, nor the gods; and this (before his eyes)  
A deity stood, even now, and vouched, affirming jove their aid.  
And so bad Hector, and the rest, (to whom all this he said)  
Turn head; and not, in that quick ease, part with the Corpse to Greece.   

This said, before them all he flew; and all (as of a piece)  
Against the Greeks flew. Venus' son, Leocritus did end,  
Son of Arisbas'; and had place, of Lycomedes friend;  
Whose fall he friendly pitied: and in revenge, bestowed  
A lance, that Apisaon struck, so sore, that strait he strowed  
The dusty centre; it did stick, in that congealed blood  
That forms the liver. Second man, he was of all that stood  
In name for arms, amongst the troup, that from Poeonia came;  
Asteropaeus being the first: who was, in ruth, the same  
That Lycomedes was; like whom, he put forth for the wreak  
Of his slain friend: but wrought it not, because he could not break  
That bulwark made of Grecian shields; and bristled wood of spears  
Combined about the body slain. Amongst whom Ajax bears  
The greatest labour; every way, exhorting to abide,  
And no man fly the Corpse a foot; nor break their ranks in pride  
Of any foremost daring spirit; but each foot hold his stand, 
Ajax his souldlerly command   
And use the closest fight they could. And this was the command  
Of mighty Ajax: which observed; they steeped the earth in blood.  
The Troyans' and their friends fell thick. Nor all the Grecians stood  
(Though far the fewer suffered fate) for ever they had care  
To shun confusion, and the toil, that still oppreffeth there.   

So set they all the field on fire; with which you would have thought,  
The Sun and Moon had been put out, in such a smoke they fought  
About the person of the Prince. But all the field beside  
Fought underneath a lightsome heaven: the Sun was in his pride,  
And such expansure of his beams, he thrust out of his throne,  
That not a vapour durst appear, in all that region:  
No, not upon the highest hill. There fought they still and breathed;  
Shunned danger; cast their darts aloof; and not a sword unsheathd.  
The other plied, it and the war, and Night, plied them as well:  
The cruel steel afflicting all; the strongest did not dwell  
Unhurt within their iron roofs. Two men of special name,  
Antilochus, and Thrasimed, were yet unserved by Fame  
With notice of Patroclus death: they thought him still alive,  
In foremost tumult: and might well: for (seeing their fellows thrive  
In no more comfortable sort, then Fight, and Death would yield)  
They fought apart; for so their Sire, old Nestor, strictly wild,  
Enjoining fight, more from the fleet: war here increased his heat  
The whole day long; continually, the labour, and the sweat,  
The knees, calves, feet, hands, faces, smeared, of men that Mars applied  
About the good Achilles' friend. And ᵃ as a huge Ox hide, 
An imi●…able Simile.   
A Currier gives amongst his men, to supple, and extend  
With oil, till it be drunk withal; they tug, stretch out, and spend  
Their oil, and liquor liberally, and chase the leather so,  
That out they make a vapour breath; and in their oil doth go:  
A number of them set on work, and in an Orb they pull;  
That all ways, all parts of the hide, they may extend at full:  
So here and there, did both parts hale, the Corpse in little place,  
And wrought it, always, with their sweat; the Troyans' hoped for grace  
To make it reach to Ilium; the Grecians to their fleet:  
A cruel tumult they stirred up, and such, as should Mars see't;  
(That horrid hurrier of men) or she that betters him,  
Minerna, never so incensed; they could not disesteem.  
So baneful a Contention, did jove, that day extend  
Of men and horse about the slain. Of whom, his godlike friend  
Had no instruction. So far off, and underneath the wall  
Of Troy, that conflict was maintained: which was not thought at all  
By great Achilles; since he charged, that having set his foot  
Upon the Ports, he would retire; well knowing Troy no boot  
For his assaults, without himself; since not by him, as well,  
He knew, it was to be subdued. His mother oft would tell  
The mind of mighty jove therein; ofs hearing it in heaven;  
But of that great ill to his friend, was no instruction given  
By careful Thetis: by degrees, must ill events be known.   

The foes cloven one to other still, about the overthrown.  
His death, with death infected both. Even private Greeks' would say  
Either to other; 'tTwere a shame, for us to go our way;  
And let the Troyans' bear to Troy, the praise of such a prize:  
Which let the black earth gasp and drink, our blood for sacrifice,  
Before we suffer: 'tis an act, much less infortunate,  
And then would those of Troy resolve; Though certainly our fate, 
The co●…mon soldiers resolutions.   
Will fallen us altogether here: of all not turn a face.  
Thus either side, his fellows strength, excited past his place;  
And thus through all th'unfruitful air●…, an iron sound ascended  
Up to the golden firmament; when strange affects contended,  
In these immortal heaven-bred horse, of great Aeacides;  
Whom (once removed from forth the fight) a sudden sense did seize  
Of good Patroclus' death; whose hands, they oft had undergone;  
And bitterly they wept for him: nor could Automedon,  
With any manage make them stir; oft use the scourge to them;  
Oft use his fairest speech; as oft, threats never so extreme;  
They neither to the Hellespont, would bear him; nor the fight: 
Simil●….   
But still as any tomb-stone lays, his never-stirred weight  
On some good man, or woman's grave, for rites of funeral:  
So unremoved stood these steeds; their heads to earth let fall,  
And warm tears gushing from their eyes, with passionate desire,  
Of their kind manager; their manes, that flourished with the fire  
Of endless youth allotted them: fell through the yokie sphere,  
Ruthfully ruffled and defiled. jove saw their heavy cheer,  
And (pitying them) spoke to his mind; Poor wretched beasts (said he)  
Why gave we you t'a mortal king? when immortality,  
And incapacity of age, so dignifies your states? 
Ioues discourse with himself of the wretched state of humanity.   
Was it to hast the miseries, poured out on human fates?  
Of all the miserabl'st things that breath, and creep on earth,  
No one more wretched is then man. And for your deathless birth,  
Hector must fail to make you prize: is't not enough he wears,  
And glories vainly in those arms? your chariots, and rich gears,  
(Besides you) are too much for him. Your knees and spirits again  
My care of you shall fill with strength; that so ye may sustain  
Automedon, and bear him off. To Troy I still will give  
The grace of slaughter, till at fleet, their bloody feet arrive:  
Till Phoebus' drink the Western sea; and sacred darkness throws,  
Her sable mantle, twixt their points. Thus in the steeds he blows  
Excessive spirit; and through the Greeks, and Ilians they rapt  
The whirring chariot; shaking off, the crumbled centre, wrapped  
Amongst their tresses: and with them, Automedon let fly  
Amongst the Troyans'; making way, through all as frightfully.  
As through a langling flock of Geese, a lordly Vulture beats; 
Simile.   
Given way with shrieks, by every Goose, that comes but near his threats;  
With such state fled he through the press, pursuing as he fled;  
But made no slaughter; nor he could: alone being carried  
Upon the sacred chariot. How could he both works, do,  
Direct his javelin, and command, his fiery horses too?   

At length, he came where he beheld, his friend Alcimedon,  
That was the good Laercius, the son of Haemon son;  
Who close came to his chariot side, and asked; What god is he, 
Alcimedon to Automedon.   
That hath so robbed thee of thy soul, to run thus frantically  
Amongst these forefights, being alone? thy fighter being slain,  
And Hector glorying in his arms? he gave these words again:   

Alcimedon, what man is he? of all the Argive race, 
Automedon to Alcimedon.   
So able as thyself, to keep, in use of press, and place  
These deathless horse? himself being gone, that like the gods had th'u'rt,  
Of their high manage? therefore take, to thy command his part,  
And ease me of the double charge, which thou hast blamed with right.   

He took the scourge and reins in hand, Automedon the fight:  
Which Hector seeing, instantly (Aeneas standing near) 
Hector to Aeneas   
He told him, he discerned the horse, that mere immortal were,  
Add●…est to fight, with coward guides; and therefore hoped to make  
A rich prize of them; if his mind, would help to undertake:  
For those two could not stand their charge. He granted, and both cast  
Dry solid hides upon their necks, exceeding sound braced;  
And forth they went, associate, with two more godlike men,  
Aretus, and bold Chronius; nor made they question then  
To prize the goodly crested horse, and safely send to hell  
The souls of both their guardians: O fools, that could not tell,  
They could not work out their return, from fierce Automedon  
Without the liberal cost of blood; who first made Orison  
To father jove, and then was filled, with fortitude, and strength;  
When (counseling Alcimedon, to keep at no great length  
The horse from him; but l●…t them breath, upon his back, because  
He saw th'advance that Hector made; whose fury had no laws  
Proposed to it, but both their lives, and those horse, made his prize,  
Or his life theirs) he called to friend, these well-approued supplies;  
Th' A●…aces, and the Spartan king: and said, Come, Princes, leave 
Automedon calls for aid to the Aiaces and Menelaus.   
A sure guard with the corpse; and then, to your kind care receive  
Our threatened safeties; I discern, the two chief props of Troy  
Prepared against us: But herein, what best men can enjoy,  
Lies in the free knees of the gods; my dart shall lead ye all; 
In the Greek always this phrase i●… used, not in the hands, but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in the kne●…s of the gods lies our helps, etc.   
The sequel, to the care of jove, I leave, what ever fall.   

All this, spoke good Automedon; then, brandishing his lance,  
He threw, and struck Aretus shield, that gave it entrance  
Through all the steel, and (by his belt) his bellies inmost part  
It pierced, and all his trembling limbs, gave life up to his dart.  
Then Hector at Automedon, a blazing lance let fly,  
Whose flight he saw, and, falling flat, the compass was too high,  
And made it stick beyond in earth, th'extreme part burst, and the●…e  
Mars buried all his violence. The sword then, for the spear,  
Had changed the conflict, had not haste, sent both th' Aiays in,  
(Both serving close their fellows call) who, where they did begin  
There drew the end. Priamides, Aeneas, Chronius,  
(In doubt of what such aid might work) left broken hearted thus,  
Aretus to Automedon, who spoiled his arms, and said: 
Automedon insui●…s.   
A little this revives my life, for him so lately dead,  
(Though by this nothing countervailed) And with this little vent  
Of inward grief, he took the spoil; with which, he made ascent,  
Up to his Chariot; hands and feet, of bloody stains so full,  
That Lion-like he looked, new turned, from tearing up a Bull.   

And now another bitter fight, about Patroclus grew;  
Teare-thirstie, and of toil enough; which Pallas did renew,  
Descending from the cope of stars, dismissed by sharp-eyd jove,  
To animate the Greeks; for now, inconstant change did move  
His mind from what he held of late: And as the purple bow, 
Simile.   
jove bends at mortals, when of war, he will the signal show;  
Or make it a presage of cold, in such tempestuous sort,  
That men are of their labours eased, but labouring cattle hurt:  
So Pallas in a purple cloud, involved herself, and went  
Amongst the Grecians; stirred up all; but first encouragement  
She breathed in Atreus' younger son; and (for disguise) made choice  
Of aged Phoenix shape; and spoke, with his unwearied voice.   

O Menelaus, much defame, and equal heaviness, 
Pallas like Ph●…uix to Menela●….   
Will touch at thee; if this true friend, of great Aeacides,  
Dogs tear beneath the Trojan walls; and therefore bear thee well,  
Toil through the host; and every man, with all thy spirit, impel.   

He answered: O thou long-since borne? O Phoenix? that hast won 
Menelaus to Pallas suppos●…d Ph●…nix.   
The honoured foster-fathers' name, of Thetis godlike son:  
ᵇ I would Minerva would but give, strength to me; and but keep  
These busy darts off; I would then, make in indeed, and steep  
My income in their bloods, in aid, of good Patroclus; much  
His death afflicts me; much: but yet, this Hector's grace is such  
With jove; and such a fiery strength, and spirit he has, that still  
His steel is killing, killing still. The kings so royal will,  
Minerva joyed to hear; since she, did all the gods outgo  
In his remembrance. For which grace, she kindly did bestow  
Strength on his shoulders, and did fill, his knees as liberally  
With swiftness, breathing in his breast, the courage of a fly.  
Which loves to bite so, and doth bear, man's blood so much good will,  
That still (though beaten from a man) she flies upon him still:  
With such a courage Pallas filled, the black parts near his heart;  
And then he hasted to the slain; cast off a shining dart;  
And took one Podes, that was heir, to old E●…tion,  
A rich man, and a strenuous; and by the people done  
Much honour; and by Hector too, being consort, and his guest;  
And him the yellow-headed king, laid hold on at his waste;  
In offering flight, his iron pile, struck through him; down he fell;  
And up Atrides drew his corpse. Then Phoebus did impel  
The spirit of Hector; Phoenops like, surnamed Asiades, 
Phoebus' like Asiades to Hector.   
Whom Hector used (of all his guests) with greatest friendliness;  
And in Abydus stood his house; in whose form, thus he spoke:   

Hector? what man of all the Greeks, will any terror make,  
Of meeting thy strength any more; when thou art tertified  
By Menelaus? who before, he slew thy friend, was tried,  
A passing easy soldier; where now (besides his end,  
Imposed by him) he draws him off (and not a man to friend)  
From all the Troyans'. This friend is, Podes, E●…tions son.   

This hide him in a cloud of grief; and set him foremost on;  
And then jove took his Snake-fringed shield; and Ida covered all  
With sulphury clouds; from whence he let, abhorred lightnings fall,  
And thundered till the mountain shook: and with this dreadful state,  
He usherd victory to Troy; to Argos flight and fate.  
Peneleus Boeotius, was he that foremost fled,  
Being wounded in his shoulders height; but there the lances head  
Struck lightly, glancing to his mouth, because it struck him near,  
Thrown from Polydamas: Leitus, next left the fight in fear,  
(Being hurt by Hector, in his hand) because he doubted sore  
His hand, in wished fight with Troy, would hold his lance no more.   

Idomeneus sent a dart, at Hector (rushing in, 
Idomeneus at Hector.   
And following Leitus) that struck, his bosom, near his chin,  
And broke at top; the Ilians, for his escape did shout.  
When Hector, at Deucalides, another lance sent out,  
As in his chariot he stood; it missed him narrowly;  
For (as it fell) Caeranus drove, his speedy chariot by,  
And took the Trojan lance himself; he was the Charioteer  
Of stern Meriones; and first, on foot did service there,  
Which well he left to govern horse; for saving now his king,  
With driving twixt him and his death; though thence his own did spring;  
Which kept a mighty victory, from Troy, in keeping death  
From his great Sovereign: the fierce dart, did enter him beneath  
His ear, betwixt his jaw and it; drove down, cut through his tongue,  
And struck his teeth out; from his hands, the horses rains he fling;  
Which now Meriones received, as they bestrewed the field,  
And bad his Sovereign scourge away; he saw that day would yield  
No hope of victory for them. He feared the same, and fled.   

Nor from the mighty minded son, of Telamonius, lay hid  
(For all his clouds) high jove himself; nor from the Spartan king.  
They saw him in the victory, he still was varying  
For Troy; for which sight, Ajax said: O heavens, what fool is he,  
That sees not Ioues hand in the grace, now done our enemy?  
Not any dart they touch, but takes; from whom soever thrown,  
Valiant or coward; what he wants, jove adds; not any one 
Ajax good counsel.   
Wants his direction to strike sure; nor ours, to miss, as sure:  
But come, let us be sure of this, to put the best in ure  
That lies in us; which twofold is; both to fetch off our friend,  
And so to fetch him off, as we, may likeliest contend  
To fetch ourselves off; that our friends, surviving may have right  
In joy of our secure retreat; as he that fell in fight,  
Being kept as sure from further wrong: of which perhaps they doubt;  
And looking this way, grieve for us, not able to work out  
Or pass from this man-slaughterer, great Hector, and his hands,  
That are too hot for men to touch; but that these thirsty sands,  
Before our fleet will be enforced, to drink our headlong death.  
Which to prevent by all fit means, I would the parted breath  
Of good Patroclus, to his friend, with speed imparted were  
By some he loves: for I believe, no heavy messenger  
Hath yet informed him; but alas, I see no man to send;  
Both men and horse are hid in mists, that every way descend.  
O father jupiter, do thou, the sons of Greece release  
Of this felt darkness; grace this day, with fit transparences;  
And give the eyes thou giv'st, their use; destroy us in the light,  
And work thy will with us, since needs, thou wilt against us fight.   

This spoke he weeping; and his tears, Saturnius pity showed,  
Dispersed the darkness instantly, and drew away the cloud,  
From whence it fell: the Sun shined out, and all the host appeared;  
And then spoke Ajax, (whose heard prayer, his spirits highly cheered.   

Brave Menelaus, look about; and if thou canst descry 
Ajax to Menelaus.   
Nestor's Antilochus alive, incite him instantly,  
To tell Achilles, that his friend, most dear to him, is dead.   

He said; nor Menelaus stuck, at any thing he said,  
(As loath to do it) but he went; as from a Graziers stall,  
A Lion goes, when overlaid (with men, dogs, darts, and all 
Simile.   
Not easily losing a fat Ox, but strong watch, all night held)  
His teeth yet watering; oft he comes, and is as oft repelled;  
The adverse darts so thick are poured, before his brow-hid eyes,  
And burning firebrands; which for all, his great hearts heat, he flies,  
And (grumbling) goes his way betimes: So from Patroclus went  
Atrides, much against his mind; his doubts being vehement,  
Lest (he go from his guard) the rest, would leave (for very fear) 
Another direct scoff at Menelaus.   
The person to the spoil of Greece. And yet his guardians were,  
Th' Aiaces, and Meriones, whom much, his care did press,  
And thus exhort; Aiaces both, and you Meriones: 
Menelaus to the Aiaces, like himself.   
Now let some true friend call to mind, the gentle and sweet nature  
Of poor Patroclus; let him think, how kind to every creature,  
His heart was, living, though now dead. Thus urged the faire-haired king,  
And parted, casting round his eye. ᵈ As when upon her wing 
Simile.   
An Eagle is, whom men affirm, to have the sharpest sight  
Of all airs region of fowls; and though of mighty height,  
Sees yet within her levy form, of humble shrubs, close laid  
A lightfoot Hare, which strait she stoops, trusses, and strikes her dead:  
So dead thou strook'st thy charge (O king,) through all wars thickets so  
Thou look'dst, and swiftly found'st thy man; exhorting 'gainst the foe,  
And heartening his plied men to blows, used in the wars left wing:  
To whom thou saidst; Thou god-loued man, come here, and hear a thing,  
Which I wish never were to hear; I think even thy eye sees  
What a destruction God hath laid, upon the sons of Greece;  
And what a conquest he gives Troy; in which, the best of men  
(Patroclus) lies exanimate; whose person, passing feign,  
The Greeks would rescue, and bear home; and therefore give thy speed  
To his great friend, to prove if he, will do so good a deed,  
To fetch the naked person off; for Hector's shoulders wear  
His prised arms. Antilochus, was highly grieved to hear 
Antilochus grief for Patroclus.   
This heavy news; and stood surprised, with stupid silence long;  
His fair eyes standing full of tears; his voice so sweet and strong,  
Stuck in his bosom; yet all this, wrought in him no neglect  
Of what Atrides gave in charge: but for that quick effect,  
He gave Laodolus his arms, (his friend that had the guide  
Of his swift horse) and then his knees, were speedily applied  
In his sad message, which his eyes, told all the way in tears.  
Nor would thy generous heart assist, his sore-charged soldiers 
Another notable Ironi●…, expressing what Homer made of Menelaus.   
(O Menelaus) in mean time, though left in much distress;  
Thou sent'st them godlike Thrasimede, and mad'st thy kind regress  
Back to Patroclus; where arrived, half breathless thou didst say  
To both th' Aiaces this: I have sent, this messenger away  
To swift Achilles, who, I fear, will hardly help us now,  
(Though mad with Hector;) without arms, he cannot fight, ye know:  
Let us then think of some best mean, both how we may remove  
The body; and get off ourselves, from this vociferous drove,  
And fate of Troyans'. Bravely spoke, at all parts (A●…x said)  
O glorious son of Atreus; take thou then strait the dead,  
And thou Meriones. We two, of one mind, as one name,  
Will back ye sound; and on us, receive the wildfire flame,  
That Hector's rage breathes after you, before it come at you.   

This said, they took into their arms, the body; all the show  
That might be, made to those of Troy, at arms end bearing it. 
Menelaus and Meriones bear off the body of Patroclus. Simile.   
Out shrieked the Troyans', when they saw, the body borne to fleet;  
And rushed on: As at any Boar, gashed with the hunter's wounds,  
A kennel of the sharpest set, and sorest bitten hounds,  
Before their youthful huntsmen haste; and eagerly a while  
Pursue, as if they were assured, of their affected spoil;  
But when the Savage (in his strength, as confident as they)  
Turns head amongst them; back they fly, and every one his way:  
So troope-meale Troy pursued a while, laying on with swords and darts;  
But when th' Aiaces turned on them, and made their stand; their hearts  
Drunk from their faces all their bloods; and not a man sustained  
The forechace, nor the after fight. And thus Greece nobly gained,  
The person towards home: but thus, the changing war was racked  
Out to a passing bloody length: For as once put in act  
A fire invading city roofs, is suddenly engrossed, 
Simile.   
And made a wondrous mighty flame; in which is quickly lost  
A house, long building; all the while, a boisterous gust of wind  
Lumbring amongst it: So the Greeks' (in bearing of their friend)  
More and more foes drew: at their heels, a tumult thundering still  
Of horse and foot. Yet, as when Mules, in haling from a hill 
Simile.   
A beam or mast, through foul deep way, well clapped and heartened, close  
Lie to their labour, tug, and sweat, and passing hard it goes:  
(Urged by their drivers, to all haste) So dragged they on the corpse;  
Still both th' Aiaces at their backs; who back still turned the force;  
Though after, it grew still the more; yet as a sylvan hill  
Thrusts back a torrent, that hath kept, a narrow channel still, 
Simile, 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of both the 〈◊〉.   
Till at his Oaken breast it beats; but there a check it takes,  
That sends it over all the vale, with all the stir it makes;  
Nor can with all the confluence, break through his rootie sides:  
In no less firm and brave repulse, th' Aiaces curbed the prides  
Of all the Troyans': yet all held, the pursuit in his strength;  
Their chiefs being Hector, and the son, of Venus, who at length  
Put all the youth of Greece beside, in most amazefull rout;  
Forgetting all their fortitudes, distraught, and shrieking out;  
A number of their rich arms lost, fallen from them, here and there  
About, and in the dike; and yet, the war concludes not here.   

COMMENTARIUS.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Thus translated ad verbum by Spondanus:  

Sicut autem quando vir tauri bovis magni pellem  
Populis dederit distendendam temulentam pinguedine,  
Accipientes autem utique hi dispositi extendunt  
In orbem; statim autem humor exijt, penetratque adeps.  
Multis trahentibus: tenditur autem tota undique;  
Sic hi huc & illuc cadaver parvo in spacio  
Trahebant utrique.   
Laurent. Valla thus in prose:  
Et quemadmodum si quis pinguem Tauri pellem à pluribus extendi iuberet; inter extendendum & humour & pingue desudat. Sic illi huc pa●…o in spacio distrahebant.  
Eobanus thus in verse:  

— Ac si quis distendere pellem  
Taurinam iubeat, crassam pinguedine multa,  
Multorum manibus, terrae desudet omasum  
Et liquor omnis humi. Sic ipsum tempore parvo  
Patroclum in diversa, manus numerosa, trahebat, etc.   
To answer a hot objection made to me by a great scholar, for not translating Homer word for word, and letter for letter (as out of his heat he strained it,) I am enforced to cite this admirable Simile, (like the other before in my annotations at the end of the fifteenth Book) and refer it to my judicial reader's examination, whether such a translation becomes Homer or not; by noting so much as needs to be by one example; whether the two last abovesaid translators, in being so short with our everlasting master; do him so much right, as my poor conversion; expressing him by necessary exposition and illustration of his words and meaning, with more words, or not. The reason of his Simile, is to illustrate the strife of both the armies for the body of Patroclus; which it doth perform most inimitably; their toil and sweat about it, being considered (which I must pray you to 〈◊〉 to before:) the Simile itself yet, I thought not unfit to insert here, to come up the closer to them, with whom I am to be compared. My pains and under standing converting it thus:  

— And as a huge ox hide,  
A Currier gives amongst his men, to supple and extend  
With oil, till it be drunk withal: they tug, stretch out, and spend  
Their oil and liquor liberally; and chafe the leather so,  
They make it breath a vapour out; and in their liquors go,  
A number of them set a work; and in an orb they pull,  
That all ways, all parts of the hide, they may extend at full:  
So here and there did both hosts hale, the corpse in little place;  
And wrought it all ways with their sweat, etc.   
In which last words of the application considered, lies the life of this illustration. Our Homer's divine invention wherein, I see not in any of their shorter translations touched at. But what could express more the toil about this body, forcing it this way and that, as the opposite advantage served on both sides? An Ox's hide, after the tanning, ask so much labour and oil to supple and extend it,— 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, distendendam, temulentam pinguedine; to be stretched out, being drunk with tallow, oil, or liquor: the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifies temulentam; of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifying ebrius sum, (being a metaphor) and used by Homer, I thought fit to express so; both because it is Homer's, and doth much more illustrate then crassam pinguedine multa, as Eoban▪ turns it. But Valla leaves it clearly out; and with his briefness, utterly maim●…s the Simile; which (to my under standing being so excellent) I could not but with thus much repetition and labour inculcate the sense of it; since I see not that any translator hath ever thought of it. And therefore (against the obiector, that would have no more words than Homer used, in his translator) I hope those few words I use more, being necessary to express such a sense as I understand in Homer, will be at least borne withal; without which, and other such needful explanations, the most ingenious invention and sense of so matchless a writer, might pass endlessly obscured and unthought on. My man●…er of translation being partly built on this learned and judicious authority: Est sciti interpretis, non verborum numerum, & ordinem sectari; sed res ipsas, & sententias attentè perpendere; easque verbis, & formulis orationis vestire idoneis, & aptis ei linguae in quam convertitur.  
ᵇ— 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪ etc. Minerva appearing to Menelaus like Phoenix, and encouraging him (as you may read before) to fight; he speaks as to Phoenix, and wishes Minerva would but put away the force or violence of the darts, and he would aid and fight bravely: which is a continuance of his character, being expressed for the most part by Homer ridiculous and simple. The original words yet (because neither Eobanus nor Valla understood the character) they utterly pervert; as if you please to examine them, you may see. The words are these, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which Spondanus truly interprets telorum verò depulerit impetum; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, being a compound of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; signifying arceo, repello, propulso, abigo; and yet they 〈◊〉 the words, & telis vim afferret: as if Menelaus wished that Pallas would give force to his darts; which Eobanus follows, saying, & tela valentia praestet, most ignorantly and unsufferably converting it; supposing them to be his own darts he spoke of; and would have blest with Miveruaes' addition of virtue and power; where Homer's are plain; he spoke of the enemy's darts; whose force if she would auer●…, he would fight for Patroclus.  
` 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Et ei Muscae audaciam in pectoribus immisit. Minerva inspired him with the courage of a fly; which all his interpreters very ridiculously laugh at in Homer; as if he hearty intended to praise Menelaus by it▪ not understanding his Irony here, agreeing with all the other silliness noted in his character. Eobanus Hessus, in pity of Homer, leaves it utterly out; and Valla comes over him with a little salve for the sore disgrace he hath by his ignorant reader's laughters; and expounds the words abovesaid thus: Lene namque eius ingenium prudenti audacia implevit: laying his medicine nothing near the place. Spondanus (disliking Homer with the rest in this Simile) would not have Lucian forgotten in his merry Encomium of a Fly; and therefore cities him upon this place, playing upon Homer; which, because it is already answered in the Irony to be understood in Homer, (he laughing at all men so ridiculous) I for bear to repeat; and cite only Eustathius, that would salve it, with altering the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifies confidentia, or audacia (per Metathesin literae▪) for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which is temeritas; of which I see not the end: and yet cite all, to show how s●…ch great Clerks are perplexed, and abuse Homer, as not being satis compotes mentis Poeticae; for want of which (which all their reading and language cannot supply) they are thus often gravelled and mistaken.  
ᵈ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Veluti Aquila: The sport Homer makes with Menelaus, is here likewise confirmed and amplified in another Simile, resembling him intentionally to a harefinder, though for colours sake he useth the word Eagle; as in all other places where he presents him (being so eminent a person) ●…e hides his simplicity with some shadow of glory or other. The circumstances making it clear; being here, and in divers other places made a messenger from Ajax, and others, to call such and such to their aid; which was unfit for a man of his place, if he had been in magnanimity and valour equal, or any thing near it. But to confirm his imperfection therein in divers other places, he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, mollis bellator; and therefore was fittest to be employed to call up those that were ●…ardier and abler. In going about which business, Homer shows how he looks about, leering like a hare-finder: for to make it simply a Simile illustrating the state of his address in that base affair, had neither wit nor decorum. Both which being at their height in the other sense (because our Homer was their great master to all accomplishment) let none detract so miserably from him, as to take this otherwise then a continuance of his Irony.   
The end of the seventeenth Book.   

THE XVIII. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

Achilles' mourns, told of Patroclus' end;  
When Thetis doth from forth the sea asc●…nd,  
And comfort him; advising to abstain  
From any fight, till her request could gain  
Fit arms of Vulcan. juno yet commands  
To show himself. And at the dike he stands  
In sight of th' enemy; who with his sight  
Flies; and a number perish in the flight.  
Patroclus' person (safe brought from the wars)  
His soldiers wash. Vulcan the arms prepares.   
Another Argument.  

Sigma continues the alarms,  
And fashions the renowned arms.   

THey fought still, like the rage of fire. And now Antilochus  
Came to Aeacides; whose mind, was much solicitous,  
For that, which (as he feared) was fallen. He found him near the fleet  
With upright saile-yeards, uttering this, to his heroic conceit:  
Ay me; why see the Greeks themselves, thus beaten from the field,  
And routed headlong to their fleet. O let not heaven yield 
Achilles to himself concerning Patroclus.   
Effect to what my sad soul fears; that (as I was foretold)  
The strongest Myrmidon, (next me) when I should still behold  
The suns fair light, must part with it. Past doubt, Menaetius son  
Is he on whom that fate is wrought; O wretch, to leave undone  
What I commanded; that the fleet, once freed of hostile fire,  
(Not meeting Hector) instantly, he should his powers retire.   

As thus his troubled mind discoursed, Antilochus appeared,  
And told with tears the sad news thus: My Lord, that must be heard, 
Antilochus re●…ates Patroclus' death.   
Which would to heaven I might not tell; Menaetius son lies dead;  
And for his naked corpse (his arms already forfeited,  
And worn by Hector) the debate, is now most vehement.   

This said, Grief darkened all his powers. With both his hands he rend  
The black mould from the forced earth, and poured it on his head; 
Achilles' his rage   
Smeared all his lovely face; his weeds (divinely fashioned)  
All filled and mangled; and himself, he threw upon the shore;  
Lay, as laid out for funeral. Then tumbled round, and tore  
His gracious curls; his Ecstacie, he did so far extend,  
That all the Ladies won by him, and his now slaughtered friend,  
(Afflicted strangely for his plight) came shrieking from the tents,  
And fell about him; beat their breasts; their tender lineaments  
Dissolved with sorrow. And with them, wept Nestor's warlike son,  
Fell by him, holding his fair hands, in fear he would have done  
His person violence; his heart (extremely straightened) burned,  
Beat, swelled, and sighed, as it would burst. So terribly he mourned;  
That Thetis sitting in the deeps, of her old father's seas;  
Herd, and lamented. To her plaints, the bright Nereids  
Flocked all; how many those dark gulfs, soever comprehend.  
There Glauce and Cymodoce, and Spyo did attend;  
Nesaea and Cymothoa, and calm Amphithoe;  
Thalia, Thoa, Panope, and swift Dynanime;  
Actaea and Lymnoria; and Halia the fair,  
Famed for the beauty of her eyes; Amathia for her hair;  
jaera, Proto, Clymene, and curled Dexamine;  
Pherusa, Doris; and with these, the smooth Amphinome;  
chaste Galathea so renowned; and Callianira came  
With Doto and Orythia, to cheer the mournful Dame;  
Apseudes likewise visited; and Callianassa gave  
Her kind attendance; and with her, Agave graced the Cave;  
Nemertes, Maera followed; Melita, janesse,  
With janira, and the rest, of those Nereids,  
That in the deep seas make abode; all which together beat  
Their dewy bosoms; and to all, thus Thetis did repeat  
Her cause of mourning: Sisters, hear, how much the sorrows weigh, 
Th●…u to the N●…reides.   
Whose cries, now called ye: hapless I, brought forth unhappily  
The best of all the sons of men; who (like a well-set plant,  
In best soils) grew and flourished; and when his spirit did want  
Employment for his youth and strength: I sent him with a fleet  
To fight at Ilium; from whence, his fate-confined feet  
Pass all my deity to retire. The court of his high birth,  
The glorious court of Peleus, must entertain his worth,  
Never hereafter. All the life, he hath to live with me,  
Must waste in sorrows; and this son, I now am bend to see,  
Being now afflicted with some grief; not usually grave;  
Whose knowledge and recure I seek. This said, she left her cave;  
Which all left with her; swimming forth; the green waves, as they swom,  
Cleft with their bosoms, curled, and gave, quick way to Troy. Being come,  
They all ascended; two and two; and trod the honoured shore,  
Till where the fleet of Myrmidons (drawn up in heaps) it bore.  
There stayed they at Achilles' ship; and there did Thetis lay 
Thet is to Achilles.   
Her fair hand on her sons curled head, sighed, wept, and bade him say,  
What grief drew from his eyes those tears? conceal it not (said she)  
Till this hour, thy uplifted hands, have all things granted thee.  
The Greeks (all thrust up at their sternes) have poured onit tears enough;  
And in them seen how much they miss, remission of thy vow. 
Achilles to Thetis.    

He said, 'tis true, Olympius, hath done me all that grace:  
But what joy have I of it all? when thus, ●…hrusts in the place,  
Loss of my whole self, in my friend? whom, when his foe had slain,  
He spoiled of those profaned arms, that Peleus did obtain  
From heavens high powers, solemnizing, thy sacred nuptial bands,  
As th'only present of them all; and fitted well their hands;  
Being lovely, radiant, marvelous; O would to heaven thy throne,  
With these fair deities of the sea, thou still hadst sat upon;  
And Peleus had a mortal wife; since by his means is done  
So much wrong to thy grieved mind; my death being set so soon,  
And never suffering my return, to grace of Peleus' court;  
Nor do I wish it; nor to live, in any man's resort;  
But only that the crying blood, for vengeance, of my friend,  
Mangled by Hector, may be stilled; his foes death paying his end.   

She weeping, said: That hour is near, and thy death's hour then nigh; 
●…etis to Achil●….   
Which in thy wish served of thy foe, succeed instantly.   

And instantly it shall succeed, (he answered) since my fate 
Achilles to The●…is.   
Allowed not to my will a power, to rescue (ere the date  
Of his late slaughter) my true friend. far from his friends he died;  
Whose wrong therein my eyes had light, and right to see denied.  
Yet now I neither light myself, nor have so spent my light,  
That either this friend or the rest, (in numbers infinite  
Slaughtered by Hector) I can help; nor grace, with wished repair  
To our dear country; but breath here, unprofitable air,  
And only live a load to earth, with all my st●…ngth, though none  
Of all the Grecians equal it. In counsel, many a one  
Is my superior; what I have, no grace gets; what I want,  
Disgraceth all. How then too soon, can hastiest death supplant  
My 〈◊〉- cursed life? her instrument, to my indignity,  
Being that black friend Contention; whom, would to God might die  
To gods and men; and Anger too, that kindles tyranny  
In men most wise; being much more sweet, then ●…quid honey is  
To men of power, to satiate, their watchful enmities;  
And like a pliant fume it spreads, through all their breasts; as late  
It stol●… stern passage through mine; which he did instigate,  
That is our General. But the fact, so long passed, the effect  
Must vanish with it, though both grieved; nor must we still respect  
Our soothed humours; Need now takes, the rule of either's mind.  
And when the loser of my friend, his death in me shall find;  
Let death take all. Send him, ye gods; I'll give him my embrace;  
Not Hercules himself shunned death, though dearest in the grace  
Of jupiter; even him, Fate stooped, and I●…s cruelty;  
And if such Fate expect my life; where death strikes, I will lie.  
Mean time I wish a good renown, that these deepe-brested Dames  
Of ●…ion and Dardania, may, for th'extinguished flames  
Of their friends lives, with both their hands, wipe miserable tears  
From their so curiously-kept cheeks; and be the officers  
To execute my sighs on Troy; when (seeing my long r●…ate  
But gathered strength, and gives my charge, an answerable heat)  
They well may know 'twas I lay still; 〈◊〉 that my being away,  
Presented all their happiness. But any further stay,  
(Which your much love perhaps may wish) assay not to persuade;  
All vows are kept; all prayers heard; now, free way for fight is made.  
The silver-footed Dame replied: It fits thee well, my son, 
Thetis' 〈◊〉 Achilles.   
To keep destruction from thy friends; but those fair arms are won  
And worn by Hector, that should keep, thyself in keeping them,  
Though their fruition be but short; a long death being near him,  
Whose cruel glory they are yet: by all means than forbear  
To tread the massacres of war, till I again appear  
From Mulciber with fit new arms; which, when thy eye shall see  
The Sun next rise, shall enter here, with his first beams and me.   

