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Presented to the
LIBRARY of the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
by
NORAH DE PENCISR
of
A ftabatswollo
PRINCE OF POETIC
In his Iliads, and
THE ILIADS OF HOMER,
PKINCE OF POETS,
NEVER BEFORE IN ANY LANGUAGE TRULY TRANSLATED,
WITH A COMMENT ON SOME OF HIS
CHIEF PLACES.
DONE ACCORDING TO THE GREEK
BY GEOEGE CHAPMAN.
WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES,
BY THE
REV. RICHARD HOOPER, M.A.
VICAE OF UPTON AND ASTON UPTHORPE, BERKS.
VOLUME I.
THIRD EDITION.
M1CROFO! '
PR! p "-N
. ERV!
DATE
SEP 7 1990
LONDON :
JOHN KUSSELL SMITH.
1888.
P4
yj
DEI
141955
10310 ';
TO
SAMUEL, LORD BISHOP OF OXFORD,
CHANCELLOR OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER,
AND LORD HIGH ALMONER TO THE QUEEN,
THESE VOLUMES ARE DEDICATED
WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF RESPECT,
BY HIS OBLIGED SERVANT,
THE EDITOR.
ADVERTISEMENT.
T is with sincere pleasure that the Editor has heen informed
that a third issue of his Edition of Chapman's Homer's
Iliads is required. The steady and continued demand
for this fine old book is very gratifying, and no slight
proof of the hold that it has obtained on the public mind. In the
present edition the sheets have been carefully read through, but as some
had been printed off before they came under the editor's eye, he has
thrown his Additional and Corrected Notes, and the very few typo-
graphical errors, into a page of Addenda et Corrigenda, which the reader
is requested to peruse. The Introduction, corrected in a few places,
remains as it stood in the last edition (1865), and the editor believes
that, with that prefixed to the last edition of the Odyssey (1874), it
contains the fullest account of Chapman and his works extant.
K. H.
UPTON, BERKS, March 7, 1888.
ADVERTISEMENT TO SECOND EDITION.
AVING been informed by my respected publisher that
the former impression of these volumes has been entirely
exhausted and long out of print, I have had much
pleasure in acceding to his request to superintend a new
edition. The text has been thoroughly revised by a collation with a fine
copy of the first folio, and great care has been bestowed upon the
punctuation. The Life of Chapman has, to a great extent, been re-
written, though it is to be regretted that little additional information
could be procured. Since the former publication much attention has
been turned to the study of Homer, probably through the influence of
the writings of Mr. Gladstone ; and some good versions of the Homeric
Poems have been added to our literature. Among these the transla-
tions of the Iliad by Lord Derby and Mr. I. C. "Wright, and one of
the Odyssey, in the Spenserian stanza, by Mr. Philip Stanhope Worsley,
have been deservedly commended. The noble version of George Chap-
man, however, has an independent value and interest. It is to be
prized for its fine old language and the sweetness of its epithets,
as much as its representation (however imperfect all such repre-
sentations may be) of the original. The contemporary and friend of
Shakespeare has left us a work worthy of the great age in which he
lived ; and I hope I may not be accused of the undue partiality of an
advocate, if I express my conviction that Chapman's Homer is (to use
Mr. Godwin's words) " one of the greatest treasures the English lan-
guage has to boast."
R. H.
Aston Upthorpe,
March, 1865.
INTRODUCTION.
HE increasing interest in the sterling literature of the
Elizabethan age is too obvious to need remark. The
new era of criticism in the writings of Shakespeare has
caused the dust which had accumulated upon the works
of many of his less-known contemporaries to be shaken off, and the
result has proved by no means disadvantageous to their reputation.
" He, indeed, overlooks and commands the admiration of posterity, but
he does it from the table-land of the age in which he lived. He towered
above his fellows ' in shape and gesture proudly eminent,' but he was
one of a race of giants, the tallest, the strongest, the most graceful and
beautiful of them ; but it was a common and a noble brood." * One
branch, however, of this " giant family " has not hitherto met with that
attention to which it is justly entitled ; a branch which contributed in
no slight degree to enrich the language, and enlighten and enlarge the
national mind I mean the sturdy race of our old Translators. While
Shakespeare and Spenser, Bacon, Sydney, Hooker, Ben Jonson, and a
host of others, poets, philosophers, divines, and statesmen, " men whom
Fame has eternised in her long and lasting scroll, and who, by their
words and acts, were benefactors of their country and ornaments of
human nature," were giving to ^the world the imperishable monuments
* Hazlitt's " Lectures on the Dramatic Literature of the Age of Elizabeth "
p. 12.
x INTRODUCTION.
of their genius, there was a hardly-to-be-less honoured race employed
in culling from the rich and fascinating stores of the Greek and Latin
O O
Classics, in exploring the romantic poetry of Spain and Italy, and
throwing open their treasures in noble and stately Translations. When
James ascended the throne, himself no mean scholar, he found his
people in possession of versions in their own language of most of the
great writers of Classical Antiquity. And though it is true the rage
for Translation had been so great that many of these were of mushroom
growth, and have meritedly sunk into oblivion, yet there were others
which were of too genuine worth to be merely ephemeral, which have
stood the test of ages, and which, having done good service in their
day, are now undeservedly laid aside, and sought after only by the
scholar and the philologer, or, may be, the curious, yet to every true
lover of his native language are they precious heir-looms of the genius
and learning of a past and a glorious age.
It is not to be supposed that in the following remarks on some of
these old Translations I specify all that could be enumerated, but I
would wish to mention a few, which obtained no slight popularity in
their time, and which seem to me still worth the attention of the lover
of old literature. Virgil, as might be imagined, was an early favourite.
The version by Thomas Phaier, first published in Queen Mary's reign,
is no mean specimen of the art of Translation, and, though now sup-
planted by the great work of the " glorious John," contains much to
admire. A late critic indeed has passed a very high eulogium upon it
which may seem a little too laudatory, though I can add my sincere
testimony to the worth of " Thomas Phaier, Doctour of Phisicke."
Mr. Godwin describes it " as the most wonderful depository of living
description and fervent feeling, that is to be found perhaps in all the
circle of literature." *
Ovid, besides numerous translations of his other poems by various
authors, was nobly " converted " in his Metamorphoses by Arthur
Golding, a name of no faint lustre amongst our old Translators. In
* "Lives of Edward and John Philips," p. 247. (London, 4to. 1815.)
INTRODUCTION. ri
1567 Golding produced his charming work complete. Warton confesses
that " his style is poetical, and spirited, and his versification clear, his
manner ornamental and diffuse, yet with a sufficient observance of the
original." * After such testimony it would seem hardly necessary to
add an observation ; but I can assure the reader he would be much
pleased by the smoothness and sweetness of diction in this fine version.
Golding gave us several other translations ; and one in particular may
be mentioned, namely Philip Mornay's Treatise " On the Truth of the
Christian Religion," executed in conjunction with Sir Philip Sydney.
Sir Thomas North's Translation of Plutarch's Lives, 1579, though
avowedly taken from the French of Arnyot, has a claim to our venera-
tion from the use that Shakespeare made of it. The popularity of this
work may be estimated from the fact that it was a household book
during the whole of the seventeenth century, and we have no less than
six folio editions of it, viz., 1579, 1595, 1602, 1631, 1657, 1676.
The edition of 1657 was published at the instance of the lately
deceased Selclen. I may be pardoned for giving Mr. Godwin's
opinion of it. " I must confess that till this book fell into my hands, I
had no genuine feeling of Plutarch's merits, or knowledge of what sort
of writer he was. The philosopher of Cheronsea subjects himself in his
biographical sketches to none of the rules of fine writing ; he has not
digested the laws and orclonnance of composition, and the dignified and
measured step of an historian ; but rambles just as his fancy suggests,
and always tells you without scruple or remorse what comes next in his
mind. How beautiful does all this show in the simplicity of the old
English! How aptly does this dress correspond to the tone and
manner of thinking in the author ! While I read Plutarch in Sir
Thomas North, methinks I see the grey-headed philosopher, full of
information and anecdote, a veteran in reflection and experience, and
smitten with the love of all that is most exalted in our nature, pouring
out without restraint the collections of his wisdom, as he reclines in his
easy chair before a cheerful winter's blaze. How different does all this
* Warton's Hist. Engl. Poetry, vol. in. p. 332, ed. 1840.
xii INTRODUCTION.
appear in the translation of the Langhornes ! All that \vas beautiful
and graceful before becomes deformity in the finical and exact spruce-
ness with which they have attired it." *
And ungrateful should I be if I passed over the labours of old Phile-
mon Holland, that " Translator general," as Fuller styled him. His
" Plinie's Natural Historie " has wiled away many a weary hour, and
his " Livy " and " Plutarch's Morals " were noble efforts in their day.
They contain a mine of wealth to the philologer. Pope's ill-natured
sneer that
" here the groaning shelves Philemon bends "
would be vain now, his works have become so scarce, and are too pre-
cious to " bend the shelves " of the every-day collector. The student
would do well to avail himself of every opportunity to secure them.
Philemon Holland was no ordinary scholar, t
But, while attention was thus being turned to Classical lore, Foreign
literature was not neglected. Edward Fairfax had given us his splen-
did version of Tasso. Ariosto, through Sir John Harington, had,
upon the admission of Warton, " enriched our poetry by a com-
* Godwin, ut supra, p. 245.
t Fuller, in his " Worthies," styles Philemon Holland "the Translator
General of his age, so that those books alone of his turning into English will
make a country gentleman a competent library for Historians, insomuch that
one saith
Holland with translations doth so fill us
He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus."
Poor Philemon seerns to have been in much distress in his old age. (See a
very interesting extract from various MSS. in Sir E. Brydges' " Jiestituta,"
vol. iii. p. 41.) The dates of his Translations are as follows : Pliny, fol. 1601,
fol. 1634 ; Plutarch's Morals, fol. 1603, fol. 1657 ; Livy, fol. 1600, fol. 1659, fol.
1686 ; Suetonius, fol. 1606 ; Ammianus Marcfllinus, fol. 1609 ; Xciwphoris Cyro-
pcedia, fol. 1632 ; Camden's Britannia, fol. 1610, fol. 1637. Sir John Harington's
Ariosto was published fol. 1591 ; fol. 1607 ; fol. 1634. Paynter's Palace of
Pleasure was reprinted by Haslewood, 3 vols. 4to. 1813. Fenton's Guicciardin
was published fol. 1579, fol. 1599, and fol. 1618. The two first editions, I
think, are identical, the title being merely altered. The editions of Fairfax's
Tasso I have met with are fol. 1600 ; fol. 1624 ; 8vo. 16S7 ; 2 vols. 8vo. Dublin,
1726; 8vo. London, 1749; 8vo. 1817, 2 vols. by Knight, also in Knight's
shilling volumes ; and a most beautiful edition in the original orthography by
Mr. Singer, 2 vols. small Svo. 1S17.
INTRODUCTION. xiii
munication of new stores of fiction and imagination, both of the
romantic and comic species, of Gothic machinery, and familiar
manner."* In 1566-7 William Paynter displayed in his "Palace of
Pleasure" the wealthy mine of Boccaccio, fertilizing the imagination
of even Shakespeare himself. Geffray Fenton's " Historic of Guicci-
ardin, containing the Warres of Italie," is a fine old book. Nor can
we forget that Milton, in common with his age, is said to have been
very partial to the translations from Du Bartas by that " famous
philomusus " Joshua Sylvester. One work more, reader, and I have
done William Shelton's translation of "Don Quixote," 2 vols. 4to.
1612-20. Jarvis, it is true, thinks Shelton translated through the
Italian, but, be this as it may, the version is most spirited, and, in my
humble opinion, still the best in our language.
All, and each, of these grand old authors contain much, very much,
for us to venerate and admire. In them the reader will find a vigour
and a freshness, a grasp of the spirit of the originals, a stately flow of
language, which we in vain look for in the more modern and finished
Translations. In a word, it was essentially the age of Translation, and
we might point triumphantly to the BIBLE, and ask, what period in all
our literary annals could have produced such a version ? A writer in
the Edinburgh Keview (vol. LVII. 112) observes: "The lovers of the
English language owe the Church of England an obligation which they
can never repay. Only let them think, what would have been our loss,
if the translation of the Bible had been delayed to the present age ! "
I will conclude by citing some very able remarks, which fully embody
my own sentiments on this subject, and which contain pleasing testi-
mony to the merits of GEORGE CHAPMAN.
" Translation," says Mr. Godwin, " ought to be considered in a very
different light by scholars, and men to whom literature is their chosen
occupation, than that in which it is regarded by persons to whom books
are an amusement only. Translation is the parent, or more accurately
speaking, the nurse of all modern languages, from whose fostering
* Warton, ut supra, p. 391.
xiv INTRODUCTION.
breast they derive their soundness, the vigour, and the health, that
Tenders them at once the delight and accomplished ministers of all by
whom they are spoken and written. To Translation we are indebted
for much of what is most excellent and important in our vernacular
speech ; and Translation, considered in this point of view, is a funda-
mental branch of true learning. Chaucer, Lydgate, Skelton, and
Surrey, the fathers of our literature, were all eminent Translators ; and
it is to our version of the Bible that we are above all things indebted
for the sober, majestic, and copious, flow of our English tongue.
Translation, merely as Translation, would form no branch of reading
to a scholar, merely in as far as he was a scholar ; but, considered as
the faithful repository of the history of a language, it is of inexpressible
importance. Translation in itself is a dim and obscure medium,
through which we become feebly acquainted with the merits of an
original work. No man therefore would almost deign to look upon a
Translation, except so far as he had no other way in which to obtain a
knowledge of the original it pretends to represent.
" This character may be considered as applicable to all Translations
at the time they are presented to the world. But an obsolete Trans-
lation is a very different thing. It is an object avoided by the fop and
the fine lady ; but it is precious to the man of taste, the man of feeling,
and the philosopher. In the old English Homer, for example, I have
some pleasure, inasmuch as I find Homer himself there ; but I have
also an inestimable pleasure added to this, while I remark, and feel in
my inmost heart, the venerable and illustrious garb in which he is thus
brought before me. This further pleasure I have which I could not
find even in the original itself. The Translation of Homer, published
by George Chapman in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and King James,
is one of the greatest treasures the English language has to boast. This
man had a deep and true feeling of what a poet is, when he appears,
as Milton styles it, ' soaring in the high region of his fancies, with his
garland and singing robes about him.' This is conspicuously shown in
his Preface, Notes, and Dedication." *
* Ut supra, p. 240.
INTRODUCTION. xv
Mr. Godwin proceeds to illustrate this by a comparison of passages
from the Odyssey with Pope's version, in which the superiority of the
elder poet is obvious. It will be unnecessary to pursue a similar course,
for it is generally admitted at the present day, that, of all the versions
of Homer in our language, that of Chapman approaches the nearest to
the original in spirit and grandeur, and, from a most attentive perusal,
I think faithfulness. Whether Homer has ever been really translated
is a question which must be discussed elsewhere, but of the existing
representations of him, there can be no doubt as to which the palm
must be given. It may be pleasing to give a few testimonies of com-
petent judges to the worth of this noble work. Dryden, in the Dedi-
cation to the third volume of his Miscellanies, says, " The Earl of
Mulgrave and Mr. Waller, two of the best judges of our age, have
assured me that they never could read over the translation of Chapman
without incredible transport." Dryden himself translated the First
Book of the Iliad, and Pope declares that, had he completed the work,
he would not have ventured on his own translation. Pope, in a subse-
quent passage of his Preface, accuses Dryden of having " had too much
regard to Chapman, whose words he sometimes copies, and has unhap-
pily followed him in passages where he wanders from the original."
This comes with an ill grace from Pope, for Dr. Johnson asserts that
" with Chapman Pope had frequent consultations, and perhaps never
translated any passage till he had read his version ; which indeed he
has been sometimes suspected of using instead of the Greek." Pope has
however done Chapman the justice to say that " he covers his defects
by a daring fiery spirit that animates his translation which is some-
thing like what one might imagine Homer himself to have writ before
he arrived to years of discretion." "He (Pope) might have added,"
says Mr. Hallam, " that Chapman's Translation, with all its defects,
is often exceedingly Homeric ; a praise which Pope himself seldom
attained. Chapman deals abundantly in compound epithets, some of
which have retained their place ; his verse is rhymed, of fourteen
syllables, which corresponds to the hexameter better than the deca-
xvi INTR OD UCTION.
syllable couplet ; lie is often uncouth, and often low, but the spirited
and rapid flow of his metre makes him respectable to lovers of poetry." *
In the Retrospective Eeview, vol. in. will be found an admirable article
on the merits of Chapman, Pope and Cowper ; and there are several
interesting critiques on Sotheby's Homer in Blackwood's Magazine for
1830, 1832,t which do ample justice to Chapman. Coleridge, in
sending a copy of Chapman's volume to Wordsworth (1807) says,
" Chapman I have sent in order that you might read the Odyssey ;
the Iliad is fine, but less equal in the translation, as well as less inte-
resting in itself. What is stupidly said of Shakespeare is really true
and appropriate of Chapman : ' mighty faults counterpoised by mighty
beauties.' Excepting his quaint epithets, which he affects to render
literally from the Greek, a language above all others blest in the happy
marriage of sweet words, and which in our language are mere printer's
compound epithets such as divine joy-in-the-heart-of-man-infusing
wine (the undermarked is to be one word, because one sweet melli-
fluous word expresses it in Homer) ; excepting this it has no look, no
air, of a translation. It is as truly an original poem as the Faery
Queen ; it will give you small idea of Homer, though a far truer one
than Pope's epigrams, or Cowper's cumbersome most anti-Homeric
Miltonism. For Chapman writes and feels as a poet, as Homer
might have written had he lived in England in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. In short, it is an exquisite poem, in spite of its frequent
and perverse quaintnesses and harshnesses, which are, however, amply
repaid by almost unexampled sweetness and beauty of language, all
over spirit and feeling." It is not improbable that Coleridge's atten-
tion had been called to Chapman by Charles Lamb, who writes to him
in 1802, " I have just finished Chapman's Homer. Did you ever
read it ? it has the most continuous power of interesting you all
along, like a rapid original, of any ; and in the uncommon excellence
* Literature of Europe, n. p. 130, ed. 1843.
t By Professor Wilson.
t Coleridge's Literary Remains by Henry Nelson Coleridge, 4 vols. 8vo.
1836, vol. i. pp. 259-60-61.
INTR OD UCTION. xvii
of the more finished parts goes beyond Fairfax or any of 'em. The
metre is fourteen syllables, and capable of all sweetness and grandeur.
Cowper's ponderous blank verse detains you every step with some heavy
Miltonism ; Chapman gallops off with you his own free pace, &c." *
It would be unpardonable to omit Lamb's well-known criticism on
Chapman in his " Specimens of English Dramatic Poets," first published
in 1808. " The selections which I have made from this poet are suffi-
cient to give an idea, of ' that full and heightened style' which Webster
makes characteristic of Chapman. Of all the English play-writers,
Chapman perhaps approaches nearest to Shakespeare in the descriptive
and didactic, in passages which are less purely dramatic. Dramatic
imitation was not his talent. He could not go out of himself, as
Shakespeare could shift at pleasure, to inform and animate other exist-
ences ; but in himself he had an eye to perceive, and a soul to embrace,
all forms. He would have made a great epic poet, if indeed he has not
abundantly shown himself to be one ; for his Homer is not so properly
a translation as the stories of Achilles and Ulysses re-written. The
earnestness and passion which he has put into every part of these
poems would be incredible to a reader of mere modern translations.
His almost Greek zeal for the honour of his heroes is only paralleled
by that fierce spirit of Hebrew bigotry with which Milton, as if person-
ating one of the zealots of the old law, clothed himself when he sat
down to paint the acts of Samson against the Uncircumcised. The
great obstacle to Chapman's translations being read is their unconquer-
able quaintness. He pours out in the same breath the most just and
natural, and the most violent and forced, expressions. He seems' to
grasp whatever words come first to hand during the impetus of inspira-
tion, as if all other must be inadequate to the divine meaning. But
passion (the all in all in poetry) is everywhere present, raising the'low,
dignifying the mean, and putting sense into the absurd. He makes his
readers glow, weep, tremble, take any affection which he pleases, be
* The letters of Charles Lamb, by T. N. Talfourd, 2 vols. 8vo. 1837, vol. i.
p. 236.
VOL. I. b
xviii INTR OD UCTION.
moved by words, or in spite of them be disgusted, and overcome their
disgust. I have often thought that the vulgar misconception of Shake-
speare as of a wild irregular genius, ' in whom great faults are compen-
sated by great beauties,' would be true of Chapman."
In an article entitled " Remarks on Translation " in the Classical
Museum (vol. i. p. 400) the writer, Mr. R. H. Home, observes "The
name of George Chapman I mention with reverence and admiration ;
but his truly grand version of Homer must nevertheless be declared no
translation. Chapman's version of Homer is a paraphrase by a kindred
spirit ; that of Pope is a paraphrase in his own* spirit. The works
might be appropriately contradistinguished as ' Homer's Chapman,'
and ' Pope's Homer.' By his in-door modern life, his drawing-room
associates, his mechanical refinements and polished grace, his tasteful
timidities and general misgivings, Pope was the natural opposite to
Homer, and one of the very last men who should have meddled with
his works ; but Chapman, by his commanding energies, fulness of faith
in his author's genius, and in his own inspired sympathies, his primitive
power, and rough truthfulness of description, was the very man for the
purpose, had he not been misled by the common notions of translation.
He gives Homer's narrative as he feels it. Pope produced his own idea
of Homer, and in his own (Pope's) peculiar words, with little reference
to the words of the original: and this has been read to an immense
extent ; destroying the ears of the schoolboys and men, of at least two
generations, for any sense of the varied harmonies of rhythm : Chap-
man produced in his own words, and often in his own images, a
glorious adumbration of the effect of Homer upon the energies of his
soul. When we consider the subtle influence of poetry upon the rising
spirits of the age, it tempts me to hazard the speculation, that if Chap-
man's noble paraphrase had been read instead of Pope's enervating
monotony, and as extensively, the present class of general readers
would not only have been a more poetical class as the fountain-head
* i. e. Pope's own.
INTRODUCTION. xix
from the rock is above the artificial cascade in a pleasure ground but
a finer order of human beings in respect of energy, love of nature
at first-hand, and faith in their own impulses and aspirations." The
reader, perhaps, will pardon one more extract, in which is an interest-
ing tribute to what may be styled the practical effect of Chapman's
work. Mr. Monckton Milnes, in his " Life and Letters of John Keats,"
(vol. i. p. 18. ed. 1848,) says, "Unable as he was to read the original
Greek, Homer had as yet been to him a name of solemn significance
and nothing more. His friend and literary counsellor, Mr. Clarke,
happened to borrow Chapman's translation, and having invited Keats
to read it with him one evening, they continued their study till day-
light. He describes Keats' delight as intense, even to shouting aloud,
as some passages of especial energy struck his imagination. It was
fortunate that he was introduced to that heroic company through
an interpretation which preserves so much of the ancient simplicity,
and in a metre that, after all various attempts, including that of the
hexameter, still appears the best adapted, from its pauses and its
length, to represent in English, the Greek epic verse * *
The Sonnet, in which these his first impressions are concentrated, was
left the following clay on Mr. Clarke's table."
" ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER.
" Much have I travelled in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen ;
Round many western islands have I been,
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne :
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold :
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
When a new planet swims into his ken ;
Or like stout Cortez, when with eagle eyes
He stared at the Pacific and all his men
Look'd at each other with a wild surmise
Silent, upon a peak in Darien."
xx INTRODUCTION.
The opinions of Coleridge, Lamb, and Mr. B. H. Home, might lead
the reader to infer that Chapman's noble work, of which they speak in
such raptures, is in reality only a paraphrase. If however he will be at
the pains to compare it with the original Greek, he will not fail to be
struck with its closeness on the whole. He should remember the prin-
ciples upon which Chapman translated, as expressed in his Preface :
" 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 clothe 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." He tells us, in the noble poem " To
the Header,"
" Custom hath made even th' ablest agents err
In these translations ; all so much apply
Their pains and cunnings word for word to render
Their patient authors, when they may as well
Make fish with fowl, camels with whales, engender,
Or their tongue's speech in other mouths compell."
And again, though he " laughs to see "
-"the brake
That those translators stick in, that affect
Their word-for-word traductions,"
yet he as much abbors
" More license from the words than may express
Their full compression, and make clear the author ; "
and he says of the various translators of Homer in other language?,
' ' They failed to search his deep and treasurous heart.
The cause was, since they wanted the fit key
Of Nature, in their down-right strength of Art
With Poesy to open Poesy."
This is the real secret of the success and beauty of Chapman's work.
He has perfectly identified himself with Homer, and from his search of
that 'treasurous heart,' from his thorough knowledge of its depths,
with the ' fit key of true natural poesy, with his own innative Homeric
INTRO DUCT 10 N. xxi
genius, he has opened to us (to use his jwn words) "the mysteries
revealed in Homer."
Jt may not be too much to say that perhaps no man ever felt the
Homeric inspiration to the same extent as Chapman. W e pardon him.
even for his digressions, for they are such as we feel Homer him-
self would have written. Chapman conceived that our language was
adapted to rythmical poetry above all others, on account of its
numerous monosyllables :
" I can prove it clear
That no tongue hath the Muses' utterance heired
For verse, and that sweet music to the ear
Struck out of rhyme, so naturally as this.
Our monosyllables so kindly fall,
And meet oppos'd in rhyme as they did kiss.
French and Italian most immetrical ;
Their many syllables in harsh collision
Fall as they break their necks, their bastard rhymes
Saluting as they justled in transition,
And set our teeth on edge ; nor tunes, nor times
Kept in their falls."
Warton accuses him of "labouring with the inconvenience of an awk-
ward, inharmonious, and unheroic measure, imposed by custom, but
disgustful to modern ears." The judgment, however, of the present
day would reverse this decision, for it is confessed that the fourteen-
syllable verse is peculiarly fitting for Homeric translation. Chapman
had met with a similar objection in his own time, but he defends him-
self with the observation that
"this long poem asks this length of verse."
However in the translation of the Odyssey, the Hymns, and the Georgics
of Hesiod, at a subsequent period, he has adopted the ordinary heroic
(or decasyllable) measure, in which he displays equal vigour.
" One of the peculiarities of Chapman's versification," says Mr.
Singer,* "is the interlacing of the verses, or the running of the lines
* Preface to Chapman's " Hymns of Homer " (Chiswick, 1818) p. xxi.
xxii INTRODUCTION.
one into the other, so that the sense does not close with the couplet ;
this is what the French critics object to under the name of enjambement
des vers, and is what made Ben Jonson say, 'that the translations
of Homer and Virgil in long Alexandrines were but prose.' The prac-
tice, however, when not injudiciously excessive in its use, gives freedom
and spirit to long compositions, while the strict observance of confining
the sense to terminate with the couplet gives a stiff and formal air, and
makes ^one rather seem to be reading a string of epigrams, than
a poem. The following judicious reflections of an excellent old poet
and critic, in which our author's custom is defended, will place this
subject in a just point of view :
' I must confess that, to mine own ear, those continual cadences in
couplets used in long continued poems are very tiresome and un-
pleasiug, by reason that still methinks they run on with a sound of one
nature, and a kind of certainty which stuffs the delight rather than
entertains it. But yet, notwithstanding, I must not but of my own
daintiness condemn this kind of writing, which peradventure to another
may seem most delightful ; and many worthy compositions we see to
have passed with commendation in that kind. Besides methinks some-
times to beguile the ear with a running out and passing over the
rhyme, as no bound to stay us in the line where the violence of the
matter will break through, rather graceful than otherwise. Wherein I
find my Homer-Lucan, as if he gloried to seem to have no bounds
albeit he were confined within his measures, to be in my conceit most
happy ; for so thereby they who care not for verse or rhyme may pass
over it without taking any notice thereof, and please themselves with a
well-measured prose.' " * Lamb's charge of " unconquerable quaint-
ness" in Chapman is too sweeping. He is undoubtedly quaint, and
too fond of silly quibbling on words. He is often low, and uses forced
expressions ; but it should be borne in mind that he wrote with great
rapidity, and paid little regard to correcting and polishing his work.
* Samuel Daniel's " Defence of Rhyme," 1602.
INTRODUCTION. xxiii
The reader must not expect to be pleased at once. Chapman, like
most of the writers of his day, requires patience and study. It has
been well said of him that he is " a rough nut externally, but contains
a most sweet kernel."
ANTONY WOOD says that George Chapman was born in
1557, and conjectures that he might have been of a family
seated at Stone Castle in Kent. But he is in error both
as to the date and place of the poet's birth. That Chapman was born
at, or in the neighbourhood of, Hitchin in Hertfordshire, and that
he there translated at least the earlier portions of his Homer, we have
the evidence of his own writings. In a small poem entitled, " JEuthymice
RaptuS) or the Teares of Peace," 4to. 1609, he introduces himself in a
reverie, when the Shade of Homer appears, and in reply to the Poet's
enquiry
" What may I reckon thee,
Whose beav'nly look showes not, nor voice sounds, man ?
' I am,' sayd he, ' that spirit Elysian
That in thy native ayre, and on the Hill
Next Hitchin's left hand, did thy bosome fill
With such a floode of soule that thou wert faine
(With acclamations of her rapture then)
To vent it to the echoes of the vale ;
When meditating of me, a sweet gale
Brought me upon thee ; and thou didst inherit
My true sense (for the time then) in my spirit,
And I invisible went prompting thee
To those fayre greenes where thou didst English me.' "
His friend and contemporary, William Browne, in his "Britannia's
Pastorals" (Book i. Song 5) also styles him
" The learned shepherd of fair Hitching Hill."
xxiv INTR OD UCTION.
The date of Iris birth we fix by inference in 1559, as round the portrait
affixed to the title of the Complete Homer in the legend, "Georgius
Chapmanus Homeri Metaphrastes JEia,. LVII. M.DC.XVI." The
Hitchin Registers unfortunately only commence with the year 1562,
so we are unable to arrive at any facts relative to his parentage.
There are, however, several entries relating to the families of John and
Thomas Chapman, who were possibly the poet's brothers. In 1593,
Aug. 5, was baptized George, the son of John Chapman ; and from
Easter 1603 to Easter 1605 the same John Chapman was one of the
Churchwardens, and has signed the Parish Registers in a bold and
7 O O
scholarlike hand. Amongst the Additional MSS. in the British
Museum (No. 16,273) is a "Survey of the King's timber and woods
in Hertfordshire and Essex in 1608," and under the " Maner de
Hutchin " (Hitchin) is " Upon the Copyhold of Thomas Chapman, in
Longe Close 27 Saplings 4. In Beerton closes 260 Elmes 18, Fire
ivood 35. This Thomas Chapman was probably a man of respect-
ability and substance, for in the Harleian MSS. No. 781, p. 28, is a
petition to Prince Charles from Thomas Chapman, in 1619, for the
bailiwick of Hitchin, which he formerly held under the Exchequer Seal,
but of which the Earl of Salisbury had deprived him. On November
30 of the same year the claim was referred to the Commissioners
of the Revenue of the Prince of Wales. The relationship, however, to
the poet is mere conjecture, as we have no positive proof of any facts
connected with his family. We have carefully examined the various
Heraldic visitations of Hertfordshire, and the County Histories, but
have been unable to discover any traces of him. Nothing is known of
his youth, or where he was educated.
" In 1574, or thereabouts," says Antony Wood,* " he, being well-
grounded in school-learning, was sent to the university, but whether
first to this of Oxon, or that of Cambridge, is. to me unknown. Sure I
* The account of Chapman in Bliss's Edition of Antony Wood is in inverted
commas, which would lead one to suppose that it was a communication ; but it
seems to be generally quoted as Wood's.
INTRODUCTION. xxv
am that he spent some time in Oxon, where he was observed to be
most excellent in the Latin and Greek tongues, but not in logic or phi-
losophy, and therefore I presume that that was the reason why he took
no degree here." Warton also says (from the information of Mr. Wise,
late Radcliffe's Librarian, and Keeper of the Archives at Oxford)
"that he passed two years at Trinity College, with a contempt of
philosophy, but in a close attention to the Greek and Roman Classics."
The present Keeper of the Archives,* however, has been unable to
discover Chapman's name. It is probable from the date of his birth
(1559) that he would have been matriculated before the year 1581,
when Subscription to the Articles began. Before that date (Mr. Grif-
fiths says) the Matriculation Register is very incomplete. Mr. Wise's
communication to Warton seems merely a repetition of Wood's infor-
mation with the addition of the name of the College (Trinity) of which
Chapman is supposed to have been a member. But this point cannot
be satisfactorily ascertained. The present learned President of Trinity
College t writes, " I am sorry to discover that the records of our
Admissions, [at the period when Chapman would have entered, are
either lost or destroyed ; which is a great disappointment to me." We
must be content then with Antony Wood's assurance " that he spent
some time in Oxon." Researches as to his residence or admission at
Cambridge would probably be equally fruitless, as he is not mentioned
in that admirable and accurate work, Cooper's " Atlience Cantabrigienses."
Quitting the University without a degree, he afterwards settled, says
Wood, in the metropolis, and associated with Shakespeare, Spenser,
Marlowe, Daniel, and other celebrated persons of the day. Though he
tindoubtedly knew Marlowe, it is not very probable, as Mr. Dyce well
observes, that they were very intimate, as their dispositions and cha-
racters were very dissimilar. He early acquired the patronage and
friendship of Sir Thomas Walsingham, and his son, " whom Chapman
loved from his birth." The date of Chapman's first acknowledged pub
lication in 1594 is such a long interval from the time of his quitting
* Rev. John Griffiths;. f Rev. John Wilson, D.D.
xxvi INTRODUCTION.
Oxford in 1576 (or 1578) that Mr. Singer conjectured that he prob-
ably appeared as a writer anonymously,* although we have no clue to his
earlier performances. But though, upon the authority of Wood, we
have said he settled immediately in London, his time seems to have
been occasionally spent at Hitchin, from his informing us that he there
translated Homer. In 1594, however, he published two fine poems
" The Shadow of Night : containing two poetical Hymnes, devised by
G. C. Gent" and dedicated to his " deare and most worthy friend Master
Mathew Roydon." They have been reprinted by Mr. Singer in his
edition of " Chapman's Hymns of Homer," (Chiswick, 1818). In
the following year (1595) appeared " Ovid's Banquet of Sence, a
Coronet for his Mistresse Philosophic, and his amorous Zodiacke : with
a translation of a Latine Copie (sc. of verses) written by a fryer,
Anno Dom. 1400." 4to. This was also dedicated to Matthew Roydon,
with Commendatory Verses by Richard Stapilton, Thomas Williams,
and I. D. of the Middle Temple. It was reprinted in 1639, 12mo.
without the dedication and verses. John Davis of Hereford has an
epigram " To the right- well-deserving Mr. Matthew Roydon."
Chapman was now in London, and employed in writing for the
stage. From an entry in "Henslowe's Diary," p. 64, we learn that
his comedy of the " Blind Beggar of Alexandria " was first] brought
out and acted by the Lord Admiral's (the Earl of Nottingham's)
servants, on the 12th of February, 1595. It seems to have been
very successful, and to have attracted large houses, from the receipts
being always considerable. It continued to be acted till April 1597,
* In a small 4to. tract of thirty-two leaves, published in 1596, entitled "A rela-
tion of the Second Voyage to Guiana, pcrfourmed and ivrittcn in the yeare 1596.
By Lawrence Kcymis, Gent." is an English poem in blank verse, " De Guiand
Carmen Epicum, by G. C." George Steevens, writing to Bishop Percy (Nicholl's
" Literary Illustrations," vol. VII. p. 121) assigned this to Chapman, and it
bears evidence of his style. It is interesting as an early specimen of blank verse.
In the same volume is a short Latin poem, " Ad Thomam Hariotum Matheseos
tt universes philosophic?: pcritissimum, by L. K." This was, doubtless, the M.
Harriots to whom Chapman addressed a poem at the end of his translation of
the "Shield of Achilles," and who is mentioned in the Preface to the Iliad.
Keymis's Tract was reprinted by Hakluyt.
I NTH OD UCTION. xxvii
when it was withdrawn, and published in the following year, 1598. It
was revived in 1601. "There is a coincidence," says Mr. Payne
Collier, " between a line in it and Marlowe's Paraphrase of Hero and
Leander. Marlowe's line is correctly cited, with acknowledgment to
the 'dead Shepherd, 3 by Shakespeare in 'As you like it,' Act. III.
Sc. 5.
' Who ever lov'd that lov'd not at first sight ? '
Which Chapman, near the close of his 'Blind Beggar of Alexandria,'
gives thus :
' None ever lov'd but at first sight they lov'd.'
The circumstance might have been passed over without notice, if
Chapman's play and Marlowe's poem had not been printed in the same
year, and if Chapman, at a subsequent date, had not finished the poem
which Marlowe left incomplete. Marlowe's portion having been pub-
lished in 1598, Chapman immediately continued the subject, and the
six sestiads appeared together in 1600."* The coincidence of the
date of the publications is all that is remarkable. Marlowe's poem,
though only printed in 1598, was entered in the Stationers' Eegisters
as early as September 28, 1593, and again in 1597. It had probably
been handed about in MS. as was not infrequently the case. Chapman,
perhaps, had seen the line, and adopted the idea. It is equally pos-
sible that Marlowe might have been present at the representation of
Chapman's play, and transferred the sentiment to his own poem,
though the evidence of priority would seem to be in his favour. An
allusion in Chapman's subsequent portion of the poem has led to the
inference that Marlowe had at some time or other expressed a wish
that he should conclude it. The reader will find an able criticism on
Chapman's plays in the fourth and fifth volume of the " Retrospective
Review."
The rapidity with which Chapman now issued his publications is
astonishing. In this same year (1598) appeared his "Seaven Bookes
* Henslowe's Diary, p. 65 (Shakespeare Society).
xxviii INTR OD UCTION.
of the Iliades of Homere, Prince of Poetes, &c., and the " Shield of
Achilles" from Homer, both, small 4tos. "printed by John Windet,
and are to be sold at the signe of the Crosse-Keyes neare Paules
Wharffe" The " Seaven Bookes of the Iliades " are dedicated to
Lord Essex, who is described as " the most honoured now living
instance of the Achilleian virtues." They are not the first seven
books continuously, but the first and second, and then the seventh to
the eleventh inclusive. In explaining this circumstance, Chapman
denies that Homer set the books together, but they were collected into
an entire poem at a subsequent period. " In the next edition," he
adds, " when they come out by the dozen, I will reserve the ancient
and common received forme. In the meane time do me the encourage-
ment to confer that which I have translated with the same in Homer,
and according to the worth of that, let this edition passe : so shall you
do me but lawfull favor, and make me take paines to give you this
Emperor of all wisdome (for so Plato will allow him) in your owne
language, which will more honor it (if my part bee worthily dis-
charged) than anything else can be translated. In the meane time
peruse the pamphlet of errors in the impression, and helpe to pointe
the rest with your judgement ; wherein, and in purchase of the whole
seaven, if you be quicke and acceptive, you shall in the next edition
have the life of Homer, a table, a prettie comment, true printing, the
due praise of your mother tongue above all others for Poesie, and such
demonstrative proofe of our English wits above beyond-sea Muses (if
he would use them) that a proficient wit should be the better to
heare it."
These books are written in the fourteen-syllable measure. The
copy of them in the British Museum has the autograph, "Sum Ben
Jonsonii." " The Shield of Achilles," taken from the xvinth Book
of the Iliad, was published later in the year. It is in the ordinary
heroic measure of ten syllables, and is also dedicated to Lord Essex,
" The most honored Earle Marshall." In the " Epistle Dedicatorie "
is the following amusing invective against Scaliger, who seems to have
INTR OD UCTION. xxix
been the object of Chapman's special aversion : " But thou soul-blind
Scaliger, that never hadst anything but place, time, and terms, to
paint thy proficiency in learning, nor ever writest anything of thine
own impotent brain, but thy onlyrimpalsied diminution of Homer
(which I may swear -was the absolute inspiration of thine own ridi-
culous genius) never didst thou more palpably damn thy drossy spirit
in all thy all-countries-exploded filcheries, which are so grossly illiterate
that no man will vouchsafe their refutation, than in thy senseless repre-
hensions of Homer, whose spirit flew as much above thy grovelling
capacity as Heaven moves above Barathrum." The Preface is "To
the Understand er," and Chapman commences, " You are not every-
body : to you (as to one of my very few friends) I may be bold to
utter my mind." He alludes to his already published " Seven
Books." " My Epistle dedicatory before my Seven Books is accounted
dark and too much laboured." He declares that it could only be dark
" to ranke riders or readers, that have no more soules than burbolts."
As for the labour " I protest two mornings both ended it, and the
Header's Epistle." I regret that space prevents my giving more
extracts from this interesting Preface, in which would be shown Chap-
man's thorough enthusiasm for Homer. He also alludes to the ne\v
words and epithets with which he has enriched our language from
Homer. At the conclusion is a poetical address " To my admired and
soule-loved friend, mayster of all essentiall and true knowledge, M.
Harriots."
The publication of his Homer gained him great reputation. Meres,
in his " Wit's Treasury" p. 156 (edit. Haslewood Mere's first edit.
was in 1598), speaks of Chapman's "inchoate Homer," for which he
ranks him amongst the learned translators. As a proof that he was
now in high fame, the same writer says : " As the Greeke tongue is
made famous and eloquent by Homer, Hesiod, Euripides, .ZEschylus,
Sophocles, Pindarus, Phocylides, and Aristophanes ; and the Latine
tongue by Virgill, Quid, Horace, Silius Italicus, Lucanus, Lucre-
tius, Ausonius, and Claudianus ; so the English tongue is might-
xxx INTRODUCTION.
ilie enriched, and gorgeouslie inuested in rare ornaments, and resplen-
dent abiliments by Sir Philip Sydney, Spenser, Daniel, Drayton,
Warner, Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Chapman" (p. 150). In the
next page he mentions Chapman as one of the best of our Tragedians,
and, in the following, as a Comedian. This latter assertion is remark-
able, as at this time Chapman had published but one drama. He had
probably, therefore, written others which had been acted, though never
published, and the authorship of which cannot now be determined. At
this period are frequent entries in'Henslowe's Diary relating to advances
of money made to him. In p. 123 we have, " Lent unto M r Chap-
mane, the 16 of Maye 1598, in earneste of a boocke for the com-
panye xxxx 3 Wittnes, W m BIRDE." Again, "Lent unto W Birde,
the 23 of Maye 1598, which he lent unto M r Chappmann, upon his
boocke, which he promised us : xx s ." "Lent unto the companey, the
10 of June 1598, to lend unto M r Chapman x s ." And again, " Lent
unto Robart Shawe and Edward Jube, the 15 of June 1598, to geve M'
Chapman, in earneste of his boocke called the Wylle of a Woman . .
xx s ." It would seem, then, that this is the name of the "boocke" for
the Company so often alluded to. Mr. Payne Collier, in a note on
this passage, thinks that it was only the same play mentioned by Hen-
slowe, in pp. 119-122, as "A Woman mil have her Wille" and
which is there given to Harton (William Haughton), and that Chap-
man may have added to it, or assisted him in it, as it would seem
unlikely that two plays, so resembling in title, would have been pro-
duced at the same time. This may be true ; but it is equally impro-
bable that Chapman should have received such considerable and frequent
sums for merely assisting in writing a play, which is, moreover, con-
stantly styled his book. An entry is made on the 31st of September,
1598, of .3 to buy a "Boocke" of Mr. Chapman entitled "The
Fountain of Neiv Fashions j " and on the 12th of October he received
x.\. s . in full payment for the same play. On the 23rd* of the same
* Of this date also is the following memorandum in Henslowe, p. 191. "Be
it knowen unto all men by thes presentes, that I George Chapman of London,
INTRODUCTION. xxxi
month is an advance of ,3 to Mr. Chapman on " his playe boocke and
ij ectes of a tragedie of bengemen's plotte." We have no farther infor-
mation respecting this "tragedy of Benjamin's Plot." In November,
1598, Henslowe records the expenses incurred for the production of
" Tlie Fountain of Neio Fashions" and in December an advance of x 3 .
to Chapman. On the 4th and 8th of January 159|, Chapman
received the respective sums of 3 for a tragedy, the name of which is
not given. But though these plays were not printed,* in 1599 was
published "An Humorous Day's Mirth," a comedy, which had been
frequently acted by the Lord Admiral's company. We are inclined to
think that this is the play referred to by Henslowe under the entry of
May 11, 1597, and elsewhere, where he says " Ed at the Comodey of
Umers." Malone was of opinion that this piece was Ben Jonson's
" Every Man in his Humour ; " but this is absurd, as Ben Jonson
himself tells us (folio edit. 1616) that his comedy was first acted by the
Lord Chamberlain's servants in 1598. See Collier's Life of Shake-
speare, p. CLXV. Notwithstanding his labours for the stage, Chapman
found time to continue and publish, in 1600, Marlou-e's Hero and
Leander, a poem of great beauty. We have seen that it is supposed
Marlowe had at some time or other expressed a wish that Chapman
should continue this work. From, this fact is alleged the intimacy
between Chapman and Marlowe; yet it proves nothing, whereas the
extreme dissimilarity of their lives would tend to negative the supposi-
tion. Warton and others are in error in supposing it to be a transla-
gentleman, doe owe unto M P Phillip Henslowe, of the parishe of S' Saviours,
gentleman, the some of x u x s of lawfull money of England. In witnesse whereof
I have hereunto sett my hand, this xxiiij th of Octobr. 1598. GEO. CHAPMAN."
The signature only is in the handwriting of Chapman.
* " The Fountain of New Fashions" and " The Will of a Woman," were in
MS. in the late Mr. Heber's library. Where are they now ? If the " Will of
a Woman " could be discovered, it would settle the question as to Haughton's
play, which was printed, in 1616, under the title, " Englishmen for my Money, or
a Woman will have her Will," and several times reprinted. Mr. Collier says it is
an extremely good comedy. In the last old edition, 4to. 1631, the printer
dropped the first part of the title, and reverted to the name it bears in
Henslowe's Diary. It was not given to any author till the discovery of
Henslowe's MS.
xxxii INTRODUCTION.
tion from the Greek. It is a story founded on Musseus. Chapman
subsequently translated MUSODUS, as \ve shall see. Chapman divided
the work into its present form of Sestyads, and published it in 1600
(4to.) without his name, which was first attached to the edition of
1606.*
The year 1605 was marked by the publication of "Eastward Hoe"
which Chapman had written conjointly with Ben Jonson and Marston.
This play had been acted by the Children of the Eevels. " The play
was well received," says Mr. Gifford, " as indeed it deserved to be, for
it is exceedingly pleasant ; but there was a passage in it reflecting on
the Scotch, which gave offence to Sir James Murray, who represented
it to the King in so strong a light that orders were given to arrest the
authors." They do not seem to have been long in prison. " When
they were first committed, a report had been propagated, Jonson says,
that they should have their ears and noses cut, i. e. slit. This had
reached his mother, and at an entertainment which he made on his
deliverance, she drank to him, and showed him a paper which she
designed, if the sentence had taken effect, to have mixed with his
drink, and it was strong and lusty poison. To show that she was no
churl, she designed to have first drunk it herself." Mr. Gifford, ever
zealous for the honour of Jonson, says that he disclaimed to Drummond
having anything to do with the offensive passage, but that " Chapman
and Marston had written it amongst them ; " having, however, had a
share in the play, from a high sense of honour, he voluntarily accom-
panied his friends to prison. The r play has an additional interest, as it
is supposed to have suggested to Hogarth the plan of his set of prints
of the " Idle and Industrious Apprentices." It was revived at Drury
Lane in 1751. This alteration was published 12mo. n. d. with the
additional title of l \The Erentices," but it did not succeed. Mrs.
Charlotte Lennox altered it ; and it was once more revived at Drury
* Reprinted, 4to. 1609, 4to. 1613, 4to. 1629, 4to. 1637 ; in Sir Egerton
Brydges' " Restituta," vol. n. ; in Mr. Singer's "Select Early English Poets,"
Chiswick, 1821 ; in Mr. Bell's "Annotated Poets," 1856 ; and in Mr. Dyce's
edition of Marlowe's works.
INTR OD UC TION. xxxiii
Lane in 1775, with the title of " Old City Manners" when it met
with a more favourable reception. It will be found in Dodsley's Old
Plays. It appears that Chapman underwent a second imprisonment
with Jonson, shortly after their release, in consequence of supposed
reflections upon some individual in a play of their joint composition.
A letter was found by Dr. Birch amongst the Hatfield State Papers,
inscribed " Ben Jonson to the Earl of Salisbury, praying his lordship's
protection against some evil reports." It is dated 1605, and contains
the following passage : " I am here, my most honoured Lord, unex-
amined and unheard, committed to a vile prison, and with me a gentle-
man (whose name may, perhaps, have come to your lordship) one Mr.
