As when, by lightnings, Jove's etherial power Foretels the rattling hail, or weighty shower, Or sends soft snows to whiten all the shore, Or bids the brazen throat of war to roar; By fits one flash succeeds as one expires, And heaven flames thick with momentary fires. So bursting frequent from Atrides' breast, Sighs following sighs his inward fears confest. Now o'er the field, dejected, he surveys From thousand Trojan fires the mounting blaze; Hears in the passing wind their music blow, And marks distinct the voices of the foe. Now looking backwards to the fleet and coast, Anxious he sorrows for th' endanger'd host. He rends his hairs in sacrifice to Jove, And sues to him that ever lives above: laly he groans; while glory and despair Divide his heart, and wage a doubtful war.

A thousand cares his labouring breast revolves; To seek sage Nestor now the chief resolves, With him, in wholesome counsels, to debate What yet remains to save th' afflicted state. He rose, and first he cast his mantle round, Next on his feet the shining sandals bound; A lion's yellow spoils his back conceal'd; His warlike hand a pointed javelin held. Meanwhile his brother, prest with equal woes, Alike deny'd the gifts of soft repose, Laments for Greece; that in his cause before So much had suffer'd and must suffer more. A leopard's spotted hide his shoulders spread ; A brazen helmet glitter'd on his head: Thus (with a javelin in his hand) he went To wake Atrides in the royal tent. Already wak'd, Atrides he descry'd, His armour buckling at his vessel's side. Joyful they met; the Spartan thus begun : "Why puts my brother his bright armour on ? Sends he some spy, amidst these silent hours, To try yon camp, and watch the Trojan powers? Bat say, what hero shall sustain that task? Such bold exploits uncommon courage ask; Guideless, alone, through night's dark shade to

And 'midst a hostile camp explore the foe!" To whom the king: “In such distress we stand, No vulgar counsels our affairs demand; Greece to preserve, is now no easy part, Bat asks high wisdom, deep design, and art: For Jove averse our humble prayer denies, And bows his bead to Hector's sacrifice. What eye has witness'd, or what ear believ'd, In one great day, by one great arm achiev'd, Such wondrous deeds as Hector's hand has done, And we beheld, the last revolving Sun? What honours the belov'd of Jove adorn! Sprung from no god, and of no goddess born, Yet such his acts, as Greeks unborn shall tell, And curse the battle where their fathers fell. "Now speed thy hasty course along the fleet, There call great Ajax, and the prince of Crete; Ourself to hoary Nestor will repair; To keep the guards on duty, be his care; (For Nestor's influence best that quarter guides, Whose son with Merion o'er the watch presides.)" To whom the Spartan: "These thy orders borne, Say, shall I stay, or with dispatch return?" "There shalt thou stay," (the king of men reply'd) "Else may we miss to meet, without a guide, The paths so many, and the camp so wide.

Still, with your voice, the slothful soldiers raise, Urge, by their father's fame, their future praise. Forget we now our state and lofty birth;

Not titles here, but works, must prove our worth.
To labour is the lot of man below;

And when Jove gave us life, he gave us woe."
This said, each parted to his several cares;
The king to Nestor's sable ship repairs;
The sage protector of the Greeks he found
Stretch'd in his bed with all his arms around;
The various-colour'd scarf, the shield, he rears,
The shining helmet, and the pointed spears:
The dreadful weapons of the warrior's rage,
That, old in arms, disdain'd the peace of age.
Then, leaning on his hand his watchful head,
The hoary monarch rais'd his eyes, and said:
"What art thou, speak, that on designs unknown,
While others sleep thus range the camp alone?
Seek'st thou some friend, or nightly centinel?
Stand off, approach not, but thy purpose tell."
O son of Neleus" (thus the king rejoin'd)
"Pride of the Greeks, and glory of thy kind!
Lo here the wretched Agamemnon stands,
Th' unhappy general of the Grecian bands;
Whom Jove decrees with daily cares to bend,
And woes, that only with his life shall end!
Scarce can my knees these trembing limbs sustain,
And scarce my heart support its load of pain.
No taste of sleep these heavy eyes have known ;
Confus'd, and sad, I wander thus alone,
With fears distracted, with no fix'd design;
And all my people's miseries are mine.
If aught of use thy waking thoughts suggest,
(Since cares, like mine, deprive thy soul of rest)
Impart thy counsel, and assist thy friend;
Now let us jointly to the trench descend,
At every gate the fainting guard excite,
Tir'd with the toils of day and watch of night:
Else may the sudden foe our works invade,
So near, and favour'd by the gloomy shade."