Thus to her sisters of the sea, she turned, and bade them open  
The doors and deeps of Nereus; she, in Olympus' top  
Must visit Vulcan for new arms, to serve her wreakful son; 
Thetis and th●… Nymphs 〈◊〉 Achill●….   
And bade inform her father so, with all things further done.   

This said, they underwent the sea, herself flew up to heaven;  
In mean space, to the Hellespont, and ships, the Greeks were driven,  
In shameful rout; nor could they yet, from rage of Priam's son,  
Secure the dead of new assaults; both horse and men made on,  
With such impression: thrice the feet, the hands of Hector seized;  
And thrice th' Aiaces thumped him off. With whose repulse displeased,  
He wreaked his wrath upon the troops; then to the corpse again,  
Made horrid turnings, crying out, of his rep●…sed men,  
And would not quit him quite for death. A Lion almost starved,  
Is not by upland herdsmen driven, from urging to be served  
With more contention, than his strength, by those two of a name;  
And had perhaps his much pr●…sd will; if th'airy-footed dame  
(Swift Iris) had not stooped in haste, Ambassadresse from heaven, 
Iris ambass●…dresse to Achilles from 〈◊〉.   
To Peleus' son, to bid him arm; her message being given  
By juno; kept from all the gods; she thus excited him:  
Rise thou most terrible of men, and save the precious limb  
Of thy beloved; in whose behalf, the conflict now runs high  
Before the fleet; the either host, fells other mutually;  
These to retain, those to obtain; amongst whom, most of all  
Is Hector prompt; he's apt to drag, thy friend home; he your pall  
Will make his shoulders; his head forced; he'll be most famous; 〈◊〉,  
No more lie idle; set the foe, a much more costly prize  
Of thy friend's value; then let dogs, make him a monument,  
Where thy name will be graven. He asked, What deity hath sent  
Thy presence hither? She replied; Saturnia; she alone,  
Not high jove knowing; nor one god, that doth inhabit on  
Snowy Olympus. He again; How shall I set upon  
The work of slaughter, when mine arms, are worn by Priam's son?  
How will my goddess mother grieve, that bade I should not arm,  
Till she brought arms from Mulciber? But should I do such harm  
To her and duty: who is he (but Ajax) that can vaunt  
The fitting my breast with his arms? and he is conversant  
Amongst the first, in use of his; and rampires of the foe  
(Slain near Patroclus) builds to him. All this (said she) we know,  
And wish, thou only wouldst but show, thy person to the eyes  
Of these hot Ilians, that (afraid, of further enterprise)  
The Greeks may gain some little breath. She wooed, and he was won,  
And strait Minerva honoured him; who Ioues shield clapped upon  
His mighty shoulders; and his head, girt with a cloud of gold,  
That cast beams round about his brows. And as when arms enfold  
A city in an I'll; from thence, a fume at first appears, 
Simile.   
(Being in the day) but when the Even, her cloudy forehead rears,  
Thick show the fires, and up they cast, their splendour, that men nigh  
Seeing their distress, perhaps may set, ships out to their supply:  
So (to show such aid) from his head, a light rose, scaling heaven.  
And forth the wall he stepped and stood; nor broke the precept given  
By his great mother (mixed in fight,) but sent abroad his voice,  
Which Pallas far off echoed; who did betwixt them hoist  
Shrill Tumult to a topless height. And as a voice is heard 
Simile.   
With emulous affection, when any town is sphered  
With siege of such a foe, as kills, men's minds; and for the town  
Makes sound his trumpet: so the voice, from Thetis' issue thrown,  
Won emulously th'ears of all. His brazen voice once heard,  
The minds of all were startled so, they yielded; and so feared  
The faire-maned horses, that they flew, back, and their chariots turned,  
Presaging in their augurous hearts, the labours that they mourned  
A little after; and their guides, a repercussive dread  
took from the horrid radiance, of his refulgent head.  
Which Pallas set on fire with grace. Thrice great Achilles spoke;  
And thrice (in heat of all the charge) the Troyans' started back.  
Twelve men, of greatest strength in Troy, left with their lives exhaled,  
Their chariots and their darts, to death, with his three summons called.  
And then the Grecians spritefully, drew from the darts the corpse,  
And hearst it, bearing it to fleet. His friends, with all remorse  
Marching about it. His great friend, dissolving then in tears,  
To see his truly-loued returned, so horsed upon an hearse,  
Whom with such horse and chariot, he set out safe and whole;  
Now wounded with unpitying steel, now sent without a soul,  
Never again to be restored, never received but so;  
He followed mourning bitterly. The Sun (yet far to go)  
juno commanded to go down; who in his powers despite, 
juno commands the Sun to go down before his time.   
Sunk to the Ocean; over earth, dispersing sudden Night.  
And then the Greeks, and Troyans' both, gave up their horse and darts.  
The Troyans' all to counsel called, ere they refreshed their hearts  
With any supper; nor would sit; they grew so stiff with fear,  
To see (so long from heavy fight) Aeacides appear.   

Polydam as began to speak, who only could discern  
Things future by things past; and was, vowed friend to Hector; borne  
In one night both; he thus advised: Consider well (my friends) 
Polydamas to Hector and the Troyans'.   
In this so great and sudden change, that now itself extends;  
What change is best for us t'oppose. To this stands my command;  
Make now the town our strength; not here, abide lights rosy hand;  
Our wall being far off, and our foe, (much greater) still as near.  
Till this foe came, I well was pleased, to keep our watches here;  
My fit hope, of the fleets surprise, inclined me so; but now,  
'tis stronglier guarded; and (their strength, increased) we must allow  
Our own proportionate amends. I doubt exceedingly  
That this indifferency of fight, twixt us and th'enemy;  
And these bounds we prefix to them; will nothing so confine,  
Th'uncurbed mind of Aeacides. The height of his design  
Aims at our city, and our wives; and all bars in his way  
(Being backed with less than walls) his power, will scorn to make his stay;  
And overrun, as overseen; and not his object. Then  
Let Troy be freely our retreat; lest being enforced, our men  
Twixt this, and that, be taken up, by Vultures; who by night  
May safe come off; it being a time, untimely for his might  
To spend at random; that being sure. If next light show us here  
To his assaults, each man will wish, that Troy his refuge were;  
And then feel, what he hears not now. I would to heaven mine ear  
Were free even now of those complaints, that you must after hear,  
If ye remove not. If ye yield (though wearied with a fight)  
So late and long; we shall have strength, in counsel, and the night.  
And (where we here have no more force, than Need will force us to,  
And which must rise out of our nerves) high ports, towers, walls will do  
What wants in us. And in the morn, all armed upon our towers;  
We all will stand out to our foe. 'twill trouble all his powers,  
To come from fleet, and give us charge; when his high-crested horse,  
His rage shall satiate with the toil, of this, and that ways course;  
Vain entry seeking underneath, our well-defended walls;  
And he be glad to turn to fleet, about his funerals.  
For of his entry here, at home; What mind will serve his thirst?  
Or ever feed him with sacked Troy? the dogs shall eat him first.   

At this speech, Hector bent his brows; and said, This make not great 
Hector's angry reply to Polydam●….   
Your grace with me, Polydamas; that argue for retreat  
To Troy's old prison; have we not, enough of those towers yet?  
And is not Troy, yet, charged enough, with impositions set  
Upon her citizens; to keep, our men from spoil, without?  
But still we must impose, within? that houses, with our rout,  
As well as purses, may be plagued? Before time, Priam's town  
Trafficked with diuers-languaged men; and all gave the renown  
Of rich Troy to it; brass, and gold, abounding: but her store  
Is now from every house exhausted; possessions evermore,  
Are sold out into Phrygia, and lovely Maeonie;  
And have been, ever since Ioues wrath. And now his clemency  
Gives me the mean, to quit our want, with glory; and conclude  
The Greeks in sea-bords, and our seas; to slack it, and extrude  
His offered bounty by our flight. Fool that thou art, be wray  
This counsel to no common ear; for no man shall obey.  
If any will, I'll check his will. But what ourself command,  
Let all observe: take suppers all; keeepe watch of every hand.  
If any Trojan have some spoil, that takes his too much care,  
Make him dispose it publicly; 'tis better any fare  
The better for him, than the Greeks. When light then decks the skies,  
Let all arm for a fierce assault. If great Achilles rise,  
And will enforce our greater toil; it may rise so to him;  
On my back, he shall find no wings; my spirit, shall force my limb  
To stand his worst; and give, or take; Mars is our common Lord,  
And the desirous sword-mans' life; he ever puts to sword.   

This counsel got applause of all; so much were all unwise;  
Minerva robbed them of their brains, to like the ill advice  
The great man gave; and leave the good, since by the meaner given.  
All took their suppers; but the Greeks, spent all the heavy Even  
About Patroclus mournful rites; Pelides leading all  
In all the forms of heaviness: he, by his side did fall;  
And his man-slaughtering hands imposed, into his oft-kist breast;  
Sighs, blew up sighs: and Lion-like, graced with a goodly crest, 
Simile.   
That in his absence being robbed, by hunters of his whelps,  
Returns to his so desolate den: and (for his wanted helps)  
Beholding his unlookt-for wants, flies roaring back again;  
Hunts the sly hunter; many a vale, resounding his disdain.  
So mourned Pelides, his late loss; so weighty were his moans,  
Which (for their dumb sounds) now gave words, to all his Myrmidom. 
Achilles to his Myrmidons.   
O gods (said he) how vain a vow, I made, (to cheer the mind)  
Of sad Menaetius, when his son, his hand to mine resigned;  
That high-towred Opus he should see; and leave raced Ilium,  
With spoil, and honour, even wi●…h me? but jove vouchsafes to none,  
Wished passages to all his vows; we both were destinate  
To bloody one earth here in Troy; nor any more estate  
In my return, hath Peleus, or Thetis; but because,  
I, last must undergo the ground, I'll keep no funeral laws  
(O my Patroclus) for thy Corpse; before I hither bring, 
Achilles to Patroclus body.   
The arms of Hector, and his head, to thee for offering.  
Twelve youths, the most renowned of Troy, I'll sacrifice beside,  
Before thy heap of funeral, to thee unpacifide.  
In mean time, by our crooked sternes, lie drawing tears from me;  
And round about thy honoured Corpse, these dames of Dardanie,  
And Ilium, with the ample breasts (whom our long spears, and powers,  
And labours, purchased from the rich, and by-us-ruind towers,  
And cities strong, and populous, with diuers-languaged men)  
Shall kneel, and neither, day, nor night, be licensed to abstain  
From solemn watches; their toiled eyes, held open with endless tears.   

This passion past; he gave command, to his near soldiers;  
To put a Tripod to the fire, to cleanse the festered gore,  
From off the person. They obeyed, and presently did power  
Fresh water in it; kindled wood, and with an instant flame,  
The belly of the Tripod girt; till fires hot quality came  
Up to the water. Then they washed, and filled the mortal wound  
With wealthy oil, of nine years old; then wrapped the body round,  
In largeness of a fine white sheet, and put it then in bed,  
When all, watched all night, with their Lord, and spent sighs on the dead.   

Then jove asked juno, if at length, she had sufficed her spleen; 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
Achilles being won to arms? or if she had not be●…e  
The natural mother of the Greeks; she did so still prefer  
Their quarrel? She incensed, asked why, he still was tanting her,  
For doing good to those she loved? since man to man might show  
Kind offices, though thrall to death; and though they did not know  
Half such deep counsels, as disclosed; beneath her farre-seeing state: 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
She, reigning Queen of goddesses; and being ingenerate  
Of one stock with himself; beside, the state of being his wife;  
And must her wrath, and ill to Troy, continue such a strife  
From time to time, twixt him and her? This private speech they had;  
And now the silver-footed Queen, had her ascension made, 
The●… enters the Court of Vul●…n.   
To that incorruptible house, that starry golden court  
Of fiery Vulcan; beautiful, amongst th'immortal sort.  
Which yet the lame god built himself: she found him in a sweat,  
About his bellows; and in haste, had twenty Tripods beat,  
To set for stools about the sides, of his well-builded hall.  
To whose feet, little wheels of gold, he put, to go withal;  
And enter his rich dining room; alone, their motion free  
And back again go out alone, miraculous to see.  
And thus much he had done of them; yet handles were to add;  
For which he now was making studs. And while their fashion had  
Employment of his skilful hand; bright Thetis was come near,  
Whom first, fair well-haird Charis saw, that was the nuptial fere,  
Of famous Vulcan; who, the hand, of Thetis took, and said;   

Why, faire-trained, loved, and honoured Dame, are we thus visited 
Charis the wife of Vulcan to Thetis.   
By your kind presence? You I think, were never here before;  
Come near, that I may banquet you, and make you visit more.   

She led her in, and in a chair, of silver (being the fruit  
Of Vulcan's hand) she made her sit: a footstool, of a suit,  
Apposing to her Crystal feet; and called the god of fire  
For Thetis was arrived (she said) and entertained desire,  
Of some grace, that his art might grant. Thetis to me (said he) 
Vulcan to Charis   
Is mighty, and most reverend, as one that nourished me,  
When Grief consumed me; being cast, from heaven, by want of shame  
In my proud mother, who because, she brought me forth so lame,  
Would have me made away; and then, had I been much distressed,  
Had Thetis and Eurynome, in either's silver breast  
Not rescued me. Eurynome, that to her father had  
Reciprocal Oceanus; nine years with them I made  
A number of well-arted things; round bracelets, b●…ons brave;  
Whistles, and Carquenets: my forge, stood in a hollow Cave,  
About which (murmuring with foam) th'unmeasured Ocean  
Was ever beating; my abode, known no●… to god, nor man,  
But Thetis, and Eury●…one, and they would see me still:  
They were my loving guardians: now than the starry hill,  
And our particular roof thus graced, with bright-haired Thetis here;  
It fits me always to repay, a recompense as dear  
To her thoughts, as my life to me. Haste Charis, and appose  
Some dainty guest-rites to our friend, while I my bellows lose  
From fire, and lay up all my tools. Then from an anvil rose  
Th'unwieldy Monster; halted down, and all awry he went.  
He took his bellows from the fire, and every instrument  
Locked safe up in a silver chest. Then with a sponge he dressed  
His face all over, neck and hands, and all his hairy breast:  
Put on his Coat, his Sceptre took, and then went halting forth:  
Handmaids of gold, attending him; resembling in all worth, 
Vulcan's attendants.   
Living young damsels; filled with minds, and wisdom, and were trained  
In all immortal ministry; virtue, and voice contained,  
And moved with voluntary powers: and these still waited on  
Their fiery Sovereign; who (not apt, to walk) sat near the throne  
Of faire-haired Thetis; took her hand; and thus he courted her:   

For what affair, o faire-trained Queen, reverend to me, and dear, 
Vulcan to Thetis.   
Is our Court honoured with thy state? That hast not heretofore  
Performed this kindness? Speak thy thoughts; thy suit can be no more,  
Then my mind gives me charge to grant; can my power get it wrought?  
Or that it have not only power, of only act in thought?   

She thus: O Vulcan, is there one, of all that are of heaven, 
Th●…t to Vulcan.   
That in her never-quiet mind, Saturnius hath given  
So much affliction as to me? whom only he subjects  
(Of all the Sea-Nymphs) to a man; and makes me bear th'affects  
Of his frail bed: and all against, the freedom of my will.  
And he worn to his root, with age: from him, another ill,  
Ariseth to me; Iup●…ter, you know, hath given a son  
(The excellenst of men) to me; whose education,  
On my part, well hath answered, his own worth; having grown,  
As in a fruitful soil, a tree, that puts not up alone,  
His body to a naked height; but jointly gives his growth  
A thousand branches; yet to him, so short a life I brought,  
That never I shall see him more, returned to Peleus Court.  
And all that short life he hath spent, in most unhappy sort.  
For first he won a worthy Dame, and had her by the hands  
Of all the Grecians: yet this Dame, Atrides countermands:  
For which, in much disdain he mourned, and almost pined away,  
And yet, for this wrong, he received, some honour, I must say;  
The Greeks being shut up at their ships; not suffered to advance,  
A head out of their battered sternes; and mighty suppliance,  
By all their grave men hath been made, gifts, honours, all proposed  
For his reflection; yet he still, kept close, and saw enclosed  
Their whole host, in this general plague. But now his friend put on  
His arms; being sent by him to field, and many a Myrmidon  
In conduct of him; all the day, they fought before the gates  
Of Scaea; and most certainly, that day had seen the dates,  
Of all Troy's honours, in her dust; if Phoebus (having done  
Much mischief more) the envy life, of good Men●…tius son,  
Had not with partial hands enforced; and all the honour given  
To Hector, who hath prisd his arms; and therefore I am driven,  
T'embrace thy knees, for new defence, to my loved son: alas,  
His life prefixed, so short a date, had need spend that with grace.  
A shield then for him, and a helm, fair greaveses, and curets such,  
As may renown thy workmanship; and honour him as much;  
I sue for, at thy famous hands. Be confident (said he)  
Let these wants breed thy thoughts, no care; I would it lay in me,  
To hide him from his heavy death; when Fate shall seek for him; 
Vulcan to 〈◊〉   
As well, as with renowned arms, to fit his goodly limb;  
Which thy hands shall convey to him; and all eyes shall admire:  
See, and desire again to see, thy satisfied desire.   

This said, he left her there; and forth, did to his bellows go, 
Vulcan 〈◊〉 to forge arms for Achille●….   
Apposde them to the fire again, commanding them to blow.  
Through twenty holes made to his hearth, at once blew twenty pair,  
That ●…it'd his coals, sometimes with soft, sometimes with vehement air;  
As he willed, and his work required. Amids the flame he cast,  
Tin, Silver, precious Gold, and Brass; and in the stock he placed,  
A mighty anvil; his right hand, a weighty hammer held;  
His left his tongues. And first he forged, a strong and spacious shield  
Adorned with twenty several hews: about whose verge he beat,  
A ring, threefold and radiant; and on the back he set,  
A silver handle; fivefold were, the equal lines he drew  
About the whole circumference: in which, his hand did show,  
(Directed with a knowing mind) a rare variety:  
For in it he presented earth; in it, the sea, and sky:  
In it, the-never-wearied Sun; the Moon exactly round,  
And all those stars, with which the brows, of ample heaven are crowned;  
Orion, all the Pleyades; and those seven Atlas got;  
The close-beamed Hyadeses. The Bear, surnamed the Chariot,  
That turns about heavens axle-tree; holds o●…a a constant eye▪  
Upon Orion; and, of all, the Cressets in the sky,  
His golden forehead never bows, to th' Ocean Empery.   

Two cities in the spacious shield, he built with goodly state, 
Two cities forged in Achilles' arms   
Of diuerse-languaged men: the one, did nuptials celebrate,  
Observing at them, solemn feasts: the Brides from forth their bowers  
With torches, usherd through the streets: a world of Paramours  
Excited by them; youths, and maids, in lovely circles 〈◊〉:  
To whom the merry Pipe, and Harp, the sprightly sounds advanced;  
The matrons standing in their doors, admiring. Otherwhere,  
A solemn Court of law was kept, were throngs of people were:  
The case in question, was a fine, imposed on one, that slew  
The friend of him that followed it, and for the fine did sue;  
Which th'other pleaded he had paid. The adverse part denied,  
And openly affirmed he had, no penny satisfied.  
Both put it to arbitrement; the people cried 'twas best  
For both parts; and th'Assistants too, gave their dooms like the rest.  
The Heralds made the people peace: the Seniors than did bear  
The voicefull Herald's sceptres; sat, within a sacred sphere  
On polished stones; and gave by turns, their sentence. In the Court  
Two talents gold were cast, for him, that iugded in justest sort.   

The other city, other wars, employed as busily, 
The martial city in the shield of Achilles.   
Two armies glittering in arms, of one confederacy,  
Besieged it; and a parley had, with those within the town;  
Two ways they stood resolved; to see, the city overthrown:  
Or that the citizens should heap, in two parts all their wealth,  
And give them half. They neither liked, but armed themselves by stealth:  
Left all their old men, wives, and boys, behind, to man their walls;  
And stole out to their enemy's town. The Queen of marshals,  
And Mars himself conducted them; both which being forged of gold,  
Must needs have golden furniture: and men might so behold,  
They were presented deities. The people, Vulcan forged  
Of ●…eaner metal. When they came, where that was to be urged  
For which they went; within a vale, close to a flood, whose stream  
Used to give all their cattle drink; they there enambusht them:  
And sent two scouts out to descry, when th'enemies' herds, and sheep  
Were setting out. They straight c●…me forth, with two that used to keep  
Their pass●…ge always; both which piped, and went on merrily;  
Nor dreamed of Ambuscados there. The Ambush then let fly;  
Slew all their white fleeced sheep, and neat, and by them laid their guard.  
When those in si●…ge before the town, so strange an uproar heard,  
Behind, amongst their flocks, and herds; (being then in counsel set)  
They then start up, took horse, and soon, their subtle enemy met;  
Fought with them on the rivers shore, where both gave mutual blows  
With w●…ll piled darts. Amongst them all: perverse Contention rose,  
Amongst them Tumult was enraged: amongst them ruinous Fate,  
Had her red-finger; some they took, in an unhurt estate;  
Some hurt; yet living; some quite slain: and those they tugged to them  
By both the feet; stripped off and took, their weeds, with all the stream  
Of blood upon them; that their steels, had manfully let out.  
They fared as men alive indeed, drew dead indeed about.   

To these, the fiery Artisan, did add a new-eared field 
A new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the shield.   
Larged and thrice ploughed; the soil being soft, and of a wealthy yield,  
And many men at plough he made, that drove earth here and there,  
And turned up stitches orderly; at whose end when they were,  
A fellow ever gave their hands, full cups of luscious wine;  
Which emptied, for another stitch, the earth they undermine;  
And long till th'utmost bound be reached, of all the ample Close:  
The soil turned up behind the plough, all black like earth arose,  
Though forged of nothing else but gold, and lay in show as light,  
As if it had been ploughed indeed; miraculous to sight.   

There grew by this, a field of corn, high, ripe; where reapers wrought, 
A field of cor●…e.   
And let thick handfuls fall to earth; for which, some other brought  
Bands, and made sheaves. Three binder's stood, and took the handfuls reaped,  
From boys that gathered quickly up; and by them armfuls heaped.  
Amongst these at a ●…urrowes end, the king stood pleased at heart;  
Said no word, but his sceptre showed. And from him, much apart,  
His harvest Bailiffs, underneath, an Oak, a feast prepared:  
And having killed a mighty Ox, stood there to see him shared;  
Which women, for their harvest folks (then come to sup) had dressed;  
And many-white-wheate-cakes bestowed, to make it up a feast.   

He set near this, a vine of gold; that cracked beneath the weight 
A 〈◊〉 of gold.   
Of bunches, black with being ripe, to keep which, at the height,  
A silver rail ran all along; and round about it flowed  
An azure mote; and to this guard, a quickset was bestowed  
Of Tin, one only path to all; by which the pressemen came  
In time of vintage; youths, and maids, that bore not yet the flame  
Of manly Hymen; baskets bore, of grapes, and mellow fruit.  
A lad that sweetly touched a harp, to which his voice did suit,  
Centered the circles of that youth; all whose skill could not do  
The wantoness pleasure to their minds, that danced, sung, whistled to.   

A herd of Oxen than he carved, with high raised heads; forged all 
A heard of oxen   
Of Gold and Tin (for colour mixed) and bellowing from their stall,  
Rushed to their pastures, at a flood, that echoed all their throats;  
Exceeding swift, and full of ●…eeds; and all in ●…ellow coats,  
Four herdsmen followed; after whom, nine Mastiffs went. In head  
Of all the heard, upon a Bull, that deadly bellowed,  
Two horrid Lions rampt, and seized, and (tugged off) bellowing still,  
Both men, and dogs came; yet they tore, the hide, and leapt their fill  
Of black blood; and the entrails eat. In vain the men assayed,  
To set their dogs on: none durst pinch, but curre-like stood and bayd  
In both the faces of their kings; and all their onsets fled.   

Then in a passing pleasant vale, the famous Artsman fed, 
Flocks of sheep.   
(Upon a goodly pasture ground) rich flocks, of white-fleeced sheep;  
Built stables, cottages, and coats; that did the shepherds keep  
From wind and weather. Next to these, he cut a dancing place, 
A labyrinth.   
All full of turnings; that was like, the admirable maze  
For faire-haired Ariadne made, by cunning Dedalus;  
And in it, youths, and virgins danced; all young and beauteous,  
And glued in another's palms. Weeds that the wind did toss,  
The virgins wore: the youths, woven coats, that cast a faint dim gloss,  
Like that of oil. Fresh garlands to, the virgins temples crowned;  
The youth's guilt swords wore, at their thighs; with silver baw dricks bound:  
Sometimes all wound close in a ring; to which as fast they spun,  
As any wheel a Turner makes, being tried how it will run,  
While he is set; and out again, as full of speed, they wound;  
Not one left fast, or breaking hands. A multitude stood round;  
Delighted with their nimble sport: to end which two begun  
(Mids all) a song, and turning sung, the spo●…s conclusion.  
All this he circled in the shield, with pouring round about  
(In all his rage) the Ocean, that it might never out.   

This shield thus done, he forged for him, such curets, as out shined  
The blaze of fire: a helmet then (through which no steel could find  
Forced passage) he composed, whose hu●…, a hundred colours took;  
And in the crest, a plume of gold, that each breath stirred, he stuck.   

All done; he all to Thetis brought, and held all up to her;  
She took them all, and liked the hawk, (surnamed the Osspringer)  
From Vulcan to her mighty son; with that so glorious show,  
Stooped from the steep Olympian hill, hid in eternal snow.   

COMMENTARIUS.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Thus turned by Spondanus ad verbum:  

Vt autem cognitu facilis vox est, cum clangit tuba  
Vrbem obsidentes hostes propter perniciosos:  
Sic tunc clara vox fuit Aeacid●…,  
Hi autem postquam igitur audiverunt vocem ferream Aeacidae:  
Omnibus commotus est animus.   
Valla thus:  Sicut enim cum obsidentibus saevis urbem hostibus, vel clarior vox, vel classicum perstrepit; ita nunc Achilles magna voce inclamavit.— quam cum audirent Troiani, perturbati sunt animis. 
Eobanus Hessus thus:  — Nam sicut ab urbe Obsessa increpuere tubae, vel classica cantu Ferrea; sic Troas vox perturbabat Achilles. 
Mine own harsh conversion (in which I will be bold to repeat after these, thus closely for your easier examination) is this; as before,  

— And as a voice is heard  
With emulous attention, when any town is sphered  
With siege of such a foe as kills, men's minds; and for the town  
Makes sound his trumpet: so the voice, from Thetis' issue thrown,  
Won emulously the ears of all. His brazen voice once heard,  
The minds of all were startled so, they yielded.   
In conference of all our translations, I would gladly learn of my more learned Reader; if the two last conversions do any thing near express the conceit of Homer, or if they bear any grace worth the signification of his words, and the sense of his illustration. Whose intent was not to express the clearness or shrillness of his voice in itself; but the envious terror it wrought in the Troyans'. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, not signi●…ing in this place clara, or cognitu facilis vox; but emulanda vox. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying, quem valde aemulamur, aut valde aemulandus: though these interpreters would rather receive it here for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, verso 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ut sit clarus, illustris, etc. But how silly a curiosity is it to alter the word upon ignorance of the signification it hath in his place? the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being a compound of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifieth valde, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which is aemulatio: or of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies aemulor? To this effect then (saith Homer in this Simile,) As a voice that works a terror, carrying an envy with it, sounds to a city besieged when the trumpet of a dreadful and mind-destroying enemy summons it, (for so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifies, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying animum destruens, being a compound of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifies destruo; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is animus,) that i●…, when the parley comes, after the trumpets sound, uttering the resolution of the dreadful enemy before it. The further application of this simile is left out by mischance.   
The end of the eighteenth Book.   

THE XIX. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

Thetis', presenting armour to her son;  
He calls a Court, with full reflection  
Of all his wrath. Takes of the king of men  
Free-offerd gifts. All take their breakfast then▪  
He (only fasting) Arms, and brings abroad,  
The Grecian host. And (heairng the abode  
Of his near death by Xanthus prophesied)  
The horse, for his so bold presage, doth chide.   
Another Argument.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gives the anger period  
And great Achilles comes abroad.   

THe Morn arose, and from the Ocean, in her saffron rob,  
Gave light to all: as well to gods, as men of th'under globe.  
Thetis stooped home, and found the prostrate person of her son, 
Thetis appears To Achilles.   
About his friend; still pouring out, himself in passion:  
A number more, being heavy consorts to him in his cares.  
Amongst them all, Thetis appeared; and sacred comforters  
Made these short words. Though we must grieve, yet bear it thus; (my son)  
It was no man that prostrated, in this sad fashion  
Thy dearest friend; it was a god, that first laid on his hand;  
Whose will is law: the gods decrees, no human must withstand.  
Do thou embrace this Fabric of a god; whose hand, before,  
Near forged the like; and such as yet, no human shoulder wore.   

Thus (setting down;) The precious metal of the arms was such,  
That all the room rung with the weight, of every slenderest touch.  
Cold tremble took the Myrmidons; none durst sustain, all feared 
Achilles' rapture at the sight of his arms.   
T'oppose their eyes: Achilles yet, as soon as they appeared,  
Stern Anger entered. From his eyes (as if the day-star rose)  
A radiance terrifying men, did all the state enclose.  
At length, he took into his hands, the rich gift of the god;  
And (much pleased, to behold the art, that in the shield he showed)  
He broke forth into this applause; O mother, these, right well,  
Show an immortal fingers touch; man's hand must never deal  
With arms again. Now I will arm; yet (that no honour make  
My friend forgotten) I much fear, lest with the blows of flies,  
His brasse-inflicted wounds are filled; life gone; his person lies  
All apt to putrefaction. She bade him, doubt no harm,  
Of those offences: she would care, to keep the petulant swarm  
Of flies (that usually taint, the bodies of the slain)  
From his friend's person: though a year, the earth's top should sustain  
His slaughtered body, it should still, rest sound, and rather hold  
A better state, then worse; since time, that death first made him cold:  
And so bade call a Council to, dispose of new alarms,  
Where (to the king, that was the Pastor of that flock in arms)  
He should depose all anger and, put on a fortitude  
Fit for his arms. All this, his powers, with dreadful strength endued.  
She, with her fair hand, stilled into, the nostrils of his friend,  
Red Nectar, and Ambrosia; with which she did defend  
The Corpse from putrefaction. He trod along the shore,  
And summoned all th'heroic Greeks'; with all that spent before 
Achilles' 〈◊〉 all the Greeks to Counsel.   
The time in exercise with him; the Masters, Pilots to,  
Victuallers, and all; all when they saw, Achilles summon so,  
Swarmed to the Council, having long, left the laborious wars.  
To all these, came two halting kings, true servitors of Mars,  
Tydides', and wise Ithacus, both leaning on their spears:  
Their wounds still painful; and both these, sat first of all the 〈◊〉▪   

The last come, was the king of men, sore wounded with the lance  
Of Coon Antenorides. All set, the first in utterance, 
●…hilles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Council.   
Was Thetis son; who rose, and said; Atrides, had not this  
Conferred most profit to us both? when both our enmities  
Consumed us 〈◊〉? and for a wench? whom, when I choosed for prize,  
(In laying Lyrnessus ruin'd walls, amongst our victories)  
I would to heaven (as first she set, her dainty foot aboard)  
Diana as hand had tumbled off, and with a javelin gored.  
For then, th'vn measurable earth, had not so thick been gnawn,  
(In deaths conulsions) by our friends; since my affects were drawn  
To such distemper. To our foe, and to our foes chief friend  
Our jar brought profit: but the Greeks, will never give an end  
To thought of what it prejudiced them. Past things yet, past our aid;  
Fit grief, for what wrath ruled in them; must make th'amends repaid  
With that necessity of love; that now forbids our ir●…;  
Which I with free affects obey. 'tis for the senseless fire  
Still to be burning, having stuff; but men, must curb rage still,  
Being framed with voluntary powers, as well to check the will,  
As give it rains. Give you then charge, that for our instant fight,  
The Greeks may follow me to field; to try if still the Night  
Will bear out Troyans' at our ships. I hope there is some one,  
Amongst their chief encouragers, will thank me to be gone;  
And bring his heart down to his knees, in that submission.   

The Greeks rejoiced, to hear the heart, of Peleus' mighty son,  
So qualified. And then the king (not rising from his throne,  
For his late hurt) to get good 〈◊〉; thus ordered his ●…plie:   

Princes of Greece, your states shall suffer no indignity; 
〈◊〉 to the Princes of Greece.   
If (being far off) ye stand and hear; nor fits it such as stand,  
At greater distance, to disturb, the counsel now in hand,  
By uproar; in their too much care, of hearing. Some, of force,  
Must lose some words: for, hard it is, in such a great concourse,  
(Though hearers ears be near so sharp) to touch at all things spoke.  
And in assemblies of such thrust, how can a man provoke  
Fit power to hear, or leave to speak? best auditors may there,  
Lose fittest words; and the most vocal Orator, fit ear.  
My main end then, to satisfy, Pelides with reply,  
My words shall prosecute. To him, my speech especially  
Shall bear direction. Yet I wish, the court in general,  
Would give fit ear; my speech shall need, attention of all.   

Oft have our Peers of Greece, much blamed, my forcing of the prize,  
Due to Achilles; of which act, not I, but destinies,  
And jove himself; and black Erynnis (that casts false mists still  
Betwixt us, and our actions done, both by her power, and will)  
Are authors: what could I do then? The very day, and hour,  
Of our debate, that fury stole, in that act, on my power.  
And more; All things are done by strife: that ancient seed of jove  
Ate, that hurts all, perfects all. Her feet, are soft; and move 
Ate the godde●… of cont●…ion.   
Not on the earth; they bear her still, aloft men heads; and there,  
The harmful hurts them. Nor was I, alone her prisoner;  
jove (best of men, and gods) hath been. Not he himself hath gone  
Beyond her fetters: no she made, a woman put them on.  
For when Alcmene was to vent, the force of Hercules,  
In well walled Thebes: thus jove triumphed; Hear gods, and goddesses,  
The words, my joys urged: In this day, Lucina (bringing pain,  
To labouring women) shall produce, into the light of men,  
A man, that all his neighbour kings, shall in his Empire hold;  
And vant, that more than manly race, whose honoured veins enfold  
My eminent blood. Saturnia, conceived a present sleight,  
And urged confirmance of his vant, t'infringe it; her conceit,  
In this sort urged: Thou wilt not hold, thy word with this rare man;  
Or if thou wilt, confirm it with, the oath Olympian;  
That whosoever falls this day, betwixt a woman's knees,  
Of those men's stocks, that from thy blood, derive their pedigrees  
Shall all his neighbour towns command. jove (ignorant of fraud) 
Iuno●… deceit of jupiter.   
took that great oath, which his great ill, gave little cause t'applaude.  
Down from Olympus' top, she stooped; and quickly reached the place  
In Argos, where the famous wife, of Sthenelus (whose race  
He fetch from jove, by Perseus) dwelled. She was but sevenths' months gone  
With issue; yet she brought it forth; Alcmena's matchless son  
Delayed from light; Saturnia, repressed the teeming throws  
Of his great mother. Up to heaven, she mounts again, and shows,  
(In glory) her deceit to jove. Bright lightning jove (said she)  
Now th' Argives have an Emperor; a son derived from thee 
junos' insul●… after her de●…ipt   
Is borne to Persian Sthenelus; Euristeus, his name;  
Noble and worthy of the rule, thou sworest to him. This came  
Close to the heart of jupiter; and Ate, that had wrought  
This anger by Saturnia, by her bright-haire he caught;  
Held down her head, and over her, made this infallible vow:  
That never to the cope of stars, should reascend that brow,  
Being so infortunate to all. Thus, swinging her about,  
He cast her from the fiery heaven; who ever since thrust out  
Her forked sting, in th'affairs of men. jove ever since did grieve,  
Since his dear issue Hercules, did by his vow achieve,  
Th'unjust toils of Eurysteus: thus fares it now with me;  
Since under Hector's violence, the Grecian progeny,  
Fell so unfitly by my spleen; whose falls will ever stick  
In my grieved thoughts; my weakness yet, (Saturnius making sick  
The state my mind held) now recured; th'amends shall make even weight  
With my offence: and therefore rouse, thy spirits to the fight,  
With all thy forces; all the gifts, proposed thee, at thy tent,  
(Last day) by royal Ithacus, my officers shall present;  
And (if it like thee) strike no stroke, (though never so on thorns  
Thy mind stands to thy friend's revenge) till my command, adorns  
Thy tents, and coffers, with such gifts, as well may let thee know,  
How much I wish thee satisfied. He answered, let thy vow, 
Achilles' his noble answer of Aga●…non.   
(Renowned Atrides) at thy will, be kept, (as justice would)  
Or keep thy gifts, 'tis all in thee. The counsel now we hold,  
Is for repairing our main field, with all our fortitude.  
My fair show made, brooks no retreat; nor must delays delude  
Our deeds expectance. Yet undone, the great work is; all eyes  
Must see Achilles in first fight, depeopling enemies;  
As well as counsel it in court: that every man set on;  
May choose his man, to imitate, my exercise upon.   