George Chapman,* a learned and honest man." The whole letter is
interesting, and will be found in the "Memoirs of Ben Jonson," pre-
fixed to the one volume edition of Gifford's Jonson, 1838. It is
gratifying to know that it met with instant success. In this year
(1605) also was published " All Fools," a comedy, the plot of which is
taken from Terence's " Heautontimorumenos." It does not appear
when this play was acted, but there are several curious entries in
Henslowe's Diary, which all seem to refer to it. " Lent unto Thomas
Downton, the 22 of Janewary 1598, to lend unto M r Chapman, in ear-
neste of a boocke called the world rones a whelles, the some of iij 11 ."
" Lent unto M r Chapman the 13 of febreary 1598, in p' of payment of
his boocke called the world ronnes on whelles, xx s ." Similar advances
of xx 3 and xxxx s are made on the 2nd and 21st of June, 1599 ; and
on the 2nd of July,U599, is "Lent unto Thomas Downton to paye M r
Chapman in full paymente for his boocke called the world rones on
whelles, and now all foolles, but the foolle, some of xxx 3 . Mr. Payne
Collier, in a note on this passage, thinks we have a notice of three sepa-
rate works by Chapman, "The World runs on Wheels" "All Fools"
and " The Fool ; " yet he doubts " whether Henslowe does not mean
that the title of 'All Fools' was substituted for the ' World runs on
* Chapman's name might have been known to Lord Salisbury not only from
his literary fame, but from his connection with Hertfordshire.
VOL. I. C
xxxiv INTR OD UCTION.
JFTieels.' " There seems little doubt on the subject, and all three names
meant the same play. We may observe that in the same page Hen-
slowe enters, "Lent unto Thomas Downton the 17 th of Julye 1599 to
lend \\nto M r Chapman in earneste of a pastrall tragedie, the some of
xxxx s ." What this Pastoral Tragedy was it is impossible to say, as
we have no further notice of it. " All Fools," though not published
till 1605, had evidently been completed, and probably acted in 1599.
It is an excellent play ; and a writer in the Edinburgh Eeview (April,
1841, vol. 73. p. 226) considers it Chapman's best "a piece in which
the situations are devised with an infinity of comic and histrionic effect."
The Retrospective Review * says : " The characters in general are well
sustained ; the dialogue is spirited ; and the incidents interesting and
agreeable ; added to which the versification is rich and musical, and
many passages of considerable merit are scattered over it. The talents
of Chapman nowhere appear to so great advantage." To one or two
copies only was prefixed a sonnet to Sir Thomas Walsingham, in which
Chapman says that " he was marked by age for aims of greater weight."
As this sonnet, from its rarity, may be esteemed a literary curiosity, it
is here inserted, through the kindness of my friend Mr. Payne Collier.
It is printed verbatim.
TO MY LONG LOU'D AND HONOURABLE FRIEND,
SIR THOMAS WALSINGHAM, KNIGHT.
Should I expose to euery common eye,
The least allow'd birth of my shaken braine ;
And not entitle it perticulerly
To your acceptance, I were wurse than vaine.
And though I am most loth to passe your sight
with any such light marke of vanitie,
Being markt with Age for Aimes of greater weight,
and drownd in darke Death-vshering melancholy,
Yet least by others stealth it be imprest,
without my pasport, patcht with others wit,
Of two enforst ills I elect the least ;
and so desire your loue will censure it ;
Though my old fortune keepe me still obscure,
The light shall still bewray my ould loue sure,
* Vol. v. p. 316.
1XTE OD UCTION. xxxv
Mr. Collier* has also shewn that a very beautiful passage in the play
is taken from an Italian Madrigal by Andrea Navagero, Venice, 1546.
"All Fools" was reprinted in Dodsley's Collection, and in the" Ancient
British Drama," Vol. II. 1810. In 1606, Chapman published two
comedies, " Monsieur D'Olive," and " The Gentleman Usher," the
former of which had been frequently acted with great success at the
Blackfriars. It is one of his happier efforts ; and has been reprinted
in "Old Plays" vol. in. 1816. In 1607 appeared the first tragedy of
" Bussy d'Amlois." It had been frequently represented "at Paules."
Though the most popular of Chapman's tragedies, it is on the whole
but a poor performance. Dryden tells us, in the dedication to his
" Spanish Fryer," he had resolved to burn a copy of it " annually to
the memory of Jonson," as "a famous modern poet used to sacrifice
every year a Statius to the manes of Virgil." It had pleased him how-
ever, at its representation, for he says, "I have sometimes wondered
in the reading what was become of those glaring colours which amazed
me in Bussy d'Ambois upon the theatre ; but when I had taken up
what I supposed a fallen star, I found I had been cozened with a jelly,
&c." "Bussy d'Ambois" was reprinted in 4to. 1608, 1616, 1641,
1657 ; and was altered and revived by T. D'Urfey in 1691. It was
also reprinted in "Old Plays," 1816. The following year (1608)
produced " The Conspiracie and Trarjedie of Charles Duke of Byron,
Marshall of France," acted in two plays, and dedicated to Sir Thomas
Walsingham. These two plays, we are told, have not come down to
us as they were originally written, in consequence of the remonstrance
of the French Ambassador. (Collier's Shakespeare, vol. i. p. 218.)
They are fine, and are styled by Mr. Collier "noble poems, full of fine
thoughts, and rich in diversity and strength of expression." The
Edinburgh Reviewer (ut supra) calls the latter play "the finest tragic
composition Chapman has left." "Euthymice Raptus, or the Teares of
Peace, ivith interlocutions," a small poem dedicated to Prince Henry,
appeared in 1609, 4to. This work is chiefly interesting from the allu-
* Hist, of Dramatic Poetry, m, p. 257.
xxxvi 1NTR OD UGTION.
sion to Chapman's birth-place, and the spot where he translated
Homer. In 1611 we have "May Day," a comedy, reprinted in "Old
Plays;" and the "Widow's Tears," another comedy in 1612. This
last play is very fine in parts, but the plot, taken from the story of the
Ephesian matron in Petronius, is objectionable. But, while enu-
merating Chapman's dramatic efforts, we have omitted to mention that
in 1609 appeared the long promised Twelve Books of the Iliad.
Warton is in error in saying that Fifteen Books were printed in 1600
in a thin folio. Chapman had mentioned, in his Preface to the Seven
Books of 1598, that his next issue should be of Tu-elve Books; and
consequently appeared in this year (1609) a small thin folio, the title
of which is " Homer, Prince of Poets, translated according to the Greeke
in Twelve Books of his Iliads, by George Cliapman. At London,
printed for Samuel Matcham." This work is printed in Italic type,
and has (in a smaller size) the engraved title by William Hole, which
was used in an enlarged form for the subsequent editions of the Com-
plete Iliad, and the Whole Works, and a facsimile of which accompa-
nies our present volumes. It contains the epistle Dedicatory to Prince
Henry, the Poem to the Header, and the Sonnet to Queen Anne. The
version is the same as that of the edition of 1598, with the addition
of the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Twelfth Books. The volume is
closed with fourteen Sonnets. The date may be inferred from the fol-
lowing facts. In the Stationers' Register is the entry of the "Seven
Bookes of Homer's Iliades, translated into English by George Chapman,
to Samuel Matcham, by assignment from M r Windet, November 14,
1608." Now one of the Sonnets is addressed to the Earl of Salisbury,
who is styled Lord Treasurer, which office was conferred on him on
May 4, 1609. The volume, therefore, was published, probably, a little
later in that year. Mr. Payne Collier possesses an interesting copy
with Chapman's autograph. " For Lore to the true Love of Virtue in
y* worthye Knighte, and his constant fricnde, S* Henrye Crofts: Geo.
Chapman gives this as testimonie of his true inclination, w th this most
affectionate inscription." The complete version of the Iliad appeared
INTRODUCTION. xxxvii
in 1611, and will be noticed hereafter. In 1612, Chapman published
" Petrarch's Seven Penitentiall Psalms, paraphrastically translated :
with other philosophical poems, and a Eymne to Christ upon the
Crosse," a small 12mo. dedicated to Sir Edward Philips, Master
of the Eolls. This is a very rare volume, and the only copy I have
seen (or even heard of) is in the Bodleian Library. From an examina-
tion of this little book, I find that I was misled in my information that
Chapman speaks in it of his yet unfinished translation of Homer,
which the Prince of Wales had commanded him to conclude. There
is no mention whatever of his Homer.
In November 1612 died Henry Prince of Wales, and in him, to
whom he had dedicated his "Iliad," Chapman lost his best patron.
He deeply lamented the young prince, and published on the occasion
"An Epicede, or Funerall Song," 4to. 1614, dedicated to Mr. Henry
Jones. It is a beautiful poem, and was reprinted at the Lee Priory
Press, 4to. 1818. In the early part of 1613, he wrote the poetry
for the masque performed at Whitehall by the Societies of Lincoln's
Inn and the Middle Temple, in honour of the nuptials of the Princess
Elizabeth and the Palsgrave. Inigo Jones designed the machinery.
The magnificence displayed by these learned Societies may be estima-
ted from the fact that, according to Dugdale, the expenses incurred
amounted to the then enormous sum of ,1086 8s. lid. Ben Jonson
told Drummond that, " next himself (i. e. Jonson) only Fletcher and
Chapman could make a mask." Chapman published this mask (4to.
1614), and dedicated it to Sir Edward Philips, Master of the Rolls,
from whose house the masquers proceeded to Whitehall. At the close
of the volume is an Epithalamium. Mr. Payne Collier is in possession
of a copy corrected by Chapman in his own handwriting. It has been
reprinted in Nichols' Progresses of K. James I. In this year (1613)
he printed his tragedy of " Bussy d'Amlois his Revenge." In 1614
appeared "Andromeda Liberata, or the Nuptials of Perseus and
Andromeda" a poem with a long dedicatory epistle to Robert Carr,
Earl of Somerset, and Frances his Countess. According to Wood,
xxxviii INTRODUCTION.
" this being not rightly understood, and carped at by many, came out
soon after a pamphlet written in prose and poetry, entitled, ' A free and
offenceless justification of a late published and most maliciously mis-
interpreted Poem, &c. London 1614,' 4to. in two sheets, pen'd I pre-
sume by Chapman." We may readily suppose that a dedication to
such persons would be cavilled at, but Chapman (as is generally the
case in his Prefaces) had anticipated objections, and had therefore
addressed one preface of this work to " the prejudicate and peremptory
reader," to whom he says, "'twill be most ridiculous and pleasing,
to sit in a corner, and spend your teeth to the stumps in mumbling
an old sparrow till your lips bleed and your eyes water : when all the
faults you can find are first in yourselves, 'tis no Herculean labour to
cracke what you breede." According to Mr. Payne Collier, Somerset
himself had conceived that "Andromeda Liber ata" was a covert
attack upon him, and from this notion Chapman was anxious to relieve
himself. It does not appear when Carr became Chapman's patron, but
in the early part of this year (1614) appeared the first Twelve Books
of the Odyssey also dedicated to him. It is to be feared Chap-
man was suffering under the pressure of poverty at this period, for in
this Dedication he says :
' ' Twelve labours of your Thespian Hercules
I now present your Lordship ; do but please
To lend life means, till th' other twelve receive
Equal achievement."
Somerset's patronage of Chapman, whatever it may have been, met
with no unworthy return : for the distressed poet of 1614, when the
royal favoiirite was still basking in the declining sunshine of his career,
did not forget him when that sun had set. On November 2, 1614, is
an entry in the Stationers' Register to Nathaniel Butter of "Twenty-
four Bookes of Homer's Odisses by George Chapman," and the
complete translation appeared with the old dedication. Besides which,
some years after, when the Earl was living in obscurity, the Hymns
and Batrachomyomachia are inscribed to him in a noble strain, which.
INTRODUCTION. xxxix
reflects great credit on Chapman's goodness of heart, however we
may lament the unworthiness of the subject of his panegyric. In this
same year (1614) also appeared "Eugenia; or True Nobilities Trance,
For (he memorable death of the thrice noble and religious William-
Lord Russel, d-c. Divided into foure vigils of the nighte." 4to.
pp. 44, not numbered. (See Brydges' " Restituta," vol. II. p. 57.)
In 1616 he published his Translation of Husceus. He informs us
in tht Preface that it is a different work to the continuation of
Marlove's poem. This extremely rare volume, not two inches long
and scarcely one broad, is fully described by Dr. Bliss in vol. ir. col. 9,
of his admirable edition of "Wood's " Athense Oxonienses." The only
knovn copy is in the Bodleian. It is dedicated to his " Auncient poore
frier.de" Inigo Jones. I had the great gratification of reprinting it in
the Ifth volume of the present edition of Chapman's Translations. In
1616 he also published the Iliad and Odyssey collected into one
volune, which will be noticed hereafter. " The Georgics of Hesiod,
transated elaborately out of the Greek" appeared in a thin 4to.
Londm, 1618. This volume is so rare that Warton was not aware of
its eiisteuce. It is amusing to see how pertinaciously he refused
to beleve that it had been printed, although he discovered its entry in
the Stationers' Registers (Hist. English Poetry, in. 360. ed. 1840).
Eltoi, who, from his own noble version of Hesiod, was a competent
judg(, pronounces it " close, vigorous, and elegant." (Habington's
"Cas:ara," p. 155. ed. Elton, Bristol, 1812.) It has commendatory
verse by Ben Jonson and Drayton, and is dedicated to Sir Francis
Baccn, Lord Chancellor, who had been a student of Gray's Inn, which
gave Chapman the opportunity of punning : " All judgments of this
seasm (savouring anything the truth) preferring to the wisdom of all
other nations these most wise, learned, and circularly-spoken Grecians ;
according to that of the poet
GRATIS INGEXIUM, GRAIIS DEDIT ORE ROTUNDO
MUSA LOQUI.
Aid why may not this Romane elogie of the Graians extend in praise-
xl INTR OD UCTION.
full intention (by waie of prophetick poesie) to Graies-Inne wits and
orators ? " From the extreme rarity of Chapman's Hesiod,* its price
is usually great. It has been reprinted, however, in our fifth volume
above mentioned, with a facsimile of the original title.
In 1619 was printed " Two Wise Men, and all the rest Fooies," a
comedy, or as the title styles it, "A Comical Moral, censuring the
Follies of this Age." There is a peculiarity about this play, if it may
be so called, which is remarkable. It is extended to seven acts,
instead of five. " It is, however, on tradition only that this piece is
ranked among Chapman's writings ; it being published withoat any
author's name, or even so much as a mention of the place where it was
printed." (Biograph. Dramat.) In 1622 we have a small poem,
"Pro Vere Autumni Lachrymce" to the memory of Sir Hoiatio
Vere. In 1629 appeared "A justification of a strange actioi of
Nero in burying ivith a solemne Funerall one of the cast hay res q" his
Mistress Poppiea; also a just reproof e of a Roman Smell/east, )eing
the fifth Satyre of Juvenall." The version of Juvenal is spirited, and
will be found reprinted in our above-mentioned fifth volume. At ivhat
time he published " TJie Crowne of all Homers IVorkes; Batrackmy-
omachia; or the Battaile of Frogs and Mise. Translated acco-ding
to the originall by George Chapman. London. Printed by John
Bill, his Maiesties Printer" cannot now be precisely determned.
Mr. Singer (who printed an elegant edition of it in 1818, Chisrick)
says it would seem to have been after 1624, by comparing it with ther
books by the same printer. The volume, a thin folio, very rare, con-
taining also the Hymns of Homer, will be noticed hereafter. In
1631, Chapman printed " Casar and Pompey, a Roman Tragdy,
concerning their IParres. Out of whose events is evicted this Propsi-
* There are two copies in the Bodleian Library ; that in the Malone Colec-
tion being large, though somewhat stained. There is also a fair one in the
General Library of the British Museum. That in the Grenville has bien
much injured (as has my own) by the binder cutting into the notes, which ire
in the margin.
INTRODUCTION. xli
tion : Only a just Man is a free J/an." This play is dedicated to the
Earl of Middlesex, and does not seem to have been intended for the
stage.* This was the last of Chapman's works that appeared in his
lifetime.
"At length,'' says old Anthony Wood, "this most eminent and
reverend poet, having lived 77 yearst in this vain and transitory
world, made his last exit in the Parish of St. Giles' in the Fields, near
London, on the twelfth day of May, in sixteen hundred and thirty
four, and was buried in the yard on the south side of the Church of St.
Giles. Soon after was a monument erected over his grave, built after
the way of the old Romans, by the care and charge of his most beloved
friend Inigo Jones ; whereon is engraven, Georgius Chapmanus, poeta
Homericus, Philosophus verus (etsi Christianus poeta) plusquam Cele-
bris, &c." Le Neve also gives us the inscription on the monument :
"D.O.M. Here lyes George Chapman, a Christian Philosopher and
Homericall Poett ; he liv'd 77 yeeres, and died y e 12 of May 1634,
for whose worth and memory to posterity, Inigo Jones Architect to
the King, for antient friendshipp made this." Le Neve's information
was from Peter Le Neve's (Norroy's) MSS. Mislead by a letter from
"Myrtilla Glovestring" to Sylvanus Urban in 1737 (Gentleman's
Magazine vol. VIL), and by the assertion of Sir Egerton Brydges, in
the first edition I stated that this monument was destroyed with the old
church. It is, however, still standing on the south side of the present
church, and the inscription, which had been effaced by time, was recut
under the direction of the rector (the Rev. J. Endell Tyler, 6
In the Biograph. Dram. " Csesar and Pompey " is said to have been pub-
lished in 4to. 1607, and to have been acted at the Blackfriars. This is probably
a mistake.
t Wood erroneously says Chapman was born in 1557. If the date of his
death be true, he was only 75. The Rev. A. W. Thorold, the present Rector
of St. Giles' in the Fields, informs me that there is no Register of the Burials
in that Parish between the years 1610 and 1637, so here again we are baffled
in verifying a fact by the loss of records, a fatality which has attended all my
enquiries into Chapman's life.
xlii INTRODUCTION.
and churchwardens some years since. The present inscription does not
tally with that recorded by Wood and Le Neve, and if their account
be true, contains a strange anachronism.*
GEORGIVS CHAPMAN
POETA
MDCXX (sic)
IGNATIVS JONES
ARCHITECTVS REGIVS
OB HONOREM
BONARVM LITERARVM
FAMILIARI
SVO HOC MON.
D. S. P. F. C.
The monument is a small upright stone, similar to many Roman monu-
mental remains. Habington, who published his "Castara" in the
year of Chapman's death, has the following lines (p. 155. ed. Elton) :
" Tis true that Chapman's reverend ashes must
Lye rudely mingled with the vulgar dust,
'Cause carefull heyers the wealthy only have,
To build a glorious trouble o're the grave.
Yet doe I not despaire some one may be
So seriously devout to poesie,
As to translate his reliques, and find roome
In the warme church to build him up a tombe,
Since Spenser hath a stone, &c."
Habington's pious wish, we are sure, will find an echo in many a breast.
The great Translator of Homer deserves a record in the aisles of West-
minster, as his respectable character forms a happy contrast to many
less-deserving recipients of that honour.
After Chapman's death appeared, in 1639, " The Tragedy of
Chalot, Admiral of France," written conjointly with Shirley. The
reviewer of Mr. Dyce's edition of Shirley's works (Quarterly Review,
f In a late examination of the monument, I find that the stone slab, upon
which the inscription is cut, is a late insertion, so probably the above is not a
copy of the original inscription.
INTRODUCTION. xliii
voL XLIX. p. 29) says : " In the fine and eloquent tragedy of Chabot,
the obscurity of Chapman's manner, the hardness of which his contem-
poraries call his 'full and heightened style,' is greatly increased by
the incorrectness of the press.* This play, as bearing the name of
Shirley in its title-page conjoined with that of Chapman, ought not to
have been omitted ; yet it is very difficult to assign any part of it to
Shirley ; even the comic scenes are more in Chapman's close and
pregnant manner, than in the light and airy style of Shirley." In the
same year (1639) was published " The Ball" a comedy, by Chapman
and Shirley. " Revenge for Honour" a tragedy, by Chapman alone,
was published in 1654, 1659, 4to. ; and in the same year " The
Tragedy of Alphonsus, Emperor of Germany." Dr. Bliss mentions
five plays in MS. which were in the library of the late Eichard Heber,
Esq., "The Fountain of New Fashions," 1598; " The Will of a
Woman," 1598 ; TJie Fatal Love," a tragedy ; " Tragedy of a
Yorkshire Gentleman ; " and " TJie Second Maiden's Tragedy."
This last was published as No. I. of " TJie Old English Drama,"
London, 1825. From the same authority (and from Sir Egerton
Brydges' " Restituta J> ) we are informed that there are poems by
Chapman in " Poetical Essays on the Turtle and Phc&nix," published,
with others on the same subject, by Shakespeare, Jonson, and Marston,
at the end of "Love's Martyr, or Rosalind's Complaint," 4to. 1601 ;
a volume of exquisite rarity.
Such are the few details of Chapman's long and laborious life, con-
sisting, after all, of a mere catalogue of his works and what do we
know more of many of his great contemporaries ? The editions of his
Homer will be considered by themselves. From the writings of his
contemporaries, and from the gossip of Antony Wood, as well as from
incidental allusions in his own works, we are enabled to gather a few
unconnected circumstances, which only make us desire to know more
of him.^ As a dramatic writer, he has been frequently criticised, and
* This remark applies equally to the" original editions of his Homer, Hesiod,
and all his works.
xliv INTRODUCTION.
cannot be placed in the foremost rank. But we should not forget he
was one of the earliest purveyors for the public taste. His style, in
his original works, is intensely crabbed and confused, yet " as a poet-
ical iinaginer and thinker, far too little attention has been paid to him."
(Edinb. Rev. vol. LXXII. p. 226.) Even as a writer for the stage, he
attained great popularity in his day. The writings of his contempo-
raries are full of allusions to him. He is much quoted in " England's
Parnassus" by R. Allott, 12mo. 1600. In Thomas Freeman's Epi-
grams (4to. 1616, Pt. 2nd, Epig. 87) is the following :
" TO GEORGE CHAPMAN.
George, it is thy genius innated,
Thou pick'st not flowers from another's field,
Stol'n similes, or sentences translated,
Nor seekest but what thine owne soile doth yielde :
Let barren wits go borrow what to write,
'Tis bred and born with thee what thou inditest,
And our Comedians thou outstrippest quite,
And all the hearers more than all delightest,
With unaffected style and sweetest strain.
Thy inambitious pen keeps on her pace,
And cometh near'st the ancient comic vein.
Thou hast beguil'd us all of that sweet grace ;
And were Thalia to be sold and bought,
No Chapman but thyself were to be sought."
The following verses too, cited by Mr. Singer from " The Scourge
of Folly, by John Davies of Hereford" supposed to be printed about
the year 1611, contain pleasing testimony to the estimation in which
he was held, and also evidence of his straitened circumstances ; but,
if the date of the book be correct, both his patrons could then have
assisted him, as the death of Prince Henry did not occur till the close
of the following year, and Somerset was then in the zenith of favour.
"TO MY HIGHLY VALUED MR. GEORGE CHAPMAN, FATHER
OF OUR ENGLISH POETS.
" I know thee not, good George, but by thy pen,
For which I rank thee with the rarest men.
And in that rank I put thee in the front,
Especially of Poets of account,
INTRODUCTION. xlv
Who art the treasurer of that company,
But in thy hand too little coin doth lie.
For of all arts that now in London are,
Poets get least in uttering their ware.
But thou hast in thy head and heart and hand
Treasures of art that treasures can command.
Ah ! would they could ! then should thy wealth and wit
Be equal ; and a lofty fortune fit.
But, George, thou wert accurst, and so was I,
To be of that most blessed company.
For if the most are blest that most are crost,
Then Poets, I am sure, are blessed most.
Yet we with rhyme and reason trim the times,
Though they give little reason for our rhymes.
The reason is (else error blinds my wits)
They reason want to do what honour fits.
But let them do as please them, we must do
What Phoebus, sire of Art, moves Nature to."
It is to his Homer, however, we must look for his greatest reputation.
Immediately on the publication of his "Seven Books" in 1598, were
his praises resounded. In Fitz- Geffrey's " Affanice," Oxon, 1601,
p. 88, are two Epigrams, " Ad Homerum e Grcecia in Britanniam a
Georgia Chapmanno traductum j " and in " TJie Passionate Poet ; with
a description of the Thradan Ismarus." By T. P. (Thomas Powell)
we read
" Out on thee, foole ! blind of thy impotence,
Thou dost admire but in a popular sense,
Esteeming more a Pasquil's harsher lines
Than Iliad's worth, which Chapman's hand refines."
(See Brydges' " Restituta," vol. iii. p. 169). Bolton, in his " Hyper-
critica" (p. 246, ed. Haslewood), mentions Chapman's "first seaven
bookes of Iliades " amongst good writers of English style ; and again
(p. 250) he says, "brave language are Chapman's Iliades, those I
mean which are translated into tessara-decasyllabons, or lines of four-
teen syllables." Ben Jonson, Dray ton, William Browne, and others,
contributed their testimonies ; and Samuel Sheppard, in his " Six
Bookes of Epigrams" London, 1651, 12mo., has one which we will
transcribe :
xlvi INTRODUCTION.
"ON MR. CHAPMAN'S INCOMPARABLE TRANSLATION OF
HOMER'S WORKES.
What none before durst ever venture on
Unto our wonder is by Chapman done,
Who by his skill hath made Great Homer's song
To vaile its bonnet to our English tongue,
So that the learned well may question it
Whether in Greek or English Homer writ ?
O happy Homer, such an able pen
To have for thy translator, happier then
Ovid * or Virgil, t who beyond their strength
Are stretch'd, each sentence neare a mile in length.
But our renowned Chapman, worthy praise,
And meriting the never-blasted bayes,
Hath render'd Homer in a genuine sence,
Yea, and hath added to his eloquence :
And in his comments his true sence doth show.
Telling Spondanus what he ought to know.
Eustathius, and all that on them take
Great Homer's misticke meaning plain to make,
Yeeld him more dark with farr-fetcht allegories,
Sometimes mistaking clean his learned stories :
As 'bout the flie Menelaus did inspire,
Juno's retreate, Achilles' strange desire ;
But he to his own sence doth him restore,
And comments on him better than before
Any could do, for which (with Homer) wee
Will yeeld all honour to his memory."
But it is needless to multiply quotations. Chapman's personal
character stood very high. Antony Wood describes him as " a person
of most reverend aspect, religious and temperate, qualities rarely meet-
ing in a poet." Oldys in his MS. notes on Langbaine's Dramatic
Poets (British Museum) says, " Indeed his head was a poetical Trea-
sury, Magazine, or Chronicle, of whatsoever was memorable amongst
the poets of his time, which made him latterly much resorted to by
young gentlemen of good taste and education. But he was choice
of his company, shy of loose, shallow, and sordid associates, and pre-
served in his own conduct the true dignity of Poetry, which he com-
pared to the Flower of the Sun, that disdains to open its leaves to the
eye of a smoking taper."
* By Golding. t By Phaier.
INTRODUCTION. xlvii
Wood thinks he had some small appointment in the household
of King James, or his consort Queen Anne ; but researches in the
State Paper Office and other sources have failed to throw any light on
this point. With all the respect and admiration that Chapman enjoyed
from his contemporaries, it is clear, from many passages in his writings,
that he could not escape the breath of envy. In the Preface to Homer
we find the following : " But there is a certain envious windsucker,
that hovers up and down, laboriously engrossing all the air with his
luxurious ambition ; and buzzing into every ear my detraction, affirm-
ing I turn Homer out of the Latin only, c. I have stricken, single
him as you can." It is generally supposed that this allusion is to Ben
Jonson. Mr. Gifford of course zealously defends Jonson, and with
great show of reason. It is certain that if Jonson and Chapman had
quarrelled at this period (1611) they were subsequently on terms
again in 1618, for Jonson wrote the following commendatory verses
in the translation of " Hesiod," published in that year :
" If all the vulgar tongues, that speak this day,
Were ask'd of thy discoveries, they must say
To the Greek coast thine only knew the way.
Such passage hast thou found, such returns made,
As now of all men it is call'd thy trade,
And who make thither else rob, or invade."
Jonson in his conversations with Drummond declared that " he loved
Chapman ! " It cannot however be denied that Jonson was generally
reputed to be envious of his successful contemporaries, and there is a
tradition that Chapman was one of those marked out for his special
envy. That there had been a quarrel at some period between him and
Chapman is evident from some lines by the latter cited by Mr. Gifford
from a MS. in the Ashmole Collection, with the following title, "An
Invective against Ben Jonson ly Mr. George Chapman."
" Greate-learned wittie Ben, be pleased to light
The world with that three-forked fire ; nor fright
All us, the sublearn'd, with Luciferus' boast
That thou art most great, learn'd, of all the earth
xlviii INTRODUCTION.
As being a thing betwixt a humane birth
And an infernal ; no humanitye
Of the divine soule shewing man in thee, &c."
" Chapman," adds Mr. Gifford, " (whom I am unwilling to believe
guilty of this malicious trash) died, I fear, poor and neglected." lu
another poem among the Ashmole Papers, inscribed " The Genius of
the Stage deploring the death of Ben Jonson," after noticing the general
sorrow, the writer says :
" Why do Apollo's sons
Meet in such throngs, and whisper as they go ?
There are no more by sad affliction hurl'd,
And friends' neglect, from this inconstant world !
Chapman alone went so ; he that's now gone
Commands him tomb ; he, scarce a grave or stone."
This does not, however, agree with the fact of Inigo Jones placing a
monument " built after the way of the old Romans " over his friend.
With the exception of the "envious windsucker" (whoever he may
have been) it has been seen that Chapman was universally esteemed
by his contemporaries, and he well deserved it, not only for the fame
of his talents, but from the admirable character Wood and Langbaine
have given of him, a character which seems borne out by Drayton, who
speaks of him
" As reverend Chapman, who hath brought to us
Musseus, Homer, and Hesiodus."
I trust that this fact may give additional pleasure to the reader as he
peruses " Old George's " fine Translations.
But I cannot conclude without citing a rather unexpected testimony
to the fame of " mine ancient friend," praise which, I am sure, amply
repays him for the envy of that " castrill, with too hot a liver and lust
after his own glory, who, to devour all himself, discourageth all appe-
tites to the fame of another." Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the well-
known American writer, during the past year* (1856) published a work
* This Introduction was originally written in 1857.
INTR OD UCTION. xlix
entitled " English Traits," in which the merits and failings of this our
native country are freely discussed.
In p. 26, under the Chapter on "Race" I find the following
" How came such men as King Alfred and Roger Bacon, William of
Wykeham, "Walter Raleigh, Philip Sydney, Isaac Newton, William
Shakespeare, GEORGE CHAPMAN, Francis Bacon, George Herbert,
Henry Vane, to exist here 1 " Reader, little did I think to introduce
Master Chapman to you in such company, but there he is walking arm
in arm with Shakespeare and Bacon ! Mr. Emerson asks of these
great men " what food they ate, what nursing, school, and exercises
they had, which resulted in this mother-wit, delicacy of thought, and
robust wisdom 1 " Alas ! poor George's . " robust wisdom," as we
have seen, was not produced by quantity or quality of food. Again,
in p. 144, we have a criticism on English Poetry "Pope and his
school wrote poetry fit to put round frosted cake. What did Walter
Scott write without stint? a rhymed traveller's guide to Scotland.
And the libraries of verses they print have this Birmingham character.
How many volumes of well-bred metre we must jingle through before
we can be filled, taught, renewed ! We want the miraculous ; the
beauty which we can manufacture at no mill can give no account of ;
the beauty of which Chaucer and CHAPMAN had the secret !" !
reverend Chapman, full well did thy prophetic spirit foresee this two-
fold tribute of " brother Jonathan " when thou didst put on the title of
" Homer's Odysseys,"
AT mm QUOD vivo DETRAXEIUT INVIDA TUKBA,
POST OBITUM DUPLICI FffiNORE KEDDET HONOS.
It only remains for us to give an account of Chapman's various
Translations of Homer.
Though Chapman claims the merit of being the first who gave an
original and complete version of Homer, he had been anticipated in
the honour of introducing him to the English reader. In 1581 Ten
Books of the Iliad were translated from the French metrical version of
VOL. i. d
1 INTRODUCTION.
M. Salel (1555) by A. II. or Arthur Hall, Esq. of Grantham, and
a Member of Parliament, and printed by Ralph Newberie at London.
It is in the fourteen-syllable metre ; and, in the Dedication to Sir
Thomas Cecil, Hall compliments the distinguished translators of the
day, Phaier, Golding, and others. He mentions that he began the
work about 1563, under the advice of Roger Ascham. It is a small
4to. in black letter, and exceedingly rare.
Chapman's first essay towards his version was in 1598, when he
printed " Seaven Bookes of the lliades of Homere, &c." 4to. "printed
by John Windet, and are to be sold at the signe of the Cross Keyes
neare Paules Wharffe" This volume has already been described above
(p. xxviii). It rarely occurs for sale. Mr. Joseph Lilley, of New Street,
Covent Garden, in his interesting catalogue of 1863, marks a copy,
bound in olive morocco by C. Lewis, at 7 7s. " Achilles' Shield,
translated as the other Seven Bookes of Homer, out of his Eighteenth
looke of lliades. By George Chapman, Gent." 4to. 1598, also printed
by "Windet. This small and rare volume has also been described
above. The version is in the ordinary ten-syllable metre. "Homer,
Prince of Poets, translated according to the Greeke in Twelve Books of
his Iliads, by George Chapman. At London, printed for Samuel
Matcham," folio. It has been shewn (p. xxxvi) that this small folio
must have been published in 1609, as Windet transferred to Matcham
the copyright of the Seven Books on November 14, 1608, and one of
the Sonnets in the folio is addressed to Lord Treasurer Salisbury,
which office was conferred on him May 4, 1609. It is a rare volume.
Mr. Payne Collier's copy with Chapman's autograph has already been
described.
The complete version of the Iliad appeared without date, "printed
for Nathaniell Butter," but from an entry in the Stationers' Books,
and internal evidence, it must have been published in 1611, or early
in 1612. The entry in the Stationers' Registers is "Nath 1 'Butter,
April 8, 1611. A booke called Homer's lliades in Enr/lishc, con-
taining 24 Bookes." Chapman tells us, in the Commentary on the
INTR OD UCTION. li
First Book, that he had entirely rewritten the two first Books, but
had left the vuth, vmth, ixth, and xth untouched. I do not find
much correction, except a few verbal alterations, in the others. He
mentions that he had translated the last twelve in less than fifteen
weeks, and considers these the best portion of his work. To this
edition he added the Prose Preface to the Reader, and the Comment-
aries on various Books, to obviate the accusation that had been made
against him that he did not translate direct from the original Greek,
but through the medium of the Latin. These Commentaries do not
tend to raise the estimate of his scholarship ; yet I think it evident
from his version that he really did understand and thoroughly feel the
Greek. Three of the Sonnets (those to the Lady Arabella, who had
fallen into disgrace in 1609, to the Lord Wotton, and to Lord
Arundel) were withdrawn, and five newly added. The volume (though
not mentioned in the title) was printed by Kichard Field, and is upon
a fine paper, with good clear type, and very antiquated orthography.
This is the first folio so often mentioned in the following pages. The
fine engraved title, by William Hole, was the same as that of the folio
of 1609, on an enlarged scale.
The Twelve First Books of the Odyssey appeared in 1614, with
a dedication to Carr, Earl of Somerset. It is a thin folio. In
the Douce Collection is a copy with Chapman's autograph : " For
my righte worthie Knighte, my exceeding nolle friende, Sir Henry
Fanshawe. A pore Homericall new yeare's gift." At the end of
the Twelfth Book is " Finis duodecimi libri Horn. Odyss. Opus novem
dierum. 2y fou." I can hardly imagine that Chapman meant
by this that he had translated the Twelve Books in nine days;
which would be incredible, and as Coleridge observes (in a MS. note
to his copy mentioned below) would " indeed be a nine days' wonder,"
but probably the poet meant that the last book was the work of nine
days. Chapman, however, in the Douce copy has run his pen through
the words. The remaining Twelve Books were finished in the same
year, and published probably in 1615, as the entry in the Stationers'
lii INTR OD UC TION.
Kegister is "November 2. 1614 Twenty -four Bookes of Homer's
Odisses ly George Chapman to Nathaniell Butter" "When the last
twelve Books were printed they were united with, the previous twelve,
a blank page being inserted , between them, and the pagination was
continued to give the volume the appearance of being printed at one
and the same time. There is an observable difference, however, which
we have preserved in our edition ; the conclusions of the first twelve
books are in Latin, while those of the latter part of the volume are in
English. I presume the complete volume of the Odyssey appeared in
a separate form, although I have never met with a copy which was not
united with the Iliad, to form " The Whole Works of Homer, &c."
The engraved title to the Odyssey, reproduced in our edition, is
very rare. To some copies a printed title is given. Coleridge, in his
letter to Wordsworth (supra, p. xvi.) thought Chapman's version of the
Odyssey finer than his Iliad ; but then it must be remembered he also
generally preferred the Odyssey in the original. " He told us," says
Mr. Payne Collier, " that he liked the Odyssey, as a mere story, better
than the Iliad ; the Odyssey was the oldest and the finest romance that
hag ever been written." The same authority informs us that he pre-
ferred the ordinary ten-syllable heroic measure to the longer fourteen-
syllable line, employed by Chapman in his translation of the Iliad,
and wished that he had always used it, as "it would have been
more readable, and might have saved us from Pope." " Chapman
had failed," added Coleridge, "where he had not succeeded, by en-
deavouring to write English as Homer had written Greek ; Chap-
man's was Greekified English, it did not want vigour or variety, but
smoothness and facility. Detached passages could not be improved ;
they were Homer writing English." The late Dr. Maginn, whose
Homeric Ballads have caught the true spirit of the old bard, says : " I
am, sorry that Chapman, zvhose version must be considered the most
Homeric ever attempted in our language, did not apply to the Odyssey
* Coleridge's " Seven Lectures on Shakespeare and Milton," by J. Payne
Collier, Esq. p. xxxi.
INTRODUCTION. liii
the fourteen-syllable verse, which had succeeded so well in the Iliad.
There appears to me greater opportunity for its flowing use in the more
discursive poem ; and Chapman had by no means the same command
of the ten-syllable distich." There is some truth in this ; and perhaps
many readers will share in Dr. Maginn's disappointment. Chapman,
however, probably yielded to the objections made against the length of
his lines, to which he alludes in his Introductory Poem to the Iliad.
But it is surely a mistake to say he had not command over the ordinary
heroic couplet ! He has certainly not the epigrammatic smoothness of
Pope and his school, but his verse has great vigour and terseness. It
should be borne in mind that his Odyssey is the first and only con-
siderable specimen of a poem of this measure in the Elizabethan age,
and as such claims our interest and attention. " It is like the heroic
measure only in its rhyme and its number of syllables. In all other
respects, in the hands of Chapman, it has the freedom of blank verse.
And in reading it, as well as the Iliad, the reader must not depend for
aid too much on the melody of the verse." * Again, let it be remem-
bered that "Chapman did not perform his task, as Pope was in the
habit of doing, by small portions at a time, which were, each in order,
burnished up to the highest polish by unremitting care and labour ; but
drinking in deep draughts of his author at a time, he became over-
informed with his subject, and then breathed his spirit forth again with
the enthusiasm of an original creator." f And if this be true of the
liberties he takes with his original in expanding and contracting the
text as suited his vein, it is not less true of his versification. He paid
little regard to the polishing of his work ; nay, perhaps, too little. He
poured forth his sentiments as the poetic phrenzy seized him, and con-
sequently, if we be disappointed at not finding the rich melody of a
Dryden, we cannot but be struck with his unwonted freshness and free-
dom. When once the ear has become habituated to the rhythm, there
is a dramatic power about Chapman's Odyssey that has never been
attained by any subsequent translator. It may be said that this was
* Retrospective Review, vol. iii. p. 184. t Ibid. p. 173.
liv INTRODUCTION.
not required in a simple ballad-poem like the Odyssey; but it is surely
far preferable to the diluted weakness passing under Pope's name, or
Cowper's abrupt lines. Gilbert Wakefield has said that "the bee of
Twickenham" sipped the honey from the flowers of Chapman's garden ;
but a close examination will show that this was merely another phrase
for simple plagiarism. Pope was indebted to Chapman for more than
he was willing to acknowledge. It must not be disguised, however,
that in his version of the Odyssey, Chapman has too frequently wan-
dered from his original, and not seldom curtailed passages.
In 1616 the Iliad and Odyssey were united in one volume. The
Title-page by Hole, which had previously served for the edition of the
Iliad, was altered to The Whole Works of Homer, &c. as accompanies
this our edition. At the back of the title was aflixed the fine portrait
of Chapman, and another engraved plate (which was not worth repro-
ducing) was added, " To the inimortall inemorye of Henrye Prince of
Wales, &c." In some copies of "The Whole Works," the Iliad is
found of a later impression. The paper is thin and poor, the type
bleared and inelegant, and the orthography somewhat modernized ; it
is, moreover, disfigured by many misprints ; judging from the general
appearance of the volume, it is considerably later in date than 1616.*
I have never yet met with a copy which was separate from the Odyssey.
This Edition, if I may so term it, differs in some few places from the first
complete Iliad. I have called it in the following pages the second folio.
I hazard the conjecture that it may have been printed to bind up with
the surplus copies of the Odyssey, as the Iliad had been in circulation
for the five preceding years. Dr. Cooke Taylor printed from this copy,
but whether he was aware that it differed from the first folio is uncertain ;
he simply says he had adopted the " third Edition, in which were many
valuable corrections." The two folios have been most accurately collated,
and the chief variations noted by me, and the reader will judge of the
* A writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine," vol. Ivii. p. 300, states, I know
not upon what authority, that " Chapman's translation of Homer was likewise
published 1620." He does not mention what portion of Hotner; probably it
was the folio of the Hjmns.
INTRODUCTION. Iv
value of this third impression. I must apologize for using the terms
first and second folios, but could not well apply the word Edition, as I
refer solely to the complete version, there having been two previous
editions of portions of the Iliad. The folios may be easily distinguished,
from their general appearance ; and from the vignettes or headings to
the books, those of Richard Field's (or the best copy) being cornucopia;
of flowers, &c. while the inferior impression has a sort of Gothic orna-
ment. The Grenville copy, in the British Museum, is the second folio,
while that in the General Library is of the first impression. The portrait
of Chapman is usually affixed to the back of the title of the " Whole
Works of Homer," c. but this is not always the case. At first I
suspected that the copies of Chapman's Homer were corrected as the
press was kept standing (as is well known to have been the case with
early-printed books) as there are several minute differences, and that
the portrait was added to the later worked-off copies ; on second con-
sideration, however, I am of opinion that there was no new impression
of either the Iliad or Odyssey in 1616 (the date of the portrait), but the
editions of the Iliad, 1611, and the Odyssey, 1614-15, were bound up
in one volume with a new and general title. The titles without the
portrait are far rarer than those with it.
In the Heber Catalogue, part iv. lot 1445, was a copy of the Iliad.
It had belonged to George Steevens, and was bought at Heber's sale
by the late Mr. Rodd. Park, in a note to vol. iii. of Warton's History
of English Poetry, p. 358 (ed. 1840), says that " Chapman's own
copy of his translation of Homer, corrected by him throughout for a
future edition, was purchased for five shillings from the shop of Ed-
wards by Mr. Steevens, and at the sale of his books in 1800 was
transferred to the invaluable library of Mr. Heber." This is, however,
not quite correct ; I have traced the volume, and it is now in the mag-
nificent library of Robert Holford, Esq. M.P. of Dorchester House ;
it is a fine volume of the Iliad of 1611, in red morocco of the period.
At the back of the title is in Chapman's autograph, " In witness of his
lest love so borne to his best deserving friende M r . Henri/e Jones:
Ivi INTRODUCTION.
George Chapman gives him theise fruites of his best labors, and desires
love betwixt us as long-lived as Homer." The corrections are merely
three or four in the Preface, which may be here specified. In page Ixxxvi
of this present edition, lines 6, 7, the words "how could they differ far
from, and be combined with eternity " are pasted over, and " how could
they defiefire, iron, and &c." substituted in a printed slip. In p. xc,
line 13, " to cast any rubs or plasters" Chapman has run his pen through
this word and substituted plashes. In the same page, in the last line,
" and therefore may my poor self put up with motion," is corrected
to "without motion." In book VIII, line 437,
" And all did wilfully expect the silver-throned morn."
George Steevens remarks that the 4to. of 1598 reads "wishfully? a
variation which we have adopted. Thus we see upon what slight grounds
Mr. Park asserted that it was " Chapman's own copy, corrected by him
throughout for a future edition ! " The volume has three additional
Sonnets (see " Sonnets " at the end of vol. ii. of this edition). Though
this is a fine volume, it is not unique ; I was fortunate enough to pur-
chase a similar copy (though not in morocco), with the same corrections
in the Preface and the additional Sonnets, but without Chapman's
presentation autograph. Mr. Aldis Wright informs me that there is a
copy in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, with the corrections
in the Preface entirely in MS. (i.e. without the printed slip, "defiefire,
iron" &c.) and with the three Sonnets. When this Introduction was
originally written Pope's copy of the Iliad was in the possession of my
friend, the late Rev. John Mitford ; it was a most interesting volume,
having Pope's autograph, "Ex libris Alexandri Popei, Pret. 3s." and
marked in the margins by him. It subsequently belonged to Bishop
Warburton, who gave it to Thomas Warton. It was shown to me lately
by Mr. Joseph Lilly, who marked it at the very moderate price of
16 16s. Mr. Lilly also showed me, marked at .15 15s. the identical
copy of the Whole Works Iliad, Odyssey, and Hymns, which Cole-
ridge sent to Wordsworth, and which I have mentioned in this Intro-
INTRODUCTION. Ivii
duction ; it was full of Coleridge's MS. Notes. Surely such precious
volumes ought to be deposited in the British Museum, or in one of our
University Libraries.
Having completed the Iliad and Odyssey, Chapman seems to have
been determined to translate every possible or probable portion of Homer.
Hence he published, " TJie Crowne of all Homer's Workes, Batracho-
myomachia ; or, the Battaile of Frogs and Mise. His Hymnes and
Epigrams. Translated according to the Original!, by George Chapman.
London: Printed by John Bill, his Maiestie's Printer."* Tbis very
rare volume is a thin folio ; it has an exquisitely engraved title, by
William Pass, which is very spirited, and called forth Coleridge's
admiration. t Of this folio a singularly large copy is in the Archi-
episcopal Library at Lambeth ; the finest I have seen.
Messrs. Boone of Bond Street, whose collection of fine books is as
well known as the liberality with which they communicate information
on them, have permitted me to transcribe a dedication, in Chapman's
autograph, from a beautiful copy in their possession (since sold). It
is as follows : " In love & honor of y* Righte virtuouse and worthie
Gent: M' Henry Reynolds, and to crowne all his deservings with
eternall memorie, Geo. Chapman formes this Crowne conclusion of
all the Homericall mentis w ih his accomplisht Improvements; advising
that if at first sighte he seeme darcke or too fierie, He will yet holde
him fast (like Proteus) till he appere in his propper similitude, and
he will then shewe himself e
vatem egregium, cui non sit publica vena,
Qui nihil exposition soleat deduccre ; nee qui
Communi feriat carmen triviale monetd." +
Chapman has with his pen made an alteration in his portrait, as pos-
sessing too much beard ; and in the Preface, in the passage " all for
* He considers it his destiny,
" The work that I was born to do is done."
+ It is reproduced in our fifth volume.
J Juvenal, Sat. vn. 53.
Iviii INTRODUCTION.
devouring a mouse," he writes drowning ; and in the final Poem (line
17) for
All is extuberance and excretion all,
he reads "and tumor all."
The date of the folio is probably about 1624. In the year 1818,
my friend the late Mr. Singer published an elegant edition of these
Hymns, &c. at Chiswick. It contained two fine original poems by
Chapman (first printed 1594) entitled " Tlie Shadowe of Night : con-
taining two poetical hymnes, devised ly G. C. Gent." It formed one
of Mr. Singer's series of ," Select Early English Poets," and has long
since been numbered amongst scarce books, as but a limited impres-
sion was given. The original edition of " The Shadowe of Night " is
very rare.
After the lapse of more than two centuries appeared an edition of
Chapman's Iliad in two volumes, 8vo. London, 1843. It was elegantly
printed, adorned with the beautiful designs of Flaxman, and edited by
Dr. William Cooke Taylor. The Preface, Prefatory Poems, and Sonnets
were omitted. I have no wish to criticise this book, but will merely
observe that the editor followed, as will be seen, an inferior copy, and
has paid little or no regard to the punctuation, which is almost as con-
fused as that of the original folios. The Life of Chapman is full of
the most patent errors. Nevertheless Dr. Taylor deserves our sincere
thanks for being the first to bring this noble work before the public
since the days of the Author.