To him thus Nester: "Trust the powers above,
Nor think proud Hector's hopes confirm'd by Joves
How ill agree the views of vain mankind,
And the wise counsels of th' Eternal Mind!
Audacious Hector! if the gods ordain
That great Achilles rise and rage again,
What toils attend thee, and what woes remain !
Lo faithful Nestor thy command obeys;
The care is next our other chiefs to raise :
Ulysses, Diomed, we chiefly need;
Meges for strength, Oïleus fam'd for speed.
Some other be dispatch'd of nimbler feet,
To those tall ships, remotest of the fleet,
Where lie great Ajax, and the king of Crete.
To rouse the Spartan I myself decree;
Dear as he is to us, and dear to thee,
Yet must I tax his sloth, that claims no share
With his great brother in his martial care:
Him it behov'd to every chief to sue,
Preventing every part perform'd by you;
For strong necessity our toils demands,
Claims all our hearts, and urges all our hands."

To whom the king: "With reverence we allow Thy just rebukes, yet learn to spare them now. My generous brother is of gentle kind, He seems remiss, but bears a valiant mind; Through too much deference to our sovereign sway, Content to follow when we lead the way. But now, our ills industrious to prevent, Long ere the rest, he pose, and sought my tent.

The chiefs you nam'd, already at his call,
Prepare to meet us near the navy wall;
Assembling there, between the trench and gates,
Near the night-guards, our chosen council waits "
"Then none" (said Nestor) "shall his rule with-
For great examples justify command." [stand,

With that the venerable warrior rose;
The shining greaves his manly legs enclose;
His purple mantle golden buckles join'd,
Warin with the softest wool, and doubly liu'd.
Then rushing from his tent, he snatch'd in haste
His steely lance, that lighten'd as he past.
The camp he travers'd through the sleeping crowd,
Stopp'd at Ulysses' tent, and call'd aloud.
Ulysses, sudden as the voice was sent,
Awakes, starts up, and issues from his tent.
"What new distress, what sudden cause of fright,
Thus leads you wandering in the silent night;"
"O prudent chief!" (the Pylian sage reply'd)
"Wise as thou art, be now thy wisdom try'd;
Whatever means of safety can be sought,
Whatever counsels can inspire our thought,
Whatever methods, or to fly or fight;
All, all depend on this important night!"

He heard, return'd, and took his painted shield! Then join'd the chiefs, and follow'd through the Without his tent, bold Diomed they found, [field. All sheath'd in arms, his brave companions round: Each sunk in sleep, extended on the field, His head reclining on his bossy shield. A wood of spears stood by, that, fix'd upright, Shot from their flashing points a quivering light. A bull's black hide compos'd the hero's bed; A splendid carpet roll'd beneath his head. Then, with his foot, old Nestor gently shakes The slumbering chief, and in these words awakes: "Rise, son of Tydeus! to the brave and strong Rest seems inglorious, and the night too long. But sleep'st thou now? when from yon hill the foe Hangs o'er the fleet, and shades our walls below!" At this, soft slumber from his eye-lids fled; The warrior saw the hoary chief, and said, "Wondrous old man! whose soul no respite knows, Though years and honours bid thee seek repose, Let younger Greeks our sleeping warriors wake; Ill fits thy age these toils to undertake." "My friend" (he answer'd)" generous is thy care, These toils, my subjects and my sons might bear, Their loyal thoughts and pious loves conspire To ease a sovereign, and relieve a sire. But now the last despair surrounds our host; No hour must pass, no moment must be lost; Each single Greek, in this conclusive strife, Stands on the sharpest edge of death or life: Yet, if my years thy kind regard engage, Employ thy youth as I employ my age: Succeed to these my cares, and rouse the rest; He serves me most, who serves his country best." This said, the hero o'er his shoulders flung A lion's spoils, that to his ancles hung; Then seiz'd his ponderous lance, and strode along. Meges the bold, with Ajax fam'd for speed, The warrior rous'd, and to th' entrenchments led.