Ulysses' answered, do not yet, (thou man, made like the gods) 
V●…sses A●….   
Take fasting men to field: suppose, that whatsoever odds,  
It brings against them, with full men, thy boundless eminence,  
Can amply answer; yet refrain, to tempt a violence.  
The conflict wearing out our men, was late, and held as long;  
Wherein, though most, jove stood for Troy; he yet made our part strong  
To bear that most. But 'twas to bear, and that breeds little heart.  
Let wine and bread then add to it: they help the twofold part,  
The soul, and body in a man; both force, and fortitude.  
All day men cannot fight, and fast; though never so endued  
With minds to fight; for that supposed, there lurks yet secretly,  
Thirst, hunger, in th'oppressed joints; which no mind can supply.  
They take away a marchers knees. men's bodies thoroughly fed▪  
Their mind's share with them in their strength; and (all day combated)  
One stirs not, till you call off all. Dismiss them then to meat,  
And let Atrides tender here, in sight of all this seat,  
The gifts he promised. Let him swear, before us all, and rise  
To that oath; that he never touched, in any wanton wise,  
The Lady he enforced. Besides, that he remains in mind  
As chastened satisfied: not touched, or privily inclined  
With future vantages. And last; 'tis fit he should approve  
All these rites, at a solemn feast, in honour of your love;  
That so you take no mangled law, for merits absolute.  
And thus the honours you receive, resolving the pursuit  
Of your friend's quarrel, well will quit, your sorrow for your friend.  
And thou Atrides in the taste, of so severe an end;  
Hereafter may on others hold, a juster government.  
Nor will it ought impair a king, to give a sound content  
To any subject, sound wronged. I joy (replied the king) 
〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.   
O Laertiades, to hear, thy liberal counseling.  
In which is all decorum kept; nor any point lacks touch,  
That might be thought on, to conclude, a reconcilement, such  
As fits example; and us two. My mind yet makes me swear,  
Not your impulsion. And that mind, shall rest so kind and clear,  
That I will not forswear to God. Let then Achilles stay,  
(Though never so inflamed for fight) and all men here I pray,  
To stay, till from my tents these gifts, be brought here; and the truce,  
At all parts finished before all. And thou, of all I choose,  
(Divine Ulysses) and command, to choose of all your host,  
Youths of most honour, to present, to him we honour most,  
The gifts we late vowed; and the Dames. Mean space, about our tents,  
Talthybius shall provide a Boar; to crown these kind events,  
With thankful sacrifice to jove, and to the God of light.   

Achilles' answered: These affairs, will show more requisite 
Achilles to Ulysses.   
(Great king of men) some other time, when our more free estates  
Yield fit cessation from the war; and when my spleen abates.  
But now (to all our shames beside) our friends by Hector slain,  
(And jove to friend) lie unfetch off. Haste then, and meat your men;  
Though I must still say: My command, would lead them fasting forth,  
And all together feast, at night. Meat will be something worth,  
When stomachs first have made it way, with venting infamy,  
(And other sorrows late sustained) with longed for wreaks, that lie  
Heavy upon them, for rights sake. Before which load be got  
From off my stomach; meat nor drink, I vow, shall down my throat;  
My friend being dead; who digged with wounds, & bored through both his feet,  
Lies in the entry of my tent; and in the tears doth fleet  
Of his associates. Meat and drink, have little merit then  
To comfort me; but blood and death, and deadly groans of men.   

The great in counsels, yet made good, his former counsels thus: 
Ulysses' his r●…ly.   
O Peleus son, of all the Greeks, by much most valorous;  
Better and mightier than myself; no little, with thy lance,  
I yield thy worth; in wisdom yet, no less I dare advance  
My right above thee; since above, in years, and knowing more.  
Let then thy mind rest in thy words; we quickly shall have store,  
And all satiety of fight; whose steel heaps store of straw,  
And little corn upon a floor; when jove (that doth withdraw,  
And join all battles) once gins, t'encline his balances,  
In which he weighs the lives of men. The Greeks you must not press,  
To mourning with the belly; death, hath nought to do with that,  
In healthful men, that mourn for friends. His steel we stumble at,  
And fall at, every day you see, sufficient store, and fast.  
What hour is it that any breaths? we must not use more haste  
Than speed holds fit for our revenge: nor should we mourn too much.  
Who dead is, must be buried; men's patience should be such,  
That one days moan should serve one man: the dead must end with Death,  
And life last with what strengthens life. All those that held their breath  
From death in fight, the more should eat, that so they may supply  
Their fellows that have stuck in field; and fight incessantly.  
Let none expect reply to this, nor stay; for this shall stand,  
Or fall with some offence to him, that looks for new command;  
Who ever in dislike holds back. All join then; all things fit,  
Allowed for all; set on a charge; at all parts answering it.   

This said, he choosed (for noblest youths, to bear the presents) these,  
The sons of Nestor; and with them, renowned Meriones. 
The names of those that carried the presents to Achilles.   
Phylidas, Thoas, Lycomed, and Meges, all which went  
(And Menalippus following, Ulysses) to the tent  
Of Agamemnon. He but spoke; and with the word, the deed  
Had joint effect: the fitness well, was answered in the speed.   

The presents, added to the Dame, the General did enforce,  
Were twenty cauldrons, Tripods seven, twelve young and goodly horse:  
Seven Ladies excellently seen, in all Min●…es skill; 
The presents.   
The eight Brisaeis, who had power, to ravish every will.  
Twelve talents of the finest gold; all which Ulysses weighed,  
And carried first; and after him, the other youths conveyed  
The other presents; tendered all, in face of all the Court.  
Up rose the King. Talthybius (whose voice had a report  
Like to a god) called to the rites; there, having brought the Boar,  
Atrides with his knife took say, upon the part before; 
Agamennons at●…ation.   
And lifting up his sacred hands, to jove, to make his vows;  
Grave Silence struck the complete Court; when (casting his high brows,  
Up to the broad heaven) thus he spoke: Now witness jupiter,  
(First, highest, and thou best of gods) thou Earth, that all dost bear;  
Thou Sun; ye Furies under earth, that every soul torment,  
Whom impious perjury distaines; that nought incontinent,  
In bed, or any other act, to any slenderest touch  
Of my light vows, hath wronged the Dame; and let my plagues be such,  
As are inflicted by the gods, in all extremity  
On whomsoever perjured men, if godless perjury  
In least degree dishonour me. This said, the bristled throat  
Of the submitted sacrifice, with ruthless steel he cut.  
Which strait into the hoary sea, Talthybius cast, to feed  
The seaborn nation. Then stood up, the halfe-celestiall seed  
Of faire-haired Thetis, strengthening thus, Atrides innocence.   

O father jupiter, from thee, descends the confluence 
Achilles to jupiter.   
Of all man's ill; for now I see, the mighty king of men,  
At no hand forced away my prize; nor first inflamed my spleen,  
With any set ill in himself; but thou, the king of gods,  
(Incensed with Greece) made that the mean to all their periods.  
Which now, amend we, as we may; and give all suffrages  
To what wise Ithacus advised. Take breakfasts, and address  
For instant conflict. Thus he raised, the Court, and all took way  
To several ships. The Myrmidons, the presents did convey  
T'achilles' fleet; and in his tents, disposed them; doing grace,  
Of seat, and all rites to the Dames. The horses put in place,  
With others of Aeacides. When (like loves golden Queen)  
Brisaeis (all in ghastly wounds) had dead Patroclus seen;  
She fell about him, shrieking ou●…; and with her white hands tore  
Her hair, breasts, radiant cheeks; and drowned, in warm tears, did deplore  
His cruel destiny. At length, she got power to express  
Her violent passion; and thus spoke, this-like-the goddesses.   

O good Patroclus, to my life, the dearest grace, it had; 
Bri●… complaint over the body of 〈◊〉.   
I (wretched dame) departing hence, enforced; and dying sad,  
Left thee alive, when thou hadst cheered, my poor captivity;  
And now returned, I find thee dead; misery on misery,  
Ever increasing with my steps. The Lord to whom my Sire,  
And dearest mother gave my life, in nuptials; his life's fire  
I saw before our city gates, extinguished; and his fate,  
Three of my worthy brother's lives, in one womb generate,  
Felt all, in that black day of death. And when Achilles' hand  
Had slain all these, and raced the town, Mynetes did command;  
(All cause of never-ending griefs, presented) thou took'st all  
On thy endeavour, to convert, to joy as General;  
Affirming, he that hurt, should heal; and thou wouldst make thy friend  
(Brave Captain that thou wert) supply, my vowed husband's end;  
And in rich Phthia celebrate, amongst his Myrmydons,  
Our nuptial banquets; for which grace, with these most worthy moans,  
I never shall be satiate; tho●… ever being kind;  
Ever delightsome; one sweet grace, fed still with one sweet mind.   

Thus spoke she weeping; and with her, did th'other Ladies moan,  
Patroclus' fortunes in pretext, but in sad truth their own.   

About Aeacides himself, the kings of Greece were placed,  
Entreating him to food; and he, entreated them as fast,  
(Still intermixing words and sighs) if any friend were there  
Of all his dearest; they would cease, and offer him no cheer,  
But his due sorrows; for before, the Sun had left that sky,  
He would not eat; but of that day, sustain th'extremity.   

Thus all the kings (in resolute grief, and fasting) he dismift;  
But both th' Atrideses, Ithacus, and wars * old Martialist, 
Ne●…or.   
Idomenaeus and his friend; and Phoenix; these remained  
endeavouring comfort; but no thought, of his vowed woe restrained.  
Nor could, till that days bloody fight, had calmed his blood; he still  
Remembered something of his friend; whose good, was all his ill.  
Their urging meat, the diligent fashion of his friend renewed,  
In that excitement: thou (said he) when this speed was pursued  
Against the Troyans'; evermore, apposedst in my tent,  
A pleasing breakfast; being so free, and sweetly diligent,  
Thou mad'st all meat sweet. Then the war, was tearful to our foe,  
But now to me; thy wounds so wound me, and thy overthrow.  
For which my ready food I fly, and on thy long feed.  
Nothing could more afflict me: Fame, relating the foul deed  
Of my dear father's slaughter; blood, drawn from my sole sons heart,  
No more could wound me. Cursed man, that in this for●…ein part,  
(For hateful Helen) my true love; my country, Sire, and son,  
I thus should part with. Scyros' now, gi●…es education 
〈◊〉 was an I'll in the sea Aegeum, where Achilles himself was brought up as well as his so●…   
(O Neoptelemus) to thee, (if living yet) from whence  
I hoped (dear friend) thy longer life, (safely returned from hence,  
And my life quitting thine) had power, to ship him home; and show  
His young eyes Phthi●…, subjects, court; my father being now  
Dead, or most short-lived; troublous age, oppressing him, and fear  
Still of my death's news. These sad words, he blew into the ear  
Of every visitant, with sighs; all echoed by the Pears,  
Remembering who they left at home. All whose so human tears  
jove pitied: and since they all, would in the good of one  
Be much reviv'd; he thus bespoke, Minerva: Thetis son, 
jove to Minerva   
(Now daughter) thou hast quite forgot. O, is Achilles care  
Extinguished in thee? prostrated, in most extreme ill fare,  
He lies before his high-sailed fleet, for his dead friend; the rest  
Are strengthening them with meat; but he, lies desperately oppressed  
With heartless fasting: Go thy ways, and to his breast instill  
Red Nectar and Ambrosia; that Fast procure no ill  
To his near enterprise. This spur, he added to the free;  
And like a Harpy (with a voice, that shrieks so dreadfully,  
And feathers that like needles pricked) she stooped through all the stars  
Amongst the Grecians; all whose tents, were now filled for the wars.  
Her seres struck through Achilles' tent; and closely she instilled  
heavens most-to-be-desired feast, to his great breast; and filled  
His sinews with that sweet supply, for fear unsavoury Fast  
Should creep into his knees. Herself, the skies again enchased.   

The host set forth; and poured his steel waves, far out of the fleet. 
The show of the army, setting forth under Achilles' conduct.   
And as from air; the frosty north-wind blows a cold thick sleet,  
That dazzles eyes; flakes after flakes, incessantly descending:  
So thick helms, curets, ashen darts, and round shields, never ending,  
Flowed from the navies hollow womb: their splendours gave heavens eye,  
His beams again; Earth laughed to see, her face so like the sky.  
Arms shined so hot; and she such clouds, made with the dust she cast,  
She thundered; feet of men and horse, importuned her so fast.  
In midst of all; divine Achilles his fair person armed;  
His teeth gnashed as he stood; his eyes, so full of fire, they warmed.  
Vnsufferd grief and anger at, the Tr●…ians so combined.  
His greaveses first used, his goodly curets on his bosom shined;  
His sword, his shield; that cast a brightness from it, like the Moon.  
And as from sea, sailors discern, a harmful fire, let run  
By herdsman's faults, till all their stall, flies up in wrestling flame;  
Which being on hills, is seen far off; but being alone, none came  
To give it quench; at shore no neighbours; and at sea, their friends  
Driven off with tempests; such a fire, from his bright shield extends  
His ominous radiance; and in heaven, impressed his fervent blaze.  
His crested helmet, grave and high, had next triumphant place,  
On his curled head: and like a star, it cast a spurrie ray;  
About which, a bright thickened bush, of golden hair, did play;  
Which Vulcan forged him for his plume. Thus complete armed, he ●…ide  
How fit they were: and if his motion could with ease abide  
Their brave instruction; and so far, they were from hindering it;  
That to it they were nimble wings; and made so light his spirit,  
That from the earth, the princely Captain they took up to air.   

Then from his armoury he drew, his lance, his father's spear,  
Huge, weighty, firm; that not a Greek, but he himself alone  
Knew how to shake; it grew upon, the mountain ●…elion;  
From whose height, Chiron hewed it for, his Sire; and fatal 'twas  
To great-souled men. Of Peleus and Pelion, surnamed Pelias.   

Then from the stable, their bright horse, Automedon withdraws,  
And Alcymus. Put Poitrils on, and cast upon their ●…awes,  
Their bridles; hurling back the rains, and hung them on the seat.  
The fair scourge then Automedon, takes up, and up doth get,  
To guide the horse. The fights seat last, Achilles took behind;  
Who looked so armed, as if the Sun, there fallen from heaven had shined. 
Achilles to hi●… horses.   
And terribly, thus charged his steeds. Xanthus', and Balius,  
Seed of the Harpy; in the charge, ye undertake of us;  
Discharge it not; as when Patroclus ye left dead in field.  
But when with blood, for this days fast observed, Revenge shall yield  
Our heart satiety; bring us off. Thus since Achilles spoke,  
As if his awed steeds understood: 'twas juno's will to make  
Vocal the palate of the one; who shaking his fair head,  
(Which in his mane (let fall to earth) he almost buried)  
Thus Xanthus spoke: Ablest Achilles now (at least) our care 
Xanthus' th●… horse of Achi. to Achilles.   
Shall bring thee off; but not far hence, the fatal minutes are,  
Of thy grave ruin. Nor shall we, be then to be reproved,  
But mightiest Fate, and the great God. Nor was thy best beloved  
Spoiled so of arms by our slow pace; or courages impair;  
The best of gods, Latona's son, that wears the golden hair,  
Gave him his death's wound; though the grace, he gave to Hector's hand.  
We, like the spirit of the West, that all spirits can command  
For power of wing, could run him off: but thou thyself must go;  
So Fate ordains; God and a man, must give thee overthrow.   

This said, the Furies stopped his voice. Achilles' far in rage, 
Achilles' reply to Xanthus.   
Thus answered him: It fits not thee, thus proudly to presage  
My overthrow; I know myself, it is my fate to fall  
Thus far from Phthia; yet that Fate, shall fail to vent her gall,  
Till mine vent thousands. These words used, he fell to horrid deeds;  
Gave dreadful signal; and forthright, made fly, his one-houed steeds.   

COMMENTARIUS.  
● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Aprum praeparet mactandum jovique Solique: He shall prepare a Boar for sacrifice to jove and the Sun. It is the end of Agamemnon's speech in this book before to Ulysses, and promiseth that sacrifice to jove and the Sun, at the reconciliation of himself and Achilles. Our Commentors (Eustathius and Spondanus etc.), will by no means allow the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here for Homer's, but an unskilfulness in the diwlger; and will needs have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; which Spondanus says is altogether here to be understood: as Eustathius words teach; for to offer so fierce a beast to jove as a Boar, he says is absurd: and cities Natalis lib. 1. cap. 17. where he says, Homer in this place makes a tame Sow sacrificed to jove; who was as tamely and simply deceived as the rest. Eustathius reason for it, is, that sus is animal salax; and since the oath Agamemnon takes at this sacrifice to satisfy Achilles (that he hath not touched Briseis) is concerning a woman, very fitly is a Sow here sacrificed. But this seems to Spondanus something ridiculous (as I hope you will easily judge it.) And, as I conceive, so is his own opinion to have the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 altered, and expounded suem. His reason for it, he makes nice to utter, saying, he knows what is set down amongst the learned touching the sacrifice of a Sow. But because it is (he says) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, nihil ad rem, (though as they expound it, 'tis too much ad rem) he is willing to keep his opinion in silence; unless you will take it for a splayed or gelded Sow; as if Agamemnon would innuate, that as this Sow (being splayed) is free from Venus, so had he never attempted the dishonour of Briseis. And peradventure (says Spondanus) you cannot think of a better exposition: when a worse cannot be conjectured, unless that of Eustathius; as I hope you will clearly grant me, when you hear but mine. Which is this: The sacrifice is not made by Agamemnon, for any resemblance or reference it hath to the Lady now to be restored, (which since these Clerks will needs have it a Sow, in behalf of Ladies, I disdain) but only to the reconciliation of Agamemnon and Achilles; for a sacred sign whereof, and that their wraths were no●… absolutely appeased, Agamemnon thought fit, a Boar (being the most wrathful of all beasts) should be sacrificed to jove; intimating, that in that Boar, they sacrificed their wraths to Iupi●…er, and became friends. And thus is the original word preserved, which (together with the sacred sense of our Homer) in a thousand other places, suffers most ignorant and barbarous violence. But here (being weary, both with finding faults, and my labour) till a refreshing come, I will end my poor Comment. Holding it not altogether unfit with this ridiculous contention of our Commentors, a little to quicken you, and make it something probable, that their oversight in this trifle, is accompanied with a thousand other errors in matter of our divine Homer's depth and gravity. Which will not open itself to the curious austerity of belabouring art, but only to the natural and most ingenuous soul of our thrice sacred Poesy.   
The end of the nineteenth Book.   

THE XX. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

BY Ioues permission, all the gods descend  
To aid on both parts. For the Greeks' contend,  
juno, Minerva, Neptune, Mul●…ber,  
And Mercury. The de●…ies that prefer  
The Trojan part, are, Phoebus, Cyprides, 
〈◊〉.   
Phoebe, Latona, and the foe to Peace;  
With bright Scamander. Neptune in a mist  
Preserves Aeneas, (daring to resist  
Achilles;) by whose hand, much skath is done;  
Besides the slaughter of old Pria●…s son,  
(Young Polydore) whose rescue, Hector makes;  
Him (flying) Phoebus, to his rescue takes,  
The rest (all shunning their importuned fates)  
Achilles beats, even to the Ilian gates.   
Another Argument.  

In Ypsilon Strife stirs in heaven.  
The days grace, to the Greeks' is given.   

THe Greeks thus armed; and made insatiate, with desire of fight,  
About thee, Peleus' son; The foe, in ground of greatest height,  
Stood opposite, ranged. Then jove charged Themis, from Olympus' top  
To call a court; she every way, dispersed, and summoned up 
jove summons all the ●…ties to counsel.   
All deities; Not any flood (besides Oceanus)  
But made appearance: not a Nymph (that arbours odorous,  
The heads of floods, and flowery meadows make their swee●…e abodes)  
Was absent there; but all at his court that is king of gods,  
Assembled; and in lightsome seats, of admirable frame  
(Performed for jove, by Vulean) sat. Even angry Neptune came;  
Nor heard the goddess with unwilling ●…are; but with the rest,  
Made free ascension from the sea; and did his state invest  
In midst of all: begun the counsel, and enquired of jove,  
His reason for that session; and on what point did move  
His high intention for the foes; he thought the heat of war,  
Was then near breaking out in flames. To him, the Thunderer:  
Thou knowst this counsel by the rest, of those forepurposes,  
That still inclined me; my cares still, must secure the distress  
Of Troy; though in the mouth of Fa●…e▪ yet vow I, not to stir  
One step from off this top of heaven; but all th'▪ affair refer  
To any one. Here I'll hold state, and freely take the joy  
Of either's fate: help whom ye please; for 'tis assured, that Tr●…y,  
Not one days conflict can sustain, against A Eacides,  
If heaven oppose not. His mere looks, threw darts enough, t'impressimpress  
Their powers with trembling; but when blows, sent from his fiery hand,  
(Thrice heat by slaughter of his friend) shall come and countermand  
Their forme●… glories: we have fear, that though Fate keep their wall,  
he'll overturn it. Then descend; and cease not till ye all  
Add all your aids; mix earth and heaven, together with the fight  
Achilles urgeth. These his words, did such a war excite,  
As no man's power could wrestle down; the gods with parted hearts,  
Departed heaven, and made earth war. To guide the Grecian da●…s, 
The names of the gods partakers with either part.   
juno and Pallas, with the god, that doth the earth embrace,  
And most-for-mans-use, Mercury (whom good wise inwards grace)  
Were partially, and all employed; and with them halted down  
(Proud of his strength) lame Mulciber; his walkers quite misgrowne,  
But made him tread exceeding sure. To aid the Ilian side,  
The changeable in arms, went (Mars); and him accompanied  
Diana, that delights in shafts; and Phoebus, never shorn;  
And Aphrodite, laughter-pleasde; and she, of whom was borne  
Still young Apollo; and the flood, that runs on golden sands  
Bright Xanthus. All these aided Troy; and till these lent their hands,  
The Grecians triumphed in the aid, AEacides did add;  
The Troyans' trembling with his sight; so gloriously clad,  
He ouershined the field; and Mars, no harmfuller than he.  
He bore the iron stream on clear; but when Ioues high decree  
●…et fall the gods amongst their troops; the field swelled, and the fight  
Grew fierce and horrible. The* Dame, that armies doth excite, 
〈◊〉.   
Thundered with Clamour; sometimes set, at dike without the wall,  
And sometimes on the bellowing shore. On th'other side, the Call  
Of Mars to fight was terrible; he cried out, like a storm;  
Set on the cities pinnacles; and there he would inform  
Sometimes his heartning; Other times, where Simois powers on  
His silver currant, at the foot, of high Callicolon.  
And thus the blessed gods, both sides urged; they all stood in the mids,  
And broke Contention to the hosts. And over all their heads, 
The state of the preparation to the fight, when the gods were to encounter.   
The god's king, in abhorred claps, his thunder rattled out.  
Beneath them, Neptune tossed the earth; the mountains round about,  
Bowed with affright, and shook their heads: Ioues hill, the earth quake felt;  
(Steep Ida) trembling at her roots, and all her fountains spilled:  
Their brows all crannied. Troy did nod; the Grecian navy played  
(As on the sea): th'infernal king, that all things frays, was afraid;  
And leapt affrighted from his throne; cried out, lest over him  
Neptune should rend in two the earth; and so his house so dim,  
So loathsome, filthy, and abhorred, of all the gods beside,  
Should open, both to gods and men. Thus, all things shook and cried,  
When this black bartell of the gods, was joining; thus arrayed:   

'Gainst Neptune, Phoebus with winged shafts; 'gainst Mars the blue-eyed maid:  
'Gainst juno, Phoebe, whose white hands, bore singing darts of gold;  
Her side armed with a sheaf of shafts; and (by the birth twofold  
Of bright Latona) sister twin, to him that shoots so 〈◊〉;  
Against Latona, Hermes stood (grave guard in peace and war,  
Of human beings;) 'gainst the god, whose Empire is in fire;  
The watery godhead; that great flood, to show whose power entire  
In spoil as th'other: all his stream, on lurking 〈◊〉 trod;  
Xanthus, by gods; by men Scamander called. Thus, god 'gainst god,  
Entered the field. Aeacideses, sustained a fervent mind  
To cope with Hector; past all these, his spirit stood inclined,  
To glut Mars with the blood of him. And at Aeacides,  
Apollo set Anchises son. But first he did impress,  
A more than natural strength in him; and made him feel th'excess, 
Apollo instigates Aeneas to the encounter of Achilles, in shape of Lyc●….   
Infused from heaven. Lycaon's shape, gave show to his address,  
(Old Priam's son) and thus he spoke: Thou counsellor of Troy,  
Where now fly out those threats, that late, put all our Peers in joy  
Of thy fight with Aeacides? Thy tongue once (steeped in wine) 
〈◊〉 to Apollo.   
Durst vaunt as much. He answered him: But why wouldst thou incline  
My powers 'gainst that proud enemy, and 'gainst my present heat?  
I mean not now to bid him blows; that fear sounds my retreat,  
That heretofore discouraged me: when after he had raced  
Lyrnessus, and strong Pedasus, his still breathed fury chased  
Our oxen from th'Idaean hill, and set on me; but jove  
Gave strength and knees, and bore me off, that had not walked above  
This centre now, but propped by him. Minerva's hand (that held  
A light to this her favourite; whose beams, show'd, and impelled  
His powers to spoil) had ruined me. For these ears heard her cry:  
Kill, kill the seed of Ilium; kill, th'Asian Lelegi.  
Mere man then must not fight with him, that still hath gods to friend;  
Auerting death on others darts; and giving his no end,  
But with the ends of men. If God, like Fortune in the fight,  
Would give my forces; not with ease, winged Victory should light  
On his proud shoulders; nor he scape, though all of brass he boasts  
His plight con●…steth. He replied: Pray thou, those gods of hosts,  
Whom he implores, as well as he; and his chance may be thine;  
Thou cam'st of gods like him: the Queen, that reigns in Salamine,  
Fame sounds, thy mother; he derived, of lower deity.  
Old Nereus' daughter bearing him; Bear then thy heart as high,  
And thy unwearied steel as right; nor utterly be beat  
With only cruelty of words; not proof against a threat.   

This strengthened him; and forth he rushed; nor could his strengthening fly,  
White-wristed juno; nor his drifts. She, every deity  
Of th'Achiue faction called to her; and said: Ye must have care 
juno to the gods of Gr●…ce.   
(Neptune and Pallas) for the frame, of this important war  
Ye undertake here; Venus' son (by Phoebus' being impelled)  
Runs on Achilles; turn him back; or see our friend upheld  
By one of us. Let not the spirit of Aeacides,  
Be ouer-dared; but make him know, the mightiest deities  
Stand kind to him; and that the gods, protectors of these towers  
That fight against Greece; and were here, before our eminent powers,  
Bear no importance. And beside, that all we s●…oope from heaven  
To curb this fight, that no impair, be to his person given  
By any Troyans', nor their aids, while this day bears the Sun;  
Hereafter, all things that are wrapped, in his birth-threed, and spun  
By Parca's, (in that point of time, his mother gave him air)  
He must sustain. But if Report, perform not the repair  
Of all this to him, by the Voice, of some immortal state,  
He may be fearful, (if some god, should set on him) that Fate,  
Makes him her minister. The gods, when they appear to men,  
And manifest their proper forms, are passing dreadful then.   

Neptune replied: Saturnia, at no time let your Care 
Neptune to 〈◊〉   
Exceed your Reason; 'tis not fit. Where only humans are,  
We must not mix the hands of gods; our odds is too extreme.  
Sat we by, in some place of height, where we may see to them,  
And leave the wars of men, to men. But if we see from thence,  
Or Mars, or Phoebus, enter fight; or offer least offence  
To Thetis son; not giving free way to his conquering rage;  
Then comes the conflict to our cares; we soon shall disengage  
Achilles, and send them to heaven, to settle their abode  
With Equals; flying under-strifes. This said, the blacke-haired god,  
Led to the tower of of Hercules; built circular and high  
By Pallas and the Ilians, for fit security  
To Ioues divine * son, 'gainst the Whale, that drove him from the shore, 
Hercules.   
To th'ample field. There Neptune sat, and all the gods that bore  
The Greeks' good meaning; casting all, thick mantles made of clouds,  
On their bright shoulders. Th'opposed gods, sat hid in other shrouds,  
On top of steep Callicolon; about thy golden sides,  
O Phoebus, brandisher of darts; and thine, whose rage abides  
No peace in cities. In this state, these gods in counsel sa●…e;  
All lingering purposed fight, to try, who first would elevate  
His heavenly weapon. High-throned jove, cried out, to set them on;  
Said; all the field was full of men; and that the earth did groan▪ 
jove sets on the other gods to ●…ight.   
With feet of proud encounterers, burned with the arms of men,  
And barbed horse. Two champions, for both the armies then,  
Met in their midst, prepared for blows; divine Aeacides,  
And Venus son; Aeneas first, stepped threatening forth the press,  
His high helm nodding; and his breast, bard with a shady shield,  
And shook his javelin. Thetis' son, did his part to the field,  
As when the harmful king of beasts, (sore threatened to be slain, 
Simile.   
By all the country up in arms) at first makes coy Disdain  
Prepare resistance; but at last, when any one hath led  
Bold charge upon him with his dart; he than turns yawning head;  
Fell Anger lathers in his jaws; his great heart swells; his stern  
Lasheth his strength up; fides and thighs, wadled with stripes to learn  
Their own power; his eyes glow; he rores; and in he leaps, to kill,  
Secure of killing: So his power, than roused up to his will,  
Matchless Achilles, coming on, to mee●…e Anchises son.  
Both near; Achilles thus inquired: Why stand'st thou thus alone, 
Achilles to AEneas.   
Thou son of Venus? calls thy heart, to change of blows with me?  
Sure Troy's whole kingdom is proposed; some one hath promised 〈◊〉  
The throne of 〈◊〉 for my life; but Priam's self is wise;  
And (for my slaughter) not so mad, to make his throne thy prize.  
Priam hath sons to second him. Is't then some piece of land,  
Past others, fit to set and sow, that thy victo●…ious hand,  
The Ilians offer for my head? I hope that prize will prove  
No easy conquest: once, I think, my busy javelin drove,  
(With terror) those thoughts from your spleen. Retain'st thou not the time,  
When single on th'Idaean hill, I took thee with the crime  
Of Runaway? thy Oxen left? and when thou hadst no face,  
That I could see; thy knees bere●…t, it, and Lyrnessus was  
The mask for that. Then that mask too, I opened to the air,  
(By jove and Pallas help) and took, the free light from the fair;  
Your Ladies bearing prisoners. But jove and th'other gods,  
Then saft thee; yet again I hope, they will not add their odds,  
To save thy wants, as thou presum'st; retire then, aim not at  
Troy's throne by me; fly ere thy soul, flies; fools are wise too late.   

He answered him: Hope not that words, can childlike terrify 
AEneas to Achilles.   
My stroke-proofe breast; I well could speak, in this indecency,  
And use tart terms; but we know well, what stock us both put out;  
Too gentle to bear fruits so rude. Our parents ring about,  
The world's round bosom; and by fame, their dignities are blown  
To both our knowledges; by sight; neither, to either known;  
Thine, to mine eyes; nor mine to thine. Fame sounds thy worthiness  
From famous Peleus; the sea Nymph, that hath the lovely tress,  
(Thetis) thy mother; I myself, affirm my Sire to be  
Great-souled Anchises; she that holds, the Paphian deity,  
My mother; and of these, this light, is now t'exhale the tears  
For their loved issue; thee or me; childish, unworthy dates,  
Are not enough to part our powers; for if thy spiri●…s want  
Due excitation (by distrust, of that desert I vaunt)  
To set up all rests for my life; I'll lineally prove  
(Which many will confirm) my race. First, cloud commanding jove 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Was sire to Dardanus, that built, Dardania; for the walls  
Of sacred Ilium, spread not yet, these fields; those faire-built hals,  
Of divers▪ languaged men, not raised; all than made populous  
The foot of Ida's fountfull hill. This jove-got Dardanus,  
Begot king Ericthonius; for wealth, past all compares,  
Of living mortals; in his fens, he fed three thousand mares,  
All neighing by their tender fools; of which, twice six were bred  
By lofty Boreas; their dams, loved by him, as they fed;  
He took the brave form of a horse, that shook an azure mane,  
And slept with them. These twice six colts, had pace, so swift they ●…anne  
Upon the top-ayles of corne-eares; nor bent them any whit.  
And when the broad back of the sea, their pleasure was to sit,  
The superficies of his waves, they slid upon; their hoves  
Not dipped in dank sweat of his brows. Of Ericthonius loves  
Sprang Tros, the king of Tr●…ans; Tros three young princes bred,  
Ilus, renowned Assaracus, and heavenly G●…nymed,  
The fairest youth of all that breathed; whom (for his beauty's love)  
The gods did ravish, to their state, to bear the cup to jove.  
Ilus begot Laomedon; godlike Laomedon  
Got Titbon, Priam, Clytius, Mars-like Hycetaon,  
And Lampus. Great Assaracus, Capys begot; and he,  
Anchises; Prince Anchises, me. King Priam, Hector; we  
Sprang both of one high family. Thus, fortunate men give birth;  
But jove gives virtue; he augments; and he impairs the worth  
Of all men; and his will, their Rule; he strongest; all strength affords;  
Why then paint we (like dames) the face, of Conflict with our words?  
Both may give language, that a ship, driven with a ●…undred oars,  
Would overburthen: a man's tongue, is voluble, and pours  
Words out, of all sorts; every way; such as you speak, you hear.  
What then need we vie calumnies, like women that will wear  
Their tongues out, being once incensed; and strive for strife, to part  
(Being on their way) they travel so: from words, words may avert;  
From virtue, not; it is your steel (divine Aeacides)  
Must prove my proof, as mine shall yours. Thus amply did he ease  
His great heart of his pedigree; and sharply sent away 
Aeneas chargeth Achilles.   
A dart, that caught Achilles' shield; and rung so, it did fray  
The son of Thetis; his fair hand, farre-thrusting out his shield,  
For fear the long lance had driven through; O fool, to think 'twould yield;  
And not to know, the gods firm gifts, want want, to yield so soon  
To men's poor powers; the eager lance, had only conquest won  
Of two plates; and the shield had five; two forged of tin, two brass,  
One (that was center-plate) of gold, and that forbade the pass  
Of Anchisiades his lance. Then sent Achilles forth  
His lance, that through the first fold struck; where brass of little worth, 
Achilles at AEneas.   
And no great proof of hides was laid; through all which Pelias ran  
His iron head; and after it, his ashen body wan  
Pass to the earth, and there it stuck; his top on th'other side:  
And hung the shield up; which, hard down, Aeneas plucked to hide  
His breast from sword blows; shrunk up round, and in his heavy eye,  
Was much grief shadowed; much afraid, that Pelias stuck ●…o nigh.  
Then prompt Achilles rushing in, his sword drew; and the field  
Rung with his voice. Aeneas now, left, and let hang his ●…hield,  
And (all distracted) up he snatched, a two men's strength of stone;  
And either, at his shield or cask, he set it ●…udely gone,  
Nor cared where; so it struck a place, that put on arms, for death;  
But he (Achilles came so close) had doubtless funke beneath,  
His own death, had not Neptune seen, and interposed the odds  
Of his divine power; uttering this, to the Achaean gods:  
I grieve for this great hearted man; he will be sent to hell, 
Neptune to the other gods of Greece.   
Even instantly, by Peleus' son, being only moved to deal  
By Phoebus' words: What fool is he? Phoebus' did never mean,  
To add to his great words, his guard; against the ruin then  
Summoned against him: and what cause, hath he, to head him on  
To others miseries? He being clear▪ of any trespass done  
Against the Grecians? thankful gifts, he oft hath given to us;  
Let us then quit him; and withdraw, this combat; for if thus,  
Achilles end him: jove will rage's; since his escape in fate,  
Is purposed; lest the progeny, of Dardanus take date;  
Whom jove, past all his issue, loved, begot of mortal dames: 
〈◊〉 Proph●…cy of Aene●…, to propagate the Trojan race.   
All Priam's race he hates; and this, must propagate the names  
Of Troyans'; and their sons sons rule, to all posterity.   