The leading features of the present edition are these. The text of
the first folio of 1611 has been adopted, and the variations of the
second folio, and Dr. Taylor's edition, duly noted. The lines have
been numbered for facility of reference, the speeches placed between
inverted commas, and the punctuation throughout the whole work most
carefully amended. The original folios of Chapman's Homer are so
falsely printed as frequently to render the sense absolutely unintelli-
gible. In correcting the punctuation the Editor carefully read the
INTRODUCTION. lix
text through with the original Greek, and chiefly in the old folio
edition of Spondarms, as Chapman used that copy. The orthography
has been modernized, but great care has been taken not to lose sight
of the* original forms, the landmarks as it were, of our language.
Wherever a word appears in its more etymological form it is pre-
served, e.g. renowm, nosthril ; but Chapman does not adhere to one
rule, and he more frequently spells the words renown, nostril. A few
explanatory notes have been given, but the chief aim has been to set
before the reader as correct a text as possible. The Sonnets at the
end of the second volume have been illustrated by brief biographical
notices, and their number increased by the restoration of three from
the small folio of 1609, and the insertion of three others from choice
copies of the first folio of 1611.
The reader is requested to correct with a pen the " Addenda et Corri-
genda," on the following page.
ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA.
Introduction, page xxiv, line 2, r. is the legend ; page xli, line 19, r. Misled ; page
Ixix, Kne 5, insert comma after attending ; page Ixxxviii, line 22, sen; page
xciii, last line, r, apurrov. Book I. 146, r. Pelcus ; 261, r. Thcseiis ; 373, r.
Atreils ; 411, destroy comma after thrall ; 586, r. ev'ry ; Commentary, page 23,
line 6, destroy all commas after opinion ; page 24, line 18, r. round-coming.
n. 14, r. pow'rs; 43, r. begun; 422, these r. those; 423, r. Peleiis ; 440, r.
ev'ry; Commentary, page 56, last line, r. d7r65o<m. III. Argument, line 5,
for and r. with; line 13, r. for him still; 81, for and r. the ; page 64, line
60, destroy note ; page 67, Spiny. This word is frequently used by Sandys
in his Ovid, who seems to have read Chapman carefully; 127, r. ev'ry ; 224,
r. evry. iv. 24, r. Heav'n's; 33, r. chariot-horse; line 85, add to note:
Perhaps we should read exhall in a neuter sense, i.e., a, thousand sparks exhall
from his brand ; 528, add note
" Like to a stepdame or a dowager,
Long withering out a young man's revenue."
SHAKESPEARE, Midsummer-Night's Dream, Act i. sc. 1.
533, r. prease. v. 307, r. prease ; 361, r. him; 612, r. liyTiterid ; 793, outray.
Substitute for note : The Old Anglo-Norman word used by Chaucer outraye,
to fly out, display passion. See xxill. 413. vi. 214, destroy this ; 420, r.
advertised, vn. 247, add note
" O murd'rous slumber !
Lay'st ilion tliy leaden mace upon my boy,
That plays thee music?"
SHAKESPEAKE, Julius Ccesar, Act iv. sc. 3.
vili. 136, for hast r. hadst; 319, r. Eurystheiis. ix. 495, r. with. x. 106,
place " after inur'd. XL 64, destroy this note, and substitute : Opposed
striving with one another, pitted against one another. The original is evavriot.
<iAA?7\(H<m', which the Scholiast explains epi^ovres ctAA^Aots. xi. 55, r. pow'r ;
286, r. thicken'd; 299, r. even debates ; 466, r. Disperpled = sprinkled. Od. x.
473. XIII. 5, r. unras'd. xn. 98, r. Paris and Alcathous. xm. 619, destroy
comma after Menestheus ; Commentary, page 32, line 17, r. etfcrrpo^os. xxn.
341, note : Whitlcather, i.e., white leather; leather dressed with alum to give
it toughness. xxm. 538, note : George Sandys in a marginal note to his
Ovid's Metamorphoses, Bk. v. p. 174 (ed. 1632), says a hurl-bat is "a weapon
with plummets of lead hung at the end of a staff." Again in Bk. vili. p. 272,
is a similar note, where he says "whorl-bats, plummets of lead hung at the
end staves : weapons used in their solemn games." xxm. 581, To the nail
exactly, accurately. Like the ad unguem of Horace (Sat. I. v. 32), and the in
unguem of Virgil (Georg. II. 277).
HOMER'S ILIADS.
THE following versus are on an engraving of Two Corinthian Columns, on the
dexter of which is ILIAS, and on the sinister ODYSS.EA.
the columns are the words
On a scroll connecting
MUSAR : HERCUL : COLUM :
NE USQUE.
The whole surmounted by the Prince of Wales's Plume and Motto.
This plate was added on the death of the Prince, and is found in most copies
of the Iliad and Odyssey united. The design being inelegant, it was not thought
worth re-engraving for this edition.
TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF THE INCOMPARABLE
HEROE, HENRY, PRINCE OF WALES.
)HY tomb, arms, statue, all things fit to fall
At foot of Death, and worship funeral,
Form hath bestow'd ; for form is nought too dear
Thy solid virtues yet, eterniz'd here,
My blood and wasted spirits have only found
Commanded cost, and broke so rich a ground,
Not to inter, but make thee ever spring,
As arms, tombs, statues, ev'ry earthy thing,
Shall fade and vanish into fume before.
What lasts thrives least ; yet wealth of soul is poor,
And so 'tis kept. Not thy thrice-sacred will,
Sign'd with thy death, moves any to fulfill
Thy just bequests to me. Thou dead, then I
Live dead, for giving thee eternity.
Ad Famam.
To all times future this time's mark extend,
Homer no patron found, nor Chapman friend.
Ignotus nimis omnibus,
Sat notus moritur sibi.
VOL. I. e
TO THE HIGH BORN PRINCE OF MEN,
HENRY, THRICE ROYAL INHERITOR TO THE UNITED
KINGDOMS OF GREAT BRITAIN, ETC.
INGE perfect happiness, by Princes sought,
Is not with birth born, nor exchequers bought,
Nor follows in great trains, nor is possest
With any outward state, but makes him blest
That governs inward, and behokleth there
All his affections stand about him bare,
That by his pow'r 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 confm'd
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
10
15
Ixviii THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
All sorts of worthiest men, to be contriv'd
In your worth only, giving him reviv'd 20
For whose life Alexander would have given
One of his kingdoms ; who (as sent from heav'n,
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 25
His arigels, in all pow'r to rule his will ;
And would affirm that Homer's poesy
Did more advance his Asian victory,
Than all his armies. ! 'tis wond'rous much,
Though nothing priz'd, that the right virtuous touch. so
Of a well written soul to virtue moves ;
Nor have we souls to purpose, if their loves
if
Of fitting objects be not so inflam'd.
How much then were this kingdom's main soul rnaim'd,
To want this great inflamer of all pow'rs 35
That move in human souls ! All realms but yours
Are honour'd with him, and hold blest that state
That have his works to read and contemplate :
In which humanity to her height is rais'd,
Which all the world, yet none enough, hath prais'd ; 40
Seas, earth, and heav'n, he did in verse comprise,
Out-sung the Muses, and did equalize
Their king Apollo ; being so far from cause
Of Princes' light thoughts, that their gravest laws
May find stuff to be fashion'd by his lines. 45
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 heroics of your Homer sung,
To drums and trumpets set his angel's tongue, so
29 Coleridge styles the lines from this to 61 " sublime."
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. Ixix
And, -with the princely sport of hawks you use,
Behold the kingly flight of his high muse,
And see how, like the phcenix, she renews
Her age and starry feathers in your sun,
Thousands of years attending ev'ry one 55
Blowing the holy fire, and throwing in
Their seasons, kingdoms, nations, that have been
Subverted in them ; laws, religions, all
Offer'd to change and greedy funeral ;
Yet still your Homer, lasting, living, reigning, eo
And proves how firm truth builds in poet's feigning.
A prince's statue, or in marble carVd,
Or steel, or gold, and shrin'd, to be preserv'd,
Aloft on pillars or pyramides,
Time into lowest ruins may depress ; >x
But drawn with all his virtues in learn'd verse,
Fame shall resound them on oblivion's 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, 70
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 bed-rid. Both which being in men defac'd,
In men with them is God's bright image ras'd ; rs
For as the Sun and Moon are figures giv'n
Of his refulgent Deity in heav'n,
So Learning, and, her light'ner, Poesy,
In earth present His fiery Majesty.
Nor are kings like Him, since their diadems so
Thunder and lighten and project brave beams,
But since they His clear virtues emulate,
In truth and justice imaging His state,
Ixx THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
In bounty and humanity since they shine,
Than which is nothing like Him more divine ; 85
Not fire, not light, the sun's admired course,
The rise nor set of stars, nor all their force
In us and all this cope beneath the sky,
Nor great existence, term'd His treasury ;
Since not for being greatest He is blest, 90
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 inforni'd and deck'd
With gracious virtue, give more sure effect 95
To her persuasions, pleasures, real worth,
Than all th' inferior subjects she sets forth ;
Since there she shines at full, hath birth, wealth, state,
Pow'r, fortune, honour, fit to elevate
Her heav'nly merits, and so fit they are, 100
Since she was made for them, and they for her ;
So Truth, with Poesy grac'd, is fairer far,
More proper, moving, chaste, and regular,
Than when she runs away with untruss'd Prose;;
Proportion, that doth orderly dispose 105
Her virtuous treasure, and is queen of graces ;
In Poesy decking her with choicest phrases,
Figures and numbers ; when loose Prose puts on
Plain letter-habits, makes her trot upon
Dull earthly business, she being mere divine ; no
Holds her to homely cates and harsh hedge- wine,
That should drink Poesy's nectar ; ev'ry way
One made for other, as the sun and day,
Princes and virtues. And, as in a spring,
The pliant water, mov'd with anything 115
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. Ixxi
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 fall'n in her exhaustless fount, 120
Works most exactly, makes a true account
Of all things to her high discharges giv'n,
Till all be circular and round as heav'n.
And lastly, great Prince, mark and pardon me :
As in a flourishing and ripe fruit-tree, i-.r>
Nature hath made the bark to save the bole,
The bole 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, i::>
Since out of that again the whole tree grows ;
So in our tree of man, whose nervy root
Springs in his top, from thence ev'n to his foot
There runs a mutual aid through all his parts,
All join'd in one to serve his queen of arts, 135
In which doth Poesy like the kernel lie
Obscur'd, though her Promethean faculty
Can create men, and make ev'n death to live,
For which she should live honour'd, kings should give
Comfort and help to her that she might still 140
Hold up their spirits in virtue, make the will
That governs in them to the pow'r conform'd,
The pow'r to justice, that the scandals, storm'd
Against the poor darne, clear'd by your fair grace,
Your grace may shine the clearer. Her low place, us
Not showing her, the highest leaves obscure.
Who raise her raise themselves, and he sits sure
135 " Queen of arts the soul." CHAPMAN.
Ixxii THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
Whom her wing'd hand advanceth, since on it
Eternity doth, crowning virtue, sit.
All whose poor seed, like violets in their beds,
Now grow with bosom-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 eternized
by your divine Homer.
GEO. CHAPMAN.
150
Ixxiii
AN ANAGRAM OF THE NAME OF OUR DREAD PRINCE,
MY MOST GRACIOUS AND SACRED M^CENAS,
HENRYE PRINCE OF WALES
OVR SVNN, HEYR, PEACE, LIFE.
E 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 order'd our divine part serves.
Thou art not HEYR then to our State alone,
But SVNN, PEACE, LIFE ; and, what thy pow'r deserves
Of us and our good in thy utmost strife,
Shall make thee to thyself HEIR, SVNN, PEACE, LIFE.
TO THE SACRED FOUNTAIN OF PRINCES,
SOLE EMPRESS OF BEAUTY AND VIRTUE, ANNE, QUEEN
OF ENGLAND, ETC.
ITH whatsoever honour we adorn
Your royal issue, we must gratulate you,
Imperial Sovereign ; who of you is born
Is you, one tree make both the bole and bow.
It it be honour then to join you both
To such a pow'rful work as shall defend
Both from foul death and age's 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 Majesty's in all subjection most
humbly consecrate,
GEO. CHAPMAN'.
ANNE, daughter of FKEDERICK II. of Denmark, Married King James 1st 20
Aug. 1590, and died 2 March, 1619.
TO THE HEADER.
LEST with foul hands you touch these holy rites,
And with prejudicacies too profane,
Pass Homer in your other poets' slights,
Wash here. In this porch to his num'rous 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 out-wear.
SILIUS ITALICUS, LIB. xin. 777.
E, in Elysium having cast his eye
Upon the figure of a youth, whose hair,
With purple ribands braided curiously,
Hung on his shoulders wond'rous bright and fair,
Said : ' Virgin, what is he whose heav'nly face 5
Shines past all others, as the morn the night ;
Whom many marvelling souls, from place to place,
Pursue and haunt with sounds of such delight ;
Whose count'nance (were't not in the Stygian shade)
Would make me, questionless, believe he were 10
A very God ? ' The learned virgin made
This answer : ' If thou shouldst believe it here,
Thou shouldst not err. He well deserv'd to be
Esteem' d a God ; nor held his so-much breast
Ixxvi TO THE READER.
A little presence of the Deity, is
His verse compris'd earth, seas, stars, souls at rest ;
In song the Muses he did equalize,
In honour Phoebus. He was only soul,
Saw all things spher'd in nature, without eyes,
And rais'd your Troy up to the starry pole.' 20
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 ! 25
blest .^Sacides, to have the grace
That out of such a mouth thou shouldst be shown
To wond'ring nations, as enrich'd the race
Of all times future with what he did know !
Thy virtue with his verse shall ever grow.' so
Now hear an Angel sing our poet's fame,
Whom fate, for his divine song, gave that name.
ANGELUS POLITIANUS, IN NUTRICIA.*
More living than 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 ev'ry way fly heav'n, the pallid moon 35
Ev-'n 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 honour'd men, 40
* The lines begin,
" nam Demodoci vivacior aevo
******
Obstrepuit, prorsusque parem confessus Apollo est."
TO THE READER. Ixxvii
And equalling the actual rage of war,
With only the divine strains of his pen,
He stood amaz'd and freely did confess
Himself was equall'd in Mseonides.
Next hear the grave and learned Pliny use
His censure of our sacred poet's 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, 4:.
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 1 And because
Our proud doom of him may stand justified so
By noblest judgments, and receive applause
In spite of envy and illiterate pride,
Great Macedon, amongst his matchless spoils
Took from rich Persia, on his fortunes cast,
A casket finding, full of precious oils, 55
Form'd all of gold, with wealthy stones enchas'd,
He took the oils out, and his nearest friends
Ask'd in what better guard it might be us'd 1
All giving their conceits to sev'ral ends,
He answer'd : ' His affections rather choos'd en
An use quite opposite to all their kinds,
And Homer's books should with that guard be serv'd,
That the most precious work of all men's minds
In the most precious place might be preserv'd.
The Fount of Wit * was Homer, Learning's Sire,t c;
And gave antiquity her living fire.'
T 70LUMES of like praise I could heap on this,
Of men more ancient and more learn'd than these,
* Plin. Nat. Hist. xvn. 5. t Idem, xxv. 3.
Ixxviii TO THE READER.
But since true virtue enough lovely is
With her own beauties, all the suffrages 70
Of others I omit, and would more fain
That Homer for himself should be belov'd,
"Who eVry sort of love-worth did contain.
Which how I have in my conversion prov'd
I must confess I hardly dare refer 75
To reading judgments, since, so gen'rally,
Custom hath made ev'n th' ablest agents err
In these translations ; all so much apply
Their pains and cunnings word for word to render
Their patient authors, when they may as well so
Make fish with fowl, camels with whales, engender,
Or their tongues' speech in other mouths compell.
For, ev'n as diff'rent a production
Ask Greek and English, since as they in sounds
And letters shun one form and unison ; 85
So have their sense and elegancy bounds
In their distinguish'd natures, and require
Only a judgment to make both consent
In sense and elocution ; and aspire,
As well to reach the spirit that was spent 90
In his example, 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, 95
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,
77 Of Translation, and the natural difference of Dialects necessarily to be
observed in it." CHAPMAN.
93 "Ironice." CHAPMAN.
TO THE READER. Ixxix
Compar'd with that they might say in their own ;
Since thither th' other's full soul cannot make 100
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, 105
And shame their authors with a forced gloss)
I laugh to see ; and yet as much abhor
More license from the words than may express
Their full compression, and make clear the author ;
From whose truth, if you think my feet digress, no
Because I use needful periphrases,
Read Valla, Hessus, that in Latin prose,
And verse, convert him ; read the Messines
That into Tuscan turns him ; and the gloss
Grave Salel makes in French, as he translates ; n$
AVhich, for th' aforesaid reasons, all must do ;
And see that my conversion much abates
The license they take, and more shows him too,
Whose right not all those great learn'd men have done,
In some main parts, that were his commentors. 120
But, as the illustration of the sun
Should be attempted by the erring stars,
They fail'd to search his deep and treasurous heart ;
The cause was, since they wanted the fit key
Of Nature, in their downright strength of Art, 125
With Poesy to open Poesy :
Which, in my poem of the mysteries
Reveal'd in Homer, I will clearly prove ;
107 "The necessary nearness of Translation to the example." CHAPMAN,
mi xhe power of Nature above Art in Poesy." CHAPMAN.
Ixxx TO THE READER.
Till whose near birth, suspend your calumnies,
And far-wide imputations of self-love. iso
"Tis further from me than the worst that reads,
Professing me the worst of all that write ;
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 135
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. 140
The long verse hath by proof receiv'd applause
Beyond each other number ; and the foil,
That squint-ey'd Envy takes, is censur'd plain ;
For this long poem asks this length of verse,
Which I myself ingenuously maintain 145
Too long our shorter authors to rehearse.
And, for our tongue that still is so impaired
By travelling linguists, I can prove it clear,
That no tongue hath the Muse's utt'rance heir'd
For verse, and that sweet music to the ear 150
Strook out of rhyme, so naturally as this ;
Our monosyllables so kindly fall,
And meet oppos'd in rhyme as they did kiss ;
French and Italian most iminetrical,
Their many syllables in harsh collision 155
Fall as they break their necks ; their bastard rhymes
Saluting as they justled in transition,
And set our teeth on edge ; nor tunes, nor times
Kept in their falls ; and, methinks, their long words
Shew in short verse as in a narrow place 100
147 Our English language above all others for Rhythmical Poesy." CHAPMAN.
TO THE READER. Ixxxi
Two opposites should meet with two-hand swords
Unwieldily, without or use or grace.
Thus having rid the ruhs, and strow'd these flow'rs
In our thrice-sacred Homer's English way,
What rests to make him yet more worthy yours 1 ies
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 crown'd
By all consents divine, that, not to grace 170
Or add increase to them, the world doth need
Another Homer, but ev'n 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 ; 175
And all may well conclude it could not be,
That for the place where any man was born,
So long and mortally could disagree
So many nations as for Homer strivVl,
Unless his spur in them had been divine. iso
Then end their strife and love him, thus receiv'd,
As born in England ; see him over-shine
All other-country poets ; and trust this,
That whosesoever Muse dares use her wing
When his Muse flies, she will be truss'd by his, m
And show as if a bernacle should spring
Beneath an eagle. In none since was seen
A soul so full of heav'n as earth's in him.
! if our modern Poesy had been
As lovely as the lady he did limn, 190
What barbarous worldling, grovelling after gain,
Could use her lovely parts with such rude hate,
VOL. I. /
Ixxxii TO THE READER.
As now she suffers under ev'ry swain 1
Since then 'tis nought but her abuse and Fate,
That thus impairs her, what is this to her 195
As she is real, or in natural right ?
But since in true Eeligion men should err
As much as Poesy, should the abuse excite
The like contempt of her divinity,
And that her truth, and right saint-sacred merits, 200
In most lives breed bxit rev'rence 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 then, ye moles, sons of the earth, abhor her, 205
Keep still on in the dirty vulgar way,
Till dirt receive your souls, to which \e vow,
And with your poison'd spirits bewitch our thrifts.
Ye cannot so despise us as we you ;
Not one of you above his mole-hill lifts 210
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 breathe wild whistles, and the beasts' rude ear
Hears their curs barking, then by heaps they fly 215
Headlong together ; so men, beastly giv'n,
The manly soul's voice, sacred Poesy,
Whose hymns the angels ever sing in heav'n,
Contemn and hear not ; but when brutish noises,
For gain, lust, honour, in litigious prose 220
Are bellow'd out, and crack the barbarous voices
Of Turkish stentors, O, ye lean to those,
Like itching horse to blocks or high may-poles ;
And break nought but the wind of wealth, wealth, all
TO THE READER. Ixxxiii
In all your documents ; your asinine souls, 225
Proud of their burthens, feel not how they gall.
But as an ass, that in a field 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 woo it 230
To leave the sharpness ; when, to wreak his smart,
He beats it with his foot, then backward kicks,
Because the thistle gall'd his forward part ;
Nor leaves till all be eat, for all the pricks,
Then falls to others with as hot a strife, 235
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-lov'd dainties, with such war buy peace,
Hunger for torment, virtue kick for vice, 240
Cares for your states do with your states increase,
And though ye dream ye feast in Paradise,
Yet reason's daylight shews ye at your meat
Asses at thistles, bleeding as ye eat.
THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
F all books extant in all kinds, Homer is the first and best.
No one before his, Josephus affirms ; nor before him,
saith Velleius Paterculus, was there any whom he imi-
tated, nor after him any that could imitate him. And
that Poesy may be no cause 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 chiefly made. And what art performs
this chief end of man with so much excitation and expression as Poesy ;
Moses, David, Solomon, Job, Esay, Jeremy, &c. chiefly using that to
the end abovesaid 1 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, and blas-
pheme the most incomparably sacred. It is not of the world indeed,
but, like truth, hides itself from it. Nor is there any such reality of
Ixxxvi THE PREFACE
wisdom's truth in all human excellence, as in Poets' fictions. That
most vulgar and 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
defy fire, iron, and be combined with eternity 1 To all sciences there-
fore, 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 dis-
course with His thrice perfect and most comfortable Spirit. And as
the contemplative life is most worthily and 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 not the bold rhymes of every apish and impudent
braggart, though he dares assume anything ; such I turn over to the
weaving of cobwebs, and shall but chatter on molehills (far under the
hill of the Muses) when their fortunatest self-love and ambition hath
advanced them highest. Poesy is the flower of the Sun, and disdains
to open to the eye of a candle. So kings hide their treasures and
counsels from the vulgar, ne evilescant (saith our Spond.). We have ex-
ample sacred enough, that true Poesy's humility, poverty, and 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 turgide spiratis (that I may use the words of our friend
still) qui solas leges Justinianas crepatis ; paragraphum unum aut
alterum, pluris quam vos ipsos facitis, &c. I (for my part) shall ever
esteem it much more manly and sacred, in this harmless and pious study,
to sit till I sink into my grave, than shine in your vainglorious bubbles
and impieties ; all your poor policies, wisdoms, and their trappings, at
no more valuing than a musty nut. And much less I weigh the front-
TO THE READER. Ixxxvii
less 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 with-all-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 creature's
conference of my slight 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 commentors in places of his most depth, importance,
and rapture. In whose exposition and illustration, if I abhor from the
sense that others wrest and wrack out of him, let my best detractor ex-
amine 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 foisting hounds, too vile to think of our sacred Homer, or set
their profane feet within their lives' length 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 pro-
test, so here at my entrance, less than fifteen weeks was the time in
which all the last twelve books were entirely new translated. No con-
ference 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 nmch mine own
weighed ; whose judgment 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 unmatchedness 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.
Eobert Hews, I must needs put into my confess'd conference touching
Ixxxviii THE PREFACE
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 how 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 para-
phrastical 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 :
O. drj vvv dlov ' AX^avdpov
, &c.
For avoiding the common reader's 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 ver6 mine Alexandrum Menelaus
Postquam vicit, vult odiosam me domum abducere,
Propterea vero mine dolum (ceu dolos) cogitans advenisti ?
Sede apud ipsum vadens, deoruin abnega vias,
Neque unquam tuis pedibus revertaris in ccelum,
Sed semper circa eum serumnas perfer, et ipsum serva
Donee te vel uxorem faciat, vel hie servam, &c.
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 : eu dum illi ades, dum illi studes,
dum pro illo satagis, dum ilium observas atque custodis, deorum
commercium reliquisti, nee ad eos reversura es amplius ; adeo (quantum
suspicor) aut uxor ejus efficieris, aut ancilla, &c.
Wherein note if there be any such thing as most of this in Homer ; yet
TO THE READER. Ixxxix
only to express, as he thinks, 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 ilium observers, atque cuslodis, ' deorum commer-
cium reliquisti. Which (besides his superfluity) is utterly false. For
where he saith reliquisti deorum commercium, Helen saith, Qiuv d'
xsXei&ovs, deorum autem dbnega, or abnue, vias, uxsivuv (vel
as it is used poetically) signifying denegare, or abnuere; and
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 ;
sceptically or scornfully speaking it ; which both Valla, Eobanus, and
all other interpreters (but these ad verbum) have utterly missed. And
this one example I thought necessary to insert here, to show my
detractors that they have no reason to vilify my circumlocution some-
times, when their most approved Grecians, Homer's interpreters gene-
rally, 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 interpre-
tation of any author (much more of Homer) to turn him word for word,
when (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 clothe and adorn them with
words, and such a style and form of oration, as are most apt for the
language in 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 sentences,
elegancy, height, intention, and invention, if in some few places (espe-
cially in my first edition, being done so long since, and following the
common tract) I be something paraphrastical and faulty, is it jus-
tice 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 windsucker,* that
hovers up and down, laboriously engrossing all the air with his lux-
* Windsucker the kestrel, or kite, hovering hawk ; called also a windhover.
xc THE PREFACE
urious ambition, and buzzing into every ear my detraction, affirming
I turn Homer out of the Latin only, &c. 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, Philoxenus 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 devour all himself, discou-
rageth all appetites to the fame of another. I have stricken, single
him as you can. Nor note I this, to cast any rubs or plashes out of
the particular way of mine own estimation with the world ; for I
resolve this with the wilfully obscure :
Sine honore vivam, nulloque mimero 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 well-meaning 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 envious 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 poor self put up without motion.
* Castrill kestrel, or hovering hawk.
TO THE READER. xci
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 :
t Judex ipse sui totum se explorat ad unguein, &c).
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 desertful mover in the
frame of our Homer. For which (and much other most ingenious and
utterly undeserved desert) God make me amply his requiter ; and be
his honourable family's speedy and full restorer. In the mean space,
I entreat my impartial and judicial Reader, that all things to the quick
he will not pare, but humanely and nobly pardon defects, and, if he
find anything perfect, receive it unenvied.
xcii THE PREFACE
OF HOMER.
jF his country arid 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 and
Solomon's rule ; and 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 born in the isle of lo, begot of a
Genius, one of them that used to dance with the Muses, and a virgin of
that isle compressed by that Genius, who being quick with child (for
shame of the deed) came into a place called ^Egina, and there was
taken of thieves, and brought to Smyrna, to Maeon 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 throes
of her delivery, she brought forth Homer, and instantly died. The
infant was received by Mseon, 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 ^Eoliaus, 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 bpwiiv
(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 i;nfit 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.
TO THE READER. xciii
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 Xylander converts
it. " Then was the Octagonou at Constantinople consumed with fire ;
and the bath of Severus, that bore the name of Zeuxippus, 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-wit-exceeding workmanships stood Homer, as he
was in his age, thoughtful and musing, his hands folded beneath his
bosom, his beard untrirnmed 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 eyebrows, like one
blind, as it is reported he was." (Not born blind, saith Veil. Pater-
culus, which he that imagines, saith he, is blind of all senses.) " Upon
his under-coat he was attired with a loose robe, 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
remembereth 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 Oclysseys of Homer were
inscribed -t which miracle, in Basiliscus the Emperor's time, was con-
sumed with fire.
For his respect amongst the most learned, Plato in lone calleth him
xa) Sh;o'rarov ruv KoiqrZiv, Poeta rum omnium d prcestantissimwn
* Georgii Cedreni Historiarum Compendium, vol. I. p. 369 (ed. Paris, 2 vols.
fol. 1647).
t Cedrenus, ut supra, p. 351.
xciv THE PREFACE
et divinissimum ; in Phcedone, iTov vroiqr'/iv, divinum Poetam ; and in
Thecetetus, Socrates citing divers of the most wise and learned for con-
firmation of his there held opinion, as Protagoras, Heraclitus, Ernpe-
docles, 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 Common-wealth,
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, everywhere 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 ^Elianus (Var.
Hist. lib. xii. 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 hospitalities, they
invited ever Apollo and Homer. Lucian in his Encomion of Demosth.
affirmeth all Poets celebrated Homer's birthday, and 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 born of Egyptian parents, Drnasagoras, being his father, and ^Ethra
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 redshank, a stare, a blackbird, and a nightingale ;
and, being a little boy, was found playing in his bed with nine cloves.
Sibylla being at a feast of his parents was taken with sudden fury, and
sung verses whose beginning was A/*affyQga ToXuv/xs . polynice, signi-
TO THE READER.
xcv
fyiug much, victory, in which song also she called him [AeydxXia, great
in glory, and erttpctvir^v, signifying garland-seller, and commanded
him to build a temple to the Pegridarij, that is, to the Muses. Hero-
dotus affirms that Phaemius, teaching a public school at Smyrna, was
his master ; and Dionysius in his 56th 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.
THE FIRST BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
ARGUMENT.
APOLLO'S priest to th' Argive fleet doth bring
Gifts for his daughter, pris'ner to the king ;
For which her tender'd freedom he entreats ;
But, being dismiss'd with contumelious threats,
At Phcebus' hands, by vengeful pray'r, he seeks
To have a plague inflicted on the Greeks.
Which had ; Achilles doth a council cite,
Embold'ning Calchas, in the king's despite,
To tell the truth why they were punish'd so.
From hence their fierce and deadly strife did grow.
For wrong in which ^Eacides* s'o raves,
That goddess Thetis, from her throne of waves
Ascending heav'n, 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, vvith heav'n's cup, the quarrel ends.
ANOTHER ARGUMENT.
Alpha the prayer of Chryses sings :
The army's plague : the strife of kings.
CHILLES' baneful wrath resound, Goddess, that impos'd
Infinite sorrows on the Greeks, and many brave souls los'd
From breasts heroic ; sent them far to that invisible cave
That no light comforts; and their limbs to dogs and
vultures gave :
* jEacides Achilles, grandson of ^Eacus.
VOL. I.
3 Invisible cave Hades.
A
2 THE FIRST BOOK
To all which Jove's will gave effect ; from whom first strife begun 5
Betwixt Atrides, king of men, and Thetis' godlike son.
What god gave Ens their command, and op'd that fighting vein 1
Jove's and Latona's son : who fir'd 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. 10
Occasion'd thus : Chryses, the priest, came to the fleet to buy,
For presents of unvalu'd 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' Atrides, who most rul'd. " Great Atreus' sons," said he,
" And all ye well-greav'd Greeks, the gods, whose habitations be ie
In heav'uly houses, grace your pow'rs with Priam's razed town,
And grant ye happy conduct home ! To win which wish'd renown
Of Jove, by honouring his son, far-shooting Phoebus, deign
For these fit presents to dissolve the ransomable chain 20
Of my lov'd daughter's servitude." The Greeks entirely gave
Glad acclamations, for sign that their desires would have
The grave priest reverenc'd, and his gifts of so much price embrac'd.
The Gen'ral yet bore no such mind, but viciously disgrac'd
With violent terms the priest, and said : " Dotard ! avoid our fleet,
Where ling'ring be not found by me ; nor thy returning feet 26
Let ever visit us again ; lest nor thy godhead's crown,
Nor sceptre, save thee ! Her thou seek'st I still will hold mine own,
Till age deflow'r her. In our court at Argos, far transferr'd
From her lov'd country, she shall ply her web, and see prepar'd 30
6 Atrides patronymic of Agamemnon and Menelaus. Thetis' son Achilles.
7 Eris the goddess of strit'e, personification of strife.
8 Jove's and Latona's son Apollo.
12 Unvalued invaluable, not to be valued. So Shakespeare
" Inestimable stones, unvalu'd jewels." Rich. III. I. 4.
14 Proposing holding before him.
30 "Sec my bed made," it may be Englished. The word is avTibua'a.v, which
signifies contra stantem, as standing of one side opposite to another on the other
side; which yet others translate capcsse.ntcm et adornantem ; which, since it
shows best to a reader, I follow. CHAPMAN.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 3
With all fit ornaments my bed. Incense me then no more,
But, if thou wilt be safe, be gone." This said, the sea-beat shore,
Obeying his high will, the priest trod off with haste and fear ;
And, walking silent, till he left far off his enemies' ear,
Phoebus, fair hair'd Latona's son, he stirr'd up with a vow, 35
To this stern purpose : " Hear, thou God that bear'st the silver bow,
That Chrysa guard'st, rul'st Tenedos with strong hand, and the round
Of Cilia most divine dost walk ! O Smintheus ! if crown'd
With thankful off'rings thy rich fane I ever saw, or fir'd
Fat thighs of oxen and of goats to thee, this grace desir'd 40
Vouchsafe to me : pains for my tears let these rude Greeks repay,
Forc'd with thy arrows." Thus he pray'd, and Phoebus heard him pray,
And, vex'd at heart, down from the tops of steep heav'n stoop'd ; his
bow,
And quiver cover'd round, his hands did on his shoulders throw ;
And of the angry Deity the arrows as he mov'd 45
Pvattled about him. Like the night he rang'd the host, and rov'd
(Apart the fleet set) terribly ; with his hard-loosing hand
His silver bow twang"d ; and his shafts did first the mules command,
And swift hounds ; then the Greeks themselves his deadly arrows shot.
The fires of death went never out ; nine days his shafts flew hot 50
About the army ; and the tenth, Achilles called a court
Of all the Greeks ; heav'n's white-arm'd Queen (who, ev'ryvvhere cut
short,
Beholding her lov'd Greeks, by death) suggested it ; and he
(All met in one) arose, and said : " Atrides, now I see
"We must be wandering again, flight must be still our stay, 55
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 Phcebus is so much incens'd ; if unperformed vows
He blames in us, or hecatombs ; and if these knees he bows eo
50 Went the second folio omits this word. 5S Whitc-arm'd queen Juno.
4 THE FIRST BOOK
To death may yield his graves no more, but offring all supply
Of savours burnt from lambs and goats, avert his fervent eye,
And turn his temp'rate," Thus, he sat ; and then stood up to them
Calchas, surnam'd Thestorides, of augurs the supreme ;
He knew things present, past, to come, and rul'd the equipnge 65
Of th' Argive fleet to Ilion, for his prophetic rage
Giv'n by Apollo ; who, well- seen in th' ill they felt, propos'd
This to Achilles : " Jove's belov'd, would thy charge see disclos'd
The secret of Apollo's wrath ? then cov'nant and take oath
To my discov'ry, that, with words and pow'rful actions both, 70
Thy strength will guard the truth in me ; because I well conceive
That he whose empire governs all, whom all the Grecians give
Confirm'd obedience, will be mov'd ; and then you know the state
Of him that moves him. When a king hath once mark'd for his hate
A man inferior, though that day his wrath seems to digest 75
Th 1 offence he takes, yet evermore he rakes up in his breast
Brands of quick anger, till revenge hath quench'd to his desire
The fire reserved. Tell me, then, if, whatsoever ire
Suggests in hurt of me to him, thy valour will prevent 1 "
Achilles answer'd : " All thou know'st speak, and be confident ; so
For by Apollo, Jove's belov'd, (to whom performing vows,
Calchas, for the state of Greece, thy spirit prophetic shows
Skills that direct us) not a man of all these Grecians here,
1 living, and enjoy'ng the light shot through this flow'ry sphere,
Shall touch thee with offensive hands ; though Agamemnon be s
The man in question, that doth boast the mightiest empery
Of all our army." Then took heart the prophet unreprov'd,
And said : " They are not unpaid vows, nor hecatombs, that mov'd
66 Ragei. e. power, a frequent use of the word, the poetic inspiration.
70 Discovery declaration.
86 Empery sovereign authority ;
" Ruling in large and ample empery
O'er France, and all her almost kingly dukedoms."
SHAKESPEARE. Hen. V. i. 2.
87 Unrcproved irreproachable. See n. 785.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 5
The God against us ; his offence is for his priest impair'd
By Agamemnon, that refus'd the present he preferr'd, 90
And kept his daughter. This is cause why heav'ii's Far-darter darts
These plagues amongst us ; and this still will empty in our hearts
His deathful quiver, uncontain'd till to her loved sire
The black-eyed damsel be resign'd ; no redemptory hire
Took for her freedom, not a gift, but all the ransom quit, a;
And she convey'd, with sacrifice, till her enfranchis'd feet
Tread Chrysa under ; then the God, so pleas'd, perhaps we may
Move to remission." Thus, he sate ; and up, the great in sway,
Heroic Agamemnon rose, eagerly bearing all ;
His mind's seat overcast with, fumes ; an anger general 100
Fill'd 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
Not to a word's worth ; evermore thou took'st delight to be
Offensive in thy auguries, which thou continu'st still, 105
Now casting thy prophetic gall, and vouching all our ill,
Shot from Apollo, is impos'd since I refus'd the price
Of fair Chryseis' liberty ; which would in no worth rise
To my rate of herself, which moves my vows to have her home,
Past Clytemnestra loving her, that grac'd my nuptial room no
With her virginity and flow'r. Nor ask her merits less
For person, disposition, wit, and skill in housewif ries.
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 lov'd army than the death. Provide yet instantly 115
Supply for her, that I alone of all our royalty
93 Uncontain'd not to be emptied, unrestrainable.
15 Quit paid. To quite, or quit, often used in this sense by Chapman.
99 Eagerly bearing all treating all angrily, sourly (from the French aigre).
"If thou think'st so, vex him with eager words."
SHAKESPEARE. 3 Hen. VI. u. 6.
116 Supply for her compensation for her loss.
6 THE FIRST BOOK
Lose not my winnings. Tis not fit. Ye see all I lose mine
Forc'd by another, see as well some other may resign
His prise to me." To this replied the swift-foot, god-like, son
Of Thetis, thus : " King of us all, in all ambition 120
Most covetous of all that breathe, why should the great-soul'd Greeks
Supply thy lost prise out of theirs 1 Nor what thy av'rice seeks
Our common treasury can find ; so little it doth guard
Of what our ras'd towns yielded us ; of all which most is shar'd,
And giv'n our soldiers ; which again to take into our hands 125
Were ignominious and base. Now then, since God commands,
Part with thy most-lov'd prise to him ; not any one of us
Exacts it of thee, yet we all, all loss thou suffer'st thus,
Will treble, quadruple, in gain, when Jupiter bestows
The sack of well-wall'd Troy on us ; which by his word he owes." iso
" Do not deceive yourself with wit," he answer'd, "god-like man,
Though your good name may colour it ; 'tis not your swift foot can
Outrun 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 prise, and slight me of mine ] Resolve this : if our friends,
As fits in equity my worth, will right me with amends, 135
So rest it ; otherwise, myself will enter personally
On thy prise, 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 HO
Our black sail ; in it rowers put, in it fit sacrifice ;
And to these I will make ascend my so much envied prise,
119 p r i se booty, anything seized. I shall retain this orthography throughout,
as more expressive of the original. Chapman uses prize elsewhere when mean-
ing value, price. Thus, in the continuation of Marlowe's Musseus,
"And five they hold in most especial prize,
Since 'tis the first odd number that doth rise
From the two foremost numbers' unity
That odd and even are." Scstyad V,
138 Ithacus Ulysses.
139 Let him, <bc. i. e. though he may rage.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 1
Bright-cheek'd 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 ; 145
Or thine, thou terriblest of men, thou son of Peleus,
Which fittest were, that thou might'st see these holy acts perform'd
For which thy cunning zeal so pleads ; and he, whose bow thus storm'd
For our offences, may be calm'd." Achilles, with a frown,
Thus answer'd : " thou impudent ! of no good but thine own iso
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 injur'd so
By any Trojan, that my pow'rs 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 enow, and far-resounding seas,
Pour out their shades and deeps between ; but thee, thou frontless man,
We follow, and thy triumphs make with bonfires of our bane ; leo
Thine, and thy brother's, vengeance sought, thou dog's eyes, of this Troy
By our expos'd 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,
Compar'd with thy part, then snatch'd up, nothing ; nor ever is 165
At any sack'd town ; 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 pleas'd to my tent ;
And yet that little thou esteem'st too great v a continent ITO
In thy incontinent avarice. For Phthia therefore now
My course is ; since 'tis better far, than here t' endure that thou
155 Bid threaten, challenge.
162 The second folio has " your exposed lives ; " evidently an error of the press.
164 The Greeks gave all i. e. all the Greeks gave. See 388.
i70 Continent i. e. possession. Continent incontinent, a quibble of Chapman's.
8 THE FIRST BOOK
Should'st still be ravishing my right, draw my whole treasure dry,
And add dishonour." He replied : " If thy heart serve thee, fly ;
Stay not for my cause ; others here will aid and honour me ; ITS
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, iso
But in his hands still. What then lifts thy pride in this so high 1
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, instead, I thus far threaten thee :
Since Phoebus needs will force from me Chryseis, she shall go ; iss
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-cheek'd Briseis ; and so tell thy strength how eminent
My pow'r is, being compar'd with thine ; all other making fear
To vaunt equality with me, or in this proud kind bear wo
Their beards against me." Thetis' son at this stood vex'd, his heart
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, slaught'riug him, or sit his anger out, 1114
And curb his spirit. While these thoughts striv'd in his blood and mind,
And he his sword drew, down from heav'n Athenia stoop'd, and shin'd
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 200
174 Fli/ the second folio and Dr. Taylor, flee.
176 Others the second folio, other. JM Discursive part reasoning power.
196 Atkenia Minerva. 198 Saturnia Juno.
200 Only yave her look to him appearance i. e. only made her likeness seen
by him.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 9
To him appearance ; not a man of all the rest could see.
He turning back his eye, amaze strook every faculty ;
Yet straight he knew her by her eyes, so terrible they were,
Sparkling with ardour, and thus spake : " Thou seed of Jupiter,
Why com'st thou 1 To behold his pride, that boasts our empery ? 205
Then witness with it my revenge, and see that insolence die
That lives to wrong me." She replied : " I come from heav'n to see
Thy anger settled, if thy soul will use her sov'reignty j
In fit reflection. I am sent from Juno, whose affects
Stand heartily inclin'd to both. Come, give us both respects, 210
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 answer'd : " Though my heart
Burn in just anger, yet my soul must conquer th' angry part, 2ie
And yield you conquest. Who subdues his earthly part for heav'n,
Heav'n to his pray'rs subdues his wish." This said, her charge was given
Fit honour ; in his silver hilt he held his able hand,]
And forc'd his broad sword up ; and up to heav'n did re-ascend 220
Minerva, who, in Jove's 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 steep'd in wine,
Dog's face, with heart but of a hart, that nor in th' open eye 225
Of fight dar'st thrust into a prease, 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 subject-eating king !
Base spirits thou govern'st, or this wrong had been the last foul thing 230
Thou ever author'dst ; yet I vow, and by a great oath swear,
Ev'n by this sceptre, that, as this never again shall bear
209 Affects affections, passions. * 26 Prease press.
saj <> This simile Virgil directly translates." CHAPMAN.
10 THE FIRST BOOK
Green leaves or branches, nor increase with any growth his size,
Nor did since first it left the hills, and had his faculties
And ornaments bereft with iron ; which now to other end 235
Judges of Greece bear, and their laws, receiv'd from Jove, defend ;
(For which my oath to thee is great) ; so, whensoever need
Shall burn with thirst of me thy host, no pray'rs shall ever breed
Affection in me to their aid, though well-deserved woes
Afflict thee for them, when to death man-slaught'ring Hector throws 249
Whole troops of them, and thou torment'st thy vex'd mind with conceit
Of thy rude rage now, and his wrong that most deserv'd the right
Of all thy army." Thus, he threw his sceptre 'gainst the ground,
With golden studs stuck, and took seat. Atrides' breast was drown'd
In rising choler. Up to both sweet-spoken Nestor stood, 245
The cunning Pylian orator, whose tongue pour'd forth a flood
Of more-than-honey-sweet discourse ; two ages were increas'd
Of divers-languag'd men, all born in his time and deceas'd,
In sacred Pylos, where he reign'd amongst the third-ag'd men.
He, well-seen in the world, advis'd, and thus express'd it then : 250
" Gods ! Our Greek earth will be drown'd in just tears ; rapeful Troy,
Her king, and all his sons, will make as just a mock, and joy,
Of these disjunctions ; 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 liv'd long since, and was companion 256
With men superior to you both, who yet would ever hear
My counsels with respect. My eyes yet never witness were,
Nor ever will be, of such men as then delighted them ;
Pirithous, Exadius, and god-like Polypheme, 260
Caeneus, and Dryas prince of men, Jgean Theseus,
A man like heav'n's immortals form'd ; all, all most vigorous,
242 The second folio has " this wrong."
255 The second folio has "put both you years." It will not be necessary to
note all the manifest errors that disfigure this second edition.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 11
Of all men that ev'n those days bred ; most vig'rous men, and fought
With beasts most vig'rous, mountain beasts, (for men in strength were
nought
Match'd with their forces) fought with them, and bravely fought them
down 265
Yet ev'n with these men I convers'd, being call'd to the renown
Of their societies, by their suits, from Pylos far, to fight
In th' Apian kingdom ; and I fought, to a degree of might
That help'd ev'n their mights, against such as no man now would dare
To meet in conflict ; yet ev'n these my counsels still would hear, 270
And with obedience crown my words. Give you such palm to them ;
'Tis better than to wreath your wraths. Abides, give not stream
To all thy pow'r, nor force his prise, 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 allow'd 275
Grace of a sceptre equals him. Suppose thy nerves endow'd
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 pray'rs will obtain 280
Grace of Achilles to subdue his fury ; whose parts are
Worth our intreaty, being chief check to all our ill in war."
" All this, good father," said the king, " is comely and good right ;
But this man breaks all such bounds ; he affects, past all men, height ;
268 Apian both folios have Asian, but the original is e 'Airiys yaiys, i. e.
Peloponnesus. Chapman says " the land of Apia," in his first translation of
XII. Books.
272 To wreath your wraths to allow your wrath to triumph : an allusion to
the wreaths worn by victors. DR. COOKE TAYLOR. The expression is not in
the Greek. Though both folios read wreath, perhaps wreak revenge, might be
the true word.
274 Encounter with thy crown enter into dispute with thy sovereign.
279 Amplified. The second folio (which Dr. Taylor follows) has "amplied."
The metre would require that the word " many " should be omitted.
283 G^od right right good, very good.
284 Afticts heiijht aims at superiority above all men.
12 THE FIRST BOOK
All would in his pow'r hold, all make his subjects, give to all 235
His hot will for their temp'rate law ; all which he never shall
Persuade at my hands. If the gods have giv'n him the great style
Of ablest soldier, made they that his licence to revile
Men with vile language ? " Thetis' son prevented him, and said :
" Fearful and vile I might be thought, if the exactions laid 200
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 1 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 295
The thing thou gav'st ; but all things else, that in my ship thou mak'st
Greedy survey of, do not touch without my leave ; or do,
Add that act's 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 soo
Us'd to each other ; left their seats ; and after them arose
The whole court. To his tents and ships, with friends and soldiers,
goes
Angry Achilles. Atreus' son the swift ship launch'd, and put
Within it twenty chosen row'rs, within it likewise shut
The hecatomb t' appease the God ; then caus'd to come aboard SM
Fair-cheek'd Chryseis ; for the chief, he in whom Pallas pour'd
Her store of counsels, Ithacus, aboard went last ; and then
The moist ways of the sea they sail'd. And now the king of men
Bade all the host to sacrifice. They sacrific'd, and cast
The offal of all to the deeps ; the angry God they grac'cl sio
With perfect hecatombs ; some bulls, some goats, along the shore
Of the unfruitful sea, inflam'd. To heav'n the thick fumes bore
586 Their temp'rate the second folio and Dr. Taylor, a temp'rate.
295 W enc Ji originally meant a young woman only, without the contemptuous
familiarity now annexed to it. NARES. See 2 Sam. xvii. 17. It is still used
in a good sense as a provincialism.