And now the chiefs approach the nightly guard; A wakeful squadron, each in arms prepar'd; Th' unweary'd watch their listening leaders keep, And, couching close, repel invading sleep. So faithful dogs their fleecy charge maintain, With toil protected from the prowling train,

When the gaunt lioness, with hunger bold,
Springs from the mountains tow'rd the guarded fold!
Through breaking woods her rustling course they
hear;

Loud, and more loud, the clamours strike their ear
Of hounds and men; they start, they gaze around,
Watch every side, and turn to every sound.
Thus watch'd the Grecians, cautions of surprize,
Each voice, each motion, drew their ears and eyes;
Each step of passing feet increas'd th' affright;
And hostile Troy was ever full in sight.
Nestor with joy the wakeful band survey'd,
And thus accosted through the gloomy shade:
""Tis well, ny sons! your nightly cares employ;
Else must our host become the scorn of Troy.
Watch thus, and Greece shall live"-The hero said;
Then o'er the trench the following chieftains led.
His son, and godlike Merion march'd behind
(For these the princes to their council join'd);
The trenches past, th' assembled kings around
In silent state the consistory crown'd.

A place there was yet undefil'd with gore,
The spot where Hector stopp'd his rage before;
When night descending, from his vengeful hand
Repriev'd the relics of the Grecian band:
(The plain beside with mangled corpse was spread,
And all his progress mark'd by heaps of dead.)
There sat the mournful kings: when Neleus' son
The council opening, in these words begun :

"Is there" (said he) "a chief so greatly brave,
His life to hazard, and his country save?
Lives there a man, who singly dares to go
To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?
Or, favour'd by the night, approach so near,
Their speech, their councils, and designs, to hear?
If to besiege our navies they prepare,
Or Troy once more must be the seat of war?
This could he learn, and to our peers recite,
And pass unharm'd the dangers of the night;
What fame were his through all succeeding days,
While Phoebus shines, or men have tongues to
praise?

What gifts his grateful country would bestow?
What must not Greece to her deliverer owe?
A sable ewe each leader should provide,
With each a sable lambkin by her side;
At every rite his share should be increas'd,
And his the foremost honours of the feast."
Fear held them mute: alone, untaught to fear,
Tydides spoke-" The man you seek, is here,
Through yon black camps to bend my dangerous
Some god within commands, and I obey.
But let some other chosen warrior join,
To raise my hopes, and second my design.
By mutual confidence, and mutual aid,
Great deeds are done, and great discoveries made;
The wise new prudence from the wise acquire,
And one brave hero fans another's fire."

[way

Contending leaders at the word arose : Each generous breast with emulation glows: So brave a task each Ajax strove to share, Bold Merion strove, and Nestor's valiant heir; The Spartan wish'd the second place to gain, And great Ulysses wish'd, nor wish'd in vain. Then thus the king of men the contest ends: "Thou first of warriors, and thou best of friends, Undaunted Diomed! what chief to join In this great enterprise, is only thine. Just be thy choice, without affection made; To birth, or office, no respect be paid;

Let worth determine here. "The monarch spake, And inly trembled for his brother's sake.