Saturni●… said, make free your pleasure; save, or let him die;  
Pallas and I have taken many, and most public oaths, 
I●…no to Neptun●…   
That th'ill day never shall avert, her eye (red with our wroths)  
From hated Troy: No, not when all, in studied fire she flames  
The Greek rage, blowing her last coal. This nothing turned his aims  
From present rescue: but through all, the whizzing spears he passed;  
And came where both were combating; when instantly he cast,  
A mist before Achilles' eyes; drew from the earth, and shield,  
His lance, and laid it at his feet: and then took up, and held  
Aloft, the light Anchises son; who passed (with Neptunes●… force)  
Whole orders of Heroes heads; and many a troup of horse  
Leapt over, till the bounds he reached, of all the fervent broil,  
Where all the Caucons' quarters lay. Thus (far freed from the toil) 
Neptune to Aeneas.   
Neptune had time to use these words: Aeneas, who was he  
Of all the gods, that did so much, neglect thy good, and thee,  
To urge thy fight with Thetis son? who, in immortal rates,  
Is better, and more dear than thee? Hereafter, lest (past fates)  
Hell be thy headlong home, retire; make bold stand never near,  
Where he advanceth: but his fate, once satisfied; then bear,  
A free, and full sail: no Greek else, shall end thee. This revealed;  
He left him, and dispersed the cloud, that all this act concealed  
From vexed Achilles: who again, had clear light from the skies;  
And (much disdaining the escape) said: O ye gods, mine eyes 
Achilles admir●…s the scape of Aene●….   
Discover miracles: my lance, submitted, and he gone  
At whom I sent it, with desire, of his confusion?  
Aeneas sure was loved of heaven; I thought his vaunt from thence,  
Had flowed from glory. Let him go, no more experience  
Will his mind long for, of my hands: he flies them now so clear:  
Cheer then the Greeks, and others try. Thus ranged he e●…ery where  
The Grecian orders; every man, (of which the most looked on  
To see their fresh Lord shake his lance) he thus put charge upon:   

Divine Greeks, stand not thus at gaze; but man to man apply  
Your several valours: 'tis a task, laid too unequally  
On me, left to so many men; one man, opposed to all.  
Not Mars, immortal and a god, nor wars she General;  
A field of so much fight could chase, and work it out with blows;  
But what a man may execute, that all limbs will expose,  
And all their strength to th'utmost nerve (though now I lost some play,  
By some strange miracle) no more, shall burn in vain the day;  
To any least beam; all this host, I'll ransack, and have hope,  
Of all; not one (again) will scape; whoever gives such soup  
To his adventure; and so near; dares tempt, my angry lance.   

Thus he excited. Hector then, as much strives to advance,  
The hearts of his men; adding threats, affirming he would stand,  
In combat with Aeacides. Give Fear (said he) no hand, 
Hector to his Ilians.   
Of your great hearts, (b●…ue Ilians) for 〈◊〉 talking Son;  
I'll fight with any god with words; but when their spears put on,  
The work runs high; their strength exceeds, mortality so far.  
And they may make works crown their words; which holds not in the war  
Achilles makes; his hands have bounds; this word he shall make good,  
And leave another to the field: his worst shall be withstood,  
With sole objection of myself. Though in his hands he bear  
A rage like fire; though fire itself, his raging fingers were;  
And burning steel flew in his strength. Thus he incited his;  
And they raised lances, and to work, with mixed courages;  
And up flew Clamour; but the heat, in Hector, Phoebus gave 
Phoebus' to Hector.   
This temper: Do not meet (said he) in any single brave,  
The man thou threatn'st, but in press; and in thy strength impeach  
His violence; for far off, or near, his sword, or dart will reach.   

The god's voice mad●… a difference, in Hector's own conceit,  
Betwixt his, and Achilles' words; and gave such overweight,  
As weighed him back into his strength, and curbed his flying out.  
At all threw fierce Aeacides, and gave a horrid shout.   

The first of all he put to dart, was fierce Iphition; 
Iphition slain by Ach●…es.   
Surnamed Otryntides, whom Nais, the water Nymph made son  
To towne-destroyer Otr●…eus. Beneath the snowy hill,  
Of Tmolus, in the wealthy town, of Ide: at his will,  
Were many able men at arms. He rushing in, took full,  
Pelides lance, in his heads midst; that cleft, in two, his skull.  
Achilles knew him, one much famed; and thus insulted then:   

thou'rt dead Otryntides, though called, the terriblest of men;  
Thy race runs at G●…us lake, there thy inheritance lay,  
Near fishy Hillus; and the gulfs, of H●…us: but this day,  
Removes it to the fields of Troy. Thus left he Night to seize  
His closed eyes, his body laid, in course of all the press;  
Which Grecian horse, broke with the streaks, nailed to their chariot wheels.   

Next (through the temples) the burst eyes, his deadly javelin steels 
Demoleon slain by Achilles.   
Of great-in- Troy Antenor's son, renowned Demolcon;  
A mighty turner of a field. His overthrow, set gone  
Hippodamas, who leapt from horse, and as he fled before  
Aeacides; his turned back, he made fell P●…lias gore,  
And forth he puffed his flying soul; and as a tortured Bull;  
(To Neptune brought for sacrifice) a troup of youngsters pull 
Simile.   
Down to the earth, and drag him round, about the hallowed shore;  
To please the watery deity, with forcing him to roar;  
And forth he powers his utmost throat. So bellowed this slain friend,  
Of flying Ilium, with the breath, that gave his being end.   

Then rushed he on; and in his eye, had heavenly Polydore,  
Old Priam's son; whom last of all, his fruitful Princess bore;  
And for his youth (being dear to him) the king forbade to fight.  
Yet (hot of unexperienced blood, to show how exquisite  
He was of foot: for which of all, the fifty sons he held  
The special name.) He flew before, the first heat of the field; 
Polydore 〈◊〉 by Achilles.   
Even till he flew out breath and soul: which, through the back, the lance  
Of swift Achilles, put in air, and did his head advance  
Out at his navel: on his knees, the poor Prince crying fell;  
And gathered with his tender hands, his entrails; that did swell  
Quite through the wide wound, till a cloud, as black as death, concealed  
Their sight, and all the world from him. When Hector had beheld  
His brother tumbled so to earth (his entrails still in hand)  
Dark sorrow overcast his eyes; nor far off could he stand  
A minute longer: but like fire, he broke out of the throng;  
shook his long lance, at Thetis' son; And then came he along, 
Achilles' passion at the sight of ●…ctor.   
To feed th'encounter: O (said he) here comes the man that most,  
Of all the world destroys my mind: the man by whom I lost  
My dear Patroclus; now not long, the crooked paths of war,  
Can yield us any privy 'scapes: Come, keep not off so far,  
(He cried to Hector) make the pain, of thy sure death as short,  
As one, so desperate of his life, hath reason. In no sort,  
This frighted Hector, who bore close: and said; Aeacides, 
Hector to Achi●….   
Leave threats for children; I have power, to thunder calumnies,  
As well as others; and well know, thy strength superior far,  
To that my nerves hold; but the gods, (not nerves) determine war.  
And yet (for nerves) there will be found, a strength of power in mine,  
To drive a lance home to thy life; my lance, as well as thine  
Hath point, and sharpness, and 'tis this. Thus brandishing his spear,  
He set it flying; which a breath, of Pallas, back did bear 
Pallas bre●…hes back Hector's lance thrown at Achilles.   
From Thetis son, to Hector's self; and at his feet it fell.  
Achilles used no dart; but close, flew in; and thought to deal  
With no strokes, but of sure dispatch; but what with all his blood  
He laboured; Phoebus cleared with ease, as being a god; and stood  
For Hector's guard; as Pallas did, Aeacides for thine.  
He rapt him from him; and a cloud, of much Night cast between  
His person, and the point opposed. Achilles then exclaimed  
O see, yet more gods are at work; Apollo's hand hath framed 
Apollo rescues Hector.   
(Dog that thou art) thy rescue now: to whom, go, pay the vows  
Thy safety owes him; I shall vent, in time, those fatal blows,  
That yet beat in my heart, on thine; if any god remain,  
My equal fautor. In mean time, my anger must maintain  
His fire on other Ilians. Then laid he at his feet,  
Great Demochus, Philetors, son; and Dryope did greet  
With like encounter. Dardanus, and strong Laogonus,  
(Wise Bias sons) he hurled from horse, of one, victorious  
With his close sword; the others life, he conquered with his lance.   

Then Tros, Alastor's son made in, and sought to scape their chance,  
With free submission. Down he fell, and prayed about his knees,  
He would not kill him, but take ruth; as one that Destinies  
Made to that purpose; being a man, borne in the self same year  
That he himself was: O poor fool, to sue to him to bear  
A ruthful mind; he well might know, he could not fashion him,  
In ruth's soft mould; he had no spirit, to brook that interim  
In his hot fury: he was none, of these remorseful men;  
Gentle, and affable: but fierce, at all times, and mad then.   

He gladly would have made a prayer, and still so hugged his knee,  
He could not quit him: till at last, his sword was feign to free  
His fettered knees: that made a vent, for his white livers blood,  
That caused such pitiful affects: of which, it poured a flood  
About his bosom; which it filled, even till it drowned his eyes;  
And all sense failed him. Forth then flew, this Prince of tragedies,  
Who next, stooped Mulius, even to death, with his insatiate spear:  
One ear it entered, and made good, his pass to th'other ear.   

Echeclus then, (Agenor's son) he struck betwixt the brows;  
Whose blood set fire upon his sword, that cooled it till the throws  
Of his then labouring brain, let out, his soul to fixed fate,  
And gave cold entry to black death. Deucalion then, had state  
In these men's beings: where the nerves, about the elbow knit,  
Down to his hand his spears steel pierced, and brought such pain to it,  
As led Death jointly; whom he saw, before his fainting eyes;  
And in his neck felt, with a stroke, laid on so; that off flies  
His head: one of the twice twelve bones, that all the back bone make,  
Let out his marrow; when the head, he helm and all did take,  
And hurled amongst the Ilians; the body stretched on earth.   

Rhigmus of fruitful Thrace, next fell; he was the famous birth  
Of Pireus: his bellies midsts, the lance took; whose stern force,  
Quite tumbled him from chariot. In turning back the horse,  
Their guider Areithous, received another lance,  
That threw him to his Lord. No end, was put to the mischance 
Simile.   
Achilles entered: But, as fire, fallen in a flash from heaven;  
Inflames the high-woods of dry hills; and with a storm is driven,  
Through all the Sylvan deeps; and raves, till down goes every where  
The smothered hill: So every way, Ach●…lles and his spear  
Consumed the Champain, the black earth, flowed with the veins he tore.  
And look how Oxen, (yoked and driven, about the circular floor,  
Of some fair barn) tread suddenly, the thick sheaves, thin of corn;  
And all the corn, consumed with chaff: so mixed and overborne, 
Simile.   
Beneath Achilles' one-houed horse, shields, spears, and men lay trod;  
His axel-tree, and chariot wheels, all spattered with the blood  
Hurled from the steeds hoves, and the streaks. Thus to be magnified,  
His most inaccessible hands, in human blood he died.   
The end of the twentieth Book.   

THE XXI. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

IN two parts, Troy's host parted; Thetis son;  
One to Scamander, one to Ilium  
Pursues. Twelve Lords he takes alive, to end  
In sacrifice, for vengeance to his friend.  
Asteropaeus, dies by his fierc●… hand,  
And Priam's son, Lycaon, Over land  
The flood breaks: where, Achilles being engaged,  
Vulcan preserves him; and with spirit enraged,  
Sets all the Champain, and the Flood on fire;  
Contention then, doth all the gods inspire.  
Apollo, in Agenor's shape, doth stay  
Achilles' fury; and by giving way,  
Makes him pursue; till the deceit gives leave,  
That Troy, in safety, might her friends receive.   
Another Argument.  

Fie, at the floods shore, doth express  
The labours of Aeacides.   

ANd now they reached, the goodly swelling channel of the flood,  
Gulfe-eating Xanthus; whom jove mixed, with his immortal brood:  
And there Achilles cloven the host, of Ilium: one side fell  
On Xanthus, th'other on the town: and that did he impel  
The same way, that the last days rage, put all the Greeks in rout,  
When Hector's fury reigned. These now, Achilles poured about  
The scattered field. To stay the flight, Saturnia cast before  
Their hasty feet, a standing fog; and then Flights violence bore  
The other half full on the flood. The siluer-gulphed deep  
Received them with a mighty cry: the billows vast and steep,  
Roared at their armours; which the shores, did round about resound:  
This way, and that, they swum, and shrieked; as in the gulfs they drowned:  
And as in fired fields, Locusts rise, as the unwearied blaze 
Simile.   
Plies still their rising, till in swarms, all rush as in amaze,  
(For scape) into some neighbour flood: So, th' Achilleian stroke,  
Here drove the foe. The gulfie flood, with men and horse did choke.   

Then on the shore, the Worthy hid, and left his horrid lance  
Amids the Tamriskes; and spritelike, did with his sword advance,  
Up to the river; ill affairs, took up his furious brain,  
For Troy's engagements: every way, he doubled s●…aine on slain.  
A most unmanly noise was made, with those he put to sword,  
Of groans and outcries; the flood blushed, to be so much engored  
With such base souls: And as small fish, the swift-finned Dolphin fly,  
Filling the deep pits in the ports; on whose close strength they lie: 
Simile.   
And there he swallows them in shoals: So here, to rocks, and holes,  
About the flood, the Troyans' fled; and there most lost their souls:  
Even till he tired his slaughterous arm. Twelve fair young Prin●…es then,  
He choosed of all, to take alive; to have them freshly slain  
On that most solemn day of wreak, resolved on for his friend.  
These led he trembling forth the flood; as fearful of their end,  
As any Hind calves: all their hands, he pinioned behind  
With their own girdles; worn upon, their rich weeds; and resigned  
Their persons to his Myrmidons, to bear to fleet: and he  
Plunged in the stream again; to take, more work of Tragedy.  
He met, then issuing the flood; with all intent of flight,  
Lycaon, (Dardan Priam's son;) whom lately in the night,  
He had surprised; as in a wood, of Priam's, he had cut, 
Achilles' his stran●… encounter of Lycaon.   
The green arms of a wild fig tree; to make him spokes to put  
In Naves of his new chariot. An ill then, ●…ll unthought,  
Stole on him in Achilles' shape, who took him thence, and brought  
To well-built Lemnos, selling him, to famous jasons son:  
From whom, a guest then, in his house; (Imbrius Eetion)  
Redeemed at high rate, and sent home, t' Ari●…ba; whence he fled,  
And saw again his father's court: eleven days banqueted,  
Amongst his friends; the twelfth god thrust, his hapless head again  
In t'hands of stern Aeacides; who now must send him slain,  
To Pluto's Court; and 'gainst his will. Him, when Achilles knew  
Naked of helmet, shield, sword, launce; (all which for ease he th●…ew  
To earth, being overcome with sweat; and labour wearying  
His flying knees) he stormed, and said; O heaven, a wondrous thing  
Invades mine eyes; those Ilians, that heretofore I slew,  
Rise from the dark dead, quick again: this man, f●…te makes eschew  
Her own steel fingers: he was sold, in Lemnos; and the deep  
Of all Seas, twixt this Troy, and that (that many a man doth keep  
From his loved country) bars not him; Come then; he now shall taste  
The head of Pelias; and try, if st●…le will down as fast  
As other fortunes; or kind earth, can any surer 〈◊〉  
On his sly person; whose strong arms, have held down Hercules.   

His thoughts thus moved, while he stood firm; to see if he, he 〈◊〉, 
Lyc●…ons fear to be see●… of Achilles.   
Would offer flight, (which first he thought) but when he had d●…ride,  
He was d●…scried, and flight was vain; fearful, he made more nigh,  
With purpose to embrace his knees; and now longed much to fly  
His black fate, and abhorred death, by coming in. His foe  
Observed all this; and up he raised, his lance, as he would throw;  
And then Lycaon close ran in; fell on his breast, and took  
Achilles' knees; whose lance (on earth, now stayed) did overlook,  
His ●…il-turn'd back; with thirst to glut, his sharp point with the blood,  
That lay so ready; but that thirst, Lycaon's thirst withstood;  
To save his blood, Achilles knee, in his one hand he knit;  
His other held the long lance hard, and would not part with it:  
But thus besought: I kiss thy knees, divine Aeacides:  
Respect me, and my fortunes rue; I now present th'access 
Lyc●…s 〈◊〉 intercession to Achilles for his life.   
Of a poor suppliant, for thy ruth: and I am one that is  
Worthy thy ruth (o Ioues beloved.) First hour my miseries  
Fell into any hand, 'twas thine: I tasted all my bread  
By thy gift since: O since that hour, that thy surprisal led  
From forth the fair wood, my sad feet; far from my loved allies,  
To famous Lemnos, where I found, an hundred Oxens prize  
To make my ransom: for which now, I thrice the worth will raise.  
This day, makes twelve since I arrived, in Ilium: many days  
Being spent before in sufferance: and now a cruel fate,  
Thrusts me again into thy hands. I should haunt jove with hate,  
That with such set malignity, gives thee my life again.  
There were but two of us, for whom, Laothoe suffered pain,  
(Laothoe, old Altes seed; Alte, whose palace stood  
In height of upper Pedasus, near Satnius ●…iluer flood;  
And ruled the warlike Lelegi. Whose seed (as many more)  
King Priam married, and begot, the godlike Polydore,  
And me accursed: thou slaughterdst him: and now thy hand on me  
Will prove as mortal. I did think, when here I met with thee,  
I could not scape thee; yet give ear, and add thy mind to it;  
I told my birth to intimate, though one sire did beget;  
Yet one womb brought not into light, Hector (that slew thy friend)  
And me. O do not kill me then; but let the wretched end  
Of Polydore, excuse my life. For half our being bred  
Brothers to Hector, he (half) paid, no more is forfeited.   

Thus sued he humbly; but he heard, with this austere reply:  
Fool, urge not ruth, no●… price to me; till that solemnity  
Resolved on, for Patroclus' death, pay all his rites to fate.  
Till his death, I did grace to Troy; and many lives did rate  
At price of ransom: but none now, of all the brood of Troy,  
(Who ever jove throws to my hands) shall any breath enjoy,  
That death can beat out; specially, that touch at Primas race.  
Die, die, (my friend) what tears are these? what sad looks spoil thy face?  
Patroclus died, that far past thee: nay seest thou not beside,  
Myself, even I, a fair youngman, and rarely magnifide;  
And (to my father, being a king) a mother have, that sits  
In rank with goddesses; and yet, when thou hast spent thy spirits,  
Death, and as violent a fate, must overtake, even me.  
By twilight, morne-light, day, high noon; when ever Destiny  
Sets on her man, to hurl a lance; or knit out of his string,  
An arrow that must reach my life. This said, a languishing  
Lycaon's heart bend like his knees; yet left him strength t'advance  
Both hands for mercy, as he kneeled. His foe yet leaves his lance,  
And forth his sword flies; which he hide, in furrow of a wound  
Driven through the jointure of his neck; flat fell he on the ground,  
Stretched with death's pangs; and all the earth, imbrued with timeless blood.  
Then gripped Aeacides his heel, and to the lofty flood  
Fling (swinging) his unpitied corpse; to see it swim, and toss  
Up on the rough waves: and said; Go, feed fat the fish with loss  
Of thy left blood: they clean will suck, thy green wounds; and this saves,  
Thy mother tears upon thy bed. Deep Xanthus, on his waves,  
Shall hoist thee bravely to a tomb, that in her burly breast,  
The sea shall open; where great fish, may keep thy funeral feast  
With thy white fat: and on the waves, dance at thy wedding fate,  
Clad in black horror; keeping close, inaccessible state.   

So perish Ilians, till we pluck, the brows of Ilium  
Down to her feet, you flying still: I flying still upon,  
Thus in the rear; and (as my brows, were forked, with rabid horns) 
The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which they translate caedens. but properly signifies dissipans, ut boves infestis cornibus.   
Toss ye together. This brave flood, that strengthens, and adorns  
Your city with his silver gulfs; to whom, so many bulls,  
Your zeal hath offered; with blind zeal, his sacred current gulls,  
With casting chariots, and horse; quick to his prayd-for aid;  
Shall nothing profit: perish then, till cruelest Death hath laid  
All, at the red feet of Revenge, for my slain friend; and all  
With whom the absence of my hands, made yours a festival.   

This speech, great Xanthus more enraged; and made his spirit contend,  
For means to shut up, the o'pt vain, against him; and defend  
The Troyans' in it, from his plague. In mean time Peleus' son,  
(And now with that long lance he hide) for more blood, set upon,  
Asteropaeus; the descent, of Pelagon; and he  
Of brode-streamed Axius, and the dame (of first nativity,  
To all the daughters that renowned, Acesamenus seed)  
Bright Periboea; whom the flood; (armed thick with lofty reed)  
Compressed. At her grandchild now went, Thetis great son; whose foe  
Stood armed with two darts, being set on, by Xanthus; angered so  
For those youth's blood, shed in his stream, by vengeful Thetis son,  
Without all mercy. (Both being near) great Thetides begun 
Achilles to Asteropaeus.   
With this high question. Of what race, art thou that darest oppose  
Thy power to mine thus? cursed wombs, they ever did disclose,  
That stood my anger. He replied, What makes thy fury's heat, 
Asteropaeus 〈◊〉 Achilles.   
Talk, and seek Pedigrees? far hence, lies my innative seat,  
In rich Poeonia. My race, from brode-streamed Axius, runs;  
Axius, that gives earth purest drink, of all the watery sons  
Of great Oceanus; and got, the famous for his spear,  
Pelegonus, that fathered me; and these Poeonians here,  
Armed with long lances, here I lead: and here th'eleventh fair light  
Shines on us, since we entered Troy: Come now, (brave man) let's fight.   

Thus spoke he, threatening; and to him, Pelides made reply,  
With shaken Pelias: but his foe, with two at once let fly;  
(For both his hands were dexterous:) one javelin struck the shield 
Asteropaeus with two darts at once at Achilles.   
Of Thetis son; but struck not through (the gold (gods gift) repelled  
The eager point:) the other lance, fell lightly, on the part  
Of his fair right hands cubit; forth, the black blood spun; the dart  
Glanced over, fastening on the earth, and there his spleen was spent,  
That wished the body. With which wish, Achilles, his lance sent,  
That quite missed, and infixed itself, fast, in the steepe-up shore.  
Even to the midst, it entered it; himself then, fiercely bore  
Upon his enemy with his sword. His foe was tugging hard,  
To get his lance out: thrice he plucked; and thrice, sure Pelias barred  
His wished ewlsion. The fourth pluck; he bowed, and meant to break  
The Ashen plant; but (ere that act) Achilles sword, did check  
His bend power, and broke out his soul. Full in the navel stead 
〈◊〉 slain by Achilles.   
He ripped his belly up; and out, his entrails fell; and dead  
His breathless body: whence his arms, Achilles drew, and said:   

Lie there, and prove it dangerous, to lift up adverse head, 
Achilles to the body of Asterop●…us.   
Against Ioues sons; although a flood, were Ancetor to thee.  
Thy vaunts urged him; but I may vaunt, a higher pedigree,  
(From jove himself:) king Peleus, was son to Aeacus;  
Infernal Aeacus, to jove; and I, to Peleus.  
Thunder-voiced jove, far passeth floods; that only murmurs raise  
With earth and water, as they run, with tribute to the seas.  
And his seed theirs exceeds as far. A flood, a mighty flood  
Raged near thee now; but with no aid. jove must not be withstood.  
King Achelous, yields to him; and great Oceanus;  
Whence all floods; all the sea; all founts; wells; all deeps humorous,  
Fetch their beginnings; yet even he, fears Ioues flash, and the crack  
His thunder gives; when, out of heaven, it tears atwo his rack. 
The racks, or motion of the clouds, for the clouds.    

Thus, plucked he from the shore, his lance; and left the waves to wash  
The wave-sprung entrails; about which, Fausens, and other fish,  
Did shoal, to nibble at the fat, which his sweet kidneys ●…id.  
This for himself; now to his men, (the-well-rode Peons) did  
His rage contend. All which, cold Fear, shook into flight, to see  
Their Captain slain: at whose amazed flight (as much enraged) flew he.  
And then fell all these, Thrasius, Mydon, Astypilus,  
Great Ophelestes, Aenius, Mnesus, Thersilochus.  
And on these, many more had fallen; unless the angry flood, 
Xanthus' out of a whirlpit to Achilles.   
Had took the figure of a man; and in a whirlpit stood,  
Thus speaking to Aeacides. Past all, power feeds thy will,  
(Thou great grandchild of Aeacus) and past all, thou'rt in ill.  
And gods themselves, confederates; and jove (the best of gods)  
All deaths gives thee: all places, not. Make my shores periods  
To all shore service. In the field, let thy field acts run high,  
Not in my waters. My sweet streams, choke with mortality  
Of men, slain by thee. Carcases, so glut me, that I fail  
To power into the sacred sea, my waves; yet still assail  
Thy cruel forces. Cease; amaze, affects me with thy rage,  
Prince of the people. He replied; Shall thy command assuage 
●…chilles to Xanthus.   
(Gulfe-fed Scamander) my free wrath? I'll never leave pursued  
Proud Ilion's slaughters; till this hand, in her filled walls conclude  
Her flying forces; and hath tried, in single fight, the chance  
Of war with Hector; whose event, with stark death, shall advance  
One of our conquests. Thus again, he like a Fury flew  
Upon the Troyans': when the flood, his sad plaint did pursue,  
To bright Apollo; telling him, he was too negligent 
Xanth●… compla●…ns to Apollo.   
Of Ioues high charge; importuning, by all means vehement,  
His help of Troy; till latest Even, should her black shadows pour,  
On earth's broad breast. In all his worst, Achilles yet from shore,  
Leapt to his midst. Then swelled his waves, than raged, then boiled again,  
Against Achilles: up flew all, and all the bodies slain,  
In all his deeps; (of which the heaps, made bridges, to his waves)  
He belched out; roaring like a Bull. The unslain, yet he saves.  
In his black whirlepits, vast and deep. A horrid b●…low stood  
About Achilles. On his shield, the violence of the flood  
Beat so; it drove him back, and took, his feet up; his fair palm,  
Enforced to catched into his stay, a broad, and lofty Elm,  
Whose roots he tossed up with his hold; and tore up all the shore, 
Note the continued height, and 〈◊〉 expres●… of Achilles' glory.   
With this then, he repelled the waves; and those thick arms it bore,  
He made a bridge to bear him off; (for all fell in) when he,  
Forth from the channel threw himself. The rage did terrify,  
Even his great spirit, and made him add, wings to his swiftest feet,  
And tread the land. And yet not there, the flood l●…ft his reveate,  
But thrust his billows after him; and blacked them all at top,  
To make him fear, and fly his charge; and set the broad field open  
For Troy to scape in. He sprung out, a darts cast; but came on  
Again with a redoubled force: As when the swiftest flown,  
And strongest of all fowls, (Ioues black Hawk) the huntress stoops upon  
A much loved Quarry: So charged he; his arms with horror rung,  
Against the black waves: yet again, he was so urged, he fling  
His body from the flood, and fled. And after him again,  
The waves flew roaring: As a man, that finds a water vain; 
Simile.   
And from some black fount is to bring, his streams through plants & groves;  
Goes with his mattock, and all checks, set to his course, removes;  
When that runs freely: under it, the pebbles all give way,  
And where it finds a fall, runs swift: nor can the leader stay  
His current then: Before himself, full paced, it murmurs on.  
So, of Achilles, evermore, the strong flood vantage won;  
(Though most deliver) gods are still, above the powers of men.   

As oft, as th'able godlike man, endeavoured to maintain  
His charge on them, that kept the flood; (and charged as he would try,  
If all the gods, inhabiting, the broad unreached sky,  
Can daunt his spirit,) so oft, still, the rude waves charged him round;  
Rampt on his shoulders; from whose depth, his strength, & spirit would bond  
Up to the free air, vexed in soul. And now the vehement flood,  
Made faint his knees: so overthwart, his waves were, they withstood  
All the denied dust, which he wished; and now, was feign to cry;  
Casting his eyes, to that broad heaven, that late he longed to try:  
And said, O jove, how am I left? No god vouchsafes to free 
Achilles' com●… to the gods in 〈◊〉 ex●….   
Me, miserable man; help now, and after torture me,  
With any outrage. Would to heaven, Hector, (the mightiest  
Bred in this region) had embrued, his javelin in my breast;  
That strong might fall by strong. Where now, weak waters luxury,  
Must make my death blush: one, heaven-borne, shall like a hog-herd die,  
Drowned in a dirty torrents rage. Yet none of you in heaven,  
I blame for this: but she alone, by whom this life was given,  
That now must die thus. She would still, delude me with her tales,  
Affirming Phoebus' shafts should end, within the Trojan walls  
My cursed beginning. In this strait, Neptune and Pallas flew  
To fetch him off. In men's shapes Both, close to his danger drew:  
And, taking both, both hands, thus spoke, the shaker of the world:   

Pelides, do not stir a foot; nor these waves, proudly curled 
Neptune to Achilles.   
Against thy bold breast, fear a jot; thou hast us two thy friends, 
Pallas and he rescuing him.   
(Neptune and Pallas) jove himself, approving th'aid we lend.  
'tis nothing, as thou fearest with fate; she will not see thee drowned:  
This height shall soon down; thine own eyes, shall see it set aground.  
Be ruled then, we'll advise thee well; take not thy hand away,  
From putting all, indifferently, to all, that it can lay  
Upon the Troyans'; till the walls, of haughty Ilium  
Conclude all in a desperate flight: and when thou hast set gone,  
The soul of Hector, turn to fleet: our hands shall plant a wreath  
Of endless glory, on thy brows. Thus, to the free from death,  
Both made retreat. He (much impelled, by charge, the godheads gave)  
The field, that now was overcome, with many a boundless wave,  
He overcame: on their wild breasts, they tossed the carcases,  
And arms of many a slaughtered man. And now the winged knees,  
Of this great Captain, bore aloft: against the flood he flies  
With full assault: nor could that god, make shrink his rescued thighs.  
Nor shrunk the flood; but as his foe, grew powerful, he grew mad: 
Xanthus' to Simois.   
Thrust up a billow to the sky, and crystal Simois bad  
To his assistance: Simois, Ho, brother, (out he cried)  
Come, add thy current, and resist, this man half deified;  
Or Ilium he will pull down strait; the trojans cannot stand  
A minute longer. Come, assist; and instantly command  
All fountains in thy rule to rise; all torrents to make in,  
And stuff thy billows; with whose height, engender such a din,  
(With trees torn up, and justling stones) as so immane a man,  
May shrink beneath us: whose power thrives, do my power all it can:  
He dares things fit for a god. But, nor his form, nor force,  
Nor glorious arms shall profit him: all which, and his dead corpse,  
I vow to roll up in my hands: Nay, bury in my mud:  
Nay, in the very sinks of Troy: that, poured into my flood,  
Shall make him drowning work enough: and being drowned, I'll set  
A fort of such strong filth on him; that Greece shall never get  
His bones from it. There, there shall stand, Achilles sepulchre;  
And save a burial for his friends. This Fury did transfer  
His high-ridged billows on the Prince; roaring with blood, and foam,  
And carcases. The crimson stream, did snatch into her womb,  
Surprised Achilles; and her height, stood, held up by the hand  
Of jove himself. Then juno cried, and called (to countermand  
This watery Deity) the god, that holds command in fire;  
Afraid lest that gulf-stomackt flood, would satiate his desire  
On great Achilles: Mulciber? my best-loved son? (she cried) 
juno to Vul●…an.   
Rouse thee: for all the gods conceive, this flood thus amplified,  
Is raised at thee; and shows as if, his waves would drown the sky,  
And put out all the sphere of fire; haste, help thy Empery:  
Light flames, deep as his pits. Ourself, the West wind, and the South,  
Will call out of the sea; and breath, in either's full-charged mouth  
A storm, t'enrage thy fires 'gainst Troy; which shall (in one exhaled)  
Blow flames of sweat about their brows; and make their armours sk●…d.  
Go thou then, and ('gainst these winds rise) make work on Xanthus' shore,  
With setting all his trees on fire: and in his own breast pour,  
A fervour that shall make it burn; nor let fair words or threats  
Avert thy fury, till I speak; and then, subdue the heats  
Of all thy Blazes. Mulciber; prepared, a mighty fire,  
First, in the field used: burning up, the bodies, that the ire  
Of great Achilles reft of souls: the quite-drowned field it dried;  
And shrunk the flood up. And as fields, that have been long time cloyed  
With catching wether; when their corn, lies on the gavill heap;  
Are with a constant North wind dried; with which for comfort leap 
Simil●….   
Their hearts that sowed them: So this field, was dried; the bodies burned;  
And even the flood into a fire, as bright as day was turned.  
Elms, willows, tamrisks, were inflamed; the lote trees; sea-grass reeds,  
And rushes, with the galingale roots (of which abundance breeds  
About the sweet flood) all were fired: the gliding fishes flew  
Upwards, in flames: the groveling Eeeles, crept upright; all which slew  
Wise Vulcan's unresisted spirit. The flood out of a flame,  
Cried to him; Cease, o Mulciber; no deity can tame 
Xanthus' out of a flaming whirlpit to Vulcan.   
Thy matchless virtue: nor would I, (since thou art thus hot) strive.  
Cease then thy strife; let Thetis son, with all thy wished haste, drive  
Even to their gates these Ilians; what toucheth me their aid,  
Or this Contention? Thus in flames, the burning river prayed:  
And as a Cauldron, underput, with store of fire; and wrought  
With boiling of a well-fed Brawn, up leaps his wave aloft; 
Simile.   
Bavins of sere wood urging it, and spending flames apace,  
Till all the Cauldron be engirt, with a consuming blaze.  
So round this flood burned; and so sod, his sweet, and tortured streams;  
Nor could flow forth, bound in the fumes, of Vulcan's fiery beams.  
Who (than not moved) his mother's ruth, by all his means he craves;  
And asked, why Vulcan should invade, and so torment his waves,  
Past other floods? when his offence, rose not to such degree,  
As that of other gods, for Troy: and that himself would free,  
Her wrath to it, if she were pleased; and prayed her, that her son  
Might be reflected: adding this, that he would near be won,  
To help keep off the ruinous day, in which all Troy should burn,  
Fired by the Grecians. This vow heard; she charged her son to turn  
His fiery spirits to their homes: and said, it was not fit,  
A god should suffer so, for men. Then Vulcan did remit  
His so unmeasured violence; and back the pleasant ●…ood  
Ran to his channel. Thus these gods, she made friends; th'other ●…tood  
At weighty difference; both sides ran, together with a sound,  
That Earth resounded; and great heaven, about did surrebound.   

jove heard it, sitting on his hill; and laughed to see the gods,  
Buckle to arms like angry men: and (he pleased with their odds)  
They laid it freely. Of them all, thump-buckler Mars began; 
Mars against Minerva.   
And at Minerva with a lance, of brass he headlong ran;  
These vile words ushering his blows: Thou, dog-flie, what's the cause,  
Thou makest gods fight thus? thy huge heart, breaks all our peaceful laws,  
With thy insatiate shamelessness. Rememberst thou the hour,  
When Diomedes charged me? and by thee? and thou with all thy power,  
Tookest launce thyself; and in all sights, rushed on me with a wound?  
Now vengeance falls on thee for all. This said, the shield fringed round  
With fight Adders, borne by jove, that not to thunder yields,  
He clapped his lance on; and this god, that with the blood of fields,  
Pollutes his godhead; that shield pierced, and hurt the armed Maid:  
But back she leapt; and with her strong, hand rapt a huge stone, laid  
Above the Champain; black and sharp, that did in old time break  
Partitions to men's lands; And that, she dusted in the neck  
Of that impetuous challenger. Down to the earth he swayed,  
And overlaid seven Acres land: his hair was all berayd  
With dust, and blood mixed; and his arms, rung out. Minerva laughed,  
And thus insulted: O thou fool, yet hast thou not been taught 
Minerva insults over Mars.   
To know mine eminence? thy strength, opposest thou to mine?  
So pay thy mother's furies then; who for these aids of thine,  
(Ever afforded perjured Troy; Greece ever left) takes spleen,  
And vows thee mischief. Thus she turned, her blue eyes, when loves Queen  
The hand of Mars took; and from earth, raised him with thick-drawne breath,  
His spirits not yet got up again. But from the press of death,  
Kind* Aphrodite was his guide. Which, juno seeing, exclamed: 
Venus.   
Pallas; see, Mars is helped from field? Dog, fly, his rude tongue named  
Thyself even now; but that his love, that dog-flie will not leave,  
Her old consort. Upon her; fly. Minerva did receive  
This excitation joyfully; and at the Cyprian flew;  
Struck with her hard hand, her soft breast, a blow that overthrew 
Mars and Venus overthrown by Pallas.   
Both her and Mars; and there, both lay together in broad field.  
When thus she triumphed. So lie all, that any succours yield  
To these false Troyans', against the Greeks; so bold, and patiented,  
As Venus, (shunning charge of me); and no less impotent  
Be all their aids, than hers to Mars: so short work would be made  
In our depopulating Troy (this hardiest to invade,  
Of all earth's cities). At this wish, white-wristed Iuno ●…mil'd.  
Next, Neptune and Apollo stood, upon the point of field;  
And thus spoke Neptune: Phoebus! come; why, at the lances end  
Stand we two thus? 'twill be a shame, for us to re-ascend  
Ioues golden house, being thus in field; and not to ●…ight. Begin;  
For 'tis no graceful work for me: thou hast the younger chin;  
I older, and know more. O fool! what a forgetful heart  
Thou bearest about thee? to stand here, priest to take th'Ilian part,  
And fight with me? Forgettest thou then, what we two; we alone  
(Of all the gods) have suffered here? when proud Laomedon,  
Enjoyed our service, a whole year, for our agreed reward?  
jove, in his sway would have it so; and in that year I reared  
This broad brave wall about this town; that (being a work of mine)  
It might be inexpugnable. This service then, was thine,  
In Ida (that so many hills, and curld-head forests crown)  
To feed his oxen; crooked shanked, and headed like the Moon.  
But when the much-ioy-bringing hours, brought term for our reward;  
The terrible Laomedon, dismissed us both, and scared  
Our high deservings; not alone, to hold our promised fee,  
But give us threats too. Hands and feet, he swore to fetter thee,  
And sell thee as a slave; dismissed, far hence to foreign Isles;  
Nay more, he would have both our ears. His vows breach, and reviles,  
Made us part angry with him than; and dost thou gratulate now,  
Such a kings subjects? or with us, not their destruction vow,  
Even to their chaste wives, and their babes? He answered, ●…e might hold  
His wisdom little; if with him (a god); for men he would 
Apollo to Neptune.   
Maintain contention: wretched men, that flourish for a time,  
Like leaves; eat some of that, Earth yields; and give Earth, in their prime,  
Their whole selves for it. Quickly then, let us fly fight for them;  
Nor show it offered: let themselves, bear out their own extreme.   