312 Inflam'd burnt, set in flames.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 13
Enwrapped savours. Tims, though all the politic king made shew
Respects to heav'n, yet he himself all that time did pursue
His own affections ; the late jar, in which he thunder'd threats si.s
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 brin"
* ' O
Her beauties to us. If he fail to yield her, say your king 320
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 sea's shore ; soon
They reach'd the navy and the tents, in which the quarter lay 325
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 rev'rence stood, and fear'd th' offended king,
Ask'd not the dame, nor spake a word. He yet, well knowing the thing
That caus'd their coming, grac'd them thus : " Heralds, ye men that
bear 33 i
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, honour'd friend,
Bring forth the damsel, and these men let lead her to their lord. 33*
But, heralds, be you witnesses, before the most ador'd,
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 'scus'd to keep mine aid in wane, 340
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 ev'n then are seen as sure ; 344
14 THE FIRST BOOK
Which yet he sees not, and so soothes his present lust, which, check'd,
"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 us'd, Patroclus did the rite
His friend commanded, and brought forth Briseis from her tent,
Gave her the heralds, and away to th' Achive ships they went. 350
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 heav'n advancing, this sad plea
Made to his mother ; " Mother ! Since you brought me forth to breathe
So short a life, Olympius had good right to bequeath sse
My short life honour ; yet that right he doth in no degree,
But lets Atrides do me shame, and force that prise from me
That all the Greeks gave." This with tears he utter'd, and she heard,
Set with her old sire in his deeps, and instantly appear'd seo
Up from the grey sea like a cloud, sate by his side, and said :
" Why weeps my son ? What grieves thee ? Speak, conceal not what
hath laid
Such hard hand on thee, let both know." He, sighing like a storm,
Replied: " Thou dost know. Why should I thingsjknown again inform ?
We march'd to Thebes, the sacred town of king Ee'tion, 305
Sack'd it, and brought to fleet the spoil, which every valiant son
Of Greece indifferently shar'd. Atrides had for share
Fair cheek'd Chryseis. After which, his priest that shoots so far,
Chryses, the fair Chryseis' sire, arriv'd at th' Achive fleet,
With infinite ransom, to redeem the dear imprison'd feet sro
Of his fair daughter. In his hands he held Apollo's crown,
And golden sceptre ; making suit to ev'ry Grecian sou,
But most the sons of Atreus, the others' orderers,
Yet they least heard him ; all the rest receiv'd with rev'rend ears
351 Her love Achilles. 356 Olympius Jupiter.
368 His priest that shoots so far the priest of far-darting Apollo.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 15
The motion, both the priest and gifts gracing, and holding -worth 375
His wish'd acceptance. Atreus' son yet (vex'd) commanded forth
With rude terms Phoebus' rev'rend priest ; who, angry, made retreat,
And pray'd to Phoebus, in whose grace he standing passing great
Got his petition. The God an ill shaft sent abroad
That tumbled down the Greeks in heaps. The host had no abode sso
That was not visited. "We ask'd 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 anger'd God ; which Atreus' son did at the heart displease,
And up he stood, us'd threats, perform'd. The black-eyed Greeks sent
home 386
Chryseis to her sire, and gave his God a hecatomb.
Then, for Briseis, to my tents Atrides' heralds came,
And took her that the Greeks gave all. If then thy pow'rs can frame
Wreak for thy son, afford it. Scale Olympus, and implore
Jove (if by either word, or fact, thou ever didst restore 390
Joy to his griev'd 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 black-cloud-gath'ring Jove,
Whom other Godheads would have bound (the Pow'r whose pace doth move
The round earth, heav'n's great Queen, and Pallas) ; to whose bands
Thou cam'st with rescue, bringing up him with the hundred hands SPG
To great Olympus, whom the Gods call Briareus, men
JEgseon, who his sire surpass'd, and was as strong again, '
And in that grace sat glad by Jove. Th' immortals stood dismay 'd
At his ascension, and gave free passage to his aid. 400
Of all this tell Jove ; kneel to him, embrace his knee, and pray,
If Troy's aid he will ever deign, that now their forces may
6 His wish'd acceptance that which he wished to be accepted.
' Wreak revenge. A frequent word in Elizabethan writers.
391 Spoil injury.
394 Neptune, Juno, Minerva.
16 THE FIRST BOOK
Beat home the Greeks to fleet and sea ; embruing their retreat
In slaughter; their pains pay'ng the wreak of their proud sov'reign's heaf ;
And that far-ruling king may know, from his poor soldier's harms 405
His own harm falls ; his own and all in mine, his best in arms."
Her answer she pour'd out in tears : " me, my son," said she,
" Why brought I up thy being at all, that brought thee forth to be
Sad subject of so hard a fate ? would to heav'n, that since
Thy fate is little, and not long, thou might'st without offence 410
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 giv'u thee any life. But what thou wishest now,
If Jove will grant, I'll up and ask ; Olympus crown'd with snow
I'll climb ; but sit thou fast at fleet, renounce all war, and feed 415
Thy heart with wrath, and hope of wreak; till which come, thou shalt need
A little patience. Jupiter went yesterday to feast
Amongst the blameless ^Ethiops, in th' ocean's deepen'd breast,
All Gods attending him ; the twelfth, high heav'n again he sees,
And then his brass-pav'd court I'll scale, cling to his pow'rful knees, 420
And doubt not but to win thy wish." Thus, made she her remove,
And left wrath tyring on her son, for his enforced love.
Ulysses, with the hecatomb, arriv'd at Chrysa's shore ;
And when amidst the hav'n's deep mouth, they came to use the oar,
They straight strook sail, then roll'd them up, and on the hatches
threw ; 425
The top-mast to the kelsine then, with halyards down they drew ;
Then brought the ship to port with oars ; then forked anchor cast ;
And, 'gainst the violence of storm, for drifting made her fast.
All come ashore, they all expos'd the holy hecatomb
To angry Phojbus, and, with it, Chryseis welcom'd home ; 430
4J2 fyring a term in falconry ; from tirer (French), to drag or pull. The
hawk was said to tire on her prey, when it was thrown at her, and she began to
pull at it and tear it. Hence, metaphorically, for being engaged caycrlyon any
thinfj. Shakespeare thus uses it ; Cymb. in. 4, Tim. of Athens, in. 6. NARES.
422 p or fa s enforced love for Briseis forced from him.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 17
Whom to her sire, wise Ithacus, that did at th' altar stand,
For honour led, and, spoken thus, resign'd her to his hand :
" Chryses, the mighty king of men , great Agamemnon, sends
Thy lov'd seed by my hands to thine ; and to thy God commends
A hecatomb, which my charge is to sacrifice, and seek 435
Our much-sigh-mix'd woe his recure, invok'd by ev'ry Greek."
Thus he resign'd her, and her sire receiv'd her highly joy'd.
About the well-built altar, then, they orderly employ'd
The sacred ofFring, wash'd their hands, took salt cakes ; and the priest,
"With hands held up toheav'n, thuspray'd : "0 thou that all things seest,
Fautour of Chrysa, whose fair hand doth guardfully dispose 441
Celestial Cilia, governing in all pow'r Tenedos,
O hear thy priest, and as thy hand, in free grace to my pray'rs,
Shot fervent plague-shafts through the Greeks, now hearten their affairs
With health renew'd, and quite remove th' infection from their blood." 445
He pray'd ; and to his pray'rs again the God propitious stood.
All, after pray'r, cast on salt cakes, drew back, kill'd, flay'd the beeves,
Cut out and dubb'd with fat their thighs, fair dress'd with doubled leaves,
And on them all the sweetbreads prick'd. The priest, with small sere wood,
Did sacrifice, pour'd on red wine ; by whom the young men stood, 450
And turu'd, in five ranks, spits ; on which (the legs enough) they eat
The inwards ; then in giggots cut the other fit for meat,
And put to fire ; which, roasted well they drew. The labour done,
They serv'd the feast in, that fed all to satisfaction.
Desire of meat and wine thus quench'd, the youths crown'd cups of wine
Drunk off, and fill'd again to all. That day was held divine, 456
433 Spoken thus. The second folio has " speaking thus."
436 Recure cure. His refers to cure our woe's recure.
441 Fautoui (Lat.) aider, favourer.
448 Dubb'd. From the French dauber. We use the word dabbed on now in the
same sense. Halliwell, in his Archaic Diet., quotes " Morte Arthure, MS. Line.
foo .
oo ;
" His dyademe was droppede downe
Dubbyde with stonys. "
1(52 Giggots quarters ; from French yigot.
VOL. I. B
18 THE FIRST BOOK
And spent in paeans to the Sun, who heard with pleased ear ;
When whose bright chariot stoop'd to sea, and twilight hid the clear,
All soundly on their cables slept, ev'n till the night was worn.
And when the lady of the light, the rosy-finger 'd Morn, 460
Rose from the hills, all fresh arose, and to the camp retir'd.
Apollo with a fore-right wind their swelling bark inspir'd.
The top-mast hoisted, milk-white sails on his round breast they put,
The mizens strooted with the gale, the ship her course did cut
So swiftly that the parted waves against her ribs did roar ; 465
Which, coming to the camp, they drew aloft the sandy shore,
Where, laid on stocks, each soldier kept his quarter as before.
But Peleus' son, swift-foot Achilles, at his swift ships sate,
Burning in wrath, nor ever came to councils of estate
That make men honour'd, never trod the fierce embattled field, 470
But kept close, and his lov'd heart pin'd, 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 ever-living gods mounted Olympus, Jove
First in ascension. Thetis then, remember'd well to move 475
Achilles' motion, rose from sea, and, by the morn's first light,
The great heav'n and Olympus climb'd ; where, in supremest height
Of all that many-headed hill, she saw the far-seen son
Of Saturn, set from all the rest, in his free seat alone.
Before whom, on her own knees fall'n, the knees of Jupiter 450
Her left hand held, her right his chin, and thus she did prefer
Her son's petition : " Father Jove ! If ever I have stood
Aidful to thee in word or work, with this implored good
464 Strooted swelled out. Halliwell spells it strout, which he says is still in use.
466 Aloft high up on.
471 << Eagerly desirous of what fight and cries could yield at all parts of the
host. The Greek is more simple : ' He ardently desired shout and war.' '
DE. COOKE TAYLOR.
476 The second folio reads " rose from the sea."
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 19
Requite my aid, renown my son, since in so short a race
(Past others) thou confin'st his life. An insolent disgrace 485
Is done him by the king of men ; he forc'd from him a prise
"Won with his sword. But thou, Jove, that art most strong, most wise,
Honour my son for my sake ; add strength to the Trojans' side
By his side's weakness in his want ; and see Troy amplified
In conquest, so much, and so long, till Greece may give again 490
The glory reft him, and the more illustrate the free reign
Of his wrong'd honour." Jove at this sate silent ; not a word
In long space pass'd him. Thetis still hung on his knee, implor'd
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 495
For fear of any ; speak, deny, that so I may be sure,
Of all heav'n's Goddesses 'tis I, that only must endure
Dishonour by thee." Jupiter, the great cloud-gath'rer, griev'd
With thought of what a world of griefs this suit ask'd, being achiev'd,
Swell'd, sigh'd, and answer'd : " Works of death thou urgest. 0, at this
Juno will storm, and all my pow'rs inflame with contumelies. 501
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. Begone then, lest she see ;
Leave thy request to my care ; yet, that trust may hearten thee 505
With thy desire's grant, and my pow'r to give it act approve
How vain her strife is, to thy pray'r 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 pow'rs else ; when my head bows, all heads bow with it still sio
As their first mover ; and gives pow'r to any work I will."
He said ; and his black eyebrows bent ; above his deathless head
Th' ambrosian curls flow'd ; great heav'n shook : and both were severed,
Their counsels broken. To the depth of Neptune's kingdom div'd
Thetis from heav'n's height ; Jove arose ; and all the Gods receiv'd 515
509 Rates ratifications.
20 THE FIRST BOOK
(A rising from their thrones) their Sire, attending to his court.
None sate when he rose, none delay'cl the furnishing his port
Till he came near ; all met with him, and brought him to his throne.
Nor sate great Juno ignorant, when she beheld alone
Old Nereus' silver-footed seed with Jove, that she had brought 520
Counsels to heav'n ; and straight her tongue had teeth in it, that
wrought
This sharp invective : " Who was that (thou craftiest counsellor
Of all the Gods) that so apart some secret did implore I
Ever, apart from me, thou loVst to counsel and decree
Things of more close trust than thou think'st are fit t' impart to me.
Whatever thou determin'st, I must ever be denied 520
The knowledge of it by thy will." To her speech thus replied
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, 530
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 cow's fair eyes,
Respected Juno, this return'd : " Austere king of the skies,
What hast thou utter'd ? When did I before this time inquire, 535
Or sift thy counsels 1 Passing close you are still. Your desire
Is serv'd with such care, that I fear you can scarce vouch the deed
That makes it public, being seduc'cl by this old sea-god's seed,
That could so early use her knees, embracing thine. I doubt,
The late act of thy bowed head was for the working out 540
Of some boon she ask'd ; that her son thy partial hand would please
With plaguing others." " Wretch ! " said he, " thy subtle jealousies
517 p urn lshing his port assuming a proper deportment.
5 - Nereus' silvcr-fooded seed Thetis.
533 With the cow's fair eyes Chapman has retained the original meaning of
the word /3otD7m, and, I think, rightly. Oxen have beautiful eyes irrespective
of their magnitude. In Bk. vn. 10, he translates it "that had her eyes so clear."
[OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 21
Are still exploring ; my designs can never 'scape thine eye,
Which yet thou never canst prevent. Thy curiosity
Makes thee less car'd for at my hands, and horrible the end 545
Shall make thy humour. If it be what thy suspects intend,
What then 1 'Tis my free will it should ; to which let way be giv'n
With silence. Curb your tongue in time ; lest all the Gods in heav'n
Too few be and too weak to help thy punish'd insolence,
When my inaccessible hands shall fall on thee." The sense 550
Of this high threat'ning made her fear, and silent she sate clown,
Humbling her great heart. All the Gods in court of Jove did frown
At this offence giv'n ; amongst whom heav'n's famous artizan,
Ephaistus, in his mother's care, this comely speech began :
" Believe it, these words will breed wounds, beyond our pow'rs to bear,
If thus for mortals ye fall out. Ye make a tumult here 5:.e
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 lov'd father Jove,
For fear he take offence again, and our kiud banquet prove soo
A wrathful battle. If he will, the heav'nly Light'ner can
Take you and toss you from your throne ; his pow'r 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 lov'd mother's hand sos
He put the double-handed 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 dang'rous to take part 570
543 Still exploring ever prying. 534 Ephaistus Vulcan.
559 Wisdom audience i. e. a hearing for his wisdom.
566 Double-handed so reads the second folio ; in the first it was " doiible-
handled." The Seiras afj.rf>iKVTT\\ov, however, was not a cup with two handles,
but which was held in the middle with a cup at each end.
22 THE FIRST BOOK
Against Olympius. I myself the proof of this still feel.
When other Gods would fain have help'd, he took me by the heel,
And hurl'd me out of heav'ii. All day I was in falling down ;
At length in Lemnos I strook earth. The likewise-falling sun
And I, together, set ; my life almost set too ; yet there 57*
The Sintii cheer'd and took me up." This did to laughter cheer
White- wristed Juno, who now took the cup of him, and smil'd.
The sweet peace-making draught went round, and lame Ephaistus fill'd
Nectar to all the other Gods. A laughter never left
Shook all the blessed deities, to see the lame so deft 530
At that cup service. All that day, ev'n 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
His most sweet harp, to which, with voice, the Muses pleas'd as much.
But when the sun's fair light was set, each Godhead to his house 535
Address'd for sleep, where every one, with art most curious,
By heav'n's great both-foot-halting God a sev'ral roof had built.
Ev'n he to sleep went, by whose hand heav'n is with lightning gilt,
High Jove, where he had us'd to rest when sweet sleep seiz'd his eyes ;
By him the golden-thron'd Queen slept, the Queen of deities. sao
580 Deft dexterous, neat.
587 Great botk-foot-kalting God Vulcan
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 23
COMMENTAEIUS.
'INGE I dissent from all other translators, and interpreters, that
ever assayed exposition of this miraculouspoem, 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 spirit's 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, and 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 and quicken his eternal poem)
hath inspired his chief persons with different spirits, most ingenious and
24 THE FIRST BOOK
inimitable characters, which not understood, how are their speeches,
being one by another as conveniently and necessarily known as the
instrument by the sound 1 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 off 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 the
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.
3. 'Aidi fpoia-^ev. di'dq; (being compounded ex d privativa, and s'/du,
video) signifies locus tenebricosus, or, according to Virgil, sine luce
domusj and therefore (different from others) I so convert it.
4. Kuv<r<r/n, otuvoTff! re 'Trust (A/6j, &c.) is the vulgar reading, which
I read xvvsaaiv wuvofifi re (vast A/o; fie n\siiro |8ouX,j)), because xaat
referred to xvviaaiv, &c., is redundant and idle ; to the miseries of the
Greeks by Jove's counsel, grave, and sententious.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 25
5. 'E ou bri TO. Kgura, &c., ex quo quidem primum : 'E o5 <5^ ra
veura } &c., ex 2o. Here our common readers would have tempore
understood, because /SouX?} (to which they think the poet must otherwise
have reference) is the feminine gender. But Homer understands
Jove ; as in Tau, verse 273, he expounds himself in these words :
a'XXa <sodi Z=:)j, &c., which Pindarus Thebanus, in his epitome of these
Iliad?, rightly observes in these verses :
" Conficiebat enim summi sententia Regis,'
Ex quo contulerant discordi pectore pugnas
Sceptriger Atrides, et bello clarus Achilles."
21. 'EffsupJjjtMjtfai' 'A^a/oi, comprobdrunt Greed all others turn it ;
but since sirsvpqfLsu signifies properly, fausta acclamatione do significa-
tionem approbation, 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.
37. 'A,&(//3/3?3x,a' a,uj27/3,3aw* signifies properly circumambulo, and
only nietaphorice protego, or tueor, as it is always in this place trans-
lated ; 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.
19T. Ilfo yao 9j/cs did \e\neuX6vos "H^. Prcemiserat enim Dea alba
ulnis Juno. Why Juno should send Pallas is a thing not noted by
any ; I therefore answer, because Juno is Goddess of state. The alle-
gory, therefore, in the prosopopoeia both of Juno and 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's fetching off, Juno commands the sun to go
down before his time, &c.
sec. n ig tpdro dcx.-/iov^suv : sic dixit lachrymans, &c. These tears
are called, by our commentators, unworthy, and fitter for children or
women than such a hero as Achilles ; and therefore Plato is cited in iii.
* Chapman meant dftfapdu, the obsolete, or radical, form of a^ifiaivu. ^
26 THE FIRST BOOK
de Rep-iib. where he saith, 'O*Quj; a^a, &c. Merita igitur clarorum
virorum ploratus medio tolleremus, &c. 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 ^Eneas,
Alexander the Great, &c.,) 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 par-
ticular tears of iinvented 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 re-
strained 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 Diomed wept for curst 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 curbed of
revenge for the wrong he received then. So when not-enough-vented
anger was not to be expressed enough by that tear-starting affection in
courageous and fierce men, our most accomplished expressor helps the
illustration in a simile of his fervour, in most fervent-spirited fowls,
resembling the wrathful fight of Sarpedon and Patroclus to two vul-
tures fighting, and crying on a rock ; which thus I have afterwards
Englished, and here for example inserted :
" Down jump'd he from his chariot ; down leap'd 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 btick by,
Tug both with crooked beaks and seres, cry, fight, and fight, and cry.
So fiercely fought these angry kings, &c."
Wherein you see that crying in these eagerly-fought fowls (which is
like tears in angry men) is so far from softness or faintness, that to the
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 27
superlative of hardiness and courage it expresseth both. Nor must we
be so gross to imagine that Homer made Achilles or Diomed blubber,
or sob, &c., but, in the very point and sting of their unvented anger,
shed a few violent and seething-over tears. What ass-like impudence
is it then for any merely vain-glorious and self-loving puff, that every-
where may read these inimitable touches of our Homer's mastery,
anywhere to oppose his arrogant and ignorant castigatious when he
should rather (with his much better understander Spondanus) submit
where he oversees him faulty, and say thus ; " Quia tu tamen hoc
voluisti, sacrosanctse tua3 authoritati per me nihil detrahetur."
THE END OF THE FIRST BOOS
THE SECOND BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
THE ARGUMENT.
JOVE calls a vision up from Somnus' den
To bid Atrides muster up his men.
The King, to Greeks dissembling his desire,
Persuades them to their country to retire.
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 Saturn's son performs the embassy.
ANOTHEE AEGOMENT.
Beta the dream and synod cites ;
And catalogues the naval knights.
HE other Gods, and knights at arms, all night slept ;
only Jove
Sweet slumber seiz'd not ; he discours'd 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 serv'd 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,
4 Miss absence, or loss.
3 Allowance approbation.
" A stirring dwarf we most allowance give
Before a sleeping giant."
SHAKESPEAEE. Troil. and Ores. n. 3.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 29
Pernicious Dream, and, being arriv'd in Agamemnon's tent,
Deliver truly all this charge. Command him to convent
His whole host arm'd before these tow'rs ; for now Troy's broad- way Yl
town
He shall take in ; the heav'n-hous'd Gods are now indifF rent grown :
Juno's request hath won them ; Troy now under imminent ills n
At all parts labours." This charge heard, the Vision straight fulfils ;
The ships reach'd, and Atrides' tent, in which he found him laid,
Divine sleep pour'd about his powers. He stood above his head
Like Nestor, grac'd of old men most, and this did intimate : 15
" Sleeps the wise Atreus' tame-horse son ? A councillor 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, Jove's messenger, who, though far off from thee,
Is near thee yet in ruth and care, and gives command by me 29
To arm thy whole host. Thy strong hand the broad-way'd town of
Troy
Shall now take in ; no more the Gods dissentiously employ
Their high-hous'd powers ; Juno's suit hath won them all to her ;
And ill fates overhang these tow'rs, address'd by Jupiter.
Fix in thy mind this, nor forget to give it action, when 25
Sweet sleep shall leave thee." Thus, he fled ; and left the king of men
Repeating in discourse his dream, and dreaming still, awake,
Of pow'r, not ready yet for act. O fool, he thought to take
In that next day old Priam's town ; not knowing what affairs
Jove bad in purpose, who prepar'd, by strong fight, sighs and cares so
For Greeks and Trojans. The Dream gone, his voice still murmured
About the king's ears ; who sate up, put on him in his bed
8 Convent convene. 10 Take, in conquer. Shakespeare.
"Is it not strange, Canidius,
He could so quickly cut th' Ionian sea,
And take, in Toryne ? " Anton, and Cleop. in. 7.
16 Tame-horse tamer of horses.
- Ruth pity, tender care. A word in use even in Milton's time.
24 Address'd prepared. A frequent word.
30 THE SECOND BOOK
His silken inner weed, fair, new ; and then in haste arose,
Cast on his ample mantle, tied to his soft feet fair shoes,
His silver-hilted sword he hung about his shoulders, took 35
His father's sceptre never stain'd, which then abroad he shook,
And went to fleet. And now great heav'n Goddess Aurora scal'd,
To Jove, and all Gods, bringing light ; when Agamemnon call'd
His heralds, charging them aloud to call to instant court
The thick-hair'd Greeks. The heralds call'd ; the Greeks made quick
resort. 40
The Council chiefly he compos'd of old great-minded men,
At Nestor's ships, the Pylian king. All there assembled then,
Thus Atreus' son began the court : " Hear, friends : A Dream divine,
Amidst the calm night in my sleep, did through my shut eyes shine,
Within niy fantasy. His form did passing naturally 45
Resemble Nestor ; such attire, a stature just as high.
He stood above my head, and words thus fashion'd did relate :
' Sleeps the wise Atreus' tame-horse son ] A councillor 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, so
Now hear me then, Jove's 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- way'd town of Troy
Shall now take in ; no more the God's dissentiously employ
Their high-hous'd pow'rs ; Saturnia's suit hath won them all to her ; 55
And ill fates over-hang these tow'rs, address'd by Jupiter.
Fix in thy mind this.' This express'd, 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-sail'd ships our flight ; GO
33 Weed dress. Now generally used for mourning, but formerly for any
dress. Thus Spenser,
"A goodlie ladie, clad in hunter's weed." F.Q. n. iii. 21.
00 Addictions will, inclinations.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 31
Which if they yield to, oppose you." He sate, and up arose
Nestor, of sandy Pylos king, who, willing to dispose
Their counsel to the public good, propos'd this to the state :
" Princes and Councillors of Greece, if any should relate
This vision but the king himself, it might be held a tale, 65
And move the rather our retreat ; but since our General
Affirms he saw it, hold it true, and all our best means make
To arm our army." This speech us'd, he first the Council brake ;
The other sceptre-bearing States arose too, and obey'd
The people's Rector. Being abroad, the earth was overlaid ro
"With fleckers to them, that came forth, as when of frequent bees
Swarms rise out of a hollow rock, repairing the degrees
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, 75
They still crowd out so ; this flock here, that there, belabouring
The loaded flow'rs ; so from the ships and tents the army's store
Troop'd to these princes and the court, along th' unmeasur'd shore ;
Amongst whom, Jove's ambassadress, Fame, in her virtue shin'd,
Exciting greediness to hear. The rabble, thus inclin'd, so
Hurried together ; uproar seiz'd the high court ; earth did groan
Beneath the settling multitude ; tumult was there alone.
Thrice-three vocif'rous heralds rose, to check the rout, and get
Ear to their Jove-kept governors ; and instantly was set
That huge confusion ; ev'ry man set fast, the clamour ceas'd. 85
Then stood divine Atrides up, and in his hand compress'd
His sceptre, th' elaborate work of fi'ry Mulciber,
Who gave it to Saturnian Jove ; Jove to his messenger ;
69 States rulers, persons of authority. .
1 Frequent numerous.
73 Repairing the degrees filling up the ranks.
18 Unmeasured immeasurable. Chapman commonly uses the past participle
thus.
85 TJtat huye confusion the second folio has "the huge confusion."
32 THE SECOND BOOK
His messenger, Argicides, to Pelops, skill'cl in horse ;
Pelops to Atreus, chief of men ; he, dying, gave it course 90
To prince Thyestes, rich in herds ; Thyestes to the hand
Of Agamemnon render'd it, and with it the command
Of many isles, and Argos all. On this he leaning, said :
" friends, great sons of Danaus, servants of Mars, Jove laid
A heavy curse on me, to vow, and bind it with the bent 95
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 raz'd, and will be razing still, 100
Men's footsteps from so many towns ; because his pow'r is most,
He will destroy most. But how vile such and so great an host
Will show to future times, that, match'd 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 105
Strike truce, and number both our pow'rs ; Troy taking all that be
Her arni'd inhabitants, and we, in tens, should all sit down
At our truce banquet, ev'ry ten allow'd one of the town
To fill his feast-cup ; many tens would their attendant want ;
So much I must affirm our pow'r exceeds th' inhabitant. no
But their auxiliary bands, those brandishers of spears,
From many cities drawn, are they that are our hinderers,
Not suffring well-rais'd Troy to fall. Nine years are ended now,
Since Jove our conquest vow'd ; 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 wreak'd our wrong, us
89 Argicides the slayer of Argus, Mercury.
90 Gave it course gave it in turn.
95 Bent bend, nod. See Bk. i. 575-6.
104 Putting on the crown concluding.
110 Inhabitant inhabiters, viz. of Troy ; the Trojans as distinguished from
their allies.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 33
And made us welcome, lies unwrought. Come then, as I bid, all
Obey, and fly to our lov'd home ; for now, nor ever, shall
Our utmost take-in broad-way'd Troy." This said, the multitude
Was all for home ; and all men else that what this would conclude 120
Had not discover'd. All the crowd was shov'd about the shore,
In sway, like rude and raging waves, rous'd with the fervent blore
Of th' east and south winds, when they break from Jove's clouds, and
are borne
On rough backs of th' Icarian seas : or like a field of corn
High grown, that Zephyr's vehement gusts bring eas'ly underneath, 125
And make the stiff up-bristled ears do homage to his breath ;
For ev'ii so eas'ly, with the breath Atrides us'd, was sway'd
The violent multitude. To fleet with shouts, and disarray'd,
All rush'd ; and, with a fog of dust, their rude feet dimm'd the day ; 129
Each cried to other, ' Cleanse our ships, come, launch, aboard, away.'
The clamour of the runners home reach'd heav'n ; and then, past fate,
The Greeks had left Troy, had not then the Goddess of estate
Thus spoke to Pallas : " foul shame, thou untam'd seed of Jove,
Shall thus the sea's broad back be charg'd with these our friends' remove,
Thus leaving Argive Helen here, thus Priam grac'd, thus Troy, 135
In whose fields, far from their lov'd own, for Helen's sake, the joy
And life of so much Grecian birth is vanish'd ? Take thy way
T' our brass-arm'd people, speak them fair, let not a man obey
The charge now giv'n, nor launch one ship." She said, and Pallas did
As she commanded ; from the tops of heav'n's steep hill she slid, 140
And straight the Greeks' swift ships she reach'd ; Ulysses (like to Jove
In gifts of counsel) she found out ; who to that base remove
Stirr'd not a foot, nor touch'd a ship, but griev'd at heart to see
That fault in others. To him close the blue-eyed Deity
Made way, and said : " Thou wisest Greek, divine Laertes' son, 145
Thus fly ye homewards to your ships ? Shall all thus headlong run ?
12-j p erven f Hore raging gale, blast.
132 Goddess of estate chief Goddess, Juno.
VOL. I. C
34 THE SECOND BOOK
Glory to Priam tlius ye leave, glory to all his friends,
If thus ye leave her here, for whom so many violent ends
Have clos'd your Greek eyes, and so far from their so loved home.
Go to these people, iise no stay, with fair terms overcome iso
Their foul endeavour, not a man a flying sajl let hoice."
Thus spake 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 follow'd him, took up. Himself to Agamemnon went, 155
His incorrupted sceptre took, his sceptre of descent,
And with it went about the fleet. What prince, or man of name,
He found flight-giv'n, he would restrain with words of gentlest blame :
" Good sir, it fits not you to fly, or fare as one afraid,
You should not only stay yourself, but see the people staid. ico
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 spake in council ; nor durst press too near oxir General,
Lest we incens'd him to our hurt. The anger of a king 105
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 us'd ; the worst, whose spirits brake out in noise,
He cudgell'd with his sceptre, chid, and said : " Stay, wretch, be still,
And hear thy betters ; thou art base, and both in pow'r and skill no
Poor and unworthy, without name in council or in war.
We must not all be kings. The rule is most irregular,
Where many rule. One lord, one king, propose to thee ; and he,
To whom wise Saturn's son hath giv'n both law and empery
To rule the public, is that king." Thus ruling, he restrain'd ITJ
The host from flight ; and then again the Council was maintain'd
With such a concourse, that the shore rung with the tumult made ;
151 Hoice hoise, hoist ; thus printed for rhyme's sake.
16S Sceptre of descent which had descended to him from his father, see v. 36.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 35
As when the far-resounding sea doth in its rage invade
His sandy confines, whose sides groan with his involved wave,
And make his own breast echo sighs. All sate, and audience gave, iso
Thersites only would speak all. A most disorder'd store
Of words he foolishly pour'd 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. iss
But he the filthiest fellow was of all that had deserts
In Troy's brave siege ; he was squint-ey'd, and lame of either foot ;
So crook-back'd, that he had no breast ; sharp-headed, where did shoot
(Here and there spers'd) thin mossy hair. He most of all envied
Ulysses and ^Eacides, whom still his spleen would chide. uw
Nor could the sacred King himself avoid his saucy vein ;
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 would'st thou more
of us?
Thy tents are full of brass ; and dames, the choice of all, are thine, 195
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 would'st thou yet again
Force from some other lord his prise, to soothe the lusts that reign 200
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. base Greeks, deserving infamy,
And ills eternal ! Greekish girls, not Greeks, ye are ! Come, fly
Home with our ships ; leave this man here to perish with his preys, 205
And try if we help'd him or not ; he wrong'd a man that weighs
Far more than he himself in worth ; he forc'd from Thetis' son,
And keeps his prise still. Nor think I that mighty man hath won
sos p rC ys booty. See Judges, ch. v. ver. 30.
36 THE SECOND BOOK
The style of wrathful worthily'; he's soft, he's too remiss ;
Or else, Atrides, liis had been thy last of injuries." 210
Thus he the people's Pastor chid ; but straight stood up to him
Divine Ulysses, who, with looks exceeding grave and grim,
This bitter check gave : " Cease, vain fool, to vent thy railing vein
On kings thus, though it serve thee well; nor think thou canst restrain,
With that thy railing faculty, their wills in least degree ; 215
For not a worse, of all this host, came with our King than 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. 221
Nor is it that thou stand'st on ; thou revil'st our Gen'ral so,
Only because he hath so much, not giv'n by such as thou
But our heroes. Therefore this thy rude vein makes me vow
Which shall be curiously observ'd) if ever I shall hear 225
This madness from thy mouth again, let not Ulysses bear
This head, nor be the father call'd 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 affect'st to rail." This said, his insolence 230
He settled with his sceptre ; strook his back and shoulders so
That bloody wales rose. He shrunk round; and from his eyes did flow
Moist tears, and, looking filthily, he sate, fear'd, smarted, dried
His blubber'd cheeks ; and all the prease, though griev'd to be denied
Their wish'd retreat for home, yet laugh'd delightsomely, and spake
Either to other : " ye Gods, how infinitely take 236
225 Curiously scrupulously, carefully.
230 This glory thou affect'st to rail the sense (somewhat complicated) seems :
" This glory to rail thou a/cctest," this vaunted railing power you make preten-
sions to.
234 p rc asc press, crowd.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 37
Ulysses' virtues in our good ! Author of counsels, great
In ord'ring 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 sov'reign merit, 240
Exempt from such base tongues as his." Thus spake the people ; then
The city-razer Ithacus stood up to speak again,
Holding his sceptre. Close to him gray-eyed Minerva stood,
And, like a herald, silence caus'd, that all the Achive brood
(From first to last) might hear and know the counsel ; when, inclin'd
To all their good, Ulysses said : " Atrides, now I find -245
These men would render thee the shame of all men ; nor would pay
Their own vows to thee, when they took their free and honour'd way
From Argos hither, that, till Troy were by their brave hands rac'd,
They would not turn home. Yet, like babes, and widows, now they
haste -j-pii
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,
Tortur'd with winter's storms, and toss'd with a tumultuous sea,
Grows heavy, and would home. Us then, to whom the thrice-three year
Hath fill'd his revoluble orb since our arrival here, 250
I blame not to wish home much more ; yet all this time to stay,
Out of our judgments, 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 f'ail'd to send to hell)
That when in Aulis, all our fleet assembled with a freight
Of ills to Ilion and her friends, beneath the fair grown height
A platane bore, about a fount, whence crystal water flow'd, ->
And near our holy altar, we upon the Gods bestow'd
249 Rac'd razed.
258 Out of our judgments against our inclinations.
38 THE SECOND BOOK
Accomplish'd hecatombs ; and there appear'd a Luge 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 plataue clinib'd, and ruthless crash'd to death 270
A sparrow's young, in number eight, that in a top-bough lay
Hid under leaves ; the dam the ninth, that hover'd every way,
Mourning her lov'd birth, till at length, the serpent, watching her,
Her wing caught, and devour' d her too. This dragon, Jupiter,
That brought him forth, turn'd to a stone, and made a pow'rful mean
To stir our zeals up, that admir'd, when of a fact so clean, zi&
Of all ill as our sacrifice, so fearful an cstent
Should be the issue. Calchas, then, thus prophesied th' event
' Why are ye dumb-strook, fair-hair'd Greeks ? Wise Jove is he hath
shown
This strange ostent to us. 'Twas late, and passing lately done, 2so
But that grace it foregoes to us, for suffring 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 rav'nous war, and, in the tenth, take-in this broad- way'd town.' 2ss
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 honour'd with." This said,
The Greeks gave an unmeasur'd shout ; which back the ships repaid
With terrible echoes, in applause of that persuasion 201
Divine Ulysses us'd ; which yet held no comparison
With Nestor's next speech, which was this : " shameful thing t ! Ye talk
Like children all, that know not war. In what air's region walk
Our oaths, and cov'naiits ? Now, I see the fit respects of men 295
Are vaiiish'd quite ; our right hands giv'n, our faiths, our counsels vain,
281 That grace it foregoes to us the favour it foretells to us.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 39
Our sacrifice with, wine, all fled in that profaned flame
\Ve made to bind all ; for thus still we vain persuasions frame,
And strive to work our end with words, not joining stratagemes
And hands together, though, thus long, the pow'r of our extremes 300
Hath urg'd us to them. Atreus' son, firm as at first hour stand !
Make good thy purpose ; talk no more in councils, 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 sos
Be false or true. I tell them all, that high Jove bow'd his head,
As first we went aboard our fleet, for sign we should confer
These Trojans their due fate and death ; almighty Jupiter
All that day darting forth his flames, in an unmeasur'd light,
On our right hand. Let therefore none once dream of coward flight,
Till (for his own) some wife of Troy he sleeps withal, the rape 311
Of Helen wreaking, and our sighs enforc'd for her escape.
If any yet dare dote on home, let his dishonour'd haste
His black and well-built bark but touch, that (as he first disgrac'd
His country's spirit) fate, and death, may first his spirit let go. 315
But be thou wise, king, do not trust thyself, but others. Know
I will not use an abject word. See all thy men array 'd
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 sev'ral then, 320
Easy for note. And then shalt thou, if thou destroy'st not Troy,
Know if the prophecy's defect, or men thou dost employ
300 Extremes necessities.
301 Croivninrj fulfilment of purpose.
307 Confer these Trojans confer on.
313 Escape frequently used for transgression of female virtue, thus Shake-
speare,
"Rome will despise her for this foul escape." Titus And. iv. 2.
10 In several severally, separately.
40 THE SECOND BOOK
In their approv'd arts want in war, or lack of that brave heat
Fit for the vent'rous spirits of Greece, was cause to thy defeat."
To this the king of men replied : " father, all the sons 325
Of Greece thou conquer'st in the strife of consultations.
I would to Jove, Athenia, and Phoebus, I could make,
Of all, but ten such counsellors ; then instantly would shake
King Priam's city, by our hands laid hold on and laid waste.
But Jove hath order'd I should grieve, and to that end hath cast sso
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 victuals all,
That strong Mars all may bring to field. Each man his lance's steel
See sharpen'd well, his shield well lin'd, his horses meated well, sac
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 targeteers must all be steep'd in sweat ;
The lancer's arm must fall dissolv'd ; our chariot-horse with heat ^o
Must seem to melt. But if I find one soldier take the chace,
Or stir from fight, or fight not still fix'd in his enemy's face,
Or hid a-ship-board, 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 s-r>
The waves make, when the south wind comes, and tumbles them before
Against a rock, grown near the strand which diversely beset
Is never free, but, here and there, with varied uproars beat.
All rose then, rushing to the fleet, perfum'd their tents, and eat ;
Each off'ring to th' immortal gods, and praying to 'scape the heat a;o
Of war and death. The king of men an ox of five years' spring
T' almighty Jove slew, call'd the peers ; first Nestor ; then the king
Idomeneus ; after them th' Ajaces ; and the son
Of Tydeus ; Ithacus the sixth, in counsel paragon
341 Take the chace take to flight.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 41
To Jove himself. All these he bade ; but at-a-martial-cry 355
Good Menelaus, since he saw his brother busily
Employ'd at that time, would not stand on invitation,
But of himself came. All about the off' ring overthrown
Stood round, took salt-cakes, and the king himself thus pray'd for all :
" O Jove, most great, most glorious, that, in that starry hall, soo
Sitt'st 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 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." sos
He pray'd ; Jove heard him not, but made more plentiful the birth
Of his sad toils, yet took his gifts. Pray'rs past, cakes on they threw ;
The ox then, to the altar drawn, they kill'd, and from him drew
His hide, then cut him up, his thighs, in two hewn, dubb'd with fat,
Prick'd on the sweetbreads, and with wood, leaveless, and kindled at sro
Apposed fire, they burn the thighs ; which done, the inwards, slit,
They broil'd on coals and eat ; the rest, in giggots cut, they spit,
Pioast cunningly, draw, sit, and feast ; nought lack'd to leave allay'd
Each temp'rate appetite ; which serv'd, Nestor began and said :
" Atrides, most grac'd king of men, now no more words allow, 375
Nor more defer the deed Jove vows. Let heralds summon now
The brazen-coated Greeks, and us range ev'rywhere the host,
To stir a strong war quickly up." This speech no syllable lost ;
The high-voic'd heralds instantly he charg'd to call to arms
The curl'd-head Greeks j they call'd ; the Greeks straight answer'd
their alarms. 330
The Jove-kept kings, about the king all gather'd, with their aid
Eang'd all in tribes and nations. With them the gray-eyed Maid
355 At-a-martial-cry good Menelaus good at a shout ; BOTJJ' fryaObs is the
epithet of Menelaus.
364 In interest of on account of, &c.
378 This speech no si/liable lost i. e. Agamemnon attended to every syllable of
the speech.
3 - 2 Gray-eyed Maid Minerva.
42 THE SECOND BOOK
Great jEgis (Jove's bright shield) sustain'd, that can be never old,
Never corrupted, fring'd about with serpents forg'd of gold,
As many as suffic'd to make an hundred fringes, worth 385
An hundred oxen, ev'ry snake all sprawling, all set forth
With wondrous spirit. Through the host with this the Goddess ran,
In fury casting round her eyes, and furnish'd ev'ry man
With strength, exciting all to arms, and fight incessant. None
Now liked their lov'cl homes like the wars. And as a fire upon 390
A huge wood, on the heights of hills, that far off hurls his light ;
So the divine brass shin'd on these, thus thrusting on for fight,
Their splendour through the air reach'd heav'n. And as about the flood
Caister, in an Asian mead, flocks of the airy brood,
Cranes, geese, or long-neck'd swans, here, there, proud of their pinions fly,
And in their falls lay out such throats, that with their spirit ful cry ssts
The meadow shrieks again ; so here, these many-nation'd men
Flow'd over the Scaniandrian 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 400
Of flow'rs, or leaves bred in the spring ; or thick as swarms of flies
Throng then to sheep-cotes, when each swarm his erring wing applies
To milk dew'd on the milk-maid's pails ; all eagerly dispos'd
To give to ruin th' Ilians. And as in rude heaps clos'd,
Though huge goatherds are at their food, the goatherds eas'ly yet 405
Sort into sundry herds ; so here the chiefs in battle set
Here tribes, here nations, ord'ring all. Amongst whom shin'd the king,
With eyes like lightning-loving Jove, his forehead answering,
In breast like Neptune, Mars in waist. And as a goodly bull
Most eminent of all a herd, most wrong, most masterful, 410
So Agamemnon, Jove that day made overheighten clear
That heav'n-bright army, and preferr'd to all th' heroes there.
Now tell me, Muses, you that dwell in heav'uly roofs, (for you
Are Goddesses, are present here, are wise, and all things know,
396 In their falls when they alight.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 43
We only trust the voice of fame, know nothing,) who they were 415
That here were captains of the Greeks, commanding princes here.
The multitude exceed my song, though fitted to my choice
Ten tongues were, hardeu'd palates ten, a breast of brass, a voice
Infract and trump-like ; that great work, unless the seed of Jove,
The deathless Muses, undertake, maintains a pitch above 4:10
All mortal pow'rs. The princes then, and navy that did bring
These so inenarrable troops, and all their soils, I sing.
THE CATALOGUE OF THE GRECIAN SHIPS AND CAPTAINS.
Peneluus, and Leitus, all that Bceotia bred,
Arcesilaus, Clonius, and Prothoenor, led ;
Th' inhabitants of Hyria, and stony Aulida, -us
Schsene, Scole, the hilly Eteon, and holy Thespia,
Of Groea, and great Mycalesse, that hath the ample plain,
Of Harma, and Ilesius, and all that did remain
In Eryth, and in Eleon, in Hylen, Peteona,
In fair Ocalea, and, the town well-builded, Medeona,
Copas, Eutresis, Thisbe, that for pigeons doth surpass,
Of Coroneia, Haliart, that hath such store of grass,
All those that in Platsea dwelt, that Glissa did possess,
And Hypothebs, whose well-built walls are rare and fellowless,
In rich Onchestus' famous wood, to wat'ry Neptune vow'd, 4:;-,
And Arne, where the vine-trees are with vigorous bunches bow'd,
With them that dwelt in Midea, and Nissa most divine,
All those whom utmost Anthedon did wealthily confine.
From all these coasts, in general, full fifty sail were sent ;
And six score strong Boeotian youths in every burthen went. 440
But those who in Aspledon dwelt, and Minian Orchomen,
God Mars's sons did lead (Ascalaphus and lalmen)
Who in Azidon Actor's house did of Astyoche come ;
The bashful maid, as she went up into the higher room,
44 THE SECOND BOOK
The "War-god secretly compress'd. In safe conduct of these, 44i
Did thirty hollow-bottom'd barks divide the wavy seas.
Brave Schedius and Epistrophus, the Phocian captains were,
(Naubolida-Iphitus' sons) all proof 'gainst any fear ;
With them the Cyparissiaus went, and bold Pythonians,
Men of religious Chrysa's soil, and fat Daulidians, 450
Panopseans, Anemores, and fierce Hyampolists ;
And those that dwell where Cephisus casts up his silken mists ;
The men that fair Lilsea held, near the Cephisian spring ;
All which did forty sable barks to that designment bring.
About th' entoil'd Phocensian fleet had these their sail assign'd ; 455
And near to the sinister wing the arm'd Boeotians shin'd.
Ajax the less, Oileus' son, the Locrians led to war ;
Not like to Ajax Telamon, but lesser man by far,
Little he was, and ever wore a breastplate made of linne,
But for the manage of his lance he gen'ral praise did win. 400
The dwellers of Caliarus, of Bessa, Opoe'n,
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 sail'd withal.
Who near Eubcca's blessed soil their habitations had, 405
Strength-breathing Abants, who their seats in sweet Euboca made,
The Histia?ans rich in grapes, the men of Chalcida,
The Cerinths bord'ring on the sea, of rich Eretria,
Of Dion's highly-seated town, Charistus, and of Styre,
All these the duke Alphenor led, a flame of Mars's fire, 470
Surnam'd 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 breastplates of their enemies, and reach their dearest hearts.
459 Breastplate made of linne made of flax ;
470 .Duke leader. The translators of the Bible retained this word in mention-
ing Esau's descendants, Gen. xxxvi.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 45
Forty black men of war did sail in this Alphenor's charge. 475
The soldiers that in Athens dwelt, a city builded large,
The people of Eristhius, whom Jove-sprung Pallas fed,
And plenteous-feeding Tellus brought out of her flow'ry bed ;
Him Pallas placed in her rich fane, and, ev'ry ended year,
Of bulls and lambs tli' Athenian youths please him with off'rings there ;
Mighty Menestheus, Peteus' son, had their divided care ; 4si
For horsemen and for targeteers 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 4sr,
Great Ajax brought twelve sail, that with th' Athenians did combine.
"Who did in fruitful Argos dwell, or strong Tiryntha keep,
Hermion, or in Asinen whose bosom is so,deep,
Troezena, Eion, Epidaure where Bacchus crowns his head,
.fEgina, and Maseta's soil, did follow Diomed, 490
And Sthenelus, the dear-lov'd son of famous Capaneus,
Together with Euryalus, heir of Mecisteus,
The king of Talseonides ; past whom in deeds of war,
The famous soldier Diomed of all was held by far.
Four score black ships did follow these. The men fair Mycene held,
The wealthy Corinth, Cleon that for beauteous site excell'd, 4us
Arathyrea's lovely seat, and in Ornia's plain,
And Sicyona, where at first did king Adrastus reign,
High-seated Gonoessa's towers, and Hyperisius,
That dwelt in fruitful Pellenen, and in divine ^Egius, soo
With all the sea-side borderers, and wide Helice's friends,
To Agamemnon ev'ry town her native birth commends,
In double-fifty sable barks. With him a world of men
Most strong and full of valour went, and he in triumph then
477 Eristhius Erectheus in the original.
496 j) r Taylor has printed "siyht," whereas if he had consulted the original
he would have seen that Chapman meant "site." ('Eu KTI/J.&OLS re KXewws. )
46 THE SECOND BOOK
Put on his most resplendent arms, since lie did overshine 505
The whole heroic host of Greece, in pow'r of that design.
Who did in Lacedasmon's rule th' unmeasur'd concave hold,
High Pharis, Sparta, Messe's tow'rs, for doves so much extoll'd,
Bryseia's and Augia's grounds, strong Laa, Oetylon,
Amyclas, Helos' harbour-town, that Neptune beats upon, 510
All these did Menelaus lead (his brother, that in cries
Of war was famous). Sixty ships convey'd these enemies
To Troy in chief, because their king was chiefly injur'd there,
In Helen's rape, and did his best to make them buy it dear.