Then thus (the godlike Diomed rejoin'd) : "My choice declares the impulse of my mind, How can I doubt, while great Ulysses stands To lend his counsels, and assist our hands? A chief, whose safety is Minerva's care; So fam'd, so dreadful, in the works of war: Blest in his conduct, I no aid require; Wisdom like his might pass through flames of fire." "It fits thee not, before these chiefs of fame," (Reply'd the sage)" to praise me, or to blame : Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know. But let us haste-Night rolls the hours away, The reddening orient shows the coming day, The stars shine fainter on the ethereal plains, And of night's empire but a third remains." Thus having spoke, with generous ardour prest, In arms terrific their huge limbs they drest. A two-edg'd falchion Thrasymed the brave, And ample buckler, to Tydides gave: Then in a leathern helm he cas'd his head, Short of its crest, and with no plume o'erspread: (Such as by youths unus'd to arms are worn; No spoils enrich it, and no studs adorn.) Next him Ulysses took a shining sword, A bow and quiver, with bright arrows stor'd: A well-prov'd casque, with leather braces bound, (Thy gift, Meriones) his temples crown'd; Soft wool within, without, in order spread,

A boar's white teeth grina'd horrid o'er his head.
This from Amyntor, rich Ormenus' son,
Autolochus by fraudful rapine won,

And gave Amphidamas; from him the prize
Molus receiv'd, the pledge of social ties;
The helmet next by Merion was possess'd,
And now Ulysses' thoughtful temples press'd.
Thas sheath'd in arms, the council they forsake,
And dark through paths oblique their progress

take.

Just then, in sign she favour'd their intent, A long-wing'd heron great Minerva sent: This, though surrounding shades obscur'd their view, [knew.

By the shrill clang, and whistling wings, they As from the right she soar'd, Ulysses pray'd, Hail'd the glad omen, and address'd the maid:

O daughter of that god, whose arm can wield Th' avenging bolt, and shake the dreadful shield! O thou! for ever present in my way, Who all my motions, all my toils survey! Safe may we pass beneath the gloomy shade, Safe by thy succour to our ships convey'd; And let some deed this signal night adorn, To claim the tears of Trojans yet unborn."

Then godlike Diomed preferr'd his prayer:
"Daughter of Jove, unconquer'd Pallas! hear.
Great queen of arms, whose favour Tydeus won;
As thou defend'st the sire, defend the son.
When on Fsopus' banks the banded powers
Of Greece he left, and sought the Theban towers,
Peace was his charge; receiv'd with peaceful show,
He went a legate, but return'd a foe:

Then help'd by thee, and cover'd by thy shield,
He fought with numbers, and made numbers yield.
So now be present, oh celestial maid!
So still continue to the race thine aid!

A youthful steer shall fail bencuth the stroke,
Untam'd, unconscious of the galling yoke,

With ample forehead, and with spreading horns, Whose taper tops refulgent gold adorns."

plain,

The heroes pray'd; and Pallas from the skies Accords their vow, succeeds their enterprise. Now, like two lions panting for the prey, With dreadful thoughts they trace the dreary way Through the black horrours of th' ensanguin'd [of slain. Through dust, through blood, o'er arms and hills Nor less bold Hector, and the sons of Troy, On high designs the wakeful hours employ; Th' assembled peers their lofty chief enclos'd; Who thus the counsels of his breast propos'd: "What glorious man for high attempts prepar'd, Dares greatly venture, for a rich reward, Of yonder fleet a bold discovery make, [take? What watch they keep, and what resolves ther If now subdued they meditate their flight, And spent with toil neglect the watch of night? His be the chariot that shall please him most, Of all the plunder of the vanquish'd host; His the fair steeds that all the rest excel, And his the glory to have serv'd so well.”