Thus he retired, and feared to change, blows with his uncles hands;  
His sister therefore chid him much, (the goddess that commands 
Diana reproves Apollo for leaving the Troyans'   
In games of hunting) and thus spoke: Fliest thou? and leav'st the field  
To Neptune's glory? and no blows? O fool! why dost thou wield  
Thy idle bow? no more my ears, shall hear thee vaunt in skies,  
Dares to meet Neptune; but I'll tell, thy coward's tongue, it lies.   

He answered nothing; yet Ioues wife, could put on no such rains;  
But spoke thus loosely: How darest thou, dog, whom no fears contains, 
I●…no to Diana.   
Encounter me? 'twill prove a match, of hard condition:  
Though the great Lady of the bow; and jove hath set thee down,  
For Lion of thy sex; with gift, to slaughter any Dame  
Thy proud will envies; yet some Dames, will prove, th'hadst better tame  
Wild Lions upon hills, then them. But if this question rests  
Yet under judgement, in thy thoughts; and that thy mind contests;  
I'll make thee know it. Suddenly, with her left hand she catched  
Both Cynthia's palms, locked fingers fast; and with her right, she snatched  
From her fair shoulders, her guilt bow; and (laughing) laid it on,  
About her ears; and every way, her turnings seized upon,  
Till all her arrows scattered out; her quiver emptied quite.  
And as a Dove, that (flying a Hawk) takes to some rock her flight; 
Simile.   
And in his hollow breasts sits safe; her fate, not yet to die:  
So fled she mourning; and her bow, left there. Then Mercury,  
His opposite, thus undertook: Latona, at no hand,  
Will I bide combat; 'tis a work, right dangerous to stand,  
At difference with the wives of jove; Go therefore, freely vaunt  
Amongst the deities, thoust subdued, and made thy combatant  
Yield with plain power. She answered not, but gathered up the bow  
And shafts fallen from her daughter's side, retiring. Up did go  
Diana to Ioues starry hall; her incorrupted vail  
Trembling about her; so she shook. Phoebus (lest Troy should fail  
Before her Fate) flew to her walls; the other deities flew  
Up to Olympus; some enraged, some glad. Achilles slew  
Both men and horse of Ilium. And as a city fired,  
Casts up a heat, that purples heaven; Clamours and shrieks expired 
Simil●….   
In every corner; toil to all; to many, misery;  
Which fire, th'incensed gods let fall; Achilles so let fly,  
Rage on the Troyans'; toils and shrieks, as much by him imposed.  
Old Priam in his sacred tower, stood; and the flight disclosed,  
Of his forced people; all in rout, and not a stroke returned,  
By fled Resistance. His eyes saw, in what a fury burnt  
The son of Peleus; and down, went weeping from the tower, 
Priam's amaze at Achilles.   
To all the port-guards; and their Chiefs, told of his flying power,  
Commanding th'opening of the ports; but not to let their hands  
Stir from them; for Aeacides, would pour in with his bands.  
Destruction comes; O shut them strait; when we are in (he prayed);  
For, not our walls I fear, will check, this violent man. This said,  
Off lifted they the bars; the ports, haled open; and they gave  
Safety her entry, with the host; which yet they could not save,  
Had not Apollo sallied out, and struck Destruction  
(Brought by Achilles in their necks) back; when they, right upon  
The ports bore all, dry, dusty, spent; and on their shoulders road  
Rabide Achilles with his lance; still Glory being the good  
That pricked his Fury. Then the Greeks, high-ported Ilium  
Had seized; had not Apollo stirred, Antenor's famous son,  
Divine Agenor; and cast in, an undertaking spirit 
Agenor spirited by Apollo.   
To his bold bosom; and himself, stood by to strengthen it,  
And keep the heavy hand of death, from breaking in. The god  
Stood by him, leaning on a beach, and covered his abode  
With nightlike darkness; yet for all, the spirit he inspired;  
When that great citie-racers force, his thoughts struck, he retired;  
Stood, and went on; A world of doubts, still falling in his way,  
When (angry with himself) he said: Why suffer I this stay,  
In this so strong need to go on? If, like the rest, I fly;  
'tis his best weapon to give chase, being swift; and I should die 
Agenor's ●…scourse with himself.   
Like to a coward. If I stand, I fall too. These two ways,  
Please not my purpose; I would live. What if I suffer these,  
Still to be routed? and (my feet, affording further length)  
Pass all these fields of Ilium, till Ida's sylvan strength,  
And steep heights shroud me; and at Even, refresh me in the flood,  
And turn to Ilium? O my soul, why drownest thou in the blood  
Of these discourses? If this course, that talks of further flight,  
I give my feet; his feet more swift, have more odds. Get he sight  
Of that pass; I pass least; for pace, and length of pace, his thighs  
Will stand out all men. Meet him then; my steel hath faculties  
Of power to pierce him; his great breast, but one soul holds; and that  
Death claims his right in (all men say); but he holds special state  
In Ioues high bounty: that's past man, that every way will hold; 
Io●…es bounty serves all men all ways.   
And that serves all men, every way. This last heart, made him bold,  
To stand Achilles; and stirred up, a mighty mind to blows.  
And as a Panther (having heard, the hounds trail) doth disclose 
Simile.   
Her freckled forehead; and stars forth, from out some deepe-growne wood,  
To try what strength dares her abroad; and when her fiery blood  
The hounds have kindled; no quench serves, of love to live, or fea●…e;  
Though struck, though wounded; though quite through, she feels the mortal spear;  
But till the man's close strength she tries, or strews earth with his dart;  
She puts her strength out: So it fared, with brave Agenor's heart;  
And till Achilles he had proved; no thoughts, no deeds, once stirred  
His fixed foot. To his broad breast, his round shield he preferred,  
And up his arm went, with his aim; his voice out, with this cry:  
Thy hope is too great (Peleus son), this day to show thine eye  
Troy's Ilium at thy foot; O fool! the Greeks with much more woes, 
Agenor to Achilles.   
More than are suffered yet, must buy, great Ilion's overthrows.  
We are within her many strong, that for our parents sakes,  
Our wives and children, will save Troy; and thou (though he that makes  
Thy name so terrible) shalt make, a sacrifice to her,  
With thine own ruins. Thus he threw; nor did his javelin err;  
But struck his foe's leg, near his knee; the fervent steel did ring  
Against his tin greaves, and leapt back. The fires strong-handed king,  
Gave virtue of repulse; and then, Aeacides assailed  
Divine Agenor; but in vain; Apollo's power prevailed,  
And rapt Agenor from his reach; whom quietly he placed  
Without the skirmish; casting mists, to save from being chased,  
His tendered person; and (he go) to give his soldiers scape;  
The deity turned Achilles still, by putting on the shape  
Of him he thirsted; evermore, he fed his eye, and fled;  
And he with all his knees pursued. So cunningly he led;  
That still he would be near his reach, to draw his rage, with hope,  
far from the conflict; To the flood, maintaining still the scope  
Of his attraction. In mean time, the other frighted powers,  
Came to the city, comforted, when Troy, and all her towers,  
Strooted with fillers; none would stand, to see who stayed without,  
Who scaped, and who came short; the ports, cleft to receive the rout,  
That poured itself in. Every man, was for himself; Most fleet,  
Most fortunate; who ever scaped, his head might thank his feet.   
The end of the one and twentieth Book.   

THE XXII. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

ALl Troyans' housed but Hector; only he,  
Keeps field, and undergoes th'extremity.  
Aeacides assaulting; Hector flies.  
Minerva stays him: he resists, and dies.  
Achilles to his chariot doth enforce;  
And to the naval station, drags his corpse.   
Another Argument.  

Hector (in Chi) to death is done,  
By power of Peleus' angry sonn●….   

THus (chased like Hinds) the Ilians, took time to drink and eat,  
And to refresh them; getting off, the mingled dust and sweat;  
And good strong rampires on in stead. The Greeks then cast their shields  
Aloft their shoulders; and now Fate, their near invasion yields  
Of those tough walls. Her deadly hand, compelling Hector's stay  
Before Troy at the Scaean ports. Achilles still made way  
At Phoebus; who, his bright head turned; and asked: Why (Peleus son) 
Apollo to Achilles.   
Pursuest thou (being a man) a god? thy rage hath never done.  
Acknowledge not thine eyes my state? esteems thy mind no more  
Thy honour in the chase of Troy; but puts my chase before  
Their utter conquest? they are all, now housde in Ilium,  
While thou huntest me. What wishest thou? my blood will never run  
On thy proud javelin. It is thou (replied Aeacides)  
That putst dishonour thus on me, (thou worst of deities) 
Achilles to Apollo.   
Thou turndst me from the walls, whose ports, had never entertained  
Numbers now entered; over whom, thy saving hand hath reigned,  
And robbed my honour. And all is, since all thy actions stand,  
Past fear of reckoning: but held I, the measure in my hand,  
It should afford thee dear-bought fcapes. Thus with elated spirits,  
(Steed-like, that at Olympus' games, wears garlands for his merits,  
And rattles home his chariot, extending all his pride)  
Achilles so parts with the god. When aged Priam spied  
The great Greek come, (sphered round with beams, and show'ng as if the star,  
Surnamed Orion's hound; that springs, in Autumn, and sends far  
His radiance through a world of stars; of all whose beams, his own  
Cast greatest splendour: the midnight, that renders them most shown,  
Then being their foil; and on their points; cure-passing Fevers then,  
Come shaking down, into the joints, of miserable men:  
As this were fallen to earth; and shot, along the field his rays,  
Now towards Priam (when he saw, in great Aeacides) 
Priam's fright at the sight of Achilles.   
Out flew his tender voice in shrieks; and with raised hands he smit  
His reverend head; then up to heaven, he cast them; showing it,  
What plague's it sent him; Down again, then threw them to his son,  
To make him shun them. He now stood, without steep Ilium,  
Thirsting the combat; and to him, thus miserably cried  
The kind old king: O Hector! fly, this man, this homicide, 
Priam to Hector   
That straight will stroy thee. he's too strong; and would to heaven he were,  
As strong in heavens love as in mine; Vultures and dogs should tear  
His prostrate carcase; all my woes, quenched with his bloody spirits.  
He has robbed me of many sons; and worthy; and their merits  
Sold to far islands. Two of them (ay me) I miss but now;  
They are not entered; nor stay here; Laothoe, O 'twas thou,  
(O Queen of women) from whose womb, they breathed: O did the tents  
Detain them only; brass and gold, would purschase safe events,  
To their sad durance: 'tis within. Old Altes (young in fame)  
Gave plenty for his daughter's dower; but if they fed the flame  
Of this man's fury, woe is me; woe to my wretched Queen.  
But in our state's woe, their two deaths, will nought at all be seen;  
So thy life quit them: take the town; retire (dear son) and save  
Troy's husbands and her wives; nor give, thine own life to the grave,  
For this man's glory: pity me; me, wretch, so long alive;  
Whom in the door of Age, jove keeps; that so he may deprive  
My being, in Fortune's utmost curse; to see the blackest thread  
Of this life's miseries; my sons slain; my daughters ravished;  
Their resting chambers sacked; their babes, torn from them, on their knees  
Pleading for mercy; themselves dragged, to Grecian slaveries,  
(And all this drawn through my red eyes.) Then last of all kneel I,  
Alone, all helpless, at my gates, before my enemy,  
That (ruthless) gives me to my dogs: all the deformity  
Of age discovered; and all this, thy death (sought wilfully)  
Will pour on me. A fair young man, at all parts it beseems,  
(Being bravely slain) to lie all gashed; and wear ●…he worst extremes  
Of wars most cruelty; no wound, of whatsoever ruth,  
But is his ornament: but I, a man so far from youth;  
White head, white bearded, wrinkled, pined; all shames must show the eye:  
Live; prevent this then; this most shame, of all man's misery.   

Thus wept the old king, and tore off, his white hair; yet all these  
Retired not Hector. Hecuba, then fell upon her knees;  
Stripped naked her bosom, show'd her breasts, and bade him reverence them,  
And pity her: if ever she, had quieted his exclaim,  
He would cease hers, and take the town; not tempting the rude field,  
When all had left it: think (said she) I gave thee life to yield  
My life recomfort; thy rich wife, shall have no rites of thee,  
Nor do thee rites: our tears shall pay, thy corpse no obsequy,  
Being ravished from us; Grecian dogs, nourished, with what I n●…rst.   

Thus wept both these; and to his ruth, proposed the utmost worst,  
Of what could chance them; yet he stayed. And now drew deadly near,  
Mighty Achilles; yet he still, kept deadly station there.  
Look how a Dragon, when she sees, a traveler bend upon 
A Simile expressing how Hector stood Achilles.   
Her breeding den; her bosom fed, with fell contagion,  
Gathers her forces, sits him firm, and at his nearest pace,  
Wraps all her Caverne in her folds, and thrusts a horrid face  
Out at his entry: Hector so, with unextinguished spirit,  
Stood great Achilles; stirred no foot; but at the prominent turret,  
Bend to his bright shield, and resolved, to bear fallen heaven on it.  
Yet all this resolute abode, did not so truly fit  
His free election; but he felt, a much more galling spur  
To the performance, with conceit, of what he should incur,  
Entering, like others; for this cause; to which, he thus gave way.   

O me, if I shall take the town, Polydamas will lay  
This flight, and all this death on me; who counselled me to lead 
Hector's discourse   
My powers to Troy: this last black night, when so I saw make head,  
Incensed Achilles; I yet stayed; though (past all doubt) that course  
Had much more profited than mine; which, (being by so much worse,  
As comes to all our flight, and death) my folly now I fear,  
Hath bred this scandal; all our town, now burns my ominous ear●…  
With whispering: Hector's self conceit, hath cast away his host.  
And (this true) this extremity, that I rely on most,  
Is best for me; stay, and retire, with this man's life; or die  
Here for our citi●… with renown; since all else fled, but I.  
And yet one way, cuts both these ways; what if I hang my shield,  
My helm and lance here, on these walls; and meet in humble field,  
Renowned Achilles, offering him, Helen, and all the wealth,  
What ever in his hollow keels, bore Alexander's stealth  
For both th' Atrides? For the rest; what ever is possessed  
In all this city, known, or hid, by oath shall be confessed  
Of all our citizens; of which, one half the Greeks shall have;  
One half themselves. But why (loved soul) would these suggestions save  
Thy state still in me? I'll not sue; nor would he grant; but I,  
(Mine arms cast off) should be assured, a woman's death to die.  
To men of oak and rock, no words; virgins and youths talk thus;  
Virgins and youths, that love, and woo; there's other war with us:  
What blows and conflicts urge, we cry; hates and defiances;  
And with the garlands these trees bear, try which hand jove will bless.   

These thoughts employed his stay; and now, Achilles comes; now near 
Achilles' dreadful approach to Hector.   
His Mars-like presence, terribly, came brandishing his spear;  
His right arm shook it; his bright arms, like day came glittering on,  
Like fire-light, or the light of heaven, shot from the rising Sun.  
This sight outwrought discourse; cold Fear, shook Hector from his stand;  
No more stay now; all ports were left; he fled in fear the hand  
Of that Feare-master, who hauk-like, airs swiftest passenger,  
That holds a timorous Dove in chase; and with command doth ●…are  
His fiery onse●… the Dove hasts; the Hawk comes whizzing on;  
This way, and that, he turns, and winds, and cuffs the Pigeon;  
And till he truss it, his great spirit, lays hot charge on his wing:  
So urged Achilles, Hector's flight; so still, Fears point did sting  
His troubled spirit; his knees wrought hard; along the wall he flew;  
In that fair chariot way, that runs, beneath the tower of view,  
And Troy's wild figtree; till they reached, where those two mother springs,  
Of deep Scamander, poured abroad, their silver murmurings. 
The 〈◊〉 description of two springs under the walls of Troy   
One warm, and casts out fumes, as fire; the other, cold as snow,  
Or hail dissolved. And when the Sun, made ardent summer glow,  
There waters concrete crystal shined; near which, were cisterns made,  
All paved, and clear; where Trojan wives, and their fai●…e daughters had  
Laundry for their fine linen weeds; in times of cleanly Peace,  
Before the Grecians brought their siege. These Captains noted these;  
One flying; th'other in pursuit; a strong man flew before; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from Achilles, and his chase of 〈◊〉.   
A stronger followed him by far, and close up to him bore.  
Both did their best; for neither now, ran for a sacrifice;  
Or for the sacrificers hide, (our runners usual prize)  
These ran for tame-horse Hector's soul. And as two running Steeds,  
Backed in some set race for a game, that tries their swi●…est speeds,  
(A tripod, or a woman given, for some man's funerals):  
Such speed made these men; and on foot, ran 
* Up and down the walls, it is to be understood. 〈◊〉 grief for Hector.  thrice about the walls.   

The gods beheld them; all much moved; and jove said: O ill sight!  
A man I love much, I see forced, in most unworthy flight  
About great Ilium; my heart grieves; he paid so many vows,  
With thighs of sacrificed beeves; both on the lofty brows  
Of Id●…, and in Ilion's height. Consult we; shall we free  
His life from death? or give it now, t' Achilles' victory?   

Minerva answered: Altar Fate? one, long since marked for death, 
Pall●… against Hector's preser●….   
Now take from death? do thou; but know, he still shall run beneath,  
Our other censures. Be it then, (replied the Thunderer)  
My loved Tritonia, at thy will; in this I will prefer  
Thy free intention; work it all. Then stooped she from the sky,  
To●… his great combat. Peleus' son, pursued incessantly  
Still-flying Hector: As a Hound, that having roused a Hart, 
〈◊〉.   
Although he tappish ne'er so oft; and every shrubby part,  
Attempts for strength, and trembles in; the Hound doth still pursue  
So close, that not a foot he fails; but hunts it still at view:  
So plied Achilles, Hector's steps; as oft as he assailed  
The Dardan ports and towers for strength, (to fetch from thence s●…me aid,  
With winged shafts) so oft forced he, amends of pace; and 〈◊〉  
Twixt him and all his hopes; and still, upon the field he kept  
His utmost turnings to the town. And yet, as in a dream, 
A most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, used (〈◊〉 all our Homer besides) by Virgil, but this as a translator merely.   
One thinks he gives another chase; when such a feigned extreme  
Possesseth both; that he in chase, the chacer cannot fly;  
Nor can the chacer get to hand, his flying enemy:  
So, nor Achilles' chase could reach, the flight of Hector●… pace;  
Nor Hector's flight enlarge itself, of swift Achilles' chase.   

But how chanced this? how, all this time, could Hector bear the knees  
Of fierce Achilles, with his own; and keep off Destinies,  
If Phoebus (for his last and best) through all that course had failed,  
To add his succours to his nerves? And (as his foe assailed)  
Near, and within him, fed his escape. Achilles yet well knew,  
His knees would fetch him; and gave signs, to some friends (making show  
Of shooting at him) to forbear, lest they detracted so  
From his full glory; in first wounds; and in the overthrow,  
Make his hand last. But when they reached, the fourth time, the two founts;  
Then jove, his golden skoles weighed up; and took the last accounts  
Of Fate for Hector; putting in, for him, and Peleus' son,  
Two fates of bitter death; of which, high heaven received the one,  
The other hell: so low declined, the light of Hector's life.  
Then Phoebus left him, when wars Queen, came to resolve the strife, 
Pallas to Achilles.   
In th''others knowledge: Now (said she) Ioue-loued Aeacides,  
I hope at last to make Renown, perform a brave access  
To all the Grecians; we shall now, lay low this champion's height;  
Though never so insatiate, was his great heart of fight.  
Nor must he scape our pursuit still; though all the feet of jove,  
Apollo bows into a sphere, soliciting more love,  
To his most favoured. Breath thee then, stand firm; myself will hast,  
And hearten Hector to change blows. She went, and he stood fast;  
Leaned on his lance; and much was joyed, that single strokes should try  
This fadging conflict. Then came close, the changed deity, 
Pallas like Deiphobus to Hector   
To Hector, like Deiphobus, in shape, and voice; and said:   

O brother, thou art too much urged, to be thus combated  
About our own walls; let us stand, and force to a retreat  
Th'insulting Chaser. Hector joyed, at this so kind deceit;  
And said: O good Deiphobus, thy love was most before 
Hector to Pallas for Deiphobus.   
(Of all my brothers) dear to me; but now, exceeding more  
It costs me honour; that thus urged, thou comest to part the charge  
Of my last fortunes; other friends, keep town, and leave at large  
My racked endeavours. She replied: Good brother, 'tis most true;  
One after other, King and Queen; and all our friends did sue  
(Even on their knees) to stay me there; such tremble shake them all,  
With this man's terror: but my mind, so grieved to see our wall  
Girt with thy chases; that to death, I longed to urge thy stay.  
Come, fight we, thirsty of his blood; no more let's fear to lay  
Cost on our lan●…es; but approve, if bloodied with our spoils,  
He can bear gl●…tie to their fleet, or shut up all their toils,  
In his one suffe●…ce on thy lance. With this deceit, she led;  
And (both come near) thus Hector spoke: Thrice I have compassed 
Hector to Achil●….   
This great town (Peleus son) in flight, with aversation,  
That out of Fate put off my steps; but now, all flight is flown;  
The short course set up; death or life. Our resolutions yet,  
Must shun all rudeness; and the gods, before our valour set,  
For use of victory; and they, being worthiest witnesses  
Of all vows; since they keep vows best; before their deities,  
Let vows of fit respect, pass both; when Conquest hath bestowed  
Her wreath on either. Here I vow, no fury shall be showed,  
That is not manly, on thy corpse; but, having spoiled thy arms,  
Resign thy person; which swear thou. These fair and temperate terms,  
far fled Achilles; his brows bend; and out flew this reply.   

Hector, thou only pestilence, in all mortality, 
Achilles' stern reply to Hector.   
To my sere spirits; never set, the point twixt thee and me  
Any conditions; but as far, as men and Lions fly,  
All terms of covenant; lambs and wolves: in so far opposite state,  
(Impossible for love t'atone) stand we; till our souls satiate  
The god of soldiers; do not dream, that our disjunction can  
Endure condition. Therefore now, all worth that fits a man,  
Call to thee; all particular parts, that fit a soldier;  
And they, all this include, (besides, the skill, and spirit of war)  
Hunger for slaughter; and a hate, that eats thy heart, to eat  
Thy foes heart. This stirs; this supplies, in death, the kill heat;  
And all this needst thou. No more flight; Pallas Athenia  
Will quickly cast thee to my lance; now, now together draw  
All griefs for vengeance; both in me, and all my friends late dead  
That bled thee; raging with thy lance. This said, he brandished  
His long lance; and away it sung: which, Hector giving view, 
Achilles' first encounter with Hector.   
Stooped low, stood firm, (foreseeing it best) and quite it overflew,  
Fastening on earth. 
* Pallas.  Athenia, drew it, and gave her friend,  
Unseen of Hector. Hector then, thus spoke: Thou want'st thy end,  
(Godlike Achilles:) now I see, thou hast not learned my fate,  
Of jove at all; as thy high words, would bravely intimate;  
Much tongue affects thee; cunning words, well serve thee to prepare  
Thy blows with threats, that mine might faint, with want of spirit to dare;  
But my back never turns with breath; it was not borne to bear  
Burdens of wounds; strike home, before; drive at my breast thy spear,  
As mine at thine shall; and try then, if heavens will favour thee  
With scape of my lance; O would jove, would take it after me,  
And make thy bosom take it all; an easy end would crown  
Our difficult wars, were thy soul fled; thou most bane of our town.   

Thus flew his dart, touched at the midst, of his vast shield, and flew 
Hector at Achilles.   
A huge way from it; but his heart, wrath entered with the view  
Of that hard escape; and heavy thoughts, struck through him, when he spied  
His brother vanished; and no lance, beside left; out he cried,  
Deiphobus! another launce. Launce, nor Deiphobus 
H●…ctors amaze with the deceit of Pallas.   
Stood near his call. And then his mind, saw all things ominous,  
And thus suggested: Woe is me; the gods have called, and I  
Must meet Death here; Deiphobus, I well hoped had been by,  
With his white shield; but our strong walls, shield him; and this deceit  
Flows from Minerva; now, o now, ill death comes; no more flight,  
No more recovery: O jove, this hath been otherwise;  
Thy bright son, and thyself, have set, the Greeks a greater prize  
Of Hector's blood then now; of which, (even jealous) you had care;  
But Fate now conquers; I am hers; and yet, not she shall share  
In my renown; that life is left, to every noble spirit;  
And that, some great deed shall beget; that all lives shall inherit.   

Thus, forth his sword flew, sharp and broad, and bor●… a deadly weight; 
The last encounter of Achilles and Hector.   
With which, he rushed in: And look how, an Eagle from her height,  
Stoops to the rapture of a Lamb; or cuffs a timorous Hare:  
So fell in Hector; and at him, Achilles; his minds ●…are,  
Was fierce and mighty: his shield cast, a Sunlike radian●…;  
Helm nodded; and his four plumes shook; and when he raised his lance,  
Up Hesperus rose, amongst th'evening stars. His bright and sparliling 〈◊〉,  
Looked through the body of his foe; and sought through all that prize,  
The next way to his thirsted life. Of all ways, only one  
Appeared to him; and that was, where, th'unequal winding bone,  
That joins the shoulders and the neck, had place; and where there lay  
The speeding way to death: and there, his quick eye could display  
The place it sought; even through those arms, his friend Patr●…lus wore,  
When Hector slew him. There he aimed, and there his javelin tore  
Stern passage quite through Hector's neck; yet missed it so his throat,  
It gave him power to change some words; but down to earth it got 
H●…ctor wounded to death.   
His fainting body. Then triumphed, divine Aeacides;  
Hector, (said he) thy heart supposed, that in my friend's decease, 
Achilles' insultation.   
Thy life was safe; my absent arm, not cared for: Fool! he left  
One at the fleet, that bettered him; and he it is that re●…t  
Thy strong knees thus; and now the dogs, and fowls, in foulest use  
Shall tear thee up; thy corpse exposed, to all the Greeks abuse.   

He, fainting, said: Let me implore, even by thy knees, and soul, 
H●…ctors d●…ing request to Achilles.   
And thy great parents; do not see, a cruelty so foul  
Inflicted on me; brass and gold, receive at any rate,  
And quit my person; that the Peers, and Ladies of our state,  
May tomb it; and to sacred fire, turn thy profane decrees.   

Dog, (he replied) urge not my ruth, by parents, ●…oule, nor knees; 
Achill●… infle●…bilitie.   
I would to God that any rage, would let me eat 〈◊〉 raw,  
Sliced into pieces; so beyond, the right of any law,  
I taste thy merits; and believe, it flies the force of man,  
To rescue thy head from the dogs. Give all the gold they can;  
If ten or twenty times so much, as friends would rate thy price,  
Were tendered here, with vows of more; to buy the cruel●…es  
I here have vowed; and after that, thy father with his gold  
Would free thyself; all that should fail, to let ●…hy mother hold  
Solemnities of death with thee; and do thee such a grace,  
To mourn thy whole corpse on a bed; which 〈◊〉 I'll de●…ce  
With fowls and dogs. He (dying) said: I (k●…owing th●… well) 〈◊〉  
Thy now tried tyranny; nor hop●…, for any other ●…aw,  
Of nature, or of nations: and that fear, forced much more  
Than death, my flight; which never touched, at Hect●…s 〈◊〉 before. 
Hector's prophecy of Achilles' de●…h   
A soul of iron informs thee; mark, what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
Will give me of thee, for this rage; when in the Sc●…ri gates,  
Phoebus and Paris meet with thee. Thus death●… hand 〈◊〉 his eyes;  
His soul flying his ●…aire ●…ms, to hell; mourning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
To part so with his youth and strength. Th●… d●…d▪ thus T●…is son,  
His prophecy answered: Die thou now; when my short thread is spun,  
I'll bear it as the will of jove. This said, his brazen spear,  
He drew, and stuck by: then his arms (that all imbrued were)  
He spoiled his shoulders off. Then all, the Greeks ran in to him,  
To see his person; and admired, his terror-stirring limb: 
The Greeks ad●…ration of Hector's person being slain.   
Yet none stood by, that gave no wound, to his so goodly form;  
When each to other said: O jove, he is not in the storm,  
He came to fleet in, with his fire; he handles now more soft.   

O friends, (said stern Aeacides) now that the gods have brought 
Achilles to the Grecians.   
This man thus down; I'll freely say, he brought more bane to Greece,  
Then all his aiders. Try we then, (thus armed at every piece,  
And girding all Troy with our host) if now their hearts will leave  
Their city clear; her clear stay slain; and all their lives receive;  
Or hold yet, Hector being no more. But why use I a word  
Of any act, but what concerns, my friend? dead, vndeplored,  
Vnsepulcherd; he lies at fleet, unthought on; never hour  
Shall make his dead state, while the quick, enjoys me; and this power,  
To move these movers. Though in hell, men say, that such as die,  
Oblivion seizeth; yet in hell, in me shall Memory  
Hold all her forms still, of my friend. Now, (youths of Greece) to fleet  
Bear we this body; Paeans sing; and all our navy greet  
With endless honour; we have slain, Hector, the period  
Of all Troy's glory; to whose worth, all vowed, as to a god.   

This said; a work, not worthy him, he set to: of both feet, 
Achilles' tyranny to Hector's person, which we lay on his fury, and l●…e to his slain friend, for whom himself living, suffered so much.   
He bored the nerves through, from the heel, to th'ankle; and then knit  
Both to his chariot, with a thong, of whitleather; his head  
Trailing the centre. Up he got, to chariot; where he laid  
The arms repurchaced; and scourged on, his horse, that freely flew.  
A whirlwind made of startled dust, drove with them, as they drew;  
With which were all his black-browne curls, knotted in heaps, and filled.  
And there lay Troy's late Gracious; by jupiter exiled  
To all disgrace, in his own land, and by his parents seen.   

When (like her sons head) all with dust, Troy's miserable Queen,  
Distained her temples; plucking off, her honoured hair; and tore  
Her royal garments, shrieking out. In like kind, Pri●… bore  
His sacred person; like a wretch, that never saw good day,  
Broken, with outcries. About both, the people pros●…ate lay;  
Held down with Clamour; all the town, veiled with a cloud of tears. 
Priam and Hecubas miserable plight for Hector   
Ilium, with all his tops on fire, and all the massacres,  
Left for the Greeks, could put on looks, of no more overthrow  
Then now afraid life. And yet the king, did all their looks outshow.  
The wretched people could not bear, his soueraign●… wretchedness,  
Plaguing himself so; thrusting out, and praying all the press  
To open him the Dardan po●…; that he alone might fetched  
His dearest son in; and (all filled, with ●…bling) did beseech  
Each man by name, thus: Loved friends, be you co●…ent; let me 
Priam to his friend.   
(Though much ye grieve) be that poo●… mean, to ou●… sad remedy,  
Now in our wishes; I will go, and pray this impious man,  
(Author of horrors) making proof, if ages reverence can  
Excite his pity. His own sire, is old like me; and he,  
That got him to our giefes; perhaps, may (for my likeness) be  
Mean for our ruth to him. Alas, you have no cause of cares,  
Compared with me; I, many sons, graced, with their freshest years  
Have lost by him: and all their deaths, in slaughter of this one,  
(Afflicted man) are doubled: this, will bitterly set gone  
My soul to hell. O would to heaven, I could but hold him dead  
In these pined arms: then tears, on tears, might fall, till all were shed  
In common fortune. Now amaze, their natural course doth stop,  
And pricks a mad vein. Thus he mourned; and with him, all brake open  
Their store of sorrows. The poor Queen, amongst the women wept, 
●…bas complaint for Hector.   
Turned into anguish: O my son, (she cried out) why, still kept,  
Patiented of horrors, is my life, when thine is vanished?  
My days thou glorifiedst; my nights, rung of some honoured deed,  
Done by thy virtues: joy to me, profit to all our care.  
All made a god of thee; and thou, mad'st them, all that they are.  
Now under fate, now dead. These two, thus vented as they could,  
Their sorrows furnace. Hector's wife, not having yet been told  
So much, as of his stay without. She in her chamber close,  
Sat at her Loom: a piece of work, graced with a both sides gloss,  
Strewed curiously with varied flowers, her pleasure was; her care,  
To heat a Cauldron for her Lord, to bathe him, turned from war:  
Of which, she chief charge gave her maids. Poor Dame, she little knew  
How much her cares lacked of his case. But now the Clamour flew  
Up to her turret: then she shook; her work fell from her hand,  
And up she started, called her maids; she needs must understand  
That ominous outcry. Come (said she) I hear through all this cry  
My mother's voice shrieke; to my throat, my heart bounds; Ecstasy  
V●…terly altars me: some fate, is near the hapless sons  
Of fading Priam: would to god, my words suspicions  
No ear had heard yet: O I fear, and that most hearty;  
That with some stratagem, the son, of Peleus hath put by  
The wall of Ilium, my Lord; and (trusty of his feet)  
Obtained the chase of him alone; and now the curious heat  
Of his still desperate spirit is cooled. It let him never keep  
In guard of others; before all, his violent foot must step,  
Or his place, for●…eited he held. Thus fury like she went,  
Two women (as she willed) at hand; and made her quick a●…nt  
Up to the tower, and press of men; her spirit in uproar. Round  
She cast her greedy eye, and saw, her Hector slain, and bound  
TO Achilles' chariot; manlesly, dragged to the Grecian fleet.  
Black night struck through her; under her, Tr●… ●…ke away her feet,  
And back she shrunk, with such a sway; that off her head-tire flew;  
Her Coronet, Call, Ribbons, vail, that golden Venus threw  
On her white shoulders; that high day, when warlike Hector won  
Her hand in nuptials, in the Court, of king Eetion;  
And that great dower, then given with her. About her, on their kn●…s,  
Her husband's sisters, brother's wives, ●…ell round, and by degrees  
Recovered her. Then, when again, her respirations found  
Free pass, (her mind and spirit met) these thoughts her words did sound.   