Who dwelt in Pylos' sandy soil, and Arene the fair, MS
In Thryon, near Alpheus' flood, and Aepy full of air,
In Cyparisseus, Amphigen, and little Pteleon,
The town where all the Iliots dwelt, and famous Doreon,
Where all the Muses, opposite, in strife of poesy,
To ancient Thamyris of Thrace, did use him cruelly, 520
(He coming from Eurytus' court, the wise CEchalian king,)
Because he proudly durst affirm he could more sweetly sing
Than that Pierian 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 disfurnisbed his hand. KS
All these in ninety hollow keels grave Nestor did command.
The richly-blest inhabitants of the Arcadian land
Below Cyllene's mount (that by Epytus' tomb did stand)
Where dwelt the bold near-fighting men, who did in Phrcneus live,
And Orchomen, where flocks of sheep the shepherds clust'ring drive,
In Ripe, and in Stratie, the fair Mantinean town, 531
And strong Enispe, that for height is ever weather-blown,
Tegea, and in Styniphalus, Parrhasia strongly wall'd,
All these Alcseus' son to field (king Agapenor) call'd ;
In sixty barks he brought them on, and ev'ry bark well-mann'd :
With fierce Arcadians, skill'd to use the utmost of a band.
511 His brother Agamemnon's.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 47
*
King Agamemnon, on these men, did well-built ships bestow
To pass the gulfy purple sea, that did no sea rites know.
They who in Hermin, Buphrasis, and Elis, did remain,
What Olen's cliffs, Alisius, and Myrsin did contain, 540
Were led to war by twice-two dukes (and each ten ships did bring,
Which many vent'rous Epians did serve for burthening,)
Beneath Amphimachus's charge, and valiant Thalpius,
(Son of Eurytus-Actor one, the other Cteatus,)
Diores Amaryncides the other did employ, MS
The fourth divine Polixenus (Agasthenes's joy).
The king of fair Angeiades, who from Dulichius came,
And from Echicaus' sweet isles, which hold their holy frame
By ample Elis region, Meges Phylides led ;
Whom duke Phyleus, Jove's belov'd, begat, and whilome fled 550
To large Dulichius, for the wrath that fir'd his father's breast.
Twice-twenty ships with ebon sails were in his charge address'd.
The warlike men of Cephale, and those of Ithaca,
Woody Neritus, and the men of wet Crocylia,
Sharp jEgilipa, Samos' isle, Zacynthus sea inclos'd, sss
Epirus, and the men that hold the continent oppos'd,
All these did wise Ulysses lead, in counsel peer to Jove ;
Twelve ships he brought, which in their course vermilion sterns did move.
538 Agamemnon furnished ships for the Arcadians, as they were an inland
people, and " did no sea rites Icnow."
544 Dr. Taylor has printed this and the following line, thus :
(Son of Eurytus-Actor one, the next of Cteatus)
Diores Amaryncides the third ships did employ.
This is not authorized by either of the folios. The first has
Son of Eurytus-Actor one ; the other Cteatus ;
Diores Amarincides the other did employ.
The second folio inline 544, with its usual typographical inaccuracy, omits "the
other." The first folio is correct one, son of Eurytus-Actor ; the other, son
of Cteatus-Actor. Cteatus and Eurytus were sons of Actor, and are mentioned
in bk. XI. 622, 661. The Scholiast says Amphimachus was son of Cteatus,
and Thalpius son of Eurytus. It is hardly necessary to remark that Chapman
is wrong in the quantity of Eurytus, as in many proper names ; but,5perhaps,
he thought this a poetical license.
48 THE SECOND BOOK
Thoas, Andremon's well-spoke son, did guide th' j3tolians well,
Those that in Pleuron, Olenon, and strong Pylene dwell, seo
Great Chalcis, that by sea-side stands, and stony Calydon. ;
(For now no more of (Eneas' sons surviv'd ; they all were gone ;
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, th' ^Itolians' chief he was, 505
And forty ships to Trojan wars the seas with him did pass.
The royal soldier Idomen did lead the Cretans stout,
The men of Gnossus, and the town Gortyna wall'd about,
Of Lictus, and Miletus' tow'rs, of white Lycastus' state,
Of Phaestus, and of Rhytius, the cities fortunate, sro
And all the rest inhabiting the hundred towns of Crete ;
Whom warlike Idomen did lead, co-partner in the fleet
With kill-man Merion. Eighty ships with them did Troy invade.
Tlepolemus Heraclides, right strong and bigly made,
Brought nine tall ships of war from Rhodes, which haughty Rhodians
manii'd, ;>~a
Who dwelt in three dissever'd parts of that most pleasant land,
Which Lyndus and Jalissus were, and bright Camirus, cali'd.
Tlepolemus commanded these, in battle unappall'd ;
Whom fair Astyoche brought forth, by force of Hercules,
Led out of Ephyr with his hand, from river Sellees, 530
When many towns of princely youths he levell'd with the ground.
Tlepolem, in his father's house (for building much renown'd)
Brought up to headstrong state of youth, his mother's brother slew,
The flow'r of arms, Licymnius, that somewhat aged grew ;
Then straight he gather'd him a fleet, assembling bands of men, 585
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, driv'n in with tempests rude.
587 The Alciden fortitude a pleonasm for Hercules himself.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 49
The Khodians were distinct in tribes, and great with Jove did stand,
The King of men and Gods, who gave much treasure to their land, eao
Nireus out of Syrna's hav'n three well-built barks did bring ;
Nireus, fair Aglaia's son, and Charopes' the king ;
Nireus was the fairest man that to fair Ilion came
Of all the Greeks, save Peleus' son, who pass'd for gen'ral frame ;
But weak this was, not fit for war, and therefore few did guide. 595
Who did in Cassus, Nisyrus, and Crapathus, abide,
In Co, Eurypylus's town, and in Calydna's soils,
Phidippus and bold Antiphus did guide to Trojan toils,
(The sons of crowned Thessalus, deriv'd from Hercules)
Who went with thirty hollow ships well-order'd to the seas. eoo
Now will I sing the sackful troops Pelasgian Argos held,
That in deep Alus, Alope, and soft Trechina dwell'd,
In Phthia, and in Hellade where live the lovely dames,
The Myrmidons, Hellenians, and Achives, rob'd of fames ;
All which the great J^acides in fifty ships did lead. eos
For these forgat war's horrid voice, because they lack'd their head
That would have brought them bravely forth ; but now at fleet did lie
That wind-like user of his feet, fair Thetis' progeny,
Wroth for bright- cheek'd Briseis' loss, whom from Lyrnessus' spoils
(His own exploit) he brought away as trophy of his toils, eio
When that town was depopulate ; he sunk the Theban tow'rs ;
Myneta, and Epistrophus, he sent to Pluto's bow'rs,
Who came of king Evenus' race, great Helepiades
Yet now he idly lives enrag'd, but soon must leave his ease.
Of those that dwelt in Phylace, and flow'ry Pyrason ei -,
The wood of Ceres, and the soil that sheep are fed upon
Iton, and Antron built by sea, and Pteleus full of grass,
Protesilaus, while he liv'd, the worthy captain was,
Whom now the sable earth detains ; his tear-torn-faced spouse
He woful left in Phylace, and his half-finish'd house ; 620
594 Pass' d surpassed. 695 This Nireus.
VOL. I. D
50 THE SECOND BOOK
A fatal Dardan first his life, of all the Greeks, bereft,
As lie was leaping from his ship ; yet were his men unleft
Without a chief, for though they wish'd to have no other man
But good Protesilay their guide, Podarces yet began
To govern them, (Iphitis' son, the son of Phylacus) 625
Most rich in sheep, and brother to short-liv'd Protesilaus,
Of younger birth, less, and less strong, yet serv'd he to direct
The companies, that still did more their ancient duke affect.
Twice-twenty jetty sails with him the swelling stream did take.
But those that did in Pheres dwell, at the Brebeian lake, eso
In Bcebe, and in Glaphyra, laolcus builded fair,
In thrice-six ships to Pergamus did through the seas repair,
With old Admetus' tender son, Eumelus, whom he bred
Of Alcest, Pelius' fairest child of all his female seed.
The soldiers that before the siege Methone's vales did hold, 035
Thaumacie, flow'ry Melibce, and Olison the cold,
Duke Philoctetes' governed, in darts of finest sleight ;
Sev'n vessels in his charge convey 'd their honourable freight,
By fifty rowers in a bark, most expert in the bow ;
But he in sacred Lemnos lay, brought miserably low ew
By torment of an ulcer grown with Hydra's poison'd blood,
Whose sting was such, Greece left him there in most impatient mood ;
Yet thought they on him at his ship, and choos'd, to lead his men,
Meclon, Oileus' bastard son, brought forth to him by Rhen.
From Tricce, bleak Ithomen's cliffs, and hapless Oechaly, MS
(Eurytus 1 city, rul'd by him in wilful tyranny,)
In charge of jEsculapius' sons, physician highly prais'd,
Machaon, Podalirius, were thirty vessels rais'd.
Who near Hyperia's fountain dwelt, and in Ormenius,
The snowy tops of Titanus, and in Asterius, 050
Evemon's son, Eurypylus, did lead into the field ;
Whose towns did forty black-sail'd ships to that encounter yield.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 51
Who Gyrton, and Argissa, held, Orthen, and Elon's seat,
And chalky Oloossone, were led by Polypcete,
The issue of Pirithous, the son of Jupiter. ess
Him the Athenian Theseus' friend Hippodamy did bear,
When he the bristled savages did give Eamnusia,
And drove them out of Pelius, as far as ^Ithica.
He came not single, but with him Leonteus, Coron's son,
An arm of Mars, and Coron's life Gene' us' seed begun. eco
Twice-twenty ships attended these. Guneus next did bring
From Cyphus twenty sail and two ; the Enians following ;
And fierce Pereebi, that about Dodone's frozen mould
Did plant their houses ; and the men that did the meadows hold,
Which Titaresius decks with flow'rs, and his sweet current leads 605
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 ; for 'tis the flood of Styx,
By which th' immortal Gods do swear. Teuthredon's honour'd birth,
Prothous, led the Magnets forth, who near the shady earth ero
Of Pelius, and Pene'ion, dwelt ; forty revengeful sail
Did follow him. These were the dukes and princes of avail
That came from Greece. But now the man, that overshin'd them all,
Sing, Muse ; and their most famous steeds to my recital call,
That both th' Atrides followed. Fair Pheretiades 075
The bravest mares did bring by much ; Eumelius manag'd these,
Swift of their feet as birds of wings, both of one hair did shine,
Both of an age, both of a height, as measur'd by a line,
Whom silver-bow'd Apollo bred in the Pierian mead,
Both slick and dainty, yet were both in war of wondrous dread. eso
Great Ajax Telamon for strength pass'd all the peers of war,
While vex'd Achilles was away ; but he surpass'd him far.
680 Slide sleek, smooth.
52 THE SECOND BOOK
The horse that bore that faultless man were likewise past compare ;
Yet lay he at the crook'd-stern'd ships, and fury was his fare,
For Atreus' son's ungracious deed ; his men yet pleas'd their hearts ess
With throwing of the holed 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 princes' tents their chariots held, that richly cover'd were.
His princes, amorous of their chief, walk'd storming here and there ego
About the host, and scorn'd to fight ; their breaths as they did pass
Before them flew, as if a fire fed on the trembling grass ;
Earth under-groan'd their high-rais'd feet, as when offended Jove,
In Ariine, Typhceius with rattling thunder drove
Beneath the earth ; in Arime, men say, the grave is still, eos
Where thunder tomb'd Typhoeius, and is a monstrous hill ;
And as that thunder made earth groan, so groan'd it as they past,
They trod with such hard-set-down steps, and so exceeding fast.
To Troy the rainbow-girded Dame right heavy news relates
From Jove, as all to council drew in Priam's palace-gates, 700
Eesembling 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 jEsyetes' tomb ; and this did Iris show :
" O Priam, thou art always pleas'd with indiscreet advice, rou
And fram'st 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. no
683 Faultless man Achilles.
686 Th row i n g O f the holed stone in the Greek, playing at quoits.
690 Amorous of their chief ardently desiring their chief,' viz., to lead them to
battle.
699 Iris<
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 53
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 ev'ry leader then
Bring forth well-arin'd into the field his sev'ral bands of men."
Strong Hector knew a Deity gave charge to this assay, ri5
Dismiss'd the council straight ; like waves, clusters to arms do sway ;
The ports are all wide open set ; out rush'd 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,
A little distant, in a plain trod down with divers ways, 720
Which men do Batieia call, but the Immortals name
Myrine's famous sepulchre, the wondrous active dame.
Here were th' auxiliary bands, that came in Troy's defence,
Distiuguish'd under sev'ral guides of special excellence.
The duke of all the Trojan pow'r great helm-deck'd Hector was, 725
Which stood of many mighty men well-skill'd in darts of brass.
JEneas of commixed seed (a Goddess with a man,
Anchises with the Queen of love) the troops Dardanian
Led to the field ; his lovely sire in Ida's lower shade
Begat him of sweet Cyprides ; he solely was not made 730
Chief leader of the Dardan pow'rs, Antenor's valiant sons,
Archilochus and Acarnas, were join'd companions.
Who in Zelia dwelt beneath the sacred foot of Ide,
That drank of black .ZEsepus' stream, and wealth made full of pride,
The Aphnii, Lycaon's son, whom Phrebus gave his bow, 735
Prince Pandarus did lead to field. Who Adrestinus owe,
Apesus' city, Pityse, and mount Tereies,
Adrestus and stout Amphius led ; who did their sire displease,
(Merops Percosius, that excell'd all Troy in heaVnly skill
Of futures-searching prophecy) for, much against his will, 740
His sons were agents in those arms ; whom since they disobey'd,
The fates, in letting slip their threads, their hasty valours stay'd.
736 Owe own.
54 THE SECOND BOOK
Who in Percotes, Practius, Arisba, did abide,
Who Sestus and Abydus bred, Hyrtacides did guide ;
Prince Asius Hyrtacides, that, through great Selees' force, 745
Brought from Arisba to that fight the great and fiery horse.
Pylaeus, and Hippothous, the stout Pelasgians led,
Of them Larissa's fruitful soil before had nourished ;
These were Pelasgian Pithus' sons, son of Teutamidas.
The Thracian guides were Pirous, and valiant Acamas, rso
Of all that the impetuous flood of Hellespont enclos'd.
Euphemus, the Ciconian troops, in his command dispos'd,
Who from Trcezenius-Ceades right nobly did descend.
Pyrsechmes did the Peeons rule, that crooked bows do bend ;
.From Axius, out of Arnydon, he had them in command, -:,:,
From Axius, whose most beauteous stream still overflows the land.
Pytamen with the well-arm'd heart, the Paphlagonians led,
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 extoll'd, 700
From Cromna and ^Egialus, the men that arms did bear,
And Erythinus situate high, Pylamen's soldiers were.
Epistrophus and Dius did the Halizonians guide,
Far-fetch'd from Alybe, where first the silver mines were tried.
Chromis, and augur Ennomus, the Mysians did command, 705
Who could not with his auguries the strength of death withstand,
But suffer'd it beneath the stroke of great ^Eacides,
In Xanthus ; where he made more souls dive to the Stygian seas.
Phorcys, and fair Ascanius, the Phrygians brought to war,
Well train'd for battle, and were come out of Ascania far. 770
With Methles, and with Antiphus, (Pylsemen's sons) did fight
The men of Meion, whom the fen Gygrea brought to light,
And those Meionians that beneath the mountain Tmolus sprung.
The rude unletter'd Caribte, that barbarous were of tongue,
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 55
Did under Nastes' colours inarch, and young Amphiniachus, 775
(Nomion's famous sons) to whom, the mountain Phthirorus
That with the/amous wood is crown'd, Miletus, Mycales
That hath so many lofty marks for men that love the seas,
The crooked arms Meeander bow'd with his so snaky flood,
Eesign'd for conduct the choice youth of all their martial brood. rso
The fool Amphiniachus, to field, brought gold to be his wrack,
Proud-girl-like that doth ever bear her dow'r upon her back ;
Which wise Achilles mark'd, slew him, and took his gold in strife,
At Xanthus' flood ; so little Death did fear his golden life.
Sarpedon led the Lycians, and Glaucus unreprov'd, 735
From Lycia, and the gulfy flood of Xanthus far remoVd.
785
v'd irreproachable.
56 THE SECOND BOOK
COMMENTAKIUS.
72.
'y Ture s6vta, &c. Sicut examina prodeunt apuin frequentium, &c.
JL A In this 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 :
I. ^Eneid, 430.
f
" Qualis apes sestate nova per florea rura
Exercet sub sole labor ; cum gentis adultos
Educunt foetus ; aut cum liquentia mella
Stipant ; efc dulci distendunt nectare cellas ;
Aut onera accipiunt venientum ; aut, agmine facto,
Ignavum fucos pecus a prsesepibus arcent :
!Fervet opus, redolentque 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 rnaligners),
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 Homer's ; which laid by a man, that which he addeth is only
the work of a woman, to netify 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 jXadov, ca-
tervatim, or confertim, which is noted by Spondanus to contain all the
c, reddition, or application of the comparison, and is nothing so.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 57
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 their throngs of soldiers expressed in the swarms of
bees, he intimates the infinite number in those throngs or companies,
issuing from fleet so ceaselessly 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,
Avith 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 is as absurd as the rest ;
which is this, Si ea inter se omnino responderent, falleret illud axioma,
nulhtm simile est idem ; as though the general application of the com-
pared 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
all one 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 serves to the illustration and ornament
of a poem, lame of a foot, and idle 1 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 strait
and deep places, when in his open and fair passages they halt and hang
back so.
275. Tov fjLiv aolfyXov 6rixiv Qsog, &c., hunc quidem clarum (or illus-
trem) fecit Deus, as it is by all translated ; wherein I note the strange
abuse (as I apprehend it) of the word ao/^jjXoc, beginning here, and
continuing wheresoever it is found in these Iliads. It is by the transi-
tion of into (3 in derivation, according to the Doric ; for which cause
our interpreters will needs have Homer intend dg/driXog, which is clarus
58 THE SECOND BOOK
or illustris, when he himself saith do'itykos, which is a compound of det,
which is valde, and fao:, and signifies, quern valde cemulamur, or valde
wmulandus, according to Scapula. But because ?jXo is most authen-
tically expounded, impetus mentis ad cultum diviimm, that exposition I
follow in this place, and expound rlv fjLsv dgifyXov &YIKIV &tbg } hunc
qindem magnum impulsum ad cultum divinum fecit Deus ; because he
turned so suddenly and miraculously the dragon to a stone. To make it
detor)\ov. and say clarum or illustrem fecit Deus qui ostendit, or osten-
derat, 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
shoived this, showed it. One way it observes the word (betwixt which,
and the other, you see what great difference) and is fair, full, grave ;
the other alters the original, and is ugly, empty, idle.
355. Avro/^aro; & o'l qXSi /3o^x dyadbs Mets\aos, &c. Spontaneus
autem ei venit voce bonus Menelausj and some say lello strenuus
Menelaus, which is far estranged from the mind of our Homer, /3oj
signifying vociferatio, or clamor, though some will have it pugna, ex
consequent}, because fights are often made loith clamour. But in bello
strenuus (unless it be ironically taken) is here strained beyond sufferance,
and is to be expounded vociferatione bonus Menelaus j which agreeth
with that part of his character in the next book, that telleth his manner
of utterance or voice, which is fj,aXd Ar/euc, valde stridule, or arguto cum
stridore, \iytuc, being commonly and most properly taken in the worse
part, and signifieth shrilly, or noiscfully, squeaking; howsoever in the
vulgar conversion it is in that place most grossly abused. To the con-
sideration 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 sceptically) 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 several places, I will, as I
can in haste, give you him here together as Homer at all parts presents
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 59
him ; viz. simple, well-meaning, standing still affectedly on telling truth,
small, and shrill voice, (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 lellator 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 son, a most ingenious, valiant, and excellently formed 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, than 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, &c., is far from the
variant order of nature, whose principle being contrary, her productions
must needs contain the like opposition.
But now to the first ; auropaTos ds 01 fafc, &c., spontaneus autem ei
venit, &c., about which a passing great piece of work is picked out by
our greatest philosophers, touching the unbidden coming of Menelaus to
supper or council, which some commend, others condemn in him ; but
the reason why he staid not the invitement, rendered immediately by
Homer, none of them will understand, \iz.,"Hdt* yao xard duftov, &c.,
sciebat enim in animo quantum f rater labor abatj of which verse his in-
terpreters 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 above said) the fountain
of his humour. For thus I expound it (laying all again together, to
make it plain enough for you) ; Agamemnon, inviting all the chief
60 THE SECOND BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
commanders to supper, left out Ins 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 scoptice,
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, et locum declit proverbio, qui ad consilium dandum
accessisset non vocatus. 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 council, as in the reason for it ironically rendered, that
he knew his brother was busy, &c. And yet that addition, without
which the very sense of our poet is not safe, our interpreters would have
rased.
THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK.
THE THIRD BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
THE ARGUMENT.
PARIS, 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, and all she brought to Troy,
If he subdu'd ; else Paris should enjoy
Her, and her wealth, in peace. Conquest doth grant
Her dear wreath to the Grecian combatant ; t
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 lover's foul disgrace offends ;
Yet Venus still for him 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.
HEN ev'ry least commander's will best soldiers had obey'd,
And both the hosts were rang'd for fight, the Trojans
would have fray'd
The Greeks with noises, crying out, in coming rudely on ;
At all parts like the cranes that fill, with harsh confusion,
* His brave bravado, boasting speech, or challenge. A very frequent word,
t Her dear wreath the wreath, or victor's crown, the sign of conquest. Here
put for Helen herself.
62 THE THIRD BOOK
Of brutish clanges all the air, and in ridiculous war 5
(Eschewing the unsuffer'd storms, shot from the winter's star)
Visit the ocean, and confer the Pygmei soldiers' death.
The Greeks charg'd silent, and like men, bestow'd their thrifty breath
In strength of far-resounding blows, still entertaining care
Of cither's rescue, when their strength did their engagements dare. 10
And as, upon a hill's steep tops, the south wind pours a cloud,
To shepherds thankless, but by thieves, that love the night, allow'd,
A darkness letting down, that blinds a stone's cast off men's eyes ;
Such darkness from the Greeks' swift feet (made all of dust) did rise.
But, ere stern conflict mix'd both strengths, fair Paris stept before is
The Trojan host ; athwart his back a panther's hide he wore,
A crooked bow, and sword, and shook two brazen-headed darts ;
"With which well-arm'd, his tongue provok'd the best of Grecian hearts
To stand with him in single fight. Whom when the man, wrong'd most
Of all the Greeks, so gloriously saw stalk before the host ; 20
As when a lion is rejoic'd, (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 pursu'd
With dogs and men ; so Sparta's king exulted, when he view'd
The fair-fac'tl Paris so expos'd to his so thirsted wreak, >:>
Whereof his good cause made him sure. The Grecian front did break,
And forth he rush'd, at all parts arm'd, leapt from his chariot,
And royally prepar'd for charge. Which seen, cold terror shot
5 Clanges so both the folios. Dr. Taylor has printed clangour. I have re-
tained the old reading, as Chapman probably meant it for the plural of danye
or clang.
6 Unsuffer'd insufferable. 7 Confer see Bk. n. 307.
7 Pygmei Pygmy, the battle of the Cranes and Pygmies.
12 Thankless not liked by, not grateful to.
12 Attow'd liked by, approved of.
" heavens
If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
Allow obedience." SHAKESPEARE. Lear,u. 4.
13 That Hinds a stone's cast off men's eyes that prevents one seeing beyond a
stone's throw.
^ Gloriously loastinyly. - 5 So thirsted wreak so desired revenge.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 63
The heart of Paris, who retir'd as headlong from the king
As in him he had shunn'd his death. And as a hilly spring so
Presents a serpent to a man, full underneath his feet,
Her blue neck, swoln with poison, rais'd, and her sting out, to greet
His heedless entry, suddenly his walk he altereth,
Starts back amaz'd, is shook with fear, and looks as pale as death ;
So Menelaus Paris scar'd ; so that divine-fac'd foe 35
Shrunk in his beauties. Which beheld by Hector, he let go
This bitter check at him : " Accurs'd, made but in beauty's scorn,
Impostor, woman's man ! heav'n, that thou hadst ne'er been born,
Or, being so manless, never liv'd to bear man's noblest state,
The nuptial honour ! Which I wish, because it were a fate 40
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 ev'ry shade of good 45
Tills it with ill ! for as thou art, thou couldst collect a brood
Of others like thee, and far hence fetch ill enough to us,
Ev'n 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 1 But 'twas well ; for in him thou hadst tried 51
What strength lost beauty can infuse, and with the more grief died
To feel thou robb'dst a worthier man, to wrong a soldier's right.
Your harp's sweet touch, curl'd locks, fine shape, and gifts so exquisite,
Giv'n thee by Venus, would have done your fine dames little good, 55
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
30 As in him as if in him. 39 Manless unmanly, cowardly. Bk. ix. 64.
42 Monster strange sight, prodigy ; as we say, a show.
47 Dr. Taylor, following the second folio, has incorrectly printed "fetched."
53 Robb'dst hadst robbed.
64 THE THIRD BOOK
In thee hath terrified our host ; for which thou well deserv'st
A coat of tombstone, not of steel in which, for form, thou serv'st." 69
To this thus Paris spake, (for form, that might inhabit heav'ii)
" Hector, because thy sharp reproof is out of justice giv'n,
I take it well ; but though thy heart, inur'd to these affrights,
Cuts through them as an axe through oak, that more us'd more excites
The workman's faculty, whose art can make the edge go far, cs
Yet I, less practis'd than thyself in these extremes of war,
May well be pardon'd, though less bold ; in these your worth exceeds,
In others mine. Nor is my mind of less force to the deeds
Requir'd in war, because my form more flows in gifts of peace.
Reproach not, therefore, the kind gifts of golden Cy prides. 70
All heav'n's gifts have their worthy price ; as little to be scorn'd
As to be won with strength, wealth, state ; with which to be adorn'd,
Some men would change state, wealth, or strength. But, if your martial
heart
Wish me to make my challenge good, and hold it such a part
Of shame to give it over thus, cause all the rest to rest, 75
And, 'twixt both hosts, let Sparta's king and me perform our best
For Helen 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 ; so
You dwelling safe in gleby Troy, and Greeks retire their force
T' Achaia, that breeds fairest dames, and Argos, fairest horse."
He said, and his amendsful words did Hector highly please,
Who rush'd betwixt the fighting hosts, and made the Trojans cease,
By holding up in midst his lance. The Grecians noted not 85
The signal he for parley used, but at him fiercely shot,
Hurl'd stones, and still were levelling darts. At last the king of men,
Great Agamemnon, cried aloud : " Argives ! for shame, contain ;
60 A coat of tombstone. The expression to put on a coat of stone was a Greek
mode of speaking of those who were stoned. Similarly to put on the earth
(yalav efoatTacrOat) was a term for burial.
78 Equal dooms just decisions, judgments.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 65
Youths of Acliaia, shoot no more ; the fair-helm'd Hector shows
As he desir'd to treat with us." This said, all ceas'd from blows, oo
And Hector spake to both the hosts : " Trojans, and hardy Greeks,
Hear now what he that stirr'd 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 dow'r she brought to Troy ; and he that wins the day, 05
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 Greek host woucler'd at this brave ; silence flew ev'rywhere ;
At last spake Sparta's warlike king : " Now also give me ear, 100
Whom grief gives most cause of reply. I now have hope to free
The Greeks and Trojans of all ills, they have sustaiii'd for me,
And Alexander, that was cause I stretch'd my spleen 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. 105
Go then (to bless your champion, and give his pow'rs 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 Priam's force, because we well approve no
His sons perfidious, envious, and (out of practis'd bane
To faith, when she believes in them) Jove's high truce may profane.
All young men's hearts are still unstaid ; but in those well-weigh'd T deeds
An old man will consent to pass things past, and what succeeds
He looks into, that he may know, how best to make his way nr>
Through both the fortunes of a fact, and will the worst obev."
O to
This granted, a delightful hope, both Greeks and Trojans fed,
Of long'd-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 plac'd them on the ground,
103 Alexander Paris. no Priam's force see Bk. ir. 587.
VOL. 1. E
66 THE THIRD BOOK
Near one another ; for the space 'twixt both the hosts was small. 121
Hector two heralds sent to Troy, that they from thence might call
King Priam, and to bring the lambs, to rate the trnce they swore.
But Agamemnon to the fleet Talthybius sent before,
To fetch their lamb ; who nothing slack'd the royal charge was giv'n.
Iris, the rain-bow, then came down, ambassadress from heav'n, 120
To white-arm 'd Helen. She assum'd at every part the grace
Of Helen's last love's 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 iso
With Helicaon, royal sprout of old Antenor's seed.
She found queen Helena at home, at work about a weed,
Wov'n for herself ; it shiii'd 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 brass-arm'd Greece endur'd 135
For her fair sake, by cruel Mars and his stern friends procur'd.
Iris came in in joyful haste, and said : " come with me,
Lov'd nymph, and an admired sight of Greeks and Trojans see,
Who first on one another brought a war so full of tears,
Ev'n. thirsty of contentious war. Now ev'ry man forbears, 1-10
And friendly by each other sits, each leaning on his shield,
Their long and shining lances pitch'd fast by them in the field.
Paris, and Sparta's king, alone must take up all the strife ;
And he that conquers only call fair Helena his wife."
Thus spake the thousand-colour'd Dame, and to her mind commends
The joy to see her first espous'd, her native tow'rs, and friends ; 146
Which stirr'd a sweet desire in her ; to serve the which she hied,
Shadow'd 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) iso
Season'd with tears her joys to see more joys the more offence,
And that perfection could not flow from earthly excellence.
123 Rate see Bk. I. 508. J - 8 Helens last love's sister Paris's sister.
,
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 67
Thus went slie forth, and took with her her women most of name,
yEthra, Pittheus' lovely birth, and Clymene, whom fame
Hath for her fair eyes memoris'd. They reach'd the Scsean tow'rs,
Where Priam sat, to see the light, with all his counsellors ; ise
Panthous, Lampus, Clytius, and stout Hicetaon,
Thymoetes, wise Antenor, and profound Ucalegon ;
All grave old men ; and soldiers they had been, but for age
Now left the wars ; yet counsellors they were exceeding sage. 100
And as in well-grown woods, on trees, cold spiny grasshoppers
Sit chirping, and send voices out, that scarce can pierce our ears
For softness, and their weak faint sounds ; so, talking on the tow'r,
These seniors of the people sat ; who when they saw the pow'r
Of beauty, in the queen, ascend, ev'n those cold-spirited peers, 105
Those wise and almost wither'd men, found this heat in their years,
That they were forc'd (though whispering) to say : " What man can
blame
The Greeks and Trojans to endure, for so admir'cl a dame,
So many mis'ries, and so long '? In her sweet count'nance shine
Looks like the Goddesses. And yet (though never so divine) iro
Before we boast, unjustly still, of her enforced prise,
And justly suffer for her sake, with all our progenies,
Labour and ruin, let her go ; the profit of our land
Miist pass the beauty." Thus, though these could bear so fit a hand
On their affections, yet, when all their gravest powers were us'd, irs
They could not choose but welcome her, and rather they accus'd
The Gods than beauty ; for thus spake the most-fam'd king of Troy :
" 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. iso
Come, do not think I lay the wars, endur'd by us, on thee,
The Gods have sent them, and the tears in which they swum to me.
161 Spiny Nares says he never met with this word. Thin, thorny -looking.
It is peculiarly expressive here.
68 THE THIRD BOOK
Sit then, and name this goodly Greek, so tall, and broadly spread,
AVho than the rest, that stand by him, is higher by the head
The bravest man I ever saw, and most majestical, IM
His only presence makes me think him king amongst them all."
The fairest of her sex replied : " Most rev'rend father-in-law,
Most lov'd, most fear'd, would some ill death had seiz'd me, when I saw
The first mean why I wrong'd you thus ; that 1 had never lost
The sight of these my ancient friends, of him that lov'd me most, 100
Of my sole daughter, brothers both, with all those kindly mates,
Of one soil, one age, born with me, though under diffrent fates !
But these boons 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 : 19.1
That's Agamemnon, Atreus' son, the great in empery ;
A king, whom double royalty doth crown, being great and good,
And one that was my brother-in-law, when I contain'd my blood,
And was more worthy ; if at all I might be said to be,
My being being lost so soon in all that honour'd me." 200
The good old king admir'd, and said : " Atreus' blessed son,
Born unto joyful destinies, that hast the empire won
Of such a world of Grecian youths, as I discover here !
I once march'd into Phrygia, that many vines doth bear,
Where many Phrygians 1 beheld, well-skill'd in use of horse, 205
That of the two men, like two Gods, were the commanded force,
Otreus, and great Mygdonus, who on Sangarius' sands
Set down their tents, with whom" myself, for my assistant bands,
"Was number'd as a man in chief ; the cause of war was then
Th' Amazon dames, that in their facts affected to be men. 210
In all there was a mighty pow'r, which yet did never rise
To equal these Achaian youths, that have the sable eyes."
186 Onl;/ presence his mere appearance.
194 Pines causes to waste.
198 Contained my blood restrained my passions.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 69
Then (seeing Ulysses next) he said : " Lov'd daughter, what is he
That, lower than great Atreus' son, seems by the head to me,
Yet, in his shoulders and big breast, presents a broader show 1 215
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 feltred ram, he shows,
That walks before a wealthy flock of fair white-fleeced ewes." 220
High Jove and Leda's fairest seed to Priam thus replies :
" This is the old Laertes' son, Ulysses, call'd the wise ;
Who, though unfruitful Ithaca was made his nursing seat,
Yet knows he every sort of sleight, and is in counsels great."
The wise Antenor answer'd her : " 'Tis true, renowmed dame ; ^o
For, some times past, wise Ithacus to Troy a legate came,
With Menelaus, for your cause ; to whom I gave receipt
As guests, and welcom'd to my house, with all the love I might.
I learn'd the wisdom of their souls, and humours of their blood ;
Tor when the Trojan council met, and these together stood, 220
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 born Laconical ; nor would 235
His humour lie for anything, or was, like th' other, old ;
But when the prudent Ithacus did to his counsels rise,
He stood a little still, and fix'd upon the earth his eyes,
His sceptre moving neither way, but held it formally,
Like one that vainly cloth affect. Of wrathful quality, 24)
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,
219 Feltred matted close together, like felt : applied to the wool.
223 Mood disposition, a sense in which it is used by Shakespeare and others.
70 THE THIRD BOOK
None thenceforth might contend with him, tho' nought admir'd for show."
The third man, aged Priam mark'd, was Ajax Telamon, 245
Of whom he ask'd : " What lord is that, so large of limb and hone,
So rais'd in height, that to his breast I see there reacheth none 1 "
To him the Goddess of her sex, the large- veil'd Helen, said :
" That Lord is Ajax Telamon, a bulwark in their aid.
On th' other side stands Idomen, in Crete of most command, 250
And round about his royal sides his Cretan captains stand ;
Oft hath the warlike Spartan king giv'n hospitable due
To him within our Lacene court, and all his retinue.
And now the other Achive dukes I gen'rally discern ;
All which I know, and all their names could make thee quickly learn.
Two princes of the people yet, I nowhere can behold, 250
Castor, the skilful knight on horse, and Pollux, uncontroll'd
For all stand-fights, and force of hand ; both at a burthen bred ;
My natural brothers ; either here they have not followed
From lovely Sparta, or, arriv'd within the sea-born fleet, 200
In fear of infamy for me, in broad field shame to meet."
Nor so ; for holy Tellus' womb inclos'd those worthy men
In Sparta, their beloved soil. The voiceful 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 goat-skin bottle clos'd ; Idseus also brought 206
A massy glitt'ring bowl, and cups, that all of gold were wrought ;
Which bearing to the king, they cried : " Son of Laomedoii
Rise, for the well-rode peers of Troy, and brass-arm'd Greeks, in one,
Send to thee to descend the field, that they firm vows may make ; 2:0
For Paris, and the Spartan king, must fight for Helen's sake,
With long arm'd 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." 275
259 Natural by the same father and mother.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 71
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 Scsean ports to field, the swift-foot horse they drive.
And when at them of Troy and Greece the aged lords arrive, asi
From horse, on Troy's well-feeding soil, ''twixt both the hosts they go.
When straight up-rose the king of men, up-rose Ulysses too,
The heralds in their richest coats repeat (as was the guise)
The true vows of the Gods (term'd theirs, since made before their eyes)
Then in a cup of gold they mix the wine that each side brings, asc
And next pour 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 290
Of execration to their heads, that brake the plighted truce)
The heralds of both hosts did give the peers of both ; and then,
With hands and voice advanc'd to heav'n, thus pray'd the king of men :
" Jove, that Ida dost protect, and hast the titles won.
Most glorious, most invincible ; and thou all-seeing Sun, 295
All-hearing, all-recomforting ; Floods ; Earth ; and Pow'rs beneath,
That all the perjuries of men chastise ev'n after death !
Be witnesses, and see perform'd the hearty vows we make.
If Alexander shall the life of Menelaus take,
He shall from henceforth Helena, with all her wealth, retain, 300
And we will to our household Gods, hoise sail, and home again.
If, by my honour'd brother's hand, be Alexander slain,
The Trojans then shall his forc'd 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, m
When Alexander shall be slain ; for that perfidious deed,
And for the fine, will I fight here, till dearly they repay,
By death and ruin, the amends, that falsehood keeps away."
72 THE THIRD BOOK
This said, the throats of both the lambs cut with his royal knife,
He laid them panting on the earth, till, quite depriv'd of life, 310
The steelhadrobb'd them of their strength ; then golden cups they crown'd,
With wine out of a cistern drawn ; which pour'd upon the ground,
They fell upon their humble knees to all the Deities,
And thus pray'd one of both the hosts, that might do sacrifice :
" Jupiter, most high, most great, and all the deathless Pow'rs !
Who first shall dare to violate the late sworn oaths of ours, sic
So let the bloods and brains of them, and all they shall produce,
Flow on the stain'd face of the earth, as now this sacred juice ;
And let their wives with bastardice brand all their future race."
Thus pray'd they ; but, with wish'd effects, their pray'rs Jove did not grace ;
When Priam said : " Lords of both hosts, I can no longer stay 321
To see my lov'd son try his life, and so must take my way
To wind-exposed Ilion. Jove yet and heav'u's 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 ;
Antenor to him ; and to Troy, both take their speedy course. 320
Then Hector, Priam's martial son, stepp'd forth, and met the ground,
With wise Ulysses, where the blows of combat must resound ;
Which done, into a helm they put two lots, to let them know
Which of the combatants should first his brass-pil'd jav'lin throw ; 330
When all the people standing by, with hands held up to heav'n,
Pray'd Jove the conquest might not be by force or fortune giv'n,
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) 335
Link'd fast in leagues of amity, that might dissolve no more.
Then Hector shook the helm that held the equal dooms of chance,
Look'd back, and drew ; and Paris first had lot to hurl his lance.
The soldiers all sat down enrank'd, each by his arms and horse 339
That then lay down and cool'd their hoofs. And now th' allotted course
327 Met meted, measured. 33 Brass-inlcd brass-pointed.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 73
Bids fair-hair'd Helen's husband arm ; who first makes fast his greaves
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 fasten'd it,
All damask'd, underneath his arm ; his shield then grave and great ai5
His shoulders wore and on his head his glorious helm he set,
Topp'd with a plume of horse's hair, that horribly did dance,
And seem'd to threaten as he mov'd ; at last he takes his lance,
Exceeding big, and full of weight, which he with ease could use.
In like sort, Sparta's warlike king himself with arms indues. 350
Thus arm'd 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 j where wraths, for hugeness mute,
And mutual, made them mutually at either shake their darts 355
Before they threw. Then Paris first with his long jav'lin parts;
It smote Atrides' orby targe, but ran not through the brass,
For in it (arming well the shield) the head reflected was.
Then did the second combatant apply him to his spear,
Which ere he threw, he thus besought almighty Jupiter : 300
" Jove ! Vouchsafe me now revenge, and that niy enemy,"!
For doing wrong so undeserv'd, may pay deservedly
The pains he forfeited ; and let these hands inflict those pains,
By conqu'ring, ay, by conqu'ring dead, him on whom life complains ;
That any now, or any one of all the brood of men 3Sa
To live hereafter, may with fear from all offence abstain,
Much more from all such foul offence to him that was his host,
And entertain'd him as the man whom he affected most."
This said, he shook and threw his lance ; which strook through Paris'
shield,
343 Curets cuirass. Sometimes spelt curace, curat, and cur let.
345 Damask'd inlaid.
v 358 Reflected turned back.
74 THE THIRD BOOK
And, with the strength he gave to it, it made the curets yield, sro
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 follow'd with his sword, drawn from a silver sheath,
"Which lifting high, he strook his helm full where his plume did stand,
On which it piecemeal brake, and fell from his unhappy hand. 375
At which he sighing stood, and star'd upon the ample sky,
And said : " Jove, there is no God giv'n more illiberally
To those that serve thee than thyself, why have I pray'd in vain ]
I hop'd my hand should have reveng'd, the wrongs I still sustain, ss
On him that did them, and still dares their foul defence pursue ;
And now my lance hath miss'd his end, my sword in shivers flew,
And he 'scapes all." With this, again he rush'd 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, 386
(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 lin'd that which the needle wove,
And was the tough thong of a steer ; and so the victor's palm 391
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 shouts. Again then he intends
To force the life-blood of his foe, and ran on him amain, 395
With shaken jav'lin ; when the Queen, that lovers loves, again
Attended, and now ravish'd him from, that encounter quite,
With ease, and wondrous suddenly ; for she, a Goddess, might.
374 Taint a term at tilting, when the blow or thrust, given by the lance,
failed in its effect. Halliwell explains it " injuring a lance without breaking
it ; " Gifford, " breaking a staff, but not in the most honourable manner."
Chapman however frequently uses it to express simply a thrust with a spear.
393 _ Wkcn the Queen, itc. "This place Virgil iinitateth." CHAPMAN..
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 75
She hid him in a cloud of gold, and never made him known,
Till in his chamber, fresh and sweet, she gently set him down, *oo
And went for Helen ; whom she found in Seaea's utmost height,
To which whole swarms of city dames had climb'd to see the sight.
To give her errand good success, she took on her the shape
Of beldame Grtea, who was brought by Helen, in her rape,
From Lacedsemon, and had trust in all her secrets still, t&
Being old, and had (of all her maids) the main bent of her will,
And spun for her her finest wool. Like her, Love's Empress came,
Pull'd Helen by the heav'uly veil, and softly said : " Madame,
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, 411
So fresh, and movingly attir'd, 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, 415
White neck, and most enticing breasts, the deified disguise.
At which amaz'd, she answered her : " Unhappy Deity !
Why lov'st thou still in these deceits to wrap my phantasy ?
Or whither yet, of all the towns giv'n to their lust beside,
In Phrygia, or Mseonia, com'st thou to be my guide, 420
If there (of divers-Ian guag'd men) thou hast, as here in Troy,
Some other friend to be my shame ; since here thy latest joy
By Menelaus now subdu'd, 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 I 4j:>
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 heav'n, 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 servant's place, 430
404 Bddamc formerly'a term of respect for an old woman.
76 THE THIRD BOOK
If, all dishonourable ways, yoiir favours seek to serve
His never-pleas'd incontinence ; I better will deserve,
Than serve his dotage now. What shame were it for me to feed
This lust in him ; all honour'd dames would hate me for the deed !
He leaves a woman's love so sham'd, and shows so base a mind, 435
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,
Replied : "Incense me not, you wretch, lest, once inceus'd, I leave
Thy curs'd life to as strange a hate, as yet it may receive 440
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 strook the lair dame with such fear, it took her speech away,
And, shadow'd in her snowy veil, she durst not but obey ; no
And yet, to shun the shame she fear'd, she vanish'd undescried
Of all the Trojan ladies there, for Venus was her guide.
Arriv'd at home, her women both fell to their work in haste ;
When she, that was of all her sex the most divinely grac'd, 450
Ascended to a higher room, though much against her will,
Where lovely Alexander was, being led by Venus still.
The laughter-loving Dame discern'd her mov'd mind by her grace,
And, for her mirth' sake, set a stool, full before Paris' face,
Where she would needs have Helen sit ; who, though she durst not
choose 455
But sit, yet look'd away for all the Goddess' pow'r could use,
And used her tongue too, and to chide whom Venus sooth'd so much,
And chid, too, in this bitter kind : " And was thy cowardice such,
So conquer'd, to be seen alive ? would to God, thy life
Had perish'd by his worthy hand, to whom I first was wife ! 400
Before this, thou wouldst glorify thy valour and thy lance,
And, past my first love's, boast them far. Go once more, and advance
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 77
Thy braves against his single pow'r ; this foil might fall by chance.
Poor conquer'd man ! 'Twas such a chance, as I would not advise
Thy valour should provoke again. Shun him, thou most unwise, 465
Lest next, thy spirit sent to hell, thy body be his prise."
He answer'd : " Pray thee, woman, cease, to chide and grieve me thus.
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 4to
The hate of fortune ? In love's fire, let all hates vanish. Come,
Love never so inflam'd my heart ; no, not when, bringing home
Thy beauty's so delicious prise, on Cranae's blest shore]
I long'd for, and enjoy'd thee first." With this he went before,
She after, to the odorous bed. While these to pleasure yield, 475
Perplex'd Atrides, savage-like, rau up and down the field, j
And ev'ry thickest troop of Troy, and of their far-call'd aid,
Search'd for his foe, who could not be by any eye betray'd ; :
Nor out of friendship (out of doubt) did they conceal his sight,
All hated him so like their deaths, and ow'd him such despite. 4o
At last thus spake the king of men : " Hear me, ye men of Troy, I
Ye Dardans, and the rest, whose pow'rs 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, 43;
Yield us an honour'd recompense, and, all that should accrue
To our posterities, confirm ; that when you render it,'
Our acts may here be memoris'd." This all Greeks else thought fit.
78 THE THIRD BOOK
COMMENTARIES.
126.
' gig 5' ceiJtf' 'EXfi/>j, &c. Iris autem Helene, &c. 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, enviously and most
vainly, Scaliger's Criticus taxeth ; which was her relation to Priam of
the persons he noted there ; jesting (with his French wit) at this Greek
father, and fount, of all wit, for making Priam to sesk now of their
names and knowledges, when nine years together they had lien there
before. A great piece of necessity to make him therefore know them
before, when there was no such urgent occasion before to bring Priam
to note them, nor so calm a convenience in their ordered and quiet dis-
tinction ! But let this 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 his Criticus hath the project impudence
to tax Homer ; most falsely repeating his words too ; saying libi ningit,
when he saith, nfyuv jj itolM ofjLJSgov, &c., parans, or struens, vel mul-
tum imlrem, immensamve 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' repre-
hension, for killing the wooers with his bow, in the Odysses. 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, Balaam's ass could have taught him. the like
hath been heard of. Yet now to the Odysses again with a breath, and
challenges Ulysses' ship for suffering Neptune to turn it to a rock.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 79
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 fitter 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 1
But whoever saw true learning, wisdom, or wit, vouchsafe mansion in
any proud, vain-glorious, 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
cake 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, &c."
1C2. "O-a ?./o/&ff<rai/ i-Jai. Vocem suaveni emittunt, saith the in-
s
terpreter (intending the grasshoppers, to whom he compareth the old
counsellors) ; but it is here to be expounded, vocem teneram not suavem
(>.&;g/05/s in this place signifying tener) for grasshoppers sing not
sweetly, but harshly and faintly, wherein the weak and tender voice of
the old counsellors is to admiration expressed. The simile Spondanus
highly commends is 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 spininess, Tython
being for age turned to a grasshopper, but where they were grave and
wise counsellors, to make them garrulous, as grasshoppers are stridulous ;
that application holdeth not in these old men, though some old men are
so, these being 'EadXoi dyogrjal loni, et periti, concionatores ; the
word sodXoi signifying frugi also, which is temperate or full of all
80 THE THIRD BOOK
moderation, 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.
234. 'EKireo%d8r]\> dyogevs, succincte concionabatur Menelaus ; he
speaks succinctly, or compendiously, say his interpreters ; which is
utterly otherwise, in the voice "k^ir^-^db^v, signifying velociter, pro-
perly, modo eorum qui curruntj he spake fast or thick.
itcvjoa. IMV, &c., few words yet, he used, ak'ka. //.a'Aa "hiylws, sed valde
acute, they expound it, when it is valde stndule, shrilly, smally, or aloud ;
A/ylwr, (as I have noted before) being properly taken in the worse part ;
and accordingly expounded, niaketh 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 worth the
noting is that of Ulysses in the second book that he knew Pallas by
her voice.
\tcii ou KoXvjAudog, quoniam non garrulus, or loquax ; being born, natu-
rally 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.