A youth there was among the tribes of Troy, Dolon his name, Eumedes' only boy: (Five girls beside the reverend herald told) Rich was the son in brass, and rich in gold; Not blest by Nature with the charms of face, But swift of foot, and matchless in the race. "Hector!" (he said) "my courage bids me meet This high achievement, and explore the flect: But first exalt thy sceptre to the skies, And swear to grant me the demanded prize; Th' immortal coursers, and the glittering car, That bear Pelides through the ranks of war. Encourag'd thus, no idle scout I go, Fulfil thy wish, their whole intention know, Ev'n to the royal tent pursue my way, And all their counsels, all their aims betray."

The chief then heav'd the golden sceptre high, Attesting thus the monarch of the sky: "Be witness thou! immortal Lord of all! Whose thunder shakes the dark aërial hall: By none but Dolon shall this prize be borne, And him alone th' iminortal steeds adorn.”

Thus Hector swore: the gods were call'd in vain,

But the rash youth prepares to scour the plains
Across his back the bended bow he flung,

A wolf's grey hide around his shoulders bung,
A ferret's downy fur his helmet lin'd,
And in his hand a pointed jave in shin'd,
Then (never to return) he sought the shore,
And trod the path his feet must tread no more.
Scarce had he pass'd the steeds and Trojan throng
(Still bending forward as he cours'd along,)
When, on the hollow way, th' approaching tread
Ulysses mark'd, and thus to Diomed:

"O friend! I hear some step of hostile feet,
Moving this way, or hastening to the fleet;
Some spy perhaps to lurk beside the main ;
Or nightly pillager that strips the slain.
Yet let him pass, and win a little space;
Then rush behind him, and prevent his pace.
But if too swift of foot he flies before,
Confine his course along the fleet and shore,
Betwixt the camp and him our spears employ,
And intercept his hop'd return to Troy."

With that they stepp'd aside, and stoop'd their (As Dolon pass'd) behind a heap of dead:

[head

Amidst lay Rhesus, stretch'd in sleep profound,
And the white steeds behind his chariot bound.
The welcome sight Ulysses first descries,
And points to Diomed the tempting prize.
"The man, the coursers, and the car behold!
Describ'd by Dolon, with the arms of gold.
Now, brave Tydides! now thy courage try,
Approach the chariot, and the steeds untie,"
Or if thy soul aspire to fiercer deeds,
Urge thou the slaughter, while I seize the steeds.
Pallas (this said) her hero's bosom warms,
Breath'd in his heart, and strung his nervous arms,
Where'er he pass'd, a purple stream pursued
His thirsty falchion, fat with hostile blood;
Bath'd all his footsteps, dy'd the fields with gore,
And a low groan remurmur'd through the shore.
So the grim lion, from his nightly den,
O'erleaps the fences, and invades the pen;
On sheep or goats, resistless in his way,
He falls, and foaming rends the guardless prey.
Nor stopp'd the fury of his vengeful hand,
Till twelve lay breathless of the Thracian band.
Ulysses following, as his partner slew,
Back by the foot each slaughter'd warrior drew;
The milk-white coursers studious to convey
Safe to the ships, he wisely clear'd the way;
Lest the fierce steeds, not yet to battles bred,
Should start, and tremble at the heaps of dead.
Now twelve dispatch'd, the monarch last they
found;

Tydides' falchion fix'd him to the ground.
Just then a deathful dream Minerva sent;
A warlike form appear'd before his tent,
Whose visionary steel his bosom tore:

So dream'd the monarch, and awak'd no more.
Ulysses now the snowy steeds detains,
And leads them, fasten'd by the silver reins ;
These, with his bow unbent, he lash'd along;
(The scourge forgot, on Rhesus' chariot hung.)
Then gave bis friend the signal to retire;
But him, new dangers, new achievements fire:
Doubtful he stood, or with his reeking blade
To send more heroes to th' infernal shade,
Drag off the car where Rhesus' armour lay,
Or heave with manly force, and lift away.
While unresolv'd the son of Tydeus stands,
Pallas appears, and thus her chief commands:
Enough, my son; from farther slaughter

cease,

Pegard thy safety, and depart in peace;
Haste to the ships, the gotten spoils enjoy,
Nor tempt too far the hostile gods of Troy."
The voice divine confess'd the martial maid;
In haste he mounted, and her word obey'd;
The coursers fly before Ulysses' bow,
Swift as the wind, and white as winter-snow.
Not unobserv'd they pass'd: the god of light
Had watch'd his Troy, and mark'd Minerva's
flight,

Saw Tydeus' son with heavenly succour blest,
And vengeful anger fill'd his sacred breast.
Swift to the Trojan camp descends the power,
And wakes Hippocoon in the morning hour
(On Rhesus' side accustom'd to attend,
A faithful kinsman, and instructive friend.)
He rose, and saw the field deform'd with blood,
An empty space where late the coursers stood,

The yet-warm Thracians panting on the coast;
For each he wept, but for his Rhesus most:
Now while on Rhesus' name he calls in vain,
The gathering tumult spreads o'er all the plain;
On heaps the Trojans rush, with wild affright,
And wondering view the slaughters of the night.
Meanwhile the chiefs arriving at the shade
Where late the spoils of Hector's spy were laid,
Ulysses stopp'd; to him Tydides bore
The trophy, dropping yet with Dolon's gore:
Then mounts again; again their nimble feet
The coursers ply, and thunder tow'rds the fleet.

Old Nestor first perceiv'd th' approaching sound, Bespeaking thus the Grecian peers around: "Methinks the noise of trampling steeds I hear, Thickening this way, and gathering on my ear; Perhaps some horses of the Trojan breed (So may, ye gods! my pious hopes succeed) The great Tydides and Ulysses bear, Return'd triumphant with this prize of war. Yet much I fear (ah may that fear be vain!) The chiefs out-number'd by the Trojan train; Perhaps ev'n now pursued, they seek the shore; Or, oh! perhaps those heroes are no more."

Scarce had he spoke, when lo! the chiefs

appear,

And spring to earth; the Greeks dismiss their fear:
With words of friendship and extended hands
They greet the kings: and Nestor first demands:
Say thou, whose praises all our host proclaim,
Thou living glory of the Grecian name!
Say, whence these coursers? by what chance
bestow'd?

The spoil of foes, or present of a god?
Not those fair steeds so radiant and so gay,
That draw the burning chariot of the day.
Old as I am, to age I scorn to yield,
And daily mingle in the martial field;
But sure till now no coursers struck my sight
Like these conspicuous through the ranks of fight.
Some god, I deem, conferr'd the glorious prize,
Blest as ye are, and favourites of the skies;
The care of him who bids the thunder roar,
And her', whose fury bathes the world with gore."
"Father! not so" (sage Ithacus rejoin'd)
"The gifts of Heaven are of a nobler kind.
Of Thracian lineage are the steeds ye view,
Whose hostile king the brave Tydides slew;
Sleeping he died, with all his guards around,
And twelve beside lay gasping on the ground.
These other spoils from conquer'd Dolon came,
A wretch, whose swiftness was his only fame,
By Hector sent our forces to explore,
He now lies headless on the sandy shore,"

Then o'er the trench the bounding coursers flew;
The joyful Greeks with loud acclaim pursue.
Straight to Tydides' high pavillion borne,
The matchless steeds his ample stall adorn:
The neighing coursers their new fellows greet,
And the full racks are heap'd with generous wheat.
But Dolon's armour, to his ships convey'd,
High on the painted stern Ulysses laid,
A trophy destin'd to the blue-ey'd maid."

Now from nocturnal sweat, and sanguine stain, They cleanse their bodies in the neighbouring main:

Then in the polish'd bath, refresh'd from toil,
Their joints they supple with dissolving oil,

A Minerva.