O Hector, O me cursed dame; both borne beneath one fate: 
Andromaches complaint for Hector.   
Thou here, I in Cilician Thebes; where Placus doth elate,  
His shady forehead, in the Court, where king Eetion,  
(Hapless) begot unhappy me; which would he had not done,  
To live past thee: thou now art di●…'d, to Putos gloomy throne,  
Sunk through the coverts of the earth: I, in a hell of moan,  
Left here thy widow: one poor babe, borne to unhappy both,  
Whom thou leav'st helpless, as he thee; he borne to all the wroth  
Of woe, and labour. Lands left him, will others ●…se upon:  
The Orphan day, of all friends helps, robs every mother's son.  
An Orphan, all men suffer sad; his eyes stand still with tears.  
Need tries his father's friends; and fails. Of all his favourers  
If one the cup gives, 'tis not long; the wine he finds in it,  
Scarce moists his palate: if he chance, to gain the grace, to sit;  
surviving father's sons repine; use contumelies, strike,  
Bid, leave us; where's thy father's place? He (weeping with dislike)  
Retires to me. To me, alas, Astyanax is he  
Borne to these miseries. He that late, fed on his father's knee,  
To whom all knees bowed; daintiest fare, apposde him; and when Sleep  
Lay on his temples, his cries stilled (his heart, even laid in steep,  
Of all things precious) a soft bed; a careful nur●…s arms  
took him to guardiance; but now, as huge a world of harms,  
Lies on his sufferance; now thou want'st, thy father's hand to friend:  
O my Astyanax, O my Lord; thy hand that did defend,  
These gates of Ilium: these long walls, by thy arm, measured still,  
Amply, and only: yet at fleet, thy naked corpse must ●…ll  
Vile worms, when dogs are fatiate; far from thy parents care;  
far from those funeral ornaments; that thy mind would prepare,  
(So sudden being the chance of arms) ever expecting death. 
Andromache wrought many funeral ornaments for Hector before his death.   
Which task (though my heart would not serve, t'employ my hands beneath)  
I made my women yet perform. Many, and much in price  
Were those integuments they wrought, t'adorn thy Exequys:  
Which, since they fly thy use, thy Corpse, not laid in their attire;  
Thy sacrifice they shall be made; these hands in mischievous fire  
Shall vent their vanities. And yet, (being consecrate to thee)  
They shall be kept for citizens; and their fair wives, to see.   

Thus spoke she weeping; all the dames, endeavouring to cheer  
Her desert state; (fearing their own) wept with her tear for tear.   
The end of the two and twentieth Book.   

THE XXIII. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

A Chills orders justs of exequys  
For his Patroclus; and doth sacrifice  
Twelve Trojan Princes; most loved hounds and horse;  
And other offerings, to the honoured Corpse.  
He institutes, beside, a funeral game;  
Where Diomedes, for horse-race, wins the fame▪  
For foot, Ulysses; others otherwise  
Strive, and obtain: and end the exequys.   
Another Argument.  

Psi, sings the rites of the decease  
Ordained by great Aeacides.   

THus mourned all Troy: but when at fleet, and Hellespontus' shore,  
The Greeks arrived, each to his ship: only the Conqueror  
Kept undisperst his Myrmidons: and ●…aid, Loved countrymen, 
Achilles to his Myrmidons.   
Disjoin not we, chariots, and horse: but (bearing hard our rain)  
With state of both; march soft, and close, and mourn about the corpse:  
'tis proper honour to the dead. Then take we out our horse;  
When with our friends kind's woe, our hearts, have felt delight to do  
A virtuous soul right, and then sup. This said, all full of woe,  
Circled the Corpse. Achilles' led, and thrice about him, close  
All bore their goodly coted horse. Amongst all, Thetis rose,  
And stirred up a delight, in grief; till all their arms with tears  
And all the sands, were wet: so much, they loved that Lord of Fears.  
Then to the centre fell the Prince; and (putting in the breast)  
Of his slain friend, his slaughtering hands;) began to all the rest  
Words to their tears. Rejoice (said he) O my Patroclus: Thou 
Achilles to the person of Patro●…lus.   
Courted by Dis now: now I pay, to thy late overthrow,  
All my revenges vowed before; Hector lies slaughtered here  
Dragged at my chariot; and our dogs, shall all in pieces tear  
His hated limbs. Twelve Trojan youths, borne of their noblest strains,  
I took alive: and (yet enraged) will empty all their veins  
Of vital spirits; sacrificed, before thy heap of fire.   

This said, a work unworthy him, he put upon his ire,  
And trampled Hector under foot, at his friends feet. The rest  
Disarmed; took horse from chariot, and all to sleep addressed,  
At his black vessel. Infinite, were those that rested there.   

Himself yet sleeps not; now his spirits, were wrought about the cheer,  
Fit for so high a funeral. About the steel used then,  
Oxen in heaps lay bellowing; preparing food for men.  
Bleating of sheep, and goats, filled air; numbers of white-toothed swine,  
(Swimming in fat) lay singeing there: the person of the slain  
Was girt with slaughter. All this done, all the Greek kings conveyed  
Achilles to the king of men; his rage, not yet allayed,  
For his Patroclus. Being arrived, at Agamemnon's tent;  
Himself bade Heralds put to fire, a Cauldron; and present  
The service of it to the Prince; to try if they could win  
His pleasure, to admit their pains, to cleanse the blood soaked in  
About his conquering hands, and brows. Not, by the king of heaven  
(He swore). The laws of friendship damn, this false-heart licence given 
Achilles' overhearing, used this abruption.   
To men that lose friends: not a drop, shall touch me till I put  
Patroclus in the funeral pile; before these curls be cut;  
His tomb erected. 'tis the last, of all care, I shall take,  
While I consort the careful: yet, for your entreaties sake,  
(And though I loath food) I will eat: but early in the morn,  
Atrides, use your strict command, that loads of wood be borne  
To our designed place; all that fits, to light home such a one,  
As is to pass the shades of Death; that fire enough, set gone  
His person quickly from our eyes; and our diverted men  
May ply their business. This all ears, did freely entertain,  
And found observance. Then they supped, with all things fit; and all  
Repaired to tents and rest. The friend, the shores maritimal,  
Sought for his bed, and found a place, fair, and upon which played 
Achilles' retreat from company to the seas short.   
The murmuring billows. There, his limbs, to rest, not sheep, he laid,  
Heavily sighing. Round about (silent, and not too near)  
Stood all his Myrmydons; when strait, (so overlaboured were  
His goodly lineaments, with chase, of Hector; that beyond  
His resolution not to sleep:) Sleep cast his fodaine bond  
Over his sense, and loosed his care. Then, of his wretched friend,  
The soul appeared; at every part, the form did comprehend 
Patroclus appears to Achilles sleeping.   
His likeness; his fair eyes, his voice, his stature; every weed  
His person wore, it fantased; and stood above his head,  
This sad speech uttering: Dost thou sleep? Aeacideses, am I  
Forgotten of thee? Being alive, I found thy memory  
Ever respectful: but now dead, thy dying love abates.  
Inter me quickly; enter me, in Pluto's iron gates;  
For now, the souls (the shades) of men, fled from this being, beat  
My spirit from rest; and stay, my much desired receipt  
Amongst souls, placed beyond the flood. Now every way I err  
About this brode-dored ho●…se of Dis. O help then, to prefer  
My soul yet further; here I mourn: but had the funeral fire  
Consumed my body; never more, my spirit should retire  
From hell's low region: from thence, souls never are retrieved  
To talk with friends here; nor shall I; a hateful fate deprived  
My being here; that at my birth, was fixed; and to such fate,  
Even thou, o godlike man, art marked; the deadly Ilium gate,  
Must entertain thy death. O then, I charge thee now, take care  
That our bones part not: but as life, combined in equal fare,  
Our loving beings; so let Death. When, from Opuntas' towers,  
My father brought me, to your roofs, (since ('gainst my will) my powers  
Incensed, and indiscreet, at dice, slew fair Amphidamas)  
Then Peleus entertained me well; then in thy charge I was  
By his injunction, and thy love: and therein, let me still  
Receive protection. Both our bones, provide, in thy last Will,  
That one Urn may contain; and make, that vessel all of gold,  
That Thetis gave thee; that rich Urn. This said; Sleep ceased to hold 
Achilles' waking to the shade of 〈◊〉.   
Achilles' temples; and the shade, thus he received: O friend,  
What needed these commands? my care, before, meant to commend  
My bones to thine, and in that Urn. Be sure, thy will is done.  
A little stay yet, let's delight, with some full passion  
Of woe enough; either's affects, embrace we. Opening thus  
His greedy arms; he felt no friend: like matter vaporous  
The spirit vanished under earth, and murmured in his stoop.  
Achilles' started; both his hands, he clapped, and lifted up,  
In this sort wondering; O ye gods, I see we have a soul  
In th'underdwellings; and a kind, of man-resembling idol: 
Achi●…s his discourse with himself about the apparition of 〈◊〉 shade.   
The soul's seat yet, all matter felt, stays with the carcase here.  
O friends, hapless Patroclus soul, did all this night appear,  
Weeping, and making moan to me; commanding every thing  
That I intended towards him; so truly figuring  
Himself at all parts, as was strange. This accident did turn  
To much more sorrow; and begat, a greediness to mourn  
In all that heard. When mourning thus, the rosy morn arose: 
The morning.   
And Agamemnon, through the tents, waked all; and did dispose,  
Both men and Mules for carriage, of matter for the fire. 
Agamemnon sends out companies to fetch fuel for the funeral heap, of which company Meriones was Capta●….   
Of all which work, Meriones, (the Cretan sovereigns squire)  
Was Captain, and abroad they went. Wood-cutting tools they bore;  
Of all hands, and well-twisted cords. The Mules marched all before.  
Up hill, and down hill; overthwarts, and breake-necke cliffs they passed:  
But when the fountfull Ida's tops, they scaled, with utmost haste,  
All fell upon the high-haired Okes; and down their curled brows  
Fell bustling to the earth: and up, went all the boles and bows,  
Bound to the Mules; and back again, they parted the harsh way  
Amongst them, through the tangling shrubs; and long they thought the day,  
Till in the plain field all arrived: for all the woodmen bore  
Logs on their necks; Meriones, would have it so: the shore  
At last they reached yet; and then, down, their carriages they cast,  
And sat upon them; where the son, of Peleus had placed,  
The ground for his great sepulchre, and for his friends, in one,   

They raised a huge pile; and to arms, went every Myrmidon,  
Charged by Achilles; chariots, and horse were harnessed;  
Fighters and charitoters got up; and they, the sad march led:  
A cloud of infinite foot behind. In midst of all was borne  
Patroclus' person, by his Peers: on him, were all heads shorn;  
Even till they covered him with curls. Next to him, marched his friend  
Embracing his cold neck, all sad; since now he was to send,  
His dearest, to his endless home. Arrined all, where the wood,  
Was heaped for funeral, they set down. Apart Achilles stood;  
And when enough wood was heaped on, he cut his golden hair; 
Achilles cuts his hair over his friend's body.   
Long kept, for Sperchius', the flood; in hope of safe repair  
To Ph●…hi●…, by that rivers power, but now, left hopeless thus,  
(Enraged, and looking on the sea) he cried out: Sperchius';  
In vain, my father's piety, vowed; (at my implored return,  
To my loved country) that these curls, should on thy shores be shorn.  
Besides a sacred Hecatomb; and sacrifice beside,  
Of fifty Wethers; at those founts, where men have edifide  
A lofty temple; and perfumed, an altar to thy name.  
There vowed he all these offerings; but fate prevents thy fame;  
His hopes not suffering satisfied: and since, I never more  
Shall see my loved soil; my friends hands, shall to the Stygian shore  
Convey these Tresses. Thus he put, in his friends hands the hair.  
And this bred fresh desire of moan; and in that sad affair,  
The Sun had set amongst them all; had Thetis son not spoke  
Thus to Atrides: King of men, thy aid I still invoke, 
Achilles to Agamemnon.   
Since thy Command, all men still hear; dismiss thy soldiers now,  
And let them victle; they have mourned, sufficient; 'tis we own  
The dead this honour; and with us, let all the Captains stay.   

This heard; Atrides instantly, the soldiers sent away;  
The funeral officers remained, and heaped on matter still,  
Till, of an hundred foot about, they made the funeral pile:  
In whose hot height, they cast the Corpse; and then they poured on tears.  
Numbers of fat sheep, and like store, of crooked-going steres,  
They slew before the solemn fire: stripped off their hides and dressed.  
Of which, Achilles took the fat; and covered the deceased  
From head to foot: and round about, he made the officers pile  
The beasts naked bodies; vessels full, of honey, and of oil,  
Poured in them, laid upon a bear; and cast into the fire.  
Four goodly horse; and of nine hounds, two most in the desire  
Of that great Prince, and trencher-fed; all fed that hungry flame.   

Twelve Trojan Princes last stood forth; young, and of toward fame: 
Twelve Princes sacrificed on the funeral pile of Patroclus.   
All which, (set on with wicked spirits) there struck he, there he slew.  
And to the iron strength of fire, their noble limbs he threw.   

Then breathed his last sighs, and these words: Again rejoice my friend,  
Even in the joyless depth of hell: now give I complete end  
To all my vows. Alone thy life, sustained not violence;  
Twelve Trojan Princes wait on thee, and labour to incense  
Thy glorious heap of funeral. Great Hector I'll excuse,  
The dogs shall eat him. These high threats, performed not their abuse;  
Ioues daughter, Venus, took the guard, of noble Hector's Corpse,  
And kept the dogs off: night, and day, applying sovereign force  
Of rosy balms; that to the dogs, were horrible in taste:  
And with which she the body filled. Renowned Apollo cast  
A cloud from heaven; lest with the Sun, the nerves and lineaments  
Might dry, and putrefy. And now, some powers deni●…e consents  
To this solemnity: the fire, (for all the oily fuel  
It had injected) would not burn; and then the loving Cruel  
Studied for help, and standing off; invokt the two fair winds  
(Zephyr and Boreas) to afford, the rage of both their kinds,  
To aid his outrage. Precious gifts, his earnest zeal did vow,  
Poured from a golden bowl much wine; and prayed them both to blow  
That quickly, his friend's Corpse might burn; and that heaps sturdy breast  
Embrace Consumption. Iris heard; The winds were at a feast;  
All in the Court of Zephyrus (that boisterous blowing air) 
Iris to the winds.   
Gathered together. She that wears, the thousand-colourd hair,  
Flew thither, standing in the porch. They (seeing her) all arose;  
Called to her; every one desired: she would a while repose,  
And eat with them. She answered; No, no place of feat is here;  
Retreat calls to the Ocean, and Aethiopia; where  
A Hecatomb is offering now, to heaven: and there must I  
Partake the feast of sacrifice; I come to signify  
That Thetis son implores your aids (Princes of North and West) 
〈◊〉 North and West wind fly to incense the f●…nerall pile.   
With vows of much fair sacrifice; if each, will set his breast  
Against his heap of funeral, and make it quickly burn;  
Patroclus lies there; whose decease, all the Achainans mourn.   

She said, and parted; and out rushed, with an unmeasured roar,  
Those two winds, tumbling clouds in heaps; ushers to either's blore.  
And instantly they reached the sea. Up flew the waves; the gale  
Was strong; reached fruitful Troy; and full, upon the fire they fall.  
The huge heap thundered. All night long, from his choked breast they blew  
A liberal flame up; and all night, swift-foot Achilles threw  
Wine from a golden bowl, on earth; and steeped the soil in wine,  
Still calling on Patroclus' soul. No father could incline  
More to a son most dear; nor more, mourn at his burned bones,  
Then did the great Prince, to his friend, at his combustions;  
Still creeping near and near the heap; still sighing, weeping still:  
But when the day star looked abroad, and promised from his hill 
The morning.   
Light, which the saffron morn made good, and sprinkled on the seas;  
Then languished the great pile; then sunk, the flames; and then calm Peace  
Turned back the rough winds to their homes, the Thra●… billow rings  
Their high retreat; ruffled with cuffs, of their triumphant wings.   

Pelides then forsook the pile; and to his tired limb  
Choosed place of rest; where laid, sweet sleep, fell to his wish on him.  
When all the king's guard (waiting then, perceiving will to rise  
In that great Session,) hurried in, and oped again his eyes  
With tumult of their troup, and haste. A little than he reared  
His troubled person; sitting up, and this affair referred,  
To wished commandment of the kings; Atrides, and the rest  
Of our Commanders general, vouchsafe me this request 
Achilles to Agamemnon and the other kings.   
Before your parting: Give in charge, the quenching with black w●…e,  
Of this heaps relics; every brand, the yellow fire made shine.  
And then, let search Patroclus bones, distinguishing them well;  
As well ye may; they kept the midst: the rest, at random fell,  
About th'extreme part of the pile; men's bones, and horses mixed.  
Being found, I'll find an urn of gold, t'enclose them; and betwixt  
The air and them; two kels of fat, lay on them; and to Rest  
Commit them, till mine own bones seal, our love; my soul deceased.  
The sepulchre, I have not charged, to make of too much state;  
But of a model something mean: that you of younger Fate,  
(When I am gone) may amplify; with such a breadth and height,  
As fits your judgements, and our worths. This charge received his weight  
In all observance: first they quenched, with sable wine, the heap,  
As far as it had fed the flame. The ash fell wondrous deep,  
In which, his consorts, that his life, religiously loved,  
Searched, weeping, for his bones; which found, they conscionably proved  
His will, made to Aeacides; and what his love did add.  
A golden vessel, double fat, contained them; all which (clad  
In veils of linen, pure and rich) were solemnly conveyed  
TO Achilles' tent. The platform then, about the pile they laid,  
Of his fit sepulchre; and raised, a heap of earth; and then  
Offered departure. But the Prince, retained there still his men;  
Employing them to fetch from fleet, rich Tripods for his games,  
cauldrons, Horse, Mules, brode-headed beeves, bright steel, & brighter dames.   

The best at horse race, he ordained, a Lady for his prize,  
Generally praiseful; fair, and young, and skilled in house wiferies, 
The ●…ames for Patroclus' funeral.   
Of all kinds fitting; and withal, a Trivet, that enclosed  
Twenty two measures room, with ears. The next prize he proposed,  
Was (that, which then had high respect) a mare of six years old,  
Unhandled; horsed with a mule: and ready to have foald.  
The third game, was a Cauldron, new, fair, bright, and could for size  
Contain two measures. For the fourth, two talents quantities,  
Of finest gold. The fift game was, a great new standing bowl,  
To set down both ways. These brought in, Achilles then stood up,  
And said; Atrides, and my Lords, chief horsemen of our host,  
These games expect ye. If myself, should interpose my most, 
Achilles to the Grecian kings.   
For our horse race; I make no doubt, but I should take again  
These gifts proposed. Ye all know well, of how divine a strain  
My horse are, and how eminent. Of Neptune's gift they a●…e  
To Peleus; and of his to me. Myself then, will not share  
In gifts given others; nor my steeds, breath any spirit to shake  
Their airy pasterns; so they mourn, for their kind guiders sake,  
Late lost; that used with humorous oil, to slick their lofty manes;  
Clear water having cleansed them first: and (his bane, being their banes)  
Those lofty manes now strew the earth; their heads held shaken down.  
You then, that trust in chariots, and hope with horse to crown  
Your conquering temples; gird yourselves; now fame and prize stretch for,  
All that have spirits. This fired all; the first competitor  
Was king Eumelus; whom the Art, of horsemanship did grace,  
Son to Admetus. Next to him, rose Diomedes to the race,  
That under reins ruled Trojan horse; of late, forced from the son  
Of Lord Anchises; himself freed, of near confusion  
By Phoebus. Next to him set forth, the yellow-headed king  
Of Laced●…mon, Ioues high seed; and in his managing,  
Podargus, and swift Aethe trod, steeds to the king of men.  
Aethe, given by Echepolus; the Anchisiaden,  
As bribe to free him from the war, resolved for Ilium.  
So Delicacy feasted him; whom jove bestowed upon  
A mighty wealth; his dwelling was, in broad Sicyone.  
Old Nestor's son, Antilochus, was fourth for chivalry  
In this Contention: his fair horse, were of the Pylian breed,  
And his old father (coming near) informed him (for good speed)  
With good Race notes; in which himself, could good instruction give.   

Antilochus, though young thou art; yet thy grave virtues live 
Nestor to his son Antilochus gives instructions for the race with chariots.   
Beloved of Neptune, and of jove: their spirits have taught thee all  
The art of horsemanship; for which, the less thy merits fall  
In need of doctrine. Well thy skill, can wield a chariot  
In all fit turnings; yet thy horse, their slow feet handle not,  
As fits thy manage; which makes me, cast doubts of thy success.  
I well know, all these are not seen, in art of this address,  
More than thyself: their horses yet, superior are to thine,  
For their parts: thine want speed to make, discharge of a design  
To please an Artist. But go on, show but thy art and heart  
At all points; and set them against, their horses, heart, and art;  
Good judges will not see thee lose. A Carpenter's desert  
Stands more in cunning then in power. A Pilot doth avert  
His vessel from the rock, and wrack, tossed with the churlish winds,  
By skill, not strength: so sorts it here; One charioteer that finds  
Want of another's power in horse, must in his own skill set  
An overplus of that, to that; and so the proof will get  
Skill, that still rests within a man, more grace, than power without.  
He that in horse and chariots trusts, is often hurled about,  
This way, and that, unhandsomely; all heaven wide of his end.  
He better skilled, that rules worse horse, will all observance bend,  
Right on the scope still of a Race; bear near; know ever when to rain,  
When give rain, as his foe before, (well noted in his vein,  
Of manage, and his steeds estate) presents occasion.  
I'll give thee instance now, as plain, as if thou saw'st it done.  
Here stands a dry stub of some tree, a cubit from the ground;  
(Suppose the stub of Oak, or Larch; for either are so sound  
That neither rots with wet) two stones, white (mark you) white for view 
A Comment might well be bestowed upon this speech of Nestor.   
Parted on either side the stub; and these lay where they drew  
The way into a straight; the Race, betwixt both lying clear.  
Imagine them some monument, of one long since tombed there;  
Or that they had been lists of race, for men of former years;  
As now the lists Achilles sets, may serve for charioteres  
Many years hence. When near to these, the race grows; then as right,  
Drive on them as thy eye can judge; then lay thy bridles weight  
Most of thy left side: thy right horse, then ●…witching; all thy throat  
(Spent in encouragments) give him; and all the rain let float  
About his shoulders: thy near horse, will yet be he that gave  
Thy skill the prize; and him rain ●…o, his head may touch the Nave  
Of thy left wheel: but then take care, thou run'st not on the stone,  
(With wrack of horse and chariot) which so thou bearest upon.  
Shipwreck within the haven avoid, by all means; that will breed  
Others delight, and thee a shame. Be wise then, and take heed  
(My loved son) get but to be first, at turning in the course;  
He lives not that can coat thee then: not if he backed the horse  
The gods bred, and Adrastus owed. Divine Arion's speed,  
Can not outpace thee; or the horse, Laomedon did breed;  
Whose race is famous, and fed here. Thus sat Nele●…es,  
When all that could be said, was said. And then Meriones 
Nestor's aged love of speech, was here briefly noted.   
Set fifthly forth his faire-maned horse. All leapt to chariot;  
And every man then for the start, cast in, his proper lot.  
Achilles drew; Antilochus, the lot set foremost forth;  
Eumelus next; Atrides third; Meriones the fourth.  
The fifth and last, was Diomedes; far first in excellence.  
All stood in order, and the lists, Achilles fixed far thence  
In plain field; and a seat ordained, fast by. In which he set  
Renowned Phoenix, that in grace, of Peleus was so great; 
Phoenix chief judge of the best deservers in the race.   
To see the race, and give a truth, of all their passages.  
All start together, scourged, and cried; and gave their business  
Study and order. Through the field, they held a winged pace.  
Beneath the bosom of their steeds, a dust so dimmed the race:  
It stood above their heads in clouds; or like to storms amazed.  
Manes flew like ensigns with the wind; the chariots sometime grazed▪  
And sometimes jumped up to the air; yet still sat fast the men:  
Their spirits even panting in their breasts, with fervour to obtain.  
But when they turned to fleet again: then all men's skills were tried;  
Then stretched the pasterns of their steeds. Eumelus horse in pride  
Still bore their Sovereign. After them, came Diomedes' coursers close,  
Still apt to leap their chariot, and ready to repose  
Upon the shoulders of their king, their heads. His back even burned  
With fire, that from their nostrils flew. And then, their Lord had turned  
The race for him, or given it doubt, if Phoebus had not smit  
The scourge out of his hands; and tears, of helpless wrath with it,  
From forth his eyes; to see his horse, for want of scourge, made slow;  
And th'others (by Apollo's help) with much more swiftness go.   

Apollo's spite, Pallas discerned, and flew to Tydeus son;  
His scourge reached, and his horse made fresh. Then took her angry run  
At king Eumelus; broke his geres; his mares on both sides flew;  
His draft tree fell to earth; and him, the tossed up chariot threw  
Down to the earth; his elbows torn; his forehead, all his face  
Struck at the centre; his speech lost. And then the turned race  
Fell to Tydides': before all, his conquering horse he drove:  
And first he glittered in the race: divine Athenia gave  
Strength to his horse, and fame to him. Next him, drove Spartas king.  
Antilochus, his father's horse, then urged, with all his sting  
Of scourge and voice. Run low (said he) stretch out your limbs, and fly. 
Antilochus to his steeds.   
With Diomedes' horse, I bid not strive; nor with himself strive I.  
Athenia wings his horse, and him, renowmes. Atrideses steeds  
Are they ye must not fail but reach; and soon, lest soon succeeds  
The blot of all your fames: to yield, in swiftness to a mare:  
To female Aethe. What's the cause (ye best that ever were)  
That thus ye fail us? Be assured, that Nestor's love ye lose  
For ever if ye fail his son: through both your both sides goes  
His hot steel, if ye suffer me, to bring the last prize home.  
Haste, overtake them instantly; we needs must overcome.  
This harsh way next us: this my mind, will take; this I despise  
For peril; this I'll creep through; hard, the way to honour lies.  
And that take I, and that shall yield. His horse by all this knew  
He was not pleased, and feared his voice; and for a while, they flew:  
But strait, more clear, appeared the straight, Antilochus foresaw;  
It was a gasp the earth gave, forced, by humours, cold and raw,  
Poured out of Winter's watery breast; met there, and cleaving deep  
All that near passage to the lists. This Nestor's son would keep,  
And left the road way, being about; Atrides feared, and cried: 
Menelaus in fear to follow Antilochus, who ye may see played upon ●…im.   
Antilochus! thy course is mad; contain thy horse; we ride  
A way most dangerous; turn head, betime take larger field,  
We shall be split. Nestor's son, with much more scourge impelled  
His horse, for this; as if not heard; and got as far before,  
As any youth can cast a quoyte; Atrides would no more;  
He back again, for fear himself, his goodly chariot,  
And horse together, strewed the dust; in being so dusty hot,  
Of thirsted conquest. But he chid, at parting, passing sore:   

Antilochus (said he) a worse, than thee, earth never bore: 
Menelaus chid●…s Antilochus.   
Farewell; we never thought thee wise, that were wise; but not so  
Without oaths, shall the wreath (be sure) crown thy mad temples, Go.   

Yet he bethought him, and went too; thus stirring up his steeds:  
Leave me not last thus, nor stand vexed; let these fail in the speeds  
Of feet and knees; not you: shall these, these old jades, (past the flower  
Of youth, that you have) pass you? This, the horse feared, and more power  
Put to their knees; strait getting ground. Both flew, and so the rest;  
All came in smokes, like spirits; the Greeks, (set to see who did best,  
Without the race, aloft:) now made, a new discovery,  
Other than that they made at first; Idomeneus eye  
Distinguished all; he knew the voice, of Diomedes; seeing a horse  
Of special mark, of colour bay, and was the first in course;  
His forehead putting forth a star, round, like the Moon, and white.  
Up stood the Cretan, uttering this; Is it alone my sight, 
Idomenaeus the king of Crete first discovers the runners.   
(Princes, and Captains) that discerns, another lead the race,  
With other horse, then led of late? Eumelus made most pace,  
With his fleet mares; and he began, the flexure, as we thought.  
Now all the field I search, and find, no where his view; hath nought  
Befallen amiss to him? perhaps, he hath not with success  
Performed his flexure: his reins lost, or seat, or with the tress  
His chariot failed him; and his mares, have outraid with affright:  
Stand up, try you your eyes; for mine, hold with the second sight.  
This seems to me, th' Etolian king; the Tydean Diomed.   

To you it seems so, (rustickly) Ajax Oileus said; 
Ajax Oileus angry with Idomene●….   
Your words are suited to your eyes. Those mares lead still, that led;  
Eumelus owes them: and he still, holds reins and place that did;  
Not fallen as you hoped: you must prate, before us all, though last  
In judgement of all: y'are too old, your tongue goes still too fast;  
You must not talk so. Here are those, that better thee, and look  
For first place in the censure. This, Idomeneus took  
In much disdain; and thus replied: Thou best, in speeches worst; 
Idomeneus to Ajax.   
Barbarous languaged; others here, might have reproved me first:  
Not thou, unfitst of all. I hold, a Tripod with thee here,  
Or Cauldron; and our General make, our equal arbiter,  
Those horse are first; that when thou payest, thou then mayst know. This fired  
Oileades more; and more than words, this quarrel had inspired,  
Had not Achilles' rose; and used, this pacifying speech.   

No more: away with words in war, it toucheth both with breach 
Achilles pacifies Idomeneus and Ajax.   
Of that which fits ye; your deserts, should others reprehend,  
That give such foul terms: sit ye still, the men themselves will end  
The strife betwixt you instantly; and either's own load bear,  
On his own shoulders. Then to both, the first horse will appear,  
And which is second. These words used, Tydides' was at hand;  
His horse ran high, glanced on the way, and up they tossed the sand,  
Thick on their Coachman; on their pace, their chariot decked with gold  
Swiftly attended; no wheel ●…eene, nor wheels print in the mould  
Impressed behind them. These horse flew, a flight; not ran a race.   

Arrived; amids the lists they stood; sweat trickling down apace  
Their high manes, and their prominent breasts; and down jumped Diomedes, 
The runners arrive at the races end.   
Laid up his scourge aloft the seat; and strait his prize was led  
Home to his tent: rough Sthenelus, laid quick hand on the dame,  
And handled Trivet, and sent both, home by his men. Next came  
Antilochus, that won with wiles, not swiftness of his horse,  
Precedence of the gold-lockt king; who yet maintained the course  
So close, that not the kings own horse, got more before the wheel  
Of his rich chariot; that might still, the insecution feel  
With the extreme hairs of his tail: (and that sufficient close  
Held to his leader: no great space, it let him interpose,  
Considered in so great a field.) Then Nestor's wily son  
Gate of the king: now at his heels, though at the breach he won  
A quoytes cast of him; which the king, again, at th'instant gained.  
Aethe, Agamemnonides, that was so richly maind,  
Got strength still, as she spent; which words, her worth had proved with deeds,  
Had more ground been allowed the race; and quoted far, his steeds,  
No question leaving for the prize. And now Meriones,  
A darts cast came behind the king; his horse of speed much less;  
Himself less skilled t'importune them; and give a chariot wing.  
Admetus' son was last; whose plight, Achilles pitying,  
Thus spoke: Best man comes last; yet Right, must see his prize not lest; 
Achilles' sentence.   
The second, his deserts must bear; and Diomedes the best.   

He said, and all allowed; and sure, the mare had been his own,  
Had not Antilochus stood forth; and in his answer shown, 
Antilochus to Achilles.   
Good reason for his interest. Achilles, (he replied)  
I should be angry with you much, to see this ratified.  
Ought you to take from me my right? because his horse had wrong,  
Himself being good? he should have used (as good men do) his tongue,  
In prayer to their powers that bless good (not trusting to his own)  
Not to have been in this good, last. His chariot overthrown,  
O'erthrew not me; who's last? who's first? men's goodness, without these  
Is not our question. If his good, you pity yet; and please,  
Princely to grace it; your tents hold, a goodly deal of gold,  
Brass, horse, sheep, women; out of these, your bounty may be bold  
To take a much more worthy prize, than my poor merit seeks,  
And give it here, before my face, and all these; that the Greeks'  
May glorify your liberal hands. This prize, I will not yield;  
Who bears this (whatsoever man) he bears a tried field.  
His hand and mine must change some blows. Achilles' laughed, and said:   

If thy will be (Antilochus) I'll see Eumelus paid,  
Out of my tents; I'll give him th'arms, which late I conquered in  
Asteropaeus; forged of brass, and waved about with tin;  
'twill be a present worthy him. This said, Automedon,  
He sent for them. He went; and brought; and to Admetus' son,  
Achilles gave them. He, well pleased, received them. Then arose,  
Wronged Menelaus, much incensed, with young Antilochus.  
He, bend to speak; a herald took, his Sceptre, and gave charge  
Of silence to the other Greeks; then did the king enlarge  
The spleen he prisoned; uttering this: Antilochus? till now, 
Note Menelaus ridiculous speech for conclusion of his character.   
We grant thee wise; but in this act, what wisdom utterest thou?  
Thou hast disgraced my virtue; wronged, my horse; preferring thine,  
Much their inferiors; but go to, Princes; nor his, nor mine,  
judge of with favour; him, nor me; lest any Grecian use  
This scandal; Menelaus won, with Nestor's sons abuse,  
The prize in question; his horse worst; himself yet wan the best,  
By power and greatness. Yet because, I would not thus contest,  
To make parts taking; I'll be judge; and I suppose, none here  
Will blame my judgement; I'll do right; Antilochus, come near;  
Come (noble gentleman) 'tis your place; swear by th'earth circling god,  
(Standing before your chariot, and horse; and that self rod,  
With which you scourged them, in your hand) if both with will and wile,  
You did not cross my chariot. He thus did reconcile 
Antilo●…us his ironical reply.   
Grace with his disgrace; and with wit, restored him to his wit;  
Now crave I patience: o king, what ever was unfit,  
Ascribe to much more youth in me, than you; you more in age,  
And more in excellence; know well, the outraies that engage  
All young men's actions; sharper wits, but duller wisdoms still  
From us flow, then from you; for which, curb with your wisdom, will.  
The prize I thought mine, I yield yours; and (if you please) a prize  
Of greater value; to my tent, I'll send for, and suffice  
Your will at full, and instantly; for in this point of time,  
I rather wish to be enjoined, your favours top to climb,  
Then to be falling all my time, from height of such a grace; 
Iro●….   
(O Ioue-loued king) and of the gods, receive a curse in place.   

This said; he fetched the prize to him; and it rejoiced him so; 
This Simile like●…se is merely ●…nicall.   
That as corne-eares shine with the dew; yet having time to grow;  
When fields set all their bristles up: in such a ruff wert thou,  
(O Menelaus) answering thus; Antilochus, I now,  
(Though I were angry) yield to thee; because I see th'hadst wit,  
When I thought nor; thy youth hath got, the mastery of thy spirit.  
And yet for all this, 'tis more safe, not to abuse at all,  
Great men; then (venturing) trust to wit, to take up what may fall. 
M●… to Ant●….   
For no man in our host beside, had easily calmed my spleen,  
Stirred with like temp●…st. But thyself, hast a sustainer been  
Of much affliction in my cause: so thy good father too,  
And so thy brother, at thy suit; I therefore let all go;  
Give thee the game here, though mine own; that all these may discern,  
King Menelaus bears a mind, at no part, proud, or stern.   