235. Ou 8* d(f>afj! / aD7os<z"fi; : neque in verlis 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 peccancy 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 expo-
sition that the place (and coherence with other places) requireth, what
a motley and confused man a translator may present ! As now they do
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 81
all of Menelaus, who, wheresoever he is called ' Agjj/^/Xoj, is there untruly
translated bellicosus, but cui Mars est charus, because he might love the
war, and yet be no good warrior, as many love many exercises at which.
they will never be good ; and Homer gave it to him for another of his
peculiar epithets, as a vain-glorious 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 discoveries importune my poor
expression, that I fear rather to betray them to the world than express
them to their price. But howsoever envy and prej udice 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 periphrasis, withoutwhich 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 inter-
preters unmoved) with those free feet that entered me, I haste, sure of
nothing but my labour.
THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK.
VOL. I. F
THE FOURTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
THE ARGUMENT.
THE Gods in council, at the last, decree
That famous Ilion shall expugn^d be ;
And that their own continu'd faults may prove
The reasons that have so incensed Jove,
Minerva seeks, with more offences done
Against the lately injur'd Atreus' son,
(A ground that clearest would make seen their sin)
To have the Lycian Pandarus begin.
He ('gainst the truce with sacred cov'nants bound)
Gives Menelaus a dishonour'd 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 Gods' Assize ;
The truce is broke ; wars freshly rise.
ITHINtliefair-pav'd court of Jove, he and the Gods conferr'd
About the sad events of Troy ; amongst whom minister'd
Bless'd Hebe nectar. As they sat, and did Troy's tow'rs
behold,
They drank, and pledg'd each other round in full-crown'd cups of gold.
HOMER'S ILIADS. S3
The mirth at whose feast was begun by great Satnrnides 5
In urging a begun dislike amongst the Goddesses,
But chiefly in his solemn queen, whose spleen he was dispos'd
To tempt yet further, knowing well what anger it inclos'd,
And how wives' angers should be us'd. On which, thus pleas'd,he play'd :
" Two Goddesses there are that still give Menelaus aid, 10
And one that Paris loves. The two that sit from us so far
(Which Argive Juno is, and She that rules in deeds of war,)
No doubt are pleas'd to see how well the late-seen fight did frame ;
And yet, upon the adverse part, the laughter-loving Dame 14
Made her pow'r 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 king's.
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 20
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 Lacedeemon king again his queen enjoy."
As Pallas and Heav'ns Queen sat close, complotting ill to Troy,
With silent murmurs they receiv'd this ill-lik'd choice from Jove ; 25
'Gainst whom was Pallas much incens'd, because the Queen of Love
Could not, without his leave, relieve in that late point of death
The son of Priam, whom she loath'd ; her wrath yet fought beneath
Her supreme wisdom, and was curb'd ; but Juno needs must ease
Her great heart with her ready tongue, and said ; " What words are
these,
Austere, and too-much-Saturn s son? Why wouldst thou render still 31
My labours idle, and the sweat of my industrious will
Dishonour with so little pow'r 1 My chariot horse are tir'd
With posting to and fro for Greece, and bringing banes desir'd
To people-must'ring Priamus, and his perfidious sons ; 35
Yet thou protect'st, and join'st with them whom each just Deity shuns.
84: THE FOURTH BOOK
Go on, but ever go resolv'd all other Gods have vow'd
To cross thy partial course for Troy, in all that makes it proud."
At this, the cloud-compelling Jove a far-fetch'd sigh let fly,
And said : " Thou fury ! What offence of such impiety 10
Hath Priam or his sons done thee, that, with so high a hate,
Thou shouldst thus ceaselessly desire to raze and ruinate
So well a builded town as Troy ? I think, hadst thou the pow'r,
Thou wouldst the ports and far-stretch'd walls fly over, and devour
Old Priam and his issue quick, and make all Troy thy feast, 45
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 so
A city where thy loved live, 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 heavVs star-bearing hill,
There is a town of earthly men so honour'd in my mind 55
As sacred Troy ; nor of earth's kings as Priam and his kind,
Who never let my altars lack rich feast of off' rings slain,
And their sweet savours ; for which grace I honour them again."
Dread Juno, with the cow's fair eyes, replied : " Three towns there are
Of great and eminent respect, both in my love and care ; co
Mycene, with the broad highways ; and Argos, rich in horse ;
And Sparta ; all which three destroy, when thou envi'st their^force,
I will not aid them, nor malign thy free and sov'reign will,
For if I should be envious, and set against their ill,
I know my envy were in vain, since thou art mightier far. 65
But we must give each other leave, and wink at cither's war.
I likewise must have pow'r to crown my works with wished end,
Because I am a Deity, and did from thence descend
37 Resolved informed.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 85
Whence thou thyself, and th' elder born ; wise Saturn was our sire ;
And thus there is a two-fold cause that pleads for my desire, ro
Being sister, and am call'd thy wife ; and more, since thy command
Kules all Gods else, I claim therein a like superior hand.
All wrath before then now remit, and mutually combine
In cither's empire ; I, thy rule, and thou, illustrate, mine ;
So will the other Gods agree, and we shall all be strong. 75
And first (for this late plot) with speed let Pallas go among
The Trojans, and some one of them entice to break the truce
By offring in some treach'rons wound the honour'd Greeks abuse."
The Father both of men and Gods agreed, and Pallas sent,
With these wing'd words, to both the hosts : " Make all haste, and
invent
Some mean by which the men of Troy, against the truce agreed, si
May stir the glorious Greeks to arms with some inglorious deed."
Thus charg'd he her with haste that did, before, in haste abound,
Who cast herself from all the heights, with which steep heav'n is crown'd.
And as Jove, brandishing a star, which men a comet call, 85
Hurls out his curled hair abroad, that from his brand exhals
A thousand sparks, to fleets at sea, and ev'ry 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 strook a strong amaze oo
With viewing, in her whole descent, her bright and ominous blaze.
When straight one to another turn'd, and said : " Now thund'ring Jove
(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 95
Amongst the multitude of Troy ; who now put on the grace
Of brave Laodocus, the flow'r of old Antenor's race,
85 Which men a comet call so both the folios. Dr. Taylor has printed "which
man a comet calls." This certainly suits the rhyme, but I adhere to Chapman s
text.
86 THE FOURTH BOOK
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 cov'nant sworn ; im>
He was Lycaon's son, whom Jove into a wolf did turn
For sacrificing of a child, and yet in arms renown'd
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 ^Esepus' flood, let through the Lycian fields ;
Whom standing near, she whisper'd thus : " Lycaon's warlike son, 100
Shall I despair at thy kind hands to have a favour done ]
Nor dar'st thou let an arrow fly upon the Spartan king ?
It would be such a grace to Troy, and such a glorious thing,
That ev'ry man would give his gift ; but Alexander's hand no
Would load thee with them, if he could discover from his stand
His foe's pride strook 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 born,
And is in archers' art the best that ever sheaf hath worn, 115
To whom a hundred first-ew'd lambs vow thou in holy fire,
When safe to sacred Zelia's tow'rs thy zealous steps retire."
With this the mad gift-greedy man Minerva did persuade,
Who instantly drew forth a bow, most admirably made
Of th' antler of a jumping goat bred in a steep up-land, 120
Which archer- like (as long before he took his hidden stand,
The evicke skipping from a rock) into the breast he smote,
And headlong fell'd him from his cliff. The forehead of the goat
Held out a wondrous goodly palm, that sixteen branches brought ;
98 A man that being bred out of a faithless family. This description of Pandarus
has been introduced into the text by Chapman from the commentators, as Dr.
Taylor observes.
115 Sheaf bundle of arrows.
122 The evicke the old spelling of ibex. Dr. Taylor, not knowing the word,
suggested that it meant evict, or doomed one !
*** Palm Nares says " the broad part of a deer's horns, when fully grown."
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 87
Of all which joiu'd, an useful bow a skilful bowyer wrought, 125
Which pick'd and polish'd, both the ends he hid 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 arrow's prise.
Mean space, with all his care he choos'd, and from his quiver drew, iso
An arrow, feather'd best for flight, and yet that never flew,
Strong headed, and most apt to pierce ; then took he up his bow,
And nock'd his shaft, the ground whence all their future grief did grow.
"When, praying to his God the Sun, that was in Lycia bred,
And kinc* of archers, promising that he the blood would shed 135
Of full an hundred first-fall'n lambs, all offer'd to his name,
When to Zelia's sacred walls from rescu'd Troy he came,
He took his arrow by the nock, and to his bended breast
The oxy sinew close he drew, ev'n till the pile did rest
Upon the bosom of the bow ; and as that savage prise 140
His strength constraint 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 Heav'nly Pow'rs unmindful of thy wrong, 145
O Menelaus, but, in chief, Jove's seed, the Pillager,
Stood close before, and slack'd the force the arrow did confer,
With as much care and little hurt, as doth a mother use,
And keep off from her babe, when sleep doth through his pow'rs diffuse
His golden humour, and th' assaults of rude and busy flies 150
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,
116 Picked piked, pointed.
138 ' Virgil useth these verses" CHAPITAN.
133 xfock the notch of the arrow, where it rests upon the string.
139 Pile point, barb of the arrow.
140 Prise here used for grasp.
146 The Pillager the goddess Ageleia.
88 THE FOURTH BOOK
And where his curets double were, the fall of it she plac'd.
And thus much proof she put it to : the buckle made of gold ;
The belt it fast'ned, bravely wrought ; his curets' double fold ; 155
And last, the charmed plate he wore, which help'd him more than all,
And, 'gainst all darts and shafts bestow'd, was to his life a wall ;
So, through all these, the upper skin the head did only race ;
Yet forth the blood flow'd, which did much his royal person grace,
And show'd upon his ivory skin, as doth a purple dye 100
Laid, by a dame of Caira, or lovely Mseony,
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 wish'd of many knights, but are such precious things,
That they are kept for horse that draw the chariots of kings, 105
Which horse, so deck'd, 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 honour'd wound.
Yet, fearing he had far'd much worse, the hair stood up on end iro
On Agamemnon, when he saw so much black blood descend.
And stiffned with the like dismay was Menelaus too,
But seeing th' arrow's stale without, and that the head did go
No further than it might be seen, he call'd his spirits again ;
Which Agamemnon marking not, but thinking he was slain, irs
He grip'd his brother by the hand, and sigh'd as he would break,
Which sigh the whole host took from him, who thus at last did speak :
" dearest brother, is't/or this, that thy death must be wrought,
Wrought I this truce ? For this hast thou the single combat fought
For all the army of the Greeks 1 For this hath Ilion sworn, iso
158 Race rase, slightly scratch. I have retained this orthography through-
out, for the rhyme's sake.
173 Stale "side, the stem or stalk of any thing. The stem or body of an
arrow :
'A shaft hath three principle parts, the stele, the f ethers, and the head.'
ASCHAM'S Toxopkilus, p. 161."
NARES'S GLOSS, in voc.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 89
And trod all faith, beneath their feet ? Yet all this hath not worn
The right we challeng'd out of force ; this cannot render vaiii
Our stricken right hands, sacred wine, nor all our off'rings 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. is:.
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 Ilion, Priam, all his pow'r, shall quite be worn away,"
When heav'n-inhabiting Jove shall shake his fiery shield at all, iao
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 195
Will flame in glory ; Helena untouch'd be still their prey ;]
And thy bones in our enemies' earth our cursed fates shall lay ;
Thy sepulchre be trodden down ; the pride of Troy desire
Insulting on it, ' Thus, O thus, let Agamemnon's ire
In all his acts be expiate, as now he carries home 200
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,
Lest all the army, led by you, your passions put in fear. 205
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,
For then our best in med'cines skilled shall ope and search the wound,
Applying balms to ease thy pains, and soon restore thee sound." 211
This said, divine Talthybius he call'd, and bad him haste
208 Objected interposed.
90 THE FOURTH BOOK
Machaon (^Esculapius' son, who most of men was grac'd
With physic's sov'reign remedies) to come and lend his hand
To Menelans, shot by one well-skill'd in the command 215
Of bow and arrows, one of Troy, or of the Lycian aid,
Who much hath glorified our foe, and us as much dismay'd.
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-arm'd men of Thrace ;
With whom he quickly join'd, and said : " Man of Apollo's race, 221
Haste, for the king of men commands, to see a wound impress'd
In Menelaus, great in arms, by one instructed best
In th' art of archery, of Troy, or of the Lycian bands,
That them with much renown adorns, us with dishonour brands." 225
Machaon much was mov'd with this, who with the herald flew
From troop to troop alongst the host ; and soon they came in view
Of hurt Atrides, circled round with all the Grecian kings ;
Who all gave way, and straight he draws the shaft, which forth he
brings
Without the forks ; the girdle then, plate, curets, off he plucks, 230
And views the wound ; when first from it the clotter'd blood he sucks,
Then med'cines, wondrously compos'd, the skilful leech applied,
Which loving Chiron taught his sire, he from his sire had tried.
While these were thus employ'd to ease the Atrean martialist,
The Trojans arm'd, and charg'd the Greeks ; the Greeks arm and resist.
Then not asleep, nor maz'd with fear, nor shifting off the blows, 238
You could behold the king of men, but in full speed he goes
To set a glorious fight on foot and he examples this,
With toiling, like the worst, on foot ; who therefore did dismiss
His brass-arm'd chariot, and his steeds, with Ptolemeus' son, 240
Son of Piraides, their guide, the good Eurymedon ;
" Yet," said the king, " attend with them, lest weariness should seize
My limbs, surcharg'd with ord'ring troops so thick and vast as these."
Eurymedon then rein'd his horse, that trotted neighing by ;
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 91
The king a footman, and so scours the squadrons orderly. 245
Those of his swiftly-mounted Greeks, that in their arms were fit,
Those he put on with cheerful words, and bad them not remit
The least spark of their forward spirits, because the Trojans durst
Take these abhorr'd advantages, but let them do their worst ;
For they might be assur'd that Jove would patronise no lies, 25*
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 breast, 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 : 255
" Base Argives, blush ye not to stand as made for butts to darts I
Why are ye thus discomfited, like hinds that have no hearts,
Who, wearied with a long-run field, are instantly ernboss'd,
Stand still, and in their beastly breasts is all their courage lost ]
And so stand you strook with amaze, nor dare to strike a stroke. 250
Would ye the foe should nearer yet your dastard spleens provoke,
Ev'n 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 1 "
Thus he, commanding, rang'd the host, and, passing many a band,
He came to the Cretensian troops, where all did armed stand 205
About the martial Idomen ; who bravely stood before
In vanguard of his troops, and match'd for strength a savage boar ;
Meriones, his charioteer, the rearguard bringing on.
Which seen to Atreus' son, to him it was a sight alone,
And Idomen's confirmed mind with these kind words he seeks : 270
" O Idomen ! I ever lov'd thy self past all the Greeks,
In war, or any work of peace, at table, ev'rywhere ;
For when the best of Greece besides mix ever, at our cheer,
My good old ardent wine with small, and our inferior mates
245 The king a footman i. e. the king went on foot.
258 Emboss'd. A hunting term. " When the hart is foamy at the mouth,
we say, that he is embossed." TURBERVILLE on Hunt. p. 242. See NARES'S
GLOSSARY.
92 THE FOURTH BOOK
Drink ev'n that mix'd wine measur'd too, them clrink'st, without those rates,
Our old wine neat, and evermore thy bowl stands full like mine, 2-6
To drink still when and what thou wilt. Then rouse that heart of thine,
And, whatsoever heretofore thou hast assum'd to be,
This day be greater." To the king in this sort answer'd he :
" Atrides, what I ever seem'd, the same at ev'ry part 2so
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 brake the holy truce) and not endure these braves,
To take wrong first, and then be dar'd to the revenge it craves ; 285
Assuring them that Troy in fate must have the worst at last,
Since first, and 'gainst a truce, they hurt, where they should have embrac'd."
This comfort and advice did fit Atrides' heart indeed
Who still through new-rais'd swarms of men held his laborious speed,
And came where both th' Ajaces stood ; whom like the last he found 200
Arm'd, casqu'd, and ready for the fight. Behind them, hid the ground
A cloud of foot, that seem'd to smoke. And as a goatherd spies,
On some hill's top, out of the sea, a rainy vapour rise,
Driv'n by the breath of Zephyrus, which, though far off he rest,
Comes on as black as pitch, and brings a tempest in his breast, 295
Whereat he frighted, drives his herds apace into a den ;
So dark'ning earth with darts and shields show'd these with all their men.
This sight with like joy fir'd the king, who thus let forth the flame
In crying out to both the dukes : " O you of equal name,
I must not cheer, nay, I disclaim all my command of you, 300
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 bodies move
With such brave spirits as breathe in you, then Priam's lofty town
Should soon be taken by our hands, for ever overthrown ! " SOT.
276 Rates ratification?, agreements. Here perhaps, qualifications.
302 As you nor I led as if neither you nor I.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 93
Then held he on to other troops, and Nestor next beheld,
The subtle Pylian orator, range up and down the field
Embattelling his men at arms, and stirring all to blows,
Points ev'ry legion out his chief, and ev'ry chief he shows
The forms and discipline of war, yet his commanders were sio
All expert, and renowmed men. Great Pelagon was there,
Alastor, manly Chromius, and Haenion 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 choos'd
Many, the best and ablest men, and which he ever us'd 315
As nunpire to his gen'ral pow'r) he in the rear dispos'd.
The slothful, and the least of spirit, he in the midst inclos'd,
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 temp'rately, to keep their ranks, and shun 320
Confusion, lest their horsemanship and courage made them run
(Too much presum'd on) much too far, and, charging so alone,
Engage themselves in th' enemy's strength, where many fight with one.
" Who his own chariot leaves to range, let him not freely go,
But straight unhorse him with a lance ; for 'tis much better so. 325
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 inur'd to arms, this old man did exhort ;
And this Atrides likewise took in wondrous cheerful sort,
And said : " O father, would to heav'n, that as thy mind remains 330
In wonted vigour, so thy knees could undergo our pains !
But age, that all men overcomes, hath made his prise 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 answer'd with his youth ; that still where conflicts rage, 335
And young men us'd to thirst for fame, thy brave exampling hand
Might double our young Grecian spirits, and grace our whole command."
The old knight answer'd : " I myself could wish, Atreus' son,
94 THE FOURTH BOOK
I were as young as when I slew brave Ereuthalion,
But Gods at all times give not all their gifts to mortal men. 340
If then I had the strength of youth, I miss'd the counsels then
That years now give me ; and nowyears 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 us'd, affording counsel sage
To stir youth's minds up ; 'tis the grace and office of our age ; 345
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, arriv'd next where he found
"Well-rode Meuestheus (Peteus' son) stand still, inviron'd round
With his well-train'd Athenian troops ; and next to him he spied 350
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 stirr"d,
And then first mov'd, as they conceiv'd ; and they so look'd about
To see both hosts give proof of that they yet had cause to doubt. 355
Atrides seeing them stand so still, and spend their eyes at gaze,
Began to chide : " And why," said he, " dissolv'd thus in amaze,
Thou son of Peteus, Jove-nurs'd king, and thou in wicked sleight
A cunning soldier, stand ye off 1 Expect ye that the fight
Should be by other men begun ? 'Tis fit the foremost band sno
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, scs
And said : " How hath thy violent tongue broke through thy set of teeth,
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,
343 Sooth truth, a common word. Thus Shakespeare,
" He looks like sooth ; he says he loves my daughter,
I think so too." Wint. Talc, iv. 3.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 95
Ev'n when thou spak'st, against the foe to cheer and lead our men 1
But thy eyes shall be witnesses, if it content thy will, 370
And that (as thou preteud'st) these cares do so affect thee still,
The father of Telemachus (whom I esteem so dear,
And to whom, as a legacy, I'll leave my deeds done here)
Ev'n with the foremost band of Troy hath his encounter dar'd,
And therefore are thy speeches vain, and had been better spar'd." srs
He, smiling, since he saw him moVd, recall'd his words, and said :
" Most generous Laertes' 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 controll'd)
Nor take I on me thy command ; for well I know thy mind 380
Knows how sweet gentle counsels are, and that thou stand'st inclin'd,
As I myself, for all our good. On then ; if now we spake
What hath displeas'd, 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." sss
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 Diomed : " me ! In what a fear soo
The wise great warrior, Tydeus' son, stands gazing ev'rywhere
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 afi'airs of fright,
As they report that have beheld him labour in a fight. 395
For me, I never knew the man, nor in his presence came,
But excellent, above the rest, he was in gen'ral fame ;
And one renowm'd exploit of his, I am assurM, is true.
He came to the Mycenian court, without arms, and did sue,
At godlike Polynices' hands, to have some worthy aid 4<x>
To their designs that 'gainst the walls of sacred Thebes were laid.
96 THE FOURTH BOOK
He was great Polynices' guest, and nobly entertain'd,
And of the kind Mycenian state what lie requested gain'd,
In mere consent ; but when they should the same in act approve,
By some sinister prodigies, held out to them by Jove, 405
They were discourag'd. Thence he went, and safely had his pass
Back to Asopus' flood, renowm'd for bulrushes and grass.
Yet, once more, their ambassador, the Grecian peers address
Lord Tydeus to Eteocles ; to whom being giv'n access,
He found him feasting with a crew of Cadmeans in his hall ; 110
Amongst whom, though an enemy, and only one to all ;
To all yet he his challenge made at ev'ry martial feat,
And eas'ly foil'd all, since with him Minerva was so great.
The rank-rode Cadmeans, much incens'd with their so foul disgrace,
Lodg'd ambuscadoes for their foe, in some well-chosen place 415
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 Maeon, Hsemon's sou,
And Lycophontes, Keep-field call'd, the heir of Autophon,
By all men honour'd like the Gods ; yet these and all their friends 4i>o
Were sent to hell by Tydeus' hand, and had untimely ends.
He trusting to the aid of Gods, reveal'd by augury,
Obeying which, one chief he sav'd, and did his life apply
To be the heavy messenger of all the others' deaths ;
And that sad message, with his life, to Ma3on he bequeaths. 425
So brave a knight was Tydeiis : of whom a son is sprung,
Inferior far in martial deeds, though higher in his tongue."
All this Tydides silent heard, aw'd by the rev'rend king ;
Which stung hot Sthenelus with wrath, who thus put forth his sting :
" Atrides, when thou know'st the truth, speak what thy knowledge is,
408 The construction is, " Once more the Grecian peers address (send) Tydeus
to Eteocles as their ambassador."
419 Kccp-ficld. The original is fj.evevroXefJ.o;, one who remains in the battle.
Dr. Taylor observes, " This is one of the happiest of Chapman's translations of
Homer's compound epithets."
OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
97
And do not lie so ; for I know, and I will brag in this, 431
That we are far more able men than both our fathers were.
We took the sev'n-fold 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 435
Of happy signs from, other Gods, by whom we took the town
Untouch'd ; our fathers perishing there by follies of their own ;
And therefore never more compare our fathers' worth with ours."
Tydides frown'd at this, and said : " Suppress thine anger's pow'rs,
Good friend, and hear why I refrain'd. Thou seest I am not mov'd
Against our gen'ral, since he did but what his place behov'd, 441
Admonishing all Greeks to fight ; for, if Troy prove our prise,
The honour and the joy is his ; if here our ruin lies,
The shame and grief for that as much is his in greatest kinds.
As he then his charge, weigh we ours ; which is our dauntless
minds." 445
Thus, from his chariot, amply arm'd, he jump'd 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,
One after other, thick and high, upon the groaning shores, 450
First in herself loud, but oppos'd with banks and rocks she roars,
And, all her back in bristles set, spits ev'ry way her foam ;
So, after Diorned, instantly the field was overcome
With thick impressions of the Greeks ; and all the noise that grew
(Ord'ring and cheering up their men) from only leaders flew. 455
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 controll'd,
Which made each man keep bright his arms, march, fight still where
lie should.
VOL. I. Q
98 THE FOURTH BOOK
The Trojans (like a sort of ewes, penn'd in a rich man's fold, 460
Close at his door, till all be milk'd, and never baaing hold
Hearing the bleating of their lambs) did all their wide host fill
With shouts and clamours, nor observ'd one voice, one baaing still,
But show'd mix'd tongues from many a land of men call'd to their aid.
Rude Mars had th' ordering of their spirits ; of Greeks, the learned Maid.
But Terror follow'd both the hosts, and Flight, and furious Strife 406
The sister, and the mate, of Mars, that spoil of human life ;
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
That, while her feet move here in earth, her forehead is in heav'n ; 470
And this was she that made ev'n then both hosts so deadly giv'n.
Through ev'ry troop she stalk'd, and stirr'd 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, then darts and shields oppos'd
To darts and shields ; strength answer'd strength ; then swords and
targets clos'd 475
With swords and targets ; both with pikes ; and then did tumult rise
Up to her height ; then conqu'rors' boasts mix'd with the conquer'd's cries ;
Earth flow'd with blood. And as from hills rain-waters headlong fall,
That all ways eat huge ruts, which, met in one bed, fill a vail
With such a confluence of streams, that on the mountain grounds 4so
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 commix'd, and all effects of fear.
And first renowm'd Antilochus slew (fighting, in the face
Of all Achaia's foremost bands, with an imdaunted grace) 4ss
4GO g or t gg^ OT) as -we say, a lot of pigs, sheep, &c.
" Remember who you are to cope withall,
A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways."
SHAKESPEARE. Rich. III. v. 3.
465 The learned Maid Pallas.
470 Chapman observes that Virgil has applied this description of Strife to
Fame.
479 Vail ravine, valley.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 99
Echepolus Thalysiades ; he was an armed man ;
Whom on his hair-plum'd helmet's 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-rac'd tow'r ; like which lying there dispread,
King Elephenor (who was son to Chalcodon, and led 491
The valiant Abants) covetous that he might first possess
His arms, laid hands upon his feet, and hal'd him from the press
Of darts and jav'lins hurl'd at him. The action of the king
When great-in-heart Agenor saw, he made his jav'lin sing 495
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 receiv'd 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 Trojans and their foes soo
Like wolves on one another rush'd, and man for man it goes.
The next of name, that serv'd his fate, great Ajax Telamon
Preferr'd so sadly. He was heir to old Anthemion,
And deck'd with all the flow'r of youth ; the fruit of which yet fled,
Before the honour'd nuptial torch could light him to his bed. 505
His name was Simoisius ; for, some few years before,
His mother walking down the hill of Ida, by the shore
Of silver Simois, to see her parents' flocks, with them
She, feeling suddenly the pains of child-birth, by the stream
Of that bright river brought him forth ; and so (of Simois) 510
They call'd him Simoisius. 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 honour'd years again in as affectionate sort,
He could not graciously perform, his sweet life was so short, r,i->
490 Fight-raced razed in battle.
499 An unworthy conceit of Chapman's, as Dr. Taylor observes, and un-
warranted.
100 THE FOURTH BOOK
Cut off with, mighty Ajax' lance ; for, as his spirit put on,
He strook him at his breast's 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 sow'd he buried all his toil.
And as a poplar shot aloft, set by a river side, 520
In moist edge of a mighty fen, his head in curls implied,
But all his body plain and smooth, to which a wheelwright puts
The sharp edge of his shining axe, and his soft timber cuts
From his innative root, in hope to hew out of his bole
The fell'ffs, or out-parts of a wheel, that compass in the whole, 525
To serve some goodly chariot ; but, being big and sad,
And to be hal'd home through the bogs, the useful hope he had!
Sticks there, and there the goodly plant lies with'ring out his grace :
So lay, by Jove-bred Ajax' hand, Anthemion's forward race,
Nor could through that vast fen of toils be drawn to serve the ends 530
Intended by his body's pow'rs, nor cheer his aged friends.
But now the gay-arm'd Antiphus, a son of Priarn, threw
His lance at Ajax through the press ; which, went by him, and flew
On Leucus, wise Ulysses' friend ; his groin it smote, as fain
He would have drawn into his spoil the carcass of the slain, zsz-
By which, he fell, and that by him ; it vex'd Ulysses' heart,
Who thrust into the face of fight, well-arm'd at ev'ry part,
Came close, and look'd about to find an object worth his lance ;
Which when the Trojans saw him shake, and he so near advance,
All shrunk ; he threw, and forth it shin'd, nor fell but where it fell'd ;
His friend's grief gave it angry pow'r, and deadly way it held 511
516 As his spirit put on urged him forwards.
525 Fell'ffs fellies of a wheel.
526 Sad heavy. In the North the word is applied to bread, when the dough,
from bad yeast, or not being well kneaded, does not rise properly. HALLIWELL,
ARCHAIC AND PKOVIN. DICT.
534 From line 516 to this, Chapman has unwarrantably amplified, and some-
what distorted the original.
540 jy or fin fat where it fell'd a silly quibble of Chapman's.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 101
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 strook the dart, the wood of one side shew'd,
The pile out of the other look'd, and so the earth he strew'd 545
"With much sound of his weighty arms. Then back the foremost went ;
Ev'n Hector yielded ; then the Greeks gave worthy clamours vent,
Effecting then their first-dumb pow'rs ; some drew the dead, and spoil'd
Some follow'd, that, in open flight, Troy might confess it foil'd.
Apollo, angry at the sight, from top of Ilion cried : 550
" Turn head, ye well-rode peers of Troy, feed not the Grecians' pride,
They are not charm'd against your points, of steel, nor iron, fram'd ;
Nor fights the fair-hair'd Thetis' son, but sits at fleet inflani'd."
So spake the dreadful God from Troy. The Greeks, Jove's noblest Seed
Encourag'd to keep on the chace ; and, where fit spirit did need, 555
She gave it, marching in the midst. Then flew the fatal hour.
Back on Diores, in return of Ilion's sun-burn'd pow'r ;
Diores Amaryncides, whose right leg's ankle-bone,
And both the sinews, with a sharp and handful-charging stone
Pirus Imbrasides did break, that led the Thracian bands sco
And came from Jnos ; down he fell, and up he held his hands
To his lov'd friends ; his spirit wing'd to fly out of his breast ;
With which not satisfied, again Imbrasides address'd
His jav'lin at him, and so ripp'd his navel, that the wound,
As endlessly it shut his eyes, so, open'd, on the ground 665
It pour'd his entrails. As his foe went then suffic'd away,
Thoas JEtolius threw a dart, that did his pile convey,
Above his nipple, through his lungs ; when, quitting his stern part,
He clos'd with him, and, from his breast first drawing out his dart,
His sword flew in, and by the midst it wip'd his belly out ; 570
So took his life, but left his arms ; his friends so flock'd about,
552 Of steel, nor iron, framed i. e. they (the Greeks) are not framed of steel or
iron.
554 Jove's noblest Seed Pallas.
568 His stern part breast-bone; from the Greek
102 THE FOURTH BOOK OF HOMERS ILIADS.
And thrust forth lances of such length before their slaughter'd king,
"Which, though their foe were big and strong, and often brake the ring
Forg'd of their lances, yet (enforc'd) he left th' affected prise.
The Thracian and Epeian dukes, laid close with closed eyes 575
By either other, drown'd in dust ; and round about the plain,
All hid with slaughter'd carcases, yet still did hotly reign
The martial planet ; whose effects had any eye beheld,
Free and unwounj^ed (and were led by Pallas through the field,
To keep off jaVlins, and suggest the least fault could be found) 530
He could not reprehend the fight, so many strew'd the ground.
THE END OF THE FOURTH BOOK.
THE FIFTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
THE ARGUMENT.
KING Diomed (by Pallas' spirit inspir'd
With will and pow'r) is for his acts admir'd.
Mere men, and men deriv'd 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 ^Eneas, with a weighty stone ;
Apollo quickens him, and gets him gone.
Mars is recur'd by Paeon, but by Jove
Rebuk'd for authoring breach of human love.
ANOTHER ARGUMENT.
In Epsilon, Heav'n's blood is shed
By sacred rage of Diomed.
HEN Pallas breath'd in Tydeus' son ; to render whom
supreme
To all the Greeks, at all his parts, she cast a hotter beam
On his high mind, his body fill'd 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, s
Like rich Autumnus' golden lamp, whose brightness men admire
Past all the other host of stars, when, with his cheerful face
Fresh wash'd in lofty Ocean waves, he doth the skies enchase.
6 " This simile likewise Virgil learns of him." CHAPMAN. Autumnus golden
lamp Sirius, or the Dog Star.
104 THE FIFTH BOOK
To let whose glory lose no sight, still Pallas made him turn
Where tumult most express'd his pow'r, and where the fight did burn.
An honest and a wealthy man inhabited in Troy, 11
Dares, the priest of Mnlciber, who two sons did enjoy,
Idseus, and bold Phegeiis, well-seen in ev'ry fight.
These (singled from their troops, and hors'd) assail'd Minerva's
knight,
Who rang'd from fight to fight on foot. All hasting mutual charge, 15
And now drawn near, first Phegeus threw a jav'lin swift and large,
Whose head the king's left shoulder took, but did no harm at all ;
Then rush'd he out a lance at him, that had no idle fall,
But in his breast stuck 'twixt the paps, and strook him from his horse.
Which stern sight when Idseus saw, distrustful of his force 20
To save his slaughter'd brother's spoil, it made him headlong leap
From his fair chariot, and leave all ; yet had not 'scap'd the heap
Of heav'y fun'ral, if the God, great President of fire,
Had not in sudden clouds of smoke, and pity of his sire
To leave him utterly unheir'd, giv'n safe pass to his feet. 25
He gone, Tydides sent the horse and chariot to the fleet.
The Trojans seeing Dares' sons, one slain, the other fled,
Were strook amaz'd. The blue-ey'd Maid (to grace her Diomed
In giving free way to his pow'r) made this so ruthful fact
A fit advantage to remove the War-god out of act, so
Who rag'd so on the Ilion side. She grip'd his hand, and said :
" Mars, Mars, thou miner of men, that in the dust hast laid
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, 35
As Rector of the Gods, to give the glory of the fight
Where he affecteth, lest he force what we should freely yield 1 "
He held it fit, and went with her from the tumultuous field,
Who set him in an herby seat on broad Scamander's shore.
He gone, all Troy was gone with him, the Greeks drave all before, 40
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 105
And ev'ry leader slew a man ; but first the king of men
Deserv'd the honour of his name, and led the slaughter then,
And slew a leader, one more huge than any man he led,
Great Odius, duke of Halizons ; quite from his chariot s head
He strook him with a lance to earth, as first he flight address'd ; 45
It took his forward-turned back, and look'd out of his breast ;
His huge trunk sounded, and his arms did echo the resound.
Idomenseus to the death did noble Phsestus wound,
The son of Meon-Borus, that from cloddy Terna came ;
Who, taking chariot, took his wound, and tumbled with the same so
From his attempted seat : the lance through his right shoulder strook,
And horrid darkness strook through him ; the spoil his soldiers took.
Atrides-Menelaus slew, as he before him fled,
Scamandrius, son of Strophius, that was a huntsman bred ;
A skilful huntsman, for his skill Diana's self did teach, 55
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 preserv'd, 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 mast'ry of his art ; GO
His back receiv'd 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 slew Phereclus, whom she that ne'er was wife,
Yet Goddess of good housewives, held in excellent respect 65
For knowing all the witty things that grace an architect,
And having pow'r to give it all the cunning use of hand.
.Harmonides, his sire, built ships, and made him understand,
With all the practice it requir'd, the frame of all that skill.
He built all Alexander's ships, that author'd all the ill V
Of all the Trojans and his own, because he did not know
The oracles advising Troy (for fear of overthrow)
65 Goddess of housewives Minerva.
10G THE FIFTH BOOK
To meddle with no sea affair, but live by tilling land.
This man Meriones surpris'd, and drave his deadly hand
Through his right hip ; the lance's head ran through the region 75
About the bladder, underneath th 7 in-muscles and the bone ;
He, sighing, bow'd his knees to death, and sacrific'd to earth.
Phylides stay'd Pedteus' flight, Antenor's bastard birth,
Whom virtuous Theano his wife, to please her husband, kept
As tenderly as those she lov'd. Phylides near him stept, so
And in the fountain of the nerves did drench his fervent lance,
At his head's back-part ; and so far the sharp head did advance,
It cleft the organ of his speech, and th' iron, cold as death,
He took betwixt his grinning teeth, and gave the air his breath.
Eurypylus, the much renowni'd, and great Evemon's son, ss
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 follow'd hard,
Kush'd in so close, that with his sword he on his shoulder laid
A blow that his arm's brawn cut off ; nor there his vigour stay'd, 99
But drave down, and from off his wrist it hew'd his holy hand
That gush'd out blood, and down it dropp'd 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 95
Iii his free labours, Greece or Troy ; but as a flood, increas'd
By violent and sudden show'rs, let down from hills, like hills
Melted in fury, swells and foams, and so he overfills
His natural channel ; that besides both hedge and bridge resigns
To his rough confluence, far spread ; and lusty flourishing vines 100
Drown'd in his outrage ; Tydeus' son so overran the field,
Strew'd such as flourish'd in his way, and made whole squadrons yield.
When Paudarus, Lycaon's son, beheld his ruining hand,
With such resistless insolence, make lanes through ev'ry band,
81 Fountain of the nerves nape of the neck.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 107
He bent his gold-tipp'd bow of horn, and shot him rushing in, us,
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 Trojans, now rush in. Now, now, I make no doubt
Our bravest foe is mark'd for death ; he cannot long sustain
My violent shaft, if Jove's fair Son did worthily constrain no
My foot from Lycia." Thus he brav'd, and yet his violent shaft
Strook short with all his violence, Tydides' life was saft ;
Who yet withdrew himself behind his chariot and steeds,
And call'd to Sthenelus : " Come friend, my wounded shoulder needs
Thy hand to ease it of this shaft." He hasted from his seat n-'
Before the coach, and drew the shaft ; the purple wound did sweat,
And drown his shirt of mail in blood, and as it bled he pray'd :
" Hear me, of Jove-yEgiochus thou most unconquer'd Maid !
If ever in the cruel field thou hast assistful stood
Or to my father, or myself, now love, and do me good. 120
Give him into my lance's reach, that thus hath giv'n a wound
To him thou guard'st, 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,
And said : " Be bold, O Diomed, in ev'ry combat shine, 120
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 remov'd those erring mists that made it lately blind,
That thou may'st diff rence Gods from men, and therefore use thy skill
Against the tempting Deities, if any have a will iai
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 Heav'nly Pow'r than She that rules in love,
That calls thee to the change of blows, resist not, but remove ; 135
112 Saft secured, saved. The past tense of the verb to safe, to secure, or
make safe, used by Shakespeare.
108 THE FIFTH BOOK
But if that Goddess be so bold (since she first stirr'd 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 fain
To fight against the Trojans' pow'rs, now, on his spirits were call'd 140
With thrice the vigour ; lion-like, that hath been lately gall'd
By some bold shepherd in a field, where his curl'd flocks were laid,
Who took him as he leap'd the fold, not slain yet, but appaid
With greater spirit, comes again, and then the shepherd hides,
(The rather for the desolate place) and in his cote abides, 145
His flocks left guardless ; which, amaz'd, shake and shrink up in heaps;
He, ruthless, freely takes his prey, and out again he leaps ;
So sprightly, fierce, victorious, the great heroe flew
Upon the Trojans, and, at once, he two commanders slew,
Hypenor and Astyiious ; in one his lance he fix'd 150
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 rush'd upon
Abas 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 its
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, Phsenops' sons, born to him in his age ;
The good old man ev'n pin'd with years, and had not one son more
To heir his goods ; yet Diomed took both, and left him store 101
Of tears and sorrows in their steads, since he could never see
His sons leave those hot wars alive ; so this the end must be
Of all his labours ; what he heap'd, to make his issue great,
Authority heir'd, and with her seed fill'd his forgotten seat. 165
165 Authority Jicir'd The word that Chapman here translates authority is in
the Greek XTypworcu, and means those more remote relatives who succeeded by
authority, or law, to the property when there had been a x^pwens, or the family
had lost its nearer heirs.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 109
Then snatch'd lie up two Priamists, that in one chariot stood,
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, no.
Then took their arms, and sent their horse to those that ride the seas.
.ZEneas, seeing the troops thus toss'd, brake through the heat of fight,
And all the whizzing of the darts, to find the Lycian knight,
Lycaon's son ; whom having found, he thus bespake the peer ;
" Pandarus, where's now thy bow, thy deathful arrows where,
In which no one in all our host but gives the palm, to thee, ire.
Nor in the sun-lov'd Lycian greens, 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 god-like victories, and now affects our host iso
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,
Incens'd for want of sacrifice ; the wrath of God is great."
Lycaon's famous son replied : " Great counsellor of Troy,
This man, so excellent in arms, I think is Tydeus' joy ; iss
I know him by his fi'ry shield, by his bright three-plum'd casque,
And by his horse ; nor can I say, if or some God doth mask
In his appearance, or he be whom I nam'd Tydeus' son,
But without God the things he does for certain are not done.
Some great Immortal, that conveys his shoulders in a cloud, 190
Goes by and puts by eVry dart at his bold breast bestow'd,
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 affirni'd had driv'n him down to hell.
Some God is angry, and with me ; for far hence, where I dwell, 195
My horse and chariots idle stand, with which some other way
I might repair this shameful miss. Elev'n fair chariots stay
171 TJiat ride the seas Greek " to the ships."
110 THE FIFTH BOOK
In old Lycaon's court, new made, new trimm'd to have been gone,
Curtain'd, and arrast under foot ; two horse to ev'ry one,
That eat -white barley and black oats, and do no good at all ; 200
And these Lycaon (that well knew how these affairs would fall)
Charg'd, when I set down this design, I should command with here,
And gave me many lessons more, all which much better were
Than any I took forth myself. The reason I laid down
Was but the sparing of my horse, since in a sieged town 205
I thought our horse-meat would be scant, when they were us'd to have
Their manger full ; so I left them, and like a lackey slave
Am come to Ilion, 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, 210
Nor this, nor Atreus' younger son ; a little blood I drew,
That serv'd but to incense them more. In an unhappy star
I therefore from my armoury 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, 215
In safe return, my country's sight, my wife's, my lofty tow'rs,
Let any stranger take this head, if to the fi'ry Pow'rs
This bow, these shafts, in pieces burst, by these hands be not thrown ;
Idle companions that they are to me and my renown."
JEneas said : " Use no such words ; for, any other way 220
Than this, they shall not now be us'd. We first will both assay
This man with horse and chariot. Come then, ascend to me,
That thou mayst try our Trojan horse, how skill'd 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 225
The 'scape of Tydeiis again, and grace him with our flight,
Shall serve to bring us safely off. Come, I'll be first shall fight,
2 ' 6 Both the folios have " wives," but the true reading is " wife's," if we con-
sult the Greek.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. Ill
Take thou. these fair reins and this scourge ; or, if thou wilt, fight thou,
And leave the horses' care to me." He answer'd : " I will now
Descend to fight, keep thou the reins, and guide thyself thy horse, 220
Who with their wonted manager will better wield the force
Of the impulsive chariot, if we be driv'n to fly,
Than 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 engag'd for mighty Tydeus' son 230
Themselves and us. Then be thy part thy one-hoof'd horses' guide,
I'll make the fight, and with a dart receive his utmost pride."
With this the gorgeous chariot both, thus prepar'd, ascend
And make full way at Diomed ; which noted by his friend,
" Mine own most-loved mind," said he, " two mighty men of war 240
I see come with a purpos'd charge ; one's he that hits so far
With bow and shaft, Lycaon's son ; the other fames the brood
Of great Anchises and the Queen that rules in amorous blood,
JEneas, excellent in arms. Come up, and use your steeds, *
And look not war so in the face, lest that desire that feeds 245
Thy great mind be the bane of it." This did with anger sting
The blood of Diomed, to see his friend, that chid the king
Before the fight, and then preferr'd his ablesse and his mind
To all his ancestors in fight, now come so far behind ;
Whom thus he answer'd : " Urge no flight, you cannot please me so ;
Nor is it honest in my mind to fear a coming foe, 251
Or make a flight good, though with fight. My pow'rs are yet entire,
And scorn the help-tire of a horse. I will not blow the fire
Of their hot valours with my flight, but cast upon the blaze
This body borne upon my knees. I entertain amaze ? 2.55
235 Engaged for. The second folio (which Dr. Taylor follows) omits "for; "
a typographical error.
5139 Friend Sthenelus.
248 Allcsse The second folio reads "aUcncssc," which Dr. Taylor has fol-
lowed.
255 / entertain amaze ? Do you think I fear ?
112 THE FIFTH BOOK
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 other's fate. And this I leave for thee ;
If amply-wise Athenia give both their lives to me,
Eein our horse to their chariot hard, and have a special heed 200
To seize upon ^Eneas' 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 far-seeing God,
Gave Tros the king in recompense ; the best that ever trod 265
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 heir'd them, who was then the king Laomedon.
Six horses had he of that race, of which himself kept four, 270
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 pow'r to take, our prise is exquisite,
And our renown will far exceed." While these were talking thus,
The fir'd horse brought th' assailants near, and thus spake Pandarus :
" Most suff'ring-minded Tydeus' son, that hast of war the art, 2rs
My shaft, that strook 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 bray'd he out so wild a voice that all the field might hear : 230
" Now have I reach'd thy root of life, and by thy death shall bear
Our praise's chief prise from the field." TydiJes undismay'd
Replied : "Thou err'st, I am not touch'd ; 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, 235
Minerva led it to his face, which at his eye ran in,
And, as he stoop'd, strook through his jaws, his tongue's root, and his
chin.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 113
Down from the chariot he fell, his gay arms shin'd and rung,
The swift horse trembled, and his soul for ever charm'd his tongue.
tineas with his shield, and lance, leapt swiftly to his friend, 290
Afraid the Greeks would force his trunk ; and that he did defend,
Bold as a lion of his strength ; he hid him with his shield,
Shook round his lance, and horribly did threaten all the field
With death, if any durst make in. Tydides rais'd a stone
With his one hand, of wondrous weight, and pour'd it mainly on 295
The hip of Anchisiades, wherein the joint doth move
The thigh ('tis call'd the huckle-bone) which all in sherds it drove,
Brake both the nerves, and with the edge cut all the flesh away.
It stagger'd him upon his knees, and made th' heroe stay
His strook-blind temples on his hand, his elbow on the earth ; 300
And there this prince of men had died, if She that gave him birth,
(Kiss'd by Anchises on the green, where his fair oxen fed)
Jove's loving daughter, instantly had not about him spread
Her soft embraces, and convey'd within her heav'nly veil
(Us'd as a rampire 'gainst all darts that did so hot assail) 300
Her dear-lov'd issue from the field. Then Sthenelus in haste,
Eememb'ring what his friend advis'd, from forth the press made fast
His own horse to their chariot, and presently laid hand
Upon the lovely-coated horse ^Eneas did command.
Which bringing to the wond'ring Greeks, he did their guard com-
mend 310
To his belov'd Deipylus, 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 stept 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 desp'rate chace sis
Of her that made it, with his lance, ann'd less with steel than spite,
Well knowing her no Deity that had to do in fight,
315 Rape here used for his being carried off by Venus.
VOL. I. H
114 THE FIFTH BOOK
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 pursu'd, at last he overtook, 320
And, thrusting up his ruthless lance, her heav'nly veil he strook
(That ev'n the Graces wrought themselves, at her divine command)
Quite through, and hurt the tender back of her delicious hand.
The rude point piercing through her palm, forth flow'dth' immortal blood;
Blood, such as flows in blessed Gods, that eat no human food, 325
Nor drink of our inflaming wine, and therefore bloodless are,
And call'd Immortals ; out she cried, and could no longer bear
Her lov'd son ; whom she cast from her, and in a sable cloud
Phoebus, receiving, hid him close from all the Grecian crowd,
Lest some of them should find his death. Away flew Venus then, 330
And after her cried Diorned : " Away, thou spoil of men,
Though sprung from all-preserving Jove, these hot encounters leave.
Is't not enough that silly dames thy sorc'ries should deceive,
Unless thou thrust into the war, and rob a soldier's right ?
I think a few of these assaults will make thee fear the fight, 335
AVherever thou shalt hear it nam'd." She, sighing, went her way
Extremely griev'd, and with her griefs her beauties did decay,
And black her ivory body grew. Then from a dewy mist
Brake swift-foot Iris to her aid, from all the darts that hiss'd
At her quick rapture ; and to Mars they took their plaintive course, 340
And found him on the fight's left hand, by him. his speedy horse,
And huge lance, lying in a fog. The Queen of all things fair
Her loved brother, on her knees, besought, with instant pray'r,
His golden-riband-bound-man'd horse to lend her up to heav'n,
For she was much griev'd with a wound a mortal man had giv'n, 345
Tydides, that 'gainst Jove himself durst now advance his arm.
He granted, and his chariot (perplex'd with her late harm)
She mounted, and her waggoness was She that paints the air.
The horse she rein'd, and with a scourge importun'd their repair,
348 Iris.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 115
That of themselves out-flew the wind, and quickly they ascend sso
Olympus, high seat of the Gods. Th' horse knew their journey's end,
Stood still, and from their chariot the windy-footed dame
Dissolv'd, and gave them heav'nly food ; and to Dione came
Her wounded daughter, bent her knees. She kindly bade her stand,
With sweet embraces help'd her up, strok'd her with her soft hand, 355
Call'd kindly by her name, and ask'd : " What God hath been so rude,
Sweet daughter, to chastise thee thus, as if thou wert pursu'd
Ev'n to the act of some light sin, and deprehended so ?
