ARGUMENT. The fecond Battle, and the distress of the Greeks. JUPITER affembles a council of the Deities, and threatens them with the pains of Tartarus if they affift either fide: Minerva only obtains of him that the may direct the Greeks by her counfels. The armies join battle: Jupiter on Mount Ida weighs in his balances the fates of both, and affrights the Greeks with his thunders and lightnings. Neftor alone continues in the field, in great danger; Diomed relieves him; whofe exploits, and those of Hector, are excellently defcribed. Juno endeavours to animate Neptune to the affiftance of the Greeks, but in vain. The acts of Teucer, who is at length wounded by Hector, and carried off. Juno and Minerva prepare to aid the Grecians; but are restrained by Iris, fent from Jupiter. The night puts an end to the battle. Hector continues in the field (the Greeks being driven to their fortification before the fhips) and gives orders to keep the watch all night in the camp, to prevent the enemy from reimbarking and efcaping by flight. They kindle fires through all the field, and pass the night under arms. The time of seven and twenty days is employed from the opening of the poem to the end of this book. The fcene here (except of the celestial machines) lies in the field toward the fea-fhore. A THE ILIA BOOK VIII. URORA now, fair daughter of the dawn, Gash'd with difhonest wounds, the scorn of heaven : 10 15 20 5. League League all your forces then, ye Powers above, Let down our golden everlasting chain, 2.5% Whofe ftrong embrace holds heaven, and earth, and main : Strive all, of mortal and immortal birth, To drag, by this, the Thunderer down to earth: I heave the Gods, the ocean, and the land; 30. Th' Almighty fpoke, nor durft the Powers reply, 35: A reverend horrour filenc'd all the sky; Trembling they stood before their Sovereign's look ; We own thy might, our Father and our Lord! If not to help, at least lament their fate. From fields forbidden we fubmifs refrain, With arms unaiding mourn our Argives flain; 40 Yet grant my counsels ftill their breasts may move, 45: Or all must perish in the wrath of Jove. The cloud-compelling God her fuit approv'd, Then call'd his courfers, and his chariot took ;. 50% Of Of heaven's undroffy gold the God's array High on the throne he fhines: his courfers fly. 55 60% 651 70 Now had the Grecians fnatch'd a short repast, And buckled on their fhining arms with hafte. Troy rouz'd as foon; for on this dreadful day The fate of fathers, wives, and infants, lay. The gates unfolding pour forth all their train; Squadrons on fquadrons cloud the dusky plain : Men, steeds, and chariots, shake the trembling ground; The tumult thickens, and the skies refound. And now with fhouts the fhocking armies clos'd, 75 To lances lances, fhields to fhields oppos'd, Host against hoft with fhadowy legions drew,, The founding darts in iron tempests flew, Victors and vanquifh'd join promifcuous cries, Triumphant shouts and dying groans arise; With streaming blood the flippery fields are dy'd, And flaughter'd heroes fwell the dreadful tide, - VOL. I. R. 80> Long |