The king thus calmed, Antilochus, received; and gave the steed  
To loved Noemon, to lead thenc●…; and then received beside  
The cauldron. Next, M●…ones, for fourth game, was to have  
Two talents, gold. The fift (unwon) renowned Ac●…lles gave  
To reverend Nestor; being a bowl, to set on either end,  
Which through the press he carried him; Receive (said he) old friend, 
Achilles' his gift to Nestor.   
This gift, as funeral monument, of my dear friend deceased,  
Whom never you must see again; I make it his bequest  
To you; as without any strife, obtaining it from all.  
Your shoulders must not undergo, the churlish whoorlbats fall;  
Wrestling is past you; strife in da●…s; the feet celerity;  
Harsh age in his years fetters you; and honour sets you free.   

Thus gave he it; he took, and joyed; but ere he thanked, he said;  
Now sure my honourable son, in all points thou hast played 
N●… glory in the gift of A●…lles.   
The comely Orator; no more, must I contend with nerves;  
Feet fail, and hands; arms want that strength, that this, and that swinge serves  
Under your shoulders. Would to heaven, I were so young chinned now,  
And strength threw such a many of bones, to celebrate this show;  
As when the Epi●…s brought to fire (actively honouring thus)  
King ●…marynceas funerals, in fair Buprasius.  
His sons put prizes down for him; where, not a man matched me,  
Of all the Epians; or the sons, of great-souled Aetolie;  
No nor the Pilians themselves, my countrymen. I beat  
Great Clydomedeus, E●…ops son, at buffets; at the feat  
Of wrestling, I laid under me; one that against me rose,  
Anc●…s called Pl●…ius. I made Ipiclus lose  
The foot-game to me. At the spear, I conquered P●…e,  
And strong Phyleus. Actor's sons, (of all men) only bore  
The palm at horse race; conquering, with lashing on more horse,  
And envying my victory; because (before their course)  
All the best games were gone with me. These men were twins; one was  
A most sure guide; a most sure guide. The other gave the pass  
With rod and mettle. This was then. But now, young men must wage  
These works; and my joints undergo, the sad defects of age.  
Though then I was another man; 
* His desire of praise pants still.  at that time I excelled  
Amongst th'heroes. But forth now, let th'other rites be held  
For thy deceased friend: this thy gift, in all kind part I take;  
And much it joys my heart, that still, for my true kindness sake,  
You give me memory. You perceive, in what fit grace I stand  
Amongst the Grecians; and to theirs, you set your graceful hand.  
The gods give ample recompense, of grace again to thee,  
For this, and all thy favours. Thus, back through the thrust drove he, 
Another note of Nestor's humour, not so much being to be plainly observed in all these Iliads as in this book.   
When he had stayed out all the praise, of old Neleides.   

And now for buffets (that rough game) he ordered passages;  
Proposing a laborious Mule, of six years old, v●…'d,  
And fierce in handling; brought, and bound, in that place where they gamed:  
And to the conquered, a round cup; both which, h●… thus proclaims.   

Atrides, and all friends of Greece, two men, for these two games; 
Achilles proposes the game for buffets.   
I bid stand forth; who best can strike, with high▪ contracted fists,  
(Apollo giving him the wreath) know all about these lists,  
Shall win a Mule, patiented of ●…oyle? the vanquished, this round cup.   

This uttered; Panop●…s son, Epeus, strait stood up;  
A tall huge man; that to the nail, knew that rude sport of hand;  
And (●…ng the tough mule) thus spoke: Now let some other stand 
Note the sharpness of wit in our Homer, if where you look not for 〈◊〉▪ you can find it   
Forth for the cup; this Mule is mine; at cuffs I boast me best;  
I●… not enough I am no soldier? who is worthiest▪  
At all works? none; not possible. At this yet, this I say,  
And will perform this; who stands forth; I'll burst him; I will bray  
His bones as in a mortar; fetch, s●…rgeons enough, to take  
His corpse from under me. This speech, did all men silent make;  
At last stood forth Euryalus; a man, godlike, and son  
To king Mecisteus; the grand child, of honoured Talaon.  
He was so strong, that (coming once to Thebes, when Oedipus  
Had like rites solemnized for him) he went victorious  
From all the Thebans. This rare man, Tydides' would prepare;  
Put on his girdle; oxehide cords, fair wrought; and spent much care,  
That he might conquer; heartened him; and taught him tricks. Both dressed  
Fit for th'affair; both forth were brought; then breast opposed to breast;  
Fists against fists rose; and they joined; rattling of jaws was there;  
Gnashing of teeth; and heavy blows, dashed blood out every where.  
At length, Epeus spied clear way; rushed in; and such a blow  
Drove underneath the others ear; that his neat limbs did strew  
The knocked earth; no more legs had he; But as a huge fish laid  
Near to the cold-weed-gathering shore, is with a North flaw afraid;  
Shoots back; and in the black deep hides: So sent against the ground,  
Was foiled E●…yalus; his strength, so hid in more profound  
Deeps of Epeus; who took up, th'entranced Competitor;  
About whom rushed a crowd of friends, that through the clusters bore  
His faltering knees; he spitting up, thick clods of blood; his head  
Tottered of one side; his sense gone. When (to a by-place led) 
Achilles' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉.   
Thither they brought him the round cup. Pelides then set forth  
Prize for a wrestling; to the best, a trivet, that was worth  
Twelve oxen, great, and fit for fire; the conquered was t'obtain  
A woman excellent in works; her beauty, and her gain,  
prised at four oxen. Up he stood, and thus proclaimed: Arise  
You wrestlers, that will prove for these. Out stepped the ample size  
Of mighty Ajax, huge in strength; to him, Laertes son, 
Ulysses and Ajax wrestle.   
That crafty one, as huge in sleight. Their ceremony done,  
Of making ready; forth they stepped; catch elbows with strong hands; 
Simile.   
And as the beams of some high house, crack with a storm, yet stands  
The house, being built by well-skild men: So cracked their back bones wrincht  
With horrid twitches. In their sides, arms, shoulders (all bepincht)  
Ran thick the walls, red with the blood, ready to start out; both  
Longed for the conquest, and the prize; yet showed no play; being loath  
To lose both; nor could Ithacus, stir Ajax; nor could he  
Hale down Ulysses; being more strong, then with mere strength to be  
H●…rl'd from all vantage of his sleight. Tired then, with tugging play;  
Great Ajax Telamonius said: Thou wisest man; or lay 
Ajax to Ulysses.   
My face up, or let me lay thine; let jove take care for these.  
This said, he hoist him up to air, when L●…rtiades  
His wiles forgot not; Ajax thigh, he struck behind; and flat  
He on his back fell; on his breast, Ulysses. Wondered at  
Was this of all; all stood amazed. Then the-much-suffering-man  
(Divine Ulysses) at next close; the Telamonian  
A little raised from earth; not quite; but with his knee implied  
Locked legs; and down fell both on earth, close by each others side;  
Both filled with dust; but starting up, the third close they had made,  
Had not Achilles' self stood up; restraining them, and bad;  
No more tug one another thus, nor moil yourselves; receive 
Achilles' parts Ulysses and Ajax.   
Prise equal; conquest crowns ye both; the lists to others leave.   

They heard and yielded willingly; brushed off the dust; and on 
Prizes for runners.   
Put other vests. Pelides then, to those that swiftest run,  
Proposed another prize; a bowl, beyond comparison  
(Both for the size and workmanship) past all the bowls of earth;  
It held six measures; silver all; but had his special worth,  
For workmanship; receiving form, from those ingenious men  
Of Sydon: the Phoenicians, made choice; and brought it then,  
Along the green sea; giving it, to Thoas; by degrees  
It came t' Eunaeus, jasons son; who, young Priamides,  
(Lycaon) of Achilles' friend, bought with it; and this, here,  
Achilles made best game, for him, that best his feet could bear.  
For second, he proposed an Ox; a huge one, and a fat;  
And half a talon gold for last. These, thus he set them at.   

Rise, you that will assay for these; forth stepped Oileades;  
Ulysses answered; and the third, was one, esteemed past these 
Ulysses, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Antilochus for the Foot-race.   
For footmanship; Antilochus. All ranked; Achilles showed  
The race-scope. From the start, they glid; Oileades bestowed  
His feet the swiftest; close to him, flew godlike Ithacus;  
And as a Lady at her loom, being young and beauteous, 
Simile.   
Her silke-shittle close to her breast (with grace that doth inflame,  
And her white hand) lifts quick, and oft, in drawing from her frame  
Her gentle thread; which she unwinds, with ever at her breast,  
Gracing her fair hand: So close still, and with such interest,  
In all men's like, Ithacus, unwound, and spent the race  
By him before; took out his steps, with putting in their place,  
Promptly and gracefully his own; sprinkled the dust before;  
And clouded with his breath his head: so facilie he bore  
His royal person, that he struck, shouts from the Greeks', with thirst,  
That he should conquer; though he flew; yet come, come, o come first,  
Ever they cried to him; and this, even his wise breast did move, 
Ulysses prays to Minerva for speed.   
To more desire of victory; it made him pray, and prove,  
Minerva's aid (his fautresse still): O goddess, hear (said he)  
And to my feet stoop with thy help; now happy Fautresse be.   

She was; and light made all his limbs; and now (both near their crown)  
Minerva tripped up Ajax heels, and headlong he fell down,  
Amids the ordure of the beasts, there negligently left,  
Since they were slain there; and by this, Minerva's friend bereft  
Oileades of that rich bowl; and left his lips, nose, eyes,  
Ruthfully smered. The fat ox yet, he seized for second prize,  
Held by the horn, spit out the tail; and thus spoke, all besmeared:   

O villainous chance! this Ithacus, so highly is endeared 
Ajax Oileus 〈◊〉 out his fall to the Greeks'.   
To his Minerva; that her hand, is ever in his deeds:  
She, like his mother, nestles him; for from her it proceeds,  
(I know) that I am used thus. This, all in light laughter cast;  
Amongst whom, quick Antilochus, laughed out his coming last,  
Thus wittily: Know, all my friends, that all times past, and now, 
Antilochus likewise helps out his coming last.   
The gods most honour, most-liued men; Oileades ye know,  
More old than I; but Ithacus, is of the foremost race;  
First generation of men. Give the old man his grace;  
They count him of the greene-haired eld; they may, or in his flower;  
For not our greatest flourisher, can equal him in power,  
Of foote-strife, but Aeacides. Thus soothed he Thetis son;  
Who thus accepted it: Well youth, your praises shall not run, 
Achilles to Antilochus.   
With unrewarded feet, on mine; your half a talents prize,  
I'll make a whole one: take you sir. He took, and joyed. Then ●…lies  
Another game forth; Thetis son, set in the lists, a lance,  
A shield, and helmet; being th'arms, Sarpedon did advance  
Against Patroclus; and he prised. And thus he named th'address:   

Stand forth, two the most excellent, armed; and before all these, 
Prise for the fighters armed.   
Give mutual onset, to the touch, and wound of either's flesh;  
Who first shall wound, through others arms, his blood appearing fresh;  
Shall win this sword, silvered, and hatched; the blade is right of Thrace;  
Asterop●…us yielded it. These arm●…hall part their grace,  
With either's valour; and the men, I'll liberally feast  
At my pavilion. To this game, the first man that addressed,  
Was Ajax Tel●…monius; to him, king Di●…med; 
Di●…ed and Ajax combat.   
Both, in opposed parts of the press, full armed; both entered  
The lists amids the multitude; put looks on so austere,  
And joined so roughly; that amaze, surprised the Greeks, in fear  
Of either's mischief. Thrice they threw, their fierce darts; and closed thrice.  
Then Ajax struck through Diomedes' shield, but did no prejudice;  
His curets saft him. Diomedes' dart, still over shoulders flew;  
Still mounting with the spirit it bore. And now rough Ai●…x grew  
So violent, that the Greeks cried: Hold; no more; let them no more  
Give equal prize to either; yet, the sword, proposed before,  
For him did best; Achilles gave, to Diomed. Then a stone, 
Achilles proposes a game for hur●…ing of the stone or b●…le.   
(In fashion of a sphere) he showed; of no invention,  
But natural; only melted through, with iron. T was the bowl,  
That king Eetion used to hurl: but he, bereft of soul,  
By great Achilles; to the fleet, with store of other prize,  
He brought it; and proposed it now; both for the exercise,  
And prize itself. He stood, and said: Rise you that will approve  
Your arms strengths now, in this brave strife: his vigour that can move  
This furthest; needs no game but this; for reach he near so far,  
With large fields of his own, in Greece; (and so needs for his Car,  
His Blow, or other tools of thrift, much iron) I'll able this  
For five revolved years; no need, shall use his messages 
〈◊〉.   
To any town, to furnish him; this only bowl shall yield  
Iron enough, for all affairs. This said; to try this field,  
First Polypaetes issued; next Leontaeus; third  
Great Ajax; huge Epeus fourth. Yet he was first that stirred  
That mine of iron. Up it went; and up he tossed it so,  
That laughter took up all the field. The next man that did throw,  
Was Leonteus; Ajax third; who gave it such a hand,  
That far past both their marks it flew. But now 'twas to be manned  
By Polypetes; and as far, as at an Ox that strays,  
A herdsman can swing out his goad: so far did he outraise  
The stone past all men; all the field, rose in a shout to see't.  
About him flocked his friends; and bore, the royal game to fleet.   

For Archery, he then set forth, ten axes, edged two ways; 
Another ga●….   
And ten of one edge. On the shore, far off, he caused to raise  
A ship-mast; to whose top they tied, a fearful Dove by th'foot;  
At which, all shot; the game put thus: He that the Dove could shoot,  
Nor touch the string that fastened her; the two-edged tools should bear  
All to the fleet. Who touched the string, and missed the Dove, should share  
The one-edged axes. This proposed; king Teucer force arose;  
And with him rose Meriones; and now lots must dispose  
Their shooting first; both which, let fall, into a helm of brass;  
First Teucer's came; and first he shot; and his cross fortune was,  
To shoot the string; the Dove untouched: Apollo did envy  
His skill; since not to him he vowed (being god of archery)  
A first fallen Lamb. The bitter shaft, yet cut in two the cord,  
That down fell; and the Dove aloft, up to the Welkin soared.  
The Greeks gave shouts; Meriones, first made a hear●…ie vow,  
To sacrifice a first fallen Lamb, to him that rules the Bow;  
And then fell to his aim; his shaft, being ready nockt before.  
He spied her in the clouds, that here, there, every where did soar;  
Yet at her height he reached her side, struck her quite through, and down  
The shaft fell at his feet; the Dove, the mast again did crown;  
There hung the head; and all her plumes, were ruffled; she stark dead;  
And there (far off from him) she fell. The people wondered,  
And stood astonished. Th'Archer pleased. Aeacides then shows  
A long lance, and a cauldron, new, engrailed with twenty hews;  
prised at an Ox. These games were show'd, for men at darts; and then  
Up rose the General of all; up rose the king of men:  
Up rose late-crowned Meriones. Achilles (seeing the king  
Do him this grace) prevents more deed; his royal offering  
Thus interrupting; King of men, we well conceive how far  
Thy worth, superior is to all; how much most singular,  
Thy power is, and thy skill in darts; accept then this poor prize,  
Without contention; and (your will, pleased with what I advise)  
Afford Meriones the lance. The king was nothing slow  
To that fit grace; Achilles then, the brass lance did bestow  
On good Meriones. The king, his present would not save;  
But to renowned Talthybius, the goodly Cauldron gave.   
The end of the three and twentieth Book.   

THE XXIIII. BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.  
THE ARGUMENT.  

Jove, entertaining care of Hector's corpse;  
Sends Thetis to her son, for his re●…rse;  
And fit dismission of it. Iris then,  
He sends to Priam; willing him to gain  
His son for ransom. He, by Hermes led,  
Gets through Achilles' guards; sleeps deep, and dead,  
Cast on them by his guide. When, with access,  
And humble suit, made to AEacides,  
He gains the body; which, to Troy he bears,  
And buries it with fea●…s, buried in tears.   
Another Argument.  

Ωmega sings the exequys,  
And Hector's redemptorie prize.   

THe games performed; the soldiers, wholly dispersed to fleet;  
Supper and sleep, their only care. Constant Achilles yet,  
Wept for his friend; nor sleep itself, that all things doth subdue,  
Can touch at him. This way, and that, he turned, and did renew  
His friends dear memory; his grace, in managing his strength;  
And his strengths g●…eatnesle. How life racked, into their utmost length,  
Griefs, battles, and the wraths of seas, in their joint sufferance.  
Each thought of which, turned to a tear. Sometimes he would advance  
(In tumbling on the shore) his side; sometimes his face; then turn●…  
Flat on his bosom; start upright. Although he saw the morn  
Show sea and shore his ecstasy; he left not, till at last  
Rage varied his distraction. Horse, chariot, in hast  
He called for; and (those joined) the corpse, was to his chariot tide;  
And thrice about the sepulchre, he made his Fury ride;  
Dragging the person. All this past; in his pavilion  
Rest seized him; but with Hector's corpse, his rage had never done;  
Still suffering it t'oppress the dust. Apollo yet, even dead,  
Pitied the Prince; and would not see, inhuman tyranny ●…ed,  
With more pollution of his limbs; and therefore covered round  
His person with his golden shield; that rude dogs might not wound  
His manly lin●…aments (which threat, Achilles cruelly  
Had used in fury). But now heaven, let fall a general eye  
Of pity on him; the blessed gods, persuaded Mercury  
(Their good observer) to his stealth; and every deity  
Stood pleased with it, juno except; Green Nep●…, and the Maid  
Graced with the blue eyes; all their hearts, stood ha●…lly apaid,  
Long since; and held it, as at first, to Priam, Ilium,  
And all his subjects, for the rape, of his licentious son,  
Proud Paris, that despised these dames, in their divine access,  
Made to his cottage; and praised her, that his sad wantonness,  
So costly nourished. The twelfth morn, now shined on the delay  
Of Hector's rescue; and then spoke, the deity of the day, 
Apollo to the other gods.   
Thus to th'immortals: Shameless gods; authors of ill ye are,  
To suffer ill. Hath Hector's life, at all times showed his care  
Of all your rights; in burning thighs, of beeves and Goats to you,  
And are your cares no more of him? vouchsafe ye not even now  
(Even dead) to keep him? that his wife, his mother, and his son,  
Father and subjects may be moved, to those deeds he hath done,  
seeing you preserve him that served you; and sending to their hands  
His person for the rites of fire? Achilles, that withstands  
All help to others, you can help; one that hath neither heart  
Nor soul within him, that will move, or yield to any part,  
That fits a man; but Lion-like; uplandish, and mere wild;  
Slave to his pride; and all his nerves, being naturally compiled  
Of eminent strength; stalks out and preys, upon a silly sheep:  
And so fares this man. That fit ruth, that now should draw so deep  
In all the world; being lost in him. And Shame (a quality 
Shame a quality that hurts and helps men exceedingly.   
Of so much weight; that both it helps, and hurts excessively,  
Men in their manners) is not known; nor hath the power to be  
In this man's being. Other men, a greater loss than he,  
Have undergone; a son, suppose, or brother of one womb;  
Yet, after dues of woes and tears, they bury in his tomb  
All their deploring. Fates have given, to all that are true men,  
True manly patience; but this man, so soothes his bloody vein,  
That no blood serves it; he must have, diuine-souled Hector bound  
To his proud chariot; and danced, in a most barbarous round,  
About his loved friends sepulchre, when he is slain: 'tis vile,  
And draws no profit after it. But let him now awhile  
Mark but our angers; his is spent; let all his strength take heed,  
It tempts not our wraths; he begets, in this outrageous deed,  
The dull earth, with his fury's hate. White-wristed juno said,  
(Being much incensed) This doom is one, that thou wouldst have obeyed,  
Thou bearer of the silver bow) that we, in equal care  
And honour should hold Hector's worth, with him that claims a share  
In our deservings? Hector sucked, a mortal woman's breast;  
Aeacides a goddesses? ourself had interest,  
Both in his infant nourishment, and bringing up with state;  
And to the human Pel●…s, we gave his bridal mate,  
Because he had th'immortals love. To celebrate the feast  
Of their high nuptials; every god, was glad to be a guest;  
And thou fedst of his father's cates; touching thy harp, in grace  
Of that beginning of our friend; whom thy perfidious face,  
(In his perfection) blusheth not, to match with Pri●…m son;  
O thou, that to betray, and shame, art still companion.   

I●…e thus received her: Never give, these broad terms to a god. 
I●…e to 〈◊〉.   
Those two men shall not be compared; and yet, of all that trod  
The well-paued Ili●…; none so dear, to all the deities,  
As Hector was, at least to me. For offerings most of prize,  
His hands would never pretermit. Our altars ever stood,  
Furnished with banquets fitting us; odours, and every good,  
Smoked in our temples; and for this, (foreseeing it) his fate,  
We marked with honour, which must stand: but to give stealth, estate,  
In his deliverance; shun we that; nor must we favour one,  
To shame another. Privily, with wrong to Thetis son,  
We must not work out Hector's right. There is a ransom due,  
And open course, by laws of arms: in which, must humbly sue,  
The friends of Hector. Which just mean, if any god would stay,  
And use the other, 'twould not serve; for Thetis, night and day,  
Is guardian to him. But would one, call Iris hither; I  
Would give directions, that for gifts, the Tr●…n king should buy  
His Hector's body; which the son, of Thetis shall resign.   

This said, his will was done; the Dame, that doth in vapours shine,  
dewy and thin, footed with storms; jumped to the sable seas  
Twixt Samos, and sharp embers cliffs; the lake groaned with the press  
Of her rough feet; and (plummet-like, put in an ox's horn  
That bears death to the raw-fed fish) she dived, and found forlorn  
Thetis, lamenting her sons fate; who was in Troy to have 
Iris to Thetis.   
(far from his country) his death served. Close to her Iris stood,  
And said; Rise Thetis: prudent jove (whose counsels thirst not blood)  
Calls for thee. Thetis answered her, with ask; What's the cause  
The great god calls? my sad powers feared, to break th'immortal laws,  
In going, filled with griefs, to heaven. But he sets snares for none  
With coloured counsels; not a word, of him, but shall be done.   

She said, and took a sable vail; a blacker never wore  
A heavenly shoulder; and gave way. Swift Iris swum before;  
About both rolled the brackish waves. They took their banks and flew  
Up to Olympus, where they found, Sat●…nius (farre-of-view)  
Sphered with heavens-everbeing states. Minerva rose, and gave  
Her place to Thetis, near to jove; and I●…no did receive  
Her entry with a cup of gold; in which she drank to her,  
Graced her with comfort; and the cup, to her hand did refer.  
She drank, resigning it. And then, the sire of men and gods,  
Thus entertained her; Comest thou up, to these our blessed abodes,  
(Fair goddess Thetis) yet art sad? and that in so high kind,  
As passeth sufferance? this I know; and tried thee, and now find  
Thy will by mine ruled; which is rule, to all world's government.  
Besides this trial yet; this cause, sent down for thy ascent;  
Nine days Contention hath been held, amongst th'immortals here,  
For Hector's person, and thy son; and some advices were,  
To have our good spy Mercury, steal from thy son the Corpse:  
But that reproach I kept far off; to keep in future force,  
Thy former love, and reverence. Haste then, and tell thy son,  
The gods are angry; and myself, take that wrong he hath done  
To Hector, in worst part of all: the rather, since he still  
Detains his person. Charge him then, if he respect my will,  
For any reason; to resign, slain Hector; I will send  
Iris to Priam, to redeem, his son; and recommend  
Fit ransom to Achilles' grace; in which right, he may joy,  
And end his vain grief. To this charge, bright Thetis did employ  
Instant endeavour. From heavens tops, she reached Achilles' tent;  
Found him still sighing; and some friends, with all their compliments  
Soothing his humour: othersome, with all contention  
Dressing his dinner: all their pains, and skills consumed upon 
Thetis to Achilles.   
A huge wooll-bearer, slaughtered there. His reverend mother then,  
Came near, took kindly his fair hand; and asked him: Dear son, when  
Will sorrow leave thee? How long time, wilt thou thus eat thy heart?  
Fed with no other food, nor rest? 'ttwere good thou wouldst divert  
Thy friends love, to some Lady; cheer, thy spirits with such kind parts  
As she can quit thy grace withal: the joy of thy deserts,  
I shall not long have; death is near, and thy all-conquering fate,  
Whose haste thou must not haste with grief; but understand the state,  
Of things belonging to thy life, which quickly order. I  
Am s●…nt from jove t'aduertise thee, that every deity  
Is angry with thee, himself most; that rage, thus reigns in thee,  
Still to keep Hector. Quit him then; and for fit ransom free  
His injured person. He replied; Let him come that shall give  
The ransom; and the person take. Ioues pleasure must deprive  
Men of all pleasures. This good speech, and many more, the son,  
And mother used, in ear of all, the naval Station.   
And now to holy Ilium, Saturnius, Iris sent:  

Go swiftfoote Iris, bid Troy's king, bear fit gifts, and content 
Ioues s●…ds Iris to Priam.   
Achilles for his sons release; but let him greet alone  
The Grecian navy; not a man, excepting such a one,  
As may his horse and chariot guide: a herald, or one old,  
Attending him; and let him take, his Hector. Be he bold,  
Discouraged, nor with death, nor fear; wise Mercury shall guide  
His passage, till the Prince be near. And (he go) let him ride  
Resolved, even in Achilles' tent. He shall not touch the state  
Of his high person; nor admit, the deadliest desperate  
Of all about him. For (though fierce) he is not yet unwise,  
Nor inconsiderate; nor a man, past awe of deities:  
But passing free, and curious, to do a suppliant grace.   

This said, the Rainbow to her feet, tied whirlwinds, and the place  
Reached instantly: the heavy Court, Clamour, and Mourning filled.  
The sons all set about the sire; and there stood Grief, and stilled  
Tears on their garments. In the midst, the old king ●…ate: his weed  
All wrinkled; head, and neck dust filled; the Princesses, his seed;  
The Princesses, his sons fair wives, all mourning by; the thought  
Of friends so many, and so good, (being turned so soon to nought  
By Grecian hands) consumed their youth; reigned beauty from their eyes.   

●…ris came near the king; her sight, shook all his faculties;  
And therefore spoke she soft, and said; Be glad Dard●…ides; 
Iri●… to Pri●….   
Of good occurrents, and none ill, am I Ambassadresse.  
I●…e greets thee; who, in care (as much, as he is distant) deigns  
Eye to thy sorrows, pitying thee. My embassy contains  
This charge to thee, from him; he wills, thou shouldst redeem thy son;  
Bear gifts t' Achilles, cheer him so: but visit him alone;  
None but some herald let attend; thy mules and chariot,  
To manage for thee. Fear, nor death, let daunt thee; jove hath got  
Hermes to guide thee; who as near, to Thetis son as needs,  
Shall guard thee: and being once with him; nor his, nor others deeds,  
Stand touched with, he will all contain. Not is he mad, nor vain, 
〈◊〉 witness of Achilles.   
Nor impious; but with all his nerves, studious to entertain,  
One that submits, with all fit grace. Thus vanished she like wind.   

He mules and chariot calls: his sons, bids see them joined, and bind  
A trunk behind it; he himself, down to his wardrobe goes,  
Built all of Cedar; highly roofed, and odoriferous;  
That much stuff, worth the sight contained. To him he called his Queen,  
Thus greeting her: Come, hapless dame; an Angel I have seen, 
Priam to Hecuba.   
Sent down from jove; that bade me free, our dear son from the fleet,  
With ransom pleasing to our foe; what holds thy judgement meet?  
My strength, and spirit, lays high charge, on all my being, to bear  
The Greeks worst, venturing through their host. The Queen cried out to hear 
Hecuba to Pri●….   
His venturous purpose; and replied: O whither now is fled,  
The late discretion that renowned, thy grave, and knowing head,  
In foreign; and thine own ruled realms? that thus thou darest assay,  
Sight of that man? in whose brows sticks, the horrible decay  
Of sons so many, and so strong? thy heart is iron I think.  
If this stern man (whose thirst of blood, makes cruelty his drink)  
Take, or but see thee, thou art dead. He nothing pities woe,  
No●… honours age. Without his sight, we have enough to do,  
To mourn with thought of him: keep we, our Palace, weep we here;  
Our son is passed our helps. Those throws, that my deliverers were,  
Of his unhappy lineaments; told me they should be torn  
With black foot dogs. Almighty fate, that black hour he was borne  
Spun, in his springing thread that end; far from his parents reach.  
This bloody fellow, then ordained, to be their mean: this wretch,  
Whose stony liver, would to heaven, I might devour; my teeth,  
My sons Revengers made. Cursed Greek, he gave him not his death  
Doing an ill work; he alone, fought for his country; he  
Fled not, nor feared, but stood his worst; and cursed policy  
Was his undoing. He replied, What ever was his end,  
Is not our question; we must now, use all means to defend  
His end from scandal: from which act, dissuade not my just will;  
Nor let me nourish in my house, a bird presaging ill  
To my good actions: 'tis in vain. Had any earthly spirit  
Given this suggestion: if our Priests, or Soothsayers, challenging merit  
Of Prophets, I might hold it false; and be the rather moved  
To keep my Palace; but these ears; and these self eyes approved  
It was a goddess, I will go; for not a word she spoke,  
I know was idle. If it were; and that my fate will make,  
Quick riddance of me at the fleet; kill me Achilles; Come;  
When, getting to thee, I shall find, a happy dying room,  
On Hector's bosom; when enough, thirst of my tears finds there,  
Quench to his fervour. This resolved, the works most fair, and dear,  
Of his rich screens, he brought abroad; twelve veils wrought curiously;  
Twelve plain gowns; and as many suits, of wealthy tapestry;  
As many mantles; horsemen's coats; ten talents of fine gold;  
Two Tripods; cauldrons four; a bowl, whose value he did hold  
Beyond all price; presented by, th'Ambassadors of Thrace.  
The old king, nothing held too dear, to rescue from disgrace,  
His gracio●…s Hector. Forth he came. At entry of his Court,  
The Trojan citizens so priest; that this opprobrious sort,  
Of check he used; Hence castaways; away ye impious crew; 
Pri●…●…aged against his citizens.   
Are not your griefs enough at home? what come ye here to view?  
Care ye for my griefs? would ye see, how miserable I am?  
be't not enough, imagine ye? ye might know ere ye came,  
What such a sons loss weighed with me. But know this for your pains,  
Your houses have the weaker doors: the Greeks, will find their gains  
The easier for his loss, be sure: but o Troy, ere I see  
Thy ruin; let the doors of hell, receive, and ruin me.   

Thus, with his sceptre set he on, the crowding citizens;  
Who gave back, seeing him so urge. And now he entertains  
His sons as roughly; Hellenus, Paris, Hippothous,  
Pammon, divine Agathones, renowned Deiphobus,  
Agaws, and Antiphonus; and last, not least in arms,  
The strong Polites. These nine sons, the violence of his harms,  
Helped him to vent, in these sharp terms: Haste you infamous brood, 
Priam's en●…ged against his sons.   
And get my chariot; would to heaven, that all the abject blood,  
In all your veins, had Hector scusde: O me, accursed man,  
All my good sons are gone; my light, the shades Cimmerian  
Have swallowed from me: I have lost, Mestor, surnamed the fair;  
Troilus, that ready knight at arms; that made his field repair,  
Ever so prompt and joyfully. And Hector, amongst men,  
Esteemed a god; not from a mortals seed; but of th'eternal strain  
He seemed to all eyes. These are gone; you that survive, are base;  
Liars, and common free-boo●…ers: all faulty, not a grace  
But in your heels, in all your parts; dancing companions,  
Ye all are excellent: Hence ye brats: love ye to hear my moans?  
Will ye not get my chariot? command it quickly; fly,  
That I may perfect this dear work. This all did terrify;  
And strait his mule-drawne chariot came, to which they fast did bind  
The trunk with gifts: and then came forth, with an afflicted mind,  
Old Hecuba. In her right hand, a bowl of gold she bore,  
With sweet wine crowned; stood near, and said; Receive this, and implore  
(With sacrificing it to jove) thy safe return. I see  
Thy mind likes still to go; though mine, dislikes it utterly.  
Pray to the blacke-cloud-gathering god, (Idaean jove) that views  
All Troy, and all her miseries; that he will deign to use,  
His most loved bird, to ratify, thy hopes; that her broad wing,  
Spread on thy right hand; thou mayst know, thy zealous offering  
Accepted; and thy safe return, confirmed; but if he fail;  
Fail thy intent, though never so, it labours to prevail.   

This I refuse not (he replied) for no faith is so great,  
In Io●…s high favour; but it must, with held up hands entreat.   

This said; the chamber▪ maid that held, the Ewer, and Basin by,  
He bad power water on his hands; when looking to the sky,  
He took the bowl; did sacrifice, and thus implored: O jove,  
From Ida using thy commands, in all deserts above 
Pri●…s prayer to I●…e.   
All other gods; vouchsafe me safe; and pity in the sight  
Of great Achilles: and for trust, to that wished grace; excite  
Thy swift-winged messenger, most strong; most of airs region loved,  
To sore on my right hand; which fight, may firmly see approved  
Thy former summons, and my speed. He prayed, and heavens king heard;  
And instantly, cast from his fist, airs all commanding bird;  
The black winged huntress, perfectest, of all fowls; which gods call  
Perc●…s; the Eagle. And how broad, the chamber nuptial  
Of any mighty man, hath doors; such breadth cast either wing; 
Io●…e to Mer●…ry   
Which now she used; and spread them wide, on right hand of the king.  
All saw it, and rejoiced; and up, to chariot he arose;  
Drove forth: the portal, and the Porch, resounding as he goes.  
His friends all followed him, and mourned; as if he went to die:  
And bringing him past town, to field; all left him: and the eye  
Of I●…piter was then his guard; who pi●…ied him, and used  
These words to Hermes: Mercurit, thy help hath been profusde,  
Ever, with most grace, in consorts, of travailers distressed;  
Now consort Pri●… to the fleet: but so, that not the least  
Suspicion of him be attained, till at Ac●…illes tent,  
Thy co●…uoy hath arrived him safe. This charge incontinent,  
He put in practice. To his feet, his feathered shoes he tied,  
Immortal, and made all of gold; with which he used to ride  
The rough sea; and th'unmeasured earth; and equalled in his pace,  
The puffs of wind. Then took he v●…, his rod, that hath the grace  
To shut what eyes he lists, with 〈◊〉▪ ●…nd ●…pen them again  
In strongest trances. This he held; flew forth, and did attain  
To Troy, and Hellespontus' strait: then, like a fair young Prince,  
First-downe chinned; and of such a grace, as makes his looks convince  
Contending eyes to view him: forth, he went to meet the king.  
He, having past the mighty tomb, of Ilus; watering  
His Mules in 〈◊〉; the dark Even, fell on the earth; and than  
Idaeu●… (guider of the Mules) discerned this Grace of men;  
And spoke afraid to Pri●…; Beware 〈◊〉,  
Our states ask counsel: I discern, the dangerous access  
Of some man near us; Now I fear, we perish. Is it best  
To fly? or kiss his knees, and ask, his ruth of men distressed?   