For otherwise, each close escape is in the great let go."
She answer'd : " Haughty Tydeus' son hath been so insolent, soo
Since, he whom most my heart esteems of all my lov'd descent,
I rescu'd from his bloody hand. Now battle is not giv'n
To any Trojans by the Greeks, but by the Greeks to heav'n."
She answer'd : " Daughter, think not much, though much it grieve
thee ; use
The patience, whereof many Gods examples may produce, ses
In many bitter ills receiv'd, as well that men sustain
By their inflictions as by men repaid to them again.
Mars suffer'd much more than thyself by Ephialtes' pow'r,
And Otus', Aloeus' sons ; who in a brazen tow'r,
And in inextricable chains, cast that war-greedy God, sro
Where twice-six months and one he liv'd, and there the period
Of his sad life perhaps had clos'd, if his kind stepdame's eye,
Fair Erebaea, had not seen ; who told it Mercury,
And he by stealth enfranchis'd him ; though he could scarce enjoy
The benefit of franchisement, the chains did so destroy srs
His vital forces with their weight. So Juno suffer'd more
When, with a three-fork'd arrow's head, Amphitryo's son did gore
Her right breast, past all hope of cure. Pluto sustain'd no less
By that self man, and by a shaft of equal bitterness
353 Dione mother of Venus.
116 \THE FIFTH BOOK
Shot through his shoulder at hell gates ; and there, amongst the dead,
Were he not deathless, he had died ; but up to heav'n he fled, m
Extremely tortur'd, for recure, which instantly he won
At Paeon's hand, with sov'reign balm ; and this did Jove's great son,
Unblest, great-high-deed-daring man, that car'd not doing ill,
That with his bow durst wound the Gods ! But, by Minerva's will, ssr,
Thy wound the foolish Diomed was so profane to give ;
Not knowing he that fights with Heav'n 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
tow'r, 390
Take heed a stronger meet thee not, and that a woman's pow'r
Contains not that superior strength, and lest that woman be
Adrastus' daughter, and thy wife, the wise .SCgiale ;
When, from this hour not far, she wakes, ev'n sighing with desire
To kindle our revenge on thee, with her enamouring fire, 395
In choosing her some fresh young friend, and so drown all thy fame,
Won here in war, in her court-piece, and in an opener shame."
This said, with both her hands she cleans'd the tender back and palm
Of all the sacred blood they lost ; and, never using balm,
The pain ceas'd, and the wound was cur'd of this kind Queen of love.
Juno and Pallas, seeing this, assay'd to anger Jove, 401
And quit his late-made mirth with them, about the loving Dame,
With some sharp jest, in like sort, built upon her present shame.
Grey-ey'd Athenia began, and ask'd the Thunderer,
If, nothing moving him to wrath, she boldly might prefer, >
What she conceiv'd, to his conceit ; and, staying no reply,
She bade him view the Cyprian fruit he loVd so tenderly,
Whom she thought hurt, and by this means ; intending to suborn
Some other lady of the Greeks (whom lovely veils adorn)
408 Whom she thought hurt. Both the folios read " though hurt." Dr. Taylor
prints "thought," which is perhaps the true reading.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 117
To gratify some other friend of her much-loved Troy, 410
As she embrac'd and stirr'd her blood to the Venerean joy,
The golden clasp, those Grecian dames upon their girdles wear,
Took hold of her delicious hand, and hurt it, she had fear.
The Thund'rer smil'd, and call'd to him love's golden Arbitress,
And told her those rough works of war were not for her access ; 415
She should be making marriages, embracings, kisses, charms,
Stern Mars and Pallas had the charge of those affairs in arms.
While these thus talk'd, Tydides' rage still thirsted to achieve
His prise upon Anchises' son, though well he did perceive
The Sun himself protected him ; but his desires (inflam'd 420
With that great Trojan prince's blood, and arms so highly fam'd)
Not that great God did reverence. Thrice rush'd he rudely on,
And thrice, betwixt his darts and death, the Sun's bright target shone ;
But when upon the fourth assault, much like a spirit, he flew,
The far-off-working Deity exceeding wrathful grew, 425
And ask'd him : "What ! Not yield to gods ? Thy equals learn to
know.
The race of Gods is far above men creeping here below."
This drave him to some small retreat ; he would not tempt more near
The wrath of him that strook so far ; whose pow'r had now set clear
uEneas from the stormy field within the holy place 430
Of Pergamus, where, to the hope of his so sov'reign grace,
A goodly temple was advanc'd ; in whose large inmost part
He left him, and to his supply inclin'd his mother's heart,
Latona, and the dart-pleas'd Queen ; who cur'd, and made him strong.
The silver-bow'd fair God then threw in the tumultuous throng 435
An image, that in stature, look, and arms, he did create
Like Venus' son ; for which the Greeks and Trojans made debate,
Laid loud strokes on their ox-hide shields, and bucklers eas'ly borne ;
Which error Phcebus pleas'd to urge on Mars himself in scorn :
434 Dart-pleas d Queen Diana.
118 THE FIFTH BOOK
" Mars, Mars," said he, " thou plague of men, smear'd with the
dust and blood 440
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 Deity's pow'r,
He held out his assault on me." This said, the lofty tow'r 445
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. " Priam's sons," said he,
" How long the slaughter of your men can ye sustain to see 1
Ev'n till they brave you at your gates 1 Ye suffer beaten down 430
jEneas, great Anchises' son, whose prowess we renown
As much as Hector's ; fetch him off from this contentious prea&e."
With this, the strength and spirits of all his courage did increase ;
And yet Sarpedon seconds him, with this particular taunt
Of noble Hector : " Hector, where is thy unthankful vaunt, 455
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 brothers' helps I see not, nor am told
Of any one of their exploits, but (all held in dismay 460
Of Diomed, 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 help'd us ; and I, an aiding peer,
No citizen, ev'n out of care, that doth become a man
For men and children's liberties, add all the aid I can ; 405
Not out of my particular cause ; far hence my profit grows,
For far hence Asian Lycia lies, where gulfy Xanthus flows,
443 Thy love Venus.
461 Sort See Bk. iv. 460.
462 Pinch a terra frequently used for dogs pressing on and seizing their game.
463 As as if.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 119
And where my lov'd 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 470
Their sure fruition, cheer my troops, and with their lives propose
Mine own life, both to gen'ral fight, and to particular cope
With this great soldier ; though, I say, I entertain no hope
To have such gettings as the Greeks, noj fear to lose like Troy.
Yet thou, ev'n Hector, deedless stand'st, and car'st not to employ 475
Thy town-born 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 prise of them (as willing overthrown) 430
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 485
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 ev'ry gen'rous mind
Should silent bear a just reproof, and show what good they find
In worthy counsels, by their ends put into present deeds, 490
Not stomach nor be vainly sham'd ; so Hector's spirit proceeds,
And from his chariot, wholly arm'd, he jump'd itpon the sand,
On foot so toiling through the host, a dart in either hand,
And all hands turn'd against the Greeks. The Greeks despis'd their
worst,
And, thick'ning their instructed pow'rs, expected all they durst. 495
471 Propose. Bk. i. 14.
481 Both the folios read " hope." Dr. Taylor has " holp " help, which seems
preferable.
491 Stomach be haughty, angry.
494 All hands turn'd -excited all the army. 495 Expected awaited.
120 THE FIFTH BOOK
Then with the feet of horse and foot, the dust in clouds did rise.
And as, in sacred floors of barns, upon corn-winnow'rs flies
The chaff, driv'n with an opposite wind, when yellow Ceres dites,
Which all the diters' feet, legs, arms, their heads and shoulders whites ;
So look'd the Grecians grey with dust, that strook the solid heav'n, 500
Eais'd from returning chariots, and troops together driv'n.
Each side stood to their labours .firm. Fierce Mars flew through the air,
And gather'd darkness from the fight, and, with his best affair,
Obey'd the pleasure of the Sun, that wears the golden sword,
Who bade him raise the spirits of Troy, when Pallas ceas'd t' afford 505
Her helping office to the Greeks ; and then his own hands wrought,
Which, from his fane's rich chancel, cur'd, the true JEneas brought,
And plac'd him by his peers in field ; who did with joy admire
To see him both alive and safe, and all his pow'rs entire,
Yet stood not sifting how it chanc'd ; another sort of task, 510
Then stirring th' idle sieve of news, did all their forces ask,
Inflam'd by Phoebus, harmful Mars, and Eris eag'rer far.
The Greeks had none to hearten them ; their hearts rose with the war ;
But chiefly Diomed, Ithacus, and both th' Ajaces us'd
Stirring examples and good words ; their own fames had iufus'd 515
Spirit enough into their bloods, to make them neither fear
The Trojans' 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 pow'rs, like fair still clouds, they stood,
With which Jove crowns the tops of hills, in any quiet day, 5-20
When Boreas and the ruder winds (that use to drive away
Air's dusky vapours, being loose, in many a whistling gale)
Are pleasingly bound up, and calm, and not a breath exhale ;
498 Dites winnows. NARES quotes this passage for the word ; but it is only
another spelling for (lights, prepares. See CHAPMAN'S Hesiod, Georgics,
bk. ii. 343, and Days, 67, in vol. v. of this edition of his translations ; where
the word is also used for winnowing. 503 Affair action, endeavour.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS 121
So firmly stood the Greeks, nor fled for all the Ilion's aid.
Atrides yet coasts through the troops, confirming men so staid : 525
*' friends," said he, " hold up your minds ; strength is but strength
of will ;
Rev'rence each other's 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 529
Than life, or than where Fame's neglect makes cowards fight at length.
Flight neither doth the body grace, nor shows the mind hath strength."
He said, and swifty through the troops a mortal lance did send,
That reft a standard-bearer's life, renown'd ^Eneas' friend,
Deicoon Pergasides, whom all the Trojans lov'd
As he were one of Priam's sons, his mind was so approv'd 535
In always fighting with the first. The lance his target took,
Which could not interrupt the blow, that through it clearly strook,
And in his belly's rim was sheath'd, beneath his girdle-stead.
He sounded falling, and his arms with him resounded, dead.
Then fell two princes of the Greeks by great ^Eneas' ire, 540
Diocleus' sons (Orsilochus and Crethon), whose kind sire
In bravely-builded Phaera dwelt, rich, and of sacred blood.
He was descended lineally from great Alphseus' flood,
That broadly flows through Pylos' fields ; Alphaeus did beget
Orsilochus, who in the rule of many men was set ; 545
And that Orsilochus begat the rich Diocleus ;
Diocleus sire to Crethon was, and this Orsilochus.
Both these, arriv'd at man's estate, with both th' Atrides went,
To honour them in th' Ilion wars ; and both were one day sent,
To death as well as Troy, for death hid both in one black hour. sso
As two young lions (with their dam, sustain'd but to devour)
5:9 Liveries deliveries.
530 The first folio has '\cow-herds." This has frequently been given as the
derivation of the word "coward."
838 Girdle-stead. The composition stead is used to mark the place or position
of anything, thus homestead, noonsted ; Girdle-stead, the place of the girdle.
122 THE FIFTH BOOK
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 owner's steel are slain ; in such unhappy sort 55.5
Fell these beneath Eneas' pow'r. When Menelaus view'd
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 ^Eneas' hands, sco
Who was to make the slaughter good, he might have strew'd the sands.
Antilochus, old Nestor's son, observing he was bent
To urge a combat of such odds, and knowing, the event
Being ill on his part, all their pains (alone sustain'd for him)
Err'd from their end, made after hard, and took them in the trim 565
Of an encounter. Both their hands and darts advanc'd, and shook,
And both pitch'd 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-approv'd. 570
Then drew they off their slaughter'd friends ; who giv'n to their belov'd,
They turn'd where fight show'd deadliest hate ; and there mix'd with
the dead
Pylsemen, that the targeteers of Paphlagonia led,
A man like Mars ; and with him fell good Mydon that did guide
His chariot, Atymnus' son. The prince Pylajmen died 575
By Menelaus ; Nestor's joy slew Mydon ; one before
The other in the chariot. Atrides' lance did gore
Pylamien's shoulder, in the'^blade. Antilochus did force
A mighty stone up from the earth, and, as he turn'd his horse,
Strook Mydon's elbow in the midst ; the reins of ivory sso
Fell from his hands into the dust ; Antilochus let fly
565 "Trim 'order, or disposition.' Beaumont and Fletcher speak of 'the
horrid trims of war.' " DK. TAYLOR.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 123
His sword withal, and, rushing in, a blow so deadly laid
Upon his temples, that he groan'd, tumbled to earth, and stay'd
A mighty while preposterously (because the dust was deep)
Upon his neck and shoulders there, ev'n till his foe took keep 535
Of his pris'd horse, and made them stir ; and then he prostrate fell.
His horse Antilochus took home. When Hector had heard tell,
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 march'd great Mars himself, match'd with his female mate,
The dread Bellona. She brought on, to fight for mutual fate, 591
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 pow'r of arms did late attend, 595
Now like a man in counsel poor, that, travelling, goes amiss,
And having pass'd 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, amaz'd, retir'd, coo
And thus would make good his amaze : " friends, we all admir'd
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, form'd like a man, is present in his rage,
And therefore, whatsoever cause importunes you to wage 605
War with these Trojans, never strive, but gently take your rod,
Lest in your bosoms, for a man, ye ever find a God."
As Greece retir'd, the pow'r of Troy did much more forward prease,
And Hector two brave men of war sent to the fields of peace ;
Menesthes, and Anchialus ; one chariot bare them both. cio
Their falls made Ajax Telamon ruthful of heart, and wroth,
584 Preposterously Chapman uses this word in a somewhat unusual way ;
pre-posterous, hind part foremost. Here, on his head.
60:i One of himself peerless.
606 Take your rod submit.
124 THE FIFTH BOOK
Who light'ned out a lance that smote Amphius Selages,
That dwelt in Paesos, rich in lands, and did huge goods possess,
But Fate, to Priam and his sons, conducted his supply.
The jav'lin on his girdle strook, and pierced mortally eis
His belly's lower part ; he fell : his arms had looks so trim,
That Ajax needs would prove their spoil ; the Trojans pour'd 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 jav'lin pluck,
But could not from his shoulders force the arms he did affect, 020
The Trojans with such drifts of darts the body did protect ;
And wisely Telamonius fear'd their valorous defence,
So many, and so strong of hand, stood in with such expense
Of deadly prowess : who repell'd, though big, strong, bold, he were,
The famous Ajax, and their friend did from his rapture bear. 625
Thus this place fill'd with strength of fight ; in th' army's other
prease,
Tlepolemus, a tall big man, the son of Hercules,
A cruel destiny inspir'd, with strong desire to prove
Encounter with Sarpedon's strength, the son of cloudy Jove ;
Who, coming on to that stern end, had chosen him his foe. eso
Thus Jove's great nephew, and his son, 'gainst one another go.
Tlepolemus, to make his end more worth the will of fate,
Began as if he had her pow'r, and show'd the mortal state
Of too much confidence in man, with this superfluous brave :
" Sarpedon, what necessity or needless humour drave ess
Thy form to these wars, which in heart I kuow thou dost abhor,
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 pow'r begat,
Such men as had Herculean force. My father Hercules ow
Was Jove's true issue ; he was bold ; his deeds did well express
6U Conducted his supply led him to assist.
623 Expense profusion, giving forth.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 125
They sprung out of a lion's heart. He whilome came to Troy,
(For horse that Jupiter gave Tros, for Ganymed, his boy)
With sis ships only, and few men, and tore the city down,
Left all her broad ways desolate, and made the horse his own. 645
For thee, thy mind is ill dispos'd, thy body's pow'rs are poor,
And therefore are thy troops so weak ; the soldier evermore
Follows the temper of his chief ; and thou pull'st down a side.
But say thou art the son of Jove, and hast thy means supplied
With forces fitting his descent, the pow'rs that I compell eso
Shall throw thee hence, and make thy head run ope the gates of hell."
Jove's Lycian issue answer'd him : " Tlepolemus, 'tis true
Thy father holy Ilion in that sort overthrew ;
Th' injustice of the king was cause, that, where thy father had
Us'd good deservings to his state, he quitted him with bad. 656
Hesione, the joy and grace of king Laomedon,
Thy father rescu'd from a whale, and gave to Telamon
In honour'd nuptials (Telamon, from whom your strongest Greek
Boasts to have issu'd) 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 eoi
The wreak he took on Troy ; but this and thy cause differ far.
Sons seldom heir their fathers' worths. Thou canst not make his war.
What thou assum'st for him, is mine, to be on thee impos'd."
With this, he threw an ashen dart ; and then Tlepolemus los'd CG&
Another from his glorious hand. Both at one instant flew,
Both strook, both wounded. From his neck Sarpedon's jav'lin drew
The life blood of Tlepolemus ; full in the midst it fell ;
And what he threaten'd, th' other gave, that darkness, and that hell.
Sarpedon's left thigh took the lance ; it pierc'd the solid bone, 670
And with his raging head ran through ; but Jove preserv'd his son.
The dart yet vex'd him bitterly, which should have been pull'd out,
But none consider'd then so much, so thick came on the rout,
648 Side your party. 65 Compell collect together, possess in myself.
126 THE FIFTH BOOK
And fill'd each hand so full of cause to ply his own defence ;
'Twas held enough, both fall'n, that both were nobly carried thence, era
Ulysses knew th' events of both, and took it much to heart
That his friend's enemy should 'scape ; and in a twofold part
His thoughts contended, if he should pursue Sarpedon's life,
Or take his friend's wreak on his men. Fate did conclude this
strife,
By whom 'twas otherwise decreed than that Ulysses' steel cso
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 Eevenge extend
Her full pow'r on the multitude ; then did he never miss ;
Alastor, Halius, Chromius, Noenion, Prytanis, eso
Alcander, and a number more, he slew, and more had slain,
If Hector had not understood ; whose pow'r made in amain,
And strook fear through the Grecian troops, but to Sarpedon gave
Hope of full rescue, who thus cried : " Hector ! Help and save
My body from the spoil of Greece, that to your loved town cso
My friends may see me borne, and then let earth possess her own
In this soil, for whose sake I left my country's ; 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." eos
To all this Hector gives no word, but greedily he strives
With all speed to repell 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 TOO
In his reproof before the host, and that did he retain ;
However, for example sake, he would not show it then,
And for his shame too, since 'twas just. But good Sarpedon's men
Ventur'd themselves, and forc'd him off, and set him underneath
The goodly beech of Jupiter, where now they did unsheath 705
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 127
The ashen lance ; strong Pelagon, his friend, most lov'd, most true,
Enforc'd it from his maimed thigh ; with which his spirit flew,
And darkness over-flew his eyes ; yet with a gentle gale,
That round about the dying prince cool Boreas did exhale,
He was revived, recomforted, that else had griev'd and died. no
All this time flight drave to the fleet the Argives, who applied
No weapon 'gainst the proud pursuit, nor ever turn'd a head, '
They knew so well that Mars pursu'd, and dreadful Hector led.
Then who was first, who last, whose lives the iron Mars did seize,
And Priam's Hector ? Helenas, surnam'd OEnopides ; 715
Good Teuthras ; and Orestes, skill'd in managing of horse ;
Bold GEnomaus ; and a man renown'd for martial force,
Trechus, the great ./Etolian chief ; Oresbius, that did wear
The gaudy niitre, studied wealth extremely, and dwelt near
Th' Atlantic lake Cephisides, in Hyla, by whose seat 720
The good men of Bceotia dwelt. This slaughter grew so great,
It flew to heav'n ; Saturnia discern'd it, and cried out
To Pallas : " unworthy sight ! To see a field so fought,
And break our words to Sparta's king, that Ilion should be rac'd,
And he return reveng'd ; when thus we see his Greeks disgrac'd, 725
And bear the harmful rage of Mars ! Come, let us use our care,
That we dishonour not our pow'rs." Minerva was as yare
As she at the despite of Troy. Her golden-bridled steeds
Then Saturn's daughter brought abroad ; and Hebe, she proceeds
T' address her chariot ; instantly she gives it either wheel, 730
Beam'd with eight spokes of sounding brass ; the axle-tree was steel ;
The fell'ffs incorruptible gold, their upper bands of brass,
Their matter most unvalued, their work of wondrous grace ;
The naves, in which the spokes were driv'n, were all with silver bound ;
The chariot's seat two hoops of gold and silver strengthen'd round, 735
727 Tare quick, ready. Frequently used by Shakespeare ; generally applied
to sailors, sometimes not. " If you have occasion to use me for your own turn,
you shall find me yare." Meas. for Meas. iv. 2.
730 i. e. she puts on both wheels.
128 THE FIFTH BOOK
EJg'd with a gold and silver fringe ; the beam, that look'd before,
Was massy silver ; on whose top, gears all of gold it wore,
And golden poitrils. Juno mounts, and her hot horses rein'd,
That thirsted for contention, and still of peace complain'd.
Minerva wrapt her in the robe, that curiously she wove, 740
"With glorious colours, as she sate on th' azure floor of Jove,
And wore the arms that he puts on, bent to the tearful field.
About her broad-spread shoulders hung his huge and horrid shield,
Fring'd round with ever-fighting snakes ; through it was drawn to life
The miseries and deaths of fight ; in it frown'd bloody Strife, 745
In it shin'd 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 plac'd
His four-plum'd glitt'ring casque of gold, so admirably vast
It would an hundred garrisons of soldiers comprehend. 7. r .o
Then to her shining chariot her vig'rous 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 754
Of him that thunders. Then heav'u's Queen, to urge her horses' speed,
Takes up the scourge, and forth they fly. The ample gates of heav'n
Eung, and flew open of themselves ; the charge whereof is giv'n,
With all Olympus, and the sky, to the distinguish'd Hours,
That clear, or hide it all in clouds, or pour it down in show'rs.
This way their scourge-obeying horse made haste, and soon they won
The top of all the topful heav'ns, where aged Saturn's son 701
Sat sever'd from the other Gods ; then stay'd the white-arm'd Queen
Her steeds, and ask'd 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 ? 765
736 The beam, etc. the pole.
737 Gears here for collars.
733 Poitrils breast-pieces, pectorals.
758 Distinguished varied, marked with distinctions.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 129
At which, she said, Apollo laugh'd, and Venus, who still sue
To that mad God, for violence that never justice knew ;
For whose impiety, she ask'd, if, with his wished love,
Herself might free the field of him ? He bade her rather move
Athenia to the charge she sought, who us'd of old to be 770
The bane of Mars, and had as well the gift of spoil as he.
This grace she slack'd not, but her horse scourg'd, 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,
So far a high-neighing horse of heav'n at eVry jump would fly. 775
Arriv'd at Troy, where, broke in curls, the two floods mix their
force,
Scamander and bright Simois, Saturnia stay'd her horse,
Took them from chariot, and a cloud of mighty depth diffus'd
About them ; and the verdant banks of Simois produc'd
In nature what they eat in heav'n. Then both the Goddesses 780
March'd, like a pair of tim'rous doves, in hasting their access
To th' Argive succour. Being arriv'd, where both the most and best
Were heap'd together (showing all, like lions at a feast
Of new-slain carcasses, or boars, beyond encounter strong)
There found they Diomed ; and there, 'midst all th' admiring throng,
Saturnia put on Steutor's shape, that had a brazen voice, VSG
And spake as loud as fifty men ; like whom she made a noise,
And chid the Argives : " ye Greeks, in name and outward rite
But princes only, not in act, what scandal, what despite,
775 " How far a heavenly horse took at one reach or stroke in galloping or
running ; wherein Homer's mind is far from being expressed in his interpreters,
all taking it for how far Deities were borne from the earth, when instantly they
came down to earth : rdffffov firidpuxTKovtri, &c. tantum uno saltu conficiunt, vel,
tantum subsultim proyrediuntur, deorum altizoni equi, &c. uno being understood,
and the horse's swiftness highly expressed. The sense, otherwise, is senseless
and contradictory." CHAPMAN.
780 "'Apppoffiriv is the original word, which Scaliger taxeth very learnedly,
asking how the horse came by it on those banks, when the text tells him Simois
produced it ; being willing to express by hyperbole the delicacy of that soil. If
not, I hope the Deities could ever command it." CHAPMAN.
VOL. I. I
130 THE FIFTH BOOK
Use ye to honour ! All the time the great JEacides roo
Was conversant in arms, your foes durst not a foot address
Without their ports, so much they fear'd his lance that all controll'd,
And now they out-ray to your fleet." This did with shame make bold
The gen'ral spirit and pow'r of Greece ; when, with particular note
Of their disgrace, Athenia made Tydeus' issue hot. 795
She found him at his chariot, refreshing of his wound
Inflicted by slain Pandarus ; his sweat did so abound,
It much annoy'd 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, soo
And wip'd away that clotter'd blood the fervent wound did melt.
Minerva lean'd against his horse, and near their withers laid
Her sacred hand, then spake to him: "Believe me, Diomed,
Tydeus exampled not himself in thee his son ; not great,
But yet he was a soldier ; a man of so much heat, sos
That in his ainbassy for Thebes, when I forbad his mind
To be too vent'rous, and when feasts his heart might have declin'd,
With which they welcom'd him, he made a challenge to the best,
And foil'd the best ; I gave him aid, because the rust of rest,
That would have seiz'd another mind, he snffer'd not, but us'd sio
The trial I made like a man, and their soft feasts refus'd.
Yet, when I set thee on, thou faint'st ; I guard thee, charge, exhort
That, I abetting thee, thou shouldst be to the Greeks a fort,
And a dismay to Ilion, yet thou obey'st in nought,
Afraid, or slothful, or else both ; henceforth renounce all thought sis
That ever thou wert Tydeus' son." He answer'd her : " I know
Thou art Jove's daughter, and, for that, in all just duty owe
Thy speeches rev'rence, 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 sao
With any blessed Deity, unless (exceeding far
793 Out-ray spread out in array ; abbreviated from array.
807 Declin'd turned aside.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 131
The limits of her rule) the Queen, that governs chamber sport,
Should press to field ; and her thy will enjoin'd my lance to hurt.
But, He whose pow'r hath right in arms, I knew in person here,
Besides the Cyprian Deity ; and therefore did forbear, 825
And here have gather'd in retreat these other Greeks you see,
With note and rev'rence of your charge." " My dearest mind," said she,
'' What then was fit is chang'd. 'Tis true, Mars hath just rule in war,
But just war ; otherwise he raves, not fights. He's alter'd far.
He vow'd to Juno, and myself, that his aid should be us'd 830
Against the Trojans, whom it guards ; and therein he abus'd
His rule in arms, infring'd 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 ; 334
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 waggoness, she pluck'd the wagg'ner back,
And up into his seat she mounts ; the beechen tree did crack
Beneath the burthen ; and good cause, it bore so huge a thing, 84
A Goddess so replete with pow'r, and such a puissant king.
She snatch'd the scourge up and the reins, and shut her heav'nly look
In Hell's vast helm from Mars's eyes ; and full career she took
At him, who then had newly slain the mighty Periphas,
Eenown'd son to Ochesius, and far the strongest was
Of all th' ^Etolians ; to whose spoil the bloody God was run. 845
But when this man-plague saw th' approach of god-like Tydeus' son,
He let his mighty Periphas lie, and in full charge he ran
At Diomed ; and he at him. Both near ; the God began,
And, thirsty of his blood, he throws a brazen lance that bears 6&o
Full on the breast of Diomed, above the reins and gears ;
839 Beechen tree axle. 84 The second folio reads "larye" for "huge."
842 Her Look See Bk. i. 200.
132 THE FIFTH BOOK
But Pallas took it on her hand, and strook the eager lance
Beneath the chariot. Then the knight of Pallas cloth advance,
And cast a jav'lin off at Mars, Minerva sent it on,
That, where his arming girdle girt, his belly graz'd upon, 855
Just at the rim, and ranch'd 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 bray'd out all their breaths
In one confusion, having felt as many sudden deaths.
The roar made both the hosts amaz'd. Up flew the God to heav'n ;
And with him was through all the air as black a tincture driv'n sei
To Diomed's eyes, as when the earth half-chok'd with smoking heat
Of gloomy clouds, that stifle men, and pitchy tempests threat,
Usher'd with horrid gusts of wind ; with such black vapours plum'd,
Mars flew t' Olympus, and broad heav'n, and there his place resum'd.
Sadly he went and sat by Jove, show'd his immortal blood, see
That from a mortal-man-made wound pour'd such an impious flood,
And weeping pour'd out these complaints : " Father, storm'st thou not
To see us take these wrongs from men ? Extreme griefs we have got
Ev'n by our own deep councils, held for gratifying them ; sro
And thou, our council's president, conclud'st in this extreme
Of fighting ever ; being rul'd 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, 876
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 palm 's hit Cyprides; then runs the impious deed
On my hurt person ; and, could life give way to death in me, sso
Or had my feet not fetch'd me off, heaps of mortality
855 PancJid wrenched, tore. He Diomede.
875 Nor by word. The second folio has incorrectly "sword."
879 First in the Palm 's hit. Both the folios have " First in the palms heir/ht
Ci/prydes ; " and Dr. Taylor has thus printed, but the true meaning and reading
must be obvious.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 133
Had kept me consort." Jupiter, with a contracted brow,
Thus answer'd Mars : " Thou many minds, inconstant changeling thou,
Sit not complaining thus by me, whom most of all the Gods,
Inhabiting the starry hill, I hate ; no periods sss
Being set to thy contentions, brawls, fights, and pitching fields ;
Just of thy mother Juno's moods, stiff-neck'd, 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 cur'd, because 890
Thou com'st of me, but hadst thou been so cross to sacred laws,
Being born to any other God, thou hadst been thrown from heav'n
Long since, as low as Tartarus, beneath the giants driv'n."
This said, he gave his w r ound in charge to Pason, who applied
Such sov'reign med'cines, that as soon the pain was qualified, 595
And he recur'd ; as nourishing milk, when runnet is put in,
Runs all in heaps of tough thick curd, though in his nature thin,
Ev'n so soon his wound's parted sides ran close in his recure ;
For he, all deathless, could not long the parts of death endure.
Then Hebe bath'd, and put on him fresh garments, and he sate 900
Exulting by his sire again, in top of all his state.
So, having, from the spoils of men, made his desir'd remove,
Juno and Pallas re-ascend the starry court of Jove.
THE EXD OF THE FIFTH BOOK.
THE SIXTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
THE ARGUMENT.
THE Gods now leaving an indiff'rent * field,
The Greeks prevail, the slaughter'd Trojans yield.
Hector, by Helenus' advice, retires
In haste to Troy, and Hecuba desires
To pray Minerva to remove from fight
The son of Tydeus, her affected knight,
And vow to her, for favour of such price,
Twelve oxen should be slain in sacrifice.
In mean space Glaucus and Tydides meet ;
And either other with remembrance greet
Of old love 'twixt their fathers, which inclines
Their hearts to friendship ; who change arms for signs
Of a continu'd love for cither's life.
Hector, in his return, meets with his wife,
And, taking in his armed arms his son,
He prophesies the fall of Ilion.
ANOTHER ARGUMENT.
In Zeta, Hector prophesies ;
Prays for his son ; wills sacrifice.
HE stern fight freed of all the Gods, conquest with doubtful
wings
Flew on their lances ; ev'ry way the restless field she flings
Betwixt the floods of Simois and Xanthus, that confin'd
All their affairs at Ilion, and round about them shin'd.
* Indifferent impartial.
HOMER'S ILIADS. 135
The first that weigh'd down all the field, of one particular side, 5
"Was Ajax, son of Telamon ; who, like a bulwark, plied
The Greeks' protection, and of Troy the knotty orders brake,
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 ; 10
His lance fell on his casque's plum'd top, in stooping ; the fell head
Erave through his forehead to liis jaws ; his eyes night shadowed.
Tydides slew Teuthranides Axylus, that did dwell
In fair Arisba's well-built tow'rs. He had of wealth a well,
And yet was kind and bountiful ; he would a traveller pray is
To be his guest, his friendly house stood in the broad highway,
In which he all sorts nobly us'd ; yet none of them would stand
'Twist him and death, but both himself, and he that had command
Of his fair horse, Calesius, fell lifeless on the ground.
Euryalus, Opheltius and Dresus, dead did wound ; 20
Nor ended there his fi'ry course, which he again begins,
And ran to it successfully, upon a pair of twins,
yEsepus, and bold Pedasus, whom good Bucolion
(That first call'd father, though base-born, renown'd Laornedon)
On Nais Abarbarsea got, a nymph that, as she fed 25
Her curled flocks, Bucolion woo'd, and mix'd in love and bed.
Both these were spoil'd of arms and life, by Mecistiades.
Then Polypcetes, for stern death, Astyalus did seize ;
Ulysses slew Percosius ; Teucer Aretaon ;
Antilochus (old Nestor's joy) Ablerus ; the great son so
Of Atreiis, and king of men, Elatus, whose abode
He held at upper Pedasus, where Satuius' river flowed ;
The great heroe Leitus stav'd Phylacus in flight
From further life ; Eurypylus, Melanthius reft of light.
The brother to the king of men, Adrestus took alive ; 35
Whose horse, affrighted with the flight, their driver now did drive
35 The Irothcr Menelaus.
136 THE SIXTH BOOK
Amongst the low-grown tam'risk trees, and at an arm of one
The chariot in the draught-tree brake ; the horse brake loose, and ron
The same way other flyers fled, contending all to town ;
Himself close at the chariot wheel, upon his face was thrown, w
And there lay flat, roll'd up in dust. Atrides inwards drave ;
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 : 15
" Take me alive, Atreus' son, and take a worthy weight
Of brass, elab'rate iron, and gold. A heap of precious things
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, so
And meant to take it, being about to send him safe to fleet ;
Which when, far off, his brother saw, he wing'd his royal feet,
And came in threat'ning, crying out : " soft heart ! What's the cause
Thou sparst these men thus ? Have not they observ'd these gentle laws
Of mild humanity to thee, with mighty argument 55
Why thou shouldst deal thus ; in thy house, and with all precedent
Of honour'd guest-rites, entertain'd 1 Not one of them shall fly
A bitter end for it from heav'n, and much less, dotingly,
'Scape our revengeful fingers ; all, ev'n th' infant in the womb,
Shall taste of what they merited, and have no other tomb oo
Than razed Ilion ; nor their race have more fruit than the dust."
This just cause turn'd his brother's mind, who violently thrust
The pris'ner from him ; in whose guts the king of men inipress'd
His ashen lance, which (pitching down his foot upon the breast
Of him that upwards fell) he drew ; then Nestor spake to all : Co
" friends, and household men of Mars, let not your pursuit fall,
39 The second folio reads,
" The same way others fled, contending all to town ; "
omitting "flt/ei-s."
47 " This Virgil imitates." CHAPMAN. 55 Argument example.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 137
With those ye fell, for present spoil ; nor, like the king of men,
Let any 'scape unfell'd ; but on, dispatch them all, and then
Ye shall have time enough to spoil." This made so strong their chace,
That all the Trojans had heen hous'd, and never turned a face, 70
Had not the Priamist Helenus, an augur most of name,
Will'd Hector and ^neas 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 75
In ev'ry turn she makes) stand fast, and suffer not the rest,
By any way search'd out for 'scape, to come within the ports,
Lest, tied 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 ventur'd hands, so
Though in a hard condition, to make the other stay,
Hector, go thou to Ilion, and our queen-mother pray
To take the richest robe she hath ; the same that's chiefly 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, sz
To Pallas' temple, take the key, unlock the leavy gates,
Enter, and reach the highest tow'r, where her Palladium stand?,
And on it put the precious veil with pure and rev'rend hands,
And vow to her, besides the gift, a sacrificing stroke
Of twelve fat heifers-of-a-year, that never felt the yoke, 90
(Most answ'ring to her maiden state) if she will pity us,
Our town, our wives, our youngest joys, and him, that plagues them thus,
Take from the conflict, Diomed, that fury in a fight,
That true son of great Tydeiis, that cunning lord of flight,
Whom I esteem the strongest Greek ; for we have never fled 95
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
86 Leavy leafy, folding doors.
93 Intends attends to ; a common use of the word in old writers.
138 THE SIXTH BOOK
He made quick way, encouraging ; and all, to fear afraid,
All turn'd their heads, and made Greece turn. Slaughter stood still
dismay'd 100
On their parts, for they thought some God, fall'n from the vault of
stars,
Was rush'd into the Ilions' aid, they made such dreadful wars.
Thus Hector, toiling in the waves, and thrusting back the flood
Of his ebb'd forces, thus takes leave : " So, so, now runs your blood
In his right current ; forwards now, Trojans, and far-call'd friends ! 105
Awhile hold out, till, for success to this your brave amends,
I haste to Ilion, and procure our counsellors and wives
To pray, and offer hecatombs, for their states in our lives."
Then fair-helm'd Hector turu'd to Troy, and, as he trode the field,
The black bull's hide, that at his back he wore about his shield, no
In the extreme circumference, was with his gait so rock'd,
That, being large, it both at once his neck and ankles knock'd.
And now betwixt the hosts were met, Hippolochus' brave sou,
Glaucus, who in his very look hope of some wonder won,
And little Tydeus' mighty heir ; who seeing such a man 115
Offer the field, for usual blows, with wondrous words began :
" AVhat art thou, strong'st of mortal men, that putt'st so far before,
Whom these fights never show'd mine eyes 1 They have been
evermore
Sons of unhappy parents born, that came within the length
Of this Minerva-guided lance, and durst close with the strength 120
That she inspires in me. If heav'n be thy divine abode,
And thou a Deity thus inform'd, no more with any God
Will I change lances. The strong son of Dryus did not live
Long after such a conflict dar'd, who godlessly did drive
102 Ilions' aid. Chapman not infrequently uses Ilions for people of Ilion, or
Troy. Probably a misprint for Ilians.
K ' 8 Their states in our lives. This is a somewhat complicated expression. The
meaning is probably, as Dr. Taylor says, " for their lives and properties which
depend oil our lives."
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 139
Nysseus' nurses through the hill made sacred to his name, 125
And called Nysseius ; with a goad he punch'd each furious dame,
And made them ev'ry one cast down their green and leavy spears.
This th' homicide Lycurgus did ; and those ungodly fears,
He put the froes in, seiz'd their God. Ev'n Bacchus he did drive
From his Nysseius ; who was fain, with huge exclaims, to dive iso
Into the ocean. Thetis there in her bright bosom took
The flying Deity ; who so fear'd Lycurgus' threats, he shook.
For which the freely-living Gods so highly were incens'd,
That Saturn's great Son strook him blind, and with his life dispens'd
But small time after ; all because th' Immortals lov'd him not, 135
Nor lov'd him since he striv'd with them ; and his end hath begot
Fear in my pow'rs to fight with heaVn. 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 hoise such sail." " Why dost thou so explore,"
Said Glaucus, " of what race I am, when like the race of leaves t
The race of man is, that deserves no question ; nor receives
My being any other breath 1 The wind in autumn strows
The earth with old leaves, then the spring the woods with new endows ;
And so death scatters men on earth, so life puts out again 145
Man's leavy 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,
Ephyre, where the mansion-house of Sisyphus did stand,
Of Sisyphus-bolides, most wise of all the land. loo
Glaucus was son to him, and he begat Bellerophon,
Whose body heav'n indu'd with strength, and put a beauty on,
125 Nysceus Bacchus.
127 Leavy spears the thyrsi, or wands, of the Bacchanals.
159 " froes for frows, Dutch for women.
'Buxom as Bacchus' froes, revelling and dancing.'
BEAUM. AND FLETCHEK." NARES.
134 Him Lycurgus. l46 Leavy leafy. 149 Ephyrt Corinth.
140 THE SIXTH BOOK
Exceeding lovely. Prsetus yet his cause of love did hate,
And banish'd him the town ; he might ; he rul'd the Argive state.
The virtue of the one Jove plac'd beneath the other's pow'r, 155
His exile grew, since he denied to be the paramour
Of fair Anteia, Prsetus' 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 ieo
Within the danger of the Gods, the act being simply ill,)
Still entertaining thoughts divine, subdu'd the earthly still.
She, rul'd by neither of his wits, preferr'd her lust to both,
And, false to Praetus, would seem true, with this abhorr'd untroth :
" Prsetus, or die thyself," said she, " or let Bellerophon die. 105
He urg'd dishonour to thy bed ; which since I did deny,
He thought his violence should grant, and sought thy shame by
force."
The king, incens'd with her report, resolv'd upon her course,
But doubted how it should be run ; he shunn'd his death direct,
(Holding a way so near not safe) and plotted the effect no
By sending him with letters seal'd (that, open'd, touch his life)
To Kheuns king of Lycia, and father to his wife.
He went ; and happily he went, the Gods walk'd all his way ;
And being arriv'd in Lycia, where Xanthus doth display
153 " jjf s cause of love his personal beauty." TAYLOR.
156 His exile grew the origin of his exile was, &c.
171 " Bellerophontis litcrce. Ad. Eras. This long speech many critics tax as
untimely, being, as they take it, in the heat of fight ; Hier. Vidas, a late observer,
being eagerest against Homer. Whose ignorance in this I cannot but note, and
prove to you ; for, besides the authority and office of a poet, to vary and quicken
his poem with these episodes, sometimes beyond the leisure of their actions, the
critic notes not how far his forerunner prevents his worst as far ; and sets down
his speech at the sudden and strange turning of the Trojan field, set on a little
before by Hector ; and that so fiercely, it made an admiring stand among the
Grecians, and therein gave fit time for these great captains to utter their admira-
tions, 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 under-
standings, I leave only to such, and let our critics go cavil." CHAPMAN.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 141
The silver ensigns of his waves, the king of that broad land 175
Receiv'd him with a wondrous free and honourable hand.
Nine days he feasted him, and kill'd an ox in ev'ry day,
In thankful sacrifice to heav'n, for his fair guest ; whose stay,
With rosy fingers, brought the world, the tenth well-welcom'd morn,
And then the king did move to see, the letters he had borne iso
From his lov'd son-in-law ; which seen, he wrought thus their contents :
Chimsera, the invincible, he sent him to convince,
Sprung from no man, but mere divine ; a lion's shape before,
Behind a dragon's, in the midst a goat's shagg'd form, she bore,
And flames of deadly fervency flew from her breath and eyes ; iss
Yet her he, slew ; his confidence in sacred prodigies
Render' d him victor. Then he gave his second conquest way
Against the famous Solymi, when (he himself would say,
Reporting it) he enter'd on a passing vig'rous fight.
His third huge labour he approv'd against a woman's spite, 190
That fill'd a field of Amazons ; he 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 lodg'd for him ; whom he lodg'd sure, they never rais'd a head.
His deeds thus showing him deriv'd from some celestial race, 195
The king detain'd, and made amends, with doing him the grace
Of his fair daughter's princely gift ; and with her, for a dow'r,
Gave half his kingdom ; and to this, the Lycians on did pour
More than was giv'n 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 wand'rings there 201
And other errors of their prince, in the unhappy rear
12 Convince overcome.
185 The second folio reads,
" And flames of fervency flew from her breath and eyes; "
omitting (obviously erroneously) deadly.
201 " This field the Lycians futurely, &c. Chapman has transposed the clauses
of the history to accommodate the theory of some commentators who assert that
'the field of wandering ' was the original demesne assigned to Bellerophon."
COOKE TAYLOR.
142 THE SIXTH BOOK
Of his sad life) the Errant call'd. The princess brought him forth
Three children (whose ends griev'd him more, the more they were of
worth)
Isander ; and Hippolochus ; and fair Laodomy, 205
With whom, ev'n Jupiter himself left heav'n itself, to lie,
And had by her the man at arms, Sarpedon, call'd divine.
The Gods then left him, lest a man should in their glories shine,
And set against him ; for his son, Tsandrus, in a strife
Against the valiant Solymi, Mars reft of light and life ; 210
Laodamia, being envied of all the Goddesses,
The golden-bridle-handling Queen, the maiden Patroness,
Slew with an arrow ; and for this he wander'd evermore
Alone through this his Aleian field, and fed upon the core
Of his sad bosom, flying all the loth'd consorts of men. 215
Yet had he one surviv'd to him, of those three childeren,
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 sham'd my race, that far excell'd
All that Ephyra's famous tow'rs, or ample Lycia, held. 220
This is my stock, and this am I." This cheer'd Tydides' heart,
Who pitch'd his spear down, lean'd, and talk'd in this affectionate part :
" Certes, in thy great ancestor, and in mine own, thou art
A guest of mine, right ancient. King Oeneus twenty davs
Detain'd, with feasts, Bellerophon, whom all the world did praise. 225
Betwixt whom mutual gifts were giv'n. My grandsire gave to thine
A girdle of Phoenician work, impurpl'd wondrous fine.
Thine gave a two-neck'd 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 230
Left me a child, at siege of Thebes, where he left his life's fire.
But let us prove our grandsires' sons, and be each other's guests.
To Lycia when I come, do thou receive thy friend with feasts ;
513 Diana.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 143
Peloponnesus, with the like, shall thy wish'd presence greet.
Mean space, shun we each other here, though in the press we meet.
There are enow of Troy beside, and men enow renown'd, 230
To right my pow'rs, whomever heav'n shall 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, 249
Change we our arms before them all." From horse then both de-
scend,
Join hands, give faith, and take ; and then did Jupiter elate
The mind of Glaucus, who, to show his rev'rence to the state
Of virtue in his grandsire's heart, and gratulate beside
The offer of so great a friend, exchang'd, in that good pride, 245
Carets of gold for those of brass, that did on Diomed shine,
One of a hundred oxen's price, the other but of nine.
By this, had Hector reach'd the ports of Scsea, and the tow'rs.
About him flock'd the wives of Troy, the children, paramours,
Inquiring how their husbands did, their fathers, brothers, loves. 250
He stood not then to answer them, but said : " It now behoves
Ye should all go t' implore the aid of heav'n, 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. 255
Within, of one side, on a rew, of sundry-colour'd 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 arew,
242 (f>p^, a s e't^Xfro Zebs, Mcntem adcmit Jup., the text hath it ; which only
I alter of all Homer's original, since Plutarch against the Stoics excuses this
supposed folly in Glaucus. Spondanus likewise encouraging my alterations,
which I use for the loved and simple nobility of the free exchange in Glaucus,
contrary to others that, for the supposed folly in Glaucus, turned his change
into a proverb, xpvvea xaAx'wp, golden for brazen." CHAPMAN.
256 Ucw row:
144 THE SIXTH BOOK
Where, with, their fair and virtuous wives, twelve princes, sons in law
To honourable Priam, lay. And here met Hecuba, 201
The loving mother, her great son ; and with her needs must be
The fairest of her female race, the bright Laodice.
The queen gript hard her Hector's hand, and said : "0 worthiest son,
Why leav'st thou field ? Is't not because the cursed nation 265
Afflict our countrymen and friends 1 They are their moans that move
Thy mind to come and lift thy hands, in his high tow'r, 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 refresh'd ; for, woe is me, how thou art toil'd and spent ! 270
Thou for our city's gen'ral 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 dismay'd
With careful spirits, or too much with labour overlaid, 275
Wine brings much rescue, strengthening much the body and the mind."
The great helm-mover thus receiv'd the auth'ress of his kind :
" My royal mother, bring no wine ; lest rather it impair
Than help my strength, and make my mind forgetful of th' affair
Committed to it ; and (to pour it out in sacrifice) 280
I fear with unwash'd hands to serve the pure-liv'd Deities.
Nor is it lawful, thus imbru'd with blood and dust, to prove
The will of heav'n, or offer vows to cloud-compelling Jove.
I only come to use your pains (assembling other dames,
Matrons, and women honour'd most, with high and virtuous names) 285
With wine and odours, and a robe most ample, most of price,
And which is dearest in your love, to offer sacrifice
In Pallas' temple ; and to put the precious robe 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 seig'd town ; pity ourselves, our wives ; 291
275 Careful anxious.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 145
Pity our children ; and remove, from sacred Ilion,
The dreadful soldier Dionied. 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, 295
And headlong take into her gulf, ev'n quick before mine eyes ;
For then my heart, I hope, would cast her load of miseries,
Borne for the plague he hath been born, and bred to the deface,
By great Olympius, of Troy, our sire, and all our race."
This said, grave Hecuba went home, and sent her maids about, soo
To bid the matrons. She herself descended, and search'd out,
Within a place that breath'd perfumes, the richest robe she had ;
Which lay with many rich ones more, most curiously made
By women of Sidonia ; which Paris brought from thence,
Sailing the broad sea, when he made that voyage of offence, y&
In which he brought home Helena. That robe, transferr'd so far,
(That was the undermost) she took ; it glitter'd like a star ;
And with it went she to the fane, with many ladies more ;
Amongst whom fair-cheek'd Theano unlock'd the folded door ;
Chaste Theano, Antenor's wife, and of Cisseus' race, 310
Sister to Hecuba, both born to that great king of Thrace.
Her th' Ilions made Minerva's priest ; and her they follow'd all
Up to the temple's highest tow'r, 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 sis
The great Palladium, praying thus : " Goddess of most renown
In all the heav'n of Goddesses, great Guardian of our town,
Kev'rend Minerva, break the lance of Diomed, cease his grace,
Give him to fall in shameful flight, headlong, and on his face,
Before our ports of Ilion, that instantly we may, 320
Twelve unyok'd 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 infants' innocence."
315 Implies enfolds.
VOL. I. K
146 THE SIXTH BOOK
She pray'd, but Pallas would not grant. Mean space was Hector come
Where Alexander's lodgings were, that many a goodly room 325
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 contain'd in them ; and all within a tow'r,
Next Hector's lodgings and the king's. The lov'd of heav'n's chief
Pow'r,
Hector, here enter'd. In his hand a goodly lance he bore, 330
Ten cubits long ; the brazen head went shining in before,
Help'd with a burnish'd ring of gold. He found his brother then
Amongst the women, yet prepar'd 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 335
To his straight arms. Amongst her maids was set the Argive Queen,
Commanding them in choicest works. When Hector's eye bad 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. 340
That he might do it bitterly, his cowardice he hid,
That simply made him so retir'd, beneath an anger, feign'd
In him by Hector, for the hate the citizens sustain'd
Against him, for the foil he took in their cause ; and again,
For all their gen'ral foils in his. So Hector seems to plain 345
Of his wrath to them, for their hate, and not his cowardice ;
As that were it that shelter'd him in his effeminacies,
And kept him, in that dang'rous time, from their fit aid in fight ;
For which he chid thus : " Wretched man ! So timeless is thy spite
335 ji r gi V e Queen Helen, formerly Argive queen.
345 Plain complain.
346 " Hector dissembles the cowardice he finds in Paris ; turning it, as if he
chid him for his anger at the Trojans for hating him, being conquered by
Menelaus, when it is for his effeminacy. Which is all paraphrastical in my
translation." Chapman.
349 Timeless untimely.
" Poison I see has been his t'mekss end." Borneo and Jul. v. 5.
OF HOMERS ILIADS. 147
That 'tis not honest ; and their hate is jnst, 'gainst which it bends. 350
War burns about the town for thee ; for thee our slaughter'd friends
Besiege Troy with their carcasses, on whose heaps our high walls
Are overlook'd by enemies ; the sad sounds of their falls
Without, are echo'd with the cries of wives and babes within ;
And all for thee ; and yet for them thy honour cannot win 355
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 tow'rs and Troy be burn'd about thine ears."
Paris acknowledg'd, as before, all just that Hector spake, 300
Allowing justice, though it were for his injustice' sake ;
And where his brother put a wrath upon him by his art,
He takes it, for his honour's sake, as sprung out of his heart,
And rather would have anger seem his fault than cowardice ;
And thus he answer'd : " Since, with right, you join'd check with advice,
And I hear you, give equal ear : It is not any spleen 366
Against the town, as you conceive, that makes me so unseen,
But sorrow for it ; which to ease, and by discourse digest
AVithin myself, I live so close ; and yet, since men might wrest
My sad retreat, like you, my wife with her advice inclin'd 370
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,
Concpuest brings forth her wreaths by turns. Stay then this haste of thine
But till I arm, and I am made a consort for thee straight ;
Or go, I'll overtake thy haste." Helen stood at receipt, 375
366 j) r . Taylor has printed " care," but probably through an oversight.
372 Foil defeat ; alluding to the fight with Menelaus.
375 Stood at receipt. Dr. Taylor has strangely misunderstood this passage,
when he says " stood as to cover her husband's confusion," which was the very
thing she did not wish to do. The meaning is simply "stood at hand," " stood
by, or ready." The next line would seem to be, " and took up Hector's power-
ful arguments to enforce her own words, which left Paris no escape ; " but it
might mean, as Dr. Taylor says, "occupied Hector's attention " by her speech.
The whole passage is an interpolation by Chapman.
148 THE SIXTH BOOK
And took up all great Hector's pow'rs, t' attend her heavy words,
By which had Paris no reply. This vent her grief affords :
" Brother (if I may call you so, that had heen better born
A dog, than such a horrid dame, as all men curse and scorn,
A mischief-maker, a man-plague) would to God, the day, aso
That first gave light to me, had been a whirlwind in my way,
And borne me to some desert hill, or hid 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 Gods have been
Helpless foreseers of my plagues, they might have likewise seen sss
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 dar'd
To shield mine honour with this 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. 390
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 charg'd with most unrest for me,
(Vile wretch) and for my lover's wrong ; on whom a destiny 395
So bitter is impos'd by Jove, that all succeeding times
Will put, to our unended shames, in all men's mouths our crimes."
He answer'd : " Helen, do not seek to make me sit with thee ;
I must not stay, though well I know thy honour'd love of me.
My mind calls forth to aid our friends, in whom my absence breeds 400
Longings to see me ; for whose sakes, importune thou to deeds
This man by all means, that your care may make his own make hast,
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 ; 405
For, sister, 'tis without my skill, if I shall evermore
Return, and see them, or to earth, her right in me, restore.
385 Helpless unaiding.
406 Without my skill beyond my knowledge, more than I know.
_
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 149
The Gods may stoop me by the Greeks." This said, he went to see
The virtuous princess, his true wife, white-arm'd Andromache.
She, "with her infant son and maid, was climb'd the tow'r, about 410
The sight of him that sought for her, weeping and crying out.
Hector, not finding her at home, was going forth ; retir'd ;
Stood in the gate ; her woman call'd, and curiously inquir'd
Where she was gone ; bad tell him true, if she were gone to see
His sisters, or his brothers' wives ; or whether she should be 4is
At temple with the other dames, t' implore Minerva's ruth.
Her woman answer'd : Since he ask'd, and urg'd so much the truth,
The truth was she was neither gone, to see his brothers' wives,
His sisters, nor t' implore the ruth of Pallas on their lives ;
But she (advertis'd of the bane Troy suffer'd, and how vast 420
Conquest had made herself for Greece) like one distraught, made hast
To ample Ilion with her son, and nurse, and all the way
Mourn'd, and dissolv'd in tears for him. Then Hector made no stay,
But trod her path, and through the streets, magnificently built,
All the great city pass'd, and came where, seeing how blood was spilt,
Andromache might see hina come : who made as he would pass 420
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 dow'r ; she that of all the race
Of king Aetion only liv'd ; Aetion, whose house stood 430
Beneath the mountain Placius, environ'd with the wood
Of Theban Hypoplace, 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 heav'nly sign,
Compact of many golden stars, the princely child did shine, 435
Whom Hector call'd Scamandrius, but whom the town did name
Astyanax, because his sire did only prop the same.
Hector, though grief bereft his speech, yet smil'd upon his joy.
Andromache cried out, mix'd hands, and to the strength of Troy
408 Stoop me by the Greeks cause me to succumb to the Greeks.
150 THE SIXTH BOOK
Thus wept forth her affection : " nohlest in desire ! 440
Thy mind, inflani'd 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 then would earth bear joys no more ; then comes the black increase
Of griefs (like Greeks on Ilion). Alas ! What one survives 440
To be my refuge ] One black day bereft sev'n brothers' lives,
By stern Achilles ; by his hand my father breath'd his last,
His high-wall'd rich Cilician Thebes sack'd by him, and laid wast ;
The royal body yet he left unspoil'd ; religion charm'd 450
That act of spoil ; and all in fire he burn'd him complete arnvd ;
Built over him a royal tomb ; and to the monument
He left of him, th' Oreades (that are the high descent
Of iEgis-bearing Jupiter) another of their own
Did add to it, and set it round with elms ; by which is shown, 433
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, us'd to hurt things of that noble kind.
The short life yet my mother liv'd he sav'd, and serv'd his mind
With all the riches of the realm ; which not enough esteem'd, 400
He kept her pris'ner ; whom small time, but much more wealth, redeem'd,
And she, in sylvan Hypoplace, Cilicia rul'd again,
But soon was over-rul'd by death ; Diana's chaste disdain
Gave her a lance, and took her life. Yet, all these gone from me,
Thou amply render'st all ; thy life makes still my father be, 405
My mother, brothers ; and besides thou art my husband too,
Most lov'd, 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,
449 " Thebes, a most rich city of Cilicia." Chapman.
457 The second folio (which Dr. Taylor follows) reads " said monument ; " an
evident typographical error.
OF HOMERS ILIADS. 151
Thou leav'st him a poor widow's charge. Stay, stay then, in this tow'r,
And call up to the wild fig-tree all thy retired pow'r ; 471
For there the wall is easiest scal'd, and fittest for surprise,
And there, th' Ajaces, Idomen, th' Atrides, Diomed, thrice
Have both survey'd and made attempt ; I know not if induc'd
By some wise augury, or the fact was naturally infus'd 47-.
Into their wits, or courages." To this, great Hector said :
" Be well assur'd, wife, all these things in my kind cares are weigh'd.
But what a shame, and fear, it is to think how Troy would scorn
(Both in her husbands, and her wives, whom long-train'd gowns adorn)
That I should cowardly fly off ! The spirit I first did breath 4so
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. 485
And such a stormy day shall come (in mind and soul I know)
When sacred Troy shall shed her tow'rs, for tears of overthrow ;
When Priam, all his birth and pow'r, shall in those tears be drown'd.
But neither Troy's posterity so much my soul doth wound,
Priam, nor Hecuba herself, nor all my brothers' woes, 490
(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,
But spin the Greek wives' webs of task, and their fetch- water be 495
To Argos, from Messeides, or clear Hyperia's spring ;
Which howsoever thou abhorr'st, Fate's such a shrewish thing
She will be mistress ; whose curs'd hands, when they shall crush out cries
From thy oppressions (being beheld by other enemies)
493 p ree days The second folio has " three days ; " a misprint.
496 The names of two fountains : of which one in Thessaly, the other near
Argos, or, according to others, in Peloponnesus or Lacedsemon." Chapman.
497 Shrewish cursed, malicious.
152 THE SIXTH BOOK
Thus tbey will nourish, thy extremes : 'This dame was Hector's wife,
A man that, at the wars of Troy, did breathe the worthiest life soi
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 reach'd to take his son ; who, of his arms afraid, 606
And then the horse-hair plume, with which he was so overlaid,
Nodded so horribly, he cling'd back to his nurse, and cried.
Laughter affected his great sire, who doff'd, and laid aside
His fearful helm, that on the earth cast round about it light ; sjo
Then took and kiss'd his loving son, and (balancing his weight
In dancing him) these loving vows to living Jove he us'd,
And all the other bench of Gods : " you that have infus'd
Soul to this infant, now set down this blessing on his star ;
Let his renown be clear as mine ; equal his strength in war ; 515
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 conquer'd field
Sown with his slaughters : ' These high deeds exceed his father's
worth.'
And let this echo'd praise supply the comforts to come forth
Of his kind mother with my life." This said, th' heroic sire 620
Gave him his mother ; whose fair eyes fresh streams of love's salt fire
Billow'd on her soft cheeks, to hear the last of Hector's speech,
In which his vows compris'd the sum of all he did beseech
In her wish'd comfort. So she took into her od'rous breast
Her husband's gift ; who, mov'd to see her heart so much oppress'd,
He dried her tears, and thus desir'd : " Afflict me not, dear wife, 526
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 1
Noble, iguoble, fate controls. Once born, the best must die.
503 rp Q m j ss u ic mari) & c% To miss him who could soon put an end or stop to
your slavery.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 153
Go home, and set thy housewif'ry on these extremes of thought ; 530
And drive war from them with thy maids ; keep them from doing nought-
These will he nothing ; leave the cares of war to men, and me
In whom, of all the Ilion race, they take their high'st degree."
On went his helm ; his princess home, half cold with kindly fears ;
"When ev'ry fear turn'd hack her looks, and ev'ry look shed tears. 535
Foe-slaught'ring Hector's house soon reach'd, her many women there
Wept all to see her : in his life great Hector's fun'rals were ;
Never look'd any eye of theirs to see their lord safe home,
'Scap'd from the gripes and pow'rs of Greece. And now was Paris
come
From his high tow'rs ; who made no stay, when once he had put on 540
His richest armour, but flew forth ; the flints he trod upon
Sparkled with lustre of his arms ; his long-ebb'd spirits now flow'd
The higher for their lower ebb. And as a fair steed, proud
With full-giv'n mangers, long tied up, and now, his head- stall broke,
He breaks from stable, runs the field, and with an ample stroke 545
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 wash'd, or, stung with his high plight, he flies
Amongst his females, strength put forth, his beauty beautifies,
And, like life's mirror, bears his gait ; so Paris from the tow'r 550
Of lofty Pergamus came forth ; he show'd a sun-like pow'r
In carriage of his goodly parts, address'd now to the strife ;
And found his noble brother near the place he left his wife.
Him thus respected he salutes : " Right w T orthy, I have fear
That your so serious haste to field, my stay hath made forbear, 555
And that I come not as you wish." He answer'd : " Honour'u man,
Be confident, for not myself, nor any others, can
Eeprove in thee the work of fight, at least, not any such
As is an equal judge of things ; for thou hast strength as much
543 "His simile, high and expressive ; which Virgil almost word for word
hath translated, iEn. xi. (v. 492)." Chapman.
154 THE SIXTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
As serves to execute a mind very important, but 660
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, 5C5
When, from their ports the foe expuls'd, high Jove to them hath giv'n
Wish'd peace, and us free sacrifice to all the Powers of heav'n."
560 Important fall of anxiety, restless.
D64 Noblesse. The second folio has " noblenesse," which Dr. Taylor adopts ;
but the earlier reading is manifestly the true one. So ablesse, Bk. v. 248.
THE END OF THE SIXTH BOOK.
THE SEVENTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.*
The Argument.
Hector, by Helenus' advice, doth seek
Advent'rous combat on the boldest Greek.
Nine Greeks stand up, acceptants ev'ry one,
But lot selects strong Ajax Telamon.
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 angers Neptune. Jove, by hapless signs,
In depth of night, succeeding woes divines.
Another Argument.
In Eta, Priam's strongest son
Combats with Ajax Telamon.
HIS said, brave Hector through the ports, with Troy's
bane-bringing knight,
Made issue to th' insatiate field, resolv'd to fervent fight.
And as the Weather-wielder sends to seamen prosp'rous
When with their sallow polish'd oars, long lifted from their falls,
* "These next four books have not my last hand ; and because the rest (for
a time) will be sufficient to employ your censures, suspend them of these. Spare
not the other." Chapman.
156 THE SEVENTH BOOK
Their wearied arms, dissolv'd with toil, can scarce strike one stroke more ;
Like those sweet winds appear'd these lords, to Trojans tir'd before. 6
Then fell they to the works of death. By Paris' valour fell
King Areithous' hapless son, that did in Arna dwell,
Menesthius, whose renowned sire a club did ever bear,
And of Phylomedusa gat, that had her eyes so clear, 10
This slaughtered issue. Hector's dart strook Eioneus dead ;
Beneath his good steel casque it pierc'd, above his gorget-stead.
Glaucus, Hippolochus's son, that led the Lycian crew,
Iphinous-Dexiades with sudden jav'lin slew,
As he was mounting to his horse ; his shoulders took the spear, 15
And ere he sate, in tumbling down, his pow'rs dissolved were.
When grey-ey'd Pallas had perceiv'd the Greeks so fall in fight,
From high Olympus' top she stoop'd, and did on Ilion light.
Apollo, to encounter her, to Pergamus did fly,
From whence he, looking to the field, wish'd Trojans' victory. 20
At Jove's broad beech these Godheads met ; and first Jove's son objects :
" Why, burning in contention thus, do thy extreme affects
Conduct thee from our peaceful hill 1 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, 25
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 heav'n ;
But to make either armies cease, what order shall be giv'n ? " 30
He said : " We will direct the spirit, that burns in Hector's breast,
To challenge any Greek to wounds, with single pow'rs impress'd ;
Which Greeks, admiring, will accept, and make some one stand out
So stout a challenge to receive, with a defence as stout."
It is confirm'd ; and Helenus (king Priam's loved seed) 35
By augury discern'd th' event that these two pow'rs decreed,
12 Gorget-stead. See Bk. v. 538. - Affects. See Bk. I. 209.
OF HOMERS ILIADS. 157
And greeting Hector ask'd him this : " Wilt thou he once advis'd ?
I am thy brother, and thy life with mine is ev'nly prized.
Command the rest of Troy and Greece, to cease this public fight,
And, what Greek bears the greatest mind, to single strokes excite. 40
I promise thee that yet thy soul shall not descend to fates ;
So heard I thy survival cast, by the celestial States."
Hector with glad allowance gave his brother's counsel ear,
And, fronting both the hosts, advanc'd just in the midst his spear.
The Trojans instantly surcease ; the Greeks Atrides stay'd. 45
The God that bears the silver bow, and war's triumphant Maid,
On Jove's beech like two vultures sat, pleas'd to behold both parts
Flow in to hear, so sternly arm'd with huge shields, helms, and
darts.
And such fresh horror as you see, driv'n through the wrinkled waves
By rising Zephyr, under whom the sea grows black, and raves ; 50
Such did the hasty gath'ring troops of both hosts make to hear ;
Whose tumult settled, 'twixt them both, thus spake the challenger :
"Hear, Trojans, and ye well-arm'd Greeks, what my strong mind,
diffus'd
Through all my spirits, commands me speak : Saturnius hath not us'd
His promis'd favour for our truce, but, studying both our ills, 55
Will never cease, till Mars, by you, his rav'nous stomach fills
With ruin'd Troy, or we consume your mighty sea-borne fleet.
Since then the gen'ral peers of Greece in reach of one voice meet,
Amongst you all, whose breast includes the most impulsive mind,
Let him stand forth as combatant, by all the rest design'd. 60
Before whom thus I call high Jove, to witness of our strife :
If 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 return'd, that Troy's two-sex'd descent
May waste it in the fun'ral pile. If I can slaughter him, 65
Apollo honouring me so much, I'll spoil his conquer'd limb,
49 Horror in the classical sense of any thing that bristles up.
158 THE SEVENTH BOOK
And bear his arms to Ilion, 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 flamy funerals,
And honour'd with erected tomb, where Hellespontus falls 70
Into iEgaeurn, and doth reach ev'n to your naval road,
That, when our beings in the earth shall hide their period,
Survivors, sailing the black sea, may thus his name renew :
' This is his monument, whose blood long since did fates imbrue,
Whom, passing far in fortitude, illustrate Hector slew.' 76
This shall posterity report, and my fame never die."
This said, dumb silence seiz'd them all ; they shamed to deny,
And fear'd to undertake. At last did Menelaus speak,
Check'd their remissness, and so sigh'd, as if his heart would break :
" Ah me ! But only threat'ning Greeks, not worthy Grecian names ! go
This more and more, not to be borne, makes grow our huge defames,
If Hector's honourable proof be entertain'd by none.
But you are earth and water all, which, symboliz'd in one,
Have fram'd your faint unfi'ry spirits ; ye sit without your hearts,
Grossly inglorious ; but myself will use acceptive darts, 85
And arm against him, though you think I arm 'gainst too much
odds ;
But conquest's garlands hang aloft, amongst th' immortal Gods."
He arm'd, 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 restrain'd ; 90
And ev'n the king of men himself, that in such compass reign'd,
Who took him by the bold right hand, and sternly pluck'd him back :
" 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 ; 95
76 Illustrate. The second folio (followed by Dr. Taylor) has " illustrious."
See Bk. vni. 252.
80 " vere Phryyice, neque enim Phryyes ; saith his imitator." Chapman.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 159
Yea whom iEacides himself, in men-renowning war,
Makes d oubt t' encounter, whose huge strength surpasseth thine by
far.
Sit 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 ; 100
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
The same reproof he set on foot, and thus supplied his turn :
" What huge indignity is this ! How will our country mourn ! 105
Old Peleus that good king will weep, tbat 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, no
How will he lift his hands to heav'n, and pray that death may bear
His grieved soul into the deep ! O would to heav'n's great King,
Minerva, and the God of light, that now my youthful spring
Did flourish in my willing veins, as when at Phsea's tow'rs,
About the streams of Jardanus, my gather'd Pylean pow'rs, 115
And dart-employ'd Arcadians, fought, near raging Celadon !
Amongst whom, first of all stood forth great Ereuthalion,
Who th' arms of Areithoiis wore, brave Areithoiis,
And, since he still fought with a club, surnam'd Clavigerus,
All men, and fair-girt ladies both, for honour call'd him so. 120
He fought not with a keep-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 (encount'ring in a lane, where his club wanted sway)
He thrust him through his spacious waist ; who fell, and upwards lay,
112 ' ' O si prseteritos referat mihi Jupiter annos
Qualis eram, &c." Chapman.
160 THE SEVENTH BOOK
In death not bowing his face to earth ; his arms he did despoil, 126
Which iron Mars bestow'd on him ; and those, in Mars's toil,
Lycurgus ever after wore ; but when he aged grew,
Enforc'd to keep his peaceful house, their use he did renew
On mighty Ereuthalion's limbs, his soldier, loved well ; 130
And with these arms he challeng'd all, that did in arms excel ;
All shook, and stood dismay'd, 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, 135
Minerva made me so renown'd, 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 ev'rywhere.
O that my youth were now as fresh, and all my pow'rs as sound,
Soon should bold Hector be impugn'd ! Yet you that most are crown'd
"With fortitude of all our host, ev'n you methinks are slow, 141
Not free, and set on fire with lust, t' encounter such a foe."
With this, nine royal princes rose. Atrides for the first ;
Then Diomed ; th' Ajaces then, that did th' encounter thirst ;
King Idomen and his consorts ; Mars-like Meriones ; 145
Evemon's son, Eurypylus : and Andrsernonides,
Whom all the Grecians Thoas call'd, sprung of Andramion's blood ;
And wise Ulysses ; ev'ry one, propos'd for combat, stood.
Again Gerenius Nestor spake : " Let lots be drawn by all ;
His hand shall help the well-arm'd Greeks, on whom the lot doth
fall, 150
And to his wish shall he be help'd, if he escape with life
The harmful danger-breathing fit of his advent'rous strife."
Each mark'd his lot, and cast it in to Agamemnon's casque.
The soldiers pray'd, held up their hands, and this of Jove did ask,
With eyes advanc'd'to heav'n : " Jove, so lead the herald's hand,
That Ajax, or great Tydeus' son, may our wish'd champion stand, 156
Or else the king himself that rules the rich Mycenian land."
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 161
This said, old Nestor mix'd the lots. The foremost lot survey'd
With Ajax Telamon was sign'd, as all the soldiers pray'd ;
One of the heralds drew it forth, who brought and show'd it round, ico
Beginning at the right hand first, to all the most renown'd.
None knowing it, ev'ry man denied ; but when he forth did pass
To him which mark'd and cast it in, which famous Ajax was,
He stretch'd his hand, and into it the herald put the lot,
Who, viewing it, th' inscription knew ; the duke denied not, i65
But joyfully acknowledg'd it, and threw it at his feet,
And said : friends, the lot is mine, which to my soul is sweet ;
For now I hope my fame shall rise, in noble Hector's fall.
But, whilst I arm myself, do you on great Saturnius call,
But silently, or to yourselves, that not a Trojan hear ; iro
Or openly, if you think good, since none alive we fear.
None with a will, if I will not, can my bold pow'rs affright,
At least for plain fierce swing 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." 175
This said, the well-giv'n soldiers pray'd ; up went to heav'n their eyx\e :
" 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 pow'r, like fame." This said, in bright arms shone
The good strong Ajax ; who, when all his war attire was on, m
March'd like the hugely-figur'd Mars, when angry Jupiter
With strength, on people proud of strength, sends him forth to infer
Wreakf ul contention, and comes on with presence full of fear ;
So th' Achive rampire, Telamon, did 'twixt the hosts appear ; 135
Smil'd ; yet of terrible aspect ; on earth, with ample pace,
He boldly stalk'd, and shook aloft his dart with deadly grace.
It did the Grecians good to see ; but heartquakes shook the joints
Of all the Trojans. Hector's self felt thoughts, with horrid points,
VOL. I. L
162 THE SEVENTH BOOK
Tempt his bold bosom ; but he now must make no counterflight, ioo
Nor, with his honour, now refuse, that had provok'd the fight.
Ajax came near ; and, like a tow'r, his shield his bosom barr'd,
The right side brass, and sev'n ox-hides within it quilted hard ;
Old Tychius, the best currier, that did in Hyla dwell,
Did frame it for exceeding proof, and wrought it wondrous well. 195
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 crook'd-stern'd fleet, a rival with our kins 200
In height of spirit ; yet to Troy he many knights did bring,
Coequal with iEacides, all able to sustain
All thy bold challenge can import. Begin then, words are vain."
The helm-grac'd Hector answer'd him : " Renowned Telamon,
Prince of the soldiers came from Greece, assay not me, like one 205
Young and immartial, with great words, as to an Amazon dame ;
I have the habit of all fights, and know the bloody frame
Of ev'ry slaughter ; I well know the ready right hand charge,
I know the left, and ev'ry sway of my secureful targe ;
I triumph in the cruelty of fixed combat fight, 210
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 renown'd, I will not work on thee
With least advantage of that skill I know doth strengthen me, 215
And so, with privity of sleight, win that for which I strive,
But at thy best, ev'n open strength, if my endeavours thrive."
Thus sent he his long jav'lin forth. It strook his foe's huge
shield
Near to the upper skirt of brass, which was the eighth it held. 219
193 Hinc illud : Dominus clypei septemplicis Ajax." Chapman.
201 He viz. Agamemnon.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 163
Six folds th' untamed dart strook through, and in the sev'nth tough hide
The point was check'd. Then Ajax threw ; his angry lance did glide
Quite through his bright orbicular targe, his curace, shirt of mail,
And did his manly stomach's mouth with dang'rous taint assail ;
But, in the bowing of himself, black death too short did strike.
Then both, to pluck their jav'lins forth, encounter'd, lion-like, 225
Whose bloody violence is increas'd 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 pierc'd not through the upper plate, the head reflected was.
But Ajax, following his lance, smote through his target quite, 230
And stay'd bold Hector rushing in ; the lance held way outright,
And hurt his neck ; out gush'd the blood. Yet Hector ceas'd not so,
But in his strong hand took a flint, as he did backwards go,
Black, sharp, aud big, laid in the field ; the sev'nfold targe it smit
Full on the boss, and round about the brass did ring with it. 235
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 unmeasur'd force to it ; the round stone broke within
His rundled target ; his lov'd knees to languish did begin ;
And he lean'd, stretch'd out on his shield ; but Phcebus rais'd him
straight. 240
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, Idseus, grave and wise,
Said to them : " Now no more, my sons ; the Sov'reign of the skies
Doth love you both ; both soldiers are, all witness with good right ; 246
But now night lays her mace on earth ; 'tis good t' obey the night."
" Idseus," Telamon replied, " to Hector speak, not me ;
He that call'd all our Achive peers to station-fight, 'twas he ;
223 Stomach's mouth pit of the stomach.
244 When the one. The second folio reads " then the one" &c. and so Dr. Taylor.
164 THE SEVENTH BOOK
If lie first cease, I gladly yield." Great Hector then began : 250
" Ajax, since Jove, to thy big form, made thee so strong a man,
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, 2.->4
And grace with conquest which he will. Heav'n 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
Have offer'd orisons for me ; and come, let us impart
Some ensigns of our strife, to show each other's suppled heart, 259
That men of Troy and Greece may say, Thus their high quarrel ends.
Those that, encount'ring, were such foes, are now, being sep'rate, friends."
He gave a sword, whose handle was with silver studs through driv'n,
Scabbard and all, with hangers rich. By Telamon was giv'n
A fair well-glossed purple waist. Thus Hector went to Troy,
And after him a multitude, fill'd with his safety's joy, 265
Despairing he could ever 'scape the puissant fortitude
And unimpeached Ajax' hands. The Greeks like joy renew'd
For their reputed victory, and brought him to the king ;
"Who to the great Saturnides preferr'd an offering,
An ox that fed on five fair springs ; they fiay'd and quarter'd him, 270
And then, in pieces cut, on spits they roasted ev'ry limb ;
Which neatly dress'd, they drew it off. Work done, they fell to feast ;
All had enough ; but Telamon, the king fed past the rest
With good large pieces of the chine. Thus thirst and hunger stay'd,
Nestor, whose counsels late were best, vows new, and first he said : 27:,
' 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 day's first spring,
262 Hector gives Ajax a sword ; Ajax, Hector a girdle. Both which gifts
were afterwards cause of both their deaths." Chapman.
- 70 "Virgil imit." Chapman.
270 (i Springs springs-seasons, years ; i. e. was five years old.
276 Sort. See Bk. iv. 460.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 165
Let us ourselves, assembled all, the bodies bear to fire, 280
With mules and oxen near our fleet, that, when we home retire,
Each man may carry to the sons, of fathers slaughter'd here,
Their honour'd bones. One tomb for all, for ever, let us rear,
Circling the pile without the field ; at which we will erect
Walls, and a rav'lin, that may safe our fleet and us protect. 285
And in them let us fashion gates, solid, and barr'd 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 231
At Priam's gate, in th' Ilion tow'r, fearful and turbulent.
Amongst all, wise Antenor spake : " Trojans, 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 295
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 ceas'd ; and Alexander spake, husband to th' Argive queen:
" Antenor, to mine ears thy words harsh and ungracious been. 300
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 Trojans I will speak : I clearly do deny
To yield my wife, but all her wealth I'll render willingly,
Whatever I from Argos brought, and vow to make it more, 305
Which I have ready in my house, if peace I may restore."
Priam, surnam'd Dardanides, godlike, in counsels grave,
In his son's favour well-advis'd, this resolution gave :
" My royal friends of ev'ry state, there is sufficient done,
For this late council we have call'd, in th' offer of my son. 310
Now then let all take needful food, then let the watch be set,
And ev'ry court of guard held strong ; so, when the morn doth wet
1G6 THE SEVENTH BOOK
The high-rais'd battlements of Troy, Idaeus shall be sent
To th' Argive fleet, and Atreus' sons, t' unfold my son's intent,
From whose fact our contention springs ; and, if they will, obtain sis
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 dispos'd to his unconquer'd 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. 320
Idseus in the morning went, and th' Achive peers did find
In council at Atrides' ship ; his audience was assign'd ;
And, in the midst of all the kings, the vocal herald said :
" Atrides ! My renowned king, and other kings, his aid,
Propose by me, in their commands, the offers Paris makes, 325
Prom 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 urg'd the contrary, by all the peers of Troy. 330
And this besides 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 perform'd, 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 : 335
" Let no man take the wealth, or dame ; for now a child's weak eye
May see the imminent black end of Priam's enipery."
This sentence, quick and briefly giv'n, the Greeks did all admire.
Then said the king : " Herald, thou hear'st in him the voice entire
Of all our peers, to answer thee, for that of Priam's son. 340
Put, for our burning of the dead, by all means I am won
To satisfy thy king therein, without the slend'rest gain
Made of their spoiled carcasses ; but freely, being slain,
They shall be all consum'd with fire. To witness which I cite
High thund'ring Jove, that is the king of Juno's bed's delight." 345
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 167
With this, he held his sceptre up, to all the sky-thron'd Pow'rs ;
And grave Idseus did return to sacred Ilion's tow'rs,
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, 350
Some to hew trees. On th' other part, the Argives did exhort
Their soldiers to the same affairs. Then did the new fir'd sun
Smite the broad fields, ascending heav'n, and th' ocean smooth did run ;
When Greece and Troy mix'd in such peace, you scarce could either know.
Then wash'd they off their blood and dust, and did warm tears bestow
Upon the slaughter'd, and in cars convey'd them from the field. 356
Priam commanded none should mourn, but in still silence yield
Their honour'd carcasses to fire, and only grieve in heart.
All burn'd ; to Troy Troy's friends retire, to fleet the Grecian part.
Yet doubtful night obscur'd the earth, the day did not appear, 360
When round about the fun'ral pile, the Grecians gather'd were.
The pile they circled with a tomb, and by it rais'd a wall,
High tow'rs, 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, 305
On which they pallisadoes pitch'd ; 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 admir'd ;
'Mongst whom the Earthquake-making God, this of their king inquir'd :
" Father of Gods, will any man, of all earth's grassy sphere, 370
Ask any of the Gods' consents to any actions there,
If thou wilt see the shag-hair'd Greeks, with headstrong labours frame
So huge a work, and not to us due off'rings first enflame 1
As far as white Aurora's dews are sprinkled through the air,
Fame will renown the hands of Greece, for this divine affair ; 375
Men will forget the sacred work, the Sun and I did raise
For king Laomedon (bright Troy) and this will bear the praise."
349 Legacy embassy ; from legate. - See Bk. ix. 220. 369 Neptune.
168 THE SEVENTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
Jove was extremely mov'd with him, and said : " "What words are these,
Thou mighty Shaker of the earth, thou Lord of all the seas ?
Some other God, of far less pow'r, might hold conceits, dismay'd 380
With this rare Grecian stratagem, and thou rest well apaid ;
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 batter'd, thou mayst quite devour it with thy waves,
And cover, with thy fruitless sands, this fatal shore of graves ; 385
That, what their fi'ry industries have so divinely wrought
In raising it, in razing it thy pow'r will prove it nought."
Thus spake 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, 390
When out of Lemnos a great fleet of od'rous wine arrived,
Sent by Euneus, Jason's son, born of Hypsipyle.
The fleet contain'd 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. 396
A sumptuous banquet was prepar'd ; and all that night the peers
And fair-hair'd Greeks consum'd in feast. So Trojans, and their aid.
And all the night Jove thunder'd loud ; pale fear all thoughts dismay'd.
While they were gluttonous in earth, Jove wrought their banes in heav'n.
They pour'd full cups upon the ground, and were to off 'rings driv'n 401
Instead of quaffmgs ; and to drink, none durst attempt, before
In solemn sacrifice they did almighty Jove adore.
Then to their rests they all repair'd ; bold zeal their fear bereav'd ;
And sudden sleep's refreshing gift, securely they receiv'd. 405
38i "The fortification that in the twelfth book is razed." Chapman.
398 So Trojans in like manner.
THE END OP THE SEVENTH BOOK.
THE EIGHTH BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.
The Argument.
When Jove to all the Gods had giv'n 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 charg'd fires should consume the night,
Lest Greeks in darkness took suspected flight.
Another Argument.
In Theta, Gods a Council have.
Troy's conquest. Glorious Hector's brave.
p[HE cheerful Lady of the light, deck'd in her saffron robe,
Dispers'd her beams through ev'ry part of this enflow'red
globe,
^tt^Ss^ "When thund'ring Jove a Court of Gods assembled by his will,
In top of all the topful heights, that crown th' Olympian hill.
He spake, and all the Gods gave ear : " Hear how I stand inclin'd,
That God nor Goddess may attempt t' infringe my sovereign mind, 6
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 heav'n he, sham'd, shall reascend ;
170 THE EIGHTH BOOK
Or, taking with him his offence, I'll cast him down as deep 10
As Tartarus, the hrood of night, where Barathrum doth steep
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 heav'n, for height, exceeds the earth ; then shall he know from thence
How much my pow'r, past all the Gods, hath sov'reign eminence. 15
Endanger it the whiles and see. Let down our golden chain,
And at it let all Deities their utmost strengths constrain,
To draw me to the earth from heav'n ; you never shall prevail,
Though, with your most contention, ye dare my state assail.
But when my will shall be dispos'd, to draw you all to me, 20
Ev'n with the earth itself, and seas, ye shall enforced be ;
Then will I to Olympus' top our virtuous engine bind,
And by it ev'rything shall hang, by my command inclin'd.
So much I am supreme to Gods, to men supreme as much."
The Gods sat silent, and admir'd, his dreadful speech was such. 25
At last his blue-ey'd daughter spake : " great Saturnides !
father, O heav'n's highest king, well know we the excess
Of thy great pow'r, compar'd 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. 30
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 burthen of thy wrath, and with their shames be slain."
He smil'd, and said : "Be confident, thou art belov'd of me ;
1 speak not this with serious thoughts, but will be kind to thee." 35
This said, his brass-hoof'd winged horse he did to chariot bind,
Whose crests were fring'd with manes of gold ; and golden garments
shin'd
On his rich shoulders ; in his hand he took a golden scourge,
Divinely fashion'd, and with blows their willing speed did urge
11 Virgil maketh this likewise his place, adding,
Bis patct in prceceps tantum, tcnditque sub umbras, tC-c." Chapman.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 171
Mid way betwixt the earth and heav'n. To Ida then he came, 40
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 check'd,
Dissolv'd them from his chariot, and in a cloud of jet
He coverM them, and on the top took his triumphant seat, 45
Beholding Priam's famous town, and all the fleet of Greece.
The Greeks took breakfast speedily, and arm'd at evry piece.
So Trojans ; who though fewer far, yet all to fight took arms,
Dire need enforc'd them to avert their wives' and children's harms.
All gates flew open ; all the host did issue, foot and horse, 50
In mighty tumult ; straight one place adjoin'd each adverse force.
Then shields with shields met, darts with darts, strength against strength
oppos'd ;
The boss-pik'd targets were thrust on, and thunder'd as they clos'd
In mighty tumult ; groan for groan, and breath for breath did breathe,
Of men then slain, and to be slain ; earth flow'd with fruits of death.
While the fair morning's beauty held, and day increas'd in height, 56
Their jav'lins mutually made death transport an equal freight,
But when the hot meridian point, bright Phoebus did ascend,
Then Jove his golden balances did equally extend,
And, of long-rest- conferring death, put in two bitter fates 60
For Troy and Greece ; he held the midst ; the day of final dates
Pell on the Greeks ; the Greeks' hard lot sunk to the flow'ry ground,
The Trojans' leapt as high as heav'n. Then did the claps resound
Of his fierce thunder ; lightning leapt amongst each Grecian troop ;
The sight amaz'd them ; pallid fear made boldest stomachs stoop. 65
Then Idomen durst not abide, Atrides went his way,
And both th' Ajaces ; Nestor yet, against his will did stay,
That grave protector of the Greeks, for Paris with a dart
Enrag'd one of his chariot horse ; he smote the upper part
Of all his skull, ev'n where the hair, that made his foretop, sprung. 70
The hurt was deadly, and the pain so sore the courser stung,
172 THE EIGHTH BOOK
(Pierc'd to the brain) he stamp'd and plung'd. One on another bears,
Entangled round about the beam ; then Nestor cut the gears
With his new-drawn authentic sword. Meanwhile the fi'ry horse
Of Hector brake into the press, with their bold ruler's force ; 75
Then good old Nestor had been slain, had Diomed not espy'd,
Who to Ulysses, as he fled, importunately cried :
" Thou that in counsels dost abound, Laertiades,
Why fly'st thou ? Why thus, coward- like, shunn'st thou the honour'd
prease ?
Take heed thy back take not a dart. Stay, let us both intend so
To drive this cruel enemy, from our dear aged friend."
He spake, but wary Ithacus would find no patient ear,
But fled forthright, ev'n to the fleet. Yet, though he single were,
Brave Diomed mix'd amongst the fight, and stood before the steeds
Of old Neleides, whose estate thus kingly he areeds : 85
" father, with these youths in fight, thou art unequal plac'd,
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 ev'ry way perform the varied fight ; 90
I forc'd them from Anchises' son, well-skill'd in cause of flight.
Then let my squire lead hence thy horse ; mine thou shalt guard, whilst I,
By thee advanc'd, assay the fight, that Hector's self may try
If my lance dote with the defects, that fail best minds in age,
Or finds the palsy in my hands, that doth thy life engage." 95
This noble Nestor did accept, and Diomed's two friends,
Eurymedon that valour loves, and Sthenelus, ascends
Old Nestor's coach. Of Diomed's horse Nestor the charge sustains,
And Tydeus' son took place of fight. Neleides held the reins,
And scourg'd the horse, who swiftly ran direct in Hector's face ; 100
Whom fierce Tydides bravely charg'd, but, he turn'd from the chace,
74 Authentic i.e., his own. 80 Intend apply ourselves.
85 Areeds counsels, advises. b9 See Bk. v. 308.
95 Thy life. The second folio has " my."
OF HOMERS ILIADS. 173
His jav'lin Eniopeus smit, mighty Thebseus' 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 dissolv'd. Hector had deep remorse
Of his mishap, yet left he him, and for another sought ; iog
Nor long his steeds did want a guide, for straight good fortune brought
Bold Archeptolemus, whose life did from Iphitis spring ;
He made him take the reins and mount. Then souls were set on wing ;
Then high exploits were undergone ; then Trojans in their walls no
Had been infolded like meek lambs, had Jove wink'd at their falls,
Who hurl'd 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 savour'd sulphur-like,
Which down before the chariot the dazzled horse did strike. 115
The fair reins fell from Nestor's hand, who did in fear entreat
Eenown'd Tydides into flight to turn his fury's heat :
" For know'st thou not," said he, " our aid is not supplied from Jove 1
This day he will give fame to Troy, which when it fits his love
We shall enjoy. Let no man tempt his unresisted will, 120
Though he exceed in gifts of strength ; for he exceeds him still."
" Father," replied the king, " 'tis true ; but both my heart and soul
Are most extremely griev'd to think how Hector will control
My valour with his vaunts in Troy, that I was terror-sick 124
With his approach ; which when he boasts, let earth devour me quick."
"Ah! warlike Tydeus' son," said he, "what needless words are
these 1
Though Hector should report thee faint, and amorous of thy ease,
The Trojans, nor the Trojan wives, would never give him trust,
Whose youthful husbands thy free hand hath smother'd so in dust."
This said, he turn'd his one-hoof'd horse to flight, and troop did take,
When Hector and his men, with shouts, did greedy pursuit make, 131
130 Troop did take to take troop is a frequent expression for taking shelter
amidst the troops, running back.
174 THE EIGHTH BOOK
And pour'd on darts that made air sigh. Then Hector did exclaim :
" Tydeus' son, the kings of Greece do most renown thy name
With highest place, feasts, and full cups ; who now will do the shame ;
Thou shalt be like a woman us'd, and they will say : ' Depart, 135
Immartial minion, since to stand Hector thou hast no heart'
Nor canst thou scale our turrets' tops, nor lead the wives to fleet
Of valiant men, that wife-like fear'st my adverse charge to meet."
This two ways mov'd him, still to fly, or turn his horse and fight.
Thrice thrust he forward to assault, and ev'ry time the fright. ho
Of Jove's fell thunder drave him back, which he propos'd for sign
(To show the change of victor} 7 ) Trojans should victors shine.
Then Hector comforted his men : " All my advent'rous friends,
Be men, and, of your famous strength, think of the honour' d ends.
I know benevolent Jupiter, did by his beck profess 145
Conquest and high renown to me, and to the Greeks distress.
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, 150
For I will all their ships inflame, with whose infestive smoke,
Fear-shrunk, and hidden near their keels, the conquer'd Greeks shall
choke."
Then cherish'd he his famous horse : " Xanthus, now," said he,
" And thou Podargus, iEthon too, and Lampus, dear to me,
Make me some worthy recompense, for so much choice of meat, 155
Giv'n you by fair Andromache ; bread of the purest wheat,
And with it, for your drink, mix'd wine, to make ye wished cheer,
Still serving you before myself, her husband young and dear.
Pursue, and use your swiftest speed, that we may take for prise
The shield of old Neleides, which Fame lifts to the skies, ico
Ev'n to the handles telling it to be of massy gold.
And from the shoulders let us take, of Diomed the bold,
136 The second folio has a strange misprint in " immortal " for " immartial.''
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 175
The royal curace Vulcan wrought, with art so exquisite.
These if we make our sacred spoil, I doubt not, but this night,
Ev'n to their navy to enforce the Greeks' unturned flight." 105
This Juno took in high disdain, and made Olympus shake
As she but stirr'd within her throne, and thus to Neptune spake :
" Neptune, what a spite is this ! Thou God so huge in pow'r,
Afflicts it not thy honour'd heart, to see rude spoil devour
These Greeks that have in Helice, and Aege, offer'd thee 170
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 broad-ey'd Jove's proud will, it would abate his joy."
He, angry, told her she was rash, and he would not be one, m
Of all the rest, should strive with Jove, whose pow'r was match'd by none.
Whiles they conferr'd thus, all the space the trench contain'd before
(From that part of the fort that flank'd the navy-anchoring shore)
Was fill'd with horse and targeteers, who there for refuge came,
By Mars-swift Hector's pow'r engag'd ; Jove gave his strength the
fame ;
And he with spoilful fire had burn'd the fleet, if Juno's grace iso
Had not inspir'd the king himself, to run from place to place,
And stir up ev'ry soldier's pow'r, to some illustrious deed.
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 185
Of all the fleet ; from whence his speech might with more ease be driv'n
To Ajax' and Achilles' ships, to whose chief charge were giv'n
The vantguard and the rearguard both, both for their force of hand,
And trusty bosoms. There arriv'd, thus urg'd he to withstand
Th' insulting Trojans : " what shame, ye empty-hearted lords, 190
Is this to your admired forms ! Where are your glorious words,
In Lemnos vaunting you the best of all the Grecian host 1
4 We are the strongest men,' ye said, ' we will command the most,
171 The second folio and Dr. Taylor read, "So many and so wtalthy gifts."
176 THE EIGHTH BOOK
Eating most flesh of high-horn' d beeves, and drinking cups full crown'd,
And ev'ry man a hundred foes, two hundred, will confound ; 195
Now all our strength, dar'd to our worst, one Hector cannot tame,'
Who presently with horrid fire, will all our fleet inflame.
Father Jove, hath ever yet thy most unsuffer'd hand
Afflicted, with such spoil of souls, the king of any land,
And taken so much fame from him 1 when I did never fail, 200
(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 pray'd to raze th' abodes
Of rape-defending Ilions. Yet grant, almighty Jove,
One favour ; that we may at least with life from hence remove, 205
Not under such inglorious hands, the hands of death employ ;
And, where Troy should be stoop'd by Greece, let Greece fall under Troy."
To this ev'n weeping king did Jove remorseful audience give,
And shook great heaVn to him, for sign his men and he should live.
Then quickly cast he off his hawk, the eagle prince of air, 210
That perfects his unspotted vows ; who seiz'd in her repair
A sucking hind calf, which she truss'd in her enforcive seres,
And by Jove's altar let it fall, amongst th' amazed peers,
Where the religious Achive kings, with sacrifice did please
The author of all oracles, divine Saturnides. 215
Now, when they knew the bird of Jove, they turn'd courageous head.
When none, though many kings put on, could make his vaunt, he led
Tydides to renew'd assault, or issu'd first the dike,
Or first did fight ; but, far the first, stone dead his lance did strike
208 Remorseful compassionate,
O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman,
(Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not)
Valiant, wise, remorseful.
Shakespeare. Two Gent. Yer. iv. 3.
See infra, line 409.
212 /Seres talons.
217 Put on attempted, came forward. Make his vaunt make good his
boast. Dr. Taylor says, "gain the vantage, come first to fight."
218 Tydides. He led Tydides, i. e. Tydides he led. An unusual construction.
OF HOMER'S ILIADS. 177
Arm'd Agelaus, by descent surnam'd Phradmonides ; -220
He turn'd his ready horse to flight, and Diomed's lance did seize
His back betwixt his shoulder-blades, and look'd out at his breast ;
He fell, and his arms rang his fall. Th' Atrides next address'd
Themselves to fight ; th' Ajaces next, with vehement strength endued ;
Idomeneus and his friend, stout Merion, next pursued ; 225
And after these Eurypylus, Evemon's honour'd race ;
The ninth, wdth backward-wreathed bow, had little Teucer place,
He still fought under Ajax' shield, who sometimes held it by,
And then he look'd his object out, and let his arrow fly,
And, whomsoever in the press he w r ounded, him he slew, 230
Then under Ajax' sev'n-fold shield, he presently withdrew.
He far'd like an unhappy child, that doth to mother run
For succour, when he knows full well, he some shrewd turn hath done.
What Trojans then w T ere to their deaths, by Teucer's shafts, impress'd ?
Hapless Orsilochus was first, Ormenus, Ophelest, 235
Dsetor, and hardy Chromius, and Lycophon divine,
And Amopaon that did spring from Polysemon's line,
And Menalippus ; all, on heaps, he tumbled to the ground.
The king rejoic'd to see his shafts the Phrygian ranks confound,
Who straight came near, and spake to him : " Teucer, lovely man,
Strike still so sure, and be a grace to ev'ry Grecian, 241
And to thy father Telamon, who took thee kindly home
(Although not by his wife his son) and gave thee foster room,
Ev'n from thy childhood ; then to him, though far from hence remov'd,
Make good fame reach ; and to thyself, I vow what shall be prov'd : 245
If he that dreadful iEgis bears, and Pa 