Confusion struck the king, cold Fear, extremely quenched his veins;  
Upright, upon his languishing head, his hair stood; and the chains  
Of strong Amaze, bound all his powers. To both which, than came near 
Priam's amaze   
The Prince-turned Deity; took his hand, and thus bespoke the Peer:   

To what place (father) drivest thou out, through solitary Night, 
Mercury appears to him.   
When others sleep? give not the Greeks, sufficient cause of fright,  
To these late travails? being so near, and such vowed enemies?  
Of all which; if with all this load; any should cast his eyes  
On thy adventures; what would then, thy mind esteem thy state?  
Thyself old; and thy follower old? Resistance could not rate  
At any value: As for me; be sure, I mind no harm  
To thy grave person; but against, the hurt of others arm.  
Mine own loved father did not get, a greater love in me  
To his good; then thou dost to thine. He answered: The degree 
Priam to Mercury.   
Of danger in my course (fair son) is nothing less than that  
Thou urgest; but some gods fair hand, putteth in, for my safe state,  
That sends so sweet a Guardian, in this so stern a Time  
Of night, and danger, as thyself; that all grace in his prime,  
Of body, and of beauty show'st: all answered with a mind  
So knowing; that it cannot be, but of some blessed kind,  
Thou art descended. Not untrue (said Hermes) thy conceit  
In all this holds; but further truth, relate, if of such weight  
As I conceive thy carriage be? and that thy care conuaies  
Thy goods of most price, to more guard? or go ye all your ways,  
Frighted from holy Ilium? So excellent a son  
As thou hadst, (being your special strength) fallen to Destruction;  
Whom no Greek bettered for his fight? O what art thou (said he)  
(Most worthy youth?) of what race borne? that thus recountst to me,  
My wretched sons death with such truth? Now father (he replied)  
You tempt me far, in wondering how, the death was signifide  
Of your divine son, to a man, so mere a stranger here,  
As you hold me: but I am one, that oft have seen him bear  
His person like a god, in field; and when in heaps he slew,  
The Greeks, all routed to their fleet: his so victorious view,  
Made me admire; not feel his hand; because Aeacides  
(Incensed) admitted not our fight; myself being of access  
To his high person, serving him; a●…d bo●… to Ilium  
In one ship sailed. Besides, by birth, I breath a Myrmidon;  
Polystor (called the rich) my sire; declined with age like you.  
Six sons he hath; and me a seventh; and all those six live now  
In Phthia; since all casting lots, my chance did only fall,  
To follow hither. Now for walk, I left my General.  
To morrow all the Sunburned Greeks, will circled Troy with arms;  
The Prince's rage to be withheld, so idly; your alarms  
Not given half hot enough they think; and can contain no more.  
He answered; If you serve the Prince, let me be bold t'implore  
This grace of thee; and tell me true, lies Hector here at fleet,  
Or have the dogs his flesh? He said, Nor dogs, nor fowl have yet  
Touched at his person: still he lies, at fleet, and in the tent 
Mer●…rie to Priam.   
Of our great Captain; who indeed, is much too negligent  
Of his fit usage: but though now, twelve days have spent their heat  
On his cold body; neither worms, with any taint have eat,  
Nor putrefaction perished it: yet ever when the Morn  
Lifts her divine light from the sea; unmercifully borne  
About Patroclus' sepulchre; it bears his friends disdain,  
Bound to his chariot; but no Fits, of further outrage, reign  
In his distemper: you would muse, to see how deep a dew,  
Even steeps the body, all the blood, washed off, no slenderst show  
Of gore, or quitture; but his wounds, all closed; though many were  
Opened about him. Such a love, the blessed immortals bear,  
Even dead to thy dear son; because, his life show'd love to them.   

He joyful answered; O my son, it is a grace supreme, 
Priam to ●…curie.   
In any man, to serve the gods. And I must needs say this;  
For no cause (having season fit) my Hector's hands would miss  
Advancement to the gods with gifts; and therefore do not they  
Miss his remembrance after death. Now let an old man pray  
Thy graces to receive this cup, and keep it for my love;  
Not leave me till the gods and thee, have made my prayers approve  
Achilles' pity; by thy guide, brought to his Princely tent.   

Hermes replid●…; You tempt me now, (old king) to a consent,  
far from me; though youth aptly errs. I secretly receive 
Hermes again to Pr●…am.   
Gifts, that I cannot brodely vouch? take graces that will give  
My Lord dishonour? or what he, knows not? or will esteem  
Perhaps unfit? such briberies, perhaps at first may seem  
Sweet, and secure; but futurely, they still prove sour; and breed  
Both fear, and danger. I could wish, thy grave affairs did need  
My guide to Argos; either shipped, or lackeying by thy side;  
And would be studious in thy guard; so nothing could be tried,  
But care in me, to keep thee safe; for that I could excuse,  
And vouch to all men. These words past, he put the deeds in use,  
For which jove sent him; up he leapt, to Priam's chariot,  
took scourge and reins, and blew in strength, to his free steeds; and got  
The naval towers and deep dike strait. The guards were all at meat,  
Those he enslumberd; oped the ports, and in he safely let  
Old Priam, with his wealthy prize. Forthwith they reached the Tent  
Of great Achilles. Large, and high; and in his most ascent  
A shaggy roof of seedy reeds, mown f●…om the meads; a hall  
Of state they made their king in it, and strengthened it withal,  
Thick with fir rafters; whose approach, was let in, by a door  
That had but one bar; but so big, that three men evermore  
Raised it, to shut; three fresh take down: which yet Aeacides  
Would shut and open himself. And this with far more ease  
Hermes set open, entering the king; then leapt from horse, and said:   

Now know (old king) that, Mercury (a god) hath given this aid  
To thy endeavour, sent by jove; and now, away must I:  
For men would envy thy estate, to see a Deity  
Affect a man thus: enter thou, embrace Achilles' knee;  
And by his sire, son, mother pray, his ruth, and grace to thee.   

This said; he high Olympus reached, the king than left his coach 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
To grave Idaeus, and went on; made his resolved approach:  
And entered in a goodly room; where, with his Princes sat  
Ioue-loued Achilles, at their feast; two only kept the state  
Of his attendance, Alcymus, and Lord Automedon.  
At Priam's entry; a great time, Achilles gazed upon  
His wondered at approach; nor eat: the rest did nothing see,  
While close he came up; with his hands, fast holding the bend knee  
Of Hector's conqueror; and kissed, that large man-slaughtring hand,  
That much blood from his sons had drawn; And as in some strange land,  
And great man's house; a man is driven, (with that abhor●…'d dismay, 
Simile.   
That follows wilful bloodshed still; his fortune being to slay  
One, whose blood cries aloud for his) to plead protection  
In such a miserable plight, as frights the lookers on:  
In such a stupefied estate, Achilles sat to see,  
So unexpected, so in night, and so incredibly,  
Old Priam's entry; all his friends, one on another stared,  
To see his strange looks, seeing no cause. Thus Priam then prepared 
Priam to Achill●….   
His sons redemption: See in me, O godlike Thetis son,  
Thy aged father; and perhaps, even now being outrun  
With some of my woes; neighbour foes, (thou absent) taking time  
To do him mischief; no mean left, to terrify the crime  
Of his oppression; yet he hears, thy graces still survive,  
And joys to hear it; hoping still, to see thee safe arrive,  
From ruin'd Troy: but I (cursed man) of all my race, shall live  
To see none living. Fifty sons, the Deities did give,  
My hopes to live in; all alive, when near our trembling shore  
The Greek ships harboured; and one womb, nineteen of those sons bore.  
Now Mars, a number of their knees, hath strengthless left; and he  
That was (of all) my only joy, and Troy's sole guard; by thee  
(Late fight for his country) slain; whose tendered person, now  
I come to ransom. Infinite, is that I offer you,  
Myself conferring it; exposed, alone to all your odds:  
Only imploring right of arms. Achilles, fear the gods,  
Pity an old man, like thy ●…ire; different in only this,  
That I am wretcheder; and bear, that weight of miseries  
That never man did: my cursed lips, enforced to kiss that hand  
That slew my children. This moved tears; his father's name did stand  
(Mentioned by Priam) in much help, to his compasfion;  
And moved Aeacides so much, he could not look upon  
The weeping father. With his hand, he gently put away  
His grave face; calm remission now, did mutually display  
Her power in either's heaviness; old Priam, to record  
His sons death; and his death's man see, his tears, and bosom poured  
Before Achilles. At his feet, he laid his reverend head.  
Achilles' thoughts, now with his sire, now with his friend, were fed.  
Betwixt both, Sorrow filled the the tent. But now Aeacides,  
(Satiate at all parts, with the ruth, of their calamities) 
Achilles' remorse of Pria●….   
Start up, and up he raised the king. His milk-white head and beard,  
With pity he beheld, and said; Poor man, thy mind is scared,  
With much affliction; how durst, thy person thus alone,  
Venture on his sight, that hath ●…aine, so many a worthy son,  
And so dear to thee? thy old heart, is made of iron; sit  
And settle we our woes, though huge; for nothing profits it.  
Cold mourning wastes but our lives heats. The gods have destinate,  
That wretched mortals must live sad. 'tis the immortal state  
Of Deity, that lives secure. Two Tons of gifts there lie  
In Ioues gate; one of good, one ill, that our mortality,  
Maintain, spoil, order: which when jove, doth mix to any man;  
One while he frolics, one while mourns. If of his mournful Can  
A man drinks only; only wrongs, he doth expose him to.  
Sad hunger, in th'abundant earth, doth toss him to and fro,  
Respected, nor of gods, nor men. The mixed cup Peleus drank,  
Even from hi●… birth, heaven bl●…st his life; he lived not that could thank  
The gods for such rare benefits, as set forth his estate.  
He reigned among his Myrmydons, most rich, most fortunate.  
And (though a mortal) had his bed, decked with a deathless Dame.  
And yet with all this good, one ill, god mixed, that takes all name  
From all that goodness; his Name now, (whose preservation here,  
Men count the crown of their most good) not blest with power to bear  
One blossom, but myself: and I, shaken as soon as blown.  
Nor shall I live to cheer his age, and give nutrition  
To him that nourished me. far off, my rest is set in Troy,  
To leave thee restless, and thy seed. Thyself, that did enjoy,  
(As we have heard) a happy life: what Lesbos doth contain,  
(In times past being a blessed man's seat:) what the unmeasured main  
Of Hell●…spontus, Phrygi●… holds; are all said to adorn  
Thy Empire; wealth, and sons enough: but when the gods did turn  
Thy blessed state to partake with bane; war, and the bloods of men,  
Circled thy city, never clear. Sat down and suffer then;  
Mourn not inevitable things; thy tears can spring no deeds  
To help thee, nor recall thy son: impatience ever breeds  
Ill upon ill; mak●…s worst things worse; and therefore sit. He said,  
Give me no seat (great seed of jove) when yet unransomed, 
Priam to A●….   
Hector lies ritelesse in thy tents: but deign with utmost speed  
His resignation, that these eyes, may see his person freed;  
And thy grace satisfied with gifts. Accept what I have brought,  
And turn to Phthia; 'tis enough, thy conquering hand hath fought,  
Till Hector faltered under it; and Hector's father stood  
With free humanity safe. He frowned, and said; Give not my blood 
Achilles' angry with Pri●….   
Fresh cause of fury; I know well, I must r●…signe thy son;  
jove by my mother uttered it; and what beside is done,  
I know as amply; and thyself, (old Priam) I know too.  
Some god hath brought thee: for no man, durst use a thought to go  
On such a service; I have guards; and I have gates to stay  
Easy accesses; do not then, presume thy will can sway,  
Like Ioues will; and incense again, my quenched blood; jest nor thou,  
Nor jove gets the command of me. This made the old king bow,  
And down he sat in fear; the Prince, leapt like a Lion forth;  
Automedon, and Alcymus, attending; all the worth  
Brought for the body, they took down, and brought in; and with it,  
Idaeus (herald to the king,) a cote embroidered yet,  
And two rich cloaks, they left to hide, the person. Thetis' son  
Called out his women, to anoint; and quickly overrun  
The Corpse with water; lifting it, in private, to the coach;  
Lest Priam saw; and his cold blood, embraced a fiery touch,  
Of anger, at the turpitude, profaning it; and blew  
Again his wrath's fire to his death. This done; his women threw  
The cote and cloak on; but the Corpse, Achilles own hand laid  
Upon a bed; and with his friends; to chariot it conveyed.  
For which forced grace (abhorring so, from his free mind) he wept;  
Cried out for anger, and thus prayed: O friend, do not except  
Against this favour to our foe (if in the deep thou hear)  
And that I give him to his Sire; he gave fair ransom; dear  
In my observance, is Ioues will; and whatsoever part  
Of all these gifts, by any mean, I fitly may convert  
To thy renown here; and will there; it shall be poured upon  
Thy honoured sepulchre. This said, he went, and what was done,  
Told Priam, saying: Father, now, thy wills fit rites are paid,  
Thy son is given up; in the morn, thine eyes shall see him laid  
Decked in thy chariot, on his bed; in mean space, let us eat.  
The rich-haired Niobe, found thoughts, that made her take her meat;  
Though twelve dear children she saw slain: six daughters, six young sons.  
The sons, incensed Apollo slew: the maids confusions  
Diana wrought; since Niobe, her merits durst compare  
With great Latona●…; arguing, that she did only bear  
Two children; and herself had twelve; For which, those only two  
Slew all her twelve; nine days they lay, steeped in their blood: her woe  
Found no friend, to afford them fire; Saturnius had turned  
Humans to stones. The tenth day yet; the good celestials burnt  
The trunks themselves; and Niobe, when she was tired with tears,  
Fell to her food; and now with rocks; and wild hills mixed she bears  
(In Sypilus) the gods wraths still; in that place, where 'tis said,  
The Goddess Fairies use to dance, about the funeral bed  
Of Achelous; where (though turned, with cold grief, to a stone)  
Heaven gives her heat enough to feel, what plague comparison  
With his powers (made by earth) deserves: affect not then too far  
Without grief, like a god, being a man; but for a man's life care,  
And take fit food: thou shalt have time, beside to mourn thy son;  
He shall be tearful; thou being full; not here, but Ilium  
Shall find thee weeping rooms enough. He said, and so arose;  
And caused a siluer-fleeced sheep, killed; his friends skills did dispose  
The flaying, cutting of it up; and cookely spitted it;  
Roasted; and drew it artfully. Automedon as fit  
Was for the reverend Sewers place; and all the brown joints served  
On wicker vessel to the board; Achilles own hands carved;  
And close they fell too. Hunger staunched; talk, and observing time 
Their mutual observation of either's fashion at the table.   
Was used, of all hands; Priam sat, amazed to see the prime  
Of Thetis son; accomplished so, with stature, looks, and grace;  
In which, the fashion of a god, he thought had changed his place.  
Achilles' fell to him as fast; admired as much his years;  
(Told, in his grave, and good aspect;) his speech even charmed his ears:  
So ordered; so material. With this food feasted too,  
Old Priam spoke thus: Now (joves seed) command that I may go, 
Priam to Achilles.   
And add to this feast grace of rest: these lids near closed mine eyes  
Since under thy hands fled th●… soul, of my dear son; sighs, cries,  
And woes; all use from food, and sleep, have taken: the base courts  
Of my sad Palace, made my beds; where all the abject sorts  
Of sorrow, I have varied; tumbled in dust, and hid;  
No bit, no drop of sustenance touched. Then did Achilles bid  
His men and women see his bed, laid down, and covered  
With purple Blankets; and on them, an Arras Coverlid;  
Wast costs of silk plush laying by. The women strait took lights,  
And two beds made, with utmost speed; and all the other rites  
Their Lord named, used; who pleasantly, the king in hand thus bore:   

Good father, you must sleep without; lest any Counsellor 
Achilles to Priam.   
Make his access in depth of night; as oft their industry  
Brings them t'impart our warre-affaires; of whom should any eye  
Discern your presence, his next steps, to Agamemnon fly;  
And then shall I lose all these gifts. But go to, signify,  
(And that with truth) how many days, you mean to keep the state  
Of Hector's funerals: because, so long would I rebate  
Mine own edge, set to sack your town; and all our host contain  
From interruption of your rites. He answered; If you mean   

To suffer such rites to my son; you shall perform a part  
Of most grace to me. But you know, with how dismayed a heart,  
Our host took Troy; and how much Fear, will therefore apprehend  
Their spirits to make out again, so far as we must send  
For wood, to raise our heap of death; unless I may assure,  
That this your high grace will stand good; and make their pass secure;  
Which if you seriously confirm; nine days I mean to mourn;  
The tenth, keep funeral and feast: th'eleventh raise, and adorn  
My sons fit Sepulchre. The twelfth (if we must needs) we'll fight.   

Be it (replied Aeacides) do Hector all this right;  
I'll hold war back those whole twelve days: of which, to free all fear,  
Take this my right hand. This confirmed, the old king rested there.  
His Herald lodged by him; and both, in forepart of the tent;  
Achilles in an in most room, of wondrous ornament;  
Whose side, bright-cheekt Briseis warmed. Soft Sleep tamed gods and men;  
All, but most useful Mercury; Sleep could not lay one chain  
On his quick temples; taking care, for getting off again  
Engaged Priam, undiscerned, of those that did maintain  
The sacred watch. Above his head, he stood with this demand.   

O father, sleepest thou so secure, still lying in the hand 
Mercury appears to Priam in his sleep.   
Of so much ill? and being dismissed, by great Aeacides?  
'tis true, thou hast redeemed the dead; but for thy life's release  
(Should Agamemnon hear thee here) three times the price now paid,  
Thy sons hands must repay for thee. This said; the king (afraid)  
Start from his sleep; Idaeus called; and (for both) Mercury  
The horse, and mules, (before loosed) joined, so soft and curiously,  
That no ear heard; and through the host, drove; but when they drew  
To gulphy Xanthus' bright-waued stream, up to Olympus flew  
Industrious Mercury. And now, the saffron morning rose;  
Spreading her white rob over all, the world. When (full of woes)  
They scourged on, with the Corpse to Troy; from whence, no eye had seen  
(Before Cassandra) their return. She, (like loves golden Queen,  
Ascending Pergamus) discerned, her father's person nigh;  
His Herald, and her brother's Corpse; and then she cast this cry  
Round about Troy; O Troyans', if every did greet  
Hector, returned from fight alive; now, look ye out, and meet 
Cassandra to the Tr●…ians.   
His ransomed person. Then his worth, was all your city's joy;  
Now do it honour. Out all rushed; woman, nor man, in Troy  
Was left: a most unmeasured cry, took up their voices. Close  
To Scaeas Ports they met the Corpse; and to it, headlong goes  
The reverend mother; the dear wife; upon it, strow their hair,  
And lie entranced. Round about, the people broke the air  
In lamentations; and all day, had stayed the people there;  
If Priam had not cried; Give way, give me but leave to bear  
The body home; and mourn your fills. Then cloven the press; and gave  
Way to the chariot. To the Court, Herald Idaeus drove,  
Where on a rich bed they bestowed, the honoured person; round  
Girt it with Singers; that the woe, with skilful voices crowned.  
A woeful Elegy they sung, wept singing, and the dames,  
Sighed, as they sung: Andromache, the downright prose exclaims 
Andromaches lamentation for her husband.   
Began to all; she on the neck, of slaughtered Hector fell  
And cried out: O my husband! thou, in youth badst youth farewell,  
Left'st me a widow: thy sole son, an infant; ourselves cursed  
In our birth, made him right our child; for all my care, that nursed  
His infancy, will never give, life to his youth; ere that,  
Troy from her top, will be destroyed; thou guardian of our state;  
Thou even of all her strength, the strength; thou that in care wert past  
Her careful mothers of their babes, being gone; how can she last?  
Soon will the swollen fleet fill her womb, with all their servitude,  
Myself with them, and thou with me (dear son) in labours rude,  
Shalt be employed; sternly surveyed, by cruel Conquerors;  
Or rage's not (suffering life so long;) some one, whose hate abhors  
Thy presence; (putting him in mind, of his sire slain by thine; 
Andromaches lamentation for Hector.   
His brother, son, or friend) shall work, thy ruin before mine;  
Tossed from some tower; for many Greeks, have eat earth from the hand  
Of thy strong father: In sad fight, his spirit was too much manned;  
And therefore mourn his people; we; thy Parents (my dear Lord)  
For that, thou makest endure a woe; black, and to be abhorred.  
Of all yet, thou hast left me worst; not dying in thy bed;  
And reaching me thy last-raisd hand: in nothing counseled;  
Nothing commanded by that power, thou hadst of me; to do  
Some deed for thy sake: O for these; never will end my woe;  
Never my tears cease. Thus wept she; and all the Ladies closed,  
Her passion with a general shrieke. Then Hecuba disposed,  
Her thoughts in like words: O my son, of all mine, much most dear; 
Hecubas lamentation.   
Dear, while thou livedst too, even to gods: and after death they were  
Careful to save thee. Being best; thou most were't envied;  
My other sons, Achilles' sold; but thee, he left not dead.  
Imber and Samos; the false Ports, of Lemnos entertained  
Their persons; thine, no Port but death; nor there, in rest remained,  
Thy violated Corpse; the Tomb, of his great friend was sphered  
With thy dragged person; yet from death, he was not therefore rered.  
But (all his rage used) so the gods, have tendered thy dead state;  
Thou liest as living; sweet and fresh, as he that felt the Fate  
Of Phoebus' holy shafts. These words, the Queen used for her moan;  
And next her; Helen held that state; of speech and passion.   

O Hector, All my brothers more, were not so loved of me, 
Helen's lamentation.   
As thy most virtues. Not my Lord, I held so dear as thee;  
That brought me hither; before which, I would I had been brought  
To ruin; for, what breeds that wish (which is the mischief wrought  
By my access) yet never found, one harsh taunt; one words ill  
From thy sweet carriage. Twenty years, do now their circles ●…ill,  
Since my arrival; all which time, thou didst not only bear  
Thyself without check; But all else, that my Lords brothers were;  
Their sister's Lords; sisters themselves; the Queen my mother in law;  
(The king being never but most mild) when thy man's spirits saw  
Sour, and reproachful; it would still, reprove their bitterness  
With sweet words. And thy gentle soul. And therefore thy decease,  
I truly mourn for; and myself, curse, as the wretched cause;  
All broad Troy yielding me not one; that any human laws  
Of pity, or forgiveness moved, t'entreat me humanly,  
But only thee; all else abhorred, me for my destiny.   

These words, made even the commons mourn; to whom the king said, Friends, 
Priam to the Troyans'.   
Now fetch wood for our funeral fire; nor fear the foe intends  
Ambush, or any violence; Achilles gave his word,  
At my dismission; that twelve days, he would keep sheathed his sword,  
And all men's else. Thus oxen, mules, in chariots strait they put;  
Went forth; and an unmeasured pile, of Sylvan matter cut;  
Nine days emploide in carriage; but when the tenth morn shined  
On wretched mortals; then they brought, the-fit-to-be-diuined,  
Forth to be burned: Troy swum in tears. Upon the piles most height  
They laid the person, and gave fire; all day it burned; all night.  
But when th'eleventh morn let on earth, her rosy fingers shine,  
The people flocked about the pile; and first, with blackish wine  
Quenched all the flames. His brothers then, and friends, the snowy bones  
Gathered into an urn of gold; still pouring on their moans.  
Then wrapped they in soft purple veils, the rich urn; digged a pit;  
Graved it; rambed up the grave with stones, and quickly built to it  
A sepulchre. But while that work, and all the funeral rites  
Were in performance, guards were held, at all parts, days and nights,  
For fear of false surprise before, they had imposed the crown  
To these solemnities. The tomb, advanced once, all the town,  
In jove-nurst Priam's Court partook, a passing sumptuous feast;  
And so horse-taming Hector's rites, gave up his soul to Rest.   

Thus far the Ilian Ruins I have laid  
Open to English eyes. In which (repaid  
With thine own value;) go unvalued Book  
Live, and be loved. If any envious look  
Hurt thy clear fame; learn that no state more high  
Attends on virtue, than pined envies eye.  
Would thou wert worth it, that the best doth wound;  
Which this Age feeds, and which the last shall bond.   

THus with labour enough (though with more comfort in the merits of my divine Author) I have brought my translation of his Iliads to an end. If either therein, or in the harsh utterance, or matter of my Comment before; I have, for haste, scattered with my burden (less than fifteen weeks being the whole time, that the last twelve books translation stood me in) I desire my present will, and (I doubt not) ability (if God give life) to reform and perfect all hereafter, may be ingenuouslly accepted for the absolute work. The rather, considering the most learned (with all their helps and time) have been so often and unanswerably, miserably taken halting. In the mean time; that most assistful and unspeakable spirit, by whose thrice sacred conduct and inspiration, I have finished this labour, diffuse the fruitful horn of his blessings through these goodnesse-thirsting watchings; without which, utterly dry and bloodless is whatsoever Mortality soweth.  
But where our most diligent Spondanus ends his work with a prayer to be taken out of these mad'st; and Euripian rivers (as he terms them) of Ethnic, and profane writers (being quite contrary to himself at the beginning) I thrice humbly beseech the most dear and divine mercy (ever most incomparably preferring the great light of his truth in his direct, and infallible Scriptures) I may ever be enabled, by resting wondering in his right comfortable shadows in these; to magnify the clearness of his almighty appearance in the other.  
And with this salutation of Poe●…ie given by our Spondanus in his Preface to these Iliads. (All hail Saint-sacred Poesy; that under so much gall of fictio●…, such abundance of honey doctrine hast hidden; not revealing them to the unworthy worldly; wouldst thou but so much make me, that amongst thy N●…uices I might be numbered; no time should ever come near my life, that could make me forsake thee.) I will conclude with this my daily and nightly prayer; learned of the most learned Simplicius.  
Supplico tibi Domine, Pater, & Dux rationis nostrae; ut nostrae nobilitatis recordemur qua tu nos ornasti; & ut tu nobis praestò sis, ut ijs qui per sese moventur: ut & à corporis contagio, brutorumque affectuum repurgemur, eosque superemus, & regamus, &, sicut decet, pro instrumentis ijs utamur. Deinde ut nobis adiumento sis, ad accuratam rationis nostrae correctionem; & coniunctionem cum ijs quae verè sunt, per lucem veritatis. Et tertium, Saluatori supplex oro; ut ab oculis animorum nostrorum caliginem prorsus abstergas, ut (quod apud Homerum est) Norimus bene qui Deus, aut mortalis habendus.  
Amen.   
FINIS.   

TO THE RIGHT GRACIOUS and worthy, the Duke of LENNOX.  

AMongst th'Heroes of the World's prime years,  
Stand here, great Duke, & see them shine about you:  
Inform your princely mind and spirit by theirs,  
And then, like them, live ever; look without you,  
For subjects fit to use your place, and grace:  
Which throw about you, as the Sun, his Rays;  
In quickening, with their power, the dying Race  
Offriendlesse Virtue; since they thus can raise  
Their honoured Raiser's, to Eternity.  
None ever lived by Self-love: Others good  
Is th'object of our own. They (living) die,  
That bury in themselves their fortune's brood.  
To this soul, then, your gracious countenance give;  
That gave, to such as you, such means to live.    

TO THE MOST GRAVE AND honoured Temperer of Law, and Equity, the Lord CHANCELLOR, etc.  

THat Poesy is not so removed a thing  
From grave administry of public weals,  
As these times take it; hear this Poet sing,  
Most judging Lord: and see how he reveals  
The mysteries of Rule, and rules to guide  
The life of Man, through all his choicest ways.  
Nor be your timely pains the less applied  
For Poesy's idle name; because her Rays  
Have shined through greatest Counsellors, and Kings.  
Hear Royal Hermes sing th'Egyptian Laws;  
How Solon, Draco, Zoroaster sings  
Their Laws in verse: and let their just applause  
(By all the world given) yours (by us) allow;  
That, since you grace all virtue, honour you.    

TO THE MOST WORTHY Earl, Lord Treasurer, and Treasure of our Country, the Earl of SALISBURY, etc.  

VOuchsafe, great Treasurer, to turn your eye,  
And see the opening of a Grecian Mine;  
Which, Wisdom long since made her Treasury;  
And now her title doth to you resign.  
Wherein as th'Ocean walks not, with such waves,  
The Round of this Realm, as your wisdoms seas;  
Nor, with his great eye, sees; his Marble, saves  
Our State, like your Vlyssian policies:  
So, none like HOMER hath the World ensphered;  
Earth, Seas, & heaven, fixed in his verse, and moving;  
Whom all times wisest Men, have held vnper'de;  
And therefore would conclude with your approving.  
Then grace his spirit, that all wise men hath graced,  
And made things ever flitting, ever last.   

An Anagram.  
Robert Cecyl, Earl of Salisburye.  
Curbfoes; thy care, is all our early Be.    

TO THE MOST HONOR'DRE storer of ancient Nobility, both in blood and virtue, the Earl of SUFFOLK, etc.  

Join, Noblest Earl, in giving worthy grace,  
To this great gracer of Nobility:  
See here what sort of men, your honoured place  
Doth properly command; if Poesy  
(Professed by them) were worthily expressed.  
The gravest, wisest, greatest, need not, then,  
Account that part of your command the least;  
Nor them such idle, needless, worthless Men.  
Who can be worthier Men in public weals,  
Then those (at all parts) that prescribed the best?  
That stirred up noblest virtues, holiest zeals;  
And evermore have lived as they professed?  
A world of worthiest Men, see one create,  
(Great Earl); whom no man since could imitate.    

TO THE MOST NOBLE AND learned Earl, the Earl of NORTHAMPTON, etc.  

TO you, most learned Earl, whose learning can  
Reject unlearned Custom, and Embrace  
The real virtues of a worthy Man,  
I prostrate this great Worthy, for your grace;  
And pray that Poesy's well-deserued ill Name  
(Being such, as many modern Poets make her)  
May nought eclipse her clear essential flame:  
But as she shines here, so refuse or take her.  
Nor do I hope; but even your high affairs  
May suffer intermixture with her view;  
Where Wisdom fits her for the highest chairs;  
And minds, grown old, with cares of State, renew:  
You then (great Earl) that in his own tongue know  
This king of Poets; see his English show.    

TO THE MOST NOBLE, MY singular good Lord, the Earl of Arundel.  

STand by your noblest stock; and ever grow  
In love, and grace of virtue most admired;  
And we will pay the sacrifice we own  
Of prayer and honour, with all good desired  
To your divine soul; that shall ever live  
In height of all bliss prepared here beneath,  
In that ingenuous and free grace you give  
To knowledge; only Bulwark against Death.  
Whose rare sustainers here, her powers sustain  
Hereafter. Such reciprocal effects  
Meet in her virtues. Where the love doth reign,  
The Act of knowledge crowns our intellects.  
Where th'Act, nor Love is, there, like beasts men die:  
Not Life, but Time is their Eternity.    

TO THE LEARNED AND most noble Patron of learning the Earl of PEMBROKE, etc.  

Above all others may your Honour shine;  
As, past all others, your ingenuous beams  
Exhale into your grace the form divine  
Of godlike Learning; whose exiled streams  
Run to your succour, charged with all the wrack  
Of sacred Virtue. Now the barbarous witch  
(Fowl Ignorance) sits charming of them back  
To their first Fountain, in the great and rich;  
Though our great Sovereign countercheck her charms  
(Who in all learning, reigns so past example)  
Yet (with her) Turkish Policy puts on arms,  
To raze all knowledge in man's Christian Temple.  
(You following yet our king) your guard redouble:  
Pure are those streams, that these times cannot trouble.    

TO THE RIGHT GRACIOUS Illustrator of virtue, and worthy of the favour Royal, the Earl of MONTGOMRIE.  

THere runs a blood, fair Earl, through your clear veins  
That well entitles you to all things Noble;  
Which still the living Sydnian soul maintains,  
And your Names ancient Noblesse doth redouble:  
For which I needs must tender to your Graces  
This noblest work of Man; as made your Right.  
And though Ignoblesse, all such works defaces  
As tend to Learning, and the soul's delight:  
Yet since the sacred Pen doth testify,  
That Wisdom (which is Learning's natural birth)  
Is the clear Mirror of God's Majesty,  
And Image of his goodness here in earth;  
If you the Daughter wish, respect the Mother:  
One cannot be obtained, without the other.    

TO THE MOST LEARNED and Noble Concluder of the wars Art, and the Muses, the Lord LISLE, etc.  

NOr let my pains herein (long honoured Lord)  
Fail of your ancient Nobly-good respects;  
Though obscure Fortune never would afford  
My service show, till these thus late effects.  
And though my poor deserts weighed never more  
Then might keep down their worthless memory  
From your high thoughts (enriched with better store)  
Yet yours, in me, are fixed eternally;  
Which all my fit occasions well shall prove.  
Mean space (with your most Noble Nephews) deign  
To show your free and honourable love  
To this Greek Poet, in his English vain.  
You cannot more the point of death control;  
Then to stand close by such a living soul.    

TO THE GREAT AND VER tuous, the Countess of MONTGOMRIE.  

YOur Fame (great Lady) is so loud resounded,  
By your free Trumpet, my right worthy friend;  
That, with it, all my forces stand confounded,  
Armed, and disarmed at once, to one just end;  
To honour and describe the blessed consent  
Twixt your high blood and soul, in virtues rare.  
Of which, my friend's praise is so eminent,  
That I shall hardly like his Echo fare,  
To render only th'ends of his shrill Verse.  
Besides; my Bounds are short; and I must, me●…rely,  
My will to honour your rare parts, rehearse;  
With more time, singing your renown more clearly.  
Meantime, take Homer for my wants supply:  
To whom adjoined, your Name shall never die.    

TO THE HAPPY STAR, DIEGO scovered in our Sydneian Asterisme; comfort of learning, Sphere of all the virtues, the Lady wroth.  

WHen all our other Stars set (in their skies)  
To Virtue, and all honour of her kind;  
That you (rare Lady) should so clearly rise,  
Makes all the virtuous glorify your mind.  
And let true Reason, and Religion try,  
If it be Fancy, not judicial Right,  
In you t'oppose the times Apostasy,  
To take the soul's part, and her saving Light,  
While others blind and bury both in Sense;  
When, 'tis the only end, for which all live.  
And, could those souls, in whom it dies, dispense  
As much with their Religion; they would give  
That as small grace. Then shun their course, fair Star;  
And still keep your way, pure, and circular.    

TO THE RIGHT NOBLE PAtroness and Grace of Virtue, the Countess of BEDFORD.  

TO you, fair Patroness, and Muse to Learning;  
The Fount of learning and the Muses sends  
This Cordial for your virtues; and forewarning  
To leave no good, for th'ill the world commends.  
Custom seduceth but the vulgar sort:  
With whom, when Noblesse mixeth, she is vulgar;  
The truly-Noble, still repair their Fort,  
With gracing good excitements, and gifts rare;  
In which the narrow path, to Happiness,  
Is only beaten. Vulgar pleasure sets  
Nets for herself, in swinge of her excess;  
And beats herself there dead, ere free she gets.  
Since pleasure then with pleasure still doth waste;  
Still please with virtue Madam: That will last.    

TO THE RIGHT VALOROUS and virtuous Lord, the Earl of SOUTHHAMTON, etc.  

IN Choice of all our Country's Noblest spirits  
(Borne slavisher barbarism to conuin●…)  
I could not but in voke your ho ored Merits,  
To follow the swift virtue of our Prince.  
The cries of Virtue, and her Fortress, Learning,  
Broke earth, and to Elysium did descend,  
To call up Homer: who therein discerning  
That his excitements, to their good, had end  
(As being a Grecian) puts-on English arms;  
And to the hardy Natures in these climbs  
Stikes-up his high and spiritful alarms,  
That they may clear earth of those impious Crimes  
Whose conquest (though most faintly all apply)  
You know (learned Earl) all live for, and should die.    

TO MY EXCEEDING GOOD Lord, the Earl of SUSSEX: with duty always remembered to his honoured Countess.  

YOu that have made, in our great Prince's Name  
(At his high birth) his holy Christian vows;  
May witness now (to his eternal Fame)  
How he performs them thus far: & still grows  
Above his birth in virtue; past his years,  
In strength of Bounty, and great Fortitude.  
Amongst this train, then, of our choicest Peers,  
That follow him in chase of vices rude,  
Summoned by his great Herald Homer's voice;  
March you; and ever let your Family  
(In your vows made for such a Prince) rejoice.  
Your service to his State shall never die.  
And, for my true observance, let this show,  
No means escapes when I may honour you.    

TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND Heroical, my singular good Lord, the Lord of WALDEN, etc.  

NOr let the vulgar sway Opinion bears  
(Rare Lord) that Poesy's favour shows men vain,  
Rank you amongst her stern disfavourers;  
She all things worthy favour doth maintain.  
Virtue, in all things else, at best she betters;  
Honour she heightens, and gives Life in Death;  
She is the ornament, and soul of letters:  
The world's deceit before her vanisheth.  
Simple she is as Doves, like Serpent's wise;  
Sharp, grave, and sacred: nought but things divine,  
And things divining, fit her faculties;  
(Accepting her as she is genuine.)  
If she be vain then, all things else are vile;  
If virtuous, still be Patron of her style.    

TO THE MOST TRULY-NO ble and Uertue-gracing Knight Sir Thomas HOWARD.  

THe true, and nothing-lesse-then sacred spirit  
That moves your feet so far from the profane;  
In scorn of Pride, and grace of humblest merit,  
Shall fill your Names sphere; never seeing it wane.  
It is so rare, in blood so high as yours  
To entertain the humble skill of Truth;  
And put a virtuous end to all your powers;  
That th'honour Age asks, we give you in youth.  
Your Youth hath won the mastery of your Mind;  
As Homer sings of his Antilochus,  
The parallel of you in every kind,  
Valiant, and mild, and most ingenious.  
Go on in Virtue, after Death and grow,  
And shine like Leda's twins; my Lord and you.   
Ever most humbly and faithfully devoted to you, and all the rare Patrons of divine Homer. Geo. Chapman.